Roses are Red

Good Morning

Recappy from the Last Chappy: "All right. Fine. Never mind it-Go ahead and continue the silent treatment!" She stalked away, muttering. "It's not as if I cared that much about being forgiven, anyway . . . I am not that weak . . . Stay strong, Zakuro."

Little did she know, the entire time she had spoken, Krystal had not been in her room. She did not get back from being briefed on the mission until moment's after the speech had ended and it was through the window that she had entered. Slowly, she trudged to her bed and sat on it, staring blankly. I can't believe it . . . Tsunade baa-chan is actually putting me on a mission with him and to be a bodyguard for HIM . . .!

Krystal stared forward still, reaching with her right hand to grab a pillow. Bringing it to her face, she screamed into it. What the hell is she thinking? What do I say when I see him? What do I do? What do I call him? Oh man . . .

Chapter Eighteen: Good Morning

Once the genin pair arrived in the Land of Lotus Blossoms, it became clear why it was named so. Wether they were natural or not, the entire land seemed to be waterways filled with lily pads and lotus flowers with dirt paths on either side connected by a bridge. Both the streams and the paths were surprisingly broad. The town had an overall relaxing atmosphere . . . Unless you were unfortunate enough to be traveling with someone that gave off a particularly tense aura.

She was muttering under her breath excessively; her words were incoherent enough that Sasuke no longer bothered straining his ears to listen. It was, however, beginning to severely annoy. That and the fact that she was following him very closely. Too close. He was more "aware" of her, now. It would not be so irritating if she was to his side, where he could at least see her-then he would not feel as tense.

Having the inability to take much more, he stopped and turned to face her, restricting her movement by putting his hands on her shoulders. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Blinking, Krystal tried to shake her state away and talk normally. "Me? For whatever reason do you ask? When, pray-tell, is there anything wrong with me?"

"You tried too hard," he said flatly, calling her bluff.

"Whatever. Why do you care, anyway? Even if there WAS anything wrong, it's my problem and mine alone!"

A little bit of red flushed his face. "The way you are right now, you'll just be a hindrance to the mission!"

Krystal frowned, a tiny blush coming to her face as well she pushed his hands away. "Look. I'm fine. Just keep leading the way, 'Princess.'"

Sasuke scowled and turned back around. Keeping Krystal from letting her emotions get in the way was going to be tougher than he first anticipated.

.:Xx♥xX:.

It was not much longer until Sasuke and Krystal reached the studio where they were to rendevous with Elegance and his people. The moment they stepped inside, they were swept away with the waves of agents, producers, fans, and a couple of musical artists that were thrown into the mix. They were caught in the tide and forced around nonstop, until they found the receptionist's desk and they held onto it for dear life.

"Hello, welcome to Cherry Wood Studios. How may I help you?" asked the receptionist kindly. She was of the typical age, perhaps late twenties at the oldest, with dark skin and her ebony haired pulled back in a stylish, tight bun. The maroon shade of color on her lips matched that of her suit. Her calm demeanor clashed especially with that of everyone else in the studio.

"Is it always so busy here?" Krystal asked dizzily.

"Only when seven different deadlines are nearly being missed," she replied. Her eyes then caught the Konoha symbol on the breast of Krystal's jacket. "Oh! You must be here for Elegance? His agent informed me that I should be expecting two Konoha ninja and to tell them that they will be meeting you in Booth 319. Simply follow the current up to the third floor."