Chapter Two: Siblings and Teammates

Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure, had come to a decision.

"What?" whined his older brother Kankuro. "But we just got home. Just!"

"When do we leave?" asked Temari.

Gaara decided to ignore his brother and simply address his sister for the remainder of this conversation. It was always easier that way. "Three days." Were it up to him, he'd leave now. Today. But the council of elders and his physicians had made that nigh unto impossible. He needed a day to heal, then a day to put his affairs back in order before he attempted to travel.

"The people," Baki had advised him just this morning, "are still uneasy. If you abandon them..."

So, he needed a third day to soothe and calm his people.

"And why the Leaf?" Kankuro started whining again. "We just hung out with them."

"Our stay will be brief. Just three days," Gaara gazed steadily at Temari.

She nodded understandingly, "More than enough time to deal with the Hokage and her council."

Gaara was pleased she had guessed his cover rather than his true intent for this visit. Yet, he didn't like the look in her eyes. She almost seemed...happy.

"Could we add an extra day for travel and stay at that one bath house near Konoha?" she asked with a far too bright smile.

"Perhaps on the return journey."

"You can't be agreeing to this," Kankuro glared at their sister.

"I do not question my Kazekage."

"Pft!" Kankuro grunted Gaara's exact thoughts. Suddenly both brothers were staring suspiciously at their sister. "Only when you want something," Kankuro said.

Temari rolled her eyes.

"What is it that you wish?" Gaara asked softly.

"The baths," she said too quickly.

"Pft."

"If you'll excuse me, I must pack." And with that, she swept out of Gaara's office.

"Pft," Kankuro repeated, "100 yen it's that Nara kid. 200 yen if you let me kill him."

Gaara took a moment to consider. "You must not jump to conclusions."

"That isn't a no."

"Bring me proof."

Kankuro smiled. Beamed really. Then left, to no doubt, hound Temari into revealing everything. Gaara sat back and pulled his paper work closer. Temari was a great deal smarter than Kankuro. She'd either reveal nothing or threaten him for snooping. Probably both.

Wishing he could go watch, but forcing his mind to clear and handle the task at hand, Gaara reminded himself he had a lot to do in a very short amount of time. He'd be in Konoha within the week.

***************

Had Tsunade, the fifth Hokage of Konoha, not been aware of Hinata's delicate nature she might have questioned the anxiety attack the young kunoichi was currently having. But as it were, Tsunade simply ignored the hyperventilating, even as it grew louder with the assistance of the paper bag Shizune handed the girl.

"The mission is basic. Less guard duty, more guide work really. Terribly boring. I'd offer my apologies, but better you than me," Tsunade admitted bluntly.

"You have chosen us because of our status amongst both the noble and ninja houses, no?" Shino intoned in his deep dark voice.

Tsunade smiled at the tall boy. Unlike that fucking Nara brat, the Aburame heir never questioned her authority. He simply spoke his beliefs to her reasoning aloud, which usually made her plans seem a lot smarter than they actually were. "Correct," she lied.

She had chosen them because Shikamaru had refused, Naruto was on a mission, and Neji was too fucking cocky. She had no doubt Hinata's cousin would in some way insult the Kazekage despite their recent dealings. Plus, Shino didn't scare easily. Hinata did, but she was such a quiet and shy thing, Tsunade had a really hard time picturing her upsetting anyone. Even that overly demanding sister of Gaara's.

"Are there any areas of restriction?" Shino asked.

"As our allies, no. As foreigners, yes. You will keep them within the civilian district. Unless invited, they are to stay away from ninja compounds, particularly the training grounds. Both private and public."

Shino nodded, his head turning slightly as if looking at Hinata out the corner of his shaded gaze. She was no longer hyperventilating, but she continued to keep the bag pressed firmly to her lips. Despite her troubles, her eyes were wide and alert. She was paying complete attention.

"They are due to arrive mid-morning tomorrow. You will greet them at the gates."

"Hai," Shino said smoothly. Hinata bowed her head quickly.

"You will report each day's activities to me everyday at this same time."

"Hai."

"That is all." She'd probably think of more later.

Shizune, however, cleared her throat meaningfully. Everyone, Tsunade included, turned to the Hokage's assistant. "The Kazekage will also have daily meetings with Tsunade-sama at noon during his stay here."

Tsunade groaned and rolled her eyes. She'd forgotten about that. Damned out of date treaties.

"Should the need arise for an additional guide, see me post haste. We have several in mind, though we believe you two to be more than sufficient," Shizune added.

Shino and Hinata bowed and left.

Once out the door, Shino turned and gently tugged the bag from Hinata's grasp. "People change," he reminded her.

Bagless fingers trembling, Hinata lowered her right hand and clasped it with the left. Her chin lifted a bit, "I have changed. Yes."

"No."

Hinata frowned and gave Shino a heartbroken look.

"You misunderstand. I speak of the current Kazekage."

Hinata cringed at the memory of that boy. While her initial flashback had been of blood raining down everywhere, and sandy skin against her palm, she also remembered angry, black-rimmed, green eyes; red hair; and a thin mouth that had barely moved when he spoke.

"He led the Suna team that rescued Kiba and Akamaru," Shino reminded her.

"And he is friends with Naruto," Hinata added, lowering her eyes in shame.

"As Kazekage, he is a trusted ally of Konoha and deserves our respect. We must not speak of the past or hold it against him."

As always, Shino was right. "So, I can't stutter, blush, or faint when I'm around him."

Shino lifted his head and gifted her with a rare smile. Mostly, it was just a brief quirk of his lips, but for Shino it was almost blinding. "You forgot hyperventilate."

"Glad I'm not stuck babysitting a bunch of Kage brats." Kiba lied.

Both Hinata and Shino knew he was lying. Like Shino, Kiba didn't like the thought of being left out. He especially didn't like the thought of being left out because Shino and Hinata were somehow better than him. A thought Shino had put into his head.

"There is only one Kazekage and to my knowledge he is one month older than you. His siblings range in two and three years your senior. Therefore it is inappropriate and highly misleading for you to use the term 'brat' unless you speak of yourself," Shino stated.

Kiba glared at him.

Hinata moved to soothe the situation, "We could ask Shizune-sensei...She said if we needed additional guides to go to her."

Kiba scoffed at the idea, "Didn't I just say I'm glad I'm free."

" 'Free' of what? A highly respectful responsibility?" Shino queried.

"Responsibility my ass. You're just leading them around like a trained monkey."

"Or dog?"

Both Kiba and Akamaru growled at Shino.

Walking between her bickering teammates, Hinata was able to lightly nudge Shino to stop. He did, though he seemed hesitant to do so. Especially when Hinata addressed Kiba again, "You should reconsider. When Ino and I acted as guides last spring for the visiting medical-nins, we were able to partake in all the free food given at the different meetings. Remember the goyzas I bought you?"

Kiba's slitted eyes nearly sparkled at the memory. "And the yakitori..." he licked his lips.

"We can appeal to Shizune-sama to hire you as a taste tester. In hopes of poison," Shino suggested.

Snapping Kiba out of his happy memory. "You mean, in case of poison, idiot."

"No. I meant exactly what I said."

Shaking her head warily, Hinata gave Shino another light nudge.