A/N: So my goal for this chapter was ...not met. lol I wanted them to get closer but it seems these two are taking it slow, depsite my efforts. Which is okay with me. Sorry for any mistakes, it's 3 am and that's my excuse.
I wanted to get this chapter out 'cause: I like to update all my stories around the same time, it's been kinda neglected, this weekends my birthday and I really wanted to get past this part so I could start working on the first kiss.
By the way, Fanfiction always screws up my spacing in the word document and I'm trying to fix it but if it seems like everything is squished together I apologize, it's not meant to be lol.
Anyway, enjoy and reviews are nice.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, becuase it I did kunoichi's wouldn't be so weak. hmph!
.........................
Temari would be the first to admit that she was not a prime example of how a woman should be. She rarely ever bothered about beauty, clothing, or anything that promoted femininity. Having worked so hard to get so high in a work place that was dominated by idiotically closed minded males, it was easy to understand why she fought against her own gender.
Still, she did have a few girly quirks.
As Ino stood in front of her now, it was easy to pin down on what those were.
The dark blonde hair was obviously well kept, glossy and conditioned if not constantly trimmed and if Ino had to put money on it, she would guess that Temari kept a extra large bottle of lotion hidden somewhere because the girl's skin lacked any damage that is usually present from so much rough exposure. Although her outfits didn't change much, the use of skirts and other such styles was also something that might have been flaunting her sex at those beneath her or a simple love for dresses.
Or the way that tough exterior softened when she was around her family.
Either way, she didn't feel threatened when the older woman had strolled into her room, stopping only to toss Ino her weapons pouch before striding back out.
If Ino had been aware that following curiously would lead to a vigorous training session, she might have simply shoved something in front of the door to prevent anyone from entering.
What the hell was up with these people and working their feelings out through brute force? It couldn't be healthy.
"Did I do something grand to piss you off, dear weasel?"
Breathing hard through her nose as sweat trailed down her temples, Ino resisted the urge to stab herself in the leg to get out of the session and that was only because she had a feeling that it wouldn't stall Temari unless it was a fatal hit.
Instead of receiving a verbal answer, Ino was made to leap back several feet as a powerful rush of windswept towards the spot she had just been standing. The water deprived ground didn't help much to cushion the landing sending painful vibrations through her heels as she whipped out a few shuriken to throw. The small stars were easily diverted with a simple thrust of the large fan.
"You know that won't work, why don't you use something useful?"
Shrugging good-naturedly in admittance of what Temari snarled, she hopped from foot to foot while trying to think of the reason why she had been hauled out to fight. It had been a long day and she really wanted to get back to the scrolls she had been looking over for some patients.
"I'm tired, can we just stop all this crap and you just tell me what I did?"
Surprisingly the tall woman did stop her onslaught of attacks, her face a mask of stubbornness. Carefully, Ino took the moment to wipe the salty water out of her eyes before starting a set of slow down stretches. Her muscles burned with tension and she drooled over the thought of a hot bath.
"Gaara's doesn't have much experience with women…"
Ino felt her neck pop as she whipped her head up to stare at the kunoichi, her eyes threatening to fall out of their sockets. Well that wasn't what she had expected.
This topic was dangerous ground.
Warning bells were sounding off in her head as she hedged a reply.
"Understandable, what with his being crazy for a few years and all."
Blanching after hearing her words, Ino tiredly rubbed her forehead. So much for being neutral. The tension in her back increased as Temari simply stared at her for a few minutes before gruffly chuckling, breaking the eye contact that had Ino trapped with the unwillingness to look away first. Both girls had their pride.
"You know, the way you make it sound so blasé is a relief after having to tip toe around it for all these years. That gives me..hope."
Sirens were now going off loudly, but she ignored them as she took in the embarrassed stance that Gaara's sister was standing. The large scary ass fan settled on the ground in what appeared as a cane while Temari leaned against it, her bemused expression facing towards the east instead of looking at Ino straight on.
Glancing around at the barren desert herself, Ino carefully chose her next words.
"I know what that's like, creeping around something that isn't suppose to even exist."
Turning to catch wide ocean eyes, Ino grinned widely while continuing. Well if she was going to get involved she would at least fully dig her grave while doing it. Not her style to work half-ass, and no matter what she considered these hardcore villagers her friends now.
And she wouldn't disappoint them; Ino only knew all too well how that felt.
"Naruto, remember? Anyway, if this is about what happened in the Kazekage office then it is between me and Gaara."
Bending down to pick up a stray shuriken, these things weren't any cheaper in the Sand village and like hell she was going to pay double the price, she neatly dropped it into her weapons pouch before heading back towards her office and its awaiting scrolls.
"I know it's not my business but still he is my brother, one who generally has zero understanding of relationships."
Temari watched as Ino broke into loud laughter. The blonde wiped away tears while turning to look at her over her shoulder, a dry grin on her face.
"Does anybody really understand that? What will be will be, don't sweat about it so much, no really don't sweat it all out that'd be really dangerous in such a place."
Seeing the elder sand sibling finally crack a small grin, Ino narrowed her eyes in sudden decision and pounced on the opening of weakness.
"So about this…party thingy..is there a place where I can get something to wear?"
Smirking at having thoroughly catching the girl off guard Ino waited while Temari equally narrowed her slanted eyes at Ino – though it was more in calculations than counterattacking the change of topic. If she was going to be forced to go, and with the Kazekage of the village no doubt, then Ino was going to make Konoha proud and dazzle everybody.
Besides, if she made a spectacle it would make the evening even more fun.
It absolutely had nothing to do with who the Kazekage was and how he only saw her as Konoha's ambassador, ba!
"Maybe, but.. I don't know if they carry purple."
Eyeing the smirk on her friend's face she glared with puckered lips before slyly twirling a finger in her hair. She had a plan.
"Trust me, they will. Let's go."
Laughing alongside the older girl, Ino pushed the thought of medical scrolls to the back of her head. Really, she really didn't need that much sleep and dusk was just beginning. How long could it take to get a dress after all?
....................
Tonight was the dreaded night.
"You look…mouthwatering."
Grinning at her reflection, Ino experimentally turned to the side to see how the back of the dress looked. Not too shabby for such short notice she decided. It was a enough.
Catching the pair of eyes in the mirror, she smiled wickedly.
"I don't know Temari, was that a pick up line?"
Easily catching the shoe that was thrown at her, she bent down to slip it on before reaching out a hand to take the other one from the kunoichi. Temari had left earlier to change while Ino had been playing with her hair and had returned in a simple knee length kimono that's hem had an intricate design of Suna stars. Her hair was till up, not much of a surprise there, but the young woman had applied a light layer of make-up.
Ino thought she was a pretty, in a way that fit the tough warrior's image.
"Shut up, oh and I got a note from Gaara."
This was what she had been trying to keep out of her mind. Every time a certain red head popped up in her mind Ino had the urge to run in the opposite direction; if that direction led to the bathroom. Her stomach would, just like it was now, tense up with uncertainty and excitement.
A combo she hadn't felt in a long time.
Straightening up from slipping on her other shoe, Ino hesitated before reaching out to take the small note from a curiously watching Temari. It was a single fold, nothing screamed importance, but still she had half a mind to rip it in two.
Just in case it was an exploding bomb or something, yeah right.
Temari waited while Ino slowly unfolded the letter, absently contemplating the way the blonde had froze when she had announced who it was from, until she caught the look that was now occupying the girl's face.
"Ino, what does it say?"
The sound of the parchment being ripped to shreds was drowned out by the low growling that was being emitted from the woman.
What the hell had her brother written?!
"..Ino?"
Throwing what was left of the note, a letter that consisted of four sentences, onto the floor Ino turned around do one more look over of her appearance before marching towards the door.
"That ..that…brat!"
Watching as Ino stomped out of the room with a bang, Temari sighed heavily before leaving to the party herself.
She had warned her about the lack of knowledge of her brother's part; still she didn't think Gaara was that incompetent. He was Kazekage after all and Kankuro's brother.
"Maybe he's doomed after all."
.....................
Wide eyes grew even wider, in pairs of twos and threes as Ino marched into the room. The doors closed with a bang as she glared at the lone pair of green eyes that didn't even blink at her entrance.
Ignoring the small audience, she shook the loose strands out of her face and pointed a threatening finger at the man sitting at the end of a bed.
"I believe I said pick me up at my place, last time I checked Gaara this was not my place! Bad Date!"
Her anger really had nothing to do with the fact that she had spent the last day in the grasp of Temari and her scheming seamstress, or the fact that she was not wearing the desired dress she had picked out. Sewing accident her fanny, those two deliberately destroyed her plans.
She wasn't even really sure why she was so upset with the location change, but blamed it on being a woman.
Instead of getting an answer from the quiet man, a tiny form on the bed was the one that answered in a sweet voice.
"Kazekage had promised to visit me! I had asked him to show me his formal wear!"
Fighting the tick in the corner of her eyes, Ino forced herself to pause and take in said clothing. They were Kazekage robes, but unlike the usual billowing effect, this set was thinner. The armor that was usually worn on the outside could be seen beneath the crimson material.
Unaffected by how handsome and kingly he looked she crossed her arms over her own outfit in obvious indifference.
"So Kyoko, how does the snob look then? Does he get your professional approval?"
The child just looked at her with astonishment at her own arrogance but after exchanging a glance with the subject she smiled sincerely at Ino.
"He's very appropriate for a date Ino!"
Finally letting her irritation melt away, who could stay annoyed when that kid was throwing cute smiles everywhere, and approached the bed.
"Really what kind of kid uses that type of word, besides how would you know about dating? Got a long history do you?"
She didn't notice the way Gaara was eying her appearance.
His eyes willingly trace the curves that were highlighted in the dress she wore, enhancing her femininity while not dampening the muscles. The style was simple; thigh length with enough of a slit to catch the eye while the bodice had an elegant looking v-cut that only made the ample view even more appealing.
The pony tail was absent and once again he was favored with the natural waviness of her hair falling all around her.
Gaara was not surprised that the dress was purple though the tone was much darker; making her light skin glow and hair stand out even more.
She was gorgeous.
"I won't get to date since I won't grow up."
The words cut into Ino like a knife, and before she met too, she was kneeling on the floor in front of the girl. Opening her mouth, Ino glared at the child while throwing a hand out to slap against a surprised Gaara's chest.
"Of course you will! Don't be stupid, you can go out on a date with us!"
Rose bud lips pouted.
"Three isn't a date Ino, I'm sick not dumb."
If she wasn't so cute Ino would have throttled her, but instead she stood up and spoke while brushing off her knees.
"Well you're young enough where you still need a chaperon; don't know what guys these days do on dates. Gaara will take you out and I'll be the young maiden's bodyguard, duh!"
Turning her head to catch the frown on Gaara's face, Ino simply smiled. Ah, payback was such a bitch.
"Kazekage doesn't have time for such nonsense Ino, don't bother him."
This time Gaara beat her to it, astonishing her by reaching out a hand to rest on the small one that was above the white sheets.
"I'd be…honored to take you out, Kyoko."
All thoughts of revenge were gone as Ino watched the solitary man actually twitch his lips at the small child in a quick smile. It wasn't much reassurance, looking more forced then anything but the effect was great. Brown eyes widen with joy and the smile that accompanied them was so innocent that she felt like hissing from the brightness.
"Thank you Kazekage"
Ino didn't think she was talking about the date. Glancing at the clock, Ino abruptly leaned forward to grab Gaara's arm.
"This is just so warm and fuzzy that I might be sick but Gaara we're going to be late!"
The time in which it took him to glance at her, then the clock and magically appear at the door was record breaking but Ino paused one more time to pat the little girl on the head.
"Don't worry about your body Kyoko, just be happy and I'll fix the rest."
The petite head bobbed up and down, the usually glossy brown hair looking dull in the dark, before returning her grin.
"Okay, have fun!"
As they left the ward, Ino waving and calling out to the other children, Gaara waited until they were out of earshot before speaking.
"A date?"
Watching as she turned her luminously bright eyes on him, Gaara tried to ignore the feeling in his stomach as she answered happily.
"Some kids, adults too sometimes, just need a goal to focus on to help them get better. "
Ino felt like she needed a goal herself as they headed towards the area that was holding the party. It wasn't so much that she wouldn't know anybody; it was the problem of having to act so politically correct that might be an issue. She had gotten away with that while being around these people who disregarded such formalities but now?
"Is that medical knowledge or Ino knowledge?"
Startled, she laughed loudly before wrapping her arm through his, not really noticing what she was doing or how his eyes widen at the contact.
"No that's psychological. It's like saying 'I think I can' so much that you really believe you can and therefore actually do it. It has some official name but I can't remember it at the moment."
They fell into a short silence after he nodded his understanding. Neither felt the need to speak about their physical contact, one not wanting to acknowledge that it had been her move and one not really sure what to do.
Both were wise enough to know when to keep their mouth shut about it.
After a few minutes of being alone with her thoughts, Ino spoke again in a quieter tone. Voicing what she had been thinking.
"Do you hate these events because people stare at you?"
It was another few minutes before he replied and she could tell that he had taken it as seriously as she had intended.
"I've always been stared at."
It was like déjà vu and she tried to remember where she had heard those words before when an image came to her head. Naruto had once said those.
Before she could think of something to say in return Gaara spoke again.
Whoa, two sentences in a row, scary.
"I just don't like going."
He didn't really need to voice what was really the reason; Ino could easily guess how people who didn't fear or hate treated him. Instead of continuing down that path of conversation, Ino changed the topic. Unconsciously tightening the grip her hand on his arm in silent understanding.
"Well I hate these things too, what if someone says something rude? Am I allowed to punch people?"
When he shook his head she pouted for a second before perking back up.
"What if I just simply use one of my jutsu's to make them go insane? I wouldn't be touching them at all!"
Mildly perturbed by her line of thinking and morbidly curious to what kind of jutsu that could do such a thing, Gaara once again shook his head.
"No harming the guests."
Watching as she pouted with an exaggerated puffed out lip; he smiled slightly. She was trying to cheer him up, and although it wasn't really necessary it was still nice to know that she was trying for him. It was something he wasn't use to from anyone, and Gaara was struggling on how to respond.
"Oh alright fun-sucker, but if anyone touches me in a way I don't like, I'll break bones first and ask questions later."
He had no doubt had she would and the thought of her clobbering anyone who touches her was satisfying. Odd.
Instead of pursuing that train of thought he nodded as they caught sight of the door with two guarding shinobi.
"Fair enough."
Seeing the guards, she smiled at them with blinding brightness, startling the pair. Glancing to her left to catch emeralds looking at her, Ino laughed at the wariness that she saw there. Taking her free hand, she patted the hand she was holding in what was supposed to be mock reassurance, ignoring the even more startled looks from the guards.
"Not like you had a choice my boy, but don't worry I'll behave prettily as long as you or Temari don't completely ditch me. Survival instincts kick in you know."
Pausing at the door as the Gaara nodded to the guards to open it, Ino hummed comfortably.
"Not Kankuro?"
The dark look that crossed her face vanished as soon as the doors opened wide to admit them into a bustling crowd of ninja and government alike. He was sure he had imaged it until her soft whisper reached his ears, the dark mutter not matching the gracious smile on her face.
"He would feed me to them alive, and get money for it too."
He wasn't sure which was deadlier; the façade expression or the tone of voice.
Seeing the looks that were turning to take in the beautiful woman next to him, Gaara inwardly sighed. It was going to be a long night.
...............……………..
In reality, it wasn't a gathering of ambassadors; it was a gathering of people who wanted to measure her up. The three hours since she had stepped through the doors with Gaara Ino had yet to see any other village representatives other than her.
That wasn't the problem though.
The room was full of delicious and suspicious food but despite her grumbling stomach Ino hadn't been able to reach the long laid out buffet tables.
It seemed as if old person after old person came up to talk to her. The conversations weren't too terrible if a little stiff but it didn't stop her thighs was twitching with the urge to sprint out of here. After grabbing some food.
Damn Gaara, he had taken one look at the growing crowd and had somehow found an excuse to exchange places with his sister. She hoped he got a bunion from his sandals.
Inching closer to the person next to her, Ino whispered without bothering to conceal her desperation.
"Why are there so many old people still alive here?"
Temari's reprimanding eyes were weakened by the grin she shrugged at her, and she wanted to melt into the floor as another loud growl came from her lower half.
"These are the men on the counsel; they basically run the place after the Kazekage. Be nice."
Straightening up with a forced smiled when the sound of footsteps coming from behind her. Turning around while getting another boring-to-the-bone introduction, Ino was cut short by a plate of food being held out before her.
Temari held her breathe as Gaara offered the plate, not sure if either of them were aware of the way several eyes had been watching them since they entered the room. It might have been just for formalities sake, but she wasn't positive if either one knew how intimate they looked when they had walked in with Ino's hand casually gripping her brother's upper arm.
The stir had been silent but she had felt it ripple through the elders.
"Is this a peace offering for ditching me, traitor?"
The quiet question was luckily soft enough not to carry beyond their ears but Temari sharply glanced around just in case. Smiling easily when meeting curious eyes, she kept half an ear towards the two by her while listening for anything coming from around them.
"Perhaps, don't worry I didn't pick anything dangerous."
Looking back, Temari observed as Ino quickly took the plate and began to dig in with gusto. Glancing from the corners of her eyes, she felt something jolt when she caught the soft look in her brother's eyes as he watched the girl eat.
"Chill Ino, that food is not going to run away."
Ino barely looked up as Kankuro casually joined the group, choosing to ignore his comment in order to concentrate on her really late meal. That in itself was a feat that caught the puppeteer's attention from admiring the long legs that the dressed showed off.
"I thought you would have learned not to talk about that?"
He shrugged without care, quickly catching the way his sister's eyes were wandering from Gaara to Ino and back again. It wasn't that difficult to pick up on what she was looking at. He didn't think they realized how close they were standing, closer than necessary between the village and ambassador need to be. Nor did he think that Ino noticed how Gaara had shifted enough to where she was mostly blocked from the rest of the room.
He doubted even his brother knew what he was doing.
"God that saved my life thanks Kazekage."
Sighing with a full belly, Ino felt as if she could take on the world and gestured expansively towards the room.
"Alright, bring 'em on! I'm fully recharged and raring to go!"
When she looked back, she blinked at the empty spot that Gaara had just been standing in. Sputtering she turned wide eyes to Temari and Kankuro, who were both smirking.
"Th-that..! So fast!"
Temari nodded solemnly, gesturing to her remaining brother to bring someone else for the medic nin to meet when Ino's sly voice broke in.
"Hey, you do realize he abandoned you to babysit me too right?"
Ino met the next Suna shinobi with a sincere smile on her face as she bowed politely, not bothering to cover the sound of cracking knuckles as Temari glared at the room in search for her brother.
Kankuro simply shook his head and waited until Ino had blabbed with the man in front of them for a good while before reaching out to rest a hand on her hand, startling everyone. He could feel the tension in the woman's arm as she gave him a hard stare, not bothering to voice the threat in her stance.
It was surprising how much she did not being touched without permission but how easily it seemed that she touched others.
"Sorry to interrupt but it's hot in here huh? Maybe Yamanaka, who is not use to such a climate, would like some fresh air?"
Ino shuddering in repulsion at the polite courtesy that the big man was showing her, but nodding politely enough before letting herself be led away. Barely concealing the yank that released her arm, she followed him.
"Like being outside is going to be any better, it'll just be hotter."
Giving him a suspicious look when he simply shook his head and held the door open for her to go through first, she waited for him to answer outside on a random balcony.
It was actually pleasant out, the temperature having dropped enough to cause her to shiver in delight.
"See? Not terrible at all."
Closing her eyes in a moment of bliss as the wind was, for once, a simple breeze and not a tornado.
"Oh how I forgotten what normal weather feels like."
The room had been stuffy with odors and noises of too many people but it was so nice and quiet out here that she wondered if she could fake sickness. Course that'd look bad for a medic.
"He'll be out here soon; he always leaves for a while. It helps him concentrate."
Cocking her head to the left in order to see his closed expression, Ino wasn't sure what to make of this new development. Why did it seem like him and his sister were trying to explain everything about Gaara to her?
It was tiring.
"So?"
It was silent after that and Ino took the time to look out over the railing. Really, if one looked at Suna from angles like this the village looked like a bunch of ant hills. Sure super large ant hills but put it all into perspective.
What was amazing was how the plain rough town only seemed to enhance the stars. There were millions in the dark sky, so many that she felt as if she could stay up at them forever.
Konoha never had this many stars. The sky was obscured by trees, mountains, birds. She could almost hear Shikamaru's complaint on how it was so hard to find a good cloud watching spot that wasn't on top of a building. So troublesome or something like that, Chouji would laugh while munching on something.
It was so free here though, everything in the open. It seemed so vast and empty. Moments like this, when the hospital was quiet or when she was out from all the confusing similar looking buildings, away from the conversations and pretenses. The feeling was overwhelming.
It seemed so lonely here.
Sighing, Ino jumped when the door opened up behind her.
"Scared the shit out of me Gaara."
It took her a minute to realize that Kankuro was no longer around, when had he left? Some ninja she was indeed.
She didn't move as the young man moved up to the railing next to her.
The sun had set hours ago, leaving behind enough light to allow Ino to get a good look at the man besides her.
His red hair almost appeared black in the night; the only indication of its actual color was the red shine from the faint light. The rest of his face was pale in comparison to his older siblings, and she wondered idly if he did anything to prevent it from burning. Ino felt something in her chest tighten as she shamelessly studied his face. Gaara's eyes were such a vivid green that she could easily see why they could be so expressive. The impact made even more pronounce by the dark shadows surrounding them.
He was so beautiful.
But staring at him with the desert in the background, it only seemed to emphasize the loneliness and she felt her hand reaching out.
When he moved away Ino couldn't tell if it was intentional or not, setting her hand back down she quickly turned back.
"I…don't sleep well."
She blinked and couldn't hold back the "huh?" that escaped from her lips. Talk about change in topic.
"When I had the Shukaku in me, I didn't sleep. His…urges were strong. I still get them occasionally. When lots of people are around."
The omission was quiet, and Ino knew he wasn't used speaking personally. The vulnerability that was there but not physically shown was precious to her. It wasn't blatant but it was there; that was enough for her.
"My jutsu's are all about the mind. When I perform them I get a glimpse of how their minds work, their thoughts, feelings, are all exposed to me. Sometimes….no…most of the time they become my victims."
Gaara watched as the young woman brought her hands up to look at them as she spoke. Her voice was soft, but steady. A low tone that he absently noticed was playing havoc on his insides.
"It's funny; I've barely ever killed someone with these hands. I've destroyed souls with my mind."
Finally, he watched as she turned to look at him. He blinked at the tired smile she gave him as she continued; her hand coming down to slide underneath his on the railing, her fingers entwining between his.
It was surprising how warm her skin felt under his, it was pleasant.
"So, sometimes those minds, those destroyed people come back to haunt me."
Her smile softened as they looked at each other. For reasons unbeknownst to him, Gaara felt the urge to respond, but was lost in what to say. Should he comfort her, or just make some noncommittal noise?
Even if he had been getting better at communicating, girls were always much more complicated. Still he understood the trust that was being shared here, in telling of painful secrets, and wanted to show how much he meant to him.
Before he could decide what kind of plan of action to take, he found himself answering without thinking.
"Everyone I have killed thoughtlessly haunts me daily."
She stilled, and Gaara felt the familiar emptiness of rejection.
"Do you kill thoughtlessly now?"
Ino felt her smile widened as Gaara stared at her without blinking for several seconds before answering.
"No."
Gaara watched in bemused fascination when the beautiful face lit up with a heart stopping smile.
"Then that's good!"
Catching his puzzled expression, Ino closed her eyes and giggled helplessly knowing full well that she caught him off guard.
"You know, it just goes to show that a person really can change if they set themselves up for it!"
Turning her head back to stare out across the endless dunes, she missed the smile that briefly appeared on his lips.
She didn't miss the quick increase in pressure from his hand, and feeling the tremble that passed through his to hers had Ino smiling with a little more nerves then before.
......................
