I woke up groggily from my bed prying my eyes open to look at the clock. It's seven thirty. I brought my hand to my stomach as it made a strangling sound. I sat up with a yawn while rubbing lazily at my eyes. Gosh, I'm tired.
"Yuck," I whined as I looked towards the window. "When did I become such a Shikamaru?"
I jumped out of bed quickly and threw the bed sheet up to fit perfection.
"Three seconds," I muttered with an approving smile on my lips. Yep, I'm totally not a Shikamaru. My stomach made another growl causing me to break my eyes from my perfect bed. I made my way quickly down the stairs with my bangs flowing to get into my mouth.
"Blah," I sputtered as I tried to blow the hair out of my mouth.
I walked into the kitchen swiftly making my way towards the kitchen. Through blury tears formed from another yawn, I saw two figures sitting at the table. It's pretty early for my parents to be up. Ignoring their presence, I opened the fridge in search for my favorite snack. My eyes scanned the fridge for it. Nowhere. Not a single tomato cherry. Jeez, I swear I just bought some.
"Mom." I somewhat shouted, somewhat whined. "We are out of tomatoes!"
"They're right here, Ino." My father's voice responded and I frowned. I turned to complain with him.
"Well, I don't see them-" I quickly shut my mouth when I noticed the two figures at the table. Holy shit. One blink, two blinks. I rubbed my eyes again. Am I seeing clearly? There sat my father and… Gaara at the kitchen table? The Kazekage is sitting at MY kitchen table with MY father.
My mouth opened but nothing came out. I tried again, but no sound came out of my voice. I finally opted for standing by the fridge. I just looked between my father and Gaara. Gaara looked so out of place in my kitchen, next to my father.
"Gaara was sweet enough to come here and bring you some tomatoes." My father spoke with a tight smile on his face.
"I had an early purchase to make. Inoichi-san said the shop would be opened this early… I remember you liked cherry tomatoes." Gaara stated so matter-of-fact like. Gaara took a sip of tea that the two seemed to be indulging on during their earlier chatter. This is so not right.
Since when were they on first name bases? My father gave a loud laugh.
"I told you before, Gaara. Inoichi is fine. No need for the suffix."
What the hell?
"Of course, Inoichi."
This was not how my morning was supposed to start. I'm supposed to be angry at the red head in front of me. I can't act that way with my father in here. Why are they on first name bases? Why are they sitting here talking? Oh my kami. I just woke up. I must look like complete shit. I could feel the color drain from my face. No one should ever see me look like this. NO ONE.
"I think, Gaara is here to ask you something, Ino." My father looked at Gaara as he spoke. Gaara just looked back at him. The two shared a look I couldn't register.
"It couldn't wait until breakfast later?" I raised an eyebrow at him and he shook his head.
"No." He then stood up and produced a single cut orange-bud rose and a small box. What the hell is going on in here?
"G-Gaara..?" I looked at the flower. He opened the box and it held a silver necklace with a charm that was identical to the kanji tattoo on his forehead. Love. The flower itself held desire and enthusiasm.
"Ino…" He walked towards me until he stood in front of me. His jade eyes melting into mine. "You left Suna with… an impression on me. You are the most infuriating, defying, emotional kunoichi I have ever met. Yet, you are beautiful, kind, self-willing and strong."
He then held the rose up and I eyed it. Kami, he desires for this. He's enthusiastic about it. Just like the rose-bud states itself.
"Will you by my girlfriend, Ino?"
Kami that's right. The problem he has. This all felt so real. That's cause I told him to… but wow, how could I say no to him anyways? I mean like he said. Think of it as a mission... But everything he said. Was that all true? Or just something he said for it to be the "real deal".
I looked towards my father who held his face in his hand. He raised an eyebrow at me waiting for me to anwser the Kage in front of me.
"Y-yes, Gaara." I slightly stuttered as I took the rose. He gave me a smile. A full smile that revealed the boyish side of him. It made my heart melt. Oh, he was a good actor.
He took the necklace out of the box and I turned around so he could put it around my neck. I shivered when the cold metal hit my skin, or maybe it was because his fingers lightly grazed my neck? Either way, I needed to move away from him. Yet my body didn't want to.
"Wear this so everyone knows you are mine." He whispered as he fixed the necklace. His hand lingered a second longer before he dropped it to hang by his side.
Oh my. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks and the tears in my eyes. This all felt so real… No, I can't cry. It's just a mission and he's filling out his role. Get ahold of yourself, girl!
"Ino. Gaara." My father stood to walk towards us. I turned to him as did Gaara and he placed his hands on our shoulders. "You'll succeed in this mission." He gave us a small smile before dropping it and turning to the stairs. When he was out of sight I looked towards Gaara.
"You told my father?" I raised an eyebrow at him. He kept his gaze on the stairs.
"Yes." He stated. He then looked down into my eyes. "No one else can know about the mission."
What? I frowned at his manner.
"Not even my teammates?" I pouted and he shook his head once.
"Yes. I only told your father. I had his word he wouldn't tell anyone." His eyes were dark. Oh he was serious.
"Why can't I tell my teammates?" I furrowed my brow and my hands found my hips. I tilted my body to the right sticking out my hip and leaning forward towards him. It was my bitching stance. I was ready to bitch.
"The few who knew about it, the better. Only three people know. My siblings and your father. That's all who will know." His voice was commanding and he felt no intimidation from my stance. Odd? Shikamaru and Choji feared when I found this stance but maybe they feared their ears falling out? Oh well, I guess I have to perfect it for this read-headed Kage.
But I still didn't understand, why can't my teammates know? I wanted to argue but I suddenly remembered my appearance. Oh kami, I look like shit. He can't see me like this!
"I'm going to go get ready. Just," I looked around the kitchen, "wait here." I murmured before scurrying up stairs.
Luckily I didn't need to shower but I ran to the mirror to see myself. Oh god, my hair was everywhere. Part of it was in the now low ponytail and part of it stuck out. My face was pale and I looked very tired. But my eyes were alert and my gaze shifted to the necklace.
It was beautiful. Simple yet extravagant. The kanji it's self was plain silver so itself could be worn with any outfit. Wow, it felt like I had a part of him with me. Anyone who saw this necklace would know I belonged to him.
I twirled it with my fingertips absentmindedly. How much did this cost? Oh, did he make this just for this mission? No, it will probably be the necklace he gives to someone he will love in the future. My heart ached at the thought. Gaara loving someone. Anyone. Anyone who isn't me. I stared at myself in the mirror and my facial expression looked scared.
No! I am not this girl! I am strong, intelligent and beautiful! I do not cry over guys. Especially guys like him. I can act in this mission. My heart will not fall for his fake acts again. I will win in this war. Even if may be one-sided. He will be the one to succumb to my attempts like I did to his. I've seen his fifty shades of sand. But he's in for fifty shades of blonde. Beautiful, sexy, defying blonde.
Hello! I updated this really quickly because I don't know when I will update again. Probably some time in a couple weeks. Hope you enjoyed it and just hit that review button!
Oh small hint, remember in the epilogue of 50 Reasons Why when Gaara was late to meeting Temari and Kankuro at the gate? Yeah, he was picking up that necklace. He had it planned, you'll learn more later. ;)
Until next time, loves!