Killing the Body, Breaking the Heart

Gaara's dream was briefly fulfilled.

The scene he had secretly fantasized about countless times in the dead of night, the image he thought only existed in his dreams, was now vividly presented before his eyes—the most important person to him had truly become a girl.

Kankuro stared at his younger brother's face, completely stunned.

He had seen Gaara's eyes burn with that intense light many times. The first time he obtained the Naruko Puppet, the first time he heard Naruko speak—at those times, Gaara's eyes were always filled with that burning light.

But at this moment, the light in Gaara's eyes was more intense than ever before.

It was a light that instilled fear in anyone who saw it.

Kankuro suddenly had a bad feeling.

Temari's expression also became complicated. She looked at Naruto, who had turned into a girl, and then at her younger brother, who was about to lose control, and a strange unease welled up in her heart.

Something just doesn't look right in this scene.

Naruto —no, he should be called Naruko now—stood there and suddenly shivered.

She felt it; it was Gaara's gaze.

It was so hot it almost set her ablaze; those green eyes were fixed on her, and the light within them made her instinctively want to back away.

What kind of look was that? It wasn't the look you give a friend, a benefactor, or even someone you "like."

That's the look in the eyes of someone who's been starving for a long time and suddenly sees a sumptuous feast.

Naruko's back began to break out in a cold sweat; she was starting to regret her actions.

"By the way, Naruto." A considerate voice sounded from behind.

Satsuki stood there with a gentle smile on her face, "Don't forget why we came here in the first place. Hurry up and take it out, or the Kazekage will go hungry."

Naruko paused for a moment.

Oh right, Ramen, they came here specifically to deliver Ramen.

"Huh? Right, let's change back first--"

"No, that won't work."

Satsuki's voice gently interrupted her, "That's it. Don't change back until we get back."

"Wh... what?"

"What's wrong? Does Naruto not even have this much chakra?" Satsuki tilted his head, his eyes sparkling with innocence.

Naruko wanted to say something, but when she saw Satsuki's eyes, she swallowed all her words.

"I... I understand..."

She had absolutely no idea why Satsuki was doing this, what its significance was, or what would happen next.

But she still steeled herself, slowly took out the lunchbox that had been hanging behind her, and walked step by step toward Gaara.

That burning gaze drew ever closer, and finally, she stood before Gaara.

"Um... Gaara." She lowered her head, avoiding his eyes. "This is for you."

She held the bento box in both hands and handed it to Gaara.

"This is..." Gaara's voice was a little hoarse.

"It's nothing special, just Ramen." Naruko kept her head down, her eyes completely avoiding Gaara's gaze.

She didn't understand.

I don't understand why things turned out this way.

She couldn't understand what Satsuki was thinking; everything was different from what she had expected.

"Naruto is very worried about you."

Satsuki's voice rang out again, still with that gentle, tender tone that was so considerate it was impossible to find fault with it.

Her face wore a perfectly measured expression of concern, as if she were truly an understanding wife helping her husband convey his feelings.

"You didn't like the food I made tonight, did you? You barely ate anything."

"So Naruto couldn't stop worrying after he got back, so he immediately cooked Ramen for you and then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to rush over and deliver it to you late at night."

"Special... specialized?!"

Gaara's voice suddenly rose several decibels, his eyes widening, "Could it be...?"

"Gaara."

Naruko's voice rang out apologetically, "I only wanted to surprise you... I didn't expect to accidentally discover your secret..."

As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible, but the way she looked—the way she bowed her head in shame, the way she spoke softly out of apology, the way she stood before me, speaking words of concern in Naruko's voice.

Moreover, she said—it was Ramen made especially for herself.

I came here late at night because I was worried about going hungry.

Naruko really doesn't like the current situation!

She said very ordinary things and did very ordinary things, just like every time Gaara before. But Gaara's eyes—they didn't hold the surprise she had imagined, the emotion, or that warm feeling of "it's so good to have friends."

It was something that made her instinctively want to back away.

Gaara took the bento box, holding it with both hands as if it were some rare treasure.

He was certainly moved, but that feeling quickly transformed into something else within him.

Another thing that's hard to suppress.

This was the only thought in his mind.

Just one hug is enough.

Just a hug.

Imagine what it would feel like to have Naruko in your arms.

The thought spread through his mind like wildfire, burning him with fervor.

He desperately suppressed and restrained himself, using all his strength to prevent himself from stepping forward and hugging Naruto.

I can't scare her. I can't frighten her. I can't push her away. But those eyes just won't listen to me.

Naruko felt extremely uncomfortable under that gaze. Her cheeks began to burn, her eyes started to dart away, and she became uneasy.

But that shy expression, that helpless look—it was even more irresistible to Gaara.

"I... I can..."

Gaara spoke, his voice incredibly hoarse.

He looked at Naruko's flushed face and her evasive blue eyes, and his own face turned as red as if it were about to bleed.

He wanted to make that request, that request of "just a hug would be enough".

Just as he opened his mouth, about to speak, a hand reached out from behind and suddenly grabbed Naruko's arm.

Then, before Naruko could react, she was pulled backward.

It's Satsuki.

Naruko staggered a few steps, not yet regaining her balance, and before she could even ask "What's wrong?", the next moment— Satsuki's face came close to hers.

Those dark eyes were inches away.

Then, warm lips pressed against hers.

Naruko's eyes widened to their maximum size in an instant!

Satsuki is kissing her!

Here! In front of so many people!

She tried to push him away, to dodge him, but Satsuki's hands cupped her face with an unyielding force, his lips pressed tightly against hers, with a domineering air of asserting ownership.

Naruko's face turned bright red, from her cheeks to her ears, and from her ears to her neck, making her look as if she had been boiled alive.

There are still so many people watching here!

However, Temari and Kankuro showed no signs of shyness at this moment.

They stood there, eyes wide open, their expressions not shy, not embarrassed, but rather—terrified.

That bad premonition came true!

"Snap."

A soft sound came from Gaara's direction.

That was the sound of something breaking.