I'm sorry for the bit lateness, but second and last chapter is up! :D

I've enjoyed writing it, something which will probably been seen, and I hope you will like it. And a bit more clever Naruto...though not by much. XD

Thanks to xXYour DoomXx for the review, and thanks to the follows! :D

Okay, this chapter happens around the Gaara-Hinata 'Era'..., and occurs around the chapters 2 to 10 in "Love Will Leave A Mark".

Read and Enjoy~!

Naruto didn't know Gaara very much, due to distance and the red-head being busy doing paperwork pretty much all the time while Naruto visited him, and that didn't seem to change.

But Naruto knew him. He had learned to read his friend's moods; to read the difference between the glares 'shut the hell up' and 'I'm going to kill you, and kill you again…', learned when to talk and when to run for his life while begging for forgiveness.

He had learned it all, or so he thought.

He had never seen Gaara look happy; really, really happy. So happy that his face wasn't so emotionless anymore; so happy that his eyes glittered here and there, that he 'smiled' easier. So happy that he had an extra step while he walked. So happy that Gaara looked at ease.

At first Naruto had been scared. 'Please don't tell me he's in love with me!' he tended to think after a conversation with him, whereas Gaara left with his lips twitching, trying to make a smile that didn't scream 'serial killer'.

Naruto quickly noted that wasn't the case.

At the second day, while eating breakfast, he noticed the look he and Hinata shared. A look full of secrets, happiness, and mutual agreement. He also noted that Hinata's cheeks were a lovely shade of red.

His brain started to spin, especially after he asked what the scroll Tsunade sent him said, and Gaara spared Hinata a glance before replying.

Before he could prevent it his mind went crazy, and images of Gaara and Hinata sleeping together, naked and in bed, came to mind. He cursed his perverted mind, and couldn't look at either of them, too embarrassed and ashamed of his own thoughts.

The lie he told his worried teammate was terrible, and everyone, including himself, didn't buy it, but luckily no one asked further.

Days followed like this; breakfast in the morning, Hinata sparing a glance at Gaara when she thought no one was watching, followed by Gaara doing the exact same thing moments later.

Their eyes meeting, far longer than necessary while sharing a few words, being careful (or so they thought) that no one watched them. This occurrence followed all through the days, and when night fell, and we said goodnight, their eyes were on fire, but neither of them noticed.

A week had passed when I saw Hinata absent-mindedly touch her ring-finger, meet Gaara's gaze and blush prettily while biting her lower lip slightly. The look he sent back could only be described as love.

Hinata and Gaara were something . . . something only made by love. The first thing that came to mind was marriage, but that would be silly, wouldn't it?

Hinata and Gaara weren't people to randomly get married. The mere thought was absurd! But… I just couldn't let the mere thought go.

I have to check.

That thought was ringing in my mind as I stealthily made my way to Gaara's room. Avoiding guards sleeping while standing in their appointed place, and came to a plain, brown door I knew was his.

I quietly went inside, knowing that Gaara wasn't there (I had passed him on the way, but I doubted he had seen me. He just looked so giddy.), and hoped I wouldn't find what I was looking for as the search began; a wedding ring.

I had just opened the third drawer on the desk beside his bed, and after moving aside paper after paper, I had seen it. It had the colour of lavender.

Dammit, Gaara… seriously!?

I just knew I would have to have a talk with him.

I did the very next day.

"Yo, Gaara!" I yelled furiously; gaining the guy I was yelling to plus many other's attention. With a flip of the head, I told him where I wanted to have this important talk.

We went to an unused meeting-room some corridors away, and when the door slammed shut I was on him.

"Gaara, are you a fucking idiot!?"

He simply glared at me, not very pleased with my sudden outburst.

"How can you be so reckless, and do something like this? Are you even thinking!?"

"Naruto."

I had never been more scared of my name as I was right there. His voice could murder someone, and it was obvious he wanted to kill me.

"Tell me why you are calling me an idiot before I force you."

"I know." I said simply.

Gaara glared at me, "and I don't. Tell me what the fuck you are accusing me for."

I knew my friend rarely swore, close to none actually, so I knew I was going to get tortured if I didn't tell him what I knew.

"I know, Gaara…About your secret with Hinata."

He turned rigid, for a split second Gaara looked scared, before his famous cold eyes stared me down.

"You were in my room." It wasn't a question. It sounded like a signed death wish.

"N-no, I wasn't."

"Naruto. You are a horrible liar."

My eyes turned dark, "and you make horrible decisions. Gaara, what do you think will happen if people find out?"

"They won't," he cut me off, and glared intensely at me, "I will make sure of that."

I was surprised I didn't soil my pants.

"B-but Gaara…as soon as they find the marriage papers…?-"

"Not our names."

"W-what…?"

"We didn't use our own names. Really Naruto, now who of us is the idiot?" even if his voice and face was free of all emotions, I was sure he stood there mocking me.

I huffed, "do not fool me. How should this relationship work, correctly? She can't really stay here forever."

I immediately knew I had hit a sore spot. He didn't answer me, but he flinched and a shadow darkened his face.

"Don't remind me."

The aura around us turned grave.

I let out a tired, sad sigh, and went towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder in silent comfort. He let me.

"Just so you know…, I am obligated to run after you with a fork if you harm Hinata in any way."

He let out a snort, "Isn't that Neji's job?"

I shrugged, "he isn't here so…"

We locked eyes. Humour glinting in mine, while his held the tiniest amount of amusement.

"Naruto." Gaara suddenly said, and abruptly went to the door, probably deeming it time to go back to work. He opened it, pausing to look back at me, before leaving.

I could hear what he couldn't communicate through words, "Thanks."

I simply knew he needed it, my acceptance, and smiled to nothing as I simply looked at the shut door.

Gaara and Hinata…

I shook my head, my smile turning into a grin, and left the room, those two can survive everything. . .

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Bittersweet ending, right? :P I thought "Love Will Leave A Mark" ended so ... dark, and I wanted to end this one happy. Naruto's ending thoughts ruined it. XD XP

If you find Naruto odd, especially at the end, I can only agree with you. The "running after you with a fork" was just his a bit awkward way to show Gaara his support. Lets say it's due to their kinda weird friendship.

And Gaara's weirdness; he's just plain awkward! XD

Well, I hope you liked this small sequel-ish thingie... I sure as hell loved writing it.

About the Gaara sequel-ish-thingie...(Geez, I'm good with names..XD); I have no idea when I will upload it. The first chapter is done, and I know what to write in the other ones, but I just haven't found the mood to write it yet. Though I will try, and I know I will write it (someday). But until then; Bye~!