Lithium

Chapter 7

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Re-cap

"Happy Birthday, Tsuyahra. Goodnight." And with that, he turned and left. Not even bothering to look back at her, while she stood there just staring at his back, completely surprised.

He actually kissed her!

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Tsuyahra sighed, sitting on her couch staring at the small life-less tree that was half-assed decorated. There were no such thing as leaves, or pins of any sort on this tree. The tree was literally dead; but this was her very own Christmas tree. Tri-colored eyes just stared at it… as if it would suddenly turn huge and sparkle and there'd be a family surrounding her laughing and making fun of people. Throwing the wrapping paper in an attempt to shut the other up.

A light smile traced over her lips, remembering when she had a family to turn too; have fun with, but that was many, many years ago. The only thing that was under this three inch tree was a small box lightly wrapped with the limited amount of paper she could find in this apartment. Taking in a deep breath the woman gingerly reached out and touched the box, using the tips of her fingers to move into her palm, in an attempt to pull the small box towards her.

It wasn't working.

Sighing lightly, she propped herself up, using one arm and her crossed-legs before grasping the small box in her palm. Sitting back down, she let her legs move from underneath her and onto the cold seemingly wet floor before letting her fingers rip open the paper. She stared at the white box she had given to herself; acting wasn't going to get her far, so she just looked at it with a bored look.

Using her index finger she popped open the top and looked at the small pair of gauged earrings. She remembered the gauge, it was 8; the earrings itself was red and black, but twisted into one so it looked similar to a tornado. Sighing, she placed the box on the table and let her head lean back and rest against the couch, letting her eyes close.

- Flash back -

Both walked to the elevator, Gaara still following her. It was nice of him to continue to follow her, but it still felt odd. The hallway smelt as if it was burning and there was old milk laying on the floor and no one was cleaning it up. Tsuyahra had to hold her breath before walking into the elevator as it reached them. When Tsuyahra took a breath in through her nose, she had to cover her mouth and nose so, one she wouldn't throw up, and two, so she didn't take another breath in until she was in her apartment.

Gaara only gave her an odd look, smirking at her reaction. This smell didn't really bother him, but it was still pretty damned bad. Walking out of the elevator behind her, she came to a stop ten doors away from the Elevator ( He decided he should count, just in case ) and pulled out her keys.

She turned to Gaara, wanting to say Thank you, and good night, but her eyes widened at what had happened. She could see his face, literally millimeters away from her face, eyes staring back at her, narrowing in a way to make her comply. Of course, she did, she couldn't resist; but she kissed back lightly, Gaara pulled away, smirking at her flushed face.

- End flashback -

Opening her eyes she stared at the ceiling, letting her index finger trace her lips, as if it was an attempt to feel Gaara's lips against hers once more. But of course, the feeling would reach that far and she just laid down on the couch, letting her arms rest on her stomach. She didn't want to go to work today; she did, after all, need a day off. Christmas, as boring as it was right now, would be her day off. Tomorrow would be busy…

Absently she let her mind wonder to what Gaara was doing right now; probably sitting at work with that… person who had tried to fight with her last night. She vowed never to return to his work, ever again. She didn't want to see that 'Tasha person. She didn't really like her… okay that was an understatement.

The sound of knocking moved through the room, and Tsuyahra sighed, rolling herself off the couch, none-too-successfully landing on her knee's, but on her stomach hard, practically knocking the wind out of her. Gasping for air, she pushed herself up, letting her hand move over her chest before half-crawling and half-walking to the door. Letting her hand wrap around the cold metal doorknob she stood up, and twisted it.

She opened the door and went to greet whoever it was, but was thrown into a bone-crushing hug, before falling to the floor with someone on top of her. She gasped lightly, trying to figure out who's ambush her at the door, but after seeing dirty-blonde and her legs were almost out the door, she knew exactly who it was.

"Eh, Kayla-chan… Can't breath.." Tsuyahra let her voice come out in rasped gasps, trying as quickly as possible to get the taller female off her. Succeeding fairly quickly, she pushed herself up into a standing position, looking over this 'Kayla' person.

She was tall; taller than Gaara now that she realized it. Her hair, from the last time she had seen her, was longer. Reaching to about her waist. Her bright blue eyes danced with excitement; her brows furrowed lightly before relaxing. Her jeans were dirty from falling on the ground, her black spaghetti-strap visible behind her large puffy jacket - one that obviously was a lot of money. Yes, Kayla, was rich. Very rich indeed.

"Hey, 'Yahra-chan! It's been a while, ne, sis?"

Yes, Kayla was the sister she referred to when she was talking to Gaara last night. Tsuyahra nodded her head, walking over to the door and closing it so the stench didn't enter her home as much as it already did. Motioning to Kayla to sit down in the living room, she complied and Tsuyahra walking into the small kitchen putting the tea kettle on the stove and turning the stove on.

Moving over to a cabinet, she let her fingers glide over the cold metal handle, pulling at the door, watching it open before grasping two tea cups in her hands, setting them down on the counter and throwing in a tea bag for both cups. Turning, she walked back into the living room and sat down next to Kayla, who was taking off her jacket.

"So! Merry Christmas! How are you? What did you get! God! My birthday is in five days!" Kayla was hyper, that much Tsuyahra could tell. Well, hyper or she had gotten laid during the night. Sighing, Tsuyahra shook her head, leaning back in the couch.

"I'm fine, and all that I got was earrings for myself…" And a kiss from Gaara. Tsuyahra shook her head slightly, letting her eyes close for a moment before looking at Kayla, eyes half-closed.

"That's it? Well, I got…." And that was when she started to talk, and when Tsuyahra drowned her out easily, letting her eyes close and nodded whenever she felt like it. She loved her sister to death, but at times she managed to make herself known by talking to much, or acting preppy. Tsuyahra, of course, told Kayla of this, but she only brushed it off. Tsuyahra figured it was because of the people she hung around with when she had time.

She figured, when Kayla had no time, she came to visit her; or when she was in the area and even that was rare. Something moved through her chest, in an attempt to make her feel pain. She was lonely, as much as she hated to think that, she was. Sure she had a few friends, she had her sister, but slowly she wasn't becoming the sister she had thought she was.

'I wonder what would happen if I killed myself…. Who'd mi--' Tsuyahra stopped her train of thought. She didn't want to think of suicide. Suicide wouldn't get her anywhere's other than death. She remembered when she was younger, she had cut her wrists in an attempt to release the pain, but stopped after the second cut. It was pointless unless she was going to kill herself.

At that time, she had though her father would miss her if she died. She knew now, that that wouldn't have happened. He'd be happy; but if she did it now only people would hate her because she was stupid enough to pull such a stunt. Tsuyahra mentally sighed. She wanted to leave this life, for good… but she knew she wouldn't get very far.

If she left; she'd be killed. Physically, mentally and spiritually. There'd be no Tsuyahra left. Just and empty shell of what used to be there.

"…Oh, and I got a boyfriend!" Tsuyahra opened her eyes, finally returning to the conversation to look back at Kayla, who was smiling brightly. Tsuyahra smiled back and sat up properly, moving into her 'older-sister-mode'.

"Oh? Who's this? He doesn't hurt you, does he?" She heard her giggled and shaker her head, lightly slapping Tsuyahra on the shoulder.

"No! of course not. His name is Kankuro. Really nice guy. He works down the street from you… Yanno that really big building, really rich and such. I can't remember the name."

"How long have you two been together?"

Kayla paused, suddenly looking away as if she was ashamed. Sighing Tsuyahra placed her right hand on her shoulder, shaking her lightly. "I wont get mad…"

"Promise?" Kayla's voice was small.. Hardly did she ever seem as if something was bad, or if she was scared of Tsuyahra. Kayla's eyes watched as Tsuyahra nodded her head, and immediately she turned back into her old self. "Two years!"

Tsuyahra choked, on what? She didn't know. Two years she had someone, and never did she tell her? She was mad, but she had promised she wouldn't get mad at her. if she was face to face. Tsuyahra just laughed lightly, smiling as if nothing was wrong. "Well, that's good!"

"He's gonna ask me to marry him… Because, well…" She paused, fidgeting with her fingers before letting her hands rest on her stomach. "I'm pregnant!"

Tsuyahra's eyes widened at the news. Her younger sister, by five days… was pregnant. With a child… of some man she didn't even know face to face so she couldn't even judge him! Taking in a deep breath, she could feel the cool air circulate around her lungs, before moving out of her nose slowly.

"Congratulations, Kayla-chan."

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Tsuyahra sighed, shutting the door after Kayla had left. She threw her head against the door, closing her eyes. She wanted to cry; right then and there. Why did everyone have such good lives? Such good income from their job? Better families, boyfriends, soon-to-be husbands… Children? Everyone but her. She choked on her breath, her mouth opening to take in a deep, shuddering breath before exhaling as if she was in pain.

She collapsed against the door, falling onto her knee's before throwing her face into her hands, covering her eyes mouth and nose. Her hair framed around her face and hands as she leaned forwards, a small sob escaping her lips, tears already making their way past her eye-lids as she tried her best not to cry. She didn't want to; but it was going to happen regardless of how hard she tried.

She sat like that, for more than four minutes, face and hands wet, nose running as if she had a cold. Sniffling, even though it was practically futile, she sat up, using the door for help to stand up straight, she walked over to the small bathroom, grabbing a handful of toilet paper and blowing her nose. After finishing, she walked over to her skin, letting the water run before cupping a handful of water and splashing it over her face, in an attempted to wash away any tears that were there.

But it only created more… and more pain.

She collapsed once again, freely crying out as if someone would help her. She felt so weak… so alone. She wanted to just die. She really did. Leaning forwards she let her forehead rest against the cold floor of the bathroom, before letting her knee's move out from underneath her and drop her to her stomach, arms placing beside both sides of her head. Her eyes were blood-shot, and blurry. She couldn't really make out anything around her. Just the pastel white of the porcelain toilet in front of her.

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Gaara sighed, looking over paperwork for what was to come during the next couple of days. Something to deal with meetings, deals and other things that didn't really catch his interest. Getting bored with all the work and paper on his desk, he leaned back in his chair letting his mind absently run over what had happened this morning.

He had gotten a couple of presents from the whore's of the companies; a present that wasn't much from his older sister, Temari. A invitation to a wedding that Kankuro was having with some female named Kayla Tsuki on the second of January. Gaara's eyes glanced around his office. There was hardly anyone in today, and he didn't even know why he was here.

Probably just a habit of going to work.

Standing up from his desk, he figured, since it was noon anyways, that he would just leave work. Grabbing his jacket he threw it carelessly over his shoulders, and walked to the elevator and waited for it to reach the floor. Suddenly, as if something hit him in the face, he remembered that Tsuyahra had his other jacket. He had been complaining to himself last night her forgot the expensive jacket at the restaurant and even went back, only to see it wasn't there.

That jacket alone was about three hundred, and the suit itself was about five hundred. Stepping into the elevator, he'd have to go see Tsuyahra today; hopefully she wasn't busy with anything today so he didn't have to disrupt her. Exiting the elevator as it came to the main floor, he exited, getting random 'merry Christmas's' and other things he wasn't paying attention to.

Walking out the front door, he decided to walk to her house, figuring it was too much of a hassle to get to his car, drive on the street, find a parking spot near her house, go in, get his jacket, leave and find his window smashed in. He was irritated the last time that happened. So he decided to stick with the easier method. It was better for Global Warming! …Like he cared.

Letting his feet hit the ground, loud enough for him to hear he walked the couple of blocks to her house. He passed her shop, only to see that it was completely empty, a note was in the mailbox of the location. Deciding he should at least… be nice on Christmas, he grabbed the envelope that was addressed to Tsuyahra. Of course, curiosity got him, and he opened the letter.

He knew he shouldn't be snooping around in people's business, or opening their mail; but it wasn't like he feared the law or anything. He could easily buy his way out. It was like he spend money as if he used hundred dollar bills to wipe his mouth clean after a head chef made his supper…. Come to think of it, he hated maid and servants… Shaking he head, he let his mind move onto the paper in front of him, his jade eyes reading over each word.

Tsuyahra

Your lucky that rich prick decided to step in and save your life. I promise you, you'll die.

Watch your back. Never know who'd jump out.

Gaara growled, stopping in his stride. Re-reading over the letter. So he was a rich prick, and she was going to die no matter what? Not as long as he knew Tsuyahra she wasn't going to die. He didn't really care about his feelings at this moment; his stomach was churning in guilt for stepping in, but in pride for saving her life. His heart beat was rapid against his ribcage. After knowing Tsuyahra for almost a week, the poor male figured out he was falling in love with her.

Of course, he didn't figure that out on his own. He had talked to Kankuro about suddenly being all nice to someone and taking care of her by bringing her to the hospital. Kankuro laughed at him for a moment, before getting Gaara's death glare. The older male just smile and patted his younger brother on the shoulder, laughing as he said..

"You're in love!"

Letting his feet move, he shoved the letter into his pocket. He arrived at the woman's apartment, walking up the steps and towards the elevator, only to see a female walk out and hit in him the shoulder, only to cause her to retract back.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" She paused, grasping her chest as if he gave her a heart attack. Gaara's shoulders only moved into a shrug that he didn't really care. He was mad, but he wasn't about to beat down a woman for running into him.

She eyed him, narrowing her eyes in confused. "Why are you here? You must have money if you can afford that suit…" She pursed her lips as if she was thinking.

"I'm here to see someone…" He didn't really want to talk to her, his head was starting to hurt.

"Maybe, 'Yahra-chan?" She seemed a little over-happy. "Aw, how cute. Are you two dating? Cause if you are, then she didn't even tell me!" She gasped.

"…No." He only gave her a bored look. How did she even know Tsuyahra?

"Oh… Well then. Doesn't matter. She's home so you can probably just walk in! Tah-tah!" She didn't even know who he was and she was telling him to just walk into Tsuyahra's house? What is wrong with people these days?

Gaara's eyes watched her leave, running out the front door before he entered the elevator and pressed the number two button. Waiting for about ten seconds, he watched the metal doors open before stepping out and walking down the hallway, counting till ten he went to go knock on the door only to hear sobs, as if someone was crying. Narrowing his eyes, he listened more, hearing the sound of something hitting the ground hard.

Growling, he opened the door and walked in, looking around the apartment, trying to figure out where Tsuyahra was. Moving into the living room, he spotted the bathroom, which had a light on, door wide open, and the echoing sounds of crying coming from there. He knew the crying coming from her lips. She was in pain. Not physically but mentally.

Did it have to deal with what that woman that bumped into him downstairs? Walking towards the bathroom, he came just in time to see her cover her face with her arms, letting her hair move over her face, blocking his view. Walking silently into the bathroom, he bent down and grabbed her shoulder, bringing her into a sitting position against his chest, before picking her up.

He heard her breathing hitch as he touched her, her head moving to look towards him, but he made it so she couldn't turn her face towards him. Of course, this caused her to try and get out of his grip, but he only muttered a 'stop' and she did so. Her right hand finding it way to his white dress-shirt clutching it tightly, as if it would take away the pain she was feeling.

He sat down on the couch, her face being buried into his chest, and she cried more, but it was muffled. He lets his arms encircle her, as he had seen done by Temari's boyfriend when she was upset about something and cried. Moving his right hand, he ran it through her hair, in a calm movement.

This was way to cliché for his liking.

Walk into an apartment, find a female crying, sooth her, and then the inevitable falling asleep after they stopped crying.

Tsuyahra didn't do that. She stopped crying, using the back of her sleeve to wipe her eyes before looking up at him.

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She laid sprawled out on the cold floor, her sobs still wracking her body as if it was an earthquake. Turning her head so that her arms covered her face and her hair blocked any view of light, she felt something touch her shoulder, before pulling her into a small embrace. She tensed, tears still falling from her eyes. She went to turn and look at who it was, but a hand was keeping her from moving her head. Feeling herself being lifted, she started to struggle to get out of the persons arms.

"Stop." She stopped instantly, knowing the voice. His voice held irritation and worry. For her? She doubted. Now, for some reason, being around him she didn't feel alone. She felt as if she had someone with her. A small, tiny smile graced her lips and let her hand grab a hold of his shirt tightly. The movement of sitting down motioned her to just throw her face into his chest and cry.

And she did so.

Though it was muffled, but she was crying. Her body tensed lightly when Gaara's arms moved around her, hugging her lightly before letting his hand run through her long hair. Slowly, her crying stop, but her shoulders still shook. Taking in a deep breath, she exhaled before pulling her face out of Gaara's chest and wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeves. After, she looked up at him.

"Gaara… W-why…?" She couldn't really finished her own sentence, a little embarrassed of what had just happened. Gaara's shoulders moved into a shrug, his Jade eyes boring into her tri-colored eyes.

"I came to get my jacket… Why were you crying?"

She shook her head lightly, not wanting to talk about it. Feeling it was a stupid thing to cry over. She let her eyes move away from his face, but his hand moved to the side of her face and turned her head towards him.

"Why?"

"I-I.. It's stupid…" She looked down, and Gaara only moved his hand a little bit, to get her to look back up at him. He was glaring by now, and she sighed shakily. "It's my sister… my family… my life. Everything.." She paused for a moment, closing her eyes and moving her face so that it wasn't facing Gaara.

"I just found out that my sister has been dating some guy named Kankuro for two years, and is pregnant and is getting married. And not knowing that made me feel as if she didn't really trust me; which lead to me thinking that 'what if I killed myself' stage. Then, thinking about Christmas and… it's very complicated and it's stupid… I'm just alone. To sum it all up… really." Her voice was above a whisper, Gaara, needing to strain his hearing just to catch onto what she was saying. A sigh escaped his lips, and she looked at him.

"It's not stupid, Tsuyahra, and your not alone…" He knew it sounded cliché but he didn't really care. "I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yeah…" She sighed softly. "It's just that, to me, everyone has better lives. Has everything they ever need. While I have to work so damned hard to even get one thing for myself, for Christmas."

"Everyone has to work hard, sometimes. Because some people have a lot of money doesn't mean they have the best of lives. They usually lose all friends they get and become conceded."

"..Or extremely preppy, and can't make time for you at all.." She shook her head lightly.

"I bumped into someone when I was coming up here. She's tall… Blondish hair.."

"…You saw Kayla-chan?" She looked surprised, it was over ten minutes ago that she left. She watched him nod. "She's my sister…"

"Eventually, she'll be my own sister-in-law." Gaara sighed, as if he dreaded it.

"Wait… what do you mean?" It seemed as though all of her sadness vanished, easily. She sat up better, so she could look at Gaara properly.

'Kankuro is my older brother… Their planning the wedding for January second…" He watched her eyes flash sadness at the date. Did she not know? "…She didn't tell, or invite you, did she?" He watched her shake her head, sighing she lowered her head, moving back to her depression.

"She probably just wants to make my life worse and find things out for myself an--"

"She probably doesn't even know the date, so don't jump to conclusions. Kankuro is one to rush things and get everything done as fast as possible. But, Tsuyahra; you really need a new job. If you want I can help you--"

"No." She looked up at him, shaking her head. "no, I don't want you to. I don't want you to save me from my own purgatory. I'll find my own way out of it… no matter how hard it is."

"Tsuyahra, you wont get far. You need to let others help you." Gaara was a bit taken back by himself. Why did he care so much for this woman who was still sitting on his lap?

Tsuyahra sighed softly. "You… don't have any connections to the music industry.. Do you?" He looked at her confused, Tsuyahra smiled lightly.

"My sister, Temari does. Why?"

"I want to become a singer, solo Artist…"

"A singer?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I have always wanted to be in the music business for my whole life… Why do you think I put up a shop that sells music?"

He knew it was rhetorical, but shrugged his shoulders. Temari had her ways with the music industry ever since she started to date her boyfriend, Shikamaru who was in a popular band with one of his good friends, Naruto.

"Do you have a demo tape?" Tsuyahra's eyes brightened, as if it just made her day, and she nodded, moving herself off Gaara's lap and disappeared into a room, a couple of things moving before she came out, holding a disk in front of him, so he could take it. Now that he looked over her body, she looked horrible, but fine - which didn't even make since to him.

Standing up, he grasped the cd from her hands, now standing in front of her, practically towering over her short form. Smirking lightly, he lowered his head and brought his lips over hers. She tensed, fingers stretching out as if to grab onto something. He was kissing her, again…

If she could have smiled, she would have, but her lips were occupied by another's as she returned the kiss, her arms moving to wrap around his neck and pull him closer to her. His kiss brought shocks to her body; made her forget why she was upset in the first place… why she ever thought she was alone.

His tongue moved over her bottom lip, as if asking for entrance, and her being in her hazed-mind state, she agreed, opening her mouth a little bit for him to slide his tongue into her mouth. Their tongue battled to see who would win and she was losing. This was actually her very first 'French kiss', the kiss her gave her last night, was her first kiss.

She was enjoying this more than she knew she should have, but he tasted to damned good for her hold back. She leaned into him lightly, earning a groan from his throat. His right hand snaked it's way around her waist bringing her closer to his body, as if he was begging for more warmth.

Breaking away from their kiss, Tsuyahra panted lightly, face slightly flushed. She licked her lips, and Gaara smirked, taking that as an indication that she had liked it. Her arms were still wrapped around his neck, and his arm was still wrapped around her waist as if they were suddenly going to burst into a slow dance, and a ball would float down from the ceiling and start spinning bright lights… If only.

Tsuyahra blushed more, pulling away from him slowly. She didn't know what to do, after that, so she stayed quiet.

"I need to leave… Tsuyahra… I'll see you soon." Gaara turned to leave, only to be stopped by her grabbing his arm lightly. He looked back at her.

"Wanna go… for lunch.. Tomorrow?"

"Is that a date?"

Tsuyahra smiled, then laughed lightly. "Think it whatever you want." Gaara smirked and nodded, and left the apartment, leaving Tsuyahra to stare at the door, and Gaara to forget his jacket, once again.

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R i d 3 r: Well! There, look, a present for all of you! I got bored.. So I wrote this up. Pretty long on my part… my wrist hurts! ANYWAYS.

3karen3: Thanks!

All.My.Sorrows: Lmao, I loved your review. Ah, I wish I could strangle the 'Tasha that is used in real life… She deserves it. -smiles- Thanks for the review.

LittleAngel22493: Ehehe, thank you!

Gaara's Pyro RACCOON: I feel as though your gonna jump out of no where's and kill me!

Merry Christmas/ Chanukah/ Kwanza, and anything else, I can't remember! Sorry!