"So, you're promoting me?" I asked, frowning slightly, "Somehow this seems like a demotion."
"Noriko-san. How can you say that? Becoming the Kazekage's personal body guard is a promotion no matter your previous rank." Baki grunted, crossing his arms over his chest.
"But I just made ANBU! You know this has been my dream since forever!" I replied, exasperatedly, "I've been training for 15 years for this and as soon as it's in my grasp, you give me simple guard duty. Why not ask Matsuri? I'm sure she'd gladly accept the role!"
"Matsuri is only a Genin, Noriko-san. She is not capable of protecting Gaara-sama." Baki spat in annoyance.
"I doubt the Kazekage even needs a body guard Baki! He's untouchable!" I shot back, giving my best glare.
Baki seemed unfazed as he continued to stare me down and I sighed in defeat, running tan fingers through my hair. There was no way I could not accept this role. It would be an embarrassment to, not only myself, but Baki since he was the one who had recommended me. And it was for the Kazekage's sake, I would be a fool to deny him anything.
"Alright, fine," I grumbled, "But I don't have to like it."
Baki chuckled, patting my shoulder in encouragement, "Think of this as training. I'm sure Gaara-sama won't keep you forever, you'll get on his nerves eventually, I'm sure. And he'll send you right back to being a simple ANBU."
"Then why'd you pick me?" I asked, slightly curious.
Baki looked away thoughtfully for a moment, tapping a finger to his tanned cheek.
"You're the same age as Gaara-sama," I narrowed my eyes, "And your Kekkei Genkai. Not to mention you are a genius."
"Flattery will get you no where." I mumbled, but could already feel my ego stirring in approval.
"I'm not flattering you, Noriko-san. It's the truth."
"Go ahead, keep stroking it Baki. My head will be too big to fit out the door in another moment."
"So it's mostly because my Kekkei Genkai then, ne?" I accused, "I knew it would get me into trouble one of these days!"
Baki chuckled again, shaking his head slightly.
"So you accept?"
"Yeah, yeah. Why not?" I waved dismissively.
"That's great. Let's go tell Gaara-sama now." Baki grinned, turning away from me.
"Eh? Now?" I called after him, "W-Wait! Baki! Slow down!"
"Kazekage-sama, Baki-senpai and an ANBU-san are here to see you."
I frowned behind my mask, following in behind Baki and bowing when the Kazekage nodded towards us in greeting. When I straightened up I was slightly surprised at how young the Kazekage looked. I had never really looked at him this closely before. Most of the time my squad leader handed in mission reports and on the off chance I did, I usually passed it on to his assistant.
"Gaara-sama." Baki rumbled, giving a slight smirk.
"Baki-san," Gaara replied, "ANBU-san."
"Kazekage-sama." I nodded, bowing my head slightly.
"Gaara-sama, this is the ANBU I told you about," Baki started and I gave a poorly concealed snort of annoyance, "This is Noriko. Noriko-san, remove your mask."
I grumbled quietly to myself, reaching up to undo the tie. I clutched my mask in one hand when it was undone, pulling it away from my face. I blinked once at the sudden brightness of the room before turning my eyes back towards the Kazekage.
"She's young." He said easily and I felt my eye twitch in anger.
"And so are you!" I snapped, huffing and looking away.
"Noriko!" Baki grunted, "Don't talk to Ga-"
"It's fine." The Kazekage spoke up.
I turned back towards him, slightly shocked that he didn't reprimand me but recovered quickly when I noticed his slight look of amusement. I huffed again, this time frowning at him outright. He didn't seem fazed in the least and turned his gaze back towards Baki.
"I trust your judgement, Baki-san. I am confident she will do well." He assured.
"Hai, Gaara-sama. She's the best candidate Suna can offer you."
"Don't talk like I'm not here." I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I'm sorry, Noriko-san," The Kazekage spoke again, stunning me for the second time, "Forgive the rudeness."
"It's... Fine..." I mumbled, slightly embarrassed with myself.
"Arigato, Noriko-san," The Kazekage nodded, "I assume, Baki-san has given you the details?"
I turned towards Baki, cocking my head in confusion. Baki just chuckled again, turning back towards the Kazekage.
"She only just accepted, Gaara-sama. I haven't had the time yet."
"Well now is good as ever." I pointed out, still confused.
"I'm sorry again, Noriko-san, please allow me to explain."
I nodded once, slightly unsure.
"Arigato. As my personal guard, your duty is solely my protection. For that reason, you shall be moving into my home, so you can preform your duty to it's fullest extent." The Kazekage explained.
"E-Eh? M-Moving? Into your home?" I stuttered.
"I hope it won't cause you any trouble, Noriko-san."
I shook my head 'no' slowly, still processing the information.
"Moving in with the Kazekage? Is Baki insane!"
"I live with Temari and Kankuro," The Kazekage continued, "I hope that will not be any trouble either."
"Kankuro-baka?" I questioned, immediately freezing up and slapping a hand over my mouth, "E-Eh, I mean Kankuro-sama? No! No! Not a problem, Kazekage-sama!"
"Gaara."
"Huh?"
"You can call me Gaara."
"A-Ahhh, okay, Gaara-sama." I bowed deeply, blushing in embarrassment.
"Dear Kami-sama. Why do you hate me so?"
"Dear Kami-sama, strike me down, please." I prayed feebly, clutching the last box from my apartment tightly.
When nothing happened, I sighed, shuffling closer towards my doom. Gaara's house wasn't far from my own and packing my meager belongings had taken less time then moving them. I frowned as the gate to his home drew closer and closer as I walked. I nodded to the guard in charge of said gate and he smiled, opening it so I could enter.
"Welcome to your new home, Noriko-sama." He bowed and I shifted nervously on my feet.
"Noriko's fine. None of that 'sama' stuff," I grumbled, "But could you open the door for me? It'd be a big help."
"Hai, Noriko-san."
As I shuffled inside, I was awestruck again at just how beautiful the home was. It had high ceilings and was painted a beautiful sand color. I continued to glance around, taking in more of its simple beauty as I walked up the stairs. When I reached the top I stood silently, smiling slightly to myself.
"Maybe this won't be so bad." I mused, glancing around again.
"What won't be so bad?"
"IYA!" I shrieked, dropping the box I carried and to my horror the contents spilled over the floor.
"And I thought you had been promoted to ANBU. You're sad, Noriko."
"Kankuro-baka." I hissed, turning to glare at the taller man.
Kankuro smirked, leaning against the wall behind me and I blinked stupidly.
"E-Err. What happened to your makeup?" I questioned.
"It's not makeup, BAKA!" Kankuro shouted, pushing away from the wall, "It's war paint. They're two different things!"
"Right, right," I waved dismissively, "And I'm the new Hokage."
"Tch. You're not even from Konoha, that would be impossible." Kankuro mumbled, rolling his eyes.
"... Anyway... Are you going to help me pick this stuff up, baka? You're the one who made me drop it." I asked, kneeling down to grab some of my things.
"You're an ANBU, you shouldn't have been so startled, do it yourself." Kankuro countered, shoving his hands in his pockets and walking away.
"It was your fault, BAKA!" I shouted after him but he simply shrugged me off.
"Maybe it is going to be just as bad as I thought." I grumbled, gathering my things and heading to my room.
"I can't sleep." I mumbled to myself, screwing my eyes shut and trying to snuggle deeper into my blanket.
I tried focusing on sleep and only sleep but the more I thought about it, the more it evaded me.
"Gah!" I yelled silently, throwing my blanket back and sat up.
I glanced around my room, frowning. I had unpacked a few of my boxes but couldn't bring myself to unpack my personal things yet. I would surely be the sign that I was accepting my doom.
"Not that I can get out of it..." I mumbled, rolling a stiff shoulder.
"What was I thinking?" I hissed, throwing myself back on my futon.
I laid quietly, staring at the ceiling and counted the cracks.
"One, two, three-"
I jolted up when I heard a door down the hall open. I frowned, rolling over silently and reached for the kunai I had stashed in the bedside table. I waited until I heard the door close and crept closer to my own door, pressing my ear against it. Soft footfalls echoed in the empty hall and I held my breath when they passed by my room. I waited until they disappeared before I breathed out, opening my door as quietly as possible and peaked out.
"Nothing," I whispered to myself, "Maybe I was imagining things?"
The flutter of the hall curtain caught my eye and I frowned again, raising my kunai to face level.
"The window was closed when I went to sleep." I thought, inching my way closer.
I closed my eyes when I reached the window, searching for any unfamiliar chakra. When I felt none my frown only increased and I lifted myself on the window ledge, peering around. I didn't see any people walking or running away by ground. I placed my kunai in my mouth and I hoisted myself out the window, slowly creeping up the side of the wall.
"Leaves the roofs as the only means of escape."
I peered over the edge and my breath caught in my throat. There, before me, sat Gaara. He was leaning back casually, one knee propped up and one arm resting over it. The moon bathed him in natural light and I found myself completely captivated in his pale skin and red hair. The landscape, of tall buildings, only increased the beauty of the scene and I blushed, hoisting myself up quickly.
"Ya know, Kazekage-sama, I came here prepared to kill a thief or something." I called out, wrapping my arms around my chest, kunai clutched loosely in one hand.
Gaara turned piercing aqua eyes towards me and my breath caught again. It almost made me wish I had scaled down the wall and back to my room. I pinched myself lightly and closed my eyes as a warm breeze blew over my face.
"I'm sorry, Noriko-san."
I smiled warmly, walking towards him. When I reached his side I smiled again.
"Do you mind, Kazekage-sama?" I asked, motioning to take a seat.
Gaara nodded once and I plopped down quickly, pulling my knees to my chest and resting my head. I turned away from him, to see what he had been staring at and my eyes widened.
"It's beautiful," I breathed, smiling again, "Who knew Suna had such a beautiful moon?"
Gaara didn't reply, so I continued my amazed staring, basking in the wonderfully warm night air. The moon hung low in the sky, washing everything over in a pale light. The tall buildings left mysterious shadows in their wake and I thought quickly of Nara, Shikamaru, Konoha's peace advisory to Suna. He would probably love it. He seemed like that kind of guy. Especially with the way he complained about Suna's lack of clouds.
"You can call me Gaara." Gaara suddenly spoke and I turned towards him in surprise.
"Huh?"
"You called me Kazekage-sama. You can call me Gaara." He repeated, as if slightly unsure of his own words.
I smiled again, turning back to look over the city, "Okay, Gaara-sama, it's beautiful, ne?"
He didn't answer again and I turned back, frowning slightly at his scowl. I bowed my head deeply, flushing in embarrassment.
"Sorry, Gaara-sama. I didn't mean to be so casual." I mumbled, standing quickly.
He continued to watch me with a slight scowl and I bowed again, hoping I hadn't angered him in any way.
"You can sit." He murmured eventually, turning his gaze away.
"I should probably try to sleep." I replied, turning away from him.
After a few steps I felt guilty for leaving so aburptly. I turned back, hugging myself again.
"You should probably try to sleep as well, Gaara-sama," I supplied, "It would also make my job easier if you were in your room, so if you are attacked I can reach you."
I added as an afterthought. He didn't seem to acknowledge me so I sighed, turning back and headed inside. Once inside and on my futon I wrapped the blanket tightly around me, falling into a restless sleep. Gaara's unique eyes plaguing my dreams.