Me: WOW its been a while! Geez –nervous laugh- how's everyone doin'? Yeah sorry I couldn't really keep up with this story. I've been writing Withered Flower and I've been getting a BUTT LOAD of TEST ugh poor hand! Well this chapter is shorter than my regulars because I'm a scatter brain and I tend to forget my plot from time to time. On the other hand I've already started the next chapter ( I write all my stories in a paper notebook lol) Any who! I've got a surprise for all you Withered Flower fans! YES! IT'S A TEASER! Lol the reason I haven't really started on the sequel is because I don't know what to NAME IT! AH! So I was wondering if all you wonderful people could lend me a hand it's between the Japanese version or the English version! –Breath-
Gaara:… I've been kept in a box for 3 months!
Me: Sorry still don't own anything Naruto related beside my Itachi cosplay and my Naruto posters. ;(
Shadows of the Fan
Chapter. 3 Honorifics
"Wait, wait, wait, that wasn't even the funny part! The real kick of the show was when he dragged her out the house like a dog! Naruto burst as the uproar around the kitchen table started once again.
"Asuma sure trained that boy well…" Kakashi brushed his index finger against the waterline of his lone eye, letting the access water leek out as he looked around the room.
"by the ay Naruto, where's Sakura?"
Naruto's eyes widened at the thought of his best friend gone missing.
"She's fine. I can assure you that she's with Gaara." Temari giggled with a wink.
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Sakura Haruno loved the sound of the playful wind against the wind chimes. She stared out the sand made window of the Kazekage's office; soft, pink hair blowing gently in the crisp breeze.
*Ahem*" Uh…"
"It's Sakura, Kazekage-sama." She turned to face him, a small, sad smile on her face. She scrunched her knees closer to her chest, gaining additional balance on the window pane.
Gaara placed his pen down and spun his chair in her direction. His eyes skimmed every inch of her pale skin, from her dainty feet to her rather large forehead.
"Tell me Sakura-chan, what do you do in Konoha for fun?"
Sakura's eyes widened but soon adjusted back to their normal size. What did she do for fun anyway?
"Um… well usually, on my break, days off, and after my shift, I visit the children's department in the hospital. They're really nice and quite adorable. I usually play games with them or bring them a snack or even take them to a near by playground. Other than that I hang out with Naruto, Kakashi, Yamato, and Sai; there's also my girls which includes Temari when she comes to the village, they all help keep my spirits up ever… since… Sa-Sasuke…died…" she bit her lip as she trembled, trying to keep the tears in. but no matter how hard she tried, two or three always snuck their way out of her tightly pressed eyes.
"Hn.'
Sakura hadn't even noticed that Gaara had gotten up from his chair and was now face-to-face with her; so close that their noses barely touched. Neither of them said a word as they continued to stare into each other's eyes.
Jade green to Sea Foam blue.
With slight hesitation, Gaara lifted his hand and placed it gently on the young kunoichi's rosy cheeks. As tender as he could be, Gaara used his thumb to brush away the ceasing tears on her stunned face. He let his hand drop to her hand on her knee and gave it a slight squeeze.
"Come with me.' In one swift motion the Kazekage rose from his slight scrunched position, grabbed his gourd and exited the room silently.
Once Sakura was sure he was out of hearing range, she let out a shaky, exaggerated breath she didn't even know she was holding in.
'Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!'
She quickly jumped down from the window seal and dashed after the youngest sand sibling.
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"3 sakes over here!" A man called out to the bartender, wiggling his over sized brows at her.
"Here you- hey you're cute…" The blonde hair waitress hurriedly shoved the tray of alcohol at the green suited man and batted her eye lashes at a startled Yamato. She bent over the small table, making her already low cleavage totally visible.
"Um, thank you Miss bu-"
"So what's your name? Haven't seen you around till now." The woman narrowed her violet eyes as she reapplied her wine red lipstick.
"Ya-Yamato, but Miss-"
"Oooooo! Yamato! What an adorable name for such a sexy man, such as yourself." The woman purred making the man's cheek stain with red. Not far on the other side of the table, Yamato could see Kakashi and Gai near the point of exploding with laughter.
"Ugh 'Miss' is getting so annoying! My name is Shofu Ichatsuku, and I would just love it if you went out for lunch with me tomorrow!" she grazed her fingers lightly over Yamato's arm. She quickly straightened her poster and began to retreat back to the bar. She sent an evil smirk toward Yamato, who beet red out of pure embarrassment." Great! Meat me at Sanji's BBQ tomorrow at 3." She gave a sinister laugh before she strutted away. Kakashi and Gai couldn't hold back any longer, their berserk laughter filling the small building.
Yamato immediately stood from the table and stormed out of the bar.
'I swear they'll never grow up!' he slammed open the door, nearly knocking it off its hinges.
All Yamato wanted to do was talk to someone right now, the question is who?
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"You came to the right guy *slurp* Captain *slurp* Yamato! I'm *slurp* good with the ladies!"
Yamato planted his forehead straight into the counter of the ramen shop.
"Oi! Captain Yamato, are you okay?" Naruto slid his 8th empty ramen bowl to the other ones off to the side.
"Naruto, no offence, but I didn't come to you for women advise, I just asked where Shikamaru might be; besides you don't have the best history with women."
"Whadoya' mean Captain Yamato!" Naruto threw his arms in the air. "There's Sakura and Hinata and Ino, even though she gives me the creeps, and don't forget the fan girls!"
"Naruto-…" Yamato squeezed his temples as he stood up from the bar stool. "You're so dense."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Shikamaru,… what am I to you"
The spiky haired man stopped in mid-step and turned to face the blonde who had confronted him. There in the middle of the sandy training ground, sat Ino whose head was bowed as she repeatedly picked up the sand and let it fall through her thin fingers.
"You know you're going to get your outfit dirty if you remain there."
Ino merely shrugged at his words as she continued to groom the loose earth.
Giving a sluggish sigh the shadow master plopped himself onto the sand next to his blue eyed teammate.
"Hmmm, how do I put this? You're like a little sister to me, the kind that I adore, although you tend to annoy me a lot; I end up enjoying your company. I love you like a sister, a dear friend, and as long as I live I'll always be there for you. For that is my will of fire."
Ino rested her head on his shoulder before letting out a heavy sigh. "Arigato, Shikamaru-kun."
Shikamaru gave a slight chuckle before picking himself off the ground.
"Oi. Ino how about we go find you a kimono, ne?"
Shikamaru laughed out loud when Ino's ears perked up.
"Later Neji, Tenten!" Ino called quickly, dragging Shikamaru down the dusty streets.
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"This is the room."
The fifth Kazekage opened the highly decorated hospital door of flowers, dolls, and even pictures of all the female Kages. To Sakura's surprise there was even a picture of her. Inside the room on the pale tile floor sat a little girl no older than 7, playing with a bunch of dolls. She wore the simple hospital gown with black shorts underneath.
"This girl wishes to become a kunoichi, but couldn't because she came down with a disease that disabled her chakra reserves. The doctors here have been tending to her the best they could. But her progress hasn't changed. As you can see from her door, she admires you, the Hokage, and many other strong kunoichi out there such as Temari, but she admires you and the Hokage the most."
The young girl turned her head to glance at the two shinobi who had entered her room. Once realizing who these people were, her eyes enlarged greatly as she scattered to her feet, to perform a half bow.
'Sh-shakura Haruno-sama!" the girl stuttered with a slight lisp. She lifted her head, gaze locked on Sakura like if the moment she blinked she would disappear.
"Icth's really you!" the small girl quickly ran up to the dazzled kunoichi, and gave her on hell of a death grip hug. Her arms, not long enough to reach her waist, squeezed Sakura's thighs just underneath her butt. Sakura chuckled as the girl nestled her white head into her lower stomach.
Now that Sakura thought about it, she noticed that no one in Suna (that she's seen) has white hair or eyes naturally. She almost laughed thinking of this child being a mixture of Kakashi and Neji. Long white hair, almost to the beginning of her calves. If it wasn't for the girl's tiny pupils, she would have sworn this child possessed the Byakugan.
"And what might your name be?" Sakura petted down her scruffy tress.
"Kareta Oooobuteh!" the cherry girl dragged out the 'O' in her last name. She quickly untangled herself from Sakura and tightly grasped her hand with her tiny one.
Gaara sat down on the tan hospital chair in the corner as he watched Kareta drag Sakura to the floor to show her the collection of vast dolls on the ground.
" 'Shakura-Senpai?" a pain pinged deep in Sakura's heart, there was no reason for the girl to use such high honorifics with her name… she didn't disserve it.
"Please, just 'Shakura…" she prompted, fidgeting frequently.
"Oh, er, okay, 'Shakura. I want to place a 'reqhest." Kareta turned on her knees to face Sakura and bowed.
"Please take me on 'ash your apprentice!"
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"So Hinata, how was your night with Na-ru-to-kun?" Temari curled her shoulder length, dirty blonde hair around her index finger.
Hinata nervously picked up four ponytail holders and snapped the rubbers on her wrist. She quickly grabbed a brush and began to groom Temari's tress.
"Um, well, first I bought him up stairs, and then I had to…uh…"
Through the mirror, Temari laughed at Hinata's face, which was now red as her little brother's head.
"I had to remove his…his c-clothes!" she squeaked as she parted one of Temari's quads and put it into its trademark style.
Suddenly there was a loud banging on Temari's door.
"Oi! Temari! Did you finish all the fucking milk?" Kankuro's drowsy voice came from behind the door.
Temari let out a heavy sigh. She casually moved her hand over to her giant, black metal fan that leaned against the dresser where she sat. She motioned for Hinata to open the door and to step away. Opening her trusty weapon to the first moon, the fan mistress swung as soon as Hinata opened the door; a skin cutting gust of chakra enhanced wind struck Kankuro, sending him flying down the hallway and off the railing. Temari smirked triumphantly when she heard a loud thump, signaling that Kankuro had hit the floor rather hard. Placing the fan in its resting, Temari raced out into the hallway and leaned over the railing to look at her tattered brother.
"Of course little brother! Big sister Temari would love to go pick up some milk!"
Me: Wow I hope you like this chapter! Yeah Idk what happened to Sakura… it just happened. OH and baby Kareta! LOL! Speaking of her now it's time for the teaser! Gaara is…. Is… well he'll be back next chapter! Enjoy and Review! Also there will be some little extra stuff under the teaser make sure you read it! It'll really clear up some stuff (Maybe)
"Damn it! He's not in this one either!"
A fingerless gloved hand slammed the wooden door shut, nearly freeing it from its hinges.
"Please, just try to calm down Hana…"
"Shut the fuck up! I'll tear this place to shreds till I find him!"
An eruption was heard in the distance, startling everyone in the somber passageway. 3 sets of feet rushed toward the explosion, meeting up with their yellow haired comrade on the way.
"You…" came a low growl from the masked kunoichi of the group. She sprang toward the boy standing outside the gaping hole in the wall. The sun reflecting just right off of his charcoal eyes. Emotionless as ever. Skin, just the right shade of pale. She could hear the rest of her comrades calling after her, warning her not to be so reckless. But she wouldn't stop, no, not until she unleashed her revenge on him. Not until she had his blood on her hands. Not until-
His presence. He was there. Right there. If she would only turn her head she could see him damn it! Like a robot, she removed her iron grip from her supposal "comrade's" half shirt and stiffly turned to face him. Slowly, oh so slowly she twisted her slim waist to glare into those loathsome orbs.
Oh how she…
"Kar-"
wanted to…
"e-"
kill him…
"ta…"
WOOOOOOOOOOO! LOL I hope you liked it! It won't be out for a while though sadly maybe for thanks giving? Hey I have an AWESOME Idea how about after you read the next part, see that awesome speech bubble down there? Well you should click it and tell me what you think although I don't like flames so keep those out! Have an awesome day! WAIT! Lol you have to read down bellow first silly!
(Car-et-te) or (Carie-et-ah) [my version same thing!]: Kareta/ Kareta no hana- Withered Flower [Japanese] ( First story title and main character's name means Withered. Hana means Flower(duh) )
Sequel title?(still deciding between English or Japanese. HELP!): Fukkatsu no hana- Revived Flower
[A/N: The bar tender's name: Shofu o Ichatsuku- Flirting Whore]