Chapter 9

The conversation was suddenly fascinating. He had told them that he was not this world gatekeeper, but the kidnappers must have known that he was "a" gatekeeper in since they were so persistent in trying to open the gate. He tried to tell his kidnappers that he would not be able to open the gate since he was not the keeper of "this world". But seeing that he had it's key, they did not believe him. They tried themselves many times, while holding the key, and eventually succeeded in having him try. He had the power to open a gate, but not the power to control "this" gate, even if he had the key; it wasn't his. Abigail felt somewhat at ease with him. Although supernatural, she felt a strong connection. Perhaps that is what he meant by "something familiar"? They were both the same, so, they were somehow connected? She meant to ask him how it got in possession of "this key", but was interrupted by a new conversation taking place between the shinobis. Her friend came in between.

"We are no longer going to the Birdies place?" Sofia said, surprised by the sudden change of plans.

They stopped at the fork of the trail, where Gaara put Tori down. The north side was going further up the hill, leading to a rocky and lush green path. The south side led down to a beautiful dry landscape. The golden sand was seemingly infinite and mirrored the sun on the horizon. There was a stream of water running from the rocks, nearby. The Shinobis and Akio filled up several gourds of water, preparing for the trip. Gaara handed Aby, Sofia and Toshiko a few gourds. He smiled at the boy.

"You are in charge of your sister's water. Do not let her or yourself dehydrate!"

Toshiko nodded proudly.

"Will you be OK walking on your own for a little bit?" he asked Tori who was beaming with gleaming eyes. It seems she was suddenly in love with the Kazekage.

"Uh uh!"

He turned to Aby and Sofia.

"Sasuke was right about you not going to the Land of Birds. It could be dangerous and you could indeed get in the way. However, we cannot simply leave you behind either, so we came to an agreement. Kankuro will go with Sakura and Sasuke to meet with Lord Onōki in the Land of Birds; the rest of us will be going to Suna, and then, decide what to do next."

Gaara was anxious to go back; he felt the need to accompany his brother to Ame since the incident, but knew he couldn't stay away for too long. The state of the village was not good. However, he saw some positive in the destruction of the old structures; it was an opportunity to reinforce and solidify the architecture. That's how it was since he became Kazekage. Every single problem, he perceived as an opportunity.

With time, he thought, Suna will be stronger.

He thought about the deep hole that was created during the earthquake. Maybe he could find another source of water deep down and create another well. Water

He turned towards Abigail and realized she was looking at him.

Aby lowered her eyes. His brain always seemed to be at work. He always seemed to be in deep thoughts. Must be exhausting! She thought. She glanced back at him once he stopped looking her way.

Sofia found the glances exchange, back and forth, amusing. It has been about two hours they were walking, and neither of them spoke to each other.

"If you keep this up, your stares will make holes in his back!" she teased.

"I can't help it," she replied, still staring.

"Nee-Chan likes Gaaha San!" chanted Tori happily.

"Shhhhh!"

"See? Even the kid sees it ha ha!"

"I wasn't trying to hide it … I can't anyway … he's enchanted me."

"Why don't you just tell him?"

"What?" Aby said, as if this was the most ridiculous suggestion.

"Just tell him he's cute and you'd like to go for a coffee with him sometimes …"

Aby laughed.

"This is the Wind Country … they don't go for coffee … I think. Beside Gaara is not cute; Gaara is … he's … well ..."

"You can't even justify why you like that creepy eyeliner guy …"

"... he's like a prince. Strong but so, so gentle … and,"

"Caring?"

"Yeah"

"His bro is good looking too …"

Aby rolled her eyes.

"This is an anime world. They are ALL good looking."

"True that … I would have gone for the hot guy number 3 but he's taken by the pink hair girl … Sakura, right?"

"Who, Sasuke? No, I don't think so. She's had a crush on him since forever, but he doesn't seem to return the feeling."

Sofia scoffed.

"Nonsense, it is the typical 'I love you but I'm in denial' type of thing."

"Well, a lot of fans ship them, but what makes you so sure?"

The sun was already high and the desert started to show its heating power. Aby kept staring at Gaara's back, while drinking from the water gourd. She told the kids to drink as well, even if they didn't feel the need.

"Sasuke is having some steamy dreams these days, and I know they are about Sakura because he can't keep eye contact with her," she giggled.

Gaara turned around and told them to make sure their head was covered, against the sun.

"Also make sure to drink water … do not worry about running out. We have plenty and will be at the village at nightfall anyway."

She could see the sweat of his face dripping down.

"He must be really hot with all this attire! I don't know how he can endure this …" Sofia said, wiping her neck with her hand.

"Yeah … he's hot all right."

Sofia looked at her with a wicked smile.

"I bet you'd wish you had those condoms now, right?"

Gaara, Yashiko and Akio got startled by the sudden shouts in their back. A very red Aby was chasing Sofia who was laughing hysterically. Tori were also chasing her, thinking they were playing a game.

"Just tell him you'd like your first time to be with him! There is nothing to be ashamed of, ha ha ha!"

"SHUT UP! They can hear you, DUMB-ASS!"

"Well, now they know you're single! You're welcome!"

Sofia stopped running and suddenly became serious. Aby looked in the direction Sofia was staring. A man, wearing a hot pink scarf on his head, ripped white shirt and jeans, was standing on top of a sand dune just a few meters away. The wind picked up and made his scarf fly behind his head, revealing strands of black hair, running down his neck. He was staring back at them in shock.