50 Shades of Sand

Chapter 17 - Answers and Confessions

                  I continued walking behind Gaara with Kankuro to maybe give him some space. But as time progressed, I was itching to talk to Gaara. None of us have said a word since Gaara agreed to let me continue. I was itching to talk. Not just to Gaara but to anyone. It has been too quiet for me.

"Gaara, do you see anything up ahead?" I called, trying to sound uninterested but my voice squeaked. I cleared my throat and waited for his response.

"No." He responded a minute later. His tone was sharp and I could still tell he was angry with me. I was tempted to run up and hug him from behind and apologize but I knew he would just throw me off.

"Ino, I think its best you leave him be. He's still pretty pissed." Kankuro advised me quietly.

"I know I pissed him off pretty bad." I commented quietly as well. I tried to keep my voice down so Gaara couldn't make out what we were saying. Maybe this was my chance to pry some information from Kankuro.

"I don't think he's exactly pissed off at you, but more like the whole situation we are in." He added and a sense of relief went over me. Kankuro and I happened to fall a bit more back from Gaara. He was now five feet ahead of us.

"I just. I don't know Kankuro. I can't believe he let me have my way. He didn't put up a bigger fight. I honestly thought I was dead." I murmured while staring at the back of Gaara's head. His red hair looked black from the distance. My fingers itched to touch it.

"I'm as shocked as you are, but then again. He knew you were going to keep fighting until you got your way. I mean I saw the way his eyes lit up when you were willing to fight to keep going on. He was happy momentarily that you were yourself." I lit up at Kankuro and he had a small smile on his face. He then dropped it and his expression went concerned. "But you're not off the hook. I know Gaara. You are going to pay for this Ino. I mean you did put two guards against him and disobeyed him."

"Look. Gaara is your Kazekage. Not mine. I follow the Hokage's orders." I hissed at him and he shook his head.

"Ino. The Hokage specifically said not to let you continue in the mission. She didn't want any more ninja hurt. She only let Asuma go on because he was jonin level. Gaara was to make sure nothing happens to you. The Hokage would be very angry if you were injured like the others. She wanted to pull you guys out of Suna but with Shikamaru and Choji being hospitalized, we couldn't. We also knew if you left, they may go after you, knowing Gaara would follow. That would put your village in danger as well."

My eyes widened as I finally listened to everything. He really was doing all this because of Lady Tsunade. A part of my heart sunk as the thought hit me that maybe he didn't have any feelings for me. What if everything he was doing was because he was told to?

"Don't frown, Ino. I know what you're thinking. No, he isn't only doing this because it keeps the alliance between the villages secure. He really does feel something towards you. I've told you before he's different. He's been more relaxed around everyone, not just me. And I know, he's opened up more to me than anyone else." Kankuro coaxed and I smiled at him.

"He confides in you a lot, doesn't he?" I wonder what all he has told Kankuro. What questions does he ask I wonder? What all does Kankuro know? These thoughts were racing in my head but I had to keep myself from prying to deep.

"More than you could ever imagine." Kankuro grinned and looked ahead to signal our conversation was over. I frowned. Then it really hit me. If that's the case... did Gaara tell him about what we did? Has Gaara asked him about sex? How did Gaara do what he did the other night so well? Did he confide in Kankuro? It made me shiver at the thought of Gaara asking his brother for sexual advice.