A/N: Thank you so much to Ukrainian Snowstorm for being my wonderful beta!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
"Ohayo. Are you ready Gaara-sama?"
The two of them were standing at the front of the inn. Shinobu decided to start early so they could visit a lot of places. They had a light breakfast of bread and hot chocolate, and Shinobu planned to get Gaara to taste Kirigakure's delicacies.
"Hai, let's go."
"Oh, but first," Shinobu turned and pointed at the mountain nearest to them.
It was only one of the many mountains surrounding the whole village. They loomed over everything, silent and impenetrable. Some were small but wide. Others were narrow and tall, their peaks almost reaching the clouds.
The mountain that Shinobu pointed out was just a short hike from the inn. It's not an easy climb but neither was it too steep. Its soil is rich though and the trees always bores fruit.
"That's one of the No-Name Mountains. It helps to hide the village and covers us. That's where we get the mist."
"It's named No-Name?"
"Hai," she replied. "Maybe the ichidaime thought it was overkill to call it the Mist Mountain Range, not to mention his lack of creativity."
Shinobu and Gaara took a downhill path and Shinobu was thankful that they avoided the harder trails on their first outing. After an hour of walking, a wave of hot air and the smell of sea salt assaulted their noses.
Shinobu swept a hand, "This is our great market."
They reached a place that seemed to be a port, it is divided into three parts. There are shops of different shapes and sizes on one side, and little wooden stands arranged in a neat row on the other. There are also boats coming and going on the dock with merchants shouting the rare goods that they sell.
"It has three main parts, the wet, the dry, and the boat market.
There on your left, that's the wet market. As you can smell, they sell different kinds of meat there but mostly fish."
Shinobu discreetly fanned herself, the stench of the fish was strong. She turned to lead Gaara-sama away, but he was staring at the market with interest. His back was to Shinobu, and it seemed to her that he doesn't mind the smell one bit.
Shinobu internally sighed and said, "Let's see the wet market then."
Like its name, everything in that part of the market was wet. Shinobu and Gaara had to watch for puddles as they walked. The seller's goods were displayed in the open, most of them just had umbrellas for shade and some didn't even have that.
Shinobu saw Gaara staring at a squirming fish so she explained, "The fishermen bring what they caught at dawn so everything you see here is fresh."
Gaara turned, "Are you an expert at telling them apart? From what's fresh and what's not?"
"Hai," Shinobu felt herself puff up. "Would you like me to help you choose, Gaara-sama?"
"I doubt it will survive my travels," he said and inspected another vendor.
Shinobu followed, "You're right. We can dry them, but it won't be fresh. What kind of seafood do you like? I'll just cook it while you're here."
"Well, I don't have many experiences eating seafood. What would you recommend?"
Shinobu ticked off the choices on her fingers. "Hmm, there's a lot. Eels, crabs, shrimps, and shellfish."
Shinobu was wandering as she speaks, not paying attention to where she was going. She's already visualizing how she'll cook the things she rattled off, the ingredients she'll need, and their cost.
"Let's just cram it in on my time here then," Gaara said, watching her.
She's still leading the way, but it doesn't look like she knows where they're going. To him, her feet were just automatically moving and it's all from memory. Gaara could tell that Shinobu's focus is on other things though. She's muttering to herself, quickly scrutinizing and dismissing the products that they passed.
"Sure, I can do that." Shinobu bobbed her head absently.
She was about to bump into a wagon and Gaara lifted a hand to warn her, but he put it down when Shinobu suddenly stopped. She turned to ask, "I'm just curious, what do you eat in Suna?"
"Mostly meat. Goat, camels, and other animals we can export. Bread is a staple food in our village as well as a few desert crops."
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, "It's the opposite here, interesting."
Shinobu-san is a bit unusual but at least she seems to be interested. Not just in him but in his village as well. That's a good sign.
Gaara still couldn't tell if his siblings would like her or not, he still doesn't know enough about Shinobu-san to determine if she would get along with Kankuro and Temari. He liked what he's seeing so far though.
Gaara knew that a strong connection is the base of a great relationship, especially a romantic one. Well, that was what Temari told him. Seeing that she had Shikamaru by her side, Gaara was inclined to believe her.
Gaara didn't think that Shinobu-san was intimidated by him, despite her sudden bout of shyness when they formally met. She's nice and has a warm personality. There's something about her that intrigued him.
Gaara glanced at Shinobu from the side. It's not her face, he surmised. She is pretty though, with her pointed chin, high cheekbones, and violet eyes that reflect her every emotion. Maybe, it's how she carries herself? She always stands straight, like an arrowhead that found its mark. And when she walks... Her steps were slight yet sure.
Gaara's eyes strayed, and he watched Shinobu take a step and promptly slip. He caught her by the elbow and it was the second time. This time, however, a bolt of electricity shot through him when his skin touched hers.
Their eyes met as he held her. It was brief but Gaara saw himself reflected in that expressive eyes of hers. There was a bit of wonder at that moment and a whole lot of confusion.
Gaara let her go as soon as she got her balance back. He shook his hand, frowning. Maybe it was just his imagination? It was not even a moment, more like a heartbeat.
He glanced at Shinobu-san and she didn't seem to be affected. Her face is red again though. His only experience with that is when he got embarrassed, rare though it was.
Shinobu-san covered her cheeks with her hands as she stuttered to thank him. When Gaara just nodded at her, she hurried to lead him out of there. At least she's watching where she's going now, Gaara thought to himself.
Gaara decided to just put the electricity incident in the back of his mind. He couldn't explain it, so he'll analyze it later in the comfort of his room. For now, he'll follow Shinobu-san.
After that embarrassing incident, Shinobu focused. She couldn't even walk straight in front of Gaara-sama, how pitiful. She shouldn't let her imaginations get the better of her.
Shinobu took Gaara to the dry market next. She showed him where to buy rice, spices, and cooking ingredients. Unlike its counterpart, the market is on a cobalt street. The shops here had brick for walls and sturdy roofs but aside from that, no shops were the same.
"Here is where you can buy fruits, vegetables, and almost anything you need for cooking."
Shinobu pointed out more things as they walked. The fruit stall, the vegetable stand, and the store for bakers. After a few more twists and turns, she stopped.
"And this street is the best of all. The food section. You can find almost anything here from street foods, sweets, and hole-in-the-wall food stands to fine dining restaurants."
It was the largest street so far and more crowded than the other two. There were people frying everything. From what looked like chicken skin to pork meat to shrimps on a stick and squid rings.
Barbeque restaurants were left and right. Takoyaki and ice-cream stalls were side by side. Gaara smelled baking and when he followed his nose, he found a bakery nearby.
His eyes roamed, and he saw the people. They are busy buying this and that. Some were haggling, and others were just talking on the street. Gaara couldn't help but compare it to Suna.
Back home, the people only have certain hours to shop. They don't have many things to choose from either. Since importing goods cost them a lot, he limits it to the necessary things.
Their clothes too were very, very different. Head accessories were for style instead of protection and the ladies here showed more skin. Well, they're covered in mist here, not in the harsh sunlight.
Suddenly, Shinobu distracted Gaara from his comparisons. He saw that she was walking towards him, two cups in hand. She gave him one and they both drank. It was a warm drink with sweet syrup and small bobas.
"Do you come here a lot, Shinobu-san?"
"Hai," she smiled sheepishly. "I may not look like it, but I eat a lot."
She was right, she doesn't look like the type. She can even pass as a civilian if not for her posture. Shinobu's petite stature and her feminine style hid it but her straight back and quick reflexes revealed her as a shinobi.
But Gaara said, "Mostly sweets I take it."
A shy smile, "Hai. And you?"
Gaara shrugged and started walking. "I eat whenever I can or when my siblings remind me."
"That's unacceptable!" she said, looking incredulous. "You're a Kage, you should keep your strength at all times! How can you function with an empty stomach?"
He just does. Gaara only shrugged.
Shinobu opened her mouth but at the last moment, shut it with a click. She shot him a slight glare though before purposely striding away, a ferocious frown on her face.
Gaara can hear her muttering angrily to herself as he followed her. Her fists were clenched on her sides. Now, Gaara recognized this behavior, she was mad at him. At least, she's less explosive than his sister and the other women of his acquaintance.
He thought of her as a lady before with her soft voice and the graceful way she moves, but now, Shinobu-san looks like a delinquent. It was odd to see, someone being insulted because of food.
She loves food, that much was obvious. And it seemed that she hates it if someone isn't giving it the attention she thinks it deserves.
Shinobu-san was about to tell him something, but she held herself back, Gaara knew. Her jerky movements and expressionless face said it all. Maybe she thought it was too forward of her? At least she learned from the last time.
Gaara saw someone wave at her. Shinobu-san waved back but kept walking.
"A lot of people seem to know you here," he mused.
She was glaring at the ground when she said, "I always spend my free time here, so I got to know most of them."
"You didn't forget to pay I hope?"
She stumbled. "Uh... N-not usually, no. If I did, they just send the bill to the inn."
"You have a very beautiful inn and it is relaxing," he said and it was the truth.
"Arigato, Gaara-sama," she said, giving him a little smile. "It had been in our family for ten generations now, it was built even before this place became a hidden village."
Gaara looked interested, "No one had changed anything since then?"
The place was old but well cared for. The rooms were traditional yet clean. The things inside were ornate and every curtain, rag, and even bedsheet was handmade.
The people were accommodating and friendly. Its gorgeous gardens were truly a sight to see. Gaara has yet to try the hot springs though.
"There were a few. The fourth owner planted the flowers, and the seventh owner improved the hot springs. But they mostly kept everything the way it was. My grandmother said it adds to the charm."
"And you, did you want to change anything?" he asked, curious.
She shrugged. "Business hasn't been great during the yondaime's rule and when Mei-sama took over, we dealt with some things. But we're slowly recovering now. In maybe a few years, I think I would like to build a bakery at the front."
There it was again, food. To Gaara, the food doesn't matter but the company does. But to Shinobu-san, food was the staple of everything. It was unique, to say the least.
They finally reached the end of the street and that also ended their conversation. Though it was brief, Gaara thought it was interesting. She was interesting.
The sun was high in the sky, but mist covered it, so it wasn't too hot. They will have more time to talk about a lot of things. If he stayed on her good side, that is.
"Enough about me. Is there anywhere you'd like to go, Gaara-sama?"
"I would like to see the ninja academy," he said. "And wherever there are plants."
"Alright, but let's eat first. I know just the place."
She grabbed his wrist and dragged him into a small ramen restaurant that she said she frequented. That was where they ate lunch.
It was a small place with a few tables for two and just a ceiling fan overhead. Gaara let Shinobu order for him.
"We want two of each please," she said. "A large bowl of kuro ramen, pork tonkatsu with rice, and fried gyoza."
Gaara frowned at her. "Can we finish all of that?"
"That's my usual order. Everything is delicious, I assure you," Shinobu replied, her back straight and chin lifted.
"I thought women preferred to eat less?"
"Hmph, I can't work while I'm hungry. Unlike someone I know." She gave him a pointed look.
"I see."
After that, they went to the ninja academy. Shinobu showed Gaara around and she explained their learning system as much as she was allowed to.
"We mostly train using swords, knife throwing, and spy missions. You are aware of Kirigakure's reputation I presume?"
"Hai."
They stopped to look at an instructor showing his sword to young students. The sensei explained the parts of the sword and let the kids see it up close.
"If I may ask," she began. "What would you like to see here?"
"All that I can," Gaara replied. "Your village has been shrouded with secrecy for so long, I'm simply curious. The five great nations agreed on a cultural exchange program, so I wish to know how your training differs from us."
"But we aren't the only ones," Shinobu said. "All the hidden villages have their own secrets."
"And, do you want to know them?"
"Not really," she said. "They're secrets for a reason, I respect that. I want to explore though. I want to see other places, try different clothes and..."
"Taste their delicacies," Gaara said.
"Of course," Shinobu confirmed with a laugh.
They walked around and observe a few more classes. Shinobu explained the training in detail, and she offered to make notes, but he declined. When Gaara was satisfied, they headed over to the plant farm, most of which was owned by the Terumi clan.
They were at the earthy part of Kiri once more; this place was nearer to the mountain range. Almost every kind of rose grew there, from the common colors of red, white, and pink to the rare ones like yellow, green, and blue.
On the other side, Shinobu pointed at the strawberry farm. They also planted vegetables like lettuces, carrots, and cabbages.
Gaara was looking around, wonder and excitement in his eyes. He bent down to inspect the flowers and lightly touch their stems. He flitted from patch to patch, paying close attention to the soil, the leaves, and everything else.
Shinobu giggled as she watched on. Gaara-sama was cute when he was like this. Just like a child on Christmas day.
"Will you tell me about the plants you grow in Suna?" Shinobu asked, drawing Gaara away from his impromptu inspections. "Maybe about your cacti?"
When he completely stopped what he was doing to stare at her, Shinobu suddenly felt self-conscious. She tucked a loose hair behind her ear. He was still staring at her so, she felt compelled to add.
"As you can see," she waved at the place, "we can only grow flowers and crops that can survive the cold so there's not much variety here."
"Only if you tell me about your garden," he was crouching on the ground by then and smelling a red rose as he spoke to her. "Do you have a secret fertilizer or something?"
Shinobu laughed at his eager expression. "It's a deal."
They spent the rest of the day and the early evening at the plant farm. Shinobu taught Gaara everything she knows about growing their plants and flowers. This time, he asked her to write notes.
They arrived at the inn later than usual. Both were tired so Shinobu offered to just have dinner brought to his room and Gaara agreed. She bid him goodnight and then left.
After Gaara ate a quick dinner, he prepared for bed. As he lay on his futon, thoughts crowded his brain. Gaara's eyes strayed on his hand and he remembered the current of electricity he felt when he and Shinobu touched. He sighed, he wished one of his siblings were here.
Gaara closed his eyes. He visited a lot of places and was exhausted, he should just forget about it and rest. The whole day had been fun though and he couldn't wait for the next one.
Gaara woke up early, it was an old habit to do so. Luckily for him, the servers at the inn were the same. There was already breakfast food when he came down and all he had to do was eat. There weren't a lot of people in the dining room, so he enjoyed a quiet but delicious breakfast.
He was finishing his tea when Shinobu arrived, carrying a box. It was large and nearly covered her face. It looked heavy too.
"Do you need help with that?" he asked.
"Iye, I can manage."
Gaara watched Shinobu as she very gingerly placed the box on the unoccupied table at the back. Then, she opened it and pulled out its contents one by one. A paintbrush, a calligraphy brush, an assortment of paints, a white tablecloth, some blank papers, and many, many ceramics of different sizes.
"Do you paint?"
"A bit," she replied as she arranged her tools. "It's just a hobby of mine."
Gaara pushed back his chair and approached her. He reached for one of the little teacups she was about to paint on and inspected it with mild curiosity. He turned the cup this way and that, studying the craft with a careful eye.
The glass was smooth and delicate in his hand. It was pristine and Gaara didn't find even a hint of blemish, it had been expertly cut. When he was done, he gently put it back.
"Do you paint, Gaara-sama?"
He shook his head. "My brother is the artistic one."
"Oh," she blinked then recovered with a smile. "Well, if you're interested to try, I can teach you."
"I would like that," he nodded at the painting tools at the table. "Do you paint portraits?"
"Shinobu shook her head. "Only teacups and fans I'm afraid. I get overwhelmed when using a canvas. Besides, I only do this when I don't have missions."
"I think painting on a little thing like that is harder."
"It is," she agreed. "But that's when my imagination helps. I think of ways to be able to draw on these little things, put small interesting details and create a harmony of colors that people wouldn't mind seeing every day."
Shinobu became animated when she was talking about her paintings. She has a certain sparkle in her eyes that Gaara found fascinating. It's like she's drawing in the air with her gestures, an invisible magic brush in her hand. At some point, she described the colors that she favored, using nature as her example. Spring green, ocean blue, sunset red, and starless black.
Gaara wasn't one to give himself to fancy imaginings. But watching Shinobu passionately talk about her art, he understood what she was saying. It was a great image, he had to agree.
"That's nice," he told her when she finished.
"Arigato." She played with one of her cups, averting her gaze. "We can paint today... If you want?"
he raised a brow. "I have a meeting with the Mizukage today."
"Oh right," Shinobu's eyes widen and she nearly dropped the teacup she was fidgeting with. "I completely forgot about that!"
Gaara just shrugged. He'd eaten so he's ready to go anytime. Mei-sama didn't give him an exact time when he should be there, so he's willing to wait for her if need be.
Shinobu was in a hurry now, fluttering around Gaara like an excitable butterfly. Quickly serving herself a plate, dashing off to get tea and all the while reassuring him that she would be ready if he just waited a second.
Gaara watch Shinobu while she ran around and shook his head. She could be graceful and put together at one point and clumsy and flustered the next. Ladies truly are confusing, he thought and let out a small smile.
Just like she said, Shinobu was all set to go after a short while. Even though Gaara told her it was fine, she still apologized and promised to never forget his schedule ever again as they walked to the Mizukage's office.
A/N: Please leave a review on your way out!
