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: This chapter marks the beginning of my summer!

Chapter Thirty: Project Suna

In the light of the sun, I couldn't see anyone. I was lost in an old part of Suna that was long forgotten and abandoned after we were invaded by the Akatsuki members Deidara and Sasori those years ago. It was the only portion of Suna that wasn't restored to its original splendor.

It hadn't been due to a lack of funding. The reason was simply because all of Suna's people had left, moved out and remained in what we referred to as New Town Suna. Old Town Suna still existed as well, but a piece of it broke off like a branch removed from the tree by rough winds.

Trying to assess my situation and regain my bearings, I gazed over the decrepit buildings, memories of what used to stand proudly in the sand. No, they were ghosts of what used to be.

Though I was pleased with what New Town had brought Suna, culture, excitement, adventure, renovation and a promise of a better future, I was saddened by the loss of such a valuable piece of Suna's history. It was a puzzle, laid out completely as it painted the portrait of a magnificent and proud Hidden Village, but there were some pieces missing. Pieces that Suna's full potential and beauty couldn't be appreciated without.

My aching arms and the bags they carried reminded me that I was on yet another errand for Temari. I was beginning to feel weighed down by the heaps of clothing, the too-high heels poking holes into the bags and the repugnant smell of a leaking perfume bottle.

Wasn't there any one out here, any soul but my own that could give me some kind of directions?

I wondered this as I dropped the bags to the floor, no longer caring that I needed to get them to Temari. Looking back as the disheveled items spilled from the edges of the bags, I smiled. They were like chains that I constantly wore, incessantly binding me and holding me down, but at least for a moment while I admired the part of Suna long forgotten by the rest of the villagers, I could be free of them.

As I walked past the buildings, still crumbling, I let my hand glide along the dusty edges of them. I appreciated the sensation each grain of sand beneath my skin as my fingertips rubbed against them.

I paused at one building for a moment, smiling. It was once an apothecary which sold herbs and medicine. The small shop was run by an elderly man and his wife. I wondered where they may have relocated to, if they still were in the same line of business or had retired.

I left the string of buildings and crossed my way toward the remnants of what was once known as Saharazuki Bridge. It used to stretch over a beautiful oasis filled with palm trees. The villagers used to flock to the oasis.

When Sorachi, Hoshiro and I were children, Hoshiro's family would bring us to the oasis. We would play all day with many of other kids in the village. So many memories had been made there not just for us, but for everyone.

I returned to Temari's heaped shopping bags, gathered them and understood at last why it was I had gotten lost, why my impeccable sense of direction had failed me. I was meant to rediscover Old Town so that I could do something to restore it.

With my features fixed into a determined expression, I treaded back to Sand Castle.

-The Next Day-

The drawn up project boards I carried in my hands shook as my whole body quivered with excitement. Gaara had been very responsive to my ideas. He had encouraged me to present them alongside him at the soonest meeting with council.

I glanced over in his direction for a brief moment while he assisted me in setting up for the meeting. We arrived to the meeting room early for our preparations.

The presentation went without a hitch. I spoke clearly and effectively. I was quite convincing if I do say so myself. It seemed my call to action had reached my audience and persuaded them.

I was confident they would agree until Temari, of course she had to just be there, spoke up.

"And who will head this project, Imamura?" I tried not to flinch as her hand went to her hip, a telltale sign I was being challenged.

I felt my entire confidence spill out of me like water through a drain. My eyes trailed around the room, nervous now, as the council members shared skeptical glances with one another. Their body language seemed to read, 'We were on board with this, but Temari has a point. All of us are much too busy.'

At that moment, Gaara rose to stand. With a half smile no person could argue with he said, "Tsubasa-san will head the project of course. No one would be better suited for the job."

"I see," Temari said dryly. She saw that her brother had faith in my abilities, but that didn't ease her concerns.

"And you will work under her," Gaara quickly added.

To this, small gasps were heard. The council members appeared nervous, exchanging more uneasy glances amongst themselves. Some coughed to disguise their shock; others looked away for a moment but then returned their gazes almost immediately to see what Temari's response would be.

She raised a brow. She wanted to argue. That was evident. However, she must have thought against it because she smiled and said, "Sounds like a plan to me."

I think I swallowed my tongue accidentally because a hard knot formed in my throat. Gaara noticed my apprehension, adjourned the meeting and walked me back toward the office. I wish I would have felt more relief to have put so much distance between Temari and I (she had a hair appointment on the other side of town), but I could feel every single doubt imaginable crawl in and root itself within me.

I wasn't sure if I could do this. Heading the project, one I was so passionate about, would be a test of my abilities. I knew that. And if I failed, I could never become a council member. I had just now realized that.

"Tsubasa-san," Gaara called from beside me.

As I stared into those dangerously beautiful sea foam eyes, my skepticism, my fear and my doubt were ebbed away by the very oceans I was gazing into.

"Yes?"

"You did very well in there," he said. The half smile I saw in the council room was nothing to the smile he now shared with me. He looked radiant like heaven on earth. "You have a warm heart and a beautiful brain."

Feeling giddy, I awkwardly spurted out, "Thank you, Kazekage-sama!"

He nodded and headed toward his office. I plopped into the seat of my own desk and smiled dreamily to myself.

The way black is black and blue is just blue, it was a matter of fact that I loved the man only yards away from me, sealed safe and soundly behind those French doors. And hopefully, just as matter-of-factly as I felt love, maybe he did too.

A/N: I know the chapter is short, but I wanted to get something out to you guys before you thought I'd died or something. My summer has arrived and I'll try my best to keep on with the updates. Stay tuned and don't forget to review. I've missed you all!