So far a lot of people have taken interest in my story, and I'm sooo thankful to you guys who are very patient and helpful in submitting reviews… Also, I've noticed my chapters seem short, haha, please bear with me in my notebook the chapters seem a bit long
To those who have added me to their story alerts and fave authors, maraming salamat! that's "thanks a lot" in Filipino :)
Reiyka opened her eyes. From the looks of it, it seemed late in the morning already, but she felt as though she had slept for only ten minutes. I'm so tired, she thought, turning slightly. Her whole body seemed to ache.
She glanced at the floor, her eyes adjusting to the morning light. She had noticed something. Her bag, how did it get there? I don't remember getting it… Gaara must have put it there… Reiyka's eyebrows wrinkled as she tried to remember, but she couldn't. She sat up and decided to take a bath (she was filthy!)
"It's good to see you here again." said Gaara, sitting down behind his desk. His siblings, Kankurou and Temari sat on the chairs before him. Temari had just come back from Konoha, after settling some meetings and business plans there.
"Yeah, I know, it feels great to be back." said Temari happily, adjusting her fan. "Have you seen Baki? I got him a souvenir." She took out a small bottle of Konoha sake and placed it on his brother's desk.
"Hey, how come Baki gets a souvenir when we, your brothers, don't get anything?" exclaimed Kankurou loudly. Temari laughed.
"Naruto and the rest of them send their greetings." she laughingly replied. Kankurou scowled at her, but Temari then took out a pack of scrolls emblazoned with the Village Hidden in the Leaves emblem and handed it to him. Handing Gaara a box of Konoha pastries, she ignored Kankurou's joking remark about being the only one who didn't get food. She started to tell them all about her trip.
Gaara quietly enjoyed the scene before him, happy with their presence. He knew that his siblings felt the same.
They heard a knock, and the door opened. All of them were surprised, especially Temari, when Reiyka entered, carrying a small parcel. Her hair looked neat, and she wore a loose sleeveless dress. Her fingerless gloves and leg warmers were replaced with clean bandages.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." said Reiyka, noticing Temari in the room. "Good morning, I just wanted to inquire what my tasks are for today."
"Gaara…?" said Temari, her mouth forming into a gleeful smile. Reiyka blushed furiously.
"Reiyka, this is my sister, Temari. She just came back from her trip. Temari," he said distractedly. "This is Reiyka, my –uh- assistant. Or servant, rather."
"She's a princess, actually." said Kankurou. He waved at Reiyka excitedly.
"Really?" said Temari, interested. Why is she here then, what is Gaara doing? she thought. "Where are you from?"
"Do you need something?" said Gaara quickly, noticing that a friendship could start between the two girls. Temari laughed.
"Well, I wanted to get my clothes cleaned and mended." Reiyka said, feeling at ease. She liked the Kazekage's sister. "You know, the ones I wore yesterday. I don't have any more spare clothes." Reiyka thought about all the girly clothes and assorted robes she left behind. Good riddance, she thought. But she didn't bring anything else. "So, if you have dirty laundry, or things you would want me to get…"
"Hey, if you want, I could lend you my clothes." offered Temari, smiling.
"They wouldn't fit her, you're a bit bigger than her." pointed out Kankurou. Temari hit him on the head. Reiyka giggled.
Gaara stood up and moved towards Reiyka. "I'll see you guys later." he said. He opened the door and looked at Reiyka, who said goodbye to Temari and Kankurou and left. Gaara nodded at them and left.
"Kankurou, just what happened when I was gone?" asked Temari, smiling. She stood up quickly and looked outside the window, seeing the two of them walk towards the village.
"You won't believe it," said Kankurou, opening Gaara's souvenir.
"You didn't have to come with me," said Reiyka politely as they walked on the dust-covered street. "I can take care of myself." She clutched the parcel of dirty clothes close to her.
"And give you a chance to flee? I don't think so." he replied, not looking at her. But Reiyka thought that the way he said it meant like it was a joke. She laughed uncertainly.
"Well, thanks." she said. No reaction.
They stepped inside a nearly full laundromat. Gaara watched the townspeople go about their business, their everyday rituals. An old man reading the newspaper, a tired-looking mom doing her laundry, a guy hawking his goods… Some people recognized and greeted him. He nodded and waved politely, showing a kind of half smile (to Gaara, it was a smile). He hadn't walked through the public streets of Suna in a long time.
"Hey Gaara," he turned around quickly as he heard Reiyka calling him. She had just put her clothes into the dryer. She pushed the button, and it tumbled, causing a whirring sound. "Aren't you hungry? I noticed there wasn't any food in the house."
"I don't usually eat." Make that never, he thought.
Well that explains why, Reiyka thought. Just look at your complexion, so pale! Maybe that's why you're also cranky and mysterious the whole time! She tried not to laugh. "Well, I am. I haven't eaten since I left." Her clothes had dried already. As soon as she was done getting them mended, she pulled him outside.
Gaara was surprised as her hands pushed his back gently to a small bistro they had passed by earlier. Before, this was unacceptable. Even after all these years, Gaara had still not gotten used to the fact that his sand didn't protect him involuntarily anymore. Much more of the fact that someone was actually touching him. It had taken some time before he could stand Temari and Kankurou touching him. But strangely, he felt comfortable with Reiyka's hands clasped on his shoulders, even though she was the first girl aside from Temari to lay hands on him.
The Kazekage forced himself to eat the warm sandwich in front of him. He was aware of her eyes glancing at him every now and then, and he felt uncomfortable, as did his stomach. She had finished hers quickly, and she drank her tea. See, it's not so bad, thought Reiyka, looking at Gaara. He seemed to have some difficulty swallowing his food. She wanted to smile, it's not that she's making him suffer on purpose, but she found it very interesting to observe him.
"Thanks." said Reiyka, as they returned to the office. Gaara nodded. "Do you need me to do anything?" she said.
"Yeah." he said. "Please clean my office. I have to say I like how you did to my room." Reiyka nodded, pleased that he had noticed. "And bring down the gourd for me again. I have to go somewhere tomorrow." He went inside. Reiyka sighed. That heavy gourd again… sheesh…