A/N: Okay, well, most of you seemed to have gotten the wrong idea! ;;;
Well, it is pretty obvious that not all of Wind Country is a desert...I
mean, think about it... besides, I didn't even mention that this was in
Wind Country. But that can all be blamed on me! Oh yeah, thank you for
all the reviews! Modingbeli, you made a very good point about the
"cheery type", and I agree with you. I guess I put my character across
the wrong way...I did not mean for her to seem so cliché. And, the
characters will be developed, trust me...but then again I might just
throw some in for the sake of developing Sada's character or any other
major-minor character...like Kotori, for example.
R&R
DISCLAIMER: Again, I do not own Naruto!!
"Don't worry, Huyen will look after Sada, if you are worried about her," Kotori said, just to run the point by Gaara. "But, Sada is not our concern...Kohana is your main priority."
Kotori looked to be a middle-aged woman, who happened to look naturally mean. Her sapphire eyes were intense, most likely with anger. From the tone of her voice, and the manner she carried herself about, it was safe to say Kotori was very domineering. The whole time she spoke to Gaara, Gaara remained silent. Not that Kotori intimidated him, but simply because Gaara wanted her to shut up so he could leave. This mission was not the usual type that he and his siblings received, but the condition in which the Hidden Sand Village was in, they could not afford to turn down any kind of mission. Kotori continued to speak.
"If Sada was not with her, Kohana would still be here," Kotori explained. She was more or less complaining now, most likely unaware of the message she was displaying. "Since they were twelve, Sada always had to stick with Kohana. For three years, Sada was a burden...if she would just have that surgery..."
Kotori continued to jabber. Gaara had not really been listening, but after he heard that Sada had been blind for three years, he snapped back to attention. He wondered what compelled her to lie. Gaara, himself, spoke what he felt or thought about people, which was always in a negative tone. This further intrigued him; after observing people for so long, he began to realize a pattern. Many people did not welcome pity from people, and he figured that is why Sada did not tell the truth about her blindness. At last he became irritated by Kotori and simply walked away. Kotori was not very pleased, but she did not want anyone to notice this.
As he walked around the corner, Gaara noticed Temari and Kankuro just arrive. The sun was now hanging lower in the sky; in a couple hours, a shroud of blackness would fill the sky, freckled with stars, and lit by the moon. Both Kotori and Gaara realized that Temari and Kankuro were alone. Gaara knew that Kankuro and Temari worked together on missions, so if Temari had no luck, then Kankuro did not have it either. This annoyed Gaara somewhat, that neither of them could find a single girl. However, he had long since ignored their incompetence.
"Where is Kohana?!" Kotori demanded.
Temari closed her eyes, and crossed her arms. "We were unable to locate her," she replied in a very calm manner. Kankuro nodded in agreement.
Immediately, Kotori looked at Sada. "What happened to her?!" Kotori yelled, "Where is Kohana?"
Sada cringed, and leant back ever so slightly. The young man, identified as Huyen, widened his stance a bit. Obviously, Kotori was becoming hysterical. Kotori's face was contorted, anger was burning in her eyes. Her fists were held tightly by her sides, as if in an attempt to control her fury. The three Sand siblings looked unconcerned. Huyen, on the other hand, had a very worried look on his face. With out much warning, Kotori bounded forward, charging for Sada, her fists raised above her.
"It's your fault! It's because of you that Maliko is dead!!" she screamed as she ran for Sada, "You killed her! You killed my sister!!"
Huyen intercepted her attack. He jumped in front of Kotori, trying to hold this bewildered woman. This entire spectacle looked rather childish to the Sand siblings, elite shinobi. Quarrels among citizens were irrelevant to them. Huyen held Kotori's back, holding onto her one wrist. Compared to him, Kotori was older and smaller. Kotori's red hair whipped about her as she tried to resist Huyen.
"Please, Kotori," Huyen pleaded with the fervent woman, "Sada did not do anything! Control yourself."
"She doesn't deserve to live! She already killed two people—Maliko and now Kohana!" Kotori tried to convince Huyen.
"You can't say that! You weren't there! Look, just let Sada return to the village, and we'll remain here."
"No!!"
"Maliko, would want her friend to be safe," Huyen said in a calm voice, "After that, these ninjas can go back to Wind Country. I'm sure their passports to be in Earth Country are only for a limited time." Huyen turned to Gaara, "You. Please take Sada back to her village...it is a lodging town, near the border that lies next to Grass Country."
Gaara uncrossed his arms, and calmly walked over to Sada. She had heard Huyen's orders, and complied. In Kotori's current state, she wanted to get out of there as fast as she could. This time, however, Sada did not need Gaara as a guide. Using her staff, she guided herself along; Gaara's footsteps were sufficient guidance. Huyen released his hold on Kotori slightly.
"And you two," Huyen said to Temari and Kankuro, "Continue your search for Kohana."
With that, Temari and Kankuro left, not looking very pleased. In fact, they looked very impatient. Huyen watched Gaara and Sada until they were out of sight. After he ensured Sada was at a safe distance he released Kotori, pushing her as he did so. Kotori looked even more angered. She glared at Huyen, making sure to make eye contact with him. His grey eyes were deadly calm. He just simply squinted at her. Kotori looked like she was going to say something, but Huyen cut her off.
"You know," Huyen said, "You are a pain. I don't know why I agreed to be here." Kotori looked just a tad confused, but Huyen continued. "I don't know why you freak out over a dead girl and a missing one... Maliko and Kohana. It took me some time to convince Kohana to leave, but Sada was a problem...but a problem that could easily be taken care of."
Kotori looked away for a moment, trying to figure out what Huyen was talking about. She came to the realization that Huyen had a hand in Kohana's disappearance. "What? You...?"
Huyen smirked, and tucked some of his brown hair behind his ear. "It took some time to get close to Kohana...but it was worth it. As we speak, Kohana must be captured. I hear her 'powers' are a valuable asset; that's why you always moved her around, never staying in one place too long, and that's also why you were protective of her. But let's not waste our time on useless speech...it's time for you to join your sister."
Fear seemed to dawn upon Kotori's face. Huyen moved closer to Kotori, drawing a hidden kunai from within his loose clothing.
==========
"So Temari and Kankuro...are your teammates?" Sada asked.
Gaara nodded, "They're my siblings."
Sada looked somewhat excited, "Wow! You're on the same team as your brother and sister? That's so cool!"
Gaara remained silent, but Sada continued talking. "I have an older sister, but she doesn't have time to visit with me...well, I also tend to move around lots. Both me and Kohana...and that Kotori. Plus, my sister has a restaurant to manage...she wouldn't have any free time to travel to see me. Yep, it's been me and Kohana for a long time. She's my best friend..."
Sada went quiet for a while. Gaara shifted his eyes over to glance at her. He wondered why she still kept her eyes closed, even though he knew. He thought back to the incident with Kotori. Her fury told him that someone she loved deeply was killed. What perplexed him was the fact that she blamed Sada for killing the two that she 'loved'. He wanted to learn more about what happened, but pushed the thought aside. The mission was not worthwhile, but still, he wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. The sky looked like a painting, the gradual gradient of orange to the darkest blue on the farthest side of the heavens.
After a while Sada continued, "Is it almost nighttime?"
"...Yes," Gaara replied. He looked around at the surroundings. The forest looked dark, and the air was becoming cooler.
Sada smiled. "I still remember the last time I saw one...I mean the way the sky looked. It was pinkish, with a tint of orange...yes, it was very pretty...gorgeous really."
Gaara looked in the direction of the setting sun. Watching it as Sada spoke. He felt a twinge of an unknown feeling; something he never felt before. He came to know Sada more, as she talked on. Mostly about what she remembered, and asking Gaara some questions every now and then. Gaara replied, answering the questions in a frank manner. The forests were darker now that the sun completely set. The moon was already hanging in the sky, very low, like a glowing globe in the unbounded blackness. As they pressed on the surrounding forests seemed to hug the road more closely. The dark was natural to Gaara.
Gaara sensed chakra nearby, but saw no threat. He tried to peer into the dark forests, looking for any unnatural movements within the shadows. He heard something nearby, and turned to see its source. Sada was not by his side. He stopped abruptly, and looked around to see if he could see her. He figured she had become temporarily lost. He then spotted Sada and another figure not too far from him.
"Has pretending to be blind really helped you?" the stranger asked Sada, who was constrained by what looked by vines.
A/N: I would like to extend special recognition to my friend, Melissa!! She helped me work around the many problems I encountered in writing the story. Her e-mail is y0urmomhotmail.com if you would like to drop a few tips by her pertaining to the story. Either way, all tips will be acknowledged. Yet, it would be best to just submit a review...also, if you have requests, then just mention them, or email Melissa, and she MIGHT work on one for you.
Keep a lookout for the next chapter...yay!
R&R
DISCLAIMER: Again, I do not own Naruto!!
"Don't worry, Huyen will look after Sada, if you are worried about her," Kotori said, just to run the point by Gaara. "But, Sada is not our concern...Kohana is your main priority."
Kotori looked to be a middle-aged woman, who happened to look naturally mean. Her sapphire eyes were intense, most likely with anger. From the tone of her voice, and the manner she carried herself about, it was safe to say Kotori was very domineering. The whole time she spoke to Gaara, Gaara remained silent. Not that Kotori intimidated him, but simply because Gaara wanted her to shut up so he could leave. This mission was not the usual type that he and his siblings received, but the condition in which the Hidden Sand Village was in, they could not afford to turn down any kind of mission. Kotori continued to speak.
"If Sada was not with her, Kohana would still be here," Kotori explained. She was more or less complaining now, most likely unaware of the message she was displaying. "Since they were twelve, Sada always had to stick with Kohana. For three years, Sada was a burden...if she would just have that surgery..."
Kotori continued to jabber. Gaara had not really been listening, but after he heard that Sada had been blind for three years, he snapped back to attention. He wondered what compelled her to lie. Gaara, himself, spoke what he felt or thought about people, which was always in a negative tone. This further intrigued him; after observing people for so long, he began to realize a pattern. Many people did not welcome pity from people, and he figured that is why Sada did not tell the truth about her blindness. At last he became irritated by Kotori and simply walked away. Kotori was not very pleased, but she did not want anyone to notice this.
As he walked around the corner, Gaara noticed Temari and Kankuro just arrive. The sun was now hanging lower in the sky; in a couple hours, a shroud of blackness would fill the sky, freckled with stars, and lit by the moon. Both Kotori and Gaara realized that Temari and Kankuro were alone. Gaara knew that Kankuro and Temari worked together on missions, so if Temari had no luck, then Kankuro did not have it either. This annoyed Gaara somewhat, that neither of them could find a single girl. However, he had long since ignored their incompetence.
"Where is Kohana?!" Kotori demanded.
Temari closed her eyes, and crossed her arms. "We were unable to locate her," she replied in a very calm manner. Kankuro nodded in agreement.
Immediately, Kotori looked at Sada. "What happened to her?!" Kotori yelled, "Where is Kohana?"
Sada cringed, and leant back ever so slightly. The young man, identified as Huyen, widened his stance a bit. Obviously, Kotori was becoming hysterical. Kotori's face was contorted, anger was burning in her eyes. Her fists were held tightly by her sides, as if in an attempt to control her fury. The three Sand siblings looked unconcerned. Huyen, on the other hand, had a very worried look on his face. With out much warning, Kotori bounded forward, charging for Sada, her fists raised above her.
"It's your fault! It's because of you that Maliko is dead!!" she screamed as she ran for Sada, "You killed her! You killed my sister!!"
Huyen intercepted her attack. He jumped in front of Kotori, trying to hold this bewildered woman. This entire spectacle looked rather childish to the Sand siblings, elite shinobi. Quarrels among citizens were irrelevant to them. Huyen held Kotori's back, holding onto her one wrist. Compared to him, Kotori was older and smaller. Kotori's red hair whipped about her as she tried to resist Huyen.
"Please, Kotori," Huyen pleaded with the fervent woman, "Sada did not do anything! Control yourself."
"She doesn't deserve to live! She already killed two people—Maliko and now Kohana!" Kotori tried to convince Huyen.
"You can't say that! You weren't there! Look, just let Sada return to the village, and we'll remain here."
"No!!"
"Maliko, would want her friend to be safe," Huyen said in a calm voice, "After that, these ninjas can go back to Wind Country. I'm sure their passports to be in Earth Country are only for a limited time." Huyen turned to Gaara, "You. Please take Sada back to her village...it is a lodging town, near the border that lies next to Grass Country."
Gaara uncrossed his arms, and calmly walked over to Sada. She had heard Huyen's orders, and complied. In Kotori's current state, she wanted to get out of there as fast as she could. This time, however, Sada did not need Gaara as a guide. Using her staff, she guided herself along; Gaara's footsteps were sufficient guidance. Huyen released his hold on Kotori slightly.
"And you two," Huyen said to Temari and Kankuro, "Continue your search for Kohana."
With that, Temari and Kankuro left, not looking very pleased. In fact, they looked very impatient. Huyen watched Gaara and Sada until they were out of sight. After he ensured Sada was at a safe distance he released Kotori, pushing her as he did so. Kotori looked even more angered. She glared at Huyen, making sure to make eye contact with him. His grey eyes were deadly calm. He just simply squinted at her. Kotori looked like she was going to say something, but Huyen cut her off.
"You know," Huyen said, "You are a pain. I don't know why I agreed to be here." Kotori looked just a tad confused, but Huyen continued. "I don't know why you freak out over a dead girl and a missing one... Maliko and Kohana. It took me some time to convince Kohana to leave, but Sada was a problem...but a problem that could easily be taken care of."
Kotori looked away for a moment, trying to figure out what Huyen was talking about. She came to the realization that Huyen had a hand in Kohana's disappearance. "What? You...?"
Huyen smirked, and tucked some of his brown hair behind his ear. "It took some time to get close to Kohana...but it was worth it. As we speak, Kohana must be captured. I hear her 'powers' are a valuable asset; that's why you always moved her around, never staying in one place too long, and that's also why you were protective of her. But let's not waste our time on useless speech...it's time for you to join your sister."
Fear seemed to dawn upon Kotori's face. Huyen moved closer to Kotori, drawing a hidden kunai from within his loose clothing.
==========
"So Temari and Kankuro...are your teammates?" Sada asked.
Gaara nodded, "They're my siblings."
Sada looked somewhat excited, "Wow! You're on the same team as your brother and sister? That's so cool!"
Gaara remained silent, but Sada continued talking. "I have an older sister, but she doesn't have time to visit with me...well, I also tend to move around lots. Both me and Kohana...and that Kotori. Plus, my sister has a restaurant to manage...she wouldn't have any free time to travel to see me. Yep, it's been me and Kohana for a long time. She's my best friend..."
Sada went quiet for a while. Gaara shifted his eyes over to glance at her. He wondered why she still kept her eyes closed, even though he knew. He thought back to the incident with Kotori. Her fury told him that someone she loved deeply was killed. What perplexed him was the fact that she blamed Sada for killing the two that she 'loved'. He wanted to learn more about what happened, but pushed the thought aside. The mission was not worthwhile, but still, he wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. The sky looked like a painting, the gradual gradient of orange to the darkest blue on the farthest side of the heavens.
After a while Sada continued, "Is it almost nighttime?"
"...Yes," Gaara replied. He looked around at the surroundings. The forest looked dark, and the air was becoming cooler.
Sada smiled. "I still remember the last time I saw one...I mean the way the sky looked. It was pinkish, with a tint of orange...yes, it was very pretty...gorgeous really."
Gaara looked in the direction of the setting sun. Watching it as Sada spoke. He felt a twinge of an unknown feeling; something he never felt before. He came to know Sada more, as she talked on. Mostly about what she remembered, and asking Gaara some questions every now and then. Gaara replied, answering the questions in a frank manner. The forests were darker now that the sun completely set. The moon was already hanging in the sky, very low, like a glowing globe in the unbounded blackness. As they pressed on the surrounding forests seemed to hug the road more closely. The dark was natural to Gaara.
Gaara sensed chakra nearby, but saw no threat. He tried to peer into the dark forests, looking for any unnatural movements within the shadows. He heard something nearby, and turned to see its source. Sada was not by his side. He stopped abruptly, and looked around to see if he could see her. He figured she had become temporarily lost. He then spotted Sada and another figure not too far from him.
"Has pretending to be blind really helped you?" the stranger asked Sada, who was constrained by what looked by vines.
A/N: I would like to extend special recognition to my friend, Melissa!! She helped me work around the many problems I encountered in writing the story. Her e-mail is y0urmomhotmail.com if you would like to drop a few tips by her pertaining to the story. Either way, all tips will be acknowledged. Yet, it would be best to just submit a review...also, if you have requests, then just mention them, or email Melissa, and she MIGHT work on one for you.
Keep a lookout for the next chapter...yay!