50 Reasons Why

Chapter Fourteen

                  "Gaara," a feminine voice called and I sat up. I opened my eyes and adjusted them to an image of a blonde girl with blue eyes. Ino. She held a cover over herself. I didn't dream last night. "Good morning." She smiled at me.

"Good morning," I answered. Stretching my arms out, I looked over towards Ino. She was gripping the covers tightly as she looked away from me.

"Can I ask you a question?" She whispered. She turned her head to face me and I searched her eyes. A small blush was visible on her cheeks. What could it be?

"Yes."

"About last night." Damn, does she have to bring it up now? "How did you know? I mean, why did you do those things... I mean," she was stuttering and she looked down at the covers. She brought a hand to slap her forehead as she sighed. She looked over at me. She almost looked defeated. "Do you get what I'm trying to ask?"

I closed my eyes to think. I believe she is trying to ask me why I did what I did last night. How do I state this?

"Kankuro said," I paused to think of a more appropriate way to state it, "Sometimes women don't understand the words you are trying to put across. He says sometimes you have to show them with your actions." I looked over at her and her eyes widened. It replaced with a defeated look. Was she upset that Kankuro told me? I breathed in deeply. "I don't know a lot. Kankuro tells me a lot of things and sometimes he doesn't think I'm listening but I do. I'm still learning everything. How to deal with people correctly, how to respond correctly, how to... pleasure women correctly. Just please, have patience with me, Ino. I'm still new to all of this."

I searched her eyes. I just confessed a big part that I didn't expect I would ever do. What if she laughs at me? What if she leaves? What if I'm not good enough?

"Of course, Gaara. It's all new to me too," she gently spoke and I furrowed my brow. New? She must have taken notice. "I'm not best at dealing with people. I can get impatient, cranky, or, in simple terms, I can be a bitch. But I do have a soft side that I don't show much. You have seen more of that side than anyone else has seen in years," she laughed, but it sounded empty. "We're both learning, Gaara. And I'm glad I'm learning this with you." She ended with a giant smile and I couldn't help but return it. She's glad to be learning with me. Thank kami.

I got out of bed to get myself dressed but she remained. I looked over at her and she looked back at me. She gave me a small smile but it didn't reach her eyes. She was acting... strange.

We reached the tower and Asuma-san, Zuko, and Zenma were outside. She walked ahead so she could speak to her sensei.

"Be careful, sensei," She stated and he smiled at her.

"I always am, Ino." He patted her head lightly then faced me. I nodded towards Ino and the Suzuki brothers before heading into the tower.

"You are a good man, Gaara-sama," Asuma spoke coolly as we made our way to my office. I looked over at him and he looked back with a smile on his face. "You've helped her through this. You've kept her from being lonely."

"That's a feeling I don't want others to share." I spoke calmly to him. He nodded his head.

"It is only conquerable with the help of others." He trailed. "You have helped her far more than you could imagine."

I only looked at him but he kept his view ahead. A smile rested on his lips. What could he mean by that?

In my office stood Temari, Kankuro, and Asuma along with Matsuri's team.