Crack from Seven Grapefruit Island

Ruby's speciality was, of course, grapefruit. She grew the best and could make the most delicious dishes in all the Orange Islands. Not that she was one to toot her own horn, no sirree. She didn't want people swarming around for her precious grapefruit. She preferred the quiet life, that was for certain. In fact, the life of a grove tender on the quietest of the Seven Grapefruit Islands was the perfect life for a quiet yet tough girl like Ruby.

Part of her didn't want to go out on the Saturday that she met him. She'd been watching the news. It was the same old thing, really. Pokemon thieves in Unova, reported sightings of giant or legendary pokemon, which she would never believe, recent discoveries...and a large shipwreck off the coast of one of the other Grapefruit Islands. There had been a mass rescue effort over the night, however there was worry that not all the passengers had made it out alive and some may have even been washed away in the current of a storm that had taken hold late that afternoon. She didn't know anyone who had been on the cruise, but it still frightened her to think that such a storm could take the lives of so many people. The cruise ship could hold over 5000 passengers at one time in comfort, and Ruby couldn't help but doubt all had been recovered, especially since the captain had not yet told the actual amount of passengers. An accident of that magnitude was horrible to hear about, and something she hadn't heard of since the tragic events within the St Anne. At least everyone survived that one.

In the end, she got dressed, put the accident that didn't concern her out of her mind and went out to tend the grapefruit trees, unaware of the adventure she was about to have courtesy of one of those passengers.

~*~*~*~*~

His mind was a little blurry when he regained consciousness. He couldn't breathe without launching into a coughing fit as his body desperately tried to expel excess sea water. He vaguely remembered being on the cruise ship...he had won a prize of some sort. Three tickets on the cruise of a lifetime. He had managed to convince his friend to come, and to bring that girl he liked along for the ride. Though he often denied it, he was 100% sure Morty and Sabrina had something going on. Heck, he'd even started to think Sabrina might be carrying.

Hang on, where was he going with this? His head was pounding, stomach doing somersaults. His left leg was burning in agony. He just couldn't think straight. He had been heading off to bed on the ship, in high spirits. Something had jarred the ship just as he was drifting off. The boat had started to lean and he had stumbled out of bed. The steel girders creaked around him. He distinctly remembered being afraid. Seeing walls arch and windows break as the boat was submerged all too quickly. Water shooting into the hall, Morty reaching out to pull him on deck, a heavy wave crashing against them both...they had both hit their heads on safety rails. Still, his memory was mostly intact, he decided as he retched over the sand, finally getting rid of the water.

He remembered everything fine. He was Eusine, mystery man, researcher and expert on legendary beasts. Shakily, he tried to get to his feet, only to find his left leg refused to support him. Not to mention it hurt. A lot. Broken, definitely. Hopefully not severe, he thought as he moved away from the lapping waves. Briefly he wondered about Morty and Sabrina, but last he knew, Sabrina was well aware and under control of things. There was no doubt in his mind that they would be safe and sound. He would have to find them later. Although, all facts considered, anyone turning up would be preferable to sitting on a beach and freezing to death. A quick look confirmed nobody was nearby, so it looked like he would have to take matters into his own hands. Well hell.

Perhaps if he could pull himself over to one of those grapefruit trees and use it as a support so he didn't put any weight on his broken leg. It would be an awfully undignified way to travel, but it was still better than staying in place, he guessed.

~*~*~*~*~

Today was uneventful for Ruby. Just the usual thing. Tend the groves in the same old way. No pokemon, no thieves, just a distant thud that sounded somewhat like something hitting the bark of a tree. Wait, what?

It didn't take long to locate the source of the sound. Someone in a somewhat ruffled sharp suit, sat beneath one of the trees and throwing rocks at one of the trees. If he was aiming to knock down one of the fruits to eat, he was missing badly. She stepped a little closer, frowning. He didn't notice her approaching, or at least she didn't think he did. He was too well-dressed to be homeless, but seemingly waterlogged and in a poor condition. Ruby watched him, not sure what to do. There was a strong instinct to help and protect him. Despite the odd cut and bruise and general bedraggled appearance, he had a nice face. Gorgeous. He was shivering ever so slightly. Ruby shrugged off her jacket and approached the man cautiously, as though afraid he might strike. The man looked up and watched her approach, but didn't get up to meet her. Perhaps he couldn't? She hesitantly moved to drape her jacket over his shoulders, but he moved away, pride taking over.
"Are...are you okay?" Ruby asked after a moment, trying again to give him her jacket. He stayed still this time, a grimace on his face. He'd hurt himself.
"To tell the truth, I have been better." He admitted with a slight smile.
"Looks like it. It looks like you just washed up on the shore." He offered no response. "My name's Ruby...are you hurt?"
He gave a slight nod in response to that question. "My name is Eusine."
"Where does it hurt, Eusine?"
"...My leg."
"This one?"
"Ah! Yes!" He pushed her away as she touched the broken bone and she apologised quickly.
"Sorry! I can get you something to help, I'm sure. Splints and painkillers, definitely. There's a doctor on the island, but not for a while. For now I can take you to my place and call the doctor over. I don't live that far." She moved to line his leg up with the wood in her hand. Eusine watched her uncertainly as she stood and wandered away to find something to tie off the splint. He had some time to think then. His next move...he had to find things. His pokemon weren't where they should have been. He had three pokeballs to track down, and he had to ensure Morty and Sabrina were okay considering it was his fault they'd been caught in the shipwreck to begin with. Then there was the fact that, injured as he was, he couldn't go far. If Ruby heard the predicament, it was unlikely she would let him go off with a broken leg tied to a growth guide pole. Still, he could try. After all, lives could be at stake.

Once the splint was tied, which predictably involved a lot of complaining, Ruby helped Eusine stand and walk. That was when he dug his heel in and told her he couldn't go to her house. A quick check told him what he needed to know. No Electrode, Jumpluff or Haunter. He explained the predicament quickly and in few words.
"You're one of the people from the Eight Great Islands Cruise!" She blurted before she could help herself. He gave her a strange look and she tried to recover. "I...I mean...I heard about it on the news this morning...good to see you're...you're all right..."
"I just hope the same can be said for those I was with..."
"I'm sure it'll be fine. Something small as a Pokeball would have washed up just a little further along so it won't take long to find your pokemon at all, I'm sure of it!"
"I admire your optimism, Ruby."
She offered him a kind smile. "I admire your drive to make sure your friends are okay. I think you should rest here while I search the beach. Your leg is in pretty bad shape."
She had pushed him against a tree before he could dare object and was already tearing off across the sand.
"Be careful!" Eusine called, hating to feel useless or a burden.

It seemed like he was waiting forever. Eventually, she came back into view. She was cradling something in crossed arms. Thank god! She'd found the pokeballs! That was a weight off his mind. "Do you know where the boat crashed?" He asked...well, blurted as she came close. She seemed taken aback by this but gave a nod in response.
"Just off the coast of the next island over. If your friends are going to be anywhere, that island and the hospital there are the best places to start, I'm sure of it."
"Right. How far would that be?"
"A six hour walk to the coast." She gave him a sheepish smile. "That's without breaks. We'll probably have to stop and rest when it gets dark, so maybe we should go back to my place and get some travelling stuff. Then a half-hour journey to the next island, although I can't guarantee sea travel will be allowed after such a huge accident, and we can hitch a ride to the hospital to get your leg looked at and ask for your friends. Martin and Selina, right?"
"Mortimer and Sabrina."
"Right, sorry."

~*~*~*~*~

Hours of travelling passed, the two of them discussing various things. At some point, the topic turned to legendary pokemon, something Eusine could talk someone's ears off on, especially Suicune. Though Ruby wasn't that interested, she listened politely. It reminded her of all those stories her mother had told her when she was little. She'd heard all about the burning tower and the creators of everything and the legendary birds with the three orbs and islands, but Eusine spoke of the Ho-oh and its legendary beasts with such passion she couldn't avoid being drawn into his tale. He even insisted he had encountered both Suicune and Raikou. She wasn't sure  she believed him, but he seemed absolutely certain. It put a real light in his crystal-blue eyes that she adored.

It was getting dark when Eusine found he could no longer walk. It was awkward enough hobbling on a broken leg forced straight, not to mention painful, but eventually the rest of him had had enough and the shaking in his good leg was enough to bring him down. He lay on a roll-up futon and watched her set up camp, still trying to battle the exhaustion despite the circumstances. Ah, he had to admit, he loved the smell of camp fires and burning wood. A warm and calming smell. And the light flickering over that girl's face made her shine. It made her seem beautiful and powerful, like a mighty Moltres. He drifted off with that image in mind.

Ruby poked the fire, a scowl on her face. She wasn't even completely sure why she'd decided to walk all this way with this guy. She could have refused him and just taken him to the hospital, but for some reason she was now travelling with him, helping him find his friends. Maybe she felt sorry for him, or part of her had always wanted a tall, dark, handsome stranger to sweep her off her feet and make her life a little more interesting, and Eusine was the closest she would get. Besides, he was pretty good looking. She glanced around and decided to pick some of the surrounding grapefruit. She was pretty hungry, and she had no doubt that he was as well. The next morning they would have a hearty breakfast of grapefruit and rice crackers. Okay, so not the best breakfast, but better than nothing.

She found herself lying awake, unable to sleep. Her thoughts were wild and many as she found her gaze drawn to the man fast asleep beside her, tracing every feature carefully, reaching out to brush his cheek as she took note of every bruise she could see. When Ruby had been younger, whenever she had been hurt, her mother would kiss the cut, bruise or bump, calling it a charm to help her heal faster and feel better. Mother must have rubbed off on her, she realised as she found herself leaning forward to kiss one of the bruises on his cheek, wishing he could get better soon. Wishing this entire excursion would have a happy ending. There was always the chance his friends could be trapped in that boat still, floating in a watery grave and-

She slapped herself hard. Honestly, that kind of thinking was horrific.

Eventually, she managed to fall asleep. When she was up again, Eusine was still out like a light. She prepared breakfast and woke him gently, and they stayed there a little while, eating and speaking lightly of themselves. She learnt he was a researcher from Celadon City and friends with one of the Johto Gym Leaders. He learnt that, though young, she lived alone on the island, a little away from the mainland, tending large amounts of grapefruit with other islanders.

They were on a narrow rocky road and Ruby paused to take a breather. They were just a short way off the coast, and in high spirits. They just had to make it down this coastline cliffside and they'd be free to travel to the next island.
"The view is beautiful here." Ruby breathed, a wide smile on her face. Eusine nodded in agreement, although he wasn't really looking at the view. At first he was unfocused, but slowly he found himself focusing on the woman's blissful expression and calm stance before she disappeared from sight.

Eusine shot forward (ultimately ending up sprawled on his front due to his current unsteady condition) and grabbed Ruby's arm, not entirely sure what had just happened. She was dangling off the edge of the cliff, the remains of the floor she'd been standing on plunging into the sea below. Her hand reacted to his touch, gripping his arm tightly as he tried to muster the strength to pull her up. It appeared the path beneath her had been unsupported and had crumbled under the excess weight. Perhaps if he could reach back and get Jumpluff...

She began to slip from his grip and he grabbed her arm with his free hand. No pokemon then. He just had to focus on pulling her up. His strength wasn't doing him much good, and he couldn't shuffle himself back for any extra leverage. All in all pulling her up wasn't having much success and the ground was still very unstable. Bits and pieces seemed to be falling from the rock face all over and he was afraid any moment the ground below him might crumble too.

An idea struck him like a mallet and he looked at the terrified, slightly hysterical girl putting her life in his hands. "Ruby, I'm going to do something that might seem crazy at first, but believe me, it will get us out of this alive!"
"If it's crazy, don't do it! Just save me!"
"I'm going to save you, I promise!" He went to let go of her arm with one hand and she screamed. "Ruby, do you trust me?"
"Please..."
"Do you trust me?"
She looked up at him, blinking away the tears from her initial panic and taking a deep breath. With firm eyes and voice, she nodded. "I trust you."
He took away one hand, using it to push himself off the cliff before he could let go of her. By the time he was in midair, his hands had already gone to his pokeballs containing Jumpluff and Haunter. Immediately, one caught him, and the slightest gesture was enough to have the other catch Ruby. He breathed a deep sigh of relief, that selfsame sense being enough to drown out her furious complaints about how stupid that had been and how she could have died. The good news was, since they were already over the water, they might as well fly the rest of the way to the next island along.

That moment on the rocks had caused some minor damage to the splint. Ruby was no longer helping to support Eusine, something that he didn't mind all that much. She was stressed and uneasy after all, and though it was a bit sore and he was unsteady, he could just about walk, even on this unsteady terrain. It should have remained strong, but maybe it was old and worn by rot. It actually took Ruby a moment or so to realise she had left Eusine behind, and when she turned, she found him on the ground, gritting his teeth in pain, but staying silent. With a sigh, Ruby made her way back to him.
"Sorry...that shouldn't have happened...the good news is it's just a 15 minute walk left. I can carry you the rest of the way with no problem. I'm pretty strong."
He pulled a face, but she didn't take no for an answer and lifted him, carrying him on her back despite his various objections about his dignity. Dignity was nothing if it got him in that much trouble. Even so, he tried to insist he at least went into the hospital in a dignified manner.

The hospital was predictably overcrowded. Eusine was okay to sit and wait as long as he could inquire as to the states of Morty and Sabrina. They were quickly told neither remained at the hospital and had been helping out with the rescue efforts. Naturally, while Eusine had been concerned about them, they had been concerned about him (or at least Morty had...and no doubt Sabrina's telekinetic prowess would be of use to the authorities) and had done their best to help find not only him, but the rest of the missing people. At least one person could definitely be scratched off the list.

~*~*~*~*~

The worst Morty had was a concussion. While Eusine recovered from his injuries, made more substantial thanks to being washed away in the first place, he spent some of his time around his friends, and some of his time around Ruby. He liked the woman. She was tough, strong, determined and pretty, and she took a genuine interest in what he had to say. It reminded him of when he was younger, when he'd first befriended Morty, except...well...different. There was something more drawing him in, but he wasn't sure what. When he was better and the three of them were ready to leave the Grapefruit Islands, Ruby was there to bid them goodbye.

Eusine took her hands, thanking her warmly for her hospitality, ensuring she understood what a pleasure she had been. He lent in and planted a kiss on her cheek before hesitantly stepping back. Slowly but surely, their hands parted, and he turned to his friends, ready to leave.
"Eusine, wait!" He was jerked back as Ruby grabbed his arm in both hands.
"What is it?"
"You...you...I..." She tried to draw up an excuse in the blur that was her mind. She wasn't sure what the truth was anyway. It had been a long time until something as interesting as this had happened to her, and she loved being around Eusine. She'd never trained pokemon before and had never traveled, but maybe it was time she began. "You said you did research on the legendary pokemon...that you look for them, that you've even seen two of them..." If she could make him believe she shared his passion, maybe he would let her travel with him. "Ever since I was little, I've always wanted to see Entei and Ho-oh! I heard the stories, and fire types fascinate me so much. All that heat and power and passion excites me! You're searching for the legendaries of Johto...I want to come with you. I want to see them too and I want to travel by your side. Please? Please take me with you?"

And Eusine could never explain what made him say yes for a long time, not until many more yesses to that selfsame woman and the future they secured.

Mr Nice Guy

Anything I say here and now will probably make me sound like a stalker, but I swear that isn't the case. It's just we live in the same building and she's so beautiful, I just can't take my eyes off her. Sometimes I notice her walking from a vantage point high above and it's wonderful. Not only that, but she's pretty powerful as girls like her go.

I decided to speak to someone about the feelings I was having. Father kind of died before we reached the age he would start to talk to us about matters of the human body. I still remember my sister's reaction when she got her first period. Shizuka-nee-san had to have a long talk with her about woman stuff when we first met them. My nee-san barely knew what her breasts were.

That's what happens when you grow up so completely isolated in a dark cave.

Raising my fist uncertainly, I knocked on the door of my best friend, Uchiha Katsuhiko. After a brief scuffle with his bedclothes, the blonde answered the door, rubbing the sleep from his eye. I offered him a small smile and waited for him to invite me in. After an awkward staring match, he gestured to allow me entrance and we sat side by side on his bed.
"It's late, Tokageroh."
"I know, I'm sorry, but I needed to talk to someone and you're my best friend, so..."
A brief smile flashed across the blond's face. "I guess I am."
"Yeah, so-"
"I'm also tired though."
I sighed. "Katsuhiko-san, you know how girls work, right?"
He stared at me for a moment before shrugging. "Nobody knows how girls work. They're weird and bitchy and super personal."
"And under-dressed."
A brief silence followed as his genkai eyes scrutinised me. "This is about Takara...?"
"Takara-nee-san is...she makes me feel strange whenever I see her."

Though he was younger than me, Katsuhiko-san was much more experienced in this field. Heck, he was even dating my sister. Not that I ever minded-he's made her happier than she's been in a long time. He thought it over for a moment, because he knew this would either be a matter of body and hormones, or feelings and heart.
"Like a tingling feeling in your lower body? Or is it more a tightness in your chest and this strange feeling that she's the best thing to ever happen in your short, pointless life? Or weird as in completely grossed out? Because Takara is pretty gross."
"A bit of both...not the last one though." I wouldn't get defensive of her there and then. I knew Katsuhiko-nii-san was just trying to rile me up. He gave a deep hum of thought.
"I think you like her." And he spoke in a slightly teasing tone, although it was ruined by a yawn.
"So what do I do?"
"I don't know, ask one of the girls."
"But you have a girlfriend!"
"Yeah, but she practically stalked me until I said yes." He pointed out before dismissing me with a flick of his wrist.

Next stop, Arigeta-onee-chan.

~*~*~*~

Takara-chan liked the tough, rugged kind of guy, I guess. She was drawn to the bad boy biker types, to the testosterone and muscles. Compared, I'm weak and weedy, and no girl seems interested in the super kind and polite boy these days. I didn't know it at this point, but she had been hanging with a boy from a nearby village that she was drawn to, exactly her type, and let's just say said boy was equally drawn to her large chest and flirtatious nature. Suffice to say, he was put on a pedestal he so didn't deserve and considered to be above me. While I spoke to Katsuhiko-nii-san, Takara-chan snuck away from the base and out into the woods to meet this boy.

"Yamahiko-chaaaaaaaan?" She cooed loudly, an eager smile on her face. The boy in question emerged after a moment, bursting forth from the undergrowth.
"I'm here, babe." He assured her, waving his hands to quieten her down before drawing closer, taking the pendant around Takara-chan's neck in his hand curiously. "What's this?"
"Oh, um, a rosary."
He scowled then. "You're my girl."
"And you're my boy!"
"No, I mean who gave you this?"
She was shocked by that. "Oh...it was my father's."
"You don't have a father!" Yamahiko spat viciously. "You're one of the Akatsuki brats, everyone knows about you, none of you have parents!"
She had to think up something, she couldn't say they had retrieved it from his grave. "It...it was in his will that-"
"Bullshit!" He pulled, snapping the silver pendant off, the tarnished, battered metal breaking away from the cloth choker with ease. Her hands flew to her throat in shock as her mind struggled to process what had just happened. Anger began to boil up within her ashe carried on. "What kind of stupid rosary is this anyway? Don't those things normally have beads? And religious symbols."
"Which is what you're holding in your hand right now."
"An upside down triangle is not a religious symbol."
Take deep breaths, she told herself. Calm down and don't kill the little heathen yet. Make him suffer first and don't rush in. "You will be the first sacrifice..." She managed through gritted teeth. Though unarmed, Takara would still prove to be quite formidable that night, although beating a bigger, stronger, armed man above her level would be an extreme feat, and one she wouldn't quite manage alone.

~*~*~*~

"Arigeta-onee-chan?" I called as I entered our shared room. (Yes, shared, but that was how we'd lived our whole lives, we weren't going to change just because we had company.) She was up, sat by the window. She barely glanced over when I entered. Something outside had caught my onee-chan's attention. "What's up? Is something out there?"
"Someone just left, onii-chan." (okay, we're twins, we don't know who was born first.)
"Who?"
"I couldn't see. Nobody's meant to be up this late, though."
I joined her at the window, peering out. "I can't see anyone."
"They've gone into the forest."
"It had to be one of the girls. Katsuhiko-nii-san is in bed still."
"Why do you call him 'nii-san'? He's like halfyour age."
"And yours."
"Touche." She turned to me then, frowning curiously. "Did you need me, onii-chan?"
"Oh, yeah! I need help about a girl I like..."
Her eyes narrowed. "What girl?"
"Um, Takara-san..." I squeaked out nervously after a moment. She burst into laughter.
"The nutter with the stitches and the big boobs?"
"Not as big as yours." I muttered spitefully, aware she was self-conscious. She went a little red before pushing me away roughly.
"I don't know Takara. We don't talk much. Ask Rio."
I nodded unsurely, although Rio-nee-san kind of scared me.

Rio-nee-san stood by the entranceway, a look of boredom on her face. I offered her a smile as I approached and she glared back. I guess she kind of knew I was the doormat twin from the get go though.
"Do me a favour," She began, holding a jacket and Takara-chan's scythe out to me. "Take these to Takara-san. She went into the forest to meet a boy, but obviously she didn't prepare, the idiot."
"Um, I uh...what boy?"
"Some douche from a nearby village she has the hots for."
I think my heart and stomach fell out then, the sinking feeling was so big. The scythe and jacket were forced into my hands and I was pushed out the front doors, so to speak. Sighing, I trudged onward through to the forest, tugging my jumper up to cover my shoulder. As I walked, I became acutely aware of a distant scuffle. As I drew closer, I heard things more distinctively.

Something heavy thunking into a tree, a grunt of pain, tearing of cloth...and someone yelling for someone else to 'shut their damn mouth'. The girl yelled back at once.
"I will not shut my mouth you piece of shit! Get off me, you filth-mongering heathen! I swear, I will enjoy slicing you into pieces, bit by bit, inch by inch, and every squirm and scream you make will make Jashin-sama proud."
"You really are nuts, aren't you?" The boy laughed and hit her, square in the jaw. I stayed concealed among the trees, watching. I think I was a bit shocked at first. You see, I saw this bastard standing over her, weapon in hand, and her, on the floor, the cloth wrapped around her chest normally torn and falling loose. At least she looked furious rather than afraid. I don't think anyone could scare our Takara. I'd only ever seen her cry once, when we found her father's body. Even then, it wasn't much. I climbed the nearest tree, something I can do with utmost ease, and watched from above as she tried to strike him, only to be knocked back harshly by the chain in his hand. I saw blood.

I don't really remember diving off the tree, but I did. I was falling and landed, my full weight (which wasn't much, I admit, I'd lived my whole life in a cave, fending for myself) colliding with his backside. He fell forward, face first into the dirt, and I wrapped an arm around his neck.
"You're not hurting my friend, are you?" I asked darkly. It was strange. Driven to act for those I cared for, I found I sounded a lot more threatening than usual. It clearly wasn't enough, though. He was stronger than I was heavy, and he lifted himself up, swinging his chain round to get me. My tongue shot out, hooking around a branch and pulling me out of danger. The perks of being a lizard-boy. I dropped myself nearby, placing a senbon discreetly in my mouth, letting a natural poison build around it before spitting. The senbon hit home, I think, but would take a moment to work, providing he didn't pull it out at once.

The chain came flying at me, and I lifted my arms, activating a jutsu. Dermal Scale Shield, we called it. It was more my thing than Arigeta's. The weapon hit a second skin of scales that grew over my crossed arms to form a shell and dropped off with no problem once I was done with it. I sent out another senbon, running up a nearby tree to get away from another attack of his. I guess Takara was unconscious. I dropped again, and he grabbed me, holding me away by my throat. I had an ace up my sleeve though, and my torso stretched, knocking away the senbon so they wouldn't hurt me too and wrapping tight around the other man. Constricting him tight, until the air left him and he staggered. Into a tree, and I swung Takara's scythe at him ahile he pulled his chained blade back, pulling until it came for both of our heads. Something wrapped around me and pulled me out of harm's way, and I looked up to see Takara-san's arm returning to her, dark strands disappearing. I went to get up, but found my eyes drawn to something shining in the moonlight. It was Takara's roasry!

I picked up the small circle of metal and got shakily to my feet, walking over to her as she rubbed her bloody head. I offered her my hand, the one holding the symbol of Jashin, palm up. She stared for a long moment before taking it from me and accepting the hand, her other hand keeping her chest covered. "Thank you..."
"Are you okay, Takara-san?" I asked eagerly as she examined the damage to the rosary. She just nodded before hugging me with one arm.
"You're so cute blushing like that, Toka-chan!" She teased into my ear before taking her scythe back and putting on the jacket I'd brought for her. I have to say, I loved the feel of her breath on my cheek. Mainly because it was freezing out here. I followed her back to base like a loyal lapdog, ensuring the wound to her head wouldn't cause too much trouble. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek that night before departing to bed.

Best night of my life.

Diary of a Dead Man 2

This journal is the personal belonging of Kamizuru Kankurou. It is not for your eyes. It is not for his therapist's eyes. It isn't even his own eyes. Gaara, if you dare pick this up, I don't care if you're Gaara, I'll kill you.

Today my journal is supposed to talk a little more in depth about Kichona and Tanto. My brother is beside me as I write this, applying some ointment to the bruises and rope burns on my neck and the more recent marks on my arms. I never thought he could be this gentle and caring, even though I'm sure I've seen him like this before. When he came in with the ointment, I just stared at him. I'd thought he'd already gone back to Suna. They needed their Kazekage after all. Then again, he was supposed to stay until the 15th had been and gone. It's the 12th today, so he's staying. He'd offered it to me with a kind smile and I'd smiled in response. I love my ototo, I really do. At least he was able to be saved from how bad I'd helped to fuck him up. I'd jolted away from his touch by instinct-my neck was very tender after my, uhm, accident-and I have to admit I felt pretty guilty. He told me to think nothing of it, his smile never wavering. Part of me wanted to lay my head on his shoulder again. I'd not had that kind of comfort since the last time I'd tried to commit, and it helped. It helped make me calm and feel like things were less crushing and unpleasant. Gaara and Temari are capable of making me feel alive once again. My siblings have a power to lift my heart, and even if it is only brief, it makes me feel worthwhile.

The doctor has given an ultimatum. I can either be cared for by one of my siblings or go to a specialised psychiatric hospital in Kumo, where I'll likely never see my siblings until I'm deemed stable enough to re-enter society. Much as I'd loath to burden either one of them, it wouldn't only crush me to be moved away and locked up, but them as well. We wouldn't be able to visit each other. Temari and I have agreed that I'll move to the Nara compound as soon as I'm physically stable.

So what am I supposed to say next?

I have to write about Kichona, but if I do I'll probably burst into tears in front of my ototo.

Okay, well, backstory. Shortly after coming to Iwa, I was an outsider, had no friends, felt pretty awkward around the others. No matter how trustworthy I become, I'll always be the outsider. Ohnoki retired and Kurotsuchi was named the 4th Tsuchikage, though she was five or so months along. She didn't care, she accepted with grace. I'd stood by her, and gone to these awkward little prenatal class things. There I guess I made my first friends. They were called Hiro and Kasumi. I guess I just clung to them because I was sick of being different, and they reminded me of people I used to know once upon a time. We had our son, Tanto, and Kasumi had a son as well, named Sukochi.

Sukochi was pretty curious as a kid. He was pretty much obsessed with the puppeteer jutsu. Begged me to teach him, and I guess I only said yes because I was teaching Tanto and they were best friends. One day he even turned up with a puppet, Hanabi, that he claimed he made himself. Clearly a lie, but I didn't press it. Oh, I should have, but I didn't. I made assumptions. I assumed his mother got it for him, and he was just proud and boastful.

Over the years, they blossomed. Confident, skilled, Sukochi the shinobi, teaching other genin in the very art I had taught him, and my son, who had no wish to be a ninja. He preferred to stay home, entertaining his baby sister with puppet shows. He wanted to be a performer when he grew up. He was an angel, and Kichona, now seven years of age, was gentle and kind. She liked to help me with all the chores, draw pictures and, um, decorate my puppets. I'd had to remove the poison from them because she wouldn't stop trying to play with them. She would decorate their faces with crayons, style their hair, use Kuroari as a playhouse and Karasu as a cuddle buddy. She had plenty of soft toys and dolls, but she preferred the puppets.

Kichona-chan never liked Sukochi. She thought he was nasty. I'm beginning to think she had some form of sixth sense on him. When she saw him during a festival she even burst into tears (which was actually amusing-she'd asked me to put some face paint on her and it was running everywhere). I loved her so much...

Great, I started crying. Gaara's withdrawn his hands, probably worried he hurt me. Well, his touch on the bruises did smart a little, but that's beyond the point.

I've decided to go with leaning against him for comfort's sake and warn him not to read what I'm writing. He's accepted it without bother.

Okay, so, Kichona's death. That's what I'm talking about here, unfortunately. Tanto had Sukochi round for the day, and I was annoyed with Kichona for playing with Sasori (it's someone's remains, after all, she should have some respect!) and I shouted at her. She threw a tantrum and I put her in her room. The best thing to do with a tantruming child is bring them to their room and just leave them. Tanto had gone to get something from his room to show his friend, so Sukochi had thought it would be the perfect time to go into my room.

It turned out the little shit was a thief. Whoever had made Hanabi had been visited by a younger Sukochi and most likely killed. The brat left no ends untied. So I'd been head of the Puppet Corps of Suna for a little bit, so Sukochi deemed me someone very worthy to steal from.

I foiled that attempt. I'd walked in, actually caught the little shit trying to transfer Sasori into a scroll and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. "You're not supposed to be in here, and you're not supposed to take what isn't yours." That was all I'd said before throwing him out. Tanto followed him, although he was actually quite annoyed with what his friend had attempted. They'd gone down to a nearby river and that was where they had found my third student, Tokageroh.

The kid had been half-drowned, washed violently down the river and stabbed viciously in the back. He had nowhere to go and I wasn't about to let some sick, injured kid just go out on the streets. I may not like kids, especially not bratty teens, but I'm not heartless. I taught the three of them to fight and defend themselves, in case they should ever need that knowledge. That went on for a few days, and during that time, Sukochi saw my fighting style, gauged my strengths and weaknesses.

Kichona didn't like it. She would watch us every time and tell me to be careful, and insist she was protecting me. It was so cute.

One night, I'd put Kichona to bed as normal. I wasn't aware, but Tanto sneaked out to see his girlfriend. I wasn't even aware he had a girlfriend, but apparently he met her during the last meeting of the Five Kage, in Konoha. My last words to her were that I'd leave Karasu to watch over her, ensure no monsters would come from the closet and get her. I'd gone to bed and fallen asleep with no problems.

Some point past midnight, the little shit broke through Kichona's bedroom window (on the 8th floor of the apartment complex, so he's crazy, I'm sure of it), collected Karasu in a scroll and slit Kichona's throat while she slept. Then, he came into my room, collected the scrolls containing my other main puppets and held two kunai out. One to my throat, the other poised to sink into my stomach. I'm not sure when I woke up, became aware, but it was before he struck. My eyes flew open and I attached a chakra string to the kunai pressed to my throat, ripping it from the boy's grip and sending it across the room as the other was plunged deep into my belly. Let me tell you now, that shit hurt like crazy. He withdrew the kunai and tried to deal out another hit, this time aiming for my chest. I grabbed his wrist, keeping him at bay. I may have suffered starvation damage in the past and lost my larger levels of strength, but I could still keep a 14-year-old at bay even through that pain. Well, I didn't feel it with the adrenaline rush there and then, but the struggle carried on until the blood loss became too much and the pain increased. I think I managed to divert his aim down a little, making it another blow to the stomach rather than the chest. I swear I could feel my innards trying to come out, like he'd severed an intestine...it was agony. I didn't think I could move. I'm not sure how I ever did manage to move, let alone fight again. I was completely and blissfully unaware of Kichona's demise, though.

I think what drove me to get up and get out there was the sound of footsteps. Tokageroh had been awoken by something, possibly the sound of breaking glass, and found Sukochi fleeing. He was unaware of my injuries and Kichona's, but he spoke of giving chase alongside Tanto.

Unarmed, against my puppets in the hands of an experienced killer.

Both of them with no shinobi training, nothing proper. I forced myself out of the bed, clutching my stomach tight, trying to will it to stop bleeding. At some point Sukochi added his own poison to my puppets, because when I found the boys, joined at that point by my nephew Shikadai (we were closer to Konoha than I thought possible) Tanto had been poisoned via a wound to his neck. He'd reclaimed Kuroari by that point, using him to battle the little bastard that used to be his friend. He'd tried to strike a killing blow on all three boys with Karasu, and I didn't think, just threw myself in front of them, in the way of the blade, attached my own chakra strings, pulled the puppet back, passed out...

When I was in hospital, recovering from my quite frankly horrific wounds, a neighbour from Iwa announced he had found Kichona's body.

I'd returned to Iwa at once, not fully recovered, and found it to be true. My little girl lay lifeless, skin grey-pale and cold, throat gaping wide open...and I screamed. I held her close and cried. My little girl...

Senpai Likes Sprinkled Doughnuts

Deidara was in an absolutely foul mood when he returned from his latest mission. It had been cold and wet outside, things between himself and Sasori no danna had been icy at best, and he was no stranger to the dangers his partner held, and his usual impatience with the blonde had bled through the entire mission. Deidara had hardly any time to rest or tend to his bodily functions.

As he washed his hands, he caught a glance of himself in the bathroom mirror. Great, he looked a mess. Bags under his eyes, tangles, dirt and nature in his hair, clothes filthy and dishevelled...and was that a spot between his eyes? Ugh, stress and teenage hormones never mixed.

Dealing with the spot could wait, though. He couldn't focus on such a tiny thing when he was so hungry. Stomping down the hall (Yes, it was childish, but when Deidara was in that bad a mood, why bother being mature around childish idiots?), he made sure to ignore anyone he might have passed. One particularly annoying little subordinate was rather difficult to ignore, however.
"SENPAI! YOU'RE HOME!"
He winced as that awful voice grated against his ears. Oh god, why? Why was it always him?
"Leave me alone, Tobi." He muttered, keeping his head down. He wasn't sure why he was concerned about Tobi seeing him looking like this, but he was. He was used to looking immaculate and artistic-a true show of his grace and intellect, no doubt. And Tobi loved to tease him. That was it, he didn't want to have to listen to Tobi's constant teasing about the disgusting lurker that had found its way onto his face.
"It was lonely here without you, Senpai! I'm so happy to see you again!"
Deidara did not have the patience for this. "What do you want, un?"
"Just to spend time with you. Tobi likes to spend time with his senpai!"
"Well 'senpai' doesn't like spending time with Tobi, un!" He snapped, whirling to him. Tobi fell quiet, as though shocked. Then again, he was used to Deidara yelling at him. It was probably the messy appearance.
"Does Senpai need a hug?" The numbskull asked eventually.
"Just leave me alone!" He turned away quickly, hiding away his face as though embarrassed. It wasn't that often the young blonde felt so self-conscious about his appearance. Then again, he was always looking decent in the past, as long as he'd been in the Akatsuki. Tobi had never seen him looking such a mess, he was sure of it. His stomach let out a loud grumble, deepening his embarrassment and self-consciousness as the masked nin tilted his head to the side, showing he'd heard. Sighing, Deidara just walked on, relieved when Tobi made no move to follow.

"Stupid cheap-ass Kakuzu..." He muttered, checking the cupboards and fridge only to find them empty. Looks like he needed a new plan to help lessen his rotten mood. A shower would help stave off the creeping cold, he decided before heading back to the bathroom. That would solve some problems bothering him. Then maybe a nap, that would do him some good. Yeah, a nice, long rest, curled up in his warm, welcoming bed, away from annoying Tobis.

Tobi didn't bother him when he went to the bathroom. Tobi didn't bother him as he turned on the shower, or when he waited for the water to warm up. Tobi didn't bother him as he undressed and stepped into the shower. It seemed the idiot had gone out or something.

The feeling of the piping hot water against his skin had a certain calming affect on him. Sighing in relief, he paused to think. There wasn't much to think about, however. New clay sculptures, how best to earn the respect of the others, especially Danna, and then there was Tobi-...
Tobi? Why was he thinking about Tobi?

The fact was, Tobi was always so kind, despite his annoying ways. Thinking about it, he'd always tried to get some form of reaction out of Deidara, and he had to assume it was probably that Tobi wanted him to laugh, or smile, or say something nice. The masked nin was no doubt older than he acted, and he assumed older than the blond bomber himself. Perhaps he was trying to appeal to the youngest member of the team. Not that Deidara went for babyish things like that. He'd had to grow up himself at a very young age for the sake of survival. Tobi was sort of like the child he'd never had a chance to be. That made him think a little deeper. Did Tobi act out due to his own childhood woes? Was he living out a childhood he had been denied while young? He briefly wandered what kind of traumas the childish nin had been through. Perhaps he would try to be nicer to the silly subordinate in future. Plus, he had to admit, part of him did like those sudden death hugs Tobi would give him. He could feel the elder man's muscles and they were always so warm and tight, as though Tobi wished to shield the blond from all danger and squeeze away all his troubles.

After drying off and getting dressed, he went to lay down in his bed, still no encounters with the stupid subordinate who seemed obsessed with him. Good, he really wasn't in the mood for a hug, although his mind kept going back to the older man. Was he lonely? Why did he always cling to Deidara? Why him? Why worthless, ugly, whiny little him? God, sometimes Deidara hated himself. Looked like the shower hadn't helped at all, he decided as tears pricked at the corner of his eyes. Sasori no Danna was right, he really was a little brat. He didn't notice the door creak open, and even if he did, he would have assumed it was Sasori.

Someone sat on the edge of his bed and he could smell something sweet. His stomach rumbled again.
"Ne, Senpai?"
He cracked an eye open, glancing over to the masked man before a box was shoved at him.
"Tobi got Senpai a gift!"
Reluctantly, Deidara accepted the box and inched it open. It was full of doughnuts. He arched an eyebrow.
"Tobi thought Senpai might like the ones with sprinkles! Maybe we can share them! Tobi likes spending time with his Senpai after all!" He shifted close, head resting on Deidara's shoulder. The blond sighed.
"Why?" He asked in a rude tone. "I always want you gone, un."
"Tobi loves Senpai!" Tobi insisted, giving him a hug. His voice fell to a whisper, tone itself getting lower as he became more serious. "I really do...Senpai is so beautiful."
Deidara wasn't sure whether to be touched or offended. His voice was a strange mix as he repeated the last word in confusion.
"Senpai is gorgeous, so young and full of spirit...and even looks good when he isn't neat and tidy. Senpai can make bed heads and acne look appealing. You're real art yourself, I swear. I love you, Senpai."
Deidara paused, stunned silence overtaking him. He chose to occupy himself with one of the doughnuts. Okay, now he was touched. He had no idea how to respond. He couldn't remember anyone saying such kind things to him.
"Senpai?" Tobi sounded almost horrified. "Senpai, please don't cry..."
Confused, he reached up and touched his own cheek. It came away wet. He really was crying. Swallowing his mouthful, he tried to think of something good to say, something tough and brash.
"You love me..." Was his only reply. Damn it, Deidara, just talk sense! He shook his head hard to clear it, blonde strands whipping both their faces. "You'd be the first." He managed, banishing the sorrow from his voice and replacing it with bitterness. Tobi drew him in for a hug, placing his head on his broad shoulder and stroking his hair gently.
"We all love you, Senpai. You give the Akatsuki brilliant light. You're so passionate." That deep tone of voice suited the muscular body of the raven. "But I love you more than them. I wish I could sweep you off your feet and carry you to paradise. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. And you know what, Senpai?"
"What, un?"
"I'll never stop loving you, I promise."

Diary of a Dead Man

If you are reading this, turn back now. This is the PRIVATE journal of Kamizuru Kankurou that his S T U P I D therapist insisted he write.

Diary of a Dead Man.

Okay, so the title's a little inaccurate. I'm not dead, not yet. Maybe not on the outside, maybe not physically. But that's irrelevant. The important thing is that I have had many dances with death before. I've been poisoned, stabbed, bled out and now even hung. I'm beginning to think that no matter what, something will happen that keeps me alive. It usually does.

Then again, it's usually my own fault I end up in these stupid situations. I'll charge into reckless situations or let stress get the better of me. Frankly, I think I have a problem, and now that I've been through this, the doctor agrees.

I could say it was the low point of my frankly pathetic life, but how many low points can one man have? Is it normal to have a period every year where you want to kill yourself? I think not. If it were, my sister wouldn't be so upset with me. I wish she'd stop getting angry...

Let me explain a little more. I work as a bodyguard for the village leader, the Tsuchikage. Got a bit of time off to deal with the death of my daughter. She was seven, and murdered in her sleep. Suffice to say it hit me very hard. I'd be concerned for any parent who didn't feel such pain when their youngest died. After that happened, I could tell I was effectively falling to pieces. My son was in a bad state too. I remember one night he came into my room, refusing to go back to bed and begging me not to send him out of my room...I don't think either of us slept that night, just tried to comfort each other, keep one another company.

I was miserable, my son was miserable.

And then it got worse. When doesn't it get worse? The Tsuchikage was attacked. He was the 5th person to hold that title, taking it on after my wife died. It was my job to protect him, despite the obvious fact that, even after I married the 4th and moved here, I was still an outsider. I failed. The man was gored and begged me give chase to the assailant.

And that I forgive my son. 'Don't blame Tanto,' he said, 'forgive him, for everything...' and then I was off, chasing after this hooded man, and after a brief fight, his hood fell and I saw his face. Tanto.

He ran. My son was labelled a missing nin, fled the village and there I was, collapsed on the floor of the Tsuchikage's halls, unable to process what had just happened. Unfortunately this kind of meant I'd lost my son. I'd lost both of my children in such a short space of time. I guess that's what made me feel like such a failure of a parent. I felt useless. I remember when I got home, I stepped into my bedroom and looked at everything. The puppets hanging from the ceiling, the cracked mirror where I'd lost my temper once before and took it out on the closest thing to my father, various knick knacks lining shelves and tables. My temper flared.

In one sweeping motion, my desk, shelves and tables were cleared, everything on the floor. Things broke and I didn't care. I wanted them to break. I wanted everything to fall apart just as I was. No mirror to punch this time, I was throwing everything I could, like a spoilt child throwing a tantrum. I found my eyes meeting the cold, empty, dead gaze of one of my puppets.

I remembered Karasu was my daughter's personal favourite.

Crack! I stamped on its head. I must have been really loopy. I felt like that grimacing son of a bitch was mocking me, but it was a lump of wood! My foot came down again and again and again, and then went through. I reared back with a cry of pain, clutching my foot. I'd hit one of the hidden blades. There wasn't much blood, so it wasn't serious, and I had long since built up an intolerance to all the poisons in my puppets. The anger flared up again and I kicked. Hard.

Karasu's head flew across the room majestically, and then landed in a crumpled heap behind my laundry hamper. I stood stock still, breathing hard, tears streaming down my cheeks...I looked at the mess. Wood, paint, clothes, books, glass, various tools and varying lengths and strengths of rope and wire...

Perhaps I snapped. The ceiling in my room had always had beams running across it and it was easy enough to loop some rope around one. Heck, I had quite a few puppets already hanging from the beams. I needed a chair to reach, but that was no bother. The chair would be needed in a minute anyway. I lined my shoes up neatly in front of the chair, stepped  up onto it and...well...you know how hanging works, I'm sure.

It's  funny, the kind of things  that run through your head when you're about to die. The doubts. The 'Kankurou, are you sure about this? It won't solve anything', the odd  thoughts and bits and pieces you might have forgotten such as 'it's early May, which means...oh my god'. I think it was then I started to struggle, you see. If early May came about, my siblings came to visit, and I didn't want them to find me. All I did was knock the chair over though. I gave up after  a moment and let  myself hang. I passed out as the door buzzer rang out, I think. I certainly heard something as everything slipped away from me.

I heard the story from Tokageroh, a homeless student of mine I'd allowed to sleep  in my guest room. He had let Gaara in and told him I wasn't up yet, so Gaara went to wake me. Next thing Tokageroh heard was a yell, Gaara calling my name, and in a flash of sand I was cut down, hitting the floor hard (which explains the bruises I've found on my side). That was when everyone came rushing to my bedroom door, watching as the rope was cut desperately away from my throat. Apparently the other kids even screamed. Matsuri told Tokageroh to get a doctor and he did. Some time after he got back, Temari arrived, and Gaara let her in.

He'd long since become more in tune with his emotions and those of others. When Temari came in, he started crying before trying to explain how he'd found me. I like to imagine they hugged, comforting each other, because I don't want to imagine them both hurting and in pain. I want my nee-san and ototo to be okay and to support each other. I like to imagine that's just what they did when they found me half-dead.

I woke up some time later in a hospital bed. My neck, arms and hip hurt and I just wanted to fall asleep again, but before that could happen, something large and soft hit me over the head hard! "Kankurou, you stupid, stupid idiot!" Temari snapped. She was stressed and probably quite shocked and unhappy. I cracked open one arm and found her glaring down at me, nobody else in the room that I recognised. Just a medinin or two and some guy with a beard and clipboard. "How many times do I have to tell you to call us? To come to us when you have a problem?"
It's not that simple. I tried to say that but all I managed was some nasty, strangled croak. Then a coughing fit. When I was done, she passed me a glass of water which I gratefully drank. My throat was so sore, anything that might soothe it would do me well. And then Temari was tracing an ugly bruise around my neck. I suppressed any shows of pain and just sighed.
"You live miles upon miles away." I managed eventually. "I can't just turn to you on a whim, you're not right next to me any more."
She had no answer for that, just glared.
"I guess I should thank you for finding me." I conceded. She might feel a bit better if I said that, I reasoned.
"I didn't. Gaara did."
Fuck. Temari had already known I had a few problems when it came to my mental state. I'd tried something like this before and she had come along and saved me, and we'd decided not to tell Gaara lest it stress or upset him. Well, how he knew his nii-san was going crazy. Ah well, couldn't be helped.

I stayed quiet after that, not responding to a word Temari spoke to me, and in the end she gave up, spoke for a moment with the bearded man, and finally left. The man with the beard came and sat beside my bed, staring at his notes for a moment.
"Good afternoon, Kankurou-san."The man began with a calm smile. "My name is Shosan. I'm one of the doctors here and I was wondering how you're doing."
I stayed silent and stared straight ahead. I knew what this guy was here for. He was here to evaluate my mental state. Was that really needed? I'd just tried to commit and they still needed this guy to verify I had something wrong?
"Kankurou-san?" No answer still. "Okay, well, let's open by talking about your romantic life." My hands clenched into fists. Everyone in this stupid village knew I was the husband of the dead Tsuchikage, but it never occurred to me that I could have remarried or started dating. After several questions to which I didn't respond, Shosan offered to talk with me later. He wasn't used to people who refused to talk whatsoever.

After a moment, Temari came back in, followed by Gaara. They sat on either side of my bed.
"Kankurou?" Temari asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. I was sitting up by this point, and I shrugged her off. "Just...just talk to us, okay?"
"What's the point?" I asked softly. That seemed to flare her temper.
"What do you mean, 'what's the point'? Have you even thought about what you'll leave behind?"
I thought it over while I glared at her. "You mean you two? As much as I love you, I'm not going to turn to you so I can burden you with my problems. As it stands, I've been fighting my problems and this life and I've lost."
I think I saw her face soften for a brief moment. "What do you mean?"
"Temari, remember when I was young? I said I'd always wanted to be a big brother. I didn't like kids, but I still ended up with two of them. You know what? Every time I've had the chance to care for a kid, I've loved that child, I've formed that bond. But at the same time, I've always failed. I've let them suffer in some way or sat by and watched them die or let them go down the wrong path, and now I've lost my wife and kids. They're gone, that's that. I tried to have a family, and I lost it." I covered my face, hiding behind my hands. I remember when I was younger, I used to be muscular. Over the years I've lost that muscle, just become...skinny. Weak. I hated the thing my body had become. It had withered away along with my mental health.
Temari had fallen quiet. Her hand returned to my shoulder and she gave a comforting squeeze.
"You haven't failed." Gaara managed. I peered between my fingers at him. "You've done all that any father could do. Nothing could have saved Kichona, and if it wasn't for your actions then, Tanto would have died as well. What you've done so far through all this trouble is amazing, Kankurou. You have to get past it, though. You can't let this beat you."
I wasn't even aware I'd moved until I was stood, nose to nose with my little brother, his shirt bunched in my hands. "I can't beat this either. I can't fight this any more! Don't you understand? I have nothing now! It's over! It was bad enough before any of this bullshit happened! I've been hated by everyone here and they've made it no secret, for being the outsider, for letting her die! I'm just like you were!" I let go then, stumbling back. My knees hit the bed and I fell back onto it. "Oh god...I'm sorry..." It always came down to that. My own desperate reaching out for forgiveness. "I'm...I'm sorry..." I curled up then, laying back on the bed, but arms wrapped around me, pulling me close and cradling me. Gaara was sat on the edge of the bed now, holding my head against his shoulder while I cried, rocking me gently. I'm pretty sure while I'd been yelling at him, all he had seen were the scars on my arms, and as he comforted me, he spoke.
"It's okay, nii-san. I'm here. You've done nothing wrong. It's okay. We're here for you. We'll keep you safe. You'll be okay. Don't worry about it. We're here, nii-san. We'll always be here, nii-san."
Another set of arms joined the embrace, Temari holding me from the other side. "We love you, Kankurou." She assured me softly. I'd fallen asleep against Gaara's chest that night.

Awkward Moments

Maybe it was that Gaara hadn't been feeling all too well that day. He was hot yet cold at the same time, head pounding from the moment he awoke, nose running relentlessly. He was pretty sure he had caught that cold from one of the chunin he'd recently assigned a mission to, and suffice to say he wasn't happy one bit with that.

The desert sun was doing its job magnificently, keeping the area too hot and too dry. Gaara made sure to keep water on his desk should he need it. All in all, it was a fairly average day, although throughout he did feel a bit nauseous.

Then again, he had overslept last night, having fallen a bit behind on work and finishing up through the night. He had fallen asleep before he had finished, in the end. The point was he didn't eat anything that morning in his rush to get ready. Through lunch, though certainly hungry, he kept working, as some very important things had come up, and he could always eat a little later. He decided to have a large dinner that evening, something big to sate his empty belly. Just in case something came up and he couldn't go get something himself, he asked Kankurou to bring him something, to which the elder brother reluctantly agreed. After all, he understood the nature of the pile up of meetings and emergencies the young kazekage had to deal with.

Finally turning away from his work, Gaara paused, draining his glass of every last drop of water to try and soothe his throat and wiping his nose again before moving to tuck in to his meal. It looked like Kankurou had noticed he wasn't on top form and had tried to make things a bit more bearable by making his favourite. All too soon, there was a knock at the door, and without waiting for an answer a man came in.
"Kazekage-sama! There's been an accident to the west of the village!"
"What sort of accident?" He asked as he stood, illness and hunger forgotten in an instant.

Kankurou was not pleased to see the plate of food looking untouched when he returned an hour or so later to see how his little brother was.

~*~*~*~*~

Matsuri sighed as she relaxed against one of the training posts, taking a deep drink from a water canteen. The session that evening had certainly been a productive one, and all in all she had had a pretty good day. In the morning, she had met with her friends near the market and they had gone shopping. She had bought a nice new shirt, an off-the-shoulder grey thing with a pink bow printed across the chest. There were some other nice ones in the shops, but they didn't suit her at all, and frankly seeing Sari and Yukata modelling them really made that obvious. They'd stopped off for drinks and lunch and then had a training session together, but after a while Yukata and Sari had had to leave. Matsuri wanted to train a little longer, and now it was dark and cold. Best to head home now before she froze, she decided, slowly getting to her feet.

It was always rather quiet when the extremes of temperature peaked. It was rare to see anyone out this late, apart from the odd drunk or, in the past, the Kazekage himself, considering he had suffered insomnia in the past. These days he was either in his office or in bed at this time. Well, most people were. It was the norm. Everyone needed sleep, after all.

Anyway, night time habits of the citizens of Suna aside, Matsuri sped up, aiming to get home quickly and maybe light a fire to keep herself warm. She rubbed her arms, keeping her chin close to her chest, however the presence of someone else, the noise of coughing and footsteps, made her look up.

Just Gaara. When out that late, you couldn't help but be a little concerned you might encounter a drunken pervert, you know? He was walking in the opposite direction, towards her, and when they made eye contact they both gave a small nod of greeting. She felt a jolt in her chest, that age-old crush that never went away.

She always told herself it was just a childish crush, but at first she'd liked him for caring, being brave and strong, and smart. Then she had liked his good looks and leadership skills as well, and enjoyed his company in a way she had never enjoyed anyone else's. Then she had felt that strong urge to protect him from harm and always be by his side, but she had pushed that down. He didn't need protecting and she would only get in his way. It was always the other way round, with him saving her. Just once, she wanted to be the one to help him, to protect him and keep him warm and safe.

Turned out tonight would be her night.  As he drew close, he slowed and stumbled, falling forward. She was quick to move in, arms closing around him. He was heavy so she lowered him gently to the floor. His skin was flushed and warm to the touch and he clearly wasn't well. Matsuri gave a soft sigh, brushing his hair off his forehead as she asked herself what to do with him.

~*~*~*~*~

When Gaara awoke once more, he was tucked into bed, a wet cloth on his forehead, still feeling off-colour, though a bit better. Looking to the side, he found a side table with a vase of shockingly pink flowers and a glass of water. A small bit of doubt rose in his mind, a bit of confusion, though he wasn't sure what was wrong. He took the glass and drained it, realising he was pretty thirsty. Placing the glass back on the table, he took a proper look at the room. A rather ugly patchwork bedspread, lacquer flooring and cream walls, thin net curtains that provided no privacy hanging over the windows. Not his bedroom, he could say that much for sure with first glance. That was what had been bothering him. Wary, Gaara slipped out of the bed, moving quietly to the door and inching it open.

The living room beyond the door was the same cream colour as the bedroom. He was in an apartment building, and someone else was asleep on the sofa, curled up under a thin blanket. Drawing a little closer, he realised he was in his former student's home. That was right, he'd overexerted himself again and collapsed-not for the first time since Shukaku's extraction-in front of her. She must have brought him home to help him get better. He decided he would have to thank her later. There was a warm feeling in his chest. A sort of affection, he mused. He had known her a long time, and long ago come to think of her as a friend as well as a good student. She had always been very welcoming and kind around him, someone gentle he could rely on, and in turn she could rely on him. He reached out to brush some of her hair from her face, and he wasn't sure what made him act next, but he leant down to her.

And he kissed her.

Not on the lips or anything. A gentle peck on the cheek, a momentary thank you. She stirred then.
"Gaara-sama..." She mumbled, and he drew back, freezing up. Did she feel that? Was she awake?
Still half asleep, Matsuri shifted, slinging her arms around Gaara's neck and drawing close, nuzzling into his shoulder. The movement was clumsy and uncoordinated, and he wasn't sure how to respond. Awkwardly, he wrapped his own arms around her.

And she kissed him?

He felt a very brief wetness on his neck. The feeling of her lips lingered there as she whispered something vague about being very happy. Was she really dreaming about him? With a slight smile, he eased her back down onto the sofa. After a brief moment of thought, he decided to wake her up, feeling uncomfortable leaving without informing her, lest she worry, and even more uncomfortable about wandering her apartment alone while she slept. Gently, he shook her shoulder, and that seemed to work well enough. After a moment, she opened her onyx eyes and smiled. "Good morning, Gaara-sama...are you feeling better?" She reached out, feeling his forehead with the back of one hand.

Gaara nodded slightly. "Good morning, Matsuri. I feel better. Thank you for assisting me."
"It was nothing. You're important to me." She stood and stretched, moving to the kitchen area. "Would you like something to eat?"
"I don't wish to impose." He answered stoically, standing to leave.
"You won't be imposing. Besides, this stuff needs to be used up and I don't often have friends round for meals."
He was silent for a moment, thinking it over. In the end, a mix of his hunger and her endearing charms won him over.

Did he just say she had 'endearing charms'?

Perhaps she did. Most might see her as rather plain, but he could see beauty within this mousy-haired kunoichi. A diamond in the rough, as it were, with the strength and sharpness of one and all. Not to mention she was still that incredibly caring girl he had had by his side for a very long time. They ate in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable by any means.

~*~*~*~*~

After breakfast, Gaara sat down on the sofa, relaxing a little before going to his office. At some point he fell asleep. Matsuri watched his sleeping form, a smile on her face. For someone so powerful and fearsome, he was very cute and childlike in his sleep. His lips barely parted, hands clasped by his head, one knee drawn to his chest. She gently stroked his hair before resting a blanket over him. She made sure to inform Temari that her youngest brother was at her house, feeling 'a little under the weather'.

She checked on him every so often, watching him sleep. He looked so at peace with everything around him at that point, and so handsome and cute...
Shaking her head, Matsuri cleared that thought from her mind. She went to her room, made the bed and took the empty water glass to the kitchen. Her mind kept straying to the man asleep on her sofa. A man who had made her feel strong and able. She would never understand why people had thought of him as a monster. She could never imagine him to be the child everyone said he had been. She looked at him and saw Gaara, her sensei, the Kazekage, an attractive and capable shinobi, a year or two younger than her but still very strong, independent and dominating, protective and the kind to never let anyone hurt those he cares for.

God, how she loved that. It was a shame he was so uncertain when it came to love and affection. It was a shame that even if he wasn't, she was still plain old Matsuri. She tried to think back to when she was little, what her mother would do when she was sick.

Ice cream. There was always ice cream when she had a sore throat. She decided to leave some out to defrost while she waited for Gaara to awaken.

It wasn't long before they were sat side by side, eating ice cream from the tub together. Once it was all gone, Matsuri placed the tub back on the table, and slowly, Gaara wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close. She looked up at him questioningly, to which he simply replied "You're warm."

Perhaps, thought Gaara, I should get sick more often, especially if it means I can spend time like this, with her...

"Matsuri...you're wonderful."

Love Beneath The Amber Dunes

"Ai no Matsuri." Kankurou explained with a wide grin plastered across his face. "It's a...celebration about, you know, love and affection. Where people sort of get together with people they're especially close to. Partners, boyfriends and girlfriends, that sort of thing. People give gifts and go on dates and have fun...you're pretty popular with the young girls, you'll probably have a lot of gifts."
Gaara's face seemed to go slack. "The girls will give me gifts? I haven't gotten them anything."
"You don't need to get them anything back unless you like them." Kankurou assured his younger brother calmly. "I'm going out. Invited my girlfriend round from Iwa."
He frowned. "The Tsuchikage's granddaughter?"
"That's the one."
"And she agreed to come all the way over here."
"Next time I'm going to her." He assured him before walking out. "Good luck tonight, Ototo."

~*~*~*~

It was strange to see so many people out so late in the desert. They were dressed well for the night, in bright yet thick clothes, highlighted by the bright tealights hung on every building and every stall. Mikoshi found himself trying to keep his eyes on the lights. It was difficult when you had such a beautiful woman sat opposite you. She was wearing a low-cut top even that late, and may well have been the bustiest woman within suna, and he'd only asked her out a week before. That sounded about right.

"Mikoshi?" He snapped his eyes back to her and offered a shy smile.
"Sorry, Ameno-san. I was just thinking."
"Lost in thought, huh?" She rested her head upon her hands. "I was worried you were ignoring me."
"Believe me, I was listening to every word. I just didn't want to seem rude."
"You weren't even looking at me."
"I didn't want to be caught staring." He admitted, looking away as shame washed over him. "Usually girls don't like that."
Ameno shrugged, reaching over for his hand. "Hey, I forgive you, okay? But you're paying for dinner."
"I thought that was already decided." He replied, looking confused. She let out a laugh.
"I don't normally go for the whole chivalry thing." She explained.
"I don't normally consider myself all that chivalrous." Mikoshi replied, smiling. "Just...normal, I guess."
"Cute though." Ameno teased, smirking at his flustered response.
"I'm not cute!"
"You're like a geeky teddy bear."
"Geeky teddy bear?!" Mikoshi spluttered. That's it, he needed a drink. "I'm a man! I'm like any other man!"
"Really? Well, I like you anyway." She teased, flicking a finger against his forehead.
"...You too..." He glanced away briefly and watched a familiar face pass through the streets.

Sari, her name was. She had an unfamiliar man on her arm, someone who clearly wasn't used to the desert climate considering he appeared to have packed for the hot day but not the cold night. In fact, he was huddled into one of Sari's jackets right there and then. The bright pink thing really didn't look good on him, it had to be said. Once again, Sari herself found herself struggling not to laugh at his plight. He shot her a glare.
"Sari..." He muttered, tone a not so subtle warning.
"Sorry Gozu-kun, but I did warn you..."
Thinking back on things, he found she was right. When she had told him of the Sand Village's upcoming festival, she had told him to take the weather into account. Gozu himself came from the Hidden Mist village originally, but now he lived just outside the Fire country after he and his brother became a little...unpopular.

Even so, all he responded with was a disgruntled sigh. Sari laughed again.
"Are you in a mood with me?"
"Not with you." He answered gruffly, turning away.
"With what then?"
"...The desert! It's hot and dry and then it's cold and dry and it makes no sense, how can you stand to live here?!"
"I guess I just know how to adapt."
"Bullshit. You're, like, a sun goddess or something."
She struck a pose then. "I'm that pretty, huh?"
"You're hot. Just like the sand."
"And you've got that vulgar twinkle in your eyes again."
Gozu offered his most innocent look. "Vulgar? Me? Never."
"Not tonight, sweetie." She insisted, holding a finger firm before his face.
"You're no fun."
"If you want me in bed like that you'll need to impress me."
"We've been together for a loooong time now, I think I've impressed you already." He flexed his muscles to help make his point. This sent her into another fit of laughter.
"Are you sure you're the sane one?"
"I don't think either of us ever said I was sane." He answered with a smirk. "Rational, maybe. Not sane." He glanced around a moment before gesturing to a stall selling sata andagi. "In the mood for something sweet?"
Her eyes brightened at once as she clasped her hands together. "I love sata andagi!" She squealed. Gozu simply nodded, not bothering to point out he'd known that for ages. He'd spoken to the owner of the stall some time before, in fact, and if all went well...they approached and he gave a subtle wink before placing his order. They sat at a nearby table as they waited for the food to be cooked, and she found her eyes drawn upward. "The stars are so bright tonight."
Gozu followed Sari's gaze. "They're beautiful, huh?"
"Which is prettier, me or the stars?"
He pretended to think for a moment, even though he already knew the stupid and somewhat cliché answer she wanted to hear. "You, of course. Heck, in this light you're practically glowing."
"The whole sun goddess thing's coming back, huh?"
"You'll always be my sun goddess." He told her with a smirk.
"You're being strangely sweet today." Sari's voice was suddenly suspicious. "What are you planning?"
"It's a love festival. I'm supposed to be romantic, aren't I?"
"I guess, but still..." She frowned at him. "It's weird."
"Would you rather I act like a violent pervert?" He asked with a smirk.
"Nah, that might be even weirder."
The sata andagi was finished and brought over, and Sari picked one up, the closest to her. She went to bite into it when she noticed a ring sitting in amongst the dough.
"I knew you were planning something..."

Yaoki watched the exchange apprehensively. He had a collection of flowers in a tight grip, nerves showing all too clearly as he rehearsed what he wanted to say under his breath. He'd had this crush on this girl for the longest time, although a good part of him was convinced this girl hardly knew he existed. Alas, he had met her while training, and she had been beautiful, and even if she didn't accept him, he at least wanted to try and give her these flowers. He just had to be brave. That was it, be brave and believe in himself. With that in mind, he took a deep breath and turned the corner, walking up the path to her home.

Saya, a kunoichi of the sand, was just leaving her house, alongside her best friends, Sana and Mamushi. They were talking cheerfully, and it was Mamushi who first noticed the seemingly frightened shinobi shuffling closer. He just silently pointed him out, looking severely unimpressed. Once both girls had turned to get a look at him, Mamushi spoke. "He either of yours?"
Saya and Sana simply shook their heads.

Yaoki stopped before the trio and sighed. He had to admit, these three kind of scared him. They certainly weren't afraid to spill blood. Kind of like all those rumours he had heard of Lord Gaara before meeting him. If it had just been Saya alone, he would have been fine, but the other two just had to be there. He bowed his head and offered the bouquet to her, trying to remember what he had rehearsed. Instead, he found he couldn't speak. His mouth felt dry and his throat felt tight. He felt the flowers leave his grip, Saya's fingers brush across his, and heard her inhale.
"They're beautiful." She breathed, mostly to herself.
"Like you, ojo-sama." Two voices said at once. Yaoki shot up straight, looking at the wide-eyed man who called himself Saya's team mate. Great, just great.
The woman in question looked between the two men, clearly pleased with the adoration she was receiving. (All the local genin knew of her major hissy fits and superiority complex) "You're both so sweet." She cooed in a sickly-sweet tone before offering her arm out to one of them. "But you're cuter."
Yaoki could have sworn the shout of victory he gave was loud enough to be heard all the way in Kumo.

It was at that point that Sana rolled her eyes and walked off. Honestly, she had somewhere to be tonight! She had her own poor sap to bleed dry-er, I mean, cuddle up to by the fire. Yeah, that's right. Really, that was what she wanted. A nice, quiet night in, cuddling up in the warm, safe embrace of her lover, and warm cuddles were quite possibly Ittetsu's speciality. She brushed past the people crowding the streets, exchanging gifts and shows of affection. She had a small box in her hands, actually. It was filled with bubblewrap tight around a mug, and had a red ribbon holding it closed. That was her gift to Ittetsu. She walked up to his house and knocked smartly on the door. After a few minutes, he opened up and a huge smile split his face.
"Sana-chan! Come in! I was thinking we could watch a movie or something."
"What movie?"
"Well, I have that new horror film I know you were excited about." Normally he hated horror, but Sana didn't mind him clinging to her during the violent scenes.
"That sounds great! Oh, here, I got you something!"
He took the box and his grin appeared to widen, if that were possible. "I got you something too." He handed her a bracelet made of a mix of silver and rainbow coloured links. It was beautiful, and it looked like he had made it himself.
"Oh, I love it!" She told him before throwing her arms around him and pulling him in for a kiss.

Gaara briefly wondered if the citizens of Suna knew the purpose of the blinds that hung above their windows. It wasn't like they really wanted to flaunt themselves getting especially intimate, was it? Then again, maybe it was like that, considering it was this whole 'festival of love' thing. He passed the offending house quickly, trying his best not to look and instead focussing on the abundance of stalls ahead of him, selling floral arrangements, teddy bears and chocolate, some jewellery, even shoes and shirts. There was much he still didn't understand, that was for sure. Still, it was a nice night and he liked to be out in the open when it was late and the air was cool. Plus, though he didn't admit it to himself, he was hoping to see a certain someone.

Actually, he did see her. She was walking in the opposite direction, right towards him, talking to one of her friends. They looked like they were having fun, laughing and practically dancing with joy. She had a pink, almost flat box clutched to her chest.
Say hello. He told himself firmly as they drew closer. Say hello. Just one word. You know her after all.
They passed one another silently and he cursed himself internally. He glanced down at the shoulder bag he had taken with him after the warning he might be showered with gifts. It turned out to be a good idea. The bag was pretty much full of flowers and sweets now. He'd probably give them to Kankurou later so he could eat himself to the point of illness. He wondered briefly if the box she had was a gift from someone else. Was he too late? Had some other boy taken her heart before him?

It was probably at that point that Gaara decided to get her something. The question was what would be appropriate? The jewellery seemed cheap, the sweets and cakes seemed fake if not hand-made (something he could never do~Kankurou had always been the best cook in the family), the bears too childish...although, knowing her, she would adore the bears. Looking a little closer at some things, he found large plastic hearts on ribbons with personalised messages written on them.
The owners of the stall he was at were whispering. The Kazekage himself, the ever-stoic, somewhat self-isolated Kazekage, was looking for a gift for someone.
"Can we help you, Kazekage-sama?" The woman asked suddenly. He looked up, hoping the heat he felt on his cheeks wasn't visible.
"I'm looking for a gift..." He began uncertainly before tapping one of the plastic hearts with his finger. "Something like this..."
"Of course." The woman took out a matching white heart, but with no ribbon or message. "What would you like written on it?"
Ah. "What am I supposed to write on it?"
"Well...a message that conveys your feelings, I guess. I'll help if you want. Let's start with your friend's name."
His cheeks seemed to be turning the same colour as his hair. "Matsuri..."

Matsuri too was cursing herself. All evening she had been steeling herself to give a gift of her own to her precious Gaara-sensei, but when he had passed her, she had lost the courage. Now she was headed to his office, deciding to leave the chocolates on his desk. Besides, he had probably had many gifts that evening. It wasn't like one more stupid box would make any difference or appeal to him. She reached over to open the doors to the Kazekage's building, being someone trusted by the officials now, blissfully unaware that behind her, Gaara was running through the streets, searching for her. He finally found a clear path to her, and reached out with the hand grasping the ribbon, taking hold of her arm and spinning her to face him. "Matsuri..."
"Gaara-sama!" She cried in shock before bowing and offering the box in her hands. "I...I made these for you!"
He seemed taken aback, but took the box anyway before handing her the heart on a ribbon and a pink bear that held a cloth rose. She obediently held them for him, but curiosity couldn't stop her from taking a peak at the message written before her.
Meanwhile, Gaara opened the box, curious himself. He was met with messy hand-made chocolates that had been intended to be heart-shaped. They were instead strange rounded lumps, some of which had fused together. He briefly wondered if they would be safe to eat. He looked up to see her reading his message to her.

              Matsuri.
I am not good with my feelings
But I know one thing.
When I am with you I feel
as though my heart might burst
from my chest. It hurts but
I have no idea why.
I think I have loved you
for a very long time and
it has taken me this long
to identify this feeling.

           Gaara

The message was awkward and it had clearly been a struggle to fit it all on, but the sentiment was there. Matsuri swore she could feel her cheeks reddening, tears in her eyes. She was...overwhelmed. "Gaara-sama...Gaara-kun..." She rushed in, cuddling him close, quick and tight (sending chocolate flying), and shocked, he gently wrapped his own arms around her. She'd liked him the same way all this time and he had been blind. Gently, ever so gently, she reached up, giving him a kiss.

~*~*~*~

Kurotsuchi picked up a cupcake suspiciously. She and Kankurou had decided to stay just outside the village gates, away from all the noise and crowds, just sat together watching the sun set and dusk fall, and the whole time he had a box on his lap, cloth tied around it. Turned out he had decided to make cakes. Tragically, she had never tried his cooking before, and she wasn't sure if she trusted it or not. She was pretty sure nobody from Iwa could make anything cake-like taste like anything other than cardboard.

After a moment, she became aware he was watching her. He wanted to see her reaction, see if she liked them or not. Steeling herself for something foul, Kurotsuchi took a bite.
"How the hell did you make this?" She asked after a long pause.
"Same way anyone makes cakes." He answered dully, smirking. "Need a recipe?"
"This was not made by you. This was made by angels. Guys like you can't bake. Little girls bake."
"No angelic little girls here." Kankurou answered with a smirk. "Just Temari, and she's more like a monster."
"You should be nicer about your sister, you know."
"You kidding? You don't even like her..."
She shifted closer, cuddling up to him. "Yeah, but I put up with her for your sake, so you'd better be grateful."
"Believe me, I am." He answered, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her forehead. "You know, the sun's pretty much gone now."
"Yeah..."
"You want to go do something else?"
She thought about it for a moment. "We could go back to your place." She offered in what she considered to be a sweet voice.
"Are you offering what I think you're offering?" He asked with an eager grin.
"Maybe I am." She answered, mirroring his expression. "It'd be your first time after all, wouldn't it?"
One good thing about the facepaint he wore was that if he became embarrassed, any blush was hidden. "Well, I...that is...that's hardly relevant!"
"Thought so. So, are we all game?"
"Not if you just use this whole thing as a way to make fun of me." He muttered, pulling away and crossing his arms.
"Aw, don't sulk! I'm sorry." She pulled at his arm. "Forgive me?" No answer. "You're an amazing cook, by the way." Still no answer. "Come on, Kankurou, you know I love you really..."
Suddenly, he pulled her close again, and she ended up sprawled unceremoniously over his lap. "I love you too, babe."

~*~*~*~

Yome wasn't taking part in the festivities that night. Actually, she was feeling rather unwell. She had been all week but she was still refusing Shira's insistence that she go see a doctor. Right now, she was cuddled up on the sofa with a soup cup and a blanket.

She looked round as a door to her left creaked open. Shira offered a kind smile. "How are you feeling?"
Yome smiled back. "Better, I'll admit. Come here."
He obediently made his way over, settling down beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder. After a moment's hesitation, she offered him the soup cup. The way she was feeling, she didn't want to really eat anything. Reluctantly, he accepted it, concern just visible in his eyes. Still, it didn't make sense to waste it, so he drank some while Yome snuggled against his side. Her wide eyes were drawn to the window, watching the sunset-stained sky stretching on for miles. Beside her, she could feel Shira just itching to go outside. The people of this outpost were celebrating, and he was inside caring for his sick girlfriend.
"Sorry..." She mumbled against his shirt. He turned to look at her in surprise.
"Why are you apologising?" She glanced up and gave him a sheepish look and a pout. "Don't worry about the shirt, you can't help being ill. Listen, as long as you're comfortable, I'm happy."
"You're sweet, but you should still have fun."
"We can enjoy ourselves without going out."
Yome thought it over for a second before sighing and nuzzling Shira's chest with her head. "We can watch a movie."
"Any one you want." He answered, rubbing her back.
Yome briefly wondered how her best friends were doing. It had been a while since she had seen Temari and Sen.

Sen herself was also feeling unwell, but a vastly different kind. She felt like her entire body was being twisted by anxiety. Hands shaking, she moved two mugs of fresh coffee onto a tray and went to carry it into the living room.

Yagura, sprawled out across the sofa, was aware something was up from the very moment he had come in. She always managed to compose herself right before she entered the same room as him, and was clearly avoiding the subject, but he was determined to find out what was stressing her so much as to take away her normal composure. He watched her walk in with a mug of coffee in her hands, and gladly accepted the one intended for him, taking a small sip as he watched her closely.
"Sen." He began firmly. She looked at him with one eyebrow raised, as though asking what his problem was. "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean something is clearly wrong."
"It's nothing." She answered breezily, waving him off.
"Don't bullshit me."
"Don't start a fight tonight of all nights, Yagura-san."
"I'm not trying to! I just want to know why my girlfriend is so stressed."
"It's a girl thing. You wouldn't understand so just drop it." She busied her mouth with her coffee then and Yagura gave up and excused himself to the bathroom.

As he washed his hands, something caught his eye. He wasn't sure what it was, maybe that the small bin was full, or that it was full of identical boxes. He glanced over and frowned, getting down to get a better look. A collection of pink boxes, contents hurriedly stuffed back inside them. He picked up one of the boxes and upturned it, shaking it until a small, white stick fell out. Things were beginning to make sense.

Sen jumped when the bathroom door was slammed open. Heavy footfalls. Yagura was angry about something.
"A girl thing?!" He snapped as he stalked into his girlfriend's living room. "If you meant what I think you meant, then this is not a 'girl thing'! This is an us thing!"
She stared in shock at him, unsure what he meant until she noticed the box in his hand. Oh hell. She knew he wouldn't be happy. "Get out." She told him. Wait, no, she didn't mean to say that...
"What?...Sen, this kid is my kid too. Unless you've already gotten rid of it..."
"Don't even suggest that!" She snapped, leaping to her feet defensively.
"Why don't you want me involved?"
"Because I don't even want a baby, and neither do you!"
Ah. She had him there. He stuck his hands in his pockets and sighed. "I just can't believe you didn't tell me..."
"We'd still get into this fight if I did." She muttered.
"That's a lie and you know it! God, you don't tell me anything, make me worry and then get stressy with me when I show some damn concern!"
"It's not like that." She hissed. Sighing heavily, Yagura weaved his way around the chairs and drew Sen into a hug. She struggled, snapping at him to let go.
"Not until you calm down." He answered firmly. "I just wish you'd actually consider us a couple for once instead of two separate entities. I'm involved in things like this whether you like it or not."
They were still and silent for the longest time, and slowly Sen wrapped her arms around Yagura.
"Fine, whatever, I don't care any more."
"You're so stubborn."
"You like stubborn."
"Yeah...I like you a lot..."

~*~*~*~

Back in Sunagakure, a young man passed roughly through the crowds, scowl on his face and arms working to draw his jacket tighter around himself. He was obviously in a foul mood, and those who noticed chose to steer clear. He sneered at them. Happy little idiots lost in their own bubble where everything was perfect and all they could see clearly was their boyfriend or girlfriend. Ridiculous festivals...

Sajin didn't like to think of himself as bitter. Sure, he never formed any good relationships with anyone, except for maybe that one boy who he'd spent the last month and a half writing a love letter for, and there he was, out in the cold looking like he'd like to murder half the population, but there was good cause for that, and that cause was known as his tight-fisted, strict, unkind, homophobic bitch of a mother. That was why the genin was fuming. During the most recent fight between the two, they'd both decided they would be happier if Sajin lived anywhere other than home. The problem was he didn't see much of a choice of other places for him to go to.

A low, loud growl reminded him he hadn't eaten the whole day. He shifted the rucksack on his back with a sigh. From his home he had brought the bare minimum, or what he could grab before he was dragged out by the scuff of his neck for threatening to kill his own mother. A change of clothes (no underwear or jackets in his haste), his wallet, a cuddly toy hippo that always held a special place in his heart and the letter for the other boy. It wasn't a very good haul, he would admit, but anything was better than nothing. He placed the bag on the floor and removed his wallet, although part of him was sure he had already spent what little he'd had on a big bottle of water. He stepped towards a stall selling dango and opened his wallet, only to find his suspicions confirmed. Nothing left, or at least nothing that would buy him anything at all. Damn it, he was hungry...

Sighing, he walked on again, unaware he was being watched. He kept going until he reached an empty bench, which he happily slumped down onto. He brought a foot up, trying to rub away the ache from walking so long. He had a few moments to himself to wallow in self-pity before a stick of dango was shoved in front of his face. Scowl settling in place once more, he looked up to see Korobi, another ninja with whom he was acquainted. "What the hell do you want?"
Korobi looked off to the side, this rejection already hitting hard. "Well, I wanted to do something nice for you...so I bought this for you..."
Hesitantly, Sajin accepted it and polished off the sweet in seconds. Korobi sat beside him with a cheerful smile.
"You seem happy."
"Well..." He bowed his head, not looking at the long-haired man. "It's a festival...and I might get to spend the night with this guy I really like, and-"
"You're gay?"
Korobi hesitated before giving a slight nod. Sajin's heart did a little dance of victory before he reached into his bag, fingers closing around the love note.
"I get a lot of shit for being open about it myself." He admitted, brushing some of his hair back behind his ear. "I guess that's why I'm out here tonight. I'm sick of fighting and letting others rule my life."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I had a fight with the old bag I call my mother and now I'm free from her forever." He drew the note out of his bag and flicked it over to Korobi without so much as a glance. He heard the larger man unfold the paper and read the note. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply. Normally he was hard to shake, but for some reason the prospect of asking this other man out terrified him. Then, he felt something wet on his cheek. Opening his eyes, he found Korobi had kissed him. For once, things were looking up for Sajin.