IF you like BNHA check out my ongoing reader insert story called Fight or Flight!

Being a Jonin and having a good bond with the son of the previous Kazekage who is finally said to be the next Kazekage has its perks. I told Tsunade about how much I wanted to visit the sand village to say hi to Gaara and to allow that to happen, she made it my and Naruto's mission to meet with the future Kazekage and re-secure the alliance that was broken in the failed invasion attempt.

Naruto and I were the perfect candidates because of our status in the Village and being friends with Gaara, thankfully Tsunade made the mission of what would normally take 8 days including travel is now a 11 day trip so I can spend some time with Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro after the alliance is agreed upon. The failed invasion was rough on Suna so the alliance is extremely in Konoha's favor so there will be no issues with the signing, they could have started a war and instead we are re-establishing an alliance instead of starting a war Suna would surely lose in.

Naruto is absolutely one of the best travel companions I could ever have. His sealing is getting so much better and he sealed away everything I need and more for our journey, instead of having to carry clothes and food in a backpack, I have a tiny scroll he made for me with everything in it. I'm traveling with so much shit that I want to show Gaara but it feels like I have nothing.

It's especially nice because the trip there takes 3 days if we run and carrying camping equipment would make that much more of a hassle if it wasn't sealed away. I also can't forget the look Naruto gave Sasuke when he told him it was a mission for just us. It was possibly the most smug look I have ever come across and I lost it when Naruto was taunting Sasuke about how much more important he is because he gets such a cool mission. It was so funny even Kakashi started laughing which of course sparked the boys rivalry and they began another lovers quarrel.

***

Naruto and I arrived at the gate of Suna right on time. There waiting was Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari. Temari had a knowing look on her face for who knows what and Kankuro was purple and smirking like always.

"Panda-kun!/Gaara." Naruto and I shouted at the same time, wide smiles on our faces. I jumped onto Gaara, wrapping him in a hug. He didn't even falter from the sudden weight, his body just stiffened then relaxed as he returned my hug and greeted Naruto. Even with the knowledge of Gaara, Naruto, and I being friends my excitement and ability to basically attack Gaara in a hug without his sand blocking mystified Kankuro. The small smile he hid was not hidden to the well trained eyes of Temari and I.

"Hinata-chan, Naruto-kun I am glad you have finally come to visit."

"Yeah, I get to visit a friend and go on a B-rank mission. It's so cool dattebayo!"

"I promised I'd come didn't I. I just had to kick some asses to make it happen sooner." I cheered still hugging Gaara, basking in the feeling of him hugging me back. He looked down at me confused.

"I thought you asked Lady Tsunade to give you a mission to be able to come, I did not know you had to hurt people to come visit." He said, perplexed at the information. It was only when everyone was laughing that he figured out that I was just using an expression. "Oh." I finally let go of Gaara and gave him a good look. His hair was a bit longer and just as messy and instead of wearing ninja clothes, he was dressed in a nice purple top with black pants and a tan scarf to block out the sand. He was also taller than last time I'd seen him and lost even more of his baby face. His eyes were as pretty as ever and seemed to glow in a kind of warmth that wasn't there before. All in all, he looked happy and it made my heart swell knowing that he was doing ok.

Naruto as dimwitted as people might think, noticed the change in Gaara as well and couldn't stop the blooming smile from growing even wider on his whiskered cheeks. Temari was dressed casual but nice and Kankuro was dressed in his black sweatshirt and pants, crow strapped on. They all lost the hostile looks they had on when we'd met the first time and instead opted to study me with intrigue and obvious kindness. They already met and fought Naruto and knowing him they know everything they need to for understanding his character, but me, I was still a mystery. The girl who was never afraid and helped their little brother finally feel acceptance.

"Ah shit, fuck." i cursed as I realized how long I'd been staring. I turned to Kankuro and Temari. "Last time we'd met it was on bad terms and I was kind of a dick, even if you deserved it, but we cool now so I'm glad we can finally have a more amicable meeting and become friends. You both seem like fun people to hang out with and I'm so fucking pumped to see the village. I have so many questions and things I want you guys and Gaara to show me. I haven't really had many missions outside the village so I have to see how other places work." Temari smirked and shook my hand.

"You weren't kidding when you said she's nothing like the uptight asshole Hyuga clan little brother. You're the type of heiress I don't want to slice in half and the only other kunoichi our age who takes it seriously. You also managed to get my ice block of a little brother to change for the better so safe to say we'll become good friends." Kankuro shook my hand next, squeezing it unnecessarily but I could tell I was super amusing to him.

"You and Uzumaki got spunk, nobody has managed to fluster Gaara more than you, there was this one time when I-" Temari and Gaara both stopped Kankuro from talking which was a bummer because I really wanted to know what was able to fluster Panda Boy. We followed the Sand trio through the town and to get to a massive building that out shined the rest. Houses in Suna were very different from Konoha. Instead of the wooden foundations of Konoha, the buildings in Suna were made of some type of Sand/concrete/plaster type material to protect the buildings from the harsh sandstorms.

Everything was shades of tan and red and extremely beautiful. I looked around on wonder, there is so much I haven't seen and I want to catch every detail of this world I live in. Gaara and Temari stayed by my sides and pointed out things I had questions about. Naruto ran ahead and Kankuro was forced to follow him to keep him out of trouble that his loud mouth and inability to filter his words would inevitably cause. People watched as we walked through the town, many still cowered away from Gaara but I noticed a few people being more comfortable and sending kind but wary smiles our way, probably more from there being an outsider over anything else.

"Hinata-san, you're already a Jonin. It is less surprising after I watched how skilled you are, but I want to know how you became so strong? It's almost unnatural." Temari asked truly interested in figuring it out so she could hopefully do the same. She was so much nicer than when we first met, she's no longer as disinterested. It also seems like this is going to be an interrogation to determine if I am worthy to be friends with her and her precious brother. Honestly, she's kind of intimidating as a person, I know I'm stronger but she is really a badass girl who I know can kick some serious ass, especially with her fan.

"Honestly, it's because I've trained nonstop almost everyday since I was able to walk. I didn't have many friends and my father was a harsh trainer so i I trained until I couldn't stand up anymore. I bugged the best of the best and forced each of them to train me as well as training myself based off of any ideas I come up with. It's thanks to those who helped me that I even became half as strong as I am." She seemed pleased with my answer and kept walking. We reached the Kazekage tower and Naruto and I gaped at the size of it. It was tall like the Hokage tower but it was also massive in length and was impossible to miss the importance of the building. They really aren't humble when showcasing where the Kazekage and their family lives.

"Whoa it's huge dattebayo! Do you really live here Gaara?"

"Hai. Temari-chan, Kankuro-kun, and I live here."

"Thats so cool dattebayo! This is way bigger than my flat. This is bigger than where Hina-chan and Teme live too!" Naruto shouted with enthusiasm, not at all jealous of his friends fortune and dope living space.

"Panda-kun, are we staying here with you guys?" I asked, it was surely big enough and I don't really know where we will sleep. Gaara had a small smile on his face but heart thumped nervously that we wouldn't be satisfied.

"If that is alright with you both. I have made arrangements for your rooms to be set up hopefully to your liking." I could see the slight nervousness of him not really knowing how to accommodate guests so I took his hand and gave it a small squeeze.

"I was hoping you'd say yes. This is going to be like one giant sleepover!" I grinned, using my free hand to punch the air. Naruto was wide eyed and grinning like a fox, shouting about how cool it will be and how Gaara is way to cool. We went inside and Gaara showed us to our rooms to put our stuff down and see if it is acceptable. He opened my door for me and my jaw dropped. The room was large and the walls were painted the same color as my eyes. The decorations were purple as well but there was a red blanket on the futon and red accents everywhere. It shouldn't have worked but it did and was so cool.

Everything was perfect and I loved the entire room, it had to have taken forever for him to get me things I like and in colors that fit well with my favorite colors being red and purple. The letters I wrote to Gaara, he got all the information rom there and built my room accordingly. It might have been the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me and i was left speechless as my eyes went over every inch of the room. Gaara took that as a bad sign and was a bot let down.

"I apologize that it is not to your liking, I can have it fixed." I was brought out of my stupor and shook my hands wildly then glomping him, patting his head, then giving him a kiss on his cheek.

"Are you fucking kidding me, this is perfect. it's more than perfect. This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, I can't believe you remembered everything I wrote in the letters and made my room to match. This is amazing, you're so amazing I cannot believe I'm friends with a dude as cool as you. Damn it, not I've gotta step up my game." Gaara's worry melted away and he was shocked at my positive words. His face took on a light pink hue and he let out a sigh of relief that I was so happy about my room.

Temari gave me a more suitable outfit to walk around the sand in, it was a dress and scarf similar to hers but in black and red, so i could be comfortable and protected from the sand and cold night weather. Naruto was bugging Kankuro for a rematch so they took off. I grabbed Gaara's hand in my own and pulled him out the door.

"Come on, you have to show me your favorite places to eat." Gaara began to lead me a different direction, never letting go of my hand. We'd pass by places and people would whisper while pointing at us but Gaara did nothing. I don;t think he realized what holding my hand looked like, but I never let go because he seemed to enjoy the feeling of our intertwined hands. He gave me brief explanations of more places we walked by until we made it to a small restaurant. We were seated by a nice old lady and Gaara explained how this was a place Yashamaru took him as a kid and was one of the only places that didn't shun him and treat him like a monster. it was like Naruto's Ichiraku ramen but for salted tongue.

"A Gaara my boy is this lovely young lady your girlfriend?"

"No/Yes" we responded at the same time. The lady chuckled in amusement and left our water on the table. Gaara's eyes drooped a bit and he looked so hurt, that pained look of being hated filled his eyes again.

"You, you don't think of us as friends? I thought-" I realized what he thought and how his life in isolation and murder really made him so naive to the outside world. The look on his face hurt and I hated it.

"No no no no. We ARE friends, calling someone your girlfriend or boyfriend is more of a term of calling them your lover. She meant it in the romantic sense, not the friendship sense. I promise, you are my friend and I will always be your friend." I clarified quick;y, laughing a bit at the pure adorableness that is Gaara. He is a legendary shinobi but knows next to nothing about relationships and it is so funny.

"Oh, I understand now. Thank you. May I ask more questions? You promised to tell me things when we were finally together again." He was straightforward but shy about his questions, I answered each of them to the best of my ability. We finished eating and walked around together yet again, this time the sun was setting and the temperature dropped. It was getting cold so Gaara took us back to his tower.

I put on pants and a shirt and grabbed a blanket and we headed to the roof. It was still freezing but Gaara wasn't phased in the slightest. I was shaking even under the blanket, but the sunset was so beautiful from this spot on the roof that I did not want to leave.

We watched shinobi and citizens alike walking through the village headed home or going out to dinner. It was peaceful and nice to watch the people we aim to protect doing their normal business. Gaara looked so content with watching the people he used to hate, he looked so determined to protect them he really is going to be the best Kazekage for these people. Gone was the murderous, psychotic, lonely boy from the Chunin exams. Before me was a boy turning into a man, one with a noble dream and the power to make it happen. He really is amazing, to be able to want to protect those who did nothing but hurt him.

Gaara's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion and intensity as he stared down at something trying to figure it out. I followed his vision to an elderly couple having a picnic nearby. The man was feeding her strawberries and every once and awhile, they would give sweet lasting pecks to one another. They really lasted through the ages and were a perfect example of love, even into their old age they acted like newly weds. I've never been the one for goopy romance, movies and otherwise. I never understood what love was, it seemed so fake and unrealistic especially to only love one person forever, but this was really cute and it kind of seemed like what a soulmate would look like.

"I don't understand what they are doing. Why are they acting like that?" Gaara finally spoke up, his voice low and full of his confusion.

"They are on a date."

"Oh, Temari gave me a book about that." I turned away and tried to suppress my laughs at how dorky that sounded.

"But why are they on a date and kissing with their mouthes together." I couldn't hold in my laughter this time and let out small giggles.

"They are on a date because they are in love with each other. They are kissing like that because thats how you kiss somebody you like as more than a friend. They are in love and they are expressing it by kissing with their mouthes. People don't always just kiss one another's cheeks and foreheads." Gaara looked more intrigued and even more confused at my explanation.

"What is love?" He asked, still not understanding.

"Damn, you just go right into it. That's a loaded question. There is more than one type of love. There is love for a food or an object which is just surface love. There is love for something like a pet. Then there is love for other people, this one is complicated and I'm not really sure how to explain it. I think that when you love someone you are willing to do whatever it takes to protect them and make them feel better. You want to be with them, and even when you're mad at one another you know you have to make up. It's love that you know you need them in your life and are willing to do whatever it takes to keep them in your life, even if it is just in memory.

I didn't understand this type of love for a long time, I never felt love until my parents and my best friend Itachi showed me what love felt like. My family, my friends, my teammates, my mentors, even people who I haven't met yet. I love them dearly. Then there is being in love with somebody, I don't know how to explain that. I've never been in love and don't really know what being in love would even look like. For the longest time I never thought it existed, I am still not sure what being in love would really entail. That old couple seems to be in love, but I don't know how to tell you what being in love would feel like." Gaara seemed deep in thought for the longest time, still watching the old couple.

"I think I understand now. The people I love are few, but I now understand the feelings I have for them. I love the people of my village, I love my siblings, I love Naruto, and I love you. You promised to show me love and you did. I thank you for that Hinata-chan. I also think you are wrong. I may not understand being in love, but I believe it is real, it is possible. Not believing seems bleak, something I don't want to accept. Everyone who is like those old people, that is a love I want to believe is possible." I stared in wonder at Gaara. His words were so honest and powerful, he really believed in what he said. He never felt love of any kind, he still doesn't fully understand but is so firm in his belief that a world without love is not one he wants to be apart of. Putting it that way I understand, I guess I don't want to believe that falling in love isn't possible, even in the world of child assassins, love is something to keep us going.

"You really have a way with words don't you Panda-kun?" I shivered at a gust of cold wind and Gaara allowed me to press against his side for heat. I pat his head and thanked him. Neither of us wanted to go inside because of the beauty of the night sky. After a while, I went to my room to sleep. I prepared everything for tomorrow and fell asleep with my thoughts on the meeting with the Suna higher ups and re-building the alliance they destroyed.

***

The meeting was between Naruto, the main leaders of clans in Suna, the elders, and surprisingly Gaara. They announced to us that Gaara is going to be announced as the new Kazekage in 2 months time so he also has to agree to the alliance terms and conditions since he will be leader. Naruto lost his shit at that, I was overly excited for Gaara but I already knew he was becoming Kazekage. He hid it from Naruto as a surprise to tell him how inspired he became from Naruto's resolve and that it made him want to follow in his footsteps. Naruto was so excited and Gaara becoming a Kage faster than him juts pushed his determination into overdrive so he can hurry the hell up and not keep being out shined. It took them a while for everyone to accept that although Naruto and I are young, we are not stupid and have the best interests of the Villages at heart. When the terms were gone over and agreed upon by all parties, save for some assholes who everyone ignored anyways, we signed the treaty and formed a solid alliance once again. It was stressful and intense but a good example of what actually happens leading a clan and being a Kage. it was good real-world experience for Naruto, Gaara, and I.

After the meeting, we decided to find out Gaara's favorite things. First was his favorite color.

"It should be orange dattebayo!"

"No." Gaara shot it down quickly and Naruto was crushed.

"What about red? You seem to wear it a lot."

"No, it reminds me of the crimes I committed." I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly at his response. After a while of arguments and decisions Gaara decided on purple even though Naruto and I were both confused on the color. He explained that it symbolized royalty which reminds him of his goal as Kazekage, to not be a tyrant, and of somebody who changed his life for the better. We accepted it and went on to finding his favorite desserts, drinks, and other things. Finding his favorite drink was my favorite one because I like to try drinks more than I like to eat and if I could only have drinks for the rest of my life, I probably would. We tried like 30 different drinks and I decided that fruit juices and smoothies were still my favorites of everything. Gaara decided that milkshakes were his favorite drinks. For someone so hardcore, he really likes sweets, especially cookies.

We also went to the town that was only 10 minutes outside the village and played some festival games. The most frustrating was the fish game. Trying to catch a fish with a wet sheet of paper was almost impossible and required a delicate touch Naruto did not possess. I had the delicacy for it but not the timing and always took to long. Gaara on the other hand managed to catch fish after fish, giving both Naruto and I our own 2 fish. I named mine Spider-Man and Kid Flash. Naruto named his Menma and Miso. Gaara let me name his Red Hood and Deadpool. They have no idea who they are, but Gaara did not protest about me naming the fish after some of my favorite superheroes. We played some other carnival games and any of the ones that required any type of ninja skills we dominated. I gave all of my toys except my fish and a toy lion (to give to Hide when I get back home) to any of the kids I could find.

Gaara even ended up cracking some jokes, even if he didn't really mean them to be funny. He had this silent kind of humor that if you really listened to it, you'd crack up. I thought Gaara was shy, but in reality he just chose his words carefully as to not insult people and to not show that he was confused about some social interactions. The world of not trying to murder everyone was still new for him. Gaara also was such a ladies man without even trying, the people who didn't know who he was or girls who were no longer afraid of him swooned at a distance and it was so funny to see the Suna version of Itachi, he'd be too kind to push them off but super uncomfortable and find the best way to leave quickly. Gaara was also a touch whore, he liked physical contact a lot as long as he knew when it was coming and if it was coming from me, it reminded me of a puppy. There was also a time when Gaara fed me. He saw a couple feeding one another and when we went to a Dango shop, he fed me Dango and explained how he saw other people do it together. I explained why people did it and he just shrugged, continuing to feed me saying it was kind of fun.

We returned to Gaara's home for our last nigh there and he had Temari prepare all of Naruto and I's favorite dishes that we wrote him about. He really was a sweetheart and set up everything and more to make sure we had fun together with the limited time we had face to face. Temari and I also had a spar that was extremely fun. We solely used hand to hand combat and Temari was surprisingly good at it for a distance fighter. We became fast friends as we talked with our fists. She's pretty funny too and doesn't focus as much on girly things which was nice to talk about other things. She's also a killer chef. Kankuro is still a dick, but he's a fun dick. He and Naruto became surprisingly good friends and he and I have a love-hate relationship which brings me joy to make fun of each other. He really hates being called a kitty and can use his chakra strings to manipulate people. I learned the hard way when he made me punch myself in the face.

It was morning and time to say goodbye. Temari and I promised to have a girls night out sometime and Kankuro promised to teach me how to use chakra strings as well as preparing to kick my ass for calling him kitty. I turned to Gaara and for the first time, his sand pushed me into him and he initiated a hug. Before I could pull away, he kissed my forehead and thanked me for my help in his understanding of people and being his friend.

"Goodbye Gaara-kun. Thank you for everything, you truly an amazing person and opened my eyes to something I never thought I'd see. I love you and promise to keep writing if you will too."

"I promise, goodbye my Hinata-chan." I pat his head one more time ran off, following Naruto's blonde head of hair. My heart was as happy as can be and I was oblivious to the monstrosity that was to come.

***

(3d POV) when Naruto and Hinata left

Kankuro and Temari wore matching smirks as they watched Gaara follow Hinata's retreating form. Gaara yet again had a small smile on his face. He realized the stares from his siblings and turned to face them, his face back to being stoic. He tilted his head in question.

"Why are you looking at me like that." Temari spoke up first.

"You are so into her." She teased out, excited that her baby brother has his first crush and doesn't even know it.

"Dude, you totally kissed her! That was so bold." Kankuro exclaimed with pure enthusiasm, his smirk still there at the ballsiness of his brother. He was shocked that the naive brother of his would even know to kiss a girl, even if it was on her forehead.

"Plenty of people kiss one another to show they love one another. Uncle Yashamaru used to kiss my head like that too."

"The way you did it seemed like you were in love with her." Kankuro explained, gasping for breath as he laughed at the redhead. Only Gaara would kiss a girl his age like that and think it meant nothing. He and Temari laughed harder when the stultified face of his brother began to turn red in understanding as he remembered more of Hinata's explanations of couple actions and romantic gestures. He understood then and there that he had a crush on Hinata and he basically announced it to her even if he didn't realize he liked her at the time.

"Oh." Was all the boy was able to get out before he turned into sand and went to go train.

A/N: alright my baby was back! I made this chapter fluffy... I hope. I love Gaara so much and feel like he would be like this in non-wartime. This is the calm and fluffy chapter before the storm and breaking of Hinata to give her the character development needed for the Akatsuki, Itachi, Danzo, and Sakura. The next chapter will be extremely intense and probably gory so prepare yourself for some bat shit crazy missions. I've been planning this next chapter from the beginning and can't wait to publish it. I love you all!

Question: What jutsu is the most useful in the show?

​​​​​​​My Answer: SHADOW CLONES! they literally do everything and would be helpful anytime anywhere and I am set in my ways on that one. I will argue with anyone who disagrees but I want to hear your choices too!