Kankuro sat on the rooftop of the hokage building, watching the sun dip down in the ocean of endless sand. The auburn lights seemed to set the ground on fire, soon the sun was too bright to differentiate the ground and the sky. Temari had gone back to Konoha because of the Chunin exams, but he doubts that's the real reason. He is well aware of his sister's excuse to see a certain shinobi. The thought traveled to another, the way Gaara was interactive with the "cutie" in the tea shop. If he shades his eyes and squints, he is able to see the sign of the shop, nearly tucked away. He remembers, questioning his little brother's decision to take such an intimidating position. How fearful he was of the villagers' reaction, how they will perceive him.

"I wish one day I can be needed by someone. Not as a frightening weapon."

"The sun was setting like this too..." he reminisced Gaara's shadow casting over him as they spoke. The boy who lusted for blood, now wanting friendship? Acceptance? Bonds? Believing to achieve these by becoming kazekage. He forgot why he recalled the memory, until he heard a clicking sound. The shop looked closed, but above a window had opened, and out stepped [Name]. With a cup in her hand, her over-sized jacket clinging onto her shoulders, shimmying herself to sit down on the roof; feeling the cool air of night enter Suna, watching the day end with a beautiful sight.

Needed by someone, huh? Nah, he was talking about the villagers, I mean, I don't think he's looking for a lover. That runt, Naruto is off training, and the only other people he considers as "friends" are in Konoha. Huh...guess I didn't realize that he's still alone in Suna.

Night has dyed the sky a mix of blue and green. [Name] still sat on the roof, her eyes fixed to the vast landscape.

Couldn't he have at least picked a guy to be buddy buddy with?

He sighed, adjusting his hoodie, and stepping inside the building, acting nonchalant in order to not get caught by her. His cat ear-like clothing was hard to miss by [Name], the tea was only a diversion, an empty cup which she threw back in her room after making sure Kankuro wouldn't return. Her steps are quick, emitting light taps on the rooftops as she hopped in front of the wall surrounding the hokage building. Rethinking her decision, and then acting upon no return. The building is round, with nothing to grab, but ropes hung, connecting to the separate, smaller, structures. In Konoha, there were at least stairs outside. Daintily, she balances herself on the rope, only taking a few seconds to properly stand. She looked back at her bedroom window, thinking once more. And then, taking a leap of faith to the summit. She smirked to herself, ready to turn and take in her prize as she straightens. Her pride suddenly crushing, sinking, and cursing.

She wouldn't mind being caught by a guard, even Kankuro would be fine. Any total stranger would be fine actually. To be caught by Gaara, the Kazekage, the highest position in the village, she wondered if she could pull off a disappearance act in that very second. However, she froze for the next five seconds before moving, "E-Excuse me."

If I throw myself from this height, maybe I can break through my window, land on my bed, and forget this ever happened.

"Wait," her foot stopped on the rail. Doing as she is told, waiting, waiting for what? She's too afraid to turn, "Why did you come up here?"

She bit the bottom of her lip, wanting to concoct some sort of excuse, until she looked up from the ground. Past the gate of Suna, the village, the sand, now shimmering under the moonlight. She set her foot down, put a hand on the rail and replied calmly, "I wanted to see the view. The roof of my store was not enough, and I was just curious."

Worth it.

"The land in my home is a luscious green, with forests surrounding the area. I thought deserts would be boring to look at, but this village, it's terrain, holds it's own beauty." How cheesy. She shivered when the air licked her face, and gripped the rail harder when Gaara stepped forward. A three foot gap between them, but it felt unbelievably close, "You...don't sleep?" She mentally slapped herself remembering that although night has come, it was too early to end the day.

"No, the last time I slept..." he remembers when he lost control of Shukaku. A threatening day, but a life-changing one as well.

"Konoha, huh?"

"Were you...there?" he can't remember her face, then again, he wouldn't have bothered to learn it during that time.

"No, I was in my original village, the Land of the Grass, I just heard of it."

"You're not scared?"

"No," she said in the most casual way, her eyes meeting his, causing a natural smile to appear on her face. "Do I need to be?"

"I can't answer that for you."

Well, guess that topic is dropped...

"So...you don't sleep, ever?" she beats herself up internally for returning to a previous subject. Then again, she wondered why he is even bothering to talk to her, shouldn't he be doing official things rather than talking to a girl who just happened to sneak on the rooftop? He tilts his head to her, and she realizes he hasn't heard her mumbling, so changes her question, "What made you come up here?"

"If I can't sleep," oh, maybe he did hear her. "I might as well see the view too, I didn't expect to have company."

"S-Sorry," she wanted to leave because she felt intensely awkward, but she did not want to hurt his feelings whatsoever. Multiple apologies form in her mind, apologies on how she can't be conversational, how she has no idea what to say, how to clear the air.

Gaara on the other hand is more concerned of his actions rather than words. His emulation of Naruto, and following his "ninja way" got him to the position and molded him into the person he is now. Surely, doing what his friend would do, may help him reach out to people as well. A tap on the back?

Hesitantly, he lifts his left arm, slowly inching to her back, the feeling, anxiety, is uncommon. The only time he was agitated was when he was caught off guard during battle. He pulls back immediately, frustrated at himself. Taking a second look at his empty hand, wondering why he even bothered. It all seemed natural with Naruto, due to their understanding of each other. Understanding. Is it what she lacks? Why choose her out of all the other residents in his village? Everyone knew his story, from his birth to now. She knew bits and pieces. He understood now, he's merely taking advantage of the fact that she does not know the beginning. She hasn't seen anything of his kills, his true form. If he were to reenact that moment where he lost control, how would her reaction be? What else would her reaction be? Dread.

"Thank you for sharing this...um, night with me, Lord Gaara," she inclines to bow, but is shaken when a firm hand grips her shoulder.

"My friends...call me Gaara."

"Gaara it is."