Chapter 2

Wherever there is light there is a shadow. When there is such a bright light as Naruto himself then the shadow it produces is even deeper and more sinister. It was generally acknowledged that Naruto was the light, but what about the shadow?

Sitting at a low table on an impressive chair was a young man not yet twenty years of age. He had just received notice from one of his subordinates that a certain person wished to see him. He never would have thought that this person, out of all people, would come to him. He had long since broken his bonds with Konoha and everyone who lived there, save one person. He had almost desperately tried to break his bond with a certain young Hokage, but it was to no avail. Sasuke wasn't stupid or slow, he knew that as much as he denied it, he was still drawn to this bright light that always extended his hands to him. Like a moth trapped in the dark, flying to the flame which will burn him once reached.

Yes, he was this moth as much as he fought against it. As much as he lied to those around him, he was unable to lie to himself. His lost heart knew the painful truth...

Shaking those unwanted thoughts away, he remembered why he was thinking about this in the first place. He had a visitor from his old village. Orochimaru taught him manners, he'd welcome this guest.

Should his visitor pose any danger he could easily eliminate them. A cruel smirk slipped onto his lips as he got up to greet them.

"What a twist of fate" he murmured.

"Out of the way!" a slightly irritated Kankuro shouted. He was guiding his brother and Kazekage through Konoha. He didn't anticipate these masses of people who were all curious to see them. Well, they were mostly attracted by his famous brother, but Kankuro didn't mind. He was just happy to see his little brother finally getting the acceptance he deserved.

Gaara was one of the youngest Kages ever, but despite his relative youth had proved to be a wise leader. Over the course of his reign Suna became prosperous and peaceful. At first the people were suspicious and doubtful about Gaara, but even the last person trying to complain went silent after the fourth ninja war began.

Gaara demonstrated an overwhelming sense for tactics and he wasn't above standing on the front lines himself. He ever preferred to fight for his people and fellow ninjas instead of letting them fight and die for him. This dedication brought him close to everyone, low and high ranks and they all started to deeply admire him. Even here in Konoha he was famous. Boys and girls of every age twisted their heads in order to catch a glimpse on the Kazekage.

There are tales known to everyone surrounding Gaara, told over and over again by mothers to their children when they got to bed. But only Kankuro and his sister Temari, who was nervously looking around her right now, knew that there was also another side to this flaming red haired youth. During the war when they were surrounded by enemies, odds stacked against them, Gaara told them how he could be this strong, how he could fight with such determination. It was all thanks to Naruto. The young leader of Konoha has been Gaara's inspiration for a long time now, his strength and goal. What seemed impossible for him and probably everyone else was something Naruto could achieve with seeming ease. He was even able to save this once hate-filled kid who came from the desert. Gaara said that Naruto had given him so much he wasn't sure he would be able to pay it back, but he would try, even if it should take all his life and power.

Naturally there were also other more tender feelings involved. His siblings were well aware of that and although he never confirmed it, Gaara didn't deny it either.

This was the group who entered Konoha and made its way steadily but surely towards the town hall where a smiling Hokage awaited them, waving like a small child in excitement.

"He sure is impatient" Temari noted with a smile in her clear eyes.

"Sure is" agreed Kankuro and Gaara at once. All three of them accelerated their steps just a bit with the goal of their long journey straight ahead.

"Yo guys! It took you so long to get here I thought I would have to send someone to search for you!" were the first words Naruto said.

"It was a long way and we encountered some difficulties when we came here" replied Gaara with a serious expression.

"Difficulties?" at once Naruto was also serious, the childish simile all but vanished. When shinobi saw him like this it was made clear again why he and nobody else was the current Hokage.

"It's nothing worth to make a big fuss over. Let us rest first, wash up and have a meal then we can talk about everything" said Temari while still looking through the crowd as if searching for someone. Naruto who caught her eye and immediately knew what she meant replied in a more relaxed tone.

"Yes, you're right Temari. Then come with me, but only the guys. Temari I'm afraid you have to go to the girls' bath to the right. I just saw some kunoichi enter, but I don't think this should cause any trouble." He said with a faint chuckle in his voice. Temari immediately caught on and blushed a little before swiftly turning away and dashing for the baths, a cheerful "Thank you" following her.

"What was that about?" wondered Kankuro while Gaara still had his eyes on his sister's retreating form.

"Nothing much, I just hope Temari will like her stay here this time" an amused Naruto replied to the increasingly confused Kankuro. "Let's not just stand around and stare at girls, they'll think we're perverts! Let's go inside." They left behind a curious crowd as they entered the City Hall.