The first time Kankuro noticed his brother was changing was during the failed infiltration of the leaf village.
"I'm sorry," He said, a word Kankuro had not known Gaara have even had in his vocabulary. Needless to say it was quite a shock. Exchanging a glance with his equally stunned sister he said the only thing he could say in the face of such a sincere apology.
"It's okay."
The long awaited fight between himself and Naruto had changed something within the host's heart, and even if Kankuro did not yet know what that something was he knew, that at long last, he may have a brother rather than a demon.
The second time Kankuro noticed Gaara's change of heart was when his younger brother had confided in him that he wished to be Kazekage.
And his reason was of course, Uzumaki.
Gaara had never admired someone, looked up to someone before like he now did to Naruto. Never wanted to be someone or do something, make a difference.
It only made sense, Kankuro supposed as he watched his brother gaze out into the sun setting high above the sand dunes.
Naruto had saved him from an enemy much more frightening than any Shinobi. Spared him the blow of a weapon much more dangerous than any ninja tool. Pulled him from darkness much deeper than any other.
Naruto Uzumaki had saved Gaara from himself. A feat not long ago Kankuro would have found impossible, having always assumed his brother was too far gone to be saved.
And, as Kankuro stood slightly back now, watching as his brother explained in loud clear words to his village everything that needed to me known, Kankuro had to admit. He had changed.
A/N: Just a little something I wrote up in the midst of a lesson I'm paying no attention to. The inspiration just sort of popped out of nowhere.
Also, if there are some errors plot whys in regards to the flashbacks, I apologise, I don't have access to the manga to double check them.