Akina woke up the next morning, still wrapped up in Gaara's arms. She happily sighed to herself and wiggled in closer to him. Gaara moaned softly to himself as he slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times before smirking at Akina.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked. Akina smiled and nodded.
"It was the best sleep I have gotten in a long time," she added. Gaara stared into her eyes and slowly brought a hand up to her cheek. He gently caressed it for a couple of seconds before sliding it up the side of her head and running his fingers through her long white hair.
"I should probably be getting up," he sighed, slowly sitting up. Akina sat up as well and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. Gaara turned his head to look at her and was greeted with a kiss. Gaara kissed back and gently laid his hand upon her cheek. The two of them stayed like that for a few moments before Gaara pulled away.
"I have to get to the office," he told her giving her another quick kiss before getting up.
"I know," Akina sighed. "I have to go to the hospital soon anyway." Gaara smirked at her and slowly left the room.
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Gaara sat on the edge of his bed, going through everything the council had told him. He still couldn't believe it.
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"Kazekage-sama," the elder began, "The council has gotten together recently and we have decided on something very important."
"And what would that be?" Gaara asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"Your sister Temari has just been married to that leaf shinobi, correct?" Gaara nodded. "And your brother is currently engaged as well."
"What of it?"
"As all of our Kazekage's before us, you must be wed to a strong kunoichi." Gaara's eyes widened and his mouth was slightly ajar.
"You are aware that I am only 16, right?" The council nodded.
"We are well aware of that Kazekage-sama," he sighed. "We were also kind of expecting this reaction from you. I'm afraid to tell you that we cannot make any exceptions to this. All the kazekages were married within two years of receiving their title. Because of your age, we are being a bit lenient."
"What's the definition of lenient?" Gaara asked with a scowl on his face.
"Well, we could make an arranged marriage," the council member said with an evil smirk. This immediately got Gaara's attention. "We are being nice enough to allow you to find a suitable wife and to propose." Gaara looked down at the ground, anger in his eyes.
"How long do I have?"
"Until the end of the month."
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Gaara sighed to himself. He loved Akina, and he knew that she would be the one he would ever propose to. Still, he didn't feel comfortable about having to propose so quickly. Would she even say yes?
"Is everything alright?" Akina asked. Gaara looked up and saw Akina standing in the doorway with concern in her eyes. Gaara sighed and nodded.
"It's just the sand council," he told her, "they're getting on my nerves with all these regulations. It's like their trying to make me miserable." Akina took a seat next to him and laid her head against his shoulder. Gaara smiled and kissed her forehead. "Did you just get out of the shower?" he asked, noticing that her hair was damp. The girl giggled and nodded.
"Yeah, I felt really nasty after my shift at the hospital." Gaara smirked and put a hand beneath her chin, lifting her head up so that she was looking at him. Akina smiled as Gaara placed a soft kiss upon her lips.
"What was that for?" she asked, when he pulled away. Gaara smirked and shook his head.
"No reason. I just felt like it."
"That's a good reason." Gaara kissed her again before pulling away and standing up.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"I have to go find a certain older brother," he answered. Akina smirked.
"What did he do this time?" Gaara chuckled and shook his head.
"Nothing yet."
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Kankurou looked down at his younger brother, a smirk playing on his lips.
"So why are you fretting over it?" Kankurou asked. Gaara shrugged.
"I don't know," he sighed. "It's not like I'm used to this."
"Well, you love her don't you?" Gaara nodded. "Then proposing should be easy."
"Well, what do I have to do?" Kankurou chuckled.
"You really are clueless about the romance stuff, aren't you?" Gaara glared at him, but sighed. He was right.
"Instead of making fun of me, you could just tell me what I need to know."
"I know, but making fun of you is way more fun." Gaara sighed and shook his head. He wasn't really in the mood to be joking around. "I'm sorry Gaara. What exactly do you want to know?"
"Anything would be nice."
"Well first off, you have to propose right?" Gaara nodded. "Then you need to get her an engagement ring. Then you just wait for the appropriate time to ask her."
"What if she says no?" Gaara asked, looking down at the ground with sad eyes.
"Quit thinking negatively. Besides, why would she say no?" Gaara shrugged. "I don't know why you have any doubts. I think that she'll say yes." Gaara looked up at his brother and smiled weakly.
"Thank you Kankurou." His older brother grinned and nodded.
"So when do you have to propose by?"
"By the end of the month," Gaara sighed. Kankurou's eyes widened.
"Hell, that is less than two weeks!" Gaara nodded, already knowing that. "Then you should probably propose soon. I can go out with you tomorrow to get a ring and such." Gaara nodded again.
"I would appreciate that."
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Gaara waited nervously in his office, waiting for Akina. He had sent for her a little over 10 minutes ago and she still hasn't come. He just sat there, messing around with the small ring box in his hands and going over what he was going to say. He still wasn't very sure.
He jumped slightly when he heard someone knocking.
"Enter!" Gaara's heart started racing as Akina entered the room. She stood in front of his desk, smiling at him.
"I'm sorry I'm a bit late," she apologized. "I had to finish up something in the hospital first." Gaara nodded.
"That's alright." Gaara slowly got up walked over to her. He placed a gentle kiss upon her lips, making the girl giggle.
"Is this all you called me up here for?" she asked curiously, raising an eyebrow. Gaara sighed and shook his head. He pulled away from her and looked down at the ground in nervousness.
"This is kind of difficult for me to ask," he sighed. "I'm just not good with this kind of thing." Akina gave him a confused look.
"What do you mean?" she asked sweetly. Gaara bit his bottom lip and held out the ring box. Akina's eyes widened and she slowly took it from him. She opened up the box and gasped at sliver band inside. It was a simple gold band with little diamonds in it. She looked up at Gaara with tear filled eyes.
"Is this what I think it is?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"I know that we're young, and I wanted to wait, but the council has other plans. I have to propose to someone before the end of the month, or they are going to arrange a marriage for me." Akina nodded and Gaara continued. "Like I said, I wanted to wait, but I don't want to be forced to marry someone that I could never love. You're the only one that I could ever love Akina." The white haired girl smiled and blushed slightly.
"I love you too," she whispered, handing the box back to him. Gaara gave her a confused look, and the girl giggled.
"Will you….. m-marry me then?" he asked, he's cheeks glowing a faint shade of red. Akina nodded.
"Yes Gaara, I'll marry you." Gaara took Akina's hand and carefully slid the ring onto her finger. Gaara then looked into her eyes and saw that she was crying. He wiped the tears away with his thumb and placed another kiss upon her lips.
"I love you," he whispered into her ear.
"I love you too," she whispered back. Akina nestled herself in his arms and sighed in relief.
Alright, so this is probably one of my least favorite chapters. I guess I just don't really like the turn out or something. I'm not really sure. What do you all think. Is there anything I could've done to make this chapter turn out better. Please let me know.
Please Review! and No, this isn't the end. Suggestions are welcome and would be much appreciated.
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