Broken Doll
Gaara stood in his home after a long day in his opinion. He now has guards watching the well, ordered to inform him first of any more of these intruders before taking action unless absolutely necessary. How in the world does one defend themselves from possible enemies coming from another world or era via a well that is located within your village? It was quite the security hazard in his opinion even though it did bring him Kagome. Now that he realized that at least this half demon can still go back and forth he will have to have the well guarded to ensure the safety of the village and Kagome. He has a fifty percent chance that it might reject her passage but he will not take the chance of it allowing her through and then never back again. If not for his role in the village he felt tempted to go to the other side and settle things there or even destroy the well but that would crush her since it is her way back home to the shrine she grew up on.
One thing he does hope for is possibly rekindling his friendship with Kagome. They obviously wouldn't be playing those hand clapping games but it would still be nice to have that easy friendship back, someone right here in the village he can spend his free time with besides his siblings. It will most likely take time but he will never know until he figures out what to do. At their age what do friends even do around here or where she is from? He tends to see his on missions, meetings, and on the battlefield so what do you do when you don't have either of those? 'She is new to the village in a sense; maybe I could show her around so she knows where things are?' With that thought in mind he decided to stop by her place when he takes a break before lunch knowing she will likely appreciate him doing so rather than leaving her to her own devices.
Kagome woke the next morning glad to not see InuYasha storming in here, she isn't ready to deal with him, this time was different and he should know it. Though it was muffled she had heard their conversation while she was within what Gaara called his ultimate defense. Bringing her knees to her chest she has yet to decide on when she will try going through the well, she felt nervous about ending up stuck on the other side facing off against Kikyo. Demeanor turning solemn she remained in bed much longer than she normally would but with her quest suddenly complete and that turn of events she has nothing to do and nowhere to be for once in her life. It was just odd.
Seeing her ripped uniform she knows that she should fix it just in case she returns home ever again or manages to attend the school this year, of which she hasn't yet. Gaara did give her money to help her out but she has already looked at it and is unfamiliar with the currency. Biting her lip she settled on eating and taking her time getting washed up rather than feeling the need to rush around anywhere so that is what she did for her morning with her mind wandering to the fight yesterday. Seeing him in action like that made her quite aware of how strong he really is and now he doesn't have this Shukaku sealed inside him and yet he is still the strongest in the village as he is now the Kazekage. Mind flashing back to Rasa she couldn't help but remember him throwing her into that building threatening her before she succumbed to unconsciousness. 'Whatever happened to Yashamaru? Wasn't that his uncle, that really nice man who took care of us?'
When she eased down into the tub for a soak she thought about the kind man and the young Gaara. The one this time seems more like that, more like her friend from that time instead of the one that appeared more like Rasa, as if he could kill her at any moment. He had protected her yesterday without even asking or thinking about it, he just came to her aid as if it was natural. Those aqua eyes were constantly checking on her to make sure she is still okay with the hard confrontation. All of the villagers looked at him with admiration and complete respect, not expecting anything less than for him to keep them safe and send the intruder packing if not kill him. That alone had told her he has come a long ways compared to being the sad, lonely boy to the angry preteen, and now a respected leader. A lot must have happened in these last four years… and she is glad it did, recalling the soft expression as he gave her a barely there smile but that alone spoke to her as if he was shining a thousand watt smile at her. The way he used the sand to show his tenderness towards her, calling her his friend with no problem and complete sincerity, it made her feel warm inside again.
Standing outside her door around mid-morning he knocked on her door waiting patiently as he could hear movement inside until the door unlocked and she looked up at him mildly surprised. "Gar- Sorry I mean Lord Gaara," she corrected herself quickly, holding the door open for him to enter.
"You can just call me Gaara, it is strange hearing you address me as Lord," he admitted, knowing he did have to get used to it when he first became the Kazekage suddenly at fifteen whereas she would at some point be starting on her own new chapter in life. "I thought I would give you a tour of village, maybe grab a bite to eat afterwards."
For as upset as she had been earlier she felt really happy hearing him suggest that. "Umm would you mind teaching me your currency here," she asked, still feeling a little nervous.
It had never occurred to him she wouldn't know their currency, he felt a bit foolish for not realizing that earlier. "Yes, I'm sorry for not thinking about that earlier. How about we go somewhere for clothing first," he suggested as he realized she doesn't have a suitable outfit to wear outside repeatedly. Her long hair thankfully kept a lot of the rips covered but she most likely doesn't want to be in such a torn up outfit for long outside of the lodging he has provided her. With her agreement he led them out the door and down the stairs of the sandy colored building. "I will take us by a few that my sister frequents, just let me know if anything stands out," he instructed as he noticed the flirty green skirt ruffle in the wind a few times. "Are you planning on repairing your outfit," he questioned.
Looking up at him already as she heard him mention a sibling it showed just how little she knew of him. "Yes, this is my school uniform; well the one for my previous school so I guess it wouldn't make too much of a difference if this one gets trashed. I just like how easy it is to wash," she remarked up at him feeling more at ease around him now. "I didn't know you had a sibling," she commented towards him.
"I have two older siblings, Temari and Kankuro. I should introduce you to them later on." Thinking about them he knew it wasn't likely they ever knew about her either.
"Now that I think about it you did say you were Rasa's youngest. I guess I just didn't really think about it… I have a younger brother named Souta; he likes to play with his soccer ball and idolizes InuYasha a lot." She shared in return knowing it wasn't likely he remembered that her mom was pregnant with him the first time they met. She does know that his mother had passed away when he was a baby, she remembers seeing a picture of the kind lady, she looked much like Yashamaru, her younger brother she recalled. "Gaara whatever happened to your uncle?"
Still continuing forward having already expected she would ask eventually he simply told her, "He passed away shortly after you left. My father ordered him to betray me to test how well I can cope with the lies he was to tell me. I didn't know he was the assassin when I defended myself. It turned into a suicide mission when he blew himself up after I had fatally injured him."
She sucked in a breath, eyes tearing up as she stopped in her tracks causing him to pause and turn around towards her, seeing the upset she easily displayed. 'How could that man be so cruel to his own son… no wonder he was so cold the second time I came here…' her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Why was your father so cruel…" she couldn't believe the kind man was forced to do such a thing towards a nephew she remembers he cared deeply for.
Stepping closer towards her he didn't expect her to be this upset, it was touching but not needed since he recovered long ago. "In death he admitted to regretting his choices that cost him his wife, ostracized his youngest son, and sent his brother-in-law to his death. I no longer hold grudges over my past and learned it is the will of my mother that protects me with the sand. In death I received medicine for the first time from my father and he now entrusts the village in my hands. Politically and economically he was faced with many hard choices and hoped that your arrival might eliminate the pending assassinations I was to be faced with as the council began to pressure him with my inability to handle Shukaku back then. It was because of being by you so much that I stopped losing control of the beast's powers but with your departure my control went back to how it was though I do not regret it. I didn't want to see my friend sad and I know my uncle was happy in a way that you escaped instead of being caught by him," he wiped away a tear that escaped as they stood there with their eyes locked for a few seconds until the wind blew her locks around forcing her to close her eyes.
"Gaara," she paused unsure of what to say, feeling guilty for leaving since that led to the hardships her friend endured and the death of that kind man, his uncle.
"Don't feel guilty," he said to her in an almost stern manner. "You have no idea what they planned for you when you arrived the second time and they discovered the jewel inside you. Even had they managed to force you to successfully kill me and live, they would have likely killed you or decided one of the other routes after they obtained that jewel. I found the records that were kept of you, I'm glad you got away a second time or who knows what your life would have been like or how it could have possibly ended. This time though you are safe here, I promise it," he remained sincere as his mind went over the many ideas they had scribbled down to think about in the future after she completed their first task in ridding them of him so they could seal Shukaku once more. "Let's return to shopping for a new outfit for you, this is all in the past and we should instead think of the future," he guided her back to walking once again as he left her speechless. He worked hard at distracting her, pointing out different shops she might find of interest while also keeping an open mind since really, she came from an era that leaned more towards schooling than military but fought in an era with archery skills meaning she is a long range fighter, but a fighter none the less. 'Will she remain in the village with me or go out to explore the world,' he thought about it, not really liking the idea of her leaving the safety he offers inside the village but not willing to go back on his word either.
From shop to shop they traveled and he could tell she was uncomfortable with spending any of the money, likely not feeling she earned it. "If you like something you should get it," he encouraged, "think of the money as a debt being paid to you for the previous times. Besides I can't teach you the currency where you might understand better if you don't buy anything."
The fingers to her free hand played with her skirt feeling uncomfortable even though he encouraged it, it just made her feel cheap. "I suppose, I just don't really feel I need anything," she lamely stated knowing she has toughed it out plenty of times in her trek across the Feudal Era.
"Then get something you want," he replied. "Do you really want to wear torn clothes for an indefinite amount of time when you have the chance now to pick something out to replace them?"
He hit the nail on the head and he could easily see she wanted to pout at his win. Entering another favorite shop of his sister's she scanned the racks until she came across a black skater skirt similar to one she had seen in the mall at her time that she really wanted. Biting her lip she grabbed it not seeing Gaara's frown as he suddenly didn't like the idea of her being in yet another flirty skirt. Coming up with a tactic he said, "Quite often the kunoichi wear shorts with their skirts, it makes it easier for battle and other things." He gestured to the rack next to him and could see her eyes look at the purple mid-thigh shorts, feeling a small victory when she grabbed them. Although he has never been shopping for clothes for a girl he was not lacking in the fashion sense department as his cool and collected way helped her to find a top dark blue top with the matching purple in the design as she grew a bit overwhelmed. Noticing the plunging neckline he felt that same discomfort and suggested mesh armor to go with it so her cleavage would not be so easily noticeable.
Never did he think he would ever be doing this and with all of the teasing clothing she wore as she tried it on to see if it works and letting him inspect them he felt relieved that he did come although he wasn't sure why it would bother him so much. Fashioned with boots like Sakura's he was glad this portion was done with as it appeared in her time such flirty material was common judging by what she said is her school uniform. As they exited the shop, him already having explained the currency to her as they paid for it, he looked her over again not quite realizing how much he is actually appreciating her curvy form now further complimented by the figure fitting top and flirty skirt. She no longer looked the part of being from somewhere else beyond his world. For the sake of her just having something extra he grabbed the standard civilian clothing as something for her to just slip on even though part of him was saying it was more for the added effect of her appearing to be living here.
Treating her to lunch they settled down by a park at her suggestion where they watched the kids play as the parents either relaxed or socialized. As the different ones came and went she began to notice some of the children were unsupervised. "Gaara, shouldn't we do something about those kids, something could happen to them if they don't get back to their parents," she felt worried thinking of all the things that tend to happen in her era.
"They are war orphans. I ensure they have a roof over their heads, pay for them to attend the academy, and they are also given an allowance," he informed her noticing that they must do something entirely different in her time.
"But what if they get kidnapped, raped, hurt, pulled into some underground slave trade, or pushed into drugs," she began to rattle off things that she knows happens in her time, seeing him look at her a bit confused. Then she felt guilty. He is the leader, someone who looks after the welfare of the people in his village and she just made it seem like he couldn't protect those three little kids, as if he is about to fail them. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-,"
"I'm not offended Kagome," he cut her off before she could feel any worse, "it is clear to me that this is a difference in cultures. Truth be told I would rather they do have someone more than just their teachers and myself to look after them but it is the norm here for orphans to grow up like this. For some it is even worse…" he thought about Naruto who should have been seen as a hero but was only seen for the beast inside of him. Thinking upon his own childhood he was basically on his own minus his father training him in ninjutsu and the few years he had his uncle there for him.
"We have places called orphanages where kids can be raised in a protected environment until they are either adults or are adopted. We have a population in the millions where I am from so I suppose such a thing would be hard to keep on top of since the government in my city is always in offices and meetings. I don't even know their names in all honesty but we have a democracy, the people choose who is in office every few years. If I ever get the chance I will show you where I am from just don't freak out, it is a lot different, much noisier that is for sure," she tried to picture what he would think of the fast cars, tall buildings, and flashing lights amid all of the noise that came with her bustling city.
"Should we ever take such a trip I will have to notify my siblings so they can keep an eye on the village in my absence," he replied beginning to feel curious of just how different it is from his home.
It was nice going out with her that day as she finally eased up around him until she seemed to be completely comfortable and trusting of him once again. He relished every moment he had with her since he never knew when she might be taken from him yet again by fate and yet it crossed his mind that fate has brought them together three times now with no real reason in sight as of yet. Maybe just maybe she is meant to stay here in this village with him where he can finally have his friend close by at all times being watched over by his keen eyes…