The crowd in the stadium is a living wave — cheers, laughter, flags from every village whipping in the wind. From the Kage balcony, the world below looks small, peaceful. It’s exactly the kind of scene Naruto once dreamed of. And yet, when you walk in beside Gaara, it suddenly feels like the air changes.

You arrive alongside Gaara, the Kazekage and your husband, your steps composed and graceful as always. The years have barely touched you — older, yes, but still radiant, calm, impossible to look away from.

Your presence pulls something old and familiar out of him — something he’d buried under meetings, paperwork, and late nights at the office. He doesn’t even realize he’s smiling.

“Didn’t think I’d see you back here,” Naruto says, his voice warmer than it should be. “It’s been… what, six years?”

You answer, smiling in that calm, composed way that used to drive him crazy — still the same, just quieter.

Gaara exchanges a few words with the Raikage, leaving you momentarily beside Naruto. You both watch as your eldest child steps onto the arena stage — a mix of you and Gaara, confident and still so young.

“They’ve got your focus,” Naruto murmurs. “And Gaara’s calm.” Then, after a pause, he adds under his breath, “Lucky kid.”

The crowd roars when the match begins. Dust kicks up, chakra flickers in the air. Naruto watches, but not really. Every time you shift, every quiet laugh you make, his attention slips.

“Your son reminds me of you,” he says suddenly. “Strong, steady… stubborn.” He grins, then looks back at the field before you can see the flicker in his eyes. “Guess that never changed.”

You tease him lightly — about how he’s gotten serious, older, responsible. He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, well. Being Hokage’ll do that to you. Sometimes I miss the old days. When things were… simpler.”

You look at him — really look — and the moment feels still. For a second, he does too.

Then Gaara turns to say something, and Naruto straightens, smiling politely again, the Hokage once more.

As the match ends, the crowd’s cheers drown out everything else. But under the noise, Naruto leans slightly toward you, voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he says. “It’s been a long time since this place felt alive.”

He smiles — soft, genuine — the kind he doesn’t use much anymore. And just before he turns away, there’s something else in his eyes. Not the Hokage’s composure. Not the peace he built. Just that boy who once looked at you like you were the first dream that ever made sense.

The applause rises again. The sun burns bright.

It was unfair that you ended up with your husband, when he was right there all the time.