Chapter 3: Konoha's Bush Clover

Two days into Suna's lockdown and Gaara was buried with paperwork regarding what missions were happening as well as writing to all Suna Shinobi that were out of the village, warning them of the danger of the area. As a result, he didn't leave the Kage mansion. Kankuro and Temari were out and about, Temari with Shikamaru and Kankuro seemed to be befriending Choji. It was nice for him to make friends and Choji was likely a good influence.

But the days alone didn't help his psyche that much as he pushed more papers. Perhaps he was scared that alone time would somehow cause Shukaku to return and whisper terrible things in his ear like he once did. Silence, though, seemed to be the theme of the day and into the evening.

A bit further into the night did the doorbell to the mansion finally ring. Curious as to which of his siblings was home at a rather early hour, he went to it and opened it only to see a rambunctious and drunk Temari at the door and Shikamaru who seemed in a similar state.

"Oh God…Why am I the only one in this family who doesn't drink?" Gaara muttered.

"Because you're lame, Gaara. That's why," Temari shot back, finding her way in. "You definitely should. You could chill out and not be so uptight all the time."

"Are you two alright? How did you even make it here?"

It was then Gaara saw Ino outside the door, her bright green eyes trained on him seemingly not wanting to invite herself in. " H-hello, Lord Kazekage. I uh…saw they were getting to the limit. I thought I'd be the responsible one for once and make sure they got to where they needed to go."

Gaara sighed. "Thank you, Ino. I'm sorry they gave you trouble."

"It's nothing. God knows I've had my nights. I remember once, Sakura had to sit at the toilet with me for like an hour because I had way too much."

"Doesn't sound like too much fun," he said.

"It's not. I just have a hard time stopping after I get going. So I didn't get going at all tonight. I'm being professional on this business trip."

Gaara smirked and looked down at Ino's exposed stomach and her tight purple top. "Pretty casual attire for a business trip."

"Hey, lay off. It's really hot here," she said, crossing her arms.

"It's gonna get colder as the sun goes down. You best cover up or come inside."

Ino smiled. "I guess I could come in."

Gaara gestured for her to enter and Temari immediately made a remark from the couch. "I knew he'd let you in, Ino. You can't spell, "Ino" without, "In."

"Good one!" Shikamaru called out.

"Ugh, ignore her," Gaara said.

"Yeah, I know how drunks can be," Ino began sitting down in the kitchen. "I say far worse things. Your sister and Shikamaru just like to have fun. I can get mean and say a lot of bad stuff. That's another reason I save the drinks for my own place."

"I don't believe I've ever had one myself. I wonder what it's like sometimes," Gaara said sitting across from her.

A grin formed on Ino's face. "Next time you come to Konoha, you just have to try a Strawberry Fizz Cocktail. They sell them right by my flower shop and they taste like Heaven."

"Sounds like it could be fun. I didn't know you had a flower shop."

Ino laughed. "Yeah, my dad used to run it. But now I do along with my mother. After, well…you know."

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry."

"My dad died a hero. That's comforting in a way. He told me how proud he was of me as it all happened."

"There's a lot to be proud of, you know."

"Thank you. I just wish I could feel that. Sometimes, I just don't. I don't know. I don't mean to vent to you. We don't really know each other and I'm sure you have other more pressing issues, Lord Kazekage."

"Gaara…" he said again.

"Right… I'm sorry. Why do you want to be called your name and not your title? You worked hard for it."

"I mean, we may not know each other. But we all were mostly in the same age group. I think it counts as growing up together."

"You literally proctored my second Chunin Exam, but okay. Did you ever become Chunin or were you elevated straight to Kazekage?"

"I did become Chunin. But I was never Jonin."

Ino made a weird noise with her tongue. "Skipper,"

Gaara couldn't hold a smile back. "If only the system was based around who sold the most flowers. Then you'd have gone straight to Jonin, likely Hokage even."

Ino's mouth dropped open and she gasped. "Excuse me. Did Gaara Sabaku, the 5th Kazakage, just tease me?"

"That's not what happened."

"Definitely sounded like teasing."

"I wouldn't dream of teasing you."

"And why not?"

"Because I'm trying to work my way into your good graces for a discount at your flower shop."

"Okay, Mister, now you've done it."

"What? I'm not joking."

"Really, you got a special girl to buy for?"

"The last time I checked, no. But if those two lovebirds on the couch over there are gonna tie the knot soon, I'm gonna need a place to go for some kind of present."

The two turned their heads and looked at the couple on the couch, who had seemingly fallen asleep on top of each other and Ino gave a sigh.

"They're perfect for each other," she said. "They always have been."

"I never noticed."

"Because you're a guy," Ino replied bluntly.

"Well, then."

"Guys never notice anything."

"We notice more than you think."

"Naruto wouldn't realize Hinata had a crush on him even if she told him. Oh wait. She did. And they're still not together."

Gaara shook his head. "My statement did not apply to Naruto Uzumaki. He's an exception to that sort of thing. I always thought Hinata should move on and get with a different kind of guy."

Ino almost laughed. "Hell would freeze over first. And are you gossiping with me right now?"

"Sounds like it. But why wouldn't she move on for someone else?"

"Like who? You?"

Gaara scoffed. "Don't be absurd. I couldn't handle something like that."

"Oh…why?"

Gaara looked at Ino. "Now I'm venting to you and we barely know each other."

"We basically grew up together. Tell me."

"Stealing my phrases will get you nowhere with me, Flower girl."

"Oh come on. The fact we don't know each other almost makes it easier to open up, doesn't it? Who am I gonna tell?"

"Well, that I don't know. You seem like a girl that gets attention. Did you see the looks we were getting at the meeting today?"

"How could I not? I felt like all of Suna was staring at me."

"Not all of it. Just those citizens that like to talk. Maybe you'll be in the papers."

"Ugh, please. I'd rather not."

Gaara looked at Ino, who was still looking at him. She had a curious look on her beautiful face and was still smiling at him. He decided to simply tell her one thing and see where it went.

"Temari told me something the other day that bothered me."

"Oh? What was it?"

"She told me that I'm poor with social queues and I have more in common with animals than with people."

"Why would she say that?" Ino asked.

"Because she was instructing me to be on my best behavior in front of Shikamaru."

"Shikamaru thinks you like him more than Kankuro does."

"That's true. But Temari basically said I'm bad with human interaction. I don't get what she said. Really. But the comment bothers me."

"You're doing really well right now. I didn't know you had a sweet side."

"I wouldn't call it that. I'm just all over the place right now. I feel like I want to do something drastic, something that's never been done before."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know yet. I think I'll know it when it comes."

"Do you want to know what I think?"

"Of course."

"I think you just need fulfillment," Ino began. "Look at those two."

Gaara looked at the sleeping Shikamaru and Temari again as she spoke.

"They're not doing anything drastic. They have each other. They're just living their lives and they both have everything they want right there. I think both of us need something like that, a special bond. You know."

"You might be right."

"I'm always right, Gaara. You'll come to see that."

"Are you close to getting a bond like that?"

"I have suitors and a slight interest in someone. But who knows at this point?"

"Who is it?"

"Some dork named Sai. I don't know if you've met him."

"I'd like to."

"Maybe someday. Look, it was really nice to talk to you. I've wanted to since the meeting. But I should get going. It's a long walk back to my hotel."

Gaara smirked. "I had a feeling you did."

"Shut up. You were leading the meeting. That's where the stares were coming from. Don't think anything of it. How cold is it out there?"

"Cold. You can stay here if you want. If Shikamaru and Temari are out here, you can have her bed for the night."

"I can't do that."

"I insist. Just steal her pajamas too. It's your payment for dragging her back here. Her room is first door to the right down that hallway."

Ino sighed. "Okay. Thank you, Gaara."

She bowed respectfully and walked down to where he directed. Gaara sighed and looked out the window. Try as he might to reflect on the positive conversation he just had, he had a bad feeling in his gut as he looked at the Suna sky.