Chapter 6

I'm pacing in my room again, this time waiting for word from Gaara and the exploration party to get back. They left an hour ago, should it take this long? I told him exactly where I found the plaque. They couldn't have gotten lost. Why is it taking so long? It doesn't even take this long to walk to the spring where the cave is, I know they should be back by now. Gaara promised he'd tell me if they found anything so where are they?

Gah! I'm sick of pacing. I want to leave this stupid room to find out what's going on, but I've been confined to this space by Father and Gaara. They were very strict about that and Kankuro, who's posted outside the door, isn't budging on that at all. It's annoying. It's one thing to be tied down by an overprotective father, it's another for a, just made, fiancé. And the worst thing is Gaara has the manpower to keep me inside, i.e., Kankuro.

I walk towards the entryway and as soon as I open my door I hear his slothful voice, "No news princess." I'm going to choose to ignore that 'princess', at least for now. The only thing I sense from him is a low contentedness. At least there's no fear, I've had my full of that emotion, but this is getting me nowhere. I press on hoping for more information, "They haven't come back at all?" He shifted from his spot on the wall so he was standing up a little straighter before answering me, "I know about as much as you do."

He begins to stretch his arms and it only frustrates me more. He's too nonchalant about this, he doesn't know anything? Is that really true? Well if anyone had come to talk to him I would have sensed them, so no news that way. I don't think he's wearing an earpiece so no news that way either. He could know as little as I do, which is not a lot. I guess I shouldn't be mad at Kankuro for not knowing anything, but I still want to be.

"Are you sure we can't wait for them in the front hall? It's still on the grounds." I swear he was about to yawn and it was making it harder to not be angry at him. "Orders are orders and I'm ordered to keep you in your room." Honestly what a stupid order. As long as I stay in the castle I should be fine. Especially now that I have a personal bodyguard watching me wherever I go. There would be no difference between me staying in my room to the front entrance.

I walk back in my room, lightly slamming the door while closing it, and begin pacing again. I need to think of a way to get some information and fast. I had tried to convince Kankuro to let me go to the kitchen to get food; there's plenty of gossips in the kitchen I could get information from. No dice, he had food sent up. I've been so nervous I haven't even eaten anything off the tray even though it has been a while since I last ate.

I need to come up with another way to get out of this room. And whatever excuse I use must be a surefire way to get out of the room. It has to be something I can't have sent up for me, I have to physically walk out the door for it. Oh! I haven't been to the bathroom in a while, I could try using that as an excuse. There are no bathrooms in here so he'd have to let me go. Plus I doubt he'd challenge me on whether or not I'm lying.

When I turn around, I sense another person next to Kankuro. Is that Gaara? Are they finally back?! I practically sprint across the room to get to the door as fast as possible. When I open the door I don't see Gaara, instead its one of the men that was guarding the council room door yesterday. Botan's a hot ball of rage but looks cool and collected on the outside. I guess you'd have to be good at hiding your emotions if you're a ninja. He stares down at me and I get a chill go down my spine. I wonder if he got reprimanded by Father because of yesterday.

"Good news princess," Kankuro pulled my attention away from Botan, "they're back." Finally! I can't believe I don't have to wait anymore. I listen to Kankuro for the rest of the updates. "Your dad and Gaara wants us to meet them in the council room. Ready to go?" I nod my head and we're immediately off to the council room. Botan in front of me and Kankuro taking the rear. I'm sure this formation was created with the purpose of keeping me safe but it only made me frustrated because I couldn't go as fast as I wanted.

My stomach starts to churn from worrying. I wonder what Father and Gaara could be thinking or why I'm being brought to them in the council room. Probably just to talk about next steps but I'm anxious for some reason, like I'm not going to like what they have to say. I mean the plaque clearly said I might die and they have already been overprotective about this entire situation. What are they going to be like after reading the prophecy in its entirety?

It doesn't help that I have my ability on its highest setting right now. I've been on high alert since I was kidnapped, I want to feel everything around me in case someone tries to sneak up on me again but it has its drawbacks. Everyone in the castle is a mix of anger, sadness, and fear. Their emotions are attacking every one of my senses. I feel like I'm going to throw up, from either nerves or sensory overload.

Inside the council room stood Father, Mother, Gaara, and Gaara's two other ninja; they all immediately turned to look at me once Kankuro and I enter the room. Botan and Giichi closed and, I assume, guarded the door. What's Mother doing here? She doesn't normally come to the council room. I don't think, other than today, I actually remember a time she's come in here. Maybe she's here to offer me emotional support. But if that's true then that means I'm not going to like what is being said.

Everyone inside had varying levels of anger and fear. Father and Mother seemed absolutely heartbroken. Their emotions only intensified the bad feeling I felt; it settles into my stomach like a rock crashing to the ground. I swallow my nausea and step forward, "You wanted to see me?" I try to not let my voice waver. The mood in the room shifted further towards the negative and I swallow the lump in my throat.

After a quiet pause, Gaara was the first to speak, "We found the plaque with the prophecy tied to you." Sadness rolled off my parents, so the prophecy is why they're upset. My eyes go to them before refocusing on Gaara. "With this new information, and your kidnapping earlier today," He paused his sentence, like he didn't want to tell me what he was about to say, "we think it would be best if you came back to Suna with me once the treaty is signed."

My blood ran cold. What? Leave? So soon? I knew I'd said I'd stop being selfish, I knew I'd promised to marry Gaara, I knew I'd have to leave eventually, but I didn't know it'd be soon. "What?" my voice croaked. I can't deal with this. This shouldn't be happening so soon. Everyone was staring at me. I should say something, but I can't. My mouth opens and closes a few times, but nothing comes out. This isn't how it's supposed to go. "So soon?" I finally squeaked out, "I wasn't expecting..." My voice trailed off and the room became silent again.

Gaara cleared his throat, "We deliberated and believe this is the best course of action for your safety." They deliberated? Is that why it took so long for me to hear back from them? I feel my blood begin to boil. First the marriage proposal and now this. I always seem to be out of the room when they decide about how my life while go in the future. If the decision is about me, then I should be included in the conversation. Everyone was still staring at me, waiting for me to answer. I don't know what they expect me to say. It's already been decided, hasn't it?

When is the treaty being signed? How long do I have left at home? What about the engagement period? Where even is Suna? I should probably be asking these questions out loud, but I can't. I can't believe this is happening. I can't leave this soon, I just can't. It's all just too much. "When is the treaty being signed?" How long do I have left? Father spoke this time, "We've ironed out all the details and will be making our final agreements tomorrow. The treaty will be signed the next day."

I could feel his and Mother's sadness rolling off of them. I feel nauseous again. Two days and then I have to leave. Gaara addressed the group again, "We'll leave two days after the signing." Oh great! Two more days than I originally thought. I look to Mother to see a crestfallen face. Father was as stoic as ever. How could they all expect me to leave in Four days? "OK" I felt the words leave my lips, but I can't believe I said it. Four days. My face feels hot. I can't breathe.

"I'll go begin to pack." I need to get out of here. Gaara's eyes bore into me, like he was trying to read my mind. A strong sense of curiosity exuded from him. I turn away from his gaze and look at the floor. I NEED to get out of here. I turn on my heels and walk out of the council room. I can't tell if anyone said anything else and I don't really care. My ears were burning, and my feet feel like they're full of lead. I stand in the front room, being attacked by the emotions of everyone in the castle. I dull my senses just to get away from it all but that's still not enough. I can't breathe, I need fresh air.

Before I knew it, I was standing on the deck in the backyard. The cold air circles around me and I instantly get relief from the pounding in my body. I close my eyes and breath in the night air deeply. I try to calm myself down by focusing on my breathing. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. "It's ok." I try to tell myself, try to calm down, "Everything is going to be ok." I repeat the sentence until I calm down but my overall fears don't dissipates.

"You shouldn't be outside alone." I jump forward a foot before turning around. Gaara stood stoically in front of me. I wish I could tell what he's thinking, what he was feeling, but I just calmed down. I won't open up my senses to be attacked again. I don't want to risk becoming upset again. I'll just take him at his word that he doesn't want me to be out alone.

It makes sense at least. I'm probably still in danger of being kidnapped. The man that Gaara fought seemed angry and determined, he'll probably try to take me again. Especially since I'm needed for whatever quest he has. I wonder what the quest is for, does he want the treasure for himself? He'll be disappointed if that's what it is, I can't make the prophecy come true. I wonder if it's even truly about me. Other than the ability to read emotions, nothing else in the prophecy has come true.

I look at Gaara, but he doesn't say anything. For a moment we stand there, both of us staring at the other. I really do wonder what he's thinking. How does he feel about me going with him so early? How does he feel about me being as upset as I am. After a moment, Gaara breaks the silence, "We should head back inside. I'll take you to your room." I nodded at him then walked towards the door. I have to go in and pack.