It was several days later when a previously silent Gaara asked Naruto a simple one-word question. "Why?"
"Because it's my reason to live."
"What is?"
It had been this very question that Naruto spent a good portion of his life pondering. His reason to live. The reason he chose, his final decision, was, though truthful, one that those who knew him well would seek endlessly to change.
"To die."
It was a week before Gaara spoke to him again.
"Why?"
"It's that the people of this town always wanted. In their hearts, they hoped. That I would die in a mission, that some great attack on the village would leave me dead, that there would be a rockslide while I was training , and I would be killed. They all wished for it, whispered about it. I decided I would give them what they wanted.
Two weeks without Gaara saying a word were not as hard as he had thought they would be, mainly because Neji had taken to coming round as often as he could, and Naruto had come to enjoy his presence and await his visits eagerly. It was on one such visit that Neji asked the very question Gaara had, only now it scared Naruto to answer. He didn't want to lose what he had gained with Neji, but for the same reason he had to tell him the truth.
"Because it's my reason to live."
"To die?"
"…yeah"
"I think you need a new one?"
"Reason?"
"Yeah."
"What would you propose?"
"How about," Neji stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Naruto's waist "Me." He breathed before kissing him gently.
"I think" Naruto stole another kiss "That's a fine reason"