Carousel
Chapter 11: Black and White Undertones of Friday
Disclaimer: disclaimed.o
Love is like a dance. Sometimes, you're clumsy, messing up the moves and stepping on eachother's toes. You might even fall, and hurt yourself or your partner. Everyone may laugh, and dissaprove. You could look into the eyes of the person you hold, and wonder exactly where it all went.
But you may not. Maybe you'll get everything perfect, graceful and smooth. Everything will be on time, and even if you make mistkes, it's natural, and you can get back on your feet with the help of their hands. You can't wait until they put their hands on you, holding you, touching you. And maybe not everyone will applaud, but your heart won't care. Strings of burden and worry come undone, and all you have is eachother. But that's all you need sometimes. Even long after the lights go out, in your perfect mismatched harmony…
Press your head tightly to their chest, feeling their strong heartbeat, so real. Breath becoming short as you cling tighter and tighter to achother, so much that it hurts.
You see them suffer, when you suffer, when you edge away a little. Everyone falls, but they fall with you, and are always the ones to help you back up.
And it starts to seem like all the mistakes are yours. Your heart is the one that's causing everything to crumble.
So you let go.
And both of you fall.
With no way to get back up.
And you can't help feeling the taste of yet another mistake in your mouth…
o
"Hey."
Neji looked up from his doodles, to where Gaara stood beside his desk. They were supposed to have gym in the previous period, but due to the set-up of the dance, it had been canceled and they were forced to do crosswords instead. Presently they were in math, waiting for Iruka to come back from where-ever he was. But the dance was all anyone was talking about; who's going with who, who will end up 'hooking up', even who might break up!
"Where were you at lunch?" Gaara asked quietly, peering at Neji's doodles, which were just curvy lines drawn in black pen, branching out from the corner of the page.
"I'm sorry I forgot to tell you," Neji started, eyes darting away, "I was… just… "
The door clicked shut at that moment and the lights were turned off. Iruka stood in the doorway, his eyes wandering over the class.
"Naruto," he said in an exasperated tone to the student crouched, mostly unseen, at a corner in the back, "What on earth are you doing with those metre sticks?"
"Oh, this?" Naruto shoved it behind his back, a piece of tape still stuck to his hand.
"Let me see." Iruka glared, and Naruto nervously gave a laugh, slowly handing Iruka what he'd made.
"A sniper rifle?" Iruka almost chuckled as he inspected the heavily taped objects, "How surprisingly creative."
"So…?"
"Do it again and you have detention."
"Thought so."
(AN: A classmate of KnO and mine actually did that.)
Iruka sighed, turning back to his pupils. "Well, you guys are lucky. There's no math today. Instead we'll be decorating the gym for the dance."
There was an eruption of cheers, and Iruka felt slightly disheartened at the lack of enthusiasm towards his class.
"Some of you will be going to the Art Room with me to get supplies, and the rest of you will head down to the gym," Iruka continued. He decided upon the group that would help him (a group that included Neji, Gaara and Naruto) and soon everyone was heading out the door. Sasuke tried to hurry through the crowd, to try and reach Naruto, but the blonde was already half-way down the hall. The black-haired boy clenched his fist, and trudged along with the rest of the class.
It was becoming rather annoying, how Naruto had been evading him. His lips still ached, numb and longing for another taste.
The silence was growing tiresome.
Why are you avoiding me, Naruto?
When Iruka's group reached the art room, they found they were not the only ones there. Outisde the door, Gai was crouched, pressing his ear to the door.
"Um, Gai?" Iruka poked him, raising an eyebrow. Gai jumped, almost crashing into the wall behind him.
"Ssh!" he 'whispered' to Iruka, "Kakashi had almost let his guard down, and you- "
"I can hear you, Gai!" came the art teacher's voice and Gai mentally cursed, opening the door with a flourish.
"You may have found me out this time," The thick-eyebrowed man yelled, "But next time, my rival, I shall get you!"
"Yeah… Don't you have a class you're supposed to be teaching?"
Gai paused. "Oh. Right. But I shall return!"
With this he dashed down the hall, annoyed with himself for wasting some of his student's precious moments of youth. Iruka sighed, peeking his head in the door.
"Oh, hi Iruka," Kakashi said calmly, "You skipping too?"
The class had remained silent since Gai's outburst, but at this point went back their work. Iruka gave a small wave, stepping inside.
"No, we're just getting some stuff to decorate the gym." he told the silver-haired man, opening the door wider to let the small group in. Neji led them to the storage closet, where they were supposed to get various art supplies. Mostly streamers, mural paper and paint, as Iruka trusted anything they painted would end up being 'very scary'.
"Neji," Gaara said, while pulling a package of orange and black crepe streamers from a shelf, "Could you answer my question now?"
"Oh. That." Neji pursed his lips, shuffling through a box of things, while Gaara stood off to the side. "Could we talk about this later?"
"By later, do you mean later, or not in public?" Gaara asked, and Neji let out a bit of breath, bringing himself to stand.
"Not in public."
"Alright."
Neji looked to Gaara as they started walking, almost surprised. "Really? You're not-"
"We all have things we'd… rather not have most people hear," the red-head answered, and Neji gave an appreciative nod. Construction paper and streamers in hand, they headed back to the gym.
o
"I can't believe tommorow is Hallowe'en!" Temari said excitedly, shuffling through the cupboard.
Kankurou snorted. "Then you must have a pretty small brain."
"You know what I mean," his sister responded, stuffing a muffin in her mouth before heading out of the kitchen. Kankurou finished loading the dishwasher, glancing at the clock. It was about seven o clock, and Gaara's dance started at seven fifteen. That meant just Kankurou and Temari were going to be in the house for the evening, since Mariko had left a few hours earlier to help out her relatives again.
Gaara sat in his room, staring at the ceiling. By his side lay his mother's book, the scarlet ribbon placed about three quarters through. Always, his thoughts found a way of drifting to that, and to Neji. After the two periods of Math (decorating) they had had Home Economics, and Gaara never got a chance to have Neji tell him about why he was absent at lunch. The red-head was sure it was not anything too serious, since Neji did seem alright, if a little nervous. But it wasn't nothing either.
Whatever it was, Gaara felt himself wanting to know.
"Gaara?"
He looked to the door, where Temari peeked in. At his nod she entered.
"Aren't you going to get dressed up for the dance?" she asked, "It starts soon."
He blinked, then shrugged. He had been planning on just wearing his regular clothing, and not bothering with the costume thing at all. But something in Temari's face made him suddenly doubt that.
"I figured as much," she said, waltzing over to him and siting down beside him on the bed, "But you really should wear something Hallowe'en-ish."
"Why?"
"It's fun…?" she tried, but realized using this excuse on Gaara wouldn't work. Sighing, she decided to be blunt. "Can I dress you up anyways?"
"No."
"Alright." Temari laughed, watching Gaara's annoyed face. He had only gone out for Hallowe'en when she and Kankurou had gone, and he was always a ghost. That way, no one could see his face, and for one night Gaara could run around with the other kids, eat candy, and just live. But before the age of 10, he had stopped. Never had he even asked to go again. The answer to the question was obvious.
"Well, it's about time to go," she told him, and he nodded, pushing himself to sit. He and Temari headed out of the room, meeting Kankurou by the door. The older boy looked a little annoyed, eyes darting past Temari.
"I'll walk Gaara to the dance," he muttered, much to his sister's surprise. He snorted at her blank look. "I was gonna go for a walk anyways, jeeeeez."
Temari raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"Yeah. Really." Kankurou grabbed his jacket, eyes scanning Gaara. "No costume?"
Gaara just glared.
o
Streaks of colour decorated the horizon, peeking over the silhouetted treeline, accented with tops of houses and a radio tower. The air was surprisingly cool, Neji found, as he stepped outside. Quickly he headed back in, deciding to wait in the foyer until they left. His mind felt worn, in fact, his whole body had a dull ache to it, as if it had grown tiresome of life in itself.
"Ne-Neji-niisan?"
He looked up to where Hinata stood in the doorway, something innocent and fragile about her as always. She wore no make-up, save a smudge of lipchap, since her lips always became dry with the colder weather, and her hair hung short, a little wet from her shower. White fabric hung off her body, clinging to the curves that had formed where before a child's body had been. It was gathered at the waist with a cord of gold, hanging in layers around her legs. She had made it herself, even the feathered wings on her back, which she'd made out of cardboard and faux feathers from a craft store.
"Are we going now?" she asked quietly, and he gave a slight nod. He himself had decided against wearing a costume, instead wearing just day clothing.
A head peeked in the doorway, grinning.
"Tou-san says be back before curfew," the smaller girl told him, giving a devilish grin. Hinata nodded, grabbing her bag, and she and her cousin headed out as Hanabi disappeared back into the hall.
The most beautiful of angels are not the perfect ones.
Neji flinched a little as the thought appeared in his head. But it was true, wasn't it?
If angels existed, that was. But that seemed doubtful.
Do angels ever come down to Earth to get some help sorting out their own problems?
o
"I saw you were reading Mom's book."
Gaara turned cold eyes on his brother, face taking an expression Kankurou hated to see.
"It's not your fault, you know," the older told him, "It was Dad's. Dad killed her; he forced her to have you, and that's why she died. He just blamed it on you because he couldn't take it. The bastard."
"Hn."
"You still blame yourself…" Kankurou wanted to put a hand on his brother's shoulder, but it didn't seem all that great an idea. Gaara scared him sometimes, the way he became so violent. There was but one person Gaara hadn't been able to defend himself against, and that had been their father.
But he was dead.
Gaara chose not to answer, crossing his arms across his chest.
"We never blamed you… well, I'm lying. I used to, Gaara, but I don't anymore. But how could it be your fault, you were just a kid?" Kankurou sped up a little, to walk in time with his brother, "'I'm lying'… what a reduntant statement."
"How so?"
"Well, if I really was lying, the statement would be true, thus it would not. But then I wouldn't be lying, faking the statement false, so I would be telling the truth. But then I would be lying. It's a paradox." Kankurou watched Gaara look a small bit puzzled, and continued, "It's just a problem that goes around and around in circles; there's no real end to it."
"Like… a carousel," Gaara said, and Kankurou nodded.
"Yeah, I guess," Kankurou gave a chuckle, "Makes my head hurt when I think about it."
They were near to the school, and already there were Jack-o-lanterns glowing on the porches all down the street, twilight settling in.
"So, you really aren't going with anyone?" Kankurou asked.
Gaara shook his head, yet gave a smart grin. "But I'm lying."
Wait… did Gaara just almost make a joke?
Kankurou chuckled, messing up Gaara's hair with his hand. "Suit yourself, pipsqueak."
As Kankurou walked away, Gaara heard people approach, and turned just in time to recognize Ino before she pounced on him.
"Gaaaraaaaaaa!" she yelled, "You came!"
Still getting over the fact Ino was clinging to him, he couldn't think of a reply. Just about everyone in the regular group was there, the only clear exception being Sasuke.
"Get off him, Ino," came Neji's voice, and Gaara felt himself being returned to sanity as Ino retreated. As she backed away, he surveyed her appearance; a scarlet and black dress, obvious sorceress's attire.
Neji sighed. "Well, Gaara's here. I think we can head in now."
The spirited members of the group ran towards the school, howling and shrieking. Neji took pace beside Gaara, reaching over quickly to tidy his hair. He touched the quickly-healing scrape on Gaara's forehead on his way to the vermillion strands, sending them back in an orderly direction.
"T-thanks," Gaara mumbled, and despite the chill that had settled, there were sparks within him, dancing through his veins. Through the bricks walls of the school he could hear catchy melody, the bass thumping in his chest like a second heartbeat. There was a natural rhythm that everything danced to, but everyone had their own individual song.
And sometimes, people sat down to listen for a while.
Sometimes; forever.
o
It was unnerving. Person next to person, a sea thick with bodies. Gaara's eyes hadn't yet adjusted completely to the dark, shadows darting and coloured light glimmering off and over people as they danced, or just stood, talking laughing, all in masquerade. He was careful not to get lost, following Neji over to the not too crowded spot their group had chosen as it's territory. They stood in a circle, close so that they could actually here eachother over the blaring speakers. Many people were singing along, as the song just happened to be 'Stacey's Mom'.
"Kiba's mom has got it goin' on!" Naruto sang loudly, to which Kiba smacked him over the head.
"Hey, shut up!"
Naruto just laughed harder, as did just about everyone else. Gaara personally found the song a little strange, but decided so were the people around him, so it didn't matter all that much. For instance, Naruto had taped a shredded cereal box to his front, and was carrying around a plastic knife, claiming to be a 'cereal killer'. Ah, holidays do bring out the worst of jokes, don't they?
"Nee, where Sasuke-kun!" Sakura asked loudly, tilting her floppy witch's hat so it didn't affect her vision. "Has anyone seen him!"
"I think I did…" TenTen mumbled, and Sakura squealed, as did Ino.
"Really?" the blonde sorceress's eyes grew sparkly, "Where!"
Shikamaru snorted. "Jeez, woman, is that all you think about?"
Glaring, Ino elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up, lazyass! You didn't even bother to wear a costume!"
"I am wearing a costume," he said pointedly.
"Oh yeah?"
"I'm dressed as my non-existent twin brother who looks exactly like me."
"Hey, I think I see him!" Sakura yelled suddenly, jumping up to get a better view. Shikamaru's non-existent twin brother? Nope! Sasuke! Sakura began waving her arms madly. "Sasuke-kun! Over here!"
Indeed, heading towards them was Sasuke, sweeping his eyes over the group. Naruto looked away, faking a grin.
"I'm gonna go get a soda!" he announced to anyone that cared, heading quickly off in the direction of the snack table.
"It's not like he needs the caffiene or anything," Neji commented, stepping aside so that Sasuke could stand in the circle, the black-eyes boy looking a bit troubled. It went mostly unnoticed, as Ino immediately grabbed at his hand.
"You look like you need cheering up!" she exclaimed, "We should dance!"
He shook her off, muttering, "No thanks," obviously distracted.
"Say," Chouji piped up after swallowing a mouthful of potato chips, "Who won that bet anyways, huh Kiba?"
"Oh right!" Kiba, whose face was painted in the likeness of a dog's, pulled the notebook out of his pocket, flipping through it until he found his page.
"22."
"22!" TenTen nearly choked, but Sasuke gave a disgusted nod.
"22."
"Which means," Kiba continued, "Shino wins. Once again."
There was some appreciative clapping as Kiba handed Shino a few bills, as everyone had bet a few dollars. It wasn't surprising that the insect-lover won though, since he had an uncanny ability to win every bet they ever made with accuracy. There was a rumour going around that he used his ant-farm for divination purpouses.
Gaara glanced over at the restless Sasuke. 22. 22 people had asked Sasuke to the dance. Did that mean 22 people claimed to love Sasuke? Usually, the concept of love pertains to 2 people, unless you have a love triangle. Or…
"Unrequitement," Gaara murmured, and Neji glanced over at him.
"Did you say something?"
"Nothing important."
The music stopped abruptly, leaving Gaara feeling a bit lighter without the rumble of bass inside of him. A screech of feedback flooded the gymnasium, causing disruption to ripple, teens covering their hands with their ears as it grew louder, higher pitched before dying back into a quiet whine. Tsunade, the principal, walked out on stage wearing cat-woman get up. Fake nails and everything. The crowd was instantly silenced.
"First off, thank you all for showing up," she said, "I know we've had some complaints about our dances being 'boring'. But the dances aren't boring. It's you who's boring!"
Dead silence.
She sighed, signaling the DJ to start the music. "Just keep it clean people. Please? Happy Hallowe'en!"
(AN: My principal gives a 'school isn't boring, you are' speech at the begginning of every year.)
Again, too loud to be heard music was blasted, and movement erupted, limbs moving, swaying, wild yet all flowing. Like a machine, organized chaos, moving, breaking, fixing itself.
"Let's dance, Hinata!" Kiba took Hinata by the elbow and pulled her away to an open space. Her cheeks flushed bright red and she froze, barely able to speak.
"N-no, I-"
"Why not?" he laughed, "No one's watching. Besides, you're great at dancing!"
Still flushed, Hinata lightly began to move to the beat, white fabric swishing around her legs. Kiba smiled, urging her further, and soon she almost forgot about anyone who might be watching and danced, a smile pushing it's way onto her face.
"Go Hinata!" Sakura cheered. She laughed, and rushed out herself, not wanting to miss out on the fun. TenTen and Ino followed her, and Sasuke wandered off, looking distraught.
"Sakura-chan!"
Sakura turned around, eyes widening at the sight. "L-Lee?"
TenTen paused also, following Sakura's gaze. "Oh Gods…"
Standing in a class disco pose was Lee, and beside him Gai. Both wore tight pants and coloured shirts, as if they had just stepped out of a time-warp from the 70's.
"1, 2, 3!" Gai shouted and the routine started. Sakura resisted the urge to laugh as the two launched into a rather impressive coordinated dance. Finally, Lee danced his way over to her and held out a hand.
"I know you aren't here with me," he said, "But would you like to dance anyways?"
Inner Sakura was torn between killing herself laughing and yelling 'Hell yeah!' and showing all the losers there what dance really was. But Sakura smiled politely, and slipped her hand into his.
"Sure, Lee."
Gai continued dancing on his own, stopping twice. Once to give Lee a thumbs up, the second time to yell at Kakashi, who was supervising the snack table.
"In your face, Kakashi! Let's see you pull off moves like this!"
Kakashi just sighed, knowing better than to respond.
Several songs passed, and Gaara had grown quiet after making conversation with Chouji and Shikamaru. Neji had disappeared for a small while, but came back, looking as if he had a slight head ache.
"I remember why I hate these things so much," he mumbled, leaning against the wall beside Gaara.
"Why don't you dance?" Gaara asked, and Neji laughed.
"I'm not very good. It's not my thing, and besides, I don't have anyone to dance with."
Gaara surveyed the group, some people taking breaks as they had grown tired. Sakura left Lee, who seemed as if he could dance until Thursday, and grabbed Neji's Coke from his hands, taking a swig.
"H-hey!" Neji protested, but Sakura wasn't listening.
"Aren't you going to dance, Gaara?" she asked the red-head, who looked greatly intimidated.
"No, I… I haven't ever danced before," he murmured, and Sakura took him by the shoulders.
"Then I'll teach you!" she said.
"No, really, I-"
But Sakura had already made up her mind, Neji looking on with a bit of a smile.
"Just listen to the music," she explained, "The beat. And move with it."
"Move with it?"
"Uh-huh," she began moving back and forth, moving her arms a little. Gaara was greatly unsure about immitating her.
"Don't teach him to dance like a girl!" Shikamaru yelled, to which Sakura stuck out her tongue.
"Don't worry about them," she commanded, "Just… dance!"
Unsure, Gaara began to sway a little, feeling ever so self-concious. He felt kind of silly, but it was fun, he had to admit. He had just gotten into it, when a look crossed Sakura's face, and she peered behind him. The red-head stopped as well, and she quickly apologized before heading over to where a small crowd had formed around two people.
"Sasuke-kun?"
o
Naruto found himself backed into a corner. It wasn't a corner though, not really. It was just a wall. But standing a few metres away was Sasuke, black eyes glaring. He gulped as the taller boy took a step closer.
"You've been avoiding me. All day." Sasuke said forcefully, and Naruto began to look at the floor.
"Yeah, I-"
"Naruto," he sighed, "Are you ashamed to be seen with me?"
"No!" the blonde protested, "I just… damn. Look, I wasn't sure if you…"
By this time a slight crowd had formed, soft voices spreading rumours. Was a fight going to break out? No one really wanted to see any other possibilities.
"Sorry," Naruto mumbled, turning to face Sasuke, "Kay?"
Sasuke put a hand on Naruto's shoulder, the connection jolting Naruto. "Yeah."
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura pushed through the crowd, green eyes widening as she saw Naruto's lips meet Sasuke's. Everyone froze. But the two boys didn't care, ignoring the mutters of 'faggot', and 'queer' that could loudly be heard. The majority of the crowd dispersed, and Sakura just stared. Sasuke had always been her dream, her goal.
But to be taken… by Naruto…
He was never mine in the first place, she thought, backing away. It hurt, deep in her chest, she wouldn't deny that. She felt tears cloud her vision, hot and salty, as she rushed away to the washroom.
Unrequited.
Gaara glanced from Naruto and Sasuke, now talking quietly, to Sakura whose silhouette disappeared through the doors. She looked so upset… Is that what love did to people? But Naruto and Sasuke looked happy. But still…
"Damn fags!" came a growl as someone passed them, and Gaara's eyes narrowed.
Is it ever wrong to love?
Neji traced his hand lightly over patterns in the wall, thoughts rather similiar.
o
Sakura splashed water onto her face, not caring that her make-up was smudging over her face. She heard the door swing open and quickly zipped up her purse, not wanting to be seen in such a state.
"Hey."
Ino stood next to her, and they met eyes in the mirror. "I thought you'd be here."
"Yeah, I was just-"
Ino leaned over, resting her forehead on Sakura's shoulder. "Guess we lost, then."
"Ino…"
"I never would've guessed Sasuke-kun to be a fag," Ino muttered bitterly, and Sakura flinched. In the pale flourescent light, a sorceress and a witch consoled eachother, both indescisive about what to do.
"Don't say that," the pink-haired girl said sharply, and Ino shut her eyes tight. It hurt.
"Sour grapes, huh?" she whispered before pulling away.
"Sour grapes," Sakura agreed, wiping the dark smudges from her face. "I should go. I left in the middle of Gaara's dance lesson."
Ino nodded, leaning over the sink. She'd read about it before, in novels. Before you get your happy ending, you have to go though trials. But then, they promised everything would be okay. Such a silly little girl she'd been. They never said it would be easy.
(AN: 'Sour grapes' refers to a fable by Aesop, about a fox who was trying to get some grapes, but she couldn't reach them. So she walked away angry, saying 'I bet those grapes were sour, anyways'.)
o
The dance was coming to a close. Everyone was nearly burned out, but thoroughly enjoying themselves. Sakura had even convinced Neji to try dancing, but just for one song. The long-haired boy seemed more content watching Gaara, who with Sakura's help, was actually getting into it, though Neji did feel a little bothered when Sakura got close to Gaara. Some people had already left, and Gaara knew Sakura was trying not to look over to where Naruto and Sasuke stood, talking to TenTen, who didn't have a problem with it at all, and she felt a little guilty for not being so accepting. Gaara didn't know how to console her though, and the topic was avoided entirely.
"Omigosh!" she exclaimed suddenly, "It's the YMCA!"
Soon, everyone (including Neji, who had been dragged) was moving there arms to the letters. Gaara looked to the white-eyed boy, who shrugged as if to say 'Might as well'.
The current pulled them in, and both had to admit, it was exhilerating to be a part of the machine, the dance. The song ended, and another started. Stairway to Heaven, by Led Zepplin, which marked the end of the evening. Hearing it, Iruka smirked.
"Are they playing this at the end again?" he mumbled, mostly to himself, "I feel old hearing it."
(AN: Way back when this music came out, they played it at the end of a dance. They've started doing it again, with the popularity increase of the bands.)
Couples took the floor in slow dance, and anyone without a partner moved off the side. Naruto and Sasuke awkwardly came to together, dancing off to the side. The evening had been great, yet harsh, and both knew what Monday would bring.
Gaara watched the couples, hands on shoulders and waists. People outwardly expressing love, or like.
"Hey," Neji said quietly in his ear, "Do you want to go before there's a crowd trying to get out?"
Gaara nodded, feeling a little drowsy. After saying some good-byes, he and Neji made their way out of the school, and into the cool night air. Streetlights flooded the corners with pale light, lighting a trail off into the distance.
"You look pretty tired," the white-eyed boy commented, and Gaara nodded, trudging along.
"Yeah," he smiled a little, "But I'm glad I came."
"Me too." Neji agreed. When they came to where Neji should've turned, Gaara became a little suspicious.
"You're house is in the other direction," he mumbled.
"I don't have to be home for a while yet," Neji explained, "And Hinata's going to a sleepover at Sakura's, or someone's. I can't remember. Do you mind if I walk you home?"
Gaara shook his head, finding it strange of Neji to ask his permission. Why wouldn't he want him to? Around Neji, he felt comfortable, and open. These emotions swirled in his head, making it feel only heavier with sleepiness.
"I guess you were right about Naruto and Sasuke," Neji commented, watching a squirrel scamper across a frosted lawn. "I don't think anyone else saw it coming."
His face softened as he continued. "I feel bad for Sakura, though. And Ino. They were pretty silly about things, but still…"
"Unrequitement."
"It must hurt," Neji mused softly, "To care for someone like that, when they don't feel the same way."
Only their footsteps sounded, as each found themselves wondering what those words really meant. Gaara's thoughts were disorderly,and he felt like he was forgetting something, something that had been important to him. He wasn't able to catch hold of it though, as they came across the small bungalow he lived in. He stopped in the driveway, turning to Neji.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Neji gave a little shrug, his face a pensive mask of chiaroscuro. "It was… the least I could do."
There was a small pause, and then it came to find, flashing and obvious like a neon sign. Gaara stepped forwards, looking concerned. "I had forgotten… we were going to talk about something."
"You should get some sleep," Neji told him, "We can talk some other time."
"No, I-"
Gaara winced as the front light came on and Temari opened the door, dressed in a hat and scarf.
"Hey Gaara!" she yelled, "Gaara's friend!"
Giddy, she ran down the steps, twirling and looking at the sky. "It's snowing!"
"Snow?" Neji looked up, as did Gaara, and sure enough, small flakes were falling from the clouded sky. Gaara felt a few land on his face, blinking as one went into his eye.
"The first snow!" Temari exclaimed, "Come on, Kankurou, don't be a wimp!"
Kankurou shuffled out of the house, looking annoyed. "It's just snow Temari! Oh, hey, Gaara's back."
Gaara put out his hand, watching as the flakes dissolved into small droplets of water. Just like that, they were gone.
"I should get going," Neji said, shivering, "I'll talk to you later, alright?"
"Kay," Gaara replied, "Bye."
"Bye."
Gaara watched Neji's form receed, the wind picking up a little, like a blurry white wave carrying him away. The red-head stared at the wetness in his hand, liquified by his warmth, and hoped that not everything could be as easily destroyed as snowflakes.
End of Chapter 11