Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto…but would definitely love to own Gaara!!!! lol

A/N: Hello my loyal readers!!!!!! As promised here is the next chapter (and as it turns out my boss hasn't killed me with work)!! I really hope you ENJOY this chapter! THANK YOU TO ALL MY READERS AND REVIEWERS!!! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!

LOVE AND SECRETS

Chapter 12

Tsunade had so much paperwork that she didn't even want to deal with a certain Leaf nin who was starting to annoy her like Naruto. She was signing some papers as she thought of Akira and what she had done yesterday. The whole damn town was talking about it. One of her best shinobi's had lost their god damn mind. What was Akira thinking, Tsunade thought angrily as the pen snapped in her hand. Sometimes she forgot her own strength.

There was only one way to solve the problem and she should have just done it before but noooo she wanted to give Akira time. Look at what she did with her time…ruin her reputation. All of Tsunade's guards were talking about what a kick ass kisser Akira was. That's what happens when I give her time, she thought as she looked for another pen, she kisses all available men in a three mile radius. I say act normal for a week and I get party girl Akira! I thought I help take that out of her!

There was a soft knock that interrupted her angry thoughts. "Come in," she said a little harshly.

Akira walked in and closed the door behind her. "You called for me," she stated quietly.

Tsunade looked at the redhead that stood in front of her. She looked 200% better then she had two days ago. Her skin color had returned to her. Her hair was pulled up and out of her face in a neat ponytail. She was actually wearing clothes and not pajamas. Tsunade could still tell that Akira had lost a lot of weight but there was something different about her…something she couldn't put her hands on. Tsunade watched as Akira stood there with her hands digging into her palms looking pretty uncomfortable. Which was weird because no matter what Akira was always pretty comfortable around her.

"I called for you 4 hours ago," Tsunade said looking her with furrowed eyebrows.

"Hiro told me about 45 minutes ago," Akira said looking at Tsunade and then sighing. "I know that look…I don't need a lecture," she said quietly looking away.

"I kind of think you do," Tsunade said sternly putting her pen down and pushing the paperwork away. "Sit down."

"I'd rather stand, thank you," Akira said still not returning her gaze to Tsunade.

"Akira—"

"I'd rather stand," Akira said cutting Tsunade off.

"Fine…but you're getting yelled at regardless," Tsunade snapped.

"I said I didn't need—"

"I don't care what you said. You're going to tell me what the hell you were thinking when you kissed everyone in that damn teashop!" Tsunade said impatiently.

"I wasn't…thinking," Akira said softly. "I wasn't…I…I just wanted to be care-free…at least for five minutes in my life."

"Carefree? Carefree…so carefree you kiss your best friend's boyfriend? So carefree you kissed the one person you've have been trying to protect not to mention every male in that damn teashop?" Tsunade said taking a deep breath.

"I didn't say it was smart! Is that why you called me? So you called for me so you could lecture me on the consequences of my very stupid behavior?! I got news for you Tsunade...I'm very aware of the consequences. I woke up with them this morning!" Akira said her voice rising. I shouldn't have said that last part, she thought regretfully.

Tsunade raised her eyebrows. "Woke up with them? What exactly does that mean?"

"Yea…like I woke up thinking about them," she lied.

"Thinking about them?" Tsunade said doubtfully. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Akira said a little too quickly.

"Akira—"

"I said nothing," she said again finally plopping herself in the chair in front of Tsunade's desk.

Tsunade didn't believe her but decided to drop it because she didn't want to think about what Akira did. She looked at the redhead that had her elbows on her legs and her forehead in her hands. She was miserable, that much Tsunade could tell.

"Akira…we've worked so hard for you to get the reputation you have and in one afternoon you what? Throw it out the window?" Tsunade said her voice still stern but softening a bit.

Akira scrubbed her face and lifted her head to look at her mentor. "Have you ever committed a mistake and known it was a mistake while you were committing it?" She asked quietly her eyes full of anguish.

"Yes."

"I knew it was a mistake and I did it anyways because I was weak. Because I needed him. Because I love him. Because for some reason I've got a pension for pain. And now I've got his touch under my damn skin. I can smell him no matter how much I scrub my skin. I can feel his lips everywhere. I knew it was a mistake and I did it despite everything," she said softly closing her eyes trying to breathe evenly. Even breaths diminished his scent and that's what she needed at the moment.

Tsunade didn't know if Akira was talking about yesterday events or what she woke up with this morning but she felt for the girl. She was going to continue lecturing her but as she looked at Akira she knew Akira was punishing herself enough for the both of them. She sighed, "You can leave. You can leave for a month."

Akira's eyes shot open. "What?!"

"You can leave and train with the pandas. But there's a condition," Tsunade said.

"Name it," Akira said not really caring if it meant she could leave.

"You leave with an escort," Tsunade said folding her hands in the desktop.

"I don't need one," Akira said quickly.

"It's not an option," Tsunade answered firmly.

"But—" Akira started off.

"It's not an option," Tsunade repeated even firmer than before.

"Fine," Akira sighed. "Who?" she asked wondering who the Hokage would appoint for this lame ass mission.

"Well that's where we encounter a problem," Tsunade said evenly.

"A problem?"

"Yes, a problem. I called in your best friend and her boyfriend to ask them if they could accompany you. Want to guess what they said?" Tsunade said looking at Akira.

Akira cringed. Uh oh...she thought remembering the kiss between her and Neji. "Ummm no," she suggested.

"More or less," Tsunade said and then continued as she saw Akira give her a questionable look. "I asked Neji and Ayame answered for him. And then I asked her if she would rather be the one and her exact words were 'not at this moment'."

Ouch, Akira thought to herself. Guess he fessed up.

"So then I called Shikamaru," Tsunade continued and heard an audible groan from Akira. "I thought he would say yes seeing as he's always willing to help you out but his exact words were 'hell no'…you wanna tell me what you did to him," Tsunade asked raising her eyebrows.

It's not so much what I did as it is what I think Gaara did, Akira thought to herself remembering her redheaded ex took the Shikamaru news a little too easy. "I didn't do anything to him," Akira lied.

"For some reason I find that a little hard to believe," Tsunade said. "But if that's something you don't want to talk about then that's your decision. But you see that this makes finding someone to escort you a little harder."

"All the more reason for not needing an escort," Akira said brightly.

"I told you it's not an option. If you want to leave you leave with another shinobi," Tsunade said strongly.

"What about Choji or Kiba or Hinata or Ino or Naruto," Akira asked understanding that if she wanted to leave it had to be with someone. At this point she didn't care who it was as long as it meant she could leave.

"Choji, Hinata, Kiba, and Ino are on missions and Naruto would defeat the purpose of your departure seeing as he's Gaara's best friend," Tsunade said sighing. "Luckily I still have one more person to ask…maybe he won't say no."

"Who?" Akira asked.

Before she could answer there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Tsunade said a little loudly.

"Crap," Akira muttered under her breath as she saw the person walk into the office. Luck is not on my side today, she thought as she turned back around to look at the Hokage.

"You called for me," Rock Lee said as he entered the office. When he saw who was in the office with the Hokage he realized he walked into something private. "If I interrupted I can wait outside until you two are finish," he said never talking his eyes off Akira.

Her eyes were downcast. He was staring at her back willing her to look at him but she didn't. He thought those navy pants fit her perfectly. And the white shirt she was wearing contrasted perfecting with her crimson hair that was in a ponytail that kept her hair out of her face but didn't obscure the Love tattoo on her neck. He had a pretty good idea who gave her that tattoo.

"No Lee you are not interrupting. Actually you're here just in time. I want to ask you something," Tsunade started off. "I'm letting Akira go and train with the chakra pandas but she needs an escort. It's not a high ranking mission but I won't let her leave without someone else accompanying her. You wouldn't have to stay…I just want to make sure she gets where she needs to go. Since Akira is not required—" she said the word as if it left a sour taste in her mouth "—to go, I want you to know this is your choice. Yes or no?"

I'm never going to get out of this village, she thought miserably. She lifted her head and turned around to look at the bushy browed ninja. "You can say no…its okay," she sighed.

He looked at her and knew something was off. It probably has to do with Gaara, he thought to himself. I can't believe she wants to leave. He looked into her eyes and knew that if it were for her she would leave alone without telling anyone but her responsibilities had her standing in the office waiting to see what the Hokage would do. I might as well. "Yes," he said decisively.

Her chocolate eyes flashed gratitude. "Why?" Akira asked wondering why Lee would do her a favor after what she did yesterday.

"Because sometimes people need breaks…from everyone and everything. I don't think you'd be here if you didn't need it. So if you need it, then I'll do what I can to help," he answered sincerely.

She mouthed thank you before she turned back to face the Hokage who still a little a taken back by Lee's sincerity. "Well…you can leave tonight," the Hokage said shrugging her shoulders.

"Thank god," Akira muttered trying to stay as still as possible so Gaara's scent would remain minimal. She was itching to get in the shower and scrub until his scent was gone, until she could think wouldn't feeling his touch on her skin.

"You are dismissed Lee. Meet her at the gate at 9," Tsunade said offhandly, waving him out of the office. When she saw Akira taking her leave too she stopped her. "Akira…you and I still have a couple of things to work out." She watched as Akira sighed and turned around to sit down again.

Before Lee was completely out the office Akira whispered, "Thanks Lee I owe one."

She knew he had heard her because she heard him say, "No problem."

"You're lucky…you know that?" Tsunade asked Akira when she saw the door click close.

"More or less," Akira said softly closing her eyes. Every time she moved her lips, she could feel Gaara's lips along her jaw line. It was killing her to talk.

"I know you think you're alone in whatever it is your dealing with but you're not. Do you wanna talk about him," Tsunade asked her voice softening.

Akira shook her head and smelled him. Damn it! Either way I'm reminded of what I did last night, she thought bitterly.

"Why?" Tsunade asked her voice still soft.

Why do you care, Akira thought and heard a soft chuckle in her mind. He was eavesdropping on her thoughts. Jerk, she told him and heard his chuckle again. She was going to shut him out but thought better of it. If she spoke out loud he wouldn't be able to listen in on the conversation.

"Because talking about him would mean we actually have a chance and we don't. Talking about him would give me hope. And hope is something I don't want because my heart can't afford to be any more disappointed at this point in my life," Akira said quietly.

Tsunade stared at the young shinobi in front her. She was too young to have such burdens, such heartaches, such loneliness on her shoulders. She reminds me of me, Tsunade thought suddenly. Taking on burdens that don't belong to her and making them her own.

She decided to drop the subject for Akira's sake. "You have four weeks to work out whatever you need so that you can come back relatively normal," Tsunade said her voice returning to normal. "Listen to me very carefully, if you don't come back in four weeks I will send a team to get you. You're too important to this village, do you understand?"

Akira nodded, "I'm I free to go?"

"Yes." Tsunade said as there was a knock on the door.

Both females furrowed their eyebrows not knowing who was at the door. "Come in," Tsunade said in a commanding voice.

As the door swung open Akira didn't have to turn around to know it was Gaara walking into the office. Damn it, she thought and heard him chuckle out loud.

"Am I interrupting," his husky voice filled the office. Akira refused to turn around. She had just seen him this morning and right now all she could handle was his voice. The pain in his eyes this morning had been haunting her and she refused to see them again.

"We were done," Tsunade said with a questioning look at the young sand nin whose eyes were glued to Akira.

She was if possible even more beautiful than this morning. As always she was dressed perfectly. Her navy blue pants hugged her curves in all the right places. Whenever she wore white her scarlet hair was always more striking. He always favored her hair in a ponytail; that always meant he could see her stunning face and it also meant he would be able to see her love scar he created. He remembered the problems that tattoo caused…she was so mad the day after he'd done it. Not at him but mad none the less.

Gaara was on his way out to meet with the Hokage, she had asked to see him immediately and he had no idea why. He hoped it had nothing to do with Akira because they were so careful. Careful to make sure no one ever saw the affection they had for each other. Careful to make sure they never showed more interest in each other then what acquaintances would show.

As he was getting ready to leave the very person who had been on his mind all afternoon breezed into his room. With her she brought the scent of strawberries, sweet but not sickly sweet.

"Arghh," she groaned as she plopped herself in his bed and closed her eyes.

"What's that about," Gaara asked walking towards his bed completely forgetting about his meeting with the Hokage.

"My stupid brother, and my stupid best friend and your stupid best friend," she grumbled. She opened her eyes when he overshadowed her. She smiled…she couldn't be mad when he was looking at her like that; like she was the only person in his world.

"What about them," he asked when he saw her dazzling smile.

She sat up enough to reach his shirt and pull him on top of her. "They get on my god damn nerves," she whispered into his ear. When she felt his body respond she laughed quietly. She weaved her fingers thru his maroon locks and sighed into his shoulder.

"What did they do?" She could feel his Adam's apple move up and down.

"Nothing," she said quietly. Right now she didn't want to think about them.

"Tell me," he whispered. He knew how to coax the truth from her. "Tell me what it's about."

"It's not import—" she began but his lips cut her off.

He kissed her softly and stopped when he felt her resolve dissolve. "Tell me," he asked again his lips barely touching hers.

"You're an ass, you know that," she asked smiling. She knew exactly what he was doing.

"I know," he smirked. "So…"

"So I totally forgot about the Ai your sand carved into me last night," she started off putting distance between their faces so she could gauge his reaction. He was still smirking. "I committed the grand error of wearing my hair up this morning."

"I like your hair up," he said interrupting.

"I know you do," she said smiling. "But that's beside the point. So I go downstairs and of course that's the first thing he noticed. Got an ear full of where the hell did I get it, what the hell was I thinking, blah, blah, blah, blah. But it didn't stop there! If I had some kinda common sense I would have let my hair down. But ever since I've hooked up with you common sense has been thrown out the window. So I walk out the house with my hair up and a little irritated that Hiro had the nerve to lecture me."

"Where were you going," he asked his nose touching hers.

She closed her eyes. "Tsunade volunteered me to help train Shikamaru's and Neji's genin. Do you really wanna hear the rest?" She asked opening her eyes and getting lost in his.

He nodded, her head bobbing up and down with his. "Fine. On my way I ran into Ayame and Naruto," she groaned. "Ugh. That was my first mistake. Well technically my first mistake was not putting my hair down," she complained but smiled as she heard his almost silent laughter. "It's not funny you jerk," she said pushing him away.

"Hey…no separation," he complained as they both sat up. He intertwined their fingers and waited for her to continue.

She watched as his fingers squeezed hers, encouraging. "Ayame was the first one to notice it. She totally flipped out. You would think that she would approve seeing as she's more of a dare devil than me but noooo. She totally freaks, sorta like Hiro. Personally I think she's jealous but whatever," Akira said rolling her eyes. "So I get an earful of where I get it. Why did I get it and she just wouldn't let it go. And then you're STUPID best friend goes and says 'She got it because of a guy'. I could have killed him right there! It's not funny!" She said slapping his shoulder with her free hand.

"It's kind of funny," he said silently laughing. "It's Naruto…of course he would say that. I'll talk to him if you want."

"Nope I took care of Naruto. Not in front of Ayame but I did take care of him," Akira said smiling.

"What did you do?" Gaara said smirking. Knowing Akira, Naruto was going to be in pain for a couple of days.

"Ask him when you see him," she responded with a knowing smile. "It took me a freaking hour to convince Ayame I got it to piss Hiro off! A FREAKING HOUR! It was sooo annoying!! She named just about every guy in this village. Everyone but you," she said sighing.

"You really should tell her," he said wrapping his arms around her.

She settled into his arms and put her ear to his chest. His heart beat was calming. "I can't."

"She's your best friend," he said simply.

"I know," she answered quietly.

"So why not," he asked breathing Akira in. He squeezed her to make sure she was there. Sometimes had a hard time believing she wanted him. He was a loner and girls generally sensed that and had common sense enough to stay away from him. Not to mention he never really showed interest for those ditzy girls that always seem to surround him. But when he met her, he knew she was different and it was hard to believe she felt the same way about him.

She looked up at him and once again got lost in his eyes. "She had the biggest crush on my brother when we were young. When we were 12 she dared me to throw all of Hiro's socks into the well near where Shikamaru lived. And you know me…never says no to a dare. So I did it. I knew Hiro would be angry but I couldn't help myself. I wanted to see Ayame's face after I did it…priceless," she chuckled.

"So anyway, he was on a mission and wasn't due back until late that night; Ayame slept over to keep me company. I went to bed and the next thing I know Hiro is shaking me awake, yelling about his socks. He was so mad and he knew I had something to do with it. He kept yelling and kept telling him that I didn't know where his damn socks were. Then he looked at Ayame who had woken up in the middle of our screaming match. He stopped yelling and asked her as sweet as he could if she knew what happened to his socks. In less than a heartbeat she told him that I had thrown them in the well. I was so mad at her I didn't talk to her for a week," Akira said remembering the incident with little anger.

"So you don't trust her?" Gaara asked thinking about what Akira had just said. Maybe that's why it's so hard for her to trust people.

"Me and you…that's not her secret to hold, its mine," she said simply softly touching his cheeks.

"Naruto knows," he said closing his eyes and concentrating on her touch, soft and careful.

"You trust him," she said quietly. "Although you should tell him butt out of who I should tell."

He smiled at the instant frustration in her voice. "I will. But right now it's just you and me. What do you want to do?"

She gave him a mischievous smile. "I dunno…"

"I'm sure we can think of something," he said as his lips traced her jaw line, finally after what seemed like a lifetime they found her lips.

His lips were soft but full of passion. She could feel his want for more, his need for more. She laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck bringing their bodies closer. She could feel his breathing pick up pace. His hands moved up her back for her bra. She fell back into his bed never breaking the kiss.

"Stop," Akira said weakly. She was gripping Tsunade's desk. "Just stop." She had just relieved the same memory Gaara had running thru his mind. She knew not shutting him out was not a smart idea.

Sorry, his voice said in her head.

She took a deep breath. "Thanks Tsunade." She turned around to face him.

He was just as handsome as ever. He was wearing all black, which always looked stunning in contrast to his pale skin and ruby hair. He looked at her with a smile playing on his lips.

You look beautiful, he told her silently.

She couldn't help but smile. She tried to get her stomach from flipping out but was unsuccessful. There was no way around it, she had to walk pass him to get out of the office. She walked towards him, his scent getting stronger the closer she got. As she walked passed him his fingers brushed against hers and she felt a jolt of electricity restart her heart. Damn, every time.

Why haven't you shut me out, he asked as she reached the door.

She slipped thru the door but before she shut it close she whispered, "Because you asked me not too."


I can't believe I'm sitting here in this stupid ramen shop waiting for two people who probably don't even want to see me, Akira thought miserably as put her head on the table. It had been a couple of hours after she talked to Tsunade. She had called Ayame to tell her she had some news for her. But Ayame didn't sound very enthusiastic and Akira doubted that her friend would even show up.

She should have gone home to pack but she didn't want to deal with Hiro so she had opted to visit her mother's grave. She had sat there thinking about the memory Gaara had that morning. She had never known he had insecurities about their relationship. She had always thought he was the crazy one for letting himself fall for her. He had to have known some of the rumors in that flew around the Leaf Village not to mention the nasty rumors in his very own village. But he never cared about them, never asked her to clear them up either. She really missed her mother; this would be a perfect situation to have asked her what she should do. She did ask but a tombstone can't talk back. So she walked home and called Ayame.

Upside…I'm leaving. Downside…I won't see him. Upside…if I don't shut him out I'll still be able to hear him. Downside…if I don't shut him out I'll still be able to hear him. She went back and forth between the pros and cons of leaving for a month as a hand on her shoulder interrupted her internal debate.

"Word on the street is your leaving," Naruto Uzumaki said as he stood behind Akira with his hand on her shoulder.

"The street? Or is that particular news from Gaara," she asked picking her head up to look at the blonde.

"Gaara," Naruto said walking around to sit across from Akira. "So what are you doing here? I thought you'd be packing, ready to leave as soon as possible."

"I have to talk to Ayame and Neji. I figured neutral ground was the best way to go," Akira said looking into the blonde's ocean blue eyes.

"So, were you going to tell me? About leaving?" He asked hurt lining his voice.

"I figured Gaara would take care of that?" she answered looking away. If she was the reason for hurting another person she was going to shoot herself.

"And if Gaara hadn't found out?"

"I would have told you," she answered.

"You know I'm your friend too," Naruto said unusually quiet.

"I know," she said softly. "I know."

"So…"

"I dunno Naruto. I'm all mixed up inside," she said whispered shaking her head. "He probably told you about last night. I just don't know. I've must've taken about 20 showers and I can still feel his lips on my wrists, my shoulders, my lips. Sometimes I think I'm alone in this. Alone…"

"You aren't. You've got a bunch of us that actually want to help," Naruto said taking her hands into his.

"I highly doubt Ayame and Neji even want to see me at the moment," Akira said with a weak smile.

"Yeah…I talked to them this morning. She's pissed…but I don't think it's at you. I think she's mad at herself and Neji. That guy is in the dog house," Naruto said cringing as he remembered their encounter from that morning.

"I know, Tsunade told me. I'm hoping it's not too bad," Akira said looking at the door to the ramen shop to see if her friend had come in.

"Soooo…are you going to tell me why Gaara was so pissed yesterday," Naruto asked trying to hide his curiosity.

"What he didn't tell you this morning?"

"Nope…refused to talk about it," Naruto said shaking his head.

Akira sighed. She knew he took the kiss with Shikamaru a little to calmly. He was still mad about it. "I kissed Shikamaru."

"Well duh. Everyone saw that. You also kissed me. That can't be the reason," Naruto said as if she was slow.

"No Naruto. I kissed Shikamaru again. After you guys left. I kissed him again," Akira said closing her eyes and putting her head back on the table. She really didn't want to see Naruto's reaction. Too bad she still had to hear it.

"WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" Naruto screeched. When he saw that everyone in the shop looked at him he lowered his voice and said, "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I wasn't," Akira mumbled. "There was something in the first kiss and I had to make sure it was nothing. I just wasn't thinking."

"And?" Naruto whispered.

"And what?" Akira asked.

"Was there something?!" he whispered.

"Nope," Akira lied expertly.

"Nothing?" Naruto questioned.

"Absolutely nothing," Akira lied. "I mean it was nice. He can kiss but if you're asking me between him and Gaara…it will always be Gaara."

"What about between him and Lee?" Naruto asked not being able to help himself.

"Argh," Akira groaned.

"I mean you Gaara were hot and heavy yesterday but you and Lee…there was something there. That's why I thought Gaara was mad," Naruto said in a low voice.

"Ugh…I don't wanna talk about it," Akira said shaking her head. She liked the feel of the cool table against her head.

"So is that why Lee's the one accompanying you when you leave?" Naruto asked trying to push his luck.

Akira's head snapped up, her arm reached across the table and grabbed Naruto's shirt roughly pulling him towards her. "Now how the hell do you know about that?" She asked her voice full of ice.

Naruto was completely blown away by her reaction. He knew he might as well tell her the truth. "L-l-lee told me," he stuttered.

Her grip on his shirt loosened. She took a deep breath. "Lee told you? Why would Lee tell you?" Her voice still had ice in it.

"Because I kinda of annoyed it out of him," Naruto confessed hoping that would melt Akira.

It worked…sort of. She let go of his shirt. "Sorry Naruto I was just hoping to keep that quiet until I actually left," Akira said her voice melting. "You're going to tell him aren't you?"

Naruto knew who she was talking about. "I would rather he hear it from me than someone else," he said sitting back into his chair.

"Understood," was all Akira said not looking at him.

Naruto knew he should just keep his mouth shut but he couldn't help but ask even if it did get him in trouble. "So how do you feel about Lee?" He looked into Akira's milk chocolate eyes and saw all the pain and confusion she had but they were gone in an instant when she looked away.

"I love Gaara. But when I kissed Lee it felt…right. Like nobody hated me. Like I didn't have to fight to be with him. Like I wasn't being judged. It was new. Like I said…I'm all mixed up inside," Akira said quietly. "I just need to get out of here so I can think straight."

"And you need Lee to do that?" He really should not have said that.

Akira whipped her head to look him straight in the eyes and slammed her hands on the table. "For your information I didn't ask for a fucking bodyguard. I can take care of myself. If it were for me I would have left a long time ago by myself without anyone knowing. But unfortunately I was raised right and I actually adhere to rules. So I asked and those were her conditions and right now if it means I can leave then so be it! And for your information Lee wasn't the first choice he wasn't even second choice…he was the only one she could think of at the moment. He was only one who said yes." Akira voice had turned to ice again. She was pissed and she really didn't want to deal with this. She sat back down and put her forehead back on the table.

There is definitely something off about her, Naruto thought. I should've kept my mouth shut. "Sorry," he said almost inaudibly.

"That's a five letter word that means nothing without actions backing it up," she muttered not bothering to look at the blonde who was effectively pissing her off.

"Your right. I'm just mad you didn't think about me…that I wasn't your first or second choice. I would have said yes," Naruto said still quiet.

"You were considered," she replied her voice softening a little. So that's why you're acting like an ass, she thought to herself.

"So why didn't Grandma Tsunade ask me?" he asked with a confused look.

Akira lifted her head off the table and looked into her friend's ocean eyes. "Because every time I see you—"

"You see him," Naruto finished.

"No…I think about him," she corrected. "Like you'll say something and I'll actually think of what he would say back or what look he'd give you…it's actually very unhealthy."

"Ha…that is unhealthy especially if you want to forget about him," Naruto said with a small smile. "For a second I thought you didn't ask because you didn't like me anymore."

"I don't want to forget about him Naruto. I want to get over him. He's the best thing that could ever happen to me…that's not something I want to forget about. I just need to be able to think about him without wanting him, you know what I mean?" Akira asked placing her forehead in her heads. She wasn't sure she was making any sense.

"Good luck with that," Naruto said sarcastically.

Yeah, Akira thought to herself as she shook her head. Neji and Ayame were an hour late. They aren't going to show. "I never asked…what are you doing here Naruto?"

"Ummm…maybe I should have mentioned that before," he said as the door to the ramen shop dinged open.

"Damn it Naruto! You get me every time," she said frustrated. She should have known. She folded her arms on the table and buried her head in them. The tips of her ponytail brushed across her arms. She felt Gaara's eyes on her as soon as he spotted Naruto. Obviously God did not like her, getting to the end of this day was not going to be easy.

"Sorry!! In my defense I didn't know you were going to be here," Naruto whispered sincerely.

"Its fine…I might as well leave anyways. Neji and Ayame aren't going to show up," Akira muttered as she picked herself ready to leave.

"Actually…" Naruto said as the door dinged again and Neji and Ayame walked in.

"Just great," Akira mumbled sitting back down. "You go sit with Gaara before he comes over here."

"Akira I really am so—"

"Yea, yea sorry. I know," Akira said softly.

"About it all," Naruto said as got up and gave her a hug before he walked over to Gaara and Temari.

Akira waited until a disgruntled looking Ayame and an annoyed looking Neji sat down across from her before she started speaking in her order to distract herself.


"What the hell Naruto?" Temari said as the blonde approached their table.

"I didn't know she was here," Naruto replied.

"What's she doing here?" Temari asked Naruto as she watched her brother. His eyes hadn't left Akira since they came in.

"She's talking to them about leaving," Gaara said shrugging his shoulders.

"What?!" Temari said. "Leaving?"

"You might want to kick the staring down a notch Gaara; one might consider it a little stalker-y. Plus I would have thought you got enough of her yesterday," Naruto whispered, his words taking a double meaning.

"You ass," Temari said slapping her brother's shoulder. "I knew you didn't take a walk. A walk my ass," she muttered finally understanding why her brother wasn't home this morning.

Gaara looked stopped looking at Akira and looked at his sister. He gave her a small smile. "I'm surprised you bought it. Usually you're much more observant."

"I was distracted this morning," she responded. "What do you mean she's leaving?" Temari asked rising one eyebrow.

As the Sand siblings talked Naruto took the opportunity to order three bowls of ramen for himself. He waited patiently as he watched the conservation develop between Gaara and his sister.

"She's leaving," Gaara said repeating himself; there was no emotion in his voice. He had worked on trying not to care that she wouldn't be in the village in for a month even though he was leaving tomorrow for his village. "What's there to know?"

"And you're letting her leave," Temari said exasperated. "I thought we talked about this Gaara! You're suppose to fight for her. What the hell! You're acting like her leaving is okay."

Gaara had felt Akira turn around to chance a glance at him. But as he lifted his eyes to meet hers, she quickly turned around. He was still pleasantly surprised to know she still hadn't shut him out. Did she mean what she said when she walked out of the Hokage's office this morning?

Yes, her familiar voice answered.

I miss you, he told her.

I know, was her answer.

"Earth to freakin' Gaara," Temari said getting in her brother's face.

"It's not okay. I asked her to come back," he told his sister calmly.

"What happened to fighting for her?" Temari questioned annoyed at her brothers lack of emotions.

"That's what I'm going to do at the Council meeting," Gaara said smirking.

"What are you going to do?" Temari asked skeptically. The food arrived, she watched as Naruto downed his first bowl. "What you didn't order any for us?"

"I difn't kgo ifff cho waaaan anknee," Naruto said his mouth full of ramen.

"Forget it Naruto," Temari. She poured water from the pitcher into her glass and her brothers'.

"I'm going to give them a piece of my mind," Gaara told his sister as he sipped water from his cup. Through the corner of his eye he watched as Akira stopped in mid-sentence and shake her head and then continue.

That's not smart, her soft voice said.

Don't care, he responded.

"I like it," Temari said smiling. The Council needed a piece of Gaara's mind. "So when is she leaving?"

"Tonight," Naruto said finishing off his second bowl.

"Damn that is soon," Temari said. "You don't leave until tomorrow…maybe you could convince her to wait and the both of you can travel together," Temari suggested with a mischievous smile.

"I don't think so," Naruto said without thinking.

"Why?" Both Sand nins asked.

"Because the Hokage assigned a bodyguard," Naruto said choosing his words carefully.

"Bodyguard?" Gaara said the word slowly.

"Yea…just to make sure she gets to where's she's going," Naruto answered quickly.

"Who?" Gaara asked raising a non-existent eyebrow.

"Ummm….Lee," Naruto said cringing at the instant anger in his friend's face.

Gaara could not believe that that stupid green suited fool was going to accompany Akira to the mountains with the pandas. He could feel his white hot anger mix with the green eyed monster of jealously. And he knew Akira felt it too. He was so mad he hadn't realized that he was holding onto his glass cup so tight that in shattered in his grip.

Fuck, he thought as pain registered in his bleeding hand. It was weird that his sand didn't protect him. He watched at the maroon river flowed from out of his hand.


"Stupid," Akira muttered. She stopped in mid-sentence when she felt Gaara's white hot anger. But when she heard the crunching she knew he had done some damage to his hand, she could feel it.

Neji and Ayame were staring at her like she was crazy. Without thinking, she quickly stood up and walked over to her pissed off redhead. He was cussing and Temari was calling him stupid while she trying to pick the glass out of the wound.

"So why didn't your sand protect you?" Akira whispered as she reached him and softly took his hand into hers.

He was surprised she had come over without thinking of what it would look like to others. There was still some glass in his hand, he could feel it. But he couldn't help but concentrate on her angelic face. "Wasn't consciously trying to hurt myself."

She gave him a small smile that was still stunning. "Well Temari's right. You are stupid," she whispered as she took a small piece of glass out of his palm, her finger slippery with his blood. "You should go to the hospital."

"I'm good…with you," he said as she took the last piece of glass out of his hand.

"This needs to be cleaned," she said watching his palm bleed. "Come on get up," she said pulling him up.

Stupid, she told him.

I know, he shot back. But it got you to come to me.

"Still stupid," she muttered. "Hey, Nolo can I use the sink in the back," she asked the shop owner as she walked through the back doors. She reached the sink and concentrated on getting the water the right temperature before putting Gaara's hand under the running faucet.

"Why won't you look at me," he asked wincing as the soon as the water hit the cuts. He was watching her reaction. He watched as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She opened her eyes and turned off the water and wrapped his hands in a towel.

She turned to look at him and touched the side of his cheek with her free hand. She wasn't worried if Nolo caught them because he owed her a favor anyways. "If I look at you for too long I'll lose my nerve. If I'm around you for too long I won't be able to leave."

Her touch made him forget the fact that Lee was the one leaving with her tonight. Made him remember how much he wanted her, how much he needed her. "Don't go," he whispered.

"Don't…don't do this. You promised," she begged as she watched his face trying to memorize every line of his face. She wasn't going to see him in a while she wanted to remember his face, his voice, his eyes.

"I know," he whispered feeling his blood soak thru the towel on his hand.

She looked down at his towel wrapped hand. She watched as the blood spread across the towel. She concentrated on flowing her chakra to her left hand as she unwrapped his hand. Once she saw her hand glow with her (now) red chakra she placed it over Gaara's hand and watched as his wounds healed.

"Plus your leaving tomorrow anyways…why would you want me to stay?" she asked so quietly that Gaara thought she hadn't said anything.

"How do you even know about that?" he asked lifting her chin so she would look at him.

"A little bird told me," she answered looking away.

"What little bird," he asked place his newly healed hand on her chin and forcing her to look him in the eyes.

"Nobody," she lied as she lost herself in the feel of his skin against hers.

Liar, his husky voice accused.

She gave him a small smile. How do you know I'm lying?

Let me see who wants to redeem themselves. Who would think that this would bring us together, his voice asked her. Would this little bird happen to be my brother who likes to stick his nose where it doesn't belong?

"Why didn't you tell me," she asked out loud.

"I'll take that as a yes," he answered his anger rising because. "I'm going to fucking kill him…maybe then he'll understand to stay the fuck out."

"Hey," Akira said harshly. She grabbed both of his shoulders and guided his body against the wall, made sure he was pinned to the wall before she continued. She knew how to calm him down. "He was just trying to help. He didn't know I was leaving. He thought that I would go with you…he wants us to be happy. So leave Kankuro alone," she whispered furiously. "When were you going to tell me you were leaving…you had all of last night and most of this morning."

"I didn't know until I got home this morning. I was planning on telling you tonight," he whispered his voice still angry.

"Stop," she commanded still hearing the anger in his voice.

"What?!"

"Stop with the angry," she told him her face dangerously close to him.

He was calming down even though he didn't want to. He wanted to stay mad so when he got home he could punch his brother but Akira was working him down. He could not bring himself to be angry when she was this close, when her lips were inches away from his. "Fine I won't be angry with Kankuro."

"You're still mad. Why?" she asked tilting her head to the side and pulling away slightly.

"Because Lee is going with you," Gaara said practically spitting out the words. "Why did you want Lee?"

"I didn't you ass," she said pushing away from him.

They were completely divided and Gaara was beginning was to believe bringing up Lee wasn't the smartest move. His arms felt empty without her in them.

"For your information I never asked for a fucking bodyguard! For you information I wanted to go alone," Akira said quiet rage in her voice.

"I know," Gaara said shaking his head. "The Hokage explained that to me."

"Then why are you acting like an ass," she asked her voice still full of anger.

"Because I'm jealous. Because you kissed him and enjoyed it. Because he's going with you. Because you're leaving to forget about me. Because I'm not going to see you for a month and he is," he said softly.

Akira stared at him. He had never had reason to be jealous before because when they were together he was sure he was the only one she wanted; because she always showed him he was the only one for her. And now he was unsure. Now…he was insecure. That melted her anger and she walked closer to him. "I'm not leaving to forget you. I could never do that even if I wanted to. No matter what, no matter who I'm with, part of me is always going to love you," she whispered.

He took her in his arms. She could feel his forearms flexing around her. Reluctantly she wrapped her arms around his waist. This is how he always got her. Whenever she was this close to him she couldn't help but return his affections.

"I don't want part of you to love me. I want all of you to love me," he said quietly.

"Hisui…"

"Yea, yea…we don't belong together. How many times am I going to have to tell you I don't care," Gaara said as his hands rubbed her back.

"I know you don't," she said placing her head on his chest. "Just for the record…Lee's not staying he's only going because Tsunade wants to make sure I go where I'm suppose to go."

"That helps a little," he said, hands still rubbing her back. "But only a little."

I'm still jealous, he confessed.

No need for it, she reassured him.

Actually there is…tell me you haven't thought about kissing Lee again. Just to make sure if there was something there, he asked her.

She sighed. She couldn't deny it but she wasn't going to tell him that. Could you just hold me? she asked.

And that's what he did. Both redheads stood there, arms wrapped around each other in complete silence. Both of them knew they were going to have to let go and every time they thought about it they squeezed each other even harder. Gaara measured her breathing and when she lifted her head off his chest he took the opportunity to kiss her.

His kiss was softer than ever before. It didn't ask for anything in return. She could feel her knees turn to jelly. She grabbed into his shoulders for support. He squeezed her even tighter to make sure she'd stay upright. The kiss wasn't a goodbye kiss. It wasn't a kiss you give someone when you're not sure when's the next time you'll see them. He kissed her like he knew…knew that one day they'd be together. It scared her…

He was the one to break the kiss and when he pulled away Akira was left breathless. Damn it, she thought to herself angrily.

He smiled that perfect smile she loved. "Remember that every time you're around that green suited fool."

She nodded. "I'm gonna go because people are going to start wondering." She reluctantly pried herself from his arms and started walking towards the door that led back to the dining area. She stopped when she reached the door. Without looking back at him she said, "Hisui…this is our goodbye. Please don't come tonight cuz…" she couldn't finish so she walked out the door.

He watched door close behind her. He crossed his arms and finished for her, "Because you won't be able to leave."

I love you, he shot into her mind.

I love you too, she said right before he felt her put her mental barrier up.


Akira was at the gate waiting for Lee to show up so they could leave. After the ramen shop she went home and locked herself in her room. Her brother was in a talking mood and she really didn't want to talk to him. Not after their brother and sister conversation from that morning. So when he stood outside her door and refused to leave she opened it and told him she had to pack because the Hokage was sending to train with the mountain pandas. That seemed to appease her Hiro, so when he left she decided she did indeed need to pack. While she was packing she found herself folding clothes that Gaara had always liked. She couldn't even get away from him when she was getting away from him.

She sat on her bed staring at the clothes until Shikamaru walked thru her door and folded the clothes quietly and put them in the backpack. When he was done he sat down next to her in complete silence. She had put her head on his shoulder and told him thanks. He knew exactly what to say to her to get her back on her feet. Knew exactly what to say to make sure she would leave without too much heartache. They had their goodbyes and he walked her to the gate and quickly left.

And now she stood there alone, sitting at the village's entrance waiting for Lee who was late. The guard looked at her like was crazy when she stomped her foot in the ground damning the leaf nin to hell because he was late. When she heard a group of voices, she understood why Lee was late.

He was surrounded by Naruto, Neji, Ayame, Temari, Shikamaru and Kankuro. Great a going away party, Akira thought miserably as she pasted a fake smile on her face. Thanks for the heads up Nara.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asked a little too cheerful.

"You didn't think you could leave without saying goodbye?" Naruto said loudly.

Of course not, Akira thought to herself.

Naruto was the first to reach her and crushed her with a huge hug. "How did you do it?" he asked whispering into her ear.

"Do what?" she whispered back as she returned the hug.

"Get Neji out of the dog house. What did you say to Ayame? Cuz after your conversation it was like nothing was wrong," Naruto whispered amazement heavy in his voice.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Akira said smiling as she pulled away. "Never forget how good I am Naruto…never."

"You are damn good," he said with a goofy smile on his face. "Come back okay?"

"Okay," she said.

Ayame and Neji were right behind Naruto. Akira was amazed with her handiwork they did look as if nothing was wrong. But Ayame looked like she was never going to see Akira again.

"God Yame…I'll be back, could you wipe that miserable look off your face," Akira said playfully as she hugged her friend.

"A month is a long time. Who am I suppose to talk to," she asked returning the hug.

"To Neji and Naruto," Akira suggested. She pulled away took her friends face in her hands. "Don't forget what I told you. You do deserve him…don't think anything different…okay?"

Ayame nodded and gave her redheaded best friend another hug.

Neji waited patiently for his girlfriend to say bye to her friend. When she was done he looked at Akira as she walked over to him and gave a quick hug. "You're standing there like I have an STD or something."

He laughed. "Sorry…just being cautious."

"Smart," she said nodding as she walked over to Temari.

"Hey," she said as she stopped in front of her ex-future sister-in-law.

"I don't care what anyone says you and him make each other happy and personally that's all that should matter," Temari told Akira.

"I know," Akira said simply.

"Come back," Temari said.

"I will," Akira told her.

"I'll miss you," Temari admitted shrugging her shoulders.

"I'll miss you too," Akira said giving her a hug. She really was going to miss the blonde. She kept things interesting.

Then it was time to say bye to Shikamaru. There was nothing to say. They had said their goodbyes that afternoon when he stopped by to help her pack. She gave him a quick hug and whispered, "Thanks for everything, sorry for the all the confusion…it'll work itself out."

"No problem," was all he whispered back.

Akira turned to Kankuro. "Thanks for everything. For being the only one with enough nerve to tell me the truth." That's when heard a growl in the back of her mind. She had shut him out at the tea shop but Shikamaru had persuaded her to remove the mental barrier that afternoon. She knew she should have kept it up.

Gaara was here and she didn't know where. She could feel him watching her.

She gave Kankuro a quick hug and turned around to see where Lee was. He was standing there talking to Naruto about something. Akira closed her eyes and concentrated on Gaara's presence. She knew he was near, looking at her from the dark cover of the trees. She opened her eyes and looked to her left, that's when she saw a quick movement.

I thought you weren't coming, she said in an accusing tone.

You said not to come…I never agreed, he retorted still not coming out of the darkness.

Gaara…

I only wanted to see you leave. Don't worry I'll stay right where I am, he said in a reassuring voice. We said our goodbyes…remember?

I really am going to miss you, she told him.

She turned walked towards Lee. "Are we ready to leave?" He nodded. "Good. Then let's go," she said walking towards the gate.

They waved goodbye once again and Akira turned her back and walked into the night with her bushy browed friend.

I'm going to miss you to Ai…more than you know, he told her as she disappeared into the night. More than you know. And with that thought he walked back to his place to so he could get some kind of sleep before leaving for his village tomorrow morning.

A/N: So that's the end of chapter 12!! Tell me what you think! I really hope you like it! As always my goal is to have the next chapter out in the next 2 weeks but my boss is always giving me extra work. Personally I think he overworks me…lol. So hopefully my workload will be low enough so that I can spend time writing:) PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!

Just wanted to take a moment to thanks those who reviewed the last chapter!! Thanks to: Animestar001, Absolutely Amazing, Jeane, April, Jeanius, A Slave to Words, Michele, Live-by-words, and Akizu Miko