Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You know the closer you get to something
The tougher it is to see it
And I'll never take it for granted
Let's go
(Closer - Joe Inoue)

Matsuri felt an immense sense of relief when she saw that Naruto and his team had managed to bring Gaara back safe and sound.

There had been moments when she had been truly terrified she would never see him again. In fact, she herself was surprised by her own fears, since until not long before, the mere thought of the Kazekage had mostly inspired fear and unease in her. But everything had changed since she had chosen him as her teacher.

Rumour had it that Gaara had changed since returning from his experience in the Leaf Village, but the inhabitants of the Sand Village were still very much afraid of the boy carrying the One-Tailed Beast. Even she had been uncertain when it came time to choose a team; but when she saw that no one had chosen Gaara, she instinctively thought the best choice was to go to him. She couldn’t explain why — logically, it was a terrible and very uncertain decision: who knew how he might treat her? And besides, his icy gaze paralyzed her. Yet it was that very gaze that had pushed her to approach him: in it, she had seen a deep desire for redemption mixed with melancholy. That alone had been enough to convince her to give him a chance. After all, who doesn’t deserve one?

Moreover, he was incredibly strong — invincible — and if she could keep up with him, she too would surely become very powerful.

The first training sessions had been exhausting, and her almost immediate kidnapping by the Akatsuki had pushed her to the limits of her strength. But it had also taught her more than she had ever learned up to that point and… she had started to see Gaara from a completely different perspective: the Kazekage had surprised everyone by putting all his effort into saving his student.

Matsuri would have done anything to repay the favour, but Temari wouldn’t hear of it: the orders from the Sand Council had forbidden all Sand shinobi from joining the mission to save Gaara, preferring instead to protect the village from possible external attacks.

I’m so happy! Mitsuri thought, feeling a joyful tightening in her chest. I thought I would never see my Master again, and yet now I can finally do my best to repay him after he saved me!

The girl had learned that Elder Chiyo had given her life in the Resurrection Technique, literally bringing Gaara back to life — and that the Kazekage was no longer the host of the One-Tailed Beast.

I wonder if he’s changed. How stupid — of course he’s changed! He’s come back from death itself, and his body no longer contains two types of chakra. It’s a huge change! I just hope he can handle it well. I’ve decided — I’ll help him! I’ll do anything. After all, I owe him my life.

At that moment, Matsuri met Gaara’s exhausted gaze and felt a shiver run down her spine. As empty as they were, his glacial eyes always made her feel completely exposed to him. Part of her still wanted to run away, but the desire to get closer won out:

“Kankuro, Naruto, you’re exhausted! Let Temari and me help the Kazekage instead!”

The two boys, drained from the battle, gladly let the girls take their place. Matsuri and Temari each took one of Gaara’s arms, supporting him as he struggled to walk on his own legs.

How light he is! He was already so thin before, and now he seems even more like a ghost. Poor thing — I can’t imagine how much he must have suffered when they extracted Shukaku from his body.

The boy was so exhausted that he couldn’t even speak. Temari and Matsuri exchanged a knowing look and quickened their pace to reach the Kazekage’s residence as soon as possible, surrounded by the cheers and joyful cries of the villagers.

Chapter Text

“Gaara, Naruto and the others are about to head back to the Leaf Village. Do you feel up to going to say goodbye to them? I know you care about talking to Naruto” said Kankuro as he entered his brother’s room.

After resting for a few hours, Gaara felt slightly better. He was still completely drained from the extraction of Shukaku, but he felt he could make one last effort. Naruto had already helped him once, completely overturning his life, and now he had come to his aid once again. Without him, he wouldn’t have escaped death. He had to go say goodbye to his friend!

“Yes, Kankuro, I’ll come. I have to say goodbye to Naruto — I owe him and all his teammates too much. But you have to help me!”

“Of course, brother!!” And with some difficulty, he helped him walk out of the room. After all, Kankuro himself wasn’t at full strength either after Sasori’s poisoning, but he had a great ability to recover from injuries.

Outside the room, Gaara saw a girl standing as if she were waiting for someone. Her posture was stiff and tense, as though she were very nervous. She suddenly turned toward them, her brown eyes widening: Matsuri! The girl seemed to hold her breath for a moment but didn’t move. He stopped and looked at her, puzzled and confused, asking:

“Matsuri? What are you doing here? Is something wrong? Has something happened that I don’t know about?”

“No, Master!” she replied, her voice slightly trembling. “I was just worried about you and came to ask about your health! How are you feeling?”

“Terrible,” he replied a bit brusquely, “but I want to say goodbye to Naruto. I’ll rest again afterwards.”

The girl’s eyes darkened, and she took a step back.

Maybe I was too harsh, he thought. It’s just… I don’t understand why she cares. I mean, I understand she’s my student and it’s in her interest for me to survive, but she seems truly worried. Except for Temari and Kankuro, no one cares about me.

“I assure you that in a few days I’ll be fully recovered and we’ll be able to resume training!”

“No, no, you need to rest! I don’t want to go back to training!” She quickly corrected herself: “That’s not what I meant! Forgive me, it’s an honor for me to be your student… I meant that I’m worried about your health! It’s just that…” she stumbled over her words, unable to finish the sentence, and her eyes drifted into the void.

He stepped in: “Really, everything’s fine. I appreciate your concern, but it’s not necessary. Please, go back to your duties.” And he gestured to Kankuro to help him move forward.

He spotted Temari waiting for him a little further ahead. She stood with her arms crossed, looking at him disapprovingly while shaking her head.

“What is it, Temari?”

“Nothing. But you’re such an idiot sometimes.”

“I don’t understand you. Why is everyone acting so strange today?”

“Us?” she replied, laughing. “Have you looked at yourself?”

As he walked away, he saw Temari heading toward Matsuri, who was still standing there with that same slightly dazed look, nervously wringing her hands.

Girls are strange, he thought. I really can’t understand them.