Chapter 20. This one really affected me, my heartbeat increased even while typing. I've said it before, i know nothing of romance, so please let me know how I've done with this. It only gets harder from here on out.

Disclaimer: Light shines from the tip of Masashi's pen, illuminating my world.

The love of one, the hate of another

"Well, here it is." Gaara said.

"Wow."

"Woah."

"Ahh."

Those were the collective gasps of the others as they walked around the oasis, heading for the building that up until now had just been a storage facility. But Gaara had it made into a home.

"This place is..." Kankuro began.

"Amazing." Temari finished.

"What do you think?" Gaara asked.

"They're right." Konan replied, "It really is beautiful."

She crouched down & ran her hand through the crystal water. The lake shone as the sunlight reflected off it.

"Let's get into the shade." Gaara said, as the building drew nearer. He was glad to see that it was bigger now. He was concerned Kousou wouldn't have it ready in time, but it appeared he did. They reached the house & entered through the open doorway. All of Gaara's artefacts had been moved out of the way, the place looked very much like a home now.

"I'll admit it's not very modern." Gaara said, "But hopefully you'll find it habitable."

Konan smiled at Gaara.

"This place is gorgeous." She replied, "It's perfect."

Gaara nodded.

"I'll show you your room." He said, Before turning to Temari & Kankuro, "The pantry is through there, if you're hungry."

He led Konan away into another room, the one that was to be her bedroom. Even he was surprised by what he saw in there.

The room looked like a palace. A massive four poster bed with velvet sheets stood in the middle of the room, light from a high window bouncing off the blue material. There was a wardrobe that took up nearly half the wall it occupied & a dressing table on the other side. There were vases with all kinds of flowers inside them, paintings & other kinds of decorations on the walls. At the back of the room was a spiral staircase leading up to the roof, which Gaara hadn't even known was a place optional to walk on.

"Where did he get all this?" Gaara muttered under his breath, as Konan looked around in wonder.

"By the looks of this place, I'd guess you were planning on me staying here for a long time." She said in a playful tone.

"You're more than welcome to stay as long as you want." Gaara replied, "Please consider this place your home, even if not your only one."

She smiled at him, then looked around her room some more. She opened up her wardrobe, pulling the door across. Inside, it was empty.

"I'll have Temari take care of that." Gaara said.

"That's not-" Konan began, but Gaara raised a hand, beckoning silence.

"Believe me, Temari will know best what to do here." He said, leaving the room. He found Temari & Kankuro in the kitchen, munching on some figs.

"Temari, can I ask a favour?" Gaara asked. Temari blinked.

"Sure." She replied, "What is it?"

Gaara gestured back where he'd just been.

"Konan-hime is in need of a change of clothes." He said, "She needs something for this climate."

A small grin curled on Temari's lips. She put her fig down & grabbed Kankuro by the arm.

"Let's go." She said, pulling him to the door.

"Wha- why do I have to go?" Kankuro demanded, struggling slightly.

"You don't think I'm gonna carry it all, do ya?" Temari replied, smirking.

When they were gone, Gaara returned to Konan's room. He found her running her hand across her quilt, a look of wonder on her face. She spotted him & smiled.

"My place in Amegakure was nothing compared to this!" she said.

"I'm glad you like it, Konan-hime." Gaara replied, leaning on the door frame. Konan blushed.

"Please, enough with the 'hime'." She begged, "It's embarrassing."

Gaara smiled.

"Sorry." He said. He then spotted something through the window.

"Umibe, I think Kousou would like a word." He said.

"Hai, Gaara-sama!" Umibe replied. Dispersing & flying through the window. Konan watched as he left. She then sat on her bed & looked at Gaara, gesturing for him to join her. Gaara was taken aback. It was such a forward request, he was a little shocked. But maybe she didn't see it that way, so he walked over & sat beside her.

"You have quite the life." Konan said, "It's hard to see what you don't have."

"I didn't come to this place for the quality of life." He replied, "The person I was before, it was safer for everyone else that I stayed distant."

Konan smiled, "You know, you're pretty peculiar yourself."

"Hn?"

"You talk about killing to 'prove your existence', but I've never seen you like that. You've always seemed gentle, and kind."

Gaara looked away.

"In all honesty, you're probably the only person who's seen me that way." He said.

"Why is that?" Konan asked.

"Because for some reason, it's only to you that I am that way."

Konan looked stunned. Gaara thought his words over & realised he'd been very forward.

"That was careless." He thought, "But there's no taking it back now."

"What do you mean by that?" Konan asked, her eyes fixed on his.

"It's nothing." Gaara replied, quickly, "I should-"

He made to get up, but Konan grabbed his hand.

"Don't walk away." She asked, gripping his hand, "What were you going to say?"

Gaara searched her face. It was difficult to look her in the eye. He sat back down & looked into space.

"This is something that is incredibly difficult for me to say." He said. He shifted slightly, unable to get comfortable, "For the longest time, I was seen as a demon. Whenever someone asked me why I am the way that I am, my answer would be 'I love only myself'. Those were the words I stood by for three years. I never cared about anyone other than myself. I was selfish & cold-hearted."

He then looked up, through the window, to the sky.

"But one day, something happened that made me stop believing those words."

"What happened?"

"I was just a young boy. My sensei had given me the mission to deliver a missing-nin to his subordinates. When I did so, I met someone who, in an instant, took away everything I had ever believed in, and showed me a world I never dreamed I could be a part of."

He looked down at his hands, unable to keep the smile of his face.

"I rarely ever saw her, but she always stayed in my mind. The times I did see her, my breath was taken away. She was beautiful in mind, body & soul. I yearned to be near her, to see her with my own eyes, to touch her. Even then, I had no idea what I was feeling. Temari had to spell it out to me, but when she did, I knew she was right."

He looked Konan in the eye.

"It is impossible for me to love only myself." He said, straight faced, "Do you understand what I am saying?"

Konan looked at Gaara, her mouth hanging slightly open. She was unable to find words. She licked her lips, which were very dry.

"I- I think so." She said, in a small voice, "Are... are you saying that you..."

Gaara could feel himself shaking. This was the most difficult thing he'd ever done. He could feel sweat forming on his brow. His heart was beating so hard, it hurt.

"You..." Konan continued. Her eyes were unable to stay in one place, but she was always looking at Gaara.

"... you." she continued, breathlessly. Gaara forced himself to look her in the eye.

"Yes." He said. Konan let herself fall back on the bed. She looked up at the ceiling, her mouth still hanging open. Gaara turned so he was looking down on her, his hair hanging down above her.

"Is it ok for me to say these things?" he asked, eyes fixed on hers.

"I- I..." Konan stammered, still unable to speak. Gaara moved a little closer to her, his shadow eclipsing her.

"Is it ok for me to feel these things?" he asked, confidence brewing from somewhere unimaginable.

"You... me..." her eyes were racing across his face, unable to settle for a second.

He lowered his head a little further, so they were face to face, noses almost touching. Gaara lifted his hand to move a strand of hair away from her face. He felt Konan shiver at his touch. Then, uncertainly, Konan lifted her hand & ran it through Gaara's hair. He stared into her eyes & she stared into his.

"Gaara..." she whispered. Gaara slowly moved closer. His nose touched hers. Then his hair mingled with her hair. Their lips were so close, they could feel each others breath on their skin. They were both warm, not just from the desert heat, but from being so close to one another. They were so close, so nearly touching. Then Konan pressed her finger against Gaara's lips.

"Please... say it." She begged. Her eyes & her lips were shining.

"I love you." He told her, without hesitation. She moved her finger away, her eyes wanting. As Gaara leaned forward, she closed her eyes. Their lips touched.

* * * * *

He lay there, his arms wrapped around her, watching her sleep. She still looked like an angel. He felt her hair on his face, like a curtain drawn across him. He felt every breath she made, as her chest rose & fell. How long they had been lying there, he didn't know. It didn't matter. Whenever it ended would be too soon. Gaara looked up as he heard footsteps. Carefully, he got up & before leaving, cast one last look at her.

"My angel." He thought, smiling. He silently closed the door & went to find the source of the noise.

In the living room, Temari & Kankuro were sitting on a sofa, shopping bags were laid everywhere. They both looked up as he came into the room.

"She's sleeping." He told them, quietly. They both nodded. Kankuro got up & headed into the kitchen. Gaara took his seat beside Temari, leaning forward & staring straight ahead, not even trying to hide the smile on his face. Temari was looking at him, wearing a bemused look.

"What's with the smile?" she asked.

"It's nothing." He replied. It may be selfish, but he wanted the joy to remain his own, at least for now.

"Ok." Temari said, stretching & yawning, "I'm going to bed."

Gaara blinked, then looked outside. He had no idea it was so late. He smiled again. After Temari got up & left, Kankuro came back in with some jerky & sat down in her place. He gave one glance at Gaara & smirked.

"I know that look." He said, "It used to be mine. So, you & Konan, huh?"

Gaara's smile turned into a grin.

"Once again I underestimate you." He replied.

"Yeah, you'd better quit that or I might get offended."

Kankuro sat back, munching on a piece of jerky.

"Well this either gonna go great, or crash & burn." He said, "But don't worry, my money's on it going better than great."

Gaara leaned back as well. One good thing about Kankuro, conversations seldom get complicated.

"You know something else?" Kankuro asked, "It gets better."

Gaara raised his brow. Was that possible?

"You've said the words?" Kankuro asked. Gaara nodded, "Has she said them back?"

Gaara thought back.

"No."

Kankuro smirked again.

"Just you wait." He said, "When she does, you'll completely lose it."

Gaara didn't know what to make of this. Kankuro patted him on the back.

"Get outta here." He said, "You're gonna want to be there when she wakes up."

Gaara nodded & left hurriedly. Kankuro grinned.

"I sure do miss it." He muttered.

Gaara carefully opened the door to Konan's room & shut it behind him. The moonlight was shining through the window, its light bathing her. She was still fast asleep as Gaara sat next to her, still peaceful. Gaara reached forward & stroked her cheek. He was no longer nervous about such things. He lay down in front of her, face to face. She was so beautiful, he couldn't believe she qas there, in front of him.

"I am calling a meeting."

Gaara tensed. He hated that this was interrupted, but it had to be done. He got off the bed & climbed the spiral staircase, heading out onto the roof. He sat on the ground & channelled chakra into his ring. He was on his finger of the summoning statue, but something was off. He looked around, surprised to find himself inside the cathedral. The remaining members of Akatsuki were already there.

"So, we're all here." Naraka said, "The reason we are here, is that we now have a new member to initiate."

"A new member eh?" Kisame repeated, grinning, "So who's the lucky guy?"

Footsteps could be heard, coming from the hallway at the entrance.

"This person has sought to become a member of Akatsuki for a while now." Naraka said, "He recently proved himself worthy & will now join our ranks."

The footsteps continued, ringing through the entire cathedral.

"So who gets stuck with this guy, un?" Deidara asked.

"He will be your partner, Deidara-san." Naraka replied.

"Tch, he better not get in the way of my art! Un."

"Everyone, I would like you to meet the newest member of Akatsuki," Naraka said.

The footsteps stopped.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

The silence was deafening. Everyone was staring at Sasuke, who stood tall & uncaring. He glanced up at Itachi, who was, of course, expressionless.

"Hello brother." Sasuke said. Itachi stared at him.

"What are you doing here, little brother?" he asked, barely managing to hide his surprise.

"What does it look like?" Sasuke replied, climbing the stairs. Gaara smirked, it looked like Sasuke was more in control of his emotions than he was last time Gaara saw him. Sasuke stood before the pedestal & looked up at Naraka expectantly.

"Are you ready to take the oath?" Naraka asked.

"Let's get this over with." Sasuke replied.

"Very well, mould your chakra."

Sasuke formed a hand sign & did so. Gaara knew what Sasuke would be seeing & was surprised when he didn't react.

"Do you, Sasuke of Konohagakure, vow to stand beside your fellow members of Akatsuki & to ultimately meet Akatsuki's goal, no matter the risk to your life & limb?"

"Yeah, whatever."

"Say it."

Sasuke sighed, annoyed.

"I, Sasuke of Konohagakure, vow to stand beside my fellow members of Akatsuki & to ultimately meet Akatsuki's goal, no matter the risk to my life & limb."

"Tell us your reason for joining Akatsuki."

"Hatred."

Gaara glanced up & was surprised to see Itachi staring at him.

"Well done, Sasuke-san, welcome to Akatsuki." Naraka said, "Please place your ring on your right middle finger."

Sasuke reached into his pocket & pulled out Konan's ring. He placed it on his finger & looked back up to Naraka.

"The ring has now adapted to your chakra." Naraka said, "You can use it to contact your fellow members of Akatsuki, but you cannot remove it. Now you are a full member of Akatsuki. Congratulations."

Sasuke just rolled his eyes.

"Now what?"

"Deidara-san, how goes your search for the Sanbi?" Naraka asked.

"I got it, I'm bringing him over now." Deidara replied, "Hey, little-Uchiha-san, there's a cave about four miles north-north-east of Kirigakure, that's where I'm heading. Try & get there before we seal the Sanbi, un."

"Fine." Sasuke replied, as Deidara vanished. Naraka disappeared too, as did Zetsu. Kisame looked between the Gaara, Itachi & Sasuke.

"Heh, I'll leave you guys be." He said, disappearing. Gaara & Itachi were both looking at Sasuke, who was looking at neither of them.

"So you finally killed Orochimaru?" Gaara asked.

"Yeah."

"This isn't how we agreed you would join."

"There were a few changes to the plan. Three changes, in fact."

"You are referring to Suigetsu, Karin & Jugo?"

"Hn."

"So is this how you plan to kill me, Sasuke?" Itachi asked.

"Get over yourself." Sasuke replied, glaring at Itachi.

"So it's true then." Itachi said, before looking at Gaara, "Why have you done this?"

Gaara folded his arms.

"You intended to die by Sasuke-san's hand." He said, "I'm sorry, but I cannot allow that. I wouldn't recommend you to stop taking your medication either, no-one will benefit from that & to do it out of spite is idiotic. You're death could only lead to many more."

Itachi stared for a second longer, before nodding.

"Sasuke, does this mean the object of your hate are now the elders of Konoha?" he asked.

"No. Our clan were planning to betray Konoha. I have no love for such people. Besides, those wizened old crows will get their due regardless of my actions."

"So then, the person your hatred is directed at is..."

Sasuke nodded.

"I see. Well then, I'll see you at the sealing." Itachi said.

"Hn."

Itachi cast one last glance at Sasuke, before vanishing. Gaara glanced at Sasuke himself, before vanishing as well.

He got up off the ground & headed for the door. Dawn was breaking on the horizon as Gaara entered Konan's room. As he was closing the door, a light wind picked up, whistling through the crack in the door. Gaara cursed silently, turning around. She was still asleep. Gaara crept down the stairs to her, lying beside her once more.

It was just a few minutes before Konan woke up.

"Hey." She whispered, turning around to face him.

"Good morning." He replied.

They were both so close, their noses were touching. Gaara smiled at her, she looked so content.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

"I'm wondering when I'm going to wake up." He replied.

She smiled & wrapped her arms around him.

"There's no waking up from this." She told him, leaning in & pressing her lips against his. When he leaned forward as she tried to break away, she laughed.

"Down boy." She said, smiling. Gaara leaned back, grinning sheepishly. He reached up & stroked her cheek, loving the softness of her skin. He smiled once more before sitting up. She sat up as well, taking his hand in hers. They both stood & left the room, heading for the living room. They both sat on the sofa, Konan resting her head on Gaara's shoulder. They sat there for a while, just enjoying the company.

"It's strange, there's so much going on, yet I've never felt so relaxed." Konan said.

"Yeah." Gaara agreed, "Nothing else seems to matter."

A chuckle could be heard from behind them.

"Was it really this sickening when I was doing it?" Kankuro asked, leaning on the wall. Gaara was annoyed that their moment had been interrupted, but at least it was Kankuro who found them & not Temari. Kankuro lay down in an armchair, his legs hanging over the side. Gaara & Konan shifted so they weren't so close together. Kankuro had embarrassed both of them.

"I'll get us something to drink." Gaara said, getting up & going into the kitchen. He came back out a few minutes later carrying a tray with glasses & a jug on it. He put the tray down on the table & poured the drinks, handing a glass to Konan & Kankuro. No-one spoke as this happened; Kankuro just glanced between the two, smirking.

They sat there, drinking quietly, Gaara & Konan both feeling uncomfortable as Kankuro watched, revelling in their unease. He downed the last of his drink & stood up, grinning.

"I think I've tortured you long enough." He said, heading back to his room. But before he was gone, he had one final thing to say.

"YO TEMARI! GAARA'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND!"

Gaara wanted to throttle Kankuro. Luckily, Temari was a heavy sleeper & didn't seem to hear. Kankuro smirked back at them & waved as he left. But still, Gaara & Konan didn't relax. They were too nervous of each other. Konan gave a small smile.

"It's strange, to be called that." She said. Gaara looked at her.

"If that's not how you want this to be, then that's ok." He told her.

"Oh no! That's not what I mean!" She replied, hastily, "I've just never been in a position to be called that!"

Gaara grinned.

"It's ok." He said, "I don't consider you my girlfriend."

Konan froze, her eyebrows raised.

"Wha- what do you mean?" she asked, looking afraid.

Gaara leaned closer to her, a cool smile on his face.

"You are not my girlfriend, you are my love." He said. Konan smiled, her eyes showing relief, as she leaned closer to him as well, her lips once again pressed against his.

"If you're going to do that every time I tell you that I love you." He said, before smirking, "Then I'm going to say it all the time."

Konan smiled warmly at him, her hand on his cheek.

"You're still just a boy." She told him.

Gaara raised his brow. He hadn't expected her to say that.

"What are you saying?" he asked.

"You & I both have very important things to do." She replied, "It's best that we don't become distracted by this."

Gaara searched her face, and then he nodded.

"Very well, but after that..." he leaned towards her again, his mouth by her ear.

"You're all mine." He whispered, in a very confident tone.

"I'd say the same," she replied, her lips touching his ear, "But you're already all mine."