50 Reasons Why

Chapter Three

                  I finished two hours of paperwork with only two fresh paper cuts. That's a new record. Surprisingly, I was able to focus my mind on work, not blonde, blue and purple. That was until a knock at the door interrupted me.

"Enter." I called without looking up from my desk. This paperwork will be the death of me.

"Kazekage-sama." Zuko, one of my trusted guards, walked in towards my desk.

"Zuko, how are you?" I placed down my paper to give him my full attention. He gave me a small smile.

Zuko was very loyal since the beginning. He has been with me since I began my process into becoming Kazekage. I find myself relaxing around him, like I do with my siblings. It's a comforting feeling.

"I'm well, Gaara-sama. Yourself?" He shuffled his weight onto his right foot.

"Drowning." I murmured and I felt my lips twitch into a small smile. Zuko smiled back.

"They always leave it out of the job description." He replied with the smile still resting on his lips.

"Indeed." I turned my attention to the papers in his hand. "Room assignments?"

"Yes." He placed the paper down on my desk. "We were able to manage four rooms. However one is located on the opposite wing of the third floor. It was all they could manage quickly."

"Of course. Thank you, Zuko." I dismissed him and he gave me a small nod before exiting the room.

I stared down at the paper. Who shall go in which room?

Maybe Sarutobi-san should go in the isolated room. That keeps the three chunin together, but a pull in my stomach disrupted the thought. A strong part of me wanted Ino-san to be placed in the further room. I wasn't sure, why? Maybe, the thought of having her close to Nara didn't sit well with me. That must be it. Well, I am Kazekage and what I say goes...

"What up, bro?" Kankuro opened the door and strolled in with his hands in his pockets.

"Kankuro, knock."

I looked up at him and he shrugged his shoulders.

"You needed me?"

He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Yes. Escort the leaf team to their assigned rooms, tonight."

I know I couldn't do it. I pushed the paper forward. He looked over but he didn't seem to be moving anytime soon.

"Why?" He raised an eyebrow. "Did it not go well with Sakura?"

"It wasn't Sakura-san." Blonde hair and blue eyes flashed through my mind.

"Really?" Kankuro's eyebrows perked up and he pushed himself off the wall.

He headed towards my desk and picked up the paper.

"Shikamaru's team?" He looked up and I nodded. "Yamanaka Ino? Who is that?"

"A teammate to Nara."

"No shit." Kankuro pulled his mouth into a frown. "Will she be able to fit with the plan?"

"No, she won't work." I replied too quickly.

"Why?" Kankuro's hand with the paper fell to this side and he stood staring at me. "Did you not follow the advice I gave you?"