Author's Notes: Thanks for the support! I know that this is a less common pairing but I'm happy to have people stopping by and taking a look anyway. This is a sequel to Moving Towards Tomorrow another fanfiction I wrote so if you want to know more about Onchou's and Gaara's history together, reading that first helps. Anyway, please enjoy!
%*%
Onchou sighed as she walked through the streets of Suna flexing her bandaged fingers. "This is so annoying." She muttered. "I don't know how Lee can stand it."
"You're more annoying." Came a sharp female voice from behind.
"Haven't you had enough today?" Onchou replied not bothering to stop and turn towards Rika. "I know I have."
"How did he know!?" she snarled. "How did you tell him?"
"I didn't." the violet haired girl replied. "He's very smart, he figured it out on his own."
"Bitch!" Rika cried out. "I'll make sure he doesn't look at you!" she snarled as she leapt at her drawing a kunai.
Onchou reacted instantly and grabbed the girl in midair and slammed her to the ground knocking the knife from her hand. "I didn't know it was possible to be this stupid." She muttered as the girl struggled beneath her. "Do you honestly think killing me will make him look at you? I suggest you take a step back before you lose yourself to the dark madness in your soul." Rika hissed as the violet haired girl holding her down released her and picked up the kunai tossing it back to her. "A word of advice." She said. "I spent six years of my life as a human lab rat for a mad scientist. That poison of yours won't even make me flinch let alone kill me."
Rika stared at her and then glared as she walked away. "I'll get you for this." She snarled. "Lord Gaara is mine!"
&#&
Gaara walked out of the Kazekage's building and quickly made his way to the best flower shop in town. The old woman at the counter smiled at him and went to the back and retrieved a single white long stemmed rose. "Anything else?" she asked with a knowing gleam in her eyes.
He blushed and nodded and pointed to a unique looking while flower in in the display case. "I'll take that." He replied.
The woman raised an eyebrow and retrieved the flower. "Is there a special meaning behind it?" she asked. "This is a gardenia after all. You know what they mean in the language of flowers don't you?" The Kazekage nodded and she smiled as she wrapped it up and handed it to him. "Are you going to tell her then?"
He nodded and then left the shop and headed towards the Buki residence. "Lord Gaara!" a feminine voice called out. He nearly groaned at the sound as Rika jogged up to him. "I wanted to apologize for today. I was out of line and I'm sorry. Please let me make it up to you."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." He said stiffly as he walked around her.
"Please allow me to make it up to you." She purred moving closer to him brushing her hand against his and he jerked it away.
"Touch me again and you'll wish you hadn't." he snarled.
The woman's green eyes widened. "Lord Gaara." She murmured.
"Go shower some other man with your shallow affections." He said glaring at her. "Women like you disgust me. You put someone very dear to me in harm's way today. If you provoke me any further you'll learn firsthand that the monster you once feared still exists." He left her gaping at him and took to the roof tops not wanting any more distractions and quickly arrived at the Buki house. He knocked on the door and was greeted by a downcast looking Ryuu.
"Hello Lord Gaara." The ruby eyed child murmured.
"What's wrong?" he asked as he stepped inside the house surprised the boy hadn't called him by the nickname he'd assigned to him. They boy turned and he was shocked to see that his once waist length silver hair had been cut short and now hung to just below his ears. "Who did this to you?" he asked as Ryuu walked into the living room and climbed into Onchou's lap who wrapped her arms around the child and smoothed her bandaged hands over his hair.
"Someone at the academy." He replied. "It happened during a sparing drill. He said it was an accident but I know that it wasn't."
"I'm very sorry." Gaara said looking at the pair. "It seems you both had rough days."
"Rough days happen." Onchou replied. "It just makes the good days even better right?" she said stroking Ryuu's cheek.
The child nodded. "Yeah, but now everyone can see it." He muttered touching the black port on the back of his neck.
The violet haired girl thought for a moment and then smiled. "I think I have an idea." She said. "I'm going to go out for little bit, when I come back I'll have a surprise for you ok?"
Ryuu sniffed and nodded. "Ok Onchou."
"That means it'll be just you and me for dinner bud." Tamiki said walking into the room. "How about I make hamburgers? They're still your favorite's right?" he said with a smile.
The ruby eyed child smiled. "Yeah."
"Come with me then. I'll show you how to make them." He said extending his hand to the boy.
"Thank you father." Onchou replied.
"Don't worry about it." The older shinobi assured her. "Get going. We'll enjoy ourselves here."
She nodded and walked with Gaara to the door. "Is it alright if we stop somewhere while we're out tonight?" she asked.
He nodded. "Of course." He replied. "Shall we?"
Onchou smiled and followed him out into the evening air as he led her to a place she'd been twice before. The village burial ground. Knowing what his intended destination was, she followed slightly behind him until he arrived at Lady Chiyo's grave and replaced the withered white rose there with the fresh one in his hand. He knelt in front of her grave and bowed his head before standing again. "That rose wasn't as withered as I expected it to be after two weeks." He said glancing at the violet haired girl beside him.
The violet haired girl blushed and looked down. "I just thought she'd like a fresh one." She replied shifting her feet nervously.
"Thank you." He said softly. "I appreciate it and I know that she does too. Please come with me." He said extending his hand to her.
She nodded and took the hand he offered her in his own and walked slightly behind him as he led her through the burial grounds to one of the grander looking stones. A fresh bouquet of flowers lay on the grave and Gaara's eyes softened at the sight. "It seems Kankuro has already stopped by to visit." He pulled Onchou closer to him. "This is the resting place of my mother." He murmured.
The girl's amethyst eyes widened and then misted. "I see." She replied as he knelt in front of the stone. She knelt beside him and bowed her head as she offered a prayer of gratitude to the woman resting there.
Gaara also offered a prayed of gratitude before introducing the girl he'd brought with him and requesting her blessing as he made the decision to take another step in a positive direction on the path he'd chosen for himself. He rose to his feet and Onchou followed.
"I don't recall seeing her in any of your memories." The violet haired girl said. "She died when you were an infant right?"
He nodded. "It was because of the jutsu that sealed the one tails inside of me."
Her head lowered. "I'm very sorry."
Gaara shook his head. "Don't be. She loved me and that's what matters."
"So is that flower for her?" Onchou asked noting the white bloom in his hand.
"No." he replied lifting the flower. "It's for you."
She blushed and smiled as she accepted the gift and lifted it to her nose breathing deeply. "It smells so sweet." She said glancing up at him. "Thank you Gaara. What kind of flower is it?"
"It's called a Gardenia." He replied. "It's one of the few flowers that we can cultivate well here. It just needs a little moisture in a green house and flourishes in this harsh heat."
"It's beautiful." She said fingering the soft petals.
Gaara nodded and stepped closer to her. "It has two meanings in the language of flowers." He said.
"Oh? I didn't know that." Onchou replied. "What are they?"
"The first is 'You're lovely'" he said gazing at her face.
She smiled. "That fits. It's lovely too."
He shook his head a little and moved closer to her lifting a hand to her face gently stroking her cheek. "The second meaning is 'for my secret love'." he murmured.
Her eyes widened as his gaze warmed while he looked down on her. "Onchou. I love you." He said softly. "Will you be mine?"
Her eyes widened and the misted with tears. "Gaara, are you sure about this? I'm an outsider, people already don't like me, I'll only cause you trouble." She stammered.
"Onchou." He murmured fingering a lock of her hair. "Do you love me?"
A tear slipped from her eye and she nodded. "I do. I love you Gaara."
He slipped his fingers under her chin and gently tipped her face up as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. It wasn't the first time his lips had touched hers but he quickly realized that there was a large difference between an accidental kiss and an intentional one. Her lips were smooth and warm against his own and his free hand instinctively reached out to circle her waist and pulled her closer to him. He moved his lips slowly against hers and changed the angle deepening the kiss. He heard her sigh in response and move closer to him her arms slipping around his neck. It sparked to life fire in his belly and though he wanted to explore that feeling, he knew that the time and place weren't appropriate. He released her lips and then laid his forehead against hers as he tried to steady his ragged breathing and the thundering of his heart.
"Onchou, please say yes." He murmured. "I don't care that you're an outsider or any of those other things. My only concern if you and you're wellbeing. We can keep our relationship a secret for now to make the adjustment easier but," he pulled her against his chest. "I want you by my side."
The dark skinned girl trembled in his arms and then nodded. "Yes." She whispered against his shoulder. "I've been yours since the day I saw you in The Land of Rivers."
He pulled away from her and smiled tucking her hair behind her ears. "That makes me so happy." He admitted. "Come, you were going to get something for Ryuu, were you not?"
She nodded. "Yes. I think if he wears a scarf, it'll cover up that mark pretty well. It might be hot and a bit of a challenge to adjust to but it should work."
"That sounds good to me." He replied as they walked through the burial grounds and back onto the streets of Suna.
Together they found a clothing shop and she bought a red scarf that matched Ryuu's eyes. Then they stopped by a small restaurant and ate together exchanging warm glances and brushing limbs under the table. Within a couple of hours, he'd returned her to her door.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll have someone assigned to see to your safety." He told her as they stood on her door step.
"That's not necessary." She replied blushing. "I can take care of myself."
He reached out and touched her hair. "Please." He said softly. "It'll give me peace of mind. I can't protect you with my own hands all of the time but I can do this for you."
The violet haired girl chuckled and glanced at her feet. "Well it's hard to say no when you put it that way."
He nodded and lifted her hand and pressed his lips to it. "I'll see you tomorrow." He promised her.
Onchou nodded blushed. "Ok. See you tomorrow then." She said opening up the soul link. "I love you." She whispered in his mind.
"I love you too." He replied.
She blushed at the unspoken exchange and moved away from him letting her fingertips linger for a moment against his before she went inside.
%*%
The next morning Onchou sat up in bed and stretched. She glanced over at her bedside table her eyes falling on the white gardenia in a clear vase and blushed her fingers tracing over the lips that Gaara had kissed the night before. A true smile crossed her face and light sparked to life in her eyes as she pranced over to her closet and went through her clothes deciding on her black pants and a royal blue tunic style top. She secured her weapons pouch into place on her leg and pulled her hair half back making sure to leave some covering her pointed ears before she walked out of her room into the main part of the house.
"Hello father." She said smiling at the blonde haired man hovering over the stove top.
He turned at the sound of her voice and smile. "Good morning Onchou. You're up earlier than usual."
The violet haired girl smiled. "Yeah. I was too happy to sleep in." she admitted as blush stained her cheeks.
The older man noticed and cocked a brow. "Something happened between you and Lord Gaara didn't it?" he asked.
Onchou chewed on her lip nervously and nodded. "We're together now." She admitted softly. "But it's a secret for now." She added quickly.
Tamiki smiled at his daughter. "I'm happy for you." He told her. "Lord Gaara is a wonderful man." His face fell slightly becoming serious. "You do understand though right? He is the Kazekage so your relationship will never be easy. His time for you will be limited, his life will be in danger from time to time and you'll have to deal with all of the drama good and bad that follows him around."
"I know that." Onchou replied as she pulled plates down from the cupboard. "I also know that I love him and he loves me."
The amethyst eyed man smiled at her. "Well that's all that really matters isn't it?" he looked into her eyes. "Hold onto him and never let him go and he'll do the same."
She smiled. "I plan to." She glanced up as Ryuu walked into the room rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning." He said with a yawn tugging at the red scarf around his neck.
"Good morning sunshine." Onchou replied wrapping her arms around him and placing a soft kiss on his forehead. "Did you sleep ok last night?"
He nodded "Yeah." He sat down at the table as Tamiki carried over plates laden with eggs, bacon, and toast and Onchou carried over glasses filled with milk. "I'm not sure how I feel about going back to school though." He admitted.
The violet haired girl smiled and reached out to touch his hand. "I understand. I'll walk with you to school though and if you want, I'll come eat lunch with you. You're strong and brave. I know you can do it."
Ryuu smiled and touched his scarf. "You really think so?" he asked.
She nodded and smiled. "Who else can make a seven foot tall ice man in the middle of the desert?"
The silver haired child chuckled. "No one."
"Exactly!" she exclaimed with a smile.
Ryuu smiled and then his eyes narrowed. "You're awfully happy this morning. Did something happen between you and raccoon eyes?" he asked. Onchou blushed and coughed as she choked on her milk. "I knew it!" the ruby eyed boy exclaimed. "I'll kick his trash!"
Tamiki chuckled and touched the boy on his shoulder. "Settle down." He said to the boy. "Lord Gaara cares a lot about you and Onchou. It's not a bad thing."
Ryuu wrinkled his nose as he pouted. "I'm still going to beat him up." He muttered.
Onchou chuckled as she finished her food and took her dishes to the sink and laid them down. Ryuu followed suit and adjusted his scarf one last time before they walked to the door. "I'll see you later Father." Onchou called out.
"Alright." The older shinobi replied. "I'll be home today working on designs."
She nodded and took Ryuu's hand in hers. "Let's go." She said as they stepped out the house. A little shriek of surprise left her lips as a sand shinobi materialized in front of her. He was a little taller than the average man with caramel colored hair and hazel eyes. He was dressed in tan and navy and the lower part of his face was covered. From what she could tell, he seemed to be in his mid-twenties.
"Lady Onchou." He said kneeling in front of her. "My name is Kai, I have been ordered by Lord Kazekage to see to your safety while he is not physically present at your side."
The violet haired girl blinked in surprise and then nodded. "Ok." She said awkwardly. "You don't need to kneel before me or anything like that." She assured him.
He nodded and stood. "Very well my lady. As per my orders I will watch over you from a distance unless you would rather me stay by your side."
Onchou shook her head. "That's fine unless you get bored or lonely." She replied nervously.
"We're going to be late." Ryuu reminded her.
"Right. We should get going." She said taking the boy's hand in her own. "I'll see you around? I guess?"
Kai nodded. "Yes Lady Onchou." He replied with a small bow before he vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Who was that?" Ryuu asked as they walked.
"My bodyguard I guess." Onchou replied. "Lord Gaara said that he'd be assigning me one."
The ruby eyed child nodded. "I guess he's not such a bad guy." He admitted.
The violet haired girl chuckled as they neared the academy and noted how Ryuu squeezed her hand seemingly reluctant to release her hand. With a sigh she glanced around the school yard and spotted the teacher. "Would you like me to talk to your sensei?" she asked him.
The silver haired boy shook his head but tightened his grip on his scarf and her hand. With a sigh she knelt down in front of him ignoring all of the eyes on her and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Ryuu, I know that you want to deal with this alone. That's how we've always done things after all." She said brushing his bangs out of his face. "We don't need to do that anymore though. We're not surrounded by monsters and mad scientists who want to use and hurt us. We're part of a village now. It's ok to speak up."
He smiled at her and nodded. "Ok. Will you talk to Sen Sensei?" he asked motioning to a sand shinobi with dark hair and warm amber eyes.
"I'd be happy to." She replied as she stood up and walked through the gate with him. They walked up to the kind looking man and Onchou bowed to him. "Hello Sen Sensei." She said softly. "I'd like to talk to you about what happened yesterday if that's alright."
The dark haired man nodded. "No problem. Let's go inside."
They sat together in front of his desk as Ryuu explained the situation his eyes often flickering to Onchou for support as he talked.
"I see." Sen replied touching his chin. "I'm very sorry that happened to you. Thank you for telling me. I'll see what I can do about making sure it doesn't happen again. Go ahead and play outside with the others until class starts." He said with a smile. Ryuu's eyes lit up slightly as Onchou nodded and he dashed outside. "I don't believe we've ever really formally met before this." The middle aged man said extending his hand to her. "I'm Sen."
"I'm Onchou." She replied taking his hand and grasping it her own before she released it again.
He nodded. "Thank you for bringing that to my attention. The boy who committed the act told me it was an accident and when Ryuu didn't deny it I believed him. I'm glad we were able to clear things up."
The violet haired girl nodded. "Thank you for listening. He's afraid to stand up for himself because of the harshness of our pervious situation."
Sen nodded. "I heard a little about that from Lord Kazekage when he first asked me to let Ryuu into the academy." He turned to her. "What are you to Ryuu if you don't mind me asking? I asked him the other day and he replied 'My everything'."
Onchou smiled a little. "That's a good question." She admitted as they walked out into the school yard watching as the silver haired child played tag with some of the other children. "Ryuu was born in a test tube and I have no idea if he had or has parents. I was the only girl kept at the underground hideout that he was so I naturally started caring for him from the time he was born. I guess in that sense, I'm as close to a mother as he's ever had." She sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear. "All I really know is that he's like family to me. I love him and I've watched over him his entire life."
"A child caring for another child." Sen said shaking his head. "This world is a cruel one."
The violet haired teen nodded. "That's true but it would've been worse if he'd had no one at all." She smiled at him. "Thank you for looking after him and helping him see that he can trust adults."
Sen nodded. "It's my pleasure. Thank you for stopping by."
She smiled and waved goodbye to Ryuu before leaving the school yard breathing a little sigh of relief. As she was walking away, she heard someone call her name and was surprised to see a middle aged woman surrounded by who she recognized as small group of mothers motioning to her. Cautious but curious she approached her knowing that Kai was nearby if something happened. "Yes." She responded carefully.
"We heard what you said to that silver haired child." The woman said looking down at the ground. "I'm afraid we haven't been as welcoming as we should have. Without knowing much about you except for your power and exotic appearance we judged you as dangerous and shunned you. Please forgive us for our rudeness." She said as she bowed. "It's clear to us that you love that child and have raised him well. We don't know the circumstances as to why a young woman like yourself would be raising a boy like that but we'd like to get to know you better. Our Kazekage has welcomed you with open arms and we should do the same."
Onchou's eyes widened and then tears formed in her eyes and slid down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away. "I'm sorry." She replied quickly. "Thank you very much. It means a lot to me."
"Onchou! Why are you crying!?" Ryuu exclaimed running up to the fence line. "Are they hurting you?"
"No Ryuu." She said patting him gently on the head. "They are actually being really nice to me."
He blinked and then smiled. "Oh, well that's ok then. More people should be nice to you. You're still going to eat lunch with me today right?"
She nodded. "Of course. Now hurry back. Class is about to start."
The ruby eyed child smiled. "Ok. I love you!" he exclaimed.
"I love you too." She replied as he grinned and ran towards the school building.
The middle aged woman smiled at the exchange. "We're getting together tomorrow for tea at ten tomorrow morning." She said handing a piece of paper with an address printed on it. "You're welcome to join us."
"Thank you." Onchou said with a smile as she slipped the paper into her pocket. "I'll see you tomorrow then." She walked away still smiling as she approached the market place. A little tune slipped from her lips as she walked looking at the shop windows and her gaze was drawn to a music shop and she quickly dashed inside. Her eyes lit up as she noted all of the instruments and sheet music around. Her gaze was drawn to a CD displayed on the counter and she moved forward and picked it up grinning at the glossy image of her friend Fifield on the cover. "You're still as ridiculous as ever." She chuckled as she noted the cheesy smile plastered on his face. She flipped it over and chuckled at one of the song titles. "My Songs Miss Your Harmony". "Subtle." She muttered before she put it down and walked back out of the store not trusting herself to stay inside without playing as many of the instruments as she could. Granted she only knew how to play three but she was willing to give the rest a shot.
As she walked down the street her gaze was drawn to the Kazekage's building a little smile touching her lips as she zeroed in on the three windows of Gaara's office. Her smile quickly faded as she felt her chest throb with pain. Her hand went to the spot as she took a deep breath. "I need to release a little chakra." She thought to herself. She gritted her teeth as she heard a familiar soul song coming towards her.
"If it isn't the brazen hussy." Rika snarled crossing her arms over her chest. Onchou sighed and continued walking ignoring the girl as best she could trying to walk past. "I saw you kiss him." The black haired girl hissed grabbing her rival by the hair. "You should be punished!" she snarled pulling a bottle of acid from her pocket ready to splash it on the girl.
In a flash Kai appeared between them and knocked the vile substance out of the black haired girl's grip sending it splashing to the ground. "You've gone too far." He said gripping her wrist until she released Onchou's hair. "Come. We're going to see the Kazekage."
Rika's eyes widened as he wrenched her arms behind her back and securing them with ropes. "What is this?" the dark haired girl demanded.
"Thank you Kai." Onchou breathed as she picked up the bottle carefully and did her best to cover up the nasty liquid.
"Of course Lady Onchou." He replied. "Shall we?"
She nodded and they walked quickly to the Kazekage's building. Within minutes they arrived at the red head's office. Onchou stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Gaara's low voice replied.
She couldn't believe how much just the sound of his voice could make her heart race. She pushed the door opened and felt her heart skip a beat as his pale blue green eyes met hers before she bowed. "Lord Gaara." She murmured. "I'm so sorry to trouble you."
"What happened?" he asked noting the shinobi he'd put in charge of watching over his lover and Rika standing behind her.
Onchou simply walked to Kankuro and handed him the bottle. "Be careful." She told him as he examined it curiously. "It's very potent."
"This is acid." The puppeteer noted his gaze darkening. "What happened Kai?"
"Miss Rika attempted to throw this on Lady Onchou this morning." He explained.
"You're wrong!" the dark haired girl shrieked. "This is a set up!"
Gaara took a deep breath and rested his head on his laced fingers. "Rika, I warned you before that if you tried to hurt Onchou again that I would be forced to take action. You leave me no choice. You will be arrested and tried for your crimes."
"What is this!?" Rika shrieked. "You can't do this to me! This is all her fault!" she glared at the girl. "You're just an outsider! A monster! It isn't fair!" she collapsed on the floor. "It isn't fair. You're beautiful, powerful, and smart! No one that perfect should exist!"
Onchou sighed. "You're being a bit unfair if you ask me." She replied. "The reason you're so obsessed with Gaara is because of the things you just mentioned. He's beautiful, powerful, and smart which is why you want him so badly. You don't care that his looks were just luck of the draw, or that his power is the reason he was shunned for years, or that he had to study and work hard to become as smart as he is. You just want it for yourself." She glared at the young woman. "I'm pretty because of random genetics and my looks literally drove my mother insane so I hate them. I'm powerful because of a jutsu that went wrong which led to the destruction of my village and the death of my family. It was something I didn't want or ask for but I did work to control it so that I could protect the ones close to me. I'm smart because I wanted to escape my captors and the only way to do that was to outsmart them." She clenched her fists. "If you want to be powerful, smart, and strong then maybe you should spend less time trying to get rid of me and more time training or studying!"
Rika's eyes widened. "I… I didn't know…"
"Yet you did all of that to her." Kankuro replied.
Gaara nodded. "Who I choose to spend my time with is up to me and me alone." He said standing up from his desk. "I am my own person and will choose my partner according to my own personal desires." He turned to Kai. "Please take her to the police station. Onchou will stay will me until you return."
"Yes Lord Kazekage." Kai replied with a bow. "I'll return shortly." He assured them as he left the office.
Onchou sighed and lowered her head. "I'm really sorry." She murmured. "I didn't mean to cause you trouble."
Gaara sighed and swept forward gathering her in his arms. "Don't apologize." He replied holding her close. "Her actions weren't you fault. You didn't do anything to provoke her. She would've done the same thing to any woman I gave my attention to." He squeezed her gently. "I'm so glad nothing happened to you."
The violet haired girl nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist. She laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes listening to the steady beating of his heart and felt warm and comfortable yet excited at the same time. After a few moments, he released her and she stepped back tucking her hair behind her ears as a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in." Gaara called out as he sat at his desk.
A young man walked in and bowed. "I have a message here from Lady Temari." He said walking forward and putting the scroll on the Kazekage's desk.
"Thank you Sota." Gaara replied. "Is there anything else?"
The young man shook his head and then glanced over at Onchou who smiled at him. "Miss Onchou! What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Just waiting for someone." She replied with a smile.
"Do you want to spar with me later this afternoon?" the dark haired youth asked a little blush coming to his cheeks. "The pointers you gave me last time really helped."
The violet haired girl blinked in surprise. "I was going to do some training later." She replied. "I wasn't planning on sparing though."
"That's ok!" he exclaimed. "I'll just come and watch!"
"Alright then. I'll see you on the training grounds later then." She said.
"Awesome!" he said grinning before he bowed to Gaara again and hurried out the door.
"I've never seen that kid so energetic." Kankuro admitted. "What did you do to him?"
Onchou chuckled. "I just helped him with his taijutsu a couple of times. Apparently it helped him get the upper hand on his rival or something like that? He's been a fan of mine ever since."
"I didn't realize you were so popular with the boys." Kankuro said with a wink.
The violet haired girl sighed. "It's not like that." She muttered. "To be honest, I get along better with men than women." She said leaning against Gaara's desk. "I had a pretty rough relationship with my mentally ill mother and strict grandmother and after they both died, I was captured by Takuma. The only interaction I had with women were when I went on missions which isn't really long enough to figure anything out." She chuckled. "I've learned more about women in the two months I've been here than I have during my entire life."
"Has it been that long?" Gaara asked as he opened the scroll from his sister.
"Yeah." Kankuro replied. "It's a little crazy isn't it?"
Onchou nodded and touched the brand on her arm. "I still have trouble believing he's really gone." She murmured. "I'm terrified I'm going to wake up and find out that all of this is a hallucination brought on by one of Takuma's drugs."
"It's not a dream." Gaara assured her covering her hand with his own. She nodded and smiled at him before wincing again as the pain in her chest throbbed. "Your chest?"
She nodded. "I just need to release a little chakra." She replied. "It's no big deal."
The Kazekage frowned but turned back to the scroll. "That was fast." He muttered.
"What was fast?" Kankuro asked.
"This is an invitation to Temari and Shikamaru's wedding." Gaara replied.
The hooded ninja's eyes widened. "Seriously!?" he exclaimed reading it over his younger brother's shoulder. "When is it?"
"Three weeks from now." Gaara replied. "She invited you as well." He said looking at the violet haired girl.
She blinked in surprise. "Really?"
He nodded. "Will you go?"
Onchou smiled and nodded. "I'd love to go. I've never been to a wedding." She admitted.
Gaara smiled at her. "Well, it's about time you went."
Kai appeared in a puff of smoke and bowed. "Lord Kazekage. Rika has been booked into jail." He said with a low bow.
"Thank you very much Kai." Gaara replied. "I'll let you go then Onchou."
She nodded. "Yes. I promised to eat lunch with Ryuu today." She said glancing at the time. "Thank you very much Lord Gaara." She said bowing low.
Gaara waited until she raised her head and then captured her eyes with his own. "I'll see you tonight." He promised.
Onchou smiled and left the room with Kai by her side.
P.S. I'm sorry this chapter came out so late. I've been busy with life and working on my own book. Anyway, I hope it was work the wait!