How to sway the innocent

Chapter 2

Gaara had never really forgotten about me. He's sent one after the next, continuing without a response. Just hoping that I may receive one, or finally answer.

Lace,

I know that it has been two weeks since I last made contact with you, but I have not forgotten about you.

Suna doesn't feel right to me. It never felt like home, but now that I'm trying to speak with people and learn more; I realize just how much they loath me.

Kankuro tells me not to give up. But it was much easier to kill what bothered me instead of dealing with it.

I hope you're doing well. Kankuro and Temari send their best.

How so ever truthfully,

Gaara

: I read. It's the very first one he sent. It has the date furthest from the current. Just hearing anything from him gives me chills. I may have only barely changed, but he must be totally different. And I am anxious to see just how much. His sign out takes my attention at first. Most people just right sincerely or love but he broke it down. Made me think about the pure origin of sincerely. Not to mention love is a new and difficult thing for Gaara. It must still be even after all this time.

I look up re-folding the letter. We'd taken a break for our charge. He's kind of old and hasn't got much patience. The only thing worse than his patience is his language, or maybe his manners. I can't decide. There sort of tied.

"So what is it that you do?" Sy asks him. He makes sort of a half laugh half snort of derision.

"It's politics. I don't really do anything. I just let the greats bitch at me. Then I make a mild suggestion and hope they don't try to kill me." he laughs curtly. "Of course that's only my legal profession. I prefer work with the ladies if you got my drift." he winks at me. Harano's eyes widen a bit and Sy raises an eyebrow. Our sensei looks uneasy, but he doesn't look like he's going to take any sort of action.

"How long is this going to take?" I ask my sensei. He takes a look at me but returns his gaze to the setting sun. "We've stopped so much that we might not make it to the village in the specified time."

"Be patient Lace. He doesn't care when he gets there. And I'm pretty sure the Kaze-kage isn't in any hurry to meet him."

"That's for sure. He's truly awful."

"Yes but he's the only one the kage's trust to change the trading routes."

"Why do they need to be changed?"

"Have you not heard? The new Kaze-kage is doing wonders down in the Village Hidden in the Sand. He did open up the academy beforehand but now their working really hard to build more green houses to boost their hospital ratings. So he needs to tweak what going in so he can manage them properly."

"That sounds like an incredible idea."

"It is. He has been doing his absolute best. And it's paying off."

Lace,

We've opened a new academy. Never before would I have thought to place myself amongst children. Especially as a sensei. I just try to stay out of the way. I do have a student though. I was shocked that one did muster up the courage to speak with me.

It's a bit curious though. She isn't a very courageous girl, in fact she's scared of just about everything. Temari insists it's 'adorable '. But I think otherwise. She will be quite a lot of work.

I send my best wishes, reply when you can.

How so ever truthfully,

Gaara

I smile at Gaara's next letter. I can't wait to see him again.

"Lace. Aren't you tired?" Harano remarks from her sleeping bag beside me.

"Um, yeah. I just wanted to read this first." I admit tucking it back in its envelop then back with the others. I set my head down to think. I'm not really tired, how can I be? I'm a ninja; I run twice this length in an hour. This doesn't even count as a walk, since were stopping every few miles.

"God dammit!" I swear. Harano tenses preparing for a blow.

"Is there a problem Lace?" Sensei Hakasheare asks peeking into our tent. How did I not notice him? I snap my barrier back so I can feel their emotions again. I barely ever put up a barrier anymore, but I don't like the waves from that perverted old man.

"No, sorry sensei. I just..."

"Just couldn't wait to see your boyfriend again?"

"He's not my..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're relying on your relationship though. So don't say that."

"Relaying on it?"

"Of course. Do you really believe the Kaze-kage would ask for the company of this horrid man if he met him before. Especially since he had such anger issues? But with you there wouldn't you say it would be better for everyone?"

"Why does it matter what Gaara thinks of him?"

"The kage's have trusted that man for years. Tsunade doesn't much like him but she's old enough to realize that he is valuable. If the Kaze-kage makes any notion that he does not support the other kage's choice we could have a war." he explains.

"How long have we been on the road?" Harano whispers to me as we fall back a little from our group.

"Six days." I tell her.

"Oh god." she growls. "It never takes this long."

"I know it's painful. But what can we even do?"

"Er. Can't you just do some of your mind control shit?"

"No. And it's not mind control. I just make them feel what I feel."

"Well can't you make him feel a bit more anxious so we get there before we die of old age?"

"I'll see what I can do." I tell her.

And that would be nothing. Because no matter how much energy the man may feel his body is still too weak to use it.

"Finally!" I shout seeing the entrance to the village. And Gaara's just inside! They stop us at the entrance to make sure we have are passes. The old man goes first.

"Lace. I have so much energy, but I haven't moved enough in the past week that I don't think I can get it all out." Harano groans from next to me.

"I know what you mean. But I'm so excited I can't complain."

"What makes you even think he's going to want to see you?" Sy says with venom coating each word. That hits me deep. Why would he even want to see me? Sure, he sent me letters. But it's been so long. The other letters might be just for the curtesy. He might be mad at me for not responding!

"Because." I say tilting up my chin. "I'm Lace Omoi." I state.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm Lace Omoi!" I yell at him. A few people turn to look at the scene I'm making. A chunin that's checking passes shakes off a fellow ninja and comes toward us.

"Great. You got us in trouble." Sy crosses his arms over his chest.

"Excuse me." the ninja says. "What did you say your name was?"

"Lace Omoi." I answer lightly.

"May I see your pass?" he asks with shocked eyes. Wow, a lot of trouble.

I hand it over.

"Come with me. The Kaze-kage will see you immediately." He walks expecting us to follow. We do, feeling as if we have no other choice.

"Are we in trouble?" Harano asks picking up her dog so she doesn't get stepped on by the crowd. The man laughs.

"No, of course not, unless you're not Lace Omoi from Leaf."

"I am." I say with great relief. "But why is that such a big deal?"

"The Kaze-kage and you have spoken haven't you?"

"Well. Not really. Well, not recently. We did spend quite a bit of time together in Konaha though."

"And that's what matters." the man smiles warmly at us showing us through the village at a faster pace than were use too. "Your part of the reason the Lord Kaze-kage has changed so much over the years. We had our hope returned to us. And we are in your debt. Here we are."

And we are all but pushed into an office.