AN: Alright guys, here's the next awaited chapter! Thank you for your patience these past two months (almost) you know how college goes, or just school in general. Very time consuming. Anyway, just want to thank all those who reviewed the last chapter, you know how they keep my motivated as an author, love you guys for taking some time to write even two words of support. And I also want to give mention to my new followers and favorites, you guys are awesome for stumbling in and actually liking this OC fanfic. Bless your anime literature souls, new and old followers.

Enjoy!

Chapter 13: Table for Two

The summer heat permeates heavily in Sunagakure, and enters in hot gusts every time I open the apartment door. It's already well into the late month of June, and the rooftops of every home steam under the suns relentless glare. I just stepped out to get my weekly mail, and I've realized that the early mornings are no better than the afternoons. I reenter the house, almost lacking in breath with a tangible line of cold sweat running down to my lower back. Air conditioning is a sacred invention of mankind, and I'm eternally thankful to live in this era of new and improving technology.

I fan myself with the envelopes, practically throwing myself onto the cold counters of the kitchen. Regaining my composer, I flip through my correspondence, ripping each junk mail to shreds. I recognize one of them as a postal from home, and regard the sender's name. I smile at my roommate's name printed boldly on the front, and proceed to open the envelope and read the letter inside:

Dear Yamada-san,

It is so good to hear from you. I tried to respond to your letter as soon as I could. I hope it did not take long for it to reach you, if it did then I apologize. Also, be assured that your wallet is safe, since I will not need a psychologist anytime soon. Though I thank you for your concern for my mental wellbeing.

I am glad to hear things are going well for you in Suna; it must be exciting to live in another village! I can partially relate when I leave for missions, but usually it is only for a few weeks at most. I am also glad to hear that the Kazekage is treating you well. I had no doubts that he would not. He has changed quiet considerably since we were Genin, and I view him now with utmost respect. As for your question on our relationship, we met during the Chūnin exams. We were each other's opponents and I inevitably lost to him. There were other difficulties involved afterwards, but that is not important now since it is in the past.

Sakura and I are also fine, and everything is as it should be. We are spending more time together and progressing steadily. And as far as gifts go, you do not need to trouble yourself! I rather you spend your money on the things you need. Again, I am thankful that you have been thinking of me, it makes me incredibly happy.

I am also surprised that the flower I gave you is still intact! I was sure you would have dropped it or knocked it over, given your usual clumsiness (not that I should be one to talk, I am no better most of the time). And since you are so concerned about changing in front of my picture, I would like to say that there is no possible way for it to transfer any images of you undressing to me.

In any case, there is also something else I should mention. In about two weeks I will be visiting Suna as part of an assigned mission. Although I will be on official business, maybe if there is any free time, we could perhaps see each other? If you are not busy yourself, of course, I will understand if you have other things to do.

Continue to be safe, Yamada-san. May I see or hear from you soon.

Sincerely, your one and only shinobi friend,

Rock Lee

"W-What?" I sputter out loud, almost crinkling the letter in my tense hold. This is very abrupt news to me. I was sincerely convinced that I wouldn't see my roommate until I moved back home. Three months of not seeing him would have likely cured my absurd infatuation. If I see him any sooner, it's difficult to say what kind of toll it will take on my level of attraction towards him.

I groan, sprawling myself onto the kitchen counter in exasperation, "Ugh, Lee-san. Why do you have to make my life so much more complicated? Besides…" I take a nervous glance down at my stomach, pinching the tiny bulges of excess fat hovering slightly over the hem of my skirt. "I think I gained weight. No, I know I've gained weight; take-out has been so much easier than cooking. Damn you, Lee-san! Now I have to go on a diet these next two weeks because of you."

I release a sigh. I'm aware I shouldn't be so self-conscious of my weight, especially for someone who's already taken. Yet, my natural instincts as a woman convince me that one should always try to look as attractive as one can for the opposite sex. Strict dieting has always helped in that process, especially when a short dead line is involved. I whimper at the thought of giving up that extremely addicting fried desert shrew this village is famous for. Poor things are so adorable, yet so delicious. It's almost next to impossible to say no to a street vender waving those things in the air like beacons of holy light.

Unfortunately, no amount of wallowing will save me from my eminent pain, it just has to be done. For starters, I decide to have a single apple and a very tall glass of water as my breakfast. Oh, how I'm not going to enjoy the rest of this week, and the one right after.

I head out to work on time and check-in accordingly. The morning passes like a routine: greet the Kazekage, fetch him his morning tea, do excessive amounts of filing, and run a few packets to Human Resources. The early afternoon passes the same way: bow accordingly to the Kazekage, fetch him his afternoon tea, do even more filing, and run a marathon around the building. It's a workout for me, or for someone who's just generally out of shape. And as the late afternoon dawns, I wait patiently inside the Kazekage's office for his nephew to arrive from daycare.

This is probably the time I deem the most awkward. I'm obligated to sit at one of the seats in front of the Kazekage's desk, trying not to rudely stare as he busies himself with paperwork. I feel like sweating every time, praying I don't sneeze or cough and misguide his focus.

My God.

I need to sneeze right now, and my hands are shaking to pinch my nose, but I dig my nails into the upholstery to refrain from doing so. My fingers squeezing the stiff material must have done it, because the Kazekage angles his chin an inch higher and catches me with his light eyes. Jeez, I have no clue what to do. I force a small smile, trying not to scrunch my nose in the process. The absolute last thing I want is for him to assume that I'm making faces at him while he isn't looking.

I really do have this sense that I'm sweating. The Kazekage has yet to relieve me from his unmovable stare, and I just keep smiling like an idiot. I notice his hand place the pen against the desk and lips slightly part. Just as I believe he is going to say something there is a profound knock at the office door. His reaction seems almost taken as he quickly presses his lips firmly together again, taking up the letter pen. "Come in," he projects his voice, giving his paperwork proper attention.

Thank heavens, I bid internally, wanting to sink my back into the chair out of relief. That was incredibly nerve racking, to point where I've lost the need to sneeze entirely.

A Sand shinobi enters, pays his due respect, and speaks; "My Lord, your nephew has arrived safely."

"Send him in."

On cue, the small boy appears under the doorframe, with another Sand shinobi just behind him. The Kazekage lifts his free hand into the air, gesturing with a sweeping motion for the shinobis' to excuse themselves. They do so, parting with one final bow. The office door closes and the Kazekage's nephew bounds towards the desk, passing me like a flash.

"Uncle! Uncle!" he sings, throwing his arms out to latch onto his idol. "I missed you a lot today."

"And I missed you," he responds softly, standing to embrace his nephew completely. "But how many times do I need to repeat myself until you to greet your teacher properly? You should know better by now." He presses a hand against the child's back, ushering him closer to me. "Go on."

I stand up myself and direct my smile downwards, "Hello, Yorú. Are you ready to learn something new and exciting?"

The boy lowers his round brown-eyes, choosing to remain silent. He is then nudged accordingly by the Kazekage and speaks, "Mhm," is the single noise that escapes his lips, until a distinguished clearing of the Kazekage's throat, accompanied by a stern look, persuades Yorú to continue. "Yes, Yamada-sensei."

"Sorry for his behavior," says my employer, excusing his nephew's indifference towards me.

"Oh, no. It's fine, really." I dismiss it with a smile. "I understand that friendships don't happen over night."

I extend a free and gentle hand for Yorú to take, and he does so in a reluctant manner. We say our proper good-bye's before I escort ourselves out, and begin the walk down the corridor to our assigned learning room.

o o o

I accompany Yorú back to the Kazekage's office, and wait patiently with my employer until another sand ninja comes and whisks the young boy away. The forlorn look in his large brown eyes as he is taken through the doorway cultivates an ache inside me. There is a lack of attention given to him, but from what I've come to observe, the Kazekage tries his best to tend to that need. More questions arise in my mind, concerning the boys other family members and upbringing. I'm trying to answer myself with vague answers, until my attention is reined back to the Kazekage.

"Thank you for your hard work today," he says briefly, continuing to write mechanically on a document sheet.

"Thank you, Gaara-sama. Enjoy the rest of your day," I respond politely and motion myself to exit the office.

"One moment," the Kazekage speaks up, and I come to a complete halt. I turn around, catching him paused in his work and staring directly at me, "Before you leave, I would like to ask you a question."

"Please, ask away," I answer with a smile.

There is suspension in the room. The scene becomes familiar as he presses his writing tool more firmly against his desk, and his lips part slightly. I hold my breath, coming to realize that this may have been what he was trying to ask me earlier on today. I remain absolutely still until he speaks, "If you don't need to attend to something important at home, I wanted to ask if…you would care to have dinner with me tonight."

Huh?

I'm not sure if I'm either hearing correctly, or becoming more delusional by the second. The words 'Kazekage', 'dinner,' and 'with me' just cannot be spoken in the same sentence. My law of physics refuses to register this unlikely phenomenon.

"I would love to," I finally force the words of acceptance. "At what time and where?"

"You don't need to know the location, since you will be escorted there personally," he remarks casually, as if my answer washed away any form of hesitation he had before. "A few of my more trusted shinobi will be at your home by 7:30 tonight, so please be ready by then. You are now dismissed."

"Yes, Gaara-sama," I say with a bow, and exit the office.

The amount of time it took to walk back to my small apartment felt almost nonexistent. All the while my mind was fuzzy with thoughts and even more questions that I couldn't answer with my subjective knowledge alone. It was exciting, yet quite frustrating. It was even more exasperating picking out a suitable outfit for the occasion. Since I wasn't given any information on the dress code, it was like pulling out hairs trying to decide which dress to wear. I was finally able to settle on a simple black cocktail dress, which wasn't too extravagant, but wouldn't be mistaken as casual either. Plus, black has always been a slimming color on anyone.

After showering and primping, I was ready by the allotted time, and at precisely 7:30 there was a prominent knock on my door. Just like I was informed, two Sand shinobi's awaited me right outside, bearing unusually kind expressions. I had the feeling they were instructed to escort me kindly, which I can't deny put me in an easier mood. Yet, there was little to be said on the way over to where the Kazekage and I would be dining together; the shinobi's here aren't the most talkative bunch. I was grateful once we arrived at the restaurant, and even more relived that my attire suited the restaurant well.

I'm chaperoned through the mood lit entrance, which carries a slightly refined ambiance that I simply can't ignore. In one corner is a booth of businessmen of all shapes and sizes, but with one thing in common – a high end salary. While in the more obscure parts are a few couples celebrating their anniversary, or hoping for the question that will account for future anniversaries. I'm taken aback as my sight is relieved from the main dinning area and I'm ushered through a wine colored curtained. I enter alone and it's a small room with only one private booth. Said private booth lounges none other than the Kazekage himself, adorned in another tailored robe with the national Wind Country seal embroidered upon his chest.

"I hope you had a comfortable walk over," he remarks immediately as my presence is known.

"I did, thank you very much," I say quietly, bowing nervously before taking a seat across from him. I fidget a little, pulling at the hem of my black dress crawling up my thighs. Am I getting thunder thighs? Ugh, why did this meeting have to involve food of all things?

"I'm sure you're wondering exactly why I asked you to accompany me tonight," says Gaara, pulling me from my self-conscious thoughts. My heart pumps anxiously and I nod, wanting to know the reason. He responds by clearing his throat, "Like I mentioned before, my nephew is not biologically related to me…I wanted to tell you more about his situation."

"Oh, of course," I break in the mental sigh and relax my shoulders. I had a feeling this dinner would pertain to professional matters, but nothing is ever one hundred percent. If it had been anything else, I don't think I would have emotionally survived pass the main course.

"I had mentioned my brother to you after your interview, and there's a reason why you have not seen him," says Gaara, and I find myself leaning in, interested. "For a few years now, my brother has been searching for Yorú's mother, sometimes leaving for months on end. Her whereabouts are still not known, hence my brother's absence."

"Is your brother Yorú's biological father? How come the mother's missing?" I ask, unable to control my wandering curiosity.

"No, my brother isn't the biological father, and the mother's predicament is a story all of its own," he answers. "There is a village located northeast, on the border of this country and Ishigakure territory. When the boundaries of the nations and territories where proclaimed, the feudal lord of this nation and the governor of Ishigakure agreed to withhold any influence, keeping the northeast village on neutral grounds. However, two years ago it became a prominent leeway for an illegal substance passage," The Kazekage takes a moment to take up a cup of tea to refresh himself before continuing. "Illegal trade of any sorts isn't permitted in this country, since the feudal lord is unable to tax it. My concern wasn't monetary related; it was strictly safety. From my resources, I was able to obtain a ledger with transactions and names. It was no surprise it was mostly convicts."

"This substance, what did it do?" I question, eyes blinking wildly.

"It was a physical enhancement, as well as a nerve suppressant. A potentially dangerous tool in the wrong hands."

"Incredible," I speak breathlessly. "And your brother, did he play a part in this?"

"Yes, I had sent my brother in my place to speak with the governor of this illegal affair, in hopes to garner his support in putting an end to it," he replies. "Unfortunately, the governor had little interest for my concern, and threatened to retaliate if I placed any force inside the village. A strange reaction, which I took note of."

"Then what did you do?" I ask.

"I did it anyway," he counters with an almost unidentifiable smirk. "I used subtle tactics, and disguised a few of my shinobi's as common villagers. I had my brother go as far as to engage in the illegal trading process to locate the source of its manufacturing. Apparently, there was a factory built beneath the village, and like I had presumed, it was all funded by the governor himself. Discovering the source was the easiest part of it all; the hardest part was declaring breach of contract, without giving any information that we had obtained evidence by breaking the same restrictions."

"I'm just speechless," I say truthfully, astounded by what affairs go on behind common awareness. "Please keep going."

"Now I'm sure you're wondering how this all plays with my nephew," he states further. "While my brother was undercover in the illegal business, there was a young woman who was forced into labor, as many others were from the village. My brother was taken to her during his mission and offered to bring her back to Suna. However, after the factory was shut down, and charges were pressed against the governor accordingly, she had seemingly vanished. No one knew what had happened to her, and all that she left behind was her one-year old son. Some say she left on her own desires to escape her troubled past, while others including my brother speculate she still has involvement in the trade elsewhere."

"Do you think she could have been kidnapped?" I hesitate to ask; frightened by the response I'll receive.

The Kazekage nods slowly, "It's very possible. Since she was already part of the production process, it's far easier to continue to use her than to train new laborers. She hasn't been the only person to go missing; I've heard various accounts of other kidnappings. But sadly, as far as poverty stricken villages are concerned, there's hardly any worry from neighboring regions."

"That's terrible," I whisper. I wring my hands on my lap and lean further across the table, eyebrows furring, "Isn't there something you could do to find Yorú's mother and the others?"

"I've been trying my best, but politics is a tedious task that can't be overlooked," the Kazekages states firmly. "As much as I would like to deploy search parties, I'm unable to place military presence in other nations without the consent of each feudal lord. Although one or two have been supportive, others are not too keen on it. For those nations who are mostly unwilling, they have stated that they will deal with this on their own time. Usually no action will be taken until it becomes a great financial threat to their government."

"Politics has always been convoluted, hasn't it?" I state rhetorically. I frown at my helplessness in the entirety of the situation, "I wish there was something I could do."

"Don't worry yourself over it, I will do everything I can in my power to resolve this case. And if I'm unable to do more, I have faith that my brother will find her on his own," Gaara assures me, tilting his lips a little further into his cheeks. Now, I can proclaim a smile is present against his mouth, "In the meantime, please continue to teach my nephew. Since my brother and his mother are absent, I'll rely on you to have patience with him."

"I will, Gaara-sama. I can only imagine how hard it must be to not have both parents at home," I say with whole-heartedness. "I'll make sure to try my best to make him comfortable around me."

"I appreciate your effort," he says kindly, and I reciprocate with a warm smile of my own.

The Kazekage and I deviate our conversation to lighter themes once we order our main course and drinks. My employer is even kind enough to purchase the restaurants most savory and expensive bottle of white wine for me – a whole bottle! I almost tear up at the gesture, like the wino that I am at times. We chat some more about hobbies and interests, and I note that the Kazekage has a fondness for cultivating cacti. Hence, our first encounter before my interview.

We finish dinner and although I insist on paying for my portion of the meal, the Kazekage dismisses it entirely. I make a mental note to thank him properly in the near future, possibly baking him his favorite dessert, whatever it may be. We leave the restaurant and my employer is considerate enough to walk with me back to my apartment. We stroll side by side, quietly enjoying the cool desert night. My attention passes over the Kazekage, whose sea green hues are moon lit beneath the shadows of his eyelids. Even the robes draped over his shoulders are radiantly white this evening. Amid my gawking, I recall my roommate and his letter. An earlier unanswered question formulates in my conscious and I attempt to vocalize it.

"Gaara-sama," I speak his name hesitantly, ashamed for disturbing his peaceful air. "May I ask you one more question?"

"Hm," the sound vibrates in his throat, his gaze continuing to trail the path before him. "Ask it."

I pause to inhale a breath of courage, "Do you have any history with Lee-san?"

"Rock Lee," Gaara repeats my roommate's name monotonously. "I do, is there a reason you're asking this?"

"Ah, well…" I fumble sheepishly on my words. "I asked him in a letter of how you two knew each other, and he wrote back to me saying he had met you in the Chūnin exams. He then mentioned something about having 'difficulties' afterwards, but he didn't go on to specify it. I was wondering if you might know, since you were his opponent." I bite my bottom lip, debating whether I'm being too forward. I hurriedly release my lip, "Sorry if I'm being inappropriate for asking, I understand if – "

"Before I answer, tell me…" he interrupts me, and the darkness surrounding his eyes have grown heavier. "Do you believe people can change for the better?"

I pinch the bottom of my chin lightly in thought, "I believe so. Mm – yes, they can."

The Kazekage nods slowly at my response, "I don't know if he has told you before, but there was a moment in his life where his career as a shinobi was threatened."

"Yes, he told me, but nothing more than that."

"I see," he says almost inaudibly. I catch the pale skin between his eyes wrinkle, "What if I told you that I was the one responsible?"

My feet gradually slow their pace, until they are restrained fully by the shock of the suggestion. My company notices my unwillingness to follow, and he too ceases his movements. I garner the Kazekage's full attention and I stare back in disbelief; "I'm sorry, but I can't believe that. You would never…" the words on my lips grow heavy and fall from my mouth. The Kazekage's earnest stare brings me no comfort in my denial. I don't want to believe it, my mouth instantly dries, "What…did you do to Lee-san?"

The Kazekage closes his eyes, as if my question is forcing him to experience the moment in his mind. There is a quiver behind his lids before he reopens them, "Back during the Chūnin exams, I had every intention of killing him," he admits, causing my head to shake from side to side in a desperate attempt to reject this new reality. "I was stopped before I could have it realized. At the time, he was lucky the left side of his body was all that I crushed," he brings a pale palm into his view; intently gazing at it and the potential it continues to harbor. "I went as far as to attempt it a second time, just as he slept in the hospital bed. Once again, I was stopped before I could do it."

His gaze lifts to capture my violet eyes trembling against the night. I've unknowingly taken a step back, a reaction I would have never done before in his presence. The words I want to say are falling into my stomach, completely out of reach. The terrifying image of his past persona is mixing together with the Kazekage who stands right in front of me. My current perception of him is blurring, and focusing is becoming a difficult task.

"Gaara-sama," I choke out, still drowning in my doubt. "How could you do such a thing? I don't…I don't understand any of it."

I'm met with fleeting silence before the Kazekage parts his lips, "My upbringing wasn't what most people would deem 'normal'. It was unhealthy, to the point where I convinced myself that my family was disposable, and the reason I woke up every morning was to kill others to ensure my survival. I gained resolve each time I took a person's life…or so I thought."

"I lacked forgiveness, and many other qualities," he continues evenly, while attempting to close the gap I've created out of anxiety. "It had taken someone whom I'm proud to call my friend to awaken something other than the monster that lived inside me," he comes to stop only a foot away, staring down at me with an indescribable want painted in his eyes. "Now that you know the kind of person I was, do you fear me now?"

"Gaara-sama, I…" I delay giving him a proper answer, overwhelmed by his pressing gaze and demanding question. "I am a bit scared but I'm more…I'm more mad at you, to be honest."

My employer blinks down at me in confusion, "Mad at me?"

"Yes," I respond firmly, taking a well-founded step closer to him and placing my hands hotly on my hips. "If I had known you back then, I swear, I would have lectured some good sense into you." I fume at the thought of such behavior; "Oh, and not just you as well. Your family, or who ever raised you in such a way, I would've given them a piece of my mind too. Including anyone else who saw and didn't even bother trying to get involved – bystander apathy is nothing to be proud of."

I inhale and exhale, repeating this reflexive action to compose myself. As soon as I settle down, I regain awareness of my outburst and slap a hard hand against my mouth, "I can't believe I just said all of that, and to you, the Kazekage of all people." I'm too ashamed to look up at my employer and dip my head low, bowing in my attempt to be forgiven. I must be out of my mind! "I am so sorry, Gaara-sama. I don't know what came over me to speak to you the way I did –"

A fit of low chuckles grace my ears and I lift my head, expression smitten with surprise. I straighten my arched back and watch the Kazekage place a sleeved wrist over his mouth to tame his amusement, turning away from me in a possible attempt to hide the break in his serious demeanor.

His husky laughter simmers and fades as quickly as it came, and without turning back to face me he speaks, "It's getting late…I think it's best if we hurry to get you home."

"Yes," I say, fluster embedded in my voice. I take hasty steps to catch up to his pace, and settle by his side, silent and burning at his unexpected reaction. I don't even believe it had actually happened, the idea of the Kazekage laughing sounds completely far-fetched. Or if he has ever done so, it has been in private with no one around, only a humorous article in his hands.

We remain silent the rest of the walk to my apartment, and as we reach the gated structure I bow respectfully, "Thank you for walking me home, Gaara-sama. I'm sure you could have done other things during the time, but chose my safety instead," I remark, still incapable of hitching my eyes directly with his.

"You're welcome," he says, regaining his monotonous pitch and delivery. The bright night gives light to his features, and discreetly a smile tugs the corners of his mouth. "Good night…Sho."

"Ah." I can barely pass a syllable before the Kazkeage turns, and walks leisurely away from me. I watch, bewitched at his robes rippling behind him, until he is nothing but a silhouette against the night air. I stand in front of my apartment complex for a while, trying to come to terms with the fact that my employer had called me by my first name, without honorifics. Involuntarily, I continue to glance at the spot where the Kazkeage had seemingly vanished from my sights – now nothing more than a mirage in my working memory. My first name, never before said by any other man other than my first boyfriend, has been lifted again. It's a treat for me to hear, like a secret word that not even Lee has spoken.

Warmth gathers at my cheeks, and a new sensation flickers in the pit of my stomach.

"Good night, Gaara."