We're here for a visit

Disclaimer: This belongs to the series, Naruto. None of these parts are mine and are only written for entertainment purposes.

At the entrance in the west of Konoha village, stood three figures. The ANBU members identified them and allowed their entry into the Hidden Leaf. The red haired ninja nodded to his siblings as if in going with a plan. The three split up and went about their way in the streets.

Alone, he kept his arms crossed as he searched for the ninja. One of the first places he checked was the Ichiraku as he heard so much about from several different sources who commented where the demon container might be at. He was pleased to see a familiar yellow hair boy in his orange jumpsuit.

"Hello, Naruto," he greeted.

"Hmm?" Naruto looked around and grinned, "Hey Gaara! You're here for some ramen?"

"No… but I suppose I can have some," he replied, sitting down next to Naruto. He ordered some to the chef who began to pour some miso ramen for Gaara.

"Awesome," he said, eating some more noodles of ramen. "So, where are Temari and Kankuro at?"

"They're out somewhere in the village," Gaara replied.

"Ah, so then what are you doing in the village?" asked Naruto, finishing up his bowl.

"To ask you a few questions. We've heard what is going on with you and your comrades," Gaara said.

"Huh? Is the word about our training really is spreading that far and fast?" asked Naruto, raising an eyebrow.

"Or rather, your apprentices with some of three of the most powerful sensei in the village," Gaara replied.

"Oh, it's no big deal," said Naruto, chuckling as he scratched his ear in thought. "Is it?"

"I suppose it's not from your point of view," Gaara answered. "All the same, we heard something about speed training is included in your regime. What is this speed training you're using?"

"Oh! My Mass Shadow Clone technique!" said Naruto.

"Your favorite jutsu, I see," muttered Gaara. "That makes sense now. Dividing and gaining more experience in a short amount of time. I could try using that exercise."

"Yeah! I mean, since you have a demon in you as well, it should be a piece of cake," said Naruto, grinning.

Gaara smiled, nodding in agreement, "I'll have to learn how to do the mass shadow clone technique first," he said, "then I can get stronger to protect my village without too much concern. And to get their approval as well."

"Oh, you're going to be Kazekage?" asked Naruto.

"No," he replied with a smile, "I am Kazekage."

"What, no way!" exclaimed Naruto, pouting. 'That's no fair, he already achieved the goal I aim to achieve!' Naruto thought and grinned.

"Well, you have my blessings, Gaara," Naruto said.

"Thanks, Naruto."

The pair continued to converse among themselves, eating bowls upon bowls of ramen.

nmnmnmnm

Temari walked along the river, gazing at the reflections of trees in the water, searching for a certain girl. She had to find out to see if the rumors were true, it was gnawing at her and she had to find out. At the bridge ahead, she saw a person with the familiar pink hair leaning over the fence of the walkway.

'I guess her mom really knows Sakura well,' Temari thought as she approached her.

"Hey Sakura," she said, waving and smiled at her.

"Hey Temari," greeted Sakura, narrowing an eyebrow.

Temari stood next to her, leaning over the bridge and watched leaves float by.

"This place is really peaceful," commented Temari.

"Yeah…" Sakura agreed with a smile. "I do most of my thinking here."

The two girls shared a silence for few minutes, watching the water flow past.

"Why are you here?" asked Sakura, looking at Temari.

"Because we heard something about you and your comrades," she replied, turning around and leaned back against the fence.

"Is it true that you're being trained under Hokage's apprenticeship?" she asked.

"Yes, that is true," replied Sakura.

She eyed Temari with a suspicious look in her eye, wondering why Temari was asking these questions. Temari chuckled and looked at Sakura.

"There's nothing to be worried about. I'm only curious since I heard that you're able to deal massive power, creating earthquakes. Also, I heard you're also learning to become a medical ninja as well. Personally, I'm interested in being one, but there are not enough resources in my village to be an excellent medical ninja," she said.

"Oh, that's not good. You need to be able to have resources to become a decent one," Sakura said, frowning. "Do you have good chakra control?"

Temari laughed, "Are you kidding me? I do have a good amount of chakra control to be one. I know that much," she said.

"I'll talk to Hokage-sama and see what she says about giving you some resources to start with. I don't think we'll be giving you everything, since we do have secrets to protect."

"That's understandable," Temari said, "we have some of our own as well. So don't worry."

The two girls smiled at each other when they found themselves in another lull. Sakura sighed, looking up at the clouds, enjoying the friendly silence between themselves.

nmnmnmnm

Kankuro scanned the streets as he walked, trying to find the elusive boy. According to the information he gathered, he could be in one of the two spots. He growled to himself when he found him at neither place. So now, it was up to him to search for him manually.

Rumbling in frustration, he sat down on a bench leading to the East gates of Konoha.

'Where the hell is that traitor boy at? He's neither by the river nor the tree he usually sits at. I wonder where he lives…' he thought, stroking his chin in thought.

Several minutes spent sitting at the bench, lost in his thoughts and unaware of the surroundings, or the shuffling feet approaching him. Kankuro jumped up from his seat with his kunai out when he realized that someone was five feet away. 'Damn, how could I have been so careless?' he wondered.

He blinked and took a double take when he realized who it was.

"Sasuke!" he said, putting the kunai back in his pocket, "sorry about that."

"…It's no problem. Kakashi-sensei said you were looking for me," he said, eyebrow raised at his actions.

"Oh, did he really…" he said, muttering to himself.

He scratched head, looking away. 'Damn, how did this get so uncomfortable?'

"Where are your teammates?" asked Sasuke, scanning the area suspiciously.

"Oh, they're talking to Naruto and Sakura. Uh…" he mumbled, letting his hood down, revealing his red hair. "I heard that there was a rumor that you're getting stronger."

"Yeah, and?" replied Sasuke, raising an eyebrow at the question.

"Don't be so full of yourself, Uchiha," Kankuro said, narrowing his eyes, "your action to your own village speaks volume about you. I can't understand why the Hokage won't penalize you for it."

"That's because she's an idiot," Sasuke said, smirking.

He dropped the smirk when Kankuro punched him in the face, knocking Sasuke several steps back and Sasuke stared at him.

Kankuro bared his teeth, his fingers twitching and started shouting at him.

"How dare you insult your own Hokage like that! You're worse than trash, Uchiha and you don't have any of my respect! I don't get Naruto or Hokage! Why… why did they forgive you so easily?"

Sasuke stared at him and closed his eyes, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Kankuro, you may think the village has forgiven me, but since I came back from that incident, everyone hasn't treated me the same. They all have not forgiven me."

"Well, good, that means your village is not gullible," Kankuro spat. "I only hope you'll slip up again and even Naruto won't be able to forgive you. I mean, he is a complete idiot and his weak brain will learn that you're not trustworthy."

Sasuke clenched his teeth in a snarl, "Don't talk to me about Naruto like that."

"Or else, what?" he challenged.

Sasuke's fist connected with Kankuro's jaw, sending him fly few feet from where he stood. Landing in a patch of dried mud, he rubbed his jaw, looking at Sasuke. Kankuro smirked, Sasuke frowned at the emotion the puppeteer was showing.

"So, you don't like me insulting Naruto, huh?" asked Kankuro, standing up, flicking the flakes of dirt off him.

"Well, he deserves to have grown up the way he did, with no parents and all. For all you know, he really could kill you all in your sleep one night. I don't trust Naruto any more than I trust you, Uchiha."

Sasuke hook punched him and the body flew into the tree with a resounding crack.

"Shut the hell up! You don't know him, Kankuro, you bastard!" he yelled, muttering the jutsu and sent several fireballs at him.

When the fire died down, he saw the remains of a puppet dangling in the tree. Sasuke heard clapping behind him and spun around to see Kankuro. Snarling, he took a kunai out.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute!" said Kankuro, holding his hands up, "I was just trying to see if you were really trustworthy!"

"That was low, Kankuro," he said, baring his teeth at him, "I really don't like you much."

"Sasuke!" someone yelled, "Wait up!"

He looked and found Naruto running to him, followed by Gaara at a slower pace. Naruto rested his hands on his knees, panting, looking up at Sasuke, grinning.

"Don't spar without me, Sasuke!"

"Well, in any case, you passed the test, Sasuke. Sorry," said Kankuro, scratching his head nervously.

"You know I don't approve of those underhanded techniques outside the battles, Kankuro," said Gaara, glaring at him.

Kankuro cringed, nodding, "I know, but he did betray the Hidden Leaf."

"Oh please," Naruto started, "if it's about that, it's been worked out. Sasuke realized some stuff and we'll just leave it at that. Right Sasuke?" he asked, grinning.

"Yeah…" he said quietly.

"Well, I'm satisfied then," Kankuro said, pulling his hood up.

"Oh Gaara, Kankuro!" cried a woman's voice, the boys turned and found Temari and Sakura walking to them, waving to them.

"Hey Temari!" said Kankuro, waving back.

"So, what are you boys doing here? Have we got a motel room yet?" she asked.

"Room?" asked Kankuro, looking at Gaara. "I thought we'd leave after what we—"

"No, there's more things I need to do," said Gaara, interrupting him, "Naruto," he said, turning to him, "I had a wonderful conversation with you. I do hope your goal is achieved. When that day comes, let me know so I may give you a blessing."

Gaara smiled at Naruto who grinned back in reply, Gaara sighed and turned to his siblings, "Shall we go?"

The other two and nodded as they said their good byes. Once the Sand ninjas turned at a corner, vanishing from view, Sakura spoke up.

"Why do you have a kunai in your hand, Sasuke?"

"Oh, er… nothing," he muttered, putting the kunai away.

Sakura shrugged and Naruto grinned.

"Say, we train together?" asked Naruto, "Since I'll be leaving with Jiraiya tomorrow."

"Sure, we haven't done that in awhile," Sakura said and Sasuke nodded.