Part 33 Etiquette

"You're sleeping in the same room?! Wow it must be serious." She'd noticed his clothes and taken it upon herself to exclaim it to the whole world.
"Yes and seeing as we are getting married it bloody well ought to be." The door opened and in walked Gaara.
"The whole of your wedding team has been rushing around trying to find you is everything okay?" And then his eyes fell on Makaiko and his expression hardened. "Oh it's you."
"Glad you noticed because for a second there I thought the cat ears had you fooled."
"The Akatsuki better not be anywhere near-"
"They won't come near here and they've already got what they wanted, sometimes you forget how lazy S-ranks really are." Gaara glared at her and she did back I didn't want either to get hurt but then Gaara looked at me.
"So why are you not at the wedding preparations?"
"I just cannot take anymore today it's been like 4 days straight of this!" I yelled, I don't know why I was getting so angry. "I have been feeling like shit recently so I wish everyone would just bloody back off!" I could see behind Makaiko's eyes a kind of match chanting supporting my outburst and Gaara bearing the brunt of it and I could swear she had flags, scarves, hooters and were those, I shivered, cheerleaders? Gaara sighed heavily.
"Look I know it's hard for you but please just bear with it till the wedding and then it'll all be over and gone just over another week."
"Fine!" I said grumpily. "But for now I am talking with Makaiko-san so I can have a break." I sighed and went over to him. "I'll be okay I just want a rest for tonight that's all." I gave him a little peck and sent him on his merry way.

I turned back round and Makaiko was watching a horror movie and doing this weird crawl and fell of the bed flat on her face. I laughed myself silly because she'd looked like some weird crab.
"I meant to do that," she said hurriedly.
"Sure you did."
"What I did?!" There was no reasoning with her in my situation she would swear that white is black and black is white. Needless to say that night we had one far too may and seeing as Gaara hadn't returned yet for fear of my wrath most likely we started doing the usual, pillow fighting, more drinking, watching sad romantic films, horror films, more drinking well you get the picture. Makaiko's form was changing constantly from pink spiky punk hair to dark black hair to make her look like a grudge which scared the shit out of me. I tried to table top dance with little success as t table tipped over and sent me flying. Kotaro was draped over the T.V. asleep, Makaiko was laying sprawled in a chair snoring loudly and drooling. And well I was slumped over the bed my hair sweeping the floor. I did not sleep that night as I knew that drinking alcohol would not have made the sickness magically disappear like alcohol did in my presence. I fell asleep slumped over the toilet for a mere 2 hours rest before I was roused by Makaiko and Temari.

"About time dozy bitch." How could she not have a hangover?! Temari shoved something in front of my mouth which I drank then gulped down much to the protest of my taste buds then all the sickness and hangover had gone! I quickly shoved on few rough things, I knew I had the wedding preparations to attend to and also much to her displeasure Makaiko. We were seated around a table and filled in on useless details, I had to give everything my 100 attention where as Makaiko was lazily changing the colour of her nails. We were dragged off by the stylists and pampered and preened to perfection. Makaiko's took longer as they decided what to do, they added hair extensions in then did it up neatly and pinned it back with various clips and ties. She looked mutinous and I was terrified that she might lash out at anyone if they stuck a needle in her and they did. "You bastard!" She threw small tables at the guy who kept ducking, a plate smashed right next to his left ear.
"Makaiko stop being such an idiot and get your bloody arse back here so we can finish these wedding preparations!"
"Keitii-"
"Oh shut up," snapped at the etiquette coach who was right next to me. "Now could everyone please hurry up and get this all finished I need a god damned drink!" They knew not to mess around when I was yelling at them. My thirst for alcohol was back with vengeance and suppressed the sickness I was feeling. Makaiko clambered back on to her stool reluctantly to get her dress pinned. "Everyone take 15 then all back in here," I said as I sensed I tensions between everyone in the room, mainly all against Makaiko. One of my guard grabbed my arm and ted me around.
"Keitii?"
"What is it Mitsuri?" I had been told that she'd had a 'thing' for Gaara and so did a couple of the other girls in Suna.
"Are you sure it is right to have an S-rank who is associated with the Akatsuki and Gaara's death at your wedding?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Before anything else she is my bestfriend, I promised her a while back she could be my bridesmaid and for one thing she hasn't got a lot of time left."
"But if the other villages-"
"Have you taken this up with Gaara?" She blinked and her cheeks were tinted red.
"Err no."
"Well I suggest if you're that concerned then to take it up with him." I wrenched my arm out of her grasp and walked over to where Makaiko was leaning against a wall.
"My ears were burning."
"Well don't worry about what people think and try not to fly off the handle."
"Says you!"
"Yeah I know, Makaiko?"
"Yeah?" She asked whilst watching Mitsuri closely.
"Why don't you just not go there on that day?" She knew what I meant by the look on her face.
"You know I can't change my fate that is what will happen no matter what I do." Her expression hardened, I sighed. As everyone started to gather around again Makaiko and I made our way over to them.

I grabbed a bottle of some lower percentage alcohol on he way passed the refreshments table. I took a heavy swig and it felt so nice to enjoy and want to able to drink rather than feeling ill all the time. The spirits were considerably low by noon (excuse the pun) and as Makaiko and I drifted in to our lovely relaxation time of yoga and massages they lifted, everyone seemed to get a bit stressed in my presence to say the least. Makaiko and I drifted out of the relaxation room in high spirits and sounded as if we were indeed high on something.
"Liiike duuuuude I am totally at peace."
"Ha not for long duuuude."
"Why not duuuuude?"
"Cos your husband or should I say fiancé is here my lady." I stopped acting like a fool, I saw Gaara walking down the corridor accompanied by what looked like his wedding team. They walked passed us without noticing our presence in the corridor.
"For the final time Keitii does not have any family attending the wedding!" Obviously even a Kazekage can get annoyed at tedious wedding questions.
"But who will be attending from her side then?" Someone asked daring to push it.
"I suspect no-one but why don't you ask her?!" He slammed a door in their faces an they all started muttering and the crowd dispersed.
"Makaiko go back to the kimono and dress fittings and tell them I am talking to Gaara I'll not be long."
"Okay fine but you owe me big time." She walked away as I ran down the corridor and skidded to a halt outside my room. I knocked then walked in to see Gaara sat on the bed staring out of the window.
"Gaara?" I whispered cautiously, he gave a start.
"Oh it's you Keitii-han." He smiled faintly d patted the bed beside him.
"Are you okay Gaara?"
"Yes just the Kazekage duties are fine it's just the wedding preparations are driving me up the wall," he sighed and continued, "And I was worried that you were- but anyway how are you finding things then?" He gave me a kiss on my forehead.
"Fine, stressful though but only one more day then my team are going out getting goods for 2 days straight which should give me a bit of a break."
"Oh that's good then but you still look pale."
"Just stress from the wedding is all probably, but look I'm sorry I've got to go back now, I'll see you later and don't over work yourself."
"Have a good time then." I stuck my tongue out at him as he was joking about it being an 'enjoyable' experience more like horrifying.

"No I am not having bloody pink flowers!"
"But they'd go so well-"
"The red of my hair clashes with that repulsive colour!" I was yelling at one of my advisors while Makaiko laughed so hard she was crying at them trying to persuade me to have pink flowers at my wedding notice the my part not theirs!
"But Keitii-"
"I said no!"
"Fine now please don't yell if we make the wrong decisions you're attracting a crowd." I turned away they were just deliberately trying to piss me off I knew that most of my female company had a crush on Gaara which heightened their resentment. To add to all the stress people were coming up to me in the street bearing flowers, gifts, wine (I sure wasn't complaining) and they were all wishing me luck for 'the big day' just smiled and nodded then said the occasional comment just so they knew I wasn't heavily sedated to keep me off alcohol for five seconds. The cutest were the little children at the academy, one of my roles was to watch over the academy and to organise graduations. Some were shy, the little girls were adorable, some were bit cheeky but it seemed that they'd all been warned of who I was. They had loved Kotaro and played with him for hours, Kotaro in turn did not seem to mind the children. I'd chatted merrily with the senseis of the academy most were interested in the up and coming wedding, others... well more adventurous.
"What is the Kazekage manor furnished in?"
"How many guards do you have?"
"What can you see?"
"Is it big enough?"
"What are the living quarters like?" I was treated like royalty everywhere I went then again I practically was by the hidden villages' standards. Makaiko was very cautious at the academy as she didn't want to draw attention to the fact that she was 'associated' with the Akatsuki.

Around mid-afternoon we headed to the bakers, the council had let us make the ceremony slightly more modern with a big wedding cake. Makaiko's stomach kept rumbling every so often as she looked wistfully at the cakes and confectionaries all around the shop.
"Keitii-chan I'm starving, Makaiko moaned, I smiled at the baker and turned around.
"It's only been three hours Makaiko-san how can you be hungry?!"
"I'm lazy and I never do this much work."
"Aww didums," I mocked.
"Yeah didums all I'm saying is get me some bloody food!" I turned back to the baker and turned on my 'cute' charm well no-one could ever resist.
"Excuse me could I please get something for my friend?"
"Of course love its on the house."
"Oh thank you so much." He handed a bag full of confectionaries and I handed them to Makaiko who looked slightly scared.
"Never do that 'cute' thing again it scares me."
"How do you think I got alcohol underage?" She shivered. I did not usually do cuteness it was such a horrible harrowing experience. As the schedule drew to a close Makaiko and I ventured to our happy haunts.

The pub was packed he brim, I expected to see bodies rolling out or bursting through the seems, just as I was about to suggest somewhere else the crowds spotted me.
"Hey look it's the bride to be!" Someone shouted a few people wolf whistled, I dragged in to the crowd, I grabbed on to Makaiko because I was not going in there on my own! We were seated at a table, my guard waded through the crowd just to ensure nutters wouldn't kill me. Yeah Makaiko-san! Who said that? I dunno you people are hearing things!
"Two bottles of umeshu please!"
"Coming up Keitii!" How the fuck did everyone suddenly know my name? Well I was getting married to the Kazekage himself. Makaiko busied herself with challenging drunken men as I was interrigatored by the watchful crowd.
"How are the wedding plans going then?"
"Oh they're fine thanks are you all looking forward to it?" There was a murmur of agreement
"Is he a romantic type the Kazekage?"
"Yes I think so."
"Funny how people turn out like that."
"No not really." I glared at the old woman who had said that.
"Any other plans yet?"
"Erm no just taking one day at a time at the moment."
"So no plans for children yet?" blushed scarlet.
"Err no we haven't thought that far ahead yet."
"Did you come from Sunagakure?"
"No Hoshigakure." There was a murmur of interest but at that point. THWACK! I saw Makaiko dragging a man out of the pub by legs. I hurried after her and as I caught up I heard their conversation.
"You senseless stupid bastard!" Makaiko was beating the figure.
"Hey! And mum and dad were married when was born thank you very much!" I then realised who I was beating senseless.
"Oh no it's you!" Hiroaki bounced up off of the ground.
"Keitii, Keitii, Keitii just couldn't keep away from your sexy aura I know Gaara can't," he whispered the last part in my ear. Suddenly the whole of my guard were on top of him and he liked it! (That was meant to sound wrong but it did look it.) I sighed.
"Let him go he's just a harmless bisexual pervert." They got off him rather reluctantly I have to say, Hiroaki jumped up again.
"I could pay you Keitii-" I smacked him with my fist in a downward motion right on top of his head.
"I thought you weren't meant to be anywhere near me."
"I couldn't resist," he grinned.
"Yeah Hiroaki why don't you go get bent!"
"Come on sis you love me really, he said with his arms wide open. "Okay maybe not that much but seeing as we're related you've become immune to my irresistible charm." Makaiko snorted with laughter, Hiroaki seemed a bit put out. "Where's you bum chum Deidara sis?"
"None of your fucking business."
"Aww has he abandoned you?"
"No he died from seeing ugly face!"
"Ouch that hurt sis." Hiroaki did a mock sad face.
"Stop being such a knob then!"
"Calm down sis is it that time of the month again?" Oh he's in for it now! You never say that to any female it's just not done.
"You did not just say that!" She ran after Hiroaki down the street and I after her, Hiroaki transformed in to a bird and flew off. Makaiko tried and failed to do this because I held on to her.
"Leave it come on." We headed back to the Kazekage manor.