Kage of the Graves:
Intermission(Part 3)
: Death's Delegation for Life's Journey

Ever since he'd received the urgent summons, the world renowned writer of pornography had been making his way back from his professional and financial mission as quickly as possible. His reserves however, had been nearly at their limit when he'd recognized an oasis in the distance.

"Ah hah! Bathing beauties from the sand often go there on vacation time! That means…" But after the thought was first conceived, Jirayia released his heart wasn't in it. The message proclaimed that he would be returning home to a funeral, and it had been vague to the point that it could only be someone important - for if it hadn't been someone of power within Konoha, the safeguard against interception wouldn't have been present and a name would have made the paper. "… it means that Suna is close and I may rest for the evening." So with a sigh, Jirayia turned to the west and began to plod forward. Truly, it was times like this that made him feel his age.

When he arrived some time later, there was a bit of an uproar going on. From what he could see, a small caravan flying the standard diplomatic flags - bearing the proper colors of aggression-neutrality. This was not unusual, Konoha typically put out one of these every few months for trade and minor issues of diplomacy that needed to be addressed. All the typical political bullshit - as his former student, The Yondaime, had been so fond of saying. What did catch his attention however, was the fact that Gaara was standing around supervising. Knowing this had to be some major delegation, Jirayia decided upon a bit of investigation. After all, if the Kazekage himself would take place in such a mundane task, it had to be important - besides, Suna was an ally, and a village that sported a very close friendship with Konoha, so he thought it prudent to lend help where he could… no matter how tired he was.

"Lord Kazekage! It is I, the famed and exulted Frog Hermit and -"

"Save it Jirayia, we have little time and much to do. If you're here, that must mean you intend to join us on our trip to Konoha - weather you were aware of that fact or not." Gaara's voice was in it's usual monotone, but Jirayia, who prided himself in his observational skills, could easily catch the tension. Now he knew something was up. The timing was to coincidental to be exempt from his suspicion. Jirayia had only received the summons just this morning, and if he thought about it, Suna would only receive theirs a few hours before. Also, in observing the chaos that surrounded the caravan, it seemed it was being thrown together with some haste.

Few events, especially funerals, would require the Kazekage's presence. This could only mean that Tsunade was to be buried, or that some envoy - or another person with close connection and prominence to Suna was the one to be in the ground. Jirayia could hardly believe Tsunade, the old drunken wench who refused to act her age - nicknamed 'The Legendary Sucker' for good reason, and indeed, one of the most thick-skinned and hardheaded people he had ever had the pleasure of knowing - would be dead, so it had to be someone else. But who?

Eager for answers, but dreading them all the same, Jirayia summoned a small army of roughly human sized frogs to help with the loading and promptly reported that he would be sacking out for an hour unless they could bring him a soldier pill - or a beautiful and willing women, whichever was closer at hand - or something else that would restore his vitality. Offhandedly, the redhead cast him a small bag of soldier pills and returned to work. Grumblingly, Jirayia took three, mourning the lost opportunity for pleasure before the up-and-coming pain.

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Less than an hour later, the supplies were loaded into the last wagon and Jirayia gratefully tumbled into one of the bunks. His sciatic nerve was giving him trouble again, and he was truly glad for the chance to rest. Unfortunately, he wasn't given much of a chance. Within an hour, he was woken by a gentle prodding to the shoulder, and he looked over to find the face of Gaara near enough to give him a start.

"Mnph, phemmm-hum… Wha... What is it?" The old man reached upward to first wipe the drool from his lips, then downward to better position the blankets so as to cover his now engorged groin. Gaara held forth a bottle to him and the old man greedily drank the potion - he was not one of those who frowned upon drinking in the early mornings. To his surprise however, it was not the Sake he'd expected, but a much more appreciated bottle of imported Vigor Vine Liquor - a specialty of the Grass Country.

"We must talk, Jirayia, for I, and your Hokage, will have need for your council in the coming time I am sure."

"Alright, alright…" The vigor elixir was pulsing through his veins now and he was rapidly coming to full awareness, which had been the point. With a groan, Jirayia slowly rose to a seated position and looked the younger man directly in the eyes. "What is it we're to discuss that was so important as to not let an old man get his sleep?"

"First, I will tell you why we hurry so. I'm sure you are aware that most diplomatic trips neither leave in the dead of night, nor carry their Kage with them, yes?" Jirayia merely nodded, inviting the youth to continue as he so chose.

"I…" But here the boy-king faltered, unsure of how to proceed. This was a man who had spent more time around Naruto than himself, and it was obvious through his few meetings that Jirayia cared greatly for Gaara's first true friend. So he decided to try and be a little less blunt, as he wasn't sure exactly how to proceed.

"I am now the temporary container… for what remains - on this mortal plain anyway - of the Kyuubi no Kitsune."

There was a dead silence, and it stretched on far longer than was comfortable. Gaara watched as several emotions flashed across the usually spry old mans face - confusion, shock, disbelief, outrage, anger, denial, and at last, just a moment before the Frog Hermit's face slipped into the schooled emotionless mask of a proper Shinobi, acceptance. Gaara did not press him for a response, for he got it a moment later. The tone was almost… defeated. "It's Naruto isn't it, he's dead."

Gaara simply nodded, not trusting his voice just yet. "Show me..?"

The Kazekage merely nodded again before lifting his shirt until his abdomen was exposed. Minor channeling occurred and the seal - albeit incomplete and partially insubstantial - came to the life. The old man sucked in a breath and stared. He started to lean forward, causing Gaara to tense, but when Gaara looked down upon the aging seal expert, their eyes met and he merely nodded at the unvoiced question - his permission given.

Minutes - though they felt like hours to the Sand-Nin, and seconds to the Sannin - passed by as Jirayia knelt and examined the seal. "It's… broken somehow - incomplete. Yet, as I watch, parts form while others disappear… do you know why this is?" Gaara, a man so used to silence, only nodded, and the old man seemed to catch this. "Well then?" Some irritation was heard and the Kazekage sighed. "It's because I do not possess all of the Kyuubi, nor all the seal. I am only a temporary vessel. I do not understand entirely, but it is because of the blood right Naruto and I performed some years before." Silence met his words, and Gaara continued, though he was uncomfortable talking about what was supposed to be a secret.

"You see, I began to lose the ability to manipulate chakra within a year or so after Shukaku was removed from me. I sought help, but though there were many theories, no one was able to give me a definite answer as to why. One day, I asked Naruto to make an inquiry to Kyuubi as to why this was so, and the Kyuubi informed him that Shukaku had subjugated so much of my chakra, that my coils were warped and twisted. I was not simply losing the ability to mold chakra, I was no longer able to produce it properly. Eventually, I would die."

Jirayia's eyes widened at this, a bizarre and interesting case indeed. Sadly, there was never much research done on Jinchuuriki's health - and what there was sickened the Sannin to read . Medical experiments performed on demon carriers were brutal and nightmarish, often including skinning, organ harvesting, blood letting and all manner of twisted things - all performed, necessarily, while the Jinchuuriki's were alive. So he hadn't even the faintest idea as to why such a thing could occur, he was now fascinated despite his depression.

"The Kyuubi also came up with a solution. In secret, we, that's Naruto and I, created a vast circle of demonic runes - painted ourselves in them as well - and performed an ancient right of binding. In short, Naruto and I have a celestial connection. Upon his death, the Kyuubi was transferred - at least partially - to me. However, because this transfer was only partial, I can assure you that Naruto is not out of reach. His soul is entwined with the Kyuubi, and even in death I can still hear and feel him."

"So…" Jirayia, his curiosity having only grown, but his preliminary examinations now over, slowly returned to his bed once again. Folding his legs in front of him, he studied the Kazekage once more before speaking. "Knowing this, what is it you feel I will be able to give counsel on?"

"Although I am unsure, because the Kyuubi himself is unsure, we are in agreement that some mysterious force will bring tragedy to Konoha soon. Naruto remains in the world between worlds - the spirit realm - and is in communication with another specter. The other specter is apparently telling him of dreadful things to occur. For the moment, your intelligence network is vital, but also your personal skills in sealing techniques. You see, the Kyuubi and feel that Naruto is capable of returning to life… but we are unsure as to how exactly that is possible."

"Ah… Well then, if the boy is to return. I assume he will have to return to his body, and soon.. Because death means rot, and I doubt he will be able to return to a body that is stiff with rigger mortis, or falling apart at the seams." He spoke as if he knew something of which he was talking about, and that seemed to calm the Kazekage. With a nod, the boy retreated to his own bunk, and Jirayia resumed his sleep. Tomorrow would bring about surprises, he was sure… and to face them properly, he would need rest. With the help of a few breathing exercises, he was able to get just that.

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(AN: So, we have Jirayai returning to Konoha, Gaara revealing how he was able to get the Kyuubi, and the beginning of the trip to Konoha. WHo's next, and what will they think, you may wonder? Well, fear not.. for I already have that thought out... and now that I've posted.. I believe I'll have a beer or two before I get started on the next chapter.)

Dirtwater.