Content advisory: smut (sort of?)

Chapter 62
Moonlight

"Is this true, Kazekage-sama?"

Meeting the stern gaze of the councilman that morning, Gaara nodded. "Yes," He answered, his tone slate-like. "I can confirm first-hand. Tenbu plans on preparing an ambush on our lands. Not sure when, but… soon enough."

"And can we trust this messenger of yours?" Zarō questioned. "How do we know they're telling the truth?"

"We don't," Gaara spoke, turning to him across the meeting chambers. "We just have to be

prepared for what comes in the future."

"You're becoming foolish!" A disgruntled councilman shouted, standing from his seat. "As someone considered wise-beyond-their-years, you're proving to be more reckless than anything! Lives will be at risk–!"

"Lives will be protected." Gaara spat through his gnashed teeth, glaring towards him. Sensing them flinch in their seat, he eyed the rest of the councilmen before him, his expression in stern calming. "As the Fifth Kazekage, I've sworn an oath to protect Sunagakure with my life, and that's what I intend to do until the end of my days. This messenger has given us their word. I trust in that word, and so should you." Diverting his attention to the head advisor, he met his glance. "Zarō-sama, send word to the ANBU and the tracking unit. Tell them to man every castle in our region and to guard every corner of the village. I'm aware we're short on recruits, but the timing is becoming crucial."

"Yes, Kazekage-sama–,"

Alerting those within the council chambers, a Suna ninja entered within the brief lapse of quiet. Their face was calm but riddled with an emerging nervousness – a messenger. "Sir! Pardon me, but I have news!"

"How dare you!" Zarō fumed. "I hope you understand you're interrupting a closed discussion of the honoured council–?!"

"Forgive me, sir," They interrupted, kneeling before the Kazekage and the councilmen. "But we've received word from the Hoki Family."

"The Hoki Family?" An elder chided. "What could they possibly want from us? The matter of the declined marriage is settled–,"

The expression upon the Suna ninja's face said it all – despair. "The family… there was a mutiny."

"Mutiny?" Zarō repeated, shocked. "What are you saying?"

"A black hawk came to us with the news that its patriarch was killed… by Tenbu. Those who survived fled to the Land of Rivers near the border, some to Konoha. They said their clan has fallen…"

"This is why I chose to believe the messenger," Gaara entered, his narrowed gaze directed towards the shock-stricken elder who questioned him. "Failing to do so could result in the same fate for us. I'm not taking any unnecessary risks, I can assure you."

Gritting his teeth, the elder averted his frustrated glance from the young leader, cursing himself. Hanging his head low, the Suna ninja narrowed his troubled gaze upon the floor beneath him, worry entering his mind. "There's… something else, sir. We… were unable to establish contact with the aviary of the Suna Prison."

"That's… ominous," Zarō pondered, placing his hand at his chin in suspicion. "Send another hawk their way. The last one could've steered off-course thanks to the growing sandstorms. It's nearing the summer, where the winds are at their most treacherous in our lands."

"Yes, sir!"

As he watched the Suna ninja depart towards the corridor, Gaara's glance narrowed in his thoughts, disturbed by the accuracy of the news and the alarmingly fast progression of the Hoki Family's swift demise. Hakuto was telling the truth.

And Tenbu were not far behind…

The day of the inevitable finally came to pass...

Much to the council's chagrin, Temari fully pursued her relationship with Shikamaru of the Nara clan, leaving her life in Sunagakure behind and settling down in the far off reaches of Konoha that lay beyond the desert sands. Later that morning, at the village's only way out, Temari stood before her youngest brother – bidding her homeland and family farewell. Occupied, Shikamaru chatted with their hired movers from Sunagakure, discussing the change in terrain from the Land of Wind to the Land of Fire, and how long the trek would be – all while organizing her packed things in the large ox-pulled cart. With a large thud, she dropped the final box onto the desert ground, its contents rattling from the force – most likely ninja tools. Chuckling to herself, she placed her hands on her hips.

"I think that's the last one," She sighed. "Who knew moving would be such a pain in the ass… really, though."

Standing at the exit with a glance that held concern, Gaara watched.

"Do you have everything?"

"I think so," She nodded, as one of the movers picked up her box. "If I missed anything, I could always take it back with me next visit."

"Are you sure this is what you want, Temari?"

Caught off guard by his solemn tone, she turned towards him, giving a warm sisterly smile. "Yeah. Shikamaru needs me in Konoha, so I'm making that happen… and I need him, as well." With a curious grin, she could not help herself but to pry. "You seem pretty interested. Something on your mind, Gaara?"

Jolting, he averted his glace, all traces of worry disappearing and replaced by his stoic expression. "It's nothing. I… was just being a curious brother, is all."

Surprising him, she held him close, her head resting upon his shoulder. Wide-eyed, he stood silently, not sure of what to make of the gesture. "You've grown up so much…" She spoke. "I'm proud to call you my little brother." As she let him go, she chuckled at his stunned expression. "Being Kazekage isn't too shabby, either."

Nodding, he lightly smiled at her. "We'll visit when we can."

"Thanks, I'll miss having you and Kankurō to dote on."

"Temari!" As they turned behind them, they seen Kankurō running towards them from the stone-walled path. Once he caught up, he panted for a moment, standing up straight with a smile upon his painted face. "I was worried I'd miss seeing you off," He said. "My mission only just finished up."

Warmed, Temari smiled. "You came at just the right time. I knew you'd be late. You're always so pokey."

"Be careful in Konoha," He spoke, prepared to see her off. "You know how those Konoha ninja are, but Shikamaru's a nice guy and we trust him."

As she stood before her brothers, she knew the time had come for her to say goodbye. For the last twenty-three years, she called Sunagakure her home – and now her new home awaited her in Konoha. "Thank you," She smiled, gently. "Both of you."

"Hey, Temari!" Curious, she turned around, seeing Shikamaru standing on top of the cart's wooden structure. "We should be on our way. If we leave while it's still morning, we can reach the village in two days' time."

"Right, I'll be right there." She nodded. As she made her first few steps outside the village, she paused, turning to her brothers one final time, a familiar smirk upon her lips. "Take care, you two. I don't want to have to come home to smack some sense into you both!"

"No worries," Kankurō assured, his arms crossed. "We can handle things, although it won't be the same. We'll miss you, Temari."

Her green eyes glistening, she warmly smiled at the two of them, nodding in return as she began on her way to Konoha. Together, the two brothers watched her disappear into the distant sand dunes, standing in bittersweet silence.

As they started towards the village streets, Gaara turned to his older brother. "I guess it's just the two of us, then." No response. "Kankurō?"

With a slightly guilty expression, Kankurō avoided his glance.

"Yeah…" He started. "About that…"

"What do you mean?" Gaara pressed, not expecting the sudden turn in conversation.

"The puppet corps promoted me a few days ago… as a captain. Because of this, they want me to live closer to the headquarters." Surprised, Gaara turned to him as they walked. Sensing his shock and observing his wide ringed-eyes, Kankurō quickly tried to explain himself. "I-I'll be in the same district! Just… I'll be living outside the mansion. That's all."

"This is all so sudden," Gaara acknowledged, absorbing the outcome. A light smile on his lips, he turned to his brother. "But congratulations, you deserve it."

"Thanks!" Kankurō smiled back. For a moment, he pondered as they walked, the noisy village streets interrupting his thought process. An idea ringing through his mind, he paused. "Ah! I know what you can do – have you asked Nomasaki to move in with you yet?"

As he stopped, Gaara's eyes widened from the question, perplexed and surprised from the idea, flustering him slightly. "Why would I ask her that?" He asked, curiously. "We've been together for only a few months. Am I… supposed to ask her?"

"Well," Kankurō sighed. "Considering you're an adult, and she's an adult… and you plan on marrying her someday…" His smile turning into a brotherly smirk, he nodded at him. "I say you should. Beats living alone, anyways."

His thoughts striking him, he remembered the events surrounding their relationship – the shocked council at her beast-like appearance, the distaste from the declined arranged marriage. Although their pairing had been made fully public at Naruto's wedding only weeks before, there was still an air of controversy surrounding them within small pockets of the village – the elders and the horde of devoted fangirls, specifically.

"Speaking of which… have the council said anything else about…. you two?"

"What do they care?" Gaara chided. "After the arranged marriage nonsense, I didn't think they would pay any mind." Looking down, his eyes narrowed, suspicious of the hidden prejudice that lingered within the village and its aging citizens. "I kept our relationship hidden from everyone until Naruto's wedding, but they are aware now… whether they approve or not. They're convinced I'm putting my bloodline in danger, while an actual threat called Tenbu is terrorizing the Land of Wind to hunt our family."

"What can we say," Kankurō sighed, crossing his arms against his chest. "They're old-fashioned. The stink the elders put up about Temari moving to Konoha should be able to tell you that." He turned to Gaara, a smirk breaking the stern atmosphere. "Out of touch geezers, is what they are."

A small smile on his lips, Gaara nodded. "You're absolutely right."

While they continued on their way through the sand-riddled village streets, he began to remember the stress he felt about Tenbu, his mind lost in his sea of thoughts. Tenbu, the village, and her impending mission that awaited in the unknown future.

Despair was held for the inevitable.

As nighttime approached, the sky darkened as if only in a few moments.

After a quiet evening out together, Gaara and Nomasaki walked through the secluded gardens behind the Kazekage's mansion. It was the only evidence of non-desert terrain in the entire village, brimming with grasses, cultivated cacti, vibrant flowers, and small shrubs. Standing silently along the perimeter of the mansion, Suna ANBU guards scanned for threats as the targeted Kazekage and his partner walked through the courtyard. In the darkening night, scattered lanterns showed the path towards the mansion as the sun disappeared from their view. Pausing in his steps, he looked on at her admiring the garden with his expression mired in worry. Sensing his presence far behind her, she turned towards him, her lilac eyes curious and concerned all at once.

"What's wrong?"

"You should…–," He started, averting his glance from hers, his eyes saddened. "You should reconsider that mission to scout for Tenbu, if they assign it to you." Meeting her eyes, his expression turned stoic, masking his vulnerable worry. "You're Moro-sama's right-hand. You should reserve the right to decline such a task when they need you here."

Slightly surprised by his suggestion, she walked closer to him. "Why?" She asked, a small smile on her lips. "I know you're worried, but the unit needs me. As you know, our numbers have fallen. If I get asked, I have to accept. I don't exactly have a choice." Her gaze saddened, averting her glance towards the ground beneath her feet. "I'm... prepared to act on my duty as a tracker-nin to the village, and… To be honest… I'm... scared. Tenbu are unlike anything I've seen or sensed before. They're monsters." Brushing off her hidden fear she confided in him, she masked her emotions with a friendly smile. "Regardless, I'll do whatever I can to protect you, as a kunoichi of Suna… and your lover."

"The squad that investigated them last didn't return." He reminded. "Tenbu is very adamant in harming my family." Glancing down with saddened eyes, he met her curious glance, his expression nearly pleading – unwavering in his deep adoration and protection. "…You are also my family. I would never be able to forgive myself if… something were to happen to you…"

Startling him slightly, her soft palms touched the side of his face in a comforting nature, cradling his smooth jawline as she met his eyes before hers. Noticing his widened turquoise eyes and faintly reddening cheeks, she smiled warmly at his expression of fluster – a side of him hardly ever seen. "I'll be fine, I promise," She assured him. "I'm a wolf, remember?"

"How can I forget?"

Lightly, she chuckled at his words. Continuing on their walk together through the desert garden, she awkwardly remembered the lingering thought in her memory of what she found in his desk the day before. Unsure of how to go about confessing, she silently walked beside him, her folded hands clutched to her chest as she averted her nervous glance.

"I… saw the books in your desk drawer."

Freezing in his steps, he turned to her, his expression blank. "You what -?"

She knew.

Alarmed by his pause before her, she flinched before him, her cheeks reddening as she remembered the contents of the book she found in his office. "It's alright, it's alright–," She stammered, waving her hands between them, trying her best to make light of the situation. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about." Looking down, she glanced to the side, grasping her arm as her mind tried to reach for the right words. "I just… wanted to know why you were… reading that."

Averting his eyes from her as he sighed to himself, he looked upon her as calmly as he could, embarrassment getting the better of him. "Listen, Nomasaki. The reason why is because…–," Upon seeing her face painted with a soft smile, he looked down to gather his words, scratching the back of his head as he searched for his explanation. "I was thinking a lot… about us, how much I care about you. I've… been reading books about expressing affection, and I…-," His words fumbled. Shutting his eyes tightly in attempt to hide his awkward shame, he turned away from her. "They're hard to understand at times, but... I want to do what I can to make you happy, so…–,"

To his surprise, she gently kissed him on the cheek. Opening his eyes, he saw her standing before him with a gentle smile on her soft lips. "You make me happy already," She nodded. "I love you just the way you are, grumpy or not."

Touched by her words, he smiled back, all of his embarrassment cast aside. "Am I really that grumpy?"

"Sometimes you are. Depends on the day."

After a shared moment together, she grew timid, her rising nervousness causing her to retreat her glance from his. Fiddling her fingers as she hung her head low, she thought of all the possibilities of how to ask such a question – something she had never asked anyone before. Aware of his hesitation for physical affection, she stood in silent thought before him, striking his curiosity as words failed to escape her lips in time.

"I… was thinking…" She began, her voice soft, her glance fixated in her shyness. "What if… you spent the night… with me…?" Timidly, she looked up to him only to meet his surprised glance before hers. Shyly, she averted her lilac eyes from him once more. "You said your insomnia is still bad, so maybe... if we sleep in the same bed... it might be easier for you to sleep? You don't have to, I know you're busy with the council during these times, but maybe just for tonight…–,"

Startling her, she could see a nod from his head of red crimson from the corner of her eye. Stepping closer towards her, he paused. Looking up to meet his calming seafoam eyes, her heart pounded through her chest in the silence. He had a soft smile upon his lips – conveying his answer clearly to her. Surprised from his unspoken words, her face instantly turned red.

"A-Are you sure?"

"Yes," He spoke. "Tonight… I will share the bed with you, Nomasaki."

While she could feel her reddened cheeks hot against the winds, she averted her glance, her eyes of soft lilacs closed halfway towards the dim glow of the lanterns. "It's getting late," She whispered. Softly, she took his hand in hers, holding it gingerly. "We should… go to bed."

Sensing her soft fingers intertwine with his, he turned towards her and gave subtle nod.

Letting her lead the way.

Before long, midnight approached that night.

They soon found themselves within her small apartment outside the village plaza, taking refuge from the rest of the world within her darkened bedroom. Illuminating, the only light that broke through the darkness was that of the full moon of the desert, its presence glowing in scattered shards upon the floor. As the door to her bedroom closed, they found themselves enveloped into each other, their eyes meeting within a spark of longing. Carefully, Gaara embraced Nomasaki in his arms while their lips met in the darkness. Her heart fluttering within her chest, she put her shyness aside, kissing him softly. While his want for her grew as he felt the soft curves of her hips, he became surprisingly forceful, exciting the wolf that lay inside her gentle jaws.

Holding her closer with hands trailing to the blue fabric that covered her back, his sand flew from his gourd, startling them both briefly from his loss of control. A curse escaped his lips. "I'm sorry -," He spat through a whisper. "My sand just... reacts on its own."

"It's alright. I trust you... you won't hurt me." Looking into his widened eyes of concern, her gentle palms placed along his jawline in assurance, her gleaming violet gaze telling him that everything was okay. "You won't hurt me, Gaara. I know you won't. It's alright, it's only me."

Realizing how close he was to her, his want for her and all she was only became stronger. He would not hurt her, he realized - for he was no longer a jinchuriki and he was not Shukaku. But there was a feral part of him that wanted to bind her with his sands to keep her closer forever. Placing a hand on her cheek, his fingers met her silky gold hair that shone in the moonlight.

"It's only you... and you're all I want."

She smiled, near wolfish in her beauty. "Even though I'm a wolf?"

"I don't care." Gaara eyed her, deeply. "Human or monster... I want you."

"We are both monsters... a tanuki and a wolf." She moved in closer, moving her hands smoothly over the fabric of his shirt. "And I want nothing more but to love you..." Her violet eyes shone in the night, longing for his warmth while her fingers met the buttons of his collar. "I'm yours... for as long as you want me."

His callused hands hugged her waist, sensing the shape of her body. "You're mine... and I'm yours."

Breaths apart, their lips met under the darkness in hunger.

Time seemed to have stopped in their recollection as their affections grew passionate, both of them lost within another while hands trailed and clothing became undone – their lips parting between breaths as they timidly undressed. Her gentle hands helped guide him to remove his shirt, undoing the buttons with deft fingers. A wave of impulse near overcame him as he felt her push away the fabric to touch his bare chest. Her fingertips grazed him soothingly, lighting fire beneath the skin where she lay her hands. When she grazed over the aged scar near his heart, he felt her flinch at first. But soon after, she lay her palm over it and its mark as gentle as could be. Breaking away from her lips, Gaara let his shirt fall to the floor behind him as he held Nomasaki and moved closer to the bed before kissing her again. This time he could sense a strength within in like that time before - as if the wolf within her was awakening at his every touch. He could already tell by the feel and hunger of her jaw as she put her lips to his in timid hunger.

He could hardly wait any longer.

Pushing past his hesitancy, he moved a hand to her shoulder and began kissing her neck. Hearing her shy tickled laughter pushed him further. Feeling his teeth against her porcelain skin, a light moan escaped her lips. As he descended, he pushed away the fabric concealing her collarbone while she bunched his red hair into her fingers. Slowly, his hands followed the curves of her breasts down to her waist, tracing over the blue clothing that hid her untouched skin. Before she knew it, his hands were already at the obi of her kimono.

"Wait,"

He stopped immediately, his lips leaving hers. "What's wrong?"

"I... want to remove my dress." She spoke. "Is that... okay?"

Silently, Gaara nodded.

Nomasaki averted her eyes in her rising shyness, looking down at the obi as she pulled it loose. Cascading to the floor, the white obi fell and her kimono was open for him to see for the first time. Growing more flustered, she turned her back to him and let the dress fall off her shoulders. She could hear the rustling of clothes behind her, her heart beating faster as she prepared herself to face him again. Clothed only in the silk inner layer of her kimono, the air from the open window before her sent a chill down her spine.

Standing before the moonlight entering through her window, she breathed slowly as her fingers reached for the sash of the silken white layer – her final shroud. Briefly, she glanced down at the Kazekage's clothes that pooled upon the floor, their burgundy fabric visible in the moonlight. Sensing his chakra within the room around her, she could feel her heart race in her chest. Gingerly, the sash's wrapping was undone and fell to her bare feet upon the cold floor. Carefully, she turned to face him as he sat upon her bed – her lilac eyes glimmering with nervousness at the naked young man in her room.

His eyes were locked towards her within the darkness, silently observing her from afar.

Swallowing her fear, she opened the white shroud, allowing it to fall from her shoulders before it slowly and elegantly made contact with the rest of their discarded clothes. As the moon's light beamed through the room, he could see every curve of her soft skin before him, the alluring shapes of her small breasts and hips no longer covered by the blue dress she wore but now revealed to him that night as they were alone. Slender-figured with the faint evidence of muscle tone, the feminine shape of her porcelain body caught his attention – as well as every scar that painted her.

Shocking him slightly, he saw dozens of small indents of blades dotted along her torso and shoulders, some appearing as if they were claw marks from a beast – the evidence of her shinobi duty and as a wolf of her clan. Striking him with guilt, he saw the indents of the five lash marks he caught a glimpse of once before. Their imprint was a vicious one, burned onto her forever just as the curse seal on her tongue. He could also make out the faint carving of the wound upon her arm, its pink hue reflecting in the moonlight. While she could feel his eyes locked onto her in a stunned glance, she averted her eyes in shame – knowing full well he was staring at her imperfect body.

"I know," She spoke, silently. "They're ugly –,"

"You're beautiful."

Surprised and awed by his words, she edged closer to him, sitting before him on the blankets of her bed – their bodies completely exposed to another for the first time. Nervously, she looked up into his eyes in the dark as they sat inches apart on her mattress. As she glanced into his eyes, she could sense that he was nervous as well. While he was gazing into her eyes, he struggled to say the words his heart wanted to speak – his fear of hurting her flooding his troubled mind. Never had he been in a situation such as this, and he was unsure of how to approach. Finding his words, he edged closer to her in the night.

"I've been trying better to express how I feel," He spoke, his tone quiet. "And I think I'm ready for… this… with you…" Averting his glance for a moment, his troubled thoughts took over his mind. "I… don't want to hurt you…" Looking back towards her, his calming seafoam eyes met her timid glance. "Please… tell me if I do."

While she looked at him before her, her cheeks reddened in the night, her fingers slightly trembling upon the sheets below. Desire instantly flooded her mind. Sitting across from her on her bed was a young man with strong facial features and a thin-yet-muscular build, the toned physique of a highly skilled warrior. In the scattered moonlight of her bedroom, his messy red hair of a crimson shade and pale skin appeared vibrant to her. To her, he was breath-takingly handsome – and the Kazekage, the strongest and most powerful shinobi of Suna. As they sat in silence, his turquoise eyes ringed like a tanuki gazed into her eyes of lilacs, his glance mysterious yet mesmerizing at the same time.

She felt powerless.

As she sat shyly before him, her spine tingled like a livewire, the cool air from the room caressing her bare back. For the first time, she bore him her human skin, exposing herself for all she was – someone who was both a human and a wolf. Shielding her exposed breasts, her silky golden hair flowed over her shoulders as she held her head down in shame. In the dark, she averted her gaze as she could feel her nervousness begin to set in. Looking down at her naked lap, her body shook from the anxiety – panicked that she would accidentally change form while in her vulnerable state. Assuring herself, she delicately touched the side of her face with her fingers – confirming in her mind that she was still indeed human.

"You're trembling, are you scared?"

Timidly, she shook her head, her nervous glance averting his. Gently, he placed his palm on the side of her face, grazing her cheekbone with his fingers in a soothing and protective nature. "No, I'm not," She answered, almost whisper-like. "I trust you, Gaara." Swallowing her fear, she looked up to meet his intent gaze – meeting his calming seafoam eyes as they sat breaths apart. Feeling her heart flutter within her chest from his stare and her cheeks blush, her lilac eyes glistened in the moonlight. "…Because it's you. It's you… It's you!"

After she spoke, he leaned in and kissed her adoringly.

Grasping the back of her golden head, he expressed every bit of his love for her as she embraced him, her soft lips returning his affections. Slowly, they fell into the sea of blankets below. Holding her close, he carefully slid his hand and followed her curves. Her skin was cold and smooth, just as he remembered from that night. Her skin melted against his, her heart fluttering from the love she felt as his callused fingers grazed over the curves of her perked breasts down to her waist. Pressing her into the bed under him, he kissed her passionately as he held her hands in his, holding them tight onto the mattress. Her delicate fingers clasped his hands, intertwined. Gazing into his ringed-eyes of turquoise as their lips parted, she felt her heart pound inside, sensing every fiber of chakra from his body becoming closer to hers. Love was marked in his eyes, she could see it clearly from the moonlight.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

Adoringly, they gave into their rising carnal urges. Tightly, she clasped his hands as she could feel him slowly slip inside the wetness between her thighs. Deflowered upon the bedsheets under her lover, her hips clenched from the feel of him entering. Breathless from the sudden sensation that tinged with a slight pain, her body quivered under him. Seeing her give a silent wince, he paused, his eyes full of concern.

"Am I hurting you? I'm sorry–,"

Her lilac eyes glistening in the night, she shook her head. "It's alright–,"

Taking in her words, he placed a hand upon her flushed cheek. "Nomasaki,"

Kissing her softly, he slowly and carefully moved against her, the faint hurt between her thighs dissipating with time.

Her want for him pushed aside her shyness, pulling him closer as she gently placed her palms along his jawline, her lips meeting his as she relaxed and flowed with his rhythm. He felt every essence of her in that moment. Her smooth cold skin under his – the sweet scent of her silky hair pooled behind on the pillow – and the warmth that pulled him closer. He knew he loved her, but in that moonlight he felt as if he loved her even more. He could feel his control wane with time, his want for her only becoming stronger as he felt her skin against his. As the newfound pleasure began to mount inside them, they suddenly locked eyes with each other – instantly getting lost within each other's loving glances. A sea of turquoise met a sky of lilac, their hearts becoming one. Passionately, his lips met hers, his nervousness leaving him at last while he embraced her in his strong arms. Remaining willingly submissive under him, she returned his affections as she could hardly contain herself further, her fingernails lightly digging into his strong back while she fought off the urge to change. Between each breath, they softly murmured each other's names as they ventured closer and closer to reaching the end.

Together, they surrendered to each other that night.

Their love blossoming along with the moonlight…

Hours later, sensing a stir in the middle of the night, Nomasaki awoke from her slumber. She sat up stiffly, sensing the raw, throbbing pain that pulsed between her legs. Eyeing the tiny speckles of red beside her, she covered her breasts with the blankets as the cool air tingled her back, turning to who lay beside her in her bed that night. Silently, Gaara was laying beside her within the bedsheets, his strong bare back exposed. Soundly, and for the first time, she saw him finally asleep. While she gazed down at him lovingly, she noticed his expression was at ease and calm – content. Although he has not been bothered by insomnia since the loss of Shukaku, he still expressed difficulty when sleeping willingly – his work schedule especially wearing him down most times, causing him to evade rest when it was needed most.

Seeing him asleep in her eyes comforted her.

Gently smiling to herself, she lay down with him amongst the sheets, nuzzling her back against his chest – closing her eyes and falling asleep beside him…