Does FF hate anybody else's formatting? Bah, whatever. I'm changing it up in this chapter. We're going to hop over to see Miu's perspective. Don't worry, it's only temporary, then we'll get straight back to the awesomness that is Gaara. As Merciful would say, he's "made of awesome".
Chapter Nine
Tragedy and struggle just seemed to have been written in the stars for Miu this week. First, she had to handle the tragedy of the poor Apprentice who had been horribly abused, then the struggle of the lock down, the struggle with her guests the day before and now, she was about to encounter another problem.
Rounding the corner of the corridor, she ran a hand through her hair and made her way to the shared living quarters of Yumi, Aiko and two other young girls. She knocked and waited.
Nothing.
She knocked again.
Once more there was nothing.
"Aiko! Yumi! Breakfast and archery! Come on!" She called through the wooden door.
The silence was painful.
Overwhelmed with concern, she nearly tore the door off its hinges as she burst through. Inside was an empty room.
Terrified now, she ran for all she was worth through the halls and out to the courtyard. They've just gone for breakfast without me… They went down with the others… They're fine… she began to chant comforting phrases in her head.
In the courtyard, she found the pair who shared the room with the missing girls.
"Chinatsu, Michi, have either of you seen Aiko or Yumi around?" she asked.
"They aren't here," Michi answered quickly, not meeting Miu's eyes.
"Where are they then?" pressed the Guardian.
"They went to –," Began Chinatsu, but Michi's hand quickly covered her mouth.
"We're not supposed to tell."
"Listen, girls, it's very important that you tell me where they are. What if they get hurt? I would feel so terrible and we would never be allowed to leave the temple," Miu desperately tried to persuade the young girl.
"They'll be okay!" Michi replied cheerfully, "They've got Aiko's boyfriend to look after them!"
All of the blood felt as though it had drained away from her body. Miu stood as still as a statue. Was that why they had come? To scout girls? Had they been behind the attack? Feeling nauseous, she staggered from the courtyard and to the entrance. Ignoring questions regarding her health, she stared across the sand into the distance, the direction they had gone.
She didn't want to believe it. She had trusted these people. Even befriended them to an extent. Could Temari truly be involved in such a plot? And the Kazekage?
Her colour returned and she spun around, heading straight to see the head Priestess. There was no way the trio from the village had taken the girls. Kankuro didn't even know how to handle kids.
"Asuka, I beg of you, just listen to me," plead Miu as she fell to her knees in front of the old woman who was too busy trying to say something to hear that two children had gone missing.
"Miu! Calm yourself. I already know what you plan to share with me," she grumbled, "I received this today from Konoha." She tossed a letter upon the desk. "Go ahead and read it, for I am sure it will address your concerns."
Shaking, the younger woman reached forward and took the envelope. Pulling the paper from inside, she read and felt relief wash over her.
'Sacreds,
While travelling to our village of Konoha, the Kazekage of Suna came across a pair of children that reside within your temple. We have provided them with proper care. They seem to be physically unharmed, but still visibly shaken from the ordeal.
The men responsible are being held in our prison without food.
We have been informed that it would likely be preferred by yourselves to deal with the offenders in your own way. Out of respect for this tradition, we await their pick up. Though, if this is not possible, they may be dragged back by the Kazekage himself. The children may return with him if you are unavailable to retrieve them.
No return letter is required, the decision is yours. The Kazekage will be here for exactly three days, after which he will return home, escorting anyone you have left with us.
I send this letter on behalf of the Kazekage,
Tsunade, Hokage
Konoha.'
Miu wanted to cry out. This woman, Tsunade, was officially her new hero. Smiling drunkenly, she returned the letter to its envelope and the envelope in turn to the desk.
"I want you to take two Guardians with you and head for Konoha," Asuka explained, "Take the prisoners to a secluded area outside of Konoha and kill them. We will not disrespect the kindness of the village by spraying bad blood upon their paths. Express our thanks and retrieve the girls. Come back with the Kazekage. I don't want to take any more chances, and a larger group will be more safe."
"I'll leave right away," Miu answered, jumping to her feet and rushing out the door.
"Miu! Who will you take?" shouted the ancient Priestess after her.
Pausing in the hall, she thought for a moment. Looking back, she responded, "Tomomi and Rin!"
Asuka nodded to show she thought this decision was acceptable and Miu bowed once more before continuing her run.
An hour later, the three Guardians were in a tunnel that lay deep beneath the desert sand adorned in their regular attire with the addition of black, hooded cloaks. Rin led the way, a torch in her hand. She had more experience with the tunnels then either of her companions.
"If we keep walking and stay right, we'll be in Konoha by late afternoon," she told them as they moved down through the right side of a fork in the tunnel.
If Gaara had been a follower and believer in the ways of Fate as a certain young Hyuuga was, he may have thought it interesting that it just so happened to be Miu who was sent with two other women he just so happened to have met. He may have found it peculiar that they were instructed to stay with him and return alongside him after business had been completed in Konoha.
Yet, he was still unaware of his luck as he sat in the living room of the Aburame household, noiselessly sipping tea while he pondered the situation. Aiko was excitedly serving tea to Kankuro every time he took so much as a taste from his cup. The ninja didn't seem to mind though. Gaara supposed he was still recovering from the shock and worry encountered after finding the girls.
Yumi had very quickly become fascinated with the obvious strength of Shino's mother. The young girl had also been extremely impressed by the woman's height. Having found a new hero, she sat beside the Aburame woman quietly, observing her and slowly attempting to mimic her behaviours.
Temari was talking while Shino listened to her. Or at least, Gaara assumed he was listening, for the large collar and sunglasses made it impossible to see whether the man was even awake.
Finishing the last of his tea, the young Kazekage set down his mug coolly even as the door opened quite suddenly, frightening the young girls.
"They're here!" Naruto declared excitedly.
"From the Temple?" Temari asked him.
"Yeah, three of them! Ero-senin's eyes nearly popped out of his head," shouted the blonde messenger. The small party from inside moved out, except for Shino's mother. They followed the bouncing blonde man down the street as he talked loudly and gestured wildly.
Gaara questioned the sanity of his old friend, but then thought better than to judge, especially when he was the one who heard voices.
The prison grew larger as they drew nearer. And soon the hefty building towered over them. A small group stood outside its doors. Apparently chatting amongst themselves while they awaited the Kazekage and his party.
A man known far and wide for his perversion and written works of perversion was the easiest to recognize. He gestured while he spoke, 'accidentally' brushing the breast of the Hokage, who was quick to strike him as punishment for the offense.
Three cloaked women stood with them, only one seemed to actually be involving herself in the conversation. Gaara couldn't tell if either of them was Miu. He resisted the strangest urge to run.
Finally, they reached the steps and a foreign feeling swept over him, causing hairs to prickle upon his arms and the back of his neck. A chill passed through his bones, but the feeling was not what he'd describe as unpleasant.
There before them stood the only three Sacreds he had actually met. The women who stood guard at the entrance to the temple and – speaking excitedly with Tsunade – Miu.
"It is our honour to have met you," the guardian said with a low bow, "We are forever in your debts for such a favour. To hold our prisoners… Thank you." She stood, ignoring or not noticing the lecherous gaze of Jiraiya. Running a hand through her hair, the elbow of Tomomi connected gently with her ribs, alerting her to the presence of the new party without as much as a word.
They bowed and Miu excused herself from her discussion with the Hokage. "Kazekage, pleased to see you again," she said, "You two as well. We are grateful for your assistance. We received your letter and our instructions are to obtain and punish the criminals first, and then repossess the apprentices. We are to accompany you back to Konoha when you make your return."
What luck! Gaara did not know whether to thank the Great, the earth or the sun, whatever! All he knew was that he now had the desirable young Sacred at his side for the remainder of the trip. Admittedly not a long trip, but this was considerably better than having her take the girls and leave right away.
Trying not to reveal his excitement, he only nodded in agreement.
"Many thanks," Miu responded, "And you both. Come here now, there is no use in hiding. You have caused a great deal of stress for everyone at the temple with this little stunt, not to mention risked your lives and the lives of the kind people who saved you. What were you thinking?"
Aiko and Yumi slunk forward and threw themselves to the ground, wailing for forgiveness. Despite seeming angry only a moment before, their cries seemed to soften Miu's heart, and she crouched down beside them. She embraced the two girls and clearly struggled with tears of her own.
"Miu. The prisoner. It grows dark," Rin reminded her.
"Of course," she rose, "Girls, we have to handle the men first, but we will come to the inn shortly, so behave yourself. Tomomi will take care of you until we return."
The children looked up at her, before being taken by the quiet Guardian to the previously mentioned inn.
Tsunade handed them written permission for the prisoners. The papers would give the foreigners access to the offenders and rights to take them from the premises.
As they strode through the door and presented the letter of consent to the first guards, Gaara and family followed them through.
"Kazekage, these are temple matters. Do not concern yourself," Rin said without looking back.
Miu stopped and turned to face them. "She's right; we need not bother you further. Please, proceed to your own matters and perhaps get some rest."
"Actually, we'd like to see them punished," Kankuro replied, not giving his siblings the opportunity to comply with the suggested leave.
The pair of Guardians stood still, apparently contemplating for a moment. Without words, they spoke to one another.
Gaara wondered if they would be allowed to join them on this mission. He wanted to see the criminals suffer, and from instinct alone, he knew he was not the only one.
Blood. There would be much of it. Such an offense would not be taken lightly. How would they go about it? What weapons would they use? How would they dispose of the bodies? What if one or both should escape? Oh yes, it was definitely in the best interests of all parties that the Kazekage and his siblings accompany them.
DLH
