Hidden Villages

I: Once Upon a Time

"'Once upon a time there was a very beautiful kunoichi.'"

Rasa frowned upon hearing Gaara's voice as he stepped into the room. He saw Gaara sitting on the couch reading a book. His teddy bear sat next to him. "Gaara, what are you reading?"

Gaara looked up and smiled at his father. "I'm reading a book about a very pretty shinobi." The auburn-haired child went back to reading the book to his teddy bear. "'Once upon a time there was a very beautiful kunoichi. Her name was Raruka and she was very, very strong."

"Raruka?" Rasa's brow wrinkled up as a frown continued appearing on his face. He stepped over towards Gaara, but he overheard speaking coming from the other room. "What exactly are you reading?"

The child looked up at him with those sea-foam eyes of his almost as if he were trying to guilt trip his father as his mouth formed into a pout. "I told you. I'm reading a book about a very pretty shinobi. She's pretty like mama. She looks like mama."

"What?"

The auburn-haired child clumsily turned the book around. "See. Raruka looks like mommy. Her brother Rumashaya Looks like Yashamaru."

Rasa stared at the picture book his child showed him. "Let me guess? Lady Tsunade is here?"

"Granny Tsunade is here." Gaara said before going back to reading his book to his teddy bear. "'Once upon a time there was a very beautiful kunoichi. Her name was Raruka and she was very, very strong. She was the champion of the weak."

The Lord Kazekage took a deep breath. He headed into the kitchen area where Yashamaru was washing the dishes while Shizune drying. Tsunade sat at the table drinking a cup of tea."

"What are you doing here?" Rasa watched the blond-haired woman look up. She seemed unphased by his appearance.

"What do you mean?"

"I wasn't expecting you."

"Or do you mean you were expecting me a weak ago when Suna held the entrance ceremony for this years new academy students?" Tsunade took another drink of her tea while Rasa glared at her. She set her cup down. "Except if I had shown up I would have been very disappointed, wouldn't I have? Not only did Gaara not enter the academy with the other students I doubt you would have let me see him."

"I'm teaching Gaara. Baki and Yashamaru are helping. You need not worry."

"Is that really true?"

Yashamaru took a deep sigh. "Lady Shizune, why don't we go and see if Lord Gaara will read us that book Lady Tsunade brought him."

Rasa watched his brother-in-law hand the last dish to Shizune so she could dry it. When she finished they headed into the other room so the Kazekage could speak with Lady Tsunade uninterrupted. Her eyebrows shot up as she took a drink. Tsunade finally set the cup down, but motioned at the chair across from her. "Sit."

He walked over and sat down. He folded his arms across his chest. She didn't say anything to him at first and instead reached down for the bag which was propped up against the table. She pulled out a ball and doll and set them on the table. A smile appeared on her face. "For Kankuro and Temari of course."

The Kazekage took a deep breath. "You don't like people calling you old, so why let Gaara call your grandmother?"

The smile on her face faded. "I don't know why, but when that child calls me granny I feel young rather than old."

"I see." Rasa looked her in the eye. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to see Gaara, but that is exactly what you didn't want, isn't it?" Tsunade folded her arms across her ample chest. "Why? Karura would have welcomed us with open arms, but that is her baby."

"I'm well aware of both those things."

"Are you going be frank with me Rasa?"

"I don't know what there is to discuss."

"Then let me start with the fact I know you were hiding the fact her youngest is a jinchiruki, but apparently his abilities are manifesting long before other jinchiruki's abilities start manifesting. Worse, apparently the villagers are getting hurt."

"This is the business of Suna, Lady Tsunade."

"If this didn't involve Karura's child I would agree with you. Why is Gaara different. Yashamaru told me that it was your place to tell me."

"You won't like hearing what I have to say." Rasa watched her eyes narrow into a glare, but also watched her fingers tap against one of her arms. He didn't flinch. "I killed Karura. That is what you wanted to know."

"You killed Karura?" One of Tsunade's fingers tapped even more. "How can you say that so calmly?"

"Haven't you heard? Apparently the fourth Kazekage is cold-hearted enough to do so." Rasa kept his eyes narrowed. "As her killer, I completely understand if you want to kill me, but do understand that you will cause a political situation between our two villages from which neither will recover."

"Liar." Tsunade continued looking at him. "You are hoping I'll kill you so that you don't have to live with your guilt. You loved her too much, but you did something which caused her death."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"There is something which makes Gaara different than other jinchiruki. Even the jinchiruki of my home village hasn't developed abilities yet. With him the tailed beast was sealed in him as a newborn babe. He was only..." Tsunade stopped short. Her eyes widened in realization and horror.

"I see you figured it out."

"Karura died during childbirth, but she died because you decided to seal the tailed beast into your unborn child."

"Yes. I did that. Feel free to hate me for that."

A silence fell over the room. Rasa didn't like the look of pity on her face and wished she'd say something. Instead the Kazekage heard the sound of a chair moving slightly next to Tsunade so the chair was right next to hers. A pair of small hands then reached up and set a book on top of the table.

Rasa turned towards the door and saw Yashamaru standing there with Shizune. His brother-in-law had a rather exasperated look on his face. Tsunade's voice made Rasa turn his head back towards her. "Yes. I'll hold onto Teddy for you."

The Kazekage watched Gaara climb up into the chair. The auburn-haired child sat near her. Rasa watched Tsunade reach over to slide the child over so he was snug against her side, but no protest came. The Kazekage felt his jaw drop, but his head turned to look at Yashamaru. He saw the sandy-haired shinobi was also surprised.

"What?"

Rasa turned his head back towards Tsunade.

"Why do you have that surprised look on your face?" A look of curiosity on her pale face.

"Gaara never lets anyone touch him." The Kazekage swallowed. "Well, except for when it comes to the routine Yashimaru has set up for him so he expects to be touched."

Tsunade reached over and ruffled Gaara's auburn hair. "He's honestly a very sweet child Rasa. If you don't mind, I think I might stay awhile." The legendary Sannin turned her head and spoke to the child in front of her. "Gaara, would you like to read me the book I brought you."

Gaara's eyes widened in excitement as he opened up his book. "'Once upon a time there was a very beautiful kunoichi.'"

Note – Is the direction I'm headed going to mean Gaara ends up with a better childhood? While I would love to give Gaara a better childhood I also know the bad things which occurred during his childhood helped shape who he would become later on in life. As such the direction I'm taking is different than people may think.