The night was deep, and even the moon lay hidden behind the clouds, letting through only a hazy wash of gray light.
Gaara walked along the guesthouse corridor arranged by Konoha, his footsteps so light they barely made a sound on the wooden boards.
Temari followed half a step behind him, still clutching a copy of the meeting documents.
At the end of the corridor stood a half-open door. Warm yellow lamplight spilled through the gap, stretching into a long, narrow strip across the floor.
Baki's shadow fell against the paper door. He sat upright, clearly having stayed awake the whole time.
Gaara paused for a moment outside the door.
Baki snapped out of his thoughts at once, rose, and pushed the door open. "Lord Kazekage, you're back."
"Yes." Gaara entered the room and took the seat of honor.
Temari followed him in, closed the door, and set the documents on the low table before sitting cross-legged herself.
"How did the talks go?" Baki asked.
Gaara did not answer right away. First, he picked up the cup of thoroughly cold tea on the table and took a sip.
The bitter tea lingered at the back of his tongue for a moment before he set the cup down.
"There were some disagreements during the meeting, but everyone reached a consensus in the end," Gaara said with a long exhale.
"What about Otsutsuki Toneri?"
"He came up."
Temari added an explanation of what had been discussed at the meeting.
After hearing her account, Baki shook his head. "Konoha knows far more than they've shared."
"Although they revealed more intelligence this time, they must still have kept a great deal hidden."
Gaara knew that without Baki having to remind him.
"Of course he wouldn't tell us everything. If I were in the Hokage's