"The stars are pretty tonight, huh?"
Silence. Curious eyes burned into his back.
"So, what's your name?"
Silence. A few light footsteps resounded into the night air.
"You do have a name, don't you?"
"Leave."
The girl stopped behind him.
"Why?"
Why? Hadn't she heard of him? Of what he had done?
"I don't like you.
"Jeez, aren't you nice? All I did was ask your name, and you go all moody on me. Boys, I swear."
More footsteps. His gaze flicked sideways as she sat beside him, her gaze on the stars. Sand started to slither out of his gourd, hanging in tendril-like claws about her shoulders.
"Why are you still here?"
"That's a stupid question."
He blinked. Blue eyes turned to take him in, mischief and warmth shining in their depths.
"I'm not leaving until you tell me name."
"Why?"
"You ask that a lot."
"Why?"
An exasperated sigh filled the silence.
"Why? Because you're interesting."
"I...am?"
"Yeah. So, what's your name, Akage*?"
He tensed. He didn't like her nickname. But-
"Alright, alright, I'll do you a deal. If I tell you my name, you have to tell me yours. Fair?"
Silence. Then he nodded.
"Ok, then. My name is Hanaye. Hanaye Hosukai."
Silence. Hanaye pouted.
"Come on, you promised, Akage!"
"...don't call me that."
"I can't call you anything else until you tell me your name, you know."
Silence, followed by another exasperated sigh.
"Fine, whatever. You'd better get used to being called Akage, though."
"...Gaara."
Her eyes shifted sideways in confusion.
"What's Gaara?"
"...my name. Gaara. Sabaku no Gaara."
He glanced at her just as a smile slipped onto Hanaye's face.
"That wasn't so hard, huh, Akage?"
His eyes returned to the moon. She followed his gaze.
"So you like the moon as well?"
He turned to look at her, acknowledging her fully for the first time. His gaze held a silent question.
"Well, you've been staring at the moon the whole time, so, I figured you must like looking at it. I know I do. The moon's been my only friend till now."
"...till now?"
"Well, I have you, Akage. We're friends now, alright?"
*************************************
Prologue for an idea that popped into my head during the middle of an exam :) Feedback, anyone?
