Hello everyone. Sorry it took me so long. It's taken a long time to get this chapter finished up. I may squeeze out one or two more chapters before I call this story over.
Disclaimer: insert the usual bs here...well i suppose it's not bs since it's true but calling it bs makes me feel better.
Ch. 18: About Time
Everything was silent. Aya held her breath while she waited on Sasori to say something, anything. The silence was driving her crazy. The puppet master just kept staring at Temari like she'd grown a second head. Temari just watched him with calm eyes. Aya racked her brains for something to say to break this silence. Nothing came to mind. She eventually let out a frustrated sigh and glared at Sasori.
"Say something. You're driving me nuts," she snapped out.
Sasori looked at her. "What am I suppose to say? I can't return to Suna. I'm an s-class criminal, remember?"
"We can talk to Gaara. He'll understand and make an exception. Especially if you're key in saving everyone from the trap they're about to walk into," Temari replied. She still seemed perfectly calm.
Aya looked at her friend very closely. "You're being real helpful, Temari."
"I know. This is the best way to save Gaara. I'll do anything to protect my brother." Temari's eyes met Sasori's. "Even make a deal with the devil."
Aya nodded in quick agreement. "Right. Anything to help Gaara."
"I hope he realizes just how lucky he is," Sasori commented as he looked between the two. "I have yet to hear why I should return to Suna."
"Because you want to," Aya replied. "When Temari said come home, you immediately presumed she meant Suna, so you still think of it as home."
Sasori examined her for a moment. He seemed unsure of his next move. His usually calm and calculating eyes held indecision for perhaps the first time in years. The girls waited until he finally closed his eyes. The red sand had come to a decision. Aya held her breath as she waited for him to speak. Finally, he sighed and said, "Alright. Let's go to Suna."
Aya jumped up an cheered, "We're going home. We're going home."
Temari smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "Now I can sleep in peace."
"No," Sasori disagreed. "We have to move. The other Akatsuki know we're here, so waiting here is out of the question."
"Good point," the wind mistress agreed.
Aya sighed and dropped a little. "I should have known. No sleeping yet."
"Sorry, Aya."
"No problem," Aya said with a smile. "Let's get going before they find us."
The three of them stood and moved immediately. The physical exertion was starting to catch up to her. 'I'm so tired,' she complained mentally. She looked up at Temari and Sasori. Both of them were walking in front of her and didn't even seem winded. 'I'm such a burden.' Aya sighed again. 'I keep getting into trouble and that risks Gaara's life. Maybe he would have been better off without me.' This was the second time she'd been kidnapped after all. Maybe that was a hint. Gaara would be safer if she kept her distance. They traveled all night and those thoughts plagued Aya the entire time.
In the early hours of morning, just as the sun was coming up, the three of them walked into Suna. The village was still wide awake. There seemed to be concern on everyone's faces as they talked. Aya saw Gaara and almost called out to him. She remembered that she was a liability for him and shut her mouth as she lowered her eyes to her feet. So, it was Temari that called out. Everyone turned and relief filled their faces. Kankuro rushed up to them.
"There you are. We were worried," he said.
Temari explained what happened, but left out the details about Sasori. Aya looked up at Sasori in surprise. At some point, while she'd been absorbed in her thoughts, he'd put on a solid black cloak that hid his face. No one here knew who he was yet. Temari looked at Gaara. "We need to talk to you in private."
Gaara nodded and turned to Baki. "Call in the search teams, Baki."
"Of course, Lord Kazekage."
Aya started to go home but Temari stopped her. "I'll need you to help me, Aya. You're Sasori's best hope of staying here alive."
"Alright." Aya followed them to Gaara's house. She still couldn't shake the depression she'd fallen into. The painter couldn't rid herself of the questions plaguing her mind. Should she distance herself from Gaara? Was he safer without her? Aya looked up at Gaara. He hadn't said anything to her. Maybe he was thinking the same thing she was.
Once they were inside Gaara's home, he led them to the study and turned to Temari. "Now who is that man in the cloak, Temari?"
Temari hesitated and looked at Aya. "Now would be the time to talk, Aya."
Aya opened her mouth but she couldn't get a sound to come out. She looked down again. Gaara looked at Aya now and frowned. He wanted to know who the man was, but this was more important. "What's wrong, Aya?"
She blinked as the tears began to fall. Now why was she crying. Gaara's eyes widened then filled with concern he reached out but Aya stepped away with a shake of her head. "Aya?" She turned and ran for it. What was the matter with her? This wasn't like her at all. She wished she knew what was going on in her head. Just yesterday she was on cloud nine because Gaara actually loved her. Now she was running from him. Had she lost her mind?
Someone grabbed her arm and spun her around. Aya found herself face to face with Gaara. He was glaring at her now. "Aya, will you stop running and tell me what is wrong with you?" he demanded. "This isn't like you."
Aya swallowed. "I don't know." She could feel the tears on her face. "I'm...I think I'm a bother to you. I'm so sorry, Gaara. After all you've been through, I got kidnapped again and almost made things worse." She buried her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry for being weak and pathetic. I should have been more careful. Everyone keeps telling me I'm you weakness but I still walked into a trap twice."
Gaara pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around him and cried on her shoulder. Gaara whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, Aya. You're not a bother."
She sniffled and stepped back. "Really? Even though I've been kidnapped twice."
He wiped a tear from her cheek. "Really. Aya, you are my greatest weakness but you're also my greatest strength. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be the monster of Suna." He took her face in his hands to make her look at him. "I need you."
She nodded. "I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me."
"It's not a problem. Now can we go back to my house and find out who's under that cloak?"
"I already know who it is," she said. Aya fidgeted a little. "It's...um...Sasori Akasuna."
Gaara's eyes narrowed and he nearly growled, "I'm sorry. I don't think I heard you correctly. Did you say that the man is Sasori?"
Aya nodded and began talking quickly. "Yeah, the Akatsuki used the two tailed cat to bring him back, and it made him into flesh and blood. He and some other are the ones that kidnapped me...again." Whens he saw Gaara's eyes narrow she waved her hands. "He didn't hurt me or Temari. In fact, he risked his life to bring us back to Suna." Well, it was true. The akatsuki's would kill Sasori when they discovered what he did. "Because of that, me and Temari were hoping that Sasori could be," she began speaking each syllable slowly and quietly, "allowed to return."
"What?" he growled. "You do realize you're talking about an s-class criminal that tried to kill me."
"Yes, but he has information that could be useful. He's willing to tell you everything he knows about the Akatsuki." Aya fidgeted a little. "Can't he be given a pardon, Lord Kazekage? He did risk his neck to bring us back home and everyone deserves a second chance."
Gaara closed his eyes in resignation. He couldn't tell her no, especially after she'd been crying because she thought she was a bother to him. Damn Temari. His calculating sister planned this She knew he couldn't say no to Aya. "Let me hear what he has to say, then I'll decide."
"Alright, Gaara."
They returned to Gaara's home. Sasori was still wearing the cloak and Temari was standing between him and Kankuro. They all turned to face Gaara and Aya when they walked into the study. Aya smiled and waved. Gaara's eyes landed on Sasori.
"Take that cloak off, Sasori," he ordered. "I want to see your face as we talk."
Sasori complied with the request. He and Gaara just examined each other for a moment. As if they were waiting to see what would happen next. Gaara broke the silence first. "Tell me what you know that Temari believes earns you a second chance."
"You and the others are walking into a trap," Sasori stated. He grinned when he saw that statement had gotten Gaara's undivided attention. "The place you believe is our hideout is actually a decoy. The Akatsuki intends to ambush you and the fox host."
Gaara's eyes narrowed then he turned to Kankuro. "Gather messengers immediately. Send them to all the villages and tell them what we've discovered. Be sure that they know to keep this knowledge to themselves. We don't want the Akatsuki to know we are aware of the trap." Gaara became somewhat thoughtful. "We might be able to use this against them."
Temari nodded. "We just have to spring their trap with an ambush of our own. Let them think they got us and then, when they come out to kill us all, surprise them."
Sasori gave Temari and admiring look. "You are quite the tactician."
She grinned. "The best."
"Tell Konoha to send a representative. I think they'll want to hear what Sasori has to say about the Akatsuki," Gaara said to Kankuro. He turned his attention back to Sasori. "You'll stay with Temari since this was her idea. I'll grant the pardon. As soon as the Konoha shinobi arrive, you'll tell us everything you know about the Akatsuki."
Sasori nodded in agreement. "So be it."
"You better not be lying to us, Sasori," Kankuro said with an obvious threat. "Temari is taking a major risk. If you betray us, she'll be held responsible for vouching for you."
Sasori looked at Temari in surprise. He hadn't known that. Not that it mattered. He wouldn't be throwing away this second chance at life. Being human again had changed his perspective on life. He'd forgotten how much a human needed other humans. How much he needed others. He turned back to Kankuro. "Don't worry. I'm not betraying anyone but the Akatsuki."
"Come on, Sasori," Temari ordered. "I have a guest room that you can use."
He nodded and followed her out.
Gaara turned to Aya. "Are you sure about him?"
Aya nodded. "You should have seen his reaction when Temari suggested he come home. That's a man who's changed his priorities and desires. He's not the same Sasori he was before his death."
Gaara decided he had no choice but to trust her. Kankuro silently left to leave Gaara and Aya alone. The two obviously needed to talk. Hopefully, Gaara would talk and not just take Aya straight home. Hopefully, Gaara wouldn't take her home at all. It was long past time for Gaara to just tell her how he felt. At least, that's what Kankuro thought. He was pretty sure everyone else agreed with him.
Aya smiled at Gaara and wished he would tell her how he felt already. She wanted to move past the friendship and get on with their lives. But she knew better than to rush things. Gaara wasn't as used to love as she was. He didn't accept it or recognize it as easily as she did. So she would wait until he was ready. She just hoped he didn't take too much longer.
"Come on. I'll take you home." Gaara turned and made his way towards the door. "Your family has been worried about you."
Despite knowing she shouldn't rush things. Aya couldn't help saying, "Gaara, you know I love you, right?"
He stopped and turned to face her. Then he just looked at her. She was beautiful. At least to him she was. Considering the way heads turned when she walked by, he wasn't alone in his opinion. Her dark hair fell down her back in thick waves with bangs that fell just above those stunning blue-green eyes. Eyes that were watching him with love and innocence. It still stunned him how easily she accepted him. Without thinking about it, he stepped towards her and pulled her into his arms. Aya snuggled into him with a smile.
Then it hit him. She loved him. Really loved him. How could she? He didn't have a single lovable trait, and yet she loved him. They weren't just words she said. Aya meant them. What was he supposed to do about it? Tell her how he felt? He wasn't sure he should until the Akatsuki was taken care of. Then again, what if he never got them? Or worse, what if they killed him? Did he really want to die without telling her how he felt? Would it make any difference to tell her now? She was still his weakness whether she knew or not. The Akatsuki obviously already know this. That's why they took her not once but twice. So who was he helping by keeping his feelings to himself?
"I know," he whispered. After a moment of hesitation, he added, "I don't want to take you home. I want you to stay."
"Okay," she agreed easily.
He pulled back so he could see her face. Gaara wanted to be sure she understood where this was going. She looked perfectly happy as usual but there was something new in that smile. A smug smile as if she'd just won some battle. Her eyes had a knowing look in them. Aya knew exactly what was happening and didn't mind one bit. Gaara smirked and led the way upstairs.
Aya walked into her clan's compound the next morning on cloud nine. Her mother smiled when she saw the smile. Ruka Hayashi knew that smile very well. She'd had that same look on her face for weeks after her husband finally admitted he loved her. Looks like she won the bet. And everyone else thought it would take him until Aya was eighteen. She knew better. There was no way Aya would wait until she was eighteen.
"Well, someone's happy," Ruka commented absently.
"Huh?" Aya was brought back to earth suddenly. She smiled. "Hi, Mom. Beautiful day isn't it?"
Aya practically skipped her way inside. Ruka smiled. Yup, she'd won the bet. Perfect. That would mean her daughter was happy now. Ruka hummed a happy little tune and made her way inside to collect her winnings. All she could say was, it's about time.
That's it for now. I'll go work on the next chapter. Let me know what you think so far. May also want to visit profile to look at the stories I'm thinking about working on next. If you have a preference just let me know and I'll probably use that one. Or if anyone has a plot idea feel free to share. Until next time.
