Naruto's POV (Bar of Leaf Camp - Land of Iron)
Naruto had often hung out with friends. He mostly enjoyed it with Shikamaru in tow. While he didn't win everyone, trying in a big, relaxed group felt easier. But here, with both the supportive nature of Ino and Neji. The friendly faces of Kiba and Lee. And the shockingly tolerant new Sakura, he found himself quickly enjoying it. Gai and his twin student were undoubtedly a lot to process, but the blonde found them at least likable, if not overbearing. Lee and Gai were among the strangest people he had met. Yet they shared some of his beliefs and seemed to be nice down to the very bone. Kiba was annoyingly competitive with his remarks, but Naruto enjoyed it; he was somewhat competitive himself.
Besides, listening to Neji send snipes at the prideful Inuzuka was priceless. Sakura was someone he had never managed to impress, so she didn't hold much of an opinion of him. But Ino seemed oddly determined to keep things smooth, quickly taking the woman's attention and limiting how much the two could argue.
As soon as they arrived, Gai challenged Kakashi to a spar that turned into a drinking match. The two were now ten shots deep, and despite the hazy eyesight and slurs in their speech, the two men showed no signs of stopping. Initially, he and Lee got oddly competitive over who would manage more and had cheered on their respective sensei. But upon realizing their awkward situation, Naruto distanced himself from the competition. The ever-loyal Lee, determined to witness his sensei win in his "duel of honor," decided to stay. Kiba, inspired by his sensei, had also gone into a drinking frenzy. Unfortunately, the young man lacked the experience of the Jounin and was quickly shit-faced, somehow starting a dance circle in the small bar. He was feeling himself after his solo passing of the exam and could do some form of dancing he called "breakdancing" incredibly well. Neji had decided to watch over the drunk Inuzuka. Though he had declared he would break the man if he happened to throw up on him.
Ino and Sakura had quickly gone off on their own. The two needed to catch up. Naruto figured they had meant so usually, but thus far, the two seemed content with gossiping on various topics. Naruto wisely had chosen to leave them to it. He had no interest in such issues and didn't dare tempt Sakura's infamous tempter. Lee and Kiba both separately describe her as the enforcer of their team.
This left Naruto to observe the group from afar, nursing a drink. While he was often loud and brash, he occasionally preferred to sit back a bit and think. He needed it after recent events. He had become a Genin despite the odds against him. He had even aided in taking down a Chunin before his promotion. He had engaged on his first mission and had taken on an S-class shinobi. Endured three months of hell from Kakashi. Now, Naruto could discover one of the truths that had eluded him his whole life. The identity of his father, why it was kept from him all these years.
What happened to him… All he needed to do was pass the exams. He had intended to do so before, but now he would ensure it no matter what.
Furthermore, the secret he had held for years had been exposed, and his identity had been given out to those around him. Doubtless, it would lead to complications he could not fathom. Gaara had met him and informed him of the affliction he had shared with him. He had even met another. One was similar to himself yet seemingly hopeless.
Naruto could sense the loneliness in her somehow. Fuu seemed to shine despite it, hopeful despite the odds she had been given, even with no path suitable in front of her. Gaara seemed the opposite. He had accepted the cruelness of the world and distanced himself from humanity. He seemed to hate them incredibly and passionately, speaking of forming some group of his own "kin." Simply stated, Naruto was feeling a bit overwhelmed. If Naruto was being fully honest, though, he didn't hate it. He had the chance to discover his father's identity, grow closer to his goal, and meet others who had lived similarly to him. Naruto couldn't help but be hopeful. He could finally see the change he wished for himself.
Naruto flinched as he suddenly felt as if someone was watching him. He turned his gaze towards the feeling. His eyes landed on a widow showing a nearby closed store. On the roof of it stood a silent, menacing Gaara. He stared back at Naruto silently with utter focus. It unnerved Naruto, but he could feel his rage grow as he realized it was some kind of silent threat. Naruto was tired of being pushed around… He quietly rose from his seat and stalked off towards the bar's exit. The others were too engrossed in the festivities to notice as the blonde did.
The Uzumaki marched out of the bar, locking eyes with the other jinchuriki. He slowly drew riptide as he flexed his chakra. The blonde did a body flicker to appear on the opposite side of the same roof as Gaara. The two silently stared each other down for a few moments. The tension built as the two sized each other up.
"Gaara," Naruto started seriously. "I won't let you hurt anybody here."
Gaara stared back blankly. Slowly, he blinked twice, as if thinking carefully. "Do you have enemies?" he replied suddenly.
"Enemies? Um… I don't think so. I mean, I guess the Leaf might and me by proxy, but…" Naruto said as he rubbed the back of his head. The sudden and odd question threw him off a little bit.
"Would anyone have any reason to follow or track you?" Gaara asked impassively.
"What the hell kind of question is that? Are you some kind of stalker? Do you want to kick your ass all the way back to the desert?!" Naruto yelled.
"For now, I am no threat to you," Gaara replied simply. "There are two shinobi nearby watching us. I wouldn't be surprised if they were considering moving in. I suppose it depends if they have a sensor. Pest never willingly encounters a predator after all."
"Predator? And who the hell is following me?! I'm not in the mood for whatever the hell this is!" Naruto called out, yelling out into the night.
"They won't attack us here," Gaara stated.
"Too much of a chance of help coming," Naruto stated simply. "So let me just tell Kakashi-sensei. He'll kick their asses before they can escape."
"Your sensei is drunk," Gaara replied woodenly.
"Oh yeah… wait, how long were you watching!"
"Long enough," Gaara said bluntly. Come." He suddenly raced off into the snow forest surrounding their camp, feeling compelled to follow and wanting to exert some stress on whoever was following him. Naruto followed. They arrived in a small clearing filled with soft snow.
"They're gonna come now or what?" Naruto asked, annoyed.
"Naruto Uzumaki." A voice interrupted. The two turned and noticed two more joining them in the clearing. It was a silver-haired man who had spoken. A redheaded woman stood slightly behind him. "Name is Sakon of the West Gate. To my left stands Tayuya of the North Gate. We are two of the Sound Four sent to bring you to Orochimaru and or Ikam. Depending on our master's fancy. You will comply with us, or we will have to beat you until you have no choice." Sakon said matter of factly.