Chapter 2
Prepare!
"I must protect Gaara-sama…can't…give…up…now…" she said as she tried her new fire style jutsu only to fall from chakra loss. 'Damn…I can't give up now' she thought regaining her strength and continuing practice her shuriken technique and her taijustsu with her shadow clone. "I'm not gonna be the only one who doesn't put their life on the line for their village…He won't need to protect me…I will be the one to protect him!"
Gaara, being his usual insomniatic self, was out at night walking to his cliff to watch the sunrise on the mountains of the desert. He saw Matsuri training from there and decided to hang out in a nearby tree to watch her (stalker much). He lately had the need to watch her 'Such determination' he thought and was amazed to see her like this…she had really grown up…she was acting like Naruto now…making him very nostalgic…as his memories flowed back as he remembered his battle with Naruto…how he learned that true strength comes form those who protect the ones they love. She was alone from the start…like he was…being despised by the village because she was taken in by two shinobi that had moved to the sand village from a neighboring enemy village. She knew the pain of being hated for where she came from…to them she was scum…like he was. 'She's been through a lot and she's hated by most of the villagers… and she still trains to protect the very people that hated her.' He thought while staring at the beautiful young girl that was below him on the ground training for him and his village. 'Whoa...wait did I just…what is this feeling...this instinct to…GAHHH stop thinking that!'
"Gaara-sama…I know your there." She said to his surprise, no one was ever able to detect him…except his brother who claimed he felt "a disturbance in the force" which annoyed him. "What are you doing here?…you would usually be on the cliff watching the sun rise." She asked still training as though she wasn't curious at all…which he knew she was from a hint in her hazel eyes. 'Why is he here?…he's been busy preparing the paperwork of the graduates and chunins. Has he really come to watch me…nahh he was probably on his way to the tower.' She thought reminding herself to continue.
"I came to see the sunrise…" he said and added "I saw you training from below…you've grown into a great shinobi." He said staring right into her eyes with softness in his voice…something she's never heard.
"Th..Thanks…" she said, her face turning as red as his hair. At that moment he also blushed a little too after seeing the look of complete admiration form her to him.
"Your welcome…take the day off from missions…you've been training for hours from what I can see…I look forward to sparing with you agian tomorrow." He said coolly.
"No…I will not…the more I train and the more missions I do will increase my ability to fight…I'm not the helpless kunoichi anymore…I'm…a shinobi of the sand!" She said with the same look as Naruto…the look of determination crushing the sadness.
"Why….do you put your health at risk constantly while training to protect the village that is rarely attacked?" Gaara asked coming down from the tree…frustrated for not understanding the most obvious facts.
"Because…you risked your life for me…you overcame the hatred and became Kazekage at fifteen…I've know about Shukaku and the connection to Akatsuki…I know they're coming for you…You saved my life now I'll save yours…" she said as she looked at the sky with determined eyes. "You've saved me from the darkness…you're still there even though you don't show it…I see it in your eyes…the loneliness, anger, frustration…I swear to you now…I'm going to protect you now and forever Gaara- sama…count on it!"
"Thank you…Matsuri…" He said as knocked her out and surrounded her with sand, transporting her back home leaving him to ponder on this and think about his real causes for protecting the village and her. He also needed a plan to escape her wrath for him knocking her out like that… "Hmmm maybe I should get started on that secret door."
**Yea so that's chapter 2…sorry it was so short…the next two will be longer probably hitting the 1500 word mark each…stay tuned people..oh and don't forget to rate!!!***
