How To Sway The Innocent

Chapter 3

Lace

"Gaara?" I wonder as I glance up finding him. I was right. He has changed. He's taller which I had expected, but his face has lightened to. He looks healthier, and less likely to kill me in my sleep. I feel the waves of emotion coming off of him. Almost as powerful as I remember. They beat constantly and rapidly into the sensitive parts of my brain filling me with his shock and surprise. I swallow hard trying not to make it obvious that I'm setting a barrier about my mind.

Gaara

"Lace?" Is it really her? I wasn't expecting anyone today. Especially not her. And especially not her being thrown onto my office floor looking up at me with her huge grey eyes.

"Oh my gosh, Gaara." she pushes her hair away from her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I never received any of your letters. My mother kept them from me. I promise I would have answered if I would have known. But I didn't. I'm so, so sorry." she continues on and on looking desperate and pleading. She stays on her knees making it difficult to not feel bad for her. Her lips keep moving, apologizing continuously with her perfectly pink lips.

"Lace." I say cutting her chatter off. I offer her a hand so she can get off her knees. She takes it. "Shut up." I tell her.

"Lord Kaze-kage?" a guard by the door asks questioning my choice of words. I look at him somewhat offended by his objection. Only my superiors have the right to question my judgment. And even they would never stoop so low as to judge me on the lack of manners in a few words. Maybe I should have chosen some that did deserve questioning. Though I can't imagine using such words in front of Lace. The ninja backs down noticing his error.

"So..." asks a kid. I turn to find two others on my office floor. Where did they come from? It's a blond that spoke. He's tall and thin, he's got the kind of face that makes it obvious he doesn't respect authority. Frankly, he just looks like a prick. "How did you become a kage?"

"Are you questioning the judgment of my political system or my ability to rule?" I set the whole intensity of my gaze on him. He wasn't prepared for my response. How has Lace known this guy for as long as she has without killing him? He keeps quiet which is the first smart thing he's done.

"I can't believe you're really the Kaze-kage!" Lace smiles. I hadn't let go of her when I'd helped her up and now that I notice I let go hoping nobody saw. Her face has changed some, but not in any noticeable or intense ways. But subtly her nose is more narrow, her face is slightly more heart shaped, and her eyes are more lively. But she still looks like herself. Still the sweet little white field mouse she was back in leaf.

"I know." I say simply. "I'm still not use to it." that's the truth. Not much time has passed. "Why are you here?" I ask. I had to ask. I can't just go on acting like nothing has changed without knowing. Her face freezes, her lips parted like she was about to say something.

"We escorted the old guy that controls the trade routes." she says as if hurt by my question. I didn't mean to be mean. I don't want Lace to think that I don't want her to be here.

"Well I'm glad to see you again." I attempt to soften the words but I'm not sure how well that worked out. She does notice the attempt though.

Lace

After our little reunion and some awkward interdictions a ninja shows us to some guest rooms. They're close to where Gaara supposedly sleeps, considering that he doesn't sleep. I thank the ninja sincerely. He bows and retreats.

"Lace?" Harano asks peeking into my room. I turn finding her and her dog Maka waiting for me to give them permission to come in.

"Yes?" I ask. She welcomes herself closing the door behind her and leaning her back against it.

"I um... I'm really sorry." she says with a deep sigh. She stares down at the ground as if unable to look at me. "I know I haven't been very nice to you. I don't even know why sometimes. The thing is, you're not a bad person. Your kind, and thoughtful. I guess I just envy you because you're a dreamer. I gave up on my dreams a long time ago."

"Harano." I whisper trying to console but she puts up a hand to stop me.

"Let me finish." she looks up meeting my eyes. "You're strong and capable. You move faster than a wolf in its prime. And you're beautiful. You always complain about your height, your hair, your eyes. But Lace, you look like a doll from another land.

"I make fun of you because I can't stand how you take all of that for granted. But with all honesty I believe we really could be friends. We have been teammates for a long time now. I know Sy will never understand how powerful we all can be if we work together. But I can. I hear the awful things he says to you. And Lace, I want you to know you don't have to face anything alone again."

"Harano." I say again finding my feet. I hold out my arms and we hug it out like we've been friends for years. After a few minutes a pull back. "What made you come and say this?"

She looks away toward a far wall which is covered in a lovely cream and gold trimmed wall paper.

"I saw the way the Kaze-kage looks at you. I may not have spoken to him like you did back in Konaha, but I've heard a lot. He was awful, he killed and felt no remorse for his victims. That might be the ninja way. But that was his life. And he enjoyed it. But now, he is so incredibly different. He still may hold everyone an arm's length away, but he cares. And I figured if someone like that can have such respect and admiration for you, than why can't I?"

"You really think everything out." I compliment. I sigh. "Well. This is getting way to serious for me? Why don't we talk about something else?"

"Oh thank you." she relaxes falling back onto my bed. "So?" she smiles giving me a weird look.

"What?.." I ask suspiciously.

"You and the Kaze-kage?" Maka curls about Harano's feet.

"Oh I don't know. It's been a long time. I don't think he would bother with me anymore."

Harano sits up.

"Bother with you? Are you thinking straight? He would do anything you asked. He might not be the typical guy, but he's still a man. And one that feel for you when it was prohibited and odd."

"Really?"

"Lace. Lace. Lace." she shakes her head. "Don't be so naive little doll. I bet if you get him alone you'll know for sure."

"I don't..."

Harano gets up and throws open the door.

"Hey you!" she shouts getting the attention of one of the ninja making his rounds.

"Yes miss?" he answers as if he doesn't notice her rudeness. Is he just exceptionally kind? Or under oath? He could just assume were important because were staying in special quarters. Or maybe he's just use to dealing with bossy women.

"My friend Lace Omoi seeks conference with the Kaze-kage." she says pulling me into view. I notice she uses my name, no doubt because she thinks it will affect the man the same way it did at the entrance.

"The Lord Kaze-kage is very busy, I'm sure that maybe later..."

"Really? With what exactly? Your village is not currently at war. And paperwork can always wait a few minutes. You must know that Lace and Kaze-kage are close. Are you going to deny your Lord a personal life? Because we all saw what happened to him before Lace changed him for the better." Harano gets pushy. The man bows gives us a quick 'yes miss' and walks away.

"Harano." I complain. "It wasn't me that changed him. It was Uzimaki. And you didn't have to be so mean."

"I know." she laughs. "But that wasn't one of the Sand ninja's." she puts a hand over her mouth.

"Then who was it?" What's going on?

"It was Sy. He used a transformation jutsu. But I could smell him."

"Sy? But why?"

"I don't know. The guy is always up to no good. But I have always wanted to get angry with him like that."

But what is he up to?