Naruto was anxious, many things on his mind as they waited near the border exit. He wanted to ran and save Gaara right away. Also he desired to talk with Kaoru, who once she appeared on the hallway last night, he didn't get a chance to be with her. Well no one of Konoha did. He stood on the sideline watching as she assisted Sakura, how the people from this village looked out for her assistance and counsel.
Hikaru was kind enough to answer some of their questions, they didn't expected to find their missing teammate on Suna. The little orange haired boy made sure to not leave her side, scowling at him in suspicion. What surprised him the most was how she interacted with Gaara siblings. Smiling when Kankuro recovered consciousness, Temari bowing in gratitude at the girls. Joking around as if they were long time friends.
Kakashi comment about something he didn't noticed. Her words had value here, in a strange way. Sakura mentioned Temari defended his friend when the granny woman questioned why the people took Kaoru seriously. Apparently she had been here a long time doing favors. Though interrupted when Temari came with a group of ninja. He was ready to go but Baki and Kaoru appeared. They were ordered to back out and guard, she was furious, Kaoru took a step forward to her and bowed.
"I will go in your place, don't worry"
The others left a sigh of relief, Temari nodded but one little girl came forward practically invading Kaoru space.
"But, Kaoru-sama… I mean, we might need you. What if…" Kaoru put a hand on her head and smiled.
"Matsuri, I trust you will do fine."
"So that means…" One of the man of the group began, Kaoru nodded and said "Yes, she is in charge."
Someone voice was heard near, Naruto was surprised to see Hikaru running after the orange haired boy from before. Bandaged from his neck with a sword at hand.
"Nee-san! I will go too" He was stopped by Hikaru at last, fighting to be off his arms. The sword safely on one hand, Naruto was surprised again by how strong he might be now.
"You don't learn! Ugh"
Kaoru stopped the boy with a single finger, picking his nose, that made the girl from before laugh, strangely the rascal blushed and faced the ground.
"You little man will turn around and help here. Besides, who else will keep guard over them while I'm gone" Pointing out to the village, the rascal stayed quiet. Hikaru took a box from his bag and give it to her.
"By the way, Hinta say good luck" Was all he said.
"Please, just… bring him safe" The boy took her sleeve a second later, looking genuinely worried, she nodded.
Naruto could not see what was inside, but t made her very happy. Then the old lady, Chiyo came and his group was ready to go. He was confident now that they could succeed.
No, he was not happy to wait. It was taking a lot of time for him reaching his friend. They eat in silence that night, not willing to attract attention, he could not help but look at Kaoru once in a while. Two years later he was surprised by how different and familiar his teammates were. Sakura, brilliant and beautiful pink hair really enhanced her emerald eyes. Later when she had asked if she looked like a woman, well he might have said something better. But thinking before talking was not his forte, after that he did noticed the difference.
It was just that her… woman traits were more subtlety. In comparison, the raven had a constant sign that said the opposite. She had grown a bit taller, her style was just exotic, familiar and foreign on the same line. He regretted to have been kind of pervert noticing first her… generous chest. It was that rascal fault, hugging her while looking at him with such possessiveness. As if she were her favorite toy and he was the bad guy.
Now while she offered more food to Kakashi-sensei and continued talking with Sakura. He wondered if maybe she was avoiding him. Maybe not, she passed him another plate, smiling softly. Kaoru had been her friend for along time, he might be overthinking it. But his mind told him, she was hiding something. She offered to be the first guard while they slept, he volunteered too.
This was the best chance he will get to talk to her alone, Kakashi was wise enough to not question him.
Side by side, glancing at the bonfire until she laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair on her right ear.
"I-I just… noticed." She paused, both looking at each other for the first time. Giving one of those smiles that were unique on her, like the past times. "I never say hi"
He blinked, her grin spread more, Naruto felt stupid for not realizing she was right. Their laughs were soft and comforting, she still surprised him with unexpected track of mind.
"It's good to see you." He could not hold back the grin, it was just the vibe of understanding both have. It was a relief, time didn't changed it.
"I almost not recognized you. You are very handsome now" Her compliment made his tummy do a flip, he really was happy to hear that. Kaoru blinked and blushed "Maybe I didn't have to say that… ugh"
Naruto grinned, she was still a bit social clumsy. At least she was starting to notice.
"That is the best welcome I had since I came back. So, thanks."
She turned around, their knees touching her blush gone, shining green eyes curiously gazing at him. "Really? Tell me, I want to hear"
And so he did, Naruto told her how Sakura punched the light out of him on their first encounter. Whom he had the chance to see before coming, that his apartment needed a clean up. Delighted at her surprised face when he retold Kakashi defeat. Their laughs sounded loud on the silent night, accompanied with the crickets on the background as both shared a nice time. Kaoru let her head rest on his shoulders, not feeling the cold breeze of the forest.
"I want to see everyone again…" The blissful tone as she sighed, he leaned his head with hers as well. Comfortable with a peaceful chat, this was what he missed the most with Jiraya. The trust to know you have someone to confide, a safe place. Where you could say anything and it was alright, no one judged.
"And you will…" He paused, mimicking her long breath. Maybe it was because they were this close but he just noticed an essence. Not exactly sure what it was, just that it was nice. "Let's do this and go back home"
Feeling her tense, Naruto felt her friend put some distance, he was perplexed as she played with her raven hair. A habit that didn't died, he noticed. She glanced at him, doubt on her tone.
"Will it be… alright?"
"Of course, I heard Hika said everything was ready. Granny Tsunade was curious about you" Well, he decided to put it nicely, because he was a bit terrified when Hikaru and her were fighting with each other verbally. He didn't understand why he was reluctant to give Kaoru whereabouts.
"Aren't you excited about it?" He backed off a bit when she put her hands on his legs and said fervently.
"Of course I am! It's just…" She give him space, Naruto waited for her to continue "A lot of things happened… I…. I will miss Suna"
The way she say it, looking at the bonfire with sadness intrigued him. He wanted to understand, so he nudged her with his arm, smiling so she would felt better.
"I'm all ears. You can tell me. I mean, I'm dying of curiosity… how long have you stayed on Suna?"
She sighed and both positioned again as before, it was natural. He didn't mind, she may be a bit reluctant or shy about it. Naruto listened, a few times he had to contain his surprise. Year and a half had she lived with Gaara and his siblings. No wonder why they were nice. The orange boy, she took with her when they left Kirigakure, Yue. She was vague about certain things, feeling her hair move, he didn't asked. Then her tone changed when he asked if she knew how Gaara become Kazekage.
The joy and softness as she told him her moment with his friend, it was strange. The way she described it at first sounded so much like… Sasuke at their childhood. But he was glad his friend had Kaoru at his side, she obviously had grown fond of him. The feeling of something sinking on his tummy as she laughed on her tale. How was the first time she had to put him on bed. How cute it was he took seriously her cooking lessons once she said "Naruto does the best sweets". How both panicked once when Yue disappeared and Gaara jumped through a hole. Getting stuck in the process, vowing to not tell anyone. The first gift she gave to him, a cacti, and how he still kept it on his office. The first party she had on her birthday, was the most awkward memory of all and it ended up with her and Temari punching Kankuro for giving Gaara weird ideas of what girls liked.
Naruto felt a slight discomfort as she retold how happy she was. As if she had… replaced him.
"Hum… replace you?" She asked out, he freezed. He… He didn't mean to say that!
Naruto completely turned around avoiding looking at her, trying to cover up, but his words lacked of any sense.
"I must be deaf… because there is no way someone could replace you." Hearing her voice close just made him more nervous. Her hand on his cheek forced them to face each other. She was angry, not a good sign.
"Na-ru-to" She said slowly, he felt a bit paranoid at the tone. It was similar to the one Sakura used before giving a punch.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean that… it was just a thought that" He was silenced in the most strange way ever. His wrist on her hand, a finger made a circle just around his pulse. That single action was so… unexpected. Something shivered up and down his spine. The softness of her skin and his, no one ever had made something so… strange. His mind blew out. Feeling hot as she nodded and finally give him space. He gazed down at her fingers to see if they were glowing, it was the thing she used to do with Sasuke… doesn't it? But they were fine, glowing because of the bonfire.
"Good, because I don't want to hear something so stupid again." Her voice slowly put his mind at work, recovering slowly from the assault.
"I… I missed you so much" She smiled, pulling the end of one strand of hair next her face.
"I mean, of course I care about everyone but… you were my first friend." He wanted to see her face, but this time she avoided him. "It's because of that… I found more people I wanted to protect. Why I… no." She finally faced me, determination blazing through green eyes. "Why we will save Gaara. Our friend needs us, right?"
This was one of those times he actually wanted to spin her around, she managed to made him feel better with words, just being herself. He felt a bit ashamed to have doubt her, feeling her fingers again around his wrist he trembled and shielded his hand.
Kaoru tilted her head, he just didn't wanted to explain or figure out why that single movement shocked him. So he almost hugged Kakashi when he appeared for the next guard. Stupid Kakashi and his obvious mocking smile behind that mask!