Infected

Chapter 33: Marriage and Goodbyes

          Gaara sat in the council meeting listening to Kankuro's report on Yama's current situation. In the three months since Mizu left, Yama had been rather active, if as secretively as possible. The facility they've been building seemed to grow larger by the day. It was noted in recent reports that, Kitsune, the previous dignitary had been seen entering and exiting the building.

"For now, they seem to be staying to themselves, and we haven't notice them bring more weapons than what would be considered normal security for a place housing a dignitary." Kankuro finished his report and bowed. "We received work from their leaders that what their doing is building a type of research facility. They said it's a way to counteract their barren lands."

"Good work. Keep an eye on their progress and see where it goes from there," Gaara instructed.

"Will do." Kankuro rolled up his report and tucked it under his arm.

Yama's being suspicious again. It might be time to send in a scout directly into that facility. I don't buy that it's just a research facility.

Baka clapped his hands together, drawing their attention. He cleared his throat. "Then if that business is settled, I liked to move onto an important topic."

Gaara got the feeling he knew where this was going.

"Do to Lady Temari's departure and joining the Leaf Village, I think it only best if Lord Kankuro or Lord Kazekage look to settle down too. If not both. With Lady Temari married, if she produces an air then the next Kazekage may very well come from the Leaf village and not the sand."

Kankuro made a face, but Gaara remained quiet. The other elders seemed in agreement.

"As such, I believe it would be best for you to start looking at possible candidates for your wife, Lord Kazekage." Baka pulled out a folder with paperwork. "There are many eligible girls in the sand village that would make an excellent partner for you."

"T-this seems sudden, Baka-san." Kankuro laughed nervously. "There needs to be more time to consider—"

Baka interrupted, "With all due respect Lord Kankuro, I've received word that it's possible Lady Temari may already be with child."

This news shocked the room, and Kankuro was taken aback.

"I'm not saying to marry one of the girls tomorrow, but it should a least be considered." Baka slid the file across to Gaara, who stared at it blankly. "An Omiai would at least put many minds at ease."

An Omiai was a traditional meeting where a man and woman meet with the intention of looking at each other as potential marriage partners. The council of elders nodded to each other, excited by the prospect. Gaara quietly picked up the folder, much to Kankuro's surprise, and stood up.

"I'll look it over and give you an answer later." Gaara left the room and the council to their business. Kankuro trailed behind him.

"Gaara, are you sure about this... Her note said summer—"

"She's dead." Gaara didn't let him finish the sentence and entered his office.

Hana was standing there arranging the files on his desk. When she noticed them, she fidgeted nervously. It had been awkward between them ever since the dinner.

"I-I've finished laying out the files that need your approval, Lord Kazekage." The girl kept her eyes on the ground.

"Thank you, you can go now." Gaara dismissed her and walked over to his desk.

She looked downtrodden and sad, but he didn't feel any sympathy.

Kankuro eyed the girl and spoke up, "Hana-chan, could you help me in the record room for a bit? You're much better at organizing than I am."

She looked up at his older brother and smiled softly before agreeing. They both left him alone in his office. Mindlessly, he flipped over the folder. The candidates that the council had picked were all well-bred girls from good families. At the end of the folder he found Hana's file and sighed. He tossed the folder to the side and turned to look out the window. It was hotter in the spring months, but he still shivered when he looked at the sky.

Mizu stood looking at the sand village walls as the desert wind played with her short hair. "Short hairs pretty freeing, don't you think? I don't know why I didn't cut it until now."

She laughed nervously and looked over at Yoki, who looked at her quizzically.

"You're stalling. It's been three months. You should hurry in to see him," Yoki chided her.

A groan escaped her lips. "I'm hesitating because it's been three months. A lot can happen in three months. Plus, I left without saying anything to him. What if he won't even see me?"

"You won't know if you keep standing here, now will you?" Yoki nuzzled her.

She pushed him away and fanned herself. "Don't do that. The desert is even hotter in spring."

"You must live with it though, this is the place you want to spend the rest of your life, right?"

Biting her lip, she looked up at her friend, ready to cry. "If he... doesn't want to see me anymore, I'm not sure what I'll do."

"You won't know until you give him the chance to find out." Yoki nudged her forward a step.

She took a deep breath and marched forward, but when she realized Yoki wasn't following her she stopped and looked back. His eyes were sad and happy at the same time.

"Yoki?"

"This is where we part," the beast's voice was sorrowful.

Mizu's mouth fell open as she stared up at her companion.

He laughed and walked forward to nuzzle her. This time she didn't move. "I wanted to see you safely here, my friend, but once our contract was broken, I was supposed to return to the spirit world. So, this is goodbye. I can't go with you any further. From here on out, you must be strong and live the rest of your life your own way."

She choked up and threw her arms around the lion's neck. "Will I ever see you again?"

"No. The next time I'll be needed in this world you'll have already lived out your life and have passed on," the lion's voice was sad. "You humans, so fleeting, but I'm glad it was you I traveled this span of time with."

"Me too. Thank you, Yoki, for everything." Mizu slowly and reluctantly let him go.

The beast hesitated but chuckled. "Uta, gave you your song, Jikan gave you your time, it seems I must as well gift you something."

"Yoki, you've done so much for me. There's nothing more you can give me."

The lion shook his head and bent down. He breathed on Mizu and she felt her body sear in pain, but it stopped after a second.

"What was that?" She looked at her hands and flexed them.

The lion's eyes were playful. "I'd like to think it will be the gift you like the most, but you'll see. I'd hate to spoil the surprise."

"Always the cryptic."

Yoki straightened and backed away from her. He slowly turned and began his journey home. Mizu bowed deeply one last time to her dear friend, but when she straightened up, he was gone. She sighed and turned back to the sand village in the distance. Without Yoki there to support her, she suddenly was very nervous. What if Gaara hated her? Maybe she would take just a little more time to gather her courage.