One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

It's interesting how one second you see a person beheaded before you then have them quite alive, apologizing for all the events that occurred. As Kakashi unwillingly bound Tenmai's wrists, she was saying sorry for her so called betrayal. Gaara wouldn't hear a word of it. The pain in his heart was growing with every breath she took, with every word she uttered. He couldn't take it. First his father, then Yashamaru, now her. He clenched his fist tightly as the sand shifted around them. Before anyone could blink, it tightly constricted Tenmai, causing her to gasp for breath. As she let air out of her lungs, it grew tighter and tighter. Shibuki jumped at his cousin, scratching at the sand before turning towards the Kazekage.
“Stop this now, Gaara-sama. Please, you're hurting her.”
“She should have thought how hurt she would make us feel before she decided to betray us.”
A gurgling sound reached the two men's ears and they turned to the woman wrapped up in sand. Blood flowed out of her mouth as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to scream in pain. She winced as a few of her ribs cracked, one of them piercing her lungs. She managed to cough, bringing up more blood. As it flowed over the sand, it began to loosen, releasing her. Mika ran to her side the second her knees hit the ground, cradling Tenmai to her.
“She didn't betray you, Gaara-sama.” Mika choked, stroking the hair atop her cousin-in-law's head. “Tell him, Shibuki. Please. I don't want Tenmai to be hurt anymore from this secret.”
“Hai.” Shibuki turned his glare to Gaara, the Kazekage feeling the anger radiating in it. “When Tenmai was 12, she was given a mission. It was an S-class and the most dangerous she has ever taken. The mission was to join the Akatsuki under a different name and story. She started off as a minor traveling member, but the leader knew her potential and took her under his wing.”
“Tenmai was leader of the Mizu Corp when she was 13.” Kakashi announced, confused.
“She was, but she wasn't. Tenmai had a hand in guiding the MC, but the real leader was another Shinobi.”
“How was she able to keep all that a secret?” Sakura asked, gazing at the girl in Mika's arms.
“I....hid it.” she mumbled, sitting up despite her cousin's protests. “The leader...and I communicated....via mirrors. When ever he needed me, I was able.......to pass through the mirror and arrive in his room, but he....could never go through. He understood my need for privacy, but never realized.....my betrayal. Before I continue, we must leave, now.”
Shibuki hoisted Tenmai up and held her against his chest, her arms still bound before her. Sakura, after snapping out of her thoughts, ran to the waterfall leader and healed Tenmai. Gaara watched the rosete-haired girl heal the woman he almost killed. He couldn't control his anger and lashed out at her. She had betrayed them, betrayed him. According to Shibuki, though, it was mission. She was given an order to join the Akatsuki, she didn't do it on her own accord.
He gazed at Tenmai to find her gazing in his direction. A small smile came to her face as she nodded at him, as if she knew he was looking, before falling asleep in her cousin's arms. Gaara was shocked. After he almost killed her, she still smiled at him, acknowledged him. He knew she couldn't see. What ever was in Zetsu's poison blinded her, Gaara wasn't sure if it was permanent or what. Freeing his mind of those thoughts for now, he faced the others, silently signalling for all to head back to Suna, knowing that the Akatsuki will find out that their prized members were dead.

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Tenmai sat silently in a seat before some of Suna's Elders, a bind around her blind eyes and hands bound before her. Gaara sat to her left and Shibuki to her right. The others stood behind them as they waited for all the Elders to arrive. She was listening intently to everything around her. Though she has no use of her eyes, her other senses increased. In place of sight, Tenmai sought out the chakra's of her friends, knowing exactly where everyone was and if they were facing towards or away from her. A door opening behind her alerted Tenmai of the entrance of the rest of the Elders. They took their seats and faced Gaara, wanting answers to their summon.
“Tenmai was apprehended just outside of Sunagakure by myself, Shibuki-san, his wife Mika, Temari, Kankuro, and our allies, the Konoha ninjas behind me. She was in disguise as an Akatsuki member under the name of Atashi. After killing her partner, Zetsu, and creating an indestructible clone of herself, we bound Tenmai and brought her here.”
“Is this true?” asked Ebizou, gazing at the kunoichi.
“Yes it is.” she stated, as the Elders began talking amongst themselves. “But I can explain everything. Shibuki and Mika can back me up.”
“Very well. Tell your story.” said one of the male Elders, waving his hand for her to speak.
“You wave your hand, yet I cannot see it, only feel the changes in the air around it. My partner, at the time, Zetsu, has a poison in his body that can blind his opponents, which occurred in my case. Well, to start off, I got an S-class mission when I was 12, to join the Akatsuki under a different name and story. I was lucky that I was accepted, especially how young I was and the fact that I was female. Females aren't let into the Akatsuki so easily, particularly the higher up you go. On my 13th birthday, I was promoted. The leader of the Akatsuki took me under his wing. His name is Pein. He is...very special to me, despite his values and morals. I will see to his downfall, if the need arises, and kill anyone who lays a finger on him.” Tenmai declared, listening to the whispers around her. “Though, during the first year, I had a bit of a crush on him.”
“You had a crush on the enemy?!” yelled Naruto, waving his arms around.
“Shut up, baka!” Sakura scolded, whacking him over the head. “Continue, Mai-chan.”
“Thank you. As I was saying, I had a bit of a crush on him, but it didn't turn serious. We wound up becoming partners later on. I do, however, have some confessions to make. I have told everyone here that I am 19, around the same age as all of you, but I lied. My true age is 21, I couldn't tell the truth so I could protect myself and my cover. So, in actuality, I joined the Akatsuki when you were all 10 or 11. By the time I was 15, I was already helping Pein lead the group. While I maintained my Akatsuki cover and traveled with them, I spoke with and wrote to the Elders of Takigakure, giving away vital inside information. With the help of Konoha, the ANBU and MC were able to take out some of the hidden Akatsuki training areas. They never suspected my betrayal.”
“Did you know about all the attacks before they were executed?” Sasuke asked, gazing at the girl curiously.
“I knew about a few, but traveling around quite a bit cuts me off from information. I didn't know about Orochimaru attacking Konoha back when you were all taking the Chuunin exams and I left the village just before the attack, having watched the beginning your fight with Gaara. I also didn't know about Orochimaru killing the former Kazekage.”
“Does that mean you knew Itachi?”
“Yes, quite well actually.” Tenmai smirked, earning looks from the ones around her. “I knew Itachi on a personal level. The two of us became friends, of a sort, while in the Akatsuki. Kisame was his constant partner, but I have joined them a few times in the past. When at base, him and I were always together, whether it was training, eating,...sometimes sleeping. Kisame was a tad bit jealous.”
“Sleeping?” Sasuke wondered out loud, before he went wide eyed and took a step away from Tenmai. “You slept with my brother, intimately?”
Gaara's head snapped to the side to look at Tenmai, shock clearly displayed on his face, as well as everyone else's. Tenmai could feel the heated stares of those around her. She lowered her head, face going blank, no emotions showing. Tenmai wished that she wouldn't have to go into that particular subject.
“I did, at one time, have a sexual relationship with Itachi. It lasted for a year, back when I was 16, but when Itachi left the main base to travel around, to become stronger, we ended it. I was the only woman he ever opened up to and, possibly, the only woman he loved. He let it slip one night, the night before he left. I didn't feel the same. It angered him so he lashed out at me, both physically and verbally. That part of the story I will not divulge. Away from that subject, Elders, I have severed all my ties to the Akatsuki and have staged my death so that they will not search for me. I will still keep my mission to protect Gaara, though might require a bit of assistance seeing as how my sight is gone.”
Tenmai rose to her feet, pushed her chair back, and bowed deeply, forehead an inch above the low-sitting table. Shibuki rose and bowed to them as well, explaining in that single move that all Tenmai said was true. He rose back up but Tenmai remained bowing.
“Please, allow me to continue protection of Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara. I swear on my life to protect him from death and injury to the greatest of my abilities. I made a promise to him that I would never hurt him, never betray him. The event that has occurred has shown that I am loyal to my village, as well as Sunagakure, because I left the Akatsuki behind, managing to weaken it by dispelling two of it's most powerful. If you are still willing to have me and if Gaara sees fit, I will continue my mission in all aspects that we mandate henceforth. If you choose to cancel my mission, I will leave Sunagakure, forever, unless by personal summoning by either the Kazekage or you, the Elders.”
“You have shown your honor to us, Tenmai-san, so we will allow you stay in Suna and continue your assigned mission. The choice of having the wedding, however, is left in the hands of Gaara-sama. We will find a suitable Shinobi to help you with your mission for as long as you need.” replied one of the older woman in the council.
Gaara watched as Tenmai rose back up, reaching her bound hands up to take the blindfold off of her head. The blackness of her eyes was spotted with bits of grey and the area around it gained a darker hue from the poison. The scar on her right cheek seemed to be far more prominent. Her gaze was set on the table. Kakashi pulled the chair away from her and made her turn to face him so that he could remove her binds. The ropes fell to the ground and Tenmai rubbed her wrists, feeling the raw skin underneath her fingertips.
“Thank you Elders for your understanding in this matter.” Tenmai bowed deeply once more, before facing Gaara. “Gaara, I am most terribly sorry for having to keep all this from you and for what seemed to be a betrayal. I made you a promise when we were children and when we met once more in Konoha that I will protect you and care for you to the greatest of my abilities. I make that promise on my life. Do you still accept me as your guard and as your fiance?”
He watched as her gaze lifted from the floor to fall upon his face, eyes darting back and forth. Standing up straight, Tenmai placed the fingers of her right hand on his cheek, the Akatsuki ring Byaku (white) resting on the middle finger. Gaara took her hand with his own and removed the ring, throwing it on the table.
“No need to wear the ring if you are no longer a part of the organization.” he stated, a smirk form on his face.
A large smile formed on her face. Grabbing a pouch off of her sword belt, the sword being in Kakashi's possession, she threw it onto the table as well. Inside were the rings of Zetsu, Deidara, Sasori, Hidan, Kakuzu, and Kisame. Along with the rings were all their headbands, except for Deidara's because he destroyed it during the explosion he made that took his life. The group bid the Elders a farewell and went into the hall way. Gaara had a hand on Tenmai's shoulder guiding her
“There are still a lot of things we need to discuss, Tenmai, but we will wait on that. It would be wise if we took you to the hospital to see what we can do about your eyes.” Gaara said.
“No herbs will help this ailment. I have to let the poison run it's course. I might be able to gain sight back, but I do not know when or if I definitely will.”
“So you could be blind for the rest of your life?” Temari asked, taking her left hand.
“I could be, but let's not shower dread every where. We still have many things to do.”
“Like what?” Gaara wondered.
“The wedding, of course. It will be...difficult to adjust to all of this and I won't be able to see everything being done, but the Kazekage needs a wife, no matter how pathetic she might be.”
“You're not pathetic, Mai-chan.” Naruto encouraged. “You did so much. I would never be able to join the Akatsuki at the age you did or be able to handle all the training that comes with it. You're so strong and powerful and really, really pretty. Don't be so hard on yourself, believe it!!”
Tenmai smiled before laughing, clutching her stomach. She searched out Naruto's chakra and hugged the blonde tightly.
“Naruto, you knuckle-head. What would I ever do without you?”
“Live a dull, dull life?” he wondered, scratching the back of his head with one hand and keeping the other around Tenmai's waist so she wouldn't fall.
“Believe it!”
“That's my line.”
Lee was laughing along with the two, cheering on their 'youthfulness'. Sasuke wondered what was wrong with them while Sakura just shook her head, a smile on her face as well. Kakashi wasn't really paying attention because he was focusing on his 'Icha Icha Paradise'. Temari was leaning against Shikamaru who was mumbling about troublesome teammates. Kankuro stood beside Gaara. The two of them were watching Naruto and Tenmai wrestle and, despite her handicap, Tenmai was kicking Naruto's ass all over the place. When she gazed up at everyone after pinning Naruto, Kankuro noticed something below her lip.
“Is that a piercing, Tenmai? Below your lip?” he asked, pointing at it.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to face the kunoichi. She placed a hand on the small, metal ball below her lip, a calm look washing over her features. Twisting the ball around, she gazed up in Kankuro's general direction.
“Yes it is Kuro-chan. I had it done a while ago. Truthfully, I only wear it when in Akatsuki attire, but I've always liked it. I also have my tongue, ears, and nose done.” she pointed out, showing them to everyone.
“Why do you have those?” Sakura wondered, looking at the solid black bar on Tenmai's tongue.
“It was a trademark of Pein and I. We always wore them.”
“Well, I think it looks cool. It gives a bad girl edge, even the flower is cool.” Tenmai said, giving Tenmai a thumbs-up.
“If you want to be technical, Temari, she is a bad girl and she's going out with Suna's number one bad boy, Gaara.” Kankuro exclaimed, throwing an arm over his brother's shoulders, a wide smile on his face.
“Remove your arm.” Gaara demanded, glaring at his brother out of the corner of his eye.
Kankuro whipped his arm off of Gaara before it could be removed painfully. Said Kazekage stepped forward and put a hand on Tenmai's shoulder helping her up off the ground. She laced her arm through his and the two began walking down the hall, the others following behind, giggling amongst themselves at the expense of the ones before them. They all parted ways outside the Kazekage building, the Konoha group going to their hotel, the others returning home.

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Gaara walked Tenmai up to her room and sat with her on her bed. Silence lapsed in the room, neither talking, only sitting. Tenmai had her head on Gaara's shoulder and was occupying herself by tracing the lines on his left hand. He watched her do so, wondering how she found that entertaining. She placed her left hand next to his and seemed to be comparing lines. A smile came to her face.
“What is it?” Gaara asked, looking at the happiness shinning through in her non-seeing eyes.
“Our destinies are intertwined, Gaara. Our lines are similar. We both have lead a hard life, always pushing others away, always fearing what the next day could bring. But the line going from the pointer finger across to below the pinky says that we are suppose to be together, that destiny has seen us joined forever, despite anything that might come between us.”
“All of that from a few lines on hand?” he asked, sceptically.
“Fortune telling was always a forte of mine. I picked it a while ago. So tell me Gaara, do you believe in destiny?”
“I never considered it before.”
“Would it be possible to try?”
“I could.” he glanced down at her face to see a soft smile.
Lacing her fingers with his, she continued to rest against him. It was comforting to Gaara. He has never allowed anyone this close to him before, but he liked it when she sat with him, leaning as she is. He remembered the kiss they shared a month of so back and wanted to feel what he felt then once more. With his right hand he stroked the cheek that wasn't against his shoulder causing Tenmai to lift her head. Tilting his head downward, he captured her lips. She was shocked. A gasp escaped her moth, causing her lips to part. Gaara's tongue reached into her mouth, coaxing her own to join. Tenmai's eyes fluttered close as she responded wholeheartedly to the kiss he had initiated.
Gaara leaned down, forcing Tenmai to lay on the bed they were sitting on. Never breaking the kiss, Gaara hovered over her, left arm holding himself up and the right running up and down Tenmai's waist. His hand traveled up, going over her breasts to undo the clasps of her top. Pushing the fabric to the side, he reached under the white fabric of the shirt she wore beneath to touch her skin. She moaned as his fingers danced across her stomach, her hands clutching his shirt. Making quick work of the harness that usually holds his gourd, she threw it, behind her. Her left hand ran up his arm to tenderly hold his face while her right did the same as his, played across his own skin.
The two felt like they were on fire as they passionately kissed each other. They parted lips briefly and Gaara gazed into her lust and love filled eyes. Tenmai stroked Gaara's cheek, running her fingers up the side, into his hair, and down his neck, all the while smiling softly at him. The hand beside her head played with the flower secured in her bun. Gaara gently removed the flower and pulled the tie out of her hair, causing the black locks to fan around her head. He took in the woman before him. She was beautiful, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
“Gaara?” she whispered, not wanting to speak to loud.
“Hn?” he responded in the same hushed tone.
“I love you and really, truthfully, without a doubt, want to be your wife, if you will still have me.”
“Would I still be kissing you if I didn't want you?”
“Good point.”
Running her hand along his cheek once more, she pecked him on the lips. Not wanting to stop what they were doing because he loved the feel of her lips over his, her hands running along his skin as his own danced across hers, he pressed against her lips. The passion started again and Tenmai flipped Gaara over, putting her on top. She removed the Chinese-style top, throwing it off to the side, and ran her hands up Gaara's stomach and chest, bringing his shirt with it. Parting lips and pulling the shirt over his head, she continued kissing him, the shirt falling above his head. Her fingertips ran over his muscles, memorizing them through touch. As Gaara made to take her undershirt off, someone knocked on the door.
“You two in there.” Temari yelled from the other side.
“Ye...Yeah, we are, Temari.” Tenmai responded, slightly out of breath.
“I'm starting on dinner. It should be ready in about 20 minutes, alright?”
“We'll be down there. I'm going to take a shower fist, though.”
“Okay.”
They heard Temari walking away from the door and sighed in relief. Temari loved the fact that Gaara finally had someone to take care of and love him, but it would be awkward to walk in on him making out with said girl. Gaara looked up at the woman straddling him. She was running her fingers through her hair, causing the shirt she wore to tighten. He didn't see any wraps under the shirt only a simple, short tube top with straps. Tenmai smiled down at Gaara, laid a hand on his cheek to know where his lips were, and placed a delicate, yet emotion-filled kiss on his lips before climbing off.
Getting her bearings, she walked over to the only dresser in the room and pulled out a tight black tank top and matching stretch pants, everything in the drawer being organized by color and style. Tenmai was a tad bit of a neat freak Plucking out a pair of underwear out of the top drawer, she stood and faced Gaara, who knew what she wanted. Taking her by the hand, he lead her to the bathroom while she counted the steps. Leaving her on her own, he returned to his room, hearing the water running.
Gaara's mind was filled with so many thoughts. He was still trying to process all that he learned from Tenmai today. She had a previous relationship before this one, with none other than Itachi, another Akatsuki member. She didn't love him, at least, which Gaara was unusually happy about. Tenmai also said that Itachi got angry at her when she told him that she didn't reciprocate his feelings. Could the scar on her leg, the one she wouldn't tell Gaara about, be from Itachi?

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Due to the recent Japanese release of volume 40 and English translations, there are a few issues I must address. The Akatsuki leader now has a name, Pein. While he reports to another, he is still considered the leader. The purple haired kunoichi he is with does not have a name, but in my story she does.

I will ignore anyone who tries to point out the things I already know.

As such, most events occurring after volume 40, chapter 364, will be ignored unless I wish to fit them into the story. When the purple haired kunoichi gets a name, that will be ignored as well, seeing as I have already developed her into a character and changing that would be time-consuming. I hope this doesn't upset anyone.