Destiny of the Cursed
Chapter 6: Persuasion
Katana slowly opened her eyes. She yawned and looked at her clock. 6:00 a.m. Yes! She smirked. Getting out of bed, she ran for the door. "Just wait, Gaara-kun…"
Training Grounds…
He stood there, waiting and hoping for something which he knew was impossible. After what he did yesterday, of course she'd hate him now. It's obvious that she pays more attention to that black haired boy than she does to him. The morning breeze blew gently and slightly ruffled his wild red hair. He stood up and walked away, knowing she wouldn't come anyway. "So you did come…" a teasing voice floated in the air. His eyes widened. It couldn't be…He turned around and saw a familiar sight. "Ohayo, Gaara-kun." Greeted Katana with a small smirk. Warmth crept up on his pale face. "You're blushing." Said Katana, as a matter-of-factly. He turned redder at that statement. Katana has never seen him so baffled before and she was enjoying this. He swiftly turned his back on her. Katana was confused. "E-eh? Hey, wait up!" she yelled after him.
Gaara kept walking. Katana caught up with him and pulled his sleeve. He stared at her, planning to use his scary voice but he ended up stuttering. "W-what do y-you want?" he asked, not looking at her anymore. She sighed. "Look, I'm sorry for teasing you like that. But I'm really desperate and I don't know what to do. Can you please help me?" she asked shyly. He studied her expression. No traces of any tricks and nothing but sincerity. He doesn't understand why of all people, she picked him or why he was even wasting time to help her. He sighed quietly and said, "Alright." A smile brightened her already beautiful face.
After 5 continuous hours of training…
"Show it to me."
"…No."
"Come on!"
"No."
"Please…?"
"No."
"But why not?"
"Just no."
Katana pouted childishly. She was covered with dirt and sweat from all the training. Gaara didn't even have a scratch on him. That's probably because all Katana used were taijutsu. His sand blocked them all and attacked her at the same time. He didn't even need to move as they were fighting. Now, Katana was convincing him to teach her his sand techniques. He told her it came naturally, but she was too stubborn. "Pretty Pleaaasseee?" she pleaded him, doing the puppy dog eyes. He looked at her, bewildered. "Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Gaara as he tilted his head to the right in confusion. She blinked. He doesn't get it… and that look on his face is cuter than mine… Sighh.. It's hopeless.
She dropped the act and grumbled. "Fine." Gaara sat beside the moody girl. "How did you do that?" asked the redhead. Katana lifted up her head. "Did what?"
"Those jutsus… the black chakra surrounding you when you were fighting… Where did it come from?" Katana fell silent. Gaara's sea foam eyes bore into hers, waiting patiently. "It's a curse." She whispered so soft, he barely heard it. His gaze lowered. "My mother died when I was younger… and my father blamed me for it. He despised me and would always look at me with hatred. My uncle acted as my dad back then. But, since he was a jinchuuriki…", his eyes widened, "He was always busy. One night, something woke me up. I heard this loud noise I was a curious kid, I peeked." Katana gritted her teeth. She seemed to remember something unpleasant.
"That's something I'll regret forever. I saw my dad and my stepmother fighting over something. Since my stepmother had this strange chakra inside her, she always uses it to put curses on others. When my father turned his back on her, she gathered chakra on her hands and aimed for him. Though he never loved me, I loved him. Trying to protect him, I dashed and blocked it. And the curse went the wrong way." Her body shook and she bit her lip too hard that blood went out. She winced.
Gaara spoke. "The curse gives you strength… yet you hate it."
She met his eyes sadly. "It gave me strength… the strength to kill. I do not want that." She rested on her back and gazed at the sky. Gaara mimicked her, taking off his gourd and lying down. Another breeze went by. "What I want…" she began again, this time grinning, "is the power to protect this village and everyone that I love!" she announced energetically. Gaara was practically gawking at her.
After all she's been through… she still wants to protect them…. He thought. Somehow, it hit him hard in the chest. She stopped to look at him, a twinkle in her eyes. "You know…" she trailed off, turning on her side to stare at him, "you're a lot different than the other boys here in Konoha. You're not lazy like a Nara… Not emo like an Uchiha… Not loud like an Uzumaki or arrogant like an Inuzuka… You're one of a kind!" she laughed out. "I like a one-of-a-kind person…" she said and looked at the sky again. Inhaling the fresh air, she closed her eyes in relaxation. Gaara, on the other hand, had his jaw hanging. W-what? She couldn't be possibly hinting that… she likes me..?
Of course not… No one likes you Gaara… No one but me… said a very familiar voice in his head. His eyes widened in the sudden agony. He clutched his head and gritted his teeth together. "Ugh…!" he winced. Katana's attention snapped to his direction. "Gaara? Are you okay?" she asked, alarmed. She approached him. A hand grabbed her neck. "guh!"
Gaara glared, his lunatic smile taking place on his face again. "Die…." He hissed. Katana grabbed his hand shakily. "G-Ga-ara… I-it's me!" she gasped out. "I-it's me… Ka-kat-ana…"
Gaara jerked and let her go. She dropped on the ground, holding her neck. Gaara's body was shaking. He looked angry but not at Katana. He looked angry with himself. She stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes. Worry flashed in her eyes for a moment before turning into their usual look. "You hungry?" she asked. "It's my treat. Wanna go?" He looked down on his feet guiltily. He didn't want to hurt her like that… Perhaps deep inside she's thinking of a way out. He thought gravely. A sharp pull made him go back to reality. "Come on!" laughed Katana as she dragged him running.
Katana eyed him as she took another mouthful of her miso soup. He could kill me in 10 different ways within 5 seconds… yet here I am treating him to lunch. Why am I not afraid? Katana thought. "What's wrong?" asked Gaara. "Hm?" she said, confused. "You were staring at me a minute ago." Gaara said. She blushed. "Oh, sorry."
However, you can't stop now! She told herself, you have a plan, remember?
She cleared her throat to get his attention. "Hey, do you have any others plans for the rest of the day?" she asked excitedly. Gaara couldn't understand why she was so happy. They talked about her past, he nearly killed her, and she was tired from the training on top of that. "No, not really." He answered. She cheered. "That's great then! I'm going to show you around the village!" Gaara inwardly sighed. This is going to be a long day…
She toured him around just like she said. They went to the market, the academy school, near the Hokage's quarters and even in the Hokage Mountain. It was all they did. While they were walking, Katana kept telling him little things about the history of Konoha and party about Team 7. "…that's how we became friends." Trailed off Katana. When she didn't hear him say something, she figured that he wasn't even listening now. "… No wonder you and that loud mouth looked so close." He said. She smiled secretly. "Ahaha, yeah. He could be annoying at times, but he's worth the trouble."
"Is that Katana?" Crap…
"Yeah, I think it is!" No, no, no…
"Huh, who's the guy with her?"
Katana sweated nervously. She grabbed Gaara's hand. "Come on, let's get out of here." She whispered to him. Gaara noticed her panic and nodded. Before they can struggle out of the crowd, they bumped into the one and only trio…
"Ino! Y-you're here!" Katana's smile was twitching at the side of her mouth. Oh no! I wasn't even done touring Gaara yet! Why did these guys show up now?
"Hey, tough girl." Smirked Ino. She does really like giving nicknames…
"Who's your date?" she asked. Katana visibly paled and went in denial. "Aha… w-what date Ino? This i-is my friend!" Gaara gazed, mouth agape. "His name's Gaara." She introduced. Ino's eyes looked clearly horrified. The freak that almost killed Lee? Her look seemed to say. Katana glared. He's not a freak! He's actually quite nice! "Say Cheese!" Chouji laughed. "Wait, wha—" A flash blinded her and Gaara momentarily. "Chouji!" protested Katana, annoyed to her wit's end. "What was that for?" but the three ran away giggling, without even much of a goodbye. She sighed and pulled her hair backwards. Smiling gently at him, she mumbled, "It's late. I should go home."
She let her hand slip away from his, only to be prevented by a grip. "Let me…" Katana faced him. "Yes?" she inquired innocently. Gaara's face went red. "L-let me…w-walk you h-home…" he offered. Once again, he didn't understand why he felt so excited and nervous. Somehow, he liked the feeling of her hand holding his. It was warm and welcoming, unlike the cold, heavy hands of those who hate him. They both walked side by side in peaceful silence, plainly enjoying each other's company. They reached Katana's house just in time. The moon was full and bright, shining down upon them. They stopped walking and Katana turned to Gaara.
"Thank you…" she said gratefully. Gaara knew he had to let go. His grip loosened and freed her hand. He turned and walked away. Katana watched him go, and she felt loneliness inside her. "Gaara, wait!" she yelled. He stopped on his tracks. She ran towards him. "What is it?" asked Gaara curiously. Katana bit her lip hesitantly. She was blushing hard. It's now or never! She screamed silently in her mind. Standing on her tiptoes and leaning forward, she hugged him tightly. "I…I like you very much, Gaara-kun." She told him with a shaky voice. Damn, I sounded so corny! She thought, embarrassed.
Gaara's mind froze as soon as she came in contact. No one ever hugged him before… no one ever told him that he was wanted there… no one had ever been this kind to him. She pulled away, thinking he was disgusted with her, but at that moment, Gaara hugged her back. She was shocked. He pulled away from her with a flushed face. And with that, he finally walked away. Seeing him go now, Katana didn't feel so lonely anymore. "Ahem…" someone cleared his throat. Katana turned around and blushed. "T-tou-san…." She stuttered. Kakashi had his hands on his hips. "Well, well. My daughter just came back from a date, I see." He teased. "Tou-san!" she shouted at him, more flustered. "I was not! I was just touring him around!" she tried to explain. Kakashi laughed heartedly. "It's alright." He reassured. "I'm not mad." He was even smiling. Phew….thought Katana.
"But, for your information, I really wasn't on a date." She denied again. Kakashi put on a devious smirk. "With that stunt you pulled earlier, of course you weren't on a date!" he mocked sarcastically. Katana's only reply was to dash inside the house and lock the door before he could get in. He chuckled at her childish antics.
Gaara walked down the road, thoughts entering his open mind all at once like a highway. What I want … is the power to protect this village and everyone I love!... You're one-of-a-kind! I like a one-of-a-kind person…Come on! Her voice echoed on his head. I…I like you very much, Gaara-kun!
He remembered her warmth…how he wanted to stay in that loving embrace forever. Was it an illusion… was it all a joke? It seemed too good to be true. How could a beautiful girl love a monster such as him? He told that to himself bitterly.
"I'm back." He announced emotionless, shutting the door behind him. Temari and Kankuro quickly faced him. "O-oh! G-Gaara! Where have you been?" asked Temari, half-concerned, half-frightened. Gaara stared at her and glared half-heartedly. He wasn't in the mood to be all scary. "It's none of your business. I'm going to bed." He went upstairs. Temari and Kankuro shared a look. "Did he just say he's going to bed?" they both chorused. He dropped his gourd by the bedside. Lying down at the soft mattress, he fell in a deep thought. What is this? Is this…love?
Chuunin Exams
"Where is Sasuke?" asked Naruto for the umpteenth time. Katana was beginning to be irritated. But she couldn't find Sasuke or Kakashi anywhere either.
"The contestant for the next match is not yet here, therefore we will proceed to the next match." Said the examiner. "Kankuro and Aburame Shino. Get down here!" For some unknown reason Kankuro forfeited. Shikamaru panicked. Katana was shocked. She knew Kankuro could take him. He had 60 % chance of winning. He wasn't scared. Then Katana realized that after Shikamaru's fight, it was hers. She pulled over Shikamaru. "You better listen well." She told him with narrowed eyes. "If you don't win that battle with that Suna girl, I am going to castrate you after MY fight. Got that?" she threatened. Of course, she was scared of Temari also. Shikamaru sighed. "That's just unfair! What I get to fight TWO girls here? And also, either way, if I became your opponent, I'm sure you're going to castrate me as well." He said. In a flash, Temari was down there, with that ridiculously big fan of hers. "Alright! Go for it, Shikamaru!" yelled Naruto and pushed him down. Shikamaru flailed his arms wildly, losing his balance and fell face-forward on the ground. Temari was aggressive as expected. When Shikamaru didn't make his move, she charged.
After muttering some girl and boy crap, he finally fought back telling Temari that he wouldn't lose to a girl. But then again… it was him so how knows? When he finally caught her in his Shadow Copy technique, he raised his hand, making her raise hers as well. Naruto and Ino were cheering loudly. Chouji was chomping his chips nervously. Katana's earlier threat entered his mind. He glanced at her from above. Yepp, she's glaring at me. He thought and sighed. "I give up." He said. Temari's mouth was left hanging. "What?" she asked him incredulously. "I'm out of chakra and I'm tired. Good luck with your next match." He explained and bade his good bye. "Winner, TEMARI!" announced the examiner. Naruto could almost see the steam coming out of the angry Katana's ears. Naruto went down to fetch him and when they got up, Katana cracked her knuckles in front of Shikamaru. He went pale. "Nara Shikamaru…I thought we had an understanding…" she said in her scary voice and had her scary face. "Oh crap…" was all he could say before a rock-hard punch was thrown directly to his face.
He landed on his butt. He stared at her, as if saying, "You didn't have to punch that hard." But she turned her back on him with a defiant 'hmph'. Then, she remembered something. Next match… Gaara VS Sasuke… The Uchiha VS the jinchuuriki of the Sand. "Where's the Uchiha?" yelled the crowd. Katana fidgeted nervously. Glancing at Gaara, she saw that he still was calm. Slowly building courage, she walked to him. "Hey…" she greeted timidly. Gaara looked surprised to see her. "Why are you here?" he asked in a monotone voice despite of the blush on his cheeks. "I uh…", she started, looking down at their feet. A pink tint was at her face. "I wanted to… wish you luck for your fight." She finally said. Gaara felt a bit lightheaded. He thought that it was just an excuse when she said that she liked him. Yet now… she's still...
He merely nodded at her concern but it was an enough 'thank you' for her. She smiled softly. "Just be careful…" She went back to Naruto and the others. "What did you say to that bastard?" asked Naruto quietly in an angry tone. Katana sighed. "He's not that bad…" she muttered. Naruto didn't reply, instead he pointed below. "Look at that!" Katana's eyes followed the direction of his hand. A sudden gush of wind sent the leaves dancing in a circular motion. She gasped excitedly. "That's tou-san!" she told them. "Eh? Kakashi-sensei?" asked Naruto.
Sure enough, Kakashi and Sasuke were there in the middle of the arena. Everyone was silent in the pleasant surprise. "Sorry we're late." Apologized Kakashi. "Your name?" inquired the examiner. "Uchiha…Sasuke."
Hey guys! Sorry I took so long to update this. Why'd you stop the reviews? Come on!