Chapter Twenty
Gaara wasn't happy, though to be fair, she wasn't usually happy but, now, she was no longer even content with her situation. She hadn't expected a warm reception but she also hadn't expected to be confronted at the gates by her council with a demand to strip.
They were very lucky she was past her homicidal rages stage, though, by the looks of things that stage might be making a fast comeback.
She had refused and then flatly told them the truth. She was a girl, been born a girl, and had fought the Akatsuki as a girl.
The council were a bit stunned to put it mildly.
She had marched past them into the village and straight into the tower to quickly write up plans to be followed in case the council did something moronic like impeach her.
They lived up to expectations.
They weren't quite brave enough to take her title away completely, instead, they put her on a forced vacation. Suspension was probably the more technical term but it wasn't what they told the village.
Idiots.
She narrowed her eyes, they were trying to scrounge up candidates to replace her. They'd already approached Kankuro and Baki . . .
Baki.
Her gaze drifted to the floor as she remembered that particular conversation.
"Lord Kazekage," Baki gave his customary greeting before going onto business, "The academy is up for graduation and-"
"Baki."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage."
"I'm female."
"I know. Now as I was saying-"
"What?"
Baki might have sighed had he been a lesser man, "Gaara, I've been your sensei for many years. I've known for a long time."
"You never said anything," she nearly accused, "Does everyone know?"
"No," he did sigh that time, "I'd say at least half of our elite forces suspect if they don't outright know. The rest are either in need of retraining or in flat out denial."
He lifted a brow at the look of confusion on her face.
"Gaara, no one will deny that you are the best of the best, however, before you were the best you were just another up and coming newbie. Jinchuuriki or not."
"You knew and never treated me differently," her tone contained something very close to affection.
"I didn't treat you any differently than Temari and Kankuro," he glanced away, "Now back to business . . ."
A faint smile graced her face as the next couple days proved her sensei correct, about half the elite forces had suspected and the other half had been dumbfounded.
Unfortunately, their reactions had not been so predictable. Only thirty percent of the anbu and jounin set had reacted like Baki and carried on as though nothing had changed.
The rest had more regrettable actions especially the older more diehard shinobi.
She had glared at them and stated in a no nonsense voice, "You will act as a shinobi of the Sand or I will demote you back to genin."
Most had acquiesced grudgingly while others had thrown their headbands in her face, "I will not follow a woman."
"You've followed one up til now," she respond blandly, "If you would like to challenge me for my title since I've apparently become a weakling over night then feel free."
Some of the braver ones, or more foolhardy, stood their ground as she filled the room with chakra rich sand and a massive dose of killing intent.
"The only thing that has changed is your perception," she stated coldly, "Leave before I'm forced to show you exactly how this girl conquered a demon."
Only one had stayed after that particular display while the rest had fled.
He'd be out of the hospital within the year . . .if there weren't any complications. He'd even be able to be a shinobi again if he was determined enough.
Rock Lee was able to make a comeback anyway.
It was the younger generation that gave her full unwavering support.
Her fan base had been devastated for all of five minutes before roaring with approval at the thought of a kickass female Kazekage. Female enrollment in the academy doubled and the kunoichi hit the training grounds with renewed fervor.
The reaction of the male half of their generation was unexpected.
Before she had been held as a model shinobi that the males held in great respect and hero worship.
Now . . .
"My Lady," the young jounin beamed, "The mission was a success."
She gave her usual slight nod.
His cheekbones tinted a soft pink, "Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
"Check the missions room," she directed and pointedly returned to her paperwork.
"Right away," he flushed happily.
She'd studied the door with narrowed eyes. They were all most eager to please. The respect was still there but the hero worship had somehow morphed into . . .affection? If she didn't know any better she would think she now had a male fan club in place of her female one and if that was true then she had no idea what to do or think about it.
All she knew was the rate of successful missions had gone up and that was good.
. . .wasn't it?
No, the real problems didn't have to do with her fickle elites or the shifting reasons of her popularity but the council and the former candidates for Kazekage.
Most assumed that she had been the only one at the time since her youth was a big mark against her. Sadly this was not the case and there had been ten others who had tried for the title.
Only two still lived.
About half had died when she first gained the coveted title and she wasn't sorry to say she was responsible for all of them. They had thought to eliminate the competition and offer her head on a platter in a show of strength needed to become a Kage.
She had taken theirs instead.
She hadn't been the most liked Kazekage to begin with though none had questioned her strength.
Of the other three, only one had died of old age while the other two sought to assassinate her from the shadows.
She had not been pleased.
The last two were playing the political game as they joined up with the ancient ruins that dared called itself a council. They denounced her as bloodthirsty. Her outburst and subsequent killings of assassins, no matter how justified, had not helped her case. They claimed she had no sense of true justice. She snorted softly, as if anyone who had supported her father in his reign could claim to understand the word justice much less put it into practice.
One member even claimed she was too hormonal to rule.
She denied any knowledge of how that particular council member fell out of the thirty story window.
Of course, he was not only the who had that opinion as a rather snide ninja remarked, "No wonder he was so moody. Must be that time of month."
The window was a serious hazard and she was going to investigate why it was so keen on throwing people out of it. She couldn't now, of course, since she was suspended, oh, sorry, on leave but as soon as she got her title back the least she would do was put up a warning sign.
Still . . .it was the assassination attempts that were getting her down. One might think she'd be used to them by now . . . There had been people trying to kill her since she was six years old though they'd tapered off after her dad died only to resume with her ascension to Kazekage except the ninjas were now foreign instead of domestic.
Now, they were domestic again.
Sometimes she wished she was more of a girl and could indulge in a good cry because if she cried then maybe her chest wouldn't hurt quite so much.
It wasn't fair.
They weren't supposed to revile her more for being female. She was no longer a jinchuuriki but now they were saying she couldn't protect Sand without the demon.
She didn't get it.
Some professed to feel betrayed to which she replied, "And yet it is I who has never wavered in my duty and is shunned for it."
The older generation might be following her orders but that didn't mean they liked it.
Old habits and prejudices died hard.
It wasn't like her to mope, but she didn't have anything to do. They were refusing to let her do any important paperwork. She could only be grateful they were following her outlines for the village, though, at this rate, the village will have torn itself apart by the time this was all settled.
Her followers were constantly warring with the old-minded regime and tensions were getting higher by the day-
"Gaara?" Temari swept her up into a tight hug, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"Temari-" Gaara's voice cracked and she shifted to touch a hand to her wet cheek. This was bad. She was showing weakness and weakness could be used against her. She had to be strong. She had to be-
"We'll fix it, Gaara," Kankuro placed a warm hand on her shoulder, "We're here for you. You're not alone."
She felt her lip tremble as her breath hitched despite her control and buried her face into her sister's shoulder to hide her face but the tears would not stop.
She clutched at Temari in a desperate attempt to regain control as the sobs only became more violent.
Kankuro's arms surrounded both of them in a failed attempt to hold her together as she cried like she had the night Yashamaru died.
She was wrong.
She didn't feel better at all.
"Damn it!" Kankuro punched the wall as Temari rubbed her temples in an effort to get rid of her headache.
Gaara had fell into an exhausted sleep and they had relocated her to the next room.
They had tried to hide just how bad things had gotten but, judging by Gaara's behavior, they had failed abysmally and they weren't in much better condition.
Where the council had suspended Gaara they had stripped them of their headbands. The council didn't care they were just as well respected as Gaara and held important ties to their allied village, Temari, or was trying to revive the puppeteer core, Kankuro. They were told to cease and desist until a revote was taken and the matter was settled.
Failed experiments they called them. The Fourth Kazekage's failed attempts at immortality.
Like they gave a damn about the Fourth's legacy.
Instead, they'd been working tirelessly as they tried to regain political favor and were close to tears themselves. Things looked like they were only going to get worse before they got better and they weren't sure how Gaara was going to hold up. The peace of their village was just a façade waiting to crack-
"She needs to leave Sand."
The siblings glanced up with equal parts shock and betrayal.
Baki met their gaze unapologetically, "If her supporters find out about the assassination attempts then we'll have war in the streets."
"There has to be another way," Kankuro snarled, "Banishing Gaara-"
"Kankuro," Temari placed a hand on his shoulder, "It wouldn't be banishment-"
"So you agree with him?" He roared in disbelief, "You think sending Gaara away will solve everything?"
"No, what it will do is allow things to calm down before they get out of hand," Baki grimaced, "I don't like this any better than you do but we will do what needs to be done."
"He's right."
All three swung toward the door where a sleep ruffled Gaara stated emotionlessly, "I will not be the reason Sand falls. Sand will not survive a revolt of the younger shinobi. I'm doing more harm than good."
"Gaara," Kankuro stated determinedly, "We'll make this right."
She said nothing and turned to Temari, "I will be on the outskirts-"
"What? No, you can't go out there by yourself!" Temari put her foot down, "If you're going to leave then at least go to Leaf."
Gaara frowned and started to shake her head when Kankuro jumped in.
"Yeah, I managed to get my hands on some of the confiscated correspondence. Naruto's due back any time."
Her expression darkened, "I don't want him appraised of the situation."
"Fat chance of that," Kankuro snorted, "He's way too close to both the present and past Hokage. They'll tell him if he asks."
"He won't ask."
"Yes, he will," Temari ignored their sensei's frown, "You know Naruto doesn't abandon his friends."
Her eyes turned uncertain, "I don't-"
"You're going," Kankuro glared, "For once, Gaara, do what I say."
Her expression was stubborn but nodded.
"Good, it's settled," Baki nodded, "Gaara will go to Leaf and we'll get back to work."
End Chapter