A/N: If you missed the memo in the Sonic the Hedgehog section, today is National Chicken Wing Day. Yes, it's a real holiday, having been declared by the city of Buffalo, New York on this day in 1977. Since the lovely KagamiPINKAgreste wrote some fics about National Hazelnut Cake Day, I thought I'd give it a go with my own favorite food holiday. Enjoy!

It was a hot day in Sunagakure – aka "The Village Hidden In the Sand" – and Gaara was taking a break from his duties as Kazekage to take a nice, relaxing walk in the village. Every time he took such a walk, he not only viewed it as a way to unwind, but a gift from whatever higher powers existed in this world, especially since the people here stopped seeing him as a weapon to be feared and started seeing him as an actual human being with wants, needs, hopes and fears, and Matsuri proved to be no exception:

"Hey Gaara!"

Matsuri gave Gaara a hug, which he gladly returned. While he saw her as no more than a good friend, he nevertheless enjoyed receiving hugs from her, especially since he'd been so hug-deprived in his younger days. Every time someone wrapped their arms around him like this, he felt as though he was worthy of being alive. Granted, the hug didn't last too long, but for Gaara, it was enough.

"Hello, Matsuri. How are you today?"

Matsuri smiled. "Not too bad! And you?"

"I'm all right. Today has been laborious in regards to the workload."

"Well, you are the Kazekage, so it kinda comes with the territory."

Gaara nodded. "Point taken. Also, thanks again for the hug; it always makes me feel happy."

Matsuri giggled. "That's how it should feel, silly!"

Gaara smiled. "You're right. Have a nice day, Matsuri!"

Matsuri gave a flirty wave to Gaara. "You too, Gaara!"

Gaara continued on his walk. A bunch of people waved at him and said "hi", and he returned their greetings, also asking how they were doing, though it was mostly no more than that until…

"Hey there, Gaara!"

Yukata gave Gaara a hug as well, which he gladly returned, although he did have one question…

"Yukata, I'm glad to see you, too, but why do you girls keep hugging me?"

Yukata giggled. "Because we like you and we care about you!"

"I know, it's just…you make me feel all tingly whenever you do this."

Yukata giggled again. "That's how you should feel!"

Eventually, Yukata let go, but not without getting a smile from Gaara.

"So, what's up, honey?" asked Yukata

"Not much. Things have been very quiet for me lately. And you?"

"Same here, although my boyfriend wants to take a trip to The Village Hidden In the Leaves with me soon."

Gaara stroked his chin. "Fascinating. Any reason why?"

"He has a cousin who lives over there whom he hasn't seen in a while."

"That reminds me, there's someone else from there whom I haven't seen in a while, either."

"Really? Who?"

"I won't say who it is, but he's more famous than I am."

Yukata smiled. "Well, now you've really got me curious!"

Gaara smiled back. "Believe me, you'll know him when you see him."

Yukata giggled again. "OK! Have a nice day, Gaara!"

Gaara waved at Yukata. "You too!"

Once again, Gaara went on his merry way. For a time, there were only a few other people to say "hi" to him. Nevertheless, he greeted them all with a smile on his face. Overall, this was turning out to be a largely uneventful walk.

"GAARA! Hey Gaara!"

Any pretenses of uneventfulness went out the window when a familiar someone came running Gaara's way. By the time he spotted this someone, all he could do was gasp in surprise, until…

"YAY!"

Naruto Uzumaki practically jumped Gaara as he gave him the biggest hug he'd received all day, which nearly knocked the Kazekage off his feet. Nevertheless, he returned the hug as best as he could.

"N-Naruto, I can understand my fellow villagers giving me hugs, but why you?"

"Because I love you and you're one of my favorite people!"

"I…Naruto…"

Gaara buried his face in Naruto's shoulder. Of all things, knowing that he was loved meant more to him than words could describe. Granted, he'd never expected the famous Seventh Hokage to declare such a thing for him, but he owed much to the blond goofball. As he took in the sound of his own breathing, Gaara couldn't help but think about how wonderful everything was right now. All he wanted to do was hug this blond goofball and be with him forever As time went on, though, he couldn't help but wonder about one thing…

"I love you too, but why are you so eager to see me?"

"'Cause I saw this restaurant that looked really good and I wanted to go with ya! Plus, it's National Chicken Wing Day! Believe it!"

"Well, it is just about lunchtime, so…"

Naruto took Gaara over to a place called Zenjiro's Chicken Shack. It was a small place similar to Ichiraku Ramen, but as the name implied, it specialized in chicken dishes. Fortunately, there were two adjacent stools for the two Kages, so they sat down. Almost immediately, Zenjiro – a rather portly, balding middle-aged man with graying hair – took notice:

"Well, if it isn't our Kazekage! Who's your special guest?"

"This is Naruto Uzumaki, the Hokage."

"Pleased to meet ya!" said Zenjiro.

Zenjiro and Naruto bowed.

"So, what can I get ya?" asked Zenjiro.

Naruto stroked his chin as he looked at the menu. Then, he snapped his fingers.

"I'll have eight wings with sesame sauce, a small pork-fried rice and a bottle of Ramuné!"

"And for you, Gaara?"

"I'll have eight wings with Creeping Death sauce, a small order of chicken gizzard and a green tea, please."

Zenjiro went to put in their orders.

"So, how have ya been lately?" asked Naruto.

"Not too bad. I'm feeling overwhelmed by everyone's affections, but on the other hand, I suppose it beats being treated like a monster all the time."

Naruto gave a thumbs up. "I hear ya on that one!"

"And how have you been, Naruto?"

"I've been doing well. Things have been pretty weird with Kiba and Hinata, though."

"How so?"

"They're not even married and they're already acting like a married couple! Even I can't believe it!"

Gaara stroked his chin. "Curious. I never expected those two to be so close with each other. From what I've understood, Hinata always seemed to pine for you."

Naruto shrugged. "Yeah, we tried going out for a while and it didn't work out. She really wasn't my type."

"Oh? Then what is your type?"

Naruto smiled. "Well, my type is tall, red-haired and super-handsome, not to mention he looks like he's wearing eyeliner when he's really not."

At first, Gaara didn't respond. However, shortly thereafter, his face turned beet red, realizing that Naruto was referring to him. In fact, he was so stunned that he failed to notice when their drinks arrived.

"Gaara!" said Naruto.

Gaara didn't respond.

"Hey, Gaara!"

Gaara still didn't respond.

"Earth to Gaara!"

Naruto waved his hand in front of Gaara's face, causing the Kazekage to blink.

"Wha…? Oh."

Gaara took his cup and was about to drink when he noticed Naruto holding out his bottle of Ramuné.

"What do you wish to toast to?"

"To many more years of peace, happiness and chicken wings!"

Gaara smiled. "OK."

Naruto and Gaara toasted, and they proceeded to drink up.

"By the way, Naruto…"

"Yes?"

"Why are you so interested in chicken wings all of a sudden? Isn't ramen your favorite food?"

"It still is, but I couldn't resist a good opportunity to celebrate this holiday! Besides, I like changing it up every now and then! Believe it!"

Gaara nodded. "I see."

"I also enjoy Sakura's hazelnut cake. She makes one every National Hazelnut Cake Day."

Gaara slowly lowered his cup. "National Hazelnut Cake Day? I had no idea there were so many food-related holidays."

"Believe it!" Naruto took another sip of Ramuné.

"Still, that is quite interesting. I'm not usually a dessert guy, but I'll have to try Sakura's hazelnut cake sometime."

"You should! It's to die for!"

"Then I will."

Soon enough, Naruto and Gaara's wings were ready, and Naruto was about to dig in when…

"Hold on!" said Gaara.

"What?"

"Before we eat, would you mind joining your hand with me in prayer? I'm not religious; I just find it comforting."

"Well…all right…"

Naruto and Gaara joined hands.

"Dear God, thank you for providing us with the ingredients to make this meal possible," said Gaara. "May they return to the earth, to be born once again. And thank you for bringing us together as companions, that we may create happy memories with each other for the time we are together. Amen."

With that, the two Kages ate. Naruto let out a hearty "mmmm" as the sweet savoriness of the sesame wings excited his taste buds, and Gaara got equal enjoyment out of his wings:

"These are really good. They might just be the best chicken wings I've ever had."

Naruto smiled. "I know, right? By the way, mind if I try one of yours?"

Gaara frowned. "Are you sure? These are extremely spicy."

Naruto gave a dismissive hand flap. "Of course I'm sure! I'll try anything at least once!"

"Well, OK…"

Gaara handed Naruto one of his Creeping Death wings, and the blond Hokage wasted no time in taking a bite. This turned out to be an extremely poor decision, for he immediately ended up screaming and breathing fire from the sheer heat.

"OH MY GOD! HOT! HOT!"

Unable to take the heat anymore, Naruto grabbed his Ramuné.

"Naruto, DON'T!" exclaimed Gaara. "That'll only…"

Sure enough, Naruto chugged the rest of his Ramuné, but it did no good, and he ran around in circles flailing his arms around. Zenjiro even took notice:

"Here, Gaara, give him this."

Zenjiro gave Gaara a glass of milk.

"Naruto, drink this!"

Naruto immediately slugged the glass of milk.

"How are you feeling?" asked Gaara.

"It still burns, but it doesn't burn as much, I guess…"

Gaara frowned. "I warned you those were extremely hot."

Naruto merely gave a sheepish smile.

After finishing their wings, Naruto and Gaara had a little discussion over who was going to pick up the tab before Gaara agreed to foot it. Then, they had a walk together.

"Naruto, thank you for inviting me out to lunch. That could quite possibly become one of my new favorite places to go out to eat."

"You're welcome, Gaara! I'm definitely going back, too! Believe it!"

"Please, let me know whenever you're in town again. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing you. And Naruto…"

"Yes?"

"I love you too."

Gaara kissed Naruto, and the latter took it in with happiness. All in all, it was probably the best day ever for both Kages, and they could look to the future with even more hope.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.