Suna's Ninja (Gaara Love Story)

10: Gaara gone

Author's POV

"So how's work, lately? Is it any fun, writing paperwork?" Akimi asked, staring up at the night. Her stomach was occupied with Gaara's head, and the two lovers were staring up at the stars, while holding idle conversation.

"I do try to see how fast I can complete before lunchtime comes," he answered, holding out his hand up to match an image of the constellations. "I usually finish my paperwork around the afternoon."

"How about your outside-your-office work? What about that?" Akimi reached down to card her fingers through his bright red hair, compared to her dull brown-reddish hair.

"It's all fine. How about you?"

"I managed to keep up with the team. I really appreciate that you put me in that group," Akimi replied. "I get to practice Chakra control as a daily routine, so everyone is pretty capable of performing high-level ninjutsu. Pearl always helps my Earth style jutsus, and I finally am getting the hang of things in Suna."

"What is your best jutsu so far?" Gaara asked, tilting sideways to look at her.

"Earth style: dysfunctional plain," Akimi said, lightly tracing his face with her fingertips. "I had tried it before a couple months ago with Lady Tsunade, but it wasn't good enough. As you know, this jutsu is a basic wide-range playground for me. Months ago, I couldn't hold it out no more than twenty minutes. Now? I can hold it much longer, though I have yet to try it."

"What's a dysfunctional plain?" A new voice called out to two snapped to their feet and spotted the intruder.

The intruder was a blond man with a ponytail wearing a black cloak adorned with red clouds. He stood patiently on a white fake bird, soaring calmly through the night sky.

"And who are you?" Akimi called out. "You look sort of suspicious flying on a white bird, Mr. Stranger."

"Akatsuki," Gaara breathed, the sand rushing to his aid. "Akimi, get out of here."

"Huh? But--"

"Go!"

".....come back alive, okay?" Akimi warned fiercely. As much as she didn't wish to leave, she had no choice but to step down and leave. This stranger was strong, and Gaara was aware that if she tried to fight alongside him, she slow him down. In the end, she was still weak as any Genin.

Gaara didn't reply and merely flew towards the stranger with his own sand. Akimi high-tailed off the rooftops and towards the Lord Kazekage mansion. If she couldn't help Gaara, she knew who could.

"Kankuro! Gaara is fighting an intruder!" Akimi yelled, running through the house. Thundering footsteps came from the basement, and in a few minutes of explaining, the older brother of the Sand Siblings was off.

"Baki-Sensei! There's an intruder!" Akimi yelled, spotting the man speaking with a few Elders. Forget the Elders, Baki! Hurry up and help get rid of this intruder!

Baki seemed to share the same mindset and chased Akimi to the open balconies, where the other patrol ninjas watched the battle, unable to do anything, per Gaara's orders.

"Akimi, go and find refuge. We'll take care of this!" Baki said.

"Hai!" She headed back inside and watched from a window. The battle was in Gaara's favor, and Akimi almost cheered when she saw the Kazekage destroy the enemy's arm. However, the stranger easily took Gaara out when he was corned inside his own sand ball.

"Lord Kazekage!"