A/N: I do not own Naruto or its characters.
Weapon Part 4: Tension (Send for the Leaf)
Temari ran alongside Kankuro and Gaara, their feet pounding in unison as they made their way to the training square. Sweat dripped from her brow and ran down her neck, nearly interfering with her vision. This gang, these Four Celestials, were a serious problem and she wasn't sure how Gaara would deal with it. It had been awhile since the village had attempted assassinations on her brother but no one had ever threatened him on such a new scale. She took a quick glance at Gaara and bit her lip upon noticing the tight knitting of his brows and scrunched nose. His eyes were swirling in turmoil, even if his body looked relaxed.
Gaara, what are you thinking behind those eyes? What are you feeling inside? Our people used to try and assassinate you for so long…making you so hateful and torn. We all damaged you. Yashamaru was a bastard for what he did, but Kankuro and I didn't make it better did we? Now that you are rising up, did we ever wonder if maybe we did something to your heart? These bastards are threatening to kill anyone precious to you to take Shukaku. How does that make you feel? Can you understand?
Gaara came to a stop and knelt in the dirt. Temari and Kankuro joined him, scanning the earth for any signs. Temari immediately noticed the rope and blade on the ground. How odd. She grabbed it and gingerly moved it in her palm, scrutinizing it.
"What is this johyo? Whose is it?"
"Matsuri's."
Kankuro let out a surprised face. "Matsuri is the first sacrifice then."
Gaara frowned. "Hold on. The enemy moved northeast from this direction."
"Even though the target of the Celestials is you?"Temari raised an eyebrow and looked at Gaara.
Gaara slid his eyes over at Temari and looked down at the johyo. He lifted a pale hand and placed it over the johyo, grabbing it to hold to his chest. His eyes never left the johyo.
Gaara, what are you feeling?
Gaara began winding up the johyo, his grip tightening slowly until his knuckles turned white before lifting his eyes to Temari and Kankuro.
"Yes. A jonin council must be made aware of this. Immediately.
Temari and Kankuro nodded swiftly.
XXXXXXX
Baki stood rigid, trying to not let the anger invade his mind. He let his uncovered eye slide to Jai, who sat forward in his chair with a neutral face and nodded. Sand swirled into the council chamber and moved around to each member, swirling past their robes and fluttering any wisps of loose hair. Baki knew this came from Gaara, whom he knew stood in his usual posture with arms crossed. Something was wrong though. Something inside him. He had known the first second even before the siblings came to him, words spilling from Kankuro and Temari.
He had been in his personal office, thinking back on Jai's words and how much they had affected him. He had been troubled and disturbed, shredding papers and even breaking a special painted vase given as a gift by the Kazekage for his service as a jonin in Sunagakure. What kind of service was he giving now? Temari and the siblings had entered, the news rushing out about the capture of an academy student, Gaara's no less. The news of the Four Celestials had all ready reached him via ANBU after the death of the guards but this piece was new and shocking. Baki could only look upon Gaara and wonder how this was affecting him. Temari had privately given an off the record report of their time in Konohagakure, especially about Gaara's behavior.
Baki had all ready known Gaara's efforts at changing himself after the bout with the Nine Tailed Fox and felt a relief flow through him at the time. When Gaara had left with his siblings, he had said words that to Baki meant he was learning what a precious person was now. After Temari's anxious report and seeing Gaara's uneven moods, he knew this was unhealthy and his last thoughts when they left had now proven foreboding.
Gaara, what will you do now that a precious person has been taken from you?
"In the northeastern direction where the ones who call themselves the Four Celestials left, there is the Village Hidden in Leaves of the Land of Life, with the Land of Rivers sandwiched in between. We will request the assistance of the Leaf."
The council members nodded slowly but firmly, all in deep thought.
"Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara."
Jai's low voice rang out. His steel eyes were upon the Sand Siblings, switching from the siblings to Baki before resting upon the siblings. He raised an eyebrow then tapped a hand on the table.
"You will all form a unit to pursue immediately and retrieve Gaara-san's student."
"Whoa, hold it. The enemy is AFTER Gaara. That would be like walking right into a trap."Kankuro shook his head and crossed his arms firmly.
Temari gripped the top of her fan and closed her eyes. The tapping of her fingers on the fan stopped after a few minutes before she spoke firmly.
"He is right. We can't do that. Why won't you send a party?"
Baki registered Jai's expression and cleared his throat, his eyes upon his former students.
"This might be a divisionary tactic of the enemy. The village will be shorthanded if we send out pursuers."
Kankuro snorted and straightened up. "Then you'll come with us right, Baki-san?
XXXXXX
Baki stood up the building balcony beside Jai, his hands beside his back and his face relaxed as he peered into the dipping sun. Never was there a more pleasant sight, if not for the news brought by the ANBU.
"Most likely the enemy, these Celestials, are after the Shukaku."
Jai tilted his head. "Gaara is the sand's Ultimate Weapon."
"If we know that then..-"
Baki was cut off as Jai raised a hand then swept his bangs to the side before casting an enigmatic expression at him. One Baki hardly recognized.
"But its also a dangerous double edged sword to the village. If they would do us the favor of facing each other and perishing…"
Baki wanted to grab Jai's shoulders and shake him. How could this man he thought was wisest and looking into the siblings' best interests as a favor to Baki say such things after approving Gaara to teach?
Baki stood straight and let his face become stone.
"Then at least I should go with them."
"No, you have a different mission."
XXXXXX
Baki looked upon the siblings after thinking back on his conversation with Jai. Yes, he was angry and disappointed. He would never think the same of Jai again, for now. Gaara MUST change all their minds. He knew it. The siblings must show their worth to this cutthroat council. He felt a muscle tick in his jaw before answering.
"I have a different mission.
Baki looked upon Gaara then sighed. "Matsuri is your student is she not?"
Baki would never forget Gaara's face as the boy looked up slowly and slid his eyes at him. Cold hit his body as if frost had covered his body and frozen his lungs. No, he would never forget.
"Yes, she is."
With that simple response, the siblings left the council chamber and not long after a hawk was sent to Konohagakure. All Baki could think was gods help anyone, anyone, that threatened any precious person of Gaara's for Gaara was starting to understand, but not in the way Baki would have wanted. Baki could only see blood and pain given to any who threatened those precious to Gaara. Gaara might not be the monstrous, unstable force he was as a child but Baki felt he was turning into something else. Something not entirely light, but definitely dangerous…
XXXXX
"Hoki, do you think the Shukaku will come for this girl?"
They were all running, each one casting an eye to the sleeping bundle on Hoki's back as they made quickly further from Suna. The female looked from the girl to Hoki.
"If he doesn't, then we will destroy all those close to him until he does."
"Agreed." The comrades spoke simultaneously.
The blue haired boy smirked and turned aquamarine eyes on his fellow members before chuckling.
"I think we should go for the jugular, the heart of it. The other he spoke of so devotedly. I bet that brings Shukaku out."
Hoki frowned. "Ryugan, why that sounds perfect.
A/N: I am so sorry for the late update since the holiday. The holidays were a little busy then I got sick. Of course, as expected. Illness creates a bit of blur as to what to write. After watching more of the episode arc I am writing about, I got a bit stumped as well so that put a block for awhile. No, Hinata, why are you briefly in this one? Arrgh! Its fine though. I flexed my fingers and went around it. I think it will come out beautifully, I hope. So enjoy my short chapter. It will get longer and pick up from here on out.