Never in her life had Kiku felt so overwhelmed by her mere surroundings. In fact, never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined herself sitting in what was the Kazekage's kitchen. The room was large, much larger than her kitchen at home. In fact, the entire home was much larger than her own. She stared down at the cup in her hands and took a deep breath.

"Are you alright, Hayama-san? Do you not like the tea?"

"Uh...yes...I mean no...I mean...It's great." Kiku said hurriedly, taking a sip of the drink as her eyes drifted back up to look at Temari.

"You don't look so good, Kid."

Kiku looked over at Kankuro and shook her head.

"R-really...I'm fine."

Kankuro looked at her curiously before shrugging his shoulders.

"Whatever you say, but if the tea sucks, blame Temari."

Temari cast Kankuro a harsh glare and he smirked in response. Temari turned her attention back to her guest.

"You don't have to lie if something is wrong, Hayama-san. You can tell me if something is bothering you."

"I guess I'm not very subtle...but...is it really ok for me to be here?"

Kiku looked up at the others and frowned.

"I mean, the Kazekage mansion is usually off limits to everyone, aside from the Kazekage's family and important ninjas for the village. Someone like me just shouldn't be here."

"Of course it's alright." Temari said, a small smile passing her lips. "This is our home...for now at least, and we invited you here as a guest. I never would have brought you here if you weren't welcome. Plus every ninja in our village is important. So honestly if you're just nervous you don't have to be."

Kiku nodded and took another sip of her tea in an attempt to calm her nerves. 'Easier said than done.' she thought.

"Was there something that you needed from me Temari-san?" she asked quietly.

Temari nodded and took a sip from her own cup. "I just wanted to thank you properly for how you handled the situation yesterday...we both did." She nudged Kankuro with her elbow and he nodded.

"It's not something that requires any thanks." Kiku said. "I'm a medic nin. It's our job to help those who are injured...and besides...I...I couldn't stand to see Gaara-kun being left unattended." Just the thought of him being hurt and alone caused Kiku to frown. Even if he hadn't changed, even if he had still wanted to kill her, she didn't think she could have left him alone in that hospital room.

She could hear Kankuro chuckle as she snapped out of her thoughts.

"You've never been afraid of him have you? Even before the Chunin exams, you asked me about how he was. You were worried about him weren't you?"

Kiku nodded slowly. "But I know he's ok, so now I don't have to worry anymore." A small smile graced her lips. Her uneasiness seemed to melt away as she remembered the last 24 hours. The Gaara she had always known was back. He was back and he was safe...and he had called her a friend.

"I always knew you were crazy." Kankuro mumbled. "but I'm glad about that. If you weren't then I doubt anyone would have helped Gaara. So really, thank you, kid."

Kiku blushed and drank what was left of her tea, trying to hide her embarrasment. She never would have expected so much thanks from either of Gaara's siblings. She couldn't help but think that they had changed for the better as well.

Kiku was beginning to get lost in her thoughts when she heard Temari groan. She jumped slightly in her seat and looked at the older girl. Temari was looking at the clock when she suddently got out of her seat and started pulling Kankuro from his.

"Sorry to cut this short but we have to meet with the council soon."

Kiku nodded. She was sure they had a lot to talk about considering everything that had happened. She suddenly felt a little more important knowing they had made time just to thank her. She couldn't help but smile as she gathered her things.

After a few short goodbyes, Kiku excused herself from the table. Even as she left and the door closed behind her, she still couldn't believe all the thanks she had recieved and the fact that she'd spent time in the Kazekage Mansion. She suddenly wondered what her mother would have thought about that. Kiku figred she'd make it an even bigger deal than it already was...probably even try to make her own way inside. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she took one last glance behind her before heading back home. She was rather glad to be rid of her mother and sister for the next few weeks. She could finally enjoy something without their interference.

The sky was starting to darken as she slowly made her way through the streets of Suna. She wrapped her scarf loosely around her neck and yawned, stretching her arms out behind herself. The day was hardly over, yet she felt as if so much had already happened.

Passing by a convenience store, she stopped for a moment before walking inside.

"I wonder what I should have for dinner." she pondered to herself as she slowly walked the aisles. All the trouble and excitement of the past few days had left Kiku without much of an appetite and she couldn't find anything appealing. As she walked the last isle she decided to just grab a large boxed meal of rice, vegetables, and what she figured was some sort of sliced beef.

As she approached the front of the store, she noticed a flash of red beside the register. She paused for a moment, staring. The owner gave Kiku a slight smile. His gray hair fell in front of his eyes as he motioned towards the small display.

"Ah, I see you noticed our newest delivery." he said. "My grandson just came today with a whole bunch of flowers. They're only available for a limited time, you know how it is."

Kiku reached out, gently picking up the small potted flower that had caught her attention.

"I'll take this one."

She flashed a smile back to the owner before paying him for both items and leaving the store with a new destination in mind.

Holding the plant close to her chest, Kiku ran through Suna. As she passed her house she didn't even look to see who was waiting for her there, nor did she notice that she was now silently being followed.

(A/N: Not much happened in this chapter...sorry for that. Things will pick up soon though I promise. Thanks to everyone for reading. I really appreciate it. ^^)