AN: Don't own.
Hospital of Sunagakure
Gaara looked out into the stillness of the night sky. Finding a semblance of peace from the stars that he stared up at. He wouldn't go to sleep tonight anyway might as well enjoy the stars; he could never go to sleep.
Of course, you can't! As soon as your eyes close and your consciousness floats, I'll take over your body and destroy this village!
Gaara fought to stay calm, this is how it always was, the demon always threatening him. He sighed the lack of sleep was becoming a bigger issue as of late. He was too fatigued to even continue fighting against the will of the demon.
Shukaku! Damned Brat, my name is Shukaku!
Gaara frowned, For the last time, call me Gaara then I'll call you Shukaku.
He didn't feel the slight pressure on his shoulder until he heard his name, "Gaara, Gaara are you okay? Gaara."
He turned his attention outward and turned his head, shocked to see his brother and sister.
"W-what are you two doing here?"
They both looked unsure, "We wanted to see if you were okay. We got worried," came Temari's reply.
He saw that she had a slight blush and Kankuro was awkwardly looking elsewhere.
Confused he responded, "Yes, I'm okay. Does Father know you're both here?"
"No, we snuck out," muttered Kankuro.
Gaara's mouth made an 'O' shape. He wasn't sure how to respond, usually they stayed away from each other. Uncle Yashamaru ensuring that Gaara stayed away from his siblings. Due to this the siblings didn't have much of a connection.
Temari pushed some air through her teeth, "You're our brother, Gaara. Nothing Father says can change that. We're glad you're okay."
Gaara saw Kankuro give a nod in assent.
He chest lightened considerably at his brother and sister's actions.
I could kill them both so easily. Imagine it, Gaara. Their blood painting the ground.
Gaara paled and clutched his head.
His siblings stepped to either side of him.
"You're not scared of me? You don't think I'm a monster," he asked in a near whisper.
Temari and Kankuro glanced at each other before Temari spoke, "You tell us, do you think you're a monster?"
Gaara looked forlorn, "Everyone says so. I can't control it though. I don't want to be."
"You mean the demon," questioned Kankuro.
Gaara nodded, "Shukaku. He says horrible things. We're always fighting."
Temari and Kankuro paled, constantly in a battle of will with a demon seemed near impossible.
Kankuro swallowed, "What happens if you lose?"
Gaara looked straight ahead, "Blood. So much."
"So, the dead villagers," hesitantly asked Temari.
Gaara hung his head and gripped his chest, guilt consuming him, "He wants to kill all of us, I can't do anything. I'm weak, a failure like Father says."
Despite her hesitance, Temari gripped his shoulder, "No, you're not!"
Kankuro nodded, shaking off his caution, "Without you to check him, Shukaku would rage against the village killing all of us."
Gaara lifted his head, eyes glistening as he looked at his siblings who were smiling down on him, "If ever you need us, Gaara, just say it. We're the Sand Siblings, children of the Kazekage, we'll always be there for each other."
Gaara let out a small smile, ignoring the murderous intentions of the monster inside. Instead focusing on the lightening sensation in his chest. Unbidden the words of his Uncle came to his mind.
'What's troublesome are wounds of the heart. Nothing is harder to heal. They're a bit different from physical injuries. You can't apply medicine for one thing and sometimes, they never heal. There's only one cure for a wound of the heart. It's a bit bothersome and you can only receive it from someone else. What is it? Love.'
Gaara cherished this moment, tears bubbling, this is what love felt like. He could see the sincerity on his sibling's faces. They, at least, believed in him.
Kazekage's Private Office
"His value to the village is waning, Yashamaru."
The Kazekage was staring out into the village as he spoke to his most trusted, "Not only did he let himself be captured but he couldn't escape under his own power."
"Lord Rasa, Lord Gaara is only nine years old, he'll need time to control the One Tail."
"We don't have time, Suna is still behind the other nations. The Rock have two tailed beasts if our intel is correct, the Cloud have Shinobi on par with the Leaf along with the greatest economy, and the Leaf have the Sharingan, Byakugan, and several hidden clan techniques, not to mention their size. Even the Blood Mist have the Seven Swordsmen. We need a ready jinchuriki so we might catch up."
"The genin teams seem to be working well, though. Suna also has jonin of repute as well."
Rasa's frown deepened, "The teams are working, it's unfortunate we had to borrow it from the Leaf. Though, Baki is no longer a field Jonin since he sits on the Council. Pakura was foolishly sacrificed to Kirigakure to stop further battles with the Seven Swordsmen. Our jonin are strong but cannot keep up with the other village's best."
Yashamaru could see that it greatly pained Rasa to admit as much, "While our strongest ninja cannot, our weakest are stronger than the other villages' weakest. Our median strength is higher than most. And what of Hisoka? He most likely could hold his own against the most elite Jonin it would seem. The Wind Daimyo thinks highly of him."
Rasa seemed to relax minutely, "Yes, Hisoka no Suna, he has done much in improving our standing to the Wind Daimyo. It seems those bandits he stopped had moved into our country after stopping in other nations. We have begun receiving a further increase in mission requests. His strength has grown exponentially, his chakra control is truly unparalleled. No medic-nin or genjutsu specialist can compare, wouldn't you agree?"
Being one of Suna's most proficient medical ninja, Yashamaru had exceptional chakra control but, "Yes. I have to admit I am in awe of his level of control. It compares to a kekkei genkai."
"Suna is growing in reputation, undoubtedly, we need it to move faster though. One renowned Jonin isn't enough. Our Genin need to improve they need more experience, the increase in mission requests should see to that. We'll see if the team concept raises the completion rate. If it continues to do well, it might be valuable to have a high level jonin such as Baki lead one of these teams to further their value."
The two stood, each looking out at the village. Finding the stillness of it destressing.
"Lord Kazekage, the ANBU you deployed concurred with your suspicions. It seems there is still an Anti-Kazekage group in operation. Though they were unable to gather further intel, ANBU confirmed that they gave information to Iwagakure."
Rasa's eyes gained a dark look, "How close are they to identifying these traitors?"
"With secrecy being the utmost importance, I'd say they're still several months away from ascertaining the entire group."
Rasa nodded, then tensing slightly, "Yashamaru-"
"Please, do not worry, Lord Kazekage. I will continue to watch over them."
A breath left the Kazekage, his shoulders lightening, in a rare moment of vulnerability he offered, "I have made many mistakes."
"To be Kage is to place the village above all as you have done, they will understand."
"It will mean nothing if Suna cannot show its true value to the world, until then I cannot stand before them and expect their forgiveness nor understanding."
Memories of his children's birth played through his mind.
"If I may, Lord Kazekage, do not seek forgiveness for you might not receive it. Merely provide support should they need it. When Karura and I were young that is what our Mother and Father did for us."
Rasa didn't reply, instead thought of the past.
Unknown
"The full moon, then?"
"Yes, the Sand Demon should be at its strongest within the vessel."
"Will an assassination attempt truly draw out the One Tail from the boy?"
"It won't truly be an attempt, there's no way the child can be killed. The assassination will be a suicidal attack, hopefully it is enough to provoke the beast."
"And if it isn't?"
"It is merely a backup anyway; we have gone to great lengths to ensure success. We cannot fail. The Kazekage is flawed, as have been all the previous. Suna is a laughing stock throughout the Great Nations, how many other villages have had each of their Kage assassinated? Suna deserves better, it needs it."
Everyone in the room nodded, that was why they were all there. Suna needed new leadership.
"What shall we do in the mean time?"
"Nothing, the failed kidnapping has turned the ANBU's focus onto us. We will remain hidden in the sand until it is time. The rampage of the One Tail will take all of Rasa's focus and when the demon is subdued and Rasa suffering chakra exhaustion, we will mark the start of a stronger Suna. One month until we can bring Suna to glory."