Author's note: So what I'm getting is… it is kinda normal to obsess over responses? Thank you to those who answered my question…. And thank you to everyone who wrote me a review. It's definitely a great motivation to keep writing, and to get those chapters out faster.

Chapter 8

The wedding was called off, of course. Gaara would not be marrying Princess Mai… real or fake. Although the motive behind the deception was understandable, it could not be forgiven… at least in context of politics.

Gaara was not sure of what to think of the new developments. Over the weeks, since he exposed her identity, he had selfishly grown accustomed to having Ino around. He had started to take for granted how openly she expressed herself to him. He expected that, for the rest of his mortal life, he would have that. Her smiles had started to penetrate his stony exterior to rid him of his lonely existence. He hadn't even realized her significance until fate had decided to taken her away… once again.

There had been a lot of confusion with the arrival of the new girl. The sand representatives were angry. The citizens of Silver Village were confused. The ceremony was interrupted, and an emergency meeting between the two villages was called. Once they were out of the public's eye, Ino, still dressed glamorously in her wedding attire, had humbly bowed down and openly welcomed Princess Mai home, after searching her mind. Ino then calmly explained the situation. Silver village had hired Konoha to track the Kidnapper of Princess Mai. She explained how she saw the Princess being murdered in the mind of this psychopath. Princess Mai confirmed that the kidnapper had left her dead. Somehow, she survived. She was apparently picked up by a group of travellers, who had nursed her back to health. When she learned that the "Princess" of Silver village was to be married to the Kazekage, she had rushed back to prevent the sham from occurring.

Sand was sympathetic. They expressed compassion for what the Princess had faced, but they could not allow a union to occur. The alliance would be worked out by some other means.

What would have been the wedding reception had turned into a homecoming celebration for the Princess. Ino had appeared at the party with her hair straightened and put up in her familiar ponytail. Gaara watched as Ino laughed and entertained the guests with stories about her "Princess in training" days. If she were at all disappointed by the turn of events, it didn't show in her smile.

After the party, Gaara stood outside of the guest room that Ino was moved into. He debated whether or not he should he should knock on the door. For some reason, he thought of the scene in the Phantom of the Opera where the phantom came from behind Christine's dressing mirror to steal her away into his dungeon. Gaara and Ino had watched the play together a few nights earlier.

"Poor phantom. All he wanted was to be with the woman he loved", Ino adamantly expressed as they were leaving the theatre.

"Poor phantom? He kidnapped her. He tried make her abandon everything she knew. That isn't love. It's obsession." These types of debates were becoming commonplace between Ino and Gaara.

"What's the difference? The way people feel about their lovers… The way their every thought is consumed by them… You wouldn't call Romeo and Juliet obsessed."

"Maybe you would. And what if the attention was from someone you didn't desire it from? Would you call the actions of a stalker acts of love? Is there no distinction?"

"So… are you suggesting that if your affections are returned, then it's love. Otherwise, it's obsession." Ino raised an eyebrow at him.

"Sounds like a fair distinction".

Gaara wondered what Ino would think if he just took her out of her room. They could leave from their balcony… leave the village in secret… leave the scrutinizing eyes of the public… leave his endless obligations… lead new lives…

It was a ridiculous idea of course. He was the Kazekage… he could never just leave. Maybe he could demand her hand in marriage. Silver village had supposedly deceived him into thinking he would have her… it wasn't as if anyone other than Ino herself knew that he had been informed about Ino's true identity well before the wedding. He could insist that he was entitled to her…

But what would she think of him then?

Gaara shook his head and knocked on the door.

"Come in," said a muffled voice from behind the door.

Gaara turned the knob and entered the guest room. Ino was dressed in a silk sleeping gown. She sat at the antique dressing table, and was currently running a brush through her hair.

Ino smiled at him. "Kazekage-sama."

That again…

"You can still call me Gaara."

She nodded.

"Quite the turn of events, huh?" Ino turned to face the mirror. Slowly, she asked "will you be marrying the real Princess Mai now?"

It was a valid question. "No. There will be no wedding."

"Oh?" She sounded surprised. "Is the alliance in danger?"

"No… the but the circumstances won't allow for a marital union."

"I see…"

A pause. The silence was a bit awkward.

"So… um…" Gaara was at a bit of a loss for words. "What… What will you be doing now?"

Ino looked at him again. Her eyes were the colour of twilight. Gaara had always paid much attention to people's eyes. They were the windows to one's soul. They displayed their emotions… their thoughts, their desires. Mostly, he just saw fear. There was no fear in her eyes… just… sadness? "I'll be leaving for Konoha tomorrow."

"So soon?"

"Yeah. They figure it will be less confusing for everyone if I left. I just hope they don't ask for a refund." Another smile, and a disheartened giggle. "Will you be returning to Sand?"

"In a week or so."

Another awkward pause.

"So… I just wanted to see how you were doing. You seem fine, I guess… have a good night… and a safe trip home tomorrow. I don't think I'll be able to see you off. More emergency meetings, and such."

She nodded, knowingly. "I understand… Take care of yourself…"

Gaara and turned away to leave.

"Thank you," Ino offered… it was barely a whisper.

Gaara nodded and left the room, unsure of when he would ever see her again.

Author's note: School's about to pick up, so it'll probably be a few weeks before I get the next chapter out. I'll try my hardest to get something out soon! Thanks again for those reviews!