Freedom ~Gaara~

Chapter 5

"It's a known fact that amongst the other kage Gaara is the youngest. We can't let the other kage look down on him because of his age." Temari said, explaining to Chinsei a special addition to her role as my advisor in this game. As explained in the letter, Chinsei would have free speech at the meeting to convey the opinion of the sand. Only I have the ability to silence her. With the power of free speech, should anyone underestimate my ability as Kazekage because of my young age she can use her people skills to convince them otherwise.

"I know, I know. I've got this, sis." Chinsei answered back.

Kankuro rubbed his arms as we walked through the snow. "Man it's freezing!" True it had gotten amazingly cold very fast. I walked with an arm around Chinsei, making sure she was warm. But the closer we got to our destination, the colder it got. By the time we arrived Kankuro was hugging himself tightly and his knees knocked together from his violent shivering. Temari and Chinsei however seemed unaffected.

In the center of the three mountains sat our destination, where we were greeted simply. We were the first group to arrive. It reminded me of the first time I took the chunnin exams. My siblings and I had been the first to arrive at the tower in the center of the forest of death for the second test.

The meeting would commence the next day and we were shown to our room for the night. Temari and Kankuro left the room, wanting to take a look around, leaving just Chinsei and myself in the room together. She looked out the window with a cheerful smile as she hummed an old song I recognized from her third album. It was a song the company had her sing with Iku, the singer from Konoha she considered one of her best friends.

"I've never seen snow before! It's so pretty." She turned to me with that smile. "Can we make a snowman before we leave?!" Chinsei's eyes sparkled, the same color as the ice that clung to the outside of the building. Her excitement made me forget all worry as a small smile reached my lips.

"Sure." But we would never get to make that snowman or joyfully play in the snow...

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In the meeting room the next day, I sat at the half circle table at the far left. The other Kage all took their respective places at the table with expressionless faces. Temari and Kankuro stood behind the screen behind me, ready for anything, and Chinsei stood next to me with a smile on her face. Soon the man over seeing the summit spoke. "Place your Kage head pieces in front of you." We all placed them on the table before us. "You, the five Kage, have all assembled her in response to lord Raikage's summons. I, Mifune, will preside over these proceedings. And now, let the five kage summit commence."

Chinsei next to me attempted to stifle a yawn. It made me want to smile, but I knew I had to start with first hand experience in the problem. "Then allow me to begin. Listen."

But another voice cut me off. A chuckle. "My my, how the kage have changed. To be named Kage at your young age is impressive, Lord Kazekage." The one who spoke was the Tsuchikage, Onoki. "Yet despite your fathers obviously brilliant guidance he seems to have not taught you any etiquette."

I knew this simple statement had probably already made Temari and Kankuro angry, and I could see Chinsei's fist shake despite her cheerful smile. She had gotten better at controlling her emotions. "Yes, probably. That's why I was chosen as Kazekage."

Onoki let out a loud laugh. "You cheeky young rascal." I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or serious.

"Lord Tsuchikage," Began the Mizukage. "Please don't interrupt anymore. Please, continue Lord Kazekage."

Looks like Chinsei won't be alone in helping me. With that thought I launched into it. "I am a former jinchukriki. The Akatsuki captured me-" I glanced over to Chinsei who was making side glances at the Raikage. What was she seeing? "And that is why I find the Akatsuki to be an extremely dangerous group. I sought the aide of the five Kage many times, but was ignored. Except for the previous Hokage. Jinchuriki from all of your nations have been taken. To collaborate at this point is too little to late."

"The five great nations hidden villages can't afford to alert others that their Jinchuriki were taken. It's an embaressment! Covert rescue and recovery is the norm. No one seeks aide from other villages when jinchuriki disappear!"

My thoughts swirled, having already thought of this particular response. But beside me, Chinsei spoke up before I could say anything. "Excuse me, but that way of thinking is outdated. Not only that but also unfair."

"Outdated or not, it is the way. And whether it's fair or not is irrelovent." He shot back. She puffed out her cheeks in anger and I quickly grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go again.

"Setting aside whether those beliefes are outdated or not, I will acknowledge that as Mizukage I refrain from acting on this issue. However, I don't believe that having our tailed beasts stolen is cause for immediate alarm. After all it takes significant skill and time to acheive controle over them."

Glancing over, I once again noticed Chinsei taking glances at the Raikage, a worried expression forming on her brow. As the Tsuchikage spoke about how the Tailed beast need to mature with jinchuriki I questioned her. "What's wrong?"

"He's getting really mad..." Glancing at him myself he seemed normal, stone faced.

"Wouldn't you agree Lord Kazekage? Or perhaps your 'advisor' has some words to share?" The Tsuchikage said with a mocking tone.

Chinsei leaned down to whisper in my ear. To everyone else it would only seem like she was giving me quiet advice. "Someone needs to smack him." My thoughts exactly.

"Very few have gained controle over tailed beasts." The new Hokage continued with the discussion. "Madara Uchiha, the first Hokage Shinju Hashirama, and of course the fourth Mizukage, Yagura, as well as Lord Raikage's brother, Killer Bee." Chinsei patted my shoulder in rapped sucussion as she stared at the Raikage. "However-"

But before he could finish his statement, the Raikage stood in a furious way, causing all the gaurds to jump from their places and Chinsei to scream. "Enough," He yelled as he brought his fist down. "Of this nonsense!" The crash resounded around the room when his fist made contact with the desk, leaving a splintered dent. Every ninja was holding back another or gaurding their prospective Kage's. Chinsei was shaking next to me back taking a few deep breaths. Her hands were placed protectivly over her stomach. Light is safe.

I looked through the throng of ninja to the Raikage. "I would appriciate it is you didn't scare my advisor in her present state."

Mifune at the front of the room sighed. "This summit is a place of discorse. So please refrain from any more actions that lack civility."

"Stand down, Fu, Kurone." Lord Hokage said.

"You too, Kankuro, Temari." One by one the other Kage called off their ninja and the Raikage pulled his fist from the dent in the desk.

The lights changed and I took Chinsei's hand which still trembled lightly. "Now then, lets continue this discussion."