Mending

(AN: I'm happy we made it to the third spot in the rankings! For this reason, here's another chapter! Thank you for all of your support...! Also, I hope this chapter releases some of that pent-up frustration when it comes to... Well... You'll see!)

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A day later, Konoha held a funeral for their Hokage. The atmosphere around the village was gloomy, so Baki had us all stay at the hotel.

Down at the restaurant, we all sat in a private dining room, around a wooden table. the people present were Baki, Temari, Kankurō, Shira, Kiyo, and me. Apparently, Hayaki had already left for the village.

Once the waiters brought the food and lit up the grill, we all celebrated as we cooked our own food.

Baki took a sip of his Sake and raised his hand and smiled.

"Everyone, I must congratulate you. The results of this exam were even better than expected. Lord Kazekage will surely appreciate your efforts!"

I watched as everyone laughed, improving the room's atmosphere. Even I couldn't help but chuckle a little. Sighing, I looked towards my two siblings.

"Temari, Kankurō."

"What...?"

Everyone on the table turned towards me. Scratching the back of my head, I spoke what was on my mind.

"I'm sorry for treating you two so coldly... Especially you, Temari. Remember that day in the library? When I almost killed you?"

Temari looked at me with empathy, remembering that day.

"As you may already know, father has not made my early childhood very pleasant. In fact, the only person I've trusted fully until now is Yashamaru."

"Gaara..."

Even though my past life was traumatic, making me unable to trust easily, the beginning of this life was even harsher. Because of Rasa, I was unable to sleep and got treated like a monster.

I still held a grudge against him for all of that... Looking down, I continued.

"Well, because of this... I've struggled to accept both of you as my siblings. I stayed in an emotional carapace, refusing to accept anyone and hoping it would make me stronger..."

"But I was wrong. Temari, you have tried your best to be a good sister, and all I did was treat you coldly... I'm sorry... I'll be nicer from now on."

Temari had tears running down her cheeks as she hugged me tightly.

"There's no need to apologize... I understand..."

Surprised at first, I slowly hugged her back.

After she was done sobbing, I released her and everyone looked at us with satisfied smiles. Even Kankurō seemed happy for once.

"Well, on that note... I have some good news!"

Baki clapped his hands, a wide smile covering his face... I couldn't help but note how it didn't suit him to be this joyous.

Opening the bag next to him, he retrieved two pieces of paper.

"Congratulations... Thanks to your excellent ability and decision-making, two of you have been promoted to Chūnin!"

"What...?"

Everyone looked at Baki with eager expressions. He just sat there, with a mysterious look on his face. After holding back a little, he finally spat it out.

"First of all, Kankurō... For your strategic thinking against Hyūga Neji, and the ability to swallow your pride and step down from a stronger opponent, you have fulfilled the requirements to become a team leader. Congratulations on behalf of the village!"

"...Me?"

Kankurō took a while to process the information but finally snapped out of it. Smirking, he arrogantly took his diploma and flaunted in front of Temari.

"Heh! I'm a Chūnin now, which means I have seniority-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Temari struck Kankurō in the gut, making him drop his diploma.

"Shut up and let Baki-Sensei finish."

*Gulp*

Kiyo and Shira gulped down some saliva, and I smiled...Temari really had a strong temper.

"And finally..."

As Baki said those words, the room became tense... Everyone wanted to get promoted, after all.

"Gaara! Although you didn't have the opportunity to showcase your strategic and logical mind, the judges made an exception... Your strength is way beyond Genin rank, probably reaching the likes of Jonin and Anbu. There's no use in keeping you back."

"For this reason... On behalf of all of Sunagakure, I hand you this diploma!"

Smiling, I took the diploma and checked its contents. It was just some sort of legal document that was meant to be hanged on a wall or something.

"Congratulations, Gaara!"

"Yeah, congrats man."

"Nice, Gaara! I knew you could do it!"

"Good job, Gaara san...!"

Everyone praised me, and I let out a satisfied smile. This was one of the many objectives I had set for myself before coming to the leaf. interrupting my thoughts, Baki continued.

"You'll both get your vests when we get back to the village. Now, let us enjoy ourselves and eat to our heart's content!"

"Hai!"

We then ate and drank happily, relishing in the village's prospects. With Orochimaru having been successfully found and crippled, Sunagakure earned enormous profits.

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The next morning, we all gathered at Konoha's entrance, ready for departure. The sun was still rising, and the guards were half asleep.

They checked our identities before seeing us off with gloomy expressions. They couldn't be blamed, having lost their Hokage all of a sudden.

As we were preparing to leave, a loud voice stopped us.

"Wait!"

Turning around, I noticed Naruto running towards our direction. He was wearing casual clothes, with his body covered in bandages.

"Gaara! Wait!"

Surprised, I stopped and everyone else did too... Naruto ran and finally arrived in front of me.

"Haah... I made it in time..."

Looking at him with a confused expression, I put my hands in my pockets.

"What do you want...?"

Hering my words, naruto grinned from ear to ear and extended his right hand.

"I heard from Kakashi-sensei that you held back against Sasuke and Choji... You aren't such a bad person after all... I'm sorry for what I said!"

This caught me off guard. Why was he saying this now?

Snapping out of it, I smiled and shook his hand firmly.

"Hmph... I only went easy on them because they weren't worth me fighting seriously."

"Uzumaki Naruto... I like it. I'll become Kazekage, so make sure to become Hokage. We'll be allies then!"

Hearing my words, naruto looked surprised. This was probably the first time someone believed in him becoming the Hokage. Grinning, he rose his fist, pointing it at me.

"You may be stronger now... But I'll become Hokage before you, Dattebayo!"

"Heh, we'll see about that...!"

Smiling, I turned around and left alongside my teammates. The seeds had now been planted.

In the future, an alliance with Konoha didn't sound that bad...!

But that's far off into the future...

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(AN: There are currently THREE advanced chapters available!

If any of you want to support me and get early access chapters, check out my p.a.t.r.e.o.n. at toxinfraser. Just type p.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/toxinfraser

If we reach the goal, I'll increase my release rate!

Thank you for reading/supporting this fic.)