Hello again, my dear readers!

I would like to thank all that read, followed and faved! I was thrilled to see some follows :) Still no reviews though :(

Anyways, I shall not give up! Here is another chapter, I hope it gives you a bit more insight into the characters and the story.

I would also like to say that this culture that I am describing is completely imaginary, even though I am using various things from reality to make it as real as possible. You may notice different religions and customs mashed into one. It is not my attention to offend, so do keep that in mind while reading.

If I may suggest a playlist:

Shiva in Exile - Kraft und Freude

Shiva in Exile – Endure the Heat

Solace - Khatar

Today I give you Chapter two:

In which Gaara gets advice...

I stand here, still, at the knot of the worlds. Skies under my feet. Oceans above my head. I am the gate. I am the doorway. I do not flatter before those who wish to pass. I cross the border. Back and forth few are allowed. I shall live both in the world where the survival of the fittest rules and in that in which the hearts of men rule.

I stand here, still, waiting for someone to relieve me of my duty. I do not regret a day of my watch. The stars shine under my feet. The fish swim in the heavens. I am the way. I am the gate. I am shut.

An elegant hand glides over the parchment. Silver and golden designs glister upon the tan skin in the dim light of the candles. Letters spill from a brush, creating more cursive lines.

I pass my knowledge of the knot to you.

For a second everything was still. Then the man in front of them moved. The tall, tan male put one of his hands casually on the hilt of his sword. Gaara stilled. He flared his chakra slowly in warning. Kan reached for a kunai and Toru had his hands in front of him, ready to form signs in a second. Then Shura spoke. The foreign words she said sounded broken and a bit uneven, but realization flashed across the Wanderers face. He answered her with a long string of his own words and stepped forward. Gaara let his sand tickle to the ground. He wouldn't let his team get hurt.

The man was still walking forward. He stopped in front of Shura. The men behind him were laughing silently. Then his own laughter boomed the desert and he clamped a huge hand onto Shura's shoulder. She stood, looking smug, as the man talked and laughed patting and shaking her shoulder occasionally. Gaara stopped his sand, bewildered. In the last ten minutes, he had lost all control of the situation. That is, if he had had any to begin with.

Once the man stopped shaking Shura he draped a hand around her shoulders dragging her towards the huge tent entrance. "Kazekage-sama, we have been invited in. He says he will listen to you after dinner. That is the custom here, so please just go along with it."

The Kage and shinobi followed the now happily chatting warrior and kunoichi into the tent. The guards at the entrance nodded to them as they passed. Entering the tent was like entering a whole different world. Gaara breathed in the air, noticing all the different smells. The air was thick with some kind of sweet smoke, but he could also smell various spices and some kinds of food he had never tried before. He noticed Toru coughing a bit beside him. The escort was still on his guard, unlike Shura, who had walked into the tent with the Wanderer warrior like it was her second home. She was walking in the front, laughing at something the tall man had said.

Gaara then surveyed his surroundings carefully. The inside of the tent didn't just have different air, the inside was like stepping into a colorful painting. The outside was a plain sandy color, but on the other side of the sails there were carpets and wide clothes that had pictures on them pulled up carefully, making the interior a vortex of colors. They weren't unpleasant to the eye, and Gaara decided that he quite liked the tent. Maroon, pale purples, dark blue tones, red, brown and black surrounded him. The ship parts that were on the inside of the tent were transformed into various things, giving room for an improvised kitchen like space, an area for smoking some weird pipes, Gaara determined that the sweet smoke came from them, and others like that.

On the wide expanse between the ships, the desert floor was partially covered in carpets, and parts of the inside were divided into smaller tents with see-through materials. Inside those smaller sections were pillows on the floor, also decorated with impressive designs like the carpets. In the middle of those small circles were low tables where the plates were placed with an impressive amount of food. Gaara caught sight of wine and sake, and some other amber liquid he couldn't identify. He never was one for alcohol after all. That was something Kankuro knew about.

The people were bustling around, not paying much attention to the newcomers. Gaara noted that they were mostly tan, tall and dark haired. Their clothes were also quite different from what Gaara was used to. They wore either sandy colors, or dark red and deep purple tones. He noticed that women wore pants and didn't really behave any different than men. Obviously, they were regarded as equal. He caught sight of some children running around and playing. Most of the men had warrior braids, while the women either had their hair up in high ponytails or braided in one long braid that went down their back. They all had golden and silver jewelry and details on their clothes and hair. He saw a man with a tribal golden tattoo over half of his face. All in all, Gaara decided he liked the look of these people.

The warrior and Shura led them to one of the smaller tents. The tan man gestured for the rest of them to sit, seating himself last. Gaara found himself sinking into the one of the softest pillows he had ever sat on. The scent of the sweet pipes wafted his nose as he settled himself. Toru took the seat to his right in a flash and Kan sank into the pillows to his left. Shura settled herself next to Kan. The Wanderer sat across from Gaara, looking at him with plain curiosity. There was no hostility in the man's posture, and Gaara relaxed on instinct.

"This is Yaiba no Chaizen. He is the current leader of this tribe. They are the current rulers of the Pale Mountain and the Western Starsea." Shura introduced. "I will try to translate to the best of my ability, Kazekage-sama."

She then turned to Chaizen telling him something in the strange language. Gaara caught their names as she gestured to them. The introductions were complete without a lot of complications. This was great. It was going better than he anticipated.

"Ask him if he knows anything about thefts, discreetly." Gaara's monotone voice caught Shura's attention. She nodded and then turned to the Wanderer. He had a small frown on his face as she talked, then it morphed into a wide grin. He laughed and answered her. She laughed with him.

"He says that he doesn't know what you are talking about, and that you should eat something before discussing such matters. He asked a bit about our village, too."

Gaara accessed the man in front of him. Obviously he was a good leader. A great warrior and a clever man. He was telling Gaara to rethink his question while eating, and then ask again. Gaara allowed a small smirk to make its way to his lips, and he nodded to the man across from him. He found that he quite liked the Wanderer.

The pale fabric of their smaller tent moved as a couple of children and women entered, setting different foods on the plates on the small table in the middle of the pillow circle. Two men hauled in a barrel of strong smelling liquid and set it next to Chaizen. The man attached some kind of a contraption to the barrel and poured the amber liquid into five golden goblets. He distributed them among the group and then raised his locking eyes with the Kage.

"Gaara." The man's thick accent was evident in the strangely pronounced name. "Celebrate." He finished and moved his glass to Gaara's. The Kage caught on, clanking their goblets together, as they all chorused the weird toast the Wanderer had set. Chaizen drank, and they all followed. Gaara was suspicious, but he noted that Shura was heartily drinking without any precautions. He took a gulp and the taste exploded on his tongue. The drink wasn't alcoholic, but it might have as well been. The taste that he couldn't quite pinpoint was intoxicating and addictive. He could guess that it had raspberries, some kind of sugar, oranges, strawberries and something refreshing, something he couldn't identify. It was delicious. He found himself downing the whole goblet and then looking at the clear bottom in disappointment. Chaizen's loud laughter rang again, and he took Gaara's glass and refilled it.

"Kazekage-sama, If I may, ease up on the Fruit Water." Shura was suddenly on his right. When did Toru move? He didn't know. He saw the shinobi siting on another pillow, filling his plate with the delicious looking food on the table. How much time had passed? What was this?

Shura settled herself next to him. Kan was no-where to be seen. She filled a plate with different things and handed it to him. The only thing he recognized was a type of lizard. He looked at Shura. She was eating her own food, looking very content. Chaizen was sitting next to Toru, piling up more food onto his plate.

"Shura." She turned to him. "What is going on?" She seemed to understand his question. She lowered her plate and drank a bit from her glass.

"It's nothing to worry about Kazekage-sama. The Fruit Water is a bit strong this season, and the Sweet Grass is probably dulling your senses a bit. You will be used to it in the next hour or so." She reassured him. "Eat something, and leave everything to me. This doesn't affect me."

Gaara nodded to her and tried some of the meat from his plate. It was delicious. There was a woman singing somewhere behind him. When did they start playing the music? He didn't know. This was like an impressive genjutsu, he concluded. His sense of time had completely vanished. He heard drums and a flute. The voice rang out once more and he kept eating his food and drinking the wonderful Fruit Water. He would leave things to Shura for a while.

At some point, Kan sat next to him again, and started drinking and eating again. The salty food was replaced with sweet and Gaara found himself impossibly full. He had no idea that a meal could be like this. He was used to a quick lunch or nothing at all during his long hours in the Kazekage office. Temari sometimes cooked, or Kankuro burned water, but mostly they went to places to eat. Back when his father was alive, they had a cook and a housekeeper, but not even that food came close to this. He had no idea if it was the music, the smells, the cloud like pillows or the laughter and genuine joy around him that made this meal one of the best he had ever had. He could bet that Naruto would've loved this.

Chaizen sat across from him yet again and smiled at him. Gaara gave him a nod. The man drank again from his glass and then started setting up something from a box he had brought with him. It was a tall pipe of sorts, with water in a glass bowl on the bottom and a long tube going around the whole contraption. Gaara found it quite ominous looking. Chaizen set it up, lit it up and then started smoking. He extended the tube to Gaara who looked at it carefully. His sense of time and space was slowly returning. He was getting more cautious.

"It's ceremonial, Kazekage-sama." Shura explained. "The pipe is a symbol of relaxation and peace, smoking it with him means that you come in peace and that you are grateful for his hospitality."

Gaara leaned forward slightly, taking the pipe. He pulled one short breath of the sweet smoke into his lungs, and was surprised that he didn't cough at all. He expected it to be like cigarettes, but it wasn't. Cigarettes were something Kankuro had persuaded him into trying. He had decided that once and never again was good enough for him. But this, this wasn't too bad. He could get used to announcing he was peaceful from time to time.

He exhaled the smoke, passing the pipe back to Chaizen. He however shook his head and gestured to Shura. She took the tube from Gaara and pulled the smoke into her lungs. Gaara noticed how the water on the bottom bubbles as you inhale. She exhaled the smoke in shape of circles, blowing them towards Chaizen. He laughed loudly again, taking the pipe this time. The Wanderer looked at Gaara once more, a serious expression on his face. Then he turned to Shura, telling her something. She nodded.

"He says that he likes you and that he wants to give you a piece of advice. He says that the shinobi haven't been bothering them as much as they used to since you have taken the position of the Kazekage and he wants to show his gratitude by giving you this information." Shura translated.

"Give him my thanks." Gaara replied in his usual emotionless tone. Chaizen perked up at his words, laughing yet again, and then he quickly explained something to Shura. She stopped him a couple of times, asking him to slow down and posing some questions. When they were done she turned to Gaara.

"Chaizen says that you decided to act at a good time. He says that the Grand Priestess, that is their elder, has declared a summit of clans. They are right now travelling towards the meeting point, he says he is willing to take us along. Chaizen is only the head of this clan, and he is willing to answer certain questions, but it would be better for you to go and talk to the Priestess. She is the one who has the authority to pass laws onto all clans, while Chaizen can't command his clan members to honor the rules that he decided upon. If you go directly to the Priestess, you can solve your problem, he says."

Gaara nodded to her. He wasn't too familiar with the structure of the Wanderer people's society. But he figured that there were clans who were led by their heads, but those heads didn't have infinite power. They could only suggest things, and then see if those were accepted by the whole clan. Then there was the Great Priestess, she ruled the clans and decided what they would do. She could pass laws onto the people. He wondered how the heads and the Priestess were chosen, but that would have to wait. Shura could probably answer his questions.

"We will go to the summit." The Kazekage decided, looking at Shura and Chaizen. She gave him a smile back, and the Wanderer laughed loudly again. The tan man stood up, saying something to Shura and then left. Gaara glanced around, noticing Kan gone yet again and Toru snoring softly on one of the bigger pillows. Council appointed escort, eh? He glanced at Shura. The brown eyed woman was staring at him intently. She didn't seem to be afraid of him anymore.

At first he could sense her unease around him, but she had done her best to cover it. Now she seemed quite relaxed in his presence. Maybe it was the Wanderers. Being in their presence was like tossing a blanket of calm and safety over yourself. Truly, entering the tent was like entering a different world. Here, he was Gaara, not a Kage, not a shinobi, just Gaara. And he liked it. There weren't any stared full of hatred, nor frightened screams or hushed whispers. There was just calm, music, food and the sweet scent of the pipes.

"Kazekage-sama, Chaizen said he was going to find someone willing to host us for the duration of the trip. He says that it won't take longer than a day, if the wind is with us." Shura addressed him.

"Thank you for your hard work." Gaara told her the sentence he often heard from Temari, hoping it brought the same fluttering feeling of satisfaction in her stomach as it did in his. "And it's just Gaara, Shura."

She smiled at him. "Forgive me, I'm used to being formal to my superiors."

Kan re-entered the small tent again, grinning ear to ear. Shura gave him a once over. Nothing out of the ordinary. So why did he look like the cat that ate the canary, caught the fish and then sipped some milk? Her lips formed a smug smirk.

"Did you finally get a girlfriend, Kan?" She asked him teasingly. The shinobi in question looked mortified. He glanced at the Kage, seeing to reaction there he kicked Shura lightly with his foot.

"No, you brat, I got the recipes and the spices from one of the girls that were cooking." At this Shura's face lit up. Gaara would testify that in her mind she was imagining all the food that had just left the small table and more. Kan chuckled, sitting down onto the pillows.

"Do we have a plan, Kazekage-sama?"

"We will travel with Chaizen and his clan to the summit." Gaara declared calmly. Kan nodded. They both glanced at the sleeping Toru. The shinobi, if he even was one, had a bit of drool going down his lip and onto the beautiful pillow he was hugging in his sleep. Shura slipped next to his relaxed body and shuffled him so he was lying on her lap.

Chaizen moved the light fabric of their tent to the side, poking his head in. "Come." He said in his thick accent. Kan moved to Shura and she maneuvered Toru onto Kan's back. Securing the out cold shinobi, Kan got up and left the tent. Gaara and Shura followed.

Chaizen led them through the flurry of dancing people, tents, pillows, rugs, smoke and around some tables. He headed towards one of the kitchen-like spaces and hauled himself onto the boat. The Wanderer tossed a small rope ladder down to the shinobi. Gaara however, took charge, using his sand to create a moving platform and hoist them onto the deck. He wanted to avoid awakening Toru. That would most certainly be a bother. Chaizen laughed at him, looking quite amazed. Kan had stiffened for a bit, but then relaxed after he saw that the sand meant no harm. Shura, however, she was trembling. She tried to hide her reaction to the blood smelling sand, but Gaara felt the vibrations through it. He couldn't quite explain it, but her fear hurt him.

Chaizen motioned for them to follow him down the deck and then bellow. Gaara couldn't see a lot, but the light from torches lit up the way somewhat, so he didn't have any problems finding his footing. Soon they found themselves in a rather large room. There were bunk beds on each side of the room and there was also a cupboard of sorts on the far end of the room. They all surveyed their surroundings. Chaizen spoke to Shura quickly. She nodded along with him.

"He says that there are two bunks that we can use, and that the others may use either a futon or a hammock. They are stocked in that cupboard." Shura translated once more for them.

"Kazekage-sama, Shura, take the bunks, Toru and I can take the futons." Kan suggested. Chaizen was opening up the cupboard and taking out a futon by now. He motioned towards the two bunks next to the cupboard and grinned at Gaara.

"That won't be necessary." The Kazekage cut them off. "I don't sleep. Shura, ask him If they have a night guard."

The words caused a bit of silence. Kan was now moving towards the bunks, where he placed the still dead to the world Toru. He was looking anywhere except at the Kage. Shura was fidgeting and staring intently at her feet as she asked Chaizen about the night watch. He looked at each member of the group slowly, trying to figure out the source of the tension that had suddenly arisen. When he couldn't find it, the tall man answered Shura and waved at Gaara to follow him. They left the two shinobi and the kunoichi in the berth.

Chaizen seemed relaxed as he led Gaara back up to the deck. The young Kage followed him, remembering the path in case he needed to go back to his team. They didn't exit the huge tent through the same entrance, but through another gap in the fabrics. The tan Wanderer then climbed a rope ladder up the fabric of the sails and into the crow's nest. It was a long climb, but Gaara didn't mind it much. At the top two people were waiting for them.

A man and a woman, both tan and tall. The man surveyed Gaara, eyeing his red hair and the love kanji on his forehead. He then grinned and started speaking while looking at the Kage. The redhead looked to Chaizen. The man laughed, and the sound carried through the silent desert. He then talked to the night watch and the man that had spoken was now nodding enthusiastically. He looked about Gaara's age, maybe a bit younger. The woman still hadn't moved from her spot, she hadn't even acknowledged Chaizen and Gaara's arrival. The warrior leader now turned to Gaara. He pointed at the male with the large grin on his face.

"Lim." He said. Gaara nodded. Then he pointed at the woman. "Sul." Then she turned and Gaara saw. Down her face ran a huge scar. It caught her eye, making it completely white. Around the damaged tissue were golden designs on the skin, going along with the damage down her neck and further down her shirt. She frowned at him, but said nothing. Lim looked between them in curiosity. He smiled at Gaara after a moment of their silent stare down. Sul barked something at Chaizen, clear distaste in her words and then climbed swiftly further up the mast. She became still after a few moments, the only thing moving were her clothes and hair in the wind.

Chaizen patted Gaara on the shoulder, and left down the ladder back to the tent. Lim was still looking at Gaara with a grin. His smile reminded the Kage of Naruto. The youth pointed at Gaara's forehead, at his kanji and then gave him a series of ecstatic nods. He rummaged through his tribal shorts for a bit, pulling out a small package. Lim then unraveled it and showed its contents to the young Kage. Gaara bent forward, curiosity about this strange tribe getting to him.

There was a small decorated bottle with something golden in it. Beside it lay a tiny brush. Lim then rolled up his sleeve and showed Gaara a complicated looking golden tattoo. Then he licked his finger and rubbed it over one part of the marking, slowly, it came off, leaving a trail of golden specks on the youths finger and arm. Lim gestured to Gaara and to his tools and then to the mark on his arm. Gaara stopped for a moment. Well, he did want to gain their trust and experience their culture. And, he had to admit that the body art looked absolutely amazing. He gave a small nod to the anticipating youth receiving an ecstatic grin. He thought that the boy would start jumping up and down at some point.

Lim caught his arm, leading him to the edge of the crow's nest. They sat comfortably onto the padded railing, Gaara in front of Lim. The boy motioned for the Kage's hand, but the shinobi stopped him. The boy looked disappointed until he noticed sand falling from the redhead's body and flowing into the gourd on his back. Gaara unfastened the heavy burden and placed it with a light clank onto the floor. Then he rolled up his sleeve and gave his left arm to the young Wanderer, sand armor less.

Lim sat there gaping at the sand performance, not even accepting the offered canvas. He then clapped excitedly giving Gaara another wide smile. Lim took out his tools and unfastened the decorated cap on the glass bottle. Time to start his next work. He scanned the night desert with the corner of his eye, and applied paint to the shinobi's skin. It was going to be another masterpiece.

That will be all folks!

I hope you are still keeping track of all the OCs, cause there are only more on the way :P

Don't worry though, we get to see a bit of Kankuro and Temari in the next chapter, so you will be on familiar ground!

I would love to hear what you think, give me something, preferably a review!

Until next time :D