A short time of walking later, we reached the Suna gates.

I took Butterball from Gaara and let him talk to the guards, stepping away from them slightly.

Gaara's expression was cold and I watched as his eyes lost the gleam they normally held when he was with me. It was eerie to watch him transform form the relaxed Gaara that I knew, to the Kazekage of the sand village.

I turned to look at Kankuro and found that he looked more serious, but otherwise held the same expression.

I turned back to looking at Gaara.

I noticed that the guards not only treated Gaara with respect, but with a hint of fear. It bubbled it's way to the surface in both their voices and their eyes.

Soon Gaara turned back to us and motioned that we should follow him through the gates.

As soon as we stepped through, the gates slammed shut. I jumped in alarm, and glanced at Misa, who looked back at me with wide eyes. What had the guards so spooked that they were in such a hurry to lock everyone inside?

I shrugged and looked to my side, finding Gaara walking next to me.

I smiled at him and moved closer. He smiled halfheartedly and reached out to take my hand. I could tell that he wanted to tell me something but he didn't get the chance to speak before Kankuro's voice echoed from behind us.

"Hey, Gaara. I'm going to take Misa on a tour of Suna. Do you and Ria want to go with?''

Gaara shot me a look and I shook my head.

He smirked. "No. I think that we'll just go home.''

Kankuro nodded and smiled knowingly. "Alright. Well you two don't have TOO much fun.''

My mouth dropped open and I had to force myself to not make a rude retort.

I glanced at Gaara and snickered as I saw the confused look on his face. I guess Kankuro's meaning of 'fun' had flown right over his head.

"Kankuro, you always say that there's no such thing as too much fun. Are you changing your opinion?''

I laughed and Kankuro sighed in exasperation before turning a grin at me.

"Ask your girlfriend what I mean when I say 'fun.'''

I gasped and he laughed. "You OWE me, Ria. I NEVER thought that I would have to have the 'birds and the bees' talk with Gaara, until you came along.''

His grin widened. "Though I did have a good time explaining things, and I made sure to go into some GRAPHIC details.''

Gaara made a chocking noise and I looked at him to find his face the same shade as his hair. He rubbed his eyes with a hand and I turned my attention to Misa as she spoke.

"Who came up with calling 'the talk' the 'birds and the bees'? It has nothing to do with either of those things throughout the ENTIRE talk.''

I nodded. "I know. When you're younger and someone walks in and says 'Hey, I think it's time that you learn about the birds, and the bees,' you think that it's going to be about something completely different then what it really is.''

She nodded, looking disgusted. "I know. Ticks me off.''

I laughed and Kankuro chuckled, wrapping his arm around Misa's waist. "As entertaining as this conversation is, this isn't how I wanted to spend my first night back home. So...Misa, and I will see you two later.''

I nodded and Misa had time to wave, before Kankuro dragged her away from us.

I smiled and shook my head, turning my attention back to a still embarrassed Gaara.

"I can't believe they have a NAME for that kind of talk.''

I nodded and shifted Butterball, trying to get a better hold on him. "Yeah. But I think they called it that so they wouldn't scare off the person that they wanted to talk too.''

Gaara nodded and took Butterball from me, beginning to walk again.

"So what did Kankuro mean by 'fun'?''

I felt my face heat slightly and shrugged. "I'll tell you when we get to your house.''

Gaara stopped suddenly, and turned to glare at me. I blinked in surprise, and tilted my head slightly.

"Gaara, honey. Why are you glaring at me?''

He began to walk again and turned his glare forwards to watch where he was going.

"I don't want to TALK when we get home. You promised that I could kiss you. As much as I wanted.''

I chuckled, relieved that that was all that was bothering him.

I shrugged. "You're right. Then either I tell you now, or you can wait until later. You choose.''

He thought for a minute, before sighing. "Since Kankuro said it, I'm sure that it will be embarrassing, but I think that I would like to know now.''

I nodded and shrugged. "What your brother meant by fun, was that we shouldn't enjoy ourselves too much.'' Gaara frowned. "But it's always enjoyable when I'm with you.''

I sighed, and slapped a palm to my forehead. How was I supposed to explain this?

"Okay. Um... The way that your brother meant it, was that we shouldn't go beyond make out sessions and have sex.''

Gaara froze and looked around quickly, making sure no one heard us and I smiled as his cheeks heated again.

"Oh. I understand now.''

I laughed and nodded, noticing the multiple eyes that were watching us as we entered the main square. I looked around before closer to Gaara. Every person in the square had their eyes fixed on us. I was beginning to feel anxious, forcing myself to walk calmly and not bolt.

I had never really liked being the center of attention. And I REALLY didn't like crowds. Now I had both.

I glanced at Gaara and saw the cold mask back in place, but his eyes gained a little of their sparkle as he turned to look at me. I smiled shakily and moved closer so I could whisper.

"Did you HAVE to take us through the most crowded street in the village?''

He looked around us and most of the people lowered their gaze immediately, but a few of the braver ones nodded their heads in acknowledgment, continuing to stare.

He looked back at me and I wrapped my arms around my chest, hugging myself tightly as I felt eyes boring into my back.

"They're not going to hurt you, Ria. They're just curious.''

I nodded. "I know. But do they have to keep STARRING?''

Gaara studied me intently for a few minutes before comprehension lit his eyes.

"You don't like having peoples attention on you.''

I shook my head. "Or being in a crowd of strangers.''

He frowned. "But you go to the market at your home, and you work at Aubry's. There's always a crowd there.'' I nodded and shrugged. "I don't got to the market when it's crowded. The time I went with you was the busiest time I've ever gone. And as far as Aubry's goes: I only have a small section that I take care of and I know most of those people. The ones I don't aren't in a big enough quantity to bother me.''

Gaara nodded. "But you went to the festival with me and it was EXTREMELY crowded. And I didn't notice you having a problem then?''

I sighed. "We weren't with the crowd much. You had me alone with you somewhere normally. The rest of the time I was clinging to you so tightly that my knuckles turned white. And nobody was STARING at me.''

I hissed the last sentence and he turned surprised eyes towards me, nodding his head slowly.

"You DID cling to me. I didn't realize it at the time because I thought that you were just trying to stay out of the crowds way, but you were trying to HIDE from them.''

I nodded. "Trying to turn myself invisible so they wouldn't notice I was there. And trying not to hyperventilate because of how many people there was.''

Gaara looked at me, an angry light entering his eyes. Before he could say what he was thinking, however, we were interrupted by a shrill squeal and a teenage girl running towards us.

"Kazekage-sensei! How was your trip? Did you have an uneventful journey?''

She slid to a stop a few inches in front of Gaara. She looked ready to tackle him and her eyes were shinning at seeing him. I looked her over and found the sand headband almost instantly. Her brown hair was flying madly around her face as the wind picked up, and I decided that she was actually quite pretty.

I turned my attention back to Gaara, who didn't seem to enjoy being stopped, or interrupted. He answered her non the less. "The trip was void of attack and yes it was sufficient. Is there a reason why you are back from your mission this early? It should have taken you at least two weeks.''

I shook my head as the girl blushed. So harsh Gaara. So harsh.

"Oh, um...well you see Kazekage-sensei, the man that petitioned for help said that we weren't old enough for this particular mission.''

Gaara frowned and glared at her, looking every inch the cool and distant leader.

"Did you insist that you were all ninja's and therefore qualified to take any mission?''

The girl nodded quickly. "Multiple times. But he said that children weren't allowed in his...establishment. He said to return to Suna and ask you for a team of ADULT ninja's.''

Gaara sighed and nodded. "Did he tell you what his 'establishment' was? He refused to give me any specific information besides he was willing and able to pay whatever amount we asked.''

The girl nodded and began to wring her hands together. Her blush darkening.

"I gave all the information that I had in my written report. Would it not be simpler to read what I wrote instead of asking me all these questions?''

Gaara's glare increased and I bit my lip. She was trying to get out of explaining why the man had sent her home. She was embarrassed about something. I had to admit that I was curious about what it was.

"That would be fine, if I was going to my office tonight. But I am tired and I have guests that need my attention. It would be rude to leave them alone and go into work on their first night in Suna.''

I rolled my eyes. Whatever. He just wanted MY attention. And this wasn't my first night in Suna. Just the first night in his house.

She looked startled and glanced behind Gaara to where I had situated myself.

The thrill in her eyes dimmed and was replaced by surprise, and a little bit of hurt.

Gaara only noticed where she was staring and stepped beside me. The girl bit her lip and swung her eyes back to Gaara as he spoke.

"Matsuri, this is Ria. She is my guest here for an interminable amount of time.''

I smiled when her gaze returned to me, her eyes looking over me appraising.

"Hello, Matsuri. It's nice to meet you.''

She nodded but didn't reply, the surprise in her eyes disappearing and being replaced by something unpleasant.

"Now. What was this place, since I'm not going into work tonight?''

She swallowed and looked at the ground with a frown. ''Actually, Kazekage-sensei. Your secretary told me that the council wanted to see you as soon as you returned. You will need to go to your office anyways. I will accompany you if you like.''

Gaara growled slightly, standing to his full height. "They want to see me TONIGHT?''

Matsuri nodded quickly. "They said as SOON as you returned.''

Gaara snarled and turned towards me. "Apparently I need to make a stop before we go to my house.''

I nodded and caught the panic in Matsuri's eyes out of my peripheral vision.

"Won't the lady be staying at the hotel? If so, then I can direct her there before accompanying you to the tower.''

I cringed inwardly, knowing that whatever Gaara said would seriously hurt this girls feelings.

Gaara turned a cold glare at her and she flinched back like she had been slapped.

"Ria and her friend will be staying at the Kazekage mansion. You will NOT be accompanying anyone anywhere tonight. You need to go home.

I will read your report since you are adamant on not telling me the information directly, and THEN I will go home, and rest myself. I will expect you to come to the Tower tomorrow, in case I have any questions.

Now goodnight Matsuri. I wish you a nice rest.''

He brushed past her, his head held high and I followed him, noticing the girls eyes fill with tears.

Amazingly Gaara was able to make someone cry, even when holding an adorable panda bear.

I sighed as we walked towards the Kazekage Tower. It never occurred to me that Gaara had fangirls. Or that one of them was head over heels for him. Though it didn't surprise me that he hadn't mentioned them. He wouldn't have known why they were drooling over him. If he even noticed it at all for that matter.

I was too deep in my thoughts to notice that Gaara had stopped and turned towards me, until I ran into his chest, almost falling backwards. His hands instantly reached out to wrap around my forearms tightly.

I looked up to thank him, but the words stuck in my throat as my gaze contacted with his angry glare.

He tightened his hands and I gasped at the sudden pressure. He smirked harshly.

"Now. What I was going to say before I was interrupted: I need you to tell me when your frightened, Ria. I can't read your mind, or do anything to help you if you don't tell me. I don't want to ever see you upset like you were during the fireworks ever again. I hated that. Especially when I didn't know what was wrong or what I could do to help it.''

I sighed, and nodded. "It didn't occur to me to tell you. I've always avoided crowds for the most part, and got through them alone when I couldn't. I'm not used to telling people what I'm fraid of, Gaara. I was raised to NEVER do that.

I've suffered through crowds all my life. I just pick a corner, or a spot, and hide there until the mass has walked bye. Most people in a group stay to the middle of the walkways, avoiding walls or corners.

And with the staring, I'm pretty good with being almost invisible when I want to be. People don't notice me for the most part. I'm pretty unexceptional.

I just thought that I would handle this situation the same way that I have for most of my life. But I didn't take into account that you were practically a celebrity here and drew everyone's attention. I'm sorry.''

He sighed and his eyes softened, his hands now rubbing my arms.

"You shouldn't have to apologize to me. You told me before that you weren't used to sharing your fears, and I'm more angry at myself that I didn't pay enough attention to you to realize what you were doing.

But I want you to trust me enough to be able to come to me with your problems and fears.''

I smiled and raised a hand to cup his face.

"You shouldn't be upset with yourself. I'm pretty good at hiding any weakness I'm feeling. Years of living with rogue ninjas, remember? And I DO trust you. I'll try to tell you the next time that I'm frightened. Alright?''

He nodded and moved to pick up Butterball up from where he had placed him before he stopped our walking.

I took the panda from him. "Go to your meeting, Hon. I'll be at that park over there. Come back and get me when your finished.''

He paused for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I wont be long.''

I smiled, and nodded. "I know. I still have a promise to fulfill.''

His eyes lit up and he nodded. "I had ALMOST forgotten about that. I'll be sure to hurry the windbags up.''

I nodded. "Good. That means that I wont have to worry on how to get to your house on my own.''

His eyes filled with panic suddenly. "Don't leave the park without me.

I smiled. "Don't worry Gaara. I was just teasing. I'll be there when you get back.''

He nodded hesitantly. "You promise?"

I nodded and looked around quickly before lifting myself onto my tiptoes and pressing my lips to his. He sighed and wrapped his arms around me, practically crushing poor Butterball.

I laughed as the panda began to wriggle and pulled back.

"Go to your meeting. I'll be waiting for you.''

He nodded and stepped back slightly, before sand surrounded him and he disappeared. I sighed and after a moment of staring at his abandoned spot made my way to one of the parks swings.