Chapter 37 – Public Display

Yasu was amazed at what the Sunan builders and jonin had accomplished in such a short amount of time. A brand new stadium had been constructed around the old bones of the amphitheatre. Although this was the first time that Sunagakure had hosted the Chunin exams, Yasu was certain that such a bold statement was trying to send a message: this magnificent structure will be used for many years to come.

There was however something that caught her eye over to the far side, but it was covered by a large white sheet. The sheet was pinned down and there was a guard glaring at anyone that should go near. It seemed a little out of place.

I wonder what it is?

"Here comes the Kazekage!" A group of girls shrieked making Yasu jump.

She tried to remain calm keeping her focus on the central arena, however this was difficult. The kunoichi had deliberately chosen seating next to an emergency exit for Violet's sake. If the young girl should have an episode when the Kazekage appeared Yasu would have no trouble taking the matter outside. Unfortunately every exit was positioned to have a clear view of the VIP area and ultimately of Gaara.

Attempting not to think about him was like trying not to breathe. She could manage it for a short while but there came a point when it became compulsory. It didn't help being in Suna surrounded by the people and places that brought out memories at every turn. It also didn't help that Temari was giving cryptic clues and making her worry so. Suggesting that someone was controlling their minds and that Gaara needed to be saved. What exactly did Temari think she would do with this information?

I'm not some shining knight on a white horse!

An image came into her mind and she snorted out loud. Next to her Violet was taking in the atmosphere and kept twisting her whole body around to get a good look.

"You okay?" Yasu asked tapping the youngster's shoulder. "We're going to be watching the matches between the runners up from the previous exam to start with."

The perplexed face in response made her sigh.

All at once everyone stood up and turned their attention to the Kazekage. He came to the edge of his tier and welcomed all the visitors to his homeland. Not once did he stutter and his voice rang out clear and confident. Beside him Amelia stood waving to the crowds.

Yasu gasped realising that her fingernails had been digging into the flesh of her palms. She held them up in shock inspecting them. A thin trial of blood was running down the central palm line of each. She took a tissue pressing them together to stem the bleeding. She was thankful for the distraction although disturbed that she hadn't felt the pain.

"Lord Kazekage, indulge me," Amelia said taking her own seat directly to Gaara's right. "Why must you wear that silly hat?"

The Kage was currently in his dress robes of white and green. It was true that in the past he had cursed and found the head wear to be nothing but an irritant. Today however he was glad of the way that it obscured his face from Amelia's vision. She would not be able to see his expressions nor even where his gaze might lie.

"It is a great tradition amongst the five Kage to wear this attire. The green for Sunagakure represents eternity, as an evergreen tree retains its colour and life all the year through. White is an auspicious colour as I am sure you are aware associated with good luck-"

"What an unfortunate choice," she remarked. "There is hardly any greenery in the desert, my Lord. And as for white, Kage refers to shadow does it not? I would say that black is a more suitable colour!"

Gaara held back from giving a reply as it would not be in his favour to make Amelia angry. Instead he searched the stadium for the one person whom he truly wished to see. There she was with Violet chatting animatedly, with her erratic hand gestures and beautiful blue eyes. His heart swelled at the sight. Long blond curls framed her face dancing as she talked. She was wearing a green wrap top with a daffodil print.

Unfortunately Gaara's private daydream was not to be allowed. Amelia was secretly rubbing the circle on her wrist and the stabbing pain came once more into his brain.

"Take off the hat," Amelia instructed. Her tone implied there was to be no argument. "I said take off the hat."

"Why?" Gaara said shortly. He was not going to be intimidated.

There was a scowl and then she was on her feet. "Omi!" she snapped, "My umbrella!"

The bodyguard stepped forward soundlessly. He produced a navy blue umbrella that matched Amelia's kimono perfectly and pushed it open. Then he stood close to Amelia holding the umbrella over her head as she scanned the crowd.

Gaara placed his age as early twenties with a katana sword ready and waiting by his side. He'd seen Omi's skills first hand when his fiancée had been bored one evening. It began with slicing the stuffed pig at the dinner table into equal pieces. The Kage did not need to measure the pieces he knew in his gut that Omi's accuracy was sound. The game had gradually moved onto smaller and more difficult objects. Amelia however was still not satisfied.

She laid down on the couch exposing her belly with pleasure to Omi. An apple had been placed onto her stomach and the challenge was to slice the fruit in half. When Gaara made to stop the fun of the emperor's daughter the pain he received crippled him. He had been made to watch, paralysed on the floor as Omi raised the blade and swung it down.

It was something he would never forget. The apple peeling apart as the metal had penetrated the skin it came away clean. Both halves of the apple lay side by side and there was not a single scratch on Amelia's vulnerable pink flesh. It then occurred to Gaara that the princess was not quite right in the head.

Omi wore a high collared white jacket which ironically was also trimmed with green. This was where the similarities between the Kage and Omi stopped however. The swordsman spoke very little but he was an imposing figure. There was the long jagged scar that stretched from his left ear lobe to his chin. His loyalty and dedication to the River Princess was absolute.

Eventually Princess Tomoe spotted what she had been looking for. She cast a sly grin and whispered, "I – can – see – her."

Each word was like a dagger impaling his lungs.

"She is the coach of the student Seibi-shi Enjin," he saw how Amelia's hazel eyes had suddenly widened with excitement. She leaned in closer and to any onlooker it might seem she was whispering sweet nothings to her future husband.

"Take off your hat," she said quietly. "Otherwise, I will have her removed right now."

Gaara struggled to keep his voice level, "Miss Katashi has worked hard to prepare her student for the Chunin exams. You do not have the right to take this moment away from her!"

"Sweetheart, all I am asking you to do is remove your hat," she said innocently.

He could feel cold sweat on the back of his neck. This would be the start of it, if he gave in now she would not stop. She knew that Yasu was a weakness and could use this advantage in the most twisted ways imaginable. Perhaps it may be kinder for Yasu to be removed rather than exposed to such cruelty.

Without thinking his gaze went to his love. She had fought with him and put their friendship on the line for this boy. He remembered how Yasu had not given up on Enjin even when she had been rejected, sworn at and ridiculed. She had bounced back. This student was precious to her now. Even her research as a jonin was inspired by him. Did she not deserve to see how far Enjin could go?

No, I cannot do this to her.

Slowly the hat was placed on the table.

Amelia looked at him and licked her lips, "There now, that wasn't so difficult was it?"

The result of the first match went to the Hidden Rock ninja. He had managed to defeat his opponent with an impressive barrage of earth style techniques. Even Yasu had to admit that she'd gained a few ideas from observing the fight. She vowed to try them out once the exams were over.

An announcement for the Test of Mind followed. Again, this was another change by the Kazekage met with some confusion. Violet scratched her head wondering why the Leaf ninja was suddenly so silent and crossing her fingers and toes tightly. They listened together with the audience waiting with bated breath for the names of the remaining squads to be read out.

"Team Kagura, Team Kaname and Team Mamiya..."

Come on Enjin!

"Team Hirako, Team Kurotsuchi and Team Katashi..."

"YES!" Yasu could barely keep her voice low, as she squeezed Violet's hand and stamped her feet with joy. "They're through!"

"Keep it down!" One of the other spectators shushed with annoyance behind her as the last few names were given.

She relaxed after this and actually began to enjoy herself. The second match was an interesting one between a female member of the Hyuga clan and a ninja from Amegakure.

For a while the two exchanged blows trying to look for an opening. It soon became clear however that a quick strike was not the way this was to end. Yasu was fascinated by the girl known as Hinata, her Gentle Fist technique was awe inspiring. She had looked so timid and sweet at the start but to see her now with two blue lion heads pulsing from her fists, she appeared quite frightening.

The ninja from the Hidden Rain was curious. Wearing only his light grey uniform and a green scarf anyone would be mistaken for thinking that he was unprepared. What transpired very quickly was the speed with which he could move. Amegakure was famous for assassins in fact it was one of the most common missions given to ninja from this area. The man kept a healthy distance away to avoid close combat with the lion shaped shrouds. His use of the silent shuriken however was quite lethal.

Surprisingly the Hyuga girl adapted her strategy with ease. The veins around her eyes and temples bulged as the infamous Byakugan came into play. With this dōjutsu Hinata was now able to see her opponent's attacks and counter immediately. She swung Samidare into the nearby wall where body and reinforced concentrate met with a nasty crunch. Seeing her chance she jumped on him and the lion heads made swift work of draining his chakra network.

It didn't take long after for the Hidden Rain candidate to collapse on the floor from exhaustion. Hinata had been named as the winner and bowed modestly to the crowd.

Yasu listened to the cheers of the spectators and was transported back to Konohagakure during her own matches. She remembered how nervous she'd felt trying to fight Temari in front of all those people. That had been the start of everything of course. She became lost for a moment seeing the sand grains on the floor again, the meal with Gaara and returning to the Land of Wind. It all seemed like a lifetime ago. She gave a gentle smile and then glanced up at the Kazekage.

Lady Leaf froze. The Kazekage was currently involved in a kiss with Princess Amelia. She should have looked away, every instinct was screaming at her not to watch. Seeing their eyes locked and lips touch was devastating. She didn't think it was possible to hold this much anguish inside, surely her body would tear apart? Shinobi were capable of enduring anything, this was what she believed. This was what kept her sane, but seeing them like this was too much.

Keep breathing. Don't let it get to you.

Amelia stroked his perfect porcelain skin.

He did not back away in horror.

She pulled the red hair playfully and smiled.

Despite the intimate personal attention he did not push her away.

Yasu was shocked at how comfortable the Kage appeared with his fiancée. She recalled how he had trembled every time they stole a kiss. He had been so sensitive and apologised over and over again for his clumsy attempts. She in turn had given nothing but reassurance and love. It hurt to think that she had been a guinea pig. She was something Gaara had experimented with as he discovered his humanity. He had got what he needed from her and moved on.

"The Kazekage will now unveil a statue to celebrate his impending marriage to her Imperial Highness, Princess Tomoe of the Land of Rivers!"

I can't take this.

She watched in slow motion as the large white sheet was whipped away and fell to the ground. The marble statue was beautiful: two life size replicas of the Godaime Wind Shadow and Amelia standing side by side holding hands. It glittered in the bright sunlight as Yasu could see grains of Gaara's sand embedded within the pure white stone.

There had been something similar here once she recalled. A glittering tree made from her wood style and his sand combined. She realised this too had been removed to make way for the stadium. He was slowly removing all traces of their past. Was that the real reason why he brought Amelia to the house?

Had Gaara ever truly loved her? Was the necklace she wore so faithfully something he had bought her affections with? Had his Desert Flower finally wilted and died in his eyes?

Her breath was short and the tears fell silently. The crowd was already on their feet clapping their appreciation. She couldn't stand. Her legs felt weak and refused to cooperate. The blind panic was consuming her. It hurt to think of such evil things about Gaara. She loved him. She wanted him back.

"Is this seat taken?"

Matsuri took the empty seat and held both of her friend's hands firmly. She was saddened to find them shaking. The two sky blue eyes were shimmering wet. The attendant had never seen Lady Yasu like this she was speaking to a ghost. It was as if all life and happiness had been sucked out of her.

"Gaara Sensei sent me," she explained. "He thought you might be worried about Enjin."

Overwhelmed Yasu hugged her trying to muffle the sobs into Matsuri's shoulder.

The woman clung to her for what seemed like hours, but the kind Sunan waited patiently. When the shaking subsided and Yasu could trust herself she slowly let go.

She blushed, "I'm sorry about that."

"He did say you might be a little emotional today!" Matsuri admitted. "He's worried about you."

"I don't know what to say to that," she said wiping her eyes.

"Lady Yasu, you must have faith in Enjin. He has you as a teacher after all!" She winked. "I know he can do well."

It was easier to breathe now. Gaara did care he sent Matsuri to comfort her when he could not. But she was still so confused.

"I'm glad you're here," she told her friend. "But if you call me Lady Yasu again, I am going to have to hit you!"

At that they both burst into laughter.

Author's note –

I decided to change the format of the Chunin exams to fit in with the story. I apologise to the purists out there who know as well as I do that the tasks last a lot longer!

This will be my last update in a while as the Christmas Holidays are nearly over. My job takes up a lot of time I'm afraid! I'll keep chipping away though. Good luck if you're writing a story and don't give up!

Allybee x