Disclaimer: I'll never have enough money, power, or influence to own Naruto.

A/N: I've been concentrating on While You Were Away for the last week, which is only part of why I haven't updated; the other part consists mainly of work, a party which I shouldn't have bothered attending (seriously, it was a waste of time), and general lack of inspiration/energy, which seems to happen to me rather frequently. Alright, on to the next chapter.

Chapter 7: Gaara

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It hadn't been difficult to convince Suna's council to allow him two weeks of leave. All he had had to do was ask, and they all said, "Y-y-yes, G-gaara-sama..." It would take them a while to realize he was no longer a psychotic killer, but that had its advantages when it came time to get his way in something. Like getting two weeks away from Suna to visit Naruto. The hyperactive, hotheaded blond would be a welcome change from the fearful glares he had become accustomed to at home, and also a welcome break from the obsequious council members. Seriously, if he decided to get his way more frequently, he could be Kazekage in all but name.

But that's not what a Kazekage is supposed to do, is it, Gaara wondered, while thinking of Naruto. He is supposed to work hard to protect his friends, family, people, and all that are important to him...and also, those that aren't that important... The host of the one-tail frowned. This is still somewhat new to me. But in order to become Kazekage, in order for my village to accept my existence, I will do exactly that. That's how it's supposed to be done. Right, Uzumaki Naruto? A small, barely visible smile appeared on Gaara's face until he heard somebody interrupt his thoughts.

"Oi, what do you think you're doing here?"

The somebody in question was none other than Uchiha Sasuke. It was only then that he realized just how close he was to Konoha. Gaara answered with little expression, "I am here to see Uzumaki Naruto." He fished out his passport and showed it to Sasuke. "What about you?"

"That's none of your business," said the Uchiha, stiffly walking past Gaara.

"You're thinking about leaving your village, aren't you."

"No. I'm done thinking about it. I'm doing it now." Sasuke continued to walk past Gaara, continuing on for another five seconds before a gigantic wall of sand appeared in front of him.

"What would make you want to leave your village."

"I was sure you of all people would know. For power."

"So you remember all that garbage I said to you the last time we met? Disregard that, I've learned better than that since then. You call Naruto a dobe, but he is likely wiser than you or I. He has what it takes to be a village leader, and I'm not just talking about his strength, either."

"You know a lot about Naruto, don't you? But I'm different from him, and you know nothing about me. Why don't you vanish?"

"Because letting you leave the village would mean betrayal to my first true friend. Don't try to run or fight, Uchiha Sasuke. Despite the fact that I don't want to kill you this time, both you and I know that I am stronger than you are, and that any attempt to thwart me would be-" He paused as Sasuke noticed sand tightening around both his ankles. "-futile."

Sasuke silently cursed his carelessness in letting his guard down, then grumbled, "Fine. I can't avenge myself against my brother if I die here. Let me go."

"So you can make a break for it? No. I'm going to place you under your Hokage's watch." Gaara paused while wrapping more sand around Sasuke's ankles and wrists, then spoke again. "You mentioned that I know nothing about you. Why don't you tell me why it's so important that you get revenge on your brother?"

"Like I'm going to tell you," snarled Sasuke.

"Suit yourself. You must be well aware that during the past six or so years, pretty much anybody who did anything to me died by my hand, or more accurately, by my sand. No crime against me went unavenged. And, despite all the junk I said about living to kill, my killings didn't satisfy me."

"Shut up, Gaara. Why would I care?"

"Stop living for revenge, Uchiha. The way you're living now, you're causing pain to the people who, whether or not you'd like to admit it, are important to you. And you're causing pain to yourself. Your time would be far better spent on the people you love than on those you hate. That is what I learned when I fought your teammate, and it's something I thought you would have learned merely from the time you spend with him."

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The End

A/N: Did I turn Gaara into a sappy character or what? I think I'm running out of originality for this fic. Seriously, I really don't like anything I wrote after the Ino chapter. I have one request to grant with my next and last chapter, then this fic will be officially completed. The last character will NOT be Naruto, we saw what happened when Naruto tried to stop Sasuke (episodes 125-135).

Review please, etc. PublicNMEno1, over and out until next time.