Chapter 2

"The evidence found all indicates someone of your height, build, and weight. There was only one boot print that didn't match the victims, your size, and they found strands of your hair around the bodies. The wounds on the victims bodies also indicate multiple assailants, of a multitude, that in such close proximity to Konoha without being noticed, would only be capable in a Shadow Clone Jutsu, of which you are the only one who can make that many solid clones…" Sakura closed the newspaper, having skimmed over the important details.

"That's all they told me, too…" Naruto glanced through the glass wall of Konoha's Prison for Minor Offenders to Sakura. After being told that he was the only suspect, he had (loudly) vocalized his anger, but had gone quietly when Tsunade had given him A Look. Since he was only accused of the murders, and not convicted, he was only sent to a minor penitentiary, was allowed visitors, and Sakura made sure to keep him updated on any information in town related to the case. Seeing Sakura's sad state, Naruto shook his head and smiled.

"No worries Sakura-chan! They'll find the real culprit, and then you and I can train together again, like old times!"

Sakura smiled faintly back, but it faded quickly. She didn't have the heart to tell him that none of the villagers had helped her find information, or were even on his side, saying it had been a matter of time before he went crazy, for one reason or another, and that it was what he deserved. She gritted her teeth; it was if everyone knew a secret about Naruto that she didn't, something horrible that was known but not said. It burned inside, that they said things like that about Naruto, when he was so devoted to Konoha.

Both of them jumped as an ANBU came up behind Naruto.

"Alright you two, time's up."

"Right." Sakura stood up. "I'll be back as soon as I find anything else to help you out, Naruto." She gave him a reassuring smile. "See you!" starting to turn to go, she stopped.

"I almost forgot. Gaara is coming to Konoha with the diplomatic envoy from Suna." She sighed. "You're lucky, you won't have to deal with him."

"Thanks, Sakura." Naruto rolled his eyes angrily. Sakura realized what she'd said, apologized then made a hasty retreat under the ANBU's unending stare.

'Gaara, huh?' Naruto thought to himself as the ANBU lead him back to his cell.

If he hadn't been practicing diplomacy, Gaara would have killed all those old blowhard councilors. Ever since the war on Konoha during the Chunin exams, they had made sure to keep Suna under their thumb, making vague hints about how much weaker Suna was, and how their attack had only made Konoha stronger.

Bullshit.

He had seen Konoha on his way in. Despite the new buildings, it looked no different than before. People still walked the streets without a care, unheeding of any dangers that could be lurking in their very village (Gaara was one of these, even if it was temporary). There was no increase of security, except for where Gaara and the diplomatic dispatch were concerned.

And he was stuck listening to these blowhards ramble on about a fight that broke out between two country border-control parties.

Feeling a pair of eyes on him, he glanced to his left. Kankuro was eyeing him warily, as if he was about to snap and kill everyone. If he were the type to do so, he would have rolled his eyes. Instead, he turned his glance into a glare, challenging Kankuro to say anything. The puppet master gulped, and turned his attention back to the debate. The next chance he got, Kankuro interjected, saying it was a good time for a break, and the meeting was given a recess.

Kankuro came up behind Gaara, who had situated himself on a balcony overlooking most of Konoha, staring up at the cloudy, darkening sky. From that angle, he couldn't see Gaara's expression, but then again, one couldn't tell much from it anyway. He could, however, discern Gaara's tenseness from the way he stood.

"Gaara…" Kankuro trailed off, uncertain what to say to make the Jinchuuriki relax. However, he had gotten Gaara's attention, so he had better say something.

"The meeting can wait. Why don't you find something to do for an hour or so?"

Gaara blinked, impassive.

"Without an escort? Konoha's ANBU would be on me in a minute. Again." He stressed the last word, forcing his brother to recall the guard who had harassed Gaara at the gate, to his misfortune. It was the mans' own fault, grabbing Gaara like that, Kankuro thought.

"As long as you don't do anything…questionable…. Konoha can't say anything." Kankuro smirked.

Gaara let out a small sigh, grabbed the railing, and jumped off. Kankuro relaxed, now that Gaara was off his back. Now to explain to the councilors where his psychopath of a little brother had gone.

Gaara had decided where to go before he had even finished talking to his brother. He waited, and stopped the first viable person he found.

"I'm looking for Uzumaki Naruto. Where does he live?"

Giving the foreigner a strange look, the vendor pointed down the road.

"Right down thataway. The Yamamono apartments. Don' know which number it is."

Without even a nod in acknowledgement, Gaara headed the direction the man had indicated, earning himself a few unheard mutterings about stone-faced, bad-mannered outsiders.

It took Gaara no time at all to find the apartment building, despite the dilapidated office sign. He strode right into the office, looked the secretary in the eye and said in an even voice (to him at least, the secretary thought she was about to die). "Uzumaki Naruto. Which apartment is his?"

"Uh-um, Uzumaki-kun isn't here r-right now." A twitch in Gaara's gaze made her flinch. "H-he's been arrested as a suspect for the murder of several shinobi in a mock battle right outside the walls!"

Gaara didn't move for a moment. His wide-eyed glare made the horrified secretary whimper and dive under the desk. He spun on his heel and disappeared before she even had the time to cover her head.