Chapter 24: The Calm Before the Storm
"Ugh my head. Where am I?" asked Izuka as she opened her eyes, only to be met with bright sunlight.
"Wow that's bright!" exclaimed Izuka as she got up from her position on the sandy ground. "Wait a minute. Sandy ground?" thought Izuka to herself in realization.
Izuka looked around to see that she was back in Sunagakure, except it was missing one crucial aspect.
"Where are all the people?" asked Izuka to no one in particular.
"This is a secure location. You of all people should know that." said a cool voice.
Izuka turned around to be face-to-face with herself, except the other her was paler, was wearing a black and white version of Izuka's ninja clothes, had silver white hair and red eyes with slits, but the most noticible difference was the 10 purple and slim reptillian tails protruding from her back.
"We're in my inner world, aren't we Ryuna?" asked Izuka as she looked at the other her.
"Indeed." answered Ryuna.
"Will I ever see what you truly look like?" asked Izuka as she crossed her arms.
"Maybe some other time." answered Ryuna with a smile.
"Of course. So . . . what happened? Why did you bring me here?" asked Izuka.
"What do you remember last before fainting?" asked Ryuna.
"Gaara agreeing to fight Seiriyu tomorrow at dusk." answered Izuka as she gave her tailed beast a curious look.
"I see. I brought you here so that you can warn Gaara." answered Ryuna as she started walking.
"Warn him?" questioned Izuka.
"That's right. My brother and sisters and I couldn't figure out what the dark presence that we felt was until that dinner."
"And you believe that dark presence is Seiriyu Kotowashi?" asked Izuka as she walked beside her.
"We all do. There's something about him that is not right."
"Of course something's not right with him. He's a sadistic psychopath that wants to take me against my will if Gaara loses."
"That's something we can't allow." said Ryuna as she crossed her arms.
"What should Gaara do then?" asked Izuka out of concern for her boyfriend.
"He must be patient and always must watch his back at all times during his battle. He cannot let Seiriyu get to him. If he lets Seiriyu get the upper hand at least once during their battle, then it will be over for him and for Suna."
"I see." answered Izuka as she stopped walking.
Ryuna stopped as well and looked at Izuka's unsure face.
"Don't you worry my dear jinchuriki. If Gaara was able to stop my brother Shukaku from taking over his mind, then he can surely beat Seiriyu."
"Thank you Ryuna." said Izuka as she gave the other her a sincere look.
"Now you should get back to the others. I can sense their worry, especially a certain redhead's." said Ryuna in a slightly teasing tone.
"Don't tease Ryuna." said Izuka as she gave the dragon a grin. She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, she was in her bedroom in the group's shared suite.
"What happ-"said Izuka, but cut herself off as she hissed at the pain of her severe headache.
"Ow that hurts!" cried Izuka as she placed her palm on her forehead.
"You're awake!" said a high pitched voice. Izuka turned her head to her bedroom door to see Ryu hovering in the doorway.
"Izuka's awake?" asked Temari from the living room.
"Yeah she just woke up!" yelled Ryu in return as she flew over to Izuka's bedside.
Temari, Gaara, Kankuro, and Daisuke soon entered the room with frantic expressions on their faces, which soon turned to relief as they saw that Izuka was awake.
"Oh good you're awake!" exclaimed Temari with relief as she sat down next to Izuka. Gaara sat on the other side of Izuka while Kankuro and Daisuke remained standing.
"What happened to you?" asked Daisuke.
"The tailed beasts were acting out because of the dark entity around here. Seiriyu, to be exact." said Izuka as Ryu handed her an icepack from the kitchen freezer.
"Knew it!" exclaimed Kankuro. "That guy is a total psycho that needs to be thrown in the loony bin!"
"No loud noises please?" asked Izuka.
"Sorry!" whispered Kankuro as he clamped his hand over his mouth, much to Temari's and Ryu's chagrin.
"Anything else happened while you were out?" asked Gaara as he watched Izuka in concern.
"I talked with Ryu." answered Izuka as an impassive look appeared on her face.
"The 10 tails herself? What did she say?" asked Kankuro.
"She basically wants me to warn Gaara about Seiriyu."
"Really?" asked Gaara curiously.
"Indeed." answered Izuka as she turned to Gaara to face him eye to eye. "She says that you have to be patient at all times and to not let Seiriyu get to you. He'll easily exploit your weaknesses and if you let him gain the upper hand in your battle, even if it's only once, he will defeat you."
"Way to be encouraging Izzy." said a sarcastic Kankuro.
Everyone gave him cold or blank stares.
"Okay okay, no sarcasm. Got it loud and clear. I know when I'm not needed." said Kankuro as he walked out the room.
"The 10 tails has given you some sound advice Kazekage-san." said Daisuke as he put his hands in his pockets.
"Advice you really need to take into consideration." added Temari.
"I know." said Gaara in a tired tone. He then looked at Izuka, who was looking out the window.
"Daisuke, Temari, Ryu, can you give me and Izuka a minute alone?" asked Gaara as he looked at the three.
"Sure thing." said Daisuke as he walked out the room, followed by Temari.
"Don't you two try anything, you hear me?" asked Ryu.
"Don't worry, Ryu. We hear you." answered Izuka as she looked away from the window to face the dragon.
Ryu smiled at the two before flying out the door. Izuka rested her head on Gaara's shoulder.
"Are you really okay?" asked Gaara who wasn't afraid to let his worry show in his voice now that everyone else left the room.
"I'll be fine once the headache passes. I really scared you guys didn't I?" asked Izuka as she looked up at Gaara's face.
"Scared us? Freaked us out is more like it." answered Gaara in his usual monotone as he placed his arm around Izuka.
"Really?" asked Izuka.
"Yes; we were all worried, especially Temari. For a while, I thought she was literally going to pull her pigtails out of her head." answered Gaara.
Izuka let out a small laugh, which made Gaara smirk.
"What about you?" asked Izuka all of a sudden.
Gaara's smirk disappeared and was replaced with a frown.
"I was very worried about you. I was scared to be honest." answered Gaara in his most serious tone.
"Really? The Kazekage? Scared?" asked Izuka in a plain tone.
"It's nothing to kid around, Izzy." reprimanded Gaara.
"I wasn't joking." answered Izuka in her most serious tone.
"Fair enough." answered Gaara as the two fell into a comfortable silence.
"Are you nervous?" asked Izuka after ten minutes of silence passed.
"About what?" asked Gaara.
"Your duel with Seiriyu tomorrow." answered Izuka as she looked at Gaara straight in the eye.
Gaara sighed before he answered. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't."
"You want to talk about it?" asked Izuka.
"Sure." said Gaara. Izuka waited for five minutes, but Gaara didn't speak a word.
"Gaara, aren't you going to say anything?" asked Izuka.
"It would help if you rested your head back on my shoulder." said Gaara.
"No it wouldn't, but if you think it will help you actually speak about how you feel, then why should I complain." said Izuka as she rested her head back on Gaara's shoulder.
"Thank you." said Gaara as he rested his head on Izuka's.
"Now speak or else I'll move my head again." said Izuka in slight annoyance.
"Okay, okay. To tell you the truth, I'm very nervous about my battle with Seiriyu tomorrow." answered Gaara.
"Why?" asked Izuka in concern.
"The pressure. If I fail, not only do I let this war happen, I'll lose you." said Gaara with worry becoming more evident in his voice.
"You won't lose and you won't lose me. If Seiriyu even tries to lay a hand on me, I am so going to make him wish he wasn't born. Besides, you are absolutely excellent under pressure." said Izuka in a blunt, but supportive tone.
Gaara smirked. "That's good to know and thank you for being so supportive. This battle is going to be one of the most important battles that I'm ever going to fight. I can't let you, Daisuke, Ryu, Temari, Kankuro, and the village down."
"And you won't or else Temari will beat your ass." said Izuka in a serious manner.
Gaara chuckled at the seriousness of Izuka's tone. "That's a definite possibility."
"I probably won't be able to save you from her wrath if that happens." continued Izuka.
"Probably not." added Gaara.
The two once again fell into a comfortable silence. Once Izuka felt that Gaara was in a false sense of security, she quickly lifted her head to plant a quick, gentle kiss on Gaara's lips.
"What was that for?" asked Gaara in sudden surprise as he looked at Izuka wide eyed after she broke their kiss.
"No reason." answered Izuka as she started to get up from her bed.
Gaara wouldn't have it. He grabbed her by the wrist and brought her back down to the bed.
"Tell me." he said with just a hint of curiosity.
"I had no reason." answered Izuka as she gave Gaara a knowing look.
"Izuka, you never do anything without a reason for it. Now tell me why'd you kiss me." asked Gaara a little more forcefully.
"I'll never tell you. That's for me to know and you to find out." said Izuka with a slight smirk. She tried to get up from her seat once more, but Gaara held her in place.
"Gaara, please let go of my wrist." asked Izuka in a serious tone
"Not until you tell me your reason for kissing me." said Gaara.
"Can't a girlfriend give her boyfriend a kiss without being questioned or suspected of something good or bad?" asked Izuka in an incredulous tone.
"I'm just being curious." said Gaara in a sincere voice.
Izuka only looked away at the window.
"Can you just tell me?" asked Gaara in his innocent voice.
"What are the magic words?" asked Izuka in an equal innocent voice.
"Please and cookies?" replied Gaara.
"Indeed they are." said Izuka with a scowl as she looked away. "You want to know why I kissed you?"
"I'm just curious that's all." replied Gaara
"To tell you the truth, I have no idea myself. I was just compelled to do it for some reason." said Izuka in a sincere tone. "You must be thinking that I'm just covering up my real reason with a pathetic excuse for one."
Gaara didn't answer, which made Izuka worry.
"Gaara, aren't you going to say anything?' asked Izuka as she turned around just in time to be embraced by Gaara in a tight hug.
"What's the meaning of this?" asked Izuka in a stunned voice.
"This is my way of comforting you." answered Gaara as he talked into Izuka's neck.
"Comforting me?" asked Izuka in a stunned whisper.
""Indeed; let me ask you this. Do you know the feeling of being afraid?" asked Gaara as he picked his head back up to look at Izuka straight in the eyes.
"Being…afraid?" asked Izuka, the words sounding foreign on her tongue.
"Yes, being afraid. Feeling scared of something, someone, or someone's wellbeing." said Gaara as he raised an eyebrow.
"Not really." answered Izuka with a frown. "As a little girl being trained in the ANBU, I was never taught to feel fear. My accursed sensei always taught me that fear was a weak emotion and should never be shown, especially in battle. I guess some of his teachings have still stuck with me since then."
Gaara nodded his head in understanding. Izuka told Gaara all about her old sensei, Jushiro Fukudome. He was Izuka's teacher during her pre Genin and Genin days. When Izuka left Konoha for Suna as part of the Exchange Program between the two villages, no one told Jushiro about the transfer. His reaction to the news; killing Izuka's two teammates before leaving Konoha. He's now an S-rank criminal and is still at large to this day.
Izuka's mood always went a turn for the worst whenever she remembered hearing the news of her two teammates' deaths. She was never close to them at first, but thanks to a little brotherly persuasion courtesy of Naruto, she changed her ways for the better, starting with getting close to her old teammates.
"Being afraid can actually be helpful in battle. It helps you to think about your limitations and how to use your power more wisely when you work with what you have."
"So what I'm feeling is fear?" asked Izuka in confusion. Gaara nodded his head yes.
"It's not an emotion I really like Gaara." said Izuka as she looked down at the ground.
Gaara let out a soft chuckle. "No one likes being afraid, but fear is one of the main emotions that can keep you alive for years to come. A little fear can go a long way."
Gaara soon noticed the sadness that crept into Izuka's eyes.
"Hey, don't fret. Jushiro Fukudome won't get away with what he did with your teammates. He will get caught eventually." reassured Gaara as he rubbed Izuka's back soothingly.
"I know. Thinking about Jushiro and Seiriyu and all this crap is seriously bringing back my headache. I just want to forget about everything for a while." said Izuka tiringly as she fell back onto the bed.
"I think I know a way." said Gaara knowingly as he scratched his head as a small pink blush started to appear on his cheeks.
"Really? What is it?" asked Izuka in curiosity as she got back into a sitting position.
"Close your eyes and you'll find out." answered Gaara as he miraculously got his blush to die down.
Izuka did as she was told and closed her eyes. Gaara took a deep breath before he leaned his head closer to Izuka's. The two's lips connected in a sweet kiss. They broke apart soon after.
"Is that it?' asked Izuka with a smirk as she opened her eyes.
"Not really. I'm not done yet." said Gaara as he matched Izuka's smirk with his own.
Gaara soon brought his hand up and placed it on the back of Izuka's neck. He brought their heads together for another kiss, this one more loving and passionate than the first. Izuka brought her arms around Gaara's neck while Gaara kept one hand woven into Izuka's thick blonde hair while his other arm encircled her waist. Gaara lightly bit Izuka's lower lip in a bid to gain entry into her mouth, which she gladly let him do. Their tongues met and soon fought each other for dominance, with Gaara coming out the winner. He expertly explored every corner of Izuka's mouth, sending shivers down her spine. Izuka could barely keep herself together as she tried to stifle a moan.
"I see someone's getting hot and heavy before the big fight!" called an annoying and all too familiar voice.
Izuka and Gaara instantly broke their kiss and looked towards the doorway to see Kankuro standing in the doorway with a big, mischievous grin on his face.
"KANKURO, LEAVE THOSE TWO ALONE!" yelled Temari and Ryu in unison from the living room. Daisuke only sighed in defeat.
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, I'LL LEAVE THEM ALONE!" yelled Kankuro as he walked away from the doorway. He returned a few minutes later.
"Way to go bro! I'm so proud of you!" whispered Kankuro as he wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. He gave his brother a wink and a thumbs up before returning to the living room.
Izuka only gave a disapproving nod of her head before turning to Gaara, who was blushing beet red. "Don't worry about him. I'll shock him later."
"Thanks." answered Gaara as he got up from the bed and started to walk to the door.
"Where are you going?" asked Izuka.
"I'm going to get some sleep. I'll need all the rest I can get for my duel tomorrow." said Gaara without looking at her as he stopped before the doorway.
"Can I give you something before you leave?" asked Izuka as she walked up to him.
"Sure, what is I-" asked Gaara as he turned in time to receive a good night kiss from the blonde Sage.
"Sweet dreams." whispered Izuka as she gave Gaara a nervous smile.
"Th-thanks." stuttered Gaara as he blushed.
"It's amazing how easy you blush at simple things." said Izuka with a smirk as she crossed her arms.
"Oh be quiet!" answered Gaara as he walked out of Izuka's room to his own just down the hall.
Izuka let out a chuckle before closing her own door for the night.
Somewhere else within the dictator's tower
Within a small room/dojo on the 75th floor of the tower, a seething Seiriyu was monitoring the suite that the Sand Siblings', Lady Sage, advisor, and dragon were staying in. Thanks to the hidden cameras within the room, Seiriyu saw everything, except anything that happened in the bathroom, including Gaara and Izuka playing tonsil hockey.
"My lord?" questioned one of his many council members within the room with him. "Are you all right?"
"I will be once that infernal Kazekage is gone from this Earth thanks to me!" yelled the enraged dictator as he smacked a nearby cup of tea down to the floor.
"Don't worry sir." said a second advisor. "With your power, you will easily beat the Kazekage and destroy his village. Once Sunagakure falls, the Wind Country will as well."
"I don't want to just beat the Kazekage." said an enraged Seiriyu. "I want to absolutely kill that damn redhead!"
"That's something you could surely accomplish." said a third advisor timidly.
"Did you just say could?" asked Seiriyu in a surprised tone.
"Well, they say that Gaara is one of the most powerful Kages to come out of Suna. Even more powerful than the Third and his father the Fourth some say. I just think beating the Kazekage is should be your main priority in order for the plan to be completed successfully." answered the advisor as he tried to make himself smaller against the dark red wall he was standing in front of.
"Maizu, come here." said Seiriyu as he beckoned the advisor forward with one finger.
The advisor didn't respond at first.
"COME HERE DAMMIT!" yelled Seiriyu in annoyance as a vein started to appear on his pale forehead.
Maizu jumped at the sudden yell and instantly scurried over to Seiriyu's chair.
"Do you think I can beat Gaara?" asked Seiriyu in his calmest tone.
"Sir?" asked Maizu in a puzzled voice.
"Do you think I can beat the Kazekage of Suna? Yes or no. Give me you honest answer." replied Seiriyu in a more friendly tone.
Maizu took a deep breath before answering. "Honestly, no."
The room was filled with the sickening sound of metal and bone cracking as the other advisors in the room looked on in horror as Maizu was decapitated right in front of their eyes. Maizu's head rolled all the way to the farthest wall in the room while his body slumped down to the floor, blood dripping from the fatal wound.
"Anyone else want to voice their honest opinions?" asked Seiriyu in his calmest tone once again.
Everyone shook their heads no.
"Good. If you all excuse me, I'll be going to my room to rest for the night. Tomorrow is where the real fun begins." said Seiriyu with his signature sadistic smile as he left the room to head for the elevator, leaving a group of council members scared for their lives for the first time in years.
End of chapter 24
A/N: Please read, review, and vote on my poll. Thank you. I'd love the constructive criticism you'd send my way.