Chapter 15

Gaara stared blankly at the screen in front of him. It was new technology that he did not use often. He felt that most government stuff was better dealt with by hand then by computer; although more accurate, Shikamaru made him realize that new technology's data might not be full proof against nosy people yet. In this case though, the pile of accumulated work made him panic for the first time, since he became Kazekage. It might be faster using the computer, or would it? He was mentally weighing the pros and cons.

His mind was a whirlwind of chaotic responsibilities that he could not untangle at the moment, which was reflected by the amount of work all around him. He was dumbfounded and didn't quite know how to tackle the work. He was usually organised, nothing was ever out of place so now, he sat in front of the computer and stared, frowning. He could not see the keyboard; it was flooded by disorganized papers. How did it become like this? He closed his eyes and counted to three. After three, he would get to work … the first thing he would grab would be the beginning of his day.

1.2.3.

He saw Abigail's smiling eyes in his head, all the responsibilities were pushed aside. She was in his arms, her head against his chest and his body shivered at the memory.

"DAMMIT! Now is not the time!"

His fists landed hard on the desk.

"I can help!" said Aby, shyly.

Gaara lifted his head. She was in the doorway, looking inside in awe.

"It's your fault it's like this to begin with!" he said to himself, and annoyed.

I can't keep you out of my head! You manage to distract me! Is what he wanted to say, but of course, it wasn't her fault.

"I know," she said, lowering her head in shame.

"Oh! No … I didn't mean it that way …" he realized that she thought he was accusing her of causing trouble.

"Let me help. There's got to be something I can do!"

"Mmm, let's see, have you ever run a country before?"

"... no?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Go back to your friends, Abigail."

"Call me Aby! We're friends now! I mean … I hope we are … we are, right?"

He raised his tired eyes to stare at her.

"You're drowning here! Let me give you a hand! Sort stuff, type something, answer complaints, anything that would be helpful and decrease your workload …"

He looked at the pile of letters behind him. A little bell of hope started ringing on one side of his brain; His conscience yelled at him on the other side: "not her business! This is confidential stuff! How can you even consider … you don't know that girl that much … she is going to mess up things anyway!"

He looked at her, with thoughtful eyes, still struggling to make a decision; any help should be at least from a Shinobi who understands Suna ...

"Can you sort these by level of emergency?" he finally asked, already regretting the question.

"Done!" she said, grabbing the pile behind him.

She went to organise herself and the huge pile of papers on a small table in the corner. She put her feet up and started to read the letters. Gaara watched her putting the paper here and there, raising an eyebrow, then throwing the paper in the trash, to his surprise.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"Would you like to answer a challenge to overthrow you from your position as the Kazekage?" she said while reading another letter.

He rolled his eyes and looked back at the monitor.

"... never mind"

"As I thought," she said with a smirk.

A couple of minutes worth of sorted letters went by when she noticed the steady pace of "tic, tac, tac, from the keyboard. He was trying to type something, but was painfully slow.

"What are you typing?" she asked. He looked at her for a few seconds, annoyed by the curiosity, then looked back at the little screen.

"That's none of your business."

Abigail sighed, "Sorry…"

Gaara sighed in return and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"An answer to a company's inquiry. They lost a part of their assets. They want to know what I can do for them." He said, still typing.

Aby stood up and went beside him.

"Move," she said.

"...EXCUSE ME?"

"If you go on like that, you will die of old age before you finish."

"What the … You wouldn't even know what to answer!"

"That is why you will tell me what you want to write! I'll type it for you! See? Like a secretary!"

Gaara stared at the load he had and growled in frustration. Never has he, in his life, shared his work to the detail with someone. Not even Baki. This was definitely out of his comfort zone, but the sun was already high in the sky; time was against him, and so was his workload.

"OK fine, but whatever I say, you don't question it, got it? Just type it!

"Yeah, Yeah"

"No matter what!"

"Yes! Fine! Tic Tok on the clock, boss!" she said laughing.

Gaara was pacing back and forth, dictating what to write. To his astonishment, Abigail typed swiftly as he was saying the words, without needing a break or asking to repeat what he said. So fast!

"... so it is important to … no … it is the 'utmost importance' to not save on the quality materials for the goods. Although counter intuitive, it is better to create great, long lasting goods, than to create lower quality products that will be more likely to be defective and hence, be more costly in the long run …"

"Smart" interrupted Aby while typing.

Gaara sighed, annoyed to be interrupted. She whispered a tiny 'Sorryyy'.

"Do not worry about expenses," he continued. "I will make sure to provide them with the council's blessings, or, if need be, from personal funds, at low interest. As for the damage to the main gate and the replacement of the …"

Gaara noticed she was not typing, but staring at the screen, pensive.

"You mean … you're gonna pay from your own pockets?" she asked, reading the question mark on his face.

"I said no questions!" he replied disapprovingly.

"... Can I suggest something?"

"No. Now, regarding the—" Gaara continued dictating.

"It's worth listening, I think," she said looking at the screen.

"What I do with my money is—"

"No, no, it's admirable … but I wouldn't mention it; that it'd be from your own pocket I mean …"

"..." She has the balls to give him advice now?!

"Because they might take advantage of this in the future. Also they might brag about it to other companies who might complain about favoritism and demand that you give them money as well."

Mmm she has a point … he fell flustered to admit it. He searched for another way to phrase it but Aby started to type again, reading out loud at the same time.

"... 'Do not worry about expenses as it will definitely be provided to you at a low interest fee that will be decided shortly.' How's that?"

"Not bad, not bad at all," Gaara nodded.

They spent the whole day analyzing, answering. They were able to deal with most of the backed up paperwork and damage reports.

She looked at him from the corner of her eyes. He was now taking care of his daily paperwork, she had a feeling he would not stop until it was all completed, which was probably gonna take all night. He was so focused on his work; reading and writing some stuff. She found him very inspiring.

He's so young, yet dealing with so much important stuff …

He was frowning while reading, making the pen dance between his fingers, like everybody else in the world. He straightened his body and glanced her way for a second.

I'm staring too much, she thought. Her stomach growled.

She ignored the obvious message her body was telling her and read another complaint letter from Sunagakure's residents. They called those letters "complaints", but they were actually a mixture of inquiries, praises, insults and demands … public stuff. She blushed as she read the next one, not knowing how to position herself. She felt uncomfortable by the content and also a little upset.

"Oh my…" There's also people like that here?

"What is it?"

"Well …" she wasn't sure if she should throw that one away or ask him first. She was almost certain it was to be discarded; but she felt it wasn't for her to decide; She looked at him with a shy, embarrassed face.

"What is it? Another threat?"

"Oh no … nothing like that. Actually," she paused, searching for words, "You might see this as a praise … maybe …" She repositioned herself.

"This … lady … well uhm, she would like to know if you … uh …"

Gaara blankly looked at her and the paper while she juggled the words in her head.

"Well, she thinks you are a very good leader, as we all do," she laughed to hide her embarrassment. "And she thinks you're … well, let's just say she is fond of you. She says here that she can only imagine how lonely you must be, not having … a woman by your side … she would like to know if … uh … you'd be interested in … uhm ..."

"Interested in what? Meeting her? I get that all the time … I always tell them I'm too busy to date anyone."

He smiled while getting back to his paperwork. The ladies were very charming, but they saw him more as an idol from the great war and a leader, than the person he was behind the Kazekage.

She looked at him, mouth opened. Idiot, I wouldn't be all flustered if the request was dinner! You clueless ...
"No she is talking about s … spending the night … together … with her ..."

He stopped typing.

"... and her friends …" she added with a very small voice, not looking at him.

"Oh …"

"Though that's not quite how she phrased it …" She handed the letter over to him, holding it with her finger tips, still avoiding eye contact, as if that would hide the redness of her face. He took it and read quickly through it.

"... Well … that's a first …" he cleared his throat and looked at Abigail.

"Let's just ignore that one," he said, throwing it in the wastebasket.

For some reason she felt relieved. She watched Gaara's face for the first time since reading the letter. He was completely red, venting himself with the current paperwork he was looking at.

Her stomach growled again, she covered it with her hands. Wasn't he hungry?

"I'm gonna go get something to eat."

"hmm"

Sakura watched Sasuke sleeping, fighting her own heavy eyelids. He would sometimes talk in his sleep. His body was still fighting the poison, but he seemed better. She stubbornly kept her eyes open, sometimes falling to her side. She was so tired. Her chakra was almost completely depleted.

Kankuro, where are you?

Sasuke choked again, coughed violently. Sakura hit his chest with both hands and he was able to breathe again. This time he woke up, still sweating, but aware of his surroundings. He felt very sick. He watched Sakura put up a fight with fatigue. She glared back at him, obviously angry.

"You idiot …" she said, her eyes half closed. "You darn idiot, you almost died on me. Three times!"

Talking helped her stay awake, but she was shaking. Her body was begging her to go to sleep.

"You're not even out of the woods yet! And there you are, looking at me with those annoyed eyes, as usual …"

He did not answer. He was not particularly annoyed, he was just feeling so sick. He did not dare to move.

"That wound … you could have told me. You SHOULD have told me. I TOLD you … to tell me!"

Tears ran down her cheeks. "What was all that talk about? Me being a medical ninja who could be useful? You didn't even tell me you were hurt? What the HELL?"

"I'm sorry,"

"Ohhhh, you are? Aren't you? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHAT AM I TO YOU?"

"Sakura …"

"AM I SO ANNOYING THAT YOU DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING? EVEN WHEN YOUR DYING? AM I THAT INCAPABLE IN YOUR EYES?"

"If I thought that, I wouldn't have asked you to come with me," he said, fighting the urge to vomit.

"And yet you don't tell me anything! I noticed it, you know! You've been avoiding me for a long time now. You won't even look at me! WHY DID YOU EVEN ASK ME TO COME?" Tears of intense sorrow and anger flowed out. She had to scream to keep her voice from shaking.

"Be … because I ... I told you …"

Sasuke held his painful head in his hand.

"What, your promise? It means nothing! I didn't want to come because of a promise … I didn't want you to promise just because of … duty or, to be nice or … whatever! I wanted you to trust me! I wanted you to WANT me to travel with you!"

"I told you, I wanted you to come with me."

"Then why are you avoiding me?!"

"Sakura, my head is hurting …"

"WHY?"

"Because … You're yelling ..."

"WHY ARE YOU AVOIDING ME!"

Sasuke closed his eyes and his hand fell down on his side. He laid back down, his body shivering.

Sakura angrily threw the cold wet cloth on Sasuke's head and pressed firmly to bring down the pain.

Her face was right above his.

"Be … because, I don't know ..."

He couldn't let her know about the dreams he's been having.

"Pfff, bull-crap," she said, putting more pressure.

"I don't know how to tell you."

"Just say you're not into me, I'm not your type, whatever! Make it clear for cryin ..."

The kiss took her by surprise. He pulled her head to his and just kissed her. She did not pull back, but her eyes were open wide with shock. He let go and opened his eyes.

She stared; her eyes inquired, searched for a reason. Was he ok? Was SHE ok? He just stared back; his eyes were softer than usual.

"I didn't know how to tell you," he almost whispered. His hand caressed the side of her face. He wiped the path made by the previous angry tears.

"What?"

The word came out in the shape of tears. She didn't understand the words he was saying. She was stuck between shock and disbelief. Although she had been waiting for this for so long, now it seemed like it didn't make any sense.

He slowly sat down and kissed her again; but this time, slowly and delicately. Since when was he gentle? Her whole body trembled and she became light headed. She closed her eyes and kissed him back. That kiss was so delicious that she forgot to breathe. She half expected him to draw back from her kiss, but he did not. On the contrary, he received it with more passion.

That was not how she imagined their first kiss. It was so, so much better.

It would have been even better if he hadn't passed out right then.

When Kankuro arrived with a few horses, he saw Sakura sobbing, looking at Sasuke who was lying seemingly lifeless.

Baki came into the tent and looked at the scene.

"Oh ..." He put his hand on his chest as a sign of respect and gave a little bow. "I'm sure you have done whatever could be done Haruno-San," he said, a hand on his chest and the other on her shoulder.

"We were too late! How can this be! Uchiha? Dead?" cried Kankuro in shock. Sakura shook her head.

"No! … He … is f...fine, j … just sleep … sleeping."

"Ohhhh!" They both said relieved.

Then, why was she crying?

Shikamaru, who came in last, was also full of questions; but he felt better to just help Sakura up on a horse and let her rest. She rode with Yashiko. She wasn't a fan of horses, but she was very grateful she wouldn't have to walk. Yashiko blushed when she put her head against his back and her arms around his waist. She was already sleeping.

"Miss Haruno must have expensed a lot of chakra! She can barely keep her eyes open!" he said smiling.

Sasuke was a tall man, Shikamaru thought best to let him ride with Kankuro, who was a little more built than him. He raised him up, with Kankuro's help and they instantly rode toward Suna. Shikamaru and Baki were last. They pulled down the tent and took Sakura's backpack and followed the other two closely.

It was getting dark; the road would be a little more dangerous until they reached the gates of Sunagakure.

Aby put the bento in front of Gaara, who was focused on his work.

"I brought you something to eat!"

"Thanks,"

She saw the infamous crumpled letter from earlier back on his desk.

Don't tell me …

She couldn't help but feel irritated. Gaara followed her gaze and noticed the paper.

"Oh! No, that's not …"

"Hey it's ok, you don't have to hide it or be embarrassed in front of me … if you want to go, then just go!"

"No!" he said, feeling insulted. "It's not what you think, OK? I was just looking for something I threw out earlier and so I put a few random papers out of the basket … including that one … the rest just happened to be on the floor. See?"

Her face clearly showed she didn't buy it, which grew the insult even more.

"I won't judge, I mean, sure it's not my cup of tea but for others…"

"I'M NOT THAT KINDA GUY, OK? Arrr … why do I even need to justify myself!"

He angrily picked up all the papers, including the troubling one and put them back in the wastebasket, kicking it further away, where it fell on its side and spilled most of its content; He didn't pay any attention to it. His face was now crimson with anger. What kind of guy did she believe him to be? Why didn't she believe him? He wasn't sure, deep inside, was he more angry about; that she believed he would be that kind of guy, or that she "wouldn't judge him" for being that way.

"Ok! Ok! … You should take a break," she said.

"I can't take a break," he said, coldly.

"Gaara! You must be tired! You did not eat anything all day!"

"I can't take a break," he repeated, clenching his teeth.

"Gaara, even the best rulers have breaks, your body can't function if you don't fuel..."

"WOULD YOU MIND YOU OWN DAMNED BUSINESS, ALREADY?"

He didn't know why he snapped like that, but regretted it instantly. It wasn't like him. He lowered his head, in frustration, his hands at the back of his head.

That girl drove him mad. She was right, most of the time, and he didn't like to be reminded of that. Not by her. Not because he disliked her … but because he was the Kazekage! HE was supposed to be the one showing he had everything under control! Why was everything going wrong when she was around?

She pushed the bento box closer to him.

"I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone. If you don't mind, I'd like to go back home … I mean … to the main residence"

"Of course you can go!"

Once again, his tone contradicted his meaning. He meant it as "you have done a lot already, go and rest, the rest I can handle".

She obviously took it as "Yes please just leave already so I can get back to work!"

She bowed her head and left quickly.

He growled at himself and held his head with his hands. How did it become like this? What was going on with him? He found her annoying, yet he enjoyed being with her. He wanted her close but he pushed her away every time.

"What is wrong with me?"

Aby crossed the bridge from the office to the main building, where the rooms were. She looked out every window as she was crossing. The wind was picking up in Suna. She saw clouds of golden sand moving twirling around. The crescent moon was very high, and big. A few clouds were passing by. Some night lights were lit (most were broken) but the streets were empty.

People were home already. Soon there was no visibility at all outside. She stopped at a window, astonished at how fast the weather changed in a few seconds. Just like his temper … Is that what they called a sand storm?

"Pretty sick, huh?" Temari was going to meet with Gaara. She stopped to see what Abigail was looking at.

"Yeah … I've never seen one before. It must be scary out there!"

"No one is out when there's a sand storm. They come very fast and are usually unpredictable. The night ones are the worst! That's when the creatures come out. They usually stay outside of the village, but when the visibility is like that, they get in the village, trying to snatch the few unfortunates who would still be trying to find their way home."

"Are there a lot … dying?"

"There used to be. But things got better since Gaara became Kazekage. He made his priority to protect the people of Suna. He demanded the council build a few storm shelters throughout the village, in case people were caught in the storm, away from home."

"Amazing," said Aby admiringly. Temari watched her sideways.

"You realized that he risked his life that night?"

Aby gave Temari an inquisitive look.

"The Kazekage never moves at night. Gaara made himself the exception, but only if absolutely necessary. To appeal to the council that does not want to endanger the Kazekage's life, he will usually send other shinobis to rescue someone."

"Like he did when Hakuto ran away …" Aby looked back outside the window. There were huge shadows moving in the storm.

Temari stopped smiling and watched Aby.

"You know about that story?"

"Yes," Aby looked down at her feet. "Did he, Gaara I mean; did he ever see her again?"

"I don't believe he did. He rarely goes to Konoha."

"I wonder what he felt like. I mean, I know he was disappointed, of course but …" She sighed. "It's not fair …"

"Abigail?"

"Gaara is so … of all the charact … all the people, why doesn't he get to experience love?"

She thought about the lewd letter again. Why wouldn't he want to go? As a man, if one can't get love, isn't it normal to at least want to experience the carnal pleasures?

She blushed; some women were like that too. To her though, sexual intercourse had so much more value if it was with love. Sofia seemed to not be bothered by it, seemingly enjoying it just for fun. Although she knew her to be loyal to her boyfriends, but when she was not in a relationship, she seemed to be very open to the idea of a one night stand. Aby was not like that. She was the romantic type.

"I don't know,'' said Temari. "I really wish he could find someone. I want him to know how it feels like to have someone to share everything with. To wake up in the morning and see his messy hair. To cuddle with him when it's raining and cold. To have him hug you tight when you're making breakfast …"

"... You want Gaara to have a male friend?" she asked with a smirk.

"Oh no no, ha ha ha, I'm sorry … I've been rambling about my own experiences. Love … it's another entirely different world. It's beautiful, it's fragile, it's … amazing!"

Aby watched Temari hugging herself as she was listing all the pros of having a lover by her side. It was quite adorable. Aby could have sworn seeing stars and pink hearts dancing around her. Then she became serious.

"Gaara had none of that. Not even his father's love. He had no friends and we were instructed, Kankuro and I, not to even play with him. He was just a kid …"

Temari became very emotional.

"Uhm, you ok?"

"Yes …" she wipes her face with her sleeve. "Come to think of it, I came all this way to see him, I better go!"

Temari disappeared on the other side of the tunnel, leading to the Kazekage's office. Abigail smiled; she didn't remember Temari being so sensitive. She went passed her bedroom, towards the kids' room. Sofia was standing near her own room, talking to Kankuro about horses. Sofia loved horses. They seemed to be busy; Aby thought about greeting them later. She noticed that his hair and clothes were covered with sand.

Don't tell me they just came back now? In the storm?

She slowly entered the room. Tori was sleeping with her new bracelet on; The little box still in her hand, and drool leaked out of her mouth, down her chin, and on the pillow. Toshiko was sleeping on his stomach, almost across from her sister. Their legs were intertwined. She smiled at the siblings.

"You should have seen her! She was walking around all day long, admiring her bracelet, pretending to be a princess!"

Chris was standing in the doorway. Where did he come from?

"I'm glad she likes it! I remembered liking girly stuff when I was little."

Tori's face was priceless when she opened the box. Her eyes had sparkled like never before and thanked her a billion times. She was happy that she was able to make the little girl happy.

She looked around as she came out. There were old stuffed toys all around. In the corner, near the door, were some sand buckets that were recently used. There were two old dolls. Aby assumed, with a smile, that these toys must have belonged to the sand siblings when they were kids. She remembered watching the anime, a particularly sad episode showing Gaara playing by himself, putting sand in a bucket. She looked at the stuffed animal and wondered if one of these could have belonged to him.

She came out of the room and joined Chris.

"Its very nice of the staff to bring out old toys for them,"

"The 'sister' thought about it; she told the staff to find their old toys and to bring them to their room so they could play with them."

Aby closed the door and turned to Chris.

"Hi!" he said smiling.

"Hi," she smiled back. "Did they just come back?" she pointed to Kankuro who walked towards the main banquet room to have a bite to eat.

"Yep, a few minutes ago … Ninja boy is in a bad shape, though they are saying he'll be ok,"

Sasuke?

"And Sakura?"

"The pink hair girl? She was sleeping like a baby …"

"She must have been very worried ..."

Aby watched Chris giving her an inquisitive look.

"She is in love with him," she explained.

"Ohhhhhhhh …"

He fixed a strand of hair on her forehead, which took her by surprise.

"How was your day, with the boss?" he said with a smirk.

"Oh, it was … fine. We were … he was able to finish most of the late stuff, to my understanding anyway, but I think he's going to stay much later tonight."

He studied her face.

"What's wrong," he asked.

"Huh? Nothing, why?"

"Your smile's not the same … something happened?"

"... no … not really ..."

"What happened?" he demanded to know. She sighed.

"Nothing … it's just … he doesn't see me as a friend, that's all."

"So?! He doesn't seem to see anybody as a friend! He's like that with everyone! Look at me for instance! It's plain to see that he wants me to be his buddy …"

She laughed at the sarcasm and lay backwards against the door frame. Everything was prettty quiet, except for the sound of the wind and sand violently swirling around outside. She was glad they were comfortable and safe inside. She glanced towards the window when she heard faint stomping coming from outside. She could feel a tiny trembling from under her feet. The night creatures, she thought. Chris brought her back to their conversation.

"What makes you say that anyway?" he asked.

"Well, I don't know … just a feeling. Like, he shuts me out and stuff."

"Did he kick you out?" he said laughing.

"Almost, I kicked myself out before he would!" she laughed. "I thought that we ...well, I just wanted to give him some advice and got ahead of myself. I guess ...I'm not his friend. I'm just a girl who stumbled in his world and now he's stuck with me."
"With us …" he corrected her.

"Yeah …" she looked down. He watched her with a smile.

"Ahhh I don't get that guy …"

"What?"

"You're right there, alone with him and he doesn't even try to get to know you and stuff …"

"..."

"If it was me, I would have thought of a dozen excuses to get closer!" She rolled her eyes.

"Stop it!"

"No serious! I'm so jelly! He gets to be with you all day while I'm waiting for you to come out so I can spend time with you! Meanwhile, this guy is not even trying! Seriously, I don't get him."

"He has a very important role, everything he does is for the sake of his village. He is very busy and doesn't have the time to flirt around,"

"Ouch" Chris said, holding his chest. Abigail realized what she just said. Chris was, indeed, flirting with her quite a bit.

"Oh! No … I didn't mean …"

"That's ok, I'll own it! What else could I do to get what I want?"

"What do you want?" she asked, suspicious.

"Isn't that obvious?"

She didn't answer. Instead, she looked at him, unimpressed, stepping backwards.

"What?! Oh! No! Not that way!" he laughed and got closer to her. "I want you! … that didn't sound any better; Let me gather my words here … I want you to be my … special friend …" he smiled.

She looked down, again. It was getting a habit now. Every time he would say something like that, she would look away to hide her blushing face. Something that was enticing to him. He gave her a peck on her cheek and walked away smiling.

"If the boss doesn't want you, then that means more for me!"

Aby felt warm. The redness on her face must have been strong. She went down the stairs, towards the banquet hall to meet with Sofia. Her head was lying on the table. She lifted it up when she saw Aby coming down.

"Finally! 14 hours! 14 hours you were with him up there! I know because I counted!"

"Wow … that long?"

"Yes! Why are you all red?"

Chris smiled from across the table, while eating an apple, but did not say anything.

"It's … hot …"

"Isn't it? Hey the others just came back! Man, I gotta tell ya, they're all handsome men!"

"I told you before … this is an anime world. They all look good, the girls too."

"This is a requirement when creating a manga!" Akio said while sitting down with the girls. Chris looked at his jacket, hiding the box containing the key and pen.

"You never leave it out of sight, do you."

"No"

"Mr. Daisuke?" Abigail asked, privately.

"Hm?"

"You seem to know a lot about this world and its creator. Would you know if the writer, Kishimoto, meant for Gaara to end up with someone?

"I don't think so ... the story was completed and Gaara was still single ..."

"Why not?!" Somehow it hurt Aby that Kishimoto, the writer, would leave Gaara without love.

"Because the Naruto series were not meant for romance."

"Yeah but he did mean for Naruto and Hinata to end up together! And now even Shikamaru and Temari are together, and probably other Shinobis are getting together as we speak! Why is Gaara the only one without a companion?"

"As I said before, he is the master of his own heart; and he is not the only one who is still single … why are you so suddenly invested in his life?" She was startled by the question. Why was she?

"Well … of all the characters, I think he was the one who suffered the most."

"Oh really?" he replied sarcastically, putting down the newspaper he was reading. He moved closer. "You think his story is more tragic than Uchiha's story? Who's beloved brother killed both their parents and his whole clan? Who was left alone with a dark vengeful spirit, only to discover after he finally killed his own brother that he, in fact, was protecting his little brother? Or perhaps more tragic than Naruto's story, who's greatly regarded parents died protecting him, and who was left alone and mistreated by the whole village?"

"Well …" She didn't know how to respond to that.

"Each story is as tragic as the reader feels it is. I'm not saying you are wrong … to you, Gaara has the most tragic story."

"I feel he should have at least a love in his life …"

"He does!"

Aby turned to face him, alarmed and surprised.

"He has loyal friends and Shinobis under his command! The whole village respects and loves him! Naruto was the one who brought him out into the light. He has the greatest friend one could hope for. Gaara, does not need anything else. That is the character his creator gave him. But of course, that is up to him …"

"What do you mean?"

"Again, a creator gives the heart to the characters, the rest is up to them to decide how to use it! The story line has been completed, what they do with the rest of their lives is up to them!"

"Still … He teased him with Hakuto and removed her at the end … that wasn't very nice."
Akio laughed and watched her with an inquisitive look.

"Would you be falling for Gaara of the Sand?" he said smiling.

"..." I might have a thing for him but … She sighed.

"I just wish I could see him smile."

"Miss Abigail," Akio drew even closer and whispered. "You do realize this is not your world, right?"

"Yes? Why are you saying that."

He paused for a moment, staring at her.

"You cannot stay here."

"... I know that!"

"But do you realize it?"

"..."

"Abigail-San, do not get attached too much … the outcome would be all the more painful; for both parties."

Aby went back up to her temporary room. She removed her temporary belt that was tied around her temporary deep purple shirt. Everything was temporary. Akio had reminded her that much. She knew it, but now, she realized it. She didn't know how long they would have here, but one day, they would find a way to go home, hopefully. Everything would be back to normal again. She would go back to her grandmother and celebrate her graduation from her Major in Management. She remembered the children. They would have to leave this beautiful world and go back to being in the street.

"No way I'm gonna let that happen," she said out loud, looking outside. The storm was still going on.

I'll think of something; These kids will not go back on the street.

Why was Akio telling her all this anyway? It's not like Gaara liked her to begin with … She did not like him either. OK … maybe a little … but this was definitely superficial. He was this great, handsome leader who started out as pure evil and became the most gentle, loving protector of his village. Of course she'd like him!

She laid on her bed and closed her eyes.

He's always yelling at me anyways. It's plain to see that he finds me annoying. It's like I was in the way earlier … Chris on the other end … He's always smiling! He makes me laugh! He wants to spend time with me and he plainly said that he likes me!

She turned the other side and hugged the pillow.

But Gaara came to save me the other night, while Chris left me behind. He also protected me when he thought Chris was attacking me.

She laughed, remembering when Chris thought Gaara was cosplaying.

and he healed my wounds … took us all in, and smiled at me … a little. She hid her face in the pillow. He held me in his arms when I was hurting. It felt good … it didn't feel like a fake person; a character created for a book … it was warm. He had a sweet smell.

He was real.

Gaara had his head on the table, his eyes were half asleep, his cheek was sticking to the table and his arms were crossed under.

His sister watched him while eating some of the dates that were in the bento box. They have been talking for a while now. She came to tell him Kankuro and the others had arrived and were safe. Sasuke was still under observation by the nurse inside the residence. Sakura was sleeping, she's been out for a while; her chakra was almost completely depleted, but she was OK.

Then they talked about the work that was finally completed. When Temari mentioned that Aby had been a tremendous help, he became quiet. Now, there he was, half asleep on the table.

"Since when do you eat dates?" she said while she was eating them. "You always hated sweet stuff?"

"I still don't like it … she brought them to me …"

"For a girl who knows about us, she didn't pay attention to the food you eat!"

"I ate some …"

"And?"

"Still disgusting."

"But you feel better, right?"

"... no …"

He knew she was talking about his stomach feeling fuller. It did make him feel better. But now that his work was finished, he just stood there … thinking of her … again.

"She's driving me nuts …"

"Huh?! How so? I think she's nice! They all are! And those kids! I want to eat them! They're so freaking cute!"

"She gets herself into trouble, then ends up yelling at me for it, and crying, then she does something good, and then gets into more trouble, and the cycle continues …"

He was still in the same position, speaking to his sister, without looking at her.

"She yells at you?! Wait … Are you sure she gets into trouble, or are YOU getting HER into trouble?" she said, amused.

"Maybe a little bit of both …" he concluded after some thoughts.

She looked at him puzzled. She's never seen him like that.

"Gaara, what's wrong?"

He kept quiet for a long time, before answering.

"Hey, sis? … What's wrong with me?"

"I JUST ASKED YOU THAT!"

"She's driving me nuts…"

"You just said that too … a few seconds ago."

"Did I? I'm tired …"

"Say … do you … do you like her?" He finally looked at her, annoyed.

"Didn't I just tell you I find her troublesome?!"

"Uhm …" she said unconvinced. "Still though …"

He thought of her in his arms again, then closed his eyes.

"She is charming," he admitted. "Then turns like sand in my eyes."

"That's a little harsh!"

"And yet … I can't keep her out of my head. I can't focus on anything. I want to see her, then I want to strangle her."

She grinned at his confession.

"Was it like that with Hakuto?"

"Pfff … No!" He straightened up on his chair and stretched. "Hakuto was beautiful … she was elegant, delicate, noble, dignified! Abigail is … she's …"

She was also beautiful, especially under the moonlight. Her eyes were big, full of kindness and sparkled like a child's. She got excited with simple things, which made her charming. She wasn't delicate, but she was fragile … anything would make her cry. She was not of noble blood, but her heart was big and full of justice; demanding the protection of others … especially the ones who couldn't defend themselves. Those kids had no relation to her, yet she begged him to take them back to the village.

His head heavily dropped back on the table. Temari giggled, seeing that Gaara was having a hard time coming up with an excuse to convince himself he did not like her.

"Why don't you just tell her how you feel?"

"I can't …"

"Why?" She laughed, "don't tell me you're too shy?"

"Because," he sighed, "every time I say something to her, the opposite meaning comes out."

"How's that even possible?"

"She's driving me nuts …"

"Well, whatever you gotta do, do it quickly, 'cause that Chris guy is about to steal her from you …"

"... I don't like that guy …"