Disclaimer: You know the drill
Spoilers: Actually, if you have gotten this far, there's really nothing you don't already know
Spoiled Brats
"Report."
"Orichimaru has gotten ahold of the Sharingan."
"Itachi, is that your brother?"
"Feh, don't worry. We'll eventually kill the traitor, yeah."
"If he thinks he can take revenge by using an Uchiha, then he's a bigger fool than I thought."
"But we only have three years remaining. Can we all complete our missions, yeah?"
"That's right... our mission is to capture the Kyuubi, and get ahold of everything!"
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"This one is called Japanese Privet. It has small bunches of white flowers, and its tiny fruits are highly poisonous to men, but not to avian creatures. It's a hardy plant, which makes it a very valuable asset in the harsh Suna environment."
Neko nods with understanding, and jots down notes in her note pad. Chiyo places the dried privet branch back into its shelf, and takes out a bunch of purplish, dark berries.
"These are the fruits of Pokeweed, the young plants are harmless, but once it matures, it's leaves, berries, and roots can be used for toxins. The plant contains a protein called lectin, which effectively causes blood clots. Our ninjas use many weapons dipped with its juice to inflict fatal wounds," the poison specialist continues with the lesson as the silent girl follows her in their trek through her collections.
"And this one," Chiyo explains as she takes out a clear jar of milky white substance, "is the sap of the highly toxic Oleander, a plant that has blade-like leaves and five petal flowers. The entire plant can be burned or dried and still maintain its poison. Our poison gas is made from this plant."
Neko's pencil scribbles furiously over her notebook as the elder lectures. They continue for a few more minutes, and Chiyo calls it a day. The old, diminutive woman looks back curiously at Neko's notes and frowns.
The first few pages are neatly written calligraphy of different plants and their properties. However, the last few sheaves contain child-like stick figures and drawings. Chiyo shakes her head resignedly.
The child is still a child after all.
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"Gaara, the Hokage has summoned us for an impromptu meeting, will you come with us?" a sleepy Temari asks. She knows he will probably say no, but it is out of routine courtesy that she invites him.
The quiet shinobi, who is meditating on the floor in his room, opens his eyes apathetically, and considers the offer.
It's the fourth day since their arrival. Temari has not mentioned going back to their village at all since the mission. At least, none that he has heard of. Kankuro is throwing weird looks at their older sister, but he seems content to stay as long as possible. Gaara knows he himself wants to return to their village. Ever since Uzumaki disappeared from the hospital, there is no incentive to stay a moment longer in Konoha.
He has unfinished business back in Sungakure. And if going to the Hokage's office will speed up the process, then he should go as soon as possible.
"I will go." The red head stands up slowly. Temari scrutinizes him curiously, wondering to why he actually agreed to attend the conference. Gaara has always detested bureaucratic formalities.
The three Sand siblings stroll leisurely through the Leaf village. Their faces are closed to inspection, and they ignore the whispers and hushed voices that followed them. When they arrived at the Hokage Tower, they are ushered in with due promptness by guards with averted eyes.
As they enter the office, the lady behind the desk quickly raises her head, and snatches something off of the table and hides it behind her back. Temari and Kankuro seem to be oblivious, but Gaara, who saw the white ceramic sake cup, scowls with disgust. He glances at his companions and sees the two pointedly looking somewhere else.
Apparently, this is a reoccurring incident.
Tsunade clears her throat, and in a clear voice says, "I'm glad to see you guys here again. Since you're here in my office, I can assume that you have reconsidered your earlier decision of leaving immediately?"
Gaara hardly glances at Temari, but he can still detect the slight straightening of her shoulders in discomfort. He surmises that it was her that told the Hokage of a planned early departure, but during the past few days she never acted.
Which means something…
The youngest sibling muses over this newly discovered tidbit. Curiosity is getting the best of him again, and Gaara decides to stay silent. He has an urge to know the reason for Temari's sudden change of plans.
"If that is so, then I have a temporary job position. As you're well aware, Suna and Konoha are now military allies, and it is most beneficial for both of our villages to solidify the ink on the paper with amiable gestures."
Hearing this, Kankuro almost scoffs with impatience at the implied threat. It means while they're on Leaf's land, they should do as the busty, half-sober woman commands. Or else.
"I know it is to Suna's advantage as well as Konoha's that we impart political, economical, and social aspects of living. Of course, with the limited amount of men we have right now, all we can offer right now is to allow you an in-depth look at our Academy proceedings. Of course, I can assure you that there will be many incentives, such as authorization to share jutsu's secrets and other confidential information that outsiders are not privy to. So, what do you say?"
Temari's eyes flick to her left to momentarily to gauge her brothers' response. Kankuro looks bored out of his mind, but the fact he isn't plaintively objecting means he will not care either way. Gaara… is stoic and impossible to interpret. As usual.
Knowing she is the self-proclaimed leader of the team, and as the eldest, Temari opts for the more prudent choice: to not apply unnecessary tension on the frail relationship between Sand and Leaf and agree with the Hokage's demands.
"We have no objections and gladly consent to your request," the Sand genin replies cordially.
"It's settled then! From this day forward till the day of your departure, you three can fill in as temporary Academy instructors! The group I assigned for you is mainly consisting of eight to ten year olds, and I expect that you three will have your hands full," the fair-haired lady chuckles at her own cleverness.
The Sand siblings utter no sound. Their faces are devoid of any trace of emotion, but inside, Tsunade knows that all three are seething with anger at the trap they have been coerced into.
"I don't think that's the idea we had in mind," the hooded genin responds with a sulking look.
"Bottom line is: our village is depleted of skilled shinobis after the recent invasion. Many of the jounins and chunins who perished in battle were Academy instructors. As a result, the younger generations of ninjas are sadly in need of worthy guidance. And as shinobis of a foreign village, I'm sure exposure to a different learning environment will also be advantageous."
Kankuro who shows no outward signs of discomfort, is inwardly wincing at the words.
Babysitting brats? Give me a break!
"Hokage-sama, please allow us some time to reconsi-" Temari starts to protest, but is cut off by the adamant woman.
"Oh! Here is the instructor who I've notified. He'll be your superior associate as well as a friendly escort after working hours," Tsunade casually motions towards the figure entering the room.
Three heads turn towards the newcomer. Two pairs of eyes grow as large as saucers at the sight of each other. One evil smirk appears on the Hokage's face.
"You!" Temari and Shikamaru exclaim simultaneously. Gaara notes with interest as the smile on Konoha's leader grows wider.
"What are you doing here?"
"I can ask you the same thing," Shikamaru retorts, trying to regain his composure.
"I see no reasons for an introduction since you are obviously already familiar with each other. Shikamaru, I'll leave them in your capable hands," Tsunade gives him a meaningful look, "Do. Not. Disappoint. Me."
"Yes, ole' lady Tsunade."
"Do not call me old lady!" The flustered sannin glares in warning as the chunin instructor drags the three Sand siblings out of the office. Tsunade sighs in bliss at the wonderful progression of her arrangement. She is just about to reach for her hidden sake cup when her attendee enters with a light knock.
"Tsunade-sama?"
"Yes, Shizune?"
"Are you sure that was wise?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, from what I heard, that Sabaku no Gaara is a blood-thirsty demon child who killed at least six ninjas during the chunin exams. He is also the one who gave Rock Lee those ghastly wounds. I'm really uneasy over the fact that kind of person will be near the young children."
Shizune turns to observe her master's reaction. A visible vein pops from her smooth forehead at the sight of Konoha's leader snoring contentedly on her desk, obviously due to a heavy dosage of sake.
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"You're kidding me Temari. We gotta find a way to talk ourselves out of this," Kankuro whispers urgently to his older sister.
"Idiot, we all agreed with that drunk hag, and unless you want to nullify our alliance treaty with Leaf, we better go with it," she snaps back, irritated beyond belief. Next to her, Gaara closes his eyes with annoyance. Stupid, whining Kankuro.
Shikamaru shudders internally as he leads the three Sand-nins in the direction of the Academy. Scenarios are spinning around in his head, most of them involving brutal decapitation by Temari's fan, painful deaths due to Kankuro's fatal poisons, and gory remains left by Gaara's sand.
They're supposed to take care of the children!? What the hell is that woman thinking?
"We're here," Shikamaru announces with a hint of trepidation as he walks inside the Academy and head towards his own classroom. He opens the door to the class and is greeted with the usual "Good morning teacher." However, the class falls deathly quiet as their instructor steps inside and three other ninjas followed him.
Shikamaru ignores the obvious anxiety of his students, and announces in what he hopes to be a confident voice, "Starting from today, these respectable shinobis of Sand will be helping out for a few days," and he mentally crosses his fingers that it is only a temporary arrangement, "Please, give them the same amount of respect you have for me."
"Which wouldn't be much," Temari scoffs teasingly. Shikamaru refuses to frown, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of seeing him unruffled.
"I'll let you introduce yourselves."
"Hi," the blonde kunoichi forces a cheerful smile on her face, "My name is Temari. This here is my younger brothers, Kankuro and Gaara. I hope we can get along well with each other."
Or you might not live to see another day, she thinks to herself darkly.
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"I don't suppose that useless school taught you anything about defense mechanisms?" Chiyo asks the silent child sorting herbs in front of her. Neko shakes her head, her eyes acquiring a curious light.
"The defense I'm talking about is within your own mind. It's something that your sub-consciousness will initiate if there's too much mental stress. When your brain detects a threat to the safety of your psyche, it will automatically choose a defense mechanism to defend itself with."
Neko nods slowly, getting a vague idea of what her mentor is trying to convey. She carefully peels the leaves away from the green stem of a toxic plant, and sets it aside in the wicker basket.
"Now what would you think if I told you that the guys you are living with are never coming back?"
Neko blinks. She looks up with an expression of disbelief, and just a trace of alarm on her youthful features. One hand goes up to clutch at the necklace.
"Relax little one, I'm only giving you an example," Chiyo chuckles dryly, "But your reaction is a classic form of denial, a very common defense mechanism." The girl blinks again, and smiles at the pacifying words. She goes back to sorting out the dried plants.
"The reason I am telling you this is because it will serve you well to recognize when people are resorting to their defense mechanisms and exploit that. And knowing when people are on the defense will be something very useful in the future. Sometimes, other people's strange behavior will make perfect sense when you understand the workings of the unconsciousness itself."
Chiyo watches the girl's slight figure moving with unhurried ease with her menial task. Her face is peacefully relaxed, and her hands move in a trance-like motion. The old woman can safely assume that most of her words entered one ear and out the other.
Such a simple girl, with such a complicated history.
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Seven pairs of eyes are staring at him. And he stares right on back. A perfect stalemate, with neither side budging an inch.
"A-are you our instructor?" a brave one ventures timidly. When Gaara turns his full attention on the boy, he immediately shrinks back to hide amongst his classmates.
That reaction is normal. But somehow, that girl never has shown fear in my presence. Why is she different?
"Yes, I am." He wonders how Kankuro and Temari are faring. Each one of them was assigned a group of kids. Shikamaru told them to teach them basic ninja techniques, and promptly went off with his group. No doubt, he will be within hearing range just in case an 'accident' happens.
Gaara lifts one hand slowly, and his mouth forms a thin line when the group of children instantly back away. He sighs, and begins, "Ninjutsu are the finesse of chakra manipulation."
The dust on the ground begins to rise, and starts to slowly spin in a circular tract.
"To be able to attack or defend using inanimate objects requires an intense level of chakra control and concentration." The particles soon form a dirt tornado as the children look on with awe.
"The average people have problem focusing their thoughts for more than one minute. I will teach you how to maintain a satisfactory level of concentration," with that said, Gaara promptly releases the tornado and sits down cross-legged on the ground. With no further prompting, his group of kids copied his movements and a little circle soon formed.
"Make sure you're comfortable with your current position. When everyone's ready, close your eyes and try to clear your thoughts." Gaara glances around, and is satisfied with the obedience that his students are giving him.
"Steady your breathing, and pace it to a count of seven. There should be nothing in your mind right now. Stay like this for half an hour." Gaara closes his own eyes, glad for some chance to rest.
However, the silence does not last long. After the first minute, one of the kids sneezes, and another one starts to breath heavily. Gaara's left eye twitches irritably. As one of the children starts to complain under his breath, and a girl figets because of the bugs, the Sand-nin stands up abruptly, unable to take it any further.
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Three heads snap around sharply at the sounds of high-pitched yells coming from the playground area. Temari and Kankuro immediately ditch their group as if they anticipated it, and run towards the commotion while Shikamaru calmly instructs his students to gather everyone else and run through emergency procedures, and follows the duo. However, he stops right next to the older Sand Siblings when he catches sight of Gaara's group.
A gigantic castle of glittering sand stands majestically inside a spacious sand box. Kids are crawling all over the fortress, exploring its features while shouting with glee. The group is divided up evenly with one half defending the sturdy bastion while the other attacks it. In the distance, they can see a cracked gourd with a slip of red hair, sitting in long-desired rest but still keeping an eye on his flock.
Shikamaru notices that gaping mouths of the two ninjas beside him, which only reminds him of his own astonished expression. He recovers quickly and shrugs casually.
"Looks like nothing's wrong here," the Leaf-nin turns as if nothing really happened, and goes back to retrieve his students.
Temari and Kankuro stay behind and watch the proceedings with something akin to awe. They know that Gaara knows that they are standing right there, but none of them feel the need to acknowledge the other. To do so will give this moment an existence, and the three cannot help but wonder what this will mean in their unseen future. But one thing they do know, and it is that their demon-possessed brother is changing.
"Look, his cork is still on the gourd."
"So he didn't use his own sand? But wouldn't his own sand require less chakra consumption? Unless…"
"He didn't want to. I have a good feeling that he does not want these children to come into contact with his weapon, which took their friends and relatives away. Gaara didn't want to stain their hands," Temari finishes for him. The two look on in contemplative silence as the joyous kids laugh in their play.
Slowly, but surely, he is definitely changing.
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The students chatter animatedly within themselves, while the two teens watch in silence. Temari sips her cup of steaming tea slowly from her seat at the wooden bench but keeps her eyes open, especially on the silent chunin besides her. He is eating a home-made bento, and seems to be completely ignoring her presence.
It's lunch time, and the students are allowed to eat at their leisure, while their instructors are able to take a well-deserved break. However, Temari's brothers are nowhere to been seen even though their charges are mingling with the others, eating and joking around. The Sand kunoichi does not think too much of it, but instead takes advantage of her time alone with the dark-haired ninja.
"Your students are not that bad, but they all lack discipline," she remarks casually.
"Mmhmm…" Silence ensues, until she cannot help but demand, "Are you not going explain your behavior that day?"
She doesn't need to elaborate since they both know exactly what she is referring to. Shikamaru yawns in languidly and finally looks over to her side.
"That day's events do not really need any explaining, and furthermore, I really do not remember anything that occurred that night," and he mutters underneath his breath, "Although I have a good idea of what happened." He didn't spend hours racking his brain for nothing.
"Oh really? You don't remember anything of what you said that night?"
"Should there be something worth remembering?" he inquires in an uninterested tone.
Temari stares down at her tea cup, and shrugs. He notes the slight tenseness of her shoulders, and the way she is fiddling with the brim. Her being nervous makes him nervous because it means something significant transpired that night. And she will not tell him, so he'll have to fish it out.
"I remember getting drunk," he cautiously proceeds, hoping she'll fill in some blanks for him, "Did I say something weird?" At his comment, she chuckles softly, as if she's sharing an inside joke with herself. The soft peals of her laughter touches something inside of the lazy shinobi, and he isn't sure if it's a good thing.
"You can say that."
"Are you going to tell me then?"
"Nah," she stands up with her empty cup, "it's something for me to know, and you to find out."
Temari strolls away, a smile curving her rosy lips. The Leaf-nin remains sitting on his side of the bench, scowling lightly at her retreating figure, but soon returns to his half-finished lunch. Scenarios are running in his head, so he does not notice the floating eyeball enshrouded within the lush, green leaves of a nearby tree.
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Gaara lets out a long-held breath, and releases his sand eye. He turns to Kankuro, who is looking at him expectantly. The two are perched on the roof of the Academy building, keeping themselves out of sight.
"There is nothing going on," the red head states dully.
"No way, why else would she want to stay in Konoha when she told me earlier that she wanted to leave as soon as possible?"
"I didn't see anything that would suggest anything," Gaara adamantly stands his ground.
"If only I could hear what they're saying…" the older sibling mumbles. The puppet master begins to mutter to himself about making a recording contraption and installing it in Karasu. Gaara gazes at him with slight derision and comments, "It wouldn't be a bad thing."
Kankuro snaps his head around, and temporarily forgetting who he's talking to, retorts, "Like hell it isn't! We're from different villages, so what happens if the Hokage declares war on us? Besides, weren't you there when that lazy ass resigned in the chunin exams? What kind of loser gives up like that? There's no way 'that kind' of a 'relationship' will ever work!"
"It sounds like you're jealous." Ever the calm and composed one.
"No! There's a difference between being jealous and just looking out for my sister!"
"Our sister," the younger coldly corrects the elder. That comment leaves Kankuro stunned for a bit, and he slowly deflates himself. Coal covered viridian closes in light introspection
"You're over-reacting. If that guy is half the loser you say he is, Temari will not choose him."
Gaara decides to leave the rooftop and get away from the silently fuming Kankuro for awhile. There is no use in arguing with him, what will happen will happen. Temari's situation is very interesting, and he wishes to observe quietly on the side with no intervention.
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"By the way sensei, where's Shikamaru at? Shouldn't he be celebrating with us?" The fair-haired kunoichi asks.
"Oh him? He should be teaching his class right now"
"I heard the shinobi's of Suna are leaving today. Isn't he going to see him off?" His other student inquires while impatiently glancing around for the waiter. The blonde quirks an eyebrow at his comment, and looks inquisitively at their teacher. She smells the beginning of a good gossip.
"Really? Well I'm sure he'll figure something out," the jounin replies evenly while noting the curious glint in Ino Yamanka's eyes.
A heaping plate of barbequed meat is soon placed before the plump shinobi's expectant gaze. With a quickly uttered "Itadakimasu!" he digs in, swallowing bite after bite like there is no tomorrow.
"No way, Korean barbeque for breakfast?" The middle-aged jounin grumbles resignedly as he mentally calculates the bill his pupil is racking up.
"And here I was, thinking you were good-looking when you were in the hospital. You sure rebound fast," Ino remarks helplessly as she looks at the now chubby Choji Akimichi with regret.
"If you got such an appetite, that means you're probably fully recoverd."
"After I'm done eating, you must train me more Asuma-sensei!"
"Hold on idiot! What are you trying to do, injure yourself again!" The kunoichi demands loudly as she tries to discourage Choji from digesting more cholesterol. Their teacher looks on in amusement, as the gluttonous Choji stuffs more and more meat down his throat, with Ino grappling over him, trying just as hard to take them away.
It's hard to imagine that the rotund and energetic boy in front of him almost lost his life just a few days ago. Shikamaru's haggard face and Ino's anxious one are two sights he does not ever want to see again. Asuma finds himself breathing easier (and it's not because he stopped smoking for a few days) after seeing that Choji is indeed out of danger and on the road to rehabilitation.
Gai is right. The springtime of youth is a beautiful thing.
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"Thank you very much!" A crowd of young faces choruses. The bright Konoha morning rays shines upon the motley crew of Leaf and Sand shinobis. Three stoic figures stand straight with pride and dignity as they face the herd of Academy students. Their teacher has a blank expression of indifference, but they can all tell he is sorry to see them go.
The tall blonde with the assertive pigtails steps forward, and smiles warmly at her temporary students.
"Do your best kids!"
"Next time you guys drop by, I'll have mastered a lot of genjutsu!" The cocky kid known as Konohamaru declares confidently. His friend, a book worm with glasses, adds fervently, "M-me too!"
"I want to be a kunoichi like Temari-san!" The girl with orange hair announces with finality and a hopeful smile. Temari cannot help but grin back.
"That would be an honor."
"Sorry about this, I wanted to properly see you guys off, but I have to…" Shikamaru gestures helplessly at the cluster of eager kids.
"That's fine, I have no problems with it. Besides it was good to have a look at Konoha's future military force."
"Well take care."
"Yeah."
Gaara turns abruptly and leads the way. His companions follow right after him, but Temari stops. She cannot help but have the last word.
"If something else happens, we'll come to help. Is that alright Mr. Crybaby?"
The kunoichi throws Shikamaru a knowing look over her shoulder, and he cannot help but retort back.
"You talk too much. This is why women are so..." he trails off suggestively, and could not keep the smirk from surfacing on his face. Temari chuckles and hurries to catch up with her siblings.
He watches as their silhouettes disappear from the early dawn's horizon with a wistful pang in his chest. His students watch in silence as their instructor's eyes glazed over, and they knew that he is in another world.
"Sensei… do you like Temari-san?" a curious girl coyly asks.
Their teacher blinks. The imaginary scenario vanishes and he returns to reality. He shoots them a disapproving frown, and scoffs.
"Don't get stupid ideas in your tiny heads. Field trip's over, we're going back and starting on today's lessons."
Various groans and a disapproving clamor rise out of the students. The girl who posed the question whispers to her friend, "See, I told you, he really does like her!"
Notes: Ok, I lied, I ripped off more dialogue from Dattebayo... I'm a bad person. I'm really not sure if Deidara says 'yeah' or 'un' alot. I see both used multiple times in fanfics... so I really don't know.
The plants are real, I did some research on Wikipedia. The defense mechanism stuff is from my own knowledge from a psych class, and more Wikipedia. Man, that website is like my second home.
Some subtle references: Kankuro protesting against babysitting since he hates brats. Asuma stops smoking when he worries. Tsunade and her alcoholic tendencies.
Ok ppl are probably tired of the Retrieval Arc... and I admit, I could've cut some stuff out and made it shorter... but oh well.
College apps and school is taking a big chunk of my time. Plus, I'm not moody as I was last year, which means less motivation to write because that's what I treat writing as: an outlet. So... I'm probably not gonna make the update next month, sorry!
Next Chapter:
With fierce determination, Neko springs forward. She pierces through the thin wall of sand that rose up automatically with ease, and draws back her right hand. She turns sideways slightly, and then swings with all of her might at his lower jaw.