And here we have chapter three!

Friday, September 10th,

I'm well aware I said I would be meeting with him daily, but he's been making such a feat impossible. He is literally doing everything within his power to keep me away from him. I think he dislikes the game we have begun to play, as he's making sure the ball stays in his court. That is fine with me. Eventually, drastic measures will have to be taken so I may resume his treatment. Kakashi has mentioned putting him on an anti-psychotic. I shut the idea down before it had a second to foster within my mind. There is no point in drugging him up, especially if I wish to make progress with him. That would chase away any inkling of trust that may happen, despite the fact that it doesn't logically make any sense. Trust is not a word he understands, nor is willing to understand. I have boundaries I must work within, and he is quite insistent on keeping me away from the walls. I have regulations I must upkeep, or I will lose my position as his psychologist. There must be a way for one to explain that traditional methods of therapy will simply not work on such an individual. I wonder if I'll receive odd looks if I suggest shock treatment?

–

I am unsure if I had ever been so frustrated in my life. Surely, this could not be the peaking point of a negative emotional high? I've had traumatic events happen in my childhood, and yet, they do not upset me any where near as much as this has. I let out a sigh as I stretch my hands above me, my shoulders popping from the stretch. It had been a while since I had last done yoga, as I was unpacking in my temporary apartment. There was barely a moment of time for myself, when I was being ushered around and displayed like a prized trophy. By whom, one may inquire? Perhaps the only friend I possessed in this place, and I coined that term rather loosely. Kakashi had taken a liking to my prickly personality, offering to take me out to lunch to further discuss what routes I was willing to take with my charge. Skepticism had danced through my brain, as it would most people, but I had agreed, after making it clear it would be strictly professional. He had only laughed at me, and said something about how he was way out of my league. I had snorted and resisted the urge to flip him off. It was I who wanted to remain on the clock with this, wasn't it? That plan had failed miserably.

North American McDonald's tasted so different from Irish McDonald's. That was a fact, and no one was going to prove me wrong.

Kakashi had said something about Gaara's siblings wanting to meet me. I had thought nothing of it, as it was common practice for the immediate family of the patient to wish to see the person designated to help them. However, my friend (again, loose term there), didn't seem too pleased with this notion. I went to inquire why, but he had beat around the bush, quite literally. How he managed to put a bush between the two of us within the short duration of our conversation was something of a mystery, but I was quickly learning to not question what he did. He was spontaneous, and full of life. I almost envied what I knew of him. He could laugh when it was appropriate, and stay serious when it was called for. His social queues were impeccable, and he could read people with ease that even made me cautious around him. He picked up on this quickly, and didn't pester me when I went silent. He was probably waiting to get to know me, before sending me into a flurry of discomfort that would most certainly amuse him. I was oddly alright with this, given that he didn't seem like a completely terrible person. He didn't seem one hundred percent sane either, but who was? We worked in a field where the line between sanity, and insanity, frequently intermingled. Our version of normal was vastly different from those who lived in modern society.

"Honestly, Kakashi. I don't see how they're going to be terrible people." I announce.

"I didn't say they were terrible, I just said they're prone to disagreements." he corrected. "When it comes to their youngest brother.. They're rather.. Reserved and standoffish."

"They care enough to want to seek me out."

"I'm not sure that was fully out of concern, Cinnie."

That brought a scowl to my face. Ever since this after work hanging out we have been doing, he decided to grace me with a nickname. It wasn't the first time that I had been called Cinnie, and if I was being honest, it was better than my mother calling me her Cinnabun. It honestly wasn't hard to say my name, and I even waved off his odd pronunciation of it! My cheeks puffed out in an equally childish manner, and I was scarlet by the time I noticed what I had done. Professional or not, it was difficult to maintain a mask of seriousness outside of my work hours, when I wasn't used to doing such a thing in the first place. I wasn't even getting paid for this, so the idea of having to maintain such a stiff attitude was far from appealing. As tempted as I was to give up, I didn't know this man enough to make me feel comfortable exposing such a vulnerable part of who I was. Trust was something that Gaara and I had in common, or in this case, lack of it. Some trusted fully until one gave them a reason to no longer do so. I didn't understand it. Trust should be earned, and outside of my mother, there was none who have earned it.

I didn't lack friends, I just wasn't a social butterfly. I went out to the pub with my 'gaggle' some nights, but didn't get plastered. A few drinks to taste, and that was all. I was hit on, which wasn't surprising, given that once either gender had liquid courage in their system, they indeed have their temporary solution to their anxiety. I was far from interested. A wall was put up the second I was approached, and I watched them with cool amusement. How could one expect to find romance within the confines of a false pretense? They could not. I was no better than they.

"If not concern for him, concern for something." I said finally, "To maintain an image, to nurse a new one.."

Had I been paying attention, I would have seen Kakashi nod grimly, his face set downwards. I was not paying attention however, as I had noticed a sign that said something about an aquarium. As much as I prided myself in being a mature, responsible adult, who did her groceries and paid her bills on time, there was something wondrous about things such as zoos and aquariums. Perhaps it was the colours, reminding me just how vibrant the world was? I saw it mostly in white and black, as my patients did. The abstract idea that things possessed different hues was something I was familiar with in an artistic sense, but not when it came to how humans acted. It was one or the other, with no gray in between. There was good and bad, insane and sane, normal and abnormal. There were those who were in the institution, and those who were outside of it. The walls of a hospital's psychiatric ward were nothing compared to what these people went through, and 'American Horror Story' did a cruel sort of justice to it, in a religious manner that was overly dramatic. Religion was respected, and practiced, but under strict supervision. After all, they were people too, even if they weren't being treated as such.

"Did they say when they wanted to meet me?" Realization dawned upon me that I actually had no idea as to what was going on. Kakashi had their numbers, while I was left in the dark. I didn't trust the older male to play middle man, and I began to pester him for their contact information immediately. He relented rather quickly, something else having caught his eye. A lopsided wave was tossed in my general direction, and he was off in that slow manner that he called walking. I almost felt bad for anyone who socialized with him in a manner that required them to go places.

Pulling my phone out from my jean pocket, my eyes scanned over the screen quickly to make sure I hadn't missed any calls from my mother (I hadn't), and I was quick to tap in the number that I had been given. The phone rang once, twice, thrice, before a feminine voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Is this Temari?"

"Yes. May I ask who's calling?"

"Doctor Breen, the psychologist working with your brother, Gaara."

I then heard a click, and it was apparent that I had been hung up on. That was not what I was expecting, and I was about to turn my phone off, when it rang again, but this time, it came from a different number. I answered; after all, I was still in the working mentality, even if I wasn't seeing my friendly little patient.

"Hello? Doctor Breen? This is Temari. I'm sorry I had to hang up, but I wanted to get Kankuro in on the call, and he was holed up in his room. Did you say you were working with Gaara?" she asks, her voice rather aloof.

"Yes, that is indeed what I said. Are you alright with that? I understand he's had issues with past therapists, and Doctor Hatake wanted me to touch base with you, given that you've shown interest in speaking with me." I explain.

"Are you free in about an hour?"

"I was thinking of checking out the aquatic center downtown, but certainly, I can be free. Is there some place you would like to meet?" Temari didn't waste any time in arranging things, and for that, I was silently thankful. Details were exchanged, and I was told to meet the two at a Starbucks. This shouldn't be too difficult, or at least, that is what I thought until I saw the sheer number of that green sign in one area. It seemed everywhere I turned, there was one. Just how did she expect me to navigate myself through a city I had never been to? I did the logical thing, and asked someone; a kindly old lady who pointed me in the right direction. I was polite, saying thank you, and wishing her a good day, before scurrying off. The city was a lot bigger than I had anticipated, and when I had finally reached my destination, I groaned with dread.

I didn't know what they looked like.

So there I stood, awkwardly in a Starbucks, reading the too small print of their menu, and wondering just what a Flat White was. It was listed under the espresso drinks, so I made the assumption that it was strong. I was moving towards the line, when I heard my name being called. I turned around, and was met with a rather elegant looking duo.

The woman was tall, and quite shapely. Her hair was a dirty blonde, and pulled back into a messy ponytail, her bangs framing her soft face nicely. She was donned in a woolen jumper, but the make was so fine, I immediately felt under dressed. Her pants were clearly something from a richer store, and I felt a twinge of jealously, but forced myself to focused my attention on the male, who was startling handsome. His own hair was shorter than both his siblings, and he had.. Was that paint splattered on his nose? Unlike his sister, he was wearing tighter clothes, that quite clearly showed off the muscle toning that he seemed quite proud of. I understood why, and had to advert my attention back to Temari, who was watching me in amusement.

"I'd ask if you liked what you saw, but I really don't want to think anyone could be attracted to my younger brother." she says with a grin. Despite her friendly demeanor, her eyes were hard, and they were the same shade of teal that Gaara had. They lacked the intense emotions that danced in his orbs, but I knew she was picking me apart mentally. She noticed I was smaller than her, pudgier, and most certainly not as well kept. My hair was down, and while I was wearing my own jumper, it didn't look anywhere near as pretty as hers did. Mine didn't hug my body, while hers was tight fit, showing off that she was indeed confident with how she looked.

"If you could forgive me for my momentary lack of professionalism.." I began, but I was interrupted by Kankuro.

"You don't look like you could handle a fly, let alone Gaara!" he says with a snort. Temari turned around and shot him a glare, that even Gaara would wither under, or at least, I thought he would wither under. One would have to be immune to fear to not back down from that dangerous look in her eyes. Kankuro did just that, shifting his gaze and muttering something under his breath.

"Forgive him. He doesn't know how to keep rude comments to himself." Temari says coolly. She agreed with him, from how she looked at me. She had turned her nose, and made a beeline for the most remote corner in the shop, and I was more than happy to follow her. The crowd was making me anxious, and I didn't do well with dealing with my own issues. Others, I could handle, but my own? Now that was another story and a can of worms I wasn't prepared to work on. Motioning for me to choose my seat, Temari parks herself against the wall, and Kankuro follows. Fingers are curled within one and other, and elbows are placed upon the table. They clearly meant business.

"Who exactly are you?" Temari asks quietly. I swallow thickly.

"Ciannait Breen. I'm a psychologist from Ireland who has been called to assist your brother in his healing process." There was no time for me to be uncomfortable. She had the same air of dominance as Gaara did, but it was far less life threatening than the redhead. That was almost soothing.

"They flew you in?" she asks, surprise echoing her voice.

"Yes." I replied.

"Then you clearly must be good at what you do."

"I would like to think so, yes."

"Then you should know a lost cause when you see one."

I opened my mouth, and then closed it. A lost case? Is that how they saw their brother? Something so broken it could not be saved? I had heard the words before, most families thought the same thing after the patient was admitted to an institute, but it still struck a chord within me each time it was said. Normally, I would be asked if there was anything I could do, in a desperate voice that made my heart clench with unwanted sympathy. The families also reminded me that I was human, in a much kinder way than those in my care did. The concern in their eyes was touching, and if I could play the violin, I probably would, but my musical talent was next to none. I didn't even participate in karaoke nights with my mother, and people there were drunk.

"I wouldn't say he's a lost cause. He's not going to be easy to work with, he's made that clear, but if you just give up on people, especially people such as your brother, who have grown accustomed to it, he's going to continue with how his less than acceptable behaviour." I say slowly, picking my words carefully. "An old dog can be taught new tricks, so to say."

Terrible analogy, I know, but it was all I could think of right now. Kankuro and Temari didn't appreciate it either, as the uninterested look on Kankuro's face was replaced with a disgusted one. I cringed, doing my best to sink into my chair at my poor choice of words. Public settings were not my forte, and I wished I could vanish. Just, poof, disappear. Anywhere would be better than being held under such hostile and pompous stares.

"I didn't mean it in the way you're clearly thinking. The brain is organic, and it can be rewired through intensive forms of therapy. When something isn't working right, it's my job to nudge it in the right direction. Things such as medication would be prescribed by someone else who would see to him regularly, and I would be the one that helped him control things such as his anger, and the narcissism he's displayed. All I would be doing is rerouting the way he thinks, but it would take a long time as he has a rather sunny disposition. That is the psychological definition of what I just said, so can you please stop looking at me like you're going to murder me?"

I won't mention that I was debating shock therapy. They'd probably kill me and somehow manage to get away with it too. I could see the cogs working in their brains as they processed just what I had said. I really, really, should have used a different analogy, but it was the first one that came to my mind in regards to what I was attempting to explain.

"Now I'm not saying I want him medicated. From what I've gathered so far, I can tell he's been heavily misdiagnosed. Your brother is clearly not depressed, nor does he have this.. Crippling anxiety that his file reads. The pleas of insanity aren't sitting well with me either, which makes me question just who he's been seeing. He was transferred here from America, yes?"

There was an uncomfortable silence that washed over us. They didn't like what I had said, nor the way I had said it. That was incredibly unexpected. I had literally just told them there was less wrong with him than they were led to believe. As his family, should they not be overjoyed that he wasn't as messed up as they thought? I know I would be, and I know most families had a renewed sense of hope when I brought forth my speculations. My teeth tugged at my cheeks, and I began to worry at the soft flesh, until I felt the coppery taste of blood assault my tongue sharply. I cleared my throat, coughing slightly at the thickness of the substance, as I laced my fingers together. Either they were making this awkward, or I had screwed up somehow, and was failing to realize that I had done so. Organized files that I stored in my brain were rapidly being pulled out as I attempted to assess the situation, a panicky breath spilling forth as my breathing hitched when Temari leaned forth to say something.

"You're telling me, that all those other doctors, are wrong about Gaara?" she hisses.

Fuck.

"Yes. That is what I am telling you. He doesn't display textbook symptoms of more than two thirds of the diagnosed issues, and therefor, doesn't qualify. Excuse me for asking, but why are you two not through the roof? You've just been told that your brother has a chance to live a normal life, and you look as if I told you he's been hit by a truck and will spend the rest of his life in comatose."

"Don't get us wrong, we're ecstatic." Kankuro says, rather dryly. I wanted to smack him. "It's just you're the first doctor that has told us he has a chance. Everyone else told us to give up, that he was going to stay in the loony bin for the rest of his life, rocking back and forth and muttering about whatever sick shit he fantasies about."

"I.. I don't think he does that. From our brief encounters, he's been a very intellectual being. I have beliefs that he's played the doctors into giving him these illnesses.. He's smart enough, and it would certainly be a power play for him." I say, shaking my head as I rest my chin on the top of my hands. "I think he's playing a game, much along the lines of false psychopathy. I haven't know him long enough to draw a conclusion, given that he's refusing to see me, and I don't believe on encroaching the patient's privacy."

There was that silence again. All three of the siblings seemed to be prone to it, but for different reasons. It was a lot to swallow, the information I had just brought to the table. Shock was also a viable way to respond to something so different from what they were used to. That gave me a small surge of reassurance that they would eventually respond in a matter that wasn't sarcastic. Maybe they weren't one for public displays of emotions? That also could be a legitimate reason.

"So, essentially, you're telling us, that with work, he can be.. He can be better?" Temari asks, her voice wavering for a split moment.

"Only if he wants to be better, yes. You can't force him to do things he doesn't want to do.. But, in time, and with a lot of work, you can have your brother back." Nodding, a smile tugged at my lips. There it was, that small ray of hope peaking through.

"Have him back? We never had him in the first place." Kankuro spat. "Don't go talking like you'll actually be able to 'save' him. He doesn't want help, because he doesn't think there's anything wrong with him. He fucking laughed when he killed the family pet, and was caught skinning it. No normal, no sane, person does that!"

He was right, unless it was a taxidermist, but I would keep that to myself. I heavily doubted that Gaara had an interest in taxidermy. If he did, well then, I would probably laugh until I was heaving. That could be an excuse to kill the family pet, but the laughing bit was what struck out to me. He has violent tendencies, but he showed me certain kindness that he didn't apply to the animal. Well, if you can call having your head cradled while your eye was almost licked kindness. It was more so to hold me in place, but it still stands, somewhat. He could have easily pushed me forward and bashed my head against the side of the wood, but he didn't. I would mention this to Kakashi, given that I would be the first female who was working with him. The rest had been males. Homosexual tendencies were apparently a no go, but I would need to further investigative into that possibility. He was a basket case of things, and untangling the lies from the truth was going to be a right pain in the rear.

"His file is… Shockingly barren when it comes to information regarding his past. It would be wonderful if you could help fill in a few of those blanks.." I mutter, going back to chewing my cheeks. "The more information I have will help further my assessment and help plan the best course of action for his recovery.."

They were shaking their heads, giving me a somber look. They really didn't believe that he could get better, even if there was a glimmer of hope in Temari's voice. Did Gaara know that? I would keep it to myself as to not deter him from the positivity that he could grasp.

I have come to the conclusion that talking to them is like pulling teeth. They weren't going to say anything, despite my overwhelmingly obvious need for information. I could see what Kakashi meant now, as he didn't think the concern was for their brother, so much as for another motive. In time, I would find out what it was, but for now, I pushed it to the back of my head. I had other things to worry about, such as how to aid the man that literally seemed to have no one standing by his side.

It was distressing to think about, and I inhaled sharply when Kankuro stood up. Temari probably shot him a look to tell him to sit back down, but as the receding footsteps that reached my ears, I summarized that he had left. A sigh follows the patter of his shoes, along with the voice I had pegged belonged to the oldest sibling.

"I'm sorry.. Temper runs in the family." Was all she said before darting off after her brother. I was left sitting there, unsure of what had just transpired. I hadn't been stood up, but they had left before we could actually delve into a meaningful conversation about the roles they would take in Gaara's recovery. For now, I would mark them as obsolete, but there was already a plan formulating in my head as to how I could get them involved. Far from appropriate was my line of thinking, but there was part of me that simply couldn't cope with the idea that someone's family had utterly given up on them. As it was once said by a wise blue alien: 'Ohana means family, and family means that no one gets left behind, or forgotten.'

In my professional opinion, this family needs to sit down and watch 'Lilo and Stitch'.