Disclaimer: I do not own any Naruto characters, though I wouldn't mind if I did.
Chapter 36.
Gaara stayed in the Hidden Leaf Village for nearly a month, while spending time with his friends and Sakura. He had been planning on just persuading Tsunade into letting him become Kazekage and just head back to the Sand Village to begin his campaign in freeing its people from the Akatsuki, but since a certain pink haired beauty decided to give him a chance in her personal life, he had decided to stay for a little bit.
Even though, he had only been planning to stay a week.
Eventually, the week turned into a month. Gaara found himself a little too preoccupied with his friends and Sakura. Mostly Sakura. After the night that he and Sakura kissed, eventually, some how, everyone else found out about it. Sakura had sworn that she didn't tell anyone about how they took a step up from their friendship. And she really hadn't. It was actually Temari and Ino's doing. They had followed Sakura to the park and watched the whole scene just play out. Eventually, they had to tell someone about it.
Therefore, the entire village knew about Gaara and Sakura's new relationship.
Of course, no one really cared. They were actually a little excited about it. Well, most of the ninja were anyway. They thought that Sakura and Gaara would make a nice couple. Some of the civilians weren't too sure. They were actually a little worried about Sakura. There were rumors going around saying that Gaara actually was forcing Sakura into the relationship. They all believed he was still some kind of monster. Those rumors were immediately diminished though by the other Ninja. They didn't like the fact that people were still calling their friend a dangerous monster.
During Gaara's month stay, he went on a few simple missions with the others or trained with them. It was definitely helping with him spending time with everyone. As for Baki, he was spending his time getting to know the Leaf Jounin. He was actually becoming a little popular with some of them. He even showed them some of his skills in a sparring match. To say the least, everyone was pretty impressed with him. The Jounin that seemed to have grown the closest with Baki was Asuma Saturobi, though. They were both very intelligent and had some interesting strategies to share with one another.
However, as much as Gaara enjoyed spending time with Sakura and doing things with her, like sitting in the park by the pond and cloud watching with her, he still couldn't help but worry too much about the Sand Village. He knew he couldn't just ignore it. The people there were suffering while he was enjoying Sakura's company. And now that he was the new Kazekage, he had to take action. There would be more time later to spend with Sakura after he finished freeing the village from the Akatsuki.
So after the month of vacation or whatever, Gaara went to Tsunade's office to announce that he would be leaving.
Of course, Sakura just had to be there when he did. He hadn't wanted her to find out just yet that he would be leaving with Baki, Kankuro and Temari. But with a sigh, he told Tsunade, with Sakura there, of his plans.
It was dead silent for a very long time as they all just stared at him with surprise. Sakura was actually staring at him with alarm as she attempted to read some of the medical scrolls that Tsunade assigned to her. Her mouth fell open the very second that the words were out of Gaara's mouth. She looked as if he was playing a joke on her.
But after a moment, Tsunade sighed as she sank down in her chair and folded her hands in front of her. "You're worried about the people of Sunagakure, aren't you?" She received a nod from Gaara and she returned it to him. She faintly smiled at the young Kazekage, looking approvingly at him. "I expected much. I wouldn't blame you. You're their new leader, Gaara. You're suppose to be worried about them. Especially at a time like this." She bobbed her head again, glancing side wards at a horrified looking Sakura but then turned her gaze back onto Gaara, looking serious again. "Gaara, when will you begin the attack on the Akatsuki?"
Gaara merely glanced over at Sakura before turning his eyes away again. He felt somewhat guilty for leaving like this. Even after they had just began a relationship. But he knew that he needed to do this. People were suffering while he was enjoying himself. It wasn't fair of him if he didn't do something right away. "I will approach the Akatsuki two weeks, maybe three after return to Suna. I want to try and convince many of the Elders and Sand Ninja to join my cause first before I do anything to them." His eyes flickered back to Tsunade's face, looking very serious. "As you said before, I cannot gain the trust of the Sand Ninja if they do not know me. I will let them get to know me then within the weeks. I will gain their trust. I will probably speak to the Sand Elders as well. Chiyo-sama and Ebizu-sama will be expecting me soon with your answer."
"And what about Naruto? From what I've heard, he's going to be returning any time soon from his training. Don't you want to wait for him to get back?" Tsunade asked, quietly.
Gaara's lips curved only a little and he bobbed his head. "I would like to wait for him, Lady Hokage. But I'm afraid I cannot. The people of Sunagakure need my help right now. And I cannot allow them to suffer any longer. If Naruto shall return any time soon, I will require his help. If you will allow it. When the time comes that I need assistance, I will call for it." He told her.
Tsunade slowly nodded as she took in the information. She understood what he meant immediately. He wanted to try and do it on his own first before asking for help. And in a way, she had to respect him for that. She knew that he was stepping onto dangerous grounds by trying to do it by himself but if he was going to be the leader he was trying to be, he needed to take the risks. And if he did need assistance, she was going to make sure that the Leaf Village answered the call. "Very well. We will stand by until you call. When will you leave?" She asked, knowing very well that Sakura was now staring accusingly at her back.
Gaara glanced over at Sakura, who was giving him a look as if asking him if he was really serious. But with a shake of his head, he looked back at Tsunade. "Today. The sooner I get back to Sunagakure, the better. That way, I will have more time to plan." He told the Fifth.
"Very well. I will have a few Leaf Ninja go with you to the border, just make sure that nothing gets in your way. But," Tsunade said lowering her hands and rising to her feet. She paused to glance over at Sakura again who now looked forlorn. "I suggest you take the time to say your goodbyes though, Gaara. It might be a while before you see them again." She told the young red head before she turned and left the room.
There was a long silence as Gaara and Sakura stood facing each other. The young red head met her eyes, looking somewhat sorry for not telling her. Sakura, however, just frowned at him before turning her head away. "I was going to tell you, Sakura." Gaara said quietly.
"When, Gaara? At the last minute?" Sakura asked, meeting his eyes again, though she didn't look happy.
Gaara shook his head as he turned away with a sigh on his breath. He knew that he had messed up already. He knew he should have told her a while ago. But he hadn't. "No. I was going to tell you last night. But….." He turned his eyes back onto her. "Sakura, I have to go to the Sand Village. I have to stop this. The Akatsuki are killing people. My mother's people. Temari and Kankuro's people. I have to stop them. If I don't, people will keep on dying, and this village will be next. The Akatsuki will come after Naruto next. I have to make sure that doesn't happen." He told her quietly.
Sakura sighed as she lowered her head before she moved towards him and wrapped her arms around him. She buried her face into his shoulder, not saying anything for a moment. She was just quietly thinking to herself. But after a moment, she lift her head and looked up into his teal eyes. "Then I want to help you. I want to come with you to free your village." She told him.
Gaara breathed in deeply before shaking his head as he rest his hands onto her shoulder. He looked almost surprised that she would say that. But then again, he should have expected it. "No. I can't let you come with me."
Sakura now frowned at him seriously. "And why not?" She demanded.
Gaara shook his head as he looked her right into the eyes. He wasn't sure what to tell her but he knew that if she would come, he would worry about her the entire time. "Sakura, I can't let you come. Not now. If I bring you with me, I will only worry about you and not be able to concentrate on the task at hand. And if the Akatsuki ever found out what you mean to me, they will use you against me. Please, Sakura." He said quietly. "Just wait till Naruto gets back. I swear when I need help, I will call for you."
There was a long silence between the young couple before Sakura slowly nodded as she looked directly at his chest. She couldn't meet his eyes just yet. But finally she did, faintly smiling.
"You are such a good person, Gaara. I know that you will free the Sand Village from the Akatsuki. You're strong and brave and you have a good heart right here." She poked him in the chest over his heart. Then smiling, she stood on her tippy toes to kiss him.
Gaara returned the kiss with such a soft look on his face before he rest his head against hers. He couldn't believe how lucky he had gotten in his life. He had a great best friend, a girl that he fell in love who loved him back, a pair of interesting siblings. Eventually he had parents but the Akatsuki took that away. Just as they could still take everything he had away from him. His face darkened at the thought and it only drove him closer and closer to his goal of defeating them. He would make sure that they would never ever hurt Sakura or Naruto, or anyone else. He would die before that ever happened. And if he was lucky, he wouldn't.
Later in the day, Gaara had said all of his goodbyes to everyone this time. They were all now seeing him and his Sand team off. Most of the Shinobi had come. Team Gai, Team Kurenai, Team Asuma. Even most of the Jounin. Anko, of course, had tried to throw a kunai at Gaara, which he deflected with his sand and a smirk on his face. He was finding himself growing fond of her wild and dangerous ways. She was definitely a one of a kind person. He was finding himself fond of Ibiki too. The Jounin whom had once hated him had actually given him a gift before he left. A new set of steel kunai for him to use and a pick lock set. Gaara felt as if Ibiki had just become an uncle to him.
"Well, Lord Kazekage," Tsunade said as she faced Gaara and his team. Her hands were folded in front of her while she kept her head up high. "We will be expecting your call soon. Don't you start this war against the Akatsuki without us, all right? I know you want to do this on your own, but you must trust us."
Gaara dipped his head down into a nod. He figured she might be right. If the Akatsuki were as dangerous as Baki said, and as he realized, himself, he would need the help of the Leaf Village. "Very well, Lady Hokage. I will call on you and the Leaf Village when the time comes." He paused for a second. "When Naruto returns…."
"I understand, Gaara." Tsunade said smiling softly at him. "I will tell him you said hello and that you will be needing him soon. I really wish you would stay a little longer, but I understand why you can't. I may understand more than you may realize. Just be careful, all right?"
Gaara only nodded before he turned his eyes onto Sakura. He wasn't the only one who was watching her. A few of the others glanced over at her, knowing very well that she was a little upset about Gaara's decision to leave the village to save his own. They knew how she felt. In a way, they were just as concerned as she was. They felt as if Gaara might just as well as be walking to a death trap. But they knew very well that he was following his heart. He was doing what he believed he needed to do. So therefore, they couldn't try and talk him out of it. It wouldn't work even if they did.
There was a long silence before Sakura moved forward quickly and threw her arms around him, tears filling her eyes. She really did not want him to go. Not without her or Naruto or anyone else. "Gaara….please just wait for us! Don't go yet! Just wait till Naruto gets back!" She begged into his chest.
The young red head just sighed as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him but he could only shake his head. "I can't, Sakura. I told you why I can't. I have to go." He murmured quietly to her.
Sakura shared a few tears for a moment before she pulled away and pulled him into a kiss. She didn't care if anyone was watching at all. She wanted to savor this moment while it lasted. She heard Kiba wolf whistle but then get his head slapped by both Hinata and Ino. They knew this wasn't the time for his crude behavior right now. It was too intense at the moment and it might set Gaara off a little. After a moment, Sakura pulled away and pressed her forehead against Gaara's, who closed his eyes, while still holding onto her. "Just please….please, Gaara. Be careful. Don't do anything dangerous until we get there. Please, come back to me." She begged him silently.
"I promise." Gaara whispered into her hair. "I will free my village and I will come back to you. Then together, you, me and Naruto will go find Sasuke and bring him back to the village. I swear it."
Smiling tearfully, Sakura pulled away and looked into Gaara's eyes. She felt truth within his words and she believed him. So applying another kiss to his lips, she pulled away and stepped back. "I will hold you to that, Gaara. And you better stay safe." She warned him, trying to lighten the mood. Her eyes flickered over to a smiling pair of Sand Ninja siblings. "Take care of him for me, guys." She told Temari and Kankuro.
Both Sand Siblings nodded as they turned slightly away with Baki. "We swear it, Sakura. We will make sure that Gaara comes back safely." The Puppet Master told her.
With another longing look at Sakura, Gaara turned away and started walking down the main road. He was very aware that Anko, Ibiki and a few other Leaf Ninja were following, seeing that they were the ones that Tsunade asked to escort him and the Sand Team to the borders. But as they walked away, Tsunade felt a wave of dread fall over her. It was like a cloud just rolled over her head and it began to rain on her. She frowned as she watched Gaara start running with the others, wanting to hurry back to the Sand Village. She knew that something was not right though. 'Saturobi-senpai, Minato-san, watch over him. Make sure he stays safe.' She thought. Her eyes flickered to her saddened student, Sakura and the others who watched with the same sorrow. 'For his own and their sake.'
A week later, Naruto and Jiraiya returned to the Hidden Leaf Village.
It only took two days to get back to the Land of Wind and another day to rush back to the Sand Village. By that time, Gaara, Baki, Temari and Kankuro had taken on guises of desert traders. They had changed their appearances a little bit and donned desert cloaks. When they reached the Sand Village, they immediately took refuge into Baki's old apartment, knowing that it would be safer there for them.
Then Baki set off to find the Elders, Chiyo and Ebizu.
Gaara had wanted to speak to them first before he even tried to speak to the rest of the Elders. He only hoped that the elders wouldn't try and turn him into the Akatsuki. If that happened, he was afraid that his plan of a surprise attack would be ruined.
It wasn't until after dusk did Baki return with the two Elder siblings. So far, everything was going according to plan. And the siblings sure were happy to see Gaara. They both bowed their heads in respect to him, though it was a little surprising for Chiyo's case. She hardly ever was respectful to anyone. But then again, the very first thing out of her mouth after she straightened was, "Did you get Slug-girl's blessing?"
With a faint smile, Gaara pulled out a message scroll from Tsunade and handed it to Chiyo. On the scroll, it was written from Tsunade to explain that everyone in the Leaf Village supported Gaara as the new Kazekage. She even explained that when the time came, the Hidden Leaf Village would answer the call to help save the Hidden Sand Village from the Akatsuki. The news seemed to please Chiyo and Ebizu though. They both shared twin smiles before looking at Gaara and nodding their approval.
"You have done well then, young Shukaku." Chiyo stated, ignoring the warning look that Gaara sent her. "Then I must say, you will be the new Kazekage. If Tsunade-baka really does support you then, I will have to. You have my blessing."
"As mine." Ebizu added, bowing his head.
Baki frowned as he stood against the wall, watching the pair carefully. He knew very well that Gaara needed more than these two's blessings, even if they were the Eldest of the Elders. "What about the other Elders? They will need to give Gaara their support too." He remarked. "And I fully am aware that they don't like him too well."
Chiyo snorted as she turned her aged eyes onto the Sand Jounin. She obviously had something crude to say about that. "The younger Elders can kiss my wrinkly ass for all I care." She remarked.
Kankuro started choking on his laughter, though in a way he was disgusted at the same time.
Gaara's lips curved upward though. He couldn't help but feel amused by her remark. It wasn't every day that he heard crude things come out of an Elder's mouth. It was actually kind of funny. He really hoped that someday he could introduce Chiyo to the Leaf Elder, Danzo. It would almost be entirely hilarious of the interaction between the two. But instead, he looked to Baki, serious again. "We will need to gather all of the Elders and what Sand Ninja that you trust, Baki. I think it's time to set our plans in motion immediately." He told him. He looked to Temari next. "Temari, I will need you to return to the Leaf Village, taking a message to Tsunade that we have arrived and are preparing the attack. If she wishes, she may start sending Leaf Ninja to join our campaign. The sooner we approach the Akatsuki with the matter, the better."
Both Baki and Temari nodded their understanding. They both knew that he had a point. And in Temari's opinion, it was a smart move to call for Tsunade again. It would only mean backup was on the way. "I'll set off first thing in the morning, Gaara. Maybe very early, before dawn. That way, no one will notice me sneaking out." She told him.
Gaara nodded his approval. He then looked to Baki, who was already moving to the door with the two Elders. They seemed have to come to an agreement already about what to do. So he would leave them to do what they needed. All he need to do was focus on how to convince the Elders to join his cause. Along with the Sand Ninja.
It was very late when Baki and the Elders returned. At that point, the younger Elders didn't have a clue who they were coming to meet. And Chiyo had told him that. She had sent a message beforehand and told him that they hadn't told the elders for a good reason. They wanted two; A) Surprise them and B) If they did tell them that they were going to meet the Shukaku Carrier, they might as well just go right up to the Akatsuki and tell them that he was back. So when they came piling into Baki's large apartment, they became very aware that they weren't alone. Especially when the lights were all out, with exception of a fire lit in the fireplace. The Elders immediately tensed up and looked around, looking ready to bolt already. And when the saw the spook of a young man standing in the middle of the room, they turned to dash out of the apartment. But they didn't get very far for a wall of sand was now blocking their escape.
"What is the meaning of this?!" One Elder demanded, looking terrified. His eyes, like the others, were searching for the answers in Baki and the Elder Siblings' blank faces.
Chiyo shook her ancient head as she folded his hands in front of her while standing right next to Ebizu, who also folded his hands. Baki, however, bowed his head towards Gaara, while motioning for the Elders to move further into the room. "Elders-senpai, allow me introduce you to the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara of the Sand. He has kindly asked for presence to discuss a certain matter dealing with the Hidden Sand Village." He explained quietly.
The Elders looked somewhat flabbergasted, though they didn't know who Gaara really was. They were just flustered about the title that Baki had just given the young man before them. One of the oldest Elders frowned before giving Baki a look. "The Fifth Kazekage?! You cannot be serious! We already have a Kazekage, Baki! And who does this boy think he is to be claiming Kazekage without our approval?!"
"This boy, who happens to be a young man," Kankuro said dryly as he stepped out of the shadows and startled the Elders. "This is Gaara, the youngest son of the Fourth Kazekage. And he claims to be the new Kazekage because it is his right! Sasori is NOT our Kazekage, old man."
The news of this being the Fourth's youngest son astounded the Elders to complete stunned silence. Then silently, Baki explained to the Elders of who Gaara was and where he had been for the past nearly decade. He told them that Gaara had grown up as a Leaf Ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village and of how he learned that he was the son of the former Kazekage. He also explained of what he had been through his entire life before telling them why he was back in the Hidden Sand Village. By the end of it, the Elders completely understood of who Gaara was and what he was doing there. But it didn't mean they were happy.
"So, the Shukaku carrier is still alive after all of this time." One of the Elders said in a very dry way. But then he shook his head as he folded his hands behind his back and gave Gaara a very dry stare. "And pray why should we support you, Lord Gaara? What makes you think we will allow to become Kazekage and even help you stand against the Akatsuki? By rights, we should hand you over to them right now! That way the village won't have to suffer anymore!"
Kankuro growled at him and even started forward as if to start a fight with the Elder but Gaara held up a hand and planted it against his chest to keep him back. The young Kazekage merely shook his head at him before turning his eerie sea-foam eyes back onto the Elder, narrowing them a little. "With the power of Shukaku, the Hidden Leaf Village and maybe even the Power of the Nine Tailed Fox on your side, the Akatsuki will be defeated. We will stop the terror they have been causing on the Sand Village and will stop them from terrorizing the other villages. With or without your support, I will be leading a campaign against the Akatsuki. The terror they have caused will stop now." He said seriously, almost too seriously.
Even Kankuro had to shudder.
"We will not follow someone we don't trust, Lord Gaara." Another Elder said dryly. "And what makes you think we won't go to the Akatsuki right now to deliver you to them."
Gaara turned slightly away, not taking his eyes off of the Elder who said that. In truth, he had been expecting the difficulty the Elders might cause. He had expected all of it. But with a cool smile on his face, he glanced to Chiyo, who moved forward now. The old woman gave the other Elders a very sinister smile. "You do that, and you will deal with me, young welp." Her words stunned the other Elders but she chose to ignore the surprised looks she got from them. "I give this young man my full support and I expect the rest of you to do the same. He's risking his very life to saving ours! He's the One Tailed Beast Carrier! The one the Akatsuki wants and he's here facing them head on!"
Ebizu nodded his ancient head. "As the oldest Elders, we grant the Leadership to Gaara of the Sand. He's rightfully deserved it, young ones. And if you try to let the Akatsuki know he's here…..Kami be with you." He warned them.
"Bu-But……" one very astonished Elder said looking at the pair of siblings with shock. "The Kazekage, Sasori……!"
Chiyo shook her head as she narrowed her old eyes onto the man who said that. "My grandson is not Kazekage, no matter how much he says he is. We have not gave him our support. And we won't." She told them.
Gaara slowly nodded he moved only a tad bit closer to the Elders, who all grew tense. But he didn't take offense in it at all. He just gave them all a soft but authorative look as he glanced around at all of them. "I know very well that you do not trust me because of Shukaku. He has caused the Land of Wind much fear and pain in the past. But no more. He will use his power to protect you from now on. He will never cause you to fear him again." He said with much determination.
The oldest of the young Elders shook his head as he looked Gaara right into the eyes. He still didn't believe the young red head. "How can you promise us that, Lord Gaara? The Shukaku is a blood thirsty beast. He would kill us the minute we turned our backs on him. Or you, for that matter. How can we trust you to keep the promise when Shukaku has done serious things to this village already?" He asked him. Many of the other Elders nodded in agreement to his question. They were all asking the very same thing.
But Gaara never took offense to his words at all. Instead, he faintly smiled before closing his dark ringed eyes and tilting his head to the side. 'Shukaku.' He thought to the sand demon.
'Yeah, yeah. I get what you want. Fine.' The demon growled at him before pushing forward a little.
The sand gourd on Gaara's back suddenly began to shift and change, startling everyone in the room. Even Baki and Kankuro grew very tense as they watched Gaara started to change himself. The sand skin on his face cracked a little and he winced as half of his face changed into Shukaku's. The sand demon was only half way in control and Gaara was letting him, though it did cause a little discomfort. But then Gaara opened his eyes, revealing that one of them belonged to the demon, himself, while the sand gourd had changed into Shukaku's tail.
"The human brat speaks truth, you weak humans." Shukaku growled through Gaara's lips. "As much as I would love to bathe in your hot blood, the boy is in control. He calls the shots, got it? If he wants me to protect the whole lot of you weak humans, then I will do as he asks! And if you have to question him anymore," The sand demon grinned almost evilly. "I don't think you'll want to know what would happen."
"Shukaku, stop threatening them. It's not helping." Gaara spoke dryly before he groaned in pain as he gained control over Shukaku again and returning to his normal state. He reached up and rubbed his forehead before opening his eyes and looking directly at the elders. "As you can see, I have gained control over Shukaku. It is no trick for you would know that it's impossible to gain control like that. But I have." His hand lowered to his side. "And I will die before any of the village suffers again because of the Akatsuki, or Shukaku. Shukaku knows what would happen if he threatened this village." He told them.
There was a long silence as everyone just stared at Gaara, almost too stunned to say anything. But then after a long moment, the Elders glanced at one another. They seemed to be having a silent conversation between of them. Some were shaking their heads and some were nodding.
But then after a moment, they all looked back at Gaara before bowing down to their knees to him. "Kazekage-sama." They all spoke in unison. "We give you our blessing."
Gaara's lips curved into a soft smile, as did the rest. He nodded in satisfaction as he moved a few feet closer to the Elders and offered his hand of friendship to them. The Elders looked surprised that he was doing so but then they all smiled and stood up around him. "The Leaf Village must have done some wonders on you, Kazekage-sama. We were afraid that you might have been cold and full of hatred because of what we did to you. Sealing the Shukaku inside of you and trying to use you into a weapon of war." One Elder told him. "But I can see that we were all wrong. You are kinder than your father ever was. I don't know who trained you all these years, or raised you, but I believe that all of us are in his debt for it."
"Jiraiya and Kakashi would be glad to hear of that." Gaara remarked before he looked out the window. "Within two weeks, we will begin the charge against the Akatsuki. In that time, I will need everyone's cooperation and silence to gain control over the Sand Ninja. I will need everyone's help to defeat the Akatsuki. Can I count on each one of you?" He asked quietly. Slowly, one by one, the Elders and Baki nodded.
And through the week, the silent campaign began.
For days after the truce between the Gaara and the Elders, Baki and the Elders spent time moving throughout the entire village, approaching trustworthy Sand Ninja and conversing with them about joining the campaign. Many of them were surprised that Baki was back. They had heard about his leaving the Village, but hadn't really expected him to come back. Especially coming back with Gaara of the Sand as the Kazekage. Even some of the Sand Ninja that had been apart of the Invasion against the Leaf Village were surprised. They kept his arrival in the Sand Village quiet though. Baki only chose the Sand Ninja he knew that would be trust worthy to know about Gaara's presence.
And those he told immediately went to see Gaara their selves. They were all very surprised to see him. But after hearing that the Sand Elders trusted him, they decided to throw in their loyalty to the young Kazekage. They silently told him that they would stand with him against the Akatsuki. Gaara was say to the least pleased with how every thing was going his way. But there were times he started to grow bored because he always had to stay in Baki's apartment to avoid being seen by the Akatsuki or their agents. He was starting to get very restless from having to wait for the two weeks time before the surprise attack.
Eventually, he grew too bored and went out late one evening. He had left the house without alerting Baki and Kankuro, which he knew wasn't smart. But he was getting tired of just sitting around and doing nothing. So it was time to take a midnight walk while everyone was asleep.
Gaara, of course, made sure to hid his face within his hood and chose to walk carefully in the shadows. It had been a long time since he had a night stroll within the Sand Village. He wondered how much it had changed, if it had at all as he walked through the darkened streets. He even took to looking through a few windows. He smiled faintly as he saw the old baker making the new batch of bread for the next day.
But then as he went, something changed that he did not expect.
As Gaara walked through the dark allies, he halted and hid against the dark wall when he heard a single sound from ahead. He frowned as he looked ahead, being very cautious. He did not want to run into an Akatsuki right now. It would only speed things up before the Leaf Ninja could get there to back him up. But the young Kazekage was surprised to find that it was no Akatsuki, nor an agent of Akatsuki.
To his surprise, he found the young boy he remembered helping nearly two years ago, Chiquoi.
The young boy was huddled in a dark corner on a crate, crying a little as he buried his head into his arms. He was older, of course. And he sure had grown through the few years. He was a little taller than Gaara remembered. He wore shabby cloths though and his hair was a little longer. But as Gaara could see, he was bruised and cut up a little. He had been in a fight, no doubt.
It made Gaara grit his teeth to think that he had gotten beaten up by a bunch of bullying Sand Ninja. He swore he was going to make those ninja pay for bullying this boy once again. He would not allow it again if he won this war.
For a long moment, Gaara watched the boy cry in the shadows. He had almost decided to just turn and leave so that the boy would be alone. But then a flash of a memory crossed his mind, reminding him of how he had been alone when someone bullied him and he how much he had hated it. So with a soft look on his face, the young leader moved silently towards Quoi, watching him carefully. The boy didn't even notice him approaching until he was right there.
Quoi looked up suddenly and yelped when he saw someone standing over him. He almost toppled off the crates and hit the ground. But to his surprise, something caught him and kept him from falling. He was surprised to find that it was sand holding him up. Terrified, he looked up at Gaara, who watched him with soft eyes. "Wh-who are you?" He whimpered.
Gaara was quiet for a moment before he reached over, pausing once as the boy flinched away from him but then with a soft sigh, he reached over and planted his hand on Quoi's head. "Don't be afraid of me, Quoi. I won't hurt you like those who did." He received a very surprised look from the boy. He didn't blame him at all for looking surprised. He had just said his name without the boy even knowing his own. "I'm a friend." He said quietly.
"A….a…friend?" Quoi whimpered but cringed a little as Gaara looked right into his eyes. "But….." His eyes the lit up as he studied Gaara's face. He seemed to recognize him now. "Hey…..I know you. I saw you two years ago."
Gaara faintly smiled at him but nodded. He remembered that day as well. It had been the last day he stopped visiting the Sand Village. He had stopped Sand Ninja from beating up on the boy and causing him serious harm. "Yes." He then looked Quoi over, noting all of his injuries. It made his eyes darken a little before he began using his and to lap up the blood all over him. It sure made a grumpy sand demon happy to get a little blood, but didn't cause him to throw a bloodthirsty fit. "Are you all right, Quoi? Who did this to you?"
"How do you know my name? Who are you?" Quoi asked, frowning before wincing at some of the wounds.
Gaara gave him a very soft look as he decided to sit down next to him and began tending to his wounds. He pulled out a few bandages from his gourd and began cleaning the cuts and bruises. "A friend told me. A Sand Ninja named Baki told me about you when I asked him. He's told me a little about you. And he's told me that you tend to get yourself into trouble." He tilted his head to the side. "My name is Gaara." He then added quietly. "Why did the Sand Ninja beat on you again?"
Quoi stared up at him in surprise before he looked sadly away. He was quiet for a long minute before shaking his head as tears began to flood his eyes and roll down his cheeks. "Why does it matter to you?! Why do you care?! You might know my name but you don't know me!" He said a little loudly. "You don't know what I've been through! So why should I tell you anything?!"
It only reminded Gaara of the boy, Inari, from the Land of Waves.
"You'd be surprised, Quoi." The young Kazekage stated, surprising the boy again. He then looked up at the night sky. "You remind me of myself. I grew up being bullied by others and picked on. I was even beaten on a few times by others. And I lived alone, believing no one cared about me." He then turned his teal eyes back onto Quoi, who looked stunned. "But I learned something. I was never alone as I thought I was. There was always someone who shared my pain and suffering. As I share yours." He told him gently.
Quoi stared up at him in mild awe before he lowered his head and closed his eyes to squeeze out a few tears. He was quiet for a minute before turning his head away. "……." He hummed then sighed. "I'm more alone than you think. I used to have my father. But….but now he's left me too."
Gaara blinked in surprised before looking wide eyed at the boy next to him. He couldn't believe the boy just said that. His memory immediately raced back to the memory of the father and this boy one fateful night. Did Quoi just tell him…..?
It struck a dull pain in Gaara's heart as he thought about what the boy just told him. "Your father….he's dead?" He asked in surprised.
"Yes." Quoi said, his voice trembling with pain and emotion. "That bastard we call Kazekage had him killed for standing against him! Father went to him to demand that he do something about the Sand Ninja to stop beating on me! He…..Sasori killed him himself for making demands against him!" he burst into tears again before throwing himself against Gaara, crying into his shoulder. "My father is gone! I am alone!" He cried.
Gaara could not help but wrap his arms around this boy and feel sadness swelling up inside of him as he thought about what Sasori had done. It only made his hatred for the fake Kazekage stronger. He gritted his teeth while sand began to swirl around him and Quoi. He swore he was going to kill Sasori with his bare hands for what he had done. He knew from what Baki said, Quoi had no mother because of Sasori. And now, he had no father. Sasori had taken away his family. Just like he had taken away Gaara's. Though Gaara had a brother and a sister to care for him, Quoi had no one. It just boiled Gaara's blood to think of what Sasori had done to this boy.
"I will make him pay then." The young Kazekage growled between his teeth, making Quoi pull away with a tear stained face and look up at him with surprise. "I will make Sasori pay for everything he's done to you, Quoi. I will kill him myself for the pain he's inflicted upon you." He swore to the young boy.
There was a long pause as Quoi looked into Gaara's eyes, noting how hard they had gotten. And yet, as hard as they had gotten, he saw softness. He saw how kind this Ninja really was. It touched the boy more than the red head knew. Quoi immediately knew that Gaara meant what he said. He was going to kill Sasori for him. He was going to avenge his father and mother's death. It made a faint smile appear on Quoi's face as he felt relief that he met this man. "Thank you." He murmured softly.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Looks like you've finally come back, un?"
At the sound of that voice, Gaara's head whirled around and he glared at the owner of that voice. He knew it too well from meeting the owner years ago. His grip on Quoi only tightened as he glared hatefully at the Akatsuki member, Deidara who was smirking at him and Quoi.