Author's Note:
First off, I just wanna say, wow I didn't expect anyone to read this? Or, certainly not on the first day? So thank you to those of you who have read this, and thank you to ragnaryg, ohud63, and guest for reviewing!
Characters belong to Kishimoto-san.
Chapter 3: Meeting with the Kages
"What do you think you were doing?" Gaara confronted his older brother as soon as they were back in the elevator.
Kankuro scowled. "The kid ran into me! And he was so rude about it, too!"
"That doesn't give you an excuse to kill him."
"I wasn't going to kill him," protested Kankuro. "I was just going to—"
"To what?" Gaara challenged. "To teach him a lesson? Do you know who he is? That boy is Sarutobi Konohamaru, the current Hokage's grandson."
Kankuro scoffed. "How was I supposed to know that? And anyways, who names their kid after their city? Konohamaru? Really? I'm glad I wasn't named Sunamaru."
Gaara gave him a cold look. "That is not the point. Just behave yourself, Kankuro. I won't let this slide a second time."
"Okay, okay, Gaara," Kankuro acquiesced. "I won't do it again."
Temari shook her head. "You should have just stayed in your room."
"Oh, shut up." Kankuro said. "Anyways, what were you doing on that floor, Gaara?"
"I was searching for you," said Gaara. "Baki has summoned us."
"How'd you even know we were there?" Kankuro asked. "If it's the Sarutobi family floor like you said, then how'd you know to look there?"
"It wasn't hard to figure out you went to the wrong floor while coming to the game room," Gaara stated. "It wouldn't be the first time something like this has happened."
Temari smirked at her younger brother. "Gaara's right, you know."
Kankuro grumbled under his breath but made no further comment as he did not want to test Gaara's patience.
Baki was waiting for them when they exited the elevator.
"Ah, Gaara-san, it seems you found them."
Gaara nodded and Baki ushered them into his room, where two more Sunagakure guards were situated.
"When'd they get here?" Kankuro asked, collapsing himself onto the bed. Gaara and Temari remained standing.
"They got here two hours before us," Baki said. "Your father sent them ahead of time. More will be coming in the next few hours. There will be one in front of each of your rooms at all times."
"Great, more security," Kankuro said. "Why'd Father make us learn how to fight if he'll just stick bodyguards on us?"
"It's for your protection, Kankuro-san."
"I notice how you're respectful when you need to, but when you lecture me, you just call me plain Kankuro."
Baki pretended not to hear him. He gestured to one of the bodyguards, who opened the laptop on the table. "Your father wishes to speak with you."
"Again?" Kankuro whined. "He literally just saw us this morning!"
"Kankuro!" Baki warned as the screen came to life and the vague image of the Kazekage in his uniform could be seen.
"Kazekage-sama," everyone in the room greeted.
The Kazekage nodded. His face was obscured and Temari could make out the rough outlines of a chair behind him. Apparently, the camera quality wasn't very good. Or the connection wasn't good. Temari wasn't too sure.
"I have a mission for the three of you."
"A mission?" Temari asked.
"Yes. The Hokage has required your assistance in protecting someone in Konohagakure."
"Why us?" Kankuro asked. "I mean, why not the guards back home?"
"This job is more suited for the three of you. The person you are to protect will be going to Konoha High School this year."
Temari nodded. It made sense the Hokage would ask for the three of them. Being the Kazekage's children meant they were next in line to be chosen as Kazekage. Unlike in Konohagakure where the Hokage was elected and chosen, in Sunagakure, the Kazekage was chosen based on blood. Like all Kages around the world, the job of the Kazekage was not only to lead the capital city but also to act as a bodyguard for the daimyo when the time came. Therefore, Temari and her brothers had started learning self-defense and combat skills from an early age, which made them the perfect candidates for protecting someone.
"Who is he?" Gaara asked.
"His name is Uzumaki Naruto," the Kazekage explained. "He is the heir to Konoha, Inc, one of the most powerful and wealthiest companies in Konohagakure. However, this is a fact that he is unaware of but his enemies know of. The three of you are to protect him when possible."
Kankuro narrowed his eyes. "Why does he need protecting now?"
"There is an international gang called the Akatsuki who seek to kidnap, and possibly kill him. They were quiet for a few years, but now they are in the Fire country. They know he exists but not where to find him. If they saw him with adult bodyguards, he would be targeted more easily. Your jobs are to protect him, but to never tell him about his heritage, understood?"
"Won't it be easier if he knows why he's being targeted?" Temari said.
"The Hokage has asked that you not tell him. I will respect his wish, and you will do the same."
"Yes, Father," the three children said and the screen went dark.
.
The table was crowded when the sand siblings walked in. On one end were the children from various Wind country high schools and their guardians, while the other end of the table was filled with Konohagakure's Sarutobi family.
Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara made their way to the far end of the Sunagakure end of the table. All three children were dressed nicely, Temari in a light purple dress, and Kankuro and Gaara in black suits. Temari still questioned how Kankuro even owned a suit.
"Did you steal that from Baki-sensei?" Temari asked.
"No," Kankuro replied indignantly. "Who do you think I am?"
"Kankuro, that's who," Temari said. "Normally your suits are wrinkly and dirty."
"Hey, I had it washed and ironed a few days back, okay?"
"Enough arguing," Gaara interrupted, nodding his head in the direction of the Sarutobi family. An elderly man was entering the room and all the Sarutobi family members stood up respectfully.
"Must be the Hokage, huh," Kankuro commented as he stood up with the other Wind country citizens.
The Hokage nodded his head, gesturing everyone to sit back down.
"I spy that kid, Konohamaru," Kankuro whispered as the Hokage gave a welcoming speech. "He's sitting next to his gramps."
"Yeah, I see him," Temari whispered back. "Now shut up before we get in trouble."
"Welcome, citizens from Sunagakure and other Wind country cities, to Konohagakure." The Hokage said. "As you may have figured, I am the current Hokage of Konohagakure, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The relations between our two countries have been peaceful for years, and continue to be so, which is evident in our recently renewed treaty. However, there is no stronger proof than in our new high school exchange program, in which even the Kazekage's children, as well as my grandson in future years, are participating in. I hope you enjoy yourselves tonight and for the rest of your stay in Konohagakure."
There was a round of respectful applause and the Hokage sat down, signaling the start of the banquet.
"Geez, that kid will be in Sunagakure in the future?" Kankuro said, stuffing his face with food. "I don't want to have to deal with him."
"He's still young," Temari assured him. "He won't be coming until many years from now. Who knows where we'll be by then."
Kankuro shrugged. "Just as long as I'm not forced to escort him or something."
.
The dinner was over and people were slowly starting leave. Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara also got up. However, before they could leave, Baki led them towards the Hokage, who was standing with Konohamaru and a man with a cigarette in his mouth.
"Ah, you three must be the Kazekage's children."
The three sand siblings bowed respectfully. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
The Hokage smiled kindly. "This is my son, Asuma, and my grandson, Konohamaru."
Asuma nodded his head in greeting.
"I heard Konohamaru was causing trouble earlier," the Hokage said.
"No, it was our fault," Gaara reassured him, but the Hokage shook his head. He nudged Konohamaru forward.
"I apologize for earlier," the boy muttered, looking down at the floor. "I should have watched where I was going."
"Yeah, that's right—" Kankuro started but was cut off by Gaara.
"Your apology is accepted, Konohamaru-san." Gaara said. "In turn, I also apologize for my brother's misconduct."
Taking his cue, Kankuro hastily made an apology. "Yeah, sorry, I kind of overreacted back there."
"So you kids are coming to Konoha High?" Asuma asked. "What grades?"
"Kankuro and I are juniors," Temari answered. "And Gaara is a freshman."
Asuma smiled. "I'm a teacher there, so I hope to see you around campus. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask me."
"Thank you for the offer," Gaara replied.
"Well, it's late. Konohamaru should be in bed right now," the Hokage said, bidding his farewell. The Sunagakure citizens did the same, heading for the top floor.
"School normally starts at eight but just for tomorrow, you three need to be there by seven. The principal will hand out your schedules and explain some things," Baki said. "I will drive you there at around six-thirty so please be ready, and Gaara, hide your gun well if you are going to take it."
Gaara nodded, acknowledging that he had heard what Baki said, before going into his room.
Baki sighed. Gaara was hard to control sometimes. "Goodnight, Temari-san, Kankuro-san."
.
The next morning, the three siblings got into the new car that Baki had bought and headed for school.
Kankuro was busy dozing in the back while Gaara looked like he hadn't slept at all, which, Temari knew from experience, he hadn't. Temari herself was seated next to Baki in the front, gazing out the window. There were no clouds today and the sun felt familiar on her skin.
"Kankuro, wake up," Baki said as he parked the car.
"Huh, what, is it morning already?" Kankuro sat up with a start. "I didn't do it, I swear!"
Baki sighed. "We're here, Kankuro. I'll take you to the office. Make sure you guys have everything. Gaara, hide your gun and try to make some friends for once. Kankuro, did you bring your keys? Temari, don't frown like that; it's only the first day."
Temari thought that was a perfectly good reason to be unhappy but did not say so. She got out of the car and took a view of the school.
Konoha High was similar to Suna High in many ways. They were both relatively large high schools, with numerous buildings and a flag located at the front. However, while Suna High had been boring and devoid of decorations, Konoha High was teeming with vegetation and bright posters.
When the Sunagakure children got to the office, there were already other Wind country students there. They were lined up to take pictures for their student ID cards. Temari and her brothers were about to do the same when the principal, noticing them, walked over.
"Hello and welcome to Konohagakure," the principal said. "I'm the principal of Konoha High, Tsunade. You three must be the Kazekage's children, correct?"
The three of them nodded and Tsunade explained some things briefly while handing each of them a slip of paper.
"These are your schedules for the school year. You'll notice the last class is blank. Here at Konoha High, each student is required to join a club that will act as an elective class. You have the first three days to choose one, and once you choose one, it will automatically be added into your schedule in the school system."
Tsunade led them to the front of the ID line.
"You'll be taking the picture for your student ID card right now, and then I will give you a guide to lead you around campus for the first day."
Kankuro smirked and whispered to Temari, "I guess being the Kazekage's kids gives us some advantages, right?"
"Well, what do you expect? That's how people normally act around us."
Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara received their cards and Tsunade led them outside before calling someone over. A boy about Gaara's age came out, his expression bored and disinterested.
"Hey." The boy said half-heartedly. "I'll be your guide for today. My name's Nara Shikamaru."