A/N This is the next day after Tsubaki had explained everything, so they're at the same time as Maka and the others.
I couldn't decide what to do with this chapter either, but this sounded like a fun way to kick things off. I'm getting more ideas! I can't wait to see how they'll play out.
For this chapter in specific, I may reword a few things in the future since I don't like the entire outcome of my word choices. ^^; I just don't have full time at this moment and since this feels acceptable... I shall post it for now! (I got my permit!)
Chapter 11 A Flower Among the Cacti
"Head up!" The blonde girl commanded slamming her giant fan into the ground and shaking nearby pedestrians.
"Yes ma'am!" Tsubaki obeyed snapping her body straight and looking right into the kunoichi's eyes. When Gaara told her she would have company, she had no idea that his sister would be even scarier than he was. Temari had the appearance of a woman who could get just about anything she asked for with her sharp hair flailing out cutely in four pigtails. Her black outfit, much like Tsubaki's, showed off her curves and healthy figure. Even her stance called out to the world that she wasn't the average girl running around.
"So I'm stuck babysitting you?" Temari frowned looking over her pet for the day. "How did I fall so low?"
"E-Excuse me?" Tsubaki asked feeling rather taken-aback at her comment.
"Relax, I was joking. But really, I shouldn't be babysitting anyone. You seem like a grown girl who can take care of yourself. Tell me, do you have any special skills?"
Just as she was about to answer, the large fan whipped through the air nearly connecting a blow to the newcomer's body. She flailed backwards in surprise and stared at the other in complete shock. "Good! You're not completely pathetic after all."
"What was that for?"
"I was just testing you. Want to spar?" The fan woman offered nicely.
"That depends," The weapon mumbled, "what's your definition of a spar?"
"Wanna find out?" Temari threw her fan overhead nearly scoring a headshot, but Tsubaki had her guard up. The weapon ducked and managed to side-sweep the kunoichi and thrust her back. The other skidded into the hot ground but her feet helped her remain standing up. "Not bad, but that was me playing nicely." Her large fan opened slightly revealing a purple dot. Tsubaki wondered just what exactly was happening. She guarded herself defensively awaiting an attack, and just as her bodyguard was about to blow her off her feet, Temari's hand drew back unexpectedly.
"Huh, what the-!" Temari cried turning her head around quickly to see who had grabbed her arm.
"Gaara said not to battle." He wore a black suit and purple paint sprayed itself around his face. A mummified object sat strapped to his back, and all Tsubaki could make out was the thick, brown hair messily sticking out from the top. She hoped this guy didn't like collecting humans as a hobby.
"Kankuro, You can't honestly believe I was playing serious. I wanted to see what she had besides a big chest." The blonde said jerking her arm back to her side.
Tsubaki couldn't help but feel like she was getting insulted. She was nothing more than a girl with a big chest huh? "You guys haven't treated me right since arriving here. What's the big deal?" She nearly shouted in her anger. Maybe leaving the place and searching on her own was a whole heck of a lot better than staying in a place with a bunch of jerks. "I've been dragged around for a whole day with people glaring at me. Is there anyone here with decency? On top of that, I'm stuck with you. A bodyguard who would rather battle the person she's protecting."
"If you don't like it here then why don't you scram? No one will stop you for that." Temari barked aggressively. She didn't want a full-scale battle. They were in a public place after all and skirmishes between the people in ranks would happen from time to time. Protecting Tsubaki was the main priority, but degrading the Sand village was something Temari wouldn't sand for. "You don't even belong here. What village are you really from?"
"Hey!" Kankuro said quickly. "That's none of our concern. We're here under Gaara's orders. Obviously she must be of importance. Quit scaring all the subjects away." He fretted remembering all their previous clients hurdling away in fear.
The older sibling shot him one of her looks but nodded in agreement. Kankuro was right. Their job was to protect her until further notice. "You're right." She muttered knowing her fault. "It's our duty." Temari actually looked a little sorry for a moment, but that quickly faded. "Listen, I don't take crap about my home. I'll respect you for what you're worth." Studying her ward once more, Temari headed out down one of the streets expecting them to follow. Sighing, she wondered if her attitude was being a little harsh, but the fact that remained that just because they weren't a ninja did not mean that they weren't dangerous. This girl felt like a whole lot of trouble.
"You'll have to forgive my sister." The male teen said with a small smile when he was sure she was out of ears length. "She can be a little stoic towards outsiders, but she's a real softy once you get to know her." Though Kankuro said that, Tsubaki had a hard time believing him. "Here, let me show you around town the proper way."
Hesitating at first, the weapon agreed to go with them around the town and get to know it better. She even ran into the creep, Kiro, once in the town's weapon shop. He still didn't like her and tried to scare her out a few times, but Tsubaki could tell that the man had a kind heart. "So what's up with that ninja?" She asked as they exited the weapons shop. "He never smiles."
"Oh him?" Kankuro flashed a dry look to the man. "Kiro doesn't like outsiders at all. I can't say much about him other than the fact he has a small group of friends and doesn't like talking to others much. He just... appeared one day. Kinda like you." Tsubaki's eyes widened. Kind of like me? She thought suddenly.
"Why? Do you like big guys like that?" Temari joked accusingly slinging her arm around the slightly taller girl with a sly grin.
"N-No! That's not it at all!" She flustered under the pressure of their gazes and looked away absent-mindedly.
"Is there someone else you've fallen for? The Kazekage could really use a girl. He doesn't even look twice at women." She continued on only making Tsubaki's cheeks turn to a deep magenta.
Tsubaki had never admitted to really liking someone before, but it wasn't like she would ever see them again after finding the others. "I do like someone. He's strong, reckless, loud, and a bit of a show off. Sometimes I wonder if he remembers I exist in his big world. Not everyone looks up to him, but the guy really works hard at everything he does to gain the respect of others. Nothing can get into his way, and I'll support him. We're a team!" Her memories of the big-headed star came back to her in those moments, making her feel depressed. Would she ever see Blackstar again?
"Are you talking about Naruto?" The male sibling blurted out wide-eyed. He didn't think any girl would want him and the thought almost made him laugh.
"Naruto? I have no idea who that is."
"Oh, you had me worried for a second, but whatever suits your taste." The kunoichi shrugged, yet again, acing the exam in making Tsubaki feel insulted.