The Life and Times of the Kazekage's Assistant

Disclaimer:I don't own Naruto. This story is inspired by a novel by Lauren Weisberger. I do, however, own Imamura Tsubasa, Tenchi Hoshiro, Suzuki Sorachi, Sendo Kanoka, and Kawasaki Tazuna, any other Ocs and the plot.

Author's Note:This chapter is about Tsubasa's first experience on her first day of work. Try to remember your first day of work and the excitement and anxiousness you may have felt.

Chapter Three: The New Girl

"It doesn't sound like the Kazekage is going to give you the job," mumbled Hoshiro as he served me dinner. It smelled so appetizing I had half the mind to say 'screw the chopsticks' and dig in with my bare hands. I had gone directly to his apartment as soon as I was let out from my interview. "There are better jobs for you to take as training to be a council member." He thought about it for a moment and reconsidered his comment to me. "On the other hand, a letter of recommendation from the Kazekage would be pretty impressive."

I knew Hoshiro was trying hard to be supportive of me and my decisions but I could tell he wasn't having an easy time with it. At least he pretended to be excited, for my sake. I know being the 'oh so glamorous' assistant of the Kazekage wasn't his idea of being trained for a future councilmember but he kept that to himself most of the time. Hoshiro was they type of friend that would just listen if that's what you wanted him to do, or be supportive if asked, and be brutally honest if begged.

Hoshiro's goal in life had always been a mystery to me. It was something he didn't speak of often and when he did he left many questions unanswered by his vagueness. I suddenly felt very curious about what my friend wanted out of life. He was the kind to go after something if he wanted it although he seemed to be rather lazy at times. He had chased his dream of living on his own and there he was, living on his own (well with me too but that was because of the certain circumstances).

"Hoshiro-kun," I murmured as I wolfed down one of the most delicious dinner I had ever tasted, "What do you want out of life?"

He paused for a moment, my question catching him off guard. I hoped that he wouldn't go on the defensive or anything. He didn't have to answer if he didn't want to. It was just a question. He ran a hand through his black hair and looked back at me nervously with his blue eyes. I had never seen him behave that way. He shrugged saying, "I'm not really sure… this sounds weird but I kind of want to just have a happy family." We both grew quiet for a moment. I really had nothing to say. I knew he didn't get along with his parents too well but he had never told me or Sorachi why, and though I wanted to know why, I didn't want to push him into saying more if he didn't want to. He shrugged again and plopped on the couch next to me. "Enough about that," he brushed it off. It was just as I thought; he didn't want to talk about it anymore. "Work about ten more years for the Kazekage and do a good job… he'll definitely recommend you for council. In fact, you could probably get anywhere with a letter of recommendation from the Kazekage."

"I sure hope so," I replied as I stretched myself out on the couch, ready to nap at any given moment. It had been a long day. A thought suddenly struck me and I almost jumped out of my seat. I know the crazy look in my eye had startled Hoshiro because he backed away as far as he could for a moment to give me space. "Sorachi-chan was telling me that she was looking for a boyfriend and I was wondering if you wanted to attend the dating service with me and her. It's in February… just in time for Hearts Grow Day! Isn't that convenient?" When he didn't respond I chose to continue. "I'm just going for fun and to be supportive. I know it would mean a lot to her if you went too!"

His brow furrowed as his face scrunched up into a disgusted scowl. He crossed his arms, refusing at first to think it over. I remained quiet and patient, knowing he would cave. "I… guess," he grumbled. I leapt from my side of the couch and threw my arms around him.

"You're the best Hoshiro-kun," I said to him, "Sorachi-chan is going to be so happy about this!" I was smiling as I hugged my dear friend but on the inside I was smirking and grinning devilishly. The two dorks had had a crush on each other since we all were in the Suna Ninja Academy. It was time for unrequited love to become requited! Me, being the middle man so to speak, was there to give a friendly push on both ends.

Suddenly the phone rang, putting an end to our friendly embrace as Hoshiro got up to answer it. He paused for a moment after he said hello. I already knew who it was. He always paused and made a funny face when Sorachi called him. Oh, it was love! I grinned as he handed me the phone, telling me it was for me. "Moshi, moshi," I said into the phone, giddy to hear Sorachi's voice. I had some good news for her!

"Moshi, moshi Tsubie-chan," she said sounding slightly irritated, "I'm calling because some annoying girl named Matsuri called my house to tell you that you got the job as Kazekage's assistant… You start next Monday… You get free room and board at Sand Castle so show up on Thursday to move in… isn't that nice…? Yuck, that Matsuri was a snotty sounding little thing."

I laughed into the receiver, "Yeah, she is, isn't she?"

"Anyway," said Sorachi, "I'm heading to bed… She woke me up."

"You sleep all day," I pointed out, chuckling a bit.

"I still don't like to be awakened," she mumbled. I could just picture her sleepy face. She was most likely wearing her eye mask and dressed up in her leopard-print pajamas. She was lying in her bed looking dejected because Matsuri had the nerve to call her and disturb her beauty sleep.

"I got good news for you but if you're eager to hang up the phone with me… I understand," I said, using reverse psychology, hoping she would take the bait.

"Really? What?" Hah! She had taken the bait. Hook, line, and sinker!

"Hoshiro said he would go with us to the dating service… isn't that going to be a riot," I asked her, positively thrilled.

"He is," Sorachi murmured her question over the phone. I could see the blush spreading across her cheeks now.

"Mhm," I said, "Well, I'll let you sleep… Konbanwa." I ended the conversation at that and returned the phone to Hoshiro. We said our goodnights and I knocked out on the couch.

It had been three nights I spent sleeping in my new room and I still felt like a stranger to it. I moved in on Thursday with ease (considering I had next to no possessions due to a previous lack of a home). It was already furnished to my surprise. I was worried I might have to go out and buy furniture but was relieved of my worries. It was a room that was too good for me to hope for. It had a large relaxation area (like a family room but I didn't have family so it was re-dubbed my relaxation area) with a TV and computer present, a small kitchen with an island, a huge bathroom and big sized master bedroom. Another perk to the room was that it had a balcony that overlooked the courtyard of Sand Castle; a very lovely courtyard, complete with a maze, a garden, an actual court, training grounds, and a large Sand Village symbol shaped swimming pool. I nearly died from excitement as I let out a small squeal. I had to. It was all just too much to keep in.

I looked down to my old and musty suitcases. There were only two of them. In one of the suitcases I had packed my clothes, shoes, necessities, and whatever else I needed. In the second suitcase, which was the heavier of the two, were mountains of speeches I had written among expired résumés and my ninja supplies. I wasn't a very wealthy person and I wasn't used to such nice treatment such as receiving a room fit for a princess located in the very charming Sand Castle. It was odd at first. The bed was king sized for crying out loud! I admit that when I saw it I immediately did about a million jumping jacks on top of it. I stopped when I heard a knock at the door, hoping no one had heard me being rambunctious and hoping I hadn't disturbed anyone too much.

I straightened my bed out and then myself quickly before answering the door. It was my boss's brother. He had a friendly smile which relieved my anxiety slightly.

"Konnichiwa," he said to me, "I hope I'm not interrupting you or anything."

"Oh no," I said, taking it that he meant he was interrupting me from setting up my room which was ridiculous because I barely brought anything over, "Can I help you?"

"I just wanted to let you know about your neighbors," he replied with a grin. Neighbors? How could I have neighbors? Kankuro was pulling my leg.

"Neighbors," I asked him as I scratched the tip of my nose quickly.

"Yeah, next door on your left are Matsuri and Kanoka. They also have free room and board. On your right are Gaara, then Temari, and then me. We have it set up that way in case we need assistance right way," he informed me, still grinning. I wondered if his war paint took him a long time to put on. Did he apply it every morning like makeup or was it more like he tattooed it on so he wouldn't have to deal with it every morning?

"I see," I said with a smile as I decided he applied it everyday because he changed the pattern at times.

"Good," he said after a moments pause, "Also, there is a cafeteria downstairs where all the hired hands and maids eat. To the right of the cafeteria is the kitchen where the assistants eat and were my siblings and I eat. You aren't obligated to eat with us but it's just to let you know that meals are provided three times a day, including snacks if you get hungry. There's a chef that will cook nearly anything you want."

Did I hear correctly? A chef? A chef! Me, the girl whose idea of breakfast, lunch, and dinner was popping some frozen substance into a microwave until it thawed out, was going to be cooked for by a chef? Oh life was too good! "Arigato," was about all I could muster up as thoughts of endless possibilities dominated my brain. He nodded and said some more things that I wasn't paying attention to; something to the extent of 'blah, blah, blah, seeya later.' I closed the door behind him and landed on my bed with a nice thud. Would I really be living the good life now?

It was five in the morning on the Monday I was to begin my first day of work as the Kazekage's assistant. Last night I had selected an outfit that was beginning to make me think that after hours of going through clothes I had made a bad choice. I was flinging around article of clothing after article of clothing. There was nothing for me to wear! What I should have done was go shopping but going shopping is a bit difficult when you have zero spending dollars. I could have at least asked Sorachi if I could borrow some of her outfits. She had always been stylish in some areas. I had zero sense of style but I was willing to step it up a bit for my new job. After seeing the way Matsuri and Kanoka dressed my self-esteem had decreased drastically and so there I was with my head stuck in a shirt too small for me and my right leg in the left pant leg. I had wasted thirty minutes already so now I had thirty more minutes to get ready, eat breakfast, and get my sorry behind to work.

I finally decided on wearing a slapped on shirt over fishnet (same old, same old) and a long black kunoichi skirt that went down to almost my knees with fish net stockings. I then wore my black knee-high ninja boots. I looked into the full length mirror and decided I wouldn't go to breakfast dressed as the way I was. It would be embarrassing enough for me to sit at my desk dressed like that while I filed paperwork and while Matsuri and Kanoka stifled (or probably wouldn't bother to stifle) giggles, jeers, and ill-humored jokes.

Next was makeup… Ah makeup. Makeup and how to use makeup was beyond me. I had never used the stuff. My parents hadn't allowed me to wear makeup until I turned thirteen. My mother had promised to give me a makeup lesson on my thirteenth birthday. Too bad both of my parents died just before then. So I never did get my makeup lesson that was promised to me. Sorachi had tried to put makeup on me but I rather not look like a clown when I go out into public and so I refused to wear it again after that until I became sixteen recently.

I tied my hair up into a messy bun (which I had intended for it to be neat but things never work as planned and hair never does what you want it to do unless you are Temari, Matsuri, or Kanoka). I didn't even bother with wearing hair accessories like the other girls. For what? So I could look even tackier than I already did? Hah. No. I think not. I glanced at the clock to realize it was five minutes until six. I grabbed my backpack that I usually took with me on missions and jetted out the door. There was no way I could be late on my first day of work!

I ran down the stairs as fast as I could without tripping in the damn ninja boots. They weren't mission-friendly; that was for sure. I don't even know why they were created for ninjas to wear them if a ninja would only lose his balance in the call of duty. That was an accident waiting to happen. I cried out as I stubbed my toe against a rail of the stairs. I ignored the throbbing pain in my big toe and kept running. I found myself at the bottom of the damn stairs and ran to the hall on the left. I found myself at a place where the halls split into two different corridors and for the life of me I couldn't remember which I was supposed to take. Ninja's intuition had told me to take the right hall and so I did. Thank Kami, it didn't let me down. I straightened myself out as best as I could and opened the door. Kankuro and Temari's assistants were already situated at their one desk they shared shoved in the corner of the room. I noticed that the chair to my desk was pulled out slightly and warm as I sat in it. I also noticed a strand of light brown hair. Knowing I had pink hair, Temari had blonde, and Kanoka had black, it was Matsuri's. That little brat was already sitting in my desk, most likely hoping I wouldn't show up and then she would have asked for a promotion to be the Kazekage's assistant. Bitch.

"Ohayo," I murmured as I waited for my boss to come into the room. The two girls stared at me blankly, nodded in my direction, turned to each other, and began to giggle. I saw their eyes back on me after they finished laughing. Their beady little eyes looked from my ninja boots to the shirt I had slapped over my fishnet long sleeve. Great, they were laughing at me!

I looked over at the two girls. Both girls had a nice, tall mug of coffee with lipstick stains smeared onto the drinking part of the cups. It almost brought me pleasure to see that the lipstick they wore on their lips were both a bit smeared. So much for them seeming flawless…

"Nice ninja boots," commented Matsuri with a smile but I knew she hadn't meant it. She was being a sarcastic bitch and I had nothing to come back with.

"Arigato," I murmured as I stared at my desk, trying to tell myself she was just jealous because I was the Kazekage's assistant and she was Temari's.

The door to the assistant's suite opened and for a moment I thought it was the Kazekage or his siblings but I was wrong. A petite girl stepped through the door. She was in a maid's outfit and so I quickly guessed her occupation. She brought in three bottles of mineral water on a tray and set them at Matsuri and Kanoka's Siamese-desk-thing. She bowed to them and was on her way. I couldn't help but notice her stylish hair pieces and wondered how a maid like her could have a sense of fashion when forced to wear a ridiculous unfashionable uniform day in and day out. Kanoka scurried to the tray, grabbed the serving dish and ran into the Kazekage's office. She went into the small kitchen area located to the left of my desk and grabbed three glasses, filled them with ice, and went back into the Kazekage's office. She poured the mineral water into the glasses and then disposed of the bottles. She straightened out her hair and outfit, and then confidently took her seat back next to Matsuri.

After, the door had opened again, and this time the three Sand Siblings walked in, Gaara first. Matsuri and Kanoka stood up immediately and gave a short bow and greeted him. Guessing, I should do the same I stood up but thanks to my off-balance ninja boots I tripped and fell back into my seat. He looked over at me, seeing what had happened. He was probably wondering what the hell I was doing wearing ninja boots and some ugly black skirt that looked like something I had swiped from my grandmother's attic collection's throw up bin.

The Kazekage smiled at me slightly which must have been a rare occurrence because I heard Matsuri and Kanoka gasp quietly as their jaws dropped somewhat. "Ohayo," he said to me with an amused look in his eyes. Who would have thought that he could look so playful? When I had met him and spoken with him in the interview he had seemed so stoic and serious. Was this the same young man from before? It couldn't be!

I gulped down, nearly swallowing my tonsils and my tongue as I opened my mouth to reply. I swear I must have looked like a gaping fish as I said, "Ohayo, Kazekage-sama." Again, I received the amused look from him as he stepped into his main office, leaving the French doors wide open. Temari and Kankuro stepped into the assistant's suite directly after. Matsuri and Kanoka greeted them with warm smiles and excited voices. They were such kiss asses… But I must admit I greeted them the same way. Kankuro was friendly enough to return the greeting but Temari kept walking after she so kindly propped her fan carelessly against my desk.

Matsuri snapped her fingers at me and hissed, "Do the fan! Quick! Put it away!"

I nodded my head like a bobble head doll and grabbed at the fan. It was a pretty heavy fan but that's what ninja training was for (gaining muscles), picking up heavy fans. I opened the closet directly behind my desk and placed the fan gently into it. I closed the closet and sighed with relief as I took cover by sitting back at my L-shaped desk. As soon as I had put that stupid fan away Temari and Kankuro came out from the room. I immediately grabbed the fan out of the closet. Matsuri had given me a look as if to say that Temari didn't like to wait for slow people. Temari snatched her fan out of my hands and left the room, Kankuro following directly behind her.

Apparently it had been big news in Sand Castle that the Kazekage had a new assistant because streams of people flowed through to the office. Many of them went straight over to Matsuri and Kanoka's desk to hear the main juicy gossip about me or about the Kazekage, or about Temari's designer outfits, or even about what Kankuro looked like without his war paint. It seemed to me that little Matsuri was popular when it came to schmoozing with the other people that were heavy at work in Sand Castle. After conversing with Matsuri and Kanoka they would turn to me and say, 'This must be the new girl!' It was shocking to see people with a smile that went from ear to ear to show off dazzling pearly white teeth were (seemingly) genuinely excited to meet me; the new girl.

The men that had come in to see the ruckus had been assistants to some council members and assistants to other important people, and guard shinobi that worked in Sand Castle. It was amazing to see that this part of Sand Castle was built solely for workers (such as myself) to serve the Kazekage. The council members also lived within the building if they were younger and single. The older council members had their own homes and families but were frequently in Sand Castle. Their assistants either lived with them or somewhere very nearby in case of emergency.

Now the women were an entirely different story. They were stick-skinny nearly and dressed so chic. Matsuri informed me that Temari ran her own fashion line and was quite wealthy from it and so many models would bob in and out of the office speaking to Matsuri and asking her what Temari wanted them to do or what photo shoot they were to go for. No wonder Temari was so stylish and desired for her assistant Matsuri to dress just as tastefully as she. It all made sense now. I could feel my eyes begin to travel to my own outfit but I stopped myself and quickly reminded myself that I wasn't a model; I was a kunoichi that would become a powerful council member at age twenty five. I had no use for fashion.

One model had sashayed over to my desk and asked if she could go in and see the Kazekage; it was of utmost importance. I stretched my gaze to Matsuri and Kanoka. They didn't look too happy about it but said nothing and they didn't offer any signals to show that they were biased. The model began to rap her long, beautifully manicured fingernails against the corner of my desk as my mind struggled to think of what I should do in this situation.

"Your name," I asked her, gaining control of home base in my brain. I looked past the manicured hand and finally gazed to the girl. She was a beautiful young woman with the perfect body and I nearly felt a twinge of jealousy as my heart thumped. No wonder Matsuri and Kanoka looked so distressed back at their cramped desk. The young woman before me was drop dead gorgeous and wanted to see my boss who was also drop dead gorgeous.

"Kawasaki Tazuna," she replied as she flipped her brilliant blonde hair (nearly white it was so blonde!) with another freshly manicured hand. Her bright blue eyes seemed to be amused with me. My eyes were just as blue so hers should shut up…

"Let me ask him," I mumbled as I stood up from my desk, this time carefully as not to lose my balance from my stupid ninja boots again. I trudged over to the French doors and knocked. His eyes never wandered from his paperwork, probably tired of Matsuri and Kanoka gawking at him (they were pretty obvious about it). After a few moments he told me to come in and so I obliged. "Excuse me Kazekage-sama," I said nervously, "There is a Kawasaki Tazuna here to see you."

"Hn… she's early," he murmured as he set aside some paperwork into a neat pile at the corner of his desk. He sighed for a moment and looked over to me. I could tell he was laughing on the inside about my tacky outfit. I could feel my self-esteem begin to steadily decline again. "Finish up my paperwork," he instructed me, "Knowing Kawasaki… she's going to take up much of my time this afternoon… Send her in."

I nodded, grabbed the paperwork, and backed into the French doors. I hoped he wouldn't notice or wouldn't care that my ninja boots had just scuffed up the bottom of the doors a bit as I opened them. I looked to see the striking young woman. I looked down for a moment, thinking that it was the kind of girl the Kazekage would be after even if she was high maintenance. "Go on in," I said to her as I took my seat at my desk. She smiled and thanked me as she went into the Kazekage's office; her hourglass figure strutted so gracefully as she entered. I guessed that she was Temari's top runway model. She wasn't stick-skinny like the others. No, she had an amazing figure that everyone should be jealous of (even me…). I noted that he had put the blinds down on the French doors as soon as Tazuna went in probably so he could have some privacy. I looked over to Matsuri and Kanoka. Even though I felt the same way, I couldn't help but enjoy the mortified looks on their faces. That's what you call priceless.

As soon as the coast had been clear, Matsuri and Kanoka immediately engaged themselves into gossip. "What. A. Bitch! Can. You. Believe. That?"

"Who does she think she is?"

"Going into Kazekage-sama's room like that!"

"What a slut."

"Yeah, major bitch!"

"And a skank!"

As much as that all amused me I didn't want to hear anymore of their silly insults. That was girl drama that I wasn't interested in. I was interested in other things… "Who is she," I asked Matsuri, knowing she knew everyone's business.

"Kawasaki Tazuna," Matsuri said with a snort, "Is one of Temari's super models… in fact the number one runway model for Temari's Desert Kitsune line. She's rich, beautiful, and sluttish. She's got a great sense of fashion and I hate her… She's been after Gaara-sensei for a long time now… ever since he became Kazekage."

"Yeah," agreed Kanoka, "If he wasn't Kazekage she wouldn't even give him a second glance!"

"Not even a first," chimed Matsuri.

I looked at the two girls, astonished. They were such hypocrites and so I decided to call them out. "Would you even give him a first or second glance?" The faces they made almost made me cry from laughter, but I held my tears and my giggles to myself. I had hit a touchy spot, I knew.

"I… Of course I would," said Matsuri abruptly, "Kazekage-sama was my sensei after all… and he saved my life. I liked him then and I like him even more now." She crossed her arms as if to emphasize her point.

"Me too," cried Kanoka in her annoying voice that resembled Matsuri's. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. They were so… ugh… stupid.

The conversation ended that way too. I sure as hell didn't want to continue it and I know they didn't either. I finished up the Kazekage's paperwork in no time. It was an easy task after a few minutes of practicing how to forge his signature. I shoved the finished stack away from me and looked out to the other girls. I still didn't want to converse with them and so I took to my computer at my seat. It was filled with a million files and I decided I could poke through a few of them just to see what they were about. I grew bored soon with the files… nothing but mission reports or shinobi complaints about missions, their teammates, etc. Lame, lame… Lame!

I found an interesting video game in which I played a runway model and had to model fashion from… hah…! Desert Kitsune; Temari's fashion line. She must have created the game. I looked at the gamer hall of fame to find Temari as the number one winner, then (not so surprisingly) Kawasaki Tazuna, then Matsuri, then Kanoka, and then a bunch of other names I had guessed to be Temari's models or model hopefuls.

Now video games were so silly but I couldn't help myself as I hit the start button and began to play. The goal of the game was to model various articles of clothing. What was interesting was that you got to pick what your character looked like. Of course, most likely like all the players had, I picked out characteristics and traits that resembled my own. The theme of the first fashion show was the desert. I selected a few outfits I created from the clothing rack and began. My character struck various poses right on cue as I pressed the buttons vigorously. The next theme was geisha for the fashion show and so I selected kimonos I liked and matched them with the appropriate hairpins, getas and obis. The second level was a bit tougher.

I played that damn game until the tenth level. At the tenth level I destroyed Temari's gamer status and replaced her name with mine. I had hoped she wouldn't hold it against me (ha… ha… ha…). As I finished putting the last letter of my nickname I decided to swivel around in my chair. I didn't really care if Matsuri or Kanoka made fun of me for it because I was having fun in that boring office and they were still pushed out of shape over Tazuna and the Kazekage. I giggled as Kawasaki Tazuna stepped out of my boss's office, still swiveling in my chair like a little four year old. Both of them looked over at me, making me feel embarrassed that they had caught me. Tazuna turned around, said her goodbyes to the Kazekage and to me as well (shocker!) with a bright friendly smile. He watched her leave and then looked over at me. Had I done something wrong? I probably shouldn't have been flying around my chair like a little monkey and I was probably going to get reprimanded for the childish act. "Imamura," he said to me, "Come in here… I need to speak to you."

I nodded and nervously stepped out of my chair. My bulky ninja boots clanking as I walked into his office. He closed the door behind me and motioned at the chair in front of his desk; the same chair I had sat upon when he interviewed me last week. "Kawasaki Tazuna has brought to my attention that she is in need of a husband," he stated coolly. Did she propose to the Kazekage or something? That Tazuna was a beautiful young woman but to propose to the Kazekage! "I want you to look through the computer and look up the various rich young men of Suna and attend dating services with her. Kawasaki is eighteen years old and wants her husband to be no younger than she and no older than twenty six. Understood?"

"Hai," I replied as I, for some reason, felt suddenly relieved that Tazuna hadn't proposed to him, leaving him 'still on the market'.

"It can't leave this room," he said as his teal eyes looked into mine, "She doesn't want it getting around that she can't find a husband… She considers it a blow to her self-esteem, as she puts it."

"I understand," I said to him, "The men probably are too shy to approach her… she's going to have a hard time finding a husband as pretty as she is." He gave me a funny look for a moment and then nodded. He dismissed me shortly and I went back into my desk, slightly giddier than before because now I had a secret of 'oh so juicy' gossip to keep away from Matsuri and Kanoka. They would be dying to know everything but I, of course, was sworn to secrecy.

The two girls were begging me to tell them what was going on but I had crossed my arms and refused. That's when the phone first rang. As my hand moved to answer it, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was how all the trouble began and for the life of me I wish I could have gone back in time to stop myself from answering that damn telephone. I picked up the phone and placed it to my ear, looking over at Matsuri and Kanoka nervously. For some reason, the two girls were grinning and had eager looks on their faces. I would soon see why.

"Moshi, moshi. This is Lord Kazekage's office, Imamura Tsubasa speaking. How may I assist you?" my diction was flawless.

"Matsuuuriii? Moshi. Is anyone there? Matsuri!" I nearly jumped out of my seat, realizing it was Temari and she was trying to get a hold of Matsuri. I was going to hand the phone over when Temari started speaking again. "I don't understand why it is you take so long to speak after answering the phone and prefer to breathe into the receiver like a retarded child. Matsuri… Maybe I didn't make myself clear when you got the job. When I call you respond. The phone rings. You respond. Is it really that difficult for you?"

"Actually Temari-sama its Tsubasa… Kazekage-sama's assistant," I informed her, not wanting Matsuri to miss the scold by my having to receive it, "Would you like me to give her the phone?"

"Don't be ridiculous," she stated. "I want three skirts from Coconut Hut, five pairs of heels from Desert Passion, and two bras from Harem's Secret."

"Do you want Matsuri to get them for you or—"

"No. You. Do. It."

"Well what kind do you want? I don't know your sizes!"

"Bore someone else with your questions." Click. The conversation was over. That was it. I guess I had to do it since Matsuri apparently had her hands busy with drawing stupid doodles of her playing patty cake with the Kazekage.

"Matsuri," I called not bothering to end her name with 'san' or 'chan'. If I did give an ending to her name it would be 'baka' or 'bitch face'. Neither of those were nice to say and I would probably get in major trouble for using them. "Temari-sama wants you to get her some clothes from three different stores."

"Me… or you?" she asked with a smirk on her smug little face, reminding me why I wanted to call her 'Matsuri-bitch face chan'.

"Me," I admitted honestly. What else was I supposed to do?

"Well then," she said in the snotty high pitched voice I would one day (hopefully) kill her for, "I suggest you get going. Temari-sama isn't a patient woman."

I sighed. How did I know that Matsuri was going to do this to me? "Well how do I know what things to get her," I asked the little bitch, hoping I could get some answers.

"How should I know," she said with a loud whiny voice, "You're on your own." She threw me a high-tech walkie talkie (soon to be attached to my hip) made by Dunes, the most popular electronic brand in Suna. I gazed at it as I caught it. It was the newest version and cost more money than I would make in half a year working as the Kazekage's assistant. Next she tossed me a credit card and informed me that cost was no issue here. That meant free spending money and I could charge some things I wanted as well… not like Temari would notice.

"What about my boss," I asked her, knowing I had her there as I attached the walkie to my hip where my Sand Village sash was. The walkie seemed to shine more than the metal plate with Suna's symbol did.

"I'll take care of Gaara-kun," she purred at me with a proud grin.

Mad as a wet desert hornet, I left the room. I had forced myself to be quick in leaving because I was ready to spit in Matsuri's face after her last comment. I angrily trudged to Suna's core and caught myself a taxi cart. The cart puller was friendly enough as he carried me to the Coconut Hut. I told him to keep the meter running as I dashed in. The salesgirl took one look at me and turned the other cheek, making me feel as if I were some commoner in a high fashion store. What kind of high fashion store was named Coconut Hut anyway? It sounded more like a place to get buzzed off of piña coladas and margaritas while shoving coconut shrimp down your throat (which is what I heard that most of Temari's employees had gone to do after work). I approached her at the counter where she was so snobbishly reading a Desert Kitsune Runway magazine. I knew exactly what to do.

"Temari-sama sent me to pick up three skirts and if you are going to continue snubbing me I think I will inform her but she isn't going to like the news very much and I will tell her exactly who to hold responsible," I said, taking a look at her nametag, "Chizuka."

The girl threw down the magazine quickly and bowed. She apologized for being incompetent and begged me not to tell Temari any of what I had just threatened. I said I wouldn't tell her on the condition that she found me three skirts that she thought were suitable for Temari to wear. She had then brought me three very stylish skirts and next asked me that if they weren't to Temari's liking to not blame her. I said I would take full responsibility for it, which what I meant was that I would blame Matsuri. She offered me a complimentary bottle of mineral water as she charged the items onto Temari's credit card.

The cart puller hauled me to the other two stores in which I had the same experience as I did from the Coconut Hut. The employees were snotty to me and so I threatened them the same way. They apologized for their idiocy and incompetence, and then went off to retrieve whatever it was I had asked for. I even bought myself a pair of shoes I could walk in more easily. They were some fancy ninja sandals that could be worn on a mission or to a dinner party. The things the fashion industry created never ceased to amaze me.

I finally got back to the office after my adventure. I noted that it was only Matsuri in the room which made me glad to know that Kanoka was off running errands or doing something for Kankuro whereas Matsuri just sat on her ass picturing herself sitting on Gaara's lap. I placed all of Temari's objects on Matsuri's desk, surprising the little bitch a bit. Did she honestly think that I was going to set it on my desk? Hah! Fat chance little Matsuri. Matsuri attempted to say something but right then Temari walked into the room.

"Did anyone bother to get me my searing hot coffee," she demanded as she tossed the fan at Matsuri.

"Gomen nasai Temari-sama," Matsuri said rapidly, "I didn't…"

"Make haste then," Temari replied with a snort. "So hard to find good help," she murmured as she watched Matsuri scramble to put away her fan for her. It was funny to watch the little brunette struggle. Without looking at me she said, "Tsubasa, are these all my things," she asked as she picked up one of the skirts to scrutinize it.

"Hai," I stated firmly.

"Three skirts?"

"Hai."

"Five pairs of heels?"

"Hai."

"Two bras?"

"Hai."

That's when she finally looked over at me, examining me and most likely studying my tacky outfit. I felt sheepishly shy over what I had chosen to wear suddenly as I gawked at Temari's own very chic and debonair outfit.

"And you have no sense of style," she said to me suddenly, throwing me slightly off guard and confirming my worries.

"Well, I uh—"

"No, no. That's wasn't a question," she replied curtly before I could explain.

"It's not really my job to have style or anyth—"

"That's all," Temari said simply. I decided not to push it with her and took a seat at my desk. I found a large stack of paperwork with a sticky note attached to the top sheet. 'Fill these out. –Gaara," it said. Lovely. While I was running Matsuri's errands for her boss, my boss had left a nice stack of grueling paperwork for me.

"I'll take care of Gaara-kun," I mimicked quietly as I removed the sticky note and crumpled it up. I was going to throw it at Matsuri's head as soon as Temari walked out of the room. Luckily for me, Temari yelled at Matsuri to get her coffee in five minutes, and stormed out. I grabbed the paper wad of a yellow sticky note in my hand, braced my arm for take off, and chucked it so it hit Matsuri right in her stupid eye. She cried out and began to screech at me about throwing things in people's eyes and how she was going to get back at me. And I thought, blah, blah, blah, keep yapping. "You're wasting your five minutes… I do believe you're on four now," I said to her with an amused smile, "I suggest you get going. Temari-sama isn't a patient woman."

Her jaw set crooked; she knew I had used the same exact line she had used on me. She grabbed her stylish Desert Passion purse and took off out of the assistant's suite. I grinned triumphantly and lied back in my chair. I glanced over at the Kazekage to find that the blinds were no longer down and he was staring at me over his paperwork. Had he seen me throw the wadded up sticky note at Matsuri? And if so, was he mad that I was being immature over such juvenile problems? He shuffled his paperwork and set it neatly at the corner of his desk, placed his hands under his chin, and continued to gaze at me. His lips began to twitch into an entertained smile. I guess he found me amusing when I was flustered. I embarrassedly turned away from him and got back to my paperwork. I still had a lot left to do before my first day at work ended.

Author's Note: I hope you readers perhaps have some words of encouragement for my dear OC, Tsubasa. Let me know in a review please! :)