This is the second chapter! I think adding the character Jun was a good idea, as someone needs to play the villain to create a little chaos. I'm really enjoying writing Gaara's POV too. His dialogue reminds me of a very British and polite way to say 'fuck off'.
Anyhow, enjoy, and unfortunately, I do not own Naruto or any of the characters...apart from Aiko and Jun...;)
Chapter 2: A proposal
Investigated ruthlessly despite my condition and grilled for information, I was left feeling violated and distraught. After having my memory raided and intruded upon, I'm distrustful of everyone. All the screaming and pleading amounted to nothing when it came to the Suna Interrogation Force, and I was pinned down repeatedly, time and time again as they tried to pinpoint my whereabouts from before I was found in the desert.
It's been a week, with me under scrutiny and observation constantly. Tired from being watched at all hours of the day, and with no where else to go, I reside quietly in my temporary apartment. Unable to go outside due to the stares of the public, and unable to move about freely without being followed by ninja, I have given up trying to find any sense of freedom for the time being.
Instead, much focus has being put into my health, and in achieving my target weight. From my time of apparent endless walking I've grown malnourished. Temari visits me daily to make sure I'm awake and eating what I need to, but there's no companionship there. It's very quiet when she comes, and it's depressing. To admire someone greatly, and to have them talk to you with no trust or any interest…it stings.
I tell myself it's professionalism and leave it at that, despite the fact the loneliness is beginning to drive me insane.
There's a knock at the door, the sound of keys jiggling, and I watch as Temari let's herself in with tired eyes. She regards me carefully, her eyes sharp.
"Good morning," she smiles, though I notice it lacks warmth.
I sigh in response, peering into my bowl of food gloomily. If I do what I'm told and cause no trouble, hopefully people will loosen up on me. Temari glances at my food, acknowledges it to be what I should be eating and looks around the apartment steadily.
"Everything looks to be in order. Do you need anything? Are you running out of any groceries?" she asks me, and when I pause to answer she huffs, looking in the fridge and cupboards herself, "I'll send Kankurō to get some things for you tomorrow, but you should be fine for today."
Shutting my mouth firmly, I watch as she does her daily once over in the apartment, and then leaves just as swiftly. She doesn't say goodbye, and after a moment of looking at the closed door I stand and look around with disdain.
Yes, it's better than the desert, yes, it's clean, I have a roof over my head and food, but…by the gods, I'm losing the will. These white walls are beginning to feel claustrophobic, and everything feels so clinical. There's nothing homely or warm about this place.
The wind shuffles the curtains from behind me, a quiet soft movement, and I sigh again heavily.
"I see you're following the recommended diet," comes a voice suddenly from behind me, and I whirl around and stare wide-eyed at the man I've come to know as Kazekage Gaara.
He apologises quickly for startling me, his eyes sweeping over the apartment with curiosity as he stands before me. His red hair is touched with bronzed sun as the light falls on him, and his green eyes finally come to rest on me, the expression in them kind. I relax slightly, awkwardly inviting him to sit down, and he accepts graciously.
"I, um, have…" I began, struggling to find the words, "have followed the diet. Strictly. My weigh-in is on Sunday."
I busied myself making us tea, because the only ounce of warmth or kindness I get from anyone here, is Gaara.
Kazekage Gaara, I think to myself firmly, pouring the tea carefully, Especially to you.
Unnerved by his silence as we drink, I think through what to say, hating myself for being a terrible conversationalist. I wish words were easy for me, but instead I find myself getting increasingly nervous until I'm unable to say anything. Glancing a look at Gaara, I realise he's looking at me intently, his eyes quick to notice my unease.
"Is anything the matter?" he asks, peering over his tea kindly.
I shake my head, my tongue not obeying me to move.
"In that case, I have a proposition for you," he continues, taking some papers out of his coat, "The decision is completely yours to make, but since the biggest part of investigating your background history is over, it may be wise to see you put down some roots, and to become a Suna citizen."
Shocked, I glance quickly at the papers as if they were alien to me.
I had not expected this.
He gently passes me the papers to read over, and my fingers tremble slightly. My heart surges with the feeling that I may be able to finally, finally be able to relax and forget all about this ordeal, because after a week, I'm done. I'm done with being treated like a criminal.
My eyes harden on, however, that every single signature belongs to Kazekage Gaara. I look up at his expectant face, my brain thinking fast.
"There's another reason for this, isn't there?" I ask quietly, my eyes levelling with his.
He looked back coolly but nodded.
"There are people who are mistrustful of you, I won't lie," he states clearly, "I don't believe you are a threat, and in order to make it harder for people to get at you, you need to be a citizen, and to get a job. There are more political loopholes that way, as then you'll be someone with a name."
He pushes more paper at me, a list of names I realise that I can choose from.
I'm strangely touched that he trusts me, and tears brim in my eyes before I can stop them. Concerned, Kazekage Gaara moves uncomfortably, his eyes assessing me quickly as he tries to figure out what to do. I shake my head silently at him, a small smile managing to grace my features.
"This isn't what I was expecting," I mutter, wiping at my eyes, "I thought you were going to throw me out."
Kazekage Gaara softens at my words, his hand coming to rest on top of mine.
"I wouldn't do that," he whispers sincerely, with a firm undercurrent to his words, "That's not something I could do."
Signing the papers with newfound hope and a feeling of support, I hesitated for a moment when it came to choosing my name. I choose at random, but he smiles and looks up at me with something like relief.
"I'm glad I can call you by name now, Aiko Murakami."
With that, I decide I like my name.
Kazekage Gaara leaves with the papers safely tucked inside his coat, and as I awkwardly thank him, I suddenly feel a sense of panic at having to find a job.
"I think I know the perfect job for you," he says confidently and with a hint of finality.
I look at him confusedly, and with a flourish he presents me with more paper.
"Job title…Kazekage's Assistant and Tea Maker?" I exclaim, my eyes darting all over the page, "You would trust me with that?"
He nods firmly, his eyes regarding my expression with concern.
"Obviously you can decline. Though, it's a simple and perhaps tiresome job. You make my tea, remind me to take breaks, take my food orders, and organise paperwork. You also remind me of my schedule for that day."
I nod dazedly, knowing that I would be able to do all that. The words are out my mouth before I realise it.
"I accept."
Gaara's P.O.V
Mindful of the paperwork in my coat, I hurry to the office to make the necessary preparations. Kankurō intercepts me with a yawn at the door, and then throws me a lazy smile.
"You're early today," he murmurs, "You should make it easier for your bodyguard to be able to find you, you went missing earlier."
I apologise, making a well-rehearsed excuse about getting lost in a book, and he accepts it easily enough. Filing the paperwork silently, aware of Kankurō watching me closely, I feigned being calm. Recently I felt like Jun was dirtying everything I tried to set right, and Temari and Kankurō were both aware of how much I hated it.
Turning to my brother, I catch movement behind him and close my mouth firmly.
It's too early for this.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Jun greeted, breezing into the room with the illusion he belonged here, "I have some paperwork for you, Kazekage."
I knew what it was before he gave it to me, but as to how he got the papers himself I really don't know.
My eyes briefly wonder over it.
"Unfortunately, if you want this document to get signed, you'll need to name the subject by her name, and get her permission and approval for it, including her willing signature," I inform him, watching his face fall with silent satisfaction.
"A person with no name, affiliation, or known birthplace, and under surveillance does not have that luxury," he spits out carefully, his eyes daring me to defy him.
I sit calmly at my desk.
"Except, she does. Her name is Aiko Murakami, and as of tomorrow, she is my new assistant and tea maker. Also, the surveillance has limited itself to ensure her safety, from the likes of meddling retired politicians who are deemed a threat to her safety. All surveillance on her is also to make sure you don't come within twenty feet of her. Also, I should warn you that your current intrusiveness into the inner workings of Suna is being treated with suspicion, and as of right now I am giving you a firm warning not to push your luck. Please leave my office."
Kankurō, bless him, squares his shoulders towards Jun at my words, and I level my gaze at him. His face goes a nasty shade of purple as he digests my words, but he manages to compose himself after a few moments.
"You're making a mistake," he hisses, his glinting eyes loathsome, "I've served Suna for my entire life, and I'm not about to watch it fall because of some petulant child getting the hots for a skinny bitch."
I blink at his words, surprised by his outburst.
"I'm a twenty-five-year-old man, and no, I don't have the 'hots' for anyone," I counter, but hold my tongue on scolding him for calling Aiko a 'skinny bitch'.
In all honesty I am questioning why I feel such a harsh sense of protectiveness and loyalty to her, but when I think back to how grateful she was to be given a chance, my sense of protectiveness surges.
I dismiss Jun coldly, and when the door slams shut Kankurō turns on me abruptly, his eyes sparkling.
"What was that? That was some big dick energy right there!"
Ignoring him, I ask him to contact Temari, desperate for her input. I want to make sure Jun can't get at Aiko from any direction, and that we've got everything covered.
Temari arrives shortly, confused and flustered at my sudden request for her presence, and when I relay what was happening, she paused.
"Why are you doing this Gaara?"
Stopping with my task of overlooking my schedule, I look towards her with my brow furrowed. Her eyes don't waver from mine, and Kankurō looks eagerly between the two of us for an answer. Beginning to feel defeated, I lean back and close my eyes.
"She's been investigated. She hasn't done anything to warrant suspicion. Jun is…for lack of a better word, an arsehole who cannot be trusted, and he's a danger to her and to Suna. I'm going," I stressed, looking feverishly between the two of them, "to protect her. I can't let anything happen, because as far as we know, without any evidence saying otherwise, she is innocent."
Temari clicks her tongue, her eyes narrowed.
"And that's all there is?" she asks, her expression unreadable.
I don't say anything, aware I'm overreacting. I force my expression to neutral, and she finally looks away when she sees I'm composed.
"I think I understand the gist of this. I may need to contact Shikamaru for a second opinion on something, but otherwise, I understand my task."
Nodding gratefully, I watch her leave, and Kankurō looks me over with concern. Again, I ignore him, retreating into my paperwork sullenly, tired and drained from my outburst.
The rest of the day is long and never-ending, and when everything is done, I lock everything away cautiously. Kankurō investigates the darkness as we leave the building, and I can tell he wants to say something. We walk quietly for a few minutes, side by side. I survey the streetlamps illuminating the dark and feel the sweep of wind lift the sand over the streets as we walk. A few houses have their windows lit, but other than that all is dark and enveloped in shadows.
My brother stretches, frowning into the distance.
"You know, I'm proud of the person you've become," he mumbles, not looking my way, "And I'm glad you trust people, and aren't afraid to lend a hand to those who need it."
Touched, I can't find words to reply with, and we both give each other an awkward look.
"Well geez, Kankurō, thanks," he laughs, mocking the uncomfortable silence, "Thanks for making the walk to Temari's so awkward."
I shake my head at him, unable to keep myself from smiling. My relationship with my siblings is fairing far better than it used to, and I feel eternally grateful and somewhat honoured for their unending support. Quietly, we walk, and I'm glad it's because he wants to be by my side.
So another chapter ends, with the plot becoming increasingly different from the old one now! What do you think of Jun? Or of Gaara's protectiveness over Aiko? Let me know, and please leave constructive criticism! Thank you!
