Chapter 18: First Impressions
He just wasn't expecting a letter from the Western Kingdom.
The unknown kingdom had made an alliance with the neighboring Kumo Country but Suna was an ocean away. Gaara regarded the letter with surprise at not only an alliance and trade route, but also an invitation to come to the Western Kingdom from King Shuichi himself.
Surprised and more unsettled than he wanted to admit, Gaara paused and thought it over, unsure, while Kankuro readily agreed. Temari, although living elsewhere happily married, gave her say as well. It made sense financially, and Suna would grow.
He accepted the next day.