Rustling of Leaves (Naruto Fanfic)

Rustling of Leaves

"Seems like I made it in time."

Saying as much didn't make it true, let alone erase the nagging feeling of dread in the pit of Rasa's gut. The feeling started the moment Orichimaru trapped him and the shinobi who were with him at the time, only for a said feeling to grow significantly worse once they finally escaped and he learned of Orochimaru's plans for Gaara.

"I'd never sent Gaara to the Chunnin exams let alone team him up with his siblings for missions. He's too unstable."

"I killed you! I buried you in the sand and killed you!"

The expression on Rasa's face didn't change, yet he suspected the facial features of the fake Kazekage—likely Orochimaru—were contorting under the mask he wore. The third Hokage let his mouth open slightly for a few seconds before saying, "How exactly did you get past our shinobi?"

"I think we have more pressing matters to attend to than that." Despite saying this, Rasa knew he'd have similar concerns if someone breached the walls of Suna, yet also knew one of the men at the front gate would be filing ort about seeing the Lord Kazekage and his men pass him by not once, but twice.

Truth—he'd taken the path he'd thought Konoha would think unlikely, but while he headed here he sends his guards out to relay the message that what the Suna shinobi thought was his official orders were not. His eyes drifted towards the arena and the multitude of Shinobi when Orochimaru spoke again. "How! I know I buried you in the sand and left you for dead!"

"Where's Gaara?"

"Gaara!" Orochimaru then parroted back his own words. "Now, don't you have more pressing matters to attend to than that?"

Rasa let a calloused hand reach up and rub the back of his neck. "Let's finish this quickly so I can deal with that particular problem."

"So cold, Lord Kazekage. Who knew you were so cold to your own offspring?" Orochimaru didn't hesitate in mocking him., almost as if knowing Rasa's fears were coming true in regards to his youngest. "To call him that particular problem. But then, that's why you and Suna are in this mess, isn't it? All he is to you is a weapon."

"I see."

"You see Sarotobi sensei?"

"I thought something was off regarding the Lord Kazekage, but then you of all people wouldn't understand." The third Hokage looked Rasa right in the eye. "Shall I let you handle this even though he's my student who's desperately in need of a lesson?"

"Don't make me laugh," Orochimaru muttered. "This is between you and me, Sarotobi sensei."

"You shouldn't get between a kage and their children," the Hokage stated, being his usual cryptic self, not that Rasa cared as the barrier went up because four of Orochimaru's minions put a barrier up on the inside.

"Pfft," Orochimaru rolled his eyes. "What sentimental nonsense, Sarotobi sensei." The tone of voice Orichimaru used purposefully mocked the Hokage while Rasa continued standing there, his arms crossed knowing full well he couldn't let the snake take out the leader of Suna's allied village. "Don't you agree?"

Rasa remained silent, waiting patiently for the right time to move.

"Boring," Orochimaru muttered. "Seriously, how did you survive that trap I set which buried you and your men alive?"

The Kazkeage flicked his wrist, letting his golden sand come out. "Who do you think deals with Gaara when he throws a tantrum?" His sand moved then, forcing Orochimaru into dodging and letting go of the Hokage.