Conversation at the Park

Choji and Dosu's match was over pretty quickly with Dosu as the winner. Then the proctor told all the people who won to come down to the bottom part of the arena. Me, Gaara, and the others who won went down and stood in front of the Hokage. He congratulated us all for making it to the final round, before beginning to explain about the third part of the exam, which apparently will be one on one matches and will be held one month from today.

'A month? Why are they waiting so long?' I thought confused. Why didn't they just do it now? It seemed easier that way.

"This is so you have time to rest up and learn new techniques. Plus, the feudal lords and leaders of the other nations will be coming as spectators." The Hokage said.

Then Ibiki stepped forward holding a box. "Now, I'll bring this box to each of you and you will pick a number out. The number will represent when your match will be held. Now then." He started with Dosu and went down the line. When I picked mine out, I saw the number 7.

I wonder what this means... I thought sighing.

After everyone got their numbers, the Hokage said "Now tell us your number."

"8" Dosu said.

"1" Naruto said.

"7" I said.

"5" Kankuro said.

"3" Gaara said.

"9" Shikamaru said.

"2" Neji said.

"6" Shino ended.

"Then Sasuke will have 4." the Hokage said.

Ibiki finished writing on a board he was holding. Then he stepped forward and turned it around. He was holding a chart with all of our names on it.

"This represents how the matches will be held." the Hokage said. I wasn't really concerned about my match. I was more worried about who Gaara had to fight. Sasuke. I looked over at Gaara and saw that look in his eyes. I could still see the bloodlust in his eyes, and that was never a good sign.

"Alright, that's all we had to say so you are all free to go." the Hokage said.

With that, everyone started to leave. Kankuro looked at me and Gaara. "Well, I'm gonna walk around a bit. See-ya." he said then walked away.

I watched him walk away then said "Hey Gaara can I talk to you?" I didn't get an answer. "Gaara?" I turned to look at him but he was gone. I looked around but didn't see him. I sighed. Where could he have gone? I could have sworn he was standing right there. Then again, Gaara always had a way with sneaking around, even when we were kids.

After getting back to the village, I decided to go to the park I had seen on the first day we arrived here. When I got there, I sat on a swing and started pushing myself back and forth with my feet. 'Why did Gaara run off like that? I wanted to finally tell him how I feel.' I sighed. 'Maybe its better I didn't get to tell him. I mean, he probably doesn't even feel the same way. Yea we kissed, but maybe it didn't mean anything.' I never really thought about Gaara any other way than just a friend until that one night. That's when my feelings began changing. But maybe….deep down, I always loved him. I just didn't want to admit it. I sighed again and pushed myself back but when I went to go forward again, I couldn't. Something was holding onto the swing.

I looked behind me, about to yell at whoever it was, but stopped. Gaara was holding the chains of my swing and staring at me with an unreadable expression. "Gaara?! What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you." he said. He let go of the swing and sat in the one next to mine.

"Well you're the one that ran off so quickly! I had to tell you something!" I said getting frustrated. I couldn't help it. I was angry that he left when I was ready to tell him my feelings.

"What did you have to tell me?" he asked. This caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting him to ask.

"Oh, um..." I started. I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him to tell him now. After a few seconds, I decided. "Um, I can't remember."

He stared at me for a few seconds. "Well, there's something I need to tell you."

I looked up at him. "There is?" He didn't answer, just continued to stare ahead of him. "Gaara?"

"We've been friends for a long time right?" he said out of the blue.

"Huh? Of course. You're my best friend." I said, though I wished it was more.

"And you're mine. But, a few years ago, I started feeling different when I was around you."

I just stared at him. 'What is he saying?' "Gaara what-"

"Let me finish." he said interrupting me. "At first I didn't know what it was. But then I realized why I was feeling this way. And I've been wanting to tell you, but I never could." he paused.

"What did you want to tell me?" I said slowly, extremely curious now.

"I wanted to tell you that.......I love you." he said.

"What?" I said blushing. Did he really just say that? I had to have heard him wrong.

"I love you. And I should have told you sooner. I don't care if you don't feel the same way. I just had to tell you. So if this changes our relationship then I'm-"

"Gaara. stop." I said smiling. He just stared at me. "I love you too. I should have told you. But I was afraid to and-" I stopped when I saw what he was holding in front of me. It was a silver ring, with a small diamond on it. It was beautiful!

"Here. This is for you."

"Gaara, when did you get this?" I whispered staring at it awestruck.

"Just now. Thats why I left after the Hokage finished talking to us." he said.

I went to take it but he pulled it back. 'What?'

"I need to ask you something first." he said.

"Ok." I said confused.

He hesitated for a second, as if he was nervous. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

I stared at him for a few seconds then smiled. I couldn't believe how happy those words made me! "Yes!" I said.

He smiled then put the ring on my finger before standing up. "We should head back to the hotel. Its getting late." He held out his hand to me and I smiled and took it. He pulled me up, but instead of stopping when I was up he pulled me to him and kissed me. I instantly kissed back. A few seconds later he pulled away. "Lets go."

"Yeah." I said smiling and we both walked back to the hotel hand in hand.

A/N: Awww finally!! lol. Well, review please!!