Chapter 5

Mother engulfed me into a welcoming hug upon my return. My parents and all the elder council members were waiting for us in the entryway of the castle. While in her tight embrace, I let Mother's warmth and love consume me. Whatever worry she had dissipated when she saw me being carried back to the castle from the forest. Without letting me go, she looks to the Kazekage and thanks him for bringing me back; Father thanked him as well.

What the Kazekage said next made the entire hall go quiet, "I think we should discuss this prophecy your daughter in involved in. Its central to why she was kidnapped." I feel fear creep into Mother and Father's heart and the council members shift on their feet uncomfortably. Not a good sign. One of the council member coughed into his hand to get everyone's attention, "That's something we should discuss in private."

Father leads a select few of us back into the council room. The same guards from before were posted outside the door with two of the ninja the Kazekage brought with him posted there as well. Inside the hall was Father, Mother, and I; three elders from our council; and the Kazekage and the man from the cave that helped me out. I now know he is Kankuro, the Kazekage's bodyguard. Although its surprising he made the cut to get inside, I shake it off quickly to focus on the discussion about to take place.

Father was the first to speak, eyes flickering to me beforehand, "As you know, today a member of my court was kidnapped ," there was a pause in his sentence, like he didn't want to finish it, "and was found murdered in the search for Aiko." My blood turns to ice and my heart tears in two. Asuka was murdered? How could that be? We were just together this morning. I can't believe that she is really dead.

And why did this happen? Why did they kidnap her instead of me? Weren't they after me? isn't this tied to the prophecy I'm attached to? I seem to be the link between all these questions. Does that mean Asuka was kidnapped because of me? "We believe the unknown assailants had believed her to be my daughter and killed her when they discovered she wasn't." So Asuka was murdered because of me. of course she was. If I hadn't convinced her to come to the hot spring she'd still be alive. Her murder is all my fault.

Father turned to the Kazekage, "How much do you know about my daughter?" His back was rigid, his emotions a mix of love, anger, and fear. I've never felt this mixture of emotions from him before. His normal rigid face had cracked slightly, giving away a little of the angry he held inside. Everyone in the room turned their head to look at the Kazekage, waiting for his answer. "I know that she can sense the emotions of the people around her, and that's how she knew we were in pursuit of 8 ninja." I look to the floor, ashamed that I gave my secret away so easily.

The Kazekage continued to speak, "I also know that there is a prophecy connected to her promising treasure and prosperity to this land." Mother and Father's mood became even more sourer than it was before, my stomach turns because of it. The room was deadly silent, no one moved to reject these claims. Mother shifted slightly so I was partially hidden behind her, like she was ready to attack if anyone came too close.

The Kazekage turn to one of the council men, "What I don't understand is if this prophecy has yet to come true, why you would offer her up for an arranged marriage to me as part of the treaty." My body goes rigid and my blood runs cold. All eyes flicker towards me and Mother moved me further behind her back. An arranged marriage? The council men offered me up for an arranged marriage? And to the Kazekage no less. That would mean moving away from my home, from my family. Do they want to get of me that much?

I get pulled back to the moment before I knocked on the council room door. To the emotions I felt inside the room. To Father's fear and anger he held. I clench my fist. I go back to the absolute giddiness the council men had when they offered me up. They were absolutely happy that I might be taken away. When I think about it, of course they want to get of me so much. Of all the people in the castle most disappointed about me not completing the prophecy, no one could beat them.

Father spoke quickly to the Kazekge's words, "We have yet to come to an agreement about that part of the treaty." Father. He was fighting for me. At least with everyone in the castle I have him to look out for me. The Kazekage nodded to him but quickly turned his attention back to the council men. He wanted answers. From what little I know about him, what little experience I've had with him, I know that the Kazekage expected answers to his questions and wouldn't stop asking questions until he's satisfied.

"Why its customary for arranged marriages to tie together two warring lands." One of the council members quickly piped in, "And Aiko is of marrying age, we thought it was an obvious way to show our good will to the Land of Wind." We could all hear the fear seeping in his voice, "We were only trying to start a peaceful relationship between our two lands." Lies. We all knew it was lies. I try to keep my composure. I have to keep my composure. I feel like I can't breathe. All eyes turn towards me as if they were waiting for me to accept or reject the proposal.

Can I even reject the proposal? Wouldn't that cause an all-out war? Is it okay for me to be that selfish? No, I have to stop thinking about my own feelings for once Asuka died because I was selfish. If I had listened to her and stayed on the castle grounds rather than following my own wants then she never would have been taken. And now the treaty is going to fall through because Father knows I wouldn't want to be married to an absolute stranger. Because he knew I'd be selfish. More people are going to die because I'm selfish.

"I…" their eyes bore into me, "I'm willing to consider the marriage." I fidget in my spot, I can't take their stares. I don't think the room could get any quieter. My ears burned and my father's eyes go wide, "Aiko!" I can feel the shock of everyone in the room. I look to him, trying to justify to him and myself why I would agree to this. "I want the treaty to succeed. If a marriage between our two lands will accomplish that then I will consider the marriage."

I don't need to look at the Kazekage to know he's staring at me; I can feel the weight of his eyes on me. His emotions are a mix of curiosity, anger, and sadness. Sadness? Is he already disappointed in me? Will I be that terrible of a bride? I can see why he'd think so. He's barely known me for two days and I look like an impulsive flight risk that doesn't think about the danger I might be in. maybe he was secretly hoping I would reject the proposal.

The giddiness of the council men come back and I try not to glare at them. They were so happy to see me leave that they didn't even try to hide their happiness on their faces. "If lady Aiko is willing to accept the marriage," another council men spoke up, "then we should make preparations and sign the treaty that was written." I could feel Father seethe about what is developing right now. Mother was full of grief.

"That is…" the council man continued, "if lord Kazekage also accepts the proposal." The Kazekage's eyes linger on me before nodding in agreement, "I accept the terms of the treaty. Lady Aiko will now be under the protection of the Sand village. Kankuro," his bodyguard stood at attention, "act as her personal bodyguard until we reach Suna." Kankuro only nodded in agreement. And with that my marriage to Gaara of the Sand was set in stone.

I pace silently in my new room. I couldn't go back to my room, it is supposedly too exposed to the enemy. Besides that, one of the windows was now broken. Anyone can come in through there. Instead, I'm now in a guest's quarters. Next to the delegates from the land of Wind. Next to him; the Kazekage, my future husband. Its still hard to believe, that I'm engaged now. I still don't know how to feel about it. I don't know how he feels about it either.

I focus on the Kazekage's emotions in the next room. It's the same mixture of curiosity, anger, and sadness from when we were in the council room. What is he thinking? He accepted the marriage, but did he want to or was it out of duty like I did? Why does the second option make me feel so heartbroken? I knew I'd be married off eventually, and the Kazekage is a powerful man. I should be happy, but my heart is still aching.

Why is he so sad? Is he already disappointed in me? I probably haven't given the best impression. I'm not a wild child exactly, but the council men were so eager to turn me away maybe he thinks I'm defective some how. The Kazekage paces his room the same as I am. I wonder if he's thinking all the same things I am as well. I've had a weight on my chest since I accepted the proposal. My parents were an arranged marriage and they seem happy. I look towards the Kazekage's room; would we be happy?

I can't breathe. I go to the balcony to get some air and I find that the Kazekage has had the same idea as me. We stare at each other from our respective balconies. When I read him again it's the same three emotions from before, curiosity, anger, and sadness, but the curiosity grew to dominate the other ones. What is he thinking? I really want to know, or maybe I don't. It could be really disparaging.

I suddenly remember my manners and bow to him, "Lord Kazekage! How are you?" he doesn't answer my question, instead giving a short reply, "Gaara" I look up in shock. Reading my confusion, he continued on, "If you are going to be my wife, you should call me by my name." I continue to look at him dumbstruck. After a second I compose myself and answer him, "Yes Lor- Gaara." Gaara, he wants me to call him Gaara.

That shouldn't be surprising, I am going to be his wife. Its normal for us to be more familiar with each other. Speaking of getting more familiar, I should get to know him more. "How old are you?" I can feel the fleeting feeling of surprise from him that's replaced by curiosity. "19. You?" I give him a small smile,"17." Okay, good. I'm not marrying someone too much older than me. Its probably too late to back out so its nice not to feel like too much of a child bride.

We stand there staring at each other for a moment before I gather the courage to ask another question. "Do you have any siblings? I have a younger brother" He calmly nodded at me, "You've met Kankuro, my elder brother. You'll meet Temari, my elder sister, later." So he has siblings. Its nice we have that in common as well. I hear only children can be a bit stuck in their ways and hard to compromise with; I don't know how true that is however.

"Um…" I rack my brain trying to come up with more questions. I want to get to know him, but I don't know how to do that. It was easier keeping everyone at arm's length. He kept his eyes trained on me, I squirm under his watchful eye. It feels like he's trying to stare into my soul. I look away trying to think of more things to ask him. "Do I make you uncomfortable?" His question surprises me. I feel sadness begin to overtake him. It hurts my heart so much that I quickly shake my head no, "I want to get to know you, but I was isolated as a child. I don't know what people would normally ask…"

"Why were you isolated?" his question hits me like a ton of bricks. Another loaded question from him. How can I answer that? How much should I tell him? I probably shouldn't tell him about the different dimension. Or maybe I should, he is going to be my husband. Would he even believe me? I mean if it hadn't have happened to me I probably wouldn't believe it myself. But then I also wouldn't believe that ninjas had special abilities and could run faster than the speed of light.

"Uh..." he waited for my answer, "Um…my mom, oh uh my birth mom, she was…" I look to the floor, I hated telling people about her. "she was…mean. Really mean." I look up and he's still looking at me, waiting for me to answer. "And then lord Ichiro and lady Yua adopted me." His curiosity peaks. "At first the members of the court were excited about the prophecy and finding me, but…" I take a breath. I wonder what he'll think of me not making the prophecy come completely true. "…but I couldn't make the prophecy come true. I didn't come with riches and we've been at war for years. The members of the court grew tired of waiting for me."

Anger and sadness returns, "They ostracized you because the prophecy wasn't fulfilled." His voice is even but the emotions I sense give way to what he's really thinking, "You're sad?" He looks at me quizzically and I cover my mouth as soon as I say it. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't use my abilities on you." What was I thinking? Now he thinks I'm spying on him, everyone always does when they learn about my powers. "I'm sorry." My head hung to the floor, my voice weak. "I'm sorry." What if he calls off the wedding because of this? I know other people in the castle hate me for my abilities, I should just assume he doesn't like it.

I turn to leave but he grabs my hand before I could take a step forward. Gaara had moved onto my balcony. Turning me back towards him, he takes his free hand lifts my chin up so my brown eyes met his pale blue. I try to look away, but he holds onto me firmly. "Do not apologize about using your ability near me," his eyes bore into mine, "I will never distrust you for it. I am sad. I see that your life mirrored mine and it makes me angry and sad. Know that when you come with me to Suna you'll be safe to use your ability freely. I will keep you safe as long as you're under my protection."

The finality of is words chipped away at the weight forming on my heart. I opened my mouth to speak but didn't know what to say. Would he really protect me? I want to believe him. He leans in and gives me a chaste peck on my forehead. I blink away tears I didn't know was forming. This was the man I was set to marry? I still didn't know anything about him, but I believed in his words. Sacrifice. The full prophecy comes to the forefront of my mind. "Gaara." He waits patiently for me to finish, his eyes still entrenched in mine, "there's more to the prophecy."