With shoes squishing into the muddy pathway, the sand ninja gave a grimace. He'd been spending days and days stuck with this guy, and out of all the things he could've been doing today, he ended up stuck with Naruto again... that motor mouthed, hyperactive, vexatious excuse of a shinobi. He couldn't lie though, he was beginning to enjoy his company. Whether that was a good thing or not... he hadn't the slightest clue. Saying no to the Hokage wouldn't of been a very wise decision, especially when it came to Lady Tsunade. Even Gaara knew he'd be knocking on death's door; Kazekage or not.

To think that lady had his hands tied... it was almost pitiful.

While the redhead attempted to avoid puddles and strips of mud, Naruto ran straight through it all---parading around without a single care in the world, and all Gaara could do was watch, sea green optics moving along with the blonde's every step.

He never changed.

Sometimes, he just wished he'd fall face first.

Taking in a swift breath, the sand ninja eventually released, giving a slow, agonizing sigh.

This was going to be a long trip.

"Hey, Gaara," Naruto began, grin wider than Chesire himself, "I bet I can beat you to the resort. What do you say?"

"What, and get yourself killed? Not a chance."

"But---oh c'mon, you're no fun at all. What's wrong with a little wager? Besides, at the rate you're walkin' we'll be traveling for a week."

"Although Lady Tsunade sent us on this so called 'bonding trip', it isn't just a walk in the park---so stop fooling around and stay on your guard would you? There are enemies everywhere in these parts, and I don't feel like having to save you."

"Oooh please, I could take'em all on! They'll be runnin' for the hills when I'm done with'em, and hey---I've saved you a million times. Are you saying you wouldn't return the favor?"

"We're not racing. We stay together. Give it up."

"Baaaah! You're just intimidated by the fact that I'd beat you," he grinned, feet stomping and head cocking back to gawk at his companion.

"Ah, Naruto."

"You're just too chicken to admit that you're not as fast as I am."

"Naruto--"

"Maybe you forgot about that fight of ours all those years ago. Let's go. You and me. Right here, rig--"

His sentence was cut short, face connecting with the sweet sensation of a rugged tree trunk, and all he could give was an elaborate 'oof!' as Gaara stopped dead in his tracks, expression shifting to more of a poker face, fingertips moving up to rub at his temples.

"I tried to tell you."

Stepping his way around the plant, the redhead continued on the path, leaving Naruto to the tree. If only he'd listen; he'd be so much more productive.

"You know something? I bet if you shut that trap of yours and payed attention for a change you'd actually be able to focus on where you're walking."

The blonde gave a wince, hand massaging into his forehead as he quickly sped his way up to Gaara.

"I thought you said no separating---you were totally gonna leave me just now."

"Please. As long as you had something to argue about I knew for a fact you'd catch up to me."

Walking side by side, Naruto's nose crinkled. Boy, this guy sure was a smartass sometimes. Just who the hell did he think he was---walkin' around all smug-like? Even being with Gaara more frequently, and having developed more of a friendship, the nine tailed just couldn't seem to read him completely. He was beginning to make small talk more often, so that was surely something. Long before it use to be so quiet he could hear his own breath. They weren't enemies thank heavens, but, they still had their ups and downs.

But hey, anything was better than being enemies. Psycho Gaara gave him the hebegebies.

"It's just up ahead."

"Seriously? Already?"

"You've been talking for a day straight Naruto, what do you mean 'already'?"

"Okay, okay, I get it alright? I talk a lot, but I can't help it. I can't take the silence... it makes me paranoid."

It was a surprise they had made it this far without running into any thieving bandits---with Naruto's loud mouth and all. It didn't take long for the hot springs resort to pop up, and as both teens made their way up yonder, they headed inside the building. It was pretty typical; nothing extravagant about it. Gaara didn't really understand why they had to travel so far when there was a spring directly near the Hidden Leaf Village... though he did hear Tsunade muttering something about a 'special deal.'

Naruto had mentioned her... 'gambling' issue once upon a time ago.

Heading up to the reception desk, Gaara took care of business while Naruto occupied himself with the house plants, finger hovering above them---daring to poke, and glancing from the corner of his eye, the sand ninja briefly looked at his fellow shinobi before shifting his gaze back down to the sign in sheet.

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you," he warned.

Lips pursed, brows furrowing, "Jeeze would ya chill? You sure are extra bossy today," he huffed.

Naruto reached out for the plant in front of him, giving one of the mouths a good poke.

A big mistake.

With the mouth snapping down and clamping onto his finger, he gave a jolt.

"Gaaah! W-What the heck!"

"You've got to be kidding me---what did I just tell you? I said not to touch it. That's a Venus Flytrap. It's not meant to be fondled with, and for the record I'm not bossy... fed up with filling out paperwork if anything."

Naruto deflated, reeling in his finger and examining it with an frown.

"I just wanted to see what it felt like; stupid thing tried to eat my finger--" he proceeded to complain.

He was a few years away from being an adult, and yet he still acted like kid.

Honestly.

Gaara only rolled his eyes, turning to face his companion with a stern expression as he pointed to the entrance of the hot springs.

"Just go."

"C'mon it was just a joke! I was only trying to observe it, jeesh. Just because you're the Kazegage doesn't mean you have to be a stick in the mud."

"Give me your bag and go."

"Seriously? But we literally just stepped in can't I look around som--"

"I said go dammit---before I rip off your arms and shove them down your throat."

"Yes sir!"

That was all he needed, and with that, tossing his bag to Gaara, he hauled ass into the hot springs.

The redhead gave his face a good rub before releasing an agitated breath and shuffling his way down the hall to find their room. One day. Just one more day and Naruto was out of his hair for awhile. He was wearing out his welcome.