Chapter 9
In which Shukaku doesn't actually appear
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Sakura sighed. That first breakfast had become a succession of breakfasts that was about to become a habit. After all, it only takes 21 days to make or break a habit, she thought. And today is the 21st.
Delegates from a small nearby village had arrived to negotiate a new treaty and Shukaku had to deal with them, which was why she was currently standing alone on top of the wall. She sighed again. Well, maybe I can gain some insight into his character. Diplomatic interactions should be very revealing.
Shukaku was an enigma to her. He had a strong sense of right and wrong, and took his job of defending the village seriously. He was basically an over-protective perfectionist. He was also one of the most trusting people she had ever met. He was an incurable optimist who wanted to take things at face value. His first instinct was to trust. Her entry into the village was a prime example. She could have been a ninja under genjutsu, or lying about their injuries. She told him as much on their 12th sunrise watching/breakfast outing.
"Why didn't you let one of the Captains go to me? What would you have done if I was an enemy?"
His answer caught her completely off guard.
"I couldn't take the chance. You were hurt, and so was your brother. If I can prevent an unnecessary death, I will take action. Besides, if you were a disguised ninja I don't think a few feet would have stopped you from attacking me."
Sakura just couldn't understand. Why were other people so important to him? She had been solitary her entire life, except for … That was over now though. She had decided to turn over a new leaf. After all, the past was the past, right? Right?
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AN: I AM ALIVE!! This is mostly to let people (AKA Subuku no Jess) know that I'm still working on the story. Plus Shukaku needed some character development. I might get a beta, so updates will be wacky until I can figure this thing out. I might change some earlier chapters too.