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

Chapter 21: Leading the Way

Gaara arrived back at the Village Hidden in the Sand within a couple days. It wasn't as fast traveling with the others. It didn't appear they'd been followed. "They got what they wanted," he thought ruefully. "I was such an idiot to think I could protect her alone when I couldn't protect myself. I need more training."

Temari and Kankurō rushed to him when they saw him walking up the path to the village with shinobi from the Leaf in tow.

"Where have you been? " Kankurō asked.

"Are you ok? Where's Keiko?" asked Temari. "We received a letter from the Land of Iron and from the Hidden Leaf. We thought something terrible was happening."

"Something terrible is happening," said Gaara, "we need to assemble the council. Immediately. I need to gather some things first. Spread the word, we convene in two hours."

Temari and Kankurō looked at each other but didn't ask any further questions. Gaara's eyebrows furrowed in determination and they knew he meant business. Years of habit made them not want to test him.

Gaara searched through any records he could find regarding the last Kage Summit. The Hokage was right. This was not going to be easy. Any hope he had to sway them sank in his stomach when he learned that he was in part the reason that there was mistrust among the villages. The Leaf once intended to distribute the tailed beasts among the villages, but the fact that the Sand already had one nearly started a war. Still, the idea that the Akatsuki sought to possess them all hopefully would help them to focus at the problem at hand and let go of the past.

He sighed and rolled up the last scroll. He didn't know how this was all going to turn out. Keiko always told him that they chose him as a leader for a reason. That's why they welcomed him home when they thought he was lost, even though he was a monster. It was time to be the leader they hoped he was.

Gaara walked into the council chambers as the others were arriving. They hadn't been summoned unscheduled by the Kazekage in some time and some of the older members grumbled. He waited until they were seated before proceeding.

"I've asked you all here because we are on the brink of war," he said flatly.

The grumbling stopped for a moment before murmurs began ascending around the room.

"It has been brought to my attention that the other shinobi villages are having increasing altercations with the Akatsuki. A Kage Summit has been called. I have accepted attendance on our behalf."

"But Kazekage-sama," one of the council members interjected. "The Lands already hold a very delicate peace with us as it is. Coming before the Summit yourself, considering, may rekindle...old feelings."

"Under the circumstances, I believe this is the best course of action. All the villages alone are not enough to keep this enemy at bay. I've just received a report from the Leaf that nearly all the Jinchūriki have been captured but two. You know the implications of that besides the power they will wield. Six deaths. I am hoping the combined loss will be enough to sway them to look past our differences. Once they are done with the Jinchūriki, who knows what kind of world we will live in at their mercy. Of the remaining two is the nine-tailed fox, the beast from our allies in the Leaf. Naruto put his life on the line for this village...for me. I'll not turn a blind eye when they come for him."

Several sets of eyes looked down uncomfortably.

"On top of that," his voice lowered, "they've captured Keiko-sama."

The murmuring broke out once again. "No," came several voices in shock.

"She holds back a lot of her power. She has been trying to live belonging as one of us. If they unleash her power and use it to amplify that of the tailed beasts..." Gaara trailed off.

"When does the Summit take place?" asked Kankurō.

"We don't know yet. I expect we will hear word over the next few days. In that time, we need to prepare in case things don't go well or if for some reason the Akatsuki choose to return. We are on high alert until this threat is dealt with. Make the preparations."

There was no longer a face in the room that showed skepticism or defiance. They all sat focused at attention.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama," they chorused.

Gaara retired to his room after visiting with the captains of the border guard and the ANBU to relay the situation personally. Each of them shared the same mark of respect and determination that the council members had at the end.

He retired to his room late that night. He laid down on the bed. He wasn't sure if it was in his mind, but he thought he could smell Keiko's scent in the sheets next to him. A place in his chest twinged painfully at the realization and he got up and went to lay down on the couch in the common area. He lay there listening to the quiet dark for a while before he dissolved into silent tears for the first time since he was a child. I will find you.

Somewhere, miles away, Keiko whispered into the darkness, "Gaara."