Chapter 17
Gaara wondered if perhaps he should be cleaning or something. The house had seen better days, but cleaning was not something he was particularly good at. Shia would be arriving at dusk, and he wasn't sure exactly what he should be doing with himself until. Kankurou had left to watch the Gates a few hours ago, leaving Gaara to his lovely paperwork. The redhead stared down at the scroll, hoping to the gods that this wasn't the only thing he'd be committing his life to. KNOCK…. Grateful for the distraction, Gaara got up to answer the door. There stood Matsuri, bowing her head in respect.
"Is something the matter?" he asked. Her dark eyes met his.
"No Gaara-sama. I was told to report to you that Temari-san's carriage has been spotted on the horizon, and that it should be here a little after sunset," the Chuunin said. Of course she was at least a Chuunin…she was his student after all.
"Hn.." he answered. She bowed again.
"See you at training Gaara-sama," she said, smiling and turning away.
"Hn.." he said, and closed the door.
Walking back to the kitchen table where his paperwork was splayed beautifully about. He considered just leaving it there. A lot of things were running through his mind. The house wasn't clean enough, his sister was returning, he'd be seeing his best female friend for the first time in years, and he was about to become Kazekage of Sunagakure. He knew the paperwork needed sorting…and the house needed cleaning. He wondered if he should tell Shia about his becoming a Kage right away, or surprise her with it. In the end, he decided to leave the paperwork for later, in favor of straightening out the house.
Haruno Residence
It'd been about two days since Shia had left. Sakura was really worried about her friend. The Akito Heiress seemed convinced that she could sacrifice anything for her clan. She was willing to marry a man she did not love….maybe…could never love. She was giving in too easily. The pinkette respected her friend's determination to do what is best for her Clan…but…she couldn't sit back and let this happen again. She couldn't sit back and let someone sacrifice it all on something they most certainly could fight.
Sakura knew her shishou was not in favor of a forced marriage and had spoken her opinion to the Akito Elders. With the Hokage on their side, the green eyed girl was positive they could change that rule. No one should have to give up love….not for anything….especially at such a young age. Knock…knock…a soft, almost inaudible rap came against her front door. The pink haired girl rose to open it, and in the doorway stood Hyuuga Hinata smiling friendly at her.
"H..hi S..sakura-chan. I was wondering..i…if you wanted to come to the tea sh..shop with Tenten, Neji-niisan, and I this morning," the raven haired girl said quietly. Sakura smiled at the shy girl.
"Of course," she said grabbing her bag and shutting the door behind her.
They walked in silence to the tea shop where Tenten and Neji sat looking cozy. The thought struck her suddenly…that they would be a nice couple. She was already doing her best to get Naruto and Hinata together, but with the blond being away from the village for so long, and having such a thick head on top of that, it was difficult. She was due for a new project. Both ninja at the table looked up at them as they approached. Tenten waved her hand excitedly, while Neji nodded politely.
"Hey Sakura!" Tenten exclaimed, glad to see that the pink haired girl at least looked a little better.
"Hey Tenten, what brings you to the tea shop so early?" Sakura asked, looking from the weapons mistress to the white eyed boy.
"Oh! Neji thought it'd be a good idea for us to get some tea before we leave for our mission," Tenten said, lifting her glass and taking a sip.
A pink brow lifted at the statement, and a pair of light green eyes turned to the Hyuuga boy. He was as aloof as usual sipping his tea contentedly and looking off into space. Tenten was currently rambling on and on to Hinata, occasionally turning towards the older Hyuuga. When she did, he looked at her, acted interested, nodding and looking her in the eyes. Of course, what Tenten was talking about now…no man would be interested in. It was really just girlish gossip.
"So, what kind of mission is it Neji-san?" Sakura asked, and his piercing white eyes landed on her. She smiled sweetly, and earned a polite half-smile back.
"We're to go to Iwagakure and gather some information on Akatsuki. It seems that one of their members has been reported from there," he explained calmly.
"Who else is going?" she asked.
"Oh, no one else!" Tenten chirped, smiling cutely.
"Oh?" Sakura said, raising a brow towards the calm Hyuuga. He discreetly avoided her eyes.
"What Tenten means is…she and I will be going to Iwagakure while Gai-senpai and Lee-san go to Kirigakure to gather information. We are to meet up afterwards and return to Konoha," he explained, closing his pearly eyes and sipping at his tea.
'A mission alone…this is perfect. I'll just have to talk to Tenten before she goes. If I implant the idea that I think Neji likes her, maybe she'll try to find out for herself. They'd be really great together, and I know Hinata would be ecstatic to see her cousin so happy,' Sakura thought, matchmaking wheels turning in her head. Inner Sakura was mumbling something about how this was all just to get her mind off…certain things…but she ignored the evil bitch in her mind for once.
(Inner Sakura: "Hey! I'm not an evil bitch!")
Sabaku Residence
Shia walked behind Temari and Kankurou up the nostalgic staircase she hadn't seen in two years. Her stomach started flipping nervously in her abdomen. Why she was so nervous about seeing Gaara again was beyond her. He'd invited her here, had he not? He'd written her for almost a year, and made sure to contact her as soon as she'd come back from her training. 'Why won't my insides stop twisting around like that?' she thought angrily.
"He's really been looking forward to seeing you," Temari said, causing the brunette's dark blue eyes to snap up at her.
"Well..of course he didn't tell us so much, but…he's been pretty anxious lately…or as anxious as you can imagine Gaara being," Kankurou added, causing a small smile to grace the medic's face.
"Gaara! We're home!" Kankurou called into the house as he opened the door.
They moved through the house, Temari immediately showing Shia to the Guest room. Kankurou continued to call Gaara's name throughout the house. He finally came to his younger brother's room, and thrashed the door open jovially. A frozen aqua glare greeted him, but he just smiled back at him.
"Shia's in the guest room unpacking now if you wanna see her," the brunette said smiling widely.
"Hn…" Gaara answered, rising and making his way past his obnoxious older brother.
Temari stood in the doorway of the guest room, feeling happy that Shia had finally returned. The girl had really grown up. She looked like a young woman now instead of the sweet, cute girl she remembered. Kind of like Gaara. He'd grown so much in the desert. He was taller, but still a hair shorter than both older siblings. He was so much stronger than he had been before he left. She hadn't given him permission to grow up either.
"Well, unpack your things and make yourself right at home," the blond said, placing the girl's suitcase by the closet.
"Yea, you can make yourself so at home here, that you can cook dinner for us tonight," Kankurou said, goofy grin set in place. 'I missed that ridiculous smile,' Shia thought to herself.
"Baka! She just got here and you're asking her to slave away on the stove already?" Temari chastised, smacking him with her fan.
"ITAI!" he shouted, his hand massaging the sore spot.
"It's okay Temari-chan…I'll make dinner," Shia said, turning back to her suitcase.
"Are you sure?" Temari asked, feeling guilty that on her first night as their guest she'd be cooking.
"Yea…you know I don't mind. Besides I like cooking. I have no problem making dinner tonight," the brunette answered, taking a few shirts from the bag and arranging them inside the dresser.
"That won't be necessary. I already ordered out," a familiar monotone said from behind her.
She turned quickly, her chocolate hair swinging around to slap against her shoulder. She felt her heart flutter involuntarily in her chest. Gaara had grown, even if he was still shorter than both of his siblings, it wasn't by so much anymore. He was definitely a good four inches taller than her. His blood red hair seemed an even richer shade if possible, and his aqua eyes shined with something she'd never seen in them before. Happiness…even if it was buried beneath his normal mask…the fact that it showed at all made her warm a little inside. His aura was powerful…and she couldn't help but be proud. Shia smiled, brightly and happily….then…she launched herself at him full force.
Her body collided roughly with his, and he felt her arms squeeze him in a death grip. She was smiling up at him with so much happiness, and her deep blue eyes glistened excitedly at him. Gaara felt his heart thump hard against his chest. He'd forgotten how much he honestly liked the girl. She'd grown a little, and he could feel a little smugness surface in him because he was now taller than her. At least he was taller than someone. He could feel she'd gotten stronger…much stronger. She looked older as well he noticed. His eyes instinctively went down (a/n: hehe, because we all know that's where every guy looks first.) 'When did she grow those?' he thought briefly before pushing the thought violently out of his mind.
"It's so good to see you. Wow, you've grown so much. Ha! You're taller than me!" she said, looking up at him.
"Yea, I guess. You've grown as well," he said, forcing his fifteen year old male eyes to remain focused on her face.
See, Gaara really didn't come into contact with too many women that weren't related to him. He'd been away for two years…isolated in the desert. Before that, he'd never even bothered to go out of the house. When he turned fifteen, his body had started acting strange. He'd have irritating 'problems' if the wind blew the wrong way. He woke up sweaty and sticky in the middle of the night. Hell, he'd even caught himself daydreaming about some not so innocent things while he filled out paperwork sometimes. He may be Sabaku no Gaara, he may be Sunagakure's Godaime Kazekage, but he was still a fifteen year old male. At his age, most human males hit the peak of puberty. Most have girlfriends, plenty start having sex…but not him. This was the first female, excluding Temari, he'd been this close to since…well..she left the last time. Said female squeezed him tighter, and cuddled her head into his chest.
"I've missed you," she said softly, warm breath ghosting through the thin fabric of his shirt. He wrapped his arms around her lightly.
"Hn…" he answered, fully enjoying the feeling having her so close.
"Gaara! Shia! Food's here!" Temari shouted from someplace in the house. Both younger teens vaguely wondered when the two older ones had left.
They broke apart and the brunette girl giggled a little a bit. Her face lit up and her eyes glinted almost….lovingly he wanted to think, making his insides warm wonderfully. She'd gotten quite pretty and seemed to have….'matured' quite nicely. She untied the long white skirt from her waist and let it drop to the floor revealing the tight black suit that fit her like it was painted on. He immediately tore his eyes away, feeling guilty for checking out his friend.
"Um….Gaara-kun…I'll be out in just a bit. I just wanna change out of my combat suit into something more comfortable," she said, turning to him with a bashful smile. He felt heat rise to his face, and fought it with all his might.
"Of course," he murmured, walking out of the room calmly and heading towards the kitchen. Shia shut the door and peeled off her body suit. She felt dirty, and sweaty from spending the day in a carriage, so she decided to hop into the shower quickly. 'I'm sure they won't mind,' she thought as the hot water cascaded over her body.
The Kitchen
Temari brought the food into the dining room with some plates and utensils. It was good to have the medic back. It meant two things. One…Temari wouldn't have to do any cooking, and two…she wouldn't be the only girl in the house anymore. It also meant that Gaara would be a little less stressed out. Shia always seemed to calm him…even if she did rile him up first. The blond hadn't missed her baby brother's expression when the medic hurled herself into him. So…perhaps Shia's return meant a few things.
"Is that the first thing all girls do when they get somewhere? Take a shower?" Kankurou asked, breaking apart his chopsticks and digging into his dinner. Temari didn't even bother to scold him for his lack of manners. No amount of scolding would make them better. Perhaps he'd grow out of it. But…she doubted that very much.
"You'd feel grimy too if you spent the past two days traveling through the desert in a stuffy carriage," the blond snapped, starting at her own plate. Shia'd be at least a few minutes, and she figured the girl wouldn't care if they started without her.
"Yea, but the difference between guys and girls is…we wouldn't care," he said with a full mouth. Temari grimaced in disgust.
"No Kankurou…I think that's just you…" Gaara said quietly. The pigtailed teen looked over at her youngest brother for a minute. He'd just made a…
"AHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's great! HAHA! Good one Gaara!" Temari said gasping for breaths between her laughing. Kankurou pouted and Gaara smirked. They ate quietly for a few minutes, well, except for Temari's laughter of course.
"SHUT UP TEMARI-SLUT! WHAT'S SO FUNNY?" the puppet master screamed across the table. This only caused another fit of laughter from the oldest Sabaku.
"HAHAHA(GASP!) Y…(snort) you're face! HAHAHAHAHA!" Temari barely choked out.
"WHATEVER!" the brunette Jounin yelled, slamming his fists down on the table and standing up. Gaara sat back with an amused smirk glued to his face.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Temari laughed loudly.
"Maa…I'm just going to ignore you for now! You're lucky I'm hungry!" he pouted, sitting back down and starting on his food again. The blond continued to laugh her ass off as if no one else were in the room. Gaara knew it was mostly to piss off the middle Sabaku.
"Hey Gaara…" he looked up at his older brother, "Shia's been in the shower an awfully long time. Maybe you should go see if she's alright," Kankurou suggested.
"Yea, her snort dinner's gonna giggle get cold," Temari said, eyes sparkling with malicious laughter.
"Hai…" he sighed softly, and made his way to the guest room.
The shower was off, so he didn't exactly want to go in the room. He knew all too well what happens when Shia wears towels. They don't exactly stay on, or…she decides to get cuddly when she's half naked. NOT…what he needed. He rapped on the door softly.
"Nani?" he heard from inside.
"Are you finished?" he asked.
"Oh…hai! I'll be out in a minute. I just have to get dressed," she said, causing his stomach to lurch. He brushed the evil thoughts away blaming their presence on Kankurou, who by the way was quite the pervert, and made his way back to the dinner table. Shia followed shortly afterward.
"Sorry I took so long….I was covered in sand," Shia said as she walked in. She smiled around the room and took her seat next to Temari. The two girls started chatting away immediately.
"So how's Konoha?" Temari asked.
"It's good. Though, I only just came out of training when I was whisked away," she said.
"How're your friends there?" she asked, and Shia laughed.
"Stronger…all of them. All Chuunin except Hyuuga Neji and I. We're Jounin. I think he might go into ANBU," Shia said, knowing he'd be good for it.
"So…you and him…you know…together?" Temari asked, raising a brow. Gaara's ears pricked up at this for some reason.
"Ohh Gods no! N..not that he isn't a great guy…and he's absolutely gorgeous, but…I know Tenten likes him…and I'm pretty sure he likes her back. Neji and I really don't have that kind of chemistry," Shia rambled. Temari smirked.
"Oh?" she said.
"Not that I don't find him attractive because…I mean come on! What girl in her right mind wouldn't, but…Neji and I just don't have the kind of connection that's necessary to have a relationship. We're friends…kind of…but he and Tenten go back a long way together, and I'm sure that they'll end up together in the end," Shia explained.
"I see. So, is there anyone in your life right now? I mean…was there anyone waiting for you to come out of your training in Konoha? There's plenty to choose from," Temari pressed. Shia shook her head smiling slightly.
"I…I just haven't really had the time I guess. The Clan has been demanding, but I mean…I guess I will have somebody soon enough," the brunette said, eyes darkening sadly. Gaara looked over at his friend's suddenly melancholy face.
"What do you mean?" Temari asked, not liking the sound of it at all.
"Well…Baasan is very ill. She won't live much longer, and as soon as she dies, I will be tested, and named the Head of the Akito Clan. As per clan law…I must marry within six months of my ascending to this title," the girl explained. Her blue eyes looked saddened at the thought. Temari looked angry, and Kankurou was gaping in shock.
"B…but you're like…fifteen," Kankurou stuttered out incredulously. Shia smiled at him sadly, and Gaara felt his heart clench. He didn't like that smile, not at all.
"That's exactly why. They say that at my age, it would be beneficial to have a second in command to help me with my decisions," she said, chuckling bitterly.
"That's ridiculous! You're way too young! No way! Next time I'm in Konoha I'm going to give those Elders a piece of my mind!" Temari bit out angrily. She had this tendency to switch into protective mode when she felt one of hers was being threatened.
"No!" Shia exclaimed, surprising them all, "I am prepared to make sacrifices in order to protect my family…" she finished, and then it was silent. None of them really liked the sound of it. Really they didn't…but, who were they to tell her no? 'She's like a little sister to me damnit! Like hell I'm going to let her do something like this!' Temari thought angrily.
"Shia-chan! I know that you want to protect your family, but I think you're bending too soon. When you become head of the Clan, you tell them what to do! Who are they to force you to marry someone you don't love?" Temari said in a raised voice. Shia took a deep breath to force back her tears.
"Love is not something I can afford to wait for. If it is what will make me a better leader, then I will do as they suggested. They are the Clan Elders, they are there to do what is best for the family. And..when I become their leader…that will also be my job," she explained.
"But..!"
"Temari…that's enough," Gaara interrupted. Temari shot him a heated glare.
"How can you say that? How can you just sit there and allow your friend to throw away so much?" she snapped back at him. The redhead remained calm and blank faced.
"People will always do what they deem necessary to protect the ones that they love. If this is such a thing…there is nothing we can say to her that will change her mind," he explained softly, his piercing green eyes boring into Shia's soul. She felt her heart tighten painfully in her chest.
"If it makes you feel better Temari-chan…Hokage-sama has voiced her disapproval of this, and the Clan has agreed to let me meet all of the suitors before I choose who I will marry," she said. Temari calmed a little.
"Well…alright then. I guess that's a little better…silence… it looks like you've finished your dinner. I think you should get some rest tonight, because the festival starts tomorrow night. We'll need to go shopping," the blond said, collecting the empty plates.
"I thought I was here to help with preparations," Shia said, pushing thoughts of the unwanted marriage out of her head.
"You are…I'm going to model a few outfits for you and you are going to help me 'prepare' by telling me which one looks the best," Temari said, walking into the kitchen. Shia smiled and laughed a little bit.
"Then you'll be coming home to help Gaara decorate our house for the celebration," Kankurou said, and Shia turned her dark blue eyes onto the youngest Sabaku. He nodded, smiling a small smile, and rising from the table.
"I'll be retiring for the night," he said, walking towards the door, "Good night."
Shia watched him leave, feeling a little worried. He looked really strained. He seemed anxious and a little nervous. It wasn't like him. This was not a side of Gaara that Shia was used to seeing.
"Don't worry about him…he's just worried about his upcoming…promotion," Kankurou said, Shia gave him a confused look.
"Did he get into ANBU or something?" she asked, he smiled.
"Yea…that's it," he said, and left her to walk to her room confused. Shia plopped down on the bed, cleansed her mind, and fell into the darkness of dreamless sleep.
(The Next Day)
Gaara was currently cleaning his house from top to bottom. It wasn't something he enjoyed doing. However, since Temari and Kankurou were out, and he technically wasn't allowed to be seen until tonight, the first night of the festival, he knew he was the only one who was going to do it. He heard the door open and close at the front of the house, and felt the familiar chakra signature move closer.
"Gaara-kun! I'm back! Temari-chan had to run some errands but she told me to just come here and help you," Shia explained walking through the house while following his unique chakra signal.
"Ah! There you are," Shia said, staring down at a sweat pants and fishnet sleeved t-shirt clad, dusty version of Gaara.
She smiled down at him as he stared at her through level aqua green eyes. His shock of red hair was covered with a lair of gray dust, which she reached down and ruffled out immediately. She knelt down so that she was at his level, and wove her hands into that soft hair to shake the particles of dust out. When she was satisfied, she looked over his face, and noticed a little smudge of dirt on his nose. 'God he's adorable like this…Gaara should clean everyday,' Shia thought humouredly in her head. She dragged her hands over his face to wipe the dirt off, and rubbed the pad of her thumb over the tip of his nose, effectively getting the smudge off.
Gaara closed his eyes and just felt for a few minutes. He wasn't used to people just touching him without a second thought. Usually the first thought had them running away. He'd missed having someone who obviously enjoyed being close to him. He was suddenly reminded of the last time they were so close as he felt her warm breath fan over his lips. She was really close to him now, and every teenage hormone in his body screamed to close the distance. He held back however, not wanting to startle her…because he already knew he did not frighten her.
Shia thought about kissing him. She was so close. Just a couple of centimeters and she could claim his lips under hers. She wanted to…goodness he'd gotten so handsome. Blood red hair and alabaster skin stretched over lean…taught muscles that were not well hidden by his tight fighting attire, or the t-shirt he wore now that had fishnet for sleeves and around the collar.
His thin baggy black pants rode slightly low on his hips from his constant leaning over to get those, hard-to-reach places, and she could see a glimpse of the pale smooth skin of his abdomen. She'd seen him shirtless once before, but back then he'd been just a child. Now he was two years older, six inches taller, and probably sculpted perfectly from rigorous training. She then took in his face, it was smooth like porcelain and had the same flawless color. The angry red scar on his forehead still read 'love' as she remembered. He had soft, well formed lips that were like a magnet drawing her closer.
Gaara's best feature, however, had to be his eyes. His big Sea God-like eyes. They were a very pale aqua color that reminded her of the clearest tropical ocean, and yet in the moonlight they looked more an icy blue. Never had she been more attracted to another person. He was gorgeous…and even though she'd come to learn about his fearful past through his letters…she still saw nothing but beauty in him. Inside and out, he was just an amazingly beautiful person.
"There, all done," she said, pulling back…almost reluctantly and looking into his slightly confused eyes.
"Arigato…" he said quietly, pushing himself up off the floor without noticing the way his friend eyed the ripple of muscle in his arms. Shia quickly pushed all puberty triggered thoughts from her mind, and smiled brightly at him.
"So…what do you need me to do?" she asked, and heard him sigh.
"Well…I've finished the cleaning, and I believe the decorations are in the attic," Gaara said, looking at her.
"Okay, just let me go throw on something more housework appropriate and I'll be right back," she said, jogging lightly down the hall and disappearing into her room.
Kazekage Office
"So…Akito-san has arrived safely then?" the substitute Kazekage asked.
"Hai son'ou(elder)," Temari answered.
"Good then you are dismissed," the elder said, waving her from the room. Temari stalked to the door with an air of disrespect and left with her brunette brother for some lunch.
"So, what do you think about this whole marriage thing?" Kankurou asked directly. Temari sighed.
"I don't like it at all. She's way to young to be forced into a loveless marriage. No one should have to do that. It's just…what can we do about it?" the blond asked, turning her worried green eyes on her younger brother. He sighed too, and looked ahead thoughtfully as they turned into the restaurant.
"I don't know. Maybe…nah…well…maybe if she fell in love before they could find someone for her, she'd reconsider," Kankurou said, sitting down and glancing over the menu.
"That…could work! Kuro! That's genius!" the blond said, and he felt himself smile at his nickname. It meant she was pleased with him, and wouldn't be hitting him unless he did something stupid. He opted to keep up his helpful streak.
"I guess…but…who?" he asked. Temari snorted.
"Are you telling me you really don't know?" she asked, and he nodded dumbly.
"You know that when Gaara becomes Kazekage the Elders will be trying to pressure him into the same thing…for some of the same reasons. They also think that having a wife will help him control Shukaku," she said, he stared blankly at her.
"Okay, so I don't like that either, but I don't see where you're going with this," the puppet master said thickly. Temari growled a little.
"We don't want Shia to marry someone she doesn't love," he nodded, "and we don't want Gaara to marry whatever gold digging hussy the Elders can dig up for him," he nodded again.
"Okay…" he said, she smiled diabolically.
"What if we got them together?" Temari asked, and it took a few seconds for her suggestion to register in his mind.
"Brilliant! It shouldn't be too hard. I mean, Gaara's not happy about that whole marriage thing, and I know he cares about her. Plenty of love stories start out as friendships right?" he asked, and his sister nodded.
"Exactly…we just need to come up with a plan to make them see that," she said, eyes rising to the ceiling in thought.
"Oh… I don't think it'll take too much coaxing. How about…at the festival tonight..we leave them alone..." Kankurou suggested.
"Yes…that should work. He wants to keep the Kazekage thing a secret for now. It shouldn't be too hard, because no one except you, me, and the elders know about it yet," Temari said.
"So…she'll fall for him without knowing. Then he'll become Kazekage, and she'll be really happy for him. I think you should coax her into cooking him a celebration dinner after the inauguration," the brunette suggested.
"Good! Yes, that'll be perfect. Then she'll be in love, and rethink this whole marriage thing," the blond added. They sat back and admired their brilliant plan.
Konoha Gates
"Well, Neji…Tenten. We'll meet in three days at the discussed area alright?" Maito Gai asked staring proudly at his two students.
"Hai!" Tenten exclaimed with that adorable smile.
"Hai.." Neji repeated quietly.
"Okay then! Goodbye for now!" both Lee and Gai said at the same time striking the good guy pose and leaping off into the foliage.
Neji turned his white eyes on his female teammate. She seemed excited about the mission, and he had to say he was a bit anxious as well. This would be the first time they'd be alone together ever. He found her absolutely adorable, and couldn't shake the image of himself letting her hair tumble out of those two cute buns. He wondered if she felt the same as he did. Well…if she didn't he'd just have to work a little harder. He knew Tenten was one tough cookie, and that's why he liked her above all the other meaningless fan girls that trailed him constantly. She was strong, she was beautiful, and she understood him better than anyone. That's the kind of woman he was interested in.
Tenten could feel the heat of his gaze on her, and she felt a thrilling shiver pass over her entire body. Sakura had said she thought Neji liked her. The brunette girl had never given any thought as to whether the raven haired boy returned her feelings or not. But…with the way he was staring at her right now, she was starting to think that the pinkette had been right.
"Well, let's be on our way shall we?" the Hyuuga said quietly, walking ahead of her, and waiting for her to leap into the forest with him. 'Yes, this is going to be one interesting mission.'
Sabaku Residence
"AHH!" Shia screamed, backing into him and sending them both to the floor of the attic.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Kill it!" she cried, burying her face in his shoulder and pointing at a rather large, hairy spider that was sitting on the box of decorations.
Gaara stared at the eight legged creature, not particularly afraid, and then gazed down at his friend. She'd fallen between his legs, and was now trembling against his chest in fear. It struck him as funny that she was scared of this bug, and not the demon vessel she was currently on top of. He made quick work of the spider with his sand, and felt the brunette relax against him immediately.
"I hate spiders," she said quietly, shuddering against him.
For the second time today Shia found herself in a position with her dear redheaded friend, that made evil thoughts race through her puberty ridden head. She forced her eyes to stay above his waistline, and noticed that his shirt had ridden up, exposing a very nicely formed set of abs. She reached out as if hypnotized, and laid her palm over said muscles. Her slender fingers traced over the ridges of his pale stomach, fascinated with the way they twitched under her touch.
Gaara stayed perfectly still as his friend's shy fingers traced light patterns over his exposed skin. He held his breath, willing his lower regions to behave. Did she have no idea what that did to a man? She was a doctor, shouldn't she know the ins and outs of the human body? The redhead let out the breath he'd been holding, causing Shia to stop abruptly and turn red. Her eyes avoided his, as she stuttered her apology.
"I..I'm sorry Gaara-kun….I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," she said in an embarrassed whisper. He pushed himself off the floor, pulling her with him, and grasped her chin between his fingers to force her to look at him. Her blush darkened.
"I'm not angry," he said, aqua eyes staring into deep blue ones. Shia felt her pulse quicken at his closeness, and her blood heated immediately.
"Okay…" she breathed, almost in a daze. Gaara forced himself away, and grabbed hold of the box of decorations. He turned to see a very flustered version of Shia, who upon making eye contact, turned and walked swiftly down the attic stairs.
"I'm…not afraid Gaara-kun! I just need a second," she called from somewhere in the distance.
He sighed and forced his racing teenage blood into submission. Gaara walked into the living room to start decorating for the festival. It really wasn't much. Just a few streamers, balloons, and some decorative lanterns. He wasn't about to start blowing up any balloons, that was obnoxious, however, he had no qualms about stringing up a few streamers.
Shia walked back into the room feeling slightly less hormonal. Immediately she walked to the box to scope out what she wanted to do. The girl avoided the balloons, well…because her mind wasn't exactly the picture of innocence at the moment, and that would cause her to think of…things. She picked up a few of the pretty lanterns and walked out to the balcony with them. Fresh air filled her lungs wonderfully, and instantly she calmed. She strung the different colored lanterns across the balcony, imagining how pretty they'd look later all lit up.
"Shia…" Gaara's voice said from behind her. She didn't turn as she leaned over the side of the balcony to attach the lantern string to a piece of laundry line.
"Hmmm.?" she said, trying but desperately failing to reach the line.
"Are you upset?" he asked, she wobbled a little, bracing her knee against the wall of the balcony, gaining a few more inches, not enough.
"No, of course not. I just needed a minute to regroup myself after the spider incident," she lied evenly. She really hoped he bought it…because…the other reason was not something she was willing to reveal. The fact that she couldn't control her body was something that bothered her. 'I mean come on! He was barely touching me!' she cried in her head.
"I see…" he said in that usual monotone that revealed neither if he bought the lie, nor if he had seen through it. She was now kneeling on the ledge of the balcony, leaning forward unsafely towards the laundry line.
"Damnit!" she cried, almost losing her balance as she rose to stand wobbly on the wall.
She teetered slightly as she reached out towards the line. Green eyes watched her cautiously, knowing how Temari liked to do things on her own, he wasn't sure if he should go help her. If she fell, it wasn't like he couldn't rescue her anyway. He stood on edge, prepared to rush forward if it was necessary. She leaned forward on her toes, barely clinging to her balance, and then quickly lost her footing. Gaara rushed to her, only to see her standing on the side of the building chuckling quietly. He glared at her.
"What? Did you think I was so horrible a ninja that I didn't know basic chakra control?" she asked with laughter in her eyes. She stood and hopped back onto the balcony, where a still glaring demon vessel crossed his arms over his chest looking slightly peeved. Which in Gaara body language meant pissed.
"Oh…are you really that angry with me? It's not like I'm some damsel in distress that needs rescuing all the time! I am perfectly capable of handling myself! I don't need everyone coming into my life and trying to tell me that I'm not making good decisions!" she slipped, and gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Gaara's eyes widened. 'So that's the real reason behind this little outburst. I was starting to think we were going to argue again,' he thought.
"Shia…" he began, but she held a hand up to silence him.
"No…I…I'm sorry I'm acting so weird. I've just got a lot on my mind. Everyone is telling me that I shouldn't give into the Elders. Everyone is trying so hard to save me from something I've already committed to. I thought it was the right decision at the time, I really did," she explained quietly. Gaara laid a strong hand on her shoulder, and she looked up at him with confused navy eyes.
"We're not trying to run your life. We just want you to think it through a little more Shia. It's a big decision for someone your age, and we're just worried you're rushing into something you might not be prepared for," he explained. She looked at him thoughtfully.
"It's not like I want this you know. I've always dreamed of getting married to someone I truly loved. To someone who would give anything for me, and visa versa. When the Elders told me that they'd be choosing my husband…I was upset..but they said it's what is best for the Clan. As their future leader…how can I refuse?" she asked, allowing him to guide her to a seat on the couch next to him.
"No one has the right to take that away from you. Love…is something that has always confused me, and still does to some extent. I know I love my siblings, I know I love the few people who I call my friends, and I know I love my village, despite the fact that they despise me," Gaara started, her gentle hands squeezed his bicep in comfort.
"Love is something that I want to be able to experience one day. Not the kind of love I have now. To be in love…though it may be too much to ask for, for someone like me…that is something I will always hope for," he finished, and Shia felt her heart fill with a foreign emotion. It wasn't pity, and it was much stronger than friendship…hearing him talk like that made her want to say something to him. However, her confused brain was clouding the words.
"I promise to think it through. I guess with all the pressure I just let them do things their way. I figured they'd know what's best for the Clan, because they've been there for years," she said quietly.
"Just because you're the heiress to your clan…doesn't mean that you can't be happy. That's all we want…is for you to be happy," Gaara said, grabbing the remote and turning the television on to lighten the mood.
He felt her move closer to him, and lifted his arm so she could snuggle into his side. Her head lay comfortably on his chest, and she draped an arm over his stomach, eyes watching the screen. Shia glanced up at the boy above her, and knew she'd almost made a grave mistake. How could she ever think that someone of the Elders' choosing could make her happy?
"Arigato Gaara-kun….I almost made the biggest mistake in my life. You're always there for me," she said, listening to the sound of his heartbeat and deep even breathing. She felt his arm wrap around her shoulders, and that's when it hit her. She was in love with Sabaku no Gaara…and it felt good.
