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Chapter 12: Second in Line Kazekage

Sumiko sighed as her and Sasori were traveling back to the Akatsuki base via Hiruko. Sasori noticed his sister's sullen behavior. "Why did seeing the Kazekage make you sad?"

"Gaara-sama was more than the Kazekage to me. He told me I was his first friend from the very second I had to watch him years ago. No one else had gained his trust but me and he told me things that he did not even trust his siblings with: excitement at wanting to become a chuunin, sadness at finding out it would merely be a mission, and pure joy at becoming the Kazekage."

"Do you think he loves you Sumiko?"

Sumiko paused a second. "I do not know of his feelings for me. I cannot hold such feelings for him: Deidara-kun would not enjoy that one bit. Besides, he is way younger than me: I used to babysit the kid."

Sasori snickered a bit about his partner. "What is there between you two anyway? Deidara looks like he is in a daze around you."

Sumiko smiled that mysterious smile of hers but then remembered that Sasori cannot see the smile if he is inside Hiruko. "I think it is Deidara-kun's place to tell you…"

Sasori seemed to take a moment to go over his thoughts. "Deidara-'kun' huh? I agree Sumiko."


Deidara was sculpting like crazy: birds, flowers, statues, anything and everything he could think of that he thought Sumiko would like. Zetsu was gathering plants of every assortment: vegetables, fruits, medicinal herbs, and even poisonous plants, even though Pain advised him against this fearing Sasori's reaction. Kisame was in charge of obtaining the food from fish to sweets. Itachi was in charge of gift management and making sure that each gift was tasteful: to everyone's surprise, Hidan's gift passed his test. Kakuzu was busy in the corner trying to figure out how much the ceremony and the after party was going to cost, but he grumbled less than usual about it seeing as he actually got along with Sumiko compared to most of the Akatsuki members. Tobi was figuring out entertainment and games. Hidan was out getting enough sacrifices so that during the duration of the party, he would not have to go and get blood inside. Daisuke was quiet, but followed Hidan. Konan was supervising the whole thing, except for Hidan's 'contribution'. Pain was by her side making sure that no one hassled her.

Zetsu stood up satisfied at the assorted greenery he had brought and decided to play a fun game: 'Deidara Taunting'. "So Deidara, have you told Sasori you have the hots for his sister?"

Deidara turned red and accidentally blew up the bird he was working on. Zetsu coughed at the soot that was on him and Deidara immediately began cleaning the area before Konan could have a fit. "What are you talking about, un?"

Zetsu smirked. "You chased Kakuzu around after he had a picture of you two making out."

"Not making out, un! It was just an innocent kiss."

Zetsu laughed, "Tell Sasori that. Just remember: Kakuzu takes his blackmail seriously so if you don't give him what he wants, Sasori will thoroughly kick your ass."

Before Deidara could retort, he heard a door slam. Itachi smirked. "They're back already? Kisame, tell Sumiko to stay in her room while we finish the preparations."

Kisame nodded and dashed down to the doorway, ignoring Deidara's glare. To his surprise, Sumiko looked like she had been crying. "Sumiko-san? What's wrong?"

The former Mist ninja looked inquiringly at Sasori who shrugged. "She's been crying all the way back from the hot spring, but she won't tell me why. We saw the Kazekage there and she had been acting funny ever since." He nodded at Sumiko who chuckled through her sobs and entered his room.

"Do you want me to accompany to your room Sumiko-san?"

"That would be nice Kisame-san… Thanks." Sumiko started walking but a fresh bout of tears overtook her and just as she was about to fall, Kisame caught her. "Thanks Kisame-san."

Kisame nodded and carried the former Sand ninja to her room. He opened her door and glanced at her sparse room. It was devoid of many things and the only things besides the Akatsuki basics was some books in her shelves. He delicately placed Sumiko under her covers and tucked her in. "Get some sleep Sumiko-san." She nodded and rested her head on the pillows and Kisame left her room.

Kisame took a small detour to Sasori's room who explained what little he knew about the situation.

Semi-satisfied with the answers, he walked back to the decorated room and Deidara looked at him. "Where's Sumiko-chan, un?"

"Crying herself to sleep." Without warning, Deidara lunged at Kisame.

"What the hell did you do to her, un?" Kisame raised his eyebrow and pried Deidara off of him.

"Sasori said that ever since she saw the Kazekage where they were vacationing, she had been acting weird and started crying when they caught sight of the base."

Deidara raised his eyebrow. "I'm going to talk to Sumiko-chan, un."

Kakuzu looked up from his accounting figures. "I would recommend you talking to Sasori first. I would rather not have to use the blackmail at a time like this considering Sumiko-san's current state. Besides, if she's asleep…"

Deidara's visible eye narrowed. "Fine, I'll talk to Sasori-danna, but then I'm going to check on Sumiko-chan." He swept away towards the puppeteer's room as the rest of the Akatsuki looked on at the love struck blonde.


Flashback

Gaara had invited Sumiko to his Kazekage ceremony. She had been delighted to come upon just seeing the words on his handwritten invitation, but the business-like official invitation from the council shocked her into a stark realization.

Sumiko of the Red Dress,

You are cordially invited to the Kazekage's induction ceremony not only as a trusted friend, but as the person that if the Kazekage vanishes or dies, you are to become the Kazekage in his stead. You will be trained in the ways of politics and although you will not have to be present at most things the Kazekage is, your loyalty is of upmost importance. However, until another high valued candidate arises, you are the second in line to be the Kazekage. Keep this in mind.

Sumiko put the scroll in a hidden pocket in her dress. Not even Daisuke, the mysterious talking fox she had found earlier knew about the business scroll. Travelling to the celebration was fun as was seeing Gaara, but when the council members spotted her; Gaara was confused until he was dragged to the impromptu meeting. He was shocked to learn that she was to assume the leading of the Sand Village and essentially the whole Wind Country if something happened to him. However, he gave her a rare smile and was happy that she would succeed him: he felt wholeheartedly that she deserved it.

End Flashback


Gaara told his team exactly why his reaction towards the young woman with an Akatsuki member was so unusual. Temari and Kankurou did not even know that by law, she was the stand-in Kazekage. "I do not want to report her as a rouge ninja though…" Gaara murmured to the surprise of his companions. "She has not done anything wrong yet, and her headband is still intact."