Momoko: Sorry this is so late! I got busy, but now I'm "settled" into my dorm and have time and ability to post.
I DON'T OWN NARUTO!
A very silent Kakashi, who refused to look at Chrys, approached the group. "Good matches; congratulations on becoming Chuunin." He looked at almost every one of his students, conveniently skipping over Chrys. "Know what, the rest of you go for ramen, I have to go…write a letter." Chrys said, walking away with heavy feet from her Father. "Want me to join you?" Gaara asked, falling into step beside her as they left the stadium. She nodded slightly in response.
Chrys was unnaturally silent as they walked, not saying a word, just looking at the ground. "What's wrong Chrys?" He asked after they hadn't spoken in ten minutes. "I'm still not forgiven. I did nothing wrong. But my Father hates me, stupid bracelet. Also, my Grandpa, my Father's dad, was there in front of him. He was so busy avoiding me he didn't even realize that his dead Father was standing next to him!"
"So, where are you going?"
"I was going to dance…do you want to join Gaara?" Chrys asked him shyly. "I'm not very good with dancing. Last night was the best I know." Chrys giggled a little. "I could teach you. Would you be interested in that?"
"Very interested." He admitted grabbing her hand and interlacing their fingers.
It was awkward as the group walked to Ichiraku's Ramen Shop. Grandpa had left, Rosemary refused to look at Kakashi who couldn't stop looking at her, add into that the fact that Gai and Lee were talking 'hush-hush' style, while Scarlett and Angel were trying to find a topic they could talk about productively. Meanwhile, Kankuro kept trying to put his arm around Mo, but Evelyn would glare at him as Jiraiya walked with them, his arm wrapped around Evelyn. At the same she was glaring at Kankuro though, Evelyn was trying to talk to Mo.
"Rosemary, you can't stay mad at me forever." Kakashi pleaded with the temperamental blond. "Hatake, just watch me."
"Why are you so mad though? Chrys still trained and beat Eugene."
"My daughter is not just a ninja. She is a person with feelings. I know you said something to her before she left. You won't tell me what it is and neither will she. So until you tell me what you said and why, along with apologizing to Chrys, I will be mad at you."
"Rosemary, this is ludicrous! Chrys can't control your life. I don't see why you think that a bad relationship with her will affect our relationship."
"I have been with Chrys for over sixteen years. She is my daughter, not some random person off the streets I befriended. I don't want her to feel that I'm choosing a man over her."
"Why not? Doesn't her father spoil her?" He asked. He was met with a sharp slap to the face. "Her Father doesn't know about her! I had thought that they might be getting along enough for me to break the news to him gently, but recent events have shown me that I was wrong in that assumption! Chrys has never known a Father."
"She can't rule your life though. What happens when she grows up and leaves? Your daughter won't need you all the time. Would it still be wrong then if Chrys and I don't get along?"
"Kakashi! I honestly don't think you understand what I am saying. Chrys and I are a packaged deal! I won't push her out of the picture, nor will I let her run my life. I'm not saying you and Chrys have to be best friends. What I'm saying is that I want you to respect her as a person, and not avoid her."
"That guy was her Father wasn't he?"
"What? What guy are you talking about?" The group had left them behind to argue in the streets, so Rosemary was much more lax in her behavior as a lady. "The guy you hugged, who had taught her the water-technique. He's her Father, isn't he?"
"No, Kakashi, he isn't. He's a family friend."
"So why did you call him 'Dad'?"
"Because after three years of him bugging me; I finally listened. He's a former ninja from here, now he is an Honorary in World Three. He's the closest Chrys has to a Father, even though she calls him 'Grandpa'."
"Why did he ask you to call him that?"
"Because, he thought his son and I would work out wonderfully."
"So, what's the deal with you and his son?"
"He son is being really slow and an insensitive jerk to Chrys and me."
"Okay, who is his son?"
"Did you honestly just ask that? I can't believe you Kakashi! That is absolutely deplorable. I know you haven't seen the man in over twenty years, but I still thought you would recognize him!"
"I take I you aren't going to answer my question."
"Kakashi; tomorrow is Chrys's last dance recital. My niece Mary, nephew Joseph and Chrys's friend Alex are all dancing. I know it would mean a lot to Chrys if you were there. Almost everyone will be going; I already have tickets so all we have to do is be on time. If you can't figure out who Chrys's Grandpa is by the end of the recital, then I have to admit that you aren't as smart as you used to be."
"I didn't know Chrys danced in recitals."
"Maybe if you had asked more about her other than what ninja abilities she can do you would know. She's been dancing for most of her life, after tomorrow night she's giving up that part of her life. She found her place, and I'm proud of her, but I remember her first recital, she wasn't nervous at all. Instead she was excited and couldn't wait to be on stage…She thought her Father would be in the audience."
"He wasn't was he?"
"He's never seen her dance. I remember that was one of the reasons she participated actively in every recital, she wanted the spotlight to be on her so that her Father could see her..." Rosemary trailed off, sniffling a little at the bittersweet memory. "I'll be there, don't worry." Kakashi said, giving Rosemary a hug. She just smiled into his shirt, one sob and he was wrapped around her finger just like before.
"So, Mo, exactly how long is the recital?" Hinata asked her friend as they sat in the restaurant. "Uh, I don't know. It varies by the number of dancers. I think it'll be a little over an hour. Then after the recital is the party at Alex's place. It's optional and no one over seventeen is allowed."
"What goes on at those parties?" Kankuro asked, leaning over to steal a noodle from her bowl. "A lot of stupid things; there will only be a few people and we'll end up playing random games like Spin The Bottle, Ten Minutes, Truth or Dare and I've Never. Alex invited everyone, so it will be a larger group than normal if we all go."
"I can't wait then."
"One catch, no chakra strings attached to the bottle. You have to spin it. No ninja moves. Or in my case 'Mo moves'."
"Mo moves?"
"Magnet and a paper clip. Apparently it's cheating." Angel said simply, turning her attention to the group her age. "Really now! I didn't put them there! I was simply handed the paper clip and told it was good luck!" Mo defended, flicking Angel on the shoulder.
"Liar. Anyway, Alex was telling me how he was thinking of just watching a bunch of movies. Popcorn and snacks should be brought by each guest."
"Okay, much easier." Kankuro said, dropping his arm over the back of Mo's seat. "Hey Sugars! Wait, where's Sugarcane?" A voice asked behind them. Angel turned to see Alex, his face confused as he scanned the room again. "Sugarcane went back to the compound with Gaara. Someone hurt her feelings and Gaara's trying to cheer her up." Angel told him, giving him a hug as she did so. "What? Who would hurt Sugarcane's feelings? If it was Eugene…I'll murder him. That's what I'll do. Sugar Packet, do you have some rope, a pillow, a butcher knife and a spork I could borrow?" Alex asked seriously. "Sorry Alex. I don't have the spork. Anyway, it wasn't Eugene. Part of me wishes it were because he's so easy to hate; but it wasn't Eugene who hurt Sugarcane."
"Who was it then?" He demanded angrily.
"Who hurt Sugarcane's feelings last month as well?"
"What? Again? Sugar Packet, I'll need all that plus a box of used syringes, some rusty nails, and a ballet studio."
"Okay, I'm afraid to ask, what do you need the studio for?"
"I can make him dance on point, in the wrong shoes. Of course first, I'd have to cut off that thingy people here use."
"The chakra network?"
"Yeah, that. Think you'd be able to take care of most of that? I'll get the studio, the shoes and the sporks myself." Alex said gleefully.
"Alex, you are the best," Angel said, giving him another hug, "But you also have to remember he's connected. Sugarcane doesn't like to break some of her strongest connections."
"But he hurt her. Twice!" Alex pouted.
"Excuse me, who are you again?" Kakashi asked, stepping up to Alex. "Honestly, you don't know me? Alex; Sugarcane's dance partner. No wonder you hurt her feelings twice."
"Sugarcane? I don't think I know someone named that."
"Chrys, Kakashi. Alex calls Chrys, Sugarcane." Rosemary said as she stood up, giving Alex a hug. "You're going to be there tomorrow right, Sugar Mama?"
"Alex, when have I missed one of Chrys's recitals? Of course I'll be there. But I need you to promise me that you won't tell Sugarcane who I'm bringing with me this year."
"Oh, a surprise guest! Do I know him?"
"Yes, you also threatened him."
"You're bringing the Filter?"
"Now why are you calling him a 'Filter'?"
"We have to filter what we say. Sugar Mama, are you sure you want to bring him? I mean, if he hurt Chrys's feelings, I don't think she'll want to see him."
"But she has wanted her Sugar Papa to see her dance each time she went on stage."
"He is her Sugar Papa? Sugar Mama, tell me it isn't so!"
"I'm afraid it is Alex. You know, I thought you knew that already." Rosemary said.
"Oh, I knew he was her teacher," Alex said, dropping his voice to a whisper, "But I had no idea he was her Sugar Papa."
"Okay, do I want to know who 'Sugar Papa' is?" Kakashi asked, looking between Alex and Rosemary. "Sugar Mama! You haven't even told Sugarcane's Sugar Papa, that he is her Sugar Papa? I thought the entire point of sending them here last was so that you could work up your nerve to tell him the truth! Golly gee wilikers, I don't envy your family one bit. Anywhozits, you'll enjoy our dance tomorrow then."
"So I hear. Three songs in one master mix?"
"You'll see. I'll just head to the compound though, to go over the last practice with Chrys."
"Oh, I'll help you as well." Angel said, standing up. "Now why would Alex and Chrys need help practicing a routine for a couple's dance?" Rosemary asked; narrowing her eyes as the pair started to leave. "Oh, I'm going to critique it and play the music." Angel said with a smile.
The music was turned on low, the couple slowly revolving in the middle of the dance floor. She leaned her head on his shoulder, wanting to simply stay with him forever in that moment. His arms were holding her tight against him as he smiled slightly into her hair. Neither one could believe they were really together. "Thank you Gaara." Chrys whispered into his ear pulling slightly closer.
"Chrys, you don't have to thank me. And for what?"
She looked up at him, gazing into his eyes, "Being here, with me, even though I've been a bitch to you so often."
"Karma had it coming to me. You know I'm not the most hospitable person. Besides; I know you've had your reasons to act that way."
"Gaara, you give me too much leeway. About half the time I was intentionally mean to you because you were there instead of the person I was mad at, I had had a bad day of training, basically anytime I was in a bad mood I took it out on you. I had no reason to do that to you."
"When you put it like that; no you didn't. However, I have also seen you're nice side. How you care for your family and want them to be happy."
"You are too nice to me. I wish everybody I knew was as kind as you."
"No you don't." He said with a wry smile.
Momoko: Hope you enjoyed, sorry for the long delay. On the bright side this is document 2 of 3 I'm uploading today. Document 1 was the oneshot prize for Gaara-frenzy. Anyone guess what Document 3 is? If you guessed chapter 22 you are correct!
Chapter 21 Tell Me What I Want To Hear