The Man Who Lived

Chapter 9: Return to Konoha

Gaara sighed and fell flat on his back. Tenten, oblivious to the name that fell from her lips, asked "What's wrong?"

Gaara rubbed his eyes and lifted himself up, "You said Neji just now, is that who this has been all about?"

Tenten had never felt more embarrassed and guilty. "No Gaara, look I'm sorry," she reached out to him but he disregarded it. She pulled her knees up to her chin and pouted. 

"It's okay. You told me there was someone important to you. I shouldn't have..." he started.

She grabbed his hand, "I'm glad you did, Gaara."

He felt even more confused now than he did just a minute ago. 

"But you have feelings for Neji Hyuga don't you?" he asked. He didn't want to admit how much he liked the feeling of her hand in his.

"No. Yes. I don't know," she buried her face in her hands.

"He was your teammate wasn't he?"

She nodded.

"And he was gone for a while."

She nodded again.

Gaara wondered how he could compete with someone risen from the dead and with a history as long as theirs. For a second, he thought about reminding her of his experience with death and resurrection. But he figured it was best left unsaid.

"You two have a lot of catching up to do, I presume."

"I guess so," she sighed. "But if I wasn't sure about my feelings before, I sure as hell don't know about them now."

They both laughed and could feel the tension in the tent lift. 

"I'm sorry I put you in the middle of this," she apologized.

"I'm pretty sure I did this to myself," he laughed in response.

"But -" they both started.

"You go ahead," he offered.

"But, I don't regret kissing you, Gaara," she said softly. "What were you going to say?"

Gaara laughed, "The exact same thing."

They pressed their foreheads together intimately and smiled. 

As they dozed off to sleep, Gaara especially appreciated that her hand didn't let go of his. 

Tenten was first to wake, having gotten used to Guy Sensei's strenuous early mornings on Team 10. She pressed her lips on Gaara's forehead where his mark lay. His eyes flitted open and softened at the sight of her.

They stood there in silence for a while until loud footsteps outside the tent startled them from their trance. Gaara took the lead, jumping to his feet and onto their campgrounds.

"There you are little bro!" 

Gaara was lifted from his feet by none other than his painted faced older brother, Kankuro.

"W-what are you doing here Kankuro?"

His brother raised a brow at him, curious at his sibling's out-of-character response.

"I'm taking you back to the Village obviously! They mentioned something about you having a guide from the Leaf Village, but you know me. I'd like to personally ensure the safety of our good ol' Kazekage!" he laughed while slapping Gaara's back. "Where is your supposed protector anyway?" 

Tenten had quickly changed in their tent, another tactic she picked up from Guy's antics. Adorned in her jounin vest and pinned buns, she announced herself from the tent.

"That would be me! Nice to see you again Kankuro," she smiled.

Kankuro looked from the tent to Gaara to Tenten. He noted the single tent and could see the one sleeping bag that laid inside of it. He did his best to refrain from outright giggling.

"Oh I see! Well Tenten you are free to return to Konoha. I can see very much so that my little bro and I have quite some catching up to do. Isn't that right Gaara?" he draped an arm around the red-headed and red-faced shinobi.

Tenten kept her composure, "Is that alright with you Gaara?"

"Um, I don't see why not. Will you be okay returning on your own?"

She nodded, "We were only a day's in and I've gotten a lot of rest so I will probably be back by nightfall. I'll be just fine!"

"Thank you, Tenten," he glanced at his overtly-obvious brother and decided on extending a hand toward her.

She did her best to express she understood and shook his hand. It was hard in particular for Gaara to let go. She slung her backpack and scroll over her shoulder and waved, "Take good care of him Kankuro."

"Rest assured!" he saluted over to Tenten still giggling.

It was as Tenten predicted, and she made it back to Konoha by midnight. Exhausted from the events of last night and rushing back home, she nearly collapsed onto her bed. Her room was a mess. Her tireless training efforts and eagerness to make the most of days came at the cost of her unit's tidiness. 

Even still, she couldn't find herself to close her eyes and sleep.

She thought about confiding in Ino or Sakura, but quickly shot herself down, fearing their involvement. She also wondered what Gaara made of the whole situation and when she'd even see him next.

As her thoughts spiraled into turmoil, suddenly light flooded her room and it was sunrise. She winced at the light and sighed. When she looked in the mirror she could already see bags forming under her eyes.

She was working part time at a weapons shop so she quickly showered, got dressed, and walked over.

"I thought you were with Gaara?" Ino asked, spotting Tenten walking past her flower shop.

Tenten's eyes widened, "What made you think I was with Gaara?" 

Ino looked at her in confusion, "Because it was your mission to see him to his village."

Tenten laughed, "Oh right, yeah totally."

"So what happened?" Ino looked at her curiously.

"Oh yeah! Konkuro showed up. He wanted to take him the rest of the way so I was dismissed. I got back really late so I guess my mind is still fuzzy."

Ino bought it for now and returned to her shop. 

The bell rang as she stepped into the weapons store, "Good morning Dazai!" she shouted but was left with no response. She wandered across the store and it was empty. 

She heard an exuberant laugh echo across the hall and she followed. Her face flushed when she saw her manager, Dazai in an enthusiastic conversation with Neji.