I Need You
Chapter 6
(Gaara POV)
I woke up to an empty bed again. Did she leave for Konoha again? Is she visiting her brother again?
I slid to the bed's edge and placed my feet on the cold floor. For some reason I felt a little lonely. The room was so much bigger when it was only one person filling the space. I glanced to my right. The bed was done. Tidy as always.
I put on my usual clothes and the robe. As I opened the door, I nearly bumped into Kankuro. "Kankuro, what's the matter?" I asked him, startled as ever.
"Hey, Bro." retorted the elder somewhat shaky. "Mind if we sit down for a while?"
Gaara shook his head and drew two chairs. "Well then, what is there you want to talk with me about?"
"I noticed you and your wife." he chuckeled. "spend a lot of time tigether lately."
"You do not need to refer to her as my wife, just to remind me that I am married earlier than you." retorted Gaara monotonely.
Kankuro swallowed. "Alright, alright." He waved his hands attemtping to calm the younger.
"Anyways, what I wanted to get at is-"
(Gaara POV End)
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(Rika POV)
I had been in Konoha more often than I thought. What surprised me though was that I didn't meet Sakura or Naruto again. Where might they be? I felt a soft breeze brushing against my legs as I strode through the streets. Should I pay my family a visit?
My hair danced along with the wind. Every now and then a few hairstrands would cover my face. When I was in Suna I missed Konoha. Now I was in Konoha and I started to miss the sand. The itching sand. As much as it hurt when it slid through any clothes opening, I was used to it. Sand was his element. And what was mine?
"Hey Shikamaru, I see you are not in The Sand for once." Rika exclaimed as the black haired man was in sight.
"Oh, you again." he frowned a little.
"What? Dissappointed it's not Temari you are seeing?" she teased him.
"Shut up." he groaned and put his hands into his pockets.
"Hey, come to think of it, there are times where I get to see you more often than my own husband." Rika said, raising an eyebrow at the young man.
"That's not true."
"Yeah sure. I wonder what you and her might be up to in the woods, on your own, when you commute from The Sand to here." she began teasing while inncoently placing her left finger onto her chin.
"Hey! What are you trying to imply?" Shikamaru freaked and backed away.
"Haha. Don't be ridiculous. You are 15, don't think you've got all control over your body." she gibed. Shikamaru though pretended not to have any interest.
"Did you go on a diet, you look slimmer than you used to." he tried to change the subject.
"Ugh, I'm not like Ino. I didn't. It's just, well, mum was busy lately and dad had to cook, which would mean that at times we would either get no food at all or something your stomach would quiet have some trouble digesting."
Shikamaru released his hands from the state they were in and shoved them back into his pockets.
"Imagine your mum would refuse to cook and start working and your father had to cook."
Shikamaru's faced screwed up. "Yes, mothers are indeed great."
"Oh! You saying that, that's quiet something new." she patted his back a little harder, which caused him to fall forward nearly. "I am impressed, I guess puberty did change you for the better." Giving him a cheekish grin, the man frowned. "Stop messing around with me!"
"And your sudden surprise in women…I wonder." she winked. "And hey! We've had a conversation for 5 minutes and you did not mention the word 'Troublesome' even once."
Shikamaru's expression froze. "You are troublesome."
"That wasn't quiet the attitude I am used to from you." she spouted. "That was lame. Shikamaru, you got soft. Softer against women. I believe your natural interested for them is starting to develop."
Looking at her as though she had gone crazy, he pinched her arm. "You are crazy."
"Says the man that tries to make out with an older woman in the woods and forgot his most favourite word."
Somewhat I adored Shikamaru. He was always so calm and collected. He was smart and he would do what had to be done, even if it was just troublesome. And even if women were his only problem, I would trade my life for his. No sick brother, no messed up family, no marriages for the sake of two countries that couldn't get along on their own without two young people risking their future. 'Enjoy your youth, it's never going to come back.' I recalled my oldest brother's words.
I had exited Konoha's gates believing that my future was not to be found here. And now I come back through this gates, knowing I left my future behind here. It's not like I regret this marriage, but I regret having shed so many tears here, before I finally brought up the strength to take a step forward. That's what I didn't want to happen to Gaara. To be trapped like me in one place. While everything around you changes, you are like the wheel that's stuck. And when your surroundings have gotten unfamiliar enough, you realize that you wasted your time. I never told you what my yesterday's Thank You was for, but I will. I will.
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"Rika-sama!"
I sped after one of Gaar's – my – subordinates as fast as possible. "He has seriously been injured!" I was informed.
I came to a halt. I froze. My eyes fell upon the Kazekage's motionless body lying on the floor. I heard Naruto raging. "Naruto!" I exclaimed and ran up to him. "What happened?"
"He is dead!" Naruto sobbed.
I took a few steps away, waiting for his words to seek through my brain. Dead.
I stood further away, watching the scene. Watching Naruto cry and rage and curse just about anyone. Yes I know Naruto, life is unfair. Just as you established in society, it's taken away from you again. I forced my tears back.
Suddenly I saw the old woman moving over his body. What was she up to? No! She couldn't-!
Yes, it was the forbidden jutsu. She would trade her old life for his. You have so many people caring for you, liking you, yet you never saw it. How ignorant. I chuckeled as tears streamed down my face. Reluctantly, step by step, I approached him. Approached my husband's dead body. My body was trembling. I did care for him. He was a friend, but I never told him. It was then, that I realized once again, that I was too late. It's these moments that last forever. I should have told you all along. But I was afraid, yes I was. Just like a little girl, I was afraid. Afraid of the monster that might still slumber inside you. Just like everyone else I lacked faith in you. No matter how often I would lie straight into your face that I wasn't afraid and that I did support you, it was just another big lie. Maybe our lives are nothing but a lie. Maybe I am living a lie. A lie about my feelings for him, my previous lover. A lie that I trust you. A lie that I would hug you when needed.
Maybe I don't see it anymore when I do lie. But you, you were honest, and you believed that I was too. But in the end, I wasn't. Maybe life was just a big knife stabbing you every now and then. Those that are strong move forward despite their wounds, and those that aren't die eventually. You were the one moving though you were soaked in blood.
"And where the hell is his stupid wife? Isn't she supposed to be around her husband!" Naruto yelled. "Where the hell are you?"
I winced at his words, even more tears streaming down my face. I had no idea why I cried. Was it because of Gaara? Was it because I let everything go that I had shut away? The pain I had experienced?
"Show your filthy face you bi-!"
"I am here!" I yelled as I pressed my eyes shut so hard that everything went black.
"I am here." I sobbed. "I am." I swallowed feeling that my throat had dried out. "his wife."
Naruto had stopped raging and stared at me blankly. Slowly I raised my head to look at the blonde.
"Are you kidding me?" Naruto retorted shakily, yet some anger filled his words.
"No Naruto." I said softly, finally raising my head to face him. "I truly am."
I thudded into the bloody grass next to Gaara. Once again he wore this peaceful expression I adored so much. Had they suceeded? Would he come back to life?
I touched his cold hand. How much bigger it was compared to mine. It was manly and not all that soft.
Suddenly I felt his grip tightening. "Gaara?" I whispered, hoping for a reply.
Gaara's eyes opened, his opaque piercing eyes. I believed this was the right time. Now or never.
I hugged him, hugged him tight yet taking care not to crush his fragile body. "You had me so worried." I sobbed allowing my tears to stream. Slowly I released from the hug and faced the young man. I giggeled as I saw a soft blush on his pale skin. "See all these people here?" I asked him, hoping my voice wouldn't shake too much. "They are here for you. These people, they need you." I waited for these words to take their effect. Gaara turned his head around to look at the people surrounding him. "They need you as their Kazekage. But more importantly." I gathered all my strength. Could I let him know? Was it ok to tell him, or would I regret it afterwards? A small part inside me still felt as though some would believe I am crazy. But then again, I was thought of as crazy often already. I would just add another thing to their list. "I need you as a friend."
"I guess she's finally over him, don't you think?" he commented towards Sakura as he gently poked her arm. Sakura nodded and smiled. "Yes it seems as though we've changed once again."
"Oh Youth!" screamed Gai pressing Lee tight against his side.
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Now wasn't that cute:3
But I plan to add some slight trouble still, even though he knows he has her friendship now. Watch out for updates!
And I'm really glad that I got more reviewers now. ;) Thanks. I hope this chapters is a suitable reward. You guys keep reviewing, I keep writing and the story keeps going for much longer.