Hey all, thanks for the positive feed back! There have been some questions about who Danzou is and what ROOT is, and for now, all I can tell you in that Danzou works for the Konoha council and wants to be Hokage, he created ROOT as a side group from ANBU. If there are anymore questions, please ask! or you can go to Narutopedia cause they have a lot of information there. Enjoy!


Chapter two: Let the Games Begin!


...

Did he really just say that? Did he really just ask her to be his pretend girlfriend?

...

"...Are you crazy?" she asked perfectly seriously.

Gaara sighed, "Listen, I'm going to be here for eight weeks and I'm going to loose my mind if dodging fangirls takes up the better part of my day. I'm going to assume if I get a girlfriend they will at least keep a respectful distance-It's worked in the past."

"Why are you asking me?" she crossed her arms and glared up at him. She had no desire to be any part of this ridiculous scheme.

Because that's what it was.

Ridiculous.

"Because, think about it," Gaara sighed. "Not only will it look good that you are from the Leaf village, but you're part of a very prestige clan, you're even a prodigy of it. The elders will think you're quite worthy of me and not question me about it. People will respect you, those psychos will respect you. You're also one of the first girls I've come across today that hasn't attempted to grope me... Or rape me with their eyes." He was speaking to the wall now.

"Well I'm sure you know some other girl that isn't a fangirl who will help you." She shrugged and began to walk away only to be stopped by a rough hand on her wrist. He let go as soon as she turned around.

Gaara shook his head, "I only know four other girls here and I'm sure they will find it very awkward to partake in this, given our past." She didn't know what past he was referring to, but decided she didn't care.

Emiko then put on her best thinking face.

(-.-)

"What's in it for me?" If it sounded greedy, that's because it was.

"You want your uncle off your back, right? Well, who could be more worthy of the female Hyuga prodigy than the Kazekage himself?" she thought for a minute. Gaara was right, he would defiantly be enough to please Hiashi.

"I suppose this will work well in my favor. I'm guessing you want this as public as possible?" she raised a brunette eye brow him.

"The more public the better. Every fan girl in the village needs to know. And believe it. " She regarded him when he made that statement. It was a given public displays of a affection were going to be a big part of this.

Fine. Acting needed to be a forte anyway. What kind of ninja would she be if she couldn't pull off a little pretend play?

She hesitated, but then reached up to cup his rough cheek and give it an experimental rub. It was like sand paper. Which was a little unattractive...

He blushed a tad bit, obviously not excepting her to make such a bold move, but didn't move her hand none the less.

"Alright... So, when do we make our first appearance?" she asked slowly, waiting to see if he would give more of an reaction.

"Don't you want to go over any rules first?" Gaara asked just as slowly, his bald brow rasing.

"Rules? There are rules?" Her hand promptly dropped, hoping she hadn't over stepped any. This was still the Kazekage and she should still treat him with respect.

Gaara nodded, "We don't tell anyone about this being fake. I can't have word of this breaking out and risk looking like some fool. Understood?"

"What about my friends?" she asked, knowing she couldn't lie to them.

"Who do you plan on telling?"

"Just my brother, his team mates and mine-maybe." She probably wouldn't though. Ino was the worst person to tell secrets too. By sun down everyone within the tri-village area would know.

Gaara shook his head, "That's too many people."

"Ok, three people, that's all I need, alright?" she would tell Neji, Tenten, and Sai. The three people she trusted to keep a secret.

"Alright," Gaara gave a nod. "I take it I don't have to worry about you in front of any nobles. No misbehaving or sneaking out of bathroom windows?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." She looked away quite innocently.

Gaara hummed in sarcastic thought, "Mmm-hmm. Right. Do you have any rules?" she rubbed her chin dramatically and thought about it.

And there was one very important one she should lay out right now.

"Behind closed doors you are not my boyfriend, I think you know what I'm getting at." She hinted, putting a friendly step between them.

Gaara scoffed, "Don't flatter yourself." If she would have known him any better, that would have stung a bit more.

Though it didn't keep the glare from her face. "One more thing, I wear the pants in this relationship, so if you displease me I will call you on your crap. I'm not a door mat, nor will I act like one." Her hand moved back up to his face to place on his chin, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Understood?"

Gaara glared right back, "I don't know about that."

"You will then."

"I will not." He argued.

"Alright, I can see I'm getting nowhere this. But I do except to be treated with respect, I may look like arm candy but I am not. Don't forget that for any reason." She coked her head to the side, a glare still very much in place.

He just gave a nod.

"Good." She gave a big, fake smile, "And I do I hope you're prepared to ask for my uncle's permission."

Her smile slowly became a smirk at how nervous he suddenly became.


"Ah, Kazekage-sama," Hiashi gave an honorable bow. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Gaara gave a bow just as polite, "Hiashi-sama," he came up to meet the man's eyes. "I've come to discuss your niece, Emiko-san-" all eyes in the room turned to the girl in question.

"-I hope she's done nothing to offend you-" Hiashi worried. Apparently she had a trouble making streak she was only half aware of.

"No, no, not at all." Gaara came to her defense. "If anything just the opposite. She has caught my eye. I've come to ask permission to see her." This seemed to amuse Hiashi greatly as he turned to Emiko with wide eyes and a plastered smile. She fought the urge to shift uncomfortably.

"Is that so?" he wondered, keeping his eyes on her.

Gaara nodded humbly, "It is."

"Well this is certainly a great deal of news. Would someone care to explain to me how Emiko left this afternoon to spend time with Yuugato, and has returned this evening with the Kazekage asking to see her?" his brow raised at her.

She didn't exactly prepare an explanation, but she could just as easily make one up as she spoke. She could even make it believable. Though her attempt to open her mouth was wasted.

"I found her sneaking out a restroom window not too long ago, perhaps leaving the very date you speak of, and she sparked my interest."

Her mouth dropped a fraction of an inch and her eyes narrowed slightly at Gaara's excuse. Of all the stories she had lined up to use as an explanation, none of them had been the truth! How dare he put her out like this!

Hiashi didn't seem as pleased as Gaara was in this moment. "Is this true, Emiko?"

Emiko gave a light sigh, she didn't have to pretend to be embarrassed. "It is, Hiashi-sama..." It wasn't the first time she's skipped out on a date, and it wouldn't be the first time he heard about it.

"That is not proper behavior, and we will be discussing this later." He sighed. "But I suppose it worked out for the best. As long as Emiko agrees with it, then it is just fine, Kazekage-sama."

Once again, all eyes were on her. But this was weird. She never got a saying in who she went out with, why was Hiashi giving her the choice now? Emiko excepted him to jump for joy and shoo them out the door, already planning their wedding. Not to be actually asked about what she thought of it.

What if he wasn't buying it? What if he thought that because Gaara wasn't part of the clan the two of them shouldn't be together? What if because Gaara wasn't even part of the country he thought that? Perhaps he was reluctant because he thought it was too suspicious?

"It would be an honor, Kazekage-sama." She piped up, just as suspicious she suspected Hisahi was feeling.

Gaara smiled, acting perfectly. "Great. And I told you, call me Gaara. I have some things to take care of right now, but I will pick you up at seven-sharp."

"Don't worry, she will not be late." Hiashi spoke for you, he and Gaara once again bowed to each other, and Gaara left, leaving her alone with Hiashi, and several other random Hyuuga who happened to be in the main room just at the right moment to witness the invitation.

"Emiko," Hiashi called, already walking away. "Come see me in my study." She nodded and trailed behind him, already knowing what she was in for.

"So, what happened on your outing with Yuugato?" he asked while sitting down cross legged and she mirrored him.

"He was boring, I didn't like him." Was her simple answer.

Hiashi sighed, "You say that about all your suitors."

"Because they are all boring, Hiashi-sama."

"Well please try to give the Kazekage a chance. He might not be able to strengthen our clan, but appearances matter greatly as well." She smiled and nodded, he was taking this exactly how she planned.

"But I do not want to hear about sneaking out of restroom windows ever again, do I make myself clear?"

Emiko nodded again, "Crystal."


Gaara walked up to the Hyuuga estate and exactly six fifty nine to see Emiko already standing there waiting for him. She looked his way and began to walk towards him to meet him halfway.

She was wearing the same thing she was earlier.

And while he was as well, he was not used to seeing the girl he was about to spend a night with dressed so causally. Usually they at least attempted to look presentable for him. And he was slightly annoyed that Emiko didn't even make an effort.

Her hair was left cascading down her back as it was earlier, in her over-sized white T-shirt that fell to her thighs and left absolutely everything to the imagination, and those tight, black, spandex shorts that stopped just above her knees. Her standard issue black ninja sandals and everything. The only thing that seemed to be missing was her head band.

They were probably her training clothes.

"Are you ready?" he asked, purposely letting his eyes drift down her front to let her know she was underdressed and he noticed. If Emiko noticed, she didn't dignify it with a response and began walking, leaving him to fall into step with her.

Once he was sure no one could hear him, Gaara sneered. "Nice to see you dressed accordingly."

Emiko snorted, "I don't dress up for any of my dates unless forced, I don't see why I make an extra effort for you."

He shot her a side glare, "I thought you wanted people to think I was different, so your uncle wouldn't want to set you with anyone else?"

"Yeah, but just because I caught your eye earlier, doesn't mean you caught mine." She all but spat, probably still annoyed that he told her uncle how he met her.

"So, how is this going to work then?" he asked, already annoyed with her. Maybe he should have looked a little harder, for someone a little more eager to please.

"You work your magic and I fall for you tonight, simple as that. I come home glowing, and the next time you take me out, I make an effort, proving that I like you." She answered, seeming to have it all figured out.

Gaara nodded, "Alright, I suppose that makes sense. Where do you want to go?" Emiko turned sharply and looked at him.

"You mean you haven't already figured that out?"

"I've been in this village for less then a day, how am I supposed to know where anything is?" he shot back.

"Then may I ask what on earth those 'things to take care of' were and why you needed an hour and a half? Just what were you doing all this time? Picking daisies?"

"I was actually finding my stay. I hadn't even been home yet when you all but dragged me to meet your uncle, so I needed to take care of some things. Excuse me for not running around worrying about some place to have dinner." He rolled his eyes skyward and kept walking, leaving her behind.

"You are not excused, do you know how hard it's going to be to find some place decent to eat without a reservation at this time?" she called as she marched behind you.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Decent you say. So I take it you're not hungry enough to eat a burger and fries because you filled up on lobster earlier?"

"Actually, I'm running on bread sticks. Sorry I didn't feel like sticking around for the main course." She left after the appetizer. How rude. "And when a gentlemen takes a lady out, she prefer a place where the waiter isn't behind a counter. But I'm afraid that's all we're going to find with no reservations."

He stopped and looked over his shoulder, "Are you forgetting who you're dating? I'm the Kazekage, the guest of honor, this village is at my whim-words of the Hokage herself. I can get a table anywhere I want to." He started walking again, this time with her back at his side. "Now, I'm going to ask you again. Where do you want to go?"

"...Well, Gochizen has really good Tempura fried ice cream, we should go there." She supplied with a nod of her head.

"Alright, I'm following you." He stated smoothly, quite like a date should behave when he wants a girl to like him, and motioned for her to take the lead. She eyed him skeptically, but did just that anyway.

They were now in an area with people. People who were watching. And it wouldn't look good to be caught arguing in the middle of the street.

Emiko probably knew this, which was why she wasn't glaring so hard in his direction anymore.

They finally made it to the restaurant and just like he thought, they didn't have to wait long for a table. The hostess couldn't be more happy to get them seated and even serve them herself as soon as possible.

"What can I get for you, Kazekage-sama?" she all but cooed, obviously another addition to his fan mob.

"Apple tea. Emiko-chan?" he added for effect.

"Cherry coke." Emiko said while shooting the hostess and annoyed look, one that went utterly unnoticed by her target who was currently blushing and fluttering her eye lashes at him.

...

"I'm sorry, come again?" the hostess asked, still dazed.

Emiko scoffed loudly (and rudely) and slammed her menu down on the table. Then everything within ear shot went quite and decided to look at her, and him. He sighed mentally.

"If you don't mind, stop ogling my date long enough to take my order, could you? Before I get the manager. Cherry coke, please." Then she crossed her arms and continue glaring at the terrified girl.

"Apple tea and cherry coke, coming right up, uh, sorry." Then she scurried off.

Gaara immediately glared at his date once people went back to not paying attention.

"Do you mind telling me what the hell that was?" he hissed, matching her glare.

Emiko hummed, "Huh. When's that magic start again?"

"I'm serious."

Emiko scoffed again and began unfolding her utensils. "I already told you, I'm no door mat. I was not going to just sit here while she ignored me to ogle you. You want those girls off your back? Then they need to fear me, they need to know up front that there's me and you, and no one else."

Gaara didn't say anything else, because he knew she was right. For this to work, they did need to fear her, or else they would still be throwing themselves at him. Because as he just observed, it apparently didn't matter if he were with a girl or not, if they could get close to him, they would.

Seeing that her point was made and accepted, Emiko picked back up her menu and started looking threw it again. He followed suit.

"So," Emiko began, "How old are you?" she asked like she was giving an interview.

"I'm eighteen. How old are you?"

"I'll be seventeen next month." So she wasn't that much younger then himself. That comforted him slightly. He should have probably asked how old she was before it made him look like a cradle robber... She was obviously small for her age, but her face gave her away, making her look older then she actually was.

Emiko usually wore a rather serious to passive expression that made her out to look older, jaded even. The under sides of her eyes were darkened slightly (not as much as his own) but enough to make her look older. Her face was not round or plump, but more straightened, edgy even, but still soft looking. It was obvious to tell she was no child.

But most ninja looked like that, and what especially gave her away to be a ninja were her hands. They were marred with scars and callouses, but not in an unattractive way, more like a dangerous sort of way. A way that screamed she was very acquainted with weapons. Hands that could, would, and have kill men. Hands that didn't belong to a mere Genin or Chunin.

Emiko seemed to noticed him staring at her, because she looked up.

"How long have you been the Kazekage?" she continued her interview.

"Since I was fifteen. What's your rank?"

"Jonin, I've been jonin for almost a year now. But I'm applying for ANBU." That certainly explained her hands. This interested him.

"ANBU? What for?"

"I feel it will be better use of my skills." He would have asked her to elaborate more on that, had it not been for the hostess coming back with their drinks and appetizers.

"I apologize for the wait, we're a little short staffed today." She flashed him an apologetic pout.

"So that explains why you're hosting and waiting tables, I thought it was just because you were trying to hit on Gaara-kun, silly me." Emiko gave a giggle that sounded real, taking her glass and sipping politely. "But I guess I can't really blame you, he is pretty handsome." Then she proceeded to give him a wink, appearing completely oblivious to the hostess's subtle glare.

"Yes, well," The hostess forced a pained smile on. "Have you two decided what you want?"

"I think I'll have some Oden with fish cakes, daikon, boiled eggs, konyaku and seaweed." She would pick one of the most expensive meals on the menu.

"I guess I'll have that too then, it sounds good." Gaara agreed, knowing it would look better if the two had the same tastes.

The hostess nodded almost glumly and she stalked away, probably to sulk.

Emiko was pretty good at this whole pretend act, he was surprised, and a little pleased that it wouldn't be like pulling teeth to get her to act like his girlfriend. Maybe this wouldn't be so difficult after all.


Emiko was kind of enjoying this whole angering-Gaara's-wanna-be-suitors. It was kind of fun making other girls hate and envy her for a change. Usually all other girls had to feel jealous over her was her skills on the battle field. And while it was great to be one of Konoha's elites, being hated on for being desirable gave a new kind of self confidence boost.

That, and making other people burn in anger was always fun.

Gaara would say something-funny or not-and she would laugh quietly and cock her head, giving the appearance to every bystander that she was being enchanted by him. And every now and then Gaara would give a sultry little smile to let them know he was enchanted right back by her.

He had a nice smile, she decided, and maybe it wouldn't be horrible looking at it for the next eight weeks.

It was no wonder the man had so many admirers, he really was handsome, she wasn't lying when she said it. He was tall, his head probably reaching a foot higher then hers, and lean, but not too lean that a person couldn't notice the slight muscle under his clothes.

Clothes which consisted of the Sand's Jonin get-up. He was probably just wearing them to blend in more, seeing as though Konoha's and Suna's Jonin wear was pretty similar, save for the blue versus grey, and the green versus beige. Which worked fine in the dessert as camouflage. But in a village of bright colors (like shades of blues, greens, reds, purples, and even a flash of orange), not so much.

Though she had to admit, he wore them quite well.

Dinner was tasty and dessert was even better, Gaara paid and they left the restaurant, holding hands. Which Emiko didn't do very often.

Because they were not alone.

Eyes were watching them, she could feel it, and would have used her Byakugan to be positive and find out who it was, had it not been so obvious. Fangirls. Apparently a few spotted them in the restaurant and they wanted to be positive they weren't imagining things.

Gaara could sense them too, given by the way he squeezed her hand and pulled her even closer to him, their sides almost touching and a gasp was heard. They both looked around and then shook their heads, both agreeing it was nothing, even though they both knew what it was.

Emiko almost laughed out loud. They were so pathetic! If they were going to stalk her they might as well at least be smart about it. These are obviously not ninja, not good ninja, anyway.

When they made it to the entrance of the Hyuuga estate, they were still not alone.

"I had a good time tonight." Gaara said, rubbing the back of his head, all like a guy who wanted to kiss the girl good night but not really knowing how. He was quite the actor.

"Me too, I had fun, which is something I can't say for most of my dates." She smiled shyly up at him, then glanced at her feet before moving a little closer, much like a girl who knew what her date was aiming for, but not wanting to make the first move. She was a little frightened Gaara might try to kiss her on the lips, and she was not that kind of girl, nor did she want people to think she was that kind of girl.

Emiko did not give lip action on the first date, no matter with who. She regretted not going over that with him first.

So she took the initiative, and gave Gaara her hand. He seemed to understand and smiled a smile that looked a lot like a smirk in this moon light, and took her hand (with rough hands) and kissed it (with equally rough lips).

She scowled a little at the feel, obviously not expecting them to be so rough. Gaara seemed to noticed this, then he smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry," he muttered. "It's my sand armor, sometimes I forget."

Which explained a lot. And she felt a little relived that his skin wasn't really that rough, and secretly wondered what it really did feel like under all that sand...

She nodded and let him do it again, seeing the sand fall away from his lips, and felt their true softness, and she smiled.

"That's better, good night, Gaara-kun." She called, turning away from him walking through the gates.

"Good night, Emiko-chan. I hope to see you again?" he asked eagerly, acting perfectly.

"You can find me tomorrow at training ground three, noon to five. After that, I can't make promises where I'll be." Then she gave a playful smile and trotted off, leaving him to pretend to be happy.

Once she got in her smile dropped.

He already wanted to make plans again? She didn't have time for all this. What if her ANBU training started immediately? Emiko put her job first, fun later.

Pretending or not.


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