I'm alive!!! I recently hit a road block in my other stories, just haven't had the motivation to work on them. I might get to them over the summer, might being the keyword. Well, this story came out of nowhere last night. I was planning out a completely different story, still Naruto, with my friend when Gaara came to mind. Voila!! Here is my first Naruto fanfic!!
Enjoy!
It was a quiet morning in Konohagakure, the sun not having risen out of the east yet. The animals were stirring, some houses were waking up to prepare for the day ahead of them. This wasn't the case for one woman. She walked down the main road, towards a small cafe that was just opening up. A light breeze blew through the village, ruffling her indistinguishable color hair. Her silvery eyes watched a kitten hurry across the road to an alley on the other side. Ahead of her the doors to the cafe opened, the smell of fresh brewed coffee, herbal tea, and breakfast goodies rolling out into the deserted streets.
As she walked into the door, several patrons of the establishment nodded at her, smiles on their faces. One such person came towards her, a young woman with simple chestnut hair pulled up into a messy bun and shimmering ivy eyes. She smiled brightly at the woman before her, taking in her appearance. She was dressed in a Shinobi fashion. A black nylon-spandex blend shirt clung to her, it's sleeves going to her wrists and the hem ending two inches above her belly button. Baggy cargo pants slung low on the hips adorned her legs, the tips of her boots visible beneath the table. The pants contained many pockets which, assumed the hostess, contained a variety of weapons, probably as dangerous as the long sword or the wrapped staff in the booth with her. A pack was in the seat across from her, the contents snugly inside, and a mask hung off one of the eyelets, though was covered in material similar to her shirt, preventing anyone from seeing what was on it. The hostess noticed the headband tied around the woman's forehead, bearing the symbol of the Village Hidden in the Waterfall.
"Good morning, My name's Ayama and I'll be your hostess. What would you like to have?"
"The same to you, Ayama. I would like to have a nice, hot cup of coffee, if that isn't a problem."
"Not at all. Would you like anything else?"
"Recommendations, my dear?"
"Well, our cook makes a delicious omelet with peppers, mushrooms, ham, onions, and several types of cheese served with a fruit of your choice."
"Hm, that sounds delicious. Would you happen to have dragon fruits?"
"Of course. I'll be right back with your coffee."
"Thank you," the woman replied, giving the hostess a friendly smile.
The hostess smiled back and went to give the cook the order. A chime alerted everyone in the small cafe that another had entered the establishment. It was an older man with shaggy, bluish-black hair and haunting, deep blue eyes. He had a scar running down and through his left eye, showing that he was blind. The man took a seat at the far end, giving the woman a clear view of him. The corners of her mouth perked up. After traveling for 10 days straight she finally found the bastard. Ayama came back with her coffee and set it on the table before her with a small tray of cremes and sugars. Smiling at her once again, the hostess went to go greet the newcomer.
Fixing up her cup of coffee, she leaned back in the booth, looking outside as the sun slowly rose out of the east. A serene look came to her face as she watched, not even noticing the group of three ninjas walking into the cafe. They sat in the booth in front of her. One was a woman with blonde hair pulled back into four ponytails and a large fan strapped to her back. The man beside her had an unusual hood with little ears on it and paint on his face. Three large scrolls were attached to his back. The woman turned and look in the appearance of the two seated in the booth. She couldn't, however, see the second man because his back was turned to her. She did note, however, the large brimmed hat he wore, the symbol of 'kaze' on it.
Another hostess came over to their table, bowing deeply while introducing herself. She couldn't care less what the hostess's name was but her ear's perked up at hearing 'Kazekage-sama' come out of the girl's mouth. Her lips turned upwards once again. The man whom she was hunting was planning an assassination of the Kazekage. Said man looked across the cafe and smirked at his luck. He could easily eliminate the Kazekage here and now, so what if it got a little messy. The woman noticed the look on her target's face and grimaced.
'So that's how he wants to play.' she thought, hand reaching for a scroll. 'Well, two can play at that game.'
Slicing her finger open with one of her kunai, she ran the blood along one line on the scroll. The chakra around her shifted just a little and a small spider crawled up onto her leg. It's body was as dark as a moonless night and it's eyes glowed like stars. She pet the spider who pushed against her touch, wanting to stroked along the back.
'Mama has something she wants you to do.' she looked down at the spider, sending her thoughts to it. 'The man over there, on the other side of the cafe, has been a bad man. He's killed many innocent people and betrayed our village. The leader wants him dead but I don't want to cause to much of a scene, considering the Kazekage is here.' The spider looked up at her, eyes widening. 'Be a dear, Shugoshi, and kill him for mama.'
The spider pushed at her finger and climbed down her leg, making for the man. No one noticed the spider and were in their own worlds until a loud, boisterous scream echoed throughout the cafe. Her target jumped out of his seat, clutching at his neck where blood was slowing oozing out. The woman rolled her scroll back up, ignoring what was going on for the moment. Tucking the parchment into a pocket, she rose from her seat and walked over to the man. He scurried away from her, terrified. He knew who she was, mask or not, and knew what she was here for, his life. Grabbing a kunia out of his pouch, he lunged at her, but she twisted out of the way, slamming her elbow in between his shoulder blades, knowing him down to the ground, breathless. He crawled a bit towards the exit but was stopped by a foot on the back of his neck.
"Takanawa, you are hereby under custody for the crimes you have committed against Takigakure. Remain silent and do as you are told or I will kill, by order of our village leader."
The people in the cafe began to surround the two, the Kazekage's sand slowly leaking out of it's gourd to prepare for anything that might occur. The owner was watching closely. He couldn't afford his building being destroyed.
"And what makes you think I will comply, Hayate-san?" he mumbled.
"If you do not I will kill you. If that doesn't suit you," she knelt down next to him, keeping a firm knee in between his shoulder blades. "I will subject you to intense mental torture until you break down and try to kill yourself, only realizing you can't and will suffer far, far worse. Do I make myself clear?"
"Fuck...you, Hayate Tenmai."
"I'd rather not."
Doing a few, quick hand seals, she placed the pointer and middle finger of her right hand against the bite her spider gave him. Takanawa's eyes scrunched up in pain as more blood oozed out of the cut. He spasmed a bit before freezing up, rigor mortis setting in quick. Tenmai took a piece of cloth out of her pocket and cleaned up the small amount of blood that was spilt and placed it on the wound. Shugoshi climbed into one of her pockets, only noticed by her. Standing up, she did some more hand seals and the body disappeared in a puff a smoke, going to only she knows where. Facing the owner of the cafe, she bowed deeply.
"My apologies, sir, for what has transpired here this morning. I did not intend for this to happen but I have been tracking him for close to 11 days already."
"I understand..." he paused, nodding his head at her.
"Tenmai, Hayate Tenmai from Takigakure."
"A pleasure." He shook her hand.
"Again, I am sorry for what happened."
"I understand, don't worry."
She bowed to him once again before turning around. The Kazekage stood before her, his hat off, allowing her to see him. His rust-red hair hung before his eyes. She could see a kanji on his forehead, the symbol for love, 'ai'. Pale blue eyes rimmed with black watched her closely, taking in her form and face. She smiled lightly at him, bowing deeply before rising again.
"Sabaku no Gaara. Kazekage-sama, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I saw you a few years back at the Chuunin exams when you went against the Uchiha kid. I must say, I am very impressed by skills and abilities, no wonder you are in the position that you are."
"So, Hayate-san, you come from Takigakure?"
"Hai."
"A hunter-nin, I assume?"
"The best. I was the former leader of Mizu Corp. I know you have heard of them."
"Of course, all the Kage's have. What brings you to Konohagakure?"
"I have several targets that need to be eradicated immediately for reasons that are quite obvious. What brings you here?"
"The same reason as you."
"Well, I must be going, I have a meeting with Tsunade in an hour and must take care of a few things beforehand. A pleasure, as I said, to have meet you. Have a good morning, Gaara-sama."
Bowing once more, Tenmai went around to her table where Ayama was waiting with her food. Asking for it to go, she placed a large amount of money on the table, gather up her breakfast and belongings, bid the patrons a good day, and left. Gaara watched her as she left. He was fascinated by her when he saw how she handled the man. Temari and Kankuro watched their brother closely, seeing how he watched Tenmai. They smirked to themselves.
Tenmai walked down the hall towards the Hokage's office. Shizune had told her that Tsunade was in a bit of a bad mood but wasn't expecting to see Tenmai so soon. The hunter-nin had been in Konoha quite a few times within the past two years. After all, Tenmai did bring back Sasuke with his little team of followers, as well as the body of Itachi. She got to meet the Shinobi of the village, particularly Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and their friends.
Placing her hand on the handle of the door before her, she turned it and entered the room. Tsunade rose from her seat and hugged the hunter-nin, who accepted it a bit shyly.
"Tenmai, good to see you again."
"And you too Tsunade."
"No honorifics?" asked Kankuro as he,Temari, and Gaara entered the room.
"There never has been. I've known Tsunade since I was a child. She visited our nation's villages and knew my father and mother."
"So, since you are all here, we can get down to business." Tsunade went back around her desk and sat down.
The four left standing took seats in the chairs before the Hokage's desk. Kankuro, Temari, Gaara, and Tenmai, seated in the order, watched Tsunade move a few papers around her desk before extracting a packet of papers. The packet was actually a bingo book for the Kage's. Quite a few of the people in it were crossed off and Tsunade proceeded to mark off yet another one.
"Tenmai, how many does that make since the beginning of last month?"
"I would say...hmmm, let me check." Tenmai took out a smaller version of the book Tsunade was holding and thumbed through it. "Four...Twelve...Seventeen...Twenty-three...Thirty-one...Thirty-Six...Forty-two!"
"Forty-two missing-nin in two months!" Kankuro exclaimed, looking across his siblings at her.
"Yeah, it is quite a lot of work but some were traveling in pairs. That would make...about...682 in three years. I am the best at what I do and I take pride in it. Now, what is the purpose of this meeting?"
Tsunade glanced at another paper on her desk while the sand siblings gawked at him, except Gaara who just watched her carefully. As they sat there the doors of the office opened and in walked figure dressed in robes similar to the Kage's but bearing no kanji to say where they are from. Tenmai got out of her seat and approached the figure. Placing a fisted hand and arm diagonal across her chest, she dropped to one knee and bowed her head.
"Leader! What brings you to Konohagakure?"
"I have a new mission for you." the leader stated, nodding at Tsunade. "The Elders of our village have been sending letters back and forth with the Elders of Sunagakure and have come to a decision. The Kazekage is being targeted by rogue forces and is in great danger. Assassination attempts are being planned and missing-nin are taking up on the challenge. I need you to keep guard of the Kazekage at all costs."
"But...what does this have to do with our village?" Tenmai exclaimed, rising up to eye level with her leader.
"You are the best and I only want you to take care of this threat." the leader said, trying to avoid the question.
"Leader, I demand to know what is going on!" she yelled, causing everyone in the room to stand up and approach her.
"The one behind these attacks is a former member of our village thought to have been dead for years now. It seems they are very much alive and have a grudge or two with us. Killing the Kazekage will most definitely get the attention of all the Kage's so he needs protection."
"Leader, I accept the mission," Tenmai bowed deeply in much the same manner as she greeted him. "But I inquire, who is the rogue ninja that seeks to destroy Gaara-sama?"
"It's...your father."
"Nani!?"
"I am sorry Tenmai, but your father is alive." he told her, a sad look coming across his face as he rested a hand on her shoulder.
"What do you mean Kitaro alive? He died years ago. What isn't the bastard dead?" Tsunade yelled, slamming her hand down onto the table.
"Hokage-sama, please calm down." Temari rushed over, putting a hand on the distressed woman's back.
"What's the big deal with this Kitaro guy anyways?" Kankuro asked, eyeing Tenmai.
"Well, as my leader said, Kitaro is my father. He went on a mission when I was 8 years old and never returned. His crew came back and said they were ambushed, my father was carried off. He declared dead. If he is in charge of this then I have my work cut out for me. My father was very strong and very, very dangerous."
"Do you still wish to keep the mission?"
"Yes, I will protect the Kazekage with my life, if he will have me."
Tenmai turned to Gaara who stood a few feet behind her and knelt on one knee. Gaara looked down at her, amazed that a Shinobi, not even one from his own village, would lay down her life for him. He questioned her ability for but a moment before he laid a hand gently on her head. Their gazes met, silver to pale blue.
"I accept your dedication and protection, Tenmai-san."
"Just Tenmai, if you will, Gaara-sama."
"Then just Gaara."
"Hai."
Tenmai rose and smiled lightly at Gaara before facing her leader once more.
"Leader, hopefully I will see you soon."
"Likewise, my dear."
The two bowed to each other and he walked out of the room, bowing once more to everyone before crossing the threshold. Tenmai faced Gaara once more before taking her seat. Tsunade calmed down and relaxed back into her chair. Everyone was silent, taking in the whole of the situation. Tenmai shuffled around her bag and drew out a small stack of papers. On the papers were detailed reports of all the activity that has been going on as well as the missing-nin that are known to be a part of the scheme. She handed the to her right, to Gaara, who looked it over silently.
"We'll leave for Suna in the morning. For now, with your permission, Tsunade, we will stay in Konoha, stock up on supplies for the trip. Is that alright with you, Gaara?" Tenmai asked, looking at the Kazekage.
"Fine. It would be a smart idea to gather whatever we might need and relax a bit before we head out. It is a long traveling distance." he mentioned, facing her fully.
"I've traveled far more dangerous and longer roads then the one we are taking."
"I do not doubt your ability, but would be far more comfortable if I saw it for myself."
"As you wish, Gaara. Tsunade," Tenmai rose from her seat and walked over to the Hokage, hugging her lightly. "I will visit once more before we leave. Jamata ne!"
"Ja ne, Mai-chan."
The Sabaku siblings and Tenmai gathered their belongings. Tenmai placed a hand on the trunk her leader brought with him. Muttering a few words under her breath, she did a couple one-handed seals and the trunk disappeared. Gaara came to her side, offering to carry her pack with a single gesture. She smiled brightly at him, letting him remove it from her back while holding her staff and sword in hand. The Kazekage carried it in his right hand, the left holding open the door for Tenmai and his siblings.
Temari and Kankuro looked at each other, small smirks on their faces. Their baby brother, Kazekage of Sunagakure, had a crush on the girl he was helping!
"Before I forget," Tsunade called out. Everyone stopped to face her. "The Elders sent me a letter to be read aloud. 'It has come to our attention that all Kazekage's must be married by the age of 21 or else a suitable bride will be found. Since our Kazekage has not yet found a partner and is only 19, one will be selected for him. The woman shall be none other than Hayate Tenmai, the guard to whom swore allegiance to our Kage. All has already been discussed with ourselves and the Elders of Takigakure. The decision is final.' Shit, maybe I should have read that to myself before reading it to all of you."
Tsunade gazed up at the silent group. Temari and Kankuro were backing, slowly, away from their brother who was clutching Tenmai's bag tightly in his hand. Tenmai was bright red, her face heating up in embarrassment.
"What do they mean? I have to get married!?" Gaara yelled.
"Hey, no need to get upset." Tenmai soothed, placing a hand on his arm. "I know it looks bad but it's for the sake of your village. I'm not that ugly, am I?"
"Wha? No, I didn't mean that. It's just...ah, forget it."
Gaara turned heel and walked out of the office, followed by Tenmai. Tsunade, Temari, and Kankuro all looked at each other before laughing.
"This could get quite interesting." Temari said, smiling at the couple walking down the hall.
Let me know what you think of the story. I know the arranged marriage is so cliche, but i'm taking this into a direction that I haven't really seen. Next chapter will be up once I receive some reviews.
J1nx-th3-P1nx-6odd355
Ph34r t3h 1337!!!