Ah I'm soo sorry you guys! Life's just been crazy! Good crazy I guess? I've been more of a social butterfly lately which is really odd! But I've finally been home for the past two days and got to finish this! :3 And let me tell you a crazy story you guys! Reason why i've been home is because I can't really wear shirts comfortably right now.! I got the crazy idea to get a tattoo on my side... where my ribcage is! D: 2 hours of a needle drilling into your skin was soo painful. Don't do it learn from me! I'll probably do it again later though... I never learn... But way later when I've forgotten how the pain felt. My first tattoo was a small one compared to this one.. Oh well., It'll totally be worth it when it's healed :D
Anyways sorry for boring you with my life story! Lol! Here's chapter 7! :)
Please R&R!
Droplets of water hit Temari's skin as she jumps from one branch to another. The small residue is due to the tropical climate on an early morning. The sun shined brightly now and the sky is once again its natural light blue.
Every now and then a leaf falls from a tree. Fall is nearing. She wonders what it's like to actually live in a place that goes through all four seasons in a year. Guess she'll never know…
She finally reaches the end of the forest and lands on green grass. From afar she can see her destination. The area where the Fire Lord lives is only a few hours away from the Hokage. She walks the rest of the way; if she runs to the entrance she might cause panic. Temari never had a reason to visit the Fire Lord in person; every negotiation was dealt with the Hokage. It seemed that upon meeting Gaara he'd taken an automatic liking to him, they'd had business conversations during the political ball, and because of that now here she stood in front of the large wooden gates.
"My luck..." she sighs heavily.
Thinking back on that small chat she had with Sakura on the night of the ball she remembers being told that the Fire Lord tends to rely on others for decisions and is easily swayed. She than recalls his nephew and concludes that if the information she has been given is true than the man she met known as Ryota was nothing like his uncle. This was a good thing if he was going to be the future Lord.
Staring at the doors she can't help but feel a sensation of comfortability. She has done this job so many times before; it was as if she was meant to be standing there that very moment.
"State your purpose." The gate was secured by two of the Fire Lords guard.
From what she's heard all the ninja in the Lord's village were a part of his guarding court and if they were lucky they'd be promoted in rank by being added to the twelve guards.
"Temari No Sabaku." She says simply and holds up her passport.
"The Fire Lord has been expecting you." The guard bows, makes a signal for the gate to open and makes a gesture to invite her in.
Temari strolls down the dirt path; she doesn't need to be told where to go. The Fire Lord's building stands as tall the Hokage's and the village seems a lot smaller than the Leaf. Regardless she finds herself being led by an ANBU member that appeared in a puff of smoke seconds after she got cleared.
Temari spots a couple in front of one of the many shops. Their show of pda was too disgusting for her eyesight. The chestnut colored haired girl cups her hands around the ninja with short dark brown hair. She runs her fingers around the wisps of his head. The man then takes a hold of her hands and kisses her fingers. Temari turns her head back straight, the vision she has just witnessed makes her stomach irk. She never understood how people could act that way in public, but she supposes it's because she's never experienced the feeling before. The way her life was going she figures she never would… A tinge of loneliness quivers through her chest.
She enters the room that has the Fire Lord, his council members and his nephew. Temari notices stacks of papers being arranged neatly on the table. It was going to be a long morning.
"Lady Temari welcome!" The Fire Lord beams at her while he makes his way to her, "I've been anxiously awaiting your arrival." And then he does what she hates most, he kisses her hand.
"I apologize for the wait." She bows down, ignoring the revulsion she feels.
"Nonsense you're right on time! Please take a seat!" he leads her to the chair next to his but it's Ryota who pulls the chair for her.
They make brief eye contact before he lowers his head in respect for her, his eyes wrinkle slightly and there's a spark in them that hides a small smile. Temari feels an excitement in her stomach, this man had much in common with her, and she thinks that maybe her stay won't be so bad after all.
She was more than grateful that the room lacked a wall clock if not she would have been looking at it every passing minute. Not only did she now have to deal with the business at the Leaf but as the talks lengthened she realized she would be doing a lot more traveling to the Land of Fire. That added up to two visits for two different villages. It appeared that from now on the Fire Lord was in charge of providing with the food marketing such as fish, meat, and fruits.
"Would you like a glass of water?" The Fire Lord asks her as he refreshes himself.
An old grayed haired woman showed up with a jar of cold water which the council man refused to, as she did. Being a feudal lord meant they liked to spoil themselves, she's witnessed enough with her own people that the rest always try to maintain themselves professionally, she was one of them.
"No thank you my Lord."
"You must be thirsty child we've been here for more than two hours already."
"I assure you I am fine." She smiles slightly.
"Lady Temari you should hydrate yourself we're still only halfway through." Ryota speaks.
"I appreciate the concern but I'm fine, really."
Once she had convinced him that she wanted no water, which took some while, he sat back down on his chair. He was seated feet away from the table, a notebook resting on his thighs, a pen in between his fingers scribbling notes never once looking up.
"Well that's it for the day." The Fire Lord claps his hands happily.
Everyone else waits for him to get up before doing so.
"Lady Temari before you take your leave I must inform you of this."
She looks at him wondering what is going on through the Lord's head. What could be going on in that crazy man's head? Learning from experience that the one she had back home had drastic ideas sometimes.
"At any time that you visit my village in the future Ryota will be your guide."
Ably Ryota makes his way next to her while the Fire Lord completely forgets about them and begins discussing what he feels like eating with his councilmen.
"Don't you have Fire Lord duties to attend to instead of babysitting the Sand Ambassador?" she asks curiously as to why she's being stuck with this man as a guide, not that she minds.
Laughter erupts from his chest that travels through his vocal chords in a raspy tune. "I won't be taking the position for another two years. My uncle is using you as an excuse to give me a break. He said it's so I can get away from all the paperwork at least for a week every time you make your monthly visit. I doubt you'll be any trouble. So it seems that you'll be babysitting me instead." He jokes lightly at the end.
"Oh I can be… troublesome." that taboo word sends a bittersweet taste in the back of her throat. "You don't know me very well, yet." She warns him with a devilish grin forgetting about her slip of words.
"I suppose I'll just have to find out."
Admiring his white smile she says to him. "Lead the way."
The walk to her temporary residence is anything but quiet. Ryota shows much enthusiasm as he shows her around his village. It may not be as large as the Leaf but it's got enough history and shops that makes up for it. It appeared that no matter how hard he tried she could tell there was a gray cloud following him around, she could tell by the stiffness of his tired looking shoulders and the weariness in the glimmer of his eyes. He tried hard she gave him that but she wasn't fooled. And yet she didn't pry, she hardly knew him but even then she wouldn't ask. She never does. If someone wants to tell you something they'll do so on their own accord, if that is what they please. Temari only hoped others were as understanding as her.
The hotel she would be staying at was painted white as snow and was outlined by black doors, the windows outlined black and tinted. It looked elegant yet old fashioned. Ryota hands her her key, already set apart a room. This guide was on his toes, unlike her other one…
She makes him wait outside the building for she's only going to drop off her bag. Ryota has offered to take her out for food, she insists on somewhere with quick service because she could use a long night of sleep. She thinks he must be used to eating richly considering all the places he had suggested according to him were the fanciest in the village. It was something she was used to of course but for now a quick bite would do.
She sits across a booth table from him, glass of water in her hand. During business hours and in foreign property she tends to control her alcoholic thirst. No she did not have a problem; she just liked the feel it gave her.
She hears a wail from a baby and the mother makes cooing sounds to soothe the situation. A motherly affection she'll never know…
"So, tell me about yourself. Just the typical knowledge. I'd like to know who's guiding me and it will help for the future once you take the position. After all you're a stranger to me. Yet, you seem to know a little about me atleast." Mentally shaking off her feelings towards that baby and mother she opts for the distracting man in front of her, he was a good distraction.
"What would you like to know? Ask me anything Lady Temari." His voice sounded rich, like honey but the way he addressed her was irritating her.
"Well to start off drop the Lady. Temari is fine. We're gona be spending a lot of time together, we shouldn't be so formal."
"As you wish." He smiles warmly.
"Alright," she taps her nose in thought, "Hmm... I've got it. How old are you? That's simple right?"
He answers, and she duly notes that his smile never leaves during their entire dinner. "25. May I ask yours?"
"23."
"We're not that far apart."
"No. I suppose not." She says with a raised eye brow.
It can't be helped, she flirting with this man and no one can blame her and what happens next proves her right. Gathered around like flocks a group of young woman passes by their table, their eyes targeting Ryota like hungry animals.
"You seem quite popular." The whole ordeal brings her out from her clouded mind, placing a hand on her chin, a sly grin.
"I'm not interested." He says lightly, leaning into the table but their moment is interrupted by the waiter who's brought them their food.
She digs into her food satisfying her stomach after a long torment of having no food in her belly.
"So how exactly are you related to the Fire Lord? I'm surprised they were able to keep you so low key."
"It took quite the effort but nothing that couldn't be accomplished. My mother is the sister of the Fire Lord's wife.
"Ahh..."
She wonders how that is even possible; the Fire Lord's wife is a plump woman. Then again the years could do anything to a person.
Her inquisition stops there but as she eats he continues to speak. Listening intently she doesn't mind. This complete stranger is sharing a small part of his life and she wonders why. This has never happened before.
He tells her about how his father died protecting her uncle, once part of the twelve guards. The way their parents met. She than feels the need to share her experience of also losing her parents. Perhaps it was the adrenaline he gave her that made her feel more alive than dead on the inside that she shared her thoughts and feelings about her loss. Words she'd never shared with anyone not even her brothers. There was something about this man that brought tranquility around her wild aura. Temari knowing this doesn't hesitate, he clings on to her lips with everything she says, and there is a silent understanding between them.
Later when their meals are done they decide to order dessert because their conversations continue about anything and nothing. It's been awhile since she's felt this way and the one who made her feel this way was long gone from her future, if there ever was one. Finding it in this man made her feel a little less broken.
It gets late and he walks her back even though she insists that she's already memorized the way. He bids her goodbye with a small bow and she watches his shadow grow smaller as he walks farther. That night she sleeps soundly.
By the next day she is fully reenergized and ready to go. It's going to be another long day but at least she'd be around the village making negotiations with the marketers.
As she ties her blue obi around her waist she senses a presence outside her door but a knock never comes. She knows its Ryota.
The scenario is all too familiar…
By the way I don't really know how it works with the Fire Lord, does he have his own village? Is it part of the Leaf? Wasn't too sure so I didn't specify. If somebody knows please let me know so I can fix that!