Youko's POV

"..found her..."

"...a spy! Are.."

"..she's hurt! I..."

Muffled voices were heard when I'm finally conscious to my surroundings.

"Where am I?" I spoke softly as I tried to get up, holding my pounding head.

This place looks odd..

My eyes wandered across the room and caught two figures looking at me. One of them is a man in an odd-looking armour. Another is a lady in a black yukata with a huge fan strapped behind her. Both of them had headbands with the symbol of the Hidden Sand.

Oh yeah! I'm supposed to act as if I have amnesia.

"You've woke up." The lady said.

Geez. No shit, Sherlock.

"W-Where am I?" I spoke weakly.

"You're in the village Hidden in the Sand. Do you remember what happened?"

"N-No.."

"You don't-"

"Don't be too harsh on the girl, Temari. She probably has amnesia for receiving an impact on her head." An old lady shows herself from behind the curtain.

"Lady Chiyo" The lady named Temari greeted.

"How do you feel, girl?" The old lady asked gently.

"My head feels heavy and my body feels a little sore.."

"Do you remember your name, little one?"

"I'm not a little!" I pout. "It's Youko"

"Temari, who is this girl who fainted in front of our gate?" A man with scarlet red hair step foot into the room. I recognise this guy from the mission scroll.

Gaara no Sabaku, the Kazekage.

He then set his eyes on me.

"A little girl?"

An irk appeared on my forehead.

"I'm not a little girl! I'm 17!" I huffed angrily.

"Don't speak to the Kazekage so rudely!" Temari warned.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm the girl who fainted in front of your gate."

"I can see that. Who are you?"

"Name is Youko."

"Where are you from?"

"I don't know."

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

"I don't believe you."

"But I'm telling the truth."

"Let me ask you again. Where are you from?"

"I really don't know.." I spoke softly, almost a whisper. Tears brimmed my eyes because I know I spoke the truth. I really do not know where I am from.

Gaara's gaze seem to soften and he sigh silently.

"I assume you're a kunoichi?"

"Yeah. I still remember how to fight if that's what you're asking." I avoided eye contacts.

"Come to my office once you're in a fit shape." With that, he left.

"You should rest, little girl." Lady Chiyo said.

"No, I'm fine. I'll go to his office now." I look at the Temari. "May you please bring me to his office?"

She nod and gesture me to follow her. Before I left, I turned towards Lady Chiyo and said,"I'm not a little girl."

~~~~~

Once I arrive in front of his office, I knocked on his door and entered. Apparently, he wasn't the only person in the room. There was another red head whom I recognise. My partner in this mission.

Sasori no Akasuna.

"Good that you're here, Youko. Do you really can't remember your home?"

"No, I don't."

"Alright then, you will be staying here for the meantime. Of course, we won't provide free service. You are required to be one of the kunoichi in Sunagakure, is that fine with you?"

"Hai."

"Very well, this man here shall accompany you during your stay. Here is your headband. You shall take Temari's place as my assistant, so I can keep my eye on you."

"I understand, Kazekage-sama."

"Your work starts tomorrow and I'll have Sasori here to show you around. Dismiss."

Sasori showed me the way out and we are now walking on the streets.

Hmm.. Gaara doesn't seem like someone who trusts easily. I mustn't do anything rash which will leave suspicion. I must take every chance I have with him in his office.

I looked at the blazing Sun and held a hand to block the hurtful rays.

Damn, it's hot.

"We're here." Sasori spoke for the first time and find myself staring at an apartment.

All of the buildings here looks almost the same. This will be a boring stay..

I followed him up the stairs and into a home with two rooms and a bath room. He opened the door to a small room with a bed, a medium sized dresser, a table with a chair and a mirror. I assumed this is my room.

"You may rest here before I show you around my village. I advise you to inform Pein of your mission so far. It seems Gaara has taken a liking to you." Then, he close the door of my room and entered his.

Don't tell me what to do, newbie. I'm here to judge you after all. I glared at the door. Gaara likes me? Ha! Don't make me laugh.

~~~~~

After Sasori showed my around the village which is honestly very tiring and hot, I told him I want to be alone and of course, he left me.

It's dark now and the streets are poorly lit. I look up at the dark sky to see twinkling stars.

I guess the only thing worth the stay is the view of the stars. I smiled to myself.

Suddenly, I was pushed aggressively to a wall.

I was caught off guard! I hissed to myself.

🍁🍂🍁🍂

I sincerely apologise for this crappy chapter. I promise the next will be entertaining!!

Who do you think pushed her to the wall? ;)

~Joelle Au