I'm happy to know your guys are enjoying this story so far. I certainly have loved writing it. As always any comments are worth every sleepless night i stay up writing. Enjoy chapter four!

PS. So that pole i spoke about in the last chapter was apparently derping. It now shows up though, so please take a look and tell me what you think!

DROH

Chapter Four:

Teachers

The Library of Suna was located in a tall spiraling building that branched off from the Kazekage tower. While not as big as some, the amount of books held within was nothing to scoff at. One couldn't simply go to the next town over for a missing book, thus most hidden villages had a well-stocked library, full of books anyone could enjoy.

This was where Kira stood now, high up on the fourth floor. Easily balancing on a ladder, she dragged her figure across book after book, searching. The floor was all but silent, save her teammates that milled about. This was normal, Kira knew, because while the first two floors were open to all, restrictions took place further up. Once on the third floor, one had to be a graduate from the academy, as ninja books and guides were held there, containing basic jutsu and knowledge.

On the fourth floor, one had to pass through a checkpoint, showing ID that confirmed that one was jonin or higher in rank. This floor held more privileged information, some of which could easily get an inexperienced shinobi hurt, or even killed. There were books on the forbidden Jutsu as well, along with Bingo Book information and instructions on creating new styles.

Being an ANBU obviously gave her the necessary access for the floor, though Kira felt a bit guilty since she had never had to pass any test other than her academy graduation to get to her rank. That of course, had not been her decision.

Shaking her head, she went back to her task at hand, reading over the book titles in front of her. The Art of Earth; Earth Style: Advanced Understanding; Molding The Ground. She sighed again, scratching her head. While Kira might have been high in rank, her Jutsu were rather limited in range. Besides her…specialized abilities, she was an Earth style user. Sadly, the Land of Wind didn't have many who were Earth Chakra types, so the techniques she knew, were picked up here and there without anyone to really teach her.

Shura, her senior squad member, watched over her and Aya much like they were his students, and while they didn't mind, sometimes it was a bit annoying. It was that fact that had led to her and Aya's nickname of Sensei, even though they both knew he had never taught any graduates. Kira had to admit, it was fun to see him get all worked up. It really was like her mom said. Dads were defenseless when it came to daughters, and even though they weren't his, their team was kind of like a weird, unconventional family.

Her lack of Jutsu had been brought up, and now Kira needed to find another to work on mastering. She knew he was right – while Shura was rough around the edges and a stick in the mud, he was wise. Kira just hated studying.

"Find anything yet?" Aya called from below, Kira shook her head, her eyes still skimming the titles. While she was the only one here for new material, her two teammates came along, Aya mostly from boredom, and Shura to make sure she did what she was told.

"I've already read most of these," she answered sighing. Much like earth users, the earth chakra books were few as well.

"Well, better pick something out, so you at least look studious."

Knowing she was right, Kira moved and pulled out a book named "Earth style Jutsu" and tossed it down to Aya, who caught it easily. She moved to join her friend on the ground, before something in the newly opened space caught her eye. It was dark of course, but with sharply trained eyes Kira caught the outline of something pushed far back behind the row of books. She frowned, mentally shaming her fellow ninja. Was it so hard to put a book back properly?

Reaching back, she found the bookcase was surprisingly deep, and had to stand on her toes in order to grasp her goal. When she did she was surprised to find it was rounded and cylindrical, not flat and cornered. Pulling it out she found herself holding a worn scroll case, the seal on it nearly rubbed away. For a moment Kira was distracted with how a scroll had gotten into the book section of the library, then she realized the seal on the case was the sign for earth.

Curiosity and hope bloomed within her and she quickly tucked the container under her arm and descended from the ladder. Once her feet were on solid ground once more, she took the scroll case back in hand, hoping it wasn't empty.

"Find something?" Aya asked, coming up next to her. "What's a scroll doing here?" she muttered, to which Kira shrugged and walked over to a nearby table. Aya followed her, setting down the book she had caught earlier, as Kira popped the lid from the case and tipped it down. The paper hissed as it fell from its shell, landing in Kira's waiting hand. It wasn't huge by any means, about the same size around as her tonfas.

The ravened haired girl glanced at her friend who tilted her head slightly before nodding, and Kira set the case aside and slowly unrolled the scroll, setting it flat on the table. The writing was worn, some of the words partially gone or even missing from lines. Kira read over the first of it carefully, trying to make it out.

Stone Familiar

By _

An alternative for ninja who were unable to make pacts with Ninja Animals. Uses blood pacts to form contracts with bodiless earth spirits and bind them to one's own Chakra. When enabled, spirits take desired form, constructed from earthly materials around the Shinobi. Number and strength of spirits depends on user. Pact does not always work, as spirits are temperamental.

Blinking, Kira raised an eyebrow. She'd never heard of such a thing, and she had no idea if it was viable, seeing as the creator's name was completely gone. If the author even was the creator that is. Frowning she looked to Aya who was still scanning over the scroll. Her eyes lingered on the design of the summon circle before looking back to her.

"It could be worth a shot. You weren't able to make any pacts with anything, right? So maybe this could work, and it would count as another Earth Jutsu, get Sensei off you," she pointed out.

Aya herself had an agreement with the giant owls of the east, something Kira had always envied. She herself might have been an intelligence gathering expert, but Aya was one of the best sealers she had ever seen. The owl she was paired with had taught her a great many things, and it was because of that knowledge the blond had ended up on the team.

Aya with her sealing, Kira with her unbeatable intel gathering, and lastly, Shura with his sensory skills. They weren't the hardest hitting, but they were the best capture and gather ANBU team the Sand had.

That being said, she could see why Shura wanted her to know more. Sneaky though they might be, that meant nothing if battle became too dangerous. She needed more training, and not just for herself.

Aya nudged her, and Kira looked at her friend, letting the lip she'd been chewing on slip from her teeth. "Why don't you get a move on it? I'll let Sensei know you got something. "

Slowly, Kira nodded her head and rolled the scroll back up. She gave Aya a thankful look before waving and starting towards the stairs. While she admired her leader, she didn't need him looking over her shoulder. Aya understood she liked her privacy, and as long as she was able to prove she had something new, Shura would be pleased.

She waved to the head of the library as she exited the building –

- and almost ran straight into Gaara.

She let a small, almost soundless squeak, only years of training allowing her to smoothly step to the side at the last moment. Sadly her scroll didn't quite make it and clattered onto the ground, making her wince. Lowering her head slightly, she planted her feet and glued her eyes to the ground.

"U-uh, sorry Lord Kazekage! I wasn't paying attention," she said quickly, her eyes darting to the scroll which landed near the young leader's feet.

"It is fine," Gaara replied easily, his voice as steady and calm as ever. She gave a small nod, unsure of how to proceed. She'd been a bit at odds with herself ever since seeing him at his home when she was visiting with Kankurō. She felt bad for acting in such a way, but there she was right now, doing the same thing.

Some habits were just not so easy to break.

A hand moving into view of where her eyes had been staring at her new assignment brought her back from her worrying. She watched, stunned as Gaara picked up the scroll and easily held it out for her.

"Here, you need this don't you?"

She swallowed before nodding her head again, her eyes briefly meeting his as she stepped forward and took the scroll from his hand. "Thank you, Lord Gaara." She waited a moment, watching as his arm lower back to his side as he stared at her. She shifted backward, wondering why he wasn't going into the library. "Is…everything alright sir?" she asked finally.

The redhead nodded his head before crossing his arms over his vest. That stance alone was something Kira herself still didn't quite understand. It could be relaxed, but she had also seen him crush enemies in that stance. His carefully placed mask was one thing that made him a very dangerous opponent.

"I was looking for you."

His words caught her off guard and she met his gaze once again, but only for a moment before they glanced to the side, locking on a crack in the stone. "I… what?" Maybe she had misheard him. It made little sense for him to be out looking for her.

"I was told your team was in the library," he continued without repeating his last words. "There is something I would like to speak with you about if that is alright?"

At first, Kira wasn't sure how to react to that at all. Part of her was secretly overjoyed. Another was confused, and a very small part was scared. Not of Gaara, but rather about what it was he might need to speak to her about. Had her outburst from two weeks ago finally been brought back up?

That seemed a bit…odd, after such a long time.

Yet, he was giving her the option to decline. His words said that clearly, and she wondered why he was giving her a choice at all. He could have very easily ordered her. Then again, as long as she'd known him, Gaara had never forced anything on anyone, not since the invasion of Konoha.

Awkwardly she ran a hand over a braid on her head, only stopping when it met her ponytail. "Yes, of course I have time. What was it you needed?" She pulled at the ends of her hair before her hand fell to her side. Gaara seemed to wait till she was done fidgeting – or was he observing her – before he spoke again.

"I would like to speak with you," he repeated and Kira suddenly felt stupid for asking. She supposed her nerves were making her unfocused. Either way, Gaara didn't seem annoyed with her; instead, he simply turned and started down the stone steps. She hesitated, watching for a moment and wondering if she should really follow. He appeared to have no ill intentions, but memories of speaking with the past Kazekage had never been pleasant. This was Gaara though, she reminded herself. She knew Gaara, better than most would ever think. She could trust him; she did trust him. Adjusting her tonfas on her leg holster, she slipped the scroll into a pouch at her waist.

She was moving down the stairs quickly following the redhead before his feet touched the ground beyond them.

…

Her footsteps were quiet and even. Softer than even some older ninja who had years of experience on both of them. It wasn't uncommon, though, ANBU were silent by nature, as she was now. Where was the fire in her voice the first time they had met? Gaara wondered about that and many other things as he led the way to the outskirts of town, away from prying eyes and ears.

She kept almost exactly two steps behind him, her raven hair swishing with her steps, the tips of her weapons gleaming in the sun. He wondered offhand how she chose such a difficult weapon in the first place. He'd seen the scars on her hands when she'd taken the scroll from him.

With time he might find out if things went well.

He stopped at his normal spot, an area where some of the wall still laid in chunks in the sand. Leaning against the one he always did, he glanced at the girl as she shifted from foot to foot, looking around. She was uneasy, and Gaara realized she probably had every right to be. Even if he hadn't been a killer years ago, being alone with the leader of your home would be a bit unsettling.

Slowly Gaara lifted a hand, making a snap choice and undoing the clasp on his vest. With one swift movement, his giant gourd was on the ground beside him, and he settled himself more firmly to the rock seat. Kira blinked, surprise clear on her face. She hadn't expected him to disarm, but Gaara was hoping it would show her he meant no ill will towards her.

After a long moment, she gave a small, uneasy smile. She walked to a small rock, sitting down on it, and then took her tonfas from their spot on her leg and set them down on the sand near her feet.

"This is…nice," she said softly, though the redhead couldn't tell if she meant it or not. Her eyes skated the ground as she spoke, never looking at him. It was a sign of submission, Gaara realized as she allowed her eyes to dart up to him for a moment, before moving back to the ground. He vaguely remembered ninja doing so around his father, remembered how much the former Kazekage had liked it. Gaara thought about having her look at him, but realized that might only cause distress, so shelved it for the time being.

"I come here often to think," Gaara replied. "It is normally deserted, like now. No one will hear us." He watched her nod slightly, a look of bewilderment crossing her face.

"What was it you wanted to speak of, Lord Gaara?" she asked after a moment, shifting on her seat and brushing off stray pebbles.

"You're friends with my brother," he stated, not sure how to go about starting this conversation. "The point you made weeks ago has continued to stay in my siblings' minds since then. " That was true, and it was how he came to this point, but the confusion on her face told him, he was making little sense. "Kankurō said I should consider my options, and that you were one of them," he explained finally.

Kira looked instantly flustered but gave another small nod. "I didn't mean to appoint myself, sir, it was just…" she trailed off, her eyes flickering up again. She ran a hand along the bottom of her blue shirt before seeming to find her words, and her nerve, once more. "Did you agree with him?"

"I have no way of knowing if you would be capable; aside from the missions you have done under my orders, there is little to no information regarding you." He didn't mean to sound forceful, but the words just came and Kira flinched slightly at the end. Gaara shook his head slightly, crossing his arms once more. "It would appear most of your files are either missing or do not exist," he explained, "Do you know why?"

She was quiet for a long time after that, almost frozen in time, even her hands had stopped fidgeting. A few emotions ran across her face, and Gaara saw the hint of anger and pain as it flitted through her amber eyes. Then, finally, she let out a long sigh as if she had been holding her breath. Maybe she had been. "Maybe," she said finally. "Your father…I mean, the fourth, he was rather careful about such things. Even more so when it came to the information of Ninja directly under his command."

"You worked under my father?" he repeated, confused. Though it was the duty of every Shinobi to follow their leader's command, normally the younger ones were left to their teachers. Then again, his father had ruled quite differently than Gaara himself.

"Yes…I had certain skills he found…useful," she muttered. "He didn't like me one bit, though, I knew that much, it was probably why he kept such a firm control over me." She sighed again, looking tired suddenly. "You didn't find anything, probably because you were looking for information under my name. He rarely used my name. Instead, like some of the other ninja in my…field, he gave us code names. Even then I'm not sure…he wrote anything down."

Gaara hesitated for a moment, but the words were out before he could stop them. "Why are you skirting the question?" That wasn't exactly right, he knew most likely she was having trouble talking about it because she'd been told – most likely by his father – not to speak up about it. "You aren't bound by any commands he gave you, not anymore."

"I know that," she said quickly, almost too quick as her tone become sharp like an animal lashing out. She winced and looked down once more, biting her lip. "I just…aren't there things about your past you'd rather not discuss? "

Gaara blinked, struck silent by the question. Flashes of past memories surfaced, anger and agony among them and in that moment, Gaara understood just what he was asking of her. It appeared his father's death had meant an amount of freedom she'd never had – much like him – and to bring it up again, all at once, might be too painful.

"You are right," he replied finally, earning a glance up at him, her startled eyes connecting with his for the first time. "I will not force you to talk, but, I would like you to answer me one question." He saw the visible tension in her face, but still she nodded her head, even as her arms crossed tightly across her chest, hands gripping her sides. The uneasiness and pain, it wasn't something he wanted her to remember him by. It was almost worse than having her fear him. Yet, he knew so little of the girl, and if he couldn't get her code name from her, then he needed to at least know one other thing. "What ninja did my father assign you to?"

She didn't seem surprised by his question, though her hands gripped her sides firmer at his words. She nodded half-heartedly once more before sighing, "I guess I owe you that much, no, more, but…" She bit her lip again, and Gaara raised a pale eyebrow. Owed him? He had never properly met the girl before her outburst, so how could he have done anything to make her feel as if she owed him anything? It was another question to add to the pile that was steadily growing. When she answered him finally, she didn't look to the ground, or past his shoulder, but rather met his gaze once more. "His name was Korin Esley."

Despite himself, Gaara felt his stomach drop at the name. Korin was not only been an older member of the ANBU and a friend of his father's, but he had been head of the Scorpion Section – a group Gaara had dismantled as soon as he'd come into power. The SS had been a section of the ANBU that was much like the Foundation in the Hidden Leaf, brutality and the stripping of emotions being two of the primary tactics that the two groups shared.

Her answer was exactly what the young ruler had hoped it wouldn't be.

"I wasn't…I never joined the SS," she whispered after a moment, and Gaara realized she must have seen something in his face. "He was just my trainer and I was often put through the same test members were but…once I completed training I was put on assignment."

Questions bubbled up into his throat, but Gaara swallowed them back down. Another time, he reasoned with himself. She'd said enough for him to figure out a lot of his building questions.

The submissive way she acted around him was probably a hangover from dealing directly with his father. Her reflexive shyness was a side effect of isolation and god knows what else. He could only guess at why she was so offset by someone touching her, but Gaara knew better than to ask. The Scorpion Section had been a rather well-hidden part of the ANBU, and while Gaara knew its facts on paper, he also knew much hadn't been written down. Those left of the SS were mentally twisted and deadly, having little care for human life.

They had made good killers, though, and that was what both his father and Esley had wanted.

It seemed somehow Kira hadn't fallen to whatever she was put through, though it had definitely left its damage. She was stronger than he had first thought.

"I see," he said finally, and then because he felt he should he added, "I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault," Kira said quickly as if she had seen his reply coming. "I'm just glad that such a places no longer exists." She was looking at the ground again, and Gaara simply frowned, wondering what he should say next. He had planned to ask her more, but now, he couldn't seem to find the words. Perhaps it was time he looked at this another way. His brother, after all, did seem to like her.

Things could be different now, with the One Tails gone.

Slowly, Gaara moved, taking up his sand filled gourd and shouldering it. "You should know you are welcome in my home." His words were even, truthful in every sense, even if he wasn't sure why he felt he needed to state it. "You are, after all, a Ninja of this village, and a friend of my brother's. Next time you visit, you needn't greet me so formally."

When he looked at her again – only now realizing he had been looking back in towards the city, watching the sun as it lowered in the sky – he found wide eyes looking back at him. He waited a moment, for her to let it sink in, before she blinked, coming back to her senses and using a hand to rub at her neck, eyes darting about.

"I…that is very good to know and…" Her skin colored suddenly, flushing as if sunburned. "I will remember that."

The redhead looked upon her for a moment more, before he nodded his head. "Until later then," was all he said, before turning and making his way back towards the village, leaving a surprised, but rather happy girl alone with her thoughts.

To any of those who were wondering, the name Scorpion Section or "SS" was intended to be a comparisons with the Schutzstaffel—or as they're more commonly known, the SS. They were an organization in the Nazi core. When the Leaf Foundation core was first introduced in the series that's all I could think of.