A/N: Oneshot. Basically what I think was going on in Gaara's mind while he was talking to Kankuro about being the Kazekage. It's rather short, but the moment had only taken 2-3 minutes, so bear with me please.
Defintely one of my favourite moments in all of Naruto Shippuden (Gaara is also my favourite character). I love the background music in the scene. ^.^
In this fanfic, just assume that he and Naruto had a talk about how their childhood was and everything, so let's pretend that Gaara knows about Naruto's bond with Iruka.
Also, the dialogue will be italicized... Dialogue is taken from Naruto Shippuden Episode 5 (english dub).
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Naruto.
Dedicated to CuteLikeMomiji, who continues to motivate me and encourage me and who supports me as we go through this site together as amateur authors.
Gaara, The Kazekage
"Gaara. Let it go... I don't want to say this, but... you know how they see you. You're a weapon of terror..." I tensed, but let Kankuro continue. "Seriously, leaving us and joining the regular troops is not going to be an easy thing. They're full of jounin who think pretty poorly of you. And most of the villagers... they're as terrified of you as they've always been." Kankuro was trying to convince me not to do it.
But Kankuro didn't know. He didn't know the truth about Naruto. He didn't know that we'd experienced the same thing. He didn't know the philosphy I'd adopted from Naruto, about the dream we now shared. He didn't know how different I was compared to how I was before.
"I know that." I knew everything that Kankuro just told me. But now, I responded differently to that. Instead of hating and resenting people for discriminating against me, I would try to change their opinion.
"I've always known... but doing nothing at all will almost certainly bring even greater pain. I know what I must do. I must clear my own path. And perhaps then, that day will come." I looked up at the sunset I was facing. I'd thought about it over and over again. And I knew: I wanted to be like Naruto. "The day will come... when I can be like him. I want to be part of this village, so I'm aiming for the title of Kazekage, as a shinobi of the Sand."
"Gaara..." Kankuro seemed to be at a loss of words.
"I will work hard, and connect to the people of this village. Watching Naruto Uzumaki has brought me clarity. Until I met him, my ties to others brought only pain, and sorrow. But he was always pushing me to redefine those ties." Naruto had been there for me, and he didn't give up trying to help me. He had wanted me to see the way he did. If Iruka had betrayed him instead of my uncle betraying me... I believe that I would do the same thing that he had done for me.
"I think I finally understand... The suffering and sadness of life, a joy... these are feelings that can be shared with those around me. " I wanted the same bonds as Naruto had. To have someone who would matter to me as much as Iruka, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi mattered to him.
"It was Uzumaki. He's the whole reason my eyes have opened. When we fought we connected. He's known the same pain I have, and he taught me that I can change the path my life will follow." Naruto had encouraged me to go farther, to try harder than others, to try to be someone who mattered, who belonged. He wanted to be the leader of his village, so people could start treating him like somebody, somebody important. Why couldn't I, who had suffered like he did, have the same dream?
"One day, Kankuro... I'd like to become something precious to others too. Not to be viewed as some hideous weapon. But as the Sand's next Kazekage."