Thanks for the reviews. They encourage me to update faster. Oh yes, one note that doesn't concern this story, I know and see that some readers here have read my past story, entitled, 'Deadly Silence', remember that? Well, I won't be updating it anytime soon. Hiatus on that for a while.
Warning: Slight OOC. Slight. Slight. SLIGHT!
Disclaimer: I can't even rent Naruto! Now own it? Ha. What are the chances?
Special Note, Special Note: I was sick last week and a bit busy. Sorry for the one-chapter update ever week. Enjoy this one! (Its kinda long and I'm proud of myself!)
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Chapter 6
"Bonds"
"In order to escape the path of loneliness, I have no choice but to work hard and make my own path. If I do that, then someday…someday I can be like him." The words escape Gaara's mouth as he looked at the sunset that was soon to disappear in the fray of sand, he felt peaceful. And rested, he also felt determination and happiness, for once. He spared a glance towards his elder brother, Kankurou, before turning towards the sunset once more. The sunset could entrance anyone, anyone, even the great demon—no, the great shinobi of the sand, Gaara.
Gaara was never a demon, that title was not even fit for him. He always believed that he was, and always will be a mass weapon of destruction for his village, Suna, but that soon changed when he came to meet and actually duke it out with Konoha's very own demon, Uzumaki Naruto.
Since then, Gaara has learned that solitude is not the greatest thing. He learned to regard other's presence, his siblings, his fellow shinobi, the villagers, everyone. Naruto, most of all. "That's why as a shinobi of the sand, I will aim to be Kazekage, so that I can live a life connected to my, our, village." Gaara added slowly, his eyes closing for a while to think of the hyper active blond.
"I want to work hard so that others will accept my existence. That's what I thought when I looked at Uzumaki Naruto. Up until now, my bonds with others have only been once of hatred and murder. But seeing him fight so hard made me wonder what a bond really is. I think I understand a little now. … Suffering, sadness, and joy… to be able o share it with others…"
"Gaara—" Kankurou said, not even stopping himself from smiling.
"Uzumaki Naruto… When I fought him, I feel that is what he taught me. He experienced the same suffering as I. And he taught me how to change the life that I have. That's why someday, I want my existence will become necessary to everyone, not as a weapon to be feared, but as the Hidden Village of Sand's Kazekage." He turned around to look at Kankurou, the sunshine making its way to guide his path once more, he looked so triumphant, so victorious, he looked as if he was pure eternity when the sun's light reflected his own, someday, Gaara would shine, shine brightly than any sun. He would become the Kazekage.
Yes, he understands now. He understood that in order to have bonds, you must learn to make them. And he learned, he learned first hand that fighting with another Jinchuuriki hurt like hell, on both of their behalves, he also learned that spreading yourself towards others, expressing yourself, wasn't that bad. He learned to care, to love, he learned all those just because of a fellow shinobi, a fellow Jinchuuriki, but most of all, a friend, he learned it from Uzumaki Naruto.
And that understanding was a few years ago, a year and 10 months, precisely. From that year, he had obtained his ultimate goal; he had become the Sand's Kazekage. And he wasn't one to wait for Leaf's guests, but he felt obliged to do it, whoever they might be, he was going to welcome them respectfully as honored guests.
"Gaara! Gaara!" A female voice called out as spiky blonde-curly-hair with a beautiful face popped inside Gaara's room, the redhead was never startled, thus, the inclination of his head to the right to greet his sister. "Temari…" He said slowly, as Temari slid into the room, a smile on her face.
"Well, you ready for the ceremony?" Temari asked, taking a seat at the edge of the bed, Gaara got up and nodded slowly. "Do you want me to help you prepare, Gaara?" She asked again. Wow, like a total, worried, supportive, and all-around sister. You couldn't ask for anything more, Temari was the perfect, sister, albeit the fact she was spunky. Spunky all around, too.
"Thank you." Gaara said, his eyes blinked, thus, indicating the dark ringed outline. Due to lack of sleep, at least. Temari beamed, and instantly, yet rather reluctantly, guided Gaara to the other room. The teen, soon to be, well, officially proclaimed as Kazekage, was wearing his normal clothes—Black shirt and black pants. He looked around at the superbly lighted room, seeing a table, chairs, sofas (Couches), a lamp, the Kazekage robe laid gracefully on the chair, the ever so social hat, shoes, and then a mirror. The mirror was of course Temari's touch.
"This is going to be great--!" Temari said, smiling as she handed Gaara the robe, it seems like Temari was the one getting absolutely excited about the ceremony, Gaara, if he was more expressive, would've been jumping up and down already. "Excuse me…" He said, facing Temari with a calm expression, the intensity and probably anger in his eyes no more, alls that left was gratitude.
"Oh! Right, right! Big sister will be outside waiting!" Temari said, grinning as she put her hands in front of her and instantly excited the room. Seriously, how old did she think Gaara was? He was old enough, at least. Old enough to receive the title—ok, maybe not so, but he was skilled, and he was barely 15…
Slowly sliding the door open, he looked at the patient figure of Temari, leaning on the wall. The hat in hand, he gave her an assuring look as she skipped inside, Temari was totally going all-out for her little brother. Standing in front of the mirror, he gave her the hat, she beamed once more and grinned. She put the hat on his head, and then peered over his shoulder to see his dazzling reflection. "You look great, Gaara! You're going to become one kick-ass Kazekage!" And then the spunky Temari was back. From the reflection, Gaara gave a slight smile, Temari merely returned this with her own, full hearted one.
Not even thinking about the consequences, Gaara was still not Kazekage, well, officially, at least, she wrapped her arms around him, and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Go kick butt, otouto." Temari said, Gaara relaxed and allowed his older sister to do such a kind gesture, to hug him. Through the years, he'd grown completely attached, and close, to the village, villagers, to his siblings, most of all.
Temari has proven to be, not only a spunky Kunoichi, but also a very "motherly-like" figure, along with a thoughtful one. Kankurou was the supportive brother, the two were both supportive. He was also the one who looked out for Gaara, like Temari.
Slowly unwrapping her hold on Gaara, she dusted the bottom of his cloak and fixed his hat, like a child being tended for by his mother. "You look great, Gaara!" She repeated, as Gaara gave off another smile once more.
And then a knock was heard, Temari instantly nodded, "Come in." The door slid, and a familiar face went inside, clad in an all black ensemble. "You ready Gaara?" The man with his face painted said as he let out a grin. He looked at Temari, "Quit worrying about him. He can handle himself—and don't tell me you dressed him, Temari…" He groaned, scratching the back of his head as Temari stuck her tongue out at him. "I am the elder sister." She said primly, arms crossed behind her back. "At least I worry, Kankurou!"
"I worry about Gaara. But I'm not treating him as a child. You should've learned by now that Gaara's old already." The older teen said, yet, Temari was older, he smiled at Temari and then turned to Gaara who just looked at both of them. Like always.
"Hey, I am not treating our baby brother like a baby!"
"You even called him 'baby brother'."
"That's because he is!"
"Come on—Don't tell me you went cheesy and—" Kankurou felt a very sharp nudge at the direction of his gut as he let out a small yelp and grinned. "Kidding, kidding. Gaara is, and will always be, the baby of us siblings, right?"
Temari grinned and nodded eagerly as she stepped towards Gaara, one hand on his shoulder whilst the other on his waist, Kankurou stood on the other side, putting a hand on his shoulder all the same, they really were one happy family. "For the Sand, and for our new Kazekage, our baby brother!" the Kunoichi squealed, as she tilted her head slightly, almost leaning against Gaara's.
Gaara smiled. His sister, his brother, they were both behind him, they were supportive. And most of all, they were really his family. Looking towards the balcony, he saw the whole village of Suna, along with the large crowd. The loud crowd, which cheered for him, his siblings stood behind him, also overlooking everyone.
A man clad in a Suna-outfit stepped forward and looked at everyone, the villagers particularly. "And now, for our Godaime Kazekage!" He said curtly, turning to look at Gaara with a pleased smile. "Sabaku no Gaara!" The crowd cheered, they have indeed turned to like Gaara and along with the terms like, appreciated and loved him, not because he was to be feared, but because he was an ever so true and ever so blissful man of the Sand.
Temari smiled, as the wind blew hard, lightly swaying her hair. Kankurou grinned also, a hand in the air. Gaara took his hat off and put it up, making the strands sway along with the wind. With that act, everyone knelt down solemnly to bow down to their newest leader. To the ultimate ninja of the Sand.
Temari and Kankurou did the same.
-;-
"Look, look, we're running late!" Cried a blond as he and the other two members of the team dashed through the entrance of the gate only to be greeted by one of the guards saying, "Lead's emissaries?" He said, catching up to them. He received a: "Hurry the hell up! Were missing Gaara's ceremony!" so that must mean a yes.
"Please follow me," The Jounin said as he entered a corner.
"We're running late!" Naruto whined once more as Sakura increased her speed to run beside him. "At least we're running, you egghead!" He let out an uneasy chuckle as they hurried their speed. They could already hear cheers and yells like, "Hooray for the Kazekage!" and "Gaara-sama!" also, "Long live, Godaime-sama!"
Kakashi then stopped as they reached the end of the crowd, Sakura taking in all the noise before a hushed silence fell. The crowd had knelt down and bowed, ANBU had already flocked the rooftops, kneeling down as well along with those spiffy council members.
Kakashi gave Naruto and Sakura the look that said, 'Lets go in'. And that's what exactly what they did. Of course, if they weren't shinobi, then they would've just stayed all the way behind, but they were, so they did what master (For Kakashi, at least) shinobi do : They jumped up to the nearest rooftop, evading the ANBU who seemed to have full respect of their new Kazekage, and as gracefully as they jumped, they landed in front of the crowd, kneeling down for respect and acknowledgement also.
Naruto peeked above his head to see the messy red hair that stuck out, and the white and blue hat along with the symbol of the Wind (Kaze) swaying through the rhythm of the wind. The blond smiled, and instantly felt good for Gaara, he got the acknowledgement he'd wanted. And Uzumaki Naruto, he himself, was here to witness such a grand thing.
Gaara, a shinobi, his friend—no, his best friend, was the Kazekage. Boy was Naruto behind! He'd be making up if he wanted to be sixth Hokage, and that, everybody, was soon to come.
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As the roars of joy and cheers of enjoyment seized for a solemn moment, Gaara himself felt something stirring inside him—no, it couldn't be the demon—it was a feeling of pure gratitude and thankfulness. Putting the hat down to his side, he walked, slowly as always, towards the rails of the balcony (stage-like) and looked down at all the people. The first thing his eyes managed to instantly recognize was the spiky gray hair, he tilted his head, if there's gray hair, there's bound to be a following pink, and raven black. Sure enough, there was the pink bundle of hair, but no raven black (Thank the gods, Gaara himself wasn't all that fond of the younger Uchiha.) Instead, he saw familiar messy blonde hair, deep blue eyes looked up to lock gazes with his aqua-blue ones.
He stopped to look. It was Naruto. All Gaara knew was that the boy(somewhat) was out to train with the Great and Legendary Jiraiya of the Sannin. But now here he is, kneeling down, his gaze locked with his own, and smiling—did Gaara see right? Naruto could be asking himself the very same question because Gaara himself could feel a tiny smile creeping up his stoic face.
The council member from before stepped up and looked down to the people, raising both his arms towards the skies, he did a final bow towards Gaara's direction, "The Godaime Kazekage, Gaara." And with that, everyone stood up and started cheering once more. Temari managed to slip beside Gaara, making sure, and also holding back her "motherly" or more like "over-protective" sister attitude, she was of course, an honorable Jounin, one of the finest of the Sand, so she had to keep her composure—well, in public anyway.
She stood beside Gaara as Kankurou stood on the other side, one hand on Gaara's shoulder. He blinked his eyes once and then, with a confused look, the painted-man peered down the railings and looked at the group of Konoha shinobi. "Isn't that Uzumaki and his team?" He murmured lowly, Temari stepped forward casually, taking a closer look. "And Hatake-san; along with his two other students. You're right…"
Gaara inclined his head once more, he held the Kazekage hat on his hand still as he walked away, he would want to take some time to breathe for a while. Temari and Kankurou got this and nodded, they also got the silent message that Gaara would want the Konoha shinobi to be treated well like honored guest (he promised himself, swore, that is, to treat any of the shinobi coming from Konoha with much respect, like hell, he'd had promised himself something more if he knew it was Naruto and his team.)
Temari got down, the ninja way; she jumped down the railings and landed—gracefully—in front of the trio and then spoke, "So you're the team Konoha has sent?" she asked, looking over them. Naruto nodded eagerly as Kakashi raised his hand to say, "Yo."
"Temari-san," Sakura greeted, smiling as she bowed down to her fellow Kunoichi. Temari nodded. "Thank you for coming." As the Sand's ambassador, Temari has learned to act all political and formal in ways more than one. "Gaara has asked for your presence," She said diplomatically, concealing a smile.
"Oi, oi, Temari-chan!" A hyper-active voice called out as Naruto jogged towards her. "Since when was Gaara inducted as Kazekage?" He asked, looking at her. Temari looked at him dumb founded for a while, "Just now."
"No, no, I mean—when did they decide to make him Kage?"
"Not too long ago. You're the annoying brat from before—you've grown."
"Yeah well, thanks--And brat?!"
Temari hid a chuckle as she escorted them in the main building. "Uzumaki Naruto, right?" Naruto nodded eagerly. "Gaara's been anxious of your return, though he never mentions a word about it, he does mention you and what you've done to him a lot."
Naruto's eyes practically sparkled. "Oh yeah—Gaara!" the blonde grinned, too excited he missed to see a large pot, he literally bumped into it, the pot, being made out of—clay?—shattered, it didn't actually have anything in it, it was mostly decoration. Naruto received a rough punch, as Sakura pulled him by the collar. "Look—We just arrived and you managed to break that pot! How clumsy could you get?!" Naruto merely chuckled. "Geez, Naruto, you haven't grown at all!" With a growl, she threw him towards another vase on the either side, smashing it still.
Kakashi merely smiled, his eyes turning into slits. So his students were still kawaii (cute) after all. As much as he'd wanted to break the fight, he couldn't because the vase started reforming back into its original form. "What's happening?" Naruto said, pointing at the—clay?—no, it was sand! The sand was starting to form back, and the vases were back in shape like they never got shattered.
Temari looked at the expected person, and true enough it was Gaara. She smiled, "Gaara? I thought you were resting?" Questioning him, her own shade of blue colored eyes met his—but it wasn't cold, his eyes weren't always cold, and Temari got the good side, her eyes were met with calm aqua ones. He tilted his head at the three Konoha shinobi (To Gaara, it would be just as good as bowing down low.)
He looked at Naruto for a while. "Gaara-sama, we're honored to be here." Kakashi interrupted, not forgetting to add the proper honorific. Gaara nodded once and then turned to regard Naruto of his presence. One thing ran through his mind: 'Why was this blond idiot here in front of him now?' "Oi, Gaara!" Naruto called out, not bothering to call him by the true honorific, he waved a hand in front of Gaara's dazed face—yet impassive—and peered over his shoulder to see Kankurou smiling—not grinning—smiling. Something must be up with hell right now.
"Ah, Gaara-sama, Naruto just got back from training with Jiraiya-sama and we were given orders to be the emissaries for your ceremony." Kakashi interrupted, his visible eye smiling nonchalantly. Gaara gave this a nod and then without another word said, led them to the main room.
The redhead sitting behind a large desk, his eyes looming over the room. None of the people in the room actually spoke. Naruto just stood there in front of Gaara, grinning ever so slightly as the redhead himself surveyed each and every one of them. "Thank you." The first phrase that has escaped someone's mouth was that. That of sole gratitude and happiness, yet his voice didn't sound all that happy (Gaara's voice seldom sounded happy unless faced with sadistic intent.). Naruto paused for a while and his grin fell into a surprised one, his mouth agape, he took time to register what words has escaped Gaara's mouth. Naruto never doubted that Gaara was an all around good person, but he never thought Gaara would be this good and saying thanks in front of such a crowd as well.
"…Huh?"
He received a rough punch behind his head as Sakura hauled him back up and practically threw him off balance again. "Gaara-san said thanks!" Sakura whispered in a hissed tone, practically breathing fire.
Naruto took another moment to register that and paused. Chuckling nervously, he scratched the back of his neck as he looked at Gaara once more, the redhead didn't look like he'd be expecting an answer, but knowing Gaara (And Naruto knew him like hell.)… Gaara would very much love an answer, even though he rarely makes that noticeable.
Feeling another nudge in the location of his ribs, Naruto winced and tried to grin, instead a grimace came. "…No problem…?"
Gaara inclined his head towards Naruto's direction—left—and then nodded slowly. He looked at his siblings where Temari stood in front of the door and Kankurou who sat at one of the couches. The two got this as a hint and then with a small smile coming from Temari, she pulled on Kankurou's sleeve and tugged him upwards.
"Hatake-san, you and your team might be tired. We'll escort you to your rooms."
Kakashi nodded as he looked up from his book. Sakura smiled half-heartedly, "Thank you, Temari-san."
"Eh, Uzumaki, stay here and keep Gaara company for while we're gone," Kankurou knew that Gaara had been meaning to thank Naruto personally, along with wanting to speak to him, too. Also, he had a few unsolved business with the blonde Jinchuuriki.
Naruto just nodded, not wanting to offend the Suna shinobi.
"…Don't do anything stupid, Naruto…" Sakura whispered again as she pulled him closer to her, obviously emphasizing that if he did something very stupid which would be the cause of a war, Suna versus Konoha, then she herself would kick Naruto's butt herself to end the said war.
And with a nonchalant wave from Kakashi, along with the usual respective bow, they left.
-;-
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Gaara started, looking up from his desk once more as he made a crisscross pattern of his fingers. "Thank you." He said once more. These two words really didn't make sense for Naruto, not once had he ever heard Gaara say such things.
"We were more than happy to come here, heh heh." Naruto chuckled a bit, as Gaara took a start and stood up slowly. "For all this…" Gaara said quietly, looking out the window to see the large village he would now govern.
Naruto understood this and stood beside him silently, looking at the sunset along with Gaara.
"It was a sunset, remember, Gaara?" Naruto asked quietly, his voice trailed with softness and calmness as he turned to look at Gaara who seemed so glued on looking at the beautiful sunset that set between the vast lumps of sand.
"It was also a sunset when I admitted you weren't a failure…" Gaara murmured, putting a hand on the side of the wall as Naruto smiled half-heartedly. "So you're the Kazekage, huh?" His blonde counterpart commented as Gaara found himself starring at the deep blue eyes of Naruto.
"It's quite boring, Uzumaki."
"Isn't that what you always wanted, Gaara? Look at you now… You're… awesome…"
Gaara tilted his head, he wasn't one for conversations, but talking to Naruto about such things made him become a chatterbox…
"You're really not one to strike up a conversation, are you?"
He received a nod, which ended their talk for a while. They both remained silent and unmoving, staring at the sunset. The beautiful sunset which graced the village of the sand. Naruto looked at Gaara's peaceful face being lightened up by the different shades of orange and yellow, he felt a soft smile creep up his face.
Gaara in turn glanced over Naruto for a while, Naruto seemed like his twin already, they both shared the same and horrible childhood, they both aimed for the highest rank known to their village, and they both shared a friendship, a bond nothing or no one could ever break. He felt arms slowly wrapping themselves around his shoulders, the hands draping on his chest. The blond rested his chin on Gaara's shoulder, looking, with the same view and perspective, the sunset that brought back so many memories.
"You know, being Kazekage means being the strongest in the village… It also means you have to put your life on the line for your village… Something I know you'll do, Gaara." Naruto whispered softly as Gaara relaxed from Naruto's hold, only to sink into his embrace.
"Don't be concerned, Naruto… I won't die anytime soon."
"Don't worry, Gaara, I'll protect you even if it'll costs me my life…" He assured the redhead, tightening his grip around his shoulders as he tilted his head to lean on Gaara's. Gaara in turn put a hand on top of Naruto's, smiling ever so slightly. They looked peaceful. They looked… rested and calm. They looked majestic.
They shared a bond that could never be broken no matter what the situation is. The shared something more than friendship. They shared understanding and much love.
Over the years, Gaara has learned to love. And over the years, Naruto has learned to share his own love to Gaara.
-;-
"No, no, what?!" An uneasy voice said as he stubbornly crossed his hands. He looked around at the amused faces of the other members who tried their best to hold in their laughter. "Why him, yeah?! Can't I go solo?" He murmured desperately.
"Deidara. Sasori is to be your partner at all costs." A stern and manipulative voice ordered, annoyance trailing his tone. Deidara was the over-all child of the organization now. "You can't go solo because Akatsuki travels in two. Understood?" The pierced man added as the chuckles around the room lessened, the only audible one was Hidan's.
"Didn't you two solved this already? You resorted into calling Sasori-san, Sasori-danna." Kisame pointed out bluntly, grinning as Itachi merely glared and looked impassively at everyone. Hidan absolutely cracked already. He laughed like the masochistic sadist he really was and resorted into holding his stomach already. "Mother--fucker--! Danna! This kid is simply amusing, Jashin dammit!"
Hidan received a painful stab in his side, where the kunai slid down and stooped near his liver, Deidara could see the blood gushing out of the cloak already as he grimaced. "Damn you, Kakuzu!" Even more shocked, he was stabbed near his liver and he still talked. Even cursed. What was this man?
Pein resisted the urge to roll his eyes, being the composed man that he was, and simply walked away from the babbling group of so called S-class criminals, also referred to as dangerous babbling monkeys.
Deidara huffed and blew on his thick bangs as he crossed his arms, someone threw the cloak at his face, asking him to wear it then and there. "What the hell, yeah?" He mumbled, uncrossing his arms as he pulled it down to glare at the victim—Sasori. "Put it on, brat."
Deidara rolled his visible eye and shrugged, "Not in front of you, danna, yeah." Apparently, he liked calling Sasori danna, out of irritation or just out of a simple bet and dare.
"You're Akatsuki. You're not surrounded by—" He cut his sentence short, looking at Hidan and then at the others. It was not good to finish that statement. "Just get dressed fast, brat." With another irritating huff, Deidara did as he was told and slid the cloak, his head first then pulled it down to see if it fits. It fit. Perfectly. Feeling around, it wasn't so bad. It could get hot if the weather was hot, but it was cool, Ame was cold. So the cloak was perfect.
"One more rule…" Pein's voice said, though his form couldn't be found anywhere. "It is permitted to kill your fellow Akatsuki. But I advice you not to."
Deidara grinned at this and looked maliciously at Sasori. "So were partners, huh, Sasori-danna, yeah?" Sasori sighed—a human trait he couldn't let go of—and merely walked away.
Next Chapter: Deidara's slowly getting used to life in Akatsuki. Naruto and the other teams are off to train! Sasori and Deidara actually get along for a while... for a while.
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Special Note: And I can't update until Friday, it's our test this week. But I'll make up for it. It'll be a long chapter, I'll try. Good luck for me for the tests! See ya guys till then.
Review!