50 Shades of Sand

Chapter 4 - Gizzards and Flowers

My eyes flew open after a fourth bang on the door. The sun had just risen, who the hell could be here so early? I jumped up from bed, failing to check the mirror before heading to the door.

"What?!" I shouted as I opened the door but I closed my mouth as soon I met two pale orbs staring at me.

"I'm here to take you to the hospital." Gaara spoke quietly. I noticed his eyes roam quickly down then up to my eyes. I could see in his eyes he was nervous. I didn't understand. I noticed a hint of a blush fall on his cheeks and he looked to the side. I gave him a confused look.

"Oh, shit, the tour!" I shouted and looked at him apologetically. "Come in!" He refused to look at me as he spoke.

"Ino..."

"What?" I looked at him. He turned to look me in the eyes. I could see he was struggling to not look anywhere else.

"Clothes." He quickly stated. My eyes widened. Usually I take great appearance in my body. I've worked all my time not only strengthening my skills but keeping up my body figure. I'm pretty damn proud of it, but Gaara on the other hand has probably never seen a half-naked woman in lacy underwear. I closed my eyes and smiled before I responded to him.

"Yeah, I have a lack of those when I sleep. Come on in, I'll get ready fast." I could see a hint of surprise in his face and I turned to walk back in. I quickly hurried into the bathroom and took a look in the mirror. Well I surely wasn't the sexiest looking kunoichi right now. My eyes were a little puffy from lack of sleep and my face a little pale. My hair fell in knots down to my waist and stuck out everywhere. I looked like hell. Oh well, you want a guy to see you at your worst at some point right? Shikamaru and Choji have seen me plenty of times this way, but they don't count.

I began to brush my teeth. I kept the toothbrush in my mouth as I walked over to my dresser to grab my hair tie. I glanced over at Gaara to see him standing and staring at the wall. He must have felt my presence because his pupils glanced over towards me. They quickly shot back to the wall. I smirked and quickly went spit my toothpaste out and headed towards the kitchen to grab water.

I smirked at Gaara. "You have great manners."

I could see him release some air and he stood to face me. I saw his eyes roam my body twice and stop at my face. "Puffy.."

"What?" I gave him a look of humor. He takes a glance over my body and says puffy.

"Your hair." He kept staring at my hair as he spoke. I broke into a hysterical laugh. I could see he looked a little confused at me.

"Kazekage-sama, you have a way with words." I continued a small laugh as I turned to finally get dressed and straighten my 'poofy' hair. I couldn't help smiling to myself as I fixed my hair into the usual high ponytail. Poofy. I took a final look in the mirror. I looked great as can be. Over the years I learned not to spend too much time on my appearance and more into my training. But I can't help knowing I was what men would call-a catch. I walked out to meet up with Kage in my room.

I could see him hesitantly turn to look at me and then I saw a small look of relief. I smiled at his small gesture. I really learned his eyes gave away his emotion. His face was like a rock, stiff with no emotion. But his eyes were pools of pale blue that melted with emotion he would not show through expression.

"Let's go!" I headed towards the door and waited for him to exit. I locked the door behind us and began to follow him down the hallway. After sometime I fell in step next to him and we exited the building.