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Arc IV: Sound
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Chapter Twenty-four
The monster and the cherry blossom
“That was the lamest mission I’ve ever done since I was twelve,” Sakura complained as she and Sasuke walked quietly toward Konoha. Two hours ago, they had been in Hoku and dropped off the nastiest proprietor in the world. Sakura felt relief wash over her as they finally completed the mission.
Sasuke could only agree. “It’s a good pay, though.”
Sakura nodded at that then side-glanced at him, “True. Although, I still don’t understand why the Hokage gave us a mission as easy as this. I don’t think she’d just sign us up in a genin mission for no reason.”
There was no denying that Haruno Sakura was a very observant girl. And for that, Sasuke felt like he owed it to her. It was obvious that she already noticed something was off with him. “You’re right.”
When Sasuke said that, Sakura stopped walking and faced him. “What do you mean?” she asked with a frown.
Sasuke was sworn not to tell Sakura what he and Tsunade had talked about aside from the ‘escorting mission’. But since Sakura was suspicious and all, he might as well tell her the truth. “We were sent out to make a diversion…”
“A diversion?” Sakura was confused. Well not until her eyes went wide in realization. Sasuke could almost see the wheels inside her head working, “You mean…”
Sasuke nodded, “The group who kidnapped you… they’re off to Konoha now. We all suppose they’re still after you. Hokage-sama thought it would be best if you left the village until it’s over.”
Sakura was a little stunned but nodded slowly in agreement. The Hokage just made the right decision of sending her out. That also explained why Sasuke was with her. He was asked to protect her. Amazingly, she wasn’t in the mood to raise her flag that said ‘I-can-take-care-of-myself-thank-you-very-much’. “I… I understand…” she shifted her attention toward Sasuke and asked, “Where to now? We’re not really going back to Konoha, are we?”
The remaining Uchiha nodded. He looked east and said, “I was told to bring you to safety.” Sasuke turned and looked her in the eye, “We’re heading west.”
Sakura blinked, “To Sand?”
**
Naruto dropped on one of the bunks after Kankuro dismissed him from his search party. It seemed the two spent more time bickering than actually ‘searching’. Many complained about this and so Kankuro ended up removing Naruto from his team. Neither did he know the blonde was beyond grateful for his decision.
“Naruto, I’m disappointed at how you’re behaving.” A reproachful voice said somewhere in the tent that made the blonde turn his head and search for the culprit.
Hatake Kakashi was sitting on his own bunk, reading Icha Icha Paradise again.
“That make-up freak started it…” he grumbled, acting like a child.
“He leads this squad, you know that. He has every right to boss you around. The least you can do is lick his boots and make a good impression.” Kakashi said noncommittally
Naruto made a face, imagining it literally, “Eeiiyuck! I’d rather die.” Then silently added, “And… you don’t sound too convincing.”
Kakashi was either unable to hear the last part or he chose to ignore it completely and engrossed himself on the last few paragraphs of ‘Chapter 12 Icha Icha: Burning Love’.
Naruto, however, pretended he did not notice since it was most likely useless telling him to stop reading Jiraiya’s dirty novels.
After a couple of minutes, a sand-nin entered the tent and walked straight towards Kakashi’s bed.
Kakashi looked up from his book, a little disappointed for the interruption, “What is it?”
The young sand-nin held respect for the copy-nin and nervously saluted. Kakashi smiled at the nin’s shaking hand while Naruto held back a guffaw from seeing the nin almost pee in his pants.
“H-Hatake K-Kakashi sir! An epistle arrived this morning, sir! It was addressed to you, sir!” the nin squeaked.
Naruto’s loud laughter on the background did not deter the nin’s nervousness. Kakashi’s smile dropped into a serious frown, “Is it from Konoha?”
The nin nodded, “Hai!” he pulled out a scroll and handed it to him.
Kakashi grabbed the scroll and thanked the shaking nin. After the sand-nin left, Kakashi opened the scroll and started reading. Naruto rose from his bunk and went behind Kakashi to read the scroll as well.
“What does it say?” From where he was standing, it was difficult to read Tsunade’s handwriting. Kakashi’s eye rolled from the first word to the last with a slight grim look on his face. This worried Naruto. “Kakashi?”
Done reading the letter, he handed it to Naruto and started packing. Confused, Naruto quickly read the scroll and was stunned to read what it contained.
“What was she thinking??” A baffled Naruto exclaimed, “She—she knew Sakura’s in danger! Why would she—”
“She did it because it’s the best thing to do in a situation like this.” Kakashi rationally explained while dumping his clothes altogether.
“B-but!” Naruto looked like a fish while gripping the scroll hard in his hand, “Those bandits... they’re after her, right? I don’t think travelling is the best option for someone who’s targeted! And by Orochimaru no less!”
“Sasuke’s with her. She’s safe with him.” He was somehow unenthusiastic at the fact that the Uchiha prodigy was travelling with Sakura.
“B-but still…” then a frown replaced the look of disbelief on Naruto’s face, “Hey, what are you doing?”
Kakashi pulled the strings of his bag, “Packing.”
“Where are you going?”
“Sand.”
“What?? We still got a mission to finish here. You can’t just leave!” The blonde flailed his arms around in panic.
“As far as I can remember, our mission was to detect where the bandits are heading. Helping Sand is not part of the mission, Naruto.”
“Yes, but we agreed to this—”
“You can stay here if you want.”
“Are you kidding? If you leave, I leave! I can’t stand make-up fart anymore.” Naruto bristled as he went to pack his things too.
Kakashi watched him with a little appreciative smile on his face, “The least we can do is to inform Kankuro.”
Naruto gave an affirmative nod, “And besides, Neji and Shikamaru’s here. We’re not needed here.”
“Exactly.”
Naruto then stopped and looked over his shoulders to Kakashi, “Sakura however... umm, Kakashi?” The copy-nin looked up and saw the blonde awkwardly avoiding his gaze, “You two…”
No matter how Naruto looked like he was unaware, he knew the boy was very observant and could easily figure out what was going around under his nose. “Do you hate me?” Kakashi knew perfectly well how important Sakura is to Naruto. Asking for his opinion is almost like asking her father’s consent.
The blonde shrugged his shoulders and started packing again, “Don’t you dare hurt her.”
Kakashi was a little surprised and flinched at Naruto’s warning.
“As long as she’s happy… that’s all I ask.” When he was done, he then turned fully towards his ex-sensei and grinned like a cat that ate the canary, “All done. Hey, can we make a short stop on a ramen house before going to Sand? I’m really hungry…” he rubbed his stomach in circular motions and Kakashi could not help but to chuckle.
“Of course, Naruto.” He was glad it ended well.
**
Sabaku no Gaara eyed the two konoha jounins before him with absolute indifference. His gaze lingered on the dark-haired one a little longer than expected. He received a message from the Hokage about their arrival and expected them to arrive by dawn. But it seemed something occurred that delayed the expected time of arrival. They arrived late… and by saying late, it meant really, really, late. Like late as in everybody’s already hitting the sack.
“Hey.” Sakura started slowly, not really sure if this was even a proper greeting to begin with. Standing here in front of him made her really nervous. He was looking at them as if they were another set of nuisances for him to carry around his shoulders. Can’t blame him though. She thought, realizing that Sand’s too involved with Konoha’s problems. It’s amazing that the ties between villages are still intact.
Sasuke did not utter one word and just returned the glare Gaara was giving him. He knew a lot of people still distrusted the renegade Uchiha Sasuke. That little factoid about him once having an alliance with Orochimaru was like a deep scar that does not heal and left for everyone to see and frown upon. He got a lot of this kind of treatment that he already mastered the look of ‘I-don’t-give-a-shit-on-what-you-think’. Come to think of it, he had always been like that…
Sakura felt the tension and immediately cleared her throat to break the glaring contest, “By the order of the fifth Hokage—”
“There’s no need for courtesy. I was already informed about this.” Gaara cut her short as he leaned back against his chair and crossed his arms. He was once again studying them.
Sakura nodded, “Um… Thank you, Kazekage-sama.” She bowed politely.
“You should be.” Gaara icily intoned. Sakura’s eyes widened a fraction as Sasuke gritted his teeth to keep his anger in check. “Do you know what the damage of you staying here in my village will cost?”
The medic-nin flinched. “I…”
“Those bandits may come back to get you anytime. And what does that leave us? A village caught in between, is what.” Gaara’s stare was blank yet within burned bitterness. Sakura was suddenly afraid to face him. She closed her eyes and turned away. “And yet I still accepted.”
Sasuke wanted nothing but to grab the Kazekage’s tongue and cut it off. The way he’s talking and treating Sakura like that made his blood boil. “Then why did you?” the Uchiha spat, “If you think we’re only pests in your village, then why did you accepted the request?”
“Because we need the money.” Gaara logically countered back. “Do you really think I did this out of pity?” he flashed Sakura a look that only she could decipher and then went back to glaring death towards the Uchiha, “Orochimaru’s cronies left a big deal of a damage in our Village. The Hokage offered a sum that will help us to fix some of it.”
Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek before he turned with a huff. Gaara inwardly smirked for outsmarting the prodigy.
“Kazekage-sama.” Both boys turned towards her. Feeling a little uncomfortable being on the spot light, Sakura cautiously said, “I’m sure Konoha appreciates your help with or without money involved. You really deserve our gratitude.” She then sharply glanced at Sasuke, “Right, Sasuke-kun?”
Sasuke only grunted but did not say anything to retaliate.
Gaara finally nodded, “We prepared a room for you two in the main house. You will stay there until this is over. You will not come out, not even peek outside the window until I say so. Do you understand?”
I feel more like a prisoner than a guest… Sakura mused. “Hai.” This was a huge favour they asked of Gaara. The least she could do is offer valuable respect.
“Very well, you’re dismissed.” As he gave that order, Sakura turned and went outside. Sasuke however stalled and stopped before stepping outside Gaara’s office. He looked over his shoulder and glared at the Kazekage.
“When this is over-”
“We will finish our fight.” Gaara supplied, knowing exactly what Sasuke was talking about.
Sasuke smirked before closing the door behind him.
**
The warm air of Suna somehow comforted the medic as she stared blankly outside the square window of her room. She did what Gaara told her. She stayed at least ten feet away from the window, avoiding any chances of being seen by others. Sasuke was in the room adjacent to hers just so something happens, he’d be just five steps away.
Lightly she hummed a song her mother used to sing to her when she was a child. I wonder how they’re doing… Do her parents know that their daughter’s in deep shit right now? Do they have any idea that she’s currently kept like a prisoner in Sand? Did Tsunade tell them about the bandits and why they want to kidnap her?
A sigh surpassed the girl’s lips. Everything’s getting too crazy to handle. Sakura suddenly felt tired physically, mentally and emotionally. She dropped her head on the table before her, wondering how Kakashi was doing.
It was odd. The first time she came here in Sand, she and Sasuke parted bitterly. And now, it was her and Kakashi who’s currently on bad terms. Boys. She rolled her eyes, thinking that maybe she should stay celibate forever. Maybe she should forget about relationships with stoic men and enter the convent. The thought alone made her shudder.
But damn.
I miss him…
She felt awful upon recalling the last time they’d seen each other. Did I really have to yell at him like that? She didn’t know why she felt so guilty when it was all Kakashi’s fault in the first place. Why can’t he just forget what the others will think and LOVE her?
Because she was sure she loves him.
Kakashi… a strong sound rumbled inside her stomach. So much for a distraction... “I’m hungry.” She remembered that she hadn’t eaten since their last stop in Daikon. Gaara never said I couldn’t visit his kitchen, right? She stood up from her chair and went outside to find the kitchen.
The house was empty, of course. Gaara said both Temari and Kankurou were stationed outside in different squads to monitor the border. So it was only Gaara, Sasuke and her occupying the whole main house. Why did I get stuck with the two surliest people in the world? Come to think of it, those two share a lot of things in common.
They’re both quiet.
They’re both intelligent.
They’re both strong.
And they both have a sharp tongue.
They’re also frank and straight to the point. Sakura least expected honey-coated phrases from those two. It was too good to be true.
When she finally found the kitchen, she also noticed that someone had felt the urge to eat a midnight snack as well.
There stood the owner of the house, eating two mochi balls before gulping one full glass of water. Sakura was not expecting to see Gaara there and suddenly felt the tension come running back. She remembered that time when Kakashi told her that Gaara destroyed a table after that conversation they had in the rooftop. He doesn’t like me. And I should feel the same. Feeling a little angry, she stepped in without announcing herself since Gaara was pretty much aware of her presence, even if she had been fifty feet away from him.
He raised his eyes and looked at her. Sakura cringed when those cold eyes settled on her but went about as if it didn’t affect her.
“If you’re hungry, you’re welcome to eat the leftovers.”
She lifted a dead-pan eyebrow at the invitation, “Thanks… I think…” Having that odd permission, Sakura then went to search for food.
But the said leftovers were actually the large plate of mochi Gaara was eating.
“You ate this for dinner?” she asked incredulously.
Gaara did not answer nor did he deny. Temari wasn’t around so… there’s no one to cook for him. Having a whole bag of Mochi ordered was more convenient since cooking is not one of his many talents.
Sakura sighed, “Do you have anything else than this?”
Gaara was a little irritated with her demanding approach, “All uncooked.” Temari left him some food that he could reheat whenever he felt hungry. But since he’s too busy working and too lazy to even try to learn how to use the stove, Gaara pretended that the food in those plastic containers never existed.
Sakura searched the fridge and saw five or six ready to heat meals. Boys. She quickly grabbed one and went to grab a pan. Pouring all the contents in the pan, she went to the stove and started cooking. She could still feel Gaara’s curious eyes watching her.
Done with reheating, she grabbed a plate and served the hot food before him. It was chicken curry, one of her favourites. She was glad that curry powder is one of Sand’s export goods. Sand is the capital of spices.
Gaara blankly stared at the food before him.
“Let’s eat.” She said, handing him a spoon.
Gaara took a few seconds before he accepted the offered utensil.
Sakura scooped a spoonful and started eating. The look of euphoria on her face almost made Gaara’s lips twitch, “So good!” and by saying that, she started fanning her mouth. The curry was hot and spicy all at the same time, completely searing her tongue… and she loved every second of it!
She noticed Gaara still staring at the curry with a scowl on his face. She rolled her eyes, “It won’t bite! Eat some. It’s really good…”
“Of course, Temari made it.” He was suddenly overweening, proud that someone else complimented his sister’s cooking.
Sakura smiled, “Really? She’s a good cook then…” she then again ate another spoonful.
Gaara finally gave in and went to eat. It had been almost a week since Temari went out to scout. A full week when he only ate take-out food.
It was really good as Sakura alleged. He was still watching her eat another spoonful. He didn’t know why… but he suddenly felt happy that Sakura did something like this to him.
She was… really nice.
But he’d be damned to admit that to her. Her head will only get bigger than it already is.
The rest of the night lasted wonderfully until they both finished the meal and filled their protesting stomachs.
For the first time, Sakura felt more than a nuisance to him.
She felt something akin to a budding friendship.
TBC