Tonight, In the Sand

Tonight, In the Sand

Hey everybody! This is a request from Asianchick44. I’m sorry it has taken me so long to post it. I hope you like it Asianchick! Enjoy! ~AkiraDawn

I don’t own Naruto nor do I profit from my fics

The sand country could be a rather unforgiving place, especially if you were Gaara. The mark on his forehead said love, but his heart said hopeless. As the newly appointed Kazekage, he appeared stoic and admittingly handsome. It was as if he had taken the role of some ancient god sent down from the heavens to search for the meaning of his life.

“Gaara.” His thoughts were interrupted as he gazed out the window. He turned around only to find his sister and subordinate, Temari.

“What is it?” he asked, somewhat irritated that his solitude had been disturbed.

“They shall be arriving soon.” It was all Temari said before she turned and left Gaara to himself once more. Gaara walked away from the window where he was standing in his grand home. He walked down the long hallway towards his room. What Temari was referring to, was the arrival of Konoha ninjas Rock Lee, Hyuuga Neji and Tenten. He had remembered them from the chuunin exam long ago, which felt like eternity. Gaara had changed into a pleasing combination of black and maroon. He wanted to look handsome tonight, but he had never indicated why. Perhaps it was to exert his authority over his country, or perhaps it was to set himself apart from the lesser ninjas. Whatever the reason, he was a sight to be held in his regal wears.

Gaara had no more gotten ready for the evenings discussions when two sand jounins approached him.

“Kazekage-Sama, your visitors have arrived.” Gaara eyes the men expressionless and then nodded before heading toward the front door to meet his Konoha guests. There they were lined up in a row, dirty and shoeless, it was obvious that their journey to the country of the sand had not been an easy one.

“Gaara! Gaara of the desert! It is I Rock Lee, of the Hidden Leaf Village! You remember me, right? Am I right?” It may have not been the most appropriate reaction towards a Kazekage, but it was Lee’s reaction and it was expected of him. Gaara ignored the overzealous greeting.

“Welcome to my home. I’m glad you’re here. We have much to discuss. I’m certain the three of you are both tired and hungry. Please, you are guests in my home, my jounin guards will show you to your quarters for the evening and to a place where you can rejuvenate before dinner. There were only two sand jounins one who led Neji away and one who led Lee away, however Tenten was told not to follow either of them. “Please, Tenten come with me.” Gaara motioned for her. Tenten was a little uneasy following Gaara around alone. After all, she had seen the fight between him and Lee. Gaara was strong, mysterious and quite frankly Tenten was a little frightened at the moment. Was he leading her away to kill her? To rape her? At the moment, she wished that she had Neji and Lee with her. Gaara must have sensed Tenten’s tense state and the fact that she was walking far behind him. “It’s okay Tenten. Please, don’t fear my. I mean none of you any harm and especially you. Remember, the Fire Country and the Sand Country are allies, not foe. Trust me Tenten.” Gaara said to her kindly without turning around. This reassured Tenten slightly. She smiled lightly as she walked down the hallway. She couldn’t help but notice the grand splendor that surrounded her. Gaara of the sand lived in some sort of resort paradise. Gaara stopped abruptly in front of a door, Tenten not paying attention plowed right into his back. She blushed horribly.

“Kazekage-Sama….I…” Gaara turned around and cut Tenten off.
“Please, Tenten, I am Gaara to you.” It was the first time Tenten had ever seen Gaara smile. It wasn’t even a complete smile, but it was the beginning of one. Gaara opened the door. “This is my room. Make yourself comfortable. Take as long as you like and if you need anything for your bath don’t hesitate to tell me.” Gaara told her. His long regal clothes lightly brushed against her side as Gaara left her alone to clean up. Tenten watched him out the door. His scent still lingered lightly in the air around her. Tenten looked around her. Gaara had a large spacious balcony off his bedroom, Tenten was certain the view was brilliant, but she didn’t dare open the large glass doors to find out. She caught site of fresh towels and clothes laid out on Gaara’s bed, but they weren’t his clothes, they were clothes for her. He had already planned to bring Tenten to his room for her to shower. She thought that perhaps as a Kazekage, he needed to plan ahead, knowing who was where at all times, and so Tenten assumed that the same was done for Lee and Neji.

Tenten didn’t want to take advantage of Gaara’s hospitality of opening up his home to them, so she quickly bathed, (even though she could have soaked for hours in the tub of suds) got dressed and returned to the dining room where Gaara was sitting at the head of the table. She didn’t walk in immediately, she wanted to watch him. She had never seen Gaara like this, he looked…well…calm, peaceful, unangered. At this moment he looked as if he had all the answers. But more than anything, Gaara, like Neji, Lee and Tenten, had grown up. And growing up means that people change…Tenten couldn’t help but notice how Gaara had changed.

She snapped out of her partially transfixed state and entered the dining hall with Gaara.

“Thank you for the clean clothes..Kaze…uh…Gaara.” Tenten laughed nervously and blushed again. She didn’t understand why she was blushing now, although she had to admit to herself…Gaara was very good looking these days.

“You’re welcome.” Gaara looked at her. There was an awkward silence between them, until Lee and Neji returned and joined them around the table. Tea was quickly brought to each of them by some of Gaara’s subordinates. “I’m glad the three of you are here. We have business to discuss regarding protection of the border.” Gaara went on talking while running his finger around the rim of his tea cup. Tenten found herself not listening…instead; she was the one watching him. She was once again transfixed in another state of mind. She carefully watched his every move. “He’s different…or maybe I’m different, right Tenten?” she said to herself.

“Tenten? Right Tenten?” maybe she hadn’t thought the last part.

“Huh? Oh…um…yeah….sure.” she answered embarrassingly. She hadn’t had a clue what had been said. She nervously buried her face in her tea cup and shot her eyes reassuringly towards Neji and Lee. The conversation resumed.

“Now, I have increased security up to about three miles with jounin guards, however, I need Fire Country guards to assist with the remaining three miles of vulnerable territory.” Gaara began. The meal of fresh sushi arrived as Gaara continued his plans for border security. Tenten’s mind drifted again…only this time…her thoughts weren’t so innocent…