I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

Enjoy the chapter everyone!

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

"Demon"

(flashbacks)

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Mika was currently at the dining table in the Subaku estate with two of the sand siblings. They were quietly eating some ramen made by one of the chefs for the Kazekage when she just couldn't take it anymore.

"I can't take this anymore, guys."

Temari and Kankuro looked up from eating and Kankuro asked, "Can't take what anymore?"

Mika set down her chopsticks, "Gaara. It's been a whole week and he still hasn't found the time to hang out with me. He keeps making the excuse that he's Kazekage and he has work to do!"

Temari swallowed her ramen, "Well, Mika, he kinda is Kazekage. Have you seen all the papers he has to go through? He's running a whole country"

Mika blushed, "I know that but you and I also both know that since he doesn't sleep, he gets all the work done BEFORE lunch! So what's he doing even right now?!"

Kankuro snorted, 'He's probably thinking about you, dimwit'

Temari tried to calm Mika down, "Relax, Mika. He's probably got some meetings with the council or something."

Mika got up from her seat, "Yeah right. I'm just gonna march down there and see for myself!"

The two sand siblings both paled, "You don't want to do that!"

Mika glared at them, "And why not?"

The creaked open and slammed shut and they all went to investigate. Mika narrowed her eyes when she smelled that it was Gaara.

'He's actually earlier than usual but why did he slam the door?'

Mika, Kankuro and Temari peeked out from the kitchen to see Gaara stomping up the stairs, flinging his Kazekage robes off from over his battle clothes.

'Wonder what's wrong?'

Mika ran to follow him but Temari stopped her touching her shoulder, "I wouldn't bug him right now Mika. He looks angry"

"No shit, Temari. I'm just going to see how he is, is all."

"Be careful" Kankuro warned her, "The Shukaku could still-"

Mika gave him a warning glare and he shut up.

Without any more arguing, Mika ran up the stairs and went in front of Gaara's door, 'I hope it's not because of me'

She knocked on the door but there was no answer.

She knocked again a few more times, each more loud before the deep voice shouted back.

"What do you want Temari?!"

Mika blushed, "It's not Temari" she called quietly.

She heard some rustling before Gaara finally opened the door, "I'm sorry Mika but I'm busy."

Before Gaara could shut the door though, Mika kicked her foot out to keep it open and stared harshly at him, "Come down for dinner, Gaara"

The Kazekage narrowed his eyes, "No. Move your foot"

Mika tilted her head, "Is it something I did, Gaara? Do you not want me here?"

Gaara looked away, "It's not that."

The wolf Jinchuriki blinked, "But it's about me?"

Gaara sighed, "Mika. . . I don't know what to feel. I feel so strange around you but I don't want you to leave."

"Are you never home because I'm here then? I know you always get your paperwork done before lunch, Gaara. You can't fool me. I've caught you before."

He actually looked guilty, "I'm sorry. Yes. I feel as if I can't face you. You make me nervous."

"Nervous?!" Mika pouted, "You're the intimidating one! What did I do to make you feel this way Gaara?"

He opened the door more, "When you left I felt empty. Now that you're back, I feel happy. Jubilant even but for some reason I just can't bring myself to look you in the eye. I feel . .well . . . nervous."

Mika smiled, "Tell you what Gaara, how about we settle this fear of yours then huh? You come down to dinner. Now. And we hang out like you promised. Got it? That will help, I'm sure. Please?"

Gaara unlatched his sand gourd from his back and laid it on the floor. He straightened his back and glanced at her, "Fine." He smirked, "But only because you said please"

Mika gently swatted his arm, "Sadist."

They walked back down to the kitchen and Kankuro and Temari were shocked to see that Mika actually got Gaara to come down from his 'cave'.

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The next few days, Gaara was getting better. He even started to joke with her again about small things. Everything was almost back to normal

That is until she walked in.

Again.

Mika and Gaara were in his office chatting when she burst in the door.

"Gaara sensei! Can you come with me and watch me train today?! Please?!"

It was Matsuri and Mika had grown to dislike her quickly. Just as Kankuro and Temari joked, Matsuri was super clingy, annoying and flirty. Mika wanted to rip her throat out and electrocute her.

"Someone's jealous" Okami cackled but Mika pushed him out.

Gaara growled, "No. I'm busy. Train on your own today."

Matsuri looked pouty, "But Gaara sensei!"

Gaara gave her a harsh glare to try and shut her up.

It worked and instead, Matsuri focused her attention on Mika, "Ah! You're that girl that Lord Gaara fought last week!"

Mika nodded, "Yes. And you're Matsuri. Gaara's told me about you. You're his student right?"

Matsuri looked pissed, "Yes! And you are?"

Gaara closed his eyes and practically groaned, "Matsuri, this is my friend from the Leaf Village, Mika Uzumaki. She's very special to me and I would appreciate it if you treated her with respect."

"Oh." Matsuri blinked, "If she's your friend then how come I haven't heard anything about her?"

Mika stood up and placed her hands on her hip, 'This little bitch is starting to get on my nerves'

"It's because you're jealous"

'Shut up, Okami'

"I've been training in the mountain country for the last two years, that's why."

"That still doesn't explain why Gaara hasn't said anything about you!"

Mika growled deep in her throat and Gaara looked a bit concerned when she clenched her teeth, "Look here. I know Gaara a lot better than you. You may be his student, but I'm his friend. Gaara prefers to keep private matters to himself. If he truly liked you then he would have said something about me, you little bitch!"

Gaara dropped his pencil that he was holding to sign paperwork and Matsuri looked ready to cry and scream.

"G-gaara sensei?" she asked with a few tears running down her cheeks.

Gaara grunted and ran his hand through his hair, "Hm. I believe what Mika is trying to say is that she knows me better than you because we've known each other longer and have a deeper bond."

"Oh. Okay" Matsuri still looked downcast as she left the office without another word.

Gaara narrowed his eyes at Mika, "What was that about?"

Mika blushed, "Nothing." She looked away from him, "She was just getting on my nerves was all."

"Jealous!"

'Damn it! Shut the fuck up Okami!'

The wolf laughed.

Gaara raised a nonexistent eyebrow, "Listen Mika. Kankuro had once told me something about relationships. That when one girl attacks another in front of a male that means that they like that male? Is this true?"

Mika's face turned red and she bit her lip, "Well of course I like you Gaara! You're my best friend!"

He sighed and stood up, walking closer to her, "I've also come to notice that whenever you are extremely nervous or scared, you tend to bite your lip. Are you scared of me?"

Mika flicked his forehead only for the sand to protect him, "Of course I'm not afraid of you. I just don't want other girls to take advantage of you. Especially your precious student." She added the last sentence clenching her teeth.

The Kazekage rolled his eyes and stepped closer only a few inches away, "You're impossible. Temari spoke with me and she says she thinks that you like me. Tell me the truth. What do you think of me Mika?"

Mika pushed him away, "You're my friend." With that, she walked out of the office and back to Subaku estate, more confused than ever with her feelings.

She did actually like Gaara but after her terrible relationship with Sasuke, she just didn't know how she wanted to feel. Sasuke had told her that he loved her but acted completely different. He was infatuated with her.

'How would Gaara act?' she wondered, 'Would he hurt me?'

Mika shook her head, 'Of course he'd never hurt me. He's my friend. Then again, I thought that Sasuke was my friend too and look how that all turned out.'

"Pup" Okami spoke to her as they reached her room in Subaku estate.

'What is it Okami?'

"You like him right?"

'Of course. He's my-"

"No. Stop saying that. You like him because he's like you. Because you and him are the same and you understand each other more than anyone else ever would"

' . . .' Mika thought about it and bit her lip again, 'Yes.'

"That should be enough for you then for now."

Mika sat on the bed and crossed her legs, 'So what if I like him though Okami?!' she unconsciously took out one of her father's thunder god kunai and started twirling it around her finger, 'It's not like I can just pop out and tell him! He'd be so confused!'

She heard Okami sigh roughly, "Remember what I told you when Jiraiya gave you those kunai?"

'Which part?'

"Come to my cage, pup. You need to talk to someone"

Mika didn't know what her demon friend was talking about but quietly shut her eyes and began meditating to reach the cage without using Okami's demon chakra.

When she arrived, Okami immediately grabbed her by the back of her shirt with his teeth and pointed her to his cage that he could freely walk in and out of. There was a paper seal stuck on the gate cell wall and Mika narrowed her eyes.

"You brought me here to stare at a piece of paper?"

The wolf growled and dropped her into the watered floor, "No you stupid pup! Remember! I told you that day that your parents placed a piece of their consciousness' inside of your seal so that one day when you fell to your breaking point they'd be inside of my cage to help you!"

Mika looked confused, "Wait. So I can actually talk to my parents?"

The giant white wolf nodded his head, "Yes. However if you choose to touch the seal, you may only speak to your mother once. If you rip off the seal completely, then you can only speak with your father once. It is the opposite of your brother where he can speak to your father once if he touches his seal. This is only a one time deal Mika. You choose to touch that seal, you will only ever be able to speak with your mother this one and only time. Do you understand?"

Mika was near tears as she stared at the seal placed on the gate in front of her, "I can speak with my mom?"

Okami nodded, "Are you ready for such a decision pup? Are you ready to talk to her?"

Mika walked up to the seal, almost touching it. She barely had her finger on it before pulling away.

"Thank you Okami." She turned around to face her demon friend, "I appreciate the thought that I have the opportunity to come here whenever I want. But I just don't think I'm ready to see her yet. Maybe when I'm in real peril. Relationship advice really isn't an emergency after all."

Okami smiled and shook his white fur, "I suppose not. But feel free to come and join me whenever you please young one. I get lonely sometimes." He nudged her with his muzzle and Mika laughed.

"Yeah" she giggled, "I'll see you later Okami. Thanks for telling me everything"

Okami nodded and let Mika reopen her eyes to be back in her room.

She sighed, 'But what will I do?'

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Gaara left his office feeling a bit confused. He had only asked Mika if she liked him. It wasn't that big of a question he thought. But when Gaara thought about it himself whether he liked her in that way, he too came to a nervous hesitation.

'I really don't know. Kankuro says I should ask her out but she goes out all the time. What difference would it make?'

He really didn't understand what exactly he was supposed to do.

Then a voice in the back of his head started whispering dirty things to him.

"You should just take her. That's all you're feeling after all. It's just lust, you daft boy!"

'No I think it's something more. And what have I told you about staying out of my thoughts, you filthy Raccoon?!'

"Oh don't be like that, Kazekage! I just want to have some fun! Just nail your little friend to the wall and plow her into a desk or something the next time you see her! That will take care of your little problem"

'No. That's disgusting. Get out of my head'

"Don't be like that kid" Shukaku cackled, "I know you like her. You like the way she moves and talks. You want her. You want to fuck her"

Gaara pushed the demon out of his thoughts completely, 'That's it. I'll just ask her tomorrow.'

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The next day, Gaara didn't go to his office straight away like he usually did at four in the morning. He decided that he'd wait until Mika woke up (which was close to eight in the morning since she isn't a Suna ninja and doesn't have to work there at all) and then he'd confront her.

He knew the elders would not appreciate him missing four hours of work but the Kazekage knew that he'd make it up before five that night. He was a pretty adamant worker unlike the Hokage who'd rather nap instead of doing paperwork.

Gaara sighed softly, 'Well since she's probably almost up, I should take a shower, I suppose.'

Despite the constant sand he wore on his body, Gaara still loved water and begin clean.

He quickly undressed, grabbed a one of his red bath towels and made his entrance in the bathroom.

'I'll just ask her when I'm done in the shower'

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"Mmngh" Mika groaned and yawned, stretching like a cat on her little bed.

However instead of getting up, she just laid there on the bed, covers lain over her lazily.

'I feel like Shikamaru' she thought, 'I wonder how he's doing'

She then got to thinking about all of the Rookie nine and Lee's team.

'I wonder how they've all changed. I wonder if they've changed at all. Sigh!'

"You're so languid, pup"

'Shut up.'

"You shut up"

Mika groaned and stretched again.

'I miss my studio in Konoha. I miss drawing and painting and all that shit'

"Why don't you just draw or paint while you're here in Suna? I'm sure Gaara would buy some supplies for you."

'I don't want to bother him. I would want to buy the supplies myself.'

"You're hopeless"

'I SAID SHUT IT!'

'Knock knock!'

Mika groaned, 'Who the hell could that be? Temari?'

She was tempted on ignoring the knocking and stay in bed but suddenly the knocking on the door just got louder and more persistent, 'It's giving me a headache!'

"Dammit" Mika made herself fall off the bed and she drug herself up to go open the door. Reminder that she was still in her knee-height nightgown.

Mika grabbed the handle and sleepily opened the door.

What greeted her at the door left Mika in utter shock and she was tempted on jumping the man in front of her, 'W-what the?!'

There Gaara was before her looking like he just got out of the shower, only a towel covering his lower half. He was half-assed dry with only a few water droplets visibly and he had the most uncaring look in his eyes.

"G-gaara?" she squeaked out.

The half-naked Kazekage grunted, "Mika. I was thinking that perhaps we could go out together tonight after I'm done with paperwork."

Mika didn't know what to say. What was she supposed to say? What was going on? Was this a date? Was this just a friendly date?

'What the fuck is going on?!'

"Uh . . ." she spoke out and gulped, trying not to let her eyes wander down past his six pack ninja abs, "You mean like a date?"

'Why did I ask that?!'

Gaara's eyes widened only slightly, "Somewhat. If that is what pleases you."

Mika bit her lip but stopped when she saw Gaara's annoyed look. She knew that Gaara hated it and it drove him nuts.

"I guess so. Yeah. Uhh . ." She was drawing a blank again but Gaara was waiting patiently, "What are we going to do?"

Little did Mika know that Gaara was watching her as well, clenching his teeth behind his lips barely controlling himself from doing something stupid. All of his instincts were telling him to 'mate' but he quickly dismissed those thoughts for what Shukaku might be sending him.

Then he caught on to what she just said, 'What were we going to do? What was it that Kankuro said that you do when going on a date? I think you go out to eat and then go somewhere special? Is that right?'

He mentally shrugged.

"We'll go to Tagaya and then somewhere else." He clenched the towel he wore, causing Mika to notice and look down. However, she quickly looked away and blushed bright red.

'Did I do something wrong? Perhaps I should have put on some clothes first? I didn't she'd mind'

"Like where?"

'What do I say? I don't even know yet.'

"It's a surprise" Gaara rubbed the back of his head with his free hand and looked away almost bashfully making Mika smile.

'A surprise?!' Mika almost squealed like a little girl. She just had to tell Temari about this later.

'She'll be so proud of Gaara!'

There was an awkward silence between them until finally Gaara grunted again and rested his free hand on his hip, "Well then, I'll see you tonight. I'll be home by five then we can go to Tagaya's."

"Right" Mika nodded and grinned happily, making Gaara faintly pink in the cheeks.

'She's so happy. Did I cause that?'

With nothing else to say, however, Gaara merely walked away back to his own room, leaving Mika alone with her door open. That's when Mika remembered what she was wearing and blushed deep red again before shutting the door.

'Oh my God! What am I going to wear?!'

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R&R