Short little drabble I came up with after re-watching the Rescue Gaara arc. Minor GaaNaru warning. If you tilt your head a little. Can go as a romance or a friendship.
Iggy: You need to stop watching that stuff. It's bad for your health.
After Naruto and Gaara had mumbled their goodbyes. most of both group started off in their respective directions. However, Naruto remained in front of the Kazekage, averting his eyes in a way so that the sun highlighted the flecks in the blue. He rubbed a hand through his hair. "Umm, how do I say this…" He began.
Gaara tilted his head just slightly, "I suppose you don't really have to say anything."
"No, I have something to say, I just – Ah." He finally looked up, putting a hand on the other teen's shoulder. "Let's put it this way."
He stared Gaara in the eyes long and serious, and Gaara stared back unflinchingly. Then...
"THE NEXT TIME I FIND OUT YOU'VE BEEN KIDNAPPED AND I HAVE TO COME SAVE YOUR ASS, YOU OWE ME RAMEN! BELIEVE IT!" He yelled, breathing harshly due to the very quick expenditure of breath.
Gaara found he had actually flinched back, but after a moment managed a small smile. "That seems reasonable."
His frown turned into a grin, "Good! So keep yourself off the battlefield and behind the damn desk, pushing papers around. "
"I highly doubt that will be an issue. I will be lucky to see the sun anytime in the next month."
There was a pause, and Naruto dropped his hand to his side. Though they were unaware, both groups had stopped at his outburst and turned to look back, concerned.
Nobody knew who moved first. All anyone knew is that in less than a tenth of a second, Naruto and Gaara had eachother in a bear hug, each gripping the other like a drowning person to life vest. While they were too far from their respective groups for their actions to be clearly made out, two third-party persons had a fair idea of what was happening between the two.
Sakura and Temari, though a few hundred meters apart and unable to truly see the other kunoichi's face, shared a knowing smile.