A/N: Okay, so I realize that I forgot to let you in on the translation of Shibokasai. Silly me.

Shibokasai: It's actually two words I combined; Shibo Kasai. It's a very, very loose translation of Death Fire. The creature's origins and stuff won't actually get mentioned in this story. I'm saving that for a possible future.

I'm also, probably, going to have to change the rating to M soon. I did not realize, while running this story through my head, just how mature the ending is. But now that I'm writing it, I can tell it is!

Also! More plot twisties! Most of which will NOT be covered in this story, but in that possible future I mentioned. So, try not to get mad at me when I don't give explanations as to why certain things are happening. All in good time my readers! Enjoy!

"What's that?" Shikamaru asked as the two finally emerged from the back of the game stand, seeing the strange ball of blue fire near Gaara's shoulder.

He awkwardly glanced at it and back at them, but said nothing.

"It's called a Shibokasai. They're kind of like Will-o'-the-Wisps." Setsuko ran a finger through the whipping flames with a smile. "It was hanging out in a sealed cage back there so…I took it."

Everyone seemed to smash together as they leaned in close to get a better look at it, struck by awe and curiosity. Gaara instantly felt uncomfortable having them so close to him.

"I've never heard of anything like that before," Shikamaru spoke up, staring at it with more fascination that was known from the Nara clan member.

Suddenly everyone gasped as its body slowly formed in front of them, sitting on Gaara's shoulder nervously. "Wow! It's so pretty!" Temari cooed. She looked up at them, "What are you guys gonna name it?"

There was a moment of silence. "Wakana." Everyone looked at Gaara with expectant eyes as to why he wanted to name it that. Glancing to his shoulder, he let a finger run through the flaming fur; it wasn't hot at all. "I've always wanted to name my daughter Wakana, if I ever had a daughter that is. But I don't see that happening ever." His eyes traveled back to everyone else, their faces full of shock. His eyes darted between each of them, giving them a strange and confused look before he glared at them. "What?"

"I like it." Setsuko leaned in close to him with a soft smile, almost purring her words to him. The sound made him shiver, which earned a curious look from the newly named creature.

The group continued their journey around the festival with unbound happiness; except for Gaara. He was still as silent and moody as ever, even with the tiny floating ball hovering around him. His fingers drummed against his biceps in contemplation. Looking between everyone, he saw their joy and laughter. Even Wakana seemed to be enjoying herself as she occasionally left his shoulder to play with the others. Most of all though, he was watching Her laughter and joy. She was so full of it today. The breeze smelled of flowers and candy as it passed by and through her long, curly hair. Her hair swept at her back and he caught a glimpse of her face. She was smiling; she was always smiling. Even when she was with him she was smiling. Why? He didn't seem himself as all that interesting or good looking; he had been considered a monster most of his life after all. She didn't seem to care though. Of course, she didn't know about his past so it was still possible she would run away if she found out.

It wasn't too long before night was closing in on them. Even though days were longer now that they were only one season away from summer, it had still come too quickly. They had spent their day playing games and eating amazing food. Setsuko had tried her hardest to get Gaara involved in the activities, going so far as to force him to play games for her own amusement and forcibly shove food into his mouth. While she and everyone else seemed to get a kick out of it, Gaara had given them all death glares; although he secretly enjoyed himself. As they were deciding to unwind with the short arrival of the fireworks, Setsuko let herself hang back so she could be with Wakana and Gaara. The little fireball really did seem taken by him.

"Hey, I hope you enjoyed yourself today." Her voice was close to a whisper as she smiled over at Wakana and pet her once again.

Gaara only assumed she was talking to the tiny fireball and didn't say a word.

Her eyes shifted up to him, "Gaara." He glanced over at her to see big blue eyes shinning up at him. He felt his heart nearly jump out of his chest. "I was talking to you ya know."

"Oh…" he seemed almost at a loss for words. "…Yeah, I…I guess I did."

"I'm glad." She went silent after that, smiling at the small Shibokasai.

He looked away, crossing his arms across his chest like he always did. "We should catch up with the others." She nodded and followed behind him quietly, neither of them ever realizing someone was following them. Slowly a hand reached out and covered Setsuko's mouth, wrapping around her tiny waist and dragging her away from Gaara.

When he finally caught up to his brother and sister, Kankuro was the first one to mention that Setsuko had disappeared. His whole body froze for a split second before whipping around. He was right, she was gone! She was right behind him originally, so where had she gone? There was a tiny, sad little yelp from his shoulder and he mindlessly reached up to pet her comfortably. He would find her and he would make whoever took her pay, dearly.

Setsuko's voice was muffled as a hand curled around her mouth. She tried to scream for Gaara, eyes wide, but it was to no avail. Only muffled squeaks left her throat, indistinguishable by the hand on her mouth. Her body was forced against another as she was dragged away from the crowd. The arm around her waist disappeared as she was thrust up against a fence, hand still covering her mouth. Blue eyes looked upon blue eyes, only making hers widen more before shutting. That feeling again! Things had been going so well and then he had to show up, in the creepiest way possible no less!

"What are you doing with Gaara?!" his voice was stern and almost angry at her. "Are you planning on taking advantage of him too?" There was protection laced with his anger, she could hear it well. He cared about Gaara. They must be friends.

Setsuko shook her head, unable to speak with his hand covering her mouth.

"Don't lie to me." He was serious. A deadly kind of serious that she had only seen come from Gaara. He removed his hand from her mouth slowly, as if she would scream the moment it were down.

"I would never hurt him!" She refused to look up at him, but she shouted like she had anyways.

"Look me in the eye and say that."

"No…I…I can't…"

"Then you're lying to me."

"No!"

"I swear, if you hurt Gaara…"

"I said I would never do that!" She finally looked up at him, her left eye glowing. Naruto was startled, but he was getting answers. After having left her hotel, he found himself thrust into his mind, Kyuubi telling him to stay away from her. Telling him she was dangerous. Telling him that she only used people for her own gain; that everyone close to her was in danger.

He was quite for a minute, studying her eye. "Your eye…"

Quickly she covered the eye in question. "Please, don't tell Gaara. I don't know what's happening to me and I don't want him to worry."

He was confused. Gaara, worry? He didn't know it were possible for him to do such a thing. Naruto reached up and gently pulled her hands away from her eye, staring deep into them as if reaching into her soul.

"Kyuubi," a melodious voice cooed in amusement seeing the beast locked inside a cage.

A clawed paw shot out at them, unable to quite reach. "What are you doing here?" his deep voice growled angrily at the intruder. His red eyes lay upon Setsuko, one eye glowing and a smirk to match the amusement in her voice. She was different though. She was deadly, calculating and mysterious.

"I can't believe you bend to the will of humans." Her voice was a drastic change from that of her normal pitch. Deeper, calming, alluring.

He growled again. "And what does that make you?"

Her gaze narrowed at his words, her left eye glowing bright in the darkness he was subjected to. "I chose my path. In doing so I allow myself to be free whenever I so choose. But you, you're caged like a dog. How pathetic you've gotten."

There was a rattle from the bars as he once again tried to run a claw through her tiny body. She never once flinched.

"Are you still mad?" she asked, a snort coming from her throat. Her amusement turned to darkness so suddenly. "Don't get involved. Stay away from Setsuko and stop feeding this kid your anger towards me. I know he's not like that." A single glowing snowflake was left in her wake as she left him.

Both teens blinked, almost gasping like they had been holding their breath. Blue eyes looked to blue eyes, unsure of what was going on. Naruto seemed to lean in closer, a blush on his cheeks. He had no idea what was going on, but a pretty girl was standing in front of him. Something tugged at him, told him to get closer; to touch her. Her glassy eyes stared back at him, never once straying from his. She could feel that churn in her stomach again. It wasn't painful this time, but it was hot. It flooded her face, turning her red and feeling it reach between her thighs. It was pure lust, that's all it was. She didn't know what was compelling her, but it was a strong force.

Sand slipped between the two and flung Naruto back against the opposite fence. Looking up, Setsuko was surprised to see Gaara standing on top of the fence she was leaning against. He didn't seem happy at all. Was he ever happy? Gaara jumped down, landing with barely a sound, and glared at Naruto. After Kankuro had said that Setsuko was no longer following him, he had almost panicked. Almost. He hadn't even noticed her disappearance until his brother had pointed it out. She made him unable to focus, to keep tabs on the world around him. But he had been worried.

"What's going on?" His words were direct, all he wanted was answers. He wanted to know if they were about to kiss like it had looked.

"Gaara?" Naruto groaned a little and got up. "What are you doing here?"

Setsuko looked at Gaara; his profile looked ready to kill. But who? "Naruto. Answer me."

She stepped in front of him, placing her gentle hands against his chest. Looking at him completely, she could swear she saw jealousy in his eyes. "Gaara, stop."

He looked as if he didn't see or hear her, staring his best friend down as the poor guy gained his bearing from the surprise assault.

She placed her icy hands against his skin, or what she thought was his skin. It was rough and grainy, like sand. Perhaps it was sand armor? Making him look at her, she forced him to take his attention away from Naruto. "Gaara…" her voice was calm, soothing. "There is nothing going on. I met Naruto a few days ago, I wasn't exactly the nicest I've ever been and he wanted to know why." Her calming voice paused, her eyes focused only on him and his eyes of green. "Relax."

"Exactly what she said! There was nothing going on, I just wanted some answers after seeing her in her hotel room." Naruto was anything but tactful. Gaara looked at her with a question glare.

Naruto had been in her hotel room? What were they not telling him?

"There's nothing to tell." It was as if she had read his mind. "We just talked." Her touch dropped from his face and he was more than a little disappointed by it. "Naruto's an idiot and that's all there is to it."

"Hey!" He shouted from behind them.

The sound of fireworks brought all three of their attentions to the sky. Night had fallen and all the lights now lit the streets. The paper lanterns glowed with a fiery brilliance Setsuko had never seen before. Her eyes were stuck on them until more loud pops from the sky were heard. Glassy blue eyes lit up with childlike wonder and she grabbed at Gaara's wrist, dragging him away from the deserted alley they had been in and towards the crowd of people. Fireworks boomed behind them, showing off her foreign beauty. Gaara felt his breath hitch but a moment as he stared at her radiance like she was a flower thriving in the desert. His eyes wandered to the flower in her hair; a flower indeed. She smiled big at him, giggling as she did so, as if what had happened just seconds ago had never happened