Puppet Strings// Naruto Shippuden Sasori Fanfiction (Complete)

I'm Sorry

*Chapter 16*

I looked up, through my clouded eyes, saw the most powerful man of the Sand Village. I immediately bowed my head deeply, "K-Kazekage-sama." I heard him chuckled before I brought my head up to look at him.

I studied him through my lashes as he tried to stop laughing. This isn't the strict Kazekage-sama who spoke to my Father, this is the cool and flamboyant Kazekage-sama whom I've never seen before. Though rumors did say that he was like a different person when he isn't in his office and here he is, showing this side of the Kazekage to someone like me.

"You don't have to be so formal, Kagura. We're not in the office." He grinned at me with an amused look on his face. I flushed from the Kazekage's smile and I bowed again. "I'm really sorry." The Kazekage brought his hands up in defense, "Okay, okay. Stop saying sorry." He gave me another smile before squatting down to meet my height, "So, Kivi. How's your resolution going? I heard from your Father about what you said."

I tugged my hair behind my ear, suddenly remembering how messed up I looked after what happened with Sasori and quickly tamed my hair. "It's...not going so well." The Kazekage cocked his head and gave me another charming smile, "Why don't we take a walk and you can tell me about it?" 

Feeling restless and rejected after what happened with Sasori, I helplessly nodded and tagged along behind the Kazekage. 

As we walked around the village, the villagers greeted the Kazekage with respect and admiration. The Kazekage has great looks and really powerful techniques that protected the villagers many times, so I don't see why people shouldn't greet him the way they do now. 

"Well, what happen?" The Kazekage asked as he waved at the passing villagers. Walking beside someone as important as the Kazekage, makes my heart raced but if there's a way for Sasori and I to reconcile; maybe asking the Kazekage for advice would be best. 

As soon as I was about to speak, the Kazekage stopped. "Ah! I almost forgot. You're injured from today's mission, from what I've heard from Tanaka-kun. I shouldn't walk too fast." I almost forgot about my wound and not to mention, the wound has open up again and the bandage is heavily stained with blood. 

"Come on, we need to get you treated." The Kazekage held my hand like I'm a little girl and dragged me to the nearest store. As soon as we reach a Dango store, the lady boss greeted the Kazekage. "Hello, lady boss. I would like some first aids if you have one." The Kazekage asked politely and the lady boss nodded before going to grab some first aids.

The Kazekage and I sat down at one of the tables as we waited for her. "Kazekage-sama, I'm fine. Really. You don't have to treat someone as lowly as me." I said, feeling a little embarrassed. The Kazekage shook his head with a sad smile on his face, "It's a Kazekage's duty to take care of his people, Kagura. And you are not a lowly commoner. No one in this village is."

Even Sasori? I wanted to ask but bit my tongue, as much as I hate everyone for treating Sasori differently, I don't want to be disrespectful towards the Kazekage. The lady boss came back with some first aids and left a few Dango sticks before leaving. "Come on, lift up your leg." The Kazekage commanded and I was taken aback, worried that I am being too disrespectful for having the Kazekage to treat my wound. "I can do it myself, Kazekage-sama! Please, you don't have to treat me." But the Kazekage insisted and I knew there would be no end so I let him.

"You can tell me your problems now, Kagura. I won't interrupt." The Kazekage smiled as he undone my bloody bandage. I lowered my head and remembered Sasori's painful words and felt tears brimming from my eyes. In the next few minutes, I told the Kazekage everything - How my resolution started revolving around Sasori, how Sasori meant so much to me, those mean words that he said to me today and how rejected I feel. I even told him bits and pieces of Aki and Takahara when the Kazekage's way of treating my wound strangely reminds me of Aki.

The Kazekage listened to all my worries with full attention as he finished cleaning up my wound. "There you go." I bowed a little, "Thank you, Kazekage-sama." Then, a smile escaped my lips. It's neither sad nor happy, just nostalgic.

"I guess that's how having a kind Father feels like." I murmured to myself but somehow the Kazekage heard me. He smiled at me before leaning back and start on his first dango. "You know, Kagura. Your Father is a great man and as far as I know, he may be good at ninjutsu but he definitely fail in showing his emotions. Also, I'm not that old to be a Father yet." He added the last part to lighten up my mood. I smiled at him and nodded.

The Kazekage started on his second Dango, "Anyway, I've heard a lot about you and Sasori," I narrowed my eyes at Sasori's name but remained silent. "and to be honest, you two are the worst couple I've ever seen." He stated bluntly.

I turned my head so fast, surprised and shocked at the same time. "But," he continued, "you two are also the strongest couple I've ever seen." 

I looked at my hands, "Is that a good thing?" 

The Kazekage nodded, "Kagura, if you and Sasori keep developing, you two will be powerful enough to take my place and protect the village for me. I'm depending on you and Sasori that much to fulfill your resolution."

The Kazekage's words blew me away and I quickly got up to my feet. "N-no way! Kazakage-sama, you're the strongest ninja of the Sand Village. There's no way Sasori and I could..." even fight side by side.

The Kazekage sensed my depression and patted my head. "I want to show you something, Kagura. It might clear your doubts, come with me." Once again, he extended his hand and I took it. Somehow, I felt that the Kazekage superiority just by having people dancing along with his flow. The Kazekage sure is a scary person.

After a few minutes, the Kazekage and I stopped in front of the same place we had our mission today - the mysterious "Shota Ken's" weapon merchandising shop. "Kazakage-sama, what are we doing here?" I asked, nervously. I'm not comfortable being here after what happened today, it makes me sick and hate this place. 

He didn't say anything but stepped inside the shop. I hesitantly followed him, "Kazekage-sama?" I felt his Chakra went active as he did a few hand signs with his back facing me.

Suddenly, the door shut behind us and I quickly started to panic as I stared at the shut door. "Kazekage-sama, this place isn't safe! Someone set up a trap..." The Kazekage was no where to be seen. I was alone, all my myself and I couldn't feel any presence. It's like I've walked myself in here.

"Kazekage-sama?" I cried out but no answer.

"Kivi." I spun around and met a familiar pair of eyes.

"Aki?" I gasped and ran to her. "What are you doing here? We have to get out of here."

But Aki remained silent with her bangs covering her eyes.

"The Kazekage will help us. He is just..." I turned to look around for the Kazekage but it was pitch black with only the dimming sunlight piercing through the gaps on the wooden house.

Aki laughed, soft yet amused. "You mean this Kazekage?" Aki made a few hand signs before turning into the Kazekage, himself. My eyes widen with disbelief as Aki turned back to herself again. 

"Aki, you know that's against the rules to transform into the Kazekage!"

"Who cares?" Aki shrugged and walked passed me. "I got you back here, you idiot." 

"W-what?" 

*A/N*

Cliffhanger!!!