Author Note: This chapter took a bit of time to get up, but I made it. I'm entered into a novel writing contest so that's taken up a large amount of time, but I will always have time to type chapters up for this story. In my profile page, I've posted some sneak previews to upcoming chapters for anyone to see. Check them out if you want. A big thanks goes to all the wonderful reviewers and readers, you guys rock! Here's chapter thirteen, enjoy!

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Darkside

Return to Suna

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Hospital food, as Jiraiya found out, tasted more like over-expired milk than anything else. The small cafeteria was lacking in all things appetizing, and that also included their small quantity of drinks. They didn't even have sake! Of course, he knew the wouldn't even dream of including that on their menu. An old man can dream... right?

Currently, Jiraiya was seated rather uncomfortably at an overly bleached stainless steel table, a small tray of food smelling heavily of plastic, and a glass of water clutched in his left hand. He contemplated whether or not he should even bother swallowing a chunk of some repulsive casserole that was impaled on his fork. The garbage no more than two feet away from him seemed to want his food. Jiraiya made no complaints.

Next, the glass of water became a victim; however, instead of throwing it out like he had done with the hospital food, Jiraiya swallowed the stale liquid fast, nearly choking on a half-melted ice cube. He smirked wickedly then, making sure no one was around (in looking distance anyways), Jiraiya pulled out a flask of his favorite sake. Just as he unscrewed the top, a voice caught his attention, making him feel (and look) like a deer frozen in bright headlights.

"Ahem!" Jiraiya slowly glanced upwards and came face to face with an angry Tsunade. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

"Ah... eating?"

Tsunade sat down across from Jiraiya and held her hand towards the flask of sake. "Give me that!"

"Pushy, aren't you?"

Tsunade, without warning, simply flicked the hand Jiraiya held the sake in and laughed devilishly as he drew back in pain, immediately handing over his prized drink. The Hokage of Konohagakure was not someone to mess with. In mere seconds, the sake disappeared, leaving Jiraiya upset and Tsunade quite happy with herself.

"That's no way for a Hokage to act in public," the frog hermit commented, eyeing the empty flask and hoping that something –even a few drops– had been left. Sadly, he was wrong.

"Don't even try bossing me around." She waved a finger at Jiraiya, swaying slightly from side to side. "I'm perfectly fine."

Jiraiya looked at her suspiciously. "What are you doing here anyways? Got bored of paperwork?"

"Oh be quiet," she snapped. "I came here to check up on Naruto. He woke up today, according to Gaara."

"The... Kazekage is here?"

"Excellent assumption, genius."

Tsunade's cheeks began to redden as the sake seeped further into her system. She was feeling extremely tired now, stress from both Naruto's condition and the council's decisions were driving her downwards. "I'm going home now, you go check on the kid."

Jiraiya rolled his eyes. He knew all too well how stubborn Tsunade was and when she refused help, she obviously needed it. He sat up and dragged the Hokage of Konohagakure from her seat.

"Come on, you drunk yourself silly. Let's get you back to your paperwork."

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Naruto hadn't moved since waking up only a few hours ago. The doctors estimated that it would take days before he showed any vital improvements, it was surprising enough that he managed to wake up before. Red chakra never once made an appearance, almost doubling Naruto's chance of recovery.

Now, lightly tucked underneath a few thin hospital sheets, Naruto continued to sleep, this time with a much more peaceful look on his face. He reassured those worried over his health that he was strong enough and stress that nearly everyone associated with Naruto had begun to slowly die down. Visitors came and left but Gaara remained within the hospital room, his mind constantly coming up with ways to drive Kyuubi away.

So far, nothing worked.

Positioned calmly against the wall near a curtain-covered window, Gaara's line of concentration became an aged clock ticking away, his eyes were completely blank and it appeared as if he was looking at nothing. He was becoming frustrated. There wasn't a thing anyone could do to help Naruto and, to make things worse, a group of babbling old ignorant people wanting nothing more than to see the blond 'leave'. There was no way Naruto could die.

Time was ticking away, not only on the clock Gaara was concentrated on, but for Naruto as well. Every second seemed like nothing but wasted time, allowing Kyuubi one step further to finally take over. Despite what Gaara thought, if Naruto was losing the fight, he would have been in a great state of pain, and shown it as well. They only signs of emotion that Naruto displayed presently was peacefulness.

Gaara knew there had to be more to it.

Soft knocking filled the room, choking out the silence that lingered around. Gaara silently strode forwards and opened the door where Temari stood, a smirk tugging on the corners of her lips, a habit she had picked up at a young age.

"So this is where you've been hiding!"

Gaara stepped aside as Temari entered, looking around the room and, upon noticing that nothing had changed, she sighed loudly. Turning so she was facing Gaara, Temari began her slew of questions, starting from number one.

"Has Naruto improved much? I heard that he woke up recently, you witnessed it, right?"

Gaara nodded. "Yes."

Temari walked slowly up to Naruto, followed by her younger sibling. Both were hauntingly silent. They watched the demon vessel sleep soundly, or so it appeared, and it wasn't long before Temari spoke again. This time her voice held a more serious tone, an immediate warning that she wasn't here to just merely watch over Naruto. She meant business, in an older sister sort of way.

"Gaara, I know you're concerned, though you'd never admit it, but you are the Kazekage and Suna needs you. It'll turn into a very difficult situation if you stay away for so long." She placed a hand on her hip, turning her gaze to her younger brother. "Gaara, Suna needs you to come back."

Gaara remained where he was, staring at the bandages that covered Naruto's wounds, the words of Konohagakure's elders drifting through his mind. Leaving now would only make Naruto more vulnerable to the hatred held towards him but, as Gaara discovered since arriving days ago, there was a group of well respected people that would protect and look after Naruto... not matter what.

"I know," he said distantly. "I'll go inform the Hokage of our departure..." He turned his back to Naruto and took a few steps towards the door, the froze, turning to face Temari. "But we'll be returning in three days."

"Gaara, you can't.."

Temari's words fell flat on the floor for Gaara had already left Naruto's room via the hospital door. The oldest of the sand siblings sighed, shaking her head and silently wishing the best for Naruto. Then, without anymore setbacks, she left Konoha Hospital herself.

The elders of Suna were not going to like this.

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Gaara stood before a round oak table, his decision still not surfaced, and an impatient group of Sunagakure's wisest sitting around him. His chair brushed up against the back of his legs, as if it was urging him to go on. His posture was perfect, his eyes bore no emotion, and a calm mask had been expertly placed over his facial expression.

He was ready.

"You all know of my decision to visit Konohagakure for my own personal sake," he started, calm as ever. "And I am thankful for that but.."

"Kazekage-sama, Suna is holding a celebration of which requests your presence. You cannot leave now," one of the elders stated. He had doubted Gaara's ability to lead an entire city before, in fact he only saw Gaara as a monster. However, all his bitter grudges had dropped after Akatsuki's attack on Sunagakure.

"I will stay for the celebration, after that I am leaving, but for no longer than a week. Sunagakure will be in good hands, there has been absolutely no sign of an attack from anyone."

"Excuse me, Kazekage, but Akatsuki attacked without warning, surely there are chances of that happening again, correct?"

Gaara was silent, only for a few seconds, but long enough for the man who had spoken up to want to swallow his words. "They... have nothing to aim for in Suna, it is no longer in danger," the young Kazekage said.

Baki, who was also present at the meeting –like many others– stood up next. "Alright, this meeting is over, everyone is dismissed." He gave Gaara a small nod, showing that he understood well what the Kazekage of Sunagakure meant.

Gaara left quietly, like usual, and set off to the best medical ninja in Suna. He was going to do a small amount of research before Temari dragged him to the celebration, a great source of entertainment and a most valued tradition in Sunagakure.

He just wasn't looking forward to the outfit his older sibling would make him wear.

Continued in chapter fourteen!