Okay due to popular demand I have extended this fic into Shippuden! Now I've made it that the Akatsuki don't come for Gaara in this, Naruto's just come to Suna on a mission.
"Calm down Naruto, it's just another ninja village," Sakura said tiredly to her excited team mate.
"Yeah but I've never been to the Sand Village before!" Naruto cried.
"You mean after all these years, Jiraiya-sama never took you to Sunagakure?" Sai asked in disbelief.
"Nope. Not once, I've always wondered why. But now I get to see it, I'm really excited!" Naruto said.
Sakura sighed. Where does he get all that energy? She wondered. I guess some things never change.
The three entered the Sand Village, nodding to the ninja who stood guard by the gates.
"Okay, so our mission is to assist the Kazekage in the education of the young genin here. They've adopted our education system, and we're here to help teach them," Sakura said.
"Teach? Me?" Naruto said sceptically. "Well I'll give a try I suppose."
"Ah well there's the Kazekage now talking to Baki-sensei," Sakura said pointing.
Naruto turned to where she was pointing and the first thing he saw was shocking red hair.
He looked so familiar, but where…?
And then it hit him. That gourd, those eyes, that pale skin, there was no doubt about it.
"GAARA!" He shouted.
The redhead froze and turned on the spot to to the voice that had addressed him.
That blonde hair, those blue eyes…could that really be…?
"Naruto?" he said.
Naruto grinned. "You remembered me!" he cried.
The blonde ran up to Gaara and practically tackled him in a hug. "Naruto, can't breathe." Gaara reminded him.
"Oh, sorry." Naruto grinned sheepishly and let go.
Gaara smiled. "It's good to see you. Where have you been? I've been in Konoha a few times but you've never been there," he said.
"Oh, I was training with Ero-sennin all over the place, I only just got back." Naruto explained.
"I see." Gaara replied.
"So, I can't believe you."
"How so?" Gaara raised a non-existent eyebrow.
"You're Kazekage! Damn you, I was supposed to be Hokage, but you made it before me!" Naruto cried. "I can't believe you did it before me,"
Gaara looked Naruto up and down as he was speaking, as if assessing him.
"Well, I bet you're still a lot stronger than me, especially if you've been training with Jiraiya-sama, don't feel bad about it," he said.
It was then he noticed Naruto was looking at him strangely.
"What?" he asked.
"You're still shorter than me!" Naruto laughed.
Gaara rolled his eyes. "Of course I am, but I'm still better-looking than you," he joked.
Naruto laughed. "Oh I beg to differ," he said. Then he looked at Gaara closer, "Actually that's probably true."
"Oh it is not." Gaara said beginning to walk away, motioning for Naruto to follow. He did.
"Are you kidding? Women always go weak in the knees for that cool elite type of guy. Like you. The strong silent ones. Not loudmouths like me," Naruto said.
"Really?" Gaara asked feigning interest. "Unfortunately I have little experience in that sort of thing,"
Naruto laughed. "Yeah, sometimes I think you've got it better with that ignorance,"
"Meaning?"
"Well…put it this way. If you know what the girls like, and know you're not like that, it makes you a little depressed to know that the girls won't like you, so it's better not to know at all." Naruto replied.
"Ah."
"But enough about me, how have you been?" Naruto asked.
"Well. I've missed you over the years," Gaara answered.
"You missed me? I'm surprised you even remembered me," Naruto said.
"How could I forget?" Gaara smiled.
Naruto grinned. "Aw quit it, you'll make me blush." He said.
"Then my work is complete." Gaara replied.
Naruto blushed.
Awwww, okay there it is. Now everybody get off my back! ;) just kidding! Hope you enjoyed it.