Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Loveless Suna ❯ Chapter 46

I've redone this chapter over and over again and still I'm not really pleased, but I'm not going to touch it anymore… for now. So here you have the next chapter!

Thanks for reviewing:

TJD41066: I started this story on ff but it got deleted because it had a “real person futuring in it”. One of my reviewers suggested I uploaded it here.

LittleBean: Thanks, I just really like a protective (possessive) Gaara ;).

Camp-crystal-lake: We'll see how the story continues and maybe a pregnancy can be inserted somewhere.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or make money from this. I do own this story!

Tired Michio dropped down on his butt on the sand in front of the machinery we had been ordered to protect. “I don't think this job concludes moving sand!” He mumbled more to himself than us.

“Don't be like that Michio,” Aya tried to persuade him to continue, “if we do more than requested we'll get a good revue and maybe a tip.” Michio gave her a look that he didn't care.

“The Kazekage told us the baker expected help with rebuilding his bakery.” I pointed out.

“I know, but I thought that meant cleaning rooms and so, not that we were going to do the builders their jobs!” I had to admit he was right. We were asked to build the room that was going to contain the machinery. Tonoko-san had said and I quote:

“The best protection is a room that can be locked!” I wanted to kill that guy when I heard that. I even thought about using Gaara's chakra to quickly end it even if I didn't really had any experience with it, but in the end my common sense reminded me the redhead gave it to me so that he could feel it when I was in trouble.

`And I should only use it as a last resort!' I decided. “Why don't you switch with Jakuchu-san and guard the equipment?” I suggested and after a short contemplation Michio jumped up. He practically forced the chuunin to give his job to him.

“That one's going to be a hand full.” Jakuchu-san mumbled to me as he joined us the builders. I smiled as the chuunin looked behind me. “Someone's coming.” Curious I turned around and noticed a young man walk our way while looking grumpy at our attempt of a wall.

“What are you guys doing?!” He yelled angry. Jakuchu quickly stepped towards him to stop him from coming any closer.

“Don't let Michio take his eyes of the machinery!” He whispered at me and when I turned back to the boy I noticed the machines had lost his attention.

“Michio!” I yelled and pointed to the equipment. He understood immediately and retreated to his job.

“Stop doing our job! If this continues everyone is going to request ninjas to do our jobs for less money!” The young man yelled angry and he had gotten support from his colleagues.

“Shizuka-sama, get Tonoko-san, this also concerns him.” Jakushu ordered and I twirled around again. Running to the marketplace I found the baker discussing prizes with a butcher, seeing the apron. Tonoko didn't look happy when I told him about the commotion and quickly made his way to the agitators.

“We demand you take down that impersonation of a wall.” I heard the young man yell as we got closer.

“We didn't do such a bad job!” Aya yelled angry and I couldn't suppress a smile.

`She can be as fierce as her mother.' Tonoko quickly intervened before the little genin stirred them up even more. He started to negotiate but getting the men to see it his way wasn't succeeding.

`It's clear he wanted to use the cheap force of nins…' I grumbled and looked a little annoyed at Michio.

“Shizuka-sama!” I jumped a little hearing the young man address me.

“What?!” `What would he want from me?'

“I want your opinion!” “

What?! Why?” I blinked surprised.

“You must already have a little experience with stuff like this since you're always beside the Kazekage. We do remember that debate with Eho.”

`Did I make an impression?' was my first thought. `Or are they're testing me?!' was the second one.

“Yes, what would your opinion be?” Tonoko's interested was spiked.

“Well…” I began not really knowing where to start. Then I remembered what Gaara had told me about the economy. “I think you should let the builders do their job.” The young man got a smile on his face while the baker's darkened. “Since frankly, we're not really good at building walls.” I continued pointing to the wall where Aya was still standing next too. When everyone followed my finger she nodded embarrassed to emphasize my point. “You,” I turned to Tonoko, “should let the builders build that room that way we can protect your machinery better and the room will be build quicker. Not to forget,” I noticed Tonoko wanted to say something but I didn't let him interrupt me, “it'll be of better quality and will be able to endure more. If we build it,” I pointed to myself and my teammates, “it'll probably collapse in a few years and the repairs will cost you more in total than now.”

“She has a point.” Jakushu helped me and Tonoko clearly was still angry but when he looked at the wall we had built he couldn't deny that I was right.

“Fine, if you guys start right away, I'll pay you.” He said to the builders who nodded eagerly. They clearly were happy they had won. I got a dark look from our employer as he retreated back to the marketplace.

`I've seemed to have made an enemy.' I sighed. You could never do well for everyone.

“Don't worry, Tonoko-san will get over this. He'll see that you're right when he's calmed down.” Jakuchu comforted me.

“I hope so…”

“You did right; they should stop trying to use ninjas for our jobs.” The young man smiled broadly.

-

“There goes our extra money.” Michio mumbled when we reached him.

“I thought you didn't care about that! And you should have heard Shizuka-chan, she was great!” Aya bragged proudly. She even gave me impressed eyes.

“I wouldn't go that far…” I mumbled blushing.

“Let's position ourselves around the machines.” Jakuchu interrupted my flattering which I was him thankful for. “Michio-kun go stand where you were standing. Aya-chan you go behind, Shizuka-sama the left and I'll stay here.” We nodded completely back into mission mood. From my place I could watch the builders doing their job and realized this was going to be a long day.

-

Evening was falling and Jakuchu had started to make plans for tonight. “Aya-chan you take the first watch, I'll take the second one, Shizuka-sama the third one and Michio-kun the last one.” I noticed that his way of dividing us was intentional. Aya and Michio got the less dangerous times, my watch was a little more dangerous, but the most change we would get attacked was during Jakuchu's watch. The three who were sleeping made it themselves comfy while Aya settled herself on the biggest machine. Laying there in my sleeping bag I looked up at the girl's silhouette that got illuminated by the moonlight. She looked so innocent but I knew there was a powerful woman growing inside her. She did have her mother and Kaeda as example. Yawning I wondered if Gaara missed me before falling asleep.

-

I heard sounds but wasn't in the mood to opening my eyes. “Shizuka!” did make me jump up and trip over because of the sleeping bag which actually saved my life. In the corner of my eyes I saw a flash of metal move over my head. Quickly I rolled out of range and zipped open my restriction. Grabbing kunais from my pouch I blocked the weapon that had caught my eye before and looked surprised at a sickle. `The weapon of death?' I thought sarcastic while pushing my attacker backwards and jumping on one of the machines. Taking a glance around I saw Aya and Michio had teamed up and Jakuchu was also one on one. The sickle came again and I blocked it a second time, but the impact pushed me backwards. My feet balanced on the edge of the machine and I lost to gravity. Falling hard with my arm on a corner I lost one of my kunais and already saw the glinting shine of metal coming my way. Before I could comprehend it Jakuchu had already saved my life and was helping me up.

“Don't lose focus!” He said with a teacher's voice and I stared intensely at my attacker as answer. He clearly knew he had the disadvantage now and seemed ready to split. “Make sure he doesn't escape! We need information out of them.”

“Okay, so we need to catch him somehow…” Jakuchu nodded and suddenly got an idea.

“Could you make three walls of fire between the buildings right from here?” Surprised I glanced right and saw a small street. I got his intention.

“Sure no problem.” We were going to trap him. I waited for the chuunin to attack our prey before moving to my destiny. `I'm going to need something that burns…' I realized looking down into the small street. The sand wasn't going to burn long enough to make a fire prison. Turning around my eyes fell on some sort of crane. `That must run on some kind of petrol.' I hoped. Jumping down from the roof I was standing on, I ran to the crane and searched for the fuel cap. Once found I grabbed a small container and a piece of fire hose. It took a little force but finally I succeeded in getting the fuel out of the crane. Running back to the small street I divided the liquid on the ground. `Now I just have to wait for Jakuchu-san.' I thought while running back onto the marketplace. When the chuunin noticed me I signed that the trap was laid and ran back to my roof. It didn't take long for prey and predator to come my way and I had to contain myself to not to light the fire too soon. When our enemy finally was in position I moved out of my hiding place and launched a Katon. The fuel lighted beautifully, forming a barricade. Quickly I took two paper bombs out of my pouch and attached them to just as much kunais. At the same time our attacker turned around to launce a surprise attack on Jakuchu hoping he could still escape the fire but I threw my kunais in front of his feet making him stop.

“Give up, you've no where to run too.” Jakuchu yelled and the enemy gritted his teeth while glancing from the chuunin to me. Then suddenly he dropped his weapon and raised his hands in defeat.

“Eh?!” Surprised I took a step forwards and then felt the chakras behind me. Carefully turning around I noticed two ANBUs.

“We'll take over from here, Shizuka-sama.” The leader said without reservation. I nodded dumbfounded and turning back to our enemy I saw that he was already in custody of the two other ANBUs in the team. “You did well.” The leader said while passing and jumped down.

“Yeah, you were great!” Gaara's voice came from behind me.

“How long have you been here?” I asked while his arms surrounded me.

“When the street suddenly burst into flames.”

“Hmm, that's kind of a give away of course…” I mumbled playfully. I felt so safe in his arms. It almost seemed like what had just happened hadn't been real. The ANBUs jumped on the roof with their prisoner and I suddenly remembered my two youngest team members. Removing myself from Gaara I made my way down and ran towards the machinery, hoping those two would be there.

“Shizuka-chan!” Aya waved from on the largest machine while Michio was standing in front of her with their attacker unconscious before him. “Tonoko-san can be happy, nobody toughed his equipment!” The girl continued and emphasized by clapping on the metal underneath her. Jakuchu joined us and after transferring our two other unconscious prisoners to the ANBUs we settled ourselves back around the machinery to end our mission. I noticed Gaara giving me an approval look and I stuck my tongue out at him. Aya giggled behind me as the redhead wished us a goodnight.

-

Next day the room was finished around noon and with the equipment under lock and key we could finally go home. Jakuchu dropped me off at the Kazekage tower and with a last wave I closed the door behind me. `I better let Gaara know I'm back.' I decided while stifling a yawn. Making my way to his office I passed Temari who was just coming out of her room.

“Finally back, Gaara will be trilled.” She smiled.

“Did he sleep last night?” I asked and she shook her head sadly.

“He did an all-nighter again.”

“Then I'll drag him to bed now.” I decided.

“Do that!” The blonde supported and I continued my way.

-

After knocking politely I opened the door and peeked inside. Gaara was alone for once and like usual he was covered in work.

“Everything ended well?” He asked and looked up as I walked towards him.

“Yeah, what's wrong?” Immediately I noticed something was off.

“I've received a message from Konoha.”

“Go on.” I expected something bad to follow.

“Eho's underling has been signaled trying to steal something from the Uchiha compound.”

“What! Dreadlock?” A nod told me I was right.

“Whatever she's planning, she's bringing everything together.”

Stephke23: So here you have it… my attempt of a chapter. Hope you still liked it. Review!