He was facing the oak tree where some flowers still lived and the wind caressed their petals with ease. Gaara had never talked with someone who wasn't even there. Yet since his arrival on Konoha did he had wanted to meet the man who still hold the heart of his friend. First, Gaara listened as she engaged on a solo conversation of their success. The chunnin exams had been rather peaceful, three were promoted, it was no surprise for him both of the Higa passed. He had been rather happy passing time with them, in a sense it was the lucky hand of destiny that let them be together again but their time was running out.
He had seen the previous photo of Shisui on her house, he wondered if maybe she will let his memory go. Her soft hands punched his shoulder, Kaoru waited with a soft grin for him, ready to leave but he had to ask.
"Do you think he might listen?"
Kaoru turned surprised, her skirt dancing as the wind traveled on that afternoon, closing the distance between them and gazing at the tree with an emotion he could not name at the moment.
"Sometime ago I thought the same… but Isamu was the one who explained something about that"
Then she kneeled and took one of the peonies, her stare completely lost on something he could not see.
"He said… the reason we put flowers on someone grave is for our voice to reach them beyond this realm. Without that and our sincere feelings, he could not give our messages."
Then she laughed, short and the sound was pleasant for him, he missed it. "At first I thought he was trying to mock me, but… when Yue prayed on his parent's tomb I could see them. Butterflies. It was so beautiful Gaara..."
Hearing the melancholy on her tone as she kissed the peony and leaved it on its rightful place. Gaara bowed on respect to that person that may be watching.
"Thank you, Shisui-san. You were a wonderful person to Naruto and Kaoru, so continue watching over them."
He felt self conscious at the silence, so he decided to continue their path, her steps soon followed and he felt the warmness of her hand on his. She squeezed and her smile fluttered something inside him as she pushed him forward, her voice jubilant saying "He will have liked you"
Danzo had been proud of himself for so many things over his career. In which he was sure his efforts, his plans… will nourish soon. As he watched that woman fighting fiercely on the Jounin trial did he dared to smile. Who would have thought that receiving those strangers so long ago will have it's benefits? Even if Tsunade suspected something, she will never knew the length of its power until it were too late. At his right side was the Fire Dragon, the infamous ANBU whose face no one know, the elite of ROOT and consequently his second hand. Hikaru Higa was his trump card, with his seal, his loyalty to one cause and his clan power it was just time before he dethroned Tsunade.
He contemplated now the possibilities of adding to his net the boy and the woman who had caused uproar on the exams. The boy was talented, only a fool won't notice, it had caused a great debate with Kirigakure representatives. Whom recognized him as the missing child of the last couple with Ice Kekkei Genkai, a unique ability that now were on Konoha hands. It was virtually impossible to demand any right when the boy was now recognized as the Kazekage son, both villages settled it peacefully, not that Kirigakure had any word on the matter.
He was excited in a way, because the boy was different to Itachi, who was the definition of a prodigy. All he had to do was gain that woman trust and every single valuable asset will be his. The problem, he could not interfere freely, she was too close to… annoying pests. The Kazekage for instance, if anything happened to her it will be a threat to their stable alliance. Then, the Nara boy, who had the keen eye to interpret and strategize, undoubtedly will spill out suspicion if he were to approach her.
Then it was the Uzumaki, or may he say the Kyubi container, with Hatake at his side now fully recovered does his approach seemed impossible. However, he trusted once Sai returned he might disclose more about the woman. Right now he was assessing his next asset skills, surely he had underestimated her, or she had grown on her travels. Danzo had the theory she may have left behind on purpose, by her request or Hiruzen, he suspected the later. What a fool old man.
Once she passed the test, the Fire Lord pursued the possibility of her accepting being part of his personal guard. Of course she declined politely, clearly focused on living here, it was the best for him.
This was the first time Temari felt excited about shopping. Usually she wasn't interested on anything too girlish that may distract her from her own passion. Yet as she followed the red head of his little brother did she wondered, what would happen. Imagine her surprise when he asked for help. Had he ever give a gift before? Well, she had bad memory but this was important. She almost laughed at the serious expression every time he focused on some item.
Gaara wasn't sure what to give. Neither she could think about something good, since Kaoru wasn't the material type, she had few belongings, usually practical but Gaara wanted something that could last. The blunt lazy voice distracted her, Shikamaru, he might be the man they needed since Naruto hadn't returned.
"You! Come with us, we need your eyes" Temari didn't waited for any response of him as she practically pushed Shikamaru to the next store and Gaara blinked on curiosity.
"Normal people ask BEFORE they kidnap busy people around" Shikamaru said, not caring to hide his boredom.
"Don't care. This is the deal. Help us pick up something for Kaoru and we will invite you something for lunch.
The silence and his blank face almost appeared normal, but his eyebrow twitched and she was sure hearing a low grumble. He sighed and didn't give the answer she waited.
"You mean, made Kaoru cook for us"
"Ugh, the same! It's just that my brother is having a hard time on it and I you know… that head of yours may serve for a nice cause" Again that twitch, if he was mad… why hiding it? Gaara interrupted their chat, showing of a little box with earrings. Shining petals surrounded a little glass sphere.
"Is this acceptable?" Temari didn't have a clue if her friend might like them, well it was not her style, it was not practical, but some girls may think it was cute. Then Shikamaru quickly took the box and closing his eyes.
"Listen… I don't think buying something will do." He paused and looked between us, I was curious of what he was thinking since his expressions were a mess. It was really strange watching him with any other sign besides "lazy".
"In any case, why bother? She won't mind if…"
"No, but I will." Gaara interrupted "I-We don't know when we will see each other again. It will ease my mind leaving something to…" Then something clicked on Gaara blue foggy eyes and he left quickly, but Temari had been surprised catching that tiny shine.
"Fantastic…" She heard Shikamaru mumble sarcastically and massage his forehead, now she knew something was bothering him but before she could ask he turned around and leave her alone wondering. What happened?
Sakura thought this mission had taken long, so much had passed between them, the failure, the encounter, the revelations. So far her determination lingered on her missing teammate, the love that had burned on her childhood was on conflict. He had changed so much, she almost not recognized him. It was difficult to distinguish her feelings, she had grown but her heart was a mess. The only clear thing she had was that she still cared for him, it would take more than a snake to cut that bond. Now that it was over, Sakura deserved a good rest but Naruto didn't miss the chance for "asking her out", seriously, did he even was serious?
Fortunately her teammate appeared and interrupted them. Carrying a handful of bags she ran all the way to us with an relieved grin. It was strange watching her using a dress, being so casual and with light colors, on her neck was a brand new item Sakura didn't have time to ask because Naruto was the first one to ask a bunch of questions about the exams but Kaoru decided to invite them to her house.
"You must be exhausted, but when I heard you returned… Please let me apologize pampering you guys"
"It was not your fault, you don't have to…" Sakura was interrupted by her knucklehead friend.
"Kao-chan you are such an angel! I would love it!" Naruto smiled already deciding for them, Kaoru stopped and asked their new teammate.
"Oh, you can come too if you want. I'm sorry, I forgot to present myself before. I'm Kaoru, nice to meet you" She bowed briefly and waited, Sai "fake" smile in place as he nodded.
"I'm Sai, thanks for the invitation but I have to report back before the day ends"
"Oh, that's right. Then let's meet up later on my house, come on Naruto." Kaoru playfully leaned on him a second before walking away.
"Hum? Wait Kao-chan! Where are we going?" Sakura blinked as both teammates engrossed on another conversation.
"Your house silly, these are yours! Who else will leave real food?"
"Oh ramen is real food! You didn't have to.." And Sakura heard their voices fall on the wind as they moved on their path. Before she had a chance to move Sai voiced his curiosity.
"I… Do I have to go then? I didn't understand her intentions"
Sakura slightly smiled, it was funny in some sense. "Yes. You are part of our team now. She lives in…"
"I read her archive, but I wonder if she will be as savage like you or..." Yeap, sometimes Sakura had the right to do as she pleased to her teammates. Leaving the pale suffering on the ground was a pleasant accomplishment for today.
Sai was not the best one on the "emotional department", it would have proved as a failure on the ROOT standards. After this mission, he started considering a lot of things from his past. Curiosity had been his main reason when he planned asking Danzo stay with Team 7. It wasn't necessary, as his late command involved now spying the raven haired woman who was just arranging the table for them.
He observed silently as they chatted, the young orange haired boy was discussing with Naruto, that seemed like a usual friendship treatment. Sai decided to pick up then something that might help him. He decided not discarding any information that might be important until he started a serious research. Meanwhile, his eyes collided with the silver haired ANBU whose golden eyes were examining him. He smiled, but that made him scoff and he wondered what was wrong since it was not the first time it backfired him.
Kaoru approached with a food plate and asked. "Do you like curry? It's not as spicy but I can…"
"Leave him the whole pot, this boy is so pale and skinny he might be crystal" Hikaru commented as he served another huge piece of steak.
"UGH! Be nice, not everyone has to be horribly sturdy like you" Kaoru, the woman in question defended him? Is this a normal etiquette on social gatherings? Sai was confused.
"I don't mind the comment, since I don't hold any emotion about it. Besides I think he misinterpreted skinny with thin, the latter is the more appropriate body complex for a shinobi dedicated on stealth and quick reflexes"
"Sai, can't you just shut up for once and enjoy the moment?" Naruto decided to speak leaving his discussion with the boy aside.
"He speaks like a bookworm, it reminds me of Toru…" Yue voiced out as his clear brown eyes blinked.
"Who is Toru?" Naruto asked, Sakura hit her head and answered. "The orphan with the glasses, from Suna." It took a moment but recognition soon came for him. Sai lost on what they were talking about decided to try in the mean time the food.
"Now that you mention it, how was it? Please tell us" Naruto asked excited, Kaoru popped out her head from the window kitchen and blushed as she retold excitedly about it.
"We passed! My Yue is a Chunnin now, you should have seen him. Even Gaara was proud he had accomplished that technique they had been working."
"Oh yeah, he leaved a mess of ice. He is lucky I'm totally awesome cleaning or else the next match would have be postponed" Hikaru commented, a huge teasing grin as he ogled the little boy reaction. Scratching his hair and facing down trying to hide.
"Wait… Ice? Like Haku?" Naruto accidentally let fall his spoon and did a little mess. Sai interest got picked, since it was an uncommon jutsu. The raven nodded "Yes, now he can use it properly. But I will like to know on which team will they include him... there are so many things I wonder"
"So Gaara did came? I though just Temari will be here" Sakura was surprised.
"Oh yes, the man of the hour came to save the lady on distress. Hum.. that kid" Hikaru said grumpily, that comment got his cheek pinched by the woman who sit at his side.
"Don't tease him!"
"Yeah, don't be jealous just because Dad is totally awesome" Yue scoffed, and Naruto choked on his tea after hearing that, but even so asked
"It-It's official t-then?!"
Sai blinked perplexed and asked the boy. "So, when is the wedding? In these cases, they said it's common to…"
"NEVER!" Hikaru and Naruto shouted in tandem, a bit scared they agreed. Kaoru sighed and massaged her head.
"Why is people asking that? I don't get it…"
"What is wrong with that?" questioned Yue offended both males dared to think Gaara on a bad way.
"Well then let's change the subject. Are you a Jounin now?" Sakura cleverly diverted the conversation. Sai enjoyed the food and few times did he participated but since he wasn't necessarily being here anymore, he took the dishes to the kitchen and washed. He had a slight conflict on which information was saving to give in, Sai didn't want to cut short his stay on the team.
Suddenly another pair of hands touched his briefly, it was her again.
"Leave it, I was going to ask you… where did you get that?" She pointed at his right eye, he forgot Sakura had left that. Then the woman insisted on healing it and he was stuck outside on a garden as she took a bottle and made him sit. Well technically she asked nicely, it was a huge contrast compared to the pink woman and he might like that.
"That Sakura, she has to learn being more patient… I mean, not everything can be settled with punches" Her tone was unguarded, he nodded at her silent question on touching his face. Since it got a little silent and he thought she may wait for some kind of answer, Sai was honest.
"Perhaps I'm wrong and it's a common salute on social standards. No matter what I do, my presence unsettle, and people misjudged my intentions"
"You mean… they hit you often?" Her scowl was evident, the ointment felt fresh but he got distracted at the soft purple glow on her fingers, it was tickling.
"Naruto… Sakura… Sasuke… I think your sensei will do the same" That got another reaction, Sai could not place what changed or put a name, even her voice tone was different. On the inside, he felt this mission might be too easy if she were that open, he just had to discover what all of it mean.
"Is… Is he alright?"
"He was perfectly fine when he almost managed to kill us. Do you have a bond with the traitor Uchiha?" He purposely let that slip, just to see if she might react on anger just like Sakura. That was the emotion he was familiar, he could analyze it, but she just stopped and closed the bottle.
"I do. Thank you…"
That was not what he expected, he pressured more in curiosity "Are you glad he almost…" but he was silenced at her short laugh.
"He didn't, think about it. I'm sure if he so desired… with the power he might had now. He will had done that. Sasuke is still Sasuke, I'm… happy about it"
Now Sai was more than confused, feeling his breath stuck at a lack of answer and her soft smile as she stayed there looking at the moon was… perplexing. He lost his chance to ask when Naruto came looking for her and let him there thinking of the truth in her statement and the lack of anger on those green eyes.