Spirited Away: Wind and Sand
Notes: This chapter was really hard to write. There were so many things I wanted to put in it and then I had to take things out and add different things. I still don't know if it is exactly how I want it to be. I feel it goes by too fast sometimes so I might rewrite some of it still but I really wanted to get through this chapter to get to the better part of the story. The dialogue also gave me some trouble and choosing characters I wanted to include but what is really challenging is thinking of what happened to them after the shinobi war. Anyway, I hope this chapter is not too strange, fast or out of place, though I think it will not be boring. By the way, this is by far the longest chapter I have written.
Chapter 3: Trip to Konoha
I had fully committed myself to training and studying. I was totally worn out by the end of each day but it was worth it. The book work I picked up on right away, but the actual physical training took long hours of practice. I found every day there was some part of my body that hurt like heck. I just had to keep telling myself that the pain was good and would make me stronger. From my studies I learned that I had an affinity for the wind element. I also learned that this kind of element is used for lacerations but also useful in medical treatment. With the wind element I could make blades that were sharper than any physical object.
There was much more to this wind element but what struck me as strange was how it said that chakra could be concentrated into an element but it seemed like my chakra was all wind. Although what really bothered me was I had a hard time concentrating my chakra in the first place and I needed to do this in order to move on to other things like shape manipulation. I knew I couldn't give up though, I just have to train harder.
When I had received new clothes I felt a little strange. I basically got the under-netted armor which was a little lighter than I had thought and a yukata type clothing to go over it. The outfit was basically black with some red accents. The lady who made it said the red accented my eyes even though I am sure I would have preferred blue. Overall though I had very light clothing and felt a bit awkward in how I didn't have too much to cover me up. The sleeves were short and the tight shorts I had under the already short yukata were a little shorter than halfway to my knees.
I suppose I needed room to move and the fact that it was hot here most of the time made it seem more appropriate. I also wore other things like a certain type of sandal and holsters for weapons although I didn't have any yet.
Gaara accompanied me to every training session. Every so often one of my attacks would ricochet and his sand would protect himself from it and sometimes protect even me. Apparently since I couldn't control my chakra it was dangerous even to myself when I was using it, so I tried my best to learn how to control my chakra.
The highlight of my days was when Gaara would take me out to eat after. We had gone out to get ramen a lot and I told him that he didn't have to do that. I meant it as he didn't have to take me out all the time but he took it as he didn't have to take me out to get ramen specifically. So Gaara had taken me out to other places to get food. That was my fault for not being specific enough but I thought it was sweet of him to bring me out to eat although I still never saw him eat yet. I wondered when he actually ate.
I loved spending time with Gaara but when I needed a little more conversation I went out into the town with an escort and talked to random people in the village. I had originally gone out only to explore but I found that most of the people I met where friendly. I was also surprised to find that there where a lot of people that had normal types of jobs. There were people who built things, shop owners, cooks and much more. I had even found a part of the village that seemed like a shopping district.
Today it was my legs hurt like heck after training. Gaara had brought me out to eat again after as well and I was getting tired of him not eating with me. I needed to see him doing a normal human function. I decided today I was going to get him to eat something.
"Hey Gaara," I said suddenly.
He was watching me like he normally did and showed acknowledgment at the mention of his name.
"Eat this," I ordered holding a meat bun up to him.
I wasn't going to take no for an answer but surprisingly he took it.
He looked at it then back up to me, "Why?"
"I want to share my food with you," I said but I really wanted to make sure he ate it so I also added, "and you should always accept gifts and kindness graciously."
He then looked back down at the bun. I was starting to get a little nervous the more he stared at it but then he took a bite. I smiled as I watched him actually eat for once. To me it seemed extremely cute that he actually listened to me and was eating something I gave him. Well, I guess he paid for it but still it was like he accepted a gift from me.
When he was done he looked at me and apparently was surprised that I was smiling so much.
I giggled, "Did you like it?"
"Yes," he said calmly but the expression on his face was different than usual although I couldn't put my finger on what was different.
"Did you ever have a meat bun before?"
"Yes, I have," he replied again.
So I guess he did eat. Well, he had to eat to live I'm sure but it was amazing to actually see him do something so normal.
After we left I decided to talk a little more about it.
"You should really eat with me more often, I really enjoyed that," I smiled at him.
He looked over at me with that expression I couldn't understand again. He usually had the same expression all the time but it reminded me of the expression of wonder.
"You enjoyed it?" he asked.
I only smiled more, "Yeah, it made me happy."
It's at that moment I saw something I thought I would never see, especially directed at me. He smiled. It might have been a small one but I am sure he smiled.
My expression must have suddenly change to astonishment because his smile faded and he looked away from me.
I laughed to lighten the mood, "You should smile more often Gaara, you have a pleasant smile."
He looked back over at me with the expression of wonder again but it went back to his calm face and he looked away. We both kept walking forward in silence for a moment. I was afraid that maybe I went out of line and it would just be another awkward moment.
"I have never heard that before," he said.
I realized at this point that he had really opened up to me more. He usually would leave something like that in silence. I tried to guess why he had never heard something like that before. Where people afraid or too nervous to say something like that to him? Or did he simply not smile that much? I would believe it could be either one or even both.
When we arrived at my room I expected him to leave me to an escort right away like he always does but this time he didn't.
"We are leaving for Konoha in a few days. You should prepare for the journey," he told me.
"Wait, why are you taking me to Konoha?" I wondered why this was happening all of a sudden.
"We had informed them of your arrival some time ago and they believe they have found information on similar cases to yours but they also would like to meet you to be certain," he answered calmly.
"Oh okay, that's great," I replied happily.
He then was about to leave but I didn't want it to end awkwardly again, "Goodnight."
He stopped and turned his head toward me, "Goodnight."
He then left silently as always. It felt wonderful that I had got him to open up more. This trip to Konoha would be interesting too. I wondered who was going and what I would see there. Who was Hokage now? What was everyone doing there now? There were a lot of things I wanted to know. I couldn't wait to go there already.
I had woken up early and gathered my things together excitedly. I put on a traveling cloak that was given to me over my ninja clothes and gathered up my new weapons such as shuriken and kunai.
"You ready go?" I heard someone ask.
I turned around to see Kankuro at my door.
"Yup," I smiled as my stomach fluttered in nervous excitement.
"Alright, come on, we don't want to keep them waiting," he said and I trotted after him happily.
I was so excited to go to Konoha. I was even happier that they might have information on people like me. They might even know how to get me home.
We approached a large group of people who were gathered around Gaara and his smaller group.
"Alright, we can leave now, I got the alien," Kankuro commented as he reached the group.
I glared at him. How long was he going to keep up that alien stuff?
"Have a safe journey Kazekage-sama," someone from the crowd said.
There were many farewells and those who wished us well. These people really loved their Kazekage. I looked over at Gaara to see him in a travel cloak as well. He had his gourd and the Kazekage hat tried on it.
"Let's go," Gaara said after the farewells.
It's then that I realized we were going to take off on foot. With the way these people moved I wouldn't be able to keep up. They were all nice enough to walk with me before when leading me places but did they expect me to follow them at top speeds?
"Miss Aura," a man that was part of our group addressed me, "I have been assigned to escort you on this expedition."
He seemed like a very large and tall man. Compared to him I seemed really small.
"Umm okay," I said meekly intimidated just by his shear size.
He bent down and offered me his hand, "If you get on my back I'll carry you."
I felt a little weird having to do this with a stranger. I looked over at Gaara who was watching over his shoulder at me. I didn't want to hold up the group so I climbed on the man's back. I looked around to see six of us going on this trip: Gaara, Kankuro, two other men I didn't know, the man with me and myself. I had only just scanned the area before we took off.
I was right to think they moved faster than I could. We past things at over 50 miles per hour or at least it felt that way. We blazed past everything and I almost felt like I was flying. I wondered when we would get to Konoha.
"Hey, uhhhh-"
"Kimori," the man I was with looked back at me to tell me his name.
I smiled, "Kimori, when will we get to Konoha?"
"Almost two days," he responded.
Two day? I sighed and thought that this was going to be a very boring trip.
I ended up sleeping on the way there, I was surprised that we had only stopped to rest once before moving on again. As I was sleeping for the third time during the trip when I was suddenly awoken.
I opened my eyes to see the gates to Konoha. I felt a flurry of excitement rise in my stomach. Kimori let me down and my legs were weak from not using them much but it felt great to stretch them out finally. Konoha seemed like a very lively place. There were people everywhere and so much hustle and bustle. Walking around with the Kazekage's group made me fell like I was actually part of the Sand's village. I had never thought of it in Suna but now that I was here I noticed how I had somehow become affiliated with the Sand village.
We had got to a certain part of Konoha where there was an arena and some people were waiting for us.
"It's about time, you need to stop making the Kazekage late Kankuro," the person waiting for us said.
"What? I didn't make anyone late, we're on time," Kankuro retorted.
"Well on my clock you're late. The finals are going to start soon so you don't have time to rest, you should go up there now before people start to get impatient," she scolded.
I assumed this person was Temari because she really looked like her at least. She also had the attitude to be her. Beside her was Shikimaru who looked bored as always.
"Jeez, what a way to greet us. Whatever happened to hello, it's nice to see you again brother," Kankuro complained, "Let's go Gaara."
"Temari," Gaara nodded in acknowledgment to her before walking off toward the stadium stairs as the rest of the group followed.
I was about to follow as well but was stopped by Kimori, "You have to stay here, I'm sorry."
I felt a little sad that I didn't get to go with Gaara and the rest of the group, "Why? What's going on anyway?"
"Chunin exams," Temari answered.
She seemed to be judging me with her eyes.
"So you're the one from another world huh?" She watched me sternly.
"Yeah," I was trying to stare her down too.
"I hear you're a wind user too," she added.
"I guess so."
"Who's been training you?"
"Gaara."
"Gaara?" she seemed surprised.
"Yeah," I answered simply.
"He had sent a message about continuing your training with me, but I didn't know you had trained with him," she seemed a little thoughtful.
I wouldn't be training with Gaara anymore? My stomach twisted with sadness. I had only just started to get to know him.
"I'm sorry for interrupting the chit chat, but you're going to have to scold yourself for being late if you take any longer," Shikimaru commented.
Temari glared at him, "I'm seeing to Sand village business. Don't you have something you have to do?"
"You already forgot that we are overseeing the exam together," Shikimaru commented calmly.
She turned her attention back to me, "It looks like we will have to continue this later."
She left and continued to argue with Shikimaru. Every fight they had seemed like a lovers quarrel to me.
I turned to Kimori, "So, what are we suppose to do?"
"Well you are not allowed into the exams but otherwise I was told you usually like to find things to do on your own. I am here to merely supervise," he said.
"Oh," I was a little disappointed, "How come I can't go see the exams?"
"Viewing is only reserved for certain people," he answered showing disappoint in telling me this.
Well I was not going to let this get me down. I would make the best out of this situation.
"Alright then follow me," I told him happily.
I made my way through the streets taking in the sights and sounds. This place was even cooler than it was in the anime and manga. I could see that most of the buildings seemed quite new. I suppose that was because they had to rebuild this place after Pain's attack. Although, it still had the feeling of being bright and friendly. I smiled like an idiot I'm sure, thinking that I was so lucky to see this place.
It's then I got the best idea in the world, "Hey Kimori, do you know where Naruto lives?"
He seemed sorry to say, "No I don't."
I was kind of distraught at this news but I guess I couldn't expect him to know. I looked up and noticed the monument of the former Hokages. The last one in line was still Tsunade, I wondered if this meant she was still Hokage.
"Well I may not know where Naruto lives but I know of somewhere you might like," Kimori suggested suddenly.
Considering I didn't know where I was going I was happy there was a suggestion, "Lead the way."
Kimori didn't seem that bad. I was intimidated at first but maybe he was one of those gentle giants. He led me through the streets and to a more deserted part of town. I had assumed we were going through this part to get to where we were going until he stopped.
I just stared at his back wondering why we stopped in a place like this. It was a tight alley with not much visibility on either side and not many people in this part of the village. I felt my blood drain again as my heart started to beat faster. Fear had crept up on me too quickly. I got this funny inkling in the back of my mind that something wasn't right.
It's not the cliché dark skinny alley that had made me fearful but the overwhelming silence and stillness. I froze as he turned around to face me, with a crazed expression. Why was this happening?
"Finally the wind will be mine, " he said in a two toned type of voice.
I gasped as I was about to run but he was too fast. I could see it in slow motion how he was closing in on me. His hand outstretched with wide and wild eyes. His fingers were nearly touching my chest before I felt an immense pain. I screamed out but my surrounds soon faded from my consciousness. I felt like I was falling infinitely, unable to move.
The wind picked up exponentially in the stadium. Everyone's attention was diverted to a huge whirlwind that was climbing up into the sky.
"That chakra, what is it?" a leaf sensor said in disbelief.
People were still stuck in confusion as one of the Sand ninja's sensors recognized it.
"Kazekage-sama, that chakra is coming from the other worlder," he addressed him urgently.
"Aura," Gaara said before looking over at Tsunade.
"Go," she said seriously, "If she is what we think she is, this isn't good."
Gaara nodded before taking off with other Sand ninja's following after him.
Tsunade barked orders at her own Leaf ninja's to aid Gaara and find a way to contain the whirlwind but to be cautious.
She took off as well through the gusts of wind. If this person was who they thought then there wasn't going to be much they could do to stop her from destroying the village.
They all arrived at the scene quickly only to find that they couldn't get very close considering the size of the area the whirlwind covered. Those who got nearer couldn't hold their ground or where cut by random razors of wind chakra and debris.
"It's impossible to get any closer, the wind only gets wider and faster every second," a Leaf ninja commented loudly over the gale force winds.
"What's going on inside?" someone yelled out.
Tsunade turned to someone, "Neji!"
"Right," he yelled back over the wind.
His eyes strained then his sight closed in on the origin of the massive wind.
"It is calm inside. There's a girl in there and she seems to be unaware of anything going on around her," he reported.
"We have to get to her, Its the only way to stop the wind," Tsunade yelled as the wind currents picked up.
"But we can't get any closer and the wind tunnel is too high to get in from above," Kankuro commented.
Temari seemed to be having a hard time even standing.
"Are you alright?" Kankuro asked in concern.
"The wind seems to be taking my chakra," she said straining against the gusts.
"Stand back Temari," Gaara said as his sand started to rise out of the gourd.
He sent the sand into the wind as it spiraled around and inward.
"It's traveling on an inward current," Kankuro commented in amazement.
The sand poured into the calm interior of the chaotic wind building up to form a sand clone of Gaara. Though he didn't mean to do this, the sand was forced into a clone by means he didn't know of. He saw through his clone the nearly flattened and destroyed remnants of buildings and Aura standing in the middle of it all. She was standing serenely while staring down with eyes open but unseeing. He tried to form something else with the sand but it was stuck as a clone so the only thing he could do was approach her.
She was like a breathing statue. As he got closer to her she lifted her head and he froze ready for anything to happen but she just smiled.
"Gaara, how were the exams?" she trailed off near the end as her eyes started to close and she was loosing her balance.
Surprised by this reaction he nearly forgot that he couldn't use his sand as he wanted to in here. He quickly caught her before she fell and noticed that she was unconscious now. The wind's roar quickly slowed to a stop as bits of debris fell to the ground from various heights. Feeling the control of his sand come back to him he lowered her to the ground while his sand then shifted back onto the ground.
Once things were clear people closed in on the scene. Many things happened at once. Aura was examined for sign of injury and other various abnormalities while others searched the area for any victims of the attack. Temari was able to move more freely and everyone did various activities. Gaara neared Aura and stared down at her in the midst of the motion. His expression was lined with the traces of confusion and concern. Why had she stopped after seeing him?
I shot up in bed from a dream I couldn't remember.
"You're up," someone said kindly.
I looked to my left to see a woman I wasn't familiar with standing next to my bed. Apparently she had been doing something before I had woken up. I was confused for a second until I remembered how Kimori had come at me. I leaned away from this unknown person.
"Who are you and where is this?" I asked defensively.
The woman smiled at me, "I'm a medical ninja and this is the medical ward in Konoha. You were out for six hours."
"Six hours?" I questioned, astonished, "What? How did I get here? What happened?"
Her eyes widened in confusion for a second then she turned her head, reluctant to say anything. I was about to ask her more but someone came in the room.
"So the alien is awake huh," Kankuro commented as he walked over to my bed, "You sleep way too much."
I glared at him but noticed that even though he seemed like he was joking, his usual expression was serious.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
I hadn't thought of it so I took a second to pay attention to my body but nothing seemed off, "Alright I guess."
"Hm, that's good," he simply responded, examining me with suspicion.
I took this opportunity to ask my own questions, "Why am I here? Where is Kimori?"
I didn't want to be too direct about the Kimori thing. For all I knew they could have sent him after me. I didn't want to believe that but I couldn't rule out the possibility.
He looked as if he was reluctant to say anything as well, "If you're alright to walk I'll take you to the Hokage. Gaara is meeting with her right now and I'm sure they wanted to talk to you when you were well enough."
I didn't know what was going on but I was very suspicious at this point. Why couldn't anyone tell me what was going on? Well if no one was going to tell me then I was just going to have to ask the Hokage and Kazekage themselves to get my answers. With determination I stood up even though I felt dizzy upon standing.
"Alright," I gained my composer quickly, "take me there."
Kankuro noticed I couldn't stand well but he wasn't the type to tell me to stay in bed. I followed him out while actually feeling better the more I walked.
"So are the exams over?" I asked since the Kages were both meeting.
He only turned his head toward me slightly, "Not quite."
We made it to the office door as Kankuro knocked.
I heard people stop talking then a voice from far away say, "Come in."
He opened the door to reveal Tsunade, Shizune, Gaara and Temari.
"Welcome Kankuro and . . . Aura I presume," Tsunade greeted but stared at me for a longer time than she did Kankuro.
"She was awake when I went to check on her. I thought you might want to talk with each other," he said as we entered.
"Yes, thank you Kankuro," Tsunade said.
I couldn't wait, I needed my questions answered, "Please, may I ask, what happened? Where is Kimori? Why did I wake up in a hospital bed?"
"So you don't remember" Tsunade said more as a comment instead of a question.
"Remember what?" I was getting impatient and nervous.
This silence and secrecy was really getting to me. What were they not telling me?
"What is the last thing you remember?" she asked seriously.
"I remember," I paused at the thought of his crazed eyes, "Kimori had attacked me and the next thing I know I was in bed."
"Kimori," I heard Gaara say.
"We didn't find his body anywhere, he had either escaped or got ripped to unidentifiable shreds," Kankuro commented.
"I can't believe you brought him on the team, didn't you check him Kankuro," Temari scolded her brother.
"Of course I did! He was clean. If anything got to him it would have had to be when we left him with Aura," Kankuro retorted.
"Aura," Tsunade addressed me, "did you notice anything strange when with Kimori? Did you have any contact with anyone around here?"
"No," I responded, "We really didn't talk to anyone, he had just taken me to a secluded part of the village and that's when it happened."
"I see," she said thoughtfully.
"But what happened?" I wasn't going to let this go.
They also knew I had enough of not knowing as well.
"Well," Tsunade started, "to put this simply your power went out of control and you have destroyed part of our village. Fortunately it wasn't a densely populated area so no one was killed."
The room seemed to get smaller around me as I stared at her in disbelief, "What? What are you talking about?"
"Maybe it would be better if I explained what you are," she closed her eyes thoughtfully for a while before opening them again, "We believe, and it has been shockingly apparent after today's events, that you are the incarnation of the Wind Element."
I smiled nervously as if this was a joke, "What do you mean? How could that be? I'm just- I'm not- I can't be anything like that."
My head felt fuzzy. I was just a normal girl. They definitely got the wrong person.
"Seeing as you can't remember anything it would seem impossible but I assure you that you are not normal," she informed me.
"Even so," I couldn't believe this, "How would you know if I am this Wind Element thing?"
"Shizune," she turned her head toward her assistant who nodded.
"I had inspected her after the incident to find that her chakra, at first glance, is that of natural energy from around her but if you look more closely at it, it is all absorbed wind chakra from the air. Also these events are similar to information from old records found in the library a few days ago," Shizune said to everyone then placed some papers she had in her hands on the Tsudane's desk.
Old drawings and faded scripts sprawled across the browned papers.
Shizune continued, "These records where copied from tables found in ruins from each country named after the five elements. Apparently these countries were originally founded in these places because each has a temple claiming to be the sight of the respective element's birth. The scripts told of the beginning of the world when five people of each element came into being from the darkness. They waged war against each other for hundreds of years without any one of them gaining an edge. After many years of fighting the elements neared their death then noticed the futility of their fighting and how their existence caused never ending conflict. Before they died they scattered their power across dimensions so that in their future decedents wouldn't be able to wage war again."
"So how does that explain why you think I am this element thing? Why would I be here now even if I was?" I asked confused.
"Even though I don't know why the element of wind appeared now from another dimension, I am certain that you how unique wind element chakra," Shizune told me.
"So what does this all mean," I asked.
"We are not exactly certain," Tsunade commented, "It could mean the start of the elements war on each other again or it could mean nothing at all."
I didn't know what to say. War? How could I be a part of something like that?
"Although in light of the situation with Kimori, we now know that someone is after you and maybe all of the elements. For all we know, there could be multitudes of people. They could even be responsible for bringing you to this world."
"Oh great, another group out to control the world," Kankuro commented.
"We don't know if that's the case," Tamari told him.
"Whatever the case, it is worth looking into. It's troublesome news to hear that someone has not only infiltrated Suna's forces but Konoha's as well," Tsunade spoke urgently.
"It's safe to say that we cannot trust anyone. This form of infiltration was beyond anyone's detection and it is highly likely that if anyone is left alone they might be compromised," she looked at everyone suspiciously and the others did the same to each other as well.
"So what does this mean? What's going to happen to me?" I asked wondering if I had to be on guard every second of the day.
"You were found in Suna so what happens to you is left up to them," she looked over at Gaara and so did I.
He had been listening and watching intently to the whole thing, "It seems she can't be left alone. Kankuro, Temari and I will watch her at all times."
I looked at him to see his same expression as always. Temari and Kankuro looked a little annoyed that they had to constantly spend time together from now on.
Tsunade's gaze lingered on Gaara for a time before she said, "Very well then. It is probably for the best that you stay with her Kazekage."
He didn't say anything but I guess that meant he agreed.
Tsunade then seemed to relax from her serious state, "The exams will be postponed for a while. We will contact you if we find any further information on this subject."
"We will do the same," Gaara said before getting ready to leave.
Everyone of the Sand started to move toward the door but I had one more question, "Tsuna- I mean, Hokage, if my power went out of control from an attack, what stopped it?"
Gaara stopped abruptly and so did the other two when they saw him stop.
"Gaara," Tsunade answered simply.
I looked over at Gaara who had his back to me.
He looked over his shoulder with his same expression although it was lined with another emotion, "Let's go."
I was a little curious as to what that emotion was. I wasn't familiar enough with his expressions yet to figure out what it was. We walked together down the halls as I pondered a few things. Gaara had stopped me but I couldn't remember how he did? There was no sign of attack on my body? Maybe he just woke me up. I hated not remembering anything like this.
It was then that something struck my mind as the sight in front of me melted away to different scenery. It was somewhere cloudy and high in altitude. In the rocky outskirts of a town a small pillar of light shot up into the sky. As it dispersed a kneeling figure rose up slowly. He had blonde hair with two longer ponytails of blue in the back. Right above each ear he had long white thin horns. His outfit was white and lined with dark blue accents. He wore some kind of armored shirt and some kind of armored jacket over it. His pants were white and slightly baggy that were tucked into his dark navy blue and black boots. On the sides of hips he had two more pieces of armor about the length of his thigh that matched his jacket. He also had a collar around his neck that was attached to a broken chain.
He fully rose then opened his eyes which were an electric blue with sliver pupils. He looked around slowly then smiled maliciously.
"Finally," he said in a smooth tone, "I'm free of that place. That will teach them that they can't imprison Ryuu."
He looked down at his hands as they burst into a blue ball of electric currents in each hand.
"Hmmm, seems like I have more power here," he flexed his hands.
In one sudden movement he threw his hands up to the sky causing a massive lightning bolt that lit up the area.
He then lowered his arms full of static coursing energy and smiled wider showing his fangs, "This is going to be fun."
My vision melted back to Konoha where Temari was holding my shoulders.
"Hey, can you hear me?" she asked loudly then looked over her shoulder, "How is Gaara?"
Kankuro was over doing the same thing to Gaara whose expression was blank but then slowly gained some sense again.
"I'm fine Kankuro," he said after he gained himself.
"You both just zoned out all of a sudden," Kankuro said looking over at me suspiciously.
Did Gaara see the same thing I did?
"What happened?" Temari asked in her accusing voice.
"I saw . . . something that wasn't human, he was wielding mass amounts of lightning," I said slowly, "I don't know why I saw that."
Gaara was staring at me in astonishment. That was the first time I ever saw him make such a different expression from his normal one.
Kankuro seemed to catch this, "Gaara, did you see the same thing?"
He made a thoughtful expression, "Yes, he seemed to be in Kumokagure."
"Don't tell me we have to go back and see the Hokage already," Kankuro complained.
I just laughed nervously although something else was bothering me. Why was Gaara the only other person to see the same thing I did?
Shizune noticed that Tsunade was pondering something.
"Is something bothering you Tsunade?" she questioned concerned.
She didn't look at Shizune when she answered, "It's strange that Gaara was not affected by the wind."
"What do you mean?" she questioned confused.
"I had noticed during the wind disaster that those with an affinity for wind had their chakra drained but Gaara was unaffected," she went on.
"That's odd, doesn't Gaara have an affinity for wind?" She commented surprised.
"Yes," Tsunade then looked over at Shizune, "I believe there is lot more to this than we know."
Notes: I'm glad to say now that the real journey will begin. Unlike this chapter I think the other ones will be a little easier to write and won't be as choppy or strange. I'm sorry if it seemed condensed, and I will say again that it might be rewritten if I find a way to make it better. I really had to struggle through this chapter and hope it turned out well but thanks to getting through it I can continue on the path I was planning on. Always open to suggestions and feedback! I can always add things people want or things like that. Thanks for reading!