A/N: Of course, Ukobi is too stupid to think of calling Gaara a Satanist in English…he will get in so much trouble for that.
Chapter 7: Lonely
Kai never was able to go to sleep, so about midnight, she sat up in her bed, wondering what she should do. Because Temari was asleep, and Kai didn't want to wake her, Kai quietly left the room and went outside. Once outside, she leaned back against the building wall. As she stood there, she began to hear someone talking on the roof, so she climbed onto it. There, she saw Gaara, sitting on the other end of the roof with his arms wrapped around his knees, quietly mumbling to himself. Kai felt a pain of pity in her heart, and suddenly, she wanted to talk to the boy. She walked quietly up behind him, but he must have heard her because he stood up and pushed her onto the roof with one hand while holding the cork to his sand gourd in the other. In an instant, Kai was up to her waist in sand.
"As much as I would like to kidnap you and take you away from here," Kai said nervously trying to calm Gaara down. "I was not planning on it." After a clear effort to control himself, Gaara pulled the sand back into his gourd, put the cork back in it, and sat down with his knees hanging off the edge of the roof. Kai went over to him and sat down beside him.
"Gaara-chan," she whispered. "How often do you come up here? How many nights do you stay alone?" Gaara didn't answer her. "How many girls are after you, baby?" she said teasing slightly. They sat together for a short time.
"I wish you would not do that," Gaara said suddenly. Kai blinked, confused.
"Do what?"
"Call me baby, and Gaara-chan. I am not little kid, and it is insulting." Kai put a hand over her mouth, trying to hide her smile.
"I did not mean to insult you," Kai said. "I always called you that when you were baby, and it just stuck." Then she put her finger under Gaara's chin and lifted his head up. "But I promise, you can tell everyone else not to call you that." Gaara turned his back to her.
"They would not dare," he said. Kai put her hand on Gaara's shoulder.
"You know, you remind me of my son."
"Really. Do not do that."
"Do what." Gaara brushed her hand off his shoulder.
"I do not normally let people touch me." She nodded.
"I see. But yes, you look very much like him."
"Oh."
"So why do you let me?"
"Let you what?"
"Touch you."
"I do not know," he responded after several minutes. "I just feel something different with you, like I already know you. Like I said, something inside me stops me from hurting you, like it is protecting you."
"I am confused."
"Me too." Gaara sighed. Kai giggled.
"Maybe," she teased. "It is because you are in love with me." Gaara looked at her, shocked.
"I do not love anyone," he said. "I am Demon who Loves Only Himself."
"Aww, come on, Gaara-chan. Everyone deserves second chance."
"That…I have heard that before." Kai smiled.
"You remembered."
"What do you mean? Mother says her mother told her."
"You remember your mother?" Kai asked confused.
"Not my real mother. Mother who is responsible for sand protecting me."
"You do remember me then!" She jumped up and grabbed both Gaara's shoulders, shocking him.
"N-no," he said. "I do not remember you. I meant mother as in Demon that lives inside me." Kai's eyes opened wide.
"You have demon inside you? That is funny. I am Demon." She said the last part laughing though, so Gaara thought that she was kidding. "What is your Demon's name?"
"Shukaku." Kai stopped, shocked by this news, but before Gaara could see her surprise, she covered it. Then, she realized that he had called Shukaku 'Mother' and began laughing. "What is so funny?"
"I hate to tell you this Gaara-chan, but Shukaku-chan is boy."
"Really. Yashamaru said it was like my mother protecting me."
"Well, Yashamaru-san is wrong."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know story of Shukaku's birth." This caught Gaara's interest.
"Really? Can you tell me?"
"Sure."
* * *
Thousands of years ago, in land of Americas, when Indians were only people there, magical creatures lived in spirits of animals. There was one animal, called "El Demonio del Colmillo" or Demon of Fangs. Today it would be called snake. During day, this demon would be frightening creature, but at night, it was beautiful young woman. Woman was called "Mujer de peligro" or Woman of Danger, for she made men fall in love with her, and then, led them to their grave.
One night, when she was prowling home of American natives, she was seen by Indian Chief, and he instantly fell in love with her outward beauty. He told all of his warriors to catch this beauty, so that she might be his, but Mujer de Peligro could not be caught, unless she wanted to. Demon herself was married to another demon, his name being "Hombre Caza" or Hunting Man. By day, he lived as fierce tiger.
One night, Mujer de Peligro conceived child by Hombre Caza. This child she called Niño Mapache, or Raccoon Child. Sadly, day after she conceived, Indian Chief, who had fallen in love with her, found out about her marriage, and resolved to kill her husband and have her for himself. He called his warriors again and told them to find Tiger that housed the spirit of Hombre Caza and to kill creature.
After many days of searching, they found and killed tiger. Because of this, Mujer de Peligro was angry, and she ran through village of chief, killing all who lived there. Nevertheless, this did not return her love to her, and she grieved his death whole time until Niño Mapache was born. When child came out, she had to give him up to El Demonio Rey, Demon King. King changed child's name to Shukaku, though no one knew why, and raised him, hiding him from her even until this day.
* * *
"Hmm," Gaara said. "So he was unloved, same as I was." Kai shook her head.
"His mother loved him. But she also loved her husband very much."
"Love makes you weak. I do not love anyone but myself."
"What is point of living, if you have no one else to live for? That is what love is, reason to keep living." He shook his head, and again, Kai felt pity for him.
"Shukaku's mother was depressed during his birth, and could not take care of him, so she gave him to someone who could," she said. Gaara shrugged, and Kai had to laugh. "I love you Gaara-chan," she said. Then she laid her head on Gaara's lap and closed her eyes. Thinking she was asleep, Gaara asked her-
"How can you love me?" In her thoughts, Kai answered, That's what mothers are for.