Hey guys… this is the new chapter to the story… oh my gosh, the written story is nearly finished, I was actually having trouble figuring out what the ending should be cause I was thinking that I want it to be dramatic and abrupt :P but it's nearly finished, nearly everything for uploading.

I was also thinking about making a part II to the story… should i? let me know :) and also help me in the ending for this haha

SHOUTOUTS: Akira Darkness: thanks for the review! xXxCrimsonTearsxXx: thanks for adding me to your story alert, XiaBubbleQueen: thanks for the fun review again!, Lady Amazon: thanks for adding me to your story alert, Lela Rye: thanks for the review, and most of all, to AngelOfJudgement: adie-kun! arigato! haha, you joined!! :) and yes, due to your insistent pleadings at school, I have uploaded a new chapter yay!

Let me know what you think! sorry if I made you guys wait, ugh, stressing over schoolwork!! and sorry if this insert is way too long! btw, FYI: italicized means it's a flashback!

Reiyka woke up to sounds of excitement outside. She opened her eyes, squinting because of the bright sunlight pouring in the room. She yawned, wiping her eyes. I want to sleep some more, she thought, so she turned.

Reiyka screamed. Temari, the girl from yesterday was standing before her. "Shhh!" she cried, waving her hands.

"You scared me!" gasped Reiyka, feeling embarrassed. She had almost fallen to the floor. Temari smiled ruefully. Reiyka stood up and stretched, feeling very much awake. She heard the noise outside again. "What's with the commotion?"

"Oh, it's just the villagers. Every year you see, a festival is celebrated to anticipate the rain, which only comes in about once or twice a year." She went to the window to look at the grounds below. Reiyka put on her shoes.

"I see," Reiyka said, confused. "Uh, why are you here again?"

Temari laughed. "Oops, I forgot. Gaara told me to keep an eye on you while he went with Kankurou to the graduation march of ninjas."

"Eh? I see, he must've thought that I'd try to do something."

"No, actually, he said you might be lonely." explained Temari slowly. She looked at Reiyka earnestly. "He seemed very concerned." In fact, Temari had wondered why he had said that.

The office was brightly lit by the morning sunlight. Gaara finished filing his papers. "Keep her company, ok Temari?"

Temari turned her head towards him. She was sitting comfortably on the sofa. "Alright, alright. But tell me why." Gaara didn't look at her, just merely kept fixing his desk, which was clear of things already.

"So she'd feel more comfortable here. I mean, you're a girl –" Temari snorted. "I mean, she'd have someone like her to hang out with. Maybe you could even go to the festival with her."

"It's fine by me, it's just that I –"

Gaara cleared his throat. It seems like Gaara can't express what he really wants to say, thought Temari. "I'm busy… I won't be able to keep track of her. The festival, the graduation, and everything else, I just don't want her to feel alone whenever I'm gone."

Temari smiled. Gaara had indeed become more human, especially after the Shukaku and the Akatsuki had faded away. She looked at Reiyka. How in the world had this girl change him?

"Gaara… concerned?" muttered Reiyka. Temari noticed her cheeks turn slightly pink. "Well, ok…" she smiled giddily, feeling happy that she was with someone. "Oh, and I have a teeny question."

"Hmm?"

"Where do you keep your first aid kit? You see," Reiyka shrugged, wincing. "My back has been killing me!"

It was rather surprising to see the whole village decorated for an event that Reiyka thought was insignificant, the rain was something she had unintentionally taken for granted back home. Hanging from the rooftops were strings of colorful paper strips and even the various poles had decorations. Stalls were scattered around the city, selling fireworks, special delicacies for the occasion, and interestingly, various collectables like masks and umbrellas that were red and white in colors. There seemed to be a lot more people around town that day, children and parents were walking and having a look around in good spirit.

Temari and Reiyka bonded instantaneously. At last, Reiyka had someone her own gender to talk with about things that were nature to her, like being a girl and being a skilled ninja at the same time. In fact, Reiyka considered Temari the coolest girl she'd met, like an older sister. They strolled around town, winding through the maze slowly. Temari told her lots of things about Suna, and of course, about her siblings. In fact, Reiyka couldn't believe that she was related to Gaara, they seemed different from each other.

Temari checked the time. "Gaara said he'll be back in around noon." she said. Reiyka had just paid a visit to the clinic, where they had advised her to stay in bed for about two more days, to avoid straining her back more. They had given her some eucalyptus pads for her pulled muscles, in fact, they had bandaged her back with them. "What did they tell you?"

"To lay off it for a while. I can't even believe I was able to carry that gourd!" Reiyka filled Temari in with her experiences before. Temari laughed, but really felt sorry for her.

"That must have been painful to watch. Even me and Kankurou never got to bringing that gourd." Suddenly they heard an exploding sound. "Oh, I think the festival's about to start!" It was like only 11.30 in the morning.

And start it did. Fireworks exploded, a marching band with clay instruments sounded, people joined and cheered along, adding to the turbulence of the scene. Children clapped joyfully. Some people, performers Reiyka assumed, danced as if daring the heavens to silence them by giving them rain; they seemed as if they were getting drenched by the blue confetti being showered upon them. Although it seemed a bit kooky for Reiyka to be watching all this, she was enthralled and told Temari how she felt. Temari laughed and cheered along.

Reiyka smiled, looking among the crowds, everyone was enjoying the entertaining spectacle. Then her eye spotted something, somehow, someone stood out in the crowds. At first, Reiyka didn't mind it, that he could just be another performer, but when he looked in her direction, Reiyka recognized him. Her jaw dropped… it couldn't be! How did he know where she was?

Temari looked at her companion. "Reiyka? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I-I think the medicine's just taking effect." True, the pads on her back gave off strong heat from the eucalyptus, but she didn't mind it. Reiyka was sure that he also saw her, for he had disappeared. She needed to follow him! "I have to go to the bathroom!" she cried, running off.

Temari turned around sharply. "Wait, Reiyka, let me go with you!" She immediately followed, but the crowds of people swarming in from all sides made it difficult to see and maneuver to where she went.

Reiyka could see him farther off, he was only walking. The throngs of people increased, she often stopped to let people through, but she never lost sight of him. Her shoulders started to ache, it was getting harder to breathe.

Damn it! Temari thought. Gaara would get furious! She bumped into someone, she was prepared not to apologize, when… "Temari!" Ulp, she thought. What a coincidence, it was Gaara. He was wearing his Kazekage uniform, and the wide brimmed hat. He raised his head, taking it off.

He was also carrying his gourd.