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 own Tsubasa Imamura, any other Ocs in the story, the designer labels and names of the magazines/newspapers, and the plot.
Author's Note:if you thought the last chapter was long, this one is even longer, coming in at about 33 pages. I hope that you can handle reading that many pages online without it hurting your eyes. I know mine would get tired from reading so much off of a very bright screen. Enjoy!
Chapter Fifteen: Hit Me With Your Best Shot
This week was going to be great. Sorachi and Hoshiro, my two teammates and best friends, were going to spend the week at Sand Castle with me, and Gaara wants to have lunch with me every day. Life is great and nothing can possibly stop me now. Nothing can go wrong.
Not.
So the way I envisioned the way this week would turn out is completely different from the way it's actually going. Sorachi and Hoshiro are staying in the room with me, which, because Hoshiro is a boy, doesn't necessarily look good on my part (well, it wasn't that "scandalous" until Matsuri went and opened her big mouth to the entire staff of Sand Castle… that bitch face). Every single one of Temari's models (with, of course, the exception of the lovely Tazuna) has been giving me dirty looks, sneering, snorting, sniffing, and just doing whatever they can that's derogatory.
My team (Hoshiro, Sorachi, and I) got sent on a mission to take down the notorious Murakami Brothers (who live in the outskirts of the Tea Country), which is annoying because I'm supposed to spending good-quality fun time with them, not totally-gonna-get-roughed-up-on-this-stupid-mission-and-probably-come-back-with-a-few-scratches fun.
Naruto extended his stay for one more week (but he's promised to behave himself this time). We'll see how long that lasts. Oh and top of all that, did I mention the fact that apparently my ex-boyfriend Kiba is in town for the week as well? Yeah. And excuse my language, but: Fuck my life.
I suppose it's better to start off with Temari's Ten Golden Rules, (and these are just for the office workers. She has a whole other (but somewhat similar) set for her models, photographers, makeup artists, etc.) her commandments, so to speak. These are rules that are never to be broken. Completely taboo. And this week, I broke three of them. Boy, did I stick myself in a pretty little rut.
Never date an ex of Temari. Do not date one of Temari's one time dates unless at least one month has passed. However, if said date is a favorite of Temari's, the amount of time that one should wait is subject to change and variation. Always ask permission first.
Temari should always be referred to with respect. Calling her 'hime' is one of her favorite terms of endearments, and should often be used. 'Sama' and 'san' are acceptable as well.
Always do the fan quickly and promptly. There is no excuse for clumsiness.
All of Temari's orders and decisions are absolute and should be carried out without question or hesitance.
Temari's coffee is always to be searing hot. 170-175 degrees is generally deemed and considered as searing hot.
Temari rarely calls twice. If she's feeling generous she will. However, one should NEVER let it go to voicemail.
NEVER contradict Temari or tell her that something is impossible.
NEVER speak unless spoken to or if expected to.
NEVER look Temari directly in the eye, unless it is desired.
NEVER wear an outfit that Temari has worn before without her permission.
Now that that's out of the way, I can continue with the rest of the story, my first Monday back at work (back from vacation). It isn't a happy little tale, that's all I can say.
MONDAY
"Tsubasaaaaa," called Temari in her she-devil voice of terror. She stood at the doorway of the office, and I could feel myself shrinking down in my seat like a snail ducking back in its slime-filled shell. Vacation had made me soft, apparently. The only downside of my cute little vacation that I had taken was the pain of ending the fantasy and being back in my hellish reality, where Temari reigned as empress of all evil. And me—I'm back to being an urchin servant.
"Hai?" I asked in a weak voice. I strained my eyes to glance at Gaara's office, which was stupid because he wasn't there to save me anyway. He was at a meeting with the council members. I would usually attend with him but Temari had convinced Gaara that I had a lot of work to do back at the office. I really wish she hadn't been such a persuasive liar.
"I need you to pick up my order at Sand Republic. Also get me three skirts, three blouses, and seven pairs of heels. I also need my morning coffee. I'd like it to be searing hot when I get back in five minutes," she barked, smiling wickedly. "Oh and Matsuri, make yourself useful for a change and help Tsubasa." The notion would have been a kind one if it weren't for the wicked glint in Temari's eyes.
"With pleasure, Temari-hime," purred Matsuri (bitch face). "Are you ready right now?" she asked me.
"I am," I replied through gritted teeth (but I really don't think I was) as I stood up from my desk. This was their way of punishing me for going on a vacation with Gaara. As if I'd be dumb enough to fall for the sweet voices and mannerisms. I knew exactly what was going on. I was no fool.
Temari was upset because no one had been at the office to run her stupid errands proficiently (because if you think that Matsuri is as competent as I am, you better think again for one, and for two you need to stop reading this. She's a bitch face airhead). Matsuri was upset with me for obvious reasons. She was jealous and no doubt very curious as to what went on between Gaara and me. I had no doubt in my mind that the reason for her eagerness to tag along was because she wanted to ask me a million questions… questions that I'm not too sure about how I should answer.
We had gone to get Temari's coffee first and left it at her desk, searing hot, the way she liked it. I had even brought her a low-carb muffin (though she didn't ask for one) because I knew that she wanted one, and if I didn't get her one, she'd yell at me and swear that she had asked me for one, blaming me for my failure. I wasn't about to get verbally abused for such negligence. Matsuri had been quiet then, but I knew she was biding her time. Her inquiries were impending without a doubt.
"So, did you have a good time," Matsuri asked sweetly as we rode together in the cart (what did I just say about her impending questions?). We were now on the way to Sand Republic, and sitting in the cart with Matsuri was making me claustrophobic and irritated. If I stayed in there too long with her, one of us would lose patience and then someone would get hurt, and that second someone wouldn't be me.
"It was nice," I said. If I replied with short and simple answers, she'd be less likely to use them against me. Take that, Matsuri!
"That's good," she cooed. "Did you get to go swimming?"
"I did."
"Gaara too?"
"Him too."
"How cute," she said, and I couldn't help but feel she was toying with me. I was praying there'd be no more questions, but I knew that was asking for too much. My only escape would be to get into Sand Republic, which we were coming up to. There was still the ride back though. She'd pester me more then. "I heard you and Gaara-kun had to share a room. Is that true?"
"Stop the cart now!" I screeched and the cart screeched with me until it was at a complete halt. I smiled uneasily and said, "What do you know? We're here." I could hear my nervous laughter. I was aware of how awkward I sounded, and even worse, I knew she could smell my fear. She knew she had hit a soft spot, and she'd try to hit it a second time once she could corner me again. I'd have to be even more evasive than before.
"Ohayo!" I greeted a Sand Republic employee with more fervor than I had intended. Was it my fault to be so relieved that I was out of bitch face's clutches?
"Ohayo. How may I help you?" asked the employee, tilting her head to the side as if confused by my zeal. She really had no clue how happy and relieved I was to be chatting with her and not Matsuri.
"I'm here to pick up an order for Temari," I told her, refusing to say hime or any other silly term of endearment. The young lady nodded, told me she'd be right back, and disappeared into the back room.
Before Matsuri could ask me another question, I said, "Go pick out three skirts and three blouses. On second thought, get four of each in case Temari decides she wants another last minute. I'll get the heels. And choose wisely. Temari doesn't want anything tacky or she'll be very upset with whoever picked them out." I hoped she understood the seriousness of my warning. Temari wasn't to be trifled with when it came to fashion matters (or shinobi matters, either). And I'd be the one to answer to her, unless Matsuri decided to share the blame (and that's like asking a snake to sprout legs and walk like a serpent). I think she got the point because I saw her throat grow a knot as she swallowed thickly. That made me smile.
Picking out Temari's seven pairs of heels wasn't too problematic. I had already become accustomed to Temari's taste. I had to. I was efficient in every way and to prove my efficiency, I had to (excuse the way this sounds) become one with Temari (I know that does sound gross and awkward). In Tazuna's opinion, I was more than efficient. I was Super Woman. My real boss, Gaara, appreciated my good organization and had said I was only his assistant one time. I wish he was right.
"I found these," said Matsuri, who had walked up to me when I was at the counter. I had just purchased the shoes with Temari's credit card. "I thought you should approve them." To be gullible and believe that Matsuri was submissive would be foolish. To believe that asking me for my approval in order to somehow later blame me if Temari didn't approve, would be wise. I chose wisdom.
I scanned over the items she had selected meticulously, scrutinizing every detail, using shinobi-like perusal. "There's a snag in the fabric on this one," I told her, tossing it back to her. "And this one's cross stitching is awkward. Go replace them."
I'm positive Matsuri had noticed the defects in the clothes. If she hadn't, she wouldn't look so downtrodden like I had just trumped her (which I did… hehe). I know when someone is being sneaky! That's what being a trained kunoichi is about, and though I don't think that Matsuri would be a match for me if she tried to take me on, she was indeed very, very sneaky. She needed an eye kept on her, that eye was mine.
Matsuri brought back two blouses as replacements, which I also studied carefully (just because she was being obedient was no reason to let my guard down). They were suitable and so I had the lady behind the counter ring them up. I was about to hand the young lady Temari's credit card when my walkie-talkie went off. I hated the sound of its ring; it's disgusting tune. It bleated like it was dying. I suspect that when it was time for me to die (from being overworked, overstressed, overburdened, and over-embarrassed at my young age) I will bleat just like it.
"Hai," I answered.
"Matsuri," said Temari. I hated when she called me Matsuri.
"It's Tsubasa." So I corrected her.
"Matsuri, bore someone else with your personal life," she hissed. Screw you Temari. "Where are the things I asked you for? I need them. Now."
Before I could answer, she of course, hung up on me. I promptly paid, snatched Temari's things, grabbed a stupefied Matsuri by the wrist (she must have been picking her nose or something because she certainly wasn't paying attention to what was going on… ew.), and bolted out the door faster than a dirt devil swept up in Suna.
"Step on it," I barked to the cart-puller. He knew the drill.
"So," Matsuri said as we whizzed through Sunagakure, leaving a dusty trail behind us. I secretly wished that Matsuri would have sucked up some of that smog in her scrawny throat. "I take it that you had a very good time on your vacation. Yes?"
I scowled a little. I just didn't care anymore. If she wanted details, then I'd give her details. I didn't necessarily sing like a canary, but I did say, "Good is an understatement. I had an absolutely amazing time and Gaara-kun informed me that he did too." Her jaw dropped (just like a great bridge). A true camera moment (if I had one with me). "You should close your mouth, Matsuri." The cart-puller stopped, we were at Sand Castle, and allowed us to disembark. "You'll let the Scarab Beetles in."
When I got back to my desk, there was a sticky note attached. At first glance, I thought it was from Gaara, my angel (hehe). However, seeing Temari's beautiful cursive flourish shocked me. The note read: My coffee was NOT searing hot when I received it this morning. I'm docking this week's salary by half. Consider this a warning and your first strike. Also, take Chinatsu-chan on a walk. She could use the fresh air. Don't disappoint me. Temari
I grabbed the note in my hand and crinkled it as much as I could crush it, and then I ripped it up into tiny little insignificant pieces and buried all those pieces in the trash can. Staring down at the debris, I couldn't help but feel that those insignificant pieces were some how much more significant than I was. There was a nauseating feeling in the pit of my stomach that threatened to take action, but I forced it all down. I had another job to do, and I didn't want to earn my second strike by hesitating. When Temari asked for things, she wanted them now, not later.
Ignoring Matsuri's grinning face, I strutted out the door like a model. Maybe at least that would irritate her some. But I knew that Matsuri would get hers one day. What goes around comes around. Right? I just keep wondering why things keep coming around to me, especially when I've never really done anything to anyone? (Sigh) That's life I guess.
Taking a cat on a walk is probably one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard of, or had to do for Temari. Little, innocent kitten Chinatsu-chan had been demon possessed as I had never seen her before. The minute I opened the door to Temari's suite that hell-kitty had begun hissing. I had a leash in hand and I was prepared for the worse (wearing a face guard and all). I pounced on the demon cat, latching the leash onto her diamond studded collar.
And then all hell broke loose (I know, that's a term I often use, but it's true. That's exactly what happened at that moment).
Chinatsu-chan roared at me like a lion, which seemed impossible. She leapt at me, went for the face, and clawed. I was smart for wearing a mask. Her claws couldn't get through to my eyes (thank, Kami because I need those to stare at Gaara). She was smart enough to realize that her claws had no effect on my face and so she moved to my legs, biting them, clutching on to them and digging her claws in (then ripping them out). I swung the leash, sending demon cat from hell with it. The stupid fur ball smacked against one of Temari's vases and nearly broke it. If it hadn't been for my quick dive for it, it would have shattered into a million pieces (and then Temari would have my head for that). I snatched the kitten by the neck, wrenching at its skin there, and took her out to the courtyard. She put up a fight the whole way, making my arms bleed with her claws of terror and hissing at me all the while.
Needless to say (because it's obvious), I managed to survive. It was miraculous, but I did it. Though, I'm unsure how. It was all a flurry of claws and hisses when I managed to lock demon cat back in her hellish cage (Temari's room). I got to my room finally. It was late too, about eleven at night. I never got home so late from work, but that cat had taken me through one wild ride.
I was terribly eager for sleep. Sorachi had invited me to watch her favorite television show with her but I told her that I was beat and better off going to bed. Hoshiro offered to treat my wounds, but I told him I wanted to get rabies (but he probably doesn't understand my reasoning for it). If I got rabies, then I could infect Matsuri and Temari (heck, I'll go for Kanoka too and Miyami while I'm at it). Hoshiro and Sorachi both looked at me like I was crazy, but I wasn't in the mood to explain. All I could think of was sweet, sweet sleep. Lying in bed, I closed my eyes, but I still couldn't sleep. Though my body was completely exhausted, I had too many thoughts going on in my mind for it to settle and sleep, mainly revolving around my sun (Gaara).
Gaara hadn't been in the office that morning, and it worried me. I knew he was in a meeting, but still. His meeting shouldn't have taken him the whole day if it was just with the council. I wondered what it had to do with. What was it about? Was it a secret? Did they think I was some sort of spy? Could they think that? Had I been behaving as if I were some lying conspirator with cruel intentions? Was I paranoid for resorting to hysterics? If so, just how crazy was I? Should I see a therapist?
Dear Kami. Calm down, I thought harshly.
Having an overactive imagination often led me to such paranoia. It didn't help my frazzled disposition that Hoshiro and Sorachi were still awake and chatting. I breathed out softly as if trying to persuade myself into sleep, but it didn't work. So, I decided to eavesdrop on my two teammates. I usually don't condone eavesdropping but I had no qualms about it then.
"Tsubie-chan looked exhausted when she came home tonight," murmured Sorachi, saddened concern in her voice. "I feel sorry for her." I wanted to tell her that I felt sorry for me too.
"She knew what she was getting herself into when she signed up for the job. She knew it wasn't going to be easy." Hoshiro paused. "Tsubasa-san is a tough girl. She can handle it."
"But she's been handling it, and she's going nuts. I can tell." Sorachi said, "And things don't seem to be getting any easier for her."
"It's difficult," agreed Hoshiro, "but she'll have to manage if she wants to be a council member."
"I wish she'd have a normal dream, like just being a regular kunoichi or a Sensei."
After that, I couldn't listen anymore. I tuned them out, and I was surprised to find that I was finally able to fall asleep even with their words echoing in my dreams (nightmares).
TUESDAY
You can only imagine what it was like for me the next morning, seeing my (still hot and sexy) ex-boyfriend, Kiba, talking to my (gorgeous) boss. Let me just say that it was devastating. Devastating like the way the iceberg crashed into the Titanic, like the way a child is when she loses her parents at an early age, like watching your best friends fight for their lives when your team is out in the call of duty, and like when you wake up and realize that your life is nowhere near where'd you like it to be and it just all seems like you're taking gigantic steps backwards instead of forwards. That's how I felt right then, like my heart was going to fall right out my butt.
My eyes blinked many times form my utter disbelief. My throat went dry and arid, a lump forming in it like I had just tried to dry swallow a pill and it got stuck there. My jaw dropped like an anchor. My heart jack hammered inside my chest as the rest of me trembled. Thank Kami; Kiba had his back to me. I could still make an escape if I was quiet enough, and then I could call in sick from my suite to excuse myself for the day (or for the week, if I had to).
I ordered my stiff legs to move, but by the time one of them had taken a step backward, my boss's eyes had lifted up from Kiba's gaze to look at me.
"Tsubasa-san," he called to me, and Kiba immediately turned around to see me.
At first, he almost looked as surprised as I was, and then he smiled warmly (I tried my best not to get dazed). If I had been smart, I would have done a transformation jutsu and not been in this situation. Too bad I hadn't thought of it sooner. I suck at life.
"Hey Tsubs-chan," he greeted me, and I balked visibly (though I tried not to). Akamaru looked up at me attentively, woofing cheerily from aside Kiba. I approached slowly and allowed Akamaru to sniff and lick me. I had nothing against Kiba's dog, just Kiba himself. I did, however, refrain from petting Akamaru too affectionately. He whined.
"Moshi, Kiba-kun." I had mustered up somewhat of a salutation.
"You two know each other?" asked my boss (and it horrified me that he did).
"Yeah," replied Kiba, "We used to—"
"Hang out when I spent time in Leaf." I quickly finished before he could say anything else. No way in hell would I allow Kiba to give Gaara a play by play of our expired relationship. Besides, I heard he was dating around, and getting it on with all the kunoichi in Leaf. Ino, Tenten, and Sakura were his new favorite prospects, last I heard. He didn't need me. I was proud for not giving it up to him. Although, that might have been the reason why he broke up with me and started dating other girls and left my self-esteem in pieces for months…
You know what? Screw, Kiba.
"We're just old acquaintances," I assured Gaara, smiling a little too widely and unconvincingly. Kiba eyed me warily too (which didn't help my case), but said nothing (which did help). I'm glad he held his stupid dog breath ridden tongue. "Am I needed?" I inquired but what I had really wanted to ask was, "Why the hell is he here?"
"Leaf promised to send a shinobi over to undergo Desert Storm Training," said Gaara, skimming over the report he held in his hand (and though I was horrified, I was riveted by his softly low voice). "Matsuri suggested Inuzuka Kiba for the mission. You'll have to accompany him to his entire Desert Storm Training."
I spaced out after that, catching only bits and pieces of important details, but all I could think of was Matsuri. She must have done this purposely (she was too much of a bitch face not to pull something like this). But how had she known about Kiba? How?
Sorachi and Hoshiro would never give out any details of my personal life to anyone. They were completely trustworthy when it came to secret keeping. Tazuna was also reliable, and they were the only ones that I told about Kiba (and Gaara…). They were the only ones that were supposed to know anything about that unless of course…
Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki.
Matsuri had gotten a lot of time alone with him when she had been forced to look after him (even if it was for a short time). Any time was time enough for Matsuri to do major damage and to uncover some of my secrets. Naruto, being such a naïve little idiot, probably told her everything he knew about me and Dog Breath (that's what Naruto calls Kiba all the time, for obvious reasons). That Matsuri was such a sneaking and conniving bitch face. Queen of all bitch faces, that's what she was. And then Naruto… Well, he was still staying in Suna for one last week. I'd lie low for the time being and then still gut him like a fish when everyone dropped their guard down. No one would expect it.
"What time must I escort him," I asked, uneasily. I didn't like the idea of not being accompanied by my usual teammates, but I hated the idea of going with the likes of Kiba even more.
"You will come to the office as usual, and then you must leave with Kiba at eight. His training will last until twelve in the afternoon," Gaara replied, "and then you have to come back here to work until seven in the evening." I nodded solemnly, hating everything (the world, Temari, Matsuri, non-waterproof mascara, Kiba, and myself).
He had snuck up behind me, placed his hands over my eyes and said, "Guess who?" The husky voice chuckled. As if I couldn't tell it was him. As if I couldn't recognize his flirtatious undertone and his earthy scented hands. That scent used to calm me, relax me. Smelling his forest-like smell was unnerving to me now and somehow made me alert like the animals that lived in it. I was on edge, and I was one angry kunoichi.
"Hello, Kiba," I said monotonously, devoid of any enthusiasm, which I hoped would irk him. It didn't.
"Ready?" he asked me, smilingly. Akamaru barked from beside Kiba.
"In a minute," I replied. "I have to tell my boss that I'm leaving." I didn't wait for Kiba to okay it. I wasn't his girl.
I quietly poked my head into Gaara's office, my trademark braid dangling at the left side of my head. "Gaara-sama," I called in a soft murmur, as not to startle him. He looked up at me when he heard his name called. His beautiful sea foam eyes mesmerized me on contact. "I'll be leaving now." Those words were poison in my mouth, poison I couldn't detoxify myself of.
He nodded. "I'll see you soon," he told me, and his eyes seemed to sparkle as if he was excited for when he would see me next. I smiled happily at him, agreeing. I turned around and found that Kiba was standing right behind me. It was too close for comfort. I couldn't help but let myself become slightly agitated by this.
"That's new," said Kiba as he fondled my small braid in his fingers. "I like it."
"Let's go," I said, hastily, maneuvering myself away from Kiba. I managed to wiggle myself right out of the predicament. I had hoped that Gaara hadn't seen or heard Kiba (but with my luck, he had). I preferred that Kiba kept his flirting to himself and at least didn't do it front of my boss. It was disrespectful to carry on like that when I was at work. As if Kiba actually cared about me. He never really had before. Nothing was about to change that.
The selfish brute.
"You got a new look," he said to me once we were on our way to the outskirts of Sunagakure. Desert Storm Training, or DST for short, (not to be confused with Daylight Saving Time) was always out in an area of Suna where dirt devils and sandstorms reigned, the North-Westernmost part. "And you're wearing makeup now and dressing differently too?" He laughed, amusedly.
"Do you have a problem with that?" I asked, snappily, arching my (finely tweezed) eyebrows in hopes of intimidating him, but it didn't work. Kiba was much too flirty. There was no deterring him (or at least, I didn't have the power to). I thought I had completely cleared him out of my head, and I had told everyone that I moved on. I got rid of anything I had that would remind me of him. I had ripped him out of my heart, no matter how bad it had hurt me to. He was deep beneath my skin though, wedged somewhere between the epidermis and the coursing blood.
Here we go again, I thought angrily to myself.
He snickered. "No, I don't have a problem with it." Again, he laughed. "I like it," he assured me, "You look really nice."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Arigato," I said, but didn't mean it just like he had never meant what he had said. Kiba was the one to break up with me. He was the reason why I had become accustomed to eating my feelings, to watching tragic love stories and bawling with about five tissue boxes in hand. He had no business trying to make me feel like I was something or someone worth his while. I was more than worth his while. I was the one he had let get away. The one that got away. I like the way that sounds. I quickened my pace, hoping to get to the training grounds faster so that I wouldn't have to put up with more of Kiba's conversing.
"Hey, slow down," said Kiba, grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward him. I nearly fell into his chest. I could feel myself blushing and I fought violently within myself to keep the blush down.
"I'm trying to give you a compliment," he breathed. "And I mean what I said. You look good, much prettier than the last time I saw you." He stared down at me with his irresistible honey brown orbs that always seemed to be affectionate and welcoming, like home. The warm breath of his words had tickled my face pleasantly and left me a bit dazzled, reminding me of why I had been so attracted to him when we had first started dating.
I got a hold of myself, rebuking myself for my stupid, stupid thoughts of him, refusing to let him suck me back into the game. I wouldn't allow myself to like Kiba again, no matter how tempting his charms were. He'd only hurt me like before. "Kiba-kun. I did say thank you," I reminded him. "Release me and stop trying to augment your luck with me."
Nodding, he let me go and kept walking. We didn't speak again after that. We just walked in silence until we reached the Desert Storm training grounds. Kiba immediately set off to undergo training. Sometime during the process, he had removed his shirt, and I felt myself blush. I had seen his bare chest before, but the memory had been fading. It refreshed itself in my mind now. He was deliciously tanned, his chiseled body (and he was sweating). Yes, I do hate myself for thinking that. Yes, I will most likely slap myself in the morning tomorrow for thinking that. Yes, Kiba is delicious looking, and yes, I wanted him (at that moment) to be mine again.
I couldn't help but ogle him as he underwent DST. The way he ran and crawled through the grainy sand like a wolf was enough to get my own adrenaline pumping, my heart pounding. He gave me a fever just from watching all the action going on. Kiba was sexy. But then Gaara's image surfaced in my mind, and I felt such a fuzzy feeling within myself that I nearly became giddy. Gaara was my love now, not Kiba (even if Gaara didn't exactly acknowledge or approve of my feelings yet). He was more important to me than Kiba ever was. I'd lay my life for Gaara's if I had to. That's something not even Matsuri would do.
"Tsubasa," called Baki, Captain of Team Desert Storm and the Sand Siblings' sensei.
I lifted my head casually in response, pretending that I hadn't been daydreaming. "Hai?"
"You're going to join in," he instructed. "I have to return to the station to bring out some equipment needed for the obstacle courses. It seems that some of my assistants have been slacking." It was an order, not a request. I didn't want to partake in training with Kiba for obvious reasons (reasons like that fact the he looked really sexy and that I might have melted from the heat; his, not the desert's), but I couldn't refuse either. I'd dishonor myself and be disrespecting Baki.
"Hai," I replied, immediately standing, and approaching him. Lucky for me, I had graduated from my Desert Storm Training at the top of my class again. Every ninja in Suna was obligated to undertake DST before he could graduate. It was mandatory. There wasn't a DST exercise or obstacle course that I couldn't handle, though I did have a little difficulty with the Spitting Camel exercise. I'm sure you can guess why.
"You can show Kiba how to properly execute a Cactus Flower," said Baki. He had been on my good list about a minute ago, but after that, not anymore. He was now right in line next to Temari and Matsuri in the bad list because Cactus Flower was a close combat style move, and you moved together with your opponent like a dance.
After glaring into Baki's back for a good minute and a half, I ambled my way up to Kiba, breathing noisily (in desperation). "Cactus Flower is works best at close range," I instructed. "When a ninja attacks you up close and brings you in, reaching all the way down to your kunai holster isn't going to cut it. Your opponent could easily outmaneuver you at that point, and you could lose your life if you take too long to react. Cactus Flower is the ideal technique." I told him to grab a kunai from his holster and place it up to my throat like he had just ambushed me.
His breath tickled my lips, made me want to come closer to his, but I restrained myself. "How's this?"
"That's fine," I replied stoically, almost like Gaara. "Now, I'm going to show you quickly how to do Cactus Flower, and then I'm going to do it slowly. Then you will try it." Before he could nod or agree to anything I had already pinned him to the sandy floor. The kunai was now in my hand at his neck, ready to sever it (but not really because it was just training).
"So you like being on top now?" asked Kiba with a grin.
I pressed the kunai to his neck more to make him nervous. It seemed to be working. "Don't tempt me," I said softly, but I wasn't to be taken lightly.
"That's okay," he told me as his hand wrapped around mine, removing the kunai from his to mine expertly. Our bodies switched places so quickly that I hadn't realized in time to stop him. He had just executed the Cactus Flower on me. "You can just keep tempting me."
Words couldn't express how furious I was, and I couldn't do a thing about it.
WEDNESDAY
"Hey Tsubie-chan," said Naruto. "What are you doing this morning?"
I rolled my eyes. That little idiot. "I'm going to work Naruto, like I do every morning." Sunday was coming soon enough for me.
"Can I come too?"
"No, Naruto."
"Why not?"
I was beginning to lose patience. Don't push me, I thought. "Because Naruto."
"Because why?"
"Can't you just ever give me a break, Naruto? Can't anyone in this damn place just give me one?" I screeched as I wrenched the collar of his orange jumpsuit. First I saw fear in his eyes, and then sympathy.
"Gomen, Tsubasa-chan," he told me. "I feel terrible. You work so hard and I've been an ass this whole time."
"Yes," I hissed. "You have."
"Is there anything I can do to make up for it?" he asked me, and he truly seemed genuine.
"Yeah," I growled, shoving him back. "Stay away from me and go bug that bitch Matsuri." After that, I just stormed into the office. Usually, I'd run into housekeeping along the way and one of them would greet me, if not all of them. No one greeted me that morning. I'm sure the words, 'Screw off' were written all over my pretty little made up face that morning.
I was near break down. My body's systems were about to shut down completely if I had any more stress to add to my life; a life that already sucked in every amount of stress around me like a stress sponge. I rounded the corner to the long corridor that led to the office. Just as I was about to take a few more steps into the complex I heard Matsuri chatting with Gaara and Kankuro.
"I've been into Tsubasa's room before," I heard Matsuri say, her voice ready to drop down some hot gossip (that was most likely a lie). "She has a little voodoo doll of you like the kind the harem witches make. She saved one of your tissues and made the doll clothes out of it!" Bitch. Bitch. Bitch. Bitch! I was going to kill her. And no one could stop me until every single ounce of life was out of her bitch face slut body. I was glad to have told Naruto to annoy her. That way, she could have just a tiny little taste of the stress that I'm force fed every miserable day.
"Matsuri," I heard him breathe out in a slightly irritated voice, "I don't have time for your absurd stories." Kankuro still hadn't commented yet.
"It's true!" she cried out, frustrated. She was trying really hard to make me look bad. I wondered if something Naruto had said to her had perhaps gotten to her. Naruto would say something like Gaara having a crush on me or me having a crush on Gaara without truly knowing if it was true or not. But I honestly wasn't too pissed at Naruto. He'd be the shaft of my revenge bearing arrow, aimed straight for Matsuri. "Well get this… She wears an 'I heart Gaara' tee shirt and she wears it underneath all her clothes every day."
This is where I imagine Gaara rolled his eyes but I questioned that after he said, "Really?" My heart stopped. There was no way he honestly believed that. If he did, my world would completely shatter and it was already in pieces. I guess ashes were the next level for me.
"That's funny because Kanoka said you do the same exact thing," I heard Kankuro say. He rocked at life for that.
"She did," squealed Matsuri shamefacedly. Hah! That stupid bitch was caught in her own game! I pictured Gaara and Kankuro both nodding at her comment.
"Yes," Kankuro continued, "You should consider talking to her about right away. She's been telling the whole staff here."
"Oh has she?" Matsuri growled. I heard the door open and Matsuri emerged from the room. "G'morning," she grumbled to me as she stomped down the other end of the hallway most likely in search of Kanoka. I smiled as her furious little head of hair disappeared around the corner. I sighed out, relieved, and entered the office. I didn't realize Gaara was so close to the door and I came face to face with his chest. I let out a small gasp as our small collision took place. I was certain my face was as red as his hair but I managed to get out an, 'I'm so sorry.'
His hands placed themselves on my shoulders as if to steady me as he spoke, "It's my fault." I almost died right in that very spot… He was holding me! "I stood too close to the entrance." He was staring down at me with gorgeous teal eyes.
"It's… okay," I said to him nervously. "It happens…"
"I wanted to ask you something," my boss said to me with his irresistible voice.
"Go ahead," I told him, hoping I didn't sound too much like I was struck by lightning.
"How was DST?" he asked me, and then I felt like I was struck by lightning.
I couldn't tell him I hated it, and I couldn't tell him I loved it either. What could I say about it? Kiba has been seriously hitting on me and is being suggestive, and I'm having a hard time resisting him. And at the same time, I'm so in love with you. You can't even see it. "It's been going well," I said, swallowing all my thoughts, disappointment, worries, and frustration down all at once.
"You still seem stressed," said Gaara with his almost frown.
"I'm not," I lied.
He gave me a skeptical look, but didn't further the topic. "I know you've got a lot of tasks to complete, but I've been worried about the Tea Country. I haven't heard from the feudal lord in quite some time. Could you send a scout to figure out what's going on?"
"Sure, I don't mind," I replied in a small voice. It was so small of a voice I couldn't tell if he had heard me or not but he nodded and thanked me. We were gazing into each other's eyes, motionless, for quite a while when somebody had to come and ruin the moment…
"Tsubie," called Kiba. "Come on. I'm raring to go for training today. You can show me some close combat moves again today." He gave me what I would classify as one of his best flirty looks.
I know that I clearly flinched and gnashed my teeth together. "I'm coming," I assured him in a demoralized voice. I hoped that Gaara wouldn't catch Kiba's flirty tone with me, and then I walked out from Sand Castle in the direction of the DST station with my stupid flirtatious ex-boyfriend and his dog.
I groaned as I answered the phone. It was about two in the morning. Sorachi and Hoshiro were sleeping soundly; otherwise I would have let it ring. I couldn't fathom who it could possibly be bothering me that early in the morning. My heart gave a slight skip and I knew there might have been a chance (a very, very small chance) that Gaara was calling me (I doubted it though).
"Hello," I breathed into the phone a bit excitedly but I calmed myself down. If it was Gaara, he didn't need to know how excited I was at the fact that he would call me. There was no need to scare him into changing his mind about Hearts Grow. I was too close to it now. It was just next week.
"Hey, babe." Me being someone's babe was outrageous, or at least that's what my brain registered. I had no knowledge of this strange word called 'babe'. I was no one's babe. "I'm calling because I couldn't sleep. I wanted to hear your voice." I almost laughed out loud. It was Kiba. I had finally figured it out. Waking me up so early had disoriented my mind, but now I was aware of what was going on. That little bastard…
"What do you want Kiba?" I asked, but I shouldn't have. I left myself open for attack.
"You," he told me, chuckling.
"Kiba," I hissed. "Don't call me unless it's urgent or something."
"But it is," he insisted. "I urgently need to be with you right now." I growled into the phone, which I also shouldn't have done. "Sounds like you do too."
"I'm hanging up now," I threatened.
"See you tomorrow, babe."
"Oh, and Kiba?"
"Yes?"
"I'm not your babe."
He chuckled heartily and said, "Sure, babe." Click.
I slammed the phone down onto the receiver, furious. Sorachi and Hoshiro sprung up, awake now. They were alert, eyes scanning for danger. When they saw there was none, they glanced over at me.
"What's going on?" asked Sorachi.
"Nothing," I grumbled as I submerged myself within my bed sheets. "Prank call."
"Oh okay," said Sorachi. She was gullible enough to believe it, but Hoshiro wasn't.
"You can always talk to us," said Hoshiro. "That's what we're here for. We're not just your teammates. We're your friends too."
"I know," I said to them. "I just really want to get back to sleep though." Both nodded and returned to sleep. I shut my eyes tightly, dreading the fact that it was only Thursday.
THURSDAY
I finally had a moment of peace from Uzumaki Naruto. He was irritating someone else for a change, that someone being Matsuri. I enjoyed each time I saw that weary expression on her face. Her crinkled brow and her stress filled eyes. All beautiful to me in a cynical way.
Things were peaceful in the office that morning, other than my trouble to put up Temari's fan away quickly and promptly. I had dropped it on my toe, bruising it, and ultimately earning an extremely dirty look from Temari (it nearly melted the flesh right off of me). Though she didn't say anything, I knew that was strike two for me. I had just broken another one of her rules, but she had spared me. I couldn't figure out why. I guessed she had did it so I could let my guard down later. Mind tricks.
Things were better after that. Though, I have to admit that I was simply just going out of my head because of Gaara. I couldn't get him out of my head, and his presence was so strong sometimes. I couldn't ignore him (or stop sneaking glances at him). I see him each morning and he comes in about ten minutes after I do sometimes, then he'll stop by my desk. He'll whisper good morning and smile his small half smile. He'll give me a look over and then go to his office in which I will then stare at him fondly and hopelessly in a devoted manner.
I wanted him. Not only did I want him but I wanted him to want me. I just needed him so badly and I couldn't think of anything but him. It was just me and him in the office that morning. Matsuri was waiting hand and foot on Naruto, and Kanoka and Kankuro were doing who knows what. I had three hours until Kiba arrived… Things were looking up, and I was feeling hopeful.
I sighed as I gazed over at my boss. Gaara was deep in thought as he filled out his paperwork with his feather pen. Though Gaara spoke to me at times and paid attention to me more than Matsuri and Kanoka, sometimes I wondered if he really knew I existed. Gaara's eyes suddenly lifted, causing my heart to thump wildly against my chest like prancing gazelles against Suna's sand dunes. He parted his lips slightly. He was about to speak. Oh! What could it be? What could my beloved have to say to me at this moment?
"Tsubasa-san," he said to me in that sexy (times infinity) voice he had.
"Hai?" I replied, and I knew very well that I had the dreamiest look in my eyes.
"Since it's been relatively quiet… After you escort Inuzuka, would you like to accompany me to lunch this afternoon?" My heart did desperate flips in my chest like a fish out of water, which was an awkward feeling because I just swallowed at the same time.
"I'd like that," I croaked out in a disgustingly embarrassing voice. He folded his hands neatly underneath his chin and smiled at me for a moment and then he gave me a nod. Kami! My heart can't take so much in one day…
Lunch had been very nice that afternoon. Kanoka had been called back to the office and Gaara and I took off to a charming little restaurant across from one of my favorite shopping plazas. We were just getting back to Sand Castle when I spotted Matsuri and Naruto.
Oh Kami, I thought to myself, Don't let Naruto see us and walk over.
I think Kami thought it would be funny to ignore my plea. The little pesky brat came walking over. The only highlight was the fact that Matsuri looked absolutely irritated and exhausted at the same time. The look on her face wasn't the only great thing. Matsuri was dressed up in one of Naruto's jumpsuits. She also had pompoms in her hands and an overly made up face that included one very fake cheerleader smile. It was priceless.
"Konnichiwa 'ttebayo," greeted Naruto cheerily with a wide grin. "Matsuri-chan is my personal cheerleader for the day! Cool, isn't it?" He turned to Matsuri who said a quick, 'Hoorah', and looked to her feet, embarrassed. "Are you two out on a date?" My eyes fell to Naruto's neck, deciding whether it was just thin enough for me to strangle.
"We just finished up having lunch," Gaara responded calmly in a light voice. I couldn't understand how he always kept such a tranquil composure. I wish I could do the same.
"Eh, call it what you want Gaara," chirped Naruto, "But I think you're out on a date with Tsubasa-chan 'ttebayo." He positioned his arms behind his head and smiled over at me. If only I could smack him around a bit…
Gaara, whom I thought would be getting slightly irritated by now, had to a rebuttal to this; a serene one. "Well I do have a future date with Tsubasa-san for Hearts Grow. I'm afraid that it's only a onetime thing though." I could feel myself blushing… furiously.
"Neh, neh!" Naruto grinned over at me. I think he found my red tomato face amusing. "Stop bragging about that already!"
Matsuri, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke up. "You and her are going to Hearts Grow?" She sounded astonished! And she had the nerve to call me "her"! That stupid bitch face. It's okay, because I fixed her little ass by telling Naruto to repay his debt to me by screwing with her life.
Gaara nodded and said, "It was nice of her to take pity on me, no?" Oh, Gaara just had such a way with words at times… (This is the part where I sigh dramatically).
"Take pity on you," Matsuri repeated in a shocked voice. I could see her mind racing with angry thoughts about me; thoughts that I don't want to repeat or even dare to imagine myself. "Now how would she be doing that?"
"Well," Gaara replied as he smiled over at me, "Tsubasa-san didn't have to agree to be my date. I'd be going alone if it weren't for her." A funny look formed on Matsuri's face. Oh wait, that was her regular default bitch face look. My bad.
Naruto, not liking being left out of the conversation, had something to say. "Well, we should get going 'ttebayo. Matsuri and I have lots of fun things to do today! Believe it!" Somehow, I did. Believe it, that is.
Because of a moderately hushed morning and a nearly completely quiet afternoon, Gaara allowed me the night off. I decided to use my prized free time to go hang out with my two friends Sorachi and Hoshiro. In about four months my added up time seeing them amounted to about only two days and a half (half because I saw them when I was running a couple of errands and at night when we all went back to my room. I didn't get to stop and chat all the time, but I did wave and promise to make time for them soon). As I began to walk down one of Sand Castle's longest halls, the hall that would lead to my room, I just couldn't help but over hear Gaara and Naruto talking. Like any girl, I had to eavesdrop.
"Yeah, Tsubasa-chan had a boyfriend back home 'ttebayo," I heard Naruto say and I wanted to come out of hiding and squeeze him until his eyes just popped out of his little head as the rest of his body deflated into a lifeless corpse. Yes, it sounds cruel but it would feel very, very good (maniacal laughter would most definitely ensue).
"She told me she had a summer romance," Gaara murmured and I think perhaps he was disappointed that his assistant fibbed about something like that. I wanted to see him but I knew if I risked getting closer to the scene he would know I was there. He was so very good about sensing other ninja nearby. In fact, I was a bit surprised that he didn't suspect I was already concealed near the area.
"She did 'ttebayo?" Naruto asked. "Tsubasa-chan and Dog Breath met during the summer but it lasted for about three years. They liked each other a lot. It was kind of obnoxious." Obnoxious? Obnoxious! Hah! Naruto had no idea what obnoxious was and he wouldn't unless he was someone else, met his old self, and then realized what an obnoxious bastard his old self was. He'd be glad to be the new someone else once he got a load of his old self!
"Three years. That's why she acted strangely when she saw him a few days ago. Are they dating again?" I heard Gaara ask. Why would he want to know that? Did he honestly think there was a chance of me leaving my job to go back to some jackass that lived in Konoha? I had more self-dignity than that! Kiba is… was really great back then, but not anymore. I doubt I could be persuaded so easily to go back to him… especially when I was already in love with someone else (but Gaara didn't know how I felt).
"Who knows," replied Naruto, "I don't think so. Dog Breath has a new girl that he dates. He moved on pretty quick but I see Tsubasa hasn't. She probably still likes him." It was probably that slut Tenten. She couldn't get in Neji's pants no matter how hard she tried so Kiba was the next best thing. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. I hope she's roasted by hell's flames just like the carpetbagger, that idiot teenage boy, Matsuri, and Temari. Yes, I do hold grudges for a long time. Sometimes, it's the only thing that fuels me to go on these days.
Naruto was dead wrong about one thing. Just because Kiba was heartless enough to fill his void with a new girlfriend didn't mean I could do the same with just any boy. Kiba had left me heartbroken and girls handle being heartbroken very differently than boys do. Boys go out with a million or so girls after a break up so they can gain some kind of egotistical guy confidence in themselves. I mean, ahem, "Try to forget about her". That was bullshit. All boys want is to get laid (and not just once but as many times as they can from as many different girls that they could get it from). Girls, on the other hand, go through months of depression and when a girl gets back out there, she guards her heart like a deadly Sungakurian Viper guards its territory with venom and fatality. I was just guarding my heart for a while until I felt safe enough to be a bit more lenient with it. That's probably something Naruto would never understand.
"She likes him that much…" Gaara's statement sounded more rhetorical but Naruto has no knowledge of the word and so he responded.
"I guess 'ttebayo. But I don't really think she likes him anymore," said Naruto and he redeemed himself for a moment until he continued to speak. His mouth ran like a broken faucet… that little dumb ass. "I think Tsubasa-chan likes you, Gaara."
I heard Gaara chuckle for a moment. "I doubt that," he said to Naruto, "Imamura takes her job very seriously. I know she would never jeopardize it like that. Besides, she can do much better than me." Gaara was right. I would never jeopardize my job. It was just something I had to accomplish in order to fulfill the only dream I had, to be a council member. However, doing much better than Gaara was a fallacy. Never… I could never do better than him. He was the very best any girl could do.
I could feel myself bite at my lip. Part of me wanted to stay and listen some more but the other part felt I had heard enough. In fact, what I got was a bit of a reality check. The other part won. Just as I was about to walk off, Kankuro bumped into me.
"Konbanwa Tsubasa-san," he said to me and I cringed but not perceptibly this time. Now Gaara and Naruto knew I was in the hall with the assumption that I was eavesdropping. That wasn't good. I didn't want Gaara to know I was listening.
"Konbanwa Kankuro-kun," I replied back and my worst fear was coming true. I heard Gaara and Naruto coming toward us. I had to make my get away now or forever be humiliated. "I've got to go Kankuro-kun… I'm already late. Gomen." I began to walk straight down the hall. Unfortunately for me I'd have to walk directly past Naruto and Gaara. Well, there went nothing.
"Hey, Tsubasa-chan!" That was Naruto. The bastard.
"Hey," I responded quickly. My eyes immediately went to Gaara's face and his teal eyes were already on me. I could feel my heart flitting in my chest, apparently sliding around my other vital organs. I mustered up a poor excuse for a smile.
"Tsubasa-san," he murmured as he gave me a nod of the head. "I trust you are enjoying the rest of the evening you have off?"
"Hai," I said to him, stopping in my tracks. "I really appreciate it. I'm about to go spend time with Hoshiro and Sorachi now." He gave me one more nod and that was the end of that. I couldn't help but feel his stare on my back as I walked away.
I almost did an about-face when I heard Naruto say, "I hope she didn't hear anything we said." He was giggling up a tsunami and I had the urge to kill him again. Ninjas wait for an opportune time like that. But I wasn't a ninja right then. I was a girl running to her best friend so I could cry on her shoulder.
Sorachi. She was the only one who would understand.
After going through several boxes of tissues, and being held in the arms of my best friend, it was clear (very clear at that moment) that I was headed toward my downfall. I had been spiraling out of control since day one, the first day I had started this job. I felt my arms shaking. I felt like regurgitating my delicious lunch I had had with Gaara. I felt like cursing at everything. I was miserable, and no one was really doing anything to ease my pain (except for Gaara). My world revolved not around my dream of becoming councilwoman, but revolved around Gaara, Temari and her hellcat Chinatsu. My world orbited with fashion, magazines, paperwork, the Tea Country, shoes, purses, demands, everything under the sun but me, or my dreams, or my friends. It was my life, but it really wasn't my life. This beast, this monster Temari had taken over my life and attached strings to it that couldn't be severed. I was her puppet now, and I was very well aware that I was getting dangerously close to a nervous breakdown.
FRIDAY
It felt great to be back on the dunes of Sand (and away from that damn office with Temari and Matsuri, the DST station, and most of all Kiba). I hadn't been on a mission in so long I felt I might soon forget the exhilarating feeling it brought a ninja. I grinned over at my two teammates. There wasn't a mission out there that we would fail at without giving it everything we had. I had finally received a letter very late last evening from a petrified messenger. Bandits had been terrorizing the Tea Country for quite some time and the Tea Country had been too intimidated to call for help. I praised my boss to the heavens. He had had a feeling that something was going on in the Tea Country because their lack of responsiveness, and he had been right. We had set out on the mission immediately. There was no time to lose.
I excitedly ran over the instructions of the mission in my head again. We were to infiltrate a large storage den in an abandoned village and rescue the hostage known as Junna Sugita. It was a small village in the Tea Country that had been abandoned about a few decades ago and was now the home to many bandits. One group of bandits was the captors of Junna. They were called the notorious Murakami brothers and they wanted to exchange her for a ransom. There were four brothers and that was all that was needed to make up the band of misfits. The Murakami brothers had stolen away the young girl Junna during nightfall. She was Feudal Lord Fukima's only daughter; his pride and joy. The Kazekage swore to him that we would retrieve her without so much as a scratch on her face. Our team would see to that.
"We're coming up to the village," said Hoshiro, "Let's stop so we can see if the coast is clear." Hoshiro halted on a branch, Sorachi and I right behind him. He grew quiet for a long time until he finally said, "It's too quiet."
"Hai," I replied, "It is… Maybe they already know we're here."
"Let's send in a reconnaissance group," said Sorachi as she bit down on her thumb until it bled. She performed a set of hand seals. A puff of smoke exploded in front of us as the shape of a small mouse appeared. "Yuki-kun, go see what's going on in there and then report back." The mouse wasn't much for talking, but he quickly followed orders. With painstakingly long minutes of waiting, the mouse returned. The rodent ran up Sorachi's arms, perched itself on her shoulder and whispered in her ear (as if we weren't her teammates and were enemies. Bitchy little rat). Sorachi frowned when she looked up. "It's heavily guarded. They are unaware of our presence, but I'm afraid that the moment we enter, everyone will be on high alert. Junna is gagged and tied up in the very back most corner of the den, guarded by all three Murakami brothers. It's going to be tricky, but I think we can do it."
"Well," I grinned, "We are going to need some kind of diversion, don't you think?"
"My thoughts exactly," murmured Hoshiro. He summoned two troublemaking desert foxes, Kaoru and Hikari. He gave them orders to cause whatever trouble they could as loudly as they could. The two kit foxes seemed to smirk and disappeared into the den. "While they're distracting the guards, let's sneak in."
It was truly an almost funny sight to see the guard-bandits being hassled by two rebellious twin foxes. The foxes were biting ankles, slapping legs with their tails, knocking barrels over, ducking into shirts and flying out through their neck holes, and biting faces. The guards definitely had their hands too full to notice me and my two teammates sneaking through the caverns of the abandoned storage den. The elusive foxes were being a great diversion, but I hadn't let my guard down. A ninja must always being alert, especially when things are going according to plan. There were three different entrances to the back of the den. It would have taken too long to go down each one with all three of us, so we separated and would conquer each tunnel one by one. I took the left tunnel, Sorachi the middle, and Hoshiro the right. I bid them farewell for the time being and set out into my tunnel.
There was mildew everywhere, and the stench of decaying stucco was driving me insane. The smell was pungent and sickening. There's no way Junna Sugita, or anyone for that matter, could actually last so deep within these catacombs of caves that the bandits had built for too long. The acrid smell, the harsh air would kill her in less than a month, or do some serious damage to her lungs. It was very fortunate that we (my team and I) arrived when we did. I held my breath so I would breathe in that reeking odor. The fetid air seemed almost bothered that I had refused to breathe it in any longer, and it wrapped around me viciously, coiling like a snake. It was then that I realized that I had walked myself straight into a trap, and that I was going to die if I didn't get out. The stinky air now had a greenish hue to it as it pried me off the wall I was scaling. It set me on the floor, but it wasn't to be mistaken as gentle. It constricted and bound me to a point where I was rendered immobile. A shinobi stepped out from within the shadows, green and foul air swirling around him. He grinned as he sauntered over to me.
"You'll pass out if you try to hold it too long and then I'll kill you," he assured me. "And if you do choose to breathe my lovely scent for too long, you'll die as well." I struggled from within the grasp of the engulfing smelly smog, but I could barely budge. His grin widened. "You won't be able to get yourself out." He didn't know me very well. I may have been in a bit of a bind, but there was no way I was giving up now. I'd put up with too much for too long to die by this idiot's hand. If I was going to die, it'd either be by my own hand through suicide, or I'd die from a nervous breakdown. Even dying by Temari's hand would be better than his. There was no way I was about to let him finish me off. I'd been through hell and back. I'd been in the belly of the beast that already swallowed me, and I'd survived that long. I wasn't about to let him kill me without putting up a fight. I'd let out all my anger, frustration, desperation… everything. I'd let out everything I'd been through on him, and then he was going to be very, very sorry that he ever trifled with me, Imamura Tsubasa, miserable and lowly assistant of the Kazekage.
I could tell he was surprised to see me exhale my breath into his face. "You want a piece of me?" I asked him lightly. He paused. He probably thought it was a trick question. "You have no inkling of what I've been through this week," I warned. "I'm a woman on the edge and I guarantee that if you mess with me, I'm going to cut off your head, spear it with a stick, and place it in my room as decor."
"You talk big for someone who's in a tight spot," he sneered. "I could kill you right now." I could tell that he was about to go into a rant of his own, but he got cut off. Cut off by what, you ask? Cut off by my twin fans (pun intended). His body slumped to the ground as his foul air seemed to seep back into his body, and I crept quietly in through the door he had been guarding, but I wasn't me. I was him (transformation jutsu). So you can imagine the Murakami brother's shock when I sedated them, thinking I (stinky guy) had betrayed them. Or, that's what would have happened if the Murakami brothers hadn't already been tied together, and Junna Sugita was standing safely by Sorachi's side.
Before I could react, I was on the ground, Hoshiro tying me up. "It's me," I tried to tell him, and the transformation wore off. He eyed me suspiciously, still not letting me go.
Sorachi said, "It could be a double transformation, but it could really be Tsubasa." She eyed me sympathetically, truly wanting to believe it was me.
"Prove you're our teammate," hissed Hoshiro. He had a kunai to my throat. I was going to slap him after this, but then I thought against it. I'd do the same thing if I was in their position. When you're a ninja, you can't be so quick to trust someone. You have to always be cautious.
"I don't have any parents. They died when I was young," I told them, but they didn't believe me quite yet. And I was stupid for not being more descriptive. I should have sung like a canary.
"Could be a lucky guess," said Sorachi, shrugging. "Where do you work? Who's your boss?"
"My boss is the Kazekage, but I really work under that devil bitch Temari," I said, angry at the reverie of that woman. "She makes me run all of her stupid ass errands. Bitch face Matsuri thinks it's great to screw with my life. My ex-boyfriend, Kiba, is in town. That idiot Naruto is in town. Everyone is wreaking havoc upon my life, and now my two teammates, my best friends, think I'm an enemy ninja. It's been a super fantastic week for me."
Hoshiro frowned and let me go. "Tsubasa-san, don't be angry with us. It's only procedure."
I sighed, rubbing my wrists to get rid of the rope burn. "I know," I told them, "but I'm just not having a very good week. And it seems all I've done is slow this mission down instead of helping."
"You're tired," sympathized Sorachi. "You've been working so hard."
"We need to go," said Hoshiro hastily. "We can't sit here and talk all day. We have to return Miss Sugita to her father, and then there's the problem of getting out of here. There are still several guards out there, no matter how disarrayed they are, we're going to have trouble getting past them with Miss Sugita. But we need to act quickly."
"Agreed," I said, mentally preparing myself for the onslaught. "Let me do something this time." I bit my thumb, making it bleed, executed several hand signs, pressed it to the floor, and summoned my animal (now don't laugh at what I summon). A giant Draco lizard appeared (Draco lizards can fly, sort of). "Konnichiwa, Ryouga-kun," I greeted my lizard friend. The flying lizard smiled and greeted me back. "We need a ride." He nodded. I turned to my teammates, and Miss Sugita. "Climb on, and hold on tight. It's going to be a rough ride."
The expression of the Tea Country feudal lord was priceless when he saw us riding in on Ryouga with his daughter and the Murakami brothers all tied up. I don't think he's ever seen a Draco lizard before, or at least not one the size of Ryouga. How do these lizards fly, you ask (and even if you didn't)? They have a thin membrane that extends down to their ribcages. After leaping, they stick their front limbs out into a streamline position, and glide. Their back legs angle themselves, directing flight. The lizard's thin membrane in its neck acts as a stabilizer. Draco lizards are truly fascinating. They are more of gliders than fliers. The only Draco lizard I know that actually flies would be Ryouga, but Ryouga is the boss lizard so it makes sense to me.
The village and feudal lord were so grateful for the return of Miss Sugita that a large festival was thrown. We couldn't refuse the offer, and so we stayed and enjoyed the festivities. Ryouga was being pampered by many villagers. The lizard seemed to be purring as several children patted him happily. Everything was going great.
Until my walkie-talkie started bleating.
I rushed to a quiet corner, away from the confetti, the feast, the villagers, and my two teammates. I answered it as promptly as I could, "Moshi."
"Tsubasa," said the voice of the devil herself. "Why aren't you back from your mission yet? You've answered, so you're clearly not dead."
Dead? Death? I wish I were. At least then, I wouldn't have to deal with you. Death would be way easier than what I put up with your bitch ass! "I'm sorry Temari," I told her in the best apologetic voice I could muster, and I was sorry. Sorry for myself, sorry that stink ninja back at the Murakami brother's hideout hadn't killed me. I didn't realize it then, but he would have been doing me a favor.
"Tsubasa," said Temari in a voice mixed with anger and cheerfulness (I don't know how that's possible either). "That's strike three."
"Strike three?" I squeaked. How would that be strike three? Taking too long on a mission wasn't going against one of her rules. Ah, shit. I didn't remember to refer to her as 'Temari-hime.' That was my mistake! Stupid, stupid Tsubasa!
"You've defied three of my rules and all in one week," she told me. "You really are in a slump." Something told me that she was enjoying this way too much.
"You can't fire me," I argued. "Kazekage-sama is my boss." Stop talking, you idiot! You can't threaten Temari!
"That may be true," she purred into the phone. "However, I can revoke all of this week's salary, and persuade Gaara into forgetting about you as his date for Hearts Grow." Before I could get out a 'you wouldn't, you can't. Please I'll do anything (and I mean anything),' there was the deafening tone of the Click. And I knew the conversation was over, and so was my life.
SATURDAY
I didn't see much of a point in going in to work that morning. I'm surprised I even woke up that morning. I figured I'd lie in bed until I died like that. I honestly expected death too. I expected my heart to stop pumping blood, my veins to dry out, my brain to get several aneurisms, my body sent into violent seizures, and I expected convulsions and erratic ones at that. I expected everything to violently give one last brutal stroke and then just stop working so that I lay there dead, some lifeless corpse of what used to be the Kazekage's assistant.
I meandered my way over to the office. I hadn't even tried to apply too much makeup that morning. I just wore blush and lip gloss. I barely had managed to curl my eyelashes. I didn't carry my usual smile, and why should I? Smiling insinuated that I was happy, and I wasn't happy at all. I was feeling rather pathetic and miserable. Slackened mouthed, I plopped into my desk, trying to keep from crying. I scooted forward, lifted a pen, and began to fill out paperwork. Ah, paperwork. It was boundless, it had no limits, no end to it, infinite, and yet it was so meaningless. Just like my life.
My eyes slowly traveled to Gaara (and boy did I feel sorry for myself). He gazed back at and smiled slightly. Then something came over me, something I hadn't felt in a very long time. It was hope, I think. It started off as hope. It pulsed through me like a shockwave. It was offbeat with my heart but the two soon synchronized, and that's when the hope turned into resilience, and then to bold stubbornness. I marched right into Temari's office and I dared her.
"Hit me with your best shot."
Then she did something I hadn't expected. She folded her hands neatly at her desk, looked up and smiled at me. "No, Tsubasa, I don't think I will."
I was ready to tell her so much more. I had a speech planned out for her (more of a rant of words that chanted through my mind). I was going to say things like Fire me! Fire away. You can't do it. You're not my boss, and you can tell Gaara not to go to Hearts Grow with me, and that's fine. We'll see if he listens. If he does, then it's his loss. It's not mine anymore. Because, me, I'm a winner. You're the bitch! You're the biggest bitch I've ever met! I'm tired of taking your orders. I'm not your assistant. I'm Gaara's assistant. Screw you, Temari. Screw you and screw off! But what she had said confused me. I was completely and utterly disoriented. I didn't understand what she meant by that. I thought that she was trying to trick me, trying to throw me off so I wouldn't have anything to say to her. She was sneaky like that. I didn't trust her. And if that's what she meant to do, then she certainly accomplished it. I was speechless, for the most part. "What?" I croaked.
"Have a good time at Hearts Grow with my brother," she said, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I honestly believed I was hallucinating. I had been having so many mental issues as of late, it wouldn't be difficult to convince myself I was going insane and having hallucinations. Temari sat up suddenly, which startled me. "I'm glad he asked you to be his date."
Before I could get in a, "What?"
She told me, "That's all."
I felt something clunk into the back of my head hard like a cannon ball, and then I passed out. Or at least, I'm pretty sure I passed out because when I woke up, Sorachi, Hoshiro, Kiba, Naruto, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were looming over me. I was back in a hospital garb. I saw a nurse in the corner of the room. She shooed the Sand Siblings and my teammates away when she saw that I had awakened. She immediately placed a cold compress to my head and asked me, "Do you know who you are?"
Do I? I thought. Yes, unfortunately I do.
"Imamura Tsubasa," I replied, but she didn't seem convinced enough that I didn't have amnesia.
"Your age?"
"Sixteen." Such a ripe age, and I'm practically dying here. This would clock in as my second trip to the infirmary while working under the Kazekage (and his evil sister).
"Birthday?"
"July twenty-third."
"What month are we in?"
"We're at the tail end of January."
She turned to the three Sand Siblings. "She doesn't have amnesia," she assured them, and all seven (even Temari, which was a shock) were relieved.
"Thank Kami," murmured Sorachi. Hoshiro nodded, and before I knew it Sorachi's arms were around my neck and she was swinging me to and fro. I could feel her hot tears pouring down onto me, and all I could think about wishing that I was dead. "I was so worried about you. I thought you were going to forget everything like who you are. I thought you'd forget all about me and Hoshiro, and Kazekage-sama." I knew my face turned bright red at the mention of Gaara. I know she hadn't done it purposefully, but still, I was embarrassed. Hoping he hadn't heard wasn't even worth a second of thought because I knew that he had. I just wished that Sorachi was right. I mean about me forgetting everything, that is. I think it'd be nice if I forgot the hell I had been put through for the past long months.
"You gave us all a scare," said Kiba. Akamaru yelped in concord. The sight of Kiba worried lightened my mood until I remembered what a jackass he had been. I hardened myself, refusing to acknowledge anything he said. "I was really worried, babe."
"Babe," I spat. "I told you not to call me that. I'm lying in a hospital bed and you're calling me babe!" I rolled my eyes and then gave him an angry glare, trying to melt his skin off with my eyes as if I had laser vision. "I don't even know what the heck you're doing in here. You don't care about me. Go back to one of those Leaf Village skanks."
"As feisty as ever," Kiba muttered as he pet Akamaru with a calming hand.
"Screw off, Dog Breath," threatened Hoshiro, positioning himself in a fighter's stance.
"You wanna get rough?" asked Kiba, also ready for a fight. Akamaru growled ferociously at his side, and for a second I thought that there was actually going to be a ninja smack down in my hospital room.
"Enough," hushed my boss, the dangerously handsome Kazekage. "Don't act like children." Both said nothing.
"Tsubasa-san, why'd you have to get in the way 'ttebayo?" pouted Naruto. "You ruined the prank."
"Get in the way of what?" I snarled, clearly not in the mood for his shit. "What prank?"
"In the way of Karasu, and the prank he was playing on Temari."
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about," I growled, fingers tingling with anticipation and the desire to strangle his scrawny little neck.
"I didn't think anyone was in Temari's office," began Kankuro out of nowhere. I turned my glare on him, ready to leap out of my hospital bed and strangle him too. "So when I sent Karasu in to scare her, I had no idea he'd hit you in the back of the head and knock you out. I'm really sorry about that."
"Karasu did this to me," I demanded in a growl. I'd dismantle his puppet when I got back to the office, and then I'd bury the pieces, scatter them across the desert so that Kankuro could never find them and put back that damn Crow ever again. And why stop at one puppet? I'd get all of those damn fuckers.
"It was an accident," Kankuro replied, throwing his hands up in mock defense. "I'm really sorry."
I should have never said, "Hit me with your best shot," back in Temari's office because that's exactly what Karasu had did, and the damned thing had knocked me out in the process. Saying what I said, was like I had just asked for Crow to come and bash my head so that my brain rattled against my skull. I was an idiot for saying that aloud. I got what I asked for, that's certain.
"Leave," Gaara commanded. "You're upsetting her." He nodded at Temari, Naruto and Kiba. "You three as well." Kankuro and Temari didn't need to be told twice. They both obeyed without question. Naruto wasn't sure if he should stay or not, but he did leave after telling me he hoped that I'd feel better. Kiba glanced over at me apologetically and left as well, a whining Akamaru tailing behind him. Next, Gaara turned to my teammates and the nurse. "If you three don't mind, I'd like to speak with Miss Imamura alone." My teammates solemnly nodded.
"We'll be in the waiting room. Just come and get us when we can come back in. We have every intention of staying here until she's well," Hoshiro said.
"I understand," Gaara replied. He looked over to the nurse, who looked as if she might argue, but one glare from the Kazekage and she had beat Hoshiro and Sorachi out the door. Gaara heaved a sigh and sat down on the chair next to my hospital bed. His martyred eyes conveyed his sadness when he gazed back at me. "I'm very sorry for all the problems you've had to face," said Gaara. "Working under me as my assistant has brought you too much trouble. I'd understand if you decide to quit."
Yes! My chance to quit! The word 'quit' had never sounded so beautiful to me before! And yet…
"No," I said, shaking my head. His beautiful teal eyes widened with surprise, as if he hadn't believed what I had just said. "I love being your assistant. I don't mind the little trouble that comes along with it." He had once told me the same thing.
I could tell by the way he smiled, that he remembered when he had told me that. It was back during our hellish camel rides. It was something I had written in my diary too. "You never cease to fascinate me," he murmured, causing my face to grow warm with a blush. "I'd like to give you tomorrow off, and since February is coming up, I'm going to give you a break as well. I want you to solely work on the Hearts Grow festival and helping Kawasaki-san with her husband dilemma. Nothing else. Kawasaki-san informed me that you were attending a dating service with her before Hearts Grow Day?"
I nodded. "Yes, I'm going to help her find a boyfriend at the dating service. I've never actually been to one, but I'm hoping there'll be a nice guy for her," I reported. I had almost forgotten about that assignment. I had been burdened with so many other demands. I'm glad that it was just around the corner, though.
"Are you looking as well?" My boss asked.
"Looking," I repeated, unsure of what he was asking me.
"Looking for someone to have a relationship with," he stated flatly.
My heart did flips inside my chest. Was he worried that I'd find someone and quit just like his previous assistant? He always seemed like he was. No matter how much hell the job gave me, I wasn't going to quit it, especially not for some guy. I wanted to focus on my career, and that's all (I mean other than focusing on Gaara as well). "Not really," I replied sheepishly. "I'm not interested in dating anyone right now." Well, that wasn't necessarily true. I was interested in dating him, but of course I couldn't just say that to him. Can you say 'career suicide' with me five times fast?
"I see," he said, and then sighed again. Was it because he was relieved? Or maybe he was disappointed? Maybe he wanted me to quit, and that's why he offered it to me. But I didn't really honestly believe that. If he wanted me gone, he'd have fired me or been more insistent on me quitting. Neither had been the case.
"I'm feeling better now," I assured him. "I'd like to go home tonight if it's possible. I haven't really gotten a chance to spend time with Hoshiro and Sorachi all week."
"Of course," he said hastily. "I understand. I'll allow it as long as the doctor clears you." He disappeared from the room, most likely to fetch my teammates and the nurse. I burrowed underneath the hospital sheets, wondering if I had just passed up on my (what was most likely my) only chance to quit. Somehow, I didn't feel regretful for it.
SUNDAY
Sunday was undeniably my favorite day out of that week, and for many good reasons! It was also my most embarrassing day. Yes, I could get more embarrassed than I've been (I didn't think it was possible either). My reasons:
Sorachi, Hoshiro, and I had gotten some good quality time together (finally)
I got to hang out with Tazuna, and go to lunch with her (exchange gossip)
Kiba was leaving (Thank Kami)
Naruto was leaving (Thank Kami)
Matsuri and Kanoka were actually doing their jobs for a change (shocker)
Oh, and I saw my incredibly sexy boss in his underwear, only his underwear (fan girls would kill me if they knew)
My temptation, I mean Gaara, fell on me in said underwear (just kidding. He did fall on me, but he was completely clothed when he did)
After I had seen Kiba and Naruto off (so happy and relieved they were out of my hair finally), I walked into the office that morning to find that Matsuri and Kanoka were nowhere to be found. I had guessed that the two lazy girls were finally doing their jobs and pulling their weight around the place. Smiling, I walked inside my boss's office area to bring him his morning tea. Regularly, I would've knocked, or checked to see if he was busy, but his blinds had been down, and I honestly didn't think he was in so early already. As I jimmied the door open, I heard Gaara say, "I'm not comfortable with this." I almost laughed. The statement had sounded so funny, but when I opened my door and walked in to his office, I was definitely not laughing. In fact, my jaw dropped lower than Matsuri's ever had, and Gaara's morning tea had dropped with it, staining the floor.
Gaara stood in the middle of the room, in his underwear (his sexy black underwear that revealed he had a very nice package… not that I was looking. Okay, I can't lie. Yes! Yes! Yes, I was!). Temari had her measuring tape held at his right leg, determining the length. His expression was nearly as shocked as mine, though his jaw hadn't dropped. His eyes were incredibly wide, the widest I'd ever seen them, and he looked a little red, but that could've been the dim lighting in the room that tricked me into thinking so. Temari, on the other hand, was smirking, as if she had wanted this all to occur (the bitch).
"Enjoying the view?" she asked me point blankly, still grinning like the she-devil she was. Her hand was at her hip, and I knew she was in Embarrass-Tsubasa-Mode.
"N-n-not at all," I stuttered. I instantly smacked myself in the forehead. "No, that's not true. I mean, I'm not checking him out." I looked over at him with a frustrated and apologetic expression. "I mean, not that he's not worth checking out because he is. I mean he's the Kazekage." My eyes slowly floated downward to his package. My head flew up and my hands went up in the air with it as if I was rejecting him. Then I smacked myself again. "No, that didn't come out right. I wasn't trying to look at him. I mean he's in his briefs for Kami's sake! Not that I'm judging him because he wears briefs and not boxers! Briefs are much more appealing in my opinion, not that I'm a pervert or something. But real men were briefs. The Kazekage is a real man. I mean he has to be! Look at him! And… and… and… damn." I was tomato red, and I was waving my arms frantically in the air like a lunatic. "Wait. I can explain myself. Really! I can!"
Gaara quickly slipped a pair of pants on over his… his… damn. He seemed unnerved by the whole ordeal, but there was no way that was true. He had to have been somewhat embarrassed at least. I had seen nearly everything… His bare chest, his muscular stomach, the 'V' that had been peeking at me over the top of his briefs. I began to giggle, nervously, stupidly, you name it.
Oh, Kami, I thought to myself. Maybe I am a pervert.
"Imamura-san," he said gently, so gently that I melted at the sound (well, I was already pretty hot and bothered from his… nice package, and nice is not giving it justice because believe me a package like that is… well all that comes out is 'damn', as you could see). "I hope that this doesn't make things uncomfortable for you at the office."
"O-of course not." I was stuttering again, and I couldn't help it. Why did he always have that effect on me? "I mean you saw me that one time at Fright Night, right?" Tell me I did not just say that out loud. Did I say that out loud? I did, didn't I? Kami, I'm so stupid.
I heard Temari stifling a laugh. She cleared her throat and said, "I feel like a third wheel. Gaara, I'll have to work on this with you later." She grinned and disappeared. Even when she had closed the door behind herself, I could hear her cackling like a bitch—I mean witch (no I don't) as she walked down the hall, setting the moment as number one on my list of most embarrassing moments (and I had several of those).
When I nervously allowed my eyes to travel back to Gaara, he was already fully clothed. "I suppose this makes us even," he told me, teal waves danced within his eyes. His voice lowered many octaves into a husky (very sensual) voice that seemed to be telling me, 'take me,' but I knew that was my imagination. "Don't let what happened here leave this room." I gulped, and then I nodded. "I'm sorry you had to witness me when I wasn't decent. I had told Temari to lock the door, but I guess she didn't." Yeah, no kidding.
"I'm so sorry," I declared. "I'm really, really sorry. Gomen nasai."
"There's no need for apologies Imamura-san," he said softly, unperturbed. I couldn't figure out how he could be so tranquil after that. "You were just doing your job. It was an accident." I kept nodding, like a bobble head, like a buffoon. "Wait. Didn't I give you the day off?" Again, I nodded.
"I just wanted to bring you your tea, and then I was going to go relax," I said. "I know how you like to have your tea every morning, and I'd hate for you to not have it just because I wasn't here."
"How thoughtful," he murmured, and my face darkened its tomato red color to a burgundy (yes I was still blushing. What girl wouldn't still be blushing after all that? Hm? Exactly).
Then, I remembered the mess I had made on the floor. "I'll clean this up right away," I assured him, kneeling on the ground, and picking up the broken pieces of tea cup all over the floor. "I'll get you a new tea set and everything." He had also crouched and the floor and had begun scooping up the porcelain fragments. "I'll make sure it's the same one and—"
I couldn't finish my sentence because my hand and his hand had reached for the same shard of porcelain, thus touching each other in the process. My other hand, the hand that had been holding the other porcelain scraps I had picked up, flexed open and released the shards back onto the floor. Words couldn't express how flustered I was at that moment. My heart was jack hammering inside my chest, my face was flushing deeper and deeper with each second, my hands were shaking, and I felt like I was going to be sick, like vomiting sick.
"Tsubasa-san," he murmured. "You don't look well at all." He tossed his porcelain pieces into the waste bin near his desk, but remained crouched on the floor.
"I don't think I am," I admitted, whether it was to being unwell because mentally I was unwell, or physically I was ready to puke. Well, either way I was unwell and just plain crazy. I was a lunatic. I certainly felt like one. I stood up so abruptly, I nearly fell backwards. He stood up as well, placing a hand at the small of my back to keep me from falling. His intentions had been to steady me, but me, as nervous and as insane as I was, I jerked back further until I lost my balance and gravity took hold of me. I clutched onto him, trying to keep myself from gravity's clutches, but instead, I took him with me. My back collided with the ground and he collided on top of me. His arms held himself directly over me, but he was so close that the tips of his beautiful red hair were tickling my forehead. I was completely frozen underneath him. He couldn't move either.
We laid there, gazing into each other's eyes, both too startled and too much in shock to budge. Now that we were closer together, I could see that he was blushing, not nearly as much as I was, but he was blushing. He had probably never been so close to someone before like he was with me. I hadn't even gotten this close with Kiba when we had dated, so it was new for me as well. Both of us were breathing very hard, our breath greeting each other and then rejoicing at the meeting. My heart was singing in concordance to his labored breathing. His heart was pounding heavily as well. I could feel something pressing against me. I thought it was his knee at first, but then I realized that I was very, very wrong. I began to squirm underneath him, and that made what was pressing against me grow… harder. I'm truly amazed at the fact that I didn't faint or rip his clothes off of him, and believe me, that took a lot of willpower on my end.
Finally, slowly, painstakingly he rose. He hesitated at first, but he offered me his hand, and shyly, I accepted it. He made sure I was completely stable and balanced before he spoke to me again. "Enjoy your day off," he told me, quietly, refusing to look me in the eye as if he too was embarrassed. He seemed very flustered, for the first time in my presence (I had tried to rationalize the reasoning for why he had grown… happy, but it was morning, and you know that boys have a harder time with those things then, no pun intended). "I'll see you tomorrow for work?" His sultry beautiful teal eyes flickered up to mine, and I was trapped in his gaze, but I tore myself away from it (which was no small feat).
"Yes." I nodded too quickly. "Thank you," I mumbled, or something like it, as I let myself out of the office, blushing madly, feeling dazed, confused, and even a little horny.
I would have had lunch with Gaara that afternoon, but one, I was way too embarrassed after everything that had happened that morning, two, it was supposed to my day off so that meant that I wouldn't be going anywhere near that office, and three, Tazuna and I were going out to lunch that afternoon. I would have invited Hoshiro and Sorachi, but both told me to just go relax and eat lunch with Tazuna. They said that they'd be waiting there (in my room) for me when I got back.
"Did you get the package?" she asked me as she sipped some of her hot tea. She was so calm. Who had told her? Was it Temari? Yeah, I bet it was Temari! And if it was Temari, how many others had she told? All of her models—or just Tazuna? Did she tell Matsuri? Who knew? Did everyone around me know, and they were just secretly laughing about me?
"Package," I screeched. "What package? I didn't get any of his package!"
She eyed me as if I were a crazy person, and you know what, I think I was. "You didn't get it? You didn't see the package?"
"I didn't see anyone's package! Why would you ask me if I saw his package? Do you think I'm some kind of pervert? I wasn't looking at Gaara's package! And I certainly didn't feel it either!" I was slapping my cup of tea onto the table, splashing its contents all about the table. I was stomping my feet underneath it too. I would have been quite the spectacle if it weren't so dead in the restaurant (lucky for me). Tazuna and I had been the only two in the room, other than the host and our waiter, who eyed me as if I were psycho too.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I was talking about the package I sent up to your room earlier. It has the perfect outfit for the dating service. I thought you would like it." Tazuna set her cup of tea down, and swallowed whatever amount of tea was in her mouth so she wouldn't spat it out. She lowered her voice, and craned her neck so that she was eye level with me. "Wait a minute! You saw Gaara's… package?"
"It was an accident," I blurted, when I should have denied it or told her I was joking. Now, it was too late to clean it up. "I walked in on him and Temari. She was measuring him or something. He was in there with only his briefs on. I think she was having him try on clothes. I saw a clothing rack in there, now that I think about it." I know I was just turning red at the mere thought of it all.
"You saw his package," Tazuna repeated, dumbfounded, sitting back in her chair. Then she returned to eye level with me. Her voice was still only a hushed whisper. "Did he say anything?"
"No," I replied, "but Temari did. She asked me if I was enjoying the view."
"Are you serious," she exclaimed. "And what did you say?"
"I started off by saying no, then I changed it to yes, then I started stammering and ranting like an idiot. I don't even know what I was saying anymore and I completely embarrassed myself in front of him. I accidentally brought up the time he saw the doctors undressing me in the infirmary during Fright Night," I told her, and then I remembered that I had never mentioned the Fright Night incident to her before.
"He saw you naked?" she nearly shouted, sitting up straight.
"Keep your voice down," I hissed, grabbing her head and anchoring her back down. "I don't know for sure what he saw, but I think he saw something. He seemed pretty smug about it then."
Tazuna gave a goofy grin. I'd never seen her smile like that. She looked kind of funny. "You saw each other naked. Now, he has to marry you! Those are the rules of the council!"
"Don't be ridiculous," I scolded. "I've never heard of any stupid rule like that. Stop making things up! Besides, it was just an accident. It's not like we did anything after he fell on me and I felt it." Oh, shit. My mouth was just running off without me.
"He fell on you?" Tazuna asked, smile widening. "You felt things?" She looked like an overly giddy four-year-old who had just gotten a brand new teddy bear.
I sighed, miserably. "Yes."
She glanced around herself, suddenly. Some new customers had entered and were being seated a little too close for comfort. "Let's go back to my condo and finish this conversation up. I want to hear everything. Girl, you've got some 'splaining to do."
Author's Note: Well, this was the longest chapter I've ever written in the history of long chapter I've ever written. I did it to make up for slacking off and not updating.
What did you guys think because Tsubasa witnessed Gaara's package? ;)