Fire-Wind you really pulled the heart strings with your review on my Liquid Meetings fic. I was like… I feel so guilty! Well over the weekends I work a lot so expect chapters during the week. Like I'm working doubles on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Just between Saturday and Sunday I work 26 hours… so yeah I'm definitely worn out when I get home. Anyways this is double the length of last chapter so I hope you enjoy it. Thank you everyone for the compliments and support, I really love this pairing and even have yet another Gaara x Kagome fic title Caravan… idk if it will stick but I had to save it as something. You should also keep an eye on updates to older stories as I work on the final chapters to them… I just have to feel right about the ending you know? That is the hardest part in every story… ending it the right way… nothing too cliché. Chikara and Taking Chances are my main focus since really… it is the final chapters… Retribution I'm only around halfway through. It is going to be more suspenseful with a hint of thriller in it for the coming chapters. I need to get that right so I think I will read more suspense books so I can really put my best effort into it. I will have one update to it this week but after that it might take another week or so. I'm trying to do all this before I work multiple jobs again and disappear for a couple months, likely until June or so because I am preparing to move and well… that takes money.

Oh yeah… It was Just Sex V2, Stay, Destined, and Broken Doll. I encourage you to give V2 (Version 2) a chance, really I do not have it in me to create two stories that are super alike so trust me V2 has some similarities but that is it. I had another idea of how things could have gone and started typing.

I skipped around with Kakashi x Kagome story… I'm actually writing the final few chapters but I might have an alternate ending… the problem is I need to write the middle portion of the story and that will take a couple chapters. I need to get at least another 30,000 words in before I even think about posting the story. I'm still tweaking the beginning portion to so it might be a week or so before you will see that up. Any other stories… well they are on HIATUS until I get the motivation for them unfortunately. (It is thus far title Hero but I'm not really sure if it fits… honestly Kakashi has a slight Hero Complex but it is just loosely in the story).

I'm also SUPER SORRY for not updating... here I thought I had put this chapter up and I hadn't! Thank Fire-Wind-Dragons for sending me a PM. Either way, I have a lot of exciting things going on for stories, including this one. I wasn't able to write as much as I wish being I have been sick a lot lately or just plain working but they will all soon be up. :-)

Chapter 10

The months rolled by where Gaara had to eventually get used to sleeping alone most nights along with Kagome. She became self-conscious about their status when it sunk in what his position as Kazekage truly means. Having only been in the presence of the Raikage as well she had instead decided not to join him on his travels to other villages, afraid she will end up being a hindrance. It confused him as she began to withdraw from him and he suddenly found himself silently watching her more than interacting with her. He had thought it would be easier once she was in his village but no longer sleeping in tight quarters has created space between them, space he never wanted to give but knew would happen due to his administrative work. Even with him finding work for her as his Event Coordinator, all she basically did is create opportunities for him to be in the community interacting with those he protects, she was still not around him nearly as much as he hoped she would be.

He already has to deal with her not liking them being seen together in public, at least not in any affectionate form so it made it hard for him to finally take her on a date. Reading book after book on romance from authors of both sexes he felt that he has good insight on how to have a successful date but the most he has been able to do is order food to go and show up at her place or quickly grab her on his way back home. The other night when she left her windows open he invited himself in via window leaving the sheer white curtains to flutter in the breeze as he surprised her. She'd already been resting under the covers; he took off anything extra and woke her up as he hovered over her.

Kagome remained pliant, not refusing him of his need for intimacy from her but it still didn't change anything else. By day she acted like the nights didn't exist and was only in his office when he would finally order her there and usually dismiss the rest. He felt lost, like he only gained half of what he seeks. In some of the books behavior like this usually was suggested as the other partner being uncomfortable announcing their relationship with them, embarrassed or otherwise. Another being they have become interested in someone else. The two unappealing possibilities kept his eyes nearly glued to her and if he couldn't escape the office then he would use his eyeball jutsu. It felt so frustrating trying to figure out what he is missing, what is making her keep her distance and how he can finally close it.

Kagome seemingly enjoys her job, it took her out into the community where she would create bonds with others just as he planned and he knew it would be the right position so he offered it to her. She of course had the ability to decline the position even though she had been unsure on where to start at first but now the opportunities make their way to her easier now rather than having to hunt them down. People of the village love her from what he can see. Her smiles were always bright and charming, eyes sparkling and catching the attention of those around. Even right now she could hardly keep up with waving and all that when others called out a hello to her while she did shopping in the marketplace for a food contest he is to oversee the next morning.

He never gained a hint of anyone else having caught her attention. Dotted around the marketplace were other couples walking along together, sometimes the woman donning the arm of the man and yet he could not get her to do such with him. These are all things he thought she would like but no, he couldn't get her to go out with him on a date, to walk down the streets in such a manner, or anything that would say they are together. What is he doing wrong?

The question was constant in his head as he felt there is no other explanation. Lips pulled into a slight downturn he continued to watch her shop and interact with others freely while she would only treat him with the respect of his station and address him as Lord rather than just Gaara like he prefers. When she finished her shopping and returned to where the contest is being held he disappeared back to his office.

Night fell and he surprised her when she exited the bathroom in a robe with her hair still in a towel. He quickly discarded the towel and had her pressed against a wall with a kiss edging towards a needy feeling. Shirts, pouches, and other weapons were already discarded into a neat pile. After getting her legs wrapped around his waist he got them to the bed discarding his pants along the way as he rubbed his covered erection against her. They have yet to go so far, the distance between them during the day led to a barely veiled tension with him when together. The grinding of his lower body against hers still felt like enough for him at this time. In bed he could be a bit domineering and demanding but he had a feeling she enjoys it and yet insecurity led to his increasingly needy actions. Kagome couldn't possibly know what her behavior is doing to him.

Moans and light pants escalated in the room, her robe coming loose with their movements. Kagome sucked on his ear while he sucked on her neck. She craves these moments no matter how much she fights it. When it comes down to it being just the two of them she can't find it in her to say no, it makes her want more but the reality check of who he is to the world became intimidating to her and so she refuses to be public with their status behind closed doors, a status she is confused about. Of course she wants to be with him but he wants more and she knows he is becoming frustrated with her as she continued to prevent the relationship from growing. It led her to wonder if she is being ridiculous or if it is time for her to bring an end to this. Gaara is now the only one taking action while she continued to pause with indecision. He seems to understand that she isn't ready to speak but lately she swears he has been watching her, it was just that sense and a glimpse here and there. For now, she just can't refuse the way he stirs her or his more domineering make out tactics.

When he had cooled down some he brought up a topic that he has yet to breach with her. It was hot on his mind more for certain reasons that she knows nothing about. "Next week I will be evaluating the southern border patrol units and stations," he announced with an added pause to study her as she stilled. "You will be coming with me," he continued giving her a sense of finality with that statement.

"But I don't know anything about the patrol units, I still have work and-," she wasn't prepared for him being so commanding.

"I said you will be coming with, we will be gone for up to six days," his voice stern. He will not let her back out of this.

"Kankuro or someone else should be enough-," she continued on ignoring the tone of his voice.

"It will only be us; you can continue your work there by creating an event with them to raise their morale. In some areas I have shinobi that are stationed there permanently. That is mainly in the north but the assignments down south are long term. They should feel like they are still a part of the sand." He is serious about this and it is a good way for him to reel her into this with no further protests.

"Gaara I wouldn't know the first thing to do or think of," Kagome wanted to get out of this, she couldn't possibly put an end to things if she is now going away with him for several days! "Wouldn't it be trouble if someone recognized me, we could get attacked or something?!"

"Enough," he placed a finger to her lips. "You had wanted to still see the world and now you refuse to leave the village and refuse to be seen in public with me as anything beyond what your position calls for. I made my decision; we are going down there together. You are my event coordinator and lover so you will be with me for this trip, I need no one else for traveling within my borders." He rolled off the bed and turned to head towards her bathroom. "You have no issue doing your job but have every issue with being with me, it would be nice if you would be happy again being with me," his words made her nearly cringe with guilt but he made no further comment and headed on his way to use the restroom. When he returned she was curled up on her side staring nowhere in particular. He slid in behind her and got comfortable, pulling her to his chest as his body gave signals of tiredness. "Goodnight," he closed his eyes more than eager to escape the waking world where the woman he thought he has is still merely the one he wants to have.

Kagome remained tense even after he had fallen asleep. How is she supposed to make up her mind? Right in front of the Raikage she had tripped and nearly fell on her face while he nearly got doused by hot tea… nearly but neither happened only because Gaara had stopped it all with his sand. The whole thing did not impress the visiting lord and he had made it a point to remain away from her the rest of the time and she is certain he had seen her other blunders as well. How could Gaara not be upset with her, she went from a priestess to a model and now… a complete klutz.

When she met his sister for the first time… it was a surprise visit at least for her and that had her shattering the dishes she had in hand. By the end of that visit his sister clearly didn't know what to think of her, she was likely only putting up with it like the Raikage because of Gaara. He is such a well-respected man and leader; all she has served to do is tarnish his image. It was easy at first to think everything will finally be alright after she woke to being in Suna with him and gaining her own home but it hasn't been. Gaara had tried to get her more adjusted and even show her the various options for jobs but she wasn't quick enough to dodge the practicing academy students when they thought she could be a teacher assistant. She nearly died five times over within the first ten minutes of weapons training. She was asked to not come back to the diner job and not trusted by most others. In fact, those who recognized her to be the missing model had come to have mixed feelings about her now being in Suna when the man who had been the mastermind continued to try and hunt her down.

In fact, he has managed to get people into Suna in an attempt to grab her and that whole fiasco made quite the mess in the marketplace. Although she doesn't see them she came to know that Gaara has ANBU members keeping tabs on her if not every shinobi aware of who she is and the likelihood that others are still after her. Why does she have to be such a pain and stand out like a sore thumb? Turning over she cuddled up to Gaara accepting the comfort he gives her. Maybe in the morning she could do something nice for him…

Two days went by where they both worked by day and Gaara would come over at night. For some reason he left a romance book at her home and finally today her curiosity got a hold of her. Grabbing the book on her way out the door that morning she made time for it as she went about her day turning page after page. What really kept her reading it was not just the Author's hard work… it was the small jotted down comments and notes from Gaara as if he had been studying the book which sounded silly but then again he is the leader of a ninja village and is often behind his desk working or in meetings. For the upcoming days it kept her attention until she finally reached the end of the book and went home a little disappointed to have finished it so quickly but was surprised to find a new book there. Brushing her thumb across the pages she watched them fly seeing his writing covering the pages of this book as well. He must be leaving these books for her on purpose but why? He is usually such a private person and yet now she has access to his thoughts, at least the ones that he jots down in these books.

This book she noticed is shorter by roughly 50 pages. Sitting down in the living room she became lost inside a new book until the night grew late and he appeared in her home with a quick gathering of sand. His odd ways of showing up no longer surprises her and she is now no longer real surprised to see him come with food as it became clear that he prefers they eat together. Just days ago her mind was preoccupied with doubts and thoughts about ending things between them for his sake but these books derailed that thought process leaving her to constantly think on his words. Sometimes he was almost poetic in his writing which would surprise her since usually he is very direct.

"Kagome are you ready to eat," he asked her when she failed to appear at the table he had already set with the food and dishes. She had barely even acknowledged him this time when he appeared in her home. The idea to have her read the same books was somewhat of an experiment, it gave him comfort that she clearly is enjoying them for a reason he is unsure of and the added bonus being it kept her from the negative thoughts when they are together or apart.

"Yeah," she answered in a distracted manner. He watched her for another minute until she finally reached the end of another chapter and set the book down. Another might have found this behavior irritating but he merely studied her as he sought to find a way to keep her with him, to reel her back in. Kagome likely hasn't realized that he is using these books and his habit of marking up the pages with his thoughts to keep her close to him, keep him on her mind. Romance and love may not have been things he was very knowledgeable about in his youth or teens but now as a young adult he has studied it plenty ever since he learned of his sister's feelings for the leaf shinobi and gained his own feelings for Kagome. He may not completely understand where things started to go wrong but one thing he does know is strategy and the knowledge he gained from these books. In two mornings they will be heading out to the southern border, until then the new book will keep her distracted and thinking of him.

It was early in the morning when she woke and realized it is the day they are to leave. Gaara still rested in bed next to her; he had suddenly become insistent in sharing a bed. Just last night she finished the second book and found him already at her place with his bags in her bedroom while he took a quick shower, he likely had been training beforehand. They sat down to a meal as usual and the night continued on from there. Gaara never mentioned a thing more about her lack of affection towards him out in public; actually he claims to have done all necessary shopping for their trip.

His arm moved a little drawing her to rest further against him while he shoved his face into her locks and settled back down. Apparently he still has no plans to be getting up and really she is surprised by his behavior since it is so different compared to the usual and from that trip he had been on. "Shouldn't we be getting up by now," she asked and tried to crane her head to look at him but he had the majority of her hair pinned down under him making it impossible. "Gaara," she called to him when he didn't answer. "Gaara," she grumbled out trying to pull her hair free. "Do you plan on using my hair to keep me hostage all morning, I thought we were leaving for the southern border."

He shifted and freed her hair but turned her over without saying a word. Nearly ready to gripe again she could feel his hand moving in her hair and swear he just sniffed the top of her head. It was due to him that she began using the line of hair products that are currently in her bathroom, he bought them for her and anything else would mysteriously disappear… it is a weird tendency that he has. Honestly she sometimes swears that he sleeps here just so he can smell her hair and test the limits to her bladder which is starting to give her the signal to get her butt moving to the toilet. Taking in a deep breath she let it back out ready to remind him of the fact she has a bladder with limits but instead found her head being guided by his hand. The press of his lips against hers felt tender yet firm his leg pushing hers apart and she sensed him give a slight push causing her back to make contact with the mattress. In the morning's he is always a little turned on but they have never gone all the way or even touched the other in those areas. She can feel he wants to but he always stops, not once has he ever acted like he is ready to take it to that level which surprised her. He isn't shy about other things in bed yet he won't go any further than where they are now.

His sudden and constant presence in the home that he let her pick out was more than offsetting, she felt completely tilted on her axis, off kilter, and blown away at the same time. She may wish to use the bathroom, to stretch and all those things but a brush of his fingers would put her on edge in hope of more. The slightest shift in his position easily causes her to follow suit and shift closer. The confusion between her mind, heart, and body is the result, the partial explanation for her off kilter feelings but the rest was something more.

"Here she comes," she could hear them whisper as she walked down the halls of the guard headquarters where she also delivers papers for some reason. For as much as she can figure it is Gaara's way of getting her in his office twice where usually he will find a way to get her caught up in his arms whether it is against a wall or his desk or even on his lap. The man always seems thirsty for her. "Last time she nearly died ten times over when she managed to trip into a rack of swords. The whole room went down like dominoes and she stood in the middle of the whole mess, somehow she had sand protecting her."

"You have to be kidding me! That was her that caused the mess? It took us hours to get it all back in order," the other voice was between awestruck and angry.

She kept her eyes downcast; somehow ever since her incident... incidents… during the visit of the Raikage she has continued to mess up time after time. It is like Gaara doesn't even see these blunders, dismissing them as they come. After the first few close calls he had attempted to kiss her right in front of anyone and everyone but each time she pulled away even using her slight hold on time to help. Rumors still had spread of a possible courtship between them and along with it her blunders… and the not so positive or supportive thoughts in a kindling romance. No he may not hear the whispers but she already knows the opinion of others and can see the forced politeness in some as they confusingly somehow knew she is of some importance to their beloved leader. She has days where many greet her but they all keep a wide girth, in fact she has no friends it is mainly just her work and Gaara that keeps her somewhat socializing with others. This sudden job title gave pull for others to not directly give her a hard time and not when it means they would have some of their leader's time. Heels clicking down the hall she carefully proceeded and wished that it wasn't so easy to overhear their whispers. It hurts to know that it is only their faith and respect in Gaara that keeps her a part of this community so openly and yet not so wanted.

Kagome sat on a platform of sand as they had finally left Suna behind for the next few days. This trip isn't making her feel all that better, she could mainly hope that she doesn't trip or fumble anything. Gaara sat behind her with a hand palm down on the sand, he had braided her hair before they left which was surprising but he was quick to say she would have had a tangled mane. The comforting presence he exudes around her kept it hard for her to find the words to end this but her feelings of continued humiliation makes her steer clear as much as possible.

"We will stop at an inn for tonight," his voice was slightly raised to talk over the wind rushing by their ears, lips brushing over the shell of her ear giving her goosebumps.

Stiffening a little she then felt his hand rub her inner thigh. "Gaara," she squeaked out.

"I want some privacy with you before we focus on work. No one is expecting me, this is a surprise visit," he pulled the lobe of her ear into his mouth working on revving her up for some intimacy. He could spy the village in the distance where he has already booked them a room and had the key delivered to him before they even left Suna. All he has to do now is get her in the room and pull off a couple layers. "It will be nice to focus on us," he added in throwing a hook to see what he might catch.

Eyes looking around wildly she felt her shirt shift and expose her shoulder. Quickly trying to shrug it back on it was pushed to expose her shoulder once again with a warm hand gently kneading the muscles around it. "I thought this trip was purely business," she scrambled to find something to say wanting to redirect his attention when she knows it is hard to keep her wits about her around him. "You know Event Coordinator and raising their morale," she had to suck in a breath as he sucked on the sweet spot on her neck, his sensual behavior making her squirm. "Gaara," she half moaned out as she continued to fail at stopping him from tempting her into such desires.

"Focus on me Kagome," he gave the hot demand. "Your attempts are halfhearted and unwanted, I want to hear you moaning in need of me and nothing else," he rubbed his hands up and down her sides even from under her shirt as he grew eager to see that flesh. He will strip her down to her panties and pull out every trick and move he is willing to make in order to have this turn into a late afternoon frenzy. "I have certain desires Kagome that I have yet to act out or voice," he breathed into her ear as he rubbed her abdomen in a circular motion and slid his hand down to skim over the seam of her bottoms. If he has to spend his time and energy focusing on seducing her to get that guard down then by all means he will, she isn't about to push him away any further without good reason, it will all come to an end one way or another even if he has to switch tactics.

The next few minutes were a blur. She barely noticed when the sand suddenly enclosed them and the feeling of a hard floor beneath her until she felt him pull her up on to her feet and suddenly push her to fall back onto the mattress with her feet barely brushing the floor. His body covered hers briefly purposely rubbing against her until he pulled away with a firm hold on her shirts and quickly pulled them over her head before she could even register her arms lifting up through the power of the sand.

"You still haven't moaned for me," he gazed across her body and lowered down to his knees pulling her pants off swiftly before any further attempts could be made to dissuade him. Lips lowering, he breathed directly on the fabric shielding his eyes from seeing one of her most intimate areas. Eyes heated with sexual want he shifted them to look up her body until he reached her eyes. "Maybe I need to touch you more," he suggested with a laced in tone of excitement beneath his heated words. "What do you think, should I," Gaara tested. She seemed incapable of speech as her face began to slightly resemble a fish. Steady and slow he crawled his way on top of her nudging his knees under her thighs while he kept his face close to hers, bent over and pulling off his tops as she licked her lips, likely not even real aware of her actions. "Have you lost your voice," he questioned well aware that she can't formulate thoughts and words. After a slight nod he watched her eyes stray to his topless form and take notice to the tent in his pants only inches away from brushing up against her sensitive bundle of nerves. "I know just how to cure you of that," he rubbed against her teasingly with a few strokes giving her a two second kiss. "You know this will feel good," he pushed his erection against her again using more force as he rubbed it against that area and wrapped his arms around her legs.

With her in position he continued on hearing their soft moans filter from their mouths. When the friction wasn't enough he reached down to undo the top of his pants then shook and kicked his pants off with only his black underwear and her light pink ones serving as barriers between the increasingly wet and aroused areas. Kagome gave out a gasping moan as she stretched her neck and tossed her hair. His mouth was already yanking and pulling on the material of her bra until a nipple finally showed for him to suckle and tease. "I want more Kagome, you know that," he grunted. "We could be doing much more," he ran his gaze down to the aroused areas of their bodies. According to the books you should hold back from sleeping with the other when it is a new and not fully established relationship. It has been a pain to not be finally experiencing the feel of their joined bodies; the books make it sound a hundred times better than giving himself a quick release.

"Gaara just touch me down there again," she flexed the muscles of her legs to rub her aching core against him.

"Again…" he inquired with a serious gaze trying to think of a single time that he has ever touched her certain that he would have remembered such an experience.

"Yeah…" she lingered off trying to increase the pressure as he came to a stop.

"In what way," he watched her attempt to rub further up against him.

"Your fingers, use your fingers again," she insisted feeling a few seconds go by where he didn't follow suit so opened her eyes seeing the look on his face. It wasn't all that inviting and she wasn't sure what his problem was. "Gaara…" He remained silent and she went over the last few words. "Oh," her eyes widened and she covered her mouth.

"Oh what," he pressed halfway to wondering if it was him that touched her or if another had done so. Jealousy ripped through him as he recalled her increasingly distant behavior since they reached the village. Eyes hardening, he demanded, "Who touched you?"

"Y-you," she floundered watching his eyes tighten further.

"When would I have done so and not even remembered it," growing angry as he felt offended that she must be trying to cover up this lover of hers.

The accusatory tone shook her, he has never looked at her with such swirling and dark emotions. "You wouldn't… at least not all of it."

"What are you talking about Kagome," his impatience made clear with his next statement. "Don't speak in riddles, I want the truth right now."

"That Lord, when he drugged you… you became aroused."

Those words stopped all anger inside him. Like the turn of a knob his anger melted from his face as he tried to take in those words and focus on her face, read it for a hint of what all happened. "Kagome, did I," he stumbled to finish that sentence. His face was flabbergasted as he searched her face again feeling speechless.

Kagome lifted her hand before she noticed and then hesitated, catching the motion. Again his face changed, he looked so lost. "I, we didn't go far. I had to purify you…" she finally closed the distance and stroked his cheek softly before cupping it.

He had to sit back and reflect, he had known, was even certain something happened and she hid it from him rather than speaking up. "Why hide it from me?"

"Do you think I had really wanted to speak about it," she felt her mood be killed. Gaara seemed to sense it and moved to stand up giving her room to sit up and get comfortable in the tense silence.

"You should have told me," he watched as she adjusted on the bed then he looked away and covered his eyes, rubbing them before pinching the bridge of his nose. In his mind he wondered if this is why she is suddenly becoming distant but he knew it must not be, she had warmed up to him afterwards and they began to fall in love. Opening his eyes once more he looked at her from the corner of them before facing her head on. "Since you are finally speaking about things you kept your mouth shut on I want to know why you keep pushing me away now that you are in the village with me?"

Kagome swallowed, this is not something she really wanted to speak about and as she continued to hesitate it became apparent that no distraction would come, not without her finding one. Fighting back the urge to take a deep breath she realized she had been staring at Gaara quite blankly but when she focused on his serious gaze, the tinge of impatience showing she found she couldn't look anywhere at him. "I do my job and join you for dinner," she put up the act of being oblivious.

With a quick swipe he grabbed her jaw and forced her took at him. "Knock it off Kagome. I have been patient; you will answer what is holding you back from being with me openly. You are my woman, I protect and love you yet you refuse to let others see. I want my answer Kagome," he crawled on to the bed kneeling over her. "I want to move forward with our relationship."

"Why is it all what you want and who says I am your woman," she yanked free from his grip with a fierce look on her face… he had said the trigger words to her temper. "I am a woman of the 21st century!"

"The 21st century is dead and gone…" he intoned with a sense of gravity.

The color from the angry flush drained from her face with the reality check he just gave her. She looked away and heard him sigh. Moving her legs from under him she pulled away and scooted off the bed to walk to the window, looking out at the desert horizon seeing spots of a drying up oasis. A bird flying overhead was reflected in her eyes while movement on the bed signaled Gaara removing himself from it. He was quiet with slow and steady steps to her as he approached, laying his hands to cup her shoulders. No apology would grace his lips for his frustration is bigger than any he guilt he felt. She couldn't really blame him, she had been planning to try and end things but would he let her, a big part of her said no and didn't want to end anyways. The second he got an inkling that she wants to end things because of her blunders it would be a losing match and yet she could find no other reason to give him because that is all there really is. "Gaara aren't you tired of me yet," she questioned hoping to get a response she can work with.

Although his shoulders shifted in tension he immediately answered, "Never."

"How could you not be, I know you are frustrated, why not move on with your life," she tried to steer his thoughts, put ideas into his head.

"I told you once Kagome, knock it off. I will not let you do this," he responded with his dark tenor. "My patience is growing short; I deserve answers for your behavior." Silence greeted him and it didn't make him feel well in the least. Forcing her to turn around he looked into her eyes seeing the irritation and fear… "You're my lover and at this point I wish I could be thinking of making you my wife. What is holding you back? If it is something where I can help you know I will."

Guilt welled in her tugging at the heartstrings. Her lip quivered and he knows she is fighting off answering him. She couldn't get a single intelligible sound to come out of her throat as her lashes grew wet with the moisture in her eyes. Gaara studied her seeing the struggle inside of her. He drew his face closer not happy to see this is bothering her so much that tears would come to her eyes. It has been so long since he has wiped tears from her eyes. With only a brief hesitance did he just barely brush his lips across hers initially and then he covered them completely making her melt into him, a sob still escaping her lips. When her emotions brought on more he pulled away and cupped her head as he looked down at her tearful face. "Kagome I love you, just give us a chance," he pleaded giving her a couple more kisses. Instead of an answer he found her burying her head into his chest initially with a few sobs and then she turned away hugging herself. Arms held out as she pulled herself mostly free from him. Frown on his lips he pulled her right back to him not liking any distance at this point. Regardless of what they do he wants contact. "You were so happy initially when you woke up here and picked out your apartment…" he reflected back to when he took her around showing her the different places.

"I know I know," she sobbed out still not accepting his embrace as she continued to hug herself. Everything had started off great, although nervous she had been so happy and falling in love as he continued to woo her. Finally, with a show of frustration she asked, "Why are you so blind, it is like you don't see a single thing that I do wrong! I don't fit in and I'm not even wanted, people only like when I'm around because I'm the one that manages your schedule! I triggered a whole room of weapons, sent a bucket of plaster flying at your sister, and all of the other things I have done! People see me and they just don't get why you have anything to do with me or even why I have this job. They cringe and tense but smile nicely and wave to cover up their nervousness over my presence because they feel obligated out of respect for you. Every single time I do something wrong it is like you don't even notice it! You shouldn't be with someone who is always messing up and making others question your judgement. The only reason I am even a part of the community at all is just because of you or otherwise they would avoid me instead of leaving a wide girth. You are absolutely blind to my blunders and the way people look at me!"

Surprise splashed across his face as he stared at her angry face, chest heaving and flushed. If not for the fact she is upset and finally giving him answers he would want to be back in bed and see how wild she can be when angered. "Kagome," he thought over his oberservations, "are you sure-,"

"Of course I am!" She cut him off as she could see he didn't really believe her.

"You're no monster," he was uncertain as to why he would even say that. It is obvious she isn't a monster but with how she looks at him when he controls the sand he can guess she never would consider him a monster. They both have unique talents when it comes to their powers and it makes them different but right now she is blaming this on her being so suddenly clumsy. "I overlook these blunders because I can understand that you would be nervous or surprised when meeting different ones. Temari shouldn't have just suddenly entered through your window or spooked you the other times, you were already stressed from seeing the Raikage only a couple days before and I know they can both be intimidating to others. You shouldn't hold those visits over your head," he tried to dispel some of her upset but it didn't appear to be working.

"Then what of the several other dozen incidents, you probably don't even know more than half of them," she looked up at him frustrated, frustrated with him and frustrated with herself for being this way. "Are you just going to overlook all of those and all the ones to come in the future?"

With a strained sigh his shoulders lifted and dropped before he squared them, catching sight of the moon outside before focusing again on his little spitfire of a lover. "I feel you have been stressed, a domino effect. The first incidents with my sister and the Raikage triggered for you to remain stressed which in turn caused your blunders. Rather than moving past them they have sat on your shoulders with each new blunder taking purchase there as well making it harder and harder for you to see past all that. You and I both know you are not normally like this, if you can just ease up and focus on what is right there in front of you I feel you will be fine and everything will go smoother once you learn that."

Gritting her teeth, she narrowed her eyes with an angry scowl, "Easy enough for you! You're not the one hearing their whispers, the fact you haven't noticed a thing tells me you're completely blind to the fact I'm not all that welcomed in your village! How can I call it home when I feel like nothing but a nuisance and an outsider invading their space?!"

Biting back a sigh Gaara swallowed it as he could see this has been bothering her for a long time and it has been a long time since he has been on the other end of the spectrum. In his mind he could still hear and see the faces, people calling him monster and wishing he would die, the always disapproving look his father would give him. The sadness in his eyes is what caught Kagome's attention, stopping her before she could think of another tirade. She wants to be mad at him, wants him to be mad at her and let it all end but this sadness was unexpected and she wasn't sure where it was coming from or leading to. Watching him closely she felt his hand slip into her locks cupping her head by her ear giving it a slight pull so his lips could grace her forehead in an apologetic kiss meant to be comforting. His arms tightened around her and she could feel him rest his head on top of hers, his jaw moving as he gathered his words preparing to say his piece.

"I'm sorry if I have been insensitive, I should have been watching with a clear mind instead of with ideas already in place," he let the words roll out being sincere right down to the very core.

"Watching, wait you have been watching me," she was only slightly surprised but then again she assumed that he would be keeping tabs on her to some extent but it sounded like he had been watching her for other reasons than just her safety.

"Your distant behavior had me forming ideas as to why, I wasn't sure why you wouldn't want others to know we are together so I watched you for clues, mostly to see if another had caught your eye," he admitted feeling a little anxious at what she may think of that. "I couldn't really imagine you would be embarrassed to be out in public with me so I was leaning more towards the other. Every time I had watched you I didn't see with clear eyes, you appeared to be happy and others excited to wave hello. Their distance never occurred to me."

A bit hurt that he thought she might have been going behind his back she pulled slightly away and felt guilty for letting her actions and lack of speaking up about what is bothering her. If she had been straight with him from the start just like he has been with her then she wouldn't have caused him so much stress and worry. "I'm sorry Gaara, I shouldn't have kept this all to myself and cause you to be upset."

"Why wouldn't you just speak with me," he asked not understanding why.

"I don't feel adequate, the more I did wrong the worst I felt and I just didn't want to. It's stupid, I thought by keeping it to myself I was doing you a favor but at the same time I wanted things over because I feel like I am just causing you more headaches and staining your reputation. The last you needed was for others to know you are with me, the klutz that has been a pain in just about everyone's butts in the village." She felt his hands move to rub her back, drawing her close again so she can rest her head on his chest. "I'm already a pain since that guy is still sending people after me and then I go making messes all over."

"Hush," he ordered softly, not wanting to hear her belittle herself. "Your smiles are enough to keep me going, I could care less if you have caused a few messes, they were just accidents and I knew it would take time for you to adjust to living in a ninja village, my village. You should wake in the morning and watch the sunrise with me, start off every day as new and when we get back, let others see that we are together. In fact, I will be joining you for your work and you will join me for mine. I want the whole village to realize you are mine," he pushed it out there, tired of the distance between them when others are around. "Everyone is to know we are together; I want it no other way."

"Gaara wouldn't it be better if I left, found a disguise-,"

"No," he interjected quickly, "don't even finish that thought. You are never leaving, I am your lover and I will keep you safe from harm. I protect the village and you are a citizen of that village as well. Your life is mine," he added with a possessive edge. It has become apparent to Kagome that he is fiercely protective of those he considers to be his friend, ally, or a member of his village. It has been proven in front of her during times of breach and she has overheard stories about him from war and missions.

With a light pout she bit her lip still resting her head on his chest, "How can I ever feel at ease with us when you're so perfect. People love you, they respect your decisions and always praise you for your work, how in the world could I ever come close to that here? Did your dad groom you for the position or something," she finally asked as she figured he must have had some guidance or life lessons that led him on the path to being a great leader.

With a twitch of his lip he fought back a frown, "No," he started out knowing the rest of his sentence will surprise her to the point that she might not believe him, "I was hated as a child, I was nothing but a monster in their eyes and my father sent assassins to kill me for being a failed experiment."

With a fluttering of her eyes she pulled away from him enough that she could see his face, see if he is being serious as her jaw went slack and eyes appeared troubled. "Gaara…" she wanted to ask him if he is serious, wanted to understand how anyone could think of him as a monster. "I am enough of a weapon that you will never have to be," his words flowed into her mind, they were curious to her back then but she dismissed it as him referring to himself as a ninja but now she wonders if there was something more to them.

"The past is merely the past, things have changed now but you should know that it is possible to become a respected individual in the eyes of the village even if things start out poorly," he continued on and stared out the window instead of at her probing stare. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see her nod her head slowly and drop the topic. Silence fell on the room for a few minutes as they both became lost in thought. Adjusting his posture Gaara finally looked back down at her. "Come, we should get some rest we still have more ground to cover in the morning." Moments later they were crawling into bed and snuggling up, not once did they realize they had skipped dinner completely. Mentally exhausted they both fell to slumber, surrendering their minds to the blissful darkness until daybreak would shine once again in the sky.