I was starving. Well not literally… but pretty close. I hadn't had food since breakfast at dawn. The sun had set. Usually that amount of time wouldn't mean much to me, but my appetite was acting weird. One day I could go without eating entirely and be just fine, on other days I needed to eat twice as much. Today just happened to be one of those days.

I walked into the restaurant. It was the only one with any selection of raw foods. As soon as I walked in the manager greeted me himself. He was so used to me coming in he pretty much knew my schedule after two weeks.

"Where's Shou?" He asked.

Out with one of his friends relaxing. It's good to have some down time after a lot of training.

"Agreed!" He grinned, guiding me over to a table. "So what can I get you tonight?"

I sat down and pulled down my mask. Any cold tea is fine and… l'll take a plate of any raw meat or fish. And a plain spinach salad.

"Hungry are we?" the manager laughed.

I nodded with a smile of my own and watched him leave, turning back to the empty table. Soon the tea arrived and I took a sip. It was chilled just like I preferred. I gulped it down, knowing that he would bring more with the food. I noticed a few specks of tea leaves down at the bottom and turned it upside down, closing one eye and looking at it. Some said you could read them.

I couldn't make anything out clearly. Using my imagination I could sort of see a sun. Then a dog. And a knife. I saw Naruto with his spiky hair if I tilted it right. I was so occupied with finding shapes that when a drop fell from the cup and into my eye I dropped it in surprise. It didn't hit the ground and shatter though, instead it was caught by someone.

"You should be more careful."

I grinned over at Gaara sheepishly, taking the cup back and trading it for my pad. What brings you here Kazekage?

"Food. Even we Kage have to eat." He sat across from me without asking. I wouldn't have refused him even if he had.

Oh. Makes sense. I rubbed the back of my head. Caught me at an awkward time. Embarrassing.

"You are still clumsy."

No! I just have my moments! I really am more graceful now! I insisted, blushing.

A small smile played on Gaara's lips. "That's not what I've noticed."

You must have sand in your eyes then.

He looked at me before his shoulders rose and fell three times. I swallowed. Was that a silent chuckle? I was pretty sure it was indeed. What are you going to get to eat.

"What are you having?"

Salad and some meat. Not sure what kind.

"Then I will just eat off of your plate."

Eh? I didn't say you could do that! I pouted.

"Would you really refuse the Kazekage?"

When it comes to my precious food yes!

"I think Konoha taught you to be greedy. You used to always share."

Nope! Back then I was just sharing your food. So it wasn't mine. I bought this with my own hard earned money! Well sort of. It's actually thanks to Asuma I got it. Doing missions with him when we were away.

"What happened between you two? Are you together?" Gaara looked down as if he did not care the least but this was just another topic to keep the conversation going.

Immediately my mood soured. Gaara sensed that because he looked back up at me. No. We are not together.

"What happened?"

I'm not the one he loves. I smiled.

Gaara understood that much at least. He understood that Asuma loved someone else and not me. "That is too bad."

I just don't have much luck in the romance field. I think I might just give it up. Concentrate solely on being a ninja. I didn't know why I was confessing this to him of all people.

"If that is what you feel is right."

My head tilted in agreement. At that moment my food came. The manager looked at the Kazekage and bowed. "What can I get for you lord Kazekage?"

"Nothing."

Gonna mooch off of me still?

Gaara smiled. "Perhaps another day. I still have work to get done."

And with no further ado he walked away, leaving me there alone and confused. Didn't he just say he wanted to eat something that was why he was there? I blew out air. You could never understand that guy.