One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Five months have passed since they arrived in Suna. Tenmai was happy to be there. Her and Temari bonded instantly, sometimes staying up late telling stories about things that have happened to them, their missions, and, of course, the guys they liked or admired. While having one of these discussions while cooking dinner one night, Temari asked Tenmai what she thought of Gaara.
“Why do you ask?” Tenmai wondered, stirring the meat in the pan around.
“I see the way you look at him, so don't deny it. You like my little brother, don't you?”
“Yeah, I guess I do. I just can't help it.”
“Why?”
“There is just something about him that draws me in. He's sweet underneath the hard exterior. Gaara was once so cold he could rival ice but now he is far more open and caring. He would do anything for his people. He is damaged. His heart is cracked but is trying to mend itself. I want to heal him, Temari. I want to be the one he trusts.”
“I have never heard anyone say such positive things about Gaara before.” Temari smiled at the younger woman. “I believe you will do just that, Mai-chan.”
The two girls finished cooking up dinner. Little did they know Gaara was standing just outside the kitchen, a most peculiar look on his face. It was true what Temari said, no one has ever said so many positive things about him. He knew Tenmai cared for him, but not in the ways she was saying. Deep in his heart, he felt a flutter and spurt of happiness. Someone cared for him, the monster of Suna, and wanted to help him. Gaara was willing to let her in and this shocked him. How could one woman do this to his heart?

0505050505050505050505050

Gaara got home early the next day, having finished up his paperwork ahead of schedule. Walking inside, he could smell lemon in the air. That meant one thing, Tenmai was on a cleaning spree, again. She didn't want to live there for free so when she had a day off from watching Gaara she cleaned the whole house, bottom to top and back again. This was one of those days. He couldn't hear Temari which meant she was probably out and, knowing his brother, Kankuro was probably tinkering with his puppets. Walking up the stairs, Gaara walked to his room.
Inside the room, Tenmai was dusting off Gaara's desk after organizing the papers and books he had laying atop it. When Gaara entered, he was halted by her. She had her deep violet-black hair up in a half-bun, two sticks holding it in place, and the rest of her hair falling down her neck and back. Her head band was on top of her head, holding some loose strands away from her face. A simple white tank top covered her top, the bandages underneath visible. He could see the top of her scar, the paleness sticking out against her tan skin. She wore short shorts, making her third scar visible. It was on her right leg, beginning on her upper, outer thigh, going across to her inner, and straight down to her ankle.
Gaara has yet to learn how she got that one. She told him about the first one shortly after they met and the second one a month back.
One night, when she was younger, she was on an A-rank mission with her teammates. At the time she was the MC captain and they were tracking down a dangerous assassin who held valuable information about Takigakure. Her and her teammates were heading to their hotel after getting dinner when they were ambushed. There were twenty ninjas to their three-man squad. Her friends were killed off easily and she was left fighting the leader. He managed to sneak up behind her and slice her with his sword. She would have bled to death if Tsunade wasn't there, having met up with the Hokage the day before.
“You're home early, Gaara.” Tenmai greeted, knocking Gaara out of his reminiscing. “Finish everything up?”
“Yeah, there wasn't much to do today anyway. Cleaning?”
“Of course. You wouldn't believe the amount of dust that settles in just a week. It's unnatural.”
She set down her cleaning products and walked over to Gaara. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she helped him out of the black, long vest he wore over his cream Kazekage robes. Gaara removed his hat which was placed on a small chair with his vest. Tenmai removed the scarf around his neck, unknowingly causing a shiver to run down Gaara's spine. She set to work undoing the clasps on the front of his robes, going from his neck to his hips. She did this everyday for him, carrying on a light conversation. Today she was quiet and Gaara wondered what was wrong.
“Tenmai, are you alright?” He asked as she slid the robes over his shoulders and folded it.
“I talked with the elders today....about our wedding.”
“Oh? And what did they say?”
“Temari and I are to plan everything out. The wedding is to take place here in Suna in less then a year. They are being nice and giving us time to get to know each other better.”
“That's nice of them.”
“Yeah. Oh, Shibuki, my cousin, is going to be arriving within the week with his wife.”
“Are you happy?”
“Of course I am. I get to see him again. The last time I got to see him was when he came to Tsunade's office. I didn't get to go to the wedding, if you remember correctly.”
“Is that all?” Gaara asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You seem to have something on your mind.”
“Gaara?”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to get married? Are you only doing this because you have to or do truly want to be with me?”
“I.....I don't know. All of this was thrown at me, I'm still trying to take it all in. Don't get me wrong,” he assured her, placing a soft hand on her cheek. “I don't hate you, in fact I trust you more then anyone else I have ever known, and I know you wouldn't hurt me. I just need to take everything to mind, we are going to be bonded forever.”
“I understand, Gaara.”
They looked at each other, silence taking over. Gaara's hand still rested on Tenmai's cheek and she wasn't complaining. Stepping forward, Tenmai wrapped her arms around Gaara's neck, hugging him lightly. He stiffened. No one ever really hugged him, or at least from what he could remember. She placed her head on his collar bone, her right hand rubbing soothing circles between his shoulder blades. Timidly, he placed his arms around her waist, his hands resting on her lower back loosely.
“It's alright, Gaara, I won't hurt you. I promise. No matter what arises or what happens, I would never hurt you. I swore to protect you, even with my life, so don't worry. I'm here for you, whenever you might need me.”
Tenmai pulled away a little, arms still around him, to look him in the eyes. He had the most unusual look on his face, like he was trying to figure out what was going on. She giggled to herself causing the look to disappear. Gaara cocked a non-existent eyebrow at her causing her to giggle even more.
“You're so adorable, Panda-chan.” she half-whispered.
Tenmai leaned in while raising herself onto her toes. Wrapping her arms tighter around him, she pressed her lips against his. She stayed like that, eyes open, waiting for a response. Gaara was thunder-struck. He didn't expect her to do that. He was shocked, confused, and happy all at the same time. Gazing down at her smiling eyes, he pressed back. Her eyelids fluttered close as she tilted her head, deepening the kiss. She didn't know if this was his first kiss or not, probably, but he was good. Tenmai lightly nibbled on his bottom lip causing him to open his mouth in surprise. Timidly, she pushed into his mouth causing him to react and follow her move.
They kissed each other deeply, Gaara pushing her against the wall, causing her to grunt. He tried to pull away to ask if she was okay but she wouldn't allow it. The two continued, tongues fighting each other. She tugged at the thin undershirt he wore as his hands played with the sensitive skin of her bare back. Their air was running low so, with one more soft kiss, they pulled away, foreheads resting against each other.
“Wow. You're good, Gaara.” Tenmai complimented, taking deep breaths.
“Hn. Not bad, I could get used to this.”
They were silent for a moment, trying to catch their breaths, foreheads still connected.
“Panda-chan, don't freak out when I say this, but......I think....I might be falling in love with you.”
Gaara made to say something but a finger to his lip stopped him. “Let me finish. You don't have to say anything in return, but I just had to get it off of my chest. It's been driving me crazy. You are such an intriguing person, Gaara, so mystifying and sweet. I want to be the one you can turn to when you need help. I want to be the one you can depend on. I want to be the first one you see in the morning and the last one you see at night. Listen to me, I sound so pathetic.”
“You're not pathetic, Tenmai.”
“Truthfully Gaara?”
“Yes. Now stop doubting yourself. You almost done in here?” he asked, looking around his room.
“I was just finishing up when you got home. Here, I'll gather up my things and go wash up so I can make dinner. You should take a shower.”
“Are you saying I smell?”
“Yep, something awful.” she grinned, showing she was joking.
“Oh really?”
“Oh, definitely, Panda-chan smells. Go wash up.”
Tenmai smiled brightly at him. Giving him a swift peck on the lips, she wiggled out of his embrace and gather up the various cleaning products around the room. He watched her walk around his room. She was something else, he thought to himself. Tenmai was an interesting character and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Gaara was entranced by her. He didn't know what it was but there was something about the Waterfall kunoichi that drew him in, making him want to know more and more.
“Gaara, Tenmai, you guys home?” yelled Temari from downstairs.
“We're up here. I'll be down in a minute.” Tenmai yelled back before facing Gaara. “You get cleaned up and I'll see you when dinner is ready.”
Placing a small kiss on his cheek, Tenmai hurried out of the room with her cleaning products. Gaara placed two fingers to his cheek, feeling the heat below the tips. What was happening to him? Whatever happened to his creed, to love only himself? Gaara clutched his head, a throb was starting just behind his eyes, spreading to the front. Everything was becoming confusing to him. He wanted to continue with his creed, with his mother's words, but he also wanted to be loved. He didn't know what it was like to have someone care and love him unconditionally. Tenmai was willing to do just that, provide him with what his heart wanted.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Gaara gathered up a change of clothes and headed into the conjoined bathroom.

05050505050505050505050505

A week later, a scroll came into the village, addressed to the Kazekage. It was delivered to him by none other than Naruto. Sakura, Sasuke, Lee, Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Jiraiya had joined him in delivering the message, all wanting to see Suna and their friends. Shikamaru, in particular, wanted to see Temari in order to discuss the upcoming Chuunin exams, amongst other things. Over the years, the two have developed something akin to a real relationship, just haven't made it official.
As the group entered the office, they found an interesting sight. Gaara and a beautiful woman with deep brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes watched the center of the room with sweat drops. Tenmai sat on the back of Shibuki who was currently gagged and secured tightly with water ropes. The village leader struggled against the bonds but it was useless. Tenmai giggled to herself as her cousin tried to break free.
“Shibuki? Wow, I haven't seen you in a long while.” Naruto commented, kneeling next to the bound leader. “What did you do to piss Tenmai off?”
“He refused to give me the scroll that he brought with him. As the future wife of the Kazekage, I have a right to see whatever scroll or parchment that comes into this office.”
“'Ot un'il 'oh are 'arried.” Shibuki mumbled, still gagged.
“What did he say?” Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow at the immaturity of her friend.
“'Not until I am married to him'.” she pouted, getting off of her cousins back and releasing the binds. “So what are you all doing here?”
“Probably the same thing that Shibuki-sama is here for.” Kakashi said, moving to lean against the wall.
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“The issue would be Otooji-san (uncle). It seems he has some ties to the Akatsuki.”
“How is that possible? What happened?” Tenmai demanded, looking between her cousin and his wife, Mika. “Is there something wrong with the village?”
“The village was attacked, by someone who knew it well.”
“You mean like when Suien attacked with the Mist ninjas?” Sasuke asked, gazing at the Waterfall leader.
“Yes. It was well planned.” Shibuki faced his young cousin, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Tenmai, many of the villagers....were killed. We managed to evacuate most of the children, but we lost quite a number of people. Luckily the MC were able to take care of the problem before it got worse, but the attackers seemed to be looking for something....or someone.”
“They....were looking for me, weren't they?” She asked him, looking deep into his eyes.
“I'm sorry, but your house was completely destroyed. We weren't able to salvage anything. I'm so sorry Mai-chan.”
“It's alright.” She assured him, smiling. “My belongings can be replaced, the lives of the villagers cannot. Did something like this happen in Konoha, Naruto? Is that why you are all here?”
“Yeah. Tsunade has a message for Gaara.” Naruto pulled the scroll from a pocket and gave it to the Kazekage. “She wants to know your answer as soon as possible.”
Gaara read the scroll to himself as he made his way to his desk, taking a seat in his chair. Tenmai watched him closely, noting his facial features. They went from calm to worried to angry in a few short seconds. His gaze met Tenmai's. She could see in his eyes that they needed some help in Konoha, Tsunade probably asked for Tenmai personally.
“You understand, Tenmai?”
“Hai, Gaara. I'll get my belongings together and leave right away.”
“Come back to the office before you leave.”
“Hai.”
She turned heel and left the room to go gather her things. The Konoha ninja looked around at each other, wondering how she knew what Gaara wanted without any words passing between them. Gaara looked up as Shibuki came to stand beside him. He gave the Kazekage the scroll he held. Inside was information on the attacks as well as a small piece of parchment from the Elders of Takigakure asking how the wedding preparations were going. Only ten minutes later Tenmai returned with Temari and Kankuro in tow. The Wind Mistress immediately went to Shikamaru's side and Kankuro stood beside his brother. Tenmai walked to Gaara's side.
“I'll return as quickly as I can.”
“Take someone with you, at least.”
“I'll be fine Gaara, you know me.”
“Stay safe.”
“I will. Be back before you know it.”
She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, causing him to redden slightly. Waving at everyone, she jumped out the window behind Gaara's desk and onto the ground below, disappearing in a whirl of sand. The others looked at the Kazekage, raising eyebrows. He glared at each in turn before turning to the paperwork on his desk. Glances passed between the ninja, each with a knowing look.

0505050505050505050505

Next chapter up, hope everyone likes it. No lemons yet, but I do have one planned for a later chapter.