"Garra?" Blue eyes tilt up to meet red ones.
"Welcome back, Naruto." The gates of Konoha greet a Kazekage and a weary traveler.
"Why are you here?" Naruto asked. Could it be that Gaara had come all this way to greet him? He'd gotten taller. Damn.
Gaara stared down at him, calculating his answer. Naruto's voice had gotten deeper. He was not as loud. Finally, he said, "I am visiting a...friend."
They flashed their identification to the gatekeepers and stepped into the village. Naruto was greeted by the fleeting sense of familiarity, but it was obvious that the village had gone through renovations. Gaara was greeted by a young woman, enveloped in her embrace upon passing through the gates.
"Gaara, you're here," a soft voice exclaimed. She stopped to look over at his companion. "Oh, I'm sorry. Welcome back, Naruto-kun!"
"Hinata," Gaara greeted, returning the hug, an amused smile dancing across his face. He wanted to see how Naruto would react to the changed Hyuuga.
Naruto gaped at the sight trying to piece together how the shy, dark, little Hinata had turned into a strong, capable young woman. Hinata had evidently grown out her hair, though it was in a loose bun at the moment. She had forgone her baggy sweater for something more practical. Hinata now donned a loose long-sleeved black shirt, a vest, equip with all of her ninja gear, over it, grey shorts that rose just above her knees, and black sandals. She was also now currently pressed into the Kazekage's side.
"Hin-, Ga-, whe-, wha-," Naruto sputtered in an attempt to figured out just what had happened since his departure. "I didn't know you guys were friends."
Hinata giggled at his confusion. She had missed Naruto and his enthusiasm. Upon hearing her small laugh, Naruto's face felt warmer. "I was sent to Suna as a foreign ambassador, while Shikamaru was on vacation, and Gaara and I became friends, Naruto-kun."
"Naruto," Garra's voice interjected, "you should be reporting to the Hokage."
"You can have lunch with us if you want," Hinata offered. "We still need to drop Gaara's things off at the compound." Unbeknownst to Naruto, Gaara lightly tapped Hinata's hip to show that he was not at all pleased with this recent development. Hinata briefly met Gaara's gaze and held it. He gave a brief nod to show that he would behave.
"I'd like that," his gaze softened as Hinata came forward to give him a much-appreciated hug. He made brief eye-contact with Gaara, who was evaluating him. Hinata then returned to grab Gaara's hand and started pulling him towards the compound.
She briefly waved at Naruto and flashed him a small smile, "We'll see you later, Naruto-kun!"
Naruto waved back at their retreating forms and wondered why he could hear the blood hammering into his ears. He really needed to catch up with everyone.
Suddenly, he remembered that he needed to report to Tsunade. "Shit."