A Dance with a Sandman 2: A Dance Anew
The sequel to "A Dance with a Sandman"
By: Black Roses666

Summary: 30 years of suffering, 30 years of lies; 17 years of regret, 17 years of incompleteness; 3 years of life, 3 promises to keep; 1 dance to complete, 1 mission to finish. The dance is not over, and it will take one last promise, one last mission, one last tear, before freedom is ensured. This is reality, and not a fairly tale. "Happily ever after" isn't exactly the type of ending reality would settle with.

Pairing: GaaraOC

Note: This is set 17-18 years after "A Dance with a Sandman"

Disclaimer: Among all the things I own, Naruto isn't one of it. That is why I am making a FANfiction.

Black Roses666: I know, I know, I kept you all hanging but I hope you will enjoy this story as much as the first "A Dance with a Sandman"! Thank you for all the support!

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Dance 1: The Invitation
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"This is…the Livarte family symbol…"

It has been seventeen years, seventeen long years of existence, (or was it eighteen? Olha lost count) since the young sacrifice of the Mizukage had made any contact to the Livarte family, nor received any word from them, for that matter; but seeing a letter from the family, who tried to kill the female, on her husband's, Gaara's, birthday, there are many reasons to be scared.

Could it be for revenge for the death of their leader and heir that they would suddenly come out and dare send them a letter, not even bothering to disguise their family seal, or the envelope itself? In fact, there was just something wrong about the whole thing that made Olha feel some sort of sense of foreboding.

She was clearly afraid; her whole being was visibly shaking in fear, as she merely stared at the blue seal, in the form of a wooden flute. This, all of this, didn't make any sense.

"What do you think…is all this…about…?" her voice was shaken as her fingers lingered over the blue seal, probably to check whether or not this is a dream or reality.

For once, in a long, long time, the Kazekage had no idea what to do, nor say in order to comfort her. Every possible suggestion was at the tip of his tongue, yet they were held back because of the mere knowledge that it would immediately bring his wife back to trauma.

As a straightforward reply, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, carefully edging her slightly towards him. By sheer reflex alone, she rested her head on the crook of his neck and took in some deep breaths.

"We better open it…or we'll never know what's going to happen…" he reassured, in such a comforting way that it is uncomplicatedly unbelievable that this man was the notorious Sabaku no Gaara.

For better or for worse, what he said was correct, and even if she hated to admit it to the bottommost pit of her heart, he was right, and nothing can cover her back.

Just as she was about to open the waxed seal, a thought came to mind; a thought of which immediately paralyzed the female and forced her to suddenly become worried about the whole situation.

"What about Reiko…?" she asked, voice only reaching slightly above whisper, "she's only a three year old child…and even though she's our daughter, she doesn't know of the Livarte family, nor what happened all those years ago…"

"Olha," he called before she could continue with her worried rambling, "I promised you three years ago that nothing will happen to Reiko. I swore it to you…"

"I know…" she retorted, some sort of stress in her tone, "but with this scenario…I just don't know if she'll be safe…"

"That's why we have Oturan and Jue to help us…"

"Are you sure that will be a good idea…?"

She almost hit herself for asking that question; and with such authority as well for her stupidity.

Oturan, their pet sand leopard, never lets anyone touch Reiko unless allowed by the three year old's parents. Reiko even rides on his back when traveling around so there is no way anyone can kidnap the little child.

Jue, on the other hand, is the newly appointed right hand of Olha, and is the caretaker and the Jounin protector of the little girl with an oath of her own free will to safeguard Reiko until her death.

When the female pondered on this, nothing should be able to harm their young child…at least, if the Livarte family is concerned.

There wasn't any need for Gaara to answer her question, as he sees it, for he knew that she was merely apprehensive for their daughter's safety and couldn't think, but either way, there was really nothing to be afraid of.

Without any second thought, she peeled open the seal, scanned around the envelope in case of any traps, explosives, or others. Finding none, she proceeded to open the letter, slightly narrowing her eyes as it scanned around the words, as if memorizing every word in an eerie manner.

"What's wrong…?" Gaara inquired, looking over her in order to read the letter himself.

Involuntarily, his eyes narrowed in the same, peculiar way.

"What does this mean…?"

-v-v-v-

To the dearest Kazekage and his family,

Humble greetings from the Livarte family…

To celebrate you thirty-sixth birthday, the Livarte clan and I invite you, along with your family and selected friends, to come to the Livarte clan compound and allow us to entertain you.

This festive moment is to apologize for our past, and very rash, actions towards your wife, and we must show our remorsefulness by setting our differences aside and unite in this special occasion.

After all, the Livarte clan hates taking "no" for an answer…

Maya Livarte

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Young Reiko found a way to ditch her aunt Temari and managed to walk along the sandy streets, eyes sparkling with delight as the villagers put up banners in order to celebrate her father's birthday. Villagers and passers-by gave her nods and smiles of respect.

It is a pity, though, that the three year old had no idea how high her status is merely being the daughter of the Kazekage, and a wind ninja. She and her simple mind think of all these gestures as a common manner amongst the people of Sunakagure.

"Reiko-sama, over here!" a female voice called from a nearby location.

The little girl spun around, spotting a blonde girl waving at her fanatically, signaling the red head to quickly come, which she did without any hesitation at all. Yes, not even the word 'sama' added after her name never gave Reiko the sense of superiority, but a thought that the older girl was just being nice.

"Jue-chan; is Oturan-kun with you?" Reiko asked, seeing the distance between her and her caretaker decreasing.

"Yes, of course he is. Why did you leave him?" the now twenty-four year old Jue inquired, pulling a leash which held the sand leopard, Oturan, in a rather tame position.

"'Kasan and 'Tousan were supposed to take care of me today, but they asked me to go and check the preparations for 'Tousan's birthday!" the red head explained, hugging her pet sand leopard and accepting many, many licks from him.

"Oh, I see; well, the preparations are going fabulously well, and we should have a smooth party ahead of us. Kazekage-sama shouldn't have to worry a thing about it." The Jounin helped the child sit on the leopard, just for the sake of resting.

"Jue-chan…do you think I have 'Kasan's powers or 'Tousan's?"

The blonde froze and stared at Reiko, eyes wide when the sudden thought came to mind. Indeed, which of the two parents dominated her powers? It was the question on everybody's mind, but many chose to simply wait for the young girl to start training as a kunoichi. Either way, it is a win-win situation. Wind and sand are, truly, forces to be reckoned with.

Before Jue could reply to the little one's question, the said three year old spotted her favorite juice on the table, and because of her overwhelming and uncontrollable childish instincts, she forgot that she asked that question and allowed herself to ride on her pet's back as she joyously squealed for some juice.

One could say that the blonde was rather thankful. With a smile, she walked off to help with the preparations, knowing that Reiko would be safe, even on her own. Knowing her current status, and that Oturan is with her, that child will never be in danger.

She only wished that it would be just as safe if she grows up and starts traveling.

Nodding her head in satisfaction with the party, she continued off to the Kazekage's office, ready to tell him and his wife that the preparations for the party have finished.

-v-v-v-

"Over a decade…they waited, and it took them over a decade to apologize for their past actions, and they won't even give a more decent apology. I sense something bad about this…like there is something hidden in it…" Olha reasoned, stating all the facts that would surely provoke her husband to agree with her.

"What do they mean by 'the Livarte clan hates taking "no" for an answer'?" Gaara inquired; his eyes quirking in thought.

"It's rather ironic…the Livarte clan would start another war if we don't agree to come…" she stood and stared out the window, leaving her male companion to hold the letter, "either way we choose, danger would be following us. We're not safe, and we're simply endangering our daughter with this matter!"

"What are the effects of each side?"

"If we agree, then we must travel to Mist and risk Suna to be in danger, as well us ourselves for once we enter Mist, their territory will level to our disadvantage. If we disagree, then our lives will be in jeopardy; and Reiko's as well…"

"Now, which do you think would be a better choice?"

Olha turned to him; it was amazing how he could remain so calm at such a crisis. She wished and prayed for that certain trait, but she couldn't help herself, for it is her natural nature was to be worried.

"I am not sure…" she replied, quick and simple, "but if we choose the disagreeing path, I am sure we would be able to protect ourselves. Besides, as along as we stay here, we have the higher advantage. I trust that you would be able to trap the Mist troops."

"Then we disagree to go. We must prepare in case of battle…"

As if triggered by the words of the Kazekage, a foul smell filled the air. Both immediately covered their noses. Gaara's sand opened the window and Olha's wind blew the invitation outside.

The two watched the invitation fly high, and when the piece of paper ran out of time, so it seemed, it exploded.

A paper bomb, the specialty of the Livarte clan; it is triggered by the words of the reader, if the reader says the wrong answer. A foul smell would fill his nostrils, supposedly to knock him out if not careful, and then it would explode.

"What did you say again about the Livartes hating 'no' as an answer…?" Gaara observed the impact of the explosion. It was strong…

"It appears that we have no choice but to agree…even if we were able to dodge that attack, it was too close for comfort; and not even I know all the tricks up the Livarte's sleeve. The next attack has a high chance of working…"

"Take Oturan and Jue with you, and Jue to be ready in case of battle. She will have to protect Reiko alongside Oturan."

"Of course…I will not allow the past to repeat itself…"

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Everything happened so fast…

As little Reiko sipped her juice, petting her pet who purred in satisfaction, the explosion came about, frightening the poor girl. She could see burning papers heading her way, and to make matters worse, her feet seemed stuck to the ground.

She let go of her glass and covered her face, screaming.

"Reiko-sama!"

The little girl peeked through a small gap in her separated fingers and spotted her caretaker, running to her aid, but the blonde eventually stopped before she reached the red head, eyes wide at the scenery.

Hovering above the little one's head was a shield of glass, catching all the cinders and the falling flames, as if protecting her. Judging by the still frightened look on Reiko's face, she had no idea of the jutsu being used by an angel of some sorts; an angel who is secretly watching over her, as Jue suspects.

Oturan seemed to have noticed the flying glass as well, which has captured all the embers and is now taking it away, but he knew that Reiko mustn't pay heed to it or she may be even more frightened than she is now.

The sand leopard casually walked, as calmly as possible, in front of Reiko and allowed her on his back, taking her instinctively to her caretaker, letting out purrs of comfort for every whimper she gave out. Both Oturan and Jue knew what to do at this time:

It's time to give mommy and daddy a little visit.

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"'Kasan! 'Tousan!" the red head exclaimed, jumping off her leopard friend and running into the arms of her parents, whimpering, crying.

"Shh…it's okay, Reiko…everything's fine…" Olha combed her fingers through her daughter's hair, slowly comforting the young girl.

"B-but there was a big boom and…and…big red scary things falling from the sky and…and…" the three year old burst, once again, into tears, digging her face in her mom's arms. It was heartbreaking.

"Don't worry, Reiko…" Gaara petted her head, "It was all an accident…but to make it up to you, we have something planned out…"

"What is it…" she sniffed.

"Tomorrow, we're leaving for Mist…"

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Black Roses666: Well, what a sort of twist of fate!

Why is the Livarte clan suddenly inviting them over for a party after over a decade? Who was it that protected Reiko from the cinders with the hovering glass? What will happen now?

Gawsh, I love leaving people hanging! I hope you like this story!

Please review!