Hello Hello!
I want to start by thankingVeni-visit-edi for my first review! I understand I do need to get a beta reader to review my stories before publishing, my grammar can be quite awkward in some places. So that is something on my list! I also appreciate my first two followers thainara-bastos-15 and Sagicknight! I was able to get another chapter out so quickly because I had nothing going on this weekend, and I would rather much do this instead of watching my shows right now.
The POV will change, and I know I should specify this is obviously (GaaraxOC) with slight undertone of (KankuroxOC) in the beginning! I really enjoy the dynamic between Kankuro, Temari, and Ichika. I want to show that closeness between them, since they have gone through a lot together. Also, I wanted to highlight that they can act like regular young adults, able to let loose and have fun!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter Two:
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Two
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Three
Smooth, that's how the shot when down her throat.
"Wooo!" The two kunoichi said in unison, giving each other a high five that barely connected. Ichika had slightly regretted letting her hair down, which fell in waves down her back. She was feeling flushed, the thick air of the bar and the copious amount of liquor she had consumed wasn't helping. She was having fun though, it had been awhile since she was able to have fun with the two.
"So, what have you been up to Kan..ku..ro?" Ichika drawled out, leaning forward in her seat slightly.
Kankuro blushed profusely, glad that his face was already flushed from the alcohol. The three of them were occupied lounge chairs in the corner of the bar. They had already emptied two bottles of sake, and shockingly the three of them were still holding their liquor pretty well. Kankuro took a swig of water, which was the trick to trying to outlast these two alcoholics. Taking a deep breath, he smiled at lazily at Ichika, her scent filling his senses. She smelled warm like honey and cinnamon, wearing her dark red halter top and matching body hugging skirt. He couldn't help but gaze at her cleavage as she leaned over in anticipation of his answer.
God, did she know what she did to him? He internally groaned.
"Oh you know, I have a few apprentices under me." He bragged. "Also dealing with internal and external affairs of finances and commerce of the village."
"Oh how impressive" She purred, eyes flashing.
He grew heated, taking another swig of water, he knew she was only humoring him but he relished in the attention she gave him. He glanced over at his sister, wondering if she was catching their conversation. Temari was leaning back in her chair eyes closed and humming with a slight smile, he knew she was thinking about Shikamaru.
"Well shall we continue this back at the house?" Ichika offered, chugging back a bit of water.
"YES!" Temari agreed heartily jumping up from her seat.
Kankuro snickered "Someone's excited to get back."
Temari was too buzzed to really care about her brothers comment, they were supposed to meet up with Shikamaru back at their house and continue drinking. The two leaf nin were staying in the guest rooms of their house, since they were having an extended stay. The three of them getting up, Ichika took the two siblings by the arms and continued to their house laughing and bickering amongst themselves.
Another hour had passed and all three drunken shinobi were pounding the coffee table, encouraging the recently recovered nin into taking the three shots in a row. After the last one Shikamaru threw back they all clapped and cheered. Shikamaru and Temari were on the love seat and Ichika was on the longer couch with Kankuro.
"How you feelin' Shikamaru?" Kankuro grinned , wiggling his eyebrows.
"Great," he quipped. "I'm sure I'll be on your level in no time, since you seem to be slowing down."
"Yeahh of course Shika" Ichika rolling her eyes "We don't want to complain about your disadvantage. But I think we might be getting on an even front. So why don't we play a game?"
"A game?" Temari exclaimed clasping her hands together aggressively "Yes, shall we skip to truth or dare like always?"
"Oh god," Shikamaru groaned "You two are the worst when it comes to this game, utterly annoying and childish."
Ichika and Temari gave a knowing look to each other, eyes reflecting each others mischief. The last time they had played a few months back, the leaf kunoichi had dared Shikamaru to do a duo shadow dance with Kankuro. Shikamaru agreed, much to her surprise, he was pretty far gone at that point and the memory was something they would never let them forget.
"Oh stop complainingg." Temari responded, kneeing him in the ribs playfully. "What would you two do without us? We're the life of the party!"
"Precisely!" Ichika agreed, with a giggle. "Now, shall we start with our dearest puppet master, truth or dare?"
Kankuro's face heated, and a thrill ran up his spine at the attention he was receiving. Out of ten, he was probably close to an eight, which he would cruise at for a bit. Rules of the game were simple, if you chose to skip your turn for whatever reason, you would have to take a shot. If you took your turn successfully, the person asking you would have to take the shot.
"Dare." He decided, giving her a challenging look.
"Mhmm." The blonde mused, tapping a finger to her chin.
"How about an arm wrestle?"
Gaara entered his home after a late night at the office, which wasn't out of the ordinary. It was probably around two in the morning, kami knows he didn't sleep much in the first place. His relationship with Shukaku had gotten slightly better over the years, yet he was never able to be completely at ease. The young Kazekage had noticed that his dynamic with the beast had changed that day he was almost taken by the Akatsuki. Gaara had no memory of attacking the Senju woman in his weakened state, but Ichika was lucky enough to subdue Shukaku in their hybrid beast form.
'Not luck,' He thought. 'but pure skill and strength.'
Gaara had great respect for the Senju woman, her ninjutsu prowess was something to be feared. He had valued the training she had given to his shinobi over the last few years, albeit her excursions here were brief, lasting about a week or so. She was needed in her village these past two years training her own shinobi, however times had changed. The last few years have been a welcome reprieve, there were no major threats to either village.
Compared to the Sand, the Leaf village had a far greater shinobi force, resulting in Ichika's presence in Suna. The next generation of trainers had matured in the Leaf, Naruto's generation, so there was no shortage of them. Having familial ties to Suna, those relations being the granddaughter of an elder, the council deemed it appropriate to summon her here for support. The stay was supposedly for two months, but he had a feeling that—
He felt the collision first, jolting him out of his thoughts instantly. Eye's wide and going into defense mode, quickly taking the scene before him.
"Ahhhh!"
Fast as lighting his sand had caught the woman by the waist before she crashed to the ground, reeling her in flush against his body. Gaara wrapped his left arm around her waist and used his right to brace against the wall they stumbled into. Tight arms wrapped around his neck, and his face in a mess of blonde hair. Sweet cinnamon engulfed his senses, and a warmth that made him momentarily forget where he was. Ichika pulled back first, leaning against the wall, hands traveling down and settling onto his chest.
"Oh G-g-gaara! I'm so sorry! I was running to use the bathroom and wasn't paying attention to w-where I was going!" The blonde blurted out, bright amber eyes wide with a sheen to them.
"You're quite intoxicated." He stated flatly, looking down at her. She was uncharacteristically flustered, her face flushed with a pleasant hue of pink, no doubt due to the alcohol. He wasn't too much of a fan of alcohol, only having it occasionally. Usually on special occasions his siblings would pester him to no end, so he would have some to shut them up.
Her eyes narrowed into daggers.
"Yes, this is what having fun looks like Lord Kaz-e-kagee." She emphasized, childishly pouting.
"Ah." Gaara commented, taking a step back. She was implying he wasn't familiar with the idea, which he wasn't. Being the Kazegage did not allow for that luxury, all of his time was dedicated to his village.
Ichika let out a gasp and stumbled forward into him, her hands were grasping his shoulders tightly and he felt her lips graze his ear in the process. Gaara stiffened at the contact, heat flooded his face and an unfamiliar feeling in his stomach blossomed. He pulled back harshly, confused at his body's reaction toward her.
She flinched under his gaze. "I'm sorry!" She exclaimed. "My ankle is messed up."
Arms still clutching his shoulders at arms length, he noticed her left foot was barely touching the floor. Foolish girl Shukaku commented, seeming to take amusement in her pain.
"Alright I will carry you then." Gaara decided, not waiting for her to respond. Hoisting her up into his arms, she responded with a surprised squeak. Her right arm hooked around his neck and the other was in her lap. Walking to the kitchen he was distracted with her squirming in his arms, glancing down he realized her she was clutching her skirt that had been riding up. Gaara snapped his gaze back up with a clenched jaw, not before a swift and involuntary glance over her generously displayed breasts.
'For Kami's sake.' Gaara growled, griping her closer unintentionally. He needed to calm down, get her sorted, and put distance between them. Kicking up his pace, he made it to the second floor quickly, entering the kitchen and immediately placing her on the kitchen table. Not making eye contact he went over to the medicine cabinet, taking a moment to catch his breath. His pulse had quickened and there was a slight stirring in his lower region. Running his hand through his red mane, he focused on the medicine cabinet.
Shukaku's deep laugh reverberated in his head.
Ichika was a complete mess.
This would be highly embarrassing under normal circumstances, and the alcohol was amplifying it. She was pretty drunk, drinking excessively per usual. She righted herself on the table, pulling her skirt down as far as it would stretch, barely reaching her knee's. Ichika had been running drunkenly fast to the bathroom, still managing to be pretty stealthy in the process. Kankuro had passed out on the couch after a few more rounds, leaving her and the couple across from her. She wanted to quickly use the bathroom then come down and fetch Kankuro, so the two could have some privacy.
Oh what a predicament she got herself into.
The need to use the bathroom had all but vanished as she tried to maintain her composure. Ichika was chewing her bottom lip anxiously, she was feeling quite riled up by the taller crimson red head. She considered herself to be pretty flirtatious when intoxicated with a healthy sexual appetite. She had only gave into her temptations a handful of time, when she was a younger shinobi.
Gaara was before her, face completely passive, avoiding her gaze. Ichika blushed in embarrassment, she had would never live this down. He must think her a complete fool and a waste of his time, but it wasn't like he could leave her to fend for herself.
The kunoichi felt hands on her leg, giving an involuntary jerk, her eyes were met with piercing ones. She ignored the sharp pain in her ankle, and muttered an apology to the man who was trying to help her.
Looking back to inspect her ankle, he gingerly supported her leg with one hand and examined her ankle with the other.
"Doesn't look to bad." He grumbled. "I will send a healer for you in the morning, in the mean time I will have you ice and wrap your ankle."
"Thank you." She expressed genuinely, holding his gaze steadily.
He nodded, breaking the eye contact and fetching an ice pack from the freezer. As he picked her up again she noticed some color touch his strong cheekbones.
"Are you blushing?" She asked in a hushed tone. Eyes bulging, hand flying to her mouth, that was supposed to be an internalized thought.
Damn alcohol She cursed.
"It appears so." Gaara remarked.
Ichika stared, dumbfounded.
Gaara still hadn't met her gaze, looking forward with a composed expression on his hardened face. "You should not look so surprised," He commented. "any healthy adult male would have this reaction right now."
Was he trying to rationalize his behavior? Saying it nonchalant out in the open as to not make it seem as awkward or embarrassing? She pondered, ignoring the wave of heat that enveloped her entire body.
They continued in silence as he entered her room on the third floor, down the hall from his own room. Ichika usually inhabited the second floor guest room, but that space was occupied by Shikamaru. Since she was closer to the Suna trio, her fellow leaf shinobi had made her take the room. Well, that was the excuse he gave, she knew Shikamaru was hesitant and awkward around the young Kazekage.
It was a spacious room, with a large bed settle in-front of a huge window and a vanity on the wall opposite. There was also a decent sized desk and a few dressers, with a bunch of her trunks and packs still littered the floor.
Walking past her bed he walked into the adjoining bathroom, she looked at him with a confusing look.
"You needed to use the bathroom?" He said, more of a statement rather than question. Gaara set down gently. "I'm sure you can change yourself?"
Her mouth feel open, as heat flushed into her cheeks, was he making fun of her?
"Of course." She huffed, eyeing him.
Nodding, he turned around and began walking away. "I will give you some time to ice your ankle, and will return to wrap it shortly."
Ichaki leaned back on the cool tile wall and slid to the floor, shaking her head. Her buzz was coming down and but she was still far from sober; intruding thoughts seemed to swirl around her head. The thoughts surrounding the young and powerful Kazegake.
Kami, he had gotten taller and muscular since I saw him last. She admitted, biting her lower lip and letting out a breathy huff. She could feel how hard his chest was when he carried her, and the definition in his arms had turned her on effortlessly.
He had openly admitted his attraction too! She reeled, albeit in a stiff kind of way. Ichika didn't really look into it, she knew the Kazekage was just referring to the physical aspect. Gaara was not one to develop any type of romantic feelings, he was married and dedicated to his work. She shook her head and focused on her tasks in the bathroom. Once donning her pink silk pajama set, Ichika hopped over to her bed and jumped on it. The task was much harder than she initially thought, the intoxicated kunoichi barely made it to her bed unscathed.
Twisting over she winced as the motion disturbed her ankle, she propped it on a pillow and sighed happily as she put on the ice pack. Closing her eyes she tried to ignore the spinning in her head, she would rest her eyes until Gaara got back.
Dropping the gourd with a loud bang, Gaara ripped off his robes and headed straight to the bathroom. Going to the sink he started to splash cold water in his face, rubbing the back of his neck he straightened up and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked ragged with a deep hunger in his eyes, lust was a rare emotion that did not suit the Kazegage.
It was an isolated phenomena that seemed to only surface when he was in her presence. He made a point to keep his interactions brief with her for the past few years, yet his eyes could not help but linger on her at certain times. This was going to be the longest stay the kunoichi would spend here and the first day was a complete disaster. Not her own fault my any means, he did not know how to control himself in that situation. The closeness, her voluptuous body, and warmth nearly undid him.
Changing into his night clothes, simple black cotton pants and sleeveless shirt, he waited a few more minutes before heading back out.
Composed again, Gaara went back to her room and knocked on the door.
Nothing.
Sighing he knocked again, louder this time.
Still nothing.
Huffing he announced his entry and opened the door. His eyes fell upon the blonde, who was sprawled out on her bed lightly snoring. Swallowing hard he slowly walked over to her bed, he took the ice pack off her ankle and picked up the bandage.
No. He growled to himself.
Gaara would not gaze upon her unconscious form and violate her like that. He had too much respect for the Senju woman to do such a thing. Sitting on the edge of the bed gently, he put her ankle onto his lap and carefully started to wrap it.
He felt her body tense up and he looked over at her, hazy eyes looking back at him.
"I apologize, you were sleeping quite deeply, and I wanted to get this done with quickly." He explained, keeping his voice even.
"O-of course." She stumbled, "I'm sorry to have bothered you with all this."
Focusing back on her ankle, Gaara finished up and pinned her bandage. "It couldn't be helped." He stated, not offering her anything more. "Shukaku seems to be taking joy in your embarrassment."
He stood up and she scowled with a small grin.
"Yes Shukaku, please relish it while you can." She huffed, crossing her arms. "This is a rare occurrence, nothing compared to how I embarrassed you five years ago."
Shukaku growled, a pain jolted through his head.
Ichika bolted in the upright position, extreme regret showing on her face. "I'm sorry Gaara, that was out of line." She gushed. "Please Shukaku forgive me, please do not lash out at him."
Gaara stared at the woman before him, this was a surreal conversation they were having. She was the first person to actually talk to the tailed beast inside him, and the first person he took considerable notice of. She was asking for Shukaku's forgiveness? Who in their right mind would care about the beasts opinion and feel regret toward him.
'She seems to know her place.' Shukaku purred smugly.
Ichika extended her hand to him and beckoned him forward. His eyebrows scrunched together and he cautiously stepped toward her. Before he could formulate a response, Gaara felt two warm hands envelope his. Shocked he looked down at the blonde in confusion, she was looking up at him intensely, causing his heart to pound in his chest.
Seeming to almost look through him, she spoke.
"Shukaku, I am truly sorry that I had to handle you so harshly all those years ago." She began, pain clear in her voice. "I was so scared for Gaara, I had to subdue you has quickly as I could. Please do not punish him for your hatred for me."
With wide eyes, Gaara's mind went blank as he looked down at the woman in front of him.
The beast was silent as well, which was a first.
Tugging him down, Gaara stumbled onto one knee before her. One of her hands reached out and…patted his head?
"And I am sorry Gaara for my rash behavior, I hope you can forgive me." She spoke, running her fingers through his hair and settled on his cheek.
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Déjà vu
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Gaara blinked, and stared dumbly at her. For once in his life, he was rendered speechless.
"I forgive you." He finally managed to get out, barely a whisper. Getting up stiffly, Gaara turned on his heel and exited her room.
EN FIN!
I hope you liked this chapter! I'm trying to convey that, as an adult, Gaara is not totally oblivious to the emotions of attraction. He is aware, yet is not completely familiar with the experience of it, and how to react to it. I APPRECIATE YOU! R&R to let me know your thoughts!