A/N: breaking up the story into smaller more manageable chapters so updated can come quicker. GO to chapter three for new content

Chapter 2

I stand by your side alert despite the slight headache that I have. You are occupied reading over paper work, and I can't help but notice how beautiful you look when you're concentrating. It seems that my thoughts from last night haven't left me yet, I wonder if it's a side effect of my hang over.

I've become very close to you, and I've really enjoyed our new found friendship and brotherly bond. Still if I'm honest with myself I've noticed your beauty on more than one occasion, even when sober. I'm usually very good at pushing those thoughts away. I mean everyone can appreciate beauty. But now, ever since last night, the thoughts seem to haunt me.

You're my brother, and if I think you're beautiful then it's only me appreciating your looks, nothing more. I think you got the better end of the gene pool, Temari too. I'm very plain looking compared to you. Brown hair dark eyes, there is nothing special about me. On the other hand you have vibrant red hair, and soft green eyes, how can't I notice your beauty? There is nothing wrong with me noticing, right?

"Are you alright?" Your question surprises me.

"Yes, why do you ask."

"You seem distant."

"Just thinking, no worries I'm still alert. I won't let anything happen to you."

"I do not doubt you." You turn back to your paper work, but I notice you glace at me a couple of times.

I wonder how you feel about our relationship. Are you happy that we've become closer, are you still not use to having a brother and sister that care about you? We talk a lot about your dreams and your desire to protect the village, but you are not very open with your emotions and feelings. I don't blame you, for so long all you ever felt was hatred. It must be overwhelming to feel so many positive emotions now. You've come a long way and I can't help but admire you. Maybe that is why I've come to admire your beauty as well.

"Diplomats from Konoha will be arriving in two days." You say while completing a pile of paper work.

"Are you nervous?"

"It will be a new experience for me, but I want there to be good relations between us, so I will try my best to be formal and kind."

"You'll make a great Kazekage Gaara, you need to start believing that."

"Yes, but I still have a lot to prove." You face is emotionless as you say this, but my face drops as the words leave your mouth. It's true, you must prove yourself at this young age, still I wish it wasn't so. It seems like there will always be obstacles in your way, I just hope that you will let me help you when I can.

I'm driving myself crazy. I don't want to listen to my own thoughts anymore. In fact I wish I could just leave the room, but I can't, I won't abandon you. The diplomats arrived today and you are treating them to a lavished feast with all the best traditional Suna cuisine. Even your favorite salted tongue is on the menu. The way you move the way you talk, it's just getting to me. Why am I so focused on you? Why can't I turn away?

You look so elegant and confident. I'm really pleased to see you this confident. However this feeling in my chest goes beyond pride for my brother, but instead there is something more. I don't know if I like this feeling. I don't know if I can trust myself around you with these feelings in my head. What am I, sick? Why do I pay so much attention to you, why do I find you so beautiful?

There are two diplomats, each has a body guard of his own. The guards seem board, probably getting sick of the polite chit chat everyone is engaged in. You seem to be rather comfortable talking to the Konoha diplomats and I'm glad that you are able to perform your duties. The only thing keeping me from having the same board expression as the rest of the guards, are my strange thoughts about you.

"Well Kazekage we thank you for hospitality, but we are tired from our trip. I think it best if we retire for the night."

"Of course, I will not keep you." You look to one of the servants. "Jin please show our guest to their chambers."

"Right away lord Kazekage."

You get up to bid your guest a good night, and then wait for them to leave. Once they've left the room you turn to me.

"I think you did well." I say quickly before you can say anything negative.

"Thank you, Kankuro. I believe our guests are comfortable. Tomorrow I look forward to talking business with them. Hopefully they will be open to sharing their methods of training with us, or at least taking the word back to the Hokage."

"Yeah, so you ready for bed too?"

"I'll retire to my room but I will not sleep just yet." You walk past me, and your arm brushes against my chest just a little. It feels like you hit me running, even though it's just a small sensation. There is really something wrong with me. You're my brother your touch shouldn't affect me so deeply. Pushing aside my strange thoughts I follow you down the hall towards our bedrooms.

You stride is confident and firm, just like a Kazekage. I'm glad to see such confidence in you. You stop in front of your door and look to me.

"Goodnight Kankuro." It's nice to have your eyes on me, and me only. I can't help but feel grateful that you've let me into your life, and that our relationship has grown so much in a positive direction. It's worth the odd thoughts and feelings I'm having about you.

You open the door and step into your room. I smile to myself and turn to open my own door, but then hear the sound of your sand rustling.

"Gaara?" Your sand comes out of your room slamming something against the wall. I take on a fighting pose and put my hand on one of my summoning scrolls. I slowly approach the lump of sand, which is gradually revealing a man with a leaf headband. I take out a kunai and hold it against the man's neck as your sand fully retreats. I rip off the cloth mask over the man's mouth and nose. To my surprise the face is rather familiar.

"Gaara are you ok?" I keep the kunai close to the man, who I recognize as the guy I argued with during your Kazekage ceremony.

"I'm fine, he attempted to attack me, but my sand protected me."

"Looks like this guy was taking advantage of our Konoha visitors to try and blame an assassination on them." I say and rip of the leaf headband. The man finally opens his eyes with a moan. I forcibly pull him up by the arm, kunai still close to his neck.

"I'm taking you in for an assassination attempt on our Kazekage." Once the statement leaves my lips the man starts to struggle.

"Our Kazekage? That monster isn't my Kazekage!" He spits out and uses his free hand to pull at something on his vest. I cut his throat in an attempt to stop him from whatever he's doing. The large cut doesn't hinder his movement and he reaches for a tag on his vest and pulls. I sink the kunai deeper into his throat and yell.

"Bomb watch out!"

There is a large explosion and I close my eyes hoping that my warning gave you enough time to shield yourself with your sand. When I open my eyes I see a large wall of sand in front of me. It stood for only a second before collapsing completely. I see a large hole in the wall letting in the cool air of the desert night, and I also see the bloody remnants of the suicide bomber.

"Gaara?" I turn towards your room to see if you are alright. I see you leaning against the door frame holding your right arm.

"Gaara, are you alright?"You have to be alright, your sand protects you from anything and everything. But then why are you holding your arm in pain?

"I'm fine, how are you?" This is the first time I've ever seen you worried. Not once during a mission were you worried about completing it. You weren't even worried about death, and now you show concern for me?

"I'm fine Gaara, forget about me, what happened to your arm? Didn't your sand shield protect you?" I come to your side and give you my shoulder to lean on while I look at your arm.

"Lord Kazekage?" It's Baki calling for you and I hear the footsteps of many others coming towards us.

"How did this happen?" I ask you as I look at your burnt arm.

"I redirected most of my sand to shield you. There wasn't enough to cover us both completely."

"What the fuck Gaara? You're Kazekage! What does it matter if I die, as long as you're alive?"

Your green eyes look at me point blank. "It matters to me."