Disclaimer: Well slap my tomato and call 'em Spandex. I don't own Naruto.


COLD FLOWER

Chapter 5: Bonding

By Mokora


It was late evening, and everyone else had gone inside. Sasuke had stayed, since he felt most calm and carefree at night. The moon shown down on the pair brightly, a silvery crescent against the sky's deep purple hue.

Sakura sat upon the ground before Sasuke, merrily thinking. She could feel his gaze linger on her at times, though she didn't turn to meet it. She enjoyed the serenity of the night, the tranquility of sitting beside her beloved. She'd hardly come this close before, though she indeed tried.

"Sakura..." He said, yanking her from her thoughts. She jumped a little and turned to look at him.

"Yeah?"

"I'm going inside. To sleep." He began his trek to the building slowly, hands tucked in his shorts' pockets.

"Alright. Goodnight!"

He stopped walking and turned to her from a distance. "You can't sit out here by yourself. Everyone has gone inside."

She thougth about this a moment.

"It's alright. I'll be fine."

Sasuke looked at her flatly, then sighed, running a masculine hand through his stringy hair.

"I can't leave you out here."

She giggled to herself. He'd caught this though, and flashed her a look of pure annoyance, and he huffed. Though he wasn't truly annoyed. Just prideful.

"What's so funny now?"

"See, you are pushy." She retorted, jumping up and bounding after him. He rolled his eyes.


Sakura grabbed a bag of potato chips down from a basket resting atop a marble counter. The vast kitchen had most everything you could ask for, seeing as the building was conventiently theirs until further notice from the Senseis. The boys were getting ready to head off into their rooms, but first, they desired snacks.

Chouji took the liberty of gathering every item of junk food available, pouring some of the boxes and bags and wrappers' contents into a large bowl, filling it to the brim. This was his bowl. He was sure to let everyone know.

Shikamaru politely requested his own portion of chips from Sakura and she complied. Handing him his very own bowl, she looked around. "Anyone else want chips?" She waved the bag a bit, a few boys turning their heads to investigate the offer. Kira perked up, giving a cattish grin. "Here!" He marched over and accepted his portion humbly, stalking back to the group of boys he'd befriended.

Sakura noted that this boy, Kira, was a lot like Naruto. Energetic, determined, and at times, rather simple-minded. His beloved, Nami, stole a chip from his bowl and as he began to protest the theft, she winked at him. That did the trick. He gave a hopeless sigh and a roll of his eyes, holding the bowl out to her, offering her more. She declined politely, smiling.

Nami, she'd presumed, was a simple, honest girl. She didn't seem like the kind of girl who'd pursue the life of the ninja, but, after examining that thought more thoroughly, she didn't seem the type herself. The girl was perky and rather dim-witted at times, offering low-watt comments and stating the obvious. Though she could see what Kira loved about her. She was cute, for one thing, with her choppy blonde hair and big auburn eyes. She was loyal and honest, and Sakura bet she'd never told a lie in her life. She was completely natural, completely raw, and she was loved because she was herself at all times. The pink-haired girl felt a wistful envy play her heartstrings. If only she wasn't such a fake.

"Ne! Jouri! I know you want food!" Kairi accused toyingly. The fierce-looking taller boy shook his head shamefully at his loud-mouth brother, who was waving the 'chip girl' down. "Hey, dandelion! Bring the stuff over here!" He coaxed. His brother smacked him across the head abruptly, clearly annoyed, and he winced.

Sakura, peeved by the informality of this audacious boy, approached him with a cocked brow. "Take some or stop yelling." She demanded, shoving the bag into his chest. He gave a nervous chuckle, noticing her dangerous expression and underlying proof of dislike. "Thanks." He said apologetically, dishing out some chips for himself and then shoving a handful in his brother's direction. The irritated boy took the pile into his own hand, eating each chip slowly.

Sasuke shook his head and turned away from the scene, hands stuffed in his pockets, prepared to spend the night sulking in his room. Sakura saw this and abandoned the bag, Kairi reaching for it quickly and retrieving seconds.

"Ne! Sasuke!" She called after him. He was already halfway up the stairs, and he turned, his gaze expressionless and uninterested.

"You don't want anything?" She asked, wondering if he indeed was famished, though he was just too stubborn to accept food. This was often the case with many things.

"No." He turned his back to the girl, returning to his pilgrimage to the top. If he'd made it there without one person vying for his attention, he'd internally celebrate the new record, as if his acquaintances could never let him retreat to his room without interruptions. This had failed though, as always. He'd been coaxed, and now he was openly irritated.

"I'll make you some onigiri, if you'd like. I don't recall seeing you eat anything today."

He stopped walking. This was true. He was indeed hungry, but he didn't plan to fight his way through the pack of animals that flooded the kitchen area, and he certainly wasn't going to accept an offer of affection from Sakura. At least, not the first time she asked. Pride played its role in this also.

But, as he pondered her offer, he decided that onigiri would be quite nice before releasing himself to sleep, releasing himself to the nightmares that never ceased. It would take the unfortunate edge off, or at least some.

"Fine." He snapped, then receded to his newly-assigned room, which was now upstairs. Upon the rush of visitors, his former room was closer to the kitchen and restrooms and was promptly forfeited, seeing as it was a privilage he couldn't retain when it came to hospitality and guests.

She smiled. "I'll bring them up soon."

He scoffed. She was a good-hearted girl. Far too good for his liking, he retaliated against the complimenting thought, rather indignantly. Or far too good for his worthiness.

Sakura retreated to the kitchen, as others began to file out to their rooms. Tenten smiled at the pleased girl. "Let's have a sleepover!" She suggested. "We can get to know each other!"

Hime gave a cat-like sneer and scoffed. "Well, we could invite the boys?"

Kurai, who hadn't made her presence known until then, leered at the gaudy material girl. Hime paid no mind to the insignificant silent girl. Temari laughed wryly.

Sakura grinned, ignoring the vain girl beside her. "That's a great idea! Do we all agree?"

Nami jumped up and down, clapping her hands together. "Sounds like so much fun!" Ino nodded in agreement.

Kurai cocked her head to the side inquisitively. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Her eyes trailed to Hime. Okay, so it would be bad. But she would just rough it, considering all but her would disagree in the least, and her newer acquaintances seemed tolerable enough. She wasn't much of a social person, which was obvious by the cold looks she cast upon everyone near and far, though she wasn't going to reject any attempts at friendship. There were exceptions with total bitches of course, she mused, entertained by her relentless and uncensored thoughts. Just like the cursed cat that wore too much makeup, standing only a few feet from her.

Sakura cooked a pan of fresh white rice, buzzing with determination. Sasuke actually wanted them this time, and so she was not going to ruin this opportunity with mistakes. After it simmered and browned lightly, she scraped it into a bowl and began to mold the rice balls with skill. Nami helped make a few, Kurai preparing a wasabi dish, which she'd dismissed as a special clan recipe the Zakuros made often, during celebrations and weddings.

After only half an hour, the knowledgable beginner-chefs carried meal plates on trays around the corner or up the stairs, travelling door to door and offering a few.

Ino carried her tray to Shikamaru's room and knocked loudly. She could hear the muffled crash of what seemed to be a chair tumbling over violently, and she chuckled under her breath. "Damn!" She heard him mutter, assuming he'd hurt his foot in some way.

He opened the door after a brief pause and gave forth an awkward smile, trying to hide the fact that his right smallest toe throbbed with the wrath of a thousand daggers. One brow rose as she observed his poorly-hidden agony. "I figured you'd want some." She poked the tray towards him. He looked at its contents with ecstacy, forgetting his injury, seeing the politely made onigiri and spicy wasabi, pushed to the side. "T-Thanks." He stammered, taking a plate from the tray and smiling, brows turned upwards. Ino smiled. "Goodnight, Shika."

He flustered a bit, noticing how nice she'd looked then. Her big sky-blue eyes never ceased to draw the instinctive attention of his wandering mind, and he often found himself gazing at them as if they contained something mesmerizing and hypnotic. He'd just recently started to realize how attractive his teammate was, and he often scolded himself for it, seeing as he was practically worthless and he'd known her for such a long time, she'd probably be revolted if she witnessed his thoughts at times. True, he tried to surpress the dirty thoughts that came without warning whenever Ino decided to lay outside and tan, dressed in nothing but a violet bikini. Her eyes were always covered with rhinestone-encrusted sunglasses, and he'd sometimes watch her bask in the warmth from his unknown window perch, his heart skipping a little every time she spritzed herself with water from a little bottle, to enhance the tan's results. But, alas, he was male, and Ino's body drove his senses wild. He had to admit that he enjoyed the buzz, also.

"Goodnight, Ino." He replied casually into the hallway as he watched her make her way to Chouji's room, a few doors down. His eyes fell to her rear, which swayed pleasantly as she walked, and he jerked his head away, ashamed and reluctant. "Dumb, dumb, dumb!" He cursed, pounding himself over the head mercilessly as he slammed the door. She was his teammate. His comrade, and long-time friend. How did these feelings begin to surface all of the sudden, over the last year or so? How did she manage to become so beautiful, without changing at all? His cheeks reddened and he cursed internally as he felt the frustrating burning sensation flare where he continued to darken. She was just Ino. Just Ino. He sat down in his former chair and rubbed his toe gingerly, wincing, thoughts of Ino and the confusion she stirred within him occupying his mind.


Kurai was assigned to deliver food to Kakashi, Midori, Ryo, Kankurou, Lee, and Gaara. She ambled down the Senseis' hall, finding Kakashi's door at the end. She knocked quietly, hearing low voices within. "Just a sec!" She heard the quirky masked man say.

He opened the door, his visible eye conveying a cheery mood. "Yes?"

She held the tray out without a word, his merriment quickly turned to gleeful gratitude. "Please, take a plate if you're hungry." She bowed her head slightly, and Kakashi took two plates. He then took a step back to reveal Midori sitting upon the floor of his room, smiling. "Catching up on things, you know?" He explained simply. "I'll need another of these."

Kurai gave an obedient nod and smiled. 'One less trip for me.' She thought cynically.

She stepped towards her Sensei's door, which was slightly ajar, soft rock music emitted through the crevice. "Sensei?" She beckoned, poking her head in the door. She was more comfortable now, seeing as she knew Ryo quite well. She was, as he'd made her swear never to repeat, his star pupil. Even moreso than the promising Kira.

He turned, just then adjusting a black t-shirt about his stomach. "Hey, Kuri. What's up?" She was briefly peeved by his fatherly nickname, though she'd grown used to it. Razu often poked fun at her, calling her Kuri-Kuri and Kuri-chan, which she used as an excuse to complain often about her careless Sensei, usually to his face. The situation always resulted in laughter, though, seeing as he was a genuine expert at talking his way out of accusations and punishment.

For a grown man, he was rather childish and quite the prankster, always sending his students for countless loops, which never ceased to rile the tempermental Kira. He was like a mere teenager himself, though he looked older and sophisticated, and rather handsome. That was his way, he called it. Dashing looks and a fun personality. Kurai clearly remembered how she'd laughed when hearing him say that, which she rarely ever did. Seeing as her father was dead, Ryo replaced him years before, without her consent, though she didn't mind. He could never replace her true father, but he was alright as a substitute. He was pleasant enough.

"If you're hungry, I suggest you get some while it lasts." She entered the room, and he let his eyes rest upon the tray for a moment. "Wait... Is that that wasabi stuff you make?" He asked, narrowing his eyes as he inspected the dish. She nodded, and a devious twinkle glimmered in his eyes as a large sneer formed upon his lips. Her brow twitched apprehensively, seeing as she'd seen this notorious face many times before, and she instinctively jumped back a bit, still startled despite her knowing predictions, as he sprang forward and retrieved a plate violently. He stuffed three-fourths of a rice ball into his mouth, grinning in a goofy manner. "'Shanks!" He half chewed, half talked, bits of rice decorating his chin. She just shook her head, amused, and left.

Next, she found her way to Kankurou's room, which was upstairs and to the left, next to Temari's. She hadn't caught but a glimpse of him before, and he seemed nice enough, though very strange. She knocked upon his door, feeling unpleasantly repetitive. He opened it and gazed down at the food. "Take one. You must be hungry." She said, offering a little smile. He returned one of his own, filled with gratitude, promptly taking a plate. "Thank you."

She nodded and retreated into the dimly-lit hallway. She balanced the tray upon her palm, correcting its risky wobbles with her fingers as she used the freedom of her other hand to brush the thick black hair from her silvery eyes. Now to Lee's room.

She travelled down the balcony-styled hallway, which opened out into a vast view of the lobby and parts of the kitchen. She found Lee's door and knocked. "Who is it?" He called in a quirky sing-song voice. "Food delivery." She replied, unable to surpress the little smile that crossed her lips, due to the boy's antics. He flung the door open quickly and glanced at her only for a moment with a stern gaze of determination, then down at the two plates left upon the tray. It seemed the word 'food' never failed to lure males. "You're hungry, I presume?" She questioned, feeling an unexplainable comfort near this strange boy. Maybe he was just one of those people.

He said nothing and lifted a tray, bowing dramatically with a little flourish of his hand. "Thank you, miss."

She replied with a swift nod and closed his door softly, one plate left upon the tray, to go to Gaara. She began to trail down Kankurou's side of the hall, when she heard a distant "YOSH!" from Lee's room, as well as the sound of something breaking and she chuckled quietly.

Gaara's room eminated a feeling of unease. She hadn't seen him enter the building at all before, though she could sense his presence behind the thick wooden door. She hesitated a bit, remembering her uncomfortable encounter with him earlier. She reached for the door's brass knob, though she stopped as her fingertips grazed it. Gaara...

"What do you need?" His voice was sharp and deep, laced with aggravation.

She jumped slightly, heart heart racing. 'I wasn't expecting that... His stealth skills are astonishing.' She thought, opening the door slightly. "Would you like something to eat?" She questioned, poking her head inside. The room was pitch-black, with some kind of dark covering over the window. She located his luminous aquatic eyes within the black and she smiled. "You must be hungry, I'm sure."

There was a pause, and she could tell he was silently observing her through the darkness. "What is it?" He asked, his eyes dropping to the tray. Though the room was significantly dark and one would think that nothing could be seen under any such conditions, Kurai wisely assumed Gaara had grown rather used to the lack of lighting. In fact, he could probably see quite well.

"Onigiri and a wasabi dish."

Another pause. He walked forward, his eyes nearing her, the only beacon of color in the black. The last plate was lifted and she let the large tray hang vertically at her side, holding it loosely. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask, hm?" She suggested, turning towards the door.

The mysterious boy said nothing, his chilling eyes lingering upon her.

"Tea." He said after a brief pause.

"You'd like tea?" She turned towards him again. "What kind?"

"Green."

She flashed a smile at the boy, whose eyes never left her dark silhouette. "It'll be right up."

And with that she left, closing his door quietly. She made her way down the stairs hastily, her heart thudding peacefully. Something was intriguing about Gaara, something mysterious and enchanting. She'd even found herself feeling ever so slightly flirtacious with the boy, whom she knew nothing about. This was shocking, seeing as she'd never paid much attention to anything pertaining to romance before, simply because it didn't matter. She was beginning to doubt her philosophies, though, seeing as she'd begun to wonder what it was like to love someone. She wondered if it would help mend the ailing sores of living.

She flashed a smile at Ino, who passed her at the bottom of the stairwell, and she made her way into the large kitchen, placing the large tray on the counter. She pulled down a wooden cup from the far left cabinet, which lacked a handle and smelled vaguely of herbs and spice. She mixed the green tea as she had many times before for herself, taking a little sip. It was just right, she noted, slightly relieved, and wondered if the reclusive redhead would like it.

Up the stairs she went, passing Temari and nearly colliding with the blonde's tray, making her way to Gaara's door one again. "Come in." He said, once again not failing to detect her before she made herself known. She entered slowly, holding the cup of tea carefully. He was perched upon the bed now, eyes following her with unnecessary suspicion. She approached him and held the cup out. He took it and observed it briefly, turning his gaze to her again. He clutched it within both palms, muttering a small 'Thank you' to the girl.

She smiled genuinely, nodding. "Goodnight, Gaara." She said, waving a hand in his direction as she exitted the depressing room. "Hng." He replied, sipping the tea and savoring the bittersweet taste, recognizing the underlying tangerine flavoring. This Kurai was a skilled cook, he noted as he helped himself to another sip.


Temari returned to the kitchen only a minute after Kurai, smirking as she usually did. "Finished the deliveries. Lessee... There was Kairi, Jouri, Kazuri, Razu, and Mihara-Sensei." She sat the tray down on the counter, atop Kurai's, and stretched. "Five happy customers."

Kurai washed the area of the counter she'd cooked on earlier, using a store-bought antibacterial substance specifically for counters she'd discovered in the compartment beneath the double-sink. "I got Gaara, Kankurou, Lee, Kakashi, Midori, and Ryo taken care of."

Hime sauntered in. "You girls done running errands? I'm aware there's a party to attend." She sneered.

Ino hopped in, her arms folded about the large circular tray that rested against her legs and middle. "Mission 'Feed Shika, Chouji, and Yoshie' accomplished." She gave a thumbs-up gesture and winked at Hime, who'd befriended the blonde hothead earlier in the day. Their personalities were similar, though Ino wasn't so bossy and conceited as Hime.

Tenten entered also, smiling, a bit flustered. "I delivered to Neji, Gai-Sensei, and Asuma."

She thought back to the look of gratitude Neji had shown as she offered him her very own special plate, by which she'd added mints along the side, just for him. He loved mints, she'd discovered before, remembering the scrap of information just for this type of occasion. She remembered how rare it was to see him smile at all, and so the image stayed snug within her thoughts.

Hinata followed, with a smaller tray. "Kiba and Shino both accepted the meals." She gave a shy little smile and Tenten returned it. "Now we wait for the other two."


Sakura had one meal left to deliver, and she approached Sasuke's door apprehensively. She knocked quietly. "Ne, Sasuke?"

"Come in."

She entered gingerly, holding the plate out towards Sasuke, who was reclining on his bed, a single lamp lighting the room from its perch upon the bed's side-table. He sat up, taking the plate with both hands. "Thanks."

"No problem at all!" She hooked her fingers behind her back in a girlish gesture, as she let the empty tray rest against her legs.

Sasuke noticed how nice his dish looked, with organized leaves and three onigiri placed neatly in the corner, the wasabi topped with a sprig of parsley. He was amused by this act of affection, assuming no one else recieved such a dainty-looking meal. He lifted the twin chopsticks from the edge of the floral-patterned plate and popped a marinaded leaf into his mouth, chewing quietly. She smiled and opened his door.

"Sweet dreams, Sasuke."

"Hm."

What a foolish wish that was, he thought curtly as he lifted a small chunk of wasabi into his mouth, relishing the spice and fire that came along with it. He always had nightmares. Most were more so memories, of his family lying dead before him as their thick blood dripping from his brother's hands, glinting with pure injustice. His brother was his nightmare. Even after relieving the hated Akatsuki of his life of abuse and greed, he lived on within his dreams. He wondered if he'd ever be rid of such torment, such hauntings that filled his subconscious routinely. He tossed and turned during sleep too, seeing as he'd sometimes wake up just before sliding off the bed's cushiony edge and crashing to the floor.

He felt a sudden sadness overwhelm his thoughts of hatred as he became swept into the damaging storm of reverie, thinking back to the peaceful days. He remembered how his brother had often thumped his forehead, making false promises and smiling as a brother would. He remembered how skilled his brother had been, how reclusive he'd become, how he troubled his father. His thoughts strayed to the special type of Sharingan his brother had accomplished.

He missed his brother at that moment, fear and pain gripping his heart. He missed the brother he had been, before he was consumed with the untouchable yearning for power and independence. He lowered his wistful eyes to the plate and lifted an onigiri, taking a bite gratefully. He felt guilt pull at his heart once more, as it always did when he was left to brood, alone. He hated the silence, and so he attempted to chew loudly, though it didn't ease the unrest that had settled within him. Visions of his brother's corpse entered his mind and he heaved a large sigh, closing his eyes. Was he really so pathetic?

'These... are good.' He thought, tearing his mind from the difficult subjects he always found himself straying to when remembering the life he'd endured for sixteen long years. He took another large bite of the rice treat and closed his eyes, lying back again, the plate, left with only a few discarded grains of rice, resting by his side.


Sakura returned with Nami, whom she'd met up with at the stairs, to the chatty group of girls in the kitchen with an empty tray. "I delivered to Sasuke and Kurenai, and Nami to Naruto and Kira." She grinned, buzzing with pleasant joy.

"So we're done?" Temari asked.

"Good. Who's room are we sleeping in tonight?" Hime asked, tapping an index finger against her jawline impatiently.

"You're welcome to stay in my room." Ino's hand rose and she looked about at the girls.

"That alright?" Hime looked towards Sakura questioningly.

"Alright. Let's get our stuff!" Sakura said, smiling. The girls nodded and dispersed into themanydark and sleepy corners of the large building, all to meet in Ino's room promptly after.


Alright, man! xD Freakin' YEAH! We're finally getting off on a nice start here with the OCs, and I must say, I'm pleased with this chapter. There's the beginning interactions between Gaara and Kurai, and the OCs have succesfully fit themselves into the storyline, I think. xD

Please, tell me whatcha think! x3

Reviews! o.o

xx-Tsumi-Chan-xx - xD Good suggestion! Kazuri is quite a ladies' man, and well, he hits on everybody. Especially Ino, which makes Shika pretty mad. xD Thanks!

sakusasukawaii - I'll read your fanfics if I get time. Thanks!

Son of Darkness - Haha, yeah, I thought it was a genuine moment for dear Naruto, with Jouri. xD And I try really hard to make the SasuSaku realistic. o.o It's tough, since Sasu-baby's such a bitch sometimes! xD Bwar. Thanks!

Hao'sAnjul - Wow, you're becoming my new friend. x3 Anyway, thanks for all your reviews!

EDIT: Revamped this chapter too. x.x;; Only a little though.