It was the 7th day already *at 6 am*. Gaara came home to rest from training and wondering if he would have to go after Naeko from Sunagakure. He had been training so intensely. By the time he came out of the shower, he felt very tired. His face looked a little red, and he felt uncomfortable. It might be a fever, because he was beginning to feel sleepy and dizzy. It got to the point that he only managed to put on his boxers before he had to sit on 'his' bed. There, his eyes closed and he fell asleep. Soon he began to dream.

~Gaara's Dream~

It was a very hot afternoon. He came home and saw Naeko making dinner. He tried not to notice that apparently she was only wearing a white apron. He felt a strange uneasy feeling. So, he walked up to his room to take a shower, to get some relief from the heat.

It was nothing but a normal shower; that is, until the water from the shower stopped running. At the moment he felt that familiar embrace coming from behind. It was Naeko's arms wrapping around his body. He froze as the bare skin of her breasts rubbed against his bare back. His heart began racing like it's a life or death situation.

She began to whisper to his ear, "You're my one and only..." over and over again.

Listening to her chant, he relaxed his tense body and let his head back on her shoulder. He didn't turn to look at her, but with eyes closed he said, "I was afraid you had left."

She remained quiet without saying anything. But he felt her hands running up and down his chest and stomach. He lay back further and began to enjoy the moment. He doesn't reject it. He lets it happen and begins to pant and moan saying "Naeko..." in a faint voice.

A few minutes before that moment and back in reality...

Naeko was finally at the entrance of Sunagakure. She was thirsty and starving -probably one of the few people who would venture out into the desert with no food or water. But she didn't stop until she reached the house. Annoyed after spending ten minutes looking for the key only to find out that the door was unlocked, she pouted and muttered, "Oh, great -_-."

She went to the kitchen and drank a whole gallon of milk and ate some cookies -;p nice breakfast- After sitting at the table resting for a while, she had the need to let out some of that excess milk. So, as usual she ran back to her bathroom.

As Naeko was about to open the door, she heard Gaara faintly calling out her name. It didn't sound like he was yelling at her, so she walked in. To her amazement, she found him on the bed and thought 'Oh how cute ^_^... hey wait a minute... Shukaku!'

Cautiously, she got closer. As she watched him, she shuddered in fear that Shukaku was taking over Gaara's mind. He was blushing and making noises. She thought he was calling her for help and so she shook him awake.

As he began to open his eyes he saw Naeko looking down on him. She was looking concerned. He noticed she staring and so he abruptly took a blanket and covered himself. He turned away with his red face seemingly holding his stomach and he shouted at her, "GET THE HELL OUT!!!"

Naeko walked out and said nothing. She just saw him go through a very 'strange' dream -Oooh...He hates her now- But all she thought was, 'Maybe he just shouldn't sleep because he wakes up cranky.'

As if she hadn't seen a thing, Naeko took over Temari's room, because she was gone. She showered and changed after she found some of her clothes in the laundry room. Just a an old t-shirt and some ripped (rips on strategic places ;p) blue jeans. After refreshing her body, you she sat in the living room waiting to see if Gaara would come down.

He finally came down and went to the laundry room –to drop off the bed sheets –Why (O_O)? Did the sheets get messy somehow?—

Then he came back and stood the in the living room, looking away.

Naeko stood up as well trying to see him face to face. But he kept looking mad with that blush on his face until she finally snapped, "Oh that's it! What the hell is your problem? Are you mad because I saw you like that?!"

He turned around more humiliated than ever and began walking toward the stairs.

Then Naeko said, "So what if you're not strong enough? You're still human. You have weaknesses too. That's why you fell asleep. If Shukaku almost got out... well, it was a mistake. But you should thank me for waking you, and not be angry with me or yourself. What kind of Kazekage will you be, if you get mad like a little spoiled kid?"

Gaara stopped in his tracks and seemed to be thinking about her words, perhaps glad she didn't see what he feared she had seen. And so, he turned to her and faced her in the middle of the living room. Looking more calm he said, "You're right... thanks."

Naeko smiled thinking, 'I guess sometimes it's ok not talking about the truth, by talking about something else. I never would have imagined feeling this way, but thank goodness for Shukaku!' She saw him trying to smile a little, and then, she asked, ":D Does that mean you're not mad at me?"

He nodded. And she couldn't contain the happiness, so she pounced at him like a dog happy to see its master –too much hanging out with Inuyasha eh?— and drop him on the floor. She was on top of him, looking down on him; her long green hair cascades over both of them. Face to face now, he tensed up and almost taking a grip of the floor. She let her face closer to his very slowly, and he closed his eyes.

In a tender voice, she said, "Did you miss me?"

That's when he felt a big wet lick on his right cheek. He got mad, "Aaagh! Who the hell misses bathing in saliva?!"

Naeko didn't complain, as she let her body drop over him. She then let her head rest to his side, next to his right ear. Then, she began to whisper, "I did miss you... There were so many people there. But without you, this time I felt it was an eternity alone. I truly felt lower than a zero without you."

Gaara noticed how sad and sincere her voice sounded as she began nibbling on his ear with most of her body still on top of him. His arms began to loosen up and rise from the ground. He was either about to hug or push her away.

Just then...

The front door opened and they heard Temari's voice, "Man, that was a boring mission!" She walked into the living room.

Naeko sat up –still on top of Gaara who has just put his arms back down. She looked at Naeko and is about to get very mad, when Naeko smiled and jumped at her too, "Temari!"

She pushed her away, but Naeko still had that big old smile, "^_^ Temari..."

Temari replied very angrily, "What?!"

Then Naeko started fiddling with her bag of 'souvenirs' as she went on, "... guess who sent you flowers".

Temari blushed and said, "Flowers? Uh, I..."

Naeko couldn't wait so she shouted, "It was your boyfriend!"

Gaara was still there so Temari shyly said, "Boyfriend? I don't have a boyfriend!"

"So then who's Shikamaru then?" Naeko spoke very slyly.

She blushed madly and covered her mouth in shock.

Then Naeko went on to say, "Yeah, I knew you would remember you see..."

~Flashback~

When Naeko was in Konoha wasting time, she wondered into Ino's flower shop. There, she walked around annoying Ino by saying she had wrongfully classified some of the flowers.

Ino was yelling all sorts of curses at Naeko when Shikamaru and Chouji came in. Then Ino's tone changed as she greeted Chouji who was just out of the hospital. Naeko ran up to them pointing, "Hey it's you!"

Chouji smiled, "^_^ Oh you're the person who helped me while the medical team arrived,-bows- Thank you".

Naeko just nodded and took Shikamaru by the neck, "Good timing! Now you can choose a flower for Temari."

"Wtf?! Why would I? That's too troublesome," said Shikamaru.

Then Naeko grabbed him in a headlock, "^_^ Don't lie, I know you like her. So come on let's find her something nice". -he blushed-

For about half an hour Naeko dragged him by the store until he picked a pink sunflower. He knew Naeko wanted an explanation so he sayid, "See, it's pink. She likes pink so she'll like it. Now let go."

Naeko gladly took the flower and walked out.

Ino stopped laughing and went to Shikamaru for the money. He looked at her, "Why me?"

Ino laughed some more, "It was for your 'girlfriend' wasn't it?"

He looked at Naeko going into a store across the street as he searched his pockets. In a sigh he said, "Aah, that 'catgirl' is so troublesome -_-'".

Back in the present...

Everyone was sitting in the kitchen eating lunch by the time Naeko's story was finished. Kankuro had come home with some take out food so everyone gathered to chat. Temari tried not to sound too needy as she asked, "Uh, so where is it?"

Finally, Naeko took her bag and handed a flower stem to Temari, to which she freaked out, "What the hell? This is not a flower!"

Naeko had 'anime' streams of tears as she ruefully explained explained, "T.T It was the morning before I left. It's just that..."

"You had to have breakfast, eh -_O" interrupted Kankuro.

To which Naeko angrily replied, "Hey, that I'm an 'incarnated forest spirit' doesn't mean I eat plants!"

They all stared at Naeko in shock. Finally Kankurou said, "Huh really? How come you're only telling us this now?!"

Naeko just shrugged her shoulders and went on to say, "Actually... I thought I had told you already," There was a pause and then she went back to her other story, "So anyways, I was leaning on a fence waiting for Lee to say goodbye, when a cow from behind the fence ate the whole flower in a bite ToT... But... it's the thought that counts right? ;D".

Temari reluctantly took the 'flower' while Kankuro was holding his sides from splitting in so much laughter. Even Gaara was laughing, so Temari tried to laugh –despite the fact that the vein oh her forehead is about to explode.

Then Naeko looked in the bag and took out a green outfit --Lee style ;p.

Kankuro laughed more and in tears said, "Let me guess, that's Gaara's, right?"

Naeko looked a bit sad and said, ":( Nope. I didn't find Gaara's size, so this one for you Puba. -Throws it to him- There, try it on ^^!"

If he was laughing before, now he's mad, while Temari and Gaara had a laughter attack. Then he snapped and pointed at Gaara, "So what did you get him?!"

Naeko looked into the almost empty bag, and took out an unmarked video tape. As she handed it to Gaara she said, "Here this is for ya ^o^".

Gaara took it and stared at it wondering what it might be.

But Temari said, "Hey wait a minute! That better not be something indecent!"

Kankuro very calmly crossed his arms and said, "Just in case, I'll take a look. Wanna watch with me Naeko -_o?"

For once, Naeko's expression became serious, "But that's just for Gaara. -Now the older siblings are giving her a glare- Hmm... Hey let's make Kankuro try on his new outfit ^^".

Temari burst in laughter again, but then said, "Only if you tell us what is in that tape."

Naeko yawned, "Only a boring video from the chunnin exam. Just thought he might want to see some of his flaws to strengthen up and stuff. -Stand up- Now get in suit Puba!"

Kankuro stood up and said, "Fine, but if you promise to stop calling me Puba for at least a week."

Naeko and Kankuro left, while Temari stayed with Gaara, "Uh, you're going to watch it in the living room, right?" she asked.

Gaara stood up and popped the video in the VCR. Temari left until she saw it really was the fight against Rock Lee during the chunnin exam.

'Hmm... I meant to bring the one of the fight against Naruto, but the Konoha video store was out of copies -_-' thought Naeko.

As the video was over, Gaara began walking upstairs.

Naeko was coming down wiping away tears of laughter and saying, "That was too funny... yet, disturbing (O.O')" As they crossed paths, he looked at her but she kept going. A few seconds later she stopped behind him, and said, "Did you... -he stops and turns around- get taller?"

He looked at her like he wanted to say more than a 'maybe', but she walked away before that.

~What was really ticking in her mind was...

As Kankuro was getting dressed Temari gave Naeko an envelope, "This is your pay from the mission".

Naeko looked away and gave her back the envelope, "I don't want it. I did nothing back there. And I couldn't care less... So tell me, what is it you really want to say?"

Temari crumbled the envelope in her hand and very serious –as she took out a picture of a person—she said, "See, this is my uncle Yashamaru. He was Gaara's only companion growing up... but he lied to Gaara all that time about caring about him. Truth was he hated Gaara all that time. He tried to kill him and what's worst, got him to trust no one but himself," She looked at Naeko pensively, "He might not want to show it, but I know he's begun trusting you," then, she pointed at Naeko looking fierce, "If you betray him, I swear I'll make you pay for it!"

Naeko, despite all the emotion in Temari's threat, looked at her like she hadn't been listening and took the picture from her, " -_-' Sure this is your 'uncle' and not your 'aunt'?

At that point, Temari had that vein on her forehead again, but Naeko went on, "Hm, either way... why do you care now? You left him alone all that time. And now you're the big brave sister? Don't make me laugh 8D!"

Kankurou stepped out before things could get worse. And next thing Naeko knew, she was kicking on the ground from laughter. She tried to forget it, but still, her mind kept working, '-_-* How irritating! I'm the oldest one around here and no one shows me respect. But I guess is good a time as any to hear Inu's advice and give Gaara some space'. And that's when she ran into Gaara on the stairs. After that awkward encounter with him, Naeko disappeared for the rest of the day -as usual.

Well, isn't that what cats do?

It wasn't until about 9 p.m. when Gaara found Naeko on his favorite place. She was sitting there, and he sat next her. It was odd how she held back from hugging him, when he actually expected it.

She didn't look at him in the eye as she finally asked, "So, did you get my point?"

He sighed and said, "I know you meant to tell me that I need to strengthen myself. I was useless when the sand was surpassed and when my chakra was gone," he looked at her and she nodded with a smile. He looked content about it and kept talking, "I also know that I feel different from then. I was empty and living for the wrong purpose. But now, thanks to Naruto, and... Uh, I have goal in life." He looked at her and she had big starry eyes with streams of tears in a somewhat comical way.

As she wiped the tears away, she said to him, "^^' Wow! It got to you more than I expected. So, planning on strengthening that 'taijitsu' (hand to hand combat) of yours?"

He looked down and blushed a bit, "That's why I'm here. Temari and Kankuro have been helping with my training until now. But since the sand interferes, it's almost impossible to practice self defense," he paused and looked at her, but then he looks away as he admitted, "I need your help."

By now, she had a lollypop in her mouth, so she took it out and said, "You want me to beat them up for ya? :D"

He grimaced, "I... hmm, need you to help me train. Since my sand is useless against you. I know you're strong, so I need to be able to defend myself against your attacks," he remembered his failing when he mistook her kisses for attacks and blushed, "By that I mean, if you want to help me by fighting?"

Naeko stared at him seriously for a while and he stood up ready to say 'never mind', when she stood up and said, "T_T I'm sooo happy... Of course I'll do it!"

He dodged her embrace and began walking away, "Ok then, let's go..." she embrace him from behind again with her arms over his shoulders –he did get a bit taller, but not that much. Then, she whined "Awww! But I just got back from Konoha, I made it in a day and a half. Doesn't that deserve some recognition? And besides, training too much will wear you out before the trials."

He got away again and she let him go –remembering to give him space. Then he looked at her, "What are you saying?" he asks.

By that time, Naeko had that big malicious smile, "Let's have some fun for a while before training ^o^!" Before he could ask what kind of 'fun', he found himself being dragged by the hand toward the town. *

Comments:

The plan? Hmm, we'll see ;p.

Let me make one thing clear... I know Gaara doesn't sleep, my point here is to make him appear vulnerable like the human that he is. He is still a child and he still gets tired, so it's ok for him to give in once in a while. The reason he doesn't sleep is Shukaku, not because being an insomniac is fun. If there are any more questions please contact me.

Gaara and other Naruto characters (c) Masashi Kishimoto

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Naeko (c) Sheba D. Vil (me 8D)