Black Roses666: THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

The (insert preferred curse word here) who stole my story has been banned! I know this update is kind of late, but I had lots of stuff to do.

As a reward, I shall update this story!

(Black Roses666 would like to tip her hat to the many readers who reported and to those who supported her)

OH, and Black Roses666 kindly requests everyone to GO TO HER PROFILE and VOTE IN HER POLL for it will help her with this story!!!

Disclaimer: Naruto is not from the Philippines, but from Japan. That should prove that I do not own it enough XD

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Dance 10: The Trap

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"The door should be near. Are you all ready?"

Sabaku no Gaara risked a glance behind him towards the three Livartes following his trail. Kaido seemed like their leader in so many ways, holding the hands of his two younger cousins, Rina and Rio. Hikari stayed by the Kazekage's side and held his hand out of fear. It was only then that he realized how glamorous the Livarte Mansion is, even if they were just walking down the hall.

Pathways seemed endless with high ceilings and carpeted floors. Antiques filled the area, priceless vases littered around, portraits hung along the sides of the walls. It could have been easily mistaken as a palace worthy for a king.

To think that all the space these four children, and his spouse, were given was a filthy, unwelcoming room in the dungeon.

Though it was a perilous, they were all forced to follow this "Maya Livarte's" demands. Jue and Oturan, as much as they clearly detested the idea, were forced to go back to Suna before the sun even rose to signify their willingness to cooperate.

The hardest thing on the red head's part was separating from Olha in the entrance. He felt disturbed letting his wife go alone into such a dangerous road just to save their daughter, but he knows that she would give up anything to keep the carefree attitude Reiko has. Not only that, but Gaara was well aware that not only is Reiko's future at stake, but the lives of the four children with him.

One thing is for certain: if ever a single tear of sadness falls from Olha's bright blue eyes, he will be ready to kill.

As they walked, he noticed a portrait which caused him to cease his transversal. The face, though painted, looked so familiar to him. Where has he seen him before?

The other four glanced at the picture in curiosity. It was Kaido who had the audacity to speak.

"That was the previous Mizukage; Etero Livarte. I believe he was also Olha-san's father..."

The statement made Gaara clench his unoccupied hand. He loathed the man for his obsessive greed and harsh teachings. He has yet to find the reason why the man was hell bent on destroying the bright smile of his one and only daughter just for power. One could say that it confused the Kazekage.

Nobody can be so heartless as to torture his child and kill the mother. No man can ever have the courage to kill one of his own blood just because they are...different.

That, he knows by experience.

A man like him doesn't deserve such a wonderful portrait.

Gaara allowed his gaze to wander around the painting, before something caught his eye. He squinted his teal orbs at the many symbols decorating the background. There was one symbol that stayed at the center, somewhat out of place compared to the others.

"What's wrong, kazekage-sama?" Rina questioned, obviously not being able to notice what the read head's keen eyes could.

'Maybe it's just a small mistake...but everything else is perfectly drawn and colored, up to the last detail...'

"Nothing...let's go." he lied, leading the four children down the hall.

Possibilities on what the symbol can be were endless. He was baffled, but he also knew one thing for certain:

There was something hidden in that portrait.

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It didn't take them long to find the door. there was, indeed, a dead end there, and only one room could be seen amidst the grand chandeliers and numerous portraits. That must be where this "Maya Livarte" wanted them to go.

Gaara held up his free hand as a symbol to stop the rest from continuing. Keeping his guard up, he turned and faced the four Livartes with a deadly serious look in his eyes. The look, the four assumed, was a warning for their safety.

"From this point on, anything goes." he began, making his voice clear for all to understand, "None of us know what will happen once we enter that door. I do not know what challenges we may face."

There was a sharp intake of breath, and the Kazekage knew instantaneously that the children were nervous.

"What Olha said to you all is true. There will be a high chance that you will have to fight your own family; most especially your fathers. Rest assured, I will protect you all with the best of my abilities."

"Gaara-sama, I'm sorry if I sound doubtful but both Rio and Hikari have very little experience with their powers. Rina and I are the ones who can control our abilities well, but we are still weak." Kaido slightly hesitated. He did not want to show any fear in front of the sand shinobi, but had no choice.

To his surprise, the red head slightly smiled.

"Kaido your birthday is near. None of the Livartes will kill you now, and that is your advantage. Rina, you have three more years until you are the sacrifice. You are also at an advantage. As for Rio and Hikari, both of you have very unique yet strong gifts. If those talents are well honed, they can become the strongest abilities known to all the villages. With is in mind, I doubt that anyone will kill you two."

"I am amazed, Kazekage-sama. You managed to think this out very well!" Rina would've applauded.

"Note, this is only suspecting if your fathers are anything like Etero Livarte. I am not sure if this will all be true. Just know that I will be here to help you all."

"We understand." all four replied in unison.

"One more thing: If Reiko is, indeed, behind these doors, then as much as possible, we cannot scare her." the slight tone of worry in Gaara's voice touched the others, "Since birth, I was able to tell that she is different, and has an enormous amount of chakra for someone her age. Not only that, but I believeshe has the unstable power to control glass. If she is petrified, then we may be in deep trouble."

Gaara tried his hardest not to show it to the four, but he was afraid for the sake of his daughter. one wrong move could change little Reiko's life forever, and there is no way that he would allow his child to suffer the same as he, or Olha.

"I will ask this one more time: are you sure you're ready?"

Kaido gave a determined nod, though his hands were shaking.

Rina held a thumbs up, her face in slight doubt.

Rio grinned excitedly, but his eyes held fear.

Hikari shyly nodded, still clutching to Gaara's arm.

Even with their doubts and fears, the Kazekage knew that they really wanted their lives to change. "Alright. Let's go."

The red haired sand shinobi pressed his palm on the wooden surface of the door, held it back again, and pushed the door open.

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"'Tousan, you came! I knew you'd come to save me, I kept on telling 'em and telling 'em that you would come, but they wouldn't listen to me!"

Gaara sighed in relief, his eyes softening ever so slightly to see his only daughter safe and sound with not even an inkling of opposing chakra nearby. Little Reiko was inside a fairly large cage at the center of the room, little pillows around her to probably give her comfort. It was when the sentence registered in his mind that he decided to speak.

"Reiko...who is 'they'?" he took a quick glance on his surroundings, his senses alert to any change about him.

"The people who brought me here! Can 'Kasan give them a spanky for bringing me here without you?"

By that time, all five of them were in front of the cage. The Kazekage's senses abruptly flared in alert, and he jerked towards the doorway with an outstreched hand. Almost immediately, sand created a barrier, blocking the door from opening.

"As expected, all this is a trap." he maneuvered himself in front of the four others, facing the door, ready for battle. "The bars of the cage are advanced. It has two layers. Rio, burn the first layer with you fire. Hikari, the second layer is flame-proof, but weak. I want you to bend them. Make sure the hole is big enough for Reiko to get out."

"What about us, Kazekage-sama?" Rina cried.

"Rina and Kaido, I want the two of you to help and protect the children. Get them out as soon as you can." his voice was calm, but one could sense the hint of panic in his tone. He would never admit it, but he sensed his opponents to be strong.

"What about you, Gaara-sama?" Kaido inquired.

"I'll take care of our visitors." his tone was serious.

"B-but Kazekage-sama..." Rio hesitated.

"I'll be fine. Just take care of Reiko and don't worry about me."

"'Tousan!"

A loud bang echoed throughout the room. Those on the other side of the gate which separated them were starting to use heavier attacks, most likely with chakra applied. The sand barrier wouldn't hold much longer.

"Go!"

And the door exploded open.

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Black Roses666: I'm evil. I made the chapter short and I left you guys in a cliffhanger! I'm sorry. The next one will be longer, promise!

THANK YOU AGAIN!

OH, and Black Roses666 kindly requests everyone to GO TO HER PROFILE and VOTE IN HER POLL for it will help her with this story!!!