Chapter 7: Hinata's Rock and Goodbyes
The Leaf and Suna ninja stood before the inn. From the signboard's flaking paint the name River's Fortune was barely visible. Ayumi carefully slid down Akamaru's back.
'What a nice smell!'
The sweet fragrance of the frangipani bush, white fleshy petals with a yellow core, and the purple wisteria tree, with flowers drooping down in clusters, filled the air. The ground behind the fence surrounding the inn was overgrown with various types of herbs like mint, coriander and basil, likely used by the cook. Probably this was the reason the garden got attended to this neatly.
Kiba wrinkled his nose and sneezed. "So many flowers make my nose itch," he said. Akamaru whined in agreement.
"Will you get Lord Shaozai here Kiba?" Gaara asked, "ask him is he has a missing person list of this country."
"Sure, no problem," the inu-clan's ninja responded, "well, I'm off then!" He rushed past Ayumi and jumped on Akamaru's back. "Let's go boy!"
In a moment of silence Ayumi's growling stomach seemed a loud invasive noise. Gaara watched her across his shoulder. She stood there barefooted, her head tilted downwards uneasily with strands of hair loosely falling in front of her face and her arms hugging herself across his poncho. She waited silently for what was going to happen next, accepting for now the confusing circumstances she had herself end up in. The metal plug on the base of her neck was a clear sign of her relation to Veeran and Gunzen, but they were miles apart in personality. Was it only caused by memory loss? Even if she belonged to the Land of River's he knew the rocky ride was not over for her. They would have to find an explanation for her appearance near the destroyed base amongst other things. Gaara turned around without saying anything and opened the door to the inn. Matsuri guided Ayumi through the portal and to the tables in the back of the restaurant.
As they passed Aki looked up from pouring a cold beer for a guest which had arrived earlier that day.
'Tsk! It's those bastards again...' he first dismissed the group when he caught eye of the young Kage and the dumbass with face-paint which resembled him in some way. His eyes returned to the beer just when he saw a glimpse of something unfamiliar. A strange girl was guided into their establishment with lavender hair. She had her eyes fixed on nothing as she shuffled forward with a brown-haired young kunoichi leading her way. Aki's heart skipped a beat. He recognised that distant unseeing look. She was blind. Involuntarily a strange yelp escaped his throat. The girl looked alarmed and quickly turned her ear towards him.
"W-welcome back," he stammered watching her intrigued. He placed the beer he was preparing on a serving tray with a small bowl of nuts, walked off to table four spilling everywhere and dashed off into the kitchen.
The ninja sat down on the various coloured cushions, Ayumi sitting next to Matsuri on one side of the table.
"We should order something to eat while we wait, some dango will do," Kankuro suggested.
"A warm meal is always welcome on a mission," Hinata agreed and rested her arm on the table.
"Wait...! Look at the size of that rock! Did naruto...?" Kankuro suddenly exclaimed ogling Hinata's 5-karat diamond on a white golden ring. She laughed self-consciously at first, but decided that she would enjoy everyone's marvel over the engagement ring Naruto bought her three weeks ago. She had silently slipped it around her finger missing Naruto and eager to let the metal band remind her of the happiness when he proposed to her.
"Kankuro, you almost sound like Temari," Gaara retorted dryly not in the slightest surprised at Hinata parading her ring.
"You knew about this Gaara?" Kankuro asked half-insulted, "and you didn't tell me!?"
"Naruto asked me to keep it a secret until he was ready," he replied calmly.
"So we'll have a party soon," Kankuro grinned wide-toothed, "HELL YEAH! If its Naruto's wedding it is bound to become a memorable evening!"
"And I'm the friend helping her plan for it," Sakura chimed in with a triumphant grin scooting closer to Hinata.
"I remember she always fainted when Naruto was around," Kiba said chuckling, then turned to Hinata with a cheeky grin "hope you're ready for the wedding night! If you know what I mean." Hinata blushed furiously but had a faint smile playing on her lips as if reminded of a secret.
"Ah- wait? Have you two already-?" Kiba exclaimed nearly jumping from his seat while slamming his palms on the table in total bewilderment.
"Calm down dog-face!" Sakura snapped while protectively placing an arm across Hinata's shoulder, "it's none of your business. Besides, we're out of our teens, wouldn't it be time to have a serious relationship?"
Suddenly Matsuri started wiggling in her seat, coyly throwing glances at Gaara with pouted lips.
'If I could be his bride... 'Sabaku no Matsuri'... KYAAAHH! SO EMBARASSING!' her inner-self squealed.
Kankuro snorted trying to hold his laughter and elbowing Gaara hoping he wasn't too obvious. If Gaara understood what was going on he made no sign of it. Perhaps it was the wiser decision to ignore both Matsuri's looks and Kankuro's elbowing.
"Getting married... wow! Congratulations Hinata!" Rin smiled. After the commotion about the upcoming wedding between Konoha's hero and the beautiful heir of the Hyuuga-clan settled, Matsuri turned to Ayumi who had silently listened to their happy chatter. She knew none of these people but all this excitement was infectious, making even her feel giddy.
"Hey... did I introduce myself already? I'm Matsuri," a voice spoke next to Ayumi. "So uhm... what would you like to eat? They have different types of ramen. And... salads... or maybe you'd like grilled fish?"
"A light soup would do," Sakura said overhearing the question. "We don't know when she had her last meal. She could get an upset stomach or worse if she eats too heavily. I've seen people die instantly when they ate too many carbs at once after a period of starvation."
"Right..." Matsuri answered with a nod, "then... how about beef broth with vegetables?"
Ayumi nodded in agreement. Gaara was quietly discussing something with Kankuro when he saw someone bolt out of the kitchen in a hurry. It was the ten-year old boy who had served them so rudely the other day. He made his way to their table.
"Hello! Welcome back honored guests, can I take your orders?" he asked remarkably cheerful and polite. He curiously glanced at Ayumi, bending his knees and turning his head to peak past her hair and catch a glimpse of her face. Kankuro scraped his throat visibly annoyed to meet this brat again, despite the 180 degrees change of attitude.
"I'll have two portions of dango and you better serve them while they are hot!" he said gruffly. Expecting to see defiance in the boy he cocked up an eyebrow as the kiddo did nothing but hastily scribbling his order down.
"Okay, anything else?"
They all placed their order, choosing for Kiba as well, and the boy didn't seem to know how quick to return to the kitchen. Once he dropped off the note to the cook he bolted out and ran through the front door. It didn't take long for the cook to bring up their dishes either. A wonderfully smelling curry with cocos rice passed Ayumi's nose and was placed in front of Rin. She turned her head after the scent.
'Did I smell this before?' she thought unsure. Then she recalled something unexpectedly...
"Will I ever cook like you uncle Hisao?" a little voice said.
"Sure!" he casually responded.
"But I'm blind... I can't see what I'm holding... I can't see when the meat is done or-or I will cut myself with a knife," she continued.
"True, but people often mistake how much devotion you need to put in food. Your disability will be a hinder surely, especially in the beginning, but it will also force you to put devotion in the dishes you are preparing, because you will need to be mindful of every step in the process you take. That separates a good cook from the mediocre ones, you know."
"Yeah..." the girl replied listlessly.
"You don't believe me? I'll help you," the older man replied and guided her closer to the counter. His hands were so big they completely covered her shoulders.
"Really?" she replied with both wonder and excitement.
"Of course! So come on. I'll hand you vegetables and tell you their names and how to prepare them. So you try remembering everything, alright?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed and clapped her hands in delight.
"What's this?" he handed her something round. She brought it close to her nose and a sharp odor stung her eyes. She grimaced in disgust.
"Eeew, it's a peeled onion!"
Her uncle laughed loudly.
"See! This was easy, but you probably know more than you think," he said, a smile in his voice. She giggled alongside of him.
"They make me teary," she grinned, "that's how I know."
A little dizzy she emerged from the memory, aware of something wet trickling down her cheek.
'I feel alone... But I'm not sure whom I'm missing... I hate this...'
She wiped the tears that danced down with the back of her hand, hoping no one noticed.
"Are you okay?" Gaara asked. Instinctively she knew the question was for her. She nodded and bend over her bowl of steaming soup. Concentrating on eating was better than thinking. Hopefully no one would inquire further upon it.
"Where's that twin brother of yours, eh?" they heard a woman call out irritably from outside. "Don't you think we don't know your schemes, little punk! We have a ninja-inn and plenty experience with jutsu. Exchanging yourselves with logs when it's time for payment and that!"
A second later Kiba stepped in together with Lord Shaozai, his guards and the innkeepers.
"Yeah okay lady, he stays out this time," he responded apologetically. Lord Shaozai proceeded towards Gaara. Aki pulled on Mizawa's arm and the family looked their way. Gaara watched them approach silently, wondering if they would now witness a family reunion. The boy's strange behaviour made him guess he recognised the girl. In appearance however they looked nowhere related.
"Welcome back to our humble establishment," Mizawa said flustered with a weak smile when she arrived at their table. All three bowed curtly, but Mizawa's eyes quickly scanned the faces around the two tables before her eyes landed on Ayumi. Her expression went blank for a moment. She glanced unsurely at her husband and son.
"Uhm... well..." she continued and plucked on her apron, "Lord Shaozai, could I offer you something to drink?"
"No thank you, Mizawa-san, I'm fine," he politely declined.
"Let me know if there's anything I can do," she replied dispirited. She hesitated to turn around and frowned at Aki.
"We found this girl on our mission," Kankuro said. Gaara watched their faces intently as his brother continued, "she is blind and confused. Could this be your missing daughter?"
Ayumi held her breath. 'Daughter! Could this be my home? These... are my parents? B-but...'
"No," the woman sighed wearily, "our daughter is blind and she seems to be of the same age and approximately the same height... but our daughter had brown flowing hair, hazel eyes and a darker skintone. Similar to us."
Gaara saw the years of grief clearly etched in her face. It seems they really had their hopes up for a moment. "You are sure?" he asked.
"Bloody hell! What kind of parents wouldn't recognise their own daughter?" Daisuke sneered.
"Oi!" Kankuro shot at him glowering. Didn't these people understand this was the Kazekage they were talking to?
"I'm sorry," Daisuke bowed guiltily, "We miss our daughter... But I shouldn't have fallen out of line like that. It's so kind of you to think of our baby girl when you found this young woman. But she's not our daughter. I hope she will find her family."
"Yes... We know all too well what's it like to miss someone precious. We hope everything will turn out well," Mizawa added, "If you will excuse us now."
They both bowed another time. Mizawa prodded Aki in the ribs when he stood motionless with his eyes fixed on Ayumi. He snapped out of his thoughts and followed his parents, but not without looking over his shoulder a final time.
"A shame..." Shino said.
"Yes it is," Shaozai replied, "I have a picture of every citizen missing in the country, but I know of no one with her features. I've brought you a copy Kazekage-sama, in case you ever meet someone again that isn't missing among Suna's citizens.
Gaara nodded understandingly and accepted the document from Shaozai. A chair scraped at the other end of the restaurant. The man who had quietly drank his beer threw a tip on the table and pulled the hood of his floor-length black coat deeper across his face. He left wordlessly.
'He's had an eye on us since we arrived,' Gaara thought.
"I hope you permit I give you this advice," Gaara said softly turning to Shaozai, "the internal stability of your country is at high risk. We found a recently collapsed base hidden a few miles off-shore. There are people moving in your country which cannot be trusted."
"A hidden base..." Shaozai mumbled bitterly reminded of Akatsuki's cave, "we try to keep as tight security as possible, but we are a nation of craftsmen and traders. I do not have the capacity to keep control over our most rural areas."
"Then I promise in the name of Suna that we will aid you," Gaara said.
"Your offer is most appreciated. It's good to have allies such as Suna, Kazekage-sama." The two men bowed their heads to eachother.
"Although I trust the innkeepers, this place is not completely safe of eavesdropping. Please sent full encrypted report to my office, Kazekage-sama."
"You will receive it soon," Gaara responded.
A short while later they paid and exited the inn. For a last moment the Suna and Konoha ninja were together. They silently enjoyed the moment since they might not see eachother again for a few months.
"It would be better if you return to Konahagakure and report to Naruto and Lady Tsunade," Gaara told the Leaf shinobi. They nodded and smiled back at Gaara.
"Oi! Take care you guys. And tell Naruto he better prepare his finest for the upcoming Chunin exams, because we're coming strong this year!" Kankuro smirked.
"Is that so? Wait till you meet Shino's cousin, she's considered a prodigy!" Kiba retorted. Shino stood a little taller with the sun bouncing off his shades as though it reflected his pride.
"Sounds like good times are ahead," Gaara said, "I'm looking forward."
They said their final goodbyes and then the Suna and Konoha shinobi each turned an opposite direction and vanished.
Kankuro was appointed to carry Ayumi. Al though she didn't seem particularly heavy, he was the bulkiest guy of them. After a six hour run they stopped to rest beside a small brook. Kankuro let Ayumi off his back. The cool grass tickled her ankles but was refreshing. As the ninja crouched down to unpack some stuff from their bags Ayumi took some steps forward, closer to the river that flowed down from the mountain behind the wood.
"Watch out!" Matsuri called at her back.
'Would serve her right,' Rin thought smugly. To their surprise Ayumi stopped her track just in time. She felt drawn towards the water, as though she was pulled by a magnetic field. With her mind's eye she envisioned the brook running, sensed the flow of water. Strange... It was almost as though she could see it. The air was cooler this close above the river. It felt pure. She filled her lungs with it.
"Be careful, one more step and you'll fall into the water," Gaara's deep voice spoke close behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder to guide her to safety invoking a strange sensation through her body. For a moment she felt connected to Gaara, as if she was an extension of him. The sense of unity startled her and the feeling stopped immediately.
'He is almost 6 feet tall, well-trained but still slim... I'm not sure how I know this, but I can feel it. Perhaps I know it from before... when he was holding me,' she reasoned.
They ate a quick meal of beef jerky, energy bars and water and sat in half a circle under the trees. Matsuri tried to sit as close to Gaara as she could without seeming like a stalker. Ayumi had her back against the trunk of a chestnut tree and quietly munched on the oatmeal bar. The chirping of a couple blackbirds drifted down the tree.
'They sound so cheerful.' The thought made her smile.
"What are you so happy about?" Rin asked unable to mask her irritability. Ayumi shook her head in response, still finding it hard to speak, not that she liked her first words to be directed at the medic-kunoichi anyway. She was the only one who was truly hostile towards her so far and it made her very uncomfortable.
"Tsk! Still won't talk," Rin muttered under her breath. Kankuro shot a worried glance at Gaara. He could tell from his brother's eyes they shared the same concern. Rin was being too emotional over this girl. This was unlike the otherwise peaceful élite guard. She lost her beloved brother Miyuga to the yet unidentified enemies and presumably projected her hate on Ayumi. A ninja fostering revenge made a deadly combination.
But Gaara didn't have long to think over a solution to her emotional unbalance. He became aware of a presence at the other side of the brook... watching them... He stood up casually, never giving away that he was already prepared to meet his opponent head on. Kankuro scowled and grabbed his summoning scroll to call out his puppets. Matsuri and Rin took a stance ready for a fight. The tree leaves rustled. The brook rippled melodiously with the grass on its banks dancing with the wind. The ninja each stared at a spot on the other side. The air was heavy laden... electric... Ayumi sensed something was going on and she was still the one closest to the water. Intently she listened for sounds and subconsciously held her breath not to make any herself. The seconds that passed felt like minutes.
Then, something stirred behind the bushes and a raspy voice ended the silence. Ayumi's heart banged in her chest and her unseeing eyes sperred wide open.
"Giiirll-lyy..."
