A/N: Ah, yea…hope that last chapter was interesting and sorry for the late update.
Ryushi: I was supposed to make the Village of Storm in the Wave Country…but I guess 2 hrs. to reach another country is too short of a time, eh? Awel, I guess it will b in the Earth Country ; thx for the help too .
Shygurlie: Glad you like the story ! I thought that people would actually only review complaints on my story ; happy to know you like it…it's made my day : )
Youko-sama: Thanks a WHOLE bunch! I'm glad I made 'Loving Fear' proud ! I will try not to upset you!
ShadowFrights: Are you still reading this?
And all you others! I know you're reading this! I see your users on my story's Favorite's list or Alert list! If you truly like this story...please review! It would greatly boost my imagination of writing…..
Ah, gomen….sorry for the long A/N….please…go on….
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Stunned, Gaara only followed her obediently, not even removing his own hand from hers. He was confused and didn't know what to do. So, he simply ignored it, like he did for so many years.
'…and this is my house," she said, turning around as they left the door. "We just left my room, a while ago."
Still clasping on his hand, Sunome showed Gaara all there is to know about the Hidden Village of Storm. Whether it was a food place, a place to buy groceries, or a clothes store, she showed him everything. Until finally, they reached their final destination: a simple hill.
"This is my favorite spot of all," she said, looking at the view. "It's a great view of the lake that circles half our village, you know."
Finally letting Gaara's hand go, she stretched, and then sat down on the soft sea of grass. Gaara, having nothing else to do, sat down besides her, looking at the beautiful sun setting in the lake.
"So, why do you want a place to stay?" Sunome suddenly asks.
Without looking at her, he simply said, "Because I'm banished from my own Village."
She made an O with her mouth, and then quickly looked at her feet, as if ashamed.
"Why were you banished?" she asked, looking back up.
Gaara stiffened at the question. Should this girl know his true name? He despised the fact that everyone who heard him speak his name, would run in fright. By chance, he was lucky that this village had not recognized him. Relaxing, he knew this girl had a right to know his true name, regardless.
"Because…I'm Sabaku No Gaara," he said, putting an emotionless face on.
"Sabaku…No Gaara?" she questioned, resting her chin on her knees.
"Yes," he said, almost regretting that he had spoken those words.
"You mean you're the boy of the sand? The one with the demon sealed inside you?"
"Yes."
"Well, I don't see that as a reason to banish you from your own birthplace," she said, raising her head back up.
Surprised, Gaara looked away from the sunset to meet her eyes. He found only confusion in those eyes; no hate, no pity, just pure puzzlement. 'She really does have no idea,' Gaara thought.
"The reason, is because I'm a monster," he said, turning angry at the harsh, truthful words.
"I don't think you're a monster…I don't think any of the villagers think you're a monster," she said optimistically.
Deciding that he didn't want to ruin the moment, he kept his thoughts to himself. 'That's because the villagers don't know my true name,' he had thought. 'They don't know what I'm capable of.'
It had been 10 minutes, and Gaara had lied down and closed his eyes. Sunome, on the other hand, still sat in the same position. Looking at the sunset and enjoying the quiet, peaceful moment. As the sky darkened, Sunome looked over to where the resting Gaara was. She slowly edged closer to him, and then observed him. He had his hands in the back of his head, and his eyes were closed, as if asleep. His gourd was on its side, next to him, never out of reach. She giggled. 'He's kind of cute sleeping,' she thought. 'Ah, I don't want to wake him up, but it seems that I have to.'
Reaching to nudge Gaara awake, a hand suddenly shot up to grab her own.
"Eek!" she shouted, obviouslysurprised.
"I'm still awake," he said.
"O-O-Oh," she stuttered.
Grabbing his gourd, he slung the oversized sand jug over his shoulder. Standing, he helped Sunome get to her feet, before heading downhill. The sun was still barely visible, as they neared the village. Gaara was in the front (his arms crossed), and had stopped unexpectedly, causing Sunome to bump into him.
"What?" she said, after taking a few steps back.
Looking around, she found Gaara's sand circling the both of them rapidly. As it encased them, she heard several shurikens plunge into the hardened sand, and then heard clinking sounds as they fell harmlessly to the ground. After the attack, did the sand slowly drop to knee's length. Since the sand guard had dropped its shielding, did Sunome get to see the attacker or attackers. What she saw, were adults in dark cloaks and wearing oddly designed masks on.
'Who are they?' she asked herself, feeling frightened. 'What do they want?'
Gaara, on the other hand, knew exactly who they were.
'Kuso,' he cursed under his breath. 'What are they doing here?'
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A/N: Again, sorry for the late update...I'll try and get a new chapter by this weekend...or before the next week. Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter !
