DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the of the Naruto characters or franchise only the girls involved in the series of events that follow.
A/N: Sorry if these are bothering you but I wanted to give yall a heads up that this is gonna be a three parter. So yeah it's long. And Marisela's not gonna like what's gonna happen at all. But hey that's not your problem just her's so enjoy!
Marisela- Code Red, This is Not a Drill! (Part I)
Temari was waiting for me outside of Gaara's office. Leaning on the right side of the wall with her arms crossed over her chest and eyes closed. I shiver at the thought of her hating me. It's possible isn't it? She's been acting really cold to me ever since I got here. It could be the only explanation for the moment because nothing else is popping into my head right now. She's an amazing ninja and being on her bad side is like siding with the Devil. I respect Temari, in fact, due to her strong character and often arrogant attitude because it's what makes her a cool person and one of the only best female characters in Naruto to be exact.
I stand there, not wanting to disturb her thoughts, whatever they might be. She doesn't even look at me but instead sighs, that feeling of annoyance in the air like freshly sprayed Febreeze. With a quick follow me and a comment to put on my cloak afterward, she strides down the hallway and out of the building back into the ground being baked by the sun.
Puzzled is a word that goes inside my mind too many times as we continue down the sandy streets. I spot shinobi and other people minding their own business and not caring about the stranger wearing a black cloak. On another note, many are wearing long drapes and hooded clothing which I think is to block out the sun. Everything is in Japanese which is weirding me out. How come they're able to talk English then? I can't even read any of it! Still, Temari leads the way, snaking through large crowds and walking as if she owned the place as some people make way for me and her.
She stops at a little store with it's doors open. Inside, racks and countless stacks of clothing like piles of sand are the only thing you'd want to see. She walks in without pausing and I rush in after her. An employee, or maybe the owner, nods and welcomes us to which Temari replies with a smile that makes the owner/employee smile too. She walks to the center of the small shop then stops and turns around to face me.
"Go ahead and pick out anything. It'll be what you're going to wear for the rest of your stay though, so pick out something you like. And no need to worry about prices. I'll be covering it."
My eyes widen in surprise. I bet I look stupid but I don't care! Let my eyes sparkle and have a bright background to reflect my happiness so I resemble a typical anime girl looking at something cool because that's what this moment is to me. Cool. Being here is cool so I'm more than glad that things are turning out to be so good for me.
Reality hits me. It can't be this good because it isn't. If you think about it, we're in a place that could tear us to shreds depending on the situation. It's all about who you're with and what you're doing. There's also the fact that I'm here by myself. With Thalia in Konoha and Michelle and Kiran missing, it's not in my power to appreciate all of what's happening to me. Michelle and Kiran can be having the worst time of their lives just about now. And Thalia not knowing Naruto as well as the rest of us do, she could also be having anything but a dream come true.
"Can I ask you something Temari?"
Temari looks back at me surprised but still goes back to her serious mode. "Depends what you're asking."
I look down for a second and then look back up at her. "What's the worst thing that's happened so far in the village?"
She only gets more suspicious. "Why do you need to know?"
"Because I want to know if something bad's happened." So should I just mention the Akatsuki? It'd help a lot if I want to know how far along I am in the story right now. "The Akatsuki attacked our village and I want to know if they attacked the Sand Village." Okay, lying is something I'm proud of being able to do good so let's see where this goes.
Temari's eyes get sad but she answers as if she was angry. "Yeah they did. They even got to kidnap Gaara and killed him. But someone from our village took his place and we got help from the Leaf Village as well. We… didn't know what to think at the time but it's all over and that's all I'm going to say."
"How long ago did they attack?"
"About a few months ago. What about yours?"
Damn, gotta keep lying. "Before they attacked here. We knew that they would come and get you guys but they told us that they couldn't get the word out."
Temari scowls to the side but when she looks back at me, she doesn't seem as serious and is kind of sorry for me. "I'm sorry for your village but we have to move on. It's the best anyone can do. So pick out some clothes because I actually have some places I need to get to." Oh my god she's actually being nice.
I rush through the assortment of clothing at my fingertips and go through them like a rapid wind. I've thought about this in fact: what I would wear if I ever visited the Sand Village. After what feels like countless hours, I select all of the things that resemble the articles of clothing that I imagined and rush to Temari. She looks at my clothes and points to the back of the store.
"Go change. I'll wait here and take care of the money side of things."
Well if you say so.
Walking to what's suppose the changing room, I start to feel self conscious about what I selected. However, I force those bad thoughts out of my mind as much as I can and change. I wait until the end to turn around and face the low mirror in the sort of roomy stall. In the reflection is a sand shinobi, me. I look so convincing, I bet no one would believe that I'm not from Sunagakure. The black dress that I wear stops above halfway up my thighs which is why I picked out some short black tights to cover me up. Over the tights, I used some of the fishnet lacy stuff to add some more style. I did the same thing on my shoulder where my dress' sleeves don't reach. On my arms are fingerless black gloves that are elbow length. Black boots that go halfway up my thighs were lucky to be found here. I mean it's not my fault I don't like sandals! Last but not least, I grab the white scarf I had second thoughts about and wrap it around my waist. With one final look in the mirror, I sigh with relief at how close my imaginary outfit is to the real thing. Now all that's left is to pray that Temari doesn't make fun of it.
Holding my breath, I step out of the changing room with my old clothes inside the cloak which I tucked underneath my arm. Temari is with the sales clerk/ manager/ whatever he is and seems to be discussing something important. I debate whether to go and talk to her or to stay behind the slightly open door and take a listen.
"I have never seen that girl Temari. Is she a relative of yours?"
My ears can't help but lean closer to them so I can hear them better. Have I stooped so low as to do actually do this? Temari already doesn't seem to like me, if I get caught she'd probably have me for dinner. Then I might as well not get caught because I actually want to hear what she has to say.
"Not exactly. She's just a guest."
The man lets out an ah sound. "Where is she from then?"
Subconsciously, my ear inches closer.
"Sorry but I can't say."
Although a bit disappointed, the man leaves it at that so I decide to walk over to them. Temari gazes at me from her spot smiling a little. She probably thinks that I don't look too suspicious. That I'm going to be just another Sand Village ninja among the countless others. Just a single stretch of grass in a vast field, nothing more. And that's it? Thanks for the compliment.
"Great, now we can get back on track."
Great. But when will you start liking me more? I want to go explore the village with you and go throw some kunai, and hold your fan, and wear the headband, and go on missions, and meet with Gaara again, and hang out with you three Sand Siblings, and even go to Konoha to meet Naruto like Thalia, and-
"Why do you always stand around? Come on, I have to introduce you to someone."
Going by her words, I run to Temari who already stepped outside the store. I say a quick thank you and goodbye to the store person as I exit. Temari heads off the second I place my foot on the ground outside the door. I lug my old clothing around with me in my cloak as my body gets used to the heat. The sun is brighter than I thought it would be but it's very gentle as the sunlight caresses my skin. I just hope I won't get a tan or sunburn by the end of today. To think that there wouldn't be sunscreen here. Here of all places!
We walk at a steady pace despite Temari's constant pressure to hurry. The road looks the same and so do the people we come across. But they're all different. There, a girl with a blue dress, and another who has the same one but their appearances are different and I'm guessing that their personalities are too. No one on the streets I recognize as a character of Naruto. They all look like unimportant background characters in the show. But I know it's mean to think that because they are all still people with their own stories even if they're never told. Like that girl for instance that's running to us right now. Wait what?
A girl around my age rushes to us, sprinting like a rocket. Her hair is brown and, judging by the way it flows behind her, is just below her shoulders. She wears the shinobi uniform but with her own style mixed into it. This gives me the idea that she is actually an important character in the series that's at least mentioned once all throughout the hundreds of episodes. But which one? She seems familiar but I can't pinpoint her character or her importance. This is really frustrating. It's like rubbing my head on a cheese grater.
"Temari!" she calls out.
Temari is shocked. "Matsuri? What are you doing here? I thought I was supposed to meet you at the Academy."
The girl named Matsuri -I still don't know who she is- finally makes it to us and pants for a few seconds before answering. "That's the problem, something happened and we need you Temari."
Temari scowls, torn between responsibilities. "Watch over her Matsuri. I'll go take care of the Academy." Temari sprints off in the direction Matsuri came from before either of us could say a thing.
In a fail attempt, Matsuri still calls out to her. "Wait, Temari!"
Nothing. Just stares from the crowd that walks around us. There's even an awkward silence that takes place that eventually stops. I don't know what to do, what to say to this person. What do you say to someone that's like a stranger but not? I have to be careful no matter what. I can't just go around spilling random Naruto plots or else the Naruto we love won't exist anymore. Why me?
"So. Did you just become a Jonin?"
"Huh?"
I look at Matsuri who got over her shock at seeing me. "You must have just become a Jonin since I haven't seen you around before. Or are a new to the Sand Village?"
Oh, great. These questions? Should I say what Gaara and Temari would want me to say or should I try lying until the very end or not even answer at all?
"My family moved away when I was little and we just got back."
Matsuri's eyes seem to sparkle. "Really? Welcome back! Where did you go?"
And this is why I didn't even want to answer in the first place. "Sorry, if I even give you a hint, my parents would disapprove of spreading private information." Hopefully she takes the bait because that's what Temari and Gaara made me say.
Matsuri's face drops a little but she catches herself. Then she looks at my arm. She points at it. "What is that?"
"It's from the other village I lived at. Everyone has them. It's like a style." That's another thing they wanted me to say in case anyone asked. If people just think it's normal then I'll be normal. Except for the last part, I added that.
"Hmm." She stares at it a little bit longer but then smiles. "Well since you've just gotten back and Temari asked me to watch you, would you like to sight-see?"
Now this is what I've been waiting for!
"Yeah, that'd be awesome!"
