Chapter twelve: Nonnegotiable.

Gaara started to feel worried as he silently closed the door behind him. Kankurō was giving him a look that said something serious was about to go down.

"What do you want to talk about?" he asked, no indication of his feelings displayed.

Kankurō seemed to be snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh, what?"

Gaara did his best to keep his patience, but Kankurō could sense his rather obvious irritation. "I asked you what you wanted to talk about."

"Matsuri," came the puppeteer's reply.

A deep sense of dread overtook him at once. "No, Kankurō. I know where you're about to go with this. That's too far! She's no more to me than a student."

The older boy shook his head and rolled his eyes at the younger's excuses. "It's bullcrap if you think I'd believe that."

Gaara let his eyes drift to the floor, knowing full-well that he was about to get a very long and boring lecture.

"Besides, who do you think you're talking to? Did you really think you could think you could fool me?" Kankurō continued.

"I don't want to talk about this," was his futile defense. He of all people, excluding Temari, should have known that wouldn't scare him away.

"Too bad. It's nonnegotiable. Talk."

"I'm Kazekage and I will not be lectured. Not by YOU and not by ANYONE."

Kankurō was surprised to find that he was suddenly filled with a new determination. He was going to get through to Gaara no matter what it took. Body or soul.

"That title holds no meaning to me at the moment," he said, eyes filled with fire, "Right now all you are is my brother. And you're having girl trouble."

When Gaara averted his eyes in embarrassment, Kankurō continued, "Look, we all have those moments. Heck, we all have those years, but it's still something you got to deal with, no matter how painful it is."

Gaara slowly met his eyes for the first time since Kankurō arrived.

"Are you sure that you really want to continue on with this conversation?"

Kankurō noticed that Gaara's eyes and his voice didn't match. His eyes were pleading, while his voice had the same famous emotionless taste to it.

"Yep."

"And you're not going to change your mind?"

Kankurō didn't even need to think about his answer. "Nope."

Gaara sighed. "Not even if mental or physical damage were to occur, despite my new distaste for hurting you or Temari?"

Kankurō swallowed, but still didn't shy down. "Nope."

Gaara glared at him dangerously, and Kankurō was afraid that for a moment that he would rethink his polacy against hurting him or Temari.

Dang it, he's serious! He really wants to kill me!

His mind was set at ease when Gaara suddenly just sighed. "There's really no chance that you'll change your mind?" he asked.

Kankurō was more sure than he had ever been. "No way!"

This emitted another sigh from the once-evil red head.

"Fine. I guess we'll have it YOUR way, then. Let's talk about Matsuri."

Sorry, Folks, but that's all I got for you me know how you guys are doing. I like hearing from you.

And, yes, the next chapter is in progress. Expect by the end of the week.