Ugh! Sorry if I was late in uploading, you see, tomorrow on august 2 I will take a college entrance exam to the college that I really want, I am reviewing like crazy… anyway, here goes! :)

Reiyka ran until gradually, the people towards her thinned; it turns out she was nearing the entrance to Suna. Why, was he departing already? She heard shouts from behind her, and she knew it was Temari, for she had looked a while ago. She was also surprised to see that Gaara was with her, but, she only focused her attention to the person in front of her. She slowed down, stopping at about three feet away from him.

Gaara and Temari had just reached Reiyka when she had stopped. "I can't believe it," they heard her say in disbelief. He couldn't believe it either, somehow, Reiyka knew the stranger. The newcomer was wearing a black undershirt with very wide long sleeves, and over it, he had a tan shirt. His forehead protector hung from the belt strap of his loose gray capris. They had seen the Glass village's engraving for the first time, it appeared to be 3 curvy lines that straightened as it reached the top, like fire being controlled. He looked young, but judging from his height and built, he must be older than Gaara, about 2 years.

"Reiyka," the Kazekage muttered, reaching out to her, but at that moment she stepped forward to the stranger.

"Van," she continued. "You're here…" Gaara realized that this must be the guy friend she was talking about.

"Of course," the guy said, catching his breath from the chase. He was carrying a brown rugged backpack. "Why wouldn't I be?" He sort of became calmer, he stood up straight. "And besides, why did you leave? I was so worried! What if you had died?!"

Reiyka clenched her fists. Tears rolled down her eyes. Gaara felt bad, he had never seen her this way before. Then suddenly, she ran to Van and hugged him, catching everyone by surprise. Reiyka was crying and laughing at the same time. "Hah! I missed you too!" she said. "How'd you find me?"

"Easy. I could trace your glass in the sand." Van hugged her tightly, as if to scold her, however, Reiyka's back was still sore.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, pulling herself away from him. She wiped away her tears and straightened up.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Van saw her bandaged hands and shoulder. "Oh my gosh, Reiyka, what happened to you?" He held her hand, not letting her go.

"She's fine, she's okay now." said Temari, stepping in. "She had carried Gaara's gourd, it was nothing." Van looked at Gaara, who was standing behind Temari. His look was menacing.

"What?" he hissed. He recognized the letter on his forehead. In a wink of an eye, he had thrown a glass kunai at Gaara, which was prevented by him quickly opening his gourd and controlling the sand to shield him.

Reiyka and Temari were stunned, and jumped back on reflex. "Van! Stop it!" Reiyka cried, but oblivious, Van leaped at Gaara. So it's true, he thought. He no longer has the sand to automatically defend him, noticing Gaara's movements to be cautious. Van waved his hand, a gust of hot air turned the sand that had blocked his kunai into glass. Gaara, not wanting to waste the sand from his gourd, gathered the sand underneath their feet instead. He ran nearer to the gate, where Van followed.

Van made a hand signal. Broken Glass Technique! He stomped his foot into the sand. A lot of it flew upward which formed into long sharp glass shards that pointed and flew straight at Gaara. Gaara made a hand signal as well, and the sand beneath his feet carried him skyward, avoiding them just in time. The shards exploded, bursting into shiny flecks.

"They have to stop!" yelled Temari, feeling angry that she couldn't help Gaara for she had left her fan at his office. In fact, Gaara still hadn't gotten used to actually using sand defensively until now.

"Argh!" cried Reiyka. she made a hand signal, focusing all her chakra into her right hand. As Van stopped to attack again, Reiyka threw her hand down into the sand. The chakra passed through it, making a path of molten glass heading towards Van's feet, hardening when it reached his shoes. He became stuck to the ground. Reiyka ran to them.

"Stop it, the both of you!" she screamed hoarsely. She had run out of breath. Gaara landed down softly, his eyes had a shocked expression which was directed at Reiyka. Feeling something warm and sticky in her hand, she looked down. Her hand was bleeding freely, and the bandages had burned off, smelling like smoke. Reiyka broke into a cold sweat and fainted.

When she opened her eyes, all she saw was the ceiling.

Reiyka tried to breathe, but something seemed to be wrong with her throat. She choked slightly. She saw Gaara's face come into view.

"Calm down," he said softly, bending over her. "You're alright." Reiyka closed her eyes, trying to be at rest. But instead she felt feverish, and her heart raced uncomfortably. He removed the oxygen mask from her face.

"Where's Van?" she asked croakily.

Gaara felt a twinge in his chest. "He… he left."

"W-What?" Reiyka sat up straight. What am I doing here, she thought, noting that she was wearing a white hospital gown. I think I remember… "Why?"

He didn't answer her, he just placed his hands on her shoulder delicately, making her lie down again. Reiyka caught a glance in the window; there still seemed to be streams of colored paper from the rooftops. "You had me and Temari worried." Reiyka, thinking about Van, didn't say anything. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. How long have I been here?

"Why did he leave, Gaara?" When he heard her say his name, he turned away. He couldn't bear hearing a tone of blame in her voice. "Is he okay, or what…?"

"He left a letter, for you. It was he who told me to keep you here for awhile." She glanced at the bedside table. There was an envelope with a glass seal. "I-It's been three days since he left… Three days that you were unconscious… But he said he'll come back, so don't be scared." Reiyka took the letter with trembling hands, she had some difficulty moving her fingers. Almost her entire body was bandaged, but she felt much better already, even though she felt lost. She saw Gaara start to leave. "I'm sorry, if I caused you harm. I had no intention of doing so, believe me." He looked at her as he opened the door. Reiyka was looking at him as if she was thanking him, but he could see the tears falling from them.

As soon as he left, she opened the letter. It was Van's, no doubt.

'Reiyka, if you're reading this, then of course, you're already awake, and that the Gaara guy had kept his promise.

As you fainted, imagine my surprise when he immediately rushed to you. I could have killed him right then and there, but of course, my main concern was you. Now, don't get too ecstatic, I really hadn't planned on seeing you get hurt. But I'm afraid I have to tell you something important.

A week after I had discovered you missing, I prepared to look for you. I knew you were planning something. Anyway, I didn't tell anyone about your disappearance. I don't think anyone also really noticed, after you had bragged to everyone that you were going to study somewhere far. But, if you're being mistreated, especially in this village, then I will most certainly alert Sir Asagani of your whereabouts.'

Reiyka breathed a sigh of relief. She continued.

'How could you be staying here, I thought. You'll surely be killed. But I'm glad to know that they let you stay, especially Baki." Huh, thought Reiyka. How could they know each other? She stood up and looked for her clothes.

'I left for a while to think of what I'm going to do with you. You're not safe there, I'm telling you. The Kazekage, Gaara, he's not what you think he is. I'm thinking whether I should come for you again to bring you home, or to bring your father with me.'

At that moment, a hawk appeared on the window. Reiyka knew it was Van's. She dressed up and left to follow it.