Chapter 34: Talking with Royals

The Fire Queen led the four teenagers out of the suite and out into the central part of the palace. As they moved through the hallways, Temari made small talk with the Fire royals, mostly switching between the upcoming meeting and the various portraits hanging on the walls.

On the other hand, Gaara remained silent, half listening in to the conversation, half trying to get Shukaku to speak to him.

"You have been unnaturally silent with me for almost a full day now…" The redhead mused as the group of teenagers followed the queen around a corner. "Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you."

To be honest, I didn't think I had it in me either . . .

"So, the tanuki does speak!"

Only because I had nothing to say to you at the time!

"Looks like you have something to say to me now," Gaara mumbled, a little relieved that he finally got the beast to talk. . . Not hearing him after so long was starting to get weird for him.

Damn straight I do. . . The tanuki grumbled, his voice not holding the biting anger and malice that the redhead was expecting. . . You really want this seal fixed, don't you?

"Well, it would be nice to actually fall asleep for once without having to worry about you trying to take over and cause mayhem," Gaara grumbled. "Remember the first time we ever met?"

Like it was yesterday. . . Shukaku admitted. I can still remember how terrified you looked when I first made my threat.

"That was back when I didn't know any better. Back when every adult willing to talk to me at the time kept repeating the same warnings. . . 'Shukaku is dangerous! You must keep him at bay! Stay in control at all times'," Gaara recounted as he shook his head in annoyance.

Well, they're not technically wrong! Shukaku admitted. I am a threat. Just because I haven't been acting the same way I had been in the past, doesn't mean you should discount me now.

"And would you even go through with your threat right now? If the opportunity arises?"

Gaara waited patiently for an answer, but as the seconds ticked by, nothing came from the beast inside him. He had expected a very quick response, but Shukaku's silence was an answer that worked just as well.

"You wouldn't . . . would you,"

Well, someone's being presumptuous. . .

"When you don't answer back with your usual smugness, you force me to get a little presumptuous." Gaara bit back. ". . . Looks like you changed."

I'm still the same bloodthirsty tailed beast that you first met years ago. . .

"Maybe, but you don't seem that eager to break free like you were back then . . . I've grown on you, haven't I?"

Don't push your luck, fleshbag. . . To me, you've just grown a bit more tolerable. Shukaku quietly admitted the last part, but it was still enough to amuse the redhead. I doubt I can get you to reconsider your decision at this point.

"Pretty much . . ."

Figures . . . Look, when the Fire Queen eventually starts working on the seal, you're going to be unconscious for pretty much of all of it. Guess who you're going to be spending all that time with.

"We're going to end up in some kind of confrontation, aren't we?" Gaara asked, not too sure if he was happy with the prospect.

It depends on my mood that day . . . Came Shukaku's sarcastic reply. The Fire Queen will likely improve your seal to a point where it's going to be easier for you to call on my chakra if needed, and sleep when you want of course. Problem is, I don't plan to make it that easy for you.

"Which necessitates the confrontation we're likely to have," Gaara concluded as the group finally came to a stop in front of a large set of double doors guarded by two of the palace guards.

Exactly, fleshbag . . . You better be ready when that time comes.

Shukaku went silent after that, and Gaara could only look on unperturbed as Queen Kushina made quick small talk with the guards before one of them pulled the door open for them.

Stepping inside, the young prince was immediately struck by the bookshelves that lined the walls on either side of him, making the room look like a condensed library more than anything else. There was even a small sitting area in the middle of the room, complete with a couple of couches and plush chairs, surrounding the aisle that led to the King's desk at the very back of the room, stationed right before the room's lone set of floor-to-ceiling windows.

The King himself was standing right before said windows, looking out toward the village below. He was no longer dressed in his ninja attire, having switched it out for a simple blue yukata patterned with thin black stripes, a simple outfit undoubtedly made with the finest of fabrics. Without his hat, Gaara and Temari could again see how closely similar the man and Naruto looked to each other, especially when he turned his head to watch them approach.

"Still watching the village, I see?" Kushina couldn't help but say as the group came to a stop within the small sitting area.

"As king, I have to look after the village at all times, don't I?" He asked back in return, smirking as he approached the group.

He is definitely not like your father. That's for sure. . . At the very least, he has a sense of humor.

Gaara couldn't help but agree with Shukaku as he watched the man interact with his wife and children in a way that was completely unlike how his father would treat him and his siblings.

However, despite the unassuming appearance, Gaara knew that King Minato was a feared shinobi for a reason.

His intellect and deadly speed made him a terror on the battlefield, qualities that he displayed in full force in the last major war. It was during that same time that he earned the nickname 'The Yellow Flash', single handedly decimating a large number of the Earth Kingdom's forces at the Battle of Kannabi Bridge.

Having been seen as an unproven monarch before the war by his fellow royals and nobles alike, he forced them to eat their words once the Kannabi Bridge episode came to pass. They grew to respect Minato's power and strength as a result, though his actions still leave a sour taste in the Earth Kingdom's mouth to this day.

"Queen Temari, before we begin, I would like to express my condolences for you, your family, and your kingdom's loss," The king announced as he turned his attention to the blonde. "Your father and his men did not deserve the fate they were given."

Eh, I don't know about that . . . Gaara wanted to say something biting at Shukaku but held his tongue as he watched his sister accept the man's condolences, before offering her own in regards to Lord Hiruzen, who passed away at the conclusion of the battle between himself, King Minato, and Orochimaru.

"Lord Hiruzen was one of my most trusted advisors and a valued mentor, not only to me, but to many shinobi within this kingdom," King Minato admitted, gesturing for everyone to take a seat. "One of his biggest pet peeves was leaving things unfinished, and his troubles with Orochimaru was the biggest one of all."

"And yet Orochimaru still lives. . ." Gaara bluntly announced, his words leaving a chilling effect on the room as the king silently nodded in agreement. ". . . How exactly did that happen?"

"It's a long story . . ." He admitted as a knock came from the door. When everyone looked up, one of the guards was already poking their head into the room. "What is it Mikimoto?"

"Lord Shikaku is here with your cousin, your Grace," Mikimoto announced, looking apologetic as he knew he was interrupting.

"Hmm, let them in then. . . They'll need to hear what I have to say as well."

Mikimoto nodded before pulling his head back behind the door. Soon enough, Lord Shikaku walked in, immediately followed by a blonde woman dressed in a gray kimono top, blue pants, and a green coat. Her blonde hair was pulled back into two loose ponytails that ran down her back, revealing the diamond shaped mark in the middle of her forehead.

Gaara didn't recognize the woman immediately, but judging from the surprised, and slightly awed, look on Temari's face, she certainly did.

"Princess Tsunade of the Sannin. . ." She faintly whispered as the two people approached, finally cluing her brother in on the woman's identity. "I had no idea she was even in the village."

Princess Tsunade was one of the most famous kunoichi in the land, and a known trailblazer in the medical ninjutsu field. She was also a known member of the Sannin, being the physical strongest of the three thanks to her impressive chakra control.

It was said that her control was so strong that she was known for launching men out of the village completely with one single punch.

"I wasn't, until just this morning," She admitted, having heard Temari's words as she took a seat in the lone empty chair available, while Lord Shikaku moved to stand behind his king and queen. "I was helping with a medical emergency in the eastern part of the kingdom when I got word of the invasion attempt, and, well, I rushed back here as soon as I was freed up. . . It's good to see that the village is still standing."

"Not without some effort," Kushina mused as Tsunade finally turned her attention to the Sand Siblings, her eyes widening slightly. "Anyway, you came right on time. We were just about to get the Wind Queen and her brother up to speed on what happened during the invasion."

"Huh, I knew you looked familiar," Tsunade mused as she looked directly at Temari. "Well, technically, I don't know you, but I have met your mother before and you look a lot like her."

"Oh, thank you," Temari quietly admitted. "Um, how exactly did you meet our mother?"

"I met her in one of the spa towns on the border that our kingdoms share. I was there to get medical supplies, while she was with Lady Chiyo for a visit with the noble family that oversees the territory," She explained, frowning at the last part. "Wait, is Lady Chiyo still alive?"

"Yes, but she's retired for the most part. Why do you ask?"

"Well, the last time Fire and Wind was in conflict with each other, I was always called upon to reverse the effects of all the poisons that she would create for battle," Tsunade admitted with a grin. "I heard she ended up cursing my name as a result."

Wait a damn second! The last time Wind and Fire were enemies was decades ago," Shukaku was quick to say as the King and his Chief Advisor looked at the woman with bemusement in their eyes. Just how old is she?!

"As if I'll ask her that question!" Gaara bit back, having the sudden feeling that if he ever did ask that question, there would be hell to pay, Sand Armor be damned.

"She is a bit . . . grouchy these days," Temari said diplomatically. "But most excuse it for her being old and crotchety . . . She better not pull nothing when I talk to her when we get back."

"Oh, you have a bone to pick with her?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask, smirking when her fellow blonde nodded. "How come?"

"With our father's death, Lady Chiyo is the only one left alive that was there when my brother was made our kingdom's jinchuriki," the younger blonde explained. "She's the only one that can offer some clarity as to what happened that day."

"I checked over his seal and found that there were irregularities with its general makeup," Kushina added. "I've offered to fix it, but Lady Chiyo is going to have a lot of explaining to do."

"And the Wind Council won't have an issue with this once they find out?" Shikaku asked, though he had a feeling that he already knew the answer.

"They'll raise their arguments, but by the time they find out, it'll be too late to really interfere." Temari announced with finality, looking more like a queen than the teenage girl she was.

"Hmm, I can respect that," Tsunade admitted as Kushina and Shizuka nodded their heads in agreement. "If you carry that attitude with you for the rest of your reign, you should be just fine."

"You shouldn't go too far with it though. . . Councils can be annoying, but they're there for a reason," Shikaku advised as he pulled out a scroll from his combat vest. "Speaking of the Wind Council, they've sent a message."

"A message? I haven't sent one out to them yet," Temari mumbled as she watched the scarred man hand the scroll to his leader. ". . . But I'm guessing you did."

"Just one that described a general overview of the entire attack, as well as our condolences and that you and your team were okay," The King clarified as he quickly snapped the scroll open and scanned through his contents. "Hmm, your Council is relieved to hear that you and your siblings are alright, and are currently planning out both the funeral for your father and his guard, and the impending coronation."

"The impending coronation?" Temari asked, not missing the wording in that statement. "I'm not so sure about the sound of that."

"The Wind Kingdom tends to be more patriarchal and traditional when it comes to their lines of succession compared to the other kingdoms. It wouldn't surprise me that some among your council are arguing for one of your brothers to be made the ruling monarch instead of you."

"Well, you wouldn't be wrong to assume that," Temari mumbled as she watched the man approach, pulling out a second, smaller scroll from his vest. "Another scroll?"

"Yes, this one arrived minutes after the first one, addressed to you specifically . . . I suspect it may give you some clarity on the political situation in your homeland," Shikaku explained as he handed it over to her.

"I'll take a look at it later," Temari conceded as she took the scroll from his hands, turning it around until she spotted the familiar seal pinned to its front before tucking it into her pack. "Something tells me if I tried to read it now, I'll just give myself a headache, and I really don't need it at the moment."

"Fair enough . . . Regardless, we're more than happy to lend our assistance with Prince Gaara's seal, though we'll have to do it before your guard arrives."

"Guard?" Temari asked as King Minato snapped his scroll shut. "Of course! Got to make sure what remains of the royal family gets back home in one piece . . . How long do you think we have before they arrive?"

"The scroll arrived via messenger hawk about an hour ago. If they sent out your guard before the message was even sent, they likely will arrive here the day after tomorrow."

"We haven't gotten any word from our shared border that they have been sighted crossing into our territory, but we'll alert you when they are," Lord Shikaku was quick to say after him. "As for Prince Gaara's seal, the chamber will be prepared."

"Good; I hope you two don't have any plans tomorrow morning because you'll be helping me." Kushina directed her words to the twins, who both looked accepting of their fates.

"Are both of them really needed?" King Minato asked his wife, not looking too sure.

"Trust me. They are . . ." Was all that his wife would say on the subject, her tone brokering no room for argument. "Now then, don't you have a story to explain to us?"

"Oh yes, this was the point of the meeting, I understand?" Tsunade added, noticing that Temari was nodding in confirmation as she turned to her cousin. "What happened when you faced the snake bastard? Did he talk a lot?"

"Talk a lot?" Gaara asked.

"Orochimaru has a bit of a tendency to talk too much in the midst of battle, and he lived up to it yesterday . . . He even mentioned your father," King Minato explained as he looked squarely at the siblings. "And how he wanted to join forces with him."

What the fuck?! Shukaku asked as Gaara's eyes widened and Temari's mouth dropped open in disbelief. Is he serious?

"You gotta be kidding me?" Temari whispered. "Orochimaru wanted our father to join his side?"

"He did," the king admitted, his tone too serious to be refuted. "And when your father refused, he killed him."

A/N: Please review!