A/N: Thank you so much to Ukrainian Snowstorm for betaing this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Gaara had just come out of a meeting between the Mizukage and some of the village's elders. It was the first time that a Kage had visited Kiri and they would like to show their appreciation, or so they said.

Mei is not a bad person to talk to, she made sense most of the time. She didn't underestimate him even though he was young, she treated him like they were equals.

But Kiri's elders... Well frankly, they wasted his time. They talked for hours, yet they achieved nothing. It was all false flattery and talking in circles.

At least, he and the Mizukage finalized the plan for the shinobi exchange program. Gaara already saw the academy and the main difference he observed was that they made learning swordsmanship mandatory here. It was Kiri's specialty and he doubted that they'll teach outsiders that, peace or no peace.

Of course, they talked about Shinobu-san as well. Mei was eager to know if her young cousin was his type or not. To Gaara, she was more excited to know what was happening between him and Shinobu-san than the trade and shinobi exchange program between their villages.

"Shinobu-san is nice and polite," he said. "I like her."

"Do you just like her?" Mei leaned in, a mischievous sparkle in her green eyes. "Or do you like, like her?"

"I can't make a sound judgment yet," Gaara shifted in his seat. "I'm still getting to know Shinobu-san, I need a little more time."

"Well, don't forget that you only have a week," she said in a singsong voice.

"I know that."

Mei's tone irritated him for some reason. For a moment there, it sounded to Gaara like she was one of the elders in Suna. If she started asking him when he will move things forward, he'll just leave.

Gaara's eyes strayed to the door when Mei changed the topic. After that conversation, they talked about what he saw so far. Mei suggested some places and after a short while, Gaara finally excused himself.

"Isn't it a bit early?" she asked, frowning at the clock.

"It's fine," Gaara reassured Mei. "I think I can find my way back."

"To Shinobu-chan, I hope?"

Gaara resisted the urge to slam the door on his way out. He was right, she was starting to sound like them. At least, it was good-natured teasing.

Gaara frowned, he needs to find something worthwhile here to convince not just the Suna elders but his siblings as well. He'd rather not make this visit too personal or he'll have a lot of explaining to do and that's just tiresome. He was walking around when he recalled the Terumi clan's plant garden. The plants here were interesting but Suna and Kiri had opposite weather so that wouldn't do either.

Gaara then saw Shinobu-san walking. She was struggling to carry all those shopping bags so she didn't see him.

Gaara approached, "Let me help you with that Shinobu-san."

He took the heavy-looking one and walked beside her. The two of them trudged the now-familiar path to the inn.

"Arigato," she said, smiling up at him. "May I ask, how was your meeting Gaara-sama?"

"Long but productive at least."

Shinobu's smile became wry, "Hai, those old people can really talk."

Gaara just tilted his head so Shinobu explained.

"Oh, they don't speak to me often, but I had been at the receiving end of those talks once or twice. I avoid them as much as possible."

"I envy you for that."

Shinobu giggled. "It was always 'do your lessons, Shinobu. Or at least try to act like a lady in your station girl!' Mostly, I just ignored them."

"You already act like a lady," he frowned. "Even Temari can't walk like you do."

"Arigato? They wanted me to sew, embroider, write poetry, those things," she wrinkled her nose. "I'd rather cook, paint, or fight."

"You don't need to listen to your elders, just do what you want."

"Hai, like you did?"

He nodded. "Elders are the same in every hidden village it seems."

"They nag a lot and tell you what you should or shouldn't do."

Gaara sighed. "Their sermons always took an hour at the least."

"I know," Shinobu's nod was enthusiastic. "If they caught you sleeping, expect the cane going down."

"They are still afraid of me, so they keep their hands to themselves. Kankuro once said that the elders are trying to talk me to death."

Shinobu laughed. "Thankfully, we survived."

After that, the two walked and talked about anything and everything while they made their way to the inn. Shinobu talked most of the time but Gaara made a comment or two. She asked about Gaara's siblings and he asked about her relationship with Mei.

Shinobu shared how she got close to Mei and her stories of ignoring or escaping the elders while Gaara listened. Both got over their awkwardness and were now comfortable in each other's company.

It was not yet night, but the mist made the sky darker and there was a certain chill in the air. A storm was coming from the looks of it. Even the wind smelled of rain.

"How has the weather been for you?"

Gaara shrugged. "I finally adjusted. I still prefer a hot climate though."

"It can be cold here," Shinobu confirmed. "Especially during the rainy season."

"The desert can be cold as well," Gaara said. "We have sandstorms though and it only rained one to three times a year."

"Isn't that hard?" She looked worried. "How can you grow plants there?"

"We have shinobis who can use water nature chakra, so it isn't that much of a problem. Poppies and wildflowers can still bloom, and our oranges are still tasty."

"Wildflowers and poppies? "

"Hai."

"Then, what else?" Shinobu looked excited. "Are there other fruits or cacti I don't know about? Do the flowers smell good? How can they be wildflowers if you plant them?"

"There's a lot," he replied, smiling slightly. "I can tell you all about them while we walk."

"Hai, make sure not to leave anything out Gaara-sama."

Shinobu asked Gaara everything about Suna. Not just the plants they grow but the food they eat, their festivals, and even the peculiarities of their weather. He answered her, and her interest warmed him. He didn't realize that he had been away from his home for so long. Talking to Shinobu-san about it made Gaara feel better.

Shinobu and Gaara didn't notice the time. They got back late, and they placed everything on the kitchen table. Gaara was about to go to his room but Shinobu-san called him back. He turned in time to see her puffed up her cheeks and then she offered...

"I'm cooking your favorite foods tonight and some of Kiri's prized delicacies. Would you like to help?"

Well, Gaara was thinking of ways to spend time with Shinobu-san anyway so why not? He's not confident about his dating skills but Mei agreed to help him, so he's not that worried.

The more time Gaara spent with her, the more accurate his judgment was going to be. So, he nodded and stepped back into the kitchen.

he looked around. "Where is the cook?"

"It's his day off so I'm taking over the kitchen tonight," she answered while tying her blue apron with moon designs on it.

Shinobu-san rummaged through a cupboard and handed him an apron. Gaara just blinked and only took the thing after she shook it. The apron was blue with tiny stars embroidered at the center. He frowned but put on the garment.

Gaara could hear the murmur of conversations outside, there were still guests at the inn, but it seemed like they were the only people in the kitchen. In fact, the whole place was quiet.

From Gaara's experience, Shinobu-san was a competent cook. Everything she made for him had been delicious. So what could go wrong?

Gaara watched Shinobu sort the things she bought and grabbed every meat and vegetable that needs to be washed. She left the rice grains and other seasonings on the table. Then, she headed towards the back door.

"I'll clean these," she shook her bags and jutted out her chin in his direction, "while you wash the rice."

She went out, presumably to find another sink while Gaara used the one in the kitchen. He didn't cook but he at least knew how to do this. Gaara grab the necessary things and did his task.

Gaara had just put the rice in when she came back. She glanced at him briefly and went to her table. Shinobu-san got pans, a mortar and pestle, then her ingredients. She set the salt and pepper aside in favor of the garlic. She brought out other things as well which Gaara didn't know the names of.

"Can you chop the vegetables for me?" she said, her back to him. "I want them all to be the same size so they're nice to look at."

While Shinobu-san was busy, Gaara looked at the vegetables and the knife. He did not cut things, he crushed them. He looked at Shinobu again, she was pounding the garlic into powder. Why couldn't she have told him to do that? It seemed easier.

Gaara remembered that chopping vegetables is a basic task so he shrugged and picked up the knife. How hard could it be? He chose a carrot and eyed it with concentration. And then, Gaara made his first cut.

"What are you doing?" Shinobu-san sounded shocked and was standing behind him.

"This is an efficient way of cutting," he told her and brought down the knife hard once more.

"Iye, iye, iye."

Shinobu-san slightly pushed him aside and grabbed the knife. She shook her head at his ruined carrot before replacing it with a new one. She repositioned the chopping board and nudged him.

"That's not how you do it. Here, let me show you."

She held the knife with three of her fingers while the other two supported it. She positioned her hand on the carrot's base, and then she swiftly cut it. She peeled off its skin. Then, Shinobu-san made precise strokes by lightly flicking her wrist.

"See that?" she said and slowed her hand. "You don't need force here, just let your hand slide and the knife will do its job."

She made sure he was watching as she did it to another carrot. All the while, explaining to him. "There. Do you get it now?"

"Hai."

Shinobu-san handed him the knife back and watched. Gaara chopped the base but it's sloppy. She just nodded so he continued.

He did a better job of peeling the skin off. Gaara tried to cut but he ended up using more force than necessary. The product didn't look great and was uneven.

When he reached for another vegetable to cut, Shinobu-san intervened. She placed her hand on top of his and stopped him.

"Here, I'll help you."

Shinobu placed another carrot on the chopping board. She made sure it was straight and she guided Gaara's hand as they cut together. Her hold was light yet firm and this was the closest they'd ever been.

No one touched him like that except his siblings. It was a casual movement, a natural thing to do for her but not for him. This made him hold his breath and caused an unfamiliar feeling in his stomach.

Gaara chanced a glance at Shinobu-san and he noticed that she was blushing heavily. She did all the work and after they finished, Shinobu-san swiftly removed her hand from his. She retreated to her station and avoided eye contact.

"Can you manage the rest?"

He stared at his work and the ones with Shinobu's help. Gaara remembered that she wanted everything to look even and neat. He sighed and let go of the knife.

"I don't think so," he said. "Now you know the reason why we always eat out."

"Oh, none of you can cook?"

"Unfortunately, not."

"How about you leave the chopping to me Gaara-sama?" she said and grimaced. "I'll give you something else to do."

"Crushing ingredients look easy."

"Iye, like you said you're already an expert on that." Shinobu thought for a moment before she nodded to herself. "Here, how about you make meatballs instead?"

When Gaara agreed, Shinobu handed him the bowl, some flour, and seasonings. She told him to mix them and form them into little balls. After making an example, she left Gaara to do her task.

"Take care to make them evenly, okay?" she reminded him.

Gaara heard the clang of kitchenware as Shinobu moved around. Shinobu was reaching for a bottle on the top shelf when a hand of sand shot up and got it for her.

"Oh, that's convenient!" she said with a laugh.

She opened the jar and poured its contents into the pot. She then told Gaara to stir while she gathered the ingredients for the sauce. She just needs to fry the meatballs and cook the tongue. After that, they're done.

Gaara-sama had been a big help. She didn't have to reach for things, he got those for her. He didn't complain and was content with working in silence.

Shinobu didn't mind explaining things but she preferred to cook quietly if she could. That way, she could concentrate all her attention on her task. The other cooks chatted while they worked but Shinobu wasn't like them. So, she appreciated Gaara-sama's silence. They only talked if it was necessary or when she had to teach him something.

Sure, he didn't know how to move in the kitchen, but she expected that. Teaching him was fun. He was adorable when he was concentrating.

The two of them were both in their stations when he mused, "So, you love cooking."

"Hai," she replied. "It takes my mind off of things."

"And painting?"

"Hai, and painting."

Shinobu was about to let the silence grow for it was a comfortable one. But as usual with Gaara, her curiosity got the better of her.

"If I may ask, none of you learned how to cook?"

"It wasn't on the list of our priorities back then, so we mostly eat outside or buy take-out."

"I see."

And she really did. Home-cooked meals are a rarity for him. Maybe that's the reason why he didn't pay attention to his eating habits? Delicious foods at home can certainly make a difference. That's how she grew up and it made her want to come home early just so she could eat.

Shinobu learned what she could from her mother and when she was finished, she experimented with her own recipes. Shinobu wanted to make people happy with her cooking. She wanted them to feel what she felt when she came home.

To be happy and relaxed even if it's just for a while. To feel loved and cared for. To forget the blood and cruelty of the world for just a bit. When they had recharged, they can go again.

"None of us have the talent for it."

Gaara-sama's voice brought Shinobu out of her thoughts. She was about to prepare the meatballs, but she set them aside to get the tongue and gizzards instead.

"Well, come here then. I'll teach you how to make these salted tongue and gizzards you like so much so you can at least do it on your own."

Shinobu-san was already preparing the ingredients when Gaara approached. He looked at it and he thought, they're so many.

"Shinobu-san, I doubt I'll remember that when I get home."

"Oh, don't you worry, we'll make it every night if we have to," she turned to him with a determined look on her face. "I'll write the recipe as well, so you won't have any excuses."

Well, she was convincing so Gaara helped her. Shinobu was a great cook and she was doing it for him. So, who was he to disagree?

Besides, she was prettier when she was fierce. He dropped a salt shaker, where did that thought come from? Gaara had asked himself as he bent to pick it up.

Shinobu hovered while she taught Gaara how to make his favorite dish. She explained everything and let him do all the work. She handled small tasks like chopping and preparing the ingredients.

Together they measured the exact amount of condiments that they would need. Shinobu made notes on the right temperature and she let Gaara try everything until he found the perfect seasoning for his version of the dish. When he got what he wanted, Shinobu left him to set the table.

Shinobu and Gaara are sitting, they were finally done cooking and are now having their dinner. It's fried meatballs with sweet and sour sauce, seafood hotpot, and homemade takoyaki with salted tongue and gizzards on the side. The rice was cooked nicely and Shinobu made mochi for dessert.

Now that Gaara knew, he couldn't help but notice the pots and teacups that they use. They were all painted beautifully with fine detail and vivid designs. The set for tonight is springtime, it was a clear blue with fluffy clouds on them. Kankuro would laugh if he found out that he's admiring tiny teacups now, thought Gaara before sipping his tea.

Shinobu said her thanks and chose to taste the gizzards first. Gaara cooked all of it with her directions of course. Though it was a little burnt, she was certain that he will get better with time.

"Hmmm, it's not bad. You've got the flavor just right. Great job Gaara-sama!"

Gaara followed Shinobu-san's directions to the letter but it somehow came out that way. He eyed his dish but eventually said his own silent thanks and tasted it for himself.

"It doesn't look appetizing," Gaara frowned. " But it tastes good at least."

"Oh, it's because it's your first time cooking," said Shinobu as she served him the other dishes. "You'll get better with time, I'm sure of it."

The corners of his mouth quirked upwards slightly. "Arigato gozaimasu, Shinobu-san."

Not bad, not bad. He'll never leave without that recipe now.