This is the fifth chapter of getting freedom. I thank you for reading and I apologize for Gaara being out of character. That gets fixed in this chapter. Please review I would love feedback or opinions!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

OO

Ruri woke up slowly from her sleep. She noticed that her arms were still wrapped around Gaara's sleeping torso. She gently removed them. Ruri thought Gaara must have been lying about the no sleep thing. He seemed so peaceful and relaxed when he slept. A type of innocence was almost radiating from him. She let out a silent sigh before walking to the window sill. There she sat on the edge like she used to do at Kiyoshi's mansion.

Looking out at the city felt almost nostalgic to her. The difference now was that she could go outside, she could interact with people. There was no need for her to kill. When Ruri thought about this she relaxed and stared out the window. To her it didn't seem too different from Konoha. The buildings were made out of the same materials; the fact that they were both buried in a giant hole was a big similarity. She giggled as she realized it.

Though the giggle wasn't loud it was enough to stir Gaara from his sleep. He opened his eyes. He saw Ruri sitting and smiling looking out the window. Then a look of shock brushed over his features as he realized he had actually fallen asleep. He started moving up from his spot in the bed. Ruri looked at him before returning her attention to the window.

Ruri looked deep in thought as she stared out at whatever it was she was looking at. It almost seemed wrong to tear her away from her thoughts but Gaara decided it needed to be done. "Do you want breakfast Ruri," he asked.

Ruri tore herself away from her thoughts long enough to tell him she didn't want it. He told her he was taking a shower before leaving to do so. Ruri was so… well bored. Now that she didn't have to be a perfect killer every second she wanted to do nothing more than revert back to her mischievous games she played during her youth. There was that one time when she coated Genma's Senbon with of unidentified liquid. Ruri had to observe Gaara but who was to say she couldn't have fun? She defiantly needed to buy a few things. However she can't just take out money when she just came back to 'life'.

That meant she would have to find a job, she frowned at the thought. Doing ninja work was out of the question she'd look like a trader to the Akatsuki and could be recognized if she had to meet a Konoha ninja. Ruri sighed this would be harder than she thought. Luck seemed to be on her side but it might not always be. She could try convincing Gaara into giving her a tour of Suna if he wasn't busy so she could job hunt. She'd get lost if she even tried to do it alone. Though once she's shown something she won't forget however she did like to lead people into thinking she would. The one exception to the rule was the Akatsuji base in which eveything looked exactly the same.

Gaara came out with a towel wrapped around his body. Ruri was already formulating a plan as he glared at her. "Hey Gaara, do you have a secretary?" Ruri asked not bothering to look at him.

Gaara grunted in annoyance that the girl didn't take the hint to leave and get changed. He was also amazed that she didn't look at him. With his well sculpted body and perfectly outlined face he attracted all women. However he missed her quickly scan over his body as soon as he faced slightly away from her.

"I have a temporary one. Could you get out so I can change?"

"Oh sorry I didn't notice you were half naked," Ruri replied teasingly. She got up from her spot by the window and moved out of the room pausing before leaving. "I have a bet for you but it can wait until you're dressed."

Gaara watched her exit the room before dressing in his usual attire. He sighed wondering what this mysterious girl wanted. Though he would like to say she was annoying and uninteresting he couldn't. The girl had captured his attention before he had even seen her. However he still couldn't bring himself to trust her whole heartedly.

Gaara walked out of his room to see Ruri staring absentmindedly out his window. Once again she looked lost in thought. It was interesting that she became a ninja, she seemed hardly aware of her surroundings. Deciding to test her Gaara to a kunai and threw it at Ruri. She dodged it without taking her eyes away from the window. He thought it was quite impressive.

"You could have just said my name or something," Ruri said without looking at him.

"Whatever. What was that bet you wanted to make with me?" Gaara replied. Ruri turned to Gaara with a huge grin plastered on her face. He shuddered mentally at how ecstatic the girl seemed.

"If I beat you in a fight then you have to let me be your secretary as long as I am in Suna," Ruri replied confidently.

His eye twitched in annoyance but decided to let her be overly confident. "Fine but I will have someone act as an official."

"Either way I'm still going to win," Ruri muttered.

OOO

"State the rules," Kankuro said dryly looking at the poor girl who had dared to challenge his brother to a fight. Although obviously not from Suna she had to know who Gaara was.

"First one to draw blood wins," Ruri said with a smile. "No jutsu but I'm ok with all kinds of weapons."

Kankuro had to forcefully stop his jaw from dropping. This stupid female had just given Gaara the right to use his sand.

"I agree to that," Gaara said taking his stance.

Kankuro was wondering why exactly they were fighting. However if it was so Gaara could make her his personal slave he understood. Although the girl was young she couldn't be that young and she was absolutely striking.

Ruri was waiting for the match to start smirking not smiling. Ruri had to say that the Kazekage was far too trusting. He even believed her when she said ghosts aged. People are far too trusting but it was surprising that he believed her. Ruri had of course heard the rumors of Gaara's upbringing so it was completely out of character. Ruri didn't dwell on it for too long as she and Gaara took there fighting positions.

"Are you really sure you want to do this little girl?" asked Kankuro. Ruri answered him with a gleaming smile that made him shutter a little. "Ok, begin!"

With that Gaara effortlessly sent his sand after Ruri. She had been expecting that and she quickly preformed a few hand signs before drawing out a rod and raising a leg in the air. From the rod a thorny vine appeared. Although Gaara would admit it took skill to spawn plants from something other than the ground he didn't see how this would help the girl.

Ruri smirked at Gaara's oblivious behavior. He hadn't even realized this match had been rigged the whole time. Ruri quickly pricked her finger on her own vine being careful to let blood drop on the ground.

"I win I drew blood," Ruri said when Gaara's sand was about an inch from her. The sand fell to the ground.

Kankuro began laughing. This girl was smart she had this match in the bag the whole time. He could only think about he had completely misjudged her.

"You have done no such thing," Gaara said calmly glaring at her. "You drew blood from yourself."

"Exactly," Ruri said. "I drew blood. I didn't say that it had to be from you. Oh come on you didn't think I'd actually challenge you to a battle without a trick or two up my sleeve."

"Fine I will let you do as you please," Gaara said closing his eyes as if to calm himself. Kankuro stood there amazed his little brother was giving into this girl.

"I hope you're prepared for this job," Gaara said with quite the evil smirk.

OOO

Temari's mouth hung wide open as she opened Gaara's office door to reveal a girl wear a Kazekage hat sitting on Gaara's lap and poking his forehead. She concluded the apocalypse must becoming. No way would anyone get away with that.

"Temari," Gaara greeted her. He then shot the girl an annoyed look. She only smiled back at him with no fear. "This is Ruri my new secretary."

Ruri got off of Gaara's lap and began to walk towards Temari. Temari then realized how short and young the girl looked. Her name sounded familiar as well but she just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Is there anything you need," Ruri asked Temari with a smile on her face. Temari returned her smile with a somewhat smirk. She had touched Gaara without being yelled at or threatened.

She has to be someone special to Gaara Temari thought. "It's nice to meet you," Temari said. "Actually I was looking to talk to the Kazekage about something private if you wouldn't mind."

"That's not a problem I will be right outside if you need me," Ruri said. As she walked by Temari, Temari realized something the girl barely had a chakra signal. She watched Ruri until she shut the door tightly behind her.

"What is it Temari," Gaara commanded more than asked. His face had a new found sternness that he had when working. He sought to have it whenever dealing with work related issues.

"Who is that girl, I've never seen her around before?" Temari asked.

"Her name is Ruri and she's originally from Konoha. That's about all I can tell you," Gaara said.

"She's very pretty. Gaara are you-"

"Don't go there Temari," He said cutting her off. "I already had this exact same discussion with Kankuro earlier. Please just get to the point of this little visit."

"I'm here to release the names of the Konoha ninjas who are coming for the peace mission to help strengthen the alliance between us and Konoha. Yukiko Hanabusa, Maikaia Katsuragi, and Kiba Naruto's friend. All are from exceptional clans."

"Approved," Gaara said stiffly. He knew had heard the two girls names before but where.

"Oh Gaara," Temari said stirring her from his thoughts "I want you to be careful with that girl. Something about her unnerves me." Gaara nodded his head in dismissal.

"Send Ruri in again I need her to talk to her about if she filed some papers," Gaara said.

Temari walked out of his office to look for the girl but found her desk empty. The papers that the messy temp had left unorganized were now in a neat array. Temari sniffed the air; they were also coated by scent if she wasn't mistaken. There was a bright green paper folded on her desk with Gaara's name on it.

"Gaara she's gone but she left a note," Temari said handing him the note.

He muttered his thanks as Temari left the room. He looked at the note. Gaara couldn't seem to fathom why the girl had used bright green paper.

Dear Gaara,

I have gone off to explore and maybe shop for some things. I will do my best not to get lost. With any luck I will return with ingredients to make dinner.

With Love,

Ruri

Gaara unconsciously sighed. The girl would get lost no doubt. Yesterday she got lost after the fight they had. He practically had to search the whole village for her. It would have been easier if the girl had a noticeable chakra signal. He couldn't help but wonder how ghosts could have a chakra network.

OO00OO

Ruri was now heading to the place where Deidara was supposed to be. She needed to breathe away from everyone. She never thought that she would need the seclusion of Kiyoshi's mansion but right now it sounded wonderful. Deidara would probably be shocked to see her but she didn't really think much of that.

The oasis was now in sight she couldn't wait. His slightly insane but humorous attitude would be welcomed after Gaara's stoic nature. Though Ruri couldn't say she disliked Gaara, he had this childlike nature. She found it cute. Not only that she felt like she got to see a part of Gaara no one else saw.

While working today she noticed his cold behavior to everyone and anyone including her. The exception was with his sister but she figured that's because he trusted her. Gaara was a distrusting person by nature and the fact he didn't distrust her puzzled her. Ruri almost felt bad for deceiving him, no she felt absolutely guilty. However Ruri can't afford to feel guilt right now she had a mission.

Ruri arrived by the small lake area and scanned the area for Deidara. Not noticing him she let her thoughts drift to Gaara. He was defiantly attractive. Thanks to living in the same apartment as him she had gotten the pleasure of seeing most of his body. His torso was an absolute work of art with fine chiseled abs and arm muscles. Ruri could only imagine what the lower half was like.

Thinking about it Ruri unconsciously licked her lips.

"What are you doing here?" Deidara asked her.

Ruri's head snapped towards him. She hadn't even felt him approach, never noticed his presence. A hand clapped to her mouth. The only time that she had never noticed someone was when she was thinking of Kiba. Wait if this happens with Gaara does that mean… Oh god no. Not this soon Ruri thought.

"Hey you in there?" Deidara asked and tapped her head. He could tell something was so not right. Just what the heck is always going on this girls head anyway? "How did you get out of the city?"

"That's simple I climbed a cliff and hopped the fence to get here," Ruri replied in a rather normal tone. Usually when Ruri talked to others it was beaming with fake happiness. Now she seemed like a normal girl. Deidara found it rather weird. Not only that, she had so easily got past Suna's security.

"Ruri what do you have to report?" Deidara asked. She sighed before sitting down on the ground with her legs crossed. She looked back up at him so innocently. No matter what she didn't look like the cold blooded killer everyone had concluded she was.

After Deidara had gotten back from dropping her off he had been told more about the Rose Ninja. Apparently most had an unusual taste for blood. The members were almost ecstatic to be able to shed the blood of others. They had cruel and twisted desires. Deidara was also told some perverted old man had probably gotten his hands on her and… He didn't want to finish his thought. Somehow he wanted to protect her but he didn't know why.

"What specific things do you want to know? I don't want to sit here telling you every single detail about every single thing I saw," Ruri said. She was now smirking more than smiling. So it was this Ruri Deidara had to deal with.

"Fine," Deidara replied in an irritated tone. Ruri giggled, no matter how childish Gaara could be he would never beat Deidara. "I need to know about your living arrangements, the Kazekage's health status, and his ability to use sand."

"Well right now I'm currently staying in Gaara's apartment," Ruri said.

"You're what?" Deidara interrupted.

"Living with Gaara," Ruri answered innocently.

"What the hell are you made out of," Deidara asked a little sarcastically. Something about this girl was all too scary. Especially sense she could get the most distrusting person Deidara had ever met to so easily let her into his home.

"Umm… Lollipops, rainbows, with some spring water, and roses," Ruri replied before laughing. Deidara scoffed at her comment. Somehow he was worried about her living with Gaara; he could kill her in her sleep or something.

"Whatever just continue with the information," Deidara stated calmly.

"His health is perfectly fine. He's walking around and doing normal Kazekage duties. He seems to be adjusting to office life well. He approved some peace conference thing earlier today. As for his sand he no longer has absolute control, he has to move his body instead of standing still," Ruri told him effortlessly.

Deidara took it all in. She gave him all the information without teasing him at all.

"Deidara when can I stop this mission?" Ruri asked in almost a whisper.

He looked down at her his only thoughts were that she looked broken. He half expected tears to fall from her eyes he had the sudden urge to hug her. He ignored his senses. Damn it this girl just has something attractive about her.

"In in ten days I'm supposed to take you back," Deidara said. They became silent for about a minute or two. No doubt Ruri was just thinking. "Why do you ask?"

Ruri looked up at him surprised that she had questioned her about it. "I'm getting attached."

"Why?" Deidara asked simply. Now sitting down next to her, he leaned back on his hands and looked at her from the corners of his eyes.

"Dear god! Do I really have to explain?" Ruri suddenly raised her voice at him and stood up. He was surprised at the sudden out burst. "You think teenage boys are the only ones who have to deal with urges! I am with a fine piece of chiseled man every second of the day. I have a limit you know." She abruptly sat down again with a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks. "It's not fair if I do something and leave."

Deidara put a hand on her head and patted it softly. "I have no idea why you went so detailed on that explanation," he started "but the way you ended it told me that you're still too much of a human being."

Ruri silently stood up her head hunched down so Deidara couldn't see her face. If he could he would see the shame written all over it. He thought of her as human, she didn't think of herself like that.

"Remember that after you see the true me," Ruri said her voice void of all emotion. "I will communicate next time the way I taught you. I'm leaving."

Before Deidara could utter a word to her she was gone away from him. Both felt uneasy after the conversation. Deidara wondered if it was ok to let her go like that. He pushed himself to his feet and began to go towards the village he was currently staying at.

OO00OO

"Ugh! These stupid long missions always have such boring scenery," Yukiko complained as she walked with her makeshift team in the forest.

"Oh my god! You are so annoying," Maikaia said. "This is a three day walk at minimum and we're an hour into it. So shut your annoying mouth."

Genma glanced back at the two girls. They were truly Fire and Ice, in more ways the one. Such different personalities and yet they were good friends, just constantly arguing. It had gotten worse when Ruri left. She liked to think of herself as the connector between the two of them.

"All I'm asking is why the hell did we leave so early," Yukiko said. "We don't have to be there for another nine days. We could have left at least two days later."

"Smart people allow time for complications," Genma told her.

"I wish the mission wasn't to Suna. I mean what if my ice jutsu melts or something," Yukiko said.

"I'm more afraid of your brain melting," Maikaia muttered under her breath.

"I know the first person I'm not saving if they need it," Yukiko said while looking at Maikaia's amber eyes.

Just then a low chuckle was heard from behind the two girls. They turned to see Kiba with a stupid smile at how immature they were acting.

"Scratch that, I'm not ever saving him," Yukiko said quietly so Kiba couldn't hear her.

"I would try to heal him but I doubt his body would come out of it un-charred," Maikaia quietly said.

Genma sighed. This mission could possibly be the most troublesome one they would ever have.

OO00OO

Please review! If you have something you want to see tell me. If it's lemons I'm currently working on how to actually write one. Should be coming up soon.

Next time:

"Sorry we're so late Gaara," Temari said barging into his apartment with Ruri behind her.

"Why are you this late? I'm practically starving," Kankuro said from the kitchen counter.

"Well that little gang rape problem we had has been taken care of thanks to Ruri," Temari said. "We had to drop them by the prison."