Alright . . . the honeymoon was officially over with now. Those council members had nothing on the couple now and this satisfied them. Now they could return back to their normal lives and live like they had before this whole marriage thing . . . maybe.

Gaara, perhaps could return but Matsuri? . . . she wasn't so sure really. She hadn't really done much before Gaara spoke her name that fateful day. Yes she was a shinobi and everything, but nothing had ever really be going on in the nations because of their Kage relationships. So she might just be stuck as a housewife for the Kazekage and she didn't really want that just yet—not when she was in the prime of her youth.

Well she guessed she could just always go out training, but now she was a little afraid to even step one foot out of her door because of . . . them. She knew now they'd be bombarding her with all kinds of ridiculous questions that she just didn't want to answer . . . or couldn't. Ever since her encounter with the paparazzi she made sure to be extra careful of running around in other people's towels where someone could snap a picture of you and take things completely the wrong way.

Once that glorious day came Matsuri awoke with a bright attitude. Alright, now she didn't have to spend 24-7 with her 'hubby'. Now it was off to work with him and all that Kage business. If she was lucky and if his work was so built up the past month then she wouldn't have to see him the whole day or two.

Even though Matsuri said that she didn't really mean it. Lately she had been growing attached to Gaara which she tried to cut. She just thought it was that stupid crush acting up again and she was almost falling for him too fast. If anything she wanted to take things as slow as possible.

But . . . if she was falling for him . . . was he falling for her? That was her main fear which she had always had since she was young—liking a person that would never like you, or love it was sometimes the same with her. That was the one reason why she wanted to go slow . . . they say the more time you spend with someone the closer the two become—who knows? Maybe it could happen to them too.

Matsuri's head was filled with these thoughts as she galloped into the shower. She soon forced them out of her head trying to think of the day ahead like what was she going to do? Perhaps train with some friends or help some Genin with some missions. Who knows? Surprise her day!

As she giggled happily while washing her body down she heard the door open and immediately her she halted her movement to listen. No! It couldn't be! Her heart pounded heavily in her chest and head became slightly dizzy and she opened the shower slightly hoping not to see what she thought she was going to see . . . guess again.

"AH!!" she squealed. "Gaara not again!"

There he was . . . undressing to take a shower. This time he had a proper excuse, but still . . . Matsuri hated it when he did this!

"I told you I need to take one first," he said now working on his pants.

"How 'bout first come first serve?!" she said. "A-and besides I woke up first!"

"So," he said with a slow blink. "Wife's should wait on their husbands."

"Aw c'mon Gaara-sama, don't do this to me again," she begged, but found he wasn't stopping.

"You can stay or leave, but I'm still taking a shower," he said making sure his towel and clothes were in a safe place.

Matsuri gave out a grunt making sure she found her towel this time, but just didn't want to leave that nice warm and soothing shower. They had a bathtub and another shower why couldn't he just use those? Well maybe for one thing guys hardly use bathtubs and that other shower isn't as grand as this one . . . so what! It just wasn't fair to her at all.

Matsuri held her breath as she saw Gaara begin to enter. This was a bad idea—trying to tough it out and just stay in the shower she started and intended to finish . . . right? Her darn stubbornness was actually, she thought, going too far.

Gaara had entered the shower now and just began taking one like she wasn't even there. Matsuri was so far back against the wall of the shower to make sure he didn't even come near as to touching her . . . but it wasn't him touching her that was worrying her. Even though Matsuri stood her ground she couldn't help but feel a bit faint.

Her eyes were as wide as saucers, not because she was looking . . . at anything . . . of his or anything, but it was just simply of the fact that they were in the shower . . . naked . . . and together. Matsuri's eyes were focused solely on the back of his head . . . and neck . . . and back . . . and . . .

Her body couldn't take it anymore. It was getting WAY too hot in there and she was overheating fast. So on instinct her arms opened her side of the shower and just numbly walked out.

Her mind was so overheated that she couldn't think straight. It wasn't even her brain making the commands to move her limbs . . . simply instinct. Her arms grabbed her towel and loosely wrapped it around her small fame so that she could wobble out of the bathroom.

Gaara looked and saw her strange movements. He wondered why she was like that. All that he said in his mind was—

She should have listened.

But before he could even slightly smirk Matsuri fell to the floor unconscious. His eyes widened at this unexpected movement and he feared just slightly for her.

"Matsuri!" he said as he quickly got out of the shower, wrapped his towel around his waist, and came to her to see if she was alright.

As he knelt down and turned her over on her back he saw no one was home . . . heh, at least someone was smart enough to leave. He warned her to leave, but he didn't know this would happen to her if she stayed . . . he never thought she'd stay but she did . . . brave and stupid girl she was.

Gaara placed his hand on her forehead and found she had just simply overheated. He couldn't explain how though. It didn't seem that hot when he was in there with her. She must have just gotten too angry with him for doing this to her . . . again.

He sighed and closed his eyes. Well he was sure the council wouldn't mind him being late just a bit . . . they weren't last time . . . strangely. Which reminded him to ask why, but then again that was a month old question which was too old to even consider asking. Well . . . he better get her out of the bathroom.

Gaara picked her up and carried her into their room where he placed her on the bed and opened the window to let some cool air come in. It was still morning so the cool air should last for a little while. He couldn't help but smile though—seeing her laying unconscious in bed . . . but it was Matsuri.

A fine wife I picked, He thought as he got dressed. But . . . then again, He thought as he turned back to her after putting his shirt on and pondered some things about her. I wouldn't have it any other way.

After he was dressed he took a piece of paper and pen and wrote what he'd be doing the whole day so Matsuri knew where he was just in case she needed him. It . . . sort of felt good to know someone cared where he'd be and just to let them know . . . it was nice.

"Hope you cool off Matsuri," he said as he left the paper next to her on the in table next to the bed.

He then left and headed out. It wasn't until about an hour before Matsuri woke up. She looked around and knew immediately this wasn't where she overheated. She was certain it was in the shower.

She then looked down and saw herself wrapped in her towel. She didn't remember doing this so it had to be one person. She narrowed her eyes and thought—

Oh no he didn't! If he even looked at me wrong I swear I'll—!

But she soon stopped knowing Gaara wasn't that kind of guy . . . right? She sat up and then noticed the paper on the table next to the bed. She took it and read it. She couldn't help but smile . . . she often wondered why he did this, but hey—she wasn't complaining.

Matsuri blushed slightly now seeing even him changing. Perhaps it was true . . . perhaps being together for so long could change a couple . . . but it had only been a month—if Gaara continued to do this it wouldn't be long before she'd start throwing herself at him just wanting him.

Matsuri let out a tender sigh before she caught herself and shook it off. She then inhaled and turned to get ready for the day. Once she was dressed she was out the door.

Matsuri opened the door and immediately her eyes were met with many flashes and ears with booming questions.

"AAHH!!" she cried as she was blinded momentarily.

She quickly slammed the door in their faces as she turned to blink off the spots in her eyes.

"Dang it," she said to herself. "Just because Gaara's gone doesn't mean I can't defend myself."

She then went upstairs and leapt out of her bedroom window. No one ever saw it coming. Once she made her way around the paparazzi she quickly ran to Asuka's.

"Hey, what's up?" said Asuka with a smile.

"Oh, just the norm of being the Kazekage's wife," said Matsuri with a smile. "You know, being chased by crazies and stuff."

"Huh, looks like you need something to do," said Asuka.

"Do you got anything?" she asked as she clasp her hands together before her.

"Well nothin's going on so far," said Asuka checking her notes that she was going to take to the Kazekage's office. "But if you want to get away from the paparazzi then I have something for you."

"Really?" she said with a bright smile. "What is it?!"


"Joy," said Matsuri in a downward mood finding this absolutely more boring than staying at home.

Matsuri needed to remind herself that if Asuka ever said 'at least you can get away from the paparazzi' don't listen to her, for you never know . . . she could pull up the most simple mission of 'elder Ebizo needed someone to fish with'.

"Hee hee," he lightly chuckled watching Matsuri look more dead than even his sister used to . . . once she was alive. "Did you catch anything Matsuri-chan?"

"No . . . no I didn't Ebizo-sama," she said with a sigh as she looked down in the pond knowing for certain there was no fish in there . . . probably never has been in a long, long time.

"Well I haven't seen you in forever Matsuri-san and I'm glad you came to keep me company. I've been mighty lonely since my sister died some years back," he said looking down into the pond.

"Well I'm glad I can be of assistance," she said with as much less emotion as she did the last time she spoke.

"Come to think of it," he said looking up then looking at her. "What has been going on in the village?"

"Huh?" said Matsuri looking at him a bit confused. "You mean you don't know? The whole town does."

"I, uh . . . don't get out much," he said rubbing the back of his neck.

"I can see," she said looking down at the pond.

"So tell me Matsuri-san, what has happened lately?" he asked sitting a little more comfortably.

"Well . . ." said Matsuri as she began to blush slightly. "Me and Gaara were . . . married last month."

"What, really?" he asked.

"Yeah . . . the council wanted Gaara to get married and he 'accidentally' let my name slip out of his mouth for candidates," she said.

"Well now . . . isn't that funny," he said with a smile.

"Why Ebizo-sama?" she asked.

"Because originally you two were arranged to be married," he said with a smile.

"WHAT?!" gasped Matsuri dropping her pole.

"Mhm, that's right. You two were hand-picked for each other—though I doubt anyone really remembers because it was called off long ago when they decided Gaara no longer needed to live," he said remembering.

"What?" gasped Matsuri standing up. "That can't be . . . I don't understand. I don't remember any of that!"

"Eh, that's probably 'cause you were too young to remember . . . that or your parents just didn't want to tell you," he said. "Which, by the way, did you know that was the reason why they died?"

Matsuri's eyes widened and mouth dropped. It was then elder Ebizo had remembered he wasn't supposed to tell her that.

Hot Shot's girl: Ha ha, cliff hanger. Did that on purpose. Don't worry some might be able to guess why or if not you'll just have to wait for the next chp. So be kind, review, and enjoy :)