Chapter 23: One Hell of a Dinner!
The elevator rose up on its way to the 30th floor. The elevator would have been sikent for the entire trip if it weren't for Kankuro's chattering teeth.
"Kankuro, get a hold of yourself. We're only traveling 10 floors to the 30th floor." said Temari as she gave her brother a disapproving look.
"I can't help it. I just don't like elevators." said Kankuro as he closed his eyes.
"Don't you mean the really, really tall ones?" asked Ryu as she gave Kankuro a mischievous smirk.
"You are so not helping Ryu!" exclaimed Kankuro as he stared down the dragon that was resting on Izuka's shoulders.
"I'm just asking a harmless question." said Ryu as she put her palms up in defense.
"You are one scheming dragon aren't you?" asked Daisuke.
"Yes, yes I am." said Ryu proudly.
As the mindless banter was going on around them, Gaara snuck a quick look at Izuka. He soon noticed that Izuka's eyes were moving way to fast to be normal.
"Izuka?" asked Gaara with his mind.
Izuka didn't notice.
"Izuka?" asked Gaara again a little louder.
"Huh?" asked Izuka as she finally broke out of her reverie. She looked to her left at her redhead boyfriend.
"Is there something wrong?" asked Gaara. "Your eyes were moving way to fast to be normal."
"At first, it was just Shukaku annoying the hell out of me again, but then it grew to all the tailed beasts. They all sense that something's amiss, that something evil is lurking around here." telecommunicated Izuka.
"Any idea on what it is?" asked Gaara.
"Not yet. There is definitely something dark around here, but neither I nor the tailed beasts can put a finger on it." answered Izuka.
"That's not good." commented Gaara as the elevator stopped, signaling that they had reached the 30th floor.
The doors opened to reveal a long dark red hallway. The walls were decorated with pictures of Amegakure's landscape and cities and it was dimly lit.
"Got to hand it to their decorators, they know how to make their guests feel creeped out." commented Kankuro as the group made their way down the long hallway.
"Yes, they just know how to give off that "Addams Family" feel, just darker and creepier." added Daisuke as he looked at the pictures that they were passing by.
The group continued to walk down the hallway until they reached an ornate bronze door at the end of the corridor, which was guarded by a couple of Rain ANBU members. One member was wearing an owl mask while the other was wearing a panda mask.
"Ah, Lady Sage-san, Lord Kazekage-san, Dictator Kotowashi is expecting you and your comrades. You may enter, but he'll be arriving shortly." said the owl ANBU.
"Thank you." replied Gaara in return as he walked through the doorway, followed by Izuka, Ryu, Kankuro, Temari and finally Daisuke.
"This is one snazzy dining room!" exclaimed Ryu as the group walked into said room.
"I'll say." said Temari as she too gawked at their new surroundings.
The dining room was just as ornate as the door. There was a large rectangular table in the middle of the room surrounded by at least 10 intricately carved chairs. There were floor-to-ceiling windows similar to the ones in the dictator's office and even a wine rack. Portraits of different official-looking people lined the walls.
"They seriously know how to decorate don't they?" asked Daisuke as he looked around.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement except Gaara, who was looking at Izuka. Ryu soon noticed this and looked at Izuka, whose eyes were moving at an abnormal pace, again.
"Izuka, what's going on?" asked Ryu in concern.
Everyone turned to see Izuka and her speedy eyes. Temari let out a sharp gasp.
"What's wrong with her eyes?!" exclaimed Kankuro who ran up to Izuka.
Gaara stepped in between them.
"Gaara, do you know what's going on?" asked Temari as she walked up to stand next to Kankuro.
"Yes I do." replied Gaara in return. "The tailed beasts within Izuka are all sensing that something is not right. That something evil is lurking within our midst."
"That's not good to hear. If the tailed beasts are having this kind of reaction, then something really wrong is going on here." said Daisuke as he placed his hand on his chin.
"All the more reason to stay on high alert." said Temari as she looked at Ryu, whose ears perked up. "Ryu?"
"Someone's coming." said Ryu immediately after Temari said her sentence.
"Everyone act normal!" exclaimed a frantic Kankuro as he leaned against a wall trying to act cool.
"Nice Kankuro." said Temari as she walked over to the window with Ryu following after her.
"What about Izuka?" asked Daisuke as he looked to the said Sage in question.
"I'll handle her just try to act like everything is normal." said Gaara as he turned to face Izuka. Daisuke nodded and started to look at the portraits that decorated the walls.
"Izzy, can you hear me?" asked Gaara as he whispered in Izuka's ear to get her attention. She didn't answer.
"Izuka, wake up." said Gaara as he started to shake her to break her out of her thoughts.
"Huh? What happened?" questioned Izuka as she finally broke free from her subconscious reverie.
"The dictator is coming down the hallway right now. We need you stay alert." said Gaara as he placed a gentle hand on his girlfriend's shoulder.
"Sorry, it's just that the tailed beasts are getting more and more suspicious and agitated with each passing minute. They are seriously not liking this one bit." said Izuka as she crossed her arms.
"Right now, the thing we need to focus on is trying to prevent a war from happening between Amegakure and Sunagakure." said Gaara as he looked at the door.
Izuka turned her attention to the door just in time to see Seiriyu Kotowashi, the dictator of Amegakure, walk into the room followed by two elderly men who appeared to be twins. The two elders were dressed in their black council robes while Seiriyu was dressed in a black men's kimono with violet detailing.
"Ah, you're all here." said Seiriyu happily as he shook everyone's hands, even Ryu's. He then turned to the twins.
"Everyone, I would like for you all to meet two of my council members that will be joining us tonight. The man on the left is Kiriyu while the man on his right is his brother Kaizu."
The two old men acknowledged the group and shook Izuka's and Gaara's hands.
"Come and sit. Dinner will be out shortly." said Seiryu as he walked over to the table.
Everyone followed Seiriyu to the table. Before he sat down, Seiryu pulled out Temari's chair for her.
"Why thank you Dictator-san." said Temari as she sat down.
"You're welcome, but call me Seiryu-san. You don't have to be that formal." said Seiryu as he took a seat at the right end of the table.
Gaara pulled out Izuka's chair for her before sitting down at the opposite end of the table, much to Seiryu's chagrin. Everyone else took their respective seats around the table.
"So Kazekage-san, why do you not want Amegakure to wage war with Sunagakure?" asked Seiryu bluntly as everyone settled in their seats.
"Why do you want to wage war with Sunagakure in the first place?" Gaara countered with his own question.
"Touche." Seiriyu closed his eyes before he answered. "It's very simple really. Amegakure was a victim in the Fourth Shinobi World War, not an enemy. A pawn, to be blunt about it. We were used by the likes of Tobi and Madara Uchiha for their own personal gain for a "perfect world."
At the mention of Madara's name, Izuka inwardly flinched, remembering what happened to her during the time of the war when it came to Madara. Temari and Kankuro nervously looked at Izuka, who had already closed her eyes to help deal with the old memory. Gaara, on the other hand, didn't look away from Seiriyu.
"In the end, Madara and Tobi didn't succeed in their plans and the tailed beasts were placed in more responsible hands." said Seiryu as he looked at Izuka. "But, the damage was done. Even though we have recovered from the war faster than most of the other shinobi lands, the war still has left a bitter taste in our mouths, so to speak."
"So you're going to wage war with Suna in spite?" asked Temari as she jumped into the conversation.
"On the contrary, we want to wage war on Suna to show how far Amegakure has come since the war months ago. We are tired of being in the Five Great Nations' shadows. It's time Amegakure broke out of the mold." said Seiryu as he looked up to watch the doors open to reveal some waiters walking in with food platters.
Regardless of the situation, Kankuro's mouth started to water at the sight of the food trays. Ryu and Daisuke gave him disapproving nods.
"So just to be clear, you want to show the world how far Amegakure has grown by destroying one of the Five Great Nations?" asked Daisuke as he turned to the young dictator.
"Exactly, Mr. Advisor." said Seiriyu with a smirk. "But like I said in my letter to the Wind Daimyo, I am open to any reasons why you think Amegakure should not wage war with Sunagakure.
Gaara looked at Seiriyu with cold eyes.
"This guy is nuts." Gaara thought.
Gaara looked at Izuka for a brief second and noticed that her eyes were still closed, like she was closing herself off from the discussion. He then looked at Seiriyu, who was looking at Izuka.
"Lady Sage is there something wrong?" asked Seiriyu in sincere concern.
"I'm fine." answered Izuka as she opened her eyes.
Gaara's eyes widened for a split second at his question.
"Where the hell did this come from? He says he wants to destroy Suna with a smug smile one second and then asks like he's innocent if my girlfriend was okay the next? He's some sort of psycho, and I should know. I was one." Gaara started to rant in his mind.
"Gaara calm down please." thought Izuka with her mind in answer.
"Izzy?" asked Gaara in surprised.
"I'm fine. With this new found information and the tailed beasts chatting up a storm in my head, it's just a lot to take in." thought Izuka as she picked up her spoon for her soup. "Don't let Seiriyu get to you."
"You're right. I'm sorry for my behavior, Izzy." said Gaara as he picked up his spoon.
"Apology accepted and stop calling me Izzy." said Izuka as she sipped a spoon full of soup.
"Kazekage-san?"
Gaara looked over at Seiriyu, who gave him a questioning look.
"Aren't you going to plead your case about why I shouldn't have my army invade Sunagakure?" asked Seiriyu as he took in a mouthful of his miso soup. The council twins that were sitting on either side of him were silently taking in the discussion.
Gaara took in a deep breath before speaking. "Seiriyu, your case of Amegakure wanting to break the mold and get out of the shadow of the Five Great Nations is noble goal, but going to war to prove a point is foolish."
Kankuro, Temari, Ryu, and Daisuke gave Gaara approving nods. Izuka remained silent. The council twins went wide-eyed, but Seiriyu just gave Gaara a smirk.
"You may think it is foolish, but here me out. The Land of Wind is one of the largest shinobi lands, if we take your country down, then the other four Great Nations will finally have no choice but to finally acknowledge our presence."
"If you take our country down, then the other four Great Nations will see you as a valid enemy and will have no choice but to retaliate and take action against Amegakure." said Gaara as he finished his soup and handed his bowl to a nearby waiter.
"There are ways to try to get people's attention other than violence." said Gaara as a waiter placed a plate of salted tongue and rice dumplings in front of him. How convienent.
"And we have tried every single way we could think of! And what have we got in an answer? Nothing!" exclaimed Seiriyu all of a sudden, which spooked most of the group.
Seiryu looked at Gaara with cold eyes full of rage, daring him to speak. Gaara easily accepted the challenge.
"You are giving up too easily, Seiryu." said Gaara tiredly. "A leader shouldn't give up when it comes to the welfare of his village."
"And now you're lecturing me on what a leader should and should not do?" said Seiriyu with a sarcastic grin that was bordering on sadistic.
"It seems you do not have a valid reason to why Amegakure should not wage war with Suna. But, since I'm a kind man, I'll give you only one way to get out of the planned war." said Seiryu as he wove his fingers together.
"Really?" asked an incredulous Kankuro as he wolfed down his steak. Everyone else was so engrossed in the discussion between Seiriyu and Gaara that they never noticed Kankuro's horrendous table manners.
"Really." answered Seiriyu as he gave the puppeteer a wide grin. "All your little brother has to do is beat me in a duel."
Utensils dropped back onto the plates as the teens, dragon, and advisor gave Seiriyu and his council members stunned looks. Kankuro almost choked on his steak. It was Daisuke and Temari that spoke next.
"WHAT?!" they yelled in unison, not caring how loud they were.
"It's like Lord Seiriyu said. All that the Kazekage has to do is beat our dictator in a fight, that's all. If Lord Gaara here can beat Seiriyu, then we will have no choice but to cancel the war." said Kiriyu.
"And if Seiriyu wins?" asked Kankuro as he rubs his throat after spitting out the piece of steak that he almost choked on.
"Then the war will continue as planned, plus Seiriyu will take one thing of your brother's." said Kaizu.
"One thing of Gaara's?" asked Ryu.
"Yes" answered Seiriyu. "You have probably already heard that I have defeated every opponent that tried to oppose me, but you haven't heard about my little hobby that's connected to it."
"Little hobby?" asked Izuka.
"Indeed Lady Sage." said Seiriyu as he grinned at her, much to Gaara's chagrin.
"You see, I have collected one item from every opponent that I have ever faced and defeated and I plan to continue my tradition."
"Really?" asked Temari as she took a sip of Kenchin soup out of slight nervousness.
"Indeed, Lady Temari. I plan to continue my tradition and I'm going to continue it with you Lady Sage." said Seiriyu as he gave the Sage a knowing smirk.
The room instantly fell silent. Ryu's jaw dropped, Daisuke put his head in his hands, Kankuro and Temari eyes widened, Izuka stared at Seiriyu in utter disbelief, and Gaara? Well Gaara eyes were looking murderously at Seiriyu before he composed himself enough to go back to his neutral expression.
"It's that simple Kazekage san. If you fight me, you can either beat me and save your village or lose and lose your girlfriend and let your village be destroyed. Or don't fight me and we'll invade anyways." said Seiriyu as he let his sadistic grin finally show on his pale face.
"Give us a minute." said Gaara coldly as he got up from his seat and walked to the bronze door. Daisuke, Ryu, Temari, Kankuro, and Izuka all followed after him
"Why of course." answered Seiriyu as he called after them.
"Do you think Gaara will say yes?" asked Kiriyu as the group walked out the door.
"Of course he will. He has no choice." said Seiriyu as he took a sip of his water.
The others walked back into the hallway, which was no longer guarded by the two ANBU members.
"Let me be the first to say this: SEIRIYU KOTOWASHI IS ONE FULL BLOWN PSYCHO!" exclaimed Kankuro as he flailed his arms for emphasis.
"You got that right!" exclaimed Ryu. "No way am I going to let him take Izzy away from Gaara. That's just plain wrong."
"And after so many months of Gaara procrastinating on telling Izuka about his feelings for her." said Kankuro as he scratched his head.
Daisuke, Temari, and Ryu gave him blank looks. Izuka and Gaara blushed a tad.
"Too much?" asked Kankuro.
"Don't ask." returned Temari bluntly. She then turned to Gaara.
"What are you going to do? It is your call." said Temari tiredly as she gave her little brother a slight critical look.
"If I do fight Seiriyu, the village would be destroyed by a war we don't want and Izuka will be taken against her will by him if I lose." said Gaara in the same tired tone as Temari.
"Where does he get off with that hobby of his?" asked Daisuke. "I get the idea of taking an item from a fallen foe, but taking a living person from another is going too far in my opinion."
"Is that even legal?" asked Ryu.
"In most countries, it isn't. But in Amegakure, it is." said Temari bluntly since she had read about Amegakure's customs and laws months ago.
"And if you don't fight him, he's just going to invade Sunagakure anyway." Kankuro added. "At least with that choice, you don't lose Izzy."
Gaara started to contemplate what everyone was saying, but then he realized that not everybody spoke their two cents on the matter. He turned to Izzy, who looked sickly pale and breathing heavily.
"Izzy?!" exclaimed Gaara as he went up to her in sudden surprise. Everyone turned their heads to see what was going on.
"Oh no! Izuka!" cried Temari as she ran up to her brother and her best friend.
"Do you think it is the tailed beasts?" asked Daisuke in worry.
"Most definitely since Shukaku is one of them." said Kankuro in slight agitation.
"Izuka are you all right?" asked Ryu in panicked alarm.
"I'll be fine. I'm just feeling really lightheaded right now." said Izuka in a really tired tone as she placed a hand on her forehead.
"We need to get you back to the suite to rest, Izzy." said Gaara as he placed a comforting hand on Izuka's shoulder.
"Not without giving me your answer first, Kazekage san."
The group turned their heads to see Seiriyu, Kiriyu, Kaizu in front of the ornate, bronze door. Seiriyu had a full blown smirk on his face.
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?!" yelled Kankuro. "Can't you wait a day for his answer?"
"Calm down Kankuro-kun. I am easily a very agitated and impatient man." Seiriyu snapped his fingers as he said the impatient part. All of a sudden, the lights went out. When they came back on, the group was surrounded by Amegakure ANBU.
"Oh great. Now we're surrounded!" exclaimed Ryu.
Temari stepped out of the group to try to reason with Seiriyu.
"Lord Seiriyu, we have not come here to fight. We have only come here to reason with you."
"And look where that has brought us." said a sarcastic Seiriyu as he crossed his arms. He looked at Gaara, who was now walking up to where Temari was standing.
"You can say that Izuka-san needs her rest as much as you like, but I'm not letting you walk out of here without an answer. I'll ask you one final time, are you going to fight me or not?"
Gaara closed his eyes, but soon opened them to look at his fellow comrades, before finally setting his sights on Izuka.
Izuka still looked ghostly pale, but she composed herself long enough to give Gaara one strong nod of her head. He nodded back and looked at Seiriyu.
"Fine, I'll accept your challenge. I'll fight you Seiriyu." said Gaara in his coldest tone.
"Excellent!" exclaimed Seiriyu in a cheery tone. He then snapped his fingers again, this time as a signal for his ANBU members to leave.
"Our fight will start at dusk tomorrow. My secretary will show you where our battlefield will be. All are welcomed to watch. See you tomorrow Gaara-san." said Seiriyu as he walked past the group with his two council members at his side.
After walking ten feet away from them, Seiriyu turned back around to face the group.
"Oh and Gaara, I will not settle for a weak effort on your part."
Gaara turned to face Seiriyu. He spoke in his coldest tone of voice. "I will fight you with everything I've got and I will win."
Seiriyu gave him another sadistic smile. "Can't wait." he said sarcastically. He then let out a sadistic laugh before walking off to the elevator, his two council members following his lead.
"I so want to punch that psycho's lights out!" muttered Kankuro.
"You and me both brother." said Temari as she crossed her arms.
Daisuke was about to add his input when the group suddenly heard a loud and sickening thud. They all turned around to see Izuka passed out on the floor looking as sickly as ever.
"IZUKA!" exclaimed Temari as she ran over to Izuka's frail looking body. Gaara beat her to Izuka and crouched down to his girlfriend's side.
"Izuka? Izuka? Please wake up." said Gaara worriedly as he picked Izuka up in his arms. Izuka's eyes remained closed and only gave Gaara a moan in response.
"At least she's responsive." offered Kankuro.
"No time for jokes Kankuro. We need to get Izuka back to the suite and fast!" said Daisuke as he speedily made his way down to the elevator.
Gaara carried Izuka bridal style as he followed Ryu, Daisuke, Temari, and Kankuro to the elevator. The only thing running through his mind was worry for his girlfriend's health.
End of chapter 23
A/N: What will happen next? You'll soon find out. Please review and vote on my poll. It's about the Sand Siblings and them being supernatural creatures.