Hi folks, I'm back!

Time for another chapter to this story.

I'm so sorry that I didn't update sooner, but things have been really crazy for me lately. I promise that I'll try and get future chapters up sooner, but please understand that sometimes they will come late.

But for now please read and enjoy!

So now onwards people!

When Gaara told Temari about his wish to become Kazekage, her first reaction was to hold onto something to keep from tumbling over. She looked at her brother as though he had grown a second head. It was news to her that Gaara wanted to do what seemed like an impossible task.

At first she really wanted to voice her opinion to tell him that it was too dangerous, but when she saw her other brother the look on his face told it all. The blonde couldn't really do much about it now. Temari didn't have any control of this matter even if she really wanted too.

"Temari don't worry about it".

"Kankuro you know what those men are capable of. I don't think that Gaara should do this, it's too risky".

The red head knew that his sister wasn't angry, just worried about him and he felt a warmth in his chest knowing that his siblings cared enough to voice their opinion about him. He already had Kankuro on his side but convincing the older sister was going to be slightly different. Temari had always been in charge of her brothers; since they lost their parents and because of the role unintentionally given to her that motherly side of her was always in full swing. Forest green eyes showed worry in them but he could also see some hope in them should he accomplish his task. It was rare for Temari to show signs of physical weakness, but at the moment she looked very tense. She kept chewing her lower lip and her fingers toyed with her clothing.

Gaara knew that his older sister was anxious about his decision. It was going to take a lot of gentle persuasion to fully assure her that all would be well.

"Temari do not look so nervous I know what I'm doing".

She chewed her bottom lip some more before she forced herself to stop "But Gaara, these men are extremely dangerous. They'd do anything to have your headed mounted. Are you sure this is really a good idea? Kankuro and I don't want anything to happen to you".

"Temari don't be so hard on him. I know that Gaara can do this, don't you want the best for him". Kankuro knew that he would have to try and reason with her, he knew his older sister better than anyone so most likely she would listen to him.

"But-he-no! This isn't the right thing, I don't want to see my little brother dead!" at this point, Temari knew she looked like a wreck with tears starting to come down her cheeks, but she couldn't help it.

Her love for her brothers was strong and being their big sister it was her duty to protect them no matter what, she made that promise to herself a long time ago; she'd be damned if she backed down now.

Kankuro placed a comforting hand on his sister's shoulder only to have it shrugged off.

"Don't try and pull that move! You know just as well as I do those fat asses are nothing but selfish, power hungry snobs! You think Gaara will be safe with them?! Wrong! They'll stop at nothing to make sure he's six feet under. They're the best of the best, trained to take out only the worst. I won't have those shitheads so much as lay a finger on my family! I'd rather die than see the day my brothers are killed before my eyes!".

Falling to her knees, Temari let her sobs echo off the walls. "I won't let them kill you...I won't, I can't let them. I won't know what to do".

Gaara looked at his older sister with sadness in his eyes. He hadn't known that Temari felt so strongly about him. From her perspective it made total sense. From a young age Temari had been forced to grow up early and take care of everyone. She didn't exactly have time to savor the innocence that most children often have. Not when she was told to be tough; any sign of weakness would get you killed off.

The red head knew that it was sometimes hard for Temari, having to be in the position that she was at. It was almost hard to believe that a year ago, he wouldn't have cared at all. But now with his new eyes seeing the world in a different light, it nearly made him want to break down. As uneasy as this was for his sister, Gaara knew that he needed to take this risk.

Temari hadn't been joking when she said these ninja were skilled; many of them had worked under his late father when he was still Kazekage. But that was all the more reason he needed to do this. If he couldn't gain the trust of some of the highest authorities in the village, he'd never get anywhere. It would always be a constant loop of fear and distress.

"Temari please do not cry over me, I know that this is foolish. But it's something I must do".

Forest green eyes stained with soft tears, looked into his owl teal ones. "But Gaara they'll-" "Please let me finish. I know what they can do and the horror that they've done. I know that they hate me with every ounce of their fiber...but I do not blame them for feeling that way". Gaara looked down slightly, to ashamed of his guilt "It was my own fault that my past is how it is. I failed to see the light in the tunnel of darkness and for that I am truly sorry. But I now know what I must do to find the path of redemption". Kneeling down Gaara over so gently placed two of his fingers on his sister's wet chin and carefully tilted her face up so that he could look her in the eye.

"I must carve a path for myself...Uzumaki Naruto taught me that I am able to choose what path my life will take and I know what I want to do. I want to become the next Kazekage to allow myself to show others that I can be so much more than just a weapon but as something that is actually human. I know the road will be rough, and I will have many challenges ahead of me". He paused slightly as if choosing his next words carefully "I am doing this for my sake. I want to atone for my sins I know that you are worried for me, but nothing will change my mind".

Kankuro gave a sad smile to his sister. Try as hard as she might, Kankuro knew that Temari was fighting a lost battle. Gaara had already proven that change could happen even to someone like him. Now he simply needed them to trust him. It was going to be a long road ahead, but if Kankuro had learned anything from the improvements he had seen in his brother; Gaara knew gave up so easily.

Using his thumb to wipe away a stray tear Gaara gave his sister a smile "Please trust me...that's all I ask".

For a long time Temari did not speak, the red head could see the internal battle raging within her. After some while the blonde did look back up at him. "A-alright". It was so quiet he almost didn't catch it, Temari's hands suddenly grabbed his shoulders giving a hard squeeze.

"But Gaara promise me two things."

"What?"

A sad look clouded her sharp forest-green eyes "Promise me that you'll be careful I don't want any of them to touch you in the slightest way...and that you'll let Kankuro and I help you, there's no way you can do it alone".

She gave his shoulder's another squeeze "That's all I ask, to be honest I still don't agree but if it means this much to you I will do anything I can to help I promise I will".

Gaara smiled again for both of his siblings. A warmth filled his heart, it was becoming a more familiar feeling with moments like these. He secretly wished that it would become a regular thing, he really wanted to see himself in the future with a warmth for everyone he cared for.

"Gaara-sama please push me higher!"

Happily obliging he did as Satsu requested, it had been a few days since Gaara had made his decision. When his siblings told Baki the man nearly died of where he stood from a heart attack he was that shocked. It wasn't that Baki didn't support his, the older shinobi had been with Gaara for as long as he could remember and he knew that Gaara was more the capable of overpowering the higher forces, it was convincing the council that was going to be the hard part. They hated Gaara just as much as the regular troops, Baki would literally have to bend over backwards just to earn their favor of him. He had been told to wait while Baki tried to figure something else. Gaara didn't doubt that Baki would succeed it was just going to take time.

His attention turned back to Satsu who giggled happily as she swung on the swing. The small girl had been spending a lot more time with her friend these past few days, Gaara gave her the warm fuzzies and it made her so happy to be in his company. She would talk to him for hours sometimes; about her family, her favorite colors, her school work or anything that came to mind. Gaara would always listen to her, not minding at all her childish gibberish. He was her friend after all, and what kind of friend would he be if he didn't give her his attention.

"Gaara-sama catch me!".

She jumped boldly without warning, and his sand flew out of his gourd to gently catch the airborne child. She laughed merrily as the sand ever so gently put her down; she had asked him once how he was able to bend it to his will. He had told her that it was second nature for him, it came so naturally he didn't even think about it, it just happened.

As soon as her feet touched the ground Satsu sprinted to Gaara raising her arms. The red head bent down to pick her up and she giggled a bit resting her head on his shoulder. "Gaara-sama I want to go again". He nodded "Of course". Wrapping her arms around his neck Satsu's pale blue eyes met with his teal ones "You look like you've been thinking a lot. My mommy says that when people think it means there figuring out something. You seem to be like that, what's the matter friend?"

He raised an invisible eye brow "Well...it's nothing really".

"Please tell me, I'm good at keeping secrets. Mommy won't know anything I promise".

Chuckling a bit Gaara gave her a lopsided smile "I trust you Satsu. You promise you won't tell". He'd humor her for the heck of it. She was just a child after all. She held up her pinky "I pinky swear I won't tell anyone, you have my word Gaara-sama". He chuckled some more locking his pinky with hers "I've been thinking about becoming Kazekage Satsu I want to protect this village and all its people. I want to make everyone proud of who I've become".

He wasn't really sure why he was telling Satsu this, but he had a good feeling that he could believe she would listen to him.

The small girl tilted her head to the side a little. Trying to process what he just said before a big smile lit up her face "Oh Gaara-sama that's wonderful! You becoming the next Kazekage". She bounced around him "You'd be like a hero to everyone. You could protect us from all the bad guys, and make sure that they don't ever come back. You'd be brave, you'd be bold, you'd be everything and more!".

Seeing Satsu look so happy for him, almost made Gaara want to laugh. She had taken it far better than he expected. Then again she probably didn't know what this meant for him. Best to let her have her childish mind think whatever it wanted.

"Gaara-sama will you still have time for me?"

He turned his head to see her staring up at him with a slightly worried look. She had stopped hopping with a thought struck her, if Gaara became Kazekage then he wouldn't be able to play anymore. He'd have to do other things instead, but then what would that mean? Would he forget all about her? Satsu couldn't help but ask that question she couldn't bear not being able to see Gaara again; not when he was such an important person to her. She wouldn't be able to take it.

Sighing softly the read head lifted Satsu into his arms once again. "It will be alright, I would never forget about you. When I become Kazekage I'll still have plenty of time for you". Part of him had said it to ease her worries, but the other have knew that he could never abandon Satsu, as her friend he did care for her. Naruto had taught him to always care and value your friends no matter what. When the day came that he finally achieved his goal as Kazekage, Gaara would be sure to spare a few moments for Satsu it was the least he could do for his friend. He refused to put aside all that she had given him. Satsu thought about what he said for a moment before speaking "You'll still be my friend right? Even if I can't see you". He smiled "Of course, just as you'll always be mine".

That made her happy, and she giggled softly "Gaara-sama you really are my hero". He looked surprised "I am?" Satsu nodded "Oh you are, your my hero Gaara-sama". He looked a bit confused which made her smile "I'm afraid I don't understand".

Satsu poked his cheek "Don't be silly. You've already proven that you are. You did save me from those mean, icky boys". Smiling wider Satsu gently tapped his forehead "Not that your an icky boy Gaara-sama, just more are and I don't like that one bit. Your far better than most boys".

For the first time in years Gaara felt himself blushing. It was just a faint dusting of his cheeks but against his pale skin it was definitely noticeable. Satsu's cherry sweet giggles filled his ears. He didn't know how to respond to that. Instead he cleared his throat trying to shift the mood.

"Come now, I will escort you home".

Setting her down, Sastu took his larger hand in her small one. Quite content to simply hold it. Gaara paid it no mind, this wasn't the first time she had done this. Every chance she got she would hold his hand, at first it had left him confused but when he asked her why she did it, she explained it was because it made her feel happy. So he let her do it if it meant that much to her.

Satsu was very disappointed when they reached her home. She always felt that way when they had to part ways. But she told herself that Gaara would play with her again soon.

When she didn't let go of his hand he sighed a little "It's time for me to leave now Satsu, you understand right?"

She nodded and slowly released his hand. He patted her head "I will come back in a few days. We will play again shortly you know that we always do". She nodded again "Yes, but it's hard to say goodbye to you".

"Why is that?"

Satsu's face turned a little red as she motioned for him with a finger to come closer. Once he was within reach she stood up on her toes to place a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Because I love you Gaara-sama". That was all she said before hurrying inside.

The red head stood there in total shock. Subconsciously he raised his hand to touch the spot where her petal lips had kissed him. That warm feeling spread again throughout his chest much faster this time. He could feel his heart beating faster than normal. Love? Is that what it felt like? Was this the feeling that he so badly wanted a child but never thought he get? All he could think about was the last thing Satsu had said to him before leaving as he started the walk back. Maybe it was just a childish admiration, or was it something more? He made a mental note to think more about it later. Gaara could only hope that the love Sastu was speaking of was real.

Finished for now.

This took me longer then I thought simply because my workload wouldn't leave me alone.

I will try to have the next chapter up soon as I can.

I would love to hear what others think. I'm always up for positive feedback, helps me know what I can do to make the story better.

So until next time folks!