Restoration: Book 2/3

Chapter 12

-Matsuri's POV-

Somehow, I ended up in a large bed between Kankuro and Gaara. The way the predicament sounded wasn't how things actually were. We were simply the remaining three people at the end of the night that hadn't grouped up, and Kankuro wordlessly protested lying beside his brother. How the siblings lived together all this time but couldn't bear to be physically close was beyond me.

I laid on my back, feeling awkward as I listened to Kankuro's soft snoring. The bed was large enough that none of us had to touch, and I was grateful for that.

The two boys smelled so much better after bathing, and I was sure they thought the same thing about me. It wasn't like I was judging them, or anyone else, by their appearance or scent over the past week because we'd been traveling nonstop with no ability to bathe. I couldn't help but relish the feeling of being clean, at least for the moment, though.

Everyone's clothes were washed and hung to dry in the massive laundry room, so we raided the closets for make-due pajamas earlier. The woman's clothing was much too big and strappy for me to somehow make it work without accidentally being exposed, so I was left to use one of the man's shirts as a nightgown.

To say being so underdressed while lying in bed with two young men was uncomfortable was the understatement of the year. Once again, I cursed my genetics for stunting my growth and leaving me so petite.

My stomach was full of good food for the first time in months, and the bed underneath me was astoundingly soft. My fingers curled around the cuffs of my shirt since the arms were too long and nearly passed my fingertips. It was warm in this house, and I was unlikely to encounter any threats throughout the night, so I couldn't understand why I wasn't falling asleep.

The silk sheets felt so smooth and pleasant against my bare legs, and I wondered how different I must be from those who sleep on this fabric every night. I'd never take it for granted if anything.

My mind wandered to my mother. We're from a small town a few miles outside Sunagakure, commonly called "Mini Suna". When Hidan and the other guys announced they were headed for Suna, I was tempted to join them so I could return home, but I didn't. There were multiple reasons, but the biggest one was that I didn't trust Hidan or Kisame not to hurt me or do something awful if we traveled together.

Traveling alone wouldn't be wise because no one can watch your back or help you if you run into trouble. So, I decided to stick with the group at least until Hinata was rescued and I could find out what everyone else was planning to do. My mother has been a survivor for almost a decade, and I have to trust she can hold on until we're reunited.

My arm was suddenly bent and pulled away from my body by warm hands, making me snap out of my thoughts. I turned my head to the side to see Gaara pull it against him and wrap his arms around it. My elbow was against his torso, and my fingers lay gently against his jaw.

A slight blush rose to my cheeks, and I slowly turned onto my side as I stared at him in awe. The redhead was fast asleep, a rarity I'd learned over the past week. This was my first time touching a boy's face, much less Gaara's. He looked much younger and relaxed when he was asleep, so I couldn't help but stare.

He'd not spoken to anybody, including me, since being released from the asylum. It'd be lovely to talk to him, and the topic wouldn't even matter, but I also don't mind silently being with him like this. It might be selfish, but I felt like he was beginning to consider me a friend or at least someone he could be around without having his guard entirely up.

The thought made me incredibly happy. Growing up, I didn't have many friends because I was homeschooled, and the other kids in my neighborhood were older than me. So, even if The Program was a terrifying experience, I didn't regret participating because I made some fantastic friends and want Gaara to become one as well.