A/N: I do not own Naruto or its characters.
Weapon Part 3: Sacrificial Lamb (You Remind Me Of A Pale Jewel)
"I hear he is a demon."
"No, my father said he has a demon inside him."
"Well, either way I am NOT picking him if I have to."
The hushed whispers among the young academy students ended after the loud approach of three shinobi into the dusty square of the rather sand blasted Suna academy. The two male shinobi were lead by a blonde woman wearing a short kimono, mesh on one leg, and a large fan that landed by her feet when she stopped in front of a table that held weapons of all kinds strewn about it carelessly.
The students were lined in rows, all watching the other shinobi with curiosity, awe and a littler fear. The male shinobi on her left wore a dark black suit covering his whole body with only his face exposed. A face, they noticed, covered in tribal purple paint. He had to be a puppet master they deduced by the large straw basket he held on his back. His arms were crossed and a small playful smirk crossed his face. The students' eyes shifted to the smallest on the blonde's right and they felt their bodies freeze and their eyes widen in fear.
Sabaku no Gaara.
He had to be. The dark rimmed almond shaped eyes, the thin mouth, the angry tattoo carved in his forehead matching the color of his wild hair. His eyes looked frightening, so cold and dead. Did he even have a soul? Was it true that he controlled the One Tailed beast…or did it control him? Murmurs filled the small open square before the alto voice of the blonde belted out.
"We will be your instructors at the academy. This will be strictly hands on training, similar to Konohagakure, our allies. Pick a ninja tool best suited for you."
A small trembling hand rose up.
"Do we have to pick a weapon?"
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Temari looked for the small high voice until her zoned her vision onto the small brunette with the scarf a few rows back. How strange to ask that…considering her trembling hands and voice. I wonder she gathered the strength to ask that.
"What do you mean?" Kankuro asked with a small confused frown.
"Its just that we might end up hurting the other person if we use them. We m-might kill them," the young girl asked with her voice becoming nearly silent at the end.
Gaara felt his eyes close before he opened them. He knew his voice was getting dry and his mind was running through images of another trembling, frail girl with milky skin and lavender eyes. He opened his eyes and looked directly at the girl, thinking over his words.
"A weapon is…"
A weapon is me…but I can be something else.
A weapon can protect, not kill.
A weapon can be only what you make it.
Naruto, what would you say? I will be what you make yourself. You prove that birth does not predetermine your path, that you will not be a weapon of destruction. What can I be? Can I be the same?
Hinata, what would you have me be?
"Never mind."
Gaara let out a sigh and looked to the sky, feeling Temari and Kankuro share glances of slight shock and discomfort before continuing what they were asked to do for the academy.
"A mission is not a game, student."Temari replied firmly.
"If you were to enter battle with that frame of mind, you would die. Would you want such an outcome? I believe not."Kankuro chimed in harshly.
The girl dipped her head down and sighed. "Sorry, senseis."
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Matsuri felt her heart drop and her hands quake. She had promised her self she would be a shinobi, but thinking of weapons only made her remember all the blood, her mother and her father with their blank dead eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut before feeling a sharp elbow jab and someone lean close to her.
"Great, you totally pissed off Gaara asking such a dumb question. You are so in trouble."
Matsuri tilted her head to the side, her brown bangs falling in her eyes before looking into the blonde boy's eyes. "No, n-no I didn't."
"Humph, we will see. Just watch."
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Kankuro noticed the discomfort of the students and nodded at Temari that it was time to get to business. Baki wouldn't have asked them to be instructors if they weren't awesome shinobi, which he knew they were. He also knew deep down this was Gaara's best chance to prove the council and the village wrong about him, that he had changed. He wasn't a monster; he was a human and a powerful shinobi. Let's party.
"The three of us will now conduct hands on training. Gather your weapon from the respective class of your choice and meet with one of us. Go!"
Temari leaned over and faced Gaara, worry etched on her face.
"Please try to smile, Gaara. They will get scared and nobody will choose you if you look so…so, um sulky."
Gaara closed his eyes again and let out a sigh. He could hear the scattering of feet and the students yelling and squealing with delight.
"I want Kankuro!"
"I want Temari!"
But amidst that he heard the ugly whispers, the same words he had heard all his life.
"My dad says Gaara is Suna's Ultimate Weapon."
"Yeah. He's so powerful that the village would be destroyed if he got pissed off. Look at him wrong and boom! No more Suna."
"He's so scary, so lets not piss him off."
He heard the sucking in of air and a trembling voice. "Well I'm not risking it. I'm not going near him. I don't wanna die."
Gaara crinkled his nose and opened his eyes, looking at the sand on the ground of the square. He heard all the students grabbing weapons and gathering around his siblings. Dead silence surrounded him, as expected. He had hoped that the rumors would dissipate after everything, all he had done and strived to do. He just didn't know how to…relate. He didn't even know the word, the feeling. He slid his eyes shut, the headache returning.
All those years of loving only myself through killing, years of hate and that distance have made me nothing. I don't know if I am human. Why do they laugh and squeal? Smiling…what is it? Touch…I have never had that except before I killed the only one I thought cared for me. Yashamaru.
Naruto, why is it so easy for you? You push and strive. How do I do it? Why do you smile and laugh and cry? I don't know those…emotions.
Gaara was interrupted from his thoughts as he felt a presence and opened his eyes to notice a shadow connect with his own in the sand. He looked up slowly. It was the girl, the one who had asked the question about weapons. He tilted his head and eyed her.
So small and frail, rank with innocence. Those large brown eyes speak volumes. Why would she approach me?
"Um, please be my teacher!
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"Um, please be my teacher!"
Matsuri gulped after she spoke. She felt her hands become sweaty and legs nearly wobble. His sharp green eyes merely looked on her and his mouth remained still. His body really was like a statue. If she hadn't known he was a person, she would think he really was a carving…maybe a mime during one of Suna's festivals during the solstice.
Earlier, he was trying to teach me something…I just know it.
After moments of silence, his gravelly voice rang out. "Am I…all right for you?"
His question was loaded; both confused and tense at once. Yep, he was perfect for being her sensei.
"Please teach me!"
Her new sensei cocked an ear, hearing his brother chuckle before turning to her and raising a hairless brow.
"What is your name?"
"Matsuri."
"Matsuri, pick up a weapon."
Matsuri followed her mysterious teacher and looked down on the table that held only a few weapons after being ravaged by the other students who were now practicing with the other instructors. A cold sweat broke on her brow and she began to shake, before backing up.
Mother. Father. It was so fast, over in an instant and all the blood everywhere.
"What is it?" Her sensei's voice rumbled.
Matsuri looked at his dead eyes and shook her head. "Um, nothing."
"Then come at me with the intent to kill. Do not hold back."
Matsuri laid a wobbly hand on a weapon and lifted up a large spiked club. She had never held anything so heavy in her life and knew she wasn't going to be able to hold it. With a grunt, she heaved up the weapon and then felt gravity take over when she landed on her butt.
Green eyes scrutinized her before sliding to the table. His eyes scanned the weapons before his pale hand landed on the smallest weapon. She eyed it and swept her bangs out of her face. He was holding a small sharp blade connected to a piece of some sort of rope. What kind of weapon was that?
He began to swing it around slowly, gaining speed. She watched him in awe as he spun it in quick circles atop his head, from side to side, and in front of his face. His face remained calm the whole time. He looked so at ease the whole time. I wish I could do the same. I wish I were so calm…period.
"The sharp blade at the end of the rope is to keep your enemy out of your reach rather than for attack and you seal off your enemy's movement with the rope. This offers great defense and also offense."
The blade suck into one of the wooden practice dummies after wrapping around it, flying from his hand so quick she barely saw it. Her wide eyes looked back at him, his eyes still locked on the dummy.
"This is a johyo, a perfect defense weapon. A weapon does not have to always be for offense. A weapon can also protect those precious to you, remember that. Now practice with it until it become fluid, like another appendage."
Matsuri knitted her brows as his voice became soft at the end. She stood and dusted off her clothes, fixing her scarf and moving to collect the johyo.
"Yes, sensei."
XXXXX
The ravine was deep and narrow, a great example of one of the natural beauties of Suna's desert landscape. The browns, oranges, beiges and even the black colors complimented each other so well that many of the guards from Suna enjoyed being assigned to defend the outer borders of the village. When the sun did set, it set perfectly and gave such splendid rays that melted together. Nothing, nothing anywhere was more beautiful or solemn when night rubbed her sleepy eyes.
The blood on the sandy floor did not compliment the ravine. Nor did the sharp silver kunai thrown, slicing the air and embedding in the walls.
Guards, young and older, lay on the ground. Blood leaked from their bodies and colored the sand. A man's foot stepped atop the hand of a half alive Suna guard, who yelled in pain before being silenced forever.
"Is this all the shinobi of Sunagakure have to offer? How terribly…sad and pathetic."
Another lower voice responded.
"Hmmm, leave the one by the wall alive. We can most likely use him to draw the One Tailed Shukaku out."
A female voice rang out. " Splendid, Hoki."
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Temari felt tired. The training had been strenuous. Some students had shown great promise while others had simply shown great egos. It was bothersome. A mace had almost hit her head at one point. The boy had merely rubbed his head, smiled and said he was sorry.
Like that Naruto, she thought but a smile broke through. If not for Naruto, then Gaara would have been lost.
Kankuro walked beside her as well, taking in the light breeze dancing through the village.
"What nice weather, huh? I bet Gaara did fine."
Temari smiled. "I think Gaara is going to do better than he thinks. But his student..."
She trailed off and shared a look with Kankuro. They both thought the same thing. That one is so like Hinata.
Both were snapped out of their thoughts by the stench of blood and the limping of a guard toward them before he fell on the sand.
"Hold on, you're going to be fine!"Temari yelled out before holding him.
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Hinata focused on the dummy and took her fighting stance. She edged her right foot forward then ran full speed. She drove a palm quick, the blue chakra emitting all along her skin. With a loud splintering sound, the dummy snapped in half and the wood pieces landed around. Some pieces became dust falling to the grass while others stood in odd angles on the lower part of the dummy.
She couldn't help but rub her hands and wipe sweat off her brow. She had come close to blocking a second tenketsu spot on Father, the first blow happening today. Father had agreed that after many more sparring sessions Neji and Hinata made a great team. They both complimented the other with their different variations of the Gentle Fist and Trigram style.
She smiled to herself, finding herself pleased before jumping in surprise as Shikamaru appeared out of nowhere with a loud Naruto. She hid, a blush on her cheeks, and grabbed her plush jacket.
"Really, Hinata? I've seen you twice without the jacket practicing."Naruto rolled his eyes, before smacking Shikamaru on the back.
Shikamaru gave him a pointed look before sighing.
"Hinata-sama, the Hokage has given orders for a few missions for your team and Naruto. Your progress has impressed her, though she feels you still would be a great addition to the medical forces. Apparently being a scout is also your forte."
Hinata blushed. "W-well, we c-can see what h-happens. I-I will b-be there shortly."
Shikamaru turned to leave before Naruto came up to her in a sneaky nearly mischievous way. He lowered his eyebrows and put a hand by his mouth, leaning toward her.
"Hey did you hear? The Sand siblings are teaching at their new academy. Konoha style. Its pretty awesome huh?"
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Matsuri spun the johyo in her hand again and felt it slide from her hand, but instead of the rope wrapping around the dummy it felt to the ground in a heap.
Gaara eyed her and handed the johyo to her shaking hands. "What is wrong?"
Matsuri huffed and inhaled slowly. She felt the words flow out quickly. Her parents, the weapons, the blood, the screams, everything came out. She waited for him to sneer or laugh or something. But only silence hung in the air. She didn't know if she liked that over the rest. She must really be a terrible student.
"Matsuri, for what purpose do you hold a weapon?"
Gaara felt her eyes flash at him, wide eyed and surprised. He caught himself thinking the color lavender before flashing back to the brown color that they were. He hesitated before thinking of the faces and names in his mind.
Naruto…Hinata…
"Matsuri."
Matsuri turned quickly to face her sensei. His head was turned to the side, his back facing her as he moved to walk away.
"Yes, sensei?"
"You remind me of someone…precious. She used her skills and abilities as a perfect defense. You can do the same. She is…the perfect example of using any weapon as perfect defense to protect those close to her. Remember that and my words."
"Y-yes, sensei. I will work hard."
She barely caught his whisper, but she did.
"I know you will, just like her."
XXXXXXX
"Interesting. Well, there's our target."
A huff followed.
"He didn't notice us. I thought he was alerted by any threat."
Eyes watched Gaara walk away from the young frail girl in the training square. She had returned back to throwing the johyo, and failing miserably. Gaara was exactly as described. The fiery red hair, dark rimmed hollow eyes, and the gourd strapped on his back that held sand mixed with the blood of his victims.
"We will start with her first. What say you, Hoki?"
The woman's alto rang out followed by another man's.
"The girl then this other that Sabaku no Gaara speaks of. She seems…precious to him. Very interesting."
"Yes." They all agreed before dropping down.
"Are you Sabaku no Gaara's student? You will be the first sacrifice.
Matsuri couldn't even scream before she saw blackness and a heavy weight grab her around her waist.
XXXXX
The sun was beginning to set. Gaara walked slowly through the village streets, arms crossed and eyes closed. He rolled over his thoughts in his head, letting the images flood him: training with the young Matsuri, the dream of blood, and Hinata. Everything was about her. It seemed Fate had been cruel and kind to give him Matsuri as a student. She was so like Hinata…but also not. No one was like Hinata…no one.
Gaara felt himself lost in his thoughts before hearing his name being shouted.
"Gaara, we were about to grab you!"Kankuro rushed out. He stood by Temari, who seemed to be holding a bloody guard.
"This patrol was attacked by someone. We need to tell Baki,"Temari reported to him.
The guard gurgled then grabbed onto Temari before looking at Gaara with drooping, blood soaked eyes.
"These guys, this gang, they called themselves the Four Celestials. They were brandishing bizarre weapons…never seen them before. They said to give Sabaku no Gaara a message."
Gaara felt himself tense before nodding. "Go on."
"We declare a challenge to you, the ultimate weapon. If you don't…accept the challenge, we will take away one person close to you every day…and they shall pay the price for you."
Gaara felt coldness sweep him, a terrible knot in his stomach growing. His hands clenched and his head began to ache. He wanted to rip at his hair as the temples began to throb. Shukaku was beginning to burst through from that part of his mind he kept him caged. His eyes were burning, his hands shaking, everything spinning.
Hinata….
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Hinata's eyes widened at Naruto's words.
"A-all of them?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Yeah, Hinata. Sand Siblings equal three. Never thought Gaara would teach but its pretty great for the guy."
Hinata smiled to her self and looked at Naruto sweetly.
"Yes, it really is. I am so happy for him."
Naruto quickly raised his eyebrows.
"Wow, Hinata you didn't stutter."
"It w-would be nice t-to see him teaching y-young students…"
Shikamaru raised a suspicious eyebrow, looking at Hinata. He barely caught her last words. He knew Naruto did not for he shrugged, slapped Hinata on the back and asked if she wanted some ramen.
"No, no she did not."
Interesting…and bothersome. Temari would not be happy. Women…
A/N: This my holiday present to everyone. This is a long chapter so forgive any spelling or grammar errors from this chapter and the previous so I may fix it. I used dialogue from the anime but I clearly do not own it. Its just included. I changed up some of how the episode occurred but it is not too noticeable. I made it to fit in and mesh with the story I am writing. Please enjoy it and review for feedback. Have a nice holiday.