Chapter 12: Truth and Lies
A/N: Thanks for the reviews you made me smile really. Thanks oh sorry for the absence here's the newest addition to the story so please make me smile again R n R. Oh yeah did I mention the more the reviews the faster the updates? ; )
On an open area in the forest, a ninja with short light blue hair and oval doll face was staring into the dark oblivion above as she lay there in a patch of grass. The sign of both agitation and concentration was evident in her face as she stared at the nothingness above her…
Flashback…
"You're mission is to rendezvous with a ninja in the forest of fate to further lead you to the one who will be your temporary commander, Kagura. She will instruct you on what to do. Your mission will be over when she says you're done." The kazekage proclaimed as he flicked his wrist to dismiss the three summoned ninjas. The hidden sand village's kazekage was always known for his strange but correct decisions so one further asked him about the mission. The three left the kazekage's office and as they walked outside, "Hey, I haven't seen you around here. Are you a chunin?" the famous puppeteer of the hidden sand village asked the girl with short, blue hair. As for a reply, the girl haired her eyebrow as she looked at him from head to toe and answered with a weary sigh "Yes, the name's Shizuka. You must be Kankuro and you're Temari, am I right?" The kunoichi that was holding her battle fan only nodded as she raised an eyebrow as well, a prelude to a war between women. Who the hell is this bitch? Another stare like that and I'll… Temari's temper toleration was cut short by Shizuka's sudden apology, "I'm sorry for my behavior. It's just that I'm not really accustomed to teaming up with strangers." Damn it! I have to team up with these idiots. I have to stomach them while we finish this mission. I hope it won't take that long. These were the mental outbursts of Shizuka as she gave Temari and Kankuro the fake smile she had practiced ever since.
As the three proceeded to the rendezvous point, Kankuro kept talking to Shizuka about anything without sense and Temari could only ignore the playboy instincts of her brother as they traveled along. "You know Shizuka you're really pretty." Kankuro declaimed as the three has their rest in the woods. "Thank you." I know that already dumb ass. There's no one in the world that wouldn't fall for my gorgeousness. As if hearing Shizuka's mental bragging, Temari decided to finally put an end to her I'm-too-beautiful-for-you personality, "Yeah, Shizuka you're a really beautiful. I bet you can seduce any man you want." Temari taunted and this caught Shizuka's attention for she always liked being praised. Of course I am you lesbian witch! Don't even think you can compare me with you. "Too bad, you're beauty has no effect on our little brother." She teased on. "What do you mean?" Shizuka was now desperate to know. What you must be joking a man that can ignore my beauty? Kankuro was now connecting to Temari's idea and somehow it seemed logical to him so, "Gaara, haven't you heard about him? Surely you must have. He's the famous sand master, a.k.a. mister I-don't-like-you-get-away-from-me-or-else." He prolonged. Temari could only smile at his brother's statements as she persisted "Yup, it's sad but I think not even you Shizuka-san can entice my dear little brother with your luminous beauty." Feeling her pride was at stake, Shizuka blurted out, "That's just sad. But I'll make a bet with you guys. If I can make your little brother mine then you'll serve me as my slaves for a month and if I lose I'll be your slave for a year. Is that a deal?" She boasted. The triumphant look was in both Temari's and Kankuro's eyes as they both nodded in unison.
End of Flashback…
"Damn it! He's really difficult to break… but he's really cute." Shizuka talked to herself as she re-imagined Gaara's handsome smile that was addressed to Sakura. In pure anger, she got up from the patch of grass and threw a kunai to the nearest living thing in sight. The creature could only squeak as the fatal blow pieced its tiny body. "I don't care how. I'll make you regret you ever cross paths with me… Sakura!" she shouted knowing no one near will even hear her as she retrieved her blood stained kunai from the lifeless being it impaled.
After Naruto has tended to Sakura's neck wound, Sakura felt too weak to stay up so she got back to sleep almost immediately. Naruto held Sakura's hand as she slept. Letting his thumb stroke her gentle skin, he look intently into Sakura's closed eyes as if to see if she was still awake of not but he didn't care anyway. His other hand brushed away the strands of pink hair in her face, "Don't make me worry like that again okay? You're strong I know that but you don't have to endure everything… Why are you like that? You're always so silent even though you're hurt. Don't be like that… you make me fall for you even more…" He wasn't able to continue as the urge to kiss her overwhelmed him. He was leaning towards Sakura when "Oi, what are you doing?" Naruto was surprised by Gaara's question who happened to be in the room unknowingly in the dark corner while Naruto talked to Sakura. "What do you want?" Naruto snapped. Naruto's eyes started to turn into yellow as Gaara's sand threateningly rose from the floor. "Will you guys stop it? You're giving me a headache." The gentle voice from the bed halted all the commotion.
Naruto's almost yellow eyes returned to its original ocean blue as he blinked twice or thrice before looking at Sakura with a cheerful look on his face as he gazed at her. "Sakura-chan, are you alright now?" Naruto worriedly asked. Touching her neck, "Yeah I think I'm alright now. Thank you for your help. Naruto, you seem tired as well you better go and rest already. I'm already fine nothing to worry about." She reassured. "Okay, but if you need anything just call me," Naruto stated as he glared at Gaara. Gaara simply shrugged him off. Without warning, Naruto leaned in and kissed Sakura's lips and afterwards left quickly. Sakura was stunned that she couldn't even blink. Gaara stepped forward as he saw the romantic scene between Naruto and Sakura.
Something inside him ached. He couldn't figure out where or even why but he only felt it when he saw Naruto plant a kiss on her lips and when he saw her expression when she received it. As Naruto stepped out of the room, Gaara was about to do the same when "Gaara, wait," Sakura requested. He remained although he wanted to leave very badly because even if he won't openly admit it… he, the sand master, was hurt. Gaara had his back to Sakura as he said "You need to rest," "So should you." She countered. "Why won't you look at me?" she asked almost pleadingly. "Don't need to," I don't need to and I don't want to. He verbalized as he was about to leave the room when a kunai was thrown at exactly where the door should go when it was to be opened.
Her determination was evident in the sudden jolt of energy she just released. Gaara remained nailed on his spot with his back towards her while she on the other hand got out of bed laboriously and headed towards the screen divider that served as a dressing room as well and removed her flimsy medical gown and replaced it with her ordinary ninja clothes. He side glimpsed towards the screen divider to see her shadows revealing her enticing curves as she changed her clothing. She asked as she removed her gown "Tell me Gaara, what are you two fighting about awhile back?" Looking straight ahead as Sakura re-emerged from the division, Gaara ordered, "Go back to bed, you're not going anywhere." Sakura approached him and looking at him straightly in the eye with an unreadable expression. He could only swallow in reply to the sudden approach of the kunoichi.
Now Sakura was right in front of Gaara, "Tell me Panda-neesan, are you jealous of Nauto?" she teased as she formed a slight grin after her statement. Gaara's jade eyes were focused on nothing but Sakura's emerald eyes as if it was stating Look at what you're doing to me? Before I was on my own and I was fine until you came. You thawed my frozen heart from the cold pains of rejections and accepted me just as who I am. What have you done? He could not hold it any longer the need to feel her in his arms was overwhelming that nothing else mattered but this maiden in front of him. Without warning, Gaara leaned in and Sakura met him halfway to let their lips again feel the sensation they were craving ever since it ended at the river. Their kiss was way different from those they shared before. This was unique. Sakura felt a different sensation in her stomach that can't be defined by her extensive knowledge in human physiology. The need to have her closer that ever ate Gaara alive and soon he gave in. His right hand went at the back of her neck and proceed to stroking her nape as for the other hand he placed it on her uninjured side as his thumb started to caress her side. Every fiber of Sakura's being wanted to feel the touch of the Sand Master as she expressed it in a weak, wanting moan. It was as if she wasn't even injured, the pain on her sides and neck simply disappeared as the passion that threatened to devour her entirely enveloped her body and soul. Her hands were on his hair now, illogically fingering the texture of his scalp as their kiss deepened. His tongue stroked her lower lip begging for entry, she opened for him in the littlest way possible but when she did. All reason was forgotten when he plundered her mouth senselessly and Sakura tried to mimic his actions.
The need for air broke them apart; Sakura was about to lean it again when Gaara raggedly spoke "You're asking if I'm jealous…maybe I am. I don't know but every time I see you with another man a strong need to take you away engulfs me as if I'm merely a leaf in a stream. When Naruto kissed you, I wanted to hurt him badly or even kill him because no one… No one can ever touch you like that ever again. You're mine." He proclaimed as he was about to continue the kiss Sakura was about to began when he spoke but. The door that was shut tight by a kunai suddenly began to open but thankfully the kunai was there so it only shook. The knob was turning ceaselessly followed by an unending knocking asking for Sakura and Gaara. It was Kouga.
The two broke apart but their eye contact remained making promises of things yet to come. His sands removed the kunai on his accord; Kouga entered and was astonished to see Sakura on her feet. "Sakura-san, you're up already?" "Yeah, I had help with my healing," as she smiled sweetly at Gaara. Gaara on the other hand can't help but stare at her lips swollen from their previous "engagement" and wet from their unquenchable desires. "The creature that you asked to be kept alive is now causing a bit of a trouble. Kagura wanted to know what is your objective in keeping it," Kouga asserted. "Don't worry. I'll go meet with her right now." Sakura said as she headed towards the door. Gaara grabbed her arm, "Wait, are you fit to even do this?" "I'm only injured not incapacitated. Trust me I can handle this." She reassured.
Kagura was marching back and forth in her office as Kouga entered, informing her of Sakura's and Gaara's arrival. "Sakura, are you well?" she opened. "I'm fit. I came here to tell you why I needed one of the creatures captive." Sakura replied as she and Gaara entered the room. "Indeed, I am puzzled to know why." "You're people the xenoliths are not yet informed about these creatures' weak points so in order to let them know. I need to demonstrate it publicly." Sakura stated with all her confidence. "What are you saying?" Kagura questioned as she sat in her arm chair. Gaara could only glance at Sakura with his peripheral vision as she spoke confidently. He can't help but admire the medical ninja talking because in spite of the situation before she was able to plan something that would benefit the people and despite her present injuries she was here explaining to the ignorant woman her plans when all the while she could have been in bed resting. "I need to talk to the people to inform them on how to help themselves. If their leader would permit." Sakura requested as she felt a jolt of pain in her sides, although her bleeding stopped it doesn't mean she's completely healed. Kagura nodded approvingly, "Well done, you have my permission to conduct you're "announcement"." With that the session for the evening ended.
In the morning, the signal for an emergency meeting was announced to the entire town. The town was composed of a hundred to a few thousands of people so it was nearly impossible for everyone to see the demonstration. Fuuma and Hyakku provided Sakura the appropriate media coverage. Gaara and the other foreign ninjas except for Sakura were on the town walls so none of them saw this demonstration. It was short but informative. Sakura introduced herself and immediately proceeded to her objectives. Kouga, Brick and Syaoran held the creature so that it can't make an attack while Sakura opened up its body and demonstrated on that what, where and why of the enemies weak points. Afterwards, Sakura plunged her kunai directly in the pumping organ. Its death song was heard far and loud. It was as if a wake up call for all the people.
In the afternoon, the foreign ninjas except for Sakura were in the meeting room and so were the rest of Xenolith warriors. Sakura on the other hand was in Kagura's office, "Kagura, I need to go back to the ruins to check something out." Sakura suggested. "No, the enemies were spotted there. May I remind you that you are still injured from the attack before?" Kagura declined. "I am well aware of that. Besides their numbers were almost completely annihilated, I don't think they will spend the ones left on patrols in the ruins since there was nothing there." "There you have it. There was nothing there. Why would you risk you're life on going back?" Kagura questioned impatiently. "I need to confirm my suspicions," she replied truthfully. With a sigh, "There's just no stopping you is there?" Sakura now looked at Kagura with determination in her eyes. "If you must go take several of my men with you," Kagura requested. "No, the village needs its maximum defense now especially that the walls have been damaged. I'll take only one since this person wouldn't be such a loss to the village's defense scheme." Sakura finished. Kagura only nodded helplessly.
Ino was now complaining about how long they were waiting for Kagura and at that instant, Kagura entered the room followed by Sakura. Kagura immediately started the meeting. "Wait, why isn't Sakura-chan in all of these plans?" Syaoran rudely interrupted. Gaara shot him a glare as he was insulted by the sudden familiarity of this boy to "his" Sakura. "Sakura will be on a different errand today. Sakura will go back to the ruins and investigate with her chosen partner." Sakura was emotionless in all of this despite all the eyes on her. "Why is she sent there with only one of us?" Gaara questioned almost highly. "The enemies number dwindled to nothing in their last attack. I think this time would be perfect to investigate the ruins freely without their interruption." Sakura was the one who answered his question so he didn't bother with a rude reply. "So Sakura-chan, who will be you're partner?" Naruto inquired as he half-expected it to be him.
Sakura closed her eyes painfully as she heard Naruto's question. "My partner in this mission would be… Shizuka-san," Sakura announced as it was followed by a dozen of queries among the leading questions was why. "The village's defense scheme must be strong enough to withhold another attack though I pray there won't be any. Shizuka-san is the only one I can allow to accompany me." With that the group was silenced since all she said was the ruthless truth. Shizuka on the other hand was mentally screaming What! You think I'm too weak to help the village so you chose me to be your…subordinate? Now this Sakura not one of your stupid reasons will fool me into following your senseless orders. These statements are evident in Shizuka's eyes as her Black orbs met with Sakura's emerald ones. Sakura could only swallow in reaction to her own decision for she knows that making her as partner wouldn't be easy.
Sakura and Shizuka left the village at the late afternoon when the sun shone at its brightest. They were almost at then ruins when Shizuka asked offensively as they sprinted forward, "You know I thought you were just the plain next door girl you seem to be I appeared to be wrong." With that Sakura who was the one leading, stopped dead in her tracks and so did Shizuka. "You're as poisonous as a sea snake. Only with you being a medical ninja were you able to hide your malicious lies." She continued. "What are you talking about now, Shizuka-san?" Sakura replied at the mist of her dwindling temper. "I can't tolerate competition especially when I know you have a chance of winning," with that Shizuka took her kunai and placed it defensively against her. Sakura's temper were now in its apex, she also took out her kunai.
Shizuka was the first to attack. Sakura on the other hand only evaded her futile attacks. "Shizuka, this isn't the time for this. We are on a mission," Sakura informed as she caught Shizuka's thrown kunai with her bare hands making them bleed. "I beg to disagree. This couldn't be more perfect with no one to protect you and no one to stop me I can make you see things my way. My only regret is that the others weren't able to see the great medical ninja, Haruno, Sakura, fall to her knees before me." Shizuka replied as she executed low kick that got Sakura's knees making her land on her back. Shizuka was about to plant the kunai right in the middle of her face when Sakura countered her attack in a few milliseconds Shizuka was now facing the dirt as Sakura sat across her back. "Since it seems you haven't got the intelligence to follow my orders," with that Sakura focused her chakra on her fingers and punctured the points in the body to render it paralyzed.
Sakura got off Shizuka and stared at her helpless state long and hard as she said, "You better stay here. I won't be long." She pronounced as she entered the ruins. Then she felt the creepy sensation, she didn't like. The weird thing is it was not heading towards her but "Damn it!" Sakura rushed out of the ruins to find that the shadowy figures were now attacking the motionless Shizuka. She dashed it and killed the three in just a minute. Then she turned towards the crying Shizuka who has a bleeding leg and arm. Sakura knelt and healed her. Afterwards, she re-activated her senses making her move again. "I'm sorry I was careless," Sakura apologized sincerely. Shizuka however only ignored her and now started to sprint back towards the village. Sakura had no choice but to follow her.
They traveled in silence but as Shizuka caught sight of the broken village walls she plunged a kunai deep in her right leg. "Shizuka, what are you doing?" Just watch you bitch this will be your downfall. Shizuka emotionally rejoiced as she dashed faster that Sakura straight into Kagura's office. When Sakura arrived in the meeting room, she heard Shizuka's filthy pretense. "When we were on the way to the ruins, she suddenly attacked me and left me paralyzed in the open for those creatures to attack me." Shizuka played with blood and tears as her accessories. Sakura can't believe what she just heard but when she caught a glimpse of her eyes it shouted to her It is the truth you bitch! Now admit the truth before everyone then I'll forgive you. Its strange how woman can talk with only a brief meeting of their eyes. But with her "eye statement" Sakura could only look back to Shizuka as her eyes stated Alright as a sign of my apology for what had happened. She closed her wounded fist and let the blood drip as she answered the first and only question that plagued her as she entered –"Was it true?" "Yes, its true." she can't stomach herself lying so she walked away to the only place that could calm her mind.