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Chapter 22: Banquet with the Uchihas

"Are you okay, Gaara?" Naruto was the first to rush forward, urgently checking the Sunagakure boy over for other, less apparent wounds.

Gaara wearily waved a hand at him. "I'm fine, Naruto-kun."

"You don't look fine," said Naruto, his hands still searching. "Your head is bleeding, dattebayo."

"It's a head wound," Gaara said, standing up and wincing. He touched the side of his head; his hands came away slick with blood. "Head wounds always bleed a lot."

"Are you sure that's normal, dattebayo?" Naruto said, looking unconvinced.

"he should be fine as long as he bandages that up," Kakashi said, gesturing for the other gathered students to return to their work. "Let me check, just in case, Gaara-kun."

Gaara nodded slightly—just enough to let his teacher know he had heard him, but not enough to cause himself any more pain.

Kakashi walked over, gently placing his hands on Gaara's head as he peered at the injury with his one eye.

"It's shallow," Kakashi decreed. "We just need to wash it off and bandage it."

Kakashi produced a towel and handed it to Naruto. "Soak that in water, will you?"

While Naruto ran off, Kakashi went to check on the other injured boy, who looked better off than his defeated opponent.

"You seem to be fine, too, Sasuke," Kakashi reported. "Just a few bruises. Here, stop the bleeding."

Kakashi gave Sasuke a roll of bandages, which the boy pressed to his nose.

Naruto was soon back with the wet towel, and Kakashi carefully wiped Gaara's wounds clean before wrapping the boy's head in bandages.

"Rest for a few days, Gaara-kun," Kakashi advised. "And try not to engage in harsh activity anymore. That goes for you, too, Sasuke-kun."

Both boys nodded, still wary of each other. Finally, Gaara gathered his courage (and his pride) and approached the Uchiha. He offered a hand, the way he had seen Naruto do so many times when the blond had met new acquaintances.

"You are a worthy opponent, Uchiha Sasuke," Gaara said stiffly. "And I accept my defeat."

Uchiha Sasuke nodded coolly. "Likewise, Sabaku no Gaara."

The two boys shook hands, each recognized a grudging respect for the other. They had ended their brief enmity.

.

Temari tried not to snap at the boy opposite of her as he slowly moved a shogi piece. If her opponent had been Shikamaru, she would not have hesitated to call him out. Alas, this was a kind stranger from the shogi club who had been willing to play a match against her after Shikamaru had mysteriously disappeared (Though, later, she had found him playing outside with the boy from yesterday, with his back facing her. No doubt he was avoiding her, as he had done the entire day).

"There we go," the boy said, finally finished with moving his piece. "Try to beat that."

Temari was quickly discovering just what type of person her opponent was. Without much thought, Temari moved a piece and declared checkmate, wiping the smug look off the boy's face.

"That's illegal," the boy said, his eyes narrowing.

Temari resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She had memorized all the ruled Shikamaru had told her yesterday. So, unless Shikamaru had missed one—and she doubted he had—there was no way what she had just done was illegal.

"It's not illegal," Temari said politely. "I may be new, but I know the rules of this game."

As do you, she almost added.

The boy frowned, looking more than a little flustered. "Oh. Is that right? I must have mistaken it for something else."

"Yes, perhaps," Temari said dryly.

The boy seemed not to notice her sarcastic reply. "Well, beginner's luck, then. You can't possibly beat me a second time."

Temari bit back a reply, letting the boy continue his fantasy.

"Another round?" the boy asked, trying to appear nonchalant when really, he sounded eager to regain his lost pride.

Temari shook her head; she had no desire to play another match of a game she knew she would win. Besides, school was almost over.

That is how long the boy had taken with his moves, Temari thought disdainfully. It had taken up the entire class period. Honestly, couldn't he have moved faster? It's not as if he had some strategy in mind, like Shikamaru. He was just stalling.

Speaking of the lazy boy, Shikamaru was walking back in, quietly talking to his opponent as they discussed strategies. Shikamaru made eye contact with Temari, before blushing and glancing away.

Temari smirked, her assumptions correct. The coward was still embarrassed.

A few minutes later, the bell rang and Temari headed out, not bothering to wait for Shikamaru like she had done previously.

"What happened to you?" Temari asked, stopping short at the sight of her youngest brother and his loud friend.

"It was just a fight," Gaara said calmly. "Though, I must admit, I had not expected to lose against Uchiha Sasuke."

"You lost against him?" Temari asked, bewildered. "And you're sure you're okay?"

"It's just a surface wound," Gaara said. "You know how much they bleed."

"I'm still worried he might have gotten his brains bashed out, dattebayo," Naruto said. "Sasuke is deadly when he fights."

"Some would say the same of Gaara," Temari replied. "And yet, here we are, with both boys still very much alive. Or, I'm guessing Uchiha Sasuke is alive, if he won against Gaara."

"He's fine," said Naruto. "He got beat up in the face. I'm more worried about Gaara. What if his brain is permanently damaged or something, dattebayo?"

"If Kakashi-sensei says it's fine, then it's fine," said Gaara. "Besides, I feel normal. Please don't worry too much, Naruto-kun."

Temari stared in wonder. Thinking on it, no one had ever cared about Gaara like that before. At least, not since Yashamaru.

To add on to that, Gaara wasn't going into crazy killer mod, like he usually did when he was angry, which he tended to be after being beat. Gaara was even bleeding, which should have spurred the boy on, not that Temari had ever seen him bleed before to know how Gaara would react. But this was her brother, and he was violent and destructive, if anything.

Naruto was patting Gaara on the back now, promising to visit him tomorrow along with Sasuke—who had agreed to meet with Temari at the hotel so they could work on their project together—and Shikamaru, who was reluctant to start working on his project, but Naruto cheerfully gave his word that he would drag Shikamaru by force, if necessary.

Gaara was patiently listening to Naruto, his mouth curving to form what Temari could only describe as a smile. His posture was relaxed, and his eyes were clear. Better yet, he wasn't talking nonsense like he did when he went into one of those moods.

It seemed Uzumaki Naruto was a good influence on Gaara, after all.

.

"I hate this already," Kankuro declared, twisting his tie around his neck.

"You're hopeless," Temari said, helping her struggling brother sort out his tie. Looping it expertly, she stepped back to admire her work.

"That looks good," Temari determined. "You even washed the paint off your face."

"Well, obviously," said Kankuro. "Baki-sensei would kill me otherwise."

"I wonder how Uchiha Sasuke looks in a suit," Temari said thoughtfully.

"Probably better than Naruto," Kankuro snickered. "I can't imagine that boy wearing such a thing."

"I don't recall you having such a large imagination, anyway," Temari said, shoving Kankuro aside so she could check herself in the mirror. Deeming herself banquet-appropriate, Temari turned to her last brother.

"Do you need help with that?" Temari asked, sensing the change in Gaara's normally aloof attitude.

Gaara shyly offered his tie to his sister. "Yes, please."

Working quickly, Temari finished the task, helpfully relaying instructions so Gaara could do it himself next time.

"Thank you," said Gaara. "I think Baki-sensei is done. We best not keep him waiting."

"Of course," Temari said, and, this time, she led the way out.

.

The roads were wet and slippery, and Baki let out a heavy sigh.

"I just got this car," Baki complained. "I don't want to wash it so soon."

"At least it's stopped raining," Kankuro supplied. "And besides, this is Konohagakure. Most of the roads are made of concrete, not dirt. At least you only have to worry about water, and not mud."

"Which reminds me," Baki said, gesturing for Temari to open the front compartment, "I bought you umbrellas today."

Temari took out three umbrellas. They were identical in all but color. Temari didn't understand why Baki didn't just buy three of the same things; if they were going to be identical, they might as well be identical in color, too.

With little thought, Temari took the purple one, and gave Kankuro the black one, while Gaara accepted the red one.

"I want the purple one," Kankuro whined, holding the black umbrella in dismay.

"Well, too bad," Temari said, sticking her tongue out at her brother. "I'm oldest so I get first choice."

From behind Baki's seat and out of the man's sight, Kankuro flipped his sister off. Temari rolled her eyes.

"Do whatever you want. It doesn't change anything."

.

A light rain had started by the time the four Sunagakure citizens arrived at the Uchiha mansion. None of them were impressed by the size; the Fourth Kazekage's household was larger by far.

Temari trudged out of the car first, her umbrella propped open. Kankuro followed, scowling, while Baki and Gaara brought up the rear.

"You must be Baki-sama, and the Kazekage-sama's children." A butler greeted them. He had an umbrella held out, which he quickly realized he would not need, and put it away.

"That's right," Baki confirmed, and the butler led them into the mansion and into a side room. The doors were wooden, and a large representation of the Uchiha's clan symbol decorated it. The butler knocked on the door.

"Fugaku-sama, your guests are here," the butler announced, before pushing open the door.

Uchiha Fugaku stood up from his desk as the door opened. He was a stern-faced man, with brown hair that went down to his shoulders. His dark eyes were guarded as he faced his guests.

"Welcome, Baki-san," Fugaku greeted, extending his hand out.

Baki shook it. "Thank you for having us here, Fugaku-san."

"And you three must be Temari-san, Kankuro-san, and Gaara-san."

The three children nodded when their name was called, each echoing Baki's sentiments.

Fugaku nodded in return and gestured for them to go outside. The Uchiha clan leader and head of Konohagakure's police force led them on a tour of the mansion, explaining the clan's long history.

"We've kept this city safe for years," Fugaku said. "And we continue to do so. Lord Kazekage-sama can rest assured knowing we will also protect his children."

"I will be sure to tell him," Baki replied respectfully.

.

Fugaku finished the tour and the group made their way to the dining hall, where several Uchiha clan members were already gathered. Expensive glassware lined the table, and golden lights hung on the ceilings. The clamor of noise stopped when Fugaku arrived.

One by one, Fugaku introduced the members of his family. Baki smiled politely and did most of the talking, exchanging tiny details on the current situations in Sunagakure and Konohagakure. It was a tedious few minutes, and Kankuro stifled a groan. He was going to die of boredom before they even got seated.

"My wife, Mikoto," Fugaku said at last, acknowledging the kind-faced woman who had stopped by his side.

"Where's Sasuke?" Kankuro asked before he could stop himself.

Baki gave him a sharp glance, but did not reprimand him as Fugaku looked mildly annoyed at the interruption of the conversation between the adults.

"He's patching himself up," Fugaku disclosed. "I heard he had quite the beating today. By Gaara-san."

Fugaku's tone was not angry or insulted; it was more of disappointed, and Kankuro felt a little bad for Uchiha Sasuke. But only a little. He still disliked the other boy.

"It was a fair fight," Gaara said. "A fight which he rightfully won."

Fugaku nodded. "He was trained by the best. All Uchiha children learn how to fight when we're young. Most of us join the police force once we're of age. The same applies to Sasuke, who will most likely inherit my job."

"And Itachi?" Baki asked and Fugaku stiffened slightly, his hands curling at his side.

"What about him?" Fugaku replied coldly.

"I'm sorry if it's a sensitive subject," said Baki, who did not look like he was sorry at all, "But, as you know, Uchiha Itachi is now an international criminal. He and the some of the other members of the Akatsuki have been vacating areas near our border. Any information about him would be useful in his capture."

"Everything we know about him is already written down," Fugaku said, his eyes dangerous. "I'm sure Kazekage-sama has a copy of the files, which you may use in your plans to capture him."

"Is that all the information?" Baki challenged.

"Yes," said Fugaku. "If we find anything else, we will be sure to keep you updated. But know this, Baki-san, if Uchiha Itachi turns up at our door, the Uchiha will not help him. We want his capture as much as you do."

Baki nodded. "Very well."

More guests had arrived, and it was around six-thirty at night as Fugaku finally led his guests to their chairs, seats that were directly opposite of Fugaku's direct family. Fugaku sat at the head of the table, with Baki to his left, and Mikoto to his right, which left the three siblings to sit opposite of the empty spot that would be Uchiha Sasuke.

"Where is Sasuke?" Fugaku asked harshly.

"I'm here, Father," a tired voice announced. Uchiha Sasuke revealed himself, wearing a dark blue suit, with a matching tie.

The boy sat down, ignoring everyone but Gaara, who he gave a nod. His face was no longer smeared in blood, but dark purple bruises marked his face and arms, the only remnants of the previous fight.

The dinner soon started afterwards, and the children ate in silence while the adults continued exchanging formalities.

"I heard you beat Gaara-sama today, Sasuke-san," Baki said, tired of his conversation with Fugaku and the other Uchiha adults.

Sasuke shrugged. "It wasn't easy."

"I would hope not," said Baki. "Gaara-sama is destined to be the next Kazekage. Someone like him is not so easily beat. It makes me wonder just how much training the Uchiha are giving its next generation. Perhaps too much?"

"If you're talking about my brother," Sasuke said heatedly, "Then you surely know he was a prodigy among us. Don't assume the rest of us will follow in his footsteps."

"I'm not assuming anything," Baki said, though his eyes were wary.

"Sasuke won't follow his brother, will you, Sasuke?" Mikoto asked, worry evident in her voice.

"Of course not," Sasuke said, and then added in a low tone, "Because I'll be the one to drag him back here."

"Speaking of Itachi and the Akatsuki," Fugaku said. "We never did finish our conversation earlier."

"Oh?" Baki sipped his wine, watching the other man curiously.

"Since you asked about Itachi," said Fugaku, "I think it's only right I ask you about Sasori."

"Sasori?" Kankuro spoke up, interested now that he had heard his idol's name mentioned. "Like, Sasori of the Red Sand?"

"The one and only," Fugaku said.

"I do not understand," Baki said, frowning. "Why do you ask about him? He went missing several years ago."

"How can you not know someone from your own country has joined Akatsuki?" Fugaku asked smugly. "Your intel must be weak. Our sources tell us that Sasori is one of Akatsuki's key members."

"Maybe your sources are wrong," Baki said. "Sasori is presumed dead. How can the dead return?"

"Our sources are not wrong," Fugaku insisted. "Jiraiya-san himself confirmed it to be true."

"One of the Sannin, huh?" Baki said. "I thought he was busy writing his novels."

"Among other things," Fugaku said. "But someone like him doesn't make mistakes."

Baki nodded slowly. "I agree. I will be sure to inform Kazekage-sama about this new addition."

Fugaku nodded in agreement and then waved at the empty plates in front of him. "Let us have some dessert now."