Chapter 6
The room was dimly lit with four torches on the four stone walls. Figures small and large sat around a long rectangle table, everyone one of their faces covered in sheer black cloth.
"This situation has become too grave for us to handle as a counsel. We should send a letter requesting that Kazekage-sama return. We need his guidance in this."
"Do you forget that Kazekage-sama is in Konoha trying to mend relations with them? To call him back at a time like this would be unreasonable! We have his orders in a document. We should follow them as he has written them!" Shouts of agreement occupied the table.
"Konoha has been attacked also now! What are we to do? We must find someone to act as a steward Kazekage in his stead that Kazekage-sama would trust!" One man suggested. Another shook his head.
"That could be considered treason!" More cheers erupted from around the table.
"We cannot spare anymore shinobi outside the village. Gaara-sama's first priority has always been the citizens first. We all know this!" He was a tall man, handsome with a long black scar stretching across his face. His eyes were closed. He seemed to be in deep thought.
"We need to do the best we can with Kazekage-sama absent. He has told us what we should do…I see the logic in his plan. Shall I act in Kazekage-sama's stead?"
--
Temari pushed a strand of crimson hair off her younger brother's face. Slowly tracing the contours of his face to his nose, she looked at the young girl sitting on the bed next to him.
"What happened, Matsuri?" Temari's green eyes pierced through Matsuri's brown. The younger girl stared at the floor, trying to avoid her gaze.
Temari-san…knows…when I am lying. But…I don't want to believe what happened. I don't want to think about it. That pain…Gaara…
"Temari-san…," She began. Instead of putting up a false front like she had planned, Matsuri allowed the fear, pain, and anxiety to come out. She cried. Tears flowing like a waterfall gushed out. Matsuri…had never felt such fear in her life as she did hours ago. Never had Gaara ever inflicted such terror…
"Matsuri…I need to know what happened." Temari asked again, gently. Temari's eyes wandered to the girl's gauze covered wrist.
"Gaara-sensei…changed. I don't understand, Temari-san! How could…I don't understand! He turned into Shukaku!" Temari's eyes narrowed.
"I…he was so angry. Temari-san," Matsuri gazed upon the sleeping figure. She blinked repeatedly to keep the tears from falling.
"I was scared…I was scared of Gaara! I was so scared!"
"Golden eyes…Shukaku's eyes…."
"Yes." Temari's eyes watered. What had Gaara been hiding from them? How long had they not noticed the change in him?
"He…Matsuri…something is wrong…this has never happened before. It shouldn't have happened!" Temari slammed her first on the drawer.
"Why do you two look like mother hens fretting over their chicks?" Matsuri and Temari looked down at the object of their worries.
Gaara's eyes were still closed but his face was passive. He sat up and opened them, frowning. He stared at her, and then turned his gaze to Matsuri. She smiled, it did not faze him.
"What happened? What did I do?" Matsuri feigned surprise and waved his inquiry off.
"It's nothing, Gaara-sensei! Umm-." His eyes turned to her wrist.
"Do not mistake me for a fool. I know what I did." Gaara directed his gaze to the floor. Big fat tears fell down Matsuri's cheeks. How was Gaara feeling right now? Was he hurting even more? What could she possibly do for him now? Matsuri hung her head…she was so confused…so…scared.
"Gaara…," Temari began.
"Leave. Both of you get out." He seethed. Temari stood, taken aback by her brother's tone of voice.
"But Gaara! We can't leave you alone in this state-,"
"Just what "state" are you referring to?! Just how fucking long are you planning on pretending everything is fine?!"
He could not look at them, he did not want to look at them, and he wanted them to leave…just leave him in darkness and peace. Rejecting them and rejecting their love. Why…was he so angry? How did he become this way again?
Had he lost himself to that voice he had tried so long to ignore?
"Get out…leave me, get out now!" He yelled.
"Fine then! Be a spoiled little fucking brat! All we want to do is protect you! Why the hell can't you see that?!" Temari yelled back.
"Temari-san! Gaara-sensei! Please!" Matsuri pleaded. Temari stomped to the door, slamming it with such force a crack appeared in the center. Matsuri stood in the middle of the room fuming. She turned to face Gaara. He avoided her gaze.
She stalked towards the bed and stopped beside it, staring at him as if she were burring holes into his head.
"What did you do that for, Gaara?! Temari-san, Kankuro-san and I only want to protect you! We love you, Gaara! Even if you say you hate us! We love you even if,-"
"Even if what?!" Gaara turned to her, his red hair seeming even now on fire.
"Even if what?! Even if I have an unquenchable thirst for blood?! If I turn into a demon with golden eyes who wants to kill you?! Do you want me to kill you?! Is that what you want?! Do you want me to kill you?!"
"Of course not! How could you say such things?! I want to protect,-"
"Protect me?! You a pathetic human wants to protect me?! You are the one who needs protecting!"
"Protecting from what?!"
"Protection from me! From me, Matsuri! From this monster inside of that eats away at everything I find happiness in! From this demon in me that devours my love for you!"
--
Matsuri stared…Gaara stared. The whole room was quiet. It seemed that not even the crickets and fireflies outside dared interrupted this confession of inner turmoil. Fists balled and teeth crushing against another he could only cry then. It was a new feeling. A feeling he hated, showing weakness. Showing what was inside his heart. He hated it. He hated crying. How long had he carried this burden of mixed-up emotions and pent-up feelings? How longed had his heart ached for release? How long had his soul thirsted for…freedom? It was too much to bear alone.
Warm, small arms wrapped themselves securely behind him, setting on his waist. A soft chest connected with his back, and brown hair clouded his vision, mixing with his crimson locks. And what words couldn't say silence did.
--
"We have recovered only three of you. By the end of next week we should have your partners." A tall man with long silver, pulled back in a ponytail stood next to the table holding a scroll. He looked up and glanced around the stone table.
A long blonde haired man sat at the stone table, rolling a white round substance in his hands.
"Just tell us what our next mission is, hn!"
"Let's fucking get this shit over with!" Another man said. Running a hand through his shoulder length silver hair, he sighed deeply. He leaned against the wall, frowning.
"You are to retrieve a young woman..."
"What the heck, hn? A woman? It seems easy enough." Deidara asked.
"Subaku no Gaara's pupil Matsuri." Itachi's brow rose. Deidara frowned.
"Why…the girl?" Itachi asked. The silver haired man bit his lip.
"She…has something we need. We need to confirm who she is exactly. Why she has that...strange power." Itachi rose an eye brow.
"She is nothing more than Subaku no Gaara's pupil, isn't she? Or does she have more value than just an ordinary hostage?" Itachi asked. The man shrugged.
"That still has to be analyzed, Itachi-san. Now," The man presented a huge map on the table.
"Please come and take a look at this map everyone. The rain we have-,"
"Hey. Who the hell gave you the fucking right to order me around? I didn't ask to be brought back! I was fucking fine!" Hidan challenged. The silver haired man frowned.
"Rotting in that hole with the deer feces? Ah yes, you were much better off then." He countered.
"Bastar-,"
"Calm down and sit." Hidan seethed his face clearly showing resentment. He grabbed his scythe.
"Itachi-san…won't you please join us at the table?" Itachi remained silent, but shook his head.
"Suit yourself."
Wow! I actually updated when I said I would! It is the weekend and I have a test tonight so I wanted to go ahead and get this finished! Hope you all are enjoying this story as I am writing it! Constructive criticism is very much welcomes always! Can anyone else barely wait till' Christmas?! I have a surprise for you all too for the Holidays! :) Heehee...
Anway...hope to see more reviews! I have gotten 200 hits...and hardly no reviews! :( Review people! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!