"Shadow and Sand"

(A/N): Just one more chapter… yes, yes… you can do it! You just have to believe in yourself… (How lame can I get?)

Disclaimer: The day math is no longer included in the school curriculum is the day I own the candy store!!!

Chapter 6

"Realization dawns the shadow"

I was starting to feel better every day, thank god. I always felt pain in the night so I was really glad. Just walking was a total pain in the ass. That day when I went with Temari and Kankouro to train, I thought I would have died right there and then. They told me that it was for the best to keep me in top shape, whether or not I was injured.

I was also starting to feel insecure. I needed to go out and explore once again. One month really is too long. I couldn't wait till I left Suna. The first reason, I already mentioned, and the second is because I wanted to run away from Gaara. He was starting to hate my presence again. And unlike before, he no longer just ignored me; he would threaten me, which was not a very happy idea if you don't mind me saying so.

He was starting to act cold to me again, just like how he was when he had come back from that mission while Temari and Kankouro were in Konoha.

I was sick and tired of trying to ignore Gaara, and I actually started to even appreciate his good manners towards me. But now that it has come to this, I just can't wait to leave.

All of this commotion reminds me of the time I was still living in Konoha, having rivals. I was cold to them, and so were they to me.

The two people I really hated seeing in Konoha were Uchiha Sasuke and Ten-Ten… by the way; I have a question, what the hell is Ten-ten's last name? Anyways, I should probably say why they became my rivals.

Sasuke, because he was just unbearable. He had tons of fan girls and he treated every single one of them like dirt. I'm not asking him to love them in return for their affection, but he should at least respect their feelings for him, whatever the reason may be for them liking him so much. He just thinks too highly of himself.

Ten-ten, because she threatened Hinata to physically, saying that she would use her weapons against her she ever talked badly about Neji. Which we all know Hinata wouldn't even dream of doing anyways. Ten-ten's just weird that way.

I wasn't able to spend a lot of time being their rivals, but it was fun while it lasted. Ten-ten loved fighting with me, and physically too. She could never touch me though. I AM from Nara right?

Sasuke, well… I just loved annoying him. The day he was accidentally kissed by Naruto was the best ever. I wouldn't stop bugging him about it, even when he threatened to kill me. Tough words…

And even though I hated them both, the hatred I had for them didn't even reach a few miles near to the hatred I had for Gaara. He was just… I don't know… another case I guess…

I smile into the sunlight as I hear Kankouro complaining about something. I hope when I leave, Gaara relieves himself from his stress and becomes a good Kazekage. No village deserves a stressed leader. And that's why I said such words.

For the next couple of days, I tried to stay away from Gaara, mainly because I didn't want to get hurt and also because it would be better for him if he kept his temper down. And if that had anything to do with me not being in sight, then I would help.

But it didn't really work; we saw each other the day after. But to my surprise, he did not look at me coldly, instead he glanced at me, and when I looked his way, he would immediately look away and walk to some place else soon after. It continued like this the rest of my stay in Suna.

The night before my departure, I thought deeply of what had happened the past month. Gaara, talking to me, Gaara, hurting me, Gaara watching my shadow dance, Gaara, getting cold again, and finally, Gaara, ignoring me in a weird way.

It was all about him. Most of the things that happened to me while I was in Suna, revolved around him… why?

Why? Why? The question really is why am I so stupid? Why didn't I realize it before? It was all so clear if you really think about it.

Me hating the red haired boy was just another lie, another reason for me to hold onto my pride.

The truth was that I never hated Gaara. True that I changed the emotion 2 years ago from love to something else, but it was not hatred towards Gaara himself. I just hated the fact that I loved Gaara. No apparent reason why, but I just did.

I, Nara Natsume never hated Gaara. I have always loved him, but at the same time, hated the emotion I felt towards him.

"Love does nothing but bring shit to the lives of people"

It's true… it really is…

May: GAMBETTE!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! ONE MORE!!!!

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Take care