A/N: Okay, as I learned it, from someone who actually plays Shogi, it's literally chess, just with different looking pieces. Truth be told, I might be wrong on this one, but that's how it was explained to me. And Blackjack, or 21 as some people call it, is a form of Poker. Poker is not one particular game, it's a general term for any card game that can be manipulated, as in a casino, so that the house, or dealer, has an edge. Heads up though, this chapter is in first person view, instead of third like usual for this particular story.

Chapter 18: The Plot! A New Perspective!

I was walking through the streets, heading to the tower, and I could feel the glares and hear the whispers.

"They let it become a Genin? Are they insane? They can't possibly think that's a good idea!" I turned a blank, emotionless eye to the person who had just spoken. The words cut deep, but I had learned long ago to not let anyone know how affected I was by their hateful words and total exclusion of me from their society.

"You're bothering me," I said casually, and flicked my wrist at the offender. The man screamed as my sand wrapped around his leg and crushed it, mangling it beyond recognition as a limb.

"Next time, I won't be so generous. Consider yourself lucky I must see the Kazekage immediately, or I would kill you." Father wanted to see me as soon as I was released from the academy with my headband. Most likely to tell me who my teammates will be. I suspected it it would be my older siblings, Kankuro and Temari, considering they are the only two people I would hesitate to kill immediately.

"Gaara!" I stopped and slowly turned towards the voice, to see a tall, blond kunoichi in a battle kimono with a large fan and her hair in symmetrical quad pigtails. I stood still a moment, my arms crossed over my chest and my older sister caught up to me. I gave a slight nod of my head in greeting.

"Temari."

"I heard you passed," she noticed my Hiate-ate on the shoulder strap of my Gourd mount and smiled slightly. Temari was the only person in all of Suna who made some small effort to be nice to me and actually interact with me beyond fear or anger. Thus, despite past experience with my Uncle Yashumaru, I opened up to her somewhat. She had some inkling of my torture, of how isolated I was, and how much that hurt me.

"Yes, I was on my way to see the Kazekage. I suspect you were as well, and I have a feeling Kankuro is waiting for us."

"Nothing gets past you, Otouto. Kazekage-sama has decided we will be a team, hence why Kankuro and I were both held back from the Chuunin Exams. But as for this meeting... I have no idea."

"Then let us not keep him waiting, and find out what it is," I drawled. Temari nodded and we walked on without another word. When we finally reached the Kazekage Tower, placed dead center of Sunagakure, my brother Kankuro, a semi-tall teenager who always wore a black full-body suit and a black cap that gave him cat ears, and carried his puppet Crow on his back, mummified in bindings, was leaning against the wall outside, picking at his fingernails with a kunai knife.

"Kankuro," I said hesitantly, hoping for a better reaction than the last time we saw each other. I was sorely disappointed, because he snapped his head up to look at me, his eyes wide and fearful, and his skin white as a sheet.

"G-gaara... hey..." I sighed to myself and continued past, into the reception area. I'd, probably, give up my teddy, which I totally did not have stashed under the bed I never slept in in a floor-mounted safe, just for my brother to treat me as a sibling instead of a monster. Or I might just try buying him a puppet. That might work.

We entered the Kazekage's office, and I was immediately on guard. A man I had never met was sitting across from my diminutive father, one leg over the knee of the other. He chuckled evilly as he noticed me tensing.

"Kukukukuku, hello Gaara-kun."

"Who are you and what do you want?" I monotoned. The Kazekage coughed into his hand. I turned to him with a mild glare.

"Gaara, this is Orochimaru," my eyes widened fractionally, and I heard my siblings gasp. "He has proposed a plan that we would be very... unwise to decline."

"Yes, I just enlisted your Village's help in attacking Konoha during the Chuunin Exams in four months. And you, Gaara, will be the greatest weapon."

"No." my siblings stiffened in fear, my Father glared at me, but Orochimaru merely looked curious.

"I refuse to help you attack one of our allies. Kill me or arrest me for insubordination, but I will not help you."

The snake of trees looked at me appraisingly, then rose and exited without a word. One he was gone the three other room occupants, plus the hidden Suna ANBU, all released a collective breath I didn't realize they were holding.

"Gaara, are you insane?" I leveled my emotionless gaze at the Kazekage, who flinched when he realized the question.

"He could have killed all of us."

"And how do you think Konoha would act if we did betray them? Do you really belive, even with the Oto Shinobi force he likely promised," the Kazekage's eyebrows shot up and I knew I was right. "That we can defeat Konoha? They're hailed as the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Nations for a reason. Even at their weakest, they held off several incursions by Kumo and Iwa ANBU. You know as well as I do, even if we caught them by surprise, they'd soon recover and hit back thrice as hard."

"So we were cannon fodder..." Temari said slowly.

"We were meant to be cannon fodder," the Kazekage said with a sigh as he massaged his temples. "It seems we all owe our dignity to your brother. And maybe our lives." Temari gave me a small smile, but Kankuro looked at me in a slightly new light.

"You should probably warn the Hokage that an attack is imminent, likely sooner than we know because of my refusal. He would appreciate it." I rose and exited, but couldn't help hitting my father one last time, so threw over my shoulder. "He might even tell the Wind Diamyo to send us more of his mission requests." I could feel his gobsmacked expression, and it almost made me smile. Almost.

Not long after I left the Tower, Temari and Kankuro caught up to me.

"What brought all this on?" Temari questioned cautiously. I reached into my shirt, causing Kankuro to flinch, and pulled out the most recent of a series of letters I received once a month, ever since I was five. I handed it to her, and saw Kankuro reading over her shoulder out of the corner of my eye. I had the letter memorized by now anyway.

Gaara,

Thanks for the Suna-Serve recipe! I've never tried it before, even when I came over there and we met! Yeah, I'm officially rejoining the Shinobi forces this month, but that, unfortunately, means being a Genin again, and that comes with a slew of D-Ranks. I can't wait for the mission where we have to chase Tora! My teammates are going to be so pissed when I catch her in three seconds after three hours of their fumbling attempts! Little hint for when you have to chase your Daimyo's Wife's cat; Don't. Work on what I taught you with it.

Anyway, I sent you, on a little flashcard, the recipe for Konoha's most famous dish! It took me hours and a lot of pleading, but Old Man Ichiraku finally coughed it up when he learned one of my friends had never had Ramen before. So enjoy! It's definitely worth it!

When you come to Konoha for the Chuunin exams, we'll get a few bowls, and I'll introduce you and your siblings to Icecream. Then, you'll know pain. (there's a little cackling fox head drawn here)

I look forward to seeing you again, Gaara! Try not to kill anyone who doesn't deserve it! Ja Ne!

Sincerely,

Uzumaki Naruto

Naruto always kept his letters short. I didn't mind, at least he wrote them.

"What did he teach you?" Temari asked curiously.

"When did you get a friend?" Kankuro asked, only to be smacked by Temari. "OW! What? It's a valid question!"

"Naruto and I met when we were five, when he came over on a diplomatic mission with his grandfather, the Hokage. He noticed how I was treated, and decided to put a stop to it while he could. So, he introduced himself, got permission to walk around with me, and we spent three days talking."

Kankuro's jaw hit the ground, and considering by now we had made it to our house, I let loose a little. I chuckled at the sight. Which made his eyes bug out. Which made me actually laugh. He fell over like he was having a heart attack.

"So... what did he teach you?" Temari asked again. I just smirked.

"You'll see when we get the mission."

Temari just grumbled and stormed off to her room, after returning my letter. I looked at Kankuro, who was unconscious, and walked away to my own room to read.

My family was weird.

Yep! Gaara just stopped the Konoha Crush! Or did he? But yeah, this was my head-cannon for everyone's favorite redhead; a shy boy who was just like Naruto, only a bit colder than the blonde. And we all know why.

On another note, everything I post is completely Un-BETA'd. I'm not exactly looking for one, but I will consider anyone who requests to be my BETA.

Ja Ne!