Gaara heard some footsteps outside walking downstairs and he's sure that it's his older sister, Temari. He slowly got up from bed and walked towards the door. He was close to holding the door knob but a thought stopped him. "Should I really tell her about it?" he asked his self. But the feeling was really bugging him and sometimes, it does affect his duties as the village leader. He shook his head, "No. I need to talk to her. I bet she knows what's happening, she always does."
He successfully got out of the room and walked down the stairs which was just 5 steps away from his door. He could already hear the blonde kunoichi settling the frying pan on the stove. He sighed and went to the kitchen. Temari sensed his baby brother behind and she was ready for a smiling greeting. "Ohayo Gaara. So finally, you're gonna have your breakfast?" there was a mocking tone in her voice but he just shrugged it off. He needed to extract information from her (AN: Extract, that's so harsh!).
"Temari, I need to talk to you about something," he muttered. The blonde faced her redheaded sibling and paid attention to what he will say; she sensed that it's important base from his voice. 'What is it Gaara?" she asked while motioning for him to sit down. As both were seated, he began. "What do you call that feeling when your heart suddenly jumps then it beats abnormally fast, there's a warm sensation inside…," he stopped. "Go on," she said. "You feel nervous and you have weird flying and flapping inside your stomach?" Temari knitted her brows as if she's thinking, "Is that all?" He averted his gaze to the table, "… and some blushing." She looked away and her eyes semi-widened, could it be? Could it be that he's… She looked at his troubled face. A small smile formed on her lips. "Gaara, do these things happen when you're around with a certain someone?" she asked. His teal eyes blinked then he said, "Yes." She leaned closer and asked, "What else Gaara? What else do you feel?" He looked shy but then he answered, "When I look at that someone, I feel lightness in my chest. I don't want the person to go away nor leave my sight. And when that person caught me staring at her, I… I felt embarrassed. And the odd blushing comes in."
Temari grinned to herself. She practically knew what's happening to her baby brother. She immediately switched her face into a serious one. "Gaara, may I know who this person is?" she asked, hoping she'll know who's the person her brother likes. Gaara's eyes narrowed, "No." She felt like she turned into a rock. "Aww, come on Gaara! Tell me. I'm your big sister!" she whined. "Just tell me what's happening," he said in a monotone voice. She smirked, "What do you think is happening, ne?" "I was thinking that Shukaku might have a new craving again," he answered. Temari nearly burst out laughing but she stopped herself before Gaara kills her.
She took a deep breath and exhaled. "I think that's a common symptom," she said. Gaara was still confused and it was obviously sticking out on his face. "Of what?" he asked impatiently. She smiled insuringly and replied, "Gaara, you're having a thing called puppy love." He raised a non-existing brow, "Puppy love?" He knows what love and puppy is, but he doesn't have any idea what the heck means when two words join. She closed her eyes, "Puppy love is the love or infatuation felt by adolescents." Gaara processed this information in his mind. "It means you like that person," she explained.
But Gaara knew in his mind that he doesn't just like Isamu. There was something more, although he doesn't know what that more is. "An infatuation or crush that may slowly develop into love. A romantic kind of love," she explained. He noted these things in his brain. He sure knows love. He reads some books about it when he was five or six. But he never experienced it, ever. "Romantic love, it's that love that is felt by lovers," he thought. He looked back to Temari with narrowed eyes, "Are you sure Temari?" he asked. "Quite sure Gaara," she answered with a smile. Oh she can't wait to tell Kankurou about this. "Thank you for the information," he stood up but before he left, "Don't ever tell it to anybody." With a dangerous aura, "Or else…" Temari gulped, "I promise Gaara, no one will know!"
.
.
Gaara tousled his damp crimson locks after sliding into his Kazekage robes. It was merely 5:03 in the morning but he felt like he should be early today. He finished a lot of work last night so he really doesn't need to be early today. The sand came out from his gourd and teleported him to the entrance of the Kazekage building. The ninja guards were alert as they saw the redheaded Suna leader went in. They bowed as he passed by.
.
He was nearing to his office when he noticed someone sitting beside the door outside. She was hugging her knees together while a clothed box was in front of her. She was in her pajamas and loose t-shirt which were both pink. She's even wearing her fluffy bedtime slippers, which was color white. She was like hanging her head low as if she's sleeping.
He approached her and kneeled to her level, she didn't even move. He suspected that she's sleeping. He knew from the start that the girl is Isamu. "She's earlier than me," he thought. The redhead placed a hand on her shoulder and gently patted her. She seemed to shift and soon, she yawned before looking up. Her sleepy eyes widened slightly when she saw her Kazekage waking her up. She immediately stood up and grabbed the bundle then greeted him. "Good morning!" she said before bowing in respect. Gaara stood up and inspected her from head to foot. She was still on her night clothes; her hair was seemed neatly combed, somehow. She has washed her face and he was sure she brushed her teeth without even eating her breakfast yet. There were dark eye bags under her eyes.
"Hn," then he walked in his office. He was already inside but he was wondering why she's still outside. When he checked, she's still bowing to no one. "Isamu," his voice was deep and slightly loud. Her head shot up as she gasped, "Sir, yes, sir!" When her eyes opened, she was talking to the wall. She mentally slapped herself and then looked inside. She saw a slightly impatient redhead sitting in his chair and tapping his fingers against the desk. "Oh god…," she whispered.
.
"You seemed to be early," he commented at the still sleepy Isamu. "Hai… yawn," answered the raven haired girl weakly. The bento box was already on his desk while she stood in front of him. "Uhm, Gaara," he paid attention to her. "I'm sorry for being too early and for coming here…," she rather not say sleepy, "…unprepared," she mumbled. He sighed, "Its okay." "I really intentionally came here early because," she shifted uncomfortably; "I want to spend more time at home." Gaara knew that she slept late last night. Without him knowing, she woke up an hour after he left. After that, she wasn't able to go back to sleep.
"I understand, you may go home now," he spoke. He wanted to have her with him for much longer but he wants her to rest. "Arigatou, Gaara," she murmured. She then left after saying, "Enjoy your breakfast, Gaara-kun."
He inwardly smiled to his self, "So I like Isamu."
.
.
As soon as Isamu arrived in her bedroom, she immediately collapsed on her bed and fell into deep slumber. She made sure to herself that she'll wake up before she ruins Gaara's lunch. She, in fact, had her menu ready.
.
"If I get out of here, I swear I'll crush these paper works before destroying this village," growled Shukaku. Gaara just stared down at the papers and muttered, "It's even fewer now." The sand demon snorted, "Hah! Of all the bijus, I'm the one stuck with a hero." He just sighed and continued signing each paper he could find.
"Hey brat," the demon called, "don't you miss her?" Gaara averted his teal eyes towards the clock. "What do you mean?" "Aw, Gaara-chan, don't try to deny it." The redhead didn't say anything but the heartbeat of his is getting faster. His anxiousness is back again in just a mere mention or thought of her. "You want to see her now, don't you?" asked Shukaku. He tilted his head, it somehow caught his attention. "Why do you ask?" Gaara questioned. Shukaku only chuckled. "A little visit won't hurt," he said. Gaara pondered for awhile then he stood from his seat, leaving his paper works unfinished and scattered all over the table. "Where are you going?" asked Shukaku. He just replied, "Hn."
.
.
Isamu yawned as she mindlessly kicked the pillow off the bed. She slowly opened her eyes and stretched herself. After lying for more minutes in the soft mattress, she climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom. It was like she's moving like a robot. She automatically took off her clothes, threw them aside, turned on the shower and took a bath.
She was fully awake and was glad that her nanny has prepared her clothes inside the bathroom along with her towel. When she came out from the bathroom, she was all ready. She proceeded to the kitchen to prepare for lunch time.
.
.
The Kazekage came upon the big steel gate and knocked. A ninja, preferably a guard, came out. The said guy bowed as he saw the newcomer, "Good morning Kazekage-sama." Gaara nodded and he was welcomed inside.
"Where is Isamu's house?" the redhead asked as if he didn't know. "I'll be glad to guide you there, Kazekage-sama," the ninja said rather than answer his question. He just nonchalantly followed the man. Soon, he recognized the house they were walking towards at. "That's her house, Kazekage-sama," then Gaara motioned for him to leave.
.
The rice is done and the beef soup is almost ready. Isamu leaned against the sink and looked down her newly washed hands. Then, she sat on her chair, "Sigh, I guess these shorts are too short." She was wearing mini shorts and a baggy shirt that cover's her shorts, almost. Her nanny is still away for grocery and she was expecting that the woman won't be coming home until late afternoon.
.
Gaara stood on the front door and knocked twice.
.
She heard a some sort of knocking and stood up from her seat. She walked across the living room and went to the door. "Who could this be? I'm sure it's not nanny," she thought as she opened the door.
.
He was greeted by Isamu herself.
.
She nearly gasped, oh my god. "Kazekage-sama, please come in," she said as she motioned for him to get in. He walked into her abode and sat on the couch. Isamu was near to panicking. Did I do something? "Uhm, Gaara, what brings you here?" she asked. He crossed his arms, "I just went for a walk," he answered coolly. "Oh…," she muttered. Gaara looked at her and a huge blush crept to his face. "What the hell is she wearing…?" he thought. Isamu noticed this and looked down at her attire, "Oh my god!" She was blushing madly in embarrassment. The Kazekage saw her in just her mini shorts. For her, she was being rude. "Please excuse me for awhile!" she ran to her room and changed into something appropriate.
.
She came out, now dressed in below-the-knee pants and the same shirt she wore earlier. She saw the redhead staring at the pictures hung on the walls. Some were pictures of her. She bit her lower lip and approached him. "Gaara-kun, lunch is ready," she said softly. He nodded and followed her to the kitchen.
.
It was quite uneasy for him to have his lunch now that Isamu is eating with him in the same table. She always had a small smile in her lips that makes his heart throb loudly. It was like he's not in a proper mindset at the moment. He stared down his plate and wished that Isamu would leave for awhile so he could fix his self.
He stopped on what he's doing when he sensed her look at him. He met her gaze and saw her gentle smile that caused butterflies in his stomach. "Gaara, don't move," she murmured in a mellow voice. She reached out to the side of his lips and wiped-off a stain with a clean hanky. "There," she said while smiling. He was mesmerized on how gentle she is when she touched him. This almost made him want her hand to touch his face forever. "Th-Thank you…," he mumbled.
.
He watched her as she cleaned the table and washed the dishes. He thought of an image of a mother. Then, a thought came to his mind. How would it be like if she will be the mother of his child? Just thinking of this nearly made Gaara slap his self. Of course that will never happen. Who would want me as their husband? It somehow made a dull pain in his chest.
Isamu finished her work and wiped off her hands against her apron. "I'm sorry I've got you waiting. But, I'm done now," she informed. He looked at her with calm eyes and just nodded. Her hair was in a ponytail and it sways whenever she moves. She walked out of the kitchen after getting her apron off and hanging it on the wall.
"Gaara, if you have nothing to do, you can stay if you want," she said across the room. He was glad to hear it from her. "She wants me to stay," he thought. "Fine, I'll stay," he mumbled. "Way to go!" Shukaku roared. "Shut up, "he thought.
.
"Gaara-kun, I hope you won't get bored with me," she said as she slipped into her sandals. No, I won't, he thought. She went over to him and frowned slightly on his attire, he raised a brow. "Aren't you uncomfortable in that robe? The last time I wore one, I swear I can't last an hour wearing it," she said. It was truly uncomfortable; it's hot and slightly heavy. "I'll remove it," he murmured tonelessly, as usual. Gaara tried to slip his arm out but he can't. He always let Temari do it or Kankurou.
Isamu sighed, "Gaara-kun, you need help." She helped him get the annoying robe. Gaara was still blushing uncomfortably while Isamu was almost hugging him. Well, she really didn't know how to get it off. It was big and heavy, duh. Soon, they successfully put the robe aside. Isamu folded it neatly and put it on the couch.
She grinned, "There, now you look like your age." He mumbled out a small, "Arigatou." He was wearing his brown attire but without his gourd. "Let's go out. I've got something to show you," she said in an almost childish manner. Gaara followed her out to the backyard to see what she wants to show him. They came upon a small doghouse. When they peek in, Gaara saw a cat with her kittens. "They're so cute, aren't they?" she asked in a voice above whisper. He let his self smile, even for a bit. "Yes, they are," he answered.
He looked at her surprised face. "What?" he asked. "Gaara, can you do that again?" she asked. "Huh?" he said in confusion. "Smile again," she murmured. He froze, she saw me? "Please, smile for me, Gaara-kun," she begged yet her voice was gentle. He sighed and miraculously, he smiled, just a bit. Isamu couldn't believe her eyes; he really did know how to smile. She smiled back, "You know, you should smile more often. It suits you, Gaara-kun." She giggled, "I like it." Now, Gaara was blushing, "… R-Really?" She just hmm-ed and went back to the kittens.
.
.
.
Gaara sighed in unknown feeling, only him knows. He was almost finished with the pile of works and now evoking his day with Isamu. "Ahem. I can smell love…," said Shukaku in a sing-song. Gaara averted his gaze to the wall and murmured, "Shut up." Shukaku sneered at his host, "Aww, c'mon brat. You can't hide it from me. Don't you remember Temari's words?" "She said I just like her, that's all," he answered. "But you said it's not just a 'like', it's more than that, remember?" "Hn. I don't know. Just shut your trap, you're just confusing me." "Sigh, whatever brat."
.
"I don't know this feeling. I feel like… I feel like I needed to…," Gaara slightly frowned, "… have her." He stood up from his swivel chair and walked across the room. "This, this feeling's corrupting my mind. It's supposed to be clear, not a mess," he thought. His Kazekage robe brushed against the floor as he paced back and forth. He never imagined that he, Gaara no Subaku, is getting anxious all of a sudden. What's more startling is he's found a certain fondness in his old enemy. "This is getting out of hand," he mumbled. He decided to think….
.
.
After 2 hours and a half of careful judgment…
He came up with a decision…..
.
.
.
"I'm going to have her."