Temari stood infront of the councilmen and her brother the Kazekage in their conference room. Relaying the information her squad recovered from their recent mission in the Land of Earth. Everyone had a copy of the data that was collected from her report. The only sound was that of the paper being flipped through and murmurs of concern and worry. Gaara remained calm looking over the report, he could tell the others where disturbed by what they read and greatly worried which was starting to turn hysterical. Closing the folder, he looks to his older sister with many questions in his eyes.
"There was no way, you could have retrieved a sample?"one of the councilmen speak before Gaara.
Temari looks at him."No, it dissolved before we could. On top of that it was acidic, none of us had the right equipment to such a thing."
"What made them implode?"another asks.
"Are you sure it wasn't that of Iwakagure? It could have been nothing but a ruse on their part."another starts to make accusations."They have many reasons why, surely it was just a trick to start a war."
"No, it wasn't. They had nothing to do with, as it states in the report those whatever they were attacked them as well. Even the Tsuchikage was perplexed by their appearance. I doubt he even knew they where there."
"Even so, they where found on their Land. And attacked our shinobi."another throws in.
"No matter how you look at it, they where found there."
Having enough this, and tired of their battered argument as respectfully and calmly that she could speaks."I understand your concerns, but we need to look at fact there is some new type of monstrous threat that is slowly rising. What we encountered tells me that there is something out there growing. Those things, have to be what is taking other shinobis. Their bodies look human, but not their chemistry. There was no sign of them using any kind of jutsu."
"It seems, your team didn't thoroughly get any sort of valid information. Without a sample to be brought back, how are we to know what exactly we are up against?"
Temari pursed her lips stopping herself from saying anything she might regret. Her brothers could see it written on her face she was pissed, it was clear the councilmen where not listening to what she was trying to say.
"You said everyone returned back, correct?"Kankuro changes the subject just a bit, Temari looks at her brother.
Nodding her head."Yes, we all came back unharmed."
Kankuro looks to Gaara."That is what your main priority was correct?"
Everyone looks to Gaara, he nods his head."Yes, the very first and most important thing. How many where injured?"
"Barely anyone, Shira had minor injuries but thanks to May. She healed him like new. So in all there was no causalities. Whatsoever."
"That's good."Kankuro smiles. He looks back to Gaara."Do you have anything to say, Kazakage?"
"...It says here, your genin battled the assailants?"Gaara opens the file turning to the page that talked about the fight.
"Yes, she took them head on. Along with Shira as well."Temari tells him."She was able to go toe to toe with them, a few times she managed to subdue them for a few seconds. Though not for very long."
"...I see..."Gaara closes the file.
"Is your genin not a medic-nin?"a councilmen speaks up. Much to Temari's irritation."Was she not able to obtain a sample?"
"No."she calmly says between her teeth. Her brows furrow towards the man.
"Is it not their job to collect such things?"
"If someone blows up, and their parts dissolve without any sort of reason it is hard for anyone to obtain a sample. I've stated that already."
"Even so..."
The two stare hard at eachother, Temari unyielding eyes did not give in to the councilman. Nor was he.
"It is clear, we will need more reconnaissance missions then."another member speaks up, looking to Gaara.
"...That we will. Since we don't know much about this new...enemy."Gaara agrees."Right now, send a copy of these notes to Konohakagure. Whatever information we obtain will be sent to them."Looking to his sister."Is there anything else?"
Temari knew there was, May's reaction upon those assailants that attacked them. It seem like something seem familiar to her about them, she wasn't sure if it was true or not. But it was clearly written on May's face that something was amiss and not right. She seem to go into some sort of state deterrent state. She couldn't lie to the councilmen, but she didn't want May to be brought in an questioned for her reason of acting like that. Even though she knew May seem to be able to sense them.
Looking closer at his sister Gaara could see the hard walls she put up to protect the information she withheld. He could easily get her to speak, but instead allows her to lie to them."No, nothing else."she tells everyone.
Gaara nods his head."Very well."
"Kazekage, since Temari's squad came back unharmed. Should we not inform Konohakagure of the fact her genin was able to do so and can hold her own against them. If we are to keep good relationships with them, would it not be wise to offer her services to them as well other villages."
"Are you saying to sell May's skills?"Kankuro looks at them disgusted.
The councilman looks to him, nodding his head."Yes and no. If this is a threat that is slowly starting to rise, would it not be wise to give assistants?"
"Still sounds like selling to me."Temari spits out. A few eyes look upon her, she didn't care her glare upon them made them look away.
The one who brought up the idea gives her a modest and apologetic look."Please, I mean no harm. It's just..."he looks down at the file."From what is stated here, her skills kept you all alive, even managed to heal a Iwagakure shinobi. But also battle while keeping the others safe and healed. Personally, that is a feat that quite impressive. Wouldn't it be right to offer it other Lands. Seeing how we are in some way all in this together. Having our shinobis return safely is good, right? Kazekage?"
All eyes back upon Gaara, who had the call. The idea was a good one, offering up May's skills would bring renew to the village, but at the sametime would put her life out on the line every single time. Even if that was a shionbi's job. She would tire herself out, but not just that there was something else he tired to not let it cloud his judgement. May had this innocent vibe around that shone bright and the mere thought of it becoming tainted not to mention she was still in a sense new here.
His mind thinking of all this all at once, not realizing someone was calling to him. Breaking his thought, snapping out of it he looks still seeing all eyes upon him. Still awaiting his decision.
"That's a strange thing to play?"Kaito gives you a strange look."And a strange name...Baseball."
You couldn't help but not chuckle at the little boy's reaction when you told him about."Yes, I found quite strange as well. When I first heard of it, but it is consider a very important sport. My friend Casey who is into sports would like a great deal about it."
The two of you where walking to Sunakagure's Aviary, Kaito was holding onto Onyx who came along. You had something to be delivered to someone. After helping out in the hospital, thanks to Kai who was able to get you to be apart of it, though through volunteering. He managed to pull some strings after you came back to the village from the mission. You had become a big help there.
Helping many of the patients, of course you had to stay with Kai in a way making him your senior. Which you didn't mind, it meant you could spend time with him, he enjoyed your company. Every morning since your return you would meet him if you didn't have training with Temari at the hospital. Following him around, as he made his rounds. It reminded you back in Naruto's village on how you would make your rounds at the hospital as Tsunade instructed you to do. Like there you spent a few hours there, just like here. He would let you go early, once Katio arrived. Allowing the two of you spend time together.
Something he knew that greatly brought happiness to his son. At the end of the day, you would bring him back and have dinner with them at times or meet back up with Kai once he was off.
Time with Kaito was fun and relaxing. He always wanted to hear your stories about your home. Finding them interesting and weird. Never had you seen someone so excited before over something which you found the norm, but to him he found thrilling. Regaling him with times and memories from your life back home, always made you feel good. Much better than just thinking about it.
That wasn't all, Kaito always wanted to see you use your powers or fly on your back. A few times he would asks you to help him in school with his work, he often would tell you about his day at school which you pretty much could tell he found it boring but went anyway. Never did he really bring up times with him and his father. Even when you would praise his father, he seem not to care much. But was more interested in you and your life.
He grew a liking to Onyx once he meet the little chick, who was growing pretty well. His feathers where starting to come in, they where a dark rich brown color that almost seem black, with the tip of his wings a dark red. He was a quiet hawk, but very attentive and alert. He was pretty well behaved, he wasn't able to fly just yet.
"What else from your village? Besides these strange sports?"Kaito looks up at you.
You tap a finger to your chin."I am not really sure." The two of you reach the place, and make your way to area, two shinobis where in there along other messenger birds, by the sight of you. One comes over to you. Greeting them kindly, holding out your letter."I do not wish to trouble you, but I would like for this to be delivered to Konohagakure."Smiling at them."To a friend."
Kaito stood watching you, he looks to the two shinobi men who seem hesitant yet captivated by the smile you gave them. The one standing up, coughs taking the letter."S-sure."they tell you, turning around when they noticed Onyx."Well, look it here."he gets down do Kaito's level to look at the bird.
Onyx dark eyes look at the man with a strong gaze."..."Onyx stares hard at him, the man gets back up chuckling.
"A strong little one."he tells you, walking over to one of the cages that held one of the messenger birds."It'll get there."
Thanking them, you and Kaito leave."So, who's the letter for?"he asks, following you.
"For a friend."you tell him.
"What friend?"he wanted to know.
"...Hinata."you tell him.
"Hinata?"he thinks about it, trying to picture them. But could not form any face in his mind."Who is that?"
"A kind person, whom I meet along with her other friends."you tell him with a warm smile.
"..."Kaito's eyes drop, sensing his sadness you look at him. Placing a hand on his head, he looks up at you sadly.
You give him a tender smile."Do not feel sad, Kaito. You to hold special place, you are the first to make feel welcomed."
Listening to your words he smiles nodding his head, you give him a small smile. Taking your hand off his head, he quickly grabs hold of your hand. Surprising you, he squeezes it with all his might. Resting his head on it.
In the dark hidden cavern, deep inside it. Inside multiple large glass cylinder tubes, submerged in light purple/pink liquid with wires attached to bodies that floated in fetal position to keep track of their vitals while one was pumping in some sort of strange liquid.
Slimy pink creatures monitor the bodies, when they felt the presence of dark empowering figure enter. Their green/yellow eyes turn into the direction of figure. Who walks in with a steady stride followed by their three top mutated men. One a fish, another tiger with an eyepatch and the last one a tall skeletal dog.
The dark figure walks down the row of tubes, leaving a chill presence behind them. The small creatures kept this disdain hidden well from them, in fear of what would happen. But also knowing despite against it, both needed each other. Even if one would prefer the other to die, each offered what the one was lacking.
The dark figure stops, infront of a door that slides open. Walking into the large technical lab room, that was meant for a mad scientist. In there working hard a mutant humanoid fly man, who was preforming what seem to be medical procedure on what was strapped to the table. The fly had not noticed them, which slightly angered them.
"Stockmen."they voice was just as cold and dark like their soul, even if it came out calmly.
The fly stops looking up at the slim, tall, muscular well toned man in shiny, chrome plated larger and bulky armour that he wore covering his chest, shoulders, arms and lower legs, which was wore over a red outfit with a dark blue cape that hung behind the man. Only his eyes could be seen due to his Kuro Kabuto helmet and the masked that covered half his face, though it was enough to see his disfigured and burnt right side of his face.
Stockmen bows in fear and respect to the man."Yezz, Mazter."His head twitching.
His master looks at what was strapped to the table."What happen?"
"Apparently, what I waz given. By our most, honorable friendz. Was not ztable."Stockman tells him."Their bodiez where over extorted, cauzing the chemical, imbalancez. Rezulting into what you see."
Through their good eye, their master looks down at the distorted body."Where you able to extract what I needed?"
Stockman nods his head."Yez...thiz chakra iz quite interesting."Holding a bluish vile in their clawed hand."I will run more tezted."
"Good."
"Mazter?"Stockman looks to the man."Whatz about..."gesturing to the a closed door behind them. Where screams could be heard.
Knowing full well what he was talking about."...It thought this genjustu would have worked?"
"It zeemz not."Stockman looks to he door."They're fighting it."
"...Xever. Send word to our help, I need them back here. Apparently what they did wasn't strong enough. I want my weapon ready."
Your eyes shoot open, from a horrible scream that you heard from your dream. It felt so real, and felt so familiar your hands where shaking pretty bad. An unsettling feeling sat in your stomach, nightmares. Something you never liked at all, back home whenever you had them April would come into your room knowing right away. She was able to sense it, and comfort you back to sleep telling you everything was alright. If that didn't work she would get you a warm glass of milk or tea take you to the roof top to watch the night sky or talk with you about it.
Expecting her to come rushing into your room, the door remained closed. She wasn't here, she was back at home. Dropping your eyes sorrowfully, throwing your covers back and slip out of the bed. Quietly, opening your door no one was up. Not a soul in the house, though happy you did wished someone was. Slipping out into the door closing it ever so softly hoovering off the floor a few inches and fly to the living room.
It was empty, looking at the large room. So quiet so still, so cold and lonely. A filling you never liked, it reminded you to much of when...shaking your head looking at it. Trying imagine the others, back at home. In the guys lair, sitting around watching television Mikey talking like always and someone telling him to be quiet. Looking towards the kitchen, the place you would always be trying to quickly make a snack for the movie that was chosen, to be called by April that it was starting.
Quickly you would return with the food enough for everyone only to forget the drinks which Mikey would whine about. Prompting you to go and retrieve them quickly making you miss the first couple of minutes since Mikey wanted you to make his special toxic drink, which was soda, milk, dashes of hotsauce and a few other things that made the others gag. He didn't care, he would drink anyway enjoying ever single sip.
If that didn't get the others, it was when Mikey would burp and the smell from his breath would ruin everyone's time. Which he took great satisfaction in, though of course he would be reprimanded by Raph the most. Which prompted you to step in-between the two and break it up if not for Leo. Though the peace would not last long, because Mikey always had a way of upsetting Raph which ended with them fighting, Casey would join in pulling in Donnie and Leo. While the guys wrestled, you and April would stay back and watch. Always calling the guys knuckleheads.
Thinking of memory brought a warm smile to your face, as you sat on the couch looking at the picture of you and the others at the back of your Grimoire. Your eyes move over to your father and sister. Wondering what it was they could be doing right now, at this time your father would be coming into your room to check up on you then go April's. On the weekends, the three of you would stay up playing boardgames and make chocolate pudding. A few times the guys would come over, making it into something else. Once a pudding fight started out, due to you and Mikey.
Softly and silently chuckling at the memory. Only added more to your own sorrow that pained your heart and soul. Tucking your feet under you looking down longingly at the picture. A finger trails over 5x6 photo, slowly. Thinking hard to access their voices which you managed to remember brought a sense of relief to you. But it was no enough at all, squeezing your eyes shut if tears could come they would. But they didn't making it more painful.
Wishing April was here to comfort you, tell you things where alright. Always here for support that you could lean on, but she wasn't. Hearing her voice you look up realizing she wasn't here at all. Sighing accepting the reality, no one you loved was here. Closing your book, you look up alarmed to find Gaara standing there looking down at you.
Jumping up quickly, to trip over your feet fall right into him. He didn't fall back, he helps you stand up straightening yourself up flustered bowing to him."I am sorry, Mr. Gaara if I woke you. I-I will head to bed now."you tell him, coming back up backing away smiling at him. Going behind the couch wishing him a good night's rest and hurry off to your room, Gaara watches you hide what he saw just a few seconds ago with a smile. He just happen to get up to go to his office very early while it was still night before the sun when he stumbled across you looking mournfully at the picture.
He never brought it up, but he was aware of your longing for your family. Watching you walk up the stairs quietly, he calls to you. Making you stop and look at him. With your smile like always on your face whenever in his presence. Waiting for him to say what he needed to say, seconds passed then a minute or two. Gaara just looked at you without a word, he himself didn't really know what to say, he had words but they went away. Once you stopped to look at him.
"...Mr. Gaara?"you look at him slightly confused if there was anything he wanted to say. So you said something."Mr. Gaara, I promise to make to return everyone back safely to your village. There is no need to worry."
Gaara just kept looking at you, nodding his head. You give him a small nod, turn around and walk back up the stairs.
Reaching your room, you go inside closing the door. Onyx was sleeping peacefully, smiling at him placing your book down when a small gentle knock came to your door. Who could be knocking at this time, going over to it opening it up to find Gaara.
"Mr. Gaara."you somewhat surprised, but greet him respectfully with a smile."Yes?"
Gaara looks down at you."Could you please follow me."he tells you, nodding your head leaving your room you follow him back downstairs and out the door. He tells you stand next to him which you do, in just a second you felt yourself being pushed upward by his sand to the top of the roof. Gaara steps off holding out a hand for you, which you kindly take and get off. He walks with you to the center looking straight up ahead. Following his gaze, at the stars above the two of you.
Your eyes widen at the sight of them in amazement. A few shot over, you point to them like a child eagerly. A few you closed your eyes remembering what April said how you could make a wish, which you did. Getting comfortable, you sit down Gaara stood. While you looked up at the stairs, Gaara would look down at you, he could see the heavy feeling you carried lift up from you. Your spirits returning to its joyous nature.
Feeling someone tug on him, Gaara looks to you. Patting the spot next to yourself for him to sit, he doesn't object and sits next to you. Smiling at him, you start to chat away about random things looking back up at the stars. Gaara just listen to you, you told jokes that you explained so he would get it, laughing. As you looked to the stars that where slowly starting to fade since the sun was starting to rise up very slowly. As the sun was coming up, your eyes started to close, head started to drop slightly yawning silently. Leaning down, your head rest upon his shoulder.
The young lord looks down at you, eyes 3/4 open with a tired smile. Tiredly you thank him, he waits for your eyes to close all the way. He sat there for a few minutes the sun started to slowly rise. Using his sand to hold you, he stands up slowly. Taking you from his sand, that gently lays you in his arms. He takes you back inside the house, he did after all have to get to his office.
Making back inside, walking silently to your room opening the door slipping in towards your bed he places you down carefully. Slipping his hands out from under you, not to wake you. When you reacted in your sleep and grabbed his arm tightly. For someone your size you had a pretty good grip. He goes stiff, though he slowly relaxes and tries to wriggle out his arm from your grasp. Which was proving to be difficult. He knew he could use his jutsu and turn a part of him into sand but then there was the risk of waking you. While this went through his mind, you rolled over still holding onto his arm. Pulling him with you, sighing to himself. He sits himself onto the rim of the bed. What could he do now, clearly in a deep sleep now. Looking to you, this as going be awhile.
Kankuro wakes up, when she sensed something unusual or not right. There was no smell of breakfast being made, which was weird. Walking down stairs he doesn't see the cheerful busybody pink hair girl setting the table or greeting him, Temari wasn't here either. Weird. It really was, assuming something might be wrong he goes back up stairs towards the girl's room. When he noticed it was open just a bit, placing a hand on it slowly pushing it open just a bit stopping surprised at what he saw.
His younger brother with his eyes closed not sure if he was sleeping or not, but he would be at his office by now not here in May's room sitting on her bed right next to her, with her holding onto his arm sleeping. Not really sure what to make of this, Kankuro slowly backs away, bumping into Temari almost scaring him. Temari gives him a look wondering why he was looking into the girls room. The look he gave her pretty much incriminated him, which earned him a snarl look from her, she pushes him to the side looking to see if did anything. To find what Kankuro saw, coming back slowly shutting the door softly.
"...Better tell the others..."she looks back to the door."The Kazekage won't be in till later."