Today was the day the medic from Konoha would arrive. I sat at my desk reviewing our medical files, history, etc. Kankuro stood in the room with me. I looked up to see him picking through his nails. He looked uninterested. Probably due to the fact I called him in here an hour ago and I still haven't spoken to him. I guess now I should voice my plan.
"Kankuro."
He looked up at me with interest in his eyes. I took this time to take in his features. He wore that damn war-paint again. I never understood why he wore it. I thought he honestly looked better without it. How did he get women with that gunk on his face?
"Yeah, Gaara?"
Kankuro spoke after a few seconds. Oh that's right, I acknowledged him.
"I," I what? How do I state this to him? "I think I have an idea."
I stared at him, hoping he could catch on to my thoughts. I wasn't sure how to explain myself further. I watched his expression and he raised his eyebrows high with interest. Yes, he did catch on.
"Really?" He gave his usual smirk. Oh, I need to explain it now.
"Maybe, I can ask Haruno-san to…" To pretend to be my girlfriend when I go to the village? Yes, that's the plan but I was at a loss for words. I just looked at him. He was use to this by now. He nodded before speaking.
"You want to ask Sakura to possibly act as your girlfriend when we visit the Leaf in a few months or so, right?" Kankuro finished for me and I gave a small sigh of relief. I am very thankful that he knows me well.
"Yes."
I gave a brief nod and Kankuro brought his hand to his chin. Scratching it as he thought deeply. What could he be thinking of now?
"That could possibly work. You could offer mission's pay as well." He spoke between 'hm's then he smirked at me with a snap of his fingers. "You just need to show yourself off as more interesting."
I furrowed my brow at him. Why would I need to do that?
"Look, if you can maybe try and express your face more or something during the interview." He trailed off then he looked up at me with a serious expression. "Just practice what to say. I can see you've been reviewing the files and shit. Try and add a smirk here and there with your responses. Maybe try a joke, you know? Like act-"
"Act like you." I inwardly sighed at myself. I hate to admit it, but maybe he's right.
"Yeah, there you go. Act like me." Kankuro seemed overly proud of himself as it twinkled in his eyes. Maybe I could try it? He has a point.
I nodded at him and he sighed.
"Talking more would help too. Just nodding and staying quiet like that makes people intimidated. Definitely highlight your face with facial expressions. I know that this neutral gaze is just your resting face but try it. These are suggestions you know." Kankuro added and he looked a bit nervous. I guess he thought he may have crossed some line. I'm not sure why he thinks that way. But what is a-
"A resting face?" Damn, I voiced that aloud. I disliked when I voiced my ignorance.
"Yeah like you know, when you're thinking or something. Like when you zone out and your face isn't showing any expression. Yours is a very neutral, cold gaze. No offense. But that's better than those bitchy resting faces."
Kankuro trailed off with a look of disgust. It seemed as if he was picturing it and I tried to as well. I furrowed my brow as I had a hard time picturing it myself.
Kankuro must have noticed.
"A bitchy resting face is basically when you look angry. As in you look like you could just snap at any moment. A.k.a. you just look like a bitch." Kankuro spoke while raising a finger in the air. I guess to emphasize his lesson.
"How do you get it?" I asked rather quietly. Kankuro's face froze then he smirked at me.
"You're born with it, Gaara. Even some of the nicest girls can have the bitchiest resting face. And vice versa." I nodded at his lesson. Another valuable lesson learned. "Now, I got to go. Temari will have my ass if I'm late for this meeting." Kankuro made his way to the door then turned around to face me. "Don't forget to practice. You'll do great." He smiled before reaching for the handle.
"Kankuro." I called to him and he froze momentarily. He looked at me with question in his eyes. "Thank you." His face softened with a genuine smile.
"Anytime, bro!" With a wave, he left the room for me to "practice".
Two hours later, I stood by the mirror watching myself answer silent questions. It was… interesting. Watching myself smile outward was a strange sight indeed. Raising my eyebrows, smirking, smiling, frowning… it was all strange to take in. At points I found myself comical. It was absurd to even try this. This isn't me. Maybe I shouldn't go through with this. I caught my neutral expression in the mirror. Have I always looked so uninterested? "Better than those bitchy resting faces." I heard Kankuro's voice acknowledge me and I stared at myself. I guess better indeed.
My practice was interrupted by a knock at the door. Oh no, she's here. I turned to the face the door as I saw Makano's, a guard of mine's, head pop in the door.
"The medic from Konoha is here, sir." He stated to me and I nodded. I felt myself panicking. I closed my eyes as I inhaled a deep breath to calm myself.
I opened my eyes to see a rush of blonde and purple fly in. Before I even knew it, my hands were on very delicate, soft, slender shoulders. I looked down to see a girl with long blonde hair and bright, very bright blue eyes watching me. Her face flushed pink. Oh, she looks so much like her. How is that possible?
My hands tightened on her shoulders, absentmindedly. Her skin was so soft. I have never felt such smooth skin before in my life. The harsh dessert caused any chance of soft skin to be a lost cause. Yet hers, was so soft and smooth. No, I can't think that now. I quickly pulled away when she steadied herself. I made my way towards the desk, maybe too quickly. I have to calm myself. This is not Sakura.
"I was expecting Sakura Haruno. Who are you?"
I took in her features immediately. Big blue eyes, long blonde hair pulled into a high and tight ponytail. A lock of it hung covering her right eye and my hand itched to pull it away. I clenched my fist tightly to fight it. Her outfit was another thing. So purple and so… revealing. She was so slim and pale. She looked so delicate. How could this girl be a kunoichi? Her body looked so fragile. It gave me the sudden urge to grab her so no one else could.
"Sakura is currently on a mission and I was sent as a replacement."
Her voice came out shaky in a high pitch. I have seen this girl before, but where? I saw a slight shiver run through her spine. She was afraid of me, she couldn't hide it. Deep down, that made me oddly content.
"Alright, but that doesn't answer my question."
Where have I seen her?
"Who are you?"
I saw her taking in my facial features. Her eyes were searching me. She must have been trying to find a reasoning for my tone. Now, I see why Kankuro believed I needed more expressions.
"Oh yes, I am Ino Yamanaka, Kazekage-sama." Her voice was tight and quick. I could tell she was nervous. Her body stance was tight and she held her breath.
Ino Yamanaka. Where have I heard that name? Ah yes, Temari has spoken of her. She is a teammate to the Nara guy. Temari didn't speak all too fondly of her though and I don't see why? Maybe she was a threat between Temari and the Nara guy?
The image of her fighting Sakura three years ago flashed into my mind. She almost won but Naruto called to Sakura in time. She definitely showed her intelligence in the match.
Ino… boar? She by no means looks anything close to be associated to that type of animal. She definitely didn't eat like one judging by her figure. A very slim figure, but she definitely had the right curves to go with it.
"Well, Ms. Yamanaka-"
"Please, call me Ino." She interrupted me. I guess she is not one for formalities. We were all genin together at some point.
"Very well then." I paused trying to bring myself to use her name. "Ino."
Her name sounded foreign to my ears. I shook this distraction away. I need to focus. Could I possibly bring her into my scheme?
"You are here to ask me some questions about my medical facility?" I spoke gently to her.
I could see she was too focused on me to think clearly. I've seen that look before. Many women gave me that look. Kankuro says that look means they are attracted to me. If that's so then… wow. She is attracted to me. My mouth twitched at the thought and I quickly straightened it.
I saw her eyes flash brightly as she remembered her reason being here. "Yes, I am, Kazekage-sama, I-"
"You may call me, Gaara." Might as well let her use my name. A friendlier impression gives me better chances. At least, I think. I saw her eyeing me before she visibly relaxed.
"Alright, Gaara."
My name rolled off her tongue and I froze on the spot. I liked the sound of my name from her mouth. It gave my name a light meaning to it.
"These are questions Sakura has written down for me, so please understand I am a little unaware of these." She looked at me and I had to close my eyes.
Her eyes. I wish I could see both, but just one was taunting enough. She changed greatly from my last sight of her. When was that? Two years ago, when Matsuri was kidnapped. She looked so delicate back then as well. Her hair was much shorter but she still wore her high ponytail. She also wore a lot of purple.
As much as I disliked the change of her hair covering her right eye, it made her appear much more feminine. And has her body changed since then. Why I never took great notice to her before, I have no idea. Damn it, I need to stop distracting myself.
"Proceed."
I finally opened my eyes to look at her. She was staring at me. Full on staring. When blue met jade eyes she quickly looked down. A shadow of a blush forming on her high cheek bones. I saw her shuffle before looking her attention towards the questions in her hand. I let a smile slip on my lips when her attention was somewhere else. What could she possibly be thinking?
"How many medics do you have on staff here at your hospital?" Her facial expressions suddenly became very determined and it was a nice look for her. Ah, yes. Time to think of all the reading I have done earlier.
"There are eight doctors, twelve nurses." I recalled and I saw her mouth drop open. Her face was full of shock and it was humorous.
"Why so little?" She blurted in a high pitch. She then shut her mouth abruptly. I felt the corners of my mouth twitch. Instead of suppressing it, I let the expression show. Kankuro would be proud. But I couldn't hold it too long, my mouth automatically reverted to a straight line.
"We do not have many people here who study medicine. We are hoping to try and advance that as we being to train some young interns." Which was true. We really needed more staff and advancement. Something I have been pushing from the council for far too long.
"Oh okay, next question."
I looked at her and I was a bit surprised to not see her writing anything down. Is her memory that impressive?
"How do you find your supply of medicine and other first aid necessities here to be in order and up to date?" She looked at me with a thin raised eyebrow.
I closed my eyes briefly as I recalled the information I read.
"We have a small green house for herbs that we cannot grow in our terrain. We are little under equipped here when it comes to medicine and equipment. We are hoping to expand this soon. My top priorities concern the hospital and medicine that is available to my people. This is why I contacted the Leaf village for help on furthering our education and helping us advance."
The information flew through my mouth as it processed through my mind. I thought maybe I should have ended it there, but maybe expressing the need for advancement to her will allow the Hokage to work faster.
"Our staff is older, more from a previous generation. They are accustomed to medicine from their time of study. The Sand village could really use new modern medics."
I looked at her and her expression was of awe. Her eye was opened wide and I could see a hint of amazement. Why did she look at me that way? She nodded at me then turned down to read the next question.
"Do you find there to be a more unfair opportunity for women in the medic field due to the older generation of staff and council men here who hold views degrading women?"
I could tell she just read the question without processing it. She shut her mouth quickly. I felt my eyes widen slightly as I tried to take in her question. I closed them and I couldn't help but smile. I wanted to express how I felt about the council men very openly. But I knew that was unprofessional. I decided to stand up and I walked next to my desk. Standing made me feel much more intimidating. My lack of guard has me very uneasy with her in here.
"You are right about the views of some of the staff here. With the staff being of older men who were raised when women are to be kept at home and fulfill their responsibilities as a wife and mother, it has become hard for women in here."
There's the truth, now to add my view.
"But that is why I would like to advance our facilities and have a more modern approach to it. As you know, we are under staffed because it has been hard for women to make it in the medical field. So once we can change this, not only will our staff increase, but we are more likely to see a… variety of staff here as well." I chose my wording carefully.
I relaxed at my quick response. I have spoken more here than I have for the past three days. Practicing really did help or maybe it was because of the blonde standing in the room. I looked at her and her expression was in even more awe. Why did she look at me that way? It was uncomforting as a strange feeling tugged in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to voice to her to stop looking at me with amazement. I had to take her attention off me.
"I'm sure you have experienced this,"-what do I say?-"view,"-yes that works-"on your walk here?"
I looked at her revealing outfit once more. Her stomach was very tone with a light hint of muscles. Her legs were long and the skin looked invitingly soft. She had very nice legs. I felt my mouth go dry and I wasn't sure what to do. How could I be viewing her this way? This was unprofessional and rude on my part. Has it been that long since I've had sex? I then looked at her face and she was angry. Flushed with rage and she looked… cute. I stiffened my smile when she jumped in my face. I froze. She was so close to me and she didn't look scared. She smelt like… lavender.
"I hope you know, no one informed me of the weather here, nor how the villagers are. I can wear whatever I want and feel comfortable in! Like you said, Gaara, the people need a more modern view, and well. I'm as modern as it gets." She hissed at me.
I closed my eyes to try and hide myself from her. I knew it did nothing, but it gave me time to think clearly. She was amusing, I wasn't sure why. She was also very hot tempered. I felt myself smiling and I quickly straightened it out. I've let my guard down too much around her.
"Very well then… I guess the villagers will have a lot to learn when this"-what do I say… she used a word for it. Ah, yes.-"modern advancement"-there we go-"takes place." I gave a sigh of relief, silently.
"You're damn right. Now may I please have my tour of the hospital so I may report to my hokage and finally return home?" She placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head at me. Her eyes narrowed at me and I hid my shock. She wasn't scared of me like the others. She wasn't afraid to show authority and it was…awakening.
"Very well. You may exit now and Baki will take you through the hospital as you take the notes needed. Please send my regards to the hokage."
I had to say goodbye to her. There was no way I could add her in my scheme. I could give about fifty reasons why and so far, I've came up with four just from this brief interview.
"Thank you, Gaara-sama." She nodded at me.
She kept her authority presence and I tried in my best attentions not to smile. I found myself walking towards the door as she did. She ran into my side and my hands instinctively came to those slender shoulders once more. Why was her skin so soft? I'm counting that as reason number five.
"You're welcome Ino. Try and avoid tripping." I started as a caution but I couldn't end it that way. What did Kankuro say? Be like him. What would Kankuro do? A joke. Yes, a joke with a smirk. "We don't need any major injuries"-let's see…-"we do only have eight medics and I believe they are all busy at the moment." I tried my best to smirk and I was even surprised at myself. That was definitely Kankuro-like.
I noticed my hands were still on her shoulders and she giggled. It sounded so bright and cheerful. It was a sound I would definitely like to hear again. Hearing her so carefree… it brought me a sense of… hope. What was this leaf kunoichi doing to me? I dropped my hands immediately and headed straight for my desk. I needed the distance. I heard the door open and close quickly and I suddenly relaxed my tense shoulders.
It was over. The whole interview was finally over. But a part of me felt a feeling I couldn't figure out. Was it sadness? Why would I be sad? Is it because after this, I will not see this bubbly blonde again? It was for the best. She could never fit in my scheme. I had an attraction towards her. Yes, I can admit that. Her appearance was so much like hers… it was shocking. How could this leaf kunoichi look so much like the woman who helped me sexually understand myself? I shook the thought away.
There were six reasons total today of why I couldn't ask Yamanka-san to help me.
One: She was beautiful. Too beautiful for someone like me. With a tall slender figure and nice emphasized curves. It was too big of a distraction for me.
Two: Her personality was too bubbly. Like another blonde leaf shinobi I knew… I don't want my presence to intimidate her into a timid state.
Three: She wore her hair in a ponytail. I liked women with their hair down, simple. Even though her hair looked soft… very soft and long…
Four: I let my guard down around her and that was dangerous. I even had a few facial slip ups. It was a different side of me I didn't want to know.
Five: Her skin was too soft. It's a distraction. A very inviting distraction…
Six: Ino Yamanaka looked too much like her.
I groaned in frustration as I sat in my desk. I contemplated creating the other forty-four reasons but there was a stack of paper work waiting for me. As I read the first paper, a soft giggle and big blue eyes haunted my mind.
Writing this is challenging indeed! Please review because I need help knowing if I'm keeping Gaara's character or if he's too OC. I'm trying my best but damn it's difficult. I didn't help myself by the way I portrayed him in this chapter in 50 Shades of Sand but I'm sure as I go on things may get easier... hopefully...
