VII. Rasa's Threat
Hayley was ordered by some Sand Chunin to report to the Kazekage's estate one night to speak with Rasa. The night after she had stayed up all night taking care of Gaara, who had a raging fever and could have died. The Yashamaru incident had taken an enormous toll on not only his mind but his body as well, and it's not like any doctors in town would be willing to treat him. Apparently, her actions infuriated Rasa.
"What do you want?" she asked, standing before him. She really couldn't stand this man because of the way he treated his son.
"Why did you treat Gaara last night?" he asked in a calm, yet angry voice.
"It's not like anyone else would," she retorted.
"I want you and your sister to stay away from him from now on."
"Are you kidding me?!"
"He is a dangerous and unpredictable weapon. You'll only end up getting hurt or possibly killed. He is not to be around people unless otherwise approved by me."
"You're insane! He's a little kid! What do you honestly expect from him, especially with how you all treat him? He's a good friend of my sister's and has been nothing but kind and pleasant towards us."
"You're so naive," he retorted, getting angrier. "You've known him for less than two weeks. I know him far better than you do and I'm telling you this to warn you."
"Oh really? You know him? Okay genius, then tell me, what does he think about all day? What are the deepest desires of his heart? Hell, what's his favorite food? What are his favorite things to do? Go on, I'll wait."
Rasa sighed in annoyance.
"That's what I thought," she said.
"Those things aren't important. He is supposed to be our village's ultimate weapon who protects us from danger. But he's getting out of hand. His sickness last night could have ended him and saved me the trouble of doing it myself, but you had to interfere."
Hayley was absolutely sick to her stomach.
"What is wrong with you people?"
"You're too young and naive to understand. This is all for the sake of the village's safety."
"Okay, I can't talk to you anymore. Harley and I are going to continue hanging out with him, no matter what you say. If something does happen to us, feel free to save face and blame it on our own stupidity and stubbornness or whatever. So that's it. I'm leaving now."
"Do as you wish. We won't be held accountable for the consequences. But know this..."
He paused for a second and she turned her head to glare at him.
"If he were to be sick or in danger again, I wouldn't interfere if I were you. If you do, you will then be considered a threat to our village and I will not hesitate to get rid of you. And that goes for your sister too."
Her face was burning and eyes filled with angry tears. Unable to say another word, she stormed out of the building and took a long walk to try to cool down. She had never met anyone so twisted and cruel.
It broke her heart that she couldn't do anything long-term to help Gaara or save him. But she would do everything in her power to love on him for the rest of the time she was in Suna, and knew that Harley would do the same.
