"Come on, Aya, pick up the phone," Kakashi urged in a soft whisper.

They were finally in Sunagakure, and Baki was kindly allowing him to use a private line once Kakashi explained it was a personal problem.

The kids were off with Temari and Kankurou. Sasuke and Naruto had wanted to see Gaara again, but Baki had explained – in a very roundabout way – that Gaara was still under observation.

"He's being treated for psychosis, actually," Baki had confided when the genins and a suspiciously motivated chuunin were led off to whatever sights Sunagakure had to offer. "He hadn't lost control before, and there's something very different about him when he returned."

"He's willing to go through the treatment?" That was what had surprised Kakashi.

Baki sort of smiled. "Yeah, he's shocked even me. But the council are pragmatic people. We've located the previous Kazekage's dead body, and now we need a new one."

"Gaara's very young, though," Kakashi said as he sipped the fragrant tea. Baki had only shrugged. "But then, you don't really have much choice, do you?"

"He'll be a proper Kazekage though, count on it," said Baki as he poured another round of tea. For someone of his appearance and stature, Baki was remarkably adept in the complicated and refined art of tea. Kakashi nodded appreciatively at his hospitality.

Baki had then mentioned Shikamaru.

"What of Shikamaru?" asked Kakashi.

"He seemed different than before, on the chuunin exam."

"He is. He's made chuunin, too."

"Those were the days, eh?" Baki and Kakashi had grinned with shared nolstagia. Chuunin exams seemed so huge then, but now, as jounin and specialists, they had seen far too much for these tests to matter.

Kakashi coughed. "I suspect Shikamaru's change is less to do with becoming a chuunin and more to do with his coming here."

"That's what I thought." Baki leaned forward. "I've seen all three of them grow up. If that boy has siblings, perhaps he'd make a good addition to Sunagakure."

"He's an only child, alas," said Kakashi. "But Konohagakure will always welcome new blood into our ranks."

The two jounin grinned at each other with complete understanding.

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"She's ready."

"You're sure? I don't want this set in motion for nothing."

"Geez...you think I'd stay in that hellhole for nothing? Anyway, she's safe and primed."

"Good work. After tonight's premiere, do you think?"

"Sounds good to me."

"And the kids are out of the way, so it's all great."

"How many more days?"

"Four to the new moon."

"All right, we should have just enough time. Stage is set, girls. Time for the curtain to rise."