Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
A/N: Truly, thank you to all who continue to read. I hope everyone is staying safe out there.
"Miss?"
I lifted my head to meet the eyes of the young girl in front of me. She gestured to the tray on the counter.
"The Kazekage's lunch is ready" I looked down at the tray. It was an egg sandwich cut diagonally down the middle. The crusts were cut off which made me smile a bit. It was kind of cute he preferred no crust. I frowned a bit when I saw the tea pot. Hm, at least it was a smaller one.
"Thank you." I replied to her and reached for the tray. I lifted it and made my way out of the kitchen.
The entire way I walked to the training ground I chanted: Don't trip, Don't trip, hot tea, hot tea. I was surprised I didn't run into anything or anyone since I was looking more at the tray than in front of me.
I heard some grunts just up ahead, and it made me decide to finally look where I was going. I paused as I stared at him.
He was shirtless, training in just black loose pants. His pale skin shimmered in the sunlight from the sweat that coated it. He moved through each stance with such fluidity and focus. As he spun to kick back, sweat flew from his forehead, the droplets glistening in the sun as they fell. He was entrancing to watch. Admiration filled within me as well as a small churn in my lower belly; I parted my lips and my hold on the tray loosened without my intent.
I jolted when I felt the tray slip from my hands. The teapot, cup, and sandwich slipped to the left end of tray. I clumsily yet quickly caught the edge of the tray just in time, and moved the tray to shift everything back into place.
I felt my shoulders slump and my face heat with embarrassment. I didn't need to look up to know he was staring at me…I could feel the intensity of his stare. I straightened my stance, but I kept my eyes down. He walked until he was right before me.
"Why is there only one sandwich?" He asked, his voice monotone.
"I'm sorry, Lord Kazekage. Did you want two?" I managed to say. My hair tickled my cheeks as it moved with the breeze. "I can go back into the kitchen and get you another one?"
"No." He quickly said. "We should have you put down that tray before you drop it." I winced sheepishly at his words. "We can share. Come." I shot my head up in surprise, but his back was already to me as he walked away. He led me to a stone bench off on the side of the training grounds and gestured to it. I carefully placed the tray down in the middle. He sat down next to the tray and brought his green eyes to mine.
"Sit." He said. I lowered my gaze and sat on the other end; my hands folded in my lap.
"Sakura" He called. I looked up and he held half of the sandwich towards me. "Eat."
I lightly bowed my head to him and took the sandwich. As I bit into the sandwich, he filled the cup on the tray with tea. He brought the steaming cup to his lips and gave it a soft blow before he took a sip. He then handed the cup to me. I looked up at him in the middle of my second bite. He simply stared at me; he didn't have to say anything. I lightly bowed my head at him again and took the cup from his hand. He then picked up his half of the sandwich and began to eat.
We sat there in silence as we both ate our half and shared the cup of tea.
"How is your medical training going?" He asked. My eyebrow raised lightly at the question. Was he trying to have to small talk with me?
"Sakura." He pressed
I blinked. "It's good." I said "I really like what I'm learning…and I even assisted Lady Chiyo in teaching the others some basics. "
"Good to hear." He simply stated. I finished my sandwich and folded my hands on my lap. It was silent for a couple of moments. I stared at a small swirl of sand that swooshed with the wind before it fell back onto the training ground. The training ground was fairly huge. It was a large dirt circle, big enough for those training to be able to properly practice their jitsu's without harming the surrounding mansion.
"Have you ever been taught any martial arts?" He asked, breaking me from my thoughts. I glanced at him quizzically, but then brought my gaze back to the training ground in front of me.
"No, Lord Kazekage." I answered with a light shake of my head.
What a strange question. I thought.
He rose from the bench and turned towards me. He then held his hand out to me and waited. I glanced at him briefly before I lifted my right hand and hesitantly placed it in his. He gently pulled me to my feet, then placed his hand in the middle of my back and guided me to the training grounds until we were at its center. He then stood directly behind me and placed his hands on my hips; his warm breath just touched the back of my neck.
"It's centered around certain core values. Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, and Self-Control." He said against my neck. He moved one hand to the top of my left thigh and gave it a light tap.
"Step this foot back." I obeyed. He then moved his hand to my left hand and guided it so my wrist was against my hip and my elbow was pointed back to him. He curled his fingers around my hand.
"Make this hand into a fist." He said. I obeyed again and curled that hand into a fist. He held it a bit tightly before he tapped the top of my knuckles. "Firm. Good." He then began to guide my other hand to lift in front of my chest; my hand was bent at the elbow, but instead of fisted, my fingers were straight up with my palm open and facing the left.
"This is your defense." He said in a low voice that brought chills down my spine. I felt his hold on me loosen and he took a step back.
"In Martial Arts, we are to show courtesy to all, inside and outside of the training ground." He began as he walked around me. When he stood in front of me he reached out and clapped my right hand. My hand fell to the side, but I moved it back into place as I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Resistance, Sakura. Have strength in your arm to keep it in place. Don't let me move it." He answered my silent question.
I nodded and held my stance with more strength behind it. He clapped his hand with mine again, but this time it didn't move. "Good." He said, and began to walk around me again, inspecting my stance as he did.
"Integrity..." He continued "…is for us to know between right and wrong." He paused when he was behind me again. "Perseverance is for us to train our hardest. To never give up no matter how hard it may be." He placed his hands on my hips gave them a firm nudge to the right.
"Square your hips" He ordered. I obeyed. "Good." He said, then continued. "Self-Control is discipline…to have control over your thoughts, emotions and actions." He walked around me until he was standing in front of me again. I held my stance, but lowered my eyes.
"Look at me." He commanded. I immediately brought my eyes to his. He stepped in closer. "Do not lower your gaze. You should never take your eyes off your opponent."
"Yes, Lord K-"
"Gaara." He interrupted. My eyes widened. "You may call me Gaara."
"G-Gaara." I stammered. He nodded in approval.
"I want you to try and hit me." He said nonchalantly. I lowered my hands as I stared at him in disbelief.
"W-What?"
"Lift your arms back up to stance" He commanded quickly. I did as I was told, but I couldn't hide my baffled expression. "Hit me." He continued "Throw a punch a me. I want to see your form"
I slowly blinked. The Kazekage is asking me to…hit him? They could kill me for this…this couldn't be a trick or anything right? Guards weren't going to pop out from behind the rocks and shout "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!" Are they? I glanced from side to side as if checking would sooth my anxiety.
"Sakura." His called with slight impatience. I brought my attention back to him. His hands were behind his back, his was mouth in a thin line and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Now." He said.
I felt my fist by my side trembling. I closed my eyes and swung at him only to have my fist not hit skin, but instead a hard grainy substance. I opened my eyes to see a small floating wall of sand now in-between myself and the Kaze-…Gaara…between myself and Gaara. I retrieved my hand from the sand and watched as the small wall crumbled and the sand swooped back behind Gaara. I tilted my head to see where it went and saw it go into the gourd that I now just noticed was leaning against the bench we were just sitting on.
"Wha-" I started
"First off, you should never close your eyes during battle. Especially when you are trying to hit your opponent." I looked back at him. He continued. "But your overall stance is…surprisingly not terrible. You have never been taught martial arts?" He asked. Still baffled, I just shook my head.
"Hn…you are one have many talents Sakura. "He closed the space between us as he placed one hand behind my back and the other under my chin. My arms fell to my sides and I closed my eyes as his musky scent consumed me. He then lowered to place his lips on mine. The kiss was light and innocent at first, but I felt myself lean into him as he put more pressure into the kiss, causing heat to rise within me once again. I placed my hand on his bare back, feeling the stickiness of his sweat that dried from his training. I wanted more of it, to feel it throughout his body along with his musky scent. He was the one to pull away, but he leaned his forehead against mine.
"I'll teach you." He said, a little breathless from the kiss. I still had my eyes closed; my head filled with a bit of a fog.
"How to kiss?" I asked, since that was what we just did. My ears perked at what I thought was a low chuckle from him
"No." He said "I like very much how you do that." I felt myself smile "I want to teach you how to defend yourself. You will train with me."
(—_)
Temari stood there in the garden near the training ground. She couldn't help but watch her little brother, the fearsome Kazekage, affectionately kiss his clumsy royal slave. She didn't mean to watch their intimate moment, she just stumbled upon it on her way to the training grounds to get a bit of training in herself for the day. When she first saw them, her fist clenched in anger at the sight of the slave in a fighting stance against the Kazekage. She relaxed as she watched her brother step in and gently touch the girl's chin, capturing her lips with his. This was unlike any master and slave relationship she had ever seen, especially with Gaara. It was all so confusing yet…pleasant to see such a soft side of him.
"Teemarriii." Temari jumped at Kankuro's sing song voice. She turned around to find him leaning against a column. He had that dam smug smirk on his face "You little pervert." He cooed.
Temari's face blushed lightly, but she ignored it and rolled her eyes at her brother. "No idiot. I was on my way to the training grounds, but it looks like it is obviously occupied" She said gesturing to Gaara and his pink haired slave behind her. "So now I'm leaving."
"Sure, you want to tell that story again?" Kankuro teased with a raised eyebrow and an amused glint in his eye.
"Fuck off." Temari said as she stalked past him. Kankuro only chuckled and swiveled in step behind her. "Are you sure you don't wanna stay for the rest of the show?" He teased as he pointed at the duo behind him with his thumb "Ten buck says they fuck?"
Temari suddenly stepped back and roughy elbowed her brother in the stomach. He let out an "Oof!" as he hunched over in pain. Temari straighten her shoulders and smirked.
"Serves you right." She said proudly. She began to take a step forward when she noticed Kankuro's foot in the way as he tried to trip her. She jumped over his outstretched foot with grace and stuck a perfect landing. She looked at her brother's annoyed face, his hand still clutching his stomach, and she stuck her tongue out at him just like she used to when they were kids.
"Do you think he loves her?" Kankuro called out from behind her. Temari stopped in her tracks at that. She turned towards her brother again. He still held his stomach, but it was less strenuous. He had his back leaned against the wall as he looked up at the ceiling in thought. He leaned his head lightly to the side and brought his eyes to his sister.
"Well come on Temari. You're the smart one." He said with his Kankuro-like smirk.
"I don't know" Temari answered honestly. "But shut up before I clobber your head against the wall." She threatened as she furrowed her eyebrows. Kankuro chuckled and brought his gaze back to the ceiling.
"Tsk, Tsk, Temari. You're never gonna get that Naara guy to like you if you continue to have such a hostile personality." He teased. If Temari's cheeks were flushed before, her entire face was red now.
"KANKURO!" Temari yelled through gritted teeth. She began stomping her way towards Kankuro, but he jumped up with a wide warm smile as he waved to someone behind her.
"Heeeyyy Shikamru!" He quickly greeted. Temari paused and straightened. Kankuro gave her a quick wink as he continued his greeting "Our guards mentioned they saw you on the road, I'm glad the servants were able to escort you to where my sister and I were."
Temari's eye twitched as she did her best to regain her composure. It didn't help that she could tell her brother was also doing his best contain his composure…from bursting out laughing.
"Hn…Did I interrupt something?" She heard Shikamaru carelessly ask from behind her. She finally willed herself to turn around to greet the Hidden Leaf Ninja. He stood there in his black ninja gear and green vest. His hair was in his usually spiky ponytail and his expression uninterested, except for a slight raised eyebrow.
Cheeks flushed, Temari slight bowed in greeting "Hello Shikamaru. My brother and I were just talking nonsense." She said as she straightened from her bow. She gave her brother a quick side glare before bringing her attention back to Shikamaru. "What brings you here to Suna? Not that you're not welcome or anything, anyone from the leaf village is always welcome." Temari rambled as she scratched the back of her head. Temari heard Kankuro chuckle lightly behind her, her nostrils flared a bit, but other than that she ignored him.
Shikamaru titled his head only the slightest, and then nonchalantly placed his hands in his pocket.
"Naruto wanted to check in on how Gaara and your team were holding up from the last mission. He would have come himself, but he had other matters to attend to…which leaves me to do this courtesy visit."
"How annoyed are you that Naruto chose you for a courtesy visit?" Kankuro asked with a knowing smirk.
"Kankuro!" Temari hissed as and threw him a glare. As Temari glared at her brother. Shikamaru brought his gaze to Temari.
"Hn, It's not so bad." He said. He then quickly looked back to Kankuro before Temari could notice.
"Well regardless, it is kind of the Leaf Village to check in on us. We are doing quite well, but I am sure Gaara would be happy to have you join us for dinner tonight. Will you…be staying the night?" Temari asked.
Shikamru shrugged. "There's no need, I do have other assignments on this mission I need to address so I was planning on heading out before nightfall."
"Nonsense!" Kankuro exclaimed as he walked towards Shikamaru. "Sit back and relax here for the night. Gaara is a bit occupado right now anyway, so it would be rude for you to leave without the Kazekage seeing you." Kankuro wrapped his arm around Shikmaru's shoulders. He gestured to his sister and then at himself. "We insist." Shikamaru's head titled slightly away from Kankuro and sighed.
"It really wouldn't be any trouble. This mansion has so many rooms, but almost no one that uses them." Temari said with a light laugh. Shikamru shifted his gaze to Temari and held it for a moment before he brushed off Kankuro's arm from his shoulders.
"Alright." He said.
Kankuro clapped his hands together and smiled. "Great! Temari will show you to your room!" He exclaimed, then turned away to walk out of the room.
Temari jumped up in shock, and found Shikamaru's eyes were even slightly widened. "Wait Wha-" She began but Kankuro simply cut her off.
"See you both at dinner!" He said with a light wave of his hand as he walked out of the room.
Temari gave a wide eyed panicky look at the direction that Kankuro had just left from. She quickly composed herself before she turned to Shikmaru, and gave him an awkward smile. He had his hands in his pockets and seemed to be looking around the room "causally".
"Um…yeah well, I'm sure you'd like to wind down for a bit after your long journey so…I can take you to your room." Temari said with a light blush on her cheeks. Hands still in his pockets, Shikamaru walked past her and looked out the window into the courtyard.
"Yes, I wouldn't mind taking a nap, but before I do…it's been awhile since the last time I'd been here. Would you like to take a walk and…show me around a bit?" He asked, his back towards her.
"Um..sure, why don't we go this way? The Kazekage is busy…training right now so I don't want to disturb him." Temari suggested pointing to another outdoor exit leading to the garden. Shikamaru turned towards her and shrugged as if it didn't matter. He then bowed lightly and gestured for her to walk.
"Lead the way." He said. Temari gave him another awkward smile, and the two of them walked out.
(—_)
Kankuro walked down the hallway with a chuckle and a bit of a pep in his step.
"Just call me Mr. Match Maker." He said out loud to himself. He loved messing with his sister. She just made it so easy for him, she was always so quick to react. Even though he loved to mess with her, he could tell she really did like that Naara guy. Every time they encountered the lazy ninja she always got so flustered, it was hilarious. But it was also kind of nice sweet to see her smitten. She's his sister, even though he loved messing with her he still wanted her to be happy.
Kankuro continued walking down the hallway with his sheepish grin. He began to walk into the foyer when he saw a guard answering the front door.
"Councilman Yura." The guard said with a light bow of his head. Kankuro stopped his cheery stride and peeked around the guard.
"Councilman Yura?" He more so asked. The guard stepped to the side and bowed at Kankuro's voice as he revealed the Councilman standing in the doorway.
"Kankuro" Councilman Yura responded with a light bow. The corner of Kankuro's lips twitched down. This man got on his nerves, but he had to be polite...no matter how much he hated it. Kankuro bowed in response.
"Is my brother expecting you today?" He asked.
"No, I apologize for my sudden arrival. I was hoping I could meet with the Kazekage for a moment?"
Kankuro's eyebrows raised. Did no one make a fucking appointment anymore?
"Is it an urgent matter? You understand how busy the Kazekage is. Showing up without an appointment is not something the Kazekage appreciates." Kankuro pictured his brother necking "miss pretty in pink" out in the training grounds and he knew the Kazekage did have "a moment", but fuck this guy, he didn't need to know that.
"Well, nothing life threatening. I need to leave for a personal mission, and I must bring my slave the Kazekage is holding with me. I wanted to ask if he could be returned to me." He answered.
Kankuro eyed the Councilman and Yura simply stared back, his expression cold yet patient.
"You need this slave today?" Kankuro pressed
"Unfortunately, Yes." He responded.
"Hmm." Kankuro looked to the side with a bit of annoyance. "I will ask if Gaara has a free moment, I cannot guarantee it though. With all due respect you should have planned better, Councilman Yura."
"Understood." The Coucilman responded with a light bow of his head. Kankuro eyed him again, the councilman gave nothing away. Kankuro nodded his head and turned back down the hallway he came from.
(-_)
"Ask me" He commanded. He still had his arms wrapped around me. We stood there for while in the training ground. This was just the "close contact" part of the training, I joked to myself. His command surprised me though.
"I can see a question in your eyes. I want you to say what is on your mind. So ask me." He pressed.I brought my gaze to his and then to the gourd behind him.
"It holds the sand I use to bend with my chakra." He answered simply. I knew there were people proficient in bending sand here in the Suna Village. I wondered why he carried it with him everywhere when there was sand all around us.
"The sand also moves on its own." He added. My eyes widened a bit at that. He looked from me to the gourd. "I am both in and out of control of it. Its main purpose is to protect me." I tilted my head at that last part.
"It protects you?" I repeated.
"Yes." He said. The corner of his lips lifted just a bit. That small movement was beginning to make my heart flutter. "Except for that time you spilled tea on me. I still cannot understand why it didn't then." He then had a distant look in his eyes as he stared past me. "It was the first time in a long while that I felt pain." I furrowed my eyebrow at that. "It intrigued me…" He continued, then brought his gaze back down to me "You intrigue me."
"Well I don't have anything as interesting as magic sand." I mumbled more to myself. I felt him place his hand underneath my chin and brought me up to look at him. He then weaved his hand through my hair and held it there with a light, but firm grip to keep me in place.
"I don't think you realize just how interesting you are, Sakura." He said as he stared at me. My heart fluttered at his asymmetrical smirk, humor dancing in his eyes. I couldn't help but smile back at him. He leaned in to kiss me, but was interrupted by a cough behind us.
We both turned to look at Kankuro standing there with his hands behind his back. His brows were furrowed in the most un-Kankuro-like manner.
"Kankuro." Gaara answered with his low monotonous voice, annoyance clearly seeping through.
Kankuro put his hands up in defense. "Hey man, it's not me that wants to interrupt you, believe me. But we got Councilman Yura requesting your time at our front door."
Gaara released his hold on me and stepped around me to Kankuro. "Councilman Yura is here? Now?"
"Yeah, he's insisting on seeing you. He needs the slave we're holding in the cell." Kankuro glanced at me when he said that, but then brought his attention back to Gaara. I felt my stomach drop at the thought of Sasuke leaving us and going back to the Councilman's hand. I glanced at Gaara, but he kept his attention on Kankuro.
"For what reason?" He asked. Kankuro shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know, he said he has a personal mission and he needed him tonight. Do you want me to tell him to fuck off?" He asked with a bit of eagerness. Kankuro and I were on the same page with this guy.
"No." Gaara breathed out and brought his hand to his furrowed eyebrows. "He's at the front door?" He asked.
"Yep." Kankuro answered. "Oh and uh, Shikamaru Naara is here too." Gaara looked up from his hand, his eyes lightly widened.
"Naara is here? Why is that?" he asked
"He's playing the role of errand boy. Naruto wanted to check in on how we were doing after the mission with the Leaf." Kankuro said then gave Gaara his Kankuro-like smirk. "But don't worry about him. I have Temari taking care of him. I thought a little one on one time between the two would be good for them."
Gaara just raised an eyebrow at him. He then shook his head and walked towards his shirt that laid over the stone bench.
"Does no one know how to make an appointment anymore?" He mumbled under his breath.
"I was thinking the same." Kankuro mumbled enough for us to hear as Gaara began to put on his shirt.
"Sakura." Gaara said after fixing his shirt over his hips. I instantly looked at him. I knew he could see the worry in my eyes, there was no way I could hide it. It was time for Sasuke to go back to his Master. My time with dear friend was up. But I didn't want Sasuke to leave, here I knew he was safe, with Councilman Yura there was no guarantee.
"Find Ino and have her help you prepare Shikamaru's room for the night. Just let her know he is a guest of the Leaf Village, she will know which room to go to." He commanded.
I stayed there looking at him incredulously, waiting for him to say something else about Sasuke, and if he really was just going to hand him over to Coucilman Yura. Gaara's stare turned into a glare.
"Go." He said "Now."
"No." I instantly responded. The defiance came out of my mouth before I could even really think about it. Gaara tilted his head at me incredulously. Kankuro's wide eyes darted from me to Gaara.
"Are you going to give him back?" I asked. I kept my eyes on Gaara's now furious ones, but my strength only lasted there as my voice was practically pleading.
Head still tilted, he began a slow walk towards me, I could see Kankuro out of the corner of my eyes take a step back from us. There would be nothing he could do. Gaara stopped right in front of me and leaned down to my ear.
"What are you trying to do?" He challenged.
I cleared my throat before I said back to him softly for only us to hear "I am saying what is on my mind, just like you wanted me to do." I was throwing his words right back at him. He stared at me as I pulled away, his eyes powerful and mine fearful yet defiant.
"Kankuro." He snapped as he kept his eyes still locked with mine.
"Yeah-yes Gaara." He brother responded; a bit caught off guard.
"Go tell the guards in the cellar to prepare for the Councilman's slave's release. Have them meet us at the foyer" He commanded my eyes widened.
"Uh…Will do." Kankuro said and made his way back to the mansion.
"You wanted to stay." The Kazekage stated. I pursed my lips in anger, but he just pressed his lips roiughly against mine. I didn't kiss back, but of course I would never fight back. He pulled his lips away but pressed his forehead against mine. He placed his hands on my hip and brought me closer to him. "I won't hide you from truth then. I had to give him back sometime."
"You are the Kazekage-"
"And as the Kazekage, I need to keep peace among my councilmen." He quickly interrupted. "And sometimes that means putting personal matters aside." He kissed my forehead roughly before he let me go, and he walked down the path Kankuro took to the mansion. I stared after him for a couple of seconds before I followed.
(-_)
"Lord Kazekage" Councilman Yura said with a bow "As I said to Kankuro before, I apologize for the intrusion. This matter I come to your for is more personal than business."
"Yes, my brother told me. What is the urgency that you could not have notified me ahead of time? We had an agreement regarding your slave, Councilman Yura. " Gaara stated calmy with a hint of venom in his voice. The weight on my chest lightened a bit that he was at least not going to let Sasuke go without giving the Councilman a hard time first.
Councilman Yura lowered his head again. "My sincere apologies again Lord Kazekage, however I have a personal matter to attend to, and I need my most useful slave to accompany me."
"You have given me no notice. How do you expect me to release him to you?" The Kazekage countered
"He is my slave Lord-"
"Yes, he is yours that you have offered to me for research purposes and now suddenly you want to take him back?"
"I can replace him." Councilman Yura offered quickly. The Kazekage paused a moment, but his expression gave nothing away. I bit my lip in both anger and anticipation. What the fuck did this guy mean?
"How so?" The Kazekage asked in monotonously.
"I can have a representative of myself over-watch your sealing process with the slaves, and your trainings with them as well. This representative understands the seal just as much as I do, if not more."
The Kazekage raised an eyebrow. "If not more?" He repeated.
"Yes, Lord Kazekage. You have my word." Yura confirmed. He straightened from his bow and stared directly at Gaara. "But I do need my slave back tonight." He stated more than asked. Heavy silence hovered between them before Kankuro entered the room.
"Lord Kazekage" He called from the right-hand corner. The Kazekage glanced at him from the corner of this eyes. Kankruo nodded his head, a silent exchange that Sasuke was ready. The Kazekage glanced back at the councilman.
"As you request, I will give your slave back to you now. But there will be no need for you to send another representative in his place." The Kazekage stated.
"Lord Kazekage, I insist this representative will be able to help further along your studies on-"
The Kazekage raised his hand to silence the Councilman. Yura's eyebrow twitched at the abrupt silent command, but he obeyed.
"Thank you, Councilman, but like I said, that will not be needed." The Kazekage turned to Kankuro. "You may bring him out."
Kankuro nodded and whistled behind him. Two guards escorted Sasuke into the foyer. I took a deep breath as I watched him walk across the room. I felt the blood boil within me. Why did he have to go back? What exactly was the reason he was needed so urgently. Yura couldn't get himself off without Sasuke?
I felt my fists clench at my sides as I watched him walk. I took a stepped forward but immediately paused in my tracks when I noticed it... without looking at me Sasuke quickly made a light hand gesture with his hand closest to me. To everyone else it may have looked like a nervous twitch, but I knew exactly what it was. It was one of the hand signals we made up when we were Orichimaru's slaves. They were the slightest of movements so not to be noticed by anyone else but us.
Be good. This one meant.
This one was one we used frequently when Orichimaru was in a bad mood. We used it to warn the other not to piss him off more. Sasuke new the anger I was feeling…and he needed for me now to be good. I relaxed my hands from the fists they were in and took a step back into place.
I could feel the intensity of the glare from my left. I didn't want to meet his eyes, but I knew I had to. I hesitantly bought my gaze to meet Gaara's venomous eyes. If looks could kill. I thought.
"Councilman Yura?" Temari acknowledged as she and Shikamaru walked into the foyer. She lightly bowed. I took advantage of her interruption to tear my gaze away from Gaara and brought it to the ground.
"Temari." The Councilman acknowledged with a small nod. He then thanked the two guards that gave Sasuke to him. The guards both turned to Gaara, waiting for any further command.
"That will be all." He said to them. The two simultaneously bowed before they walked out of the foyer.
Temari stared quizzically at the exchange. She then blinked and shook her head when she remembered that Shikamaru was standing next to her.
"Gaara, Shikamura Naara is here from the Leaf to-"
"Yes, Kankuro had already mentioned to me of his arrival." Gaara interrupted. At this point it was clear he was having a difficult time holding in his irritation, but he bowed respectfully in Shikamaru's direction. "Welcome Shikamaru."
"Thank you, Lord Kazekage." Shikamaru bowed back, when he stood, he swiftly glanced between Gaara and Yura. Gaara then gestured towards the Councilman.
"This is Councilman Yura. Councilman Yura please meet Shikamaru Naara from the Hidden Leaf Village." He introduced stoically. The two bowed in greeting.
"I really should be going now. Thank you, Lord Kazekage, for granting my sudden request." Councilman Yura said then turned to Sasuke. "Sasuke, thank the Kazekage for his hospitality." He commanded.
Sasuke immediately bowed towards Gaara. "Thank you, Lord Kazekage." He said keeping his bow.
"You may relieve." Gaara granted. Sasuke straightened, but kept his head lowered. The guard at the door then opened it for them, and the Councilman and Sasuke left.
After the door shut, Gaara rubbed his eyebrows before he brought his attention to Shikamaru.
"I apologize Shikamaru, to be honest meeting with that man can be…more of a chore than pleasant."
"No need, I get easily bored of chores as well." Shikamaru answered nonchalantly.
"Temari's giving you a tour of the estate, I see?" The Kazekage observed. Shikamura nodded
"Yes, she has been most welcoming." He said as he gave a nod in Temari's direction. Temari's cheek pinkened lightly. "I apologize for the intrusion of your…conversation." Shikamaru said as he gestured in the direction the Councilman had just left from. "And for my intrusion at your home in general."
Gaara shook his head "Anyone from the Leaf Village is welcomed here in Suna. I am sure you are tired from your travels. I will make sure your room is ready for your midday nap."
"I already have some of the house slaves preparing his room." Temari chimed in politely.
Gaara nodded at her statement. "Good." He brought his attention back to Shikamaru. "I can give you the rest of the tour myself if you are interested?" He suggested. Temari's shoulders slumped just a bit.
"Thank you, Lord Kazekage, but if my room is about ready now, I think I would like to unwind a bit if you don't mind?"
Gaara nodded in acknowledgement "Temari, will you please show Shikamaru to his room?" he asked. Termari perked back up
"Of course." She answered, then gestured up the stairs. "This way." She said with a light smile. Shikamura lightly bowed at Gaara, when he straightened, he glanced at me for a brief moment before he followed Temari up the stairs.
Kankuro walked towards Gaara, getting ready to say some sort of remark most likely.
"Come Sakura." Gaara called out as he simply walked past Kankuro. Kankuro raised his eyebrows but didn't seemed too offended. He then looked at me and gave me a sly smile.
"You better follow him." He said as he gestured towards Gaara. I blinked but then quickly shuffled after Gaara. We walked down a couple of hallways, it seemed like we were headed in the direction of his office. I was proven right as I saw his office doors come into view.
Gaara then abruptly stopped and spun towards me. I yelped at the sudden movement. He quickly grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into a smaller hallway of to the side. I stiffened, unsure of how to react; it all happened so fast for me to process.
There was a thin decorative hallway table holding a vase and a couple of other decorative items up against the hallway wall. With his hold already on my hips, he lifted me up onto this table, pushed my legs opened and pressed himself against me. The items on the table fell to the ground, and I heard what I assumed was the vase shatter.
"Why are you testing me?" He asked, his voiced filled with rage. He pressed his forehead up against mine. I felt my blood pressure rise and yet heat grow again within my stomach.
"I-I don't know what you mean." I breathed out honestly.
"You disobeyed me when I asked you to prepare the room for Shikamaru." He said as he hands moved up my thighs. His thumbs were close enough to my heat to make me ache for him, yet he didn't move any further. Fuck.
"You even challenged my authority and power as the Kazekage." He continued. "and you almost did again in the foyer." He said as he moved his hands over my thighs and around to my ass. He pulled me closer to him, forcing me to feel how hard he was.
"Do you challenge it now?" He whispered as he moved his lips to my ear. "I can take you right now. Here in the hallway. In my fucking estate." His spat out the last words as he grinded his hips into mine. I couldn't help but let out a moan. I should have been more frightened. He was clearly furious with me, but instead of fear I felt myself getting wet for him.
"Say no to me again." He challenged moving his lips to hover over mine. I felt the fire in me grow. I pursed my lips and stared defiantly into his lust filled eyes…But I didn't say anything. He was the Kazekage, I could not say no to him…not again at least.
The corner of his lips lifted just the slightest at my silence. I felt my stubbornness inside me grow. I wanted him, my wet panties were clear proof of that, but there was something more between us then just "master and slave." I knew that now. I had to push this theory further. I couldn't say no, but I knew how to make him stop.
I flew my hands to the hem of my shirt and began to lift it above my head. I got it lifted just above my breasts when he grabbed both of my wrists and pulled them down along with my shirt. His green eyes stared at me in both anger and disbelief.
"What are you doing?" He growled.
"I'm letting you take me." I answered as my chest moved up and down from my heated/nervous breathing. "Are you going to take me here with my clothes on?" I challenged more than asked. His eyes studied mine before his brows raised in realization. I felt his hold on my wrists tighten, but I didn't break our eye contact.
His most enforced rule with me was that I was to never be indecent in public. All the times I were, he had been completely livid with me. He was angry at my defiance earlier, but he would not take me outside of private quarters, he knew that…and now he knows I knew it as well. I had won.
He pushed himself off me and ran his fingers through his hair. He glared at me from the corner of his eyes, his chest moved up and down from his heavy breathing. I leaned heavily on the table, my hands practically holding me up as my legs became weak from fear.
What did I just do? I thought as I felt his anger radiate off him. It was his move now.
Another moment passed before his breathing was back to its normal pace. His lips were still in a thin line and his eyes mirrored death, but he was gained his composure back. He then adjusted his still hard cock and turned away from me.
"Clean up this mess." He commanded in his low monotone voice and walked away. It was only when he turned away to exit this narrow hallway that I allowed myself to give into my weakened legs and slip to the ground.
(-_)
Shikamaru laid on the chair in the balcony of his guest room. He had the back of his head laid comfortably on his hands; his one leg crossed casually over the other. He had forgotten how nice it was to stay at the Kazekage's estate. He could have napped on the glamourous bed in his room, but he enjoyed the desert breeze…and he also enjoyed looking at the sky. Though there weren't many clouds in the desert sky, its view still relaxed him.
He was a little disappointed he had to shorten his tour with Temari. His short time with her had been truly pleasant. She was intelligent, which he admired, and confident yet polite. She also was pretty nice to look at…
He needed some time to collect his thoughts though. The exchange he had walked in on between the Kazekage and the Councilman was definitely more unpleasant than a "chore" as the Kazekage had put it. He wondered what exactly had conspired between the two.
It was interesting to see Gaara Sabaku with a royal slave. A royal slave wasn't uncommon for leaders; however, he had always assumed his old friend to be more part of the…A-sexual crowd. Learning the Kazekage did indeed have a sexual appetite didn't perk his interest as much though as the signal he caught between the male slave and the royal slave. The signal was so small that it should have been unnoticeable…if he hadn't clearly seen the effect it made to the young pink haired slave.
She stepped forward, but then stepped back…
Did it mean "stop", "no", "enough"? He wasn't sure, but he was sure it was a silent exchange between the two. Maybe there was more for him to observe on this courtesy visit to Suna than he had originally planned.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed! I will do my best to keep up with this story. I truly love writing it.
As always, reviews and critiques are welcomed. I read everyone of them.