True Self, New Self

Review Answers:


feisu: Get Backers!! I'm in love with Ginji, when he turns in Raiten... And Kazuki!!!

hello: Yep they are!

HellzAngel: I'm glad. Gaara is very difficult for me to write, keep him in character.

XZanayu: Nop, not yet. Maybe in next chapter.

yaoi kitten: I'm glad you like it!

Fourthiv: And it was difficult for me to write, becaus I'm a Gaara/Naruto fangirl as well!

pwnd: 1) Well, I'm not a very romantic person. But I will write some romance later on. 2) The writting style is a mistery for me as well. I think that the character in turn is telling the things that are going on to a person in a higher plane, or talking to themselves ^^''. And for the errors, I'm very aware of them, I usually find them and correct them, but in the last few chapters I didn't have time to check them. Sorry again, but my mother language is japanese, not english.

cfox: Yup, there will be more summons, and more Sasuke in later chapters, but for now, this story will center in Naruto. Funny thing is that I like Sasuke better lol.

Izzy: Ok, he will wear that, when they are together again. For now, we will leave Sasuke with his training.

trulywicked: Nop, it isn't getting old, as a matter of fact I love it!

mike: Hehehehe, you get your wishes in this chapter!


A/N: Well this chapter is about Naruto's live in Suna and the relationship between the sand siblings. Hope you like it! I have ideas for one more chapter in Suna, so if you guys want something to happen while Naruto is in Suna before he goes to Konoha, say so in your reviews!


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True Self, New Self.

Chapter eleven: Live in Suna.


It's been a month since we arrived Suna, and slowly, things felt into a daily routine.

Spar with Gaara in the morning, training with Kankuro and Temari in the early afternoon, and after that, Gaara insisted that since I'm going to be the next Hokage, I should learn how things work, so I'm studying and learning etiquette and other things that are neccesary for the Kages with Gaara until late at night. After that I take a quick nap and I spend the rest of the night with Gaara, talking about various things or just looking at the sky, a thing that I'm growing fond of. Maybe I'll join Shikamaru in his sky gazing when we get back to Konoha.

I have been working with my chakra control and my kekkais, since I will need them if I want to help Gaara with his insomnia. I have been studying some scrolls from the Kazekage private library, some of them explaining how was Shukaku sealed inside Gaara. I need to know everything about the seal if I want my plan to work.

Temari has been hanging around me since the very first day I got here. She's one of the few women that I can stand. She's strong and centered, and helps me keep my new fan club at bay when I'm out of the mansion. Apparently, no matter where I go, there are fan girls or fan boys somewhere nearby, and they always try to attack me. The good thing is, all my fans are from the civilian population of the village.

I would be in troubles if one of my stalkers was a shinobi, because they are better at stealth and not so obvious and clumsy as the regular ones. The ninja of this village were careful around me at the beggining, not enterily trusting me. But I would be surprised if they welcomed me with open arms, after all I just showed up one day and started living with their Kazekage and having privileges that not everybody has.

The first weeks were hell, even if the ninjas of the village trusted the decisions of their leader, they decided to keep an eye on me. The few times I went out with Gaara for a walk or to eat somewhere in the village, I could hear their whispers and feel they calculating looks on my. Thankfully, they ended up liking me after some time, and now they threat me like I was another member of the village and a fellow shinobi.

Even some of the ANBU capitains are trying to convince me to join the village, since I'm not a member of one. They say that they will make me an ANBU as soon as I joined, no need to pass any exams or tests. I was very surprised with their behaviour at first, but Gaara shuggred it off.

He says that I have a natural magnetism to other people, that the aura around me is able to make even the most untrusty and self centered person trust me. Even Temari was surprised when Chiyo, an old woman that was even wary of her own shadow, or so Temari said, offered me to help with my training. It was like this before, but not at this level.

Jiraiya joked with me saying that the next time we saw the snake bastard I could make him trust me to the point of doing everything I say and make him slit his own throat with his Kusanagi telling him that nothing will happen. I just glared at him, if only things were that easy.

But enough of this talk, I'm running late to my morning spar with Gaara.

[Kankuro's POV]

I have been begging Gaara to let me see one of his spars with Kaji. No one has seen one of them, the only thing we are able to see are the scratches, bruises and cuts on their bodies after they leave the doors that lock the indoor training area from curious looks. If someone is able to harm Gaara in a fight, that person must be someone very good, too good to be truth actually. And that is something I must see, since I'm helping that boy Kaji with his training.

But, he's late! He was never late before, for anything. Well... it might have something to do with the fact that I kept bugging him last night, trying to convince him to introduce me to a pretty girl I saw following him yesterday. I think I didn't let him sleep... ups?

Maybe I should go look for him, oh never mind, here he is.

"I'm sorry Gaara! I'm late! That brother of yours didn't let me take my nap last night, oh speaking of the devil. What is he doing here?"

"I let him watch our spar."

"He was that annoying huh?"

Gaara smirked, really smirked. And because of that boy.

I still can't figure out this brat! He came here out of nowhere and he's been acting all buddie like with Gaara. He's the only person that gets away with adressing Gaara the way he does. Anybody else that tries to speak to Gaara the way this boy does, leaves hurt. I really don't know what is going on here.

"So are you too done talking about me? I'm here to watch the too of you spar, not chat."

"Yeah yeah, patience is a virtue, do you know that Kankuro?" Kaji said. I just glare at him, but I know that they don't affect him, not even Gaara's dead glares do.

They take their places at each side of the arena and fall into their battle stances. They look at each other and the next thing I know is that they are gone. I look all around for them but they're no where in sight. I spot something lying against the wall that is very familiar... Gaara's gourd! He's fighting Kaji without his sand? I hear the clash of metal against metal somewhere above me, then some meters to the right. A crater forms on the floor and the crash sound came later, but I could see a black and yellow blur jumping from it nanoseconds later it formed.

Finally my eyes are getting a little used to the speed they are using and now I'm able to discern their respective blurs crashing, kicking and punching at each other. I hear a someone laugh, the voice belongs to Kaji, I'm sure. Now I'm wondering even more just who the hell is this guy, this level of fighting is too high for someone his age. Gaara is an exception because he's a Jinchuuriki.

Finally, the gourd dissapears and to the battle sounds joins the sound of sizzling sand. So Gaara really wants to win this fight. Th battle goes on and finally I can focus in something that isn't moving, sand is covering someone, and judgeing by the fact that Gaara is standing in front of the sand sphere, I guess that it is Kaji trapped inside it.

"Give up Kaji, I win."

"Really?" Came the muffled voice of Kaji from inside the sand.

Something is happening to the sand coccun around the boy, it is turning red. Gaara looks as confused as I am, well not that he is showing any emotion, but his lips are pressed in a tin line, so I can tell the difference. The air of the room is growing hot, more than the usual hot. The coccun shines brightly and I can look directly at it. When the light fades I turn to look at it, a gasp falling from my mouth at the sight before me.

There is Kaji, still imprisioned, but not by sand, but by glass. He kickes it and it breaks down and soon he's pressing his sword against my brothers neck.

"I win."

"This time."

I finally get my ability to speak back, after the shock of the outcome of the fight.

"What the fuck happened?"

"It is very simple Kankuro, sand plus heat equals glass. It is a basic knowledge you know? Maybe you should read some of the text books at the library, they are very interesting."

So that was what he was reading last night when I found him at the library. This boy is very sharp, finding a way to scape Gaara's Desert Coffin with the help of a chemestry book. Kaji is scratching the back of his neck with insistence.

"Look at you Kaji, you're all covered with sand."

"Yeah, says the guy that has a layer of sand compacted against his whole body." Kaji said pouting.

And Gaara started chuckling, making Kaji pout even more, which made Gaara start laughing real hard.

"Gaara is...laughing?"

[End of Kankuro's POV, back to Naruto's POV.]

Gaara is laughing, I never heard Gaara laugh before, and it is a nice thing to hear, very refreshing. I will make sure to make him laugh more. I smile at him while he still is laughing.

Crash!

I turn around to see what caused that sound, and what was my surprise to see that Kankuro has fainted. I turn to look at Gaara, he's clutching his stomach and laughing even harder at his brother. I take another look at Kankuro and burst out laughing too. This is just too funny, and Gaara's laugh is contagious.

It took us a long while to calm down. I'm whipping tears of my eyes and look at Gaara, who is in a worst shape than I am.

"So the Kazakage can laugh after all."

"This is the first time, tell anyone and I'll kill you."

"And what about Kankuro? He saw you."

"We will tell him that he imagine it."

"Ok..." Damn this sand itches! I scratch my head trying to get it out.

"Need a hand with that?"

"Please."

Gaara raises his hand and I can feel every single grain of sand crawling their way out and off my body, and it tickles, a lot. I suppress the urge to giggle, and sigh in releive as soon as the last grain leaves my body, the itch stopping at last.

"Better?"

"Much, thanks Gaara, I owe you one."

"It's nothing." Gaara says with a dismissing wave of his hand.

"So what are we going to do with your fainted brother?"

"We could leave him there or carry him to his room."

"I'll carry him." I say walking to the man lying at the ground and pick him up, securely placing him at my back.

"Are you ok with this?"

"Yeah, I'm alright, but remind me to tell Temari that she has to put his brother under a diet, he's too heavy!"

He just smirks at me and walk out of the training room, heading to Kankuro's bedroom. When we arrive there he holds the door open for me and I throw the unconscious man on his bed. I stretch my back at watch Gaara, who have a amused glint in his eyes. I guess this is the first time he sees his brother faint.

"What happened here?"

I turn around to see Temari leaning on the doorframe, a huge grin plastered on her face.

"Kankuro asked to see our spar, Temari-san, but I'm afraid he got knocked down with one of my attacks after Gaara dodge it."

"Well, that's something that the baka of my brother could do, that's for sure." She says laughing.

"Well, I have a meeting in a few minutes, so if you excuse me, I have to leave."

"Don't worry Gaara, go ahead. I'll see you in the afternoon."

"Yes, by the way, dress nicely, because you're attending the meeting with the council with me." He says and dissapear in a swirl of sand.

Now I'm in troubles, since I arrived here I never went shopping as I said I would, and I have nothing to wear...

"Hmmmm... Temari-san, where are Yuki and Jiraiya?"

"Oh, they left early this morning, they said something about going to train at the desert and they will arrive by dinner time, why?"

"No, it's nothing." I say, walking out of Kankuro's room and closing his door behind me.

"So, what are you going to wear Kaji-kun?"

"Actually, I got no idea. You see, there was an incident on our way here and all my clothes were lost, so the only clothing I own right now are the things I'm wearing."

"How did you managed to use the same clothes for so long?!"

"I wash them at night and let the air of the desert dry them."

"Nevermind, you're coming with me!"

"Where?" I ask while Temari drags me out of the mansion.

"Shopping of course!"

I was dragged to the shopping district by Temari, that was very excited about helping me buy new clothes. Well, it seems that this kunoichi likes to go shopping like any other woman after all. But at least, she has good tastes. After visiting many stores, we decide to take a break and have some lunch. We put our bags by the table of a small restaurant and quickly a shy waitress takes our order.

"So, are you liking the clothes we bought so far?"

"Yes, that dark red silk shirt that I tried at the end was very nice, I think I'll use it in the meeting."

"Put it with the black pants we bought at the first store and with the black shoes we first bought."

"Ok."

"Thank you, Kaji-kun."

"For what? I never did nothing that needs to be thanked for."

"No, you did. I never saw my brother so happy before. You're a good friend for him."

"Is easy for me to befriend someone like Gaara. I know that you love your brother very much, and he needs to feel loved."

"Yes, Gaara had a rough childhood. I loved my brother, ever since he was born. But my father forvide Kankuro and I to go anywhere near him. I tried to play with him once when he was a little boy, but my father found out and beated me half to death. Kankuro and I had to look at him grow up from afar, and Gaara grew up without the love of a family. I oftenly blame myself for the way Gaara acted, I think I could do more for him, confront my father or something! Thankfully everything changed after the Chuunin exams five years ago. His last fight with a boy called Naruto changed Gaara a lot. He finally started to open up to us and we were able to be a family at last. I owe my life to that boy."

I hear Temari's words in silence. I can't keep lying to her, or to Kankuro. I will tell them the truth today, after I tell my decision to the old man. They deserve to know. And they are trusthworty too. They can keep my secret, I'm sure of that. I'll just have to warn Gaara first.

For the meantime, I just smile at her. The food has arrived, so we stopped talking in order to start eating.

After lunch, we spent the time in which I was supposed to be training, finishing shopping. We got back just in time for me to take a quick shower and get dressed. I arrived to Gaara's office just before the scheduled hour. Then I followed Gaara to the Council Room, the only place in Suna I haven't visited before.

I took a sit behind Gaara and listened with atention everything that they discussed, as well as the way they discussed it. It wasn't all that boring as Kankuro said once, actually is was pretty interesting. The topics threated in the meeting were very important to the wellfare of the village and the country. But suddenly, all the conversations stopped and all eyes were on me. I supress the urge to squearm in my sit and look straight forward. Some of the people in the council that I already know are looking at me with strange smiles on their faces.

"Kaji-kun." The head of the concil says.

"Yes sir?"

"The council have been deliverating about something and we have a proposition for you."

"And what could that proposition be?"

"In the time you have lived here, you have gained the trust and respect of all the villagers and shinobi alike. We wish you to join the village. Our ANBU capitans have suggested you to become one of them, because they think that your abilities are adecuated to that post."

"I'm honoured with your offer, to become a proud member of this strong village that I have learned to love and in which I have so many friends. But I'm afraid I must decline your offer, my travels are not over yet, and for the time being, I do not wish to join any village. I'm sorry." I say, bowing to them.

"Would you at least think about it Kaji-kun?"

"I'm afraid that I won't change my decision, but you can count with my support for anything the village needs."

"Very well, you're dismissed. This meeting is over."

Gaara and I bow to the members of the council and then leave. Times flies insided that room, because is dinner time already.

"After you finish your training here, you're going back to Konoha." Gaara points out.

"Yes, but I meant what I said in there. If you need my help for anything, you can count with me, even if I'm in Konoha, I will be here in no time if you call me."

Gaara only nods at me, acknowleging my offer.

"I'm going to tell Temari and Kankuro who I am."

"Why?"

"They deserve to know, and I trust them."

"Very well."

We enter the mansion and go to the dinner room, where everybody is, waiting for the food to arrive. I sit betweem Jiraiya and Yuki.

"So how was the training?"

"It was very good, Kaji-niichan! Jiraiya-san thaught me a lot of new techniques."

"Yuki here is a fast learner."

"I'm very proud of you Yuki-chan,"I say looking at Yuki then turning to Jiraiya and adding in a whisper,"I'm going to tell them."

"Are you sure kid?"He whispers back.

"Yes."

"Ok..."

"Temari-san, Kankuro. I have something I wish to tell you."

I started to tell them the whole story when I was sure no one else was listening to us. I even went as far to show them my tails and ears when I finished. I laughed mentally at their reactions. Kankuro fainted for the second time this day, and Temari was doing a fine job at it, Gaara's sand keeping her upright. When she finally recovered, she hit me with the end of her fan across the table.

"Ouch! What was that for?!"

"For not telling us sooner you blond baka!," She says, standing up and walking around the table so now she is by my side. She leans down and kiss me in the cheek,"And that was for what I told you at lunch."

"No problem Temari-san."

The rest of the evening went without hitches, and as soon as Kankuro regained consciousness he started bugging the hell out of me, but he all had fun.


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Here you go. Again, I had to sacrifice the spelling and the grammar in order to update sooner. But I'm going to start checking the other chapters some time soon, I promise. So forgive me again!!