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.

Fun Fact (for those who don't know): You pronounce Tsubasa's name as Soo-bah-suh and Tsubie as Soo-bee.

Author's Note:Italic print will signify songs that are being quoted or paraphrased. Songs cited in this chapter are as follows: Tik Tok by Ke$ha, Love Drunk by Boys Like Girls, Friday Night Bitch Fight by Ke$ha, Your Love is My Drug by Ke$ha, Don't Stop Believing by Journey, and Mr. Beautiful by Cheyenne Kimball.

I decided to have some fun and incorporate the songs I listened to as inspiration for my story within the chapter. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Eighteen: Tales of Spring Break: Part One

Tale One:

Just A Love Drunk Friday Night Bitch Fight

Wake up in the morning feeling like Temari

Grab my kunai, I'm out the door, I'm gonna hit this city

Before I leave, give my shuriken one last check

'Cause when I leave for the night, I ain't comin' back!

So I ain't got a care in the world tonight because I've got plenty of stress to relieve. I told myself this as Sorachi, Tazuna and I belted out the words to the song in the cart, most likely annoying the hell out of the cart-puller. It was my day off, and (those are rare) the beginning of Spring Break. For 24 hours, I was a free woman and could enjoy the wild night Tazuna had promised I get. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive at the beginning of the night (later I'd find that I had reason to be so worried). I was still supposed to be in Gaara's-Pretend-GF-Mode after all.

Tazuna had arrived at 9PM to do my hair, makeup, wardrobe, and lecture. Tazuna had gotten so accustomed to doing the first three that it only took 30 minutes. I was amazed by her skill, and also shocked by the transformation. Speedy, but not rushed. I still came out looking as flawless as she wanted me to look. She had dressed me in a skimpy cocktail dress, but I can't say I wasn't disappointed in what the dress did for me. My legs would never be as long as Tazuna's, but my awkward irregular tallness didn't standout so much. I was no longer a weed, but transformed into an elongated and elegant iris. The dress and heels made my legs look as if they could go on for days and it was strapless so it focused more on my chest and my bare back. Tazuna had wrapped my hair in a cap, which I was unsure of until she placed the black wig on my head. It was cut in a fresh and chic bob, short in the back and angled long slants in the front with full black bangs. She colored my eyebrows black as well so that the pink of my eyebrows didn't look freakish against the black wig I was wearing. She tossed a string of pearls around my neck, glossed my lips a daring bright hot pink color. My cheeks were flushed, and my eye makeup was as black and sultry as Lady Gaga's would be for a night like this. Sorachi came in just as Tazuna finished up with me.

"Holy Sunagakure!" Sorachi said when she walked in. "You look completely different! Not even yourself! You're definitely not Tsubasa… You should go by another name, like an alter ego!"

I laughed and replied, "Courtesy your friendly neighborhood top model." I gave a wink at Tazuna who had blushed at the compliment. Then, something itched at me. It was a little scratch, a tickle of a thought, but after wondering what it could be for a few minutes I figured it out. "You're dressing me in a wig so that I don't look like myself."

"You're observational skills are impeccable Tsubie-chan," acknowledged Sorachi. "It's so hard to hide anything from you." She turned to Tazuna to say the last part. "You know I tried to plan a surprise birthday party for Tsubie once. She figured it out in five minutes or less. I give up."

"So what's the catch," I asked, though I had a feeling I already knew.

"Well, word of you dating Gaara has gotten out," Tazuna began, "and there perhaps are some very angry fan girls dancing their frustration and devastation away at the club we're going to."

"Hence the reason I told you to go by a different name… Fan girls may be raving overly-infatuated lunatics, but they can sniff a celeb or celeb's lover within a 10-mile radius. Scary, but true. I've seen things," Sorachi said, cringing all the while. "I've seen a fan girl dismantle a perfectly good disguise. They can sniff out transformation jutsus even better because not even a Jonin has been able to hold onto the transformation while under the suspicion of a fanatic. Fan girls are frothing loonies, but they're clever and alert with senses as sharp as ANBU."

That's not the most comforting thing to hear, but I did have faith in my abilities as a ninja, my observational skills, and with my fun tank on E. No one was going to ruin tonight for me, if I could help it (and you bet your hidden village that I can help it). "Well, let's go and see what happens."

"Uh-oh," Sorachi mumbled to Tazuna. "She's in ninja mode, and that's not good."

"Oh come on now," whispered Tazuna. "I'm sure we'll have a Kesha-worthy night." Hah. Kesha-worthy? That's not necessarily a good thing. That's too wild of an evening for me. That crazy hung-over pop star hasn't had a good night if you want to know my opinion. I'd seen her in out of the hands of the Suna police force for disturbing the peace, intoxicated in public, and for so many other misdemeanors. I didn't want that to be by the end of the night, and I was about to inform Tazuna and Sorachi of my mind change when my backstage ID caught my eye. It was the ID Temari made for me so that I could go backstage at any of her events when I felt it was necessary. She had decided to make one for me since I started (pretending) to date Gaara. She had never been so nice to me before. It was like she had more respect for me. However, the pass didn't remind me so much of her unexpected kindness, but of the errand girl I used to be and how hard I had worked to get to where I was. All the blood, sweat, and tears, all the violent fan girls, screaming orders, dirty skanks like Matsuri and Kanoka, the mockery, the disrespect and hardship, all cramming into fuel one emotion: determination.

"Let's have a Kesha-worthy night," I agreed, and boy would I regret jinxing myself that way later because though my observational skills are good, Tazuna and Sorachi's combined powers of sneakiness are superior. They had more in store for me than I'd ever expect, and it was my fault for underestimating the two.

-A Kesha-Worthy Experience-

Blah, blah, blah. I was so drunk and wasted, that was about all I could sum up, other than throwing up. But I was singing (yelling off-key to a jingle) again in the club as the song blared through the speakers, rattling the floor as I danced. It was more of a drunken sway. I don't remember being this drunk because I didn't really drink. Sorachi and Sake had told me it was flavored water. Boy was I fool for not realizing what I was being given. So my observational skills had gone to shit. And for the love of Kami, I wish I could remember who I was dancing with and how I got that henna tattoo on my shoulder blades with the angel wings and the words "Blah, blah, blah" on it.

I was out of control completely for the first time in my life. Even when I was running for errands with Temari, I had always had the option of quitting, which gave me some control over what was going on. And I had a voice too, to complain (though I never used it). There was some control there, there was. But now, with my head spinning, music pounding, drunken giggling, booty popping, crazy ass self, there was no control. And if there was, the control wasn't mine.

I was feeling the buzz when a hot guy approached me. He had black hair and exploding gorgeous eyes. I was too buzzed (drunk as hell) to pinpoint why he looked familiar. He was probably one of Temari's exes. All the hot men in Suna had already at least accompanied her once on a date. He told me his name was Kenshin, and I had said, "Oh, just like the last battousai." Kenshin Himura had been my childhood hero. I would force my mother tell me his stories every night before bed time. At least I was able to recognize that much while I was drunk. He nodded nervously. He could have been lying about his name, but I didn't give a you-know-what at the moment.

"I'm Ts—" I began. I remembered it was wise not to use my real name, so I concocted another. "I'm so excited to meet you. I'm Kaoru." I nearly dropped my drink after that fumble. I felt like and numb idiot. Kaoru was the name of Kenshin Himura's lover. Hopefully he didn't notice, and if he did, maybe he'd think I was flirting.

"I've been looking for a Kaoru," he murmured in a low voice. I cocked my head to the side, wondering what he could possibly mean. "Would you like to dance?"

It was all a blur after that. Sorachi and Tazuna had been next to me, last time I checked. I wasn't so sure of their whereabouts now. All I know is that a song I liked came on, I began to dance (drunken sway) like a mad person and got low. I have to admit that Kenshin was doing a good job at keeping up with me. I don't think he was drunk because he had an amused look in his eye and he seemed highly alert. Not like me. I was numb to almost everything and there are points of the evening that I really can't remember. For example, I remember things going well with Kenshin. We danced for a long time, and then he suddenly had to leave after his friend tapped him on the shoulder. Apparently, he was needed for something, but I can't remember what. He told his friend to give him a moment. His friend gave a goofy smirk as he looked over at me. It was almost unceremoniously perverted and reminded me of... Hell if I know. Almost every man is perverted to some extent, I surmised.

"Miss Kaoru, can I see you again?" Kenshin asked. His breath was so warm and inviting. I giggled and nodded as I pulled out a pen from my back pocket, or somewhere. I scribbled down a phone number onto his soft hand. I blacked out for a brief moment and then remembered that it wasn't my phone number because I was nervous about giving that to a stranger and I couldn't remember it for the life of me. I gave him Hoshiro's number I think. That was the only number I could remember at the moment because Hoshiro had always said that it was the number I needed most if I was ever in a drunken stupor, though I can't remember why.

Anyway, I must have blacked out again after that. Nothing seemed as interesting as when Kenshin was here. Nothing mattered so much either because I was drunk off my ass and was just having fun. I assume that's what happened because I do remember a boy coming up behind me, trying to get frisky. I shoved him off me and stumbled into another person. My wig fell off, revealing my wadded up pink hair. Every person in the room suddenly took notice to me, especially the fan girls. I grabbed my wig, forced it on my head again, but the wig couldn't save me now. Girls were approaching, fan girls were approaching. They seemed to be chanting my name in disgust with their holstered red cups, glow in the dark sticks, and some had tubes of mascara. I think one had a straightener. The fanatics were cornering me. I thought I saw Tazuna trying to wave security over. Sorachi was squeezing through the crowd to get to me, but it was hard to do that when everyone wanted to get in close to see the Friday night bitch fight. Sober, I would have reacted rationally and taken in the situation with precision and wisdom. I would have noticed a nearby exit, or formulated some escape plan. I would have chosen flight over fight. However drunk, I chose to fight.

"You can go to hell!" I screeched as I grabbed the nearest object to me. It was a cushion, courtesy the club's infamous red sofa. I swung and spun like a mad top, swatting and beating down any girl that came my way. I yanked at hair, threw down the remains of extensions and real hair to the floor. I tore up clothes and let the pieces of fabric fall to the floor. My ensemble was still intact for the most part. A girl reached for my string of fake pearls and I was thankful that they were fake because I would have felt horrible if Tazuna had lent me her good pearls only for them to be ripped off by a fanatic. The strand of pearls broke and the pearls all slid onto the floor. I was doing a good job of keeping upright and laying down the hurt until a rebel pearl snuck under my heel. I fought to maintain balance but I was no match for the renegade pearl. My legs swung clear over my head and I hit the floor. If you thought there'd be mercy for me, you thought wrong because the fan girls did anything but show mercy. Instead, they took advantage of my situation. When the first fanatic leapt on top of me, it took no time for the others to join the smothering.

Beneath the sweaty fan girls, I sobered for momentarily. The real Tsubasa came back to me to offer her assistance in my time of need. She reminded me of my twin fans which I hid up my dress, tucked in between my skin and a sexy garter. I stretched my hand to my leg amongst the tangled mess of arms and legs. I groped at the two fans. It'd be hard to maneuver beneath the fans, but some of them were falling off of the pile. I knew that Sorachi was yanking them off of me above, and the less weight above me, the more I could move around below. I took one of the fans in my other hand, and allowed them to extend to their full length. I could feel their power surging through me, coursing along in harmony with my chi flow. The feeling was electric, just like the shock I sent through to the girls that had skin contact with my fans. Some yelped and yipped as they struggled to slide off of me.

I was initially a wind user, but in between a rock and a hard place (a bitch and a dance floor) I could whip a little voltage. Soon, the fanatics were off of me. I told Sorachi, "Tempest." She understood perfectly. She grabbed Tazuna by the wrist and began to lead her to the nearest exit. When they were out of range, I initiated my attack, Tempest Storm. I had created it during my Desert Storm Training. Kiba had been good for something because I practiced it on him (Hehe). The tempest swept over fan girls, security, drunken bystanders and blew them across the room. While they were dazed, I snuck over to the exit that Sorachi and Tazuna had taken. They were waiting for me outside, in a fit of giggles.

I stumbled over to them. Sober Tsubasa was gone. I was drunken Tsubie again, and I wasn't feeling too hot. I felt a gurgle in my stomach. I turned to a nearby trashcan and emptied my contents in that poor unsuspecting waste bin. Tazuna and Sorachi grimaced, disgustedly as I vomited a few more times. I don't know if I felt better or not after dumping out the alcohol in the form of puke. I let out an agonizing groan. Nope, I didn't feel better at all.

I kept repeating Hoshiro's number. At that moment I remembered why it was so important. He's who I needed to call if there was ever a time I got drunk and out of hand. He's the only guy that wouldn't take advantage of the situation and see to it that I'd get the care that I needed.

"Why is she saying all those numbers?" Tazuna asked.

"It's Hoshiro's," Sorachi replied, frowning. "We should probably call him so he can take care of her."

"Or," Tazuna cooed in a mischievous voice, "we could call Gaara."

"Don't you think that would embarrass Tsubasa?" asked Sorachi, glancing over to me. I was fighting to keep my consciousness. And I nodded, but it just looked like I was going to vomit again. But yes, yes it would embarrass me. Quite a bit, actually.

"Maybe," agreed Tazuna. "But imagine her knight in shining armor coming to her rescue. We will just tell him what happened… That you and I tricked her into drinking. We don't want him thinking she's some sort of alcoholic on her days off." Tazuna gave a giggle. "It'll be so romantic for him to come and take care of her!"

"Don't call him please," I tried to say to them, but the garble sounded more like, "Donnnnn." Vomit, vomit, more vomit.

"Poor thing. I'll clean her up inside the store. You go ahead and call Gaara."

Tazuna had dragged me into the bathroom of a nearby super market. I tried not to look at anyone, even if I was in disguise, I didn't want to be recognized later if I decided to use the costume again. Once in the bathroom, Tazuna removed my wig and cleaned up my face. The makeup got removed along with the remains of puke. She pulled some comfortable looking clothes out of her purse. "I always bring a set of comfies with me wherever I go. You never know when you need to change really quickly."

"Tashuna," I murmured.

"Yes?"

"Washhh tonight Kesha-worthy?" I slurred as she propped me up.

"It certainly was," she told me, laughing. "You went out to have a fun night, you got plastered, met someone, fought some bitches, and you've probably been blacking out. You'll be hung over tomorrow." She slipped me out of the dress and stuffed it in back in her purse, saying she'd send it out for dry cleaning. Once I got my head through the hole of the shirt she tried to slip over me, I passed out, and the rest is a drunken legend I'm sure.

-Waking Up In the Infirmary-

I woke back up in the infirmary of Sand Castle. Everyone I knew (and cared for) nearly was there. Hoshiro was scolding Tazuna and Sorachi in the corner of the room. Kankuro was making rude gestures and telling tales of his drunken days (which probably aren't that much in the past as he said). Temari kept rolling her eyes, obviously annoyed with the hooded shinobi. Gaara was still and quiet, sitting in the chair near my bed. He had his eyes on me, and I never felt so relieved to be back in my prison cell (Sand Castle). As long as he was next to me, anything and everything was bearable.

"How are you feeling?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Better now," I admitted.

"Good," he said. "Get some sleep and you don't have to come in to work tomorrow. I've finished my paperwork for this week early, thanks to Kankuro. I'll be taking the day after tomorrow off anyway."

"You're taking a day off?" I asked, worriedly. It was rare that Gaara took a day off. Usually the council had to force him to relax. This was unlike him.

Kankuro grinned. "Gaara met someone! He's got a date!" Temari smacked her brother, hissing at him to keep his mouth shut. Gaara just shook his head.

"Kankuro over exaggerates my situation," said Gaara, trying to save grace. However, I could see it clearly that he had someone on his mind, most likely the someone he'd be going out on the date with.

"That's great," I lied. Suddenly I felt much worse than any drunken stupor could do to me. I felt heartbroken. "I hope you have a great time, Kazekage-sama. You deserve it." I had once said that I'd sacrifice my own happiness for his. I wasn't lying when I said that. I meant it, word for word. This was only a test to prove those words.

The Sand Siblings left the room, and though my three best friends remained, I never felt so alone in my life. There were tears, lots of them; some for embarrassing myself by getting drunk and hung over that I couldn't show up for work that morning, most for my heartbreak.

"Don't be distraught Tsubie-chan," Tazuna told me, patting my wrist. "He just needs to meet a few skanks and bitches to realize you're the one for him." That didn't help at all. I began to wail, and a distressed Tazuna broke down crying as well. "I'm so sorry! I'm a horrible friend! I did this! It's all my fault! Tsubie, please forgive me!" The list went on, and on, and on, and on, and on, until I wasn't the one crying anymore.

"Tazuna," I said in a strained voice, "please, stop. It's not your fault. It's nobody's fault. If Gaara really liked me, then I'm sure he and I would be at some different stage in our relationship right now. But we aren't. So it's not meant to be. I'm sure he'll find a great girl that'll make him happy."

"That girl is you, Tsubie," said Sorachi. "His eyes light up so much when he sees you. He's more enthusiastic. He's just happier when he's around you."

I shook my head. "That's the excitement of getting more paperwork filed that you're mistaking for interest. I can let it go, if you guys let it go."

"On the bright side, you did meet someone tonight, right?" asked Tazuna.

"Oh, Kami," Hoshiro remarked, having been quiet this whole time. His eyes were now rolling as he plopped in the chair Gaara once sat at, arms crossed with irritation written on his face like a chalkboard. He was going to add more to his statement when Sorachi gave him a silencing whack.

"Yeah! You met someone. He was totally hot," Sorachi chimed. "You should call him."

"I didn't get his number," I replied, disappointed. I brightened when I remembered that I had done something to bridge our communication. "I told him my name was Kaoru, and I gave him Hoshiro's number."

"I knew I'd get dragged into this more than I am already," Hoshiro complained. "So when I answer the phone and this creep is asking for you, what do I tell him?"

I shrugged, but Tazuna took over. I know she would try to redeem herself in some way. "What Tsubie needs is a date so she can forget about you-know-who!"

"Maybe I just need some rehab… or maybe just need some sleep," I said. If my heart's on the mend, how am I supposed to go out on another date? If I've got a sick obsession and I'm seeing Gaara in my dreams… If I'm looking down every alley for Gaara and considering making desperate calls to him every night to tell him how I feel… If I'm staying up all night and hitting my head against the wall… How am I supposed to go on a date with another guy that isn't Gaara? Even if Kenshin was a pretty cool guy.

"Tell Hot Guy that your Kaoru's brother or something, and that she's at work to explain why she's not there. Tell him you'll take a message. Even better, Tsubasa can spend the day with you once she feels good enough to move around again. She can answer your phone calls today. I'm sure that he'll call her back. I saw the way he was looking at her last night. He was totally interested. He'll call today! I know it!" Tazuna's wheels had never turned faster than they were then.

"Okay, okay," Hoshiro grumbled. "I'll do it, but only if it's what Tsubasa wants."

"I just want to go to bed," I groaned.

"Tsubie!"

"Fine, I want to go out on a date with this Kenshin guy. Just let me sleep."

They left me finally, and my poor nerves (hung over ass) could get some sleep at last. Sleep comes easy to the heartbroken, I think. Because we just feel like going into a comatose.

Top down in the summer sun

The day we met was like a hit and run

And I still taste it on my tongue

(Taste it on my tongue)

The sky was burning up like fireworks

You made me want you, oh, so bad it hurt

But in case you haven't heard

I used to be love drunk, but now I'm hung-over

I love you forever, forever is over

We used to kiss all night, now it's just a bar fight

So don't call me crying, say hello then goodbye

I remember when I first met Gaara. It was like a hit and run. I fell in love from the first moment, nearly like every heartbroken fan girl before me. I remember all our moments together, the heartfelt moments and times that I thought it was possible for him to like a girl like me. It was a beautiful feeling, like the release of caged butterflies, like he sang to my soul and my heart at once, like fluttering wings and caressing feathers, like pure sunlight, like every wonderful feeling this world has ever had to offer, but more. And I still taste it on my tongue. I used to be love drunk, but now I'm sober.

Tale Two:

Don't Stop Believing

I sobered up quicker than I had expected. All the coffee and water helped out. Hoshiro told me that Kenshin had called for me, which was a nice surprise. I really didn't think he'd call. He also promised to call back at the time Hoshiro said I'd be home from work (good lie). Tazuna saw it as a window of opportunity. She turned a possible future phone call into a dinner party. She said it would be the rehearsal dinner for a future coming out party she promised to throw for me. I could tell she still felt guilty over what happened at the club. I immediately felt remorse for it all. I shouldn't have gone for more drinks once I was drunk like I did. They were just trying to loosen me up a little, and I over did it.

I had been doing a good job of ignoring my broken heart, until certain details were brought up during dinner. "This new guy's gonna be great Tsubie-chan, much better than Gaara! That's for sure." Sorachi stuffed her mouth with steamed rice.

"Mhm," Tazuna agreed. "I bet he's a male model or something. He was really good looking." Not those male models were my type, not that they lined up for me.

"Maybe he's studying to be a doctor, or a councilman like you, something brilliant," Sorachi suggested.

"Maybe," I replied, though I can't say I believed either possibility. He was probably an average shinobi with a few good tricks up his sleeves and knows how to turn on the charm when needed. Just like Kiba. That's all I'd ever be good enough to get anyway because I certainly wasn't anything special. I was just a small town girl, born in a suburb of Suna just shy of being a separate prefecture. I once had dreams of being a council woman. I was once so ambitious and determined. That was once upon a time ago. I think more logically now. I'll probably live a life of mediocrity just like everyone else.

I hadn't noticed the phone was ringing until Hoshiro told me it was for me. An excited giggle escaped from Tazuna's lips. My heart was croaking like a frog as I took hold of the phone. Everyone seemed so enthused for me. I wish I shared that with them. I was scared, frightened. If I gave Kenshin a chance… Well, what if I liked him more than Gaara? Was it okay for me to like someone else more than Gaara? I wasn't sure. But I could find out. They always say that to mend a broken heart, you have to replace the last love with another. Perhaps Kenshin is what I needed. If nothing much came out of it, he'd still be a stepping stone for me to fall out of love with Gaara, and I could get on with my hopeless life.

I stared blankly at the phone. If I answered, I'd make the choice to try to forget Gaara.

I placed the phone to my ear and did what any person in doubt would do. I opened my mouth and words came out. "Hello, Kenshin." I prayed that Gaara would forgive me for this. If he even cared. He probably hoped that I'd move on from him. It was clear how in love with him I was. He had to know how crazy I was for him. He'd have to be blind not to notice.

"Hello, Miss Kaoru. How are you?" Kenshin said. His voice was so soothing to me. The tension unfurled and ceased to exist. I felt relaxed and so at ease suddenly. Such a nice voice.

"I'm good, and you?" I returned the question politely.

"Good," said he. "I'd really like to see you again, Miss Kaoru."

"I'd like to see you again too," I replied. I could hear Tazuna and Sorachi cooing from behind me as they prodded me with poking fingers, twirling my hair and tickling my neck.

"Would you like to go out sometime?" he asked, and I could read how nervous he was in his voice. He was actually eager to go out with me and afraid I might reject him. It was so cute, so innocent.

"I'd love to," I told him, and a burden greater than Gaara's gourd lifted from me.

"Shall I pick you up tomorrow?"

"I can meet you somewhere," I said to him.

"I'll meet you at the Northwest Suna Promenade at eight in the evening," he said, and before I could get another word in, he said goodbye and hung up.

"That was fast," Hoshiro speculated.

"What did he say?" begged Tazuna and Sorachi, who were beginning to act like a pair of wonder twins. That worried me greatly. They'd only be getting me into more trouble from here on in.

"Goodbye, Mr. Beautiful. I've got a date with Kenshin tomorrow at eight," I said, sounding like I was asking. It was hard to believe that I was making the step, the first move to getting over Gaara.

"Kenshin and Kaoru sitting in a tree," sang Tazuna and Sorachi. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

-Kenshin and Miss Kaoru-

I didn't show up to the date wearing Suna's highest fashion or with picture perfect hair or a face done up by Tazuna. I showed up as me in a cute little spring dress that I had picked out on my own the other day while running a few errands for Temari. I didn't wear heels either. I just wore sandals, my ninja sandals. I did my own makeup, which amounted to just a little blush and some lip gloss. I hadn't done so little in so long, and I kind of missed my face. I wanted Kenshin to see the real Tsubasa. Well, sort of. I wasn't ready to reveal to Kenshin that I was Tsubasa Imamura just yet. I still wore the black wig to keep up the disguise. Kaoru would have to do for the time being, and I wasn't sure if Kenshin was worth it. It was too soon to tell.

He was dressed casual as well. He wore a grey shirt and a laidback pair of black jeans. I could tell how much he liked dark colors. They definitely complimented him. His eyes were so surreal and stood out, beaming at me as he approached.

"Good evening, Miss Kaoru," he said, and for a moment I forgot that I told him a different name.

"Hi, Kenshin," I greeted back, warmly as I could muster in my heart broken state. I was trying so hard not to think about Gaara and what he was doing on his date tonight. Kenshin helped when he pulled me gently by the hand, as if he were accustomed to holding it. Beneath my flesh, my heart was jack hammering, revitalized by the sudden feeling of attraction I felt. It was such a familiar pull, the magnetic force.

"Follow and close your eyes," he murmured, and by hand, he led me to a discreet place underneath the stars. My hand in his felt so safe and secure. These feelings seemed to come from nowhere, from everywhere all at once. It was a flooding attraction, coming full throttle. I peeked a little, I admit. I didn't peek to see where he was taking me, but I peeked at him. He was smiling, genuinely excited for what he was about to surprise me with. I shut my eyes again, vowing not to reopen then until it was time. "Almost there," he soothed as if he could sense my eagerness, my impatience. "Okay, open."

Before me was a camel-drawn cart filled with hay. He was taking me for a haystack ride! It was so simple yet so romantic, something I'd never experienced before. I was so excited that I had forgotten my aversion to camels nearly, but then the beast spit in my direction and I yipped loudly. He laughed and said, "Sahara is very tame. You have nothing to worry about." He climbed into the cart and extended his hand toward me. I eyed Sahara uneasily. She didn't seem very threatening, not like that old lump of camel, Farah. I took Kenshin's hand, and he pulled me into the cart with him.

I sat in a tuft of hay alongside Kenshin. His raven hair was unfurled splendor filled with messy black curls and waves. The untidiness of it was oddly comforting to me. He bore a crooked sort of smile, lip curling charismatically. "For a smile," he said, "we can share the night." I couldn't help but return the smile after that. He revealed a picnic basket underneath a clump of hay and set up the picnic. We ate in silence, but it wasn't awkward. It was relaxing and so stress relieving. He really knew how to get my mind off of things. Gaara was in the back of my head when Kenshin began to clean up the cart. "Ready to go for an adventure now?" he asked.

"Where exactly is this late night hay ride going?" I inquired.

"Late night hay rides go anywhere," he replied with an air of mystery about him. He bore a small grin as his iridescent blue eyes twinkled with flecks of green. He patted Sahara on the bum and she took off on a route only known to her and Kenshin. "So tell me about yourself, Miss Kaoru. You don't seem like the kind of the girl that's always at a club. Was it your first time drinking?"

I immediately blushed for two reasons. One being that it was an embarrassing thing to discuss because of the weird and bad memories tied to it. The second reason was that it was obvious to him that I wasn't the clubbing type or the drinking type. He could read me very well, and that frightened me a little. I had guard up, and he was doing a good job of getting past it with only casual questions.

"It was my first time. Some friends of mine wanted me to loosen up a bit and have some fun. They didn't realize that I'd drink myself into a stupor. That was also my first time going to a club like that." I might as well as come clean about those things. I had wanted him to see the real me to see if he'd still appreciate it. "I'm not one for crazy nights like that. I had wanted to try it though."

He nodded. "Understandable."

"And you?" I asked.

"My first time as well," he replied quietly.

"Really?" I couldn't believe that. No, he was too experienced it seemed. He was too something. I just couldn't pinpoint it. It was too difficult to fathom the idea of it being his first time though. It had to at least been his third because he seemed to know things. "I can't believe that," I voiced. "You're joking."

"I'm not," he responded with a small smile.

"Well, whatever were you doing there?" I inquired.

"Hoping to meet a nice girl," he said in a matter of fact tone. His hand stretched across to rub at his shoulder for a moment and then he lay against the hay. He closed one eye and kept the other on me.

"At a club?" I sniffed. "Whoever told you that you could meet a nice girl there?"

"I met you," said he, silencing me. "You never finished telling me about yourself."

"Oh, right." I couldn't help but lean against the hay next to him. It was more relaxing for me to lean back, and I'd be less nervous about speaking to him. He was practically prohibiting me from speech. I had to be careful in what I revealed to him too. I had to consider what I was saying to him, being sure not to give him too many hints of who I was. "I'd like to make something of myself, something beyond a low rank kunoichi. I want to be involved in politics because I'm very patriotic. I love our village hidden in the sand. To me, it's the best nation and in a league of its own. I want to see it grow and flourish like the way it did a few decades ago. I learned about it in my history classes I took."

"I manage the family business with my brother and sister. It's hard work. And both my brother and sister have their attention diverted elsewhere. My brother is a lazy womanizer, and my sister is determined to make it on her own through building her own sort of empire. Their dreams have distanced them from me, yet we still remain close. They are there for me when I need them." He had a quiet way about him, even when he gave me many details. His voice was low and husk. It seemed an effort for him to speak so much.

I could see how much he cared for his family by the way he talked about them. It was reserved compassion, but it was evident that he loved his family. That much I could see. It was nice to see a family-oriented Sunagakure boy. Lately the young men had grown more independent, wanting to make their own ways in life. This guy, he was all about maintaining the family business and protecting it as if it were some sort of dynasty. He was a hard worker and clearly motivated; definitely traits I was looking for in a boyfriend (but I won't get ahead of myself).

"My teammates are like that. I rarely see them or spend time with them, but they're always supportive of me in any endeavors I undergo. My parents died when I was younger. My teammates are my only family now." I didn't know what else to say after that. I felt like he told me much more about himself than I was letting on about myself, so I continued. "I like to practice my ninja skill. I like reading and cooking too. I always love to learn a new recipe. I hate the rain because it usually makes me feel gloomy. I enjoy writing very much. I guess I'm a bit introverted." I snuggled my legs close to my chest and peered over at Kenshin. "What about you?"

"I enjoy quiet activities such as reading, but I'm not much of a writer. I like drinking tea in silence and reflecting mostly. I'm a Jonin ninja. I don't care for the rain much either. I'm called reserved and introverted as well." He seemed to struggle with things to say. It was like he wasn't sure what he liked, like he had to really take into consideration what he enjoyed doing. Maybe the guy really didn't get out much and it was his first time going to the club. Why didn't he try a bookstore or something if he was looking for a nice girl to meet? Things just didn't add up exactly right.

"Why a club?" I had to ask it. I had to know because I couldn't see why he'd choose a club to find a nice girl and not a teahouse or a marketplace.

"It was my brother's idea," admitted Kenshin. "He holds Suna's night clubs in high regard, and said I was guaranteed to find someone. I think he was hoping for me to find someone that had a friend for him." He chuckled lightly. I only smiled.

"Well, it's about ten," Kenshin said, "and I think it's time for the second half of the evening. I'll have you back here by around midnight."

He gave Sahara another pat on her hind. She instinctively set forth on another secret route, using her muscular tan legs to guide us. She took a scenic path, skirting around the edges of Sunagakure. Judging by my strong sense of navigation, we were headed downtown. At around ten, Suna's downtown area came alive and owned up to its rumors. Downtown Sand had a night life like no other, envied by all, even Iwagakure. It was common to spot a few Leaf shinobi in downtown, especially during the weekends or during holidays and festivals. The way the shining lights lit up the night sky were enough to make the stars jealous. Downtown Suna certainly had a splendor and majesty all on its own compared to the rest of the village.

We strode through the milky twilight of the flashing lights. Hayrides through downtown were popular, though I had never been on one. There were strangers waiting, walking down the boulevard. Their shadows were searching in the night. There were street lights and people, living just to find emotion. They hid somewhere in the night. The same scene played before me, on and on. Lonely people, lonely me. We were all walking the same direction it seemed. So I asked myself, was I living just to find emotion too? I should hope I lived for something with more substance, more stability. But everybody wants a thrill. I suppose I was no different.

Kenshin didn't seem like much of a smiler, but he did seem content. I could tell by his eyes, they swirled with speckles of green, mixing with the blue to create an aesthetic fusion. They reminded me of Gaara's eyes, just without the raccoon rings. And now I really wish I hadn't thought of him. I was doing such a good job of focusing my attention on Kenshin. Gaara always ruined my thought process. I usually didn't mind, but it was definitely deterring me from moving on from him. He was a love I needed to forget, just like Kiba.

I tried to switch my thoughts to a different topic by starting a conversation with Kenshin. "Who are you really? I mean, you can tell me your favorite color and tell me what you like to do in your free time, but that doesn't tell me too much about you. Colors are just colors and hobbies are just hobbies. Everyone has them. It's all just so generic. I want to know what you're really like. I want to know what you think and how you feel about life. What are you thinking?" I wasn't sure where that exactly came from, and I was surprised at my audacity, but it didn't faze Kenshin. He was unperturbed by it. In fact he was more than just calm and collected, he almost seemed relieved that I had made an effort, a stab at figuring him out like others before me hadn't bothered.

"Well put," he said with a very small smirk. "I'm not sure how I should begin. Perhaps you could go first and lead by example."

"Very well," I told him. I inhaled at that point because boy, did I have a lot to say. "I'm the most easily embarrassed and awkward person you could possibly meet. I was never the popular well-dressed girl. I was the sit in the front of the class, answer every question the teacher asked, finish my test first and miss none kind of girl. I may sound ignorant, but I honestly believe that a fourth of the things I've experienced in life have been more mortifying and humiliating than a regular person's whole life. I'm neurotic sometimes, and I no longer handle stress well. I used to be so well composed. I used to laugh at challenges. I'm distressed nearly ninety-eight percent of the time, and when I'm not distressed, I'm in LaLa land because my love life thus far has sucked, and my dream of making something of myself seems so close and so far at once, which is agony to me. I'm underappreciated at what I do, and I go above and beyond my call of duty. I go above and beyond the person who goes above and beyond. I'm like super cosmic above and beyond, and I can't calm down from that mania. My work controls most my life, and I fear I've gone quite insane from it to the point where I'm telling you this now, when I was supposed to be telling you other things. That just proves how much my work dominates me. It's all I think about."

There was silence from Kenshin at first, and I thought perhaps he thought he landed himself a Looney. Then he started to chuckle. It wasn't out of control laughter, but amused laughter like he somewhat understood or that my life was that funny. I wasn't sure which. "That's a lot to take in," said Kenshin, "and sadly I understand you, can even relate. I don't know how to behave in social settings and am often awkward myself. It seems almost useless to try though my family coaxes me into these strange situations, such as going to a club to meet young women. A love life has been non-existent to me, and I never had intentions of having one. My family thinks I would benefit from it, and I've reluctantly agreed. I can't say that I regret undertaking this mission, but I can't help but feel it's infinitely hopeless. My family business is a burden that I've decided only I can shoulder, but it is stressful as well. I'm expected to produce a successor to the business, and I don't know if I can live up to that." He paused. "Do you know me better now?"

"I believe so," I replied, feeling guilty that he technically didn't know who I really was. Telling someone a fake name and re-wording the story of your life so your identity isn't found out isn't necessarily being honest with someone. But I was waiting to see if I could trust Kenshin, and I wanted to take things slowly. I didn't want to let my emotions run on high again, and have another Kiba or Gaara on my hands. That was too much for me. I wasn't even trying to fall in love when I met Gaara. It just happened. Kuso! There I go again.

After the clock struck midnight, we were back at the Northwest Suna Promenade. I felt like the date had been good for me, allowed me to see what else was out there. It wasn't like speed dating where there was nothing but a bunch of weirdoes. It was a genuine conversation with someone new who had the potential of being something more than a friend. I was even eager for a return date.

Kenshin's words saddened me, though. "I'm afraid I'll be out of town so I'll be unable to see you until I come back. Business calls me out of town."

"I see," I replied. I took it as he did not want to go on a second date. He didn't like me. I wasn't expecting too much from this, but I was expecting a little something more than tonight.

"Don't think it's because I don't want to see you," he said. He had read my thoughts, read through my eyes to my soul. It shocked me. It was like he knew me beyond this night. It was like he knew me in another life or something bizarre like that. Tazuna had told me this crazy theory about having past lives and how your soul mate and you remain the same through each life although you don't know it. I had secretly laughed at it. "I'd like it if I could see you again when I return, if you do."

I smiled shyly. "I'd like that too."

-Sayonara Mr. Beautiful-

When I returned back to Sand Castle, I regretted coming home so early. Just as I was arriving home so was my boss (I'm trying not to refer to him as Gaara anymore because I have emotional attachment to that name. When I just say boss, it makes me think more professionally, and I sound like a lovesick fool trying not to ruminate over things). He walked with a natural swagger that was conceited or done so purposely. You knew he was the Kazekage of Suna by the way he held his head up high with alertness and pride. He was the keeper of this village. He was the great protector… My great heart throb, Sabaku no Gaara, Gaara of the Desert. He was my beloved and my despair, and he had just gotten home from his date (I surmised at least).

"Good evening Imamura-san," he greeted quietly. I was flustered he had gone back to my last name. Why couldn't he call me Miss Kaoru (Tsubasa) like Kenshin did? Why couldn't he show me some sort of affection, some sort of feeling. I'd take anything, anything at all. Not like it mattered now. Two could play at that game.

"Good evening Kazekage-sama," I acknowledged, pretending to be uninterested in what he had just gotten back from. Although, inside, I was dying to know every little detail more so than Matsuri likely was (but she probably was under the impression that he was with me. I wish). I picked at imaginary dirt underneath my fingernails.

"You look different tonight," he remarked, probably referring to my lack of makeup and my simple attire. I wonder what he thought of it.

"I was on a date. I didn't want to hide under all the makeup like I do at work," I said, hoping it stung him in some way. "I wanted to be real."

"I see." He nodded. If he was hurt (and I doubt it), he didn't show it at all. And if you thought he was going to give me any inclination as to how his date went, you're wrong because Gaara is into his privacy. He doesn't like nosy people (like Matsuri), and even though I'd just die to know, I didn't ask. His privacy was incredibly important to him, and I didn't want to pry. It would only hurt worse if I knew anyway. "The council has given me this next week off. They've taken notice to our supposed dating. They're sending my siblings and me to Leaf. You, of course, would need to accompany us." Was he being somewhat cold, or was I just being paranoid?

"Of course," I said.

We walked the rest of the way in silence. It was very awkward. I didn't know what to say, and I don't think he did either, or maybe there really was just nothing to say between us. Maybe I've just imagined everything there ever was between us. If so, I likely need heavy medications and therapy.

He stopped at his door. I continued along, not wanting to show any discomfort or hurt. He didn't need to see or know anything. I wanted him to think I had a great evening, and I had, but it didn't seem so magical after seeing him face to face. Seeing him really just totaled the evening for me, made my heart sink deeper. I rushed into my room, gasping as I ran to my bathroom and clutched the sink.

"Get a grip," I hissed at myself as I stared back at the shaking girl in front of me. She seemed so fragile, staring back with round eyes. Her eyes were so sad, and she seemed so paralyzed by the sadness, just a trembling small town girl living in a lonely world. I washed my face promptly to wake myself from my bizarre state. I needed fresh air. I went out to the balcony only to find Gaara looking at the stars.

I made an attempt to return inside, but he stopped me. "You don't have to go back inside because I'm out here. We can share the night."

"Yes, sir." I blinked at him, several times. Mostly, it was because of disbelief. Not so much, it was because I thought I was losing my mind. If my mind was in the process of being lost, it should have been lost long ago. So perhaps in some strange way that would mean that I'm sane for the most part.

"You had a nice evening?" he asked me, catching me off guard.

"I did," I said with only slight hesitation. I was scared and unsure of where this was going. I shouldn't have returned the question, but I couldn't help myself. "And you?"

"I did as well." I waited for him to disappear into his room, lock himself in and hear no more words from him, but he stayed. He watched me, watched for my next move. I was indecisive. I was confused, not knowing whether to linger with him or to go inside, lock the door, and never say a word. "He was kind to you then?"

"He was," I responded uneasily.

Gaara nodded and shut his eyes. I wish I knew what he was thinking at that moment, but it would have to remain a mystery because though I had a great deal of talents, mind reading wasn't one of them. It didn't help that it was Gaara's mind I was trying to peer into. He wasn't the easiest to figure out. "You like him?"

"I'm not sure," I said, growing more and more apprehensive. If I said I did like him, would it blow any chance whatsoever with Gaara, would it make him jealous? Did Gaara get jealous? Did he care at all or was he just being polite? I could try the truth, but I don't know if it would set me free as they say it does. "He was a nice enough guy, handsome but I fear he pales in comparison to you, Kazekage-sama." What? Whaaaat? I knew I was supposed to say something truthful but that wasn't the something that was supposed to pop out! I was supposed to say something more along the lines of, "He was nice, but it's too soon to tell if he and I are compatible." Instead, I just gave Gaara a possible inclination as to what my feelings were. I might have just blown everything with a stupid slip of the tongue.

"You flatter me," he said softly. I thanked Kami he didn't take it another way. I mean, I wanted him to know how I felt, but I truly, really didn't want him to know. I choose the latter for fear of rejection and unreciprocated feelings. "I'm sure that it is you he pales in comparison to, Imamura-san. I hope that you date men who are only worthy of dating you." He paused. "I have to go now. Good night." He left. Just like that he left, leaving me as confused as ever, as hopeful and as hopeless as ever.

"Sayonara, Mr. Beautiful. You're someone I never knew," I told him, but I knew he couldn't hear me. Then I went inside and tried to fall asleep.

Author's Note: Stay tuned for Part Two of Tales of Spring Break!

So what team are you on?

Team Kiba

Team Kenshin

Team Gaara

Team Lonely?

Let me know in a review! I'd love to hear your opinion. I may ask you this same question again later. Hope that doesn't spoil too much for you! ;)