The New Kazekage

We arrived in the Wind Country just five days after our meeting in the Stone Country. TenTen and I had gotten to know each other a little better over this span of time. Whoever knew she was so useful? Having no supplies (stupidly)she was great for retrieving food and shelter. Our trek was almost luxurious. We even found a small waterfall where we swam all day. It was so much fun. But I still couldn't feel true bliss, for I was still concious of my business in Suna.

When the Sand Village was just a mile away, TenTen stopped me. "Sarafu, how are we going to get in. Ninja's from other countries aren't allowed without a pass. We only made it in that one time because of Gai-sensei!"

"Don't worry. We can just sneak in. I've done it before. All we have to do is just hide our headbands and they'll never know. Of course, we don't enter through the front gate. We still have to sneak in."

"Are you sure that's gonna work? Is it really that easy to enter?"

I gave her the "nice guy" smile. "Of course it is! Trust me."

TenTen smiled back. "You better uphold that promise."

We tucked our headbands into our pockets and, under the unfluence of my Invisibility jutsu, we snuck into the Sand Village. When we were safely in an alley, I undid the jutsu, and we mingled into the crowd. The place was just the same as how I had left it. I smiled warmly at the grocery store clerk as she waved at me. The people here were so friendly, and it reminded me of my hometown. Made me sort of nostalgic. I loved the architecture of the sand domes, and resisted all urges to walk barefoot. I remembered the first time I saw sand, held it in my hand. It slipped through your fingers, like water.

Gaara's a lot like sand. You'll try to hold him in your hands and he slips just past your fingers. You can't really work at that guy's pace. Let alone maintain a long-distance relationship. I looked up at the orange sky, full of sand and dust.

"Sarafu?" TenTen looked at me, worried.

Realizing that I was spacing out I smiled and said "Oh, I'm sorry. It's nothing. I'm just going to head to the Kazekage's office for a while. Would you mind waiting here?"

"Are you sure that's an absolutely good idea? You might get caught."

"Don't worry. Gaara doesn't usually like company, so I doubt I'll bump into many people."

"Ah-well...I guess. If you get caught, though, I'm not going to help you."

I chuckled bitterly. "Alright."

I walked over to the Kazekage's office while TenTen stood there, waiting. I used my Invisibility jutsu and climbed up the wall, using my chakra technique. I was sure that his office would be somewhere up top. There weren't many windows, but the ones I looked in didn't show me much. Many people were in the building today, unfortunately. I found three circular windows at the top and I gazed through them. I was glad when I saw Gaara sitting in a chair in a circle with other people as well. They were talking, but I couldn't hear well, so I put my ear to the window. At that exact moment Gaara's eyes darted my way. I froze. He didn't see me, did he? That can't be! Only someone with a sharingan or byakugan would be able to see me.

After a few tense seconds, his eyes reverted back to the group of elder people. Letting out my long held breath, I was finally able to hear what they were saying.

"Gaara, you must be aware of the situation the Village is going through right now," said one old man clad in white robes. "We are glad, and congratulate you on becoming Chuunin, but what the village needs now is something more."

There was a pause to let the words sink in. Then he continued. "Our previous Kazekage was killed by Orochimaru, and the village needs a new one. That is why you are here. The Council has discussed the matter, and we believe you to be the best choice. Or, in fact, the only choice."

Some of the members scowled and shot Gaara hateful glances.

"Are you sure of your decission?" Gaara said in a flat tone. "Do you want the Shukaku to become Kazekage?"

One of the men stood up with his hand slammed on the table. "Of course not! How could we all-"

"Silence!" The previous old man shouted. And silence did reign through the room. "We have already discussed this and agreed on no more outward opposition. Now, the only one who can make the final decission is Gaara."

The outraged man sat down, hesitantly. Gaara was silent, thinking.

It seems Gaara isn't welcomed very much in his village. As am I. How similar we are.

"I will become Kazekage."

Faces tunred toward Gaara, some in surprise, some in rage. "The decission is made then. Gaara, you will become the next Kazekage, the-"

I didn't get to hear what happened next, because a bird flew by and pecked and squacked at me, revealing my hiding place. I quickly dashed up the wall and onto the roof. Now I was positive that Gaara knew I was there. After a long half hour, I ventured back down the wall and found the room empty, except for Gaara. He was staring straight at me.

"You can come out. I know you're there."

I froze. He must have been waiting for me. Then, I opened the window and crawled inside, undoing my jutsu. I smiled sheepishly. "Heheh. So you found me. I'm glad to see you made Kazekage."

He didn't answer, but stared at me with aquamarine eyes. The air felt heavy and suffocating. I had to break the silence. "S-so, I guess you're angry at me for leaving without telling you, huh?"

He stared coldly at me. "You've been gone for two weeks."

My mouth twitched as I tried to sustain my smile. "I'm sorry. I would have said good-bye to you, but I couldn't find you in time. It was urgent so I had to leave on short notice."

"With Orochimaru?"

I froze, and this time, I wasn't going to thaw. My smile dropped and my eyes widened. "Y-you...knew?"

"I only guessed. Everyone else doesn't know where you went, but it is a fact that you and the Sound ninjas disappeared on the same night. Most just think you were kidnapped. Not many would believe that you went willingly."

"I didn't go willingly!" I was yelling now. Gaara was prying somewhere I didn't want him to go.

"Oh really? Then you were kidnapped?"

"No! I was forced to go! I had no other choice! He knew where my mother was!"

"And how fare's your mother?"

I couldn't answer. He had guessed eveything about me already. I really was an open book. I put my hand on my non-existent wound on my chest, remembering the pain. "I said we would tell the truth on our next date, didn't I? Well, it looks like this is going to be the last one."

"Last?"

I looked up and smiled as my eyes began to burn. "Yes. Gaara, I want to break up with you."

...to be continued.