Yuki continued to show Ayame around, and even treated her to a lunch at, apparently, her favourite restaurant. They sat at a table near the front, next to the large window that made up the wall. The restaurant wasn't too busy, there were only three active tables in use including their own. Though she was having a great time catching up with Yuki, Ayame dreaded what was to come the next day: the inescapable trust and bonding exercises with her least favourite person on the planet.
I am reluctant to be here, Aroi mumbled. The only reason I am here is because you are. He truly was a negative creature, but Ayame appreciated the consistency.
"I know," Ayame sighed under her breath. Yuki arched an eyebrow, half of her face hidden behind a cup as she took a sip. Ayame shrugged in response.
At least not all of your friends are worthless. Ayame chuckled, smiling a tight-lipped smile.
"Aroi, right?" Yuki asked, her voice gravelly yet calming in Ayame's sensitive ears. "That's your . . . friend?"
"Yeah," Ayame said, a bit sheepish. "He's annoyed at this whole situation. He loathes Sasuke."
"I like Aroi," Yuki said with a slight tilt of the head. In her mind, Ayame thought Aroi would be grinning slightly at the remark.
"Let's talk about something else," the auburn-haired girl suggested. "Like maybe about you and Gaara."
"All right," Yuki said, "that is a short conversation. In fact, it may already be over."
"No, no, I like this more talkative Yuki," Ayame mused, taking a sip of tea. "So, do you live in the mansion? You were upstairs when we arrived."
"Gaara-sama thought it would be a good, fiscally responsible idea for me to not stay in a hotel," Yuki explained briefly. "Yes, I live there. In a different room, on a different floor."
Ayame nodded methodically. "Gaara's a good guy, after all. He wouldn't suggest that for any selfish reasons, of course."
"Are you implying that I am the Kazekage's concubine?" Yuki asked. Ayame snorted at this unexpectedly vulgar remark from her otherwise reserved friend.
"I'm implying that you and Gaara are together," Ayame amended. "Are you?"
"I don't want to put a fine point on it, but," Yuki pursed her lips, suddenly very concerned with her glass and its contents. "I suppose we are." As Ayame squealed in joy, Yuki added, "I would prefer it if you kept it to yourself. The topic is rather sensitive in the world of politics. The civilians like me, sure, but the council is a different matter entirely."
"Of course, my lips are sealed," she promised, attempting to calm herself down as best as she could. "Good for you. I'm so glad. You guys are perfect for each other."
"So, tell me more about Kiba," Yuki said, flipping the conversation. Ayame's face flushed with pink as she nibbled on a sweet biscuit that was previously sat on their table by a handsome waiter.
"He's nice," she said shortly. "He listens. Whenever I would visit the village, he's my first stop. It's just . . . nice." Yuki opened her mouth to speak, but she stopped and looked past Ayame.
"It looks like it will be dark soon," she noted. "We should get back. The sunsets on the roof of the mansion are breathtaking."
Nodding in agreement, Ayame followed her out of the cafe. It was a near straight shot back to the mansion, as several major roads lead back to the center of the village. Ayame assumed the reason for the immaculate sunset on the roof to be that the entire village was located in an enormous crater. Being on a roof made your eyes parallel to the rim of the walls.
"So, you like being here rather than Ame?" Ayame asked as they walked.
"Ame is my home," replied Yuki. "I will always have a certain fondness for it. But Suna is such a change of pace. I like that I can see the sky without getting rain in my eyes."
Nothing was said after that, for they soon arrived at the mansion once again. There was still only one guard at the door, so the others must not have returned yet. Regardless, Yuki led Ayame through the house and up the stairs. The Kage's office was a spherically-shaped room on top of the mansion, being among the tallest points in the village.
"And you?" Yuki asked, leaning her back against a railing that lined the perimeter of the roof. "How does Konoha compare to your travels?" Ayame stood next to her, gazing at the twilight horizon. She inhaled deeply through her nose, and exhaled as she rested her elbows on the rail.
"I love Konoha," she answered. "I loved travelling. The pack is my family, but they're nomadic. We never stayed in one place for long, but when we were there, it was amazing." Ayame casted her eyes downwards at the tattoos on her wrists. "They reminded me of my brother – always moving. Loyal. Strong."
Yuki put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "I understand."
Just then, the door from the mansion to the roof opened, and out walked Gaara and the rest of the Konoha nin. Ayame turned to watch them come out. Upon seeing Yuki standing there, Gaara smiled. The so-called Ice Queen met him halfway.
"I see we had the same idea, Yuki-san," Gaara noted aloud.
"I suppose we did, Gaara-sama," Yuki replied, grinning slightly at him. She leaned in towards his ear and whispered something that only Gaara and Ayame could hear. Ayame knows, but will keep it to herself. Gaara looked at her. Ayame gave him a thumbs-up and he rolled his eyes playfully.
"Hi, Ayame-chan," Kiba greeted, taking a spot next to her. Akamaru curled into a ball on the ground, tired from the day of adventure. "How was it?"
"Fun," she answered, turning back around to watch the sky. "She's incredible."
"Aw, do you have a crush on her, now, too?" He teased, nudging her shoulder. Ayame chuckled, shaking her head. She could hear Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke - though less of the latter - chatting to her right.
"How was it with you?" She asked. "With him?" Kiba raised his eyebrows momentarily before glancing at Sasuke's firm expression and stiff posture.
"Fine, I guess. He's kind of a jerk - I don't get why you were 'doin' him' before," Kiba said, jutting out his bottom lip and turning away from her. Ayame's mouth was agape in a gasp as she punched him in the shoulder.
"Jerk!"
"I was kidding! Ow," Kiba whined as he rubbed his arm. He stopped wincing and looked dead ahead, pointing outward. "Look!"
It had past twilight and set into dusk. The sky became a solid russet, the sun sagging over the horizon, tired from giving its heat to the world. It was slowly sinking, but the observers could swear they saw it moving. From orange to a deep red to violet, the sky changed colours as more and more or the sun went to sleep. The air became cooler, sending a farewell to day and greeting the night. In a matter of minutes, the sun was gone and the sky was dark.
Ayame looked straight up, and felt like she herself was in space. Twinkling lights scattered across the sky were blinking at her. Diamonds could not have compared to the shine of these lights. As they shot across the sky, endlessly flying to infinity, she stared in awe. It was as though she could connect with galaxies far away. Some stars were so large, they could be mistaken for planets - but, then again, maybe they were.
"This is so cool, you know?" Naruto said, equally infatuated with the view. "It's so pretty."
"I think we better head to bed," Sakura suggested, though she, too, looked mystified. "We'll have more times to enjoy the sky while we're here."
"Good idea," Gaara said. "We have a training ground in the back - you may use that during your stay."
"We appreciate it," Sakura thanked. One by one, they let their gazes drop until everyone had had their fill. They bid Gaara and Yuki and goodnight, went back from where they came, and retired into their rooms for the evening.
. . .
Bright and early the next morning, they woke up. Well, most of them did - Naruto and Kiba had a harder time waking up so early. But after wrestling them awake, the six of them headed to the Kazekage mansion, where they met Yuki in the foyer.
"Good morning," she greeted. "I hope you all had a pleasant night's sleep."
"Aside from the sand in my robes, it was delightful," Sasuke commented cynically.
Yuki ignored him and began to guide them through the home, but a feverish knock came from the door. Two men burst through the door. One hid his eyes behind sunglasses, the other had a head covering on with a veil plastered on his neck with sweat, and they both wore the same black uniform. Each of them carried one half of a large white object in their arms.
"Where is the Kazekage?" The head-covered man asked urgently. Yuki rushed towards them and had a quick, hushed conversation with them.
Ayame looked at the thing in their hands. It looked human, but its paper white complexion left her confounded. There looked to be a huge scar in the middle of its chest, its hair was green like grass and its eyes were wide open and yellow. Ayame felt like those citrine eyes were staring right back at her. Its clearly dead face looked sinister. Yuki called for Gaara and he came hurrying downstairs.
"What is it?" He ordered.
"This thing," the one with sunglasses said, setting the body on the floor. Gaara crouched down to examine it. "It was climbing the wall."
"Not like a ninja would," the other added. "It looked like a spider of something."
"When he ordered for it to halt, it just kept coming. It attacked another guard before we were able to kill it."
"Are they all right?" Gaara asked, looking up from the body. The guards nodded and he went back to investigating it. "Take this to the medical research team to get to the bottom of it, then check in with the other guard and give me a status report. I've never seen anything like this before."
Next to her, Ayame felt Sasuke stiffen. She looked at him to find his Sharingan eye narrowed. She was so startled, she almost let herself gasp at the sudden sight. The guards disappeared to follow orders and Ayame looked back in the direction when Gaara spoke to Yuki.
"Have you ever seen anything like that?" He asked. She shook her head, looking concerned. He placed a hand on her tense shoulder. "Don't worry. It will be all right."
"Is there anything we can do for you?" Sakura offered politely.
"You have significant training in medical ninjustu, right?" He asked, to which she nodded. "Perhaps I could get a second opinion from you later, after my team looks at the body."
"Sure," she agreed. "I'd love to."
"Great," Gaara sighed, looking stressed already. He excused himself and went back upstairs. Yuki looked after him, but didn't follow as she continued to take the group through the large house, down the middle passage.