Kasami, age 16

It's quiet here. Aside from the simple missions that Lady Tsunade has been giving me, my time in Konoha over the last few months has been relatively peaceful. I train as much as I ever have and I am still getting stronger every day. It still isn't enough though. There has yet to be any talk of holding another Chunin exam. Lady Tsunade said that she would discuss the matter with Suna's new Kazekage as soon as they were publicly announced.

My eyes wander around my room for a while before settling on the open letter that sits on my nightstand. I sit up on my bed and reach for it. I know what it says. I have read it enough times to have it memorized. Still, I hold it up and take in the neatly formed script one more time.

Kasami,

Things are getting better every day here. More and more people are starting to trust me, though there are still many who don't believe that I really have changed. I am doing everything I can to change their minds. I'm sure they will come around eventually.

I have big news. I have had this idea for a while now but I didn't tell you because I didn't know if it would actually happen, but it has. The village elders have spoken to me. They want to make me the next Kazekage. We all think that this is the best way to help people see that I just want what's best for the village. We are making the announcement in a few weeks.

I'd like you to be there, if you can be. You might be on a mission. If so, than you obviously can't come. But if you can, I'd really like you to come.

I hope you are well,

Gaara

I smile as I read his words again; Kazekage. They want to make him Kazekage. I can't help but feel proud of him and happy for him. He has been working so hard since his battle with Naruto and it is finally paying off. I place the letter back onto the nightstand, then reach down to the floor to grab my shoes. After slipping them on, I head out of the house. I need to get permission from Lady Tsunade to attend Gaara's inauguration. Raidon is asleep on the front porch but he wakes when I close the front door behind me.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to see the Hokage. Want to come? "

He blinks slowly, thinking it over before he stands up and stretches.

"No."

He leaps up onto the roof, disappearing from sight. I sigh. My relationship with Raidon is still rocky. When I entered the realm of the dragons and emerged with him perched on my shoulder, I had hoped that we would become as close as Naomi and Mitsu were. Even though Raidon agreed to help train me, because of my disability he has not yet fully accepted me as his companion. He is pretty good at hiding it but I know he thinks I am weak and that he holds a certain level of disdain for me. I heard him tell Mitsu as much one night when he thought I had gone to sleep. Much to my appreciation, Mitsu had told Raidon to be patient with me; that I worked hard and was dead set on improving my skills. Since then, he has been tolerant of my sometimes slow rate of progression and with his help I have improved immensely. After all, if it wasn't for the techniques he taught me, I would never have graduated from the academy. I head out into the village and make my way to the Hokage's building.

Lady Tsunade is in the middle of a rather heated discussion when I arrive. She had found out about Gaara's nomination at about the same time I did. Ever since then, she has been discussing the matter with her council. She is skeptical, understandably, but is willing to see what the future will hold. I wait outside her office for the meeting to end.

Soon enough, the elder's council exit the room followed closely by Kakashi and Shizune.

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Shizune voices her concerns to Kakashi.

"Is it really safe to have someone that volatile leading all Suna?"

I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to hear any more people voice doubt about Gaara and his desire to change and be accepted. I move to push open the door to the Hokage's office but a hand darts out and grabs my wrist. I stiffen instantly until I glance up, meeting Kakashi's eyes.

"I'm sure the Hokage knows what she is doing. She's giving Gaara a chance to prove himself. But we all have to understand, if he does go out of control, he may need to be put down."

He gives me a pointed look as he says that last sentence and I have to look away. He then releases me and shoves his hands into his pockets.

"I for one think that he will shape up to be a good Kazekage. The kind of Kazekage Suna needs right now. But it's never a bad thing to be cautious."

With this last remark, he begins strolling lazily down the hall. I watch him until he disappears around the corner then I turn to Shizune

"I'm sorry Shizune. I didn't mean to intrude on your conversation."

The woman smiles at me, putting her hands up in front of her.

"Oh don't worry about it. Kakashi grabbed you anyway. And... I should be the one to apologize; for saying what I did. I know your relationship with Gaara is unique."

I'm his friend. I want to believe in him. He has changed so much and I think that his becoming Kazekage is a huge step in the right direction. I do understand your concern though. "

"It's good that you think that, Kasami. He'll need good friends like you if he's going to do this. Be sure to support him."

I nod and she grins at me before taking her leave. With all of the visitors gone, I open the door to Lady Tsunade's office. The Hokage is sitting in her chair facing the window behind her desk. I enter the room and clear my throat.

"Lady Tsunade?"

She glances back at me. Her eyes look tired and she seems troubled.

"If you don't mind me saying so, you seem exhausted."

"That's because I've actually been doing some work." She sighs, "You want to go to Suna."

It is a statement, not a question.

"Yes. Gaara is a good friend of mine and I would like to be there to support him."

"I understand. I was actually considering sending Naomi to offer congratulations on my behalf. The work she had done in Suna under the third Hokage has earned her the respect of the people there. I was thinking of making her our ambassador there."

My eyes widen in surprise and I feel a huge grin creeping onto my face.

"Really? She loves Suna! I'm sure she would be happy to be your ambassador."

"I'm sure she would. I was also considering you for the job. "

"Me? I don't have nearly enough experience to handle such a job."

Lady Tsunade stands up and comes around the desk to stand in front of me.

"You are right about that but your relationship with Gaara means there are certain advantages to be gained by making you the ambassador."

My smile fades just as quickly as it had come as I out the pieces together.

"...Because he trusts me, right?"

"It's important that we keep an eye on what is happening in Suna. Having someone there who is close with the Kazekage will help with that. I'm not saying that I think something will go wrong; but if something does, I need to know that you will stand with your village; even if it means standing against your friend. "

"Of course Ma'am. I have friends here too and I'd do anything to protect them. But I won't have to; at least not from Gaara."

Tsunade places a hand on my shoulder and smiles at me.

"Good. I haven't made my final decision about who will be ambassador yet but for now you have my permission to travel to Suna. I will be informing Naomi later today."

I bow my head in gratitude. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade. I will represent Konoha well while I am there."

"See that you do."

She retakes her seat and looks back out the window. I take this as my cue to leave. As soon as I step outside the building, I am running, eager to get back home and start packing. It has been a long time since I have visited Suna and seen my friend, and I can't wait.

Gaara POV

I look down below me. I am up on a balcony with the elders and I can see everyone, all of the citizens of Suna, who have gathered for this announcement. I am going to be the next Kazekage. This moment doesn't even feel real; it's almost like a dream. As the council head gives his speech, my eyes scan the crowd, hunting for familiar faces. My brother and sister, some of the people that I have gotten to know well since returning to Suna, Naomi, older sister to one of my best friends; and of course the girl herself, Kasami. Her smile shines like the sun, standing out among the sea of faces. No matter how hard I try to look away, my eyes are drawn to her. She looks so happy...

Someone clears their throat and I snap back into reality. The Elder has finished his speech and it is my turn to address the people, my people. I finally tear my eyes away from Kasami's and start to look at everyone again. I have thought about what to say since I first heard that I was to be named Kazekage, but as I try to recall the words, I find that they are no longer the words I want to say. Still, I step forward, take a breath, and speak.

"I was a monster. Many of you saw me and remember me that way. I spent my life hurting people because I needed to feel alive. But, that's not who I am anymore. I have changed. Some of you have seen that as well and know it to be true. Some of you are skeptical. Some believe that I am still a monster and some believe that these changes I have made are not permanent. I can do nothing to assure you but give you my word and for many, that won't be enough. However, as Kazekage, I will be in the best position to do everything I can to protect this village. Perhaps, in time, my actions will prove to those of you who still doubt, that I have changed, and my intentions are pure. Until that day, I ask that you grant me not your trust, but your tolerance so that together, we may build a stronger and safer Suna."

Kasami POV

The crowd around me erupts in... noise. There are cheers and shouts of congratulations, but there are also people shouting curses at Gaara. I clench my fists, furious at some of the insults being flung at my friend. I know it will take more time for everyone to accept him. I glance back up to where Gaara had been standing. He and the elders are heading back inside; probably to make things official. As the crowd begins to disperse, Naomi and I make our way into the building to wait for him.

We find a place to sit and I turn to my sister. "Naomi, what do you think about Gaara being Kazekage?"

She glances up thoughtfully. "I don't really know how I feel about it. I think that Gaara has a unique perspective on life and his experience is quite different from everyone else. That could turn out to be a weakness or a strength."

"Do you think he can do it? Be a leader? "

"You think he can. Why does it matter what I think?"

"I just need to know where everyone stands with this. A lot of people from our village will not be happy with this and I feel like I'm letting them down by supporting Gaara. "

"You're not letting anyone down. There are wounds, yes. But given time they will heal. Right now your friend needs you and you want to help. If anyone back home sees that as a problem then they can deal with me."

"Thanks Naomi. It's funny; you always know what to say or do to fix a problem. I wish I was like that. "

"You don't have to try to be like me. I don't know everything. I just try to do the best I can no matter what the situation is. You should strive to do the same."

"Got it!"

Down the hall, a man peeks around the corner, scanning the room until he spots us.

"The Kazekage would like to see you now."

Naomi and I stand up but the man holds his hand up to me.

"Just Ms. Naomi for now."

I retake my seat as Naomi follows the man, waving back to me as she rounds the corner and disappears from my sight. I sigh, impatient to see Gaara. We haven't talked in forever and I want to know how he's feeling after all of this. Another figure appears from around the corner and I glance up to see that it is Temari. She notices me and walks over.

"Kasami, it's good to see you."

"You too Temari. How have you been? "

"Busy. Gaara may be Kazekage, but he still needs us; Kankuro and me. He needs you too, you know."

"Does he?"

"You were his very first friend. Even when we showed up in Konoha for the Chunin Exams, He hadn't forgotten you. You hold a special place in his heart; probably always will."

"I know he'll need everyone he can get to support him, but... "

She turns to look back down the hall.

"Temari?"

I regain her attention but her eyes have changed; now tinged with a deep sadness.

"Kasami, Kankuro and I grew up watching Gaara from afar. We weren't allowed to play with him or even speak to him. He grew up pretty much alone and I turned him into a monster that even we feared. I'm his sister and I want to believe in him. But I don't think that all of that hatred that he carried around for those years is gone. I don't think that Shikaku is the only monster left inside him."

I take her hand in both of mine, giving it a small squeeze.

"Then it's our job to banish the rest of that hatred; to destroy the monster inside him once and for all. Naruto showed Gaara a different way to live and we are all a part of that way. We need to show him that we won't let him fall again. Not after everything he has been through."

Temari smiles at me and rests her other hand on top of mine. "Thanks Kasami. I'm glad he has friends like you and Naruto."

She releases me just as the man from before reappears.

"Ms. Kasami, the Kazekage will see you now"

I leave Temari and follow him. He takes me down a few different hallways until we finally stop outside of Gaara's new office. The man opens the door and holds it while I walk through. Naomi is still there, standing at attention in front of a large desk. Behind the desk sits Gaara. Seeing him there fills me with Pride and I know without a doubt that this will be good not just for him, but for Suna and Konoha as well. I walk further into the room and offer Gaara a wave.

"Hey Gaara!"

Naomi rolls her eyes at me and I smile apologetically at her.

"Kasami, Lord Gaara is the Kazekage now. Please be at least a little respectful."

"He hasn't changed. He was my friend before he was Kazekage. But if you insist... "

I step my feet together and lower myself into a formal bow. "Lord Gaara, please forgive my improper conduct. You sent for me?"

I tilt my head slightly to glance up at him, my lips pulling up into a small smirk when he quickly looks away from me, embarrassed.

"You don't have to bow Kasami. And you don't have to be formal. You're right, I was you friend before I was Kazekage."

I straighten and walk around the desk to him. He stands to meet me and I wrap my arms around him tightly.

"I'm so proud of you Gaara! Kazekage! What an honor! This village is lucky to have you and I'm sure you'll do great."

He pulls back a little and smiles timidly. "I intend to do my best. I... I hope I'll have your support going forward."

"Of course. My support, and your siblings and your people. We are all behind you. And those who aren't will soon see that you are the best person to protect this village. "

"Thank you, Kasami. I know I have a lot of work to do before I can ease the unrest in peoples' hearts. But I am prepared for that."

Gaara sits back down at the desk and I move to stand next to my sister. He folds his hands in his lap, waiting for a moment before addressing us.

"Kasami, before you came in, Naomi and I were discussing her appointment to the Konoha ambassador in Suna."

"So she decided on Naomi then."

"Indeed. I received a letter a short while ago explaining that Lady Tsunade has also considered you for the position but that you said your sister would be better suited. "

"I did say that, yes. She had more experience in dealing with diplomacy than I do."

"That is true. I intend to draft a reply this afternoon accepting Naomi as the ambassador. She will be living here in Suna for a while so we are having more permanent lodgings prepared. "

I grab Naomi's arm excitedly. "That's wonderful. Oh Naomi, you'll make a great ambassador-"

"That's not all, Kasami." Naomi interrupts me with a mischievous grin.

"The Lady Hokage would like me to teach you all about diplomacy."

My arms drop to my sides as I stare back at her with what I am sure is a look of disbelief. "She still wants me to be the ambassador?"

"That is correct, though that will be in the distant future."

"Wow... I'd be honored. But, Naomi, you wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Not at all. I only became the honorary ambassador after father died because he took me everywhere with him. Because of that I have always been familiar with the people in Suna's government. They also knew me so I was the logical choice. Now it's official but it was never a job I actually wanted. So if you want it, it's yours. "

"Ok. I'll take it! After I learn how things work, if course."

Naomi smiles and hugs me loosely. "I'll teach you everything I know."

After we finish hugging, we both turn back to Gaara.

"All of the details haven't been worked out yet as far as whether you will be moving to Suna or traveling back and forth between Suna and Konoha."

I think about this, touching my finger to my chin. "So I guess I should return home for now..."

Gaara takes this time to clear his throat, drawing my attention back to him. "Actually Kasami, I was wondering if you could do me a favor... "

He looks around the room, helps gaze never resting on one place for more than a moment before finally settling on a picture hanging on the wall. It is a portrait of his father, the previous Kazekage.

"I... Would like you to paint a portrait of me? Umm... To remember this day."

"Huh? A...portrait? "

"I mean... Only if you want-"

"I'D LOVE TO! Oh, Gaara, I'd love to paint your portrait. What a fantastic idea! I did bring my paints with me; of course because I never go anywhere without them. I'll need a large canvas but I'm sure I can find that here in Suna. But you'll have to pose, Gaara. Will you have time for that?"

"I'll make time. I need to ask Lady Tsunade if I can keep you for however long you will need. "

"I think a week should be long enough. I probably don't need that long but just to be safe..."

"I'll request one week then. I'll have someone show you to your home and I'll inform you as soon as I receive a reply. "

Ok. I'll see you later, Gaara! "

Naomi bows as I wave to him and he waves back. We leave the room together and find Kankuro waiting for us.

"I'll show you to your home. It's not far."

I smile at him. "Thanks Kankuro. I look forward to spending some time here in Suna."

He turns and begins to lead us toward the building's exit. "So he really asked you to stay?"

"Yep. The portrait will take a week. So I'll be here for that long at least."

"Portrait?"

"Yeah. He said that he wanted me to stay and paint a portrait of him. To commemorate his becoming Kazekage."

"Hmm…"

Kankuro mumbles to himself and I just barely manage to catch what he says.

"Good job, little brother."

He chuckles then and says nothing more, continuing on his way. I glance up at Naomi. I know she heard him too and I wonder if what he said confuses her as much as it does me. But she doesn't look at me. She just follows Kankuro, the corners of her lips just beginning to rise in a knowing smirk. I decide to let the matter drop and begin thinking about what kind of background I want for Gaara's portrait. One thing is for sure.

It's going to be a fun week.