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Chapter 6: Bane of Existence

Sumiko smiled as Daisuke and Deidara were arguing. Even Sumiko was confused as to Daisuke's overprotective nature. She casually grabbed the fox by his tail and held him up. "Why do you keep watching me? I would have kept my emotions in check." She glances over at Deidara and her heart skips a beat. Mostly in check… Wait a moment… Developing emotions is dangerous for a shinobi… Why am I…?

"Because Sumiko-sama, I really know that having excess emotions compromises your ability to do what a decent shinobi or an Akatsuki member for that instance needs to do. Besides, your emotions were definitely not in check."

Deidara watched this exchange and notices Sumiko going into a deep blush about what Daisuke said. Do I really affect Sumiko this much? I really like her I guess… A lot… Sasori-danna is going to kill me…

Before Daisuke and Sumiko's argument could get too heated, Deidara spoke up. "This is the place Sumiko-chan," Daisuke growled at Deidara's use of –chan, "where you have to leave us to retrieve the Orochimaru's ring. We can't come with you as it is your test, un."

"I see," Sumiko murmured as she looked around: a mostly forested region with a distinct clearing in the distance. I see why we cannot get too close… Deidara's explosives might catch too much attention also…

"I will be back before too long." As she turned to leave, she noticed a certain fox starting to follow her when she paused. "Daisuke-kun, do not follow me. If you do, this mission may become invalid because of any possible assistance you offer me… I refuse to let you jeopardize this opportunity to join the Akatsuki."

Daisuke looked at her with concern. In a low whisper Deidara could not hear, he murmured, "You actually want to join now? Before in the past, you did all you could to not be associated with the Akatsuki. I should have seen you agreeing to be their spy as a point of weakening for you. Why do you want to join now? Is it because of your 'caring' brother Sasori? In case you forgot, he hardly gives a damn about you…" Daisuke was unable to finish the sentence due to Sumiko's chakra strings around his throat. They were cutting off his circulation and even Deidara looked semi-concerned.

"Sumiko-chan, un? What are you doing?"

"Deidara-kun, please keep this fox with you. He cannot be trusted to stay here on good faith." With that, she turned towards the Sound Village and began walking. Deidara glanced with contempt at the fox.

"What the hell is your problem, un? If Sumiko-chan wants to become an Akatsuki member, let her, un. You have no influence over her life. You are just a mangy animal who follows her around hoping she will give you the light of day."

Daisuke glared at Deidara. "She used to care a lot for me… Before I fell into this form, but she does not who I was but it is better if she didn't… If she did, things would become vastly more complicated… In the past, I did something that saved her and would make her immortal and forever young, but in order to do that, I had to forfeit my human form. I regret it not. If anything, she gained those benefits and even started to harden her emotions to become a powerful shinobi… At least until you came around."

"What the hell are you talking about, un? If she in unaware, you should inform her, un. It is cruel to tell her and reprimand her when she thinks of you as an inferior. The way you talk it as if you were in love with her."

"I was… I gave up everything for her to become the wonderful woman she is now and I fucking refuse to let an unholy believer like you to influence her and become weak."

Deidara raised his eyebrow. "You sound a lot like Hidan you know…"

"What the hell does my baby brother have to do with this?"


Although Naruto usually liked any opportunity to visit his friends, Gaara was not in a friendly mood. Everything was strictly business with the new Kazekage, at least this time. They were in his office and Team Seven was restless.

"This woman is a very powerful ninja. As of late, she has been refusing more missions when they happen to conflict with her other commitments. Something has changed with Sumiko-dono and we still don't understand. She is a very dangerous ninja and we can confirm that she is definitely not in Wind Country and if she has joined the Akatsuki, everything will be more dangerous."

Naruto spoke up, "That's where Itachi and that fish guy are. We need to capture her so we can find out more about them!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes, "It is a mere estimate that she joined the Akatsuki. Besides, it is a mere capture mission, not a Hunter Nin mission. Just out of curiosity Kazekage-sama, why are you so anxious to have Sumiko of the Red Dress brought back to the Sand Village?"

Gaara looked out the window for a moment. He turned his gaze to Kakashi and there was a mysterious look on his face. "She used to be one of the few people I considered my friends when I was little…"


Flashback

"Gaara-sama, we have someone to watch you. Now, don't kill her got it?" The aggravated Sand Village shinobi said to a little boy with red hair.

He merely ignored him, but was semi-intrigued with the woman that came in. She was in a red kimono, had shoulder length red hair, and soft light brown eyes. Her face was smiling and she looked fairly happy.

She strode forward and held out her hand, "Hello, my name is Sumiko. What do you wish to do Gaara-sama?"

Gaara looked at her. Great, another happy druggie… "Nothing, I care not for the typical amusements that you idiots would subject children to."

Sumiko was unfazed by Gaara's enthusiasm or rather lack of. "Well, if you do not wish to do anything, would you like to watch me practice my ninja skills?"

Gaara's head slightly perked up. "Like what?"

"Well, I am already past basic shuriken and kunai skills, but I could always improve my skills with my chakra strings. Want to watch?"

"Sure I guess. My older brother uses them for puppets. What do you use yours for?"

Sumiko smiled. He talks as if he has experienced a lot, but his father certainly put him though a lot… "Well, I could do puppets, but my strings are very different. I can make them into a physical form and create objects out of my chakra."

"Like toys?"

"Yes, if you wish. What would you like me to do?"

Over the next few hours, Gaara had Sumiko create various objects and together they played. Now, they were eating dango together. They both had fun, but a question burned in Gaara.

"Sumiko-sama, were you sent her to kill me too?"

Sumiko dropped the dango she had been eating. "Gaara-sama, what makes you think I would do that?"

"Well, I'm seven. Ever since I was six, my father has been trying to kill me. I assume you are just another ninja sent to get close to me and kill me unexpectedly."

Sumiko shook her head. "That is stupid. First off, no offense but your father is an asshole for wanting to kill his own son. Second, I never take a mission to do something just to have to undo that prior mission. Why would I get close to someone as part of that mission just to end their life? It wastes my time and I hate being patient for that stuff. Third, I do not wish to kill you. You are a nice kid and I have a feeling you will be Kazekage someday."

Gaara looked into Sumiko's eyes. "You really don't want to kill me Sumiko-sama?"

Sumiko smiled, "Nope, but drop the –sama. It is way too formal Gaara-sama."

"You don't have to call me Gaara-sama Sumiko-san."

"I guess that is far too formal around friends is it not Gaara-kun?" Sumiko smiled.

"You consider me your friend even with what I am Sumiko-san?" Gaara was puzzled. When people knew about Shukaku, especially the Sand ninja, they were wary.

"Of course, demon or no demon. Otherwise, I would not have spent so much time with you."

There was a knock at the door. Sumiko opened the door to reveal a ten year old Temari. "Sumiko-san, your mission is over. Please head over to Kazekage-sama to receive your next one." With that, Temari left and Sumiko looked at a sad Gaara.

"Do not worry kid," Sumiko said as she put a hand on Gaara's shoulder. "I have no intention of not being your friend. You can write me letters and tell me when something good happens, ok?"

Gaara smiled and jumped up to Sumiko for a hug. Sumiko returned the hug and headed towards the door. She did not realize it at the time, but a single tear went down her check. "Later kid."

In the future, Gaara kept his promise and when the time came around for him to go to the chuunin exams, she was the only person he informed. When the time came around for his other ceremonies, such as the Kazekage induction, she was always top on his invite list. Sumiko was one person he counted on and showed up on his special events. When times came where she was in town for a mission, she always came to visit.

End Flashback


Gaara looked back at Team Seven. "I miss her a lot because she is my friend. I hope she isn't in danger."