A/N: So finally the dreaded 23. I know I said I wouldn't post it until this weekend, but I think I fixed it enough to be posted. At least, I hope I did. I mean, I fixed the grammatical mistakes I found, rewrote an ENTIRE conversation and added a few things here and there. I really do hope it's good enough. I think personally think it works far better than it did before. So, enjoy!

Setsuko and Gaara left Naruto to be with his own friends on the first night of the festival. Gaara didn't have much of a choice anyways as Setsuko dragged him away from the blonde Jinchuriki and half way through the village. He didn't know where they were going and he suspected neither did she. Sea green eyes watched her back as she dragged him by his wrist, noting the small smile that graced her pink painted lips. He wondered just what she was up to by dragging him all through the village. He once again heard the monstrous roar of the fireworks in the sky. For a moment, he looked away from Setsuko and towards their illuminating colors. Against his irises, the gold lights in the sky made his eyes sparkle like no one had ever seen, or ever will see.

His eyes traveled back to the blonde in front of him. The rainbow of colors bounced off her pale skin seeming to give her an angelic glow. He wasn't sure what it was, or how it was possible, but every time he saw her in different lights she seemed to change. None of it was for the worst either. They suddenly stopped and he wondered why. Looking around, he found himself near a castle with a red tiled roof and two gold shibi in the shape of sachi. He remembered this place. This was where he killed that sound ninja during the chuunin exams three years ago. Why had she brought him here of all places?

"Let's get on the roof," she said, answering his silent question.

He nodded, wrapping his arms around her with such care that she immediately blushed at the contact. It was possible that he forgot that she was fully capable of doing such acrobatic feats on her own given that she had been sneaking out to go on missions.

After he set her down, he took the spot next to her. Barely watching the sky explode with lights, he watched the colors dance off her skin as she stared up at them. She was a beauty he had never seen before. She tucked in her legs and looked up at the sky with a dreamy look upon her face. His hand reached up to his chest, gripping at his clothes tightly. There was a stirring of some kind in his chest, a beating from his heart he wasn't used to. Looking at her, sitting there, awestruck by the lights and remembering their time together so far made him feel funny. It was a feeling he couldn't describe; or rather, he didn't know how to describe it.

As Setsuko looked over, Gaara quickly turned away bringing his knees up and resting his arms on them. He looked grumpy again. It looked to her as if he were trying to hide something. She wouldn't press the issue but it unnerved her at how many things he refused to talk about. Who was she to talk? Something weird was going on with her and she didn't want anyone to know about it either; not even she knew what was going on! Turning her attention back to the lights, she found herself back in her childlike reverie.

"Gaara." Her voice was gentle, like a snowfall, as she said his name. It sent a shiver up his spine. Yes, there was a difference.

He didn't say anything as his eyes shifted to look at her.

Her fingers twiddled together nervously, hesitating in her words. He let his eyes wander back up to the sky as she seemed to shift nervously in her spot. She couldn't seem to remember the words she had wanted to say. "Never mind."

"What's it like?" His voice broke their uncomfortable silence.

Curiously she looked over at him. "What do you mean?"

His head dropped some as he stared at the red tiles beneath them. How could he ask her what was really on his mind? The subject was too embarrassing. "What's it like living in Aisugakure?"

"I…" She trailed off, caught by her own breath. It was such a strange question to ask. It seemed, forced somehow.

"I'm curious since we're from completely opposite temperatures." He looked up at her briefly before turning away again. It was very possible that forcing a question like this was making things far more awkward then if he had just asked his original question.

"Oh…" her voice trailed off as if disappointed in his question. The setting couldn't get more perfect than this to make a move and yet here they were, sitting together on a roof, under a shower of fireworks making a forced, awkward conversation. She turned her eyes to the light show, not quite sure how to answer.

He was silent, but followed her gaze to the sky.

"It's like…" she paused. "Well, it's just what you might think its like actually." Honestly, she didn't even really know how to begin to describe her homeland.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, thinking about what she could mean. What did even think it was like there?

"It's always cold no matter the season; an icy, bone chilling, death gripping cold. The sun is never out, always blocked by storm clouds. Sometimes we're lucky and don't get snow, just rain. But it's so unimaginably cold that the rain turns to hail rather quickly." Using her arms as leverage, she leaned back a little to relax and get a better view of the colorful explosions in the sky above.

"Is that why you're so cold?" The question slipped out before his brain had any chance to register how offensive it might have sounded.

"Excuse me?" She didn't seem offended, but she had definitely been caught off guard by the question.

He quickly turned to her with a look of mild panic. Everything he had known about women came from Kankuro and most of what he had been told was that women get offended easily. "…I didn't mean it like that." He was smooth enough not to let the anxiety he felt be found in his words.

She continued to stare at him without a word, which probably only made the feeling worse. He was startled when she giggled. "I'm pretty sure I know what you meant Gaara." Her eyes wandered back up to the sky; there was a lull in the fireworks show. "It's the same reason you're so hot." She blushed at her own choice of words. "You live under the beating sun all day, everyday. I live under the icy clouds all day, everyday."

"I see…" Had he heard her right? It was probably just his mind playing tricks on him, but did she call him hot? What? She meant temperature wise of course! Why was his brain playing tricks on him?

Unbeknownst to him, her mind was racing. She was trying to work up the courage to be bold; to do something drastic. Setsuko didn't know why she was having so much trouble with it though; she had done such things before. He wasn't looking, this was her chance.

He felt a body close to his and took a glance. When had she gotten so close?! "Setsuko…" his voice breathed her name and he thought he saw her shudder.

She looked down, biting into her bottom lip tenderly; the way he said her name. He felt his body twitch at the action he knew was unintentional. Casting her eyes back up into his, she slowly, hesitantly, stretched out her hand. It stopped mid air. "Please, drop the armor."

Wordlessly he complied. The release of chakra sent the sand melting off his body and pooling around them. It was so sudden when he felt the icy sting against his cheek, not having expected it. The feel of her velvet like skin against his rough skin caused him to stiffen a bit, almost in embarrassment. Why would she touch something so disgusting?

"Gaara." When her spearmint scented breath hit his skin, he felt it prickle with excitement. He had never felt like this before and he didn't know how to handle it. Setsuko's heart was racing as she grew closer and closer to the Kazekage. Every timid step she took was planned and cautious; she didn't know how he would react.

Even though he was taller than her by inches, he found himself feeling small compared to her. She found her way between his legs, placing her other hand against his face gingerly. Her touch was so delicate, like if she wasn't gentle he would break. The only thing he could see now was her glittering, bright blue eyes and honestly, they were the only things he wanted to see. He felt his heart slam against his chest, drowning out the sound of the booming fireworks, that had started once again, and the people below them. What was happening right now? Why was she getting so close to him? How could she enjoy looking, let alone touching, something so hideous? He gently tore his face from her hands, trying to hide this shame he felt.

Gently she placed her hands against his face once again, causing him to look at her and Setsuko stared down into his sea of green. The dark bags around his eyes from years of insomnia only seemed to bring out their color even more. His eyes; she could get lost in them for years. Her thumbs played gingerly over his cheek bones, his skin a slight bit rougher then her own but it didn't bother her one bit. Pressing her body lightly against his, she felt him stiffen. Was it from fear or from anxiety? With the noise of the festival dying in her mind, she knew that this was what she was all she needed. This was what all her confusion had been leading her towards. She was able to answer her own questions now. Leaning in closer, her lips ghosted over his and she felt his body shudder against her. They were mere inches, no centimeters apart, if not closer when she heard a terrible screeching in her mind.

Quickly she pulled away, turning away from him and hiding her face from his view. Gaara looked at her questionably. Had he repulsed her? Was his inexperience laughable? He didn't understand when she pulled away so suddenly. A hand covered Setsuko's face while the other prevented him from looking at her. Through her fingers, if one were able to see, her left eye was glowing far brighter than it had before but was unnoticeable under the light of the fireworks. Her shoulders rose and fell slowly as she took in deep trembling breaths from the pain. Why now? Why had it flared now of all times? She was finally starting to truly move on, to explore her feelings for Gaara!

"Setsuko?" His words held confusion and what seemed like hurt. Had she hurt him somehow?

She never bothered to look at him, her eye still glowing. "I'm fine Gaara, just a headache. I've been a little stressed lately with meeting Lady Hokage." It was a lie and she doubted he would believe her.

He didn't reply which told her he wouldn't press it any further.

When the strange glow had finally ceased, she blinked a few times and turned back to look at him. "Let's go join the others. I'm sure they're wondering where we are." She stood up, smiling down at him. So much for that.

He felt his gut wrench and his impassiveness replaced whatever emotion he had let spread across his features as they were just about to kiss. He nodded, wrapping his arms around her and jumped down from the castle. His grip was no longer gentle.

The two of them walked together in awkward silence, neither of them willing to speak about what happened on the roof of the castle. As the silence around them grew thicker, so did the invisible distance between them. It was as if they had been thrust back to square one. They were so close to being, well close! It was no use though; there must have been something that didn't want them to be near each other. They had both let their expectation soar and both were highly disappointed. Teenagers were like that though. They were a raging storm of emotions that they didn't understand.

They met up with the rest of their friends when Kankuro raised a brow at them. "What happened to you guys?"

Neither of them looked comfortable around the other, or in talking about whatever had happened between them. Wakana cooed happily and jetted over to them, swirling around them both before settling herself on Gaara's shoulder. "Nothing." Gaara was the one who had spoken up, earning a quick glance from Setsuko. That's right, nothing had happened between them.

For a moment she looked away sadly, the gesture being noted by everyone else but Gaara. "Well, let's all play some games before we call it a night, yeah? I'm there's something we haven't played yet." Temari's voice was loud on purpose to try and break the tension growing between the two rulers.

Before either of them could answer, Temari grabbed at Setsuko's arm and dragged her off in some direction with the girl protesting. The boys followed suit in relative silence, Kankuro eyeing his brother the entire time.

For most of the night they all played the menial games that were found spread through the village. It helped Setsuko take her mind off what had happened on the rooftop and she was able to smile and laugh with the rest of them. Of course she hadn't forgotten, but it was like she could for the moment. Gaara on the other hand was his usual grumpy, quiet self, choosing not to be apart of their fun. However, from the corner of his eye, he watched her smile, and laugh, and talk to everyone that they hung out with that night like they were all friends. It was so easy for her to talk to people, something he could never really do. Even now it was hard for him. Having never been close to people before, he was still just barely learning how.

As it got later, the stands and shops were closing and people were beginning their treks home. Shikamaru was standing off to the side with Temari, both having the faintest of blushes on their faces as they talked. Choji was standing around eating while waiting for Shikamaru so they could walk home together. Kankuro and Gaara decided to stay overnight seeing as it was a little too late for them to be making their way home now. Kankuro had already left, tired and about ready to pass out. Setsuko stood by Gaara, waiting for his older sister. Her fingers played at the hem of her yukata as she tried to prevent herself from looking at Gaara.

Temari's voice caused a quick jerk in both of them. "You ready to go?" Her eyes shifted between them, the three of them now being alone. They looked so, out of place.

"Uhm, yeah." Setsuko nodded and let her eyes glance to Gaara who looked like he always did. "Temari, go on ahead. I'll catch up in a second." Her voice was soft, almost embarrassed.

Temari nodded, taking a quick look at her baby brother and wondering what happened. "Okay, but hurry up. I'm exhausted."

"Of course." Blue eyes watched as Temari's back turned to them, making her way back to their hotel. She turned to Gaara, surprised that he was staring at her. "Gaara…" she bit into her cheek nervously. "I'm sorry about tonight."

Quietly he stared at her, that stoic expression he was famous for never budging. There was nothing to be sorry about. It was obvious that she didn't have feelings for him; who would? "Don't be." They were both hurting inside, although neither would ever know it.

She nodded, feeling a little better. If he said there was nothing to be sorry for, then she wouldn't be. He turned his back on her, making his way to the temporary housing he had been provided by the Hokage. "Goodnight…" her voice trailed off as she too turned away to follow after Temari.

Setsuko silently walked into her room, shutting the door before Temari could even try and talk to her. She didn't want to talk about anything right now, she just wanted to sleep and forget the whole thing ever happened. Getting into her pajamas, she slipped under the blankets and sunk into bed. It was almost immediate when she fell asleep, apparently far more tired than she realized. Her eyes shut and she drifted off into sleep. All through the night, her mind was plagued with nightmares. She didn't know why she was having them, but they continued even after trying to wake herself up. Images of bodies, blood, fires, snow; the sound of laughter and screeching, all of it bombarded her dreams. Her eyes flashed open with a start.

Focusing on the world around her, she was startled to see a pair of blue eyes staring back at her. Blinking a few times, she immediately recognized who it was. Dressed in a head to toe, black cat suit and two daggers; it was the woman that had attacked Gaara her first night in Suna! She watched as the eyes narrowed at her and it was then that she felt the razor sharp edge of one of her daggers against her throat.

"Don't worry Princess, I'm not going to kill you. Yet." Her words were laced with sarcasm and deadly intent. "Saying Gaara's name like that too. You must have it bad."

Setsuko felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of her neck. The woman straddled her hips, one hand holding the blade to her throat, the other used to balance herself over Setsuko. "If you're not here to kill me, then what do you want?"

She heard the woman scoff. "Just here to offer a little advice. Return home and no one else has to die."

"Are you the one that killed Maki?!" Her words made her think that she had something to do with his death. If that were the case, she would make her pay.

The woman shook her head a little. "That kill doesn't belong to me, but it was such a surprise to see. I didn't think she had it in her."

Setsuko's nostrils flared in aggravation, breathing heavily through her mouth but never speaking a word.

"What happened to that pretty little necklace you used to treasure so much?" She pulled her other dagger free and used the tip of the blade to cut into her shirt just enough to expose the tank top underneath.

She clenched her jaw. How had she known about that necklace? Just how long had they been watching her? "How is that any of your business?"

The blade clicked against its sheath and she shrugged. "With the way you treasured it so, I'm surprised is all. Giving away precious items such as your mother's necklace."

"Don't!" Setsuko felt the blade press tighter against her skin as she tried to get up. "Don't talk about my mother." She fell back against the bed, unable to make a move. She was in too much of a compromising position to really do anything.

The woman laughed at her sudden anger, like she was trying to threaten her. "What are you going to do to me Princess?" She paused as the blue of her blade became jagged with ice formations. "Freeze me to death? I'm not as dumb as the rest, like those three you fought in the woods a while back. What a bunch of morons."

"How do you know so much about me?" Setsuko's eyes narrowed into a glare, an unsure, questioning glare.

"I wouldn't be very good at killing my prey if I weren't good at stalking it." The ice broke away and slowly the woman shifted to get off the Princess, never letting her blade budge though. As she stood beside the bed, she let the blade trace along Setsuko's jaw before swiping it across her cheek quickly.

A combination of bone chilling cold and pain caused Setsuko to hiss and cringe away from the woman. She felt blood slide down her cheek and gently she touched the wound, inspecting the crimson that stained her pale fingers. Looking back up to her intruder, she watched as a smirk formed under her mask and she walked backwards to the open window she had most likely come through.

The woman turned, climbing onto the sill and holding onto the frame of the window. "Ya know," she turned slightly to look back at the Princess. "I advise you to stay away from the Kazekage. You'll only hurt him."

"What are you talking about?" She was good at stalking if she knew how close she had grown to Gaara.

"The closer you get…the closer I get as well." With her cryptic reply, she vanished. Setsuko scrambled out of her bed and ran to the window, looking out to see if she could see the woman. Nothing.