AN: first off.. I AM SO SORRY. Okay, I know it has been forever since I updated, and I was reading this today and strangely wondered why I stopped writing this! I got so interested in it that when I saw the last cliff hanger on chapter 8, I wanted to shoot myself for not continuing. I was also disappointed because that meant I was the one that had to continue the story and I had to put in the hard work to make it awesome. Haha. Well anyways, no more lies, I deffo plan on updating more! Especially because I want to finish this, not just because you guys give me awesome reviews, ( ;D ) but because it would be an accomplishment on my part. Any way, please enjoy, and you know the rest :)

"I'm- I'm so sorry,"

My eyes had instinctively closed, and the sweet soft warmness of Ino's lips were no longer lingering on mine. I didn't really hear what she said, it wasn't registering in my head. I opened my eyes.

Her cheeks were flush with the brightest red, her golden hair shining like it was an everlasting energy source. She kept speaking to me, but I couldn't hear what she was saying, all I could focus on was the sweet pink lips that moved with every word she spoke. I was astounded at myself; how could I let one little kiss blind me so much? I wasn't even focusing on the real reason why I was here, all I could think about was Ino, and how beautiful she was.

"I don't know what came over me, I've never done that before. Oh my god... I'm so sorry!" She ran her hands through her hair, not caring that she revealed her infected skin as she did so.

It was like my vision was clouded; all I could see was Ino, and every little movement she made. From the small twitch of her fingers, to the glided movement of her hair as it fell over her shoulders. She was all I could focus on.

"Are you OK?" she asked warily. "Oh god... of course your fine... Its me, I made a huge fool out of myself," She jumped off the side of the bed and began pacing back and forth nervously.

I got to my feet and walked over to her side as she stopped pacing. She was shaking nervously; and so was I. I had no Idea what I was doing, all I knew was that I wanted to be near her, I needed to be near her.

She waved me off. "I've probably disgraced you or something strange like that. Do you send people to prison for kissing the Kazekage? It was by accident, I really didn't mean too."

I ran my hand through her hair, instantly feeling her nervousness drop and disappear. It was like I had been stuck in one room all day, then finally being able to make it outside to all the fresh air. I felt so free. I closed my eyes, and leaned my forehead onto hers. I wasn't sure if Ino had her eyes closed, but I could tell she was relaxing, she grabbed my hand.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

I left after that moment. It was strange; I found myself smiling as I left, it wasn't like me. All Ino did was kiss me, and suddenly I turned into some kind of lap dog that couldn't take my eyes off her. I had to force myself to leave, otherwise I wasn't sure what was going to happen, and I didn't like the fact that I couldn't trust myself.

I slumped onto my bed with my arms and legs outstretched. I needed to sleep on this, I needed to at least figure out what was going on in my head.

O0o0o0o0o0o

"Wow, look who's speeding through all of their paper work. Whats got you in such a good mood?"

Temari. I looked up slowly, and my sister had one of the biggest smiles I had ever seen her smile plastered all over her face. I shrugged and continued writing my report for the new hospital scheme.

She came over to my desk, slammed her hands on the table and leaned right over and into my face. "What did you do last night?"

"I slept," I responded, not taking my eyes off my paper.

Temari lightly dragged her finger over the top of my desk, her smile still lingering on her lips. "You know Ino leaves soon right?"

I nodded slightly, making sure not to make any sudden movements.

"Which means you will probably never see her again."

"I plan on seeing her before she leaves."

Temari giggled. "Oh do you now?"

I placed my pen down slowly, and looked up to my sister. Her smile, it was almost infectious. If I were anyone else, I would have fallen for her trick and smiled right back at her; told her what I had done with Ino last night, and how I felt that I was a part of her now.

I was still confused myself. Why did she do it? Why did I like it? I was supposed to be the Kazekage, the leader of this land. I couldn't afford to have a distraction like Ino around, not when my people could possibly need me the most. It was then I decided: When Ino left, it was to be the last time I saw her. I couldn't afford this, to lose everything I had worked so hard for; I needed respect from my people and the only way I could do that was to keep myself out of trouble. And Ino was trouble. She brought out a side of me that I didn't like, it was so out of character for me; I was scared.

"And it will be the last time I see her."

Temari's smile faded slowly, and she placed her hands on her hips strongly. "What? Gaara, what is that supposed to mean?"

I picked up my pen and continued to write. "It means neither she or I will ever come into contact with each other again."

She threw her hand in the air, purely out of frustration. "Is this because of what happened with you and Ino? Really Gaara? You're going to seclude yourself away from her because of one little kiss?"

"Yes." I continued to write.

"Why?"

"I can't afford to be distracted."

"Matsuri distracts you all the time-"

"It's not the same," I interrupted. "Ino is different, I don't like it."

There was silence, and for once I was glad. For the few seconds that the silence remained in, I was able to think, able to clear everything in my head, able to focus; until Temari slapped me. Her hand against my cheek seemed to echo through my dull office as I looked up to her, my eyes wide with shock and astonishment. Temari never hit me, she would hit Kankuro, yes, but never me. As I looked up to her, there was something in her eyes that made me stop; strength, power, and the loyalty to her friend.

"Grow up, Gaara. The only reason you are acting like this is because you are too scared to admit that you have feelings for her."

I swallowed hard, trying to comprehend what feelings she was talking about. Was it that way I looked at Ino, the way Matsuri said I did, was that what showed the kind of feelings I had for her? Was it in the way I spoke to her? I wasn't sure if I even had feelings, let alone something romantic for Ino.

"I know what I said about her, when she first got here," Temari sighed," but things with her seem different. Ino isn't the girl that I remember, she's calm now, she even speaks like a normal human being and not like some wench that has been dragged out of a hole. She hasn't complained lately like she used to, she's actually beginning to like it here Gaara. She's actually beginning to like you."

Like me? It was impossible. I was not a kind of creature that any normal person could love. Temari and Kankuro only love me because I am there younger brother. If I were anyone else, they would hate me. Naruto only loves me because he understands the loneliness, the silence that we both went through as children. I was a monster back then, and I am still a monster now, but the only difference is is that I have learned to control it. I have learned to control the monster inside me. There was no way Ino could care for me. No one can care for a monster.

"I am sorry Temari," I muttered. "But I have work to do."

She stormed out of my office, muttering curse words under her breath as she left.

O0o0o0o0oo

I rarely took the time to really take myself out of the world, to focus on what I wanted to focus on, not on what the council wanted me to focus on. But as I looked out over my village, over the young and happy people that seemed to glow in their never ending thoughts, all I could think about was Ino.

I told myself that the only reason I was thinking about her was because of Naruto. He had trusted me to look after her, and that's what I was doing. But deep down inside, I couldn't believe myself. I could only think about the color of her lips, the soft texture of them against mine, the small kiss we shared with each other last night. There was a part of me that wanted to do it again, to share that experience with her, to feel my heart do loops that I had never felt it do before.

But wasn't it just hours ago that I had convinced myself, and Temari that I was never to see Ino again? I was beginning to battle with myself. I wanted to see Ino, but a part of me didn't. I wanted to touch Ino, but another part of me didn't. I wanted to feel these feelings that Temari had told me about, but a part of me wouldn't let me. I was beginning to think that I was heartless, that there really was no hope for me to ever be capable of loving.

She only had a week left here before she went back to Konoha, but why was I worrying about that? As soon as she left, that meant that there was no worrying about the village anymore. No worrying whether or not one of the villagers would contract the same virus she had, it would be stress free, it would mean the council would be off my back.

"Kazekage, sir..." a voice said behind me.

I turned around, astonished that I didn't even hear Matsuri come up behind me. Either she was more skilled than I thought she was, or I was more lost in thought that I thought I was.

She had a sad look in her eyes. "They need you down at the hospital, sir. Something has happened."

"What is it?" I demanded, a part of me feeling particularly worried.

"It's Ino, sir," she whimpered. "She's in a coma."