Temari, Kankuro and Yuki looked on as Naoko wrinkled her nose at the images in the magazine.
"Since when was Princess Twatness the height of fashion?" she said gloomily, seeing a special feature on Lady Setsuko - 'The Land Of Wind's Hottest Young Aristocrat!' according to the headline. Staring out at Naoko from the page was a high-angle shot of Setsuko. She glanced up innocently through thick lashes. One demure hand was wound into her thick, chocolate brown hair in a flirtatious pose. To an unassuming eye, her sex appeal seemed almost accidental, making her even more desirable. But Naoko could see the cunning beneath the shy act. The high angle of the camera shot drew the reader's eye directly to the focal point of the image – an alluring glimpse of Setsuko's tantalising cleavage. Naoko scowled and peered down at her own chest. She felt as though she were only half the woman Setsuko was.
Turning back to the picture, Naoko noticed the smug smile on Setsuko's lips. As the image smirked mockingly, it seemed to be saying 'anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better'.
"It makes me want to puke" Naoko grumbled miserably. Temari and Yuki cooed in sympathy.
"Come on Naoko, she's not a patch on you" Temari uttered soothingly.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Naoko cried, waving the magazine around. She turned the page and cleared her throat before reciting a section of the article.
"…She's the public icon who defines effortless glamour and sassy style, but despite being everyone's favourite high-class kitten, Setsuko Ishida is so much more. Last year she spent six months promoting various charities in order to highlight the plight of poorer nations. Style icon, beauty queen and generous aristocrat… This girl is the epitome of perfection!"
"DID YOU HEAR THAT?! 'PERFECTION'! SHE'S PRACTICALLY THE VIRGIN MARY… ONLY SEXIER!!"
Kankuro decided to add some words of wisdom.
"Every guy wants a girl like that - A girl who gets into bed looking innocent, then does dirty deeds. A girl who looks virginal but is really a sex kitten is every man's fantasy" Kankuro said, casting an amorous look at Yuki.
Naoko abruptly hurled the magazine at her brother in law. "You're not helping, Kankuro!" she snapped.
"All I'm saying is that's what guys want" Kankuro sulked.
"Just keep digging, brother" Temari sighed.
"Really?" Naoko asked, lingering on Kankuro's statement. "Is that what guys want? If that's true then I'm screwed" she said miserably, glancing at the picture of the flawless Setsuko. "I mean, how the hell can I compare to that? Gaara's been so distant since SHE came along… I'm starting to get worried… maybe he doesn't love me anymore…" she said sadly, fighting back the unpleasant sting of tears.
"Naoko! Don't be stupid!" Temari scolded.
"Yeah, maybe he's just… busy. That's all" Yuki added with a nervous smile, trying to comfort her best friend.
"I'm being serious. Him and Setsuko have a history, a special one. She was his best friend. That has to mean something to him, right? And now she's back… so maybe he's changed his mind about me. He doesn't seem to look at me the same way anymore... we haven't had sex in a month!"
"Jeez Naoko, I really don't want to know about my little brother's sex life, thanks" Kankuro retorted.
Naoko was so distressed that she didn't even jump on her chance to make him feel even more uncomfortable. She was beyond humour now. She fell silent.
"Oh come on Naoko, cheer up… please…" Yuki hedged.
"Don't freak out Naoko. I know a way to get Gaara to pay some attention to you…" Temari said slyly. She grabbed the discarded magazine and flipped to the beauty section. "Hmm… I think we'll go for 'understated elegance'… it's a very classic look…" she said knowledgeably, pointing to an image of a made-up model. "Naoko, we're going to give you a make-over" she announced. "Do you have any make-up?"
"Not much"
"Don't worry, I'm sure Kankuro will let you borrow his"
"Piss off Temari" Kankuro glowered.
--
Naoko strolled through the corridors of the Council building. She fiddled uncomfortably, fretting over her hair and make-up. She'd borrowed Yuki's stunning ruby red kimono, and Temari had painted her lips red to match. Red lipstick is a timeless look, Temari had said. The kimono's hem reached the bottom of Naoko's thighs, exposing her lean legs in a way that was classy and feminine. Naoko's glossy black, freshly washed hair had been curled into waves, and the outfit was finished with simple black leather slip-on pumps. Thus was Temari's vision of 'understated elegance'. Naoko proudly imagined herself to look somewhat like a geisha of the old times, and she peered into the glass face of her wristwatch, trying to see her reflection to make sure that her lipstick had not smudged.
She flitted through the winding corridors of the ancient Council building, excited about surprising Gaara. After spending time with Temari and Yuki, she felt a little more confident and optimistic. Gaara had been stressed lately, and that was probably the reason for his being so distant. But he would certainly notice her now! Naoko almost felt a little guilty… afterall, with a job and three young children to take care of, she had also been busy lately, and had probably not paid her husband the attention he deserved. But now she would make it up to him, she decided, after making an effort to look good for him. She smiled excitedly.
Upon reaching the door to the Kazekage office, she halted and did a silent little dance before composing herself, fighting to alter her giddy face into a look of refined poise. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open softly.
Gaara was currently sat at his desk hard at work, his head down. His expression was blank as always, except for a slight furrow on his brow, indicating his intense concentration. On the desk, various documents were strewn haphazardly. There were letters, maps, and scruffy scraps of paper with Gaara's rushed handwriting scrawled every which way.
Naoko waited in the doorway for Gaara to notice her, but he didn't look up.
"What is it?" he snapped impatiently in a gruff voice, guessing the new visitor was a ninja.
Naoko rolled her eyes. If this was the way he spoke to his shinobi, she was glad she wasn't one of them.
She decided not to answer for added impact, instead choosing to walk over to him. She stood by the side of his desk, waiting for him to look up. He finally gave Naoko a quick glance, before turning back to his work.
"What do you want, Naoko?" he asked expressionlessly.
Naoko forced a cheerful smile, masking her disappointment at his reaction.
"Nothing" she replied.
Then, for a split second, Gaara appeared to pull a face of annoyance. Naoko's spirits sank down to the ground, and then some. She quickly fixed the smile in place again. He's obviously stressed with work, she told herself, that's why he hasn't noticed yet.
"I just came by to see how you're doing" she tried again. "Is there anything you need?"
"No, Naoko, there isn't. Now I really need to work. This is important. I'll see you tonight."
Naoko felt her heart split in two. "Oh… ok…" she said quietly.
Gaara turned and looked up at her. His gaze held steady for a moment, as if he was figuring that something was different. Finally he spoke.
"Why are your lips all red?" he asked blankly.
Naoko sighed dramatically. "Sabaku no Gaara, you really are clueless" she sighed, trying to sound like her usual cheerful self. She hoped he didn't hear her voice crack. She fought back tears and walked to the door.
"Naoko, what's the matter?" Gaara demanded, sounding obviously annoyed now.
"Just forget it." she snapped, exiting the room before she lost her composure.
Naoko sloped off down the corridor, completely disheartened. She had been right afterall – he really didn't love her anymore, did he? She descended the stairs and reached ground level, drifting through the entrance hall towards the outside world. The shame she felt was unbearable. She felt ridiculous, all dressed up like a useless, tatty doll. No matter what she tried, she couldn't compare to Setsuko. And as soon as she'd thought this, she was faced with Lady Setsuko herself. Great, Naoko thought, I really don't need this right now. Setsuko approached with a smug smile, almost as if she knew what was going on.
"Hi. Nanako isn't it?" Setsuko asked.
"Naoko, actually" Naoko corrected.
Setsuko smiled. "Of course, of course." She looked Naoko up and down. "A kimono? How quaint! I'm guessing you've just been to see Gaara" she said, her voice sickly sweet.
Damn, she was quick. Naoko gritted her teeth.
"Yes" she replied flatly.
"Your husband is quite a catch, isn't he? Your parents must have been proud that he picked their daughter to marry" Setsuko said snidely.
Naoko picked up on the venom. "My parents were ninjas from the Land of Lightning, but they were killed many years ago" she informed.
Setsuko nodded distantly in a way that said she didn't really care. "Well they can't have been very good ninjas, then" she added curtly with an innocent smile, before flouncing out of the building.
Naoko stood, fixed to the spot. What a way to twist the knife. The vicious insult was somewhat numbed by the shock she felt as she tried to work out how anyone could be so insensitive. Unusual for her, she was speechless, but that was something that was becoming more and more frequent lately.
"Bitch… Heartless bitch…" she whispered in disbelief.
--
At exactly four o' clock, Gaara decided to get out of the office in order to shake off the brain drain. He'd not stopped working since early morning, not even for lunch. Between compiling reports to Konoha, continuing to investigate the case of the missing children, and his usual daily workload, he'd hardly had time to think. Not to mention Naoko's strange little skit. God knows what went on inside her head sometimes.
So rather than go home and face his wife, he decided to stop off at the teahouse for a gentle transition back to reality. He stared out of the window at nothing in particular, occasionally stirring to sip from a cup of steaming green tea.
His empty mind was in several places, everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. You know the feeling. One part of his mind was musing over the lost children. What fate had they encountered? He remembered the pain he felt when Shiraha had induced the trance. Another part of his mind stayed with Naoko. He could sense the ever-increasing strain on their relationship, and he just didn't understand. Why couldn't women just be straightforward like men? Life would be so much simpler. But no, instead they felt the need to be vague, expecting you to read their minds and then punishing you for not being able to do so. Gaara amused himself imagining that Shiraha most likely wouldn't have these women-related problems when he grew up – he could practically read minds anyway. This caused him to wonder why he cared. Shiraha was just a random child, of no relationship to Gaara whatsoever. Why did he care what happened to Shiraha when he grew up? It's not like Shiraha was his own son, afterall. A mission must not become personal, he told himself. Emotions are obsolete. Self-discipline is essential to maintain a clear sense of judgement. I shouldn't have to remind myself this, he thought. It should be second nature by now. But he couldn't escape the memory of Mrs Tanaka's grief. The broken pleas to save her daughter. His heart tugged violently in his chest.
"Lord Kazekage, I know you have children too…"
Her words haunted him. Gaara loved his children more than life itself. He'd give his life for them. And to lose them would be like losing his own soul. They were part of him, made by him. His proudest legacy. He would dedicate his life to giving them every opportunity. He would be the father he himself had never had. He could understand Mrs Tanaka's despair all too painfully. How could he not become emotionally involved in this mission? Maybe paternal instinct is stronger than shinobi instinct could ever be, he mused.
And he thought about Setsuko. He'd promised Naoko that he wouldn't see her again. But why shouldn't he? She was his link to the past. A painful past, but an important one nevertheless. Why was Naoko being so selfish?
"What's up Kiddo?" a familiar gruff voice wrenched him from his tangled thoughts.
Jun was sat beside him, brown eyes glittering in his perpetual cheer. He took a long drag from the cigarette in his hand.
"You know I could have you arrested for that. Smoking isn't permitted in public places" Gaara growled, trying to find an outlet for his stress.
"Well if you have me arrested, I'll bar you from the teahouse. The place is mine, y'know" Jun countered with a playful grin.
"You can't bar me, I'm the Kazekage." Gaara answered.
Jun let out a raspy laugh and patted Gaara on the head roughly. Gaara grimaced.
"You may be the Kazekage, but you're still just a kid, Kid." Jun said, rising from his seat.
"I'm not a kid" Gaara snapped, unaware of the sulky childlike expression on his face.
Jun laughed again. "You'll understand when you get to my age… Well, look who's here! It's that beautiful lady again" Jun grinned, looking towards the door.
Gaara glanced in the same direction, to see Setsuko entering the teahouse. She flashed a stunning smile at Gaara.
"She's really got a thing for you hasn't she?" Jun whispered.
"What?" Gaara asked, but Jun walked away before Gaara could get an answer.
"Good afternoon Gaara!" Setsuko said, in her musical tone. She sat down beside him.
"Hn" Gaara replied.
"Oh, so it's one of those days, hmm?" she said sympathetically. "I saw your red hair through the window – it's a dead giveaway – so I thought I'd stop by and say hello" she smiled.
Gaara nodded and took a sip of tea.
"I saw Naoko today" she tested.
"Hn"
"She was quite rude to me actually. Started throwing all sorts of abhorrent abuse at me, swearing and telling me to leave and never come back" she lied.
Gaara looked at her. "She did what?"
Setsuko's gaze sank down to her lap. "I was so upset. I mean, I tried to be pleasant but she just flipped. I keep wondering what I've done to offend her so. I've never seen someone so unhinged before. I was so frightened…" she said quietly, looking into his eyes.
Gaara's face was stone-set in a look of stern disapproval. How dare she? What gave Naoko the right to treat Gaara's long-time friend this way? How dare she interfere in things that had absolutely nothing to do with her? Despite all Naoko's fiery characteristics, this was the first time he was truly outraged and embarrassed by his wife. She'd crossed the line this time.
"I'll deal with it" Gaara replied gravely. As if he didn't have enough to deal with.
Setsuko met his eyes with her tearful deep blue ones.
"No one's ever treated me like that before, Gaara. All I wanted was to see you again. My best friend. And now it seems like I'm ruining everything" she whispered, tears spilling from her beautiful eyes.
Gaara grimaced almost visibly. Women crying always made him feel awkward. He hated it, and had to make it stop.
"You're not ruining anything, Setsuko"
She reached out to take his hand. "Really?" she asked with wide eyes. Her manicured fingers wove between his.
"Really." Gaara replied.
Setsuko's hand left Gaara's and instead rested on his thigh.
"Good. I wouldn't want to lose you now I've found you again" she said. Her hand began to stroke his thigh, gradually moving towards his inner thigh. Gaara tensed.
"You're such a good man, Gaara" Setsuko said, leaning towards him and kissing him gently. Her mouth was slightly open.
Gaara took a few seconds to register what was happening. He pulled away suddenly, confused.
"Setsuko, I have to go."
With that, he left the teahouse instantly.
Jun watched the whole scenario with wide eyes.
"Phwooo! Naoko's not gonna like this" he said to himself.
--
Title Translation:
Fujin – woman/female or heartlessness/inhumanity (I like the dual meaning, it's quite relevant)
A/N: Thanks for the fantastic reviews!! They are uplifting in my sleep-deprived haze of working and more working. Keep the love coming, people! Let me know what you think. Is this story as good as No More Running so far? Or more/less so?
Coming up in future chapters: Explosions in the Kazekage household, heart-wrenching drama, nail-biting action… Plus, more canon characters! (Don't worry, I haven't forgotten Naruto and the Konoha crew!)
Hahaha, self-advertisement.
Please review!