True Self, New Self

Hey guys!
At the end I managed to slip away from the chaos that reigns around here and managed to post the chapter, I apologize beforehand, because I couldn't check the grammar, or the spelling.

Review Answers!

Mmmmm... AFF doesn't let me see them... I'll answer all of them later!

Here they are!

Ladybug452000: I will try, but it is hard to write longer chapters when you have a company to run.

Fourthiv: Actually he might!

GoldenSensei: Actually Rho is making a pic of him!

Hello: Here is another chapter!

XZanayu: Thanks!

Izzy: Yup! I'm in love with Jin of samurai champloo. I'm afraid to say that Sasuke won't be around for a while, he is training!

Zahin: I am honoured, my beta hasn't be around for a while... sighs. If she doesn't appear soon, I might take your offer.

pwnd: Hehehe, thanks!

mike: I'm glad you liked it!

Mikra: I will like to read more of your reviews, if it isn't a problem! ^^

Rho: Don't worry about the pic, I can wait

Savin-me: I'm glad you think my writting skills are good, I'm not too sure about them myself... *sweatdrops* About the Sasuke thing, he liked Naruto very much, but didn't realize how much he meant for him until after he left. I will write more about them later on.

Reincarnate: Here is another chapter.

____________________________________________________________________

True Self, New Self

Chapter ten: Sunagakure


Did I ever mention that sand is not my favorite material in the world? When it sticks to your skin it itches, it gets everywhere and it is nearly impossible to get it out of your hair, especially if it's long. And I don't like the desert very much either, it is too hot, and if you don't have something to cover your skin, you'll get one hell of a sunburn, but if you cover yourself, you will sweat like a pig. And the nights in the desert are just too cold, below freezing point sometimes.

But, one of my best friends lives here, so if I have to deal with the desert and it's awful sand to see him, then so be it. So here I am, running through the desert, using chakra on my feet, both to run faster and to not sink in the sand, completly covered by my cloak from head to toe, the sun beating from above. Jiraiya is running a little ahead from me, leading the way, even when I know my way in all countries thanks to him and our travels. A little behind me is Yuki, with Gamakichi in his arms, covered by his cloak. He said that he's going back to tell his father everything as soon as we reach Suna, I think that he still is afraid of Shukaku, but I can't really blame him, after all that happened at the Chuunin exams 5 years ago.

I can see the walls of Suna getting bigger as we aproach them. I just hope that I don't have any problems getting in, being with Jiraiya opens almost any gates, because he's well know across all the countries, but since all of them are in constant alert for any signs of the Akatsuki or Oto. And there have been sometimes before that I watch persons with black cloaks get locked up when they are mistaken for Akatsuki members. People is a little paranoid this days. Well I guess that I will see now, since we are at Suna's front gate right now.

"Stop there! The Kazekage has ordered you too go see him at once at his office. We will escort you there."

'Could Gaara know that we were coming?'

' ' Well kit, he does have Shukaku sealed inside him, and demons can feel each other, so there's a high possibility of him knowing you were coming. ' '

'Well, you do have a point there Kyuu.'

Two guards escorted us to Gaara's office. One of the guards knocked the door.

"Kazekage-sama we brought the visitors you requested."

"Thank you. Let them in." Came Gaara's voice from behind the door. The ANBU outside the door opened it and let us in, closing it after us.

"Is good to see you again, Naruto."

"Is good to see you too Gaara. I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier to congratulate you for becoming Kazekage, but I was busy training."

"It wasn't that important, don't worry about it."

"I heard you were attacked Kazekage-sama. I'm glad that nothing bad happened to you or to the village."

"You heard right Jiraiya, some of your friends came to help during the attack Naruto, they were surprised to not see you here also."

"I knew you could handle them. I don't know what was the Akatsuki thinking. Attack the Kazekage, in Suna, when that Kazekage is the Jinchuuriki that hosts Shukaku, Gaara of the Desert, famous across the countries for his control over the sand, in the middle of the desert where you have plenty of sand to work with. If Deidara and Sasori wanted to die that bad, they could have slited their throats with a kunai and get over it, it will be quicker."

"Or in Sasori's case slit his heart." Jiraiya pointed out.

"I see that you decided to drop the mask at last Naruto. You are very good with words, I'm impressed."

"I'm not that good Gaara, really."

"I mean it Naruto."

"Thank you Gaara. I'm glad to see that you have changed as well."

"Our encounter at the Chuunin exams helped me realize many things, I'm in debt with you Naruto."

"You owe me nothing Gaara, I was happy to help you, since we were, and still are, so alike."

"But out of the two of us Naruto, you are the one that changed the most. I see that you have merged with Kyuubi."

"Hmmmm... excuse me Kazekage-sama, but I've been wanting to ask you a question."

"Naruto, who is the kid that is with you?"

"Ohh I beg your pardon Gaara, I meant to introduce him to you before. Gaara this is Yuki, a fox demon that have been traveling with us since the merge."

"It is an honor to meet you Kazekage-sama."

"The pleasure is all mine, Yuki-san. What was that question you wanted to ask me?"

"How did you knew that Naruto-niichan was him? I heard that Naruto changed a lot after he merged with Kyuubi-sama."

"I wanted to ask you something too, Kazekage-sama, how did you knew we were coming."

"To answer both of your questions, Jiraiya and Yuki. I think that you both know that I have Shukaku sealed inside me. Demons can feel each other, and the only way Shukaku would shut up is that another demon, of a higher rank, is nearby. And for why I knew that it was Naruto, is because Kyuubi is the only demon that, not only can make Shukaku shut up, but make him go and sulk in a corner of my mind, pretending he doesn't exist. Naruto is the one that have Kyuubi inside him, so it must be him. As for his apperance, I already saw Naruto before, some nights ago."

"So you did saw me. I was starting to think that it was my imagination, after all, no one else could."

"Well Naruto, non of your friends is a Jinchuuriki, so they don't have any demons that can make them able to see and feel another demons when they are using infinite vision."

"Good point."

"So, what is the reason behind the pleasure of your visit?"

"Actually Kazekage-sama, we were thinking that you could do us a favor. Since Naruto merged with Kyuubi, I am no longer a match for him when it comes to spar, plus I already taught him everything that I know. So I was hoping you could help us finish his training."

"It will be my pleasure, after all, I need practice and training as much as any other shinobi. Unfortunatly, here in Suna there is no one that dares to be my partner in a spar, and the ones that do, aren't strong enough to be a real opponent. I also can have some of the jounin in the village teach Naruto. I guess that you're traveling under another name, am I right."

"Yes, I'm Fumetsu Kaji. I'm an orphan that was raised and trained by a sannin in the arts of the shinobi, but currently I'm not associated to any village. Yuki here is my younger brother, the sannin's son."

"Good, you will be known by that name by the people of Suna," a knock on the door, "Come in."

"Yo Gaara! Your meeting with the old farts of the council is in 5 minutes, you better get going or they're going to be pissed off!"

"I know that Kankuro, thank you for remind me."

"Huh? Who are the visitors?"

"I think that you already know Jiraiya-sama."

"But of course! What kind of man doesn't know Jiraiya? Your books are awesome, I have all of them."

"Hohoho, I'm glad to see that there are men that know how to enjoy the joys of life in Suna."

Gaara and I roll our eyes at that.

"And these are Fumetsu Kaji and Fumetsu Yuki."

"Hey there, my name is Kankuro, I'm Gaara's older brother."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Kankuro-san." Yuki and I answer.

"Please, just Kankuro."

"Kankuro, this people are going to stay with us at the Kazekage mansion, could you arrenge everything for their stay for me?"

"Really Gaara, it isn't neccesary, we have money and we can rent a room in a inn, you don't have to do it."

"Nonsense, it is the least I can do for you, besides, is have been a while since the last time I saw you. I can tell that you have learned many things in your travels and have seen more than me, I will like to know all the things you have learned in the past five years. It is handy when you're a Kage, to know many things about the other countries."

"If you insist, we will stay with you, but at least let me repay you before we leave."

"Your pay will be help me with my training."

"Hey Gaara, do you think it will be wise to do that? You know what happened the last time someone trained with you."

"That was a long time ago Kankuro, but do not worry, Kaji is not like the rest of the shinobi, he can handle it, without problems."

"If you say so..." Kankuro said, he's scanning me with his eyes, trying to locate something extraordinare in my look, getting nothing.

"Then, if everything is settled, I must take my leave. Kankuro I leave everything in you hands. We will see each other at dinner Kaji, Yuki, Jiraiya." Gaara said, bowing a little before leaving the room.

"So, lets get going! Since you're going to live with us, I have to show you your rooms, I just hope that Temari doesn't freak out when she knows we have guests." Kankuro said, motioning us to follow him.

The Kazekage mansion is very big, for a one story building. It has a big living room, dinner room, kitchen... It has many guest room too, each of them bigger than my apartment back at Konoha, each of them with their own bathroom. I can imagine what Gaara thinks, it is a complete waste of space. After all, only him and his two siblings live here. The dignataries that visit have their own building inside Suna for their stays, so it isn't like anybody comes here. I see many maids here and there too.

"So, here is where you are staying. The room to my left is Kaji's, the one next to it is Yuki's and the one infront of it is Jiraiya's. The room at the end of the hall is Gaara's, down the hall to the right is mine, and in front of it is Temari's. If you need anything, just call one of the maids." He said ponting each room. We are standing at the begining of a very long hall, that only has 7 doors in it. If the space between each room says something about them, I can tell that they're huge.

I go to my room to unpack my things. Not that I have many. I have to remember to go shopping for new clothes, I'm going to stay here for a while and the only clothes that I have are the ones I'm wearing. I'll ask Gaara for a good place to buy clothes later, after all, I always liked the way he dresses. The room, as I predicted, is huge. It has a king size bed, a television, a desk and some couchs. There are two doors in it, one that leads to a walk in closet, and the other that leads to what I think is the bathroom.

I drop my bag besides the bed and go to check it. The bathroom, as the rest of the room, is big. Everything about it screams luxury, but what catchs my eyes, is the tub. It is big enough to fit at least four persons in it, and I can't decide if it is a big tub, or a small jacuzzi. I think that I'll try it later, since it has a little shelf by it side with many different soaps, oils and bath salts. Yes, I will try it later, after traveling so fast, my muscles deserve to relax a bit.

I go and unpack the things that I'm carrying, placing them in different shelfs and drawers inside the closet. After unpacking all my things, the closet still looks empty, I notice. As soon as I walk out of the closet, there's a knock at my door.

"Come in."

"Hey, Kaji-kun! I'm going out to take a walk, do you want to join me?"

"Sure, why not, Kankuro-san."

"Just Kankuro!"

"Kankuro is it then."

"Good. Follow me then!"

[Gaara's POV]

The meeting with the council went smoothly. The main topic of it was the Akatsuki and Otokagure, as many of the meetings these days have been. And, like in every other meeting, we ended walking in circles. We don't have any information about the whereabouts of the Akatsuki base, or Otokagure. Neither do we know what are their plans or where are their members. So like always, the meeting ended with the same decision we have made each time, watch our borders and be careful with strangers.

I'm looking forward for my talk with Naruto, if my suspicious are right, I can collect vital information from our conversation. And even if I don't like to admit it, it will be refreshing to talk with someone that can really understand me, since we have experienced similar things through our lifes.

When I reach home, the first thing I see is Temari looking at something, but hiding herself while doing it. I wonder what is it this time. I cough to get her attention, and she turns around, kunai in hand.

"Gaara!," she says, putting the kunai away,"don't scare me like that."

"May I know the reason why are you hiding behind a wall?"

"There are two persons at the living room that I have never seen before."

"They must be our guests, why don't you go and introduce yourself, after all, they are going to stay for a while."

"Why didn't you tell me that we were going to have guests?"

"That's not important Temari. Where's Kankuro?"

"He left some hours ago with the young man that came with the men that are in the living room, Kazekage-sama." One of the maids that was walking by informed me.

So Kankuro took Naruto for one of his walks... that can't be good. After all, the last time Kankuro took someone to a tour of the city, they ended up at the red district. I had to apologize several times to the dignatary that was the father of the poor boy. Kankuro causes more problems than he resolve...

We are currently sitting at the table, waiting for dinner, and Kankuro and Naruto haven't arrive yet. No, here they are, I can recognize Kankuro's voice anywhere. A few seconds later they are entering the dinning room. Kankuro is very happy, and Naruto has a stoic expression planted on his face. That's good...

"So, how was your walk Kankuro?"

"It was awesome Gaara, you won't beleive what happened!"

"Do I want to know?" Temari groaned, but I can see that her eyes are glued to Naruto. He is a good looking man, I really can't blame her.

"The prostitutes offered Kaji here money to sleep with them! They were all over him, like bees to the honey. It was quite a sight."

"Well that was before you scared them all away, Kankuro. I can't beleive you tried to convince them into a threesome with Karasu." Naruto say, his cold expression still there, but I can see a glimpse of amusement deep inside his eyes.

"What's wrong with Karasu?"

"I don't know Kankuro, what could be possibly wrong with having sex with a puppet?" He says, sarcasm dripping from every word. I can feel a small tug at the end of my lips, a small smile forming on my face.

I can feel the atmosphere in the room lighten. That is a virtue that only Naruto posses, having the ability to make anyone feel good and at ease around him. His mere precense irraids peacefulness, that is one of the many reasons people love him. His personality is possitively magnetic. After that point everything went good, dinner has never been more lively in this mansion before, and after a good meal everyone left satisfied to their respective rooms. Even after all this years, and after leaving behind that mask that I noticed from the first moment we met, after merging with Kyuubi and after all the things he has lived through, Naruto still is trully something.

[End of Gaara's POV, back to Naruto's POV]

I will never, ever, go to a walk with Kankuro before. I can tell that he and the old man are going to be good friends, they are both a pair of perverts. I think that non of them understand that I'm still underage, and certainly not interested in women. Kyuubi told me once that he thinks that I could be asexual, since I never show any interest for anyone before.

But he has been bugging me for a while now, because I did notice that Gaara is looking very good, a little too good. But I won't think about that for now. I'm going to sleep for a while.

' ' You like him kit, you can't deny it! ' '

'Shut up fur ball, I'm trying to sleep here! Besides, Gaara is only a friend, and a friend he will remain.'

' ' Ok, if you say so... ' '

I fall into a deep sleep, that lasted for a few hours. When I wake up, it still is dark outside, but I don't feel tired any longer. I open the window to let some fresh air blow inside the room. The wind is too cold, but he carries with him the scent of someone I know. Gaara is outside, I'll go talk with him.

I follow his scent to the highest spot in Suna. He's sitting agaist a wall, looking at the stars.

"Shukaku still doesn't let you sleep I see." I say, sitting next to him.

"Even if he's been awfully quiet since you arrived, I still can't take that chance."

"I promise you Gaara, that before I leave Suna, I will find a way to change that." He smiles a little. We spend some minutes in silence.

"How did it happen?"

"The merge?"

"Hai."

"I died. And Kyuubi wasn't going to accept it. You see, we became friends some years ago. The merge would eventually happen, because of the seal our chakras were already fusing. My death only speed the proccess. But instead of only our chakra becoming one, we became one being. My body is the one of a demon now, and I possess Kyuubi's knowledge as well."

"I can see that you are conceiling your whiskers, but that isn't the only thing that you're hiding, am I right?"

"You're right. My whiskers are a dead giveaway of my identity, that's why I'm hiding them. But there are other things that give away my true nature." I say standing up again. I scan our surroundings, to make sure no one can see us. I let my tails and my ears show, they are glowing with the moonlight, the golden fur looks beautiful under this light. Not that it doesn't look good at all times, but it looks better under the moon. I hide them again and sit back down.

We spend more time in silence, just looking at the stars.

"Are you still looking for him?"

"Yes."

"It has been five years. Even your friends in Konoha stopped searching some years ago."

"I won't give up on him."

"Why?"

"Because I need him, as he needs me."

'He is fire, I am wind. Wind is the olnly element that keeps fire alive and makes it stronger.'

"Why?"

"Because after all those years living alone, after losing so many things, after all the changes in his live, I'm the only one that have always been there for him. And after he archives his goal, I will be the one that will be there for him"

"Why?"

"Because I beleive in him."

"Why?"

'He betrayed the village, and me, but...'

"Because he is like us, even if he doesn't have a demon sealed within him. The villagers always saw him as something that wasn't really him, they never saw him as a person."

"What is him for you?"

"He was like a brother to me."

"Was? And now?"

"I don't know."

"Do you... love him?"

"Yes, but there are many kinds of love."

"I'm not very familiar with love."

"Your family loves you."

"I know."

"Your people loves you as well, I have heard many people of Suna talking about how they love their Kazekage in my travels."

"Do you?"

"Nani?"

"Do you love me?"

"Yes. You're the only person that trully understands me. You are my best friend."

"Wasn't him your best friend?"

"I don't know, I don't know how I feel about him any longer. But I will not give up on him. I will never give up on my word, that's my ninja way."

'Made promises are not meant to be broken.'

"Good."

And with that, we stopped talking and just sat there, gazing at the sky.

____________________________________________________________________


Again, sorry for the grammar/spelling errors.
Please review!