*pathetic Bree gatekeeper imitation* Drabbles! Three drabbles!

It was supposed to be a solemn occasion, but Gaara allowed himself a small smile.  He had been waiting years for this, and was pleased that it had finally come to pass.  Most people wouldn’t notice his smile, anyway, and those who did likely wouldn’t care.

There were fewer people present than he’d expected.  Only close friends, those who had become like family to the man walking towards him as he stood waiting patiently.

“Congratulations, Hokage-sama,” said Gaara, shaking the strong, warm hand as he bowed slightly to his equal.

Beaming, Naruto bowed back, red and white robes rustling quietly.

‘Get up!’ his mind shouted, even as his body screamed with pain.  ‘Get up now!’

He had to get up, because he was a sitting duck if he didn’t and he wouldn’t let himself fail his friends and they had been able to get up so he had to be able to because he was as strong as them and he wouldn’t die without completing his mission.

Slowly, slowly, slowly, he forced himself to his feet, panting heavily, legs shaky beneath him.

Naruto and Hinata had done it.  Had stood when they should’ve been beaten.

Now Neji did the same.

Gaara used to look at Kankurou and see their father.  He used to hate him for looking like that man, that man that had made his life a lonely hell.

Gaara used to look at Temari and see their mother.  He used to hate her because she looked like the woman who had hated him, and by extension the uncle who had betrayed him.

Gaara used to look at Kankurou and see their father, and look at Temari and see their mother.

Now, Gaara looks at Kankurou and sees his brother, and he looks at Temari and sees his sister.