Day 20
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“They sent you?”
Sakura quirked her brow, staring down the man before her and his quizzical gaze. “I could say the same thing,” she stated.
Finding herself in the land of snow, she pulled the cloak closer to her neck, the wind was biting, and she cared not for these pleasantries happening amidst a snowstorm. She was here to better understand the current illness sweeping through the small villages in the area and bring reports back to her homeland. It was a matter of diplomacy; other nations had sent their representatives, like her companion here, and their mission would be to assist in identifying the cause and synthesizing a cure or treatment.
Gaara was the last person she thought that the sand would send, he seemed far too out of place with flakes of snow sticking in his hair and the tinge of red across his nose and cheeks. Even his ears looked to be on the verge of frostbite.
She would forgo the mild insult he’d just given her; it didn’t appear like he was aware of it anyway, and figured he wouldn’t have known of her extensive knowledge of medicine. “Come on,” she said as she turned from him, the snow falling quietly around them. “Our cabin is over here.”
Spread across the land, pairs of the traveling researchers were strewn about the fringe villages afflicted with the mysterious blight. She had been paired with Gaara, it seemed, and she figured it had to do with his history with Naruto and her knowledge of his temperament. They were acquainted already, so this arrangement was likely best.
Their cabin was small but cozy, a woodburning stove kept it plenty warm, a pair of beds were in the corner, though since Gaara didn’t even sleep she hadn’t the need to feel shy about it, and they’d been stocked with provisions of food rations, some sweets, and even some tea. The first few days had been spent meeting with medical staff providing care for the area, gathering information and getting a grasp on the current situation. Sakura had involved herself with the patients after that, whether it be at the meager clinics or during home visits, and she was able to help isolate those suffering from the illness from those suffering from other ailments with similar symptoms.
It had been busy, they didn’t spend much time in the cabin, but then the blizzard came.
Unexpectedly, the clouds dumped several inches of snow in just a few hours and once it began, Sakura had been encouraged to shelter in her cabin for the remainder of the night. It had been empty when she had gotten there, the fire had gone out, and it was incredibly chilly.
With a bit of elbow grease, the fire was started, the stove began to radiate heat throughout the small space, and she set a kettle of water to boil. These were among the nicest accommodations she’d had on a mission and, even though the conditions were serious, she felt at ease enough to make herself a relaxing cup of tea. Sat on the couch, knit blanket thrown over her lap, feet pulled up and huddled next to her for warmth, she sipped her tea and enjoyed the quiet of the falling snow.
Then the door burst open. Frigid wind whipped around her, and a flurry of snow followed Gaara inside. His cloak was covered in a dusting of white powder, his hair the same, and he stepped quickly over to the stove. Shedding his covering, he knelt in front of the fire and held out his hands, sighing as they began to thaw in the heat.
Sakura, perplexed since she first saw him, spoke up from the couch behind where he knelt. “Long time no see,” she greeted.
Gaara nodded; perhaps it was for her, but he had seen her each time he returned in the early hours of the morning, though, she was always asleep in her bed. He hadn’t been sticking around the cabin much for the sake of her comfort, it had been a surprise to be lodged with a woman, and he thought it only polite.
“I don’t mean to sound rude,” she began, the warm cup nestled in her fingers coming to rest at her lips for a sip. “But you have been way out of your element.”
Gaara sighed, picking himself up from the floor and joining her on the couch to enjoy the warmth of the fire. “Tell me about it.” He kicked off his boots, they were soaked, and when Sakura pointed to the door, he tossed his over with hers.
She observed him for a moment as he did so; his hands were going red, the tips of his ears looked wind burnt, and he appeared to be suppressing a chill. She set her cup down and got up from the couch. “Jasmine or honeysuckle?” she asked as she approached the stove. Tapping the side of the kettle, Sakura tested how hot it still was and it gave Gaara the hint he needed.
“Jasmine,” he responded, his answer a bit hesitant.
Pouring him a cup, she joined him on the couch again, facing him this time, and Gaara gladly warmed his hands with the hot drink. “If the cold bothers you so much, why did you accept the mission?” she asked, the question had been on her mind since she first saw him stood frigid and miserable their first day on the job.
Gaara blew on his tea, enjoying the way the hot steam wafted across his icy skin. He was a man of the scorching sands and the blazing sun, his body radiated the heat of the desert, and it made the cold all the more noticeable. “I was tempted to decline, but I’m trying to move up in my station,” he explained. “I’ve been told I need to work on my relations and diplomacy.”
Sakura snickered, Gaara glanced at her before looking back at the fire. “I suppose this would be your ultimate test; a noncombative goodwill mission to the frozen wilderness.”
Gaara rolled his eyes. “Precisely,” he groaned before he sipped his tea. Finally, he was able to feel the warmth permeating him from within and banishing the chill of the blizzard.
She smiled; she hadn’t thought he could look so endearing when put out in the cold. “You’ve been well received,” she said. “I’ve had several people ask me where to find you, but I never knew where you were. Seems like your relations are getting along just fine.”
He pondered that for a moment, replaying the many interactions he’d had during his time out here, and found a small smile forming on his lips. “Good,” he said, his voice quiet, and then he looked over to her, his expression guarded yet determined. “What about you?” he asked, only gaining a look of confusion from her. “Have I made you uncomfortable?”
Sakura laughed and shook her head. “Oh, goodness, no! You’ve barely even been here, you’re a lot of people’s idea of the perfect roommate.”
He watched her as she laughed, the casual and friendly demeanor was almost as warming as the fire they sat before, and there was gratitude to be had for getting paired with her. He wasn’t sure anyone else would understand his peculiarities or be comfortable with his lack of conversation. “Good.”
“It won’t be much longer,” she encouraged him. “We’ve only got a few more days before we should have what we need to research this on our own. You can bring word of your successes back home with you.”
Gaara nodded, there was a feeling a fullness to the atmosphere that had always been so empty as it followed him before. A warm fire, the quiet snow and whistling of the blizzard winds, the smell of jasmine and an easy company in his presence; Gaara began to think he should have spent more time in the cabin, he was sure the next few days would feel far too short.
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