Chapter 21

Akari helped Temari clean up the kitchen. The boys went to their rooms to get ready for bed. They had been very welcoming to her. The Sand siblings had seemed so unapproachable before. It wasn't like that anymore. As they finished up there was a knock at the door. Temari nodded at her and Akari went to open it. More than likely it was for her. She was right.

"The Kazekage has received word. You will have your meeting early tomorrow on the roof of the Kazekage's building."

Once his message was received, the sand ninja bid her goodnight and left. Akari's mask still sat in the living room. She picked it up and stared at it. In the morning she will meet the One-tails. Should she wear her mask? It would keep her emotions hidden. She wasn't sure who she would be meeting. Would he be like Naruto? Or will he be hostile towards her? All very good questions.

"I take it the meetings on." Temari walked in.

"Yeah. Can I ask what type of person he is?" Akari said.

Temari gave her a hard look. She crossed her arms and leaned on the wall.

"He isn't well liked around here. For years he's shut himself away from this village. It made him…hard to be around. But he's getting better. So please watch what you say. I don't want him falling back to his old self."

With that, Temari turned and walked to her room. Akari stood there unsure of herself. This person seemed to live a rough life. Hopefully she didn't screw things up and make him/her hate her. With a heavy sigh she took her mask and went to bed.

The next day she awoke minutes before the sun rose. Silently she got dressed and dawned her mask. She would decide whether or not to remove it once she's met him. Instead of using the door she leaped out her window. She didn't want to wake the others.

Akari made her way towards the Kazekage's building. It was fairly large so she didn't need anyone to show her the way. Once she reached it, a ninja led her up some stairs to the roof. He left her there to wait. She walked to the edge and smiled as the sun rose. Slowly, it cast its light on the village.

"It's very…beautiful isn't it?"

She didn't turn. She was in shock. What was Gaara doing here?

"I used to hate this place. Not anymore."

Akari turned to him. He was watching her uneasily. So he was the One-tails. Just like Naruto. This meant the Akatsuki was after him too. This made things even more difficult. How could she possibly protect the both of them?

"I'm sorry I didn't say anything last night. I honestly didn't want you to know. People hate me for what's inside. I didn't want you to hate me too."

She reached up and removed her mask. She gave him a small smile.

"I couldn't hate you. That would mean I hate Naruto, and I certainly don't."

He smiled at her. The two of them turned and faced the sunrise. They stood there watching as the villagers began their day.

"I'm supposed to ask you all sorts of questions. I don't see the point though. Except I do need to know how in control you are." She told him.

"Well, it's not as great as I would like it to be. The Shikaku constantly wants out. But I'm making it hard for it. Before I was always angry. This made it easier for it to take over, and I welcomed it." Gaara frowned.

"I'm glad you're trying. If you were who you were before, I would be worried. But I see that you're not."

"No. Believe it or not, my fight with Naruto changed things for me."

"I believe it." She smiled.

"He's gone through the same hurt and isolation as I have and yet he never got as low as I did. He made friends and he fights hard to protect them. He found a reason to become stronger."

"Though our village doesn't see it, Naruto is very special. Eventually he'll make them see it and you will too. Just because you're a jinchuriki, it doesn't mean you have to be alone. Show your people that you care for this village and they will accept you."

"He's precious to you. I want to be precious to others too."

"You already are. You have your siblings. And you want to know something else? You're my friend, which makes you precious to me too." She grinned at him.

His eyes widened in surprise. Then slowly he smiled and nodded.

"Tell your Hokage that I will gain control. Though this village sees me as a weapon, I will become something more. No longer will people fear me. I promise."

"Good. I'll make sure she hears it. Now then, since my business is over, why don't you give me a tour of your village?"

He agreed and together they went to find his siblings. They would show her around before she left later that day. As she walked through the village she noticed less hostile glares. It seemed word of the alliance had reached the villagers. Akari smiled to herself. She had completed her first A.N.B.U mission.