Blank
By: Sonnie
Tenten drew her sword, but she wasn't fast enough. She cursed herself for having shown her opponent chakra strings in a previous fight; ironically his were more advanced, far more so. Not that it took a lot of his energy to hold her and her teammates captive. Returning from a barely-salvaged mission, they'd been en route to Konoha when they were ambushed. As the fastest member of the team, Lee was sent ahead to Konoha to get help after avoiding the initial attack.
Tenten knew everything possible was against them. It was night, so there was limited visibility and the new moon made it nearly impossible for Shikamaru to use any of his shadow jutsus. Their currently strongest teammate running for help had left them with a barely conscious group unfit for combat.
And if the enemy really is him…we're all screwed. It can't be anyone else but him.
The tip of her blade trapped against her right shoulder mid-block, Tenten's right hand partially hid her face as she refused to drop the sword. At least she'd been able to stop the senbon aimed for her left eye. With her unobstructed right one, she glanced around to check the status of her teammates.
Shikamaru was twelve feet in front of her, entrapped in the same advanced chakra strings as she was. Temari was to her right, struggling uselessly against the eerily glowing strings that held her captive. Kankurou was to her left, nearly unconscious from the mission. When the enemy dropped gracefully between Tenten and Shikamaru, her fears were confirmed.
"Well this is quite a catch," the man drawled, smiling as he saw Shikamaru. Though not the strongest Jounin, Shikamaru was known as the smartest. The brown-haired man widened when he recognized the rogue nin.
"Kaziki Onoto," Shikamaru muttered. "You're an S-Rank criminal. You've been in the bingo book for three years. You were added right after your first attack on ANBU."
Turning to face Tenten, his eyes fell on the bandage wrapped around her shoulder. Tightening the chakra strings around her skin until the cloth split open, he grinned as he saw what was underneath. The vivid ANBU tattoo was neatly bisected vertically with an angry red scar.
"I thought I'd seen that sword before," Onoto said cheerfully. "You're the only female ANBU that's managed to land a hit on me. You're the only ANBU period that's recovered after a fight. I applaud you; you've done better than all of the men. You're still alive, for one…but I plan to remedy that soon enough. At least you have more energy than in our last fight."
"Too bad reinforcements came," Tenten growled, eyes narrowed, wishing desperately to cover up her ANBU tattoo.
"Yes, although they weren't in time to save you from three days of torture," Onoto said superiorly. "You hadn't eaten in all that time and were practically dead when I found you. To be quite honest, I felt gypped."
"So sorry to disappoint you," Tenten hissed.
"The first time we fought was the most interesting, even though the last time was when you showed me those amazing strings of yours…but as you can see, I've made some modifications. Like this, for example."
Shikamaru cried out sharply before biting his lip fiercely as a current of electricity traveled the length of string that held him around his chest. Tenten's eyes widened. His chakra control could rival Sakura's!
"Stop it!" Tenten screamed, eyes searching desperately for what she was looking for. Unable to move her head because of the strings, she knew her best chance was a long shot. Tenten moved her fingers, hoping the Sand nin remembered at least some basic ANBU sign language. "Kankurou!"
Knowing instantly what she sought, Kankurou strained his neck against the constraints. He narrowed his eyes, searching for the most vulnerable string that held her. In order to hold her still, the strings were tangled, and destroying the weakest string destabilized the others. He wasn't sure how she would be able to break it when she was held captive.
Squinting against the pain, Shikamaru focused in on the free fingers of Tenten's left hand after hearing her shout. He could barely make out the ANBU sign language, but realized what she wanted Kankurou to find for her.
"Tenten, don't," Shikamaru cautioned, his warning drowned out by electricity.
"Sakagesa!" Kankurou yelled, locating what she sought. It was the string that held her right shoulder.
"NO!" Shikamaru yelled, knowing what she was about to do.
Bracing herself, Tenten screamed. Ignoring the pain of the strings slicing her wrist, she plunged the blade into her shoulder before jerking it out roughly. With a snap, the strings around her went slack. Tenten fell the remaining three feet and slumped on the ground, face down.
"Tenten!" Shikamaru yelled, panting as the electricity was cut off suddenly.
"Huh," Onoto muttered, turning to where Tenten lay unmoving. Blood had stained the entire upper half of her shirt. "So eager to get out of the chakra strings?"
Temari's eyes narrowed as she desperately sought some sign of life from her teammate. She wasn't even moving when Onoto's hand descended and entangled itself in her hair. Yanking her head back, Onoto dropped her abruptly when her sword nearly severed his hand.
"You little bitch," he snarled, grasping his wrist protectively. He drew his sword.
Tenten was pissed. The angle had been bad and she hadn't managed to render his hand completely useless. Onoto charged her. The strength of her dominant arm cut in half because of her injured shoulder, Tenten barely managed to block his savage blow.
Lee, get here soon, Tenten thought urgently.
"Onoto, I'm not ANBU anymore…why are you so eager to kill me?" Tenten asked between another exchange of blows. "It's not to gain the recognition of Akatsuki anymore…they're gone now."
"This is the third time I've fought you and I haven't been able to kill you," Onoto said simply. "That's never happened before and I know I'm stronger. I should be able to win."
"Maybe I just really want to live," Tenten muttered as she blocked his onslaught, knowing she was too weak to launch a successful counterattack.
"After what you've been through?" Onoto asked her skeptically, stepping back to study her.
Tenten straightened up. "You don't know anything about what's happened to me."
Onoto smiled. "You're quite well-known," he told her. "A highly-skilled weapons master who quit ANBU after only a year…but the funny thing is you didn't quit ANBU until over three months after the incident. What could have possibly happened that was worse than those three days of torture you experienced? I mean, as a kunoichi, rape isn't unheard of—"
Tenten cut him off with a flurry of shuriken. Shikamaru wondered if this unfamiliar look on her face was what she'd hid under an ANBU mask for a year. It wasn't anger, but it wasn't any kind of look that would bring someone comfort. It was a level of concentration he'd never seen from her before.
Tenten was reduced to defense and she knew it. Allowing herself to become angry had been a mistake. She'd been taunted before, yes, but the offhand way he had referred to her torture had felt like a knife turning in her chest. And even when he mentioned the possibility of rape, it was only a reminder of how narrowly she had escaped it.
Tenten was getting incensed over how often she'd been crying lately when she felt angry tears prick her eyes. She fighting for her life and allowing Onoto to get to her. Losing concentration in a battle was deadly, and she was already at a huge disadvantage. Unless the others broke free and could provide help she doubted she'd survive.
Shikamaru was feverishly seeking a way out of the chakra strings. Apparently not controlled by hand movements, he knew that he had to sufficiently distract Onoto for the rest of the strings to break. Tenten had taken the most direct route, but it had been reckless. Shikamaru knew there had to be another way out.
"Temari," he said in a low voice. "You can see Kankurou better from your position. How is he doing? Has he broken free yet?"
"Huh?" Temari's eyes flew to where Kankurou was struggling free of the strings. As a master of chakra strings he knew all the ways around them. He pulled out a handful of kunai and threw them, freeing Shikamaru. Temari was free only a moment later.
"We've got to help her," Kankurou said, his concerned gaze watching as one of Onoto's attack's nicked Tenten's arm. He readied a puppet, despite the fact it had been severely damaged during the mission and nearly ripped apart by the strings.
Temari wished fervently that she still had her fan. She'd been forced to abandon it during the mission, but it had been in worse shape than her brother's puppets. She was unarmed and Shikamaru only had a kodachi, which was good for defense but not for attacking.
"Tenten!" Kankurou felt her name escape his lips as Onoto's blade nicked the side of her neck, narrowly missing the artery. She was almost out of chakra and a few minutes away from losing consciousness.
I've got to get him during this next attack, Tenten thought wildly, free hand traveling to the left side of her neck warily, knowing she would find blood and damaged flesh. Damn it.
Kankurou sent the broken puppet after Onoto, knowing the marionette would break and only be able to buy Tenten a few seconds. As the bulky arms trapped Onoto, Tenten surged forward with her sword drawn. Ramming it into the middle of his chest, she felt her shoulder jerk at the force it required. She closed her eyes against the warm spray of his blood against her face.
"Tenten," Kankurou said, running to her side. The sound of his voice was comforting as she felt her awareness melt away. Before she allowed herself to surrender to unconsciousness, a drop of icy cold rain hit her cheek. Gasping when she realized what was happening, Tenten's eyes popped open to see Onoto's hands perform the seals to his dreaded final attack before he slumped over dead.
During their first confrontation the jutsu had sent her flying into oblivion faster than anything Neji or Lee had ever thrown at her. It had forced her to relive the worst physical pain she'd felt up to that point, when Temari had beaten her so soundly during the Chuunin exams. But now, a year after she'd first experienced it, her most painful encounter had been—
"Tenten!" Shikamaru yelled, not knowing why all of the sudden her arms were splitting open in a jagged mess of crisscrossing cuts, nor why her left arm went slack after an audible snap jarred her body. The sharp pangs of hunger made her even more lightheaded, as did the sensation of being turned on her head and suspended in the air by her feet.
The last thing Tenten heard was the hiss of her flesh as her pants rubbed the painfully raw burns on her thighs.
-O-
Sakura thought she'd seen some of the most brutal things done to humans by their fellow man, but seeing Tenten in Shikamaru's arms a hairsbreadth away from death made her sick. She did her best to stabilize Tenten before the journey back, but she knew Tsunade herself would need to attend to the ex-ANBU member.
The return to Konoha was grim. Lee now had Tenten and his face was deadly serious. Shikamaru was uncharacteristically agitated and even Temari looked concerned. Kankurou was as grave as ever, but Sakura detected worry on his face.
Upon reaching Konoha events happened in a flurry, yelling and running and healing jutsus and tears and finally a tangible feeling of relief. Tsunade assured them Tenten would recover but she was not sure when she'd wake up. She'd been responsible for treating some of the same injuries earlier after Tenten was rescued from her tormenters, but the addition of the shoulder wound had complicated things.
"She'd mentioned it, yeah," Shikamaru explained to the group assembled in her room after she'd been stabilized. "The first time she fought Onoto, he cast it on her as his final attack. It forced her to relive the worst instance of physical pain she'd ever experienced. Up to that point it had been her defeat to Temari."
"So it's like Itachi's genjutsu?" Sakura asked.
"No," Shikamaru said firmly. "It's real pain, not just a mental reliving. If Kakashi had really spent seventy two hours being stabbed by katanas he'd obviously be dead. But as you saw with Tenten, all the physical pain she'd endured as a captive was evident before she lost consciousness."
"The broken bones, the burn marks, and the cuts on her arms…those were only some of the obvious ones," Sakura revealed softly.
"The ANBU captain urged her strongly to quit after the incident, but she stayed on for three more months," Shikamaru said.
"So was there something else that made her quit?" Temari asked.
Shikamaru set his jaw. "It really isn't any of our business," he said, glancing over at the resting form of his friend. "But the other incident was the reason why she quit, not the torture."
The matter settled by the tone of his voice and there was a collective sigh. Each one of them was secretly dying to ask her now…and no one had any idea when she was going to wake up, or even if she'd have anything to say.
-O-
For the past month, Neji always found moments to visit, even late at night. Security always let him in and the receptionist thought it was sweet. Her giggles were ignored and he'd patiently wait until he couldn't see her to roll his eyes. Upon entering her room, he was greeted with bouquets and fruit baskets. He made sure some other visitor ate the fruit before it spoiled, and threw away the flowers when they died.
Neji knew that Tenten appreciated flowers but didn't particularly enjoy them. He observed sourly that Kankurou must have known that too, because for the past month the only things he'd left were edible, probably in the hopes she'd wake up. Neji only had one present for Tenten, and he noted with superiority that it wasn't perishable. He had wrapped it in silk, leaving it by her bed when she woke up. It was almost hidden beneath all the flowers and candy and fruit baskets, but he knew it wouldn't overwhelm her.
Neji looked at the clock, then at Tenten's sleeping face. He had a mission to go on and was going to be late as it was. Before he left, he allowed his fingers to trail over the back of her hand, knowing full well that she might remember when she woke up.
-O-
"Tenten's gone!" Sakura exclaimed, running out of her room. "We've searched the entire hospital! I don't understand how she got away!"
"Well, she is a ninja," Gaara muttered. Ignoring the glares he received, he pressed on. "She can't have gotten far. I mean, she's just been comatose for the past five weeks."
"You'd be surprised how far she'll push herself to avoid hospitals," Shikamaru said grimly. "We have to find her. She's already weak as it is…the last thing she probably remembers is her fight with Onoto. He dug up some pretty painful memories and they're still going to be fresh in her mind."
"Where are we going to look?" Hinata asked softly.
"Well, as soon as Lee found out, he ran off," Sakura sighed. "He could be anywhere, so we'll end up overlapping wherever we search."
"I don't know where she might be," Shikamaru said, looking a bit strung out. "I mean, she obviously doesn't want to be found, so she wouldn't be at her apartment. Neji's out on a mission but I doubt she'd be with him. And Jou—"
"Who's Jou?" Gaara asked.
"Errr…a friend," Shikamaru said delicately, causing Hinata to smile and Sakura to roll her eyes. "A friend who used to attend the academy with her. Anyway, I Jou's not even in Konoha right now. Snow country or something."
"So we've eliminated people…what about places?" Sakura suggested.
"Well, it certainly doesn't help that Tenten doesn't have any frequent hang outs," Shikamaru muttered. "I honestly don't know where to start looking. We should just split up."
"I can take the northern part of town," Sakura volunteered.
"I can look in the eastern part," Hinata told him.
"I'll look in the western part," Shikamaru said, looking at Gaara. "You can look in the southern part. It's not like we'll be able to search it all, but the sooner we find her, the better."
Gaara nodded, not having any preference. He wasn't really worried about Tenten's physical condition; she could take care of herself. Even though she was prone to good and bad moods like any other person she was very good at not letting things get to her, but lately she'd seemed agitated. And when they'd carried her back from the woods, she'd been practically dead. Shikamaru had filled him in on what had happened, but from the sound of it, she'd been pretty traumatized.
Rain fell steadily as he headed south. He never really cared for rain; even though he could use his sand, it was harder to control and reminded him a lot of being helpless surrounded by water. Even though he felt fairly competent at swimming, he wasn't about to willingly.
It was late, so luckily he didn't have to deal with any children pointing, screaming, and running away. A few adults recognized him and scurried away. He really didn't mind anymore; it was worse at home. After one incident in particular, he ducked into a small bar, hoping to find refuge from both the stares and the rain.
Tenten?
Gaara felt his eyes widen a bit at the sight of her. Never one to shy away from a social drink, he had never, ever known her to get drunk. Neji; once, and it had taken quite a few threats to keep the details undisclosed. Lee; plenty of times, at least when his companions lacked the foresight to keep him away from alcohol. But Tenten…?
"Hey, Gaara," Tenten murmured, eyes blank and voice listless.
Not quite sure what to do, he decided that it might be best to sit down with her. She had thrown back a few, Gaara noted. Though she wasn't succumbing to the madness that encapsulated Lee within one drink, Tenten was definitely affected. Just by looking at her, he could instantly tell her reaction time was nonexistent. He wondered briefly if she'd fall over if he pushed her arm.
"Have a drink, Gaara," Tenten suggested, shoving one in front of him before he could say anything. Taking a sip, he determined that hard alcohol wasn't meant for sips.
It's barely meant for consumption, Gaara thought wryly, grimacing as the liquid burned all the way down. Suppressing the urge to cough, he quickly downed the rest of the glass.
"So…what brings you to a place like this?" Tenten asked airily.
"Uh…it was raining, so I took cover in here," Gaara offered, which was partially truthful. "The others are worried about you."
Tenten chuckled. "But you aren't, right?"
Gaara hesitated. "I'm not concerned about your physical welfare, no."
"Then why are you here?" Tenten asked, puzzled, pausing mid-drink.
"You haven't been yourself lately," Gaara said plainly. "The simple fact that you're in a bar, intentionally trying to get drunk, says volumes. You're not an irresponsible person, but you've run off and worried everyone."
Tenten looked pensive. "I wasn't thinking, I guess," she murmured. "Well, I was thinking of one thing."
"Yourself?" Gaara asked archly, realizing belatedly that perhaps such brutal honesty wasn't what she needed.
Tenten smiled. "Yeah. You're right."
Or maybe she does, Gaara thought. "Why are you acting so strangely?"
"I wish I knew," Tenten snorted. "Honestly, ever since I quit ANBU I've been feeling a bit off. It wasn't bad at first, but now that I've had time to think…"
"Think? About what?"
"Just about ANBU, really," Tenten admitted. "Shikamaru probably told you the basics…it's not as if I had a remarkable career with the organization. A few typical escorts and guard duties. Nothing too gruesome; the assassinations weren't that bad. Even the torture incident wasn't enough to make me want to quit."
Gaara had been in to see her with his siblings less than a weak after her confrontation. It had been pretty bad. Her left arm was broken and both were covered in small cuts and welts, as if a reed slapped them. Her back was a bloody mess; apparently she'd been whipped extensively, but Tsunade had assured them all that the scarring would be almost unnoticeable. Someone had put out their cigarettes on her thigh and shoved bamboo shoots under her fingernails. Several ribs were broken and there was poison in her system.
Nothing really seemed out of the ordinary. All were common torture practices; he was grateful she had obviously escaped before being sexually assaulted, for most were not as fortunate. For the first time he'd gotten a glimpse of her ANBU tattoo—apparently someone had sliced a line through it. He was beginning to wonder if it had been Tenten herself.
"Why did you quit, then?" Gaara asked, surprised that he was actually curious. Truth be told, as nice and friendly as she was, she kept a lot of things to herself and was more often than not sitting somewhere deep in thought. Not quite secretive, but definitely a bit mysterious.
Tenten blinked, looking down. "You know what my first mission was?" she asked suddenly.
Gaara's eyes widened. "Hm? What does that have to do with anything?"
"Everything, actually," Tenten replied. "It was a guarding mission. The client wanted us to watch over his son and at the same time make sure he never found out what his father really did for a living."
Gaara found a sardonic smile twisting his lips.
"He was a really bright boy…about seven," Tenten said fondly.
Gaara noted that she spoke of him in past tense, frowning at the implication.
"He loved his father so much…idolized the man, who was a far cry from the saint his son made him out to be," Tenten muttered. "But the client was decent enough, as far as a businessman goes. I was the only female on the mission and the junior member, so the leader assigned me to watch over the kid while they followed the client's orders. I couldn't help but grow attached…he was such a nice kid, and so much energy. Most only children I know are pretty quiet, but this boy was a loudmouth."
"You think only children are quiet?" Gaara asked, off topic but curious. "Naruto's the loudest person I know, and Lee's a close second."
"Lee has a twin," Tenten corrected absently.
Gaara frowned deeply. There was someone running around with D.N.A. identical to Rock Lee? Naturally the idea freaked him out again.
"Most only children I know are quiet, though," Tenten said. "Neji…Shino…even me. I used to be really shy, and Sakura used to be the same way—she's an only child too. I wasn't expecting this boy to be so inquisitive. I couldn't help but like him."
Gaara opened his mouth to comment, but she cut him off.
"I know it's a weakness," Tenten said. "But I didn't let it interfere with my work. No one else noticed how I answered all of his questions and how I told him stories and played games. I was just a glorified babysitter; not the main priority of the mission."
"The whole assignment went well, and we parted ways," Tenten recalled. "Then, almost a year later, there was another mission with his family involved. I had always hoped our paths would cross again, except we were supposed to kill the client this time—just the father, not the boy. Tsunade-sama accepts all missions, and we didn't have a choice. I went along, not knowing what I would do when I got there."
Gaara wondered if she ended up killing the child, but something didn't quite seem like she did.
"Before the assassination, I wrote the boy and told him I was going to visit late that night," Tenten said. "I was hoping to get him away from the house so he wouldn't have to see his father's murder."
"He was happy to see me, but knew something was wrong when he saw my comrades," Tenten said, downing another drink. "I tried to placate him and I thought he'd stayed put. I killed the client….it was quick but it was bloody. It turned out he followed me and witnessed the entire thing. The poor boy ran screaming from the room. I ran after him, and when I caught up to him…"
Tenten paused. She wasn't crying, but she was grieving deeper than shedding tears. Gaara was watching her very spirit diminish before his eyes.
"He was covered with blood and he was pointing at me," Tenten said in a small voice. "I couldn't say anything because I had that finger accusing me of using him and toying with him and not having any morals or feelings…and I realized that he was right. I just stood there, taking every blow, even when he ran over and just whaled on me. The ANBU captain came over and killed him, saying he would wake up the entire compound and bring security down on us."
"I went back, a few days later," Tenten admitted. "I wanted to see his grave…to apologize, I guess. I hadn't meant to use his affinity for me to make him open the door…but I know if I had, I would have. I'm such a terrible person for doing so."
Gaara said nothing, not knowing what to say. He knew he had no right to judge anyone's morals. He also knew he wouldn't have ever been able to be in Tenten's situation—befriending others was not something he did easily, if ever. But if the boy could have let them in and made the mission easier, why not use him? It was to save lives, even though the price was his most precious person.
"His aunt was there at the grave," Tenten said distantly. "She recognized me from the first mission and knew that ANBU had been responsible for her brother's death. She wouldn't let me lay flowers there, wouldn't even let me read the headstones. I had hoped…not necessarily to find forgiveness, but maybe one tiny peace of mind."
"It's rarely easy to do so," Gaara told her quietly.
"Yes, but," Tenten trailed off. "I wanted it anyway."
"And you left ANBU because your captain killed the boy?" Gaara asked her bluntly.
Tenten blinked. "No."
"No?" Gaara was confused. What other reason could there have been?
"I know I'm good at fighting," Tenten said simply. "Better at it than reconnaissance, escorts, healing, and strategy. But I wanted the next time I killed someone to mean something. I wanted it to mean more than a piece of paper…I wanted it to be for the sake of someone I wanted to protect, not for a stranger who paid for my next meal. Onoto was the first person I've killed since I left ANBU, and I did it for myself and for my teammates…my friends."
"Why did you join ANBU in the first place?" Gaara wondered.
"Killing had never really bothered me too much before," Tenten admitted. "I mean, I wasn't bloodthirsty but I had no problem with doing it when necessary and I really don't now. I thought I could handle assassinations and to a certain degree I still can. I just…learned that a reason was important to me."
Tenten downed another drink, as did Gaara.
"ANBU was the logical progression for me as a weapons specialist," Tenten said. "It's a high-paying job that let me travel and kept me excited, but it's not fulfilling to me, not in the way I really need. I should have known when Lee and Neji remained jounins…I guess they knew themselves better than I did."
Gaara scoffed inwardly at Hyuuga knowing himself, but Lee he could understand. He knew Lee had been through a lot but was admirably decisive. Even when it could have meant his death, Lee had steadfastly stuck by his desire to be a ninja.
"I think I'm going to try and visit him again," Tenten muttered. "I don't care if anyone chases me away; I just want to talk to him, even if he can't talk back."
Gaara knew such sentiments weren't uncommon. In fact, he'd seen countless people talking to tombstones…sometimes those of his many victims. When those in mourning looked up and saw him, did talking really ease their pain?
"I miss my teammates," Tenten said almost inaudibly. "I miss the music Lee plays from when we were kids. I miss the way Gai-sensei convinced everyone that he knew nothing but really knew more than anyone I've ever known. And Neji…I miss him period."
"You love him?" Gaara asked, knowing full well there was something between her and his brother.
"I do love Neji, yes," Tenten said softly. "I don't think about him all the time, but he's always in the back of my mind. It started out as a love between friends before turning into a crush, but the original strength of the bond remained. It's evolved over time, but I don't know if I'll ever stop loving him."
"And Kankurou?" Gaara inquired plainly.
"I do have strong feelings for him," Tenten told him. "We haven't figured anything out. We both know in the end it won't work…but we can't help the way we feel. We're in for pain on both sides, eventually, but until then…until then we are still going to have our connection, and maybe it won't ever go away. It isn't destructive or cynical but it's not all sweet and romantic."
"Does Neji know how you feel?" Gaara questioned.
"I don't know," Tenten sighed, taking another drink. "It always gets complicated with him. I can tell everyone else how I feel and everyone else can see it, too, but him…? I can't tell what he knows and what he picks up. I don't know if he cares."
"He cares," Gaara told her. "Of that much everyone is sure. But I can't say how much, and I don't think he can either."
Tenten looked thoughtful. "I need to talk to him sometime," she murmured. "Well, both of them, I guess. At least I'm doing the talking…not them. It'd take twice as long."
Gaara conceded her point. "That's true."
"Ugh, I am going to regret this tomorrow," Tenten muttered, shoving her empty glass away. "The most drinks I've ever had were definitely less than half of this, so I'm probably going to wish I was dead tomorrow. But I guess the important thing is I don't wish I were dead now."
"The others are worried; you should return to the hospital," Gaara said. "I'll accompany you."
"To make sure I don't keel over on the way there?" Tenten asked with a small smile. "Or to make sure I don't run off again?"
"I don't think I have to worry about the latter," Gaara said. "You seem to have things worked out for the moment. If you faint outside you're going to drown. It was pouring on the way here."
Tenten nodded. "Let's go back…hopefully we won't run into anyone we know."
-O-
Gaara groaned inwardly as Hinata and Sakura shouted at them, rushing over and fawning over their friend. Shikamaru followed behind them, but was content with observing. Tenten smiled reassuringly at the girls, something Gaara had always noticed she'd been quite good at. Sakura was firing questions at her while Hinata was chastising her softly.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Tenten told them, brushing off their concerns easily. "I just had to get away. Hospitals really aren't my favorite place, you know?"
"Gee, thanks," Sakura grumbled.
"That wasn't personal," Tenten pointed out.
"I know, I know," Sakura muttered. "Let's get you inside. Most of your wounds have healed, but I still don't know how you managed to get out. Where did he find you?"
"It's not important," Tenten told her. She was thankful she'd been drinking vodka—it wasn't as easily detected on her breath but she wasn't taking any chances. "I didn't mean to make you all concerned."
"Don't worry about it," Hinata said kindly. She and Sakura urged the older woman into the hospital, leaving Gaara with Shikamaru.
"So…where did you find her?" Nara asked casually after the girls were gone.
"In a bar," Gaara replied with equal ease.
Shikamaru sighed. "I'm worried about her," he admitted.
"She's not really sure who she is anymore," Gaara commented.
"She's Tenten," Gaara said firmly. "And that's all she needs to be. But I'm not sure if she knows what she wants."
"Maybe it would help if Neji figures that out too," Shikamaru said with a shrug. "We just need something to happen."
"That would certainly fit in with Neji's fatalistic attitude," Gaara said.
"Not necessarily," Shikamaru corrected. "Some things happen because they're inevitable. Other things just happen because of random chance. But there are some events that happen because they need to happen, but those people that need it are the ones that make it happen."
"So we need to make something happen, then?" Gaara asked skeptically.
"I think those two will do it themselves," Shikamaru said confidently. "Not intentionally, of course."
"So everyone just has to wait until they get their lives together?" Gaara asked.
Shikamaru shrugged. "Everyone is waiting for something, even if they don't know it."
"Sure," Gaara said, without much conviction.
"I'm telling you," Shikamaru told him. "Sometimes the smallest thing can change how you feel…and in return you can change everyone else. They say even a smile can change someone's life."
-O-
Gaara made his way back to Naruto's apartment where he'd been staying. The rain was relentless and lightning and thunder shook the sky. He vaguely registered that it was dangerous outside, as several bolts of lightning hit areas right outside of the town. But none of it posed that great a threat to him, so he ignored it for the most part. He was mulling over Shikamaru's words, skeptical and indignant all at once.
It's ridiculous, Gaara thought with a scowl. To think that something as small as a smile has the same impact as something important, like a death or a promotion to leadership?
The streets were almost completely deserted, except for one other person close by, probably heading towards the same area of apartment complexes that he was. Lightning struck again, illuminating his face. Her eyes widened as they raked over his crimson hair and tattoo. Stiffening, she paused momentarily before continuing on her path, her pace increasing.
"Gaara…" she gasped, face pale. A muscle twitched in his cheek.
Not again, Gaara thought inwardly, setting his jaw. Even though he was used to it, it was still a bit disheartening when someone ran away. He tried to shake it off, continuing after the woman on his way to Naruto's place. She glanced behind her, gasping when she saw he was still close. Didn't it occur to her that he was just anxious to get out of the rain?
The woman was almost running now, her boots sending water against the trees as she cut through the park. Gaara found himself in pursuit; just once would someone give him a chance? It was bothering him, he couldn't deny it at this point. He was about to overtake her but wasn't sure what he was going to do when he caught up. Try and talk some sense into her?
The sky lit up brilliantly as a vivid streak of lightning shot across the sky. Realizing the destination, he summoned a quick burst of speed. In what could best be described as a tackle, he knocked the woman out of the way from the falling tree. Falling in a jumbled heap, they felt the tree land less than a foot from them.
Pain sang through his bones as his knee hit the pavement. The icy rain was at odds with how warm he suddenly felt. Starting when he realized how close he was to another person, he lifted his head from where it had embarrassingly fallen against her chest. The slick coating of her parka repelled the rain that fell from his red hair.
From the looks of it, she was older than him, perhaps in her early twenties. She was pretty, but possessed nothing unusual or spectacular such as Sakura's pink hair. Not a large man, Gaara found that she was much smaller than himself. Gaara realized that she'd broken his fall, and moved to hastily get up. She caught his arm, halting his movements. She blinked several times, as did he. There was shame, gratitude, still traces fear, but kindness. Uncomfortable with the close, unfamiliar scrutiny, he averted his gaze.
"Gaara…of the Sand?" she murmured, blunt fingertip tracing his tattoo. He noted absently she didn't have long nails at all.
Standing abruptly, he immediately felt the cold. Not watching, he rather heard her as she got to her feet, the rain falling off her coat and hitting the ground below. Not put off in the slightest by his sudden discomfort, she actually approached him.
Determined not to be intimidated by a stranger, he stood his ground, completely still as her eyes continued to bore into his. The irises were so dark they were nearly indiscernible from the pupil. Once again, he closed his eyes stubbornly, refusing to meet hers.
"Thank you," she whispered. Her fingers brushed over the red hair covering his forehead. Puzzled, his eyes opened wide when he felt her warm lips against his cool skin, on the kanji over his left eye. Eyes meeting his for a fleeting instant, she turned suddenly on her heel and fled.
Gaara watched her go, a strange feeling of euphoria seeping in. His first kiss and it was on the forehead, but it was strangely intimate. He'd managed to change someone's mind…they were even ashamed that they were afraid, not that he could blame them. It had been a few years, but she was definitely old enough to remember his notorious entrance in the chuunin exams.
A genuine smile crept over his face, but he froze when he remembered what Shikamaru said. He couldn't really place why he followed her of all people. She'd just been one more person that was afraid of him. Raindrops continued to sting his face as he watched after her, unblinking. It just didn't make sense…there were others that got over their fear of him…it wasn't like he even knew the person this time.
It wasn't as though it meant anything, he thought. Shaking his head, he sent a spray of rain flying. Not sure whether he wanted to smile or frown, he made his way back to Naruto's apartment.