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The Longest Road
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Chapter 1. Godaime Kazekage
The air, still holding a bit of a night chill, started warming up quickly when the sun rose, even if the shadows were still long at this early hour. Not that Godaime Kazekage would notice the rapidly increasing heat even if he would be knocked out of his reverie. After living in a desert for 35 years he simply didn't pay attention to it, especially on a day like that.
Over two weeks had passed since Suna broke the peace treaty and invaded Konoha, or rather attempted to invade. They lose completely, and the Yondaime Kazekage had gone missing since then. Only a few still hoped he would return. At first, they thought he might be a prisoner to Oto, but this hope was quickly lost, and at some point they came to a conclusion that they had to elect a new village's leader. Once decided, it was clear there was no one else more fitting for the position than Baki - the experienced ninja, one of if not the most powerful jōnin in the village, and also Sandaime Kazekage's former student.
Baki himself wasn't particularly eager to take his long since dead teacher's seat but he knew Suna's fate stood upon the edge of a knife at the moment. Loyal shinobi as he was, he simply couldn't decline the council's request. The daimyō didn't have any objections, either, so Godaime Kazekage was instated as soon as possible, reluctantly taking the responsibility for the village, and preparing to deal with the most urgent questions, with Shukaku's host at the top of the list.
Baki sighed to himself, and adjusted the fabric covering the half of his face. Sipping the water, he refused to go back to the events that brought Suna to such misery, and forced himself to focus on an upcoming meeting. True that the councilmen worked together outstandingly in a face of a disaster but they still couldn't understand that rebuilding the military power of the village was actually far beyond their reach. The number of assignments decreased almost to none, not even mentioning that Konoha wouldn't take well Suna's endeavors to regain the power it once held. For that reason, Baki decided that their only option was concentrating on an economic development rather than military one. The councilmen argued it was unprecedented that the hidden village would give up its very purpose to exist, not even mentioning the lack of natural resources in Kaze no Kuni, but they had no other choice than accepting Kazekage's plan.
But still, the most direct threat to Suna wasn't a shortage of missions or funds. Those were things Baki believed they could handle, and maybe, just maybe, even turn this situation to their advantage. Unfortunately, there was no way to handle Shukaku's jinchūriki any longer. The previous Kazekage was gone, and they could expect an utter annihilation of the village at any time if the beast suddenly decided to go on rampage, and the host wouldn't be in the mood to stop it. Of course, if he would use Tanuki Neiri no Jutsu it would be all over for him, because there was not a living soul in an entire Kaze no Kuni left, who could approach raging Shukaku, and knock its host awake. Baki knew that jinchūriki's instinct for self-preservation was strong, but on the other hand, his emotions were so unstable that nobody could predict what he would actually do when furious. For this, the council had to find a solution to this problem, and fast.
Baki took his seat at the round table, and waited for the councilmen to join him. Once they exchanged the courtesies and settled down, the debate began. Some of the elders argued that the village had already taken too much risks, and paid too high price for sealing the bijū into the jinchūriki, to simply give it all up, and eliminate him. Others said that the assassination option had much more pros than cons, especially considering the current situation. Baki listened to them, and didn't interrupt, sunk in his own thoughts. He noticed at once that all the council members carefully avoided saying Gaara's name as if they had already sentenced him. Baki didn't let himself to say that name, either. Not so long ago, he was a leader of the previous Kazekage's children team, and willing or not, he became loyal to them, even if the bond between them was weak, and never spoken of. Baki was aware that at some point Gaara began to respect him, which in Gaara's case meant that he didn't threaten to kill his team's captain, nor did he offend him in any way, like he did with his siblings.
Baki could tell the very moment it had started.
"You're not afraid that I'll kill you?" Gaara had asked in his harsh voice.
"I'm not afraid of dying," Baki had replied with a sardonic smile. "You know firsthand that there are worse things than death."
That answer earned him Gaara's respect. Soon, Baki realized that apart from him there was no other human in Sunagakure, and beyond, who could say that Gaara respected them. The boy didn't even respect his own father. Of course, he hated him, and feared the man deeply, but it had nothing to do with respect. Gaara feared that his father would condemn him to death once again, only this time he would choose more effective way to achieve his goal. Now, the Yondaime Kazekage was gone, and Baki was the one to decide Gaara's fate. Deep in his heart, Baki detested the circumstances, which made him to make a decision to betray the boy, but he knew he had no other choice. The beast inside Gaara was untameable, and so was the boy. For that reason, both of them were doomed.
Not that the council would find any volunteer to take up such mission. The elders were indignant when Baki told them that but he decided they couldn't force anyone to make another assassination attempt on Gaara. The morale amongst Suna ninjas was already incredibly low, and they were pretty much aware that the mission 1023098 was in fact a suicide mission. The councilmen reluctantly agreed not to force anyone unless a volunteer would come directly to them, and Baki suggested the only option he thought they had at the moment. He decided they had to prepare a living place for Gaara and his siblings somewhere in the desert, and then ask Gaara to move there.
The elders almost laughed at the thought of asking Gaara for anything but Baki was certain he could complete this task. He knew the boy, and how to convince him. Gaara would surely agree if his siblings would go with him. Anyway, Baki needed them to watch the boy in case he tried something dangerous and unpredictable. Unfortunately, they would be first victims if Shukaku took over, but Baki could do nothing about it. Even if he was certain that Kankurō and Temari would die, Baki refused to indulge in grief over them, fully aware they were already doomed just like their youngest brother, even if they didn't do anything wrong.
The end of chapter 1.
The next chapter: The message
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A/N. The dialogue between Baki and Gaara comes from an amazing fic Dry Winds by ZenosParadox. I highly recommend you to read it, especially if you're a Sand sibs fan.
Mission 1023098 is a concept borrowed from another amazing Sand sibs fic Lucky Number by StorymasterCaith. If you have read my previous fic Alive And Victorious, you're familiar with it. If not, go and read "Lucky Number". It's a true masterpiece. Kankurō and Gaara fans are particularly welcome.