It had been a few years since I was in the Sand Village, I thought to myself as I walk through the gates. Seven years to be exact. I traveled around other villages for years, trying to find a place where I belonged, yet I found myself back in the Sand Village. I walked by my old apartment complex on the outskirts of the village, the complex had been condemned and there was no life to be found inside. It didn't exactly bring up fond memories, so I hurried along. I only came back for Temari, I reminded myself. Temari was getting married to some weird guy from the Hidden Leaf, all that I could remember about him was that he liked to say everything was a drag. But hey, if they like each other, who cares?

I decided to check into an inn since I had nowhere else to stay. Temari offered her house, but she was getting ready for her wedding in a few days and I didn't want to get in the way. I picked an inn near the center of the village, I knew the inns were nicer in that area and I didn't want to be reminded of my old, ratty, apartment. I was exhausted from traveling the past few days and laid down to rest. I didn't mean to fall asleep, I only meant to rest for a bit before exploring the village again. I was sent into dreams of the past.

I'm in the Sand Village from seven years ago, back before I left. It's the beginning of the Sand Village's Christmas Eve festival and Temari and I were dressed in festive kimonos. I remember arguing with her about getting dressed up, but it didn't matter now, I was just so happy to be there with her, Kankuro, and Gaara. Even the boys were wearing kimonos, but only because of Temari. She had us all wrapped around her finger.

Temari dragged us all around most of the night, and even though I hate to admit it, I had fun. Kankuro won a ring toss and gave me the stuffed frog just to spite Temari. We even managed to get Gaara to play the shell game, which he was astonishingly horrible at. He never guessed the right shell, we had to tear him away from the game to keep him from losing more money.

Temari demanded we do karaoke before the end of the night, claiming it was a yearly tradition. According to Kankuro, the tradition was Temari forcing everyone to karaoke traditional Christmas carols. Gaara had been silent most of the night, although his expression was bright. Temari did drag us all to a karaoke bar, but on the way, we ran into a girl that knew Gaara. She seemed to know him well, she hugged him and came along with us. Temari whispered to me that her name was Matsuri and that she knew Gaara well. Black smoke floated through the air, but no one else seemed to notice. The girl had short, dusty, brown hair and she was wearing a bright kimono, it reminded me of fireworks. She was giggling and chatting with everyone else so easily and I felt like I was being pushed out of the picture.

I needed to leave, something was wrong, everything was wrong. I felt like I was interrupting any time I tried to add to the conversation. I couldn't understand the words everyone was saying, it was just buzzing to my ears. The music was too loud, the lights were too bright, the smoke was too thick. I slipped out of the karaoke bar, but the music still blared in my ears. I stood outside gasping for breath. I saw the door open, and Gaara slipped out. The music and light faded, I only saw Gaara. To my dismay, the girl from earlier followed him out. They didn't notice me, so I kept silent. The girl pulled a gift from her kimono and gave it to Gaara, he gave her a gift in return. They were both blushing when the girl suddenly kissed him. He seemed surprised at first, but returned the kiss.

In that instant, I felt my heart sink into my stomach. I had hoped that Gaara had felt something towards me, anything at all, but he was just being nice to me. To the stupid, poor, orphan girl who worked for his older brother. I walked away, I didn't look back.

I woke up in a cold sweat feeling bleak. I barely knew the guy for a few days, of course he had a girlfriend or whatever she was. But that was seven years ago, I shouldn't still care. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. I was going to the wedding with Kankuro anyway, Gaara probably didn't even realise I had feelings for him all the way back when we were teenagers. I texted Kankuro to see if we could meet up, I wanted to catch up with him. It had been a while since I last saw him, I owed him that much, and if I was being honest, I missed my old boss. He almost instantly texted me back, as if he had been watching his phone all day, waiting for me to tell him I was in the village again. He told me to meet him at his new cafe.

I chose to walk to the cafe and take my time, I wanted to see how the village had changed. The buildings were the same, dust still blew through the streets, but people seemed happy. There were plenty of new shops, children I didn't recognize played in the streets, the village looked even better than it did when I left. I arrived at Kankuro's cafe and opened the door. Familiar bells rang in my ears and the sweet scent of coffee filled my nose.

"Welcome to the Sand Cafe!" I froze in my steps as I realized who greeted me. It was the girl from Christmas Eve. It was Matsuri.

I forced a smile and said, "Hi, I'm Teiraa. I'm here to see Kankuro?"

Matsuri smiled back at me and exclaimed, "He said he was expecting a guest, he didn't tell me it was the notorious Teiraa!"

"Notorious?" I pondered aloud.

She laughed, her laugh sounded like a wind chime. It matched her girly physique and fashionable outfit. "He, Temari and Gaara talk about you a lot. We still serve your signature drink!"

I rolled my eyes. My "signature drink" was an orange and dark chocolate late. It wasn't finessed when I left, it wasn't a drink worth keeping on the menu. A customer entered, so I left Matsuri with a curt nod and walked back to Kankuro's office and rapped on the door.

The door swung open before I even finished knocking and I was wrapped up in a hug before I had time to react.

"Kankuro!" I laughed while I tried to shrug him off. "Let go of me, you know I hate hugs."

"Don't try to push me away, I missed you, you big idiot!" He was laughing too. He unexpectedly let go of me and was replaced by Temari, who had an even tighter grip on me. She was crying so much I couldn't understand anything she was trying to say. I looked helplessly at Kankuro, who had fallen to the floor. He shrugged back at me.

"Temari, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" I tentatively patted her back as I tried to calm her down. I was beyond uncomfortable. Today could not get any more weird. First I have that stupid dream about the last time I was with everyone in the village, then I have to talk to Matsuri, then Kankuro hugs me, and now Temari is clinging to me while sobbing. Pretty sure my whole body is soaked with her tears.

Temari calmed down enough to speak and stated though her tears, "I didn't think you'd come, sis." It struck me that maybe I should have written them more letters or returned more of their calls. I had been gone for seven years, after all.

"I didn't know it meant that much to you," I replied. I was dumbfounded. Who knew Temari was the type to shed tears over an old friend.

My reply was met with a swift knock to my head, "Of course it means that much to me," she snorted, "You're my little sister."

I put my hands on my head as Kankuro sighed from the floor, "She's still on the 'Teiraa is my sis' deal."
We all laughed and chatted for hours. Temari told me all about her fiance, who was soon to be her husband. Kankuro told me how well the shop was doing and how he was planning on opening a third location soon and was looking to expand to other villages. I didn't have much to tell, I had only picked up odd jobs and trained in the years that I was gone. I eventually plucked up the courage to ask about Gaara and what he had been up to in the past few years. Temari and Kankuro looked at each other, which made me all the more nervous.

"Gaara is the Kazekage now," Kankuro started.

Temari interrupted, "He's even more popular now, all the girls in the village fawn over him. Especially Matsuri. When you left, he poured himself into bettering himself. He's opened up a lot too, I think he's really happy." I smiled, but the feeling was bittersweet. I had liked Gaara in the past and I chose not to get close to anyone after. I tried to date, but nothing lasted. I thought back about Matsuri. If Gaara was happier now than ever, she must be something special. I excused myself to wash off my face in the restroom. I stood in front of the mirror and stared at myself. My hair was long now, nearly down to my waist, but I looked exhausted. I had dark circles under my eyes that makeup couldn't hide, my freckles made me look childish, and I always looked like I was frowning. I felt like even my clothes made me look childish. When I bought it, I thought the short, forest green kimono with tiny yellow flowers looked mature, but even with black thigh highs, I looked like a child. Everyone had made something of themselves, and then there was me. The girl who was stuck, I couldn't even get a guy to look my way, much less someone who was now the Kazekage. Not when a bombshell like Matsuri was around. I shook my head and wiped the water from my face. This trip was about Temari's wedding and catching up with old friends, not getting dejected. Who cares about Matsuri? I'm here for Temari, not Gaara.

I was lost in my thoughts when the door opened. I glanced in the corner of the mirror to see who had entered, of course the last person I thought would show up was here. My breath caught in my throat as I saw him.

He was panting as if he had been running, his bright red hair was slightly disheveled, he was wearing the traditional Kazekage robes, but it was undeniably Gaara.

I pivoted and sputtered, "What are you doing in here?"

"What am I," Gaara was still trying to catch his breath, but a slight smile cracked across his lips, "This is the men's room, Teiraa."

I froze. Was I really in the men's room? Was I that upset that I didn't notice I was in the men's room? I felt a hot blush creep over my cheeks and ears. Gaara held open the door, gesturing for me to follow him out. Sure enough, I saw the sign when I walked out. I was in the men's room. Matsuri was trying to stifle her giggling from behind the register. I was utterly embarrassed, I couldn't believe I had been gone for seven years only to have Gaara find me in a men's restroom. Gaara grabbed my arm as he sat on one of the couches so I would sit with him. He kept his grip on my wrist and he smiled at me, it was almost like he was trying to keep me from slipping away again.

"Sorry, you always seem to find me in compromising situations," I mumbled. I didn't even know where to start, there were so many questions I had for him. There was so much I wanted to tell him, but I was crippled by my embarrassment. He just sat there, holding my wrist, smiling. It almost didn't seem real.

"You truly are helpless," he sighed, "Nothing about you has changed."

"That's not true," I exclaimed, "My hair is much longer now and… And…" I trailed off. I really hadn't changed much, but Gaara looked so different. He looked energized, calm, collected. "Well, what about you? You haven't changed a bit either. And I can see your hair is the exact same as before." He smiled even wider and I was suddenly aware of how close we were. I slipped my wrist out of his hand and scooted back a bit, I could feel Matsuri's glare on my skin like fire.

"I've changed, I'm a better person now," He stated, matter of factly. "And you could say I also got a promotion." He gestured to his robes.

I feigned surprise, "What? You? Are you sure you didn't steal those Kazekage robes?"

We continued to chat until it was dark outside. Kankuro and Temari joined us after a while, it was almost like old times again. After the shop closed, Matsuri joined us, squeezing herself between Gaara and me, though I wasn't surprised. I couldn't blame her, I wouldn't want some random girl so close to Gaara if he was mine either. I finally excused myself to go rest at the inn again, it had been a long day after all. Kankuro offered to walk me there, but I politely declined.

"I'm an adult, I don't need to be escorted everywhere I go," I stated flatly, "Plus Temari would probably enjoy an escort." She shook her head in dismay, she knew I wanted to be alone but didn't want to let me seclude myself. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate the offer, I'd just rather collect my thoughts on my way back.

"Sassy as ever," Kankuro snickered. He and Temari waved as we parted ways.

I watched as Gaara escorted Matsuri, she clung to him as if her life depended on it, glaring back at me. I shuffled along on my own, wandering around the village. I wasn't tired, I didn't need to rest. I needed to sort out everything that had happened. All I wanted was to know Gaara better, but the more I learned, the less I felt like I knew him. Temari and Kankuro were so much easier for me to figure out. I was tired of feeling this way about him, I was tired of him consuming me. He had Matsuri, I should just be a supportive friend.

A bar sign caught my eye, I decided to stop in until I was tired. It was dimly lit, but there were plenty of people. People smoked pipes and cigarettes freely inside while sipping on drinks. There was music playing faintly throughout the building. I sat at a table in the back and ordered some green tea to sip on while I collected myself. As the night wore on, the people got rowdier. From the back, I couldn't see the door, although I could hear is open and close. I heard the door open and the small crowd of people who had been in the bar all night became more electrified than before. A small crowd of people surrounded someone, but when I leaned to try to see what all the commotion was about, I accidentally bumped into someone I didn't recognize.

"Watch where you're going, brat," the huge man with a beard I bumped into growled at me. I apologized. He sat beside me and raised his eyebrows, "Oh, you're not a little girl. You just look like one." He eyed me up and down, it felt like he was taking my clothes off with his eyes. I suddenly felt gross, I no longer wanted to be at the bar. As I stood to leave, the burly man I had accidently bumped earlier grabbed my arm.

"Hey girly, why don't you let me buy you a drink before you go?" I shook my head and politely declined.

"I'm trying to treat you, little girl. Just accept it." I wrenched my arm out of his grasp.

"I already said no thanks, I'm not interested. I have to leave now."

He grabbed both of my arms and growled in a low voice, "You're coming with me, you owe me that much. No one here can stop me, even if they tried." He wasn't going to let me go as easily as I had thought. I just wanted to go out and drink some tea quietly, why did this bear of a man with breath that smelled of sake have to get in my way?

"This is your last warning, let me go or I will resort to other methods," I snapped. He chuckled and began dragging me towards the back exit. I quickly made signs with my hands and activated my jutsu, "Earth Style: Binding Chains!" The ground rose up around the hairy man and chained him to the spot. The man snarled and tried to break the jutsu that held him in place, but I was free. I ran towards the front door, scrambling through the small crowd that had gathered. Someone grabbed my arm again. I turned swiftly, wrenching my arm again, but I recognized who grabbed me.

"Gaara? What are you doing? I thought you went home with Matsuri?" I questioned him, glancing behind me to see if the burly man was still following me. "Let go, I need to get out of here." He followed my gaze, then grasped my hand and pulled me out of the bar with him. We ran together down the street, we didn't stop running until we had long left the bar behind. We were both gasping for air.

Gaara looked at me and laughed breathlessly, "How do you always get in trouble? It's like it follows you wherever you go." I snorted. It did seem like trouble followed me everywhere I went. Gaara stood up straight and looked at my arms, which were now starting to bruise from the grip of the bear-like man. "When did you learn that jutsu?" He asked. I seemed more like he was talking to himself than asking me.

I replied, "You're not the only one who's become stronger in these past few years."

Gaara asked softly, "Would you like me to walk you back to the inn?" I looked at him blankly, but I could feel my face flushing. I turned my head away swiftly.

"I'm okay-" but before I could finish my sentence, Gaara interrupted. He wouldn't take no for an answer, but I was honestly glad he was coming with me. Even though I can take care of myself now, I was still pretty freaked out. All the way back, he kept close enough that our clothes brushed against each other as we walked. His expression was unreadable. I invited him into my room for some tea before he headed back, I didn't like how quiet he was. Gaara sat on the edge of my bed as I started heating a pot of water for tea. My hands were still shaking as I set down the tea cups on the side table.
Gaara placed his hand on mine as he pondered, "Are you okay?" I slipped my hand away, all I could think when I looked at him was Christmas Eve seven years ago. It was a happy memory, tinged with sadness. I went back to the kettle of boiling water and poured it into the teapot.

"I'm fine," I replied with a reassuring smile, although I didn't feel fine. I had a million emotions swirling around in my chest, happy, sad, scared, excited, overwhelmed. A few minutes passed in silence. I was lost in my thought, but Gaara ripped me from my thoughts. He was pouring the tea into our cups. "Sorry, I'm such a poor host. I should have gotten that for you." He shook his head to let me know he didn't mind. We sipped our tea, still silent. You could feel the tension in the air. We both tried to start talking at the same time, but I waved Gaara on to talk.

"All I've wanted these past years was to talk to you." I raised my eyebrows in shock. He continued, "You didn't really keep your promise from back then."

"Promise?" I echoed.

"I said I wanted friends for Christmas, and instead you left on Christmas." He was staring into his tea cup, in that instant, he looked like the same sad kid from seven years ago. I didn't know what to say, I didn't know he still thought about that time.

"You seemed happier with someone else and I was hurt that I couldn't make you smile like that," I spoke softly. It didn't feel like we were on different pages, it felt like we were on completely different books. I sipped my tea to attempt to calm myself.

"What do you mean happier with someone else?" Gaara inquired. "I wanted friends, and you just left. I don't understand what I did wrong. You keep avoiding me."

"I'm not avoiding you," I sighed, "I was giving you and your girlfriend some space."

"Girlfriend?" Gaara looked bewildered.
"Matsuri! Do I have to spell it out for you?" Tears welled up in my eyes as I began to shout, "I have romantic feelings for you, I don't want to be just your friend! I saw you and her on Christmas Eve seven years ago and I thought I could just be supportive of you and Matsuri, but I can't, it hurts too much."

Gaara was shocked. "Wait, seven years ago? Teiraa, this isn't what you think."

Tears were spilling from my eyes at this point, I couldn't hold it back anymore. Gaara reached out to wipe the tears from my face, but I pushed him away. I asked him to leave, and when he protested, I cried even more. I just wanted to be alone again. I was starting to think that coming back wasn't such a good idea.


Author's note: yes, I do realize I started this in 2011. Yes, it is 2018 now. The story must go on. I don't own the Naruto characters okay bye