Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the song mentioned below.
AN: I know I don't usually do a serious Author's Note before a story, but this is based off one of my favorite songs- The Christmas Shoes. Enjoy.
The Christmas Shoes
Gaara hated standing in lines about as much as he hated his father- that was saying something. The boy in front of him was very anxious for some reason. He was holding a pair of shoes. Gaara was holding for a girl from Konaha, Hyuga Hinata. Temari and Naruto had forced him into a Secret Santa project, still trying to get him hooked up with the Hyuga girl. So far nothing had worked. Gaara had overheard Temari saying that if the Secret Santa thing didn't work, they were left with two options: 1- send them on a mission together, or 2- lock them in a closet together. He didn't know who his Santa was, only that she seemed into demons, vampires, fangs, claws, death, and blood. The boy in front of him finally reached the counter. Looking confident, he put his money and the shoes on the counter. The cashier smiled down at him.
"Well, now, little one, who are these for?" The cashier scanned the box of shoes quickly.
"My mama, I think she'll really like them." The cashier smiled again, and then counted the little boy's money.
"Umm… I really hate to say this, but you don't have enough money for the shoes." The depressed look on the boy's face allowed Gaara to realize who he was. He was the little boy of Gaara's favorite ANBU, who recently had been fatally injured. The woman was the only villager who had never thought of him as a monster. She had always been very kind to Gaara.
"B-but, Mama really needs these, she's almost out of time!" Gaara realized what the boy meant- she was dieing. She was going to die, tonight. Gaara felt the pain in his chest worsen.
"Put it on the Kazekage family account." Seeing him in the line, the cashier jumped and began to look frantic. "This boy's mother is the ANBU member who was injured last month. I'm sure father won't mind." The cashier handed the little boy his money and the shoes. The boy looked at Gaara with thankful eyes. "Tell your mother that I send my farewell, and I will miss her." The little boy nodded and bowed.
"I will, Gaara-sama, domo arigato!" He rushed out of the store to give his mother the very last Christmas present she would ever get. As Gaara placed his purchases on the counter, he felt the pain in his chest lessen slightly.
"Sir I'd like to buy these shoes,
For my mama, please.
It's Christmas Eve,
And these shoes are just her size.
Could you please hurry, sir?
Daddy says there's not much time.
You see,
She's been sick for quite a while,
I know these shoes will make her smile,
I want her to look beautiful,
If Mama meets Jesus, Tonight."
AN: OK, that was the softer side of Gaara. You'll learn more about why Temari and Naruto are trying to get them hooked up in the sequel, which I'll put up next year. Look for it; it'll be called Secret Santa. I hope you enjoyed this.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!