Chapter 3

The lump in Gaara's throat didn't disappear even after he got back home. He had used his sand to carry him most of the way there because he didn't want anyone to see the expression on his face after Matsuri left.

He went straight to his room where he could mourn in solitude without being disturbed. Gaara felt as if his world was crashing down around him. His once twisted mind that had grown to be tranquil was now once again experiencing the same horrible pain and agony that he had abandoned so long ago.

There was a slight knock on the door, "Little brother? May I come in?" It was Temari.

She was probably bringing him food. Suddenly, Gaara remembered that he had forgotten to eat lunch today, and someone had noticed. Refusing her wouldn't be an option.

"Enter," he commanded.

The door clicked, slowly creaking open until it was slightly ajar. Temari peeked through the crevice.

"Gaara?" She spoke in a discord voice, "Are you ok in there?"

"Hmph…"

Gaara sunk his head into the wall, his back turned away from his sister. He did not want to talk about it and frankly, he didn't want to think about it either.

"I'm coming in…" Temari opened the door further and stepped inside.

"Go away."

"Gaara…" Temari sighed. She sat down on the floor, very close to where her brother was sulking, "You do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Talking will help you feel better."

"No, it won't."

In curiosity, Gaara casually peeked around himself to see if she had brought him some lunch. She hadn't. Disappointed, he turned his head back to face the wall again. He was going to live in his room for the rest of his life and never see the sunlight ever again. If he couldn't see Matsuri, then he didn't want to see anything at all.

Temari chuckled, "I didn't know that she was so important to you."

There was a pause.

He didn't respond at first, and then understood, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Temari hummed a laugh and adjusted her position. The sky's color had gone from a rose-gold to bold cerulean. Judging by the sun's position, Gaara guessed that it was well past lunchtime. If he didn't get something to eat soon, he would have to wait until dinner.

"I remember a long time ago, I felt like if I didn't have a specific special person by my side, then I would die."

Gaara felt intrigued and poked head around again. There was a time when his sister felt like dying?

"He was smart, funny and cute-looking. He always made me laugh. I couldn't get over him. He was my first crush."

Gaara had never known that his sister had a special someone in her life, or perhaps he never noticed or cared. The concept of love had always been awkward for him. He had seen members of his village throw it around in everyday conversation as if it was no big deal. Gaara never understood it.

"Temari, go talk to somebody else about your girly problems."

She only smiled, "Do you have someone like that in your life, Gaara?"

"No!" he hissed, annoyed.

Gaara could never have those kinds of feelings for anyone. It was absurd. The idea of a demon host fondling around and making love was beyond insane, even for Gaara. On that note, Gaara didn't have the faintest idea on whom his sister was referring to. Why did she even come to his room in the first place?

"Temari, what are you doing here?"

"I'm worried about you, Gaara. You haven't eaten anything all day, and then you come home and sulk in your room for half an hour. What's going on?"

Gaara tried to think of an answer.

"Matsuri's new teacher is Azazel."

Temari leaned backwards, "So this is about Matsuri?"

"No, it's about her new teacher. He's a butthole. He insulted me multiple times and then took her away. I couldn't save her. I couldn't do anything."

Temari paused and looked up at the ceiling, "Azazel…Yeah, I remember seeing him around the village sometimes."

Gaara looked at his sister with curiosity.

"I usually see him either at the bar or around town. He rarely comes out, but when he does he's holding a bottle of sake. Honestly, I'm surprised that he has an interest in teaching. He doesn't seem like the 'I-have-a-desire-to-serve-my-village' kind of guy."

This didn't surprise Gaara.

Nothing good ever came out of that man apparently.

"I didn't even know he was a shinobi," she added.

Gaara ignored his sister. He couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Matsuri would be training under that drunken idiot. It disgusted him. Matsuri deserved better than Azazel. She needed someone who was going to take training seriously, someone who was going to help her rise to her full potential.

Another thought arose.

Someone who wouldn't mock her fear of weapons.

Gaara shuddered at the thought of Azazel throwing his head back with laughter after discovering Matsuri's phobia. She was a sensitive girl; her feelings would be hurt if someone were to ridicule her.

"Azazel can't teach Matsuri." he finally said.

"And why is that?" Temari questioned him with her eyebrow raised.

Suddenly, the door swung open with great force, slamming against the wall. A large clumsy figure came marching through the entrance.

"Who's hungry? I've got beef negimaki*."

It was Kankuro.

Temari wiped her hands together and smiled, "Mm, that sounds good. Gaara, come down for lunch; we won't wait for you."

Quickly the pair raced down to the kitchen while Gaara sat and quietly contemplated the situation. Matsuri would be fine. In order for the council to even consider Azazel as an instructor he would need at least a little bit of experience; perhaps there was something he could teach her after all, even if it was useless. Matsuri could always train by herself anyway.

And then there was the weapons situation…

"Gaara! Get down here and eat your lunch before Kankuro eats it!" Temari bawled from the kitchen.

He figured he'd better get down there; some food would do him good anyway. Soon, Gaara had almost forgotten that very important matter concerning Matsuri's new situation.

*beef and scallion wrap