Until You Want Me to Go (GaaNaru)

Part XIX: Closer Than Distance

The new orders came swiftly.

The Hokage's messenger bird returned that afternoon with confirmation:
Naruto would not be the only one grounded.

The enemy's interest in him — and by extension, any squad he traveled with — was too high. The entire Konoha unit was to remain in Sunagakure until further notice.

Temari passed along the summary without expression.

Kankurō snorted. "Guess they're your guests for a little longer, Gaara."

Gaara didn't respond. But he made arrangements personally.

⸻

Naruto's new quarters — next door to the Kazekage

It wasn't flashy.

Just a clean, stone-walled guestroom in the upper level of the compound, with a window that overlooked the western watchtower.

But Naruto blinked at the location.

"...Isn't this right next to your room?"

Gaara, who had been walking ahead, didn't look back.

"It's the most secure floor in the building."

"...Uh-huh."

⸻

Daytime — Sand and Leaf together

Sakura took over the training field, barking drills with medical precision. Lee challenged Suna jōnin to friendly spars. Tenten and Temari discussed weapon scroll specs like two people on the brink of world domination. Even Neji seemed... relaxed.

Meals were taken together in the guest mess.

Suna shinobi mingled respectfully, but it was clear the Konoha team had a gravitational pull.

And at the center of that, as always — Naruto.

Loud. Charismatic. Radiant.

But every now and then, someone noticed how often his gaze drifted to the upper balcony, where Gaara would sometimes stand watching — alone.

⸻

Night – All Quiet, Except for Two

The moon hung over the silent compound.

Sakura, Neji, Tenten, and Lee were asleep in their respective quarters.

But two rooms remained lit.

Naruto sat at the edge of his bed, still half-dressed in his training clothes. His body was tired — but his mind wasn't resting.

He stepped into the hallway.

The light under Gaara's office door was still glowing.

Naruto hesitated... then knocked once.

No response.

He slid the door open carefully.

Inside, Gaara sat at his desk, reading a mission report with sharp, tired eyes. Shadows framed his jaw; his gourd leaned silently in the corner.

He didn't look up.

"...It's late."

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I know. Just... couldn't sleep."

Gaara didn't answer.

Naruto lingered a beat longer. "You always stay up this late?"

Gaara finally looked at him — not surprised, just quiet.

"There's always something to prepare for."

Naruto took a few slow steps into the room, lowering his voice.

"...I wanted to say sorry."

Gaara blinked. "For what?"

"For making things harder. For dragging your village into this. The attack, the delay, the risk."

He trailed off.

"...For being a problem."

Gaara stood slowly.

He walked around the desk — not toward Naruto, but to the window. The moonlight caught the edge of his robes.

"You weren't the cause," Gaara said. "You were the trigger. But if not you, something else would have brought this out."

Naruto frowned. "Still. You're the Kazekage. You shouldn't have to deal with my mess on top of yours."

Gaara didn't turn.

"It's not a burden."

Naruto's eyes widened.

Gaara's voice was low, but sure. "You being here... It's not a burden."

Naruto stepped closer, stopping beside him at the window.

The desert stretched far under the pale sky.

Gaara's posture was still composed — hands behind his back, face unreadable.

But Naruto didn't need his expression.

He could feel it.

"...Thanks," he said, voice soft now.

A pause.

"You really don't say much," Naruto added.

Gaara glanced at him sideways.

"You say enough for both of us."

That made Naruto grin.

And for a long moment, they stood like that — side by side, watching the wind ripple the sand.

No ranks. No missions. No history.

Just proximity.

And a closeness that no one else got to see.

⸻

TO BE CONTINUED