Woo fastest update yet. pulled another all-nighter on this one. sleep is overated. hopefully this one is better than the last one, that was't great.
Disclaimer: (classic Iron Man theme) Na, ru, to's-not-mine! Na, ru, to's-not-mine!
A change of heart
The hospital was quiet. Deathly, quiet. Gaara stalked the halls, seeking a certain someone. He had noticed Sakura was inside as well. But instead of greeting her, he avoided her. He didn't want anyone to know he was here. He headed to reception, where no-one was stationed, just like the rest of the hospital. Gaara glanced at the room chart & found what he was looking for.
"So that's where you are." he thought, heading towards the stairs.
He climbed them silently, aware that about now, Sakura would be reaching reception. He decided to hurry.
He found the correct floor & stepped out into the hallway. The lights were off, but the setting sun lit up the hall eerily. Gaara walked down it purposefully, the look on his face revealing nothing more than determination. He arrived at the correct door & gently slid it open, closing it quietly behind him.
In the room, Rock Lee lay asleep in his bed. He was heavily bandaged from the wounds he had sustained from Gaara's fight & some new ones. Gaara glanced at the withering flower in the vase. He had seen Sakura with a flower just like that. He didn't have much time.
He stared at Lee, fully aware of the impact his actions had made on the boy. He closed his eyes for a second, before opening them again.
"Lee-san." he said to the unconscious boy, "I am sorry for what I have done to you. I recognised the pain in your eyes, but I still had some anger left in me I could not control."
He shook his head.
"That's no excuse. My lack of self control nearly killed you. I suppose in a way, I have killed you. In the past, I could justify my killing of others as my proving my own existence, but what was I proving here? I can see that you have worked very hard to become as strong as you are now."
Gaara stared at his own right hand.
"But I didn't work for my power. I took it from another. I want you to understand something. My 'victory' was not a reflection of my abilities. I couldn't afford to lose. You are by far the better shinobi. You always will be. I can only hope that one day you will forgive me for what I have done."
Lee didn't show any signs of having heard what he said. He lay absolutely still. A fly flew in from the window & landed on his nose. Gaara frowned & reached forward to swat the fly away, but found he couldn't move.
"Stay right there." Shikamaru said, hands forming his shadow imitation jutsu.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Naruto demanded, looking at Gaara angrily.
"Shikamaru-san, Naruto-san, I had hoped not to be interrupted." Gaara said, expressionlessly.
"You already crippled him, wasn't that enough?" Shikamaru demanded.
"You don't understand-"
"Like hell we don't!" Naruto interrupted, throwing a punch at Gaara's face. The sand blocked the attack, but Gaara felt the sting anyway.
"I see…" he said, "So that's the way things are."
He sighed.
"Shikamaru-san, the first time we met, you asked if I was 'some kinda crazy manic killer'. Did I really seem that way?"
Shikamaru flinched at Gaara's words.
"No, I guess not." he admitted, his stance slacking slightly.
"And Naruto-san, I believed you would understand better than anyone what it's like to be misunderstood, to be treated as a 'demon'."
"That's different! I saw the way you acted towards Lee! You tormented him & took away the one thing in his life that mattered to him!"
Gaara's eyes dropped to the floor.
"I know. Now I have to live with that knowledge forever. Naruto-san, I beg you to understand, would you let anything stand in the way of your dreams?"
Naruto's eyes showed that he was unsure about what decision to make. Gaara sighed again.
"I know what you must think of me. I have hurt & tormented two of your friends without showing any reason why. That is where you & I differ, Naruto-san. You are strong enough to control your demon, I can only slow mine down. Both you & Lee are much stronger than I am, but there is a reason I won't lose. I made a promise to someone that I would help him achieve his dreams. I do not intend to bend or break my words. But I will make another promise; if there is any way to reverse the damage I have done, I will gladly do it."Naruto seemed to consider him for a few moments. Gaara was unsure of what his decision would be, but then Naruto dropped his fists & stood up straight.
"Alright." he said, giving Gaara a hard stare, "I believe you."
Gaara came close to smiling, but reserved himself.
"Thank you Naruto-san." Gaara said.
"Hey, one thing though." Naruto added, rubbing the back of his head, "Enough with the 'san', I'm not a 'mister'."
Gaara grinned.
"Very well… Naruto-kun." he said.
Shikamaru grinned & released his technique.
"I guess the same applies for me." he said.
Gaara bowed his head.
"Then allow me to finish the motion." he said, his grin broader.
Shikamaru chuckled, "Alright, lets get outta here, it'd be a drag if Gai-sensei came in & lectured us about how Lee-san needs his rest."
Naruto nodded & the three of them left together. Gaara cast one last glance at Lee before closing the door.
* * * * *
The three of them left the hospital together. They wandered through the streets of Konoha, not really heading anywhere, yet somehow finding their way to the ramen stand Gaara saw when he first arrived.
"Well, I'm hungry, who's buying?" Naruto asked.
"You are." Shikamaru answered, leaving, "You coming Gaara?"
Gaara looked at Naruto, "See you later."
"Aw come on!" Naruto pleaded, but the other two were gone.
Gaara caught up with Shikamaru, who looked like he was sleep walking.
"So how goes your training for tomorrow?" Gaara asked.
Shikamaru smirked, "What training?"
Gaara grinned, "You know, my sister has made it a personal goal to defeat you in the exams."
"Tch, troublesome." Shikamaru mumbled, "So what's the deal with you & the Uchiha? He's been in an even worse mood since the preliminaries."
Gaara shrugged.
"He overuses that Sharingan." he replied, "Without it, he wouldn't be any where near what he is now."
"Yeah, but we all play to our strengths, right?"
Gaara nodded in agreement, Shikamaru groaned.
"Hey, I've got an errand to run, catch you later." he said, turning back.
"Alright." Gaara replied, walking on. He headed back to the hotel, where Temari & Kankuro were awaiting him.
"Hey, how'd it go?" Temari asked.
Gaara sat back on the armchair, the gourd & Sasayaki removed. He looked straight out the window.
"It didn't exactly work out. He was asleep, but I said what I had to anyway."
He glanced over to Kankuro, who was sitting in the corner, making it very obvious that he was not talking to Temari.
"You still moping?" Gaara asked. He had been like this for a while now.
"She still won't talk to me!" Kankuro complained, causing Temari to groan.
"If she's still whining, then she's obviously just a kid in a kunoichi's clothing." she remarked.
"Kankuro, she'll get over it." Gaara said, "It's just that Temari beat her so bad, her pride is hurt. The worst thing you could do is to cling to her. It's best to let her get over it."
Kankuro looked uncertain.
"You sure?" he asked.
Gaara shrugged, "If it helps, I could make Temari admit that Tenten-san put up a good fight."
Temari looked horrified, "No way am I doing that!"
Gaara stared at her for a few seconds, before she averted her gaze.
"Alright, fine!" she said, getting up, "Lets go, cry-baby!"
Kankuro leapt to his feet.
"You are a god, Gaara!" he exclaimed, running out the door.
Gaara sighed & turned on the armchair, so he was lying across it. He stared up at the ceiling & sighed.
"I'd better report to Madara-sensei." he thought, reaching for his communication stone. He clenched it in his hand & closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he was standing in the same room as before, but Madara was nowhere to be seen.
"Hello?"
Gaara turned around & saw a face he hadn't seen in years. Konan was sitting on a sofa, a map spread out on the table in front of her.
"Konan-hime!" Gaara said in surprise.
"Konan-hi…" Konan repeated, furrowing her brow. Recognition dawned on her face, "Gaara-kun?"
Gaara smiled & nodded. He stepped over to her to get a better look. She was just as beautiful as last time.
"Wow." she said, looking Gaara up & down, "You've grown a lot since last time."
Gaara took a seat next to her, "How are things?" he asked, still not believing it was her.
Konan sighed & looked at the map.
"A pain. We've been trying to locate this guy, but he doesn't stay in one place too long & his movements are erratic. He doesn't seem to have a destination."
Gaara leaned forward, "Is this guy a Jinchūriki?"
Konan shook her head, "It's someone Pein wants to recruit, a guy called Hidan. He thinks that he may be the ideal partner for Kakuzu-san. One that he can't kill."
Gaara looked surprised, "An immortal?"
Konan nodded, "So how's you're mission going? Have you found Orochimaru yet?"
Gaara frowned.
"Madara-sensei changed my orders." he replied, "He told me to protect Sasuke-san until Orochimaru makes his next body transfer. Then I am to allow him to go to Orochimaru."
It was Konan's turn to frown.
"I haven't heard anything about that." she said, "He told us you were on Orochimaru's trail."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, but I'll ask Pein about it later. Maybe he knows something I don't."
"Ok."
They sat there in silence for a while before Konan blinked.
"So… why are you here?" she asked.
"I was going to report to Madara-sensei, but it doesn't seem he's here."
Konan folded away the map and stared at Gaara.
"Yeah? So how's it going?" she asked.
Gaara sat back & returned Konan's stare.
"Hatake Kakashi seems to have adapted the curse seal on Sasuke-san." he replied, "It now responds to his willpower. If he loses faith in his abilities, it will take over. I aim to convince him that he needs the curse seal to become powerful enough to face Itachi-san. So far, Sasuke-san feels hatred towards him & myself, but it is not enough. The third stage of the chunin exam is tomorrow. I will have to humiliate Sasuke-san in my match against him."
Konan edged a little closer to Gaara.
"You don't like doing this sort of thing, do you?" she asked.
Gaara shook his head.
"I hate causing someone anguish like this. Sasuke-san has suffered greatly & all I am doing is making him suffer more. But Madara-sensei requested it of me. I will not let him down."
He looked at Konan, "What about you? You still mad at Nagato?"
Konan flinched slightly, before nodding.
"If I could just get Yahiko's body away from him-" she stopped abruptly, looking at Gaara with fear in her eyes.
"It's ok." Gaara said, "I wouldn't betray you like that."
Konan looked unsure, "Why would you protect me?"
Gaara turned so he was face to face with her.
"I recognise your pain, & your loneliness. I don't ever want someone close to me to feel that."
"Someone close to you…" she repeated, "But we haven't seen each other in years, & even then it was only for a couple of days. You consider me someone close to you?"
Gaara reached forward with a holographic hand & touched her cheek.
"Yes." he said, in a strong voice, "I feel like you are someone precious to me."
A tear slid down Konan's cheek, passing through Gaara's finger. He looked at his hand.
"I hope I can complete my mission soon." he said, "That way we can meet again, in person."
"Gaara-"
Gaara glanced to his right.
"I have to go." he said, "I'll see you soon."
His image crackled into nothingness. Konan smiled.
"I hope so." she whispered.
* * * * *
Baki entered the hotel room. He noticed that Gaara was the only person there. He grinned.
"You ready for tomorrow?" he asked, "It's your big day."
Gaara didn't answer. He got up & left.
He knew where he was headed. He had time for one last move before 'his big day' as that idiot had put it. He found who he was looking for & used his Daisan no Me to spy on Sasuke & Kakashi training. Sasuke was bent over, breathing heavily.
"So two is your limit?" Kakashi noted.
"What happens if I try to use it again?" Sasuke asked.
"Best case scenario, it fails. Worst case, you die." Kakashi replied simply, before calling out, "You can come out now!"
Gaara cancelled the jutsu & came out from his hiding place. Sasuke glared as soon as he saw him.
"What do you want?" he demanded.
"Sasuke-san." Gaara said, "Tomorrow we will have our match. You had better not disappoint me."
Sasuke smirked, "Don't worry, you won't be."
"Good. My master would be disappointed if you prove to be nothing but a weakling with the Sharingan." Gaara replied.
"The way you speak," Kakashi stepped in, "You make it sound like this is less than a friendly competition. You make it sound like you're on a mission to defeat Sasuke-kun."
Gaara narrowed his eyes.
"What sort of mission would require me to defeat an insignificant genin?" he asked.
Kakashi nodded.
"Alright then, if that's all you have to say, then be on your way." he said.
Gaara turned away.
"Wait."
Gaara glanced back. Sasuke had spoken.
"Why do you refuse to tell me anything about Itachi?" he asked, "What do you care if I know?"
"If you are as powerful as you delude yourself to be, then what does it matter if you have to defeat me to get your answers?"
Gaara smirked, "Unless you don't think you're strong enough on your own?"
Sasuke didn't seem able to reply, so Gaara left.
"Tomorrow." he thought. "We will see."
* * * * *
On his way back, Gaara noticed Tenten & Kankuro walking through the streets. He made to walk past them, but Tenten called out to him.
"Hey!" she said, smiling, "You ready for tomorrow? I'll be watching."
Gaara didn't stop walking, but he gave her a look.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy what I have planned then." he replied, causing Tenten to gasp.
"You mean…" she breathed.
Gaara was ahead of them now. He gave his answer in the form of a small wave.
Gaara decided that night that he would pay Sasuke another visit. He made his way over to the Uchiha compound.
The place was very different from what he saw in his fight with Itachi. It was run-down. Gaara took a seat on one of the roofs & waited. It wasn't long before Sasuke walked through the main gates & spotted Gaara.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
Gaara raised his hand in the air, showing he didn't want a conflict.
"I want you to tell me about how Itachi-san used to be." Gaara said.
Sasuke glared, "And why should I tell you that?
"An eye for an eye. You answer my question & I'll answer one of yours."
Sasuke frowned, "What about our match?"
"I think my answer will be incentive for you to fight even harder tomorrow. Now, what was he like?"
Sasuke diverted his gave, throwing a dirty look at an abandoned store. After a few seconds, however, his angry look faded away.
"He was the prodigal son of the Uchiha. By this age, he was already an ANBU captain. I aspired to be like him, but no matter how I tried, I could never match up. But he always encouraged me. I was determined to surpass him. He was there for me when our father wasn't. All he cared about was how Itachi could make the Uchiha clan great again. But as far as he was concerned, I was a failure. Itachi never let me think that way. I thought I could always rely on him."
Suddenly his expression darkened.
"Until that night." he said through gritted teeth.
Gaara nodded.
"Alright, your turn." he said, "But choose carefully."
Sasuke locked eyes with Gaara.
"What do you know about that night?" he asked, his full attention on Gaara, who slid off the roof & faced Sasuke.
"I met him that night." he said.
Sasuke looked shocked.
"My master ordered me to bring Itachi-san to his subordinates, but initially he refused. So I fought him."
Sasuke's eyes snapped wide open.
"You fought him?" he repeated.
"Yes, & I defeated him."
Sasuke glared, "You're lying."
"I'm not. He used his Mangekyo Sharingan to place me under the Tsukuyomi. But I reversed the effects & trapped him in his own technique."
Gaara looked around the street they were standing in.
"It happened right here." he said, "You were begging for your life. Itachi told you to run, cling to life & seek him when you had the same eyes."
Sasuke was frozen to the spot.
"I- it's true. You fought him." he whispered.
Gaara walked up to Sasuke & stood next to him.
"I defeated him too." he said, very aware of Sasuke's trembling, "That is why I hope you put up a better fight than he did. Maybe you can entertain me."
Gaara walked away. As he was leaving the gates, he left one final message.
"Next time, you should ask me why he did it." he said.
* * * * *
Gaara lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. The others were asleep, getting their rest for later. Gaara was feeling particularly comfortable right now, aware of that his mission was not far from over. He smiled as he thought of Konan. She still held that same sway over Gaara's mind, he never could figure out why.
"Why do you occupy my thoughts?" he thought, "You strange, beautiful person."
Gaara sensed something. His communication stone was reacting. He grabbed it & focused his chakra.
"Gaara!"
Gaara opened his eyes. Madara stood before him, looking unsettled.
"Madara-sensei?" Gaara asked, frowning.
"Things have changed. I am coming to you tomorrow."
"You're coming here? Why?"
"I can't explain right now. The situation has changed entirely. Gaara! Do not wound Sasuke-kun any more than you have to! We are definitely going to need him."
"Madara-sensei-"
"There's no time! I'll see you tomorrow."
Madara disappeared.
Morning came quicker than Gaara would have liked. He hadn't even realised he had been dreading it, he'd been too busy thinking about Madara's words.
"He's coming here?" he thought, frowning, "What happened back there?"
The door behind him opened. Out came Temari, fully dressed, but yawning. She paused as she saw Gaara's agitated look.
"What is it?" she asked.
Gaara shook his head, glancing at Baki's door. Temari nodded & sat beside him. She looked at him with concern, but his eyes were fixed to the ground, he didn't notice her gaze.
Kankuro exited his room next, fully equipped like Temari.
"Hey, what's going on?" he asked, eying Gaara. Temari shrugged.
Gaara got to his feet. He strapped his gourd & Sasayaki back on.
"Lets go." he said, opening the door & leaving. His siblings left after exchanging a look.
They were walking through the streets, heading towards the arena. Gaara was walking a little quicker than usual.
"My master is coming." he said.
"What? Here? Now?" Temari asked, shocked.
"It sounded like something big. He said the situation has changed entirely."
"What situation?" Kankuro asked. Gaara shrugged.
"He didn't say."
Temari stepped in front of Gaara, stopping him in his tracks. She placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Alright, you need to calm down. You need a clear head." she said.
Gaara nodded & took a deep breath. After a few seconds, he seemed to relax.
"Thanks." he said.
"No problem." Temari replied, smiling.
They continued walking to the arena, slower this time. They noticed that people from all over were starting to head there too. They even spotted Neji making his way over.
"Heh, that guy shouldn't be a problem." Kankuro said, "None of us have to get anywhere near him."
"Listen," Gaara said, "Baki told you not to fight, but go for it. I have an idea that requires you to make a good impression."
"Alright." Kankuro replied, "But when I step into the arena, Baki's gonna get suspicious."
"He'll be too preoccupied with the attack to do anything." Temari interjected, "There's nothing he could do about it."
They reached the arena & stepped inside. It was huge, much bigger than the hall at the preliminaries. Neji, Dosu & Shino were already waiting in the centre, along with the proctor. The three of them took their places in the centre & awaited the rest of the combatants. Shikamaru was next to turn up, wandering in like he was just going for a walk. A little while later, Naruto burst in, yelling for everyone to watch out. The only person who hadn't turned up was Sasuke.
When the members of the audience had taken their seats, the Hokage stood & gave a small speech. Then Genma showed the genin a sheet of paper with the order of fights on it. Naruto & Neji were first, so the others made their way to the viewing area. When Gaara and his siblings got there, Gaara leaned against the back wall, in the shadows.
"Hey, Gaara. You're not gonna watch?" Temari asked.
He shook his head, "I have to watch out for my master, I don't know when he's going to show up. Besides, Uzumaki is going to win."
Gaara scanned the crowds for anything unusual. So far, the only strange thing was the number of ANBU in the area. Konoha probably knew they were going to be attacked, or maybe they were aware of Orochimaru's presence.
Either way, it looked unlikely that Madara would appear here. Carefully, Gaara grabbed his stone & closed his eyes. He was back in the room. But he wasn't alone. Pein was there.
"Gaara-san." Pein said, not at all surprised by his sudden appearance, "It would appear your master is on his way to you."
Gaara nodded.
"That is what he said." he replied.
"Gaara-san, I'm afraid Madara has betrayed Akatsuki. He has had a change of heart & has left."
Gaara's eyes narrowed.
"But he is the leader of Akatsuki, why would he betray his own organization?"
"Because he felt he was losing control. You have to understand, Gaara-san. Madara's immortality has caused his mind to slip. He has lived for far too long."
"I see."
Pein took a step forward.
"Remember, Gaara-san, Madara's aim was to make his clan powerful. That was his goal that insanity made him forget. The dream he left with you. So for the sake of your master's dream, when he comes for you, stall him. Will you do that?"
"I will." Gaara replied, without hesitation.
Pein studied him for a sec on before nodding,
"Alright, we'll see how loyal you are to Akatsuki." he said, leaving.
Gaara watched as Pein closed the door behind him. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Madara-sensei," he thought, "What are you doing?"