Mission Impossible: Housewife
By KawaiPanda
Chapter Five
A GaaraIno love story
It was a week since Gaara and I had done dishes together. And that week had been very uneventful, save for the sandstorm, but it had passed days ago. It became a normal occurance for Gaara to be home for both lunch and dinner, and after almost every meal, Kankuro or Temari volunteered to do the dishes. After all, with me doing the cooking, they thought it was only fair. And they were extremely grateful I brought their little brother home to them more, which Temari told me the morning after he had first eaten with us.
Regretfully, I couldn't really think of anything for Gaara and I to do together so we could spend time together and get to know one another. Though, I guess I wasn't trying hard enough because I could just ask him to spend time with me. But then again, it was kind of embarrassing to just up and say it. Especially since he was a busy man, and I felt as if him hanging out with me was of little or no importance when it came to matters such as this compared to him managing the country. But I felt like a coward for using excuse after excuse to keep from being alone with the man. And I, Yamanaka Ino, was no coward.
So, on the seventh day since our last 'alone time' I found myself marching up the Kazekage's tower, headed for Gaara's office. Luck must have been on my side because Matsuri was no where to be found. Knocking briefly, I opened the door and waltzed inside.
He looked up from the various paper work on his desk, blinking when he noticed it was me.
Before he could speak and I lost my courage, I spoke, "Gaara-sama, I think that since we have found our lives thrust together and we hardly know one another, we need to go on a date." He just stared at me, and I felt a blush rising to my cheeks. Gulping, I tugged at the fabric of my sleeves, and continued, "I-it's just, we're going to be spending the rest of our lives together and most people go on a date or two before they find themselves getting married." More like, several years of dating! But I was without any doubt I'd not be afforded that luxury.
"Alright."
"You're right, I shouldn't have -" I blinked, and asked for clarification, because he obviously couldn't have agreed. Could he? "R-really?"
"Yes."
"You're agreeing with me?"
He shifted to lean forward, his cheek resting on his hand, a small smirk on his lips. "Is something wrong with that? Should I not agree with you?"
"No-no! It's just... " I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. "I just wasn't expecting you to want to go along with it."
"Why not?" He asked, quirking a brow.
"Because... Because you're the Kazekage and you have better things to do than entertain me." I bit my lip, looking anywhere but at him.
"Ino." At his voice, and the almost intimate use of my name, I peeked at him through my bangs. "You are to be my wife. I agree that we need to get to know one another. And I apologize that you had to ask me to spend time with you. I should have realized that I was not acting like a proper fiance."
To hear him reprimand himself, well, I was startled to put it honestly. He set his pen down and stood from his seat, only to walk around the desk and head straight for the door. Dumbly, I followed him out, as he held it open for me, and then walked out himself. Matsuri was at her desk and startled to see Gaara and I coming out of his office. She gave me a death glare, and was about to speak when Gaara interrupted.
"Matsuri." She looked towards him, putting on a quick smile.
"Yes, Gaara-kun?"
"I am going to be out of the office for the rest of the day." Her smile slipped and she gave a look of confusion until he continued, "I have a... date with Ino."
"A date?"
He nodded and grabbed my hand as we walked past her. She sat there, staring into space dumbly.
XxXxXxX
I didn't quite know what to expect. After all, I was use to dating guys who were social butterflies. Guys like me, only... you know, they had a certain body part I lacked. So, I wasn't quite used to being in complete control of dates. But then again, this was Gaara. The once upon a time homicidal monster. While I was learning what I could do with my body and how it affected the male and sometimes female population, he was fighting an internal battle with a demon that he had been infused with at birth. And while he might have had it ripped out of him, he was not the kind of person to turn from insociable to socialite. If anything, his position as Kazekage and past container of a demon might have made him less approachable.
Somehow, I found myself in an empty mansion with my future husband. And while I knew he wouldn't try anything, it didn't make me less nervous. Maybe I did want him to make a move. I don't know.
Kami, I hope he's not gay.
"Ino." Jumping at the sound of Gaara's abrupt voice, I nearly cut my finger off with the knife I was currently using to chop tomatoes and scallions with. Kami, did I say that out loud? "Say what out loud?" I blinked and blushed lightly.
Thank Kami.
I shook my head. "N-nothing Gaara-sa... Gaara. Was there something you needed?"
"Do you need help?"
"Sure." Since there wasn't much one could do here in Suna in terms of romantic, or fun for that matter, I thought that a private dinner with some candles would be nice. Thinking of candles brought a smile to my face because when I asked Gaara if there were any, he frowned and told me that there wouldn't be any major sandstorms for a while (which I safely assume is what he thought I needed them for). When I told them they were for our date, he wordlessly found them for me and placed them on the table with red ears.
So cute.
"Um, how about you turn on the stove and heat up the oil?" He nodded and moved to do so as I finished dicing the vegetables. When I was done, I picked out two chicken breasts from the package and wrapped them in plastic wrap before I began pounding them. Gaara was a bit startled when I first began hitting the chicken, but didn't say anything. When they were of the correct thickness, I unwrapped them and seasoned them with some salt and pepper. However, I wasn't sure how much Gaara would like, so I asked. "Do you like a lot of seasoning?"
"Just make mine the same as yours."
"Alright." Finishing up the seasoning, I dusted the poultry with flour before I placed them in the now sizzling oil, careful not to burn myself when I placed them inside the pan.
Without having to be told, Gaara began setting the table, though he made sure to have his seat across from mine.
When the chicken was golden, I quickly removed them from the oil and poured out the fat. As the pan cooled during its time off of the hot stove top, I added a bit of alcohol watching as it began to finally vaporize, leaving only a bit left before pouring on the chicken broth and lemon juice to the vodka.
Returning the pan to the hot stove, I placed the chicken back into the new mix, timing myself. One minute for each side.
"Smells good." I blushed at his compliment, and transferred the poultry onto our plates before tossing the tomatoes and some cream to the pan. When it was cooked through, I made sure to turn off the stove top as I poured the concoction over the chicken. For garnish, I sprinkled the two plates with the scallions I had chopped.
Smiling, I picked up the plates and served both him and myself. He poured us both wine, the candles were lit, and the glowing effect was beautiful.
"What is this called?" Gaara asked, referring to the food I had just prepared for the both of us.
"It's Chicken Pomodoro. My mother taught me."
His voice was hesitant. "Your mother?"
I nodded as I watched him take a small bite of his portion. "Nn. She taught me everything I know." A bitter smile appeared as I volunteered some more about my relationship with the woman who birthed me, "She even tried to turn me away from being a shinobi, but of course I wasn't having any of it."
"Why?"
"Because it's not the kind of life she wanted her child to live. One full of danger and sacrafice."
"Ah." I frowned. I didn't want this night to be about all me. After all, I needed to get to know him too, so I figured it would be safe to ask him a couple of questions myself.
After taking a bite, I asked, "W-what about your mother?"
"My mother?"
"Yes. Yours. What happened to her?" I asked. I didn't know much about his family, other than the fact that it was just him, and his brother and sister.
"She died giving birth to me." My eyes widened in surprise and shock.
Feeling nothing more than absolutely appaled with myself, I quickly tried to back track. "I am SO sorry! I didn't mean-"
He shook his head. "No, no. It's... I'm fine."
"... Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"O-okay." Things went silent between us. We finished our plates around the same time, and both went to the sink to do the dishes. I felt like total shit because of what I had brought else was I supposed to feel. I mean, I asked him about his mother, his dead mother. I felt like I was truly the worst. I didn't know how he was affected by such tragedy.
He must have sensed my turmoil because the moment the last of the dishes were drying, he placed his hand on my shoulder, stopping me from fleeing to my room.
"Ino." His voice was rough and deeper than usual. I couldn't help the shudder that ran through me.
I turned to him only to find myself trapped between his arms. Here he was, a Kage, and in such close quarters with me. Most people never ever got as close as he was to me. Either they were in the middle of battle, or... in situations like this. And I wasn't expecting this either. Heat rushed to my face."G-Gaara?"
And when his lips desended upon mine, I was initally shocked and unable to respond. Maybe he took my hesitation as some sort of rejection because he pulled back like he had been slapped. His eyes were wide with shock as if he hadn't known what he had been thinking, kissing me. But I knew. I knew what this action was for the both of us. And I sure as hell wasn't going to screw it up.
Before he could pull back any further. Before he could write off his action as a mistake, I closed the distance between us and kissed him back. I poured all of my hopes into the kiss—all of my dreams of what our marriage could be for the both of us... the happiness that I wanted with him. And it must have translated because he returned it.