Gaara and the two town boys spent the rest of the evening assisting in the burial of the fallen mountain people, with Gaara using his sand to shift rocks off of bodies and Ryuichi and Gihei working alongside Ami and some others to decorate the graves that were created by the Tenrei pupils that harnessed earth style. When all were buried, including the family members of many of the Tenrei pupils, a mass memorial was held.

Gaara stood to the side, silent as he watched the people of the Gold Mountains crack under the grief from their unexpected loss. Many cried over the graves, but he noted that Ami stayed back, leaning against a tree trunk from afar as a young girl clung to her and wept.

Ami sat rigid with that still blank expression on her face, as though the life had been pulled out from her. Eventually, the young girl stopped sobbing and Ami leaned down a little to whisper something to which the small girl nodded and rose, making her way on small legs to the cluster of people mourning at the gravesite.

Gaara left his position and stood just behind Ami, next to the tree trunk. He felt inclined to support her somehow, although such things were still quite far from his forte. Ami remained silent for a long while before she spoke, clearly having sensed him behind her.

"This...it's all my fault. I had a barrier that reached out from the top of the mountain peak to the outskirts of the forest. I noticed them. I sensed them first. I-I should have reacted faster. It- I knew how hostile the enemy's chakra was and I still didn't speak up quickly enough, I didn't react fast enough. Now many of my people are dead and it's because of me." She said, her voice rough and hushed with unshed emotion becoming more quiet as she spoke. Gaara was mute. It was as though he could feel her agony in the way she slumped, in the emptiness of her gaze. Crossing his arms, he looked over at the people of the mountain wailing in misery.

"...No. What happened to your people was an unthinkable tragedy. Your people likely had never experienced anything like it, and therefore you could not have many measures in place to defend yourselves." He said, his voice low and even in the dark night. Ami shut her eyes and began to let the calm of his voice wrap around her before recalling her guilt sharply.

"But I could have gotten everyone into the labyrinth. Everyone could have survived." Ami's lip trembled ever so slightly. Gaara shook his head even though she couldn't possibly see the action from where he stood behind her.

"And what's to say that they wouldn't have brought down the mountain in order to get to you? Whoever these shinobi were, they sought the complete annihilation of your people, and they failed. The fact that you and so many of your people still breathe means that your brethren did not die in vain." He said. Ami turned to look up at him, her eyes shining. The pain in her face made him recall the agony his heart felt when he was a child. Looking away from her, Gaara continued.

"Grieve while you have the chance. Life can be cruel- it doesn't let time wait for you to fully recover from losses. Though we must do our best to remember the friends and comrades we lose along the way, as long as we still have breath in our lungs we must always keep marching forwards."

"Is that the way of the shinobi?" He heard Ami sniff. Looking down, he met her distraught green gaze, gesturing with his head. Giving her space to rise, he sent his gaze over to her one time before he looked forward, escorting her closer to her people.

"It is the way of the world."

Gaara was seated beside Senkensha and her two escorts, who he had now been introduced to as Amaya, the purple haired one, and Mitsu, the one with green hair. They were the respective captain and vice-captain of the Tenrei pupils. Though there was grief in the air, the two sat with poise behind the elder, remaining pillars of strength for their mourning people. The Kazekage felt his respect for them grow in spite of having exchanged very few words with them.

"...What will you do now? Will you remain here?" He eventually asked Senkensha after staring out at the people who grieved further down the hillside from where they sat. The old woman was silent.

"It is no longer safe to reside here, but where could we go? What would you have us do, if you were in my place?" She breathed, her voice husky with sadness. The young man didn't look at her, giving her privacy as she exhaled wearily.

"I would have you go to the guard town. The people there have also suffered an attack, and you would likely find solace together." Gaara said after a long time. Amaya and Mitsu stirred behind Senkensha.

"The Kinzan people have never left the mountain sanctuary since settling here." Mitsu reminded him.

"The thought of leaving to live in the outside world is not something that anyone here other than Lady Senkensha has been equipped for. It is unthinkable!" Amaya rebutted.

"...Exactly. You were not equipped and you are suffering for that lack of preparation now." He said after a long silence. The captains rose to their feet, anguish and offence etched sharply on their faces.

"How dare you!" They cried, stepping forward. Senkensha was quick to raise her hand, halting their movements instantly.

"Is this how you treat the man who came unrequested to help lay your brethren to rest? You shame me." She scolded. Immediately, the captains dropped to one knee, with the opposite fist on the ground as their heads bowed.

"We plead your forgiveness, Lord Kazekage." The apologised in unison. Gaara's eyes slid over them and he crossed his arms as he turned back to look at the Kinzan people.

"Don't worry about it. Please relax." He said. He understood that his suggestion was a contradiction to the way they had always lived, but times had changed, and they needed to as well.

"Then, tomorrow morning, we will make our way down the mountain's forest. Even if it is for a short while, we need a change of pace. Only then will we have the minds to understand how to move on." Senkensha finally decided. Amaya and Mitsu gaped at her, but remained silent.

"Captains, on my advice, we the Kinzan will descend the mountain to the guard town, Shinrin. There, we will work to repair their home that was destroyed because of enemies seeking us, and we will also deliberate on the future of our people." Senkensha commanded, authority temporarily filling her voice. Amaya and Mitsu rose immediately, bowing.

"On your advice." They echoed before moving away at speed. Gaara was impressed. They could have easily been confused for ninja with the way they moved. The elderly woman turned back to face him, her wise eyes glinting nearly white with the reflection of the fires that lit the oasis, the fireflies that fluttered through the air and the moonlight.

"Before we separate for the night to rest, I have a favour I would like to ask you to consider, Lord Kazekage."