Blind Sight

By

LigerJager

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

Scroll 8: Revelation

"Hyuuga Neji." An austere voice boomed across the chambers, "You have been chosen as the official liaison between the Konoha and Suna." Not allowing the shinobi to acknowledge the statement, the speaker continued.

"As per official request that the diplomatic party be of privileged lineage, the most suitable candidate was needed. As the Hyuuga heiress is in the middle of her trials and unavailable and your other…relation is indisposed, naturally the obligation of duty fell to you. What say you in service to your village? Do you accept this mission?"

The now twenty-three year old jounin was quietly thinking over what was just imparted to him and deciding where he fit in this. The mission itself wasn't really a question, he would go no matter what his personal grievances might have been.

Not that he had any, but when one was commanded to do something and as shinobi were especially disciplined people, trained to follow orders without question…arguing and personal preferences became mote points.

Logically it made sense to send one of Hyuuga blood. After all they were trained from birth to read people, detect falsehoods and above all else, learn the art of diplomacy like the back of their hands. Neji knew even the lowest Branch member could play the high stakes political games if the situation called for it.

And when the council commanded something, generally they were obeyed. The Hokage had allowed them to legitimate gain a solid holding within the power play for Konoha's political atmosphere and it had increased over the years.

"What will my objectives be?"

"To maintain the peace between or villages and detect any early threats as well as pertinent information."

"You will be our eyes and ears within the Suna. We can not fully trust to their judgment in matters of importance as past events have shown. We have made that mistake before when they aided the invasion ten years ago. Another concern of ours is their choice of Kazekage. The selection has us questioning the wisdom of staying aligned with such a…village."

Neji took a moment to absorb the command. So they wanted him to spy while under the guise of a diplomat. He wasn't surprised in the least. Konoha's good will and whatever reputation the Sandaime had established in his long reign had invariably disappeared long ago. Come to think of it, that was about the same time Uzumaki was banished.

Regardless of the circumstances, he had nothing to lose in this exchange. His one hope at change had been banished and he was still an honorary slave to the Hyuuga household. If he was lucky enough, he would hold the post in Suna for a few years time. Anything to get a reprieve from the life he led here.

"I Accept."

"You have two hours to prepare for you move to Suna. Dismissed."

……

The Wind country hadn't changed since his last visit all those years ago to aide the Kazekage against Akatsuki. The teenaged leader had been kidnapped and it was up to them to help track down the redhead before civil war erupted.

However while the land hadn't changed noticeably, the village and its leader had. Proof was sitting behind the desk before him.

Neji felt almost as though he was talking to a completely alien being rather than the stoically, cold kazekage he had come to know through reputation. The almost…genial manner in which he was received also threw him for a loop.

It was when their conversations turned to something of a more…personal nature that the former jinchuuriki gained a certain something to his presence that the Hyuuga couldn't identify. The topic had centered around a certain blonde, almost forgotten to most.

Neji supposed that it was a jinchuuriki thing, a connection of brotherhood that their like could only know. Of course he was assuming. After all, it was Uzumaki and not Uchiha who stopped the sand demon during the invasion.

A polite knock interrupted their conversation. Even in Konoha only the most proper ladies knocked like that, like his married off cousin. Fortunately Hiashi-sama, in what Neji privately assumed was a last ditch effort to do something for his first born, gave her away to a kind clan. At least the man she married was someone he approved of.

The young diplomat was pulled out of his private thoughts when the Kazekage spoke. There was something other than his carefully cultivated monotone in his voice.

Warmth? Humor? Sibling affection?

"Ah, perfect timing."

The jounin turned and regarded the newcomer. His only visible features were of the nose, and mouth. The rest of his person was covered in one way or another from head to toe save for his spiky hair which was currently trapped under the bandanna like cloth of his headband and peaking out from beneath the edges.

It was a wonder that the man could move as well as he did with his eyes covered as they were. As well as taking into account the armored uniform and the tremendous amount of black he was wearing.

It was strangely familiar to him though the Hyuuga couldn't for the life of him place where exactly. It felt almost…comfortable. Like he knew that this man was someone he could trust with his life and who could lead him on an S-class mission and back again unscathed.

As he took in the smaller details that most would easily dismiss, the gears in his mind went into overdrive. From the vague descriptions he had come across, this had to be that person. He was the one who making waves within the ninja community…and helping Suna's rise to power.

"Hyuuga-san, I would like to introduce you to Kachuu-san." With a small bow the newer arrival acknowledged the liaison's presence. Gaara continued, "He is my elite forces and assassination corps commander." At the light of recognition at the name, in the other man's eyes, the Kazekage continued, "You might have heard of him?"

"The legendary Maelstrom, it is an honor indeed." So this was the man he had heard so much about. And the one he secretly wished was apart of the Konoha forces, leading them.

At the address, the commander smirked. "The honor is truly mine, to meet the hailed genius from the Hyuuga clan. Said to be blessed with talent that would come maybe every thousand years, such are the rumors."

"How do you know me? I don't believe the Kazekage has told my first name."

The smirk vanished but the air of amusement stayed. "I would know your presence anywhere Hyuuga-san." He paused as Neji wondered what he meant in some confusion, "after all, what kind of comrade would I be if I forgot, especially when I kicked your ass at the Chuunin Exams."

The Hyuuga's composure was lost completely to astonishment as the commander pulled off his bandana-like hitai-ate and headgear. Three whisker like marks adorned each cheek. After over ten years, pearlescent eyes met the opaque cerulean blue of the man who would have been his Hokage…and who looked remarkably like the Yondaime, Namikaze Minato. The association nearly bowled the diplomat over.

There was only one person he had ever met that had that particular shade of hair and as the Yondaime Hokage was dead, and the photos never truly did him justice, that could only mean one thing, or person.

Especially when the strikingly familiar stave was taken into account as it was fixed to the back of the plated uniform. And that relaxed stance.

"Uzumaki?"

"In the flesh." Was the reply with the well known mischievous grin. "Were you expecting maybe someone else?"

The Hyuuga sputtered in disbelief. After all this time of subtle searching, the idiotic blonde was right under their very noses.

Naruto seemingly dismissed his reactions with ease as he dropped a bundle of papers off on his superior's desk before turning around and grinning mischievously at the gaping diplomat. Gaara just seemed amused by the entire situation and took everything in stride.

"So…" The blonde leaned forward in veiled anticipation, "how good are you at keeping secrets?"

"Uchiha, Sasuke."

"Hyuuga-san, I do hope that you'll elaborate." The fiery haired man replied somewhat testily, though how that was possible with a monotone voice was beyond the Hyuuga. Gaara, for his part, just raised a nonexistent eyebrow.

"As I'm quite sure you received intelligence on the…successor to the Hokage, I'm sure you are well aware of the economical situation within Konoha." Neji was almost positive that this man knew more about their situation than even the higher echelons themselves. Gaara was an excellent kage and even superior at reading others…not to mention the much begrudged and excellent nin working for his villlage.

Suna was rising in power and every village knew it. Konoha had long since passed its Golden Age just as Iwagakure had before it. That wasn't to say that the quality of nin had declined, it was just that their forces were dwindling and the older populace was resigning.

"I am."

The Kazekage gave away nothing. His stoically emotionless mask was fixed in place. The Hyuuga diplomat soldiered on, hating some of the requirements of his position, such as talking in vague and or diplomatic terms.

"Then you must know if that I am here to ascertain your view on this development and whether or not a new treaty will have to be forged."

"Ah." The young Kazekage lent back in his chair. "Your council is assuming then that this appointment will be met with little approval."

"Indeed."

"Then why is it you and not they approaching Suna affirmation of our agreement?"

"As official liaison, I am the most immediate and plausible solution and there for can immediately ascertain whether or not this alliance will still prove beneficial for both our villages."

The Kazekage regarded the ninja before him. The man obviously didn't want to be in the position he'd been assigned, though he covered his distaste well enough. And Konoha wouldn't take too kindly to reassignment of any kind, especially if the one in question was a Hyuuga, Branch family or not. Also if what his contact in the village had reported was true, Konoha wasn't letting their senior ranked shinboi retire.

Still they weren't strong enough. In a few years, as Naruto had predicted, perhaps they would be able to stand on their own. However as of the current moment, Suna could not afford to cut ties yet.

And as Kazekage he was obligated to do what was best for his people. Not that he himself minded. After all, his black ops commander and siblings wouldn't hesitate to put him in line if any of his actions caused harm to his village.

He'd relied on the blond's idealistic views of what a kage should be as well as advice regarding his people for years now and so far it had served them well. And Gaara for one wasn't about to ignore that.

Jade green eyes locked on to the patiently waiting ambassador having come to a decision regarding the current situation of the time. Neji for his part was exerting monumental control over himself as he tried not to fidget.

What he'd been asked to do is essentially demand allegiance of another village. Something that was highly irregular and had potential to cause difficult diplomatic relations between the villages, something he personally could ill afford.

Neji had no intention of starting a war between the allied villages. Gaara had garnered a reputation of being an idealistic and powerful kage. And it would take very little for he other village to fall in line with Suna should Konoha start something.

Unfortunately the current ruling body in the Leaf was semi-blind to the fast changing politics of the world around them. After all, Konoha had been and still was a super-power in the world of Shinobi.

"I see." The red head's reply was stiff. Konoha was basically testing their tenuous bonds with Suna by asking this. He didn't need to convene with the village elders to know what their reply would be.

Neji had no idea what to expect though he hoped that Suna would have a positive answer for them.

"Well, Suna has no plan to change our agreement with Konoha at this time." What was left unsaid was, 'no matter what our reservations might be,' though the undercurrent was there.

That relief flooded the Hyuuga's features for a moment before being shuttered behind the perfectly blank mask that all politicians wore. Gaara, astute as ever, smirked inwardly but held his tongue. Two years of diplomacy had taught the Hyuuga well, but not enough to hide from one such as himself.

It looked like Konoha needed their support for a little while longer.

Neji, eager to move on to his more preferred task continued on. No doubt the Kazekage found amusement in his discomfort. Gaara always did unnerve even the best of politicians.

"I also have a separate topic which I was personally asked to speak to you about."

"Oh?"

"Yes," the Hyuuga held up the missive he'd brought with him, Tsunade-sama had thought it bets to include Gaara, and Suna by extension, with this potentially explosive information. "Hokage-sama thought it best to inform you, privately, of some rather sensitive and extremely grave news."

"Oh, and what might that be?" It was no secret that the Hokage thought less of her village than was reputed before her election to office and therefore most likely withheld some important information. Though, Gaara supposed, on her favor she did keep up excellent relations with Suna.

"Jiraiya-sama had uncovered some clues as to the whereabouts and activities of some rather dangerous individuals in his search for Akatsuki."

Well if that wasn't a way to get his immediate attention, Gaara didn't know what was. After all if Akatsuki was involved, he'd have to prepare for the eventual fallout as well as protect his commander.

Precious few knew of the blonde's predicament and the Kazekage would like to keep it that way. If the accursed Red Dawn showed up on their doorstep again demanding they hand the commander over, well, the consequences wouldn't be pretty.

Though he had no doubt as to the strength of their forces as well as their victory over any attacks, the red head would rather not have that particular group troubling his own. He and by extension status needed Naruto's status to be delayed a bit longer before being revealed to the world or, ideally, not at all.

And it would be cold, snowy day in Suna before they gave up one of their own, especially, one as powerful and respected as his commander. That wasn't even taking into account how powerful and cunning the ninja had become.

"Ah, I take it he located them? Or, at least, some of the identities and abilities?"

The Hyuuga shifted uneasily, causing the kage to frown inwardly. Neji just handed over the packaged documents, waiting until they were in the Kazekae's hands before elaborating.

"Yes he did uncover leads as to who they might be. There are also disturbing connections to other villages and some possible motives. The specifics are within the package." He gestured towards the missive.

"I see." Chancing a look and trusting the diplomat to not try anything, Gaara opened the package with care, taking out some papers and skimming the contents. They were ninja after all and it would be a fatal mistake to ever forget that fact.

The slight widening of the Kazekage's eyes in his normally stone façade told Neji that he had understood what the Hokage was saying and asking. Jade eyes snapped up to the ninja to affirm the contents.

"And they are sure?"

Solemnly the raven haired diplomat nodded. "Yes, they plan to invade Konoha on the eve of the Hokage's inauguration."

Not giving the wind shadow time to reply Neji continued on, "and she would like Suna's best to be there."

:Tsudzuku:

A/N: I'm alive, but writer's block is a curse to try and work through. Political double-speak (diplomacy) is a pain-in-the-ass to write.

Anyways, here's a long overdue update. Enjoy.

LJ 9/1/2009