"He's such an idiot! Why would he say that! Stupid brother!" Shizuko slumped up against the wall and crossed her arms. She was angry; Kabuto had made things awkward and suggested more than what she had ever thought of. Her eyes stared at the pure white, tile floor while she stood in silence. She let out a sigh.
"Kabuto... he's always so cruel... Gaara-san is a friend..." She growled and caught a glimpse of her arms. She wrapped them tightly around her body; feeling a little shame.
"He wouldn't care anyways... no one cares..." She left her post and walked down the hallway. She headed for the staircase and began climbing them to the roof. She wanted to feel fresh air and see the world below her. The door before her was already jarred open. She stepped through and found Gaara leaning against the railing; his back to her. She made a move to go back down the stairs; but his voice stopped her.
"I know you're there, Shizuko," He said. She froze in her spot and stared down the staircase. His footsteps turned towards her and got closer. His hand gripped the door tightly and slowly swung it shut before her.
"Here for fresh air?" He murmured. Shizuko looked up at his arm that was above her; she could still see the faint scars. It moved away from her sight as Gaara turned back towards the railing. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Shizuko turned towards him and bit her finger.
"I'm really sorry about my brother's rudeness... he tends to be like that with people, he just doesn't know better."
"It's alright... Honestly I shouldn't have stormed out like that. I guess... my natural reaction overcame what I should've done. It must be wonderful to have your brother back after so long," Gaara said with a rather calm tone. Shizuko stood next to him and looked out over the city.
"It is... somehow... I feel much lighter. It used to be that whenever I came up here... I just wanted to plummet to my death... now... I just want to stand here and keeping breathing in this fresh scent of the wind. It's somewhat..." Her eyes seemed distant as she stared out at the city. A small smile crept across her face. Gaara nodded in agreement with her.
"Yes I know... I..." He stopped himself and shook his head. "No..."
"What?" Shizuko peered at him with curious eyes.
"It's just well... I used to feel the same way about heights like this. I never found a way to get rid of that feeling. Honestly... since I met you..." He trailed off and kept his eyes on his own hands. Shizuko's smile widened.
"You're glad you met me? That's surprising. Usually nobody ever wants to remember me. But I'm happy you feel that way. Maybe that's contributing to what's making me not want to jump off of here. It's rather nice..." She rested her chin on the palm of her hand. Gaara glanced over at her and smiled softly. She noticed and looked at him curiously.
"What?"
"I haven't seen you look so happy... ever." She lowered her head shyly and shook her head. He put his fingers under her chin to shift her gaze back to meet his own.
"It's much more beautiful..." Shizuko blushed lightly and let her eyes fall away from Gaara. Her heart started to beat a little faster. It confused her; she wasn't used to feeling something like it before. A memory came to her; the soft eyes Gaara displayed seemed to look more and more like Itachi's when he looked at her. She closed her eyes tightly to try and supress the memory; but it kept coming back. She remembered how Itachi would look into her eyes and sincerely tell her his feelings. Every moment seemed to be flooding back.
Gaara ran his eyes over her face; taking in every detail. Her skin was smooth, her eyes still held each hardship she had ever faced, and her lips seemed to be softer. His heart seemed to pull him to her. Within him, he felted warm and weak. Shizuko seemed to be making him melt inside. He bent towards her slowly; his eyes only on her lips. She pushed him away and brought her hands to her head.
"Shizuko?" He stared at her in slight shock. She started to shiver and whimpered as though she were in pain. Gaara put a hand on her shoulder; she stumbled back as if she were terrified. She fell to her knees and let out a cry.
"No...!" Her back heaved with the choking sobs she made. Gaara knelt before her and touched her hair.
"Shizuko, what's wrong?" She crumpled before his touch. Tears fells from her eyes and softly landed in her lap. She grasped her hair tightly; it looked as though she was pulling on it. Her breath became faster and faster with each passing second.
"Shizuko!" Gaara tried to pull away her arms to see her face. She screamed and kicked him away.
"No! Not again! Go away! Go away!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. He stared at her; bewildered.
"Shizuko, it's me, Gaara! You know me!" He said. She pushed herself further away from him.
"No! No! Itachi... Itachi!" She bowed before him; sobbing and wailing. Gaara crept closer and tried to put his arms around her. She pushed him away and pushed herself closer to the railing. His eyes followed her as she pushed herself further and further away from him. His chest felt as though it was sinking. His face returned to it's usual emotionless self as he stood up and looked down on Shizuko. She looked up at him with tear ridden eyes and tried to scoot herself further up against the railing; but she was as far as she could go. He grabbed her wrists and pulled her to her feet. She fought against him feverously to escape.
"No! Let go! Let go! No!" He pressed his body against hers to get rid her of her struggle. Shizuko's eyes widened as her movements were reduced dramatically. She whimpered and turned her head away as far as possible. Gaara released one of her wrists and grabbed her chin. With her free hand, she pushed him as hard as she could. But Gaara's strength was greater. He pulled her face back towards his.
"No..!" He pressed his lips against hers. Her lips didn't accept it. She still tried to turn her head away and kept her lips clamped shut. Her tears still fell freely from her eyes. She whimpered softly and gave one last effort to push him away. When it didn't work, she gave up her struggle. Her lips still didn't accept his. She still held them shut. Gaars's lips parted from hers as he let out a shuddering breath. He touched his forehead to hers and squeezed his eyes shut. Two tears slowly fells down his eyes.
"Shizuko... I know you still feel for Itachi... you love him... I'm begging you... with all my heart! Please! Please..." His green eyes opened and stared into her pleadingly.
"Please... try to love me as much as I love you..." He whispered. Shizuko's eyes peered into his then quickly drifted away. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. She didn't know what to say to him. The thought of Itachi still lingered in her mind. Gaara gripped her wrist a little bit tighter with the anticipation of her answer. She let her head fall a bit; but she remained silent. He relaxed his grip on her wrist and released her chin. Slowly, he removed the pressure from against her body. She took the opprotunity and slipped away. She opened the door to the stairs and looked over her shoulder. Gaara's head was still bowed and not a single word came from him. Shizuko left without a word. Gaara's hands curled into fists. He gritted his teeth and drew in a hissing breath.
"Damn it..! Damn it!" He kicked the railing and latched onto his hair.
"What the fuck am I doing!" He yelled. New tears dripped from his eyes. He wiped them away viciously and growled.
"Why did I do something like that? Fuck..! Fuck! There was no point in it! Who am I kidding...!" He fell weakly to his knees and punched the ground.
"Damn it! I'm an idiot," He cried.
"I see... so that's how it is..." Kabuto said into his hand. The door bursted open with Shizuko coming in. She held upon her face her usual expressionless look. Pein stood as she drew closer to her brother.
"Ah! Little sister! You are back so soon-!" Her hand struck him sharply across the cheek. His glasses slipped from his nose onto his lap. Pein's mouth gaped open a little. Kabuto held a hand to his cheek and peered up at her.
"Shizuko, what was that for...?" She gave him no answer and left in silence. Pein handed him his glasses back and narrowed his eyes in thought.
"It seems that something happened that she blames you for." Kabuto slipped his glasses back on and smiled slightly.
"Ah... I suppose her and Gaara had a talk, then? Oh well... Just because I opened my big mouth didn't mean they had to try anything. Oh well..." He looked back up at Pein.
"I assume that once I am able to return, she will be cared for properly?" Pein bowed.
"Yes."
"Good... Hearing how she had been treated during my absence makes me rather upset, Pein." He glared at him with dark eyes and frowned. Pein felt a shiver go up his spine.
"I am sorry for that... I should have kept a closer eye on her." Kabuto looked to the door.
"Talking to me doesn't let up on your duties. I advise you find my little sister at once or else it will be your head," He said. Pein nodded and quickly left. Kabuto let out a small sigh and tilted his head up towards the ceiling.
"Parties... Suicide attempts... Hospital visits... My little sister was indeed lost. Aha... and she wasn't exactly doing most of those things because of me. Ah... That damn Uchiha boy... Oh well, he did take care of her while he was alive... and he did save her life..." He whispered to himself. He smirked and looked out the window.
"Now this Sabaku boy is going to take his place? A possibility, but I won't allow it if he doesn't pass my test. I suspect that as of right now he is only in possession of enough of the required qualities to be a friendly guard. Few men can pass my test... Few quality men..." He murmured.