Chapter 15
For another month Shia wrote, and Gaara responded. It was nice, knowing that somewhere out there, someone was thinking of him. She came to him for advice often in her letters. Mostly about whether he thought she could lead her Clan or not. Which he did of course. She had great leadership qualities. He sat staring at some of the letters she'd sent him in the past month, wondering how they'd gone from attempted homicide, to close friends. This last letter, however, had him a little worried.
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'Gaara-kun, I'm so happy we've gotten to be such good friends. I can't imagine how strong you must be now, has it been so long already? I'm sorry I couldn't come visit you. I've been so busy with Clan stuff. You know, everyone's getting ready to train for a while. Tsunade-sama says that all the shinobi of the village have to step up their game in the next two years because something big is coming. I myself will be training for the Jounin exam and the Inheritance Test. I won't be able to write for a while. Two years in fact. I'll be isolated for this time in my family's sacred training dojo. Grandmother will be training me. She says she hasn't much time to live, and she wants me to be ready to take my place as the head of the Clan. I might be able to get a letter out…hopefully, if I can I assure you I will. Please say hi to your siblings for me, and tell them I miss them. Maybe I'll come see you all after my training is through. Akito Shia'
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Gaara stared at the letter once more, happy for his friend, but sad at the same time because he knew he wouldn't be getting a letter for some time. It'd become almost routine at dinner time. Temari would sort through the mail and hand him his weekly 'Shia Letter'. He'd miss it sorely, though, it's not like he'd have time to write her much either. He was going to seclude himself into some tough training too. For his dreams.
(flash back)
Gaara was standing on the cliff side watching as the sunset paint the world in vibrant oranges and yellows. His brother was behind him, trying to convince him not to leave their three man cell. Saying that doing so would only be harder on him. But…he had to…he had to do it. If he wanted to be accepted, he'd have to work at it. "I want to work hard so that others will accept my existence," Gaara said, staring off into the desert sunset. "That's what I thought when I looked at Uzumaki Naruto. Up until now, my bonds with others have only been ones of hatred and murder….but seeing him fight so hard made me wonder what a bond really is," he explained, wanting his brother to understand. "I think I understand a little now….Suffering…sadness…and joy. To be able to share that with another person…" he stared off the ledge of the cliff at his village that seemed microscopic against the grand scope of the beautiful desert. "When I fought him, I feel like that is what he taught me. He experienced the same suffering as I…and he taught me that you can change how you live your life…" Gaara said, breathing in the scent of the desert. "Someday, I want my existence to be necessary to others….not as a weapon to be feared…" he turned and smiled sadly at his baffled, yet supportive looking brother, "…but as Sunagakure's Kazekage," he finished.
(end flashback)
Gaara took out his pen and a scroll to begin his final letter to Shia for two years. He knew he could do it. He'd work hard. He'd show the council how worthy he was for their acknowledgment, and eventually he'd lead them. Gaara wanted to live his life protecting the people who'd always feared and shunned him. He would show them that he could be more than just a monster…more than just Shukaku's host. He would be Kazekage.
Akito Complex "Shia-sama…you have a letter," a servant said from her doorway. The young girl looked over and nodded her permission for the maid to enter.
"Thank you, would you go check on Baasan for me?" she asked, knowing that this was the last letter from her friend in Sunagakure she'd be receiving for a long time.
Two years seemed like such a long time to her. She'd be isolated from everyone but her grandmother, training all day until she couldn't move anymore. She untied the small scroll from the dove's tiny leg and opened it to reveal Gaara's handwriting.
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'Shia, We all miss you here as well, and my siblings send their hellos, plus their best wishes for your training. I myself will be going into some tough training….so I guess it's not so bad that this is coming up now. I won't be able to write at all for a while. I'm not sure how long yet. I guess until I think I've gotten to my goal. I hope you do well, and I think you will make a great Head of your Clan. I'm sure all of us would love you to come see us when you've finished. I guess this is the last time we'll communicate for two years…so I just wanted to say something to you. Thank you…for everything…and please tell Naruto the same. I guess I'll talk to you in two years. Sabaku no Gaara'
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She smiled down at the letter. 'I guess everyone is working hard for these next two years,' she thought. She folded it up, and put it in the box with the rest of the letters she'd received from him. Today was the day she'd be taken to the Akito Dojo, and she wanted to say goodbye to her friends beforehand. She got ready, and headed out to the training fields where she knew Naruto and Sakura were sparring.
Training Field 3
"I win!" a loud voice yelled as a hyperactive blond bounced vibrantly around in a victory dance.
"You put up a good fight Sakura-chan," Tenten said from the crowd of bystanders. Hinata nodded, and blushed when Naruto ran up to her smiling widely.
"Did you see Hinata-chan!" he asked, she nodded and giggled a little bit.
"Well guys, I've got to go see Tsunade-sama for training," Sakura said, wiping her face down with a towel.
"Okay Sakura-chan! Do your best!" Naruto smiled.
"Yes Sakura-san! Let the flames of youth guide you!" Lee said, striking his good guy pose. She laughed.
"Thanks guys, well, see ya later!" she said, turning to leave. The others waved, shouting goodbyes and see you laters.
"Sakura-chan! Wait!" a breathless female voice cried from behind them. All turned to see Shia running towards them with her hand waving furiously.
"OI! Shia-chan!" Naruto screamed, tackling her in one of his bone crushing hugs. She sputtered for air.
"N..naruto-kun…I…I think your…choking..h..her," Hinata stuttered. His sky blue eyes widened, and he let go.
"Maa…sorry Shia-chan," he said, scratching the back of his head and smiling dweebily.
"Hey Shia-chan, what's the matter? I kinda have to go. Tsunade-sama hates it when I'm late," Sakura said, frowning. Shia jogged up to her friend.
"I just wanted to see you to say goodbye. See, I won't be allowed out of the Akito Complex for a while. Baasan will be training me at the Akito Dojo for about two years," the girl said.
"Oh…wow! Well then I guess this is goodbye for a while. Good luck! Hokage-sama is actually doing something similar for me and Ino-pig. We'll be allowed in the village of course, but most of our time will be spent training," Sakura explained. Shia smiled at her pink haired friend.
"Well, do your best! I know you'll come back strong Sakura," she said. The pinkette smiled.
"I promise. I'll never be the one who has to be protected again," she vowed, bright green eyes growing determined.
"I believe in you. I'm sure we all do," Shia said, earning nods from the circle of onlookers. Sakura grinned, and threw a quick goodbye towards them before leaving. The brunette girl then turned towards her other friends.
"Let's all go out for ramen…my treat!" she said, turning towards the direction of Ichiraku's. A blond blur rushed past her, nearly knocking her off her feet. She giggled, and they all followed at a much slower pace of course.
Sunagakure Gates
"Gaara…are you sure about this?" Temari asked, worry evident in her voice. He nodded.
"He'll be fine Temari…" Kankurou said, but inside he was worried too.
Gaara had decided to train in the desert. It was fitting of course, since he controlled sand, but the thing that had them worried was that he'd decided to go alone. He'd been on a regular squad for about six months, and their success rate was impeccable. Now, he'd decided to train under harsh conditions to strengthen not only his ninjutsu, but his body and mind as well. Both siblings were worried, but who wouldn't be when their baby brother is going off to live in the desert for two years?
"You shouldn't worry. Worry about yourselves for now. I assure you I'll be fine. Temari, you're just a hair away from being promoted to Jounin…you too Kankurou. Keep training and getting stronger. When I return…I will become Kazekage…that much I can promise you. I am going to make sure I'm so strong…and so in control…that the council will have no better option," he said, and both smiled at him.
"I know you can do it Gaara. You're already stronger than most of the Jounin here," Temari said, rushing forward to hug him tightly. Kankurou slapped a hand on his back.
"We'll see you….Kazekage-sama," he said as Gaara pulled free of his sister. He threw one last wave behind him, and then they watched him disappear into the vast desert.
Ichiraku
"Well, it's about time I got home. I guess this is goodbye girls," Shia said, turning to Hinata and Tenten. They shared a very girlie group hug.
"Good luck Shia," Tenten said pulling away.
"Yes, good luck…a..and g…goodbye," Hinata said doing the same.
"Bye Shia-chan!" Lee and Naruto both shouted, crushing her together.
"Gah!…if you g…guys gasp keep huggingpant me like this…I won'tchoke be able to train," she managed. They immediately withdrew.
"Sorry…we'll just miss you," Lee said, and she smiled at him.
"Yea Shia-chan…I guess I'll see you in two years, or something like that. I'm leaving in like a week to go with Ero-sennin to train. I'll be back within a week or two of you," he said.
"Good luck Naruto-kun. You'll come back stronger than ever I know," she said. He smiled that impossible smile, and she chuckled.
"Oh! Before I forget…Gaara-kun sent me a letter today asking to tell you thank you for him," she said. Naruto's shining blue eyes filled with confusion.
"Why would he wanna thank me?" he asked, tilting his head like a confused puppy. 'Dense' everyone else thought together.
"You're a good friend," she said, in a simple explanation, and he seemed to get it.
After saying her final goodbyes to all of her friends, Shia turned to go home. She made her way through the Akito Complex to her grandmother's room. They walked together to the dojo. Shia took one last look at the gates to the Akito Complex, and turned into the dojo to start her training.
