Chapter 21: Tanigakure
A/N: HIII MY DARLING HEARTS! I would like to thank everyone who reviewed, faved and followed!
Infinite Katalyst: Shogo is creepy, I agree! And I also love Sakura and Naruto's families too.
Starfire201: I love off the wall siblings! Heehee. And yes, the creeps don't like to be told no.
NicolaiGrey: I did end up having a Snowmageddon Day 3! It was very nice.
Stallion6: I have to throw her in there every once in a while. Its in her contract or something. (Darn OC union!) XD
"So, you're telling me you want to move up the wedding?!"
Hinata looked surprised at the outburst her wedding planner, Toyoe made in response to the Kazekage's request. Gaara closed his eyes and sighed. "Due to the circumstances I think it wise to have it done the sooner than later. I would hate for anything troubling to happen while everyone is distracted by our nupitals."
Hinata looked down at her hands, contemplating. Gaara made a good point. If Suna or any other village was attacked during the wedding due to the troubling political climate, she would feel horrible. "Toyoe-san, I think I agree with Gaara. His reasoning makes sense."
Toyoe nodded, defeated, and began to collect her binders and papers. "I'm just going to look over what we've already planned and see what I can make work and what I can't." With that, she left in a huff, leaving Gaara and Hinata sitting at the Hyuuga's dining room table.
"I understand your birthday is in a few weeks?" Gaara asked her, his pale green eye meeting her own. She nodded. "Uh yes. December 27th."
"I would like it if you came to Suna for a visit during your birthday. With the political climate being the way it is lately, I can't be leaving the village as often as I have. Hopefully, you will have an enjoyable time."
"Oh, that would be nice. It will give me a chance to get more acquainted with Suna."
"My birthday is only a few weeks after that, January 19th."
"Maybe we can celebrate for both of our birthdays then? And exchange presents?" Hinata said with a small smile, hoping he would allow her to buy him a present.
"That would be...nice." Gaara said, a strange look on his face. "I would like to go out for dinner tomorrow night, and as I explained in my letter I would like for you to join me. Is that acceptable?"
She nodded, a tiny blush on her face. "I would like that."
"Very well," he said, standing to leave. "Thank you for taking the news so well. I need to go speak with Tsunade, but I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye, Hinata, I'm looking forward to dinner."
Hinata watched as he left, closing her front door gently behind him. There was no way she could avoid spending time with her fiancé anymore, not that she minded, the Kazekage was a much more gentle man then he was when they were younger.
"Hinata, are you alright?"
She turned to see Neji in the doorway, holding two used dishes. Tenten was visiting she surmised. "Ah, yes Neji-nii. I was just thinking."
"About your engagement, I presume?"
She nodded, a small blush on her face. "Its all happening so fast. He wants me to visit Suna for my birthday."
"It will be your home soon, you may as well visit." Neji said, as he placed his dishes on the kitchen counter, and pouring more tea in a pair of teacups.
"How was your mission to Ryugakure?"
"It was an interesting place to be certain," Neji began, "But they need our help there. I wouldn't be surprised if I get sent out there again. Kakashi, Kiba and Naruto are trying to help train some Chunin, but surely it won't be enough to truly impact their forces."
Hinata nodded, wondering if she would ever get to go on missions as the Kazekage's wife. She doubted it, but was still hopeful.
Ino sat down with a lunch tray in the hospital cafeteria, watching as Sakura lectured Yumiko on whatever they had just been studying, approaching the table with their own trays.
"Hey Forehead, how was your date with Naruto?" she asked her friend, who had just sat down across from her. Sakura smiled. "It went well. The restaurant was very nice and after, we went on a walk."
"That is nice. I had to have the most awkward dinner of my life with Kiba and Kakashi at the hotel last night. Kakashi scarfed his food down so fast I couldn't follow it and Kiba only talked to Akamaru."
Sakura eyes widened slightly. "Wow, that really sucks. I'm sorry."
The two medics eyes were suddenly drawn to a person standing at their table. It was the Kenshin boy that was on Yumiko's team, Sakura recognized.
"Can I sit with you, Yumiko? I normally sit with my Dad, but he's in surgery."
Yumiko nodded, "Of course, Kenshin!"
Ino smirked. "You know, these apprentices really look up to their senseis. I almost want to take one on myself..."
Kenshin looked up a little shyly. "I actually know someone looking for a teacher. He's the cousin of one of my clan relatives and I've been trying to teach him a few things but he wants to do full blown training."
Ino raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Oh? What's his name?"
"Hajime Yasutake."
"Well tell this Hajime to come find me one day, I'll take him on as a student for as long as I'm here. That should get him in the door." Ino replied, feeling gennerous, and wanting to keep herself busy after the night before's awkward dinner.
"Well I'm sure Mitake-san will be pleased to hear another medic is being trained here." Sakura said, smiling at Yumiko and Kenshin. "Every little bit helps."
Yumiko smiled sadly. "Its difficult to train medics around here because all the trained people are busy running the hospital. Mitake-san trains her own daughter Kura, and her brother Takeo-san trains Kenshin, my Aunt Suka trains Tsubaki-chan, and Yurika-san trains a team of 3 Chunin."
Ino shrugged. "We'll help you guys get back on track. By the time you two are older, it won't be the same tiny hospital."
"That reminds me, Ino, Naruto asked me if we could take a day and teach medical basics to those Chunin he's working with. I think it'd be a good idea. That way if they get hurt in the field, they can help the situation somewhat." Sakura said, before taking another bite of her salad. "Apparently one girl needs help with chakra control."
"Sounds good to me." The blonde replied with a shrug.
"Nakina-sama, we'll be in Tanigakure within 10 minutes."
Nakina nodded. "Thank you, Sae. Just in time too, the Summit is tomorrow, I'd hate for us to be the last ones to show up."
Toru nodded, brushing some red hair out of his eyes. "Today will give us some time to talk amongst the leaders of the various villages. Maybe we'll be able to make some allies."
"I hope so," Nakina said, narrowing her brown eyes. The three Ryugakure nin all sensed another presence and turned towards it, ready for an attack.
'I really hope it isn't Tani nin...' Nakina thought to herself, holding a kunai up, as Sae had her sword ready and Toru braced himself for an attack.
Jumping down into the clearing, the presence was revealed to be a group of 3 ninja from Getsugakure. The obvious leader of the group, a tall man with pale blonde hair pulled into a ponytail waved cheerfully, brushing bangs out of eyes the same shade of blue as a dark summer night.
"Hello, Ryu ninja. I'm Ryutsuki, leader of Getsugakure. This is my wife, Meihane." he said, gesturing to a woman with hair of a dark fuschia color and deep plum colored eyes. She was quite tiny in comparison to her husband.
The group from Ryu put themselves at ease. Nakina extended a hand. "I'm Nakina Takeshi, leader of Ryugakure."
He shook her hand with a smirk. "So it's you, the reason we're here."
Nakina frowned, "That's a false accusation. We had no part in Onoki's assasination."
The handsome Getsu ninja shook his head, becoming serious. "I don't think your village is at fault here, Nakina-san. I'm somewhat worried about what this Katsutoshi is going to say or try to do. I think the world would hate to be roped into another war."
"I'm still hoping this will all blow over." Nakina admitted. Ryutsuki nodded, before gesturing to his wife. "As much as I am enjoying this chat, Nakina-san, my poor, pregnant Meihane needs some rest, so we're going to continue onto the village. Unless, you'd like to join us?"
Nakina shrugged. "There's no harm in it, I suppose. Congratulations, Meihane-san. How far along are you?"
Meihane smiled happily. "A couple months, that's why I agreed to come. Ryutsuki won't let me out of his sight, he's so terrified." Ryutsuki pouted at his wife. "I want to make sure you're safe, Meihane. Who knows what could happen in the village while I'm gone?"
Meihane shrugged. "You're just lucky that I'm in the early stages or I would've refused."
Nakina smiled sadly as she observed the young couple. It reminded her of Torao when she saw scenes like that.
"Torao, we need to sit down and talk about names," a younger Nakina demanded, her pregnant stomach in his face. He rubbed his cheek against it, hoping for a kick as he smiled, his bamboo green eyes twinkling.
"We still have time."
Nakina crossed her arms in a huff. "But what if the baby comes tomorrow, and we have no name picked out?"
Torao sighed lazily, "Then we'll call her Tsubaki. Happy?"
"Tsubaki, eh? And what if its a boy?"
Torao shook his head, as if the answer to her question were obvious. "It won't be."
Nakina rubbed her stomach wearily, an eyebrow raised. "And what makes you so sure?"
Her husband smiled brightly, putting his hand on her stomach also. "Father's intuition! Trust me!"
"That's not a thing!"
As Nakina reminisced, Sae's blue eyes met Toru's pale green eyes as they silently tried to decide if they could trust the group from Getsu. They both looked at Ryutsuki's gaurd for a brief moment, relenting, but keeping their gaurd up. They weren't sure what kind of conflict they could expect as they grew closer and closer to Tanigakure.
"Ah look, Meihane, we're here," Ryutsuki said gently, trying to lead her into the village. His tiny wife rolled her eyes. "Ryutsuki, I'm not even showing yet, I am perfectly capable of walking."
A girl with mid back length black hair and red-violet eyes approached the group as they grew closer to the gate. "I am Hiromi, here to check in the delegates invited to the small village summit."
Ryutsuki approached first. "Hello, I am Ryutsuki from Getsugakure, and this is my wife Meihane, she's pregnant so I was hoping we could get to our quarters as soon as possible."
Meihane rolled her eyes again, but Hiromi nodded. "Yes, of course. And your gaurds name?"
"Miki."
Hiromi turned to Nakina's group, her pencil poised to fill in the clipboard. Nakina stepped forward. "I am Nakina Takeshi, leader of Ryugakure, and these are my gaurds Toru Uzumi and Sae Kaida."
If Hiromi reacted, she did not show it, remaining calm. "Allow me to lead you to your respective rooms."
The two groups followed the girl through the village, which was tiny, and somewhat downtrodden. Nakina noticed that it may have been in even worse shape than her own village, despite the better weather in the Land of Rivers. The area grew slightly nicer, when Hiromi led them into a hotel entrance, and spoke a moment to the receptionist.
Coming back with two keys, Hiromi motioned for Ryutsuki's group to follow her, and Nakina's group to stay. Ryutsuki bowed politely to the Takeshi woman. "It was my pleasure to meet you, Nakina-san. Now, Meihane, my love, we must get you some rest!" In a swoop, he picked up Meihane, who began to struggle a little, before hurrying after Hiromi.
"What a strange fellow."
The group turned to see two women standing not to far away from them. One looked a little strangely, with shoulder length green hair that curled up at the ends, deep brown eyes, a beige poncho with a Kusa headband plate on it, and a long lighter beige skirt, that had a slit over the right leg, showing bandaging on her leg, and a boot that came above her knee. The other woman was dressed more plainly, a loose, plain gray kimono style shirt was tied with a purple sash that matched her capris. An Ame headband was visible under red waves that fell into gray eyes. The redheaded woman smiled at them. "Hello, I'm Amaya, the leader of Amegakure. What village are you from?"
Toru put his arm forward, to show them the Ryugakure headband, the symbol being a dragon's paw. "We're from Ryugakure."
The green haired woman raised an eyebrow. "Ryugakure, eh? You must be Nakina Takeshi then."
Nakina nodded. "And you are?"
"Kaede, the leader of Kusa."
At that moment, Hiromi returned, ready to show Nakina's group to their room. The orange haired woman, bowed to the two other village leaders, before moving on. "Goodbye, Amaya-san, Kaede-san."
Amaya bowed back. "I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow, Nakina-san."
Watching the Ryu delegation head down a hallway, Kaede lowered her voice to Amaya. "I wonder who will have a better argument. To be honest, there's a faction in my village that wants to join with Katsutoshi."
Amaya nodded. "My village is trying to get its credibility back, but I'm not sure what side they'll try to earn it from."
The two women, both relatively new leaders in their villages, frowned.
A/N: That's all folks! I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to reading all your wonderful reviews!
Another question, does anyone want to draw one of my characters? I'd love to see what you guys think they look like besides my sketches!
Please review, read next and vote in my poll. I will be closing it after Chapter 24!
MyHikari