Chapter 13

Disclaimer

I do not own any rights to Naruto (story or characters). Just the characters I make up along the way! I have full love and respect for Masashi Kishimoto!

Special Note

Thank you to everyone that has been following along with A Seed Becomes a Rose. You keep me going when I feel like I should just give up on this story. Your reviews have been helpful, and I always appreciate the help seeing as I don't have anyone to read over my work before I submit it. So, THANK YOU!

Translation

Ame no oiwai = Rain Celebration

Found a cool rose design that I love! See Below!

இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—

"How is Hinata?" Naruto perked up at Gaara mentioning his wife. Of all the people in his life, Hinata was the one person that he could always count on to keep him grounded. It was always surprising seeing his quiet wife putting her foot down. If anything with a husband like him Hinata was an expert on keeping her husband in check. There was that one time he had to learn about clan history and tradition. Growing up Naruto had missed out on a lot of the basics that most shinobi learned from their parents. Kakashi and Iruka tried to tutor him, but all it did was leave all three of them frustrated.

One day he came home tired and ready to sleep for the next week only to be met with Hinata's smiling face and the dining table covered in bowls of Ramen. Naruto at first was excited to dig in, but Hinata knocked his hand away before he could even pick up his chopsticks. As Naruto sat there looking confused and very hungry, Hinata pulled out a stack of colorful cards. "I will ask you a question, and if you get the answer correct, you get a bowl of Ramen. If you don't, you don't." Naruto was left staring up at his wife in shock. She looked as sweet as ever, but there was a glint in her eye that left him fearing for his life, or at least his stomach.

Of course, after two days he was dying for a bowl of Ramen. He even tried sneaking to Ichiruki for a quick bowl for lunch, but somehow his innocent little wife had conspired with the entire village to keep him from his favorite food. It was the most painful month of his life, but looking back now it was worth it. Especially with the week long Ramen fest that he received afterward in reward. That reminded him, he needed to get her a gift before he went home. Maybe one of the Suna outfits that Temari was wearing the other day, the one that Hinata had been admiring?

Passing by the trade center of the village Gaara pointed him towards a clothing vendor that was Temari's favorite. The shop was near the busier part of the square where most people were still putting up decorations and hanging banners. With the exams happening in a few days it was the perfect time for vendors to sell their wares. That it was falling on the Ame, no oiwai was a bonus.

The Ame no oiwai was the one time a year where all the village gathered to celebrate the start of the rainy season. Naruto and Hinata had been invited last year to participate. It was a three-day long event that culminated in a ceremonial dance that welcomed the rain. It was beautiful to see the villagers dancing around in traditional Suna ceremonial garbs of gold, crimson, and sky blue. Gaara had re-established the festival after the war giving the village something to celebrate about now that the world was at peace.

Tomorrow would start the first day of the Ame no oiwai and the first day of the exams. Naruto had arrived after Kakashi the day before and with the two Hokage in meetings all day this was the first opportunity to meet with the red head. Gaara had managed to drag him out at the crack of dawn to spar. Naruto had lost, miserably; which wasn't surprising considering they were in the desert. To make it up to him Gaara treated him to a huge lunch at the Kazekage's favorite restaurant. They were walking towards Gaara's office to meet with Kakashi.

Naruto had never seen Suna so busy; people were running all over the place with arms overflowing. On more than one occasion Naruto had to dodge out of the way of an over encumbered vendor dashing by them. Gaara had assisted a number of them with his sand as they walked most without them even knowing. Seeing the village so prosperous was nice to see.

Out of nowhere, Suna had become the economic center of the great nations. Over the last four years, the Kazekage has re-established the caravan routes across the desert making the Wind country's central location the prime spot for trade. With the extra revenue coming into the village, Suna had expanded deeper into the vast mountains that surrounded them. The market place was the central hub for all commerce and stood out amongst the towering buildings all around it. A massive courtyard expanded out in the center of the village with stalls and stores filled with everything from exotic spices to expensive jewelry.

It wasn't just the economy that had improved. The pride that the people had in their village was an energy that seemed to permeate the air. People smiled and greeted one another as they passed. When Naruto had visited the village as a genin, the place was all dark and foreboding. People were never outside, and those that were, more often than not were drunk. Suna was nothing like it was back then and it was all because of one man.

They managed to make it across the market when Naruto spotted the Kage building in the distance. Tired after their sparring session Naruto was glad they were almost back indoors. He turned to say just that when he found himself thrown face first into the street. Spitting out sand, Naruto sat up ready to yell at however had run into him only to pause. A group of women had surrounded the Kazekage. Gaara looked a little nervous being the center of attention but managed to keep his smile in place. Naruto wanted to laugh at his friend but instead managed to pry the Kazekage from their grasp.

They hid in an alley down the street as the group of ladies ran off to find them. Turning to his friend Naruto gave the red head a cheeky grin. "So, the council still bugging you about getting married, huh?" The look that Gaara shot him was cold, and Naruto swallowed nervously. With an uneasy chuckle, Naruto held his hands up in surrender backing away slowly. "They have had more important things to occupy their time recently." Gaara sighed arms crossed in frustration.

It was different in Konoha. The previous Kage chose the next Hokage and signed off on by the council. Here it was more of a succession, one that the Suna council wanted to keep in Gaara's family. For the past few years, the council had been putting pressure on Gaara to find a respectable wife and produce an heir. It was wearing thin on the red heads nerves. The last letter Naruto had received from Gaara talked about the council subjecting him to the daughter of a dignitary while he was out of the village. Gaara had never gotten this angry before, and it was terrifying to see.

"Well, why don't you find a fiance on your own? I'm sure there are plenty of women who would love to marry the Kazekage." Again with the death glare. Naruto was on a roll today. "Sorry, I just want… I want you to find someone like I did." With a sigh, Naruto stuffed his hands in his pockets feeling frustrated. "You deserve to be happy Gaara." He muttered softly at his friend. Naruto didn't know what else to say to make his friend understand. Gaara had gone through so much in his life already and deserved someone to love.

"I am happy," Gaara responded quietly looking over at his friend with a thin smile. "I know… but don't you want to fall in love?" The red head's eyes widen in shock at Naruto's words his cheeks flushing slightly. Without answering Gaara turned away running his fingers over the kanji on his forehead. Love was a touchy subject for Gaara. Naruto knew that he was pushing it but finally finding the happiness he wanted it for his friend as well; hell even Sasuke-teme had Sakura-chan. He opened his mouth to say more but was interrupted by a Chunin. "Kazekage-Sama." Gaara raised his eyes to the Chunin. "The Hokage is waiting for you in your office." Gaara nodded to the Chunin before turning to his friend. "Let's get this meeting over with."