This story contains the pairing of Gaara x Lee, if you do not like Yaoi/Fluff then leave now!
Kazekage the word hung on people's lips as they learned of my new position in the village. It was much different than the words I had heard when I was young, monster. As a child I hadn't had any friends, I had been alone and lonely. I thought I grew strong because I could bare the pain of that loneliness, but in the end it only ended up making the monster stronger. I am Gaara of the sand, and my people see me differently than they did before. After the destruction of the village which was left from Deidara an Akatsuki member, they saw me working with them to rebuild the village. Though my life has been a troubled one the Hidden Sand Village has become my home. I love the people of this village, but with war upon us I can't bear to stand and watch the destruction of my home. No, there is a time for democracy, and a time for fighting. "We have received confirmation from the Leaf, they have attacked." Gaara leveled his gaze with the man telling him this news. "So why are you standing here? We are allied with the leaf, we should be sending shinobi." Gaara turned away from the man looking out the window. He had expected to hear retreating foot-steps but instead the man spoke again. "Gaara-san our shinobi are being stretched tight, you should know…" The man was cut off as sand flowed from the gourd on Gaara's back and wrapped constricting around his throat. "Don't tell me what I should know." The man fell to the ground panting heavily from lack of air. "Sir they have asked for your appearance in the Leaf. Tsunade-Sama made a personal request for your assistance." Mild surprise flickered in Gaara's gaze as he looked back to the man in front of him. "I cannot so easily leave my village; have my personal advisor come up." Gaara said looking over to the man who was still struggling to catch his breath. "Yes Kazekage-Sama." He said bowing deeply before rushing out of the room with a look of relief on his face.
Gaara turned looking over his home, the destruction still showed in the people, they needed a solid leader. With their alliance to the leaf it could be dangerous to decline sending Shinobi. Sending a decline would result in the village looking weak, and could cause future attacks. Still the choice was between two bad things, Gaara let out a sigh putting a hand up to his temple. Hearing foot-steps Gaara turned to see an old man hobbling towards him. "Give your regards to my sister." Gaara said with a smile. The old man only grunted in response. "I'm sure you're aware of the present situation." Gaara said crossing his hands under his chin. A gruff voice came between wrinkled lips, "Yes Gaara-san, I am aware." Expecting to hear more from the man he sighed when he didn't. "You know what position I am put in; I can't just leave the village but if I don't it will seem I have no confidence in those under me. Not to mention it will make our great village look like its weak." Hearing a chuckle Gaara turned around to face the man, "May I ask what you find funny about this?" Gaara asked looking at the old man who cracked a yellowed smile in reply. "Gaara-San with an alliance we cannot decline this, at the same time you must put someone in charge while you're gone." Closing his eyes Gaara placed another hand to his throbbing temple. "There aren't many trustworthy people I would leave the city with." Gaara said. "Leave the village in control of the advisors." Gaara said looking at the old man. "Kazekage-Sama this village has always been under the control of one person—"Gaara turned then his gaze fierce, "Well then I guess it's time for a bit of a change. You wouldn't dare defy me would you?" Gaara asked facing the man and letting a bit of sand drop onto the floor. "Of course not." The man said, though he did not shrink back. Gaara leveled a gaze with him, "I will be back. Don't forget that." The old man nodded and with as much of a bow as he could manage he left Gaara to brood over his decision.
"Temari and Kankuro have them brought to me." Gaara called to a passing servant without turning his head. "Yes Gaara-San." The servant said hurrying down the stairs. Gaara looked over the area he could see. He knew this was going to be dangerous, the Akatsuki were still collecting the tailed-beasts and they had almost succeeded in killing him. Gaara shook his head for a moment before looking over his home for what would be the last time. "We leave at sunset." Gaara said without turning around. Temari and Kankuro looked at each other with a smile. It would be just like old times when they were a three man squad as Genin.