Forevermore ~Gaara~

Chapter 10

Good to his word, Gaara took Honiji for a walk around the village. They didn't have too long before it got dark, but they felt nostalgic. This was the first thing they had ever done together. True, it was in a different village and their roles have been reversed, but still, it was peaceful. The one thing Honiji wanted to see in the village was the same place as her sanctuary back home. The library.

It had always been her favorite place, ever since she was a young girl. Gaara was happy to take her there considering that one of the only things he knew about her too. Beyond sewing, reading is the one thing Honiji loves more than anything. He knew the reason she took a job at the library in Konoha was because she was spending all her time there anyway. The profile he had on her was small, but the information he did have was useful and interesting.

The moment they walked in the library, Honiji took a deep breath and sought out the fiction section. Gaara watched her with smile. Her eyes were alive and she looked like a child on Christmas. He watched as she pulled a few books from he shelves and scanned the backs, putting a few back and keeping some in her arms.

It isn't very hard to understand this girl. She's quiet, shy, not very good around a lot of people. But when she gets to know you and opens up... Honiji really is a kind and cute individual. And after the past week with her, Gaara truly wanted to know her better. That mystery surrounding her had to be something that would be spilled if only he could get her to trust him more. But he also was starting to feel... like he wanted her to understand him as well.

Twenty minutes later, Honiji stood at the library counter, filling out a form to get a library card. Gaara came up next to her and looked at the top book in her pile. 'The Cinderella Contract'? He had heard of it from work, his secretaries were nuts about the whole series. But Gaara hadn't pegged Honiji to be the type to enjoy such romantic stories. But to each their own he supposed.

With her new card and an arm full of books, they left the library together, Honiji with a smile that could warm the coldest heart. Believe it or not... looking at it made Gaara's cheeks feel warm. "I didn't know you enjoy romance novels." Gaara finally said.

"Actually, I read them because they make me laugh. And scream, but that's just because characters are dumb."

Gaara let out a snort. "Oh really."

"My mom actually ran up to my room to make sure I was okay because I was so mad at a character I was just screaming at them." This conversation was making Gaara laugh. And he was slightly reminded of the last day of their long travel to Suna together. It was the last time they really had a conversation like this. Something so open and fun.

But soon... Honiji stopped. Her eyes were trained on a window display, and while they seemed focused and admiring, they also appeared slightly sad, haunted almost. Gaara took notice of this quickly. "Honiji?"

"Hm?" She tore her gaze away from the display of the wedding dress. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hold you up." Her eyes gazed over the beautifully beaded gown once more as she studied it. "You know my sister is getting married in a few months. And she asked me if I would design and make her dress. So when I see one I like to study it a little, get a few ideas." But her expression continued to darken as she studied it. "This one looks terrible."

Gaara had to agree, the dress was particularly ugly. But somehow... he didn't think it was really the dress she found unappealing. He was beginning to miss her innocent smile. "It sounds like your sister trusts you a lot."

"Yeah." Her smile finally returned. It was small, but it was there. They began walking again as Honiji talked joyfully about her half-sister. "Junko is great. Nothing really gets to her, it's impossible to ruffle her, I swear. But she's really kind as well and tried to help me out a lot when we were children."

"Help you out?"

"Well... Her mom is very... outspoken in her hatred for me."

Hatred...? For her? How? Many kings and noblemen have children out of wedlock before getting married. It just kind of happens. But generally the wives are understanding that this was before their placement in their lives. And while they might not completely enjoy the idea, they still handle it. "Why would she hate you so much?"

Honiji was quiet, and she lowered her head a little. It seemed Gaara had touched on a sore subject. But this was something Honiji felt she could share with him. After all, she wanted to open up a little to him... but in safe area's. "Junko's older than me..."

Gaara was almost floored. He thought she was only a regular illegitimate child from before the king's official marriage, a child of a young fling.... But she's the child of an affair... He could only imagine the scorn she was under growing up. But still... she held a relationship with her sister and has grown past the label of a bastard child. What an interesting person.

When they got back home, Honiji sat back at the table to finish up a few more sewing projects. Gaara decided to join her in the kitchen with his computer and a cup of coffee. It was quiet between them, but it was very comfortable and relaxing. Gaara's email flashed and he opened the icon. From Kaita? He didn't know why, but the message he read... the information he got... caused a sick feeling to grow in his stomach.

To: Gaara

Subject: Information

I was ale to dig up some strange information about Honiji's magic ability. According to her personal transcript, she was a fantastic light caster in both creation and manipulation. But her participation grade took a nose dive around the same time her sister got engaged.