A/N: EARLY UPDATE! This will be the final chapter before Tamer: Shippuden. The next chapter will be the transition chapter so it may be a little shorter, but this chapter is super long lol. Two weeks from this Sunday will be the transition chapter AND I will be posting a Christmas/New Year Special as a gift to all of you lovely Shikoba followers. Please enjoy and let me know what you're thinking. This chapter was rewritten three times. Enjoy!
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*Kabocha POV*
After, convincing Shikamaru that I was neither going to drop dead or escape the hospital he left to get me food with Kina in tow to personally check me over. He left once more to go and find Ryu and Rai; he had also already sent word for Kakashi to come to my hospital room.
I sat quietly eating the bland hospital rice with a permanent scowl, not even bothering to investigate the mystery meat on the left side of my plate. I could really go for my favorite restaurant back in the Lava village. I'd even settle for Ichiraku's right now, and I really hated ramen.
"What's wrong." Kina asked sternly taking notice of my silence as she gave me a full body exam. She had also made me get back into bed and act like a real patient...even though I didn't think I was one. I could hear fighting on the roof of the hospital. I just wasn't aware of who it was up there.
"Nothing." I grumbled around a mouth full of rice. I didn't have to see her face to know that she cut her red eyes at me.
"Why am I hearing that you're requesting Kakashi Hatake?" I forcibly relaxed my muscles at her question, so that she wouldn't suspect me of anything.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious." I lied straight through my teeth, flinching internally because I had never lied to her. I never saw the point of lying. Omitting information, yes, but never flat out lying. I found the act tactless and unnecessary, I was being an enormous hypocrite.
"Hm, if you say so. I'll be back shortly with someone who can discharge new Hokage has been cracking down on what privileges Lava shinobi, specifically, have in this village. I suggest we leave as soon as possible." She explained with a deep scowl on her pretty face. She left the room in a flourish of red fabrics from her mid-length skirt.
I wasn't alone for long since as soon as the door closed, the window opened to reveal Kakashi Hatake not at one hundred percent just by looking at the way he was carrying himself. He hopped in casually, not bothering to shut the window behind him.
"I wasn't made aware of your condition. What has happened to you, Hatake-san?" I questioned formally. I wanted him to realize that this isn't a friendly visit. "That's more of a classified situation, sorry." He answered back not looking sorry at all. I saw the flash of annoyance and surprise at my voicing and recognizing his instability. He must have been trying really hard to appear normal.
"That's alright. I'll find out soon enough. Whether it be from you...or someone else." I hummed, practically feeling the air thicken between us.
"Listen, I-"
"I don't care." I cut him off. I didn't even know what he had to say. All I wanted him to do was shut up and listen. Maybe then I would give him the opportunity to speak. He didn't appear to be phased by my rude interruption but I knew anyone would be. He was no exception.
"I am the princess of another nation. A fact that I would leave last on my list of titles because of how it makes me look. I am a military leader first and foremost; regardless of what you may think of my age I hold rank over you no matter what village we're in. The disrespecting of a high ranking official can cause wars. A fact that I'm sure you're familiar with considering you've been through a war. Make no mistake, you may be the teacher to a boy that I revere as a brother, but I will cut you down the next time you stand in the way of something or someone I want. I will start a war to rival all wars if you ever withhold information from me again. Do I make myself clear, Kakashi Hatake." I lectured in an even voice with a blank face. I was controlling my anger surprisingly well. I didn't see any smoke billowing from my mouth or nose into the air. I didn't feel my senses heighten. I was in complete control until he opened his mouth.
"Crystal, princess. However…" He started, leaning his body back against the wall next to the window. The word princess sounding borderline mocking. He was still tense in case there was a fight. I couldn't fault him for his preparedness considering who we was dealing with….me.
"You were emotionally compromised. You left your entire military power to chase after one boy. I was only looking to help you come to your senses and make the right choice; that being said the right choice was to stay and fight with the shinobi of your village." I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself.
"I do so appreciate your help, but I do not nor will I ever need your help. Please steer clear of me for the foreseeable future. I'm going to be frank and say that I am not feeling one hundred percent but neither are you. I'm not arrogant enough to think that fighting the great copy-nin Kakashi Hatake will be easy; just in case we have another...disagreement. I need time to heal properly and so do you." I stared him down, resting my body back against the bed; mentally thanking Kina for putting the upper half of the bed up so I wouldn't have to lie down.
"I think I've had enough of fighting for one day." My mind immediately thought about the commotion I heard on the roof earlier. I would also be investigating the rooftop situation along with his condition. "Your healing capabilities also exceed a normal human beings. Our new Hokage, Lady Tsunade, noticed something strange about your entire being. That might have something to do with that arm, right?" He chuckled making my eye twitch in annoyance.
"My body parts are none of your business." I stated plainly, forgoing the formal speech pattern I had adopted for this encounter. "I'm not looking for fear, I'm expecting some respect from you. Now that, that's out of the way. I have tasks to do since I am the military leader of another nation." I dismissed him, flippantly throwing the stark white sheets off of my tan legs and standing. A quake shook my body as I struggled to not show how unstable I was. My muscles screamed for assistance, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.
I slid my feet into my shoes not bothering to even give him anymore of my time or energy. We would come to blows if he ever crossed me again. I was just happy he was now aware of that fact.
"Respect is earned not given, kid. Asuma was right...you really are something else." Kakashi chuckled almost condescendingly. I snarled silently with my back facing him. I looked over my shoulder, fixing my face with a smile.
"Yeah, well if that's your logic then I have no respect for you what's so ever. I'm sure Asuma meant that in a different way than what you're implying. I would say it was good seeing you, but you and I both know I wouldn't mean that." I turned to face the door once more and left the cramped hospital room.
I didn't even try to sneak out, I walked right out the front door without running into anyone that would immediately recognize me. However, I did get a lot of "you look familiar" which I brushed off so that I could leave. I had a few things to figure out before I left this village.
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"So...we're leaving for good then?" I questioned sitting on the comfortable couch in Uncle's semi-empty apartment. I had come straight to his apartment to find both Ryu and Rai packing things up. Kina had left before I got here, obviously looking for me since I disappeared from the hospital. Shikamaru was also looking for me, and for the first time in my life I felt guilty for not letting him know I was safe. I had too much to do and I couldn't have him wondering my motives and intentions.
"Uncle...be honest. How bad is the situation here?" I asked the main question I wanted answers to. Uncle let out a loud sigh, looking haggard in his formal robes. It was a large contrast to the battle attire I saw him in during the Chunin exams.
"None of the previous privileges given to Lava shinobi are going to be honored by the new Hokage. All Lava shinobi residing in Konoha are to leave effective immediately. Our alliance with Konoha is being held by a single thread, and that thread is Hikari." Uncle explained taking notice that both Ryu and Rai had stopped to listen to him, he motioned for the to continue packing up the dishes in the little kitchen while he put scrolls inside of another scroll using a summoning jutsu.
"Why is she doing this? We helped fend against the invasion. She has no reason to treat us this way." I told him in quiet fury. She may be the Hokage, but she was already making her way to the top of my 'shit list'.
"Orochimaru informed her during a battle that involved Naruto and before she returned here that we were aware of the invasion because he offered your father the chance to side with Suna. She doesn't like that we didn't inform the late Hokage. She has told me that we are sneaky, those were her exact words." I took a deep breath in and puffed out smoke through my nose.
"What does Uncle Hikari have to do with the alliance with Konoha?" I asked through gritted teeth. "What happened to Kakashi Hatake while I was unconscious?" I continued hoping he would have information for me.
"Leave the alliance and Uncle Hikari's situation alone. I know how meddlesome you can get when you want information. This is not your area of expertise so stay out of it." He told me sternly and I had to fight to keep the pout off of my face. I heard Rai snicker in the background.
"As for Hatake...he was injured fighting Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki. Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi were involved in the battle as well, however, they were not injured. Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki are a part of a terrorist organization called the Akatsuki. Hikari Nami performed reconnaissance and discovered the Akatsuki's goal of collecting all jinchuriki. The Lava village isn't sure if Konoha is aware of their objective yet. We are also aware that they were after Naruto; who was saved by one of the legendary sannin: Jiraiya. Sasuke Uchiha was injured during the second battle against Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki. Sasuke Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake sustained injuries from Itachi Uchiha. Both of them are now almost fully recovered." Uncle explained to me in the form of a mission report. You could practically hear a mouse sneeze with how quiet it was.
"Okay…" I drawed out, nodding slowly as I processed all of the information given to me. "I'll stop poking around the Konoha and Lava village affairs. You're right that's not my area of expertise. I have a mass funeral to plan and attend back home and then training, right?" Uncle nodded, his shoulders sagging in relief as soon as I voiced that I was going to stay out of the diplomatic issues.
"Good. We're leaving tomorrow night, so pack up as much as you can carry. Put large things in a summoning scroll. We won't be coming back here for some time...if at all." He told me solemnly before going into his bedroom to continue packing.
I swallowed thickly...thinking of never returning to Konoha. My love...my first and only love and tamer was here...the thought of never seeing him was suffocating me...
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Night time came faster than I would have liked as I traveled with an empty back to Naruto's apartment. After the discussion with Uncle I was left alone while he left to another meeting and Ryu and Rai went back to the Lava village with a bunch of stuff. I hadn't seen any of my Konoha friends or boyfriend all day. Some longer than just a day...weeks had gone by and I didn't know if some of them were okay after the invasion. Something else I would have to look into.
I sighed and then stopped abruptly, looking straight out in front of me. I wouldn't have been able to see the outline of figure without my enhance eyesight. I walked forward a few steps and stopped under a streetlight. The dark silhouette became clear as Sasuke Uchiha appeared in front of me...with a bag.
"Sasu…" I called out to him softly, his hardened gaze softening as soon as his nickname left my mouth.
"Kabocha. What are you doing out so late?" He asked looking at the bag I was carrying, and I was doing the same to him.
"I have a few things to get from Naruto's place. How are you feeling?" I asked genuinely concerned for him. We created a bond right after my momma dies, a kind of friendship bond (at least on my end) that was unlike any other friendship I had or have. He had also saved me from the Shukaku when I was at my weakest. A fact that I was never going to forget.
"I'm fine." He told me vaguely, but I could see that something had changed in his eyes.
"What's with the bag, Sasuke?" I asked tired of beating around the volcano with him. He was being too shady for my liking. "I'm leaving to train...I want to get stronger." He told me simply and we shared another moment of understanding.
"I'm going back home to train...I want to be stronger too. Three years and a half years from now I will be unstoppable." I told him jokingly with a small grin. I managed to not only get a smile out of him but a chuckle as well.
"I'll be waiting for you. Three years...five years...ten years...it doesn't matter how long." He told me making my insides flip and not in a good way. I schooled my features so he wouldn't know I was uncomfortable with his statement.
"Where are you going to train?" I asked trying to divert his attention far away from any type of romantic thoughts about me. "With Orochimaru." He spilled with no remorse. I thought I was feeling uncomfortable earlier; now I was feeling just plain nauseosus.
"Orochimaru…" I said more to myself than to him. I hated that man, and I had never even met him. "You're just going to leave everything...Naruto? Sakura?" I asked hoping to sway him without using other...devices.
"Naruto is a lot stronger than I am, he can protect Sakura like he did against Gaara. I need to get stronger so I can defeat him." Sasuke hissed through gritted teeth. I already knew he was talking about Itachi when he said 'him' so viciously. "You should understand since Tsuyoi is a fugitive. He tried to kill your fath-"
"We are not the same Sasuke! Don't you ever disrespect Tsuyoi's name again! I love my brothers more than anyone! Your brother spared you, and you want to kill him. Tell me that something's not right here." I had dropped my bag to grab him by the shoulders, practically shaking him as he stared at me like I was a crazy person. His look soon changed into one of pure rage.
"He didn't spare me, Tsuyoi saved me!" He roared at me, smacking my hands away from him viciously. I took a step away from him in utter shock. Tsuyoi had saved him? My loving big brother had saved him?
"That's right! Itachi was going to kill me and Tsuyoi came to save me!" He must have realized that he was being too loud because he was now whisper shouting. I felt like he smacked me with just that one statement. I know Itachi would never hurt him...he was his favorite person outside of Tsuyoi.
"No...there's something wrong. He would never." I shook my head as my thoughts rattled around incoherently. "You know...I always thought you were smart. You're proving me wrong right now. Are you so blinded by love and loyalty that you can't see what's right in front of you?" Sasuke asked full of disappointment.
He shook his head and began to walk around me to leave. I reached out with lightning speed to grab a hold of his hand. He froze right beside me to look me in the eye. I didn't back down or falter as I stared into his obsidian eyes. I really didn't want to pull out the cards I was about to deal but he was leaving me no choice. This was for Naruto and Sakura...they would be devastated if he left when I could I have stopped him with a few well placed words.
"You can get stronger without going to Orochimaru. Come home with me...I went against the Shukaku and you have seen first hand the type of shinobi my village creates. Please, for me, Sasuke come with me." I angle my body towards him, praying to the dragons I was using my feminine ways to the best of my ability. I hadn't gone through the training that they put kunoichi through in my village. I was flying by pure instinct.
He looked flabbergasted by my proposal and even hesitated for a long moment. He squeezed my hand and leaned towards my face, his eyes half lidded. I could damn near hear myself swallow with how close he was to my face. I didn't want this. I really didn't but I would do what I had to for Naruto...he was one of my brothers. I would do what I can. Shikamaru would have to understand...he would be furious, of that I was certain, but I have to keep Sasuke here in the village until Naruto could talk to him.
'Protect brother.'
"I'm sorry." Sasuke whispered before pulling away from me and leaving. "Forgive me. I'll take you up on your offer someday after I get my revenge. I'll be back for you, Kabocha." He told me and walked off...his last statement almost sounding like a threat. I stood rooted to the spot for I don't know how long. I felt almost traumatized that I had led him on for nothing. Now, he was thinking that I wanted him in someway. I was in an even bigger mess now. I sank to my knees and leaned against the streetlight. My healing body had finally had enough.
What have I done?
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"-bocha..."
"Kabo-!"
"Kabocha!"
"KABOCHA!" I flinched awake, the early morning sun blinding to my sensitive eyes. I looked up from my seated position to see Naruto standing beside Shikamaru, and Choji. Flashes of Sasuke made my sluggish mind more alert.
"Sasuke, where is he?!" I looked directly at the four in front of me. "Please tell me you know he's gone!" I stood a little too quickly, I righted myself as soon as the boys reached for me.
"Wait, how do you know he left!?" Naruto yelled grabbing my shoulders. "Did he talk to you-"
"We don't have time for this Naruto? Kabocha, are you alright?" Shikamaru asked with a concerned look but with an air of urgency. He also knocked Naruto's hands away, replacing them with his own. One of his hands on my shoulder while the other went to cup my cheek.
"I'm fine. Do what you have to do." I unconsciously nuzzled into his cool hand, my naturally heated skin loving the coolness.
"Alright...take a second and meet us at the gate. Don't take too long though; we have to leave immediately after we get Kiba and anyone else I can find on the way." Shikamaru explained quickly.
"Go on. I'll be waiting for you at the gate." I leaned forward kissing him quickly and taking a step back. I knew I was distracting him, Naruto looked ready to erupt.
Shikamaru gave a final nod and took off. Choji waved quickly before following while Naruto lingered for a moment. "Naruto, let's go!" Shikamaru yelled as he got further away. Naruto and I stared each other down before he finally decided to leave to follow Shikamaru and Choji.
I stood still for only a moment, assessing all of my faculties. I felt almost completely normal now; no aches, pains, or exhaustion. I hummed looking over to my still empty bag, I picked up the black bag with my village's insignia engraved on the side using fire stones. A gift from Tsuyoi the first day I had started team training.
I was perfectly fine physically...mentally, I was all over the place. Thoughts of the conversation I had with Sasuke resurfacing as my mind raced to find signs of betrayal in both his brother and my own. Both of our brothers loved us, of that I was certain, but if that was the case then why...why hurt us?
I slung the medium sized bag over my shoulder, and blindly made my way to the front of the leaf village so that I could get to the gate before they departed. I hadn't even noticed that I was even there until someone called my name.
"Kabocha. Kabocha, are you alright?" I snapped from my haze as Neji Hyuga stood directly in front of me, close enough that if I reached out I could touch him without extending my arm.
"Yes, I'm fine. How're you?" I asked giving him a once over which may have looked like I was checking him out by the sound both Naruto and Shikamaru made.
"Ahem, boyfriend here." Shikamaru cut in before Neji could answer my question. I caught Shikamaru's eyes and smirked at him. A jealous Shikamaru was an adorable Shikamaru. I also finally took notice of his new chunin vest.
"Oh, I'm aware-" I was cut off by a firm pat on the back from Kiba. It didn't hurt, I had had worse, he just startled me. "Good to see ya! We haven't been able to talk to you in a while!" Kiba told me with a grin making me feel warm inside. I didn't know I would be missed so much.
"Having a pretty girlfriend really is a drag." Shikamaru sighed, directing his statement at Choji who just laughed.
"Quit complaining before Neji here steals her from ya'!" Kiba cackled loudly and all of us watched Neji blush. He turned his face away with a scowl.
"Don't be ridiculous." Neji crossed his arms stiffly making me laugh as well. It wasn't lost on me that Naruto was being eerily silent.
"Congratulations, Maru-kun on your promotion!" I told him with a proud smile, going over to flick his vest. I felt a light feeling in all of the dread that was sitting like a lead weight in my stomach.
"You finally noticed, huh? Thanks, I guess." He told me blushing and I grinned. The entire situation came back to light as soon as a tear stained Sakura arrived.
"I'm sorry Sakura, but you can't come with. Lady Tsunade already explained to me what happened between you and Sasuke. Even you weren't able to convince him to stay." Shikamaru said and the lead weight in my stomach dropped to my toes at Sakura's response.
"Kabocha wasn't able to convince him either…" Sakura hiccuped looking me right in the eyes. I could feel everyone's attention on me now.
"W-what is she t-talking about?" Naruto almost sounded afraid to ask. There was no holding it in anymore, no more hiding from it.
"I ran into Sasuke on the way to your place last night, Naruto. I...I tried talking to him but nothing was wor-"
"You could have tried harder! All he did was bring you up when he talked to me! He said you offered to train him, to go home with you! He said he wants to m-marry you! You didn't try hard enough!"
"I DID!" I roared making everyone take a step back. Black clouds of smoke rose in front of my face, but I didn't care. I had had enough. "I tried EVERYTHING to make him stay! What did you want me to do? Sleep with him? Maybe suck his dick to delay him from leaving!?" The new guilty conscious that found me was now rearing its ugly head as I thought about how I tried to seduce Sasuke to stay. Everyone with the exception of Neji was shocked at my anger and vulgar words.
"By the dragons I tried to get him to stay. I TRIED! ME! All I could think about was how much it was going to hurt YOU-" I pointed right at her, "and HIM!" I pointed at Naruto next.
"K-kabocha-" Sakura took a step back so my clawed finger wouldn't jab her in the chest. "Don't! Don't you dare come at me as if I would willingly let him leave this village. No, he didn't knock me out like he did to you. How do I know? I know because you're weak, Sakura." I hissed and everyone minus Neji flinched.
"Kabocha, I think that's enough…" Choji whispered touching my arm gently, which I didn't even bother to acknowledge in my fury.
"You can't expect tears to get the job done. I'm even more sure that you cried when he was leaving, right? Probably begged and threatened him, I did none of those things. Stop crying and expecting everyone to do things for you-"
"ENOUGH!" Naruto yelled, now everyone was giving him their attention. "Why are you being so mean!? Yeah, she didn't have to yell at you or question your actions, but you don't have to be like...this!" Naruto was now angry too, and he was going to feel my wrath next.
"I have to be like THIS because no one else is going to do it. I'm a monster-" I held my hand up to Choji when he went to verbally object. Shikamaru and Neji also didn't look too pleased with my statement. Kiba was almost cowering with Akamaru. "A monster that is strong enough to take care of herself and others. I won't coddle her just because you like her Naruto. She needs to grow up!"
"Not everyone is going to be like a ruthless Lava shinobi Kabocha! We didn't have the same questionable upbringing as you did! They made you what you are, but you can choose not to be that." I felt like Naruto just backhanded me. The direct insult to my village and myself as a being practically broke my heart.
"And because you didn't have my upbringing that is where the difference in power lies."
"It's not all about power-"
"No, but it is about survival. You may hate what I am, what I'm capable of, but I have never needed anyone to save me like she does…" Flashes of Sasuke attacked me making me quiver with sadness. I felt tears burn at the betrayal I felt in my heart.
"Kabocha, it's going to be okay." Ice began to chill my insides in a pleasant way at the sound of my tamer's soothing voice. "Naruto is like your brother-"
"No, my brother's wouldn't question my character or insult my upbringing." I told him coldly but kept my eyes on Naruto. The ice was numbing which I was so relieved for because I couldn't feel anything.
Not the anger.
Not the guilt.
Not the betrayal.
Not the sadness.
I was just numb.
"Fine." Naruto said turning his back on me, and I didn't miss the small tears shining in his pretty blue eyes. I took a step back and right into Shikamaru, who placed his hands on my waist to steady me. I turned to face him in his comforting embrace.
"I may not be here when you get back-"
"Don't leave before I get back." I didn't want to verbally promise him I wouldn't so I just nodded with an unconvincing smile. He leaned forward and pecked my lips taking his time as he pulled away, a bright blush going across his nose.
"We should get going." Neji said almost sound uncomfortable. "Right." Shikamaru responded and stepped away from me. All of them readied to leave, and I turned to leave as well. I still had to collect all of my things from Naruto's apartment. Choji stopped me before he got into the formation that I was positive Shikamaru came up with.
"I know you...you're not a monster. Please, don't leave before we get back." Choji begged looking at me with a frown. I gave him a small real smile. "Thank you, Coji," was all I said before kissing his cheek and going back to Naruto's apartment. I passed Sakura as she stared at the ground crying. I clicked my tongue and continued walking, arriving at Naruto's apartment in little to no time because of my brisk pace.
I let myself in with the key he had made for me for my birthday seven years ago. I looked around the messy apartment trying to recall when was the last time I had cleaned this place. I beat down the urge to clean up for him. I stepped over and around all of the filth, collecting any and everything that was mine.
I stopped at the framed picture of him and I. The picture sitting on the nightstand right next to the upper half of his bed. I picked it up, unhappy that the numb feeling was starting to wear away. I felt tears burn the back of my eyes as I bit my lip to fight the vomit I felt brewing in the pits of my stomach. I took two steps and threw the picture in the trash.
It was almost nightfall by the time I had sifted through all of his dirty clothes and overall grime of his apartment for my things. I wasn't going to leave anything behind. I stepped out of the apartment, locking the door with my key, and then sliding the key under the crack in the door.
I repositioned the now heavy bag on my shoulder, and decided that now was the perfect time to drop off the address I had written down so that the few friends I had left in this village could send me letters in the three years I would be gone. I stopped at the Hyuga Compound, Shikamaru's house, and Choji's house. I left the sealed envelope on their front porch. I was about to head to the village's front gate when I sensed something familiar in the direction of Konoha's hospital.
It took me a longer than I would have liked to walk to Konoha's hospital. I was tired once again, the strain of the today's events making me weary mentally and emotionally. My body considered the stress an injury and wanted to rest. I continued on promising myself that I would rest when I returned home...to the Lava village.
The commotion inside of the hospital set me on edge. Nurses and medic-nin running around frantically. The source of power I had sensed was now stationary. I could smell the familiar heat of-
"Gaara." My feet had unconsciously carried me to him. His head snapped up to look at me, his beautiful turquoise eyes more clear now. "Kabocha." He rasped while standing gracefully to his feet. His eyes left my own briefly to scan my entire body.
"You look nice in that dress." He told me bluntly and I raised an eyebrow at him. "I could say the same to you." I replied with a borderline flirtatious tone. His new look did look nice on him. He was just so different now, so much so that I could sense him clearly now.
"I'm sorry." He told me looking at my wrapped arm. I rolled my eyes at him with an exaggerated flourish. "I hope you can forgive me. I'm the Kazekage now and I want to make amends-"
"Wait, your the Kazekage now? Gaara, that's amazing, congratulations!" I beamed at him feeling light once again. I saw him look forlorn at my first question and then he looked relieved when I continued. He probably thought I was going to question his village's decision.
"You don't have to be sorry for anything, Gaara. What happened to me wasn't your fault." I told him with a gentle smile and he closed his eyes.
"You have been the only person before this new change that has never been afraid of me…Kabocha Kasai. I'm...glad? I'm happy I was able to meet you." He gave me a real smile making my heart stop. I wondered for just a moment if he ever smiled at anyone else.
"Gaara…" I said breathlessly. "I-I'm leaving." I stuttered and blurted out. I was fully embarrassed now and he could clearly see that as his smile grew just an inch.
"Where are you going?" He asked sitting on the bench he previously occupied. He motioned for me to join him but I declined politely.
"I'm going home for good. The things between the Lava and Leaf aren't the best right now." I explained not even considering that maybe I shouldn't be discussing diplomatic issues with the leader of another nation. This new word vomit that I was experiencing was irritating. "I was actually leaving when I felt your presence." Gaara looked at me confused for a moment as I dug around in my bag. I found the envelope I was looking for that was initially meant for Naruto, but I knew that Gaara was way more important.
"Felt my presence-"
"Here." I cut him off, closing the distance between us. I grabbed one of his hands, his body tensing up at the contact, I placed the envelope in his hand. He looked thoroughly surprised and I was a little bit too since his sand didn't come up to defend against me. "This is where you can send any letters for me. I won't be able to visit anyone for three and a half years, so keep in contact." I told him quickly as I took a step back.
"Thank you…" He whispered looking down at the envelope or his hand where I touched him.
"No thanks necessary. We're friends so keep in touch, okay?" I began to walk away from him, looking over my shoulder to watch him respond. "Okay...friend." He shook his head, a small smile returning to his flawless face. I smiled in return, and began to walk towards where I heard the most noise.
What I heard made me stop in my tracks. I knew my tamer's voice anywhere, but what was he doing sitting alone with Temari of the sand. I couldn't forget her annoying voice either. I couldn't stop my teeth from clenching as I stood and listened to her berate him and Shikamaru responded in a stressed out, yet casual, manner.
I could also smell Shikaku-sama lingering a little ways away from me. My hearing was good enough to where I was still down the hall around the corner. The speech that Shikaku-sama gave him made me pause. My Maru-kun really was new to all of the dangers in a shinobi's line of work. He had never killed. He didn't complete assassinations. He had never stolen something from another village...to my knowledge. This was the first time he was actually in charge and he was crumbling.
I had debated if he was ready to know that he was my tamer. I had decided to tell him before I left to train, but that thought went right out the window. He was fragile on all fronts right now. He definitely wasn't ready to know what I am, or what he is to me. He was also too innocent so...I would let him grow in my absence. With that thought in place I pivoted on my heel and started towards the exit until a flurry of footsteps delayed me.
"Lady Tsunade! We have stabilized Neji Hyuga. Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake have also returned. Naruto's injuries are serious but not life threatening. They're both going to be fine." The sound of a woman's voice reached me, I was happy that I was able to hear their condition before leaving. All of the worry left my body. Another woman had already said Choji was going to be fine because of the Nara medical book. I could leave knowing that they were alright.
The sun had long left the sky when I stepped out into the open air. I kept a brisk pace so I wouldn't get caught by anyone I knew. I didn't have the luxury of time since there was quite a few shinobi that would recognize me. I made it to the front gate without incident. I was relieved until that in my pursuit to leave nothing had gone wrong.
I was leaving with a heavy heart...but I didn't look back even once. They would be fine without me.
However, I would have to try to be fine without them…
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Mangafreak1997: Hey there Manga! Always a pleasure to hear from you! Kakashi and Kabocha will be coming to blows a lot more in Tamer: Shippuden. They may or may not get along in the future...I don't know yet lol. Thank you so much! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter! It was so much work! (':
Crazy Devil Girl: Hey Girrrl! I'm sorry I'm bringing the feels around here lol. Your flattery is really gassing me up for the future chapters. I'm really excited about your feedback for the future hot and tense situations. Shippuden will definitely have a different feel. I hope you enjoy where I'm about to take this story!
: Hey, Nixie! Our little Shikamaru is such a teenage boy sometimes lol. There maybe more nip pinches ahead. Stay tuned! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter!