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The day Kagura was to leave…
It rained as if even the heavens wept for their parting…
Mamizu opted to stay in England until he gets word of Water reforming itself. It may not happen in his lifetime, but he was hopeful.
Kagura tried her best to convince him. Pleading, begging and arguing her heart out. However, her father figure was determined and set in his ways. To disappear from the elemental nations entirely was the safest path for him. He had grown a fondness for his students as well.
"Don't ferget to file yer teeth every ni', dat ritual will keep 'em growin," Mamizu reminded as he helped Kagura pack.
"I know dad," Kagura hummed with a fond smile. Her eyes brimming with tears. Since the occasion in the bank her eyes had changed. The Left was a rippling pool of water and the other the shifting of autumn leaves or flickering of flames. A thin black like came down from her left eye about an inch. Both eyes churned, shifting rapidly from her mixture of emotions.
"Don ferget ta write. Even if ya have ta send that wretched owl ta do it," Mamizu said, sending a glare at said owl briefly.
"I'll write as often as I can," Kagura promised, "but you'll have to figure out how to get along with Yuki~"
Both Mamizu and Yuki made cries of "NEVER!" even if Yuki's was more of a scream and flapping her wings.
Soon both Kagura and Mamizu were laughing, tears in both of their eyes. It would be about six months apart if all things went as planned…
Kagura intended to stay in her Clan house for the Summer, then go to Hogwarts. Come Winter Break she would be headed back to spend it with Mamizu. Then back to Hogwarts, spending each school break with her adopted father. Then another summer at home.
That was the plan at least, but Dumbledore seemed passionate to prevent Kagura from spending her Holidays away from school…
Mamizu didn't see her off at the Portkey Port. Instead he stayed at home wallowing in sorrow. Yuki had flown ahead to get the lay of the land. This left Kōchin clinging to Kagura as they were carried off to the edge of the Wind country.
There was some form of energy within the elemental nations that prevents teleportation… So you had to land somewhere in the boarder of Wind or Earth. It was a largely random which you would end up with…
The young trainee looked around before making her way down the large hill she landed on. Her aim was the trading outpost she saw in the distance.
It was official… Kagura hates deserts. Too hot, too dry and far far too boring. Sitting on a Sand Skimmer, she was mostly just waiting to reach Suna. There was only so long she could toss stones into the sand and it was going too fast to read a book or scroll safely.
"So what's Suna like?" She asked one of the Ninjas riding with her.
"It's a strict police state," he shrugged, "pretty decent if you're a Civilian."
"How can that be?" Kagura asked curiously.
He rolled his eyes, "the ninja corp is going down the drain. We lost too many during the Sanbi attack, so now they're trying to keep the economy going by promoting businesses and trading with outside sources." He sounded resentful of that fact.
Kagura looked away, not wanting to sour his mood further.
She took a nap for the rest of the ride…
Suna… was actually pretty interesting. The next ride to the country of Rain was several days out, so she had to find things to do until then. First up was checking the Kageyoshi property that was here. Her family was rather extensive and had homes in each of the nations. It was rather humbling to see it in person.
This property was abandoned besides the wild animals. A massacre had happened here, which put it on the "Do not live" list the goblins had. They didn't know any details about it. Magic is easily affected by the aura of a place as well, making anywhere closely tied to death… unadvisable for a child to spend long in.
Coming upon it, Kagura's eyes lit up with excitement. At the front of it was a shrine, something that seemed to be important for every Kageyoshi property. This one contained a statue of a nine tailed fox deity. It had a statue of her in the middle with a chipped portrait of her on the back wall of the tiny shrine…
Kubitsuri Okon was engraved o the pedestal of the statue… based on the offerings and prayers written on paper around the shrine… this was a goddess of childhood and birth.
Kagura payed her respects before moving onto the house beyond. She didn't notice the shrine shining softly as she passed it.
Within the old creaking house… Kagura explored to her hearts content. It was devoid of any possessions since the goblins got their hands on it all. However it still held a story on its walls. Score marks of how tall children are as they grow. Indents and holes of fights. Places that were painted and repainted. Burn marks and rotting wood.
It wasn't much…
But it still made her feel closer to what she was looking for…
Three days she spent living in the old house. She slept during the day and was active at night. Something that was fairly common in the village due to the heat of the desert.
While exploring she found a nice Black-smithy. Here she looked Over the various weapons and got proper equipment. Two nice sets of Kunai and Shrunken. Then an ungodly amount of Senbon. Her favorite tool to use and one Mamizu taught Her about extensively. Then she laid eyes on the battle fans.
A warmth filled her just like when she found the artifacts… a need pulling at her…
"How much for a couple practice battle fans and a book or two on how to use them?" She asked the Smith.
He looked her up and down appraisingly, "you sure yer gonna use em well?" He asked.
Her eyes narrowed, "why did that sound accusatory? I'm a Customer like anyone else."
"You look like a tourist," he snorted.
"I'm from another country, so what?" She huffed, placing three gold coins on the counter.
He raised his brow, "double that and I'll even throw in a ninja grade battle fan," he dared.
Three more coins were placed on the counter and Kagura got to leave with four battle fans and two books on how to use them.
Some clothes shopping here, a couple of souvenirs there, sending one back to her dad with a letter… All in all things were going well…
Until she saw a child being thrown out of a toy store. The boy was no more than 6, with a head of muted red hair and sea foam green eyes. Thick black markings wrapped around his eyes… oddly the teenager was reminded of a Tanuki looking at him.
"STOP TRYING TO COME INTO MY STORE!" The merchant growled as she glared at the child.
"B-But… I have money… I just… just wanted that teddy bear," the child said, tears welling up in his eyes.
Kagura had enough… "is there a problem here?" She asked as she walked up to them.
"Oh great, an outsider," the merchant huffed, "you'd best stay away from that monster."
Kagura looked around, "the only monster I see here is you." She didn't miss the Hopeful look in the little boy's eyes.
"That little beast should have died six years ago!" The merchant growled, pointing at the child accusingly.
"And you're just making a fuss when all you need to do is sell him the bear like he wants," Kagura huffed, kneeling down and helping the boy to his feet. Instantly he latched onto her leg and didn't let go. He peaked out from behind it to watch the merchant.
"If you like it so much, why don't you do us all a favor and take that thing as far away fro mere as possible!" And with that the door was slammed closed.
Kagura huffed, gently petting the boy's head. Soon she looked down at him, "hi there little one, my name is Kagura."
He looked up at her, "Gaara," he said, "the voice in my head calls me that."
Kagura smiled, "it's nice to meet you Gaara. Why don't we head to your home? Your parents must be worried about you?"
Gaara shook his head quickly, "no! No no no! I can't go back there!" He whimpered fearfully.
Kagura began leading him to her home instead, "can you tell me why not?"
"The scary people are there… they want to hurt me…" he said softly.
Okay this was more concerning that she expected, "scary people?" She asked.
He nodded, "they tried to hurt me… so mama hurt them…" the sand around him began churning.
"Are they still trying to hurt you?" Kagura asked, thinking she may want to leave earlier than planned and go somewhere else then go towards konoha.
The boy nodded.
Kagura gently picked him up and held him close, "I'm going to leave Suna. Do you want to come with me?"
"Leave Suna?" He asked.
Kagura nodded, "we'll have to leave without anyone knowing where I'm taking you though. Can you keep it a secret?"
He nodded, "only mama will know," he said tapping the side of his head.
Oh dear gods… she hoped this mama was actually something and that the boy didn't have an imaginary mother…
Not to mention this was probably some form of kidnapping… aaah! But she couldn't leave a child to fend for themselves when there was someone trying to hurt him!
Soon they arrived at the dilapidated clan compound and Kagura gathered all her things. It was all put away in a sealing scroll before she picked up Gaara and hopped onto the first Sand Glider she could find that would lead out of Suna.
Gaara was clothed in her clan's garments and his face hidden under the hood of a cloak. It was a lot easier than it should be to smuggle a child out of the village…
They ended up on the boarder of Stone, a small trading outpost. It was fairly small and was mostly a rest stop between the countries. Kagura easily got a room for herself and Gaara to sleep.
Gaara was sleeping while Kagura stayed up to polish her newly acquired weapons.
A soft sound of metal against metal broke the silence of the night. The doorknob was jiggling softly. Kagura's head shot up and she pulled out a blade. An oversized sewing needle perfect for piercing through any idiot…
And pierce she did as she shoved it through the door and into whomever was trying to break into her room. A scream filled the air and soon cursing. Kagura withdrew the blade from the door, noting the blood coating it.
"Try that again and I'm aiming for somewhere vital," she growled. Seems this will be a sleepless night.
Hours passed as she stayed there watching for any intruders.
Then just before sunrise the window slowly opened. Kagura threw a pillow at the man's face as a distraction before standing between the window and Gaara's bed. Her fan held in one hand like a shield and the other held her needle. "Get Out," she growled, eyes glowing softly.
The man however, didn't listen. Instead he engaged in a Dance of Blade with the teenager. Kagura fought valiantly, but all the training in the world paled in comparison to decades of experience. Blood flew in the air on both sides, neither letting up. All until Kagura was backed against a wall. Soon a kunai was lodged in her side.
That's when a third party woke, eyes wide in horror and fear. "Kagu-née?" He asked, voice trembling.
"D-don't look," Kagura attempted, but it was too late.
"Y-you hurt… you hurt Kagu-née," Gaara said, eyes flickering between green and gold. Sand floated up around him. His eyes narrowed to a glare as the sand pelted the attacker like bullets. "DON'T HURT KAGU-NEE!" He cried out.
In mere moments the man was on the ground bleeding out. His mask fell away to reveal a face Gaara knew all too well… "Uncle?" He asked, eyes wide.
The man coughed up blood, "I'm sorry… Gaara… but…"
"UNCLE!" Gaara ran over to his uncle's side, tears in his eyes.
A hand reached up and cradled Gaara's face, "you… are a monster… never forget… you did this…"
Kagura pulled Gaara into her arms, cradling the poor boy. "It's going to be alright Gaara," she cooed, "you didn't have a choice. Nobody can blame yoy for it…"
"B-but… but I killed him…" Gaara whimpered.
"You protected yourself. He was here to hurt you, you had to," Kagura said softly… however the blood loss soon made her fall unconscious.
Days later, Kagura awoke in a hospital. Gaara was sleeping at her side. The wound ached but didn't hurt as much as the initial strike. Looking outside she saw it was raining pretty heavily. A gloomy grey city stretched as far as the eye could see.
Kagura groaned, gently petting Gaara's head.