Note: takes place right before the start of Shippuden/Part II have taken plenty of liberties; this by no means follows canon, not even close. Certain prominent villains do not exist in this story. Assume that everything that happened in Part 1 canon and in lest I bring it up, nothing revealed or told to us in Shippuden is canon to his fanfiction. Thank you enjoy.
Chapter 1: Sasuke?
Clutching the bleeding wound in her abdomen Temari couldn't be angrier, not even if Kankuro snuck into her room at night and shaved her head. Not only was she attacked by a strange group of shinobi on her way to Konoha; said strange group of shinobi somehow managed to seal her chakra. Despite the relative weakness of shinobi assaulting her without her chakra, she's been on the backfoot the entire confrontation. Even so, she did manage to kill three of her seven attackers before one of them sneaked through her defenses and pierced her abdomen with their sword. Temari cursed her luck and also Shikamaru for not meeting her halfway like was originally agreed upon. She'll give the Lazy-good-for-nothing an ass-kicking when she sees him again.
Temari wasn't sure if she'll actually make it out of this encounter and see him again; surrounded by four masked shinobi brandishing swords. Clutching a kunai backward in her right hand she prepares for their final approach. The shinobi in front of her clutches his sword tightly and tenses in preparation to charge her when;... a sword pierces him through the abdomen from behind, mirroring her injury. With the body of the shinobi in the way, Temari couldn't see who was responsible for coming to her rescue. By the time the sword was pulled from his body and he fell to one knee whoever had stabbed him had disappeared. Temari couldn't help the relief that flooded her system at the revelation that she had an ally at the moment and a talented one at that. In response to his death, the two shinobi on her sides froze; whereas the shinobi behind her sought to blitz her before her hidden ally could strike again. Temari attempts to turn around and deflect the oncoming sword with her kunai however, her wound was too debilitating and she couldn't complete the motion in time. The sound of clashing metal greeted her ears as Temari turned around to discover a body between her and her attacker.
Observing the scene before her, Temari couldn't quite comprehend what she was seeing. Standing before her, protecting her from death, was Konoha's missing son, the last heir to the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Sasuke. Uzumaki Naruto's former teammate was locking blades with her would-be assassin. Coming to their senses the other two assassins began to rush in; in response, Sasuke pushed off using his superior strength to knock his adversary off balance. As their enemies approached them Sasuke quickly sheathed his sword, spun around, wrapped his arms around Temari's injured torso, and jumped away taking her with him. Sasuke and Temari landed at the border of the Lands of Fire and Wind, where the grass slowly began to turn to sand, just as the two assassins' blades came down where Temari's head was a moment prior. Sasuke laid Temari down softly but not gingerly, refocusing his attention on the assassins afterward. Back to Temari, right hand on his sheathed sword, Sasuke reached into his shirt and pulled out a necklace of some kind. The necklace was a simple silver chain with a; swirl-shaped gold pendant hanging from it. Reaching behind him Sasuke motions for Temari to take it, all while keeping his eyes on the wary assassins before them. Temari's eyes focused on the pendant as she wondered its importance.
"Take it! The pendant counteracts the effects of the enemies' no-chakra-zone." Temari's eyes widened at Sasuke's statement, as she realized that the pendant would return her chakra to her. Despite the dubious status of Sasuke's trustworthiness, Temari heeded his advice, hurriedly grabbing the necklace and wrapping it around her neck. To her surprise and immense relief, Temari rather quickly felt access to her chakra return. Eyeing Sasuke wearily, though not as much as before, Temari rose to her feet from her kneeled position and came to stand at Sasuke's side.
"Out of my way Uchiha!" Temari stepped in front of Sasuke clutching the giant fan strapped to her back. The assassins began to backpedal the grip on their swords shakey as they realized what was coming for them. With a savage grin and a flick of her wrist, Temari unfurled her fan, swung it, and sent a massive blast of wind at her would-be killer's. The wind crashed into the masked shinobi driving them into and through the trees behind them. Satisfied that the people who ambushed her got what they deserved, Temari turned around, planted her fan into the ground, and leveled Sasuke with an appraising glare.
"Talk!" Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her demand, head tilted as he took in the state of Temari's being, his eyes were primarily drawn to her wound.
"Not gonna thank me?" Temari's glare hardened at the jab.
"I'm not in the habit of being friendly with traitors!" Sasuke closed his eyes and released a sigh of acceptance. He reached into his open chested black shirt and pulled out... a roll of bandages and with a flick of his wrist sent it flying towards Temari, who caught it.
"My explanation is best saved for the Kazekage," Sasuke explained as he walked past Temari in the direction towards Sunagakure.
"And you expect me to just... escort a known associate of Orochimaru into our village, after what he did to us." Temari firmly grasped her fan as she continued to question him, her injury caused her fatigue but still, she prepared to strike Sasuke down should she deem it necessary. Sasuke stopped, turned around, and glared at her seemingly frustrated at her lack of cooperation; not that it should've surprised him.
"First off I no longer have anything to do with Orochimaru! Second, the information I have is vital to the security of Suna, so you cannot risk it not making it to Suna cause you killed me... no matter how little you trust me." Temari glared right back at him as she contemplated his point. Letting out a grunt in frustration, Temari averted her eyes to her wound and began wrapping it up with the bandages that Sasuke had given her. With Temari's nonverbal sign of acquiescence, Sasuke relaxed his stance. Finishing up with her wound, Temari stood up and headed over to stand near Sasuke.
"Alright Uchiha, I'll go along with this for now... though if you make any remotely suspicious moves I won't hesitate to put you down!" Sasuke nodded at her, his expression oddly appearing to be approving.
Temari and Sasuke traveled quickly towards Sunagakure in silence, with Temari a pace behind so she can observe Sasuke for any sudden moves. As they traveled, Temari examined how Sasuke had changed since she last saw him when they were several years younger. He of course had gotten taller, now having grown taller than her, though not by much, his hair however hadn't changed a bit. His outfit of course had changed the most; now lacking the Konoha headband had worn when he was still loyal to his home village, it consisted of a loose-fitting short-sleeved back zip-up shirt that was halfway zipped, he wore black wristbands accented with bandages, a dark blue sash was tied to his waist holding the sheath of his sword, on his lower body were standard black shinobi pants and sandals. Temari couldn't help but find her attention drawn to the Uchiha clan symbol emblazoned on the back of his shirt several times.
It was still stunning to believe that the last surviving heir of Konoha's perhaps most prestigious clan had fled the village that had housed his clan for generations. And even despite that, whereas most villages Suna included, would've publicly disowned and declared him an enemy of the state Konoha had, in many ways stood behind him. All because of the determination of one person, Uzumaki Naruto. The same person who was responsible for saving her youngest brother's soul, the person her youngest brother trusted the most in the world, as much as it pained her to admit probably even more than her. And this very person still believed in Uchiha Sasuke, she wasn't sure but Temari wondered if that was the real reason she decided to give him a chance.
"So, you really don't associate with Orochimaru anymore?" Temari's words this time were not laced with as much anger though the distrust remained, their silent traveling thus far had calmed her nerves, perhaps the thoughts of Uzumaki Naruto might have had something to do with it also.
Sasuke didn't respond immediately, merely glancing back at her briefly. His seeming ignoring of her question began to wane on Temari's patience. Temari bristled and chewed on her lip contemplating whether or not she should hit him with her fan like she would whenever Kankuro crossed the line.
"That is correct. I had much more important matters to attend to than to waste away training with that snake!" The emotions in Sasuke's words were reserved but his disdain for 'that snake' was clear. Temari couldn't help but believe him with the way he spoke, which only served to further her frustration and want for answers. It just didn't make any sense to her; why would someone cause such a commotion by abandoning their village and siding with the greatest traitor in that village's history, only to abandon the traitor and then attempt to establish some kind of relationship with the village's greatest ally.
"What is your game Uchiha?" Temari continued to question Sasuke in the blunt matter she preferred, never liking to beat around the bush and waste time.
"I assure you, I'm not a fan of games Temari." Temari bristled once more at the way Sasuke addressed her, speaking to her informally as if there was a level of familiarity that existed between them. Realizing that if the information Sasuke claims to have is as important as he says it is, then she could not jeopardize its arrival, so Temari decided against pushing the matter.
Their traveling continued in silence for the next while until the impressive and towering walls of Sunagakure began to dominate their vision. As they approached a sandstorm began to kick up. Fortunately, shelter was within view, the pair picked up their speed. Nearing the entrance to the wall Temari and Sasuke were immediately surrounded by Suna`s elite border patrol. The eight shinobi assumed their positions so that they could both take Sasuke down and protect Temari if necessary. Temari couldn't help but tense, worried how the supposedly former criminal would respond. To her relief, Sasuke seemed unperturbed by the act of aggression. Temari`s attention was drawn away from Sasuke briefly when the leader of the patrol; a young woman by the name of Matsuri called out to her.
"Temari-sama! Are you safe? Who is this man?" Temari turned her head slightly to regard Matsuri without letting Sasuke out of her sight. Taking in Matsuri`s worried expression Temari smiled softly to calm the lesser-experienced shinobi`s nerves. "Hai Matsuri, I`m fine. I need to escort this man to see Gaara!" Matsuri noticed how attempted to dodge her second question so she turned to examine Sasuke more closely. "And this would be who exact-" Matsuri stopped her question short when she noticed the Uchiha clan symbol upon his back. Recognition blared across her face as she opened her mouth as if to speak only to catch herself. Biting her lip Matsuri stepped closer so she could speak privately with Temari. "Uchiha! Bringing him to see Gaara couldn't possibly be a good idea, could it?"
Temari took a deep breath, the same doubt had been creeping into her mind religiously since she agreed to Sasuke's deal. Unfortunately, Sasuke was right; him showing up out of nowhere claiming to have information vital to Suna's safety was too strange and alarming to ignore.
"I understand where you're coming from, of course, I agree; sometimes however insane risks are necessary,\." Matsuri responded to her statement with an understandably pensive look.
"Okay Temari-sama, I trust you but, be careful please." Attempting to brighten her spirits Temari gave Matsuri a confident smirk. "I will, but besides if Uchiha does try something; Gaara will be there" The mention of her idol recontextualized Matsuri's thoughts on the situation. Her expression lifted, confidence replacing doubt.
"Of course, Temari-sama you're right. Gaara-sama would never fall to this Uchiha bastard! I don't know what I was so worried about. Don't worry I'll keep this to myself no need to start a panic." With Matsuri's concerns addressed it was time for Temari to move on to the more important matter. Temari walked past Sasuke and through the border patrol, silently ordering them to let her and Sasuke through. With their duty complete the border patrol returned to their posts clearing the way for Temari and Sasuke to enter the village. Sasuke said nothing the entire time, he remained silent and confident, waiting patiently for Temari to get the matter settled. As they walked further into the village Temari and, no doubt Sasuke was acutely aware of the Anbu that began to trail them from the shadows, waiting for Sasuke to step out of line. Temari focused on Sasuke as they walked. She just couldn't figure it out. Why is Sasuke doing this? Is Orochimaru planning to use Suna to take out Konoha again? He claimed to no longer be associated with Orochimaru but Temari couldn't believe him, right? These questions flooded Temari's mind as they walked, as she observed him.
The village was bustling with people, stalls of food and clotheslined the streets. The wind kicked up starting a minor sandstorm similar to the one outside the village's walls. The streets quickly cleared of people, as they fled into the safety of their homes; until Temari and Sasuke were the only ones left. Temari and Sasuke picked up the pace hurrying to the Kazekage Tower. Within no time they were at the door to the office of Sunagakure's leader, Temari's youngest brother Gaara. As they approached Temari had a foreboding feeling that something ominous was about to happen.
To say that Gaara was surprised when Uchiha Sasuke walked into his house alongside his sister would be an understatement of the highest order. Now even though he abandoned them to join their greatest traitor Konoha never officially branded Sasuke a traitor. Which is the only reason Gaara didn't have him arrested the second he entered his office. Of course, the fact that he was traveling alongside Gaara's sister [his very scary sister] didn't hurt. Channeling all the authority he had acquired since becoming the Kazekage Gaara spoke."Uchiha Sasuke! What is your business in Sunagakure and with my sister?" Sasuke remained impassive at Gaara's question. In response to Sasuke's silence, Temari made to interject, Gaara signaled with his left hand for her to be silent. "Answer the question Uchiha!" Gaara pressed Sasuke for an answer. He gave the question in his usual monotone but the threat should Sasuke remain silent was clear. Instead of answering with words, Sasuke answered by pulling out a scroll and handing it to Gaara. When it was revealed Sasuke was reaching for Gaara relaxed slightly, while he remained prepared for ant tricks Sasuke might have up his sleeves. Gaara unfurled the scroll and gazed at its contents. As he read through the scroll Gaara was shaken to his core. Raising his head from the scroll Gaara leveled Sasuke with a stare that belated serious threat.
Sasuke returned his stare with one of equal intensity. "We need to talk, alone!" To Temari's shock, Gaara acquiesced to Sasuke's demand. "Temari leaves us, we'll talk later. Please leave us." Alongside being stumped Temari was also a little indignant. After having escorted Sasuke all this way only to be dismissed by him and Gaara didn't feel good. However Gaara was her leader, also he was her brother and she trusted him. Even though she'll be interrogating him later when they're in a less formal place. Despite her misgivings, she left the childhood enemies alone.
After exiting Gaara's office Temari began to pace back and forth outside the door. She was worried about what they could possibly be talking about. Surely Gaara wouldn't have kicked her out if he didn't have a good reason. When they fought, Gaara emerged as the victor. So she reasoned things should turn out okay should Sasuke try something funny. If Sasuke hurt Gaara after he sent her away, she'd kill them both. These thoughts and emotions swirled through Temari's head as she paced back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. "Temari!" Her pacing was interrupted by the sound of her younger brother's voice calling out her name. Turning to her right, Temari came face to face with her younger brother Kankuro. "Hey, Sis! What's got you so worked up? Something go wrong on your trip?" Kankuro's face was a mix of concern and amused. Concerned because his sister was back much sooner than planned, amused because it was rare to see his usually self-assured sister so worked up. Temari gave Kankuro a look that spoke of a potentially grave situation. "Uchiha Sasuke is here!" Kankuro's face sped through an intense variety of emotions. Shock, confusion, anger finally it, settled on determination. "Where is he?" Temari let out a slightly pained chuckle. Nervously she looked down to the right and then to the left before settling her gaze on Kankuro.
Temari's reaction turned Kankuro's blood cold. Whatever's got his sister so worried must be huge. "Sis?" He probed her in the lightest tone he's ever used with her. With a tilt of her head and a look of pained amusement, she indicated in the direction of Gaara's office. "He's talking to Gaara." Imagine if you looked up and the sky was green and the clouds were purple, only then would you feel as confused as Kankuro felt. "H-He's talking with Gaara?" Kankuro barely sputtered out in utter befuddlement. Before Temari could respond, the door to Gaara's office swung open. The powerful voice of their younger brother, the leader of their entire village echoed out. "Temari, Kankuro come in, we need to talk."
Chapter #2 Bodyguard?
"What do you mean he's gonna be my bodyguard?" Temari couldn't help the slightly disrespectful tone of voice she used. It was simply inconceivable to her, had her younger brother lost his mind? Uchiha Sasuke is an incredibly dangerous criminal. Who doesn't even have any ties to Suna. How could he possibly be assigned as her bodyguard? Not to mention the fact that- "I don't need a bodyguard!" Temari is an incredibly capable shinobi; one of the most deadly in Gaara's forces to insinuate that she needed constant protection was ridiculous - even above it being insulting.
"I'm more than aware of your capabilities Temari. You know I wouldn't make such a decision without great cause." That's what Temari would like to believe but, this decision was a tough pill to swallow. She wasn't the only one either. "But,
Bro! He can control people with his eyes. For all, we know you could be under his control right now!" Kankuro's protest did little to faze Gaara.
"I understand the concern, Sasuke could indeed be controlling my mind. However, and I say this without a hint of arrogance; if Sasuke is willing to and capable of controlling my mind then there's nothing stopping him from controlling you." That statement from Gaara was impossible for Temari and Kankuro to dispute. Despite his youth, Gaara is far stronger than the two of them in both mind and body. He was born with unimaginable physical strength only surpassed by the hardships he was born into. Never knowing his Mother and having an abusive Father were just the tip of his childhood trauma. The assassination attempts would have broken any child, and break Gaara they did, into a thousand pieces. Which is exactly what made him into the incredible man he is today. He crawled back from the brink of insanity and transformed himself into the kindest, wisest and strongest leader Sunagakure had ever known.
As Kankuro mulled over Gaara's point, Temari began to speak. "You're right. If Sasuke willed it we wouldn't even be able to oppose the decision like this. So, please Gaara tell me why; what's going on?" Gaara sighed despondently, whatever's going on was weighing heavy on his soul. Running his hand through his spiky red hair Gaara began to speak. "I never wanted you to find out about this." As the gravity of Gaara's words settled on Temari and Kankuro's shoulders, he reached into his drawer and pulled out the scroll that Sasuke had given him. As he unfurled the scroll and its content was revealed Kankuro and especially Temari was horrified.
There on the center of the page lies a picture of Temari when she couldn't have been older than four; her sandy blonde hair was just barely past her ears. The frightening thing, however, was the complicated matrix written in blood across her bare back. "W-What i-is this? Temari stuttered out in revulsion as Kankuro bit back some bile. Gaara didn't look at them, instead, he stared at the picture with such intensity, as if he was trying to will it out of- existence. "It is a powerful sealing array Father had placed on you a week after I was born." The pit of dread that was forming in her stomach threatened to eat Temari alive. "Why?" She asked Gaara despairingly even though she knew her father, and knew there would be only one reason.
"It's a last resort; in case the demon inside of me ever became too much for me to control. If that had happened he would have activated the array and it would seal you into the core of the matrix and then destroy itself." Temari couldn't feel her knees anymore. The thought that her Father would turn her into some kind of weapon with the purpose of killing her younger brother was too cruel and far too believable to bear.
While Temari shakes uncontrollably and Gaara despairs silently, the loudest of the three siblings Kankuro stares at the ground and roars. "Damn it, damn it, damn it-no, damn him! Damn that bastard. I'm so ashamed to have come from that no good son of a bitch!"
Kankuro's rage broke through Temari's clouded mind, bringing her back to her senses. Thinking back to what Gaara had said earlier, indignance rose in Temari. "You said that 'you never wanted me to find out about this so you're not finding this out now?" Catching on to what his sister was saying, Kankuro turns his focus from the ground to look at Gaara. "You knew!?" Gaara closes his eyes, folding his hands together. "I was told the day I became the Kazekage." Kankuro was furious while Temari was too hurt to feel rage.
"Gaara, I understand that there are certain secrets the Kazekage is duty-bound to keep but, why would you keep this from me." Temari pleaded with sorrow in her voice, if it wasn't for the storm of emotions raging inside her she surely would have been able to figure out the answer. Gaara looked at her pitifully; sympathy painted across his face. With resignation in his voice, he answered. "What would've been the point of telling you? Father was dead and I was in complete control of Shukaku. The seal was superfluous, telling you would've caused you unnecessary pain."
Understanding dawning on him Kankuro's rage was replaced with anxiety. "So you're saying that it's relevant now?" The implication clear to her now, Temari also began to flood with anxiety. After having been silent since the conversation began, Sasuke finally spoke up. "A former aide to your Father, holding a grudge against your brother, is aware of the seal and has plans to use it." The meaning of Sasuke's words was dangerous but the context made no sense to Temari. Narrowing her eyes at Sasuke she stepped closer to him and looked him directly in his eyes.
"How did you find out about this? For that matter, why the hell do you care about this." The suspicion Temari was feeling was warranted so, Sasuke couldn't exactly blame her but, that doesn't make it any less annoying Sasuke glares at her as he answers her questions. "I found out about it when he approached Orochimaru about a potential alliance. As for 'why the hell does I care about this, none of your business." That last statement was blatantly ridiculous to everyone present, even Sasuke knew it wasn't true, but that doesn't mean that he'd just give in to her demand. Before Temari could bite back angrily Kankuro interjected."What's this guy's name?" Turning away from his glaring match with Temari, Sasuke answers Kankuro's question in a far less hostile manner. "Daichi
Jin. "
The name was not new to the siblings, he was a big supporter of their Father's more ruthless policies, after Gaara took over as Kazekage he and Jin began to butt heads until eventually, Gaara relieved him of his duties. But something about what Sasuke was saying didn't sit well with Kankuro. "He would really go this far, over what, being fired? I remember Jin; he was an ass but he never struck me as petty, especially not that petty."
Sasuke shook his head. "It's not as simple as revenge for this guy." Kankuro raises his eyebrow gesturing for Sasuke to elaborate. Instead, Gaara answered his brother's silent question. "I wish it was as simple as petty revenge. I wouldn't be so worried if that was the case; no, Jin truly believes that I'm too soft to be Kazekage, that if I stay in office it's only a matter of time before I run Suna into the ground. That means we're not dealing with some rage-filled maniac; this is a man with a mission, a cause he deems utterly righteous, and that is the deadliest kind of enemy."
Having had the time to calm down, Temari rejoins the conversation. "I can see why you're so worried about his guy Gaara, but that doesn't explain why you're listening to Uchiha Sasuke; of all people, why would you ever assign him to be my bodyguard?"
Gaara's eyes fell closed at her questioning. He knew all too well that his action made no sense from an outside view, but he had his reasons, he had made a promise one too important to break; he couldn't tell her the truth so he gave her a half-one. "Because I need someone strong and that I trust to do it, and I trust Sasuke."
If Temari had ever heard a more dissatisfying answer in her life, then she doesn't remember it. "Why?" She implores, desperately trying to understand her brother's actions.
Kankuro understood his sister's confusion, but he's also a little closer to Gaara than she is. As Suna's official ambassador with Konoha, she spends half her time there, so she hasn't had the time to bond with him the way he has the past couple of years. "Because Uzumaki Naruto trusts him."
Turning to look at Kankuro, Temari curses inward; of course, that made perfect sense. Naruto saved Gaara from his suffering when it was at its worst when Temari and Kankuro couldn't when they were too scared, too naive, too self-centered to try and understand his pain. They didn't understand Gaara back then, but Naruto did. She's always known Gaara looks up to him but she didn't realize that it was by this much. As much as she wanted to protest the decision she knew in this case, in this situation, Gaara's mind was made up. "Alright, Gaara. I'll trust your decision and try to get along with Sasuke."
Nodding in response Gaara motioned for everyone to leave. "That's enough for now. You two take Sasuke and set him up in the guest room at our place." As Gaara gave the order he swallowed a lump in his throat; he hated lying like that to his siblings but, he couldn't tell them the truth, he just couldn't.
"Why… Why are you doing this?"... "Sasuke!" Sasuke remained impassive to the cries of his best friend, perhaps his only friend. There was a time when hearing Naruto in so much emotional pain would have moved him, but now all Sasuke saw was a nuisance. Raising his left hand to the sky Sasuke channeled lightning through his hand and the sky then, with a flick of his wrist down and a massive crack of thunder and lightning he struck down his best friend.
Waking from his nightmare Sasuke shot to a sitting position gasping for air. Even though he knew it wasn't true, that he hadn't killed Naruto; the vivid imagery of his dream shook him. Holding up his hands he cradled his face, groaning softly. The nightmare wasn't surprising to him; guilt and shame had become a permanent part of his psyche. It was hard to believe, to accept that he had once been so far gone as to contemplate killing Naruto, his best friend no, his brother. He both hated and was afraid of himself, even though he knew that Naruto would never hold a grudge against him. In fact, that made it even worse, the fact Naruto was so forgiving, thought so highly of him, tore him up inside; he didn't deserve a friend like him.
I hope you enjoyed the first two chapters of Criminals And A Bodyguard. Please review.
Next Update - Saturday November 6 2021