O.o ...
This is the semi-beta-read version. Pardon mistakes and lateness.
Umm .. I guess ... enjoy? sweatdrop
THE CHILD IN ME 6Naruto and Gaara were walking back home from the field-lecture they had for the past six hours. The afternoon sun baked above them, casting orange glows across the whole town. People shuffled back and forth with their business, the occasional laughter and shouting being emitted from them. Some of the market vendors were closing for the day while the night establishments were getting ready to open. They passed by the Yamanaka flower shop and Gaara stopped to stare at two girls that he recognized bickering over a bunch of blossoms.
"Why are they fighting over plants?" Gaara asked, the whole situation seemingly very strange to him.
"Hmm?" Naruto turned to look across the street and found Ino waving a bunch of roses while Sakura waved a bunch of daisies, all the while both shouting at each other that the other's blossoms were uglier and how theirs was better. "Oh, they're probably fighting over Sasuke. Again."
"Uchiha?"
"Yeah. Hmm, knowing them, it's probably 'who's giving Sasuke the better flowers' sorta' argument. Again." Naruto shrugged.
Gaara got more confused. "Why would they argue about something like that?"
"I don't know. Girls' stuff." Naruto tossed his arms behind his head, rolling his eyes as Ino waved her bouquet fiercely in front of Sakura, Sasuke's name being said even louder.
Gaara tilted his head to one side and frowned some more. He knew a little bit about girls' stuff. Temari had a bunch of colored bottles and little paint-looking things in small palm sized compartments that he heard she called make-up and how they were meant for girls only. She also had a few flowery-patterned things like her pillow and a dress that she wore at home that were meant to be for girls only. She even had that fluffy bunny slipper that she loved wearing at night, and that yellow shower cap she uses when applying some sort of cream on her hair once a week. Those, he knew, were girls' stuff. But fighting over flowers for Uchiha? Temari never fought over flowers. So, he didn't think it was girls' stuff.
"I don't think so." Gaara said, blinking as Sakura whacked Ino on the head with her bouquet, little petals falling to the street concrete.
"Oh?" Naruto said, turning to look at Gaara. "Look, they're trying to figure out who is going to give Sasuke the better bouquet."
"Why would they want to give Uchiha a bouquet anyway?" Gaara asked, seemingly more lost than he was in the beginning.
"Oh, because they like him." Naruto shrugged. "Come on. Let's go. They'll end up having the stems left once their fight is over."
Gaara followed Naruto, but couldn't help but throw looks behind him at the two bickering girls, the whole concept of flower-giving suddenly taking a whole new meaning for him.
XXX
Gaara sat in the living room that night, while Naruto snored in his room, contemplating on the whole idea of flower giving. The next day would be a Saturday, so it technically means that it was holiday. He found the idea of giving flowers a bit stupid. Flowers were just plants and have no real purpose. Getting flowers cannot satisfy one's hunger and surely getting flowers cannot lift one's mood either. To him, it certainly didn't work that way, because he couldn't see the logic. Besides, they dry and wither and becoming crispy-things after a few days.
He rubbed his head, and frowned. The whole flower issue was enough to not make him bored and restless. He shifted his legs to a more comfortable position on the couch and crossed his arms across his chest. He closed his eyes and tried to figure out the in depth meaning of flower giving.
Hours flew by until the morning rays of sunshine glowered through out the quiet apartment. He could hear Naruto grumbling in his room, along with the shift of sheets and usual thump that he heard every morning since he 'got invited over' that meant that Naruto just fell off his bed. Again. It was followed by several complaints about how it was a crappy morning and how 'the bed had grown taller over the night' along with things like 'someone was pulling off a jutsu on his bed' and so on.
The doorbell rang and Gaara got up from his sitting position, still thinking about flowers as he sauntered off towards the door and opened it. He looked up and found Iruka carrying a paper bag with Naruto's weekly groceries.
"Good morning, Gaara!" He said, smiling down at him as Gaara held the door wider for him to enter. "Have a good evening?" Gaara shrugged in reply as he padded back to the living room, dropped back on the couch and folded his arms across his chest, thinking.
Naruto came bouncing out of his room, shower fresh and in clean clothes and gave his loud morning greeting to everyone. Iruka was already preparing breakfast, while putting away things in the cupboards and fridge.
"Oh, I forgot the milk." Iruka whined, rubbing his forehead.
"I'll go get it." Naruto said and grabbed some change from the jar on top of his fridge and made a dash for the door. "Be back in a few minutes."
The loud slam of the door indicated that he left. Gaara didn't need to look at the window to know that Naruto was zooming down the street to the nearest store to get a carton of milk. Naruto was always running that showed his vibrant energy.
It was probably one of the reasons Gaara liked being with him.
"Gaara?" Iruka's voice made him open his eyes and stare right at the Chuunin sitting in front of him on his heals, giving him a curious stare. "Are you all right? Gaara nodded. "You look deep in thought."
"Flowers."
Iruka blinked. "Flowers?"
"Flowers." Gaara nodded. "I was thinking about flowers."
Iruka couldn't help the smile of amusement from reaching his lips. "Okay."
"They are useless things with no purpose." Gaara stated. "I see no logic in them. They die anyway."
Iruka bit his lower lip in thought but nodded anyway. "Okay."
"But yesterday, I saw two girls fighting over flowers. Naruto said it was because they wanted to know who was going to give Sasuke the better bunch. But I don't know why they'd fight over flowers. And they wanted to give it to Uchiha." Iruka blinked twice at that, and came up with the simple and most obvious conclusion that Gaara must have been talking about Ino and Sakura. But he nodded, urging Gaara to continue. "But I don't see the reason why Uchiha would want flowers." This time, Iruka was biting down the urge to laugh. "Naruto said that it's girls' stuff. I cannot understand."
Iruka nodded. "I see." Gaara looked at him expectantly. "You see, there are many flowers out there that have many meanings. Giving a person a type of flower doesn't mean that you like them. Sometimes it can mean 'thank you' or 'get well soon' or showing appreciation and, most commonly, love."
"Love?"
"Yes, love. And friendship is important too." Iruka nodded. "I agree with the part about them dying fast, but usually, getting a flower from someone you know or from someone special can make one feel happy or pleased. Sometimes cheered up if they're feeling down. Because, as much as I understand, getting flowers from someone shows that someone is thinking about you and cares." Gaara frowned a bit but nodded. "Does that help?"
"But I still don't know why Uchiha would want flowers."
"Here's a secret." Iruka leaned over to whisper. "He doesn't."
Gaara blinked. "Then why give?"
"Like I said, it's to show that someone cares. Or, in Sakura and Ino's case, it's to show that they like him." Iruka said, and grinned. "Get it?"
Gaara nodded and shyly let out a very, very small smile. "I get it."
"Well, that's sorted out. Is that what you've been thinking about the whole night?" Iruka asked, ruffling Gaara's hair a bit. Gaara blushed and nodded. "Do you have any other questions?"
"No."
Gaara gave him a funny look after replying. He's been with Naruto for roughly about a month and he's been getting field training about being a Chuunin in the process. He was quite surprised that they hadn't kicked him out of the village yet. The Hokage seemed pleased about his and Naruto's improvement and the lady wasn't very harsh to him and treated him the same way as she did with Naruto. So he didn't mind staying, but he knew, sooner or later, he'd have to leave. But Iruka, unlike the other grown ups (except Genma) was very nice to him. He still doesn't understand why Iruka was even bothering to treat him nicely when no one ever does. The question was always at the back of his mind, lurking and nagging.
"Why don't you freshen up? Naruto should be here any minute with the milk. Come to the table directly, hmm?" Iruka said and ruffled his hair once more before padding back to the kitchen to take out the plates to set the table.
Gaara did as he was told and headed for the bathroom.
XXX
Naruto stared at the TV set; biting his lower lip and sniffing as he watched Ayame and Akira finally get together, after being separated from a long time due to family feuds. "Oh they finally made it!" Naruto said, and hugged the throw pillow he was holding tighter.
Gaara was sitting beside him, staring rather stupidly at the television. Naruto was getting worked up because of a soap opera. He once saw Kankuro and Temari watch the same series and Temari was left rather upset when Ayame was forced to marry another man by the family and how she had to leave for the Tea Country to get away from the problems. He didn't know why such programs were created. From what he understood, TV programs were meant to make people happy, but right now, Naruto was sitting, cross legged, biting back the sob that was about to tear out from his throat as he watched Ayame and Akira exchange words.
"Don't leave me. I cannot bear to be alone anymore."
"Oh Ayame, my darling Ayame! We shall never be parted again!"
"Akira! Yes, my Akira! We shall start a new life!"
"And our own family!"
"Oh Akira!"
"Oh Ayame!"
"I don't understand." Gaara mumbled and turned towards Naruto, waiting for an explanation.
"Hush, hush! It's the best part!" Naruto said and waited as the two stars of the series leaned close and kissed each other passionately, and then, his dam broke loose and he let out a small happy choked cry as the couple wrapped their arms around each other, and ending song and credits came to roll. "Oh they're finally together!" Naruto reached for the remote and pushed the standby button.
"I don't understand." Gaara said.
"Oh, well, you see, Akira and Ayame were meant to be together, because they love each other so much! They've been through many trials, both fighting for their honor and freedom, and now they're together! Just like they're meant to be!" Naruto sighed happily, smiling.
"So what was that last thing they did?" Gaara asked.
"Eh?"
"The one where they squashed their mouths together."
"Oh!" Naruto laughed. "It's called a kiss."
"Like the ones you give on the cheek?"
"Well, that's another form of a kiss. This kiss is something very special. It's supposed to be given or gained from someone you really and truly love. I've never had my kiss before, so I still don't know how it feels. But, judging from what Ero-sennin said, it's supposed to be really nice and exciting." Naruto answered. "If I ever want to get my first kiss, I'd want it to be from someone special."
Gaara nodded. "So the mouth kiss is special and the cheek kiss is what?"
"Just random I guess. Anyone can kiss anyone on the cheek. But lip-locks are special. You don't just go kissing people on the lips because you feel like it. They have to be special and you must be in love with them for that to happen."
Gaara nodded. "Now I understand."
"So, so, Ayame and Akira really love each other, that's why they kissed in the end. Ah! What a great ending for a season!" Naruto threw his arms behind the couch. "Don't you think so?"
Gaara thought about it for a moment. If it meant that Akira and Ayame were going to be happy and together because of their love, then it really must be a fitting ending. "Yeah, I guess."
XXX
Gaara spent the rest of the day and whole of the evening thinking about what Iruka said about flower giving. What followed that was a series of mental debates, which he found quite disturbing because he was never really that noisy in his head. Which is why, on that cloudy midday Sunday, he found himself standing in front of the Yamanaka Flower Shop, staring at the colorful blossoms arranged attractively behind the glass, debating once again whether he should take the purple one with five petals or the skinny white one or the fluffy red one. Since he had very limited knowledge about flowers, it took some time. And because he's been standing outside the glass window for roughly about two hours, Ino, who was in charge that day, finally came out and looked at him when she could no longer pretend he wasn't there.
"Something you need?" She asked, trying to sound polite and trying to keep the curiosity out of her voice. It's not everyday Gaara of the Desert stands before a flower shop.
Gaara recognized her as the one he saw yesterday arguing about Sasuke. He flicked his faze back at the glass briefly. "Flower." There was hesitation in his hard-edged voice.
Ino merely nodded, not sure whether to feel amused or afraid. "Right. You wanna come in?" She held the door open and a few seconds later, Gaara stepped in.
He noticed hot the flowers smelled sweet and how the bright assault of colors actually did look nice. He then realized that he still had a problem. Which one of these colorful plants should he pick? He didn't know their names and meanings and there were too many of them to choose from. Ino stood a few feet away from him, patient and intrigued as he eyed all the flowers. His gaze stopped on the basket of yellow roses looking pale and unwanted amongst the luscious red ones. He didn't even hesitate.
"That one." He pointed, voice still hard, making Ino blink. "I want one of those."
"Sure?" Ino asked, confirming. "It means jealousy."
Gaara gave her a blank look and decided that although he somewhat felt sorry for the yellow roses being an outcast amidst the red ones, it was not an appropriate flower. "Fine." He said and scanned the room again. He pointed at yellow zinnia. "That one?"
Ino was honestly trying not to freak out, but replied to the question, taking a step back just in case. "Umm – that means daily remembrance."
If Gaara had eyebrows, it would have been stuck to his hairline. He found the meaning quite dumb. He didn't even like the appearance of the flower itself. As much as the meaning hit close to home, it didn't sound very right. He blinked at a bunch of striped carnations. "That?"
Ino swallowed. "It's meaning is something along the lines of wish I could be with you."
Gaara decided that it was useful information in his expedition in finding the right flower and stored the new data at the back of his head. He nodded in acknowledgement and spotted some lavender heathers and pointed at them once again. "Oh, that means admiration."
Gaara went on pointing at nearly every flower and stored their meanings in his mental-data-box, shuffling them around. He liked the appearance of the gardenias, which meant sweet love and refinement. But somehow it didn't click with the warm and fuzzy feeling he got when he saw him. Even the tiger lilies appealed to him in some strange way, but the meaning it carried – pride – didn't click.
"I want one of those." He pointed at the striped carnation. "And those." He pointed at the red carnation – admiration.
"Just one of each?" Ino asked, torn between being amused and being really afraid.
"Yes." Gaara narrowed his eyes at her, making her scoot over towards the basket and wrap up the blossoms he wanted. He really hated repeating himself. He was glad for the quick service. Ino had wrapped it up quite nicely in patterned plastic and even tied a blue ribbon around its stem. He thrusted a wad of bills towards her, to which she plucked four one-Konoha-dollars and returned the wad back.
"Thank you for coming. Have a nice day!" She said, like she said to all other customers and forced a bright smile.
He gave her a puzzled look, nodded and left. He tucked the flowers behind the white sash he wore around his shoulder/side, turned his head towards the towering administrative building in the distance and started walking towards it in a sedate pace.
XXX
Genma carried the box of research scrolls that Tsunade had been using towards the library. He had guard duty since three AM that day and his twelve-hour shift was nearly over. He was looking forward to taking a nice nap, maybe soak a bit in his tub and maybe even grab a nice warm dinner. With that to look forward to, he quickened his pace towards the library and quickly stored all the scrolls in the back of the room, absent-mindedly humming a tune as he did so. That done, he folded the box and exited the library.
He knew that there were only six other Jounins in the building, him being the seventh. So the feeling of a familiar chakra made him stop mid-walk towards his office. He blinked then smirked and entered his small office that he shared with Raido and Aoba and found, not surprisingly, Gaara standing beside his desk.
"Gaara." He greeted pleasantly, as he set the folded box down on one corner. "How are you today?"
Gaara blushed brightly and hotly. "Fine." He answered.
Genma couldn't help but give a smirk-smile of amusement at how Gaara looked more his age when he was blushing. It was actually adorable. "That's good." He approached him and stood on the opposite side of the table, staring down at him, the smirk-smile still on his face. "So what can I do for you?"
If possible, the blush intensified. He looked away and pulled out a nicely wrapped red and striped carnation and held it out towards him. "Here."
Genma nearly dropped the needle he was chewing one. He was not expecting that. Just to make sure, he asked. "For me?" Gaara nodded once. "From you?" Gaara nodded once more. Genma couldn't help but feel flattered. Here was a thirteen-year-old boy – killer reputation, deadly and undeniably cute when flustered, shy or blushing – giving him carnations. And wrapped nicely too! His smile lost the smirking edge to it. He took the flowers and smiled down at him. "Thank you. That's very nice of you."
Gaara looked up at him, eyes wide and blushed some more. His shoulders hunched forward a bit in a shy gesture and the barest hints of a smile pulled his lips up. He gave him an acknowledging nod and disappeared in a swirl of sand.
Only when he was gone did it finally hit him hard. Gaara just gave him flowers. Gaara of the desert – quiet, withdrawn and deadly – just gave him flowers. And carnations at that!
His knees suddenly felt weak. All hints of amusements he had earlier were now replaced with confusion. He dropped down on his chair and held the flowers in front of his face.
"Oh God."
XXX
Kakashi walked down the administrative building corridor, reading the new volume of Come, Come Violence, ready to take his shift till morning and spotted Genma exiting his small office.
"Yo!" He greeted, lifting his empty hand up in greeting.
"Hey." Genma greeted back. "Afternoon shift?"
"Yeah." Kakashi nodded and caught sight of the two carnations in Genma's hand. "Someone special?" He gestured boredly towards the flowers.
"Not sure." Genma said, absent-mindedly twirling the flowers.
Kakashi raised his visible brow. "Oh?"
"Gaara." Genma sighed, shoulders slumping a bit. "He gave it to me about half an hour ago."
Kakashi completely forgot what he was reading and tucked the book away. "Gaara gave those to you?" Genma gave him an annoyed and resigning stare. "The kid likes you that much?" Suddenly it was all so funny. A thirteen year old courting a twenty-nine year old? Kakashi started laughing so hard that he had to clutch at his side from the hilarity of it all.
"I am glad to know that you are amused by all this, as much as I'm resisting in punching your face in." Genma said sarcastically.
"Gaara gave you flowers! Two flowers! The world has got to be ending!" Kakashi got his laughing in control and cleared his throat. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing. What can I do about it?" Genma said. "Maybe I'll talk to him. Or Iruka even. He seems to know how to control the boy well without unleashing mayhem."
Kakashi smirked. He wondered how Iruka would react at this ordeal. "I suggest waiting it out. If he does anything more extreme than give flowers," Kakashi couldn't help but snort in laughter as he said that. "Maybe then you should talk. Still, those are very nice flowers."
Genma glared at him. "One more word about the flowers and I swear I'll punch your face in."
Kakashi held his hands up in surrender. "No more. No more. See you around." He walked down the corridor, and waved a hand. "Keep your guard up."
Genma stared at him for a while and continued his way home, thinking about Gaara and his behavior. He slept with a pounding headache that night and woke up with one just as bad.
TBC
3 KA WA I I!!!