Copyright notice: I do not own Naruto or its characters.
To Become Kazekage
For I am finding out that love will kill and save me
Taking the dreams that made me up
And tearing them away
But the same love will take this heart that's barely beating
And fill it with hope beyond the stars…
Green eyes made of stone calmly kept their sight on the weary eyes of the Sunagakure council. The shuffling of beige and black robes could be heard in the echoes of the round chamber room. Each councilman and woman held a grim look of concern mixed with shock, except one. The tanned face of Jai held a roguish smirk, even as he crossed his arms over his chest and kicked back his seat with his booted foot. He had come to daily council meeting to discuss the usual disagreements with their current daimyo and how to send another shinobi ambassador to fix the shortages of food and supplies. Instead, Sabaku no Gaara had arrived unexpectedly and made a firm 'request' to become Sunagakure's next Kage. Jai wouldn't call it much of a request so much as a statement of pure fact.
Jai looked over the growing Gaara. It had been only a year since the dispute with that irritating gang that had taken his young student at the time. A report had been written and filed by the Suna shinobi and the eldest sibling Temari. The council had made a decision to bequeath Temari with the duties of ambassador to Konohagakure after talks with their Hokage. It had been smooth with some stipulations. Tsunade was a temperamental woman, but also quite sly and strategic. The agreement was positive for both sides, with Temari surprisingly supportive of the plan. Temari had even suggested Kankuro as a lead shinobi with the guards and part of the leadership of training units specializing in puppet mastery. He had proven skillful and wily.
But Gaara…skepticism remained and for good reason as he stood stoicly before them. No longer an unstable boy but a quiet man, Gaara was showing improvement in his mind and soul. He had fewer bouts of temper and from ANBU reports; his headaches had lessened which meant fewer episodes of Shukaku erupting. Baki had kept secret such episodes, leaving it to the crude medical nin to create potions to help with the migraines. Even so, the young teenager never slept and it did show in his ever-present dark circles around his eyes. His skin remained alabaster pale…well; whatever skin that wasn't covered by his mahogany suit. Today, he preferred to wear a loose black tunic and pants with straps over one leg. Mesh covered his growing muscular chest where the wrapped tunic fell open.
The wild brick red hair had grown longer, but the bangs remained swooped to the side to show the angry tattoo. A tattoo that still made even Jai uneasy in rare moments when he saw Gaara alone in the training grounds or in a hallway. At the moment, his hair was untamed and his lips were a mere slash of a line.
"You request to become the next Kage of this village? There are strict guidelines, a certain decorum that comes with such a high title, and a multitude of duties. A certain type of shinobi, skilled in a wide set spectrum of-"
"I remain unmoved. I wish to become Kage and offer my skills to be used as such."
Coughs were heard in the room.
"We will make a vote and decide from there," Jai rumbled out smoothly.
"This title is usually reviewed and granted by the daimyo, however we vote even if it holds significant weight," an older member spoke loudly with a smirk. Nods followed.
Baki rose from his seat after watching the charade with narrowed eyes and stood by young Gaara. Gaara barely registered him, except for the few grains of sand floating in the air near his large arm roped with muscle.
"It is also a custom, old and overlooked by most, that references from foreign lands and shinobi can add their voices. If a shinobi has performed great deeds for other lands, such as young Gaara has, then a well-respected shinobi can lend their voice. That shinobi, even their Kage, has weight as well."
Politicking, eh Baki? You must care for this boy deeply. Your loyalty was something I always respected. You are astute to bring up that small little amendment to the customs of our village. Even I forgot that one, Jai thought with a small twitch of his lips.
"So be it. Find references; find shinobi for Sunagakure to decide on that we may send to the daimyo. We wish to…meet such a reference that is worthy to be sent to the daimyo. Maybe they will help with the shortage of trade and water."
Sabaku no Gaara's face slipped into the blank slate it often held before he nodded his head, bowed his body slightly then closed his eyes to morph into grains of sand and transport to wherever he chose to go.
The council looked upon Baki with looks of mixed reactions: fear, anger, and awe. Some held looks of pleasure. Sabaku no Gaara had won over some council members with saving the student but others remained skeptical. Jai and Baki had been both astounded by the remaining criticism, even after Temari's report of Gaara suppressing the Shukaku.
"What have you done?"
Baki remained stone faced.
"He has proven himself worthy and skilled. We both know he has excelled further than some of us here in battle strategy, shinobi arts, and even studies we learn as adults."
Jai smirked and steepled his fingers and leaned forward.
"Yes, I heard he has been something of scholarly shinobi. Its rare to see a known skilled fighter sit on a roof and read scrolls on history."
Baki glanced at Jai before looking distractedly out the arched window into the sun kissed village.
I only wonder who the references will be. Konohagakure is our best choice. Temari must go to Konoha…but the references remain even to me unknown.
XXXXXX
Kankuro slid the paint down on his face and readied himself for another long, hot day of training. It was remarkable what he had accomplished, for even himself. He smirked as he remembered achieving chunin then becoming a little dismayed when Temari was chosen as ambassador. It made sense though. Temari was smart and gutsy. She could see through lies and nonsense. She knew when to make the right calls and how to make deals that benefited both sides, even if it favored Suna more.
I think she wants to see that Nara guy more. That's why she leapt at the chance, but hey that's fine. But now Gaara…he was behind now. That doesn't sit well with me. Damn council…
Kankuro cracked his knuckles and swept the beads of his bathroom to the side to find a restless Temari sitting on the carved wooden chair inside his living room. She looked a little elegant in her long black kimono, obi and newly upgraded fan. Her hair was the same style, except for the carved obsidian cuffs at the beginning of her ponytails.
Yeah, she looked important enough but right now she looked frustrated. She saw him and hit her smaller fan on the table in front of her before uncrossing her legs and standing up to cock her hip. She grasped her fan tightly.
"So, you going to tell me why you are in here at sunrise?"
"Kankuro, I must travel to Konohagakure and as quick as possible to return before…a certain deadline."
"This doesn't have to do with Gaara does it?"
Temari's eyes widened. "You know about his request?"
Kankuro tilted his head and moved to the side, walking up to his worktable and rubbing his bandaged hands over Crow. He crossed his arms and looked at Temari before raising a brow.
"Temari, I speak with Gaara often as we train. I spar with him the most. We have grown closer as brothers and shinobi over our sessions so he has opened up, a little."
"Oh."Temari shook her body and began to walk out before grabbing his arm. "But did he tell you he needs references from other shinobi, preferably foreign shinobi of other villages to recommend him?"
Kankuro dropped a tool he had picked up and gaped at her. "What the hell? No!"
"The council was skeptical and in a rush to vote no. Baki found a loophole in an oft-unused custom. Foreign shinobi can lend their voices, adding weight along with the village council. This might help Gaara. I have to help present this to the daimyo…its so bizarre."
"Well, you are an ambassador and a child of the former Kage. This custom is odd, but Gaara will need it. Its stupid, even after how he proved he can handle Shukaku…after Hinata helped with…"
Kankuro's voice wandered off to whisper before he met eyes with Temari in revelation.
"Kankuro…"
"You are thinking the same, huh?"
"Kankuro, can you honestly see anyone else? I thought Naruto…but you know how he is. We need someone…more refined and skillful with these sorts of politics. Its all a show to me, even this is beyond my scope."
"So you want someone of respected pedigree, someone noble and trustworthy, someone with weight. You want…"
"Yes, Kankuro."
Kankuro nodded his head slowly. "This is a big risk, Temari, but after the Four Celestials...I agree. Naruto is like his best friend. He lived a nearly similar life, but she understands his heart. For better or worse."
XXXXXX
Hinata's eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she let her small hands run over the smooth silk of her mother's old kimonos. She barely remembered her mother, only the soft alto of her voice and the sapphire jeweled comb she would pin in her long ebony hair. To think, one day she might inherit this or wear such precious items on the day of the Hyugas' private celebration of the passing of her Chunin Exam. It would be a grand affair, she knew, even as her father planned the event for the end of the month so all the gardens would be in bloom.
Hinata let her eyes rise to the high ceiling, letting her thoughts run over the previous weeks of the Chunin Exam. It had been her second time and her team had proved more capable in the challenges. Her own skills had been useful to the team, both mentally and physically. Her opponents had been rather surprised by her further developed agility and acrobatic skills. Even her speed and strength had been swiftly increased, taking down her foreign opponent in the one on one match. Her team had proven victorious, as had a few others.
It had been rather shocking to see so many foreign high-ranking members of nobility; even the Kages and some jonin watch her battles with such looks of praise and interest. The hushed whispers had grown increasingly when she had entered the field of the stadium to fight Ino.
Father looked so pleased, knowing I as his daughter and heir was being remarked upon favorably…but then Hyuga are well respected by foreign lands. If someone doesn't know our clan, then maybe something is wrong?
Hinata sighed, fingering the comb. "As if I would know anything about foreign lands…"
A middle aged Hyuga bowed deeply as she entered Hinata's private room and shuffled backwards slightly.
Hinata moved her mother's items back into the intricately decorated chest of her deceased mother's before gathering her kimono to stand.
"Yes, Ayumi-san?"
"The Hokage has called upon you, Lady Hinata."
Hinata scrunched her nose and tapped her fingers, her body trembling. What did the Lady Hokage ask of her? Hopefully to work with Sakura in the hospital or maybe a small mission with her team, not anything too important. Hinata flushed before her stomach felt sick.
Oh no, maybe some noble figures were interested in my abilities. But why me? Neji-san and the others are much more capable than me…
"Lady Hinata?"
Hinata gathered herself, smoothing down her kimono and letting her hands drift over her hair to make sure her combs held her growing hair intact. It seemed the old Hyuga women were fascinated, maybe obsessed, with the heir apparent's looks and hygiene lately as she grew older.
"Ko-san?"Hinata asked gently, her eyes questioning his dark ones.
"I am to escort you to the Hokage's tower. A visitor has asked for you specifically."
"O-oh, okay."
No, no, no. Who could it be?
Author Note: A little short and overdue, but this is a curveball chapter. From my knowledge, its never explained how Gaara was made Kazekage. Its all going to click and lead to something...dark, dangerous and something else. Read, enjoy and review.