Things are rolling!
I actually don't have much to say...
Enjoy!
Gaara waited at the entrance to the village, defensive sand swirling in his agitation. He had been staring, unmoving for the last eight hours, completely fixated on the desert.
He had been working early in the morning when suddenly…he just knew. He stood, as if under a spell and left his office, walking straight out of the village. Upon reaching the entrance he stopped; content to wait for their arrival.
"Lord Kazekage, maybe…"
"No." He was resolute. Despite their best efforts, no one could make him move from his position. He knew they were coming. He could feel it. The desert before him held his family.
"They are coming."
The darkness shifted as seven cloaked figures walked through the halls. They trekked their way up the worn stone steps, following the forgotten path deeper within the rock face. After an hour of travelling the figures reached an open chamber. A large table and several chairs occupied the ancient hall. After lighting the scones on the walls the figures moved into the centre of the room, taking off their cloaks and sitting in their respective chairs. Each member acknowledged the two figures sitting beside them, noting each of the absences of their elite council.
At the head of the table an elderly man stood, addressing his brethren.
"Our meeting will now begin. The issue of the Shukaku will now be addressed."
"But the plan failed. The demon controlled itself." A dark haired woman spat, disgust dripping from her words.
"Maybe it really has changed." A middle aged man spoke out, dark eyes staring intently at his elders.
"All we're doing now is endangering the village. Isn't that what we're trying to prevent?" He looked around, judging the reaction of his peers. Unfortunately most seemed unmoved. The council's hate was too deeply ingrained. A familiar figure leaned forward, the light material of his white facial covering sliding lightly against the smooth wooden surface. He peered through the dim light at the dark haired man. Recognition quickly covered his features, followed by brief surprise before he returned his indifferent mask.
"I agree. Surely the young Kazekage has proven himself to you by now?" Baki spoke, inspecting the man across from him carefully.
An elderly woman scoffed, nose crinkling in repugnance and revulsion. The council members knew where Baki's alliances truly lay. To the elder, intransigent members, he was simply a threat.
As they trekked up yet another sand dune the four Leaf shinobi sighed. Kankuro was sure the village was close but each new dune bought them the bitter taste of disappointment. Shikamaru shifted Temari into a better position, stretching out his arms, which were beginning to cramp. Ahead, Kankuro was bounding up the next dune ready to slide himself and Matsuri down the other side as fast as possible. It had become somewhat of a game between the two, keeping their minds off their troubles.
I guess they don't have playgrounds in the Sand village.
Matsuri's laughter echoed off the sand surrounding them. Other than the soft huffs of laboured breathing, it was the only sound that broke the eerie silence of the desert. Suddenly, Kankuro stopped and turned back towards to stragglers.
"Almost home. I can see the cliffs." He wheezed, thoroughly exhausted.
"Shino, is there any way you could send your bugs ahead and tell Gaara? We need to get everyone to the hospital straight away." Hope clung to Shikamaru, wrapping him in its tight embrace. Temari squirmed minutely, tossing her head lightly in her discomfort. A warm feeling bloomed in his chest as he fondly watched his unconscious charge.
"I'm already ahead of you." Shino's monotone voice replied as his bugs buzzed past and into the distance.
A foreign, buzzing sound alerted Gaara to their presence.
A thousand bugs were steadily moving towards him out of the desert.
Hmm, I thought I'd hear Kankuro's incessant whining first…
A small smile cracked his lips as they flew in closer. It was quickly replaced by a terse frown.
"Get the medical ninjas. As fast as possible." He ordered. Raising his left arm until it was level with his shoulder; the sand around the village began to shake.
As the sand around the travellers began to tremor and compress Temari stirred.
"…Gaara…" she murmured quietly, tossing in Shikamaru's arms. The surrounding desert flattened, allowing the group their first glimpse of the village. Between the two rock walls that defended the village they could make out a lone figure. Upon closer inspection, four more figures stood back, watching the Kazekage intently.
"Gaara!" Matsuri and Haruko squealed in unison.
Neji looked between the two blushing girls and the unwitting Kazekage and raised a single eyebrow. A conspirator's smirk briefly painted its way across the panes of his face.
Shikamaru sat patiently in the waiting room outside the intensive care unit. The only outward sign of his discomfort was the anxious movement of his hands. After arriving back everyone had been sent to various wings of the hospital. Only one person was yet to be released.
"You know, it's completely normal for Temari to end up in hospital after her missions. She does too much; carries the burden too often. She's going to be perfectly fine…apart from the hit on her pride that is." Kankuro offered from across the hall, producing a somewhat strained smile.
"I'm afraid not sir." A small, brown haired kunoichi said, exiting Temari's room.
"She has wounds that we simply don't have the resources or ability to treat. Her condition for the moment is stable but, I'm not sure how long that can last. To be put simply, she needs a miracle."
Shikamaru looked up at the nurse, not daring to face Kankuro's expression. His brain was whirring at a hundred miles an hour, every precious scape of his so called genius intellect activated.
A miracle. Somewhere with expert knowledge and all the equipment. A miracle.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shikamaru's outburst had somewhat startled both Kankuro and the nurse. They looked between each other and the young shinobi.
"I think...by all means Lady Tsunade would be able to treat her but the likelihood of her assistance to the Sand…" The nurse trailed off. Shikamaru was beaming.
"I'll begin preparations to leave for the Hidden Leaf immediately. I'll get together everything Temari needs for the trip." Kankuro declared over his shoulder as he ran down the hall and out of sight.
Best get the all clear from Gaara and notify the Hokage of our visitors.
Shikamaru turned on his heel and left the stunned nurse.
At the sharp rap on his door Gaara looked up from his paperwork and proceeded to stare at the unintimidated shinobi in front of him. The teen hadn't moved an inch since entering his office and stating his proposal, refusing to budge until he had his desired answer. Gaara couldn't help but be suspicious of the dark haired ninja. As such, he welcomed the unplanned interruption.
"Come in."
Shikamaru opened the door and stepped inside, dully noting the mutual staring contest and deciding to ask questions later. Mind set on his purpose he turned his full attention back to the Kazekage and began.
"Temari's injuries are worse than can be handled by the village. According to the medics Tsunade may be the only person capable of treating her." Shikamaru unflinchingly met Gaara's gaze, watching the faintest hints of concern swell in the jade depths.
The news didn't sit well with Gaara. The alliance between Sand and Leaf was still quite fragile. Although both sides were sure neither was planning any martial effort, such a personal matter was unexplored and highly sensitive. If something went wrong it could lead to full scale war between the two powerful nations.
"Tell me honestly, would Tsunade treat my sister?" Gaara looked up at the dark haired shinobi, watching his every movement; calculating.
Shikamaru considered everything he knew about his Hokage and shrugged.
Even if she refused I could pull the 'Naruto card'.
"I believe she would. It is against her morals to let the suffering of an innocent go unaided. Plus, I believe she is fond of your sister." At Gaara's quizzical look he continued.
"They often spend time together during her visits."
Probably sharing body disposal techniques.
Gaara gave a short, sharp nod. His sister's life was in their hands now.
"Ah, I think Kankuro also plans to come with us." Gaara pondered this for a moment despite having already predicted Kankuro's decision. Suna was already down a good number of experienced shinobi, leaving their village rather understaffed.
"I believe it would be best to leave my team here. We'll make better time in a smaller group." Gaara turned away from Shikamaru briefly and caught the eye of the shinobi beside him. With a somewhat resigned sigh he nodded. The dark haired ninja before him smirked. Watching the exchange Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.
"If you wish, Kankuro has the perfect jutsu. I'm sure he can explain it to you in detail while you're on the road." Feeling pleased with his small victory and Shikamaru's stricken expression Gaara waved the Leaf nin away.
Sorry for the wait on this one, but we're finally on our way.
:D
Disclaimer: Despite my continued efforts I still don't own Naruto.