Before Mayu could get very far, Sasuke yanked on the back of her shirt. He came to a stop, holding her midair. "Mayu, don't be stupid," he told her. "I'll handle Gaara." The girl poked out her bottom lip. The young Uchiha set her down on the same branch. "You try that again and I will knock you unconscious." He had the nerve to point a finger. "Stay here. You hear me? Stay here."
"Um… Last time I checked, I was older than you. Don't talk to me like that," Mayu retorted.
Sasuke gave her the look. "How the hell can you even accomplish that?" He merely rolled his eyes, and then took off towards the sounds of destruction. Mayu crossed her arms with a huff. "If he thinks I'm going to stay here then he has another thing coming!" she thought. Still… There weren't many things she could do in this situation. She sat down and closed her eyes, ignoring the battle roars and cries she heard from above.
Gaara was not an enemy in her mind. If that had been the case, Mayu would have been more than happy to assist Sasuke. However, Gaara was her friend. Most likely, he would not understand her intentions and label her as a traitor like that damn Yashamaru. A frown crossed her features. The thought of Gaara's uncle made her want to punch something. "If I remember correctly, Naruto and Sakura should be on their way," Mayu muttered. "So, I'm not really worried about Sasuke, especially since he's gotten faster." Finally, her eyes opened. Panting entered her ears. She turned her head. Sitting at the base of the tree branch was Uchiha Sasuke. Hunched over, it appeared as though he had run two marathons. "Ah, back so soon?" she questioned.
His dark eyes looked up at her.
"Shut up," he panted. "He's stronger than I realized."
"What part of demon don't you understand?" Mayu ignored the inappropriate hand gesture from Sasuke. She strained her ears. Basically, the red head was in the middle of taunting Sasuke. "Your fighting tactics don't seem to be working." There was no response from the young Uchiha. Mayu turned her eyes on him again. He had stopped panting by now, but he frowned deeply. Apparently, the taunting worked. Mayu narrowed her eyes. She could assume what he was thinking right about now. The girl crawled over to his still form. Her hand touched his cheek. His head snapped up, eyes staring in surprise. His lips parted, expression taking on confusion. "You wouldn't be thinking of someone else during this battle, would you?" she asked. "I mean… unless it's me, of course. Since you said you would protect me." Sasuke's lips pressed together in a thin line. He then turned his head away from her, breaking contact.
"You don't know what you're talking about," he said. Mayu narrowed her eyes again, and then grabbed his chin, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Ma-Mayu…!"
"Oh, I don't…?" she inquired. She searched his eyes. He seemed to be seriously contemplating her question. Finally, he mumbled an apology. "Sasuke, I don't go into battle thinking of the man I want dead, and you shouldn't either." Mayu released his chin. What she intended was wrong. Using Sasuke's vengeance in her favor—surely it was a horrible thing to do. Basically, she was being manipulative. In all honesty, she was not an avenger like him. Definitely not like him. However, once again, she intended for him to think she was. "Even if it's based on a little white lie… I want Sasuke and me to have this bond," she thought. "Maybe… something will change within him." Mayu stood up, hands on her hips. Sasuke watched her movement, raising a brow. "Now, move your ass and do your job. Got it?" She smirked. "If we die here, we won't ever fight properly, you know."
"I got it..." He frowned again, but then his lips formed a smirk. "We'll survive because this is not the fight I really want." Mayu returned his smirk, glad for the change. Breathing in, Sasuke stood up. Composed now, he seemed determined. "I'd say wish me luck, but we both know I don't need it."
"The hell you don't!" Mayu thought with a fake grin. "Gaara-kun's got a demon and all you've got is an advanced bloodline!" She didn't say that out loud in fear of a strike to the noggin. Also, he would probably get all depressed on her. She did not want that to happen because she would be the one to have to sit there and take his whining. "Still, be careful, Sasuke," she told him. "Gaara-kun's precious to me, but you are my friend, too." Sasuke stared at her for a full minute before nodding his head. Mayu's eyebrows furrowed as he disappeared from her sight. "What the hell was that…? Why did he look at me for that long?"
She shook her head to rid herself of those thoughts. Now wasn't the time. Mayu turned blue Hyuga eyes upward. Sasuke and Gaara were going at it, fighting for victory. She had to get closer. Nodding herself, Mayu jumped up, making sure to go a little way off from the battle. Speaking of which, things had gotten way intense after that little pep-talk she had given Sasuke. Mayu finally found a safe spot to watch. It was far enough away, but it was close enough to interfere when necessary. The Uchiha seemed to be winning. He had pulled out his ultimate attack, the Chidori. The attack went right through Gaara's demonic arm. The red head screamed, clearly in pain. "It worked?!" Mayu took off towards the two.
Canon wise, Sasuke had been losing to Gaara. Then Naruto and Sakura had come in and ultimately saved him. However, now, Sasuke seemingly held his own. He had wounded Gaara again as if his energy had been restored. Mayu shifted her body, waiting for the chance. This was when her plan became real. Before, Gaara had become highly upset when Sakura stepped in the way of him and Sasuke, ready to risk it all. She would just have to do the same thing. No one would be gravely injured today if she had anything to do about it.
Sasuke huffed lightly, slowly moving towards his screaming opponent. He could perform the Chidori once more to kill him. His body was exhausting fast, though. It would be in his best interest if he didn't do that. "Oi, Gaara… What was that about my hatred being too weak?" he asked in a mocking manner. His light green eyes glared at him. "Sorry to tell you this, but… Hatred's got nothing to do with our fight." He reared his fist back. "Strength from hatred isn't everything!" He launched it forward, intending to send Gaara over the edge of the branch. However, she had suddenly stood in the way. Reacting quickly, his fist uncurled, but the momentum still made him move forward.
Two pairs of eyes widen, realizing the result of her interference. Mayu's body tensed and trembled, unable to react as quick as it should have. Her eye twitched several times. The two stood there, frozen for the most part. Sasuke couldn't believe it. Swallowing hard, Mayu finally took a step back. Cheeks flushed, she cleared her throat. Sasuke coughed a bit and backed up. He averted his eyes. "It… It was an accident," he muttered.
"Of… Of course!" Mayu replied quickly. Her arms crossed over her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut. Sasuke had just groped her, not intentionally, but it still felt weird. Mayu cleared her throat again. Sasuke did the same.
"They… managed to make this awkward." Temari's lip twitched in annoyance. She had been watching the battle as well. "I really don't like them."
"Anyway! Why did you come between us?!" Sasuke finally composed himself. "What if I had used the Chidori?!"
"I don't care! Like I said before… I love Gaara-kun!" Although she said this, she had a somewhat differing look on her face. It was as if she wanted him to… follow along? Behind her, Gaara could only stare at the girl's back in shock.
"Girl!" he shouted. Mayu turned to him, dropping down to her knees. To his astonishment, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. Of course, his body reacted in a negative manner. He thrashed, but she kept her firm grip on him.
"Why do you need to prove your existence…?" she questioned. His struggles stopped. "Why?!" Her shout confused the hell out of all spectators. "You don't have to prove your existence anymore… You hear me?!" She reared back, showing her tear-filled eyes. "Because I see you… I see you, Gaara-kun! I know you're there." He began to speak, telling her about his demon. He had asked why she hadn't hated him like everyone else. "I can't… I can't… I know you're not that demon," Mayu said, earnest in her words. "Its people like you who don't need hate the most." Her hands slipped from his shoulders, and then reached up to cup his cheeks. "I acknowledge your existence, so please stop this." She leaned forward and kissed the kanji on the left side of his forehead. Gaara gasped, feeling warm lips press against his skin.
No one had ever… His eyes closed, thinking back to his miserable past. Slowly, his demonic armor dissolved and returned to the large gourd. His bloody arm hurt, but not as much as the pain in his chest. It felt like his heart was being crushed. It had been hard to breathe. This girl—what was she doing to him? She whispered his name, and then embraced him again. "Ma… Mayu-san…" He still didn't understand it—this strange feeling. However, this girl, Mayu, she didn't hate him. She was willing to look pass his monster and see only him. "I… I…"
"Let's take care of your arm," she said. Finally, Mayu pulled away. She stood up and turned to Sasuke. She held out her hand. "Give me some bandages."
"What?!"
"You heard me!"
"He's still the enemy!"
"Not my enemy! I'm not from Konoha, remember?"
Sasuke grumbled a few choice words. He glanced behind Mayu. Gaara didn't seem like a threat anymore, anyway. He briefly closed his eyes as he moved his hand into his weapon's pouch. Mayu sure had a way with words. Calming Gaara down like that… Actually, she had calmed Sasuke down, too. "Here," he begrudgingly held out what she requested. Then, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Sharply, he looked up. A total of three kunai were thrown, and they headed right for Mayu. "Move!" Before his mind told it to, his body tackled Mayu. Both barely dodged the deadly weapons. They crashed into Gaara and were sent over the edge.
"Sasuke-kun!"
"Sasuke!" Naruto's shout followed Sakura's.
"Mayu-san," Hinata murmured. The Hyuga leapt from her hiding spot, going for the falling four. She had seen it all, yet she did not react fast enough to stop Haruno Sakura from throwing those kunai. They were free falling because they hadn't been close enough to other branches. Using her chakra, she shot down like a bullet. Seeing her, Mayu reached out, and then disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Seconds later, Hinata felt the girl's presence within her. Because of this, she could use the full combination of their abilities. Hinata grabbed onto both Sasuke and Gaara, flinging them up towards a branch. She then flipped her body several times. Her feet slid against the back of a tree before coming to a stop. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Good job, Hinata.
"Yes," the girl replied. Her eyes shifted to the three boys, and then she ran back up. She landed near Naruto. "Na-Naruto-kun, you're here." She knelt beside him. After getting over his shock at seeing her, the blond ninja nodded his head. Hinata glanced in Gaara's direction. His eyes were closed, and he did not move. She activated her bloodline. "Unconscious," she told her sudden alter ego. "Unconscious, but alive." A sigh of relief could be heard only by her.
"Sakura! What's wrong with you?!" Sasuke nearly raised his voice as he stood. The pink-haired kunoichi winced, squeezing her eyes shut.
"But, Sasuke-kun… I thought she was the enemy!" She opened her eyes again, looking quite worried. Her green eyes moved to and fro, trying to locate her.
"Did you even get a good look before you attacked?"
"Yes!" she squeaked in embarrassment. Dark narrowed eyes stared back at her. Sakura ducked her head, ashamed. "No," she admitted. "I only saw Gaara and someone else trying to help him."
"Okay… What's going on?" Naruto asked. "Sakura-chan might not have seen her, but I did. It was Hinata's weird clone!" The Hyuga tensed, flinch near violent.
"Hinata's weird clone…?" Sakura repeated. Her eyes turned to the Hyuga. "Come to think of it, that girl did have dark skin just like the clone you used against Neji." The pale-eyed kunoichi took several steps back. Sweat slid down her face as a pinkish hue settled on her cheeks. "Hinata, why is your clone so different? Why are you protecting the enemy?" Again, Hinata stumbled back. Sasuke placed hands on her shoulder, causing her to look back at him. "Sasuke-kun…?"
"Sasuke…! You know what's going on, don't you?! Don't lie!" Naruto pointed a finger. "All this time—you've been keeping something from us, haven't you?!" The Uchiha closed his eyes.
"Sasuke-kun…?" Sakura repeated, expression twisting into confusion.
"That's enough," Hinata spoke. She stepped forward. Sakura's eyes narrowed. The timid look had vanished. In its place was a serious expression Sakura had only once seen before. In her match against Hyuga Neji. "I suppose it's time for you to know since you're both involved in some way."
"Wait a minute," Sasuke said. "Are you sure this is okay?"
"No, but all these questions are bugging the hell outta me," she answered.
"Hinata…?!" Startled, Sakura gasped at the sudden change in the girl's choice of words.
"My name is not Hinata," she replied. Then her hands came together, forming the signs for the Clone Jutsu. With a puff of smoke, the unusual clone appeared by Hinata's side. "My name is Ishikari Mayu," the clone said. "And for over a month, I went by the name of-" She pointed at the pink-haired girl. "-Haruno Sakura."
"What?!" The two ignorant ones shouted in unison.
"Not now. There is a more important matter to resolve." Blue Hyuga eyes settled on the shinobi from Suna. "Since someone made me drop the bandages I had before, does anyone have anymore? If you do, please cough it up because if you don't, I will go berserk on all of you." Hinata hastily reached for said item, only to realize she wasn't carrying any medical supplies. Mayu narrowed her eyes, causing the Hyuga to gulp.
"Calm down," Sasuke forced himself not to roll his eyes. "I have more."
"Oh, good… Going apeshit on you guys would not have looked good." Ignoring the incredulous stares from Naruto and Sakura, Mayu took the rolled bandages from the Uchiha. She then moved over to Gaara. With a bit of help from Hinata, she dressed the red head's injury in no time. "Now that that's settled…" She turned her eyes as if searching for something. "Ah, there you are—Temari! Temari, come pick your brother up!"
"WHAT?!" Sasuke rolled his eyes. Mayu definitely had a way with shocking people, too. Even the Suna kunoichi had exclaimed in surprise. A few moments later, she landed on the branch with them. "You're… You're letting us go?"
"You're letting them go?!" Sakura asked in a more demanding tone. "They're the enemy!"
"Yes, well… Not my enemies. My word, didn't I just say that?" Mayu lifted Gaara, and then handed him over to his older sister. "Besides, Gaara-kun's exhausted. He cannot do anything in his state. Suna's trump card is no good at the moment." Temari narrowed her eyes and grit her teeth. "If you come back, we'll be forced to take care of you, though. You should probably just leave." The blond kunoichi stared at her for a time.
"You… Do you really love him? Even after knowing how the terrible beast overwhelms him?" she asked. "You truly look at him—the blood lust and hatred—and think-"
"A baby…!" Mayu squealed.
"See, this is the shit I'm talking about," Temari muttered, glaring. Chastised, Mayu looked down at the tree branch. The older kunoichi frowned now. She hated these Konoha ninja. "He's a monster!"
"Gaara-kun isn't the terrible beast or monster you speak of," Mayu answered. "And it would be in your best interest to stop thinking of him as the beast and start thinking of him as its jailor… Gaara-kun needs the love of his family, so stop being afraid of him. He is your sibling! The demon within him was forced into him. He had no choice but to contain it. Perhaps if he had gotten the support he needed from his family, he would not be so scary." Temari swallowed hard. She blinked once, expression softening into thoughtfulness. "Oh, and your other brother probably needs to stop hating on Gaara-kun, too." The kunoichi glared again before taking off.
"I can't believe this! Why would you let them go?!" Sakura asked. Mayu turned to her.
"Sometimes… violence isn't the answer." Then she grinned. "Sometimes." Sasuke frowned and released a sigh. All's well that ends well, he thought.
"Will someone please tell me what the heck's going on?!" Naruto shouted.
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