All the Naruto characters belong to Massashi Kishimoto. Cassandra, and everything else not from the Naruto world belong to me. The story is written in play form, from Cassandra's point of view. Everything in italics is the characters thought or action.
Chapter 7. Accepting And Moving On
We soon arrive at the Sand Village, and Gaara asks me to stay for the night.
Cass: I really should be getting back Kazekage Gaara.
Gaara: I insist. I would like to question you a bit.
Cass: I'm not a snitch Kazekage.
Gaara: I didn't mean secrets about the Akatsuki. I just want to understand you and your position better. Come.
He leads me to his Study and I sit in a chair. He stands
Gaara: What is your name?
Cass: Oh, forgive me. Cassandra is my name, but you can call me Cass.
Gaara: Tell me about yourself Cass. How did you end up in the Akatsuki?
Cass: My Father was an abusive man and my Mother died soon after I was born. Sasori and Deidara found me and adopted me.
Gaara: I see. Were they good to you? Did they treat you well?
Cass: Yes. They were the best parents I could have asked for. Sasori was always making an effort to teach me things, and Deidara...he was like my Mother.
Gaara: And the other members? How were they towards you?
Cass: They were all very good to me. Each taught me in his or her own way, and they all raised me to the best of their abilities. I personally think they did a pretty decent job.
Gaara: It would seem so. Who is the orange masked one? He seemed nice.
Cass: That's Tobi. He's my best friend. We grew up together, and he's my rival...in a friendly way.
Gaara: What is your status? You said that you were an underling.
Cass: Yes. I am not qualified to be a member, so I do odd jobs.
Gaara: Have you ever been sent to kill?
Cass: Yes.
Gaara: Do you remember those missions?
Cass: As vividly as yesterday. Kazekage, I mean no disrespect, but I don't like to talk about those I've killed. They are painful memories.
Gaara: All ninja's kill at some point or another. It's our way of life.
Cass: That doesn't mean that I have to like it.
Gaara: No, it doesn't. Do you enjoy killing?
Cass: Not at all. I think it's a horrible thing, and something that should be used as a last resort.
Gaara: Then why are you with the Akatsuki? I'm sure you are well aware of what they do.
Cass:...B-because they are...they are my family Kazekage Gaara. I love them, despite all that they do. I will kill for them any day.
Gaara: It is good you defend your 'family' so readily. I'm sure that they aren't quite as bad as they are made out to be. Everyone has their reasons for things.
Cass: Yes Kazekage. May I ask you a question?
Gaara: Of course.
Cass: Why are you so calm about this? Most people would have taken me hostage, or killed me or something like that. Instead, you are merely getting to know me.
Gaara: I am calm because I understand your position. Right or wrong, the Akatsuki are your family. You know things about them that no one else does, and you probably see them in a much better light than anyone else.
Cass: I am glad that you are so passive about this Kazekage Gaara.
Gaara: Please, just Gaara will do.
Cass: Ok Gaara.
Gaara: Besides, know it or not, your family has done me a great service. The Demon within me caused insomnia. I literally haven't slept for 17 years. I hardly remember what its like to sleep.
Cass: Well go to bed by all means! Sleep is much too precious a thing to be deprived from! I love to sleep!
Gaara: Are you suggesting that you are lazy? He smiles at me
Cass: If you wish to view it that way.
Gaara: Well then, how about we both go to bed? In the morning, you can be on your way.
Cass: Many thanks Gaara.
He takes me to a guest room where I fall into a fitful sleep. I dream of Sasori all night long, and as a result, am exhausted in the morning. Gaara wakes me and gives me breakfast.
Gaara: You certainly look worse for wear. Are you ready to go?
Cass: Yes, and once again, I thank you Gaara. You have been very kind.
Gaara: My pleasure. If you are ever in the area, be sure to visit.
Cass: Certainly.
I bow and leave. Instead of taking the straight route home, I visit some places that Sasori and I went together when I was younger. I vaguely remember sitting just outside of my old home, where he and Deidara first found me. Before I could regain my composure, tears started rolling down my face. I must have sat there for a good hour, silently crying for Sasori. I just couldn't believe that he was really gone. I didn't even get to say goodbye. I camped there for the night, and the next morning headed back home. I felt better after crying, and I thought that perhaps I could handle this. Besides, Sasori hated tears. He said they were for the weak. He wouldn't want to see me cry anyway, he would want me to remember all the good times we had together. With a heavy heart, I arrived home and quietly crept to the infirmary to see Deidara.
Deidara: You're back. Where did you go?
Cass: I was escorting the Kazekage back home. He's a really nice boy, very sweet.
Deidara: Uh oh. Do I have to have a talk with him un?
Cass: No! I'm not in love with him; I just think he's nice. He seems to know how to handle people.
Deidara: Just checking. Sasori would normally be the one freaking out, but now I have to do that too.
Cass: I miss him.
Deidara: I do too. I miss him a lot, but I guess it was just his time un.
Cass: Yeah. He wouldn't have wanted us to mope around anyway.
Deidara: Yeah. He'd cuff my head and tell me 'Deidara, pull your head out of your butt and be a man. Honestly, why do I even put up with you?'
Cass: Yeah. That sounds like Sasori. He'd probably tell me something similar.
Deidara: I know it's hard to get over this, but it will be for the best un.
Cass: I know Deidara, I know. So how are you?
Deidara: Well, I got my arm blown off...
Cass: You what?!
Deidara: Yeah. A bomb backfired. Anyway, that's about it, but I got a replacement arm, and I'm here to rest until Konan says so. In other thrilling news, that idiot Tobi is my new partner.
Cass: Tobi isn't an idiot!
Deidara: Yes he is.
Cass: Whatever Deidara. I'm glad that you are going to be ok.
Deidara: he smiles and gives me a hug Go on now, go make dinner. I'm starving, and no offence to Konan, but I like your cooking way better.
Cass: Alright, I'm going.
I go to the kitchen and prepare dinner. After everyone gathers and eats, I go find Tobi, because he wasn't at dinner. I knock on his door and step inside
Cass: Tobi?
Tobi: Cass! You're back! You're back! I missed you! Tobi missed you! He swings me around and hugs me Tobi thought that Cass was alone and sad, and that made Tobi sad.
Cass: I'm fine Tobi, or at least, I will be.
Tobi: Tobi is glad to hear that. Tobi misses you too much when you leave.
Cass: Well, you'll have to get used to it. You're a member now, remember? Deidara is your partner, so you two will go on missions together. Congratulations Tobi, I'm so proud of you.
You always wanted to be a member, and now you are one!
Tobi: Yes! Tobi is very pleased, but Tobi wanted you to be his partner.
Cass: Well, we don't always get what we want. I don't think Pein is recruiting anymore, so we won't be getting anyone new. Frankly, I think he's getting pretty tired of all this.
Tobi: Well, we will see what we will see.
Cass: Coming from the guy with one eye.
Tobi: Don't hate on Tobi because you're jealous!
Cass: You really are too much Tobi.
Tobi: Are you going to bed now?
Cass:...I guess so...
Tobi: Tobi knows that you always slept with Sasori or Deidara, but you cant now...so if you want to stay with Tobi tonight...Tobi wont mind.
Cass: Can I? Really Tobi? You have no idea how little sleep I've had lately. I gather my stuff, shower and curl up in the bed. He places a blanket over me and goes to bed as well.
Tobi: Goodnight Cass.
Cass: 'Night Tobi.
Tobi:...Cass?
Cass: Yeah?
Tobi: Do you think Deidara will be mad that you're spending the night with Tobi?
Cass: Why would he? You're my best friend Tobi. It's just like a sleepover. Goodnight.
Tobi: Yeah. Goodnight Cassandra.