Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters used in this fic.

This takes place after the save Gaara arc in Shippuuden.

In the Shadow of a Hero

"I owe a great debt to Naruto Uzumaki."

How many times had Kankuro heard his younger brother utter those words? Or ones like them? At times Gaara sounded like the founder, president, and sole member of the Sand Village's own Naruto Uzumaki fan club. Did the Kazekage even realize the existence of anyone else? Was there nothing to admire in other people?

Naruto had been the one to change Gaara and prove how strong friendship and love for others could be. But hadn't Gaara seen his older brother and sister fight for each other during missions? Or comrades from their own village protect each other? Not that Kankuro wasn't impressed by the Leaf ninja's determination in fighting Shukaku because he was, but still… Maybe it was because of how the Sand Village had treated Gaara, but were their feelings, their loyalties so unimpressive? Had Gaara never looked at his siblings and realized they would die for each other and how that bond made them stronger?

"Maybe one day I can be like him."

That was another significant phrase Kankuro remembered Gaara using when talking about his hero. Most children looked up to their older siblings, even if they didn't want to admit it. But not Gaara, and Kankuro had to admit (when being honest with himself) that there probably wasn't much in him for his younger brother to look up to. He had spent most of his life in fear of the boy. He had recently failed to save him where Naruto succeeded.

Kankuro was the one to thank him for it. And he was grateful. He was. And he was jealous.

Only a jinchuuriki can truly understand another. The pain they go through, the loneliness. So many people kept insisting on that. It hurt to know that there was a part of his brother's heart that he could never touch, no matter what.

Kankuro realized that he had not always been a good brother to Gaara, but he was trying. He was trying to be better. Didn't that count for anything? Did Gaara know how he had fought for him after he was captured? Did he see how strongly he defended him when the council members or certain villagers questioned whether Shukaku would come out and destroy them all?

Kankuro supposed he could simply ask Gaara what he thought of him. But he feared he would only receive the famous impassive stare and a brutally honest, if emotionless answer. Or worse, that Gaara would not understand what he really meant. Did his younger brother see him as simply one of a crowd who was not Naruto Uzumaki but whom, as the Kazekage, he was now obligated to protect? Was he no one special?

Kankuro had to wonder, did Gaara see him at all?