Chapter 3

"Phew, that was such a nice bath!" exclaimed Naruto as he walked outside. He was in high spirits again, the aforementioned difficulties not forgotten, but temporarily displaced by some good moments together with Gaara and Kankuro. His hair was stil wet and clung to his forehead while his jacked was left open so he could cool down after the hot water.

It would be hard for some outsider to believe that this group of young men carried the responsibilities for two ninja villages and could hold so much power and strength. They had grown so much, both in height and power- especially Naruto who gained an unexpected ally during the war. Gaara was one of the few people who knew about it, even Kankuro and most of Konoha were unaware of this development. Gaara originally been a little wary of this new ally, but in time came to feel relieved that there was another person out there who could help keep Naruto safe, even if he didn't need it.

The trio made their way to the Hokage tower, ready to start work. Just one member of their group was sill missing- Temari hadn't returned yet to meet up with her brothers and Naruto. The latter was all too aware of the reason but didn't bother to bring this up, knowing that she would rather that he kept his silence. Naturally her brothers weren't all that delicate (or intuitive in Kankuro's case) and Naruto had to resort to all kinds of stories to cover up for Temari. He doubted Gaara's sharp mind wouldn't catch on but because of this sharp mind he also thought he would let it slide. Temari was his beloved sister and he only wished for her happiness.

"Tell me, Gaara, what exactly do you mean by difficulties?" was the first thing Naruto asked once back in his office. He looked straight at Gaara, trying to judge the level of truth based on Gaara's expression. This wasn't an easy task since Gaara hardly ever changed his expressions. Nevertheless, over the course of time and various Kage meetings Naruto thought he had gotten the hang of it and prided himself with being one of the few people who could decipher Gaara's thoughts from just a glance.

The deeply worried expression Gaara wore made Naruto anxious, but this feeling was only escalated by the words he spoke next: "On our way here we ran into some members of Akatsuki. They were extremely powerful Shinobi and wore those peculiar coats, there's no doubt about it" he heaved a sigh "If it had only been them we could have managed somehow, but…"

"It was impossible for only us three to defeat what they brought with them" finished Kankuro.

FLASHBACK

"How much longer, Gaara?" asked Temari as they ran towards Konoha. They weren't far away anymore, perhaps a day or two, but the prospect of seeing the one person who has always been on her mind was making her restless.

"We'll be there isn't like you, Temari! Just what's going on?" Kankuro questioned while giving his sister a sideways glance.

"No, it's nothing. I just want to finally arrive and get washed up. Thanks to someone," she added while starring on Gaara's back who was in front of her "we've been running without a break or rest. I am hardly the one who is the most eager to arrive out of the three of us."

This was all too true, the usually dignified and apathetic Kazekage was pushing his siblings forward as fast as they could, almost reaching their limits. The reason for their urgency wasn't only because they were invited to Konoha by Naruto, the current and universally loved Hokage. They had heard some bad rumours just as they were to leave Suna for Konoha, and Gaara didn't want to have to trust a messenger hawk or even a genin to pass on this important message. Instead, he moved as fast as he could to meet up with Naruto himself, to pass on the news personally and offer his support. He didn't doubt Naruto's abilites or sharp mind, but he also hoped his friend would rely on him just a little, and allow him to help.

Just as he finished this train of thought he felt several strong sources of chakra, although it seemed they were being supressed. However, there was something more... Something familiar and yet alien, he couldn't quite put his finger on it… Abruptly he came to a halt, so fast that Kankoru almost collided with him. "Shh" he urged them quietly while putting a slender finger on his lips. Only then did the other two become aware of other people around them and something lurking behind them. "Gaara?" whispered Temari. He nodded once in reply. She didn't need to say or ask anything more since all of them were aware how to proceed from here onwards.

Gaara used his sand to quietly open his gourd while Kankoru filled the surrounding area with invisible chakra threads and Temari grabbed the huge fan she was always carrying on her back. With only another silent nod Gaara set them in motion.

"Got one down!" Kankuro shouted only moments later. The master puppeteer had improved his skills considerably over the last few years and it was very satisfying for him to see the results of his hard work. Temari joined in with her own "This one's also dead" a few moments afterwards. Gaara had hardly had to use his sand to dispatch the one enemy he set his sight onto. It seemed that the confronation was over.

But…

It had all been way too fast. It was true that they were very strong fighters, powerful shinobi who were among the strongest in their this could hardy be called a fight, much less a struggle with the infamous Akatsuki whom even Kages had trouble dealing with. Three Akatsuki members dispatched in mere moments? Impossible!

Alert they all stretched their senses and spied for new dangers, searching for what had made them so uneasy when they first noticed the ambush.

"It's still there" Temari whispered again towards her brothers.

"Yeah, I can only just feel it but my threads are all over the place and there's definitely something more there" agreed Kankuro while tightening his grip on the threads which were laid out like a spider web connecting him with his surroundings.

"There!" was what Gaara shouted while pointing towards the trees on their right. The others spun to look at his signal.

And there was…nothing.
Where they had seen the silhouette of a frightening figure there was only empty space left. But what was more, the remains of the three enemy shinobi they had dispatched so easily were gone too. Just what was going on? It was clear someone had laid a trap for them, but for what purpose? They hadn't been hurt, nor did it delay their arrival at Konoha significantly. Gaara was thinking furiously about those things as he inspected the place the beast (or what they thought was a beast) had vanished into thin air.

To his surprise he indeed found something. There were marks on the ground as if giant claws had raked it, and a thin, unremarkable scroll had been left between those marks. With Temari and Kankuro peeking over his shoulder Gaara checked for traps or hidden jutsu.

"Seems to be clean" he murmured while his eyes scanned the scroll and the surroundings. He then went on and carefully opened the scroll. A sudden intake of breath was his only reaction to its contents. Curious and impatient to find out what had so surprised her usually unflappable brother, Temari took the scroll and read aloud the one line written there in perfect calligraphy:

"I'm waiting for you, Naruto."