They arrived in Suna in the afternoon. Naruto felt a growing despair in his chest. They were about to enter a city where they were both well known (He knew that some other shinobi of the leaf had been invited to celebrate with the kazekage, such as Shikamaru), so, in order to keep their secret and not risk Hinata's engagement, these were the last seconds of their game, this will be the end.

He had thrown out the idea of trying to avoid the girl's engagement, in the end what he was looking for was a few extra days to enjoy her, but it wasn't like he was willing to take the place of her fiancé. At least that's what he believed.

-Hinata….you know what it means to enter Suna's gates right?

Hinata felt her heart clench. It was obvious that once they entered the city Naruto would stop looking at her, having Sakura close again.

-Of course I know…it was - sigh -…very nice, I mean…everything we did. Thanks for everything. Don't worry, from now on, nothing has happened-

Naruto took a deep breath. This was really a goodbye, one he wasn't ready for. Her hand caressed her face, to look into her beautiful lavender eyes.

"I had fun too, thanks," he kissed her lips one last time, trying to memorize the taste of her, the rhythm of her heart, the soft scent of her. And right after the kiss, he released her hand, to never take it again for the rest of the way.

Being inside Suna was similar to Konoha. As soon as the blond's presence was known, a horde of young women blocked their way, trying to get the young man's attention, who awkwardly tried to make his way between them. Hinata simply stood by, inching forward as his partner made it.

Arriving at the Kazekage's palace was a breather for both of them. There Gara received them cordially and Temari with great emotion, information had reached the sand village that Princess Hyuga was finally getting married, and Temari was dying to know the details.

-Temari will show you your rooms so you can take a bath and then join our negotiating table. You should know that I have brought together various chiefs and representatives from the villages of rock, wind and rain, seeking to unify our efforts and create a single trade route for rice. I understand that Konoha recently also negotiated with Chief Oz, however this time it is his son who accompanies us-

Naruto's eyes immediately drifted to study his partner's reaction to this information. Her face showed some surprise, and a faint crimson color graced her cheeks. Dammit! Ronin still had some effect on her.

"It will be a pleasure, Kazekage-samma, to be able to work as a team to create the alliances that unite all our nations," Hinata added with a bow. -If you'll excuse me, I'm going to accept the bath you've offered me. Will it be okay if I wear civilian clothes for our meeting? It seems to me that the etiquette deserves more formality than the shinobi uniform-

-I couldn't expect less from the distinguished princess Hyuga- Gara smiled slightly -please attend as you feel comfortable, in fact, a package is waiting in your room, which I think will be convenient and also my sister is very eager to show you-

Temari took the opportunity to disappear with her, leaving both men with no other company. Seeing the women leave, and noticing how the eyes of his best friend were riveted on the blue-haired girl, Gara took the opportunity to remove a huge doubt that he had.

-Miss Hyuga, she is an amazing woman-

-Yes, she's really special- the blonde said while he still saw the place where she had gotten lost

-My advisors came to give me the suggestion to make an offer of marriage to the Hyuga house. No doubt such a union would strengthen the ties of our villages, and it doesn't hurt that the girl is beautiful and a good person.

Naruto gave him a puzzled look. Would Gara be Hinata's new fiancé?

-However- added the redhead, -I wasn't interested in making such an offer. I had no intention of rivaling my best friend. But, I am told that you never approached the Hyuga with a proposition, which I have to confess has left me somewhat dismayed. Why didn't you make an offer?

-Gara, I don't know what you imagine between Hinata and me…why did you think that I would propose to her?-

-Well…my father was never too close to us, but I always considered him a wise man. I have very few memories with him because he was hardly ever around, but when he was around he tried to give us advice that would help me and my brothers. Only once did he speak to us about love, his words were exactly "the day a woman makes you find the strength to get up from your deepest fall, that day you will have found the woman you love"-

-That sounds very good Gara, but I still don't see how you related it to me and Hinata-

-Naruto, in the war we all fell down at some point, but none of those moments was as crucial as the death of Neji Hyuga... You lost yourself in pain... During all those moments in which you did nothing more than hug the body of our partner I prepared myself for the worst. You were the only one who could give battle to the enemy, but we had lost you. I swore you had gone crazy... At that moment, when I gave up everything for lost, I saw a woman who, with the touch of her hand, was able to restore your sanity, your strength, your hope.

While I tried to instill courage in our soldiers with a huge speech to face the battle, she with a few words and her look was saving us all. I knew that she loved you, I confirmed it when she was willing to die for you by trying to receive the same attack that ended Neji's life... but, I had no doubt that you loved her too, seeing how she magically brought you to life. That day I understood the depth of my father's words-

-You confuse Gara, that is simply Hinata's ability to instill courage. You know, I've seen her use that same quality other times. I remember how she encouraged me to defeat Neji in the chunin exams, and when I faced Pain, well, her presence was crucial to win that battle... but, I'm sure she has helped other partners like me... Is not that I love her or anything , it's more that she inspires those around her to give their best-

Inside Naruto Kurama was smashing his head against the walls. He wanted to at least give his jinchuriki a bad migraine for being such an asshole.

Gara's expression softened into a slight smile -I really hope I'm the wrong friend. And I assume you won't mind then that I send the papers to the Hyuga today to ask for her hand-

-but she's already engaged-

-Toneri Otsutsuki is her chosen suitor, but I'm sure the elders of the clan will welcome the offer of the Kazekage of the sand-

-If they choose you to become her husband… promise me you'll make her happy, that you'll take care of her- Naruto didn't notice that his gaze showed a fierce reddish aura as he asked that.

-You have my word-

-Okay… now excuse me, I'll look for Temari so she can show me my room- and he immediately went looking for the blonde.

Gara felt enormous pity for his friend. No, of course he wasn't going to propose to Hinata, he had only said it to try to make Naruto see reason with the feelings that were reflected crystal clear. Gara had only managed to annoy the blonde (he would have to apologize later) but he had acted on another piece of advice from his wise father "the person you love must be taken care of, because if you lose her, you will wake up every morning suffering for what you did not do to keep her by your side."

Gara unfortunately saw a future of suffering for his best friend.