Konoha Crush Plan 13

On a warm stretch of grass in the dream, Gaara and Naruto had just finished playing to their hearts' content. They lay side by side, gazing at the bright sky no longer hidden by windblown sand.

"Gaara," Naruto said, hands tucked behind his head as he looked up at the sky. His voice grew a little more serious. "Why are you attacking Konoha?"

Gaara fell silent for a moment. Confusion flickered through his green eyes, and he shook his head. "I'm not sure of the details. It was all on my father's orders—the Fourth Kazekage's."

He paused, then lowered his voice, a trace of apology barely audible. "I'm sorry, Naruto! I don't want to be your enemy either. Please don't be mad, okay?"

Naruto sprang to his feet and brushed the grass from his clothes. His bright smile returned.

He held out a hand to Gaara. "It's okay! That's the adults' business! What matters is that we're friends now, right, Gaara?"

Gaara looked at Naruto's outstretched hand, then at his smile, untouched by any shadow.

At last, he broke into a delighted smile of his own. He nodded and took Naruto's hand.

"Yeah!"

"Then, as your friend," Naruto said, giving Gaara's hand a firm squeeze, "can I ask you a favor?"

Just as Naruto was about to say what it was, his spirit body flickered violently and began to turn translucent.

"Tch!" Naruto frowned and glanced at his wavering hand in frustration. "Looks like something's wrong with my body out there. Gamabunta might not be able to hold on much longer."

"We'll have to stop playing for today, Gaara."

Gaara's eyes dimmed briefly, but he soon recovered his calm and nodded. "I understand. But once I use the Feigning Sleep Technique, I can't undo it myself."

Naruto gave him a