AN: Don't own.
Kazekage's Office
"I disposed of the Iwa ninja then proceeded to secure the objective."
"And the bodies," asked Sajo.
"Currently in the Headquarters of Research and Development as per Lord Kazekage's instructions."
It was standard for Suna shinobi to take anything they could back to Suna's Research and Development for further inspection. It was a directive from Lord Rasa, as he followed the will of the Nidaime Kazekage in furthering the jutsu of Suna so that stronger shinobi might be produced.
Lord Rasa wouldn't allow the relatively small population size of the Village Hidden in Sand be an excuse for a weak nation and used every method in ensuring that Suna grew in strength.
The bodies Hisoka gathered would be searched thoroughly in the hopes of finding clan or nation secrets. With the Iwa-nin they might get lucky and one of them could have been a member of Iwagakure's famed Explosion Corps. A high level group specializing in the Explosion Technique.
Lord Kazekage nodded, "Did you find anything in regards toward their unimpeded entry into our land?"
Hisoka frowned, "No, Lord Rasa. Seems the Iwa jonin had already knew of how and when to get into the village without alerting us."
A council member on the other side of his Uncle Ebizo spoke up, "I wonder then how they received such information about the security of Suna. Lord Kazekage, you and the Honored Siblings, would have been able to sense if anyone got close to the village."
Hisoka saw his Grandmother's eyes tighten and the Kazekage frown while Ebizo remained impassive.
"If you have something to say, Chikaku, say it. Don't hide behind words," came the curt reply of Chiyo.
As Chikaku went to reply Rasa cut him off, "This can wait, another successful mission, Hisoka. You do Suna proud."
Hisoka stood a little taller, recognizing the dismissal but before he left, he wanted to ask about Gaara, he immediately thought better as he caught the warning glance from his Uncle Ebizo. Instead he gave a stiff nod and exited the Kage's Office.
He would talk with his Grandmother and Uncle the next time they had dinner together. Right now, he would get some tea.
Saryo Tea Shop
Hisoka let out a contented sigh, yet again glad that Mr. Saryo kept his shop open at such a late hour. No doubt understanding that this was where many shinobi came to relieve some stress due to their difficult lifestyle.
He had many questions about Gaara, most centering on the second chakra he sensed within the boy. His mood had soured after his report, Lord Rasa hadn't even asked about the wellbeing of his son and Hisoka hadn't forgotten how the kid was only mentioned as a weapon.
Hisoka knew that Lord Rasa wanted nothing more than to increase the might of Suna, something that Hisoka had no issue with, but the idea that the Kazekage might incorporate one of his own children into those plans in such an extreme way was near baffling.
He didn't even want to consider the possibility of a traitor in their midst, how Chikaku could suggest Lord Rasa along with his Grandmother and Uncle was foolish.
He gave a mental shrug; it wouldn't do him well to ponder on these questions now. They would be answered in time. All he wanted at the moment was to enjoy his chamomile sage tea, his favorite, so that he could unwind.
The chamomile and sage herbs were amongst the few herbs that were able to be grown in the desert and Saryo had long mastered how to get the most flavor out of them resulting in the best tea Hisoka had the pleasure of enjoying.
He nearly spilt his beloved tea on his flak jacket as a hand slammed onto his table nearly breaking it. Looking up he immediately noticed the triangular paint on the woman's cheeks.
He gave her what he thought was his most charming smile, though Chiyo often said he looked like he just killed someone whenever he gave her this smile.
Maki just narrowed her eyes, "Did you just kill someone?"
Hisoka sputtered, spilling some of his tea, "N-no," a beat, "I mean I did, but that's not why I'm smiling!" The amusement on Maki's face did nothing to alleviate his indignation.
"It was for a mission!"
Hisoka frowned, "You know, Maki, you don't have to look so unimpressed."
Maki sat across from him, amusement still showing on her face, "So, that's why you weren't there for training this morning."
Hisoka nodded as he took a sip, "Yeah, Lord Kazekage had a mission for me."
Maki leaned forward in interest, "Ooohh, what was it?"
Hisoka thought for a second, unsure of how to dance around the answer without being obvious, "Oh, um, just stuff, you know." Perfect, nailed it.
Maki closed her eyes and shook her head, "How you became a jonin at sixteen is mind blowing."
"While I agree, Maki. At least give him credit for not trying to come up with another outrageous lie."
Maki, her eyes lighting, looked up at Baki chuckling, "Too true, Baki. What was the last one? Had something to do with a cactus?"
Baki smirked as he sat next to the kunoichi, "Yes, I think he tried to tell us that an enemy ninja attacked him with a cactus related kekkei genkai to explain all the thorns he had all over him."
Hisoka frowned as his friends laughed, wasn't his fault he fell into the group of cacti, how was he supposed to know that was a cliff edge. It was dark out.
He watched as Maki got her and Baki some tea, grinning as he turned to the woman, "Oi, Maki do you remember when Baki first met you he-" His words toward to muffled grunts as he was forced to chew down some ginger.
His eyes narrowed at Baki who contentedly took a sip. Maki merely rolled her eyes.
As Hisoka swallowed the last of the ginger he heard Maki ask, "So, what was it that Lord Rasa needed you to get?"
Baki spoke up before he could, "Sorry, Maki," his hand brushed over her's, "Lord Kazekage has restricted who can know that information to select jonin and those who work in his office."
Maki nodded in understanding.
Hisoka poured some of the water present into a separate cup in an attempt to drown the overwhelming ginger taste in his mouth, not missing the smirk on Baki's face as he did so.
"Speaking of, Maki, you know the jonin promotion is just waiting for you. Baki or I could put in a word for you if you want."
Maki nodded, feeling the increase in pressure on her hand from Baki that folded his hand into her's, "I know, I know, I just feel like I have more to grow. I don't want to let Sensei Pakura down, I have much more to accomplish."
Both men understood, "We can train tomorrow morning to make up for this morning if you'd like."
"Thank you, Hisoka. Another time though, I have plans for tomorrow."
Hisoka caught the warm grins on both of their faces and a low grin showed on his face, in an attempted melody he started, "Makiii and Bakiii, their love is boundleeess, it cannot be measured in ounc-" He couldn't finish as yet again a handful of ginger was forced in his mouth.
Hisoka smirked at the blushes and the slight smiles on the normally calm shinobi. He swallowed and stood, "Well, I'm going home. If either of you need me." The rest didn't need to be said as the three exchanged goodbyes and he left the two in the tea shop.
As he languidly walked home, his eyes turned toward the starry night he noticed a bit of red on the top of the Hospital building. Moving some chakra into his eyes he saw that it was Gaara, looking up into the night sky. The boy then looked behind him, Hisoka followed the boy's gaze and softly smiled.
Looking back into the stars he continued his walk home.
Kazekage Residence
Temari knocked on her brother's door only waiting a moment until it opened and she saw Kankuro. Walking in the nondescript utilitarian room, much like her's, she let out a breath as she sat on the bed.
Looking over at the desk as her brother sat, she saw that he must have been doing that day's homework if the strewn paper and ink pots were any indication. She had graduated a year prior and was getting special instruction from a chunin under the orders of her father. Her brothers would most likely be graduating in about a year, she mused. Gaara was more than able to handle the curriculum of Kankuro's class which was a year above.
As he sat Kankuro groaned, "Why do we have to waste our time with word problems, Temari? I don't see how a test is going to prepare us."
Gazing over his work she rolled her eyes, "Pay more attention, Kankuro. Number seven is wrong; you should kill the other shinobi as a failed mission is never acceptable regardless the circumstances."
Kankuro eyed said problem, "But this asks if two shinobi happen to work together what should you do if the other shinobi is injured and threatens the completion of the mission? How is leaving him to finish the mission considered a failure?"
"There's no telling if the enemy is nearby, they could have stalked both of you at a distance and waited. When you leave the other shinobi, the enemy comes up and captures them giving the enemy village more information about our own village. As shinobi we are to be discreet, no one should know what we are up to. A captured Suna shinobi is the same as a failed mission. You should kill the injured shinobi, then destroy or store the body and finish the mission."
Kankuro hummed, "Makes sense, there's no telling what they'd give up."
As he worked through the homework, something he heard that day sprung to his head, "Overheard some of the instructors today talking about how the Council put together teams of graduated genin, put in threes I think with a jonin sensei."
Temari looked thoughtful, "My chunin instructor says that's how the Leaf shinobi run most of their missions. All graduates are put into three-man squads as well. Maybe there's a high success rate with it?"
Kankuro shrugged, "Who knows? Suna is successful enough isn't? Father's Gold Dust is known throughout the world. And when was the last time we were infiltra-" He stopped himself, his eyes seeming to look beyond the closed door towards where Gaara's room was.
She saw the conflicted look on her brother's face, "Kankuro," waiting until he was looking at her, "he's our little brother. It's okay to worry about him." Lord Ebizo's words coming to her mind as she spoke.
Kankuro was unsure, "Father said to ignore him, Gaara is just a way to strengthen the village."
Temari snorted, "How? Gaara is only nine. Suna wouldn't be able to match the Hidden Rain Village let alone one of the other Great Nations if we relied on a nine-year-old. Besides, do you even want to dismiss our little brother?"
"There's something about him, Temari," Kankuro looked slightly nervous, "Do you hear him at night?"
"Crying? You know that'd he come into my room when we were younger because he had nightmares."
Kankuro nodded, "I know but I've heard him talking to someone that's not there."
His sister frowned, "And? What do you think?"
He shook his head, unsure of how to respond.
Temari stood, her hands on her hips, "Kankuro, usually you're more realistic than this. Do you think Gaara is evil? Our little brother?"
Kankuro closed his eyes, thinking back to how his brother would stare out at kids playing or when he would clutch his bear.
"The other day, I saw sand around him, it was grabbing some kids. They were screaming."
Temari's eyes widened, "What?"
Kankuro gave a shaky swallow, "It was strange, I don't even think Gaara meant for it to happen. He looked more terrified than the kids."
The siblings didn't say anything for a moment.
"We should go see him."
A shocked expression dominated Kankuro's face, "What and ask Father if Gaara was brought back? We both know Father would tell us not to concern ourselves with Gaara. I doubt we'd even get the question out. And how do we know if Gaara was even rescued?"
Temari looked unconcerned, "Hisoka no Suna was sent get him, according to Lord Ebizo."
Kankuro let out a whistle, the siblings had heard of the sword wielding jonin seeing as they lived in the Kage Building- the Kage residence being in the top two floors.
"So, it's only a matter of time then."
Temari nodded, "He'll probably be taken to the hospital first."
Their conversation was halted as they heard a door open and closely followed by another shortly after. Seems their Father was home.
"Gaara must be back," Kankuro mused.
Looking out into the village through the window, Temari spied who must have been Hisoka walking from the Kage Building, "Let's go, Kankuro."
Leaping out of the open window and onto the ground below. They gradually made their way toward the hospital, making sure to remain unseen by guards stationed at the Kage Building.