I apologize for how long this update took but my friend insisted I try some new anime and guess what I discovered. Black Butler! I know it's a sad excuse, especially since I watched both seasons already, but that is simply one hell of a show. I definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it before.

Well, anyway. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

My eyes peeled open slowly, my mind groggy as I first awoke. I felt something warm beside me, underneath of me, all around. I curled against this granter of warmth, seeking to be ever closer. It was almost as if I couldn't get close enough. Then, my littler ball of warmth began to stir. I felt new thoughts, worries, stress invading my warmth. I fought against it, wiping such things away. The warmth became still.

Finally, I began to piece things together. It was a slow process, morbidly slow, but it worked. "Gaara," I breathed, lifting my face to stare at his. He looked so peaceful when he was asleep. All those worries, the dread. It disappeared when he slept. That was the magic of our connection, because I knew the same thing happened to me. Yet, sleeping apart, the nightmares were abundant and unfair.

I pushed my unsightly bangs and sat up, rubbing at my eyes. I felt his fingers drop away from my bare skin, yet I did not give his brain a chance to try to awaken. I had never been so intertwined with another mind, and I found that I could do a great many things that had been out of my reach before. For example, I could project my thoughts into his mind, as clear as day. I could completely wipe away thoughts that I found to my disliking. I could stop him from waking, and I could force him to sleep. But Gaara was my master and he knew of my tampering. I'd never keep such a thing from him.

Suddenly, the arm that always held me snug wrapped firmly around my waist, tugging me closer. The warmth of his skin against mine was something I delighted in. Ever since he had convinced me to sleep in just a pair of shorts, I felt more comfortable with him than ever. We had no secrets from the other. How could we?

For weeks, our relationship had been like this, a serene calm. Even with the shinobi world going mad over the Akatsuki, together, we could stand in the eye of the storm. Rumors were spreading like wildfire. Were we going to get married? Am I a paid escort of some kind? Whatever could our relationship mean? But all of this was well contained by myself and the Council. These rumors were nothing more than fleeting gossip from one Sand villager to the next. They would never escape the walls.

As I lay there, thinking, I couldn't help but to wonder what was going to happen today. Gaara had been trying to convince Lady Tsunade to consider handing me over to Suna. The negotiations between the two were slow going, but they had finally come to an agreement. Gaara had asked me to say out of it, and I agreed. We shared everything else. He deserved the one privacy.

I can't lay here any longer, I thought remorsefully. I need to move. Some fresh air and a little training would be nice. In fact, I think I might even hunt a rabbit or two. I'm tired of normal food, and now I can shift at will again. It'll be nice to hunt, especially today. "Gaara," I called, not wanting to force him out of his sleep, though I was more than capable of it. I put my hand over his collarbone, pulling my lips closer to his ear. "It's time to wake up." As I said this, I moved my lips and planted a gentle kiss on the kanji on his forehead. I hadn't told him yet, but I did love him. I knew that now.

"You skin is freezing this morning, Nari," he muttered, opening his eyes. I stared into the ice blue orbs, marveled by their beauty.

"You know how little I've been eating, lately. That's probably why. It's nothing to worry about." He watched me calmly. I blushed a little under his gaze and then got up, going to get dressed. I had brought clothes in with me the night before. "But I'm going to hunt today. I like the idea of some fresh meat," I reassured him as I pulled on a loose-fitting, black shirt. The sleeves almost made it to my elbows, but not quite. The black capris I added would help protect my skin from the sun.

Nari. I waited for his request. I could see him musing it over in his mind, not sure exactly what he wanted of me. Be careful, he finally decided. I laughed a little.

I told you to stop worrying about me. I'm not a doll. I can take care of myself, I responded nonchalantly. Anyway, I probably won't be out for long, and when I'm done, I'll go to my room and finish the work Temari gave me. See? There's nothing to be worried about. We've both faced greater threats before.

To be so close to having you as mine, I simply don't want to lose you.

"Honestly, Gaara. I'll be fine. If you keep worrying like that, you'll get wrinkles. Besides, what would anyone benefit from hurting me? I don't carry anything important, those outside of Suna are completely clueless to our relationship, and I'm really not that great of a ninja. It'd be useless to attack me. You'll see." He frowned but let it be and got dressed. When we were done, I shifted and jumped out of the window. It might have been a long fall, but it'd barely affect someone like me.

►§◄

I smirked, pleased with myself, and rested my chin in my palm. It only took me an hour to write a full letter to Sadao. That was quite an accomplishment as far as I was concerned. All I had to do now was take it to the mail tower. I let the ink dry as I stood and put away my writing utensils. I glanced up at my door and before Temari could bother knocking, I opened it.

"Ugh, you're still writing on the floor?" she scolded me. I just shrugged and continued with my task. I didn't like to sit in chairs at a desk or table. Laying on the ground to write was much more preferable. "Well, at least your lessons are coming along nicely." Temari was the one teaching me how to write. Sending letters to Sadao was just an added bonus. "Anyway, Gaara wants to see you in his office."

"Is he going to tell me the response from Lady Tsunade?" It had been nearly a month since we proposed the idea. We figured that she would have some sort of requests to compensate for the loss of a jounin but we hadn't thought the process would take so long. As he and her bantered over me, I had respected his wishes and not read his thoughts over the issues. Perhaps I'd finally be getting some information.

"I think so." I eagerly followed after her. I could send Sadao's letter afterwards. She accompanied me along the way, talking about this and that. She took me all the way there but didn't join me when I entered the Kazekage's office. She planned on nabbing me afterwards to visit the hospital. We still hadn't discovered if my uterus was fully healed. I figured it was, since my ability to shift was restored, but Temari wasn't so sure.

"You wanted me?" I said softly. Gaara glanced up and nodded, before returning to his paperwork. I waited until he was finished with his document before I interrupted him again. "May I ask what for?" His sigh made me nervous.

"Lady Tsunade and I have come up with an agreement."

"And?"

"In order to transfer you to Suna, she's required that first you return to Konoha for a full medical examination and then, when you return, you're to be taken off active duty."

What does that mean?

"That means I won't be able to send you on missions. In simpler terms, you'll be retired. The only time you'd see action is in cases of extreme emergency."

"What would I do then?" I saw it in his head before he could say it aloud. I groaned. "Back to the Council? Really?"

"This time you'd be a permanent member. In fact, now that you can write and perform math, the Council is willing to consider making you the new Head of Defense." I grimaced. "Nari, I want you to stay in Suna. This was the only thing we could agree on. At least consider it." I glanced up into his eyes, so deep and full of longing.

"If I join the Council, then I'm making a request. There has to be one day, just one day, where I don't get called into meetings unless it's an emergency. Just one day. I'll do my job as Head of Defense, but don't make me sit with the Council every single day." He considered it for a moment, and then agreed. We stood there, staring at each other in silence. He had something else to ask of me.

"I want your opinion on an issue…"

"The Akatsuki are as great a threat, if not greater than, you believe. I never really took their goals seriously, despite the promising members they had at their disposal. They need to be dealt with. Sooner, rather than later." Konoha has been working on it. "Of course they have. They're protecting Naruto. Still, they're going to need help, even more than Suna can offer. But I'm afraid there's nothing you can do about it. The other Kage would laugh at you, saying your concerns are childish. Just be patient. The opportunity will come."

"What if patience comes with a price?" he asked, standing and turning to stare out his window.

"Your friends will not perish, Gaara. Not while I'm around." He glanced at me, confused. "I want to make you happy. I need them for that."

"You've been taken off of active duty."

"I'd become a rogue if that's what it took to ensure your happiness. You deserve it. You always have." And yourself?

You're what makes me happy. I saw it then, that soft smile. I was sure it was real this time, not some flicker of my imagination. I beamed back at him. So, when do I leave?

Whenever you're ready. Is there anyone in particular you'd like to travel with you? he asked. We both knew he couldn't come along.

"Could you spare Temari?"

I know this chapter was short but I plan on updating soon. Thanks for reading and please review!