It wasn't until almost two years into her journey that she heard of him again. She had been traveling far and wide, learning many things. She had traveled to the edges of the continent, learning how to master her skills and herself. Isao had been diligent in her and Jun's training, making sure they didn't let their gifts go to waste. She had heard of him again when they entered the Land of Fire again. The news that her little group heard was that the monster had reformed, become a kind man.

That boy that turned into a beast at the Chuunin exams at that time? You're pulling my leg!

No no, I swear! The boy has changed. Had a run-in with that loud blonde kid – what was his name again? Naruto! Now the boy is climbing his way up the ranks, making something of himself.

You don't say?

I do! Rumor has it that he's aiming to become Kazekage.

Are you that surprised? He is the son of the previous Kazekage.

Kameko was never too fond of rumors, but she was surprised to hear this. The words actually seemed positive, if not skeptical of the subject. It pleased her that the locals were being positive as opposed to her last visit so long ago.

When they reached Konoha's gates they were greeted with smiles and a kind welcoming. The large village was having yearly festival in celebration of their renewed alliance with Suna that was formed two years past. So much had changed since she had been there. They left their mounts to be attended to by the guards, hoping that they would be able to find room in one of the inns to stay a few days.

"Kameko," Isao called her name. "Go to the Hokage, inform Lady Tsunade that we have arrived and would like to have a meeting with her, if she's available. Tell her we'll understand if she's too busy; I'm sure with the festival came visitors from Suna."

Kameko just nodded, she knew he would ask that of her. He always did when they stopped somewhere.

The Hokage's building was far larger than the leader's in her home country. Then again, many of the great nations she had visited were like this. She didn't have to wait long when she entered the building, the messenger bird Isao had sent ahead of them two days ago had arrived long ago and they were expected.

"Lady Tsunade is meeting with embassadors from Suna at the moment," the secretary informed her. "However, she said to send you in the moment you arrived." The woman gave Kameko a smile and a wave of her hand to show her to follow her to the Hokage's office.

The first time she saw him was then, in the Hokage's office. He was with others, a boy and a girl, not much older than she or he. The Hokage was sitting at her desk, with the trio of Suna visitors sitting in front of her. They had all turned to see who had entered the office, their quizzical looks obvious on their faces. A woman stood behind the Hokage, a small piglet in her arms, not seeming to be as surprised as the others in the room.

"Please excuse me, Lady Tsunade, Lord Kazekage. I do not mean to interrupt, but you gave orders to have the emissary from Hanagakure come immediately to you when she arrived." She bowed deeply to the leaders. Kameko bowed as well, intending to show respect.

"Excellent," the blonde woman said with a smile. "That will be all. Please don't allow any others to enter this room." With that her attention left the secretary, dismissing her. The woman left the room, leaving Kameko to stand there in the doorway. "Where are my manners? Shizune, would you please retrieve another chair for this young lady?"

The woman with the piglet and short black hair nodded, sat the pig down, and went into a back room, quickly returning with a chair. She sat the chair beside the younger woman already seated in front of the desk. Kameko hesitated taking the seat, but did so when the Hokage asked her to do so.

"Now," she started, "where were we again? Ah, right, the festival." She looked over the trio, addressing them mostly. "I once again thank you three for attending this yearly event, I know it's a long journey and it can be tiresome. So once this meeting is over I advise that you return to your rooms and rest for the remainder of the day, restore your energy." She smiled at the group. "Is there anything else that needs to be addressed?" She aimed this question to Shizune.

"My Lady, perhaps an introduction? I don't believe they have met before," Shizune instructed. She would be correct.

Kameko stirred in her chair. She was not used to the idea of being introduced to others, typically she would only meet Kages or leaders, never anyone else at the time. However, she supposed this was an exception, the woman who led her in did inform her that the Kazekage was in the room. But they all looked so young… Who was she to think such a thing, being trained to become a leader herself at such a young ago?

"Oh! My apologies," she stood up and indicated for her guests to do so as well. "Shall I have the honor or would you like to introduce yourselves?"

The older girl replied first. "No worries, Lady Hokage, we can introduce ourselves." She turned her attention to Kameko, a smile on her face. "My name is Temari, older sister to the Kazekage of Sunagakure. It's a pleasure," she said. Kameko shook the hand that Temari held out to her in greeting. She looked at the next one, the taller of the two boys.

"The name is Kankuro," he said with a hand held out and a large smile on his face. "No need for nicknames, just Kankuro will do." He adjusted the hood like hat on his head, showing brunette locks under it. She thought it strange that he would add that onto his introduction. She had not traveled to Suna yet, it was closer to the end of her journey that she would visit there, so she was not familiar with their customs.

All she knew to do was return the smile and a nod. She then turned her attention to the remaining boy. His features differed vastly from his siblings with hair as red as blood and eyes the color of the sea. He offered a stiffer hand to shake. It almost made her wonder if he was forcing himself to act friendly.

"Subaku no Gaara," he said simply. "Upcoming Kazekage of Sunagakure." His introduction was short, he said what he needed to say and that was it.

It was the first time she truly knew what he looked like. Her image of him had never been established, and so she couldn't be surprised when she did see him. You can't be surprised or disappointed if you don't have any expectations.

"It's a pleasure to be meeting such important people," she said. "My name is Kameko Hayashi. I hail from the Land of Flowers, a small country in the north east." She was unsure if she should tell of her reason for being here, but figured that she only would if it was requested of her. Not entirely sure what to do now, she gave another bow to the siblings. "I am grateful for having the chance to meet not just one, but two Kages during my visit in Konoha."

Lady Tsunade spoke then. "Miss Kameko here is to be the next leader of her country, an heir of sorts you might say." She explained. "She is here to be tutored in the ways of becoming a leader, it was fortunate that she arrived here at the time that this festival is being held, since she can now learn from both countries." She ended her explanation with a smile to the group.

"My apologies, Lady Hokage. I am unfortunately only here to learn from Konoha for the time being. It's greatly advised against to learn about different leaderships at the same time while I am on this journey." She looked to the Suna ambassadors. "I don't plan to visit The Land of Wind for another year. I apologize if this causes any inconveniences."

"None at all." Temari was the one to answer her. "It will give us time to prepare for your visit." She smiled at Kameko. "Should you change your mind, however, we'll be here during the festival. We're not hard to find." With that said, the trio bid their farewells and departed, deciding to take Tsunade's advice and resting for the rest of the day.

With the Hokage and her alone, she gave the message Isao originally sent her with and discussed details with her. When everything was worked out, Kameko left to find her teacher and cousin.

"How was the meeting?" Those were the first words Isao asked her when she found them at an inn farther from the planned festivity grounds.

Jun gave the man a look that read 'so soon?' and returned to unpacking his bags.

"Everything went well," she said. "Lady Tsunade wishes for us to meet for teachings after the festival has ended. She said it will only take three days beginning tomorrow. We'll be slightly behind schedule, but it shouldn't be too bad."

"She wasn't busy, was she?" Jun inquired. He often liked to hear the details of things that he missed out on.

She wasn't entirely sure how to answer. The Hokage had been busy meeting with the siblings from the desert, however the secretary had been told to bring her there immediately.

"Lady Tsunade was meeting with others, however invited me in when she heard of my arrival." She wondered if she should tell who it was she met. She figured that she might as well, Isao would find out sooner or later. "The Kazekage and his siblings were meeting with her."

Isao stopped what he was doing and gave her a stern look, trying to decide if she was pulling his leg. Then he shook his head, Kameko didn't tell jokes about people in power. "The Kazekage hmm? Is he reformed as the rumors say?" Isao knew she wasn't fond of gossip, but he was. He saw it as a form of information that he could decide later on was useful or not.

"He was stiff. Not hostile, but not friendly either." There wasn't much else to say about the boy. "He's close to our age. His siblings are both older."

Without anything else to take from it, Isao simply shrugged the matter off. It was no longer of use to him.