Sound of Vengeance
Chapter 4
By SoundSparrow
A/N: reedited
"What do you think you're doing here?"
Kin recognized her as Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru's teammate. What could she be doing here? She's supposed to be with Shikamaru. They were a huge distance apart so Kin walked closer. She passed by the numerous flowering plants that were on the path, the colors blended beautifully, Kin thought Meiru would like to have a lot of these, there's no flower shop like this in Oto, and Meiru… is gone"
"Something wrong?" Kin asked.
"Place your orders at the counter, this place is off limits to customers…" came the reply. Kin won't waste time with a fight.
"Sorry…" Kin just followed Ino to the door leading to the flower shop. "I'm sorry, I got lost… I'm leaving"
"You're not from Konoha?" Ino suddenly asked.
"No…" Ino approached her. "You're pretty, you know… if you get lost once again, just tell them you're a friend of one of the prettiest girls of Konoha. Us pretty girls must stick together…" she ended with a wink, Kin just replied with a slight smile, as it was unusual for her to do so.
Kin is now walking at the streets, being aware for a Gaara or a Kabuto to hide from. She isn't supposed to be hiding, but it was her nephew she's concerned, Orochimaru might kill him for knowing she escaped, who knows what might've happened when Meiru was caught. They might be looking for her right now.
She had entered the forest of Konoha, feeling tired and as she was looking for a place to ponder about her current situation, she rested by the stream. She soaked her feet and felt the grass with the palm of her hands as she stared at the clouds, Konoha was way different from Oto, no wonder other Hidden Villages became envious of it. Kin just can't stop thinking about her nephew, Shinji… Kin wouldn't bring up his nephew in Hidden Sound, she would grow him in another place, if not here in Konoha, she would settle somewhere peaceful. She'll start a new beginning, a new life.
The tought of Gaara also kept her restless, many have feared him. She heard some participants in the Chuunin Exams didn't make it alive because he killed them. All about his psycho-personality problem reached Oto ever since she's a child. Her mother was working as a maid in Gaara's, and never came back after leaving Kin and Meiru behind with their father. Never even wrote letters. Kin wondered, if her mother was alive at all, if Gaara ever talked to her, if Gaara also killed her mother, do not be too sure unless proven… as she remembered her last words. Kin didn't take it seriously at first but she realized those words are becoming important, she isn't sure if her mother is dead… after Shinji, she's going to look for her mother. Should I waste time with her, too? I've wasted my time with Gaara…
Kin thought very deeply, if she thinks like this nothing will turn out right. She needs someone to change her outlook in her life. Ever since Meiru made a firm decision to sacrifice, she tried to change her attitude. Gaara, even spared her, she shouldn't take that action like he underestimated her. She swore to herself her attempt to kill Gaara would be the last stupid thing she'll do for being stubborn. Dosu didn't like her to go after Gaara for killing him, he wanted all obstacles cleared for her… Kin realized. Should I always be sorry? I' m tired of this…
"Are you here to watch the clouds?" she heard a familiar voice. Kin didn't move
"You ran away earlier" she heard someone… it was Nara Shikamaru. He jumped off from a tree branch, Kin wasn't expecting this at all.
"What do you mean?" denying the act.
"We paid it… don't worry" he smiled.
"We?" Kin asked. Shikamaru sat beside her as he took his shoes off and also soaked it in the water.
"Temari…" he replied. "She said she was looking for a girl with her skirt and peach shirt and has short hair, fits your description, I noticed you leave the flower shop so I followed you"
"Are you going to tell her where I am?" she asked.
"No. I don't know what she's planning for you, Kin… but I don't think she's safe… she's Gaara's sister" Kin was surprised, Shikamaru recognized her.
"You know me?" she asked surprised.
"I know your voice…" Shikamaru said, it was unexplainable for him. Was it pity? He should be telling the authorities he found an agent of Orochimaru, but he didn't. He couldn't, if so, he should've told Temari earlier. "Kin… if you're gonna plan something, you better stop what you're planning" Shikamaru felt differently. Why are women so troublesome.
"Shikamaru, do you know the way leaving Konoha?" Kin suddenly asked. It's not her to trust a former enemy but she disbanded from Orochimaru's group now, she's gonna live another life again, she should try to change her attitude. Wish pride isn't in my philosophy
"Why did you ask?"
"I'm leaving, Orochimaru doesn't know I'm still alive, I'm included in his plans. He thought it was me who he killed"
"Killed? What do you mean?"
"I escaped. A snake like Orochimaru just can't be contented, he's heartless, he'll throw away the useless ones. I'll make you a deal, just lead me the way out this place and I won't be involved in any of Orochimaru's plans." Kin pleaded. "I have to hurry, he might kill my nephew… I have noone to be with"
"Where are you going Kin?"
"Back to Oto… I'm going to take care of my nephew… He's my only family left, I'll also try to live a new life Shikamaru… I can't try to be nice in my actions for now, but I'll repay you for helping me… you just won, okay?"
"meendukose."
"What are you doing in Gai's form, Kankuro?" Temari asked.
"Gaara told me to do what I think would make her feel comfortable. Do you think she'd act calm if she saw me instead of Gai serving those pancakes and hot chocolate Gaara made? I don't think so."
Temari placed her hand by her waist and heaved a sigh. "Gaara will kill us if he knew she escaped"
"It's alright Temari…" Gaara entered the scene "I was expecting this." Gaara pacified the two.