I almost had to wait for this chapter to update. Almost. I almost had a…a.. Writer's Block! Eww even saying it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but I didn't. ^-^
If you guys have the chance, check out my profile to see a real picture that I posted of myself. (With a Suna headband :D) I think it came out great and for a larger version see my DeviantART. I thought it will be fun, so I did it. ^-^
Special thanks to My. Heart. My. Choice., Illusions11, Xauntis, Phenitial, Antonella, Keomi-Sage, Butterfly Ninja 14. ^-^
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.
Chapter 10: Vacation
"Wait, what do you mean by vacation?" asked Matsuri.
"Well…"
Flashback
Gaara sat himself down as the elders were already in their seats awaiting their Kazekage.
"You all called me here," he spoke in a calm tone.
"Yes Lord Kazekage," spoke a councilor man. "We've been thinking for a while and come up with a decision."
"A decision?" he questioned, not knowing of their intentions.
The councilor woman spoke next making it easier for everyone. "Lord Kazekage, the councilor has reached a decision and it would be best that Temari, Kankuro, Matsuri and yourself need a vacation, but of course after Matsuri-sama is healed."
"I see… and there is no way out of this."
"I'm afraid not," she said with a smile on her face.
…
Hours later.
At night the lights filled the Sunagakure as many residences filled the plaza for entertainment fresh hot food filled the air with its rich aroma. Children ran alongside the whole group and waved as they passed their leader, Gaara; who was wearing his respected Kazekage ropes with the hat hanging by his side. Matsuri smiled at their friendly gesture knowing that people really do change.
Peddlers and merchants busied themselves trying to sell their wares and entice people into their shops, while parents called for their children. Occasionally multiple villagers would stop their duties to bow before their Kazekage, or hail him as he walked past. Gaara would simply nod in acknowledgment, and continue walking looking dead ahead as the group follows him around.
The Konoha group with the Suna group walked around together as they saw many of the stands beginning to be out together and decorations were being hanged as well.
"What is all this?" questioned Naruto, looking around.
Gaara answered for him. "In less than two weeks the Lunar Festival is about to begin. It's our biggest festival of the year for Suna and many are already starting to decorate and prepare."
Naruto gasped looking off into one direction startling everyone.
"Naruto, what is it?" questioned Neji, looking around to find anyone suspicious.
"Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata holding his hand, looking at him with concerned eyes.
"I-it's -…" startled Naruto, raising a finger.
"A what?" asked a inpatient Sasuke as he narrowed his eyes at Naruto.
"A Ramen Stand!" shouted Naruto with gleaming eyes, pointing to the direction of the stand in the far left of the plaza.
Everyone, but Gaara, fell to the floor anime style. Even a few pedestrians fell down as well listening in, or they have disbelief faces. Did he really save their Kazekage all those years ago?
"Naruto!" yelled Sakura, ready to punch him. "I thought it was something important!"
"This is important!" yelled Naruto moving away from Sakura, griping a good hold on Hinata's hand. "Let's go Hinata!"
After that they raced off to the ramen stand, leaving then behind in the dust.
"Well Neji and I are going to see the weapons stand," said Tenten, walking away with each other.
"Come on Sasuke-kun, let's see the stands," said Sakura, pulling Sasuke's arm along.
"All right."
"Well," Temari said as she wrapped her arm around Shikamaru's arm. "Let's go see what they have already up."
"Troublesome," he replied with a small smile.
"I shall go with you," shouted Lee grinning.
They both sweat dropped. "Um…"
"Great, let's go!"
The three of them went off into another direction. Now left was Gaara, Matsuri, and Kankuro and seeing how Kankuro is the third wheel he simply walked off in the other direction to a dango stand.
"Well shall we walk," said Matsuri with a grin.
Gaara gave a small smile of his own and gave a small nod. They continued to walk and view the sights from side to side. Though it was irritating Matsuri that many of the other girls are flashing 'sweet' smiles at him, mostly all with heart shaped eyes and squeals. Whispering, giggling and giving Matsuri an evil look. Gaara simply ignored them; to much of the disappointment for the fan girls, but at time Matsuri simply wanted to yell 'We're together!' but it's the best way for now. "The elders probably would have an uproar if they found out that we are together."
How wrong is she…
Gaara on the inside felt uneasy. Even with Matsuri by his side he could feel the eyes of some brave men looking at Matsuri with lust in their eyes, but still wouldn't dare to ask her out with Gaara around or anytime at that. Matsuri grow from a young girl to a very lovely woman in the past years and Matsuri will be his and only his, his precious desert rose.
Morning the very next day.
Darkness. Just one word to describe how Matsuri is feeling. A peaceful darkness. In the arms of the one that she loves. She opened her eyes to find the sun already rising to start the day. She turned slightly to the right to find that Gaara was still sleeping soundly with his arms still wrapped lightly around her. She smiled and slowly brought her arms up to rub his head gently. His hair never seizes to amaze her and has the softest touch ever.
She began to trace her finger around his face, on his nose, cheeks and eyes. Even though the One-Tailed Shukaku was removed years ago he still had the dark rings around his eyes. She stopped just to think about it when he almost died and almost left her. Her thoughts were broken when she felt him grunt and brought his lips to her forehead and signed.
"Um… why did you stop?" he mumbled still sleepy from a night of his solo patrol. Even after the ANBU patrolling even more he still wanted to personally patrol before they leave.
Flashback
Jumping from home to home was the Four Celestial as they moved on forward and made their way to the exit of the Hidden Sand Village.
"Hoki, why the hell would you make us retreat? And even after we had that brat right where we wanted her!" complained Ryūgan.
"She has the birthmark," he spoke in a somewhat serious tone. "There is no doubt about it, it's right behind her neck."
"What do you mean birthmark?" asked Suiko.
"The one that-" before he could finish sand shot out and almost crushed them to death, but not before they jumped away from the attack, landing safely on the border wall of Sunagakure.
The figure that attacked them landed safely on top of a sand made platform. Crossing his arms with sand already pouring out of his gourd was the Kazekage himself, Gaara.
"Well, look who finally decides to show," said Kujaku. "And look at you, all grown up and the Kazekage of all things."
Gaara narrows his eyes.
"Do you really want to fight us with your precious village so close?" questioned Hoki.
"Why did you come here?" questioned Gaara with his sand at his will. Easily protecting him and from surprise attack, or striking down the enemy.
"Oh just to have a chat with you, but instead we found someone even better, Matsuri," he smiled. "And I might add that she's grown up to be a fine woman."
It took all of Gaara's will power not to crush him horribly and slowly because of the face Haki was making when he was talking about Matsuri. Then appearing around Gaara was the sand ANBU protecting their Kazekage in a triangle formation.
"Sorry to wrap this up, Kazekage," he sneered when saying Kazekage, "but faith has changed our course."
All four of them raised their weapons from their black cloaks and a bright light engulfed them and they disappeared without a trace to be found.
"Oh, sorry," she began to rub his head again. Gaara smiled lightly.
"No, its fine, we should already be getting up to travel to the springs," he said getting up. Pulling Matsuri up as well with his arms still wrapped around her.
Matsuri rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Alright," she yawned. "I'll go to my house and start to pack."
He nodded. "I do the same."
A crash was heard from the kitchen. Along with a smack and a yell.
"I can see that Temari and Kankuro are up," giggled Matsuri.
Gaara sighed.
"Well, let's go greet them," smiled Matsuri, pulling away from Gaara and standing up and walking to the door as she straighten out her outfit that she always wears.
Opening the door to the guest room, they walked down the stairs to find Temari cooking breakfast and Kankuro picking up pieces of glass off the floor.
"Should I even bother asking?" questioned Gaara.
"Well," started Temari. "It started with this lazy fart trying to eat all of the food I'm cooking." Placing her hands on her hips, glaring at her younger brother.
"Temari is cooking breakfast for the Nara kid," stated Kankuro, pointing his finger at Temari.
"I left some for you."
"Not much."
"Shut up."
"Well," Matsuri interrupted before it got into a full size argument. "I'll be going to my house to pack up." She opened the front door. "I'll be back." She waved goodbye and closed the front door.
"I expect you two do the same," explained Gaara, turning to them with his arms folded.
"Ya, ya."
Sorry for any errors or OOCs
AN: Well that does it for this chapter. 10 chapters so far! Yay! And still going. Thanks for reading ^-^
Review? ^-^