The Sand Meets the Light (A Naruto fanfiction)

Chapter 9: Complications

        Yukari and Kei walked out of the building, going down the stairs as they met with Makoto, who was lying on the pavements, looking bored. She turned her head towards them as they were approaching her and jumped up to her feet, taking a few slow steps towards them.

"That was quick," she remarked sarcastically. "Should have known those old farts took their time."

"The council had some issues with the Sand Villagers. But thanks to Yuka, I don't think it will be a problem anymore," Kei replied, looking at Yukari.

"That's what I'm talking about," Makoto punched Yukari's arm playfully, to which Yukari frowned, rubbing her arm where she was hit and feeling annoyed.

"Didn't know you had it in you," Kankuro complimented her casually.

"I'm sick of them," Yukari muttered under her breath. A moment later, she realized what she said and looked at the faces staring at her, suddenly feeling embarrassed. She froze in place and waved her hands frantically.

"Let's... just... go!" she raised her voice unintentionally. Just as they were about to take another step, someone wearing some sort of mining uniform came running hastily towards Yukari.

"My Lady," the person panted in exhaustion and took a break as she stopped. "There's a problem with the tunnels."

"What happened?" Kei asked.

"Our supplies team was supposed to go out today, but they reported that some of the tunnels have collapsed and caused a blockage to the routes above. We think it might have happened yesterday," the worker explained in rapid breaths. Upon hearing this, Gaara suddenly realized something. He quickly huddled closer to his siblings, as if to disclose private information.

"I must have caused it," Gaara said with a low voice to Temari and Kankuro.

"What was that, boy?" Makoto called out and grabbed Gaara by his arm, bringing him forward to Yukari and Kei, much to their surprise.

"What's going on?" Yukari asked, confused by what just occurred.

"He's got something to tell you," Makoto mentioned lazily. Gaara took a moment to compose himself and reveal the truth.

"We were attacked by these giant bugs above ground just by the hole we fell down. I..." Gaara hesitated, feeling a sweat trickling down his forehead. "I might have used my Sand ability to fend them off, and it caused a hole below us to open. I think that I might have caused the ground to shake and... it probably made those landslides in the tunnels." Gaara half expected Yukari and the others to be upset, but they seemed more concerned with the situation.

"Can you help clear them out?" Yukari asked.

"I can try," Gaara simply replied, breathing a sigh of relief at their calm reactions.

"Good," she told them. She turned to the worker. "Do you have a map of the tunnels?"

"Yes, ma'am," the worker took out from his bag and showed a map. "I took the time to mark which routes that were damaged as well."

"That's great," Yuka grabbed the map from the worker. "You can go make a report to the council office. We'll take care of it."

"Thank you, ma'am," the worker bowed slightly and ran off to the office. Yukari turned to the Sand Siblings.

"If you want to go home soon, we better get started."