Ch 12 - A Meeting of the Minds
Tamotsu, Michiko, and Hitomi watched in silence as the last piece of Gaara's Sand Eye broke off and disintegrated unto the floor.
"What do you think that was about?" Tamotsu asked as he slowly reached for his naginata. He felt a hand covering his and he looked down to see Hitomi calmly patting it.
"Let go of your weapon," she said softly, "Or else he'll think we're being hostile."
"What?"
The doorway to the dango shop flew open and a collective gasp went around the room as Gaara stepped through it. His arms were crossed around his chest and his eyes were looking sullenly in Tamotsu's direction.
"Let go, Tamotsu," Hitomi repeated again and he reluctantly obeyed. Then he gave a stern nod towards Michiko.
"You too, alley cat," he said and Michiko shot him a perturbed look.
"Michiko, please," Hitomi agreed.
From under the table, Michiko slowly removed the neko-tes on her hands.
The tension in the air was thick as the patrons in the shop were all on high alert while the waitress, chef, and owner were all looking at each other, hoping one of them would be brave enough to tell the monster to leave.
"I think I ate too much," Hitomi said with a clear and firm voice, "I need some fresh air. Would you be so kind as to accompany me, Gaara-san?"
Everyone, including Hitomi's two confidants, looked at her in shock. Everyone, that is, except Gaara, whose gaze moved ever so gradually from Tamotsu to her. He did not say a word but gave a stiff nod.
Hitomi placed a hand on Tamotsu's leg, a silent request for him to stay put, before she stood up and tilted her head in Michiko's direction.
"15 degrees to your left then 7 yards forward. No obstruction except maybe a protruding chair to your right about 1 yard in front of you. The door is left open," Michiko said and flashed a worried look to Tamotsu, who shared the same expression.
"I'll be fine and I won't stray far," Hitomi replied and followed Michiko's directions straight to the door. There was no hesitation as she breezed past Gaara. Then she stopped when she was out on the street.
Gaara, who had been unmoving and staring straight ahead into the shop the entire time, dropped his arms to his side and turned towards the girl. He stepped out and his sand shut the door behind them with a harsh bang. He could hear the sounds of panicked conversation as soon as he was gone and his fingers twitched. Part of him was longing to kill them all and wipe those fearful looks on his face, but it was a part of him that was also currently annoying him tremendously.
Why the hell didn't you attack?, Shukaku shrieked so forcefully that it felt like his voice could physically bounce around in Gaara's skull, Didn't you see all of them had reached for their weapons? Kill them before they try to kill you!
Like they could, Gaara thought back and moved the sand beneath him and Hitomi's feet. He waited for her to react but she remained calm, as if expecting this to happen already. He lifted them up with his sand and moved them to a secluded rooftop nearby.
Finally, he and Hitomi were face to face and alone. His arms were folded back across his chest while Hitomi kept her head slightly bowed. Her hands were in front of her, gently pressed against her thigh and at a slight angle so that her kimono sleeves fell around her wrist, purposefully exposing her hands to Gaara.
"Hitomi Saboten," Gaara said, "I remembered you this time."
"You did say you would, Gaara-san," Hitomi replied, "You also said that you were going to kill me. Is that what you came here to do?"
"No. I have a question for you, Hitomi Saboten."
"...Then I will answer to the best of my ability, Gaara-san," Hitomi said.
There was a momentary pause as Gaara studied the girl, as if seeing her physically in front of him would help answer his question. Finally, he spoke. "Why do you exist, Hitomi Saboten?"
His question was followed by another pause as Hitomi contemplated his inquiry. A small frown tugged on the corner of her lips while she thought about it. She tilted her head to one side. After a moment, she tilted it to the other side. An apologetic look came over her face. "I'm sorry, Gaara-san. I don't believe I can answer that."
Gaara's fingers twitched again and his sand started instinctively moving closer to Hitomi. "You said you would answer to the best of your ability," Gaara said darkly.
"I did," Hitomi admitted, "But that is not a question I can answer."
"Why not?"
"Because I do not think of my existence that way," she said, "And I believe it is not a good mindset to have."
There was silence again and Hitomi let out a small smile, sensing Gaara's confusion. Hitomi lifted her head a bit higher. "Have you ever played Shogi, Gaara-san?"
"Yes," Gaara replied, slightly taken aback by the obscure question, "Only a few times. Why?"
"In a game of Shogi, every piece has a purpose and predetermined rules of movement before the game even starts," Hitomi said, "Now if you applied that concept to me, given my parentage that would mean that I was born to be the leader of the Hatsu tribe and to represent the bloodline of the First. I would be in a position that is close to the Kazekage, which would make me at least a silver or gold general...But then my lack of sight was also caused naturally. Given the rules and regulations of Suna, I would be at most an asset through marriage, a throwaway piece so wouldn't that make me a pawn?"
Slowly, Hitomi moved her hand to touch the symbol of Suna engraved on her newly earned forehead protector. "If I thought there was a reason to my existence, then that would mean I've accepted a predetermined fate. It would set a limit to the possibilities of my life and I refuse to accept that. I would like to believe that I am in charge of my own destiny and that with hard work, I can achieve anything I set my heart to."
"And what is it that you'd like to achieve?" Gaara asked.
To Gaara's surprise, Hitomi stuck out her hand to where Gaara's sand was moving. She showed no fear and with no malicious intent, his sand spiraled around naturally her wrist and fingers.
"A long time ago, someone once told me the Will of Wind is the will to always find a way," she said, "That is the very foundation that Suna is built on...yet I believe too many people have forgotten that. I want to bring that will back once more and restore the village to it's former glory."
She dropped her hand and smiled again at Gaara. "I apologize if I spoke too much, Gaara-san...But I believe I've answered your question to the best of my ability."
"Ah, you have," Gaara said.
"If you don't mind, I have a question for you."
Gaara remained silent and Hitomi took his lack of response as his permission.
She folded her hands in front of her and bowed her head. "What is it that you'd like to achieve, Gaara-san?"
A week had gone by since the exam and Gaara's ominous visit. Hitomi had returned back to the dango shop unscathed and in the same condition as where she left, albeit a little sandy. She refused to answer any of Michiko or Tamotsu's inquiries and only responded with a perplexing answer.
"I am not at liberty to say."
Under normal circumstances, Tamotsu would be on high alert and take caution but then they had returned home to find all of her and Michiko's belongings packed and resting outside the front door. The incident with Gaara fell quickly to the back of his mind.
Tamotsu had banged on the door, demanding an explanation from Katsuo but only got a tearful Kinu instead. She explained that Hitomi's father had stated that sinceHitomi was now a full-fledged shinobi, she would be able to take care of herself.
They had moved all of their things into Tamotsu's apartment, which he had kept but had not stayed in for years. It took longer to clean and dust the studio apartment than it did to unpack. With insistence by Michiko and Tamotsu, Hitomi got the bed every night while Michiko claimed the couch and Tamotsu slept on the floor by Hitomi's side.
"We'll need to be more careful about your clothing now, Hito," Michiko said as she tied the obi around the girl's waist and got her ready for the day, "I can patch them up as best as I can but that will only go so far. Needlework isn't my strong suit, you know."
"Yes, Michiko," Hitomi replied obediently.
Michiko took a step back and looked the girl up and down. "Okay, it all looks good to me. I think we're ready."
"But Michiko…" Hitomi said softly and then pointed at her bare forehead.
"Oh yeah!" Michiko exclaimed and quickly grabbed Hitomi's headband off of the coffee table, "Gosh. I'm so used to dressing you the same every day that I completely forgot about this new accessory."
"That's not an accessory," Tamotsu scolded as he got out of the bathroom while rubbing a towel over his head with another towel wrapped around his waist, "It's a badge of honor."
"Eek! What are you doing, you dumb tomato?!" Michiko shrieked. She covered her eyes with one hand and pulling Hitomi behind her with the other, "Prancing around like that in front of Hito. Do you have any decency?!"
"There's no room to change in there," Tamotsu grinned as he sauntered over to the dresser, "And unless ya performed some sort of medical miracle while I was in the shower, Hito can't see me!"
"It's the principle of things," Michiko huffed.
"A street rat with principles?" Tamotsu whistled as he pulled out his underwear and clothes from the drawer, "That's a new one."
"Hurry up and get dressed!" Michiko hissed. Tamotsu shot her a boyish wink before strutting back into the bathroom.
Hitomi nodded, "Yes. I don't want to be late for my first tribal assembly."
Michiko knelt down so she could see Hitomi's face at eye level. "Are you nervous, Hito? You can tell me if you are. It's okay to be. After all, you'll be going in there to face your father."
Hitomi shook her head. "I'll be okay. Besides, I doubt I'm on the agenda. The last thing Father will need is more attention on me...Window."
Michiko looked curiously at Hitomi. "Window?"
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Michiko gasped as turned towards the window in the back of the room. A shinobi stood squatting on the windowsill on the other side. He had a turban and sand mask covering his face. In a blink of an eye, a shirtless Tamotsu was at the window. He opened it and gave a casual two finger salute to the man.
"Yo," Tamotsu said with a grin, "Orders from above?"
"Yes," the shinobi replied, "The Council would like to see you for a mission briefing."
"Alright. Tell those old farts that I'll be there in a bit."
Poof!
And with a puff of smoke, the shinobi was gone. Tamotsu walked back towards Hitomi and Michiko. "Looks like Michiko's going to be the one taking ya to the assembly, Hito."
"What do you think the mission is?" Hitomi asked.
Tamotsu scratched the back of his head. "Who knows? But since ya did just pass the Genin exams, I would say it's a solid D rank mission so most likely helping out at the Suna Greenhouse or Aviary."
Michiko wrinkled her nose, "I hope you don't have to clean up the bird poop."
Hitomi grimaced. "If that is the case, don't choose me for the team."
"What?! You're going to leave me to do the dirty work by myself?!" Tamotsu shouted and then pinched Hitomi's cheeks, "Don't forget, I'm the jonin here. You're just a small, measly genin! Know your place, Hito."
Whack!
A harsh chop on the back of the head from Michiko made Tamotsu flinch and let go of Hitomi's face. "A girl's face is delicate," Michiko lectured, "And don't forget who you're contractually bound to. Know your place, you dumb tomato."
Suddenly, Hitomi's hands was closed around Michiko's and the blonde looked at the girl in surprise. "Michiko," Hitomi said softly, "You don't have to stay here with me and Tamotsu, if you don't want to. The terms of our arrangement has changed since we first met. You agreed to take care of me in a big spacious house and well...that's no longer the case. I'm no longer a lady of the house. If you want to go elsewhere and find another lady to attend to, you can."
Michiko blinked back at Hitomi and a wide grin came across her face. "You mean I'm free to go?! Really?"
Tamotsu's jaw dropped. "Oy, ya disloyal little-"
Michiko clapped her hands in delight, cutting off the man's words, and she cheered. "You mean I can leave this place and go off into the world?"
Then she dropped her hands and her expression softened. "The world that wanted nothing to do with me? The world filled with greedy bastards and cruel people, who would leave me out to die just for a little bit of power and money?"
She bent down to be eye level to Hitomi and gave her a kiss on the forehead before tying her protector around it. "You saved my life so I owe you mine. I'll stay with you even if it means being in a cramped room with dirty, red tomato."
Tamotsu crossed his arms and let out a defeated smile at the back of Michiko's head. Then to his surprise, Hitomi did a rare thing. She wrapped her arms around Michiko's shoulders and gave her a hug. "Thank you, Michiko," she said softly.
"No, Hito," Michiko murmured back as smoothed out the back of Hitomi's hair, "Thank you."
Then she pushed the girl back at arm's length to do one final look over. "Alright," Michiko said with a satisfied nod, "You're all ready to go and as your personal attendant for life, I will do the honors of escorting you to the tribal assembly. Does that sound good to you?"
Hitomi nodded and let out a relieved smile. "That sounds perfect."
The Hatsu Tribe met on the third week of every month in a building near the Suna Greenhouse. The building was one of the first built in Suna and was the house of the First. It was rumored that he had built the Greenhouse himself and wanted to have a good view of it from his living quarters. It was said that he lived a modest life, even after becoming Kazekage, and his house, while spacious, was very basic.
Of course Michiko saw none of that as she was barred from stepping foot inside the building.
"What are you talking about? I'm here as her attendant!" Michiko demanded at the two guards that stood in her and Hitomi's way, "What do you mean you can't let us in."
"You," the guard corrected, "I cannot allow you in. You are neither a member of this tribe or even a recognized shinobi. I'm sorry but I can only allow Hitomi-san-"
"Sama," came a curt voice from behind them, "It is Hitomi-sama now."
They all turned to see the source. The guards and Michiko's eyes widened as Temari came walking towards them but it wasn't her that gained their attention but Gaara, who was walking next to her.
"T-T-Temari-san," the guards gasped and shot another nervous glance at Gaara, "And...and..G-G-G-"
"Gaara-san," Hitomi said with a slight bow and an extremely calm demeanor, "Temari-san."
Michiko and Temari reached the same conclusion at the same time.
"Hito! You invited him?" Michiko gasped.
"So you're the reason why Gaara has decided to join me in today's meeting?" Temari asked at the same time. She eyed Hitomi skeptically, "Now it all makes sense. Where he ran off to after he shook off Baki and why his sudden interest in these things..."
Hitomi nodded and then looked over at Gaara. "Does this mean you have been to the other meetings as well?"
"Ah," Gaara said.
Hito!, Michiko thought in surprise, What in the world did you talk to him about?
Flashback to the Night on the Roof
"Bonds."
Hitomi tilted her head in confusion. She had waited for a very long time for Gaara to answer her question to the point that his sudden answer had caught her off guard. It was clear by the extended silence that he had never considered what it was that he actually wanted.
"I'm sorry? I didn't catch that."
"I want to have some bonds," Gaara said in the same, solemn voice, "I met someone in Konoha, who showed me how my life could be different if I had created bonds with people."
"Ah," Hitomi said, not wanting to pry too much as this was the longest sentence he had said to her thus far.
"But I don't know how."
"I see...Then...Would you mind if I made a suggestion?"
The sand around her began to churn again and Gaara looked at her with slight wariness. "Why do you want to help me? Aren't you scared of me?"
"I'm terrified," Hitomi admitted, "But that does not mean that I don't want to help you."
"Why?"
"Because it is the first time in awhile that someone valued my opinion without me having to prove anything to them first," Hitomi said and a warm, genuine smile grew on her face, "So...for that you have my thanks."
Gaara was taken aback by her expression and the sincerity in her voice. Up until that point, they both had their guards up and there was a level of politeness from her that he did not quite trust. His sand settled down back onto the floor and he decided to take a chance on her. After all, he was the one that sought her out. "Very well...What is your suggestion?"
"I think, to help you forge some bonds, you should take a look at the tribes of Suna and go to their meetings," Hitomi said, "Understanding how the village works will help you develop bonds with the people living in it."
"Tribes?" Gaara asked and Hitomi was not very surprised that it was the first time he heard of it. After all, she highly doubted any tribe would want him to join.
"When a shinobi becomes a genin, he has the right to attend a general meeting from almost every tribe and then decide to join one of them, if he so chooses," Hitomi explained, "Each tribe has a different specialties like medical ninjutsu, weapons, and defensive ninjutsu. I'm not saying you need to choose a tribe, but at least you'll be able to see the problems and issues they deal with."
"You said 'almost every tribe'," Gaara said, "Is there a tribe that I won't be able to see?"
"No, I meant that in the general sense," Hitomi replied, "You, Gaara-san, will be able to see every one of them. The Hatsu tribe is the only tribe that only allows new members if they were directly related to a pre-existing member, which means either through marriage or by blood. The other tribes can accept new members on a voluntary basis. Temari-san is part of the Hatsu tribe so she will be able to bring you to the meetings."
"Temari is part of the Hatsu tribe," Gaara repeated, "What about Kankuro? Is he part of it too?"
Hitomi shook his head. "Your brother has joined the Aizumi Tribe since they specialize in weaponry and ninja tools. It was originally started by the Shirigane clan, who were the masters of puppetry ninjutsu."
"You said only family members can join the Hatsu tribe," Gaara said as he began to make the different connections, "Who was part of the tribe before Temari?"
Hitomi paused as she contemplated whether or not she should tell him the truth. "Your father," she said, choosing honesty over safety.
The sand started to move once more. This time more rapidly than before.
"But," Hitomi added quickly, "He had to give up his affiliation to the tribe when he became Kazekage."
"What tribe are you a part of?" Gaara asked as the sand started to wrap around her feet.
"The Hatsu tribe," Hitomi said and the sand began to climb up her body.
"Is the Hatsu tribe responsible for my assassinations?" Gaara demanded. His voice had turned cold and unnervingly aggressive.
"No," Hitomi choked out as the sand wrapped started to cover her neck and head, "You were born long after your father had left the tribe. Even Temari-san couldn't have been more than 4 years old. If anything, it was a decision made by the former Kazekage-sama and the Council. And even if the Hatsu tribe had something to do with it, it was something I had no part in deciding."
"Why should I believe you?" Gaara asked as he raised his arm out with his palm out, ready to crush his prey. He could feel his blood boil and his heart pumping wildly. Mother...Mother wants blood.
Kyahahaha!, Shukaku laughed, Yes. Kill her! She's as oil tongued as the First. Don't trust a word she says.
"I swear, Gaara-san," Hitomi gasped weakly, "Everything I told you was true. I haven't lied to you once."
"Why should I show you mercy?" Gaara growled.
"No...I'm not asking for mercy," Hitomi replied faintly, "I'm asking for reason and logic. I haven't lied to you and I know you know that too. If you've had any suspicions about me, you would've killed me a long time ago."
Hitomi felt Gaara's sand pause for just a split second but it was enough for her to know that some part of him was willing to listen to her.
"Gaara-san," she pleaded just as the sand began to cover her face, "Do you actually think I'm lying to you? Or are you just killing me out of impulse alone?"
The sand completely enveloped her. She forcefully moved her hands up towards her chest and began to weave her hand signs. Glass Release-
Whoosh!
The sand fell away instantly and she crumpled to the floor. She coughed out the sand and her hand went up to her throat. He let me go!, she thought in surprise while gasping for air.
She looked over in his direction just as she felt herself be lifted from the roof. "Gaara-san?!" she breathed as he moved her back down to the street level with his sand.
"Go," he said, unable to look at her while clutching his head with his free hand, "Before I change my mind."
"You can wait out here," Temari said to Michiko, taking charge despite being several years younger than the fellow blonde, "I can take Hitomi-sama inside."
"Like hell I'd leave her in your hands," Michiko snapped back but then Hitomi shot her an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Michiko," she said, "I thought maybe the guards would show some leniency but I guess it was a longer shot than I expected. I'll be fine in there with Gaara-san and Temari-san."
"Are you sure?" Michiko asked worriedly, "The last time you were with him you came back covered in sand."
It was a tribute to Temari's calm demeanor that she did not let the alarm and fear show on her face but Hitomi saw it in the sudden flare in her chakra. "Nothing to worry over," she said and then turned towards Gaara, "It'll be fine. Right, Gaara-san?"
"Yes," Gaara said stonily and then eyed the two guards, "Let us in."
The guards looked at each other anxiously and then reluctantly moved away from the entrance.
Temari felt Hitomi slip a hand into the crook of her arm and she looked incredulously at the girl. "What are you-"
"Thank you for your guidance," Hitomi said and Temari suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. She did not know what the deal is with this girl but she was determined to get to the bottom of it.
