The Sand Meets the Light (A Naruto fanfiction)

Chapter 6: Discussions

        Temari walked in the hospital corridor towards her brother's ward after Kei escorted her back. He was waiting outside for Yukari while Temari went to relay the message to her and return to her brother. She felt any of her doubts over his place disappeared, but still, she felt the need to return to surface soon because being underground was starting to feel a little claustrophobic.

She arrived at her brother's room and peeked in before entering. She was surprised at the sight she saw, but then smiled in amusement. Yukari was sitting next to Gaara's bed, facing him the opposite way as she and Gaara both held a few cards in their hands, and some colourful cards sat on the bed. Gaara was scratching his head in confusion, while Yukari's face was filled with focus on her deck. They looked like children to Temari.

"What does this one do again?" Gaara asked as he held out one of his card. Yukari quickly glanced before going back to her own cards.

"It skips a turn for your opponent," she explained. Before she could pick out a card from her deck, Gaara looked up and noticed his sister.

"Temari, you're back," he remarked. Yukari jumped up in surprise and looked up immediately with wide-eyed expression. Temari walked in with a smug smile.

"You two look like you're having fun," she commented with a joking tone.

"Where's Kan... Kuro?" Yukari asked, unsure whether she was saying it right or not.

"Your friend, Makoto took him drinking," Temari answered. Yukari could only rubbed her forehead in frustration, sighing.

"Sorry. She can be impulsive sometimes," Yukari apologized. Temari waved her hand to assure her it wasn't much of a problem.

"Kei is waiting for you outside, by the way," Temari told her.

"Oh, right," Yukari got up and took a few steps, before turning around to say something. "Please excuse me. And keep the cards. I'll see you tomorrow," and with that, she left in a hurry, leaving both Temari and Gaara to stare after her. Temari turned to her brother, intending to tease him as she put on a sly expression.

"You two look like you're already best friends," she joked as she dragged the chair nearer to the side table and sat down, resting her elbow on it. Gaara frowned, not appreciating her making fun of him.

"She's just being nice," he dismissed quickly.

"Sure she was," she responded with sarcasm. Temari grabbed a card and looked at it. "What did you talk about while we were away?"

"She told me about her role as the village leader, and a little bit about her own life. I suggested to form an alliance with this village, but she asked if she could speak with her council first tomorrow morning," Gaara explained.

"Are you sure you want to do that, Gaara?" Temari asked. "They don't have anything to offer us. At least anything that we don't have."

"They don't need to," he told her. "It's just about making a connection and adding more allies for the Sand Village. If we can offer something to help them, then why not? In any case, they can return the favour in the future should we need something then."

"I guess you're right," Temari sighed. "They don't seem to be any different than any other villagers on the surface. Just a little... too wary and cautious. Maybe the alliance will be good for them."

"What did you find out?" Gaara asked.

"Kei explained that this village has been around for a hundred years, so most people here have probably lived here their entire lives," Temari answered. "But it can still operate like any other village. They get supplies through the tunnel once a week and other resources from the cave itself." Temari explained, and then thought of something momentarily.

"By the way they handled their weapons, we can assume they have some combat training down here. The way that girl, Yukari handled her sword was interesting. And Kei's weapon is strange but I've seen some illustrations of it. Didn't think anyone would actually make them though," she continued.

"Yuka said they're down here because they want to protect themselves from outsiders. I wonder if it's actually SOMETHING that they're protecting," Gaara stated with a thoughtful expression. But Temari raised her eyebrow, surprised by something he said.

"Yuka?" She remarked cynically, slowly grinning. Gaara realized what she meant and he felt embarrassed.

"She... She said to call her that," Gaara hastily tried to explain, but Temari was already laughing.

"You're so cute, little brother," she wiped a tear down her face as she tried to contain herself. Gaara became flustered and turning away with a sulk.

"Whatever," he mumbled under his breath.

.....

"Had a good dinner?" Yukari greeted Kei who was waiting outside.

"Yes. I bought some food. Sorry you had to stay behind," Kei handed her a plastic, containing a paper box filled with friend noodles. Yukari shook her head, reassuring him.

"It's okay. I'd gotten to know Gaara... And-and you know, like why he's here and stuff!" She quickly added, as if embarrassed by her initial answer. Kei noticed this and couldn't help but be amused by her reaction.

"Is he nice?" He asked.

"Yes... I mean! I, I guess so... He played cards with me," she answered in a quiet voice, unsure. Her reaction was enough to cause Kei to hold back some laughter, as he was pleased to see her making a connection with someone her own age.

"Good enough," he commented. "I'll write a report about them to the council office. Did you find out why they're here?" Kei continued to ask, this time with a more serious tone.

"Gaara and his siblings were travelling to scout new territories north of his village. He said since he stumbled upon our village, he suggests to form an alliance with us," Yukari told him.

"Hmm, interesting," Kei remarked quietly. "Would you want to?"

"It's not up to me, is it?" She responded, with a doubtful look on her face.

"Yuka, you're the leader of our village. Every decision is ultimately up to you," Kei told her. Yukari stared down at the ground, feeling uncertain and even slight disdain.

"The council hates outsiders. Remember what happened with Makoto?" She reminded Kei.

"Makoto was dangerous. Well, she probably still is, but at least she's manageable now. I highly doubt everyone on the surface is like that," Kei remarked with a scoff. Yukari sighed, having many thoughts in her mind. Kei stared at her, still waiting for her answer. "Well?" Yukari shifted her eyes and looked around the village.

"It'd be nice for us to connect with people outside of this village. Be exposed to new things, new people... The kids would definitely like that. Even I get tired of just knowing and seeing the same thing over and over," Yukari said and then sighed in defeat. "I don't know."

"Yuka, if you feel strongly about it, then express what you feel to the council," Kei reassured her.

"What about you, Kei?" Yukari asked.

"I do wonder whether it'll bring any good to this village," Kei pondered. Then, he briefly remembered the moment between Temari and his daughter and cracked a small smile. "Hmph, maybe it will. They don't seem like bad people." Yukari looked at him and felt a similar feeling when she thought about Gaara, even though she had only known him for a few hours.

"Yeah," she said.

Suddenly, both of them caught a sight of Makoto and Kankuro walking towards them. Kankuro looked a little flushed, walking with slight swaying to his steps while Makoto supported him, laughing the entire way while mumbling something in between. As they were about to pass by each other, Yukari glared, unsatisfied with her behaviour.

"Makoto, what do you think you're doing?" she complained. But Makoto maintained her uncaring attitude and scoffed.

"Relax, Yuka. I'm just giving the newbies a little welcome," she remarked. "Anyway, see you back home. I gotta send this one off." And with that, Makoto walked off with Kankuro, leaving both Kei and Yukari to look at her with dissatisfied looks.