Coffee

"I was taught that people who take their coffee black are all psychopaths." Machi deadpans, and Gaara feels a smile bubbling to the surface.

"Well…" The smile breaks through, and Gaara gestures to himself as his gourd shakes a bit, like little excited demons waiting to be released. "They're not wrong."

Machi isn't even sure when it started, to be honest. Born and raised a shinobi of Sunakagure, of course she has heard stories and rumors about him, and she, from time-to-time when she gets the chance to go into town, has definitely seen him in passing.

Him.

Sabaku no Gaara.

He's a monster, so they'd say.

He doesn't feel, so they'd say.

He's dangerous, so they'd say

And most of all, they'd say "Avoid at all cost."

Growing up, Machi doesn't see very much of Gaara, so there really is no telling what she would or wouldn't have done.

But look how the tables have turned as the years fly by. The bigots of the past are now swallowing their pride, watching the younger generation pining relentlessly for "the monster's" attention, male and female alike. Dismissed and idolized all at once, Machi realizes, no one really sees the redhead as a real human being.

Unlike her peers, Machi had not been particularly pleased or displeased when she had first heard the results of the Kage nomination, but then again, she had never spoken to Gaara – she just didn't know him enough to know how to feel.

The first time Machi meets Gaara is through Temari. Kuniochis are few and far between, so Temari doesn't simply let a chance slip by to make a girlfriend. So when Gaara summons his siblings to his office one cool afternoon in the middle of November, Machi tags along.

"What do you need, Gaara?" Temari asks, her voice rang across the room before she is seen as she enters the Kazekage's office without knocking, omitting as well other gestures of formality.

"I just-" Gaara starts, only to trail off upon noticing another presence in the room.

Machi freezes by the door when his piercing gaze settles on her, and tucks her neck into her shoulder in a sheepish 'oops'. "Sorry, I'll wait outside."

"Nonsense!" Temari laughs, circling behind her to push her forward. Machi hears the click of the door closing. "Gaara doesn't bite."

The redhead barely spares a second to glare at Temari before returning his attention to the unfamiliar kunoichi. "Your name?"

"It's Machi, Kazekage-sama." She flashes him a small smile, pressing herself against the door and not quite sure where to draw the line between formality and familiarity. After all, he's just Temari's brother… and the most powerful person in the village.

Her inner conflict seems to slip by unnoticed, for Gaara nods pleasantly at her and stands to extend a hand. "Nice to meet you, Machi."

"You too." With each small, bouncing step, she approaches him, smiling acknowledgement to a man with purple face paint and a younger girl with sandy brown hair. Once within range, Machi slips a hand into Gaara's and confusion sprinkles onto her face. "Your hand feels odd."

There is a beat of silence, then the man with the face paint bursts into a booming guffaw, eyes shining in absolute mirth. Anyone who has seen the evils of the world and can still laugh so freely… Machi likes him already. "What?" She asks with a smile of her own.

"Nothing, nothing. I don't think I've ever met anybody as straightforward, is all." His eyes twinkle as laughter melts into a warm chuckle. "I'm Kankuro, by the way. Gaara and Temari's brother."

"Oh! I've heard a lot about you!" Machi slips her hand out of Gaara's, turning to face Kankuro thus missing the way the redhead sits down awkwardly, even for him. Gaara clears his throat quietly, but Machi is already too enthralled by his brother.

"All good things, I hope?" He wiggles his brows.

Machi laughs some more. "In your wildest dreams."

"Well damn." Kankuro proceeds to prop himself off the wall and casually throws an arm around her. "I can't believe Temari has been making me look bad in front of a pretty girl such as yourself."

"Ah-ah! Temari said you're quite the lady's man." Machi dramatically wiggles out of his arm for emphasis. "But I see you, Kankuro-san. You talk big, but I bet you're more of the one-woman type."

"Beauty and brains!" Kankuro lets out an airy laugh, and Machi can already tell that it's all just empty flirts, so she joins him. From his seat, Gaara watches the effortless exchange, unconsciously rubbing his hands together.

"It's sand."

Everybody pauses. So, Gaara repeats himself, "It's sand… the odd texture."

Machi's eyes light up with enough watts to power all of the 5 great nations and then some. "Why?"

"It's because Gaara-sama is always ready. It's his sand armor, his ultimate defense." The younger brunette speaks up suddenly for her mentor, if not with a slightly haughty air that almost tips the balance of the light atmosphere. "Everybody in Suna knows that."

Machi blinks at her. "I'm…sorry? Um, you are…?"

"Matsuri is Gaara's student. She's improved a lot under his tutelage." Temari explains, then turns to Matsuri pointedly. "She's very protective of Gaara, you could say. Quick to defend him, yes." Her eyes narrows. "Too quick, sometimes."

Machi mouths a soft 'oh', but smiles warmly at Matsuri regardless. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend Kazekage-sama. My mouth moves faster than my brain sometimes, my sincerest apologies."

While Matsuri huffs quietly in her corner, Gaara waves a hand dismissively, trying not to think about how fast her pattern of speech changes when addressing him as opposed to addressing his siblings. "In any case, Temari, Kankuro, I've called you here to discuss my escorts for the trip to Konoha to finalize the alliance. While Matsuri suggests that I handpick ANBU members to accompany me, I wanted to consult with you first."

"Why not just take us?" The words slips out of Kankuro's mouth easily, as if they were the most natural thing in the world.

"I second that. We've always been a team anyway. I don't see why you have to bother with ANBU." Temari adds, then with the slightest hint of bitterness, "No offense, but when did you start consulting with Matsuri?"

"Matsuri is a valued shinobi and friend, Temari. Besides, she makes a valid point. Different opinions help me make an informed decision." Gaara retorts and all eyes are now on him as he nudges a pen to his chin in contemplation. Temari and Kankuro groan in unison, earning an eye-roll from their beloved brother.

"If I may?" Machi suddenly cuts in, if not a bit shyly with a hand raised like she is waiting to be called on.

Gaara spares her a glance, then nods.

"The alliance is a delicate situation, and there will no doubt be assassination attempts seeing as many will probably be threatened by the linkage of the world's two biggest nations. I think Kazekage-sama should have escorts with whom he is comfortable where no words are necessary for communication, since you may not get to even speak with your escorts in desperate times." Machi pauses to gauge Gaara's reaction, as if giving him a moment to tell her to shut up and that she is out of line. When he remains silent and attentive, she continues. "Well, I feel that Temari and Kankuro-san are the most obvious choices as well, especially since in addition to teamwork, they genuinely want to protect you, you being their baby brother and all."

"Beauty and brains." Kankuro repeats wistfully, and Machi thanks him with a smile this time. "I'm appalled that Temari kept you from the family for so long."

Gaara studies her for a minute, sea foam eyes searching for her signs of an ulterior motive in her cerulean ones. Even from a good distance away, Machi can still feel his sharp gaze cradle her entirety. Nevertheless, she stands her ground and internally thanks whatever gods watching over her for giving her the nerve to hold his gaze until the Kazekage looks away first.

And if Gaara notices her breathing easier, he doesn't mention it.

"So um." Machi starts when Gaara says nothing further. "Tem, I'll just…leave you guys to it." She turns to the others with a polite smile, pointedly dismissing Temari's accusing sigh towards her youngest brother. "Good to meet you."

"Already? You just got here!" Kankuro protests almost immediately, holding out his arms in what he hopes to be a welcoming gesture. "What's the rush?"

"It's not my place, Kankuro-san," Machi says gently as she gives Kankuro a soft pat on the shoulder, along with a curve of the lips that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "See you around though."

"She's right, Kankuro-sama. This is a private matter of national importance." Matsuri adds, and it doesn't take a genius to detect her casual disapproval.

"Then you should probably go too." Temari mutters with a silent huff, crossing her arms into a defensive stance, only to earn a stern 'Temari' from Gaara. She shrugs him off.

Despite her occasional interest in inane dramas, Machi smartly decides to opt out of this particular one – no point on getting on the bad side of 'Big Bad Gaara.' Instead, she stifles a cough and opens the door, signaling her imminent departure. All eyes fall on her once more. "So, I'll see you around, Temari. Pleasure to meet everybody," she forces an awkward wave, "Kazekage-sama."

With one last respectful nod at Gaara, Machi quickly paces out of the room. Gaara stares at her retreating figure as she shuts the door, and as soon as she does, he realizes how he must've come off, letting her go without expressing his appreciation for her input… or anything at all for that matter.

"Well." Temari begins, dusting off invisible dirt off her clothes. "Now that you know how we feel, just let us know what you've decided. C'mon Kankuro; we'll see you at home, Gaara."

With that, the blonde kuniochi trots out indignantly without so much as a goodbye as her brother quickly follows. Kankuro, however, takes a second to leave Gaara a sympathetic smile before he swiftly shuts the door behind him. Gaara exhales loudly, fingers massaging his forehead as he leans back into his desk.

Matsuri furrows her brows in concern, going forward to rest a caring hand lightly on his shoulder blade. "G-Gaara-sama? Do you care for some coffee?"

"Sure." Gaara sighs again, this time, whirling the chair around to face his beloved student before she could leave. "Matsuri, you didn't have to do that." He is no longer talking about coffee, she figures.

"I'm only looking out for you, Gaara-sensei. I can't help that neither of your siblings like me very much." A certain tone curls around his name as Matsuri speaks, and Gaara isn't sure what to make of it. "Besides, you know how I feel when people disrespect you."

Gaara couldn't help but soften at her words. After all, Matsuri was there, is here, when no one else dared to approach him, and he would always be gracious and thankful towards her regardless. "Thank you." Then, "What do you make of Temari's friend…Machi?" He asks almost tentatively, as if testing out the syllables on his tongue.

"Frankly, Gaara-sensei, I think she's just here to agree with Temari-san." Matsuri tuts distastefully, then wrinkles her nose. "I don't like her."

"I see." With teal eyes narrowed in contemplation, Gaara sends his student on her way. As he watches the heavy wooden door squeak close followed by a soft 'click,' Gaara leans back on his chair, fingers intertwined, and mutters to himself with a distant expression. He twirls his chair towards the windows to face the village. "You're wrong, Matsuri. She's genuine, that…"

The smallest hint of a smile tugs at his lips.

"… Machi."

A/N: Hi! Thank you so much for checking out the story. This is a re-edited version, and I'd greatly appreciate any feedback or thoughts, so please leave a review on your way out!