Love Between Sand & Nature

Chapter 10

Home is With You

It had been a long day for all of them and it was well into the night when Gaara and Aina finally stopped to camp at a good place on the way back to the village. After Aina and Hermia returned and stopped the last attack, Ty was sent ahead to inform Kankuro of what had happened and that they would be resting for the night and return to the village the next morning. Ryu was taking Hermia to his home and planned to show her his work. Both Gaara and Aina suspected that they really just wanted to be alone to get reacquainted and talk about everything that has happened.

Now it was just the two of them. Luckily they stopped near a hot spring on the mountain side so now Aina was cleaning up and taking extra care of her wounded shoulder. While she was doing that, Gaara set up his tent from the scroll before going inside to find the first aid kit and then set up a fire in the fire-bowl since he knows Aina is one to get cold during these late winter nights. He also took the time to prepare a couple of instant meals.

When all that was done, Gaara noticed that Aina was taking a long time to clean up her wound and had not returned. After everything that just happened, he was worried about this. He decided to use his third eye technique to check on her quicker and make sure she did not disappear on him again. In a matter to seconds he found her sitting chin deep in the gently steaming water. Seeing that she had simply decided to take a full bath he raised his two fingers to release the jutsu, but then he was distracted when she began to stand up with her backside to his vision. Without really thinking he watched her as she pulled her hair over her shoulder, giving him a clear view of her back and the smooth curves of her waist. Viewing her all of her from the hips up, he ended up watching her bathe for a very long time almost entranced at the view, he did not even think about the consequences of what would happen if she caught him.

Just as he was finally about to pull himself out of it and release the jutsu before getting himself into an awkward position, Aina gave an amused smirk and a sidelong glance over to the eye with grains of sand floating around it. He quickly released the jutsu, but he knew it was too late and slapped his palm to his forehead. 'She knew…' he inwardly groaned before mentally scolding himself for getting excited over spying on her so dishonorably, and he knows how she feels about being seen naked, but he peaked anyway. 'Wait, she knew?' He thought about it. 'If she knew, than does that mean she doesn't mind if I look? I am going to be her husband soon…' He decided not to think about it too much and focus on a good apology that would not make himself look stupid.

At the hot spring Aina dried off and was getting dressed, she felt much better after the hot bath. She acknowledged the sandy eye only a minute after she noticed it, and she knew that it was Gaara checking on her because she was taking a long time, but then she wanted to laugh when the eye had not disappeared and the fact that it did go away when it did proved that her fiancé was peaking. Though she was trying to prepare herself to be more in control over her body shyness for when the time came that he finally showed interest in her that way, but she was beginning to think he did not even have a libido without alcohol. But the thought that he does under all that sand made her want to laugh more.

When she returned to the tent she found him laying on the bed with his hands behind his head. "Hey," she greeted, but he just pointed to the table where her warm instant meal was sitting. "Oh thanks," she said picking it up and taking it with her to sit on the edge of bed and eat it, but then he stood and left. She could tell that he thought she was mad at him, but he was also mad at himself. She quickly finished eating and saw the first aid kit on the table she so she looked inside and found what she needed and took them outside to find Gaara. He was sitting just outside in the grass, so she sat next to him and waited for him to speak, she knew what he was going to say.

He finally glanced at her and then back up at the moon. "My behavior was unacceptable, will you accept my apology?" He said using his Kazekage voice. She giggled softly causing him to glare at the sky. "What is it?"

"You don't have to apologize, you just wanted to check on me and then saw something you liked, I suppose I could be flattered, I was beginning to think that maybe you only like to kiss girls."

"What are you suggesting?" He asked a little offended causing her to laugh softly.

"Nothing like that, just aside from kissing you haven't really shown interest in much of that without alcohol," she tried to explain.

"So… you are not mad?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, I'm mad," she responded making him confused and his shoulders drop. "I'm mad that you decided to be a perv when you did, but I guess since it's only your first offense, I suppose I should let it slide, just don't let me catch you doing that again," she smirked.

He nodded. "Right." Though he couldn't help but think about what if he never got caught.

"Now, are you going to help me with this or what?" Aina said holding up the medical ointment and a bandage.

"Of course," he nodded and took them from her so turned away from him as she unzipped her top and let it slip down to her elbows and she pushed the straps of her bra and tank top out of the way. It only took a minute to finish and the bandage was securely in place as she put her tops back in their proper position, but zipped the top one halfway up since she would need to take it off before she would get into bed. "The wound looks like it should heal just fine, it does not look infected," he stated.

She nodded and sat up against his side and wrapped her arms around his neck as she leaned on him. "When I was in that other world I was able to clean it up there too," she said.

"That is good, but you should go inside and get some sleep, it is late and we should head back to the village first thing in the morning," he told her.

"In a little bit," she sighed. "I'm comfy right here," she added while snuggling closer.

"What are you doing? It is too cold out here, you should sleep inside," he said.

"In a little bit," she said again and lifted her head to look at him. "Won't you hold me?" She asked, so he sighed and put his arms around her so she moved onto his lap a little more and rested her head back on his shoulder. "That's better, I feel safe this way, and comforted."

"Is that so?"

She nodded against him. "Uh-huh, when I was little and my parents use to hold me in their lap sometimes, it was safe and warm there," she said and he did not respond. "Did anyone ever hold you when you were little?"

"No," he said.

She thought he was going to say that, so she pulled him closer. "Weren't you unhappy as a kid? Missing out on so much?"

"I do not know, I do not really think about it much, but I guess so," he said. "But things changed and life got better, and now I have you too."

She smiled, "I've noticed you've become more intimate in the time we've known each other, but you are still pretty clueless about a lot of stuff."

"I'm learning," he said.

"I know," she giggled softly before she sighed and looked at the sky with him. "Hey Gaara?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you like me?" she started. "I mean what kind of things did you tell the Matchmaker you wanted in a spouse?" Aina asked.

He thought back, he had not actually told her mother what he preferred, only listed on paper when she made him do a worksheet that she could keep and look back to. "I think I said I wanted a girl who is good and kind, preferably physically fit with good teeth so reasonably attractive, very intelligent, strong minded and not a shallow fangirl, be understanding and patient with me and my occupation as the Kazekage, and a little fiery would be good if she would ever have to stand in place while I was away from the village," he finished.

"Do you think I might be all that?" Aina asked a little worried.

"Without a doubt," he nodded. "Too good for me, but I am not letting you go now," he said tightening his hold on her. "But since we are talking about this, what about me makes me good for you?

She giggled softly again. "Oh you know…" she started. "Strong, smart, responsible, brave, good looking, calm and well mannered, someone I can talk to and share the things we have in common, I always thought it was stuff that wasn't going to be too hard to find, but most of the guys I met seemed to love mirrors or money more than anything else," she explained. "After my last setup before I met you, I was beginning to think that my old school boyfriend was the best I was going to find," she added.

"A school boyfriend? Who?" Gaara asked with a hint of surprise.

"Oh we only went out for one school year back when we were like fifteen-sixteen, but he was way too into himself and immature, he even forgot my birthday and then my birthday party. Basically if he was going to forget stuff like that so early on, he was not the kind of guy I'd want to spend more time with, not to mention the rest of my life."

Gaara moved his hands so he was hugging her. "Well now you are with me and I care for you a lot, and if you ever feel that I am not giving you enough attention because of my work, just say so or drop some hints," he told her.

It made her smile and she nodded against him. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind," she said before she leaned up and kissed him softly, "I love you," she smiled.

He smiled too, she loved it when he smiled, and he kissed her back. "And I love you," he said before kissing her again.

Since neither one wanted to let the other go, they were soon kissing each other enthusiastically on the grassy surface below them. One moment the kisses were short and sweet and the next they were long and deep until they turned into all over kisses. Her leg was wrapped around his as her foot traveled up and down against him and her hands went from his hair to his neck and shoulders then to his back before going returning while he stroked her back and thigh.

They had to break to catch their breaths and they noticed how he was now on top of her in a more intimate position with their hips pressed against each other and their faces were flushed. Aina reached up and stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. "Should we go inside now?" She asked once she found her voice.

He nodded. "Yes, it is too cold and open out here to continue," he said as he got up and helped her up as well.

"But I wasn't cold with you up against me like that," she smirked before taking his hand and leading him inside their tent.

Once inside he pulled her to him with his hands on her hips. "I could stay like that a little longer, if you want me to," he whispered against her ear, making her shiver.

"What are you suggesting?" She asked mischievously as she placed her hands on his shoulders and stepped even closer so her chest was pressing against him.

He watched her movements closely and fought the urge to push her up against the wall. "I think you know, or have you been teasing me?" He didn't know why he wanted her so badly tonight, but he was more drawn to her than ever, it was part of the reason he ending up peaking on her at the hot spring, when normally he has more control over such impulses.

She blushed slightly, but did not say anything as she simply kissed him lightly and pulled back again before he could deepen it. "Depends, do you really want me?" She asked just to tease him. They had been together for half a year so she knew this was going to come sooner or later, even if they waited until their wedding. But she thought it was strange that after such a day, she still felt so alive.

He tried to figure out whether she was being serious or not. Since he was not sure, he leaned in to capture her lips in a loving kiss, he was sure it would answer her question and still give her the chance to deny him before they would go any farther. "Just tell me what you want to do," he told her once they parted.

Aina looked back at him intently, "I want you to stop talking and kiss me," she demanded. "And then don't stop," she added even more forcibly, but he liked it and did as he was told and gave her a slow passionate kiss, trying to remind her how much he cares for her at the same time.

They continued to move slowly as they kissed sensually, taking their time since they knew they had plenty and without worry of interruptions. Soon the heat was building again so they moved to the comfort of the awaiting bed nearby. They sat down and he moved to her neck and found her pulse causing her to gasp softly as he sucked back on it.

Well into more kissing and caressing, they were both growing impatient and were already breathing heavily. They both moved to remove his coat and shirts underneath and as soon as those items hit the floor, she moved so she was sitting on his lap facing him. She pushed him down so he was leaning back against the pillow and wall then she gave him a bit of a strip tease as she slowly removed her top and tank top so she was down to her regular white lace-trimmed bra. He didn't even try to keep his hands to himself as he slid them up her sides and across her stomach before moving up to the area just under her bra, sending little shivers of anticipation up her spine.

She wasn't keeping her hands to herself anymore either as she leaned into his touch and caressed his arms up to his biceps then his shoulders, and finally down his toned chest and torso. When their lips finally met again he turned them over again. He started his journey down her neck again and now he had the pleasure of exploring the temping skin of her chest and torso. As he did this, he unfastened her pants and pushed them down until she was able to kick them the rest of the way off. He pushed himself up on his hands and knees to take in the erotic sight of her near naked figure sprawled out under him. She blushed timidly watching him as his eyes looked her up and down as he tried to memorize her body while his mind was still mostly clear.

When he looked down towards her lower region he looked back at her and smiled smugly causing her to blush more and feel embarrassed about her own arousal, but she knew how to get him back. She smirked as her hand glided across his lower region, catching him off guard so he jumped slightly.

"You are quite the vixen, aren't you?" He gritted as she continued to rub him. "You are going to pay for this…" he threatened, but she just giggled.

"Perhaps, but you're supposed to be gentle," she said in a very innocent voice as she removed her hand from him and used it to glide a finger up his torso and to his lips. His breath caught in his throat so he lowered himself back down on her, keeping her from touching him more, and he went back to kissing her. "I love you," she said between kisses causing him to stop momentarily and look at her before he kissing her forehead.

"I love you too," he told her before kissing her deeply.

~~~ Morning ~~~

Aina woke up the next morning with the fire in the corner barely smoldering next to the doorway where the morning sun was peaking through the edges. She closed her eyes again and snuggled into the warm body against her, not wanting their beautiful morning to end so soon. Still in a light doze she listened to his breathing as he slept and she slowly she realized this was her chance to see him sleeping. She lifted herself up slightly and looked him. His red hair was even wilder, but that could mostly be due to their activities of the previous night, so she brushed a few locks of his bangs away from his forehead to reveal his kanji tattoo and planted a soft kiss on it. He shifted as he turned his head away from her touch causing his lips to part slightly.

"Gaara," she whispered softly trying to wake him, but he didn't respond. "It's time to wake up," she added before she kissed him gently. He almost kissed her back as he began to wake up and his eyes slowly opened as she pulled away and watched him. "Good morning," she said softly.

"Morning," he said with his voice still raspy with sleep. He wrapped his arms around and pulled her close so he could kiss her neck and collar.

She giggled and tried to push him away. "And what do you think you're doing, we have to return to the village remember?" Aina tried to remind him, though she was in no hurry to move from this bed either.

"Oh right," he sighed and reluctantly pulled away to sit up and get dressed. She could tell he wanted to spend more time with her, but they really needed to return, it was already well into the morning as it was.

"You know, if we hurry back do you think we would be able to sneak home for some alone time before anyone knows we're back?" Aina suggested.

He smirked at that. "You are a vixen," he said. "I would like to try, but we should hurry if we want to make it back before noon at all."

~~~ Later ~~~

Later in the village, Kankuro was busy taking care of situations concerning the council wanting to know when Gaara was returning, the prisoners from the battle, mission reports, and the refugees from other villages. He was getting very irritated that his brother had not yet arrived and it was already noon since he thought Gaara was going to return in the morning. His irritation turned to worry for a minute as he considered the possibilities that something else might have happened, but he knew right away that was not the case and it was probably because he was letting Aina take it slow after such an eventful journey.

Kankuro was in the hall talking to Yori about the refugees when they both saw Gaara coming towards them. They both greeted him and Kankuro asked about his delay so Gaara explained that he took Aina to the medical center for her check up then went home for clean clothes first. Without much delay Gaara was back in his office and Kankuro briefly explained what needed to be done and that Gaara will have to call a meeting soon, and with so much work ahead of them everyone was back to work in no time.

Later, Gaara sat down again at his desk after the meeting when Aina knocked at his door. "Hey, can I come in?" She asked peaking her head through.

"Of course you can, come in," he said and stood from his desk to greet her with a quick embrace. "What is that?" He asked looking at a paper sack in his hand.

"I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you a sandwich for a late lunch," she told him.

"Thank you, but now I do not have a reason to come visit you at home," he smirked.

She smacked his shoulder and gave him his lunch. "Turn it off for a while, I haven't made it to the drugstore yet."

"What do you need from there?" He asked dumbly.

"It's more like what we need," she said, but he just blinked and then looked inside the bag to get his sandwich.

"Okay then what do we need? If it is for the apartment I can give you some money," he offered.

"We need protection and some other stuff," she said and knew that he was taking the term protection as armed protection. "As in condoms," she put it bluntly.

He looked at her surprised, then at the door to make sure no one was listening. "Oh…" he trailed off understanding. "Then, do you still need money?" He asked a little awkwardly and not sure what else he could say.

She sighed but smiled at his slowness. "No, but you should come with me after you get home," she added.

"Where are you going?" A woman's voice interrupted from the doorway.

Aina turned around. "Oh, hey Mom, what's going on?"

"I came to see both of you," the blond haired woman smiled as she looked at both of them. "Wanted to see if you were okay and I wanted to talk," she smiled and hugged Aina before going around Gaara's desk and hugged him as well.

"I was glad to hear that everyone was okay," Aina said to her mother.

"It was a close one, but we all knew it was going to happen eventually, I'm just glad it wasn't while you were visiting," the older woman sighed. "But I suppose I should get straight to the point of this visit since I'm sure you have work to do, I wanted to ask both of you about coming to Sunflower Village after the repairs are done so you can visit and focus on planning the wedding for a few weeks?"

"I suppose we could find time to visit, but a few weeks might be much for Gaara to be away from the village," Aina said looking over at him and saw that he was already finished with his sandwich.

"I might be able to do that, but we will have to wait and see once it gets closer to that time," Gaara said. "But it sounds like a good idea, and the temple was already agreed upon, correct?"

"Yeah, it's the closest one," Aina said before turning back to her mother. "So I guess it's like Gaara says, once it gets closer to the wedding planning, we'll see how long we can come over."

An advisor showed up and told Gaara that a team had returned from a mission so he left to see them, leaving Aina and her mother to talk alone. Aina's mom wanted to know what Aina and Gaara had agreed on already concerning the wedding, because Aina was asked to tell Gaara about all kinds of wedding ideas when she returned from her visit, but they only got to talk about some of it so far. They were still talking when Gaara opened his door and approached them.

"I will be sending sand ninja teams on missions to help the villages that were affected to repair and rebuild. Also it is decided that in a few more months we will also go to Sunflower Village for a while to plan the wedding, but I will only be able to stay a little over a week at a time so, Aina, if you want to stay by yourself while I travel between the villages, we can make all preparations in that time," Gaara explained.

"Wonderful!" Ume smiled. "I will go tell your sisters right away, but don't forget to have dinner with us tomorrow night, we haven't seen Gaara in a long time either," she said before hugging Aina and waving goodbye.

That night Gaara did not return home until late because of all the work that needed to be done right away. They went out to dinner at one of his favorite diners that made the best kabobs in the village. Afterwards, she dragged him to the drugstore to get the items they would need. It turned out to not that bad of an experience for them until they had to check out and got funny looks from the cashier. Gaara convinced her to put anything they needed on the grocery list for Yori to take care of so they don't have to waste time with such chores.

When they got to the Kazekage building, Gaara was approached by his student Tokito who told him that there was a last minute meeting being called again and he had to be there. Gaara left to see to that after telling Aina that he would see her soon.

Aina tried to wait for him by playing with Yuki in the living room, but soon it was already near midnight so she went to bed in her room. She did not even wake up when Gaara finally returned and got into bed with her so he could at least spend a little time with her before he would have to get up early in the morning for another long day's work ahead of him. But he didn't think it was too bad, he was just glad to be home with her once again and that everyone was safe and the war was finally at an end. He did not want to let such good fortune go to waste so he planned to make the most of what he had and not complain.

He felt Aina shift against him as she stirred in her sleep before waking up. "Mmm, Gaara?" Aina asked groggily.

"Yes, it's me," he whispered. "Go back to sleep," he tried and she moved closer to him and sighed as she fell asleep again to find a pleasant dream. He quickly felt the fatigue of his day catching up to him as sleep grew near. "Sleep well, my love," he barely whispered before finding sleep himself.

Author's Notes:

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

So please keep reviewing. Thanks those of you who have. I appreciate it.

Since I received a couple questions over both sites, I'll say a little about this chapter after the fact for future readers. Correct, this is not a lemon, as it wasn't needed nor will I post one, and yes, they passed those boundaries and took their relationship to the next level and "had it" as one person described. This is the most intimate thing I've written and will probably be the last of this type. I simply gave it a shot after not adding much intimacy to "Ange Clair" and that seemed to be what most liked and wanted to see more of. Anyway I pictured this in a cinematic way, one of those make out scenes then cuts to afterward in the movies, so don't think about it too hard, it's meant to be simple and then silly and awkward for humor once they got home and talked about it.

On with the story!