1 The Dark of the Night

The moon rose as it did every night; pale and cool.

Its light shone silver off the sea of sand, whose waves swelled and broke with each angry gust of wind. The tips of the dunes transformed beneath the storm's unrelenting journey; their once proud stature brought to ruin by the night's end.

That same wind found its way into the Village Hidden in the Sand, twisting through the alleys and shaking the dark homes like an unwelcomed stranger.

One soul remained awake to greet the impatient gust.

Though he never left his perch, he rose his arms high above his head and sheltered the tiny, rattling houses from the brunt of the storm.

The sand twisted beneath his composer-stance and hardened into a wall, instantly calming the residents lingering inside.

He waited for a moment, curious to see if another brave tornado would face off against him.

Though the storm was only gaining momentum by the hour, his village would remain safe from its rage. Nothing, human or nature alike, would take his people from him. This was the Kazekage's vow.

Gaara didn't need to remain with his sand to control it. He left the wall there, bound by his chakra, until the storm passed- there were other matters that needed his attention.

As he wandered through the lonely passages of the mansion, which housed his father and grandfather before him, a thought occurred to Gaara.

He raised a hand to the cool, stone walls, and ran his fingers along the cracks as he pondered.

In all his travels to foreign lands, friend and foe alike, there were only two sounds he associated solely with his village; the angry roar of the desert winds and the ghostly quiet of the midnight halls.

Occasionally, a rattling growl of the guard's snore or the cry of a babe nestled away in the darkness, disrupted the calm, but the blanket of quiet always returned.

This night, the Kazekage felt as if he could disappear into it.

If he closed his eyes, he could be like his beloved subjects, snoring in their beds, without a care in the world.

Sleep... what a strange word for him.

He must be able to do it, everyone did in some fashion. Maybe if he just laid down like he'd seen the others do?

If he closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, he would know the sweet release that seemed impossible for him.

His bed was comfortable, his pillow cool and plush, the air a perfect temperature, according to the physicians he'd consulted.

He'd made sure to dim the lights and put away all pressing documents at least an hour before. He'd done the things they'd recommended, so now it would happen- it had to.

With a deep breath, he laid down on the bed, closed his eyes and waited.

A minute went by, then another. Five. Ten... Thirty...

He shifted his shoulders.

Any minute now, he would do it. He would fall asleep soon.

His knee suddenly itched.

After he scratched it, THEN he would go to sleep.

His eyes cracked open... there was a noise.

It wasn't the ticking of the clock or the dripping of the faucet; he'd made sure to see to both of these before attempting this sleep trial.

"What's that noise?"

The scan of his room revealed nothing besides the dresser in the corner, the desk at the east wall and he, himself in the bed.

When he could bear it no longer, Gaara sat up, the sudden force of his frustration sending the blood pumping to his head which eliminated the sound.

So, when he listened for it, it was gone, but when he tried not to hear it, it was deafening?

Throwing his legs over his bed, he let out a growl and stalked away from the room in great strides.

It was pointless, all of it.

~~~

The next day, he sat at the breakfast table and tried not be jealous of his brother's yawn or the way his sister stretched with her approach. Like a petulant child, he picked at his food, moving it around his plate and piling it at opposite ends.

"Today you have a meeting with the village contractor. He's concerned with the weakening of the southern wall."

"Mm hm."

Temari's voice droned on. "After that, you'll have another meeting with two of the cadre from the training grounds about updating the curriculum for peace times."

"Mm hm."

There was a small pause. "Then you will fall into a purple jelly donut and be transported through space and time and resurrect as a sheep."

"Mm hm."

"Gaara!"

He jolted at her unexpected bark. "What?"

Temari's brow furled, her sharp eyes studying his face. "Have you listened to a word I've said?"

"Bits and pieces."

She sat back in her chair. "Glad to know my painfully constructed schedule is worth half your attention."

"Sorry."

"What's your problem lately? This is the third time this week you've completely spaced out during morning lineup."

Gaara shifted under his sister's gaze. "That's not true."

"Give him a break, Temari. If I had to go through your list each day, I'd be bored out of my mind, too. Stop lecturing for five minutes and eat something, will ya?"

Kankuro reached for the last piece of bread and stuffed it in his mouth, crumbs sprinkling over the table.

Temari brushed off her pant leg. "I would, if there were anything left when you're done. Gaara hasn't even touched his breakfast and you're going for seconds."

"That's on him! If he doesn't want to eat, he doesn't have to. He's not five. Stop treating him like he's a kid."

"Quiet, both of you."

The order wasn't loud, in fact it was so soft, they nearly missed it, but the tone was unmistakable. Their younger brother was annoyed, and in the past, annoyed Gaara was dangerous.

They sat in rigid silence, neither certain how or if they should break it.

Kankuro felt the breakfast he'd enjoyed settle like a rock in his stomach. He tried to keep himself from falling back into the habit of avoiding Gaara when he was like this.

After all, Gaara made him promise to stand with him against the image others created. He couldn't back out now.

A tense few seconds went by, but instead of leaving the table, Kankuro took the chance to try and understand Gaara, something he'd been allowed to do more now that his brother had become Kazekage.

There was a time where getting this close to him, especially when he was in a bad mood, would have been a death sentence.

Since Shukaku had been removed by the Akatsuki, and the village banded together to save him, Gaara was acting more like a human and less like the demon they believed him to be. It was clear he was taking his role of leader seriously, but something was troubling him.

Kankuro gulped and decided to brave the question. "Lord Kazekage..."

"You know I don't like that when we're in private."

"Gaara. Is something on your mind? Temari is right, in her way, you do seem to be distracted lately. Is the schedule too much?"

"No."

Gaara set his fork down, the thought of food entirely unappealing. His guilty eyes shifted to his sister, who was still sitting straight as a board. "Temari."

She startled. "Yes?"

He wished she wouldn't jump like that.

"I'm sorry. Your schedule is always well written. Not too busy, not too light. You put me in a good view as Kazekage and I was wrong to space out."

A slight red came to her cheeks. "It's fine."

"Please continue."

Her shoulders relaxed. "Well, you'll have lunch and then, oh you'll actually enjoy this one, Sakura is visiting with a shipment of herbs from the Leaf."

This piqued his interest. "Will Naruto be joining her?"

"Unfortunately, no, I believe the Hokage has him busy on a mission of his own. I don't expect a visit from him for some time."

And just like that, the foul mood set in again. If there was anyone who could get him out of his funk, that hyperactive fool would be it.

~~~

The day went on according to schedule and Gaara even managed to appear semi-interested in the information he was asked to review.

He issued the correct orders, shook hands with everyone and ate a few bites of his lunch, though it hadn't appealed to him.

When the time came to meet Sakura in the greenhouse, he felt as if the day had been twice as long and his steps shuffled, familiar exhaustion settling into his bones.

The bright pink of her hair was a beacon in the massive greenhouse. She secured a clipboard to her chest, directing the handling of boxes. "Careful with those, they're fragile. No not over there, over there. Look, look where I'm pointing!"

She let out an annoyed grunt. "Everyone, please pay attention! I know the journey was long, but we won't finish in time if you keep lollygagging. We can't let the Kazekage see us in shambles, can we?"

"I wouldn't say shambles, muddled maybe, but not shambled."

Sakura jumped at the unexpected voice. Gaara had a bad habit of sneaking up on everyone, even, as it appeared, skilled ninja; he'd have to work on announcing himself.

When her eyes turned to the entrance, however, they did light up when she saw him and that made him feel less like an assassin. "Lord Kazekage! Nice to see you! How have you been feeling?"

"Good afternoon. What generosity has the Leaf sent with you?"

"We've had a great crop this season. Lady Tsunade hopes you'll find these contributions useful."

He glanced at the mountain of medicinal supplies and nodded. "I'm sure we will. Tell the Hokage we're very grateful. I'll make sure to send her a few pounds of fabric the tailors spun together. The silk worms thrived under this summer's heat."

"Great! Anything else you'd like me to pass on?"

He was about to decline, until a thought came to his mind.

It felt like a nagging question and he didn't want to trouble her after her long journey, but he'd promised himself and Naruto alike, to try harder and rely on his friends, though the concept of having them still felt odd.

"Sakura, you're training to be the Leaf's chief healer, correct?"

She smiled, lacing her hands behind her back. "Yep. Lady Tsunade works me like a dog, but it's worth it."

"I was wondering, is there any herb you've come across that would help with sleep?"

She thought for a second, her eyes scanning the boxes they'd delivered. "Sleep, huh? Well, the birtwood can be crushed up and used as a sedative."

His brow drew together. "Much stronger than that. Birtwood, that does very little."

Sakura placed a hand to her chin. "Okay, the janko beans are another choice."

Gaara felt the familiar irritation rising in the back of his mind. "No, those won't work either. Something stronger than that."

"Wortlin! Wortlin should solve any type of sedation the Sand needs."

"That won't work either. Stronger."

"But, Lord Gaara, Wortlin is used for surgery. You can't get stronger than that and anything else would be irresponsible for the Sand village to use."

"It's not for the Sand, it's for me!"

The confession sent a shock through both of them. Sakura rocked back on her heels, her lips setting into a thin line. "Oh... oh I see."

Gaara swallowed, feeling shame on the back of his neck at his outburst. "I'm sorry, that was unbecoming of me. I've tried every herb from every village we trade with. Nothing works."

Her eyes turned downwards.

Any kind of potion she'd mix wouldn't stand a chance against the natural tolerance his body created. Naruto told her about Gaara's situation in the past, but she didn't think it would be an issue now that the One-Tail left him.

"Well, I don't know of an herb stronger than Wortlin."

"I see. Thank you for trying, anyway. I'll see that fabric gets to your people. Please feel free to join me for dinner tonight and rest in the private quarters."

Gaara was about to turn away, kicking himself for even bringing up the question in the first place, until her voice stopped him. "I do know of a jutsu, though!"

His mind raced, trying and failing to come up with what she could mean. "What kind of jutsu?"

"Not one that myself or anyone in the Leaf could do, but there is one person I've heard of who's mastered it- a kunoichi from the Village Hidden in the Sound."

That wasn't a good sign.

Even though there'd been a peace reached between the Five Nations, everyone was still suspicious of the Sound. The Sand especially avoided associating with them, after the unfortunate incident with Orochimaru years ago.

"I don't think so."

Sakura placed her hands on her hips. "Do you want help or don't you? If the Kazekage can't set a good example and reach out to that village, what hope do the rest of his people have? This might be the perfect way to show progress on the treaty you've fought so hard for everyone to follow."

He knew she was right. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew.

"Tell me about this woman."