Devastating Demonstrations

The slamming of the doors reverberated in the hallways, deafening and absolute as Mai's resolve.

Kumi laced her hands behind her head and let out a long breath. "Sorry about that, Mai has always been intense."

Rin ran her hands up and down her arms. "Has she?"

"Yeah. We're only a year apart, so we've practically grown up together. Her family is nearly as big of deal as mine."

"The Houki produce the Sand's greatest generals, don't they?"

Kumi looked her over and smiled. "You did your homework on us. Yep! My clan has been responsible for kicking ass and taking names since the Sand was formed. The Oribe oversee the trading routes, but up until recently, war was more important than trade, so my family held the highest order in the village."

Rin crossed her arms, trying to stop the shivers that were left in Mai's wake. "That's changed?"

"You could say that. The Oribe clan has always been the wealthiest, that's for sure and they love to remind everyone of that. Snobs, if you ask me."

Rin smiled. It was nice to speak plainly with someone for a change, but she wondered how long the friendliness would last?

"I see. So, both of your families are expecting a lot out of this, aren't they?"

Kumi lowered her arms, her face losing a bit of the light she once had. "Yeah. It's been expected for years that one of us would marry the Kazekage… but then you came along."

Her eyes drifted to the smaller girl. "Do you love him?"

She shrugged. "Nah, he's cute and all, but he's not really my type. I like them big like a bear."

Rin felt a sigh of relief leave her chest, until Kumi took her wrist and pulled her over to the crack of the door, so they could peer inside.

She got down on one knee, not paying any attention to her dress, while Rin bent over her, sharing the small peep hole.

The room was still as a graveyard, all the families seated in the hall as silent spectators.

Standing in the middle of the grand hall, was Mai, in all her refinement. She glided forward, a ghost among phantoms, not a single hair or step out of place.

"Presenting, the eldest daughter of the Oribe clan, Lady Mai."

Mai tucked one foot behind the other and bent herself low, the motion so graceful, so fluid, it appeared as if she were dancing.

Gaara sat in his chair; Temari to his right, Kankuro on his left, all three silently observing the show before them, their faces unreadable, even to Rin.

Her eyes flicked from the lovely girl, to the man of her dreams and back.

What was he thinking when he stared at her? If Rin's breath were drawn from her lungs, how couldn't his be? He was a man and she was a diamond in the rough. It was impossible not to notice.

The announcer's voice broke the silence. "As a special greeting, each contending bride will present a talent befitting of their clan. Lady Oribe, whenever you feel ready."

All eyes were on the woman in red.

Rin knew was coming, but she wasn't sure how.

The Oribe clan were known for their genjutsu, but she'd never seen it up close. What kind of illusion would she present before this large of a crowd?

Mai raised her hands above her head, the jewels and dangling chains clinking softly in the silence. She inhaled a deep breath and whispered the name of her jutsu, but it was so soft, Rin didn't catch it.

What she did notice, were the showers of rose petals that fell from the ceiling.

Cascading red flowers filling the hall with their intoxicating scent, releasing pleased and wondered noises from the spectators around them.

A few petals found their way to the Kazekage's shoulder and formed a single, solitary bird that rested there, singing a lovely tune, before it evaporated into thin air.

As quickly as the petals came, they disappeared again, and a gentle applause followed her demonstration.

It may have been lovely, but she also managed to cast her genjutsu on the entire hall, including the Kazekage.

That took a level of chakra control that one could never train to achieve; it was natural talent from the Oribe clan and very attractive.

The attending councilmembers in the front row were amongst the loudest to applaud, their praise reaching Rin's ears even from the back of the hall.

It was clear who they favored.

Mai bowed again and stayed low this time, like a ballerina completing her dance and reveling in the applause.

The scent of roses was still in her nose, but all of Rin's senses were attuned to Gaara, who was watching with an impassive face.

He stood from his chair and stepped down the few stairs, walking to meet Mai in the middle of the hall.

His gloved hand reached out to her, his voice commanding, but soft at the same time. "That was lovely. I welcome you, Lady Mai. Please rise."

She did and it was just as graceful as her bow.

When her hand slid into his, Gaara lifted it to his lips and gave it a soft kiss, sending a wave of heat down Rin's back.

Below her, Kumi laughed softly. "Simmer down there, lover-girl. It's customary that he greets us this way. I can feel your fire all the way down here."

Rin bit the inside of her cheek. No one said anything about him being physical with the other girls. Nothing in her training prepared her for that.

Mai came to full height, her captivating eyes seizing the Kazekage in their wake. "Thank you, Lord Fifth. It's an honor to be here."

"I look forward to the rest of your visit. Thank you for representing your clan in the Cleansing."

Then, surprising everyone, she lifted the hand he kissed to her veil, unclipping it to reveal the lovely face that waited below.

There was a raise of gasps from the families, whispers of:

"Lovely."

"Perfection."

"Beautiful."

Each, filling Rin's cheeks with red and her stomach with dread, especially when she noticed the look in Gaara's eyes when he looked upon her bare face.

Mai gave him a smile that looked secret and forbidden and solely his. "I've been waiting for this day my entire life. Thank you, my Lord."

Though Rin couldn't see the smile from her vantage point, she knew it was there by the slight blush on her lover's face, when he gave a slight bow and walked Mai over to where her family was waiting to receive her.

Kumi let out a low whistle. "Damn, she's got him."

"She doesn't have anything."

The shorter girl stood up to full height and gave Rin an incredulous look. "You sure? You saw his face. If there is anything, I know from growing up with her, it's that when a boy looks at Mai, like the Kazekage did, it doesn't take long before they are vetting for her hand. I've seen it happen over and over, ever since we were twelve."

Rin's hands curled into fists at her sides. "I'm not worried. Gaara loves me. He won't be vetting for anything. Besides, it's not like Mai actually wants to be with him."

"What?"

"You just said that it's been expected of the two of you. Expected doesn't mean love."

Kumi shook her head, her bright eyes sad as she regarded Rin. "That's where you're wrong. He may not be my type, but Mai has loved Lord Gaara since we were children. He's all she's ever talked about, even when he was possessed with the One-Tail and everyone else was terrified, she was still set on marrying him one day."

Rin's mouth felt dry.

A representative from the Houki clan came to inform her, that it was her turn to present.

Kumi gave Rin one final look. "Oh, and just because he isn't my type, don't count me out yet. I'm the prized daughter of the Houki clan and if I'm seated by the Kazekage, I'll have the greatest chance to command the military beside him. Mai is beauty, but I am power, and in this village, that is more important than anything."

The doors opened and closed again, leaving Rin to her thoughts.

She felt like she wanted to throw up.

~~~

Kumi entered the hall not as a graceful swan, but a proud lion, her shoulders back and her head high.

The Oribe clan rolled their eyes at her brash stance, but the Houki were proud, for they knew what was to come.

"Presenting the second daughter of the Houki clan, Lady Kumi. Her demonstration will be her mastery of taijutsu. Lady Kumi, whenever you're ready."

She gave a bow that was sharp and quick, holding out her arm to the side, her hand open, where a waiting sword was tossed to her from one of her clansmen.

In a dizzying display of twists and thrusts, her dress flowing about her like ribbons in the wind, Kumi dipped low, sliding her foot in a clean circle.

Five of her clan surrounded her, each brandishing a weapon of their choice, from katana to scythe and they attacked at once.

Kumi wasn't fazed by the mutual attack, in fact, she had the audacity to smile.

This was the greatest game in the world, and she was a star-player.

Her attacks were quick, her movements without mercy, despite these being members of her clan, she cut them down one at a time and sent them crawling back to safety.

One managed to get a hit on her, but she rolled up his arm, striking from below and sending him flying away.

The crowd let out a few gasps of awe, as she threw the sword in the air, completed two flips and caught it again, before giving a final bow before the Kazekage.

Gasps turned to riotous applause, the Houki clan on their feet, the Oribe clan giving impressed, if not reluctant, noises from their seats.

Temari's eyes were wide and it was clear to all that she wanted this girl in her troops more than anything else. She was a vital commodity hidden behind the safety of the Houki walls and that was a mistake that needed to be corrected.

The councilmembers were talking amongst themselves, clearly approving of the choices presented so far:

"That is what we need! A strong, warrior Sand-born woman to stand beside the Kazekage. She will ignite that fire in him to protect this village!"

"She's impressive yes, but there is more to ruling than brute force. The lovely Mai will enchant any foreign diplomats. Think of how the negotiations will slide in our favor and the children the two of them will create!"

Gaara approached Kumi and offered a hand to her.

She smiled at him when he said. "Welcome, Lady Kumi. That was most impressive. Oh, I'm sorry, but you have a little blood, just there."

Kumi blinked, when he pulled his handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at the cut on her face where she'd taken her single hit earlier.

Before she knew it, her cheeks were feeling hot and it had nothing to do with the exertion she just demonstrated.

Maybe he could be her type, after all?

She nodded her thanks and shyly gave him her hand, which was a first as Lady Kumi never felt shy. "Thank you, my Lord. It's… it's wonderful to be here. Truly."

He escorted her to her clan, who were still whooping and hollering at her success, though the announcer was trying his best to silence them.

"Please! Quiet, my lords! Quiet! We still have one more contender!"

Rin entered the hall and, for the first time since she arrived at the Sand, not a single eye turned towards her.

There were two far more attractive prospects right in front of them.