This is chapter 28, right? –Sigh- Today was horrible. My friend opened a pocket knife right in my face to show it to me, and nearly almost stabbed my eye when someone bumped into her. I had no choice but to tell the principal that she had a weapon at school…it was horrible. I cried for three hours straight in the guidance office. I've never told on a friend before…and I am a very emotional person when it comes to my friends and social life…
Anyway, she got suspended for three days. My friend told me that when I got on the bus and I broke down crying again. This one eighth grader pissed me of so bad by teasing me, that I punched him in the nose. My bus driver, -the best bus driver in the world- let it slide because she knows how worked up I was…
So, I am very…very…VERY sorry for ranting, but today was so hectic, I just had to tell my friends online! –Hence, you guys, lol- So I guess you should ignore me and read the chapter now…-sulks in corner-
Michiru stared up at the ebony night sky, scattered with tiny crystals that glimmered duly in the darkness. His sharp eyes followed bats that flew across the moon, chasing and catching bugs with their sharp fangs, and then returning to their colonies.
For some reason, he felt as though he was an insect. Unfortunate and dumb enough to be caught in the jaws of the fierce and intelligent bat. Then, being dissolved in the bat's stomach as the flying mammal returns to its colony, feeling no trace of regret at swallowing him…the insect.
He glanced over at Arai, Akina, and Debu, who were all fast asleep by now. It seemed oddly empty without Hiraku sleeping soundly either beside him or Arai, and truthfully, he'd never felt more alone since she'd run away.
Just two nights ago, two nights ago Hiraku ran away for reasons unbeknownst to him and the others. They had been searching and searching non stop, and were now exhausted beyond repair. He hated putting them through this, but Hiraku was a vital part of their group.
She was the flame of the candle, which glowed in the darkness of despair. She always gave a ray of hope, but if tempted, she grew and became dangerous, even deadly. She was the light of their candle stick, and without her…the flame had died.
The flame of his heart had died.
He rolled over, shutting his eyes tight, trying to block out thoughts of Hiraku's bright smile and her glowing sapphire blue eyes. She cared for him, and he cared for her, and without her, he was so lonely and cold.
Without the warmth of the flame…
Akina and Hiraku had never liked each other from the start. They would always arguer and bicker over the most silly of things. Arai had reassured Michiru that it was normal, and called it a girl thing.
But now, even Akina seemed more dismal then her personality allowed. She wasn't jumping through trees like a lemur as they trekked through the forest. She wasn't teasing Arai or being all dramatic like she loved to be. Michiru had herd Debu ask her about her attitude, and her words had stunned him and Michiru himself.
"I know it's odd, but I miss Hiraku."
They all missed her, even Arai, though Michiru knew he'd never admit to that. They all wanted to find her.
And they all wanted to relight the candle.
Michiru stifled a yawn and closed his eyes.
I need sleep…He thought to himself, without sleep, I won't have the energy to search for Hiraku with the others tomorrow…
Hiraku…
Michiru shot up in surprise, his eyes wide. "Wha…muh…?" He looked around in confusion, only to find that this wasn't the same clearing he'd fallen asleep in with his friends. He leapt to his feet and looked around in shock and fear. Where the hell was he?
He glanced around to see that he was in the middle of a desert, sand under his bare feet, working its way in between his toes. Why was he in a desert? Was he caught by some ANBU while he was asleep? But no…There was no village in sight, not for miles. It was just a sea of sand.
"Oh, I am glad you came."
Michiru whipped around only to fall backwards into the sand with a yelp. He shook his head and looked up at the person that moved towards him.
He had spiky dark brown hair that fell to about his neck, and into his ebony eyes. His skin was the pale coloration of those in the hidden sand village. A small smile played across his lips as he stared down at Michiru. "A yelp?" He murmured, "Hm…are you sure you're Michiru?"
"H-how do you know my name?" Michiru asked wearily, staring up at the man. He'd never seen him before in his life! Who was this guy?
The man chuckled lightly, "I'd think as much, you look just like him."
"Who?"
He smiled and turned.
"W-wait!" Michiru leapt to his feet, "Who are you?"
The man glanced at him over his shoulder, "Do you know the Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara?" He inquired.
Michiru nodded.
He smirked, "I am his father."
He blinked, "F-father?"
"Yes, the previous leader of the sand. The Yondaime Kazekage."
Michiru stared at him, mouth open, silver eyes wide and disbelieving. "That's impossible," He growled, shaking his head, "Nope, no way! Nu-uh! N-…" He looked at Yondaime, "You're supposed to be dead."
He nodded.
Michiru's eyes widened, "AHHHH!" He fell over in the sand again, "You're a ghost!" he gasped.
Yondaime rolled his eyes, "I love your observation skills…" He murmured sarcastically, "Yes, I am a spirit. I'm dead."
Michiru shook his head slowly, "That's impossible, that's…er…you're dead…ghost…spirit…" He shook his head again.
"You know, I came to speak with you for a reason."
His silver eyes darted back to the Yandaime's black eyes.
"I wanted to warn you, so you'd be safe, Michiru-kun," Yondaime said softly, smiling warmly at the teen.
"Why would YOU want to warn ME?" Growled Michiru suspiciously, "I don't even know you! You died years ago, how should you know me and I know you…Why do you know me!?"
"Will you just be quiet and listen?" Moaned Yondaime, rolling his eyes.
Michiru glared at him but said nothing.
The Yondaime knelt down to a kneeling position, and stared intently at Michiru, "Stay away from the Kazekage. Do you know of his true self?"
He stared at him blankly.
After a long pause, Yondaime sighed, "He's a murderer. He killed hundreds, no…thousands of people for his own selfish desires, not even to protect his village. And you know that Naruto you like so much? The Kazekage injured him severely on several occasions."
Michiru stared at him, shock obvious in his eyes.
Yondaime nodded, "yes, I know it is horrible. It makes my heart throb every time I think about how many innocent lives were taken by him."
"But Naruto-san spoke so fondly of Kazekage-san…" Michiru murmured.
"Out of fear," Hissed the Yondaime, "He is fretful that if he tells the truth of the Kazekage, he'll be killed! The Kazekage has the whole sand village under his command. Armies and weaponry that you can't even try to imagine, Michiru."
Michiru shook his head slowly, "But he seemed so kind…"
"Then he deceived you as well."
The boy lowered his gaze to stare at the golden sand between his fingers, eyes narrowed in thought. The Kazekage had been so kind to him, so had Lady Hinata…"Lady Hinata!" He said suddenly, "She loves-"
But the Yondaime was sadly shaking his head.
"If she does not act like she loves him," He whispered sadly, "The Kazekage would kill her."
Michiru narrowed his eyes, "And how would you know all this?" He snapped, "You're dead! You've been dead a long time!"
"You are correct," He said thoughtfully, "I was murdered by Orochimaru when the Kazekage was still just a gennin, but I would know these things about him, you see…"
"…and why's that?"
The Yondaime looked at him, regret and sadness traced in his eyes, "Because Gaara, Gondaime Kazekage, is my youngest son."
Michiru stared at him, mouth agape.
"Yes, yes I know…terrible isn't it?"
Yondaime sighed heavily, "Temari was my first born of my beloved wife Karura. I loved her. Then Kankuro was born, and I couldn't be happier, but then…" His eyes narrowed, "Then Gaara was born, and my precious wife died giving birth to him. I had sealed a demon in him, in hoped he would protect us, but it was a foolish move. He killed my wife, my beloved, and many of my villagers. He even killed my brother-in-law, all in cold blood. He was a weapon of mass destruction, and danger to the village, and he still is."
Michiru looked down.
"I came into your dreams to warn you to keep away from Gaara," He murmured quietly, "There are secrets connecting him to you, which you don't even know about."
His eyes snapped back onto Yondaime, "L-like what?" He asked, "Tell me!"
Yondaime smiled and turned.
"Wait!" Michiru leapt to his feet and grabbed the man's sleeve, "Tell me the connection! Please, tell me!"
Yondaime stared down at him for a moment.
"Please!"
"Very well…" he sighed.
Michiru opened his eyes wide, perked his ears, and stared at the man hopefully. A connection? Like what? What…
"Gaara…" Yondaime began, "He is your F-"
"-OOOOWWW!!!!"
Michiru jerked up, his side searing with pain. He looked around wildly, and hearing laughing, turned to the left.
Arai was snickering beside him, holding a stick in his hand. "That's what you get for talking in your sleep!" He chuckled, "You woke us all up, you dumb ass!" He smirked.
Akina and Debu stood behind him, looking at Michiru curiously.
"Idiot!" Michiru snarled, snatching the stick.
Arai stared at him, shocked.
"I was just about to find out my connection to the Kazekage!" Michiru hissed dangerously. He didn't notice the shock that lit up in Arai's eyes. "And then you had to go and wake me up!"
"C-connection?" Whispered Arai.
"The Yondaime Kazekage came to me in my dream," Muttered Michiru, "he said there was some kind of connection between me and the Kazekage, and he was about to tell me," he glared at Arai, "Then you woke me up!"
"Cooooool," Breathed Akina.
He frowned at her.
No one noticed Arai sitting to the side, resting his chin on his fist, eyes narrowed in thoughts. Should he tell Michiru…or not?
He just didn't know anymore…
Kankuro yawned as he leaned against the canyon wall surrounding the village. He was on watch duty in the morning today, which really sucked because he was damn tired.
Since Temari had gone of to find Gaara, he had been left in charge of things. He thought it'd be fun, but it really wasn't. It was work, work, work all day long, no fun and no time to hang out or look for hot girl in the village!
He sighed and took a sip of his strong desert coffee.
"Kankuro-dono!"
He spluttered and dropped his coffee, turning the sand around his feet dark and muddy. He saw Kakeru leaping trough the sand towards him, something in his arms.
Immediately alert, Kankuro ran to meat him.
"What's wrong?" He inquired.
Kakeru took a few breaths before nodding at the thing in his arms, "I found her on the border on my way back to the village. She's dehydrated."
Kankuro looked down and his eyes widened. The first thing he noticed was long blonde hair…very familiar hair. This was Hiraku! One of the children Michiru had been traveling with! He stared down at her, all the breath lost from his chest.
"S-sir?"
He shook his head quickly, "Uh yes…" He stared at her, "Um…I'll take her, Kakeru. I should take her to Hinata…since this girl has a connection with Michiru."
"I thought as much."
He looked at him curiously, "By the way, where's chicken butt hair and Paku-san?" he inquired, glancing around, "They're not with you?"
"Yes well," Kakeru shrugged, "I shall explain that later, sir."
Kankuro nodded "Yeah, yeah, alright." He took Hiraku in his arms from Kakeru and turned toward the canyon, "Go get some rest," He told the ANBU over his shoulder, "You loom exhausted."
"Yes, thank you sir."
Kankuro nodded and leapt of towards the village. He glanced down at Hiraku, who's cheeks were flushed pink. His first conclusion, a fever. Of course, she must have been wondering out in this horrid heat. But what was she doing away from Michiru and the others. He gulped in slight worry.
He hadn't even noticed he was inside the village, and at Gaara and Hinata's home. Shaking his head slowly, he lifted one hand and knocked lightly on the door. It was still early, so he was awake or not, "Hinata?" he called softly, "You up in there?"
The door opened and Hinata peeked out, a slightly confused look on her face, "Kankuro-kun?" She murmured. She'd obviously just woken up. "What's wrong?"
He lifted his arms slightly.
Hinata looked down, and her eyes widen, "That's….that's the girl Michiru was with! Kankuro-kun…" She paused, staring at him.
He nodded slowly. "Yeah, Kakeru found her. She has a fever."
"Bring her in," She said, stepping aside, "Sakura's busy at the hospital, but I know how to treat a fever at least."
"Damn….damn….DAMN IT!!!!" Paku kicked repeatedly at the prison cell bars caging her in, but they wouldn't give, not even under her powerful strikes. "Damn!" She yelled again, punching the bars.
Now she was just left with a pain in her hand.
She winced and leaned against the bars, sliding down until she landed on her rump. She sighed and looked at her bloody knuckles.
After being caught by the cloud ninja, she was taken directly to the prison cell. She knew she wouldn't be able to break out, and she knew no one would come for her.
She glanced at the dismal prisoners who were watching her pathetic efforts to escape the prison.
She sighed and rested her head in her hands.
She'd never get out of here.
She'd rot in here for ever.
"Did you hear the news?" She herd one of the guards whisper, "Uchiha Sasuke, THE Uchiha Sasuke, is in the forest outside the village!"
She sat up, her eyes wide.
"Really?" She herd another murmur, "Wow, the last Uchiha eh? Bet he'll make it in no problem."
They both began to laugh.
Paku on the other hand, was staring blankly at the wall, "Sasuke…" She murmured. She clutched her hands to her heart.
"Hah! You pansy!"
"Damn you're annoying, do you ever shut up!?"
"The last Uchiha huh? Ooooo! I'm SO scared!"
"Now I see why Shikamaru hates women, it's because YOU exist!"
"That Sharingan of yours is impressive Sasuke."
"I guess you're not that bad…"
Paku bit her lip, going over all the things they had said to each other in the past month, and finally, she came to the realization.
Though she'd never admit it, not until the day she was on her death bed…
She was in love with Sasuke.
So that was chapter 28…..Yondaime is evil….I knew it, you knew it, we all knew it. He's turning Michiru against his dada! Oh, and to the completely obvious thing…
OMFG GHOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! –Runs around in circles and runs into wall-
-Dies-
Anyway, Paku's situation is bad. But I remember Temari stuck in a similar situation about 12 years ago…And Paku's true feelings are revealed!!!! –Evil laugh-
