Chapter 3: Decisions

Banryu counted his profits. It had been a busy morning, and now just before lunch he had made more than expected at the Chuunin Exams. The money should last him for another six months, he mused. Perhaps he could even buy a new staff and a good weather jacket…

His train of thought was interrupted by the arrival of Akira at his stall. He smiled. Now there is a good lad that knows his trade, he thought warmly. In fact, he could say the profits he's getting were partly attributed to this young man. Akira had done a lot of preparations of his medicines to a form that was easy to use and more effective as a favour. But Banryu knew the underline cost of this favour – the information of Hiroto. He wasn't ready to give up on that information yet, while Akira appeared to be a good man, he could not trust him completely.

"It's been two days since I saw you." Banryu began as he put away his earnings. Akira smiled in return and greeted him formally. He is always like that, Banryu thought. So pleasant, so polite… It was kind of irritating in a way, for Banryu would like to see this man actually need to haggle and contest his way to get things. But somehow, when Akira need to, he did so with minimal fuss. He knows how to deal with people, yet chose to remain in the background and being somewhat mysterious. And with that, he made little profit and uses people like Banryu himself to sell his medicine. If only he took profits more, he would have been so rich and marry a beautiful merchant's daughter or other. With that in mind, Banryu scrutinised the young man's clothes discreetly, noting how basic and worn they were. Then, he saw the left hand.

"What happened to you? I don't see you for two days and you got your self into trouble?" He said rather humorously, pointing to the bandaged arm.

"Oh, just an minor accident on the training grounds. I tried sparring with one of the genins from the exams." Akira explained.

"Hmm, I know you aren't too bad at defending yourself, but you are no ninja. Stay away from them. We are traders and artisans, not hired goons."

Akira smiled at that comment, and changed the subject to Hiroto. Banryu knew this was coming, and he replied sotto voce. "What is it that you want with him?"

"A promise." Akira said. "I've made a promise to tell him something of importance."

"I will not cooperate unless you let me in with more information, Akira-san."

Akira sighed. "It's… about his mother, Hane Nasuko."

Banryu's eyes widen. He knew Hane Nasuko. He knew how she had been betrayed. He opened his mouth to say something, but saw someone coming from the corner of his eye. He took a step backwards from Akira, and was surprised for the second time as recognition set in as to the identity approaching man.

The Kazekage greeted the two. He asked them polite questions as he always did when visiting the traders, Banryu had perceived. Somehow though, something made the old trader feel that there was something else in the Kazekage's motive, though he couldn't figure out what. The Kazekage turned to ask Akira about his hand, and apologized for the mishap, and Akira in turn gracefully dismissed the injury for a scratch and that it was his own fault.

"I should have known not to be overconfident and get myself hurt." Akira said. Banryu watched in earnest. The Kazekage was expressionless as usual, but his eyes betrayed a hint of guilt. How could this accident affect the legendary Sabaku no Gaara like this? He had heard rumours that the fearsome Kazekage was weaken after what had happened to him with the Akatsuki… but what exactly happened then no one could really say for sure. What was sure though they say was that he was more… human? Well, whatever it was it seemed to Banryu that the motive of the Kazekage was to make an apology to Akira in person. Again, he was stuck by the ability of the young apothecary in making even the strongest ninja in Wind Country to acknowledge him.

As the Kazekage left and went on his way, Banryu immediately shot the young man a questioning look. "I've been here three years back, helping Suna with their herbarium…" Akira tired to explain. Banryu yet again was astonished by the unassuming man.

Miharu returned to her room, relieved to be by herself after a hard day's work. She took out the piece of paper that the Kazekage had slipped to her that morning and opened it. It had been two days since she saw him, and when he popped up in the trader's quarter she nearly had kittens. She wondered what Banryu had actually thought of the circumstance of her (as Akira) being on such friendly terms with the Kazekage. She hoped that he had accepted her quick explanation, and that he would keep his word regarding contacting Hiroto. Banryu was very tight-lipped about Hane Hiroto for so long that Miharu knew that it would be difficult when the time comes to meet Hiroto. All she had to do now was wait. Pushing the thought aside, Miharu read the Kazekage's message:

'I hope that you have not given up on me. I want to try again, if you will.'

Miharu felt a surge of heat from her heart, admiration for his determination, his courage, his forgiving nature… Miharu shook off all the negative talk about the village about Gaara she'd been hearing for past weeks that she'd been here. How could anyone be so unkind to this man after all that he had suffered for this village?

Gaara walked quietly on the empty street.

It was near midnight but he was going to the training ground to rendezvous with someone he was eager to see again. He had thought she was frightened after that night and so wouldn't want to see him. But when he received her message that evening, he could jump for joy (except he won't for he was the Kazekage). He entered the training ground and quickly found her in her usual attire to look masculine. She was practicing her taijutsu, and Gaara for a moment relished in gazing her form. She noticed him, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, staring so intently.

"Will you not come over and spar with me?" She said. Sounded like a challenge.

Gaara gave a smirk, and walked over. He took stance, "I'll be as easy as I can."

Miharu gave a huff as she took it as an insult and lunged forward with a quick punch. Gaara merely inched back away from her punch effortlessly. Miharu tried several times to land a hit on the Kazekage, but to no avail as the red haired man blocked or avoided her attacks easily. Finally, Gaara decided to end their little sparring session by catching her arm and pinned her to the ground, just like he did at the oasis.

"Give up?" Gaara asked. They were so close to each other Gaara had to resist the urge to close the gap between them.

"Next time." Miharu replied, looking up into his pale green eyes. "I'll be able to land a hit on you. Kazekage or not."

"Well then, we'll just have to have more training sessions now don't we?"

They snuck back into the Kazekage's apartment. And once again after taking a concoction, Gaara lay on his bed, waiting to fall asleep. Miharu sat nearby, trying hard not to fall asleep before he did. It was two in the morning, and she was looking very tired. He sat up, in which she reacted. Gaara shook his head. "You look you could do with some sleep. This bed is big enough to fit five people. Besides, it quite difficult to be at ease when you are watching me fall asleep like that." He said, scooting over the large bed to make room. He patted the space beside him, "Come here."

Miharu hesitated for a while, and Gaara was sure what she was thinking. But she came over and sat on the other side of the bed, a foot of space between them. The Kazekage lie down on his side of the bed and urge her to do the same.

"This is the most comfortable bed I've ever been in!" She said when her nervousness dissipated and laid down. They both looked towards the ceiling; Gaara did not dare turn to look at her directly. "You said my name," he said quietly. "That night…"

"What?" Miharu turned to look at him, but Gaara still stared upwards.

"You called me by my name. You did."

Miharu look back up to the ceiling. "I guess I did. Sorry."

"No, I like it." Gaara quickly explained. "Only a handful of people use my name. And I would like it if you would too."

"Okay, Kaze- I mean, Gaara-sama." Miharu said with a smile.

Not before long she was asleep, her face turned towards him. He stared at her, the soft moonlight from the window framing her serene face. God, was she beautiful. Gaara turned on his side and watched her sleep, and found it pleasing and calming, even though he knew he was going to be awake the entire night. He drew out a hand in temptation to touch that face but stopped. No, it wouldn't be right. For a night, his thoughts were on a certain person by his side, and not of the darkness that had ruled over his life.

--

"Hane Hiroto is now the second in command of the North Daimyo's personal guards in the Lightning Country." Banryu said, as he picked up his tea from the table. "So, as you can see, getting to him would be something that is quite difficult."

"I see," said the young man sitting opposite him. "Since that the Lightning country had become more secluded than ever since the rebellion some three years ago."

Banryu nodded in agreement. "And that Hane Nasuko, who was a retired ninja from Kumogakure, somehow murdered for information about Kumogakure's secrets. You could say that word of a man who know something about this after three years would raise his suspicions."

"I would just have to take my chances-"

"No you don't." Banryu snapped. "You don't know Hane-dana at all. He is a hot tempered man, and impatient at times. He had sworn revenge at those who had killed his mother, even if it means torturing someone to get the information. And now with the disputes the between the North and East daimyos, I doubt you could even as to step into his territory without being decapitated first, let alone find Hane-dana and do a lot of explanation and whatever you wished to say to him regarding his mother. Which then, he would probably already decapitate you at the mention of his mother."

"Then, you help me contact Hane Hiroto. You know him."

Banryu sighed. "Akira-san, I haven't spoken to that man for five years. Like I said, he is volatile. The last time he nearly had me thrown in jail for a late shipment from his mother. She was, by the way, the most patient woman in the world. And the medicines she made… why I think you might be almost as good as she was."

Akira shook his head. "Impossible, I still have a lot of learning to do."

Banryu stretched his arms. "Well, you'd better pick up some good ninja skills then while you are here. If you still are thinking of meeting him, you are going to have a lot of luck and stealth to get into the country… even if I managed to contact him for you. He will not be an easy person to meet."

"I appreciate your help, Banryu-san."

--

Gaara did not sleep last night, but he was strangely serene the next day, unlike his usual slight grumpiness. His assistant noticed it too and commented on it. He paid no heed to it, of course. His mind was more preoccupied with the image of a certain person, and that made the corner of his mouth twitch as if attempting a smile. Three hours of the morning passed quickly and Gaara had nearly finished all the paper work he had to do for the day. As he settled into another report, a knock on the door was heard. His assistant peeped in and announced that Kankurou was here to see him. Gaara nodded in acknowledgement, and a second later his brother came in.

"So I heard from Tomita that you are in a peculiarly good mood today." The man with kabuki makeup teased. Gaara returned to his reading, commenting that he should really fire his assistant if he keeps nosing in. "Aw, he is just trying to help. You don't know how he reassures those young ones before meeting you for the first time. Tomita is a good assistant, he is always looking out for you." Kankurou quipped.

Gaara quickly changed the subject, already getting bored with his elder brother's yapping when there was still so much work to do. "So what is it that you want?"

Kankurou came closer to his younger brother, sitting himself on the Kazekage's desk, he said. "Well, as you know, it is the elders' wish that we ally ourselves with Stone country. They are discussing secretly the possibility of a marriage between you and Atsuko to speed up the alliance, given that you both know each other for several years now. Temari should be revealing the council's intend and asking you on this sort of thing but she was too chicken to come, so I'm here instead and you know I'm no good at this so I'm going to ask you straight whether this is something you would consider when you have turned twenty one."

Gaara put down his report and looked at his brother, trying to ascertain if this was one of his sick jokes. But beneath the seriousness of the heavily makeup face gave way that this was no joke. He knew of the talks between the Tsuchikage and Suna's elders, but he did not expect having to decide on marrying by the time he was 21 years of age. That was in three weeks time. He knew partly why the haste in making alliances with Stone, there were many talks behind his back ever since the incident of his temporary death at the hands of the Akatsuki. Many doubted his ability to lead given his young age, and the decisions he made that seemed to disregard his own life for others.

"I see." Gaara said slowly, "And do you and or Temari agree with this? Given that you have been to these so-called talks without allegedly my approval or knowledge?"

Kankurou looked defeated. "Look, you know that Temari and I will always look out for your best interest. This whole supposedly secret discussion was to ascertain if you would you and Suna be in a better position if we were to ally with a strong nation other than Fire…"

"And I suppose that the haste in doing so has got nothing to do with the fact the council is at odds about my decisions?"

"I never agreed with their assessment over your leadership. You always do your best to protect the village. But ever since you died, you seemed distant, different. And you are not willing to let us know."

"Is that only the council's judgement?"

Kankurou paused, before replying. "Gaara… your decisions led to the safety of others. But the council has a point… If you were to be taken again… we need an ally that is closer to us. And that right now is Stone."

Gaara knew what Kankurou was saying is true, for relying on the only ally that is Konoha is too risky given that Fire Country is very large and has it's own internal struggle to deal with. They can't always provide their full support.

"Unless… is there someone else?" Kankurou enquired.

Gaara didn't reply to that. But after a while he said. "Tell the elders I will consider it then."

Kankurou nodded in acknowledgement and left hastily, letting the Kazekage to ponder alone and get on with his work.

Gaara suddenly felt so tired, as if a tonne of weight were added onto his shoulders. Taking a deep breath, he picked up the report he was reading before. It was the information he had requested from intelligence regarding Hane Hiroto, and he wasn't pleased at the details it contained.

--

"You are not giving it all." Gaara commented. "When you attack, you need that killing intent."

Miharu gritted her teeth and launched another attack at Gaara. Her hands were open with fingers curled to resemble claws. The Kazekage dodged the hand easily and with his own hand pushed Miharu's back in a swift motion that caused her to fall. She seemed distracted today, Gaara thought.

"That's not ever going to hit anyone, you know. You're more sloppy today."

"I'm trying my best!" came the reply haughtily.

"Well, it isn't good enough."

Miharu picked herself up. With a deep breath, she tried to draw her chakra to fight her fatigue. Again, she came at Gaara. But this time it was different, Gaara noticed. She was much quicker, as he guessed she had learnt to use her chakra to boost her speed. He also caught glimpse that her palms glowed in blue flames. Had it not been night time, those flames were probably near invisible. Before Gaara could react, she was already in strike range and all Gaara could do was block her attack with his arms and as much sand he could gather in front of him. A hot blast washed over Gaara, and a searing pain was felt in his outermost arm as he fell to the ground with the blast. He could hear her panicked voice calling out to him. He looked at her, blue flames in her hands.

"I- I can't stop it!" She trembled at her inability to control her chakra that manifested into the Aosagibi's flame. Gaara picked himself and quickly went over to her.

"Calm down." Gaara ordered, he surrounded her with sand and smothered her flaming hand with it. The sand was rapidly melting, he noticed. He swiftly did a couple of hand seals to perform a temporary chakra sealing jutsu. He touched her head and she fainted, the flames quickly dissipated. Gaara caught her mid-fall and gently lay her down on the ground. She quickly regained consciousness.

"Are you alright?" He asked, sitting beside her. Miharu nodded, sitting up slowly. She turned to look at his arm.

"I'm so sorry… I can't control that sometimes…" She said, quickly opening her satchel for something to treat the red-haired man. Gaara inspected himself. He was mostly fine, as his sand armour took the hit. The outermost forearm however, had its sand layer partly melted into a rough glass. Miharu carefully peeled off the cracking layer and revealed the skin underneath was burnt from the heat. She quickly treated the wound, tears falling from her face. "I'm sorry." She said, "It seems like you get hurt every time you are around me."

"That's not true." Gaara told her, wiping her tears from her face with his other hand. "Stop saying that."

Miharu's tear filled eyes looked up into his, those dark eyes full of worry for him. He felt like he couldn't breathe and knew he couldn't resist anymore. He slowly cradled her face in his hands, and she suddenly was aware of his intent. She didn't pull or flinch away, but stared at him as he came closer until their lips met. It was brief, but the sensation of her soft lips on his sent him into a kind of dizzy feeling that he never experienced.

They parted and opened their eyes, looking at each other in silence for a moment. Miharu then suddenly pulled him to her and kissed him deeply, her hands running through his crimson hair. Gaara was happy to return the kiss, his arms finding his way around her waist and the small of her back.

"Wait, no." Miharu suddenly broke the kiss. "I can't… I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I have to go." She said hastily, picking up her things and ran as fast as she could.

Gaara sat there on the training ground, dumbfounded. He looked up at the half moon, as if it would answer his confusion.

--

Author's note:

There! Chapter 3! Yes I know I'm the world's slowest writer. But this is 6 pages long ok. Plus I went for a holiday in Barcelona hence it slowed me down. If you haven't been there, you should. It is excellent! I got a little burnt though… was too stupid remember to put on sunscreen. Lesson learnt. Also, I couldn't log in to the site to upload for a week! I think it was the technical error, but anyhow the site has sorted itself out so hurray!

Don't forget to leave feedback! Thanks a bunch for still reading!