Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A day in the life ❯ Problem solved ( Chapter 8 )

A DAY IN THE LIFE c8

 

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!!!!

 

(Ducks a flying bottle.)

Alright, alright! Just because you hate me doesn't mean you can throw stuff! I've got a happy ending for them, I promise!

(Ducks a brick.)

AAARRRGGHHH!. Just READ IT!

(Ducks a car…however THAT happened.)

 

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Chapter 8: Problem solved

 

The past 3 months could not have been slower for Ishizu Hyuga.

Every minute was guilt and misery, every second was torture. Wherever she went she saw faces, heard voices, saw things everywhere that reminded her of Assatsu Gaara. At this point, she didn't even go out much anymore. It was just too painful. At least Assatsu had been gone on a diplomatic mission to Sunagakure, his old home, for the past 3 months. He had left about a week after the incident, bringing a cell belonging to Kyoukai Haku with him. She doubted he would need them.

Today, Ishizu sat in her room, staring up at the ceiling. It was dull, bland, boring…nothing that reminded her of him.

She pondered for what seemed like the millionth time what she could have done. He couldn't have always hated her, could he? He had seemed to like her, to care for her. Before she went on that trip. Maybe that was it?

She sat up miserably. Maybe he thought she had been trying to escape him by traveling to sound. Escape the problem he had spoken of. Or maybe…

She lay back down, burying her face in her pillow. It couldn't be some silly problem. She was sure that together, they could work through any problem. Together, they could make it through life, death…anything. They could-

No, she stopped herself. We could HAVE. It's over now. Assatsu-chan…

Hates me.

The words still rang clear and fresh in her mind, stabbing like needles and cutting like a blade.

I hate you!

You little slut!

I never want to see you again!

She buried her face deeper, suppressing a sob. She had to stop thinking about it, or she was sure she was going to go insane. Or maybe she was already insane, for thinking that anyone but her parents could ever love a little slut like her. Her heart throbbed, and she closed her eyes tightly, waiting for sleep to temporarily relieve her of the pain.

 

* * *

 

Ishizu woke to a loud crash sounding from the village gates. She sat up, wondering idly if maybe the Hunter had come to take her head. She would have been grateful at this point.

The sound got closer. She could hear people yelling, scrambling to get out of the way of…whatever it was.

Neji stiffened. Hanabi looked up, an astonished look on her face. Ishizu knew that both of their ranges of vision were much greater than hers, so they were most likely looking at the problem already. She really didn't think she would care, whatever it was.

Not until Neji gasped. He stared up at Ishizu with a frantic look on his face, nodding towards her window and pointing in the direction of the Hokage's tower. Ishizu stared back.

Neji turned on his Byakuugan and pointed more frantically, while Hanabi let a smile touch her lips as she fell into a battle stance.

The door smashed open, sending wooden splinters everywhere. Ishizu scowled, grabbing a staff she had recently bought and bounding out her window. She got about 20 feet away from her house before a large blast of sand tore her roof off. Her jaw dropped in disbelief, and fear grasped at her heart. Though she no longer cared whether she died or not, she did care about keeping her beloved's wishes. She tried to run faster, desperately striving to make sure he didn't see her.

She heard her name called behind her, a pained edge in the word. The familiar voice ripped into her, begging her to stop. But she couldn't stop. She forced her already aching legs to carry her faster than ever towards the large tower in the middle of town.

She pounded at the door, not waiting for an answer before she dashed into the Hokage's house. Yelling an apology to Hinata-sama and Hokage-sama, she bolted up the stairs.

A knock came at the door. Hinata stared at the figure behind the door, a puzzled look on her face. She walked slowly towards the door, cautiously activating her Byakuugan. But before she could get there, sand flowed into the seams and broke the door off its hinges. Assatsu Gaara stood at the door, dripping sweat and breathing heavily.

“W…where…” he gasped, “…where is…I-Ishizu…?”

Hinata stared into his eyes, a firm look on her face. “Why do you want to know, boy? After what you did to her that night, I really doubt-“

She gasped, rolling quickly to the side as Assatsu blasted at her with sand and stalked towards the stairs.

“Shut up, you old witch!” he screamed behind him as he climbed. “That's none of your business!”

Ishizu trembled, running towards a large dresser in the corner. What was wrong now? She did what he wanted, and this was pure torture. She didn't want to see him, didn't want to be anywhere near him. Her stomach got a familiar burning sensation, and she curled tighter into herself and held her breath.

Assatsu climbed over the top step, sealing the stairway with a thick sheet of sand. He stretched out his arms, covering the entire floor, roof and walls with sand. The room was protected by sand thicker than 10 inch steel, making getting through very difficult.

Also making getting out very difficult, Ishizu thought to herself.

Assatsu held his heaving stomach, glaring around the insides of the room with his teeth bared.

“I…Ishizu…” he whispered. “Y-you're in here…I can feel it…” He bit his lower lip, cringing and holding his stomach a little tighter.

“P…please, at least…show yourself…” he asked. “…I-if you hate me, I…I'll understand…j-just let me…say…”

He stared at the floor, his breath coming in quick gasps. Ishizu watched him from behind the dresser, watching as he held his ribs. They had set well over the past 3 months, but apparently he had been putting a lot of pressure on them. Two of the ribs were bending back out of place from his rapid movements. Ishizu was afraid that if he didn't stop soon, he was going to seriously hurt himself. Reluctantly, she lifted herself off the floor and stood up in his plain sight.

He looked up. She looked into his eyes, remaining emotionless for her own sake.

“Yes, Assatsu…san?” she asked slowly. “What do you wish me to hear?”

He staggered forward a few steps, his lips moving wordlessly. He came within about 2 feet of her, then slowed to a halt.

He fell to his knees.

“I'm…so…sorry…” he whispered. “ImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorryImsorry…” He grabbed the bottom of her Kimono with his hands, holding tightly.

“PleaseforgivemeImsorryInevermeantitnopleasedonthatemenoIms osososorry…” he whimpered from the ground. He cried pathetically as he knelt at her feet, trembling and clutching her robe to his forehead.

A hand rested on his shoulder blade, while another laid itself on top of his hand. He opened his eyes to see Ishizu kneeling in front of him, tears now streaming down her own face. He released a shuddery sigh, staring back towards the ground. “I know you hate me. I know I'm no longer even worthy of your notice, or your forgiveness. But please, please…just know that I never meant anything I said, back on that rooftop. I…I never…meant it…”

“I don't hate you, Assatsu-chan.”

Ishizu placed her hands under Assatsu's chin, lifting his tear-streaked face to meet hers. She managed a weak smile, giving him all the happiness she could muster. “I don't hate you. I love you.”

Assatsu gasped hard again, holding his ribs with one hand and moving the other towards her torso. He slid his hand along her stomach, his eyes closed and his mouth turning slowly into a smile. His hand brushed past a 3-month old scar, causing Ishizu to flinch involuntarily.

The smile vanished. His eyes shot open wide and he lifted his hands quickly, the sand removing her robe from her body. She was left naked but for her undergarments, but she felt no shame. Not until she watched Assatsu's face slowly morph into one of pure horror as he stared at her stomach. He stared into her eyes.

“You…you…IDIOT!!!" he shouted suddenly, the sand in the room spiraling into the middle and wrapping Ishizu in a tight dome. Ishizu smiled. Assatsu didn't hate her, so no matter what he did, she would be alright with it. No punishment could harm her now.

The sand smashed against the back wall, shaking Ishizu but not hurting her at all. Assatsu ran forward, his face a construct of pure fury.

“Why?! Why would you try to kill yourself?!? For me?! I'm not worth it! I'm not!” he raged, the sand rippling across the room. “You never did anything to anyone! You don't deserve to die! For what I've done to others…more importantly, for what I did to you, it is I who deserve death!”

The sand vanished from Ishizu's body and from all around the room. It flowed back into the container on his back, and he took the container off and set it aside. He quickly drew up a seal, placing it over the top of the container. He snatched a kunai from Ishizu's belt.

“Is this what you wish?” he asked, holding the dagger to his throat. “Ask my life of me, it is yours for the taking!”

Ishizu forced a sad smile. “If you wish me to follow you quickly into death, then go ahead, Assatsu-chan. But other than that…no, I'd rather you just put the knife down and help me make up for the past 3 months.”

Assatsu dropped the kunai and ripped the seal off of the container, sand flowing across his body. His clothes flowed off, leaving him in only his shorts as he swept Ishizu into his arms. The sand wrapped around them, carrying them towards the next floor.

“Ex-CUSE me.”

Hinata stood in the stairway, frowning at the pair. “Isn't this still our tower? Watching that tender little scene, I doubt there's any cause to worry about either of you…but if you're determined to do that, can you do it somewhere else?”

Assatsu glared, pointing two fingers up and encased the lovers in a tight dome of sand. It soon disintegrated, leaving them in a broken, twisted mess that faintly resembled something that looked remotely like the old Gaara residence. He continued to carry Ishizu, his sand moving under his feet to protect him from sharp rubble. Ishizu idly noticed that the contained once again sat on his back.

“How do you like my redecorating job?” Assatsu asked, staring straight forward.

Ishizu smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It's…interesting, Assatsu-chan. What does it look like on the outside?”

Assatsu turned his wrist over, sand forming a small figurine of Ishizu. He smirked.

“It's the most beautiful sculpture ever created, if I'm not being too bold.” He spoke with a grin. “All because of the radiance of the sculpted woman.

Assatsu waved his hand, sand carrying debris out of the way. Ishizu could see a large, king-sized bed sitting untouched in the middle of the room. She snuggled closer, as Assatsu directed the sand to reclose the doorway.

 

* * *

 

“So…mmm…what was such a problem…about that?” Ishizu asked dreamily, resting her head upon Assatsu's chest.

He shook his head. “As much of an experience as that was, I shouldn't have done that. If you bear me a child, your life will be forfeit, and there will be nothing I can do to stop it.”

Ishizu stretched, smiling happily. A child…that would be interesting.

Assatsu shook his head. “As is the tradition in Sunagakure, the heir to the title “Kazekage” must have the Kekkai Genkai, Ultimate Defense of Sand. This is only achievable through a horrible ritual that causes intense emotional pain for all involved.”

Ishizu sat up. “Ritual?” she asked.

Assatsu pushed himself up with sand, a frown on his face. His hair was sweaty and disheveled, but he only looked displeased at the last comment. “The Ritual Xondiax. When a Gaara child is born, the mother begins to be prepared to be sacrificed to defend the child.”

He growled, getting out of the bed. He began putting his clothing back on, speaking in a low tone. “If you were ever to bear me a child, the entire village of Sunagakure would be under obligation to hunt us down and make sure you were sealed inside a container to…'protect the child'. You would spend the child's lifetime sealed upon its back, watching without ever moving, defending against all attacks.”

Ishizu rolled over, putting her hand upon her forehead. Then this was the problem. He had been so concerned about her safety that he had driven her away to make sure she couldn't be hurt. It was…touching. She turned her head to him.

“It would be worth it, you know.” She said quietly. “I would get to see you all the time, and I would always be around to make sure our child was safe.

The sand blasted across the floor in random patterns as Assatsu shook his head violently. “No.” he rumbled, “There has to be some way I can have you and keep you safe.”

He slipped his shirt on and sat back down on the bed. Ishizu slid over and began to massage his shoulders. “Well, tell me if you get any ideas, hm?” she cooed into his ear, giggling slightly. He allowed himself a small smile. Then his eyes narrowed, and he placed one hand on the large container beside the bed. “I've got it. I'm going to go schedule one more trip to Sunagakure.”

He stood up, grabbing the strap and swinging the container up onto his back. He looked over to Ishizu. “Will you go with me?” he asked.

She nodded. “Anywhere.”

He smiled. “Good. I'll need you to be ready to go by 4:00 PM tonight.”

 

* * *

 

Ishizu sat on her knees, clutching Assatsu's leg to keep from falling off. For the past month, the two had been traveling across the long desert to Sunagakure by riding on small boards of sand, created and propelled by Assatsu. He had told her how the village of Sunagakure had been built with the powers of the Gaara family in mind, being right in the middle of a desert.

But now Assatsu told her that he could see the small figure of Sunagakure off in the distance, which meant that they would soon be finished their journey. He still hadn't told her just what he was going to do, though. He said it was better if she didn't know. It was frustrating.

Ishizu watched as she saw buildings fly into her view. They weren't all that different from the constructs in Konoahagakure, but the people looked much different. They all looked much more serious, much more focused. She was used to seeing people's happy faces when she walked down the street, not this. This seemed…like a war zone.

The sand lowered them to the ground, and Assatsu helped Ishizu up. They began walking down the street, hand-in-hand. As they walked, Ishizu noticed something. Back home, people would gasp, possibly run when they saw the Gaara heir. Here, they would stop, smile and bow. They treated him with great respect.

Then she noticed something even more strange. They were bowing to her too! She heard a few comments, like:

“Gorgeous…”

“Stunning…”

“Breathtaking…”

Ishizu couldn't help but feel a bit unnerved. All her life she had been told by the Main House that she was worthless, ugly, pathetic and useless. All she could ever be was a tool, and she was not worthy to grovel before them. To all of a sudden receive such respect…

“W-what are they doing, Assatsu-chan?” she asked in a low whisper. “What have I don't that is worthy of such respect?”

“The chosen wife of the Kazekage's son is to be highly respected.” He responded. “They all think that you will be the next wife sacrificed for the cursed Kekkai Genkai of the Gaara blood. Poor fools.” He chuckled.

“Why does the lady have funny eyes?” came a small voice.

Assatsu came to a sudden halt, turning towards the sound with fury in his eyes. Ishizu looked at the little boy's innocent face and quickly placed her hand on Assatsu's shoulder. “He's just a child, Assatsu-chan.” She whispered into his ear. “Please, let me handle it.”

She walked over to the little boy, who's mother placed one hand on his shoulder and bowed low. Ishizu kneeled down.

“Hello, there. What's your name?” she asked kindly.

“I'm Woan.” Came his reply.

Ishizu smiled. “What a nice name! I'm Ishizu.” She activated her Byakuugan, noticing the boy's delighted reaction with happiness. “As you noticed, my eyes are different from yours. This lets me see everything around me at once.”

She turned around, still smiling. “Now, hold up any number of fingers you want.”

Three pudgy fingers came up.

“Hmm…are you holding up…three fingers?” she asked. The boy dropped his jaw with a smile, and then started to clap. “Wow, that's amazing!” he said. “You're really nice!”

Ishizu stood, giggling. “Thank you, Woan. It was nice meeting you.”

She walked back over to Assatsu, who watched her with an amused look on his face. “Nicely handled.” He remarked. “You have a wonderful way with children. A good trait in a mother.”

She grinned. “Well, whatever happens to me, I plan to be a good mother to my child.”

He didn't seem so happy about that remark. The two walked in silence down the long street, civilians and ninja's alike bowing as they passed. Ishizu did her best to acknowledge each person she passed. Assatsu just stared straight ahead, ignoring everyone.

The street in front of the pair exploded in a sudden burst of sand. Ishizu dodged back instinctively, but Assatsu just glared at it like he had been expecting it. The sand spun in midair, knocking over small stands and taking chunks out of buildings, before finally settling in the middle of the street and forming into a tall, dark and generally scary-looking figure.

Kazekage Gaara of the Sand stood in front of the two lovers, glaring at them with a look that spoke of death and worse. The container upon his back was large, multiple seals covering the entire mass. According to Assatsu, the more powerful the Gaara was with their sand, the bigger their container got. Seals eventually had to be added to contain some of the Kazekage's power; he was just too incredibly powerful. This was also where the Kazekage's own mother was kept, continuously watching over her son.

The Kazekage slowly shook his head, closing his eyes just long enough to show that he could. He stared at Assatsu.

“You know you're only setting yourself up for heartbreak, Baka.” He growled at Assatsu. “You have several women here that are perfectly willing to give themselves to continue the Gaara blood. Why don't you just sire a child with them, use them to continue the Gaara blood and THEN marry your pale-faced whore?”

Ishizu felt herself cringing behind Assatsu's back. Just being near the Kazekage was filling her with fear.

Assatsu bared his teeth, tightening his hands into fists. “There is only one woman I will ever bed, Baka-father. And she is no more of a whore than my mother was.”

The Kazekage's expression didn't change. He turned towards Ishizu, seeming to look deep into her mind and lay her soul bare.

“And what about you, girl?” he asked with a voice like the grave. “Are you truly determined to get yourself killed to continue our cursed bloodline? Are you truly willing to give birth to a demons child?”

Ishizu felt her blood boil at the question. Her courage returned in force, and she stepped towards the Kazekage. “Whatever you think and make of yourself, Kazekage-sama, do not ever refer to Assatsu-chan as a `demon' again. And yes, I am perfectly willing to die if it is necessary to be with Assatsu-chan.”

The Kazekage raised an eyebrow. “Well, your slut has courage, Assatsu.” He said slowly. He turned his head back to Assatsu. “Alright then, if she is in agreement, then no laws will be broken by allowing a union between the two of you. I therefore give you permission and right to take this girl as your wife, Assatsu. Do what you will.” The Kazekage turned away.

“No, father!” Assatsu shouted suddenly, taking a step forward. The Kazekage half-turned his head.

“I'm not here to get your permission to kill the only person in the world worth caring about.” Assatsu growled. “I'm here to put an end to our cursed bloodline myself. I'm here to challenge you for the title of Kazekage!”

Ishizu's heart skipped a beat. This was his plan?! He would be killed! Assatsu Gaara was known throughout the world as one of the most lethal fighters around, but the Kazekage was on an entirely different level! She spun on here heel, grabbing Assatsu's shoulders.

“What are you doing, Assatsu-chan?” she gasped. “No! No! I won't let you do this! I won't let you commit suicide!”

He merely shook his head, pulling her hands off of his shoulders. “Don't worry, Ishizu. “ he told her. “I don't plan to lose.”

The Kazekage turned back towards Assatsu., smirking. “Alright, then.” He spoke. “Challenge accepted.”

The two began to lift into the air, circlets of sand on the bottoms of their feet. Ishizu grabbed desperately at Assatsu's leg, but he was up too quickly for her to reach. She could do nothing but wait as the pair rose higher and higher into the air, eventually moving out of her range of vision.

Ishizu sat cross-legged on the ground, her fingers pressing together quickly and repeatedly. She bit her lower lip and tried not to think of the battle she heard starting to rage above her.

She started to hum to herself, thinking of all the times she had seen Assatsu effortlessly move his sand to do anything he wanted. She remembered how easily his sand could attack, how flawlessly it defended. She tried to remember just how dangerous Assatsu was in a fight, trying desperately to keep hope alive in her that Assatsu might win.

After a few minutes, the sounds began to fade in intensity and speed. A large whoosh was heard, a `crack' and a cry following. Ishizu watched as the limp body of Assatsu pitched headlong towards the ground, eyes closed and container missing from his back. She jumped up from her sitting position, practically leaping towards the body's landing point. She dove towards the ground, grabbing Assatsu's limp form and rolling along the ground to bleed off the momentum he had built while falling.

She checked his pulse quickly, relieved when she felt a weak thump, thump, thump of blood. “Quickly!” she called to a man standing in front of a store. “I need a glass of water and a cloth! Assatsu is-“

“Ignore her.”

She whipped around to stare at the Kazekage, who landed lightly behind her. He stalked towards her slowly, emotionless eyes burned into his hard face. She gritted her teeth.

“What's wrong with you?!” she asked savagely. “You won, fine! I'm still true to my word. I'll still die to continue your precious Genkai! Are you satisfied?! Can I get back to saving your son now?!”

The Kazekage glared darkly, swinging his arm. The sand blasted into her face, leaving a stinging sensation and several small cuts on her cheek. She refused to move her head, continuing to stare at him.

“I don't care who you are, girl. But you are not going to speak to me like that again. Ever. Understood?” came the icy question. Ishizu nodded her head quickly. “And in response to your earlier question, no. You are both unwanted guests here. You are both unknown to me. He…” he pointed to Assatsu, “is no longer a part of my family. You may tell him that, whenever he regains his senses, I may just allow him to come back.”

He lifted a finger towards the town entrance. “Now,” The sand lifted them both bodily off the ground., sending them briskly towards the large doors. “I want you both out of here.”

 

* * *

 

Ishizu staggered under Assatsu's weight, sweat streaming down her face and back. It had been 4 days since they had left Sunagakure, and Assatsu still had not woken up. She had been forcing water and food down his throat to keep him healthy, but they were running low on supplies. The days were hot, and the container that had reformed upon his back was no help. But worse than the days were the nights, freezing cold and bitter. She had been having to snuggle very close in order to keep Assatsu's body heat up, and while that normally would have been fun, she was too worried about him.

She forced herself to take another step forward, thinking of Konoahagakure and all its pleasures. She thought of Hinata-sama's smiling face, of the Hokage's hilarious antics with his granddaughter Ayame. She thought of the quiet boy Yuki, and dark and frightening Sasuke Uchiha and their overly lazy instructor, Ji Shikamaru.

She was so focused on memories that she didn't notice the stone in her way until it was too late. Her foot caught the bottom of the rock, which cut into her fair skin and sent her sprawling face-first into the sand. Assatsu landed beside her with a heavy `thump'.

Ishizu grasped her foot, gritting her teeth to keep from crying out. She grabbed a small binding of medical tape from her pouch and wrapped it around her foot, preventing any further bleeding. She then sat up straight, looking around for any sign of life or providence. She could see nothing.

Assatsu lifted his arms to his sides, lifting himself out of the sand. He spat several grains out of his mouth, shaking his head and looking around. Ishizu got up, running over to him.

“How are you, Assatsu-chan?” she asked, trying to keep herself from sounding as exhausted as she felt.

“I feel terrible.” He groaned, holding his head once again. “You know, for someone with the `Ultimate Defense of Sand', I sure get the crap kicked out of me a lot.”

Ishizu stared at him, the comment working its way up to her brain through her sun-baked body. Then she burst out laughing, tears spurting from her eyes and her face going completely red as she fell onto the ground. Assatsu just grinned, seemingly more at her reaction than the comment itself.

He lifted his hand high into the air, and Ishizu watched as the sand began to remove itself from their general vicinity. Ishizu felt herself sliding down further and further into a pit that seemed to be digging itself.

SPLASH! Went Ishizu into the pool that appeared at the bottom of the newly formed hole. She looked around happily before plunging her head forward and taking a long drink. Assatsu grinned, keeping his hand up in the air and allowing his other hand to scoop some water out of the pool to drink.

Ishizu turned her head, refreshed and smiling. She wiped her lips, looking quizzically at Assatsu.

“What are you doing, Assatsu-chan?” she asked. “We already have water, but…”

Assatsu smiled, holding one finger up to his lips. Sand began to flow in a rapid circle around the entrance to the pit, moving in and shooting back out. Ishizu watched as several flowers were carried in by the tide of the sands, and smiled as they were lifted up and carried over to her. They were the rare and delicate desert roses, nearly extinct in most places in the world.

Assatsu lowered his hand, clenching his fingers into a fist and pulling it close to his body. Sand flowed into the inside of his fist, shaping and fusing into a small circle with a large stone inset.

Once it had finished, Assatsu walked over to Ishizu with the ring in his hand. He gently took her hand in his, dropping slowly down on one knee. He extended the ring towards her with his other hand, a nervous smile gracing his lips.

“Um…well, uh…” he began, looking a little confused himself. “I, um…I-Ishizu, now that I am no longer a part of my family…um, I mean of the Gaara family, and uh…and I won't have to…um…”

Ishizu smiled gently, kneeling down herself and pulling his face towards hers.

“I will.” She sighed, just before they entered into a passionate kiss.

 

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Seeeee?! No need for fricking violence! I know what I'm doing! Sure I'm a little bit sadistic, and I think some heartbreak is important in these stories. But come on! I'm a `happy-ending' kind of guy! Geez…

So, what do you think so far? I really like it, and it was fun getting my player engaged. Heh heh heh…you see, I'm the kind of person who thinks that anyone can be redeemed. Thusly, I will help Gaara with his own personal redemption in the series by making his son really cool. Yay!

See you next time!

 

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