Kankuro was led away to be imprisoned, along with the rest of his rebellion. Because that's what they were, or at least, what the others thought they were about. Temari says she doubts Kankuro was truly thinking about a revolution all this time, not like his followers. They were like Luo, wanting another leader, for the most part. Some of them though, weren't even Suna shinobi.
She sent everyone else home after that. We stood in the square for a while longer, the three of us, Naruto, Temari and I. She told us she wanted to talk, to answer any of our questions, if we weren't too tired.
"Well, I'm still wired from the fight." Naruto said, and I had to agree. So we all came here, to her house, to talk.
We're sitting in her living room now, in the dim light of a lamp. It's strange, but her house isn't much nicer than mine. I guess I expected her to have a really nice house, as nice as the rooms in the embassy, designed by a professional to look good. And big – I expected it to be big. After seeing her house, for the first time I wonder where Gaara lives – what it looks like. How strange that I've never even thought of it before.
As it is, it's just like anyone else's house. Just like mine, but with less windows. Windows aren't very practical, especially here in Suna, I suppose.
Temari tried to explain the rebels to us. She told us there has always been dissent among the people of Suna, and when Gaara was appointed Kazekage, a lot of people were doubtful. Most people have learned to live with it; after all, Gaara is not a bad Kazekage. "He's probably one of the best we've ever had," Temari says, "but some people just wouldn't believe the proof they had right in front of them. Some people are too ignorant and prejudiced to see what a good leader he is."
For the past few months things have been especially strained. Temari and others in the council suspected a rebellion in the city. Some of the council members wanted to go out and stop it before it had the chance to begin, but Gaara wouldn't allow it. He didn't want them to go out and spread any more fear among his people.
The drought only made matters worse. There was no longer only the fear of the people inside the city, but other countries. Suna wasn't affected as much as other countries, being accustomed to the desert's conditions. Many talked of war, but Gaara wasn't about to take action against other countries, even if others would try to push him to it.
"He wasn't making himself very popular among the politicians." Temari says with a sigh. "Even if he was doing the right thing for us."
Now I understand the force in his voice that night, when he told me there must not be a war between us. He was being pushed to it, by his own people.
"But why would Kankuro try to kill his own brother?" Naruto asks. For the past while he's been looking confused, bored, on the verge of sleep even.
"Yeah, I thought they were friendly now." I put in.
"I thought so too." Temari says, her shoulder slumping a little. She rubs her temples with her fingers and sighs again. "I guess we were all mistaken in this case." She pauses for a second, but as she seems like she'll add more I wait in silence. Naruto, surprisingly, does the same. "It's the same thing his uncle did to him. I don't… I can't imagine how he must be feeling right now."
I don't know what to say. Naruto sits back and mutters something about Kankuro being a big jerk. I might say the same.
"Well, so what about those two demons?" I ask finally.
"What two demons?" Temari asks, looking confused. "More tailed monsters?"
"I don't think so, not like the ones that were sealed inside Naruto and Gaara. They were… fish I think. You didn't know about them?"
She shakes her head.
"I thought they were part of the plan. That's what Luo said; this part of the plan. I wonder what that was?"
Temari shrugs and we fall into another thoughtful silence. The silence is broken after a moment by Naruto's snore.
I smile ruefully. "I guess it's time for us to get going." I say and start to stand.
"Leave him." Temari says. "I don't really have anywhere else to put him. The embassy has been turned into a sort of hospital for now. You might want to stay here too."
"I can go help out there!" I offer. I would appreciate something to do now.
"No no, I'm sure Seri's got everything under control. If you go now and tire yourself out she'll only yell at me, and you too. You can stay here tonight too."
I sit back down. "Alright."
I am very tired, now that I think of it. I've been awake for a long time now; the sun rose outside about an hour ago. And the past night has been so stressful, both physically and emotionally. Maybe it would be better just to sleep…
I wake up later when I hear someone coming in, and not through the door. I wait for a moment, still pretending to be asleep, to see who it might be.
"Gaara?" I hear Temari's voice, speaking softly. She doesn't want to wake us. "What are you doing here? Where have you been?"
"I've been thinking." He answers. I wait, tense, for what feels like eternity before he speaks again. "You should take over for me."
"What?" In her surprise Temari forgets to speak quietly. She remembers a moment later though, as she goes on. "Why would you say something like that?"
"I shouldn't be Kazekage. No one believes I can do it; no one really likes me. Everyone is just pretending, because I have power. They think I can make our country strong, maybe, but that's not what we need now. Suna needs you."
"Stop it."
"It's true. You know it's true. You would be much better as Kazekage. They believe in you."
"I mean it – stop it. It isn't true. You think everyone is just pretending to like you? Why would so many have come to your rescue then? We care about you Gaara. I care about you; you're my brother, and I don't want you to do this."
Gaara is quiet for a long time again. I want to look, to see his face. But if I show myself then I'm afraid he'll run away again.
"Why does he hate me Temari?" Gaara asks quietly. "Why would he hate me, unless I was the problem? I have to be a bad person, or else he wouldn't hate me." He doesn't sound sad to me. He sounds angry. And I can understand. It isn't fair and it doesn't make sense. I would be angry too, in fact, I am angry.
"Because…" A sob escapes Temari. "I don't know. I don't know Gaara."
"My own family doesn't even believe in me Temari. How can I be Kazekage?"
"I believe in you Gaara. You're a good Kazekage." Temari says. She's starting to sound frustrated. "I wish you could see that. You have to look past this to other matters. We need you now Gaara."
He doesn't answer. The room is silent for a long time, and then I hear Temari crying softly. Gaara must be gone again.
I turn my face towards the pillow. It's wet. I realize that I've been crying too. This business has been bad; it's broken too many hearts.
Yay holidays!