Fear and Love Part III (Kakashi X OC)

Settling into the Sand

"Thank you for being a gracious host, Lord Gaara, as always." Tsuki said as the red-haired Kazekage personally escorted the gang of leaf ninja to their prepared rooms.

"You're very welcome Lady Hatake." Gaara replied,"I'm sorry the other Kage made you guys travel here after the Leaf was attacked and after an attempt was made on your life. Is everything well back at home?"

"Well, we have the village secured for now. But we'd like to be prepared for when they inevitably attack again." Kakashi added.

They stopped at a long hallway containing many doors.

"Whoa!" Kai said staring at the grand desert themed palace hallway,"This is even bigger than the Leaf's accommodations!"

Gaara chuckled at the three genin, who all had similar looks of shock and awe on their faces,"Go on you three, pick any rooms you'd like, just none with double doors, those are for the Kage."

The twins looked at their dad, silently asking for approval to break off from the group, Kakashi smiled and nodded and they bolted down the hall.  He loved seeing his kids happy, enjoying their childhood in a way he wished he could have while still being able to fulfill their duty as ninja. Throughout Tsuki's pregnancy with the twins, that's all he ever thought about, he just wanted to provide a better life for his children. He wanted to give them what he couldn't have as a child. He felt that's what being a good, loving parent boiled down to. And he prayed to Kami that his kids thought he was a good father. Disappointing his loved ones was one of his greatest fears after all.

The rest of the gang continued down the hall with Gaara.

"What kind of security are you running at this event?" Sasuke asked.

"We have kept this Kage Summit under wraps, but we have bumped our security around the village. Several of our own ANBU are stationed in hiding surrounding the walls of the village. And many other undercover jonin have been scattered throughout the village.." Gaara answered his question,"And of course, security will be increased at our actual meeting place.."

"Has anyone else arrived yet?" Shikamaru asked

"You guys are the first, but I'd imagine that the others will be here shortly. And we can begin as soon as everyone has arrived.. Ah here we are at your guys' room, Lord Hokage. I hope you find your accommodations satisfactory.."

"I'm sure everything's great Lord Gaara, thank you.." Kakashi responded with a formal bow.

"Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you."

"Actually! Yes, there might be." Tsuki chimed in,"Our forbidden archives were bombed and part of our records were destroyed. Our research department is working on repairing it and salvaging what information they can but we have some leads on the Shioki's motive for attacking us. Maybe the Sand has some valuable records?"

"Yes, we do. I'll let you get settled and I'll send a member of our own research department to escort you in a bit." Gaara nodded as he gestured for Shikamaru and Sasuke to follow him to their rooms.

"That'll work! Thank you, Lord Gaara.." Tsuki said as she turned the handle to her and Kakashi's room door.  Kakashi pushed the door opened from behind and they both dropped their travel packs at the entrance before waddling over and collapsing onto the bed.

Tsuki was especially tired after traveling in the heat while pregnant, she slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a couple of her prenatal vitamins disguised as food pills to pop in her mouth after removing her mask.

"More food pills? You've had those like two or three times today. Now that we're in the village we can just go get real food.." Kakashi asked as he sat up and removed his sandals, hoping to take a moment to relax before the heavy work began.