Gaara…," the way she said my name without a hint of disgust or hatred and the way she always smiled afterwards made me feel like flying. She made me feel important and wanted. The looks she would give only to me made me fall for her even more. Whenever she got excited about something she would grab my hand without a second thought. Whenever she smiled I couldn't help but smile back. Whenever I was in trouble or felt like crying, she was always there. I wanted her to be mine forever but that was a selfish thought because soon after, I left her.

"I have to go away for awhile," I told her and watched as confusion masked her face. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. I waited.

"Where are you going?" she finally asked in her soft soprano voice. I sighed. I had to think of something to tell her.

"I have some important business to take care of," I said smoothly. I looked right into her emerald eyes and held back the urge to tell her everything. I didn't realize it would be this hard to leave her.

"Can I come too?" she asked looking down to play with her fingers. I squeezed my eyes shut and took a slow breath. When I opened them again she was staring at me. I couldn't form the words so I just shook my head. Her face fell and she looked down. I stepped closer to her and laid my hand on her head.

"I'm sorry, but I promise…I will come back for you," I told her. She lifted her head and her gaze locked with mine. I saw a sparkle of hope within the depth of her brilliant emerald eyes. I smiled a small smile just as her hand began to lift. She rested it upon my cheek.

"Why…," she whispered. "Why are your eyes still full of loneliness while mine are full of hope?"

I knew I couldn't hide my emotions from her. She could see right through me so I had to come up with an excuse fast.

"Mine are showing past emotions that were stirred up at the thought of leaving your side for any amount of time," I said. It wasn't technically a lie but it wasn't the complete truth either. She continued to stare into my eyes then, her lips formed into a slight smile. I watched as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them and smiled wider.

"I'll be waiting for you…," she said, wrapping her arms around my torso. I hugged her back then pulled away. I smiled at her one last time before turning and leaving her standing there. I looked back once and saw she had her hands folded in front of her chest. Her lips were moving but I couldn't make out the words. Then, her eyes lifted and locked with mine; she unfolded her hands and gently blew my way. The wind brought me her last words.

"Crimson tears flow from lifeless eyes to mingle with the endless sands bestowing ever greater power upon the demon god…I love you, my Gaara," I watched as a single tear rolled down her cheek and fell to the sand at her feet. I looked away because that last image of her would be etched into my memory for as long as I live and already, it was too much.

I looked up at the night sky just as a shooting start made its way across. I closed my eyes. Would it be selfish of me to wish that she were here with me right now? I knew the answer but chose to ignore it and wished with all my might. I wonder where she is and how she is doing. If we were to meet again, would she remember me? Would I be able to recognize her?

"Gaara," I heard someone say. I looked up and saw Temari and Kankuro. I sighed and turned away from them.

"What do you want?" I asked in a hard emotionless voice. I felt them hesitate but it was Temari who answered.

"Sensei wants to see you right away," she said. My eyes narrowed and I turned to look at her.

"Why does he want to speak with me at this hour?" I asked. What is that old man thinking?

"I-I'm not sure, he just asked us to retrieve you," she said looking away from my killer gaze. I stood up and sighed. Temari and Kankuro moved out of my way instantly.

"Fine," was all I said before disappearing into the night.

I arrived at the old man's office soon after my departure with Temari and Kankuro. I just walked in, not even bothering to knock. He looked up, spotted me and smirked.

"Well I thought you would have put up a bigger fight when they asked you to come see me," he said laughing a deep throaty laugh. I kept my gaze on him until he shifted uncomfortably under it.

"Well anyway I need to speak with you about a mission I want you to complete," he said moving to sift through papers on his desk. He came back with a pretty thick folder in hand.

"Here look through this and start thinking of strategies; Kankuro and Temari will accompany you so be prepared," he said walking back to sit at his desk. Great, with those two tagging along it'll only slow me down. I turned and walked away to examine the missions information and just by looks of this folder and how thick it is, I'm sure it will take a little while to succeed. Oh well… with that thought banished from my mind for now, I went back to sitting on the roof and staring at the sky.

I watched the sun come up from where I was perched on the roof. The mission starts today and I'm done memorizing the prey's information. Now it should be a little easier.

I went to get Kankuro and Temari so we could head out. Already those two were at it. This was going to be a long aggravating mission.

"So Gaara have you thought of a plan?" asked Kankuro.

"Yeah,"

"Well are you going to keep it to yourself or are you going to tell us?" asked Temari impatiently. I glared back at her. She lost her composure for an instant but stood her ground. I turned back around and started walking again.

"The plan is…stay out of my way or I'll kill you as well," I said coldly. I heard as their steps at first became irregular and then slow as they fell farther behind me.

"Good enough for me," said Kankuro happily. I closed my eyes and sighed. Hopefully this will be over quickly, but I was pumped for killing. It hasn't had any good blood for a long time and it's making my own blood boil just thinking about it. I had to think about something else quickly or it will take over. I quickly shifted my mind to the mission plan; how I was going to succeed in the assassination.

There was one thing that kept bugging me about our victim. She looked and seemed awfully familiar. I kept the picture of her in my pocket so I pulled it out and examined her closely. Then it hit me, there was no mistaking it. It was her…the one from my past. Just the sight of her makes my blood boil and makes me want to kill.