Kankuro x OC
Kasai POV
I groan inwardly as I lean against the wall, trying to figure out how to pass the time since Lady Hinai left me outside with the Kazekages brother. He wasn't much for conversation, and I admit neither am I when it comes to strangers. I usually just say what's necessary and move on. However, it isn't his lack of conversation that's bothering me at the moment, it's the fact that he's been staring at me for the past hour.
It's the only thing he's done since we exchanged greetings and were assigned to stand guard outside the office door. I can practically feel his eyes burning holes into me as we stand in silence. It's not a hateful glare though, it's one full of curiosity and apprehension. Like he has hundreds of questions that he's not sure about asking. Not surprising considering he doesn't know me at all. Apparently my reputation has reached Suna too, so he knows my body count instead of my personality.
I also heard of him, Kankuro, as he's called. A puppet master shinobi from Suna. Brother of Gaara and Temari, Jonin ranked member of the guard. A good ninja if you look at the facts, but there is one thing I've heard more than anything.
He's a show off.
He flaunts his skill unnecessarily just to draw attention to himself, he loves getting into fights just to show his skills. I narrow my eyes in deep thought, I know very well not to believe everything I hear. For all I know this could just be rumor spread by a jilted Ex or jealous shinobi who holds a grudge. Believing arbitrary opinions can be dangerous, especially considering how biased they are. Besides, I know very well what it's like to have false truths spread about me. Half of my reputation comes from lies spread by hateful women and jilted men, not to mention the shinobi I've beaten who can't take a loss. And considering what they've spread it's no surprise he's cautious around me.
However, it still doesn't make his staring any less uncomfortable. I shift my gaze to his, eyeing his torn expression.
"I'm not psychic, so if you want me to answer a question you have to ask it out loud."
He jumps a little, surprised I'm talking to him.
" Go on, you can ask. I don't bite."
I grin at the phrase, and if I'm seeing correctly, he's got a bit of a blush.
"Well...you said your name is Kasai right? Kasai Ryu?"
"The one and only."
"So, you're the one they call the 'Purple Eyed Demon'?"
I flinch at the nickname, I hated it more than any other code name I've received. He hasn't just heard bad, he's heard the worst.
"Some do call me that... though I don't particularly like that name." I say with resignation.
"You don't? Why?"
"Would you like being called a monster? Not just by your enemies but by your own village?"
He shakes his head after realization crosses his features. I sigh, might as well cut to it.
"Just what exactly have you heard about me?"
He scratches his head.
"That your a heartless shinobi who's temper can doom anyone you want to a fiery death."
I scoff, amused and irritated by the overblown description.
"I'm only heartless towards my enemies, mainly rouge shinobi who've killed innocent people. I do have Fire style techniques, and I can be a bit scary when I'm angry."
I look at him and smile, a bit of amusement in my tone.
"However, I'm not as hot tempered as people believe. I'm laid back in the emotions department, so it takes a lot to piss me off. I'm too busy to get angry every five seconds, as I'm what Lady Hinai would like to call a workaholic."
He laughs a bit, I can tell he's more relaxed now.
"Anything else?"
He chuckles nervously.
"I've also heard you described as.... an A rank, stuck up bitch..."
I can't contain the laugh inside me from that one. He joins me as we howl with laughter.
"Well, I am a Jonin. I am put in charge of missions with other shinobi. I like to get things done and I don't like it when my teammates slack off or intentionally screw up. So when it happens I tend to verbally express my frustration, and in some cases it involves cursing and threatening."
He nods at my explanation as we finally pull ourselves together.
"So..." he starts.
"So what?"
"What exactly have you heard about me?"
My eyes widen slightly. What the hell, we're being honest here aren't we?
"Mostly good."
"Mostly?"
"Well, there is one rumor I've heard..."
"Which is?"
I sigh.
"That you're a big show off. You like to flaunt your skills unnecessarily."
He scoffs this time.
"Not really... I mean, I do like my puppets, I work hard on all of them. So showing how they work to people kind makes me happy. I do brag a little, but mostly I just do it because I'm proud of my work or if I'm trying to spread the art."
I chuckle with him.
"I figured as much. I know very well how rumors spread. The truth gets twisted by the jealous to make you look bad."
"Yeah, you're right about that. Even though, there is one thing I've heard about you that wasn't a lie."
I look to see him blushing a little.
"And that is?"
"That you are a beautiful kunoichi."
I feel a bit of heat flood my cheeks as I smile. I'll give him some credit, that was pretty smooth.
Lady Hinai exits the office and we all exchange goodbyes. Before I exit though, I turn to face Kankuro with a smile. Deciding to give him a little honesty too.
"Oh, and Kankuro. Your not so bad yourself, puppet boy."
I grin as his entire face turns red before leaving the building. I suppose the saying is true, never believe everything you hear.
