Chapter 21

"Matsuri-san! Matsuri-san! Can you hear me?!" A flash of lightening lit up the muddy valley where she lay. At that moment she sat up so quickly that she became nauseous and immediately lay back down.

"Be careful not to move so much. You have a slight concussion and a broken leg." Matsuri looked around. She appeared to be in a canopy of trees, shaped like a cave. Rain beat down outside so loud, Matsuri felt she would go deaf at any given moment. A medium sized fire glowed beside; it was at that moment pain shot through her leg. She gasped loudly, flinching violently as she tried to roll on her side.

"I believe I told you to be careful…what a hard of hearing woman." She felt herself slowly being lifted up into a sitting position. She winced as pain pricked at her ribs.

I'm pretty banged up…what happened? Why don't I remember anything? Ah…my head…and my chest. I feel pain all over!

A figure sat next to the fire, holding blood soaked rag over the flames. She couldn't see his face, for the shadows were completely covering the person.

It's a male's voice…Yashamaru-san?

"The others were lost in the storm…I know we did not get off on the right note. So can we please start over?" The man stood, much to Matsuri's surprise…he was small. But when he removed the cloak…her stomach turned.

"Please excuse my appearance. This isn't my real body." Matsuri gasped. In front of her was a young boy…with long black hair and beautiful eyes.

"You…you…" He smiled.

"I am Yuuki…leader of Akahana. Pleased to meet you again, Matsuri-chan."

--

Kankuro stood next to the window, looking out at the foul weather. Another streak of lighting reached across the sky as if its spiny electric hand were trying to grasp the village below. Voices drifted in and out the Search and Rescue room, everyone frantic about the news.

"Have you checked the tourist parts?"

"The last they were seen was heading up the mountains on the forest path. They took horses with them."

"Since then?"

"No sir!" Baki nodded. Kankuro could clearly see he was frustrated and concerned.

If Baki is like this…I can only imagine what Gaara is going through.

"Kankuro-dono, have you spoken to Gaara-sama?" The brunette man shook his head.

"Gaara was busy all day with the Economy group and council elders…I don't even think he's talked to Matsuri today." Baki sighed and looked out the window. It didn't look like the weather would get any better, and the wind was becoming stronger.

"I can't remember a time in Suna we've ever had weather like this. And I've lived here my whole life." Kankuro shrugged. The weather was disturbingly different…they had much more rain than usual.

I wonder…if it has anything to do with that? That story…grandmother told us. Does this mean grandmother knows something about what's going on with Gaara and Matsuri?

--

"It's strange to you, right? This body of mine." Yuuki frowned, and lifted a small kettle off the fire pit. He snatched a white sheet off the ground and began tearing it in into long pieces. He glanced towards Matsuri wearily; eyeing her as if he thought she would bolt any second. She felt like shivering under his gaze. Just being around him made her body feel as if electricity was gently surging through her veins. She couldn't look away…his purple eyes held her there suspended in time. What was it about him…those eyes of his?

"Can you sit up?" Yuuki asked. He knelt down next to her, pulling her into a sitting position. Matsuri winced in pain, and tried to scoot away from him. Yuuki held on to her tighter, a irritated expression clouding his face.

"Be still woman. This isn't the first time I have seen your bosom." Matsuri screeched, forcefully pushing him away from her. Yuuki stumbled back, spilling the boiling kettle. He cursed under his breath. Matsuri noticed at that time, she had bandages wrapped around her chest. Her shirt had been laid next to her, folding neatly. The frightened girl snatched her shirt and held it up, covering her chest.

"You pervert!"

"Who is a pervert?! I had to undress you to clean your wounds! It is because of you I am in this body!"

"What is that supposed to mean?! It's your fault your body is like that!"

"What would you know, woman?!"

"Stop calling me woman! I have a name! Ah you're so rude!"

"Rude? Who here is rude?!"

"You are! I can't believe you took my shirt off! I can't believe you! How-how horrible!" Yuuki sighed heavily, rolling his eyes.

"I told you…you had a terrible wound. I had to clean it. I am sorry…if you felt violated. I never intended for you to feel so…vulnerable." Matsuri looked towards the opening of the canopy, estimating the distance between her and outside. Yuuki also look towards the opening and grinned.

"This body of mine may be small…but I would suggest you do not run. I will catch you. Besides…I have exhausted myself enough." Yuuki stood, his expression betraying impatience and annoyance.

"Now will you allow me to dress your wounds or not?" Matsuri bit her lip nervously and wrapped her arms around her. She nodded slowly, but held up her hand as he came closer.

"Anything suspicious and I won't hesitate to punch you." Yuuki rolled his eyes. Matsuri scooted in further so she sat straight.

"Lift your arms."

I can't believe I am in this type of situation again! Gaara-sensei…is going to be so angry with me! Gaara-sensei…I'm sorry. I always find some way to mess up. I wonder…if he's looking for me?

Matsuri yelped as she felt Yuuki's hand touched her bare skin. Slowly, carefully Yuuki unwrapped the bloody bandages around her chest. She hadn't noticed how much blood there really was until he began taking them off.

"Wh-what happened?" She asked, quietly. Yuuki continued his work, silently inkling his head outside.

"The cliff gave away…causing you to fall. It began to storm and we got lost from the rest of the group. To be completely honest I was worried for your safety, Matsuri." She blushed, speechless at his words. She turned away, avoiding eye contact.

"It took all of my strength to pull you out from the mud and rocks. I myself earned a souvenir." He swept his hand over his body. Matsuri gazed at him in wonder…how could h be a man one second and now a child? Perhaps it was something lie Tsunade's technique, she thought.

"It's a curse really…"

"Why…?" Yuuki frowned as if remembering something unpleasant. He sighed and dipped the blood soaked bandages in the boiling water, turning away from Matsuri.

"I do not remember much…as this curse was placed on me when I was just a babe in my mother's womb. Some say it is because of me that she died after giving birth to me…" Matsuri looked down. Her negative thoughts about the black haired boy…err…man began to subside.

He's just like Gaara-sensei…his mother died after giving birth to him…and people blamed him for it.

"I'm…sorry." Yuuki turned back to her, holding cleaning bandages. His face gave away sorrow with a hint of amusement…possibly at her apology. He shook his head and started wrapping the gauze around her. Matsturi allowed him to work in silence, watching him.

"Kazekage-sama won't kill me will he?" Matsuri cocked her head to the side and smiled faintly. She knew Gaara would be furious with her for being so careless, but he wouldn't stay mad for long. She only hoped he wasn't to worried about her.

I hate causing trouble for Gaara-sensei...oh Gaara-sensei! How I wish you were with me now!

"I think Gaara-sensei will appreciate you caring for me…Yuuki-dono." Yuuki smiled.

"Please…no formalities." Matsuri nodded.

Later that night she drifted off to sleep. Feeling safe and her wounds cared for, she breathed easily for the first time in many a night. Yuuki sat next to the sleeping girl, slowly running his hands through her muddy brown locks. She was beautiful…more beautiful than he ever could have imagined. Just as beautiful as Gaia was and still is. He knew he would have to be patient with the girl. She was still young and had not experienced the monstrosities he had. He knew that Gaara…held a strong grip on her heart and soul…a bond that he would have to break eventually. He had decided to do things his way and not Creators way. Akatsuki was only a small piece in the large puzzle that his father started and Yuuki would finish. Someday…someday…the world…the universe…the fallen Gods and the Gods in the sky…someday…everything would be as it was before. He would once again be Creator, the powerful God and Gaia would be his.

Why…does she choose that monster? That fallen God? Why?! Damn this curse….damn this seal! If only I could find that old woman…she could take this retched thing away from me and our powers could bloom! Damn him…damn Sun!

"Matsuri…you will be mine. I swear I will release you from Gaara's grasp. I swear…" Yuuki knelt down, lightly kissing her forehead.

"I will free you, Gaia."

Whoot! Chapter 21! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter...sorry its so short. Please review and tell me what you think! I stared watching this new anime called, Working!! and I love it! Haha the characters are so awesome :) You guys should try it out. By the way...I went to Chicago last weekend and had a blast. The lady I babysit for invited me to come with her and the kids so it all good :) I got go on a boat ride and go up in the Sears Tower! (so scary!) :)