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The Next Day…
They all entered Konoha after a long trip. They were a few days early for the meeting. Ryuzaki was asleep on Gaara's back. He had been doing well but soon got tired and slowed down needing to be carried the rest of the way by his father. He slept peacefully situated between the large gourd and his father's back. His head rested on his father's shoulder. The sand held him in place so the child would not fall and injure himself. Temari was holding Hisa and Shikamaru had Haru. They were both fast asleep like their cousin.
They all walked into the village and looked around with wide eyes. Something was off. Saya stepped ahead of the others and scanned the area. Everything was so quiet. It wasn't like Konoha. Saya was about to turn around when someone slammed into her sending her and the mystery figure to the floor roughly. Gaara's sand went up and around the children blocking them and was about to help when the figure came into view. Saya sat up quickly ready to defend but saw the figure and her eyes widened.
"Naruto, what are you doing?" she asked shocked.
Naruto got up quickly and helped her up.
"Sorry Sai-chan, I was just running to go get you guys in Suna. Something's happened…" he said his voice low and haunted.
Saya felt dread build up within her.
"What happened?" she asked slowly.
He looked at the others.
"We should go to Tsunade-sama. She knows more then I do about what happened…" he said gravely.
Saya nodded and the group followed. They all walked passed what looked like a funeral procession going on. Saya's eyes widened. All of her friends were there! She stopped walking and stared. Gaara realized she had stopped walking and stopped turning to her. Saya didn't take her eyes off her friends. Sakura wiped some tears from her eyes and turned around seeing her friend. She excused herself from the procession and walked to Saya throwing her arms around her in a hug. Shikamaru handed Haru to Kankuro and walked up to the two girls. Saya still didn't know what the hell was going on. Naruto left Gaara's side and walked down to the small group.
"They don't know yet Sakura-chan…" he said softly.
Sakura pulled away and looked at Shikamaru. He looked confused as to who died but his eyes widened when he saw Ino and Choji at the front of the funeral line. He looked at the coffin and saw the picture and his heart dropped.
"T-That's my sensei…" he said lowly.
Saya's eyes widened. It really was Asuma Sarutobi. Shikamaru was in shock.
"H-How could this have happened?" he asked still in utter shock.
Ino had looked up then and gasped seeing her friend. She ran through the crowd and into him hugging him tightly. He returned the hug slowly. Choji walked up to the two and nodded patting Shikamaru on the back.
"He went down fighting Shikamaru…he fought bravely…" he said and Shikamaru felt weight on his heart.
"H-How did this happen?" he asked softly.
Ino decided to speak.
"He was fighting with a man named Hidan. It seems that this guy was a member of Akatsuki…Asuma-sensei injured him but then Hidan used this jutsu that transferred all of what Asuma did onto himself…we couldn't save him…" she broke down again.
Sakura went over to her friend and held her tightly. Choji looked down sadly. Shikamaru couldn't move. He wasn't there when his sensei and team fought against an enemy of Konoha. Saya rested a hand on his shoulder. The Sand Siblings stood in the back with Kat and the kids. They lowered their heads in respect for the fallen jounin. Shikamaru was shaking terribly. He felt his knees give out but someone wrapped his arm over their neck. He looked up to see his wife. She offered him a sad smile.
"Why don't we go pay our respects to your sensei?" she asked him kindly.
He nodded weakly and they went to the funeral procession. Saya watched as the two walked to the coffin. She wiped away a few stray tears. She felt a strong hand on her shoulder and turned. Gaara was standing behind her looking at the funeral procession. He knew what it was like to lose someone close. Saya smiled sadly and looked down at her son, who had walked up to his parents. He looked at the funeral procession.
"Who died father?" he asked softly.
Gaara looked down at his son.
"Someone very dear to the village, Ryuzaki…he was a close companion to your uncle and we must be here for him in case he should need anything, okay?" he said quietly and Ryuzaki nodded.
He felt bad for his uncle Shikamaru. He didn't like seeing the usually laid back, cloud gazing shinobi so upset. Then something caught his eye. In between Naruto and Hinata was his close friend Jiro.
"Jiro!" he yelled loudly causing more then just Jiro to look.
Gaara was about to scold his son when Jiro turned around. His eyes widened as a grin came across his face.
"Ryuzaki you came to visit!" he shouted and the two friends ran to each other.
They met in the middle and shook hands.
"Where have you been, I've been here all by myself since forever now?!" Jiro said loudly.
Ryuzaki grinned. Jiro was the only person Ryuzaki grinned at or spoke to comfortably.
"I'm sorry it has taken me forever to get here. Things had come up in Suna, but I see things have also happened in Konoha…" he said looking at the funeral taking place.
Jiro nodded.
"Hey you want to go get some ramen?!" he said grinning.
Ryuzaki nodded and the two boys ran off to the shop. Saya smiled softly. He didn't even ask permission…what a different boy he was here in Konoha. Tsunade walked up to Gaara greeting him warmly.
"Gaara, you've arrived early…" she said softly.
He nodded.
"I wanted the Mizukage to get in touch with her surroundings…I did not know of this though…" he said slowly.
Tsunade nodded.
"It is a terrible day in the Country of Fire…" she murmured.
Everyone went to pay their respects and then went home to their respective families. Gaara and Saya walked down the street with Naruto and Hinata looking for their sons. Temari had finally gotten Shikamaru back to the tower with Kankuro, Kat and the twins. He was devastated and they were all scared that his condition would only worsen. Naruto was telling Gaara about the fight they all had and how he swears Akatsuki is back. Hinata and Saya were walking behind them.
"Do you really think Akatsuki is back, Sai-chan?" she asked softly.
Saya looked down.
"I don't know…I don't see how they could come back after Kakashi used the Sharingan on them…but I guess that it's possible…" she said confusing herself.
She shook her head and smiled at Hinata.
"I'm sorry Hinata-chan…my head isn't in the right place…" she said quietly.
Hinata nodded.
"I understand Sai-chan…I think everyone's head is a little off today…" she whispered.
That's when Saya noticed it.
"Your stutter is gone Hinata-chan!" she yelled smiling.
Hinata chuckled.
"Hai…it has been for some time now…weird isn't it?" she smirked.
Saya liked the way Hinata had changed. They walked to the ramen shop and saw the two kids sitting and chatting while eating their ramen…or finishing their ramen…their third bowl of ramen. Saya and Hinata chuckled walking over to the kids while Naruto cheered.
"That's my boy!" he yelled seeing all the bowls.
Gaara eyed Naruto.
"Keep your son away from mine…" he mumbled and Naruto laughed.
"Jiro takes after me! What's so bad about that?!" he asked laughing.
Hinata laughed as well as Saya. Gaara smirked at his friend.
"It could be worse…he could take after your pervert teacher!" Saya yelled laughing. Naruto grinned.
"Which one?" he asked referring to Kakashi or Jiraiya.
Everyone shared a laugh at that and picked up their child. Naruto ruffled Ryuzaki's hair playfully.
"You'll see Jiro tomorrow okay?" he asked and Ryuzaki nodded quickly.
He liked Naruto. Saya kissed Jiro's forehead and the little boy blushed.
"See you later Jiro!" she said happily.
He nodded and grinned at Ryuzaki. The two families nodded goodnights and headed off. Gaara and Saya walked with Ryuzaki to the tower. Ryuzaki looked up calmly.
"Father, mother…I have a question…" he said softly.
Both parents looked down curiously.
"What is it Ryuzaki?" Saya asked curiously.
"What happens after you die?"
Both parents stopped walking and stared at him wide eyed. Ryuzaki stopped and turned around furrowing his eyebrows. They all stared at each other for a while before Gaara spoke.
"What happens after death…is nothing you should be thinking about now…" he said and Saya relaxed with his answer.
It was a good one. Ryuzaki shrugged not pushing the subject any further. They walked into the tower and up to their room. The meeting would start tomorrow. Saya looked out the window while Gaara put Ryuzaki to sleep. She let her hand roam over her heart. She had a bad feeling about tomorrow.
The Next Day…
Saya woke up when the bed shifted. She sat up and rubbed her eyes seeing Gaara had already turned on the shower in the bathroom. She groaned tiredly. She walked into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She looked in the mirror. She didn't look any different. She had matured a little and her hair was to her shoulders now. It had lightened just a pinch due to all that time in the sun in Suna. It made her light green eyes stand out more. She fluffed her bangs and looked to the side when she heard the shower turn off.
Gaara stepped out slowly. He had a towel wrapped around his waist. Saya stared at him in awe still after all these years. He was just so hot, and now here he was soaking wet with small drops of water falling off of his wet hair. She grinned sheepishly when he caught her looking at him. He smirked knowing what she was thinking about. She walked up to him smiling like a teenager and bit her lip. Gaara blushed slightly and backed up until his back hit the bathroom door. Saya grinned having him cornered.
"You know Saya…you should never corner a wild animal…" he said lowly smirking.
Saya smirked wide at him.
"Oh really, and what is this wild animal going to do if I stand my ground?" she asked playfully.
He smirked.
"What any other cornered animal would do…attack…" he said leaning down and pulling her into a passionate kiss.
She pressed into him returning the kiss. His hand roamed through her hair becoming entangled. He pulled away slowly still having his lips graze over hers gently. She kissed him again capturing his bottom lip and biting it softly. He let out a small groan into her mouth. He kissed down her neck making her moan softly. He came to a stop where her neck met her shoulder and bit it playfully. She giggled planting kisses on his jaw line and taking in his scent. Back when they were younger, he would always smell of blood.
She hated that smell. Now as she nuzzled his wet face he smelt like the beach. In Suna, where there was always sand, they would sometimes go to the beach just to walk along the shore. She buried her face in the crook of his neck kissing his neck sweetly every now and then. His hands moved up her hips to her shoulders and then to her face where he held her face calmly. He leaned his head against hers and closed his eyes. She smiled softly. He did this often and she liked their silent moments. They had a comfortable silence between them and now they had some time to enjoy it. He opened his eyes slowly as some water dripped off of his hair onto her cheek. He wiped the water away slowly and kissed her nose. She giggled and blushed slightly. A knock on the door brought them back to reality.
"Mom, dad, I need to use the bathroom now!" Ryuzaki yelled from the other side.
The parents chuckled and Gaara opened the door to see Ryuzaki with his hands over his eyes.
"I'm not looking so make your escape now!" he said almost walking into a wall if his father hadn't stopped him.
Saya was laughing hysterically and Gaara chuckled at his son's playfulness. They let him use the bathroom and they got changed. When Ryuzaki came out he was wearing a red shirt that almost matched his hair and black pants. He smiled upon seeing his parents.
Gaara put on his robes and Saya had on a long black top with red shorts underneath. The family left their room and Ryuzaki went off with Jiro to the playgrounds with the twins. Gaara kissed Saya on the cheek about to head off when they both spotted the Tsuchikage. He walked tall and proud with bodyguards around him. Gaara kept his composure and Saya was calm as well. The Tsuchikage stopped in front of the two and looked at Gaara.
"Gaara-sama…it's so nice to see you again…" he said with sarcasm evident in his voice.
Gaara kept his stoic composure.
"Saiganki-sama…" Gaara said nodding to be polite.
Saya gulped.
"Saiganki was his name…rock crusher?"she thought quietly to herself.
Saiganki looked at her then.
"You must be Ryohei Saya…" he said, his voice coarse and harsh.
Saya nodded slowly. Saiganki lifted his hand up and Gaara looked like he wanted to rip it off. He touched her face which really didn't settle well with her. She didn't like people she didn't know touching her at all let alone her face.
"Such a pretty woman…you've done well Gaara-sama…" he said smirking.
Gaara remained calm and Saya stared at the man. He removed his hand and smirked.
"I will see you at the meeting then…" he said and walked off with his bodyguards.
Saya wiped her face where he touched her. Gaara let out a low growl. She turned to him.
"Well he wasn't creepy in the least…" she said making him relax some and regain his composure.
They heard footsteps and the Raikage entered with his bodyguards. He also stopped politely near the Kazekage and bowed respectfully to the both of them.
"Gaara-sama, I trust things in Suna are holding out well?" he asked kindly.
"Hai, Kyuuden-sama, things are well…" he said softly and the Raikage nodded.
He then turned to Saya and nodded before heading to the office. Gaara nodded his goodbyes to Saya and headed towards the office. Saya smiled watching him leave before heading out of the tower. She stepped outside and walked to Naruto and Hinata.
"They're going to be a while in there…want to go do something?" Saya suggested.
Naruto nodded.
"Let's go ask the others if they want to join us…I know Kakashi-sensei is out on a mission with Gai-sensei but the others should be available."
Saya nodded and the three headed out to find the others.
In The Hokage Tower Some Hours Later…
Tsunade slammed her fist onto the table almost breaking it in two. Gaara ruffled his hair. Kat groaned never imagining that meetings would be this bad.
"Why is it always me and Gaara versus you and the council Saiganki?!" she raged.
Saiganki looked at her smiling.
"There are two other Kages in the room Tsunade-sama…they have an opinion too…" he mocked and she wanted to rip his head off.
Kat let her fingers roam through her hair.
"What they are saying makes sense Saiganki-sama. I agree with them. It is best for all of our villages," she stated tiredly.
The Raikage thought about it. They had all been arguing back and forth for hours now on what to do with the rumors of Akatsuki returning. Tsunade, Gaara, and Kat wanted to tighten up security on all of the villages' openings and keep in contact with each other through messengers. That way in case something suspicious should come up, they can help each other out. Just in case Akatsuki does return. The council and the Tsuchikage disagreed with them saying that Akatsuki is gone and that is the end of it.
"How can you say they are gone with such confidence? Have you not heard what has happened to Sarutobi Asuma?" Gaara asked staring at the Tsuchikage and the council.
Tsunade nodded.
"Or did you not notice the attire Hidan was wearing when he killed him?!" she shouted and the Tsuchikage smirked.
"So one Akatsuki member escaped…he got lucky…it means nothing…" he said.
Tsunade broke the desk and the council jumped.
"Are you implying that Asuma Sarutobi's death meant nothing?! You do know he is the son of the third Hokage?! Do not dare to disrespect him!" she stood up angrily.
When she did so did the Tsuchikage and the council. Gaara stood up and Kat did as well. The Raikage stayed seated. He was the oldest out of the bunch and was too old to quarrel. He sighed heavily and ruffled his hair. Tsunade glared at the Tsuchikage and he glared back.
"Your power doesn't scare me Tsunade…I have earth on my side!" he said stomping on the floor as a huge rock came up from the ground and at her.
Sand flew up knocking the rock away violently shielding Tsunade from any more attacks. Saiganki was about to call for another rock when ice water hit his face. He gasped and glared at the Mizukage, his defenses down.
"I wouldn't do that…" Kat muttered watching him carefully.
Gaara knew this meeting was going no where and stepped next to Tsunade carefully attempting to tell her he'd help her if a fight broke out. Tsunade relaxed some.
"If you do not want to protect your village that is your decision but the Hokage, Mizukage, and I will tighten the security…" Gaara said anxious to get out of there.
Nothing good can come of this. Tsunade nodded angrily. Saiganki looked angry and was about to speak when Saya came rushing through the door.
"Tsunade-sama, Shikamaru left Konoha to track down Asuma Sarutobi's killer!" she said frantically.
Then she paused looking around the room. There was water on the floor, sand was floating around in the air, a table was smashed to pieces, and it looked as though a huge rock had been lifted from the ground. Saya looked at Gaara, her eyes wide. His expression softened some trying to let her know things were alright. She looked around at the Kages her eyes stopping on Tsunade.
"What should we do Tsunade-sama?" she asked quickly.
Tsunade thought about it.
"He couldn't have got far. Where is everyone else?" she asked.
Saya caught her breath.
"They are back at his house trying to hold Temari-chan back…" she said softly.
Tsunade nodded.
"Alright Saya you're in charge. Get a group together and go find him…bring him back…do not let Temari go…she should stay with the kids…" Tsunade finished.
Gaara turned to Tsunade not liking the fact that Saya had to leave the safety of the village. Saya's eyes were wide. Tsunade wanted her to tell Temari she couldn't come? She would tell Kankuro to do it. She nodded slowly and headed out meeting Gaara's gaze once more before closing the door. The Kages then went back to glaring at each other. The Raikage sighed loudly and stood.
"This is getting us no where. We must come to a decision…a final decision…" he stated calmly.
I hope you liked it!!! I will update again soon! Please review if you can! I love your feedback! ^_~