Gaara had never seen Ura look so weak before. She seemed so fragile in the medic bed as he gazed down at her. He reached out and lightly touched her cheek, causing her to stir and look up at him with tired eyes. Ura didn't understand why Gaara was touching her cheek. The most he had ever done was probably hold her shoulder, or grab her wrist when she was about to fight someone for him. But caressing her face? That wasn't the Gaara she knew.

Ura coughed slightly, "Who..are you? You're not Gaara.."

"I'm your Kazekage," Gaara pulled a chair close to her bed, "I want something from you, Ura, do you understand?"

She turned her head more towards him, finally seeing the outline of his eyes. Yes, he was Gaara alright. Her hand. Why was it warm? Her eyes glided downward to see that he was also holding her hand as well. What was going on? Ura looked back at Gaara with a suspicious gaze, "What...do you want from me?"

"Forgiveness," Gaara murmured as he leaned closer to her, "I was told i've caused you years of pain, and what happened a few days ago...for putting you in that situation. That was entirely my fault."

Ura couldn't believe the words she was hearing, her eyes widened at the pain in his eyes. That same pain...she had tried to keep him from that pain for so long. It was that same pain that caused her own heart to ache. Ura gently removed her hand from his grasp, slowly sitting up, "You've done nothing of the the sort. I don't know what you're-"

"Kankurou told me everything," Gaara stated, causing Ura to hesitate before she looked over at him, "There's no more secrets, I know how you feel."

Why did he have to do this now? Why couldn't he just forget about what Kankurou said and find something else to do? Ura felt the tears rush down her face, she didn't want to look at Gaara from the shame that washed through her. Gaara noticed her reaction and sat back, "I understand now. The reason why you protected me as children, for promising my safety as Genin, and risking your own life to save mine. Those may be acts of a good kunoichi, but there is something more coming from you. Ura, you need me more than the entire village."

Why did he continue to mock her? Ura turned her head away from him, she couldn't look at him. It was then she felt his hand on her shoulder, gently pulling her towards him to face him. Ura kept her eyes closed, why face him when all he wanted to do was hurt her? Gaara...why Gaara... Of all people that had to know...why Gaara? She slowly opened her eyes to see his piercing, icy eyes on her own. Why couldn't she love someone who would actually smile at her! Gaara then murmured, "I cannot offer you a normal experience that you may desire. As you know, as Kazekage, my duty comes to my village."

What was he doing? Why was he saying that? Ura began to wipe her tears away, "Gaara..."

"I cannot make up for what absence in your life I had," Gaara continued, slowly lowering his hand from her shoulder to her hand, "I need a second chance from you."

She couldn't beleive he was actually saying that. After all those years... He was actually saying those words. The only thing she could do was slightly nod, then saw the look of relief in his eyes. It wasn't fair... He came at the wrong time yet again... Gaara released his hand from her own and took a step back, "For years, i've wondered why I needed your presence daily. Now, as I realize what you mean to me, I understand what it all meant. I was confused by calling the feeling I had for you as friendship. Seeing you now... I understand it more. It's more than a friendship, it's something that I want to grow and blossom to something more. Ura, I am asking that you be that sole person who needs me more than anyone."

No... Ura just stared at him as her heart tore to pieces. She had waited for far too long to hear those words. Her stomach knotted... Tears flowed down her face... Her kekkei-genkai was gone for good... She was a plain kunoichi with little jutsu in her. A walking, normal kunoichi. All because of Gaara. The funny thing was...she couldn't hate him for it. As much as she wanted to be angry, Gaara still brought that warm love feeling. Ura found enough strength to slowly get out of the bed as she stared up at Gaara, wanting to say the meanest things she could ever say. Instead, Ura placed a hand on hsi arm and murmured, "I need you far more than you could imagine."

Gaara paused when she said those words. He hadn't expected to hear those words from her and it made him wonder what would happen next. The connection between them deepened as Ura took a step closer to him. All the anger was gone... The truth was in the air and the old feelings vanished. It was her and Gaara now. He had accepted her feelings with open arms. They did not embrace. Nor did they kiss. Merely, Ura stood still with her hand on Gaara's arm as he reached with his own hand to hold her own. It wasn't as if they didn't truly care, but real love doesn't need to be expressed physically. The emotions that ran through them was enough to say that the feeling was mutual. Nothing more. It was enough.

:::::::::

Sasuke

:::::::::

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were heading to the Sunagakure immediately. They had recieved another urgent message that the Shukaku was extracted from Gaara and Ura's kekkei-genkai was also taken. The Hokage was in a rush to hurry to his friend's aide, there was not a moment to spare. Though they were all running at their top speed, Sasuke was the fastest one from the three.

"Stop breaking formation, Sasuke!" Sakura called out, she was already angry that she had to go in the first place.

"We'll get there when we get there, Sasuke," Naruto also called out, "I'm just as worried as you.."

"Ura is in bad shape, we can't abandon her when she needs us," Sasuke growled as he sped up to his top speed.

"Damn..." Sakura grumbled as she and Naruto tried to keep track on Sasuke, "It's always Ura..."

"Give it a rest, Sakura," Naruto groaned, then looked towards Sasuke, "Think about Gaara, he may need us more than Ura."

:::::::

Ura

:::::::

He room seemed less empty as she noticed the files on her desk. Though she had been out for days, there was still work to be done. A sweat drop formed on her annoyed face as she realized there were ten files that needed a report on. Though she guessed she had a 'thing' with Gaara now would be more publicized, her duty as his P.A. was going to sky rocket. With a sigh, she sat at her desk and began to sort through the paperwork. A file caught her attention...it was to report on the Hokage's stay while he's in the Sunagakure.

It was different. Everything was different. To be loved in return... It all felt real, like it was always there and it just decided to come around. Knowing Gaara returned her love, that was enough, but there was something she had to do. In order to walk with him to a good relationship meant she had to get rid of the baggage on her back. As she sat at her desk, the feeling of dread went through her knowing what she had to do. Sasuke... How bad will it hurt? The silent promises she made... The endearing words she had murmured to him... There was nothing she could do but break the words she had given him. Ura sat as still as a statue for a few moments. It was easier than she was making it...

'C'mon, Ura, pull youself together!' she thought to herself as she sat aside the file for the Hokage, 'It was a mistake...'

Gaara walked back to his office feeling like a new man. His expressive demeanor didn't change, but he certainly felt the difference on the inside. At least, he knew who the woman was and was pleased to know it was Ura. She was a strong kunoichi who had never given up on him, it was only natural that he felt the same love for her as well. He ascended the stairs to his office, finding Kankurou still inside with a smile on his face, "So you were right."

"Always am," Kankurou smiled even more, "So... What are you two now?"

"We have a mutual agreement," Gaara went to his desk to sort through some paperwork, "She needs me as I need her."

"So...did you kiss her or anything?" Kankurou sat on Gaara's desk, "I mean I would-"

"Not Ura you won't," Gaara glanced up at his brother, "And no, I did not kiss her."

"Don't you think you should?" Kankurou commented, then noticed an aggrivated look on Gaara's face, "Oh... You've never kissed a girl before, that's why."

"Does that even matter?" Gaara grumbled as he continued to stare up at Kankurou, "I do not want her to think I only want her for my bedroom purposes."

"Sex can be that, but you can also use it to strengthen your ties with her," Kankurou explained, but it seemed Gaara didn't understand, "Look, Ura loves you, right? And eventually you'll fall in love with her. How are you going to show her you love her?"

"By telling her-"

"Sometimes actions speak louder than words, Gaara," Kankurou furthered his explination, then stood up instead of sitting on his desk, then tried another tactic, "Ura really has put on weight hasn't she? She used to be so pretty too..."

"Stop talking like that," Gaara growled angrily, "Ura is beautiful despite what you have to say about her."

"So since you find her so pretty, and she loves you, don't you want to do show her how much you love her without words?" Kankurou questioned as he smirked at Gaara, then headed for the door, "Try kissing her, you're gonna find how much fun it is."

Gaara thought about his brother's words as he stared down at his paperwork. He'll have to take his brother's advice later, right then he really needed to catch up on some work. There was the Hokage coming, making sure there was enough rooms made for him and his shinobi, and then there was making sure his village was protected. The village got lucky when that man came... Gaara remembered how quick it was..losing Shukaku. Naruto was in danger then... The Kazekage would have to inform his friend of what had happened and the description of the man who had taken the beast from Gaara.

There was a knock at Gaara's office door, he beckoned them to enter and saw that it was Ura. She held some files in her hand as she approached him, "The reports-"

"They're everything I could remember of that man, his abilities, and what I was able to see inside of him," Ura explained as Gaara glanced at her reports, detailed as always, "If we can send word to the other Kages, maybe we can get some help."

"Possibly," Gaara agreed, then looked up at her, "How many relationships have you had?"

Ura was caught off guard, but answered, "I'm a dedicated kunoichi, so I didn't have time for boyfriends outside the line of duty."

"So, i'm your first.." Gaara concluded as he eyed her.

'Kami forgive my sweet, sweet lies,' Ura thought to herself as she smiled at Gaara, "Yes you are."

"I see," Gaara glanced at his paperwork, "Do you like sex?"

Another sweatdrop went down her face as she just stared at Gaara in disbelief. Kankurou was definitely putting ideas in his head again. Ura put her hands up as she continued to smile at Gaara, "Again, i'm a dedicated kunoichi, too much time at work makes a woman lose track of time."

Gaara just looked at her for a few moments, then returned to his work, "When I finish this work tonight, i'd like to see your skills without your kekkei-genkai."

"That's fine..." Ura nodded, she wouldn't be as strong as she used to be.

Ura left Gaara's office, Naruto and his shinobi will be here any minute now... A shinobi appeared in front of Ura and saluted her, "Lady Ura, there is a woman outside the mansion who wishes to speak to you."

"At ease, take me to her," Ura instructed, and he led her to the main hallway where a middle-aged woman sat, "Mother?"

The woman stood up, and yes, it was Ura's mother. Due to her job and missions, Ura had little time to visit her mother. It was an auspicious moment to see her there as well, something must've happened or she needed money. Her mother approached her and glowered at her, "I have grave news, Ura, and I need you to remain calm once I tell you this. Leila is missing, and I believe that man has taken her."

Ura held her breath as her eyes widened, Leila was gone. During her time unconscious, Temari had taken Leila back to their home. How the man took Leila is a mystery to both Ura and her mother. Ura gazed at her mother as if she were a ghost, "Why...why weren't you watching her?"

"I can't be there for either of you all the time," her mother angrily stated, "It's neither your fault nor mine. Either way this man has Leila and you need to get her back before something happens. Go tell the Kazekage before her time runs out."

"There's a lot going on right now, i'll just go myself-"

"Ura, you're talking like a lunatic! That man stole your kekkei-genkai out of you and you don't stand a chance now!" her mother grabbed Ura's wrist and forced her back, "If you leave now, you won't come back at all. The Kazekage can't be busy enough to ignore a mother's plea to rescue her child."

Ura growled angrily, but her mother was right. Gaara would easily dispatch a team to retrieve her little sister immediately if not go himself. She glared at the floor as her mother gripped Ura's shoulders tightly, "You are strong even without your kekkei-genkai. Just come back safely."

"Yes, ma'am," Ura grumbled, then took a step away from her mother, "I'll inform Lord Kazekage."

Her mother nodded and left, not saying another word. Ura couldn't believe it... Why had that man taken Leila? She didn't have the kekkei-genkai like she had, so why waste time on her? Either way, she would have to tell Gaara eventually to keep her sister alive. Ura ran up the flight of steps to Gaara's office, but it was already swamped with elders and councel members. She couldn't tell Gaara what happened at that moment, they would dismiss it as a lost cause. When Gaara looked up to see her there, she could tell the urgency behind his calm eyes. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. The councel members glanced over at Ura, then said to Gaara, "This is private information, she doesn't need to know-"

"Yes, she does," Gaara grumbled, then signaled to Ura to come closer, "This man that stole your kekkei-genkai and Shukaku from me is known as Kabutome. I have recieved conformation from another Kage that this man is heading towards a sacred village in the Kumigakure in the Land of Lightning. Once Naruto arrives, we'll have to wait two days in order to prepare our troops for the village."

Ura knew Gaara was worried. He was worried for Naruto, his village, and he was trying to protect his people as much as he could. She couldn't tell him about Leila...it was something she would have to deal with on her own. Ura walked over to Gaara, passed the annoyed councel, and straight to Gaara with her eyes narrowed, "I'll wait for Naruto and his shinobi at the entrance gap. It's going to be ok, Gaara, we got this."

"This is an enemy we've underestimated," Gaara whispered to her, "Your kekkei-genkai-"

"I'm strong without it," Ura reached behind her and touched her metal umbrella, "Remember, Lord Kazekage, that my specialty are my hari. Trust me, i'm still your strongest kunoichi and strongest asset."

Gaara gazed down at her determined eyes. He didn't want her in anymore danger, but she was a kunoichi before a lover. Once he nodded, Ura disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared outside the mansion. She ran to the gap as fast as she could, but Nartuo had already arrived...with Sasuke and Sakura. It was her old team again. Ura stopped running and watched as they approached her, they didn't need her as a teacher anymore... Naruto was about to ask something, but paused when Sasuke pushed passed him and embraced Ura. Her eyes were wide as she stopped breathing for a moment. She felt him kiss her ear as he murmured, "I thought you were dead..."

"I'm...stronger than I look," Ura carefully slipped out of his arms, "Gaara is in a meeting with the elders and councel, i'll show you to your rooms. Naruto, i'll take you to Gaara once I get your shinobi situated."

"We can't just stay the night, that guy is out there!" Sakura stepped forward as she glared at Ura, "How can you just sit tight while he's harming people!"

Ura got in Sakura's face, glaring at the Leaf kunoichi, "Don't you think I know that! He almost took Gaara from me and he stole my kekkei-genkai! Are you that stupid!"

"We don't have time to argue," Naruto stated as he separated the two, "Just show us to our rooms."

Ura growled to herself, then obeyed Naruto. He was the Hokage now, and even though he was her own leader she still had to show him respect. She led them to the mansion and to their rooms, Gaara found Naruto as Ura showed Sakura her room first. As she walked down the hallway, Ura felt tremors go through her body in short, quick waves. She could feel Sasuke's hand gently touch her own, but she wouldn't allow him to fully hold her hand. Ura slowly crossed her arms as she stopped at a vacant room, "Here's your room, Lord Uchiha.."

He opened the door, "It's missing something."

"Really? Did they forget a bed again?" Ura was about to get angry really fast at the servants, then stopped.

Everything was fine, she turned to Sasuke closing the door behind them, "Everything is perfect now."

He neared her, caressing her face as he pulled her closer to him. Ura couldn't move in his embrace, his dark, warm eyes penetrated her own as he lowered his face to her own. She was about to softly protest, but Sasuke took advantage of her open mouth to caress her tongue with his own. A blush tormented her cheeks as she felt the warmth of his mouth cover her own, her body warmed beneath his touch as he slowly moved them towards the bed. No, Ura couldn't not anymore. She quickly stopped the kiss and pushed him away as she took a step back, "I can't, not under Gaara's roof!"

"Stop thinking about him! He's poison to your mind!" Sasuke glared at her as he snatched her wrist, "You're mine.."

The hurt in his eyes was easy to see. Ura didn't want to hurt him, but it was inevitable. She would have to do it another day, she was too tired to have guilt on her conscious. With a sigh, Ura went towards the door. She felt Sasuke take her arm one last time, gently, and gaze at her, "Ura."

"I'm sorry," Ura walked out the door, but hesitated when she saw Kankurou.

Kankurou noticed her heavy breathing and the sweat on her brow. Someone tried to seduce her, yet failed. He shrugged gently as he smirked at her, "Drink some water and get some sleep. Tomorrow, Gaara wants to meet you in the library in the morning."

"Y-y-yeah..." Ura murmured as she walked down the hallway.

Sasuke stood at the doorway with his arms crossed, a scowl on his face. Kankurou turned his smirk to an angry frown, "It's over between you two, she isn't available for your use anymore."

The Uchiha didn't say anything, so Kankurou continued, "You heard me right, Gaara has his eyes on her now. Face it, you lost to Gaara, again."

"Shut up!" Sasuke growled as he went to punch Kankurou.

The Sand shinobi moved at the last moment with a smirk, "We'll bill you later for that, good night," he turned and walked away to his own room.