Thank you for the reviews, all! It's almost the end of school once again...which means there are FINALS. But don't worry (not that you probably were...), I'll keep my promise with the updates! Cuz that's my ninja way! XD Cheesy's my middle name...anyway, on to the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
"And this is the Yamanaka Flower Shop!" Kyoko said, leading Gaara into the store. "I know you probably don't have a wide variety in Suna, so how about we take a look?"
Gaara said nothing as Kyoko started gazing at a few roses.
"Welco—eek!" Ino sped over to Kyoko from behind and whispered anxiously, "Kyoko! What are you doing? Isn't that the scary Suna nin from the Chuunin Exams?!"
Said Suna nin was cocking his head as he stared at a bouquet of multiple floral arrangements. He didn't seem to hear Ino's hushed concerns. It was either that or he didn't decide to do anything about it.
"Oh, hi Ino," Kyoko said. "Yeah, it's Gaara. Isn't it great?"
"Great?" Ino said in disbelief. "He's so…so mean-looking and creepy! And why's he in Konoha still?"
"Well you know Konoha and Suna are allies," Kyoko said.
"Yeah, it was announced earlier but…it's still weird!"
Kyoko rolled her eyes at the blond girl. "You don't really know anything, Ino."
Ino's expression was one of anger. "What did you say?! I know everything there is about people!"
"Right…well, that's great," Kyoko said. "So that means you'd know that he's really not a bad person. He just needs a friend, Ino."
"Hmph…" Ino huffed, still mad at the comment Kyoko had made so heedlessly. However, Kyoko took no notice in the Yamanaka girl's annoyance and walked over to Gaara, smiling. "See anything you like?" she joked.
"We don't have flowers in Suna," Gaara said emotionlessly. "I've never seen so many."
"Yeah," Kyoko said. "Wanna take some home?"
Ino couldn't believe what she was seeing. That…That sand kid and Kyoko are talking freely? That's so…
"Ino, can you ring this up for me?" Kyoko asked Ino as she held out a bouquet of flowers.
"Uh…S-Sure," Ino said hesitantly.
Gaara watched as Kyoko paid for the flowers. 'If you know what you like, all the things you don't like don't matter'.
"C'mon, Gaara!" Kyoko said as she held the flowers to her chest and smiled cutely. "I wanna show you one more place before we go home!"
---
"Thanks for lunch," Midori said to Neji affectionately. "And the info."
"Don't mention it," Neji said. "It was only natural."
"Well, it's still nice," Midori smiled good-naturedly. "You know, you've really changed since your battle with Naruto-kun. I like it."
Neji averted his and said, "Er, well, um…he really opens one's eyes, you know?"
"Yeah." Midori's smile widened considerably as she noticed the Hyuuga's stutter. "Well, I've got to go."
"Oh. See you around," Neji said roughly.
I hope so, Midori thought.
---
"First there was Orochimaru's attack."
"Then there was the assault on the chuunin."
"And now there may be an infiltrator among us."
"Puzzling, indeed," Marieke said broodingly. "There are clearly connections however…who would decide to do such a thing?" She and the other male jounin were in a room where most of the jounin hung out for relaxation.
"Let's look at the possible culprits," Asuma, who was leaning against the wall, said. "It couldn't possibly be Orochimaru, seeing is that his arms are useless thanks to Hokage-sama."
"That is correct," Gai nodded. "And what a sacrifice Hokage-sama made!"
"It isn't any of the other countries trying to attack," Marieke said. "The teams sent to guard the borders haven't had any trouble at all. So that means the person was within the border."
Gai gasped. "That would only mean one thing! It's…him."
"Him?" Marieke and Asuma said in unison.
"Orochimaru's most trusted subordinate!"
"The boy…" Marieke said with realization.
"Yakushi Kabuto!"
"What could he possibly want?" Marieke said. "There is nothing left for him here!"
"Maybe…maybe not," Gai said gravely.
"What do you mean?"
"Marieke. Have you noticed anything strange about your students?" Gai asked.
"Everything," Marieke answered. "Why?"
"Some time ago, Itachi attacked. It was while you were away."
"The Uchiha Itachi? The one who killed his clan?"
"That's right. He was hiding himself at the sweet shop. Your students were there. And strangely enough, Kakashi heard them whispering. He didn't catch everything they said, but I think they knew he was there."
"And how do you know this? Kakashi's in the hospital," Asuma pointed out. "Have you been snooping in his diary again?"
"NO!" Gai said, though it was obvious he was lying.
"So then what's your point?" Marieke said, annoyed.
"My point is I and Kakashi are positive that there would be no way of them to know what Itachi looked like or who he is for that matter."
"So what you're saying is that the girls might…know more than they lead on?" Asuma tried.
"Precisely!"
"And know about what? Itachi's famous. They must have picked it up somewhere, sometime," Marieke said.
"I don't think so!" Gai said confidently.
"Well, whatever it is, I'm going to look into it," Marieke said. "And don't you dare do anything to my students, Gai. They're my responsibility, got it?"
"But of course!"
Marieke walked out of the room silently, leaving the two temporary "rivals" alone.
"I think there was a hint of anger in her voice, Asuma."
"Gee, you think, Gai?"
---
"That's the Hokage Mountain," Kyoko said, pointing at the great stone monument. "Isn't it great?"
Gaara said nothing as he stared at the stone faces of the former leaders of Konoha. Kyoko had taken him to a high place where he was able to see the majority of the village. From this spot, he was able to see the Hokage Mountain the best.
"You know, the Hokage protected our village with all he had," Kyoko said. "I really respect that. Can you imagine? Giving your life to protect the people you love and care about." Kyoko glanced over at the stoic boy.
"…The things you like…is what you protect, right?"
Kyoko giggled and said, "Of course! You got it!" He's still trying to learn about simple things like this…It's so…cute. Kyoko smiled merrily.
Gaara nodded. "I understand."
The two sat in silence. Kyoko didn't speak. She knew Gaara was thinking.
To protect the things I like…and to know the things I like… Gaara let a flow of images flash through his mind. What I like are…
Ramen.
Flowers.
Temari and Kankuro.
Uzumaki Naruto.
And perhaps…
"We should probably go now," Kyoko said, taking his hand lightheartedly. "We don't wanna keep everyone waiting at home, right?"
Shimizu Kyoko.
---
Looks like my job here is finished, Kabuto thought as he leapt through the trees. I've got the information. There's no doubt the girls can see the future. So…I wonder what Orochimaru-sama wants to do about it? I wonder… He smirked. Those girls…are really stupid. They don't even know the difference between their sensei and a spy. The dark clouds were starting to conceal the moon. Soon it would get darker, and Kabuto would arrive in Orochimaru's lair in a few days. As the clouds completely hid the moon from view, Kabuto disappeared into the night.
---THE NEXT DAY---
"Lee-kun, you're still training?" Midori asked in disbelief.
"Why not?" Lee asked as he punched a wooden pale multiple times with his right arm. "Nothing is stopping me!"
"That's what he always says," Tenten said, rolling her eyes. "Don't overdo it, okay, Lee?"
"You can't talk any sense into him," Neji stated. "He's a hopeless case."
"Probably…" Tenten sighed.
Midori smiled.
"What brings you here anyway, Midori?" Tenten asked. "Are you going to train with us?"
"Actually, I'm supposed to train with Marieke-sensei in a while," Midori said. "I just wanted to stop by. And…I couldn't really stand my teammates' arguing."
"It's better than them skipping along together hand-in-hand striking poses in public," Tenten muttered.
Midori laughed. "Maybe. But it's nicer if they don't argue. But really, can you imagine Kyoko and Nami actually acting friendly?"
Flash-Vision
"Good morning, Kyoko-chan!"
"Good morning, Nami-chan!"
"Do you want to train today, Kyoko-chan? Maybe this time I'll beat you!"
"Or maybe I'll beat you, Nami-chan!"
"We're both doing so well!"
"Yes, but your abilities are so much cooler!"
"Aw, I don't think so!"
"Oh, but they are!"
"No, no, they aren't!"
"I insist!"
End Flash-Vision
"Midori?" Neji said.
"Huh?" Midori blinked and looked over to Tenten who was shaking Lee crazily; her way of telling him to take a break.
"You had a dazed look on your face," Neji explained.
"Oh. Just daydreaming," Midori smiled. Yeesh…what a scary though thought… "Well, I think I should get going. See you later!"
"And you—bye, Midori!" Tenten said cheerfully. Then she turned back to Lee and said, "And you've got to take a break now and then to build up your strength! So knock it off with all the courage crap!"
"A-A-All r-r-right! J-Just s-stop sh-ake-ing m-me!"
"Ah. Good."
---
"Ooooooh please don't gooooo!" Kyoko wailed as she attempted to latch onto all three of the sand siblings. However, their back-gear made it impossible and she just settled on Gaara.
"Ky…oko…" Gaara said with difficulty.
"Come on," Kankuro said, rolling his eyes. "It was inevitable anyway. We're not staying here." How the heck's she able to latch onto him like that with his gourd? Gaara's not even doing anything…
"WHHHHHYYYYYYYYY!" Kyoko whined.
"You're pathetic," Nami scoffed. "You've been whining all day. No wonder they wanna leave!"
"SHUT UUUUUUPPP!" Kyoko cried.
Temari covered her ears and winced. "I-It's okay! It's not like we're never coming back!" Geez, can't anything shut this girl up?!
"You're coming back?!" Kyoko said, her face suddenly becoming joyful.
Well that answers my question. "Sure, sure, just keep it down," Temari sighed as she stared at the flowers that Kyoko and Gaara had brought back from their trip.
Flashback
"We're back!"
"That sure took a while, where'd you go anyway?" Kankuro asked.
"Everywhere!" Kyoko said with a giggle.
"Hey…are those flowers?" Temari questioned, eyes wide.
"Yeah! Gaara picked them out himself!"
Kankuro snorted, trying to cover a laugh. However, his snickering had turned into full-out laughing. "Gaara…picked out…flowers?! HAHAHAHA!"
Gaara gave Kankuro a glare and handed the colorful bouquet to Temari. "Here. You hold them."
"Uh…okay…" Temari said uncertainly.
"AHAHAHAHA!"
BONK!
"OW!"
"Shut up, Kankuro."
End Flashback
She still couldn't figure out why her youngest brother had gotten the bouquet and then in a way given it to her, but she chose to give up on the logic of the event. Gaara had been acting strange ever since the Uzumaki boy's battle, and even stranger when they chose to stay in Konoha for a while to recuperate. Temari even felt like they had stayed longer than they needed to as if neglecting to go back to Suna. The oldest sibling figured that Gaara had his moments sometime like everyone else…They just hadn't popped up yet until now. It didn't matter too much to her anyway now, and the flowers were pretty…
"YAY!"
Temari smiled, despite her annoyance of Kyoko's loud and cheerful voice. "All right, we'll see you later. Come on, guys." She and Kankuro started to walk away, but Gaara stayed in place.
Kyoko looked at the boy in puzzlement and said, "Gaara?"
"…Thank you," he said simply. Then he turned and followed his siblings.
Kyoko smiled warmly.
Temari peered at her brother from the corner of her eye as they walked and exchanged confused glances with Kankuro. Flowers…and now this? Gaara…
It looks like Gaara's beginning to open up his emotions, Kankuro thought. And to think…maybe that weird girl has something to do with it? We should come here more often. It'd be fun to watch…
"Byeeeee!" Kyoko waved.
Nami turned to Kyoko and looked at her intensely.
"…What?" Kyoko asked tentatively.
"What the heck did you do to the poor guy?! Brainwash him?!" Nami shouted as soon as the siblings were out of sight.
"No!" Kyoko said indignantly. "What's wrong with you?! Can't Gaara like me for who I am without brainwashing?!"
"No!"
"Well I bet you're just jealous then!"
"Of what?!"
"Keep it down, you two," Midori said as she walked towards her friends while rolling her eyes. "I'm sure you were able to melt his heart on your own, Kyoko. Heehee…"
"Oh yeah?! Then why are you giggling?!"
"I am not!" Midori said, suppressing a smile without success. "I just think its nice Gaara-san is showing some signs of emotion."
"I do too," Kyoko said, going from angry to cheerful. "What makes it better is that he's showing emotion after hanging out with me."
"Don't get too cocky," Midori warned.
"Tch. Like she did anything anyway. Otouto did it," Nami said stubbornly.
"I did it too!" Kyoko pouted.
"Anyway, what time did sensei want us to train today?" Nami asked.
"We should head off in a couple of hours," Midori said. "We still have plenty of time."
"Good," Nami said. "I don't wanna run laps so early…"
"Speaking of laps, didja have fun yesterday?" Kyoko smirked. "Running fifty around Konoha?"
"Pft. Yeah, I had loads of fun while you were doing who-knows-what with Gaara and you were flirting with Neji."
"WHAT?!" Kyoko and Midori shrieked.
"I told you I was just getting information from him!" Midori argued as her face flushed red.
"Yeah right."
---
"Gai is paranoid. How many times has he been right anyway?"Marieke said quietly to herself. "Seeing the future is nonsense. My girls are just average kunoichi—no! Below average! But…"Marieke shook her head. "No, no, no! I will not think that! The girls don't know anything more than they should! They're ordinary kunoichi!" Suddenly, she remembered what she had heard a long time ago…the first time she met the girls.
Flashback
"Mr. Sandman…bring me the guy…with a love kanji above his left eye…"
"Kyoko, can you…not do that?" Midori said quietly.
"Give him two lips like roses and clover…and tell him that his lonely night are over…"
"ARGH! Will you please shut up?" Nami shouted. "You're Gaara worshipping is driving me crazy!"
Kyoko stuck her tongue at Nami. "It's a free country. It's not my fault that you don't have anyone to love."
"Uh guys…" Midori stepped in front of Kyoko in case Nami felt the urge to kill.
"He doesn't love you, he has no idea you even exist, so give it up!" Nami said irritably.
Flashback
Marieke gasped. "On that day of the test…they were talking about Sabaku no Gaara! How would they know Gaara before he even came? Gai…said…and Kakashi was…"
"Good morning, sensei!"
Marieke whirled around to see her students standing behind her.
"Something wrong, Marieke-sensei?" Midori asked with concern.
"Um…"
"We have something to tell you, sensei," Kyoko said.
"It's really important," Nami added.
Marieke looked at her students with puzzlement. "…What is it?"
"We haven't been…completely truthful with you," Midori said. "On the day that you came to our home, we—"
"Came to your home?" Marieke said confusedly. "I never…" She gasped. "Kabuto…"
"Kabuto?" Kyoko cocked her head. "What?"
"Girls, what did you tell me when you saw me at your house?"
"Um…we told you about our pasts," Midori said. "But that's not the point. They weren't actually—"
"Anything else?!"
"No," Midori said, taken aback from her sensei's sudden anxiety. "What's wrong?"
"Er…nothing," Marieke said. "I just remembered something. Um, go on."
"Well, we…how can I put this? Um…um…"
"Just spit it out, Midori!" Nami said, annoyed. "We come from a different universe!"
Marieke was silent. "So that's how you know so much…" Marieke whispered.
"What are you talking about? You believe us?" Kyoko said, surprised.
"And what's more, you knew?" Midori questioned.
"Not really," Marieke said. "I heard from somewhere that you girls seemed to know about Itachi some time ago."
Nami and Kyoko tensed. They were both thinking the same thing.
He did hear us!
"What?" Midori said with confusion.
"Eh…the thing is, Midori-chan…"
Uh oh, there's the '-chan', Midori thought with ambiguity.
"We saw Itachi in the sweet shop," Kyoko said sheepishly. "And Kakashi was there so I guess he overheard…"
"That's because you were talking too loud."
"Hey, don't try to pin this one on me!"
Midori slapped her forehead. "So then…why didn't you say anything, sensei?" Midori asked Marieke.
"I didn't think it was true before," Marieke admitted. "And it was only yesterday that I found out. Of course, you girls always did seem strange…your knowledge was odd…"
"Thanks a lot," Nami mumbled.
"I still don't understand completely, though," Marieke said. "You're from a different world, so how exactly do you know about this world?"
"It's kind of complicated," Midori began. "In our world…people watch this world. Sort of."
"Wha…?"
"Never mind," Midori shook her head. "It doesn't matter if you understand it or not. It only matters if you keep it a secret. So…will you keep it a secret?"
"Secret…"
"Only you and Iruka-sensei know," Midori explained. "Please don't spread it around. It would mess up a lot of things, who knows what would happen?"
"Wait, Iruka knows about this? And why did you tell me if you wanted it a secret?"
"Because we think you're trustworthy enough to know," Nami said. "Duh. You're our sensei."
Marieke, although confused, smiled beneath her mask. "All right then. I will keep it a secret."
"We knew you would," Kyoko grinned.
"But girls, you must stay on your toes," Marieke warned. "You must know that I won't be able to keep it a secret if you get into any lethal danger."
"Like what?" Nami asked.
"We also had suspicions that Orochimaru were after you."
"No way! He was after Sasgay, right?" Nami said.
"Sasgay—er, Sasuke may not be the only target as of now," Marieke said. "Just be careful. I'm sure Orochimaru has or will be receiving the information of you all soon. If worst comes to worst, I promise to protect you all with my life."
"That's so dramatic, sensei," Kyoko chuckled.
"Thank you…" Midori smiled.
"Hmph. You do care," Nami said.
"Now that that's done and done…ten laps around the training ground!"
"WHA?!"
"You must sharpen your perceptive skills! I know you've been slacking off since I left for my extended mission! You didn't even realize who the perpetrator in Konoha was!"
"So there was an imposter!" Nami exclaimed. "I knew it! Why do I have to run more?!"
"Because I said so!"
"But what does running have to do with sharpening our perception?!" Midori protested.
"To sharpen the mind you must sharpen the body! Have I not taught you anything?! MOVE!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Marieke watched her students race around the training grounds, one after another. She smiled fondly and whispered, "Those girls are really…out of this world."
After training, the girls walked home in sweat and great spirits. Not only were they back in action, but Marieke had promised to trust their judgment and not tell anyone about their secret.
"That's so mean…" Kyoko mumbled. "And right after we had a teacher/student moment too…sensei's so bipolar…"
"Look who's talking," Nami joked.
"She's really okay with it," Midori said happily. "I don't know about you guys, but I feel like a boulder's been lifted from my shoulders!"
"That's because you're incapable of lying," Kyoko said, rolling her eyes.
"Not true!"
"Pretty much," Kyoko smirked.
"Guys, I was thinking. What if she told Kakashi?" Nami wondered suspiciously. "After all, it was him who figured out we were up to something."
"Oh come on, have a little faith in our sensei," Midori said. "You know she keeps her promises."
"Another weakness," Kyoko stated.
"Are you done belittling me?!"
Kyoko giggled.
"The one time I'm serious and you guys aren't?" Nami said angrily.
"You're just mad because sensei made you run laps around Konoha," Kyoko grinned.
Nami's face flushed and she crossed her arms, pouting.
"Right on the dot."
"Shut up."
---
"Well, Marieke?" Asuma said as he peered over at the woman who had appeared. "Did you find anything about them?"
"Yes," Marieke answered. "They're true kunoichi and loyal citizens of Konoha."
Asuma smiled. "I see. What did you talk about?"
"Now that's between me and my students," Marieke said, putting a finger to her lips. "But maybe someday you'll find out."
Asuma held his cigarette and blew a clear line of smoke from his mouth. "Sure."
"BANZAI!"
"ARGH!"
Marieke blinked as Gai danced on top of Asuma victoriously. "Gai…?"
"I caught you unaware, temporary eternal rival of mine! That means I'm ahead of you!"
"I am not your temporary eternal rival! And get off me!"
"What do you mean?! You agreed! You said 'I'll fill in for Kakashi'!"
"NO I DIDN'T! I meant for his mission!"
Marieke shook her head. "Hopeless."
Well, well, well. (silence) Well. It looks likes I've approached the end of THIS chapter. I hate it when I have to smush chapters together to make them longer, but it was for the best! Yeah. So R&R please!
-HM