Episode 30--> The Hugh Hunt: Lost and Found

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•Gaara POV 3-P•

The redheaded sand wielder was taking a quiet stroll. Gaara had thoroughly combed the beach, bush, bay and all. He'd slipped away from the others unnoticed.

What he'd found was nice weather, plenty of sand, sea and sun, strange new creatures and now a cliff. He took a break on the beach beneath the overhang, leaning on the sturdy rock face, enjoying the way the wind made his hair float.

What a strange, new world he was now apart of. Exploring on his own was quite enjoyable. But Gaara believed it was a good time to head back to his companions from Konoha.

He pushed himself from against the cliff, preparing to leave but he then heard a sound.

"....Haha, who, I'm exhausted...." It was someone's voice coming from above him.

"???" He looked up and soon a familiar figure appeared.

It was Natalya basking in the breeze like he had been. He had no clue why she was also here.

She didn't notice his presence as she stares out at the horizon, a pleasant smile on her face. He also looked to the horizon and truthfully it was a breathtaking sight.

Gaara peeled his eyes away and looked back up.

(Oh, she's leaving.) He saw her turn to leave so he went to follow since they could walk back together. It was only practical.

He heard her scream suddenly. Unlike before where the shriek was laces with a hint of pain this one sounded like panic.

Although he didn't need to be concerned. Apparently she was running around up there with a water fowl attached to her shoulder.

Confused by the bizarre scene Gaara silently watched, not truly knowing how to respond to the situation.

(What a curious girl she is...) Now, as he thought this, she was calm and talking to the bird. Strangely she hugged the flying animal to herself.

Bless his soul, he didn't judge her on the absurdity and he approached the bottom of the cliff in order to join her.

Gaara decided to test his control over this new land's sand. It was a success. The sand moved beneath his feet, formed a platform and elevated him. Gaara then travelled up the cliff with ease, using the sand as an elevator of sorts.

But by the time he got up she was already gone. He looked to where the trees started for signs of which direction she took.

So he didn't lose her he used his Third eye. The eye was formed from sand and his sight was wirelessly connected. He sent it out and he scoped the area without having to move an inch. Once he found her he could easily appear at her side. And he did find her.

But then, as he'd located her, his sand eye disappeared almost like it was erased.

"What just--"

The minute he lost visual he heard her scream once more. This time the sound was near bloodcurdling.

Acting quickly he flashed to her side, disappearing into a wisp of sand and reappearing before her.

He found her cowering on the pine needle covered ground. And she was alone.

"Natalya?" He called out to her.

Gaara never saw what had frightened her but for some reason as she looked up at him, she acted as if it was him.

"Oh...It's Gaara." Recognition flooded her features and then regret.

•Natalya's POV 1-P•

"Natalya" Someone called my name, in a calm voice which I wasn't expecting during such a scare.

I peeked through my fingers and was met with a surprise more pleasant than I was expecting.

"Oh, it's Gaara..." I said feeling horrible and apologetic.

Gaara simply nodded.

I stopped cowering and picked myself up. Gaara, seeing that I was fine, went to walk off.

"Ah!" I clasped my hand around his, pulling him to a complete stop. The sand, because I had
no chakra, did not come to block me from touching him.

I was so focused on correcting my wrong it was only Gaara who took note of that phenomenon. The cork of his gourd didn't
even pop off, not even when I tightened my grip on his hand and stared him in the eyes.

"I'm not afraid of you if that's what you think! I just didn't expect to see another person!
I went wondering on my own so I psyched myself up and I thought there was a boar or a monster coming to get me-- NOT THAT YOU'RE A BOAR OR A MONSTER! Oh gee that came out wrong um......... I think you are a wonderful person...? Um, uh, I'll just shut up now."

God, what is going on with me, how can I treat Gaara so carelessly? But I will admit he was a little intimidating... (>//<) And he actually listened to my mindless rambling. His patience made me feel more ashamed. Ohhh, it's 'Embarrass Natalya Day' again I bet!

"Too tight." Gaara stated simply as I let my grip get too tight around his arm. I glanced up
to see him giving our hands a pointed look. I finally got the hint.

"Ah!" I screamed and dropped his hand making sure to get out his personal space.

"I'm sorry Gaara! I'm being too friendly-- touching you without asking." I bowed in a non-
bahamian like way and something, something important, something important I had been too dense to notice finally occurred to me.

I sprung up with my eyes opened wide and my mouth unhinged a little. "AHHH~! I touched you!!"

I had to cover my mouth with BOTH hands to hold in the fangirling within me. I was on him like white on rice after that discovery. I patted him
down, pinched him everywhere and even ruffled his hair. I was grinning hugely. The only person who touched Gaara was Rock Lee, his mum and like one other person, right? I'm a part of a exclusive group, aren't I? This can't be happening. This is history in the making!

"How am I doing this.... Haha imma boss!" Oh that's right! When we first met I did hug him with ease the other day under the tree didn't I?! I guess I was so excited/nervous about meeting Shikamaru I didn't take
note of that.

"Is this why you're not afraid of me?"

"OF COURSE THAT'S NOT IT, YOU DUMMY!" I yelled and thwacked Gaara in the back of his head with no restraint. And his sand still didn't come up to protect him. Um, it really should have though...

"Urk!" He shouted and gave me a dirty look that was mixed with confusion. Obviously, he would be blindsided by the abuse.

I gaped at my treacherous hand.
(◉_◉) Well, this bold mofo called my hand.... did you really just... woooow....

"Oh! Sorry!" I vehemently apologized more shocked at my actions than Gaara had been. I
began fussing over him making sure I didn't break him or something.

"Why do you keep apologizing?" Gaara let his irritation creep out into his voice as he gave me a hard look.

"Idiot." I muttered. "I want to treat you kindly and respectfully," I admitted proudly, smirking slightly. Like a dealer wanting to keep her goods 100% until her buyer comes to pick it up, I thought hiding a wicked grin. Beside those ulterior motives I just wanted to get along. I hope I can convey this to him. But I'm so bad at it.

Gaara blinked in shock. "Kindly? But why?" He questioned seriously but instead of answering I launched myself at him. (OwO)

"Guuu~! You are too adorable!" I cooed hugging Gaara with this -> (>w<) look on my face not noticing the person approaching us.

Meanwhile Shikamaru who had no idea he was now, and had always been, a one man search party came around a bend of trees and caught a glimpse of Gaara and I.

(No one else seemed to have went this way...) He briefly glances around as he thought this. So that meant he would have to go get me.

Redirecting his attention back to Gaara and I, Shikamaru peered at us quizzically.

(Why are they here?) Shikamaru wondered and raised an eyebrow when he saw how friendly Gaara and I were.

(That's rare... seeing him with a girl...) Shikamaru thought to himself and stepped over a large tree branch trying to get closer.

(Maybe... she disappeared when she noticed he was missing?) He hesitated. (Wait, am I coming at a bad time then?) Shikamaru's face lost color at the thought of becoming a third wheel.

Shikamaru stopped walking when he saw me glomp Gaara with all my might. (It's hard to tell with her... not that it matters.)

"Guuu~! You are too adorable!" My voice floated through the air.

By his facial expression, it was obvious what the Nara boy thought about this. (I rushed over here thinking she's in danger and I find her cozying up with Gaara, haah, what a serious drag...)

Shikamaru shook his head at my fangirly gushing. (Choji did say she was prone to doing these things, so what do I expect.) He simply sighed and got closer.

Of course Gaara took notice of Shikamaru's approach. But, unlike my observant current companion, I was too busy doing too much fangirly garbage to notice Shikamaru as he nonchalantly stepped out of the bushes.

Shikamaru sighed. (Well better get this over with...)

Suddenly Shikamaru spoke up, startling me, "What a serious drag... Hey, Naomi's looking for you--! She wants you back at the beach."

Shikamaru's unexpected shout made me jump out my own skin basically. I ended up jerking my body away in fright.
[A/N: Swish, swish bish.]

"KYAAH!" Scared out of my wits -yet again - I unceremoniously launched at Gaara for protection and I ended up crashing into him instead. He managed to catch me in his arms but in a awkward
dip which made it look like we had been waltzing or something. Just slow dancing in the
bushes.... yup... Hahaha... Ugh.

Stunned for a fraction of a second, with my blue eyes wide, I could only stare dumbly at Shikamaru.

Who knew what was going through the young Nara's head at this moment. (>//<) Nuuuuuu~! Embarrass Natalya Day continues~! Waaahahah~! (T~T)

I sputter out in shock, "Why are you here" (...giving fangirls heart attacks!) and finished in thought.

Did he say Naomi sent him?!

"The jelly filled heck-- NAOMI~!" I screeched in frustration. It was painful, the awkwardness, was painful.

"Sorry, I'm always coming at a bad time...." Shikamaru's casual apology only made the situation
more awkward and I mentally face-palmed as hard as I could.

"N-No, no, we were only talking, ahem." I insisted, softly cleared my throat and created some distance between Gaara and I immediately.

"There's no need to give me an excuse...." Shikamaru flashed me a lazy smirk.

I pouted secretly to myself, at least get jealous, you pinacolada, grrr!

Natalya's Imagination:
In a possessive Shikamaru voice: "My woman!" *Shikamaru grabs Natalya by the hips and holds her snug against his body*
In a higher pitch than usual Natalya voice: "Kya Shikamaruuu~♥ love you, love you♥!"
*kissy kissy*
( ^//)3(^//^)😙😊
[A/N: And scene! 😂]

One mini episode of vivid imagination later and I'd managed to piss myself off because it was always much sweeter in my mind....

In a twisted roundabout way I got ticked off at Shikamaru too. Like. Why is your sexy behind here? Why have you walked in on me doing a bunch of dumb stuff again? Just why hoe?!

When his eyes were elsewhere I glared at him. (You're lucky I don't kiss your face, ya little--)

As luck would have it on Embarrass Natalya Day(E.N.D.) that clearly comes around several times per week, Shikamaru sensed the ill intent and OMFG he caught me staring-- ugh, angrily glaring at him!

Oh shitake mushroom!

LOOK AWAAAAY....

Even as I mentally screamed that at myself I'd already been trapped in his heavy-lidded yet sharp brown eyes , unable to escape. 😳

Just when I thought he'd read my thoughts his lips turned upward into a small grin.

"If looks can kill," He almost laughed, walking up to me to stand a few inches taller, "Are you mad that I interrupted or did a 'crab bite your patty' again?"

OMFG is he teasing me...? I can feel my mind go blank and fuzzy as my pulse fluttered. (0///0)

".........neither...." I answered trying to hide my excitement behind a pouty glare. Being playfully teased by the guy you love is such a sweet'n'sour feeling.

Shikamaru shrugged and walked off. Taking the chance to escap-- um rejoin the others -- Gaara went along with him.

Left alone I silently and angrily freaked out. Every time, Every-Single-Chicken-Licking-Time I'm doing something compromising Naomi sends him my way!! I don't know whether to applaud her for forcing me to take my daily dosage of Shikamaru or to punish her for her bad timing.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose in exhaustion.

Busy reflecting on my wild day today, I was caught off guard when something landed on the top of my head. What, with my luck today it just might be some wild animal or a Natalya killer. What if it is a frog...? I've had nothing but terrible luck today.

I stiffened momentarily and then, apprehensively, braving the odds, I slowly reach my hand up to the top of my head where I felt it resting. I tapped it gingerly with my finger as if it were something hot and/or life threatening.

Confused I grasped it, squeezing, imploring through touch. It was warm and familiar.

(A hand? Whose...?) In a knee jerk reaction to the curious situation I looked up to see the owner of the hand.

"Oh....!" (...Shikamaru! He's... touching me... and he's...s-so close...) Time stood still for a moment. I didn't know what to do other than stare.

His lips, so close, oh, my, goodness.

My heart that skipped a beat and nearly stopped now went into overdrive. Heat pooled into my cheeks, hot enough to burn the surrounding shrubberies.

I trembled slightly from nerves. I sincerely hoped he didn't notice how nervous I became from his proximity.

My grip had gone slack in the colossal shock so Shikamaru retrieved his hand.

(Hmm, she's sorta different from when we first met somehow... She hugged me with no hesitation but accidentally holding hands flusters her...)

Not to embarrass this peculiar Bahamian gal any further Shikamaru spoke frankly, "Time to go."

"S-Sure..." Humbled with embarrassment I silently followed the two boys back to the beach.

Apparently I had ran off further than I thought, because the walk back felt like forever.

We walked along the coast and made it back to where the others are. Or rather that's what I would like to say...

"Ah..." A lonesome breeze blew by as we stood side by side on the otherwise empty beach. As far as I could see there were no others to be found.

"Where... did... everybody go... exactly...?" I threw the question out there to the two beside me.

And Shikamaru caught it and responded, "They were also on the lookout for you... although Naomi was here when I left."

Truth be told he had been the only one sent to search but the others joined when they'd heard more screams.

-A few moments prior-

"Shikamaru sure is taking his time finding Natalya..." Words spoken that Naomi dreaded hearing. Said boy hadn't been away for more than ten minutes.

"He looks capable leave it to him. Go swim some more. You really don't need to wait on them."

Naomi thought regretfully how she should have calculated her plan more thoroughly. (Instead of 'hey Natalya is gone go look by my car', what I should have said was everyone go to my car for some nonexistent snacks... Now I have them aware of Natalya and Shikamaru being missing so they're waiting, uhh...)

"Are you sure we all shouldn't go too..." Naruto threw out the suggestion.

Naomi pouted, "!! I told you we just need to leave it up to that kid, Shik--"

"KYAAAAAAAAAA!!"

(O_O) Naomi flinched as a distinct scream cuts into her sentence.

"Natalya's in trouble!" They looked at each other, wordlessly agreed on something and then they nodded.

Naomi didn't know what to do as the entire group of characters launched into action and ran off before she could reason with them.

"Idiots...! Wait for me!" She ran behind them.

Before long everyone had went into different directions, combing the place whilst totally missing their target who had decided to take the shoreline route.

(To be continued...)

(^--^)/ { See ya! }
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