Note: Different style for this chapter since it flowed easier this way. Takes place over the course of a month or so following that mission. Just a fun filler-esc chapter. Also none of these are in any particular order, except the last scene which flows into the next chapter.

But have fun reading, enjoy!

Chapter 6 (40 Day Dream)

i.

Gaara is sitting on the couch with a book between his hands and his gourd by the front door along with his sandals. Akira is on the floor, by the other end of the couch, with scrolls spread out in front of her and on the coffee table. She mumbles under her breath as Gaara tries to read and relax and enjoy the sight of Akira huffing over the scrolls as she tries to make sense of them. Her wet hair isn't helping her focus as she has to keep moving the shorter strands back as they stick to her face. Training with Temari had gone on as normal and after her shower, Gaara had surprised her by coming over when the sun was up for once. Baki had suggested that he should make less nightly visits, (Gaara wasn't sure why Baki suggested that until Temari mentions that he leaves every night to go over there. He still doesn't see the problem.) and since he respects Baki, and doesn't want to worry the man, he obliged.

Kana smiles as she walks into her house, and kicks off her sandals. She shifts the bags in her hands around as she enters the living room and looks over at the two shinobi currently occupying it. Although she doesn't appreciate Akira's redhead friend coming over in the middle of the night, she does like the boy who keeps her daughter out of trouble. She holds up a bag containing some reddish-purple fruit she brought as she moves toward the kitchen.

"I got you kids a treat!" She calls as both the kids turn their heads toward her.

"What is it?" Akira asks raising a brow as she carefully moves around her study area, while her mother swings the bag towards her.

"Why don't you take the bag and find out." Akira rolls her eyes and grabs the bag as her mother sets the rest on the table and begins to sort out the food. Gaara sets down his book, intrigued as Akira pulls out a large round dark maroon colored fruit.

"What are these? They look like mutant apples." Akira makes a face as Kana merely plucks one of the dark red fruits out of the bag.

"I was told to only eat the seeds, but it's a fruit that is apparently sinfully delicious." Kana explains as she cuts it in half while Akira looks over her shoulder and tilts her head. The dark red seeds glisten in the light while the flesh of the fruit looks dry and tasteless.

"Sound like something we shouldn't eat."

"Sounds like something we should eat at least once." Her mother winks and Akira narrows her eyes.

"You've had it before haven't you."

"Yes, and it is delicious." She gives them both a grin as she offers some seeds to her daughter.

"Try a seed." She says as she pops one into her mouth. Akira shrugs and Gaara also decides to partake the red fruit.

It isn't long before they've consumed the rest of the seeds, fingers stained red from the juices and Akira's pink lips look sinful. The fruit peels easily under their fingers and Akira is quick to catch any before they fell to the floor. She chuckles as Gaara eats majority of what hasn't happened to tumble out of the fruit. Kana laughs at the two as Akira turns to grab another one and cuts it in half while Gaara throws away the peels.

"I take it you two like them?" She asks rhetorically as Akira eats another seed.

"I suppose you could say that." She mutters dryly looking at her mother as Gaara grabs the other half of the fruit.

"Hey get your own!" Akira yells making a grab for it but Gaara looks at her for a moment before dashing backward into the other room. She blinks for a moment before sighing.

"Well I at least have-HEY!" She shouts as sand quickly and carefully grabs the other half as Kana bows forward laughing.

"Glad you like the pomegranates!" She shouts as her daughter races after Gaara.

Gaara is halfway up the stairs quietly and peacefully eating his half of the strange fruit as his sand quickly delivers the other half.

He only moves off the stairs when Akira comes barreling up them moments later.

He keeps a straight face as he quickly runs into her room and shuts the door giving him enough time to jump out of the window as Akira leans out halfway glaring.

"You aren't getting anymore you idiot!" She shouts as Gaara stands on the ground outside and calmly looks up at Akira and he pops more seeds into his mouth.

That's how Temari finds them when she goes to invite her idiots for lunch.

Akira screaming out a window as Gaara looks up without a care as he eats.

Temari contemplates turning around until Akira spots her and points down as Gaara.

"Your brother is an idiot!"

"I know!" Temari shouts back after a sigh and Gaara doesn't bother to look offended.


ii.

"You see that one?" Akira asks as she points up to the star scattered sky.

"Yes, I know that one." He says after a moment of trying to see exactly which star she is pointing at.

"Really? What is it then?" She asks a bit teasing as Gaara looks at her.

"It's a constellation." He says dryly and Akira rolls her eyes, letting out a puff of air in amusement, as she lazily raises her hand to bat his shoulder. She's smiling though and Gaara is pleased as she shifts so their shoulders rest against each other.

"Whatever. It's called The Hunter here, but in Konoha they called it The Archer." Gaara tilts his head at her explanation.

"Why is it different in Konoha?" He inquires as Akira shrugs her shoulder and she chuckles as it forces Gaara's to move a bit as well.

"I'm not sure. Either way the constellation is a person with a bow so both titles fit." She mutters before looking at Gaara. "The Archer sounds better than the Hunter though."

Gaara gives her a look before pointing up at the sky. "Do you know this one?" He asks as Akira tilts her head closer to his. He can feel his skin prickle at the feeling of her breath so close it before she moves away.

"Hmm I don't think so, what is it?" She asks as she leans back away as Gaara turns towards her.

Their proximity causes him to pause before he turns back away. "It's the Scorpion. There isn't really a story just a scorpion." Akira blinks and frowns.

"Where is it again?"

"Here." Gaara points again and their heads are touching as he traces the constellation in the sky. Akira watches his finger before finally seeing The Scorpion.

"Ah I see it." She leans back away before sitting up. "Do you want a cup of tea?"

"What blend is it this time?"

"It's a blend your sister-."

"I would highly recommend throwing it out." His harsh serious tone causes Akira to laugh a little as Gaara sits up to look at her.

"It can't be that bad-."

"Temari hasn't made a nice blend of tea in her life." Gaara deadpans and Akira sweat drops at of his tone. "I'll bring a blend of my tea tomorrow."

"Well thank you," Akira tilts her head as she lays back down on the blanket. "At least one of my best friends can make a decent blend of-."

"What?" Gaara asks whipping his head to look at her as Akira blinks.

"What?"

"I'm…I'm your best friend?" He asks hesitantly as Akira blinks and gives him a soft smile.

"Of course, you are." She moves then sitting up and leans against him so their shoulders bump. "My brother, your sister and you are the people I am the closest to. Aside from my mom. You come over maybe a bit more than your sister, but I care about both of you." She says kindly but Gaara is still staring at her shocked. Akira swallows wondering if maybe she should have waited a bit longer to tell him that as he looks down for a moment.

"I understand if-."

"You're my best friend too." His voice is almost a whisper and he looks at her almost shyly as he finally lifts his head, and Akira finds the act endearing and a bit surprising.

"Glad to hear it." She says as she slings an arm over his shoulders and hugs him close for a moment and Gaara is slightly surprised at the gesture. Before he can reciprocate her arm falls to her side and once more they are looking at the stars.

Only now when their eyes catch Akira grins at him more and he gives her a small smile back.


iii.

"Akira elbows off the table!"

"My elbows aren't on the table mom!"

"Will you please pass the salt?"

"Gaara not now I'm trying to teach-."

"Wow that wasn't very polite Temari!"

"I just need-."

"Like you know anything about being polite, treehugger."

"Oh, I know more than you, you sand eating-."

"I'm just going to-."

"Gaara get your sand away from my food!"

"Gross-!"

"I'm never eating lunch with you two again."


iv.

"Gaara I swear-!"

"There was nothing-."

"I don't care just leave."

"No."

"Gaa-."

"Akira. I am not leaving, you're being unreasonable and-."

"It's my room, how am I being-."

"Because you're not listening, and being emotional-."

"Sorry for not having the emotional spectrum of a tin can-." She chokes on her own words trying to stop herself and looks down as Gaara stares at her with wide eyes. Neither say anything as she turns to leave the room, but sand keeps the door closed.

"Ga-." She stops and sighs when he grabs her hand and pulls her away from it. He doesn't hug her or make her look at him, still holding her hand lightly he says,

"Just stay here."

She waits a heartbeat still looking down as guilt eats at her. "I am so sorry."

"I know."

Akira sits on the bed then as Gaara sits next to her in silence. The fight has been over nothing important and yet it had felt necessary at the time. Eventually, when both are willing and able, they go and make a pot of tea together. A peace treaty that Gaara offers after Akira mutters another apology and Gaara nods and apologizes himself. By the time the tea whistles, she's feeling better and when the cups are poured Gaara pauses.

"What?" Akira asks tilting her head as she bites her lip nervous he's still upset from the spat.

"Should we hug?" He asks still holding his cup confused as Akira smiles in relief and amusement.

"Do you want one?" He nods as he gently places his cup down, and the relishes the warmth that spreads through him as she wraps her arms around his chest.

"You're still my best friend." She mutters as she rests her cheek against his chest and he smiles at bit at her, although she doesn't see and he squeezes.

"And you're still mine."


v.

Shukaku watches with disgust as the vessel and the dark haired annoying shinobi girl grow closer. The spats they have been having due to him, have done nothing but strengthen their bond. When Gaara clutches his head and grows irritable the damn bitch pulls him away from his work and onto her bed where they meditate. When she's grumbling about something (Shukaku could care less), Gaara asks her questions about her brother and her family. Or he leaves his work and sits on the bed with her silently, reading a book.

Now he desperately wants control back. Gaara doesn't even realize he's falling for this girl. Looking at her lips and eyes, and craving the hugs, and company she brings. She has a lightness to her that he wants, and Shukaku hears and sees just how clear it is. His sister's knowing smile bothers him too because the damn blonde can see and doesn't do anything to stop it.

If anything, she encourages it. The older girl is practically glued to- what is her name? Keiko? Anyway, they are glued to each other during the day and when the three of them get lunch it's not silence like how it used to be. It's lighter, and full of laughter and teases, it's sweet and full of joy and it makes Shukaku want to throw up, and shred them all, at the same time.

"Shes dying first." Shukaku mutters and Gaara slams more barriers down at the inclination. He's gotten better since that mission, and the mediation and scrolls he reads gives him more weapons to use against Shukaku.

Shukaku really, really, hates this girl as he swishes his tail, aggravated.

And he also hates how he is the only one to hate her.

He wants to tear this girl apart because he knows that Gaara will succumb to him again if he does. She simply got stabbed last mission and he almost lost it. Shukaku just needs a really good push. And she can give it to him.

But he doesn't do anything. He sits and sucks it up and listens with disgust.

He's the almighty Shukaku of the Desert.

But that woman Kana could be his undoing.

Although he hates what he sees and hears, a simply twist to the seal, could make it so he is truly trapped within Gaara and that's the last thing he wants. At least now he can manipulate thoughts, suppress memories if he truly wants to and this satisfies him enough for now.

He pauses.

Manipulate his vessel? Of course, he could, he has done it before and a terrible plan brews in his mind. He can manipulate his vessel, and if whatsherface is the push he needs, may as well make the fall a great one. He grins as he thinks and plots and plans and moves thedamnbitch more to the forefront of Gaara's mind. He makes his focus even more on her smile, her eyes, her hips when he's walking behind her. Yes, this will work. He will notice how the light hits her hair and eyes, wonder at her as they talk.

Gaara will fall in love with her, and Shukaku will destroy them both.

Oh, how the mighty fall in love.


vi.

They are eating, peacefully, for once, when Akira breaks the peace.

"What should I call you guys?" She asks as Temari looks up from her salad, and Gaara from his salted tongue.

"What?" Temari asks confused as Akira sighs.

"Should I call you guys Lady Temari and Lord Gaara?" She asks and immediately wants to take it back as Temari wrinkles her nose in distaste for a moment before grinning.

"I expect you to call me Lady Temari, Queen of Badassness."

"I am one hundred percent certain that is not a word, and I will not call you that." Akira gives Temari a blank look as Gaara finishes his bite of food.

"Just Gaara." He offers Akira who nods to him.

"See? Your brother is sensible." Temari snorts.

"My brother is just being nice, you're the one who asked a stupid question."

"It wasn't stu-."

"Oh yes it was-."

"I need new people to eat lunch with." Gaara mutters to himself as the two begin to bicker.


vii.

Gaara is adorable.

The realization hits her hard one night when he comes into her room in a flurry of sand and excitement. He's the closest to grinning she's ever seen as he drags her out of the room. He doesn't give her any information until they are in a lot on the outskirts of the village. He pulls her along the fresh tilled soil before plopping on the ground dragging her down with him. He points excitedly to the ground and Akira looks to see little sprouts having finally pushed their way out to face the bright sunlight. Although it is currently the middle of the night and very cold outside, she can't be annoyed when she sees the look on his face. She looks at him then and finds him smiling at her and his sprouts.

He excitedly tells her about how he's been working on this, the different studies he's examined for good breeding between the plants, and how hard it has been to make time for this garden between his duties, training, and spending time with Akira. He's explaining the plants then, some of their properties, and Akira is slightly exasperated at the sudden information and at being swept out of her room without much warning.

She's smiling and asking questions and nodding though despite everything because this is the happiest Gaara has been in front of her and he's so damn excited his sand is moving to show which plants his talking about without him realizing. Although part way through some of his explanations he loses her, and there are parts she just smiles and nods at in vague understanding. And when he looks at her with a warm and happy smile, not quite a grin, and the brightness in his eyes, her heart can't help but skip a beat.

She realizes a few things in span of Gaara finishing up his explanations, apologizing for grabbing her (which is fine, just a hint of where they are going next time, please?) and finally going back to her room.

He's absolutely adorable.

She never wants that brightness of his to fade.

That thinking he is adorable is fine but anything more will lead to things she does not want.

(Even though now that she's looking. he is also quite handsome.)

And Temari is going to kick her ass extra hard when she finds out because Akira can't lie to her.


viii.

"Do you miss anything about Konoha?" Gaara asks one night before he can overthink the simple question to death. Akira looks at him surprised before she sighs and gives him a small smile.

"Yeah, I miss my brother, I miss the rain and the smell of it, and I miss my spot." She sits up from laying on her stomach and clears her throat embarrassed. "It's just this little alcove in some trees, it gets misty from the morning dew and when the sun hits it just right, everything looks so beautiful." She sighs before shrugging. "That's it though, I don't miss the winter, I hate the cold. I don't miss the trees and how everyday blends together. Here in Suna the heat at least helps you feel like you're alive and you don't have to worry if anything is lurking in the forests." Gaara nods in understanding before pausing a moment.

He thinks about how his life would be different with her. No peaceful nights with company and warm tea, no dinner time banter between mother and daughter to weigh in on. Even his sister would probably be less bright. It hits him then, how strange life can be since it hasn't been long since the two meet, but they have spent almost every night together. So, when he looks at her, he is thankful, not only for her, but for having meet her.

"I'm glad you came to Suna." He finally says as Akira rolls her eyes amused.

"I know and I'm glad too."


ix.

Gaara watches as she sits by her window gazing out as she does most nights her mother leaves on mission. He watches as she parts her lips to speak but it is not to him she addresses. He looks away from her as her lips move in her silent prayer. Shinobi are rarely religious, and he never asked if she was because of this. Now as he sits in the quiet waiting for her to finish, he wonders what else does he not know about her.

"I pray for you too sometimes." She doesn't turn from the window as she slumps.

"My thoughts on religion are different. I don't believe that there is someone watching always, I believe that there is a creator and they intervene now and again, but they don't look all the time. Our prayers call for attention and maybe they'll listen." She turns from the window then and gives him a small smile.

"So, I pray that maybe they'll prevent a mission from going bad when I'm anxious about the level of it. I pray for you when you're here on your bad nights. And I pray for Shukaku and that he'll stop being an asshole." She gives him a wink as she settles on the bed next to him after pushing the chair back to the desk.

"I don't personally believe." He mutters in response as his brow furrows trying to understand her concepts. If he couldn't touch it, see it, or feel it, is it real? Love is real since he could see it in the actions of another, but the divine things Akira's talking about don't touch him in the same way.

"I'm not asking you to. Just thought maybe you were curious what I was doing." She shrugs as he nods once before moving to the desk and he pauses a moment before sitting down.

"Thank you though. It means a lot." He says as he finally sits, and Akira looks at him surprised but he is looking at her meaningfully and she smiles. She is glad the gesture has touched him, but is unaware of Gaara's heart thumping a little harder as she reaches out to gently pat his cheek. He feels his neck grow warm at her soft sweet smile.

"You're welcome."


x.

The gentle sounds of pages being turn as a pen scratches over paper fill the quiet space. Warm cups of tea sit near each other in the soft yellow glow of the lamp light. Steam rising from the cups dances delicately before dispersing completely. He sits, back straight in the chair, and she lays, stomach pressed into the bed. Soft breathing all around and he leans back and slouches a moment to enjoy the peace that fills his soul.


xi.

Sand blasts upwards in a spray behind her as Akira runs against the curved sides of the crater, her feet sinking into the sand just enough to get purchase before dashing off as she pants. Temari grins from the middle of the crater the two have made, fan fully open as she waves it once more. Determined to land another decent hit on the darker haired girl as Akira grits her teeth and skids to a stop as Temari's gust bites into the sand in slices just in front of her.

"I've got you now!" Temari shouts as twirls her fan around and Akira leaps down toward the center of the crater, tired of dodging attacks. Chakra fills her lungs as she signs quickly allowing gravity to carry her closer to Temari as she runs.

"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!" Akira shouts as she slides to a stop and takes a deep breath before allowing fire to exit from her lips as she forces Temari's wind to shape into her own attack. Temari frowns at the wall of fire and leaps on her fan, flying away from the inferno. Akira glaces at Temari and the sides of the crater before smiling. She pours chakra into her legs as she dashes to where Temari will be closest to the ground, and jumps up towards her. Akira grins as she reaches the same height as the blonde, the fire on one side and herself on the other.

Until she sees Temari's smirk and Akira notices the blood smeared on her fan. Temari's summons, Kamatari, arrives in front of her and blasts her back into the sand.

"Well looks like I win!" Temari says floating down as Akira groans sitting up.

"Dammit we said no summons!" She shouts as Temari finally lands and offers a hand. Akira grabs it and Temari helps her up.

"We never said that about this particular spar." Temari counters with a smile as Akira gives her a look before shoving her down. Temari lands hard on the sand and looks offended as Akira laughs.

"Hey I always land ass first in the sand, it was about time you did too!" and Temari tries hard not to smile as she rolls her eyes and Akira plops down next to her. The two sits and watch the sky for a moment allowing the sweat to dry a moment in the heat of the desert sun. Akira has forgone her longer sleeved beige shirt and flask jacket for her simple black no sleeve tight fitted shirt that allowed the mesh armor under it to stay in place. She still wore the longer pants and usual shinobi sandals. She usually wore this outfit training with Temari since she hated having to buy new clothes from Temari ripping the sleeves to her current ones. It also still covered her scars enough for her to be comfortable walking around in it.

"Kankuro still wants to meet you, you free tomorrow for dinner? Temari asks as Akira shakes her head.

"I have to train with my mother. I'm learning her sealing techniques, remember? Then I have a mission, and I don't know when I'll be free but I'll let you know when I am." Temari nods once and two moves to stand.

"It's getting closer isn't it?" Temari asks as she waves her fan one last time and the crater disappears Akira's eyes darken for a moment as she nods.

"Yes, I will let you know if anything happens though. I should be fine." She mutters quietly as Temari looks at her a moment and nods once.

"Here if you need me." She says with a shrug as the two ventures into the village, the conversation light again as Temari and Akira laugh together.


xii.

Akira spins around in the dark blue dress Temari is letting her try on and smiles a tiny bit as it flows around her legs. She doesn't exactly like the skin she is showing but dresses have always taken a soft spot in her heart. Temari watches with a critical eye before humming and tapping her chin as she considers the dress.

"If you had bigger boobs it would look better."

"At least I'm not top-heavy." She snips back and the two grin before Temari pulls out another dress, this time a dark green that had complimented her teal eyes last year.

"Try this one on, and then we'll have the boys give us advice for the last two." Akira shrugs and goes into Temari's joint bathroom and changes quickly and carefully hangs up the dark blue dress before stepping out.

"I don't even think I'll be able to go to the festival. I mean I missed it last year, and chances are with my missions lately I'll miss it again." Her hair is longer than it has been in the past and the ends tickle her shoulders as she spins in the dark green as Temari smiles.

"Just finish your mission early and we won't have to worry." Akira gives Temari a raised brow.

"I will say that I'm surprised to hear he's going. Just doesn't seem like something he would do."

"Well he wants to be Kazekage, so he has to get used to festivals, and his birthday is next week as well-."

"WHAT-?!" Akira screeches whirling on Temari who blinks surprised.

"You didn't know?"

"Of course, I didn't know! Otherwise I wouldn't be screaming!"

"What's going-?" Gaara stops when he sees Akira in the dark green dress with her dark hair curling by her shoulders and her wide brown eyes on his as Temari screeches.

"Gaara get out-!"

"Is your birthday really next week-?!"

Temari whirls on Akira then yelling at her to change and Akira shouts back, but Gaara is staring even though he knows he shouldn't be. Akira has so many scars on her arms and legs, and-. Akira's eyes lock with his again, and her face turns pale before she scurries into the bathroom. Temari turns and looks at her brother's face. Slight disgust and concern greet her and she looks at him disappointed.

"How dare-." She starts but Gaara brushes past her and calls through the door.

"I'm sorry." He stops a moment and takes a breath. "My birthday is January 19."

"Ok, I'll... see you later." She calls back hesitantly and Temari growls at him.

"Do better than apologize." She hisses quietly and Gaara nods once already trying to think of something as he leaves.

Later that night he pulls her close for a hug and apologizes again. She nods but when she doesn't look him in the eyes he tilts his head down.

"I don't understand completely if you're ashamed of them, and you don't have to explain anything. I shouldn't have looked at you like that. But I don't mind them." Akira raises a brow and looks at him a moment.

"So you wouldn't get rid of my scars?" She asks.

"Does my opinion really matter? It's your body. I can't tell you-."

"I get that, but would you get rid of them?" Gaara gives her a look.

"I don't want to change anything about you. Scars and all." He mutters and when Akira smiles at him, her eyes light up, and Gaara feels a weight slide off his chest.


xiii.

Today has been a good day. Lunch with Kankuro had went over well and he finally talked to him about heart problems (Kankuro had understood what he had meant), and how monstrous he still feels at times. Kankuro hadn't finished his lunch but the conversation had made Gaara realize that he wasn't totally at fault. Yes, he is a monster now, but it had spread like a disease from Yashamaru and his father. He feels lighter after the conversation and Temari had even given him a hug at dinner when he requested it.

Now as Gaara stops at Akira's window, the smile on his face turns in to a frown at the dark empty room.

His brow furrows as he looks around confused before he sets his gourd down. He spies a note on the desk held in place by an empty mug.

'Gaara,

Out on mission, here's a note in case you forgot, or I forgot to mention it. But here's your favorite cup and you're welcome to stay.

-Akira.

P.S. My mom is gone as well so please lock up when you leave.'

Gaara looks at the mug and realizes it is one he has favored since coming over. He didn't even notice he had been favoring it as he stares at the plain design of swirls on it. He looks around the empty room once more before turning on the lamp and makes his decision. One cup of tea. Just one and then he would leave. Because this is still his safe place.

And even if Akira isn't here it doesn't mean he is intruding.

Even if it feels like he is

So, he sits and manages to get his work done but as he finishes up he realizes he's waiting for something. A turn of a page, a gentle sigh or giggle. Something to show he isn't alone in the quiet room and even the light isn't as soft as it usually is. The chair is once again too squishy for his taste and he feels out of place in the quiet room. Something is missing, and he knows what it is.

There is no light turn of pages, there is no gentle breathing in the distance. No other mug sits next to his on the desk and he sits for a moment. One last final try. He sits in the quiet and waits for the peace to enter his soul, but it doesn't.

Akira is gone and so is his peace.

Shukaku stirs a bit just enough to make the thought fill him with anxiety.

Gaara drains the rest of the tea, collects his things, and locks Akira's window after himself.

This place is not his safe place without her, so he heads back home and somewhere along the way realizes that it's not just the feeling Akira gives him, but her company as well. The quiet had been too quiet to begin with, he wanted her there.

He lands at his home and settles himself behind his desk, and his work is done in a few moments more. He looks down and wonders what he should do now? Akira usually would give him a book or drag him star gazing again and-.

And when did she engross herself so deeply in his life that he is lost without her?

Shukaku chuckles as the thought rolls around his head.

"Tell her you missed her. Tell her she means the world to you." He says dryly and sarcastically as Gaara grimaces. It's only half true but he would mean it, having missed her anyway, but the thought leaves him feeling awkward and unsure.

"I'll tell her I missed her." He resolves, because chances are she'll say it back or maybe even first.

Shukaku grins behinds his bars as his plan furthers itself along, and he makes sure to pull at Gaara's heartstrings when he thinks about Akira just a bit. So, it feels natural as his host starts to fall for this poor unfortunate soul.


xvi.

Gaara glances at Akira as they walk through the streets. Temari's work had been neglected do to her leaving to go to lunch so often so she was not joining them. She also is in a terrible mood since she had proceeded to slam the door in their faces after they had asked if she was joining them.

Gaara is sure it is about the work and nothing more.

However, Akira had given him a sidelong glance before smiling and mentioning how Shikamaru had been picked as the ambassador for Konoha and maybe that was why Temari was sensitive. Gaara had looked at her confused before muttering about work again.

"I'll be right back." Akira mutters rising out of her seat, their order already put in as Gaara glances out towards the road. Today is going by peacefully as he nudges his gourd closer to the table with his leg.

Or it would have been, as Kankuro happily spies his brother waiting in the restaurant and goes inside. Gaara is lost in thought as Kankuro bounds over to him and throws himself upon his brothers back.

"Gaara! How have you been? Temari ditch out on you again, don't worry I'll eat with you today!" He grins as Gaara's brow furrows.

"You don't have money to pay for your own lunch do you?"

"Gaara I am shocked! I could pay, but we both know that you are probably right." He says as he grins at Gaara and takes Akira's chair.

"Kankuro-."

"Here is your order!" the waiter says placing down the food Akira and him had ordered as Gaara nods once to him and Kankuro gasps.

"Wow, is this all for you?" He asks eyes wide at the two orders as Gaara shakes his head.

"No Kankuro-."

"Is one for me then? Because I am starving!" He says pulling Akira's meal closer when sand shoots out and pushes his hands away as gently and forcibly as he could.

"Hey what gives?!"

"Excuse me but you're in my-." Akira cuts off as Kankuro turns around to see who is behind him.

Their eyes meet and Gaara watches with wide eyes as Kankuro leaps from the chair, and Akira steps back. Their faces once shocked now were filled with anger and some hatred.

"YOU!"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"

"I'm having lunch with my friend-."

"No I'm having lunch with my brother!" Realization hits them as they whip around to Gaara, who is suddenly thankful they are seated outside.

"Gaara!" they yelled simultaneously as Gaara frowns.

-End- Song Choice: 40 Day Dream by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is just a great song that I personally feel like a montage of scenes could go to. Like the music plays in the background of this chapter while Gaara and Akira become closer over the course of the month or so. (Like a month and a half?) Anyway, I just wanted to showcase this little song because I feel like it's a sweet song about a girl and how everything feels too good to be true.

Quick note though, the next chapter starts right after the scene with Kankuro and explains a little bit about why the two acted the way they did.

Well I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time!