Tobirama made time after school Wednesday in order to see both Utakata and I. He seemed to have something important to say because he summoned us to a small cafe downtown with a text that left no margin for excusing ourselves.

Utakata picked me up from school then, and the two of us drove to the laughing planet, the designated meeting spot.

"Any idea what it's about?" I asked.

Utakata shook his head no. When we walked in the white haired model was sitting in a corner booth that protected him from outside view. Utakata and I joined him.

"Yo." He greeted us both. "How are the shoots?"

"They are going really well." I smiled. Utakata nodded in agreement.

Tobirama took a sip of a drink in front of him. He scanned the both of us with his calculating eyes, and seemed to finally strengthen his resolve. "The reason I called you here wasn't just for pleasantries. I have a proposition."

We waited patiently until he continued.

"I want to try something that has never been done before. Something that could either backfire, or something that could put our names in history." He gave us one last searching look.

"Pair models." He said at last. "Usually, it's rare for models to shoot together too often. They go by what the company wants. But Utakata has already made himself known for being picky and only working multiple times with you Zena. I want to expand on that."

"I'd call it, the Demon Duo. It would be an interesting story for the media. How 'the rising actor and famed Demon rank model, who was as slippery as a slug, finally was caught by the rising model sensation.' What do you think?"

"Well we already do a lot of shoots together." I pointed out.

"I don't see a problem in continuing to shoot together." Utakata nodded his head.

"I don't think you completely understand." Tobirama smiled. "What I am proposing is on a different scale. I mean complete loyalty to one another. I don't want the tabloids to find a picture of one of you without the other. Every shoot you do in a couple situation must be with the other one. Solo's are still expected, but I don't want to see Utakata embracing another girl on camera and I don't want Zena to be standing next to a different male."

Utakata leaned back, rubbing his chin. "So solo's are fine, but you don't want us to 'cheat' on each other so to say. This would have the media in an uproar."

Tobirama nodded. "Exactly. Don't agree just yet though. There's another part I'd like in order for this to work. Even in private, I'd like you two to be seen together. I meant it when I said I didn't want the tabloids to get a picture of one of you without the other. Even doing mundane tasks like grocery shopping or taking Zakari to the park. If I could, I'd even like you two to live together. However for now I'll let the last one slide."

I bit my lip in thought. "So... for publicity we basically act like twins?"

"Yes! Lovers, twins, best friends, everything that symbolizes a deep bond between two people." Tobirama held his breath.

Utakata looked at me and gave a small nod. "I'll do it."

I had no choice but to agree. "Inseparable then?"

Utakata put an arm around me. "mhm."

"Right. I'll leave it to you then." Tobirama stood to his full height and took a last sip of his drink.

Now alone, Utakata asked if there was anything I wanted to eat. We both agreed that neither was that hungry, wanting to leave the little Cafe. I was nervous for the fight Gaara was engaging in soon and didn't think I could stomach anything anyways. I hoped that those I cared about like Naruto and Shikamaru would be safe. The twins gave me a very creepy vibe.

"What do you think of the plan?" Utakata asked me.

We climbed into his car and he started to drive off.

"Zena?" He asked again.

I snapped out of my worried state. "Oh. I think it's smart. I don't mind it too much. I just hope it doesn't give people the wrong idea about us."

Utakata regarded me for a long minute. "There's someone you like?"

I nodded shyly. "Yes. But it isn't too serious I don't think. Still..."

Utakata reached over and touched the side of my neck. "It looks a little serious. Perhaps you should remind this person that as a model, you are paid to have a perfect body. Marks are not attractive."

I slapped my hand against my neck, eyes wide. I hadn't remembered that Gaara bit me. "Is it that obvious?" I asked.

"To a trained eye like Tobi or I? Yes."

I rubbed my neck. "That's a little embarrassing. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again." I promised.

Utakata parked his car and we clamored out. "Mhm."

"So any news on the role yet? I know it's soon and all." I asked.

"I got the part. Apparently there wasn't much competition." Even Utakata smiled, unable to hide his own excitement.

"That's great!" I grinned, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "I told you didn't I?"

"You did." He agreed. He walked me to my door. "Where's Zakari?"

"Oh my pastor is watching him. He'll be dropped off later." I explained.

"I see." Utakata peered behind his shoulder. "Did you want to eat dinner together?"

I wanted to say yes, but I found myself gripping my phone in my pocket. It was six already. In an hour Gaara would start his fight.

"I'd love to, but there's something important going on tonight. I can't really stomach food right now. Maybe tomorrow night?" I offered weakly.

Utakata nodded. He didn't look upset or bothered at all. "I see. Well, tomorrow then. Perhaps we can go to a restaurant. We need to be seen together in public more."

"Good idea. Bye Utakata. Sleep well." I opened my door and slipped inside.

An hour passed and Zakari was dropped off. He was rather exhausted so by eight he was in bed. I stayed up, sitting on the couch and clutching my phone. Still no call.

Nine came and went.

Then ten. I tried to call Gaara but there was no answer.

I was close to panic mode, pacing the floor, when someone banged loudly on the door.

I fled to it and flung it open.

Gaara fell forward. I caught him, surprised by how light he was.

"G-Gaara?" I stammered. I helped him to my couch.

His shirt was drenched and red, a sickening smell coming from him.

"Oh my god." I gasped. "There's so much blood."

I was panicking. What was I supposed to do? Call 911?

Gaara pushed my hands away groggily. "Not mine." He said.

I hesitated. He didn't look good. His eyes were heavy lidded, his cheek had a scratch and I was sure there was more damage under his shirt. "Gaara..." I protested.

He shrugged. "I didn't want Temari to see me like this."

In a bold move, I gripped his shirt. "You're hurt though. Somewhere."

Gaara put up no fight and let me remove his drenched shirt. I tossed it aside and some of the sticky residue was on his stomach. My eyes instantly covered every inch of him.

"I'm fine." Gaara Growled.

But the cut on his chest spoke otherwise "Oh Gaara..." I sighed.

There was clearly a cut about a three inches long and still bleeding on his left peck. I was up on my feet, looking through the drawers for a washcloth, which I dampened with warm water and returned to his side. "You said you'd be fine..."

"I am fine." He pushed my hands away.

I put them right back. "Hold still. I need to stop the bleeding. You idiot..." I cursed.

Gaara obeyed. He didn't say another word and let me continue to hold the towel against his cut. Finally, it seemed ready to clot over.

"Hold it tight." I ordered. I disappeared into the bathroom and emerged with a small first aid kit. From it I took Gauze and a large cloth bandage. I cleaned the wound a little better, applied disinfectant and made sure it was all secure.

"It should hold. You shouldn't move too much... did you drive here?"

Gaara nodded.

I took the cloth and began wiping the rest of his torso down. There were no other cuts asides from the small scratch on his cheek. For good measure I started applying a little disinfectant to it. "You're a pain Gaara. You know that?"

He smirked and caught my hand. "Mine." He kissed the palm.

I pulled it away. "Right now I'm not." I reprimanded. Then hesitantly I nodded to my room. "Did you want to spend the night here? I don't think you should be driving like this."

He looked like he might fall over. "Yes." He said.

I supported some of his weight and led him to my room. I set him down on the bed. "There we go."

He had that mischievous glint in his eyes. "I don't like sleeping in my clothes."

"Then take them off. I've already seen it all." I rolled my eyes. If he was trying to embarrass me he'd have to try harder.

"I'm too sore." He said.

Oh, there was no way in hell I was going to remove his pants for him. "I thought you were fine."

"I fought hard today." He said.

Still not happening.

He sighed and moved to sit up. He hissed in pain and laid back down. "I guess I overestimated myself."

I was pretty sure he was faking it, but blame it on the mother instincts. I reached out and unbuttoned his pants, yanking them off.

"Little shit." I mumbled.

Gaara smirked. "Boxers too."

"No." I sent him a dead look.

"The reason I got stabbed was because Ukon spoke about you. It distracted me..." He sighed.

I slapped the side of his head. "Nice try. I'm going to bed. I stayed up too late worrying about you."

Gaara sighed and as I climbed in besides him he rolled onto his side and wrapped an arm around my waste, pulling my body against his.

"Night Gaara."

He grunted a response.