Gaara had been here many times before, but none of those made justice of the beauty before. This underground city had been successfully restored, after so much work from him and the village it was not only habitable but surrounded with life and warm. From his position high in the sacred sanctuary he could see his people united in amiable expectation. The few lanterns surrounding the place could not compare to the natural light of the shining rocks of the massive cave where the city was hidden.
It gave the impression to be looking at the real star sky, music played in the background, a soft tune of drums mainly. His sight went even far, near the buildings and houses were surrounded by stands and food. What captured most of his attention was the magnificent lake and the green vegetation, that was the part that strongly lifted the spirit of the village because here... they discovered harvest was possible. Finally a resource of food, plants, water and herbs in which his people could rely on, something they could own.
None of it would have happened without the arrival of the three people situated in the sanctuary podium at his feet. While he walked down the stairs in his Kazekage garb his eyes could not hide the gratefulness. Kaoru was already waving slowly, her attire had changed a white dress garment he had not seen before, decorated with a little golden crown, her arms painted in golden stripes like following a circular pattern. The taller and older of them, a silver haired man with golden eyes brightly shining as ambers, had a similar attire in white but his chest completely uncovered, similar golden stripes with a slight similarity of a seal but different all the same, Hikaru a young shinobi of 18 years old nodded in his direction politely and pushed forward the younger boy.
The most distinctive feature was his orange pumpkin hair, clear brown eyes that rivaled maple leafs in autumn, a handsome boy of 11 years old who puffed out his covered chest being brave before him. At this moment the little boy who had grown something meaningful, was proving to be a warrior, more than a simple shinobi. Gaara offered the bowl he had been caring to Kaoru, she painted with her finger his hands, chanting softly.
What did she said? was unknown. It felt thrilling, anticipation of what was to come. When she finished, the music started to play. Softly, like fire ambers it started to grow. Kaoru hand touched gently her chest, slowly the purple reishi engulfed her and witnessed the most intriguing thing. Her purple aura fully surrounded her and separated from her, taking for of a man he had not meet before.
He was young almost as tall like him, his features hidden on a white mask but scarlet fire eyes give the impression he could see much more. In white regal clothes as if he were a noble, everything in him screamed power. Yet it did not felt like a treat, his red orbs turned to him, Kaoru nodded for him to come. Trusting her they stood the three side by side facing the crowd, Hikaru and Yue kneeled before them.
"It had been a long time, isn't it?" The man said directly to the two boys. Hikaru stood, Yue didn't move.
"Indeed." Hikaru followed Kaoru example and besides him another person appeared, a woman just as regal, who bowed in respect. His people murmured in wonder, they were just as perplexed like him. When they had arranged for a ceremony, he did not exactly knew what to expect. Kaoru and the man faced the crowd, she paused the music with a motion of her hand and began her speech.
"Some of you already know me, maybe others still don't trust me. However, this night I'm making a pledge for everyone." She looked at her right, where his councilman were watching with slight mistrust, except for Baki who was grinning.
"When I came here, it was the trust and kindness of your Kazekage that let me realize one thing I could do for this place I once called my home." She touched Yue head softly, he finally looked up to them. Excitement and curiosity as he watched entranced the newcomers, but Kaoru took his hand and the boy followed her forward.
"For generations, the people of my clan lived here. Secluded from the world, with the sole protection of the Soul King" She turned around, the man walked forward next to her.
"He is Isamu, the responsible one who built this place" His people were silent, just like him. Gaara studied the spirit with new eyes, the pieces of the puzzle made sense now. Why she understood how it felt to be a host. Why she managed to hold Shukaku just to make him sleep.
"People of Suna, it's because of my Hime that I extend this… invitation." Isamu strong voice demanded attention.
"As a token of gratitude for everyone who had restored the life that was taken years ago. I offer you this sacred place. I'll continue to protect you, all I ask is… loyalty to me and my Hime." That statement had a quick response from one of the elders of his council, he stepped forward not caring to hide his anger.
"Are you asking to betray our own Kazekage, what kind of foolishness is this? I knew something was fishy, Konoha ninja can't be trusted no matter what they do. Our Kage is younger, blinded by a vixen fa…" He didn't finished his sentence, Gaara had to blink repeatedly in astonishment watching the spirit woman whose hand disappeared in the head of the man. He was completely frozen in place. The crowd whispering, Gaara had to made them silent, because the old man was still alive. It was like a silent button, one he would like to know how to turn on.
"I'm sorry Isamu-sama, but I don't take kindly disrespect, especially to our lady" The woman said, returning to her spot.
"Don't misunderstand. I get how you live on. What I ask is that… whoever takes a step forward and pledged loyalty, will not lay a finger on my Hime. This ceremony is not just an introduction, it's an initiation for anyone that wishes to revive the clan again. They will prove themselves to me, I will have the final word of whom will be the next guardians"
Gaara could not hold his surprise. They were extending too much, their home, their protection… everything just because Kaoru asked. A woman who wasn't even from his village, she turned, blushing from all the attention and he just was at lost of what to say. The King slowly glanced at the boy whom Gaara had trained, he didn't think it will be for something this serious.
Yue silenced the crowd as he stood and faced the King with seriousness, just glancing from time to time to his student Matsuri who was on the first line clutching the arm of another girl in a dead grip.
"Isamu-sama, I will take the challenge" He said with a strong voice, Gaara felt proud at his determination. The King nodded, Kaoru smiled. Shiori stepped forward, long red hair on a high ponytail danced as she took her position in front of him, with a wave she put her own mask with a twisted smile and golden eyes burning from the inside.
"Touch her mask at least one time, anything is allowed. Good luck" Isamu grinned, crossing his arms and moved backwards. Soon Shiori launched a flame so huge he feared the crowd that was near, but surprised gasps made him realize that Hikaru had made a barrier, keeping safe his people. The young boy speed enhanced and engaged with the regal woman with a fierce taijutsu, she stopped every single hit.
The raven kunoichi who was playing with her hair as Yue continued, persisting and at times he got close to touch her mask. Changing tactics the boy prepared a trap, Kaoru jumped excited watching him do five clones, each one with a water whip and moved in tandem surrounding her opponent from afar.
"Gaara! Did you see that? He might be a prodigy!" The joy in her voice was contagious, still he did not understand the excitement.
"Isn't a clone normal for his age?" Gaara asked curiously.
"A shadow clone, yes. But he created 5 soul clones! Do you know how much time it took me to create one!? It's not fair!" She pouted, yet her smile was broad. Intriguing, he knew the basic elements of Reishi or soul clones from their past talks. He felt his heart jump when Yue did a move he taught him. Feeling his chest beat as he finally cornered the spirit woman, and touched her mask.
Yue released his clones and was breathing hard, but his joy was palpable. Brown eyes gazing at him with gratitude, blushing cheeks as he was surrounded by Kaoru. Covering his face on her chest, but she was so delighted he could not help but step forward and touch Yue head.
Proud. Would be the effect his smile had, because it was like it was for him alone, like he… craved his approval.
With the barrier gone the cheers of excitement and curiosity loud and clear. Isamu approached, Kaoru detached herself and pushed him forward to the soul king. He had a more open expression unlike before, his voice was enough to silence the crowd.
"I recognize you now… Sakamoto son" Gaara noticed him flinch, but Isamu continued. "Hereby, I will concede his past general to you. Isamu held Yue hand and both were surrounded with a tender blue glow, as he touched his chest with his free hand a cerulean butterfly appeared, the king whispered something and it flew straight to Yue chest. A second later it manifested next to him a woman, older in appearance compared to Shiori. Short cerulean straight hair and golden eyes, delicate, powerful, not expressive. Wearing white pants, a long cape that covered her frame and a crown of something peculiar, like marble without shine, texture rough with holes yet beautiful.
The woman knelt in respect in silence.
"Yue, I officially appoint you as the guardian of the water dragon Harumi. May the life smile for your future together"
The cerulean woman, Harumi stood and bowed to Yue. Gaara got distracted feeling Kaoru hand on his wrist. Clutching it softly, her green eyes looked more brightly, unshed tears of emotion he understood.
"My King, Hime… a pleasure" the woman bowed, her voice soft and respectful.
Gaara was surprised when they stepped forward the group he had seen with Kaoru on the botanic garden.
"We have some brave candidates!" Hikaru grinned, crossing his arms leisurely.
"Ari… Tsume...Hinta?" Kaoru was surprised, the group stood on the middle with nervousness, or so he thought.
"We… we would want to help." Ari, the younger girl from the trio spoke first. A blush evident for all.
"You… are really helpful, we want to do something this time" Hinta said a bit too quickly, looking between the ground and them.
"Maybe we are not… strong. Nonetheless we will try. It's a promise" Tsume the taller and blushing finished, the three bowed. Turning to asses Kaoru answer, she was too red to even talk. It was Hikaru that went to them and spoke.
"What do you think? Is it alright for both?" Golden eyes focused on them. Gaara was not opposed to their decision, he nodded.
"Ok, anyone else?" Murmurs again from the crowd, Hikaru waited but got impatient "Just to made it clear… Nothing bad will happen to you, on the contrary. You will feel the world different"
"What- what exactly will happen?" asked one man in the crowd
"I'll open the path of Reishi lay dormant on their heart. This will enable you feel a strong connection to those whom you choose to share your link. The power I bestow on you is not important for me… but your understanding that what was protected here was life and balance. The Higa clan fighted for it until its last breath, they didn't wanted pointless fights. What I'm giving is a chance to prove… your generation would be different." Isamu paused, his golden amber orbs meet blue. He grinned cockily in his direction.
"With a Kazekage like him… I'm betting it all. It's your decision, at the end it's your future"
Matsuri stepped forward with a determined expression "I'll do it. For Gaara-sama!" It was not the best argument, but it was honest. Soon few other people stepped forward. Hikaru, Kaoru and Yue did hand signs and bite their thumb. What he thought was a summoning jutsu turned to be completely different. They draw symbols around their wrist and their neck while Isamu glowed, little orbs of light color flew, butterflies surrounded the whole place. HE started to wonder if the whispers he was hearing were of his people or something else.
The butterflies disappeared one by one around his people, different reactions across the light with stirring sensation of calm.
Once everything was done Gaara observed the joy and amazement in the ones who decided to be part of such ritual. Even Matsuri, the bundle of non-stop chatter was speechless. Hikaru approached them as Kaoru talked with them. He was just too perplexed and curious, what did they feel to look so… happy? He didn't notice when the King itself was in front of him, the mask not bothering him at all.
"Thanks" He felt it was the only right thing to say.
"If your so grateful, I will like to hear the music again…" He said with an edge of familiar nostalgia.
"Music?" He was just… curious.
"It's one of the human creations that could not be tainted… Dance is also one of my favorites"
Gaara had to blink repeatedly after his admission, this was the first time they talked to each other. Just hearing stories from Kaoru about a loud, annoying, cocky grown up man with ego problems. Not exactly the image he was portraying now.
Once the atmosphere changed, the music played and the real celebration began. Moving from the temple to sit around the table arranged for them near the lake. Isamu was the only remaining spirit in the field with his eyes closed, like meditating near the musicians who were playing animatedly as the people danced and eat.
Hikaru was showing off a strange dance with his glowing fingers, Yue eyes did not wandered off from his movement, attentive while Matsuri at his side blushed in amazement.
He was with Kankuro and Temari observing everything while tasting the food. Temari laughed suddenly, Kankuro whistled and the young excited cries of children finally attracted his attention.
Kaoru had one baby on her arms, bugging eyes as he watched her freely laugh. No, he had not seen her laugh like that before. It was… no, he could not even describe what.
She was laughing, red cheeks, almost crying out of delight at the Soul king. With his mask gone he finally noticed the man behind, 4 little kids surrounded him. One girl tugging his hair, playing with it, caressing as if it were a cat. One little boy was crawling to his legs, content on tugging his shoes.
A more younger girl was making herself comfortable on his chest, yawning. Feeling her move to the side, Isamu put a hand to protect her. The black haired boy sit besides him and was talking non-stop, moving his arms excitedly.
"Without that mask, he looks almost human…" Temari made a comment, she took another piece of beef.
"Yeah, well… who would have though he will be a great toy" Kankuro paused. "The things went much better than we expected"
Oh, they did. Gaara was prepared to calm down the protest or fears that might had arouse but it did not happened.
"Well, she worked hard for it. Besides, it helped she managed to win over some friends"
The group from before was not too far, they were surrounded by curious villagers and a little group of children he had seen. The orphans were smiling and chatting, looking up to them, and it was no surprise because the trio after leaving the orphanage visited the young ones. He remembered Kaoru mention before something about a party and a permission request.
"Man, you have to repay her somehow… I don't care if she insist she don't want it" Kankuro said watching Kaoru pale at something the king said. She denied with fervent vigor.
"... Even I think it's just right" Temari sighed, lifting a curious eyebrow at her as she tried to escape with a baby in arms.
Gaara did not know what to do. They were right, but he was not sure how to do it. As he followed the peculiar chase of a king with a baby girl and his friend with other baby, disappearing among the crowd.