The Mission

"GOOD NEWS!" Mother screamed as she burst in my room unexpectedly.

"You're dying?" I grinned as I put down my book.

"No, don't be so sadistic. Was that the way I brought you up? You must have gotten that from your father." Mother sighed.

"Father..." I whispered.

"Oh don't be sad, you still have me!" Mother laughed.

"Joy," I sighed sarcastically, "So what's the good news?"

"OH! Temari's here, she has a mission for you, it's a special one, ordered by the Kazekage himself." Mother grinned.

"Gaara..." I whispered.

Mother sighed, "What words aren't taboo in this house? Wait until my sister comes over, she'll give you a good old earful!"

"Sister..." I cried.

I've lost too many people, in such little time. My twin sister, Narcissa, was lost in a fire when were just ten years old, her body was never found. Then, just recently, my father was exiled from the Hidden Sand Village, the papers were filed by none other than my best friend, Gaara. That's when I lost Gaara, when he signed those papers.

"Ice, this is getting ridiculous. Get up, get dressed, go have fun with Temari." Mother said as she threw some clothes at me.

I trailed along the warm sand, my hands in my pockets and my head down. I soon found myself at the entrance of our village, Temari was there, she was as stern as always. We were waiting for Matsuri and Sari, they were late - again. What could they be doing? Besides fawning over that stupid little runt they call Kazekage. Gaara, I will never bow down to you.

"Never." I whispered.

"Never what?" Temari asked.

"Never run with scissors," I said as I shook my head. "terrible things could happen."
"You're a strange girl, Ice." Temari laughed.

"Just a tad," I yawned, "where are these stupid girls?"

"Probably drooling over my brother. You know Ice, you and Gaara would make a cute couple." Temari teased me.

Growling and glaring at my best friend, I couldn't but think she was right. Gaara and I had always had this sort of connection, like we belonged together. It couldn't be though, I can't forgive him for what he did!

"Don't give me that look," Temari giggled. "I know you like him."

"He exiled my own father, Temari. I don't see why I shouldn't just run off after him." I growled as I folded my arms.

"He exiled my own father, Temari, I don't see why I shouldn't just run off after him, the man did raise me you know?" I snarled as I folded my arms.

"You haven't been yourself since you and Gaara fell out." Temari

"Well, I do miss the smell of his armpits sometimes." I admitted.

Temari gave me a strange look and said, "I don't think the girls are coming."

I carried on, "but things can't go back, they just can't."

"Ah there they are! Oh, Gaara's with them." Temari said.

"Typical." I sighed.

Hearing Matsuri and Sari giggle as they approached us made my skin crawl, I gave them a quick glance. In between them was a dumbfounded Gaara, looking as emotionless as usual, bloody so and so..

"Is this what you're looking for Temari?" Gaara questioned.

"Yes, you girls are late." Temari said sternly.

"We're sorry. We bumped into Lord Kazekage." Matsuri bowed apologetically.

"See to it that it doesn't happen again. Kazekage, a word please." Temari said as she pulled Gaara away from the girls and took him at least 30 feet away from us.

"I wonder what they're talking about." Sari frowned.

"Maybe it's to do with who he's going to marry." Matsuri smiled.

"And who is he going to marry?" I questioned them.

The jumped at the sound of my voice. Ah, still scared of me I see, must still be whining about that 'incident.' It wasn't my fault anyways, I blame Kankuro, it was his plan anyways!

"The Sand Elders have chosen a bride for our Kazekage, all he needs to do is accept it." Sari explained.

"Do you know who?" I smirked.

Matsuri and Sari shook their heads as I took in the bombshell.