Chapter 345: Overawe

v. to restrain or subdue by inspiring awe; intimidate

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"Well done, Kazekage-sama," nodded Ebizō while the rest of the of the Council murmured their assent. Gaara sat, back straight and at attention in front of the twelve members of the Suna Council his gaze politely inattentive. He had already reported most of the goings on in the realm of Kazekage's Office and so he allowed his musings to drift towards how Kagome was doing, if their talk had helped her at all?

"Gaara," called Ebizō, startling Gaara to look back at the head councilman, "our council has been discussing a matter that will be seen as personal to you and yours…" Ebizō continued to ramble. Gaara exchanged an inquisitive look with Baki at his right. Baki nodded back towards Ebizō as he finally concluded his statement, "-and so we believe that it is in Suna's best interest for you to get married."

Gaara glared, "why?"

"Inheritance Laws dictates that Temari's offspring will belong to Konoha, if Kankuro or you should not produce heirs, a Konoha nin will have entrée to the Kazekage seat. This must be avoided," explained another member of the council. Gaara felt his glare surge from burning to fiery as he turned it towards each council-member.


On their way back from the greenhouse, Kagome and Temari had gotten caught up in a pop-up midnight market. Kagome had exchanged a delighted look with her companion as they meandered through the stalls. Kagome was thrilled to note that stalls seemed to have multiplied in the years she had been gone.

"Ohh!" called out Temari, her eyes catching on a stall. Kagome laughed and waved Temari forward content to follow along. Kagome paused to take in the animated spirit of the market. Delicious scents from nearby food stalls wafted in the air intermingling with the happy laughter of parishioners and the calls of energetic merchants. Kagome glowed in the invigorating quintessence of the market, a contrast to Kagome's last memories of a similar market, five years in the past.

"Ahh," exclaimed the croaking voice of an aged elder. Kagome startled from her moment of mediation to glance towards the surprised merchant and his equally elderly patron.

"Cacti-san!" cried Kagome happily as she approached the familiar stand, a smile blooming happily across her lips as she registered his customer, "Ebizō-sama!"

"My dear, you've not aged a day since I saw you last," complimented the Cacti merchant causing Kagome to blush.

Kagome beamed down at the elders, delighted to know that both had survived the last five harsh years that Kagome had bypassed. A portion of Kagome's heart sighed and settled knowing that she wasn't quite as adrift in this new time as she had originally thought. While many things had changed- some for the better but most for the… different- Kagome found peace with the discovery of this new facet of familiarity.

"I've been wonderin' what happened to ya!" explained the old Cacti merchant, "after the fourth Kazekage disappeared you had up and vanished as well. 'Course there were lots of rumors in those days, but there were even more funerals."

Kagome's smile turned despondent as she contemplated how to explain her whereabouts to these friends who had helped her time and again, "I found that well I'd been trying to find."

"Well, did it live up to your expectations?" questioned Ebizō kindly.

"I think…" paused Kagome gathering her thoughts, before admitting, "I think I was building up this idea and expecting the wrong thing."

"Ahh," agreed both elders nodding empathetically.

"But, I think, I finally understand what you meant about Cacti before they bloom."

"Yes, a hard lesson indeed."


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