Author's Note:

Yomi: *clutches Chapter Twenty tightly to his chest* It saddens me greatly to part with even half of this, but I'm sure you guys want to read it as much as I want to keep it. So, I'm reluctantly willing to give up half of it at a time *slaps at Ibuki's hands*
Ibuki: I want to read it too, Yomi kun ^_^
Yomi: You'll have to read it with everyone else, neko boy. Anyway, guys, Lisa and Amy wanted me to thank you again for the hits and reviews. And we do sincerely hope you're enjoying the story very much... *trails off, staring at Ibuki*
Ibuki: *blushing madly* oh.. this is a GOOD chapter!!
Yomi: *grins* Yes, yes it is. *wistful sigh*
Ibuki: *sticks a warning label to Yomi's forehead*
Yomi: Baka! That was for the chapter!
Ibuki: I know ^^ but it suits you, too.

---------

Moon's Light, Reality's Dream
月の光、うつつの夢
Chapter Twenty, Part I - 降伏 (Surrender)

滲み霞む君の姿が 闇に消えてしまわないように
Your figure grows hazy in a blur. Don't disappear into the darkness
月よ光もっと輝き 照らして
The light of the moon becomes more radiant, and illuminates it.

Yomi twitched where he stood next to Ibuki, feeling more than a little ridiculous in the black kimono, and black and white hakama he and Ibuki were both wearing. "I feel like origami," he muttered as the group from Konoha finally became visible. It was just past noon, and had been over two hours since the other Anbu hurried him into his clothes to come meet the guests. Yomi wouldn't admit to it, but he was tired, cranky, and nervous, though the nervousness only came from his uncertain status with Konoha.

"I must agree. You do look a little strange in hakama, Yomi kun." Ibuki smiled down at his friend and then turned his eyes back to the group approaching. The tiny Anbu made a rude noise and stared at the ground, finding himself wishing that just once Ibuki would look less than perfect in some way. He wouldn't get that wish today, however, as his friend stood there looking like he dressed so formally every day, and in fact, had been born to do so.

'Bastard,' Yomi thought venomously as he started pacing for the sixth time in ten minutes. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the guests walked up to the tower, and the two Anbu bowed to them in unison. Ibuki immediately ran over to Kouki and began gesturing animatedly, though Yomi hung back a little, his eyes roaming over the group in front of him. There was some sort of nearly visible tension thrumming in the air between Kouki, Nisei, and Kakashi. The dark haired Anbu Captain looked tired and frustrated as a few other people ran up and the group began slowly splitting apart, all except for those three, immediately led off to their various rooms. Obviously, Ibuki would take care of them.

Nisei's golden eyes met his as he backed slowly away, and Yomi wondered if she was also remembering that training match where she'd beaten him so thoroughly, and with such ease. Uncomfortable now, he turned and darted off, feeling his pulse pounding as he tried to figure out the best way to keep his distance from the Konoha guests. For at least the next few hours they would be resting, and then preparing for the festival, so all he had to do was lay low. Once the celebration began, it would be easy avoid attention in the crowd of people. Nodding to himself, the tiny Anbu slipped into his room and pushed the door shut, finally relaxing a little.

As a messenger ran out of Gaara's office, Kankurou glanced inside at his brother, and saw him exactly as he expected to: leaned over his desk and gazing down at the paper in his hand, his mind and eyes completely occupied by the work of being the Kazekage. It was a strange image to put alongside of what he'd seen when he'd walked into the redhead's room this morning, but that's what Kankurou's mind insisted upon doing. Remembering the sight of Gaara asleep with Hitori in his arms made him smile to himself as he entered the office. It fit. Nothing else was a satisfying answer. She belonged there.

"Any news?" He eased into the chair he habitually left in front of the desk and propped one elbow on the wooden surface, resting his chin in his hand as his dark eyes glanced over the redhead.

"No, it's been strangely quiet." His eyes still on the paperwork he was shuffling through his hands, Gaara frowned and then shook his head before finally looking up at his brother. "Not even the usual reports of random rogue attacks near the border."

"Of course not. Ruka's got them all organized, now. He won't move until he decides it's the right moment." Their eyes remained locked together, both wearing looks of worry mixed with consternation.

"I can't help but wonder if this festival will present him with just such an opportunity." The redhead's turquoise eyes returned to the papers in front of him and silence crept in to fill the room. Kankurou leaned back in his chair, idly chewing on his finger as his eyes roamed around before settling on Gaara again. Sometimes when he looked at his brother, especially when Gaara was hard at work and dressed the part of the Kazekage, it was difficult to remember that this was his younger brother. "The patrols have been increased, but I'm certain the attack won't come until morning." With a sigh, Gaara let the paper he'd been reading fall and rested his forehead in his hand. "It only makes sense to wait until we're more likely to be unprepared."

"What about-"

"I think he's already here." Those aqua eyes now held a hint of anger, and were narrower than before as they settled on the puppet user.

Kankurou's head snapped up at Gaara's words, and he felt his jaw dropping open. "What?"

"There have been a few reports over the last couple of days from the black ops." Straightening again, he leaned back in his chair and rested the fingers of one hand against his lower lip, tapping a little as he was wont to do when thinking deeply. "Nothing concrete, but they're certain they've been sighting unusual strangers in and around Sunagakure." He started to add more, but paused when Ibuki appeared in the doorway and knocked softly against the frame.

"The guests have arrived, Kazekage sama, and are settled in their rooms." The Anbu bowed and turned to leave, but stopped when Kankurou slowly rose from his seat and approached him, leaning close.

"You haven't forgotten what we spoke about earlier... ?" He let the question trail off, his voice low, so that only the two of them would hear what he said.

"I have not," Ibuki answered gravely, the look on his face matching perfectly to the tone of his voice. The two stared at each other for a long moment before Kankurou nodded, and Ibuki bowed slightly before exiting the room.

Gaara eyed his brother over the top of the paper in his hand, acting as if he hadn't been paying attention, but curious as to what the puppet user was up to. It wasn't like Kankurou to be circumspect or secretive about anything, unless he knew what he was doing would likely cause an argument between them. His fingers resumed their rhythmic drumming against his mouth as he watched his brother leave without saying another word. Whatever Kankurou had going on, Gaara probably wasn't going to like it.

--

Temari settled her hands gently on Hitori's shoulders and smiled at her. "Are you ready to see?"

The redhead bit her lower lip, feeling beyond uncomfortable in the unfamiliar clothes and shoes, and oddly bare without her long hair cascading down her back. She gave a short nod and closed her eyes as the blonde turned her. Once Temari's hands dropped away, Hitori took a deep breath and began slowly opening her eyes. They widened in shock a moment later as a stranger stared back at her from the mirror.

The girl in the glass had the same red hair, only it was intricately twisted on top of her head and held in place by a long silver pin that had a row of flower shaped bells dangling from it. Her green eyes seemed brighter, and maybe even mysterious thanks to the thin lines of black Temari had drawn at the edges of their lids. And the clothes... She glanced down at herself, then back to the mirror, amazed that there was such a difference in the way her body looked in the yukata. Her curves curved, and the obi cinched around her waist amplified her slender shape in all the right ways. For the first time she could remember, she didn't look like a ninja, just a girl.

"I..." Words refused to come for a long moment, choking up in her throat, and she turned away from the mirror, glancing up to Temari with a small smile. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome," the blonde laughed softly and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind the Anbu's ear. "I can't wait to see what the others think... " She glanced over at Hitori with her head still turned in profile to the girl. "Especially Gaara."

Hitori felt heat flaming up in her cheeks as she looked down at the floor, shifting as nervousness crept over her. What would Gaara think, to see her this way?

"Let's not keep him waiting," Temari said softly as she took the girl's hand and led her from the room. Hitori's eyes stayed lowered as they walked towards the Kazekage's office, only raising when she realized someone else had started walking beside her. Temari released Hitori's hand and continued on ahead to the door.

"Ne, senpai, you look amazing." Ibuki's voice was soft beside her, and she smiled a little at him, her eyes darting away to the floor again, still feeling slightly uncomfortable. He held his hand out towards her, displaying a tiny paper crane resting on his palm. "Perhaps it's foolish, but I want you to have this."

She looked up at him as she lifted the delicately folded paper from his hand. It was a lovely shade of green, with light purple and white swirled through it, and so small, she couldn't imagine the patience it must've taken to fold it so perfectly.

"It's a wish." His head tipped to the side, and he scratched at it nervously. "My wish for all of your wishes to come true." Soft laughter accompanied his words as he gestured towards the office and slowly resumed walking. "That's the point of Tanabata, right? Wishes."

"Thank you, Ibuki kun." Hitori's hand closed gently around it. "I don't think it's foolish." They reached the doorway as she finished speaking and he smiled brightly, his pale blue eyes creasing upwards. Just as she was about to walk in, his hand rested lightly on her arm for a moment.

"Senpai, if it's not too forward, if you have a free moment at the festival... May I have a dance with you?" The way he kept his head lowered as he asked, she couldn't see the look on his face, but the request took her completely by surprise.

"I don't know how to dance... " There would be dancing? All of this was so strange, the work and effort involved in dressing, the decorations and little gestures, dancing... She wondered if it would all overwhelm her before it even began. Being a member of the Foundation suddenly seemed much simpler than trying to lead a normal life.

"It would be fun to learn, ne?" Ibuki was still looking away from her, and she wondered if he thought she was just trying to find a polite way to say no. It made her feel even more uncomfortable.

"Hai," she said softly as his head raised again. "It would be fun to learn." He flashed her another bright smile and nodded. Feeling better now, she turned back to the doorway and followed Temari into Gaara's office. Kankurou walked in behind them and nearly choked when his eyes settled on Hitori, making her flush lightly and resume staring at the floor. The noise caused Gaara to finally lift his head and his eyes slowly widened as he rose from his chair.

Out of the corner of her eye, Hitori could see Temari leaned against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest and smirking in a very satisfied way at the reactions her handiwork was receiving. A moment later, the blonde grabbed Kankurou's sleeve and dragged him out of the room. The puppet user attempted to stutter through a protest, until his eyes met his sister's, then he immediately shut up and followed her out. Temari's soft laughter could be heard as the door closed quietly behind them.

Gaara wasn't even aware he'd risen from his seat, much less started moving, until he was just a few steps away from her. He wondered if she knew just how exotic the change in appearance made her look as she slowly raised her head to meet his gaze. His hand lifted to brush over the side of her face, and he smiled to see the same innocence as always in her eyes, and the light blush on her cheeks. Even as uncomfortable as she obviously was, she looked stunning.

"Hitori, you-" A soft knock at the door cut him off a moment before it was opened by a messenger.

"It's time, Kazekage sama. They're waiting for you." He bowed and backed out again, and Gaara sighed softly, turning his attention back to Hitori.

"Ready?" he asked, that same smile still causing the corners of his mouth to turn up. At her slight nod he took her hand and led her through the door, along the deserted hallways, and finally to the doors out of the tower itself. The shadows were thick around them as twilight deepened outside, and he pulled her close, lifting her face to his to kiss her softly. "You look beautiful," he whispered against her lips as he drew away from her, knowing that once they walked out the door, he wasn't likely to get another chance any time soon.

His hand slid into hers again, their fingers lacing tightly together as he pushed open the door. Hitori's eyes locked onto his face as they stepped out and the sounds from the gathered crowd slowly dwindled to silence.

The next several minutes, Hitori was certain, would always be nothing more than a blur in her memory. Nisei was standing off to the side with Kouki and Kakashi, and Hitori instinctively turned towards the girl, wanting to speak with her, but unsure of how to approach her. She'd never attended a festival before, much less in the company of someone as important as Gaara, and when a smiling Ibuki appeared at her side, offering her his arm, she felt a huge sense of relief at the chance to escape the press of so many people. As they walked over to the chairs set aside nearby, she missed the look the Anbu shared with Kankurou, along with the puppet user's short nod and grim smile. Her eyes scanned around for Yomi, and she was disappointed when she didn't see him anywhere.

Even though he was surrounded by people speaking to him, Gaara watched her go, and he noticed the meaningful glance that passed between his brother and the Anbu. So that's what Kankurou was up to. He looked over at Hitori again, where she was sitting with Ibuki, paying careful attention as the Anbu spoke and gestured, pointing at certain things or people. Apparently, the puppet user had given Ibuki the task of 'accompanying' Hitori for the evening, knowing that Gaara's attention would be forcefully divided, and not wanting to risk her being left alone for even a moment. The redhead smiled before he turned back to the man who was speaking to him, relaxing a little now that he knew he had one less worry.

Yomi watched from the shadows a little further away from the mass of 'important people' as he had been doing for the last hour, or so, since the festival started. His eyes roamed slowly over the Konoha group, then Kankurou, nodding to himself as he watched the puppet user's eyes darting all around, never settling on any one person for too long. It seemed they were expecting trouble, which they probably thought would come in the form of Ruka. His eyes rolled a little at the thought, then settled on Hitori and Ibuki, and he felt his mouth twist in a frown he couldn't stop. A surge of irrational anger passed through him as he wondered why they suddenly felt he wasn't good enough to protect the girl who'd been his partner for so long. Through his mental fuming he didn't notice right away that Kankurou was beside him, though once he did, he still refused to tear his eyes away from Hitori.

"You're angry." There was a hint of amusement in the puppet user's quiet voice, and it only caused the ire simmering within Yomi to grow as he turned and glared at the man he considered a friend.

"Goddamned right I'm angry." His gaze went back to Hitori to see Ibuki taking her hand and pulling her to her feet, the pair walking over to look at some of the decorations that seemed to adorn everything. Her hand reached out to touch a delicate chain of paper cranes before she turned to smile up at the Anbu, and Yomi leaned back against the wall, his emotions going in what felt like a million different directions now. "Why him?"

"Because you know Ruka." Kankurou crossed his arms over his chest and waited for Yomi's brown eyes to meet his before continuing on. "Ibuki doesn't know Ruka, but Hitori trusts him. So doesn't it make sense that your attention isn't distracted by keeping her company, and remains free to observe everything around you?" He idly scratched at his head, then smiled a little at the tiny Anbu. "I'd rather she didn't figure out what we're up to. She'd be angry."

"She'd kick your ass," Yomi agreed, feeling a tiny smirk starting to tug at the corners of his lips. He tried to calm himself down, but when Ibuki led a protesting, yet still smiling Hitori towards where people were dancing, that irrational anger flared in him again. His gaze narrowed as he watched the Anbu positioning them and after they stumbled through the first few steps, he turned away. "You're crazy. There's no way in hell Ruka's gonna try anything with this many people around." Livid topaz eyes raised to meet Kankurou's dark stare. "He wants quiet, and no risk of interruptions while he... " The words trailed off when the tiny Anbu found himself unable to complete either the thought or the sentence.

"That doesn't mean he isn't watching." Kankurou had already turned away and gone back to scanning intently over the crowds. "Do you think he'd let an opportunity pass if one appeared?"

"I think you don't know Ruka." A soft sigh escaped him as he found his own eyes darting around in search of that all too familiar, cold face. "This is very personal for him." Without waiting for an answer, Yomi walked off slowly, searching for somewhere to get a drink. The way he felt tonight, alcohol wasn't just a pleasant diversion, but more of a necessity. Something to blunt the insanely conflicted emotions that erupted within him whenever his eyes fell on Hitori. A short, slightly uncomfortable conversation with Kouki, and briefly Nisei, didn't do much for him either, and he stalked over to lean against another wall, surrendering to the thoughts that insisted upon filling his mind.

He'd finally admitted to himself that he loved her, but only now was he starting to realize that he'd never really accepted it before he'd pushed his feelings aside. Hitori loved Gaara, and that emotion was returned. It was apparent every time they looked at each other, and even though it hurt, Yomi would quietly break his own heart for the sake of her happiness. Her soft laughter made his head snap up, and he couldn't turn away fast enough to prevent the return of that all consuming fury. Ibuki's arm was tight around the redhead's waist, holding her against him as he laughed with her. Hitori's hand gripped onto his arm almost desperately, and from the odd angle of her body, it was obvious she'd nearly fallen. It was a completely innocent moment, and they separated once she regained her feet to walk back towards the chairs they'd been sitting in before, but that one second image was burned into Yomi's mind.

If Gaara didn't exist, it would be impossible to deny the perfection of the picture his two closest friends made together. The urge to hit something was overwhelming, and since he couldn't take out his rage on the object he most wanted to, being Ibuki's face, the two drinks he lifted would have to be a start towards induced apathy. He finished one immediately, wincing as the alcohol burned on the way down and made his eyes water, and started on the second without hesitation. Just as he took two more cups in his hands, he noticed Nisei approaching him and took a deep breath, deciding by the look on her face that she might be the only person whose presence he could tolerate, tonight. The next drink disappeared as quickly as the two before it.

"Misery loves company, ne?" the tiny Anbu muttered under his breath as his feet carried him towards the black haired Captain.

At the fringes of the crowd, a robed figure rested briefly against a wall, his long legs drawn up under his body and the mass of loose fabric to conceal his unusual height. The same type of scarf the residents of Suna habitually wore hid all of his hair and most of his face. He wasn't the only one dressed this way, and therefore didn't attract any attention to himself. Dark eyes roamed slowly over Hitori, his gaze growing even darker as he watched her laugh. They were smart to leave the girl with a guard, though that flamboyant Anbu was an amusing choice. He'd expected it to be Yomi, if anyone, and idly wondered where the tiny idiot was. Maybe Gaara was smarter than he'd given him credit for. His eyes roamed over everything, and everyone, as he patiently watched, and waited. When Gaara turned to approach Hitori, Ruka rose, keeping his body hunched over and his knees slightly bent as he moved slowly to a new location. The perfect opportunity would present itself eventually, and when it did, he would strike.

Gaara found himself finally free for the moment, and his eyes immediately glanced around for Hitori, spotting her sitting with Ibuki not too far away. Her gaze fell on him and he smiled as he started walking towards her. The fireworks would begin soon, which gave him the perfect excuse to draw her away from the crowd, and selfishly steal her time and attention for himself.

Ibuki went quiet as Gaara approached them and smiled, rising to his feet. "Ne senpai, thank you." He bowed a little, then straightened again, smiling even more as she turned questioning eyes to him. "It was fun, getting to spend some time with you that didn't involve you beating me up!" Pale blue eyes creased up as she laughed softly at him.

"I had fun, too." She started to say something else, but the words died in her throat when Gaara's shadow fell over her. As the redhead pulled Hitori to her feet, Ibuki melted away without another sound, searching for Kouki then walking towards him the moment his bright blonde hair became visible.

"Let's go up to the roof. It's noisy and crowded here, and the fireworks will be brighter up there." He leaned his head to the side a little, almost as if he expected her to argue. Hitori ducked her head as her lips parted, but a loud noise drew her eyes to the sky as the first of the hanabi exploded in a brilliant shower of blue and white sparks over their heads. Gaara smiled as her eyes widened at the sight before she looked back to him and nodded.

He took her hand as he glanced around, then led her away from the crowd. They passed through the tower in silence, and once they stepped out on the roof, she hugged herself at the chill in the air. Hitori continued forward as flower of light seemed to bloom all around them, but paused when she felt soft fabric closing around her. The lingering warmth from his body that remained trapped in the cloth sent a shiver through her, making her eyes fall closed.

Gaara's hands fell from Hitori's shoulders after settling his white cloak around her. The black fabric of her yukata alone was too little with the night continuing to grow colder. As they sat down, the loud cracks of the fireworks seemed further away, though the sparks constantly lit up the sky around them. Up here with Gaara, Hitori found it hard to pay attention to anything other than him. Ironically, the Kazekage hadn't brought the Anbu to the roof just to watch the fireworks. There were many things that he wanted to discuss with her, things stirred in him by some uneasiness that grew from a mixture of the deepening sadness he saw in her eyes, and a change in the air that felt like nothing more than an omen of impending darkness. But, when he tried to speak, he found the words hard to produce, especially when her emerald gaze rested expectantly on him.

At that moment, Hitori could acutely feel the unusual pull their bodies seem to have to each other. Without the jacket, she let her eyes roam curiously over him and wasn't surprised to see the fishnet that most of ninja wore beneath their cloaks. She could see more of his pale skin, now. It was the most she'd ever seen of him before, and she couldn't stop the slight blush that rose in her cheeks. He looked so flawless... Was he even real?

"We're like fireworks, aren't we?" He asked, as he tore his gaze away from the sky to watch her more closely. "Our feelings for each other continue to burst into other feelings that start small but always expand. It can't be explained, and almost seems irrational, these emotions."

"Fireworks fade, though, and they die out, no matter how brightly they burn at first." The moment she finished speaking, she felt the soft brush of his fingertips as he turned her face towards him. The way he looked at her tonight was slightly different than before, his eyes darkened by something more, something that was foreign to her in many ways. His hand dropped down to rest firmly against the side of her neck as he leaned in and kissed her, keeping her lips pressed to his.

This was the only place that he found true solace. He was sure of it, now. The moment he tasted her, he was lost, and he took her mouth slowly, running his tongue between her lips, parting them to kiss her deeply. She inhaled sharply, as having her breath stolen left her slightly dizzy and clinging to him, with her short nails digging into his back. He pulled away, his lips brushing against hers as their eyes met. She looked helpless with that wide, innocent gaze fixed on him.

There was quite a noticeable difference in Gaara, now. He brought his hand up to the long silver pin holding her hair in place, and slid it free. The long, dark mass of it fell around her shoulders in slight waves, framing the curves of her face. He found a particular part, and ran his slim fingers through the thick crimson tresses. Maybe there was only one way to convey his feelings to this girl, who had such a hard time expressing herself. She closed her jade eyes when he leaned in again, and their noses touched gently as he paused, his lips not even an inch away from her mouth.

"You're so beautiful..." The blatant emotion in his deep voice struck something inside of her that made her ache. His every touch, the feel of his soft lips, the way he looked at her, even the feeling of his skin through the holes in his shirt all contributed to the need that was starting to burn within her. The compliment itself, though, caused her eyes to flutter open, just as his mouth closed over hers again, drawing her bottom lip in between his teeth.

The impact from the pressure he used forced the Anbu to lie back against the surface of the high roof, and his body followed hers down. The Kazekage jacket that fell away from her shoulders was at least a little softer than what she would have been lying on without it. She let out a gasp as he released her lips and moved to the side of her neck. Her body tingled as she arched up against him, squirming beneath him without even thinking. His kisses were warm and moist, the sounds of his mouth moving over her skin continuously resounding in her ears.

Following behind his lips, the soft tips of his fingers trailed, teasing across her collarbone and into the hollow where her pulse was pounding rapidly. After the light skim of his nails, she felt his tongue there, making her hands grip tighter onto his shoulders. His response was to move further up her body, their hips meeting in earnest. Even though neither of them had ever experienced these things before, Gaara didn't hesitate, and was very much aware of what he was doing, the more she reacted to him.

He looked up at her face as his hands moved to the obi tied behind her back. The heat in her cheeks was stirring, possibly causing him to want her even more now, as he pulled the wide belt away. All this time, he'd wondered if Hitori would revert to being cold, and be unable to react this way, and he was sure that she had felt the same about herself. Gaara couldn't stop the words from leaving his lips as he thought them. "You're much warmer than you think..."

She felt the breeze wash over her skin when his hands slid into the yukata and pushed the fabric slowly open to fall at her sides. His eyes met hers as he slid it off of her shoulders and she drew her arms out of the wide sleeves. The chill didn't last, as his body covered hers again almost immediately. He was warm against her, and it was almost odd to feel the rough material of his shirt on her sensitive skin as his mouth started to consume her, the soft whispers of his kisses amplified in her ears again. She'd never in her life felt unworthy, or embarrassed, but she couldn't help being worried now, that maybe she really wasn't good enough for him.

"Gaara..." She felt his teeth nip at the skin just below her shoulder before his warm tongue ran over the increasingly red mark. He took his time, encouraged by her soft sighs and the way she barely whispered his name. She was more than what he'd imagined, and it nearly drove him insane. Her long legs... Gaara had often pictured them positioned in a particular way - he forced them around his waist, and let his hands slide with almost painful slowness down the milk pale skin as he returned his attention to her raised flesh.

His mouth closed down over her chest, causing her body to arch up, with one hand beside her on the hard surface, and the other buried in his unruly hair. She couldn't open her eyes, knowing what she would see if she were to look at him. The sounds were proof, as his mouth pulled gently at each side, every stroke of his tongue making her body shudder with chills. The cool air swept over the moist spots he'd left on her ivory skin, now forming into his personal reminders, proud bruised ones.

"Please...I'm not sure... what... this feeling... I need it... to... stop..." As the words haltingly escaped her lips, her legs pressed inward, unable to close with him between them. Gaara pulled back, with his head leaned towards his shoulder. A small smile played across his lips, as he ran his fingers down the flat length of her stomach and watched as she tensed. The last barrier she'd been wearing slid from her body and off of her legs, then he slowly started on his own clothing.

Even now she was the same stubborn Hitori. The thought made him smile, though it was interrupted by him starting to wonder if he would lose her in the near future. Ruka would, without a doubt, strike sometime soon. Once the thoughts started to plague him, he found himself unable to make them stop. It was possible that Hitori would die, like butterflies often do when they're lost in the sand. She'd accepted Suna's help, his help, but still, her chances... He let the black shirt fall to the side as his hands lowered to his pants, removing them with deliberate slowness, and he returned to her when there was nothing left between them, one hand raising to brush against the side of her face.

Sometimes, it's necessary to hurt the one you love. Even when there are no secrets left to reveal, something always remains hidden. Gaara kissed her again, his tongue delving between her lips, to distract her from the pain that he was about to bring upon her, imminent now, as he pressed himself against her and felt her body's resistance. Falling away from the kiss, Hitori's teeth closed down on her lower lip, and bit hard, her eyes squeezing shut just as she felt his hips move forward. Her long limbs wrapped tightly around him, her legs trembling, and all she could register was an uncomfortable sensation of pressure, and a rush of sudden warmth.

The part of her that needed to feel something only ached even more when she felt his hips draw away, before he filled her once again. He let out a low sound, his darkened aqua eyes closing tightly against the heat around him. With one hand beside her waist and the other above her shoulder, he started to rock in and out slowly, as her gasps of discomfort gradually changed, and eased into sighs. Covering her mouth with his own, unable to concentrate for too long as he pulsed with pleasure, he decided that perhaps Hitori was perfect, and an absolute necessity to him.

"How does it feel... ?" Their lips touched with his every word once Gaara found his voice. "...Better now?" He sounded almost impatient as her eyes opened to look at him, and she found this new, different expression on his face to be extremely attractive. How had she never consciously connected the word beautiful with him before?

He pushed in deeper, while she desperately searched her scattering thoughts for an answer. A quick nod would have to suffice, and it did, as he continued with the constant pressure, moving in now pleasurable, yet still vaguely uncomfortable ways. She held on as her body started to move on its own, together with his, and she tried to wrap her mind around it. She didn't want to let go of him, and at the same time, she needed to let go. Selfishly, she almost wished to be torn away from him, so that if, or when, she failed to live, she wouldn't leave something behind.

The precious treasures that others kept... Hitori finally realized why she'd never kept any for herself. Anbu didn't need possessions when their lives were so likely to lead only to sudden, early death. This was different, though, being one with him in this way, and it was something not even death could take from either of them. Her hand slid up to the back of his neck, and she pulled him to her, kissing him hard and letting go of everything that tried to distract her from this moment. As their movements grew more urgent, and more frantic, so did her actions. She felt across his sides with her legs when he slammed in. Like a stab, it struck something inside of her, the place where she was burning, where she needed to feel him the most. Her lips parted, the kiss slowing as she moaned against his mouth. His hips continued to move in the same manner, and he felt her crumbling beneath him.

"Nh... Gaara..." The way she voiced his name sent a shiver through him, and he raised his hand to her neck, closing it gently, as he thrust harder against the tightly clenched muscles. Her body squeezed him, forcing him closer to the edge as her slow kisses moved from beneath his chin, back to his lips. With a low groan, he pressed his mouth to hers, and swallowed the sounds that spilled from both of them.

The feeling came up from her thighs, and grew closer to her core, a pleasure that seemed infinitely beyond even the best sorts of pain she'd experienced. His dark eyes watched hers as she willed them to stay open, and she stilled, arching up a little when her climax overwhelmed her, drawing another cry from her. Gaara followed quickly after, with his knuckles white at her side, and his other hand falling from her neck. She held him tightly against her as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, shuddering.

It wasn't long before their hearts began to calm into a steady rhythm once more, and she allowed her eyes to close as his lips brushed slowly across her skin. "Aishiteru..."

"Aishiteru," Hitori whispered, a light blush coloring her cheeks as she moved her fingers just as slowly in his red hair. Hearing it, and saying it, meant so much more now.

Opening her eyes again, she saw the stars looking back at her from the dark night sky. She could just barely make out the fireworks, even though they were still bursting in plain sight. Everything seemed colorless, except for this man in her arms. On the heels of that thought, she felt a deep stirring of the ache of loss budding within her, and almost angrily tried to force it away, tears threatening to form in her eyes. Why was it so difficult to hold on to the good feelings... ?

He shifted a little and leaned up, his face blocking out the sight of the heavens above, and the story Temari had told her came back to her, suddenly. Orihime and Hikoboshi¹, the two lovers in the stars who were only able to meet once a year, on this day. The tears she'd been trying so hard to hold back spilled over as that tiny spark of sorrow inside her seemed to grow. Gaara frowned a little in concern, and his lips parted, but Hitori pulled him to her, and kissed him before he could speak. Her heart ached when she found herself wishing it didn't feel so much like a goodbye.

'I wish... '

-----------

¹ Footnote: Tanabata was inspired by the famous Chinese folklore, The Princess and the Cowherd:

Orihime (Weaving Princess), daughter of the Tentei (Sky King, or the universe itself), wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa (Milky Way, lit. "heavenly river"). Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it. However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet and fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (Cow Herder Star) (also referred to as Kengyuu) who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter. However, once married, Orihime would no longer weave cloth for Tentei and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven. In anger, Tentei separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and asked her father to let them meet again. Tentei was moved by his daughter's tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month, if Orihime worked hard and finished her weaving. The first time they tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was no bridge. Orihime cried so much that a flock of magpies came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river. It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the magpies cannot come, and the two lovers must wait another year to meet.

-----

End of chapter. Thanks for reading!