So I just got back from my vacation and, as I had suspected, there was no internet access. That's alright though because I didn't do a whole lot of writing anyway. But enough about me, here's the next chapter.

This chapter is dedicated in part to WarFlower. Thank you for the idea. I hope I didn't disappoint.

Two weeks passed and I was still unable to take human form. I was recovering nicely, though. I had begun to regain the ability to walk and I was well enough that I was taking whole prey instead of strips of meat. I didn't know who went and caught the jack rabbits for me, but I appreciated it.

I was lying in a puddle of blankets just behind the Kazekage's desk. Temari had had it made for me so that I could rest comfortably as Gaara did his duty. This also allowed me to keep a watchful eye on him and Suna. I still didn't know the reason behind it, but Gaara and I had yet to be separated since he found me.

Suddenly, a soft tapping came upon the door. Gaara gave our visitor permission to enter. I cocked my head to the side at the strange sight. He looked like one of the regular servants but he certainly didn't smell like one, nor did his mind suggest he was one. Another imposter had infiltrated Suna. "Here's your tea, Lord Kazekage," the man said respectfully, placing the cup on Gaara's desk.

"Thank you," Gaara said dismissively, reaching towards the cup. I growled hotly but Gaara was already two-steps ahead of me. He had noticed a slight behavioral difference between the servant today and the servant from all the days before. He was checking for poisons while working on a document. He detected one so he set the cup aside and immediately called the servant back to retrieve Kankuro. The man did as he was bid and returned soon afterwards.

"Yes, Gaara?" Kankuro asked as he walked in, eyeing the servant suspiciously. He shut the door behind him to allow the man no escape.

"That one is an imposter," Gaara said simply. I couldn't help but to be amused by the turn of events. Someone had tried to poison him and Gaara acted as if it were a simple matter handled with ease. I wondered how many assassination attempts had occurred during his short time as Kazekage. Then I remembered all those that had happened when he had been a child. He was probably accustomed to such things by now. Not to mention, he had already died once.

Kankuro also handled the situation with relative ease. Once he and the imposter were gone, I stretched and stood up. I wasn't completely healed so it hurt to move too much but there was something I wanted to do. Gaara was a bit of a workaholic and it was far after the workday's end. I walked over to his chair and tugged on the end of his robe with my teeth. He glanced down at me, knowing he wouldn't get away with ignoring me.

"Yes?" he asked softly. I gestured to the door with my head. He frowned. I tugged insistently. Finally, he sighed and bent over to pick me up. He put me on his shoulders and stood, ready to depart. He left his things as they were, having already dumped out the lethal cup of tea. Then he strode out of his office, shutting the lights off behind him. Outside, I tugged on his ears to take him in the direction I wanted. Realization soon dawned on him as we reached our destination.

"I don't sleep, Nari," he stated simply, arms crossed. We were standing in his bedroom. Since he had refused to move to the Kazekage's traditional corridors, he had remained in the bedroom diagonal from mine. His was fairly larger and his bed was practically set into the wall. The one-person mattress was elevated at least two feet above the floor and an overhang, equipped with curtains, was built into the wall.

I squirmed down from my perch and nudged him towards the bed. We both knew his statement wasn't exactly true. Even Gaara had to sleep a little bit. He tended to do it as little as possible as if he was afraid of sleeping. I wasn't surprised by that. He had been forced to carry Shukaku, the demon of chaos, after all. This would be the first time he had slept since losing the demon.

After arguing silently with an unrelenting ex-jinchuriki, I decided to give him the puppy dog eyes. I crawled over to his bed and somehow managed to jump up. Then I turned the full force of my animal eyes on him, begging silently. "No." I kept up at it. I didn't want to be the only one of us to sleep tonight. Five minutes passed and then he gave in. I smiled gleefully as he removed his robe and joined me on the mattress in only a pair of black pants.

"I doubt I'll sleep," he informed me as he laid down on top of the covers. I showed no sign of hearing him. Gaara stretched out along the bed, resting his head on a pillow. I spread myself out along the side of him closest to the wall. His left arm was behind his head but his right arm wrapped around me gently as he closed his eyes. I was more than pleased with his comfort in my presence. Then again, that could be because he truly did see me as a pet. I decided not to let that ruin my mood.

Closing my eyes as well, I wrapped two tails along his lower thigh. Two more wrapped around the arm encasing me, while I used one to cover my face as I placed my head on his bare chest. Of course, I couldn't help but to admire his lean, tone physique. There was one last thing I wanted to do before I succumbed to my unconscious. I wanted to make sure Gaara fell asleep too.

Being rather unsocial, I wasn't familiar with how to sooth someone to sleep. Instead, I decided to use a method I'd have liked to try on myself. I pulled up good memories of his childhood and past and let them wash over him. Anything that was peaceful, anything that comforting, I forced onto him again. Soon enough, he relinquished the battle and slept. I followed soon after.

►§◄

When I woke up, I couldn't help but to notice that the feel of Gaara's skin had become heightened. It no longer felt as though a layer of fur protected us from contact. Unwilling to move if he was still sleeping, I cautiously checked his mind. He was wide awake and had been for quite some time now. He was simply waiting to see how I'd react, mostly because he wanted to know how he should've.

"How he should've reacted to what?" I whispered to myself. I froze suddenly, entire body becoming hyperaware of my position. No longer a fox, I had intertwined one leg around his while one hand rested on his chest next to my head and the other wrapped around my stomach. I flinched away from him as if he was a hot stove. The worst part? The only remains of my once whole uniform, was a pair of black shorts, my scroll pouch, and little tatters of what used to be my shirt clinging to patches of dried blood.

"My apologies, Lord Kazekage," I said, mortified. I crossed my arms over my bare chest, not like there was much to cover. By now, though, I had begun to accept that fact. He was confused by this, letting my formal address slip by without notice. It wasn't as if I was showing him anything he hadn't showed me. "Oh, but it's different, Gaara. I'm a girl." I realized I had slipped again, revealing my insight into his mind.

"You can read my thoughts?" The young Kage was sincerely perplexed.

"Ugh, just let me get dressed and I'll explain, okay?" He tilted his head in confusion, honestly not seeing what the issue was.

"You may use my robe to cover yourself as you go to your room," he finally said.

"Thank you," I muttered, climbing over his legs with relative ease to try to lessen how awkward the situation was. I retrieved his discarded robe from the night before and quickly left the room, my cheeks flaming. To my utter despair, Temari caught me.

"Nari, what are you doing?" she demanded, assuming the worst.

"I'll explain later," I sighed.

"You'll explain now." I glared at her and grabbed her hand, pulling her into my room after me. As soon as I was in the safety of my corridors, I slipped out of Gaara's robe, not liking what wearing it implied. While bending over to get a new outfit, I yelped in agony, my knees collapsing from beneath me. I thought it had hurt to move as a nine-tailed fox…

"You look worse, if that's possible," the kunoichi pointed out. I glanced at my arms. They were covered in wounds that I was sure I had healed. "Why aren't you healed?" she asked, slightly worried.

"I'm only going to give you one answer so choose a question," I snapped, perhaps a little too harshly. I didn't want to be berated with inquiries. I just wanted to sit down and meditate so I could clear my mind.

"Why are you slipping out of my baby brother's bedroom with nothing but his robe and a pair of shorts on?" I pursed my lips. I had been hoping she'd go with the other question. I stood, unclasped my pouch, and put it on the dresser, pulling out my white, council robes. They'd be easier on my sensitive skin. I ripped off the remaining tatters of my uniform and then slipped on the new set of clothing. Then I turned to face the worried, yet elated, sister.

"Last night, as a fox, I urged Gaara to lay down and try to sleep. I laid beside him and when he succumbed, I did too. I woke up this morning, suddenly in human form, in nothing but shorts. That's all that happened." She glared at me.

"Is that all you wanted to happen?" I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Temari, I panicked when I woke up and realized what had occurred. I hightailed out of there as fast as I could. It's just – It's so… wrong!" I crossed my arms again and shivered at the thought. I felt violated enough as is; I didn't need to imagine what could've occurred. Then again, I wasn't sure if Gaara was even aware of such activity. I mean, he had to be partly but… He was a strange boy. Who knew what he was and wasn't aware of when it came to such matters?

"Nari! You could've hurt his feelings."

"Trust me, his feelings are fine. He didn't even know how to react himself. He was waiting for me to wake up to see what I would do. Anyway, I'm his pet. Remember?" She strolled over to me and put a gentle hand on my cheek.

"You're only his pet because he doesn't understand what else to make of you. He cares about you and he trusts you. He enjoys your company and wants to make sure you're alright. Did you even notice he hasn't left you since you showed up until now, when you fled?" I had noticed and part of me was still keeping tabs on him. The Kazekage was currently showering for the upcoming day and I was doing my best not to intrude. Usually I'd lay outside the bathroom door as he did his business.

"You're trying to say he loves me," I deduced, slightly skeptical.

"Gaara does love you! Ever since that night in Konoha, he's constantly checked up on you. He writes to the Hokage at least once a month under the pretenses that he's making sure his cuffs are still working properly. Why do you think there hasn't been a squad sent to retrieve you? Lady Hokage knows that you're here and that you're injured, but she also knows that he'll make sure you're safe and well taken care of." I blushed at the mention of that night. I could almost feel the ghost of his lips against mine.

"But still…," I protested in an attempt to conceal my true thoughts.

"But nothing. I know something happened between the two of you that night; I just don't know what. When I find out, Nari Ninetails, you better hope he's there to protect you because, if I discover you led him on and aren't returning his feelings, I will beat you like wild beast you are." I gulped. Temari's threats were not to be taken lightly.

"Temari, I don't understand these feelings any better than he does. Not when I'm the one experiencing them. Besides, he doesn't think he loves me. He sincerely sees me as his pet. I've read his mind. I would know."

"I thought you couldn't read Gaara's mind."

"With Shukaku gone, his mind is open to me. Anyway, back to the subject at hand please."

"You can read his mind and you're telling me he doesn't love you?" She was incredulous but I nodded. "Read deeper, Nari. I'm sure you'll find something there."

"He's in the shower," I stated, frustrated by her pushiness. She laughed.

"Fine, later then. But, be warned, I'm watching you."

"Yeah, yeah…," I sighed, leaning against me dresser. She turned to leave. "Wait a second. Do – do you think you can get off duty long enough to go to the hospital with me? I think it's time I see a real doctor."

"Oh, I'm sure I know who would be delighted to go." I went to argue that that wasn't what I meant but decided not to. She had known what I wanted anyway but she was punishing me for being so negative. I just let it go and went to the bathroom to scrub my face and brush my hair. When I finally made it to the hallway, Gaara and Kankuro were talking. The puppet master glanced up at me and smirked. Temari and Gaara had just finished telling him all about it… Flames engulfed my cheeks.

"What's up sleep-shifter?" he began.

"Shut up, Kankuro," I retorted, walking right by with my head held high.

"Come on, Nari. I'm just teasing you." I pouted a little and turned back around, wanting to keep the little pride I still had intact.

"Good morning, Gaara," I said to the redhead, trying to make up for my earlier behavior.

"Nari," he acknowledged me with a slight inclination of his head. I went to leave.

"So you're really as flat-chested as a guy, huh?" the elder brother demanded. I face-palmed.

"Yes, I'm flat-chested. Can we please not have this conversation?"

"But my little brother slept in the same bed as a topless girl. I need to have all the details from both parties. I already have Gaara's side of the story."

"Look, I shifted when I was asleep. Apparently, the explosion that tore my body to shreds also managed to incinerate the majority of my shinobi uniform. It was unexpected and… extremely mortifying. Can I go now?"

"No. What made you shift? Were you dreaming?" I paused at the second question. Had I been dreaming? No. That was odd. Now that I thought about, I hadn't had my usual hallway dream since being found by Gaara. Why? "Nari," Kankuro drawled out, snapping me back to reality.

"I'm working on a theory," I told him. "And, no, I wasn't dreaming. I'm leaving now." I turned to go but Gaara called me back.

"Temari said that she's having Matsuri escort you." I cocked my head to the side. Matsuri? Why would she want Gaara's student to go with me?

"Well, okay… I guess. Do you know where she is?"

"She should be outside." I bobbed my head and left before Kankuro could get another word in. She was just outside the Kazekage building, waiting for me slightly impatiently. I gestured towards her to follow me. So this is Gaara-sensei's close friend.

"You're Matsuri, correct?" I asked politely. She nodded.

"And you're Nari, right?" I confirmed that and walked on. She's kind of creepy looking but she's very silent, like Gaara-sensei. I found it fascinating to listen to her assess me. Her thoughts weren't offensive, but she wasn't very nice either. I could already tell that she was jealous of me.

We arrived at the hospital soon enough. Matsuri stayed outside for the initial exam but she demanded to be there for the results. Nosy brat, I thought nonchalantly. She sat down in a seat next to the bed and waited patiently for the doctor to explain the situation as one nurse wrapped my ribs in bandanges.

"Most of the damage to your internals organs is minimal. You might be sore but they should heal in due time. Your chakra system is going to need at least two full months to heal and I'm afraid that you have three fractured ribs, eleven torn muscles, and your spinal cord suffered significant damage."

"Would that explain why I'm not really feeling the pain that it sounds like I should?" I wondered aloud. The man nodded as the nurse bandaging me snorted. Goodness, this girl is a piece of work, the woman thought. All of that and she's walking around like it's nothing. She has to be in some pain.

"Externally, you have a series of burns ranging from second to third degree. You also have a sunburn, multiple lacerations, and a series of scrapes that appear to be from getting hit by highspeed sand," the doctor continued. "All around, you should heal on your own but there is some bad news. I'm afraid that whatever injured you ripped your uterus to shreds." Uterus?

"What's that mean?" I inquired. Matsuri's jaw dropped.

"Nari, that means you can't have kids!"

►§◄

The walk back to the Kazekage's building was held in awkward silence. I didn't understand what was so bad about my situation. First off, after the explosion that killed Miu and Takeo, I had been told that I would never regain use of my arms. Here they were, fully functional. Secondly, so what if I couldn't have children? I had read the "Mating" scroll. Pregnancy for my species meant all sorts of trouble. I'd be better off if I didn't run that risk. Of course, it's not like there'd ever be a risk. Perhaps it was childish of me but I couldn't see myself doing something like that. Not to mention, I didn't want children. They were practically guaranteed to be like me and nine-tailed ninja couldn't raise their nine-tailed ninja offspring.

"How are you going to tell Gaara-sensei?" Matsuri finally uttered.

"Gaara? Why would I tell him?"

"It affects Gaara-sensei." She stared up at me incredulously, not understanding what was going through my head.

"How so?" She blanched.

"Um… You two… I mean, aren't you – aren't you two dating?" I cocked my head to the side. Where had she come up with that ridiculous notion?

"We're not dating. Gaara and I are just friends. What made you think otherwise?"

"Oh, well… You're around each other all the time and you spent two weeks literally not separating from him. You seem to be really close." I shrugged.

"No. I'm not going to tell him. There's no need to triffle him with such information. He'll probably find out from Temari, she's always putting her nose in my business, but that's all."

"You're not going to tell him at all?" she demanded, slightly upset.

"No…"

"How could you not tell him? I thought you said he was your friend. You're supposed to tell your friends things like this." If he finds out that she can't have children, maybe he won't want her anymore, the child thought. I shot a glare at Matsuri.

"This isn't because you have a crush on Gaara, is it?" I inquired. She was starting to irritate me but I was careful to keep my temper in check.

"No…"

"How does this help you?"

"Well, if he knows you can't have kids, maybe he'll realize that there are better options. I mean, someone like you doesn't deserve someone like Gaara-sensei." I blinked in astonishment and stepped in front of her, crossing my arms. Who was this girl to decide who I did and didn't deserve?

"I don't deserve someone like Gaara? Do explain." She wasn't backing down, the foolish little thing. Didn't she realize how easy it would be for me to kill her, even with my injuries?

"You're inconsiderate, and creepy, and depressing to be around. You keep killing your friends and abandoning your teammates. Everyone knows that the only reason why the Hidden Leaf haven't come to pick you up is because they don't want you back. That means you're not a very good ninja. In fact, I'm willing to bet you're a nuisance to your village. What have you done for them, after all?"

"And where did you hear all of this?"

"Everyone talks about it." I clenched my teeth and resisted the urge to hit her. Matsuri was a good child; I knew that. If she was spitting out all of this information, then someone must have fed it to her.

"I've done plenty more for my village than is anyone's due. And the reason why I haven't been retrieved? The Hokage knows that Gaara and I are close and instead of forcing me to sit in a hospital room until I recooperate, she's let me stay and enjoy some time off, so don't go talking about how I'm not a good ninja. I'll tell you what, instead of punching you, I'm going to go cool off. In return, you're going to tell Temari that I'm alright and I'll be back in the morning. Understood?" She nodded, seeing the anger in my eyes and went inside where as I disappeared.

I hope you enjoyed and you guys deserve a heads up: I've been having a really hard time writing the next chapter. I've tried it a ton of different ways and I can't seem to get it to where I like it so sorry if the next update takes awhile.