Frozen Past (A Naruto FanFic/Gaara Love Story)

Lost

Temari's POV

I really don't want to give a report to the Hokage right now. She kinda scares me, and even Gaara is unnerved by her. But we've been putting it off for a day and a half now, and we've decided we're already late.

"Does it feel... strange to you guys?"

"Huh?" I ask Kankuro, looking at him over my shoulder. He narrows his eyes, staring off into the distance as we climb the stairs to the Hokage's office.

"I don't know," he says, tugging at the white strap over his shoulder. "But the atmosphere... I dunno. There's something going on here, something messed up."

"Don't be so overdramatic just cause of your face paint," I scold him, my smile taking out the sting. "You weren't cut out for theater."

"Yeah, yeah," he says.

I push open the door to Lady Tsunade's office, and am struck by the dark feeling surrounding the space. I nearly stumble, but correct myself and motion my brothers inside. Gaara, too, now has his eyes narrowed. He's probably sensed the shift in temperment from the rest of the Village. I'm afraid Kankuro might be right. Something's wrong.

"Ah, the Sand Siblings," Lady Tsunade greets us. The three of us stand before her desk, Gaara in between me and Kankuro. Her eyes flit over each of us, appraising us, it seems. "I was just going to send for you."

"If it's about the report," I say, "then I'm sorry we're late, but--"

"This has nothing to do with your previous mission's report."

"Oh." I don't like, nor do I understand the seriousness of her tone. It isn't anger; it's helplessness. She looks tired, as though she's spend the majority of her chakra. That's right; I heard she was performing surgery on that Rock Lee boy that Akari's friends with. I wonder how it went...

"I'm afraid I have another mission for the three of you," she goes on, much to my surprise. "One that it already being carried out."

"Lady Tsunade," I say, addressing her as politely as I can. I don't want to set her off and get my head bitten off. "What exactly is this mission? And don't you have other Ninja in your Village you can send?"

"There's currently a team of Genin, led by a Chunin, attending to this mission. But I'm worried it won't be enough, as with last time. There are no Jonin or Chunin I can send to help them. That's why I'm asking you, even though it isn't my place."

"What is this mission?" Gaara asks, repeating my other question. He's tensed for some reason, and I find it worries me more than any of the other indicators.

The Hokage sighs. "Right to the point," she mutters, then straightens and looks each of us in the eye. "As I've said, currently we have a team out right now. They're tracking Sasuke Uchiha, who has chosen to leave the Village."

Somehow, this doesn't surprise me. I can tell it's the same for Gaara and Kankuro as well.

"So we'll be assisting them?" I guess. "In subduing and returning with Sasuke?"

"That isn't all."

"What else is there?" Kankuro asks impatiently, arms folded across his black-clad chest.

The Hokage takes a deep breath. "You'll also be assisting them in securing a kidnapped Kunoichi, who we believe is with Sasuke. I believe you know her well. Akari Yuki."

At once, all the air is driven from my body, as though I've been punched in the gut. I feel faint, and Kankuro reaches around Gaara to take hold of my arm. He steadies me.