Fic 54. Prompt 053. 'Earth.'

Naruto dug sweaty fingers into the neat rows of his garden, feeling cool earth trickle through his fingers, beautiful in the midst of a scorching hot Konoha summer.

Being Hokage took up much of his time, but this- gardening- was something he would always do. He looked up and grinned at Gaara, who was trying vainly to teach Midori a simple defense jutsu.

Midori wasn't interested. After all, as she pointed out, bombs could smash through any jutsu if they had enough power.

He repotted a rosemary plant, wiped his forehead with the back of his arm, and smiled at Gaara, who- calmly, peacefully- smiled back.