Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Flowers in the Sand ❯ Chapter 16

Chapter 16

 

Temari took a deep breath. “Okay- let's go,” she told her family. Shikamaru opened the door for her (ah, chivalry) and let the others inside. Gaara crossed his arms and assumed a facial expression that radiated neutrality as he followed his siblings through the doorway.

 

“You are the one who considers everything besides cloud-watching to be so `troublesome,'” Gaara muttered as he passed his brother-in-law. “You should be protesting this as much as I am.”

 

“I don't argue with Temari,” Shikamaru shrugged. “Not if I want to continue living in good health.”

 

Gaara mentally snorted as he entered the building. Can't blame him. Temari's got a temper that makes even me wary.

 

“SURPRISE! Congratulations, Kazekage Gaara!”

 

Gaara's eyes flew as wide as they could possibly go as he gazed around at the multitude of shinobi and villagers, dressed in their most formal clothes, all clapping and cheering- for him. Absolute shock registered on his face.

 

The crowd parted as they continued their applause, every face smiling, revealing a small group standing by the far wall, underneath a huge banner that proclaimed:

 

Congratulations on Ten Great Years as Kazekage, Gaara!

 

The writing was in bright blue letters- probably to go along with the Kazekage's ceremonial color- but what caught Gaara's attention was the crude drawing in the corner of what he assumed was supposed to be him, dressed in the Kazekage's white and blue robes, looking rather… chibi-ish. It was disturbing, actually. And he knew exactly who did this.

 

“Naruto,” Gaara muttered, his aquamarine gaze narrowing on the stupidly-grinning blonde man at the front of his little group.

 

“Come on, Kazekage,” Kankuro urged, giving his taller younger brother a nudge. “We're all waiting on you. Sakura went through a lot of work for this, so you should at least go thank her.”

 

Sakura did this? Why?

 

Gaara didn't reply to Kankuro but walked rather stiffly across the newly-opened path to Naruto, Sakura, and their long-time friends.

 

“Oh, dear God! Sakura!” Temari cried, her teal eyes growing wide at Sakura's very rounded belly. “What were you thinking? We could've planned this for after the baby is born!”

 

“Which might be any minute,” Shikamaru added dryly.

 

“Bakas!” Sakura huffed. “I am perfectly fine! I still have a few weeks left and we needed to do this! So quit complaining!”

 

Kiba, Chouji, and Sasuke all seemed to be watching Gaara rather closely. He flicked a glance at them and they visibly held their breath. Gaara looked back at Naruto, who chuckled.

 

“Um, surprise, Gaara,” Naruto offered cheerfully.

 

“You did this?” the red-haired man asked quietly.

 

“Well, Sakura did all the planning,” his friend explained, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. “But I thought it'd be a good idea. You've been the best Kazekage Suna's ever had and it needed to be acknowledged. Ten years of thriving under your protection. Can't just let it pass by without doing something.” Everyone around him nodded in agreement. He winked. “And we needed an excuse to throw a party.”

 

For several moments Gaara just stood there, looking over his friends, amazed by not only the fact that he actually had friends (it still shocked him a little to realize he wasn't alone anymore) but that they went through all this trouble just to celebrate him. His existence, his life, his accomplishments.

 

It was… humbling. And beyond thoughtful. These people- his friends, his comrades, his family… they found him worth celebrating.

 

And they, in turn, were the reason for his existence.

 

It finally dawned on him. Memories rushed back. “I am only a relic of the past that they want to get rid of, so why do I exist and live? I have found no answer to that question. Therefore, I exist to kill everyone but myself.”

 

“Up until now… bonds with others… have been nothing but an annoyance to the point I would want to kill…”

 

“By meeting and fighting Naruto Uzumaki… he taught me that you can change that path. I wish that one day, that I can be needed by someone. Not as a frightening weapon.”

 

“But as the Sand's Kazekage.”

 

He was needed by Suna as their Kazekage, true, but here, in Konoha, he was needed as something more. A friend. Funny, how it took so many years for him to realize the depth of that friendship.

 

Gaara's gaze swept over the huge room of people, all who waited patiently with sincere smiles on their faces. Lastly, he met the eyes of Naruto's close friends and companions- those he had called friends as well over the last ten years. They all smiled, with no trace of fear or wariness in any gaze.

 

Their fear of the Sand's monster… was gone. And had been gone, apparently, for quite some time. He just never noticed the change.

 

Finally, he met Naruto's blue-eyed stare. The Hokage raised an eyebrow in silent question.

 

Gaara smiled. Genuinely, honestly, and openly. A few nearby females made purring sounds. “You… have my sincerest thanks, Naruto.”

 

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“Damn,” came the almost inaudible mutter from Kiba, Sasuke, and Chouji.

 

“Can't believe I lost to my own wife,” Kiba added.

 

“I can't believe she joined the wager,” Sasuke grumbled.

 

“I can't believe that we're stuck babysitting Teiru for a week,” Chouji whimpered.

 

“Maybe now you'll learn that there's more to Gaara than meets the eye,” Hinata replied softly, smiling brightly.

 

“I don't understand how I got conned into this,” Sasuke muttered. “I don't even have kids. How the hell am I supposed to baby-sit one?”

 

“You're a genius, aren't you?” Hinata asked with an innocent smile. “I'm sure you'll survive.”

 

Kiba groaned and slapped his palm against his forehead, which was currently bereft of his forehead protector. “We're doomed.”

 

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“I'm glad you're not upset,” Naruto whispered to Gaara when the music started up and people returned to their mingling. A few stray couples eyed the make-shift dance floor in the corner as if they really wanted to try it out but lacked the courage to be the first ones to start dancing.

 

“I am slightly annoyed,” Gaara replied, his gaze looking out over the crowd. “I do not like surprises.”

 

“Ehhh…” Naruto looked uncomfortable. “Well, then I should probably warn you…”

 

Gaara flicked his attention to the man at his side. “Warn me?”

 

A hush fell over the gathering, with several male voices murmuring in a tone that sounded like a mixture between awe and approval. Gaara and Naruto both looked at the doorway. Naruto winced.

 

Dressed in an impeccable rich brown high-collared shirt, similar to the style that Sakura and Tenten favored in their youth, and loose cream-colored pants, Neji stood silently in the doorway, a peaceful, rather happy look on his usually serious face. His hair was combed back and his forehead protector was missing, as most shinobi decided that tonight's event didn't warrant wearing them.

 

The green seal mark that had been placed upon his forehead when he was just a child was gone now, having been removed by several medic-nins and Hinata's father, Hiashi, when the two “branches” of the Hyuuga clan were dissolved and made into one whole clan. Hiashi named Neji his heir, which pleased Hinata and her sister, Hanabi, to no end. Dressed as he was, he was the very image of his father and uncle. A true heir to the Hyuuga clan and legacy.

 

But that is not what had people's attention. No, it was the stunning beauty on his arm. A veritable angel made flesh. Her gown was a shining sapphire blue, which matched her large azure eyes. Waist-length brown hair had been pulled up and back, leaving the bottom down to curl around her shoulders. The lights glinted off gold streaks shining through the brown, almost making a halo-like glow on the tresses. She didn't seem to walk, but rather glide along as Neji escorted her into the room.

 

Naruto left Gaara's side and was in front of Neji and his companion in an instant. “I thought you were coming with Tenten!” Naruto hissed under his breath.

 

“I had something more important to take care of,” Neji replied, leveling his gaze with Naruto's.

 

Sakura saw her husband facing off against Neji and immediately was concerned. She hurried over to his side, the rest of their friends watching worriedly. “Um… it's good that you've come, Neji,” she interrupted, offering a shaky smile. “Where… is Tenten?”

 

Neji gave a one-shouldered shrug. “I told her I was unable to accompany her here tonight. I believe she may be arriving with Lee.”

 

“I see,” Sakura murmured softly. Her attention turned to the lovely woman beside him. “Good evening, Safaia. You look absolutely stunning. Ino did a wonderful job helping you get ready for tonight.”

 

“Many thanks, Sakura,” Safaia replied, her gaze lowering to the pink-haired woman's protruding belly. “And it would appear that this celebration is just in time, yes?”

 

“Uhhh… Safaia,” Naruto stammered, trying hard not to sweat, “This… isn't a baby shower for Sakura and I. It's…”

 

Safaia glanced up and saw the large banner on the wall. She studied it carefully for a few moments, trying to remember the letters she had been learning so fastidiously these last few weeks. “'Con…grat…ulations… on… Ten Great… Years as…” She frowned slightly. “I don't know what those last two words are.”

 

“Kazekage Gaara,” replied a painfully neutral voice, as if every ounce of strength was being utilized to not betray any emotions in those two words. Naruto and Sakura both visibly winced. The four friends turned to see Gaara, arms folded and face as emotionless as it had ever been, staring directly at Safaia.

 

Safaia gasped, her hand coming up to cover her mouth and her eyes wide. Neji narrowed his eyes at the red-haired man. He, too, had been unaware that this was a celebration for Gaara. Too much time spent focusing on Safaia, he supposed. “Congratulations, then, Gaara. May you be Kazekage of Suna for many more years to come.”

 

Gaara inclined his head slightly. “I plan to,” he said in a voice as dry as the desert.

 

For the longest time, the only sounds were those of the music being played in the background and the conversations of the other guests.

 

“Um, Neji,” Sakura finally said, breaking the uncomfortable silence and grasping Neji's arm to lead him toward the others, “did you say that Lee and Tenten were coming?”

 

“Yes,” he replied, glancing at her. Abruptly the tension loosened. “Gui-sensei also mentioned arriving later, as he wanted to surprise Kakashi or something.”

 

Naruto and Sakura groaned. “Will those two never give up?” Naruto grumped as he helped his wife deftly escort Neji away from Safaia and Gaara.

 

The two stared at each other for a moment. “I… was not aware that you…” Safaia began.

 

“It is of no concern,” Gaara interrupted. “If you had known, doubtless you would not have attended.”

 

“That's not true!” Safaia cried. “I… I thought…”

 

“Safaia!” She turned to see Neji returning to claim her arm again. “I thought you were right behind me.”

 

“I… I'm sorry,” she whispered, lowering her gaze to the floor. “I was just…”

 

“Don't worry about it. Everyone is waiting.”

 

Gaara rolled that one around in his mind as he followed them back to their group of life-long friends. Waiting for what?

 

“Tonight is a night of celebration,” Neji began, a slight smile on his face, “be it the impending birth of Naruto and Sakura's baby-”

 

“Let's hope we don't end up with another Naruto!” Kiba interrupted. A few snickers met this declaration, causing Naruto to scowl good-naturedly at Kiba.

 

“Or the milestone of a decade of Gaara as Kazekage-” Neji continued, ignoring Kiba's comment.

 

“Hear, hear!” Several upraised glasses followed, with smiling faces at the unmoving Gaara standing next to Naruto on Safaia's other side.

 

“Or a proposal of marriage.”

 

Silence. Every set of eyes turned to Safaia, who kept her sapphire gaze on the ground. She did not look pleased in the least.

 

“This evening, before coming here, I met up with Safaia and asked her to join me in a slight detour on our way. I escorted her to the Academy's playground and finally got up enough nerve to ask her to marry me.” Neji smiled down at the lovely woman by his side.

 

Still no one spoke. A few nervous glances slid over to Gaara, to gauge his reaction to the news. Finally, Ino spoke up. “Ehh… Neji… isn't it a bit… soon? I mean, you've only known each other, what? Two months?”

 

“It does not matter. A shinobi's life is an unpredictable one. I could be sent out on a mission tomorrow and be killed. I don't want to make us wait for no reason.”

 

Perfect logic, as expected from Neji. Everyone looked uncomfortable in varying degrees. Except Gaara. He still had not moved or spoken.

 

“Safaia?” Sakura asked softly. “Did… did you accept? Are you going to marry Neji?”

 

The woman didn't answer. Neji nodded. “I had to prod an answer out of her, but she agreed.”

 

Ino, Sakura, Hinata, and Temari all exchanged a feminine glance. “Well, then,” Kiba said slowly. “I guess we should be offering our congratulations to you two as well.”

 

Other murmurs of felicitations followed, but in truth, none were heart-felt. The entire mood of the party had suddenly turned sour.

 

And Gaara had vanished.