Wind of Truth & Sands of Change
The Kazekage Decision
081. And the Kazekage Is…
"They've made their decision." A skinny shinobi told him. "They should be coming out soon."
Kankuro stopped pacing. Temari'd been out on a mission that past three days. The most important days. The council had sent her off on a pretext. They just didn't want her promoting Gaara on the most important days. A few of the members had begun to seriously consider him, so they sent her off. Kankuro had taken up her place as the avid Gaara publicist. He'd refused every mission they pushed at him. Unlike Temari he had no qualms about refusing missions. Temari was all about duty, he could care less. So, he stayed in Suna, attending every meeting and spending all his free time trying to convince the others Gaara was right for the job.
He took Temari's place. Temari had fought the most strongly for Gaara during all the talks. The blonde girl hadn't slept in a week. She hadn't had a life since the talks began. He almost felt guilty. He hadn't devoted himself as much, at least not until Temari was unable to do so.
Now that council had made their decisions. Regardless of what he'd done and hadn't done, it was over.
Everyone would know who the Kazekage was to be after today.
Kankuro clenched his fists in anxiety.
Please let it be Gaara.
The council members stepped out of the room. He resisted the urge to yell out and demand their final decision.
"You can relax, Kankuro-san. We've decided. The next Kazekage will be…Sabakuno Gaara."
Kankuro grinned. They'd actually done it!
082. Happy Dance
Temari stopped before him, breath hazard and her hair a complete mess. Her fan dug into the loose sand and she leaned on it in exhaustion. She had few bruises and scratches on her arm. "Well!" she demanded.
"Tem, your arm…" Kankuro murmured, looking at her minor injuries.
Temari waved her hand impatiently. "It's nothing. Now, what happened?"
Kankuro grinned. He held his breath waiting for the little patience Temari had to snap.
"Kankuro!" She reprimanded him.
"We did it. He's going to become the Kazekage."
Temari grinned widely. "YES!" The usually angry blonde jumped up and down happily, before she managed to control herself. "Oww." She complained quietly, and then directed her attention back to Kankuro. "Does he know?" She breathed out quickly.
"I was just about to go tell him, but now that you're here, I think you should."
Temari shook her head firmly, "No. You should tell him."
"But you're the one who's worked day and night to make sure this would happen."
Temari smiled. "Hey, who's the oldest? Trust me, you should tell him." A distant look came into her eyes. "I think it would mean more to him that way. Brother thing, eh?" She smiled and gestured to her injured arm. "Besides, I need to make sure these aren't infected."
"Alright, Temari." Kankuro smiled.
083. Delivering the News
Gaara blinked. "…Kazekage…?"
Kankuro scratched the back of his head, a large grin on his face. "It was mostly Temari's doing. You know how she gets when she fights for something. I helped out, but she was the mastermind."
"Kazekage…me…"
The grin was still evident on the puppeteer's face.
"They really think…"
"It won't be easy, but…" He shrugged. "A lot of people still fear you, but…Temari and I believe in you."
A small smile crept on the red-head's face. "Kazekage. I'm Kazekage."
084. Confessions of a Psychotic Sister
Temari giggled as Gaara and Kankuro walked into the room. Kankuro mussed his hair self-consciously. "What?" He asked irritably.
Temari snickered and walked up to the pair stopping right before them. She giggled again.
Gaara frowned. "Are you okay, Temari?"
Temari placed her index finger on the tip of Gaara's nose.
Gaara looked quizzically at her finger. His eyes drew together giving him the appearance of cross-eyed chipmunk. "Temari…?"
She giggled again and pressed on his nose. "You look so cute in your little Kazekage robes!"
Gaara looked confused. He glanced at his brother, "Is she okay?"
Kankuro shrugged. "We've been through this: she's just nuts."
"And you," Temari cooed at Kankuro, still giggling, "look cute too, without that stupid hat and paint."
"Oh, shut up, Temari. I'm only dressed like this because I was threatened by you and Baki."
Temari snickered again and wrapped her arms around a befuddled Gaara abruptly and squeezed him. She let go and looked at her youngest brother. "You look so cute!"
"I keep telling you she's insane." Kankuro muttered under his breath to the red-head.
Temari giggled. "Well, let's go little brothers. We have a Kazekage induction ceremony to attend."
085. A New Chapter
Gaara stood on the roof of the Kazekage building and stared at the village. A few people were still walking around, even though it was late at night. He examined the hat in his hand. This was his village. These were his people. He smiled softly and closed his eyes briefly. He felt happy. He owed Naruto. He owed Kankuro. And he owed Temari. He was the Kazekage and he would protect his village with his life.
A/N: Umm...Confession: Temari's reaction would probably extremlely parallel what mine would be if something of the sort every happened to my little brother. Of course my brother would roll his eyes call me weird and blush slightly.