(Kankuro) 9 ~Drown Me In Sand~ 9 (Story)

The days passed with the same uneventful, silent stupor and tedious pattern. Hanako and Kankuro would wake up before the sun had a chance to gaze upon them, they would eat modestly, pack up, and walk until the sun was at its highest. They would stop only a short while to consume a small morsel and then continue to walk. Once the sun had set and the sands were black with the irresistible cover of night, they would stop. Kankuro would set up camp and Hanako would wait, quietly sinking into the warm refuge of her mind. The two would eat, with what seemed to be little conversation before they slept, bringing the silence to its pinnacle. The next morning they would wake before dawn and set off once more.

It had been several days, Hanako realized, since the two of them had even spoken to each other. Conversation was not just scarce but completely absent from their lives. She wanted more than anything to speak to him, to comfort him and tell him that he needn't worry. But every time she parted her lips, tried to convey to him her feelings, the desert pulled the words from her throat and buried them deep beneath the dry waves.

She was parched but could not ask for a drink.

And so the days trudged on; her feet kept moving, her throat remained dry, and the silence hung overhead with the unbearable feeling of exhaustion.

Sometime near the fifth or sixth day - for neither of the two was of the mind to keep an honest track of time - Kankuro spotted the first village. The thought of a warm bed was not as comforting as he had hoped. In fact, the village was not a sign of company and the ideals of a home, but the terrifying recognition that he was so much closer to loosing her.

They entered the village without a single word.

It was a small village, with several animals running around in pens and on the street. There were children laughing and running about, some holding sticks and pretending to be their own heroes and heroin. Their parents were busy chatting and laughing, buying food at a small market, drawing water from a well, and manning the farm. There were several elderly women in a close half circle, speaking in voices dulled by age. Still there was the glitter of wit and youth hidden in their eyes.

Hanako relished the warmth of the village. It was a relief after the bitter, stone silence that had controlled them in the desert. Maybe now she would get the chance to speak.

Out of the corner of her eye Hanako caught a glimpse of a gaggle of long necked women whispering to themselves and casting weary eyes at the Kankuro and herself. It took her a moment to recognize her.

She stopped and, turning on her heel, addressed her.

"Could that be you, Megumi? The years have not been kind."

The tallest of the women, a lanky woman with broad shoulders, strong arms and legs, a long, thin face, black hair and narrow black eyes, raised her head and glowered at the girl. The look quickly faded and the woman walked over as quickly as she could.

"Little Hana!" The woman raised her hands to Hanako's face and scrutinized every aspect of the girl. They had not seen each other in years.

"Oh, you terrible child! What are you doing in this part of the land? And what on earth has happened to the little girl I once knew?! Oh, my dear sweat girl! It has been far too long!"

Megumi pulled Hanako as close as she could and pressed her head to her chest. She stroked her hair for a moment while Hanako hugged her back. After a long minute the two let go and took in the full sight of one and other.

"Megumi, you belly! It is as large as the okari! You have been busy I see?" Hanako raised her head and smiled again. To see her old friend pregnant!

Megumi let a wisp of breath escape her thin lips: it was a light and happy sigh, and rubbed her stomach with a loving and tender hand.

"Indeed. You have not been told then? Susumu and I were wed not long ago. And now... It is quite a thing is it not?"

"Susumu! But he was such a shy young fish! I would never have guessed that he... And now-" She raised her head and gave her old friend a coy smile. "I always knew that his named would serve him truly in the end, though never to this extent."

The crane like woman jestingly pushed Hanako's shoulder.

"You always were the kind of girl who was shameless and spoke her mind. I see you have not changed. Now tell me, what are you doing here?"

Hanako's smile faltered for a split second before she replied.

"I am on my way back home. I was out to fetch my brother and... You know how easily distracted I am."

Megumi gave her friend a broad smile, her eyes alight with sincere knowledge. That was not the only thing that Megumi knew about the younger girl.

"Yes, Hana. I do. How long will you be staying?"

Hanako quickly looked back over her shoulder. Kankuro had stopped walking and was waiting with an irksome look upon his face. They really shouldn't...

Tracing her eyes over to the painted boy Megumi caught a glimpse of what was going on. To pay such attention to one man, and with such a pleading look.

"Is that what distracted you, little Hana? He is quite a sullen figure for someone so lively as you."

Hanako turned back around and gave her friend an annoyed look, a rare emotion to cross her face. Megumi just tilted her chin up and smiled down at the bronzed girl. There was much more to this than met the eye. And Megumi had always been a curious girl...

"Why don't you stay the night Hana? Your friend may stay as well, if he would like. You would not deny the request of an old friend, would you little one?"

Hanako lowered her eyes to Megumi's stomach and smiled; a rather nostalgic smile. She could not refuse her. She turned around and gave Kankuro a smile.

"May we stay, little fish? My family would not mind one more day if it is for the sake of an old friend."

Kankuro's lips curled into a small scowl and he let his gaze stray to the children in the street. One more day wouldn't hurt that much. It's not like there was any real time limit for him. He could afford to let one day slip by... as long as it made her happy. And the town seemed nice enough.

He returned his gaze to Hanako. It was still very stern. He crossed his arms and let out a small sigh before shaking his head.

"One night wouldn't hurt."

Hanako beamed at him and turned back to the pregnant woman.

"We will stay. I hope you do not mind. We are not imposing on your... activities? Susumu will not mind?"

Megumi shook her head. "No. Susumu can go a single day with making love to his wife."

The two laughed with the jovial nature of the children around them and started to move up a small alleyway. Kankuro followed a good distance behind, ignoring the whispers of the townspeople and the women that Megumi had so rudely left behind.

"We live just up the street. I hope you don't mind but the two of you will have to share a room. If you're uncomfortable then we could-"

"It is fine, I am sure Megumi. But... do you have any spare mats? I would not want..." Hanako cast a quick glance backward at the somber boy.

Megumi nodded with an all knowing smile and assured her there was a separate mat so the two would not have to sleep together. Hanako gave a small smile of relief and walked up the stairs to a small but comfortable house. It was nice to be somewhere that wasn't too imposing.

They entered the house trough a small door and stepped into a humble living room. Hanako inhaled deeply. She could smell the faint breath of the ocean under the deep, penetrating mix of the farm and old wool. It was a welcoming smell. She moved her feet a little, unaccustomed to the texture of tatami floors.

Megumi raised her hand to her lips and called out into the house. "Susumu! You won't believe who I caught passing through town!"

There was a crash to Hanako's left and the shuffled of papers and metals before the padding of feet came down a narrow hall.

"Megu, you know that I don't like it when you-"

Susumu looked up. He had not seen Hanako in a very long time. In fact, the last time he had seen her she had been barely entering into puberty and had been trying to convince Susumu that his best choice in life would be to take her away and marry her. She had just been a small thing, only so tall. Her hair had been short and tied with a traditional band that had been beaten into ruin. She had been a scrawny but pretty child, and she had been able to pull him to his knees. And now... now she was a vision of sheer beauty.

"Hana?" His voice was peaked with surprise. He had not seen her in years!

"Susumu-san! It is good to see you again."

She flashed him a devilishly seductive smiled and ran forward to hug him. Susumu was one of the few men who Hanako had been able to stand when she was a child. And now he was married to one of the few women who could calm her.

"Susumu-san... I have not seen you in such a long time."

He took a moment to catch his breath before returning her hug and closing his eyes. She was such a beautiful girl. He hoped that she had not changed.

"And to think that this is the same girl who tried to convince me to elope. Hanako... You have changed very much."

Hanako pulled away and put a single hand on her hip. After a moment she pulled her hand away, crouched over, pushing her breasts together with the familiar taunt of flesh, and smiled at him.

"Susumu, my little fish. Did I not tell you to wait for me?"

He let out a low laugh and ran a hand through his thick black hair. "You did tell me to wait for you didn't you? Oh - little Hana." He looked her up and down and laughed again. "Or not so little Hana. It is good to see you again."

Megumi waddled over to her husband and gave him a small kiss. "Would you show them the spare room? You might have to clean a few things out though... I'll get dinner ready. Hana, you should join me after. I know you would love to cook again."

Hana's lip twitched. Kankuro could not tell if it was a good thing or a bad. Instead he stood to the side and waited for Hanako to follow the older man. He was regretting this already.

Hanako sat next in the empty room by Kankuro. She had told Susumu that she would be a little while before joining his wife and to convey the message. Now there was just the eerie silence that had followed them out of Sunagakure. She sighed and laid her head in Kankuro's lap. The move seemed too forward after such a long time of abstinence.

"I am sorry, Kankuro. I just have not seen Megumi in such a long time. And then to add Susumu... We can leave first thing tomorrow morning if you wish."

Kankuro closed his eyes and concentrated on breathing. Slow and even.

"Hanako... I don't know if we should really be in the same room."

"Nani?" Her voice was soft, tired.

He allowed himself a single exasperated smile and stroked her hair. It was nice to be able to spend time with her again. He really didn't want to make himself any more vulnerable but it would only for a day. He would allow himself a little bit of emotion.

"Didn't Megumi-san want you to make dinner with her?"

Hanako let out a little laugh and pulled herself up so that her nose was touching Kankuro's. Her eyes were dulled with the illusion of sleep.

"Megumi-kun knows that I do not like to cook. She is testing me..." She lowered her eyes to look at Kankuro's lips. They were awfully close. She licked her own lips and resisted closing the gap between them.

"She is testing us." Her eyes jolted back to Kankuro's. "I will warn you now, Kankuro, Megumi-kun knows many more things than she lets on. She will extract many things from you and lead you where she wants you to go. You will be her puppet in your own life. Do not take her lightly, little fish. She will beat you if you enter into her domain."

Hanako closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The urge to kiss him was overwhelming. But she was far more powerful than any urge. She pulled herself back so that she was sitting on her knees. She pushed herself off the ground and turned to walk toward the door. She would watch Megumi cook. Before she left she looked over her shoulder and spoke to the confused boy on the floor.

"You should talk to Susumu. I was not allowed time to introduce you. I am sure you will get along well. But please Kankuro..." She turned back around. "Be careful."

Kankuro waited until she left and then smirked.

"Hana! You little liar! You said that he was nothing!"

Hanako glared over her shoulder as she rummaged through a cabinet filled with spices. The fish had been ever so slightly tasteless. She grabbed a small black glass jar and turned around.

"I never said that he was 'nothing'."

"Then he is something?"

She opened the jar and sprinkled a little bit of the herb on the sizzling griddle and turned back to her friend.

"I have said nothing about Kankuro. You have made assumptions." She turned back around and shuffled the griddle a little bit, keeping the fish from burning. The poor thing... She, at least, knew how it felt.

"So Hana, what is this boy to you?"

"He is nothing for you to be concerned with."

Megumi turned away and reached into a cooling box. There was a bottle of sake that she had been saving for Susumu and she to share but this was a special occasion. Not to mention the utter lack of sake on the island.

"Then you are staying faithful to Arata?"

Hanako's hand slipped from the griddle causing her to burn heself. She pulled away with a gasp and moved her fingers to her mouth. She had not heard anyone say Arata's name since before she had left Sunagakure.

Megumi smiled to herself but never let the smile leave her mind. Instead she forced herself to frown and moved over to Hanako. Taking her hand she let out a sigh and shook her head.

"Hana... You know that is dangerous to be doing such things. I cannot believe that you would do this to that poor boy."

"I have done nothing to Arata."

Megumi smiled once more to herself. Hanako had always been so easy to read when she was upset. This was the easiest that she had ever been.

"I was speaking of Kankuro. You are leading him into a false relationship now, aren't you? But you say Arata? What could you possibly being doing to hurt him? Unless... do you plan on hurting him Hana? Would you really choose this boy over the man that you have loved since infancy?"

Hanako spun around and glared at the woman. The feeling that overcame her was one that she had never experienced to such catastrophic proportions.

"Hold your tongue Megumi."

Her voice was sharp and dark, something that Megumi had never heard. She was so startled that she almost took a step back. It took her a moment to regain composure and realize this was indeed the young girl that she had helped to raise. Even though she was calm she did not allow herself to let her guard down. Her lips pursed in a stern manner. She waited for Hanako to finish speaking.

Hanako did not let her temper falter.

"I would never hurt Kankuro. It pains me far more than anything else to hurt him as it is. Leaving him like this..." She let her eyes flicker to the side before returning her heated gaze to her friend. Her brow was drawn in an unfamiliar anger. "Megumi, I swear this to you; Arata will never hold my heart as Kankuro does. And even if I swear myself to him, even I swear to the Mother herself, I will never belong to Arata. Never."

Megumi took a deep breath, her nostrils flared. This was a side of Hanako she had never seen. Inside she was beaming with a sick pleasure. She would never let this moment go. And she would never let Hanako forget.

She turned away from the girl and put the sake back in the cooling basket. There was no need for her to get Hanako drunk tonight. Maybe she would another time, but not now. She had learned what she had wanted to know and even a little bit more.

"Thank you, Hanako-chan."

She allowed the whisper to be carried off by the wind so that little Hanako could not hear it. The words swept away, over the sleeping homes of many small villages, winding through tall trees and sliding over the silk wings of nocturnal birds, far past the ears of the temperate island girl, where they were cradled by the sea herself. She held them with a tender passion and waited until she could give them to the young girl herself. The night was calm as she waited. She knew that it would not be long.

"So, Kankuro, is it?"

Kankuro fell onto the back steps with a small thud and placed his hands on his knees. His legs were spread apart in a way that made him comfortable. He looked over at the man next to him. He could kill him in seconds. He was just a scrawny little farming boy, tall and wiry with subtly hidden muscles. He had long fingers that were wasted on a hoe, cracking skin and chipped nails embedded with his work. His chin was shaded with the distinct uneven shadows of stubble.

"How old are you?" Kankuro asked in a curt tone.

Susumu laughed.

"You're not in a very good mood are you?" Another short laugh and he responded. "I am twenty five. You're a little older than Hana, aren't you?"

Kankuro didn't respond. Susumu didn't wait for him to.

"Ah, yes then. What's the matter? Is it Hana? She can be quite... troublesome. I know that she pulled me into her little net. And at that time she was only a child, maybe eleven or twelve. I cannot be too sure. But now..." He laughed again. His voice was that of a young mans: light with the vague recollection of childhood, still refusing to cooperate with full manhood and not quite baritone. His laugh hung in the air with the crisp feel of joy. It was a pleasant laugh.

"You have it hard my friend. Hana is worth it though. Had she been a few years older..." He gave a short chortle and raised his head up to look at the night sky. Kankuro hadn't even noticed the sun had set.

"It is quite nice, isn't it? Hana used to drag me from my house at the middle of the night and force me to watch at the stars with her, out by Hiotohanakari. I can't say that it was entirely forceful though..."

Kankuro studied the older mans face. It was odd for him: talking to someone who had been so close to Hanako, someone who had a childhood memory of her. He had once wondered what she had been like when she was younger. He didn't ask the other man though.

"Hiotohanakari? That is a place for newly weds, isn't it?"

Susumu looked at Kankuro with a puzzled look. It was not the sort of thing that Hanako should have been talking with a stranger about.

"You know of it?"

Kankuro paused and scanned the heavens. It was a nice night out. The stars were bright and there was a slight breeze that pulled him toward the ocean. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could smell its fragrance from here...

Finally he replied in a slow, hazy voice. "Yes. Hanako told me about it a few days ago. We were talking about her marriage."

Susumu's brow furrowed and he redirected his gaze to the ground. There was a little tussle among two small bugs over a crumb. The larger of the two seemed to be winning.

"Then you know about Arata?"

Kankuro ignored the mention of his name and nodded.

"I have known about him for awhile..." He paused and took another breath, steadying himself for the question he was about to ask.

"Do you know him? Arata?" His name scrapped against his throat and clawed its way over his jaw and down his chest until it was just a painful scar.

Susumu turned his head away so that Kankuro could not see the smile on his face. Megumi was much better at masking her emotions. He took another quick glance at the brawling insects. The smaller of the two was now taking control. He sighed and began to speak.

"Yes, I know him. Arata is a fine man, a few years older than Hana and probably you as well. He was a fragile child but he had become a strong and wise leader, though he is quick to anger. Once-" He gave another small laugh. "Once he picked up Hana's oldest brother and swung him into the ocean. He said that it was his right to challenge him for Hana's hand. It was not the best idea he ever had, for Hayato is a big man and he beat Arata black and blue. The poor boy couldn't walk for days." He smiled. The memory was one he had not thought of in a long time. He wondered how the village was these days. He nodded his head letting the memory come back to him.

"But Hana has always been a kind girl. She nursed him back to health and scolded him everyday until his ears bled. He never fought with Hayato again. Hana called him a 'poor little puppy' who walked away 'with his tail between his legs,' though never to his face. She knew the trouble she might have called on if she had.

"You see, Hana's father, Ryuu-dono, he is very fond of Arata. He encouraged their union since their childhood. Sometimes I even think it's his fault." Susumu shook his head and then rubbed his temples. The two slipped into silence for several minuets, one watching the small tussle and the other waiting, before Kankuro spoke once more.

"His fault?"

Susumu pushed his hands on his knees and stood up. He raised his arms above his head and stretched to each side, relaxing his muscles. Megumi would enjoy this very much. The boy had such curious facial expressions.

"Yes. His fault that Arata has changed so much."

The older man turned around and took the two steps to his house in one. Dinner had been ready for quite sometime. It was curious that a ninja had not recognized it. He took a moment to look over his shoulder and add a quick jab to Kankuro.

"And his fault that she ran away and fell in love."

Susumu walked the short distance and sat on his knees at the old table. It was quite sometime before the boy joined them. Maybe he had something to think about. Susumu smiled to himself. He wondered what it would be like if Kankuro were to fight against Hayato. His smile broadened as his wife and the young island girl entered carrying their dinner. What a nice night it had been.