Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Given The Chance ❯ Reluctant Assistant ( Chapter 36 )

Chapter #36

Reluctant Assistant

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Co.

 

Just updating before I go to my dad's for the weekend. I think I'm going back into my old habit of once weekly updates, but expect more during March break!

 

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“Gaara, come on, you can't just leave the hospital like that when you're still supposed to be under observation!” Both Temari and Kankuro took to following Gaara around a lot over the past two days in an attempt to try and get him to go back for more examinations. Not only that but with Sakura around he was more or less forced to actually co-operate in mini check ups several times a day.

 

They seemed reluctant to tell him any details about what was going on. From what he was able to pick up in their conversations he'd apparently had some kind of seal put on his back that could be dangerous if it was allowed to spread. That much he could understand and learn to deal with. What was getting on his nerves was the fact that no one would tell him specifically how he got it or even how it worked - that part he guessed they didn't really know much anyway.

 

Hyuga Neji was forced to return to Konoha - being an ANBU captain and all - but Sakura insisted she stay. Neji announced he would inform the Hokage of the situation - whatever the hell it was - and have someone else sent back to replace him.

 

The moments he had away from the people that buzzed around him like insects he was stuck in his office sorting through a number of documents and missions that just seemed to pile up at times when it was most inconvenient.

 

With everything just piling up on him Gaara decided to bring in some help. It wouldn't be a big deal, just a lower or middle ranked ninja who would be able to sort through all the little stuff that cluttered his desk. That way he could still get everything he needed done out of the way despite the fact that everyone was suddenly on his back. So explains why Gaara was expertly tuning out the sound of Temari's voice as he sorted through the files of the Chunin that weren't currently teaching at the academy or missions. It was a busy month no it was a relatively slim pile.

 

With a sigh Gaara opened another file and read the name, `…Chunin rank, eighteen years old, lots of C and B ranked missions under his belt, and name … Iwate Hale…'

 

Gaara blinked at the picture of the boy looking out from the picture. His eyes were light brown, almost green, and were pretty wide for a guy, or at least that was the parts of the eyes that weren't mopped with dark - almost black - hair. At first glance there was nothing about him that really caught Gaara's attention, but for some reason he almost looked familiar.

 

`I've seen him before…' Gaara closed his eyes and thought hard for a few minutes before it came to him, `The last thing I remember is assigning a mission to a small group of Chunin, and he was one of them. I'm sure of it.'

 

There was still something Gaara felt he was forgetting, but he dismissed it. Gaara just thought about the fact that Hale, whoever he was, was the only Chunin available that Gaara recalled seeing last. It was probably a stupid little hunch, but he thought maybe Gaara could trigger something by assigning the task to the boy. It was a slim chance, but there could be a chance he could remember something that happened after he left his office that night and if not he was still getting all his files sorted. It was a win, win, situation.

 

Temari finally groaned in annoyance when she began to run out of steam for her ranting, “How much of that did you actually hear?”

 

Gaara shrugged absently. He only sensed a question, but he didn't hear it, his eyes were still to busy scanning over Hale's file.

 

“I want you to bring this Chunin here to help me with some filing,” Gaara ordered flatly as he handed the file - picture and all - to Temari.

 

The blonde sibling bit her lip as she looked at the picture, “You know, if you need filing done you could always just ask Kankuro or I to help you.”

 

“No, I need you and Kankuro to do other missions, you're skills are more in demand,” responded Gaara, completely uninterested in the concern on Temari's face, “The chunin will be fine. He's done some filing assignments before anyway.”

 

Temari nodded and left the room.

 

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That same day Cassie left the hospital. She checked herself out because she was sick and tired of staring at the IV in her hand for countless hours. There was no one around to stop her since her family was forced to go back to work, Neji left for Konoha, and Sakura was off checking up on Gaara for about the third time that day.

 

She walked home slowly, and arrived to an empty house, with the exception of Kobi and Cori who were overjoyed to see her.

 

Cori licked at her master's face lovingly and Kobi snuggled up against her side.

 

“You guys were really worried about me too, huh?” she smiled and returned the love her beloved pets were giving her, “I love you two so much.”

 

After caring for her dogs accordingly Cassie made her way to the phone and dialed up the number to the animal shelter. After two rings Gina answered the phone, “Suna Humane Society, how may I help you?”

 

“Hello, Gina, its Cassie calling. Do you mind if I ask you a favor?”

 

There was a slight pause on the other end, “…The caller ID says you're at the house. Don't tell me you left the hospital, Cassie-chan.”

 

Cassie resisted the urge to snort, “You almost sound worried.”

 

“Oh, give it a rest, just because I don't like you doesn't mean I can't be worried if you leave the hospital before you're supposed to, I'm not heartless,” the fact that Gina was most likely pouting on the other end was evident. “What did you want?”

 

“Call my dad at the restaurant and tell him I'm not at the hospital, please do the same for Sakura-chan, you can leave a message for her at the hospital. I also want you to tell Fukui-san I'll be at work early tomorrow to open up the shelter.”

 

“Work?! You aren't even supposed to be out of the hospital yet for Kami's sake. Mom and Daichi will have my head!”

 

`Its amazing how she can be caring and self-centered at the same time…' Cassie rubbed her temples tiredly, “Look, I'm asking you to make these calls for me because I'm going strait to bed. I'll get another night's sleep and I'll be good for work tomorrow. Please, Gina, I need this favor. I can't stand just laying in a hospital anymore when there is so much else to do, I need to do something or I'm going to go mental, do you get it?”

 

“…Fine, but if anyone asks why the sick girl is doing hard labor I'm pointing the finger at you.”

 

“Filling food dishes and grooming dogs doesn't count as hard labor,” mumbled Cassie, “Goodbye, Gina.”

 

“Bye.”

 

Cassie lied about going strait to bed. No one would be home for hours, and she saw it as the perfect opportunity to start fulfilling her New Year's resolution. She'd be able to get a lot of training out of the way, shower, and be in bed before anyone got home.

 

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Hale wasn't happy in the least as he walked down the hall with Temari, “Why did he choose me?”

 

“You are one of the few available Chunin, and I think he recognized you from that mission he assigned. It's the last thing he remembers after all,” shrugged Kankuro.

 

“You don't get it,” hissed Hale, “I'm not sure if I can be in the same room as him right now! Every time I look at him it reminds me of the look on my sister's face. It's going to make me loose it!”

 

Kankuro gave Hale a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, “But you know what will happen if you start with the ranting don't you? Sakura thinks it's likely he'll get even worse, or the stress will allow that seal to grow. So for the sake of your sister, at least try and keep your cool will you?”

 

Easier said than done. Hale had to try and force his face to look a little more relaxed, but he came out with some odd expression that made even Kankuro slightly nervous. Luckily he was able to buckle down the calmest expression he could manage before they reached the door and knocked. When they were allowed inside Hale gritted his teeth and tried to continue the expression at the same time.

 

Gaara looked up absently for a moment before going back to the large pile of paperwork on his desk, “I have some D ranked mission reports that need to be reviewed, and lots of mission requests that need to be sorted as soon as possible. You're desk is over there.”

 

With a small ridged nod Hale took a seat in the smaller desk a little off to the side that was already set up for him.

 

`Goddamn, this is as awkward as a three legged horse,' Hale thought some hours later as he continued to work his way through the documents. After such a long amount of time he barely made more than a dent in the amount of work that still needed to be done, and on top of that he could almost feel Gaara's eyes glance over to him every now and then. What creeped him out about that was that Gaara could have been thinking anything. He wasn't sure if he was just checking up on Hale's work, or if he was trying to remember.

 

A knock came at the door and the secretary who sat answering phones all day walked in, “Iwate-san, you just got a message, apparently your sister checked herself out of the hospital this morning. She headed home a little while ago.”

 

Thud.

 

Gaara glanced at Hale who let his head hit his desk, and it was a pretty loud thud too.

 

“A-arigato,” Hale grumbled as he massaged the place on his forehead where he hit the desk. He began muttering a string of curses under his breath. Gaara didn't catch much of it, just bits and peaces about stubbornness, and hitting whoever allowed his sister to just leave.

 

It was not like Gaara was curious or anything when he saw what was going on. All he thought about was the fact that he'd have to continue doing the work himself if Hale just got up and left.

 

“Gomenasai Kazekage-sama,” Hale slowly got to his feet, the part where he apologized sounded forced. “I have to go talk some sense into someone.”

 

There was nothing Gaara could say so he just nodded and allowed the Chunin to leave. Hale was in such a hurry he didn't notice the Kazekage very nearly got to his feet as well.

 

`Why did I nearly follow him?' thought a slightly confused Gaara, `His family matters are none of by business, but…'

 

He had a slight feeling a déjà vu when he thought about not caring about Iwate Hale's `family'. There were usually faint things that would cause those feelings, but there were some things more than others. Like when he saw Hale's picture … it was like … he was searching for eyes similar to Hale's…

 

Gaara closed his eyes and rested his chin on his hands. His brow furrowed as he tried to picture those eyes. He could imagine them being large like children's eyes, full of spirit, and always smiling, and they'd be … green, yes, they'd be deep dark green. He thought about it for a few minutes until he could see a pair of childish feminine eyes staring back at him through his mind's eye.

 

`Uh,' Gaara gave a groan of annoyance, `I definitely need a break if I'm trying to imagine a pair of eyes. This is just insane … but why does it seem familiar…?'

 

Still shaking his head at his own stupidity Gaara got up out of his chair and went out for a walk and something to drink. He needed to clear his head if he was going to get any work done.

 

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Grr, come on Gaara get a clue, hurry it up!! Gaara: You're the one writing the story! Star: I know, I know, but it makes me so sad. Gaara: You're not the one who gets amnesia. Star: Case, and point…

 

Lil_Pix

 

To my beloved reviewers:

 

Kakashis_luvr- They made me cry too, and I was the one writing it! There was tears all over the keyboard…

 

Dudekiller- Well, the old Gaara wasn't exactly gentle now was he? Oh well, at least I know how it all turns out (and I'm not telling)!!

 

GaaraFreak- Awww, gomen Gaara-kun I didn't mean to make you look cold hearted, you just didn't know!! (Pats on head) Don't you worry about it, I'll take care of the conclusions.

 

Amique- So many reviews!! Have a cookie!

 

Fightingpheonix36- (Gives shojo chibi eyes) I'm sorry but he doesn't get his memory back quite yet, and Faceless doesn't bite it quite yet either. Both will be soon, but you may have to wait a few chapters…

 

Hiei81- (Pats on shoulder) There, there, we'll get him next time for sure. Join me in scheming about how to get past that sand of his…

 

Valinor's Twilight- Thanks for the assistance, and thanks for reading my story!

 

ZzHinatazZ- Hehe, SPORK!!! Sporks rule, join me in worshipping the spork!!

 

Hello Lover- I've updated! Looking forward to another review!

 

ClassicalTwist- Hale's not handling it well, and it surprises everyone he was as civil as he was. He's protective of his sister, and that temper of his may show sooner or later…

 

Dragon Demon- Sorry to leave you hanging, but it just can't be helped. You don't have to worry, so long as I keep getting so many loving reviews there will be at least a chapter a week.

 

SupersexyPooka- Getting grounded sucks, but I'm glad you could get to read my story again

 

Gaara252- Cassie's a survivor, I think she'll pull through, and we can always keep her company until Gaara comes to his senses

 

Pilar- …Ok you can be the one to hit him over the head! I'll be standing way over here with an umbrella when that sand kicks in.

 

Hinata_87- Glad you think so well of my story, thanks for the review!