"How is it that I'm the last to know you might marry the Kazekage?" Shikamaru controlled his voice on a low level, the kind of voice that was between sarcastic and serious, because it hides the true intention of a clever pissed off Nara.
So, he had to remind himself being patient with her oblivious friend as she blinked innocently in confusion and let the bouquet of peonies and ranunculus rest in front of the tree. Kaoru had always been the only female he dared to think as a friend, completely the opposite from the women he was surrounded. Sure, Ino had improved her horrible personality over the years but nonetheless there were things he could not share with her on the same way he did with the tiny woman before him. She was the private type with unusual social skills, innocent to a fault he felt obliged on times to look out for her. Kaoru was on his list of "strange" since it was the best word that could fit her personality.
After hearing all he needed from the boy he fetched up Ino. Usually he didn't mind the gossip the Yamanaka told them, frankly most of it was blocked out since it was pointless information. Yet, if someone knew about this "parentage topic" it was her, and once the news were disclosed he felt the ground crumbling.
In panic he went out in search for her, just to find Kaoru on the special spot she reserved for her lost love. The sunset made her hair shine like the night sky, he noticed she had been crying… again. Guilty at some point for interrupting, he offered to walk her back home.
On the way, he was relieved to know at least that she won't marry anyone. Her voice crafting pieces of her friendship with Gaara and his siblings, assuring him the younger Kazekage had just her best interest on mind with his sudden adoption. Again, she proved to be an odd woman chastising him by letting his imagination fly. "I don't know where you heard that, you should know I don't have a clue about… flirting. Besides Gaara is a great man, surely a woman of his standards would appear but I'm nowhere near from it. He has been such a good friend, I just do what I feel its right, is that wrong for you?"
That had been the last words that left him pondering about the issue. Well, maybe he overreacted… Kaoru had a point, she didn't have any idea of how relationships worked since Shisui died, it was her only reference of love and it had been a bitter one. She might look easy going but actually picked out her friends with reserve after "The Itachi Incident", he knew her that well. Judging by her tears earlier, she still hold the Uchiha on her mind, so it was safe to assume she wasn't purposely flirting with the Kazekage. I should have know… she isn't that oblivious… right?
A question that found his answer when the Kazekage entourage arrived on Konoha. As requested for Tsunade he had been on the room where all the important leaders and lords had exchanged the formal greetings proper for such occasion. This time he heard loud and clear the gossip of the moment, unfortunately surrounding his friend. A genius like him observed from the shadows, not fond of such boring events, until she came.
On a different attire, the colors soft and creamy, a dress with a long cut on the knee that showed her weapon pouch. The green cape that usually covered her front side was replaced by a clingy sleeveless shirt. She smiled and encouraged Yue, who was just dressed on a similar modest but comfortable attire, which said they were ready for action.
It had been impossible to ignore how the few elders of Suna were the first to intercept Kaoru and Yue. Smiles with no trace of deceive, strangely mid bowing in respect, those men continued talking with both of them, and Shikamaru was surprised for the first time seeing her so confident and serious. Then, hearing Temari excitement from the other side of the room where her brothers were talking with the Fire Lord, Tsunade and the rest of their council. Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, in his opinion a bunch of old minds, that were left behind as Gaara turned and went for his friend.
If possible the murmurs intensified, how could he blame them when himself was witnessing the most strange display of… affection, and from a man he first know as a blood thirsty lunatic?
Even he noticed, it were quick but those actions spoke volumes. The way Gaara briefly smiled, almost invisible, the little touches HE initiated with Kaoru and Yue, discreetly colliding their shoulders, or caressing Yue hair as the boy blushed. The stoic perpetual face crumbled at few moments, Gaara eyes could not hide the emotion and his worst fear came true. She answered back naturally every single one of his touches, without reservation and complete trust taking Gaara hand and Yue with her to the snack table.
Stupidly innocent of the blush of the scarlet haired man, she conversed with obvious joy as she picked up food on two plates and served to them. Shikamaru sighed, already feeling the HUGE mess this will be on the future, he didn't want to be involved on it at all. Just then as he continued hearing the excitement on the room about them did he actually felt tired of thinking and his own words came forward as a mocking statement. "You will be the dead to me"
It had been a welcome surprise that Tsunade allowed Gaara and his siblings sleep on the Uchiha District. She had to prepare the rooms on her house after the private meeting, fortunately Hikaru returned that afternoon looking tired but he brushed off her concerns and the trio managed to arrange everything for them. Temari insisted on sleeping in her room, she didn't minded since her bed was big enough.
Kaoru had already changed on light pijamas, Temari had the strangest questions this night while Kaoru prepared a light snack for the night on the kitchen.
"Then, there isn't any girl around trying to hook up Hikaru?" Temari was looking for milk on the fridge.
"Hum… No, he gets really touchy on that matter. Don't know why…" I counted the rolls so it would be enough for everyone.
"Seriously? I would have think that kind of muscles would…" Temari was interrupted by the playful deep voice of Hikaru.
"Oh, Temari, didn't knew you ogled me like that… who is the pervert now?" It was my first time seeing her blush and stutter, forgetting the cups and chasing after him as is boisterous laugh reververed around the house. Leaving that funny incident aside I took everything out to the table, Kankuro was the first one to finish as both running loud shinobi finally stopped to eat.
"And you still wonder why you can't get a boyfriend" Kankuro was punched of course by her sister who was scowling at him.
"Talk for yourself! Make up isn't attractive for any woman" Temari quickly returned his taunt.
"It isn't make up!" We laughed, Yue was just as happy.
"Oh guys, I really needed this." I said, being grateful for their company.
"Right! Your team… we heard from Tsunade, are you ok?" Strangely Kankuro was the first to ask, but I nodded, not wanting to bother them.
"It was inevitable… I hope they would be fine"
"Do you think they will succeed?" Temari inquired seriously, but Gaara interrupted
"Wait Temari…" He looked around and questioned "Is it… safe to speak?"
"Yeah, nothing can pass the barrier unless she wants it." Hikaru answered with ease. Gaara eyes meet mine and I sighed, truthfully… I didn't think they will come back with Sasuke. No matter what, he had a goal and… he would be waiting for me.
"Sorry, we were just worried for you. Since I had the slight impression they were kind of selling you out this afternoon" Temari concerns were on the table.
"You see! It was not my imagination… ugh, I feel like they're ready to push us out!" Yue butted in his own perspective of the meeting today, she didn't blamed him. But now hearing Temari voice out her impression, she might have to be more observant.
"If anything happens, you know we will back you up" Gaara always seemed eager to help, just as kind and brave…
"No Gaara, you already did more than enough…"
"Oh yeah... about that. Kid you spread the best gossip around Konoha! When did both planned to discuss this with us?" Hikaru had the type of grin that said: I'm pissed as hell.
"It was my idea, don't fret about it. It's between us" My mouth almost fall hearing the hidden tone of anger on Gaara, he might have felt offended.
"Then… Can I call you… Da-Dad?" Yue interrupted us, holding our stare with an evident red blush and sparkling hope on his eyes. That innocent question left me speechless, feeling conflicted between joy and jealousy. Why can he easily call him Dad and not…
Temari hugged Yue, suffocating him and mumbling how cute he was being. My heart throbbed as I noticed Gaara blush! I thought I was hallucinating since I haven't seen him like this and his eyes facing the ground, it was… amusing. Surely what felt like long his consent had Yue grin beautifully, Hikaru ruffled his hair and mocked his reaction. My heart had a warm sensation just witnessing them, it was hard to place a name on it, I wondered that night when I will understand fully like anyone else the complex variety of feelings one person can hold.
The darkness had been a long companion at the silent base. In times like this when he was stuck waiting did his mood worsened. The silence turned from time to time on those memories he had buried long ago. Each one of them pissed him off, it was pointless thinking of it when he had took a decision. If he were not strong, if he were not so sure about that one promise… he might have lost completely some semblance of what he had been. On the ground, gaze lost on the only source of light in this base fortress did his mind flashed a familiar face.
Emerald, almost mint round eyes, long curvy eyelashes, a gentle smile and his name repeated over and over again like a whisper of the wind. Calling for him, with different tones of emotion he almost had forgotten. How does he still remembered her unique smell? How does her words circled again and again on times when he felt his stoic and cold facade pushing him to crumble on the inside and lost completely any semblance of… sanity.
She will trust him, even after everything that could have passed on these years between them. That have been his only hope once the time came to retrieve her, since both will face Itachi. At times when light flashed like this… did those blue sky eyes and goofy smile also accompanied her memory. The blond idiot had to be on some way thinking of him, he was sure. However something else was bothering him, since he didn't have the heart to… finish their bond. He couldn't, not like he cut out his ties with his other teammate.
Sakura, sometimes he thought if maybe she had grown stronger. Had she moved on? Sasuke hoped she did, because he didn't cared to even acknowledge any other feelings she may had. If he were to have a sister, Sakura might fill that place. This was why he hated when Orochimaru missed his training hours… he hated thinking of impossibilities. He didn't wanted his mind to show any weakness in front of a disgusting excuse of a man.
So when Orochimaru and Kabuto appeared with a stupid leaf shinobi thinking he could mess with his mind, just to pick some reaction. He sent a warning, anything that could shut him. However the pale one continued talking about his team, as if he knew anything. The only piece of information he could value were the fact they were alive.