Author's Note:
Rurouni: Also, about Tayuya - first off, the anime came out and we finally know the true color of his hair - grey! Yes, Tayuya has grey hair. Plus, his name isn't Tayuya, thats another of the sound four. ^^;; His real name is Sakon. Ok, so from now on he will be referred to as Sakon - which he is. ^^;;;
Chapter 19: Flame
Itachi plopped down on the cold ground and breathed heavily.
"Ok . . . no further . . . we're staying here." Itachi panted as the others sat down besides him. They had gone a far way from the camp at a quick pace, but still safety was an absent comfort.
"Fine." Kabuto said as he let himself fall onto his back with his arms flung outwards from his body. Sasuke yawned and slumped downwards. They were sitting in the middle of the abandoned Wave chuunin exam finals arena. It was built so for when the Island of the Waves became a powerful nation, a hidden village could be built faster and be ready for shinobi. But since the Wave country never grew, the idea was quickly abandoned and the arena forgotten. Sasuke now eyed the old walls, looking at the symbols of the villages painted onto them and aged like old tattoos, the paint running and the walls chipped and overgrown by shrubbery. Sasuke let out another yawn as he averted his gaze towards the sky and it's lantern like stars.
"What was that?" Kabuto said as he rose from his laying position. Itachi and Sasuke perked up, also hearing the unusual sound. Suddenly a sharp, earsplitting sound reverberated throughout the arena. All three turned to face the source of the crash. Cloaked in shadow, Soyako emerged from the darkness followed by Orochimaru. A group of their men filled out from behind them, their weapons drawn. Sakon snarled and spat.
"Kabuto you slimy bastard, how dare you betray us like this?!" He roared. Kabuto scowled back in return as Orochimaru looked on in disgust at his former right arm. Soyako chuckled to himself before he bellowed,
"You fools. You've ruined enough. How could you Kabuto, and after we trusted you again? You should be more careful on who you put your trust in." Soyako directed the last sentence to Orochimaru, who looked away angrily at the thought of his foolishness. Kabuto spat back
"I was never on your side you scum." he snarled.
"Hmph. I guess it doesn't matter now anyways. You've all become useless now. You will die here." Soyako smirked. And then he lunged at his opponents.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Temari sighed. After hearing about that Tenten girl, things had gone from bad to worse. Not only did she and Gaara have to stay in Konoha for a while to show the renewed peace between the Sand and the Leaf, but now they had been dragged on this stupid vacation, that didn't seem to be a true vacation at all. And furthermore, it's seems that girl that her brother had become fond of was likely to die now.
*I just hope her death doesn't set him off . . .*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*Where . . . am I . . .?*
The world was a muted haze as the dim light washed upon her eyes.
*What happened . . . Gaara? . . . Gaara?!*
The world came into focus as Tenten's weak orbs rested upon the sight of the red haired Sand shinobi. He was staring out the window while wearing a dazed look. Suddenly the night's events came flooding back into her mind, and with their coming they scrawled recognition upon her face.
*I must be at the hospital . . . how long have I been here? Has Gaara waited all this time for me to awake?*
"Hey . . ." Gaara quickly turned at face Tenten at the sound of her words, slightly surprised, as he had not expected her to awake so soon.
"How long have I been out?" She continued.
"About two hours." Gaara replied bluntly. After what seemed like a prolonged silence, he added, "How are you?"
"I'm feeling better. I can see that my wounds have been stitched up." Tenten noted.
"Good." Gaara said nonchalantly. After yet another silence, it was Tenten’s turn to revive the conversation.
"Gaara . . .?"
"What?" Gaara replied, more so as a statement than a question.
"Why did you wait here?" Tenten questioned curiously. Of all people, Gaara wasn’t exactly the caring type.
"Because Kakashi told me to." Gaara replied bluntly.
"No, really." Tenten persisted "If you don't want to, you don't take orders. I know that much about you Gaara."
"What?! Can't I wait here for you to at least wake up?! Don't want the monster around you tainting your air?! Though I suppose I’m the lesser of two evils, might as well have a monster save you from death than to die." Gaara suddenly snapped mockingly. Tenten looked at him surprised. For the first time since she had seen him, he looked upset.
"No . . ." Tenten replied sluggishly and calmly. Gaara walked hastily towards the window and began to stare out its clear surface angrily. Like a caged bird looking out from its prison; only there for the enjoyment of others - never to be free.
"I just wanted to know why someone like you would stay here and watch over me." Tenten said soothingly, yet hesitantly.
"Someone like me . . ." Gaara seethed over the words, even more mockingly than his previous conviction.
*Just like everyone else . . . I was a fool to think she was different . . .*
"Ya . . . someone who pushes others away . . . I don't know what happened to you Gaara, but you can't let it rule you life. Just relax . . . I’m worried about you." Tenten said more sure of herself this time. Slowly raising herself from her bed, she slowly ambled over to where Gaara was standing. Not turning to look, Gaara scowled.
"That's a lie . . ."
"No, it's not." Tenten said confidently; reassuringly. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she rested her head on his shoulder and joined him in watching the world through the thin glass. Gaara whipped his head around to look at her figure. She returned his gaze and smiled affectionately. By now it was early morning, and a soft rain fell upon the building. Returning her gaze to the gray haze of the village, Tenten continued.
"Gaara, we're friends. You don't need to worry about keeping to yourself around me. You can trust me; I’m not going to betray you. It's true, I really didn't want to be with you at first, but now . . . you've let me see who you are, behind the mask of your pain, and I really like that person . . ." Tenten spoke quietly. "And even if you don't like who I am, that's fine. Because I’ll always be there for you."
"Why!" Gaara growled in a demanding tone. All of what she was saying was irrational and illogical. And though he fiercely wanted her to leave, he also desperately wanted her to stay.
"Because that person . . ." Tenten smiled "I think I love him."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hinata!" Naruto shouted as he caught up to his girlfriend. Hinata, who had been talking with Sakura, turned around to face the anxious blond.
"Naruto-kun! What's wrong?" Hinata questioned.
"Did you hear? About Tenten I mean." Naruto panted.
"Ya." Hinata said, lowering her gaze to study the floor. "I hope she'll be ok."
"I hope they'll all be ok." Sakura added. Hinata and Naruto’s eyes turned to look into hers, pity was written on both of their faces.
"I'm sure that moron will be fine." Naruto said. Hinata sighed and added her own consoling.
"I'm sure Sasuke will be fine." Naruto didn't miss the emphasis on the word Sasuke. He laughed nervously and took Hinata's hand in his. Accepting his apology, Hinata gratefully held the boy's hand.
*Girls are scary . . .*
Naruto noted his thoughts mentally.
"Sasuke's strong. He can take care of himself." Hinata reassured.
"Thanks guys." Sakura said while wearing a forced smile. "I'm sure he is fine."
Content with Sakura's reply, the couple went to go eat ramen in the dinning room. As they left, they took Sakura's smile along with them.
*Sasuke-kun . . .*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was in the fight with his fifth opponent that he felt pain ripping him apart. Collapsing to the ground, Sasuke could feels his body burn with uncontrollable searing pain. Unconsciously, he screamed in his agony.
"Sasuke?!" Itachi yelled as he felled another of the sound. Sasuke's opponent had strangely left, and was now moving towards Kabuto. Kabuto, who had also heard the scream now whipped around to steal a glance in Sasuke's direction. The realization was all too painfully clear.
*The Kokudo!*
Sasuke reeled on the ground as he slowly felt the power he had over his body slip away, and a strange force take hold of his mind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
