2/14/08

Disclaimer: the characters in this fic such as Gaara, Matsuri, etc. don't belong to me, although if they did, then Gaara and Matsuri would shower each other with love and be very happy together.

Dedication: God, my parents, my fans, Masashi Kishimoto for creating the Naruto series and giving us these colorful characters, and especially to my beloved friends, especially VGuyver, Andrew Glasco, Musashi Sanada, Francisco, Ariescelestial, and all of you other wonderful readers!!

Special dedication to: Nakoudo Byakugan for giving me prompts that actually weren't so hard to complete this time, heehee. Girl, you're losing your touch!

Naruto: Captured Moments

13 Drabbles

Installment: Set Beta

By Tiger5913

Naruto Drabble #1 – Butterflies, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

What is this feeling…?

The confused redhead peered down at his own chest and tentatively placed a palm over his heart. Mentally, he mused about the strange sensation that flared to life within him whenever his student had that bright, winning smile on her face. The feeling was not unpleasant, reminding Gaara of fragile butterfly wings brushing against the walls of his stomach. He jolted every time Matsuri touched him, even when it was a simple tap on his arm. Strange, indeed.

Since he was uncomfortable with the unknown, he silently vowed to find out what was happening to him.

Naruto Drabble #2 – Groceries, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

Kankuro lazily lifted his eyes away from watching the television program when the front door opened, expecting to see his older sister returning home.

But it turned out to be his kid brother, lugging a large brown bag in his arms as he waited, and then a girl soon entered the house as well, carrying another load. Ah, it was Matsuri. Of course. Gaara's student, and a good "friend." Right.

The puppeteer yawned as the pair proceeded over to the kitchen and sat the groceries down on the counter before he casually called out, "What, now you're shopping together too?"

Naruto Drabble #3 – Waves, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

Great, you just had to egg him on, the breathless Chunin thought to herself with a hint of disdain as she dodged another series of sand waves. Even without Shukaku in his body, her sensei was still able to control the sand so well, and knowing that, the girl had grown frustrated during this session because of his restraint. He was the powerful Gaara of the Desert, and as his student, she had to help him maintain his reputation by doing her best. She had to be strong.

"Have you had enough?"

Matsuri stubbornly shook her head, and they resumed.

Naruto Drabble #4 – Mystery, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

As the other students gathered around Temari and Kankuro to begin training, the lone girl stood back and contemplated the strange response she had received from the third young instructor.

This red-haired boy was really their village's ultimate weapon? He looked all right… Certainly not as scary as the whispers that had drifted around her ears. She peered at Gaara curiously, as if trying to see the demon that dwelled inside his body.

Such a figure of mystery. But he did not seem dangerous.

Matsuri stepped toward him with a hopeful expression. "Please!"

Surprise flickered in his light turquoise eyes.

Naruto Drabble #5 – Board Games, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

The young redhead liked having Matsuri around, but sometimes, even she could stretch his patience rather thin. Like bombarding him with questions nonstop while he was trying to work.

Remembering something that one of the Konoha shinobi had left in his office during a previous visit, the Kazekage opened his drawer and retrieved a board game. From what he had read of the instructions, Shogi seemed to have difficult concepts to grasp, and would take some time to understand. A rather fitting distraction.

Hmm. This should occupy her for a while. Gaara mused silently as he called his student over.

Naruto Drabble #6 – Winter, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

As the end of the year drew near, she wondered what snow looked like.

Having lived in Suna all her life, the girl had never seen snow before. She heard from other travelers that it was white and felt very cold, but she preferred to experience the sensation firsthand. Winter in the Sand Village just brought frigid weather, but no snow.

Her sensei had been around to the different lands before, so maybe he knew something about it.

At the thought, Matsuri piped up, "Gaara-sensei?"

"Yes?"

"Have you… ever seen snow before?"

A wry smile of endearment touched his lips.

Naruto Drabble #7 – Sensitive, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

"Temari."

The blonde kunoichi looked up from her book. "Yeah?"

Her baby brother cast a glance to the side and looked around for a few minutes before he turned back to plead, "I need your help. Please."

Going into her overprotective big-sister mode, she nodded quickly and gave him her full attention. "What's wrong?"

"I… I made her cry."

"Who?"

"Matsuri. She has been very sensitive all this week."

Inwardly, Temari groaned, but she stood up and commanded, "Come on. We're going to the library."

Gaara blinked and inquired, "…Why?"

"Because I'm not drawing pictures for this kind of explanation."

Naruto Drabble #8 – Darkness, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

The former sand demon vessel felt a deep sense of shame whenever he remembered the way his life used to be.

Drowning in darkness and hatred for so many years… it was truly a wonder that he could attain light and redemption at all. Killing others had given him a reason to live, one that Gaara now realized was a pathetic excuse to validate and justify his sinful actions. But after his change, the sand that surrounded him no longer reeked of blood and death.

He owed his changed perspective to Naruto Uzumaki, while attributing his open heart to Matsuri.

Naruto Drabble #9 – Quiet Time, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

Late at night, as he thought about going to sleep, Kankuro got thirsty and left his room for a glass of water. The last time he was outside, his brother was sitting on the couch with his girlfriend, and the two were watching television.

The puppeteer trudged over to the kitchen, and upon hearing the program, he knew they were still there. "Hey, Gaara. If she's staying the night, you guys better not make any noise."

Gaara turned his head around and frowned slightly. "Shh. Be quiet."

So, Matsuri was already asleep, then. Kankuro grinned and provoked, "Isn't that sweet."

Naruto Drabble #10 – Kittens, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

"So… this one's your favorite?"

He glanced her way to see the girl picking up a raggedy teddy bear that he had owned since childhood. The couple had been together a short time, but Matsuri already felt at ease looking around in his room, apparently. The sand wielder was mildly uncomfortable with her holding it, and not because of her, but due to his mixed feelings on the old relic.

To distract his intrigued girlfriend, Gaara inquired instead, "Do you like stuffed animals, Matsuri?"

The brunette smiled brightly and replied, "Well, this bear is cute, but I really like kittens."

Naruto Drabble #11 – Trains, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

The young Kazekage sighed and hid a frown of annoyance upon hearing her heated complaints. Once Matsuri was on a roll, she was like a train without brakes. She would no longer accept his vague explanations on the subject. Maybe it was finally time for him to admit the real reason why he would not assign her any missions above a B-rank.

"Why, Gaara-sensei?" She fired at him in question, her dark eyes flashing with passion. "Do you think I'm too weak?"

Gaara met her gaze evenly and answered, "No. It's because I worry."

That quieted her down immediately. "…Oh."

Naruto Drabble #12 – Road trip, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

After the pair trekked through the desert and entered an area of lush green forestry, the Chunin girl piped up curiously, "So, um, what're we going to Konoha for, Gaara-sensei?" And why is it just the two of us this time? No other guards…

He had honestly expected this question from her, but he was just surprised it took this long to ask. Matsuri must have been struggling to hold herself back.

Gaara fought the urge to become flustered as he admitted in a quiet tone, "Naruto invited us on a double date with him and his girlfriend, Hinata Hyuga."

Naruto Drabble #13 – Gravestone, 100 words, Gaara x Matsuri

She visited the gravestones of her parents at least once every week, but after a certain incident occurred, a third one was added to her list as well. This person was very important as well, for if it had not been for the elderly woman's sacrifice… then Gaara would have been buried in this spot instead.

Everyone in the village knew what she had done for the Kazekage of Suna.

Matsuri ducked her head and prayed for the deceased that lay under the earth, and as always, she ended it with a silent gesture of gratitude. Thank you, Elder Chiyo.

End of Set Beta

Bonus: Pretty Eyes, 100 words, Gaara x Masturi – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

"My eyes aren't… pretty." He grimaced at the word.

"Oh, but they are, Gaara-sensei!" The girl insisted enthusiastically, elation on her expression. "No one else has eyes like yours…"

The redhead was silently grateful that they were in the privacy of his office rather than outside with other people around, but nevertheless, he wanted to duck underneath his desk out of pure embarrassment.

Instead, Gaara opted to reply in an offhand manner, "That is hardly important to me."

Matsuri pouted at his resilience, but then leaned toward him and uttered softly, "Well… I really like your eyes…"

His face reddened.

Bonus: Jealous, 100 words, Gaara x Masturi – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

The young Kazekage hardly ever paid attention to his siblings' gossip, but one afternoon, when they were outside his office…

"Hey, Temari, who's the scrawny little guy that's been hanging around Matsuri lately?"

His ears immediately perked up in interest.

"Don't know. I think he likes her. He asked her to the Lunar festival."

His pale turquoise eyes narrowed slightly.

"Really? Huh. You think she's gonna go with him?"

"Maybe. They look kinda cute together."

The tasks on his desk forgotten for the time being, Gaara slowly stood up. He was going to have a very firm talk with Matsuri…

Bonus: "Person I Became", 100 words, Gaara x Masturi – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Wounds of the heart really could be healed with love, as Gaara found out many years after his uncle's death.

His body no longer thrived with pure hatred when his mind occasionally touched upon the subject. As a child, he had trusted Yashamaru unconditionally, only to be betrayed one wintry night. Bitter and alone, horribly disillusioned, the sand wielder constantly wondered what kind of person he would become.

But the advice he had heard about love… it was true. The only truth his uncle ever gave him.

With Matsuri by his side, Gaara was finally able to visit Yashamaru's grave.

Bonus: Footsteps, 100 words, Gaara x Masturi – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Practice or real, his senses were always keen and sharp in the midst of battle.

While keeping a mental note of control on his sand, the redhead calmly waited for the position of his opponent to be revealed. He had no intentions of being caught off-guard, regardless of the circumstances.

Seconds later, Gaara heard the barest noises of footsteps softly and slowly approaching him from behind. Just as a fierce cry elicited, a wall of sand rose and caught the head of the rope dart.

"You need to improve your stealth, Matsuri." He chastised his student with a small smile.

Bonus: Sinking, 100 words, Gaara x Masturi – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

"Damn, you've got it bad."

The statement momentarily distracted the redhead from reading the various documents on his desk, and he looked up at his brother with confusion on his face. "What do you mean?"

Kankuro smirked and nodded knowingly. "Let me guess, it's one of those girls that's always hanging around, right? Why don't you just ask her out already?"

'Ask her out?' "I don't understand."

"Heh, you don't get it."

Indeed, Gaara had a very odd presence that stirred within him when he was around his student. It felt like sinking in quicksand, but without the eventual death.

Bonus: Sway, 100 words, Gaara x Masturi – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

Fashion was really not one of Gaara's main concerns in life, as he even left the choice of his outfits to Temari. But now that he had a girlfriend who occasionally liked to model her clothes for him, he tried to be patient.

The redhead caught a glimpse of bare skin as she swayed her hips, causing the short skirt to flare out and swirl around the upper portion of her slender thighs.

She was not going to wear that out in public, he decided firmly.

"Um… do you like it?" Matsuri asked him just then, oblivious to his thoughts.

Bonus: Lost it, 100 words, Gaara x Masturi – dedicated to Nakoudo Byakugan

G-Gaara-sensei…

She was extremely upset at the sight of the redhead lying upon the ground. Angry at the Konoha shinobi that had not been able to save him, furious with the superiors in Suna that ordered the Sand ninjas to stay in the village instead of helping their Kazekage… But most of all, the devastated Chunin hated herself for not being strong enough to defy orders and leave to rescue Gaara herself.

Matsuri clenched her fists at her side tightly as she nearly lost her composure, but a miracle happened that quelled her ire immediately.

Her sensei was sitting up…

End of Installment

Author's Note: Three sets down, and only one more to go! Okay, everyone, this is your last chance to get in requests of couples and themes that you'd like to see. When I finish the next installment, that will be the end of this little mini-series of GaaMatsu drabbles. I'm sure Nakoudo Byakugan will try to kill me with the sheer number of very interesting requests that she always has, heh. I will try to finish the last installment as soon as I can, so that I will have more time to work on my multi-part GaaMatsu fic. Mmm, gotta love that lemony goodness…

Of course, as always, please leave a review and let me know what you think of the drabbles in this set!

By the way, I almost never update this often in such a short amount of time, but today is a special day, so I made an exception, teehee. Again, Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

With love for my fans,

Tiger5913