Chapter Six
Pint-sized Construction and Scrounger
Gaara was very good at scrounging. Why, in the basement he had found all kinds of cool stuff, like old tools and cleaners that had been left there. This gave him all sorts of ideas. After the day's lessons he headed over to the junkyard. It was actually just a place where people tossed old furniture, metal, and other stuff. It wasn't a garbage dump, it was just a junkyard. Nobody owned it, and it was usually deserted with the exception of the odd snake, spider, or scorpion. The stuff looked worthless, but there were rich pickings if you knew what to look for. Today he was dragging back old clothes racks, the kind that stores used. The wheals were a little banged up, and some of the metal was bent, but otherwise they could be perfect for what he had in mind. He then found some old abandoned carts, and some sheets of metal. What they were supposed to be he didn't know, but he knew what they were going to be.
Hinata needed carts to move the food to the shop outside of the kitchen. So he was going to make some. He dragged the stuff to the alley and ran off a peeping tom. He began to tear the clothes racks apart, separating the metal bars. Sometimes it was good to be a demon-host-thingy, he reasoned. It made tasks like this much easier, and he could tackle the toughest robber with ease, even if those seemed to be in short supply. All he ever got was that idiot pocketknife guy.
Next he began to break down the carts, tearing the metal baskets apart. He then cut the sheet metal into suitable pieces, and punched holes in them. The metal bars were fitted to the carts, one at each corner, and the holes at precisely measured increments were punched in, bits of the metal from the baskets were attached to the sheets by way of the holes. Now you could adjust the height of the new shelves, and you could add or subtract them, with a maximum of five sheets per cart. And she had four carts now. The cleaned and disinfected them, then proudly took them in to show Hinata.
"I was wondering where you headed off to! Where did you get these?" she looked at them appreciatively. These would definitely come in handy.
"I got the stuff from the junkyard! I made them, and cleaned them with those wipes you use for the counters, those germ-killing ones. Do you like them?" he gazed at her hopefully. She smiled and nodded.
"Very much Gaara! Thank you! You're a clever little guy, aren't you!" she messed up his hair, and he purred happily. He sounded just like a kitten. She had gotten used to his quirks, they made him even cuter sometimes, like now.
The carts were just the beginning of what he had in store for the shop. Soon enough he had added numerous shelves and tables to sit all those baked goodies on. Business had significantly picked up ever since the incident with the old woman; apparently she had given them a positive review and would come in a few times a week to buy something. This suited Gaara very well.
He had become very attached to Hinata, and would now seek her out for a dose of affection. He liked to cuddle, and wrestle around with her. He often surprised her with just how strong he was, and how fast and agile. She would have never guessed that a ninjutsu-wielding ninja was capable of such feats of strength, agility, or speed. She was also surprised at how ticklish he was.
They spent most of their nights together peacefully cuddled on her couch. And Gaara couldn't be happier. He was often snuggling up to her as she slept too. He had never really been held or cuddled before, and he found himself liking it very much.
Over the next few days he built shelves for the bakery, and dragged them in. He also made all sorts of tables as well. He even installed little wheels on them so they could be moved around; he was very proud of those little wheels.
That night something unusual happened. It spoke to him. Usually It only let Gaara feel what It was feeling; It rarely ever actually spoke to him.
Little One, it is up to you.
What do you mean?
You are the one who must keep her, not anyone else. There are only three that are of importance: you, her, and me. She is loyal, not like the others, and she has proven her loyalty. Keep her safe, as she keeps you safe. It is all up to you.
I know.
Gaara nestled himself down beside her sleeping form, settling in for his nightly vigil.