Mission Impossible: Housewife

By KawaiPanda

Chapter Twenty-Four

A GaaIno Love Story

It was nearing midnight when we finally reached Suna. We were all exhausted because we didn't want to risk another attack, so we headed straight through the night and on towards our destination. I was a bit worried about Tenten, but she assured me she was fine and what mattered most was my safety. I snorted at that, but let it go for the moment. She seemed to be doing just fine, and if I saw she was having any trouble, I could just as easily request a quick break for rest. Besides, she didn't seem to have any problems with her chakra usage at the moment, and she seemed to be used to pushing herself, her body. I made sure to watch for any signs though that might have meant something was wrong, just in case.

When we were met at the gates, there was some surprised looks among the guard, but they let us through with no hassle at all. I think it was the fact that I was back. I had been gone, after all, for a while, and though they weren't expecting me, I was Sabaku no Ino. Would they have really stopped me? It would highly doubtful. We parted ways with me waving the others towards the hotel, knowing they were tired and Tenten definitely needed some rest. Normally there would be a debriefing, but I was the Kazekage's wife. Who better to inform him of what occurred than I?

It was a bit chilly, and I rubbed my arms for warmth as I walked through the city towards the tower. I knew he would be working. He was a workaholic, so it was kind of obvious where he would be. Because it was dark, there were few out at this time, and no one took much notice of me, the lone ninja stalking towards the Kazekage's tower.

When I reached the towering building, I made a beeline for his office. Of course, just as I reached the landing, Matsuri was just leaving his office, shutting the door with a smile. I lifted a brow, crossing my arms. When she finally noticed me, several steps away from the door, her smile melted, twisting into... something else, and she stomped towards me.

"What are you doing here?" She demanded.

"I'm here to speak to my husband," I replied, brushing past her.

"You can't just walk in there," she growled, tugging on my arm. Yanking the appendage out of her grip, I continued walking for the doors.

"I can, and I am," I replied. She let out a strangled scream, and stormed off. Shaking my head, I opened the door, shutting it behind me.

At the click, Gaara looked up from his desk. For the longest time, it was silent between us, as we held a staring contest, our eyes never breaking contact. After what seemed to be an eternity, he straightened up and blinking, he said, "You're back."

My heart lurched in my chest, beginning to pound wildly. Why was my heart beating like this at the mere sight, the voice of this man? I swallowed thickly, and murmured, "Yeah. I guess I am."

"I was going to come and see you." He stood then, coming to a stop before the desk. We were both unsure as to what we should do, and while I wished it was already over, I could do nothing but let this play out and see where it went from there. I looked everywhere but at him, glancing from the various items that were on the walls. There wasn't much. Just a couple of pictures of Gaara and his siblings. There was a frame on the desk, but I couldn't see the photo inside. The possibility that it could have been me crossed my mind, but it couldn't have been. It just couldn't.

"Oh really?" I finally asked, crossing my arms. "You sure took your sweet time, ne?"

"Ino." He stepped towards me, his hand reaching for my shoulder. Shying away, I stepped out of his reach.

Shaking my head, I shouted, "No, I was there a nearly a month Gaara! You didn't even have the fucking curtsey to write me?" Tears sprang up, pooling in my eyes. Why did it hurt so much? Why couldn't I move on? Why, damnit? Why did this man have to have such a firm grip on my heart? Thickly, I asked, "I'm not worth a piece of paper to you?"

The hand he reached out towards me with fisted at his side, and he replied darkly, "You're the one who left, Ino."

I tossed my hair back, narrowing my eyes at him. "And you had ample time to come after me."

"I can't just up and leave just because you have a break down." I blinked, unable to comprehend what he'd just said to me for a moment before I'm closing the distance between us, slapping him. I had actually touched flesh, his sand hadn't blocked me. Breathing heavy as I pondered this, we just stared at one another. I noticed I was breathing heavily.

Sorrow filled me, and I'd been on the verge of apologizing when he kissed me, locking his arms around my waist.

Without any hesitation, I returned the kiss, my hands snaking up into his hair, my legs wrapped around his waist. He stumbled backwards a bit before turning around and setting me on his desk. Paperwork was knocked askew, but it didn't matter. Nothing did in that moment.

His teeth nipped at my neck, his hands tugging on the fabric that separated my skin from his roaming hands.

XXXX

It was early morning and the sun had barely begun to break when I awoke. It took me a moment to realized where I was, because the sheets on my bed at home weren't satin. And my bed wasn't as big either. When I finally did remember what all had transpired, I smiled. My legs ached quite a bit from the many times Gaara and I'd... reunited. Stretching out on the bed with a yawn, I bumped into a solid mass. He was still here.

That knowledge alone had me near to tears. It had been such a problem we'd had before I'd left…. With a smile, I rolled over and snuggled into his side. He was still deep asleep, and I knew that our separation had done just as bad on him as it had me. He was a bit skinny too, and I wondered if Temari had been able to get him to eat much at all. Speaking of the blonde, I wondered where she was. She and Shikamaru must have known I was here by now. I didn't know if they even lived here in the mansion with Gaara anymore.

With them starting out as a new family, I'm sure they must have gotten a home of their own. I'd ask Gaara when he woke up.

Last night, after the office, he'd teleported me to the mansion… our home, and he made love to me over and over again. We didn't really need to speak our feelings because I knew that he knew I wasn't going anywhere this time, regardless of the elder's decisions. I loved him so fucking much, it hurt, regardless of the fact that we'd come together out of duty. We did need to speak though, as much as I was dreading it. We had to clear the air, especially if things were really going to work.

I knew I wanted him. I wanted to be with him, and it was time for me to stop running away and be a grown up. After about our third time making up, I knew that I'd made up my mind. I was in this for the long hall. We both had made mistakes, and we both had things we needed to work on to keep us afloat. Luckily, we would be learning together.

Giggling, I slipped out of the bed, rummaging through the dresser for some clothing. Since I didn't have much to chose from out of my on wardrobe until the others sent it to me, I pulled out a shirt of Gaara's, the rim of the shirt barely brushing the middle of my thighs. Wiggling into some underwear, I crept out of the room, wanting to keep my red-haired husband asleep for as long as I could. He needed it.

As I stepped into the hall, I heard the tell-tale creek announcement that someone was in the hall with me. Before I could turn around, I was struck hard on the back of my neck. I fell to the floor with a thud.

"You think you can just waltz back in here and everything will be fine?" A familiar voice came, anger evident. And then it went black.