The banquet hall had been intricately decorated with banners, desert plants, and Thousands of flickering candles surrounded the room, bathing the crowd in a soft yellow glow.

As the applause ceased, Gaara paraded me through the crowd to the front of the room, where he proudly surveyed the room. Everyone grew silent as he cleared his throat, and began a dull, formal speech welcoming everyone there and assuring them that this marriage would give peace to Wind and Lightning. He was applauded loudly again.

As conversation resumed, Gaara left my side to speak with other attendees. I stood in my spot, unsure of what to do, when I was approached by several men in formal Wind attire, none younger than forty. Their expressions were painted on as pompous indifference as they asked me about the Lightning.

Hence followed a long, dull evening where I was bombarded with the same questions and asked about my experiences in the country so far. (No one mentioned my kidnapping, so I assumed none knew, and kept it to myself.)

Once in a while I caught myself looking around for my fiancé amidst the crowd. Somehow, when I would spot him, I felt safer knowing he was there. Why was that? I blamed it on the fact that he had saved me . . . there could be no other reason why I wanted to be near him again. Right?

Hours into the ball, I was enjoying one of the few minutes of peace I had between inquisitive well-wishers and aristocrats, when I was approached by Kakashi. He stepped next to me, our backs to the wall and our eyes on the crowd.

Leaning in, he whispered, "I think I've found out more information about that new subject we discussed." He must have been sounding vague to be safe.

"This isn't such a good time to talk about this." I murmured with a false smile, keeping my eyes on a few people ahead of me.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry, I must be more concerned about this then you are."

"Not true!" My eyes darted over to his. "I just found out that I'm gonna get married in two days. I really don't want any more stress. Can't this wait until after the wedding?"

"After the wedding, I'm leaving for Konoha. I'm only here as a mediator to make sure everything goes according to plan."

"You make it sound like I'm just a puppet in this entire thing."

"Aren't you?"

I glared at him, then regained my composure to look pleased in case anyone was watching. There was a moment of silence between us.

"Kakashi?"

"Mmh?"

"Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Arrange the marriage, you ass."

"Oh. It's nothing personal, Seluni, I had my orders. Konoha wants peace between countries as much as the rest. I don't know how the deal was first formed, but marriages of convenience have always played a role in politics."

"I know. I just never thought I'd be caught up in one."

"Seluni," I jumped at his voice. Gaara always seemed to sneak up on me.

"Oh, good evening, Kazekage. Excuse me, I have to see a man about a dog."

I waited for Gaara to speak as he looked at me. I felt a bit awkward under his gaze and looked at the ground.

"Follow me," was all he said, as he walked away from the crowds. I caught up with him and remained at his side as he led me out of the room through the back door I had left through at breakfast. No one seemed to notice as we left.

Once he shut the door behind us, we were alone in the dim hallway. I hardly had a chance to wonder what was going on when I was pushed against the wall by his strong hands on my shoulders.

"Gaara, what –" I was cut off by a rough kiss as he pressed his body against mine. Not this again! I thought.

His big hands ran up my sides, causing my body to shutter. I found myself kissing him back, letting him tongue explore my mouth as his hands ran across my chest. I knew it was wrong, but at the moment, all I could think about was the rush I was getting from it.

I ran my hands around his back and I heard him hum into my mouth. He ended the kiss and dug his head into the crook of my neck, smothering it in kisses.

His hot breath heaved on my neck. "How do you do this to me?" as he nipped my neck in the same spot as he did the first night.

Suddenly I realized what was going on. I ducked under his arms and jumped to the other side of the hallway. He growled and walked towards me again.

"Gaara – stop," I backed up. "This isn't you. This isn't what you want. It's that demon in you; I know it's him now." I had hurt with the realization, but I knew he would hate me if I let him do something he'd regret.

"This isn't Shukaku," his voice was stern as he grabbed my arm. "This is me, Seluni. And I've put this off for far too long."

"Wh-"

He pulled me in and kissed me again, but this time I was prepared. I ducked under his arms and darted behind him.

I began running down the hallway. I knew he was wrong, that it was that damn demon. I also knew that part of me didn't want it to be the demon . . .

I had only gotten a few yards away when something grabbed my ankle, yanking me back as something caught my fall. I looked down. Sand was pooling around me, carrying me back to him.

It snaked around my arms and ankles, trapping me on the bed of sand. Gaara stood silently watching me near him.

"Stop, Gaara, let me go! This isn't you, its Shukaku. Don't let him take your wife."

He laughed, raising the sand so that I was standing up, still trapped to the sand behind me.

Oh no, a cliffhanger! I'm sorry this chapter is so short – I've been so busy, and there are so little reviews to motivate me!!

Not that I'm ungrateful. I love you all!