Heads up! This is a long chapter! Enjoy!

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Chapter 48: Destructive Convergence

The Gateway had become considerably busy over the course of a few days. The new regents as well as those who had not been overthrown, arrived in Suna; some patient, others perturbed that such a desert wasteland had been the first to experience the glow of the Crystal Lands. The Kages themselves had come as well, at the request of the regents AND Naruto.

Being the new lord of Suna, it was Gaara's responsibly to house the regents while Kankurou dealt with the kages. Selene, Diana Luna, and the Celestial Guardians were nowhere in sight, something Gaara was grateful for at the moment. The only Crystal presence everyone could see were the White Ninja, who had doubled in numbers. They could be seen standing upon the walls of Suna, standing at the gates to Suna, and anywhere else that a ninja would be. Right beside them like brothers at arms were Suna Nina. Having so many leaders in one place required enormous security measures, mostly because none of these leaders had been touched by the Silver Crystal's glow. The White Ninja were not taking any chances and neither was Suna.

Gaara personally asked the residence of Suna to stay home or not interact with any of the nobility to come, because he knew their interactions would be misunderstood and cause complications. They followed his word to the letter, keeping their doors and windows locked until they were able to leave.

Everything was going according to an orchestrated plan Gaara, Naruto, and Kankurou came up with. They all agreed that Diana Luna, the Crystal Kage, should have no part in the proceedings. The trio decided this would be the meeting in which the world's leaders finally will be able to speak to one of Crystal's leaders. Diana Luna had picked up on their plan and thus the reason for her absence.

Until the first meeting was called.

There would be several to be sure. It was going to be long and daunting these meetings because everyone had questions that needed to be answered. Though there was a plan in place, many regents wanted immediate answers. They wanted to meet the Crystal Princess; they wanted to demand whatever she could give them. But Gaara reminded them all that this is a new land with new customs and the White Ninja looked down upon those that disrespected their leaders.

"You are hogging the princess' attention!" One leader angrily shouted.

Gaara expected some perturbed individuals and thus just shut them up quickly with a phrase he knew would leave them speechless.

"This is my fiancée you wish to see. I will decide when she is ready to receive you." And he left it at that. It was no secret that Gaara was betrothed to Princess Selene, however it appeared the regents of other lands had nearly refused to believe it, dismissing it as some silly rumor. Now that it was for certain the news, many regents became angry as they were expected to be. The new Lord Mizu however, was the only one that congratulated Gaara for this one had been the replacement of the former who had been the first lord to be overthrown. The only other two who were new to their lordships were Gaara himself and the new Lady of Earth. Lord Hi and the Lightening Country lord had yet to be overthrown but by the looks on their faces they were expected to be taken out of office soon. These two were the most dissatisfied by the fact that Gaara Sobaku was to marry the beautiful princess. They had been there at Lord Mizu's botched wedding and had seen firsthand the beauty of Princess Selene. Gaara knew he would have to watch those two, for they would be the ones to most likely attempt something drastic.

"How expected." Lord Hi was the first to comment on the nuptials. "That your lands would be the first to receive the Crystal Land's blessing, Lord Sobaku...Of course the Crystal Lands would heal your lands first. You are to become a prince."

Gaara raised an eyebrow at the man.

"You were there, Lord Hi," Gaara had never truly met this man before but already he could sense the man was crafty, "when the Crystal Kage stated the Crystal Lands accept no other."

"Indeed...You who have somehow kept the Princess in your own lands for so long...Of course her gentle heart would be swayed." Lord Hi frowned. "As expected of your line, Lord Suna...You go to great lengths to obtain power."

They didn't know, of course they didn't know because even the former Lord Suna didn't know until Prince Apollo informed him. Gaara closed his eyes; He didn't outright show it, but inside he was a bit prideful.

"There is no power to obtain, Lord Hi." Gaara was surely proud of himself. Why? Because he could finally say he was not like his father. "Only the love between two people is what guides this coupling." He stared at Lord Hi, really stared at him as if he were by far better than the bearded man before him.

"Selene makes a most honorable sacrifice in marrying myself. I cannot acknowledge how honored I am to receive her affections." He glanced away from the man; knowing the man hated the fact that Gaara was on a first name bases with Princess Selene, Gaara once again used her name with no titles. "Selene will be greatly missed by her family but Suna has already accept its future Lady Sobaku. I cannot be anymore prouder than I am now of my country."

His words caused stares.

"This was not the reason why we were gathered here." Gaara changed the subject immediately. Let them figure it out on their own. "You wish to speak with the Princess, ask questions and such and you will." Gaara stood. "Until that time, please enjoy the hospitality of the new Suna. Please understand that my people have changed. They will seem vastly different and will treat you differently as well. This is merely what happens to those who have been blessed by the Land of Crystal."

He hoped they could see what the Silver Crystal had done for his people, what it could do for their people but Gaara knew Lord Hi and the Lightening Country lord would have no part in interacting with people lower in status than themselves. That was their choice to make and Gaara could not make the decision for them. The regents needed to see for themselves how the Silver Crystal's glow transformed the people into rightly and just individuals. He was certain Lord Mizu and Lady Earth would participate in such activities, thus bringing the majority on the side of goodness. However, Gaara was concerned for many things for this was just a meeting between the regents. He could only imagine what was being discussed during the Kage meeting around the stone table.

Naruto led such a meeting, as he normally did. Yes, this meeting was in Suna but everyone trusted Naruto to make the right decisions. The other three kages were at odds with the situation at hand though they seemed to understand most of what was being discussed. Kankurou was the one that explained what happened and how it happened to the kages and still they were confused and concerned at the same time.

"I can't believe Gaara of sand allowed this to happen to his own people." One stated. "It is obviously a way to control the outside world and leave it under the command of Crystal."

"If that were true, then why has not the Crystal Kage taken over the Ninja leadership of Suna?" Another asked. "Where is the Crystal Kage at the moment? I heard through the Gateway that she is currently in Suna."

"She thought it best we speak together before presenting herself." Kankurou, being cleansed by the Silver Crystal, could not understand the strong animosity that was befalling the small group of leaders. "She didn't want us to believe she were here to claim control over everyone."

For his first official kage meeting, Kankurou was presenting himself rather nicely much to Naruto's surprise. He was mature and eloquently spoke as if he had held his position for years and not just recently been given the title Kazekage.

When it was time for the Crystal Kage to make her grand entrance, all watched as Kankurou stood when she walked into the room. Naruto stood as well, mostly because this was his actual older sister and it was respectful to acknowledge that in some way. There were shocked stares around as she sat between Naruto and Kankurou. Many eyes went from her black haired, black eyed form to Naruto's blonde haired, blue eyed self.

The Crystal Kage picked up on the unease and just gave a gentle smile.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, fellow kages. I am honored to be within your presence my brothers and sisters." She stated. "I am certain you carry many questions, of which I will answer as best as I am able to. Please remember, what has happened here in Suna was not my responsibility nor that of the Crystal Emperor. What our daughter does, she does of her own free will. That is our way. She saw the anger and suffering of the people here and wished with all her being to help those less fortunate than herself. Princess Selene is quite a gentle natured princess and will do whatever is needed to save others, as I am sure you all know from our gathering in Water Country."

Indeed they had. They had all been there during the botched wedding. To blackmail a new, obviously powerful country was beyond madness. Did Princess Selene really go to save someone? Could a person of noble blood really be so in tune with their heart?

"The White Moon has its ways." The Crystal Kage explained. "They are a gentle and just people. My husband, and my children, contain the blood of this White Moon. They feel and possess great empathy for others and will do what is needed to provide happiness to all. However this does not mean as you might think it means. I had grown up outside of Crystal's walls until my departure many years ago. I know what your thoughts lead to because they had once entered my own mind. No, Suna is not being controlled...No, Princess Selene is the only person whom has the power of one of our holy objects written in great lengths in our histories. The Silver Crystal's glow merely cleanse all negative thoughts and feelings within a person and nothing more. This frees the mind, the heart, and the soul to understand others and their positions or situations that life has given them. And yes, any land can become like Suna. A free and just land, where the common man, the ninja, and the nobility work together to make their land great."

The kages looked at one another, unsure of what to say to the woman. She was not only a kage, but being married to the Crystal Emperor also made her a noble woman. How was one to address someone with dueling titles?

"Please..." Again, the Crystal Kage picked up the unease. "At the current moment, I am the Crystal Kage. Rarely am I ever mentioned as the wife to the Emperor." She smiled. "Now you all understand what the Crystal Lands wishes to bring to you and your people. The question remains, are you willing to accept our gift?"

"And what will you do if we do not accept?" A kage asked.

The Crystal Kage paused.

"Things shall be as they are now." She stated. "However, no one from the outside world will be permitted into our lands." She gave a glance at them all. "That is the Emperor's decree. The final step towards the opening of the gates is for the world to be cleansed by the Silver Crystal. This of course, is your choice to make, not ours. We offer peace and prosperity to your people and nothing else."

There was a long silence then the Crystal Kage rose from her chair.

"I shall leave you all now to discuss what you wish to do. There must be a consensus. Everyone must agree on the road ahead." She stated. "Now, please excuse me. My daughter shall have her first introduction, I must help her get ready to receive your lords and ladies." She gave a light bow. "I await your decision, great leaders of the ninja." She walked out of the meeting hall with a grace unlike a kage, but more like a lady of court.

With the Crystal Kage gone, the five great kages were left to make a most important decision.

Meanwhile, after some time, Gaara asked the lords of the lands to meet him at his manor. This would not be some grand affair, but a simple meet and greet as Selene had wished it to be. Gaara could not deny her wish for it was she they were coming to see in the first place. Diana Luna popped into the manor moments before the lords and lady of the lands ventured into the manor's great receiving room. Gaara personally hated that room, but it was the best place for this engagement to begin. A simple table was laid out with the best offerings of Suna delicacies along with water and Moon Tea from Crystal. It resembled the round table in which the kages gathered. Using such a table enabled everyone to see each other in equal status, something the lords and lady were probably not used to. Selene would not have it any other way. She wanted to represent her country as best she could. She wanted to let them know what could happen to their countries, how beneficial the Silver Crystal's glow can be for their people and themselves.

The Nobles arrived, all gathering around the simple table. Some were intrigued by the oddity of the simple table and how it clashed with the grand architecture around them. To Gaara, it felt like a merger of Suna and Crystal ideals...That something simple can be as grand as the walls around it certainly signified the beauty and elegance of Princess Selene.

She walked into the room flanked by her mother and the four Outer Guardians. This Gaara did not expect. He did not expect to see any of the Celestial Guardians but he assumed they were being protective of her and he was very thankful for that. She came in her simple dress with a hood, for she did not want to appear too flashy and she wished to let the nobles know that elegance can be made from simple actions and clothing.

"Princess Selene, a privilege to finally make your acquaintance." Lord Hi was first to present himself to the Crystal Princess. Since technically, she held a higher status than himself, he was required to bow his head in her presence. She in turn gave a light curtesy.

"The pleasure is all mine." She replied with a light smile stretched across her face. "I do hope your stay within Suna has been pleasant, kind sir."

"Indeed it has, gentle princess." He smiled back. "Please, come and let us speak of courtly matters." He glanced at the four scantily clad women that hung around the princess like a shield. "You certainly surround yourself with...interesting characters my lady."

"Oh! Forgive my rudeness. These are great protectors from my country." She gestured to the four women. "They have been protecting my family for generations. These strong women are what we of Crystal deem the Celestial Guardians."

Many of the lords had only seen Sailor Uranus. Again she held an aura of absolute power, almost daring any of them to inappropriately approach her princess and her mother.

"My mother shall join us in these proceedings for this is indeed my first engagement." Selene stated. "This is my mother, Diana, who currently is residing as the courtesan of the Crystal Emperor."

"I see." Lord Hi glanced at the black haired woman. The word 'courtesan' didn't sit well with his noble breeding.

There was great discussion around the table. The Nobles knew how to elegantly speak to one another without raising their voices. Many times they would use metaphors and such to express their dislike for a topic or idea. Through these proceedings, Gaara sat beside Selene while her mother was on the other. Selene was sandwiched between two people who would protect her if anything were to happen. Sailors Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto all stood in a squared shape around the table, their eyes remaining upon the Crystal royalty. Not once did they move, speak or blink. They were in guardian mode and would not falter.

"Princess, Lady of Crystal," After a time the Lightening Lord frowned at the new royals, "As I am sure you are aware of, there have been some complications in several of our lands."

"As I stated to the previous Lord of Suna, please do not blame us if your people wish to live a different way." Selene was sharp. She had not skipped a beat throughout the meeting.

"We have had to result in becoming a police state because of your...odd ways of peace." the Lightening Lord stated. "I fear you are trying to overthrow us in order to gain power yourself."

"As I recall, I have never once stepped upon your shores, Lightening Lord. Therefore, I cannot state what is happening is my fault." Selene smiled. "You should listen to your people...They are the ones that work hard for you."

"Indeed." Lord Mizu nodded. "Princess, I must apologize for the previous lord's interaction with you..."

"There is no apology to be made, Lord Mizu. It was just a simple misunderstanding." Selene stated. "I am sure we can and have looked passed the faults of the past so that we may look towards the future."

SLAM!

All fell silent as eyes turned towards Lord Hi. The aging man had slammed his hands upon the table and he rose from his seat.

"I cannot believe we are in discussion over frivolous matters involving another country that obviously wishes to replace our ways with their own." Lord Hi was not happy with the way the meeting was going, this was certain. "We cannot allow another country to persuade our people that their customs and ways are insignificant compared the ways and beliefs of another. This will cause civil war and I am sure we all in agreement that we do not wish for such a result." He looked towards Princess Selene. "My lands shall be off limits to anyone or anything involving the Crystal Lands. This is to protect my people's ways, please understand this, Princess and Lady." Then he turned and walked out of the meeting hall, his mind made up. No one was going to topple his position, not even a simple princess from an unknown country.

Very soon, the Lightening Lord followed suit, thanking Gaara for his hospitality but decreeing that all things related to Crystal shall be banned in his region from this day forward.

These men were not protecting their people, rather they were protecting themselves and their stations. It saddened Selene's heart a great deal.

"Princess..." She looked up from her musings to see Lord Mizu staring at her. "Can you most certainly state that this will help the people, that this is what the people want?" The new lord Mizu sighed. "I admit...the previous lord within my position was very...ostentatious. Like Lord Suna, I too wish to do what is right for the people, yet I am concerned at the same time. This will require some great thought on my part. Please understand this, Princess."

"Of course." Selene nodded.

As the leaders of the five nations gathered, animosity continued to grow within the world's population. People were wondering why they hadn't received the blessings of Crystal. Why couldn't they live in prosperity like Suna? Some considered traveling to Suna to get the blessing themselves however the Gateway required ninja skills to operate thus many civilians were unable to use it to quickly go to Suna. Therefore, before any leader decided to travel to Suna, many residence were on their way to the gates, traveling long distances in order to receive the blessings of Crystal. It was the day after the first meetings when ninja on the high walls of Suna reported seeing a mass of people heading towards the gates. Like a tidal wave they came, nearly crashing into the gates. Voices rang out in rage and despair; it was obvious the world's people wanted what the Crystal Lands and now Suna had, yet even through this insanity, the world's leaders still refused their people. The kages were the most concerned of these developments. The people outside of Suna's walls were not leaving. They came prepared, camping outside of the walls, waiting for the day when those gates opened to rush into the land of plenty.

"This is getting way out of hand." Naruto huffed.

"Agreed." He stood beside his friend and ally, Gaara who was with him on the walls of Suna staring down at the enemas tents and fire pits that had sprouted up around the walls.

Naruto suddenly had a thought, a terrifying thought.

"Gaara..." He glanced at his red haired friend, the new lord of Suna. "You don't think THIS is going to be catalyst?"

Knowing what he was referring to, Gaara closed his eyes. His silence spoke volumes and Naruto was none too pleased.

"Lord Suna!" A ninja came running towards them, completely out of breath. He had scaled the large wall to get to them in a hurry. "There is trouble at your estate."

Gaara raised an eyebrow. "What is going on?"

The ninja, obviously a newbie, because he had to sit down after climbing so fast. Gaara made a mental note to ask Kankurou to increase training for the newer ninja.

"It's the Princess!" The man stated.

Before the man could speak any further, Gaara felt it. A tug from his sand. Using his senses, he quickly reached out and felt the rapid pulse of Selene. He disappeared in sand to get her location. Once there, he saw Selene on the floor gasping for breath, Sailor Pluto standing between her and Lord Hi. Gaara didn't need to know the details; he was sure Lord Hi tried to do something because the other Celestial Guardians held furious stares at the robed man.

"Gaara!" Noticing him, Selene rushed straight to him, obviously terrified of the fire lord. She was shaking uncontrollably...Then he smelt it...that familiar iron like smell...

Blood...

He gave a glance at Selene and his keen eyes noticed the bruises on her neck, the slash on her cheek which tiny drops of her blood fell out of.

Lord Hi had attacked the princess...In order to kill her.

"Have you gone insane?" Gaara glared at the man while holding the shaking princess to him. She gripped onto his shirt tightly.

"She must be stopped!" Lord Hi shouted. "Lord Suna, whatever power she holds, it obviously has affected you as well." He glared at Gaara. "This power shouldn't be in the hands of such a girl. I am sure it can be extracted from her!"

Gaara wondered why the man wasn't a puddle of mush on the floor but he assumed Selene asked the Celestial Guardians to not attack him. She was just too pure of heart to ask for such a thing. The Celestial Guardians were ever faithful to their princess and her orders.

"Lord of Lightening's daughter disappeared several months ago and he located her here, claiming to be a protector of the woman you hold in your hands." Lord Hi stated. "She has been swayed by Crystal!"

Gaara instantly thought of Minako, who came in a fancy carriage some months ago.

"You dare harm my daughter?" The Crystal Kage appeared, her gaze no longer calm. "How very idiotic of you, to do such a thing to a foreign diplomat."

"You and your lands are causing a riot everyone in the world." Lord Hi glared. "All of this is your fault! We should all band together to defeat the Land of Crystal!"

The Crystal Kage raised an eyebrow. "You ask for another war, Lord Hi? One that you most certainly will lose." She sighed then set her gaze to Gaara. "Gaara, take my daughter away. Immediately."

"No!" Selene shouted instantly. "Mother-" She became silent as the woman gazed at her. Selene knew when to be quiet. Gaara knew then it was time to leave. He wrapped the princess in his arms and the two disappeared in his sand.

"Celestial Guardians of lore." The Crystal Kage stated. "You are under orders to not harm this man...However..." She paused. "Nothing can be said about those who are outside at this moment, waiting..." Lord Hi became silent. "There are certain things that I can control, Lord Hi...Yet...There is one particular instance even I cannot control...The anger which you have enacted in the White Ninja."

Suddenly Lord Hi was surrounded by figures in white, their glares on his form, and weapons at the ready. The fire lord shook, realizing his mistake yet he calmed himself immediately.

"You cannot harm me, I am a foreign diplomat!" He shouted.

One ninja shouted angrily at him in the White Language. The Crystal Kage translated.

"You harmed the bearer of the sacred crystal, a holy object given to a holy being in our lands. That is a crime we cannot forgive." She translated.

This was to be not the only instance in which violence broke out. The people outside the walls were banging on the heavy doors, angrily shouting to be let it. It felt as though the anger of the world was centered around Suna. The residence within did not understand the animosity that was quickly growing around them. Ninja on the high walls and around Suna feared that they might have to fight the civilians...Something they did not prefer to do but it seemed as though it would happen.

Gaara took Selene to her room, the only place he knew she would be safe. The princess was now in tears. He held her to him, holding her shaking form until she calmed a bit. She started to speak but he knew what would come out and decided to silence her with a kiss. She would not go blaming herself or her country for the idiocy that was befalling the world.

The door suddenly burst open and the Lightening Lord was revealed, bringing with him a barrage of ninja still loyal to him. He pointed to the two lovers, anger in his eyes.

"I want their heads!" He shouted. "And to the person that takes this crystal from the princess, I shall give you your weight in pure gold!"

Being a ninja himself, Gaara acted quickly enough, destroying the ninja instantly with his crushing sand. His guards gone, the Lightening Lord shook to his very core.

Gaara had obviously had enough. He walked towards this cowering lord, got right in his face.

"You have five seconds." He told him. The anger within Gaara was beginning to boil over. Everyone everywhere knew not to anger Gaara, this man seemed to forget that.

"You...You killed them..." A voice broke through Gaara's anger. Selene's wide eyes were upon him, a shocked look on her face. Gaara mentally cursed for in his destructive state, he had forgotten she was in the room. She never seen the extent of Gaara's sand until now...She had seen it crush the ninja without a thought. He never wished for her to see such a thing but the stupid Lightening Lord forced his hand. To have her with that look of fear etched into her face, knowing that fear was now of him, caused Gaara's mind to completely shut down. There was a sense of despair slowly seeping into him, for he never wished for Selene to have that look upon her face and have it meant for him.

His senses gone, Gaara would have hit himself then for as he was focused on the terrified form of Selene, he did not feel the blade as it stabbed right through his shield, into his very chest.

The Lightening Lord had taken his own dagger and stabbed Gaara in the back.

At that point the princess screamed as Gaara hit the floor, coughing up blood from his very lips. That was a cheap shot, one he should have known was coming!

The Lightening Lord calmly pulled the dagger from Gaara's back and approached the princess, blood dripping onto the tile floor. The dagger had severed Gaara's spine, keeping him immobile; it was what the Lightening Lord had planned all along. He raised his dagger at the princess, an insane look in his eyes.

"You will not have my position!" He screamed but before he could make his mark, he was surrounded in sand. The dagger clanged to the floor as the man was wrapped tightly in sand. Gaara held his hand out, turned it into a fist then spoke words he hadn't used in years.

"Sand Coffin."

The Lightening Lord screamed as he was crushed with sand. The sand took every last drop of his blood, absorbing it. When the man was nothing but dust, the sand fell to the floor, satisfied that it had done its job well.

Selene sat on the floor, frozen. She had never seen such violence before and it truly terrified her. She and Gaara locked eyes...through the sand on her finger, Gaara felt her heart beat quicken, her breath becoming erratic.

"Se...Selene..." He reached for her, devastated at seeing that terrified look in her eyes.

Selene shook her head, gripped it when her hands. Gaara watched the princess mentally break down in front of him. That look he had seen in many faces in his past was now present on Selene.

She was now truly terrified of him.

His heart shattered then...his loved one now bore that look...The one that haunted his dreams long ago. He couldn't take it...He soon lost control of himself.

He screamed.

The world was bathed in golden light...The light was so strong it reached Elysion, engulfing the land with its glow. The golden light reached the statue containing the soul of the Black Moon Queen. With a monstrous bang, the statue burst and evil laughter hit the skies.

In his temple, Helios prayed with the maidens at his side.

"It has begun..." He said. "The final battle..."

Next Time: Bonded Strengths

I could only imagine how completely devastating it would be for Gaara to have Selene completely terrified of him. The poor guy…That's what I believe would be the catalyst for the awakening of Kaguya because that would be a very heartbreaking scenario for him, considering his background.