"Don't wantcha for the weekend
Don't wantcha for a night
I'm only interested if I can have you for life, yeah
Uh, I know I sound serious and baby I am
You're a fine piece of real estate
And I'm gonna get me some land"
Chapter 14: I'm Gonna Getcha Good (Shania Twain)
I startle awake, breathing in a large breath of air before panting heavily and looking around me in bewilderment. I calm after I realize I'm in a hospital. I glance around at the white room before the open window attracts my attention, a wonderful breeze caressing my cheek. I close my eyes and enjoy the fresh air before getting out of bed and moving to the open window. I lean my elbows on the sill and stick my head out the window, looking down on Konoha.
"Did I honestly pass out for days?" I ask myself as I watch the villager's go about their business below me.
"Well, it wasn't an ordinary blow you received."
I whip around at the voice, but relax when I see it's only Tsunade. "It hurt like hell…" I grumble, rubbing at the back of my neck as I remember the pain of the jab.
"Well Kabuto severed the muscles in your neck while driving chakra directly into your spine. I'm surprised he didn't put you in a coma or paralyze you." Tsunade says as she comes over to inspect my neck.
"Yeah well, we have Gobi to thank for that." I say, making a note to thank the wolf when I get a minute.
"You best get dressed. You have a meeting to go to." Tsunade says with a smile. My eyes light up and I dress hurriedly in a more conservative outfit since I knew this meeting would include the elders. A black tee shirt that stopped just above my belly button with black knee length shorts and standard black sandals. I attached my weapons pouch to my left leg, then followed Tsunade out the door.
We immediately go to the Hokage tower, and Tsunade leads me to the office she now holds. The elders have already gathered and smile at me warmly as I enter behind Tsunade, who takes her position behind the desk.
"We the council, and the fifth Hokage have decided the following: Chikako Kira, you will be ambassador to Konoha going between your home village and the other villages in the five nations, fostering bonds and helping to forge new treaties. You will also be responsible for coming up with new ideas to help our ninja better get along and communicate with ninja of other villages. Do you accept this position?" One of the elders asks.
"Yes." I breathe, barely able to contain myself.
"Then please sign this document." Tsunade points at a paper on her desk, and I walk over slowly, gingerly picking up the offered fountain pen and signing my name.
"As ambassador you will be required to wear this vest on any missions where your status as ambassador requires your expertise." The elder who had spoke earlier points at a black vest with white trim and I take it off the hook and shrug it on happily, zipping it up.
"Now for your first mission as ambassador." Tsunade says, catching my attention. I walk to stand in front of her desk and await my orders. "You know of the calamity that has befallen Suna after the Chunin exams. Your first mission is to spend two months in Suna working on a treaty and making plans with the elders regarding fostering friendship between our villages. It is my understanding that a young man is being evaluated to take up the position of Kazekage, one of the former Kazekage's children. You will also be working with him closely because he is going to have a major hand in helping with the treaties. The elders have arranged for you to stay in an apartment a block from the Kazekage building. You may pick two people to accompany you to and from Suna; however I must insist that you leave Takai and Naruto here."
I sigh at not being able to take two of my prime choices, but I understand that letting one jinchuriki out of the village was risky enough, especially when other villager's weren't aware of me. "I understand. I will choose Kakkaku and Shikamaru then." I say, giving Tsunade a slight bow.
"Excellent choices. They will accompany you to Suna, rest for a day, and then come back. They will be back after eight weeks to pick you up. Have you any questions?"
"No, Hokage-sama." I say giving a slight shake of my head.
"Good, you leave in an hour. Make sure to tell Kakkaku and Shikamaru to meet you at the gate in an hour." Tsunade smiles at me, and I smile back, poofing away in a flurry of leaves.
Once out on the street I summon Shiro and his brother Shikon. "Hello boys." I say, smiling at the two.
"Kira-hime." The pair say, bowing their heads.
"Please find Kakkaku and Shikamaru. Let them know that they need to leave in an hour to accompany me to the SandVillage on Tsunade's orders."
"Hai." The wolves chorus before turning and running off.
I leap through the streets, scrambling around my apartment and gathering everything I'm going to need. I sling my full back pack and my water skin over my back, then head out for the gates.
I'm not waiting long before both of the boys show up. I smile at them, and jump on Kakkaku, hugging him tight. "I missed you while I was out on the road with Jiraiya." I whisper before pulling away.
"Takai and I missed you too." He says.
"I wish I could have said good bye before we leave…" I say, sighing. "But I have important work to do."
"You are so troublesome." Shikamaru sighs, gazing up at the clear blue sky.
"Oh hush. Who's the one who was asked to be ambassador?" I ask.
"You were, but only because you're four years older than all of us." Shikamaru sighs before walking through the gates.
"Hey, I'm in charge of this group!" I say, jogging to catch up.
"Oh relax." Kakkaku says. "Besides if I know anything, you want to get to Suna as fast as possible to get your job started."
"You know me too well." I say, linking arms with the two men and starting off towards Suna.
The three days on the road had been long and uneventful. We waited until the shelter of sunrise on the third day to cross the desert to avoid the unbearable heat of travelling under a hot sun.
Ninja were already waiting for us at the overwhelming gates of Suna. "Hello Gaara." I say, flushing slightly as I meet his sea foam eyes. My eyes roam over the new clothes he's wearing, a maroon trench coat with a high collar and matching pants that tuck into the tops of his black sandals, with white binding tape holding them in place. He still has the tan leather straps holding his gourd up and his white sash travelling from hips down around his shoulder and draping down his front. He looks much more sophisticated now. "Temari, Kankuro." I meet their eyes in turn, shaking each of their hands.
"So, you're the new Konoha ambassador huh?" Kankuro asks, smirking at me through his war paint.
"Expecting someone else?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"We didn't know who to expect." Temari says, giving Kankuro a dirty look. "We will show you to where you will be staying. You will be a block from the Kazekage tower and a block from us, so if you need anyone we won't be far."
"Thank you Temari." I say, following the three through the gates and down the dusty roads.
"You and I will be meeting with the council in three hours to begin going over how to proceed with the treaties. I hope this isn't too much of a short notice." Gaara says, meeting my eyes.
Something had changed in the two and half months since I'd last seen him and it wasn't just his clothes. He was still quiet, and seemed like he was still slightly broody, but his eyes were much kinder, softer, when he looked at me. He even offered me the tiniest of smiles, not a smirk, but a bonafide smile.
"It's not short notice at all." I say, smiling warmly at the red head. We walk along in silence and I take this time to sneak peeks at Gaara as we walk down the road. It doesn't escape my notice however, the looks he gets from a lot of the villagers. Hatred, fear… I glare at each villager I pass that shoots Gaara a dirty look and automatically step closer to him out of my naturally protective nature. I catch Gaara glancing at me out of the corner of his eye as I stare another villager down. So what if I create enemies for myself here… although, perhaps I should rethink that since I'm Konoha's ambassador. I smile at him and he turns to face forward. I think I just made him slightly uncomfortable.
"This is our house." Temari says, pointing at a sand building that looks a little ritzier than the other buildings.
"It's very nice." I say, detaching myself from the group and discreetly sniffing the area around the front door. When I return, they all look at me quizzically. "Committing the smell to memory, lest I get lost." I say, tapping my nose.
"I see…" Kankuro says, giving me the 'you're nuts' stare. I roll my eyes at him and fall into step next to Gaara.
"How've you been since you got back?" I ask quietly so the others don't hear.
"Better." Gaara says.
"So you're the one the Council is talking about taking up the position of Kazekage." I say, trying to make conversation.
"Yes."
"Do you know how to give actual answers instead of one worded replies?"
"Yes." Gaara smirks at me.
"Oh ha ha, you're so funny!" I say, rolling my eyes, but dropping it for now.
"This is where you'll be staying." Temari says, leading me up the stairs to a one bedroom apartment. She unlocks the door and hands me the keys. "You boys come with me." Temari beckons to Kakkaku and Shikamaru, who both follow her, Kankuro bringing up the rear.
"You going to hang out with me?" I ask Gaara as he follows me into my apartment.
"Just so I can show you the way to the Kazekage building when it's time for the meeting."
"Ah, that's an excellent reason for staying behind." I say, plopping my bag onto the kitchen counter and unzipping all the pockets. "Here, you can help me put my few possessions away." I toss Gaara a pile of my clothes before rummaging in another pocket for my unmentionables. I grab them all and stuff them under my shirt before following Gaara into my room.
He looks at me quizzically, specifically at my now lumpy and bulging stomach region. "What? I don't want you to see my bras and panties." I huff, turning my back on him and opening the top of the dresser drawer. I put everything in the drawer; all jumbled together, and slam it shut. When I turn back around, Gaara's cheeks are slightly flushed and I giggle at him. "Help my fold everything else, since you decided to dump it all out on the bed." I say, grabbing a black mid-rise tank top out of the pile and folding it nicely before making a shirt pile on the bed.
As I get through my third article of clothing, I glance up at Gaara, who is holding a small scrap of something. Upon closer inspection I realize it's a runaway piece of underwear and I let out a strangled squeak before swiping it from his hands and throwing it in with the rest of my underwear. My cheeks are flaming when I meet his eyes, which are amused. "You could at least pretend you didn't see them…" I mutter, grabbing a pair of pants and folding them viciously.
"I didn't see anything then." He says, and I just barely repress a glare.
"How about saying it with a little more conviction?" I ask, reaching for another article of clothing.
I glance up at him, his eyes shining with a light that hadn't been there when I had met him during the Chunin Exams. I sigh, unable to be mad at him. I mean, really, it was my fault that my underwear had got into the pile of regular clothes. I'm distracted from my thoughts as I see him reach into my pile of clothes and pulls out one of my racier shirts, a black piece of lace with black silk across the chest that fits like a second skin. I take it from him gingerly so as not to tear the lace, and an impish thought crosses my mind.
"Hey Gaara?" I ask, holding the shirt up to myself. "Should I wear this to the meeting?"
Gaara doesn't say anything as his eyes roam over me, and a light pink tinges his cheeks. A blushing Gaara I could get used to. He opens his mouth as if he's about to say something, then closes it and very deliberately takes his eyes off of me and focuses only on the clothes as he begins folding again.
I smile to myself and pick up the piles of clothes, putting them away in a neat and orderly fashion. It only takes a few minutes because I had only brought about a weeks worth of clothes. I'll need to do some shopping here in Suna at some point or I'll wear out my clothes. I sigh as I put away the last folded stack of clothes before motioning for Gaara to follow me out of the room as I head for the kitchen.
I examine all the cupboards, taking stock of all the food in the house before rummaging in my pack and pulling out a pad of paper and a pencil. "I need to get some groceries and clothes. Want to come with me?" I ask Gaara.
He looks at me for a second, clearly debating whether or not he should go, but eventually he gives me a slight nod.
"Good!" I say happily, tugging on his sleeve and pulling him out the door.
I stop at the first clothing store I see, and rummage through the racks for several minutes before standing in a huff, hands on my hips. "I don't wear this kind of stuff at all! Where does Temari shop for her clothes?" I ask, glancing at Gaara who is standing with arms folded by the door.
He shrugs and continues watching me and I sigh in exasperation. I make my way to the door and link my arm in his, his eyes widening slightly in shock as I drag him out of the store. I can feel him discreetly trying to break my grip, but I smile up at him and pull him against me so our shoulders touch. The villagers outside stare in surprise, and I smile sweetly at all of them.
"So, where's the market?" I ask Gaara.
"Two blocks that way." He says, motioning to the left.
"And finally he speaks!" I tease, releasing my steel like grip, but keeping my arm linked with his. "You know, you should let more people in. The villagers will look at you in a better light if you're not so cold."
"This is how I've been my entire life." Gaara says quietly, his eyes facing forward and not looking up at me.
"Well, I'll help you." I say happily, smiling at him.
Gaara doesn't respond, but he does glance at me out of the corner of his eye. I smile softly at him, and let him pull his arm out of my grasp. I continue walking on, finally finding the market, and Gaara trails me silently as I peruse the food stalls. I can feel him getting tense the longer we're out, and I know it's because of the looks he's getting from the villagers.
"Miss?" An older gentleman asks, grabbing my attention. I meet his watery brown eyes with my own.
"Yes?"
"Please do not over react, but there's a dangerous boy following you." He flicks his eyes to Gaara before looking back at me.
I glance at the red head, and flick my eyes to get him to come over. It works and he walks over slowly. I look at the old man who is trying very hard not to shake or bolt in the other direction. I give the man a very determined stare as I link my arm through Gaara's and the villager looks at me in surprise.
"Gaara is the one accompanying me, and I have to say, he's nothing but gentlemanly." I say, giving the man an almost feral look.
"Gomen!" The man says, his eyes wide in disbelief as he bows. He then turns and walks away, looking over his shoulder at us as he goes.
I look up at Gaara, his eyes troubled as he watches the man leave.
"Don't worry about him." I say. "The villagers will look up to you one day. Just keep pushing ahead. And you'll have me for the next two months to help you out." I smile at the red head before pulling him away. "Come on, I need to finish getting my groceries."
Gaara nods at me once and we continue down through the market, picking up groceries. When there's only an hour until the meeting begins Gaara and I walk to my apartment, the both of us laden down with groceries. As soon as we get inside I fly through putting the groceries away and then wash my hair in the sink. I grab a towel and throw it on top of my head before I walk into my room and fiddle through my backpack.
"Damn it." I mutter, as I look through my bag again. I sigh and run into the bathroom, towel drying my hair as I go.
Gaara follows me around, clearly unsure as to what is wrong. He looks at me quizzically, and I can't help but smile at him.
"I just forgot my hair stuff." I say as I comb my hair with my fingers. "Now my hair is going to be impossible."
"Hair is impossible?" Gaara asks curiously.
"It depends on the hair." I giggle. "You're hair isn't impossible because it's short enough that you don't even need to brush it, just rifle your hand through it and you're good to go. Mine on the other hand is long and if I don't straighten it, it's wavy with random curls here and there and it's quite frizzy. There's nothing I can do about it now." I say, tucking the hair on the left side of my head behind my ear. "Let's get to that meeting."
We arrive at the Kazekage building about ten minutes before the meeting starts. Gaara leads me through the halls, and I follow closely. When we make it to the circular meeting room, Gaara directs me to a chair and I take a seat while he sits on my right. The both of us wait in silence as the Council members file in. I adjust my black vest nervously; none of the Council members have looked our way.
Finally, after an eternity the meeting is called to order. "We the council, will now begin the meeting to go over treaties. Accompanying the council is Gaara, candidate for Kazekage and Chikako Kira, ambassador to Konoha." I nod my head as every pair of eyes fall on me. "Now, the previous treaty was violated when Orochimaru killed the previous Kazekage and took on his identity." I feel Gaara tense up next to me, and I lightly brush his leg with my own, offering him my reassurance. "As ambassador to Konoha, how do you feel we should proceed?"
I stand up, meeting each of the council member's eyes. "I would first like to recommend stepping up security. Since I have been here, I have noticed that security around the gates is lax. Stepping up security will make it harder for enemy ninja to infiltrate the village." I can feel a few glares on me, but I continue on anyways. I was fostered by two Hokages; I know how a village should be run. "Also, I think we should exchange half of each village's teaching staff. This will enable the shinobi training our children's young minds to foster friendship and set good examples. I also think that you should look into the Leaf's schooling techniques, it'll open your eyes to a whole new way to teach children." I pause to gather my thoughts for my next idea when a council member speaks up.
"And what authority do you have telling us how to run our village?" He asks, a sneer on his face.
"And you are?" I ask, eyeing the man with a glare.
"Ki."
"Ki-sama, I was fostered by the Fourth Hokage, Minato, and by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi until I was seventeen. If anyone knows how a village should be run, it's me." I say matter of factly, trying hard not to blow up at the man. This causes the room to explode with murmuring, and I put a hand on my face in exasperation.
"Excuse me." I say, but get nowhere. "I AM NOT DONE SPEAKING!" I bellow, making everyone look at me sharply. "Now, I was given the job as ambassador for this very reason. I know what's best for my village, and now I'm telling you what's best for your village. You can either look into what I'm saying, or you can completely ignore me. This is your village after all. But I'm here to help the relationship between our two villages, and my advice will be taken seriously." I growl out the last bit, letting just a spike of killing intent in the air. Most of the council is looking at me in surprise, and some are looking at me with newfound respect.
"As I was saying, I also think it would be a good idea for Gaara, Temari and Kankuro to help out at the academy. If you are seriously considering Gaara for Kazekage, then he needs to be more involved with the village in a public way. Older villagers will most likely be against him becoming Kazekage no matter what, and I'm sure you know why. But getting the younger villagers on board with the idea is where you'll succeed.
"As for the treaties, a truce is a must. Both of our village's need to be friendlier to each other, and we need to offer help to the other when it's asked of us. As you know I will be here for eight weeks hammering out the nitty gritty details with you. I offer myself as a resource for you guys. Should you need me for anything, including short and less dangerous missions, I will gladly participate." I sit down with a sigh, and this time it's Gaara's leg brushing against mine. I offer him a covert smile before Ki addresses Gaara.
"How do you feel about this Gaara-sama?"
"What Kira says is true. The security around our borders is too relaxed. I also like the ideas she offered regarding the academy. I would be more than willing to help out at the academy whenever it was needed." As always, a man of few words, Gaara's speech was short and to the point.
"Very well. Kira, you will send a hawk to Konoha explaining to the Hokage what you told us. Should she agree to the teacher swap, we will correspond with her to set a date for the exchange and how long the exchange will last for. At the end of the exchange, we will have you, Gaara, start working at the academy two days a week. Our next meeting will be in one week. Please have more ideas for the treaties drawn up by then. This meeting is adjourned." As Ki finishes talking, the Council members all begin to stand and Gaara and I stand respectively as well.
"I think that went well." I say, as we leave the building.
"You do?"
"Yes, all things considered. I'm a stranger to them, and I'm sure they were expecting someone meek and easy to push around when they laid eyes on me. I just showed them that I'm not to be trifled with, and now at the next meeting I'm likely to be more respected." I say as we stop outside the Kazekage building.
"I'll see you tomorrow then? I'd like to start working on some ideas for the treaties and get it out of the way, that way you can show me around the village later on in the day." I wink at Gaara, but since night has fallen, I can't tell if he's blushing or not.
"That sounds fine." Gaara says.
"Good!" I lean over and kiss the red head's cheek before disappearing in a flurry of leaves.
AN: I missed Gaara as much as you guys, so here's chapter fourteen early for you guys! If you give me some ideas for Kira and Gaara's relationship and I use them in the story I'll give you credit for them! Also, to all my loyal readers, go try out The Shukaku and the Sharingan, a story by my good friend rainbowweekend. Especially if you like GaaraXOC pairings! Until chapter fifteen, peace out!