Candlelit Moment:

"I'm here to talk to you," he says.

Naruto nods nervously. He knows Gaara isn't the same as he was years ago when they first met, but there is still something unsettling about the pale boy with the sharp green eyes and the blood red tattoo burning on his forehead.

Naruto sits down on the living room floor and kicks off his wet sandals. He tosses them at the front door and dries his feet with the towel draped around his shoulders. He grimaces at his wet pants and realizes that the Kazekage must also be damp from the waist down.

"Tomorrow is the Chuunin Exam Final," he says. Naruto nods. He knows. He is one of the competitors. And Gaara, presumably, will be the judge. Gaara is quiet then. He settles down on the floor next to Naruto. His knee bumps into Naruto's leg, but he leaves it there, allowing this awkward touch.

"Years ago..," he begins. He clasps his hands around his knees and pulls his legs closer to himself. His shoulder glows faintly in the soft light of the lit votives, flickering from cut down ramen cups, his makeshift candlestick holders. He looks down at his lap. "What I did..."

The storm raging outside rattles the windows. Gaara's face is somber in the flashing light.

Naruto places a hand on his arm to stop him.

"It was a long time ago," he smiles. In the dim light he can see the visible nod of the Kazekage's head, but not the expression obscured by shadows. "You're not that person anymore." Naruto's gaze settles on his hand, touching the Kazekage so casually. He pulls his hand away, startled, wondering if he has overstepped his bounds.

"I apologize," the Kazekage says, "for hurting the ones precious to you." He looks at the spot Naruto touched just moments before.

Naruto is tempted to laugh, to ask the somber boy to make it up to him with ramen; but the Kazekage's cold hand reaches for his, clammy fingers closing over his on the wooden floor. Naruto grows quiet and wonders how much bravery this small action has cost. He can hear the sound of the rain pattering against the walls outside.

The significance of this hand reaching out is not lost on him. He curls his fingers to clasp the Kazekage's.

He remembers that despite their rank, there is very little else that separates them. The Kazekage shivers in his cold apartment. His fingers hold on a little tighter, just the slightest squeeze before he pulls his hand away.

Naruto suspects this gesture is an important one. In time he will learn how much.