Chapter 29
A Traitor in the Dark

A week has passed since the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron.

As they returned through the valley cliffs of Suna, the young Kazekage immediately called for a meeting with the Suna Council to discuss the results of the summit and the proclamation of impending war. Heeding Sōhei's advice, Gaara reluctantly ordered his siblings to stay quiet on the matter concerning Kenzō until the matter of war was settled. We don't want to cause a scene but I'll drag him from the council chambers myself if that's what it takes. Sitting in the same room as the councillor was nothing short of uncomfortable. Kankurō watched him carefully while Temari pretended he did not exist, and Gaara made sure to watch him during the conversations taking place.

You're the only dissident I missed after my inaugration. You may have fooled my father, but you'll never fool me.

In a ghostly silence with her clipboard in hand, Nomasaki stood idly behind his chair in the council's chambers, observing him discuss the summit with his siblings and councilmen as ANBU guarded the perimeters of the chambers. The shadows of the previous Kazekage hung over the table as the afternoon light of the sun gleamed through the windows, their intimidating glances of stone swallowing the conference in cold silence. She wondered if the past Kazekage could sense the tension within the room, or if they could tell the scent of treachery. It would be a tasteless question to ask men who were done in by their own people.

Shocked, the council stammered at the mention of war, the ten-tails, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi – the Akatsuki's end goal for world domination. A genjutsu of true horror and might, it was said it could grasp the fate of humanity in its clutches for time immemorial. They would all be husks for whatever world the Uchiha envisioned, looping through their hearts desires until their life ended. For the elders, it was something very difficult to believe but in the end they speculated it could cost the great villages dearly in victory and in lives.

It would mean the end of the world.

"It can't be helped," A councilmen grit his teeth, frustratedly. "The Akatsuki have grown too much of a threat to be further ignored... Swift action must be taken by all five great nations! Time is of the essence! We must make haste!"

"I agree. Suna must step forth a battle strategy to support the proposed Allied Shinobi Alliance." Another added. "We must establish connections with the villages as soon as we can if we are to defeat Uchiha Madara and his army."

"Raikage-sama was appointed the head of the Alliance, as the Supreme Leader." Temari added, calmly. "Gaara will be the Regimental Commander, as well as the commander of the Fourth Division."

"Kazekage-sama," Baki began, turning to him. "Is this true?"

Nodding once, Gaara glanced to him, his expression stern. "Yes, we've begun drafting battle plans for war… set to take effect within the next few months, at the end of the summer."

"It's soon," Kankuro chimed in, as he sat beside his younger brother. "But any time is good time. This gives us a chance to refine our strategies and attack formations."

Across from them, a councilman scoffed to himself. Kenzō. He was no more amused as the other councilmen, but also relished in the news. Silently, Nomasaki stood far behind the Kazekage before the towering statues, her head hung low as she avoided any eye contact with the one who struck her only days before. Although the ANBU guarded the chamber, she still feared for her safety while so close to him. She was bruised along her cheekbone, the indents still fresh in her memory. And her back was scarred from the lashes. Even though tracker-nin under Moro's command stood on guard within the shadows, she still wondered how long it would be until Kenzō sent his men to attack her out in the open. Surprisingly, no one noticed her bruises nor said a single word. As she looked down in her thoughts, her eyes were slightly widened and panic-stricken. Fearful of the idea of war and the massive chakra that would be the ten-tailed beast, its strength unfathomable in her mind.

If the world is ending, at least this nightmare of a life will be over, she reasoned with herself.

"You young folk…" He chided. "You've never once knew the pain or suffering from war, yet the war of your generation will determine the fate of the shinobi world. How can we know you're capable of stopping such a threat?"

We're capable of stopping you. "It can't be helped," Gaara retorted, making eye contact with the councillor. Venom painted his tongue as he spoke. Sternly, his ringed-eyes narrowed. "This war can't simply be avoided, but if we're victorious we can avoid the wars of the future. In the end, this will be the Fourth Shinobi War, either way we look at it."

As Kenzō turned to examine Gaara's narrowed glare, he noticed his strange-eyed assistant standing far behind him – her fingers trembling lightly as she held her clipboard against the blue fabric of her kimono-like dress. Seeing her in the same room made his blood boil, his folded hands tightening their grasp as he hid his distaste for such a failed subordinate. Giving a snide grin as he noticed her faint blue and purple bruising upon her cheek, he gave her a bitter and mocking glance. "What's wrong with your assistant? She's trembling like a leaf in the winds! What's the matter, girl? Does the mention of war frighten you? Certainly, the life of a shinobi must be accustomed to such a risk. It's shinobi law to not let emotions get into the way of the mission at hand! I would like to hope the training you endured here taught you that... but you are an outsider, after all."

Jolting from his words, she turned to the direction of his voice – straightening her back as she stood and masking her fear behind her narrowed eyes. She could feel stares upon her, the entire council going silent from Kenzō's taunt. How dare he, she thought to herself, her grip onto the clipboard becoming tighter. She wished she could strike him herself. As she stepped closer to the discussion, Gaara glanced at her from the corner of his eye, his hands folded before him on the surface of the worn table. Catching him off guard, he suddenly noticed her bruises that lined the pale skin of her cheekbone. The blues and purples that painted her face horrified him upon meeting them with his widened ringed-eyes. While he stared carefully, he wondered if she gained them from a recent mission. The more he examined them, the more he realized the improbability. Calming his glance, he redirected his thoughts – thinking nothing more of it while his gut churned in hidden disgust.

"My apologies, sir," She nodded, her eyes sharp. "But yes, this does frighten me. After seeing my village destroyed, the thought of seeing something similar unnerves me." Upon seeing Kenzō smirk in response to her even-toned answer, she gave a slight wolfish grin on her lips as she could feel something within her nearby senses – a retort. While she stood close by the Kazekage's seat at the table within the chamber, she relaxed her grip onto the clipboard as she let go of her held fear - the wolf in her rising in her blood behind her calm demeanor. "May I remind you that you're also an outsider... and I can sense you're trembling as well, isn't that right? Hiding your hand onto your lap won't do you any good, if… you also call yourself a shinobi."

Her words jarred him, his fluttering hand tightening in grip to his knee as he was found out. "Why you…!" He growled, as the other councillors took notice at his hypocrisy. Amused, Temari and Kankuro gave a smirk to themselves in approval while they watched from their seats, while Gaara acknowledged in silence. Angrily, Kenzō rose up from his chair, his fists striking the table before him with unrelenting rage - startling the other councilmen beside him. "You filthy outsider… –!"

"Kenzō-sama!" Baki shouted. "Mind your tongue! This is a sacred place!"

And in that moment she was convinced he would activate her seal.

But Gaara's words stopped him, allowing her throat to be free from the imagined pain.

"My assistant is a jonin, Kenzō-sama," Turning to him, Gaara gave him a narrowed glare of authority from the cover of his folded hand in a near threatening nature. "Aside from sharpened sensory skills, she also has a sharp tongue when provoked. This is also a council meeting regarding an important matter concerning the shinobi nations - not an opportunity to start arguing over mundane differences that don't concern you."

"You should know better than to speak to your elders on council in such a manner." Kenzō lashed. "It might suit you to take a lesson from your father and listen!"

Gaara promptly stood, anger in his eyes. "I command you! I am the Fifth Kazekage, and you answer to me!" His sand slapped the table loudly in threat. "If you feel the need to make such snide comments during a meeting that requires all our attention, I advise you to leave. You're not wanted here if you won't contribute. Leave us. Now."

"My, I didn't think I'd provoke the Kazekage into such a state." Kenzō grinned, amused. "That temper of yours is still dangerous, I see."

"ANBU," Gaara called. "Escort Kenzō-sama from the chambers. He's grown too tired and weary from age and can't stand to finish this session of council."

The veiled shinobi nodded. "Yes, sir."

"You should know better than this..." Kenzō seethed, moving with the ANBU willingly. "Fine. Drag this village into unrest! If the other councillors had any sense, they would heed my words and vacate you from your esteemed seat...!"

As the councillor was led out the chambers by the armed guards, Gaara sat down and cursed under his breath while all eyes flickered around the room in bewilderment. Kankurō leaned in. "That was a bit obvious, don't you think...? Didn't you say we should keep this on the down-low until later...?"

"I'm aware of that, it's just..." His words trailed as he could see Nomasaki from the corner of his eye. His heart sank. "He doesn't belong here..."

As the disgruntled councillor and his chakra left the chambers, Nomasaki watched as she felt her heart thump while her fear returned. She could sense his dark chakra descend into the lower levels of the estate, but she still sensed the eyes watching her from beyond the shadows. His men who answered only to his call. Although Moro promised not to worry – she was doing just that. She was walking on thin ice, and she was getting closer and closer to falling through. She made her grave, but she did not want yet to lay in it. Kenzō would have to go first.

Unaware of her trembling hand, Gaara turned towards her. "Nomasaki, I'll need you to send notices of war to all chunin and above Suna shinobi. We need to start preparing for war as soon as possible, and assemble units. The coming months will be crucial to our preparation if we truly want to stop the Akatsuki. Meet with our commanders and tell them what they must do. Relay this to the puppet corps and medical corps as well. We need every shinobi we can muster."

Glancing to him as he sat composed in his blue and white robes nearby, she gave him a serious nod – but her eyes clearly conveyed her unease with the future. "Yes, Kazekage-sama. I'll leave right away." As she stepped through the doors, she started down the corridor and her panicked thoughts followed her. Paying them no mind, she decided she will do the panicking later when she was no longer working.

But doubt prevailed.

A messenger raced past her towards the chambers, near out of breath as they met the ire of the guards.

"We're having an important discussion!" Zarō yelled. "This better be good... And be quick about it!"

The messenger knelt and gulped. "Y-Yes, sir. Sorry for intruding, it's just... we received some disturbing intel from Konoha regarding the summit."

"And?" Zarō pressed. "Spit it out!"

"...Danzō, the Sixth Hokage. He was killed... by Uchiha Sasuke." His words left the chamber in utter silence. "Hatake Kakashi confirmed this from battle, but unfortunately Sasuke escaped with Uchiha Madara."

"Then who is Hokage?" Baki pressed. "Konoha must have a leader in order to assist in this war."

The messenger nodded. "Tsunade of the Senju has awoken from her coma, and is assuming her duties as Fifth Hokage. That's all the intel I have, I must dismiss myself. I'll bring back more news if any arrives." And he was gone.

Kankurō smirked and leaned to Gaara's ear. "Finally, some good news... I never liked that guy..."

Gaara nodded. "...And now one snake remains..."

Night arrived sooner than they anticipated.

The meeting felt as if it lasted the entire day, the long and gruelling discussions lasting from morning until sunset. And now, it was time to act. Dressed in their shinobi attire, Gaara and Kankurō sought after Kenzō while Temari met with Commander Moro to inform them of the action and to assist him if need be. They would need all their parts to be well oiled and critically worked if the maneuver was to be covert. The civilians must not know - nor the council for that matter. It all rode on silence. Using his Third Eye Jutsu, Gaara detected the councillor. He was within a lost chamber deep within the bowels of the Kazekage's estate, entering with a parade of masked shinobi at his back. His loyalists, Gaara realized.

"Do you see him?" Kankurō pressed.

"Yeah. He's down there, towards the second basement. In the chambers of Reto."

Kankurō scoffed. "Of course he is. No one's been down there in years! It's so dark you can't see a single thing -,"

"The perfect place for rats like him to go hiding." He stood. "Let's go."

They maneuvered amongst the shadows in still silence. Approaching the estate's lower levels, they sensed chakra lurking nearby. Kankurō prepared a scroll and nodded to Gaara, who understood the signal and formed a hand-sign. Swiftly he became one with his sand and vanished within the very air, avoiding the detection of even Kenzō's best tracker-nin who guarded the decrepit chamber doors. Within the thousands of grains, Gaara emerged in the room's centre. Kenzō must have knew he was coming, as he had tracker-nin guarding the door from the inside and he stood smugly before a makeshift throne of sandstone. The bastard even played 'King'. Surprising him, neither prompted an attack. No doubt he was still calculating his moves.

"Kenzō," Gaara said coldly. "Your scheming ends here. End the coup, or else I'll show you no mercy."

The dissident raised a brow in interest. "Ah? So you've heard what's been occurring, I see. I was wondering how long it would take for you to find out. Who told? Was it Sōhei, my owl-masked defector? Or was it your little guard dog, that wolf from Yama?" He seen something in Gaara's eyes that made him grin. "I've given her quite the punishment, you know. You see... she tried to leave her duties I so honourably bestowed upon her and she defied me. Her bruises are only what you can see... her back was bloodied, too. She gave me no choice but to lash her - and then she repays me by near breaking my wrist! Beasts... such foul things."

Gaara's eyes seethed anger. "It was you -!"

"Angry, are we? You do have a rather foul temper when provoked. Even with Shukaku gone, there still remains a remnant of you that is more monster than man." Kenzō jested. "But I must say, I'm surprised you lasted this long in your position with that tailed-beast extracted from you body. I was convinced Kōgen would deal with you... so I could take that wolf from under your rule."

"You knew this Kōgen?"

The councillor scoffed. "Knew him? He was my brother."

The Land of Claws. Gaara's chakra surged in contained anger. "Why assassinate me? Is it power you want?" His glared hardened. "You seemed to plan this carefully... Why do you want my head? And why do you want her?"

"You stand in my way. That is all." Kenzō answered darkly. "I'm taking back what is rightfully mine. Your ancestors banished my people, I'm merely taking it back. As for the girl... she is crucial to my plans. Surely, you'd understand."

"No, I don't." His patience was running thin. "Why use her?"

Kenzō gave a smirk from his foul lips. "Why not? Her chakra is so rare these days... it would be a pity to let her slip past my fingers. Beast-blood is a different chakra than yours and mine, containing nature energy since times before the days of shinobi. It contains... special properties, properties that can prove useful when executing fūinjutsu... or even kinjutsu, if you have the skill. Whichever the form, the beast's blood is the key to certain formulas." He met his glare with a grin. "I want to use her blood, that's all. That's all I am willing to tell you... because it's none of your concern."

"As Kazekage... it is." He corrected, affirming his stance. "I'm giving you this chance to step down and surrender willingly... or die otherwise."

As his glare became piercing, Kenzō knew he was stuck – he was backed into a corner like a rat in a cage. Standing before the young Kazekage, he could feel the mere density of his chakra within the still air between them. Remaining calm and collected, he folded his hands behind his back as he stepped closer. Pacing around the glares he received from the former jinchuriki, a smug grin grew upon his snake-like lips. "You'd be a fool to approach me like this," He mused. "You may be the Kazekage… but you certainly lack the wisdom of your predecessors." Pausing, he locked eyes directly with him. asserting his authority from the mere contact of his darkened eyes. "I have eyes surrounding this room. Tracker-nin, such finely tuned spies – if I don't say so myself. I acquired them from that stubborn brawn of a commander as a gift from your father for my… services. They take no orders from anyone other than myself… not even the Kazekage or the tracking unit can command them. They obey me and me alone!"

Glancing up towards the darkened abyss that lurked above, the faint gleaming of a sea of porcelain masks appeared. Following Kenzō's gaze, Gaara narrowed his eyes while he found his fists tightening at his sides in preparation to defend himself in the bowels of the darkness that awaited to strike. There had to be at least fifty masked tracker-nin – all of them answering to the dissident and awaiting his orders. Even though he was their Kazekage, he could tell from the menacing stares of their painted shrouds that he was their enemy.

"Your assistant… she certainly has spirit, I'd give her that. It's a shame I no longer have any use for her... aside from her Kekkei Genkai, that is." Kenzō sighed, instantly grasping his attention. "Her abilities were useful for a time… but every tool eventually grows dull and breaks." Raising his arm towards the abyss above, the tracker-nin and their masks vanished into the dark above. In an instant, they appeared surrounding Gaara within the chamber. Their weapons gleamed in the scattered light of the room while their concealed faces lay hidden as they eyed their target. His expression unchanging from his glare, Gaara stood silently as Kenzō gave a grin in response. "I'll show you what it means to stand against me. I'm taking matters into my own hands… now that your pet failed to carry out what I intend to do!"

All at once, the masked tracker-nin lunged for attack, their gleaming silver katanas swinging towards the stern-faced Kazekage. As swift as the winds, his sand swirled around him in great density, knocking away those who bravely approached. From his blind-spot, the ones from above were suspended by his sand within his grasp, while others were thrown against the walls and the cracked floor below. Blood soon dotted the carpet they stood upon, but none of it from the young man who was to be their target. Despite the masked men being his enemies, not a single adversary was killed – their muffled groans and winces of defeat uttered from their panting breaths.

With the remainder of Kenzō's men subdued, Gaara directed his attention towards the dissident.

A flash of fire flew past him and struck the chamber floor. Stone shattered, ash grew, and the dark room became lit by the violent orange flames that were expelled from Kenzō's jutsu. Blocking the blasts with his sand, Gaara made his way towards him. His sand lunged. Seeing the attack, Kenzō blocked it with the armour hidden under his robes, deflecting the grains from striking. Swiftly, the man evaded. Grasping a discarded bloodied katana that lay upon the shattered floor, he eyed the glaring Kazekage with the intent to kill.

Kenzō suddenly froze.

Using his chakra strings, Kankurō subdued him - but not without struggle. The power of the man's chakra took him by surprise. "That's far enough, you old bastard!" He spat through gnashed teeth. "Gaara, what should we do with him and the others?"

Kenzō chuckled darkly. "You desert rats... I must say, to subdue me like this is no easy feat. I commend you for it." He met Gaara's glaring eyes with a smug grin. "However... keep me alive and it will be the biggest mistake of your life! I swear upon my will!"

"Planning a coup was the biggest mistake of yours." Gaara countered. "If I kill you, how will I find out about your true plans?" He stepped closer, his eyes boring into his. "I'll keep you alive as long as I see fit... Kankurō, restrain our traitor." Forcefully, Kenzō dropped to his knees from the pulsing chakra threads that painted his limbs. Every moment that passed, the sand's strength grew. Unrelenting, it swam up the councillor's dominant arm, coating the steel and flesh in a tight grasp. "You struck my assistant… I intend to return the favour!"

Gaara closed his palm.

With a thud, Kenzō's bloodied hand fell to the floor, the clanging of the blade's metal ringing through the air with his wails of pain. Falling to his knees, he grasped the crimson stump of his hand, his whole body shaking within the hold of the chakra threads as his eyes were wide with anguish and rage. Sensing Gaara's glance still upon him, he quickly glared towards him – waiting for the next strike. Surprisingly, the sand around the Kazekage retreated as he stepped forward. "You...!"

"Kenzō-sama... From this day forward, you're hereby relived of your duties as councilman and a shinobi of Sunagakure." Gaara spoke, his voice and expression stern. Turning his attention towards the unconscious and injured tracker-nin, he narrowed his glance. "…as well as the others who conspired with you. You will be spending the remainder of your days in imprisonment for your acts of treason against the village and all the pain you inflicted upon your subordinates."

Grasping his wound with his blood-soaked hand, Kenzō gave a snide chuckle to himself, provoking Gaara's curiosity and further suspicion. "You were blinded by your friendship to that wretched wolf…! Although an outsider, she obviously wasn't found out by you… I can see it, judging by your shocked expression. I even asked her to kill you… but it appears she couldn't stomach it... even when I offered to reunite her with that pathetic fool of a father. Such a failure, she is…"

Remembering Temari's suspicions, he wanted to confirm for himself. "That's a lie. She would never –!"

"Filthy wolf…" Kenzō laughed on his breath. "The way you still cling to her trust is pathetic, at best!"

Glaring at the one-handed councillor in silence, Gaara took in his words once more. Mulling over the accusations and thinking of his assistant – her kind nature, her helpful aide she provided him in his position, and her willing friendship. The words of the great wolf entered his mind, making him wonder if everything that occurred between them was a malevolent lie. Was she truly an agent of the resistance? The thought disturbed him greatly the more he thought of it.

"Kazekage-sama!"

Within an instant, a host of ten Suna ANBU appeared before him with their white-clothed faces masking their identities. "Arrest this man, as well as his subordinates." Gaara commanded, glancing towards them – gesturing towards the fallen masked shinobi. "They've committed high-treason against the village. Prepare an envoy to the prison once they've received medical treatment."

"Sir!" They acknowledged.

As he struggled and continued to bleed over his robes, Kenzō was taken away by one of the ANBU. Looking down at the severed hand on the floor, Gaara turned back to the remaining ANBU ninja who awaited additional commands. "Keep this event secret, I don't want the rest of the council being aware of this. Or my assistant, for that matter. I will inform them of this myself."

"Yes, Kazekage-sama."

"Gaara, you know this confirms what Temari told us... about Nomasaki." Kankurō stepped forward. "She was an agent of Kenzō... while she was your assistant. Who knows what intel she gathered or who she gave it to. She could've been responsible for the Akatsuki attack -," He saw Gaara avert his glance, his ringed-eyes mulling over anger and betrayal with sorrow winning in his thoughts. He chose his words carefully. "...She should be questioned by the Intel Division, or detained like Kenzō. When the council finds out, they won't like what they hear -,"

"I know." His voice was sharp. "I'll decide what becomes of her... but I need to hear it from her first."

Kankurō sensed his hurt. "Alright... I'll leave you to figure that out."

Hearing his brother's footsteps echo against the shattered walls of stone and sand, Gaara stood within the darkness alone. The coup may have been averted, but the hardest task awaited him in the morning. How he would handle her treachery was something he was struggling to comprehend. Her kindness conflicted with her actions, swirling around in battle amongst his thoughts.

Was she just another Yashamaru... or is there something more to this?

He hoped for the latter.

Dawn arrived slowly.

Gaara had not slept. Despite no longer being a jinchuriki, sleep was something that still evaded him. The stress did not help, either. Kenzō and his followers were detained, and Temari confirmed the loyal and allegiance of Commander Moro was on the side of Suna. Soon enough, the matter would be behind them in time for the impending war. And now it depended on how Gaara handled his assistant-turned-traitor. Early that morning, Gaara sat emotionless and quiet at his desk with his hands folded before him as he glanced towards the morning sun through the window. Gingerly, Nomasaki placed the tray of green tea and saltines beside his stack of unfinished papers, making sure everything was in its proper place.

"There," She spoke, fixing its position. "It's very hot, so I would wait a few minutes."

Realizing the presence of her soothing voice, he turned to her. "Thank you."

Smiling with a nod, she stepped aside. Her movements seemed fragile, near cautious. Positioning her clipboard towards her as she took out her pen, she notarized the day's schedule and made note of the important documents he had to have finished by the end of the day. "Today is the last day to send in the final assessment reports for the rookie chunin before the war," She spoke, writing notes in her papers. "Make sure you can have those finished, and I can relay them to the Academy by the end of the day." Giving a light smile to herself, she wrote the last stroke of her pen. "I'm sure you'll remember, but given that the war is approaching, you'll have a lot on your plate with out-of-village meetings and so on. The Raikage asks you travel to Kumogakure to discuss the battle strategies in two days' time, now that the Fifth Hokage has been reinstated."

Keeping silent, Gaara continued on his gaze out the window beside him. His eyes narrowing as he thought over of how to bring up the topic of discussion. He wanted to approach it as carefully as he could but given the situation it would prove to be difficult. Standing up, he turned to face her – his expression appearing stern and uncomfortable from duty. As he could see the faint colour of her bruised cheek, his thoughts wandered and imagined what the lashes looked like against her back. He shook them away, but still pondered with hidden guilt and suspicion. The colouring of her bruises haunted him, the imprints of the strikes she endured visible from the faint morning light.

It was no coincidence, he reminded himself.

Remaining silent, he averted his glance momentarily, trying to find the right words.

"What is it, Gaara-sama?" She asked, curiously. "You seem... quiet."

As he stepped closer to her, he paused once they were inches apart. Sensing something was amiss, she could feel a chill in her spine from his chakra and gaze as they made eye contact with each other. It was not his usual gaze, it was narrowed, hurt, and guilt-ridden. Something was amiss, and she had a sinking feeling of what it was.

"As my assistant, can I ask something of you?"

"Anything."

Averting his gaze at first, he glanced back towards her. As he gazed deep into her eyes of lilac, he desperately tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. But his duty of Kazekage spoke otherwise. "I need to know… were you acting as a spy for Kenzō-sama and the Suna Council?"

She froze.

Her body became stone-cold as she looked into his eyes of pain and sadness. She was caught, albeit too late. Silent, she averted her gaze as the guilt swelled up in her veins, making its way into her throat as she struggled to face him as she sensed the word he was searching for – traitor. He knows, she realized, He knows the truth.

"Kenzō-sama was arrested last night... for planning a coup. He confessed and included you in his testimony."

Looking up to him at last, her guilt-ridden eyes glistened with her hidden sorrow and hurt. Averting her glance to the carpeted floor, she closed her eyes halfway in sadness as she searched for the right words. She felt broken. Standing before the Kazekage, it was the first time she ever felt fear for him and his strength. There was no escape. Her worst fears realized, she was found out by the one person she wished would never know – Gaara's gaze revealed that to her.

"What did he... tell you?" She asked, fearfully, her voice quiet.

"Everything."

Her heart sank.

He knew.

As her bruises and back pulsed with pain, she felt the urge to cry swell its way into her throat. She did not know if it was the seal upon her tongue or her guilt. Holding back her emotions, she averted her eyes from his. Gazing down towards the rug that covered the floor, she wished that she could disappear within those sands that near claimed her as a child. She wanted to disappear.

Gaara stepped closer. "Tell me." He said. "That's a command."

She averted her eyes. "I... can't."

"Yes, you can!" He grabbed her by the shoulders tensely, his expression hurt and angered. "Tell me."

Her eyes plead mercy. "I can't! Gaara-sama, I can't tell you!" She cried. Feeling the guilt swell into her throat, she turned away. "I would if I could, but... I am physically unable to do so... because of this..." Facing him as she felt his hands release her, she showed him her cursed tongue. The seal was visible even in the scarce daylight, the black hexagram markings coating her tongue in its bind.

"What is that...?" Gaara froze, his anger turning to shock. "Don't tell me... Is that...?"

She nodded. "A curse seal." She said. "All of those serving under... him have one. Myself included." She averted her eyes again, looking towards the cold floor. "Because of this seal, I can't tell you anything about him. Not even his name, let alone his plans... or what I've done... If I dared to try to speak as much as a single word, I would become paralyzed, I could even lose my memory... or die." She pushed herself to face him, cleansing her expression of fear with a calm surrender. "You must understand... I'm not telling you anything because I don't want to, but because I'm unable."

He eyed her with a stare coated in hurt. "Can it be broken?"

She looked doubtful. "Who knows? I don't know fūinjutsu, and I only know that this was given to me after you were taken by the Akatsuki. As far as I'm concerned, I'm caged."

Taking in her words, he pondered. "He plans his steps carefully, it seems..."

"What I can tell you... is that I only did what I had to do to make sure you were protected. I didn't want them to hurt you, or worse...-," She revealed. "I'm an outsider who owes the village supposed debt, so I took it upon myself to be burdened with this guilt I can't escape... all because of that man." He promised to kill me if I didn't comply... I was... trapped. He even used my own father as leverage... offering to find him for me, so I could...– her thoughts trailed, reminding herself of the seal that still burned on her tongue. Meeting his turquoise eyes, she gave him a pleading gaze. "I was being selfish… I betrayed your trust, as your assistant… and as your friend… I was given permission to stop after our mission to Ishi, after telling Moro-sama, but still... it was too late... I was…–,"

"I see..." Was all Gaara had to say.

A stark silence filled the room.

"What do you plan on... doing to me?" She hesitated. "Surely I'll be punished, but... I want to know my fate."

Muling over his decision, Gaara turned away. "...You were doing your duty as a shinobi of Suna. That, I can't question."

Surprised by his words, she looked up to him. Meeting his saddened glance, she could feel the pain exerted by his ringed-eyes as she stood before him. Silence surrounded the two as words failed to form in time from another. Her eyes in saddened pleading, she stood in astonishment at his words. Looking down at the floor, his ringed-eyes closed halfway – holding onto faith as he thought of what transpired.

"What are you saying?" She stammered, her quiet voice broken from shock. "Are you... forgiving me?"

Closing his eyes with a heavy heart, he gave a subtle nod from his messy head of crimson. She could not believe her eyes from witnessing his difficult response. She was a traitor. A traitor, a traitor, a traitor. She spied on the Kazekage – was told to kill him by her superior, defied her assignment and ventured to the Land of Rivers to retrieve the Kazekage against her commands that were given, and killed Kenzō's beloved right-hand – Tojiru. To make matters worse, she slew his brother Kōgen and defied her mission.

If anyone was deserving of forgiveness or an apology, it was Gaara for putting up with it all – not me, she thought.

"Being a shinobi that follows their duties... But to question them is another matter. That's all I would want from you, as the Kazekage." He said, quietly, gazing to her. "I'm proud that you have a strong sense of duty. That's part of the reason why I chose you as my assistant. The other reason was because I trusted you…" Looking up, he locked eyes with her, a protective glint to his seafoam eyes, replacing his hidden sorrow. "You once called me your friend, so I... trusted you… and I still do to this day." Hurt returned. "However... because of the nature of this situation, I must send you to the Sealing Corps and the Intel Division. Also, you are to testify in the trial of Kenzō which is to be held after the war. It can't be helped, but it's something I must do as Kazekage. You must understand."

Her sentence surprised her. Although her actions were treasonous, he was being merciful. Sadly, she nodded and accepted her fate. "I kept this a secret from you for so long… I can't tell you how guilty I've felt from this." She confessed, closing her eyes as she held her head down, clutching the clipboard tighter. "I should be arrested, even banished… or at least fired for what I've done. I don't... deserve forgiveness..."

"There's no need to cling to it anymore. I... forgive you, Nomasaki." He assured, his voice flat and hesitant. "You can stay as my assistant as long as you feel comfortable. I still... hold trust in you, and I always will."

She bowed to him. "Thank you, Gaara-sama."

"Gaara." He corrected.

As she straightened her posture, she forced herself to give a light smile. I don't deserve forgiveness... I deserve exile, death, or worse. "With the war approaching, we should really get to work, then. I'll send notice to the Raikage of your arrival."

With a nod, he closed his eyes and started for his desk. "Very well," He replied. "I'll finish those papers, while we have time... the Sealing Corps should be expecting you by then." Within a swift wind, two veiled ANBU appeared by her sides. "Escort my assistant to the Intel Division, and from there the Sealing Corps. Inform Baki of her arrival... and send a notice to the council that a meeting has been called."

"Yes, sir."

As if in an instant, they vanished. Alone, he sat at his desk. Shortly he would have enough intel to convict Kenzō of his crimes, but it all depended on Nomasaki and her curse seal. With war raging on his mind, he was left with much to think about.

And the war was fast approaching.