This story is inspired by the wonderful fanfic writer firefly. You must read their fics! They are the best!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
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h t t p : / / ordango . informe . com/ gallery /odd + apat . jpg . html
An AU story
Of Shadows and Blood
Chapter 1: 1,200 dollars in fees or a date?
Temari cursed. No she swore. No better yet she screamed every swear word in every language she knew. It was the HOTTEST day EVER in Suna, Nevada. And to make things worse. The air conditioning was broken and there was two police officers pounding on her front door. Yeah not the best day her life.
"What did those idiots do now!" She yelled in frustration. The police pounded harder on the door.
"Open up! We are here concerning your brother."
"I'm coming!" She yelled across the some what clean apartment. A few bags of chips or some crumbs littered the floor and couch. It wasn't the cleanest apartment but it at least showed signs that someone cared enough to tidy it up.
With Practiced movements she undid all of the bolts and locks on the door. You had to be carful. They didn't exactly life in the "safest" neighborhood
She forced a warm smile on her face as she opened the door. "Yes?" She said in her calmest voice. Not hinting at the immense stress built up in side her, like a tiny ball of tension.
There were two officers dressed in standard blue uniform. One was taller and had neat brown hair. The other was bald with a very bushy brown mustache.
Temari glowered at the young brown haired boy with purple paint on his face, AKA her brother, standing between the two officers.
"This boy." The mustache man began while giving Kankuro a small shove. "Was caught in the act of spraying graffiti on a warehouse wall."
"But no one ever uses it!" Kankuro remarked.
"It is still a criminal offence." The taller grufed. "Listen here missy." He said to Temari. Her anger towards Kankuro was long forgotten now, or at least on hold. Her rage turned onto the taller man instead. She HATED it when people called her "missy" or "honey" or even worse "sweetheart". It made her want to rip the person's throat right out.
"What." Her low voice startled the officer.
"W-we'll let him off this time but next time we'll have to take him in." He looked away from her cold eye, vengeful eyes.
Temari thanked the officers, curtly I might add, and practically threw Kankuro into the apartment. Her anger at full bloom, He stumbled as he tripped on the cream carpet.
The officers repeated the warning and left. She redid the bolts and wheeled around.
"Kankuro." She growled.
"Wahl!" Kankuro regained his footing and ran for dear life to his room. He nearly tripped over the small white trash can in their very small kitchen before rounding a corner into a very narrow hallway. It was so narrow that their was only room for one person to go down. He knew that he was safe now since there was no room for Temari to hurt him but he still continued his mad dash to his room at the end of the hall. She slamed the door shouting
"Safe!"
Temari had given up chase when he reached the hallway. It would have been pointless and a total waste of enegey.With an exasperated sigh she leaned against the kitchen counter. She pulled of her light pink tank top revealing another one that was baby blue underneath. She could handle normal heat with the prospect of air conditioning but she couldn't handle 110 degrees weather with NO air conditioning. She slouched into the living room. She pushed aside the bills and other expenses on the small carmell colored coffee table that was the last the last remeint of their lives when their father was alive.
"Ah, there you are." She smiled happily and wiped the sweat of her brow. She held the while fan with three purple dots in her slender hands. With a crazed giddiness she fanned her face.
Her fan always gave her some relief from the heat. Never was she happier to have bought this fan. Even if it seem superfluous at the time.
Back then, when their father was still alive, they bought only what was needed, using the rest on Gaara for medication or put into a savings account. Oh how that money would have been uselfull right now. But no, their father on the night he died took all the money out and spent it on drugs. Leaving her to take car of Kankuro and Gaara.
Gaara.
How she hated him back then. He didn't care about her, Kankuro or father at all. If you ever so much as looked at him funny he'd beat you to a pulp. He always threatened them. Not a word from his mouth was anything short than a threat. Saying how he would slit their throats or stab them in the back.
'He's changed so much since then' She contemplated.
And it was true. Ever since Gaara when to school and made friends he did a compete 360. Now he was quiet, calm and caring. Though he was very shy about the latter.
"Temari." His soft voice came from the kitchen.
Speak of the devil.
"Yes?" She called back, still fanning herself.
Gaara's messy red hair poked around the kitchen corner. "What's for lunch?" His light teal eyes staring directly into her dark ones. She gave him a small smile.
"I bought some lunch meat yesterday."
"What kind?" he asked his expression blank.
"Turkey and ham." He nodded his head slightly before turning around and heading back into the kitchen.
From her spot on the couch he could hear the fridge door opening.
Yes, he is defiantly different from then.
A little while later Gaara came back out from the kitchen carrying three sandwiches on a tray.
"Are you sure you can eat all of that?' She asked him. She didn't like it when they wasted food. Money was tight enough. They couldn't waste a crumb.
Gaara understanding what she meant handed her a delicately made sandwich. "You didn't eat breakfast this morning." He said bluntly, avoiding her perplexed gaze.
"O-oh yes, how silly of me." She laughed while tenderly grabbing the sandwich from his outstretched hand. "Thank you for doing this Gaara" She smiled.
He nodded and quietly took a bite of his own lunch. Temari couldn't help but smile at her brother. It was cute when he tried. He did these kinds of things every now and then. Once he even did the laundry. Those he washed his red shirts with Kankuro's white boxers. And being good sister she wouldn't let him get new ones.
"You can't hide in your room all day Kankuro!" Temari pounded mercilessly on the poor door. It already had enough cracks in it from previous poundings.
"No!" he shouted. "You'll kill me!"
It was quarter past three. Still no air conditioning and it was hotter than ever. Temari wasn't in the mood to be messed with.
"Come on Kankuro! You're exaggerating." She gave up pounding and took up kicking instead. The door creaked in protest.
"Okay, okay! I give, I give!" Kankuro was a hundred percent sure that if his door broke someway somehow she would blame it on him.
Temari did a little victory pose before dragging him out into the hallway be the ear.
"Hey, ow! That hurts!" he yelped. She grinned sadistically.
"Oh really?"
Kankuro's face paled slightly. "N-n-no!"
"Good, now come on. I've decided that we're all going on a family outing."
Kankuro gave her the classic W-T-F look. The last time they ever went on a family outing much less think about it was… well… never. He glanced pleadingly at Gaara. Hoping they could team up and convince their delusional sister that a family outing was out of the question. Gaara met his eye for a fraction of a second when the red head turned away, pulling his black hoodie up over his face.
"It was your idea wasn't it." He growled at his younger brother. Temari watched them with amusement. Her smirk widened when Gaara jerked his head in a nodding sort of manner. The look on Kankuro's face was priceless.
If Temari thought that Kankuro's face before was priceless then the look on his face now was beyond value. They all stepped out of her tiny rusted car into the old worn out parking lot.
"The library?" Kankuro mouthed. She hid her imminent laughter behind her pale hand.
"You need to read more." She laughed merrily. "And I'm pretty sure that you have a report due next Friday. Perfect chance to do some ressurch.
Kankuro made a blanching gesture at the word report.
Gaara ignored them and walked straight into the library. Temari following with Kankuro right behind her.
Temari was browsing through the vast selections of books. She loved to read. If offered her an escape from the ordinary drudgeries of normal everyday life. It allowed her to relax if only for a few moments in her ever stressful life.
She enjoyed all types of books and garbed whatever title caught her eye. Soon she had a huge pile in her arms. But can you blame her? The last time she had been to the library was in when she had to drop out of high school. And that was two years ago when she was a sophomore.
The heavy load in her arms indicated that she had enough reading material to last a month. It took all her concentration to hold the books and walk at the same time. She didn't eve noticed the black haired boy with his nose in a book walk right into her.
Bam!
Her books scattered everywhere. And Dangit. She was so calm and relaxed a moment ago and this (bleep) head had to go and ruin it all for her.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" She snapped at the boy. He had his hair pulled pack into a ponytail that very well resembled the top of a pineapple head. She resisted the urge to call him just that.
Pineapple head.
"Ow…" Pineapple head slowly stood up, rubbing his head. He muttered incoherent words. All Temari caught if it was. "troublesome" and "heavy"
Temari snapped her fingers, getting his attention. She pointed from him to her books.
"What?" He asked. "you want me to pick up your books for you?"
"You're the one that ran into me." Her voice as cold as ice. Why should she get down to pick up her books when it was him that caused her to drop them in the first place. He cringed slightly before bending down to pick her books up.
"Troublesome woman." He mumbled as he handed her the neatly stacked pile. Temari glared at him but made no comment. She was about to walk away when he called after her.
"Hey aren't you Gaara's sister?"
" And if I am." She asked, extremely annoyed now. All she wanted to do was find her brothers and head back home.
"Just wandering." He shrugged. "Whatever I'm leaving now, talking is too troublesome."
Temari wondered if he had mental problem as he ambled off.
"Yo Temari!" Kankuro came bounding down from the opposite direction. He obviously never heard the rule. "No shouting in the library."
"Shut up!" She hissed him. Now she really wished that she didn't pick up so many books. She couldn't strangle him without dropping all of her books first. It was too troublesome to pick them all up again.
Oh gosh now she's starting to act like pineapple head.
"Oh sorry." Kankuro whispered, sending an innocent smile to the librarian that was giving him scary glares.
"Honestly Kankuro" She whined at him. "can you stay out of trouble for just once?"
He grinned mischievously. 'I don't know. Depends."
She sighed warily. That boy was just too much work.
"Whatever, just go find Gaara, were leaving."
"Alright!" he cheered. More angry glances shot their way.
"Go!" She hissed embarrassed.
She had managed, somehow, to make it to the check out counter in one piece.
"Hello?" She called. There was on one at the counter. How odd. She thought. There was a bell sitting not far from her with a sign that said in neat print.
Press for service.
'that's new." She gave the bell a quick tap and for a few moments nothing happened. She was about to ring the bell again when a door from the other side of the counter slammed open. A tall man with white, slicked back hair walked over. He looked from her the massive pile of books ion the counter.
"That's a crap load of books. Thinking of staring your own library?" he mused, flashing her a perfect smile as he typed very slowly on a keyboard.
"I've been on book withdrawal." She replied dryly. He gave a small laugh.
"I can tell. What do you need so many books for anyways? Planning on going into hibernation?"
"Ha-ha." She was in a slightly better mood then before so she could stand being social. If just a little, after all... he was kinda of handsome. His skin was pale and he wore a black, long sleeve turtle neck shirt.
"Oh hey!" he suddenly exclaimed." Temari raised an eye brow.
"What?" She demanded.
"You have a late fee." He typed on the keyboard some more.
"Fee?' She repated. The word almost coming out sputtered and chocked.
He nodded his head "according to this you have fee of… oh crap that's a lot of money."
"What?" She yelled. Her voice filling the small library. "How much?" She was leaning over the counter as far as possible trying to catch a glimpse of the number on the aged computer.
"1,200 dollars." He read slowly.
"What?" She shouted.. "This is utter ludicrously! There's no way I can have over a thousand dollars in fees!
"Apparently." He began. "You cheeked out a book 2 years ago that had a .60 cent late fee."
She cursed fervently under her breath. They did not; absolutely DID NOT have the money for this.
"How much did that book cost?" She quickly asked. Praying that the cost for the book would be cheaper than the late fee on it.
"Uh…" he moved the mouse across the screen licking a few times. She watched him intently as he worked.
"Well?" She asked frantically. At this rate she was going to have a heart attack.
"Okay who puts a friggen five thousand dollar book in a library?"
Temari just about fainted. Just about.
"5,000 dollars. 5,000 dollars." They did not have the money. They just didn't have the money.
The man sensed her distress. A cunning grin came over his handsome features. He mentioned for her to lean closer. She looked suspicious but did so none the less.
"Listen" he whispered. "I'll get rid of your fine."
"Re-!" He clamped his hand over her mouth.
"Shh! I could get friggen fired for this! Will you be friggen quiet now?" She nodded. "Good." He pulled his hand away from her face.
"There has to be a catch." She stated bluntly, staring into his beautiful dark purple eyes, yes she though his eyes were beautiful. There was always a catch. A lesson Temari had learned the painful way. Never listen to teller marketers. No matter how good of a deal they give you.
"Heh, well aren't you a friggen genius." Temari could see the evil glint in his eye. "I'll delete your fine…" he paused, for effect, with only ticked her off more than ever. "If you go on a date with me."
"A what?" She whispered as loud as she would dare. His grin widened.
"Hey can you blame me? You don't meet too many pretty girls at the library." He leaned over the counter in a sort of flirtatious manner. "Besides. What could be worse? A 1,200 book fee or a date with a handsome man?"
Temari was starting to hate this guy, more and more by the second. Here she was with a huge debt and he's trying to take advantage of her. Just what kind of slezz ball was this guy? Yes he was indeed very handsome… No! He's still taking advantage of a woman in need. But the again… can I risk NOT going on this date? I have the bills to pay, Gaara and Kankuro's lunch money, taxes...
"Okay fine. I agree." She didn't like it but she was going to have to take a hit. It was for her bothers.
"Heh, I just knew you would accept." He opened a draw and pulled out a slip of paper and a black pen. He scribbled down a few words and handed the note to her.
She quickly scanned the note, her mouth a thin line.
'Gosh he has such bad handwriting' She commented to herself.
Meet here later today
Time 7 pm
Look nice.
He waved his hand impishly at her as she hefted her newly checked out books in her arms.
"See you later Tem-ari." She gasped.
"how did you know my name." She demanded. He just smiled and pointed at her libray card. She snached her card from his hands, quite a dificult task when you already have your arms full and marched off.
"Don't forget." He called to her retreating back.
Once she was outside of the library she cursed.
"Woah, haven't heard you cuss for a while Temari." Kankuro and Gaara walked out through the wide doors only momnents after her.
"Let's just get going, I have a..." ,she cringed, "date to get ready for."
"A what?!"
It was exactly 6:30 pm. She had been checking the clock every five seconds. She had just finished making her brothers dinner and was in her room, hopelessly lost.
They didn't have many clothes. A few pairs of shirts and some jeans. Money was tight. Thing such as "shopping for pleasure" never even crossed their minds. She only bought clothes when Gaara or Kankuro grew out of their old ones. Even then they got all of their clothes from thrift shops or Good Will.
She tugged open a drawer. The only "nice" thing she had was a gold tank top that was the same color as her hair. It has small silver beads around the top and hem. She pulled it out and examined it.
"Looks clean." She spoke out loud.
She did that sometimes. It helped her to think. But apparently her teachers at school, when she was still in school, didn't like it when she said math problems out loud during a test.
She frowned when she tried it on. It was just a tad bit small. The hem showing her stomach if she moved or twisted in certain ways. It was tight around her bust, but not uncomfortable.
"It will have to do." She sighed, eying the rest of her clothes. A dark lump weighed inside of her. She wished that they had the money. She wished that she could be like other girls. With loving parents to pay the bills or cook meals for them. She could be carefree, not having to worry about things like her brothers having enough lunch money or if they'll have enough money to pay the rent for the month.
She walked out on to the small suspended patio in her room. They lived on the 5 floor, the city stretched out in front of her. She rested her arms on the cold rail and watched the sun set behind a cluster of skyscrapers.
"I wish I could be normal." She whispered to the sun hoping it would, as if by magic, grant her wish. It would burst into a thousand red, yellow and orange droplets that would wash away all the bad and chaotic things in her life. But no such things happened.
She imagined it. What it would be like to be normal. She could still be in school, getting an education. She would go shopping with friends or go see movies. She could meet Mr. Right and get married…
"Oh snap!" She yelled. A quick glance at her watch told her that she was going to be late for her date.
She stumbled out her room and through the kitchen while pulling her dark black jeans and flat shoes on.
"I'm going now." She yelled running through the living room. "Be good and don't burn the place down!"
The front door slammed shut. Kankuro, who was sitting in the living the whole time with Gaara, looked from his brother to the door.
"I think she's adopted."
Gaara made no movement to confirm what his brother said. But then again, he made no movement to contradict him either.
Wows, 10 pages O.o …. Anyways I hope you liked! Please review. I have a strict No review no new chapter policy! So you better review.