Chapter 15: The Wind Daimyo
"This place is AWESOME!" yelled Kankuro as he walked ahead of Daisuke, Gaara, Temari, and Izuka as the group made their way through the streets of Mizukari City.
"This place is a lot more festive since the last time we've been here." commented Izuka as she looked around the decorative streets filled with streamers, confetti, and ornate paper lanterns.
"It's more festive because the city is in the midst of The Grand Festival." replied Daisuke, who grabbed Kankuro by his shirt collar while he was ogling a fried food stand.
"What's The Grand Festival?" asked Temari as she also looked around the street.
"The Grand Festival is a week-long celebration of the founding of Mizukari City." said Daisuke.
"How long has Mizukari City been around?" asked Gaara as he started to see a few girls start eyeing him. "Izzy, I think I have fan girls here." thought Gaara in a worried tone.
"You have fan girls everywhere and can you please stop calling me by that nickname." thought Izuka in return.
"Sorry, force of habit." replied Gaara.
Daisuke looked over at the young Kazekage to answer him. "This festival celebrates Mizukari City's 95'th anniversary."
"Woah. That's longer than Suna." commented Kankuro.
"I think Suna and Mizukari City are the same age Kankuro." replied Temari.
Kankuro ignored her and turned his attention right back on Daisuke. "How long will it take us to get to the Wind Daimyo's palace?"
"We're already here Kankuro." said Daisuke as he pointed toward a large building.
Kankuro looked up at the huge structure. "Oh snap! It looks just like the Kazekage building, except its green in color."
Gaara gave Kankuro a glare. When Kankuro saw it, he instantly shut his face up.
"Follow me." said Daisuke. The four teens followed the advisor to the palace gate. The gate was dark green in color but was decorated with gold lions on its front. Two menacing looking guards stood at the gate.
"Names!" cried one of the guards, who had a handlebar moustache.
"Daisuke Shirabuza." said Daisuke.
"Gaara Sabakuno." replied Gaara.
"Kankuro Sabakuno." said Kankuro in a cheery tone. Gaara gave him a look.
"Temari Sabakuno." exclaimed Temari. Gaara gave her a deadpan.
"Shizukara Uzumaki." replied Izuka. She so disliked using her full first name.
The handlebar moustache guard looked over to the other guard, who was going through a list in his hands. After a few seconds of scanning, the guard looked up from the list. "You're names are all on the list. You may all enter the palace."
The guards moved away from the gate and the gate slowly opened. The group of five walked through the gate and into the royal gardens.
"Oh my god, there are so many flowers here." cooed Temari.
"ACHOO!" The sound was so out of the blue that Temari jumped and yelled, frightened from the sudden sound. Daisuke, Gaara, and Izuka turned their heads to see Kankuro rubbing his nose and sniffling.
"Sorry, allergies." said Kankuro apologetically.
Temari recovered from her fright to scold Kankuro. "Warn us next time!" she yelled at the puppeteer.
"Ok ok. Don't get your panties in a twist." replied Kankuro. He walked past his sister to catch up with Daisuke, Izuka, and Gaara, who were already walking through the palace's front door. Temari ran after the four.
The group was led by Daisuke through the palace towards the throne room, which was located in the middle of the building. The throne room was decorated in green and gold with artifacts and valuable treasures lining the walls. The Wind Daimyo was sitting on his throne at the top a podium in the middle of the room. Two of his advisors were on either side of him.
"This man loves his expensive stuff." Kankuro whispered into Izuka's ear. Izuka elbowed Kankuro in the ribs.
"Owww, okay, I'll shut up." Kankuro whispered back.
"Ah. Welcome back Daisuke. And welcome Kazekage-san, Lady Sage-san, Temari-kun, and friend.
"Aw man. He doesn't know my name." Kankuro whispered.
"Maybe it's because he has never met you till now." whispered Temari in return.
The Wind Daimyo was big in status and big in appearance. He was a large man and his eyes always looked closed, even when awake. He also had a thin mustache and beard. He replaced the old Wind Daimyo four years ago for unspecified reasons. (A/N: Got description for Wind Daimyo from Narutopedia site, if you were wondering.)
Gaara stepped away from the group to address the Wind Daimyo. "Why have you called for mine and the Lady Sage's presence, Wind Daimyo-sama?"
The Wind Daimyo gave Gaara a stern look. "I have called for yours and Izuka-san's presence to discuss an urgent matter regarding the Wind Country's relationship with Amegakure."
"What seems to be the problem?" asked Izuka as she walked over to where Gaara was standing.
"To put things bluntly, the dictator of Amegakure is threatening to go to war with us." said the Wind Daimyo in a defeated tone.
"What, why?" asked Temari.
"Amegakure was known to be an enemy nation during the Fourth Shinobi World War, but they are now saying that they were victims in the matter." replied the Wind Daimyo.
"Well isn't that a load of baloney." whispered Kankuro. Daisuke nodded in agreement.
"Amegakure has been able to recover fast from the war, unlike us or the four other great nations. Even though both the Wind Country and Fire Country are basically Amegakure's next-door neighbors, they have threatened to attack Suna first because it is closer. "
Everyone either groaned or froze in shock at the news. The Wind Daimyo continued with his speech.
"There is a compromise though. The dictator of Amegakure has offered us a chance to plead our case to why there should be no war between the two nations.
"And you want us to go to Amegakure to plead the Wind Country's case as to why there should be no war?" asked the Lady Sage.
The Daimyo smirked. "Exactly, who better to do the job as the Wind Country's representatives than two of the country's most powerful residents?"
Gaara and Izuka turned to look at each other then back to the Daimyo.
"What do we got to lose?" Izuk asked Gaara.
"Who knows?" replied Gaara. He walked closer to the Wind Daimyo's podium."We accept this mission." said Gaara with a hint of purpose in his voice.
"Excellent. The dictator will expect you five to arrive at his palace in less than two weeks. Daisuke here will accompany you on your mission as my personal representative."
"Fine by us." replied Izuka.
"Good. Now, why don't you guys enjoy the festival and stay here in my palace as my personal guests." invited the Wind Daimyo.
"We accept your invitation, Wind Daimyo-sama." replied Gaara as he spoke for the group.
Kankuro smiled and ran straight for the door, which the Wind Daimyo noticed.
"Someone's eager." commented the Wind Daimyo.
Temari shrugged. "He's probably going straight back to that fried food stand we passed on our way here."
Temari, Izuka, Gaara, and Daisuke all bowed to the Wind Daimyo before leaving the room to enjoy the festival.
"Sir, I have a bad feeling about this mission you gave those five." replied one of the Wind Daimyo's advisors.
"Don't worry Kazi. Everything will be fine." replied the Wind Daimyo. "I hope."
End of chapter 15
A/N: What could possibly happen to the group of five now? Tune in to find out. Next chapter is the second side chapter of the story. If Kankuro sang in the first one, then something wacky is bound to happen in the second one. X) Please review and vote on my poll.