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Love Me When I'm Gone	By : KittenCobra Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1971 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto (the manga or anime) or any of the characters included within it. I only own the original characters in this story including the main character Utako Mizuke. I do not make any form of profit off of this story.

Chapter List
- 35
- 36
- 37
36. Peace
Temari and I went shopping in town. I decided it would help me feel better. Last time we went shopping together went so terribly afterward, and I don’t want our outings to be shadowed that way. First, I showed her the clothes Gaara left for me and she had made some declarations about his intentions to keep me from ever having sex again – despite his claims at the time. I then showed her some of what I purchased with the money from working and she accused me of overcompensating. That may be slightly true. With her help, I was able to pick out several outfits that were both extremely sexy, and not likely to get me jumped by some lunatic.
We are laughing and talking about what had happened in Suna since I left when we pass the Hokage’s building. Gaara is coming down the front steps looking very collected and calm. His thoughts are very excited and happy. He catches sight of me.
Mizuke! I am glad you are here.
“Kazekage,” I nod to him respectfully as I approach. A few people in the street have noticed him pausing to speak with me. They are curious. Do I act as if you are my lover… a friend… a stranger? I am not sure what he wants now.
Act as if we know each other, but not like we are lovers. Not yet. “I am pleased to see you have healed from your ordeal.” His tone is cold but the tone of his thoughts is loving.
“Yes, thank you.” I bow slightly. “The Hokage has taken excellent care of me. What brings you to Konoha?” Temari beside me is completely confused by our small talk but knows better than to interject. Kankuro, beside Gaara, is thanking the heavens that I am a mind-reader.
You so rock! he whispers to me mentally.
“Business,” Gaara responds. “I am interested in strengthening the alliance between the villages. The Hokage has agreed to consider a proposal of mine.” My proposal to accept a Konoha bride as part of a formal treaty.
A what?! I am dumbfounded, and race through his memory to see what I missed.
Gaara walks into Tsunade’s office after her voice declares that he is free to enter. He requested an audience with her only moments ago and he is surprised to get one so quickly. Even if he is Kazekage, he expected her to be busy. She is sitting at her desk with her elbows on it and her hands crossed in front of her mouth. She narrows her eyes at him as he approaches, and he wishes he could read minds like me. He also notices that Jiraiya is standing in the corner of her office, leaning lazily against the wall with his ankles crossed. His temper flares, but he beats it down to look Tsunade squarely in the eye.
“Thank you for agreeing to see me so quickly,” he nods respectfully to her.
She does not move, just continues to stare through narrowed eyes. “I have received word that you have reclaimed your former lover.” She cuts straight to the point and he appreciates this about her. It also explains Jiraiya’s presence.
“Yes,” he confirms. “I have come to make a request of you.”
“A request?” she challenges with a laugh in her voice. “You do remember that you signed away her care to our village – with permission from our elders? You do not intend to try and withdraw do you?” He’s fairly sure that is exactly what she expects, but he has other plans.
“On the contrary,” he states calmly, “I would like to request that you make her an official leaf shinobi. That she swear allegiance to you as Hokage.” Tsunade’s surprise shows clearly on her face and he is pleased to keep her on her toes.
You asked her to what?! I shout into his mind. I am in shock. Why?!
Trust me, he whispers back, keep going.
“Why would you request this?” Tsunade is watching him closely now, trying harder to read him, but he knows better than to give away his intentions yet. She glances at Kankuro standing close beside him, trying to get a read on him instead, but Gaara also knew better than to say anything to Kankuro of his plans. And Kankuro knows better than to react to anything until they are alone.
“I believe it would afford her the best protection,” Gaara explains. “Currently she is protected only as a favor to Suna. This relationship could always come into question. Her status as a leaf shinobi would afford her the village’s protection as long as she remains a shinobi.”
“You do realize that she would have to live here as a leaf shinobi?” Tsunade is showing her confusion but the look in her eye shows that she knows he is up to something.
“Yes, she would be expected to carry out duties as assigned by you, Hokage.” He confirms, wording his response carefully. “As any leaf shinobi would. I think this is in her best interest.”
“Are there terms you would like to request for this?” she asks.
“No,” he states simply. “It is not my place to dictate the terms for a leaf shinobi.”
She narrows her eyes at him again. “Very well… I believe we could accommodate this request. After all, our elders were very interested in gaining her alliance before we discovered her presence in Suna. They were pleased that you… entrusted her to our care.”
“Thank you, Hokage.” Now for part two… he thinks to himself. He is thrilled that this is going well so far. He knows the elders of Suna will not give me up without a fight – regardless of my own wishes. He intends to use their selfishness against them.
Wonderful, now what? I ask, challenging him. What if I don’t want to be a leaf shinobi?!
You do, his mental tone is stern, Give me some credit. Pay attention.
“Is that all?” Tsunade asks with one eyebrow raised.
“No,” he raises his chin and works to keep his voice steady. “I have another request to make of you. An unrelated matter. It is both personal and related to the well-being of our people.”
She gives him a knowing smile and settles back against the back of her chair, motioning for him to sit in the one across from her. He takes his seat as Kankuro goes to stand beside Jiraiya.
“This is about our continued peace then?” she asks, and Gaara is pleased with her ability to follow his line of thought.
“Yes. The Suna council is interested in maintaining the peace between our villages for many years into the future. Personally… they have also been breathing down my neck to claim a wife. They feel that a wife would make me more… grounded and committed to my responsibilities.” He lets his irritation show on his face. “This is ridiculous, of course, but I am willing to consider their request.”
I am shocked to realize he was not lying to her. He has apparently had two council members propose this to him multiple times, but never as a group. They wouldn’t dare.
“I feel this is an opportunity to strengthen the ties between Suna and Konoha in a more public and tangible way,” he continues.
Tsunade’s expression is completely devilish as she stares back at him now. He’s fairly confident she has finally realized his intention. “Go on,” she encourages.
“I think it would be worth considering accepting a Konoha citizen as my new bride. It would be a public symbol of the uniting of the future of our two villages.”
“That’s a very interesting idea.” Tsunade turns her face to the air, concentrating. “I assume you would want the woman to be a shinobi?”
“It would be practical,” he clarifies. “A shinobi would be more capable of protecting themselves if needed, and would be familiar with affairs of state. It would also be a good faith gesture. A strong shinobi would indicate a strong commitment from Konoha’s council to Suna’s. After all, you would not send one of your strongest shinobi to a village you did not truly intend to ally yourself with in the long term.”
“Would you prefer a woman who is familiar with Suna already?” Tsunade asks, leaning forward with her elbows on her desk again.
“It would not be required,” Gaara states, wondering why she is asking this. “I would imagine it would be beneficial to the woman herself, however, to make the transition easier.”
“Well,” she smirks at him with that devilish look again. “There are a few women I can think of who would fulfill those requirements.”
He narrows his eyes at her. You wouldn’t dare… he thinks, but is afraid she might.
“I, of course, hold the right to accept or deny any shinobi presented as an offer.” He holds her gaze. “And I would expect a formal contract to accompany the union. It would be agreed upon by both councils, and would be signed by yourself and I. Any terms and rights to the shinobi held by both villages would be clearly stated and adhered to throughout our union.”
“Will this contract include expectations for heirs?” Tsunade challenges.
Gaara feels a twinge of pain shoot through his ribcage at the thought, and anger at Tsunade for mentioning it. She already knows this is not possible. Perhaps though… he realizes. I should head that off early or they may try. “No. I have considered the desires of my council for this union of my own free will. I will not allow them to dictate terms of that nature. I would also not expect a requirement of that nature to be placed on the woman selected. It is an unfair burden.”
“Very well,” Tsunade sits back in her chair again smiling openly. “I will bring your proposal before the elders. I will also prepare a list of potential candidates for your consideration. I will notify you as soon as I know their response. For your initial request… I will complete the necessary processes as soon as possible. I must warn you, however, Mizuke will be required to submit herself to the full battery of medical tests all shinobi are expected to fulfill. She has been refusing many of these during her stay.”
“I will speak with her,” he states, nodding to her as he stands up to leave.
Damnit! I don’t want her stupid tests! I shout at him angry, but it is marred by my awe at his political maneuvering. He actually hopes to convince them that marrying me off to him is in the best interest of the villages! The clever devil. I work very hard not to show emotion on my face.
Please, he begs. Do whatever she asks of you. I truly do want their protection for you. You have that of my village already.
Fine! I realize that several people are now watching us. We’ve been standing silently, watching each other for several minutes now. Oh crap… what’s the last thing we said aloud? I wonder, trying to remember. Oh right!
“I hope the Hokage considers your ideas carefully then,” I respond smiling respectfully at him. “Continued peace between Suna and Konoha would be a wonderful thing for the people of both villages.”
“Yes,” he states simply, and turns to leave without a backward glance at me – Kankuro following close behind.
What was that about? Temari shouts mentally.
“Temari,” I decide to respond audibly. “I think the Hokage requested my presence earlier. Would you mind if we run up and see her?”
“Sure,” she says, smiling suspiciously. “Why not.”
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- 37
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Love Me When I'm Gone

36. Peace