Naruto: Kōkai

by Ken Miyamoto

After the failure of the Sasuke Retrieval Mission the Council of the Hidden Leaf decides to punish Naruto with banishment from the village forcing the hand of Tsunade. Now alone and no longer a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Naruto decides to take his newfound life into his own hands. Follow Naruto Uzumaki as he tries to find his place in the ninja world.

7. Chapter 7

Hey there, thank you for taking a minute to read the chapter.

I wanted to take a minute to answer a quick question that showed up in the reviews regarding Fuu, I haven't had too much experience writing her character but I'm sure she'll be fun to write for that being said I do have plans for Naruto and Fuu to meet but that's going to be further down the road. For now the focus is on the journey and development aspect of Naruto while he gains his own standing in the world.

Thank you for the question!

I also wanted to take a minute to mention that the "Suna Arc." I'm personally dubbing won't be a super long one. That doesn't mean the characters won't show up again but I really want the focus to be on the more foreign areas to Naruto and how those environments effect his path.

(Totally not because I'm really excited to start the next arc.)

Anyway like always any questions asked or reviews left I'll be answering in the story so feel free to leave anything and I'll take a look at it!

Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy.

-Ken

{...}

Chapter 7: Reunion

Temari's eyes narrowed at the blonde standing a few meters ahead of her while the blonde boy kept the grin on his face.

"Hey so is Gaara around?" I wanted to come by and say hi."

Naruto said while Temari unfolded her fan revealing one star before the blonde boy's eyes slowly widened. "Uh… Temari?"

Naruto asked before the girl wasted no time twisting her body with her fan in hand before releasing a massive gust of wind. The gust was strong enough to blow a clean line through the sandstorm while Naruto flipped backward from the gust before landing.

"Oi what's the big idea! I'm a friend!"

Naruto yelled while multiple bursts of wind came flying toward him before the boy somersaulted, avoiding two of them before he quickly made a shadow clone to block the third one.

"Listen to me already!"

Naruto yelled while he moved his body barely avoiding a sharp blade of wind, Temari pointed at him from afar.

"Why should I? You look seriously sketchy walking up like this."

Temari said while Naruto sweat dropped, "What was I supposed to do then? Fly in?!" Naruto yelled before he backflipped over another lower air blade.

"You want in? Earn it."

Temari challenged while Naruto just blinked at the young woman, "...You're just really bored aren't you?" Naruto accused while the blonde young woman revealed a second star on her fan.

"Oh shi-"

Naruto was cut off by narrowly avoiding another volley of gusts while he slid on the desert sand. "That's how it is huh? Fine then, let's have some fun!" Naruto yelled before he summoned thirteen shadow clones who all started running through the sand toward Temari who smirked a little at the charge.

"Wind Style: Sickle Weasel Jutsu!"

Temari yelled from the distance before she launched another massive gust of wind toward the blonde and his clones.

"Boss!"

One of the clones yelled while Naruto quickly jumped to the side grabbing the hands of his other clone who helped tug him away from the gust that destroyed multiple clones.

The blonde boy did a small flip launching the clone toward Temari before another clone gave Naruto a boost into the air.

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto summoned another twelve clones in mid air while Temari quickly dispatched the clone flying toward her.

"Uzumaki Launcher 2.0!"

Naruto yelled while he grabbed his clones one by one, launching them toward the girl while they held shuriken in their hands.

The clones threw the bladed weapons while flying in right behind them, "Not bad." Temari said while she weaved around the bladed weapons before she swung around her fan to dispatch the clones.

In the chaos Naruto kept low to the ground lunging to grab the girl, "Gotcha!" Naruto yelled before he saw the third star open up directly in front of him.

"Wind Style: Rising Gale!"

Temari lifted her fan creating a massive updraft that sent Naruto flying into the air while the rest of his clones were destroyed.

"All this damn sand!"

Naruto complained wiping at his eyes before he realized he was high enough in the air to get a near bird's eye view of the entire Village Hidden in Sand.

"Whoa!"

Naruto yelled in excitement before he started to fall back toward the ground where Temari was preparing for another attack. "Looks like it's go time!" Naruto formed a hand sign before he started launching kunai at the ground toward Temari who swung her fan again.

"You'll have to do better than that!"

Temari yelled while she launched another gust into the air sending the kunai flying in multiple directions. The young woman sent an additional gust that hit Naruto directly causing him to disappear into smoke.

"A clone?"

Temari asked before she immediately leaned back avoiding a punch from the blonde teen from her side. She twisted her body and spun her fan to smack directly into his side only for him to turn into smoke again.

"Another one?"

Temari whipped her head around avoiding another punch before she kicked the clone across the face.

"Where are they coming from?!"

Temari yelled while clones suddenly attacked her again, the young woman waved her fan around using its iron to block attacks while she countered destroying the clones. Temari then looked at the ground noticing the kunai had been disappearing, she quickly turned to another one of the discarded kunai as it transformed into a clone.

She already slammed her fan into it causing it to disappear, 'This means one of these kunai is the real one transformed!' Temari thought to herself as she continued to attack and defend the rest of the clones with her fan.

She released a smaller gust that caused one of the clones to backflip before it revealed a kunai and threw it at her. Temari leaned her head causing the kunai to stab into the wall before she lunged forward swinging her fan at the boy.

"Found you!"

Temari yelled while the fan made contact with his body only for that one to turn into smoke as well. "What?" The young woman looked around, noticing all of the kunai were gone from the sand, "That doesn't make any sense." Temari said before her eyes widened.

"Wait!"

The girl twisted around to swing her fan but was already grabbed and put into a hold by Naruto.

"How's that! You aren't the only one who can use sand to their advantage!"

Naruto yelled while Temari struggled in his grip, "You were the kunai that I dodged weren't you?" Temari asked while Naruto grinned.

"Pretty cool huh?"

Naruto said while Temari rolled her eyes, "Also is this how you've decided to start holding onto girls Naruto?" Temari asked while Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?"

Naruto took a look at his hold on the girl before an elbow dug into his side, the blonde boy groaned before Temari flipped the boy over her shoulder. Without a beat the blonde girl launched a close-range gust of wind at Naruto sending him rolling away from her position through the desert sand.

Naruto roughly rolled through the sand before he recovered his feet kicking up more sand behind him.

"That was dirty!"

Naruto yelled while Temari smirked, "All's fair! Let's wrap this up shall we?" Temari said before she planted her feet.

"Wind Style: Great Weasel Breakthrough!"

Temari spun before she launched a massive spiral of wind that became a sand tornado moving toward Naruto.

"Woah…"

Naruto watched the massive tornado approach him before he quickly made a hand sign.

"I agree!"

Naruto yelled before six clones appeared at his side, they all began to rush toward the tornado of sand. The clones started launching each other toward the tornado while Naruto extend his palm outward slowly forming a Rasengan in his palm. The clones that were launched were quickly destroyed while Temari watched from a distance.

"That should do it."

Temari said while she watched the tornado spin, she squinted her eyes at the multiple puffs of smoke before she spotted a blue mark in the tornado.

"Huh?"

Temari watched as a figure quickly whipped around the swirling column of air, "Is he?" the sandy blonde watched while the before the tornado became blue before it exploded launching her opponent at her near breakneck speed.

Temari swiped at the blonde with her fan but Naruto rolled underneath the swing pointing his kunai at her neck while she was about to bring her fan down on his head.

"You admit defeat yet?"

Naruto asked while Temari huffed, "Says the guy who was about to get bludgeoned." The sandy blonde chuckled while Naruto sighed.

"You're super strong. I wasn't expecting a fight when getting her but wow it was almost as if you were trying to kill me."

Naruto spoke with a grin while Temari stayed silent.

"Huh?! You were trying to murder me?!"

Naruto yelled while Temari shrugged, "Look, a shinobi should be ready to die at the drop of a hat for their village. You wanted to come in and I made you earn it." Temari defended while the blond boy huffed.

"Yeah and what if I died?!"

Naruto yelled again while Temari looked away from the boy's face, "Then you wouldn't have been worthy to enter." Temari added while Naruto groaned.

"Scary women are the worst!"

Naruto yelled while Temari snickered trying to hold back her laughter before she kicked the boy in the shin.

"Idiots are even worse than that!"

Temari countered while the boy waited in pain from the kick, the young woman then noticed that Naruto was headbandless other than the makeshift one on his shoulder.

"Hey, where's your headband?"

Temari asked while Naruto continued rolling on the ground, "Don't have one, I got banished." Naruto said while Temari's eyes shot open.

"Wait what?"

The blonde girl asked before Naruto was been tackled by multiple Sand shinobi who pinned him.

"Miss Temari are you alright?!"

One of the shinobi yelled while the other's held the boy down, "Oi get off me!" Naruto yelled while his face was pushed into the sand.

"Release him."

A calm voice spoke while the shinobi slowly got off of the boy who looked up toward his red headed savior.

"Gaara!"

Naruto yelled while Gaara looked at his friend fondly, "Welcome to the Hidden Sand Naruto… I apologize about the reception…" the boy who while narrowing his eyes at the shinobi who cowered at his glare.

"Naruto, you have a lot of explaining to do."

Temari said while Naruto grinned sheepishly at the girl.

{...}

"That's utter bullshit."

Temari suddenly spoke before she looked toward Gaara who blinked at her almost ignorantly.

"Sorry, I meant that. That's stupid and it doesn't make any sense, throwing out half decent ninja like that."

Temari commented while Naruto looked up from his tea cup, "Oi, I am a fully decent ninja thank you very much. I almost kicked your butt out at the gates." Naruto said while Temari huffed.

"Naruto… I'm sorry."

Gaara spoke while Naruto's face fell slightly causing Temari to sigh before her glare at the boy faded.

"It's alright… I've pretty much come to terms with it already."

Naruto spoke while Gaara's eyes narrowed, "The Hidden Leaf has made a mistake and you have become abandoned because of it. Nothing about that is right." Gaara said while his fist clenched.

"Gaara, calm down."

Temari said while Gaara took a breath before he unclenched his fist, Naruto looked at the siblings before he grinned.

"You two are starting to look like siblings already!"

Naruto chirped while Temari's eyes widened before she flushed slightly, "Quiet down, it's not that obvious, is it?" Temari said with slight embarrassment while Gaara nodded his head.

"Ever since you and I met and I was able to calm down a little, Temari has been treating me well."

Gaara spoke while Temari slapped a palm on the table, "Not in front of the idiot! I'm supposed to be a badass, not some mushy big sister." Temari said while Naruto laughed at the pair.

Temari narrowed her eyes at the blonde boy before Gaara focused on Naruto, "You're free to stay as long as you need to. We'll find you proper lodging for your visit." Gaara spoked while Naruto nodded.

"Thanks, also I wanted ask something else."

Naruto rocked in his seat a little while Temari raised her eyebrows, "Like what?" Temari asked before Naruto grinned.

"I wanna get stronger... so I was wondering if there was anybody who could teach me something new or help me improve? I was going to ask Gaara but I'm not sure our techniques mesh pretty well."

Naruto said while both boy remembered their fight from before meanwhile Temari's brow raised, "You're looking for a teacher? I highly doubt you'll find someone who would randomly start teaching someone formally from the Leaf." Temari said with a shrug while Gaara turned his gaze toward her.

"I believe we have a suitable teacher right here."

Gaara said while Temari's head whipped toward her young brother while Naruto's hand slapped on the table.

"Her?!"

"Teach this guy?!"

They both yelled pointing at one another while Gaara calmly nodded, "Yes, Temari is a fully fledged Chunin. At this rate she'll be Jonin in under a year or so, I believe she'd be the best teacher for you." Gaara said while Temari flushed at the praise.

"Huh? Almost a Jonin? I nearly kicked her butt out there, does that make me almost a Jonin too?"

Naruto pointed at himself with a grin while Temari rolled her eyes, "You couldn't even tell how much I was holding back on you, and that was just me you wouldn't stand a chance against Gaara either. He's a Kazekage candidate." Temari boasted while Naruto's eyes nearly came out of his head.

"Huh?! Gaara, you're going to be Kazakage?!"

Naruto raised his voice while Gaara gave a tired look to his sister, "At the moment I am merely a candidate. Besides that, I believe you two should train together." Gaara said while Temari groaned.

"How do I know he's even going to take his training seriously? This guy is a massive goofball."

Temari said while Naruto narrowed his eyes at the older girl before he pointed at her. "Oi! I take my training super seriously! Besides…" Naruto trailed off while the two siblings noticed his sudden change in demeanor in his seat.

"I can't just be weak anymore… I have to keep moving forward."

Naruto said in a serious tone while Gaara's face grew concerned, Temari's face meanwhile had her little glare fade away from it.

Honestly dealing with his eccentricities almost made her forget about his position, he was no longer a shinobi in a sense. He was kicked out of his home and left out for the world to do what it pleased with him.

Naruto was still just a kid.

"...Fine, I'll do it. Don't you dare expect me to make it easy though."

Temari gave in while the boy looked toward her, "Seriously? Hell yeah! I won't let you down, Temari!" Naruto cheered while the blonde girl sighed.

"You better make it worth the effort, I don't just train anybody. You let me down for even a second and I'm leaving you on your own."

Temari crossed her arms while Naruto sweatdropped, he could tell by her demeanor alone that she was going to be unlike any of the teachers he's ever had before. A part of him truly believed that she might actually kill him.

However it wasn't like he himself hasn't changed over the time since he first became a ninja, he's had plenty of experience not to mention the drive to keep moving forward despite the odds that he's facing ahead of him.

He couldn't give up and he wouldn't.

"I swear, I'm going to blow you out of the water and show you I'm more than worth teaching! Believe it!"

Naruto swore on his word while Gaara looked toward his friend, the boy had changed in the little time that had passed since he had last seen him. He was as fired up as ever but there was a new sense of seriousness to his words.

That made him question how long it had been since he had been journeying alone and what exactly he had gone through, the thought of the Leaf Village just abandoning the boy after he had saved the village from him when he went berserk.

It frustrated him.

Naruto was good, that was the truth. That was what he had known the boy to be, so why was someone who would do whatever it takes for others being punished?

This world was truly a cruel place.

The red-haired boy watched Temari's eyes flicker with a slight bit of excitement while looking toward the excited boy, Naruto on the other hand had this smile on his face that he remembered being nearly unbreakable even then.

Despite the setbacks Naruto Uzumaki was still the boy he admired the most, someone who he was glad to return the favor to.

"At least I won't be bored…"

Temari said while Gaara gave her an extremely faint smile before the sound of a door interrupted them. "I'm home… What the heck is he doing here?" The second sibling of the Kazekage's children Kankuro asked while he pointed his finger at the blonde in question.

"Hey there Make-Up Boy!"

Naruto greeted cheerfully while Kankuro growled, "It's not make-up!" The brown-haired boy yelled while Temari grabbed Naruto by the wrist.

"Let's go, we start today. The sooner we get this over with the better."

Temari said while she pulled Naruto out of his chair, "I'll see you later Gaara, you too Make-up Boy!" Naruto called while Temari pushed past her young brother out the door.

"Oi wait! Temari, where are you going with him? Hey! I don't approve!"

Kankuro yelled out after his sister who rolled her eyes at his words, the girl quickly opened her fan while the two blonde stood near the tall ledge of the Sand Siblings residence. Temari turned her head toward Naruto.

"You ever fly before?"

Temari asked while Naruto's eyes slightly widened, "Fly? What do you mean by fly?" the blonde boy asked nervously while the young woman smirked at him almost sadistically before she pulled him with her as they both leaned off of the ledge.

"Woah woah wait!"

Naruto pleaded before he screamed as the two of them plummeted toward the village streets, Temari maneuvered her fan below both herself and the screaming boy before it caught wind lifting them off of the ground.

Temari laughed while Naruto clung on to her, "What are you crazy or something!?" Naruto yelled while Temari continued to laugh in response, the blonde boy huffed before his eyes slightly widened at the sight ahead of him.

The entirety of the Village Hidden in the Sand was around them, Naruto only really saw the place as just a sandy desert but seeing the view from here he was now able to see it was so much more than what he ever thought.

There were storefronts selling exotic fruits and multiple traders peddling their products, children were playing in the sand together while parents and other adults alike walked the streets. There were multiple stores and shops that he didn't think could be found in the desert.

This place was kind of beautiful.

"Woah…"

Naruto spoke while Temari gave him a curious glance before she smirked, "Finally appreciating the Sand?" the girl asked while Naruto nodded his head before he looked toward her with bright and excited blue eyes.

"So this is how you see the world huh?"

Naruto asked taking the girl off guard, that was actually surprisingly tender of the boy. She had never really thought about it that way, it was pretty simple to her she had her fan and used her wind chakra to fly around where she wanted.

Now she found herself looking around at the environment with him, she had seen these things everyday and the stores had known her on an almost first name basis with most of them still being intimidated by her status.

Yet from here there was a beauty to it that even she could find herself appreciating, the boy had really looked at the world in a different way than she did. While she only saw her boring home, he saw the little things that made it fantastic to him.

This guy was something else.

"We won't be doing our training anywhere near here, nowhere near enough room."

Temari answered briefly before Naruto nodded his head with that same smile on his face before he continued marveling at the village below.

Temari stared at the boy for another minute before she sped up toward the open desert just outside the village borders, the pair were speeding toward an abandoned spot of Temari's choice before going in for a landing.

{...}

"We'll be starting with jutsu, so what jutsu are you capable of so far?"

Temari asked while Naruto scratched the back of his head before he stuck a finger up with his classic grin on his face.

"I've got plenty of cool techniques! Like the Shadow Clone Justsu, Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, Clone Transformation Jutsu-"

Naruto was cut off by Temari who lifted her hand to stop him, "Seriously your arsenal is completely based on that one technique?" Temari asked while Naruto shook his head at the girl.

"No! There's also the Rasengan… that I still need a clone to make…"

Naruto trailed off while Temari resisted the urge to slap a hand against her forehead, "So you don't have a single elemental technique? None at all?" Temari asked while Naruto raised an eyebrow at the young woman.

"Like water or fire? Nah but it would be pretty badass to be able to shoot out fireballs or make a super awesome water dragon!"

Naruto fanboyed while Temari sighed, "That all depends on the nature of your chakra, the more opposing a technique is compared to your nature the more difficult it is to learn." Temari asked while Naruto nodded his head.

"What's Chakra Nature again?"

Naruto asked while Temari nearly fell out at the sound of the words, "Huh!? What the hell do you mean what's Chakra Nature?!" Temari raised her voice while Naruto threw his hands up.

"I mean like I don't know what mine is! It's not like I'm completely clueless, I just haven't ever had to worry about it before."

"Ugh, Naruto. One's nature can determine the line between life and death in a battle between shinobi. Chakra natures themselves have strengths and weaknesses, like my Nature wind is stronger than lighting but weak against fire."

Temari explained while Naruto nodded his head at the girl who opened her fan, "Oh is this the demonstration part?" Naruto asked excitedly while Temari gave him a sickly sweet smile before she jumped in the air boarding her fan.

"This is actually the part where I ditch you for a little while."

Temari said while Naruto pointed at her, "Wait a minute! Are you going to run away from training me too?!" Naruto yelled while Temari huffed.

"Quiet down you massive idiot. We have to find out what your nature is so we can actually make some progress, thankfully I know a place where I can get some. In the meantime, you stay put."

Temari then flew off on her fan while Naruto threw his hands up before he sat down in the sand, the sun glaring down at him.

"Damn it, it's hot."

Naruto complained while he waited for his fellow blonde to return from her errand, surprisingly the time went by rather quickly since after around half an hour Naruto spotted a familiar figure flying back toward him.

"Took you long enough, I think I know for certain that I don't have a water nature."

Naruto smacked his dry lips together while a gust of wind nearly knocked him over from Temari's descent back to the ground, the girl had returned with pieces of paper and several gourds one of which she threw at him.

Naruto juggled the item before he finally caught it, the blonde opened it up and took a look inside of it spotting the sweet cool refreshing water inside. The boy wasted no time before he took a swig of water before he sighed.

"Temari, I take it all back. You're an angel."

Naruto said while Temari rolled her eyes, "Quit being dramatic, also ration out your water properly once we run out of these I'm not going back for more. Now take this and channel your chakra into it." Temari said, passing a piece of paper to the blonde boy.

"What's this?"

Naruto asked while Temari took a piece and channeled her chakra into it causing it to split perfectly in half, "Chakra paper, this will tell us what your nature is. My old sensei was nice enough to provide some for me, if it wrinkles you have lighting nature, if it burns then its fire, it becomes damp then its water, if it crumbles then it's earth and if it splits in half like mine did then you also have wind." Temari explained while Naruto's paper immediately split in half.

"So this means I'm someone with a Wind nature too right?!"

Naruto asked excitedly while Temari's eyes widened, "Well that makes my life easier, good news for you I happen to be one of the best when it comes to wind nature. This should be simpler than I thought." Temari said while popping her knuckles before she opened her fan.

"Those with wind natures are usually more skilled than most in shape transformation, so as a part of your training you'll be learning to manipulate your chakra into shapes while adding your nature into them like so."

Temari waved her fan sending out a rough blade-like shape of wind toward a rock splitting it in half almost effortlessly, "I could learn to do that too with wind?! You also mentioned shape transformation, kinda like my Rasengan?" Naruto asked while Temari huffed.

"I'm not really sure what your Rasengan is but that's probably a basic shape transformation, meanwhile that blade of wind I made is a little more advanced but baby steps I guess."

Temari slightly bragged while she suddenly felt her hair being blown slightly before she looked toward Naruto before her eyes nearly shot open at the sight, the boy held a single palm out while a sphere of chakra formed in it.

"Huh?"

Temari was flabbergasted at the boy who was struggling to make the sphere on his own before he formed a clone to finish it, leaving a perfect sphere of chakra in his hand.

"This is the Rasengan!"

Naruto yelled while Temari's jaw nearly dropped, forget basic shape transformation this kid had it perfected. This jutsu was a perfect shape transformation, no matter how much she tried she was barely able to make proper blades let alone perfect spheres.

The blonde boy charged toward a rock slamming the Rasengan into it before the rock exploded apart sending pieces everywhere, that technique must have been the one he used to destroy her Great Weasel Breakthrough.

That meant it was at least an A-Ranked technique.

What the hell did this kid mean by needing training? That in of itself was ridiculous.

"Very impressive…"

Temari trailed off feeling a little off due to the boy's almost effortless shape transformation after her pitiful blade, Naruto looked back at the girl with confusion before it slowly turned into a smug expression.

"...You can't do that can you?"

Naruto pointed out causing the girl to flush before she pointed her fan at the boy threateningly, "S-shut up! A little talent doesn't mean anything! If I really tried I could do that too, you aren't special!" Temari yelled back at the boy who laughed.

"That's actually hilarious, so this is what you're really like huh?"

Naruto asked while Temari fumed at the boy, the nerve of him trying to chip away at her stature. She was supposed to be the teacher here and yet he was treating her like she was the same age as him, she had a few years on him.

"It's actually kind of cute."

Naruto said while he laughed causing the girl to freeze up, one would figure with her being akin to sand royalty that Temari would have been used to such compliments in truth she hasn't ever really received any like this.

The village mostly saw her as ruthless and sadistic along with the rest of her siblings meaning that she mostly scared away any real prospects of friends or potential suitors.

No one stuck around long enough to even call her cute.

"Being smooth isn't going to get you out of training."

Temari tried to turn away from the subject not wanting to believe the boy but she lost almost instantly when she noticed how honest those blue eyes of his were.

"Hey, let's strike up a deal."

Naruto said while Temari brought herself back from her stupor noticing the boy pointing his finger at her, "You help me become a nature badass and I'll help you become a shape transformation badass. Then we'll both develop our own jutsu and whoever has the better one is the victor and does whatever the other one says." Naruto said while Temari blinked at the boy.

"Wait… Our own jutsu? Naruto, that's not a simple task. Creating a jutsu especially with new concepts is nearly impossible without years of training and effort."

Temari mentioned while Naruto just smirked in response to the sandy blonde before he pointed a thumb to himself.

"Wanna bet?"

Naruto asked while Temari found herself in slight awe at the audacity of the boy standing in front of her, he literally just learned about chakra nature and he was already going on about creating brand new jutsu with them.

"...Sure, if I win then you become my vassal. A servant at my beck and call for me to do whatever with you and you can't complain."

Temari caved, challenging the boy while Naruto shrugged, "Alright? What do I get If I win?" the blonde asked while the young woman thought about it for a moment before she took in a deep breath.

"...A date."

Temari forced out with embarrassment while Naruto just blinked, "Huh? A date? Like going out somewhere? That's nowhere near the same level of severity as mine is!" Naruto yelled while Temari flushed.

"I'll have you know that a date with someone like me is an honor! You better be grateful that a graceful desert flower like myself is even giving you the chance!"

Temari yelled back while Naruto blinked, "Sure." the blonde responded while Temari looked at him with slight surprise.

"That's fine with me, but you better be ready for the best date you've ever been on in your entire life!"

Naruto pointed a finger at the girl while his eyes read that same honesty that she saw earlier, he was being serious and that was kind of embarrassing but the only way to beat back that embarrassment was to win.

"Deal."

Temari said while Naruto grinned, "Alright! So teach me some of that wind stuff first!" Naruto asked excitedly while Temari resisted the urge to roll her eyes for once before she approached the boy with her fan slightly opened.

They went over a few basics before Naruto found himself standing in front of another rock with his palm extended, "Using nothing but your wind chakra, split the rock. Once you can do that then we can get more into the jutsu part." Temari said while Naruto nodded.

"Easy."

The blonde boy said before Temari took a step back from the boy while he channeled his chakra through his body toward his palms, Temari watched the boy struggle for a minute before a small blade of wind shot from his hand cutting into the rock a little.

"Hell yeah! You see that! That was wind baby! I'll have this done in no time!"

Naruto yelled while Temari raised an eyebrow at the boy, considering that it had only been a few hours since they were out there his progress was amazing he may actually have that rock split before the day was over.

Maybe it was time for a challenge.

"Alright tough guy, then you ready for the real deal?"

Temari added with a smirk while Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Real deal?" Naruto asked while Temari quickly unfurled her fan before she did a small twist turning and slamming the fan down toward Naruto.

The boy only felt a gentle breeze before he blinked, "Um thanks for cooling me off but what was the point in that-" the blonde was nearly cut off from the weight of what felt like tons smacking down on his back pushing him into the ground slightly.

"What the-"

Naruto said struggling under the sheer amount of pressure from the wind pushing down into him while Temari pointed, "I told you my training was going to be hellish, you want to be a badass? Then you'll split the rock using nothing but wind chakra while handling the pressure of a full-fledged wind technique. Easy right?" Temari taunted while Naruto struggled under the weight of the jutsu.

"Fine then, two can play at that game."

Naruto fought against the wind long enough to stand before he formed his famous hand sign, a clone appeared next to Temari while Naruto struggling under the wind pointed at her.

"You'll be learning an improvised session on shape transformation by yours truly. It's a simple exercise, the clone is going to throw paper stars at you and you'll have to catch them with just your chakra."

Naruto said while Temari shrugged, "Alright, sounds easy for a first lesson." the sandy blonde said while Naruto smirked.

"Yeah, without your fan."

Naruto added while Temari narrowed her eyes at the boy, "Thats ridiculous, my fan is my weapon of choice." Temari added while Naruto shook his head.

"Too bad, before you can master shape control with a weapon you have to do it with your body. Unless you want to go on a date with me that badly."

Naruto said while Temari flushed slightly before growling and tossing her fan to the side, "In your dreams, hit me with your best shot!" Temari said, dropping her fan before a paper star flew past her face hard enough to blow past her hair.

"...What the hell! This clone is throwing way too damn hard!"

Temari yelled before she ducked past another one, Naruto was still concentrating on trying to fire off wind chakra toward the rock.

"In a real scenario someone could be throwing harder, once you can start to catch them with your chakra then you can also move on to the advanced stuff."

Naruto said while Temari avoided another star, "Fine, I'll just show you then." Temari said before a star hit the side of her leg causing her to yelp a little, they were made from paper but they hurt like when you got hit.

They two teenagers refused to back down, taking up each other's respective challenges yelling in defiance until the sun came down in the Village Hidden in the Sand.

{...}

"Their late."

"I'm sure they're fine."

"Nah, as long as that Naruto kid is involved it's anything but fine."

"What is it that you have against Naruto?"

"He just ran out of here with our older sister?! Aren't you worried?!"

Gaara listened to his older brother complain while he tilted his head slightly, "Worried? Why should I be? They are both in good hands." Gaara spoke evenly while the brown-haired boy groaned in response to his younger brother.

"Listen Gaara I know you don't get it right now but how do we know that Naruto isn't trying to steal her away?"

Kankuro complained while Gaara looked at his brother, "I doubt that Naruto's intent is to steal away Temari… besides where would he take her?" Gaara answered matter of factly while Kankuro slapped his forehead.

"Like stealing her heart or something."

Kankuro explained to his younger brother who just blinked, "Naruto won't kill without proper reason, also what would he need with her organ? He has his own." Gaara spoke again while Kankuro sighed, giving up on trying to articulate to his brother.

"Listen Gaara I know you don't really understand still and all but if he tries to make her fall in love with him then we have to bury him."

Kankuro steeled himself before crossing his arms while Gaara instinctively moved his hand to the scar on his forehead.

Love.

While his brother was correct about his lack of proper understanding it didn't mean that he somewhat get it.

Love was a feeling of wanting to protect and cherish another.

While he himself didn't have any personal experience that he could remember he knew it was true for a fact through Naruto. His love for his friends gave him the strength to oppose him at the invasion of the Leaf and his understanding allowed him to connect with Gaara in a way no one else would understand.

To Gaara, Naruto had become one of the meanings of love.

If his sister was able to experience that then he would be happy for her.

Why?

Because he himself has grown to somewhat love his sister and his brother despite the fact that they both once feared him. It was because he loved them that he wanted them both to be happy and experience that feeling called love.

Naruto was a good person and a friend.

So why was Kankuro so worried?

Gaara's eyes widened slightly before he looked toward his older brother at the epiphany he had come to. "You love our older sister a lot, is that why you are worried about her?" Gaara answered while Kankuro did a spit take before he shakily pointed at his red haired brother.

"Sh-shut up! That's not true! I just don't want some mediocre guy swooping in and corrupting the head of the house that's all!"

Kankuro stuttered while Gaara found amusement in his brother's answer, he knew he was lying but felt grateful in a way. Naruto's mere presence was already reminding him of the leaps and bounds his siblings and their relationship have grown.

The Kazekage stuff nearly distracted the boy from the change he was witnessing.

"I believe Temari will be ok Kankuro, she's strong."

Gaara said while Kankuro pouted before he turned his head away.

"What do I care?"

The boy feigned indifference while Gaara nearly smiled, as if on cue the door to the residence opened up revealing a blonde pair both battered and bruised.

"Yo."

Naruto greeted cheerfully while Temari was still panting and leaning on the boy.

They were both exhausted, using each other as support in order to just stand up. Kankuro got out of his chair before he pointed at the blonde boy.

"Hey! What did you do to Temari?"

Kankuro accused while Temari shot a glare at her brother, "Quiet down, we were training together." Temari groaned tiredly while Naruto nodded his head.

"I thought I explained that after they left for the day."

Gaara said while Kankuro still looked at the blonde pair suspiciously, "You two seem rather close for your so called 'Training.' It usually doesn't go this late into the night either." Kankuro said slowly while Temari narrowed her eyes at the boy.

"I have no idea what you are insinuating but we were just training."

Temari said firmly while the two siblings glared each other down, "Would you guys mind if I used your kitchen?" Naruto perked up while the three siblings gave the boy a look.

"Sure, but why?"

Temari asked while Naruto grinned at the girl, "I kinda wanted to show my gratitude by cooking up a meal before I found a room to stay in the village. I'm pretty sure you guys haven't eaten yet." Naruto mentioned while Kankuro's stomach seemed to growl on que.

The boy flushed before he pointed at Naruto, "No one wants to eat your half assed food, Blondie." Kankuro said while Temari rolled her eyes.

"He's just being difficult, Garaa you wanna try Naruto's cooking?"

Temari asked and without a moment of hesitation the red haired boy nodded his head in agreement.

"There, outvoted."

Temari said while Kankuro grumbled before Naruto escorted the girl to a seat at the table before he walked into the kitchen. The boy checked the counters, the pantry, and the fridge, noticing there was barely anything in the room he could use.

"How come there's almost nothing in here?"

Naruto asked while Temari tapped on the table, "None of us really cook so we usually get quick stuff to eat." Temari said while Naruto nodded.

"Believe me, I get it. Thankfully you're in luck!"

Naruto cheered before he pulled out several mini scrolls before unraveling them, he formed a hand sign causing the ingredients he gathered on his journey there to appear.

Wild Rabbit, edible herbs, and several vegetables that he had brought from the land of waves that were held in his preservation scrolls.

Courtesy of Kakashi.

"Wild game? You think you could turn that into a good meal?"

Kankuro said while Gaara shrugged, "I trust him." The boy said while Kankuro sighed, "of course you do."

Temari was nearly in agreement with her younger brother, the point of wild game in her eyes was for calories only not necessarily for home cooked dishes.

"Just you watch! I'm going to knock your socks off with this one!"

Naruto exclaimed before he got right to work, he was chopping vegetables while he was also preparing the rabbit for cooking. The sand siblings watched the boy move around the kitchen almost like a professional in interest. Naruto continued to season the water before setting it to build before he went back to the chopped vegetables making sure they were rinsed.

The blonde boy barely noticed the older girl hovering nearby to watch him closely as he prepared the food.

It wasn't very common for a guy to know how to cook in this day and age, not like this at least. It made her curious about the boy and his old lifestyle, her greenish eyes caught sight of Naruto's near smug grin.

"Like what you see?"

Naruto asked while Temari rolled her eyes, she knew he was referring to the food but she couldn't help but be a little annoyed at his confidence.

"Just checking to make sure it's not poisoned."

Temari lied while Naruto sighed, "What's up with you guys and poisoned food?" Naruto asked before he turned to keep cooking.

His movements were well practiced, not exactly professional but close enough to convince Temari that the boy knew what he was doing.

She herself didn't know a thing about cooking.

Just a simple meal here or there to give her some calories on the battlefield.

"Who taught you how to cook?"

Temari gave in to her curiosity while Naruto kept cooking.

"At first I copied old man Ichiraku when I lived alone but Tsunami taught me a lot more about cooking than I thought was originally possible."

Naruto said while Temari caught the name he mentioned, "Tsunami?" Temari asked while Naruto nodded.

"Tsunamis can't cook… they don't have hands."

"Or the cognitive ability."

The two boys still sitting at the table chimed in while Temari huffed, meanwhile a warm smile appeared on the blonde boy's face.

"Yeah, she's the best."

Naruto said while Temari quirked an eyebrow at the boy who then slid the rabbit pieces into the stew. The food was eventually completed before Naruto started making bowls, he noticed Temari still hovering around before he smirked, handing her a couple of bowls.

"Here, you wanted to help right?"

Naruto asked while Temari huffed, "I guess." The girl said while Naruto gave her that damned grin again.

The two of them brought the bowls to the table before they sat down in their seat, Naruto slapped his hands together before he closed his eyes.

"Thanks for the food!"

The blonde boy chirped before he started digging into his stew, the sand siblings on the other hand seemed to be inspecting their food.

It smelled good and it was nice and hot.

Gaara was the first to try the food, he copied Naruto's gesture clapping his hands together with less vigor.

"Thanks for the food."

Gaara spoke calmly before he took a spoonful of his food and stuck it into his mouth, Temari and Kankuro both watched the boy with anticipation. Gaara nodded his head before he started to eat a little faster, Temari and Kankuro nearly fell out of their chairs from the reaction from their brother.

This was the most excited that had seen Gaara about a meal in his life. Usually, he just ate just to eat but he was enjoying his meal.

Kankuro was the next to oblige, taking a spoonful and eating it quickly, his face shifted to surprise then into faux frustration before he started eating faster. Temari watched her brothers rating their food before she herself took a bite of her food, it was just regular stew made from regular ingredients.

Yet it tasted amazing.

"This is really good."

Temari spoke out loud in surprise while Naruto grinned, "Yup! Nothing beats a nice home-cooked meal!" The blonde cheered while Gaara nodded again.

"Thank you, Naruto."

The red-haired boy spoke while Kankuro slid his bowl over toward the blonde boy, "Looks like I'm out, I also decided that this food needs more inspection, so I'll take a little more." Kankuro said while Naruto and Temari both gave him the same look.

'He likes it.'

They thought at the same time before Naruto grabbed his bowl before getting him a second serving.

Temari watched the scene ahead of her at the table, Naruto was teasing Kankuro about liking the food while the boy agreed back meanwhile Gaara would occasionally add his input. Temari realized something while they were eating at the table.

This might be the first time they are eating together all at once.

Usually because of ninja duties and Gaara's pending position they always seemed to just barely miss each other when eating. Yet one home-cooked meal and she was eating together with her brothers like they had done this all the time.

Temari looked toward the laughing blonde boy before she smiled gently.

'Thank you Naruto.'

Temari thought to herself before she chimed in on the conversation causing the household to be filled with laughter that dinner.

{...}

Shortly after they were finished Naruto and Temari cleaned up while her two younger brothers had retreated to their rooms for the night.

"Well that's that. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Naruto said while Temari smirked, "Yeah, it was alright." The girl said while Naruto laughed. "Once we're done here I'll get out of your hair and find a room to stay in." Naruto said while Temari paused for a minute, a part of her considered asking him to stay at their place.

Then she thought about Kankuro and how childish he could be and Naruto when he's busy as well.

It was probably for the best that he found a different place.

"Let us know where you end up staying, we'll make sure to get you an accommodation."

Temari said while Naruto waved his hand, "Don't worry about it, I have money so I can pay." Naruto said while Temari raised her eyebrows at the boy, that was surprisingly mature of the guy.

She just couldn't figure him out.

"If you want to pay tonight that's fine but the longer you stay the more that's going to add up. So let us express our gratitude and cover the rest of your stay"

Temari stayed stubborn while Naruto sighed, "Fine, I guess you're right… thanks." Naruto said while it was Temari's turn to grin.

"You're welcome."

The girl replied while they finished cleaning up, Naruto quickly gathered his stuff before he turned to leave.

"Wait."

Temari said while Naruto paused for a moment turning to face the girl who had a slight flush on her face.

"Could you… teach me too?"

Temari asked while Naruto raised an eyebrow, "How to cook?" The boy asked while Temari nodded her head.

"Sure, I didn't really take you as the cooking type. I guess my awesomeness inspired you?"

Naruto bragged while the image of herself and everyone eating together at the table came to her head.

"Just think of it as payment for training you."

Temari mentioned while Naruto grinned, "Looks like I'm going to be the one who ends up teaching you more before I leave huh?" The younger boy smirked while Temari rolled her eyes.

"Whatever."

The girl said while Naruto gave her a salute, "Of course, I've got to pay back the kindness paid onto me so I've gotcha." The boy then opened the door before he looked back at the blonde girl.

"Goodnight and Thanks."

Naruto said while Temari smiled, "Remember bright and early." The girl warned while Naruto nodded.

"Aye aye!"

The boy cheered while the sandy blonde smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Goodnight Naruto."

Temari said before the blonde boy gave her one last grin before he dashed into the village bathed in moonlight. His positivity was infectious, Temari was afraid that just by being around him was going to turn her into an idiot. The blonde girl gave one last smile toward the door before she also retired to her room for the night.

Looking forward to the morning.

Meanwhile Naruto was jumping from rooftop to rooftop taking in the scenery of the village at night. The boy took in a large breath before he smiled down at the village below from a tall building.

The Sand village was awesome.

It was here that he was going to get even stronger before he continued pushing ahead on his journey called life.

The blonde boy jumped from the roof plummeting toward the village with a smile on his face.