Chapter four: She said, he said.

"Could you not look at me like that?!" Matsuri snapped viciously at her ever-present protector.

Gaara smirked, "Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Your Highness, for trying to do something nice, such as volunteering to guard you and save your life! And God knows how stubborn you are! You're a mule!"

She glared at him roughly. "I am not! And don't take your anger out at me for YOUR mistake."

He nodded, pursing his lips. Then he said softly, "Well, you're right about something... this was a mistake."

"Yeah, don't have to tell me. I know full well that my life's gonna suck for- Wow, how long are you "defending" me anyway?"

He shrugged. "Until this all blows over."

Matsuri gasped. "But that could be years! I can't spend all my time with YOU; my life will go to waste!"

"And if you don't, your life ends," he pointed out simply, just hoping that she'd shut up already.

She didn't. "Well, I think I'd prefer that than another second in YOUR company."

He put a kunai against his head. "If only," he muttered.

"What?"

He sighed. "Nothing. Let's just get this over with."

Gaara tried to be patient as Matsuri checked her pockets for her keys, but he also knew that she was doing it on purpose.

He sighed, kicking it open with one, swift kick.

"Really?" she snapped at his impatience. She showed him the keys that were now in her hands.

He shrugged, going into the house, "Whatever."

Matsuri tried to follow, but a hand immediately reached out, holding her still by her forehead. "Not yet, Baka," she heard him hiss.

She opened her mouth to say something, but he got there first, "Sh! Someone could be here. I don't want you alerting them with that big mouth of your's."

She rolled her eyes.

After another moment, he released her. "Can I come in... to my own home?" she asked snidely.

He mocked a sigh. "Oh, very well. But be on guard."

She smirked. "I thought you were suppose to guard me. Or did you forget the job description already?"

"No," he answered simply, "I just think that a genin should be able to protect herself at a basic level. Or can't you handle that?"

She glowered. "I can protect myself better than you will ever know!"

Gaara snickered, rolling his eyes. "Is that why the Kazekage asked for my help?"

She scowled, but they both knew that he'd won the point this time. "Whatever. Besides, I was against the idea from the beginning, even before I-"

"Needed a bodyguard? Yeah, thanks. I know."

"-got stuck with you."

He grinned mockingly. "Well, that's certainly one way to put it, I daresay."

Matsuri opened her mouth to say something else, but she couldn't think of anything that would serve as a good comeback. But the worst part of it was that he knew and seemed to be dangling it in front of her face.

"I'm gonna go take a nap," she informed him.

Gaara nodded simply, this time, saying nothing at all.

He watched the back of her go as he gave a little smirk.

I wonder if Sasori's having a easier time than me?