Chapter 4: Kept or Unkept Promises?

"Wow!" I squealed, looking at the ginormous amount of food Temari put out on the table.

Gaara scoffed. "Always trying to impress the guest, Temari. Are you trying to make her fat in the process?"

I sat down next to him, slapping him playfully in the arm. "Idiot! I'm already fat!"

Gaara shook his head. "Sheesh, woman. Who told you that you were fat?"

Temari laughed and sat down. "Stop talking about if she's fat or not and start eating. This took me forever!"

I nodded and started eating. By Boggy, it was the best food I'd ever eaten! "This is wondermus!" I squealed.

Temari looked over at Gaara and started laughing. He chuckled and kept eating. I realized that they didn't use all the weird words we used, so I ended up laughing this time.

"You brought clothes this time, right?" Temari asked.

I nodded. "I brought plenty of stuff! No more shopping!" The scene that happened the first time I had eaten with the sand sibs flashed in my head, the glares from Kankuro and Gaara so close, it seemed like it had happened yesterday. Oh skittles and pancakes...

Gaara poked me, making me squeal like a little gerbil. The two broke out in laughter and I just sat there, glaring at Gaara. "I didn't know you could make such a funny noise!" Temari teased.

I crossed my arms, making them laugh even more. Finally, I gave in and smiled.

We finished eating and I started to yawn. "If it's alright with you, I'll go to bed."

Gaara nodded. "Good night, Esther."

I took my bag and headed down into Temari's room where the spare bed still was. I changed into my pajamas and slipped into bed. I fell asleep easily, dreaming of what had happened today.

I woke up by instinct, the morning sky still pretty dark. I slipped quietly out of the house and out to the desert. I sat and stared at the sun coming out across the desert sky. I warmed up my vocals and sang a few lines of a song that I always sang in the morning. It always left me smiling and in a good mood.

Even if I wouldn't have a good day, I'd have a good start. I got back up and made my way to the house. I closed the door quietly behind me and walked to the stairs. Gaara was standing there, his eyes looking tired.

"Where did you go?" He asked.

"I was just doing my morning exercises. Why are you up?"

He yawned. "I'm always a light sleeper. I heard you close the front door, so I woke up."

I bit my lip. "I'm so sorry! You can go back to sleep if you want!!"

He shook his head. "No. Let's just be quiet and let Temari keep sleeping. You never want to see her without a full night's sleep."

I gave a quiet giggle and walked upstairs with Gaara. I sat down at the table while he fixed us some tea.

I fidgeted with the necklace he gave me. It was still as beautiful as the first time I had saw it.

"I guess that you kept you promise, Esther." Gaara said, putting the two cups of tea down on the table.

I nodded. "Of course. What about you?"

He put his index finger up, telling me to wait a second. He dug around in his outfit for a few moments. He pulled out the blue ribbon that I had given to him. "I kept my promise, too."

I smiled, letting a few tears fall down my face. He did keep his promise. I wiped the tear away and Gaara looked me in the eye. "Do you mind if I keep it?"

I shook my head. "Of course not."

AN: Ah, a slow chapter. Much more to come!! Thanks to all who review!