Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Sand Blossom ❯ Return to Konoha ( Chapter 6 )

Gaara had to speak with Sakura personally about this. Hence his decision was to go to Konoha on his own and look for her. The forests were vast and mazelike around Konoha. A normal trip through them would take about five days, but Gaara is very impatient so he won't waste all that time. Surviving off the fruits and occasional streams that he found while sand surfing through the forests and open fields, Gaara was able to make it to Konoha in 2 days and 2 nights. Morning peeked over the horizon and our insomniac Kazekage arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village in record time.

 

“Well now that I'm here, what do I do? I don't even know where Sakura is.” Gaara said as he crossed his arms and walked by the front gate. The guards at the front entrance went wild eyed when they saw Gaara walking past them. One silent malevolent glare and Gaara warned them, “Mention my arrival to anyone and the both of you are going to die a most painful death.” The guards kept their mouth's shut and leaned back staring suspiciously at Gaara.

 

Now where to start? Sakura could be anywhere, and Gaara had only been here once during the Chunnin Exams. Sure, he knew very well where Kakashi did his cliff climbing training and also the stadium and the old mansion where he “slept” during his nights in Konoha. Other than that though, Gaara was kinda lost.

 

A couple of kids passed by him as he walked down the Industrial District, there were also many stands where shop tenders provided produce for the local consumer, but it was still too early for them to be out yet.

 

Gaara continued to examine his surroundings. There was a park nearby, where the flowers began to open up to look for the sunlight. There were some trees and benches out there, along with a bridge that spanned over a stream that ran through the park. For some reason, when Gaara saw the bridge, a light shiver went up his spine… Whoa… what was that? He looked over at the bridge and tried to remember the feeling… but it was already gone, so he continued forward.

 

Gaara came upon a small restaurant type stand. Through the curtains he could see about 12 stools lined up next to a long counter. There was an irregularly pleasing smell coming from the stand, Gaara sniffed the air a few times to confirm the scent. “Ramen?” Gaara said out loud to himself.

 

“Only the best around here! Believe it!” A boisterous voice said from behind him. Oddly enough the voice and the phrase sounded like it came from someone that not even Gaara could forget.

 

Gaara slowly turned his head and looked out of the corner of his eye, “Naruto?”

 

The black and orange clad ninja let out a surprised laugh, “Ha ha hey! It's you Gaara! Good to see you!” Naruto ran up to Gaara and gave him a light pat on the head. “Wow, I didn't expect to see you around here! Whatcha' doin'?”

 

Before Gaara could answer, Naruto jumped to his own conclusion, for some reason though he seemed real dazed, “Wait wait, I know! You heard about Ichiraku's popularity over in the Sand Village and you decided to come see for yourself right?”

 

Again Gaara was about to answer, but Naruto jumped in, “Right! So come with me! I'll treat you to a bowl. Hey old man! Two bowls of ramen on the double! Please and thank you!” Naruto had grabbed Gaara by his sash and dragged him to the counter top and next to one of the stools. Grr, Naruto as confusing as ever, whatever, I might as well eat something.

 

Gaara sat down and wringed his sash out of Naruto's hand. Naruto continued to hum to himself while he waited; he rocked his body back and forth like a playful child waiting for his meal. “Soo, Gaara. Whatcha' been up to lately? Found a girl that you like yet?”

 

Naruto's incessant swaying was followed by the sound of a thudding bottle on the floor. Naruto didn't notice but Gaara looked down to see what it was. It was an empty sake bottle. Oh my gosh… he's drunk off his rocker. Gaara leaned over to see Naruto's eyes; they were unfocused and misaligned. Gaara tried to hold him steady now that he knew he wasn't being his normal self. “Naruto what's up with you?”

 

“Oh… it's nothing much. Well… See I have this plan… it sounds really far fetched at first, but…” Naruto took a deep breath and nodded his head, “I think it'll really work. Here come here…” He wiggled his fingers to have Gaara lean in closer. He leaned, and Naruto whispered something into his ear……………Gaara leaned back again as the bowls of ramen slid to a stop in front of Naruto and himself. Interesting… very interesting… to think that Naruto's actions would take him this far.

 

“I'm just kind of out of it cause I don't know what the reaction will be… it will either be yes or no… I'm just worried… even though I know exactly how their mind works…” Naruto mixed the ramen a bit, and started eating it. Slowly at first, then he started slurping up in his usual manner.

 

Gaara was not really used to outside foods. His diet mostly contained grains and only some vegetables, but all in all he was as healthy as could be. “Well…” He stared down at the ramen soup, “…maybe this once.” Gaara broke the chopsticks and leaned over the bowl, slurping up a good long string of ramen. My gosh… this stuff is so… good, actually. Gaara gladly partook of the meal and gulped it down. Once he was done, he wiped his mouth for any obscurities, then looked over at Naruto, who was already on his third bowl. How much can this guy eat when he's like this?

 

“Well Gaara, I'm sorry old buddy, but I'm gonna have to go. Still got a lot on my mind to sort out.” Naruto set down his chopsticks and wheeled around in his stool before hoping off. Gaara remembered something and quickly called him back, “Naruto, wait! Do you know where Sakura may be?”

 

Naruto swerved around halfway and staggered a bit, “Oh Sakura? She went to the Wind Country. If you're in luck she usually gets a ride here and makes its back by…. I don't know evening or something, and then she hangs out by the bridge.”

 

Bingo! Gaara had what he needed. He watched Naruto stagger off a bit, then Naruto called out, “Oh yeah Gaara! I'm gonna leave you to pay the bill, kay? No hard feelings!”

 

Gaara slumped down and leaned on his elbow against the counter. Heh, yeah right…

Gaara's sand began to do his bidding as it scurried across the ground and into Naruto's pocket where it found his frog shaped coin bag. The sand emptied out almost all the money then placed the bag back in its owners pocket before he turned the corner and into the next street.

 

Gaara took whatever money he had `borrowed' from Naruto and placed it on the counter, “Keep the change.” Gaara wheeled around and off his stool and walked away.

 

I know where I need to go, now I just have to wait. Gaara retraced his steps and headed for the park. It was only dusk… so it was going to be a long day for him to wait.

 

 

To be continued…

 

 

Kiraichi: A day late, sorry. Took me a while to type it up last night then I just got back to it now. Thanks to those who are waiting. And thank you Mushroom-Chan and drkknight120, for being the first ones to review my story! I'm so glad; I wants to bow to you too! ((bow, bow)) Anywho, there is more to come, but you are going to have to stick around! Please do. :^) That goes for everyone. X^)