Suna's Ninja (Gaara Love Story)

21: Romantic or friendly?

Author's POV

"You're making that face again, yes," Mey-Rin the darling, klutzy Phantomhive maid complained to Akimi. "What's wrong?" The two were making the last (backup) cake in the kitchen for this evening's party.

"Huh? Oh it's nothing big," Akimi waved it off, dumping in some flour in the bowl Mey-Rin was mixing. "Two cups of sugar, quarter cup of cococa powder--"

"See! You're doing it again, yes!" Mey-Rin pointed out. "Maybe you should let the baking to me, and go rest a little."

"Maybe I will, before I starting mixing up the sugar and salt," Akimi resigned. She left the kitchen and promptly ran right into Lady Elizabeth.

"Akimi!" The girl squealed, hugging her eagerly. "It's almost time for the party, so let's go dress you up!"

"Lady--" Akimi was dragged off without hesitation. Minutes later, Elizabeth was fixing a pretty red long-haired wig on her. When asked if she had made the wig from Grell's hair, Elizabeth laughed and shook her head.

"So, who is it?"

Akimi stared blankly at the young lady. "Come again?"

"You've got that dreamy look in your eyes, just what I look like when I think of my darling Ciel," Elizabeth said. "Now hurry up! Spill the beans! Who's got your eye? Not Ciel, I hope."

"No, no, he's all yours," Akimi quickly assured her. "I've been.....friends with a boy for about two years before we started 'dating'. But, I don't really know if I can consider him a, well, you know, a boyfriend. We barely spend time, because he's so busy, but what else can we do? Even if we live in the same village, I feel like we're so far apart."

"Okay then! Let's give you a quiz~" the exuberant lady cheered. "Do you think about him all the time?"

Akimi thought about it. "To be honest, no. Occasionally, yes. Uh, nowadays, I have been thinking about him more often." Elizabeth grinned.

"Oohhhh! Does your heart flutter when he looks or talks to you?"

The girl flushed pink. "Maybe a little. I didn't really pay much attention." The other girl groaned.

"Akimi, you're a recipe for disaster. Do you feel jealous when he talks about other girls?"

"He doesn't talk about other girls, but when he has to, due to work, he does. Does his sister count?"

"No, his sister doesn't count. Do you want to murder them?"

"Not so much murder, maybe poison some."

"That's a perfect ten. Do you ever wish he was here with your right now?"

"Kind of. I won't deny I miss him." Elizabeth smiled again.

"And final question! Do you want to kiss him?"

".....what?"

"Kiss!" Elizabeth bounced on her bed in excitement. "Is he sweet in your heart that you want to get all cute in front of him?"

Akimi stared at her, as the words sank in. Slowly, a light blush crossed her face. "Yes, I'll admit that."

"I think you're developing love for him," Elizabeth explained. "Let me ask you, when did he confess to you?"

After talking with Elizabeth, Akimi left the room with conflicting emotions. According to Elizabeth's theory, she had mixed romantic love and friend love together, confusing herself. Gaara romantically loved her; but how about herself?

A few hours passed, but Akimi didn't wake up from her hardcore thinking session. Does she love Gaara or not?

I'll try writing a letter, but I won't send it, or anything. Maybe that will sort my feelings out.

Meanwhile, Gaara was with Matsuri, guiding her daily training sessions. "Too much, Matsuri," he warned, watching the chakra surrounding the rock in her hand whip left and right unsteadily. "Stop." He walked closer to her, watching her suck in slow breaths. "Is it difficult?"

"N-not at all, Gaara Sensei!" She exclaimed brightly. Gaara held out his hand.

"Give me your hand." Gaara absentmindedly stared at her hand, callused by the many hours of practice with her jōhyō. "I'll find a way to fix this."