Side Note: I would like to apologize for the inconvenience of this story taking so long. My computer broke down and even now it is still not fixed. I am very thankful to my sister for allowing me to borrow her computer to type my chapters. So, until further notice, I will be writing from my sister's computer. Thank you for understanding.
Note: This chapter will contain a song part of it. The song is I've Got Nerve by Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana).
fumikomu ze akuseru kakehiki wa nai sa sou dayo
yoru wo nukeru
nejikomu sa saigo ni sashihiki zero sa sou dayo
hibi wo kezuru
kokoro wo sotto hiraite gyutto hiki yosetara
todoku yo kitto tsutau yo motto sa aa!
iki isoide shiboritotte
motsureru ashi dakedo mae yori zutto sou tooku he
ubaitotte tsukandatte
kimi janai nara imi wa nai no sa
dakara haruka Kanata
Naruto
Beyond What You See
Chapter Eight
The Past and What the Future Brings
Chikaze sighed as she walked along the trail. Kazuki put a hand on her shoulder, "If we walk a little further, we'll reach the peak of the mountains. You'll see; it'll be great up there."
"It's not the distance that's bothering me." Chikaze commented.
"Then what is?"
"This assignment." Chikaze said, "It just seems…Strange. Things seem slow, going there to Iwagakure. But…All too soon it will be rushed when we have to rescue Arai Ayaka."
"I know." Kazuki said understandingly, "But we were assigned this mission, so we have to complete it or die trying."
"Iwagakure isn't an ally of Konoha." Rin said, "It'll be harder for us to cross the border than any of these other villages."
Chikaze sighed again. It felt like forever, but she knew that she should enjoy the slow pace while it lasted. Once they got into Iwagakure, it would be imperative that they hide. They would have to keep moving lest they want to get caught.
Haruka walked along the path, deep in thought. He knew that Suna and Konoha were back in treaty with one another, but something still bothered him. Had they not been in treaty with Konoha when Suna attacked last year? What made now so different from before? Haruka wasn't worried about himself, but rather his teammates. He very well knew they could both protect themselves without him, but both seemed so much more laid back about their situation. And what did they know of their assignment? Close to nothing. What was so special about these flowers? Why couldn't they be touched or smelled? Were they dangerous? And why would Suna want them?
"Hey, Haruka!" Torao shamelessly wrapped an arm heavily around Haruka's shoulders, his hand ending up near his waist.
"T-Torao!" Haruka said, forcing a blush down.
"What? I was just wondering what was wrong." Torao commented.
"Who said something was wrong?" Haruka raised a brow.
"Well, I don't know, it's just that look on your face."
"What look; there's no look." Haruka was beginning to get annoyed; forcing a blush down wasn't as easy as it sounded.
"Oh…okay. Sorry. Well, if anything does bother you, come tell me."
"Alright," Haruka agreed.
Torao nodded before running forward, dropping to his back. "Watch me, Haruka!" He shouted as he began to roll off the sunny hill.
"Enthusiastic one, isn't he?" Kaoru said, coming up behind Haruka. She pat his head, "A little brash, but he's a wonderful student."
"And a good friend." Haruka said.
The whistle for the passengers to board the ship blew. The area smelled highly of the sea. Wave upon wave crashed onto the shore, sending the winds to blow around them, making them sway with the force slightly. Gulls and other sea birds cried out their sea songs.
Aurora raised her head to the scents and sounds, "I've been away from home much too long." She stated.
"Well, we're going back soon, aren't we?" Kiba said enthusiastically, the fact that he was in the presence of a princess still not wearing off.
Yukika rolled her eyes, "Can we please just get on the ship?"
Akamaru barked in agreement, bounding up the gangplank. Hinata giggled, following him up, followed by Yukika and Kurenai.
"Well, let's go." Kiba said, reaching an arm out.
Aurora chuckled, "This is just like how I get on a ship at home, with an escort. It almost feels like home already, only minus my family and the palace and my friends from home."
Umika neared the ship, but froze right before stepping onto the ship. Seeing Aurora was enough, but did they really expect her to want to get on another ship? She loved the sea and the ocean, but after what had happened three years ago, she hadn't been near either. Umika's eyes widened; suddenly, she realized she was afraid to get back onto another ship.
'I can't do this.' Umika thought. 'I really can't do this! I should've refused the mission when we were back in Konoha. Maybe I would've been made Academy student again, I don't know, but it would be better than having to face this again!'
"It's going to be okay." Tetsuya put a hand on her shoulder. "I know you must be afraid–"
Ashamed, Umika jumped to defend herself, "Who said I was afraid!? I was just…looking at the scenery. I was taking a last look at what The Land of Fire looked like before boarding."
"Umika…It's not good to keep this bottled up."
"Who said I was bottling anything up!?"
"I know your family died on the sea before –"
"You don't know anything about my family!" Umika screamed, "What do you know about what happened!? Nothing! Were you there!? No! What gives you the right to bring it up!? How dare you!"
Umika turned, anger and pain rising inside of her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to push the tears back. She opened them and boldly walked up the gangplank. She was extremely aware of all the eyes switching from her to Tetsuya, questioning what was going on. She tried to force the tears back, she tried to be strong, but it proved too much for her. Pain and fear tearing at her insides at the same time, Umika burst into tears, breaking into a breakneck run. She bolted up the gangplank and down the starboard, and down a flight of steps, heading towards her room on board.
"Umika!" Aurora called after her, about to run to her when Shino stopped her.
"Let her go." Shino said calmly. "I think she needs time alone right now."
Aurora opened her mouth to protest, but stopped, looking at the floor.
Tetsuya was also aware of the eyes, but he felt he deserved them. He deserved to be embarrassed and shamed; Umika had been right, after all. What did he truly know of what had happened? Did he have any right to say anything?
Tetsuya sighed, walking up the gangplank as the others had. Kurenai was waiting for him.
"What was that about?" Kurenai asked as the ship's horn blew once again; they were set sailing.
Tetsuya looked at the ground, "I'm a jerk, did you know that? A real jerk!"
"Wha-What?"
"I'm an insensitive jerk who deserves every kunoichi in Konoha to hate me! How many times do I have to do that to a girl? It apparently doesn't matter if they're in my age group or older or younger than I! I'll hurt them anyway."
"What was Umika screaming about?" Kurenai questioned.
"It happened a long time ago." Tetsuya said quietly, looking out at the sea. "Twelve years ago, the Suzuki welcomed the baby of their family home. Umika was born. She was the one that everyone could actually baby because her eldest sister was to be the top kunoichi and her brother a top shinobi. Or…at least that's what had been planned for them. However, a year later, Kiri finally approved of making a peace treaty between them and Konoha. The treaty was expected to only be about four years at the most. A call was sent out, and the Suzuki family was expected to go on the trip; all of them. Their eldest would've only been in the academy for one year and the middle child just about to be entered in the academy. They thought it would be fine.
"For most part of the year, they'd spend in Kiri making the treaty. The rest, they'd go back to Konoha, relay what was going on, and then go right back to sea. The trip lasted more than they had expected. It lasted eight years, a complete double of what had been expected. The children of the Suzuki family grew up away from their true home; they learned that Kiri was their home, and treated it as such.
"Then, the peace treaty came to a close. The family was packed up, and they were expected to return to Konoha right away. They said their goodbyes and boarded a ship. They had just left what you could call a good view of the ship from shore.
Tetsuya paused, contemplating if he should say it or not. Then, he said rather bluntly, "The ship was destroyed."
"Destroyed!?" Kurenai was shocked to hear such a blunt end.
"But that's not all." Tetsuya continued, "No one on the shores could see what had really happened; they were just too far away. There are many rumors as to what happened. The top three were the ship was blown up by some renegades from either Konoha or Kiri who didn't support the treaty, or the ship sucked in by a whirlpool, or it struck a rock.
"The ship was in ruins. Nothing was left except pieces of wreckage. For a long while, there was thought to have been no survivors, not one. Months after the expected date of them to return, nine year old Umika suddenly turned up out of the blue. It appeared that she'd been found floating out at sea by a fisher boat. The fisher boat was one that stayed out for weeks maybe months fishing, so that explained the long period from getting to Konoha.
"Umika was the soul survivor of the ship, and the only one who could tell us what had happened. She refused. Even on the fisher ship, she refused to speak a word. She at least would speak with Lord Hokage…But only to make him promise that he wouldn't say a word of it to anyone."
"But you know so much about it." Kurenai reminded him.
Tetsuya sighed, closing his eyes now, "Sadly, there were so many rumors and accusations flying about, it threatened to destroy the peace treaty that the Suzuki's had worked so hard for. Eventually, the Lord Hokage had to do something about it. He told an ANBU Squad to investigate. By then, all the evidence had washed away. Their only hope was to have Umika tell what had happened. They couldn't get her to say a word of it."
"If he only told one ANBU Squad, then that means…"
"You're right." Tetsuya said, "It was my team that investigated. But…I never spoke to Umika. The case is still marked as unsolved."
Hanayo nodded to Akemi from behind her tree. He nodded back. He took off after their target, jumping at the brown haired chocolate eyed woman. The woman dodged the soft attack, screaming.
"Wait! Don't run!" Akemi protested.
Akemi chased after her. She ran forwards, only to be blocked by Hanayo. She ran to her right, looking for a way to escape. Akemi appeared from behind some more trees, tackling her to the ground. He held her arms down, "Stop struggling! Don't move. I'm a lot better than what you'll be getting if Hanayo catches you!"
"LET GO YOU BASTARD!!" The woman shrieked, kicking Akemi off.
"My turn." Hanayo said, appearing in the blink of an eye.
She ran forward, until kunai rained in front of her. She stopped, turning, but to be faced by Hanayo.
"No one talks about my friend that way." Hanayo said in a dangerously calm voice. "Take a seat." Hanayo easily kicked the woman back, her landing harshly on her butt. "Now, shall we begin discussion?"
"Stay away!" The woman clawed her way up, running back into the forest.
Hanayo sighed, "Why do they always want to do this the hard way?" Hanayo broke into a cat-like grin, "Just the way I like to catch my prey."
Hanayo disappeared, her emerald eyes gleaming.
Hanayo followed the woman easily, appearing in front of her out of nowhere just to scare her into another direction.
Hanayo appeared on the branch Akemi was sitting on, "I'm bored. Can I please catch her now?"
"I never said you couldn't." Akemi commented.
"Yay!"
"Oh, but Hanayo," Akemi said before she could disappear again
"What?"
"Do be gentle with this one?" Akemi said, "We're trying to get information, remember? If you exterminate all our links, what're we supposed to do then?"
"Hey, I didn't mean to kill that last one." Hanayo said, "But its just so hard when a kitty wants her prey, and her prey doesn't cooperate."
Hanayo disappeared again, only to drop down on top of the woman. Hanayo drew a kunai, pointing it dangerously at her neck, "Stay or this'll be in your neck quicker than you can say 'claw'."
"Excellent work, Hanayo, as always." Satoru said, joined soon by Akemi. "You, however, are still too soft." Satoru wasn't the type to beat around the bush. He was blunt and told you exactly what he felt.
"I was trying not to hurt her." Akemi said.
"We can't afford to handle people nicely right now." Satoru said harshly. "Akasuki moves quickly. This link may be useless by next week."
"I just don't see why pain has to be a way to gain information." Akemi continued, "It's not their fault they came into contact with her."
"Hello!" Hanayo called, reminding them of her predicament "Prisoner over here!"
"Can we please take a rest?" The old man asked with in a weak voice.
"What!? Again!?" Naruto shouted. "You're slowing our mission down!"
"He is our mission, so stop hounding him." Khatereh grabbed Naruto's ear and dragged him away.
"Shall we find a rest area?" Kakashi said kindly.
"Naruto sure is a goofy person." Kachuu said goodheartedly to Kakashi as she dipped her water bottle into the small river they rested near.
"He's just a bit impatient, that's all." Kakashi answered.
"I wonder how come he's so loud." Kachuu continued. "I mean…aren't shinobi supposed to be quiet on missions?"
"Naruto is a different case."
Kachuu turned to Kakashi, "But it could get him killed."
Kakashi looked at the twelve year old, slightly caught off guard by her blunt statement.
Kachuu looked thoughtful, "Being quiet is a key element in a shinobi's mission. This isn't a high class mission, but it's good practice for the ones to come. He doesn't seem to be that bad of a person; I wouldn't want him to die."
"Um…That's never really been a problem for him." Kakashi looked away from her
"But what if it does become one?"
Kakashi paused. An angry scream ran through the forest, and Naruto came running by, chased by an angry Sakura. Naruto knocked into Kachuu, caught his balance, and ran away.
"Come back here!" Sakura screeched.
"Whoa!" Kachuu fell backwards, splashing into the water.
"Naruto! Sakura! Stop running around like morons!" Khatereh shouted at them.
"Are you okay, Kachuu?" Ryunosuke helped her up. "What's going on?"
"Naruto and Sakura are acting like idiots." Sasuke answered simply.
"I'm about to knock some sense into those idiots too!" Khatereh grumbled.
Kakashi caught her shoulder, "Just let it go."
As they entered the center of the village, Asuma, Amaterasu, and their team were met with a roar of cheers. They were shocked to see so many people, old, young, middle aged, to be out. They surrounded the circular stage, swarming like bees at a single flower. In fact, there was two stages, a large one with three people standing on top, two girls and a boy, as well as one connected by a white platform runway. This one was slightly smaller and held the band, as well as an official looking fourteen year old. He wore black blue kung-fu style clothes; his name was Nagataka.
The two backup singers/dancers were twins, a girl and a boy. They both had scarlet flame hair. Their eyes were large, beautiful, and like rubies. The girl's hair was long, slightly wavy, and curled at the ends. Her hair was left free; this was Kirika.
Kirika's brother was Kirari. Kirari's hair was short and spiky, angling slightly slanted. Kirika wore a cerulean tube top that showed off her flat, toned stomach as well as short cerulean shorts. Her brother wore much the same outfit. He wore a tight tank top that rose above his midriff. His pants were tight as well; all this was cerulean. Both had slightly tanned skin that glowed in the sun; they were sixteen.
The third that was on stage was Lady Chizuko herself. Her eyes were a nice dark sea green color. Her hair was straight, long, and black, except the tips. The tips were naturally a snow white. Her long hair was tied into a ponytail. The ponytail was split into three tight braids.
The three were just about to begin their song, poised and readied. They had ear piece microphones, leaving their hands free for dance movements. The music began, and the three began a graceful dance, turning and spinning, moving across the entire stage, making sure that everyone in the audience could see them at some point or another. Chizuko opened her mouth and shocked Asuma, Amaterasu, and their team; she was an excellent singer.
Chizuko:
We
haven't met
And that's okay
'Cuz you will be askin' for me one
day
Don't wanna wait
In line
The moment is mine believe
me
Don't close your eyes
'Cuz it's a chance worth takin
And
nothing that I can't shake you
I know where I stand
I know
who I am
I would never run away when life gets bad
It's
Everything I see
Every part of me
Don't I get what I
deserve
I've got nerve
(I got, I got, I got)
Electrified
I'm
on a wire
We're getting together and we're on fire
What I said
You
heard
Now I've got you spinnin'
Don't close your mind
The
words I use are open
And nothing that I can't show you
I
know where I stand
I know who I am
I would never run away
when life gets bad
It's
Everything I see
Every part of me
I know I can change the
world
Yeah,
yeah, yeah
I - I know what you like
I know what you think
Not afraid to stare you down until you blink
It's
Everything
I see
Every part of me
Don't I get what I deserve
I've
got nerve
You,
Kirika:
(You)
Chizuko:
You need to discover
Kirika:
(Need to discover)
Chizuko:
Who
makes you feel free
And
I
I
need to uncover
The
part of you that's reachin out for me
Hey-ey-ey-ey-ey-ey!
I know where I stand
I know who I am
I would never
run away when life gets bad
It's
Everything I see
Every part of me
I know I can change the
world
Yeah,
yeah, yeah
I
know what you like
I know what you think
Not afraid to stare
you down until you blink
It's
Everything I see
Every part of me
Don't I get what I
deserve
I've
got nerve
Kirika/Kirari:
I know what you want
Chizuko:
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Kirika/Kirari:
I know what you need
Chizuko:
I've got nerve
Kirika/Kirari:
I
know what you want
I
know what you need
Chizuko:
I
know what you like
I know what you think
Not afraid to stare
you down until you blink
It's
Everything I see
Every part of me
Gonna get what I
deserve
(I've got)
I've got nerve
The three ended up on a raised, spiraled platform that had risen in the middle of the song. Chizuko stood at the center while Kirari and Kirika kneeled slightly to accent her. Chizuko smiled a genuine smile, having enjoyed the song and dance very much.
An impulsive action took over, and Amaterasu suddenly found herself at the front of the crowd, shouting, "Lady Chizuko, you get off that stage this instant!"
"I don't see why you overreacted like that." Thirteen year old Chizuko commented. She sat in the large apartment she'd rented while here at this village. Chizuko had changed into what she called her regular clothes. She was wearing a black kung-fu style outfit with graceful lines of sea green, her sash being dark green. Without the foundation she wore on set, Chizuko was almost extremely pale. Across her pale skin stretched markings. They, like everything else associated with Chizuko, were graceful. Sometimes they twisted and turned, roaming across her skin in a way that made them look like clouds or smoke or perhaps waves. They expanded in wonderful lines across her entire body, even showing up on her forehead and cheeks as well as her neck.
"That was incredibly reckless of you!" Amaterasu ranted, "You know that you are being chased by assassins, and you openly give them a chance to kill you!? Or worse, kidnap you!"
"Lady, you need to calm down." Chizuko answered. She twisted in her cushioned wooden chair, bending her legs across the top of the right arm rest in an almost unladylike manner. "Look, I know what I'm doing, okay? This is Kirika and Kirari. They're my bodyguards; they were dancing with me on set. Also, meet my hired bodyguard, Nagataka. He was standing with the band."
"I don't care." Amaterasu continued, "That's not enough to protect you from a team of highly trained, hired professional assassins. Your father sent us – ."
"My father sent you to protect his precious tiny little daughter whom he thinks can't do a thing by herself!" Chizuko sat up straight, spinning around so her feet were on the floor, "Well I'm sick and tired of it! I'm not a baby!"
"You're only thirteen." Amaterasu said.
"Look, why should I be afraid of something that has been chasing me since I was born?" Chizuko questioned, "Assassins aren't something new to me."
"It doesn't matter! You could've been killed!"
"The key word is could have." Chizuko answered bluntly. "I don't need my father breathing over my shoulder, watching my every step like I'm some sort of five year old, and I certainly don't need it from you Konoha shinobi suck ups either."
Chizuko stood swiftly, walked to the glass door, and walked onto the large balcony. As Amaterasu followed, Chizuko looked back at her, smirking. She suddenly swung onto the thin metal railing and gracefully jumped away.
"Where is she going?" Shikamaru questioned the other three that as part of Chizuko's team.
Kirika giggled, "You'll never find her."
"She likes to hide sometimes." Kirari agreed with his sister.
"Just tell me where she's gone." Asuma said.
"To the sea." Nagataka answered bluntly. "But you won't find her on the surface. She'll probably have escaped to one of the underwater caverns."
"Damn." Amaterasu said. "Come on, we have to go find her."
Kirika skipped ahead of them, blocking the doorway, "Lady Chizuko wouldn't like that."
"What's your point?" Amaterasu asked.
"She never lets anyone go to her special cavern here in this city." Kirika answered "I can't let you go after Chizuko."
"But the assassins could attack her at any moment!" Ino protested.
Kirari shook his head, "If you can't find her, neither can the assassins."
"How do we know that? You won't even allow us to try looking for the cavern!" Ino stated.
Kirika stiffened, "She only lets Nagataka to go. Nagataka, would you please?"
The boy nodded. Kirika let him out of the door, and he was gone.
"There, happy?" Kirari said.
Lacaena sighed, sinking deeper into the hot waters of the spring. She smiled, looking up through the trees around. She watched the night sky; every now and then a bird would fly by or a frog would croak, but the night remained still other than that. Lacaena stretched like a lioness would on a sunny rock.
"It's been a long time since those days…" Lacaena whispered to herself and the night. "Sometimes…I wish I could just…go back…"
Lacaena leaned down, a pail in her hands. She dipped it into the clear flowing river. Lacaena was six, knee deep in a river, and inside of Konoha.
"Miss Rhapsody," A voice not far from where she was spoke out, "You really don't have to do that." The voice was quiet and soft, but carried over distances.
Lacaena stood up, a smile spreading across her face, "Well I want to feel important, too."
The black haired, eight year old boy approached her calmly, stepping into the cold water. He took the full pail from her, holding it easily, "You're plenty important, I assure you."
"Yeah, but I have nothing to do." Lacaena pouted, "I'm not needed till they start discussing the Kumo to Konoha peace treaty. They always discuss that stuff at night. What do they expect me to do during the day?"
"You shouldn't be up and about." The boy continued. "You should rest, Miss Rhapsody."
"You don't have to keep calling me 'Miss Rhapsody'." Lacaena giggled, a habit that she just couldn't get rid of around him. "I'm perfectly fine with calling you Itachi, so you should just call me Lacaena."
Itachi sighed, "Have it your way."
"Come on, forget the water!" Lacaena grabbed the pail, placing it on the floor. She pulled back up with her usual grace. She grabbed Itachi's hand and tugged. "Please, please, Itachi? Can we go back on the mountains?"
Lacaena opened her beautiful orbs wide, giving him that cute look that even he couldn't resist sometimes.
Itachi nodded, "Fine."
"Yay!" Lacaena jumped up and down with excitement, still holding Itachi's hand.
Soon, Itachi mounted one of the black horses kept inside the Uchiha Compound. He reached his hand down to Lacaena. She gladly took it, and he pulled her up with him, sitting her in front of him. He kept his arms around her and holding the reins in front of them to keep her balanced in front.
Itachi, who had been appointed Lacaena's official escort while she remained in Konoha, was ordered to take Lacaena anywhere she wanted to in Konoha. However, despite him telling her so, Lacaena always asked his permission first. Inside, Itachi smiled at his cute little friend; she was so childish sometimes despite her high position on the Peace Treaty.
Itachi clicked the reins, and the horse started into a trot. Subconsciously, Lacaena leaned backwards, as always.
After a long while, they finally reached the top of the mountains, staring out at Konoha together.
Lacaena smiled softly, admiring the wonders of the city. "Just think. One day I will be able to come here without having to worry about an assassin coming to kill me. Our nations will be united, and we won't have to be so formal in front of everyone else."
"What do you mean?" Itachi asked
"We can show that we truly are friends." Lacaena stated. "Right now, all the people on the streets, when they see us together, they think it's just for show. Just to show them that just maybe the peace treaty is actually going right. Well, when the peace treaty is over, we'll show them. They'll see that we are friends."
"Friends…" Itachi whispered.
Lacaena snapped out of her reminiscing by the rustle of leaves and the ripples on the water. Lacaena giggled, gliding over to Itachi.
"What made you decide to com bathe with me?" Lacaena asked.
"I can't very well leave you out here alone, can I?" Itachi raised a brow. "What've you been doing?"
"Just thinking about old times." Lacaena said.
Itachi sighed, closing his eyes.
"Don't be mad!" Lacaena protested, "I can't help it!"
Itachi wrapped his arms around Lacaena, pulling them closer…
"Niisan!" Six year old Sasuke Uchiha shouted. "Neesan!"
Lacaena turned, kneeling down. Sasuke ran into her arms, where she picked him up. "Itachi' s out for now, but you're welcome to come with me."
Sasuke looked at her questioningly, "What're we going to do?"
"Well, I was thinking that all three of us could go on camping trip." Lacaena said, "I could use some help packing for us."
"I wanna help!" Sasuke said enthusiastically.
"Come on, then." Lacaena said. She turned, walking down the streets of the Compound. Sasuke leaned his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes in content. Lacaena was aware of the eyes that followed her. They were all the other Uchiha in the Compound, the ones who did not approve of Lacaena's being friends with Sasuke and Itachi, rather than just business relationship.
However, Lacaena saw no harm in their relationship and had decided to ignore the accusing eyes.
"Let's see, we'll need to pack tents. Oh, and sleeping bags, blankets, maybe some pillows."
"Don't forget food!" Sasuke said loudly.
Lacaena chuckled, "No, we couldn't forget food. We'll also need soap, towels, and extra clothes."
"We're going to have lots and lots of fun!" Sasuke said.
"Yup." Lacaena agreed, "There is another thing I want your help with."
"What is it, Neesan?"
"Itachi wanted us two to pick where we should camp out." Lacaena answered, her smile growing, "So, where do you think we should go?"
Sasuke looked thoughtful for a moment before crying out, "To the lake!"
Lacaena laughed, "The lake it is."
Lacaena and Sasuke packed what they needed. All that was left was the food.
Lacaena hummed as she made a sandwich, smiling pleasantly as usual. She was startled when Sasuke let a frustrated noise out.
"Sasuke, what is it?" Lacaena questioned, looking to her side in confusion.
"I can't figure out what to make Niisan."
"Why is that, Otouto?" Lacaena knelt down so she was eye level with him.
"I'm not sure what Niisan would want in his sandwich…" Sasuke said.
"He'll like anything you put in it." Lacaena answered. "Don't worry, Sasuke, just put in what you think he'll like."
Sasuke nodded, turning back to his work.
"Ah hem." A voice came.
Lacaena looked up to see Uchiha Mikoto, Sasuke and Itachi's mother. Lacaena stood and walked out into the hall. The two walked down the hall to make sure Sasuke couldn't hear them.
"What are you doing here!?" She asked in an angry tone.
"Making lunch." Lacaena answered simply.
"I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn't want you here."
"Yes, but your son asked me to help him make lunch." Lacaena stated.
"Sasuke will understand."
"It wasn't Sasuke. It was Itachi."
"Oh…well then – "
Lacaena scoffed, "That's exactly what your problem is. You care so much about what Itachi says. Now I'm not saying that's not a good thing, because it is. But what about Sasuke? Incase you haven't noticed, you have two sons, not just one. Doesn't Sasuke's opinions matter to you at all?"
"Well I never! I want you out of here after you finish making lunch."
"Don't worry about that." Lacaena rolled her eyes. "I'll be out of here all week."
"Excellent." Mikoto smirked.
"So will your sons." Lacaena turned, about to walk away when Mikoto stopped her.
"EXCUSE ME!?"
Lacaena turned around again, "Yes. They're coming on a camping trip with me."
"And why would they?"
"Maybe to have some fun?"
"Don't you have ANBU Squad duties? And what of the peace treaty?"
"The making of the peace treaty has taken four years already." Lacaena said bluntly. "I think they can wait for one more week."
"But the importance of your mission – !"
"Can wait." Lacaena said. "You don't tell me how important my mission is, okay? You're not even in the peace treaty, so please. You don't know what kind of stress and pressure this mission holds; you don't know how important this is. However, everyone needs to take a break from that. I for one am not going to allow myself to crack under this. You can mock me all you want; you can tell me taking a break is only for children. Go ahead, I don't care. Just this week, I've seen three of the peace party quit. I'm not about to do that. This is important to my family and important to my village. I will finish this peace treaty whether it makes me take a break or not."
Lacaena whipped around. She froze momentarily when she saw Sasuke looking out the door of the kitchen. She brushed it off and returned to the kitchen. Sasuke was about to start shouting questions when Lacaena put a finger to her lips.
Sasuke sighed and asked quietly, "Are you sure the camping trip's alright?"
"Yes, it's alright." Lacaena said firmly
Gaara wandered around the house aimlessly. It was large, and his mind was still buzzing from earlier events. He was utterly confused, and to make matters worse he was now lost.Gaara sighed. He'd been given a moment to rest, but he hadn't been able to sleep, fearing that Shukaku would take control. He wasn't sure where he was, or even how he really got there. Things had moved quickly, and his mind was overloading.
A fragrant scent floated to his nostrils, and Gaara suddenly felt at ease. A small, melodious hum made its way to his ears. Gaara turned a corner and was met with a hallway covered in green vines, shrubs, and flowers. Bewildered, he walked absentmindedly in. He looked around, the wonderful growth amazing him. Although they were no more than common plants, it was fascinating that they grew so well inside. The deeper he walked into the hallway, the clearer the hum became.
Gaara ended at the end of the hallway. He peered into an open doorway into a room that was also covered in plants. By the extremely large window, Mei Lan leaned against the open window sill. She hummed to a few birds sitting on a small but prosperous garden of flowers on the sill. The birds listened intently, despite Mei Lan's humming far from being as beautiful as a bird's song.
Gaara walked in, wanting to look more closely. It was strange for him to see someone humming to birds. Why not just hear their song instead? But curiosity took over, his confusion making him take the less logical choice of going nearer.
The birds on the sill chirped a couple times and moved to get as far away from the window without actually leaving the sill as they could.
Mei Lan turned slightly, looking at Gaara with a confused, joyful look. Gaara froze, a strange sense of fear jolting through him. An expression of shock took over Gaara's face.
But Mei Lan just simply smiled. She reached a hand out, and the bravest of the little birds on the sill walked to her hand. She pulled it inside, walking the rest of the distance between her and Gaara.
"Do you like birds?" Mei Lan asked, offering him the bird. It sat at the edge of her palm, studying Gaara with a tilted head. "Go ahead. They're friendly birds, the ones that live here."
Gaara hesitantly reached a hand out, laying it flat like Mei Lan's. He let it slide into Mei Lan's to make a platform for the bird. Mei Lan blushed but allowed Gaara to continue. The bird walked onto Gaara's hand, still a little unsure if it were safe.
"She likes you." Mei Lan said, her smile growing.
"Hey, Mei Lan," Kurome walked into the room. Seeing Gaara and Mei Lan basically holding hands, he stopped, "What is going on here!?"
Startled, the bird flew away, taking with her the rest of them.
"Kurome!" Mei Lan protested, "Why did you do that? I was showing Gaara the birds!"
"How was I supposed to know?" Kurome countered, "I walked in here just to see you two holding hands!"
"You are so mean!" Mei Lan stated angrily.
Kurome rolled his eyes, "Shu Yu Sensei wanted me to come tell you that dinner's ready."
"Well, I'm not very hungry." Mei Lan looked away from her brother, "But I bet you are, Gaara. I'll show you where the dining room is if you want."
Kurome rolled his eyes again, "Gods…" He whispered.
However, Mei Lan heard him, whipping around, "What was that!?"
"Nothing, nothing." Kurome said.
"So, how bout it Gaara?"
"I…" Gaara said quietly. "Aren't…you hungry?"
"No, that's alright." Mei Lan said. "Come on, I'll show you around the house."
"Finally." Kurome said as they left Mei Lan's room. "God, Mei Lan, what did you do to this hallway!? It's like a freakin garden in here!!"
"If you have a problem with my Shokubutsu and Kusabana, tough." Mei Lan said in defense, "Besides you're hurting their feelings."
"You…understand them…?" Gaara questioned.
Mei Lan nodded, "Mm hm. Shu Yu Sensei says that it's a gift. She says that it is my job to connect with all living things. I've been trying my best, and so far I've done pretty well with plants and animals. But…my fellow humans…"
"That's enough, Mei Lan." Kurome said, stopping her. "We don't even know this guy, and you're already giving up all our secrets!?"
"Shu Yu Sensei doesn't have a problem with him." Mei Lan said.
"It's our business, not his!" Kurome shouted.
"But – !"
"Just drop it!" Kurome broke in.
"Why do you always have to be such a jerk!?" Mei Lan screamed, turning and running back to her room. She promptly slammed the door, and some of the vegetation in the room moved to block the door.
Kurome sighed exasperatedly, "No one'll be able to get in there for hours…Damn it."
Gaara didn't understand it at all. What just happened? What were they talking about?
"Since my sister volunteered to take you to the dining room," Kurome spoke, "I guess I have to show you since she won't be anytime soon. Come on."
The two walked in silence for a long while. They walked down flights of stairs to the first level of the house, and still there was silence. Tension was rising as the two awkwardly walked the length of the huge house. Finally it burst.
"What were you two talking about?" Gaara asked.
"Like I said, it's none of your business." Kurome retorted.
Gaara stayed for awhile longer. Then, he asked the question that he thought he'd never get the chance to ask, "Do you think I'm a monster?"
Kurome suddenly stopped, surprised and taken aback by the question. How was he supposed to answer? He didn't think of Gaara like Shu Yu or Mei Lan thought of him, but he still didn't think he was a monster, not really.
Kurome hesitated in his answer, "I…think that you are someone with great strength. You are someone that is feared. Lady Shu Yu holds you in high regards, and my sister…Don't even get me started with Mei Lan. However…I've not known you long enough to actually form an opinion. I'm not sure if this answers your question, but that is all I can say at the time."
"But you are from Sand Village, are you not!?" Gaara questioned more urgently.
"Yes…" Kurome answered slowly, "I am. If you're asking about what I've heard, let me tell you, I've heard plenty. The fear; the attacks...the blood. But, despite all that I've heard, I've never witnessed any of it. While Mei Lan has seen you in the streets many times, I've never actually seen you till now. You can't always believe what you hear. I've learned that through Mei Lan. So, I chose not to believe what I'd been told about you until I witnessed it myself. Ah, here is the dining room now."
Kurome beckoned for Gaara to walk in. Gaara did, but Kurome did not follow. Gaara turned to those at the dining table. It was a large room, and the table quite long. Like every other room, closet, bathroom, and even hallways, it had plants in pots or simply coming out of the floor or wall. They were a product of Mei Lan's plants.
At the table sat Shu Yu, smiling at him, Kisame, Lacaena, and even Itachi, who sat next to her.
"It's nice of you to join us." Lacaena said, trying to encourage Gaara to come closer to the dining table.
Lacaena raised an arm, beckoning to the chair right in front of her. Shu Yu sat next to that one. Gaara slowly walked to the chair, sitting down. Confusion seeped into his mind again, his head throbbing. On impulse, Gaara looked to Shu Yu to stop the pain and confusion. Shu Yu only smiled gently, telling him everything was alright.
"So, you are Gaara." Lacaena continued, "Shu Yu has told us so much about you. She said you were a cute little boy when you were younger. I'd say you're still that cute little boy."
Gaara blushed lightly, something he hadn't done in awhile.
'Hm…' Lacaena thought, 'He seems to act perfectly normal, not the way I'd heard him described. I wonder…? If maybe…The affects of her being around…May have done this…Everyone's calm around her most of the time; it's part of her gift.'
"Anyway," Lacaena continued after awhile, "You must be starving! Take a plate, and take whatever you feel like eating. Mei Lan's an excellent gardener, so I guarantee you'll like the fruits and vegetables!"
"Can you please be quiet now?" Kisame asked in exasperation, "You talk like an ordinary school girl!"
"Hmph, you're one to talk, Mr. Fishy." Lacaena purposefully said this in a childish tone.
"Knock it off!" Kisame said, irritated.
"Why, does it bother you?" Lacaena taunted.
"Here we go again…" Shu Yu clapped a hand to her forehead.
Meanwhile, Gaara was timidly pulling food on to his plate. He began to eat, though slowly. To him, it seemed odd that they'd just let him take their food. However, he was too hungry right now to argue; he hadn't eaten well alone in the forests around Konoha.
"It's good to see that you still eat." Shu Yu commented quietly to him, "I've no idea what those people have been doing to you all this time."
Gaara looked up at her. Shu Yu was still smiling at him, and she seemed genuinely concerned. Joy suddenly leaped into his heart.
'Is this how it feels to be cared for?' Gaara questioned himself. Even with her arrival, Gaara still didn't remember much of Shu Yu. While it was true, the memories came back, but they were all still fuzzy. He remembered bits and pieces, coming here and there. He still wasn't sure where one memory ended and another began. What had really happened? If she cared so much about him, why did she disappear? And for what seemed like a long while, why didn't he remember her?
Gaara cried out in pain again. Always, always, with the pain in his head. So many questions, so many unanswered. Feelings flashed through his stiff, exhausted body. Jolts of pain came through his nerves from all over. Fatigue was slowly overcoming him, his body becoming stiffer by the second. Darkness was beginning to surround him as he felt himself falling and falling…
"Gaara!" Shu Yu shouted when he collapsed to the floor. His eyes were closed; he was unconscious.
Lacaena's eyes widened, "Oh no, Itachi –! The Shukaku –!"
Everyone at the table was suddenly up as sand began to pour from the gourd on his back.
To Be Continued…
Niisan (Nee-ee-sahn) – Older brother
Neesan (Nee-sahn) – Older sister
Otouto (Oh-toh-toh) – Younger brother