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Here's the church, and here's the steeple
Open the door and see all the people.
Here's the parson going upstairs,
And here he is, saying his prayers.
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Hourglass
Chapter 6: Ad absurdum
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"I just want to know… if there's something going on that maybe I should know about?"
He almost cringed at her wording. Nevertheless, he prompted her to elaborate.
"Such as…?"
The girl before him bit her lip, a habit that he wished to correct somehow, and shifted uneasily. She stared at him with big brown eyes so transparent that it was all he could do not to look away. "I don't know. I guess this whole ninja shortage thing would be a good place to start."
He couldn't answer her. He couldn't tell her what it was about.
No… he thought suddenly, and he felt remorse. It's not that I can't… It's that I won't.
She must have mistaken his silence for reproach because she started to speak again with a determination so fierce it reminded him of a certain loud, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, orange-wearing shinobi.
"B-because, I was sent here… for a whole freaking month, for crying out loud! Doing guard duty! I just― I mean, shouldn't I have a right to know, Gaara-sa―?"
He cut her off before she could finish the blasted title. "Perhaps," he said, and she quieted at once in anticipation.
He was at a loss; he agreed with her on many points, for indeed, she had a right to know. But it was not his place to tell her such things. Surely, it was the Hokage's job to do so. As Kankuro had pointed out, the entire thing was Konoha's problem. There was no reason for them, or for Suna, to be involved. There was just no reason at all. Even so, Tenten deserved to know. She of all people deserved to know. Yet…
"…And…?" the kunoichi before him asked, impatience laced in her tone.
Yet, he couldn't do it.
How he wished she would never know; would never have to know.
He wished none of it had ever happened.
He wished he had never heard the story.
He wished that none of it was real.
Sighing at the frowning girl, he reached for the knob of his desk drawer and yanked it open. There was nothing he could do anyway. It's probably for the best, he thought, his fingers finding the chain of the silver hourglass that had been crafted many generations past. He pulled it out and held it up for Tenten to see.
He didn't want to discourage her questions, but he didn't want to answer them either. It was the only thing he could think of to do.
"I will keep this hourglass right here, on my desk," he said, placing the small artifact on the right-hand corner of the mahogany desktop. "You may visit my office whenever you wish during your time in this village, but I will not tell you anything regarding the shortage or other details I may or may not know about your mission."
He looked up in time to see the girl open and close her mouth. She looked ready to argue with him.
"I will not tell you anything," he continued slowly, trying to keep her calm, but at the same time wanting her to understand him. "Not until the last grain of sand falls in this hourglass."
He could tell she was confused, and he anticipated her next words almost verbatim.
"But wouldn't that mean that I'd only have to wait for an hour before―?"
Wordlessly, he reached for the hourglass and turned it over, letting a few grains fall to the bottom but lightly holding up the rest with his chakra.
"Hey! You're controlling the sand, aren't you? That's not fair!"
He said nothing, but kept his eyes on her. It wasn't his intention to withhold the information from her for all of eternity. But for now… it just wasn't the right time.
"The rest will never make it to the bottom, right?"
Her dull, sorrowful voice snapped him out of his musings. He felt another twinge of guilt, but no matter what, nothing could be done. He just wasn't the right person… and it just wasn't the right time, not the right place, not the right… anything. He fought the urge to look away from her sad eyes.
"Is there even a chance for that last grain of sand to fall?"
He wondered himself. Would he really tell her? …Could he?
But he knew she was persistent. There were twenty-five more days left of her stay in Suna, and he could already imagine how many times a day she would pop in to check the hourglass. The thought brought a small, involuntary smile to his lips. Maybe he would let a few fall each day, if only for her benefit.
"Perhaps."
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"You are to leave at once. Understood?"
There were two shadows in the darkened room, one sitting behind an impressive mahogany desk and the other standing in front of it, head slightly bowed. The only ray of light peeking through the folds of the black curtains on the left window glinted like a diamond off of the frame of a silver hourglass positioned on one corner of the desk.
"Yes, Gaara-sama."
Gaara watched the man standing before him with cold, calculating eyes. Surely there was a reason why he was looking so troubled?
"Is there something about this mission that bothers you?"
Yaoki's eyes widened momentarily in surprise before shaking his head vigorously. "N-no, Gaara-sama!" he denied with a nervous chuckle, "Not at all!"
Gaara's impassive stare proved that he was not convinced in the least and Yaoki's pathetic façade dimmed as his face fell.
"Um, It's just that I…" the young man scratched his head bashfully, directing his gaze to his feet. "I met this girl, Tenten-san…"
Gaara's ears perked at the mention of the weapons mistress, his curiosity piqued ten-fold.
"Um… I asked her to meet me tonight, but now…" Yaoki stared harder at his feet, looking sullen. "I was wondering if―"
"I'll tell her," said Gaara. He was studying Yaoki with a thoughtful eye, all too aware that his offer had come as a surprise. There was an idea brewing in the back of his mind― one that both pleased and puzzled the Kazekage.
"T-that would be great, Gaara-sama!" the chunin replied in wonder, bowing low. He bowed a second time before excusing himself, leaving the brooding Kazekage alone with his thoughts.
Tenten.
There were so many things that he suddenly wanted to know about her. What clan was she from? How come she had no last name? Did she have brothers and sisters? Was she the firstborn of her family or the last? How well could she fight?
Even her name was an enigma. Tenten. What did it mean?
What was more confounding was his newfound interest in the girl. Was it sympathy for her situation that was encouraging his curiosity? Pity, perhaps? Or maybe it was a genuine want for her friendship?
Gaara did not know.
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Liquid chocolate orbs glared at the empty horizon stretched out before her. She was perched precariously on the edge of the tower, legs dangling in fearless abandon. She had been in a rather surly mood since waking, and Tenten felt the old habits before Team Gai beginning to resurface. She had never been an early riser by nature, but rather, it was learned by years of practice. Being in Team Gai required waking with the crack of dawn, the reason being "to fully expend the fire of youth so that it may blossom into a blazing inferno, one which cannot be extinguished." Gai's words, of course.
A pang of longing shot through her and blended with the self-pity she had woken with in the morning. It was a terrible feeling, to both miss your home and loathe it. Tenten could not shake away the feeling of betrayal that was threatening to consume her. It was true that she had no proof― after all, she didn't know anything. But still… why was it that her life was so pathetic?
First, she was thrown away like a rock by her boyfriend of about three years, and then now she was stuck in Sunagakure, hottest effing place in the world, doing the lamest mission in the world, while also currently having the most intense pity-party in the whole freaking universe.
Basically, this day sucked so far. And it's about to get worse, Tenten thought darkly, remembering the promise she made to Yaoki. Why had she agreed to see him later tonight again?
And then I also have to apologize to Matsuri for not showing up for training yesterday… Ah, my life!
Rubbing her aching forehead, Tenten sighed and for once resolved to actually do her duty and watch the northern border. It was her mission, after all. She stubbornly refused to think it was anything otherwise. Tsunade-sama wouldn't lie to her… She had told Tenten that she was to help Suna out with their border patrol… because of the ninja shortage…
The shortage nobody else seemed to be aware of.
"GYAAAH!"
Her frustrated cry was enough to send a couple of nearby birds on the tower soaring to the sky in surprise.
Slumping forwards in defeat, Tenten clutched her telescope and miserably pointed it to the barren expanse. She really needed to take this guard duty thing more seriously… after all, she was representing Konoha for all of Suna to see…
…And there was Tsunade-sama― the legendary, supreme, beautiful, powerful Godaime Hokage… Her idol… Tsunade-sama was counting on her to do a good job on this…
… She had even complimented her on her long-range techniques… and she'd said that only Tenten was suitable for this job… that only Tenten would do…
…Sweet, kind, Tsunade-sama… wouldn't… lie… to… her…
…Right…?
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The fairgrounds was a barren, abandoned place littered with trash and scraps of paper. Everything was black and white, from the gravelly walkway to the unhinged billboard signs; even the sky overhead was a dark gray. There was an ominous creaking noise coming from the frozen carousel to her left, the colorless animals of the ride looking eerie with their blank, faded eyes. To her right, there was a tall statue of a paint-chipped clown. Its empty gaze seemed to follow her every move…
Tenten wrapped her arms around herself as a strong gust of wind blew by, blowing the litter and agitating the creaking noises of the fairground. Fear was slowly creeping through her. Where were her friends?
"Psst… Over here…"
The wispy voice startled her, and Tenten whirled around, looking frantically for whoever was watching her. Her eyes settled on the black-and-white striped tent near the statue of the clown, the folds of the entrance swaying mysteriously. There seemed to be nothing but darkness inside.
"Yessss, that's right… over here… come, come…" the same voice urged in a carrying whisper that brought chills down her spine.
Tenten shivered as she drew near. She stopped several feet away, trying to peer through the dark depths of the opening. "H-hello?" she called out, afraid.
"Come in… come in… we are all inside… waiting for you…"
Tenten stayed where she was, tears gathering in her eyes. "Where are my friends?" she asked as another breeze blew by, hugging herself tightly. "Who are you?"
"Come closer, dear…" the mystical voice urged from within the black depths of the shadowy tent. "Come, come… do not be afraid…"
She took a small step forward hesitantly, looking left and right around the deserted fairgrounds for her companions, a last futile effort.
Just then, her senses picked up on another presence. Tenten could hear approaching footsteps from behind her and she froze. That chakra― why was it so familiar?
"Quickly!" the wispy voice commanded sharply as another chilling breeze swept by, flapping the folds of the dark tent and bringing a stale, stagnant smell to Tenten's nose. The footsteps were fast approaching now… any second and it would reach her―
Suddenly, a pale, slender hand shot out from within the dark tent. The long, cold fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist and Tenten gasped as she felt herself being pulled forward inside slowly, into the unknown…
"Tenten."
Another hand grasped her by the shoulder from behind, tugging her back gently but urgently. It was a large and reassuring hand, and a comforting warmth spread throughout her body like wildfire at the feel of it. The pale, cold hand on her wrist jerked back as if burned and receded silently back into the black depths of the shadowy tent.
Tenten whirled around to face her savior―
Pale white eyes and long, dark brown hair. Her heartbeat quickened.
Neji―!
"ARGH!"
Tenten's eyes shot open as she made contact with the cold, hard floor of the tower. Her cheek brushed roughly against the ground before the rest of her body followed suit. She sat up after a moment, groaning from her fall and cradling her sore cheek.
Rubbing her eyes drowsily, the weapons mistress took in her surroundings and uttered a curse. Damn it! Keep up this crappy job, Tenten, and it'll only be a matter of time before someone finally catches you in the act! she mentally berated, getting to her feet and almost growling in anger. How had she fallen anyway? Tenten could vaguely remember that she'd had a dream of some sort, but she could not recall any details…
Grumbling, Tenten dusted her clothes off and grudgingly thanked the higher beings that she'd fallen in the tower instead of out of it. If she'd had her doubts before, she was fairly convinced of it now: there was something about guard duty that just absolutely wrecked her concentration. That, or she had some weird kind of allergy to it― one that made her extremely drowsy and incompetent.
Tenten scanned the sky and quickly calculated the time by gauging the position of the sun. She sighed in relief when she determined that she only had a half hour to go and resolved with a ferocity that would've made Gai-sensei proud to keep vigilant on the northern expanse.
Thirty-minutes later, the weapons mistress hopped down from her perch, fairly pleased with herself. A half hour she could do, but hours… and days…
"Hi there!"
The pleasant voice broke Tenten free of her miserable thoughts. She looked up to find an unfamiliar face and cocked an eyebrow. A man, perhaps only a couple of years older than her, was standing at the top of the tower stairs. He had on Suna's standard shinobi attire and donned the turban-like headgear some wore to protect themselves from the heat.
"Who are you?" Tenten asked, foregoing the pleasantries. Where was Yaoki?
Fortunately, the man did not seem bothered by her rudeness. He offered her a small smile. "I'm Korobi. Yaoki got called out on a mission, so I'm taking his place."
Tenten fought the urge to tap dance on the spot. She didn't have to see him tonight! Yes!
"Ah… I see…" she said slowly trying to cover up her relief. Then, belatedly realizing her fault added, "Oh, and I'm Tenten, by the way."
They shook hands briefly and exchanged more pleasantries before Tenten excused herself. She had made the mistake of not showing up for training without telling Matsuri yesterday and she refused to be late today.
After all, Gai-sensei had never been late to any of Team Gai's early morning training sessions and impromptu gatherings. He had also never failed to tell his students whenever training was to be cancelled.
As sensei, Gai's attendance had been spectacular. As sensei, Tenten's attendance was terrible. Seriously, what kind of teacher would leave a student hanging?
A bad one, Tenten thought bitterly as she sprinted towards Suna's Academy. A gnawing guilt grew within her with every step she took. If Matsuri's not there, well… I don't blame her. I would be mad too, if I had to wait for my sensei, and realize later that no one was planning to come…
As she neared the entrance to the training grounds, Tenten was able to detect a presence within. Her guilty mood lessened considerably and she was all smiles as she rounded the last curb and practically flung herself inside the place―
"Sorry to keep you wait―!"
The words died in her throat and she came to an abrupt stop as her eyes met, not brown, but blue-green. She struggled to shut her mouth in an attempt not to gawk. What was he doing here?
Gaara stared back at her impassively as he stood in the center of the grounds, his arms folded against his chest as he considered her with a careful eye.
"Will you spar with me today?"
The softly spoken question caught Tenten off-guard and she stared back at the redhead in wide-eyed disbelief. "With you?" she spluttered, a strong wave of trepidation washing over her. At the same time, Tenten couldn't help but feel the familiar flame of excitement igniting her senses― she had always loved challenges and Gaara, if anything, was most definitely a challenge. The final outcome, they both knew, would be in Gaara's favor.
He said nothing back in response and merely waited and watched for her decision.
Even if I get my ass handed back to me, thought Tenten, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she reached for her scrolls, I can't help but want to try…
Deciding that other questions could wait until later, Tenten took her battle stance and grinned.
"You're on."
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Meanwhile, back in Konoha…
… there was a peeping-tom…
Sakura Haruno smirked devilishly at her new discovery, resisting the urge to giggle like a schoolgirl. Like the rest of Konoha, she'd always assumed that Ino and Shikamaru were just really close teammates. The sight in front of her, however, screamed otherwise. Really close or not, there were just some things that could not be done within the boundaries of mere friendship. This qualified as one of those boundary-hopping things. This was definitely way out of friendship― or according to Sakura, anyway.
It was obvious that Team Ten was having what was commonly known as a "team date." When teams began to see less and less of each other, such things were almost mandatory in order to keep the original team's bonds intact. It was rare nowadays for the original trio make up of the Konoha Eleven to go out on missions together. Sakura knew how many high-ranked solo missions Shikamaru had to take as a jonin, often leaving his two comrades stuck with other team formations. Sakura also knew that it would be rude and upsetting to interrupt a team date― because, after all, it was a rare time for all of them to just be together― but this… this was just gold. Biting down a laugh, the pink-haired medic made a mental note to tell Choji what his two friends did behind his back.
It was almost a picturesque outing― a quiet lakeside picnic on a sunny day, everyone lying on the banks in peace, wet and exhausted from swimming…
Yet it was interesting to note here that while one member of the team was, indeed, sleeping― Choji― the other two were… not.
Ino was in one of her sinful red bikinis, sitting directly in front of an equally red Shikamaru with her back to him. While she was busy tying up her hair into a bun, Shikamaru was fumbling with the ties of her top. Wide-eyed, Sakura watched as the flimsy red bra was tossed to the side, mentally cursing Ino for her stupid C-cups. The Nara, meanwhile, was looking up to the Heavens, probably mentally praying for strength and simultaneously whining about troublesome women. At least he wasn't trying to sneak a peek.
The blonde lowered herself to her towel and Shikamaru began to spread suntan lotion on her back, his expression a bit dazed and irritated at the same time.
Sakura bit back another laugh. This is just… so wrong.
She and Naruto were fairly close teammates as well, but she would never, ever ask the ramen-loving idiot to put suntan lotion on her bare back, much less take off her bikini top.
And they call themselves friends, Sakura thought giddily. She'd attack the blonde girl with a million questions as soon she was alone in her family's flower shop.
Again she wondered whether or not the two actually had underlying feelings for each other that transcended mere friendship and familial affections but were just too stubborn to admit it.
Sakura watched, amused and albeit a little jealous, as Shikamaru ran his large hands down the blonde's back gently, making her shiver. The fondness was apparent in the lazy genius's eyes and he was treating her with an air of fragility, as though she would break if he pressed his hands down too hard. They were radiating the contentment of two people who trusted each other wholly and unconditionally, and though the position was without a doubt provocative, there was no lewd lust or fervent desire between the two teammates. If not for their current situation, it really looked as if… as if they were merely two friends enjoying the company of one another.
Sakura fought the urge to sigh in frustration. She was back to square one! What exactly was going on between those two? Could it be that they really were nothing more than just… friends?
Pushing away from her hiding place behind a bush, Sakura wandered back to the main road and let her concealed chakra relax. She had been on her way to see the Lady Hokage about the "Tenten problem," as they called it, when she had sensed her friends nearby.
As the pink-haired kunoichi continued on to her destination, she concluded that the relationship between Ino and Shikamaru was perhaps even more mysterious than what was behind Kakashi-sensei's mask. Wrapped up in her thoughts, she was blissfully unaware of dark obsidian and baby-blue eyes turning towards her general direction before she completely vanished from their sight.
"Okay, Shika, you can stop now," Ino singsonged in a cheerful voice. She made to sit up, but Shikamaru shoved her back against the towel.
"Oi, oi! Don't just get up, you're naked!"
"Then look away, geez!" the blonde huffed indignantly.
Shikamaru rubbed his forehead in an attempt to soothe the incoming headache. "Che… this was so unnecessary…"
"Hey, it's her fault for peeking!" Ino exclaimed, smirking mischievously while her teammate rolled his eyes.
"What was the whole point of that anyway?"
"Nothing…" the kunoichi began innocently, though there was a tell tale up-to-no-good gleam in her brilliant blue eyes. "I just wanted to mess with her head! Nyahahahaha! Billboard-brow's so simple, I bet I could guess what she's thinking right now!"
Shikamaru shook his head and sighed, flopping on his back to stare up at the clouds. "So troublesome…"
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The peeping-tom did her best not to fidget while her moody sensei stared her down. Shizune was standing nearby, her lips pursed tightly in disapproval. The tense atmosphere in the room could hardly be lost on anyone.
"Keep an eye on Lee."
The intensity of those words froze Sakura on the spot. Her wavering gaze could not pull away from the severe brown orbs of the Godaime Hokage.
"Ma'am?" she squeaked, trying to rack her brains as to why she had to keep an eye on the second hyper-active green beast of Konoha.
Tsunade raised a hand to massage her throbbing head but said nothing. This entire affair was taking a toll on her, and really, was it even that big of a deal? She'd been asking herself that question more and more recently, and she'd even been considering pulling Tenten out of her "mission" to finally divulge the truth, just to finally, finally get this damned thing over with once and for all―
But no. She couldn't. She wouldn't. Or not right now, at least. It just wasn't the right time.
What she'd do for a bottle of sake at the moment…
After a long stretch of silence, Shizune finally spoke up softly from where she stood, shooting wary glances at Tsunade as she did so. "He's getting restless… the worst case scenario would be him running off to Suna to tell Tenten."
Sakura's eyes widened. Of course! He's Tenten's teammate, duh!
It was logical indeed to assume that out of all who knew and cared, Lee was the most likely candidate for what the Hokage had termed "the first one to break." He was one of the few closest people to the weapons mistress after all. That, and Lee was the kind of person who was always worried about those he cared deeply for.
"I… I see…" Sakura managed to choke out. The direction of this conversation was steering into a place she'd rather not venture.
Tsunade finally raised her head, her steely gaze penetrating the antsy girl before her. "Make sure he doesn't leave Konoha while everyone is busy with preparations," she commanded.
"But… what could I do if he really does try…?" Sakura asked worriedly. Sure, she had some things going for her, like her great chakra control, but when it came to speed… well― let's just say she wasn't exactly a running girl. And what's more, she had to catch Lee? Who was the Godaime Hokage kidding?
Tsunade's voice filtered through her ears and Sakura stood rapt with attention. "I already have Gai watching him," said Tsunade, frowning. "… but then again, Gai is a bit… you understand?"
Sakura nodded solemnly. Everyone knew that when push came to shove, it was more likely that Gai would choose to encourage his little mini-me than actually try to stop him. A flash of silver was thrown at her suddenly and Sakura caught it with the reflexes of a trained shinobi. She stared wordlessly at the object in her hand― a silver whistle― and gave her sensei a questioning glance.
"If he still manages to escape somehow, use it," Tsunade explained shortly.
"Wh-what for?"
"It's a whistle that'll send our fastest ANBU operatives to chase after him."
Sakura froze while Shizune looked outraged. "ANBU! But, why? Tsunade-sama, don't you think at this point it would be easier to just tell Tenten everything?"
Tsunade sighed, her shoulders slumping wearily. There it was again, that same question plaguing her over and over without fail, whether it be from herself or her subordinates… Perhaps she really was making a big deal out of this…
But then her thoughts took her back to that day… the cursed memory of that day refused to wash away from her mind…
"No," answered Tsunade firmly. She was stubborn about this. "Maybe someday, but not right now. Especially not right now. Do I have to remind you what happened last time?"
As memories of last time engulfed the three people in the office, all other arguments died down.
And that was that.
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And here she is too, praying the same prayers,
And then down she goes on those very same stairs.
She opens the door but there are no people,
There is no church. There is no steeple.
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End Chapter 6.
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A/N: Guys! Hold on for a little bit longer, yes?
Oh, and NO, they are not planning a surprise birthday party for Tenten. Sorry to burst your bubbles. :c
