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Disclaimer: I've already said it 20 times...

"Talking"

'Thinking'

The Devil in the Pale Moonlight

Chapter 21: A New Beginning

Papers cluttered the desk piling high over the head of the person sitting on the chair scribbling frantically to get as much done as humanly possible. Another entered the room with a pile of papers in her hands, her glasses sipped a bit down the bridge of her nose and her hair was messed up in the bun she wore. She placed the pile at the edge of the desk and gave a long sigh resting her arm on top of the pile.

"Here's the latest work you requested Kazekage-sama." Minagi informed but the other just gave a small nod of the head. The secretary looked out of the corner of her eye to see what he was working on, instead she saw a scroll laying across the desk. She smirked at seeing the signature. "So is that the latest letter from your little girlfriend?" Gaara gave no reply but his pen paused for a second. "Well I hope she will be able to visit you soon, I'll be back later to collect the finished reports"

Once the secretary left the room Gaara stopped his paperwork and his eyes fell over the scroll laying on his desk, it was in fact from Katsura. There wasn't anything special about the letter, it was just something she sent to keep in touch. The thing is he received it a few days ago but has yet to respond. In his entire life he never once got anything from anyone so when he finally did he had no clue what to do or say. He turned his chair to face the window outside, he looked to the blue sky but remained silent. It had been a while since he got the scroll saying that Katsura had recovered shortly after that he received this scroll that lay on his desk.

He watched the people outside his office going about their normal lives. Gaara never really had a normal life and now that he may have found something that makes him feel like a normal person he may never get to see her again for a long time. A long sigh escaped the red heads lips. The door opened quickly and suddenly a puppet ninja burst into the room.

"Gaara you need to stop working so much" His older brother spoke but was ignored by the Kazekage. "You have worked nonstop since you came back and me and Temari are worried" He said cutting right to the chase. Gaara turned around in his chair to face his concerned brother. His face was blank but Kankuro could tell that there was something else, perhaps thankfulness. "Maybe you need a vacation… I could always watch over things for you"

"Maybe you are right… I could visit Konoha" Gaara spoke while his mind was on something, or someone else.

Panic flashed over the other boys face "I was thinking you just take a few days off not actually leave the village… I mean the Akatsuki is still out there and-"

Gaara raised his hand to cut off the other. "They got what they wanted from me, I am of no importance to them"

The master of puppets crossed his arms and pouted "Still…" Gaara almost chuckled at this sight. Kankuro dropped his arms. "You can't really travel, I mean you have barely gotten any rest" That part was true. Ever since the demon was extracted from Gaara's body he can sleep and his body demands it too but he really hated the feeling of being vulnerable for 6 to 8 hours so he only got the minimum amount that he needed and still will be able to function normally.

It was at that point that the secretary reentered the room. Minagi held a scroll in her hand as she walked to the front of Gaara's desk, out of no where she tripped over nothing and started falling to the floor, Kankuro moved and caught her with cat like reflexes. He stood her up yet she refused to look him in the eye. A blush of embarrassment crossed her face. "Arugatou, Kankuro"

"No problem, you should be more careful" He smiled and gave a little wink, her eyes widened slightly before she cleared her throat and walked over to Gaara.

"Kazekage-sama we just received a scroll from Konoha." Minagi said in an even tone. Gaara's eyes widened thinking the worst with the Akatsuki and Naruto. "Its nothing bad, Its says that to improve relations between the two villages the Village elders from Suna has signed an agreement with the Hokage."

"What is this agreement and why was I not informed" Gaara was a little tick off that the elders would go behind his back and sign something even though it was from Konoha.

"It seems to be an ambassador type program, they send one of their ninjas over here to complete mission as a show of good faith, though they will still be a ninja of Konoha and can be called back at anytime."

"What do we have to do in return?" Gaara asked.

The secretary looked over the paper before looking up at the Kazekage. "It says that since this is a trial program we don't need to do anything in return and that the person in the project is here and I quote, 'from their own stupidity and has to return a favor'…" Minagi smiled before continuing. "Shall I send them in?" Gaara nodded and returned to his paperwork, it was more then likely some random ninja that could afford to get rid of. He could feel the other person's chakra enter the room and stand in front of the desk.

Gaara raised his head to see who it was that was sent to stay and work in Suna. She eyes trailed over black boots and up black fishnets, his eyes moved up and saw a black skirt and shirt, his heart sped up faster upon seeing brown hair shaping the face of the smiling girl whom he had developed feelings for. There stood Katsura in his office smiling brightly as if she didn't have a care in the world. The red head was frozen in place, he was not expecting to see her so soon and now she was going to live in Suna!

"I'm here for any mission you wish to give me, Kazekage-sama" She said snapping the red head out of his trance.

"Just Gaara" Was all he managed to say. Her smile widened if it was at all possible. The swordsman walked around to the other side of the desk just as Gaara stood up and she latched onto him as quickly as possible. She had her arms around his neck, hesitantly Gaara placed his own hands around her waist and hugged back. Minagi smiled at the scene, it was obvious they both cared for each other a lot. She turned to look at the make up boy and locked eyes with him, she motioned with her head for them to leave the room and they did so.

Katsura moved away slightly so she could look Gaara in the eyes, she smiled and gently placed her lips onto Gaara's. He kissed her back with full force, glad that he will always have her now.

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"Thats so adorable!" Minagi exclaimed as she left the room, closing the door behind her.

"No thats troublesome" An unknown voice said and both secretary and Jounin looked to see a bored looking Shikamaru sitting on one of the chair.

"What are you doing here?" The girl asked as she pushed up her glasses.

"I was sent to escort that troublesome woman" The leaf ninja explained in a drawl.

"Right" Kankuro said slyly. "Your just here to see my sister" Shikamaru shot him half deadpan half annoyed look.

"Why are you talking about me?" A female voice spoke from behind the lazy ninja which would have made anyone jump except for Shikamaru. The blonde smirked at seeing the leaf nin. "Your here which must mean Katsura is here as well."

"Wait you were expecting her?" The assistant to the Kazekage asked the eldest Sabuku.

"Of course, When Tsunade-sama came up with this idea it was Baki and me who convinced the council that this was a good idea." Temari said proudly.

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Katsura snuggled against Gaara's chest as he had his arms draped around her back contently. There was just something about her that made him feel at peace while he was with this girl.

It was then that Gaara thought of the suggestion Kankuro had mentioned earlier. The sand ninja carefully untangled his arms from around the leaf and walked over to the corner of his office where his gourd rested and slid off his Kazekage robes dropping them on the floor. He picked up it gourd and strapped it onto his back in one deft movement. The red head walked over to the door and waited for Katsura to follow, instantly she was by his side when he slid the door open to see the rest of the group talking.

It seemed that Temari was yelling at Shikamaru while he was trying to ignore her but it didn't look as if it was working since he was still facing her and mumbling something that sounded like 'troublesome' Katsura rolled her eyes and looked over at Kankuro who had the same facial expression. An evil smirk crossed the cat looking ninja's face and Katsura nodded. The jounin walked over to the arguing couple and stretched his arms. "Oops." He said as his hand 'accidently' pushing the lazy boy into the wind mistress. The ponytailed boy fell onto Temari knocking her over onto the floor… it was then that he realized that his face was very close to the blonde's and they were actually kissing. Shikamaru jumped up faster then what should have been possible for him, his cheeks took on the slightest pink hue, Temari on the other hand lay on the floor with her mouth agape, speechless. She finally woke out of her trance and the bloodlust radiated off her. She stood with her fan and locked on her target which was her little brother. With the fan in the blonde's fan she gave a growl.

"Kankuro you are dead" The fan swung like a bat and the puppet ninja ducked.

"What I helped" He chuckled childishly. But ran for it as soon as the he saw a demonic appearance take over his sister, or at least he could have sworn he saw it. The two sand siblings were gone quicker then Lee without his weights.

"What a pain…" The lazy one sighed and scratched the back of his neck he turned to Katsura. "I have to be going now" The brunette nodded and let her friend leave to head back to Konoha since he had an mission he had to complete upon his return.

Gaara started walking once more way from his office. "I am taking the day off, Kankuro and Temari are in charge." Minagi nodded her head while Katsura jogged to catch up. The brunette smiled at him once more before they both left.

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The two walked through the village on the way to the Sabuku manor. They passed through the busy bizarre filled with people running around. There were a few bows and greeting toward the Kazekage, Katsura smiled noticing the change in attitude from her last time walking the streets with Gaara. Her eye caught a glint in the sunlight and saw the small cart that was selling some of the most beautiful jewelry she had seen. She wandered over to the cart to gaze at the silver crescent moon necklace that first saw when she arrived a few weeks ago.

"I see you have returned, perhaps to purchase that necklace." The old man who owned the business said while Katsura traced her finger over it.

"No I still don't have enough, maybe you can put it on hold for me until I can buy it." She asked hopefully with a smile.

"I can not do that… but I could dissuade people from buying it" The sword master smiled at the kindness of the old man.

"I will purchase it," An almost emotionless voice spoke from behind the brunette. She turned to see Gaara making eye contact with the shop keeper. He nodded once again, this time there was no fear in the old man unlike last time they met. He reached over and took the necklace off the holder and went to put it in a box, but Gaara just handed him the money and left his hand outstretched indicating that there was no need for a box, the old man gently placed the silver necklace in his hand. The Kazekage turned to the girl next to him and gently put it on her neck which surprised her more then anything. He took a step back and she ran her hand over the cool silver of the moon with a small smile. She turned to the Kazekage and smiled bigger while she quickly moved to hug him. Still so unused to physical contact the red head stiffened a bit but held her as well. The old man who owned the small car smiled at the scene slightly unbelieving that Sabuku no Gaara actually showed compassion and in public as well. The happy couple eventually moved on and made it through the busy marketplace though there was still some whispering and for some odd reason Katsura found herself sneezing quite often.

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Katsura stood in front of the kazekage Kazekage manor thinking over how much her life had changed in a short amount of time. Gaara and she had just arrived at his house after he took the day off. Ever since he bought the necklace the two had been walking in silence though it was not completely unwelcome. They walked into the house together but thats when something dawned on the swordmaster.

"Gaara shouldn't I find my own place?" Katsura asked to the red head.

"What so you mean?" Gaara asked unfazed by the question. "You are to stay here" He finished looking her in the eye.

"But wouldn't that be… umm…" A slight blush took over her face. "Wouldn't that be inappropriate" She said not meeting the aqua eyes that were looking onto her.

"I do not understand" Gaara said bluntly, "I want you to stay here so I can protect you"

A smile spread across the kunochi's face as she ran up and hugged the kage it was still awkward for him to have human contact yet this girl payed to attention and hugged him until he slowly wrapped his own around her. She backed up and kissed his nose with a small smile. It was then when she yawned uncontrollably, neither of them noticed that the day passed by quickly and it was about time for bed especially since Katsura was to start her official work as a ninja of Suna.

Katsura followed Gaara upstairs she had all intentions of staying in the extra room again but she caught a glimpse of Gaara's room and walked in leaving a confused sand user behind in the hallway. She looked around the room, there was a large bed with deep red sheets covering it. The desk in the corner was covered with paperwork and the entire room was fairly dark. The tattooed boy watched in amusement at his precious person look all around his room, she turned and smiled at Gaara again then sat on the edge of the bed motioning for the other to join her. Gaara started to move when Katsura leaned back then moved so her head was laying on one of the pillows on the bed. She looked up at Gaara who stood right above her.

"Why do you want me here?" She asked her voice hushed.

"I wish to protect you" He crawled into the bed as well and held onto the brunette around her waist with her head leaning on his upper chest. "I wasn't able to before but now I will" He said as Katsura yawned closing her eyes and letting the rhythmic breathing of Gaara slowly put her to sleep. The Kazekage let his hand caress her arm as he inhaled her scent and his own eyelids closed over green eyes and for the first time in his life Sabuku no Gaara fell into a peaceful sleep while holding onto his own precious person.

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Sorry for the late update… I have no excuse I was just having trouble but I hoped you enjoyed this story. The sequel will be up probably after I move out of my house in about 3 weeks but I will try to get it up sooner also I will put up a notice on this story when it is up. I want to thank everyone who read or reviewed on my story without you I would have given up a long time ago. I truly thank all of you.

Please Review, Arugatou