Well you told me to update soon for you, I hope this is fast enough! And I did it in between marching practice and the football game I have to attend! You're all lucky I'm so nice.
You know what else; no one is reading my poem! I worked harder on that poem than I did for any of these chapters! Last time I checked, I only had 7 hits for it. Seriously guys, I think its good, so read it.
Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue, I don't own Naruto so you can't sue!
The Price of Freedom
Chapter 4
His fingernails tapped on the table irritably, his patients drawn to the last straw. He had sent Shikamaru out an hour ago to retrieve his most exciting handmaiden, and still he sat here alone, in a silent room.
Rising abruptly, Sasuke marched angrily over to the door and threw it open. "Where is Shikamaru?" He demanded from the guard just outside his room.
The soldier eyed him the evidently upset emperor warily, "I am not informed of the Generals position."
"Well then go find out! Right now!" The Emperor shouted at the jumpy assistant. Seeing the guard rushing down the hallway, Sasuke turned on his heel and stomped back into his room. "I'm surrounded by idiots," he moaned to himself, rubbing his face in misery.
He only had to wait a few minuets before a different guard stepped tentatively into his chambers. Bending low in respect, the soldier spoke quickly, "Your Majesty, General Nara is not within the palace. There were reports of him leaving the city in response of your orders."
The soldier visibly jumped when Sasuke slammed a fist down on the table, "What? I ordered no such thing!" Rage running rampant across his face he addressed the distressed guard once more, "Where did he go?"
Taking a shaky breath, the soldier continued, "It was reported that the General was to escort one of your handmaidens to the edge of the desert, the Suna tribe I believe."
Sasuke stood up, knocking over a cup full of unfinished tea, "I said no such thing! Who gave him these orders?!"
"That is unknown sir," he replied, obviously terrified.
Rubbing his temple in attempt to relive himself of his growing migraine, Sasuke sighed and continued, "Which one of my women did he take?" Reseating himself, the indignant ruler crossed his legs and vaguely wondered why Shikamaru would want any of his handmaidens.
"A young pink haired girl, her name is unknown."
An sardonic smirk made its way across his face; that girl wanted nothing to do with him because she had been seeing the General. How very ironic. But why would he go to Gaara? Was he running away to be with his lover? Sasuke didn't believe Shikamaru would drop his life and position for a mere woman.
There must be something else; and Sasuke thought he had a vague idea of what it was.
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"So it's true."
Gaara seated himself upon a burgundy cushion and eyed the General impassively, "The great General of Konoha seeking out my camp. But what is it you want from me I wonder."
Across from the Suna leader, Shikamaru sat on the other side of the tent. It was a smaller tent, meant for housing just one person; obviously for Gaara himself. An abundant amount of trunks littered the small tent, some open reveling many maps and scrolls. A small wooden table set low to the ground was pushed into a lone corner, a long, heavily blanketed cot on the opposite wall.
Shikamaru watched Gaara with equal intensity, "I have but one small favor to ask of you. Though I don't know what I could do for you in return."
"What could be so important that you must sneak out of your city?" The irony of the situation pulling on his lips.
Shikamaru doubted that Gaara would fill his request, but sighing he continued, "I'm sure you have heard of the royal policy involving the Emperor and his handmaidens. Have you not?"
"I know of them, yes."
"Well, I found one of his maidens leaving the grounds without proper permission and looked into the issue; it seems she wants nothing to do with the silly rules and tried to escape."
Gaara gave him a confused look, "And what does this have to do with my people?"
"Because, when this girl left, she intended to go to your camp. It looks as though she longs for the freedom you hold."
"What freedom?" Gaara scoffed, "We may go wherever we please, but we have to pay due to any kingdom we stay in. If we don't they will enslave us."
"I understand that, but this girl seems to be a bit disillusioned and will hear none of it," Shikamaru stated simply.
Looking gravely at the man in front of him, Gaara sighed in frustration, "I will not play host to little girlish fantasies. She should have not run from her troubles. With another body to house and feed, she would only bring more strife upon my tribe." Shaking his head sternly, he passed judgment, "This girl will go back to where she came from. I am sorry for her luck, but no negotiations."
Shikamaru's mouth was set in a grim line, "Are you sure there's no—"
He was cut off by the tent flap opening abruptly and a face painted man stepping inside quickly, "Gaara, you must come see this! There is a girl, and she is performing some kind of magic. Her hands are glowing green and bewitching the sick children!"
Gaara glared at the man, "Is this another one of your games, Kankuro?"
"No! Come and see for yourself." Before Gaara or Shikamaru could utter another word, Kankuro was gone.
Leaving the confines of the tent, both men could now here the murmurs of awe coming from the crowd not far from them. Approaching them, Gaara gave Shikamaru and questioning glance that was returned in equal confusion. As their leader advanced, the nomadic people parted to make way for him to see what was going on.
As the last few parted, Gaara could see all the children with what they called the wasting sickness huddled around a small pink haired woman. Just as Kankuro had described, her hands were glowing with an ethereal green light. Both of her hands were placed upon the head of one of the sick children, and the longer he watched the more entranced he became.
Gaara could visibly see the life flooding back into the boy, his once pale and dieing cheeks blooming with rosy color. Then, the light dimmed and the boy ran to his worried parents, "Mama, Papa, I don't hurt anymore. The lady made me all better!"
All was quiet as awe settled over the crowd; then in a massive rush, any who was ill with the sickness rushed upon the girl. Crying out every hand reached out the hands that could heal, pulling her in every direction. Catching a glance at the girl before she was swallowed by the crowd, Gaara saw the fear written plainly across her pale features.
Annoyed by the hysteria caused by the pink haired girl, Gaara called out, "Stop! Stop this foolishness!" His booming voice rose up over the shouting voices of the ill, "She cannot heal if her limbs are torn from her!"
Another pregnant silence fell over the crowd as they stepped away from the girl grudgingly. Gaara walked forward into the group and pulled a weeping old man from the back of the hunched over girl who was shaking with fright. Uncovering her head slowly, she looked up with wide green eyes to see him standing over her. He held out his hand in effort to apologize for the hastiness of his people.
Taking his hand reluctantly, Sakura righted herself. "Thank you," she murmured quietly, looking at the ground.
"What did you do?" Gaara questioned sternly.
Looking up quickly fear was written on her face, "Nothing bad! I healed him. He was ill. I had no idea that you people were so sick."
"Now you know what the fantasy really is. We do not live without hardship." He eyed her with little regard, "You are the runaway that Shikamaru has spoken of, are you not?"
She nodded, "I am."
"What is your name?"
"Sakura. I am Sakura Haruno." She bashfully hung her head once more, still feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Well Sakura Haruno, I do not want extra baggage in my tribe. We have enough problems of our own." He paused and Sakura cut in.
"Please! Let me stay. Or at least long enough so that you could drop me off in another city. I can't go back and be some rich boys pet!" Fear of rejection shone in her eyes.
Gaara found her begging to be quite annoying and chose to end it, "Well, then I suggest you stop worrying about it. I find your gift to be somewhat useful, you may stay. But only so long as you are not a burden."
Hope once again shone in her bright green eyes as tears of relief flooded down her face. A cheer erupted from the crowd, much louder than the previous chatter of hysteria. The children flocked to the girl, lead by the boy she had healed. Joyous laughter was heard from all those with the wasting sickness, those who thought laughter had been stolen from them.
Gaara smiled slightly watching his people; this girl was the hope they had been waiting for.
Gaiety continued to surround him as one of his scouts ran up to him quickly, placing a scroll in his hands hastily. He looked at the scout with question, and frowned seeing the worry on his face. "Sir, this has just arrived from the Emperor. A reply is not necessary."
"Thank you," he replied, dismissing the scout back to his post. Opening the scroll quickly he read the short note; his eyes widening in shock. All previous thoughts of hope melted away as Gaara's eyes lifted to see a worried Shikamaru standing before him.
"What is it?" The General questioned.
People were still buzzing with happiness all around them as Gaara handed the scroll to Shikamaru, "We have a problem."
Well, one more chapter down. I'm planning it to be about 10 chapters long. Only 6 more to go! Whooo…. This is exciting isn't it, the suspense is killing me! Well thanks to all those who reviewed my last chapter (a whole 3 people). You rox my sox!