The heat of the sun beat down on the umbrella of gold sand over Gaara's head.
Cramps in his aching, bare feet caused him to limp. The biting sting of the coarse rocks and twigs that left cuts on his heels made him long for sandals. His previous pair had been lost yesterday, torn beyond repair. He wished for the energy to fly on his golden sand just for a moment of reprieve from the unforgiving blisters that harassed his toes. That sort've strength had long left him, though.
His entire body was wracked with a sluggish fatigue. He only barely managed to continue to limp forward. His chest pounded with a shooting soreness and his entire body was clammy from a constant flow of sweat. But that was a consequence of non-stop fleeing for almost a week on end.
The dark circles surrounded his seafoam eyes with an even drearier appeal. His eyelids were a struggle to keep open. Each of his bleak irises was surrounded by bolts of red veins. He hadn't once considered laying down to rest.
His father's ANBU could be right on him. If he stopped now they could capture Gaara and return him to the Kazekage. If he went to sleep he could be out for hours. More than enough time to wake up strapped down to a bed being examined by ANBU specialists.
No, Gaara just needed to focus on one thing. He had to keep moving forward. This thought battled every exhausted muscle in his body, every doubt in his mind that made him want to stop. He couldn't go all this way just to be recaptured now. Surely, he was near a good place to stop.
He limped further ahead. Taking painful step after painful step. Then he suddenly stopped. The last couple of steps – they didn't hurt as much as normal. The ground wasn't as rough and unforgiving as it had been for the several previous kilometers through the barren forest. Gaara no longer saw the lifeless, warped trees that consumed his peripherals.
Gaara peeled his tired eyes from his feet and scanned the surrounding vicinity. He noticed that for the first time, he had finally reached a road.
A sign of civilization. It turned into Gaara's side of the forest and ran ahead around a hill. He followed it with what little desperate anticipation he could afford to muster. For the first time in days, the ground beneath his feet felt smooth, and now he was certain that he was headed somewhere, and so he persisted onward.
The road was more forgiving to his battered feet. He limped forward half-mindlessly for hours. Gaara followed it, he knew that it must lead to somewhere, a village or anything.
WHACK!
Gaara fell onto his backside. "What?!" A sudden crash made Gaara's heart race. He pounced to his feet with acute awareness. "What happened?" he questioned.
With a moment to take in his surroundings, Gaara facepalmed at the realization that he had just walked into a large green gate that sectioned off the road. Then Gaara's eyes ignited with realization a second time.
'A gate?!'
Gaara perked up. 'This gate must be a sign that civilization is close,' he thought. His hands balled into fists from fresh determination. The gate directly ahead seemed to be some sort of checkpoint, or border control. Gaara's aching legs tensed up with the remaining remnants of strength in his body, he leaped to the top of the gate for a view of what was on the other side.
He felt lightheaded from the sudden maneuver and panted sporadically; ahead of him, all he could see was lush forests and more road. "Dammit…" Gaara wheezed. "I can't keep this up forever." He fell into a crouched position, too exhausted to continue to stand.
The sense of defeat crept over his solemn face. He wiped the chilling beads of sweat from his brow. "I might as well lay here and wait to die," he whined. "Maybe if I'm lucky someone will come down the road and find me."
Out of nowhere, Gaara felt something slam into him and wrestle him to the ground. He felt something dig into his back as his arms were roughly yanked behind him and restrained. He gritted his teeth with a weak and weary frustration as a kunai was pressed gently against his neck.
"No sudden movements," a sudden voice commanded as they ripped his gourd from his person.
Gaara flung his head forward. 'A person!' He couldn't discern if he was happy or terrified to finally hear someone else's voice.
Ahead, he saw four shinobi on the road already in battle stances. Clad in black pants and long-sleeved shirts. Two sported green flak vests and the remaining two sported river blue vests. Their forehead protectors were engraved with leaf and valley symbols.
'Konoha and Tani?' Gaara grimaced with disbelief.
"You are illegally crossing international borders between the Land of Rivers and Land of Fire," one Leaf Shinobi stated as he drew his tanto and directed it at Gaara. "State your business or we'll be forced to detain you."
'If I'm detained by them they will surely turn me over when they figure out I'm from the Sand,' sweat crept into the boy's bloodshot eyes. 'I've gotta escape right now or this will be bad!'
"Are you gonna talk or are we just going to have to arrest you and get our answers later?" the same Leaf Ninja beckoned.
"Make this easier on us, kid, we don't want trouble with you," the Tani Kunoichi said with a soft expression on her face.
Gaara was grinding his teeth together. 'To hell with it, I need the Ichibi if I'm going to get away!' Gaara's irritated seafoam eyes slammed shut as his body relaxed under his captor's pin.
"Huh?" one shinobi blurted with surprise.
"Happens all the time, Sadao," the kunoichi said. "Sick and dying from the Land of Rivers fleeing to other nations to try and find a cure elsewhere just to end up dying trying to cross the border," she explained bluntly. "You just gotta get used to it."
"I don't think that's what's happening here," the Leaf Shinobi that restrained Gaara revealed.
"What do you mean?" the kunoichi inquired.
Gaara's body began to burn up as a raging red chakra burst out of every pore of his body and shrouded him like an armor of fire.
"What the hell?!" the shinobi blurted as he leapt away in panic.
"This chakra–!" the kunoichi backed away in terror as one tail sprouted from the cloak of Shukaku's seething chakra. "This kid's a damn jinchūriki!"
Gaara's eyelids slowly lifted to reveal the chilling eyes of Shukaku. He placed his palms on the ground and motioned to push himself upright. His desperate face scrunched up. In truth, while he was stronger, he was not strong enough to keep this form active without the Demon Tanuki taking over.
"We have to incapacitate him!" one of the Leaf Shinobi stated.
Gaara tried to control its power, even just for a moment but it was to no avail. He let go of the immense power that flooded his system and let it wilt away, too weak and too little stamina to maintain it.
"I got him!" the tanto wielder exclaimed as he tackled Gaara to his back before he could stand up.
Gaara felt the tanto press against his neck while the Leaf Ninja quickly lifted the boy's shirt to reveal the seal near his navel. The shinobi adopted a terrified expression before rearing his fist back.
Gaara's struggle to escape was totally futile. The abrupt loss of chakra and the smothering exhaustion that followed rendered Gaara unresponsive. He soon slipped into a troubling spell of unconsciousness.
Gaara couldn't move. He struggled and struggled, trying desperately to break free.
He was petrified. He didn't know where he was, or what was happening. He hadn't even opened his eyes yet.
"Where am I?!" he panicked. He inched his eyes open slowly and allowed them to adjust to the light. Looking around he was strapped down to a table.
He summoned his strength to fight against the restraints one more time but was interrupted when someone entered the room.
"He's awake…" the person said with a sense of disbelief.
Gaara raised his head up to identify his company and was flooded with panic at the sight.
'Suna Anbu!'
"Lord Kazekage, he's awake!"
'Father is here?!'
Rasa walked through the doorway, a stern and unforgiving scowl ever present on his face. Gaara writhed against the restraints some more in an effort to escape.
"Gaara…" Rasa spoke coldly as he approached him. "You've disappointed me for the last time," the Kazekage had a displeased glint in his eyes.
Gaara was frozen stiff, overcome by fear. Rasa arrived at his side. For a moment a stare was shared between father and son, Rasa's cold and unforgiving eyes met Gaara's.
"The Ichibi must be controlled, and you have failed to meet the task," his father said with a disapproving edge.
The jinchūriki's face was coated with sweat. It felt as if the chilling tension in the room made the atmosphere ten times thicker. Gaara struggled to breathe.
"Your failure has forced me to find a new host that's more fit to protect and serve the Land of Wind from its enemies with the power of Shukaku," Rasa stated to his son bluntly.
Gaara's eyes were wide with shock. "Father–!"
His pleas were interrupted when Rasa seized his son's throat by the hand. The Kazekage tore Gaara off the table he was strapped to with one arm and held him in the air by the neck.
Both of Gaara's hands wrapped around his father's arm. He scanned the room with panic for a way to break free but ideas were fleeting. The distinct lack of his father's right arm had reminded him of his failures.
'Is this really how it ends?' he thought.
His lungs began to burn for oxygen and his throat closed under the iron grip of the Kazekage. Gaara wriggled and writhed frantically to try and break free.
"Please… d-don't… do this!" Gaara muttered with great struggle. Intense worry painted his face and the tears began to prod at the corners of his eyes. Rasa nearly appeared somber over everything that was happening.
"I tried my best, son," he mouthed sincerely.
Gaara's eyes bulged from their sockets from the increasing strength of his father's grip around his neck. He kicked at his father's gut to break free but his struggle quickly began to die out. Before long, he hung from his father's grip barely conscious.
The darkness had consumed his vision and he was left in a paralyzing void of nothingness.
"Gah–!" he immediately jumped into a seated position. 'Another nightmare,' he realized. His body was shaking as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He took a deep breath to resolve himself and steel his nerves.
Now calm, he looked around his surroundings. To his surprise, he was in a bed, underneath a cover. He threw the blanket to the side and leapt onto the floor. His feet were coated with bandages. But overall, they felt perfectly fine now. He also sported a green hospital gown. 'How long was I out?' he wondered.
Peering around the room, Gaara noticed that it was sparsely decorated. The door to the room was shut just in front of him. He walked forward and reached for the door.
CRASH!
"What was that?" Gaara heard a voice from outside.
"Oh no," he whispered under his breath.
Gaara scanned the room, noticing that an IV pole had fallen over. He raised his hand up and realized the IV was still in his wrist.
The door creaked open and Gaara pounced away in defense. "Ah, you're awake," the doctor said with an excited smirk. "Lord Hokage is gonna wanna speak with you."
'Hokage?' he mentally remarked. "Where am I?" the boy beckoned.
"Konoha. ANBU Compound Hospital," the doctor informed dryly.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Four and a half days."
"And what's going to happen to me?" Gaara inquired.
The doctor shrugged his shoulders. "Lord Hiruzen will have to decide that," the doctor admitted. "Just sit tight for a few minutes and I'll get that IV out of your arm shortly."
Gaara waltzed back over to the hospital bed and set the IV pole upright before he sat down on the mattress. "Great, I'll summon the Hokage and he'll be here very soon." The doctor scurried off and left Gaara to his lonesome.
He sat in silent reflection over the last week and a half of his life. The fact that he was now in Konoha was still setting in. He wanted to escape his father but was this the right way to do it? Does the Leaf know that he's the container of the One-Tail? What happens if they do know? All these pressing questions swarmed around his mind for a while.
Gaara only escaped these mind-numbing questions when a new figure stepped into the doorway of his hospital room. An older man. He sported a wooden cane and a white linen cloak. A smoking pipe hung from his lips. On top of his head was a dome-shaped hat that reminded him of his father's. Only this one was red instead of green, and had the word 'fire' embroidered onto the front of it contrary to his father's 'wind.'
'The Hokage–!' He immediately straightened up in his bed and gave the man his undivided attention.
"I apologize that we couldn't speak sooner, but I came to see you as quickly as I could," the Hokage said as he gently shut the door behind him in such a way that still managed to command your respect for him.
Gaara had heard the war stories about this man. His undeniable strength and efficiency that combated three other Elemental Nations as a young jōnin in the First Great Ninja War displayed the infamous "Will of Fire" clearly to the rest of the world. His longevity and success as Hokage for half a century has abated enemies from harming Konoha since the Second Great Ninja War. Though he had long since grown old and gray, and was enveloped with a cordial, almost gentle nature, his presence forever demanded respect.
Gaara had found his apology to be strange. He also felt that the man's amicable introduction was unlike his father.
"It's no problem, sir," Gaara said.
"Ah, my name is Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Call me Hiruzen for short," the man said with a playful smirk.
"Okay, Hiruzen," he obliged somewhat reluctantly.
"So, tell me where are you from?" Hiruzen asked with an edge of curiosity.
"Oh, I'm Gaara from–"
"From the Hidden Sand." Hiruzen finished it for him. "From the Land of Wind's most prestigious clan – that's a dead giveaway," Hiruzen said with a grin. "So, why did we find you half dead at the River-Fire Border?" Hiruzen asked bluntly.
Gaara frowned at the old man. "I ran away…" he admitted with a whisper.
"Did you have any assistance?" Hiruzen asked.
"...No," Gaara admitted quietly.
Gaara noticed how Hiruzen studied the boy with curious eyes.
"How long ago did you leave Suna before we found you at the border?"
"A week on foot. Non-stop fleeing."
"You have some impressive stamina for a child," Hiruzen praised.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Gaara accepted the old man's compliment.
Gaara reeled back when Hiruzen's face morphed into frown. "What made you run away from your home?" Hiruzen asked with what seemed to be sincere concern.
Gaara lowered his head. He wished to explain everything that happened but it was like the words died on his tongue. Why was this so hard to do? He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply to resolve himself.
He opened his eyes and looked at the aged Hokage intently. "...I had to run from my father." The pain and sorrow clung to every syllable of the sentence. Gaara recoiled on instinct when the Hokage placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the aged Kage and saw the empathy plastered onto his face. He let the man's hand rest on his shoulder. It was comforting.
"Family is complicated, son," Hiruzen stated somberly. "Do you think you will be able to return to your home?"
"Not anytime soon…" Gaara admitted.
"Well, that's no good," Hiruzen frowned. "You're too important to your country and your village to just up and leave," the Hokage stated.
Gaara's lips formed a frown. He was painfully aware of his importance to his home and the fact that he abandoned it nearly overwhelmed him with guilt.
"Especially since you possess the Magnet Release Kekkei Tōta and you are the jinchūriki of the Ichibi," Hiruzen explained.
Gaara jolted back at the Hokage's statement. His eyes grew wide with shock and his face was overcome with a concerned grimace. "So you know then," Gaara said, referring to the One-Tailed Beast. "W-What's going to happen to me now?" he beckoned with a worried tone.
Hiruzen gave Gaara a stern look. "Seeing as how the Wind and Fire are allied nations, it's probably in everyone's best interests that I notify the Sand to come and retrieve you," the Hokage said bluntly.
The Hokage's proposition made Gaara leap off the bed and stand straight up in protest.
"Please no! Don't send me back there!" Gaara frantically begged.
"The Kazekage is already on the way here," Hiruzen explained.
Gaara fell onto his knees in defeat. "F-Father is coming here…?" he mumbled to himself under his breath.
"Why are you so against going back to Sunagakure?"
Gaara maintained a wide-eyed stare at the ground. "M-My father, the Kazekage, is a very ruthless man," Gaara explained quietly. "He does horrible things to make the Demon Tanuki come out so I have to try and control it." Gaara raised his head up and laid his gaze on the old man. "I can't go through another one of his heartless schemes again…" Gaara shook his head in denial.
The pair shared a long stare and a moment of silence. The eerie stillness of the room was interrupted when the Hokage rubbed his tired eyes and exhaled a deep sigh.
"I'll tell you what," the Hokage began, "I'll talk to Rasa and see if I can get you some extended time in Konoha."
Gaara's face lit up with hope. He clasped his hands together like a prayer to show his gratitude. "You have no idea how much that means to me! I'm truly thankful, Lord Hokage!" Gaara exclaimed.
"Don't get your hopes up, Gaara," the Hokage stared at him with dejection. "There's no guarantee that your father will let you stay," Hiruzen explained with a stern tone. "It just means I will try and convince him."
Gaara nodded in understanding. To hear the Hokage say that he'd try to help him had lifted a huge mountain-sized weight off his chest. For the first time in years, Gaara felt a bit of inner peace.
The Hokage offered a sincere smile to the boy before he turned to the door.
Gaara took to his feet. "Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?"
"For the time being," Hiruzen said as he walked to the door. "I will notify the hospital to fetch your belongings. They will provide you with a new set of clothes and sandals," the Hokage explained as he reached for the doorknob. "When the time comes, I will have you escorted to the Hokage Tower where you will see me discuss your situation with your father," Hiruzen stated as he opened the door. "Be ready by then," he instructed as he closed the door behind him.
Gaara walked down the hallway that led to the Hokage's office. In front of him was a Leaf ANBU operative that sported a white porcelain mask with a red minimalist face of a snake painted onto it. Behind him, another Leaf ANBU followed with a similar mask marked with a minimalist painting of a boar's face.
The two ANBU had escorted Gaara from their compound hospital to the Hokage Tower after they had provided Gaara with his new set of clothes. He now flaunted a black t-shirt, black sweatpants, and a black pair of sandals. His feet remained bandaged. Underneath his shirt was a layer of chain mail that coated his arms down to his elbows. Around his neck was a red headdress that draped over his shoulders and neck with tassels. A wide leather strap ran from his left shoulder to his right hip that supported his massive beige gourd which clung to his back. Gaara cared little for the clothes because he was just grateful to get out of the hospital gown.
The Hokage's receptionist waved him and his escorts through and they quietly opened the door for Gaara to enter Hiruzen's office.
The hair on Gaara's neck stood stiff when he laid eyes on his father's Kazekage cloak draped over his back as he stood in the middle of the room. To his right was the Land of Wind's Secretary of War, Baki of the Deadeye. A large, intimidating man who was legendary throughout the entire world. He sported a dark green poncho that draped over his left arm and hip. His dark gray headdress wrapped around his head, nose, and mouth and was covered in intricate red markings. His head protector was pulled down, concealing his right eye. Beneath the poncho was a standard issue tan Hidden Sand Shinobi vest. He wore a dark gray long-sleeve shirt that matched his pants and sandals. From the right side of his hip, Gaara could make out the dark, snakeskin belt that holstered a scimitar and whatever was hidden beneath the intimidating man's poncho.
"Ah," Hiruzen started as he realized Gaara had now arrived. "Please, come on in, Gaara," the Hokage insisted.
Gaara hesitantly made his way to the front of the Hokage's desk. He stood to the left of his father, but was careful to keep his distance. His curiosity overcame him, and he found himself sneaking a glance at his father. He saw that the Kazekage's face was as stern as ever. But now, something was different about the leader of the Sand. Maybe it was the huge bags that sat under his eyes, or the wrinkles forming at the corners of his mouth. Whatever it was, Gaara could tell that his father looked exhausted, almost sickly.
What caught Gaara off guard about the man even more was how little effort he put into hiding his fresh wound. The Kazekage had left his missing arm in plain sight for all to see. The amputation was just below the elbow, and had been heavily bandaged. Gaara could only assume that his father was simply not concerned with how he was perceived now that he only possessed one arm.
"Now that everyone is here, we can get straight to business," Hiruzen said, dragging Gaara out of his curious spell.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Rasa replied.
"As you were told, we found Gaara half-dead at the Rivers-Fire Border. My border patrol had originally assumed that he was a simple citizen attempting to illegally immigrate into the Land of Fire until he showcased an overwhelming chakra that could only be displayed by a jinchūriki," Hiruzen explained to the Suna trio.
"After they subjugated him, they had him sent here and suggested that the entire country be put on high alert to stifle any nonsense," the aged Hokage stated plainly. "It was not until you had contacted me that same day about your village's current situation that I had realized who Gaara was. We then put the boy in the ANBU's Hospital to be treated until you could retrieve him," Hiruzen spoke directly to Rasa. "As an ally to the Wind, we served Gaara to the best of our abilities. I hope that pleases you."
Gaara tensed up when the Kazekage glared at his son, scanning up and down his figure. "We are grateful to you, Hiruzen," Rasa said before leaning into a small but respectful bow. "Thanks to you, the Sand won't be at risk of invasion now that we have the One-Tail back."
The jinchūriki gave a longing and expectant glare to the aged Hokage who remained silent for a few moments. "Actually, I wanted to strike a deal between your nation and mine that involved Gaara," the Hokage revealed with a serious tone. "A trade offer, if you will."
Rasa's eyes narrowed slightly at his fellow Kage. "What sort of trade offer would involve our greatest military asset?" the Kazekage questioned with a skeptical edge.
"I am aware of the hardships that have riddled your great nation ever since the grand Sanzu River that was the lifeblood of your nation was damned up by the Land of Stone in the Third Great War," Hiruzen explained. "Widespread drought and famine have plagued your land for over a decade and have even weakened the integrity of the Wind's notorious military."
"Where are you going with this?" Baki inquired.
"I am willing to lend a substantial amount of monetary aid to your country to help alleviate the water and food crisis, invest in the Wind's economy, and bolster your military," Hiruzen stated bluntly.
"And what do you want in return?" Rasa asked.
"In return, I want Gaara to reside in the village for an extended period of time and be tutored to be an ambassador between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire."
Gaara's eyes were intently flicking back and forth between the Kages, trying everything in his power to gauge what the two elite shinobi were thinking.
A few moments of silence rang in everyone's ears as they took it all in.
"Is that all?" Baki broke the silence.
"Not quite," Hiruzen stated. "I will also see to it that Gaara is trained under some of our greatest shinobi. He will retain Sand Citizenship and will still be treated as a Sand Shinobi. Any missions he is assigned by us will be compensated for," Hiruzen declared with his hands interlocked under his chin.
"The Leaf will also allocate the resources needed to try and help Gaara gain full control of the Ichibi," Hiruzen concluded.
'Wow,' Gaara thought. 'I can't believe the Hokage is willing to do this much for me.'
"How much money will be included in this aid?" Rasa inquired with a disbelieving look.
"Two-and-a-half million ryō monthly," the Hokage stated bluntly.
"That's thirty million ryō a year," Baki remarked with an edge of surprise. "Lord Rasa, we could do a lot with that kind of money backing us," the jōnin stated.
"You're right," Rasa replied. "It is an incredibly generous offer. So generous that I struggle to see what Fire Country really gains from this." The one-armed Kage flashed a narrowed gaze toward the Hokage. "What do you want with my son?" Rasa asked bluntly.
Hiruzen gave all three Suna-nin a stern stare coupled with a moment of stilled quiet that permeated the Hokage's office. "It's rather simple, Lord Kazekage. As we are both allied to one another, we must be able to rely on each other in times of need. By keeping Gaara in the Leaf, I am extending an opportunity to you to further develop our relations. Furthermore, I can see that you and Gaara both have struggled to keep control of Shukaku. As an ally, I need your country to be strong and capable. That is why I will see to his development as a jinchūriki for the time being while also offering you the chance to resolve other matters in your nation. I wish only to build your nation up with mine and ensure a tough bond between our people," Hiruzen finished with a sense of sincerity.
"How long will this deal hold up? I would not be comfortable leaving my son here forever," Rasa explained sternly.
The Hokage turned to Gaara. "How old are you, Gaara?"
"Ten years old," Gaara meekly revealed.
"Alright," Hiruzen said. "In around two years, the Chūnin Exams will be held and Gaara will be eligible to take them. This trade deal can remain until then," the old Kage stated. "When all is said and done you can come take Gaara back to Sunagakure," he finished.
Gaara watched intently with a held breath while Rasa used his only hand to rub his chin in contemplation. "Fine," Rasa said. "I suppose this deal is sufficient and generous of you. I will take you up on it, Lord Hokage," the Kazekage declared.
Gaara's face lit up with surprise. 'I can't believe he accepted it!' he mentally exclaimed. He was so overcome with a plethora of emotions that he couldn't even find it in him to smile. At the very least, it was relieving to him.
"Wonderful," the Sarutobi chimed. "I will prepare the necessary arrangements shortly," Hiruzen explained with a smirk. "First, I'll need to set up Gaara's living arrangements. You and your entourage may leave when you please, but I can also withhold some lodging for you all," the Hokage informed Rasa.
"No, thank you for the kind offer though. I must get back to my village to prepare our arrangements for this trade between us," the redheaded Kage revealed.
Rasa turned toward his son. His hard gaze caused Gaara to wilt slightly. But Gaara was taken aback when he saw Rasa's cold eyes soften for just a moment. He placed his only hand on the boy's head with endearment. "Be well, son," his father told him softly. Gaara's eyes widened in surprise. Rasa pulled his Kazekage cap over his head from around his neck and made his way to the exit of the Hokage's office with Baki in tow.
"Be safe on your travels," Hiruzen remarked with respect.
"Thank you," Rasa stated. "I wish you and your village well," the Kazekage concluded as he exited the room into the hallway and left.
Gaara could only manage a deep exhale in response to everything that had just happened. For a moment, it almost seemed like Rasa was saddened that he had to leave without his son. Gaara couldn't take the weight of it all, and fought the thought into the back of his mind.
"Well, then," Hiruzen broke the silence. "I suppose it's time I show you to your new living quarters."
"You already found a place for me to stay?" Gaara exclaimed in bewilderment.
"I have a pretty good idea in mind," Hiruzen revealed with a small grin. "Let's get going then."
With that, the pair left Hiruzen's office with Gaara following closely behind.
He wasn't sure, but he felt like he had crossed half the village in an instant when Hiruzen took him by the hand as they exited the Hokage Tower.
Instead of the center of Konoha where he had just been, it looked as if he was now near the very outskirts of the village.
"Was that your Body Flicker Jutsu?" Gaara was slack-jawed by how far they traveled in an instant.
"I'll slow it down next time," Hiruzen joked with a chuckle.
There was less urban sprawl and more greenery, but before them was a large gate that walled off a community inside. Hiruzen and Gaara were permitted through the gates by ANBU immediately.
Gaara scanned the community before him. It looked like a nice and leisurely place to live all things considered.
"Where are we, Lord Hokage?" Gaara inquired.
"This is the esteemed Senju Estate," Hiruzen informed the boy. Gaara let an audible 'wow' escape his lips in reply. "Here, take my hand again," the old man instructed as he held his wrinkled hand out. By the time Gaara had touched his skin, he felt an intense gust of wind and the entire location had once again become unrecognizable.
"Woah…" Gaara uttered in amazement at the sight he saw. Before him was a massive, lavish mansion that sported an extravagant and detailed wooden mural of the notorious First and Second Hokage carved out of its entrance.
"Come on then, son," Hiruzen instructed as he walked on ahead.
"We're going inside?" Gaara exclaimed in disbelief.
"How else are you going to meet your new caretaker and sensei?" Hiruzen snickered at his own rhetorical question.
Gaara jogged to the old man's side, giddy with excitement. They approached the door and Hiruzen gave it a hearty knock.
Gaara's ears perked up when he heard the door being unlocked. He straightened up to look more proper in front of his soon-to-be sensei.
The door cracked open and Gaara was overwhelmed with anticipation. It flew open only to reveal a blond, whiskered boy who looked Gaara's age.
'Huh?' Gaara thought. 'Surely this isn't my new master.' His face shrank into a confused stare at the boy in the doorway.
"Old Man?" the boy said inquisitively. "What are you doing here?" The boy's bright blue eyes then focused on Gaara. "Who's this?" he beckoned with his distrustful stare.
"Ah, Naruto. Hello," Hiruzen began. "This here is Gaara. He'll be staying here with you and will be your training partner for the time being." Both of the boys sized each other up at the announcement of the competitive element of their relationship being made known.
"Anyways, where is Tsunade?" the old Kage asked.
"Oh, uh – yeah, she's in the living room," Naruto revealed awkwardly after being interrupted from scanning Gaara up and down.
'Wait… Tsunade of the Sannin? Will she be my new sensei?!' Gaara nearly choked on his own breath in shock.
"Hey Granny, Old Man Hokage is here to see you!" Naruto shouted into the house.
"He's Tsunade's grandchild?" Gaara questioned with a newfound sense of danger.
"Hahaha!" Hiruzen almost doubled over from laughter. "No, Tsunade is just looking after Naruto like she will be doing for you," he explained.
Surely enough Tsunade of the Sannin walked over to the doorway.
'It's actually her!' Gaara tensed up.
"You really need to stop calling me that, brat," she scowled at Naruto.
Naruto merely stuck his tongue out in defiance. Tsunade paid no mind though.
"Come on in you two," she said.
As they walked through the home to the living room, Tsunade motioned for her company to take a seat around the table in the center of the room. She sat down comfortably in a chair, while Naruto slouched on the couch to her right. Hiruzen gestured for Gaara to sit in the seat opposite of Tsunade and the boy did so.
"So," she started. "This is the new kid from Suna you want me to watch after?"
Hiruzen nodded in response. "As I had my ANBU inform you, this child is a jinchūriki just like Naruto." Both the boys shared a curious glare at one another. In that instant, Gaara realized that their relationship had evolved just with that revelation.
"As per the recently brokered agreement between our nation and the Land of Wind, he will be trained here in Konoha for the next two years," Hiruzen stated. "You are one of the few ninja in the village that I trust to be able to handle training a jinchūriki, especially with trying to help them control the bijū's chakra," Hiruzen revealed bluntly.
"And I will be getting paid the amount of an S-rank mission monthly for doing this, just like with Naruto?" the woman asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course," Hiruzen appeased her.
"Is that all then?" the Sannin beckoned.
"More or less," Hiruzen said plainly.
"Alright then, sounds good to me."
"Fantastic," Hiruzen said with a grin.
"You can let yourself out then, Sarutobi-sensei," she said.
Hiruzen stood up from his seat. "I'll leave you three to get to know one another," he walked out of the living room and then disappeared out of sight, leaving everyone with, "Farewell."
"I'll see to it that you both become tough kids," Tsunade promised with a stern but reassuring demeanor. "Your room is on the second floor, first door on the right. You can check it out when you want to," Tsunade informed Gaara. "Naruto can show you around sometime too. Training will start at seven in the morning, so be sharp."
"U–Understood, Tsunade-sensei," he stood up straight and offered a slight bow of respect.
"No need to be so proper with me, kid," she said. "Me and Naruto were enjoying a game of poker to relax," she revealed, pointing to the deck of cards on the table. "Why don't you join us?"
"That sounds fun," Gaara said somewhat hesitantly.
He shared a passing glance with his two new housemates and grinned as Tsunade shuffled the cards.
'It's not quite home yet,' he thought, saddened. 'But I think I'll enjoy it here,' he resolved his thoughts with a deep exhale as Tsunade dealt him his first card.
END
Author's Note
Hey everyone. I hope this new chapter finds you well.
So this is the final chapter of the prologue. Everything is finally put in place and I will be getting into official "Part 1" territory next chapter. I'm very excited for what's to come.
Gaara is now in the Leaf Village until the Chūnin Exams. I have some very intriguing things coming for him down the line. But anyways, time for some clarifications.
Those of you who are aware will have probably noticed by now that Gaara is using gold dust instead of his normal sand. This is by design. I have decided to make Magnet Style and Gaara's sand two separate abilities. Sand and the many abilities and perks that come with that will be thanks to Shukaku's unique powers as a Tailed Beast. Gaara himself will have the Magnet Style Kekkei Tōta to control magnetic objects and poles and whatnot.
Those of you who are more attentive will also notice that Magnet Style isn't a Kekkei Genkai like canon, but instead a Kekkei Tōta. This is simply because it doesn't really make a lot of sense to not include Lightning Style with Earth and Wind for Magnet Release. Overall though, these are small changes, but I want to get it out there to the people who don't realize it's an AU fic and want to tell me that it isn't canon accurate.
A huge thank you to Kastra, carnage1699, and V3X for helping me with this along the way.
Anyways, chapter 8 drops on the 25th. Review, follow, and favorite the fic. I greatly appreciate it, and I appreciate your time.
Godspeed,
Salt.