Chapter ten – Good to be Back.
Yasu was impressed at how swiftly and efficiently things had moved on since Gaara had stepped in. Her possessions had been transferred to Suna and here she was walking back down the cool windy tunnel towards the village entrance. It felt very strange coming back but Yasu had to admit to a few excited butterflies inside her stomach. When they came to the light at the opposite end Yasu was greeted by the unrelenting desert sun.
She glanced around instinctively for the nearest shade feeling her skin shrivel and yearn to repel the heat. It would take a while to acclimatize again to temperatures above 35 degrees each day. The village had grown larger with more convenience stores and visitors. There was a buzz from the younger generation too with music heard on street corners and a game of football in the main square. Last time there had been a handful of market stalls and the people cooped up inside hiding away.
This was a vibrant place full of life and energy. As the Kazekage walked along there were shouts of joy at his return and most curious of all friendly smiles. He stood still and greeted the children that had raced up to welcome him home. Yasu's mouth dropped open, Gaara was now accepted and loved by his people that much was crystal clear. He deserved it, having worked hard to keep the momentum of change going and building a future of prosperity, just like he promised he would. He really had took the role of the Fifth Wind Shadow seriously, there was no fear or tension here – only people that felt happy and safe.
"This place has really grown, it's incredible." She said pulling the rucksack higher up her back.
"Indeed," was Gaara's short reply but there was warmth and pride etched into it.
"Well of course it has!" Temari added. "You didn't expect time to stand still just because you left, did you?"
Yasu inhaled through her nose and let it out slowly. "No, I didn't expect anything."
Temari grinned back evilly. "You'll notice more changes soon enough." After that she turned on her heel and headed back towards the administration building. Watching her go was like déjà vu the oldest Sand sibling was always spoiling for a fight for one reason or another.
"Well, I better find lodgings first and get settled," she bowed to the Kazekage ready to take her leave. As she raised her head again he looked lost for a moment.
"That will not be necessary," he folded his arms. "The Ambassador's residence is at your disposal and unoccupied."
Her eyes widened she obviously hadn't expected to be offered her old home, this pleased him. "You thought the building had been taken over by one of the council?"
"If I'm honest I thought you might flatten the place!" A half laugh escaped her lips. "You are most generous but I'm not an ambassador anymore. I hardly need an entire house to conduct my studies!"
Gaara ignored her and began walking up the western dirt path. Soon his reluctant guest followed and they spotted someone coming towards them.
Maybe it was a trick of the light but Yasu thought she saw a woman with medium viridian green hair sprinting down the slope.
Shiro?
When she blinked however it turned out to be a kunoichi with short brown hair and a Sunan ninja band around her neck. The young girl ran towards the Kazekage with a huge grin, again completely unafraid.
"Gaara Sensei!" She exclaimed positively bursting with affection.
He acknowledged her with a polite nod. "Matsuri, this is Miss Katashi – a fellow ninja from the Hidden Leaf. She has come to study our training programme at the academy."
"Oh," Matsuri seemed surprised. Her keen dark eyes making an assessment of Yasu still undecided about the stranger.
"I want you to stay here with our guest and assist Miss Katashi in any way possible, is that understood?"
"Yes sir!" She replied immediately standing to attention.
Gaara then turned to Yasu, "I have a meeting with the high council."
"Of course, don't let me keep you!" Yasu smiled sympathetically if there was one thing she would not miss about being ambassador it was the endless boring meetings that she had to attend.
"I hope you will be comfortable here." He gestured towards the house.
She tried not to look at him however the Kage was skilful at maintaining eye contact. He really had grown handsome and confident too. She thought suddenly of the boy who used to hide behind the walls of this very same house and use his third eye jutsu to watch the preparations for the festival.
"You have been more than kind, Lord Kage." Yasu reassured him still trying to get away.
"The academy is open from six in the morning until five in the afternoon. No appointments are required, please feel free to ask any questions and should there be any concerns..." He looked pointedly at her. "I ask that you bring them to my attention."
As expected she narrowed her blue eyes immediately. "I'm meant to be a casual observer. Not some sort of inspector!"
"You are studying the positive effects of the Hidden Leaf curriculum on our students." Gaara was insistent. "If anything is not up to standard it would be helpful to know. Can I trust you to do this?"
Matsuri looked uncomfortably from the leader she adored to the blond bimbo who was trying his patience. Just what was her problem?
"This is my research and I am not acting like some sort of spy checking up on people! I've been on the receiving end of such games – if you care to remember?" Her voice was laden with fury.
The shinobi blinked but gave nothing away.
"You would do well to mind your manners in front of Master Gaara!" Matsuri was appalled at such a display of disrespect towards her sensei. She spoke with devotion taking a kunai and stepped directly in front of him.
Yasu arched a very weary eyebrow, so this was death threat number one. The babysitter was certainly going to be a handful!
"If I see something seriously wrong I'll mention it." She began to limbo away from the sharp blade as she said this. "And yes, you can trust me. Good day, my Lord."
She could feel Gaara's eyes on her as she went on alone. It wasn't until she'd stepped onto the porch and peeked back, that the teacher and his student were engaged in conversation. She could hear the Kage's low but authoritative tone in contrast to the heated ramblings of his pupil.
The blond went ahead, relieved. Pushing the old creaking door she stepped inside, a thin beam of light followed her casting a blurry shadow in the room. She opened the dusty curtains allowing even more natural light to flood in. When all the downstairs windows had been opened she stood back and smiled. There was a wooden desk near to the southern wall complete with brush and pot of ink. This was where she had written letters (as ambassador) to Lady Tsunade. To the right was the small kitchen where Shiro had made endless cups of green tea, and the rocking chair that she had often fallen asleep in. It was as if the place hadn't been touched since she went away.
In the bedroom was a painting of a pink desert flower. This sent shivers down Yasu's spine it had been a gift from Gaara. With the flower were the words: where flowers bloom so does hope. A quotation from a fairytale Temari had shared as a 'bedtime story' for the newly arrived ambassador. She carefully touched the painting with her fingertips and sighed softly.
"Miss Katashi?"
Yasu turned around and surveyed Matsuri whose temper had somehow fizzled out in the past five minutes.
"Do you need anything?"
The older ninja thought for a moment then looking decisive she said, "Can you found out if a woman called Shiro is in town? Should be in her late thirties, used to be a part of the ninja core and has green hair. She was the house keeper here about three years ago."
"Erm, yes I can do that for you, Miss Katashi."
Yasu flinched, "Oh, and one more thing, if you're going to babysit me while I'm here please just call me Yasu."
"That's a little informal for one of Lord Gaara's guests!" She was shocked for a moment. "But if that's what you wish, Miss Yasu."
"Just Yasu," She amended.
Matsuri made a face before trying again. "Yes Yasu!"
When Matsuri had been outraged at Miss Katashi's behaviour, Lord Gaara had taken it upon himself to explain that she was an old friend, someone who was precious to him. He reminded his student of the time before she had been kidnapped by the Artisan group when he was not quite so popular with the villagers. Yasu had been there for him trying to help get the village back on its feet. She'd been inexperienced and scared of letting people down but despite this she managed to make it through. He had great respect for the woman in front of her now, no she was off again!
"I need to check something," Yasu spoke to herself as she proceeded upstairs. She turned around in a circle craning her neck to check the ceiling, from one side then to the other. There was some damage in places which was to be expected, after all the sandstorms in Suna were not to be taken lightly. "Yeah, I'm going to need some grit, mud and underlay to fix the roof."
"Fix the roof!" The brunette was surprised. "I could ask one of the craftsmen to come and patch it up, Yasu! You might hurt yourself."
"And I could use earth style to plug the holes right now, but it wouldn't be the same, would it?" She chuckled. "Besides, it won't take nearly as long as the first time I did it!"
"The first time?"
"Yes, the first time I came here the house was falling apart! Shiro and I, with a little help from Temari-"
"Lady Temari!" Matsuri blurted out on auto pilot.
Yasu shrugged there was no point arguing over other people's titles. "My apologies, Lady Temari helped to secure the roof too, that better?" She tossed over a small bag of coins.
Two black eyes shone back with irritation but she seemed satisfied. "I will collect the supplies and return with the information you have requested."
"Thanks," Yasu called after Matsuri who had taken off like a demon possessed. Such a serious youngster but it seemed her heart was in the right place at least. The ex-ambassador eased into the chair, closing her eyelids and rocked back and forth in a steady rhythm. It was good to be back.
Author's note – I had to get the old Naruto series out again to watch Matsuri's debut, she was so cute! Thank you to Snowlily246 for the reviews. Any feedback is appreciated! Allybalybee x