A/N sorry y'all for the long wait, school has been hectic! To make up for it I'll be posting thrice this week so I hope I have your attention :P also, I'm pretty sure Shadow-Ninja-Captain69 is my only reader :'( therefore this chapter is dedicated to you my friend please R & R & enjoy!

Gaara watched his siblings splash around in the icy pool. He ignored their calls to join in the fun; his thoughts were elsewhere. He was certain that Yuki had called her Sabaku no Chihiru. Were they somehow related to one another? Could he ask without giving anything away? He waited in the heat of the day – waited for the red-haired girl to return to his side.

But Chiru did not show that day, nor the next, or another. Gaara felt as though he were going out of his mind with quiet worry. Worry about someone he barely knew? Gaara was not accustomed to the feeling, and it made him uncomfortable. He wondered whether his siblings ever felt that way about him.

Yet he knew those coppery eyes, that easy smile… everytime he thought of her laugh his chest began to ache. Was he sick? He had never needed a doctor before… his sand made him invulnerable after all. The only one ever to breach that invulnerability had been Naruto, and he was Naruto after all.

Gaara continued his silent vigil – unaware of the passing time and the anxiety of his watching siblings.

(Chiru's POV)

"How could you do this?" Chiru growled, pressing as fiercely as she could against Yuki's neck – without snapping it of course. She was furious with the woman, but a bit of sympathy made her hold back. Stupid sympathy.

"You'll die! I don't want to see Chiru be sad anymore," Yuki cried, trying futilely to struggle from the angry girl's grip. She had never before been more afraid of the child she had raised than just then.

"This was his decision! I will protect Sabaku no Gaara with my life, and you may not interfere," anger welled up inside Chiru when she noticed the pity in Yuki's eyes. The more the old lady made her think about Gaara, the harder it was to follow orders. There was nothing she wanted more than to just cuddle up to him and promise him the world. Gaara was Gaara, after all…She pulled back with disgust, allowing her adoptive mother to fall to her feet.

"This is not you, Chiru. You really love Gaara! Don't keep blindly following orders. Please, you'll just throw your life away for nothing. Please!"

Chiru glanced at the old, worn photo he always had in her back pocket. The photo of herself and a small, red-headed child with icy blue eyes and an adorable teddy clutched to his chest… between them sat her master… and his father.

She didn't read the back of the photo. She didn't have to – those words she had memorized many years ago. Words that made her heart clench pathetically.

"You're right, Yuki, I do love him. Which is why I have to go through with this. If you interfere, you may have to die as well," Chiru didn't look at her as she left again. She was doing her best not to turn around and beg for forgiveness… she needed to stay distant until it was all over. But at least, she could spend a few more days in the company of Gaara. Chiru was overwhelmed with joy that she had gotten to see her beloved one last time… and he seemed much happier than he once had.

(Usual POV?)

The Sand siblings were surprised to find Chiru relaxing by the breakfast table after having disappeared for three days in a row. Yuki was watching the girl cautiously, which made Temari uneasy.

"Where did you disappear to? We thought you'd left!" Kankuro piped up – as dense to the tension in the room as only he could be. Temari wanted desperately to inch away without being noticed and go warn Gaara, but it was too late. Chiru glanced up and smiled brightly at her.

"Good morning, Temari-chan, Kankuro –chan!" She exclaimed, jumping up and handing them glasses of juice. It was at that exact moment Gaara stepped into the room. Temari watched anxiously as her youngest brother stiffened and glared at Chiru.

"Gaara-chan! I made breakfast, come have some. I'm sure you'll love it," Chiru tugged at his sleeve – either completely oblivious to his mood or not giving a damn. Temari glanced over to see some kind of omelette. It was filled with mushrooms and some kind of sauce, which freaked her out. Gaara seemed to feel the same way.

"I don't eat fungus," he told her in his usual emotionless voice. Chiru laughed softly, mushing up his hair as carelessly as if he were her little brother.

"Don't be finicky! You'll love it, I promise!" Gaara seemed completely indifferent to his audience as he gave the omelette a curious sniff and took a small bite. Chiru (who was feeding him with a fork) tilted her head quizzically and waited. After a moment Gaara's eyes seemed to lighten up the tiniest bit.

"It's salty…" was all he said, before taking a bigger bite. Chiru laughed openly, mushing up his hair again. The sight sent shivers down Temari's spine. Is this what Gaara could've been like? Scarfing down omelettes with shining eyes and the slightest tinge of redness in his cheeks? The thought was disturbing.

"Let's go dancing tonight!" Chiru suddenly piped up. Yuki turned from where she'd started the dishes and stared at the girl in shock.

"Chiru-sama, I don't think our guests…"

"Nonsense!" Chiru cut Yuki off, watching Gaara munch childishly on his breakfast.

"They'd love to dance, wouldn't you, Gaara?" Gaara glanced up curiously, feeling embarrassed and some other emotion he couldn't quite identify… he'd always seen people dance at the festivals in the Hidden Sand, but no one had ever wanted to dance with him before.

"I can't dance," he declared, still thoroughly absorbed in eating his omelette. Chiru laughed carelessly.

"I can teach you! A Kazekage that can't dance… that won't do. What are you teaching the boy, Temari-chan?"

"It's horrible living with two boys…" was all Temari replied as she watched her brothers… her comment coaxed another bubble of laughter from Chiru, and for once Temari felt herself relax around the girl. Chiru really didn't seem that bad…

"Very well… there'll be a bonfire festival in the next village tomorrow, I'll notify them that you will be attending," Yuki said, glaring a he cup she was still holding tightly in one hand. Chiru whistled happily, catching Gaara's attention. He watched as the two women ignored on another studiously. The coldness between them seemed baffling. He was pretty sure that Yuki had wanted him to save Chiru, so why were they fighting? Seeing Chiru shoot Yuki a sweet smile made Gaara hesitant to be anywhere near her. The coppery eyes held a tinge of anger so slight he would have missed it entirely had he not expected that something was amiss. He couldn't believe that Chiru – hyperactive, air-headed Chiru – could possibly be mean.

"Temari-chan, what are you going to wear?" Chiru said excitedly, grabbing hold of Temari's hands. The blonde ninja laughed and gushed something about a new dress. It was only when Yuki nudged Gaara ever so softly that he realied that Chiru was still holding Temari's hands as they spoke. Temari was laughing and gesturing, as though she and Chiru had always been the best of friends.

Gaara suddenly had the image of Chiru holding Kankuro's hands the same way… he'd left when it had happened, but had caught a glance from the corner of his eye… come to think of it, Kankuro seemed rather fond of her as well.

Not like that. Chiru is much worse…

Yuki's words had an ominous feel to them as Gaara watched the beautiful girl entertain his siblings. How many times had they touched? Was that the reason he felt so… protective of her? Did he feel protective of her?

"Let's go take a dive!" Chiru shouted excitedly, ushering everyone out. She shot off to the river in a flash, shortly followed by the siblings. Gaara's eye caught a fluttering piece of paper as the copper-eyed girl ran off. He caught it delicately, glancing curiously to see what it was.

The picture made him froze in his tracks. That was definitely himself, along with Chiru and… his father. The man he hated most in the world… that man.

He flipped the picture over. Chiru's friendly call made him glance up guiltily. She was waving at him from further away.

"Come on, Gaara! The water is great!" he waved back, stealing one quick last glance at the photo. It was written there, in his father's unmistakable handwriting.

Your future husband, Sabaku no Chihiru.

Do not fail me.

A/N well there you have it. Chihiru works for evil daddy, who may or may not actually still be alive *insert evil face here* I will update twice more through the week so keep those adorably shining eyes open and pleeeeaaaaaase review! Gaara will leave you a cookie on your pillow if you do!