Ren Note: So... I am very aware of how long this took to get out... And I could give you all my excuses (because I do have them) but with the pain I feel knowing that I didn't get this out at a reasonable time, I will not waste your time with them. Just know that I am sorry. This story is no where near finished... and you eagle-eye viewers will realize that this chapter is shorter than the most recent ones... That's on purpose. I cannot keep putting 30 page chapters out... It's just not possible for me right now. It may just mean that the story takes longer (more chapters) to complete. I hope you all are alright with that. Thank you to everyone who favorited, followed, and reviewed. I honestly don't know RaRa and I would have moved to get this chapter out like we did (so sorry!) without them nagging my email. Thanks for that. I love you guys. Enjoy.
Chapter Thirteen:
Gaara sat in a meeting room within the Hokage Tower between the Hokage and Mizukage. He had been staring out one of the many windows most of the time and only spoke when necessary; his mind just wasn't there. The meeting had taken a grim turn once the topic of Otogakure was brought up. "We've taken care of the reported hideout in Iwagakure," Kurotsuchi stated from her position at the round table, effectively drawing Gaara's attention to the meeting at hand, "We suffered no casualties and all documents within the hideout were destroyed before the tunnels were collapsed."
"The second hideout we found was also destroyed," Darui announced, "Unfortunately we lost two of our shinobi during the raid. One was from my village and the other was from the Mist. Everyone within the hideout was disposed of except the scientist that had hidden within one of the labs. He's been brought here to be interrogated in front of us after this meeting."
"There was a raid scheduled in the Land of Water last night that will hopefully be completed by this evening," Chojuro informed the group.
Gaara glanced over at Kakashi. He suddenly felt like he was the only one who wasn't ordering raids yet. The Hokage had two going on within the Land of Fire. Gaara was slacking and decided he should write a letter to Baki for advice. His decision to be cautious was putting him behind everyone else; soon they would believe he wasn't truly trying to remain in the alliance. Consulting Baki felt like a good course of action to the Kazekage. He knew that he needed to step up his game.
A knock on the door interrupted the meeting and everyone went silent. "Enter," Kakashi called to the door blankly.
Kotetsu and Izumo, the jonin Gaara remembered from his arrival, entered the room. "Forgive us, Kage-samas," Izumo pleaded with a bow.
Kotetsu mimicked the gesture before adding in, "We just received news from the squad that was dealing with the first hideout within the Land of Fire." Kotetsu was panting and it was clear both men had been running.
"Tatami Iwashi was fatally injured and the rest of the squad was forced to retreat," Izumo panted out for Kotetsu.
A tense silence fell over the room. This made a total of three deaths so far and now that one of the squads had to withdraw the situation felt heavier. Gaara fought the need to rub the stress from his neck, with any luck Ren could help him with that later, but now was not the time. It would display emotion and weakness and the young Kazekage would not do that in front of his peers if he could help it.
Izumo and Kotetsu stood staring at the group of kages. Neither knew what to do. They looked to Kakashi but he wasn't looking at them, he was looking at the papers in front of him as if they held all the answers. Izumo swallowed hard and stated, "We will take our leave now. If any more information comes in we will return."
Kakashi waved them off and they left. All eyes fell to the Hokage. The death of one of his men was the freshest. Kakashi rubbed his face through his mask and swallowed hard, not that anyone could see. "We need to make better preparations for this," Kakashi stated more calmly than he felt. Iwashi had been a guard to the Hokages since the third. He would be greatly missed and was three years younger than the current Hokage.
"I agree," Gaara said. Kakashi was always very supportive of him, as Tsunade had been. He would stand by Kakashi's decision on this matter as long as he felt it was the right move. Gaara knew they needed to change something. Casualties were to be expected but that didn't make them easier to swallow. Any preventive measures needed to be taken.
"What should we do," Chojuro asked with his head turned slightly to the side.
"We need to increase our numbers and take down this threat before it becomes too great," Kurotsuchi demanded as she lightly pounded her fist on the table in front of her.
"We cannot increase our numbers without drawing a large amount of attention to this matter. You've all wanted it to remain fairly quiet and we cannot do that if we make this bigger," Darui reasoned as he stroked his chin. His whole posture was more relaxed than anyone else in the room.
"Perhaps it is time we tell our people and the smaller lands what is going on. With the intelligence Yakushi Kabuto has shared with us we will need their trust and permission to enter their lands anyway. This threat is very real," Gaara informed the group while sitting up a little straighter, "We need to bring it to light."
"With the information Kabuto has shared with us we know of over two dozen hideouts remaining that we have yet to destroy. Many of those lie within the Land of Waves, Rivers, Hot Water, Frost, and Grass. We need to inform our neighbors of this threat and do our best to neutralize it before it gets out of hand. I have lost a man today, Darui has lost one, and so has Chojuro. I realize that on a grand scale three lives are not the end of the world but they will weigh heavily upon our villages. If we can prevent more deaths by bringing our knowledge of this threat into the open for our neighbors then that's what we should do," Kakashi announced with a blank look on his face but a slight twinkle of determination in his dark eyes.
"What if some of them side with Oto," Kurotsuchi questioned with her dark brows furrowed. "There are rumors of Sound ninja attempting to recruit from smaller villages."
"We should remove all known bases from those lands before we bring this to light," Chojuro suggested with a shrug.
"We can create an ANBU black ops organization for the Allied Shinobi Forces to handle those hideouts," Darui proposed. He frowned slightly and added in, "I will apply my best shinobi to it."
Gaara's heart clinched in his chest. Some of his best included Temari, Isago, Kankuro, Ren, and Baki. There were others like Matsuri and Sari that would be fine to use in a pinch but if the Raikage was giving his best, Gaara knew he would need to do the same. Gaara didn't know if he could do that. So many things could go wrong with these missions. Could he send Temari so close to her wedding? Isago was already involved in missions involving the hideouts and wouldn't be an option. Kankuro could do it easily but, as his brother, Gaara was skeptical. Baki had been doing missions like these since before Gaara was born practically. The biggest problem lied with Ren though, his wife and the mother of his child. She wasn't on the active roster at the moment and that could buy him some time but he knew it was inevitable. He would have to ask her to join the Allied ANBU.
"I can put my best shinobi forward as well," Chojuro threw in. He interrupted Gaara's thoughts. Two of the five were giving their best. Did he have a choice not to do the same?
Kankuro frowned from behind Gaara. The other guards seemed unaffected by this declaration but the puppet master was uneasy. He knew whom Gaara would have to send. Temari was so close to her wedding date; it didn't seem fair sending her but he knew Gaara would have little choice. Baki could handle it and so could he. Kankuro glanced at his brother and his frown intensified. Gaara's whole face was much paler than usual and the dark circles around his eyes suddenly seemed darker.
"Are you alright," Kakashi asked lowly as he leaned closer to Gaara. The Kazekage's face suddenly looked worse for wear and the Hokage was worried about his young comrade.
"Yes," Gaara muttered while forcing himself to relax. Gaara cleared his throat. "Will any of you be sending your siblings or wives into this ANBU unit," Gaara asked flatly.
Kankuro stiffened at the mention of Gaara's wife. They had just had Kenta and their marriage was already on rocks. This would not go well, not at all.
A light went on in Kakashi's mind. He now understood what had Gaara so upset but he couldn't voice his opinion on the matter because Darui cut him off, "I will be sending C and Omoi, they are like blood to me. There are many shinobi I will recommend that I am close with."
Kurotsuchi sighed softly and all eyes fell on her. "I don't exactly have anyone that close to me worth sending but I will be sending my best, no matter what relation they are to me."
Kakashi stared at Gaara and sighed quietly. The poor Kazekage was stuck in a rut and he just couldn't bail him out of this one. "I will be sending Nara Shikamaru, Sai, Haruno Sakura, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Mitarashi Anko, Yamato, Rock Lee, TenTen, Shiranui Genma, Yamashiro Aoba, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji and Shizune," Kakashi informed the group. He half hoped that by sending so many of his best that he could spare Gaara.
"What about your Hyuga's," Kurotsuchi asked with a perfectly shaped brow raised.
Kakashi inwardly groaned. Everyone always wanted the Hyuga. "The only Hyuga that I feel would be fitting for this mission is dead," Kakashi stated flatly. He couldn't send Hinata on this one. She was in danger within his village. It would be like handing her to them on a silver platter no matter how capable she was. He was equally uncomfortable sending Sasuke because he was a target as well.
Everyone nodded in agreement and all eyes fell upon the Kazekage once more. "I will send Baki, Sabaku Temari, Sabaku Kankuro, and Sabaku Ren," He stated blandly. Chojuro and Kurotsuchi both gasped while Darui and Kakashi stared at him with uncertainty. "We are all sending our best," Gaara reminded them, "My siblings and wife are the best. Baki has been through missions like this before. My request in exchange for sending my wife is that you all allow her to enjoy her mother's wedding and give her time to train. I will be the one to tell her and my sister that they will be taking on this mission. Baki will also be unavailable until I return to Sunagakure."
"Gaara," Kankuro began his objection but Kakashi cut him off. What was his little brother thinking? The puppet master could only shake his head and sigh. There was nothing he could do.
"Are you sure about this, Gaara," Kakashi asked him gently.
"Yes. I know the risks of leaving this threat unattended and will not allow my personal feelings to compromise this. We are all risking our friends, families, and comrades for this. I will not be any different," Gaara stated. All eyes remained on him and, if he were better at reading people, he would have sworn he saw respect in their eyes.
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Choji, Kankuro, and Gaara walked through the market district of Konohagakure. "You're sure she was supposed to come here with TenTen," Choji asked with a mouth full of chips as they searched the whole district for the third time.
"Yes. They were supposed to go shopping and reminisce about Neji," Gaara stated while looking around.
"Yeah well, I don't think they're here," Kankuro muttered before letting out a sigh of boredom. The events of the meeting were weighing heavily on them all but it was clear they were all trying not to let it get to them. The puppet master felt like he needed a distraction from this mess.
"Let's start asking people if they've seen them," Choji suggested. He grabbed another handful of chips and shoved them into his mouth.
"Great idea," Kankuro exclaimed as he stopped walking and turned to a pretty brunette. "Hello distraction," the puppet master thought to himself. He placed one arm up on the wall next to him and leaned against it, thoroughly invading the woman's personal space. "Hello there beautiful," he said in his most seductive voice, "Has anyone ever told you that you have the most beautiful brown eyes they've ever seen?"
Choji scoffed at Kankuro and Gaara just kept walking. "It's better to just leave him when he starts acting that way. She will beat him eventually," Gaara informed his plump escort.
Unfortunately Choji wasn't able to leave Kankuro or Gaara unattended. He caught himself almost voicing what a drag this was, but held his tongue. Shikamaru was his best friend but that didn't mean Choji had to talk like him. Luckily Choji saw Yamato exiting a shop empty handed. "Hey Captain Yamato," Choji called to the man as he waved.
Yamato blinked once and then walked over to Choji with his hands tucked in his pockets. "Hey there, Choji, what's up?"
"We're trying to find Kazekage-sama's wife and Kankuro-san has gotten distracted. Do you think you could keep an eye on him so that Kazekage-sama and I can continue our search? The Hokage is expecting us back soon and we can't afford to wait around on Kankuro-san," Choji explained as nicely as he could. He knew Yamato would understand the difficulties of being an escort to foreign visitors so he was certain the wood-user would accept.
Yamato glanced over at Kankuro and a sadistic smile formed on his lips. "I would love to." He turned his attention to Gaara. "Do you mind if I teach him a little bit about respect for females?" The shadowing on Yamato's face made him look very intimidating. Choji almost cowered at it.
Gaara was unaffected and shrugged passively. "Do what you will but return him to me alive," Gaara said flatly.
"Will do," Yamato laughed out before approaching the puppet master.
"Maybe we should try TenTen's house," Choji offered.
"Lead the way," Gaara requested. He wasn't mean about it but he was growing weary of trying to find his wife amongst all this chaos. He needed to get both her and Kabuto and head to the interrogation. It was of utmost importance and they couldn't afford to be late.
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Choji and Gaara were greeted with laughter before they even turned down TenTen's street. Choji's brows furrowed at the sound of Inuzuka Hana's bark-like laugh covering the light and low laugh of Yakushi Kabuto. Gaara seemed unaffected by it as he just continued walking towards them. The laughter died down as soon as Kabuto and Hana saw Gaara and Choji approaching. The two shared a look that made Choji even uneasier.
"Your meeting's over already, Kazekage-sama," Hana asked sweetly.
"Yes. We are needed at the Interrogation Office. Where's my wife," Gaara questioned flatly.
Hana almost sighed, Kabuto's lips tightened into a flat line, and Choji opened another bag of chips; things could be getting quite interesting and the expansion ninja wanted to make sure he had a snack to enjoy it.
"She's inside with TenTen," Kabuto explained, "We showed up early this morning to find TenTen wasn't well. Ren has been with her all day. We don't know what's going on inside there."
"You've left my wife unattended," Gaara stated.
Hana inhaled sharply and nodded. It hadn't been a question but she answered anyway, "In a sense yes. She's not in any danger or anything. We would have heard a struggle or something if she were. I believe TenTen just really needed the support of a friend and forgot we're out here."
Gaara's gaze was cold as it focused on the Inuzuka female. Her three ninken stood up and got into a defensive position around her to protect her. "I would like to collect my wife now," Gaara stated flatly. The two ninja were seated on the steps so he couldn't pass by them.
"Oh right, stand down boys," Hana told her dogs. She stood and Kabuto did the same. Hana and the brothers walked over to Choji and Kabuto made his way up the steps and leaned against the wall near the door. To the Leaf ninja it looked like he was simply being protective but Gaara knew the real reason was because Kabuto would be walking into an invisible wall if he went too far from Ren.
Gaara stood up straighter and climbed up the steps. He was about to knock on the door when it flung open and he was pulled inside. The action hadn't even registered to Gaara before he heard a lock click and felt arms around his torso. He looked down to see Ren hugging him tightly with a small smile on her face that melted his heart while TenTen stood with her hand on the doorknob. "What's going on," Gaara asked. The whole house was dark with the curtains drawn closed. Had they been in the darkness like this all day? Now Gaara was going to be taking her into an even darker place as soon as they left; he mentally sighed.
Ren smiled bigger up at her husband and released him. TenTen walked back over to her couch and plopped down. "TenTen's had a rough day," Ren told him gently as she fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, "We started out talking about that but then we noticed Hana and Kabuto were getting along and have been spying on them."
"You dragged me in here and locked the door to tell me you've been spying," Gaara deadpanned. His patience was thin despite his love for his wife. They were running late as it was. He needed to get Ren and Kabuto to the Interrogation Office so that Ren would be well informed and Kabuto could confirm any information given.
"Not at all," TenTen informed him while coming to Ren's rescue. Gaara had been giving Ren such an intensely unemotional and negative look that she had to cut in. "We were hoping to ask for a man's perspective on both situations."
Gaara kept his attention on Ren as he listened to TenTen's explanation. He really didn't have time for this but he was slightly curious. Ren was fidgeting under his gaze and seemed overly nervous; that was a rare sight nowadays. "And what are the situations I'm to give my perspective on?"
Ren glanced at TenTen for permission to speak about it. The weapon mistresses nodded and Ren exhaled slowly then inhaled sharply. "Well, ano, you see… Inuzuka Kiba was TenTen's boyfriend, ne? Well last night she saw him in bed with Haruno Sakura. I told her that leaving Kiba was the right move and that it's not her place to tell Lee," Ren stated in a hurry with few pauses to figure out how to word everything.
Gaara blinked. What did they need him for? "That sounds reasonable, moving on," He stated with a blank look on his face.
Ren and TenTen stared at each other exasperated. Both knew that the Kazekage was not going to be much help. TenTen groaned lightly and muttered, "The second part is Hana and Kabuto. We think they like each other."
"They've been sitting outside together all day and we've seen them laughing and smiling more than glaring. I swear Hana-san even blushed once," Ren informed him.
Gaara rubbed the love kanji on his forehead in irritation. Was this what women did with their time? "I thought you were supposed to go shopping and talk about Neji," Gaara commented.
"We were going to but TenTen had a rough night last night with the whole Kiba thing… so we stayed in," Ren explained.
Gaara almost groaned in annoyance. This was wasting so much time. "We can't stay here any longer. We're needed at the Interrogation Office," Gaara told Ren bluntly. He made a mental note to later remind her not to try and play matchmaker.
A hard frown formed on her pink lips and she glanced at TenTen apologetically. "What do you need me there for," Ren asked as she turned her attention back to Gaara.
"We require Kabuto's confirmation on intelligence we acquire," he responded without much thought. He did not wish to inform his wife that she was going to be becoming ANBU and could use the intelligence gathered as well. He wanted to tell her at the right moment, preferably after her mother's wedding.
Ren's heart dropped into her stomach. She should've known it wasn't her he needed. Gaara never needed her for anything. TenTen placed her hand on Ren's shoulder and squeezed gently. "Surely she can stay here with me while you take off with Kabuto? There's no harm in that is there," TenTen pleaded with the Kazekage. Ren almost smiled but she couldn't bring herself to do it. It was amazing how close she had gotten to TenTen in one day. Everyone from the Leaf was so easy to make friends with. She knew this wouldn't work though, Kabuto couldn't go far without her and she couldn't go far without him. She twisted one of the metal bands around her wrist and waited for Gaara to rain on TenTen's parade.
"I wish that I could do that," Gaara told them and it actually sounded like he meant it, "but Ren cannot stray too far from Kabuto. He won't allow that. It's a stipulation of his allegiance to Sunagakure."
There was the lie. The only other people who knew the truth were Kankuro, Temari, Baki, the kages, and the kages' guards. Ren pursed her lips to stifle a sigh that threatened to escape her. "I'll get my things," Ren muttered unenthusiastically and she stepped away from her husband and TenTen.
"I'll see you tomorrow? We can actually go hang out outside my house and maybe spend some time with Lee," TenTen suggested. Ren wasn't masking her disappointment well and TenTen wanted to cheer her up.
"That sounds nice," Ren replied kindly as she handed her bag to Gaara roughly and slipped on her sandals. She was friendly to TenTen but she wasn't going to be nice to Gaara until he pulled the stick out of his ass. She pulled her bag back from Gaara's hands as he stared at her blankly.
"What was that about," Gaara asked himself. He couldn't understand why his wife was being so hostile. Did she not realize that he was bringing her along because he needed her to know the information gathered? Then again, he didn't say that. He decided he really needed to stop assuming everyone understood why he did everything he did. He needed to be more expressive; that would be a difficult task.
"See you later," TenTen called to them as they headed out the door with Gaara leading the way.
"See you soon," Ren replied before shutting the door.
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Ren stood in a dimly lit room underneath the streets of Konohagakure. She wondered if its citizens had any idea that they were walking over this room of despair and darkness. In the center of the room the man captured during one of the raids was chained to the floor and ceiling spread eagle. He had plain brown hair that reached his chin, amber eyes, and lightly tanned skin. His clothes had been white at one time but that was no longer the case; they had several stains of dirt, blood, and other unknown bodily fluids. His face was stubbly from being unable to shave after his capture and he looked every bit like Ren imagined the prisoner would be.
She didn't realize she was trembling until Kabuto grabbed her hand discreetly. Her heart was racing and she noticed that she was scowling. The disgust she felt for the man before her nearly consumed her. This man represented everything wrong with the world. He was willing to do unspeakable things to people for his own gain. His aura held no sense of humility or humanity. He believed himself better. Ren gritted her teeth. "Ren, calm down," Kabuto whispered as he leaned closer to her. Her byakugan was active and she had to close her eyes and force herself to breath for it to recede.
Beside her Gaara was oblivious to Kabuto holding Ren's hand and to her inner struggle for control of herself. He felt hate and killer intent all around him without realizing that some of it was coming from his own wife. His own emotions were shockingly calm. He was ready to get on with this; he was ready to know what information this criminal held within his mind.
Yamanaka Ino entered the room and all eyes darted towards her. "Sorry I'm late," Ino apologized with a bow, "I had a hard time breaking away from the hospital. I'm ready to start as soon as you all are." Ino glanced around the room and raised a perfectly shaped brow at Kabuto and Ren. "What is going on with them," Ino asked herself. She shifted her gaze to Gaara who was staring at her blankly. She mentally shrugged; she could talk to Ren about it later on. At this moment of time she needed to dive into their captive's mind and collect all information about this uprising Otogakure threat.
Everyone was silent as Ino transferred her mind into the man's. Ren took the chance to glance at Gaara and then Kabuto. She was holding the wrong man's hand. A gentle tug freed Ren's hand from the snake medic's. He looked at her for only a moment before his attention was back on the scrolls of information being collected by Ino. Ren shifted her weight to the other foot and leaned a little closer to Gaara. He didn't look at her or acknowledge that she was there in any way. Ren's thoughts went on a rampage, "Am I being too needy? Why doesn't he at least look at me? I know I was moody with him but… but… I'm being a baby… and can't help it. I just want things to go back to being slightly normal." Ren swallowed through the tightness in her throat and returned her attention to the prisoner.
Gaara spared a glance at Ren from the corner of his eye. She looked completely miserable and he began to question his decision to bring her into the room. He could have made sure Kabuto was standing near the door or left Kabuto and Ren up in the office. They didn't need to see this part; it just made things easier in the long run. With a light, soundless sigh Gaara reached over and brushed Ren's fingers with his own digits. She glanced at him and their eyes met. He watched a light blush tint his wife's cheeks as he laced her fingers between hers. He was trying his hardest to reassure her that everything would be fine without the words to express it. He needed to make things up to her and the list was continuously growing. Why was he being this way? The stress was really getting to him; it was so unlike him.
Ren and Gaara remained silent for the hours that followed. Yamanaka Ino was quite gifted in the ways of mind transfers. She held the jutsu far longer than any of the foreign kages expected her to. The whole room was as still as death except for the leaf shinobi who were reviewing the information Ino was collecting. Occasionally they would summarize what was discovered for the group and everyone would look to Kabuto for confirmation. Ren was glad she had released his hand when she had; that would have made for a very bad situation. She somehow doubted anyone would see the action as one of comfort and friendship. Her thoughts did not linger on that detail for long, however, because as more and more intelligence became known Ren felt sicker and sicker. These people were monstrous.
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Ren spent three days sulking about the apartment in Konohagakure. She had received visits from TenTen, Naoma, Hanabi, and even Lee but they did little to bring her comfort. The things she witnessed from the interrogation left her in a state of distress. The Sannin's ex-apprentice had confirmed every detail they collected: the things they did to people, the locations they were using, and their plans. It was all utterly disgusting and she couldn't talk to anyone about it. Ren couldn't look at Kabuto the same now, knowing that he had once been a part of similar activities. She was unable to make herself eat and sleep was out of reach. Everyone worried about the Kazekage's wife but no one worried more than her husband.
Gaara stood in the doorway to their bedroom staring at Ren. She had Kenta cradled in her arms while he suckled her breast for sustenance. Gaara questioned if he had made the right call when he decided to allow her to be in the room. He wasn't sure he was doing the right thing by sending her into the Allied Shinobi ANBU organization either. So much in his life was uncertain and Ren wasn't reacting well to the way he was handling things as it was. How could he tell her she would be leaving their son in his care while she acted as a dangerous shadow? How long would it take for them to stomp out the Otogakure threat? He couldn't send her away again, not after the last time.
Ren glanced up at her husband discreetly; he had been watching her for ten minutes or more without saying a word. She forced a small smile onto her face and tucked some of her long raven hair behind her ear with her free hand. "Gaara," she called to him gently. He blinked his pale blue-green orbs and tilted his head to the side ever so slightly. She had originally thought he was looking at her but now she felt he had been looking through her instead. "What is it," she asked timidly. She was afraid of what answer he may give her. His distance and stress was weighing in on her too; she felt like she was walking on eggshells around him.
"Your mother's wedding is tomorrow," Gaara stated flatly. That had not been on his mind but it was a safe topic; at least he hoped it was.
Ren sighed softly and glanced down at her baby boy, her little prince. "I know," she muttered quietly, "I'll be ready for it, I promise."
She didn't sound very convincing to the Kazekage. "You've been spending a great deal of time in here. Would you like to go outside after Kenta is fed? It would do you both some good," he suggested gently. He tried very hard to make sure his concern for her was reflected in his voice and hoped he had succeeded.
Ren sighed yet again and closed her eyes. "I don't know, Gaara," Ren said before biting her bottom lip. He moved to sit beside her and ruffled his son's crimson hair before placing his hand on her knee. "I don't know what to do. I knew things would be bad with the threat of Otogakure uprising," Ren admitted, "but I never expected them to be doing so many horrible things. It makes me want to do horrible, terrible things to them; just to show them what it's like. The idea of Kenta growing up in a world where people treat each other that way is so disturbing. I know hiding in here won't change that but I don't know what else to do."
Gaara's breath caught in his chest. The raw emotion lacing her voice caught him off guard. He had also been thinking about his son's future. He decided now was as good a time as any to reveal another devastating factor to his beautiful wife. "The first kage meeting I attended brought a new tactic to the table," Gaara said slowly. He knew his wife could keep up but he was trying to buy some time before everything went to hell. Ren stared at him with confusion showing in her pale eyes. Gaara wondered, briefly, how long she had the dark bags under her eyes. She clearly was not sleeping or at least not sleeping well. The dark rings around his eyes worked for him, they did not work for his small wife. "We will be forming an ANBU organization that will deal with hideouts out of our jurisdictions. They will be secretively infiltrating other lands and destroying bases within them. All of the kages are offering their best, most promising shinobi for this task. I will be sending Temari, Kankuro, Baki, you, and several others. I cannot let my personal feelings and desires compromise this goal. We need this threat taken care of so that he," Gaara nodded his head towards Kenta, "doesn't have to deal with this."
Ren's heart stopped for a second. It was like someone had taken a hammer to her heart and it shattered like a mirror. This was too much. Every time she thought she could live a normal life more and more chaos came into it. She would have to become an ANBU? The woman allowed her head to drop slightly in defeat. How could Gaara be sending her away again? Was he tired of her already? "When do I leave," she asked instead of the questions she really wanted to know.
Gaara blinked at the question, this felt familiar and he didn't like it at all. "You will have time. We are working out the details regarding the organization itself plus the others have agreed to give you time to do what you need to, to be ready for this mission. The sooner we act the better but we need everyone properly trained for missions like this. I don't want you to go," Gaara told her quietly, "I wish this wasn't how things kept going. We will get through this though and we will make this world a safer place for our son."
Ren felt like his 'we' was really just her. She was the one that would be away from their son, she was the one who would be in harm's way, and she was the one who would be serving the Allied Shinobi Forces. Her empty stomach clinched into knots. This moment was bittersweet for the illegitimate Hyuga; she had wanted to join ANBU and protect the fourth Kazekage as a child. With Rasa's death Ren had given up on that dream, mostly, and because she became the Kazekage's wife she never expected to see battle again. Yes, she had begun training immediately after returning to Sunagakure to get back into shape; but she hardly expected any need for it except to vent her own frustrations and keep her piece of mind. This changed everything for her.
Gaara watched Ren's face closely. She had paled and her expression went blank. He knew very well just how stoic his lovely wife could be under the right circumstances; this was not a good sign for him. She was not taking this news well at all. How could he remedy the situation? He didn't have a clue and suspected nothing he said would help. "Things will work out," he told her, "We cannot ignore this and I wish there was another way but I cannot think of one, none of us can."
Ren swallowed hard and stared into her son's pale blue-green eyes. He had inherited her kekkei genkai but a tint of his father's eye color. What would she do, being away from him so long? She would miss so many things if this took too long. Ren closed her own pale eyes and sighed softly. She didn't like this at all but knew she could not refuse. Others would be giving up their lives as well. Plans would have to be put on hold, families left behind, and too many people would have to give up on their dreams for the time being. Ren scowled, finally allowing some emotion to show on her face when it dawned on her that Temari, her darling sister-by-marriage and best friend, would have to postpone her wedding. "What about Temari," Ren asked. She hoped Gaara would follow her train of thought but didn't hold her breath. He wasn't as dense in terms of social situations anymore but sometimes Ren was sure even she wouldn't be able to follow her own thoughts if she weren't inside her head.
Gaara blinked twice at her and nodded. "The wedding will have to be postponed. Both Temari and Shikamaru will be involved in this. I haven't told her yet but I will when the time is right. I know that I do not have to remind you," he told her with his non-existent brows furrowed, "but because this is ANBU your ranking and missions are to be kept out of everyone's knowledge. You're going to be a secretive shadow moving within foreign lands."
"I know what ANBU is," Ren cut in. She started to bounce her leg up and down until she realized she was shaking Kenta as well. The movement stopped and she offered a silent apology to her bundle of joy.
"I know that you know, I just said that I know I don't have to remind you. I'm going to be reminding everyone, even Baki," Gaara growled out lowly. He hadn't wanted to upset her further yet he had managed to do so. "As I was saying," He said before clearing his throat, "The plan is to destroy all bases within those lands before we bring the situation to life for those smaller villages."
Ren nodded and looked away from her husband. Kenta seemed to be done eating and let out a yawn that should have cracked his jaw. With a sigh Ren made herself decent and sat Kenta up before patting his back gently. Would they fight in front of Kenta? Ren prayed not; she didn't want that for her son. "I get it," Ren said softly. She knew she would have to bend to Gaara or they would both end up breaking. "It's so much to take in, Gaara," she admitted reluctantly.
Kenta finally burped and it satisfied Ren enough to stop patting him. The infant stared up at his father with owlish eyes and cooed slightly. Both Gaara and Ren looked at each other, both unable to hide the small smiles that tugged at their lips. "What are you doing, Kenta," Gaara asked as he gently grabbed the baby's hand. Kenta smiled up at his father and Ren could feel her heart melting to mush. The Kazekage picked Kenta up off his wife's lap and placed him upright against his chest with Kenta's head resting on his shoulder. Gaara's large hands, in comparison to his son, rubbed up and down the baby's back as he continued to coo. "Everything will be fine," Gaara whispered to Kenta but made sure it was loud enough for Ren to hear too. A smile spread across Ren's face and Gaara knew he had brought her some comfort.
XXXXXXXX
Another wedding attended and another reception notched in her belt, Ren was drained. The ceremony had been beautiful and elegant but so traditional that Ren felt like she had stepped back in time. Hiashi was now her stepfather, despite what others believed. Ren was walking through the streets of Konoha's market district with Kenta, Kabuto, and Hana in tow. The stars were bright despite the city's soft lights and the air was crisp and cool. She had needed to get away from the apartment that suddenly felt far too small. "I'm sorry for dragging you two out here," She said as she glanced over her shoulder at Kabuto and Hana.
"Hey don't worry about it," Hana said with a friendly smile, "Fresh air will do all of us some good. The Hyuga's, for being sticks in the mud, sure throw eventful parties. I still can't believe Hinata got so drunk; she used to be such a quiet girl before she married the Uchiha. I'd take a long walk after a party like that over sitting outside a door any day."
Kabuto nodded in agreement. He was studying Ren's back intently, wondering what was going on in her mind. She had been acting strangely for about a week and he couldn't put his finger on the problem. "It's a beautiful night," Kabuto commented.
"Yes it is," Ren said as she glanced up at the stars. Kenta, who was fast asleep in his mother's arms, gave a small gurgling sound, which caused Ren to shift how she was holding him to wipe the drool from his mouth with the sleeve of her jade green kimono. He was the spitting image of his father, no question. Ren couldn't help but smile; she and Gaara had made this amazing little person who, while he brought stress into their lives, filled their hearts with pride and love. She never knew she could love anyone as much as she loved her son.
"Ren," a feminine voice called from the woman's left. She turned to see Temari standing with Shikamaru waving at her. Ren waved back as the duo approached them. Temari fell into step with Ren and Shikamaru walked back with Hana and Kabuto. "I've been looking for you," Temari told her sister-in-law quietly. Ren raised an eyebrow. Temari's whole aura was off, her brows were furrowed, and her lovely lips were sporting a frown. "Gaara just told me about our newest assignments," she elaborated, "I can't believe this. I felt like life was finally on track and now they throw this at us."
Ren and Temari both sighed at the same time; both thinking how awful things were going to be. "We need to try to be positive," Ren muttered, "I am having a hard time doing so myself but if we make up our minds that this is going to be a disaster then it will be. I wish we didn't have to deal with this. I thought after the Fourth Great Shinobi War things would be peaceful for longer. I suppose this is the price we pay for ignoring Orochimaru's existence." Ren closed her eyes for a split second before she realized she would need those to see where she was going. Perhaps she was more tired than she thought; she suddenly felt completely drained.
"You're right. Part of me wants to blame the Leaf Village for it but I know it was the whole Allied Shinobi Force's fault as a whole. Sasuke killed Orochimaru, brought Konoha his body, but we didn't take measures about his research," Temari paused and rubbed her cheeks with the palms of her hands, "We should have thought about the possibility of his past partners picking up where he left off."
Ren nodded and focused her chakra to her eyes. The trio behind them was being strangely quiet and she couldn't help but wonder why. She mused to herself, "How did I go so long without using the byakugan? I'm using it for everything now… be it seeing through walls to check on Kenta or simply check my back." Shikamaru was in her blind spot, mostly, so she couldn't tell what he was doing but Ren watched as Kabuto's hand gently grazed against Hana's. She could practically see the dog-nin suck in a gasp of air. A small smile graced Ren's lips and she deactivated her bloodline limit.
Temari watched her sister in confusion. If only she could read minds! Temari glanced over her shoulder at Shikamaru who was looking at the sky. "Figures. When it comes to battles he's amazingly observant but you get him in his home village and his attention goes right to the sky," the wind mistress thought to herself. He would be no help to her in this situation. "Are you about ready to head back to the apartment," Temari asked gently. She really wanted to talk to Ren alone; completely alone without people watching and eavesdropping.
Ren glanced at Temari and nodded reluctantly. Going back meant she'd have to face Gaara but her feet were sore from the sandals she was wearing. Kenta needed to be in a crib instead of her arms anyway. "Yeah. Let's head back."
XXXXXXXX
The bedroom Ren and Gaara had been staying is during their visit to Konohagakure was lovely and very modern seeming. Temari sat on an armless chair and stared at Ren who was sitting on the edge of the bed. "I really don't like this," Temari stated, "You're heading back to Sunagakure in two days and I'll be joining you in five. I should be planning my wedding. You and Gaara should be having wild monkey sex. None of this is going right."
Ren blushed bright red at the mention of sex with Gaara. They weren't doing much of that. She bit her lip and looked down at her hands that rested on her lap; her hands were safer to look at than Temari. "I know it's not right," Ren murmured just loud enough for Temari to hear. Kenta was asleep a few feet away so quiet was a necessity. "I don't know about wild sex," Ren winced after the words were out, "but I hate knowing I have to leave Kenta behind and you can't just have your wedding. You've worked so hard to convince Gaara to allow you to marry Shikamaru; it doesn't seem fair to postpone it again. I've been so upset about everything that I've put off hanging out with TenTen and Ino. I suppose, since I do only have two days left here, I should see them. It's all so messed up." Ren's shoulders drooped in defeat.
Temari sighed softly as she stared at her sister. This wasn't how things were supposed to go for either of them. The older wind mistress glanced at her nephew and said softly, "Kenta will be alright with Gaara. He's a good dad. I never thought I'd say that but he really is. We'll all want to complete these missions quickly. I hope this doesn't take as long as everyone seems to think it will."
"I really hope this goes smoothly. We get rid of these bases, bring the situation out in the open, and hope that Otogakure cowers and disbands. It's a long shot but that's the best we can do right now," Ren muttered.
"Yeah, no kidding," Temari agreed. It was going to be hell but at least friends would surround Temari. Gaara would be left alone with his son and Sunagakure. Whose fate was worse? Temari couldn't decide.
XXXXXXXX
"I hear your mom's wedding was beautiful," TenTen commented as she flung another kunai through the air before it hit the center of the target.
"It was. She looked so very happy and everything went perfectly until Hinata got a little too intoxicated," Ren chuckled faintly. It had been hilarious to see her timid younger cousin sister let lose. "She was dancing, talking to anyone and everyone, and tried to put the moves on Sasuke-san right there in the main hall."
TenTen laughed, trying to imagine such a sight. "Please tell me you took pictures," TenTen pleaded.
"I wish I had," Ren admitted with a laugh. She threw three kunai at once, each landing in the center of the targets. She felt like she could do this in her sleep; she had been doing it for so long that it was the most natural thing in the world to her. TenTen pouted and threw six kunai as if to show up Ren. "I kept getting told how much I look like Neji… and how much mother looks like Neji's own mother. They were speculating that Otou-sama was trying to become Hizashi. I wish those people would speak more quietly or better yet, not at all. They love each other and the way that their marriage came to be is no one's business but theirs. I feel like the Hyuga must not have much going on if they can allow themselves such pointless gossip." Ren was feeling bitter about the whole thing.
"You know how elders are. They think they know everything and want to pass along all 'knowledge' they've gathered to anyone who'll listen. Don't let them get to you. They should know how Hiashi-sama and Naoma-san feel about each other; they are living within the compound," TenTen grunted out. She was happy Ren was spending time with her but something felt off about her friend. Ren was smiling and laughing but they didn't reach her eyes. Something was wrong but the weapons mistress knew full well she couldn't ask.
Ren looked up at the sky and nodded. "You're right." She bit her lip gently. "It's time to meet Ino, isn't it? She said around noon," Ren muttered. They had been training all morning while Kenta stayed at home with Gaara. Kabuto and Hana were as far away as possible, behind a tree talking. Ren knew something was going on between the two of them but just couldn't call them out on it.
"Yep. I'll get our kunai, you get the lovebirds," TenTen said gleefully. They both were very aware there was more to Kabuto and Hana than what meets the eye.
Ren activated her byakugan and stared through the tree at the duo. Her stomach clinched and her face felt like it was on fire. Hana was on top of Kabuto straddling him with her tongue down his throat. She quickly released her bloodline limit and shouted out, "Kabuto, Hana-san, we're ready to leave now." No way in hell was she going to go over and interrupt that!
TenTen was about to make a smart remark that she could have done that… but when she turned to see Ren's beet red face she bit her tongue. What the heck just happened? The sound of two people hurrying to their feet filled TenTen's ears. "Oh," She whispered to herself. She chuckled and tucked away her kunai then brought Ren's to her. "So they're together aren't they," TenTen whispered lowly as Kabuto and Hana appeared from behind the tree. Ren nodded as the only acknowledgement of the question. TenTen couldn't help but smirk. It was a decent match; Kabuto was only a year older than Hana and somehow they seemed to work together. A small ting of pain filled TenTen. She had felt that way about herself and Kiba as well.
Ren placed her hand on TenTen's shoulder the second she noticed TenTen's mood failing. What was on her friend's mind? Ren couldn't ask right now. "Let's go meet up with Ino."
The walk to Ino's house was uneventful. Ren and TenTen went into the house while Kabuto and Hana remained outside. The three young women sat in Ino's living room enjoying tea. "So what was up with Kabuto holding your hand the other day," Ino asked bluntly. She couldn't help it; she needed an answer.
Ren choked on her tea and TenTen patted her back while glaring at Ino. "Ino! What are you talking about," TenTen asked gruffly.
"She means when I had to leave your house. I was very upset about the interrogation that Kabuto was trying to keep me grounded. I didn't even notice it really at first," Ren muttered ashamed of herself.
"I thought that he was with Hana," TenTen said with a brow raised.
"Kabuto's with Hana," Ino asked enthusiastically. She could smell gossip!
"Well, yes. I think so," Ren admitted. "Kabuto's a dear friend and I owe him so much. He saved my life and is constantly making sure I'm alright."
"Kind of sounds like he's in love with you," Ino pointed out slyly.
Ren's eyes went wide and it was suddenly harder to breathe. "A-ano, h-h-he d-do-doesn't! W-we're j-ju-just friends!"
Ino laughed and TenTen glared at her. What was Ino's deal?
"I was kidding," Ino said between laughs. Ren's face had been priceless!
"I have an idea," TenTen stated with a grin, "Let me tell you both your fortunes! I love doing that."
Ino and Ren shared a look, both suddenly sobered. "Sure why not," Ren said.
"Yeah, okay. Me first," Ino chimed.
TenTen grinned and held out her hand for Ino's hand. She was given it without hesitation and the weapons mistress studied the lines. "You will live a long life, marry once, have three children, and marry the man of your dreams," TenTen informed Ino finally.
Ino gushed and grinned. She wasn't sure about how she felt about three children but was pleased to know she'd marry Naruto and they'd be together 'til death. "Ren's turn," Ino cheered as she turned to stare at the sand kunoichi.
"O-okay," Ren muttered as she offered TenTen her hand. She felt uneasy about this; this could very well tell her she was going to die during her mission. It had her unnerved.
TenTen watched Ren's face closely for a second then turned her attention to her palm. "Your life will be a long too. You're only going to be married once and obviously you two will be very happy together. Your palm is a little difficult to read in terms of children… It could be five or six, I'm not sure."
Ren felt like she was going to faint. No way was she going to have five or six children. One more would be plenty! She laughed nervously and immediately changed the subject. "I'm really going to miss you two when I leave tomorrow."
"We're going to miss you too," Ino said with tears forming in her eyes.
"Yeah," TenTen said as she wrapped her arms around her friends, "It's going to be a lot less fun around here without you."