Gentle.
I could feel the butterfly rest on the tip of nose. The urge to sneeze quickly followed when the little critter started to slowly flap its wings. I sneezed loudly and the butterfly quickly took flight.
"Are you sick?" Aiko asked, the wind carrying her voice.
She was making her way across playground towards me and sat beside me. We both were silent for while. I was content just sitting beside her. I would be content to just sit beside her the rest of my life. This feeling of peace always followed Aiko around, and when I was near her, it would settle in my heart.
We were outside the city walls, as we usually are. Not too far though.
"Ne…Gaara…" her voice was like a whisper.
She rarely called me without honorifics, only when she was worried or embarrassed.
I sat up and looked at the girl beside me. One year has passed since she first spoke to me, yet each time I see her it feels as if it was our first encounter. I believe her first words to me will always play in my head, over and over.
I want to be your friend Gaara-kun. Again and again.
"Gaara-kun?" her voice broke me out of my thoughts.
"Aiko it's your birthday soon," I say.
I guess that what she wanted to say involved her birthday by her reaction. I could tell she was surprised by the way her left eyebrow rose slightly for a slight second. Her cute smile followed suit and was it…shyness I detect? Her fingers twiddled around each other and for a moment, I wondered how her hand would feel in mine.
"Yes it is. I'm turning 7!" her voice broke me out of my thoughts.
I smiled. She smiled back at me, obviously really happy that I was smiling. Even after she became my friend, I still felt lonely and rarely smiled. Yashamaru's death still haunts me and whenever I close my eyes I can see his face. The loving face that I grew up looking at. But, right before I killed him, his face was distorted with anger and disgust, at me.
Me. Monster.
My smile faltered. She noticed and put a hand on my shoulder. I am greedy though, I wished for an embrace, not just her comforting hand. But, she was here and I need not think of the past. My smile returned.
The sun moved quickly across the sky as we made small talk. The moon rose. It was night, my favorite time of the day. Everything, especially the city was quiet during the hours of the moon. Everyone was in the safety of their homes, sound asleep. Only the faint sound of the patrols footsteps and whispers can be heard.
They guard the city walls, watching and listening for any signs of danger from the other villages. Other dangers also lurk around, but most of the threat was from the other villages. Even though it seemed like all the villages were on friendly terms, there has been stray ninjas found trying to stir trouble in the Sand Village and I disliked all of the villages out there.
"It is late Aiko. You should return home," I tell her, or more like ordered her to.
Even though I enjoy her presence, I've never really shown it to her. There was a fear deep down in me that if I ever confided everything to her and poured all my feelings out, she would abandon me. Like everyone else has. Leave me all alone again, for the rest of my life.
Without a word she nodded and pulled herself up away from my side. The wind blew then and I could feel a chill in my spine. My thoughts were elsewhere when I grabbed a hold of hand without myself knowing. I heard a soft gasp escape her lips.
Before she could ask what was wrong I pulled her back down and something flew past where her head had been seconds ago. My instincts kicked in and sand escaped the jar that was quickly pulled onto my back.
Under the moonlight I tried to find the attacker that had tried to assassinate my Aiko. Minutes passed but it was quiet again. I felt no signs of the attacker. Yet, my heart was still thumping loudly in my chest, adrenaline rushed in my veins as I continued to try and find him. Or her.
I was enraged. Who would do this. I yelled, my voice filled the night air and most likely reached the village. I saw light appearing out of the dark houses.
A hand reached for my face. I snapped out of it. Aiko pulled my face towards her and my forehead rested on her forehead. Breathing heavily I looked into her dark brown eyes that appeared black in the dim light of the moon. The instant she touched me I felt my anger diminishing, but it left a deep feeling of fear. This attack would not be the last, and I was sure it was not the first.
She had most likely been attacked before but never told me. That was how she stayed so calm when others would have been a pathetic pile of trembling bones. It was then that the fear was replaced by regret. Had I not ever allowed her to be my friend, she would be safe.
"It is not your fault Gaara-kun." Her voice was barely above a calm whisper.
Her hand still held my face. Then, she hugged me. I could smell the light scent of gardenias in her hair. She held me tight and I could feel her heart beating in her small chest. My hands stay limp at my side. I was shocked.
Whatever she was trying to do worked since I felt nothing but surprise at her bold action.
"Walk me home.." she said.
Now she was the one to order me around. Now she had absolute control over me. Control over my person, my mind, my actions, and my heart.
Authors note: Hello everyone! I have finally released chapter 4 of Gaara's Story and couldn't be more excited and proud. It's been a while since I last wrote anything (except essays) and it feels so good to write again. Hopefully the writers block doesn't settle in anytime soon. I am thinking that chapter 5 will be up before the 23rd? Yes? I will work hard to post it up by next Wednesday! Thanks for reading :)