Crimson Tears. ( Gaara, Temari, Kankuro and Scaro)

Crimson Tears. Chapter 4.

This chapter is dedicated to s@LlovesAnime for her prsistant encouragment (without which this chapter would not exist) and @CrimsonEye for her incredible ideas and storylines. Rei is her creation and shall be included frequently from now on.

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"My name is Scaro...my lord." I quickly add.

"Who are you?" The Kazekage yells. "You come here, you almost destroy MY village"

"It wasn't her fault, we just scared her a little. She was just try'na get away, she didn't do anything to Gaara, he-he just got a bit... carried away." Cat Boy says. It is clear he is not used to speaking against the Kazekage, and he is clearly afraid of something, but I admire him for his courage.

" You would do well to stay out of this Kankuro, you have done enough as it is." but the Kazekage's look seems to have two meanings at the same time; One- I'll deal with you later.

Two- You are a disgrace.

I glace down at the chain and to my great displeasure it is still as tight as ever. Looking around the room the Cat Boy- Kankuro- catches my eye, he is clearly willing me to stay still and remain silent, but how can I? This boy is defying his master for me and I am simply sat in my corner like a lost child whilst this boy takes the blame.

" I am Scaro of the Shadow Guard. However, I was exiled and following the death of my Fath...my leader, I came here in search of answers." I reply, half to draw the man's attention away from Kankuro and half to respond to the man's demand and to prevent further annoyance.

" The Shadow Guard? You people are not welcome in Sunagakure." Kazekage replies.

" I am no longer of the Guard." I remind him, shifting my position so that the Kazekage would have to turn away from the boy to look at me. I catch Kankuro's attention and silently beg him to 'go' with my eyes, he shakes his head.

"And yet-" the kage continues, " you introduce yourself as being 'of the guard' so which are you? An exile? or a spy?" he does not give me time to answer, instead he motions his guards, who promptly grab hold of my arms and begin dragging me away.

"Dad this- " Kankuro begins but is promptly silenced when the Kazekage raises his hand.

"I am The Kazekage, and you Will address me as such... do I make myself clear?" the last part comes out as a rattling snarl, which causes Kankuro to take a hesitant step back.

"Crystal." The boy assures.

* * * * * *

Several minutes later I find myself walking down a hidden path through the rock face surrounding Suna, the tunnel is cold compared to outside, and the room is only lit by dim touches mounted to the damp walls,my only company is my guard.

"You can let me walk by myself." I suggest. I could see the strain on the guards faces and I couldn't blame them, they have been carrying me for miles (And my many hidden possessions, which I wouldn't dare go anywhere near a metal detected with, for fear it might simply give up and blow it's self to shreds.)

" You might run off." the youngest of the two carrying me, points out.

"Where would I run?" I counter politely.

Cat Boy, the other one carrying me, nods. "She has a point, we should let her walk on her own. Save our strength."

"Bu-but Kankuro, what if she escapes? or The Kazekage finds out that we let her walk by herself?" Kankuro's expression falls at the mention of his 'Father'.

"Firstly- The only way he would find out is if you go running your mouth.

Secondly- There's two of us, we can handle her." Kankuro retorts angrily.

Eventually either Kankuro, or the ache in the boys arms, convinces him to let me walk.

" Where are all of the guards?" I ask, guessing that the passages were probably riddled with hidden Ninja, in case of an attack.

"What guards?" The sandy haired guy asks, with a look of confusion on his face.

"There aren't any, mainly because no-one really knows about this place." Kankuro explains. Seeing my expression he smiles. "I know, dumb move, huh? Well, if I was Kazekage, not like I want to be or anything-" and he means it "I would have whole groups in here, after all, we KNOW these tunnels, it would be a major advantage for us if we were attacked. But I guess I know where Dads coming from, the tunnels are almost all caved in. But what if the enemy found out about them? And brought Shinobi with Earth style in?" he shakes his head sadly, as if to say.

-We would loose.-

" So what could be your biggest advantage... is now your biggest DISadvantage?" I some up.

"Pretty much. Well, we're here!" Cat boy gestures grandly at.... a little whole, filled knee deep with stagnant water, which is letting off a smell that would put "The bog of Eternal Stench" to shame.

"Hmm, there's a little water that has leaked in, but other then that, you should feel right at home. After all, you like sleeping in caves, don't you?" Cat Boy is clearly being sarcastic, but I'm not in the mood to laugh, he could NOt be serious.

"Go on, make yourself at home. And watch out for bugs, oh, an' leaches. if you need me, I'll be over there, 'kay?" Kankuro says, opening the door for me.

Almost crying with despair, I lower myself into the rancid water, my nostrils burning with the foul smell, it is deeper then I had anticipated before and comes an inch above my knee and two inches below my skirt.

As my shoe touches the floor it sinks into a thick layer or grime, with several things crunching under my boot.

" How long am I expected to stay in here?" I call up. Coming to the edge, Kankuro frowns.

"Were else would you go?" he asks.

"But I could die in these condi- AW!" Looking down I could see a black slimy-looking lump attracted to my leg, as if to prove my point.

"Don't say I didn't warn ya." He said bluntly. After what seemed like an hour, which probably isn't exact as I have no way of knowing, of constantly pulling leaches off my legs, I heard the sandy haired boy get up.

" Are you going to be alright whilst I go and get Rei?" He asks.

"Who?" Kankuro asks, clearly confused as to why the boy had to go.

" Rei Sakkaku, the new girl. We saw her on our way here. Long red hair, pale skin, orange eyes. 'bout your height, maybe taller." Seeing that Kankuro still doesn't seem to realize who this 'new girl' is, the boy gives up. "Never mind, you'll recognise her when you see her."

"Right, sure, well. See you tomorrow?" Kankuro says dismissively.

When the boy is out of hearing range Cat Boy suddenly launches him self at the bars, shocked I loose my footing and end up slipping under the water, I quickly close my mouth, determined not to consume any of the filth. I push up off the dirt ridden floor and break through the waters surface. Gasping I turn to him, about to yell at him and demand to know what he thinks he is doing, I pause. In the dim light I can see that Kankuro is offering me his hand.

"Come on kid! I'm gonna help you onto this ridge, so your out of the water." He insists.

-Is this some sort of trick?- I wonder to myself, seeing that I don't have much options, I takes his hand. True enough he helps me onto the ledge. Looking down at myself I can see the little red bite marks where the leaches have been snacking and I am suddenly aware of just how weak I feel.