Thank you for all the hits, favorites, alerts and reviews, everyone! I do apologize if Gaara's OOC, and I don't take any offense to comments like those. In fact, I try harder to keep him in character. Criticism is, after all, the only way for a writer to better their writing!
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Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me. I'm not talented enough to come up with the awesomeness known as Gaara.
This story will not have any relation to Naruto's dream of achieving Sasuke Uchiha's return or defeating Orochimaru. This happens a little bit after the Rescue Gaara arc. In other words, kind of AU (Alternate Universe). Thought you should know.
Kohaku's eyes trailed from one end to another as Gaara led her into a spacious room, though it seemed more like an underground arena, only without the grandstands. Various forms of steel shinobi tools were hung against a board at the far end, and many more were immaculately arranged on tables and in boxes and crates. What was this place? The kunoichi turned her attention to the redheaded Kazekage, who was heading towards the centre of the arena, stepping over the worn white lines painted on the ground.
"Kazekage-sama, may I ask you what this place is?" Normally, she would have just left her question unasked, but seeing the sharp weapons and the obviously battle-worn quality of their surroundings sent bells ringing in wary alarm.
Gaara stopped at the farthest end, across from where Kohaku stood. He crossed his arms across his chest and spoke, "We are going to spar."
He could see the slight shift of her eyebrows moving up; she was surprised. Without waiting for her to ask why - because he knew she wouldn't bother to - he proceeded to explain. "You know how I can always find you in the library when you can't be found anywhere else?"
Kohaku just stared at him with her round, blank eyes.
"That's because you like to read books of history and politics. That's what we call a hobby."
More staring. Gaara could tell that her current stare was probably asking him if he thought she was stupid.
"Well, my hobby - or one of my hobbies, anyway - is to battle. I'd like you to spar with me today, since I've never done any sparring with you before. I like new opponents."
"A person of my calibre is hardly comparable to the Kazekage of Sunagakure," There it was. Gaara had been expecting Kohaku to decline - she was obviously trying to avoid situations that required her to use physical strength, from the way she always spoke back with irritatingly diplomatic reasoning to avoid physical altercations with people like Naruto. "If you wish to cross swords with an individual that you have never battled against before, I would recommend that you request Kakashi-nii or Sai-senpai to be your sparring partner instead. Naruto-kun could suffice as well, seeing how he has incredible talent for battle. Haruno-san has the capacity to spar with you, as well,"
Gaara shook his head, setting his jaw into a determined, firm line. He was not going to relent; he wanted this. As Kazekage and a child who grew up in an emotionally-scarring environment, Gaara hardly got what he wanted, but this time, he was going to be a petulant child, if that was what would let Kohaku into an agreement to spar with him. "Kakashi is a worthy opponent, and so is Sai, but I do not wish to battle either of them at this time," he took a few steps forwards, never letting his eyes off Kohaku's, "I've been at loggerheads with Naruto on more than one occasion, so I'd prefer to battle you instead. Sakura's a medic nin - we don't battle with them unless required to."
He could see the wheels turning in Kohaku's head - she had already run out of excuses to worm her way out of the corner Gaara had backed her into. The redhead gave a tiny smirk when he saw a small sigh escape from between her lips.
"It won't be a one-hit knockout match, of course," Gaara gestured for Kohaku to step inside the boundary, "What about the first person whose knees touch the ground wins? You don't know my abilities, and I don't know yours. This could be a good learning experience for the both of us. Be serious when you battle me."
Kohaku gave him a hard, disapproving stare. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she was peeved with her current predicament. "Please go easy on me, then," she bowed with a stiff formality before stepping inside the ring.
"On the count of three, we both get the first move. Is that okay with you?"
"If that is what you desire."
"One…" Gaara assumed his normal stance; standing up straight in a stationary position with his arms crossed, "Two…" Kohaku had one foot in front of the other, gearing herself for a forward launch. "Three!"
In one fluid motion, Kohaku leapt an incredible distance towards Gaara, and a flurry of kunai flew towards him. Raising one hand, Gaara's absolute defense kicked in; a curved wall of sand rose in front of the Kazekage, stopping the kunai from impaling themselves into Gaara's body just in time. Cracks appeared on the barrier of sand, and it disintegrated and the grains of sand flew back into the gourd on Gaara's back. Gaara watched as the kunai clattered onto the ground, before looking up. "Did I ask you to go easy on me?"
That was it.
Kohaku dashed towards Gaara, kunai in hand. Stabbing in his direction, the blade was blocked off by multiple walls of sand forming to protect Gaara. Kohaku frowned, before leaping backwards and throwing the kunai at him. Gaara caught it with his bare hand, and let it fall onto the ground. "This is what your Root training has taught you, Chibi? I had expected more, to be honest."
He couldn't help but taunt her. The earnest determination in her hazel eyes was strikingly similar to the one in Naruto's - had he rubbed off on her in that sense? Gaara could not help but wonder. "Or do you not specialize in comba-?"
A wall of sand quickly reacted to deflect the massive demon shuriken that had been hidden in a flurry of smaller ones. She'd caught him off-guard. Gaara smiled a half-smile.
"Not bad."
He changed stances, moving both hands to raise up some chakra-infused sand. Bringing his hands together, the sand became compressed into multitudes of tiny bullets floating in midair. Kohaku quickly dodge-rolled out of the way as the sand bullets were sent flying in her direction, before standing up again, hands brought together and rapidly forming seals.
"Fuuton: Dragon Whip!" Whirling blue chakra formed around her hands, and as she pulled them apart, the chakra condensed and formed into a solid blue rope. Coiling it around her hands, Kohaku then thrust the chakra whip towards Gaara, faster than his absolute defense could react, the wind chakra leaving cracks in the sand armor coating his skin.
Gaara gritted his teeth; it wasn't in anger nor irritation, but excitement. Of course, it was because of the battle, but he could also tell that Kohaku was slowly abandoning all the shields she'd put up around her, and focusing solely on the battle. A true mark of a Root ANBU soldier. The reason he had given Kohaku earlier was only the half-truth; in reality, he had intended to tire her out enough to at least get her to be completely honest with him. No lies, no deceit. Just the truth.
"Sand coffin!"
Kohaku was immediately encased by Gaara's sand, and she clenched her teeth as she struggled to break free.
"Raiton: Shishi no tsume!"
A loud, crackling sound of electricity resonated throughout the arena, and a burnt smell filled the area. The sand coffin burst and disintegrated; the wildly crackling chakra in the shape of a lion's paws that covered Kohaku's hands had managed to free her. The chakra dissipated, and Kohaku brought out a kunai.
Gaara was slightly taken aback; she was a dual-element wielder? Of course; he berated himself for being surprised. After all, she was a Root ANBU. Normal jounin and ANBU used more than one element, and some rare cases could wield more than two. The crackling sound was vaguely familiar, though. Had she used the same technique during the night before, when she'd encountered someone and engaged him into battle?
WHAM!
Gaara's train of deep thought had cost him. While he had been distracted, Kohaku had had the opportunity to run around him and aim for his back. She delivered a swift double-jab aimed at the back of his knees, effectively making him stumble forward and the next thing Gaara knew, his knees were touching the ground.
Kohaku had won.
Gaara blinked, before standing up to dust down his pants. He then turned around to face a very displeased Kohaku, who had scrapes covering her arms and face. She was obviously somewhat exhausted by the battle, though she wasn't breathing hard. What made him step back though, was the expression on her face. Her eyebrows were knitted together, and deep frown lines appeared in between them and on her forehead.
"Why did you keep letting your guard down?" Her question surprised him. Was she… angry? "You wanted me to be serious. Why weren't you serious with me? That was not a proper victory. It was a fluke."
It was difficult for Gaara to mask the amusement in his question. "Are you angry?"
The accusing glare she was shooting in his direction gave him his answer. "I'm sorry, Chibi. I really meant to concentrate fully on the match, but I lost focus," he then gave her a slight smile, "But you're rather strong, for a Chibi. I'm impressed, to be honest,"
xxxx
The first thing that crossed her mind when Kohaku had realized that Gaara wasn't even paying attention to her was irritation. Had he not wanted her to be serious in battling him? With her usual inhibitions and calm facade abandoned, the only thing that engulfed her senses then was anger.
"Despite that, I will never be a match for you, Kazekage-sama," was Kohaku's cold reply.
"Still, you're good. All that training in the Root didn't go to waste," Gaara commented, carefully wording his sentence, "I didn't expect you to be so… fierce."
Kohaku immediately masked the surprise that flashed across her face, but not before Gaara could catch it. A corner of his mouth quirked up. "You're usually… you. I saw a different you when you were battling with me. It seemed like you weren't as in control of your emotions as you usually are," the stony look on Kohaku's face amused him, "So I'm right?"
"It is-,"
"Correct?" Gaara guessed, cutting Kohaku off, "If I'm not mistaken, I've seen Sai fight before. It was definitely different from the way you do. Fighting styles are understandable, but Sai keeps a cool head and shows no emotions. Why do you?"
"I-,"
"If you're just going to dodge my question, don't even bother answering it. I'm tired of being in the dark; tired of not knowing what's going on," Gaara could see a very confused look appear on Kohaku's face. The porcelain mask of indifference was gone; his sudden confrontation had smashed it into pieces. He then decided to use the final blow.
"Aren't we friends?"
xxxx
Three words.
Four syllables.
As simple as they were, it didn't stop them from ruthlessly knocking down the psychological barriers that Kohaku had carefully built up with utmost caution for a very long time. Vivid images; colorful memories buried deep inside her mind, surfaced. Pictures of laughing children swirled around; an image of an auburn-haired boy around the age of twelve, stood out among the others.
"I'm many things, Kohaku. Your blood brother, first and foremost, but also your friend and comrade. No matter what happens, I'll always be with you, alright?"
xxxx
Gaara couldn't believe his eyes. Tears brimmed in the dark, blank eyes of Kohaku's, spilling freely and messily down her face. She didn't seem to notice, though. She just continued to stare off into space; her body petrified. The Kazekage couldn't help but wonder what was happening in her mind. Had his words been too effective?
A strange amalgamation of emotions formed in Gaara's conscience. Part of him wanted to chuckle, because the normally stoic and emotionless Kohaku was crying, and as still as she was, the girl was still one ugly mess. But another part was panicking, and yet another was curious. Why was she crying? Honestly speaking, the redhead had never hoped to live to see the day that the queer, wide-eyed girl actually cried. The thought had never even crossed him once.
Feeling the uncomfortable silence - why did she have to be so silent, even when she was crying? - to be unbearable, Gaara lifted a hand, and awkwardly shook Kohaku's shoulder. "Chibi? You there?"
Yes, as awkward as the situation was, Gaara just had to pile on more layers of awkwardness onto the atmosphere with his tactless question. Of course she was there! Why did he have to ask such an obvious question? The young Kazekage wondered if the battle had exhausted his power to think properly.
Kohaku seemed to snap out of her daze; she blinked rapidly, hastily swiping the tears on her face away with her hands. "I apologize for my improper display of emotions, Kazekage-sama,"
Even her voice was shaky. Gaara knew then that what had happened had probably startled Kohaku to a very extreme extent. "Actually, you don't have to apologize. I'm the one who has to. I'm the one who made you cry, after all."
Kohaku shook her head, still attempting to rid her face of any traces of tears. "I was just… startled," she reasoned weakly.
"You do know you can trust me, right?" Gaara raised a brow, lifting his hand off her shoulder, "We may be of different villages, but we're still the same. We look the same. We think the same. We act the same. We're just humans who happened to be born into different situations."
Gaara's words rang true, for he himself had been born into the most unfortunate circumstance anyone would have the misfortune to be born into. Somehow, though, Gaara actually appreciated this, for without his power-hungry father whose actions were solely based on the best interests of Sunagakure, the redhead thought that he wouldn't be where he was today.
Kohaku merely shook her head. "I'm sorry," she muttered, before turning around and speed-walking towards the doors. Before she could touch the doors, though, a wall of sand rose up and blocked her from exiting. Kohaku withdrew her hand, looking down at it as she touched her finger tips to her palm.
Gaara walked up to the silent girl, expression on his face hard and indifferent. "Either you tell me, or we'll just stay here," he said softly.
He knew it wasn't right to corner her like this; after all, everyone had a right to have their privacy protected. But after finding out that the strange, curious girl wasn't all that she seemed to be, Gaara was afraid that he'd find out something else that had the same shocking magnitude as her being a Root ANBU. He hated feeling betrayed, and he certainly hated the agonizing wrenching in his chest that he had felt, when he realized that Kohaku didn't trust him as much as he thought she did.
But the real reason?
He didn't want to feel confused anymore.
xxxx
Kohaku's head turned slightly, her eyes boring into his own. Through the shock of remembering memories that she had sworn to never recall, Kohaku felt like a complete mess. She wanted to collect herself; she wanted everything to be properly put together again. She hated that Gaara had managed to break everything into pieces, without meaning to. Her willpower hadn't been strong enough to defend against the unexpected phrase that had caused her defenses to fall.
Despite that, she knew it. She knew that it was impossible to pretend that nothing had happened. The Kazekage had seen her reaction, and wanted answers. But could she trust him?
"Do you truly wish to receive an explanation?" her words came out quietly; barely a whisper. Gaara caught them, though, and nodded, his eyes meeting the uncertain gaze of the girl.
"I do."
Kohaku then fully turned around to face Gaara. She couldn't run away now. She'd already stepped off the ledge, and hopefully, she would fall into the arms of someone she trusted.
FAQ Time!
Is the boy a friend of Kohaku's?
Well, yes, but he's her brother, too. All will be explained in time.
What do you mean by her 'stepping off the ledge'?
I'm metaphorically talking about the trust exercise.
That was, honestly, very hard to write. The last few scenes just couldn't come to mind, and I was angsting away like there was no tomorrow. Hopefully, the final ones came out alright. You all will tell me if they didn't, right? So, as always, reviews and constructive criticism are greatly encouraged and appreciated!
Luv,
Pichuzilla.