"Hey Temari," Kankuro said slowly, poking his head into his sister's room.
Temari remained focused on oiling the hinges on her fan as she asked, "Yeah?"
Kankuro glanced down the hallway. "So… there's a big cougar downstairs asking for you."
She looked up. "Run that by me again?"
"There's a giant cougar downstairs asking for you," Kankuro repeated. "It's a Summon. It's one of Miyako's."
"Okay," Temari said, setting her fan and equipment aside and standing. She brushed past her brother and walked downstairs. Sure enough, just inside the door stood a large cougar wearing a traditional conical hat. There was white around its muzzle and its whiskers were gray, but its eyes were bright.
"Temari?" the cougar asked. Temari nodded weakly. "Good." She lowered her front half to the ground in an approximation of a bow. "Lady Miyako sent me to ask if she and Sayuri could come to you for help with something?"
"What's going on?" Kankuro asked, expecting something serious.
The cougar laughed slightly. "It's Lady Miyako's friend, Sayuri. She's been asked out for the evening and is completely confused. Lady Miyako is also out of her depth in their department. They were hoping you could help."
"Sayuri's got a date?" Temari repeated in surprise.
"Yeah, that would throw her off alright," Kankuro chuckled.
"Who's the guy?" Temari asked.
"I believe the young man's name is Haru Natsuhana."
"Asuharu's brother?" Kankuro asked in surprise. "Wouldn't have put them together."
"When's the date?"
"Tonight."
"Tell them to come immediately," Temari nodded.
"I thought you were oiling your fan," Kankuro asked in shock. Nothing kept Temari from pampering her beloved weapon.
"This is an emergency," Temari said seriously.
"I'll send them along," the cougar said. It made another bow and then took its leave, leaping through the door in a dead run. Sure enough, not twenty minutes later, Miyako appeared with a mildly jittery Sayuri on her arm and a scowling Kimimaro in tow.
"Why's he here?" Temari asked Miyako quietly as they all entered the Sand Siblings house.
"He hasn't stopped hovering since Haru spoke to her," Miyako replied, smiling. "He's being protective. It's adorable."
"I can hear you," Kimimaro pointed out.
"They don't care," Kankuro assured him.
The voices drew Gaara into the front room, where he was surprised to find the Konoha shinobi.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Never you mind!" Temari said as she grabbed Sayuri and started dragging her up the stairs, Miyako following.
"I don't know how this dating thing works," Sayuri admitted as Temari tugged her into her room and tossed her onto the bed, looking her over.
"I know, and I'm glossing over how sad that is for the moment, but I will tease you about it later," Temari assured her. "So, Kimimaro's been protective, has he? Kankuro's the same way." She rolled her eyes and headed to her closet, rummaging through it.
"No more than usual," Sayuri disagreed.
"Sayuri, he's hardly left your side," Miyako pointed out
"He cares about what's important to him," Temari grinned, holding up a red top. "I like that in a man." She paired it with black leggings and tossed it to Sayuri. "Here, strip and put that on."
"You like Kimimaro," Sayuri said slowly, catching the clothes.
"He's cute and strong," Temari shrugged. "What's not to like?"
"If you hurt him I will kill you," Sayuri said seriously as she began to dress.
"I'll help," Miyako added sternly.
"Naturally," Temari agreed, pointing towards a small vanity. "That's just how family works. Sit."
Temari wasn't the girliest of girls, but she had a small supply of makeup. She quickly made use of dark colors to bring out Sayuri's bright eyes and markings. She looked between a pair of dark heels and Sayuri's bare feet.
"How are you with heels?" she asked unsurely.
"You know, I've never seen you wear them," Miyako mused, looking between the shoes and Sayuri.
"Let's see," Sayuri said unsurely, gesturing for them. Temari handed them over and they all watched warily as Sayuri slid them on. She stood up and took a few steps. She was shaky, but fairly stable.
"Want to try the stairs?" Miyako suggested.
"Not a bad plan," Temari agreed and they trooped into the hallway.
"Ah, Sayuri!"
"What the hell?" Kenkuro exclaimed as Sayuri came crashing down the stairs. She groaned and sat up, sensing a presence beside her.
"I'm fine, Kimimaro," she assured him, reaching out and trailing her fingers through his hair. He offered her a hand up and Sayuri took it gratefully, hauling herself to her feet and glancing down at her shoes. Kimimaro looked between her footwear and Temari and Miyako sternly.
"Who thought this was a good idea?" he challenged. Both girls pointed to the other, and then at Sayuri, who was stepping out of the shoes.
"As it turns out, blind girls shouldn't wear high heels," she said cheerfully, trying to diffuse Kimimaro's protective instincts. She handed the footwear back to Temari.
"Probably wasn't a good idea," Temari agreed. "Just wear normal shoes then, I think."
"Agreed," Miyako nodded.
"So?" Temari said, turning Sayuri to face the living room, where Gaara, Kimimaro, and Kankuro had been waiting. "You're guys. How does she look?"
"I didn't mean for this to become an event," Sayuri murmured, blushing.
Kimimaro looked her up and down. The red color of her long, traditional shirt flattered her marks and it clung tightly to her waist, tied in place with a thin black obi. The leggings kept it from being immodest.
"You did well," he complimented Temari, who rolled her eyes.
"I'm not the one being complimented here," she pointed out as Miyako face-palmed.
"I know what you meant," Sayuri assured him, patting his shoulder.
"He won't know what hit him," Kankuro approved. "Just, eh… watch out for his sister, Asuharu."
"Why?" Sayuri asked, cocking her head in confusion.
"Well, she's kind of… ah, never mind," Kankuro said sheepishly.
"Thank you for your help," Sayuri said to Temari.
"I was pretty useless," Miyako admitted. "We'll get out of your hair now, Temari."
"Not a problem," Temari shrugged. "You should come by more often. Say, maybe we could spar sometime?" she suggested.
"That might be fun," Sayuri agreed. "I've been working with Kimimaro, and I've gotten much better since the chunin exams."
"I expect we all have," Miyako agreed.
"After classes tomorrow?" Kankuro suggested.
"Kimimaro?"
"That's agreeable," he nodded, stepping closer to Sayuri and sending Gaara a dark look. "We should go," he added.
"It was great talking outside of classes," Miyako said as they took their leave. Gaara drifted off, back upstairs towards his room.
"What was that death glare about?" Kankuro asked in surprise.
"Did you see Gaara?" Temari whispered to her brother, who looked at her blankly.
"No, why? Did he do something?"
"Nothing but watch Sayuri from the moment she came downstairs," Temari said slyly. Kankuro blinked at her.
"Wha- Seriously? Gaara? As in, our little brother?"
"No, the Gaara that lives down the street," Temari retorted, rolling her eyes.
"No way," Kankuro disagreed. "I don't think he even knows girls exist."
"I think he does and he's just subtle about it. Care to make a bet, brother dear?" Temari grinned.
Kankuro smiled. "What were you thinking?"
"I think he likes Sayuri. You don't. Give it until the end of their stay. If there's no hints he likes her, you win. If there is, I win."
"Win what?" Kankuro asked. "It's got to be something good."
Temari mused. "Loser is the winners slave for a week?"
Kankuro's smile crinkled his paint. "You're on."
Haru was waiting for Sayuri when she walked up to entrance of the restaurant. It had taken her a bit to retrace her steps through Suna and find the right place. She wasn't as familiar with the streets as she was with Konoha, so she had to go slowly.
"You're here!" Haru greeted her, sounding relieved. Sayuri raised an eyebrow.
"You thought I would stand you up?"
Haru shrugged awkwardly. "Eh, you wouldn't be the first."
The eyebrow went higher. "Why is that?"
"Let's get inside and get some food before we start the inquisition," Haru suggested. Sayuri flushed slightly.
"Of course. My apologies."
"No problem," he assured her. They entered and were immediately seated, provided with menus. Sayuri immediately asked for a glass of ice water, which she sipped happily. Haru watched this in amusement.
"Still not used to the climate?" he noticed. Sayuri shook her head.
"It's so hot. Then again, it's a desert. I suppose that's expected." She blushed, feeling a bit stupid for saying something so obvious. It was uncomfortable sitting her across from someone she'd never really met, never really spoken to. Still, she forced herself not to simply give up and walk out. She respected Haru for approaching her. She was barely comfortable talking to someone she knew so little of, it was totally out of the question to ask someone out that she didn't know. Besides, she supposed this awkwardness was the normal part of a starting relationship.
"I bet it's nice and cool in Konoha," Haru replied, unfazed by her momentary slip. "All those shade trees."
Sayuri nodded, pleased he wasn't going to make her feel like a fool. "So," she began warily. "Why did you expect me to stand you up?"
"My sister," Haru said ruefully. "She's… pretty well known around Suna, and not very well thought of."
"Why would that be?" Sayuri asked, surprised. Haru seemed perfectly polite, why should his sister be so terrible?
"She's…. Well, she's a pervert, to be honest," Haru admitted. "But don't tell her that or she'll get angry," he added hastily. "And you don't want to make her angry."
"I see," Sayuri nodded seriously. "But that has nothing to do with you?" she added unsurely. Haru laughed slightly. Sayuri decided she liked his laugh.
"No, but it does tend to come back on me a bit," he admitted. "She's older by a few years… our parents died on a mission when we were young so she pretty much raised me. I think everyone expects me to follow in her footsteps, as it were. But I'm not a pervert," he added hastily. Sayuri smiled genuinely.
"Good to know."
"So, what's it like teaching our students?"
Sayuri was surprised at how much she enjoyed herself. The awkwardness ebbed with the conversation and good food. Haru hadn't steered her wrong when she asked for a recommendation, the meal was delicious. Besides having good taste in food, he was also polite, charming, and genuine. He smiled when he was happy and laughed when he was amused. She had to admit, it was a refreshing change from Kimimaro's usual stoicism and Miyako's shyness. When he asked to see her again, she agreed happily.
"I had fun," she said as they left the restaurant.
"Can I walk you back to your apartment?" he asked. Sayuri smiled. She wasn't used to being treated like a lady. So many people saw the hitai-ate on a girl and assumed she was just one of the guys. It was nice to be treated as a woman instead of a kunoichi.
"Thank you," Sayuri agreed. He offered her his elbow. Sayuri was surprised, but she took his arm and they walked down the streets.
"Where do you live?" Haru asked casually. Sayuri bit her lip.
"Ah… perhaps I'd better lead."
"Just tell me the street-"
"I can't."
"Why-?" Haru inhaled sharply. "I'm an idiot," he groaned, smacking himself in the face. Sayuri chuckled slightly, amused.
"It's alright. I'm good enough at hiding it that I usually have to tell people. I'm surprised you knew, honestly."
"It was a pretty big thing, Konoha sending… someone like you to teach," Haru edged around her disability.
"Female?" Sayuri challenged innocently. She was going to make him say it.
"No... you know…" He shifted awkwardly.
"I won't be offended if you say it, Haru."
"Blind," he finally submitted. Sayuri smiled.
"Wasn't so hard, was it?"
"I didn't want to offend you," Haru apologized.
"Unless you're actively trying to, that's very hard."
"I'm learning," Haru smiled slightly.
"Well, learn quickly. I don't want to have to remind you every time we go out."
"Will there be more times to come?" Haru asked hopefully as Sayuri paused in front of the apartment she shared with Kimimaro. She looked him up and down speculatively, dropping his arm.
"Yes, I think there might."
Haru broke into a smile. "Good, I'm glad."
Sayuri paused awkwardly, not sure if she should simply say bye and go inside. She knew what was typically expected saying goodbye to a girl on her front porch, but she didn't want to be presumptuous. Still, she was curious…
"Well, goodnight," Sayuri said, inclining her head politely. She reached for the door handle, only for a hand to catch hers gently. He turned her slightly, so she was facing him.
"Night," he whispered, and he was right in front of her.
Kissing was odd, Sayuri decided as his lips pressed gently against hers. She'd heard all the stories about fireworks and electric tingling, but there was none of that, just a feeling of intimacy that she'd never had before, but that she was curious about. It was… nice.
"Inside."
Kimimaro's voice broke the brief spell she'd been under and Sayuri was quite surprised to realize that at some point her eyes had closed and Haru's hands had landed respectfully high on her waist.
"Ah," she said as she stepped back, and his hands slid away. "Goodnight, Haru."
"Goodnight, Sayuri."
Sayuri slipped past Kimimaro, who she could feel sending thoughts of death and carnage in Haru's direction. He stepped inside behind her almost instantly and the door snapped shut sharply.
"You were supposed to be home fifteen minutes ago," he said sternly.
"I can't exactly read a clock," Sayuri pointed out. "We just started talking, and…"
"That's no excuse."
"Why are you being so angry?" Sayuri exclaimed, honestly surprised. Of all the things she'd expected Kimimaro to be, the protective older brother wasn't a role she'd have cast him in. Still, it was flattering that he cared enough to be so very protective, and though she'd never tell him, based on a brief sweep of her fingers across his expression, he looked adorable standing there all defensive.
"You barely know that man," Kimimaro said bluntly. "I don't trust him."
"Why?"
"…"
"That's what I thought. Kimimaro, I can take care of myself," she assured him. "He's been nothing but respectful."
"I was simply worried," he finally submitted, losing the angry undertone.
"Don't worry about me," Sayuri said, cupping his face between her hands. "I'll be fine. A lot of people go on dates and they survive."
"You are… important to me," Kimimaro said, holding her hands to his face. He supposed he simply didn't like the idea of possibly losing her to someone else. Since he'd returned to her side she had been totally devoted to him. He didn't like the idea of someone pulling part of her affection away from him.
"And you're important to me," Sayuri assured him. "Kimimaro… you mean more to me than anyone else ever will. I offered to give up my life for you, to come with you, to serve someone I don't support. I would never make that offer to someone else. Now… have you eaten?" He shook his head. "Then I'll make you something to eat for dinner."
Sayuri patted his shoulder and moved off towards the kitchen. Kimimaro watched her as she moved, darting surely through the kitchen and preparing him a meal. She would smile softly every now and then, and he knew she was thinking about her date. He hadn't seen her this… giggly in… well, ever.
Kimimaro submitted as he sat down at the table, taking her hand and squeezing in thanks. Perhaps Sayuri was right. She'd be fine.
The teachers gathered at one of the larger training fields, ready for a good spar. Miyako had several weapons up her sleeves and Kimimaro and Sayuri were casually manipulating their bones under their skin, readying for fast reactions.
"So, do we want to all go at once, or do we want to watch?" Temari asked.
"I'd like to watch," Miyako put in. "I'm curious to see how everyone's gotten better."
"Alright then, pair off I guess."
"You want to go?" Kankuro asked Miyako, who blinked in surprise. "We both fight from a distance. Should be interesting."
"Alright," Miyako agreed.
"I want to see what you're made of," Temari said, sidling up to Kimimaro, who also looked a bit surprised.
"Very well," he nodded.
"I guess that leaves us," Sayuri said, gesturing between herself and Gaara, who nodded.
"Any limits?" Miyako asked.
"Don't kill anyone," Kankuro shrugged.
"Gaara!"
"Except maybe her," Temari huffed angrily. Takako was walked towards them, waving wildly with a big grin on her face.
"Hi Gaara," Takako greeted. "What are you doing out here."
"We were… sparring," Gaara said slowly. It should have been painfully obvious, seeing as they were in the sparring grounds.
"Do you mind?" Sayuri asked, stepping forwards and wrapping a hand around Gaara's elbow. "We were about to start." She tugged on Gaara, drawing him away from Takako. The girl floundered for a moment before exclaiming, "Well, I don't think you're good enough to fight Gaara!"
"I disagree," Sayuri said with a casual shrug.
"Fight me and prove it," Takako said, crossing her arms smugly, confident she could take Sayuri. She'd heard that the girl was blind. How good a kunoichi could she be?
"Takako," Kankuro said worriedly. "You don't want to-"
"I bet I can take her," Takako crowed. "I bet she'd really weak!"
Miyako face-palmed and Kimimaro closed his eyes, sighing. Sayuri was stiff. Slowly, Sayuri turned to Takako, who, sensing she'd scored some kind of hit, drew herself up proudly.
"You think I'm weak?" she repeated slowly. Takako nodded.
"I've heard about you. You're blind, and you're from some crazy clan that's all gone. How good could you be?"
"… Very well. Let's go."
"Sayuri," Miyako began warningly.
"I won't hurt her badly," Sayuri insisted. Takako spluttered.
"As if you could! I'm one of the best kunoichi in the village."
"Then I weep for Suna." Sayuri's response was fast and sharp, and Takako was spluttering again as she followed Sayuri out to the middle of the training ground.
"You know, Takako's really not a joke," Temari warned. Miyako nodded.
"I know, I've heard about her around town," Miyako nodded.
"Sayuri can beat her," Kimimaro said confidently.
"I hope so, otherwise this is gonna be awkward," Kankuro said.
"Why is she doing this?" Gaara asked, rather lost.
"She's helping you fend off Takako," Temari said as if she were talking to a very slow child.
"I know that, but why?"
"Because she's your friend," Miyako said obviously. "Remember?"
"Once Sayuri decides she cares about someone, her loyalty is absolute," Kimimaro said seriously, and he was the one who would know.
"Are you going to attack?" Sayuri asked calmly, staring Takako down. She shrugged off her shirt and Takako snorted.
"What, trying to seduce me or something?"
"Just making way," Sayuri said cryptically. Takako's eyes narrowed.
"For what?"
Sayuri smiled. So the rumors didn't include her kekkei genkai.
"This. Digital shrapnel!"
Takako dodged to the side, blinking as the bones slammed into the ground behind her. "What did you just throw?"
"I didn't throw anything," Sayuri replied honestly. Takako scoffed.
"Oh, quit trying to be dramatic!" she huffed and lunged forwards, drawing a pair of katana from the long sleeves of her shirt. Sayuri rolled her shoulders calmly. Takako's eyes narrowed as she reached up, arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes flew open and she jumped back as a bone rose out of Sayuri's shoulders. She gripped them and pulled them free, tossing both into the air with a twirl before catching them, the blades resting along her arms.
"Well?"
Takako charged and the two women exchanged a flurry of blows. For the beginning, Sayuri was on defense, purely blocking Takako's vicious blows and letting her wear herself out. Sayuri smiled slightly as the blows gained force and speed as Takako tried to break through her defenses.
"You're better than I thought," Takako admitted, leaping back, panting slightly. Sayuri was barely winded. Like Kimimaro, not a single one of her movements was wasted. She conserved energy as much as possible to avoid ending up in the same state Takako was now: tired and angry.
"Thank you," Sayuri accepted, dipping her head politely. "Are you finished yet?"
Takako shook her head, glaring. This was no longer her annoyance at Sayuri getting between her and Gaara. This was just a dislike for Sayuri in general, for her uncaring attitude.
"Alright then. Kimimaro recently taught me a new technique I'd like to try," Sayuri said. Her head tilted to the side at a sickening angle and something white appeared, poking from behind her shoulders. She flicked her wrists, sending the bone swords thunking into the ground beside her feet. Reaching back, Sayuri grabbed the white thing and tugged.
Her spine came free, a replacement growing in its place. From the sidelines, Temari's eyes widened and Kankuro winced.
"Dance of the Clemantis: Vine."
Sayuri lashed out with the spine as if it were a whip. Takako leapt to the side to try and avoid it, throwing up her sword. The whip followed her. She tried to angle her sword to cut through the bone, but it was too strong. It pressed the sword to her body. Sayuri spun in a circle, sending Takako flying into the dirt. She released the spine and let it fall to the ground carelessly, sweeping up her swords and lunging. As Takako flew through the air, Sayuri went with her. Takako's back connected with the ground and moments later Sayuri landed, crouched over her, swords crossed over her neck.
"Dead," Sayuri said mildly. Miyako burst into applause and Sayuri stood, turning away from Takako, smiling at Miyako. "Thank you Miyako, that was-"
With an angry snarl, Takako lunged for Sayuri. The girl dropped onto her hands, feet flying back. Sayuri kicked Takako's ankles, sending the other girl flying over her head. Sayuri stood again and stepped over Takako, swords raised. She threw them down, the points piercing Takako's sleeves and pinning her arms to the ground.
"I won. You lost," Sayuri said, voice eerily calm. "Now get out. You weren't invited."
Takako scrambled to her feet, glaring at Sayuri. "I'm going to remember this."
"If you didn't, that would defeat the purpose."
Takako scoffed and turned on her heel, stomping away. Sayuri smirked slightly, stretching languidly.
"That was fun."