2/27/08

Disclaimer: the characters in this fic such as Gaara, Matsuri, etc. don't belong to me, although if they did, then Gaara and Matsuri would shower each other with love and be very happy together.

Dedication: God, my parents, my fans, Masashi Kishimoto for creating the Naruto series and giving us these colorful characters, and especially to my beloved friends, especially VGuyver, Andrew Glasco, Musashi Sanada, Francisco, Ariescelestial, and all of you other wonderful readers!!

Special dedication to: Nakoudo Byakugan for being such an avid GaaMatsu supporter, and because she literally broke my brain with some of her very difficult requests. Thank you for turning my brain into jelly! XD

Naruto: Captured Moments 13 Drabbles

Installment: Set Alpha

By Tiger5913

Naruto Drabble #1 – Forgetfulness, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

The front door was slammed shut loudly, accompanied with the complaint, "Damn! Are all girls like that?!"

Aggravated by the disruption, Gaara narrowed his eyes and left his room to confront his older brother. "What is it this time, Kankuro?"

"So I forgot the first day we went out! It's not that big a deal!" The puppeteer grumbled as he plopped down upon the couch.

Trouble with his girlfriend, apparently. Hiding a smirk, the sand wielder smugly stated before he walked away, "I never forget with Matsuri."

His sand rose to block an attack from one of Kankuro's flying puppets.

Naruto Drabble #2 – Running Away, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

"Maybe she's a freak too!"

"Let's get the hell out of here!"

Matsuri straightened up, breathing heavily in effort as she watched the older boys running away until they were out of sight. The head of her rope dart slipped away from her grasp and dropped to the floor. Sweat glistened on her forehead from effort as the girl's posture wavered slightly, and then she collapsed to her knees.

As expected, the voice of her sensei spoke up from behind, "Matsuri. I don't want you to fight with them again."

She stood up shakily and nodded in compliance. "Yes, Gaara-sensei."

Naruto Drabble #3 – Sunrises, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

He was normally a light sleeper, but early in the morning, it took quite a few shakes to awaken him.

"Psst, Gaara-sensei!" A familiar feminine voice hissed as he began to stir a bit. "Come watch the sunrise with me! Wake up… please?"

…Sunrise? The drowsy redhead creaked his eyes open and was surprised to find himself in a foreign place. Until he realized that he must have fallen asleep on the couch and spent the night at Matsuri's house.

Slowly, Gaara sat up to feel tension in his muscles. Maybe he could use a short walk. "All right, Matsuri."

Naruto Drabble #4 – Make Believe, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

Sometimes, when Matsuri traveled alongside her sensei, she liked to make believe that they were a couple.

Hey, a girl was allowed to dream, right?

She was usually there to provide protection, but sometimes, they would go out as friends – though of course, the brunette secretly wished for more. It was too easy to forget their roles when she and Gaara were in a casual situation. Regardless of wishes, she could not ignore the boundaries of their friendship.

But as time passed and circumstances changed, Matsuri no longer needed to pretend anymore.

Not when her deepest desire became a reality.

Naruto Drabble #5 – Blind, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

…Was this girl blind?

The baffled sand wielder remained calm and collected even as his mind whirled with thoughts. All of the other young Genin had chosen his elder brother and sister to train with, but she… this timid girl wanted to be his student? For a second, he wondered if someone had cast a genjutsu spell on him, but… no, she was certainly not an illusion.

Just to be sure, Gaara calmly asked the brunette if she was certain she wanted him to teach her.

She repeated her plea.

He had no legitimate reason to refuse, so he agreed.

Naruto Drabble #6 – Old Sayings, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

He was slipping, his restraint and control weakened.

For too long, Gaara had denied what was steadily growing between them, lying even to himself. The affection dwelling in her eyes was obvious whenever she gazed his way. Matsuri seemed to understand his loneliness, and perhaps knew of his secret desire to hold someone precious close to his heart.

Trying to extinguish the embers of kindling emotions, the Kazekage sent his student on a long mission, hoping the time apart would get her out of his mind.

He failed miserably.

His eyes hungrily drank her in when she entered his office.

Naruto Drabble #7 – Weird, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

"Hey, there's that weird girl… the one who has the monster for her teacher…"

Her ears burned at the hushed whispers that lingered around her as the girl walked down the main street alongside her sensei. One furtive peek his way told her that Gaara was aware of their words, by the tightening in his jaw, but he appeared unaffected. She admired his unwavering strength.

Dark ebony eyes flashed in anger as Matsuri shot cold glares at the boy who uttered the offensive gossip. She resisted the urge to whip out her rope dart and wrap the string around him.

Naruto Drabble #8 – Undone, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

In the public's eye, he had to be steady and maintain control practically all the time, but Matsuri was the only one that knew his private side.

When they were alone together, at the dead of night within her room, as she held him in her hands, he became undone and had no inhibitions. While Gaara rarely showed his emotions during the day around others, she had absolutely no difficulty invoking a reaction from the reserved redhead.

And after she finished unraveling all of his tension, it would be her turn to receive the loving, and he was utterly relentless.

Naruto Drabble #9 – Song, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

"I don't sing." He repeated sternly.

His siblings exchanged knowing looks, but Matsuri persisted, ignorant of the reason behind his refusal, "But Gaara-sensei, it's your sister's birthday!"

Gaara turned and began to walk away, simply offering in response, "She understands."

With all the turbulent events surrounding his younger past self, the redhead had not truly celebrated any birthdays until very recently. He had not asked them to teach him, and perhaps they felt too embarrassed to bring up the subject.

His student doggedly followed after him, until he finally sighed and admitted, "…I don't know the words to the song."

Naruto Drabble #10 – Crowds, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

Despite being the Kazekage and having the need to be in constant contact with others, he still felt uncomfortable when he was amongst sizeable crowds of people. Nevertheless, he put up with it because he understood the importance of his appearance at the large gathering.

For the millionth time, Gaara shook the hand of a person that he barely knew, and plastered on a weak smile for someone else that greeted him warmly. Just then, he caught the eye of a certain brunette that was patiently waiting for him in the back.

At least he could be himself around Matsuri…

Naruto Drabble #11 – Done Away With, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

The sand wielder had not killed anyone ever since he made a pledge to become the Kazekage of Suna, but there were a few times where he felt sorely tempted.

As in this instance, after he heard her cry and came across an older teenage boy that forced Matsuri to the ground in a desolate alleyway, and pulled at her shirt. She apparently did not carry her weapon on-hand.

Had his generous student not pleaded for his mercy, Gaara would have done away with the lowly, wretched scum in an instant.

For now, he just knocked the idiot unconscious. Hard.

Naruto Drabble #12 – War, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

Needless to say, after the disastrous invasion on the Leaf Village a couple of years back, the Sand Village was not eager to get into a war with any one of its neighbors. Especially with this particular red-haired Kazekage in charge.

He did his best to forge treaties and alliances with the other villages, all the while maintaining a reputation of strength for Suna. Any show of weakness would likely give ambitious competitors a chance to consider attacking and attempting to overthrow. He would not allow that to happen.

Gaara was determined to protect everyone… especially his precious significant other.

Naruto Drabble #13 – You & Me, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

In the aftermath of their love, they lay together, her head tucked snugly into the crevice between his chin and shoulder. The young man was breathing evenly and appeared calm as usual, but affection clearly reflected in his light turquoise eyes.

"It feels so nice, being like this," she murmured softly.

Gaara nodded in understanding. "This is how it should always be. Just you and me."

"Forever?"

He smiled and nodded, bringing Matsuri toward him to press their lips together in a sweet kiss, feeling his love for her warming up each and every little crevice of his healing heart.

End of Set Alpha

Bonus: Tricycle, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

"Hold on tight… Okay, now go!"

She released her hold on the handlebars of the two-wheel bike, and then watched avidly as the little boy pedaled down the street, a bit wobbly. This was his first time straying away from a tricycle, and the girl wanted to make sure he would be all right.

Standing some distance away, Gaara calmly leaned against the building and observed the activity, hiding a smile. The red-haired Kazekage had come that day to visit the preschool section of Suna's ninja academy.

He felt sure that Matsuri would make a good mother in the future.

Bonus: Monkey See, Monkey Do, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Before even pulling one of the covers open, the redhead received a sudden ominous feeling as he gazed down at the front illustration.

"This book has… instructions, you said?" He asked his blond companion skeptically. "Exactly what is it supposed to teach me?"

Naruto shrugged. "Not sure. The Pervy Sage said this book was guaranteed to make any guy a real hit with the ladies!"

Will this help me with Matsuri? Gaara blinked just once at his words, and then after some quick mental deliberation, he pushed the book back toward his friend. "…Thank you, but I think I'll pass."

Bonus: Topple, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

…She really hated her clumsiness sometimes.

Although this time, it was actually Kankuro's fault, because at the social gathering, his firm nudge caused her to topple over and practically fall right into her sensei's arms.

When she managed to regain her balance, the brunette whipped her head back around to silently fume at the puppeteer, but he merely grinned in response and went off with his other friends.

"Are you all right?"

Matsuri looked up at the tall redhead with a sheepish little smile and nodded.

After Gaara released her, she could still feel the lingering warmth from his touch…

Bonus: Irk, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Matsuri admired many things about her sensei.

One of the aspects she liked the most was his sturdy strength; she wanted to be the exact same way. So on an important mission accompanying the Kazekage to another village, even when her body was bruised and fatigued to the point where she felt like passing out, she did not utter a single complaint.

Her secret was revealed, unfortunately, once she fell unconscious upon reaching her limit.

She awoke sometime later, and found Gaara sitting by her hospital bed. He looked extremely displeased.

"Matsuri. I don't want this to ever happen again."

Bonus: Jostle, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

The trusting girl had no idea people could be so intolerant and hateful until the first time she got into a shuffle over her choice of whom she wanted as her ninja teacher.

While all the Genin were standing around outside of the academy and waiting for the instructors to arrive, a rude shove from behind suddenly sent Matsuri sprawling forward. She got up only to hear shouts of cruel insults that caused her nerves to sting with pain.

Because of her parents' death, the peaceful brunette was against using weapons to hurt people, but she would defend her Gaara-sensei…

Bonus: Amok, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Matsuri felt a headache swiftly coming on as she and a few other Chunin tried to control the crowd.

Unfortunately, the good citizens of Suna did not understand the concept of staying put and remaining calm… for everyone was suddenly running amuck, storming down the streets in a frenzy of panic and chaos.

Although it was understandable, because they all had just witnessed their much-adored Kazekage being kidnapped by a dark-robed stranger and taken away into the night.

She secretly wished she could join them, but she had to put up a strong and brave face for the time being.

Bonus: Building Blocks, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

The best kind of relationship was one that began with a sturdy foundation, she decided wisely, a decent number of solid building blocks to provide support from the very start.

The two had been teacher and student for a short time before they moved on to being friends, and then continued the journey along, eventually entering the realm of romance together. Matsuri did not regret a single day of the years that passed by as she waited for an indication that the way Gaara felt toward her was beyond the platonic level.

She was very happy to be his girlfriend.

Bonus: Carnation, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Red, white, yellow, pink… which one was he supposed to choose?

Her birthday was coming up soon, and aside from the present that he had bought for his girlfriend, the redhead heard he was supposed to get her flowers as well… Not to mention there were far too many different kinds of flowers for him to pinpoint the exact type that Matsuri preferred: roses, carnations, daisies, sunflowers, tulips, and much more…

Well, she did like light colors… and this bunch had a distinctly exotic smell, so after a little deliberation, Gaara finally chose a bouquet of red and pink roses.

Bonus: Touch the Sky, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Wow…

It was truly an impressive sight: her sensei, their leader, the Kazekage, soaring up into the air, riding upon a slick path of sand. He wielded the tiny grains with such ease, waves of sand rippling through the windy night breeze as they shot straight for the dark-robed intruder. Although she could not see his profile up close, she knew that Gaara was facing his enemy with calm and poised confidence.

Nevertheless, Matsuri fervently prayed for his well-being.

One day, perhaps… he could take her up there with him, and together, they could reach out and touch the sky.

Bonus: The Love Bug, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

His little brother sure was acting strangely lately… which gave the puppeteer perfect ammunition to poke fun at him. Not that Kankuro was being spiteful; he just liked to rib on the people that he cared most about.

"Hey, Gaara," he casually piped up one afternoon, "When you went to Konoha last week, you didn't go see that Shino guy, did you?"

Gaara appeared bewildered at the unexpected question and replied hesitantly, "No… Why?"

"Just wondering. You've been with Matsuri a lot these days, so I thought maybe you got bitten by one of his bugs." A love bug, heh…

Bonus: Puzzle Pieces, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

The first move: one slow and lingering kiss that left them both breathless.

The second move: the tips of his fingers lightly trickling down her cheek, her neck, and then furtively delving under the cotton fabric of her shirt.

The third move: touching her in the intimate way that only he could.

The final move: joining their bodies together, becoming one as their hearts beat in synchrony.

The puzzle consisted of just a few pieces, but each one had to be gently set down in its place… and the young man personally did not allow himself to make any mistakes.

Bonus: No Brunch, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Even before awakening, she noticed that the light coming in through the window was far too bright to be early in the morning. She rose to a sitting position and groggily glanced at the block, surprised to see the time. Turning to look at her dozing boyfriend, she gently nudged Gaara, whom merely stirred.

They had stayed up so late during the previous night…

It was a really good thing no one expected the Kazekage to go into his office on a Sunday.

Stifling a yawn, Matsuri heard her stomach growl and idly wondered what she should make for lunch.

Bonus: "Talk Pretty Words To Me", 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

"That's not very romantic…" the younger girl furrowed her brows in a slight frown after her visiting friend had relayed the information.

"I-it's all right… I don't mind…" Hinata assured her with a demure little smile. "I know he l-loves me, and that is what's important…"

"Hmm, yes, but still…" – dark eyes widened at a sudden idea – "Maybe I can ask Gaara to talk to Naruto and teach him how to say romantic things!"

The Hyuga heiress could not hide the surprise on her face as she silently if the sand wielder was truly romantic, although Matsuri seemed utterly sincere…

Bonus: Nothing, 100 words, Temari x Shikamaru – dedicated to GaaraXmatsuri

During one of her ambassador visits, the wind mistress was surprised to hear along the grapevine that the lazy slacker had finally gotten himself a girlfriend. She was the petite little blonde with the long ponytail, and liked to wear purple.

Temari took the news calmly, in stride. There was nothing between her and Shikamaru more than mere platonic companionship – never had been, really, and perhaps never would be, judging by the goofy love-struck look on his face.

A partial smirk, laced with a hint of sadness, creased her lips just then. She had waited too long… her own fault.

Bonus: Festival, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri – dedicated to GaaraXmatsuri

On the night of the festival, Matsuri was at his office, persistently reminding him that he had promised to accompany her to the events.

Not being one to break his word, Gaara dutifully put away the papers he was reading, and then changed into the extra outfit he remembered to bring along that morning.

Minutes later, the two were walking down the main street outside, gazing all around at the decorations and festivities. Everything was bright and enthusiastic, and even the redhead found himself enjoying the occasion.

He peered at Matsuri discreetly, noticing how cute she looked in her kimono…

Bonus: Flowers, 100 words, Naruto x Hinata – dedicated to Musashi Sanada

Hinata knew that the boisterous blond was not the most romantic boyfriend in the world, but she loved him nevertheless. Besides, he had the occasional tendency of presenting her with surprises when she least expected it.

Like when he suddenly showed up for their date one night with a bundle of flowers clutched in hand. It was not any special day in particular.

"Th-these are beautiful, Naruto…" she murmured quietly while she delicately sniffed the scent of the blue petals.

"Heh, heh, I picked these 'cause the color reminded me of your hair," Naruto told her with a cheeky grin.

End of Installment

Author's Note: The final set is here… I hope you all enjoyed the last installment of drabbles. I can't believe I've written almost 100 drabbles on Gaara and Matsuri at this point, heh… Hmm, I guess I'm just eager to spread the love and convince more people to give this darling couple a chance. Well, thank you for reading, as always. Of course, I would love to hear your feedback, so please let me know what you thought of these short little pieces.

By the way, even though this mini-series is now marked Complete, it doesn't mean I will completely stop writing drabbles altogether, hehehe. Here's what I'd like to do… If I get at least 15 requests from you readers, then I will start another drabble collection separate from this GaaMatsu-specific drabble series. So if you want to see more drabbles, send them my way ASAP!

With love for my fans,

Tiger5913