Naruto hadn't realized how much he had missed this. He felt a little bit more whole inside every time someone acknowledged him. His smiles weren't counterfeit, they were real.
He wondered if these people knew what he was, would they still greet him?
Whatever. It still felt good.
Occasionally someone would notice his headband tied around his leg. The leaf design, signifying that he was from Konohagakure, would spark people to whisper to their friends, evoking stares.
He walked through the sandy town slowly, and in no hurry; he had made it on time.
Naruto began seeing native ninjas bearing the hourglass headbands. As they became more and more frequent, he realized they were there for a reason. They were an entourage.
Civilians started clearing the street, standing to the side and holding on to young ones. Two ninjas walked directly in front of a figure that Naruto couldn't make out, but he still knew who it was.
The two guards moved to the side as they drew closer. They stopped. So did Naruto
Gaara.
"Naruto." The tall red haired young man lifted what skin was his eyebrows in mock surprise.
Naruto stood still, blank; as did Gaara.
He was taller than Naruto recalled, they were about the same height. Gaara also was not as brawny as Naruto, but he also had no need to be muscular. The sand was what he practiced. His dark red hair was slightly longer than the way he had kept it when Naruto had known him better. It was tussled slightly by the constant breeze.
"I was expecting a ninja from the leaf," His deep, and slow way of speaking was familiar though, "I was not expecting you."
"I apologize if I am not the ninja you wanted, but I am here to help you in whichever way you see fit, by order of the Hokage, sir." There was no emotion in Naruto's voice, it was the voice of a soldier. The 'sir' seemed odd to Gaara, it was too uniform.
Again Gaara was surprised by Naruto, "No," he said carefully, "I am not disappointed, just surprised that they would send anbu to aid this country in such a... menial task." He looked away, and then back into Naruto's distant eyes.
"Naruto are you alright?"
"I am fine, Kazekage."
"Good..." He didn't sound entirely convinced, "I will take you to my office..."
"Yes, sir."
It was beginning to anger Gaara how Naruto addressed him as 'sir'. He was acting strangely, and it bothered the red head. This wasn't the Naruto he remembered.
He had been astounded and a little excited when he learned that the ninja was Naruto. He had not seen his friend in quite a few years and was anxious to hear his happy care-free voice.
But Naruto was not happy nor care-free. He was...
Empty.
They said nothing as they walked to their destination. When they arrived the two boys were followed by the two bodyguards up two flights of rickety stairs. When the came to an unlabeled, plain brown door, Gaara turned the handle and it creaked open.
It reminded Naruto of his home, but he said nothing.
"Go."
Naruto thought the command was directed at him and began to question Gaara, his mouth had just opened when the guards walked away.
"Not you..." Gaara confirmed.
They stepped through the threshold of the office. Everything was fastidious. No stray papers, everything, everything, was organized.
"I am going to assign you as a tactician," Gaara had taken his place at his desk, "You will work with other ninjas of your status to place and control soldiers within the Sound nation."
Naruto said nothing.
"But..." Gaara said impatiently, "I am assuming you already knew that."
"Sir?"
"I am asking again," He glared at Naruto, "is there anything upsetting you?"
"No."
"Fine." Gaara was on the verge of pissed. The sand began to move. What kind of lobotomy had Naruto been administered?
Gaara would find out.
And Naruto was going to tell him.
