Disclaimer: Yet again, I still do not own Naruto and I cried into my pillow last night because of it!

AN:

None seriously believed I would leave it at that did you?! No way... Gaara needed his turn... Thanks to SoaringonWings for the inspiration. Big, huge thanks to my beta THECOOKIEMONSTER77 who wrote the conversation between Gaara and "the fat lady". I thought it was beautiful.

Chapter Twenty-One:

Gaara's Resolution

Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved
See my heart I decorate it like a grave
Well you don't understand who they
Thought I was supposed to be
Look at me now I'm a man
Who won't let himself be

~Alice in Chains~

The Land of Fire; an almost alien world compared to the Land of Wind, was nothing like what he had expected. He had heard that the people were weak and cowardly… and at first he had agreed. He had been wrong.

"I told you," panted Naruto, "I told you that true strength comes from protecting others. It's the Will of Fire." Piercing blue eyes stared into his and a hand was outstretched. "Do you have it in you Gaara? Do you have the Will of Fire in you?"

Carried between Kankurō and Temari, Gaara studied the boy in front of him, much as he had a few days ago. This genin, Naruto Uzumaki, was strong; much stronger than he appeared. This boy, this fellow jinchuriki, had defeated him. This boy that he had dismissed as being weak…

Gaara wondered how he could have been so wrong. What else had he been wrong about? He looked to his left, at his sister's profile and then to his right to his brother's face. "Kankurō… Temari… I'm sorry," he said gruffly.

Kankurō faltered as his jaw dropped. He stammered, "Uh… yeah… that's cool."

Temari gave him a sharp look and then smiled tentatively at Gaara. "What Kankurō is trying to say in his own idiotic fashion is that we are here for you, no matter what, little brother."

~~O~~

Night had fallen. This was the time when Gaara felt most at peace. There were no hateful glares or spiteful mutterings following his every movement. While the world was at rest, he existed in the shadows. He ruled the night.

However, there was no peaceful solitude tonight, only a tumultuous mixture of emotions to contend with… and a lot of questions. Why had his siblings brought him to the Konoha hospital? He had never felt so naked and vulnerable before even though they were taking turns staying with him.

But the biggest and most confusing question of all was why he was here in this particular room.

Although his brother, Kankurō, had been in the room all day with him, he ignored him. Instead, he found himself surreptitiously studying "The Man" to try to understand this puzzling predicament. The woman had finally left a few minutes ago so he thought to himself that now was the time to ask the question that had been in everyone's eyes today.

In a low uncertain voice, he asked, "Why am I here?"

Kakashi lowered his book and answered, "Because you have chakra exhaustion."

"No." Gaara stifled the rising tide of irritation and asked again, "Why am I here in this room with him?"

"Mah, it makes it easier for the medics since you both are receiving the same treatment."

Not to be deterred, he said, "You insisted I be in this room. I heard you. Why?"

Kakashi sighed and not answering the question, looked away. He stared at the sleeping form of Naruto for several minutes before he finally said, "He has a gentle heart."

Gaara's confusion increased. What did that have to do with the fact that he was put in the same hospital room as the person he had tried to kill. "What?"

Kakashi spoke, almost to himself, "Naruto, my son… he always see's the beauty within, even when no one else can. It's his gift."

"To have a gentle heart in the ninja world is a curse."

"Therein lies your mistake, Gaara," said Kakashi cryptically.

Brow furrowed, Gaara tried to discern the meaning of the copy-nin's ambiguous words. After several long minutes, he gave up and asked, "Why?"

"No one should ever underestimate him. He is no fool and while he may believe the best in people, he is still a ninja and a fine one at that."

"I still do not understand why you have me here in this room. I tried to kill him. I've watched you all day. You are protective of him… he is… precious to you…"

Kakashi gave the red-head a smile he could see through the mask, closed his eye, and shifted in his chair to find a more comfortable position. Just as Gaara thought he had fallen asleep, Kakashi murmured, "It's what he would want."

The room became still except for the soft sounds of the copy-nin, his brother, and the jinchuriki's even breathing. The serene setting was oddly peaceful and also a little bit unnerving to Gaara. He touched the back of his neck tentatively. Her voice had been absent ever since the Sanin did something to the seal.

Maybe, he thought, maybe he could rest his eyes for a few minutes…maybe twenty… maybe…

~~O~~

Early morning light streamed through the window and caressed Gaara's face. He frowned in his sleep, instinctively sensing the wrongness of it all. He opened his eyes and flinched as he realized the night had gone. He had slept for several hours.

It wasn't long before the door quietly opened and the fat woman returned. She gave him a frosty glare before moving to Naruto's side. Gaara watched her unblinkingly while she fussed over Naruto, brushing his hair back from his brow and kissing it tenderly, rubbing out all the crinkles in the sheets before sitting down on the edge of the bed (and subsequently creating more wrinkles that she had to smooth out), and combing Naruto's hair with her fingers. He hid an amused smile when she bullied the copy-nin into leaving to 'at least take a shower.'

Gaara watched on even when the fat woman continued to send him occasional glares. He watched the homely scene with a slight ache and yearning in his chest, partially wishing he had his own fat woman to flutter around him doing silly things. Suddenly, he remembered a little niggling doubt in his mind.

"Why do you care?" he blurted out.

The fat woman gave him a startled look, looking completely baffled by the innocent question. "What? Why wouldn't I care about my own son?"

Gaara snorted. "He doesn't look even remotely similar to you or that masked man you bullied into leaving. Naruto's not your son. So why do you care?"

The fat woman gave him a disapproving look mixed with something like... pity? "What does blood have to do with it? He's my son in every way that matters, so of course I care!"

"But not even my real family cares," Gaara protested, trying to keep at least one of his previous beliefs. "How can you get so close of a bond with anyone if you don't have at least that connection?"

"Oh sweetie," the woman said softly, looking close to tears (which only further confused Gaara - what did he say that was so sad?). She sighed again before saying, "I was so prepared to hate you, and live with that hate, but you really have no idea what you're missing do you?"

Gaara gave her a bland look, waiting for her to continue. He didn't usually talk as much as he had in the past couple of minutes, but he so badly wanted so many answers. Of course she would hate him; he tried to kill her supposed son. So why was she questioning her hate? And more importantly, why the hell did she care so much in the first place? And what was he missing besides more people to talk to?

"Look sweetie. You don't just 'get' bonds with people. You make them through trust and love, and sometimes they are the hardest things to keep and maintain. But no matter what, they're worth it because those bonds are what make life beautiful. And blood doesn't matter. In fact, sometimes those familial bonds made without blood to tie two people together makes them so much stronger. Because after fighting so hard to get them… you're never going to let them go."

The fat woman gave him one last soft look before leaving the room to meet her husband outside, leaving Gaara stewing in his thoughts. Gaara looked out his window, and for the first time he welcomed the warm sunlight on his face. These 'bonds' everyone kept talking about didn't sound quite so tedious anymore.

~~O~~

Not long after Kakashi and the fat woman reentered the room, she bullied him into getting more food for her (though Gaara thought that was a bit unwise given her size), once again leaving Gaara as the subject of her furtive looks. She seemed at war with herself until, finally and after a great deal of struggle (she really needed to lose weight), she got out of her chair and slowly walked over to him.

She gave him a gentle smile in hopes of reassuring him. Though it sort of fell through when she put her hands on her hips and boldly said, "I guess we never got around to introductions, did we? I am Ayame Hatake." She waved her hand at the other boy asleep in the bed and said with a pointed look, "That boy over there is my son. Kakashi explained to me what you are, and well… I know it's been terribly hard on him and I can only imagine how difficult it's been on you as well."

She took a step closer. Gaara tensed. Although she was clearly no kunoichi, he didn't know what she would do. She took another step forward. Gaara flinched.

"Please," she said, holding out her hand, "I won't hurt you."

Gaara gave her a wary look and nodded hesitantly. She stepped up to him, leaned over and kissed his brow. "I forgive you," she whispered to his shock and confusion. As she turned and walked back to Naruto's bedside side, she turned her head and added, "But if you ever try to hurt him again, you'll have to deal with me."

Speechless, Gaara touched his brow. He glanced over to the chair beside his bed where his brother sat. Kankurō shrugged and mouthed the word, 'women' at his perplexed look.

That's not very nice, young man," said Ayame sternly. "It's very rude to talk about someone behind their back."

"How did you…Uh, I mean, sorry ma'am." Kankurō flushed at getting caught by the civilian.

~~O~~

When Kakashi returned, Ayame was fast asleep in the chair. Kankurō and Gaara quickly shushed him with panicked looks on their faces.

"Please, for the love of all that's holy, don't wake that woman up!" growled Kankurō lowly. "She just fell asleep a little while ago."

"Who are you?" asked Kakashi humorously.

"It's me, Kankurō. I've been here since yesterday."

"Ah yes… what happened to your face?"

"She did it," he said in a distinctively grumpy tone. He jabbed his finger in Ayame's direction and whispered harshly, "She actually washed my face with her spit and a napkin."

"She made me take a nap," interrupted Gaara.

"…her spit! And then she threw her shoe at me for talking to my brother and keeping him awake. I mean, come on, he never sleeps."

"Well, did you ask her not to?"

Kankurō gave the copy-nin a disgruntled look and scoffed, "Of course I did." Ayame twitched and then frowned in her sleep. The puppet master gulped and watched her. Assured that she was not awake, he lowered his voice and said, "Of course I did. She just wouldn't listen to me though. What kind of civilian doesn't follow the dictates of a shinobi anyways?"

"Mah, how about I wake her up and ask?"

"No!" yelled the sand siblings in unison. Kankurō jumped up and ran for the door as the woman sat up and sleepily rubbed her eyes.

He almost made it too.

"You are not leaving me alone here with that woman," stated Gaara as his sand dragged his brother back. "The Kazekage ordered you to remain in this room until relieved by Temari."

"Damn."

"Are you cursing again, young man?"

Kankurō ran his hand across his face exasperatedly and growled, "For the last time lady, I'm not a kid. I'm fifteen years old and a shinobi."

Ayame, just about to scold Kankurō, then realized her husband never brought her any food. Her face darkened dangerously and she turned to Kakashi instead (much to the sand genin's relief). "Where's my food?" she demanded.

"Mah," Kakashi waved her concern off and put his arm around her to tug her closer, "you know how disgusting hospital food is. Not to mention I wasn't sure what you were craving right now. Why don't you go home and find a snack there and get some rest as well, hmm?"

Ayame frowned at him but then shrugged her shoulders and figured he had a good point. She gave Kakashi a small smile and started for the door.

Gaara and Kankurō watched in awe as Kakashi calmed The Woman (for she truly deserved that title after what she did to them). As she was walking out the door, Gaara stupidly asked, "Are you sure you should be encouraging her to eat more?"

"What did you say?!" yelled Ayame.

Kankurō hastily covered, "He said, I am sure it will be encouraging to see you some more."

"Oh that's sweet. Maybe I'll bring you a cake when I come back. Now, why don't you let your brother get back to sleep. The doctors said that the boys need to rest."

~~O~~

As the hours passed, more and more people came through to see the blonde. Kankurō left after being relieved by Temari in the afternoon. She quickly became bothered by all the visitors and closed the curtain between their beds due to all the hostile looks.

The glares didn't bother Gaara. On the contrary, they made him introspective. The jinchuriki obviously had many people that cared for him. He was beginning to understand what Naruto meant about having precious people made a person stronger. That feeling intensified when the pushy pink haired girl entered the room with her sensei. She shoved the curtain aside and stared at him.

Gone was the weak, pathetic, little girl he had nearly killed. In her place was a woman challenging him without fear. It took him a while to figure out what he felt – he was impressed.

"They told me that Naruto defeated you," she stated.

"That is true."

"I thought it was a lie. I… I thought he was dead; that you killed him."

"I cannot kill him. He is too strong."

"Stronger than you?" she asked doubtfully. Sakura frowned and shook her head. "No, that's not possible, you are a Jinchuriki."

"I have the one-tail, he has the nine. His is stronger."

"Wait a minute… what?! Are you saying…?"

The curtain's snapped open and Kakashi stood towering over her, killing intent rolling off him in waves. "Gaara!" he said harshly, "You've said enough."

Sakura had passed out before she saw Gaara's transformation, so she had never experienced anything quite this terrifying. She tried to hold it together, but couldn't. She panted for breath and squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation of death. She didn't hear Genma order Kakashi to stop, nor Gaara. Her bladder began to loosen as she shook in fear. Not even the humiliation of wetting herself could snap her out of it.

Then just a sudden as it started, it stopped. Sakura collapsed in a heap on the floor. As Kakashi bent over to help her up, she screamed, scrambled away in fright and bumped into Gaara. He gently helped her off the floor.

"She didn't know?" he asked.

"Only the adults know."

"I apologize. I assumed everyone knew like my village."

Kakashi nodded and then looked at the pale girl. Her color came back in a rush as Genma rubbed her back. She looked down in shame and embarrassment at her actions. As their words sunk in, her quick mind grasped the truth… the whole truth of Naruto.

"Oh!" she exclaimed as she covered her mouth in horror. "That explains so much…"

Kakashi, misinterpreting her words, stiffened in anger and disappointment. He knew this girl would break his son's heart. Coldly, he said, "This is an 'S' class secret, punishable by death in the village of Konoha. You are to speak to no one of this – not even Naruto."

Sakura's head snapped up. Her emerald green eyes blazed with fury, determination, and new-found knowledge. "The Kyuubi was supposedly destroyed nearly thirteen years ago. It was put in him and that's why everyone hates him isn't it?"

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Yes," he snarled, "and it's a damn stupid reason too. Anyone can see Naruto is a great kid and I won't allow you to spoil any of his happiness. Understood?"

"My parents," she said through gritted teeth, "and the people of this village have treated him badly and all for something he had no control of. I will support him in any way I can, but please don't make me lie to him. He is my friend."

Gaara started in surprise. "You don't hate him?"

"No, never… it's me that I hate." Sakura hung her head as tears fell from her face. "Never… never could I hate him. I treated him so bad when we were little and he didn't care. He saw through all my stupidity and found the real me hidden deep inside. I could never hate him."

"To me," she continued, "he is not a Jinchuriki. He is Naruto Uzumaki; my friend, and my inspiration." Sakura turned and asked Genma, "Sensei, I need your help."

"Sure, with what?"

"I want emancipation."

~~O~~

On the third day, Naruto finally awoke. Gaara watched him blink and look around with a confused expression on his face. When the blonde caught sight of the silver-haired jonin sleeping in the chair next to him, he smiled in such a loving manner that Gaara felt as though he were intruding. After Naruto slowly got out of the bed and covered the shinobi with his blanket, he spoke to him.

Their conversation had been enlightening to the Suna genin. As he passed through the gates of Konoha between his siblings, he had so much to consider. Like Naruto told him, it didn't matter if a journey was one mile or a thousand; it all started with a single step. "Temari… Kankurō, someday I'm going to become Kazekage. I'm going to lead our village into prosperity and peace. Will you help me?"

~~O~~

When the other members of team seven entered the room, the first words out of Sasuke's mouth were, "Well, aren't you just the poster child for birth control? What the hell's wrong with you, dobe? Do you have some sort of sick obsession with hospitals?"

Naruto grinned and said, "Hey, everyone needs a hobby! How did you get here anyways? Did someone leave your cage open?"

"Yeah yeah, I heard the doctors gave you an IQ test and the results were negative." Sasuke smirked, made a shooing motion, and then he ordered "Move over," as he sat down next to Naruto.

"Why are you so grumpy?"

Sai sat down on the other side of the blonde and answered, "We are both a bit upset because we were not informed of your fight until a little while ago. Kakashi Sensei neglected to mention any of this. Where is he, by the way?"

"Oh," Naruto grinned, "I finally got him to leave not long ago. He wouldn't leave. I keep telling him that I'm not a little kid, but you know how it is with parents and all."

"Yes, I think I understand… is that like when my mother insists I take a sweater with me whenever I leave the house?"

Naruto laughed. "Yeah, that's a parent for you. What about you Sasuke? Does your mother still ask you if you're wearing clean underpants?"

Sasuke looked at him in horror and then slammed his head into the pillow rather than punching his friend like he wanted too. Naruto gave him a huge grin. Sometimes it really sucked knowing someone for as long as they did. Nothing was sacred.

"Tch, shut it baka. Perhaps your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others." Sasuke frowned as he looked closely at Naruto's face. He had obvious signs of strain and exhaustion. He knew his brother should be resting, but first… "What happened," he demanded. "Tell us everything."

~~O~~

"…and then Gaara left a few hours ago," he finished explaining.

The three boys lay on the small hospital bed staring up at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had been said.

"I wish I could have been there for you," said Sasuke softly.

"Me too," agreed Sai. "What about Sakura? Have you seen her yet?"

"No," he said slowly. "But there is something else…"

"What?" they both asked.

"Gaara let it slip that I am a Jinchuriki." Naruto added in surprise, "My dad said she took it well and that she supports me."

Sasuke shifted uncomfortably. Once he decided on a person, he didn't like to change, but this made him think he should probably reevaluate his opinion. Maybe she wasn't just an empty husk of make-up after all.

~~O~~

Kakashi returned to the hospital in the middle of the night. Although he knew how much Naruto wanted him to show that he thought of him as an adult, he couldn't sleep. "Just a quick peek," he thought to himself as he jumped up to the window. As the copy-nin stood on the ledge, he parted the curtains and looked in the room.

Naruto, unable to keep still even while sleeping, was twitching and mumbling. Sasuke had his knee wedged into Naruto's stomach and Sai was on the other side, spooning him. Kakashi chuckled wickedly, thinking that if he was really fast, he could run back to the house and come back with a camera.

Then Sasuke stretched out and laid him arm across Naruto in a hug. Kakashi hummed happily. Although he knew that there were far more dangerous times ahead, no matter what happened; that as long as these boys had each other, they would be okay. It was time to let go.

~~O~~

Naruto was halfway through his fourth bowl of ramen made especially for him. He slurped the noodles down, savoring the delicious mixture of salty broth and greasy pork. "Mmm, ramen… is there anything better than this?"

"How about this?"

He turned his head and gaped. It was Sakura. Her pink hair was flowing down her back in that way he always thought beautiful. She was wearing… little white clouds?! "Sakura," he breathed.

From behind her back, she pulled out a plate of Mikoto's cookies. He looked at her and smiled wide, then he stared at the plate, and then his eyes moved back to her again. "Oh Kami," he moaned in awe, "I love… I love…"

~~O~~

Sakura walked into the hospital room just in time to witness Naruto drooling heavily and biting his pillow. He smacked his lips and mumbled, "Mmm, ramen…"

She giggled and sat on the bed next to him. She was so happy he was being released today. She watched him begin to toss and turn fitfully. "Poor guy," she thought, "He must be having a nightmare now." He rolled over, wrapped his arms around her leg, and laid his head on her thigh.

"Mmm Sakura," he moaned, "Why aren't you wearing any clothes?"

Sakura gasped in outrage and raised her fist. "What!" she said as she jerked off the bed. She was about to punch him when he lifted his hands up and grasped at something.

"Oh Kami," he groaned louder, "I love… I love cookies."

Sakura blinked in surprise and slowly lowered her fist. She then snorted and rolled her eyes as she shook him awake and said, "Wake up you silly baka!"

"Hmm… what…?" asked Naruto while sleepily rubbing his eyes.

"Did you have a good dream," whispered a soothing voice from behind him.

"Umm yeah…," he dreamily replied, still half-asleep. "There was Sakura-chan and cookies…"

"And what was she wearing?" the velvety soft voice prodded in a dangerously low voice.

Naruto stared vacantly into space and answered Sakura without thinking, "Soft, fluffy…"

He turned to come face to face with Sakura…

"DRESS! She was wearing a pretty dress." He turned his head and smiled ingenuously. "Uh, he-he… hi Sakura."

"Oh, zip it, pervert!" she said in mock anger. She came over to the side of his bed and sat down beside the blonde. "You're looking better," she said in a softer tone. "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine. I just want out of here already. They let Gaara leave yesterday."

The smile fell from Sakura's face and grew serious. She said slowly, "Naruto, listen… about Gaara… I need to tell you something."

"I already know," he interrupted. "My dad told me."

"Well, if you… if you ever want to talk about…," she pointed at his chest. "Well, you know…"

"I call it my furry little problem."

Sakura stared at him for a second. His face and tone were so serious except for his eyes. Naruto's eyes positively danced with mirth. She couldn't help it; a giggle escaped, and then another, and then another. Soon they were both driven to full blown laughter with grins splitting their faces from ear to ear. "You make it sound like you have a tail," she gasped out.

Naruto's laughter suddenly cut off and he blinked owlishly at her. "You mean I don't?" he asked.

AN:

Thanks to everyone that followed/favorited/commented on the last chapter! And special thanks to guests: fire, Gamma89, Stephanie, & BrokenKage.

Next chapter - first mission...

Ja Ne,

AZFAERYDUST