I don't own anything. Sadly.
-The Kazekage's Woman-
Theme: Children
The cool night air ghosted over her skin as she walked into Suna. She was aware of the eyes on her, as usual there were many guards on watch. She was allowed in and out at all times, after all, she needed to gather both food and herbs while she could.
She turned a corner and shifted the basket on her arm, the two dead hares seemed achingly heavy as she tiredly navigated her way back to the orphanage.
It wasn't that there was little funding for the orphanage that she had to do this, but the increase in orphaned children do to the recent war. There were whispers of a greater war to come, and Kagome knew she had to save as much funds as possible for all the children what would come through her door.
When she first came to Suna, she had never thought she would end up in this position, however, back then, Gaara was being a bit of a nuisance.
"You have to stop this, Gaara, just order someone to start up a daycare for these brats or somethin'." Kankuro griped as he glared at a little boy whom had come barging into the Administration building, looking for Gaara.
"They are orphans, I will not force someone into this duty." Gaara said, calmly. Kankuro understood, he wanted the children to have someone to care for them, not someone who'd rather see them leave.
Kagome walked up to them. "Ano...I know I'm not from around here, but I could watch them, it's not like I have anything else to do." She said and smiled. "Besides, I've been playing with them every day for the past two weeks of my stay, it won't be too hard."
Gaara turned his eyes to her with a light frown. "Are you offering to adopt all these children?"
Kagome smiled. "In a way, I would act as their parent as long as they wished. I guess an orphanage would be the proper term, just until they found homes, and if not, I'm there."
Gaara nodded. "Come, we'll negotiate terms immediately and I will talk to the elder council about this matter."
So, she had become a citizen of Suna, and not once since she came to be in this strange world had the Kazekage not helped her out. He had been the one to find her, nearly dead from dehydration, out in the sands. He had money sent her way as the orphanage grew, even some of his time was spent with the children everyday. She asked for anything and he made it happen.
She slowly opened the door to her home, smiling when she noticed Gaara had come by and was getting little Rei a cup of milk so she could go back to sleep.
As Rei disappeared back upstairs, Gaara turned to Kagome, who had waited until the girl was gone to begin preparing the hares for tomorrow's meal.
"The council has caught on that you haven't found any child a new home." He said and Kagome froze in her actions. "I've bought time, you and the children should be find for a while more."
"They don't want to send any more money, do they?" Kagome asked and he sighed.
"I had wanted to wait, as I had no intentions on such things while war was just over the horizon, but.." Gaara started as Kagome turned to look at him, waiting for him to continue. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them he found himself staring at her ocean blue eyes for a moment.
"...Yes?" She prodded, and he sat down on one of the mismatched kitchen stools.
"Do not rush me, it is difficult." He grumbled and she rolled her eyes at him.
"Well, Kazekage-sama, tell me when you're ready." She said before turning back to her task with the hares. The innards would feed the stray dogs and cats who had lost their families in the war.
"Marry me."
Kagome nearly dropped the knife she was holding. "I-I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
"You are making this more difficult than it should be, Kagome." Gaara said with a frown. "Marry me."
Kagome whirled around. "If this is a joke, I swear to god I will castrate you, do you understand me?" Kagome said, her cheeks burning.
Gaara chuckled. "I had planned on dating first, after the war...however, if you were my wife, you would have enough funds for the children at all times, and any more that would come in the future."
"Y-You jackass..." She said, putting down her knife and walking over to him, hands still bloody. "Did it ever occur to you that I may say no?"
Gaara shook his head. "You've shown signs of being in love with me for nearly six months now, Kagome."
Her face lit up like a light bulb and he stood, walking over to her.
"And even if you weren't..." He took a step towards her, and she took a step back, until she felt the counter. "I would have to make you fall in love with me." He murmured, grabbing her waist and pressing his lips to hers.