Hello! Another chapter done, i hope you're as excited as i am.

Ugh, I almost rewrote this entire chapter. At one point half of it got erased and i spent a fee days just staring at it, not wanting to rewrite the part that got erased. I was sooo good too! I'm still so mad!

Anywho, this is for my lovely followers and the people who reviewed last chapter. I told you i would get it out soon just for you guys!

Anywho, enjoy and review!

Chapter Seven

To Isakso's complete surprise, Gaara actually took up her offer with absolute seriousness. He would show up once or twice, sometimes three, times a week, and she would try to impress him with her improving culinary abilities. It was unexpectedly peaceful. Isakso had never really had any friends, despite her friendly nature. Attachment had always been a hard concept for her after her family died. None of them had died at the same time, but unconsciously it ingrained the belief that it was better to not get attached to anyone because they would be gone someday, and she would be heartbroken. But Gaara was different.

The cool manner he had when he was with her was very unassuming. It didn't seem as if he wanted anything out of her, or had any expectations. He was just there, and it was comforting. When Gaara was with her she didn't feel as nervous or anxious as she did when she was by herself, and putting on a real smile became easier with each visit. His presence reminded her of when he had saved her and inadvertently made her comfortable around the handsome young man.

What she didn't know, was that Gaara did want something from her. It wasn't something most people would call a big deal, but for Gaara the notion itself was mind boggling and seemingly impossible. Gaara wanted Isakso to be his friend.

It was a difficult concept for the young junchuriki to grasp, what friends were. He vaguely remembered trying to be friends with other children when he was younger, but they had all shunned him and run away. It had hurt and caused scars to form in his heart that had contorted to rage and resentment when he got older. But this girl wasn't trying to run from him, she didn't shun him. If anything she seemed to welcome his presence, assuming nothing about him, his personality, or his past.

With the intention to make her his friend in mind, Gaara did his best to be non-threatening. It was difficult to say the least; he had spent most of his life doing the exact opposite, being deliberately threatening to get his way and to assuage the demon's bloodlust. But with his new determination to change himself, his resolve was steady. He still glared at many people, startling civilians who gave him dirty looks, but never more than that.

Iskaso seemed to help some, with controlling his urges. The girl looked at him so trustingly and it was easy to imagine the look that would morph her face if he lashed out violently again. He was sure it would be a mixture of disgust and disappointment. He was also sure that she would push him away and call him a monster, like everyone else.

The day started of bland enough, Gaara did some training early in the morning at a deserted training ground where he knew no one visited. Around mid-non he decided to visit the small dango shop. At first he hadn't taken Isakso's offer seriously assuming that she had just been extending an empty courtesy. Then one day he decided to drop by on a whim. Iskaso had looked so pleased to see him that he had continued to come by. It was…nice, for lack of a better word. No one was ever pleased to see the sand master.

Arriving at his destination Gaara took his customary table in the back corner of the room. It had become sort of reserved for him, mostly due to the fact that no one wanted to be sitting in the same place as him. Although the regulars gave him a wide berth, many of them had actually gotten used to his presence and there wasn't as many glares or stony silences. Life as normal was resuming.

Iskaso noticed him enter and take a seat. Since she was in the middle of helping a customer she only managed a small smile and a short wave. The customer she was helping wasn't a regular, and noticed the gesture in his direction. The man's eye immediately narrowed. The man turned back towards Isakso and started talking very fast and gesturing angrily. Even though Gaara was out of hearing distance, he could tell that the man was talking quite aggressively to Isakso, who was doing her best to pacify the man.

Gaara noticed that nervousness and anxiety were rolling off the girl in waves in response to the man's verbal assault. She seemed to cringe inward. Gaara felt his blood boil a little at the sight, and his sand rattle at the change in his mood. Within a few moments the guy was out the door, but not before throwing a very vicious glare in his direction. Gaara calmed his sand, and noticed that Iskaso was walking over to him wringing her hands slightly.

Isakso took a deep calming breath before walking over to Gaara's table. The nerve of that guy, Gaara had every right to be here. It was a public space. She understood why he was upset. A lot of the villagers acted that way around Gaara, because of what he had done. But that didn't mean that she would approve of his attitude. The man had said some vicious things and scared her very badly. Iskaso didn't react well to yelling, especially from men of any sort. It was too loud to violent and led to memories only a few weeks old.

Isakso approached Gaara's table smiling so he, hopefully, wouldn't question her about what had just transpired. He looked at her coolly for a good while. Isakso had come to understand over the past few weeks that Gaara wasn't a talkative guy and waited to let him speak first.

"He was mad because of me." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah." Gaara's eye tightened, "but he was just being a bigot." She said dismissively. "What do you want today? I made some really good orange flavor dango if you wanna try?"

Gaara almost never ordered for himself, eating whatever she suggested or made. He simply nodded his head in acceptance of her suggestion, noting her commentary about what had just happened. The man bothered him, but surprisingly what he was most bothered about was Isakso's apparent reaction of fear. She hid it well with a smile when she had come over to his table but, being an expert on fear, he could tell it bothered her. He wasn't sure how the girl would react if questioned about it, so he kept quiet.

Isakso made her way to the kitchen trying to forget about the man and focus on getting Gaara some of her newly made treats. It was nice to have someone who would test out her new creations before she served them to the public.

She giggled slightly remembering when Gaara hadn't liked one of her creations so much. His face had twisted in disgust, but he slowly chewed a swallowed. She had been immediately concerned, and told him that he could have spit it out if he didn't like it. Apparently he hadn't wanted to be rude. She had just laughed at his demeanor and told him that they would just not serve that type. He had quickly nodded his agreement.

"His facial expression" She thought to herself with amusement, it had been the first time he had shown anything like that on his face. It made her wonder what a smile would look like. The though calmed her nerves, and a real smile emerged.

Isakso made her way back towards the red head, smiling slightly. She placed the dango and tea in front of him before taking a seat herself. She watched him take an experimental bite before nodding in apparent satisfaction.

"Good?" She questioned expectantly.

Gaara nodded. Isakso smiled before getting up to help other customers. Isakso didn't mind Gaara's silence, when he was in the mood he would talk. Sometimes he just sat silently the entire time he was there. The one consistent thing about his visits were how long he stayed. The teen usually stayed just until Isakso got off. He would leave a few minutes before closing. Tama had commented on it once, even going as far as to nudge Isakso's shoulder suggestively. She had immediately brushed off him implications, Gaara wasn't interested in her like that. Isakso didn't mind his staying though, his presence made her feel more secure.

It was about another hour before Isakso started to feel uncomfortable. She was working diligently and enthusiastically and stopped by Gaara's table a few time to make sure he was doing ok. He was of course. The uncomfortable feeling in her gut stemmed from a man sitting at one of the farther wasn't a regular, in fact she had never seen him before. He wasn't even being threatening, or yelling and causing a fuss, like the man earlier. He was just staring. And it was the way he was staring that made Isakso's palms sweat and hands shake.

"Stop that" She murmured to her self quietly to stop her trembling.

She gulped, taking a shaky breath to try and calm down. It didn't work. Despite her smiles and carefree disposition, Isakso was still nervous around any male except Gaara and her boss. Usually she ignored the feeling and continued on with her work, outwardly treating everyone the same. Inside she was constantly squashing instincts to flee.

It wasn't that hard most of the time. None of her customers were ever threatening, with the exception of the man this morning. This man was different and Isakso recognized the look in his eye and felt like vomiting.

She quickly made her way back to the kitchen.

"Tama-san, do you mind if i take off a little early today?" She asked timidly.

"Go ahead girl. Work to damn much anyway." Her boss responded, not looking up from the stove top.

"Thanks! I'll come in early tomorrow to make it up!" Isakso turned to hang up her apron, missing Tama's eye roll at her workaholic nature.

She quickly made her way to Gaara's table.

"Gaara! Tama-san let me off early!" Isakso exclaimed to the stoic redhead.

Gaara looked at the waitress blankly, wondering what that had to do with him.

Isakso huffed before grabbing his hand a pulling him to his feet.

"That means that we should go do something outside the shop." Before he had time to protest Gaara was already being dragged in her wake.

Before reaching the door Isakso chanced a glance backwards. The man was still watching her. More specifically, her backside. Her cheeks flushed with shame, and she pulled Gaara faster along.

She didn't notice how far they had gone until a raspy voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Isakso" She stopped abruptly at Gaara's voice. They had gone a couple blocks without stopping or slowing the pace.

"oh! Sorry Gaara, i just got to excited i guess." Isakso lied. She released his had missing the course texture almost immediately.

Gaara observed the young girl in front of him. She released his hand, and he was surprised to realize that he missed the contact. No one ever touched him, let alone hold his hand. But Isakso had gripped his hand not only like it was no big deal, but as if it were a lifeline. He wondered if she realized that his hands had killed numerous people. It was a simple pleasure that was only ruined by one thing. Her hands were shaking.

It wasn't because of him, her hands were shaking for another reason and Gaara was sure he knew what it was. He shouldn't care though. This insignificant, weak civilian in front of him was scared. And why should he care. Only a short time ago he would have reveled in her fear, drawn it out. It was a tempting notion that his demon agreed wholeheartedly with. But Isakso wasn't scared of him.

The source of her fear was disturbing and against his better sense Gaara found himself asking "What's wrong?"

The startled look she gave him in response was enough to make him wish that he had never asked the question. Inwardly he panicked, imagining her telling him that it was none of his business and that she didn't want the concern of a monster. Outwardly he remained expressionless, as if he didn't care about whatever answer she choose.

Isakso panicked. What was she supposed to say? That she had run away in blind fear because a man had looked at her? That would be the way to make him think she was weak.

"It's nothing; we just don't get to spend any time together outside of the shop. I got excited; it's ok if you didn't want to hang out with me. I mean I did kinda drag you out of there." She lied again. She fidgeted with her hair momentarily before looking at Gaara's severe expression.

"You're lying." His words were unintentionally sharp, and Isakso flinched slightly.

"I am not!' She was aware she was getting defensive but couldn't help how her voice rose in pitch and volume.

"Yes, you are." The lanky teen moved in closer. "I'm a shinobi remember? I can tell when I'm being lied to." She was up against the wall now. He was so close but not quite touching her, she could feel heat radiating off his chest.

Isakso gulped, before placing a hand on Gaara's chest.

If it were anyone else she would have been panicking and crying at their proximity. But the only thing she felt when Gaara was near was flustered. The blond could feel a hot feeling spreading across her face and wished she still had her long hair to hide it.

Gaara backed off a bit, "You can tell me, isn't that what friends do?"

Isakso peeked up at him, surprised that he acknowledged they were friends. It make her feel elated and sad at the same time. But he was looking her as if he could consciously will her to trust him. It wasn't as if she didn't trust him, she was just used to never having anyone to talk to. And the subject was impossibly shameful.

Isakso took a shaky breath before answering "Yes. That's what friends do." She paused again. "The man at the shop."

"The one who yelled at you?"

She shook her head, "No, a different one...He was looking at me." She closed her eyes, knowing that she was going to have to elaborate.

Gaara was silent, waiting for her to continue.

"I'm always nervous, around men. He didn't do anything but look at me, my body, but i felt like i was back there. Like it was going to happen all over again." Isakso felt the trembling start and moisture gather in the corer of her eyes. Gaara was going to think she was weak and pathetic. Even worse, he might think that she was dirty.

Gaara was silent for a good while and Isakso was incredibly relieved when he finally spoke.

"Do you want me to kill him?" The question was delivered so nonchalantly that she wasn't sure she heard right.

When she looked at him, Gaara's eyes were narrowed, betraying his anger. He was looking at her, expecting an answer. Despite the seriousness of his offer, Isakso found it incredibly comforting, and remembered that he had killed a man for her before.

"No. No, it's ok. I'm just over reacting." Isakso dried her eyes and inhaled the hot Suna air deeply. The two of them stayed like that for a few minutes, one calming form fear the other from anger.

A slight wind picked up and sand and dust swirled around the busy street, harassing pedestrians. The same pedestrians who were giving a mixture os angry to fearful glances at the teens. Unknown to either of them Anbu were also staring at the couple. They had moved in on alter when Gaara had made an advance on the girl. It didn't appear threatening but one could never know with the small psychopath.

Isakso finally calmed her shaky breath and beating heart and smiled at the apparent psychopath.

"I'm so sorry Gaara." She bowed low at the waist in his direction.

"Hn" was his only response other than crossing his arms over his chest.

The blond straightened, "let me make it up too you. I did say we should hang out outside the shop and i wasn't lying about that part!"

She once again grabbed his hand and this time casually led him in the direction she wanted to go. It took about ten minutes before they reached their destination. It was a large cliff face.

Gaara looked at the girl blankly, not understanding what was so great about a wall of rock.

Isakso rolled her eyes, understanding his disbelief that he didn't express wit words. "We have to climb up," she pointed upwards for emphasis. "It take awhile but its worth it, i promise."

She started making her way to the worn train to begin the weary climb upwards, but was surprised when she felt two strong arms picking her up.

She squeaked in surprise and felt her face get hot immediately, "Wha-what are you doing?!"

The sand master just smirked at her before crouching low and leaping. Isakso didn't even have time to scream before they were on the top of the cliff. She had had her face buried in his chest and looked up, blinking in surprise. They were on top of the cliff, in no time at all. Isakso just stared in puzzlement for a minute before remembering that the man holding her was a shinobi.

Speaking of the young man, he was still holding her. And it didn't feel bad. It felt really good, his arms were strong, muscled, and secure. Isakso shook her head to clear the thoughts and was suddenly put down by Gaara. As her feet touched the ground she wobbled unsteadily for a moment before regaining her balance.

When she did she cleared her throat awkwardly, "This is it!" She walked over to the edge

The view from the cliff was magnificent. The whole village was laid out before the two teens. It looked as if it came right out a dream-scape, the buildings jutting upwards and the people impossibly small dots.

"I used to come up here a lot. After father died. There was no one left, and being above the village, being able to see everything, made me feel less alone." Isakso smiled sadly at the memories.

dusk started to fall and the couple stayed in silence, enjoying the company and sunset.

A new chapter woot woot!

Decided to add just a touch of fluff for you guys!

Happy Valentines Day! ^_^ 3

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