Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Glimpses of Fire ❯ Terror on the Playground ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Glimpses of Fire
Author: shattered-words

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, it'd be called `Gaara'. So, isn't it a shame that I don't own it?

Summary: There were many things that shaped the plans of a certain Nukenin, and one was a shinobi that was as destructive as fire. AU/Mentions of Shounen-ai/Yaoi/Yuri

A/N: Again, I noticed the mistakes after I was reviewing it. Sorry but they were nagging the hell outta me and had to repost it! Also, forgive the slow updates but rewriting the chapters and writing the sequel at the same time so it gets a bit tricky to do both at the same time. I won't say anything about the sequel except that it's called “Glimpses of Darkness”. That's all! For those that haven't read this yet, enjoy the chapter!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Chapter Four: Terror on the Playground~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Eizan could almost feel herself floating just on the edge of consciousness, but something wanted to pull her back under. It clawed at her mind and body, and she felt a weariness and deep sadness surrounding her heart. For a moment she almost went back under as all hope left her and she lay in a sea of overwhelming despair. `There's nothing to return to. Everything is empty.'

Then, just on the corner of her mind, she felt hands lifting her. The touch was gentle and she was filled with warmth that flooded her heart and soul, and the darkness that had been threatening to consume her faded away. She continued to feel the hands move over her in the same manner and she almost thought it was her mother, since she had dressed her in the same way when she had been younger.

When she finally opened her eyes it was dark, and a beam of moonlight cut across her body. She was under the covers of her bed in her room. It had been a long time since she had lain in here since the house was always empty and dark, and she preferred to sleep in the small living room or in the hall. Besides, the assassins always checked this room first.

Someone was beside her bed, sitting perfectly still but she didn't feel any fear or panic that she did when the assassins had first come for her life. After the first few times, she come to expect them and managed to hold them off before the Anbu saved her. In the dim light, she was able to see the outline of the gourd and knew that it was Gaara.

Eizan was confused to see him sitting there with his eyes closed and arms crossed in front of his chest. It was the first time that he had been in her house since he had given her the ointment all those years ago. She didn't understand for a second why he was here and then wondered where the ninja was that had been here to kill her after she had passed out from exhaustion.

Everything clicked into place and knew that Gaara had killed him before he had been able to murder her, but she didn't know how he had known. Her bangs fell into her eyes since her hitai-ate was missing, but she ignored that fact and stared up at the red haired ninja as he sat there. A lot of things were running through her mind, and she had been staring so intently at him that she didn't notice that his eyes had opened until he spoke.

His cold, quiet voice startled her out of her thoughts. “Why didn't you tell me about the assassins?” His tone sounded angry, and if she hadn't been startled before, she was now. She tried to sit up as a groan escaping her lips, but she felt a hand against her shoulder forcing her down. “Stay down.”

She turned her eyes toward the Sand ninja, but she lowered them from his hardened turquoise orbs. Eizan had known that he'd be upset that she hadn't told him but she had done it anyway. Now she quietly told him everything, including the part about the Anbu. When she was finished, she sighed quietly. “Gomen, I just didn't want to bother you with my petty problems, Gaara-dono,” she muttered.

One of her bandaged hands was gripping the sheet tightly. That's when she noticed that her wounds had been treated and dressed, and she was wearing a pair of clean clothes. For reasons she didn't understand at the time, her face flushed red with embarrassment. There was no one else in the room but Gaara and so that meant that he had treated her wounds, and had to undress her and change her bloodied, dirty clothing.

Gaara stood and her gaze flicked toward him in alarm and she almost expected him to strike her down for having kept this information from him. He only moved to the window and stood there as the moonlight spilled over his figure. It illuminated his body and facial features in such a way that he appeared like a phantom. He looked dangerous, yet at the same time didn't.

“I had noticed that when they came while I was with you there were always two,” he spoke quietly, but his tone wasn't harsh. Her eyes widened and she understood how he'd found out. When he was alone there must have only been one.

Eizan turned her gaze from his, and realized that if he'd been able to stop the ninja from killing her then he must have been watching the house tonight. If that were the case, she wondered how many times he'd done it.

“I am sorry, Gaara-dono,” she whispered. She never wanted to disappoint or fail him, and at times she did it without meaning to or realizing it. Still, she wanted to continue to remain at his side but that meant that she'd only ever be his subordinate, his servant. It hurt, but she'd continue to bare it.

She slowly sat up with only a wince to show that the effort pained her. Her hands were clasped in her lap as she spoke quietly. “I will try harder to please you in the future.”

Her eyes lifted when he didn't say anything and his gaze was still riveted on something outside of the window. His turquoise orbs were distant, and he was lost in thought for several moments. It looked like he hadn't heard her but she didn't speak again, since she had rarely seen him like this. His stare wasn't completely dead during those times.

After a moment, he turned to look at her and his lips lifted slightly in what could have been a smile but it was too dark for her to tell. “I know you will,” he finally spoke.

His voice had been the emotionless drone once again but she had seen the kindness in his eyes. The scarlet strands of his bangs fell over his gaze so he was peering through them as the moon shielded parts of his face in shadow.

Eizan felt her heart skip a beat as she peered up at him and she felt her face flush once again before she lowered her gaze. She nodded and her own long bangs came to fall into her eyes, since her hitai-ate had been removed.

She couldn't stop the smile that graced her features. “Hai, Gaara-dono,” she muttered quietly. That night was one of discovery and it caused her heart to race and joy to fill her entire being. She knew, however, that it wouldn't last and would ultimately lead to more suffering. Despair filled her heart as she lay awake that night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A year passed by and her day began with her morning report to the red head and then ended with the day's report at night. If she were away on a mission she'd seek him out first and send one of the girls to report to the Kazekage. She'd rather jump off a cliff than speak to that man.

At sunset they would train with Enoki and she had told the man that she didn't train to serve the Kazekage, only Gaara. To her, he had become more important. She served only Sabaku no Gaara.

Then there were Amane and Iwane, who had become quite loyal to her. They defied their families' wishes for them to break off contact with her, and for that Eizan grew to trust them. Especially when they were cut off financially and they hadn't even batted an eye.

Half a year after becoming a cell, they had sworn to follow her to whatever ends. They'd even gotten their names changed to their chosen ones, so that they'd only be viewed as shinobi and tools that killed and wrought destruction. However, it seemed that they hadn't taken to Gaara in quite the same way.

Today after the end of their day's training they had questioned her loyalty toward the red headed shinobi.

“He's always cold and barely speaks to you, so why are you so faithful to him?” asked Amane. She had been the first to tell Eizan in no uncertain terms that she'd follow her to death if it were necessary. Iwane had laughed and then added her two cents, to say that even hell wouldn't keep them apart.

She had been walking off as Amane had spoken and she'd stopped, but she hadn't turned to face them. Silence had been the only response for a while, and she pondered her answer or if she'd even give them one. The girls hadn't spoken or moved, and now Eizan turned her face toward the already darkening heavens above.

It was late afternoon and the sun had started to set in the west. The sky had been painted in blends of orange, pink and purple in a breath-taking array. “Because his will is my only purpose in life,” she had muttered. The wind picked up the ends of her short hair and seemed to carry her words with it, so they almost missed them.

Amane's wire mesh shirt revealed the kanji for death that had been tattooed on her right bicep. Over that she wore a sleeves black shirt and the same gray pants with her left knee bandaged. The fading sunlight reflected off her Suna hitai-ate at her forehead and the sheaths secured at her right thigh.

Iwane stood besides her and donned a white shirt with only one black sleeve, so the same kanji for death showed at her right bicep. Her black pants were secured with bandages around the waist and the holsters at her left thigh, but now her headband was at her right thigh facing away from her body. Under her clothes she wore the same chain mail shirt and vest that Eizan wore for protection, just like Amane had the wire mesh shirt.

Eizan had tattooed the symbols on their flesh and it represented their loyalty that could only be broken by death. She'd had the same kanji permanently printed into her skin at the nape of her neck, since she'd grown to truth them with her life.

She still wore the same clothing but while her sleeves were still fishnet, it was now black and had the kanji symbols for death and love inked in white on the back. They rotated around one another like the ying and yang sign.

Her complete trust in Gaara hadn't faltered, but it grew harder every day to deny her feelings. His eyes continued to grow cold and lifeless and after every assassination attempt he grew more hateful and reserved. It got to a point where even she couldn't read or understand him.

Eizan wanted to experience his pain and suffering as her own, but found it impossible. There was a part of him that she couldn't reach. A side that had died the day Yashamaru had betrayed him. That more than anything caused her sadness and she began to realize that while she served him, she was still alone. He was still alone.

It was his heart she was trying to reach, but even he had denied having one long ago. `So, how can I ever to touch that part of him?' And this is what she wanted to say to Amane and Iwane now, but the words would not come.

Instead, she turned her gaze on them and smiled for the first time since they'd met. They were stunned, but they saw the sadness that lingered even in that smile. The tortured soul behind her eyes that always remained just on the surface of her reserved expression.

“I'll remain by his side until death.” She turned away again and started to walk toward that night's training ground. She said nothing more on the subject, but they'd seen it as clear as day. They didn't know how long it had been, but Eizan, who had seemed as cold as the one she served, had undoubtedly fallen in love with Sabaku no Gaara.

After a slight hesitation, the two girls hurried after their unofficial leader, and the one they had pledged their lives to. Just as Eizan would give her life for Gaara, Amane and Iwane would sacrifice theirs for her.

Their destinies had been intertwined from the very beginning and they'd only recently realized it. Gaara would decide the future that awaited them in the end.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was nearing the twelfth summer of her youth when Enoki informed them that they would be taking part in that year's Chunin Exam. Participating in the exam might ensure that they would advance from their rank as Genin to the next level. It was a test that took place twice each year and this time it would be held in Konohagakure.

Her two teammates were prone to the idea. Iwane had grinned and said it seemed like a good idea, and Amane smirked slightly but gave no comment. Eizan, however, wondered why the sudden interest in it. It had been quite clear before that Enoki didn't care about them becoming Chunin. The fire user had suspected that he would have preferred for her to stay a Genin forever, just like everyone else within the village.

Eizan crossed her arms over her chest as she grunted in disdain, and glanced away as their attention was directed at her. “I don't see a point in participating,” she muttered. She wouldn't admit it, but the chance to return to Konoha and fight against a strong opponent was rather tempting. But she'd never been one to reveal her thoughts in front of her instructor.

Also, if she became a Chunin then she'd be equal to a military captain and thus command a squadron of ninja. They had gone on a few missions without Enoki if he was unavailable, but had been accompanied by a Chunin. All the missions had been either D or C rank missions.

Eizan didn't want to lead a team of ninja that hated her and vice versa, but the idea of being able to finally be in Gaara's group was what she wanted. Then again that same reason made her not want to become a Chunin as well.

Enoki frowned as he studied her seemingly impassive face and stood as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You have no choice in the matter. The Kazekage has ordered that this team participate in it,” he said. The tone of voice he used indicated that he'd accept no arguments.

Eizan's gaze turned toward him and he actually saw the questioning look in them. He smirked. “Of course, there will also be other teams going along, including the one with Sabaku no Gaara.” Now her eyes narrowed but she said nothing and only turned away again. His smirk widened as he clapped his hands together. “Very well then, if there are no more objections, let us begin the training for tonight.”

She'd realized later on that the red head was the leverage used to get her to the Chunin Exam. After all, where Gaara went she was sure to follow. She dismissed it, but as Enoki lead them off to train her eyes narrowed on his back.

It was strange that the man had nominated them to take part of the Chunin Exam. She knew from her brother's memory, that to participate the Jonin instructors had to inform the Kazekage that they were ready to become Chunin.

Something strange was going on; since there was no way he'd ever nominate them. For now, she'd go along with it because Gaara was going and she'd be right at his side.

When training ended that night it found Eizan walking alone. Many times she had immediately gone home but her feet did not lead her back to her empty house. Instead she came to stop on the outskirts of the playground where she had first interacted with Gaara.

She had come to stop in almost the same place she had been all those years ago and her dark eyes perused the abandoned terrain. If she concentrated she would be able to see the children playing and the lone red headed figure sitting on the swing with one arm secured around a teddy bear. In those times that stuffed animal had become his only companion but it had been discarded along with his innocence.

She felt a pinprick of chakra as she frowned and her right hand extracted three shuriken with ease before flinging them into the darkness. The sound of them being deflected reached her ears before a figure stepped from out of the shadows. It was clearly a ninja but she saw neither his hitai-ate nor clothing since there was a cloak covering most of his body and face. She knew that he had to be shinobi since he had deflected the shuriken so easily.

Eizan turned and let one of her hands rest at her hip as she let her eyes travel over the taller figure, not really sure if it was a man or a woman. “I thought the old man had finally given up after all those years of never succeeding in killing me,” she said with a slight smirk. She was calm even if she was facing the ninja alone since again there was no sign of the ANBU member. He wouldn't be there every time and she had started to realize that she couldn't expect to rely on him when she had no idea who he was.

The other held out his hands in front of himself to show that he didn't wish to fight her. It confused her but she didn't let her guard down since it might be a trick. However, she had realized that he hadn't attacked her right away as the other assassins had done and she wondered who he was. “I assure you, I mean you no harm,” the shinobi spoke and by the voice, she could tell it was a male.

A frown twisted her features and she placed a hand on her pouch when he tried to approach and he stopped. She could barely hear the chuckle that left his lips. “It seems that the Kazekage has been foolish when dealing with someone of your abilities.” Moving, the man grasped his hands behind him before turning to look over the playground. “Tell me, how many times has he sent for your life?” he asked and she could hear the amusement in the tone.

Her lips pulled back in a sneer before she turned away and started to walk off. “I'm not listening to this," she muttered under her breath and headed for home. There was something about this man that didn't sit well with her, and not to mention that she felt a chill the first time he had spoken. His voice had a discernable viper-like quality about it.

She froze a moment later as his voice came again but this time right besides her ear. Her eyes were wide with shock since she hadn't even heard him move. “If you join me, I assure you that all those pesky problems will wash away,” he hissed. The feeling of something slimy and warm came to brush against the back of her neck. She made a noise of disgust before stumbling forward and whirling around to face him.

There was no sign of him as her eyes flicked over the rapidly darkening playground. One of her hands was quickly wiping away the sticky substance that had been left against her skin. His voice came again but she wasn't able to pinpoint where it was coming from. “No one will ever be able to understand you here. Join me and your talents will be acknowledged.”

Again she felt his presence behind her, and for the first time, fear stilled her movements. The feel of his fingers came at her neck and throat and out of the corner of her eyes she saw his hands. His skin was a sickly pallor and it looked like death had already claimed it.

Eizan opened her mouth but no sound came as the fear clouded her mind. His speed had been unlike anything she had seen. Her blood was pumping loudly within her ears as her heartbeat accelerated. For several long moments she could only listen to his words and didn't refuse him.

A face floated before her eyes suddenly and it seemed to snap her out of it. She smacked his hands away and brought her right leg up as she twisted her upper body down. Her foot connected against the side of his neck and when he stumbled back she flipped forward and turned before landing in a crouch. She let her eyes lock on his face as they narrowed in anger.

“I only serve one person,” she growled as she stood, hands gripped at her sides until her knuckles turned white. “And that is not the Kazekage!” Turning, she ran off as fast as her legs would carry her, almost afraid that he would follow her.

However, the figure did not follow and merely watched as she ran off. The wind picked up and blew the hood away from his face, and his sickly white features came into view. His long ebony locks floated with the wind and some came to obscure his face as he watched her figure fade into the darkness.

A smirk stretched across his lips as his viper eyes narrowed. “We will see what happens in the end,” he said with a low chuckle before he was gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She returned to the house and felt a presence within, but she only fell to one knee as she bowed her head. “Gaara-dono,” she muttered quietly. The scarlet haired shinobi walked out of the shadows of the small hall that lead into the kitchen. He stopped until he was looming over her kneeled figure.

“Where have you been?” he asked. His voice was colder than usual so she could tell he was upset. She gritted her teeth and clenched her hands at her sides. After every training session she always reported to him. In the beginning it had just been her insistence to do this and he had always accepted it without too much interest. Lately, though, he had started to take more notice when she was late.

“Forgive me, Gaara-dono,” she muttered as she remained where she was, having shifted onto both of her knees before him. “Training ran late.” She didn't normally lie to him. In fact, this was the first time she had lied as her nails dug painfully into her palms, but she spread them on the ground before her to keep from drawing blood.

“It will not happen again.” The thought of telling him what had happened filled her with disgust. That she had frozen in fear in the face of that unknown ninja. She couldn't bring herself to tell him about how weak she had been.

He moved forward, stepping too close to her so she lifted her gaze. Moments later she would feel his foot come to rest against her hand. The heel of it ground the fingers into the floor beneath her as she cried out. When she went to pull away, the same foot lifted to connect with the side of her face. The impact knocked her to her side and then she felt him kick her on her side. “Why do you lie to me?” he asked her calmly over her exclamations of pain.

His foot descended on her neck and cut off her oxygen. All she could do was grab his foot as her mouth parted in a desperate attempt to take in air as her body withered on the floor. He had never punished her this way before. The last time he had struck her was when she had carved the kanji sign for love into her flesh, but never this.

As her sight started to blacken around the edges, he removed his foot as she gasped in air greedily, almost choking in the process. A coughing fit seized her as she felt tears spilling over her cheeks. The other pain she felt was worse, the one she felt within her chest. Even then she slowly rose to her knees and bowed her head low to the floor in dogeza.

He had told her never to take that position but she knew that this time it was necessary. “Onegai, forgive me,” she whispered fiercely, coughing so a strand of bloodied saliva escaped her mouth. When he had kicked her against the face he had busted open her mouth. A bruise was already starting to quickly form against her pale cheek. She was only grateful that his kick at her side hadn't broken her ribs. “I know my life is expendable, but please allow me to remain by your side.”

He turned and moved away as she heard the shifting of his sand. She had not noticed it earlier since the sound was always surrounding him that it had become second nature to dismiss it. However, now she heard it closer and moments later she felt it brushing against her ankles.

It started to spread over her legs, her thighs and over her entire body. With it, came a cold terror that seemed worse than the kind she had experienced in the playground. He had changed so much over the last few years and she knew that it was part of him, but even so she still felt that pain in her chest every time she looked his way. Her heart ached at the sight of him.

The sand was sliding over her chest and her throat as she moved her head back instinctively. She had her eyes open wide, staring at his figure as he remained turned away from her. Just before it closed over her face, she closed her eyes as tears ran down her cheeks. “I was scared,” she whispered and then the darkness consumed her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Translations:
1. Sabaku no Gaara: lit. “Gaara of the Sand Waterfall”; or Gaara of the Desert in English manga.
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End Chapter Four