A/N I know, I know, I suck. I just lost interest in the story... You can thank my return to a certain beta *cough cough* The most beautiful of lies *cough* She actually is not aware that I am posting it! It's a surprise! Well, I guess theoretically, you as the reader might have read it after she did so she does know in your time... Haha, oh well. Just a recap: She was kidnapped by a deranged father, and brought to Konoha to be healed. End of the last chapter: Amaya had a nightmare and fell asleep in Gaara's arms.

The nightmare was long gone, but Gaara still held me. We sat in the same position that we had been in for who knows how long, all I know was that I was safe with him. Eventually I faded into the sweet darkness of blissful, dreamless sleep...

I awoke to light streaming through the windows. At the foot of the bed was a neat pile of clothes, a dark red shirt, matching skirt, black shorts, bandages, and kneehigh ninja boots. A note sat neatly on top of the pile.

Dear Amaya,

I had to head back to Suna on urgent business, I am sorry. Temari, Sakura, and their friend Ino picked out the clothes.

Hi, this is Temari. I stole the paper from Gaara. The clothes are basically a red version of that top and skirt Ino wears, for the reason it leaves your stomach open, so you can wrap the wrappings easier. The shorts were Sakura's idea, because the skirt is kinda short. The extra bandages and the boots are from me, because I know you like them. There is a selection underwear and bras in the uppermost right hand drawer in Gaara's dresser (for future reference too – I'll let you figure that out, shall we?) I will meet you at the gates, we are leaving today. Back To Gaara!

Sorry about Temari, I will meet you back in Suna have a safe trip and know that I love you.

From, Gaara and Temari

P.S. Kankuro picked out the bras! -Temari

The letter was very odd, to say the least. Gaara's uppermost right hand drawer was filled with pure lace. Yup, Kankuro picked it out...! Putting on the least revealing, I changed quickly into the clothes left behind. Venturing downstairs I ran into Temari!

"Wow, you're fast! I left that note like five minutes ago! I was just making some tea, want some?"

Still a little spooked at her sudden appearance, I mutely nodded and followed her into the kitchen, the fragrant smell of the green tea flooding my nose. Gratefully accepting the tea, I took the hot beverage. The two of us sat in a comfortable silence...at least for a little while, until Temari finally spoke up, excitement lacing her usual neutral or angry tones.

"I have a boyfriend."

So much for silence...!

"He is a leaf ninja...and I think I love him."

Temari's sudden confession startled me, it was a tad out of her character to be so open! Curious, I asked her a the first thing that came to my stunned mind.

"W-what?! Who is he? Do I know him? Is he hot?"

A grin slipped over her lips as she laughed at my last question, sighing into her ceramic mug when the laughing subsided a little so she could speak.

"His name is Shikamaru Nara, and yes, he is very hot. You could fry an egg on him!"

Caught off guard with her answer, laughter of my own soon followed and I snorted into my tea, splattering the warm liquid on my face. Her humor certainly was odd!

"Come on, let's go to the gate."

I couldn't help a grin of my own coming to my lips as I said this, setting aside my tea cup in the sink and grabbing my bag.

Kankuro, Sakura, and the Hokage waited for us at Konoha's gates. They all chatted animatedly as we approached and Sakura turned towards me and I waved at the pinkette. It was then Kankuro noticed me, sliding up next to me, an impish smile on his painted face.

"Sooo... did you like your drawer?"

His voice carried a slight grin as he whispered slyly into my ear. I could feel the heat rise to my face as turned away from the smirking puppet-master.

'Do not answer. Do not get angry. Do not punch him.'

I told myself as I walked over to where the Hokage stood. Bowing to Lady Tsunade, I stood silently by her side, choosing to watch the interactions of everyone else. Temari and Sakura we amicably talking and Kankuro added into the conversation every once and a while, still that grin on his lips from before.

"AMAYA-CHAN! Are you alright?!"

A loud blonde screamed, hurtling towards me at incredible speed, arms open to crush me in a hug. Taking a step back, I curled inward to protect myself from the force of nature that is Naruto. Just my luck though, the blonde hurricane was stopped by a forceful punch in the stomach.

"Naruto. I know you weren't going to crush our injured friend."

An innocently smiling Sakura spoke in a voice so chilling, a shiver wracked the blonde in front of her. In slight panic – and desire to keep his other internal organs intact! - a sheepish grin lit up his face, and the blonde shook his head, desperate to calm Sakura down.

"I would expect Naruto to do something so stupid."

Temari cackled, smirking over to the now some what calm ninja. Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but wisely decided against it, closing his jaw with an audible snap of his teeth. The Hokage took the break in conversation to speak.

"We should start making our way to Suna."

"Obaa-chan, you are coming?"

"Learn some respect, brat. And yes, I am coming. I have some business to take care of with the Kazekage."

Tsunade barked out at the smiling blond, voice angry. He shrugged in response and strolled leisurely towards the gate, and the group followed.

It was slow process. Too much movement caused pain, and too much movement came from walking too fast, basically I dragged the entire group behind. Naruto was getting jumpy at the slow pace. Without having to spend so much energy on running he had more energy to spare! The sun beat down on our backs and the back of my neck was red by the time we were setting up camp for the night.

The sun was setting behind a canopy of green leaves. I sat beside a fire that crackled merrily in dying light. The rush of a creek was off to my left and the sound of crickets surrounded us. Temari shuffled over to me, a grin on her beautiful face.

"Hungry?" She inquired. I nodded my head, a growl of my stomach accompanied the answer. Temari doubled over in laughter.

"Hey sunshine boy, what's for dinner?" Kankuro called to Naruto.

"Who you calling sunshine boy, dolly boy? Oh, wait! Shouldn't it be dolly girl?" The two idiots tackled each other to the ground. By this time the Hokage seemed to have enough. Using her monstrous strength she pulled the two apart.

On the second day Temari cracked. Well, cracked Naruto's skull that is. Afterwards, he was quiet, thank kami-sama for Temari's strength! I made a mental note to warn Shikamaru if ever I met him...!

On the third day we finally arrived! The streets were full with the normal afternoon hustle and bustle, but their presence was quickly noticed. People stopped and stared as we trekked through the swamped city, finally arriving at the Kazekage building. I sighed in relief. Home.

Kazuo was the first one to greet me. Little Kazou was no longer little. The lion's head came to my hips and a mane had sprouted from his neck. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I nuzzled my friend, happy to see him at last! Whoever said lions couldn't purr was wrong, Kazou was proof!

The door to the Kazekage office opened and a warm, melodic chuckle reached my ears. Turning, I could see Gaara standing in the doorway, eyes were soft with a slight smile. A spark ignited my heart at his gaze. I was finally home...

"Welcome home."