My Prize

Every now and then the various villages in the various countries had their various festivities. The fireworks and stalls, the bright lights and sweet, tinkling music floating through the busy streets of Suna that night breathed life into the otherwise quiet village. One man walked through the lively streets, gaze running over each stall but never once interacting. He was more...overseeing events. Keeping the peace, maybe. Plus they were all crowded, and he didn't feel like fighting through crowds just to play some stupid game he would only find tedious. At least those taking part in the festivities were enjoying themselves, he mused as a group of children ran past, ribbons in their hands. The sounds of cheerful laughter.

He went to turn just as someone grabbed his arm. He knew he'd heard someone coming for him.
"Gaara! I didn't know if I'd see you here or not!"
"N-Naruto..." He tried to pull his arm free but instead found himself being pulled along the street faster.
"I've only ever been to the festivals in Konoha before. They're way, way different than these ones. There's always less stuff to do and it's just less fun..."
"I've not been to the Konoha festivals. I never thought I would exactly enjoy them, especially not by myself."
"They're nothing special. This looks awesome though! There's this huge stall of fudge that has all these different kinds! Have you been there yet?"
"No."
"You should."
"I'm not really one for swee-agh!"
The problem with being pulled along was that Gaara himself had little control over where he was going. He was just about able to avoid most people, at least, but when he found himself on a collision course he just couldn't escape (and quite frankly wondered how Naruto had gotten round her) he just tried to dig his heels into the powdery sand. It didn't help much, just caused him to lose his balance when they did collide.

Sitting up, he found his surroundings littered with various dolls and sweets. Before him was a dazed girl in a white kimono, pink roses spread across it. He immediately apologised, moving to pick up everything the girl had dropped.
"It's fine." She insisted as she tried to stuff her belongings back into a carrier bag. They both went to grab the same thing at once, his hand closing over hers. He didn't seem aware of her blush as he took his hand away. He did, however, look to her face now, and certainly recognised her. "Matsuri."
She looked away, not willing to meet his eyes. "G-Gaara-sama..."
Slowly, he got to his feet, offering a hand. "I hope you aren't hurt."
"I'm fine, thank you...sorry for, um, getting in your way."
"You didn't." He moved as though to walk on, but instead of letting go of her hand, he gave it a slight squeeze. "Are you here with anyone?"
"I was with Sari and Yukata before, but they've gone off to watch the fireworks. I think they have a thing for the guy in charge of them."
Naruto appeared between them then, a grin on his face. "That sounds like them all right! They're always after the guys with the nicest butt, huh?"
The other two fell into an awkward silence. "Where's Hinata?" Gaara asked after a moment.
"She told me to go around without her so she could surprise me..."
"I see...You remember Matsuri, I'm sure."
"Yeah, she's one of Temari's friends, right?" He asked before muttering something extra under his breath.
"What was that?" The Kazekage questioned, glancing back at him.
"Nothing!" A big part of him, being aware of how Gaara felt about Matsuri and vice versa, simply couldn't wait for them to properly get together. He made a big deal of checking the time. This whole festival was the perfect place for them to get closer, surely. "Hey, since neither of you are here with anyone, why not look around together, hey?"
Matsuri went bright red then, certain she was about to hear the age old rejections she was used to. She knew she was unpopular. A lot of people in Suna seemed to dislike her a fair bit, and maybe she could be annoying at times, but she'd heard enough nasty words and even threats to last her a lifetime. It was unlikely anyone, especially not Gaara of all people even if he had been her teacher for a time, would want to spend an evening like this with someone like her. Heck, he knew her well. He knew how annoying she was.
"If that would be okay with Matsuri-san, I would be happy to."
She looked up in surprise. His face gave nothing away.
"Uh...yeah, sure...that would be...nice!"
"Great! How about I see you two later at the big dance? I should probably check Sakura isn't beating anyone to a pulp!"

Fairground games were a bit of a speciality of Matsuri's. There she went, winning another as Gaara watched from a little away. She bounded over cheerfully, an enormous cuddly toy of a duck in her arms, before offering it out to him. "I know it's stupid but, well, while I have a friend with me, I might as well try giving a prize." She mumbled anxiously, feeling beyond idiotic. He took it uncertainly, holding it under one arm with an expression of distaste. He didn't like it, but he accepted it anyway. It was the polite thing to do, and it made her happy to see him take it.
"I wish it could be better." She mumbled, barely audible above the surrounding sounds.
"You wish what was what?"
"The present was better!" She repeated louder, laughing a little.
"It's fine as it is." He insisted, flashing a small and very brief smile. Stupidly, that tiny smile set her heart going faster.
"This has been a wonderful night..."
"Festival night is always nice."
"Yes, that's true, but I've never enjoyed it this much. Just...spending this time with you has been perfect."
"Hmm?" She had gone quiet again, and he was struggling to hear her once more.
She'd never actually felt that brave before around him. Never brave enough to confess, that was for certain. "Maybe it's because you're perfect..."
"...Perfect..." He repeated uncertainly, running the word around in his head. "You're perfect..."
The noise around them was too loud. They weren't communicating, but they'd heard the same thing. Perfect.
"Gaara-Sama, I have...I mean...I have a crush on you..."
"You have a what?"
"A...I really like you."
"We're friends." Another smile.
"No!...Well, yes, we are, but that isn't what I'm saying!"
"I can't hear..."
"For God's sake, Gaara, I'm in love with you!"
He froze then, eyes wide, a slight blush on his cheeks. "You...are?" He didn't seem to know how to respond. The moment it was out of her mouth, Matsuri was regretting having said anything. She had gone bright red, and just being stared at in silence for some reason was bringing tears to her eyes. Everything suddenly seemed so awkward...
He was looking at her in some form of shock. Like he couldn't quite process the meaning of the words she had just spoken. Like he didn't want to. Like he wished he'd never heard them...
"I...I'm so sorry, Kazekage-sama!" She managed before turning to hurry away.
"Matsuri-san, wait!" He called, reaching out to stop her, but she paid no heed. Just ran.

Maybe she didn't mean it.

He stood in place a moment, for what seemed like an eternity, trying to figure out what had just happened. Why did she run away?

Matsuri sat in a secluded area, away from the celebrations. It was a place few went to, so she could usually be sure she would be alone. She was curled up, head buried against her legs, trying to dispel the embarrassment she felt right there and then. She wasn't crying, just furious with herself. This would almost certainly ruin everything.

She sensed someone come and sit next to her, but didn't look up. Not until she heard Gaara speak. "Matsuri-san..." She glanced up, but at the same time tried to hide that ridiculous blush invading her features. "Look at me properly." He told her simply, crossing his arms and waiting for her to do so. She reluctantly met his eyes, taking in his face, set into a scowl. He still had the duck with him. "I...I'm not sure why you ran, or what happened back there, but just in case I heard you right and you actually meant it..." He too was blushing now, unable to look straight at her. Suddenly, he darted forward, kissing her cheek.

Oh god, she thought, I'm so stupid!

Matsuri swallowed nervously. "I'm sorry, Gaara..." He looked away then, as though in defeat. "Most people here aren't that fond of me...I mean...who would actually want me...?"
"I would."
"But mostly...I thought you would reject me, like everyone else..."
"I'm used to rejection myself." He pointed out.
"I know...but you're gorgeous, you're smart, strong, kind, understanding, helpful, protective, everything I ever wanted in a guy...you're too perfect for words. You're like a dream, I keep worrying any moment I'll wake up and find a man like you doesn't really exist!"
He reached over, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. "I exist, and so do you. So does this moment. I love you too, Matsuri-san."