Alright I've finally updated. I'm sorry that it took me so long. I went home with my roommate this weekend and didn't have any internet for my laptop. Sorry to all of you. I do have ch 12 ready and i'm working on ch 13.

Disclaimer: i no own naruto

Now that i've said that one with the story

Ch. 11: Happy Birthday Kaoru

Kaoru knew something was up. Her friends were all acting very strange. She had to return to the hospital that week because Yuri said she didn't have enough medics to help out. Kaoru didn't mind especially since Sakura was spending all the time she could with Sasuke. Normally Kaoru would have dismissed the strange behaviors of her friends but even Gaara and Sasuke were acting odd. The medic knew that if Gaara and Sasuke acted odd something was seriously up. She couldn't even tell what was wrong. The girl just knew that something was up.

Kaoru had just walked out of the hospital when she saw Kankuro, "Hey Kankuro!"

He turned and saw her and wave of momentary panic came off him. The puppet man didn't want her to see something he was carrying. She saw him quickly hide whatever it was behind his back. He grinned at her, "Hey Kaoru. How was work?"

She gave him a suspicious look, "It was fine. What's wrong? You're being too nice."

"What?! I've only said two sentences."

"I know but you asked me about work. You never ask me that unless I just look terrible."

"Maybe you look terrible," he grumbled.

Kaoru didn't now whether she should be insulted or not. The truth was Kankuro had his nice moments but he was a rascal at heart. A day didn't go by where he didn't pick on someone or start a fight over nothing. Gaara and Temari were constantly keeping an eye on him so they could prevent him from doing something too stupid. Now here he was hiding something and telling her she looked terrible. Her head tilted to the side, "What are you hiding, Kankuro?"

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Have you forgotten about my kekkei genkai already? I know you're nervous about me seeing something. What is it?"

"I can't tell you. Temari will kill me."

Kaoru wasn't sure she believed him but decided to let it slide this time. If Temari really had told him not to tell anyone then she would be upset if Kaoru made him tell her. Kankuro did offer to walk her home but the medic shook her head, "I'll be fine. You go one home yourself. I'll see ya tomorrow, Kankuro."

Once Kaoru was out of sight Kankuro let out a relieved breath. He pulled the picture out from behind his back. He was very glad she hadn't seen it. Kankuro had spent days trying to figure out what to get her for her birthday. The girl was harder to shop for than Gaara simply because she never seemed to want anything. She was always happy with what she had and rarely asked for more. Then Gaara gave him the idea for this. The puppeteer continued running back home so he could wrap it. The party was tomorrow and Temari had threatened his manhood if he didn't help decorate so he didn't have much time.

Meanwhile Kaoru was wondering what was going on. When she had gotten home there was a note on her counter from Sakura and her grandmother telling her that they had gone out and would be back at dinner time. Kaoru had shrugged but wondered about it. What was everyone hiding? They were all deathly afraid she would find out what it was. Every time she got near any of them she could feel the nervous waves rolling off of them. The only one that remained calm was Kaede and that was because she knew how to hide from their clan's kekkei genkai. She had it too after all. Gaara was calmer than the rest of them but he was still nervous. His reasons were different but because he was so calm she couldn't tell what they were. She just knew they were different. Sakura and Kaede returned with vague excused about where they had been. Everyone ate dinner then went to bed. Kaoru fell asleep wondering what in the world was going on.

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Kaoru was walking out of the hospital the next day. She smiled when she saw Gaara leaned up against the wall by the door waiting for her. He stood up and motioned for her to follow him. Curiosity began to burn in her as she followed behind him. It didn't take her long to figure out where they were going. The Kazekage's manor looked just as it always had. Kaoru was beginning to wonder what they were there for. She couldn't think of anything that Gaara would need her for and Temari or Kankuro would have come an got her themselves if they needed her. The medic decided it was a dinner thing. They must have all wanted to get together for dinner that night and sent Gaara to get her.

She began to doubt the theory when she walked in. It was completely dark. Kaoru didn't notice that she had stepped closer to Gaara or that she had grabbed his hand in reassurance. This reminded her too much of arriving home and finding her parents when she was a child. Gaara glanced at her in concern. He had told Temari that turning the lights off was a bad idea but the woman didn't want to listen to him. It wasn't like he could tell her why. Kaoru didn't want anyone to know that she was afraid of what she would find in dark places. He told himself he was just being a good friend when he felt her hand grab his and he didn't pull away. She was scared and needed comfort and he couldn't deny her. Not when he could feel the slight tremble in the hand he held.

He led her into the living room. Lights flicked on and people yelled, "Surprise."

Kaoru yelped as she looked around at all the faces. She smiled at all her friends, "What's the party for?"

Kankuro busted out laughing, "Don't tell me you forgot."

The medic tilted her head to the side in confusion, "Forgot what?"

"Your birthday," Kankuro said in between laughs. A couple of other people chuckled and others gave their forgetful friend an indulgent smile. Gaara hid his smile behind his hand so that no one would see.

Kaoru blinked a few times then suddenly laughed, "Ok, I won't tell you that I forgot."

Temari had out done herself this time. There was laughter and dancing everywhere. All of Kaoru's friends were there including the ones from Konoha. Daisuke and Yuki were there too. The decorations were wonderful. Of course the cake was Kaoru's favorite, chocolate. Kaoru stuck close to Gaara because if left on his own he wouldn't socialize one bit. She even dragged him out for a dance or two. The medic was careful to chose slow songs so that he wouldn't feel too uncomfortable. There was less dancing experience required for those so they weren't nearly as bad. Gaara indulged her simply because she looked so happy. He didn't want to be the one to ruin it.

Then came the presents. Kaoru gasped when she saw how many there were. She had never in her wildest dreams expected that many presents. Everyone found her reaction amusing. "You guys didn't have to get me presents."

"But we wanted to," Sakura stated with a smile.

"What kind of birthday is it if you don't get presents?" Tsunade demanded slightly drunk. She had discovered the sake a little while ago.

"I didn't need so many," Kaoru stated in amazement. "Did everyone get me something?"

Everyone nodded. Kaoru began to unwrap them. She loved them. For the most part the guys got her weapons and the girls got her clothes and jewelery. There were exceptions. Sasuke and Sakura got her pictures of all her friends in Konoha. Tsunade and her grandmother got her several new books that she had wanted for a while now. Kankuro's present was a new picture of the sand siblings, Baki, and Yuri all together. The medic actually gave him a hug much to Kankuro's embarrassment. Temari had gotten her a sketch book because the brithday girl actually liked to draw. Baki and Yuri's present was a book on all the recent development in medical ninjutsu. Kakashi had gotten her a scrapbook for Kohaku to put things like his first words or when he took his first step in. The girl was so happy that she gave the jonin a kiss on the cheek. Not that Kakashi was going to complain. Kaoru had thanked everyone with a large smile.

Suddenly a gloating voice said, "Well, I see that the freak didn't get Kaoru a present."

Everyone turned to see Hiroshi. He was standing next to his brother with a smirk on his face. The two of them looked thrilled with this discovery. Kaoru's smile faded. This pissed Gaara off. Hiroshi had been nothing but a thorn in his side since day one. Now as if that was enough to annoy him but to add injury to insult this bastard was telling him he didn't get Kaoru a present. He did have a present for her damn it. He just didn't want to make a spectacle of it. The kage was going to give it to her later when there wasn't anyone else to see him. Gaara had gone shopping and was at a party willingly just to make Kaoru happy. Now this bastard came along and ruined it. Gaara didn't like wasting effort and for him this was effort. Not to mention the only person who had ever excepted him as he was from the very beginning had been happy but then this bastard had come and ruined it.

"Hiroshi, I recommend you leave now," Gaara said in a dangerous tone. People began to back away from him. No one had heard him sound like that in two years. It frightened them because that tone usually meant someone was going to die soon. Kaoru looked at her friend anxiously.

Hiroshi didn't seem to realize the danger he was in and kept talking, "I don't think so. This is Kaoru's party. Besides, it's not my fault you didn't get her anything."

Kaoru decided she had better do something or Gaara might kill Hiroshi. As much as she would like to see the bone head die she didn't want it to be Gaara that killed him. The Kazekage had gone through a lot to prove to everyone that he wasn't the monster they thought he was and she didn't want him to ruin it especially over something like a present she didn't have to have anyway. Fear and anger made her tone sharp, "Go away, Hiroshi. Gaara-kun doesn't have to get me anything. Just being here with me is enough so don't you dare bother him."

"It should bother you that he didn't get you a present, Kaoru. Friends get presents for their friends."

Kaoru glared, "Depends on the friend. For Gaara-kun coming to this party is a big deal. He doesn't like them but he's here to spend my birthday with me and that's what counts. Now go away."

"Temari and Kankuro probably made him come. He doesn't care about anyone, Kaoru. When are you going to see that?" Hiroshi demanded.

Kaoru didn't get a chance to answer. The threads of Gaara's temper had snapped. Sand surrounded Hiroshi and began to close in. Everyone shouted at Gaara to get control of himself. But nothing was reaching him. He was sick of it. Every time he tried to do the right thing someone always had to question him. Why couldn't they accept that he had changed? Was it so hard to believe that he wasn't a monster? Hiroshi wasn't the only one that still treated him this way. Gaara could see it and he heard it. The people of the village glancing at him with fear or hatred. Some had come to accept him but several of them still didn't want to even look at him. He'd had enough.

Kaoru saw what was happening and did the only thing she could think of. She rushed up and stood in front of Hiroshi. The sand stopped. Kaoru looked at Gaara with pleading in her eyes. Eyes the color of blood he thought and not for the first time. It was so odd to see eyes that color look so...kind. Blood was something most didn't want to see because that always involved pain. They hated blood. The red liquid was a symbol of that hatred and the pain that came with it. Shukaku even thought it was odd that those eyes never held hatred in them. They just had the kindness that Kaoru was known for.

"Gaara-kun, you have to stop. Don't mess everything up on Hiroshi. He's not worth it," Kaoru pleaded. Hiroshi now realized the danger he was in and had the brains not to move. Gaara's eyes didn't leave Kaoru's. For a moment everyone thought he wasn't going to listen but then the sand melted away and returned to the gourd on his back. Everyone let out a breath of relief. Kaoru walked up to him slowly and took his hand with a smile.

Baki walked over to Hiroshi with a frown and pulled the boy and his brother out of the manor. The two boys didn't complain. As far as they were concerned they were lucky to be alive and they would be right. If it hadn't been for Kaoru they would be dead right now. They were lucky that she wasn't afraid of Gaara and was willing to get in his way.

Back at the party everyone just stood there for a moment. They were looking at Gaara in concern and in some cases fear. It didn't take long for the kage to get sick of that and walk out. Temari and Kankuro exchanged worried glances. Kaoru followed him. When she finally caught up to him she had to grab his hand to make him stop walking. "Gaara-kun..."

"Leave me alone, Kaoru. I don't want anyone around me right now," he stated as he started to pull away.

Kaoru wasn't having that though. She grabbed hold of his hand with both of hers to keep him from going anywhere. He looked back at her and saw her glaring at him. This surprised him. In all the time he had known Kaoru she had never glared at him. He hadn't made her angry or upset since she was placed on their team when they had been genin. She had always smiled at him or had concern in her eyes for him. Now she was angry with him.

"Don't you dare, Gaara." Now that she was dropping th -kun Gaara found himself worried. Kaoru's voice was shaking as she continued, "I'm your friend and this time I'm not a five year old girl. I'm not making the same mistake twice. I'm not going anywhere when I know you need me."

Now he understood. She was afraid he was pushing her away again. Gaara faced her fully and pulled her close. It felt odd to be the one giving the hug. Kaoru had always been the one giving the hugs and, other than her, no one had ever hugged him. Now for the first time in his life he was giving the hug. It was...nice. She seemed to relax a little as if the hug helped her though he couldn't understand why it would. He really didn't see the point. How did simply holding someone make everything better? He didn't know but the fact was it did...even for him.

"Kaoru, I'm not pushing you away. I'm just angry and didn't want to take it out on you."

Crimson eyes closed with relief. She had been afraid that history was repeating itself but she wasn't going to let it. This time she wouldn't leave when she knew he needed her. Then he had hugged her. That surprised her. Gaara wasn't the only one that knew he didn't give hugs. She buried her face in his shoulder as he told her that he wasn't pushing her away again. The two of them just stood there for a moment. To Kaoru it was as if time had stopped then it started again when Gaara pulled back. She smiled, "I'm sorry. It's just...I was afraid that..."

He didn't let her finish, "I know."

Gaara took her hand and pulled her along behind him. He wanted to give her the present. It was odd that he felt so nervous yet excited at the same time. Did people always feel this way when giving things to others that they weren't sure they'd like? He could be the only one. After all he was new to this friendship deal. He was still learning all the rules that came with the package. Kaoru followed behind him. She smiled at the nervous excitement coming from her friend. The black mood that had made him leave the party was gone and was replaced by a childlike wonder. He hid it well though. If it wasn't for her kekkei genkai she wouldn't even know that he felt anything other than boredom.

They went back inside the manor but Gaara avoided the party. Instead he led Kaoru upstairs and into his room. Kaoru took a moment to look around. She had only been in here once since they had become friends again and didn't really get a good look. The room was mostly what she had expected it to be. It was sparsely furnished and didn't have much in the way of decorations. On the bed was a little stuffed teddy bear. Kaoru recognized it and smiled. Gaara use to take that thing everywhere with him when they were little.

He only had two pictures in the entire room. One was their team picture from when they'd first become genin. The other was of a little girl and boy. The girl was hugging the boy around the waist with a laugh as her crimson eyes looked up at his face. The boy was looking astonished. As if he didn't know what to make of the girl holding on to him. It was the exact same picture that sat on Kaoru's nightstand. She smiled.

She turned to face Gaara when he came out of the closet. He was holding a bag and suddenly seemed very hesitant. Kaoru walked over to him in curiosity. For a moment he didn't move. She thought he was going to put it back in the closet when he shoved it at her. The medic blinked at it then up at him. He growled, "Open it already."

She did and smiled. Her eyes softened as she pulled out the cute stuffed panda bear. It looked up at her with sea foam puppy dog eyes. It was so cute. She started to look up at Gaara when something shiny around the bears neck caught her eye. When she looked at it she gasped. Part of her couldn't believe what she was seeing. She pulled the silver chain off the bears neck to get a closer look. Sure enough hanging of the bottom of the chain was a heart shaped blood red ruby. She looked up at Gaara with wide eyes. Her voice was a whisper, "Gaara-kun."

Gaara was suddenly very afraid. Why was she looking at him like that? He suddenly couldn't take it anymore. His tone was hesitant when he asked, "Do you like it?"

Kaoru blinked at him then smiled. She threw her arms around his neck and he barely kept himself from falling backwards. "Of course I like it, Gaara-kun. I just couldn't believe you would get me something like this. I love it. Thank you so much."

Everything was suddenly okay. Kaoru was happy again. That made everything all better. He felt some part of him relax at the realization. It had upset him to know she was so unhappy earlier. Kaoru put the necklace on and put it under her shirt. The ruby rested between her breast with a comforting weight. There was a sound at the door and they glanced over. Temari and Kankuro were there smiling.

"I see you gave her your present. That's good. Come on back the party you two. We're waiting on you," Temari stated.

"Yeah. Temari wouldn't let us continued Kaoru's birthday party without Kaoru. Can you imagine that?" Kankuro asked as if he couldn't.

Kaoru smiled, "No, Kankuro, I can't imaging that at all. But don't worry. We're coming. Right, Gaara-kun?"

He nodded and allowed her to pull him out of the room. Everyone continued to have a good time until exhaustion made them go home. Gaara and Sasuke walked their two medical nins back to Kaoru's. Sakura and Kaoru were chattering away about everything that had happened at the party. Both fully agreed that Hiroshi needed his ass kicked. Kaoru had tripped and was caught by Gaara's sand. She smiled sheepishly and thanked him. Sakura's eyes focused on something around Kaoru's neck.

"Hey, Kaoru, were did you get that?" the pink haired kunoichi asked pointing at it.

Kaoru looked at what she was pointing at. The ruby had fallen out from underneath her shirt and was sparkling in the moonlight. Kaoru couldn't help but smile, "It was a present."

Sakura had a suspicion that she knew where it had come from. Kaoru was also carrying a panda bear in her arms. Occasionally she would nuzzle it with a soft smile. Only one person could give the Suna medic a present that would mean that much to her. His name was Gaara. Sakura smiled. Looks like Hiroshi was wrong again. Gaara did get his friend something for her birthday.

The girls said good bye to the guys and went inside. Kaoru looked thoughtful, "Sasuke has change hasn't he. I mean he's still quiet and distant but it's different now. It's more of a 'I just don't like to talk' than a 'I hate everyone' kind of quiet."

"I know. It's nice," Sakura said with a soft smile.

"You definitely got it bad for him, Sakura," Kaoru stated with an amused smile.

Sakura eyed Kaoru, "Not any worse than you."

"What?!"

"Don't play dumb. I know you're in love with Gaara. Admit it."

Kaoru was about to deny it when suddenly she didn't see why she should. It wasn't like Sakura was going to run off and tell him. No one else was here to listen. Why not tell Sakura? Kaoru gave a small smile, "You're right. I'm in love with, Gaara-kun."

Sakura blinked, "I didn't know that you knew."

Kaoru chuckled, "I've known how I felt about him for a while now."

"When did you figure it out?"

"Shortly after we were placed on the same team. My clan's kekkei genkai revolves around emotions and the reasons behind them. It didn't take me long to figure out mine and why they were there."

"Do you know how long you've loved him?" Sakura asked with curiosity.

"Probably since I saw him sitting on that swing when we were five years old."

"That's about how long I've loved Sasuke-kun. Since the first day I saw him all those years ago." The two girls smiled at each other in understanding. Sakura commented, "We're pathetic, ya know? We're both madly in love with men who will never feel the same."

Kaoru turned and smiled at Sakura, "I know but we love them anyway. And who knows. Maybe one day?"

"Yeah. Who knows?" Sakura agreed. "I mean if Ino found a guy who can put up with her whose to say we can't get the ones we want."

Kaoru busted with laughter, "That's mean, Sakura."

"But true."

"Whatever you say. I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

"Night."

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Hiroshi and Kaito were waiting for someone on the cliff over looking Suna. They didn't have to wait for long. Two figures wearing hats and cloaks walked up to them. One looked as if it was hunched over and the other was tall. Hiroshi spoke first, "You said you could get rid of Sabaku no Gaara if we helped you."

"Of course we can," one of the men answered.

Kaito and Hiroshi exchanged glances then nodded. Kaito spoke, "What do you need?"

"What is the Kazekage's weak spot?"

The twins blinked for a moment then looked thoughtful. It had never occurred to them that Gaara had a weakness. Now that it had they couldn't think of one. "I don't think he had one. Only one person had ever beat Gaara and he wouldn't help you."

"Everyone had a weakness. Whether its a spot on their body, a painful memory, or a person that matters to them," the hunched over figure said.

"Well, there is one person that could probably affect the Kazekage that strongly but I don't think doing anything to her would be good for your health. Not only does she matter to Gaara but the entire village loves her and even the people from Konoha adore her," Hiroshi said.

"It doesn't matter as long as they can't find us."

The twins grinned and Hiroshi said, "Alright then. Sabaku no Gaara's weakness is a medical nin named Kaoru Tsukino."

That's it for now. I'm going to edit the next chapter and get it posted for you. I hope you enjoyed this one. Now please review and let me know what you think or I won't put up the next chapter until tomorrow