Lw: Hmm… I'm at a loss for words.

Katie: That's unusual.

Lw: I know. Anyways, here's the next chappie ^_^


Chapter 3: Rough Around the Edges

There are only a few things I really hate doing in life.

Near the top of that list is public speaking.

No one even likes public speaking! It's just…..the worst... Yuck.

You get my point. However, repeating myself is numero uno on this list of mine. Not that I'm arrogant about it or anything, I just really hate repeating myself.

Why? Simply because I get red and mousey and sweaty when I repeat myself for the second time. It's a curse I think.

And worst of all, I was stuck here, needing to repeat myself in front of Sunas mighty, highly esteemed council members. To add to my list of troubles, standing a little off to the side of the council table was none other then the wonder squad. Who is on the wonder squad you ask? Why the drunkard, the sassy, and the quiet of course. Yupp. That's right. I called them that.

And yes, that's Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara. I think it fits them perfectly. But as to why they were still here was a mystery to me.

"Could you please-"

I was drawn back from my thoughts and quickly cut the old man off. Clearly everyone in the room was lost. "Ill start from the beginning." I shook my head at the thought. All over again… Stupid old men and their old ways all judging me like they know everything. Getting up from my seat I let out a big sigh. Why oh why couldn't I be somewhere else? Where was Sozi? She should have been back by now! I didn't want to be doing this by myself. ARG!

Looking back around the table, old calculating eyes watched my every move. Cue the tomato face. My cheeks were burning red and the room suddenly felt ten degrees hotter. Oh god, now I'm gonna be all sweaty. "Like I said before, I'm originally from another world and I was sucked here by your legendary lost spirit Oriel."

Some of the people started whispering again like they had the first time. "That old child's tail?" "Is it really true?" "Unbelievable. She's obviously toying with us." "How can we be sure she's not lying?"

How rude. I was still here! I could still hear everything they were saying! Questioning my very existence like I'm not here explaining it for them a second time!

Despite the questionable whispers, I tried not to quiver from my nerves so I found myself biting my lower lip in anticipation. What? I could take insults like a pro, I just hated intimidating stares and speeches…. "I have been traveling through your world trying to hone my skills as a ninja to protect this world from danger. I come here baring no ill will, just a chance to train with some of your shinobi and in return I offer my abilities as an aid for your country until I depart." Yeah, that basically summarizes it all more or less.

Still, I got a variety of looks, all ranging from disbelief to traitorous dishonor. Why the stanky eye? What did I do? Why would I lie? The old farts…

One council member spoke over the whispers silencing the room. "How can we be certain you truly have this spirit? Is there some way you can prove to us that you are not lying?" The old man folded his fingers across his mouth giving me a hard glare.

"Uh…" I thought about it for a second. "Actually, yeah there is." Without even thinking I locked eyes with the wonder squad for the first time that evening. Kankuro looked bored, Temari looked skeptical, and Gaara looked neutral. There looks were sure reassuring… NOT! What if this didn't work? What if I just failed? What if they don't believe me? What if I make a fool of myself?

I should really stop second guessing myself…

I closed my eyes and folded my hands in the proper hand sign near my lips feeling chakra run to my fingers. God, this better work. "Release." I whispered.

Moving my hands outward towards the table I let the white chakra roll down my arms and off my palms in rippled waves, slowly forming a set of shoulders, neck, jaw line, and face. With Oriels chakra being released the whole room felt lighter almost, even calm. All the previous tension, frustration, and confusion disappeared. Finally, there in the center of the council's table illuminating the meeting was the face of a legend. Literally.

Glowing white from the shoulders up and pulsing light chakra like a fog machine was the upper half of Oriel. "Greetings esteemed members of the council." Oriel let a breathtaking smile grace her lips. I watched Oriel blink her eyes seductively and everyone's jaw dropped, a gaping look plastered on their face. My amusement only continued when I saw even the wonder squad looking shocked and impressed.

"I am Oriel, spirit guardian of your world. Is there something that needs my assistance?" Oriels words were like a beautiful symphony I could listen to over and over again. I loved listening to her speak; it was like an eargasim basically. Apparently I wasn't the only one entranced by her presence or vocals because the council was still speechless.

"Is it true-" "I-it can't be…" "That… that chakra!" "No doubt about it." "Amazing…"

Oriel flashed an elegant smile. "I've listened to Katie talk to you all and I can assure you everything she speaks is the truth." As she spoke she locked eyes with every council member before continuing. "I know this all may seem a bit overwhelming, but you must listen." Suddenly it felt like the whole world got serious. Oriels tone changed enough that the light disbelieving and awe filled mood switched to an air of attention. "I have sensed a darkness lurking in the shadows threatening to upset the balance of our world. It will be filled with very strong, very dark enemies." The room visibly tensed at her words and whispers filled the air once more. "It is true that I summoned Katie here to help you all battle this darkness. Unfortunately, she still lacks battle experience and needs more training. Is there not a heart in here that will help us?" Her last words lingered in the air while I retreated my chakra and her form evaporating in the air.

I could see Oriel just fine on my own, she was like my shadow to me. But when I had to convince people and show Oriels spirit to others, channeling her being was possible. It was just still slightly difficult for me. Even if it wasn't for long periods of time, it still seemed to get my point across. As I took my seat I slid my eyes over everyone at the table. They were all silent, their eyes still lost in thought.

I guess I would be too if I just saw a spirit that I thought was fake for generations, only for it to be real and tell me I'm about to have a new dark, powerful nemesis. This was all just a crazy situation. I guess it always is.

"That could have been a genjutsu..."

"She could be a spy..."

"Could it be the Akatsuki she spoke of?"

"I don't believe it…."

"She wants to learn our weakness so she can take us down…"

Were people really still not believing me? I just summoned the frickin legend herself! What more was there to see? What was there to fake!?

"You're all a bunch of old men." An elderly woman with long gray hair pulled in a tight braid broke the conversation. "Could you all be blind perhaps? This girl is not lying to us. Even from the beginning when she sent us the letter that was signed by the other Kages her story has not changed. And to have even summoned that spirit? I'm ashamed to be on this council with you all if you think this child is lying."

Wahoo! Where did that old lady come from? Oh heck, I don't care right now, I love you old granny! I mentally cheered for the woman.

"Letters can be faked." One extra wrinkly man interjected. "And what she says about the darkness could be a ploy to get us to teach her our jutsus."

"She wasn't lying." The whole table craned their necks to see who disturbed their deliberation. Kankuro was at the end of the table folding his arms across his chest. He had an annoyed look on his face looking around at the other council members. "Any ninja could tell every word she said was honest. Even that… that spirit thing was real. There was no genjutsu."

Across the table I gave Kankuro a small smile appreciating his words. He returned it with a very quick, subtle smirk and a nod in my direction. Thank Jesus some people were on my side! I saw more whispers and nods of agreement across the floor. I bit my lower lip again in anticipation. What were they discussing? Were the tides finally turned in my favor?

A man that appeared to be in his late 50's adorned with fine robes stood up silencing the council. When he looked at me I could see his eyes were a worn dark brown holding very commanding features. Laying his arms on the table he spoke in a rough baritone voice. "We have come to an agreement. We have decided that you can stay here-"

My inner self shot up and cheered, but I tried to suppress the urge to get up a dance a victory dance.

"However we are placing a shinobi to watch over you."

Old man say what now? "Why?" my face looked as questionable as my voice sounded.

"It is not that we do not trust you, it's just precautionary." I almost rolled my eyes at the word. Precautionary my ass. "Think of it more as a gift than anything. As of now you are regarded as a formal guest. This shinobi can serve as your guide around our village, help you in your training, and be a type of bodyguard."

A bodyguard? I can take care of myself! They just don't want to leave me the frick alone. I'm not that much of a baby that I need a babysitter! What the heck man… "Well then, may I ask who my guide will be then?"

The mans arm extended over to the wonder squad. "Sabaku no Gaara will be your guide."

Goosebumps rolled over my body and I could feel heat rise to my cheeks again. What? Did I just hear this man right? He's gotta be kidding. Why would he be my guide?!

"Gaara is one of our strongest ninjas. He will make an excellent teacher and he also never sleeps so he can guard you at night when you rest."

I guess having Gaara around has its pros….

"You are welcome to stay as long as you wish since you already have room and board figured out. You can roam around our village and fill yourself with our culture as you please. If Gaara gets called on another mission, we will have a replacement for him until he returns. If you have any other questions, please ask either Gaara or Baki, his sensei. If that is all then this meeting is adjourned." The man bowed his head and filed out of the room. A number of other council members quickly followed suit, robes flowing behind them. I couldn't get out of my chair I was still lost in thought and filled with excitement. I was vaguely aware of the wonder squad shooting me looks and whispering as they passed leaving the room. Everything dawned on me. I was going to be spending a lot of time with Gaara. That's what I wanted right? I wanted to train with him, to let him teach me, to watch sunsets, to hold hands, fingers laced together and watch the stars….

"Excuse me miss."

I jumped out of my seat I was so startled. "Yes!" An old woman chuckled in front of me. It was the same woman with the massive braid that stood up for me in the meeting.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb your deep thinking." She smiled an adorable old lady smile, wrinkles and all.

"Oh no! I'm fine, I'm mean its fine." I waved a hand at the lady. Naa… its no big deal. You're too cute to hate old lady.

The lady tucked her hands behind her back striking a knowledgeable pose. "I just wanted to talk to you about that Gaara fellow-" Oh no… was she a Gaara hater? Was she going to bash on him? Tell me he's a monster? "He's had a pretty rough past and he's trying to change, you can tell. It's just… he's having a hard time."

My heart instantly melted and my eyebrows furrowed at the same time. "What do you mean? Are people not… accepting him?"

She shook her head. "Some people have come to notice his subtle changes, but others won't acknowledge him still. They think he's still a monster."

"Still a monster?" my voice was barely above a whisper. I felt sadness run through my body. People were still treating him poorly? Impossible…

"I'll spare you the details. I'm only telling you this because Gaara is officially our only Kazekage candidate." My eyes got wide. Holy god yes! That's exciting! "But he's still rough around the edges and there is always room for improvement. Maybe having you around will help smoothen out the rest."

I raised an eyebrow. "Whats the supposed to mean, granny?"

Her old cackle filled the empty room again. She started to bend over and hold her stomach she was laughing so hard. I thought she was going have a heart attack! "My goodness! I haven't laughed like that in a long time!" She wiped away a tear. "Granny! Ha! I haven't been called that since I last saw my grandkids. I like you, kiddo. You have guts." She patted my shoulder and headed towards the door. "Just remember. Smooth edges." With that, she gave me a wink and exited the room.

Standing there I realized two things. 1. That lady was crazy and 2. I'd be seeing Gaara. A whole lot of Gaara. A devious smile spread across my face. Oh hot damn this was gonna get good.


Lw: Can you say HECKS YEAH!

Katie: FUCKS YEAH! xD

Lw: You guessed it! Next chappie has GAARA! WAHOO!

Katie: YES! FINALLY! ! ! *passes out from running around in circles hysterically*

Lw: *Picks up katies foot* Well that's what I expected from her… -_-'' See you next time on Living the Legend!