The breeze outside was pleasant. Haruhi watched the clouds in the sky through tiny spaces in-between the leaves of the tree, shading her from above. Gaara and she had been speaking about all kinds of things during their excursion outside in the garden. The topics of discussion were always different. It depended on what was on each individuals mind.

"What is it like where you live?" Haruhi asked curiously as she turned her attention back to Gaara. The maroon-haired young man moved his gaze of the second-story window (where Sakura had been looking at them, before disappearing from view suddenly) and over to Haruhi. Gaara took his time to think of what exactly he was going to say. Haruhi waited patiently beside him for an answer. Gaara picked up a leaf gingerly in his hands and eyed it.

"Suna is very different from this place. The sun seems to eternally be in the sky, creating a world of heat for us. The air is also extremely dry. Most foreigners that travel there without insider knowledge tend to find it a horrible desert place. However where the city actually resides, there is a literal Oasis. The Oasis is one of the reasons the town was able to be built in such a harsh environment. The seasonal rains that eventually come replenish the water supply. We also have underground water reserves," Gaara said factually. Haruhi listened intently, but found she wanted to know more.

"That sounds interesting. However, you didn't really talk about the people there very much. How are they?" Haruhi asked. Gaara was thrown off a bit by the question, but caught himself. He lowered the leaf in his hand and breathed in deeply.

"There people like from any town I guess. You have the normal citizens just living their lives. Then you have the…I suppose you'd call it military people. Or at least people that work to protect our city. Then you have the people that run the shops and things. Overall it's somewhat like any other normal town," Gaara explained.

"Maybe someday I can come visit Suna. You can show me all the right places to go," Haruhi commented with a smile.

"You'd really want to go?" Gaara asked softly.

"Of course. I think it'd be an interesting experience. I'd have to go before I attend law school, but I think as long as you take me it'll be possible," Haruhi replied. Gaara found that he had somewhat mixed feelings about the answer Haruhi gave.

He was happy that Haruhi wanted to Suna, especially with him in mind. However, other thoughts muddled about in his mind as well. He realized he'd eventually have to tell Haruhi the truth about who he really was. He was the Kazekage of Suna that fact would not be an easy one to hide if she did end up coming. Plus, he'd have to tell the whole story of himself.

Tightness built up in Gaara's chest. He wasn't ready to lose this wonderful treasure he had just gained. He couldn't lose it. He wanted this thing far too much. He'd be forever broken if it were gone. He didn't want to lose this feeling he had with Haruhi…

"The reason you wish to get into law. It's because of your mother isn't it?" Gaara said, quickly changing the subject. He hoped Haruhi wouldn't take too much notice of the sudden switch. It appeared she hadn't as she replied right away.

"Uh…yes. My mother is one of the reasons I want to be a lawyer, but how did you know that?" Haruhi asked curiously.

Gaara threw the leaf in his hand to the wayside. His chest seized again. He had successfully changed the subject, but he realized now that he simply led the conversation into another difficult direction. Gaara took a deep breath.

"I overheard some things about it through the students. For the most part it's your customers that told me. They only know about what you've told them. They talk about how you're striving to be a lawyer, because your mother was one. I came to my own conclusions about other information told to me about you, long before it was given to me. I heard about how your mother…." Gaara trailed off as he spoke.

"She died" Haruhi said softly, "Yes. That was about ten years ago. I still think about her a lot,"

There was a moment of quiet after those words were spoken. Gaara's aquamarine eyes shifted towards Haruhi's light brown ones. Haruhi perked up with Gaara's full attention on her. She noticed that he seemed…different somehow in this moment. There was seriousness in those eyes staring back at her.

"I won't say I know exactly how you feel, because saying that would be unrealistic. However, I think I might know a little bit about how you feel right now. You see…My mother had died giving birth to me. So while I didn't get those years with my mother like you did with yours, I'd say the loss of someone that you lo…care about is just as strong," Gaara said before bringing his gaze to the ground.

Haruhi could tell this was hard for the young man. It seemed like the first time he had been truly this honest with someone. Gently, Haruhi took Gaara's hand in her own. The touch was sudden, yet familiar. Hadn't this same simple touch of hands caused these original feelings stirring inside Gaara? The young ninja squeezed Haruhi's hand lightly. The tiny expanse of skin on her palm felt so warm. It was calming. Haruhi brushed her thumb over the top of Gaara's hand soothingly. A sad smile was on her face. The overall interaction felt peaceful.

"Gaara?"

"Hmmm, yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it you want to know?"

"It's something that I've been curious about, but never had the courage to before now…" Haruhi said moving closer to Gaara. For a moment, Haruhi seemed unsure about she was going to do next. Then she appeared to gather herself and continued. Haruhi slowly brought her other free hand towards Gaara's face before gently placing her fingers on his scar, "Why…why do you have this?"

Gaara was put into shock. He had never been touched so intimately this way. The area of his etched scar held such sensitive skin; and to have the feeling of fingers lightly pressed against that skin shot tingles up his spine. The young man shifted his head away from Haruhi's hand. Some of Gaara's rust-colored hair came to cover the scar in question.

"That question was very sudden," Gaara said shakily as he tried to control his heartbeat.

"I'm sorry if I upset you. I didn't realize that asking that question would—"

"It's alright. As I said, it was just sudden… the reason for this scar is that it's meant as a reminder. A reminder of something I made for myself long ago," Gaara said seriously, seemingly gaining back his composure. His eyes looked to have darkened at the thought of this specific memory of that reminder.

"What is it meant to remind you of?" Haruhi asked as she eyed Gaara. The young ninja's eyes focused again and he was brought back to reality. Gaara turned to meet Haruhi's gaze. He felt his throat constrict, but he spoke anyway.

"The scar was meant to remind me that…love is just a word…" Gaara replied solemnly. The pairs' hands that had been linked during the entire conversation finally broke apart. Haruhi shifted in her spot until her face was inches away from Gaara's face as she looked at him critically.

"Do you honestly believe that?" Haruhi said as she seemed to search Gaara's eyes for the answer to her question. Gaara felt guilt build up inside him, but at the same time the haunting memories of his past came along with that feeling. Could he change? He said he'd give this whole thing a chance for Haruhi. Gaara breathed in deeply.

"I taught myself to believe it. I have since I was a child. It helped me to not be disappointed when…" Gaara trailed off.

"What happened in your childhood that made you think this way" Haruhi asked as she continued to study Gaara. The young man could feel his insides turn within. The butterflies in his stomach had turned into hornets. Gaara wasn't sure what would happen next.

"Haruhi, there's so much to tell you. I just don't know if I can right at this moment. When the time does come, I know I'll tell you everything. I just…" Gaara was stopped by a finger placed on his lips. Haruhi seemed so serious. Suddenly her hand moved from his lips to his cheek.

Eyes fluttered closed as the two prepared for their second kiss. This one seemed so much softer than the last, but then it changed. Mouths melded together even more. The extra ounce of pressure created brand new feelings. Some idea of hope filled Gaara again. The kiss broke.

"It's alright if you can't explain it all right now. I'll wait patiently for an answer, or a change of heart," Haruhi said smiling. She moved her hand away from Gaara's face as his eyes re-opened. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Gaara felt warm.

"Haruhi…"

"HEY YOU TWO! Do you have any idea what time it is?" a yell came out of nowhere. Gaara moved quickly; and before anyone had the chance to blink was already on the intruder. Naruto struggled to breathe. Sakura ended up coming to the rescue.

"Woah woah woah. Gaara let him go. We came to get you guys because it was getting late!" Sakura said pleadingly. Naruto was gently lowered to the ground. He stumbled for a minute as he attempted to get an appropriate amount of oxygen in his lungs. Haruhi took this time to look at her watch.

"Oh. It is late. I still have homework too," Haruhi said as she watched the time. Haruhi slowly stood up from the ground and brushed off her pants. She was ready to go. Naruto glared at Gaara, but simply adjusted his head-band.

"You could have killed me…" Naruto grumbled.

"There's no question about that," Gaara said bluntly.

"…."

"Okay, I think it's time to start heading out," Sakura said laughing nervously.

With that, the group was off. The walk to Haruhi's apartment complex was once again another pleasant yet silent walk. Occasionally Gaara and Haruhi would meet each other's gaze. The two would give each other a small smile. Haruhi did most of the smiling, but she didn't mind. Eventually they reached Haruhi's doorway. Her father was there waiting for her.

"Oh Haruhi, thank goodness you're here," Ranka said as he eyed the group.

"What is it dad? Is something wrong?" Haruhi asked concernedly at her father's strange tone.

"Oh no. Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to talk to you about something. Why don't you say goodbye to your…friends and come inside," Ranka said with a weak smile as he continued to watch the group. Haruhi was slightly put off by her dad's strange behavior. She turned to face her body guards.

"Well. I guess this is goodnight guys. I'll see you tomorrow!" Haruhi said waving before following her father into the apartment. The trio waved back and watched until Haruhi was safely inside. The door clicking into a locked position. All the ninja's gave each other looks.

All agreed. Something felt wrong….

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See why I wanted to separate this chapter from the others? Lol. A chapter like this was bound to happen. It is Gaara we're talking about here. However, never fear! This will probably one of the more "serious" chapters. More super happy fun time to come in the next chapter, I promise! Tamaki shall be returning. =D