Chapter 34: The End of a Dream
The next day, I help out Gaara as much as I can. Kankuro would come in once in a while to say hi or check on things. He'd always give us weird looks before leaving.
Gaara: "Akia, can you get me some water?"
"Sure thing. I'll be right back."
Gaara: "Come back quickly."
I look back at him and he smiles like a child.
"I'll take all my time there."
Gaara: "Don't or I'll miss you."
Since when did he become so adorable? They say love can change people. I might be starting to see why they say that… It is love, isn't it… I go out of Gaara's office to get him water. On my way there, I bump into Kankuro.
"Hey there. You're going to see Gaara?"
Kankuro: "I am. Thanks for all your hard work here. Without you I think he would've been panicking about all the work."
"I didn't do much. He can handle himself pretty well."
Kankuro: "You seem really happy… Something good happened last night?"
"N… No! What are you talking about?"
Kankuro: "It's either that or the world is coming to an end. Gaara's smiling way too much today."
"Whatever you say… I need to get Gaara some water he wants me to get back there."
Kankuro: "Why? He's not the type to rush people."
"I… I don't know! Ask him!"
Kankuro is asking way too many questions. I'm not totally ready to talk to him about it and besides, I need to get this water to Gaara.
I bring Gaara's water and he welcomes me with another smile.
Gaara: "Thank you for this."
He takes the cup of water and puts it on his desk. He turns back to me and gives me a hug.
"Gaara! What if someone comes in?"
Gaara: "It doesn't matter."
He lets me go after a bit and gets back to his desk.
Gaara: "I feel so lucky to have you."
Did he just say that? I'm pretty sure he did! And I'm also pretty sure it's the reason why I feel all fuzzy…
The day comes to an end and Gaara and I get ready to leave.
Gaara: "You ready to go to the festival with me?"
"Of course I am. I'm looking forward to it."
He takes my hand and leads me to where the festival is being held.
It's dark outside, but the lanterns hung up for the festival light up the streets. Many people are gathered out, playing some traditional games, eating street food, enjoying themselves. There are a lot of couples around. Are we one of them now?
Walking hand in hand brought a lot of attention to us… And not all were good.
"Isn't that the Kazekage…"
"What is he doing with this Konoha girl…"
"Don't you know…"
"She's that girl…"
"The daughter of that…"
"The one who killed our previous Kazekage…"
"What if…"
"She could do the same…"
"What's the Kazekage thinking?!..."
Wherever I go, I can't seem to escape these whisperings. What bothers me the most, however, is that I got Gaara involved in it. I let go of his hand.
Gaara: "What's wrong?"
"I don't think I'm very liked…"
Gaara: "…Do you want to go somewhere else?"
"I'm okay. Don't worry about me. You go enjoy the rest of the festival. I'll go back to the mansion."
Gaara: "I won't leave you."
"I don't want to drag you into my bad reputation."
Gaara: "Let's go somewhere else. Together."
He grabs my hand again and takes me away from the crowd. We spend the rest of the evening without saying much. Even if it happened to me before to be judged because I'm Orochimaru's daughter, it still bothers me to some extent. Until now, Orochimaru somehow manages to mess my life up just by existing.
Gaara: "Akia. You shouldn't think too much about what other people say."
"I don't mind what they say about me. It's getting you involved in this that bothers me."
Gaara: "From now on, everything that concerns you concerns me as well. It goes the other way around too. I… I love you, Akia."
Was that… a confession?
"Gaara… I love you too…"
Gaara: "Then please, always tell me what bothers you. I'm there for you. I'll always be."
The days go by. The week is almost over. I wonder how Gaara will be able to fall asleep without me… I'll miss him… a lot… I'll miss our walks after a day of work. This mission was like a dream to me. A beautiful dream… I could get my mind off so many things during the time I was here. Gaara helped me stop worrying about what will happen tomorrow or the day after… But… Everything come to an end. Tomorrow, Temari will be back…
That night, Gaara came to my room like all the previous nights.
We both lie down and he hugs me tightly. This time, it felt more tight than usual…
Gaara: "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too…"