I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.

i hope the you enjoy! - laydee kai

A Medic's Path: A Cherry Tree in the Sand

Chapter One: Old Friends

Dawn was nearing in the Village Hidden in the Sand. In a few hours, the sun would be beating down on everything in the village and the villagers would go about their daily lives. However, at this hour, while the sun was waiting to appear, very few were awake.

Three siblings stood atop the Kazekage's tower, talking amongst each other.

"Send word to the Hokage, I will be departing soon for Konoha." Said the shortest of the three.

"I just don't understand why you have to go. We are more than capable of going there and talking with the Hokage about this matter." The only sister said, sounding annoyed at her little brother's insistence.

"It is not that I have to go Temari…" he started again.

"Then let us go Gaara." The other male spoke up. "You have things that you can do here, at home."

The short, red haired ninja sighed. He was hoping that he wouldn't have to pull out this card but knowing his brother and sister, it was the only way things would ever get done. Gaara closed his eyes and was briefly enjoying the cool night air and silence when his sister spoke up again.

"Plus it is not safe for you to go alone." Temari said.

"Temari." His voice threatened.

She stopped in her tracks and took a step back. She hated when he used that voice. That voice could stop anyone from pushing him further. She looked at her other brother, pleadingly. Kankurou shrugged. He too knew that it was better not to cross him when he was like this.

"Look, Gaara… we just worry about you. We are the only family that we have left." Kankurou said trying to reason with him for his sister's sake.

"I understand that… but if you will not listen to me as a sibling… then listen to me as your Kazekage." He looked at them both. "Will you question me now?"

"No, Kazekage-sama" the both said together.

Gaara looked at his older sister. He could tell that she was on the verge of tears. Ever since Gaara's battle with Naruto all those years ago, it had been clear that he wasn't the only one to change from it. His brother and sister had changed as well. It was clear that they cared for him and they just worried. But he was the damn Kazekage and a jinchûriki. It wasn't like he couldn't handle himself. Gaara sighed.

"Would it please you if I took two guards with me?" he asked.

"Hai." The both responded.

"Fine… pack your things quickly. I wish to depart before the sun rises." He said as he shooed them away with his hands.

Temari and Kankurou bowed and ran off to pack their belongings. Both were happy that their brother had listened to them.

Gaara shook his head and looked at the stars. He knew that they would not be happy unless it was them to join him on his trip to Konoha.

"I am the Kazekage of the village hidden in the Sand… but I can never get away from being their little brother." He sighed. "It is most annoying."

- - xXxXx - -

It was a beautiful day in Konoha, as most days. The sun was overhead and every one was starting off their days. The shops were starting to open and families were eating breakfast before going off on their own separate ways.

Just like every one else, the Hokage was no different. He sat at his table in his house with his family, eating a nice breakfast before setting off to the office for another day of…paperwork. He sighed when he thought about it.

"Naru-kun? What's the matter?" Yuri asked her husband.

"When I was younger, I thought being the Hokage was something that was so thrilling. I think the old man and baa-chan didn't tell me about all this paperwork on purpose. You know… to deflate my ego a bit." Naruto said.

"But I thought you liked being Hokage?" Yuki asked her father.

"Ah… but I do like being Hokage Yuki-hime… I just don't like the paperwork. But I wouldn't trade it for anything." He said with his famous fox like grin.

"When will get to come to work with you again Father?" Takeshi asked, projecting a smile that rivaled his father's.

"I don't know… you know you two are too much like me when I was your age." He said, looking over both children with a suspicious eye. "What are you two planning?"

"Nothing!" the both said in unison while flashing innocent grins.

"If it is okay with your Mother than you can come with me today." He said, giving in to his children.

Both kids turned to their mother and gave her pleading looks.

"Please Mother?" Yuki asked.

"Can we?" Takeshi asked.

Yuri looked at Naruto as he finished up his breakfast.

"It's okay with me. But don't give your Father too hard of a time." She said winking at her kids.

The house erupted in cheers. The twins loved to go to the office with their father. They knew that he would be busy with paperwork and they were free to do as they pleased. And for two five year olds, that meant all sorts of things. Little did the two know, that there were always at least two ANBU tailing them to make sure that they were okay so not much really got by their father or mother.

Naruto even joined in on the cheering. He also loved when they came to work. Secretly, it meant that he wouldn't have to do much. He always created a clone to sit at his desk and look busy, but he would borrow some of the ANBU clothing and follow them sometimes. Always proud of the mischief the two caused.

"Okay you two, go brush your teeth and get dressed… I am leaving in ten minutes!"

"Hai!" the both said as they raced off.

"Sometimes the only thing that is missing is the streak of yellow. They get that from you, Naru-kun." Yuri said, smiling at her husband.

"I know… I think it is funny that they think they get away with anything when they come to work with me. That is the only reason why they want to come."

"That is part of it." She replied.

"Part?" Naruto asked.

"Yes… it is also because they love to spend time with their father. They idolize you and for some reason, that old pervert that lives here."

"Yeah, he's great."

"Speaking of him… where has Jiraiya been? I haven't seen him in a few days." Yuri questioned.

"He is out on a mission."

"Mission? More like peeping."

"Well, it's a mixture. Baa-chan is skipping breakfast?"

"Not on purpose… she drank too much last night and is still sleeping. I am sure she will be up by lunch."

Naruto stood and stretched. "Here comes trouble."

Just as he said that, the twins came crashing down the stairs. Apparently they were racing. But now they were fighting because Yuki accused Takeshi of cheating.

"Hey now! Never fight amongst yourselves! You are siblings and should act like it!" Yuri fussed.

"But Mom!" Takeshi started.

Yuri shot Naruto a fierce look.

"You heard your Mother son. Now both of you kiss your Mother goodbye and we will be off."

- - xXxXx - -

Meanwhile at the Hokage's tower, the bird carrying the message from Suna had arrived.

"Should we wait until Hokage-sama gets here to give him the message?" a chûnin asked.

"Who is it from?" the secretary asked in return.

"It is from the Kazekage."

"You could wait, but he and they Kazekage are friends, so he might like to know as soon as possible."

"Know what as soon as possible?" Iruka said walking in the room.

"Oh! Iruka… The Hokage isn't here yet. He should be here soon. But there is a message for him."

"Well, knowing him… if he isn't here yet it's because the twins are with him. I will take the message too him if that is okay." Iruka answered.

"If you wish Iruka. Here you go!" the chûnin handed over the message.

"Thank you." Iruka said with a small smiled and took the message.

He started on his way towards the Namikaze estate. He hadn't been walking long when he was greeted with sounds of a father fussing at his children. Iruka smiled.

"Takeshi! Don't pull your sister's hair! It is not a nice thing to do."

"Owe!" Takeshi yelled.

"Yuki! Don't kick your brother in the knee! That isn't nice either."

"Hokage-sama! Good morning!"

"Iruka-sensei! How many times do I have to ask you not to call me that… it's just Naruto."

"As many times as I have to ask you to stop calling me sensei! You outrank me now."

Yuki and Takeshi ran up to Iruka and started jumping up and down.

"Iruka-sensei! Iruka-sensei!" they both yelled.

"Yuki… Takeshi… you must have grown since I last saw you." He said, bending down to their level and smiling.

"Iruka-sensei, we saw you yesterday during our lessons at home." Takeshi said matter of factly. "We couldn't have grown since then."

"I have!" exclaimed Yuki.

Iruka smiled at the two little Namikazes. He stood and reached in his pocket to pull out the scroll.

"Here Naruto, this is for you. It's from Gaara." Iruka said as he handed the scroll to Naruto.

"Thank you Iruka-sen… I mean Iruka." He said with a smile.

Naruto opened the scroll and read the contents quickly.

"Hey kids! Uncle Gaara is coming for a visit!" Naruto shared.

- - xXxXx - -

The trip to Konoha would normally take the average person anywhere from seven to ten days of traveling, however a ninja could make it in half the time. For the Suna siblings, it took them four.

Gaara actually seemed happy to be nearing the gates of Konoha. Many things had happened to him since he had first stepped through them for the Chûnin selection exams all those years ago, and most of them were because of the man he was most anxious to see. Naruto Namikaze, the Hokage of the village hidden in the Leaves.

"Halt. Please state your name and purpose for visiting the Leaf." A chûnin guard said with as much confidence as he could muster.

"Oh please… you don't have to go through the protocol for those three!" Naruto said as he approached waving slightly.

"Hokage-sama!" the guard yelped, obviously caught off guard by his presences.

"Naruto… it is good to see you my friend." Gaara said in his usual monotone voice. But to Naruto, that was as good as him jumping for joy. After all, Gaara had come leaps and bounds.

"Same here! Temari… Kankurou… you both look well. How was the trip?"

"About the same as it always is Naruto…" Kankurou said. "Long and hot. A shower, some food and a bed would be nice."

"Kankurou! Show some respect… it's not just Naruto… as always, forgive him Naruto. He has no manners because all he ever talks to are those puppets of his!" Temari said.

"I would have him no other way! Please… follow me. You three will be our guests while you are here. We have one of the guest houses all ready for you."

The four made their way back to the Namikaze estate, where they were greeted by two excited twins and a smiling Yuri.

"Gaara-san, Temari-san! Kankurou-san! Please come in… I am sure that you had a long journey. We are so happy to see you all."

"Uncle Gaara!" the twins screamed as they launched themselves at Gaara.

As if on cue, Gaara's sand came to life and caught them in the air. Knowing that it was wanted the kids wanted, he tossed them in the air and caught them a few more times before setting them down. Temari watched and laughed.

"You know Yuri-san; I think this is the only time Gaara actually smiles."

"Well, those two have that effect on people… much like their father."

"That is true."

Kankurou was standing to the back mumbling incoherently about not being greeted like that when the twins saw him. Naruto slapped him on the back and laughed.

"It's just easier for the sand to come on out than it is Crow… I bet later if you show them what Crow can do… they will beg you to teach them…and then you will pity your brother." Naruto laughed again. "Now, you three settle in and get some rest and we will discuss the reason for your visit later."

-END-