I still don't own Naruto...darn...

Gaara paced around his office, thinking over what he had just agreed to: constant surveillance from a girl little was known about. She might be a fellow Kage's granddaughter, or rather adopted granddaughter, but that didn't mean they knew much about her. After all, he had been a Kage's son, but no one outside of Suna had known much about him and his...special traits. They could only hope she hadn't been brain washed by Giji before Balance's downfall. That would be his luck, to be placed under the watch of his assassin's pawn. But then he remembered the anger she had unleashed when she had been asked if she was connected to Giji. It would seem some part of her still felt a sharp sense of betrayal...

Gaara shook his head. Having the girl around was either sheer stupidity or genius. On the one hand, if Giji realized who she was in his attempts to fulfill his assassination assignment, his efforts might be redoubled. On the other hand, if Tsunade could indeed help the girl re-piece her memory, Hotaru could provide valuable information about her former sensei. Giji had been a loner, not surprising given his current status, but had apparently had a soft spot for Hotaru, keeping watch and teaching the girl from a young age.

Of course, things might have been easier if Balance hadn't shut down its boarders, but fear of more treason had made it necessary. Hotaru's grandfather might have known the traitor's abilities and level, but that was about it. The bounty hunter was the key.

Gaara sighed, realizing there truly was no way to avoid keeping her. Sitting at his desk, he picked up the papers that had already come in since the explosion. It disgusted him the pile was already so big despite new safety measures. He idly wondered if he could fake another explosive tag to get out of it...

A knock at the door alerted him. "Enter."

Tsunade entered, looking accomplished, but also a bit grim.

Gaara watched her intently while she sank into a chair across from him. "So?"

"She accepted. However, she was not to be convinced through bribes of money and the like. I had to go straight to our alternative plan. It seems she places great importance on even getting a chance to regain her memories. She didn't argue at all when I told her I knew. However, she thinks you are in the dark along with everyone else."

"Why? What is the point in that?"

"Her own comfort. She has probably kept that a closely guarded secret. After all, if someone knows you don't know your own past, they can use it against you."

"So I have to pretend I don't know for her happiness, is what you're saying."

"If she thinks I told, her trust crumbles, and she leaves."

Gaara sighed. "Fine. Has Naruto sent any word back yet?"

Tsunade nodded. "It seems that Giji Kouken managed to make himself disappear again. Naruto was livid. He gives his apologies for not saying goodbye. I sent him home. He's supposed to take part in Sasuke's next therapy session anyways."

Gaara frowned. "How is that going? I know he hasn't had any relapses to the jutsu, nor tried to return to Orochimaru for a while now."

"But he also is still unwilling to give information about him. Sometimes he'll mention a bit about his captivity, but he seems he'd rather just forget it ever happened now. On that note, I must return home soon as well. I have research to do and a village to run."

"Of course. Hotaru will start tomorrow then?"

"Probably better sooner than later. Bounty hunters are usually proactive. She won't stand for sitting around while you work on accepting the fact you now have a 'baby sitter'." Tsunade smiled at Gaara's scowl. "Her words, not mine. Don't take offense, she's just as frustrated with her situation as you are. It's late, and some of us sleep. Though I don't understand why you still don't. It would do you wonders."

"Physically, perhaps. But Even if Shukaku doesn't have control of me, he still has a firm grasp of my subconscious. I've lasted well enough without sleep so far. Meditation is more resting than nightmares."

"Ah, I see." The Hokage yawned. "I'll probably leave day after tomorrow. Good night."

After she left, Gaara filed away his paper work, then locked the office up. He wanted nothing more than a hot meal and to go to one of his meditations spots after the long day.

Temari strode through ANBU headquarters. She had found Gaara eating breakfast when she entered the kitchen that morning. He had told her Hotaru would be starting work that day.

Now Temari was winding her way up the stairs to summon the girl. Finding the right door, the ANBU who had been keeping half an eye on it nodded to her before turning full attention to their own devices. Temari knocked.

When Hotaru didn't answer, she knocked again, figuring maybe she hadn't heard. But still nothing.

"Hotaru-san? Are you okay?"

"I haven't heard any noise from in there all morning," an ANBU noted.

Temari quickly headed downstairs to find someone with a key to the door. Either something was wrong with Hotaru, or she'd some how managed to leave. "I need a key for one of the quarters upstairs."

Key in hand, Temari was halfway back to the room when she heard Gaara's voice asking what was going on. He didn't like to be kept waiting. Since she had already kept him waiting for a while what with eating breakfast and getting dressed, Temari hastily went up the stairs and unlocked the door to crack it open. If it wasn't for her years of training, the kunai might have lodged itself in her forehead instead of into the doorframe. Angry words died on her lips as she looked more closely at Hotaru.

She only seemed half awake, propped up on an elbow, trying to gather her wits. She blinked once, twice, and then a third time before realization dawned in her eyes. "Sorry, but it really is dangerous to come into a bounty hunter's room unannounced. Especially when they're still mostly asleep." She yawned and sat up in bed as Temari, hoping no one had heard her yelp and thought something was wrong, hastily came in. "Did you need something?"

"Gaara wants you to start your duties today."

Hotaru groaned. "Can't it wait a day? I'm tired. Spending three weeks searching the desert isn't a picnic you know."

"You'll have to get used to it if you're going to work for me." Gaara had come in quietly. He had heard Temari's yelp, and, after telling the ANBU to go about their business, went to investigate himself. Cool green eyes traveled from the kunai in the door to the bounty hunter still in bed. "Why aren't you up yet? It's half past eight already."

Temari could tell Hotaru was bristling at the comment, but also saw the conflict. Not only was Gaara Kazekage, but her new boss. "I was unaware my duties would start today. If I had known, I would have held off signing the contract. I need at least one day of rest."

Hotaru's new boss looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze. "Are you sick?"

Hotaru hesitated. "Maybe not sick, but definitely not well."

"Temari, fetch Tsunade. She is in my office."

Temari winced at Gaara's phrasing; she definitely would not tell the Hokage she had been sent to fetch her. However, she did as she was told. Shutting the door behind her, she went to find the medic nin, assuring ANBU who had heard her nothing was wrong on the way.

Gaara was not happy. He had told Temari at seven that he wanted to see Hotaru in his office as soon as possible. It was now eight thirty, and he had become impatient. His patience always dwindled if he had to talk business with the Slug Princess while she had a hangover.

So he had excused himself to find out what was taking so long. No sooner than he got to the main office area of the quarters, he had heard a familiar voice yelp. Knowing Temari didn't flinch easily, he had waved the ANBU to return to their business and went himself. He heard conversation from Hotaru's open door, and quickly found the reason for the surprised cry- a kunai was wedged well into the frame.

After sending Temari for Tsunade, Gaara returned his gaze to Hotaru. She had just finished pulling her ruffled locks into a hasty ponytail. Realizing the room was still fairly dark, Gaara strode over to the window and opened the curtains. He turned to find Hotaru wincing as the light hit her. He noticed her skin was rather pink, and summarized what ailed her before even asking. "What is wrong?"

Hotaru lifted a hand and started ticking ailments off on her fingers. "Mainly exhaustion. I'm sun burned. And I think dehydrated, though Kami knows I've had plenty of water," she said, indicating a half dozen water bottles on the floor beside her.

Gaara sighed. "Have you had any salt?"

Hotaru blinked. "Had any what?"

"Salt." Gaara struggled to keep his impatience in check.

"Only what was in that bowl of ramen Naruto-san gave me."

Gaara strode to a cupboard that held non-perishable food items. He pulled out a container of salt. "Hold out your hand." She obliged, and as he began to dump a small amount in her hand, Tsunade came in.

"Ah, I thought that might be one of the problems. What else?"

"Typical symptoms for anyone who doesn't understand desert survival. Eat the salt Hotaru-san."

Hotaru made a disgusted face. "Why would I do that?"

"You really shouldn't question the person who you work for."

"I'm sorry, Kazekage-sama." She didn't look it though, and a slight emphasis on the 'sama' told him the title hadn't been used to show respect. She didn't move to eat the salt.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "You two are really hitting it off already. Hotaru, unless you have sodium in your body, it can't properly utilize the water you ingest."

"Ah, I see." And with that, she popped the salt in her mouth, and grimaced before washing it down with water.

"Was that so hard Gaara?" Tsunade smirked at his glower. "What else is wrong?"

Hotaru set the water bottle aside. "Sun burn. The aloe gel I got just seems to be making my skin sticky and green."

Tsunade stepped toward Hotaru, and quickly sent chakra to her hands, making them glow. Hotaru's eyes widened as she scrambled away from her, nearly falling off the bed.

"It's just a simple medical jutsu; it will heal your skin."

Hotaru cast her a suspicious look, but acquiesced. Gaara watched on as the girl's pink skin quickly became fair colored.

Tsunade looked the girl over. "Anything else?"

"I'm tired, headachy. I...don't usually get a lot of rest on the job. Trying to adjust to desert climate probably factors in too." Hotaru cast a look at Gaara, who continued to watch with cold eyes. "Usually I take a day off after working like I've been for the past three weeks. Catch up on lost rest."

"Unfortunately, you'll have to put that off a day. I leave tomorrow, and I want you to be briefed while I'm still here.

Gaara chose this moment to speak up. "Get dressed. We'll be waiting in my office."

Next time: ..."There are several things you need to be briefed about so that you can be better prepared to protect the Kazekage"...in the depths of Hotaru's mind, a flicker of recognition of the word resounded...What needed to be done had been done...

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