Gaara was a lot of things, but a poor leader wasn't one of them.
He may have, at one point in time been known for his violent nature, but that, like many other things he was infamous for, was now a thing of the past. He had responsibility now, a village to watch over, people to protect. He was appointed the Fifth Kazekage. The youngest Kazekage in the history of Sunagakure at that, and a true testament to his strength.
However, where he excelled in strength, he lacked in deference.
With the exception of Godaime Hokage, the other Kage's didn't respect him. They thought him too young, inexperienced and uncontrollable. Especially on account of his past as a Jinchuriki. It didn't matter to them that he no longer hosted the One Tail; once a Jinchuriki, always a Jinchuriki. It was the one club membership you couldn't unsubscribe to.
Despite the obvious pitfalls of the label, and the hell he went through growing up as the village monster, he couldn't say that he'd take it all away. The Kage's may not have complete respect for him, but he knew his village did. It had been that way for a few years now. Ever since his fellow Jinchuriki from Konoha rescued him from harms way (and the grips of death) and returned him to his people, they had finally recognized him. It was like a fog had lifted.
When Gaara returned, they followed him, trusted him. The villagers recognized him for the sacrifices he had made in order to save the village from the Akatsuki. He'd never forget the day he came back. The people lined up in droves, cheering, waving, awaiting his return to the village as his Konoha companions trailed behind him. For the first time in a long time, he had been happy. He had friends, a functional family, allies. It was then he truly believed the importance of protecting those that mattered to him.
It was for that reason that Gaara was about to get desperate.
Gaara rarely second guessed himself, but in this particular situation he was about to. He was about to enlist the help of a wanted criminal probably listed in the bingo books of all five nations, for the purpose of keeping the peace within Suna. Because attempting to keep the peace with a harbinger of destruction was always a good idea?
Of course, he couldn't forget the one who was with her. Her companion, lover, friend, partner - whatever. Gaara honestly didn't care for the details. The point was that one of the most wanted (and dangerous) men in the great nations was right under his nose and he had done nothing about it.
A part of him felt as if he were betraying his friends' trust. He had helped pursue him after all, all those years ago. And here he was, a resident in his village that he had known about for quite some time and did nothing. What would his charismatic friend think of him now? He long guessed that his friends' inability to bring his team mate back was one of his most profound regrets. The most important promise he had ever made, and he couldn't even keep it.
Gaara couldn't count the number of times he had stowed a parchment destined for Konoha requesting the Uchiha's immediate extraction away into his drawer. Instead, he offered asylum to his female companion in exchange for service. She had lived here quietly for quite some time. He figured that deserved some leniency - what would he be without his second chances after all?
The right thing to do of course, would be to turn her over to her village, have them deal with her, and collect the hefty bounty that came with it. In these tough economic times, a little monetary boost to the village could do wonders. Gaara didn't know. This was an opportunity, she was an opportunity and he couldn't, in good conscience, squander that.
But, he just didn't know.
A/N: I'm baaaaaack. A whole two years later (sorry, don't kill me, forgive me)! Though I doubt many (if any) of the old readers are still going to bother with this, maybe I'll pick up some new ones. With that said, I know it was a really short chapter in Gaara's POV, but it's just a set up for the rest of the story. In fact, the plan is to upload the next one immediately. See ya soon!
