Chapter Eight: Friction

Clever deversion or not, Kira's distraction plan for Gaara didn't end up lasting long as even more distressing news arrived by falcon little more then a week later. It had happened early in the morning, waking Kira up to hear a low knocking on the door feet from where she'd passed out on the living room couch. At first, being in the Kazekage's family quarts confused her before memories resurfaced. The night before had been their normal Thursday dinner, followed by a not so normal movie afterwards.

Embarrassed, Kira realized she must have fallen asleep some time during the film and they had simply let her sleep. She brushed her fingers over the edge of the thick blanket that was draped over her and sat up, only reminded of what had woken her when another knock echoed through the room. She hesitated, unsure if she should answer. Clearly it would be odd for her to answer the door.

People might get the wrong idea…

Thankfully her worries were nullified when Gaara came through the kitchen door, dressed and ready for the day. He didn't even glance her way as he marched over to the door and opened it in one fluid motion. Standing, blanket still in hand, Kira walked over and peaked around the corner ever so slightly, using her training to keep out of sight yet see what was going on. Waiting on the other side of the door was a fellow ANBU, expression hidden behind cloth except for the tightening around his eyes.

"Sorry to disturb you sir, but an urgent message from the Leaf arrived by hawk this morning." His gloved hand held out a scroll stamped with a red seal confirming his words, red being the universal color for help in correspondences between villages. Something in Kira's chest tightened, and her gut dropped. This wasn't good. In no way shape or form could this be good, and if it was from the Leaf Village…

Gaara took the paper scroll from the ANBU with a nod, dismissing him in an instant before closing the door once more. Hands clenching into the blanket, Kira moved around the wall, and straightened to stand a few feet from the redhead. Gaara glanced at her now, and, though his face was calm, she saw the worry in his eyes. Quickly he broke the seal, opening the scroll up. She watched with anxiety running through her veins as he read, sea green eyes flickering up and down in intervals before quite suddenly they froze and Gaara stared at the paper. Kira bit her tongue, knowing even if she spoke he wouldn't answer her. Finally, his eyes restarted and he read what ever was left on the scroll before silently closing it once more.

There was almost a weight to the air, as if it were thick with tension as Gaara slowly put the scroll into his sash and stared blankly ahead for a moment. Kira swallowed, and, blanket still clenched in her hands, took a step forward. "Gaara?" she whispered out as if the air couldn't leave her chest.

The young ruler moved his gaze to her and blinked once. He shook his head, as if waking from a dream before speaking. "Wake up Temari and Kankurō and have them come to the council room; there will be an emergency meeting as soon as everyone is gathered." His tone was calm, clearly an order as he looked at her and Kira nodded her head slightly, her ribs starting to feel more like they were there to cage her organs than protect them. After another long moment, Gaara turned to leave, hand on the door before Kira reached forward, dropping the blanket from one hand.

"Tell me what happened, Gaara, please…" She wanted to know so the knot in her chest would lessen. She needed to know so that she could take away some of the burden on his shoulders that had so suddenly landed there.

Though he did not turn, he did glance over his shoulder at her. They locked eyes again and Kira willed herself not to glance away. Finally he spoke.

"Pein, leader of the Atakaski has attacked and destroyed the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Naruto killed him, but the damage was already done. We will need to assist them in anyway we can."

He left then, and it wasn't 'til the door had clicked shut and his footsteps had faded away that Kira was able to blink her wide, shocked eyes. The blanket fell from her hands into a meaningless pile of cloth at her feet and she took a haggard step back, almost stumbling on wooden legs as the words truly sunk in.

Just like that, the world tilted on its side.

The next two days were spent in a haze of subdued panic among ranked Shinobi as new details were learned and plans were made for relief squads. Shura, a veteran of war and battle, merely took the information in, and though his ever-present face veil concealed his mouth Kira saw the frown lines around his eyes lengthen. Aya lost a bit of her glee, and while she tried to remain chipper, the news was too heavy even for her to be completely unaffected by. Kira hadn't seen any of the sand siblings since that morning, constant meetings for them and guard duty for her kept what ever free time they had separate.

Updated news trickled in from fellow ANBU during shift rotations and kept Kira from going crazy as she stared out over the hills and valleys of sand beyond the city walls. While the Village Hidden in the Leaves had been all but destroyed, almost no casualties had been reported. The Lady Hokage was bed ridden, forcing a new leader to step up and take her place for the time being. The fact that one man – thought apparently he had been controlling seven bodies – could bring a village of that standing to its knees made Kira glad for her mask as she was sure a frown was on her face and fear danced in her eyes.

It wasn't until her fourth rotation out, almost three days later that something changed. An hour before her shift ended, a fellow Shinobi called to her from the ground, a hand high in the air. She tilted her head and glanced at her teammates. Aya shrugged at her, but Shura didn't even budge, his eyes glued to the land before him. It was strange for her to be called upon and not her team.

She landed easily beside the ninja, recognizing him as one of the teachers from the academy. "Koyote, the Kazekage wants to see you in his office. Report swiftly." He eyed her for a moment before Kira nodded her head, all too used to her ANBU code name that was used while on missions and in the field. Border patrol counted as such, and most normal ranked Shinobi didn't know the identities of ANBU, mostly so they could still live normal lives when the mask was off. Koyote was simply what her mask portrayed, seeing as to most she didn't have any special abilities like Shura and wasn't wearing an Oni mask like Aya.

She took a few subtle deep breaths as she headed towards the Kazekage tower, trying not to let her nerves overtake her. Gaara wouldn't call her up formally if he just wanted to chat, so this was more then likely business, not pleasure. But for what, and why just her? She didn't know, and it made her head spin in circles as she opened the door into the tower and started up the stairs.

She nodded to the stationed guard as he opened the door to Gaara's office, letting her step inside, the swift click of the door shutting sounding behind her moments later. She took a few steps forward and then stopped, habit bring her feet together and her arms behind her back.

Gaara was half hidden by the stacks of paper that covered the left side of his desk. He was holding one of the sheets, staring at it almost blankly, his head propped up by on a half curled hand, the pads of his first two fingers resting on his temple. He looked tired, more so than normal. His eyes were scanning through the words and Kira hesitated to say anything. It was almost like the desk made a visible wall between them, reminding her sharply that she was his subordinate. When he finally looked up, he looked slightly surprised, a pale brow rising.

"It's just us, stand down," he said finally, and put the paper aside with a small sigh. Kira hesitated before relaxing her stance and carefully removing her mask. It felt weird, not having her mask – the part of her that made her feel more confident because her face was hidden – in the office. She wasn't sure she'd ever been in the room without it on. Hooking it to her belt, she moved a bit closer.

"Are you alright?" she asked as he rubbed his neck. "Things have been so …crazy," she trailed off, her fingers tapping on her mask. Maybe she was worrying too much. After all, he took care of himself for most part.

"The last few days have been complex, but Kages have finally come to an agreement, so, in time, things will more then likely return to normal." He brought his hands in front of him, fingers laced together as he spoke. "While this information will become public soon enough, understand that you are not to say anything until then." He waited a moment and Kira nodded her head, catching the serious tone in his voice. After another moment he spoke again, carefully as if the words were hard to say out loud. "A week from today, there will be a meeting of the Five Kage in the Land of Iron. We have a common enemy, and it is important that we find a solution." He held her eyes as he spoke, and Kira felt how wide they were at the news and hastily blinked, forcing her features neutral.

"That's…" She wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. It was dangerous to say the least; with all five leaders in one place the enemy could see that as an easy target, getting five birds with one stone. There was also the fact that many of the nations lived in a very reluctant truce. The Leaf was Suna's only real ally and Kira knew that the Rikage was known to be hotheaded while the Suchikage was as stubborn as they got. "This could end badly," she finally said with a sigh.

"Yes," he quickly replied and she glanced up to see him nod. "It's a risk all of us will be taking, so it's been agreed that we each will only be permitted two guards into the Land of Iron. If any others were to cross it would be seen as treachery. " He took in a slow breath eyes locking with her again, causing whatever Kira was about to say to fall short on her lips. "Temari and Kankurō have agreed to come with me."

Kira blinked, her mind sputtering as she felt the odd need to scream. Her jaw clenched and she felt like she was back to how she'd felt months ago when she'd first spoken out against Gaara's guard detail. She remembered him saying he would consider it, yet here he was, falling back on his siblings, putting them in harms way when so many ANBU would gladly take their place.

"Shouldn't you take ANBU?" she questioned, unable to stop herself. "It's likely that's what the other leaders will be taking and if something were to happen -"

"My siblings can handle themselves," Gaara cut in and her jaws snapped together instantly, realizing how that must have sounded. She knew she was selfish for it, to even think it, but she had been hoping he would trust her enough to use her. "I informed you of this, because it ties to what I called you here for," he continued evenly. "I told you long ago I would consider ANBU guards, and my siblings both agree they have other roles better suited to them. You are my friend, Kira, and as such I would trust you with that responsibility, but I need to be sure." His words had turned soft, kind even, and Kira felt the tension in her shoulders lesson, her eyebrows pulling together slightly. Honestly she had never thought he would actually choose her, though a part of her had always hoped for it. She had just wanted him safe.

"That's…that means a lot Gaara." And it did, for him to tell her that he trusted her. It made her feel warm and light, something she felt so little these days. She met his gaze this time and smiled slightly, trying not to feel the confusion as to why he wouldn't use the Summit as his test. "What did you have in mind?"

Gaara stood, looking behind him out at the village as he spoke, and she let her eyes do the same. He was getting good about knowing her limits with maintaining eye contact; it made her strive to do better. "Tomorrow I will be sending some builders and supplies to the Leaf. Your assignment is to escort them. While some of them have training as Ninja, you will be their only really protection." It had become odd to hear him talk formally with her when she'd gotten used to him speaking freely. "This will be a test to see how you handle guarding someone outside of the village on your own."

Kira could see the logic in his words. While Kira had spent many years watching over him, it had only been him and it had only been within the confines of the village. This would be a challenge; she hadn't done an escort mission on her own before, nor had she ever been to the Leaf. After a moment she gave a quick nod of her head. Gaara returned the gesture, placing a hand on his desk and opening a drawer with the other, pulling out a scroll and holding it to her.

"I'm ordering you to take this to Kakashi Hatake. It has a detailed description of your orders and mission with in. With Tsunade bed ridden they've elected Danzo, the leader of the Foundation, as Hokage." The frown his words placed on his face mirror Kira's grimace. She had learned of the man through information and study in her ANBU training and to say he was much like her old master, Isley Korin, was an understatement. She could see why he didn't want her reporting to him. Gaara didn't trust the man like he had the Fifth. "After which," he continued, "You will have a short period of rest, two days to resupply before heading back out again. You aren't required to keep watch on your charges once you enter the Leaf. They will be safe. With things the way they are, I don't want you coming back with no rest."

Kira walked forward and took the scroll from him, quickly placing it in a side pouch.

"Alright…" She bit her lip, the nagging presence of selfish desires clawing at her mind. Finally, choosing her words carefully, she spoke. "Gaara… is there a reason why you wont just test me by taking me to the Summit?" Her question hit its target and she watched his eyes shift to the side and he looked down. So there was a reason.

"It was something I considered," he admitted after a moment. "But, as things are now, it is in the village's best interest for you to remain unknown to the other leaders until I know I can trust them. Your ability to walk through shadows is invaluable, and depending on how the summit pans out, it could be essential they not know." His eyes were on her again but Kira was staring at his desk, the silence after his words almost deafening.

How easily things fall back into a past pattern, she thought, and couldn't will herself to look up at him. "I guess I am still a weapon to Suna, aren't I?" She thought her words would echo with how empty, how cold the room suddenly felt. She wondered if she were to look up at Gaara if she would see Rasa in his place. That thought alone was enough to make her never want to look up again.

…

Her words, so sharply spoken, made Gaara pause at his desk. Staring at her, eyes down, hands clenched at her side, brought back her words from weeks ago, when she'd first told him about her role in the village under his father's rein. She spoken about how to the Third, she'd been a means to an end, a secret weapon used to keep himself at bay. A tool. A weapon, guarding another weapon.

"It's more complicated than that," he reasoned placing both his hands on his desk. "As your ability has never been seen before, you could be taken advantage of by other villages. You could be targeted and hunted down. After learning what I have, after truly knowing the weight of being a leader, I can understand why my father never kept any information on you. It was too big of a risk that an enemy might find out." His explanation didn't sound right, not even to Gaara himself, though it was the truth. Kira was his friend, but she also was a ninja under his command that was uniquely gifted. Such gifts could not be so easily over looked in times like these.

He saw her swallow, and shake her head slightly.

"Is this how it's going to be from now on? If so, then why even give me this mission? I can't very well be your guard if you're concerned I may be found out." It was like all of the emotion had been drained from her voice. Gaara frowned. She didn't seem to understand the gravity of who she was, but her sudden change in behavior worried him. Her question did bring up a point though, and Gaara fought the grimace that twitched across his face.

"A lot will depend on the next week," he said finally. "I can assure you though, that things will not change between us." He didn't want that. Kira was a friend, one close enough to him that seeing her agitated as she was made him worry and want to take his own words back.

Finally, she looked up at him, and he nearly flinched at the dejected look in her amber eyes.

"Hasn't that already happened though?" she asked quietly, as if it were meant for only her to hear. Gaara still heard it though, and the statement took him back, stopping his mind in its tracks. She stared him in the eyes for a long moment, and the young ruler found himself at a loss for words. She stared at him as if she were looking at someone else.

Then, as quickly as the look had come, it was gone and she looked away and reached for her mask.

"I understand," she said evenly, her voice all but back to normal. "I will be ready to leave with the relief group in the morning. You can count on me." She bit her lip for a moment, her eyes flashing up only once to his and only for a moment. It was as if all the progress he'd made with her was suddenly gone. "If you'll excuse me, I must inform my team and then return home to pack."

Gaara fought with himself for a moment, part of him wanting to demand an explanation for her behavior so he could understand. The more reasonable part told him he needed to get back to work and to let what ever had happened wait. Maybe with time he would understand why she seemed so agitated with him.

"Alright. I will see you soon." He paused for a moment before adding, "…be careful Kira." That got her attention again and she glanced up at him and gave him a small smile, some of the warmth back in her eyes.

"You too."

With that, she turned, slipping her mask back into place and walked promptly from the room. Gaara stood there in silence for a while after the door clicked shut. He wondered if he should try to find her later, once they were both off for the night, and try to fix what ever he had done. But he couldn't find fault in his words and too many other thoughts demanded his attention.

Slowly, the Kazekage sat back down behind his desk and picked up another document he needed to read over and sign. When he arrived home that night, it was Temari who after a quiet dinner, spoke up.

"She wasn't happy about it, was she?" the blond inquired as she cleared away the dishes, their brother long gone from the room. Gaara looked at her, frowning slightly and she smiled. "I know you pretty well too, you know. I could tell something was bothering you; something more then what was already on all our minds."

"She was upset with my reasoning," he relented finally, pale brows coming together in frustration. "I do not understand why." He watched as she nodded absently and set the dishes down on the counter and turned on the water in the sink to wash them.

"This mission will be good for her," she stated easily. "She's spent too many of her younger years focusing on you, so of course she's a bit upset that you're excluding her in this. A lot could happen at the summit and she worries about what might happen to you and to all of us, I think. She's a very caring girl, but I don't think she's ever been given the chance to think about her own well-being. " As she spoke Temari took a plate and a scrubber and began cleaning it off under the soapy water. "I think some time away without her teammates might give her the chance to really think about what she wants to do. Whether her wanting to guard you is because she wants to, or if it's just old knee jerk habits from before." Done with one dish, she set it in the draining rack and started another.

Gaara thought about her words. Though they didn't truly answer his worries, they did help. It would be good for her, he agreed. Maybe this time away would help her on her own path, and Gaara would be fine with what ever way she went with. He knew where her loyalty was, and that, in the end, would never change. He just hoped that whatever her choice, it kept their friendship intact.

He would speak with her once the Summit was over, he decided, and try to mend whatever had happened before it created a rift between them. Hopefully, by then, Gaara would understand just what had caused it in the first place.

For anyone who is wondering why Koyote is spelled with a K it's because Japanese doesn't have C making that sound in their language. They also don't have a word for Coyotes in Japan (as they don't have the animal) so this is how they write it. Just a neat little bit of info for you! R&R