I'm the Fool (II)

I never thought I'd be the one
To be the raging bull
There's always be a smoking gun
Who'd up and lose his cool
I never thought I'd have to say
I'm sorry, my love, because
I'm the fool I never
Fool I never thought I was

Mark Knopfler

They had been on the road for a few days, and the forests of the Fire Country were giving way to the rolling fields of the Grass Country. Over those days, Sakura had grown to like Kasumi-san, even though she hadn't learned that much more about the woman. Kasumi-san didn't seem very inclined to join any scraps they got into, although she did her share of the work in everything else. She'd told Sakura that she was a chicken when it came to fighting, but Sakura had her doubts about this. Kasumi-san hadn't looked at all afraid when bandits had come after them, that one time. She'd hardly even glanced at them. And then there had been that time in the town when the drunk man had been a little too forward with her. Kasumi-san had glared at him, and made a single hand seal - one handed, at that, which she had only ever seen Haku do, what seemed ages ago - and suddenly he was running for his life.

"Kasumi-san?"

The older woman looked back from where she was talking to Naruto. "Yes?"

"Why are we going through the Grass Country? Wouldn't it be faster to go through the Country of Wind?"

"Only by about half a day. Besides, there's still a lot of fighting there, ever since the Kazekage was killed. It should settle down soon, but until then it's better to avoid it."

"Didn't you just come from the Hidden Sand?" Kasumi-san's charm had done some to win Sasuke-kun over, but Sakura had noticed he was still suspicious of her.

"I did." Kasumi-san either didn't notice Sasuke-kun's tone, or was ignoring it. "But Gaara-kun came with me for most of the journey, and there isn't a shinobi in the Wind Country that will go against him."

"Couldn't you have defended yourself?"

Kasumi-san shrugged. "A water-style ninja is at a natural disadvantage in a desert. I could have, but it would have slowed me considerably."

"And you don't like fighting," Sakura added.

"Right."

"So you're helpless in a desert?" Sakura couldn't fault Sasuke-kun for being a bit suspicious, but she didn't think he should be so completely derisive of another ninja.

"At a disadvantage, I said," Kasumi-san reminded him gently. "It is harder for me, because there is so little water, but that doesn't make me helpless."

Sasuke-kun just snorted. Oh, Sasuke-kun, please don't do this. "You can fight me yourself, if you want. You seem convinced that I'm weak. You should win easily."

"Fine."

Sakura saw Kasumi-san and Kakashi-sensei exchange what seemed a very significant look. "I suppose we have time," the jonin allowed, "but it seems pointless."

Naruto looked agitated. Oh no, he's going to say something stupid. Before he could, though, Kasumi-san ruffled his hair affectionately. Naruto gave her that glare he used when he thought he ought to be annoyed, but was actually enjoying something. "No worries, Naruto-kun, we'll both be fine." She handed Kakashi-sensei her pack with a few whispered words and a small smile. "Whenever you're ready, Uchiha."

Sasuke-kun! Don't! Can't you see she's just making fun of you?

But it was too late. Already three kunai were flying at amazing speed towards Kasumi-san, who didn't even see them. They were all aimed directly at her and yet, somehow, they whistled past without touching her. More were flying, yet they missed too.

The fireball that followed close behind dissolved into a cloud of steam after two quick, single-handed seals from Kasumi-san.

Sasuke-kun! This is bad. She's not even attacking, and he can't do anything.

Then Kasumi-san did the single hand seal that Sakura had seen her use on the drunk. Sasuke-kun, who had been running at her, ready for another attack, stopped suddenly and doubled over, holding his stomach.

"It's over, Baby Uchiha. Give up before you get hurt." Sasuke-kun glared at her, his face very red. He didn't seem able to answer. "It's a dirty trick, I know," Kasumi-san said with a small smile, "but you aren't hurt yet, even if you can't fight anymore. Something is going to rupture in a moment, though, if you don't give up or find yourself a toilet."

When Sasuke-kun continued to glare, she sighed and made another hand seal. Sasuke-kun collapsed, gasping for breath.

"What did you do?" Sakura demanded, running to check that Sasuke-kun was alright. If she's hurt him, I'll… I'll…

"I filled his bladder with water." The woman shrugged. "As I said, it's a dirty trick, but I've never met anyone who could fight when they had to go to the bathroom so badly that they're ready to burst."