The Way Through Stone Village (Naruto)

63: Mirai's Decision

[OP: "Solder, Poet, King" -- The Oh Hellos]

After several hours of rest, Shine got up again and wanted to hear Gaara's account of his meeting...

[MercyMe--No More, No Less]

***

Mirai had met them, with the company of Seigi, and Meiyo. 

Those two seemed to be the least wary of them of the other council members, so Shikamaru had hope this would at least be...better than otherwise.

Gaara had been visibly nervous to Temari, as his eyes had wandered around like he was scoping out the room.

On him this expression was actually pretty cute, in a sort of helpless way, but Temari was only worried.

"This is sooner than I expected," Mirai said. "I hope your teammate is well."

"The others are looking after him," Gaara said vaguely. "But we decided not to wait, though you were very generous to give us extra time. However...before we discuss plans, I felt I should inform you of something that may change your mind about being associated with us. It's only just to tell you because you were hoping that our standing would benefit you...but it may not."

"What do you mean?" Seigi asked warily.

"Just what he says," Temari said firmly, with a hand to her fan. "Let him finish."

"No need to get worked up," Shikamaru glanced at her and then at them, holding up his hands. "Gaara is an honorable man, and he wants you to know what you're getting into."

Mirai frowned, but then she nodded. "All right...proceed."

Gaara had a difficult time beginning so Temari prompted him, before the pause could get too awkward, by saying "This concerns our stay in Stone Village. You noticed before that it was shorter than anticipated, but you didn't know that there was a reason for that."

Gaara nodded at her gratefully.

The Rain had leaned in.

"Which was...?" Meiyo asked.

"I should probably start at the beginning," Gaara said. "When we set out on this journey, we intended to share not only our peace and prosperity with the other nations, but our hope and reason for living, in the hopes that it would encourage them to put aside the grudges of the past and embrace mercy and forgiveness...but...Stone Village took it to be a threat. They...considered it to be radical."

Gaara was waxing more eloquent than he realized, because he spoke more thoughtfully here than without trying to sound diplomatic.

Mirai raised an eyebrow and other two men exchange glances.

"I had never heard you were radical," Mirai said. "And I find it hard to believe...but why would they think that?"

Gaara faltered and looked at Temari and Shikamaru again.

Shikamaru decided to just take the reins.

"There was some fear in Stone that faith in a higher power would lead to people rejecting the authority of the village," he said. "But, Gaara never intended to do any such thing. I don't know of you've heard a long time ago he used to e a jinchuriki...Well it was 4 years ago, but considering how old he is, that's a long time."