Chapter 393: Both Sides of Favorite Person
Several years ago, when that merchant association obtained authorization and began releasing various merchandise bearing Uzumaki Naruto's image, Gaara discovered he absolutely couldn't resist.
Almost instinctively, uncontrollably, he poured his disposable personal funds into purchasing all items related to Naruto.
From the very first batch of products, he'd become the most loyal collector. Every new product release, he'd find ways to purchase, earning him status as one of that series' top-tier customers.
Thus, this room had become his collection space.
On the soft large sofa sat chibi Uzumaki Naruto cushions. Walls were covered with Naruto portraits of various sizes and poses. Even the curtain patterns followed the Uzumaki clan emblem style, color scheme primarily golden yellow. The bookshelf held not documents but neatly arranged Naruto series dolls and badges. Even the carpet and cushions carried warm tones and spiral patterns.
And on the small table at the room's center sat Gaara's most precious treasure.
An exquisite photo frame containing a somewhat aged photograph. In the photo, against Sunagakure's buildings as backdrop, Uzumaki Naruto grinned broadly, one arm intimately draped over Gaara's shoulder, pulling him close.
Gaara in the photo appeared somewhat reserved, yet his face bore a clearly visible, relaxed and genuine smile. This was one of their friendship's most beautiful testimonies.
Gaara's gaze fell on the photograph, his expression tender enough to drip water. He carefully took out the newly obtained [Uzumaki Naruto - Hokage Successor] card, walked to the table, and opened the dedicated card album there.
The album's pages were nearly filled. Inside, without exception, were all different periods, different appearances, different titles of Uzumaki Naruto cards. He solemnly inserted the new card into the reserved slot.
Completing this, his gaze returned again to that group photo.
Today... was Naruto's birthday.
This date was something Gaara would absolutely never forget. He was the type who might overlook his own birthday, yet had Naruto's birthday firmly etched in his heart.
He'd already carefully prepared a birthday gift, entrusting the most reliable messenger to depart for Konoha. Calculating the time, it should arrive punctually tomorrow.
Just thinking about how Naruto was now Konoha's universally respected hero, no longer hurt by the "demon fox" stigma, living happily in sunshine and affection, Gaara's heart would surge with reassurance and pure joy.
Finally, Gaara reluctantly, extremely carefully placed the photo frame back in its original position, ensuring it sat perfectly steady.
Taking a deep breath, Gaara turned, preparing to return to those mountain-like piles of official duties outside.
But just knowing this room's existence, thinking of that smile in the photograph, thinking of Naruto living happily somewhere, no matter how heavy the workload, how tired his body, he could feel a warm power rising from his heart, supporting him to continue forward.
"Naruto... what's he doing now?"
Walking toward the door, Gaara couldn't help wondering. "He should be resting already, right? Before falling asleep... what does he think about? Would he... occasionally think of me too?" (bruhhh....)
Carrying such imagination, Gaara gently closed the rest room door, temporarily locking that golden warmth behind him. As long as this longing and emotional anchor existed, even the longest nights and heaviest work would no longer be unbearable. Within this quiet imagination, he drew strength to continue forward.
---
In Naruto's room, that spacious large bed Satsuki had personally selected and gifted several years ago now bore the weight of two young lovers pouring out their hearts.
The two sat side by side at the bed's edge, bodies naturally and intimately nestled together. Naruto drew Satsuki's soft form deeper into his embrace, feeling her body's warmth and faint fragrance, feeling himself completely fallen into this unique emotional vortex she brought.
Once emotion's floodgates opened, they could never close again. After initial shyness and passivity, the instinct deep in Naruto's heart wanting to draw close to her, to respond to her, gradually gained the upper hand.
This kiss was no longer a "surprise attack" led unilaterally by Satsuki. Naruto inexperienced yet utterly earnest responded in his own way.
Initially just gentle touching, carrying careful cherishing. Subsequently, upon sensing Satsuki's unreserved acceptance and encouragement, that restraint gradually transformed into deeper yearning.
Between lips carried clean yet scorching exploratory meaning. Movements remained inexperienced. Satsuki completely immersed herself in this intimacy proactively given by Naruto.
She closed her eyes, lashes trembling slightly, the blush of happiness on her face becoming ever more obvious. She relaxed her body, allowing Naruto to lead this rhythm equally unfamiliar to her.
Her hands gently wrapped around Naruto's waist, fingertips tightening, feeling the lines beneath his clothing. And Naruto's hands, as though possessing their own consciousness, slid from her shoulders and back, steadily supporting her slender waist.
The air filled with sweet yet heart-racing tranquility. Only occasional subtle friction sounds between lips and teeth, and their intertwined, gradually quickening breathing.
Affection fermented silently, heating up, carrying this age's most pure yet most burning passionate atmosphere.
Unknown how much time passed before this prolonged kiss slowly ended. Their foreheads touched, nose tips lightly met, still maintaining intimate distance where they could feel each other's warm breath.
Satsuki slowly opened her eyes. Those dark pupils reflecting Naruto's face rippled with moisture, hazy with post-passion confusion and deeper yearning.
She panted, gaze falling on Naruto's jacket zipper. Her mind recalled those "teaching material" contents she'd crammed. Gathering courage, she extended trembling fingers, pinching the zipper's metal pull, wanting to draw it open.
Simultaneously, her other hand tentatively, with guiding meaning, gently grasped Naruto's hand still resting at her waist, pulling his palm, wanting to lead it toward certain more sensitive areas on her body that could please the other...
"...Wait a moment."
At this atmosphere's most suggestive moment, Naruto suddenly stopped his movements first. His voice somewhat hoarse, carrying forcibly suppressed panting.
He released his arms embracing Satsuki, gently grasping her wrist attempting to undo his zipper. The force was light, more like comforting prevention, then slowly stood up.
He walked to the desk, pulling open a drawer, rummaging through the somewhat messy small items inside for something. Soon, he pulled out an object.
A penguin-shaped combination lock.
This was a souvenir he'd previously won at a lottery in some Konoha shop.
Holding the penguin lock, he returned to the door, fastening that small yet sturdy lock with a "click" firmly onto the door's interior existing latch.
This way, even if someone outside had a key, they couldn't easily open this door.
Completing this, he turned around, looking again toward Satsuki at the bedside, who watched him with puzzled yet expectant gaze.