The pair of Konoha ninja walked steadily towards the grand entrance of Sunagakure. Silence surrounded Naruto and his sensei. From any unknowing outsider's perspective, the scene would seem to be a peaceful one. The sun was resting in the center of the sky illuminating the summer sand. A few shrubs and other sorts of foliage graced the seemingly lifeless sand of the Suna desert with their vibrancy. The day was bright and enjoyable; however, these two visitors to the beautiful land didn't exactly take the time to marvel at any of the natural beauty. There was a very apparent tenseness floating between them. Particularly from Kakashi's side.
As they approached the gate two guards looked down upon them and surveyed the pair suspiciously. After quick inspection they recognized the figures as the two Konoha ninjas which failed to arrive a few evenings back.
"Naruto." Kakashi stopped and spoke clearly to his former student.
Naruto turned around and glanced annoyed at the jounin, "Yes, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi looked uncomfortable as he shifted his weight to his right leg and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Listen... I don't know what to- What's going on with you, exactly? You insisted on setting out immediately, we didn't stop to rest once on the way here, and you've been practically silent the entire journey. I really don't think this was a good idea." He pressed his fingers into the bridge of his nose. " I really think you need to go back to the village and rest while we take care of this mission." Kakashi looked sternly up at the blond daring him to argue with his decision.
"I can't do that Kakashi." Naruto responded strongly. "Tsunade did not inform us what our mission was to be here. I cannot leave a mission if I am needed for its success. And another thing, I don't need any rehabilitation time. I'm sick of this shit. Everyone treats me like I can't handle my self. I had to put up with much worse my entire child hood." Naruto threw his hand up exasperated, "I still put up with it. I'm fine Kakashi!" Naruto growled calming himself down gradually. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. But, I really am fine. Kyuubi has almost healed all of my wounds and I'll deal with the emotional shit on my own. I can take care of myself. Besides, I can't let my issues interfere with my duties." Naruto tried to smile warmly at Kakashi. It didn't quite turn out to be much of a smile but, it was obvious he'd put effort behind it.
Kakashi could see when he was defeated. He sighed dejectedly and began walking towards Suna's gate again. "I know you can take care of yourself. I'm just worried..." Kakashi muttered to himself as they passed into the gates of Suna.
Two Suna shinobi leapt from a ledge and swiftly lead them into the hidden village of the sand. The foreign ninja passed villagers on the street and were recognized instantaneously by many. A few villagers bowed as they walked past or whispered thanks. The village still remembered very clearly what Naruto and the other Konoha shinobi had done for their village. Kakashi attempted to smile and wave to several villagers while Naruto walked blankly onward. As they neared the Kazekage's tower he only became more stressed out by Naruto's antics.
The entire trek to the Kazekage tower was very uneventful. When the shinobi opened the doors for them they were greeted with the sight of Temari at a desk in the main entance. The sand shinobi was filling out paper upon paper that covered her desk. Hearing the doors open her eyes flickered up to catch the eyes of Kakashi. Temari smiled lifting herself from her work.
"Oh my goodness, where have you been?!" Grinning she walked around the desk to hug the blond she'd been so worried over.
Her grin faltered as Naruto was unresponsive to her uncharacteristic enthusiasm. Pulling away she looked into Naruto's face concerned. Naruto bowed to the waist, "Ohayo, Temari-san."
Temari's eyes widened and she turned to Kakashi for some kind of explanation. Kakashi looked stressed and depressed. He only nodded to confirm her unspoken fears. Temari took a step away from Naruto and addressed him as respectfully as he had her.
"Yes Naruto-kun. I'll go inform Ga- the Kazekage of your arrival." Temari hastily made her way down the hall to the Kazekage's office.
Temari knocked on the office door waiting impatiently for a response from her brother. After a few mind rattling seconds Gaara responded.
"Come in."
In moments Temari practically sprinted into the room and over to the wooden desk. Gaara snapped his head up regarding her with confused eyes. "Is something the matter?"
"Yes, well I mean no. But, it's just that…um." Temari tried to collect herself and spoke softly to Gaara, "The shinobi have arrived."
Gaara looked even more confused then he'd been before her explanation. "Then why are you so tense?"
His sister spoke in a saddened voice, "They're here but... Naruto isn't himself. You'll understand when you greet them."
"Did something happen?"
"I'm unsure. Kakashi just nodded to me when I looked to him for an explanation."
Gaara swiveled his chair and looked out his office window. Setting his pen down on the desk he sighed tapping his fingers and gently closing his eyes. He turned back around to regard his sister.
"Send them in."
Eyeing the anxiety sketched in his posture Temari nodded tersely and made her way towards the visiting shinobi. Temari walked down the hallway pondering what it was that could possibly have all of the Konoha ninja so shaken. Whatever was going on it looked like it would quickly involve the village of the sand. Gaara was greatly upset and the visiting ninja may not be able to work on their mission properly.
What had Sakura been going on about when they'd arrived? She had said that Naruto was depressed. That really wasn't too shocking. Honestly, with his past he should have gone through a depression ages ago. After the Gaara incident it was highly expected of him to react that way. So that can't be it. It has to be something that's really gotten under his skin. Likely something very life-changing...
Temari paused in the hallway trying to organize her thought before entering the lobby.
What else had Sakura said. It was something significantly important to putting this puzzle together, I just know it. Naruto was paranoid? Right, but why. . .
Temari entered the room but froze in place. Gasping, she snapped her head up as all the information began to fit together. Kakashi looked expectantly to her and they locked eyes.
Sasuke?
Temari mouthed to Kakashi worried for his response. Kakashi nodded and looked gravely towards the flooring. Naruto was blissfully unaware of the silent conversation occurring beside him. Eventually Naruto became aware of the third presence in the room. As he looked up towards Temari she quickly composed herself and journeyed further down into the room.
"The Kazekage is aware of your arrival. He'd like to greet you properly before you head off to your rooms. Follow me, please." Temari turned away avoiding Naruto's gaze as though it pained her. The walk down the seemingly never-ending hallway was deathly silent. Temari missed the exuberant blond that never shut up and hugged her every ten minutes. This "new" Naruto was calm and collected. The lack of emotion in his eyes worried her beyond imagination.
Whatever it is that Sasuke did, he's clearly having a hard time coping with. He looks. . . Scarred.
The trio arrived at the doors of an office at the end of the hallway. Temari was reluctant to move any further. Taking a deep breath she grabbed the cold steel handle. There was no need to knock because Gaara most definitely already knew of their presence behind his doors.
As she assumed, Temari opened the door to see Gaara waiting patiently at his desk with his hands folded and his chin resting softly on his knuckles.
"Please, come, sit." Gaara removed one of his hands and motioned to the two chairs positioned across from himself. Temari moved to the right of the door opening it fully. Kakashi and Naruto passed the sand sibling silently. Naruto looked ahead seeing nothing. Kakashi looked over at Gaara and tried silently transferring his worry to the stoic figure. Gaara gazed at him nodding before closing his eyes and sitting back in his chair.
"Hello, Kazekage-Gaara." Kakashi greeted setting himself into one of the chairs at the desk which rested by the far wall.
Naruto followed heading to the desk but did not walk all the way to the second chair. Stopping, Naruto bowed to the Kazekage. "Greetings, Kazekage-sama."
Temari watched silently as her brother's eyes widened measurably at the unexpected gesture. Kakashi also seemed a bit put off by the respectful gesture completely out of character for the rambunctious blond. Formalities did not suit the usually joyful boy.
Gaara tried to compose himself but, he could not unfurrow his invisible brows as his savior sat across from him refusing to make direct eye contact. Clearing his throat he sat up straight pulling himself closer to the desk.
"Although you're late, I will save the questions for a later point in time. Sakura-san and Lee-san are already at your visiting quarters. When we're done here I'd like you to join them and rest for the remainder of the day. Tomorrow, if I see fit," Gaara stated cryptically, "we'll meet in my office again and discuss the reason I've had you sent here."
Kakashi nodded in agreement and looked subtly to Naruto expecting some kind of a reaction. Naruto just sat up straight and finally looked directly at Gaara. Gaara's heart felt like it was falling apart in his chest when he saw the dull lifeless eyes of the once boisterous man he admired. Naruto looked emotionlessly at the redhead in silence.
After several tense minutes Naruto broke the silence, "No disrespect intended, Kazekage-sama, but is there anything further you had wished to discuss with us?"
Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief as Gaara simply waved his hand dismissingly at Naruto. "No, you may be on your way now. Sakura and Lee are waiting impatiently for news on your journey."
Naruto stood and bowed again getting ready to exit. The jinchuuriki looked over his shoulder impatiently at the sharingan wielder. Kakashi made to stand before Gaara spoke up motioning to him.
"Forgive me Kakashi, but I need to discuss a few matters with you, personally." Gaara stood from his chair and made his way to the window gazing out into his town.
"That's quite alright." Kakashi nodded to Naruto, "You can go see Sakura and Lee. Tell them that our journey was safe and catch up, alright?"
His only response was a nod from the blond before he left without any acknowledgement of Temari. Said blonde woman sighed heavily as Gaara's savior continued down the hallway and out of sight.
"Am I correct in assuming that you'd wish for me to leave now, Gaara?" Temari questioned her Kazekage.
Gaara nodded from the window still staring out into the summer day. "That assumption would be correct, Temari."
"Hai." Temari left closing the door behind her.
Silence reigned while Gaara's teal eyes gazed at the endless beauty of his land. Kakashi sat awkwardly not sure how to approach the Kazekage. Although he was better acquainted with him now, he was still at a loss and feared to attempt contact with the ex-jinchuuriki. It seemed like ages had passed before Kakashi finally spoke to break the uncomfortable silence.
"I know I'm being blunt but, is this about Naruto."
"You've always been extremely observant, Kakashi. Even so, it is to be expected that I wish to discuss this change in atmosphere is it not? It is very . . . Dramatic. Wouldn't you agree?"
Gaara had yet to face the Jounin and Kakashi began to wonder what he was hiding. "Yes, it is severely dramatic..." Kakashi paused considering what to say next. "Naruto had an . . . accident."
Gaara caught onto the reluctance to disclose any information in Kakashi's tone. Anger surged under the surface but he pushed it away keeping his calm shell in place.
"You do realize that I need to know what is going on, do you not? This information will be vital to if you can complete the mission planned for you. Not only that but-" Gaara cut himself off leaning his hip against the windowsill.
"But what, Kazekage?" He questioned looking to him inquisitively.
The Kazekage sighed before trying to voice his thoughts. "I need to know this. Can't you understand that? I do not wish to voice my emotions to you. I only wish for you to understand though I cannot go into detail."
"Well, I'm not . . . Entirely sure what's wrong with Naruto. He, um-"
"Do NOT play dumb with me Kakashi." Gaara growled snapping around to the Konoha ninja.
The first thing he noticed were the tears in the redhead's eyes. His teal orbs were cloudy and infuriated.
"I need to understand what is going on. He shouldn't be- this isn't..." Gaara rubbed his temples looking beseechingly at his fellow shinobi. "I'm not sure how to deal with this or how to fix what's happening. I've never had to worry about a person other than myself. How will I help him if I can't understand what happened? I'm certain that whatever occurred was traumatic. The only time I've ever seen so little emotion in someone's eyes was years ago. Those eyes were my own." He forced out reluctantly.
Kakashi stared wide-eyed at the man in front of him. Never would he have expected Gaara to show emotion like this to any person, much less himself.
"Gaara. Do you . . .? What does Naruto mean to you?" Kakashi asked confused.
Gaara's head dropped from his hands, "More than I fully comprehend." He whispered.
Kakashi stood walking over to the upset teenager. Setting a hand on his shoulder he was shocked to find that he did not shy away from the contact. Although, he did seem to tense up more than usual.
"Gaara, I'm really not sure how to put this... So, Sasuke's been spotted around the leaf village frequently as of late. We'd been keeping an eye out but, we didn't really know what we were looking for." Kakashi began.
Gaara looked up making eye contact again. Anger surged freshly through his iris's and he urged the other on, "Alright. And."
"It appears as though the night before our mission he gave Naruto a... not so pleasant, visit. I'm sorry but, I don't think it's my place to tell you what happened that night." Kakashi managed to utter out despite his fear of the reaction he might receive.
Gaara nodded thanking him, "That information helps me more than you'd imagine. Thank you."
Kakashi smiled gently down at him, "Of course. I see how much he means to you. If you need anything you can come to me."
Gaara nodded again, heading over to his cushioned chair. "You may go, you need to rest."
Kakashi bowed before heading closer to the desk. "By the way, I think it's fair to say Iruka and I approve." Kakashi disappeared leaving a stunned Kazekage in his wake.
Sorry I kinda lied, I didn't get to put everything in this chapter that I wanted.
But this chapter's really long anyway.
Sorry I took so long to post.
Read and Review ^.^
*Updated Dec 6, 2020