Resonance (Kakashi x OC, Gaara x OC) -- Book 2

Chapter 16: The Hot Spring

Note:

Nudity warning

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Before heading off to bed, Keiko asked some of the staff of the Palace of the Kazekage if they could help her find some clothes that would be comfortable to work in the next day. There was nothing among the beautiful garments in her closet that would be fitting for as filthy as she was probably going to get. They were happy to bring her some freshly laundered shinobi garb. Keiko had never worn anything like it before. She set it on a chair in her room before dimming the lights.

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They set to work the next day at the dig site. Builders were already working on the bathhouse. Some of the villagers gathered to watch the Kazekage and his future wife break ground. They all cheered as Gaara stepped up to the side of the site. The crowd went quiet.

"Say something," Temari prodded in a whisper.

"Everyone, in a short while, Keiko-sama and I will be married to join together the Villages of the Hidden Sand and Leaf. We will be bonded as more than just allies in the fight against rival villages, we will be bonded in blood. The recent battles have been hard and taken their toll on us all. Today we break ground to a new era. This hot spring is the village's gift back to you," Gaara said over the crowd.

The sand started swirling behind him and Keiko took a stance, feet apart and facing a palm towards the dig site. A crack spread across the ground from her left foot and the crowd cheered even louder. They continued to work at clearing and sculpting the land throughout the morning. The crowd slowly started to disperse as the hours went on, going about the rest of their day.

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"Hmph," said a man on a cliff overlooking the village. He was shrouded in black robes with red clouds. His blonde hair fell over one eye. "And what are you doing here, Kabuto?" asked Deidara. Itachi stood beside Deidara and continued to stare blankly out over the Hidden Sand Village.

"Spotted me did you?" asked Kabuto, stepping out from behind a nearby rock. "Same as you I suppose. Orochimaru has heard some rather interesting rumors about that woman down there."

"Tell Orochimaru he better lay off this one. She has been claimed by the Akatsuki. Hmph."

Kabuto shrugged, "I didn't realize anyone actually owned her before she has been caught. My mistake. I imagine that she would amplify the powers of the extracted tailed beasts exponentially. I can see why she is quite the catch."

Itachi turned to look at Kabuto fixedly, "I strongly advise that Orochimaru heed our warning this time. He was no match for me, I doubt he could defy us all."

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When the ground was all dug out, pumps and heaters were brought in by the builders. The sun was already getting low in the sky. Keiko was disappointed that they had to stop already, but she could tell that the others were at their limit. They weren't used to expending chakra on menial tasks all day that were normally done by manual labor.

Matsuri appeared with a couple villagers pushing a cart full of food and drink. They all stopped and gratefully accepted the gift as they all took up a seat in various areas of the pits.

Keiko sat down on a rock next to Gaara and offered him a water. He waved his hand and the dust flew off of her once again. Keiko gracefully pulled her hand up into the air, pulling all her fingers together as she did. Water lifted from the glass and splashed him in the face as she followed through with a whip motion with her hand.