Suna's Ninja (Gaara Love Story)

25: Hidden princess

Author's POV

"Akimi, you have a scroll," Pearl announced, the two girls delivering mail and packages to the Center. "Since we're not allowed to stop working, just check it after we're done."

"Sure thing!"

"Although I didn't expect you to know someone as far as the Stone Village," Pearl added, sliding the scroll into the mail bin. "This is like the millionth letter that you've got from them."

Akimi smiled fondly at the mail bin. "I have many dear people to me from that village."

When Akimi finally was able to read the letter, she lit up happily, promising herself to make a trip.

"Is there any particular reason other than visiting?" Gaara asked, his hand nonstop writing the paperwork.

"Well, I have been invited to a friend's engagement party in exactly two days. I was wondering, if I could go," she responded, her eyes on the letter.

"Very well. I'll see if I can arrange something for you."

"Thank you, Gaara."

"However, I won't be able to let you take an entire week off. Work would slow down in the towers, so I can only let you take about four days of vacation. No doubt, you'll have to be aware of Jini's workload for you will increase heavily," Gaara warned.

"Hai."

Two hours later, the Kazekage walked the chef to the village gates to watch her leave. He pressed his lips against hers before letting her go. "Have a safe trip."

"Bye! I love you, Gaara!" And with that, Akimi was gone. Gaara smiled and returned to his office, where his siblings were helping him cleaning out some old books.

"She must have traveled a lot with her grandfather, huh?" Kankuro remarked, shelving some books in Gaara's office.

"She did tell me she has a lot of friends all over the five great nations," Temari added. Gaara merely nodded and continued his work.

However, a day later, Gaara received a hawk message from the Stone Village. Eyes widening, Gaara got to his feet, glancing over his finished paperwork.

"Temari, Kankuro. Get ready. We're going to the Stone Village."

"What? Why? What happened?" Kankuro asked, frowning.

"Akimi is getting married."

"Say what?!"

Gaara handed the scroll to his brother who looked through it in shock.

Lady Daijing Heng invites

Lord Kazekage Gaara, Lady Temari, and Lord Kankuro

To the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Zen from Wistaria with Her Royal Highness Princess Akimi Heng in the Hidden Stone Village, Iwagakure.

"Wait, Akimi's getting married!?"

"Princess Akimi? What's going on here?" Temari asked. "Also, wasn't it an engagement party for someone else?"

"I don't know, but we should head over there," Gaara said sternly.

"Hai!"

As they approached the village, the trio were greeted by several butlers and servants who guided them into an enormous mansion. They were given comfortable rooms and dinner would be served shortly in the banquet hall with the rest of the guests. The wedding would be held tonight, according to the maids and servants.

"Temari, Kankuro, find out what's going on," he ordered them.

"Got it, Gaara."

"On it!"

Just as Gaara was about to search for Akimi, a butler came up to him. "Lord Kazekage-sama, Lady Daijing Heng has requested your presence."

Gaara wordlessly followed the man through a labyrinth of halls and doors before stopping at the final door.

"I've brought Lord Kazekage," the butler called through the doors.

"Enter," answered the lady inside.

"Please enter," the butler said, opening the doors and stepping aside.

"Welcome, Lord Gaara. Please have a seat. Care for some tea?"

"No tea, thank you," Gaara replied easily, taking a seat on the couch across from the elegant lady.

"Lord Kazekage, I hear that you are in a romantic relationship with my daughter Akimi Maruboshi Heng, and even proposed to her," the lady began. "Ah, pardon my rudeness. I am Daijing Heng, mother of Princess Akimi Heng. As my oldest daughter, it's expected of Akimi to give birth to a boy who will be the heir of the clan. In addition, she is to be married to the Prince of Wisteria to strengthen both our properties."

Gaara listened, staying silent. The lady sighed and sipped her tea.

"Let me get to the point, Lord Gaara. I ask you to please leave my daughter."