Author's Note (2021/04/29): So this is a new chapter that is actually an idea of an old chapter that I never posted (welp). While editing the earlier chapters of this completed work, I decided this should be posted after all... so I apologize for any confusion for an update from a completed fic! I want this fic to be as air-tight as I can make it for my sequel story that is currently a WIP, so this chapter felt necessary to add into the mix.

Also, this chapter borrows some events/dialogue from chapters 458 and 464 of the manga (Five Kage Summit Arc) so bear with me!

Chapter 28
Iron and Frost

The winds slapped the thick cloaks they wore as they travelled through the never-ending land of white.

The Land of Iron was a vast country of snow, ice, and tundra. A mountainous peak named 'The Three Wolves' claimed the land, where the country's small population of civilians and their armed samurai warriors resided. Due to their reluctance to be a part of the shinobi world, the land was often used as a neutral ground for the Five Kage to meet. If the meeting is here, no doubt it is for good reason, Gaara thought.

The land shared borders with the Land of Frost, a country equal in all things cold and treacherous. The only thing the two did not share was the neutrality of nation. Nestled between the Land of Iron and the Land of Lightning, the Land of Frost was a country very few dared to trek. Home to Shimogakure, the village hidden amongst the ice, the land declared any who dared to enter an enemy. Somehow, they managed to stay close to their neighbours and favoured democracy over the years, but war ensured they enact a law of secrecy. Criminals were rumoured to roam those lands of ice, as were the mysterious direwolves of legend. The Land of Iron and their sworn samurai maintained order along their shared border, ensuring the lands stayed as silent as the falling snow that blanketed the land in white.

As they passed through thickets of frosted pines, Gaara could not help but remember the first snows he witnessed in the Land of Rivers, or imagine what Nomasaki's homeland in the far north in the mountains might have looked like. It was a strange realm of silver, bitten by a brittle cold that claimed dominance over all live that dared to enter. Much like the desert, whoever trekked through the land of snows alone would be a certain fool. A frozen fool, at that.

"I-It's s-so cold!" Kankurō shivered. "The climate here is so different than back in the Land of Wind!"

"Get over it, Kankurō! It's just the snow." Temari tsked, unbothered by the winds. "Honestly, from someone who's been on missions as far as the Land of Snow -,"

An eerie sound echoed from beyond the thicket surrounding them.

A howl.

Coming to an abrupt pause, the three Suna-nin stood in the clearing below. "Did you… hear that?" Temari asked, preparing herself to grab her fan if need be. "Something is close."

"Hear what?" Kankurō grunted. "I can't hear anything other than my teeth chatter!"

Another howl sounded from the north, then another soon followed. The fourth howl was close, erupting amongst the pines and shattering the brief silence that preceded it. Beasts would be soon amongst the humans who intruded their lands. Gaara turned towards the sound, his eyes wide. "Wolves."

Kankurō scoffed, his struggle to keep warm aggravating him further. "Just what we need! I'm too cold to fight, let alone deal with those things…"

A sudden presence from the underbrush alerted Temari's senses. Whipping out her fan, she opened it to its second star, preparing herself to cast a wind-release jutsu. "Wait – someone's coming!" A faint rustle in the thicket pattered amongst the cool winds. She spat her words through her teeth. "Reveal yourself! Who dares attack the Kazekage?!"

A dozen figures clad in porcelain masks descended upon them.

Their allegiance to their village and country was hidden, but their intentions were made blatantly clear. Kunai were drawn katanas were drawn, and hand-signs were being formed. An ambush. The animal-masked invaders fell from the white skies above, preparing to draw blood from the Suna-nin in their sights.

"Masked shinobi -?!" Temari barked, readying her fan. "Who the hell are they?!"

Kankurō tsked. "Dissidents, most likely."

As Gaara eyed them cautiously, he could feel his sand spur to retaliate. Before he could manage to lift a finger towards his adversaries, a giant white figure dashed towards the foes. Then another lunged from the thicket, their large, fanged jaws ripping their opponents to shreds as screams soon filled the cold air. Four of them. The snow turned red as the beasts fought on, overwhelming their human opponents with ease. Shocked, the Suna-nin soon realized they were in the presence of wolves – direwolves. They were as white as the snow itself and towered larger than any man. And their ferocity was monstrous.

Kankurō watched with widened eyes. "The wolves are attacking them -!"

As quickly as the ambush descended upon them, the direwolves had defeated every last one. Not a single masked dissident was left alive, their limbs ripped from their bodies and blood painting the snow and ice a warm crimson. The creatures soon departed for the forest at their backs with muzzles red and silent snarls sounding from their lips to one another, as if to signal to each other that their task was done.

"Are these… the direwolves?" Kankurō asked, watching cautiously. "They're huge!"

Temari nodded. "I think so… They're rumoured to only be legends, and are said to be in the Land of Frost. I never expected to see one in person, let alone here." A light smirk formed on her lips. "Still, we should be grateful they were on our side… or we would've had quite the fight on our hands dealing with them."

"I can't tell their allegiance…" Gaara said as he looked over their remains upon the bloodied snow. "Whoever they were… we were certainly their targets." As his hands scanned the body that lay outstretched below, all he could see was their carved animal-like masks. Not a single adversary had worn a flak jacket and there were no headbands or emblems to be seen. Their weapons did not even provide any sort of hints, each one wielding the standard kunai or katana as did every village. It was peculiar, to say the least. Are these connected to the missing-nin we've slain? He left his thoughts amongst the snow, preferring to not let them bother until after the summit as over.

But still, they persisted nonetheless.

Watching the beasts carefully, Gaara saw the last one pause upon the white hill and look his way. What he saw shocked him to silence. Under the white skies as it moved to the thicket, the beast's eyes appeared a light purple shade. Lilac. Their eyes – they're the same as hers, Gaara quickly discovered to his shock. "Wait!" The wolf paused and directed its attention to the humans in its sights. Stepping forward, Gaara eyed the beast firmly. "Your eyes… are you of the Yamamori clan?"

"Gaara -?" From the corner of her eye, Temari saw the white creature suddenly change shape. The person stood from atop the hill and watched them carefully. They wore a thick furred cloak over their shoulders and a deerskin tunic underneath. Upon seeing their scarred and aged face, purple eyes glanced back at them. It was a man. "The wolf -! It transformed?"

The wind picked up, swaying their unruly dark hair. "Go away!" He called as he seen their stunned faces. "You've seen nothing."

As soon as the words left their lips, they vanished amongst the snows that fell. Soon, a howl echoed throughout the winds until it faded into nothing.

And he was gone.

Wide-eyed, Kankurō stared at the silent hill. "That was… weird. Did that person just…?"

Temari nodded. "Yeah. It was like Nomasaki's jutsu." She smirked and let down her war-fan. "He didn't seem too pleased to see us… despite taking down those shinobi for us. What a strange fellow." A thought provoking her, she turned to the Kazekage, who was as silent and as still as a statue. "Gaara, didn't you say Nomasaki was the last one of her clan? Of the wolf-people?"

"What are you saying?" Kankuro turned, shocked. "Are you trying to say those direwolves are really -?!"

Kankurō took the question right from his mouth. While Gaara stared at the white hill in the distance, the winds proved his answer. She was not the last one – and what he saw proved it. The direwolves of legend were not legend at all. They were humans. For once, it seemed the sheep wore the wolf's clothing to hide themselves from a world that did everything in its power to ensure they did not exist.

"I'm starting to think she's not." He answered, meeting her glance. "If what we saw was real and not some act of genjutsu, then the Yamamori might still be alive after all these years." And they've managed to stay hidden, for all it's worth. Hanone was right. He wondered if he should tell her when he returned, if she would welcome the news. There was no doubt in his heart that she would feel immense relief. At last, she could find some form of closure for her lost clan. But first, he would have to confront her about the debated treachery before anymore closeness could take place – if it were to ever take place again. Things would never be the same between them, and that was something he forced himself to accept. "Let's move out. We have a summit to reach."

The peak of the palace and its snowy walls had finally come into view.

An aged warrior met them at the gate, his expression stern but eyes kind. "We have been waiting for your arrival, Kazekage-sama." They spoke as their right-hand advisor stood close by. "I am the General of the Land of Iron. I am Mifune, the leader of the samurai."

Gaara pulled down the cloak covering his lips to speak. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara."

"I-I c-can't stop shivering!" Kankurō chattered, rubbing his arms desperately to keep warm. "It's s-so cold here! It's the p-polar opposite of back home in S-Suna, that's for s-sure…"

Mifune chuckled. "We can serve you some hot green tea. Please, come inside. This way,"

Samurai guarded every corner, every passage, and every length of the great snowy palace. Inside it was adorned with red carpets, smooth stone walls, and the hum of fire crackling in the many hearths within the hundreds of chambers dotted within the castle. The room given to the Kazekage and his entourage was large and filled with an assortment of thick-furred blankets, sake, plates of hot food, and scrolls for writing. Whoever was a guest in the Land of Iron seemed to be treated with the utmost respect and hospitality, regardless their nation of origin. Pushed by his suspicions, Gaara hesitated to follow his siblings and instead met Mifune in the corridor.

"What is it, Kazekage-sama?" The samurai asked. "Do you have concerns regarding the nature of the summit?"

"It's not that, it's… something else." He shook his head. Sensing the elder's curiosity, he narrowed his eyes. "There's wolves in this land, direwolves. Isn't there? We've encountered some on our journey here, and their eyes… they appear the same as the eyes of the near extinct Yamamori clan." Mifune's glance hardened, and Gaara pressed further. "I need to know… are they -?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny." The samurai cut him off. "We of the Land of Iron are a sovereign state. We may share borders with the Land of Frost where these wolves roam, but when they enter our lands… laws of other villages or countries that bind them are none of our concern." Mifune's expression remained stern. "Whatever it was you saw, it's best to keep it to yourself. For centuries, the direwolves lived undisturbed by the trials of man. It's in their best interest for survival that they stay hidden from a world that wants them destroyed."

And as the samurai took his leave, Gaara was left with the answer.

A world wanted them destroyed, and yet they still remained.

It was them.

Only hours later, the other Kage slowly trickled inside.

"Place your Kage head-pieces before you." Mifune called aloud, watching the Kage sit amongst themselves within the meeting chambers. "You, the Five Kage, assemble here today in response to the Raikage's summons. I, Mifune of the Land of Iron, shall preside over this meeting. And now… the Five Kage Summit will commence!"

Gaara nodded, his expression firm and calm. "I'll start. Hear me out,"

"Hmph! How the times have changed… To be named a Kage at such a young age is a feat in itself, Kazekage-sama." The elderly Tsuchikage snorted. "Yet, despite your late father's obvious brilliant guidance, he seems to have neglected to teach you proper etiquette!"

Gaara gave a narrowed glance. "Perhaps it was why I was chosen as Kazekage."

The Tsuchikage cursed his breath. "Cocky brat!"

"Tsuchikage-sama, don't interrupt." The Mizukage chided. Kindly, she turned to the young leader. "Let us hear what the Kazekage wants to say."

Hidden behind the village flags above, Kankurō's frustration only grew after each word the elder dared to speak. Even as the conversation continued, he cursed under his breath and hesitated to jump down and give the Tsuchikage a piece of his mind. "The nerve of that old bastard…!"

Temari pushed him back. "We can't let them hear us, Kankurō…! Stay on guard…!"

Before they knew it, a yell rumbled and the Raikage let his fist fall. The table was split directly down the centre, sending splinters into the still air and killed any chance of having a peaceful discussion. It was only a matter of time before the bodyguards sprinted into action, each of them standing in front of their respective leaders with their weapons drawn and eyes gone cold with duty.

"This is a place for discourse!" Mifune shouted. "Withdraw your weapons! We must act civilly. This is a Five Kage Summit, not a full out war!"

Gaara glanced to his siblings and their fighting stances. "Temari, Kankurō."

Slowly, they set aside their weapons but kept their glances firm upon the Raikage and his shinobi. Knowing the nature of their equals, ruling out a full out war would be most unrealistic. Caution soon followed and distrust soon swept the meeting upon the discovery of the Hokage's stolen Sharingan eye.

A shrill wail filled the chambers.

"Helloooooo!" Shocking the Five Kage, a white zetsu surrounded by plant-like tendrils morphed from the floor and cackled as if mad. They quickly realized it was one of the Akatsuki, the one named Zetsu who's powers remained a carefully kept mystery. "Uchiha Sasuke has invaded this place. Hmm… I wonder where he can be…?"

Gaara's eyes widened. "Uchiha Sasuke -?!"

"What in the hell is someone like that doing here?!" Kankurō glanced to his brother. "Didn't he just assault Kumogakure and capture their jinchuriki?!"

The Raikage grabbed the intruder by the throat, squeezing the life out of him as rage seethed through every pore of his being. "Where's Uchiha Sasuke?! ANSWER ME!"

A crack.

Just like that, the intruder was dead. His windpipe was crushed to oblivion, the creature's white body flopping to the shattered desk with a thud. After the Mizukage cursed the Raikage's drastic actions, the Kumo-nin departed for the other Akatsuki who were rumoured to lurk within the castle walls. Before Gaara had a chance to decide what to do, he was cornered in conversation between Danzō of Konoha and the Tsuchikage. The more he heard Danzō speak, the more he wanted to silence him. Espionage, scheming, inside-jobs, conspiracies, and war-crimes. It all seemed to familiar. This man is too similar to Kenzō of our own village, he thought, Both of them are too obsessed with power… The fact this man is now Hokage is nothing short of concerning. When asked if Kage should display harsh tactics to protect one's village, Gaara stood firm and took the higher road of morality.

"You're such a green brat… You still know nothing yet of ruling a village." The Tsuchikage scoffed, giving him a disapproving look. "I'll give you this chance to ask me anything you'd like. As your senior, I'm willing to answer any question you have, heh heh!"

Kankurō gnashed his teeth. "Say again, old man?!"

"Kankurō, don't!" Temari chided. "He's still the Tsuchikage, a leader of another village!"

Ignoring the elder's jabs, Gaara thought over his words carefully. Ebizō told him to speak, and speak he would. "Then let me ask you this…" Eyeing the Tsuchikage, his face was a calming and stern slate. "When did you all forsake yourselves?"

The Tsuchikage was suddenly silenced.

"Gaara, what should we do?" Temari turned. "We cooperated with Konoha to retrieve Sasuke but he's since descended into the Akatsuki."

While the Tsuchikage had no use in talking further, he mulled over his options. After deciding carefully, he signalled them to leave for the battle. "Uchiha Sasuke… let's deal with him." The Suna-nin followed through the massive crater the Raikage left behind, descending down into the inner pits of the winter palace. Remembering the last encounter with the Uchiha, his eyes narrowed. There's something I want to confirm, too…

Reaching the bowels of the enormous castle, they saw him.

The Raikage was winning, by the looks of it. Sprawled onto the broken marble and stone, the Uchiha lay beneath his opponent under an eerie shroud of purple chakra. But something else lingered. Covering the Raikage's arm was a swarm of black flames that screeched as they made contact with the cold air. The Amaterasu. Nearby, a samurai who was too close to the fighting was writhing on the floor under a the dark plume of the flames of death. Sensing the dire nature, Gaara sent his sand to separate the two further. Following his actions, Temari cast a wind release jutsu with her war-fan to split the samurai's armour while Kankurō cast his chakra strings to remove the armour completely. Thankfully, the unknown man's life was saved.

Grasping his bleeding eye, Sasuke suddenly recognized the chakra he sensed. "Gaara of the Sand Waterfall…"

"Stand back, samurai." Gaara ordered. "This is a matter between shinobi. There's no need for you to lose your lives over this."

Hesitantly, the samurai who scrambled to their comrade's aide nodded to the Kage's command. "Y-Yes, sir! Sorry, Kazekage-sama."

"Why have you interfered, Kazekage-sama?!" the Raikage shouted. "I could have you reprimanded for this!"

Gaara gestured his glance towards the unending flames that swirled onto the stone pillars. "Any more exposure to the black flames of Amaterasu and you would've been finished." He turned towards the silent Uchiha, watching him lift himself from his bed of shattered stone. "Besides… I want to speak with Uchiha Sasuke."

The Uchiha gave an empty dead stare coated in contempt, his dark eyes narrowing as it met the face of the Kazekage. Something twisted in Gaara's heart upon seeing his face directly. It were as if gazing into a mirror of his former self from years gone past. Suddenly, all the past hurt he lived through returned to his eyes – and it was reflected within Sasuke's dark gaze. The Uchiha remained silent.

Gaara spoke first. "Your eyes are still the same as that time…"

And then the visions set in.

On that day years ago, he found the Uchiha with his sensei upon that stony cliff. He was a monster then, he remembered – a part of his life he wanted erased. The words Gaara spoke to Sasuke suddenly rang through his mind. "I told you, you have the same eyes as me. Eyes that long for power, eyes filled with hatred… I can see it. Just like me, you're itching to kill the ones who drove you to this hell called loneliness". Through Sasuke's dark eyes, he saw the seething hatred, the painful hurt, and the loneliness from his deep loss of family and love. It was the same look he once held within his own eyes, he remembered. It was a look that sought to bright vengeance to those who wronged him. Striking his thoughts, he was reminded of the same look from the memory of Nomasaki after she told him of her mysterious father who abandoned her family out of disgust for her bloodline. The same hatred and desire for revenge resided within the flecks of her violet eyes as she uttered the story of the man who held no name to his breath. It was all too similar to him in regard to his own father who was now long since dead.

He eyed the Uchiha carefully. "I've realized that living for revenge doesn't solve anything. It's not too late for you… Don't escape into your own little world possessed by hatred. You won't be able to return."

Sasuke scoffed at his words. "So what? What's left for me if I decide to come back? I have nothing."

"Don't waste your time on him, Gaara." Kankurō turned. "If he could be convinced, Naruto wouldn't have failed. He's a criminal now and a member of the Akatsuki, he's not like you."

Temari agreed. "Besides, the Raikage won't stay silent on this. By attacking the summit, he would be branded an international criminal… He has no future."

Still, Gaara continued. In his ringed-eyes, he gave a look of deeply-held sympathy. "Sasuke, you and I are alike. We both walked through the darkness of this world." He pushed his words further, hoping that the disgraced Uchiha would see reason. "That's why we were both able to see a sliver of light… Both back then, and even now."

"I have long since closed my eyes…" Sasuke's lips twisted to a vengeful smirk. "My only goal is within the darkness… and I refuse to come out alive!"

And it was then that Gaara realized he was a lost cause.

Sensing the anguish, Kankurō gave an understanding glance. "Don't make this personal, you're the Kazekage."

Gaara lowered his head, collecting his thoughts as they dwelled one by one. Rising his gaze, a single tear left his eye. "…I know."

And his sand attacked.

The rest of the summit was a hazy blur.

Sasuke and his comrades escaped following the collapse of the ceiling above, and a mysterious masked man appeared within the destroyed meeting chambers once all Kage were in attendance. The man spoke strangely and used a peculiar time-space ninjutsu, maneuvering seamlessly in the air as he forced the Kage to listen.

"Well then… I declare this the start of the Fourth Shinobi War."

His words haunted the Kage from the moment they were uttered. The peace of their fragile world was indeed short-lived, but even more so if tailed-beasts were to be used as the weapons of war. Once the Shinobi Alliance was formed, the Suna-nin hastily left the palace for home. Before leaving the Land of Iron behind, Temari insisted they find Hatake Kakashi and entrust him with the summit intel. Leaving it in Danzō's hands would be a fatal mistake. Surprising their luck, they caught sight of the Konoha-nin in the small village that lay within their path. Gaara soon noticed that Naruto was with them. With a heavy heart, he told him of what transpired – to which Naruto's expression turned blank and empty.

"Naruto, you told me you would become Hokage. I have become Kazekage." He placed a comforting hand on Naruto's shoulder. "If you are prepared to bear the weight and title of Kage, then do what you must as Sasuke's friend." Naruto quietly pushed his hand away, looking down in his sorrowful thoughts. As Gaara walked off, he paused onto the snow that crunched beneath his feet. "I think of you as a friend. I used to think 'friend' was just another word… Nothing more, nothing less. But when I met you, I realized… what was important was the word's meaning." He glanced back to him, the vapours of cold clinging to his breath. "Think about its meaning… and what you are trying to do for Sasuke."

As they descended down the mountainous slopes of snow and frosted trees, Gaara thought of Sasuke for a final time. It's in his hands, now. With his ringed-eyes fixated on the path ahead, Gaara pondered the upcoming conflict with great concern and thought for the future. It would be no easy task, and that was for certain whether he was ready for war or not. The village would depend on his strength.

"I can't believe we're actually going to war," Kankurō spoke, his brown eyes narrowed towards the falling snow before him. "It feels so surreal."

"It's a given, I'll admit," Temari added, sliding down the mountainside beside her brothers. "But… I didn't think it would be so soon. We have much to prepare for when we return to Sunagakure… the council won't be pleased."

Sensing his younger brother's silence, Kankuro glanced towards him, his eyes narrowed in stern concern. "Do you think forming the Allied Forces was a good idea, Gaara? Do you think we can trust the likes of them?"

Danzō and the Tsuchikage, you mean. "It's the only option we have," Gaara answered, his gaze on the path unwavering. "There was no choice on the matter… It will take all five great villages to destroy the Akatsuki before they can summon the ten-tails. It's our only hope."

While the thought of war echoed throughout his thoughts as he bounded down the snowy landscape with his siblings, he had another troubling thought on his mind. His assistant. It was weeks since his abrasive discussion with her companion – the great white wolf that despised all humans – especially in his case for the village he hailed from and his tainted chakra from Shukaku. The wolf's words resonated within him, aware that there was a chance the bond between them was indeed something more. As he thought of his kind and dutiful assistant and the care she showed while they went on that assignment, he was suddenly reminded of the news Temari gave. She was a spy, and a spy for Kenzō – of all people. Konoha may have had their own conspirator, but Kenzō was a careful man. From all his years of service, he was a man dedicated to the village's survival. But like Danzō, his means of dedication were unorthodox and cruel – and sometimes even disturbing rumours scattered throughout the village regarding his methods and exploits. Was Nomasaki really just another Yashamaru, or did she truly care for him? The look within her purple eyes as she met his glance was always so kind and caring in his memory. Just the mere thought tormented him. Still, it was hard for him to make such assumptions. Regardless, he himself was confused of where he stood towards her. He considered her a valuable assistant to him as the Kazekage, as well as a caring friend who supported him in his endeavors.

Their bond was something sacred.

As he continued down the blanket of white before him, each sight of the falling snow and cold winds against his face reminded him of when she told him about her homeland – Yamagakure of the Land of Mountains. The climates of his homeland and hers were so different yet so alike in the same – the thought often drew his curiosity. Growing worried about the wolf's words and his uncertainty surrounding their bond, as well as the impending war that was rapidly approaching, his gaze upon the path saddened – tinting his turquoise eyes as he looked on at the falling snow and winds.

Noticing his change in expression, Kankuro have him a curious glance – slightly concerned for a moment. "Something on your mind, Gaara?"

Catching his attention, Gaara cleansed his expression free from emotion – looking onward with a stern and stoic gaze. "No," He replied, quietly. "It's nothing."

"Kazekage-sama!"

Alarming them, they abruptly stopped upon the frosted trees. In their sights, a masked shinobi appeared atop the conifer. Their weapon was not drawn, but their flak jacket marked them for someone from Suna. An owl was their choice in shroud, its eyes large and dark and yellow rippling through its porcelain carvings.

"A messenger," Temari said, realizing he was not a threat.

Kankurō tsked, his glance upon them suspicious. "They're a tracker-nin… take whatever they say with a grain of salt."

"If you're suspicious, I don't blame you." Sōhei spoke. "But there's no time for that right now… you must return to Sunagakure immediately!"

Gaara narrowed his glance. "What's happened?"

"A coup." Sōhei answered. "The shadow-hand that commands us tracker-nin tried to overthrow the entire unit but those of us who defected managed to put a stop to it… but still…"

"What -?!" Temari spat. "A coup?!"

Kankurō cursed. "You can't be serious -?!" He looked to Gaara. "Those shinobi who attacked us might've been part of this!"

Gaara's face grew shocked, then settled into a cold anger. Sōhei took notice. "Kazekage-sama, this must be dealt with imminently upon your return… or else there will be a power struggle that will seep into your own council chambers!"

His face cooled, but his glare remained. "Who's behind this?"

Sōhei hesitated, remembering the curse mark that lay dormant upon his tongue. "For that, I cannot say. A tracker-nin is bound to a life of secrecy, I'm afraid."

The shadow-hand… no doubt it's him, Gaara realized, "Kenzō." A thought suddenly entered his mind, worrying him. "What of Nomasaki? Is she…?"

Sōhei nodded, swallowing back the guilt of the lashes. "She's alive and… well. If you know what we know, then please rest assured that she is being watched and is well-protected."

"Gaara," Temari turned. "What do we do?"

"We must make haste." He said. "If we're to stop the coup entirely, we should return to Sunagakure as soon as possible. I can't allow my legacy or that of my ancestors disappear due to a conspirator… We'll enter the village covertly and take them by surprise."

"It would be best to go along as if you aren't aware of anything." Sōhei suggested. "That way, you can decipher their motives and strike without causing a panic. We have the fighting handled… mostly. Only a handful of our unit are dissidents, but we suspect they will be the ones to hang on until the final hour."

Gaara thought deeply for a moment, and nodded as his final answer. "Very well… I'll arrange for the ANBU and those loyal from under Moro-sama's command to assist in this matter. Ensure that this stays between the Kazekage and the council… I don't want any unnecessary lives dragged into this."

"I'll send word to Moro-sama," Sōhei nodded, forming a hand-sign. "May the desert gods protect us."

As he watched the masked-shinobi vanish amongst the winds, his glare hardened. And may they punish Kenzō and all that he stands for. As the snowfall became treacherous while they continued down the mountain valley, the Suna shinobi hurried on their pursuit to return home.

While the coup and a war awaited them…