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| "We have a new mission, Matsuri", Baki stated. "We are to escort the Kazekage to the Village Hidden in the Mist. Though, there is little chance of an attack, it is best to be prepared. Also, you will be serving as his personal attendant for the mission" "Oh..." was all Matsuri could muster. She had not seen Gaara since he became Kazekage. He had been in meetings here and there, and had only managed to transfer her training to Baki when he was appointed. She became lost in memory, the single moment of reaction spanning indefinetly in her own mind. 'I haven't seen in him so long. I wonder if he even remember's me...' "What are you thinking about, Matsuri?" Kankuro suddenly appeared from around a corner. "Huh?" taking a second to gather her thoughts, "Oh nothing. Just reminiscing about the past and such." "That's good. Temari and I have managed to have ourselves assigned as your teamates. She should be arriving shortly from the Leaf Village" Kankoru looked out a nearby window that was facing the village entrance. "She's coming along? But I thought she'd officially transferred to the Leaf Village following the wedding. Is she still able to go on this sort of mission?" Matsuri questioned. "Well, that was Shikamaru's question as well. He thought she'd be staying in the village more and helping with the kids. Apparently though she's still causing him trouble and decided to join us regardless of her status." "That's just like Temari. Even if she is married, she still finds a way to be troublesome." Matsuri began laughing and Kankuro smiled at the joke. Baki on the other hand had been keeping an ear on the Kage's meeting room. From within he could hear voices starting to grow agitated, particularly Gaara's. "Absolutely not! I will not stand for them to be sent on the mission, especially with the information we've gathered. Do you know what would happen to the village if any of the people you have chosen as my escorts got hurt? Do you know what I would do to you if any of them got hurt!?" "Calm down sonny. I know there is a risk involved in this mission, especially with the way relationships are between the Sand and Mist villages. However, that is why we only chose the most powerful of our Jonin to back you up. In addition, there is a second team heading out from the Leaf Village to assist." This was the voice of the elder sibling, the brother of now deceased Chiyo. "Even if there is another team from the Leaf following that they are unaware of, what's to stop danger from threatening my comrades. I'll remind you that two of the people you chose as my escort are my siblings, and the other is my former student!" "And as such they will make the best guards for you. On this decision, Gaara, you have no voice. Normally the Kazekage's word is law, but in the instance you need guarding, the council chooses how to best safeguard you. I am sorry for any trouble this causes you" The words began to quiet and Baki became lost in his own memories. He remembered a time at which concern would have been a distant, if not impossible, notion for Gaara. 'Now he serves as our Kazekage, and perhaps one of the best we have ever had. It sure is a change from when Gaara was possessed by that bloodthirsty monster. Still, he had control over it even then at times. Now he is a totally caring individual, and our leader. My leader.' Baki smiled to himself. "Hey, I think I see some movement at the gates!" Matsuri shielded her eyes and looked out through the window. Far off in the distance the shapes of moving ninja could be seen. "That's probably Temari! Come on Kankuro, let's go out and meet them.." "Yeah alright. Quit your hollering" Kankuro paced behind her as she ran down the stairs. 'Still it has been a long time since I've seen sis. I wonder how she's doing, especially with the whole marriage and kids thing...' Unbeknownst to them, Gaara had emerged from the council room. When he exited, his gaze became fixed on Matsuri. "Was that really my pupil, Baki? She has...changed since I saw her last." Gaara's eyes followed her as she raced down the stairs. 'She has grown up' he thought to himself. Baki watched Gaara's gaze, and noted the look on his face. 'I think that's the first time I've ever seen Gaara like a girl. That boy is full of surprises these days' "You probably haven't seen her much since you became the Kazekage, have you?" Baki questioned. "No..I am always in meetings these days. I was happy to hear I could go somewhere when the MizuKage invited me to visit. Still, I am not thrilled about the team the council chose for me." "Why is that?" "Well, there is information that suggests a coup may be forming within the Leaf Village. Lady Tsunade's position is being threatened by a group known as Root. As it stands, they won't move for fear of her allies. Previously, they were disbanded by Naruto when he was Hokage. Somehow though, they reinstated themselves following his downfall and the Princesses return to power. I have also heard that Root has established relations within the Hidden Mist Village. Currently, they cannot act out any of their plans due to Konoha's strong allies with others..." "The one's established by Naruto you mean?" "Correct. However, it is my belief that they would like nothing more than to distabilize some of those allies. Including this village." "That doesn't seem to farfetched to me. Why then would the council choose members that could help serve that purpose then?" "It's because they plan to use me as bait. Some of the members of that council served under my father, and they feel that the peaceful relations in the world right now are hurting our village once more." Gaara sighed and drew out a measure of sand from his gourd. "Third eye Jutsu!" the eye formed over his hand. "I'm going to check our surroundings before I continue." The eye moved around the room, checking for hidden assailants. "Hm, seems clear..." Gaara muttered. "The reason they want me as bait, as well as Temari and Kankuro, is because we are key members in this village. Temari's connection to Konoha only intensifies that fact. If we were all to go down in battle, and blame became difficult to assign, well, the political situation could only worsen" Baki stiffened at the thought. If Konoha, the Water Nation, and the Wind Nation were to go to war, many ninja would die. But military power would be forced to increase before that could happen. 'This has to be what some of the council is counting on' Baki thought. 'I hope that they survive this encounter...' "Anyways, I have to be going sensai. I will see you later, I hope." Gaara began moving off to the stairs. All Baki could do was watch, and pray that things would work out for the best. | ||||||||||
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