Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Sweet Misery
Chapter 5
Ino didn't want to admit how hard it was to fall asleep that first night. The bed was comfortable, but almost too comfortable. The room was dark enough as well. The wind picked up that night; it was nothing but silence in the room though. She felt if she could open the window to feel the breeze (if it didn't bring hordes of sand with it) then she could fall asleep better. The circumstances permitted a perfect night of sleep yet Ino couldn't do just that.
Her mind kept wondering and her constant tossing and turning did nothing to help aid in her quest for sleep. Ino had thought she would drop into deep sleep once in bed after the day and a half of travelling in the hot, smoldering desert. Still sleep was just eluding her. So the time spent lying in bed trying (and failing) to fall asleep Ino thought about her day.
After her tour and brief history lesson from Gaara they had met up with his siblings, Kakashi, and the two current Konoha liaisons. The one she would replace is Okei, a tall older chunin who wore glasses with dark eyes and brown hair mostly hidden in his bandanna Konoha forehead protector. The other liaison who would still be with her for a month before leaving is Hayase, another tall older chunin with spiky black hair that went outwards on the side of his head as though someone placed a book there to flatten it but it just didn't quite work. Both had been stand ins for the first exam of the chunin exams when Ino first took them. She only vaguely remembered them and got to know them better at dinner.
Hayase, as she found, was quite the flirt, kissing Ino's hand upon officially meeting her for the first time while Okei smiled and shook her hand. He flirted with her throughout the night and with Temari as well. Gaara ignored him for the most part, having been exposed to him multiple times through the years probably helped. Okei on the other hand was the complete opposite; he mostly kept to himself staying quiet throughout the evening barely adding to the conversation at the table. Then again Gaara wasn't all that talkative either.
Aside from those two everyone else was lively and entertaining. Ino was sure she saw the auburn haired Kazekage crack a small smile at one point during dinner. Temari had given a good old rant about Shikamaru giving Ino reason to believe (including his clear warning) their relationship was on the rocks. Okei did eventually talk if only to give her a 101 lesson about her role there. It was nothing she hadn't already known before with Lady Tsunade and Shikamaru, but it was the thought that counted (though she sort of felt like he was talking down to her in some points). The night went off without a hitch though even with Kakashi pulling out his book during dinner and Kankuro giving an inappropriate joke about women (which led to two lumps on his head).
"So why can't I sleep?" Ino questioned the silent room wishing for an answer…
It took about the third night for Ino to get a good night sleep. She figured exhaustion finally caught up to her. Ino had hoped to wake up at an early hour (not lay awake till, like the last two nights) feeling refreshed and ready for the day!
"Somebody's gonna die…" Ino mumbled darkly as she achingly opened her eyes to look at the alarm clock on the night stand. It read 5:56 am. Ino groaned as she heard the banging on the apartment door.
Getting up was harder than she thought it would be, she flung the warm comforter off with more effort than it needed. Ino withheld another groan as the bangs got louder the longer she took. At this point she was more aggravated than anything else and so decided to forgo checking in the mirror and stomped her way to the door. Like the comforter she flung out the door ready to just about breathe fire and bite the persons head off.
"I'm sorry to wake you Miss Yamanaka." Ino blinked rapidly hoping the vision of Gaara standing at her doorway with his hand still raised to knock/bang once more on the door was all just a bad dream.
"Kazekage?" Ino pulled back quickly and without a second thought slammed the door in his face. Her face flared up in red before rushing to the bathroom to check herself in the mirror. The blonde flinched as the bright light flicked on and grimaced upon seeing her reflection. Not only did she feel like a fire breathing monster, but looked like one as well.
In a spur of adrenaline Ino brushed through her long hair wondering for the hundredth time in the last few years why she bothered to keep it so long. After somehow maintaining her wild blonde mane she raced back to the door fixing her purple tank top and white pj pants in place. Ino flung open the door again to see Gaara still standing there looking rather perplexed and confused.
"Yes?" Ino asked smiling brightly at him. He mumbled something along the lines of 'scarier than Temari' before nodding.
"Yes, I came to tell you a meeting has been scheduled for nine o'clock." Ino stared at him for a long minute.
"Is…is that it?" He nodded once more. "So…this couldn't have waited till I got up on my own." She deadpanned not being able to help her annoyed tone. Gaara frowned at her pulling his arms across his chest.
"You've been getting up at 8:30 'on your own'. I just thought you would like longer than thirty minutes to prepare." Ino felt like she got slapped across the face. "I didn't have to come here personally to be sure you knew. I was trying to be…considerate…" Gaara then turned and started down the hall at a brisk pace.
"Gaara wait!" Not caring how she was dressed Ino ran after him coming to stand in front of him since he didn't actually stop or wait. Gaara's eyebrows were knitted downward, his lips in a flat line, and his eyes boring down on her. She succeeded in not flinching.
"I'm sorry….I mean my attitude was inexcusable. I should and am grateful that you took it upon yourself to inform me about this meeting sooner than later. Thank you." Ino instantly bowed not wanting to see on his face and what he thought of her apology. Ino tried not to make a face when she noticed her hair touching the ground. A sigh reached her ears.
"Apology accepted." Ino pulled back up smiling lightly and once more seeing the perplexed look on his face. "I forget that others need more sleep than I do, I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep." She shook her head and shrugged.
"It's really not that big of a deal, I've just been having a harder time sleeping lately so it's just…I don't know ironic that when I finally do fall asleep something wakes me." Ino laughed at the end. Gaara didn't seem to get the humor but his face did go back to be emotionless. "So…" the awkwardness wasn't lost on her, "meeting at nine right? I can remember that. Thanks again…" Ino bowed before walking back to her room. She heard him walk away once she got to her door and quickly ran in. Lying against her door Ino stared up at the grainy ceiling wondering what the hell was wrong with her? 'I can't believe I acted like that to Gaara! He's the freakin' Kazekage! Ugh…' bringing her hand down over her face she turned her blue eyes to the clock in the kitchen.
The clock told her that the time was 6:08 am. She closed her eyes and groaned, throwing her head back into the door. So much for getting that extra sleep, but she was grateful that Gaara felt the need to alert her about the upcoming meeting. A sense of panic and nervousness entered her chest. In just a few short hours she would be participating in a meeting with Suna's elders. Ino banged her head against the door again.
"I have nothing to worry about. I can do this…" Ino pushed off the door heading back to the bathroom to run a nice hot bath to help relax her suddenly tense muscles. As the water ran she looked back into the mirror. There were slightly dark lines right underneath her eyes indicating lack of sleep. She frowned at the sight and sighed. The blonde just couldn't win could she? Ino stuck her tongue out at her reflection before tossing her clothes off and jumping into the tub.
After a nice forty-five minute soak and scrub she set about getting ready for the day. She went through her regular routine of applying some skin care to her face, foundation for her bruising skin under her eyes, and eyeliner to make her blues eyes pop. Years before Ino would put tons of makeup on never leaving her home without it, but as she grew up she started realizing how…insignificant it was. Sure she looked great but why should she bother looking good as she killed an enemy ninja? For missions where she had to disguise herself then it came in handy, but otherwise makeup really seemed useless for her profession, but that didn't stop her from using some for daily business.
Ino fixed her hair up into her tidy ponytail, clipping some side hair to her head that fell out of her hair band. She looked her appearance over in the mirror with her long bangs covering her left eye. She frowned slightly pushing it out of the way to see her full face before letting it fall back to its original place. She did this a few more times before shrugging her shoulders and finally leaving the bathroom. Looking back at the clock she sighed seeing that an hour and twenty minutes had gone by. Ino went to the fridge opening it up to see it fully stocked with drinks, food, and veggies and fruits. She decided to go with a simple breakfast of cereal and milk.
Just as she poured the milk into her bowl of cereal a knock sounded on her door. Looking longingly at her food she turned to open the door wondering who it was this time. She hoped against all hope that it wasn't Gaara again. She already embarrassed herself earlier this morning she really didn't want a repeat performance.
"Hey babe." Hayase said walking right on in and plopping on her couch. Ino felt her jaw drop and watched him for a moment. "You can close the door now." He commented with a smirk. Shutting it a little harder than necessary Ino placed her hands on her hips.
"What are you doing here?" She questioned trying to stay stern with him as he gave her a bright toothy smile. He could be very charming when he wanted to be, but at the moment she wasn't in the mood.
"Well I wanted to let you know that there's a meeting scheduled for nine this morning and I wanted to make sure you were prepared for it. Plus seeing your beautiful face in the morning is a dream come true." Ino rolled her eyes at flirty comment before shrugging at him and going back to her meal. After taking a bite full and swallowing she replied back, "I already knew about it." Hayase raised an eyebrow in question.
"Really? I just learned about it a few minutes ago from Kankuro, how the hell did you find out before me?" Ino smiled around her spoon chewing thoughtfully just to make him wait in suspense.
"Gaara woke me up around six this morning to let me know." This time a confused and slightly weirded out look came upon his facial features. He got up to walk around the counter to sit on a stool in front of her as she leaned on the counter on the kitchen side.
"You mean the Kazekage came to you early in the morning to tell you about the meeting?" He looked her up and down briefly. "Are you two…" He pointed his fingers together as though Ino could tell what he meant. She did but still it was only them in the room. She reached over and smacked him upside the head.
"Of course not! What do you take me for?!" Hayase choose wisely to not answer that question and went on. "Wow, I guess you learn something new each day. Never heard of Gaara ever coming to a Konoha's liaisons' room just to warn them about a meeting." Ino ignored his inquiring gaze as she finished off her sugary breakfast.
"Well this is my first time as a liaison for the village and I've known Gaara since we were genin so…" He still looked unconvinced but shrugged it off and instead reached over to grab her cereal. "Do you want a bowl-Hey! Don't just stick your dirty hand in there!" Ino yelled out getting ready to wrestle the cereal box out of his hand. Hayase laughed pulling back to stand with his much taller frame and arms.
"I showered this morning just so you know." Ino scoffed at him.
"I don't know that for sure! I know Kiba Inuzuka too well to know he didn't always shower! Plus who knows if you pick your nose." Hayase's jaw dropped allowing Ino to snatch her food back. She quickly closed it up and placed it back in the pantry.
"That hurts babe that really does." He then gave a shit eating grin. "But ya know if you were a bugger I'd pick you!" He pretended to pick his nose then pointed it at her. Ino laughed rolling her eyes at the childish pick up line. They both turned to the door as a knock came. Ino opened it up.
"Party at Ino's?" Temari asked looking between the two. Hayase popped up beside the younger blonde slinging his arm around her shoulders.
"Party of two to be exact." Ino rolled her eyes again before shoving him away and allowing the older blonde to enter.
"So I guess you already know about the meeting huh." She nodded just about to speak before the older male in the room beat her to it.
"Yeah, apparently Gaara felt that he should let her know at five in the morning." Temari stopped smiling and turned to Ino in question. Both blondes looked each other down.
"He was just trying to be considerate…that's what he said and it was six in the morning not five!" Ino yelled out turning to Hayase who shrugged his indifference as he once more sat on the couch. Temari looked between the two.
"It doesn't really matter; just strange…he's never done that before…" She mumbled at the end. Ino frowned at the two people in her room. She didn't think it meant anything really. Sure it was truly sweet of him but Ino was sure there was something else going on as the reason why he came to tell her first. Mostly it could be because this is her first meeting. Well really that's the only reason she could think of.
"It is my first meeting…" Ino commented as Temari nodded in thought. "So any other reason you both are here?" She directed her question to both of the occupants. Hayase gave her a dazzling smile.
"My morning isn't complete without seeing your wonderful smile." Temari rolled her eyes at his nonsense before looking back at Ino. "I came here to make sure you knew and to drill you a little bit about our village and our elders." Ino blinked as she saw the grave look on the older blonde's face. She glanced over to her flirty companion who seemed to share the same look. As if she wasn't nervous enough about the whole ordeal now she felt sick to her stomach. 'Maybe having that cereal wasn't such a good idea.' Ino thought moving to sit down in one of the arm chairs as Temari took a seat at the couch.
"Are they really that bad?" Ino couldn't help but ask, sure the elders of her village were set in their ways but they weren't terrible, just rough around the edges. The darker haired blonde leaned back crossing one leg over the other.
"They're like a viper snake; if they sense weakness or fear then they strike." Temari commented as Hayase laughed. "Good analogy!"
"I know this is your first time here and even as a liaison but it won't be a cake walk in this meeting." Ino bit the inside of her cheek trying to will her nerves to relax. "Being new they'll be ten times harder on you, and they'll nitpick you till you bleed. That's why Kankuro and I reacted the way we did when you told us you were new Ino. It's just one more thing a few of them can pit against Gaara." Ino frowned hearing this.
"What do you mean another thing they can 'pit against Gaara'? I mean I thought by now they would be alright with him being the village leader especially now that he's not a container anymore." Temari visibly flinched at the word 'container' and frowned at the floor.
"You would think so huh, but it doesn't seem to matter to some of them. Once a monster always a monster…" Hayase sighed deeply seeming to finally be serious if only for a moment.
"But you don't have to worry so much Ino! I'll be here for the rest of this month so I can help buffer some of their hate." Ino smiled at his words but it did nothing to ease her of her worry. Not only did she have to worry about not making a fool of herself and her village, but also of Gaara as the Kazekage too. Ino inwardly groaned wondering why it seemed that every time something was looking up for her there was something else trying to drag her down.
"Thanks Hayase." Ino smiled lightly but her nervousness was obvious to the both of them. Temari yawned loudly gaining both of their attentions.
"Well why don't we start heading towards the meeting rooms, its already hitting eight o'clock now." Ino blinked and looked up to the clock in surprise. Where did the time go? They all stood up heading out the door with Ino quickly locking it behind her. She was just about to follow them when her eyes turned to the other door beside hers. 'Is Kakashi awake yet? I'm sure he is but has he already gone?' Ino thought to herself. He wasn't really apart of the meeting per-say so there was no real reason for her to get him…yet…
"You guys go ahead." Temari scoffed dropping a hand to her hip.
"But you don't know where to go." She pointed out as Hayase nodded in agreement. Ino shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
"I'll find my way around, don't worry!" She watched them walk away before turning back to Kakashi's door. She sighed deeply feeling less pressure now that those two were gone. Ino knew he didn't need to come but…she would feel ten times better if he was there, if only to support her. Over the years following her sensei, Asuma Sarutobi's death her team had gotten rather close to Kakashi and he was almost like a second sensei. The same could be said for Kurenai too, but she was more like another mother figure in Ino's life like Shikamaru's mother rather than a sensei. Breathing out slowly she brought her hand to knock on the door just as it opened up.
"Good morning Ino, did you need something?" Kakashi stood there in his usual ninja attire smiling underneath his mask at her. She blinked slowly before her nerves and panic finally caught up to her and she launched herself into him. "Uhf, Ino! Is everything alright?" He managed to mumble out after being slammed into the wall by the entrance. Ino buried her face in his chest and held onto him tightly. Kakashi sighed before circling his arms around her shoulders letting her get as much comfort from him as she could.
"I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei…" He shook his head, shrugging with no care in the world.
"I know you're afraid and nervous but I assure you Ino that there is nothing for you to fear." Kakashi pulled her away from his chest as she nodded. He lifted her chin up with his hand and patted her on the back. "Chin up Ino, you're a Yamanaka. You can do this." Ino slowly smiled feeling the encouragement she needed from him.
"Thank you, I just…got so panicked…" The blonde dropped her shoulders before sighing. Her jumbled nerves were still there but she wasn't so afraid anymore.
"Don't worry so much. Now let's head out for the meeting shall we." Her eyes went wide before a happy, bright smile came to her lips. They both headed out of his room then and as he locked it Ino frowned in thought.
"How do you know about the meeting?" Kakashi chuckled in secret looking at her over his shoulder as he started ahead of her.
"Well with all the commotion this morning how could I not?" Ino felt her face burn up. "Poor, poor Gaara standing there clueless as you left to primp up just for him." Ino chased after him in anger her face flaming red.
"That is not true Kakashi-sensei! Stop saying that!"….
Ino stood next to Hayase, Kakashi and Okei as she watched the villages' elders file in one after the other all the while not one of them even turned to greet her or glance at her. The blonde looked to both Konoha liaisons to see if this was normal and they both seemed to act as though it was so she said nothing. On the opposite side of them were Gaara and his siblings. They were all poised in bows even Gaara, and after they entered the doors were shut tightly. Ino frowned at the door before looking at the others for direction. Hayase smiled in relief stretching his arms up above his head while Okei walked over to talk with Temari and Kankuro.
"Is this normal for them to enter and leave us here?" Ino finally asked seeing as no one seemed incline to fill her in. Hayase looked at her for a moment and nodded.
"Yep, almost every meeting starts that way. They take about ten, fifteen minutes tops and then we hear a dung letting us know to enter." He shrugged afterwards. "I guess its tradition or a ritual of some sort, not sure what exactly they discuss for so long but that's how it has always been to be honest." Ino nodded her understanding though finding the whole operation strange. She could remember the times her father had been a part of meetings with the elders of Konoha and generally they all entered together though not without showing signs of respect to the elders first that is. Never had they just entered the meeting hall without the Kage with them. Ino looked over at Gaara; for all they knew those old bags of bones could be plotting against him.
Ino quickly looked to her left when Gaara looked up to meet her eyes. She really hoped her cheeks weren't coloring like she felt like they were.
"So I think for this meeting even though it's your first that you should take the lead in the discussion considering it's 'up your alley'." The blonde blinked in surprise whipping her head around to Hayase like he was speaking gibberish to her.
"What!? I thought I was just going to observe nothing else!" A pit grew in her stomach at the thought of him leaving her high and dry. The black haired man rolled his eyes.
"Well had you just came with Temari and I you would know what the meeting is about." She raised an eyebrow in question and he sighed before going on. "This meeting is to discuss about the medical field and improvements along with advancements. I know nothing of our medical system or Suna's for that matter, but you on the other hand will know exactly what they're talking about, so I feel that maybe you should take the lead if nothing else it'll make you look good in front of them." Ino dropped her eyes to the ground. He unfortunately had a point; she knew Konoha's medical system and procedures like the back of her hand, she out of anyone except Sakura herself, could answer anything they asked of her.
"I guess you're right, but still Hayase what if I screw up." He frowned deeply and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Ino I know I have only met officially you a few days ago but all I have seen is you undermining your skills and self. You need to stop thinking the worst of things and look on the brighter side, you can do this." His eyes then moved to look over her shoulder before a charming smile came to his lips. He started to walk around her saying over his shoulder, "Now if you will excuse me I have a lady to speak to."
"No wait! I'm not done talking with you!" Ino raised her hand out to him as if to reach out and physically pull him back to her before just dropping it as he continued on his way to the pretty brunette with folders in her arms. 'Womanizer.' She thought darkly while crossing her arms.
"You are nervous." The blonde jumped as Gaara appeared beside her watching as Hayase seemed to be striking out.
"Uh well yeah. I know how the village elders are like at home so I can only imagine what they are like here. Plus Hayase said he wants me to lead this one because it's 'up my alley'." Ino made quotation marks with her fingers. Gaara nodded, turning to face her better.
"So you're proficient in medicine?" Ino nodded.
"Yes, I trained under Lady Tsunade just like Sakura." Gaara nodded too before asking on.
"And you know the medical system well?" Ino frowned placing her hands on her hips.
"Like the back of my hand. I know it inside and out." Gaara frowned as well.
"Yet you feel inferior about your skills and knowledge." She shook her head quickly turning her heated eyes to his.
"No! That's not it at all! I know what I'm doing and I know anything medical probably better than Sakura does! I'm just nervous." Slowly a curve at the corner of his mouth lifted up in a sort of smile. At least that's what Ino thought it was (hoped).
"Then you will do just fine. You have nothing to worry about we have a similar system as Konoha. You will do well." Ino pulled back blinking slowly as she realized he just reversed her words. She then smiled at him.
"Thanks Gaara." Just then a dung sounded out in the hall causing everyone to go silent. Gaara looked towards the door and sighed before looking to catch her eyes.
"Here we go." He commented as he left her behind to enter first followed by Temari, Kankuro, Baki, and a few others she didn't know well. Once everyone from the village went in was when Ino with Okei and Hayase could enter. Kakashi followed not too far behind them.
Ino kept her head held high as she entered noticing a large rectangular table with the elder's sitting on either side of the long way while Gaara sat at the very end with Temari, Kankuro, and Baki standing behind him as his entourage.
"Since you'll be leading Ino you get to sit down while we stand behind you." Okei commented softly in her ear for only her to hear. She nodded wordlessly getting to the lone seat as Hayase pulled it out for her. Upon sitting Ino noticed the tense silence in the room and the eyes staring at her. She looked over to Gaara seated opposite herself as he prepared some papers in front of him. Among the elderly were nine men and one woman all in stages of graying and wrinkles and each with stony, unreadable faces and hard eyes. No one spoke as Gaara continued to look over his papers.
Ino tried not to squirm or fidget. Though they weren't looking directly at her she could still feel their judging eyes sizing her up. Ino has always been known for flourishing under the spotlight and rising to the occasion, yet at the moment all she really wanted to do was hide away. Finally after five whole minutes Gaara cleared his throat and began. "Before we begin this meeting I would like to introduce Ino Yamanaka, a Konoha liaison who will replace Okei Watanabe for the next few months."
Ino swallowed her fear as every eye officially looked her way. She quickly bowed her head. "Thank you for having me here." She said politely hearing light murmurs and mumbles.
"Continuing on, today's topic of discussion entails the advancement of medicine, protocols, and procedures of the hospital along with further exchange of medicine and medical style ninjutsu." Gaara handed off a stack of papers to Baki who proceeded to walk around the long table handing a few papers to each person. Ino smiled and nodded to the older ninja as she received the same papers.
Looking over her small stack she quickly read about the procedures and such. She nodded to herself seeing how true Gaara's words were about Suna's medical system being quite similar to her own villages. There were few differences like the emergency colors and protocols, the handling of patients, and how some of the rules and regulations were very…dated.
"I see nothing wrong with how we are running the hospital and training of medic-nins and the continuing of going over this subject every other mouth is very trying on my patience Kazekage." One of the elders commented with a dry and bored voice. He wore thick lens glasses with a high widow's peak ridding him of barely any hair on his head. Ino had noticed the man had barely looked over his papers as he kept his arms crossed and a deeply etched frown on his face.
Another elderly man sighed in barely contented annoyance while rubbing his wrinkled forehead. He had no hair what so ever with only liver spots here and there on top of his head. His eyes were somewhat beady in appearance while his nose practically took over his face. When he spoke his voice came out sounding more like a frog.
"Shigeki let's not start with your patience; you barely have any as it is. If Lord Kazekage believes a change needs to happen then you should turn that hearing aid of yours up and listen!" Both men instantly fired back and forth insults and from the looks of it this happened to be a normal occurrence.
"Gentlemen please let's get back to the actual subject of topic." The lone elderly woman said in a soft voice. Her eyes were closed as she spoke not once opening. Her hair was so gray it looked just about silver like Kakashi's hair and it was long with one thick braid going down her back. She had crow's feet at the corners of her eyes and laughing lines around her mouth. There were some wrinkles here and there but she looked rather young then her possible age truly was.
"Lady Fusa is right! We should be acting our ages. I agree with Shigeki though, our hospital has been doing just fine the way it is, instead we should place our focus on more children entering the ninja academy and building our military." His voice rang loud around the room and it took everything in Ino to not frown and snort.
"Wakaki has a point." A man who looked a good ten years younger than the rest with black hair slowly graying from bottom to top said quietly. He aged well enough and must have been quite the looker a few years back with his straight pointed nose and bright blue eyes to contrast with his mostly dark hair that was pulled back into a low pony-tail. "As much as we need to advance our medical system, our military corps are suffering and dwindling as we speak. I, of all people, know how truly remarkable having improvements to our hospital could do for our village, but at this moment military power should come first."
Ino withheld a flinch when he slammed his hand down on the table at the end of his speech. Mild irritation started to form in her chest. 'What was the point in strengthening your military when your hospital is so old fashioned?' Ino thought in slight disgust of the man. "Would you like to interject Miss Yamanaka?" Ino looked over in surprise at Lady Fusa as she was addressed with the older woman's eyes still closed. The blonde then nodded.
"I do have a few things to say, but I would hate to step on anybody's toes." Shigeki quickly responded back with his cold, dry voice.
"Then maybe you should not speak if you are not willing to step on anyone's toes." Ino felt a glare coming to her face and turned it to a frown instead, she looked across the table to catch Gaara's eyes. His arms were crossed as usual with his black expression; his eyes though urged her on.
"Well I guess I will be stepping on quite a few toes then." Ino shifted through her papers before coming across the sheets about the hospital procedures. "To inform all of you who may not know I work as a medic-nin on a regular basis and have worked in the hospital in Konoha since I was fifteen. I've been trained right under Sakura Haruno and our 5th Hokage."
"So you have a fine pedigree-."
"Yes, I do." Ino cut off Chuugo as he openly glared his blue eyes at her. "This makes me qualified to say that practically everything about your hospital is so dated I'm surprised your system hasn't fallen apart yet." Gaara's brows went down in a frown and brought his hand to hold up his chin.
"What do you mean by 'yet'?" He asked letting his eyes roam the room for any objections. Ino could tell a few held their tongues in response to her accusations. She then brought her eyes to meet his.
"For starters how much money goes into the up keep of your hospital?" Of course Shigeki snorted loudly in disbelief.
"We cannot possibly give you that type of information!" Ino shrugged carelessly.
"Then give me a percentage, you don't have to give me a specific number." Shigeki seemed ready to go on when Gaara cut him off.
"About fifteen percent." Ino couldn't help the widening of her eyes. 'Fifteen percent? No wonder their system was slowly failing.'
"And out of that fifteen percent how much goes into paying the staff?"
"My best estimate would be…eight point seventy-five percent." Ino felt a sense of relief knowing she didn't work at their hospital. If she was doing the math somewhat correctly in her head then most of the staff at Suna's hospital barely hit the minimum wage set by the village they lived in. Having seen the price of food and water alone the last few days Ino was surprised that any of the staff could survive on their own.
"Research and development?" Gaara looked up in thought.
"Three percent, maybe four percent."
"What about mechanical up keep of machinery?"
"Three, four percent." Ino felt her mouth go dry as she thought of her last question. She almost dreaded hearing the percentage she was surely to get.
"Medical training of current and new staff?" Gaara frowned deeply in thought. He even started looking through some papers before seemingly giving up with a sigh.
"As far as I know…maybe one percent...or less…" Ino starred straight at Gaara in disbelief. The thought of these village leaders having this discussion without any knowledge of their own medical system or even conversing with a medical profession scared her to death. 'Holy hell, how did they last so long?' She thought as a headache started to come on.
"So," Chuugo said crossing his arms, "What difference does that truly make?" Ino looked at him like he grew another head on his shoulders. Seeing the smirk on his lips she found herself thinking 'fuck formalities' and glared heatedly at him.
"What difference does that make? Mr. Chuugo have you ever worked at Suna's hospital?" He shook his head 'no'. "Have you ever dropped by to see and speak with the staff there?" Once more his head said 'no'. "So you don't know one thing about your village's hospital except for the times you spent there in injury or sickness; am I correct?" Ino's voice came out sharp and demanding surprising the few who knew or have gotten to know her.
"Two years ago I almost lost my leg to amputation." Chuugo said darkly, not appreciating the liberties Ino was taking with him.
"And as I can see you have a limp when you walk and you possibly have to use crutches at times right." Ino stated knowing she was right. Chuugo chose not to speak instead leaning back from the table and crossing his arms, she went on. "Did you know with proper funding of research and development you wouldn't have a limp at all? Or had the staff been updated on new procedures and regulations, not to mention new techniques that all of the ninja villages around the world know that also would have saved you from a limp." Ino pushed out of her chair to stand.
"You talk of wanting to expand and strengthen your military yet you overly neglect the medical field. How far do all of you think you can go without a proper medical system? You already rank 5th among the five great ninja villages, if you keep this up you won't even be that." Shouts of outrage and anger rang within the room as agreements and insults exploded filling the air around them. Ino frankly heard none of it as she continued her staring contest with Gaara. He closed his eyes with a nod before calling out, "Silence."
Instantaneously the room went silent. "Yamanaka if you will please reseat yourself." Ino slowly sat back down.
"Can you please give me your best estimate of how much Konoha puts into the medical field?" Ino thought for about a second before answering, "I'm pretty certain it's forty to forty-five percent." Gaara nodded to her then addressed everyone else at the table.
"As much as none of us wanted to hear it Yamanaka makes a very good argument. In order for our people, our village to advance and expand we must start with our medical system. How do we hope to better our people if we cannot save them when they are sick or dying? How do we expect to become stronger when our ninja become crippled and taken out of the field?" His eyes went straight to Chuugo who frowned deeply but kept his eyes on the wood of the table.
"What's the first thing you do after war?" Ino suddenly said bringing the room's attention back to her. "What's the first thing you do when you're hurt, scared, or traumatized?" No immediate answers came; the blonde waited a moment longer before sighing softly. "You heal, after everything is all said and done you heal. You don't jump up to train or fight. You rest and heal first to fight another day. And that's what Suna has to do is rest and heal…otherwise you'll just kill yourself in the end…" The room remained silent before Lady Fusa spoke, her eyes opened to reveal dark green eyes.
"Miss Yamanaka is right." She commented smiling over to Ino before turning to Gaara. "Please Lord Kazekage; tell us your ideas and thoughts."…
Ino sighed in relief once the meeting was over. Four hours of discussion but they finally were stepping forward and taking the initiative to do better and become better instead of taking a step backwards like they have been doing for so long. Ino relaxed in her seat as everyone slowly filed out of the room. Going back to sleep sounded like an amazing idea at the moment but wasn't going to be realized.
"You are one amazing chick, ya know that?" Hayase dropped his hand to her shoulder and patting it with a smile. Okei nodded in agreement. "You did marvelous my dear."
Temari shut the double doors before turning around with a giant grin threatening to split her cheeks. "This meeting is a complete success and its all thanks to you Ino." Said blonde yawned and shrugged her shoulders in nonchalant.
"All I did was piss some old people off, nothing that great." Kankuro rolled his eyes.
"You're kidding right? Don't be so damn modest, do you even know how many meetings we had with no success on this subject?" Ino shook her head and moved to stand.
"I only did my job, and it was the truth." Kankuro opened his mouth to speak but a different voice came out.
"Thank you, Ino." Her eyes opened wider as they all looked to the still seated Kazekage. "In no short effort from you I was able to tip the scales and make some progress. For months I fought to better the medical field here and in just a few short hours I made more progress than I have before and all thanks to you." Ino blushed lightly at the praise she got from Gaara and even more so from the brightness in his face though he did not smile she could tell he was very happy and pleased with the outcome of today.
"Well then you're welcome." Kakashi smiled. After that morning he was just a tad fearful of leaving her here in Suna by herself but seeing the display of her strength and passion he wasn't so fearful anymore.
"You did a great job Ino. I'm proud of you." Ino blinked rapidly for a second before turning quickly to Kakashi. She looked at him as though it was the first time she noticed him there. 'For a second there…I thought I heard my Dad's voice…'
"Something wrong?" Kakashi asked seeing the clueless surprise on her face. Ino shook her head. "No…no, nothing at all."
"So I say we celebrate by me making dinner tonight!" Temari smiled at everyone only to start frowning then glaring when no one responded. Crossing her arms the older blonde sighed. "Fine, we'll just go somewhere…" She mumbled darkly turning away from everyone in defeat.
Ino laughed. So maybe being here wasn't going to be as horrible or nerve wrecking as she thought like in the beginning. She proved herself to Suna's elder leaders and even to Gaara, his siblings, and her villages' ninja. Now it finally seemed like the worst was behind her…
If only she knew how wrong she was…
So this came out much longer than it should have but I hope you all enjoyed it! I was seriously worried about the whole meeting thing but I started writing everything out at work when it was slow and next thing I know I have finished the rest of the chapter! As for the Konoha liaisons I put in there, they are actual characters in the series. I didn't want to make too many OC's because the elders of Suna were already OC since I didn't know any info of them or anything. I'm only guessing on the personalities too, but I hope you guys like them too! Let me know what you guys thought! I am pretty happy with the ending factor myself, lol.
ALCzysz17