Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Sweet Misery

Chapter 8

After leaving Gaara with Matsuri, Ino raced around looking for Temari everywhere. She had felt bad about abandoning Gaara's sister because of her own anger and irritation of Suna's hospital and medical staff. Then she went to lunch with him on top of it. Ino could only imagine what the older blonde would be thinking if she told her. She wiped some sweat off her brow before calling it quits for the day. She hadn't been able to locate Temari and she wasn't even sure she would before the next day so she went to bed that night feeling awfully guilty.

She slept like a log though.

Ino woke to someone knocking on her door. The banging broke her from her dreamless slumber which only served to annoy her. Ino blinked up at the ceiling as the sound echoed throughout the room. Sighing she rolled out of bed grabbing a bathrobe to cover her pjs from sight. No need to have a repeat incident like she had with Gaara not too long ago.

She got to the door waiting for the person on the other side to stop knocking before opening her door.

"Hey sleeping beauty, miss me?" Hayase said with a wink and flirtious smile. Ino rolled her eyes; it was too early in the morning for this.

"Hello price charming, to what do I owe the visit?" He walked in when Ino stepped aside. He went to one of the stools, taking a seat and getting all relaxed. Ino followed suit starting up the kettle for coffee. She came to find that Hayase preferred coffee in the morning over tea and at the time he came she figured she wasn't going back to sleep for the rest of the morning.

"You have a meeting with Gaara at eight. I think it's with the hospital director?" Ino turned to lean against the counter with her arms crossed as she waited for the coffee to boil.

"Wow, he wasn't kidding when he said he would set up a meeting the next day." The older ninja nodded grabbing a banana from a bowl of fruit Ino had placed on the counter. Her father liked doing that incase he was ever in a hurry he could grab a fruit for breakfast instead of having an empty stomach.

"Yeah with Gaara its 'ask and you shall receive'." Ino nodded pulling out some milk and sugar for her coffee. Having it black was not an opinion for her. "So why are you having this meeting?" Hayase asked curiously taking a bite out of the banana. Ino sighed.

"Well let's just say I had a mini introduction to the hospital yesterday and I was not impressed." He gave a long whistle and laughed.

"No shit, I can only imagine. It's nothing like Konoha that's for sure." Ino nodded jumping at the loud whistling of the kettle. She began setting up coffee for both her and Hayase.

"No, it's so much worse than I thought." Ino then placed his mug in front of him. "Have you met the director?" She asked blowing on the coffee in her mug. It felt like feeling the heat warming up her hands.

"Can't say that I have but I do know he'll not be easy to converse with." The blonde withheld a frown rubbing her forehead as she took a sip of coffee. Just what she needed a self-absorbed asshole who thought he knew what he was doing. Today was not going to be an easy day for her.

"Great. Why can't anything just be easy for me?" Hayase shrugged gulping down his scolding hot coffee, just watching him do it made her throat clinch at the thought of how hot it was. It seemed completely unaffected by it like he was downing ice cold water instead.

"Because if it was you wouldn't be so awesome." Ino snorted setting her coffee down to level a stare at him.

"You're only saying that because you want to get into my pants." At least he had the gull to look astonished that is before he smirked leaning over the counter between them.

"Am I getting brownie points for trying?" Ino shook her head taking a hold of his half eaten banana from his hand. She peeled it the rest of the way discarding the peel on the counter before turning it around to the end he hadn't bit into yet.

"Does this answer your question?" Ino inquired bringing the tip of the banana to touch her bottom lip seductively before chomping down on it viciously all while keeping eye contact with him. Hayase blinked rapidly pulling back from her he gave a quick, unsteady laugh.

"To be honest it answers tons of questions. And on that note," He downed the rest of his coffee and jumped to his feet almost running to the nearest exit, "I'll let you get ready and see you there." Hayase was out the door before Ino could say 'goodbye'.

Laughing lightly she finished the banana and coffee in silence. Afterward she went to shower and prepare for her meeting…

Gaara stood outside the meeting room waiting for Ino and Hayase to make their appearance. He glanced at the clock to his right seeing it was five minutes to eight. His arms folded across his chest out of habit as he waited. They still had time but they were cutting it close. As Kazekage he didn't accept tardiness to any meeting he setup, but he assumed Lady Tsunade was different in her practices. That was something he noticed with a lot of Konoha ninja, they never seemed to like being on time like a phobia or something.

It was pure hell trying to set up this meeting with the hospital director. Especially with barely a days notice but he managed to get it done; it helped that he is the Kazekage. Gaara glanced at the clock again trying to resist a frown when there was only two minutes left. He had a feeling there would be more hell if the director had to wait any longer.

As if only cue Ino and Hayase appeared around the corner conversing and from the corner of his eye on the clock a minute to spare. Ino rolled her eyes at the man beside her turning her sight to Gaara. He noticed her face seemed to light up upon seeing him and the strange feeling came back. He felt the uncomfortable bubbling in his stomach like he was going to be sick but it didn't feel as terrible. It happened yesterday at their lunch too when Ino had leaned closer to him with her eyes half lidded as they gazed into his.

It was only now Gaara was able to connect that it had something to do with the blonde liaison. She brought on this strange feeling in his gut, also the sweatiness in the palms of his hands. He gripped his forearms hoping the long sleeves would soak it up. Ino seemed to notice because she apologized to him, but not for the same reason.

"Sorry we're almost late Gaara. Someone," she directed a heated glare to Hayase "was having issues." Gaara raised an eyebrow looking from Ino to Hayase. His face was voided of expression but Gaara could tell something was up though now was not the time.

He just nodded his understanding then turned around to enter the room with the two Konoha liaisons behind him. As they entered the room Gaara was greeted by the hospital director and Chuugo. In the corner of his eye he watched as an array of emotions crossed Ino's face as she recognized Chuugo and met Teruko.

Teruko turned her sharp narrow eyes to Ino analyzing her from top to bottom. It seemed she wasn't at all impressed by her.

"Teruko this is Ino Yamanaka from Konoha." Teruko nodded to Gaara before extending a hand out to shake the blonde's afterwards they all sat down.

"So you're the one who wanted to meet at such an inconvenient time." Ino's face looked slightly strained as he noticed she was trying to keep from scowling at the older woman. He couldn't blame her Teruko wasn't being very polite beyond her hand shake. "Can we get this over with quickly; I am a very busy woman." Teruko rolled her eyes as she took her seat. She looked as put together as always Gaara mused with her brown hair neatly tucked into a bun and white clothes clean without a speck of dirt to be found. He didn't much enjoy her; she belittled everyone she came in contact with including himself, though he has never seen her act that way with Chuugo. That was probably because their married.

"I won't waste your time with small talk then. To put it as simple as possible your hospital is falling apart and you're letting it happen." Ino stated in a clipped voice. Her tone surprised Gaara but he remained neutral between the women. He just had a feeling that this would not end well.

"Excuse me! My hospital is running just fine!" Teruko exclaimed loudly with a sour look on her face. She looked ready to pounce over the table to Ino but the blonde didn't react at all. She kept her hands folded on top of the table staring at the other woman like she was looking at a child. Gaara could feel the tension in the air, his shoulders strained and he breathed slowly. Why did this stuff have to happen to him?

"Look all of your practices are outdated, you have very little medical staff as it is, and you're dragging down Suna with you." If Gaara was one to let emotions take over his face he felt that his jaw would have dropped at that particular statement. Ino gave a good point, but that was overdoing it. He wondered if she was looking for a certain reaction to her words because she got quite one from Teruko. The older woman's jaw did drop open and her fists were clenched together. Chuugo looked equally annoyed and pissed.

"How dare you! Who the hell do you think you are!? I am doing a fine job thank you very much and I don't need some little bitch from Konoha telling me how to run my hospital." Ino still didn't respond emotionally towards Teruko and Gaara noticed that it was pissing her off more.

"Well this little bitch from Konoha knows how to run a hospital while you know how to run one into the ground or should I say sand?" Finally Gaara stood up drawing the attention from everyone. As amusing as their back and forth is they really needed to get something productive done here. It looked like he had to be the grownup here.

"Please can we stick to the topic at hand." His words came out with authority; he watched as Teruko settled down and Ino frown but nodded in agreement. He wasn't particularly disappointed in Ino for her words she was only telling the truth, but he wasn't happy with the way she was handling it either. He would have to let her know once they started heading to the hospital.

"I'm sorry I don't mean any disrespect." Ino started with Teruko rolling her eyes, "But the bottom line is that Suna's hospital isn't doing so hot and we need to fix that." Hayase who had been quiet during the whole exchange snorted at the unintentional pun. Gaara felt a bit of humor but remained stoic.

"I know that the hospital isn't doing well, I have been trying to hire new staff but we don't have enough ninjas interested in working at the hospital nor do we have the money in the budget to get top of the line equipment." Teruko opened up a folder that she pulled from beside herself. She placed it on the table and started to sift through papers inside before pulling one out and placing it in the certain of the table for all to see. "This is what all our costs are and what the budget allows." Chuugo gaped at her immediately.

"Honey you shouldn't be showing this to someone not of our council." Gaara heard Ino mumble 'honey' in surprise as Teruko shrugged her shoulders at her husband.

"Look without Chiyo around anymore the hospital hasn't been the same, I don't need help," she started out eyeing Ino so she understood that, "but I do need advice and someone else's opinion." Ino nodded giving a small smile as a show of understanding. Teruko is a very proud woman as Gaara knew so for her to state any of this especially to someone who just insulted her hospital it meant they were really in trouble.

"I will do what I can." After that everything started off without a hitch. Gaara watched and listened as the two women talked medical terms and such. He glanced at Chuugo and Hayase every so often to see both of them looking quite bored. He could understand the feeling unfortunately, there were many times even before this meeting that Gaara wanted nothing more than to stand up and walk out.

He was fine with what was going on now though because it was actually helping Suna. Ino spoke with intelligence and grace but always quick to be sarcastic while Teruko spoke with a somewhat condescending tone but showed that she was equally intelligent in her speech and also quick to bite back with sarcasm. If he didn't know any better he would have thought they were related with the way they spoke to each other. It was like watching his siblings bickering when he was younger though that never lasted long because it caused Shukaku to become enraged.

The meeting lasted a good hour and a half before they started Ino's official tour of the hospital. They walked with the couple further ahead and Hayase in-between. Gaara waited till he was sure it would only be Ino hearing him before telling her about his feelings on her show at the beginning of the meeting.

"Ino." He started out getting her attention. She looked to her left nodding her head to let him know she was listening. "I appreciate you for everything you've done so far but I did not appreciate you badgering Teruko like that." The blonde frowned and bit her lip in thought. He didn't know why but his eyes drifted and lingered on her lip being worried between her visible top teeth and unseen bottom teeth. For once in his life he felt like he was sweating.

"I didn't mean to come out like that, she just set me off. I'm sorry Gaara I really didn't mean any disrespect." He nodded pulling his gaze from her lips to her eyes, suddenly the heat outside was affecting him and he didn't know why.

"I understand and I know you did not mean disrespect." Ino smiled while wiping some sweat from her forehead.

"Thanks for letting me know Gaara. I know sometimes I can get out of line so it's nice to have someone not embarrass me by pointing it out to everyone in the room." Gaara wondered if she was talking about Sakura then or maybe even Shikamaru. He would never dream of saying this out for everyone to hear, that was just rude and as she said embarrassing for both of them. He shrugged his shoulders as he looked to see they were reaching the hospital.

"As Naruto has told me before it's what friends do." He watched as Ino's eyes widen like she was surprised. He felt nervous now thinking maybe he had said something wrong or assumed them being friends was a misunderstanding. Gaara wanted to say something more but Teruko joined them.

"Are you ready for this tour Ino?" Gaara watched as the women's eyes clashed in blue and brown. He had noticed earlier that both of them called each other by their first names over their last as an informal way of showing disrespect which was rather funny thinking about it. Hayase stood next to Chuugo chatting to him though the man didn't look none too happy about being stuck next to the flirt.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Ino commented back smirking. Gaara gave up; he was never going to understand the female race or the reasons for being competitive with each other either. "Lead the way."

Teruko smirked as well. "Of course."

Gaara walked behind the two with the other men as they walked around the hospital listening to Teruko tell Ino what was what and Ino telling her what needed to be looked over, thrown out, and so on. They bickered some and laughed at other times which really started to confuse him even more. We're they starting to be friendly with each other or ready to attack? Kankuro was right in all he had said, women were confusing.

'Can't live with them, can't live without them.' Kankuro would comment when one of his past girlfriends was whining about him never spending time with her. Gaara never bothered to remember any of the names of his siblings past loves with Shikamaru being the exception because he had known the genius before Temari started dating him. That was pairing in particular confused him the most. Not once had he ever seen them when they were fighting with each other.

Kankuro had told him that it was probably for the makeup sex. Gaara never understood that either, was makeup sex better than normal sex? He would ask if he didn't already know how his older brother would react. A lot of laughing and choking on air would happen and Gaara would be embarrassed and probably sand coffin him just to make him shut up. Naruto was another candidate to ask but he wasn't even sure the blond had gotten that far in his relationship.

Gaara rolled his eyes to the ceiling as they were finishing up the tour. He looked back to see Ino bending down to pick up a piece of paper one of the nurses had dropped. His eyes subconsciously zeroed in on her butt much to his horror. He felt his eyes widen and his breath hitch. He legs were quite shapely from the back and her bottom just as much. The sweating effect from before came back with a vengeances and Gaara could feel his face heating up.

He couldn't understand why he was reacting this way with Ino? It was just like the other day only worse. She glanced back at him with a smile that made his heart skip a beat. He gulped but his throat was dry suddenly and now all he really wanted was some water. What was happening to him? Fear was the first thing that entered his body. He had never felt these symptoms before maybe he should see a doctor while he was here?

Gaara quickly dismissed that thought though. It wasn't life threatening except for the lack of moisture in his throat but that could be cured real fast. "Excuse me." Gaara quickly said taking a turn to the right to head into the men's bathroom. He stopped at the sink to stare at himself in the mirror. With his pale complexion the red staining his cheeks showed up in great contrast. Gaara turned the faucet on to let cool running water through his hands and fingers before cupping it and bringing it to his mouth.

The water felt amazing on his dry throat and he repeated the action three more times before splashing water on his face to bring down the redness. He wouldn't admit he was blushing to anyone not even himself. Gaara then leaned against the sink to gather his bearings and thoughts. He mind ran through all the possible reasons as to why he was feeling this way and what it had to do with Ino. In the end he only came to one scary conclusion.

Gaara, Kazekage of Suna, is attracted to Ino Yamanaka, Konoha liaison.

His eyes blinked rapidly as he processed this. Gaara never thought this would happen to him, not ever to be exact. He sort of felt he would forever be asexual towards either sex for the rest of his natural life. It was better that way in hind sight. Women were confusing and caused trouble not to mention causing grief for him in general. Temari and Matsuri were just two of whom drove him up the wall at times. He liked to keep his life as uncomplicated as it can be with being a village leader and all. He had never thought to what he would do if he found someone he was attracted too.

Gaara thought about Ino and couldn't help the small smile on his lips. She intrigued him in a variety of ways, from her attitude to her knowledge; Ino was just interesting all around. She had her faults like no other and didn't downgrade them or act as though they didn't exist but she also had her best qualities like her passion for helping and intelligence. Then there were the things he didn't know about her.

Gaara groaned softly as he stared into his eyes from the mirror. What was he going to do? It was simple really.

Just act normal.

He left the bathroom after that and caught up with everyone as the tour wrapped up. Ino kept glancing at him every so often and it took everything in his will power to not appear nervous or let his face heat up. Ino and Teruko spoke on and off about little things before it was called a day. Gaara was thankful for this to be over with, all he wanted to do now was lock himself back into his office…

Ino glanced back at Gaara trying to hold back a frown. He seemed off right now like he didn't want to be there. Hell he wasn't alone in that thought. Though she was able to finally talk with the hospital director and over look their differences for the betterment of the hospital Ino still couldn't wait to be out of the woman's sight. Teruko rubbed her the wrong way. It was from the way she talked down to her to the way she seemed so nonchalant about the hospital.

Things were falling apart left and right and this woman thought she was doing a well enough job to get by. This was not getting by!

Ino nodded to something being said and looked over to Chuugo with his arms crossed and glaring off at the wall. She could not believe that those two were married to each other. The way Teruko went on about the budget for the hospital and financials Ino found it surprising that her husband was hell bent on not funding the hospital more. They seemed rather opposite from each other so it was even more surprising when she witnessed them kissing each other as she was leaving with Hayase and Gaara.

In that moment she watched them she couldn't help but glance back at Gaara. He looked very uncomfortable when he too witnessed the public display of affection. What shocked her more was when he glanced back at her too. Their eyes connected for a brief moment before he was looking away again. If she didn't know any better Ino thought she might have seen redness coloring his cheeks after looking at her, but once they were in the sun she couldn't tell anymore.

Hayase started complaining about how boring the whole meeting and tour was and wondering why he had to join them in the first place. Gaara felt the need to tell him so Ino just listened as they walked back towards the Kage tower. There was still some day left but after all the information that was giving to her, Ino adjusted the folder in her arms, she felt the need to stay in her room and read everything over. Teruko may not want help only advice and whatnot but Ino wasn't someone who half-assed anything. She was either all in or all out, no in between.

Just as Gaara was turning to leave for his office Ino felt the need to thank him again for setting everything up. She felt like she was actually getting somewhere now and it was thanks to him. Then again she knew he benefited from the hospital becoming better in the end she still felt the need.

"Gaara." Ino waited for him to turn towards her. It looked like he was debating whether or not to respond before he turned about half way towards her. She raised an eyebrow at the strangeness of his actions but shrugged it off.

"Yes Ino?" He inquired staring her straight on in the eyes. It was slightly intimidating but she wasn't one to back down. A staring contest of sorts happened between them for a good minute or so. Ino then realized what she was doing and responded back.

"I just wanted to say thank you for setting this all up. I know it probably wasn't easy for you on such short notice so thanks." Gaara merely nodded his head a small smile appearing there on his lips. Ino smiled back.

"I should be thanking you instead, you've done so much for me yet this was supposed to be a place for you to get away from stress and I seem to only bring you more." Ino shrugged lightly. It didn't exactly matter now that she thought about it. Of course she wanted to continue working on her father's case but being in Suna and helping with the hospital is a pretty good distraction for her; plus it wasn't like she could do anything at the moment.

"That's okay, if it means getting to know you better then I'll handle whatever stress comes my way." There was an immediate silence afterwards and Ino wanted to smash her head against the wall. Gaara looked surprised at her statement. He also looked spooked like he was already to run off. Stupidity was catching apparently because she just couldn't stop saying stuff like that too him. Was she a glutton for punishment or what? Gaara settled back to his emotionless self and only nodded before turning away.

Ino felt like a dark cloud was raining over head.

"And people think I have a way with words." She jumped as she turned around to see Hayase leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and smirking at her. Well actually more like a shit eating grin. Unfortunately a blush started riding up her neck to her cheeks making her statement more incriminating.

"Shut up." Ino grumbled walking pass him. It became apparent when he started following her that he wasn't going to let this drop.

"I know I teased you about like Gaara but I never thought I was actually leaning towards the truth." Ino groaned loudly unlocking her door while trying and failing to keep Hayase out. He forced his way into her room and if she really wanted to she could physically force him out through her jutsu but that would be more of a pain then hearing his mouth.

"Please spare me, I don't need this right now." She dropped the huge folder on the kitchen counter as she pulled out a bottle of water to drink. Out of nowhere she was hotter than she had been outside. Hayase smiled broadly taking his seat on the couch looking all comfy and relaxed while Ino felt tense and irritated.

"Come now Ino! I'm only playing around. Though this is pretty juicy, what are you willing to pay to keep my mouth shut?" Ino wasn't sure if he was messing with her on that last part or if he seriously wanted her to pay him hush money. Instead she smirked at him leisurely drinking her water before responding back.

"You know the thing about my mind transfer jutsu is that I can also mess with your mind along with your body, how would you like to think you're a five year old girl? I would just love to braid your hair." Hayase looked unsettled after that, he coughed loudly trying to play it off but she knew otherwise.

"Well played my dear, but seriously though I never pegged you for the dark, brooding type then again there's Sasuke…" Ino rolled her eyes.

"Look Hayase I won't discuss your romance life if you don't discuss mine." He laughed loudly. Ino felt she might have said something she shouldn't have…again.

"Oh so you admit there's something akin to romance going on?" 'Shit what is he a reporter?!' Ino thought closing up her half drank water to chuck it at his head. He managed to dodge it by quickly standing up and making his way to the door. "As always your company is lovely as usual." He bid her farewell and Ino sighed with relief.

Ino staggered over to the couch to collapse on it. She closed her eyes. She really didn't want to think about anything right now. She just wanted to sleep.

And that's what she did…

A/N: I am so sorry about the super late update! I got completely caught up in completing 'Everything you want' that I just forgot about this story. Well not completely forgot I was sort of stuck on how to go about this chapter. I decided to not go all technical, which is why I decided to dive into Gaara's mind for a bit. I hope y'all liked that bit it was fun especially when he started noticing Ino as an attractive female. I love to torture these characters don't I? Anywho I hope you guys enjoyed this update and I will update again very soon! Please review!

ALCzysz17