Five years ago
"1…"
Temari hid behind a wall, giggling a little as Gaara counted.
"...2…" Gaara had his hands over his eyes. He stood facing the wall, his back to Temari.
"…3! Ready or not, here I come!" Then there was the sound of footsteps. The blonde girl scampered to a dark corner, her face filled with sweat.
No, they were not playing hide and seek. It was actually vampire- hunting training. But it was a little similar to the famous game we all know. Well, the training was created based on the game idea, anyway.
Jade-green eyes blinked, and the sound of footsteps seemed to go cautiously to the right. "Come out, wherever you are!" Gaara said, but the way he spoke the sentence made it seem to be more like part of a song. Temari crouched in the corner. The training was really simple—If Gaara could find her, she will fail the hiding test. But if Gaara couldn't find her, and gave up, it means that she passed, and then a vampire-busting job will be in wait for Temari.
The feat wasn't easy though. She'd failed many times. Though Gaara wasn't a certified hunter yet, his sense of detection was excellent. Far better than the other hunters. Even their parents.
What makes a good vampire hunter:
1) Attack fiercely. Have no mercy.
2) Have no fear of death.
3) Most importantly…
Temari's recollection of the so-called rules her father drilled her over and over was cut short by fast footsteps coming her way. Uh-Oh. Don't tell me I'm going to fail again? She grabbed her weapon and leapt silently onto the rooftop. Sure enough, it was Gaara, coming into the corner where she was moments ago. The boy blinked and turned. Phew. He didn't notice… "You're up there…" Gaara looked up suddenly and pointed to his sister.
One, two, three…
You counted slowly
I hid behind a dark, leafy bush
Shivering
Shaking
White
With fear
I knew
After you'd finished counting…
……..
You'll hunt me down!
But what can I do?
Hiding is already taking up all of my efforts!
No, I can't, I have to run
I don't want to get killed!
Now, I see you looming closer
But I can't move
My feet couldn't
"Failed again, huh?" A boy with a painted face of white and purple smirked at Temari. The girl cracked her knuckles. "Shut it, Kankuro." She flexed her shoulders and flopped onto the sofa. "I…just got distracted. I will pass the next time." Temari said glumly. Kankuro dusted powder from his hands. "That's easy to say. You've failed so far." He muttered.
Behind the door, a figure walked slowly away.
Midnight
"So, the usual. Disperse!" A man with the same flaming red hair as Gaara's held up a hand, and the team around him vanished immediately.
"And why are you still up at this hour, Temari? Go to sleep."
Temari walked out slowly from behind the wall. "I-I-…" She spluttered. "I-I just want to apologize for my failure today. I…I will train hard." The man blinked, and walked over to an old armchair. There was a long pause. Then came the same, old, predictable answer Temari had heard over the years.
"Alright. Good."
The blonde girl looked down, feeling angry at herself. "I'll go to sleep now." She said shortly, and went off.
I know it. He's disappointed in me. Temari clenched her fist. No, in fact, he's lost all hope for me to become a hunter, because I probably won't ever beat Gaara. Damn! She punched the wall. Her fist turned red, but she didn't wince at the pain. Damn… Why… Why am I so weak? I want to serve my family, and uphold the family reputation! Our family is the second-best, just next to the Uchihas! Temari withdrew her fist from the wall, walked to her room, and slammed the door.
A few seconds later, the same, small mysterious figure crept slowly to Temari's door. "…Sister…" He whispered, his eyes downcast.
The next day
A tired-looking Kankuro groaned and rubbed his shoulders. "Bad night?" Temari asked sarcastically.
The boy didn't bother to argue. He knew it was a sensitive topic to his sister. His big sister, who would start railing at him the moment he complains about his missions.
"How dare you! You should be honored that you're working for the family!" Yeah, Yeah, I know. Kankuro yawned widely and grabbed a piece of buttered toast from the table. "I'm going to wash up and go to bed..."
Temari watched as he went up the stairs, and stirred the contents in her bowl.
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