Between Brothers

Chapter Six:

Three Months Later

Misaki panted harshly as she avoided Gaara's sand attack. Her body was going to get tired soon if she didn't do something about. "Come on Misaki. I have yet to begin." Her eyes narrowed on his jade ones.

"I won't let you down." She said as she rushed up towards him.

He attacked and she barely dodged the next one. She was so busy dodging him that she could not get out one single attack. Misaki wanted to beat herself up for challenging Gaara. Gaara was right when it came to anything anymore. Especially her chakra and level as a ninja. Finally he responded as he pulled her against his body, "I'm not going to hold back Misaki. Where's your determination?" He then threw her in the other direction as she tried to regain control of the situation. Gaara had watched Misaki and Kankuro from afar until finally she beat Kankuro. Now she was becoming weak again. He wouldn't let that happen.

Sand snaked around her ankles, thighs, waist, and arms to harden as quickly as it had made itself present. She didn't struggle, knowing he was about to say something. "What if I was one of the jonin that raped you? Would you cower and let me do so again?"

"No." Misaki replied firmly.

"Then prove it. Show me."

Misaki felt a new burst of energy fill her body as she broke away from the hardened sand and ran towards Gaara. Her hands cupped together to make a ball of water. She felt her chakra grow as his eyes narrowed on her body. She had left herself wide open for one of Gaara's attacks. Sand overtook her body as she tried to fight it.

He waited momentarily, expecting her to do something, and suddenly his expections were met. His eyes caught her form, a ball of water was formed around her body as she leaned forward and started to run towards him.

Sand and water met in an explosion of energy. Gaara felt his body hit the ground as she collided with him. Her body was stretched over his while she panted softly in his ear. "That is what I was talking about." He pulled her hair which in turn pulled her head upwards towards him. "You still have much to improve on."

"I know."

He cupped her chin and said, "If you would only release your chakra...almost like when you release in bed with me." She blushed softly then waited as he continued, "You have much power, you only need to release it."

Misaki laid her head on his chest as he stroked her black hair softly. "I wish I could be like you."

"No you don't Misaki." He sat up, forcing her to sit up as well. "Come, let's go back to the office. I have something for you."

"What?"

"You can wait."

xxxx

Kankuro sat on a chair in front of the Kazekage's desk. He held a box containing a gift for their friend...well girlfriend. He was waiting patiently for the two to enter. He heard the door open and Misaki's pleasant voice, "Hi Kankuro."

"Do you have it Kankuro?" Gaara questioned his brother.

"Oh yes. I have it." Kankuro answered.

"Close your eyes Misaki." Gaara ordered her as she closed her eyes slowly. Kankuro opened the box and revealed a new outfit, one more appropriate for the weather. He pulled out a sash with the village's symbol on it then handed it to his brother. "You said you didn't know who you belonged to," he paused as he wrapped the sash around her waist and tied it in the back, "well...you belong now."

She opened her eyes and looked down to see the new sash. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged him. "Oh Gaara...thank you."

"Don't I get a thank you?" Kankuro interrupted.

Misaki smiled and went to Kankuro and hugged him. "Thank you as well Kankuro."

Gaara sat down behind the desk and finally said, "We're going back to the Village of the Hidden Leaf. It's time you face the past."

Her smile disappeared as he looked at her with determined eyes. "But..."

"Nothing. But nothing Misaki. You are holding back because of the past. It's time you face it."

"You're right...I guess I have been hiding so long. When are we leaving?"

"You and Kankuro are leaving tomorrow. We will discuss matters later."

Misaki knew what that meant. She wanted to cringe knowing that she was going back. However, she couldn't...and under Gaara's gaze, it only made her feel worthless. She still didn't feel as if she fully belonged, but she loved both Gaara and Kankuro. Where would her future lie without either of them?

Gaara's voice snapped her out of her daze, "Come."

She obeyed him immediately, feeling drawn to him. She sat in his lap and leaned her head against his chest. "I won't let myself be drawn down anymore by the past." Misaki knew that she would have to face this sooner or later. With or without the two brothers.

The End...for now.