Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing more of Naruto's training in Suna and how far he's come. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

While Naruto was continuing his training in Suna, unknown to him and Tsunade, Jiraiya has managed to successfully sneak out of the village. Having waited long enough to fully recover from his injuries, along with acting like he was going to stay in the village. Behaving like his normal self, doing his "research", going to bars and restaurants to get women's attention, flirting with Tsunade, along with complaining about having to stay in the village. Until finally, it was enough to make it look like he had no intentions of trying to escape, with Jiraiya then taking the chance to leave the village.

Now after having put some distance between him and Konoha, having not stopped moving upon making it out of the village, the Sannin was working on trying to pick up Naruto's trail. With the Toad Sage mentally cursing at the thought of his wayward student/godson.

'Stupid kid, why does he always have to throw a tantrum, like some spoiled brat?!' Thought Jiraiya, angry at Naruto for getting him in trouble with Tsunade like he did, swearing to put him through the ringer for it once he finds him.

The Sannin honestly didn't even see what the problem was, he did what he said he was going to do and make sure that Naruto was prepared for the Akatsuki. What better way to prepare him than to have access to the full power of the Kyūbi? The kid would have been unstoppable with the fox's power, being able to take on anyone in the Akatsuki, like they were fresh Genin!

And really, he should be grateful and want to use the Kyūbi's Chakra, after his parents gave their lives to seal it in him. Giving him all the power he needs to face anyone. Jiraiya actually found it insulting that Naruto was unwilling to master the Kyūbi's power, basically spitting on his parents' wishes. The Toad Sage planning to drive that into the brat's head once he finds him. Along with appreciating the fact, Jiraiya went through the trouble of even taking him on a training trip, and now risking his neck to find him.

'I swear, once I find him, he's going to take the training I decide he needs and he's going to like it.' Jiraiya swore, seeing he should have been harder on the brat and simply forced him to accept the training, rather than just telling him.

Along with believing it won't take long until he can find Naruto, doubting it'd be hard to find a kid wearing bright orange and is permanently short.

Unfortunately for Jiraiya, and fortunately for Naruto, thanks to the six months he spent training on Mt. Myōboku and then immediately being reverse summoned to Suna. It will take time for the Sannin to find Naruto's trail, let alone locate the whiskered blonde. Not that Jiraiya is aware of this, as he makes his way to their last known location, believing he'll find a trail there.

*With Naruto*

Meanwhile, back in Suna, Naruto sneezed. Getting the attention of Kankuro, who looked up from the puppet he was working. The two having begun designing their own original puppets, given if Sasori really was a member of the Akatsuki, Kankuro couldn't rely on Crow, Black Ant, and Salamander. Given the fact that Sasori created them, and even if he upgraded them with new weapons, they still likely wouldn't stand a chance against a puppet master of Sasori's caliber. Not to mention, anything else he may have created since defecting from Suna.

While Naruto was creating his first puppets, who he's named Shanghai and Hourai. Along with including various hidden gadgets, weapons, and poisons throughout their bodies. Along with some seals to make them stronger, and to include a few extra surprises in them.

"Are you getting sick or something?" Kankuro asked, given Naruto's been sneezing a lot the past few minutes.

"No, I don't get sick, at least I rarely do anyway. Someone must be talking about me." Replied Naruto, with the puppeteer nodding before glancing at Naruto's puppets.

"Okay, I know puppet masters can grow attached to the puppets they make, especially the first ones. But should I be worried that you'll get a little too attached to yours?" Questioned Kankuro.

Given the fact that Hourai had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, while wearing a long dark purple dress with a white apron, white sleeves and matching dark purple shoes. While also having a large red bow in her hair and a smaller matching bow around her neck.

While Shanghai also has blonde hair and blue eyes, both of which being lighter in color. And was wearing a black colored dress with a white apron and black sleeves. While the bows on her head and dress are colored in a lighter red.

All in all, both puppets looked like gothic Lolita maids, with it not helping that Naruto also intends to put seals on them, to make them look more human as well.

"Sh-shut up! It's nothing like that! I'm just making puppets that people would underestimate and wouldn't believe are threats! And the seals are to help them blend in with people, since I'll also be including seals that let me see through their eyes." Naruto said while glaring at Kankuro, not like what he instituted, with the Suna Ninja not looking convinced.

"Right, sure, whatever you say. But hey, I don't judge, we all have our own tastes." Said Kankuro, smirking as he went back to working on his puppet.

"It's not like that!" Naruto retorted.

"Whatever you say man, whatever you say." Kankuro said with his smirk still present, fully knowing Naruto was telling the truth, but couldn't resist the chance to mess with the Chibi.

The Uzumaki merely grumbled to himself as he continued working on his puppets, swearing to pay Kankuro back one day.

*Timeskip-Four Days*

After four days Naruto had finished building Shanghai and Hourai, including all their weapons and the seals he placed on them. Now he was demonstrating his use of his new puppets, along with working on his Wind Chakra Manipulation and Kenjutsu. The latter of which, he's begun improving on since obtaining the Weaknessless Soaring Shortswords. With the Jinchūriki having kept his new weapons in a Storage Seal on his wrists to easily unseal and grab his weapons, as opposed to a Storage Scroll.

While off to the side, the Sand Siblings watched on. Impressed at the progress Naruto has made since coming here, especially with the he utilizes his Shadow Clones. Dividing them into certain groups to make the most of the limited amount he can use at the moment, to use them to their fullest.

"I have to admit, he's made good progress with his Wind Manipulation, he may even soon rival us, once he's had actual experience in using it and his swords." Temari said while looking at Gaara, who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, and it's actually a good idea, he had putting those seals on his puppets. I definitely wouldn't expect those two to be a threat." Kankuro added as he watched Hourai and Shanghai move around while showing their various weapons and gadgets, knowing anyone else would see just two normal little girls, not knowing they're really deadly puppets.

"Indeed, a year hasn't even passed and already, he could likely give most Jōnin a challenge, if not defeat them. It's possible Naruto is even a prodigy." Stated Gaara, with his words also getting Naruto's attention as he stopped training and looked at the siblings.

"Uh, I wouldn't say I'm a prodigy. I just work really hard and train as long as I can. Besides, I do have Shadow Clones to help me get even more training done." Naruto said, having never thought of himself as a prodigy, only someone that never gives up.

Especially given all the other prodigies he's met were either assholes, like Neji used to be; have tried to kill him, like Zabuza, when they first met; or went crazy from the pressure of it all, like Itachi did. So Naruto definitely didn't see himself as a prodigy, nor did he want to be seen as one.

"I doubt many people could utilize Shadow Clones the way you do, Naruto Uzumaki. As a Jutsu is only as good as the person using it, not the Jutsu itself. And from what we've heard, outside of your Academy Instructor Iruka, none of your past senseis really made an effort to train you or help you improve. Even then, he couldn't really focus solely on you, outside of one-on-one tutoring sessions." Gaara said.

"Gaara's right. If you had the right drive in the Academy and a sensei that actually helped you improve, once you became a Genin. It's possible that you would have become a Chūnin by now, maybe even a Jōnin with your Shadow Clones helping you train." Added Temari, having seen the talent Naruto had to become strong when he had the right motivation and teachers.

"And look at it this way, most prodigies become stagnate and arrogant in the power they have, you at least keep training to grow stronger and improve yourself, rather than get lazy and settle for what you already know and can do. So take the compliment." Kankuro said, adding his own two cents, with Naruto looking at them still not convinced he's a prodigy.

"Okay, and thanks for saying all that. So, should we move onto different training now?" Naruto asked, figuring they could start one some more training, now that he's got the basics of Kugutsu, Kenjutsu, and improved his Wind Manipulation further than it was before.

"Maybe training in another element, since it's usually good to have variety rather than relying on a single element." Said Temari.

"Cool, what element will we work on?" Asked Naruto, eager for the chance to learn a new element.

"Outside of Wind Affinities, the second highest affinity in Suna is Earth Affinities. I also have an Earth Affinity, so we can begin working on you learning Earth Chakra Manipulation. Earth is also one of the easier elements to learn to use, since there's always a nearby source of it to use and will be a good balance to your Wind Affinity." Gaara answered, much to Naruto's excitement at learning to use another element and an easier one as well.

"But it may also be difficult for you to learn, given that Earth and Wind Affinities are polar opposites, so there may be some trouble for you to learn it." Added Gaara, lowering Naruto's excitement and making him nod in understanding.

*Later*

After finishing his training for the day, Naruto had gone with Temari to explore more of Suna, with the older blonde offering to show him around. Along with taking the chance to get to know Naruto better.

"Wait, you actually painted that giant mountain with the Hokage's faces on it? In broad daylight, while wearing that orange jumpsuit? And no one caught you?!" Temari said, smiling in amusement after Naruto told her about his last prank before becoming a Genin.

"No one even noticed until I was already done! After that, they chased me through the entire village, but none of even came to close to getting me. And I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for Iruka-sensei somehow always able to find me." Said Naruto while smirking, before he scowled in annoyance at how Iruka always seem able to find him no matter where he hides, it was annoying that he couldn't get away with his pranks.

Sure, everyone knew it was him, but they could never prove it.

"That's pretty funny and impressive. Since I doubt any other Academy Student could outrun full grown Ninja with years of experience, but you were outrunning and hiding from them while you were just in the Academy. You get more and more impressive, the more I hear about you Naruto." Temari said, winking at the Uzumaki, making Naruto blush in embarrassment and scratch his head sheepishly.

"Ehehehe, it's nothing really, I just had a lot of time to plan out my pranks. I eventually even reached the point where, sometimes, the Anbu would even have to close off sections of the village, where widespread pranks were set up. Since they never knew where they were all hidden, even after they thought they got them all, more would still pop up." Said Naruto, with Temari giggling as she imagined Anbu searching through a location, trying to find where Naruto's pranks were set up, only to end up triggering them.

"And what about you Temari? What was it like growing up in Suna as a Kage's daughter?" Naruto asked, curious of Temari's life growing up in Suna as the daughter of the Kazekage.

Only to think he made a mistake, when Temari looked down with a frown on her face.

"S-sorry, if you don't want to talk about it, it's fine, I was just curious." Naruto said quickly, hoping he didn't upset her, only for Temari to shake her head and smile at him.

"It's fine, I just didn't have a…normal childhood you could say. Given I was the daughter of the Kazekage, along with being Gaara's sister, from before you helped him. I had trouble making friends growing up, since people were intimidated by my ties to the Kazekage and Gaara…given how you saw what he used to be like, during the Chūnin Exams." Temari said, with Naruto wincing at this, knowing the way Gaara was before definitely wouldn't have made growing up easy.

"I'm guessing your Tou-san wasn't…nice?" Said Naruto, only having experience with the Sandaime and Tsunade in terms of how a Kage acted, while Temari scoffed.

"He was my Tou-san and I'm sure part of me still cares about him, though I doubt that Gaara, Kankuro and I will ever truly acknowledge him as such. Given how he focused more on being the Kazekage, while only seeing people and things for the "value" they would have for the village. Don't get me wrong, I love my home, but everything that Rasa did. It went too far, after what he put Gaara through and what he turned him into. That's not even counting the training Kankuro and I had to go through, since we were the Kazekage's children, we were expected to be the best and strongest." Temari said, having a low opinion of her father and the decisions he made when he was alive.

Decisions that got her mother and uncle killed, turning Gaara into a sociopathic killer, and allying with Orochimaru.

While Naruto winced at her words, not being able to imagine what that must have been like.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that, but if it helps, I think you turned out really great Temari." Said Naruto, smiling at the fan user, which Temari returned.

"Thank you, and I'd say you turned out pretty good yourself, Naruto. Perhaps even better, now that you're such an adorable chibi." Temari cooed, patting Naruto's head before kissing him on the cheek, much to his embarrassment.

"St-stop! I'm not adorable, I am a badass!" Said Naruto, crossing his arms with a pout, making Temari nearly squeal at how cute he looked before picking him up and holding him against her chest.

"If you keep acting like that, I can't guarantee you'll be leaving here anytime soon." Stated Temari while holding him tightly against her, with Naruto blushing at the feeling of her breasts pressed against his back.

"Please stop." Naruto pleaded, with Temari humming, as if thinking it over.

"Hmm, nope. I like this, it's like your my very own chibi." Temari said, smirking and hugging him tighter, making Naruto groan and hang his head in resignation.

*Timeskip-Three Weeks*

"You've done very well Naruto." Gaara said as he and Naruto stood in a training ground, working on the latter's Earth Chakra Manipulation.

"Thanks, but it's still pretty difficult to go from learning to use Wind Chakra to using Earth Chakra." Replied Naruto, having had some difficulty in changing his Chakra Nature, especially since he didn't have an Earth Affinity.

"Indeed, and yet you've come very far with the help of your clones, mastering the exercises sooner than I expected." Said Gaara, having thought it'd take longer for Naruto to get the hang of Earth Chakra Manipulation, only for the Uzumaki to surprise him.

One of the exercises, were one of the more advanced ones that were taught in Suna, which involved being able to solidify the sand beneath them into solid earth and rock, along with making sure it was strong and unbreakable. Something that could take months to master, yet Naruto had already begun making progress in doing it, though still had plenty of room to improve.

Gaara's instructions also helped the whiskered blonde, by breaking down the exercises for him and allowing Naruto to finish most of the basic exercises and start on some of the advanced ones. With the soon-to-be Kazekage mentioning that there are two important factors in Earth Chakra Manipulation. The first being that the user must be unmoving in their stance, resolve, and determination, needing to be as solid as the earth itself. And the second being the stubbornness to not bend or break, no matter how difficult things could get or how tough the training is.

Both of which Naruto had in abundance, allowing him to make good progress in his training.

"I believe now would be a good time to begin teaching you some Earth Style Ninjutsu." Gaara stated, making Naruto grin, glad at the chance to learn some new Jutsu.

Though before Gaara could show Naruto the first Earth Style Ninjutsu he wished to teach him, they were stopped when they saw Matsuri running towards them.

"Gaara-sensei! I'm ready to start my weapons training!" Said Matsuri, smiling at her weapons teacher and fellow student.

"I take it, your Jōnin sensei has already finished yours, Sari's, and Yukata's training for today?" Gaara questioned, with Matsuri nodding.

"Yep, it just ended, so I came here to continue my weapons training with you and Naruto." Matsuri replied, making both boys nod before Gaara looked at Naruto.

"It seems we'll be cutting your Earth Chakra Manipulation and Earth Style Ninjutsu training short. If you're up for it, I'd like to see both of you spar against each other to see where you both stand." Said Gaara, with Naruto nodding.

"Sure." Naruto replied, eager for the chance to spar against Matsuri and see how strong she is.

"Good. This will also just be a pure Bukijutsu sparring match, no Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or Taijutsu." Stated Gaara while looking at the two, with both of them nodding in response before they went to stand across from each other.

With Naruto unsealing his swords while Matsuri pulled out her jōhyō, as Gaara rose into the air on a sand platform, so he could get a better view of them from above.

"Begin whenever you're both ready." Said Gaara, crossing his arms as he looked down at the two, to see how they measured against each other.

Not a moment later, Matsuri threw her jōhyō's dart at Naruto, only for the Uzumaki jump over it and rush towards Matsuri, swinging his swords towards her head. With the brunette bending back to avoid the strikes, before channeling Chakra through her weapon. Manipulating the string and dart to rush towards Naruto, something he sensed and narrowly avoided the rope wrapping around him.

With Naruto then being forced to back up, when Matsuri began whipping the dart and rope at him, making the whiskered blonde back up repeatedly to avoid getting caught by the rope or hit by the dart. Only to suddenly yelp in surprise, when his leg was pulled out from under him, as Matsuri smirked while showing she had a second jōhyō. One she had pulled out, while Naruto was focused on the first one, and wrapped it around his leg.

"Never assume an enemy only has one weapon." Matsuri said, grinning at Naruto before launching both jōhyō darts at him, with the Uzumaki rolling out of the way.

"Noted, as long as you don't forget the same." Replied Naruto, hooking the hilt of one of his swords around Matsuri's leg knocking the girl down, before following up with a downward slash.

Only for Matsuri to wrap one of her jōhyō ropes around his arm, throwing his attack off to side and missing her entirely. Before the brunette pulled Naruto towards her, using the momentum to flip over the Uzumaki, along with jerking his arm backwards. With the sudden pull making Naruto grunt and lose his grip on one of his swords. Which Matsuri took advantage of, by throwing her second jōhyō, which wrapped around the sword and pulled it towards her.

"Looks like I have the advantage now." Stated Matsuri, now having two weapons, while Naruto only had one.

"We'll see." Naruto retorted before they rushed towards each other, with the whiskered blonde blocking a strike from Matsuri's sword, before twisting it out of the way to strike her across the chest, which Matsuri ducked under.

The girl then wrapping her jōhyō's rope around Naruto's arm, before rolling to the side and pulling Naruto along with her as he stumbled forward at the sudden momentum. While Matsuri jumped up, slashing her sword towards Naruto's neck, with the blonde quickly blocking it before trying to disarm his opponent to retrieve his weapon. But was once again stopped when the girl jumped back, putting some distance between them.

With Naruto once again being forced to keep his distance from Matsuri as she whipped her Jōhyō at him, while also having to keep an eye out for the second jōhyō as well. Only to be shocked, when the girl then threw his sword right at him and would have reached to grab the weapon out of the air. Before he noticed that Matsuri actually tied one end of one of her jōhyō's to it. Meaning that she wanted him to grab it, to yank him back towards her.

Not falling for the trick, Naruto leapt to the side, avoiding the blade entirely. Only to get another surprise as he had been so focused on the sword, he missed Matsuri launch her other jōhyō at him. Which wrapped around his waist, but luckily Naruto was quick enough to cut the rope before she could yank him in close to her.

"Now you only have one again." Said Naruto, smirking, only for it to vanish at seeing Matsuri's own smirk.

"It's okay, I have more." Matsuri revealed, making Naruto gain a dry look.

"Of course you do." Muttered Naruto, figuring he should have expected her to have more than just two jōhyō, before he once again had to jump back to avoid Matsuri's remaining jōhyō.

Knowing he needed to get Matsuri up close to him to regain the advantage, Naruto kept his eyes on her jōhyō strikes. While also making sure to keep an eye on her, to see if she'd pull out another one. After a few moments, Naruto began acting like he was growing tired and slowing down. With Matsuri seeing a chance to win the spar by launching her jōhyō towards Naruto, to wrap around him and pull him in close.

Only for the brunette to be surprised, when Naruto's hand shot out and grabbed the dart, before she yelped as this time Naruto reeled her in close to him.

"My turn." Naruto stated, smirking while keeping a hold of the jōhyō to keep Matsuri close, while swinging his sword at Matsuri, who quickly raised her own blocking the strike.

Regaining the advantage now that the match was pure Kenjutsu, Naruto began pushing Matsuri back, while making sure she didn't try getting too far away. While Matsuri did have some training in Kenjutsu, it hadn't been a main focus like it has been for Naruto. With the girl taking a chance to spin around Naruto to strike him in the back, with Naruto holding his sword behind him, blocking the strike.

Naruto then turned to face Matsuri as their blades clashed against each other, with the whiskered blonde smirking at seeing that Matsuri seemed to start getting tired. Before he forced her sword down, the brunette gritting her teeth as she tried forcing Naruto back. Only to be surprised when Naruto immediately moved his sword, while the brunette's own went straight up from the force she was using.

Taking his chance, Naruto smacked Matsuri's arm with the flat of his blade, making her yelp and release her grip on the blade. With Naruto releasing the jōhyō and grabbing it, while Matsuri took the chance to put some distance between them again.

Looking at each other, Naruto grinned at Matsuri since he's enjoyed the spar so far, with Matsuri smiling tiredly at him at the challenge he was giving her. But just before they could re-engage each other, they were stopped by Gaara flying down between them.

"That's enough, the match is over." Said Gaara, having seen that while Naruto was still good to keep fighting, Matsuri was showing signs of tiring, given how she's sweating and panting lightly.

"W-wait, I can still keep going!" Matsuri said, wanting to keep sparring, only to stop when Gaara looked at her.

"Matsuri, an important aspect of being a Ninja is to know one's own limits. While it's admirable that you wish to continue, if this were a real fight, then it wouldn't be long before you tired yourself out, before being killed or captured." Gaara said, making Matsuri sigh and look down, but nod in understanding.

"Yes Gaara-sensei." Replied Matsuri, knowing he was right, she was just stubborn when she was told to stop, wanting to prove she could last longer.

"You still did very well. Though you'll need to begin learning to use another weapon as well, as you can't always rely on your jōhyō to keep enemies at bay or stealing weapons from them. So, I had gotten this for you." Said Gaara, pulling out a scroll and handing it to Matsuri.

Opening the scroll and unsealing what was inside, Matsuri was surprised when a double-ended scythe came out.

"A scythe?" Asked Matsuri, confused at being given such a weapon, while Gaara nodded.

"Yes, and twist the ends." Said Gaara, with Matsuri doing so and was surprised when the ended detached from the center, revealing a length of chain.

"The blades can also fold in to function as a bo-staff or three-section staff, giving you a fair share of options for close-range combat and mid-range combat. And once you begin learning Wind Style Ninjutsu, it will also serve as a medium that you can use for them, as well." Gaara explained, with the girl looking at the weapon in surprise and amazement, before smiling thankfully at Gaara.

"Thank you, Gaara-sensei, I promise I'll do my best to master my new weapon." Said Matsuri, wanting to impress her teacher and friend by mastering the new weapon he's given her.

Nodding in response, believing she will have what it takes to master the weapon, Gaara went off to the side while Naruto and Matsuri began their weapon training.

"That was a really great Matsuri, you've gotten really good with those jōhyō." Said Naruto while smiling at the brunette, which she returned.

"Thanks, I've been working on new ways to use them, like channeling Chakra through the ropes and darts to manipulate them and make them go where I want them to, when I throw them, along with piercing through stuff." Matsuri replied, pleased at how far she's come with her weapons.

"Nice. What about making the darts bigger and sharper, making them capable of punching through things like stone, metal, and wood, so they could act like grabbling hooks you can climb or even swing around on the rope to avoid attacks, while they're anchored." Suggested Naruto, making Matsuri's smile increase as she thought of the idea and liked how it'd really help her fighting style.

"That's a really great idea Naruto, I'll have to see about getting them upgraded to do that." Matsuri said.

"No problem, glad I could help. Another idea could be having multiple jōhyō strapped to your back and manipulate them with your Chakra to shoot out to pull you or your allies out of the way of attacks, along with having a means to still attack and move if your arms and legs are injured. I could even apply some seals to them to help. Same with your scythe staff, once you start learning how to use it." Naruto offered, wanting to help his friend grow stronger.

"Wow, smart, strong, kind, helpful, and cute. You're really the complete package aren't you Naruto." Said Matsuri, while winking at Naruto, making the boy blush.

"I-I don't know about that, I-I just w-want to help you anyway I can Matsuri. After all, we're friends right." Naruto said, smiling at the brunette, while Matsuri smirked.

"I'm not sure about that. You look more like my cute little brother that I just wanna snuggle with and never let go." Said Matsuri, while wrapping her arms around Naruto's neck and kissing his cheek, with Naruto's blush intensifying.

"St-stop! I-I already have to d-deal with Temari, I don't need you teasing me too, Matsuri!" Naruto said, escaping her embrace, while Matsuri couldn't help but giggle.

"Sorry Naruto, but you're just too cute that I can't help it. And I did mean what I said, you are a really great guy." Matsuri said while smiling at him, as Naruto looked away.

"Th-thanks. I-I think you're…really great too…and pretty." Said Naruto while muttering the last part to himself, only Matsuri heard it making smile brightly and was tempted to tease him some more, but decided to show some mercy and continue training.

But she made no promises for when they were done.

*Later*

After they finished their weapons training, Naruto and Gaara had said their goodbyes to Matsuri for the day, with both boys walking through the village before going up to the top of the walls surrounding the village.

"Wow, this is a great view." Naruto said, amazed at the view of the desert and the setting sun.

"Yes, recently, I've been coming up here to think and enjoy the silence." Said Gaara, looking out over the sunset, with Naruto looking at his friend.

"Gaara I've been wanting to ask you something, since I got here." Said Naruto, making Gaara look at him.

"What did you wish to ask?" Gaara questioned, with Naruto gulping.

"Back during the Chūnin Exams, when you told me and Shikamaru about your childhood, what else happened? What made you like you were before?" Naruto asked, wanting to know more about Gaara's life and what had turned him into the bloodthirsty monster he was before they met.

With Gaara not giving a visible reaction to the question, before looking out towards the setting sun.

"What I told you then was only part of the truth. The one who sealed Shukaku into me was one of Suna's Elders, Granny Chiyo. Who sealed Shukaku into me, while I was still in my Kaa-san's womb, a process that ended in her death. The Kazekage did train me in Ninjutsu to become Suna's ultimate weapon, isolating me from my siblings in the process. The one who took care of me was my Uncle Yashamaru, my Kaa-san's brother. He was the only one who loved me, or at least that's what I had believed. At first, I had tried to connect with the villagers, offering them help when I could, but they were scared of me for being a Jinchūriki and children would run away from me. I tried telling them I wouldn't hurt them, but it would only end in my sand lashing out to either hurt or kill them. I never understood the pain I caused others, because I had never experienced pain before." Gaara said, looking up at the sky as he recalled his childhood.

"It was when I was six-years-old that Yashamaru explained pain to me. The physical pain I inflicted on others and the emotional pain, I felt within my heart. He told me physical pain healed through time and medicine, while the pain I experienced could only be healed through love. He told me that my Kaa-san loved me that it was her will imbued within my sand that kept me safe from harm, that she loved him and so did he. After that, I tried showing the villagers my love to those I harmed, but it was only met with fear and hate. That same night, I was attacked by a Suna Anbu and mortally struck him with my sand, only to see it was Yashamaru. He then told me the truth, that he never loved me, that my Kaa-san never loved me, that she had named me as such, to be a demon who loved itself, and become her tool of revenge against the village for what they did to her. He told me he had volunteered himself for the mission to kill me, before telling me no one would ever love me, as he detonated Explosive Tags beneath his uniform. But my sand protected me, as it always did. It was then that I carved this into my forehead and become what I was meant to be, a demon who lived only for himself. That night, I released Shukaku to attack the village and destroy it, before my Tou-san stopped me." Explained Gaara, while touching the mark on his forehead, as Naruto looked at him with wide eyes not believing what he just heard.

'We…we really are the same.' Naruto thought, seeing he and Gaara were even more similar than he originally believed.

Yashamaru was to Gaara, what Iruka was to him. If Iruka had betrayed him like Yashamaru did, then Naruto knew he would have been the same as Gaara.

"I…I'm sorry that happened Gaara, and that you had to talk about it." Said Naruto, while Gaara shook his head.

"It's fine, the memories do not hurt like they once did. And in a way…I'm thankful it happened. If it didn't, I would not have experienced everything that I have now." Gaara said while stepping closer to the ledge and looking out over the desert.

"After that, we had returned to Suna from the invasion, I had decided to leave my team and join the main forces as a normal Ninja. They all saw me as a weapon of terror and thought poorly of me, with the villagers were more terrified of me than ever. But I knew that would happen, especially once it was revealed that the Yondaime Kazekage was dead." Said Gaara, while looking up at the sky, knowing that since Rasa was the only one that could keep him in line with his Gold Dust, it was natural for the Ninja and Villagers to be even more scared of him, after learning that the Yondaime Kazekage was dead.

"I've always known…but I knew doing nothing at all would almost certainly bring even greater pain. So I knew what I must do. I must clear my own path and perhaps then, that day will come. The day will come…when I can be like you." Gaara said while looking at Naruto, who looked at him in shock.

"I wanted to be part of this village, so I'm aimed for the title of Kazekage, as a Shinobi of the Sand." Said Gaara while looking back towards the sunset.

"Gaara…" Naruto said, having not believed that he had this much of an impact on his fellow Jinchūriki.

"I have worked hard and connected to the people of this village. Watching you has brought me clarity. Until I met you, my ties to others brought only pain, and sorrow. But you were always pushing me to redefine those ties. I think I finally understand…the suffering and sadness of life, and joy…these are feelings that can be shared with those around me. It was you, Naruto Uzumaki. You are the whole reason my eyes have opened. When we fought, we connected. You have known the same pain I have, and you taught me that I can change the path that my life will follow." Said Gaara, before looking back at Naruto with a small smile on his face.

"One day…I'd like to become something precious to others too. Not to be viewed as some hideous weapon. But as the Sand's next Kazekage." Gaara said, while the whiskered blonde could only look at his friend in amazement, before he grinned widely.

"You are precious to someone Gaara. You're precious to me, to Temari, to Kankuro, to Matsuri, Sari, Yukata, and to everyone else in Suna! And no matter what, I'll always have your back as your friend and as brothers!" Said Naruto before holding out his fist, with the redhead looking at him before holding out his fist and bumping it against Naruto's.

"And I will always have your back as well, Naruto Uzumaki." Gaara replied, before the two friends looked out towards the desert and the sunset, knowing they'll look out for each other no matter what came their way.

So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Jiraiya really hasn't learned his lesson and is now going off to track down Naruto, not knowing he'll find no trail and likely be going around in circles trying to find him. While we see Naruto and Kankuro working on their puppets, with Naruto making his first in the form of Shanghai and Hourai (from Touhou Project), before seeing how far he's progressed with the Sand Siblings believing Naruto is a prodigy which he denies. Then we see Naruto and Temari bonding, along with Naruto learning more about Temari's childhood as a Kage's daughter and as Gaara's sister, before going onto Naruto's training with Gaara and a spar with Matsuri, with some bonding with the latter. Finally we see Naruto learning just how Gaara became the way he was before and how much he's changed as well, with the two promising to have each other's backs no matter what. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.

Storm out