Author's Note: Yoo hoo! My last update before I go through another 10 months of academic torture, guys! I hope you enjoy. Don't worry, I'll do my best to update soon as possible. ^^

Enjoy and Review!

Destiny of the Cursed

Chapter 37: The Decision

The scratch of pen against paper echoed out amidst the tranquil silence of the room, a black trail left on the surface of the parchment. Heaps and heaps of fat folders occupied the desk, the small coffee table and the floor, making the normally spacious office look cramped. From behind the paperwork-filled wooden desk, a blonde woman sat on her chair, her shoulders hunched and stiff, while weary, golden-rimmed eyes scanned yet another file. Outside the quiet building, the noises of the busy crowd can be heard diminishing, darkness readily taking over the radiant orange sky.

Three consecutive, heavy knocks against the door broke both the silence and the Hokage's concentration, igniting a small frown to develop on her tired face. Resuming her reading, Tsunade called out without looking up, "Come in." The wooden sliding door was pushed open and footsteps barged in, causing the medic to look up instinctively. "Ah, Katana." She greeted casually, straightening up from her position in order to face the brunette better. "How was the mission?"

"It was very refreshing, Tsunade-sama." Quipped the kunoichi with dry sarcasm and Tsunade snorted in a short burst of laughter, shaking her head at the girl who unfortunately managed to inherit Kakashi's obnoxious sense of humor. "Avoid answering to me like that, brat." She warned in mock strictness, wagging a finger in front, "You'll never know when you'll be unlucky enough to catch me in one of my irate moods and get pummeled flat on my office floor."

"Duly noted, Tsunade-sama." Answered the younger girl as she handed out her umpteenth mission report for the week, a relieved sigh escaping her once the folder left her hands. "Are there any other missions you have in line for me today?" Tsunade looked up from the file to the brunette's face, blinking in surprise and incredulity. "Katana", she drawled out slowly, as if determined to make the latter understand her statement word for word, "It's already 6:45. Your day normally ends here, doesn't it?" Said kunoichi shrunk back in embarrassment at her inquiry, right after her grey eyes darted outside of the window in order to check if what the woman said was true indeed.

One hand rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, Katana frowned mildly at the woman seated behind the desk. "I know, but I can still stay a bit if you have anything left for me to do. I wouldn't mind working for another hour—"

"Katana." The girl stopped immediately at her call, the kunoichi tensing up in reflex. Grey orbs fixed themselves on her grimacing face, hesitation clear on Katana's expression. "Hai?"

"What's wrong?" Tsunade asked simply, laying her chin down on her propped up arm, her hand dangling carelessly. Concern was scribbled all over the master medic's exceptionally young face, a small worried crease appearing between her thin eyebrows. "You've been working yourself to the brink of exhaustion more often lately for the past few days. You don't seem to be too thrilled at the idea of going home and resting either." The Sannin stated her observation, keeping her eyes glued to the girl the whole time. "Did you and Kakashi fight perhaps?"

With a downcast expression, Katana shook her head languidly, signs of weariness finally showing on her face. "No. There's nothing wrong, Tsunade-sama." She replied dismissively and shrugged when the woman gave her a critical glance. "I'm just trying to distract myself from worrying over the war too much." She said and the blonde's glare intensified, Tsunade's red lips turning down into a disapproving scowl. "I've never heard such a lame lie from you before, Katana." The Hokage said, leaning back tiredly on her chair. "Is that the best one you can make up at the moment?"

This time around, the brunette chose to remain silent, her mouth slowly sealing themselves shut as a blank façade crossed her features. The two females stared at each other, both daring the latter and waiting for a reaction. Finally, Tsunade sighed and closed her eyes, gently bringing a hand up against her forehead. "It's about Gaara, isn't it?" She said and didn't need to open her eyes to know that the girl stiffened visibly, her chakra suddenly becoming frenzied and scattered inside the office. "Really girl, what is it this tim—" Before the woman could deliver her question fully, the sound of the door sliding open made them both turn to it, eyes widening in alarm and color draining away from Katana's face once she saw the newcomer.

"Hokage-sama." The smooth voice that belonged to the young Kazekage addressed the blonde in a monotone, a bow of acknowledgement accompanying it. Aquamarine eyes that were usually cool and unfazed seemed thoroughly tired as they scanned the girl nearest to the door, worry flashing through the twin orbs. "Katana." The redhead said curtly, his tone sounding strained and choked. Without returning the greeting, Katana swiftly turned back to face Tsunade and bowed goodbye hastily. "I must be going now, Hokage-sama." Said Katana, the distress that laced her tone not going unnoticed by the two Kages. The brunette pulled herself back up and rapidly bypassed the boy on the doorway, her pace confusingly rushed and anxious.

Katana kept up her half-walk half-jog speed as she quickly made her way through the hallways, the exit seemingly farther than it was before as she desperately tried to reach it faster without having to run. A rough, claw-like hand coiled around her ankle all of a sudden, taking her by surprise and almost causing her to lose her balance. She caught herself just in time and sidestepped to keep herself from falling, chills slithering up her spine when the grains of sand around her foot tightened their hold on her. A sharp rush of air sent her hair flying over her shoulders, the girl's breath hitching when she felt the sudden heat radiated by the body that teleported behind her.

"Katana..." Long fingers wrapped themselves gently around her wrist, the redhead's warm breath fanning the nape of her neck. Shivering at the touch, Katana forced herself to calm down, distractedly focusing on evening out the frantic beat of her heart. A gentle tug on her arm whirled her around, her grey eyes defiantly staring back at aquamarine ones. "Why are you avoiding me?" The blunt question made her inwardly wince and she narrowed her eyes at him, pursing her lips guiltily. "I'm not avoiding you." She responded tersely, snatching back her hand from him.

Surprise and hurt flickered through sea foam orbs before they tightened into dangerous slits as well, glaring at the moody girl. "Don't lie to me." Gaara drawled out in frustration, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've been acting more and more distant from me for the past five days now. Explain your actions earlier at the Hokage's Quarters. What happened?" The inquiry had a hard edge on it, sounding more like a demand rather than a question.

Looking away from his face and grimacing, Katana shook her head and answered lowly, "Nothing happened. I'm just tired." An inaudible sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, feeling an impending migraine starting to develop inside her head. Scowling pigheadedly, Gaara narrowed his eyes at her further, his aquamarine orbs threatening to drill a hole in her forehead.

"Tired of what exactly?" He asked doubtfully, his tone coming out as an angry hiss. Suddenly, ash-colored eyes snapped open, rage and offense flashing through them and Katana's weary expression melted into one of fury. "Of everything, Gaara!" She snapped irately in reply, throwing her hands up in an attempt to release some pent-up frustration. She glowered up at him and frowned, planting her hands on her hips and no longer caring if anyone heard them bicker. "I'm tired of all this work. I'm tired of preparing for war."

I'm tired of having to avoid you…

"I'm tired of having to get up every single day and doing the same damn thing."

I'm tired of how unfair this life is to us…

"I'm tired of making all these freaking decisions!"

I'm just so tired, Gaara…

"I'm tired of—of being forced to make these decisions! And more importantly, I'm just so damn sick of—"

"Me?"

Katana stopped in midsentence, all the fury leaving her system once her brain registered his question. She blinked at him twice and grimaced in bewilderment, hands dropping harmlessly by her sides. "What?"

"Are you…tired of me, Katana?" Gaara repeated his question in a hushed whisper, his tone desolate and trembling, nothing like the monotone, composed voice Katana was used to. His expression was pained, almost helpless as he glared at her weakly, waiting for her answer. "Is that what you were trying to say?" Sucking in a sharp intake of breath, Katana stared at the boy with wide eyes, a small voice in the back of her head whispering encouragingly. This is my chance…I could end it all right here, right now. She shakily released a sigh and parted her mouth but hesitated, her heart painfully skipping a beat and a wave of nausea attacking her at the thought of rejecting him and breaking both their hearts.

Swallowing insistently, she gritted her teeth and hardened her resolve, taking a deep breath to calm herself. I have to do this. For you, Gaara. I don't want to be in the way of your dream…because I love you. Just as she had gathered enough guts to open her mouth and speak, all the words died and lodged in her throat when a pair of strong arms slid over her waist, pulling her flat against his warm body, his lips crashing down on hers urgently.

Her eyes flew open in shock as her mind tried to process the situation but she find it all impossible to comprehend, especially when his skilled mouth moved against hers in such a persuading manner. Finally, her determination crumbled down fully and she threw her arms around his neck urgently, giving in to what her heart had really desired.

Why can't I do it? She desperately asked herself as she gripped him tightly, burying her hands in his wild, crimson locks. Why can't I tell him? Why can't I let him go…? Moisture stung her eyes as the realization hit her and she withdrew from the kiss, drawing in a breathless gasp and stubbornly fighting back the tears. "I—I love you." She blurted out, thumping her head down against his collarbone and seeking comfort in his embrace. She felt the gentle press of his lips on the top of her head and sighed, closing her bloodshot eyes.

"I love you too." Gaara whispered softly, his large hand combing through her hair as the other tightened its hold around her body protectively. "Please don't do that again…." He murmured to her, tucking her head under his chin. Fear and anxiety entered his tone, his voice cracking slightly when he spoke again. "I…I don't know what I'll do if I—if I lost you once more just because of my stupidity…I don't think I can handle it."

"I'm sorry…" Apologized Katana feebly, her grip on his neck loosening from exhaustion. She released a sigh, burrowing her face deeper on his red vest and leaning against him tiredly. His natural scent of cinnamon and sand filled her senses, lulling her to sleep with its familiar aroma. She could feel her consciousness slowly leaving her, her hands slackening from his shoulders. "I…can't do it." She murmured hoarsely, a few crystal teardrops slipping out as she closed her eyes forcefully. "I'm sorry. I…love you too much…to ever…let you go…" She finished her sentence just in time, her body limply collapsing against him as she passed out due to fatigue.

Unfazed and truthfully surprised at how long she managed to stay awake, Gaara kept one hand supporting her back as he bent down, sliding his other arm under her knees and picking her up easily. Glancing down at the peacefully sleeping girl in his arms, he sighed, brushing a faint kiss against her cheek. "I'll never let them bring us apart. I won't leave you, Katana…I promise." He said, the girl disappearing with him in a flurry of sand and vanishing from the Hokage Office.

Grey orbs peeked dazedly from behind lowered eyelids, groggily trying to make out the details of her blurry surroundings. With a groan, Katana pushed herself up with her elbows, sitting up and rubbing away the fuzziness from her eyes. Her gaze scanned the place up and down, her mind recognizing the familiar setting. "My room…" Her eyebrows furrowed down together in confusion and she pushed back her covers to stand up, glancing down momentarily when she discovered that she fell asleep without even changing into something more comfortable.

Brushing back the hair strands that fell on her face, she cast her gaze down at the floor, racking her brain for unclear memories. She could vaguely remember talking to Tsunade and submitting her mission report—which was a relief to know, because the report had been nothing but a great, big pain in the ass—and then rushing out of the Quarters when she encountered the redhead unexpectedly. The memory fell back into place as she recalled being with him and then collapsing out of exhaustion; the young Kazekage had probably brought her here. "Gaara…" she breathed out tentatively, feeling disappointed yet very much relieved at the same time.

Sitting back down on the edge of her bed, she dropped her elbows onto her lap and wove her fingers together, frowning as she contemplated over her next decision. I couldn't tell him…She thought worriedly, her frown deepening further. The Suna elders aren't going to like this at all…A painful throb inside her brain cut her off from her thoughts and she flinched, one hand clutching her aching head. Great, just what I need this morning, she scoffed inwardly, rolling her eyes sarcastically, a migraine.

A sudden knock on the door made her head protest again by vibrating rebelliously, causing the girl to release a broken whine as both hands shot up to grip the sides of her head and fall back down on her mattress. "Katana? You alright?" Kakashi's voice sounded out suddenly in concern, his mop of silver-hair poking from behind the door. Face scrunched up in pain, Katana sat back up slowly, trying to ignore the pounding of her head. "Hai, Tou-san. It's just a headache, that's all." She said and added a minimal amount of pressure against her pounding temples, looking up at Kakashi curiously. "Did Gaara drop me here yesterday?"

"Yeah, he did." The jounin confirmed for her, leaning against the open doorway and crossing his arms together. "It's a good thing you were with him in the first place. I was getting worried by the time it became past seven." Her lips quirking up in a lopsided smile, Katana snorted, beaming up at him. "I'm seventeen , Tou-san. And a chuunin too. There's hardly anything to be worried about. I can take care of myself just fine." She reassured him, her smile widening when a rare blush tainted the composed man's face. "I know that." Kakashi said defensively, looking away in embarrassment. Chuckling and standing up, Katana shot him a grateful beam. "Thanks for worrying anyway."

The man's open eye softened and he smiled crookedly, shaking his gray head and turning his back on her. "I'll always worry about you." He remarked nonchalantly, the affectionate twinkle in his orb as he strode towards the living room betraying his unaffected façade. "Before I forget", he added, stopping short of disappearing from a corner and facing her again, "Hokage-sama has a mission scheduled for you to do today—And no, you're not late, just so we're clear. You still have an hour left to prepare." He smirked at the relieved breath she let out at the last statement and turned to leave her finally, the girl then rushing in front of her closet.

Swinging open the twin doors, Katana grabbed the first articles of clothing her hand came in contact with and sprinted for the bathroom, closing the door and locking it. The shower hissed as she turned its knob open, steam erupting out of the bathtub. The brunette released a groan when the droplets fell on her body, the heat of the water easing her headache and her stiff muscles. Tilting her head back, grey eyes closed as the water continuously hit her, thoughts swarming her mind once more.

Gaara…I don't want to lose him. It's taken us years to finally be together. I don't think I can break just this bond and walk away like his counselors suggested—They have no idea how hard it is for us anyway. They would never understand. She mentally remarked, frowning grudgingly when she remembered the day they spoke to her about the matter. As much as I want to be selfish, I can't just do what I want. I have to somehow do something…I can't let them marry Gaara off to the daimyo's daughter but on the other hand, I don't want Suna to suffer either…What do I do? She grimaced at her contradicting ideas, her teeth clenching together in frustration.

Hand shooting up to turn the shower knob close, she pushed back the shower curtain and reached out for a clean towel, ruffling her hair dry and wiping her body free from the moisture. Dressing hastily, Katana pulled the black shirt over her head and slipped on her knee-high shorts as she burst out of the bathroom, running through the living room and for the door. "You're not eating here?" She heard Kakashi call out from the kitchen and craned her head back as she tugged on her sandals, replying hurriedly, "I'll just grab something on the way, Tou-san!"

She yanked the door of their apartment open and closed it behind her, immediately taking the fastest route up on the roofs. Arriving at the Hokage Office five minutes later, the girl wasted no time and resorted to sprinting for the Quarters, recalling with a grimace the time when the Suna counselors had summoned her while she was on her way to her mission. Stopping in front of the sliding door, she knocked and waited for the permission, pushing the door open when she heard the usual, "Come in."

"Katana. You're early." Tsunade acknowledged with a faint smirk at the sight of the young brunette entering her office, chuckling when said girl flashed an easy grin. "Tou-san finally learned how to inform people their schedule in a considerate manner." She said, shrugging nonchalantly. "Looks like my years of beating him afterwards had paid off—Ah, Ohayo, Hinata." The kunoichi greeted when she saw the timid Hyuuga heiress by the side, offering her a gentle smile.

"O-Ohayo, K-Katana-chan." Hinata shyly beamed back, her cheeks dusted by the usual pink blush. "Let's get back to business." Successfully grabbing the attentions of the two teenagers, Tsunade plastered a calm demeanor and pulled out a mission scroll from the top desk drawer, handing it over to Katana. "This is merely a C-rank mission, but I don't want either of you to underestimate it." The blonde warned in advance, giving both girls a stern gaze.

"An official of Suna decided to visit today and will be meeting with us. He brought his daughter along and asked me to have my best shinobi guard over her during the whole period of the day." At this, Tsunade snorted, rolling her eyes sideward. "Of course, I'm not stupid. I won't waste my capable jounin to babysit some rich brat, so I've assigned you two chuunins instead."

Hinata's disappointed reaction made Katana fleetingly glance at her, grey eyes snapping back at the Hokage disapprovingly. Tsunade lightly winced at the pale-eyed girl's downcast pout and cleared her throat, hastily adding, "Of course, that doesn't mean I think you girls are weak. In fact, I've delegated this mission to you because I know both of you are reliable kunoichi. Now, going back to the details, the Wind Daimyo's daughter is about a year younger than you girls. Her name's Iwahashi Yuuna."

Katana stiffened reflexively at the mention of the familiar name, her smile turning down in an appalled grimace. "Iwahashi Yuuna is the daimyo's daughter. You, on the other hand, are nothing a mere Konoha chuunin…" Daishiro's irritatingly high-pitched voice echoed inside her mind, the question that followed taunting her endlessly, "What can you possibly offer him that is greater than wealth?"Hands balled into tight fists, the scroll she held crumpling slightly from the pressure as she unconsciously glowered down at the tiled floor. "Katana, something the matter?" Tsunade's inquiry rang out, distracting the girl away from her trance.

Flexing her hands open and looking up, Katana shook her head and forced a tight smile, "No, I'm alright, Tsunade-sama. How long do we have to watch over her again?" She asked with hidden dread, anger stirring in her stomach relentlessly. "Just until 5'o clock. Then you're free to go. You'll meet them at the gates of Konoha. She's brought along two to three guards with her, so there's no rush." Tsunade answered, propping her arms up on her wooden desk. "Is the mission clear?"

"Hai, Tsunade-sama." Replied the two girls together, bowing in sync and excusing themselves. Before Katana could rush out, Tsunade called her attention again and the brunette looked back curiously, raising an eyebrow. "Hai?" She let out a startled yelp when the woman threw a blue envelope at her with excessive force, picking it off her face and glaring at the Hokage in embarrassment. Tsunade's only reply was a knowing smirk and lazy shooing motions with her hand as she explained, "It's from your lover boy. I hope the two of you have made out—er, made up already."

"I'll see you later, Hokage-sama." Droned out Katana in a mixture of annoyance and humiliation as she closed the door behind her, tentatively looking down at the sealed note. "K-Katana-chan?" Hinata's stuttering voice made her glance up from the letter and she smiled at the girl, tucking away the envelope inside her pocket. She could read it later. For now, they had a miserable mission to complete. "Come on, Hinata." She murmured with a sigh, walking side by side with the girl out of the Office.

The two dodged the crowd easily as a few words were exchanged between them, mostly Katana asking the latter about the day she and Naruto went out to eat ramen together. "He didn't do anything foolish now, did he?" Katana asked the shy girl with a hint of protectiveness in her tone, frowning mildly at the thought of Naruto embarrassing the poor girl. Flushing in both mortification and gratefulness, Hinata shook her head, smiling reassuring. "N-No, he didn't. N-Naruto-kun was actually a c-complete gentleman." She told the kunoichi, erasing the doubt and worry of the brunette.

"Oh." Katana said in surprise, looking pleased to hear the guarantee from the girl. "That's good then."

"H-Hai. I've a-also been m-meaning to t-thank you, K-Katana-chan."

"Thank me for what, Hinata?"

"F-For h-helping me go o-out with N-Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered softly, her blush intensifying. She swallowed lightly and brought her arms up to cover her front, poking her two index fingers together in an undying habit. "A-Anou…I c-could've never d-done it alone…E-Even Kiba-kun and S-Shino-kun tell me t-that I should b-be more confident."

"You should be more confident, Hinata." Katana piped in with an encouraging smile, grinning down at the girl. "You're beautiful and strong. You belong to one of the most powerful clans in Konoha. There's nothing to be ashamed of about yourself." She said, nudging the girl's shoulder gently with her own. "I bet Naruto likes you as well. He's just too much of a dense idiot to—" Katana halted in mid-statement, her mouth left agape as her attention turned to the sight in front of them.

"Huh."

Grey eyes and lavender orbs scanned the scene with both disbelief and panic, the two girls finding themselves staring at what seemed to be a dozen or more burly men surrounding a young woman in the middle. The bodyguards were at least six feet in height, all of them having the same bulky built and carrying the same dangerous-looking swords. Intimidated by the number of people, Hinata took a step back, turning to Katana with uneasiness. "A-Anou…are w-we s-supposed to w-watch over a-all of t-them?" The frowning brunette shook her head slowly, obviously displeased with the vast change in details.

Katana contained the explosive sigh that wanted so badly to get out and beamed half-heartedly at Hinata, lifting the girl's low spirit. "Don't worry, I'll talk to them about it. You just stay behind me, okay?" Taking a calming deep breath, Katana approached the group with a smile, undeterred by the towering heights the men had compared to their rather slim figures. "Excuse me." She called out, earning the attention of one of the guards. Beady eyes were narrow as they stared down on her face, the man looking irritated by her intrusion. "Whaddya want, kid?"

Eyebrows shot up in amazement at the name the man had called her, Katana crossing her arms over her chest. "Is that Iwahashi Yuuna-sama over there? We're assigned to look after her." The sudden roar of laughter she received made Hinata squeak and jump away slightly, the kunoichi nervously fidgeting around her partner's icy aura. "Y-You girls are the assigned shinobi?" The bodyguard asked again with a short guffaw, looking thoroughly entertained by the idea. "I don't believe it! You don't even look like you can protect yourselves. How are you supposed to protect Yuuna-sama?"

Katana's friendly beam twitched by the sides as she fought back her rising anger, the livid girl's head snapping up to meet the man's amused grin with a death glare and an offended grimace of her own. "I assure you, we are more than capable to protect her." She replied through clenched teeth, her voice coming out as an impatient hiss. "So please stand aside and let us meet our client." With a snort of disbelief, the guy shook his head in hilarity and yet took a step back, allowing the two to get a better view of the daimyo's daughter.

At the sight of the blonde girl clad in the red and gold formal kimono, both kunoichi bowed before her, Hinata smiling bashfully and greeting once she straightened up, "O-Ohayo, Yuuna-sama. W-We are t-the k-kunoichi assigned by T-Tsunade-sama to take c-care of you today." The sixteen year old female turned to face them in surprise, her dainty eyebrows furrowing and her lips falling into a disappointed pout when she saw them. The blonde crossed her sleeved arms and huffed childishly, glaring at the girls. "Why did the Hokage assign you to tour me around?" She asked them indignantly, scowling and turning away. "I asked for cute men! Not weak females!"

"B-But, w-we're not weak, Yuuna-sama." Hinata protested patiently, looking somewhat hurt by the latter's words. "W-We may not look like it, b-but we c-can protect you." She reassured confidently, smiling at the younger female. Large green eyes narrowed in anger and Yuuna threw her hands up, letting out an ear-piercing shriek that caused both kunoichi to cringe. "But I wanted men! I wanted Hatake Kakashi and that village hero, Uzumaki Naruto, to tour me! Not you guys! I don't like you!"

Katana winced at the shrill tone of the girl, gritting her teeth in frustration. This is the girl they were trying to marry Gaara off to? Sighing and rubbing a hand on her exhausted face, she reasoned out as calmly as she could, "But Yuuna-sama, you must understand. With war upon us, many of the jounin men are busy doing dangerous missions. The only thing left for us 'weak' females to do is to stay here in the village and welcome guests like you here in Konoha."

Swallowing tightly and keeping her temper in check, the brunette mustered another forced smile at the irrational girl. "Now, you wanted us to tour you around the village, right? Also, I'm Hatake Kakashi's daughter and Uzumaki Naruto's friend. I can answer any questions you have about them. Sound good?"

Hearing this, the girl brightened up instantly, her immature pout melting into an awed grin. "You'll answer to any question?" She inquired doubtfully, staring up into Katana's grey eyes. "Any question." Repeated Katana with a nod, flinching when the blonde gave a girlish squeal. "What are we waiting for then?" She asked them, smiling brightly. "Let's go! I want to see the shops around here!" Yuuna said as she began to walk to the direction of the village, trotting in between the two other girls and the dozen guards trailing behind them.

"Say, Kat." Yuuna piped in suddenly after a few moments of rare silence, the nickname unknowingly provoking the brunette's temper. It had been almost seven hours since they showed the girl around the village and only another hour was left before they could finally be free of the torture, yet Katana was more than ready to collapse out of pure exhaustion from all the questions she had been forced to answer and weariness of the girl's irrational behavior; the annoying pet names that she had given them did nothing but add fuel to her growing anger. It was a good thing that they had decided to take a breather from all the strolling and eat here inside a small dango shop, the girl's wavering patience slightly increasing the minute she bit into her first stick of dango.

"My name's Katana, Yuuna-sama." The kunoichi reminded tolerantly, setting down her empty wooden stick and picking up her second. "What is it that you wanted to ask me?" She inquired as she sunk her teeth into one of the sweet balls, chewing and waiting for the blonde's question. Yuuna looked up and pressed a finger on her chin, contemplating for the right words. "Well…how long will it still be before you and Hina take me to the Hokage Office?" The girl asked as she toyed with the iced inside the empty glass using her straw, her tone impatient and rude.

Nervous sweat broke across Katana's forehead when she picked up the edginess in the girl's voice, knowing all too well that it ended up with one of her horrid tantrums if not resolved immediately. "J-Just o-one more hour, Y-Yuuna-sama. P-Please be p-patient." Hinata answered from beside her, smiling comfortingly when Katana shot her a grateful look. Instead of throwing another fit, Yuuna simply groaned miserably—much to her tour guides' relief—and thumped her head down on the table. "Still another hour? Ehhh… But I wanna see Gaa-chan already."

Both Katana and Hinata froze at the name, the Hyuuga whipping her head to the side to glance at the brunette in confusion. Ignoring her teammate's look, Katana released a shaky breath and quirked her mouth up in a tight smile, propping her elbows up on the table indifferently. "Gaa-chan? Oh. You mean Kazekage-sama, Yuuna-sama?" Katana asked in mock innocence and paid no attention to the irritating twinge that suddenly set off inside her chest, her eyes flickering towards the girl. Yuuna nodded eagerly, her pale yellow locks bouncing with the movement. "Hai. I can't wait to see him! It's been so long."

"Are you friends with him, Yuuna-sama?"

"Well, not really. He's too quiet whenever he visits our mansion but he's really sweet to me."

"O-Oh?" Hinata inquired curiously, again shooting Katana a questioning look. Grey eyes darted to her direction and then back down on the table hastily, the brunette's orbs turning hard and her expression reflecting faked undying happiness. "H-He's a really n-nice guy, i-isn't he, Y-Yuuna-sama?" The indigo-haired girl offered with a small beam, realization dawning to her little by little.

"Hai, he really is…" Yuuna agreed with a dreamy sigh, propping her chin up with her palms. "He's so cute and handsome and tall…and cute…" Her faraway smile widened, a certain memory flashing through her mind. "Oh! And there was one time where he brought me roses…" Katana's heart clenched painfully at the words of the younger girl and she fought to keep her smile intact despite the ache stirring in the pit of her stomach, her mind stubbornly set on finishing the mission without any problem. Only Hinata's comforting hand over own from under their table kept her holding on, the brunette silently thanking her friend's endless understanding.

Their blonde client went on and on about her relationship with the redhead, speaking excitedly and remaining oblivious to her companion's discomfort. "And then, there was also that time when he helped me find Mr. Biscuits." Raising her eyebrows in feigned interest, the lavender-eyed individual leaned in further on the table. "M-Mr. Biscuits?" asked Hinata softly to keep the conversation going and to detain the blonde's attention, her hand squeezing Katana's apologetically. "My dog." Answered Yuuna with a giggle, her hand muffling the shrill laughter. Suddenly, she stopped to stare at Katana, her smile fading. "Is something wrong, Kat? You're not feeling well?"

The unresponsive kunoichi stiffened at the question, her smile already slightly wavering as her painful-looking posture became even more rigid. Her lowered head snapped up, startling both the other two with her gentle beam and at eased demeanor. "It's nothing, Yuuna-sama." Katana said with a dismissive wave of her hand, chuckling lightly. "Just a minor headache. Probably from the heat. Please continue your story about…Mr. Biscuits, was it? I'm thrilled to hear all about it."

She chuckled again when Yuuna gave off an excited gasp and rambled on without pausing to breathe, her words tumbling one over another in her haste. This…hurts…Katana silently mused as she pretended to pay attention to the story, her heart wrenching in agony every time the blonde mentions the name 'Gaara'. Enduring this pain every time I would see Gaara with another girl…I can't possibly survive this. The kunoichi's mind wandered off to her thoughts, memories of when they were together replaying inside her mind.

Flashback:

Flowing brown tresses swayed along with the passing breeze, the fresh scent of morning dew and green grass lingering in the air. Twelve year old Yotsuki Katana inhaled deeply, releasing it as a sigh and mouth curling up in a content smile. She could feel her companion's questioning glance fixed on her and she craned her head to the side, her grey eyes twinkling with mirth as they met aquamarine.

"You know…" she began, studying his facial features with curiosity, "you're a lot different compared to the boys in this village." Her eyes traveled from his dark-ringed orbs to the engraved tattoo on his forehead, down to his nose and to where his mouth formed a thin line. "You're not lazy like a Nara…not annoying like an Uchiha…not loud like an Uzumaki neither arrogant like an Inuzuka. You're one of a kind!" She grinned, chuckling good-naturedly at his bewildered expression.

Turning back to the cloudless, blue sky and closing her eyes, her beam softened as she whispered to the boy beside her, "I like a one-of-a-kind person…"

"I love you."

Grey eyes widened as the girl realized what she had said, the moment of bliss causing the words to tumble out of her mouth carelessly. She looked up at the redhead that hovered over her, cautiously studying his stoic face. Shock and disbelief was written all over his expression and the kunoichi winced inwardly, mentally cursing herself for going overboard.

"I love you too." The velvety whisper caused goose bumps to rise on the length of her arms, heat radiating off her face. With a stupid smile, she pulled him closer, trapping him in her embrace.

End flashback

"—that's why I was so happy when Otou-sama agreed to arrange this marriage for us."

The statement broke through her thoughts and Katana's mind stopped dead, her breath hitching and her smile fading away as she took a minute to comprehend the words. "Wait." Katana interrupted suddenly, her eyes narrowing as she shifted her full attention to the girl she only previously pretended to listen to. "Come again?" She asked in incredulity, startling the ranting blonde and her quiet teammate. Yuuna blinked twice and frowned, looking peeved at being cut off from her story. "I said", she repeated in a hard tone, crossing her arms over each other and pouting, "that I was so happy when Otou-sama had agreed to arrange this marriage for me and Gaa-chan. Seriously Kat, you need to listen more clearl—"

"You mean, this marriage between you and the Kazekage-sama was arranged by your father…under your request?" Katana asked again, her voice rising gradually in anger as realization dawned to her. Giggling, Yuuna rolled her eyes and sighed, flashing Katana and amused smile. "Silly Kat, of course that's what I mean! It's not like Otou-sama would actually force me to marry someone! He adores me too much to do that."

Then…Katana's heart skipped a beat as her suspicions were confirmed, her held back rage suddenly taking over her system. There was no need to let go after all…the money that the daimyo would offer in exchange for his family's safety would still be there…and Suna won't be suffering. She balled her hands, her fists shaking in fury as she glowered at the table involuntarily. "Those damn bastards…" She seethed under her breath, a string of curses following as she recalled the rotten lies the counselors' mouths had spewed out.

Green eyes glared at Katana, Yuuna frowning in annoyance. Turning to the other girl who was just as confused, she asked sharply, "What's she talking about, Hina?" Startled, Hinata blinked rapidly at the blonde before glancing at Katana nervously, "A-Anou, I'm not so s-sure, Yuuna-sama. But", the Hyuuga heiress suddenly piped in, looking at the blonde girl hopefully, "A-Are you aware t-that K-Kazekage-sama is in a r-relationship, Yuuna-sama?" Hinata's inquiry rang inside Katana's ears and she looked up in dread, her anger leaving her as fear took over. She faced Hinata, shaking her pale face a 'no' in panic. White eyes widened and the dark-haired girl reddened in horror, an open hand clamping down her mouth.

"…In a relationship?" Yuuna repeated and caused both girls to stiffen in reflex, cold sweat running down the sides of Katana's blanching face as she smiled awkwardly at their unpredictable client. "N-Ne, it's probably just some stupid rumor, Yuuna-sama." She told the girl, waving her hands in front frantically. "Kazekage-sama couldn't possibly have a—" A high-pitched chuckle cut her off and Katana blanched even more so, swallowing and bracing herself for the blonde's reaction. "I'm aware that he has a girlfriend." Yuuna admitted with a calm smile, taking aback the two older girls that watched over her.

"Y-You—you know?" Katana repeated in disbelief, her mouth hanging open. "Then why…" she trailed off, confusion entering her tone as she narrowed her eyes, "why are you still so eager to marry the Kazekage if you know that he's in a relationship with somebody else? I mean, pardon me when I say this, Yuuna-sama, but…haven't you considered the fact that…they might have really loved each other? That Gaara-sama is happy with another girl?"

With a delicate shrug, Yuuna smiled wryly, peering at Katana through her long lashes. "To put it bluntly…I don't care. At all." She answered and Katana froze, leaving Hinata to anxiously watch them back and forth with growing terror. "I was aware from the start that there was a whore getting in the way of my plans so I bribed some of his counselors to get rid of whoever she was."

"A-Anou, Y-Yuuna-sama—"

"Why shouldn't I, anyway? That slut probably just sucked up to my Gaa-chan and is probably after his money and his power as Kazekage, that wretched gold-digger. She deserves to be—"

"Y-Yuuna-sama."

"What is it, Hina?" Snapped the blonde in irritation, growing sick of the constant interruptions of the timid girl. Soft lavender orbs were pleading and nervous as they darted towards the silent brunette and then back to the irate blonde. "P-Please, Yuuna-sama. D-Don't say t-those kind of t-things about t-the Kazekage's girlfriend. S-She's my f-friend." Thin eyebrows shot up for a quick moment before knitting together deeply, malice entering the girl's expression. "Friend, you say?" Yuuna inquired with a haughty smirk, her forest green eyes narrowing dangerously at the Hyuuga. "Well, you can tell your 'friend' this, Hina. She'd better leave my Gaa-chan alone or I'll—"

"That's enough, Yuuna-sama."

Both the blonde and the indigo-haired girl whirled to face the previously unspeaking girl, tensing once grey eyes flickered up to stare at Yuuna's green ones, Katana's ash-colored orbs icy and intense. She stood up slowly, glaring down at the younger female. "You have no right to say such things about someone you don't even know." The kunoichi drawled out in a monotone, her balled fists shaking slightly by her sides. "What, is this slut your friend too, Kat?" Demanded Yuuna in exasperation, scowling and shooting up from her seat to match Katana's glower with her own stubborn look.

"K-Katana-chan, Y-Yuuna-sama…Please—"

Holding up one hand in midair, Katana stopped Hinata's plea, smiling ruefully even though she never took her glare off the other. "You don't have to get in trouble for my sake, Hinata." She said reassuringly, dropping her arm and her beam to eye the blonde girl with unconcealed irritation. "The name's Katana, Yuuna-sama." She corrected bitingly, her patient façade fading away for good. "And no, the Kazekage's girlfriend is not a friend of mine." Snorting and rolling her eyes in a dramatic fashion, pink glistening lips turned down in a snarky sneer as the girl retorted, "Oh yeah? Then why do you keep defending this bitc—"

"I'm the Kazekage's girlfriend."

Stunned silence met the declaration, Hinata's jacket-clad body slightly trembling in alarm. The two other females stared at one another, both their auras menacingly cold and the atmosphere around them scorching with tension. Grimacing with newfound determination, Katana stood rigidly, her glower unflinching towards the latter. "And I won't let you break the two of us apart."

End Chapter