A/N: Hey everyone! We're coming in hot with TWELVE REVIEWS! You all know the drill; a new chapter every two weeks! I'm going to try and keep it that way, buuuut recently I'm having to build a design resume on my free time instead of writing (which sucks). However, I'm still going to post chapters just sporadically sometimes lol. I'm also sorry that this is so short; I'll make sure the next one is a lot longer! I hope you're all ready for this!

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Holy Shit

*Kabocha POV*

Once…

Twice…

I don't know how many times I blinked staring at my singer as he attempted to speak to me. Everything was extremely muffled, it sounded like he was speaking to me under water.

Kissed.

They had shared a kiss.

Kiss.

KILL.

I twitched violently, standing swiftly to my feet as I felt something snap inside of me. Gaara took one small step back, bringing his hands up to my waist to steady me...as if I would need it. I calmly brushed his nice hands away, and snatched the hospital gown off of my body.

I missed the widening of Gaara's eyes as he took another three steps away from me to appraise me in both fascination and worry. I stood before him in my leather breast binder and boy shorts uncaring for his roaming eyes.

"Kabocha...what are you doing?" Gaara rasped deeper than moments before, and I was glad I could finally hear him again.

"I'm leaving and I didn't want to leave in my hospital gown so I took it off." I told him simply as I glided over to my mesh one piece. I snatched the one piece off of the hanger, turning back to him as I began shimming back into it as gracefully as I could.

He pinched the bridge of his nose before saying, "I can see that. What I want to know is why are you leaving. Lady Tsunade has not yet examined you."

I stretched my arms up before bending over to touch my toes and simultaneously strap my shoes back on. I snapped back to attention to look into his pretty eyes. "There is no longer a need for her to examine me. Our deal is now null and void since new information has surfaced." I left the room with him hot on my heels.

"New information? Are you referring to what I said about-"

"Correct." I cut him off not wanting to hear it again. The only time I wanted to hear it again was in the form of a wheeze while I choked the life out of-

"Kabocha." Gaara grabbed my left hand, startling me considering everyone was usually very aware of the scales and didn't want to touch them. I halted my long strides, giving him my full attention at the hospital exit.

"What exactly are you going to do, hm? Burn this village to the ground? Kill my sister? Kill your tamer?" I pursed my lips, staring at Gaara's furrowed non existent eyebrows.

"All of that sounds like a great start. However, during my time away I've learned that my kind isn't able to kill their tamers. Also, I'm not sure what would happen if my tamer were to die… it's been a well kept secret of my village of what would happen if a tamer were to die before their Nagaraku." I lowered my gaze to his eyes to see that he was staring and listening intently to me. He started to rub my hand gently making me shudder and pull my hand away and rest it on his arm.

"Come home with me." I blushed brightly, snatching my hand away to cover some of my face. What the Kami did he mean 'come home with him'.

"W-what?" I stuttered hating myself for how I was reacting to just a simple statement.

"Come home with me to your village. You can avoid all of this confrontation and heart ache if you would just come home with me. Your coronation and husband ceremony is in two days." I let out a breath in anger at the word avoid, all embarrassment evaporating like steam in the atmosphere.

"I will not avoid a thing. They brought this upon themselves." I almost growled, but realized that I wasn't angry at Gaara.

"I do not want you hurt...physically or otherwise." He told me simply and I blinked at his blank face. However, I could see the light concern he had for me in his eyes.

"This was always going to end with me being hurt." I told him with a sad smile, and I wanted to sound reassuring but that statement definitely didn't reassure him. I cupped one side of his face using my left hand, I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his cheek. I wasn't at all surprised that his sand allowed my affection now. It was a kiss of appreciation; I felt his body tense up slightly then relax.

"What the hell are you doing!? Get your disgusting hand off of my little brother!?" I pulled away slowly, not turning to face the voice that I hadn't heard in quite some time. However, I would know that annoying voice anywhere.

I looked at her out of the corner of my eye before turning to face her. How convenient that Shikamaru was by her side, and how inconvenient that Naruto and Kankuro was with them as well. I would need to rethink my strategy.

"K-Kabocha…" Naruto called out to me, and I shifted my gaze to look at my...brother. He was much taller; we were probably the same height which was new for me considering I had always been taller.

"Correct, Naru-nii." The affectionate name came out of my mouth without a thought. He looked a bit roughed up along with Shikamaru. Temari and Kankuro were staring at me like I was some new found species until Kankuro let out a whistle.

"I've always thought you were attractive but damn."

"Kankuro."

"Watch it."

"That's my sister!"

All three of the men around spoke at once making me roll my eyes. I was a little surprised that Gaara even said anything let alone Shikamaru.

"I'm just saying." Kankuro said with a laugh, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Thank you, Kankuro." I shook my head with a smile turning my smile to Naruto. I continued to ignore the looks I was receiving from Shikamaru. I knew he had seen the kiss I had given Gaara, but I'm sure it was nothing compared to the kiss he shared with Temari. I twitched internally at the thought.

"How are you- umph!" I caught Naruto in my arms, but the rest of my body wasn't ready for his assault. I corrected our fall, so that he wouldn't get hurt and I wouldn't hit my head. I landed heavily on my ass with a loud grunt.

"Naruto." I heard Shikamaru say in an annoyed tone, while Kankuro laughed and Gaara smiled. I didn't know what Temari was doing, and I couldn't find it in myself to care.

"I'm sorry!" He shouted making me blink at how close his face was to my own. My eyes almost crossed to focus on his face.

"Back up, Naruto!" I could hear Shikamaru making a move to get closer, but I cut my eyes at him over Naruto's shoulder making him halt in his tracks. He gave me a confused, irritated look.

I gave Naruto my full attention, now that I was sure that Shikamaru wasn't going to drag him off of me. "You don't have to be sorry, Naruto…"

"Yeah I do! I said some really mean things to you, a-and I missed out on three years of talking to you because I thought you hated me." I sighed as Naruto stared at my stomach, not being able to meet my intense gaze.

"Naruto…" I sighed. "Siblings fight… Well, I didn't really fight with Tsuyoi, but I've had worse fights with Shosha. I still love you regardless of what was said. I'm sorry for the way I reacted." I told him with a gentle smile, and he finally looked up at me. A bright grin broke out on his matured face.

"I love you too." I felt my heart warm from his declaration as he threw his arms around me for a hug which I returned slowly. He stood to his feet abruptly, pulling me up with him. "Man, you've gotten tall!"

"I've always been tall for my age, but you're the tall one now." I laughed patting his shoulder, I was right about us being the same height give or take an inch in his favor.

"So...what're you doing here, Gaara. I mean it's great to see you as always. I just didn't get the chance to ask you earlier." Naruto looked over to Gaara with his grin still in place.

"We've arrived for Kabocha's coronation and husband ceremony is in two days-"

"Woah! That's in two days already! Doesn't it take like three days to get to your village!?" Naruto cut in, I tilted my head at his panicked state.

"Can't you do that transport thingy." Kankuro said and then Naruto agreed loudly.

"Sorry to disappoint but I can't waste my chakra on the transportation jutsu right now. I sustained some injuries early that are requiring my chakra to heal." I explained and all of them minus Gaara looked at me like I had grown a second head. "I'm not going to go into detail about that now. I can have a few of my clansmen transport us straight to the castle. Everyone else that has been invited outside of everyone standing around here arrived two nights ago. Personal guests are staying at the castle while the other guests are staying at the Imperial Hotel."

"So we don't have to walk and we're not going to be late?"

"No Kankuro you're not going to be late and you don't have to walk." I did roll my eyes this time. "Sweet." Kankuro said simply and nodded back in response.

"We are you staying tonight?" Gaara asked me and I pursed my lips.

"The reservation at the hotel that we were staying at ended this morning. I guess I can renew it-"

"You're not staying with me again tonight?" I finally looked at Shikamaru head on, and it was definitely his biggest mistake asking me that out right.

"What do you mean staying with you again!?" Naruto voice cracked and any other time I would have teased him but I wasn't in the mood at the moment. Temari flushed in what I assumed was either anger or embarrassment that I had stayed the night with Shikamaru.

"No I won't be staying with you tonight or any nights in the future." Everyone looked at me in confusion except Gaara, who let out a breath at the confrontation that was about to happen.

"What a drag...what's going on now?" Shikamaru's voice had raised slightly, and I knew he was ready to argue with me. I smirked viciously, having riled him up from his previous relaxed posture.

"I don't know...why don't you tell me." Shikamaru's frown deepened, his stare becoming more intense as he studied me.

"Your not one for games...you were straightforward with me last night. What's changed?"

"What's changed? Why don't I ask you and Temari both." I spit out Temari's name, and if looks could kill I would be six feet under. Thank the dragons that I'm made of much sinister content, her glare didn't affect me at all.

"We're back to this again." Shikamaru sighed in frustration, and I could see Naruto's head snap to Temari; an unreadable expression on his face. It was an expression that was much too dark for his usually bright features.

"We are!" I told him with a grin. "What would you do if I kissed Gaara right now. Before you even bring up the kiss I gave him moments ago on the cheek, that wasn't even a real kiss. That was the kind of kiss I'd give Choji or maybe even Naruto. What if I kissed him the way I kiss you." Everyone looked so uncomfortable especially Shikamaru, and I was practically giddy at this fact. Gaara tensed up like a coil ready to spring, I could feel the tension rolling off of him in waves.

"Tell me where all of this is-"

"Did you kiss Temari?" I asked him outright having had my fun, I was ready for the answer now. I already knew the answer, I was more ready for an explanation. I had listened to Gaara's heart as he told me they kissed, his heartbeat stayed steady the entire time.

"Awwww, Gaara must have told you." Temari expression changed from anger to cocky in the blink of an eye. "I was hoping to tell you first."

I prided myself on my composure upon seeing them since finding out the disturbing news. I was a proud individual to begin with, and I suppose I should be ashamed of myself for what I did as soon as those words left her paint covered mouth.

"Secret Ninja art: Soul Seal." It happened before I even thought about. The secret ninja arts of the dragons was drilled into me and me alone outside of uncle Gorudo. They were not to be used so freely because of their power, and for a time they had been forbidden jutsus. I refocused my chakra from steadily healing my right side into the tiny gourd that I kept in a ninja pouch on my thigh.

I knew that I wasn't going to handle the situation well. I feel as though if she would have just let Shikamaru answer instead of feeling proud about kissing a boy that didn't belong to her. Belong...what an awful word to say. However, Shikamaru was mine in almost every sense of the word sans the fact that he wasn't my mate which was okay with me now. I was happy that my urge to mate him was suppressed last night otherwise this would have been so much worse. I probably would have killed them both.

I thought I was going to be okay after Gaara asked me what I was going to do when I saw them because he had a point. I couldn't destroy this village, even though father wouldn't be against it at this point, and I couldn't kill Shikamaru. Where did that leave me? Rather, who did that leave me with?

Temari.

I saw everyone minus Gaara shouting at me before I heard them. Gaara was speaking calmly judging by his face. Sometimes I wondered if Gaara was meant to be my tamer instead; that maybe the Grand Dragon made a mistake because judging by Gaara's calm demeanor (even though his sister was no longer standing in front of us) and Shikamaru's panicked state I wasn't so sure about Shikamaru being the one to keep me calm. I wasn't angry, I wasn't feeling much of anything besides the breath of the men in my face yelling. That was the only thing making me angry at this point.

"What the fuck did you do!" Kankuro bellowed almost nose to nose with me. I blinked slowly at him, none too thrilled about the spit that just hit my face. I calmly raised my hand and flicked the spit away with a sharpened claw, making sure that his gaze saw my claws.

I wasn't really in the mood for a fight now. My side was only three quarters of the way healed, and I couldn't finish healing it because I just used almost every ounce of my chakra sealing Temari away.

"Holy shit, Kabocha! You have to teach me that!" I pressed my lips into a firm line at Naruto's exclamation and him cursing. The laugh that bubbled inside of me died as soon as Shikamaru opened his mouth.

"Is that all you have to say, you idiot? What did you just do? Is she dead?" Shikamaru asked with way too much base in his voice for my liking.

"Who're you calling an idiot!?" Naruto screeched making me sigh. I leaned slightly on Gaara for support, my chakra was exhausted and I was sure I would pass out any moment.

"She isn't dead. I just sealed her away; sealing was one of the many jutsus I learned while I was away. However…" I said slightly sheepish of what I was about to tell them. "I do not know how to unseal her. I left training early so…"

"Your telling me that my sister is forever stuck in that thing, you amazonian psycho!" I put my entire hand on Kankuro's face and gave a hard shove. I flicked more spit off of my cheek in an irritated fashion.

"Calm down, Kankuro. Kabocha, what's wrong-"

"Are you serious, Gaara. Our sister is gone and your asking if she's okay!? Just because you have some weird bond and you have a crush on her doesn't mean-"

"Kankuro...I won't tell you again." Kankuro shut right up from his position on his ass. "Kabocha.." Gaara jostled me slightly, placing his arm around my waist to stabilize me. I only hummed in response, quickly losing the battle to stay conscious.

"Is there any way you can unseal her? Who taught you?" I blinked blearily looking into Shikamaru's angry face, I felt myself smile. He was so handsome….a handsome asshole.

"Uncle is a sealing specialist, but Master Shi is the one who taught me." I'm not even sure if they could understand me. I blinked again only this time my eyes stayed closed, but I could still hear them.

"Woah! Kabocha, what do you want us to do!? Ack, don't die!" My little brother's voice was the last thing I heard before I went limp.

It was eerily quiet when I returned to consciousness. I had always woken up to the sound of dragons roaring and playing for the past three years, or just the normal sounds of other people going about their day. Even when I had woken up at Shikamaru's home it hadn't been this quiet.

"Oh good...you're awake." The very sound of his voice was grating on my already frayed nerves. I did a full body assessment, realizing that my chakra has been somewhat restored, and my right side no longer hurt.

"Where am-" I paused in asking my question, finally taking a look around the familiar room. I was also immersed in Naruto's comforting...yet musky boy scent. I looked over to the dresser that he always kept by his beside and saw the picture of him and I that I had thrown away when I came to collect my things all those years ago.

I frowned and swallowed the lump in my throat at the sight of the picture. "Where is Naruto? Who healed me?" I croaked out waving his hand away when he tried to offer me water.

"Naruto is currently with your brother, cousins, and Kina. I'm not exactly liked by them right now, and I wanted to stay and make sure you were alright...against Gaara's wishes." Shikamaru grumbled the last bit of his statement. I slid my golden gaze over to his slouching form. He was leaning forward with both elbows on his knees, one hand being used to cradle his head. "Sakura healed you...she said she owed it to you. Lady Tsunade also stopped by and wants to see you as soon as your well enou-"

"I'm not going to go and see her because there's no need. I will, however, go thank Sakura for healing my injuries." I sat up slowly feeling a stiff pull in my right side.

"Stop." He put a hand on my shoulder, and I couldn't stop my body from flinching away at his touch. I was at least able to stop the hiss that built up in my throat. I didn't want him to touch me, but I also didn't want to flinch away like a coward. He pulled his hand away with a sigh; trying to cover up a hurt expression.

"Why aren't you going to meet with Lady Tsunade about your Visa?" I cut my eyes at him in disbelief.

"Maybe you should ask your girlfriend in my bottle?" This time I did hiss and he gave me a pretty smile and chuckle making me flustered and angry.

"The only girlfriend that I have is sitting right in front of me… and she's about to tell me that she's not my girlfriend anymore, but we both know that that's not true. My girlfriend didn't even ask me outright what was going on or what happened. She just blew her top off and sealed an ambassador of Suna into a tiny gourd." I snapped my mouth closed at his stern voice and unwavering gaze.

"Are you ready to ask me questions now?" I tilted my head to the side listening to his steady heartbeat. I nodded slowly and he let out a breath of relief like he expected a fight from me… he wouldn't have been too far off but I was still tired.

"Do you have feelings for Temari?" I asked him and he didn't falter much to my chagrin.

"At some point I thought I did…" My breath hitched in my throat at his blatant answer. "...but I never once tried to kiss her. The kiss happened right before we sat down on the roof the day you were watching me. I sat her down after the kiss to tell her that I didn't feel anything; nothing could ever compare to how I feel when I kiss you." Shikamaru was a little pink at his confession, but I was still annoyed with both him and Temari.

Although...I was being a big hypocrite.

"Did you kiss her back?" I asked him and he nodded. I bit my lip harshly, the taste of copper ghosting over my tongue.

"I'm sorry for what I did and not telling you, but I didn't think it mattered because I was sure of my feelings for you." His eyes bounced around the features of my face. He was never going to tell me...that much I could tell.

I'm the real liar here...what I said to Gaara…

"Shikamaru…" I sighed releasing my lip and proceeding to grit my teeth for what I was about to say. "I wrote Gaara a lot...perhaps the most out of everyone." I watched him physically stiffen.

"I...I told him that I had some feelings for him, but to what degree I wasn't sure. T-there's so much that you don't know that he does." I hadn't cried in so long, but the look Shikamaru was giving me was making me heart clench painfully. I had been hurt by him, but I could never find it in me to ever hurt him.

"What? What could make you have feelings for him? Do you love him?" It was like all of Shikamaru's other questions didn't matter. I could only comprehend the last one, it came out like he was speaking to me through a dragon's roar but he was really whispering.

"I do...to an extent. The...bond we share is different than what I have with Naruto, Choji, or even you. I want to tell you what you mean to me but I'm just...scared." I felt like the child that lost her mother instead of the eighteen year old general that I was. I wasn't afraid of anything...not babies...not demons…not the cold...not even death, but I just admitted that I was scared and that terrified me even more.

"Kabocha, look at me." I had been looking at a point over his shoulder until he said that to me. "Tell me everything." His eyes spoke of determination and defeat, so I took a large breath before stealing my nerves.

"You are my Tamer."

Mangafreak1997: What's up, Manga! Always a pleasure to read your reviews! I'm glad you enjoyed a future that could have happened, but could never be sadly. :') I've always worked hard to distinguish all of Kabocha's relationships especially her close relationship with Gaara. I've always wanted it to be easy, and judging by your response I can see I'm doing it right! ;) I hope you're ready for the upcoming fight. I'm ready for your next review!

Yuu-Chan14: Hello, Yuu-Chan! I'm so happy you're still still for Shikoba, but loving the AU! I just wanted to show a future where if Gaara and Kabocha ended up together, and all of the lovely responses (especially yours) did not disappoint! Kabocha is definitely going to make him regret that kiss. Stick around for the upcoming confrontations!

Guest: Hello beautiful guest! Thanks so much for the review! I'm happy you enjoyed the little AU! I hope you're ready for this chapter!

Pmann1: Hey there, Pmann! Are you asking for an GaaraxOc story from me, Pmann? Don't tempt me. I'm an ask and you shall receive kind of person! ;) This story will definitely be giving Gaara so much love, and I am so tempted to do a Gaara story before the Neji story. I love Gaara so much too! Thank you so much for the encouragement! Can't wait to hear from you about this chapter!

Guest: Hello lovely guest! I love that you loved this little AU, and that you think Gaara deserves happiness! I absolutely adore Gaara, and think the same thing. I can honestly say he's my favorite anime character (outside of Roy Mustang and Sesshomaru). Everyone is feeling so conflicted with the Kaara AU since they love Shikoba, but my evil plan was to cause feels and emotional scrambling mmmwwhahaha! Just kidding I just wanted to give Gaara love lol. Thanks so much for the review!

Guest: Hello gorgeous guest! Don't tempt me about the side story! Thank you so much for the review! I actually thought about doing a little spin off where they do end up together instead of Shikoba. !SPOILER ALERT! Her reaction is going to be what everyone expected. Stay tuned! ;)

EncyclopediaBrittanica: Hey there, Britt! I am going to confess that I have reread Tamer and have cringed violently from the spelling and grammatical mistakes. CRINGE I tell you! I'm happy that you loved the AU, and that your opinion is different from everyone else's about the AU! Everyone was leaning towards doing a spinoff, and was so here for some more Gaara loving! Don't worry Shikoba all the way lol. I hope you're ready for all of the upcoming conflict! Thanks so much for the review!

Guest: Hello precious guest! I have achieved my goal since your feels have been hit lol! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the AU! There's so much that could have been, and I'm glad you brought up Kiriena because she was the deciding factor in the future. Thank you so so much for your sweet review! Stay tuned!

Deviliciouskitty: Well hello, Kitty! Always a pleasure to hear from you! I'm soooo happy you got so excited for the new chapter! It really tickles my soul that you squealed lmao! I live on anime and reality TV shows, so I'm always here for the drama! I'm so sorry to say this but...there's so much more heartbreak to come for our little pumpkin before she can be happy. We all knew Shika was never going to tell her if Gaara never did, and that's something that will definitely be touched upon HEAVILY! Lie of omission is still a lie. We also don't know if Kabocha was his first or not….;) We'll just have to wait and see. See you soon (evil laugh)! ;)

Crazy Devil Girl: What's up, Girl! I was definitely waiting on your opinion of the AU, and you certainly didn't disappoint as always! :) I will happily wipe your loan tear with the next chapter! I know I'm taking you on an emotional roller coaster! There has been so many drastic ups and downs recently lol. There will be lots of Gaara loving in this story, so I hope your heart can take take a little more conflict when it comes to Kaara and Shikoba. I was sooo tempted to do a spinoff of a Kaara relationship after all of the positive feedback for the AU, but Shikoba forever no matter how bad Shika fucked up lol. I'm so ready to read your review for the next chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it! See you soon!

NixieNaajix: Heey, Nix! Always a pleasure to hear from you! I'm so happy you enjoyed the AU! I've always known what I would do if I ever got the chance to do an AU for this story, and I'm glad that AU won so that I could share those ideas with everyone. Kiriena being alive was the lone deciding factor in Kabocha marrying Gaara because as soon as she found out about Shikamaru did she told Kabocha to choose a different husband. I've always known that she would've adopted Naruto too! Shika will definitely be making it up to her...after she gets her...REVENGE! I hope you're ready! I'm ready for your next review!

Guest: Hello amazing guest! I'm happy you're loving the little special chapters, and that you enjoyed the AU! Your review may be short, but it was definitely sweet! Thank you so much for the review!