A little more than three years have passed since that fateful battle....

Gaara is sitting in his office doing his work.

Knock knock!!

Gaara: Come in.

Tamari enters the office.

Tamari: Good afternoon Gaara.

Gaara: Good afternoon.

Tamari: I just received an invitation to the Konoha festival.

She hands him the envelope.

Gaara: I see.

Tamari: And... a letter.

Gaara's eyes widen a little.

Gaara: From whom?

Tamari: Oh, you know very well... (Her sole purpose was to tease him)

Gaara: Then can I have it?

Gaara looks at her with a slight blush.

Tamari: Okay okay...don't look at me like that! Here you go...

She hands him another letter which he takes gladly.

Gaara: When will you be going back to leaf?

Tamari: Well my work's almost done here, Maybe in a few days because I have to help Shikamaru with the festival's security work...

Gaara: I see. 

Tamari: I'll take my leave now.

Tamari leaves.

Gaara opens the letter and begins reading it with a smile on his face.

( To know what's in the letter, read the SEQUEL chapter in book 1)

Gaara's eyes widen by the end of reading the letter.

Gaara: She's coming here? But when?

He then opens a drawer of his desk. Inside it is a small box. He grabs and opens it.

There's a ring in it.

Gaara's thoughts: This year...I'll ask her...this year for sure....

(Poor Gaara tried to propose her last year too but he just couldn't find the guts to do so.)

Just then, someone knocks at the door.He hurriedly puts the box back.

Gaara: Come in.

It's Kankuro this time.

Gaara: What is it, Kankuro?

Kankuro: Nothing. You just have a visitor.

A girl with short purple hair walks in.

(Of course cut the bunny ears. She isn't wearing those.That would be, I don't know, weird?)

Gaara stands up.

Gaara: Manami?!

Manami: Hey Gaara!

Kankuro: I'll leave you two alone.

Kankuro smiles and leaves.

As soon as Kankuro leaves, Manami jumps into a hug. Gaara hugs her back.

Manami: I missed you sooooo much!

Gaara: I missed you too...

Manami lets go of the hug but her arms are still wrapped around his neck while Gaara is holding her by her waist.

Manami: So, what do you think of my new haircut?

Gaara: I liked it more when they were longer.

Manami: Aha! I knew it! But if you don't like it then I'll just meet you when my hair grows back.

Saying that ,she tries to turn and leave but Gaara pulls her back in his arms.

Manami: What?

Gaara: I never said I don't like it!

Manami giggles.

Manami: I know that silly..

She kisses him on the cheek.

Gaara smiles.

Then they have a seat on the couch.

Gaara: What's going on Manami? You have been visiting Chio a lot these days. Is everything okay?

Manami: Not really....

Gaara: What do you mean?

Manami: Many of the trading ships that travel from Arata to Chio are vanishing on their way to Chio. There's no sign of the ships or the people in them... I'm really worried about them..

Gaara: Could there be pirates?

Manami: No. I doubt it because there aren't any around the kingdoms' waters... unless they have come from somewhere else. We are still investigating.

Gaara: Don't worry. It'll be fine. I'm sure you'll find the missing people soon.

Gaara puts a hand on her hand.

Gaara's thoughts: Manami seems so worried...

Manami's thoughts: I just hope this peace we fought for stays forever... and that this isn't a very serious problem....

Manami: I know...It'll all be fine. I can take some nasty pirate pests on!! (Smile)

Gaara: Of course. (smiles) How long will you be staying for?

Manami: For a few hours. You've had lunch?

Gaara: I was going to.

Manami: Then lets eat together. I am starving!!

Gaara: sure..

They both walk out of the office, holding hands.

Gaara and Manami have a nice lunch at the Kazekage's residence. After a few hours, it's time for Manami to leave. At the village gate;

Manami hugs Gaara.

Manami: I'll see you at the festival.

Gaara: Hm... And try not to stress yourself too much. Everything will be fine...

Manami smiles.

Manami: Why would I worry? You'll do that for me anyways! 

Gaara touches his forehead with her's.

Gaara: Of course...

And they begin to laugh.

Manami: I should get going. See you!

Gaara: Take care...

Manami: You too!

Saying this, Manami turns around and leaves. Gaara keeps staring at her till she is no longer in sight.

Gaara's thoughts: I hope we see each other again soon... This year, I'll surely propose to her! I just will!! Till then, I'm impatiently waiting for you Manami....

Manami's thoughts: Talking to Gaara makes me feel so much better! I know everything will be absolutely okay!!! I'll work hard and make it all better! I just can't wait to see Gaara again !

.....................

On an empty Island near Kingdom Chio, there's a black mountain with a cave. Somewhere in that vast and deep cave, a man sits on the same throne from which once Shinimi used to rule Chio.

A man enters the cave and bows in front of him.

Man: My Lord, the king is desperately looking for the lost ships.

Man on throne: No need to worry.... It'll soon be time to show ourselves....That stupid King and the Kazuo girl have no idea what's going to hit them.... And then.... LORD SHINIMI WILL RETURN TO US!!!!

A creepy smirk takes over his face.

Man: Yes my Lord.... So shall I prepare a sacrifice? 

Lord: Not just yet...but when you do, I have someone very special in mind....

Man: Just say who you want.

Lord: Our sacrifice will be....... (IT'S A SECRET FOR NOW)

.................

Manami returns to Arata. She knocks at the door of King's office and enters when she hears a come in.

Manami: Onee-san, I'm back!!

Dai: Manami!

Manami: How have you been?

Dai: Not too well.

Manami: What now? You always seem to be in some sort of trouble!

Dai: Probably because I married a girl named Lia!

Manami: What did she do now?

Dai: Well... First when she was pregnant, it was so hard to keep her happy and now that the baby's born, I have to keep three ladies happy!!! Trust me, it's a nightmare... They never let me sleep and the diapers smell so bad!!! I can't take it anymore!!!!

( He's talking about Lia , his first daughter Sara and the new baby daughter Akira.)

Manami begins to laugh.

Manami: This... is too much!... I can't.... stop laughing!!

Dai: It's not funny!!!

Manami: That's what you think, I'm dying here!! (still laughing)

Just then the door opens and comes in running, a little girl.

( She's three and a half years old)

Manami: Sara!

Sara: Aunty Manami! You're home!!!!

Sara jumps and hugs Manami.

Manami: How's my little angel!

Sara: Awesome!!!! I missed you so much!

Manami: I missed you too!!

Dai: Why don't you two yell a little quietly?

Manami: Whatever!

Manami picks her up and twirls.

Sara: Yaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!

Just then, Lia enters the room with Akira in her arms.

(Akira is three weeks old)

Lia: Hey Manami!

Manami: Lia! Akira!!!!

Manami puts Sara down and runs to Lia. She hugs Lia and then takes Akira in her arms.

Manami: She's so precious!!! Congratulations!

Lia: Thanks... I'm glad you could make it. Especially at the festival time when you're the busiest.

Manami: It's okay. I had to come.

Lia: The elders were sure you'd ignore the letter Dai sent you.

Manami: I just don't get them! I know I left Arata but that doesn't mean I don't care. Why can't they accept Onee-san as the king already?! 

Lia: I'm sure they'll get it someday.

Manami: Hope so...

Sara: Aunty! Did you know that Akira has so tiny clothes?!!! They're so small, even the kitten can wear them!!

Manami tried to sound amused.

Manami: oh really?! That's unbelievable! 

Sara: I know right?! Mama says she'll grow up though...

Manami giggles. 

Manami: Wow! I had no idea!

Sara: By the way, When will uncle Gaara visit? I wanna see him!

Manami: When did you two become such good friends?

Sara: He shared his cookies with me the last time he came to visit! He's so nice, I'm going to marry him!!!

Manami almost chocked on thin air. She looks to the side and sweat drops.

Manami: Suuurrreeeee....... He's all your's.... Hahaha.....   (Laughs nervously.)

Dai: Manami, I think we should discuss the issue at hand now.

Manami: You're right.

Manami hands Akira to Lia who takes her and Sara away, leaving Dai and Manami alone to discuss the issue. 

Dai: Yuki, come in.

Yuki is the chief security commander of kingdom Chio as appointed by Manami herself.

Yuki enters and bows.

(Imagine her hair to be a dirty blonde color) 

Yuki: Your Majesty, Lady Manami....

Manami: Hey Onee-chan! 

Dai: Come, have a seat.

Yuki sits down beside Manami and the meeting begins.

Manami: So, what's the news?

Yuki: We suspect the enemy is hiding in the black island.

Manami: But I thought it was forbidden to go there.

Dai: Yes and Maybe that's why they're hiding in that place.

Manami: Should we send a search party?

Dai: I did, twice but none of them could reach the island.

Yuki: They say it's cursed. But there's more.... The elders think something related to Shinimi is there.

Manami's expression hardens. 

Manami: Shinimi.... Why do they think that way?

Dai: Shinimi's real body from thousands of years ago is buried in that island.

Yuki: When I used to serve Shinimi, I came to know that if he would be killed by you, his dark spirit would go back to the original body and be sealed.

Dai: And that's what happened.

Manami: Onee- chan, what are you getting at?

Yuki: I am not yet sure but I fear that maybe someone is trying to revive Shinimi and those ships and their people are being used for something related to the preparations....

Manami: Can he be revived?!

Dai: That, we don't know... I think it's best if you go to Chio's royal library and search for clues. Because you know that place the best. Till then, I'll try to somehow get to that island...

Manami: Very well. Onee-chan, I want you to accompany me. Maybe something you saw or heard in the past will help us.

Yuki: As you wish, Lady Manami.

Dai: Do your research and report to me in a week.

Manami and Yuki nod and then leave the office. 

Manami's thoughts: I'll never let them bring Shinimi back! Not just me but many others have sacrificed so we could kill him and I won't let their sacrifice to go in vain. Whoever is after this, won't get away with it.... No matter what their intentions are, I'll stop them!!!!

Yuki's thoughts: What is going to happen? We have to figure the enemy's intentions out soon..... But how bad is this DARK MYSTERY?

.....................................................

Hey guys!

Here it is, The first chapter of the sequel! I hope you all are excited to know what'll happen and how will all of this end! As always I do not promise fast updates but this story won't be left incomplete so you WILL know the end. 

Make sure to comment and vote. Comment who you think is the sacrifice and the villain. I'm curious to know your guesses. That's all for now, BYE BYE~~~!!

Love, Mary.