Chapter 10

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The Samurai's stronghold, like everything else in the Land of Iron, was cold, damp and dreary, with battlements rising high over the snow-capped mountains like grey, quiet ghosts. Unlike the buildings and houses in Konoha which were built with wood and brick, theirs were made of hard stone, polished glass and shining steel. It was big enough to hold the parties of the five nations that were gathered for that day, and unlike Suna's administration dome, whose passages were intertwined like a rat's maze, the hallways were pretty linear.

Ino did not have to try too hard to remember where they were being led to rest, and she was grateful when the armor-clad samurai, looking as cold and as stiff as his surroundings, gestured to one of the narrow corridors to the left side of the main hall. Both parties of the two Hidden Villages followed the man through the empty walkway, their footsteps echoing loudly through the walls of the stronghold.

"These lead to the chambers prepared for the party from Konoha, Hokage-sama," the samurai said, pausing in front of one of the first doors to their right. "Down the hall are the public baths. If you go straight past it, there would be the banquet hall where we will be preparing a small feast in a few hours."

Naruto nodded briefly, slapping the samurai on his back enthusiastically. "Thanks a lot. We'll need just that to rest up and, ah... recuperate, so can you tell Mifune-san that I'll see him after I get my party settled in?"

The samurai bowed his head low. "Of course, Hokage-sama. The other Kage had been informed of the Kazekage's return as well."

"Tell them we're sorry to have made them wait," Naruto said.

The samurai shook his head. "Believe me, sir. They are not the least bit bothered. In fact, they seem to love the excuse to stay a bit longer while getting away from work. Onoki-sama, especially, is very, very pleased."

Naruto laughed as he led the way inside the room. Ino moved to follow.

"Kazekage-sama," the samurai suddenly said. "The chambers for the party from Suna are right across the hall. Let me take you there."

Ino looked over her shoulder tiredly and saw Gaara and his siblings behind them. She was suddenly reminded that she was... well... she was not herself. Temari sighed. Kankurou scratched the back of his neck. Gaara blinked at her, expectant.

Ino swallowed hard before saying, "The Hokage and I have... matters to discuss. Our chambers are the ones across from here?"

The samurai nodded. "Yes, sir. They aren't far."

"Then we can manage. Thank you for your hard work."

The samurai gave a formal salute, turned on his heel stiffly, then left them in front of the rooms prepared for Naruto's party. The six of them waited for the man to disappear around the hall before letting out deep sighs.

"Explaining would be... a pain," Kankurou said, stating the obvious.

Ino had to agree. It was not something needed to be hidden from the other Kage, she knew. But she was tired. They all were. And explaining to everyone they met was, as Kankurou had put it, a pain.

Naruto peeked his head out the door, as always, looking as relaxed as ever. "Well, standing in the hall isn't going to help. It's freaking cold out here. In the meantime, let's all just get inside. All right?" He disappeared through the door once more.

"Naruto's right," Gaara seconded as he gestured to his siblings who were still uncomfortably standing there, unsure of what to do. "It is wiser if we try to put everything into perspective before we retire into our bedchambers."

Temari blinked at Shikamaru and weakly pointed a finger to herself. "I have to report to Baki about the events happening here, and why there was a delay in the Summit. He wasn't expecting us to return a day late."

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