A New Way of Ninja

38: Gaara's Mission

Shine filled Wally in on everything when he came back from helping the medics.

As usual, Wally had made friends with all of the ordinary shinobi, who were glad of his help and his upbeat attitude.

Shine relied on his amiability to help them come off as there to truly help and not as pretentious snobs. She was better with the people who liked to plan and discuss; Wally provided the support with the more action-focused people. It was how they paired well.

After Wally had had some time to rest, they went to Sand Village themselves to discuss with Gaara, deciding that was easier than making Momo and Shoto be the messengers.

Gaara had been thinking more about this idea and had run it by his siblings by this time, and they had liked it...sort of.

Temari thought it was a good idea in theory but that the other kages wouldn't go for it that easily.

Kankuro was more worried about how dangerous it could be to travel like that, and to lay all their cards on the table.

Shine and Wally heard all these concerns with patience.

"So what do you think?" Wally asked Gaara.

"I think that, while I understand all this, I'm convinced this is still the best chance we have of firmly rooting ourselves in peace," Gaara said.

"So what you're suggesting," Shine said, putting her hands under her chin, "is a sort of a Peace Mission Tour? People do that at home, sometimes. Not usually quit like this, but still. Did anyone answer you yet?"

"I expect that the Raikage and Tsuchikage will not even get the messages till tomorrow," Gaara said. "But the Mizukage already got it and sent an answer. If you would like to see it."

"I can't read your language very well," Shine said, shrugging. 

"I've got it," Momo said. She examined the markings. "It's old fashioned wording, but basically it means that she'd be happy to get a diplomatic visit from Gaara, as long as there is no reason to fear anyone will take advantage of the chance to stir up trouble."

"Not bad," Temari said. "That's basically how I took it."

Momo blushed. "Well, it's a lot like the legal documents at home."

"I think if the Mizukage agrees, and it goes well, the others may also," Gaara said. "At least I would have the support of one village besides myself. You have not said whether you agree or not."

Wally noticed that Gaara seemed to give Shine's opinion a lot of weight already, and he'd only met her for a few days total.

"I cannot tell you what to do here," Shine prefaced her sentiment by saying. "Because no matter how much I try to learn, I will never know this world as well as you do. But, on my experience, I like the idea. It has its risks, I won't lie to you, but I think including us would already mitigate a lot of those risks. But it will add some other ones. And I have a request that may change your mind."

"What is it?" Gaara asked at once.

Shoto gave Shine a straight look. What could she ask that would change Gaara's mind?

"I think Wally and I both feel we should help you," Shine said.

"Hey, 'blessed are the peacemakers', right?" Wally said.

"'For they shall be called Sons of God,'" Shine finished the verse. "Yes. It's a godly wish, wanting to make peace. 'When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.'" [Proverbs 16:7] I think that's probably why you've already made so much progress...but also peace involves other people, not just you. They say it takes two to tango--or fight, in other words. It also takes two to be at peace, but as far as it depends on you, you should live at peace with others. No one can doubt your intentions are pure and wise...so in that, I think it's important that we help you. We have a lot to teach still."