Mutual Need

by Aralain

Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto world.

ALCON, this ends with a lemon. If you don't like that, you probably selected the wrong type of story. Those of you okay with that… enjoy! :-)

The festival was closing in on them and no matter what she did, Kita could not duck all the requests. She knew she'd have to go. She was the young clan leader's unmarried sister. It wasn't exactly an option for her. Also, she was too old now to go on Hayate's arm.

She sighed, turning her tea cup in front of her again and again as her tea cooled. She looked around the dark, depressing apartment dully. Hayate was right. It was horrible. It was run down, small, lonely, and pretty much the worst. The fridge let out a weird sound and she turned towards it, laughing as she noticed a slew of petals resting just in front of the fridge door. She shook her head. She was so going to destroy him.

Kita had few possessions. Seven sets of the usual jounin-issue gear, a chuunin jacket, a headband… She could be just any shinobi in the village except for the sword strapped to her back. It was made of the finest steel in the fire country, forged before the village of Konoha was even established.

The Gekkou had been a part of this region as long as history went back. Despite their devastating jutsu, they were rather understated as a group. Gekkou weren't for the clan politics. They weren't for maneuvering or anything of that sort. They were shinobi… plain and simple. They were ready to serve and ready to die… for their country, for their comrades. If Konoha ever did fall, they'd continue as they always had, defending fire country. This was one of the reason Gekkou were highly-sought by the Feudal Lord to protect him, especially in uncertain times. He wanted to keep close those he knew would never abandon the Fire who but country first.

Still, sometimes one wished for more: for human connection, for happiness, for the simplicity that came along with having little resting on one's shoulders. Unfortunately, Hayate couldn't duck his responsibilities. He'd been made clan leader while he'd still been a teen, a clan nearly 20 shinobi strong and a great many civilians. She was the errant, immature younger sister and she was alright with that. She could have those things Hayate seemed to feel he couldn't, but she wished he could.

If he didn't get to his more specific obligations soon, such as producing an heir, it would leave carrying their house on to her. That was a scary thought… Gekkou Kita with children. She closed her eyes imagining it. They'd be horrendous little dark-eyed monsters, the spitting image of their uncle, with all the obnoxious enthusiasm of their mother. Her eyes shot open when she pictured one in a too-large green jumpsuit. She was both shocked and embarrassed, trying to shake the thought out of her head.

The Gekkou girl looked around as if someone had seen her thought. She looked down at her cup of tea and laughed aloud to herself. Really? Jumpsuits? Her mirth nearly brought tears to her eyes, but she found a way to control herself, lifting her tea to her lips and downing the rest of it, with a grimace at both the temperature and the taste. She really needed to stop trying to brew her own tea. Hayate wouldn't even drink it anymore. Was it her fault if she was a bit forgetful and let it steep for five to six times as long as it should? He should really grow up and drink his tea like a man. Gai loved her brew! Didn't he? She frowned, questioning how anyone could think that tasted good. Was he lying to her!? Oh she would get him back if he was.

There was a knock on Kita's door and she stood, padding softly across her studio apartment to open the door. She frowned at the sight of Genma. His eyes immediately dropped to her bare abdomen and then roamed over her spandex-clad thighs. She rolled her eyes, slamming the door in his face. "Kita!" he exclaimed. She crossed the room, pulling open a drawer and quickly dressing in her long-sleeved blue shirt and long, baggy pants. As she crossed back to the door, she pulled her hair up into a tight bun. Genma was clearly disappointed when she opened the door again.

"Anything you need, Genma?" she asked.

"I was just going to ask if you would like to accompany me to the festival next week. I overheard Hayate mentioning that you were having difficulty finding an escort," he said.

"No," she said flatly, moving to close the door but he caught it.

"Well, would you at least let me take you out to dinner. I figure I owe you. Remember, you did win the challenge. One of the conditions was the loser bought the victor a meal," he said. She frowned, drumming her fingers along the door and thinking on it for a moment.

"You are a loser," she nodded, choosing her words purposefully. "Give me a minute." She closed the door sharply, walking back across the room to quickly set her weapons pouches in place, stashing away her various other weapons and sliding her chuunin jacket on easily before stowing her swords away over her back. She glanced in the mirror, ensuring everything was in place on her way back to the door. She opened the door as she stepped into her blue sandals.

Genma was pretty good company so she had no qualms with this arrangement. She liked food and he'd lost fair and square… quite spectacularly she might add. Debts did need to be paid.

He was telling her a hilarious mission story as they walked up main street and had her literally almost falling over she was laughing so hard. She leaned against him to stay upright. "This was the feudal lord?" she clarified.

Genma chuckled deeply, "Yep."

"Where did his pants end up?" she wheezed out between laughs.

"You won't believe me!" Genma exclaimed, waving his hand.

"Oh come on! You can't string me along like this and not tell me the end of the story!" she exclaimed. He laughed.

"What are you going to do if I don't tell you?"

"I believe you are familiar with how resourceful infiltration specialists can be Genma-san. Don't make me manipulate you," she said, stepping firmly in front of him.

"I'd let you manipulate me any time, Kita-san," Genma said lowly. She narrowed her eyes at him, before rolling them.

"Do those lines-"

"Kita," Hayate's voice cut through their conversation, sharp and decisive. She turned, looking at her brother as he walked up behind her. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice reverting to a practiced calm she didn't believe for one instant.

"I was having a conversation niichan, but apparently that is not what you would like me to be doing…?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. She glanced to Gai who stood a few steps behind Hayate, but he was not even enough to make her smile. She didn't like Hayate's tone and where it indicated this conversation was headed. She knew her brother all too well, well enough to pinpoint his displeasure's source though clearly it was unfounded.

"I would rather my sister were not acting so familiar with my comrades in public places," he said. Her eyebrows shot up and she was immediately indignant. She looked at her hand on Genma's elbow. She removed it, but only so she could turn fully to look at her brother.

"First of all, Genma is my comrade as well. I work with him much more often than you do. Secondly, you cannot be serious," she said. "I act much more familiarly with Gai-kun in many places more public than this!"

"That's different," he said.

"Oh and how so?" Kita bit out in as restrained a tone as she could. She raised an eyebrow at her brother who stared evenly back at her.

"I trust Gai," Hayate replied lowly. "I did not approve of Genma courting you. Is that what you are attempting to do Genma?"

"He owed me dinner because I beat him in a challenge! Since you clearly don't trust me, you can ask half of the chuunin in the damned village," she interrupted, stepping firmly in front of Genma without allowing him to take on the full-force of her brother. Though not loudly-spoken, Hayate could be frightening. "Not that it is any of your damned business!" her voice rose. She didn't care what anyone thought. People would have their opinions either way. She'd long since been bothered by them.

"Ki-" Genma began, but she interrupted him again.

"And you, Gai! If you don't knock off that glare, I'm going to slap it off your face. What's gotten into you two?" she huffed. She took hold of Genma's elbow once more, pulling him away from the two sour jounin. Gai's powerful gaze followed her, causing her to flush slightly, but she pushed it back, covering it with her anger.

"You didn't need to do that, Kita," Genma broke the uncomfortable silence as he directed her into his favorite barbecue place. She shrugged, following him to a table and sitting down with an irritated sigh.

"I'm sorry my brother did that," she apologized. "It was extremely rude. His overprotectiveness knows no bounds."

"He is not very protective of you with Gai-san," Genma observed.

"Gai-kun is one of Hayate's closest friends," was Kita's soft-spoken response. They sat for a few moments in silence.

"I heard what happened to you when the Kyuubi attacked," Genma said quietly. She quickly shook her head. She didn't want to go there… not with Genma. She liked him, but not enough to talk about something like that. No, the only person who would ever hear her thoughts on that night would be the boy who had lived it with her: the boy who had looked into her eyes, reassuring her even as they were buried deeper and deeper into darkness and despair, the screams of her mother fading into the cold night air replaced with echoing silence for only a few moments before Gai's voice filled the void, whispering softly to her that they would be alright, that he would protect her with his life.

"Sorry," he said. They were quiet for a while, but Genma didn't take too long to draw her from her thoughts. They spoke of training and then of her new promotion, discussing who could possibly replace her former position. While they postulated a few, she was nearly certain her recommendation would be picked up.

"What about you? I hear you were accepted to the Hokage Guard," she said, finishing the last of her food. "That's pretty impressive."

"You have to start somewhere and the lowest of hokage night guard positions will not last too long hopefully," he shrugged.

"Hopefully not," she nodded decidedly. She looked at door and sighed, standing. "It looks as if I will need to run now Genma-san. I have promised to meet someone for training and I am not fond of being late."

"Go ahead," he nodded. She paused as she started past him and his hand touched her arm lightly. "Thanks… for dinner," he said, his voice sounding sincere and a bit lonely. She smiled a soft smile at him.

"We should do it again some time Genma," she said, lifting her hand to grasp his hand lightly. She released it immediately though, walking out without another word or glance back. She knew what it was like to be lonely. Every time Gai stepped a foot out the village it was as if she was suffocating with loneliness despite the number of friends she kept like Susumo, Ichigo, or Kurenai. Gai wasn't the same as them. He may have been Hayate's friend first but he was very much hers as well.

Kita arrived at the training grounds early as usual, watching as Hayate turned. He hardly caught a glimpse of her before disappearing. She shook her head. Moody damned brother… She smiled at Gai, but he did not smile in return. He looked a bit perturbed actually.

"Gai-kun, what's wrong?" she asked, walking forward quickly. He shook his head.

"You are ready for our session?" he asked, not looking at her.

"H-hai," she frowned. He nodded, taking off. She had to follow swiftly lest she lose him, but her entire training session sent her mood spiraling dismally. He didn't say another word to her even with prompting. By the time it was done, she'd wished she'd not even come. Very few got the singular "pleasure" of dealing with a silent Maito Gai. It was when he was silent that one had to worry and it affected her greatly. She was so frustrated with his attitude that she didn't even return to the starting point for the last sprint, heading straight for her apartment instead. She slammed the door behind her and walked forward to her bed, laying down and closing her eyes tightly. What was this feeling? Whatever it was, she hated it. It was like being punched in the gut by a kage.

Needless to say, Kita did not ask Gai to train for the next few days. She didn't see him at all and that hurt even worse. They frequented a lot of the same training grounds both spending quite a lot of time in Hokage Tower. Therefore, the only way for them not meeting to be possible was if Gai was avoiding her. Why? Why would he do something like that? It didn't make sense! What had she done to him for him to hurt her like that?

She found herself at a rather less-frequented bar that next Friday night. She didn't feel like being the life of the party as usual. She went where her friends were least-likely to be. The place was mainly-frequented by civilians. They were mostly older in age and tended to leave her be at least when she projected the mood she was in so obviously.

After finishing the first few drinks, she was pretty sure she should go home, but then she caught his scent. Her scowl was so fierce the wise gentleman beside her rose to move down a few seats. She was considering her chances of being able to slip out quietly, but Kakashi and Gai were seated at the table nearest to the door. He'd stop her. He'd want to talk. Or worse… he wouldn't do either. The fact that was even a possibility, was crushing and she didn't want to meet the reality of it.

The ache in her chest grew more and more painful and as the barkeep drew near, she asked quietly if she could get his strongest sake. He looked at her questionably, but conceded. "Go easy shinobi-san," he warned.

"I'm fine Yamanaka-giisan," she replied in a whisper. If she was lucky, Gai wouldn't notice her. She didn't want him to see her sadness. She was pretty good at wearing her heart on her sleeve. It was something she'd learned to control on the shinobi side and while she could do it now, she didn't like to put that kind of effort into it in the village not even for Gai right now. It was so exhausting out there… out where she faced her enemies. Besides, it was like pretending to be someone else and if she couldn't be herself here in the village then where could she be?

"Kita," the voice sent a shiver down her spine and both made her angry and elated at the same time. It was a horribly-confusing situation. So, to deal with it, she gave him the treatment he had given her for nearly three hours the other night. She ignored him. His hand touched her back and her body let out a huge sigh of relief, warming from his touch, but she fought it, her heart clenching as she shrugged him off.

"Kita, what's wrong?" he asked. She lifted the sake to her lips, downing it easily. "You don't usually drink like this." She said nothing though, nodding to the bartender who gave Gai a warning look as he poured a glass. She snorted to herself. Like he could do anything if the jounin did try to take a drunk kunoichi home with him. It was an honorable thought, but the bartender had retired a chuunin and that had been over twenty years ago. Oh if only he knew the kinds of things she'd done with that man. She threw back the next drink, despite Gai's words of protest.

"Kita!" he said sharply as she dropped it to the bar, raising her hand again. The bartender was serving someone else, but he'd nodded to her to show he'd seen her. Gai grabbed hold of her hips, spinning her barstool to face him. The sound of the legs scraping on the ground sounded loud even to her dulled senses. She quickly knocked his hands off of her and kicked him back but he only stumbled a few steps before finding his feet and staring at her in shock.

"Gai," Kakashi said, placing a hand on his chest. Gai looked to his friend then around at the other men in the bar. A few had risen. They were civilians, but many of them were former-shinobi. Most were former clan shinobi actually. She was right at home among them, related to a few if distantly.

"You alright Gekkou-san?" one asked.

"Fine Nara-san," she replied, glancing at the elderly man who sat nearby.

"Allow me to see you home?" he asked.

"I will stay a while I think," she said, standing and walking towards his table. "I would appreciate if he were not here though," she added.

"I think you heard her, boy," the Nara said in a strong voice. Gai didn't see him though. He only saw Kita.

"Gai," Kakashi said again, warning in his voice. He didn't want this fight. There were two shinobi here who had once been competition for the Third's position as Kage and another who had been Minato-sama's rival before the Battle of the Dark Ridge where he'd lost his right leg. He could still kill a shinobi in a fight as he'd been fashioned with a rather impressive prosthetic but had promised his wife to hang up the headband after that. He could and would grasp it again in defense of the orphaned Gekkou girl. She was fondly-looked-upon by many of the clans, she and Hayate both.

"Kita, please talk to me," Gai said.

"I remember saying something remarkably similar during our last training session. It is not a good feeling- being ignored by someone you care about- is it Gai-kun?" she whispered.

Kakashi grabbed firmer hold of Gai as he tried to move forward, struggling slightly against the copy ninja. "You were with Genma!" he exclaimed. She looked up at him in shock.

"Because of Genma? You treated me like that because he made good on a promise!?" she growled. She took a step towards him.

"Kita-chan," the Nara said. She looked to him nodding. She was far too intoxicated to deal with this now and it would be putting him in a difficult situation if she were to leave even if it was to kick Gai's ass. He would feel honor-bound to look after a young female kunoichi in such a state. She had no problem with common chivalry and she would not take offense to that.

"Hatake-san, if you would please ensure that this young man makes it home safely?" another man spoke up. She glanced over, recognizing a friend of her father's.

"Ah," Kakashi nodded. Gai didn't resist this time, allowing himself to be led out.

Kita found herself ushered to another table with Nara and her father's former-teammate, Tsumi-san. After Kita sobered up a bit lost in the tales of the second great war, she saw herself out of the bar. It took a bit to convince her overprotective comrades to leave her be, but when she did, she found the peace was singularly magnificent. The cool night air washed over her and the peaceful quiet of the village sunk in, calming her.

She couldn't believe that Gai honestly had been upset with her for having dinner with Genma. It wasn't as if she didn't eat with comrades regularly. She'd never done so with Genma as he tended to be a bit handsy but he'd been anything but that night. He was lonely and he didn't want to ruin that connection. She wouldn't let Gai's feelings sever their friendship not when Genma was so clearly troubled as of late. She ran a hand through her hair, remembering the many times Gai had displayed his dislike of Genma. She wasn't sure she got it fully before, but she completely understood now. Apparently Gai was jealous.

She'd never dealt with this before, but for some reason her anger was ebbing away leaving only regret, guilt. Why she should feel guilty? She wasn't quite sure, but it was there. Perhaps it was because she'd not made the connection. She was quite intimate with Gai, but it wasn't as if they were anything more than… well, what they were. She swallowed hard, remembering her wandering thought regarding little clan heirs… She shook that image from her mind just as she had the first time it had come upon her. Silly, impossible thoughts. Gai was way too good for her. He couldn't… but he was jealous…? Frustrating man!

Kita didn't go home. She didn't know if she could go back to that place, see those stupid petals or not see them? She didn't know which would be worse. Would he have stopped leaving them there to annoy her? As her feet carried her aimlessly, she found she needed to see him. She needed to explain or to… She didn't know what she needed to do. She felt so lost.

Kita pulled a key from the chain around her neck and let herself straight into his apartment. Gai had given her this key years ago. She'd used it more and more over the last year though. It was more usual for her to sleep at Gai's apartment than her own. Honestly, she'd not realized how often it had been that she'd slept here until the last few days where she had slept in her own bleak home. Hayate was right about it. He complained all the time at how empty, how cold it was though usually his complaints consisted of tired sighs or irritated glances. She knew how to read him in any case. Gai's apartment was anything but that.

Gai wasn't there and relief warred with sadness that she pushed away as best she could. Helping herself to a quick shower, she dried off hastily, reached in the bottom drawer of Gai's dresser, and pulled out a pair of black pajama bottoms which she tied as tightly as she could around her waist and then an overlarge t-shirt. She had no sleeping clothes here. She'd always used Gai's. She'd never considered if that was really okay. She pushed her uncertainty away. What was the worst he could do: tell her to take it off, make her leave? The idea meant to comfort herself and seem flippant caused a great pain to swell in her chest.

Kita laid down and slid under the green comforter closing her eyes. She pulled Gai's pillow up to her nose, breathing in deeply. It was immediately relaxing. She drew her knees up, cradling the pillow tightly to her and keeping her eyes tightly closed. She felt guilty, incredibly guilty but she shouldn't, should she?

When the door opened, Gai paused. He drew a deep breath, letting out an almost-relieved sounding sigh. She remained stiff, not pretending to sleep, not pushing away the pillow. She breathed in his scent, trying to figure out why she felt so much like crying. She forced the tears back, feeling stupid. Alcohol was clearly a factor still, but she shouldn't feel this bad from only that. He spent some time in the kitchen before she heard his footsteps cross towards the bedroom. The door creaked open and he stepped in silently. She could feel his presence rather than hear his steps now. He was trying to be quiet.

It didn't take the impressive ninja long to realize she wasn't sleeping. He was halfway through pulling off his jumpsuit when he paused in his movements. She felt her stomach clench. He was by her side in two normal-sounding steps. She felt the dip of the bed as he sat upon it. His large warm hand touched her back and she shuddered slightly, her grip around his pillow tightening as she had to fight harder to keep from crying. She had a choking fear that he would send her away. She couldn't bear that. Would he, could he do that to her?

Gai sighed again, removing his leg warmers and stripping his jumpsuit in one quick motion before sliding fully into the bed with her, his chest warm against her back, his grip strong and comforting. "I'm so sorry, Kita," he whispered, warm breath tickling her ear. She didn't trust her voice right away. His hands took hold of hers around her body and he pulled his knees up as well molding himself to her from head to toe as he tucked his head against her neck, his lips resting against her shoulder which was exposed due to the ridiculously-large shirt falling down her arm.

"Do you ever feel… do you ever feel like I'm taking advantage of you?" she asked in a voice so soft it was hardly even a whisper. This was it, the main issue. He was jealous of her and he never gave her reason to be jealous, but they weren't in that kind of relationship. They'd settled that, but still… she didn't want him to feel like that. She was sure he could hear how close she was to tears, but she had to say it. She needed to get it out before she lost her nerve.

"Kita, where did this come from?"

"Just… do you?" she demanded. He didn't respond right away and it caused a sinking in her chest. She turned her hands in his and gripped them tightly. "Sometimes I feel like I am," she continued in a more depressed tone, swallowing hard as she accepted the idea slowly.

"Don't take silence for an answer, Kita," he said, sounding displeased. His grip tightened around her. She shuddered, feeling the first tear slide down much to her embarrassment. The only consolation was that it was caught on the pillow before he could notice. "You should never feel that way. It isn't quite so easy to take advantage of me. If I EVER make you feel that way, I expect you to tell me so immediately."

"Gai, you shouldn't have to-"

"Immediately Kita," he ordered.

"Why would you be jealous of Genma?" she whispered. He stiffened a bit, holding his breath for a long minute before letting it out.

"I do not like the way he looks at you," Gai muttered, his breath warm against her skin.

"Gai-kun, I am not… NOT interested in Genma. He is a good friend, but he will never be more than that," she said.

"Just as I will never be more than that," he said with a slightly-questioning tint to his tone that struck her deeply.

"You are not just a friend!" she choked out.

"What am I then?" Gai rasped.

"Let me go a little bit," she pleaded, knowing that she wasn't strong enough to break his punishing grasp. He did so immediately and she spun around, pressing her lips to his tightly. He kissed her gently in return, brushing her hair back and cradling the back of her head carefully. She let out a small sound of protest when he pulled away.

"Promise me he is nothing more," he said, staring down at her.

"I promise," she whispered. He smiled softly, kissing her chastely and pulling her tightly to him, clearly content to hold her. She wondered what this meant. Usually when she stayed over it was for a specific reason. She'd never just… stayed over, but he didn't seem to be intent upon… that.

After a thoughtful moment, she turned back around, taking hold of his pillow once more and pulling it against her chest. His arms wrapped around her and she found herself taking hold of them immediately. She shuffled down slightly, so her shoulder was below his arm and she could rest her cheek on his arm, his skin hot against hers. She wanted to do this for him, to just be here with him, but the feel of his skin against hers, his hand running up and down her forearm lightly and his breath against her neck were making it difficult.

He chuckled as her breath picked up. It wouldn't be audible to nearly anyone other than the damned Green Beast: Maito Gai, genius shinobi of Konoha. "It's not funny," she whispered, wondering how silly her breathless voice sounded before she laughed as well but her laughter stopped when his hand left her arm, sliding up her shirt along her flat stomach. She quickly grabbed hold of it.

"If you don't want-"

"I always want you," he whispered before his lips closed around her earlobe. She gasped in surprise as he nibbled lightly, his hand sliding down her stomach and under the loose waistband of the pants that rested on her slim hips. She swallowed hard, trying her best not to squirm. His lips left her ear, trailing down her neck instead, teeth grazing lightly along her sensitive skin. She moaned softly, trying to turn, but his arm that pillowed her head moved to wrap around her ribs, tightening around her and holding her there.

"Gai," she complained, but his hand traveled lower and she couldn't form any more complaints. He slid the pants easily off her and then pulled his spandex undershorts down slowly and she could feel him against her which caused her to gasp. He was already very much ready. He slid one of his legs between hers slowly, very slowly, spreading her legs wider and shifting his hips forward, his chest pressing against her back as he kissed her neck. As he pressed against her a much more intimate place, she found herself struggling against him again. She wanted to feel him and he was taking so long. He sucked on her neck hard, still not entering her.

"Gai!" she exclaimed and finally he shifted his hips upward. She cried out at the feeling, familiar but unbelievable at the same time. She swallowed hard, reaching down to grab hold of Gai's hand which rested lightly against her lower abdomen. She slid her fingers through his, curling her hand over the back of his and biting her lip. He pulled out slowly and pressed back in again with a smooth, careful movement. She had to bite down hard to keep from crying out once more.

"Gai, please," she whispered, needing more, needing to feel all of him, all he could do. He pulled out slowly again and pushed in just as slowly. She tried to move against him, but his arm around her ribs kept her still as he whispered her name softly. She could feel herself building slowly a low burning heat that was building to a height that she craved but not fast enough. She knew he could take her there much quicker, but he was holding back, taking his time. His lips began to settle light kisses on her face. She craned to turn her face to his and he kissed her passionately, not changing his pace but creating a whole knew set of flutterings inside her. His hands stroked gently over her, tracing her curves and ghosting over her skin, setting her nerve endings on fire.

When he broke the kiss, was when it changed. He began to speed up, the hand she still clung to lowering and circling her clitoris. She cried out, panting as he pounded into her and finally she came shouting his name as wave after wave of passion flew over her.

He stilled inside her, but she knew he hadn't come. She felt an agonizing wonder at him as he settled through her orgasm and as soon as she came down he turned her over onto her back, staring down at her tenderly. He ran a hand along the side of her face and she closed her eyes tightly. He kissed her eyelids gently then rained kisses over her face completely unhurried, untroubled with her inability to look at him. He kissed a trail down her jaw and then drew a deep breath against her neck.

He drug his hands down the sides of her body until they reached her thighs. His large hands wrapped around each thigh, holding them up and out. He stared at her intensely and started to move his hips once more. Each stroke hit that perfect spot inside her and his eyes bored straight into her soul. The sensations were so intense that it didn't take long before he had her flying once more and this time when she clenched around him he came with her, releasing her thighs then leaning over her,. He whispered her name over and over, his lips resting against her ear. She shuddered, feeling too hot and too cold, and too high and too low all at once.

Kita had so many sensations flowing through her that she hardly knew what was happening. She did know that Gai was kissing her though, a sweet, gentle kiss, different than any she could ever remember. She couldn't even think of the last time she had been kissed like this… with such real, raw feeling. She was crying, really and truly crying and he still kissed her. It was overwhelming. Gai was overwhelming.

What was happening? She hadn't been lying when she told Kakashi that she and Gai had been… well what they were. This seemed outside the realm of some mutual need being fulfilled. This felt much more like… the word scared her. She didn't believe in such silly things. Still, Gai's kisses were doing something to her and his strong calloused hands grazed so tenderly along her skin in the most wonderful way. She was on her back still and he lay partially on top of her, his leg between hers. She was wearing only his simple black shirt which was bunched up under her breasts where one of his hands rested. His other hand cupped the side of her face, thumb tracing along her cheek, brushing her tears aside with each soft stroke.

Finally her tears became more than that and a sob wracked her small body. Rather than pull away though like she knew she should do, she turned into him, pressing her tear-stained face against his elbow which had propped him up on the bed. "Shhhh," he whispered, stroking her hair gently and rolling over onto his side, pulling her into his arms carefully. She couldn't control her body or her emotions, but Gai was patient and he simply held her. She didn't know why.

They'd never done something like that before She'd never done something like this before. Everything that was happening was so far out of her control that she wasn't sure how she should be reacting. Gai had just… he'd made love to her. She was pretty sure that's what that was. What did it mean though?

Thank you for reading.