New Girl

"Five Bowls of Ramen please."

Naruto looked up from the bowl of Ramen he was currently chowing on to sneak a peek at the voice he just heard order five bowls of Ramen. Naruto was the only one in the village who could devour that much Ramen.

He was very surprised when he saw that a girl ordered the Ramen Naruto looked over to the cook, he was just as surprised. The cook snapped out of it when he realized what a good sale this would be.

"Five bowls comin' right up." The cook announced cheerfully.

The girl sat down right next to Naruto; he took this chance to get a good look at her. He started at the bottom and went up.

Her shoes, instead of a normal blue, or black, were red and black; her dress was red with white circles on the sides; her arms were covered with red and black striped arm warmers.

"Why don't you draw a picture; you know, I hear they last longer." The girl was now looking at Naruto with one eye closed and chopsticks to her mouth.

Naruto looked at the girls face; it was covered with a hood with bunny ears.

"Sorry! I was just curious to find who could almost beat my Ramen eating record." Naruto grinned and scratched the back of his head.

"Almost beat your record?" the girl raised a black eyebrow. "And what would your record be?"

"Nine bowls," he grinned. "But that's when I've had something else to eat before."

"Hn." The girl looked at the cook. "Five more bowls, please."

Naruto and the cook looked at the girl like she was crazy.

"Are you going to hold up a paying customer?" the girl asked the cook.

"N-no." The cook turned around and started to make the Ramen.

Naruto watched as the bowls of Ramen disappeared one by one. The girl ate at a fast pace but surprisingly nothing got on her face.

When she was done she leaned back and sighed. "I guess I'm the new record holder now."

"She's got you there Naruto." The cook chuckled.

The girl got up, paid her fee, gave a smile, and then walked away.

Naruto followed the girl, he had never seen her in the village before; and he was very curious about the girl who beat him in the thing he liked to do best.

"Y'know you don't have to follow me around like I'm your queen now." The girl slowed down so Naruto could catch up.

"You're not my queen." He crossed his arms but then smiled. "I've never seen you around here before."

"That's because I don't live here." She lifted up her hood so Naruto could catch a glimpse at her forehead.

"Land of wind huh?" Naruto thought for a moment. "So does that mean you know the sand siblings?"

"The what?" the girl gave a curious look.

Naruto was about to answer when somebody called him.

"Hey, Sakura!" He turned towards Sakura and gave a big dumb grin.

"Hi, Naruto," she smiled back at him "who's your friend?"

"Uhm," Naruto looked at the girl.

"I'm Kyamyi." She smiled and held out her hand.

Kyamyi

The pink haired girl shook my hand.

"I'm Sakura," The girl announced with a smile "so, you're new here?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." I scratched my chin.

"So you don't know anybody?"

I shook my head "Nope, except for you two I don't know anybody here."

"I know!" the boy named Naruto turned to Sakura "lets introduce her to our friends!"

"For once Naruto you have a good idea." She looked at Naruto and then turned to me. "So what do you say, want to meet some new people?"

I had to think about it for a while, I mean here are these people who don't even know me, and they want to help me make friends; I'm a ninja it's my job to be suspicious.

They saw my hesitation "They're pretty nice," Sakura said "Well, most of them are." She grimaced and shrugged.

"Alright, whatever." I looked down and brushed off a fuzz ball that was on my arm warmer.

Sakura grabbed my arm and dragged me along with her. It took every nerve in my body to hold back my reflexes and not attack her. Slowly I unhooked my arm and followed after her and Naruto.

"So what are you doing here?" Naruto fell back behind Sakura to walk beside me.

Every part of me wanted to tell him fuck off and leave me alone, but if I didn't tell him he would think I was an enemy.

"My team was injured, and this was the closest village that I could get help from." I looked down. My eyes started to sting.

"Oh, You could have just taken them back to your village-"

"Naruto!" The pink haired girl hit the blonde right on his head then looked at me "Don't pay any attention to him Kyamyi."

"Ow! Sakura you didn't let me finish," he was rubbing his head. "I was going to say that I was glad they stopped here instead!"

Wow that was actually nice! But why is he so nice. I turned to look at him, we was grinning wildly at me. I guess, he likes me. I tried picturing us together; nah that wouldn't work; I mean his face is cute but I don't have a thing for blondes.

A few more minutes and we were at the place where I would meet my new friends. There were about ten people there, all of them wondering who the new girl is. I didn't think it was going to be this many people, but on the other hand I would've expected more.

"Hey everybody, come meet Kyamyi!" Naruto yelled out.

"Well, that was blunt." I muttered under my breath. I looked at Sakura who just shrugged.

Everybody except four people came over to greet Naruto and Sakura; all of them had curiosity in their eyes.

"Kyamyi this is everybody; everybody this is Kyamyi- ow, Sakura why'd you hit me?"

"I hit you because that is no way to introduce someone."

"Well how would you do it?!" the by asked still rubbing his head.

Kyamyi

"Okay this is how it's going to work!" Sakura announced enthusiastically. "Everybody break up into groups and Kyamyi will visit your groups one by one!"

I could tell by the way they muttered and broke off into their groups that Sakura was usually like this. I didn't know what to do, or, I didn't know what Sakura wanted me to do. I turned to look at her, but instead of the pink haired girl, a boy with red fang marks on his cheeks met my gaze.

" Hi I'm Kiba." The boy grinned and held out his hand.

"Hi," I smiled up at him (damn my short-ness), and shook his hand. Now this was a cute boy!

There were two people behind him. He saw me looking

"This is Shino." He pointed to the boy, he had little black glasses and hair that looked like it defied gravity.

"And this is Hinata." The girl looked reserved, she brought her hands to her mouth and looked down when Kiba said her name

"Hello," the boy, Shino said. The girl just nodded

I scratched my head. "Make it easier for me; give me something to remember you by."

"You could call be bug boy, but then I'd have to kill you," To make his point he lifted up a bug on his finger.

"Uhm." The girl, Hinata seemed at a loss for words. It was clear she was a shy girl, I could relate, I used to be shy.

"Okay I think I got it!" I smiled at Hinata, she gave a light smile. "And you?" I turned to Kiba and we exchanged a flirty smile.

"Well-" as he started a little puppy nuzzled its way into the light from under is jacket.

"Awww! Is it a he or a she?" Leaned in for a closer look.

"Its a he, His names Akamaru," he smiled at me "You want to pet him?" At this Shino shook his head, and walked away pulling Hinata along with him.

I stood up straight again "I don't know, i have a pretty bad reputation with dogs."

"Its okay he wont bite." Kiba assured me.

I shrugged, I reached out to pet the dog, and just before i made contact, he started barking violently. I hissed a little under my breath.

"Akamaru!" he pulled the dog out of his coat. "Whats up with you?"

He was squirming in Kiba's hands so much Kiba dropped him. Akamaru landed and ran off. "Akamaru!" Kiba called starting to run after him. then he stopped and turned to look at me. "I'm sorry, Akamaru has never been like that before."

"Never mind that, go get your dog." I frowned. He waved and ran off.

Damn it! Why did the cutest guy here have to be a dog person. Dogs completely hate me, and I don't care for them that much. i sighed and looked around for the next group to terrorize. And then I saw it.

"A kittiy hood!" I ran towards the tall boy-he's probably normal sized, its just i'm extra short- with the black kittie hood. When i got to it i gazed up at it like it was an angel.

"I know I'm hot, but staring is rude." I looked at the owner of the hood, he had on face paint so i couldn't tell if he was cute or not.

"For your information, I wasn't looking at you I was looking at your hood." I reached for it but he leaned back.

"My hood?"

"Yeah! Can I have it?!" I grinned at him. "Please? How 'bout we trade?"

"No way! I don't want a girly bunny hood." he started walking away. I followed after him

"But I want it!" I tried jumping for it some more but he was too tall. I was about to give up when he stopped and turned around.

"Okay I'll give it to you."

"Yay!"

"But you have to kiss me first." he gave a sly smile.

"I don't want the hood anymore." I frowned.

"Kankuro, When will you ever learn?" A girl with four blond pigtails jumped down from a tree. "Girls don't like guys who wear makeup."

"I happen to think my face paint is sexy." he smiled.

"Believe what you want to believe, I was just trying to give you some sisterly advice." She smiled back at him.

Sisterly advice? I never would have guessed it; I mean they look nothing alike! But I guess they do bicker like siblings.

They kept fighting and my eyes wandered up the tree that The blond girl jumped down from. There was someone up there, I brought my arm warmer-clad hand over my head to shade my eyes from the sun my heart beat faster than it ever did before. A boy. No not just a boy, the most hottest, sexiest, cutest boy stood in the tree looking down at the two people in front of me arguing. I was nearly drooling when I heard my name being called.

"Hey! Kyamyi! Come over here for a second!" Sakura called.

Kyamyi

I grimaced, but it didn't look like the boy in the tree was paying any attention to me, so I sighed, slouched my shoulders and turned and walked over to where Sakura called me from.

"Took you long enough!" She announced. I looked up at her she was smiling at me. There was a girl behind her.

I ignored the girl and started to yell at Sakura for ruining my daydream but before I opened my mouth Sakura started talking.

"I wanted to introduce you to my friend Ino." She gestured to the girl behind her who had corn silk blonde hair and eyes with no pupils. I was going to ask her how cold she see right now but I chose the more polite, standard greeting.

"Hello." I said as I unwillingly smiled and held out my hand.

"Hi," she smiled and shook my hand. "The rest of my team should be here any minute now."

Oh great. More people who I don't care about will force me to become their friend and start a conversation with me that they think is riveting, but in reality its less engaging than watching corn sprout. I could only hope that there would be no more dogs.

"Here they come." I plastered on the cheeriest smile I could muster, but it probably turned out to be a grimace by the way Sakura looked at me, so I gave up and just took all emotion out of my face.

Two figures came, hopping through the trees until finally they reached the clearing and hopped down.

"What did you drag us all the way here for, Ino?" A boy who I immediately pegged as a lazy pineapple-head sighed and leaned against the tree he came down from.

"Who's this?" The other boy, who I dubbed Hungry, Hungry Hippo, asked the blonde while stuffing his face.

"This," Sakura gestured to me. "Is Kyamyi." I lifted a hand in attempt to wave but thought again and chose to stick with my uncaring demeanor and crossed my arms against my chest. The Pineapple-head followed suit and crossed his tanned arms across his chest and looked up at the sky. I could tell Sakura didn't like that we were being non-sociable and so Ino introduced the boys.

"The lazy looking one is Shikamaru," she started and this gained a nice steady "Hn." from him.

"And the one with all the f-"

"Hey, don't call me fat!" The Hungry, Hungry Hippo yelled at the blonde.

"I was going to say food!" she yelled right back at him.

Sakura sighed and face-palmed "That's Choji." a little quieter she added "Do us all favor, never make fun of his weight."

I couldn't help but laugh; such a colorful group these people made out to be, nothing like the people back home, but I guess it makes since home was much, much smaller than this village. Home, where all my friends were, where my family was, where I and my team should be.

Something must of been decided while I was daydreaming because now Sakura and Ino were dragging me away from the boys and calling the girls to come along. Once all the girls were gathered, Sakura and Ino looked at me expectantly. I gave them a questioning look in return.

"Well, that's about everybody." Sakura grinned "So... Who do you like?"

"What?" I gasped.

"C'mon, you have to like somebody!"

"What about Sasuke?" Ino chimed in, at this everyone laughed, even Hinata gave a little giggle but i think it was for a different reason. I just stared at them blankly.

"Sas-what? I asked, and all of them stopped laughing

"You mean you didn't notice him?" Sakura looked at me like I was a sick puppy.

"If by 'him' you mean anyone named Sasuke then, no I didn't meet him."

Sakura sighed and turned me, I was going to ask her what she was doing, and then I saw him.

"Ew!" I exclaimed and averted my eyes. I swear all their mouths -excluding Hinata- dropped at the same time.

"Well, I guess that's less competition for you guys." The girl who was Kankuro's sister said to Sakura and Ino.

"Please, Temari, I gave up on Sasuke ages ago." Ino said. "Sakura can have him."

"But who would ever want that?" I asked and Ino and Sakura blushed and looked at the ground.

"Just because you don't like him doesn't mean other people don't." Sakura muttered

"Okay then tell me, why do you like him?"

Sakura blushed even more and turned away from me. "You haven't even met him!"

Before I could try to argue sensed there someone was behind me and I tensed. Only when the person spoke did I relax.

"Hello, Sakura, who is your new friend?"

"Lee!" she turned around but I stayed with my back turned to the boy, that is until she turned me around and I nearly threw up from what I saw.

Kyamyi

My stomach heaved, all that Ramen I had was going to make its way back up, I averted my eyes but all I could think of was green spandex. I tried to think of something else but it just kept popping up in my mind.

"Are you okay, Kyamyi?" Sakura asked.

I only shook my head 'no' for fear that something might come out of my mouth if I opened it.

"What's wrong then?"

I pointed at the boy in green spandex.

"W-what did I do?" he asked frantically.

My stomach calmed down a bit and I was finally able to talk. "Sorry, my stomach never sits well when the word 'fashion' is being slaughtered in front of my very eyes." Sakura looked furious but I didn't care, someone had to let him know, even though I sure someone has before by the way he responded to me.

"I'll have you know this outfit makes me one-hundred and ten percent stronger, not to mention cooler!" he winked at Sakura and she just slouched her shoulders.

"I don't know about your coolness, but what you're saying is, that without the outfit, your strength would be at negative ten?" My audience laughed and I just looked at the guy.

"Yes that is exactly- wait what?"

"Not to bright, is he?" I whispered to Hinata making her stifle a giggle.

"Kyamyi, could you at least try to be nice to Lee?" Sakura had a hurt look on her face.

"Why should I, his presence makes made me sick." I wrinkled my nose.

And then the guy, Lee, did something I did not expect, he started crying, right there on the spot.

"Whoa, dude, I didn't mean to make you cry." I was about to reach out and comfort him when he did something else unexpected.

"Thank you!" he exclaimed and gave me a wink and thumbs up. "Your insults only push me to become what I want to be; a splendid ninja!"

"Well that's our cue to leave." I looked up and in a tree stood two people, a girl and a boy. "C'mon, Lee." The girl called to the crying ninja.

"Well, Kyamyi, we will meet again someday." and with that he jumped up into the tree and the three ninja raced off.

"That was Rock Lee." Sakura announced with a sigh.

"You mean Weepy Spandex Guy." They looked at me crazy but I ignored it.

"And the two people up in the tree were-" Ino started.

"Teddy Bear and Honey Buns." I finished for her which gained me laughs all around.

"Teddy Bear?" Sakura asked.

"Well you know, his hair is brown and it looks pretty soft like a teddy bear." I explained. "I have nick names for all of you."

"Oh really, like what?"

"Well there is Dog Dude, for Kiba, Bug Boy for Shino, and Quiet Queen for Hinata." I smiled at Hinata when I said her nick name and then I continued. "Lazy Pineapple-Head for Shikamaru, Hungry, Hungry Hippo, for Choji, Lady for Ino." I paused to think about the other names I made up and then started once again. " For that Sasgay guy I have Chicken-ass."

"You haven't even met him, how do you know that he's chicken!" Sakura exclaimed

"I'm not calling him chicken, I mean have you seen his hair?" This caused the girls to look over at the boy, and when they did, they burst out in laughter, which caused the boy under inspection to roll his eyes and look away.

"Now if you let me I would like to finish telling you the names I made up."

"Go on." Temari said

"Okay so I got Superblondeboyhyperteamforcego for Naruto." this earned a crazy look from three of them and a blush from Hinata. "For Sakura there's Annoying Pink-Haired Lady" Sakura scowled at me and I just grinned at her. "And finally Temari and her brother share a name, The Siblings."

"You mean brothers with an 's'. Little brothers to be exact." Temari said.

I looked at her questioningly; there was only one person who I didn't mention.

"You mean that boy who was up in the tree while you and Kankuro were arguing?"

"Yup, that's Gaara." she smiled at me and I didn't need a mirror to see that I was starting to blush.

"No!" Sakura and Ino gasped

"That's who you like?" Ino asked, and my blush was her answer.

"Well, that's not all who I like." Hinata gave me a knowing smile.

"Who?" Sakura asked.

"Kiba."

"Wow, you have a weird selection in boys." Temari commented.

"Well, the boys I like aren't exactly Chicken-ass clones," I smiled at Sakura and Ino. "But I like them." I said with a shrug.

"Don't worry Kyamyi; you're not the only one who likes weird guys." Ino looked at Temari. "I've seen the way you and Shika look at each other."

I gasped and looked at the eldest sibling.

"There's nothing going on between me and him." she answered my unspoken question in a dismissive tone.

"Speaking of which, you can't tell Gaara I like him," I pointed at Temari. "And you can't tell Kiba," I turned to Hinata and then I turned to the other two girls. "And you two can't let anything slip."

All of them lifted their hands in defeat and said 'okay' at the same time.

"Temari let's go!" The kitty hood clad boy called to his sister.

"Coming!"

And with that she turned, walked away, and waved us goodbye.

"I guess I better leave too," Ino announced "My mom wanted me to be at the shop before she closed it." She started to sprint off.

"See you later!" Sakura called to her before she was out of hearing range.

"Uhm."

I turned to Hinata. "Let me guess, you have to leave too?"

"Yes." She nodded her head.

"Bye Hinata." But before she could walk away I hugged her and whispered in her ear. "You're my only real friend here, come save me from these weird people when you have a chance."

She laughed and I waved her off, she didn't realize how serious I was.

"So what do w-"

"Hey, Kyamyi!"

"Hey Superblondeboyhyperteamforcego!"

"What?"

"You really don't want to know Naruto." Sakura sighed.

"Oh. Well Kyamyi, did you meet everyone?"

"Pretty much. And where did you grace your presence while I was meeting your friends?"

"I tried to redeem my title as champion Ramen eater."

"Oh really, and how did that work out for you?"

"Not too good." He rubbed the back of his neck and his stomach at the same time.

"Off of that subject; it's getting late, where are you going to go Kyamyi?" Sakura asked

"No place soon, what, you tryna' get rid of me?"I quirked an eyebrow.

"No, I only meant where were you going to sleep tonight?"

"Well I was going to camp out in the woods."

"Nonsense, you'll sleep at my place."

"Uhm."

"Oh, no you can't. My room is too small and my mom is using our guest room for one of her projects." She face-palmed.

"You can stay at my place!" Naruto announced happily. Too happily.

"I don't know." I said hesitantly.

"Aw, c'mon." He saw I was still hesitating and went on. "In the morning I'll make breakfast."

This caught my attention. "You make breakfast?"

"Yup!"

"I'm a little afraid to ask what you make."

"I make Ramen."

"I'm in."

"What?" Sakura and Naruto exclaimed at the same time, though Naruto's was much cheerier.

"Lead the way Naruto!"

"You can't be serious!" Sakura announced.

"Why can't I be?"

"Because Naruto is such a dweeb."

"Hey!"

"Hi."

"What?" They looked at me like I was crazy.

"Well, you said 'hey' so I returned your greeting." Naruto laughed and Sakura just sighed.

We walked a few more minutes in silence. The sun was setting and it turned the sky a beautiful scarlet and peach color, only a few clouds lingered, it was really beautiful.

"We're here!" Naruto announced, totally ruining my moment. He had the door open gesturing me to go inside. I had one foot in when Sakura stopped me.

"Now are you sure you want to stay here Kyamyi?" Sakura asked. "You know we can ask someone else if you can stay with them."

"Six words 'will there be ramen for breakfast?'" I could see Naruto counting the words in his head and I chuckled

"Probably not, but how about pancakes, eggs, ba-"

"Sakura, all I'm hearing are foods that aren't Ramen." I cut her off. "So I'll have to pass."

"Wow, I never thought I'd meet someone who loved ramen as much as Naruto."

"Well I guess that's what you get for never thinking." After I said this I ran in the house pulled Naruto in and shut the door.

"She might kill you for saying that." Naruto said, clutching his stomach from laughter.

"You got my back right?" I asked laughing along with him.

"Totally!" He said as he gave me a high-five.

After our laughing and joking calmed down he showed me around the house; it was pretty cozy.

"The bathroom is down there." then he walked to another place in the house and I followed him. "This is the kitchen." he gestured to a table and refrigerator when he said this. "And this is my room." the room contained a single bed and that's pretty much it. "Oh my gosh, this is going to be the best sleep-over ever!" He exclaimed in a really girly voice that I couldn't help but laugh at.

"Okay, so I know where I'm sleeping." I sat on the bed as I said this. "Where are you going to sleep?"

"Wow, I let you spend the night at my house and you steal my bed."

"Well I'm not going to sleep on the floor if that's what you're thinking."

"Why not?" He asked.

"Look at it, it looks really uncomfortable."

"And what makes you think it won't be uncomfortable for me?"

"Well you're a boy, and boys are built tougher that girls." I reasoned.

***

Naruto

About twenty minutes later I found myself on the floor dosing off when Kyamyi started talking.

"Why are you letting me spend the night here?" She whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I could attack you in your sleep."

"That's true, but I could also attack you."

"Yes, but you have no motive, you couldn't, you just met me."

"Well, what if I'm just a person who kills people she just meets"

"What if I'm one of those people too?"

By this time we were both sitting up looking at each other, with only the moon outside my window as a light.

"I know how we can settle this."

"How?" she asked.

"Are you going to attack me Kyamyi?" I looked her in the eyes and she looked straight back at mine.

"No. Are you going to attack me Naruto? "

"No."

"Okay, then." And she relaxed back in the bed.

"Good night." I said as I tried to get comfortable again.

"Night." She shrugged.

Kyamyi

I woke up with the sun on my eyelids. That’s weird; I always close my shades at night. My stomach growled I sniffed the air; something else weird, I didn't smell breakfast, my sister usually had it ready my now. I threw my blanket off of me and got up, my feet contacted with something soft and there was a kind of 'oomph' and a squeak sound below me. I looked down and it all came back to me.

"Sorry!" I said as I jumped off of Naruto.

"Nice way to wake a guy up!"

"I said I was sorry!" Then I smiled down at him "Now that you're up, how 'bout you make breakfast?"

"Wow, so you step on me, and then boss me around like I'm your servant." He started.

"Well that just about sums it all up, doesn't it?" I grinned.

He looked at me then sighed a "Fine." then I followed him to the kitchen.

It was less than five minutes and the smell of ramen was filling my nose; making my mouth water.

I ate slow, trying to savor my food; but Naruto on  the other hand ate like this was going to be his last meal.

"Wow Naruto, the way you're swallowing that ramen makes me wonder what else you can swallow." I said not looking up from the cup that held my ramen.

I heard him choke when he realized what I said.

"Oh, I guess you still have your gag reflex then?"

"What!?"

"I know! You're practicing with ramen so then when it comes down to the real thing, you won’t gag!"

"Would you shut up!? You suck!" He was blushing.

"It takes a sucker to know a sucker."

"Well it takes a swallower to know a swallower!"

"Touché." I said and we leaned back in our chairs.

"You want some more ramen?"

"Sure"   As I said this, he got up and started to make more ramen; which was done in another five minutes.

"Kyamyi, you know what I just realized?" He asked.

"What?"

"That we know nothing about each other."

"So..."

"How 'bout I ask you some questions and then you can ask me some in return."

"Sure, I guess so."

"Okay, so you said you didn't know the sand siblings, but you wear the sand village forehead protector."

"So what’s your question?" I didn't really like where he was leading.

"I want to know what village you come from."

I sighed. "It’s a long story."

"I have time."

"And the story contains a lot of secrets."

"I can keep a secret."

I hesitated, and he saw this.

"I'll tell you what, you tell me your secret, and I'll tell you a secret. Deal?"

"Deal." I scratched my chin figuring out how to start.

"Are you going to begin sometime this century?"

I scowled at him but began. “Well first you have to know I come from a very powerful family,  a family that thinks they are superior to all authority figures. Yes, Long before I was born we lived in the sand village but as I said before that my family thought they were superior and tried to revolt against the Kazekage. The Kazekage banished them of course, and all the ninja and villagers that helped my family in the revolt. They moved all the way across the Land of Wind and settled there. And you know how there called hidden villages? Well think of our village as extra hidden."

"What makes your family think they are superior?" Naruto, who I had almost forgotten was there, asked.

I sighed and pulled off my hood to show him rather than tell him. What he saw was my pixie-cut hair with red spots.

"Spots?" he asked.

I sighed again. “When people in my family are born- no when they are in their mothers' stomachs; their spirit links with that of an animal, and then they gain the traits and qualities of that animal."

"Really?"

"Yes, it’s like we are the animal, we get its strengths and weaknesses, everything. It's our Kekkei Genkai." I was whispering.

"So, what animal are you linked with?"

"Want to guess?"

"I don't know, Dalmatian?"

"Close."

"Really?"

"No," I smiled "I'm linked with a Cheetah."

"Wow."

"Okay, now it’s time to tell me your secret."

"Well, now that you told me yours, my secret sounds insignificant; but alright." he sat up in his chair. "Have you heard about the nine-tailed fox?"

"Yeah I think I remember hearing that somewhere; a fox that plagued the Leaf village, a lot of lives were lost."

"Good, so I can skip that part of the story. Okay so there was a fierce battle, but my father was able to seal the fox’s spirit inside of me. Now I am able to tap into the foxes chakra when I need to."

"That’s it?"

"That’s it."

"You tell a pretty short story."

"I know, but I have fans from all over the world that buy and read my work, my manager says next week I'll be a millionaire." He smirked.

 I chuckled then got back to the point "Well, your story is awesome!"

"It’s not as good as your story though."

"If you think about it, our stories are pretty much the same."

"True, we both have animal spirits, but I don't get fox traits or qualities." his eyes trailed out the window. "About what time did we wake up?"

"I don't know, about eight maybe eight-thirty."

"And we’ve been up for about an hour..." To my surprise, he jumped out of his seat. "I'm going to be late!" He exclaimed.

He ran to his room and then to the bathroom and came out with his orange suit on.

"Listen, I gotta go; you can stay here but if you leave lock the door from the inside, okay?"

"Okay."

"Bye!" And he was gone.

I planned on getting an early start today so I finished what was left of my ramen, threw the cup away, and walked out the door; remembering to lock it. 

Kyamyi

I didn't know where I was going; maybe I would find Hinata somewhere. If anything, I would try to avoid pink haired girls, mostly those whose names are Sakura. I didn't feel like asking anyone where Hinata lived, but even if I did, it was still early so only a few people where out on the street. I found myself lost in thought when I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Kyamyi!"

I looked up at the voice and it turned out to be my dog boy, Kiba.

"Hi, Kiba." I gave him a once-over. "No dog today?"

"Nah, Akamaru's sick."

"Oh, I hope he gets better."

"He'll be fine." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"So what are you doing out so early?" I broke the tension and gave him a smile.

"I was going to ask you the same thing." He caught on and smiled back.

"I was actually searching for someone to show me around the village; you know anyone who would be willing?"

"Yeah, sure, I know a guy; he's standing in front of you!" He grinned.

"Alright, lead the way!" I grinned right back to him.

He showed me shops, a nice restaurant were we had Beef steak jerky, one of HIS favorites (ramen wasn't on the menu.) buildings, bridges, houses, you name it. I made a special note on the houses of people that I should avoid like Sasuke's and Sakura's, and houses of my friends like Hinata and where the sand siblings were staying.

"I've saved the best place for last." he looked down at me and smiled.

The sun was setting, and the sky was starting to turn an orange-peach color. The rode we were walking on was fading, until it was completely gone and replaced by grass. In the distance I could hear the churning of water.

"Is that a waterfall?" I asked.

"I can't tell you, it’s a secret." he gave me a sly smile.

"Oh, c’mon tell me."

"Don't worry we'll be there soon."

And he wasn't lying we got there in about two minutes, tops.

"It's... beautiful." Beautiful was an understatement; we were in a small clearing on a cliff. There was a small river that flowed into a waterfall, and just over the waterfall you could clearly see the sunset.

Kiba sat down in the grass and gestured me to sit next to him.

"This is where I come to think, or just relax."

"I can see why." I leaned in closer to his side and rested my head on his shoulder. I could almost see him smile but I kept my eyes on the sunset. A grin found its way on my face when he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him as we watched the sun go down.

Kiba

Kyamyi smelled wonderful, like cherry blossoms and cinnamon. The sweet-and-spicy smell fit her. Why Akamaru doesn't like her, I'll never know. I'd bet that if he got close enough to smell her then he'd love her in an instant. But he won’t go near her, and after what happened yesterday, I don't think she would want to be near him either.

 I looked down at her, she was dosing off. Her eyes staying shut a little bit longer each time she closed them, until they didn't open anymore. She was even more beautiful when she slept. The sun was almost gone, but her eyelashes still made shadows across her cheeks. Her bunny hood was silly but it framed her face well.

She started shivering, and at first I thought of pulling her closer, but we were already so close, so without shaking her much, I pulled off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Kyamyi

I woke up in Kiba’s arms. I didn't mean to fall asleep in the first place, but now that I have seen the outcome I don’t regret it. I could feel we were walking; I didn't open my eyes because I didn't want to ruin the moment.

"I know you're awake." He whispered in my ear. The walking seized.

"Hi." I said as I opened my eyes.

"Hi." He laughed. "Sorry I had to wake you up but I don't know where you are staying."

"Oh, I'm staying with Naruto." I gaged his reaction then snuggled in closer to his chest.

He didn't like that I was staying with Naruto. And I liked that he didn't like it. Ah jealousy... it made me feel good, that is, unless I was the one who was jealous.

"Next stop, Naruto's place." He sounded agitated. "Do you want to walk?"

"Will you please carry me?" I yawned. "I'm still tired."

"Alright, I'll carry you." And he started walking

"Kiba?" I was dosing off now.

"Yeah?"

"How did you know I was awake?" I sighed.

"Your heart; it beat faster when you woke up."

"Oh,"

Kiba

"Delivery!" I said as I knocked on Naruto’s door.

From inside the house I could hear Naruto walking to the door.

"I didn't order anything." He opened the door. "Oh, hey Kiba!"

"Shh!" I nodded my head towards my arms.

"She's asleep?"

"Yeah, I showed her around the village today."

"I'd better take her inside." He held his arms out for me to hand her over.

I slipped her into Naruto's arms with ease, she was very light, it was probably because she was so short.

"Hey Naruto, when you're done can I talk to you?"

"Uh, sure hold on." He disappeared into the house with Kyamyi and emerged alone. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"I was wondering why Kyamyi chose to stay with you; I mean does that mean that you; or does she; what I'm trying to say is, are you and Kyamyi together?"

"You mean like dating? No, I like her but she doesn't like me."

"How do you know?"

"Hinata told me who she likes."

"Hinata?"

"Hinata."

"So, uh who does Kyamyi like?"I tried to be nonchalant about it, didn't work out to well.

"I can't tell you."

"What?!"

"I promised Hinata that I would keep it a secret."

"Aw, come on, you can tell me."

"Okay I'll tell you who she likes."

"OK then tell me."

"Hinata told me Kyamyi likes..." He stopped

"Would you just tell me already?" I sighed.

"OK, OK." He laughed; this was all some big game for him. "Kyamyi likes Kiba."

"What?"

"Kiba, I think you need to get your hearing checked; I said she likes you."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." He yawned. "Well good night Kiba." He shut his door.

I stood there for a moment, collecting myself. Then I realized what Naruto had just said.

"Yes!" I yelled

"Would you shut the hell up, kid, some of us are trying to sleep!" someone yelled at me.

"Sorry!" I said in the direction the voice came from, and then I ran home with a smile on my face.

Kyamyi

I was falling, falling to my death. The wind, taking my breath as I yelled to my friends for help.

"Anha! Risa! H-Help me, please, help me!"

They stood looking down on me from the top of the cliff . Their faces changing from normal to bloodied and mangled and back again. They laughed at me.

"It should have been you who fell Kyamyi." They said, their faces staying mangled this time. "You did this to us, so now were giving you what you deserve."

I squeezed my eyes shut waiting for the inevitable impact with the bottom of the cliff. But what I hit was not the cold stone of the cliff, It was soft, warm dirt. When I opened my eyes I did not see the dark claustrophobic walls of the cliff, but green forest all around. When I lifted my head I could see what looked like a fire in the distance, but I wouldn't find out if it was fire or not, because I woke up.

Once again I woke up and had to replay where I was. My team got injured, I brought them to the Leaf-village, I'm staying with Naruto, and I had the best day with Kiba yesterday. Just by thinking of Kiba Made me feel better and almost made me smell him, surprisingly he did not smell like dog, he had more of a woodsy, earthy scent. I opened my eyes, I didn't just almost smell him I did smell him. I looked down and there I found Kiba's jacket draped over me. I sat up and pulled it to my nose, taking one, long deep breath. I sat there for a moment, collecting myself.

I've had dreams that were more frightening, but this one was different. Usually my dreams follow the basic rule of 'end before the hit to the bottom', but this time, not only did I hit the ground, I ended up in a forest.

"A forest on fire nonetheless." I whispered to no one but myself.

I shook my head trying to rid my mind of the dream. It was just a dream, right? Something my subconscious made up to entertain me while I slept.

I sighed and put Kiba's jacket on. It was a little too big so my hands were completely covered by the sleeves, and other than the fact that it made me look even smaller than I really am; I was okay with it.

I pulled the blanket off my lower body and swung my feet over the edge. I looked down to see Naruto, mouth open wide, blanket kicked off most of his body, and his nightcap nearly falling his head. I made an easy leap over him, then I bent down towards his ear.

"You are swimming in ramen." I whispered "You keep eating and the ramen keeps flowing in. You never get full."

"Ramen..." Naruto said in his sleep.

Now was my chance. "Naruto! Wake up and make me my breakfast!" I shouted.

His eyes instantly opened and he jumped up. "Wah? Kyamyi! Why did you do that?"

"I'm hungry." I whimpered as I rubbed my stomach.

"But I was having a really good dream!"

"Naruto, You will get in that kitchen and make me my ramen." I put my hands on my hips.

"Okay, geez." He put his hands up to surrender and started walking towards the kitchen.

"Thank you." I said as I followed him to the kitchen.

"Nice change in the wardrobe by the way." He said when he sat two steaming cups on the table.

"You like?" I dug into my ramen. "I call it 'Le Kiba'."

He muttered something that sounded like 'You'd look better in orange' but I chose to ignore it and looked down while I ate. When I looked up again I found that Naruto was staring at me.

"What is there something on my face?" I asked him

"Sorry, I'm just trying to figure you out." he tilted his head.

"Well I'm not a math problem, so just ask me what you want to know."

"If I ask you questions, do you think you will really answer them?" he asked.

I had to think about that for a while, then finally I sighed "Yes." I don't know why I said it, maybe it was because his eyes told me he was innocent with his motives.

"What happened to your team?" He asked, his voice showed only curiousness.

"They fell off a cliff." I said, bringing all emotion out of my voice.

Naruto just lifted his eyebrows in a way that meant 'explain'.

"We were on a mission -a low C rank at the most- To retrieve a scroll that had been lost. The person did not notice the scroll was missing until he got back to the village, so we had to retrace all of his steps. Our team leader knew- thought-  that we could handle it; alone."  I took a bite of my ramen and began again. "We found the scroll; it was in a crevice between two cliffs, all the way at the bottom."

"So how did they fall?" Naruto interrupted me.

"I was getting to that part if you just let me finish!" Geez I hated it when people interrupted me.

"Sorry!"

I accepted his apology and started the story again "It was pretty wide but to me it was claustrophobic.  Anha and Risa -the other two girls on my team- were okay with me not going down to get it, and we made our plan. Risa is in a branch of my family, her animal spirit is the spider-monkey, she was to climb down half the way then throw the rope up to me so I could tie it around a tree and Anha could climb down the rest of   the way to get the scroll. It all made a sort of 'V', the tree and I at the point, and Risa and Anha at the two ends." I gulped. "I was in charge of packing and holding our supplies and I didn't think we would be needing a rope so I packed the lightest- not to mention weakest- rope I could find."

"So the rope snapped." He whispered.

I didn't say anything, I felt sick, and Naruto assumed he was right.

"It's not your fault."

"I know that!" I lied, It was totally my fault. My eyes started to sting but I held in my tears.

I stood up and walked out the door, leaving my half eaten ramen on the table. Leaving the blonde boy whose eyes I felt on my back. Leaving the nice, cozy house, and running straight into someone who was about to knock on Naruto's door.

We both fell to the ground. When I looked up I found that it was none other than the last person I'd ever wan't to see, the Annoying pink-haired lady, Sakura.

"Oh, Hi Kyamyi!" She greeted me cheerfully.

"Watch where you're going next time." I said as I got up and dusted myself off.

"I came to check on you." She announced and got up.

"I'm not some baby that you need to check on every five minutes, I can handle myself."

"I'm sure you can but Naruto can be... stupid sometimes."

I sighed "Could you just get out of my way, Sakura."

"I mean, sure he has his moments, but most of the time he's just immature." She completely ignored me, rude.

"Get out of my way." I said harshly.

"He's a great asset to the team but-"

She didn't get to finish because I shoved her out of the way and started walking, but then someone else came to ruin my escape, and that person was none other than Chicken-ass.

"It's not nice to go around shoving people you hardly know." He said and looked me in the eyes.

"Well I'm not a very nice person right now."  I looked at him making sure to keep the eye contact, even if I had to look up at him.

"Are you looking for trouble?"

"Nope, but if trouble happens to find me I'm not going to back down."

"You've got balls." He growled.

"Jealous, much?" I hissed right back.

"Why can't we be fair?" Sakura asked. "Sasuke, Kyamyi didn't hurt me."

We ignored her, I needed something to punch and if it had to be Chicken-ass then, so be it.

"Oh, just in the nick of time." Sakura announced. "Kakashi-sensei!"

Chicken-ass rolled his eyes and turned around. I wasn't finished with him, and I was about to tell him but then I got side-tracked.

"Whose the big hunk of man-meat?" I asked Sakura.

"You have got to be kidding me right?"

"I never kid."

"That," she gestured to who I was referring to. "Is my sensei, Kakashi."

My jaw dropped "You're joking, right?"

"I never joke." she said simply.

At that moment the Hunk- I mean, Kakashi reached our little group.

"Hello Sakura, Sasuke." I couldn't tell if he was really smiling or not but he did wave. "Who is your new friend?"

"She's no friend of mine." Chicken-ass scoffed and crossed his arms.

"I wouldn't exactly classify them as friends, but as people who I talk to against my will."  I muttered.

"Thank goodness you're here Kakashi-sensei! Kyamyi and Sasuke were arguing and it was getting serious!" Sakura announced, tugging on Kakashi's arm.

"Sniveling snitch." I muttered so no one could hear

"So this is Kyamyi, the girl you were telling me about, Sakura?" he gave me a once over, I tilted my head, why was she talking to him about me?

"That's her." Sakura said.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sakura."

"What!?"

"All Kyamyi needs is a good sparring partner; and it looks like Sasuke has already volunteered."

I was beginning to like this Kakashi guy even more.

"But, Kakashi do you think Kyamyi is evenly matched? I mean Sasuke is pretty strong."

I was beginning to hate Sakura even more. If that was even possible.

"What do you mean?! Shouldn't you be asking if he's evenly matched."

"Uhm..." She was at a loss for words.

"Gosh Sakura, I thought we were friends." I lied.

"I'm sorry Kyamyi, I didn't know you saw us as friends; it's just-"

At this point I started laughing so I covered my face with my hands.

"Oh, no Kyamyi don't cry".

I uncovered my face, and the look on her face when she realized that I was laughing and not crying, made me laugh even harder.

"Kyamyi you are mean!"

"Thank You! I was going for mean today!"

"Ugh! I give up. Do whatever you wan't. Don't let me stop you." She sighed.

"I will and I wasn't." I told her then turned to Kakashi. "So do you know a good spot for our spar to go down?"

"Yes, just follow me." He said.

He jumped up in the trees and started racing off, we followed close behind.

"Kyamyi have you ever thought of seeking professional help?" Sakura, who had found her way over to my side jumping along with me asked.

"Nope, but you sure seem keen on seeking my fist in your face." I told her.

"Ouch, I felt that one all the way back here." A familiar voice said.

"Kiba!" I yelled.

"Hi there." He laughed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Naruto rounded us up," He nodded his head behind us.

I looked back and I was amazed by what I saw. Our little group had grown a lot.

By this time Sakura had fallen back and it was just me jumping along side Kiba.

"You look good in my clothes." He stated.

"And you look good without them." I said eyeing his strong arms and the way his t-shirt blew against his body, giving me an outline of muscular stomach.

He saw me looking and he smirked. "Like what you see?" He asked.

"I guess it's okay." I squinted my eyes and pursed my lips like I was critiquing a piece of art.

"I guess I'll have to do one-hundred sit-ups tonight, and double that if you beat Sasuke, I can't let a girl get stronger than me."

 "Is Sasuke really that strong?"

"I can count on one of my hands how many people have challenged him to a serious one-on-one fight, and less than that on people who have actually beat him."

I laughed. "I've been wanting a challenge lately."

 He looked at me and smiled. "Two-hundred sit-ups it is then."

Kyamyi

"This is where you two will be sparring." Kakashi said.

This meant that if things got serious he would interfere; good thing because I don't want to have a murder on my hands.

"This is going to be fun." Chicken-ass smirked.

While he cracked his knuckles I waved to all my quote-unquote friends who were sitting up in the trees. I started at the right side starting with Hinata , then around to Kiba who was more close to the center, then to Naruto who was on the left side. Then I saw him. He was looking at me, tilting his head. He was standing on a branch with his brother and sister. Gaara; That's what Temari said his name was.  He tilted his head further and I realized I had been watching him for a while, - not to mention I was starting to blush- So I turned to face Chicken-ass. 

"Ready when you are." I told him.

"I'm always ready."

"Begin!" Kakashi shouted then disappeared.

I lunged at him and he jumped up into the air and did a back-flip over me. I felt the wind of a kunai past my face as I did a handspring forward. I landed easily on my feet, just in time to see him running towards me, kunai in hand. I grabbed one of my special kunai out of my pack; all of my kunai had my initials carved in them -K.K.- This one in particular had a wire string tied to the end. I let him come a little closer then I slinged my kunai so that the string wrapped around his and yanked it out of his hand making it land softly in my own. 

I smirked at him twirling his stolen kunai on my finger and swinging my kunai by the string. He frowned and got out yet another kunai. I sighed and ran towards him, he did the same. When we reached the point where we would meet he jumped up over me and I slid down under him, I recovered first and threw my kunai up and it wrapped around him while he was still in midair. I threw the stolen kunai behind me hitting the real Chicken-ass as the fake with the wire string wrapped around him disappeared with a cloud of smoke.

I turned around to view my handy-work and sure enough there was a fresh scar on his right cheek close to his eye. He had a look of pure disgust on his face.

"Are you going to stop holding back now?" I asked him "Or do you want to play more games?"

"I should ask you the same thing." He said as he wiped blood from his cheek with the back of his hand.

He did a series of hand signs and before I knew it I was tuck-and-rolling away from fire.

"You know you shouldn't play with fire, the outcome is always bad."

I squinted my eyes and did hand signs of my own. Chicken-ass didn't even see it coming; he was stuck in a vortex of fire, no way out, no way in without getting burnt, except from under.

I did more signs and soon I was underground, a couple of more hand signs and I was in the vortex with him. I wish I cold freeze what I saw next and look at it over and over again.

It was Chicken-ass, searching for a way out, head whipping left to right looking for a weak point in the flames, reaching out with his hand then pulling it back when it became too hot. Unfortunately I had to defeat him and oxygen was running out fast. I ran up behind him, kicking him threw the wall of flames. A few seconds later the flames died down and I was welcomed to the sight of a singed Chicken-ass, breathing heavily. I smirked and crossed my arms satisfied by the look that could kill that was still plastered on his face.

He ran at me then jumped up and over me but he miscalculated and jumped to low; so low that I was able to grab his arms and swing him over in front of me to kick him in his stomach. He flew back-first into a tree with a thud. He got back up and glared at me. Once again he ran towards me, this time when he jumped he remembered to keep his arms high but he forgot about his feet; I grabbed his ankles and slammed him to the ground. I jumped back just in case but his eyes didn't open and his body was limp on the ground, but he couldn't fool me

"Sasuke!" Sakura called to him.

"Don't worry he's not out of it, he's just resting." I told her.

After I said that I heard him groan and he got up, the same look on his face. Then he started with the hand signs. I looked up in a tree behind him and there they where; the two shadow clones that I stowed there just in case, and now I might need them.

When he was done with the hand signs I almost dropped to my knees in agony. Covering my ears and closing my eyes I couldn't even hear what the name of this jutsu was. I groaned because I did almost hear Chicken-ass's laughter. I opened my eyes and I saw what was the cause of the noise; lightning. I uncovered my ears, Chicken-ass was in full-charge towards me. My ears; I felt like I could rip them off, but I fought threw the pain. I backed up until I was pressed against a boulder; perfect. He was still running and I started my hand signs. To him I disappeared but realy I just went around the boulder, the boulder that took the attack that missed me by a toothpick.

I really don't like using my spirit release-jutsu, but I am not going to lose to a Chicken-ass. This jutsu requires a really focused mind, relaxed body, and, well a strong spirit. I've trained, long and hard, and even mastered it, but many things could still go wrong, this jutsu heightens the strength of the traits given to me from the cheetah spirit. I closed my eyes, I heard the wind move past his face as he turned his head, searching for me. I smelled the sweat  as it formed on his neck. I heard the first clone as it snuck up on him from behind and heard skin rip with contact of a kunai. I heard it when he turned around and the sound when the clone disappeared. The sound of a kunai hissing threw the air came next, more ripping skin and the muted thud of a punch landing squarely in the jaw, more rapid punches, and I could tell where each hit, the stomach, the jaw again, the throat, two in the ribs. Then a hit from him which made the clone disappear.

"Come out here and face me yourself, I'm tired of all these games!" He called to me, there was exhaustion on his voice.

I stepped out from my hiding place, he was facing away from me searching, frantically.  I walked towards him, not even I could hear my footsteps. It was when I was right behind him that I heard his breath catch in his throat. He didn't have enough time to do anything to defend himself because I grabbed his hair, nails digging in his scalp, then tripped him so he was now pinned, belly on the ground. I whipped out a kunai, brought it to his neck, and whispered in his ear. "You lose." I stuck the Kunai in the ground close to his face and got off of him, just as Kakashi appeared.

"Rematch!" Chicken-ass yelled. "Fight me again!"

"I don't think that would be to good for your health." I told him.

"She's right Sasuke," Sakura told him, she had been the first to come down from the trees and of course she goes to Sasuke.

I looked up in the trees, most of the branches were abandoned but some people were still in the trees, replaying what just happened is my guess.

Kiba was the first one who got to me. "Congratulations!" he told me

"Thank you," I smiled at him.

I saw green approaching and had to hold myself together. "Kyamyi, Congratulations, you have gained my respect." Weepy-spandex guy told me as he held out his hand for me to shake.

"I didn't want it, but okay." I muttered and just looked at his hand.

"What?" He asked as he dropped his arm to his side.

"What?"

"You said something?"

"I said 'what'."

"No, before that."

"Before, what?"

"Yes, before that." I could hear him getting aggravated.

"Before that?."

"No, before what."

"Before?"

"Yes!"

"Yes?"

"Just forget it."

"Forget what?"

He groaned and walked away rubbing his temples.

Naruto nearly mauled me as he came to congratulate me. "Look at my friend everyone! She just beat Sasuke, there ought to be an award for that or a ribbon or something!"

"Some food would be just as nice as a trophy or a ribbon." I hinted.

Naruto got it. "Alright everybody lunch is on-"

"Lunch is on me." Kakashi cut in. "Sorry Naruto, but I don't think you have enough money to feed thirteen people."

"And not nearly enough if one of those people is Choji." I heard Ino say.

"Hey!" Choji shouted.

"Well it's true!"

"But you don't have to say it like that!"

"How do you want me to say it? You don't want me to say you're fat!"

"I'm not fat!"

They both walked off in  different directions, and Shikamaru followed after Choji.

"Make that ten people." I told Kakashi                  

"Come on then." He called. He jumped up in the trees. "You three come too." He told the siblings, and they reluctantly came along.

Once again I found myself hopping through the trees, following Kakashi. This time I found myself next to Hinata.

"Hi, Hinata, I haven't talked to you in a while."

"Hello."

"What's been happening in Hinata-world?"

"Kyamyi, I have to tell you something."

"Okay."

She got closer to me. "I told Naruto your secret."

My eyes widened. " The one with the G or the the one with the K?"

"The one with the K. I hope you're not mad."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Don't worry, I'm not mad."

"Really? But I can't help but feel bad, because you asked me not to tell."

"Any time you say more than one sentence I'm happy, really. But one day you will have to tell me how he got it out of you." I told her.

She looked down and blushed.

Gaara

Kakashi had paid for everything then left us sitting here awkwardly waiting for the food. We sat in a semi-circle booth; Kiba at one end, then Naruto and Hinata, next to her was Kyamyi, then there was me my brother my sister, the girl called Tenten, then Neji, then at the other end was Shino. There was light conversation going around the table.

I kept as much space as I could between Kyamyi and I, and she kept her head down, from the corner of my eye I could see that her face was red. She wasn't scared, people who were scared of me usually would avoid me at all costs, and if they were put in a situation where they had to be next to me then they would be shaking, not turning red. She wasn't sick because just a few minutes ago she won a spar match with Sasuke, no one can get sick that fast.

"Why is Kyamyi red?" I asked my brother, whispering in his ear. I was just getting used to talking to my siblings like they were human beings, but when I had a question, I usually went to Kankuro, anyway, he was sitting right next to me.

He glanced over at her then smiled at me. "Think about it, what happens to Temari when Shikamaru comes around, or look at Hinata, she wasn't red before Naruto sat down next to her." He whispered back to me.

"I don't get it."

"Here is a lesson that I have to give you, big brother to little brother." He leaned closer to me. "When a girl blushes around you that means they like you, a lot."

"She likes me?" I widened my eyes.

"Yup."

"Do I... do I like her?"

"I don't know, do you?"

"How do I know?"

"You'll know." He relaxed his shoulders. "You should talk to her."

"Talk?"

"You know, say 'hi' or something."

 I turned looked down at her. "Hello."

She looked up and around, then her eyes finally fell on me, and her face got even more red, if thats possible. "H-hi, Gaara."

When she said my name chills went down my spine, when I looked Into her milk chocolate-brown eyes my mouth went dry, then watered when I looked at her perfect lips and the way she bit them when she saw me looking. I shook my head a little to clear it.

"I just wanted to congratulate you, so congratulations." I swallowed.

"Thank you, Gaara." She said as her face fell again.

When she said my name again my eyes rolled back in my head a little and I clenched my jaw. I have never felt like this  before.

The food came and I just stared at it, she picked at it with her chopsticks, putting a few pieces in her mouth every now and then. I found I couldn't look away from her, but I did look away for a moment to make sure no one noticed. Of course no one did, no one would ever really looked at me except for Naruto and he was currently talking fighting styles with Kiba.

Everyone finished and left, Kiba left with Shino, Hinata left with Tenten and Neji, and Kyamyi left with Naruto.

My sister left on her own, so it was just my brother and I walking alone to our apartment.

"So, do you like her?" He asked me.

"I'm not sure, I know I've never felt this way about anyone, but I think I more than just like her."

"So you love her?" He asked seriously, he knows love is a tough subject for me.

"Love;" I said the word like it was in some foreign language. "Can you explain it to me further?"

"Love comes in many different forms, if you love this girl, Gaara it would be a different  love from your friends and family."

"I think get it, there's a type of love, and the love I'm in is the love of a mother and father, not of brother and sister?" I asked, not really sure

"Exactly, so, you know you're in love? How?"

"You said my name and it was different when she said it, it made me feel like... like-"

"Like you were in love."

We ended the conversation there, and walked the rest of the way in silence.

Kyamyi

I woke up but I kept my eyes closed; I was sure that the part with me winning against Chicken-ass wasn't a dream, but I wasn't so sure about the events that followed. I mean, why would Gaara talk to me, and other than his brother, I was the only one he talked to. I felt his eyes on me the whole time. His eyes; the beautiful, sea foam green orbs that were shadowed by his shaggy, auburn hair.  I sighed and my breath caught in my  throat.

I sat up in the bed and looked down; no Naruto. I got up and walked to the kitchen, and there was the blonde ninja, stuffing his face with Ramen. I sat down on my side and there already was a cup of Ramen waiting for me. I started eating, waiting for the questions to spill.

"Go on Naruto, ask your questions." I told him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup, I'm ready for anything."

"Well today I was wondering about your family, like when you go home, who will be waiting for you there?"

"That's easy. My mom, Karin; my brother, Binsu, and my sister Kotoni. I used to have a little grey and black cat named Susu, but my sister put it out, but if you ask me, I believe she killed it."

"You don't like your sister?"

"I don't like her, but I have to love her. It's not my fault really, it's just that her animal spirit doesn't co-exist well with mine, she always wants to be in charge of something."

"What's her spirit?"

"Lion; my brothers' is wild dog, and my mom is linked with dolphin."

He nodded his head. "Why are your spots red?"

"Fire Jutsu's are my specialty, but it could also be because my father had red hair."

"What happened to your father?"

"My sister put him out, but I believe she killed him." I smirked.

"Really?"

"No, he died of a disease when I was very young." I sighed "Are you done? I have questions I want to ask you."

"Just one more. When is your birthday?"

"September thirteenth. Okay now with my-"

"Are you serious?" He looked at me like I was crazy.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

"You know that's in two days, right?"

This time I looked at him like he was crazy. Had I really been here that long? I counted backwards. Four days I've been here, five days away from home, not really that much but with my birthday on the way, it made it seem like I've been away for some years now.

 "You said you had questions?" He said pulling me out of my daze.

"Right. Do you know Gaara?"

"Yeah, I know him."

"Well could you tell me about him?"

"Why?" He squinted his eyes at me.

"I'm just curious." I said calmly and coolly. And he fell for it.

"He has this thing inside him, you know, like I have the nine-tails?"

I nodded and he started again.

"Well one day he went a little crazy, and I... well lets just say I knocked some sense into him."

"You were in a fight with Gaara?"

He nodded, "And I won too. Not that he didn't put up a good challenge."

"So, Gaara is strong?"

"Pretty much, you know that gourd he carries on his back?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"It's filled with sand and the sand it protects him."

"That's awesome!" I exclaimed.

"Well that's pretty much all I can tell you, except after the fight we became friends and sometimes I think he still feels alone in this world." He got up from the table. " I gotta go." 

"Oh, well bye then." And with that he left.

I looked down at my cup of ramen, it had gone cold, but I still ate it. I thought about what Naruto said about Gaara feeling alone, I laughed at the motive he didn't realize he gave me. I was just about to throw the cup away when there was a knock at the door.

"Fight me again!" He said in a voice that I guess he wanted to be threatening.

"No, thank you, I'll have to take a rain check."

"You scared?" He smirked.

"No sir, I'm not the one with a chicken's butt on his head. I mean have you ever thought of cutting it so it didn't look like an animals' behind?"

"Why don't you just fight me?" He yelled.

"Because I hate you!" I yelled right back at him.

"Isn't that reason enough to fight me?"

"No, it's reason enough for me to stay the hell away from you."

I locked Naruto's door from the inside then closed it and walked past Chicken-ass.

"I don't see why you won't fight me." He followed after me.

"Listen Sasuke," It felt weird using his real name. "I know what Kakashi did. The person I fought yesterday wasn't you was it?"

"How did you find out?"

"I could smell it, I have a nose for chakra signatures."

"So then why don't you fight me. Lets see if you're really strong." He grinned evilly.

"She said she doesn't want to fight you, so I suggest you just go home." A voice said to him.

"You don't scare me Gaara."

"Gaara?" I turned around and there he was in all his glory, staring Chicken-ass down.

"Leave, now. Or its going to be me who fights you, and I wont stop fighting until you're dead." Gaara threatened him.

Chicken-ass looked from Gaara, to me and back again and groaned, and walked off.

Gaara's POV.

"Thanks for getting him off my back, G-Gaara." She looked down.

"No problem, really."

"Did you mean it when you said you were going to kill him?" She asked.

What to tell her? If I tell her the truth will she stop liking me; but then again, why lie to her?

"Yes."

"So lets say he pisses me off again, would you kill him for me, or at least injure him so severely no one ever sees him again?" she lifted her head and I saw her eyes light up.

"Knowing him he'll be back tomorrow, I guess I can take care of it then."

"No, you can't;  I don't want a death to happen before my birthday."

"When is it?"

"In two days."

"Really?"

"Yup!" She grinned which made the corners of my mouth twitch.

"How old will you be?"

"Uhm... fourteen? No, I'll be fifteen."

"You don't seem to sure."

"With a whole year passes and you tend to forget."

"I remember how old I am, I'm fifteen."

"Talk to me again on your next birthday."

"I think I'll remember how old I am."

"If that's what you think." She shrugged.

Gaara

I looked at her, she had changed so much in the past few minutes, from shy to all smiles. But that all went away when she saw me staring. She looked away and and turned red again. I couldn't help myself, I reached out and touched her cheek; it was so warm and soft. When I started rubbing it with my thumb, I saw her eyes close and she sighed.

It all went wrong when her hand came up to cover mine, I instinctively jerked my hand away from her face, slapping her hand away.

"I-I'm sorry." I whispered, feeling disgusted with myself.

"No, It's my fault." She sniffed, was she going to cry?

"Please, don't cry."

"It's okay, I'm okay." Her voice cracked and she started to walk away.

I grabbed her arm softly and pulled her to my chest, 'Embrace her,' Kankuro told me. Something else that Kankuro told me 'When she's down make her feel better, tell her she's pretty, cute, beautiful, flatter her'.

"Kyamyi don't cry, you're too beautiful to cry." The words were foreign to me but they felt right.

She answered by nuzzling her face into my chest. I rubbed her back and rested my cheek on her head, I was letting my instincts take over, for this was all new to me. I pulled her closer whispered what was nonsense to me in her ear, but it seemed to make her feel better, so it made me feel better.

She pulled her face away from my chest and looked up, not at me, but past me.

"You wanna go up there?"

I looked up, she was talking about a branch way up high.

"I'll meet you there!" She didn't let me answer but honestly I would go with her anywhere.

She jumped up in the trees and I followed after her but I was never able to get to close to her.

I finally reached the branch and found her there swinging her legs.

"Took you long enough," she greeted me with a smile.

"Well you had a head start." I moved to sit beside her.

"True enough, I guess. she moved closer to me. "Gaara, who is your favorite sibling?"

"Kankuro." I said as my name in her voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Why?"

"I spend more time with him."

"What is your favorite animal?"

"I don't have one."

"You're kidding right? Everyone has a favorite animal."

"Not me."

"Okay then, cats or dogs?" She looked in my eyes like my life was riding on my answer.

"I guess I admire cats over dogs, cats are much more stealthy." I held my breath.

"I like cats, too." She smiled and I sighed in relief.

For a second I thought I was wrong because I noticed she was with Kiba a lot, and he no doubt is a dog person.

"Gaara!" Someone called me, and it wasn't Kyamyi.

I turned around and I saw that the person in question was Naruto Uzumaki.

"Can you come with me?" He asked me.

"No, can't you see I'm doing-"

"It's okay you can go with him, Gaara. I wont mind." She told me in a soft voice.

"A-are you sure?" I made a mistake and looked at her eyes which were twinkling in the sunlight.

"Yeah, go on." She got up. "I'm sure I'll find someone else to talk to."

"Good, come on then." He told me. And I reluctantly got up, and hopped over the couple of branches to where he was standing. I looked back, there she was smiling and waving at me, I brought my hand up to give a single wave and then she jumped away.

"So where are we going?" I turned to him.

"Follow me." He said and I obeyed.

We jumped a few trees to the left and he looked around suspiciously, a few more trees and he stopped and turned to me.

"Sorry I just had to make sure she wasn't following us."

"Why?

"So we could talk about what to get her for her birthday."

"We?" I asked.

"Yeah," He rubbed his neck. "I thought we could get her something together."

"So in other words, you have no idea what to get her."

"Exactly." He laughed nervously.

"I have an Idea."

Kyamyi

As I walked to Kiba's house I couldn't help but think about Gaara. I knew I wasn't being easy to read, but he wasn't exactly an open book either. I wish I could tell him I like him, but every time I look in his eyes my throat goes dry. That never happens with Kiba, maybe because I don't like him as much as I like Gaara. If Gaara wasn't around things would be so much easier; I could date Kiba, then when it was time for me to go I would have to hope that he just might follow me, but I fear if it were Gaara I were leaving behind, it wouldn't be so easy.

I arrived at Kiba's house and I knocked on the door. A lady who I expected to be Kiba's mom answered the door.

"Um, Hello Is Kiba home?" I asked her.

"Oh, yes he's out back with Akamaru, I'll go get him." She gestured inside the house. "Please, come in."

I stepped in the house and she closed the door behind me.

"You must be Kyamyi, my son just can't stop talking about you." She smiled.

I nodded and looked at the floor to hide my blush.

"Please, make yourself at home." she gestured to a chair, but I didn't sit.

Then she went out what I guessed was the back door. Through a window I could see Kiba, happily playing with Akamaru; who was pretty lively for a sick dog. Kiba looked up as his mom called him; then he looked at Akamaru, who was slowly backing away. Kiba sighed and started walking towards the door. He passed by his mother, who went to go comfort Akamaru, and came to stand in front of me smiling.

"Hi." I said

"Hello birthday girl." He smirked.

"Naruto got to you?"

"Yup." He nodded.

"Well..." I started.

He tilted his head, still smiling.

"Have you thought of what you're going to get me as a present?"

"I have."

"Really? What is it?" I exclaimed.

"I can't tell you, it's a surprise."

"What if I told you I really hate surprises?"

"Then I would tell you 'too bad because you're getting one'"

"What if I'm allergic to what ever you're giving me?"

"Are you even allergic to anything?"

"Umm..." I thought about it. "Glitter, yeah I'm allergic to glitter."

"Don't worry then, you're not allergic to what I'm giving you."

"Ah ha! I know what you're getting me!"

"Okay, what is it?"

"It's something that doesn't involve glitter!"

"Close." he laughed and I pouted.

"Would you just tell me already!"

"I'll tell you this; what I'm giving you, you can't pick up."

"You don't know how strong I am."

"I'm not doubting your strength,"

"Good." I smirked. I made a mistake and looked into his eyes, they were twinkling. My eyes trailed down to see he was biting his lips. I couldn't help myself, I brought myself closer to him, and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I know I'll love anything you give me." I sighed and looked in his eyes. He brought his arms to my hips and brought his face closer to mine. 

Kyamyi

 I made a mistake and looked into his eyes, they were twinkling. My eyes trailed down to see he was biting his lip. I couldn't help myself, I brought myself closer to him, and rapped my arms around his neck. "I know I'll love anything you give me." I sighed and looked in his eyes. He brought his arms to my hips and brought his face closer to mine. 

"Not in my living room, you don't."

We pushed away from each other and looked at Kiba's mother, she had her hands on her hips but her face looked amused.

"Oh, uh, hi mom." he laughed nervously "Kyamyi and I were just leaving." He started pulling me towards the door.

"No you're not, you have to feed Akamaru."

He stopped in his tracks. "He's hungry?" He asked, and she just nodded.

"I have to go anyway." I had my hand on the doorknob.

"You don't have to leave, I'll only take a few minutes."

"No, no its just that I had plans, I really only stopped by to... to give you your jacket back." I quickly took off the jacket and handed it to him, he took it silently while his mom raised an eye brow and smirked.

I opened the door, stepped out of it, and started to close it.

"See you tomorrow." He said to me before the door was shut.

I took a deep breath, that was embarrassing. I started walking, without a clue to where I was headed. It was barely after noon, and I had nothing to do, no one to talk to. I walked a little more, head facing the ground. When I came across a pebble, I'd kick it, and follow it to where ever it stopped to kick it again. A few more minutes and I lost the pebble in some tall grass. I looked up at where I was.

"Fucking pebble!" I cursed at the stone, for it had brought me to a place I really didn't want to be;  the hospital.

"Since I'm here..." I said to myself as I walked through the doors of the place, and up to the front desk.

"Hello how may I help you?" The receptionist whose name plate read 'Kaichina Maaya', said cheerfully.

She wore her light brown hair in a messy bun on the top of her heart-shaped head, her rectangle glasses made her look smart but took away from the fact that she had beautiful emerald green eyes. Her hands were perfectly manicured and her face had not a flaw.

"Um, I'm here to visit Kessho Risa and Yokia Anha, they were admitted about five days ago."

The lady grabbed a clip board and began flipping through the pages, she found what she was looking for and told me where to find their room. I thanked her and started on my way.

I seriously did not know what to expect, but what I saw really wasn't that bad. No mangled faces, in fact their faces had not a scratch on them. They were in the same room and the curtain separating the two was pulled back. But they must be in a coma because they were not awake. There were two chairs on each side of the room and I was just about to sit down when a voice from behind surprised me.

"They're not in a coma, I mean, if that's what you think." I turned my head to face the person that spoke. It was a girl who looked about my age and if I looked closer she kind of looked like the receptionist lady but with longer hair and freckles, they both had heart-shaped faces and the same eyes. She looked nervous, like she didn't know if she should be talking to me or not.

"How do you know?"

"They're two of my mom's patients, I follow her when she goes on her rounds. They're just knocked up on morphine."

I looked at my team and then back to the girl. "So you're not related to the receptionist?"

"Yes, actually I am, Maaya is my older sister." She rolled her eyes like she wished it wasn't true.

"You don't like her?"

"Nope, but don't tell my mom that, she wants us to get along."

"Hello, you just took a one way ticket to being my friend, please be seated." I gestured to the chair next to me.

She laughed and came to sit.

"I'm Kyamyi, by the way." I held out my hand

"Unmei."  she shook my hand. "So I'm not the only one in the universe with sister problems?"

"Not at all, the universe is pretty vast. I've come up with this rule of thumb; For every good sister there is equaly one bad sister."

"Deep, man." We laughed.

"So you say you follow your mom around, do you want to become a doctor when you get older?"

"No, I follow her around against my will, I want to be a cook. She's always saying things like ' You have to be a Doctor, it's in your blood' and 'it's your destiny' I'll give her destiny." She clenched her fist.

"Then why don't you confront her about it?"

"I've tried to, but I stop myself because deep down I know she's right." She dropped her chin to her chest.  

"No you're wrong, she's wrong, a person should aspire to be what they want to be." I put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"You don't understand, everyone, and I mean absolutely everyone in my family is a doctor or works in a hospital." She looked up at me.

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Don't you see? That means everything. If I say I want to be anything different than a doctor, people in my family would look at me like I'm crazy."

"Then let them look, it won't matter when you're doing something you love."

She sighed. "Okay lets say I do tell my mother, there is no guarantee that she'll let me do what I want."

"I have a plan,"  At this she raised an eyebrow and I layed out my plan for her. She was to make a big dinner tonight for her family to show how good her cooking skills were, then after they were full and happy she would pounce.

"It's not to airtight, but it just might work. Usually It's just me home alone at night, but tonight my parents and my sister get off early."  She grinned and I smiled right back.

She looked at her watch and frowned. "If I'm going to make a big dinner then I might as well start preparing now." She got up from her chair and stretched. "See you later."

"Good luck."

"Thanks I'll need it." She opened the door and stepped out.

"Wait!"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering about them." I gestured to my unconscious friends. "Do you know when they can go home?"

"Well In a week-and-a-half maybe, but the girl named Risa had a broken wrist and a dislocated shoulder, so she'll have a cast on her arm -and a sling, and the other will have to walk on crutches for a few weeks." She frowned.

I nodded, I was expecting much worse. She took her leave and shut the door behind her. I stared blankly at the wall, thinking. After a week-and-a-half and I would be able to talk to my friends, laugh with them. Then a few weeks after that, and Anha will be able to walk without crutches and we will be able to go home. No problem, I can wait.

I sighed, and glanced at the clock on the wall, it was one forty-five. I got up, walked to the door, took one last glance at my friends and walked out of the room. And so the waiting began.

Kyamyi

 I made a mistake and looked into his eyes, they were twinkling. My eyes trailed down to see he was biting his lip. I couldn't help myself, I brought myself closer to him, and rapped my arms around his neck. "I know I'll love anything you give me." I sighed and looked in his eyes. He brought his arms to my hips and brought his face closer to mine. 

"Not in my living room, you don't."

We pushed away from each other and looked at Kiba's mother, she had her hands on her hips but her face looked amused.

"Oh, uh, hi mom." he laughed nervously "Kyamyi and I were just leaving." He started pulling me towards the door.

"No you're not, you have to feed Akamaru."

He stopped in his tracks. "He's hungry?" He asked, and she just nodded.

"I have to go anyway." I had my hand on the doorknob.

"You don't have to leave, I'll only take a few minutes."

"No, no its just that I had plans, I really only stopped by to... to give you your jacket back." I quickly took off the jacket and handed it to him, he took it silently while his mom raised an eye brow and smirked.

I opened the door, stepped out of it, and started to close it.

"See you tomorrow." He said to me before the door was shut.

I took a deep breath, that was embarrassing. I started walking, without a clue to where I was headed. It was barely after noon, and I had nothing to do, no one to talk to. I walked a little more, head facing the ground. When I came across a pebble, I'd kick it, and follow it to where ever it stopped to kick it again. A few more minutes and I lost the pebble in some tall grass. I looked up at where I was.

"Fucking pebble!" I cursed at the stone, for it had brought me to a place I really didn't want to be;  the hospital.

"Since I'm here..." I said to myself as I walked through the doors of the place, and up to the front desk.

"Hello how may I help you?" The receptionist whose name plate read 'Kaichina Maaya', said cheerfully.

She wore her light brown hair in a messy bun on the top of her heart-shaped head, her rectangle glasses made her look smart but took away from the fact that she had beautiful emerald green eyes. Her hands were perfectly manicured and her face had not a flaw.

"Um, I'm here to visit Kessho Risa and Yokia Anha, they were admitted about five days ago."

The lady grabbed a clip board and began flipping through the pages, she found what she was looking for and told me where to find their room. I thanked her and started on my way.

I seriously did not know what to expect, but what I saw really wasn't that bad. No mangled faces, in fact their faces had not a scratch on them. They were in the same room and the curtain separating the two was pulled back. But they must be in a coma because they were not awake. There were two chairs on each side of the room and I was just about to sit down when a voice from behind surprised me.

"They're not in a coma, I mean, if that's what you think." I turned my head to face the person that spoke. It was a girl who looked about my age and if I looked closer she kind of looked like the receptionist lady but with longer hair and freckles, they both had heart-shaped faces and the same eyes. She looked nervous, like she didn't know if she should be talking to me or not.

"How do you know?"

"They're two of my mom's patients, I follow her when she goes on her rounds. They're just knocked up on morphine."

I looked at my team and then back to the girl. "So you're not related to the receptionist?"

"Yes, actually I am, Maaya is my older sister." She rolled her eyes like she wished it wasn't true.

"You don't like her?"

"Nope, but don't tell my mom that, she wants us to get along."

"Hello, you just took a one way ticket to being my friend, please be seated." I gestured to the chair next to me.

She laughed and came to sit.

"I'm Kyamyi, by the way." I held out my hand

"Unmei."  she shook my hand. "So I'm not the only one in the universe with sister problems?"

"Not at all, the universe is pretty vast. I've come up with this rule of thumb; For every good sister there is equally one bad sister."

"Deep, man." We laughed.

"So you say you follow your mom around, do you want to become a doctor when you get older?"

"No, I follow her around against my will, I want to be a cook. She's always saying things like ' You have to be a Doctor, it's in your blood' and 'it's your destiny' I'll give her destiny." She clenched her fist.

"Then why don't you confront her about it?"

"I've tried to, but I stop myself because deep down I know she's right." She dropped her chin to her chest.  

"No you're wrong, she's wrong, a person should aspire to be what they want to be." I put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"You don't understand, everyone, and I mean absolutely everyone in my family is a doctor or works in a hospital." She looked up at me.

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Don't you see? That means everything. If I say I want to be anything different than a doctor, people in my family would look at me like I'm crazy."

"Then let them look, it won't matter when you're doing something you love."

She sighed. "Okay lets say I do tell my mother, there is no guarantee that she'll let me do what I want."

"I have a plan,"  At this she raised an eyebrow and I laid out my plan for her. She was to make a big dinner tonight for her family to show how good her cooking skills were, then after they were full and happy she would pounce.

"It's not to airtight, but it just might work. Usually It's just me home alone at night, but tonight my parents and my sister get off early."  She grinned and I smiled right back.

She looked at her watch and frowned. "If I'm going to make a big dinner then I might as well start preparing now." She got up from her chair and stretched. "See you later."

"Good luck."

"Thanks I'll need it." She opened the door and stepped out.

"Wait!"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering about them." I gestured to my unconscious friends. "Do you know when they can go home?"

"Well In a week-and-a-half maybe, but the girl named Risa had a broken wrist and a dislocated shoulder, so she'll have a cast on her arm -and a sling, and the other will have to walk on crutches for a few weeks." She frowned.

I nodded, I was expecting much worse. She took her leave and shut the door behind her. I stared blankly at the wall, thinking. After a week-and-a-half and I would be able to talk to my friends, laugh with them. Then a few weeks after that, and Anha will be able to walk without crutches and we will be able to go home. No problem, I can wait.

I sighed, and glanced at the clock on the wall, it was one forty-five. I got up, walked to the door, took one last glance at my friends and walked out of the room. And so the waiting began.

Naruto

I woke up an hour before I usually do to make sure that Kyamyi's gift was ready to be given, in that time Gaara showed up.

"Is she awake yet?" He asked

"Nope, I was waiting till you got here to wake her up." I told him as I held the gift in my hands, I looked down at it. "Your idea was perfect."

He shrugged and put out his hand, there was a small red ribbon in his palm. "Tie this on it."

"Awesome." I tied it in a bow, not to loose and not to tight, just fitting. "Lets go do this."

Kyamyi

"Happy birthday! Wake up Kyamyi!" I heard Naruto yell at me.

"It's my birthday, let me sleep." I slurred.

"Did you hear that, Gaara, I guess we can just give her gift to someone else."

I opened my eyes and sat up. "Gaara, gift?" I looked and sure enough there was Gaara in all his glory; and Naruto had something hidden behind his back. I threw the blanket off of me and stood up, I pointed at Naruto. "I'll just take that behind your back."

"No, didn't you want to sleep." He teased.

"Hand it over."

"I will, but try to guess what it is, first."

"Please, Naruto, I already know what it is."

"No you don't." He said and I looked him in the eyes. "You do know what it is don't you?"

"Yup, now hand him over."

And out from behind Naruto's back, was sure enough a kitten. He was all white with blue eyes and a very cute pink nose there was red ribbon around his neck he was a bit smaller than Naruto's hand. He was asleep and when Naruto slipped him into my hands he stirred a bit but was not woken.

"Aww. He's adorable." I cooed

"How do you know it's a 'he'?" Naruto asked.

"Same way I knew you had a kitten in the first place I can smell it."

"Oh you mean its something you get because of the cheetah spirit?"

"Naruto!" I looked at Gaara he turned his head to look out the window.

"Naruto already told me about that." He said nervously.

"Naruto!" I hissed again mortified with the blonde.

"Sorry it just kind of slipped out." I glared waiting for him to explain. "You see I asked Gaara what we should get you and he suggested a cat-"

"This was your idea?" I asked Gaara while I nodded to the sleeping kitten in my hands, he just nodded. "Go on." I told Naruto.

 "Right, so I told him that it was a great Idea because you missed your other one, He wanted to know what happened to it so I told him, and I couldn't explain well without adding that story so I told him."

I sighed loosing my steam when I heard Gaara was asking about me. I smiled to myself, as I felt my cheeks burn. I shook my head a bit. "You didn't name him did you?"

"What? Oh the cat, no, we didn't really know what gender it was." The blonde told me while scratching his head.

"Good."

"So what are you going to name him?" He asked.

"He already has a name."

"You thought of one already?"

"No, he was given a name the same way we were." I said and Naruto looked confused while, Gaara looked a little like he was curious. I brought the kitten up to my face and scratched its chin to wake it up. He mew'd hello. "Hello little kitten, sorry to wake you but I wanted to know your name." He mew'd once more then purred. "I see, it could be worse." He purred. "Go ahead." and the kitten once again went to sleep.

I looked up at the boys "You understood?" Gaara asked, fascinated.

"It's hard to explain." I said and Gaara nodded his head.

"C'mon your joking right?" Naruto said. "You couldn't possibly know what he was saying." I squinted his eyes disbelieving me. "What did he say if you really understood."

"His mother named him after his father who was the runt in his family too." I saw the questioning look on Naruto's face, so I explained. "Runts don't usually get good names because they might not survive."

"So what is his name?" Gaara asked.

"Jeike."

"That doesn't seem too bad."

I covered my kittens ears. "Trust me, it could be way better."        

"Jeike is already pretty fancy- for a cat." Naruto said bitterly, still probably confused on how I understood the cat.

"Cats are people too, Naruto." I smirked

"That doesn't make any sense."

"And niether does your face so shut up." Gaara made a huffing sound that I guessed was a laugh. "You think I'm funny, Gaara?" I asked and he swallowed and shrugged. I looked down at Jeike. "Was the Red ribbon your idea too?" I smiled when he nodded. "Red is my favorite color." I blushed and if I looked close enough I could see that he was blushing too.

Naruto stood quietly looking back and forth at us then shrugged "Well I guess Jeike is a better name than Susu, wasn't that your other cats' name?"

"Seriously, what the fuck? My kitten's name is Jeike, end of discussion."

"Watch your language young lady." He scolded me.

"I will not believe that you are older than me, I just wont."

"Well, I'm not."

I sighed in relief. The last thing I and I'm sure anyone would want, is for Naruto to be their elder. "So when is your birthday?" I asked.

"Next month on the tenth. Will you still be here?" Gaara seemed to have perked up at his question.

"Yes." I saw a glint in Gaara eyes. I smiled and blushed again.

"Gosh Kyamyi, I know red is your favorite color but why do you keep turning it every five seconds?" I mentally laughed at his obliviousness.

"It's because... because I'm hungry." I lied and he fell for it.

"Then why didn't you say so?" he walked into the kitchen.

"Are you hungry, Gaara?" And of course all he did was shrug. "Naruto is making Ramen." Shrug. "Do you like Ramen?" Shrug. "Are you going to stay for breakfast? And use human words this time, please." I asked sweetly.

"I don't know. Do you want me to stay?" He look into my eyes.

My breath caught in my throat. "Yes, I would like for you to stay." I whispered.

"Then I'll stay."

At that exact moment I realized Kiba was no match for this boy, who won my love in such a short time, I'm glad Kiba's mom stopped us from kissing. I didn't want to be with Kiba, I wanted to be with Gaara.

"Are you guys coming!?" Naruto called to us from the kitchen.

Kyamyi

"Are you guys coming!?" Naruto called to us from the kitchen.

I held out my free hand for Gaara, he took it awkwardly and I dragged him to the kitchen and sat him down in the seat next to mine. Naruto was already sitting, attention only on the cup of Ramen in front of him. I grabbed my chopsticks and started eating. Jeike perked up from smelling the hot steam coming from my cup. I grabbed a noodle and dangled it just out of his reach. I looked up at Gaara who was tentatively watching the kitten play. And when I wasn't paying attention Jeike clawed at my fingers and I immediately dropped the noodle.

"Ow! Jeike, I was going to give it to you." 'Mew' was all he said as he ate.

"You're bleeding." Gaara said, wide eyed.

I looked down at my finger and sure enough there were three small but fresh cuts with a little blood seeping out. He grabbed my finger and looked at it. "It doesn't hurt?" He asked.

"It stings a bit. I wouldn't really say it hurts."

Then he did something I would never see coming, he put my finger in his mouth. I looked over at Naruto, he had taken Gaara's cup and was now focusing on that, thankfully. I looked back to the red head his eyes were closed and his features were relaxed. I wish I could say that it was too early or I was sleep deprived but that was not the case when a low barely audible whimper escaped my mouth as a low moan rumbled in his throat. I wish I could say that when his eyes snapped open and my hand returned to my lap I wasn't sad, that I didn't miss the warmth of his mouth.

"I'm sorry." We whispered at the same time.

"It's my fault." He said huskily.

"No, mine, I taunted Jeike and he got me back for it."

"No... You don't... I mean I just... I wanted to know how it tasted." He looked away hiding his face.

"And?"

He turned to look at me.

"I'm going to go change." Naruto said when he was done with Gaara's cup, completely oblivious to what was going on across from him.

"Okay." I said, and when he was out of the room, I hestitantly put my hand on Gaara's knee trying to comfort him, he jumped when I made contact but didn't shrink away. "I've always thought it tasted like nickel and rust." I said softly. He nodded his head.

"It's salty like tears." This time I nodded.

"Blood and tears go hand-in-hand."

"Both come with pain."

"Tears can come for more than pain." He tilted his head. "You can cry because you're full of sorrow, or you can cry because you're full of joy, and all the other emotions in between."

"Why would you cry because of joy?"

"When an emotion builds up inside you, in here," I grabbed his hand and put it over his heart. "You have to let it out,and what better way to let it out than crying?"

I could see what I had said made him think, so I took my hand away from his, which stayed over his heart, to pet my cat. Jeike purred loudly, but soothingly.

"Kyamyi?" Naruto walked in the room.

"Hmm?" I said looking up from Jeike.

"I'm just going to make sure everyone has their gift ready for you." He said

"Should I ask who 'everyone' is?"

"Not a lot of people really, they'll find you when their ready to."

"So I wont be surprised by some random guy that walks up to me saying 'take this before Naruto kills me.'?"

"Seriously, what goes on in your head?" He asked.

"If I knew I still wouldn't tell you." Naruto shook his head and walked out the door.

There was that same huffing sound from Gaara. "Remind me to teach you how to laugh." I turned to him and I saw the corners of his mouth were turned up in the slightest bit. I smiled and they turned up a bit more. "Gaara have you ever been tickled?" He tilted his head, of course not.

"What does it do?"

"It makes you laugh."

"Why?"

"Because... because... it tickles. That's the only way I can explain it without demonstrating."

"Can you tickle yourself?"

"Nope." Not in that sense at least. Damn dirty mind of mine, I shook my head to get rid of my less than appropriate thoughts.

"Can I tickle you?"

"Sure." In both ways. Fuck! I thought I was done with that. "But do you even know how to?"

"Teach me."

"Okay, well see I'm mostly ticklish on the back of the neck and my sides." I explained how to move his fingers on my neck and how to poke me in the side and I swear there is no way that that conversation could have been had without many, many innuendos.

"And It makes you laugh?" I really wish I had his obliviousness to that whole conversation, but sadly I've had 'the talk' and I've accidently eavesdropped while my brother was talking to his girlfriend about some really adult themed stuff. I sighed an inaudible sigh.

"Yes."

He sighed and did what he was taught, I giggled and wriggled out of his touch, he pulled away, I looked at him he looked confused. "Why did you pull away? Does it hurt?"

"No It's just... its like... ugh I can't explain it."

"Then tickle me."

"You sure? You know some people aren't ticklish, you might be one of those people."

The look on his face said 'and your point is?' so I slowly reached my hand out to come up to his armpit. "You sure you might not like it." all he did was nod, then I started tickling him. First, his body went rigid at my touch, then he was squirming, and doing his little huff laugh, I couldn't take it I laughed along with him and started tickling him more in different places, his sides, his neck and his armpit again. I stopped when his arms wrapped around me and his face dug into my neck which kind of tickled so I giggled, and he laughed. A real official laugh, not a huff, it came from his throat and shook his whole body, which shook mine, which annoyed Jeike as he jumped off my lap and went to lounge on the floor.

We stayed like that for a while, laughing and hugging, and I couldn't choose a better place to be at that moment. Then he pulled away, but he didn't let go of me. His eyes widened when they looked at my face.

"You're crying." He stated.

I smiled when I looked at his face. "So are you." I wiped his tears away with my thumb and showed him the wetness. He touched his cheek himself and was amazed with what he felt. I smiled wider.

"But I-I only cry when it hurts." He gripped the cloth over his heart.

"Happy tears." I told him as I tried to relax his hand. "You're happy. So am I."

"Are you happy because of me?"

"Yes." I whispered.

"I'm h-happy because of you. You always make me happy, no one else can but you."

I could feel more tears as they formed in my eyes and overflowed. I rested my head on his shoulder and wished that I could stay there forever.

Kyamyi

I could feel more tears as they formed in my eyes and overflowed. I rested my head on his shoulder and wished that I could stay there forever. But unfortunately, my public awaits me. And unfortunately Gaara was the one to point it out.

"It's your birthday, and people have gifts they want to give you."

"I have all I want right here." I hugged him tighter.

"It would be rude if you didn't at least show your face on the street."

"I don't care."

"That's too bad because Hinata had something really special picked out for you."

I looked up at him I could tell by the look in his eyes that he didn't want to let go of me either, I guess I saw where he was going, we were going to have to let go of each other sometime, and sooner would be easier than later. So I sighed and unhooked my arms from around his neck. There were streaks down his face so I know I didn't look any better. I got up walked to the sink and grabbed a a rag and wet it with cold water and wiped my face, the coolness of the rag against my hot cheeks made me sigh. I rinsed it  out and wet it again and offered it to Gaara, he took it and wiped his face then handed it to me, I rinsed it then wrung it out then set it to dry. I grabbed the two empty Ramen cups and threw them away, then grabbed my long forgotten half-eaten cup and put it in the fridge, but not without throwing a couple noodles Jeike's way. The kitten pounced on each one before he ate them. I laughed, and Gaara huffed.

"I thought I just taught you how to laugh,"

"Oh, that was my lesson? I didn't know." He smiled a bit.

"Well at least I was able to teach you how to make a good joke." I giggled.

I picked up Jeike "Do you want to ride in my hood?" He mewed a 'yes' and I pulled my hood off my head so it rested on my back and let the kitten slip inside.

"Your hair." he said.

"What about it?" I ran my fingers through my short hair, its had grown to be a tapered pixie since the last time I cut it.

"I like it."

"Thank you Gaara." I smiled at him. Then I walked towards the door.

"It's time for me to go now."

He got up and walked towards me, I opened the door and he walked out, I followed after him, closing and locking the door behind me.

I looked up and at his sea foam green eyes, drowning in them almost. He reached out and grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

"So you wont be coming with me?"

"No, I should go check in with Temari."

"She did look a little pissed last time, that is until Shikamaru came around." I smiled.

"Yeah, personally I don't like him."

"Well of course you don't, you're her brother, you're supposed to be all protective like that."

"You have a brother, is he protective of you?"

"Most of the time he's preoccupied with his own business, but in his spare time he's totally protective."

"Bye, Kyamyi."

"See you later."

We waved at each other and went our separate ways. I sighed because I had no Idea where to go. I settled for Hinata's place and picked up my pace.

I arrived at her house and knocked, someone I did not expect answered the door, Neji.

"Oh, hi."

"Here." He held out his hand and in it there was a bracelet with a crystal tied to it; like a charm.

"For me?" He nodded and I took the bracelet. "Thanks."

"I'll go get Hinata." He disappeared into the house.

I studied the bracelet, the crystal was clear but it caught the light at all angles and made little rainbows in my hand.

"Hi, Kyamyi." I looked up and saw it was Hinata.

"Hi!"

She held out her hand. "I hope you like it." It was a necklace and attached to it was a silver heart with my initials engraved on it.

"It's beautiful." I took it delicately. "Thank you, Hinata." I hugged her and she hugged me back. When the hug was done I put the necklace around my neck. "I have to go pick up my other presents."

"Bye then."

"Bye."

And with that I was off again, figuring out where I should go next. I would not stop at Sakura's house, I'm sure the only thing Sasuke has for me is a threat. I guess I could go to Kiba's house, I sighed inwardly.

Kyamyi

On my way to Kiba's house I was stopped by Ino who gave me a sort of crown made out of flowers, Choji who apologized for eating the bag of chips he bought me, And Shino who tried to give me a spider, but I refused to take it. Finally I arrived at Kiba's place, I knocked on the door.

Thankfully it was Kiba who answered. "Hi Kyamyi." A smile played on his lips.

"Hello."

"C'mon I'll take you to your present." He closed the door behind him and walked past me.

I gave him a curious look. "It's outside?"

"Duh. Where else would a gift be located?" He scoffed and I laughed but quickly caught myself, I wanted to let go of Kiba as fast as I could, so I would have more time with Gaara.

"Are you okay Kyamyi?" He looked at me seriously.

"I'm good, why do you ask?" I looked at his face, he was frowning.

"No particular reason." He looked at the ground. Then it was quiet, and me, being my hyper-self, I couldn't stand the awkward silence so I said the first thing that popped in my head.

"Birds are so free, they get to poop where ever they want."

He burst out laughing. "Where did that come from?" He said between laughs.

"Well, it's true."

"I can't deny that. But seriously where did that come from?" He smiled.

"I'm not so sure, but I want to say it came from my mind."

"You do some pretty deep thinking, for such a small girl."

"I try my best."

He looked around. "At this point in the trip I'm going to have to cover your eyes."

"Well hop to it then, lets get this show on the road." I smiled a bit.

He came up behind me and covered my eyes he was a little to close for my taste and I was about to pull away a bit, when he separated himself from me, still covering my eyes, we stopped walking. "You know you smell like cat, right?"

I internally slapped myself, I had totally forgotten about Jeike, who was still resting in my hood, what a lazy kitty he was and what a bad kitty-owner I was. "Oh, yeah that's because of Jeike."

"Jeike?" He still didn't take his hands away from my eyes, we were probably close to what he was giving me, but I still didn't understand why he had it outside in the first place.

"My kitten, he's in my hood."

"Oh." Was all he said. We kept walking, while he kept a good ammount of space between us. "Were almost there." I couldn't see it but I could tell he was frowning.

Kiba

Kyamyi was a cat person. I guess it all makes since now, but cats, really? I don't hate them but in my opinion dogs are much greater. I mentaly sighed because I knew that her taste in pets wasn't going to knock down how much I like her. I kept walking in the direction of her gift, we were really close now. I couldn't wait to see her face when she saw what it was. A few more seps and we were right in front of it, I stopped.

"Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

I slowly removed my hands from her eyes and smiled at her.

"So is it in this house?"

"Nope." I grinned wider. "It is the house."

"What?!" Her eyes grew wide and she gawked at the structure.

"Well I mean you can't keep it. Some guy was using this for his summer home, and well you know its almost fall now so he didn't need it so he lent it to me for fall and winter. I'm assuming you probably wont even need it for that long."

"But... but?"

"You can't lie, it was getting a little cramped living with Naruto, right?"

"I know but..." She trailed off.

"I think this place is about the same size as Naruto's place, but it should seem bigger because it's only one person... and a cat."

"Kiba, I..." She turned to me. "I don't know what to say."

"How about 'show me around Kiba.'" I said in a mock girly voice.

"Show me around, Kiba." She smiled sweetly.

"Okay Kyamyi."

Kyamyi

He wasn't lying when he said the house was small like Narutos' the similarities didn't end there, the whole house was set up the same, the only thing that was different was the décor. There were nice waxed hardwood floors and cement walls where artwork hung. The kitchen was the biggest thing in the house, to bad I wouldn't really be using it. The bedroom was  my favorite place in the house, there was a bed of course, and a white loveseat against a wall under a window with yellow curtains. The sheets on the bed were yellow and white. The room was so bright and happy it made everyone in it feel the same.

"So do you like it?" Kiba asked me when we were done with the tour.

I loved it, but I wouldn't tell him that.

"It's nice." I lied.

"Aw, you know you love it." He smirked. "You're going to have to, you'll be here for a couple of months."

I grimaced I didn't really want to except his gift but I know I need a place to myself, and space for my friends when they get out of the hospital.

I sighed and hugged him. "Thanks, Kiba."

He hugged me back. "No problem." I pulled away from him when his hands started to wander. He frowned and scrunched his eyebrows together. "What's wrong with you, Kyamyi?"

"Nothings wrong." I looked down.

"Something is wrong." He held my hands and stopped them from moving "You always pick at your arm warmers when you're nervous."

I realized what he said was true and I pulled my hands out of his and held them firmly at my sides. "I'm just worried what other people are going to give me." I lied. I walked towards the door to exit the house. We were now standing outside on the grass.

"Oh," He looked sad and then his face changed. "I almost forgot," He went in his pocket and pulled out a silver key, he grabbed my hand and placed it in my palm. "You'll need this if you want to get in." He smiled.

"Thanks." I smiled. "I have to go, you know, pick up the rest of my gifts."

"Right, of course." He half smiled and waved me goodbye. "See you later."

"Bye." I looked around and realized something terrifying. "Wait! Kiba!" I turned to the boy he turned and smiled at me.

"Yes?"

"I just realized something."

"What?"

"I have no idea where I am or how to get back to town."

"I'll take you back, Kyamyi."

"Thanks." I sighed.

And we walked silently back to town, neither one of us knew what to say to the other. This time my hyper mouth didn't get in the way.

Kyamyi

When we got to town we parted ways just like I predicted. The silence wasn't really akward, or uncomfortable, it was more relaxing than anything. When you're quiet you can listen and hear the birds fluttering in the trees above your head, the squirrels chattering and chasing each other playfully, all of it is just peaceful even for a really hyper girl like me.

I feel bad for lying to him but it was the only way to get rid of him gently. Maybe one day we could actually be friends, I'm sure he would be up for that. And so I was on my way to where Gaara and his siblings were staying; I figured they didn't live here because they were actually from The sand village. I stood bouncing on my toes after I knocked on their door.

"Hi, Ky. Hey look that rhymed." Kankuro opened the door smiling.

"You wish you were a poet." I told him grinning.

"I could out rhyme you any day."

"Don't kid with me boy, I don't like to play." I was quick on my feet.

"If you compete against me, I surely will win."

"Well I've been waiting and waiting for you to begin."

"I have to warn you I go at a fast pace."

"Well I just wish you two would shut your face... -es." Temari came to the door

"Wow, who knew you couldn't rhyme." Kankuro told his sister.

"Why don't you think a little," I turned to her. "next time." I smirked.

She groaned. "You want Gaara, right?"

"No, she's come for a poetry fight." Kankuro said.

"I'll just ignore that." She face-palmed

"What? We're just having a friendly chat." I Laughed.

"Just come in and I'll get him." Before we could say anything she added "Then I'll get an orange."

Kankuro and I searched our brains but neither of us could find a word that rhymes with 'orange'. Temari laughed and went inside the house, we followed her our shoulders slumped.

Kankuro went in and sat down in a chair. Temari went up a flight of stairs to get Gaara. Kankuro gestured to me to sit in the black loveseat next to his chair, and I did. It made me smile, there was a white loveseat in my temporary home, and here there was a black one, but both chairs were meant for two people, possibly two people in love, hence the name 'loveseat'.

"Kyamyi, I'm proud of you." He looked at me seriously.

"Why?"

"You've changed Gaara so much in the little time you've known him. I mean Naruto changed him first and then after that we thought that was the end, that Gaara wouldn't change anymore, we learned to live with it. Then you came along, and took him a step farther than we thought possible; sure he showed signs that he cared about us here and there, but you helped him to do more than just care, you helped him love."

I blushed, I didn't know I had that much of an impact on Gaara's life, let alone the impact on the rest of his family. "I- I-" I heard footsteps coming down the steps so I stopped what I was going to say. Kankuro raised an eyebrow but he did not question me.

Temari came down first and sat in a chair across from me, and that left Gaara to sit next to me. I blushed and smiled at him.

"So have you gotten any good gifts?" He asked me, curiously.

"Well Jeike is the best gift I could ever get, but there were some things that I liked better than others."  I grinned bigger.

"Jeike?" Kankuro and Temari asked in unison.

I pulled the sleepy kitty out of my hood. "This is Jeike." The kitten stretched and yawned, then he crawled over into Gaara's lap and sat down, I giggled. "He missed you, Gaara" I smiled.

"You mean.." Kankuro started.

"Gaara gave you the cat?!" Temari asked.

"Yeah, didn't he tell you?" I looked at Gaara, he was stroking Jeike and Jeike was purring. "Gaara really knows how to choose a gift."

"You forget," Gaara took his eyes off the cat to look at me. "I also had help from Naruto."

"Yeah. What did Naruto do anyway? You suggested it, and picked him out didn't you?" I asked.

"Well he kept the cat over night, he also picked up some food for it." I nodded. Temari and Kankuro still had an astonished look on their face. "You still didn't tell me what other people  got you."

So I told him he nodded at all of them and didn't seem suppressed when I said what Kiba gave me. In fact he supprised me with what he said.

"Can I see it?" He tilted his head.

"Sure."  I smiled because Jeike was curled up in his hands watching me.

Gaara got up and showed me to the door, I waved at Kankuro and Temari, they waved back, smiling. And we walked out of the house, Gaara closed the door behind us.

"Uhm, you think Naruto is back at his house?" I looked at Gaara.

"He should be, why?"

"I wanted to pick up the food he has." This time I looked at my kitten. "So you know, I wont have very hungry kitten on my hands, because I know I will forget about it if I don't go now."

"Lets go then."

And we walked in the direction of Naruto's house. Gaara was very fascinated in Jeike, and Jeike felt the same way about Gaara. And I was happy that the two liked each other; also I wouldn't have to worry about any dogs because clearly Gaara was a cat person.

We got to Naruto's house, and I told him I wouldn't be staying with him anymore, he seemed sad, and he turned over the three bags of cat food reluctantly he also gave me some tuna and milk. I thanked him and said my goodbyes. And we were off, again. I carried the cat food and Gaara carried the bag with milk and tuna, and of course Jeike himself. We walked in silence I could tell he had something on his mind, but I patiently waited till we were in the house to ask him.

"Gaara, what are you thinking about?" I asked him as we set the bags on the table and sat down.

"I was just wondering... Kyamyi, do you like to sleep?"

"I love to sleep, it's one of my favorite pastimes." I smiled a bit. He nodded and stayed silent. "Don't you like to sleep?"

"I don't get around to sleeping that much."  He looked like he didn't want to expand on the subject so I changed it.

"Up in the air or down on the ground?" He looked at me questioningly so I asked again. "Would you rather be up in the air or down on the ground."

"Down on the ground." He tilted his head. "Why do you ask?"

"Well because it's a question that you can't nod or shake your head to; you have to use your words."

He caught on. "Would you rather run across a country or swim across an ocean?" He asked.

"Run across a country."

"Why?"

"Two reasons; one, it'd be easy because you know, the cheetah spirit would help me go fast even if I did have to stop every now and then. And two, I never really learned how to swim." The next part I whispered. "Water is a big weakness of mine."

"Why would you tell me that?"

"I trust you." I said simply.

Gaara eyes looked far away when he spoke. "It's your turn."

"Would you rather have to stay outside in the scorching heat or freezing cold?"

"Scorching heat." Then he looked down. "Would you rather spend the rest of your life with me and never fight again, or fight your whole life and see me right before you die?"

"I'd rather spend my life with you." I said quietly.

"Kyamyi," He swallowed. "What would you say If I said I loved you?"

"I would say I love you too." I answered easily.

"I- I just..." he trailed off as he put his head in his hands. I rubbed his back, comforting him. "Why? Why would you say that?"

"Because it would be the truth."

"I don't understand." He whispered.

"What don't you understand, Gaara?" I was patient with him, it was easy to be patient with Gaara, If it was anybody else I would rush things out of them, not with Gaara though.

"I don't understand why I love you, or why you feel the same way about me."

"I Can't explain why you love me, but I can explain why I love you." He brought his face up and I looked into his eyes and smiled. "Every time I look into your eyes It's makes me smile. Every time we touch it's like an electric current running over my skin. Whenever I see you happy it makes me happy."

"That's love?"

"Most of it." I brought my hand down to hold his.

He looked at our intertwined hands then cleared his throat. "Kyamyi, I'm sorry if I don't act like I should, but I do love you, I Just don't know-"

"It's okay Gaara, I understand." I smiled, I did understand. "I just want you to know, that you've gotten to the point were you will never, ever get rid of me." I hugged him, and he hugged me back. "I'm yours forever."

Gaara

"I will always be there for you, Kyamyi." I sighed. "I don't know how you did it, how you changed me so much. I get sick when I'm away from you for too long." It was the truth. leaving her this morning was so difficult to do, but when she came back for me, when Temari said I had a visitor down stairs, I knew it could only be one person, one girl.

"It's the same for me, when you're away I'm all alone. I know it looks like I'm not afraid of anyone, that I don't want to be anyone's friend. But in reality, I'm the odd one out, the new girl, nobody knows me and I don't know them either." Tears made their way from her eyes across her cheeks, then hung onto her chin for awhile until they fell onto her lap. "I make myself seem tough so I wont get hurt, but you broke that down; my tough side, you changed me too, Gaara."

I hugged her closer. "I love you, Kyamyi." The declaration came out easily. My voice didn't waver or tremble, it came out strong, but it was low enough that only she could hear, for the words were only meant for her. 

Her whole body stopped shaking with her cries, she looked up at me with her beautiful, chocolate eyes and her breath caught in her throat when she whispered "I love you, too." then she and rested her head on my chest. I closed my eyes as I breathed in her scent.  I sat there trying to think of a happier moment in my life, but there was none. 

Kyamyi

I smiled as I opened the door to Gaara's house. We had become even closer since my birthday ten days ago, I knew I didn't need to knock. I walked into the kitchen and laughed at the sight of Kankuro stuffing his face.

"Hey, fat boy."

"Hey, short girl." Crumbs flew out his mouth.

"Manors, Kankuro." I scolded him

"I don't have time for manors." He rolled his eyes.

"Your eyes will get stuck like that." I laughed. "You know if Gaara is here?"

"You know he is. The guy needs a life if you ask me."

"I didn't ask you." I smirked.

"No, I guess you didn't."

"I guess I'll leave you to your food." I sighed and went upstairs to Gaara's room.

When I got there I looked in and saw he was staring out the window.

"Hi, Kyamyi." He turned his head to look at me he was smiling.

"Hi."  I smiled back at him and walked over to hug him. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close for a lingering moment then he let me go.

I looked around his room, this is my second time being in it but I still couldn't get over how clean it was. I could understand why the bed was neatly made but everything else was in it's own place, almost like he was never in the room, when I knew this is where he spent almost all of his time. Having a brother myself gave me the impression that all boys were slobs, but I guess some boys like having a clean room.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked this question a lot, but it didn't bother me.

"I'm thinking about how clean your room is." He tilted his head so I explained. "Your room is cleaner than the average boys' room."

He nodded. "Kankuro's room is really messy."

"I'm sure it looks better than my brother's room." I grimaced at the thought. I sat on the floor, legs outstretched. "You couldn't do this in his room."

Gaara sat down next to me. "Would you rather have a dirty room for the rest of your life, or a dirty house for one day."

"Hmm, who has to clean up the house?"

"You do it, alone."

"Then I'd go with dirty room, I'd probably get used to it after awhile."

"Lazy." He smiled.

"I embrace it." I laughed. "Are you still coming with me to pick up my friends today?" I asked him.

"Of course." He looked a little nervous. "But are you sure-"

I intertwined my fingers in his. "They're going to love you, because I'm in love with you." I assured him.

He smiled. "When are we going?"

"Actually," I glanced at his clock on the table beside his bed it read twelve thirty-four. "We can go now, if you want."

"Sure." He got up off the floor then held his hand out for me. I took it and he pulled me up. Our hands stayed together as we walked. We went down  the stairs and said goodbye to Kankuro. He waved to us as we went out the door.

Our hands swung as we walked to the hospital. I hummed tunelessly, then I heard a voice behind me.

"Kyamyi?" I stopped in my tracks, I knew he was bound to see us but I never thought it would be so soon. I glanced over at Gaara, he was already looking at me. I took a deep breath and turned around. Gaara turned around with me and grabbed my hand again.

"Hello, Kiba." I said nervously.

"Whats up?" His gaze went from me to Gaara and then lingered on our hands before it went to look in my eyes, hurt expression on his face.

"Just taking a walk with my..." I looked up at Gaara I didn't know what to call us.

"Boyfriend." Gaara finished for me. I gave him a little smile then looked at Kiba he looked disgusted.

"A-are you serious?" He asked me.

"Yes." I said strongly.

"But we..." He trailed off. "I thought you liked me."

"That's the thing, I do like you, as a friend." I flinched at my own words.

"But Gaara, really?" He scrunched his nose.

I squeezed Gaara's hand. "What's wrong with Gaara?" I was getting angry very quickly.

"I just don't see how he is better than me." He scoffed. "What makes you choose him anyway?"

"Maybe it's because he's not a jerk." I spat.

"It's not my fault I thought we had something together. I mean we almost kissed."

"Key word: almost."

"What, have you kissed him?"

"Thats none of your business." I blushed a little.

"You've probably done more than kiss him. Slut." Though he whispered the last word I still heard it; Gaara did too.

"Don't you ever speak to her like that." Even though his words were meant for Kiba, they still made me tremble.

"What are you going to do about it?"

"You know very well what I'm capable of."

"You wouldn't do anything."

I looked back and forth between them and frowned. "Gaara lets just go. Kiba you calm down and then come talk to me."

"I don't want him near you, Kyamyi."

"It'll be okay, Kiba won't start anymore shit. Isn't that right, Kiba?" He stayed silent. "Exactly, lets go, Gaara." I tugged on his hand and he reluctantly followed after me. We left the dog boy to himself.

After a few minutes of walking I spoke. "So, you're my boyfriend now?" I smiled up at him.

He smiled and nodded. "And you are my girlfriend."

"I like the sound of that." I looked up. "Hey look where we are."

He looked. "The hospital."

"Are you ready?" I asked him he nodded and we went into the building. We checked in with the receptionist, she was different than last time, and that made me think about Unmei, I wonder how the dinner went.

We walked to the room and I almost cried. There were my two best friends in the whole world sitting up, eating pudding.

"Hey, Kyamyi." Risa greeted me

"You have to try this pudding, it's awesome." Anha said, licking her spoon.

"Who is the red head?" Risa said nonchalantly.

I was at a loss for words it was only when Gaara gently squeezed my hand did I speak. "This is Gaara."

"You found a Spirit-mate already?" Risa asked and Gaara tilted his head.

"Risa use normal words, please." I turned to Gaara to explain. "In our village, in my family we still use some archaic vocabulary, Spirit-mate means someone whose genes wouldn't make their offspring a Hollow-child; Hollow-child means a child born without an animal spirit."

"So am I a Spirit-mate?" He asked.

"I don't know, it's very hard to tell."

"Yep, he's one." Risa said.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I can tell." She sighed. "I hope I can find one soon."

"I bet Kyamyi has met all sorts of guys for you to check out." Anha said.

I grimaced. "Not a very good lot outside these walls." I told her.

"One woman's trash is another woman's treasure." Risa shook her spoon at me.

"Well I'll let you see for yourself, you know you guy's are out today, right?"

"They know." I turned around and saw Unmei in the doorway she looked happy.

"Hey, how did it go?" I asked her.

"Perfectly. My mom is letting me work in the kitchen of the hospital right now but she said if I show results then I can go get a job that actually pays."

"That's great!"

"I wish there was some way I could repay you!"

"Kyamyi, ask for her pudding." Anha whispered to me.

"You like it?" Unmei asked her.

"I love it."

"You want to taste some?" Unmei turned to me. I looked in her hands she was holding a bowl of the pudding.

"Sure." I said and she handed me the pudding and a spoon. I put a spoonful in my mouth. "This is delicious."

"Really?"

"Yes!" Anha and I said at the same time.

"How 'bout I give you a big batch to take home?"

"That'd be awesome."

"I'm on it, I'll be back in five minutes, I just got done making a lot not to long ago." And she turned and walked out of the room.

The girls decided they would get ready to go so we had Gaara step out while they changed. I helped Anha with her shirt and jacket then helped Risa put on her shorts under her dress.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered.

They looked at each other. "Kyamyi, it's not your fault." Anha told me.

"Yes, it is."

"Kyamyi, sit." Risa told me and I obeyed. "It's not you fault, because it's mine."

"That can't be true, because-"

"Let her finish, Kyamyi." Anha looked into my eyes, I looked back into her silver-blue ones.

"It's my fault because I swung on the rope." Risa whispered

"I don't understand."  I tilted my head.

She sighed. "I was swinging on the rope, and the cliff started cutting it, and that's what made it snap, when my side of the rope snapped, I instinctively grabbed onto Anha's side and the weight of the two of us made that snap. I just couldn't help it, the rope reminded me of a vine you know, and then my spirit just took over." There were tears in her eyes, there were tears in all of our eyes as we embraced eachother. "Kyamyi, I knew you would pick a light rope so I switched it out the night before, -It couldn't be your fault." When she said that the guilt lifted away. I hugged my friends and let the tears roll out, we stayed like that for a while.

Anha broke away first and wiped away her tears, we followed suit. "Risa, controlling your spirit is the first lesson we learn." I told her softly.

"I know." She grimaced.

I took a deep breath. "Lets go."

Gaara

I stepped out in the hall and stood awkwardly outside the door. I heard footsteps down the hall, and looked to see it was Unmei, struggling with a big container of what I guessed was the pudding. She walked closer and when she got to me she dropped it but I caught it.

"Thanks." She said tucking stray hairs behind her ear.

I held the container, it wasn't that heavy for me, but she didn't look like a fighter. "No problem."

"So why'd they kick you out." She pointed at the door behind me.

"They wanted to change."

"Oh." She looked me over. "So how do you know them?" She nodded towards the door her eyes on me.

"Kyamyi and I are together." I said and the words made the corners of my mouth twitch.

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow like she couldn't believe I was good enough for Kyamyi.

"Yes; really." I said getting a little angry.

"Oh," She looked down. "I guess you can take care of the pudding. I have to go, see you, Gaara." She left, and I couldn't help but notice the way she said my name, she said it exactly how Kyamyi says it but it didn't make me feel any different.

I was left alone to think for a moment and then Kyamyi and the other girls stepped out of the room.

"Aw, I hope you didn't get to lonely out here, Gaara." Kyamyi smiled up at me.

"Well, Unmei came around and dropped this off." I gestured to the container in my arms.

"Good, so now we can just leave." Risa sighed.

"To my temporary home!" Kyamyi pointed and started walking. We snickered and followed.

Kyamyi

We stood in the kitchen and Anha and Risa looked around. Gaara sat at the table watching us, Jeike sat by his feet. I winked at him and he smiled; which of course, made me smile.

"Nice place you have set up here." Anha said looking around the kitchen.

"Are we going to fit?" Risa asked me.

"Of course." I started walking to the bedroom. "Follow me, please." They obeyed and we reached the room. I gestured to the bed. "It's pretty big so I thought you two could share it and then I'd sleep on the loveseat."

"Is it big enough for you?" Risa asked. I coudn't help but laugh and Anha laughed with me. When Risa realized what she said she blushed.

"That's what he said." I giggled.

"Yeah, that's what Gaara said to you last night." Risa smiled.

"What?" We turned around, and there in the door way was Gaara, a bemused expression on his face.

"Oh, we were just talking about the size of yo-"

I cut Risa off. "The room! You see, Risa asked if the room was big enough." I half smiled.

"Really?" He asked skeptically.

"Yes, of course, isn't that right?" I looked to my friends- actually I glared at them.

"Yes, yes, of course." They nodded.

"But we also talked about th-" Anha started but I didn't let her finish.

"Hey girls, why don't you step outside, you know get some fresh air?" I pushed them past Gaara and past the kitchen -gently because of their injuries- and out the door. "You haven't been out in a while, take in all the green." And I shut the door. I turned around and faced Gaara this time he looked amused. I moved closer to him and hugged him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I love your smile." I looked into his eyes. "I love your eyes."

"I love you." He looked me in my eyes.

"I love you too."

"Kyamyi, about what Kiba said this morning, more importantly about you kissing him-"

"I never kissed him, Gaara, I swear."

"I know. But I was wondering have you ever kissed anyone?"

"No." I blushed a little when I said it so I looked down.

"W-would you like to kiss me?" He stuttered a bit.

I looked back up Into his eyes and drowned in them. "Yes." I whispered.

He searched my eyes, I guess he found what he was looking for because he slowly brought his face down to my height, he rested his forehead on mine. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled by body closer, pressing me against him. Then finally his lips pressed against mine softly. Fireworks went off in my head and I gave an inaudible whimper.

After a few moments he pulled away and licked his lips. I smiled at him and brought my lips to brush against his. He surprised me by pushing his lips against mine, more rough than last time, but with the same amount of love. I trailed my tongue against his lips and this time my whimper was audible, he answered it with a low groan from deep in his throat. His mouth opened and our tongues danced.  My fingers went up to intertwine in his hair and our moans came out In unison.

"Kyamyi I know you're probably having loads of fun, but we're kind of board."

I opened one of my eyes but I didn't pull away from the kiss. And with my open eye I could see Risa and Anha outside of the window smiling at us. "Go... away... I'm occupied." I said between kisses.

"And... she won't be... done anytime... soon." Gaara said.

"Aw, c'mon you can finish that later." Risa whined.

We sighed and pulled away from eachother, we couldn't help but smile. I opened the door and walked out he followed me. "So what do you want to do?" I asked the girls.

"I don't know." Risa said.

"What do you suggest?" Anha asked.

"Feel like meeting some new people?" I smiled at the slight déja vu I was having.

"Maybe I'll find a nice boyfriend!" Risa grinned. 

"Like I said before it's slim pickings in this village, Gaara's the best thing they had here." I smiled up at him and hooked my arm in his and started walking.

"There has to be a few who are as good as him, maybe you over looked them."

"Again, like I said before, you can see for yourself." As if on que I spotted Neji. "Look there's one now.

" I told them. "Hey Neji, wait up!" I yelled to him.

He stopped and turned around, when he realized who it was he started walking towards us.

"Hello, Kyamyi." He looked curiously my arm hooked in Gaara's then he looked at my friends.

"This is Anha and Risa." I pointed at them.

"Nice to meet you." He waved at them and they waved back.

"Can you guess what my nick name for him was?" I asked them.

"I don't know, brown bear?" Anha asked.

"Wow, close, it was Teddy Bear." I said and Anha nodded

"I don't see it." Risa shook her head.

"Look at his hair." Anha and I said in unison.

"I still don't see it."

"Of course you don't." I smiled at her. "It's okay." She grimaced.

"I'm sorry what's wrong with my hair?" Neji asked slightly amused.

"Nothing." I said.

"It just looks so soft." Anha explained.

"Oh, I get it! Wait. No I don't. Nope I got it, It looks soft like a teddy bear's fur, right?"

"Exactly." Anha said.

"Hey look, Lee is coming." Neji said and I turned to see the ninja clad in spandex.

"Oh, no." I grimaced.

"Hello, Neji, Kyamyi, Gaara." He nodded at each of us before going to stand beside Neji. "Who are these girls."

"This is-"

"I'm Anha." She cut me off. "And this is Risa." She pointed at her.

"We're Kyamyi's best friends."

"Hello, I'm Rock Lee." He smiled at her and she blushed.

"It's very nice to meet you, Lee."

She was nearly gawking at him so I took affirmative actions. "Excuse us for a moment." I smiled at the group as I pulled her to the side.

"Whats the problem?" She raised an eyebrow at me.

"You like Lee!" I shouted in whisper tone.

"Yeah, so? Whats wrong with that?"

I looked in her eyes, "You're joking, right?" The shiny silver orbs told me she was definitely serious. "Aw, that means I'll have to be nice to him." I whined.

"You're mean." She smiled.

"Only to certain people." I smirked. "Now I'll have to be extra careful if you two are going to be together."

"You think he likes me?" She brought her good hand up to her mouth in a nervous way.

I looked over her shoulder to see a confused Lee; but even though he was confused, he still looked longingly towards Anha. "Yup." I said surely.

She squealed happily and pulled me back over to the group, I rolled my eyes. When we returned Risa and Gaara looked at us questioningly but didn't pry.

"Well Lee and I have to go now." Neji said, taking a few steps back. I could have sworn I heard Anha say 'damn' under her breath.

"Hey maybe Anha could go with you guys?" I spoke up.

"What do you think Lee?" Neji asked him.

"That would be nice."

"You can thank me later." I whispered to Anha, but she didn't look like she would be thanking me because she was staring daggers at me.

Risa saw the tension between us. "Maybe I could go too?" She asked and Anha sighed in relief.

"Sure." Lee said he even sounded less tense.

"Run along, then." I told them and they left.

Kyamyi

"Run along, then." I told them and they left.

"What do we do now?" I jumped at the sound Gaara's voice, I had forgotten he was there. But then I snapped out of it and I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I was thinking we could go back to finish what we started." I looked at his lips, and licked my own.

"I was thinking that too." He said in a husky voice.

"Then lets go." I pulled away from him. "I'll race you!"

"And what are the odds of me winning?" He smirked.

"I'd say about one in five million, maybe six million."

"The odds are not in my favor."

"You can still try. I'll give you a ten second head start- go!"

He ran and I counted in my head, I even gave him fifteen seconds; then I was off, I smiled at the wind rushing past my face, it felt good to run again, to stretch my legs. Of course I won, I sat on the steps to wait for him, but he never showed. After two minutes I got nervous, and after five minutes I went to look for him.

Gaara

I ran, expecting to lose, when I heard my name being called in the distance. I stopped in my tracks, thinking it was Kyamyi. I turned around, only to find it was Kiba racing to meet me.

"What do you want?" I spat at him when he reached me.

"Listen, Gaara I just want to talk." He said calmly.

"Then talk." I crossed my arms against my chest.

"Well actually I had some questions..." He trailed off when I glared at him. Then he got serious. "Do you love her, Gaara?"

"Yes." I said surely, knowing exactly who he was talking about.

"I do too." He whispered and looked at the ground. "I thought she loved me, I thought she wanted to be with me."

"She's mine- I'm hers."

"I know that now." He looked back up at me. "Do you think she will ever forgive me?"

"Yes."

"Gaara, have you kissed her?"

I licked my lips, I could still taste her on them. "No." I lied, it was for his own good he didn't know.

"Gaara!? Kiba?" I heard Kyamyi calling and I turned around and smiled at her.

Kyamyi

His smile let me know that they were't fighting, but the tension between the two was nearly palpable. I walked and stopped beside Gaara and mimicked his stance; of course I couldn't mimic how intimidating he looked. I stared at Kiba waiting for him to speak.

"I'm sorry for overreacting. I just thought we had something... something special." His gaze flickered to Gaara for a split second then went back to focus on me.

"We did have something, but that something turned out to be a friendship."

"But I love you, Kyamyi." He pleaded with me.

"Do you love me, or are you in love with me? Because I love you, but I'm in love with Gaara."

"You love me?" His eyebrows knit together.

"Yes. You're one of my best friends, if you want to be, that is."

"I'll settle for second best, for now." He clenched his jaw. "But just know, if he hurt- when he hurts you, I'll be there for you."

"I would never hurt her." Gaara growled.

"Hush, Gaara." I whispered. "Thank you for that, but you can't wait forever." I told Kiba.

"I'd wait any amount of time if I knew I would be able to be with you." Then he smiled. "I'll wait for you, but I'll still be your friend, up until the moment you leave him and we can be together."

I grimaced at his false hope, but shook it off. "Friends?" I held my hand out for him.

"Friends." But he didn't take my hand, he pulled me up in a big bear hug. Out of the side of my eye I could see Gaara grimace but he didn't complain. Kiba put me down and grinned, I smiled back. "I'll leave you two be, my mom is probably worried sick about me." He waved and started walking.

"See you later." I waved back. I stood there until I couldn't see him anymore, and when he was out of sight I turned to Gaara and hugged him. He stroked my hair. "I have a very hungry kitten at home." I smiled up at him.

"Then lets go feed him." His hand fell to grasp mine and we started walking.

Gaara and I sat at my kitchen table, in the darkness, I could barely make out his face with the light of the moon. Anha and Risa returned a few hours ago from their day with Lee and Neji and went to bed, so we couldn't sit on the loveseat for fear that we might wake them up. We spent a few nights before they came out of the hospital, on the love seat embracing each other and talking, one of us usually held Jeike, but he was asleep on the bed between the girls. Gaara usually left when I fell asleep, he would tip out the front door. On days I was stubborn and didn't go to sleep he would still leave at sunrise, even though Temari no longer minded the long nights he stayed with me.

"Will you stay with me this time?" I asked even though I knew the answer.

"No."

"Why?" Another question I knew the answer to.

"Because you need sleep."

"I also need you."

"How many hours of sleep did you get last night? Six?"

"That's only two hours shy of what I should get." I muttered, and we were silent for a while.

"What do you dream about?" He asked me.

"Lately, I've been dreaming about you."

He seemed surprised at my answer. "Why me?"

"Because I love you, silly." He frowned at this answer so I tried to change the subject. "I also dream about home, I miss it."

"Tell me about it?"

"It's small, there is a lot of sand. It's scorching in the morning, and freezing in the evening. Everyone knows everyone and will greet you when they see you. Mothers take turns watching all the children. Surrounding the village are mountains and cliffs. Most of the people  have never even left the village."

"Sounds a little like my village."

"When do you go back?"

"Soon." He grabbed my hand and started playing with it. "I was wondering, maybe I could come and visit your home then after that you could maybe come to my village?"

I smiled at how nervous his voice sounded. I leaned close and whispered in his ear. "My mom is going to love you."

He smiled and turned his head to kiss me. I closed my eyes as I felt his lips meet mine. He sliped his tounge into my mouth and it danced with mine. One of his hands was on my cheek and the other was on my back, while my hands felt the muscle beneath his sleeves, then went to intertwine in his hair.

Gaara

I removed my tongue from her mouth and she whimpered. I remembered what Kankuro told me. I moved my hand to pull down the collar of her dress, she shivered. I kissed her once more on the lips and then left a trail of kisses across her cheek to her jaw where I brushed my lips against. Then my lips were searching; searching for the right place... I reached it and she took a sharp intake of air. I kissed and bit the place between her shoulder and her neck and she whimpered some more. A love bite.

"Gaara..." She whispered, and my eyes wheeled. She pulled me closer, and I groaned.

Then the light turned on, and we hurriedly pulled away from each other and fixed ourselves up, we both wiped our mouths, she pulled her collar up and I shook my hair out with my hand.

"Don't mind me, I'm just getting some water." Risa grabbed a cup then turned on the faucet and waited until it got cold. She stood by the sink, crutches tucked under her arms. She put the cup under the running water and filled it up all the way to the rim. Then she turned off the water and stood there to drink the whole thing. I Looked at Kyamyi and smiled, she was already smiling at me.

"Whats so funny?" Risa asked us.

"Nothing." We said at the same time then laughed.

"Whatever." She put her cup in the sink and turned off the light and went back to bed. I was about to embrace Kyamyi again when the light came on again. "I'm not a deep sleeper like Anha, so can you please keep it down?" She smirked and turned the light off again, this time it stayed off. I blinked a few times so my eyes could get adjusted to the darkness. Kyamyi wrapped her arms around me, innocently. She pressed her ear against my chest and I rested my cheek on the top of her head. I smiled at how easily we could be together, at how easily we could love each other. She yawned and I sighed.

"Kyamyi, you should get some rest."

She pulled away from me and pouted. "I'm not tired."

"But you just yawned." I pointed out.

"So what?"

"So if you go to sleep now, we will have more time together tomorrow."

Kyamyi

"You drive a hard bargain."

"Just go to sleep, hey, and you said you dream about me right? So you'll still be with me while you sleep." He smiled softly.

"True enough." I thought back to some of my dreams about Gaara, they were always interesting, if you know what I mean. I stood up and stretched. He stood up and followed me to the door.  I opened it and he stepped out. "See you tomorrow?" I bit my lip.

"Tomorrow." He assured me then he pulled me up in a hug and kissed the top of my head. I smiled into his chest. I let go of him and pushed back. He took a step back then waved before completely turning around and walking away. I closed the door and sighed. The light came on and startled me. I turned around and saw Anha and Risa standing at the table looking really amused.

"What?" I asked.

"See you tomorrow?" Anha said in a mocking voice.

"Let me guess, that's supposed to be me?" I walked over to them.

"Tomorrow." Risa said.

"And that's Gaara." I smiled, and they started laughing.

"Kyamyi, you've changed a lot." Risa said, serious now.

Anha nodded. "The Kyamyi I know wouldn't stay up half the night talking to a guy."

"Or beg to be with him the next day." Risa added.

"Well I'm in love with him." I looked down at my hands.

"She wouldn't say that either." Risa grimaced.

"You don't approve of him?" I felt my eyes start to sting.

"Yes, of course we do." Anha said. "Right Risa?"

"Yes, but I can't hep but feel..."

"What?" I looked her in the eyes.

"I can't help but feel jealous." She smiled.

I hugged her. "How many times do I have to tell you that there's someone out there that you will spend the rest of your life with?"

"It seems hard to believe when you've already found that person."

"Well I'm older than you." I reasoned.

"Anha is older than you but she's just now finding a guy she likes."

"Don't bring me into this." Anha raised her arms.

"Yeah, lets talk about the guy Anha likes." Risa smirked.

"You never did tell me how your day went with Neji and Lee."

"Well the guy completely adores her, that's for sure." Anha blushed and stared at her feet when Risa said this.

"You think so?" Anha asked us.

"Yes!" We smiled at her.

"Okay you don't have to tell me twice." She said and smiled back at us, then the smile receded a bit.

"Kyamyi, you have got to know somebody who Risa might like. It's just not fair; the first time we leave the village we find nice guys and Risa is just left out." She knitted her eyebrows together. Then went to the refrigerator to get the pudding she grabbed a spoon and started eating it straight from the container.

I thought long and hard - no pun intended- about a guy that I could have overlooked for Risa and face palmed when I came up with the answer. "There's one."

"Who?" Risa asked.

"Well you know he might not be a Spirit-mate."

"I could care less, now tell me about the guy."

"His name is Shino."

"Shino." She said the name, as if trying it on, then she nodded to me to keep talking.

" He likes insects, but I suggest you don't call him bug boy to his face, he doesn't like that."

"Tell me what he looks like."

"Well, he has dark brown hair, he wears sun-glasses so I don't know what color his eyes are." I compared his features to Risa's, her strawberry blonde hair that she tried to tame by putting it in a pony-tail, and her eyes were chocolate just like mine -the only feature we shared as cousins.

"Overall he seems like the shy, good student type of guy."

Risa blushed, she was shy yes, but she wasn't a devoted student. "Opposites attract?" She half smiled.  

"That seems to be the case." Anha smiled and put the container back in the refrigerator.

I thought about it. I'm a big mouth and if I get a sentence out of Gaara it's an accomplishment. Anha is quiet -most of the time- but not shy, she just doesn't like to draw attention to herself, and Lee could grab your attention two blocks away. "True enough." I smiled, then my smile was broken by a yawn that escaped my lips. "Can we go to sleep now?"

They laughed and walked towards the bedroom, I followed and turned off the light then settled down on the love seat.

Gaara

I sat on the floor of my room and looked out the window, there were a few clouds lacing the blue of the sky. I didn't pay attention to the voices coming from down stairs until I heard one voice in particular, I have to say this voice, is becoming my favorite sound in the world. I heard the steps creak as someone ascended them. I let my eyes wander over to my door. I smiled when my favorite figure appeared in the doorway. She walked over and sat down next to me.

"Hi Gaara." She smiled.

"Hello, Kyamyi." I wrapped my arm around her waist pulled her closer to me and brought my face to hers to kiss her, she smiled and leaned into it. "You're lively this morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Well when you left the girls kept me up to ask me a couple of questions, but after that I went straight to sleep." She smirked. "You know they're downstairs now. Kankuro was flirting with Anha when I came up the stairs."

That's Kankuro, always flirting, for him it's easier to flirt than it is to breath, even though I've heard from Temari that he's not very good at it, I wouldn't know, I don't think I've ever flirted...

"I think we should go check on them." I got up and held my hand out for her, she took it and I helped her up off the floor. We held hands as we walked down the steps. The first thing we hear when we reach the last step is Kankuro.

"Okay then what about you, Blondie?"

"Never in a million years." Risa scoffed. We turn into the living room and laugh. Kankuro was leaning over Risa, who was sitting in the chair next to the loveseat.

"You know you want a piece of this." He winked and pointed to himself.

"Kankuro, stop flirting with my friends, please." Kyamyi shook her head.

"No, it's cool Kyamyi."Anha said.

"I knew you'd come around." Kankuro smirked.

"What?!" Kyamyi and I said together.

"You want a kiss right?" Anha asked my brother. "Then you can kiss my ass."

We all laughed- that is except for Kankuro.

"Ouch, I think you should go to the hospital, someone needs to check out those burn marks." Risa giggled then high-fived Kyamyi who went to sit in the loveseat, I followed her. Anha stood her ground, hands on her hips in front of Kankuro. My brother was tall, so she was looking up at him, but it didn't seem like she cared.

Kankuro smirked. "No matter, I like em' feisty." Then he walked to the kitchen.

I shook my head. " Sorry about that."

She waved her hand brushing it off. "To be honest I would like him... if he wasn't such a flirt." She sat in the chair across from Kyamyi and I.

"But what about Lee?" Kyamyi questioned.

"He's my first priority. I can't spend the rest of my life trying to change his flirty ways, you know."

"Can we focus on my guy for awhile?" Risa jumped in.

"Right, how about we go to try to find him now?" Kyamyi stood.

"Who are we finding?" I asked.

"Shino." Kyamyi and Risa said at the same time.

"Count me out." I grimaced.

"Didn't I tell you?" Kyamyi asked the two other girls. I gave her a questioning look. "The girls want a guy traveling with us when we go look for him so we don't look desperate, or overwhelm him. I told them you wouldn't be up for it."

"Please, please, come along with us, Gaara?" Risa came over and stood next to Kyamyi in front of me. She was tall, much more taller than Kyamyi, but then again, almost everyone was taller than Kyamyi.

"I'd rather not." I looked down at my feet. Any other time I would've helped them, and of course I'd love to spend the time with Kyamyi, but today wasn't my day.

"Aw, come on, Gaara."

"I never knew you could be stubborn, Gaara." Kyamyi mused.

"I'm sorry, Risa, but Shino and Kankuro kind of have a rivalry."

"So what does that have to do with you?" She asked.

"Well if Shino is Kankuro's rival then that means that Shino is my rival too."

"Can't you just forget that for one day?"

"No." I said simply.

"It's okay Risa, we'll go and Shino will be happy to be greeted by three girls." Kyamyi smiled and patted the girls' back.

"Fine. But remember this if you ever want something from me Gaara." Risa turned and walked out the door as quickly as she could on crutches (which isn't that quick).

"I will." I smirked.

"See you later, Gaara." Anha followed after Risa.

"Bye, bye." Kyamyi came over to me, hugged me and kissed me on the cheek, she started to pull away but I pulled her back to give her a real kiss. She smiled, I walked her to the door and closed it behind her.

Gaara

"So Gaara," I jumped at the sound of Temari's voice, I turned around and she had her hands on her hips. "Wanna tell me the real reason you didn't go with them? And don't give me that Kankuro-Shino Rivalry crap, I know you could care less about who Kankuro has a bone to pick with."

"No, no that's the real reason." I swallowed and started up the stairs to go to my room.

"Are you sure it has nothing to do with the fact that we have to leave sooner than planned?" She followed me.

"No not at all."

"Oh yeah, and another thought. Why didn't you tell Kyamyi that we have to leave? You're not thinking of telling her last-minute are you?" She stopped me at the top of the steps and glared at me.

"I don't know how to tell her." I whispered.

"Well you better figure it out soon, because tonight I'm going to bring her over here and you're going to tell her." She turned around and walked back down the steps.

How do you tell someone you love that you're leaving, knowing that the person can't follow you? Risa wouldn't be able to make the trip with her crutches, even if she could Kyamyi wouldn't be able to come to my home, I wouldn't be there most of the time anyway. So I'd have to tell her, tonight.

Kyamyi

We found him in no time. He was in the same clearing I met him in when I first came to this village.

"Hey Shino!" I called to him when I spotted him. He looked up and waved. I started to walk over to him but Risa grabbed my arm.

"That's him?"

"Yup."

"He's a spirit mate!" She whispered to me. I still can't figure out how she knows. We walked over to him then stood in front of Shino.

"Hi Shino." I smiled.

"Hello." He gave a small smile. "I heard you and Kiba had a falling out."

"Were cool now, just friends." I grimaced.

"Speaking of friends; Who are these two?"

"These are two of my bestest friends in the whole world. Risa- who also happens to be my cousin, and Anha." I pointed at each of them.

"Nice to meet you." He waved at them.

"Nice to meet you too." Risa blushed a little.

"Same here." Anha waved with her good arm.

Shino ajusted his sunglasses. "What color are your eyes?" Risa blurted out then covered her mouth.

"Huh?" He tilted his head.

"What color are your eyes?" I knitted my eyebrows together.

"Um they're brown." He took off his glasses and showed us. They were a chocolate brown just like Risa's and mine. I could tell Risa almost melted when she saw them. He put the sunglasses back on and I saw Risa pout the slightest bit. "How did you get your injuries?" He asked my friends.

"We fell... off a cliff." Risa grimaced.

"Ouch." He winced. "You know the Hokage might be able to heal you."

"Why would she heal a couple outsiders?" Anha asked.

"True." He turned his head to the sky then brought it back down when he spoke. "Sakura has learned some of that stuff, you could maybe ask her."

"Sakura?" I scrunched up my face.

"I mean if you want your friends to get healed."

"Who is Sakura?" Risa asked.

"Annoying pink haired lady." I muttered.

"What?" Anha asked, amused.

"She's just some girl that gave me a bad first impression." I sighed.

"So you haven't even given her a chance?" Anha smirked. "Think about it Kyamyi, if Risa's leg is healed we can go home sooner. Well Shino, can you take us to Sakura's place?"

"Uhm, sure." He started walking We followed after him.

"Why should I help your friends when you hate me?"

"I don't hate you, Sakura! Where did you get that crazy idea?"

"Oh, I don't know... Maybe it was that time when you threatened to put your fist in my face!"

"Aw I say that to everyone, Didn't I just tell you that the other day Anha? That's how I joke around with my friends." I grinned.

"Okay then, here's a joke, how bout you stay outside while I heal these two. And You can come along Shino."

"Fine." I sighed.

"I'd rather not." Shino said.

"Suit yourself." Sakura shrugged and hurried the two girls inside the house, shutting the door behind her.

"So Shino," I caught him just as he was about to walk off. "Guess what."

"I don't like guessing games."

"Okay, but just guess."

"What am I guessing?"

"Who in my group likes you. I'll give you a hint, It's not me."

"Is it Risa?"

"Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! So do you like her? Huh huh, do ya?" I nudged him with my elbow.

"One, I haven't even been looking at her like that; and two, I know almost nothing about her."

"All you need to know is that, she is tall, bright, and mischievous, and you are tall, dark, and handsome- her words not mine- though you're not to shabby, but my interest is in stoic-redheads. Anyway, you guys are the perfect couple."

"I'm not looking for a girlfriend."

"Sure you're not looking, no one really looks for a girlfriend or boyfriend, or husband or wife. That's why they call it falling in love, you never know when its going to happen, its unexpected." I took a breath. "Listen I'm not telling you you have to fall in love with her, I'm just asking you can you give her a chance." As if on cue my cousin and my bestfriend emerged from the house, along with Sakura. I squealed and ran to hug the girls We jumped up and down. They were okay.

"Thanks you so much Sakura." I said genuinely.

"The first thing I want to do is climb a tree!" Risa exclaimed

"I know which one." I pointed to the tallest tree, it towered over all the rest. "Last one up kisses my ass."

"And if you're the last one?" Shino asked.

"I wont be." And I started to run.

"No fair!" Anha Yelled after me

I wasn't the last one up, it was Anha, but I didn't make her kiss my ass, the view from the tree was to perfect and it looked like Shino was actually a little smitten with Risa, they sat next to each other and Shino asked her questions. She gladly answered each.

Kyamyi

Temari met us just as we got back to my temporary home. I let the girls in and stayed outside to talk with her.

"Sorry to come unannounced." She smiled.

"No, It's okay."

"Well, I need you to come with me. Gaara has something he wants to share with you."

"Is it something bad?" My eyebrows knit together

"He has to tell you himself." She looked sympathetic.

I sighed, turned around, and opened the door and yelled into the house to tell the girls where I was going. They called a 'see you later', I faced Temari again. "Lets go." I said wearily. She started off and I followed. I felt sick inside. What could Gaara possibly want to tell me?  It has to be bad, or else Temari would have told me herself. He doesn't love me anymore? He hates me now? What if its because Risa likes Shino? He can't be around me because of the rivalry between Kankuro and Shino? It sounds stupid but it just might be the reason Gaara needs to talk to me. I pondered this all the way to his house.

Temari opened the door and let me in ahead of her. "You can just go straight upstairs." I swallowed and walked up the stairs; I took a deep breath before I turned into his room. He didn't turn to look at me like he always does, he kept looking out the window.

"Gaara?" I asked anxiously. "Temari said you had something to tell me? Is there a reason she couldn't tell me herself? What's going on?" I came over and stood behind him, you could hear the worry on my voice.

"Kyamyi I..." He trailed off.

"Tell me, Gaara, please. I can't take it any longer."

"Kyamyi, I- I'm leaving." He stood up, his back was still to me.

Tears started to blur my vision. "You're leaving me?"

"No! No, it's not like that."

"Then what is it Gaara?" The first tear fell and others followed.

"I phrased that wrong-" He finally turned around and his eyes widened when he saw me. "Don't cry, I didn't mean it like that." He wiped tears from my face, then put his hands around my waist and pulled me closer to him, he put his forehead to mine looking deeply into my eyes. "What I meant to say was, I have some business that needs me back home in two weeks, so I have to leave. If it were up to me I'd never leave your side -that is, unless you wanted me to leave."

"I never want you to leave." He stayed silent.  "I'm coming with you." I whispered.

"No. Risa can't make the trip, and I wont tear you away from your home and family."

I pulled away some and smiled. "Risa can make the trip now. Sakura healed her and Anha. They're perfectly fine now."

His lips pressed into a broken smile. He walked over to his bed and sat down, I copied him and sat next to him. "Then you should go home. You need to see your Family, I know how home sick you are."

I looked up at him. "Gaara, you cant get rid of me that easily."

"You don't get it. Kyamyi, after I go home I'm not staying there. I'm going off to fight. It's too dangerous." His eyes closed. "You're not coming along. I wont allow it."

"I can fight for myself." I grasped his hand.

He opened his eyes and stared down at our entwined fingers. "You wont have a chance to fight." I was about to give him a speech about how strong I was but he cut me off. "I wont give you a chance to fight, if someone attacked you I'm afraid I would jump in, and get myself killed protecting you."

"That would be stupid of you." I gave a dry laugh.

"But it's true."

"Gaara I..." I trailed off, I had nothing to say, nothing I could say would make I good argument. I ran my fingers through his hair, thinking.

We stayed silent for a long time. I heard footsteps outside of his door but I didn't pay them any attention. Two weeks was all I had left with him, two weeks then he would have to leave. I didn't want to think about it but if he died out there then he would not come back. My family would never had known him, they would think I was crazy that he was just a figment of my imagination, I would literally go crazy if he ever died. My family would pity me; the people in my village would forever talk about the girl that went crazy when her imaginary friend died. My family... my village.... I suddenly had an idea. My hand dropped from his hair.

"Gaara take me home."

"What?" He tilted his head.

"Lets leave tomorrow, if we do then you can stay in my village awhile."

He blinked. "Why?"

"I want you to meet my family. Also so you know where to come for me when you get back."

He smiled. "Tomorrow? That soon?"

"Why not? When you leave there is nothing really holding me down here."

"Really? What about Kiba?" He teased.

I smiled. " We'll still be friends."

He laughed. "I love you so much."

"I love you more." I stretched and kissed his nose. "I'll always love you, forever."

He smiled. "You're to good to me."

"I-" I covered my mouth as a yawn escaped it.

"Bed time?"

"I don't feel like walking home, can I stay here?"

"Won't the girls be worried?"

"They know where I am."

"Are you sure you want to stay?

"I'm sure."

"You know I wont be sleeping." He looked nervous.

"You'll still lay with me, right? Keep me warm?" I smiled sweetly.

"Of course."

I kissed him on the cheek and whispered a 'Thank you.' in his ear.

"Okay then, let me go tell Kankuro and Temari what's up, I'm sure they want to know why you didn't run out of the door with tears in your eyes." He said softly then got up from the bed and walked out the door.

Caution: This chapter has some adult themes.

Gaara

I came back into the room and shut the door. I turned around and saw Kyamyi taking off her dress, her back was to me. I swallowed.

"Kyamyi what are you doing?" I said unsteadily.

She turned around and smiled. "Relax, I'm just getting comfortable. Look, I'm keeping this stuff on." She gestured to what was left on her body; her tight-fitting shorts, and a white tank-top. "You should get comfortable too." She snickered.

I tilted my head but shrugged out of my outer clothes, as I was left to an outfit similar to hers. My shorts were black but they were more loose and instead of a tank-top I wore a white T-shirt.

"Now isn't that better?" She smiled

"Sure." I shrugged

She turned back around and brought back a corner of the blanket off of the bed. She slipped under the blankets and I turned the light off and joined her. She scooted over so I could fit. I got in the bed then I pulled the blankets over us. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close to me. She nuzzled into my chest, I smiled and breathed her scent in. I tried to memorize it, it's so unique I don't think I'll ever forget it. I kissed the top of her head. She brought her face up and looked into my eyes, I stared back into hers. Her chocolate eyes seemed a shade darker than usual, but they twinkled. I brushed my nose against hers, she giggled. I smiled and pecked her on the lips. She growled playfully then craned her neck to really kiss me. Her lips pressed against mine softly as her fingers ran through my hair. Her tongue traced my lips, asking for entrance which I allowed. When her tongue met mine I groaned. My hand found it's way to the dip at her waist. I never noticed how curvy she was, even though her dress shows it off pretty well, I'm just now realizing it. She nipped at my bottom lip and moaned.

After a few more moments of kissing she was on top of me. She straddled me, my eyes wheeled, she nibbled at my neck and sucked my collar bone. When her hips started grinding against mine I went crazy.

"Kyamyi..." I cautioned.

All of her motions stopped, thankfully. " I- I'm sorry, Gaara." She seemed a bit out of breath. She found her way off of me, but I still held her tight.

"You know I want to... It's just that neither of us is ready. This isn't even the right time. Not before I leave." I shook my head.

"I understand. I'm sorry I got carried away, I couldn't control myself." Even though it was dark I could tell that she was blushing.

"It's just, that if you got pregnant, I would want to be there for you." I rubbed her cheek.

"Wait so does that mean you know how everything works..." I understood what she was saying.

"Kankuro is a bit more vivid with his explanations than I'd like him to be." This time I blushed.

She yawned again.

"Sleep, Kyamyi." I stroked her hair.

"Fine." She said in mock annoyance.

I kissed her forehead when she closed her eyes. I listened as her breathing became steady and deep. Her body relaxed. As she slept, I lost track of time and let my mind wander.  The conversation had turned out better than I had planned. I certainly didn't plan Kyamyi sleeping, peacefully in my arms, or the fact that she still loved me, and she would wait for me.

…

I snapped out of my reverie when Kyamyi's leg lifted, then wrapped around my waist. I looked at her face, her eyes were closed, her breathing didn't change, she was still sleeping. It made me smile a little at the thought that she even wants me in her sleeping state. She whispered something I couldn't quite make out. I listened closer to see if she would say it again.

"Gaara-Sama."

I blinked a few times, not completely sure if I heard right, but she said it once more. She said my name, out of all the people she knows and loves, my name was chosen. My hand reached down to her thigh, which was resting on my hip. The skin was soft and warm. I hitched up her leg even further, wanting her the say my name again, and she did. I stroked her neck, entwined my fingers in her hair gently, any thing to make her say my name.  Her breathing sped up and her body stirred, I stopped my movements, this time I got carried away. I could have woken her up. I almost did wake her up. I sighed. All these emotions are overwhelming me, I've never felt these things around anyone else. This girl, asleep in my arms, was the most important thing in this world, more important than my own life and I was just now realizing it.

It would almost kill me to leave her. But at least I would have a reason to fight. I would have to stay alive to come home to be with her. Maybe one day we would have a family together- if she still loved me. 

Kyamyi

"Fine." I said jokingly, but I felt so tired, my eyelids were getting heavy.

He kissed my forehead and my eyes closed, I didn't have the strength to open them again. I felt so warm and safe in Gaara's arms, I couldn't help but drift off to sleep.

A|N: Adult themes activate!

"Kyamyi?" A familiar voice sounded from behind me, I turned around and there stood a shirtless Gaara.

"Yes, Gaara-Sama?" Why would I call him 'Sama'? I looked in his eyes and I got my answer. I could see my reflection; I was dressed as a maid.

"I must have you." He wrapped his arms around me, hitching up my leg.

"My mother won't approve-" He cut me off by planting a wet kiss on my lips. "Gaara-Sama!" I said in alarm.

"Please, love, call me Gaara." He kissed my neck

"Gaara..." I said as if trying it on, I looked up at him and he seemed like he approved, his hand entwined in my hair.

Suddenly we were on a bed and he was on top of me, his eyes glinted lustfully. "I've wanted you ever since I laid eyes on you."

"I cannot lie,  you have been in my thoughts more than once." He kissed me again, more passionately this time- now that he knows I want him too. Somehow my dress was removed and I made an attempt to cover myself.

"It's okay, love." He said as he sent kisses from my collar bone to my shoulder as he removed the straps from my shoulders and pulled my bra off from over my head. his mouth immediately covered one of my nipples as his hand cupped my other breast. I whimpered. One of his hands  trailed down to slip two fingers beneath the waistline of my panties. I shuttered when his fingers found his way between my folds.

A|N: It's over now, you can uncover your eyes.

I couldn't take anymore tease, so I woke myself up. I was surprised at how close I was to Gaara.

"Are you okay?" Gaara asked softly, I forgot he didn't sleep.

"I'm fine." I looked up at him, he had a smug smile on his face. "What?"

"Nothing."

"You are a bad liar." I pointed out.

He smiled. "You were saying my name a lot."

My cheeks burned. "I didn't say anything else did I?"

"No, but it was unusual that you called me 'Gaara-Sama', would you like to explain?"

"No, I don't think I would." I bit my lip.

"It wasn't a bad dream was it?"

"No, it was a very good dream actually."

"Are you sad that it ended?"

"Not really... it became so good it was overwhelming."

"So does this mean you don't want to go back to sleep?"

"Well if I do go back to sleep it will probably pick up where it left off... "

"So what do you want to do?"

"Do you know what time it is? I craned my neck to look out the window, it was still dark out.

"We have about an hour before sunrise."

"Lets go tell the girls the plan."

"You think they will be up?"

"They will be when I wake them up." I smiled evilly.

The two dressed quickly, Kyamyi walked downstairs and out into the cold morning/night air as Gaara told Kankuro where he was going, he woke his brother up but he went right back to sleep when Gaara closed his door. Kyamyi smiled when Gaara emerged from the house. They walked hand-in-hand to Kyamyi's temporary home. Any conversations that started quickly ended do to the fact that both preferred the silence. They got to the house and Kyamyi greeted her fluffy white kitten.

"Aw hi Jeike. I hope the girls fed you." She picked him up I walked into the bedroom. Gaara took his usual seat in the kitchen. He saw the light cut on in the bedroom then he heard Kyamyi yell. "Wake up you two! Did any of you think to feed my cat?!"

At her voice, the two sleeping girls sat up in the bed squinted eyes

"What the fuck! Do you have to shout?!" Anha's voice sounded.

"Well I had to wake you up!" Kyamyi crossed her arms against her chest.

"Everybody stop yelling!" Risa said loudly (as loud as she can since she was very soft-spoken) She looked around at her best friends in the whole world they were very surprised at her outburst. "Sorry." She took a deep breath. "I fed Jeike. Now, could you please explain why your entrance into this room was loud and untimely?" She said in a steady, calm voice.  

"Well," Kyamyi sat on the bed. "Were going home." She said in short.

"What?"  Anha titled. "But what about the boys?"

"Well Gaara is leaving anyway so I suggested he stop in our village for awhile."

"And what about us? And the guys we like?"

"Well I mean you haven't really gotten to know them..."

"What does that mean?"Anha was getting a little pissed. "Did you think that we would just leave behind everything and everyone here?"

"Well I thought home meant a lot more then a couple of guys you don't even know." Kyamyi stood up to tower over Anha

"That's the thing, Kyamyi, we would get to know them better if we stayed here longer. How is it fair that when you just want to get up and leave we just follow?" Anha threw the blankets off of herself and got out of the bed to stand over Kyamyi. "I just found a nice guy, Risa found the perfect Spirit-mate, and you want us to leave all that behind?"

Risa sighed and pushed back the blankets and went over to stand near the other two girls, she was the tallest, and yet, she was also the youngest. "Listen Anha I think we'll have to go with Kyamyi on this one."

Anha gave her a look of betrayal. "Why?"

"Think about it, we have family- real blood family- waiting and worrying about us at home. Do you know how long we've been gone? Longer than a month. You can't lie and say you don't miss your family, because I know you do."

"But what about Shino?"

"Shino can wait."

Kyamyi spoke with a soft voice. "We never said you had to stay when you got home. You know your parents will let you come back."

Anha looked back and forth between the two girls, then she shrugged and accepted defeat.

Gaara had heard the whole argument and he had to say he admired Risa very much, He thought for sure if nobody stepped in to break the two girls up, their claws would come out. Gaara knew he wasn't brave enough to get involved in the legendary 'Cat Fight' as his older brother put it. But Risa Jumped in as soon as she figured it was getting out of hand, she must have to do that a lot he thought to himself.

When the air became lighter in the bedroom the only male under the roof decided to reveal himself to the two girls that did not know he was here. Gaara got out of his chair and walked to the bedroom, a slight smile on his face. At Risa's surprised scream the two other girls turned around, Anha was embarrassed at the sight of Gaara. "How long have you been there?"

"The whole time."

"You knew he was there and didn't tell me?"

"I was going to tell you but you kept arguing with me."

"So you're going to come visit our home?" Anha asked Gaara.

"Just for a couple of days, then I'll have to leave."

"Isn't Binsu gonna go all overprotective, father-figure on you?" Risa asked Kyamyi.

Kyamyi hadn't thought about that; ever since her father had died Binsu stepped up and took charge. This gave him a short childhood, a man at ten. He looked after his family, he'd risk his life to help them, he also knew when his little sister's put their mind to something there was no arguing with them.

"He'll understand. Anyway I think he'd like Gaara."

"And what about your slu- I mean, sister?" Anha smirked.

"She wont be able to touch him with a ten-foot-pole."

Gaara looked at the girls curiously. "Your family sounds weird."

Kyamyi laughed out loud. "They're not as bad as me. I mean look at Risa, she's pretty normal, right?"

"Is there anything specific I should know?"

"No, not really, but I guess if my sister does somehow get close to you I want you to run like hell and find me, seriously I love her 'cause she's my sister and she makes a good breakfast, but she just cant control herself around 'fresh meat'."

"She's that bad?"

"Worse, ask my brother, she got with him and was done with him in one night; he didn't mind of course, but he still didn't like the way she just dropped him." Anha spoke.

Her brother was not the only victim left to the hands Kyamyi's sister, there were a handful of others who had answered to her siren call. She would show no mercy to someone from out-of-town. Kyamyi knew this, and she hated the thought of Gaara being one of the boys  that she used.

Gaara could sense Kyamyi's unease and he grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. She looked up at him and smiled.

"So when are we leaving, again?"Anha asked.

"Oh, today actually."

"Where are our packs? They weren't with our clothes at the hospital." Risa absentmindedly brought her hand up to the place on her hip where she kept her weapons.

"I stored them safely outside the village lines."

"Where exactly did you put them?" Anha squinted her eyes and Kyamyi, the short girl was not very wise on the placement of things.

"I put it up in a tree."

"A tree? So a bird or a squirrel or some other creature could get a hold of them and have a new home for the Winter?" Anha huffed and blew her bangs up.

"It was the best place I could find under all that stress, both of you were unconscious, and I had to make sure you got to a hospital quick." Kyamyi's voice was soft. She took a deep breath and looked out the windows, then her gazed turned to Gaara. "Maybe you should go while we get everything settled here, you could get your things packed."

"That sounds like a plan." Gaara smiled.

"Then we should make through the town gates right before dinner." Kyamyi grinned.

A|N: Get ready for tears, my Sweethearts.

Gaara and Kyamyi stood at the gates of her home village, Anha and Risa ran off to see their families. Kyamyi’s family was standing at the end of the path, waiting for her to officially come home. Gaara had seen them and stopped at the gates and wouldn’t budge, Temari and Kankuro were waiting behind him. Kyamyi was close to tears.

"So what you're telling me is... Y-You don't love me?" The first tear fell and the rest soon came after.

Gaara rolled his eyes. "I'm telling you that I never loved you, it was just some game that I wanted to try."

"Gaa, you c-can't be serious."

"Oh, yes I can." He gave a dry laugh.

"So you’re telling me that everything we had, everything we did was just you, having fun?" Kyamyi let out a sob, a broken sound. "Gaara, you don't have to do this, I know you love me... don't do this, please." She reached out to try and wrap her arms around him but he quickly moved out of the way.

"But I do have to do this, since you still have the idiotic idea that I ever had feelings for you." He spat, the words were like acid burning Kyamyi to the core.

Kyamyi couldn't hold herself together, she fell to her knees, weakly, her heart was broken, shattered into millions of pieces. "Gaara, I know what you're doing, you're trying to make me hate you so I wont get hurt, and you don't have to do this!" She begged.

Gaara gave the girl on her knees a look of disgust. "Get off your knees, you look pathetic."

Kyamyi stopped. She stopped crying, and she started thinking. If this is what he wants... She stood up and wiped her face, she clenched and unclenched her fists. "Alright." She took a deep breath. "I hate you, Gaara. I hate every moment we shared, I hate everything I ever did with you."

The red head gave a sadistic smile. "That's more like it."

Kyamyi growled. "Don't come back."

"Wouldn't even think about it."

"I mean it. Don't ever show your face here again, if you do I will personally rip off your head. Honestly I hope you die out there so I will have a guarantee that I will never see you ever again." Kyamyi's voice was firm, never wavering. She turned then, walking toward the people who truly loved her, walking home. She heard Gaara do the same, turning out the gates. "Gaara!" She called stopping but not turning around.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Don't come back."

11/10/14

        Er mah gawd. I am so happy I finished this story! Thank you guys who have supported this story, and those of you who support it in the future.

        To think I started the story two years ago, while laying on a couch. It was supposed to be a smut story but I'm saving all that for the sequel ;) 

        I first posted The New Girl on Fanfiction. net. I wasn't getting the traffic I wanted so a friend suggested I switch to Wattpad.

                My favorite Gaara love story is called Remember Me, the sequel is called Remind me... or was it the other way around... anyway its posted on Fanfiction. net buy Moonlit917, you should really look them up.

                        Other than that, thank you, Sweethearts. You deserve a little sneak peak right? Well here's an excerpt from the First chapter of His Girl (A Gaara Love Story)

                So now, I'm walking with Naruto to reunite myself with with the girl I'm in love with, not knowing if she still shares the same love with me. Naruto was the best choice to bring along, we had a whole plan set out based on what she has done with her life. If she was single and happy, or if she had moved on with someone else then Naruto would tell her I had died; on the other hand if she was single and depressed about me leaving, then Naruto was to present me to her. We were almost there and I couldn't help but get a little nervous. Naru and I went over the plan once more before we entered the village gates. When we were done I took one step into the village wanted to turn back, but I didn't, I had to know.

                I hid on the side of her house by a window, luckily it was open so I could hear what they would be saying. Naruto knocked on the door, a few seconds later and there was a squeal of glee. They hugged and Kyamyi invited him inside. They started a conversation and then I heard someone else come into the room. The blood ran out of my face when the person spoke... the voice sounded male. Then I heard Naru speak.

        See you guys in the next story, Love you!

2014