We set out into the village of Sunagakure. With my new clothes, being outside was much more comfortable than my arrival. Surprisingly, it was just him and I. No guards, no advisors. I mean, Gaara was definitely more than capable of protecting himself, but still, it seemed strange for the Kazekage to be out and about with no one other than a girl who wasn't from around there, but I didn't care enough to question it. We spent most of the afternoon just talking to villagers. He really took the time to make sure these people were happy. It was something my mind couldn't comprehend. Why did he care about these people? Even when it seemed like he was struggling to be cheerful, he muttled through it.

I was quiet for most of the time unless someone asked me something directly. I didn't really speak up until something bizarre happened. We were passing through the market district of the village, and an entire family looked completely horrified at Gaara. The couple even shielded their children and backed away.

"What the hell was that about?" I asked

He was silent. It was apparent that he had never intended to answer my question. The thought never even crossed his mind.

When the sun was beginning to set, Gaara took me into a noodle house near the mansion. It was super busy, so I assumed that meant it was a good place to eat. He stopped to talk to the owners and a few other villagers before we were seated.

"They have the best udon in these parts, ramen too," He spoke quietly

"Are you gonna explain to me what happened earlier or not?" I asked

He put his menu down and stared into the distance, his striking eyes seemed to be searching for the right answer.

"If I tell you something about myself, you have to tell me something about yourself,"

Gaara prided himself on that brilliant response. Mei was quiet for a long time. He began to study her face. Her violet eyes seemed to glow in gold light of the resturant. He didn't understand why, but looking at her now suddenly began to make his heart race. Even though the place was packed, it felt like they were the only people there... maybe he was just dehydrated.

"...Fine. But you have to go first," I bargained

"Alright then," He took a deep breath "I have the approval of most of the villagers, but that doesn't mean everyone understands how I've changed. It also doesn't mean everyone understands me period,"

"What do you mean 'how you've changed?' "

"I said I'd tell you something about myself, not everything," He replied "Your turn,"

I didn't know what to say. Luckily a waitress came to take our order, giving me some more time to think about it. What could I tell him? Sharing things about myself made me feel uneasy.

"...So?" Gaara pressed

"Don't rush me,"

I thought some more, but it sort of just came out

"I'm sort of a nomad, I don't usually stay in one place for longer than a few days..."

"Why?"

"Remember what you just said? Something, not everything?" I mocked

"Heh... You're a fast learner, Mei."

It was scaring me that I was beginning to feel comfortable around him. I didn't know what to do with these feelings. Shit, I didn't know what I was feeling at all. All I know is I didn't cringe as much when he spoke to me like I do when everyone else does. He made me want to let my guard down, even if only a little bit. Mostly because I was so curious about him.

We went up to the roof to train when we arrived back at the mansion. The moonlight accompanied our dancing shadows, with night sky as our backdrop.

I watched him, and he watched me. Just as I completed a kick I had been working on, he made a request

"Come here," He said

I walked over to him

"Hold out your hands,"

"Why? What are you going to do?" I asked defensively

"Calm the hell down, I'm gonna show you something,"

Gaara had never done this before, and he wasn't sure exactly what came over him. He moved a small amount of sand from his gourd into her hands. No one else had ever touched the sand from his gourd before, he considered that sand an extension of himself.

I locked eyes with him, which was the first time this had happened. I had always avoided his gaze because of the way his eyes made me feel. This time was different, somehow. I could still feel their power but it wasn't so intimidating anymore.