Chapter 16

"And why exactly would I let you go back to the guest room when Kaito is still a threat?" Gaara's being stubborn again. I've been sleeping in his room for the past four days but I'm going to have to stay in another room tomorrow. "Well one, if I want to stay in another room then I will do so with or without your permission. And two, my parents are going to be arriving tomorrow for the wedding and I don't want to have to explain to them why I'm staying in the room with you without being married first." Again, I'm wondering why I have to explain simple things like this to him.

"Then I'll explain it to them." My eyes grow wide at the prospect. "You better not!" Gaara seems like the type to just say I'm already sleeping in here and I really don't want that fight. I'm surprised he wants to, but he does seem like the type to bluntly say what he wants. And right now, he wants me to stay in his room. But I doubt the conversation would go the way he thinks it'll go. "I promise nothing you'll say will convince my father that this is a good idea. He's going to be angry. Very angry."

Tonight should really be the last time I sleep in here until we're married in three days. But I'll admit it has been nice sleeping in his arms. I'm getting more comfortable around him, and we've been talking before falling asleep. I'm learning about him and he's learning about me. I also learned an easier and more productive way of getting what I want from him. Less arguing and glaring, and more cuddling and puppy dog eyes. For whatever reason, Gaara seems to be really infatuated with me and is easily moved by my touch. Hopefully it lasts.

Right now, I'm in a prime position for getting what I want. Its right before bed and he's always more agreeable then; probably tired from the day. His emotions are pretty neutral right now as well. The fact that he's not angry despite us talking about Kaito is a good sign. I look up at him as he walks towards the bed. His hair is still damp from the shower he just took. He doesn't have a shirt on but I feel more comfortable with that now.

Once he sits next to me I start to lay on the charm. I cozy up next to him and lean my head onto his shoulder. My fingers dance up and down his arm as he relaxes into me. "It'll really be for the best. I don't want you to fight with my father." I slip under his arm and hug his chest. He looks down at me with a skeptical look on his face. So he still doesn't want to say yes but I'm close to cracking him. He's not outright rejecting the idea anymore. I bring my hand up to his face and start playing with his hair and stroking his cheek.

Gaara closes his eyes and sighs, "You're unfair." I can't help but giggle at that. I kiss his cheek, "Please, this is important to me." He looks down at me and I flash him my best smile. He sighs again then kisses my forehead, "If Kaito is spotted again–" "It'll be fine," I pipe in quickly, "nothing will happen to me." I give him my warmest smile and he kisses my lips this time; soft and sweet. "If Kaito is spotted again then you'll sleep in here again. I don't care how your father feels." Hm, I should probably agree, it doesn't seem like he'll let the stipulation go. "Ok, but you have to promise not to say anything about this to my family." I got what I wanted, and we can cross that bridge once we get to it. "Ok."

I breathea sigh of relief before going back to stroking his cheek. I am starting to appreciate how worried he gets over me, even though I hate the smothering. I now know it comes from a place of caring. I started feeling it the third night I slept in here and started talking more; love. Low levels but it was there. It makes me feel weird, the only other people that I felt that from were my parents. It also makes me feel guilty that I don't feel the same about him yet. What if I never feel it? I don't want to be in a loveless marriage. That wouldn't be fair to him.

I'm being smothered again, this time literally. My parents had finally arrived, and Mother has engulfed me in a hug and won't let go. "I've missed you so much!" She somehow pulled me into a tighter hug. It's only been nine days, what is she going to do when its really time for us to separate? Maybe I can convince Gaara to visit once in a while. I pull away from her, "I missed you too. I'm glad you're finally here."

Father was greeting Gaara; it's starting to become funny that they're so similar to each other. Both had given reserved hellos with blank expressions on their faces. I've noticed that Gaara acts a lot more stoically around others, but when he's around me or his brother he's a lot more willing to share his feelings. It makes me feel incredibly special. I want to do everything I can to protect that part of our relationship. I wonder if it's the same type of relationship between Mother and Father.

I turned to my attention to my little brother Oda, "Did you miss me squirt?" Even at the age of 10, he was a carbon copy of Father, the resemblance uncanny. "No, its been calm in the castle without your constant need to cause trouble" Too much like Father. "Well I haven't caused any trouble here so maybe it was the castle that's the problem." I only got a short hum in response. Brat.

I turn my attention to Gaara and Father; even though Gaara promised not to say anything about us sleeping together, it still makes me nervous seeing them talking together for long. "Has there been any incidents while my daughter was here?" I try to control my face so I don't give anything away, "No, everything's been pretty quiet around here." I really don't want my parents to worry about that. It may be selfish and shortsighted, but I want to enjoy my wedding weekend with them without worrying about Kaito. Gaara gives me a look but doesn't outright tell them I'm lying so that's good.

"I made dinner; we should eat." I should still try to change the subject; I don't really know how long Gaara will go along with the lie. "You cooked?" Odo's voice was full of skepticism. Brat. "Yes, I cooked." I took him by the shoulders and led them all into the dining room. "I already set the table." Hopefully everything tastes ok, I'm still not confident in my cooking. If dinner doesn't go well, I'll never here the end of it from Odo. Maybe we should have gone out to eat.

I tried to go all out with diner tonight, I wanted to impress my parents with my new skills. Even still, my skills are limited so 'all out' still feels simple. Just rice, steamed vegetables, and beef steak. Gaara has been trying to keep me calm as soon as he got home. Lots of hugs and "it'll be fine"s. He even sat next to me once we sat down for dinner, giving my father the head seat of the table. I'll admit it's been relieving some of my anxiety.

"Dinner looks edible." I roll my eyes at Odo but thank him for the 'compliment' anyway. Dinner started off fine but I was still a little paranoid it would come out somehow that I've been sleeping in Gaara's room. I trust him not to say anything, but I don't trust myself to not accidentally spill the beans. I have a too honest face. I'm a terrible liar as well.

"Tell me dear," I turn my head towards Mother, "how have you been sleeping here?" I almost choke on my tongue. It takes me a moment to realize she's asking if I'm sleeping well vs where my room assignment is. "FINE!" Why did I shout that out? Everyone's looking at me now, I suddenly become a lot more interested in the food on my plate. I wish I couldn't feel the range of emotions coming from the table. Father, Mother, and Odo are very bemused by my outburst while Gaara found it hilarious. He didn't have to find it so funny.

"Is everything alright?" I don't look at Mother and instead choose to take a drink of water, "Mmhm" Father piped up next, "It doesn't sound like it. Look at me and tell us what's wrong." Oh no its all crashing down on me, I knew I'd slip up somehow. Gaara was wrong, everything wouldn't be fine. Still, I have to at least try to lie, "Uh nothing. Everything's fine." I can't help but look back down at my plate.

"You're a terrible liar." I know. How do I get out of this? "Aiko didn't want to tell you," I snap my head towards Gaara. He's NOT telling them we've been sleeping together, is he? I know he said he would, but I was pretty clear that he can't. "–but Kaito was spotted near the village the other day." I breathe out a sigh of relief, but I immediately feel my parent's moods change for the worst.

"Why wouldn't you tell us that?!" I look at Mother, but my voice was caught in my throat. Luckily Gaara answered for me, "She didn't want to worry you." I'm so glad he's covering for me. I should give him a favor as thanks. Father sighs, "You don't need to worry about that Aiko. We want to know if you're safe or not." I just nod my head, not trusting my voice. I'm almost certain if I say anything it'll just lead to more questions, and more questions means more chances to slip up and tell them I've been sleeping in Gaara's room for the last five days.

Father looks at Gaara, "Is she safe here?" I'm glad I'm no longer involved in this conversation; I just focus on whoever is speaking. Gaara nods, "I have a security team watching over her." He has? Is that true or is he just trying to calm my parents down. Unlike me, you can't tell if he's lying or not. I'll have to ask him later. Although now that I think about it, he probably did. It would make more sense than not. And it would explain why he hasn't gotten any clingier since the incident.

The rest of dinner went by uneventfully. All I have to do now is clean up, then I can go to bed and put this day behind me. "Do you need help?" I turn away from the dishes to look at Gaara, "Or are you fine?" He says fine in a teasing voice then laughs when I start to get embarrassed. Apparently I'm 'cute' when I'm embarrassed. Makes me so mad.

I turn back towards the dishes and begin to wash them with ferociously, "I'm fine." All I get is a chuckle in response. Out of the corner of my eye I see him lean on the counter next to me. "You're cute when you're embarrassed." I don't turn towards him, "So I've been told." He brushes my hair behind my ear and strokes my cheek. I turn back towards him and with a glint in his eye he says, "You're cute when you're angry too."

Fuming I turn back towards the dishes. He's riling me up on purpose and what's worse is I think I enjoy the attention, "You're unfair." He laughs at that and I remember our conversation last night and my teasing him. "You're not fair either." I decide to pivot the conversation, "Thank you for dinner." He begins to stroke my cheek again and again I lean into it and turn towards him. "You're not a very good liar." Does everyone have to keep reminding me? "I know."

"I owe you a favor." Gaara looks at me for a moment before shaking his head, "You don't have to reward me for helping you. I'll always want to help you." That comforts me but doesn't satisfy me. I want to give him this favor. I look at him determined, "I owe you one favor." He looks at me for another moment then sighs, "You're not going to let this go, are you?" I vigorously shake my head no. I'm determined to thank him properly for helping me. "Fine, you owe me one favor."