As Rena opened the doors to the Elder Council's ruling chamber, their heads turned as they watched her walk in. An unopened box lay on the table, something that caught her eye; it was rather out of place but the seemingly judgemental stares of half of the elders stopped her from looking at it for so long. The first to speak up, of course, was the boisterous Ikanago Nakushita. "The Elder Council has decided to send you and one other on an important mission! We're rather short on manpower, so you'll have to do!"

"A team of two?" Rena asked, unsure if it was a good idea to send only two people on a mission that was supposedly important. It seemed like most of the Elders woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning; there wasn't as much energy as there should be. Most were almost nodding off looking at their stacks of paperwork.

"Unfortunately, everyone is short-handed, like I said, kid. The mission is easy enough; you're going to deliver a package that will help us rekindle our bond with the Hidden Leaf."

"Woah, that does sound important! What's in it?"

"That's none of your business, child, and it better reach its destination unscathed." Merui, especially, seemed rather bitter. "And that you escort the second member of your team and make sure he is unharmed."

"Wait." Rena shook her head, furrowing her brows. "What do you mean? My teammate is a shinobi, isn't he?"

"Just barely. He's the son of one of the esteemed nobles of our country. You are to give him whatever he wants, treat him however he wants, make him feel like this mission is life or death."

"So he's not a shinobi?"

"Stop asking questions you don't need the answer to, Rena Hikari." Merui snapped, waving as one of the guards in the room picked up the package and brought it over to Rena. As she took it into her hands, she noticed that it felt rather light; it didn't do anything to alleviate her curiosity as she walked out of the room. She almost bumped into someone on her way out, but before she could say anything-

"Watch where you're going, peasant! Jeez, are all shinobi this badly trained in the Hidden Sand? What is my family doing, giving this backwater village funding?" She watched as the person produced a small, expensive paper fan and started fanning themselves. She couldn't tear her eyes away; it was definitely the voice of a boy, but his appearance... was totally that of a girl. He was wearing eyeliner. His skin was fair and it was clear he didn't spend a lot of time in the desert heat; he looked like he was sick.

"Who... are you?"

"God, girl, are you blind or something?! I'm the child of the Daimyo and the future Daimyo of this country, show some respect!"

"Are you a girl or boy? And why are you playing shinobi?"

The boy's face turned dark. "I'm a boy, and I'm not playing shinobi- I am one! How dare you be so disrespectful?! You're lucky if I let you walk from execution!"

"Why execute someone over a question?"

"Because it's a disrespectful question!"

"Yeah, but... there's no harm in a question."

"Are you kidding me?! I'm the next Daimyo! I will succeed my father! There's harm in any question you ask me, you know! Someday I will take the title of Daimyo and become overlord of the Land of Wind!"

"What is a Daimyo, anyways?"

The boy's face fell, as if he turned to stone. He didn't seem like he knew how to answer that question, just stared at her with his jaw hanging open. "Peasant... I'll have you know I'm basically royalty! The Daimyo rules their respective country, and I am set to inherit the Land of Wind! You are a mere servant! Everyone is a mere servant! Not even the Elder Council may defy me...! You all messed up bad, so you have to do what I say until you're in my and my father's good graces again! How dare you attack the Hidden Leaf without permission?!"

"That wasn't my fault, you know." Rena said, sighing as she walked past Kagura. She put the package in her pouch; it was rather small. How could something so little be so important? "I'm actually one of the only people they kept in the dark." She felt a little bitter about that, but she understood that they might have thought she was an imposter planted by Orochimaru. They exited the Kage's offices, heading down a bustling Main Street.

"You need to better learn how to apologize for your actions, servant. Since I will someday be a benevolent ruler, I will take your words at face value and inquire about the truth later. If you are lying about your involvement I will have the wrath of the Daimyo turned on you!" As Kagura ran his mouth, she turned to face him with a blank stare on her face, looking him up and down.

"Are you sure you're not a girl, Kagura?"

"You will address me as Lord Ashia! And I am most definitely a boy! What's wrong with a boy wanting to be pretty, too?!" He seemed offended at her comment, so she guessed he really was a boy even if he didn't look the part. His clothes were rather flamboyant, exposing his stomach and collarbone, with a boa wrapped around his arms. It didn't even look like proper shinobi gear. His pants were poofy and oriental, one of the cultures of the eastern side of the desert- it was funny how their country was put together, yet it had so many different cultural differences. Even dialects were different based on where you were from. Sansa was able to teach her about the four cultures of the North, East, South and West sands. Even though they all were similar in stature, they wore different clothes, ate different foods and built different structures. There were a few towns each way with a huge settlement in the middle of them, as the desert had been built for. Kagura's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "How long will this take? I want to apply my beauty regimen before sundown."

"It'll take six hours there, six hours back. We're not going all the way to the Hidden Leaf, so if we avoid the more vicious animals along the way, we should be able to cut it down to four and a half running at top speed!"

"Jeez, doesn't this place have horses?!"

"I don't think so..."

"Hmph. I could've sworn there were peasants who raised horses in this village... I guess they all died." Kagura shook his head, picking up the pace as he walked between the massive walls of sand. "Out of my way, peasants!" He shrilly shrieked to anyone who dared get in his way. Rena had never seen the guards move so fast. She was somewhat amused before Kagura turned back to her. "Well? Are we supposed to be wasting daylight like this?"

Rena could tell she was going to regret even spending a moment with Kagura. She took a wistful glance back at the Hidden Sand, wishing she could have told Gaara before she left. Above, however, a figure watched, paired by a boy in a mask. "If I can't scare her out of the Hidden Sand, I'll annoy her out of it. Anything in my power; dealing with that brat should be enough to set in a message. From now on, her life is going to be a living hell! The worst missions, the most awful punishments, the most difficult teammates...! All of her friends will get the prestige and honor and the attention of her mother and the village while she'll be neglected and thrown away like trash!"

"Lady Merui, you're eager to have her removed from the Hidden Sand. Should I follow and make sure their return is delayed or that Kagura is injured?"

"Do not harm Kagura. Protect him at all costs; the last thing we need is the wrath of the Daimyo in the middle of a ploy to overthrow him. As promised, this mission is a distraction for the boy's uncle to swoop in; we don't want to risk angering the next Daimyo, either."

"Understood, Lady Merui. No harm will come to Kagura, but I will make it so there is reason for Rena to be punished upon returning."

"Go. The next Daimyo will be nothing more than a puppet in my hands thanks to this favour..." Merui's eyes glinted. "I have a rebellion to plan. The Daimyo will be dead before Kagura returns." Kagura's feelings on the matter weren't something she cared about. His father was a tyrant; offering the jobs that rightfully belonged to the Hidden Sand to the Leaf. Not to mention, he couldn't be paid off or threatened... he was haughty like that, but his brother... his brother just wanted the power. People could easily be controlled if you gave them what they wanted and Merui had an elite squad of shinobi ready to serve him... and her. It was so easy to make puppets if you knew what you were doing... no pun intended. She'd be rid of that brat, Kagura, too, as his influence would diminish greatly without the proper backing of the Daimyo.

As the boy body flickered away, she turned back to the Hidden Sand. The only thing left was the Sand Siblings, who were in the way. Temari could be controlled, but Gaara would have to die. As long as she married within the Hidden Sand, there was no need to kill her. There could be no competition, no others with the right to the title of Kazekage, other than her future grandchildren. Rena, especially, had to go.

And go she would. Merui was sure of it.

"So, we are not training today?" Tsukiyomi asked, her hair in a braid today. She seemed rather complacent despite the change of plans. Six people stood before Sansa, Tsukiyomi and Baki part of the party.

"No, Tsukiyomi. Unfortunately not. This is a cover for what we're really doing. Although I do see potential in you as my replacement should something ever happen to me, I think what we're going to do is more important than that."

"What are we going to do?" The voice was light, feminine. "The Kuki are at your side, always, Sansa, but I can't unknowingly lead my family into a suicide mission. At least let me know."

"Katari, Seikatsu, Akemi, Kasai, you're the only Kuki I could round up. Any more of you missing would be suspicious.

"I don't mind going! But I'm not even an ANBU yet!" Kasai's voice was light and cheery as she bounced around excitedly. "My second top-secret mission, wow!"

"It's not going to be a top-secret mission if you shout at the top of your lungs like that, Kasai! Shut up!"

"Yes, mom!~"

"Katari, she's excited. Don't put a damper on things- this is an exciting moment for any Kuki."

"Seikatsu, I love you, but you need to be in more of a serious-shinobi mood right now."

"How about we let Sansa speak?" Akemi's voice cut through the ongoing arguement, resulting in silence.

"As expected, you listen to the head of your family. Anyways, we're going to go find the Kazekage."

"What?" Everyone chimed, staring at her as if she'd said something absolutely insane.

"The Elders ordered us to leave it be, Sansa."

"What?" Tsukiyomi chimed in, a little late from the others, causing a pause of the conversation for a single, long, demanding look.

Then, Kasai put her finger to her lips and loudly whispered, "SHHHHHH!" Katari drew her hand back, smacking her on the back of the head and causing her to faceplant in the dirt. Sansa gave them a glare as she watched one of her colleagues walk by, the group shutting up almost entirely as the ANBU agent passed by, clearly uncomfortable.

"We're going anyways," Sansa continued once the coast is clear, "And I have faith the Kazekage is alive. That stubborn old bastard wouldn't let something like this get the best of him."

"Are you sure?" Baki was hesitant. On one hand, finding the Kazekage would be their top priority. If they could regain control over the Hidden Sand faster, wrench away Merui's wretched hold, then everything would go back to being safe. Merui had once been a snake lacking venom, but now she was worse than a desert rattlesnake. On the other hand... he was sure that his wife would leave him for Rasa if they found him. He felt pain over that. He would understand, certainly, what with their bond being so unbreakable. Rasa had, indeed, had her first. Could Baki handle the heartbreak? Would he be able to forgive them when it actually happened? All he wanted was for his friends and allies to be happy. As long as he could serve the Hidden Sand, he was sure he would be fine.

He hoped he would be okay.

"Hey, let me have the package." Kagura demanded, holding out his hand as they walked along the desert sands. "I want to see what's inside it."

"We're not supposed to see what's inside; these are goods for the Hidden Leaf so they don't attack us for what we did." Rena insisted, tightening her grip on her pouch while looking at Kagura sheepishly. She edged a little bit away from him, not wanting to remain too close in case he tried to grab it.

"I'll just blame you and say you opened it. Obey me, peasant. You live and die for me anyways and when I'm Daimyo, you'll be fighting my wars, got it?!" Kagura barked, stopping and pointing directly at Rena, who just groaned. "Hey! Don't make that sound, it's unappealing! I said obey me!"

"No!" Rena snapped, "Just because you're going to be the Daimyo, the Daimyo, the next Daimyo, doesn't mean I have to do whatever you say! Jeez, this package is for the Hidden Leaf, not for you! How childish can you get?!"

"What! When I'm the Daimyo, I'll have you killed!"

"Yeah, when. If ever. I wish you were the Daimyo now so I could be spared your stupid voice!"

Kagura's face turned red as a tomato and it seemed like he really would blow up. "I- you-" He sputtered, trying to find the words to respond to her. "You're really rude, you know that?! Back home, nobody would dare talk to me the way you do! You're not even worthy of the title of peasant, you're just trash!"

"And you're really spoiled! Stop playing pretend ninja and go home!"

"I'm not playing pretend ninja!" Kagura yelled and Rena's hands crept up to her face as she rubbed her eyes. She suddenly felt really tired. "I've always wanted to be like that one famous shinobi! I'm one of the most powerful shinobi ever! My name will be written down in history as the first shinobi-Daimyo! I'll be the type of man that fights at the side of his servants!"

"Listen, kid, I barely even know what a Daimyo is! But since they rule this country, that means that they have one place- and that's getting fat off of eating all that food spent by blood money! The biggest baddie is always like that!"

Kagura gasped; judging by the look on his face, that statement had offended him more than any other she made. "The Daimyo isn't the bad guy! The Daimyo is the coolest ever, and the best hero! I know because my dad is the coolest! He's got so many samurai protecting him, he's so important!"

"Just because you're important doesn't mean you're a hero!"

"Shut up! Take it back! Take it! Back! Take! It! Back!" Kagura pouted, sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, seemingly refusing to move. Rena continued past him, paying him no mind. "H-Hey! Aren't you going to try and get me to move or come with you?"

She turned back, staring at him with a blank gaze. "Why would I? You're annoying. Stay here."

"W-Wait for me!" Kagura yelped as Rena picked up the pace, trying to stride away as fast as possible. Kagura had to run to keep up with her, whining the entire way, but he stopped when he saw smoke spiraling into the air from a distance. A fire roared, its flames consuming the village, to which Rena grabbed her kunai and a few smoke bombs she'd stolen from Sansa's armory. "What... that's one of our villages."

"Someone's attacking. It might be the Leaf. I'm going to go fight them off."

"W-Wait, you'll die!" Kagura reached out to grab Rena, but she stepped away.

"There's a big difference between you and me, Kagura. Neither of us have proper training, but I'm willing to fight for this country! I'm not just playing shinobi; I... REALLY..." She got into a runner's position, prepping herself to go at a faster speed, "Really want to be..." As she flung herself toward the village, body flickering, the only thing Kagura could hear was the echo of her final words; "A shinobi!"

Kagura watched as Rena got closer to the village. A man excited one of the nearby buildings, axe heavy in hand, but she slashed his tendons, causing him to fall to the ground. He was somewhat in awe that she could just rush into a dangerous situation with little to no care for whether or not she was going to die. Wait...! He couldn't be admiring a peasant! It wouldn't look good for... for anything... but the more he watched her trade blows, the more he felt a growing need to join her, to prove he wasn't just playing shinobi...! He took off, running toward the chaos and hoping for the best.

As Rena traded blows with a nearby bandit, she took down another one, swiftly and quickly. She was only interrupted by what had to be the stupidest thing she'd ever seen- Kagura Ashia charging towards the scene of the action, screaming at the top of his lungs. The sound drew the attention of at least forty of the bandits. They began to circle the two and Kagura, ashen-faced, began to try and back away. "Look what you did now, idiot! Our chances of getting out of here just died with us! Good job... and stop playing shinobi!"

"I'm not just playing shinobi...!" Kagura yelled. The anger in his voice caused Rena to actually pay attention to his words as she realized that perhaps he did, indeed, want to be a shinobi. It kind of reminded her of how Sansa was trying to stop her from being a shinobi. How could she stop him when she knew how it felt to have your dream trampled over because someone else thought they knew what was best for you? She moved beside him and offered him one of the black balls she had been holding.

"You ready to do what shinobi do?" His eyes were wide as he stared at her, grabbing the ball and looking at it. They both raised their arms before smashing the balls against the ground, but Kagura's didn't break. He began to stomp on it, smoke blowing out properly that time, as Rena pulled him further into cover, covering both of their faces as she whispered, "Now, we attack them one by one and hope we can halve their numbers as less-than-genin."

"Alright! Do you have a weapon? I don't." Rena rolled her eyes before handing him some shuriken. "Oh, sweet! Dad never lets me play-" He paused. "I mean, train with these." He'd corrected himself, but he'd need quite a bit of training before he even passed as potentially a shinobi.

"Dynamic Entry!" A voice, charismatic, charming and overbearing, cut through the smoke as the grunts of bandits being severely pummeled rang through the air. Rena's head whipped around as she tried to locate where the person who was aiding them was in the smoke, her back to Kagura's. She saw a figure moving in the smoke and she leapt at the chance to hit it- narrowly dodging a green-clad limb. The punches coming at her progressively got worse and she was certain her forearms would bruise from all of the blocking she was doing. "Wait one youth-filled moment! You're not a bandit, you're just a kid!"

"You think?!" Rena snapped, realizing that he wasn't a bandit either- he was the one who had been fighting them off. It was kind of embarrassing that she couldn't really tell the difference, but smoke was impossible to see through. She decided that smoke balls definitely weren't her style; she wouldn't be using those again. "Who are you?"

"I'm Might Gai," As the smoke cleared with a single spin from him, he pointed to himself, his teeth glinting obnoxiously in the sun with how wide his smile was. "The Green Beast of the Leaf!" He declared, his goofy demeanor taking away from how cool that name would ever be considered.

"What's a peasant of the Leaf doing in my country?" Kagura snapped, coughing as he waved smoke away from his face.

"Chasing the fruit of youth! I'm here to pick up a package meant to help my pupil's legs!" He was overly optimistic, his movements mirroring his feelings. He projected way too much, to the point where it made Rena feel uncomfortable. "Wait, are you the ones who're delivering it? Lee needs that package desperately!"

"Lee...?" Rena questioned, before remembering; Lee was the name of the guy Gaara beat in the Chuunin Exams... the one he injured pretty badly. Guilt flooded her heart as she realized how awful that must feel on both ends; Gaara, who had definitely changed, was probably regretting every moment of the Chuunin Exams- every time he'd hurt someone. Lee, on the hand, was probably suffering with his injury- and if what was in the package was supposed to help him, no doubt it was dire since they were asking for help from people outside of the Hidden Leaf. "Yeah, we have the package. It's right-" As she reached into the pouch, her face package was gone. Even as she looked inside it, it was clear there was nothing there- her head turned to Kagura, who was looking anywhere but at Rena. "Where is it?"

"I don't know what you mean, peasant." Kagura crossed his arms but Rena could see the dubious guilt in his eyes.

"Kagura, we need to deliver that package to Gai. I'm already on thin ice with the Elders, so if you have it, please hand it over." Rena said, through gritted teeth. She really wanted to hit him, damn it!

It seemed like he conceded, hanging his shoulders in defeat. "I'll give it to you... when I get it back."

"What do you mean, when you get it back?! You lost it?!"

"I didn't lose it, I swear!" Kagura insisted. "A bandit took it from me!"

"Is that any better?!" Rena yelled and she swore she was going to punch him as she curled up her fist and took a step forward, but Gai placed a hand on her shoulder.

"This is an opportunity... to awaken the passion of youth within both of you!" His eyes were shining creepily, as if he were an old man sitting on a park bench staring at the children as they played, unaware of his presence. Rena almost wanted to scream, but she bit her tongue to hear him out. "We're going to raid that bandit hideout! These people need our help!"

"But they're not from your country. Why would you help them? Do you expect a reward?"

Gai paused, staring intensely at Kagura for a moment. "No, they just need help, so I'll help them."

"Why?! We're the enemy!" Kagura couldn't believe he was doing it out of the good of his heart; there was no such thing. The enemy was evil; that's all he could see.

"You're not that bad! Besides, they have what I need before I can go home! It's a win-win either way and it helps train you two to fight with the passion of youth!"

"What's the passion of youth...?"

"I'm glad you asked! I'm always willing to take on more pupils, but Lee will always be my star pupil!" That didn't answer her question at all. As she stole a glance at Kagura, who looked like he had eaten dirt in terms of the expressions he was making, she wished that it was, instead, Gaara that was at her side. She was sure that most of the village would agree with her, even if they feared him; they'd probably all rather die fast than slowly be annoyed to death. "Let's go hunt some bandits, kids! It's time to teach you the most important lesson there is!"

Rena wished she could just turn around and go home as the time she was spending with Gaara was already splintered since he was always busy when they were home. Half of the time, he didn't even want to trouble Sansa by coming in the house. The more she thought about how thoughtful Gaara was, the more her face flushed as she covered her cheeks with her hands, a smile creeping across her face as she shook her head. Gaara was just the best!

"Well, we're wasting daylight, kids!" Gai flashed his smile, causing Rena and Kagura to recoil in disgust, before Rena drooped her shoulders in absolute defeat. "Let's get moving!"

"W-Wait!" Kagura hissed, grabbing Rena's wrist as she made a move to follow the green-clad goblin. "Should we really follow him...? We don't know him and he's from an enemy village and he wears a jumpsuit!"

"You should have thought about that before you lost the package." Rena replied, wrenching her arm away from Kagura's grip. He looked crestfallen. "The next time you want to make things hard for your country, try not to start a war using my package that I'm responsible for! You're the Daimyo's kid, aren't you?! Just declare war all on your own and see who fights for you!"

As Rena walked away, Kagura watched her for a moment before looking upon the smouldering village, his eyebrows contorting over his face, furrowing. As he looked back at Rena, he tightened his fists. He really... wasn't a shinobi right now. He thought, for a moment, he and Rena... were on the same level. But, it was becoming clear to him... maybe he really was playing shinobi.

Gaara's face pressed into her covers, his eyes closed. He could smell her everywhere; in covers, in the hall, in the air around him. He had a feeling that what he was doing- breaking and entering- wasn't okay, but this place- it was so comforting. He just had to make sure he didn't get caught. His arms spread out against her bed and he wished he could feel her warmth there, but it was a soothing level of cold. He didn't know where she went, only that she was going to be gone for a while- so he'd occupy her bed. Not that she'd mind, right? He just... didn't want to be alone. Didn't want to sleep alone. One taste of her, a single touch from her, and this is what he was reduced to- wanting to cling to her like a child. It frustrated him, almost, that he felt like he needed her so much that it hurt.

He wondered if she felt the same way as he flipped over, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression. He was scared that she doubted his feelings, but why? He was doing all he could to push her away. He shouldn't do this. He shouldn't want to be next to her. Sansa might be right- and the chance that she was- scared him. He was trying to keep away for her. Not to mention, he kept a secret from her that she deserved to know, but Sansa had made it very clear to him- and the others, far away from Rena's sight.

She must carry on down this part of the path alone. She must realize the truth for herself, or it will destroy her. Anyone helping her will simply further her along to her demise and reincarnate a distant version of herself that should never see the light of day again.

He had read novels before. It wasn't really a hobby of his, but sometimes, when the nightmares got too much, he would read. He would read all kinds of stories and tales, where most of the issues stemmed from miscommunication. Gaara hadn't understood them until now. He was scared that this miscommunication- not telling her the truth- would destroy her in the end anyways.

No matter what, that girl must learn how to be herself before knowing the truth. She must grow and become more of who she is now. If she fails... then someone you no longer recognize will take her place. Please, listen to my warning.

It was a heavy burden to bear. Gaara wasn't even sure he could do it. Love... didn't love mean honesty? He could barely understand what Sansa said, let alone the meaning in her words. Keeping a secret... because he loved her, and he wanted her around all the time. But, Sansa also said it would be him that destroys her; not anyone else, not even Ikari, who she seemed to hate more than Gaara. That thought made his heart feel sore, sinking to the bottom of his chest; but the memory of the warmth of her smile spread throughout his body made him realize that he really couldn't listen to Sansa.

He'd do anything...! Anything as long as she kept smiling at him with that warmth of hers! She filled what holes remained from his past life. He hoped Sansa would forgive him, but he needed her. Her brightness. Even if she was childish sometimes and had a really hard time being mature, even if she was annoying every now and again, he could handle all of that.

A small shift in the wind, the particles of sand moving around him in disarray, and his head shot up, noticing the unnatural reaction to something; the assassin that had body flickered through the window narrowly dodged a branch of his sand. It was plenty easy to find sand around here; it was in the air, on the ground, in his clothes and hair- this was his domain. The assassin did his best, jumping around the room and aiming their kunai at Gaara- only for them to bounce off of his sand shield. As he began to fight back, his anger growing further, wondering why they'd send an assassin here- to this place. A place touched by her- somewhere safe from the outside world. As sand rushed to grab the assassin, wrapping around him, he tightened his hand- he could hear the strained groan of the man trying to kill him.

A crash caused him to pause. He looked back, to the dresser- only for his eyes to trail down to the floor. A spiderweb of cracks formed on the picture frame. A single strike through Rena softened his heart as he leaned down to pick up the frame, taking it into his hands with a gentle, heartwarming gaze. His sand slid away from the man, leaving him gasping for air. "Go." One word from Gaara, and nothing but the wind brushing against the curtains remained, a reminder of the assassin that had fled- but that anomaly was gone within mere moments.

As he looked at her picture, he realized something that made a pit feel like it was forming in his heart. He was supposed to have changed. Yet, given the chance, he would have gone back on that in an instant. Had it not been for her picture, he would have killed that assassin. Had it not fallen at that moment- and become cracked- that man's blood would paint Rena's floor. As he traced his fingers lightly over the shards. They weren't too sharp- but small bits of sand rushed to his defense. They wouldn't let them touch him. As he placed the frame back on the dresser, he knew.

Rena had him feeling like he was worthy of light and the emotions she made him feel. She was very much a big part of his world. He hoped it wouldn't be an issue that his world was ever-expanding and becoming bigger now- there was so much more than there had been before. Although Rena could evoke light, she could also consume him with a type of darkness he was uncomfortable with- one he didn't know how to counter.

If he ever had to choose between Rena and the Hidden Sand... well, right now, he couldn't answer the question on who would win.