Gaara had come to the Leaf Village to visit his sister, though he was the Kazekage and that meant his time was rarely his own. After being drawn into some official business, he finally had a minute to himself and planned to savour his solitude. However, when he spotted a familiar face, his resolve to be alone vanished.

"Hello, Choji."

"Gaara, hi," Choji smiled. "What are you doing in the Leaf Village?"

"I came to see my sister, but I've also had to deal with some shinobi business. I have managed to escape it for the moment though."

"Lucky you."

"Indeed..."

"I was just going for a break myself, you can come too if you want."

"I will. Thank you."

Choji was so easy to be around, he didn't expect any more of Gaara than he was willing to give, and because he knew Gaara's secret, there was no call to pretend.

He walked with the other ninja to a peaceful glade in the forest where Choji laid down in the grass.

"Come on," he said, patting the ground beside him. "It's relaxing, I promise."

Unable to think of a good reason not to, Gaara took off his gourd and joined him. They both gazed up at the sky, silently contemplating the clouds. It is nice to step aside with no demands for a moment.

"I used to do this with Shikamaru," Choji said after a while.

"It doesn't pain you to do it now?"

"No, it's a way to keep him close."

Gaara didn't know whether he had it better or worse than Choji. Choji had real memories with Shikamaru, from countless hours they'd spent together. Gaara didn't have the same history with Naruto, but then maybe being closer to him would have made it all the more painful.

"Have you seen Naruto since you've been here?" Choji ventured.

"From a distance," Gaara answered. "He was with his son."

"It was pretty amazing what he did. But I guess you know that. Would you like to meet Kenji?"

Gaara knew Choji didn't ask the question lightly, he understood what it meant, but Gaara was glad that he hadn't shied away from asking it.

I feel the way I do about Naruto because he's an extraordinary ninja, and his son is more proof of that. And besides that, I am happy that he has the life he wants, he deserves it.

"I would. You'll come with me?"

"Sure. We can go now if you want?"

There was no point delaying it.

"Yes. Please."

They found Naruto in the marketplace, juggling his shopping and his son, still exuding the same unwavering spirit he always had.

"Hey Naruto," Choji greeted.

"Choji, hi!" Naruto grinned, then he turned those blue eyes on Gaara, something more serious filling them. Both being jinchuriki, they had always shared a connection, and when Naruto had fought so hard to save his life, for a moment after that Gaara had thought maybe there was a chance, that maybe Naruto returned his feelings, because he was different with Gaara than he was with anyone else. He still saw that compassion and camaraderie in Naruto's eyes, but he knew now it was only a vestige of shared pain. It's funny how powerfully such a thing can bind people.

"Hey, Gaara."

"Naruto..."

Gaara didn't know what else to say, but thankfully Choji was with him.

"Gaara is in the village to see Temari, but he wanted to meet Kenji."

Naruto had the child on his hip, a boy with yellow hair like his own.

"Kenji," Naruto said. "Say hello to Choji."

And when the boy turned his head, Gaara saw he'd inherited the kekkei genkai of the Hyuga clan. There's no doubt he is what they say he is.

As incredible an achievement as it was, it also widened the gap between himself and Naruto. I know there's no chance for me, but it still hurts.

"And this is Gaara," Naruto continued. "He comes from the Sand Village like Temari. He's her brother."

The boy looked at him curiously, then stretched out his arms.

"Oh, okay," Naruto laughed. "Here you go."

And suddenly the boy was in Gaara's arms. He didn't know what to do, he didn't have any experience with children. He looked to Choji and Naruto for help, but both of them just grinned back at him. The boy reached up and grabbed his hair. Gaara felt the sand in his gourd shift. Be calm, there's no danger. The sand settled once more.

"He likes the colour," Naruto said. "He hasn't seen hair like yours before."

"Ga Ga," Kenji said.

"I don't speak baby," Gaara informed the child.

Naruto laughed.

"No, Kenji," he giggled. "Gaara, not Gaga."

"Ga Ga!" Kenji repeated, still pulling at Gaara's hair with his baby hands.

"I guess he's made up his mind," Choji said, grinning at him.

"He obviously isn't aware he's addressing the Kazekage," Gaara said, which just made Choji and Naruto laugh more. The sound drew Kenji's attention and he grinned too, then he turned back to Gaara, planting his hands on Gaara's temples.

"Byan! Byan!" Kenji commanded.

"I have no idea what you mean," Gaara confessed.

"Byan!" Kenji commanded again.

"He sees your mark and your pale eyes," Naruto explained. "He thinks you have the byakugan like Neji."

"I'm sorry," Gaara told the child. "I don't. However, I can do this."

He summoned the small amount of chakra needed to conjure his third eye. It hovered at eye level, watching the baby, who watched back. When the boy reached out to grab it, Gaara dissolved it, returning it to shiny grains of sand which sprinkled to the ground sparkling prettily as they fell.

Kenji gave him a wide-eyed look which became a grin.

"Gan!" he clapped.

"Gaga is a busy man, Kenji," Naruto said, taking the baby back much to Gaara's relief. "He can't use all his chakra up entertaining you." Naruto looked up at him. "How long are you sticking around for? We might be able to catch up again."

"I'm heading back first thing in the morning."

"That's too bad. Well, make sure you come see us next time you're in town. Kenji likes you. Right, Kenji?"

"Ga Ga!"

"See?" Naruto grinned.

"I like him too," Gaara admitted. The boy already possessed Naruto's bright spirit and fearlessness. "And thank you for the invitation."

"Sure. Any time. I mean it!" Then he looked at his son again. "And we better get home and make some dinner for Dad, huh?"

"Dada!" Kenji agreed.

Gaara watched Naruto leave, a tightness in his chest, his eyes stinging. Being around Naruto was like staring at the sun and being unable to look away. Seeing him hurts, but I think not seeing him would hurt more.

"Are you okay?" Choji checked.

No.

"I'd like to be alone."

"Oh. Okay," Choji accepted.

"But thank you. I needed to see him for myself."

"Sure," Choji said. "I'm around if you need anything. I mean that."

Gaara nodded his thanks and turned away.

Naruto has made his choice, now it's time to let him go.