Please see first chapter for disclaimer, rating, warnings, pairings, etc.
Special Thanks: goes out to HaibaraAiFan, TheGirlWithNoIQ, rao hyuga 18, McKazekage, Halestrom, and greetingsfrommaars for all your fabulous reviews! I always get so excited when I see a new alert in my inbox. And also thanks to those who have added this story to their favorites and follows - you all do so much to keep me encouraged, too!
Author's Note: I'm so excited about this chapter - and about this whole story arc, really - I have no words to describe! This is a huge turning point in the story (and in Itachi and Temari's relationship), and I can't wait to share everything with all of you! I hope you enjoy this chapter (and I apologize for it's late appearance!), and thank you so much for reading!
*~Chapter IX~*
~Gift Horse~
Temari fought back the almost overwhelming urge to yawn as she and Kazedansu plodded along at a walk alongside several other women vacationing in the Land of Gems. Both she and her mare would much rather be out galloping, but that wouldn't help the mission any.
"My husband said I have to stay away from the marketplace for two days." Juuri's lower lip, painted bright red, stuck out far enough for Temari to hang a jacket on. "He says I've already spent more in three days than I do at home in a week. I don't think I believe him, though." She tossed her head, making her inky black curls bounce over her shoulders and around her face.
Kazedansu's derisive snort - a comment on the pace they were going - perfectly portrayed Temari's feelings on the matter of shopping in general, and overshopping in particular. She rolled her lips together to keep from laughing.
"The Land of Gems has more than just shopping, you know." The irritated comment came from Rima, riding on Temari's right. The honey-haired woman had been silent until just then, content with the quiet - just like Temari. "There's horseback riding through the fields, swimming in the lake, or even just relaxing on the back verandah with a book."
Kanae leaned around Juuri, her dark eyes alight with humor. "I, personally, am glad I found you three," she said. "My husband wanted to come here for New Year's because he's got family nearby." She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "As I don't particularly get along with my in-laws, I desperately hoped I could find a like-minded group of women to spend most of my time with."
Temari figured two out of three wasn't bad, although Juuri seemed far more interested in complaining than actually adding anything interesting or constructive to the conversation. Temari had managed to make the acquaintances of the three richest women vacationing here, with her "Kayo" rounding out the group. If anyone was going to be robbed, it would be this group; she was certain of it. Aloud she commented, "Hanbei doesn't have family in the area, but a friend of his vacationed here last New Year's, and he recommended it. So here we are for our honeymoon."
Juuri let out a sigh. "I saw your Hanbei last night at the parade," she said. "He's so handsome! You're so lucky, Kayo."
Despite her personal thoughts on the matter, Temari allowed a small, secretive smile to curl her lips. "He is that," she agreed. "And I must admit, he treats me like a queen. Though our marriage was arranged, we've definitely made the best of it." Perhaps she'd missed her real calling when she became a ninja. She should've become an actress instead.
She and Itachi had been in the Land of Gems for only three days, but they'd both already made a lot of headway. Itachi had ingratiated himself with the husbands of the women with whom she was riding, and she hoped he was having as much luck as she at being noticed.
Rima stood up in her stirrups and squinted ahead at a flat expanse of field stretching out not too far ahead of them. "Anyone up for a race?" she asked, ice blue eyes sparkling with challenge.
Temari and Kanae agreed immediately; Juuri, however, reined in her horse and shook her head. "No thank you. I'll stay over here and watch you three, then let you know who won."
For the first time since Temari realized her and Itachi's mission would keep her from taking part in the Founder's Festival race this year (on reflection, she decided her brother probably planned it deliberately, since he had a new horse and didn't want to take the chance his big sister would beat him again), she felt excited. She might not get to race against Suna's best, but at this point, any sort of race would do.
The trio of racers lined up at the edge of the field, holding their prancing mounts in check until Juuri shouted, "Go!" Kanae surged into an early lead, her bay mare pulling ahead by several lengths as Temari and Rima raced neck-and-neck behind her.
With the wind whistling past her ears and through her hair, and her powerful mount straining beneath her, Temari felt free. She laughed at the sensation, crouching further over Kazedansu's shoulders as she coaxed even more speed out of her mount. The mare had slowed down a bit as she grew older, but even at that she still held her place as one of the fastest horses in Suna - and, now, in the Land of Gems.
Kanae shot a quick glance over her shoulder, looking surprised to see Temari and Rima splitting to go around her on either side. Jerking her head around, the dark-haired woman tried to urge more speed out of her bay.
The field was nowhere near as long as the track ringing the circumference of Suna. Since Kazedansu had trained for a longer track, three times around, she had no trouble racing past Kanae's horse, then Rima's, to take the win at the other end of the field. Neither Temari nor her mare were even winded as they dropped to a walk and turned to ride back toward Juuri.
"You didn't even make it hard to call!" Juuri accused, laughing, as the four women met up again in the middle of the field. "Kayo won it easily, and Rima nosed Kanae out for second."
"That's some mare," Rima said admiringly, eyeing Kazedansu. "Do you race often?"
"Hanbei and I have been known to do a few laps," Temari replied modestly. Granted, it was only once, and we only did one lap. Feeling badly about fudging, she continued, "I have a younger brother-" not the whole truth, but enough of it she didn't feel guilty "-and we've raced each other a few times."
"Who won more often?" Juuri wondered aloud.
"We're split pretty much evenly." Also true, in the grand scheme, though he had yet to beat her with Kaen.
"Sounds fun," Kanae said wistfully. "I could never get any of my brothers or sisters to race with me. My husband tolerates horses, but doesn't particularly like them, so he doesn't really race."
Rima leaned her arms on the pommel of her saddle and smiled. "Senri and I race all the time. We're both wildly competitive, so we've had more ties than wins, really." She shook her head so her hair fell back away from her face, then continued, "Senri actually just bought a new horse, and he's looking to sell his other one. Big black stallion, fairly even-tempered, and fast. If any of you know of anyone looking for a new horse, please send them our way."
An idea - completely crazy, but good nonetheless, at least in her humble opinion - exploded in her mind like fireworks: bright, colorful, irresistable. "Hanbei is looking for a new horse," she said. "His birthday is coming up-" actually, she had no idea if that was true, at least of Itachi, but it sounded good "-and I've been thinking about getting him a new horse. Mind if I ride over some time and take a look?"
Straightening in her saddle, Rima tightened her grip on her reins and offered, "You can come now, if you like. Do you ladies mind?"
Juuri glanced at Kanae. "We might just keep on riding...?" At the other brunette's nod, she turned back to Temari and Rima. "See you both tomorrow for the early New Year's party at my estate?"
After agreeing, the women went their separate ways. Temari kept her eyes open for anything suspicious as she followed Rima to the house she and Senri had rented for the holiday. Though smaller than the one Temari and Itachi were staying in, it still looked quite massive in comparison with many of the houses with which the woman from Suna was familiar.
Upon their arrival, a servant informed Temari and Rima Senri was still out. Unbothered, the man's wife led Temari around to the stables. At her request one of the grooms brought out a beautiful black horse, around seventeen hands, who pranced around as if knowing he needed to show off to a potential new owner.
"Senri really loves this horse, but he's a bit too tall for my husband," Rima told Temari as they watched the groom run the big black through his paces at the end of a long lead. "We're looking for a owner who will love him as much as we did. I think you and Hanbei are trustworthy."
Temari leaned against the fence, analyzing the horse the same way she did every time the Sabaku stable looked to invest in a new mount. His strides were free and easy, with no sign that he favored a leg or limped. Occasionally he tossed his head - not in rebellion, but in demonstration of the spirit which glowed in his eyes. His mane and tail flagged out behind him, flowing and shiny with health.
"He's beautiful," Temari said softly as the groom slowed the stallion back down to a walk.
"That he is," Rima agreed. "Would you like to ride him? I can have the groom saddle him."
The idea tempted her, but Temari finally shook her head. "No, I don't believe so. I can tell just by watching he's healthy, and I really do believe Hanbei will like him." The more she thought about it, the more sure she felt her idea was a good one - the right one. It seemed all the more fortuitous since she'd brought some of her own money with her, just in case she had to drop her Kayo facade for some reason and become Temari again for a while. "How much?"
Rima instantly named a figure, and Temari's few remaining doubts vanished. She could buy the horse and still have plenty left over, just in case.
And with this horse, Itachi could really be a challenge on the race course. He couldn't have a go until next year, of course, but the pair would need time to train. She had to bite back a smile at the thought.
As the two women bickered a bit over the price, Temari also thought of what an asset the horse would be on a mission. Granted, she'd only seen him gallop at the end of a rope, but she sensed he would really show his speed if given a chance. Kobiyashi, Itachi's usual mount, was fast, but not nearly a match for the usual standard of a Sabaku mount. Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara looked for speed, agility, and intelligence in their horses; she sensed this black had all three.
After Temari handed over the agreed upon amount, she remounted Kazedansu and accepted the black stallion's lead. Though he shifted his weight a little, indicating his impatience to get moving, he didn't try to bully Kazedansu - who wouldn't have taken it, anyway - or start off without her. Admiring the horse out of the corner of her eye, she addressed Rima. "Does he have a name?"
Rima shaded her blue eyes with one hand and looked up at Temari. "Senri named him Mayonaka," she said. "Not very original, but he is as black as midnight. But I'm sure if your husband wants to rename him, he'll learn to respond to a different name."
Mayonaka, Temari mused to herself. I like it. "Thank you, Rima. I'm sure Hanbei is going to love this horse."
As she rode back toward her temporary home, she determined if Itachi didn't like him, or want him, she'd take him. After all, it was nearly time for Kazedansu to retire, and it would be a crime to let such a good piece of horseflesh go to waste!
To Temari's relief, Itachi had not yet returned when she got back to their rented mansion. Handing over Kazedansu and Mayonaka to a groom - with stern orders to keep the new horse's presence a secret - she plotted a good way to spring the surprise on Itachi. She felt confident he would like the horse. Yet at the same time, the feeling niggled at her that his foolish, stubborn male pride might keep him from accepting the gift. She needed to come up with the perfect thing to do or say to make sure he kept Mayonaka - and gladly.
Matsuri didn't have any helpful advice on the subject before leaving to go into the market with some of the other women for supplies. Her sometimes lady's maid had seen a good opportunity to mingle with some of the regular staff, saying she got a normal half-day off at the time.
"Excellent thinking." Temari sat still, forcing herself to keep a straight face as her small dark-haired maid tugged and twisted her wavy blonde locks into some semblance of a bun. The humidity wreaked such havoc on her hair, she felt sorry for Matsuri's having to try to tame it. "I didn't learn too terribly much from Rima, Kanae, and Juuri. But all three are having parties at their houses over the course of the next few days - Juuri's being the first, then Kanae, then Rima - which means the houses of the other two - well, three, including me - will be relatively empty and easy pickings for the thieves. The question is, on which night will they choose to strike?"
Scraping pins against Temari's scalp in an attempt to confine her hair- "Sorry, milady" -Matsuri hummed thoughtfully. "Which of the three - four, including you - is richest, do you think?"
"In actuality? Probably Kanae and her husband, though to hear Juuri tell it, it's her and hers. To all outside appearances, however, I'd have to say Itachi and myself. What are you thinking, Matsuri?"
Securing the last pin, Matsuri stepped back with a bow. "If I were the thieves, I would wait until the three richest couples were visiting the least, then make my move. Perhaps I would miss out on a large haul, but I would think what I would gain from the three robbed houses would more than make up for it. Not to mention the fact they'll probably be stealing from the houses of the other people attending the party."
Temari got to her feet and began to pace, nodding every few steps. "Yes," she murmured. "To carry something like that off, however, they'd have to move fast, and have a massive group broken up into smaller groups to clean out all those houses." She frowned. "I know we don't know their exact numbers, but could it be possible the total is that large?"
"Plus each of the houses will undoubtly have at least a partial staff inside at the time," Matsuri said. "Not everyone likes to give the staff the evening off when they go out to party."
Thinking back to the conversation she and Itachi had shared over breakfast the morning after they arrived, Temari paused next to the window to look out over the grounds. In the gardens, she could see the bobbing heads of the groundskeeper and his staff at work planting, pruning, and grooming. Over by the stables, two of the grooms were working to hose down Kazedansu, who flicked her tail and occasionally turned her face toward the water, mouth open to catch a few droplets. The place hummed with activity day and night, with various members of the staff on duty at all hours. She knew several other of the houses had similar setups.
"There must be at least a few members of the ring placed within each of the houses," Temari murmured, half to herself, half to Matsuri. "Otherwise, I just don't see how they could possibly pull it off." She and Itachi had both also agreed they had a feeling the ring was prepping for one massive, final job before they picked up and left. She wasn't sure if they would retire with their ill-gotten gains, or if they'd move on to somewhere else, but either way, they needed to be stopped here and now. On that they both agreed.
"Even at that, there's no guarantee the group's accomplices would be on duty at the time," Matsuri said. "They would have to be careful not to let their employers - whomever is renting the house at the time - grow suspicious. If they got too pushy about being on duty at a certain time, particularly if there are several of them, it could blow their cover. And we already feel certain they know we're closing in on them, which is why we feel positive this is going to happen."
"They're going to make a mistake, somehow," Temari said decisively. "There's no way they can pull off a job this massive and not slip up. We'll just have to be sure to be there when they do." She drummed her fingers against the wall next to the window, her eyes catching on the movement of a groom leading Kobiyashi toward the stable. Itachi's back. A flutter of excitement rose in her stomach at the thought of presenting him with Mayonaka. She'd have to do it soon.
"There's just one problem," Matsuri murmured, coming to the window and following her mistress's gaze. "How can you and Master Itachi be in two places at once?"
And that was the major roadblock giving Temari fits. Matsuri looked nothing like Temari, and Soichiro would just as certainly never pass as Itachi, even from a distance. She mentally reivewed the list of Suna ninja who had accompanied them to the Land of Gems, but none of them were right, either. No matter how she looked at it, she and Itachi had to make their appearance at whichever party they felt would be the correct distraction for the thieves. At the same time, however, they had to be ready to lead their fellow Suna ninja in the capture of the thieves.
Her head spun and throbbed. Lifting a hand to her forehead, she rubbed at the most painful spot, scowling at her thoughts, circling round and round like a bunch of buzzards waiting for their prey to die.
How morbid. Turning abruptly from the window, she waved her hand at Matsuri. "That's all for now," she said, trying hard to keep from snapping at the girl. "I need some time alone to think." Or, perhaps, she needed some quiet to keep from thinking. She'd been turning the problem over and over in her mind so much, she sensed she just needed to take a break and come at it from a new, fresh direction. She just knew she was missing something so important...
Matsuri bowed herself out. Temari tumbled onto her bed, lying sprawled on her back so she could stare up at the gauzy canopy above her. She closed her eyes, finding some relief for her throbbing temples in the darkness behind her lids. Just relax, she told herself. Start at your toes, and concentrate on relaxing each one individually, progressing all the way up to your head...
She must have dozed off, because a knock on the door leading from her sitting room to Itachi's woke her a little while later. Temari jolted upright, glad the motion didn't make her dizzy or increase the pain in her head, which had gentled into an ache instead of a throbbing drumbeat. "I'm coming!" she called irritably when the knock repeated itself, slightly louder.
Itachi looked concerned when she opened the door. "Are you all right?" He moved past her into the room when she stepped back to allow him entrance. "I knocked several times before you finally answered."
Wondering how badly she'd messed up Matsuri's painfully inflicted hairdo, Temari self-consciously patted at it, relieved when she found it was still secure. "I was asleep," she admitted. "I had a bit of a headache, but I'm better now. Did you find out anything important during your time with the boys?"
Arching one eyebrow at her term, Itachi settled down onto one of the cushions at the table in the center of the room after she curled up on the other. "Not much, unfortunately. I learned Yukahito likes shougi, Senri horse racing, and Hiro dislikes his wife's proclivity for shopping. But I didn't learn one single thing which would help us figure out who's the best target for the thieves."
"I've got some theories about that, but we'll discuss those later." At Itachi's startled look, she smiled mockingly. "What? Weren't you the one who said we need to take some time off and enjoy ourselves? I'm thinking we've almost burned ourselves out, we've thought about this so long and so hard. We should take the afternoon off, concentrate on something else, then come back this evening with a fresh outlook. We'll get more done that way."
"It makes me feel like I'm studying for finals at the Academy again," Itachi muttered with a half-smile. "But all right. What do you propose we do to while away the afternoon, then?"
Swallowing back her excitement, Temari rose gracefully and headed toward the door. "I've got a surprise for you," she said. "Follow me." She held her breath, waiting until she heard Itachi's footsteps behind her before she opened the door and left the room.
At the bottom of the staircase, Temari stopped a passing servant and whispered in her ear. With a secretive grin, the girl hurried away to fulfill her assignment, leaving Temari free to loop her arm through Itachi's as she told him, "Close your eyes."
Itachi gave her an odd look, but obeyed. "Where are we going?" he asked as she led him out the front door and down three steps to the stone path winding down through waist-high rosebushes to the driveway. "And you're not going to let me run into or trip over anything, right?"
"Oh, I might let you get pricked by a rose thorn or two, but I promise you won't get any permanent damage." Laughing at Itachi's groan, she guided him down the roomy path, then stopped when they reached the end. "I promise it'll be just another minute. We just have to wait here while it's brought to us."
"You're really enjoying have all the servants at your beck and call, aren't you?" A note of teasing took the sting out of Itachi's words as he chuckled. "What is this surprise, anyway? Did you arrange for today's New Year's parade to make a detour through our driveway?"
"No," Temari retorted. "Just be patient, will you?" She caught the glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye, and turned to see the groom she'd spoken with earlier leading Mayonaka toward them, the stallion's hoofbeats muffled by the tightly packed dirt of the drive. "Just another few moments..."
Itachi's arm tensed against her own. "Sounds like a horse," he murmured. "Are we having a guest for dinner?" His curiosity sounded strongly in his tone.
The groom halted Mayonaka before Temari and Itachi and bowed, though the movement didn't hide the wide grin on his lips. Sliding her hand down Itachi's arm until she could take his hand, she led him over to the horse before dropping it and taking a step back. The groom handed her the stallion's lead, then hurried away so the couple could have privacy for the reveal. "All right," she said, butterflies doing anxious acrobatics in her stomach. Why am I so nervous? It's not like this gift means anything. I'm just giving him a horse he can actually challenge me with. Not a big deal at all. "Open your eyes."
Those dark eyes, the same color as Mayonaka's coat, slowly opened. Itachi blinked a few times to adjust to the bright sunlight, then stared in wide-eyed, openmouthed astonishment at the stallion standing before him. "He's - for me?"
Temari felt a little of the anxiety in her chest ease, making it much less difficult to grin. "Yes!" She tilted her head against the stallion's neck, watching as Itachi reached up a hand to rub the big black's velvety nose. "I wanted you to have a horse that would actually make you a challenge to me and Kazedansu," she said with a wave of her free hand. "Rima told me today her husband was looking to sell Mayonaka, and I knew as soon as I saw him he was the perfect horse for you."
Itachi tore his gaze away from the horse to look at Temari, conflict in his eyes. He looked back at Mayonaka, then drew a deep breath as he took a step back and looked away. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I cannot accept this horse. It's too much."
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't you like him, Hanbei?" she hissed, intending to remind him of where - of who - they were.
A spark flared deep in Itachi's fathomless black eyes. "I do," he replied, not raising his voice. "That's not it at all. But I know this gift is not from Kayo to Hanbei, and even if it were, I cannot accept it." He made the single word heavy with inflection, knowing she would understand.
Temari's hand tightened instinctively on the lead; Mayonaka shook his head, sensing her growing irritation. Forcing herself to calm, she gently stroked the beautiful black's cheek and murmured soothingly to him. When he settled again, she turned back to Itachi. "Is there anything I can do to get you to accept him?" she asked. "But be forewarned - one way or the other, I'm determined this horse is going to be yours whether you want him or not."
Reaching up to stroke Mayonaka's nose again, Itachi studied the horse for a long moment, then turned back to Temari. "You're willing to do anything?" he asked intently.
Feeling uneasy under his intense regard, Temari shifted her weight and tossed her head, pretending she neither cared nor felt nervous. "If it means you'll accept Mayonaka." Had she underestimated Itachi? Would he really ask something impossible of her?
Sliding his hand down the lead until it met hers, Itachi forced her to meet his eyes before he smiled. "Go change into some lighter, less fancy clothes," he said. "Then meet me by the lake in twenty minutes - we'll need some privacy for what I have in mind."
Temari felt her stomach twist, whether at his words or at the feeling of his hand gently enclosing hers, she didn't know.
"It's all right," he murmured, smiling at what she knew must be her panicked expression. "I promise." Running the side of his free hand's index finger down her cheek, Itachi smoothly pulled the lead from her hand. "Thank you for Mayonaka," he said as he led the stallion away. "I promise you won't regret giving him to me." He vanished around the side of the house.
Left standing in the middle of the driveway, Temari wrapped her trembling arms around her torso, wondering what in the world she'd just gotten herself into.
Whatever it was, she had a feeling she would not like it. Not in the least.
*~To Be Continued~*
Author's Ending Notes: Typically I don't cross over characters from one of the manga in which I'm interested to another in fics I write. But in this case, I tried but just couldn't resist. Some of you may have recognized Senri and Rima from Vampire Knight, and I wanted to work them in as a tip of a hat since they're my fave couple from the series, which just recently ended. (Though they're most definitely entirely human here.) This is one of my favorite chapters so far, for multiple reasons, and the next two follow suit in a big way - I'm so excited! Thank you for reading, and for your patience waiting for this slightly late update. I hope you enjoyed, and I hope to see you again for the next chapter (which I will try to get up earlier)!