The wrong brother...

Chapter 8 - Departing

As you are running away, you hear some voice in the distance but are not paying enough attention to recognise it. What did just happen? What is going on?

You are not sure where to go and what to do. All your friends are with their significant others and you are here, all alone. This is not how this trip should be. 

You are almost at the gates, and that is where you decide to camp. You quickly make yourself a nice little house, as before, and sit inside, trying not to cry. This day literally went from 100 to 0 in 10 seconds. 

Weirdly, there is a knock at the door. Who could that be? Was he following you? Doubt it...

"Oh come on, open the door! I've just spent two days on a mission with annoying genins overestimating their own abilities, let me in!" The voice can only belong to one person. The person who you are beyond excited to see.

"Ino..." You say as you smile broadly, opening the door.

"Whoa, what happened to you?" She comes in and stands in front of you, hands on her hips, giving you a worried look.

"Close the door and get comfy, it's a long story." You say as you fall back to the floor, trying to keep it together and not to burst into tears.

You tell her everything, from the very beginning to the very end. All the time she sits opposite you, watching you with a stern expression, but no interruptions. 

"Who the heck he thinks he is?" She starts immediately after you finish, as you're fighting back all the tears.

"If he has a problem, he should just tell you. But disobeying? You do not even technically belong under Sunagakure. You are on the outskirts. And he knows it. And you are not his guard or anything, Kankuro is. You are with them literally just to try and bond! And he does this! I do not care what his position is, the moment I see him I will give him a piece of my mind! What an absolute moron!" She is now almost yelling.

"Please don't...it's gonna make it worse for me..." You say, your voice trembling.

"No! I know what I'll do!" She suddenly stands up, pointing her fist to the ceiling, victoriously.

"I will tell Temari what happened and I'm sure she's gonna give him what he deserves. She's been angry at him for quite a while, this may be the perfect starting point of her unleashed rage." You cannot help it, you smile. Through the tears, but you smile.

"No need to. We're leaving early in the morning. What should I do?" The interruption was needed, as Ino was getting heated up. 

"Ignore him. Give him the cold shoulder. His own medicine. If he wants to treat you like garbage, do the same! Do not even talk to him until absolutely necessary as chatting is not part of your mission." Ino says in a very bitter tone and you nod. It's gonna be an awkward journey.

"Stupid little brat. A bit of power and he acts like he owns the world." Ino whispers in a low voice and you laugh, again.

"In all fairness, Ino,  he was very nice until tonight." 

"I don't care!" She interrupts, shaking her head.

You're very glad she is here. You have someone to talk to, and she actually keeps you company until the very morning. With zero hours of sleep, you head for the gate, making your little shed be one with nature, slowly disappearing to the ground.

Ino is on her way home, to meet Sai, while you're waiting for Kankuro and Gaara. Shortly, you see them in the distance. You master the best poker face you can.

"Where were you? We were worried." You hear Gaara's voice and you immediately turn your back to him.

"You said you do not need me until the morning, so I've occupied myself. What are your orders, Kazekage?" You say in the coldest voice possible, as you turn back, facing both brothers.

Gaara's expression is not even close to an angry one, like yesterday. He seems very upset. On the other hand, Kankuro seems like he is about to burst into laughter. What is so funny?

You cannot help but notice that there are few small bumps on Gaara's head. But you are not going to ask. Why should you? It's not part of your mission.

"About yesterday..." He starts, but you cut him off instantaneously.

"What are the orders? Straight back to Suna?" You're pulling off your best poker face ever. 

"Yes." Gaara says, defeatedly, as you start walking out of Konoha.

"Let me know if you want to talk." You hear Kankuro whisper as he walks past you, making sure Gaara cannot hear him. As you catch up with them, you notice that Gaara seems to be in deep thoughts, shooting you occasional looks. 

As expected, the way back is very awkward, as none of you really talk to each other. Every time Gaara tries to make any sort of contact, you cut him off immediately. Kankuro does not even try, he seems to be in deep thoughts, too. This went massively off the rails. The way here, all fun and games, and now this. You do not even want to stop, as you just hope for this to be over as soon as possible. 

"We should really stop for a bit. You didn't eat or drink anything for almost two days." You hear Gaara, and surely, he is addressing his words to you. But you don't care.  You are used to worse conditions. You soon should be near Suna anyway. And the moment you arrive, you can put this experience behind you.

How foolish of you. Falling for Kazekage. Thinking he likes you. Of course, he does not. He was just being polite. But why did Shikamaru said what he'd said? 

Nothing makes sense. 

"Seriously, Iki, why such a hurry?" Now Kankuro joins in. You cannot really ignore him. You have no reason to. But somehow after what happened, you felt further away from him, too.

"Want to get this over and done as soon as possible. No need to prolong it. May get Kazekage in trouble for wasting time. Wouldn't want that." The bitterness in your voice is echoing around as you speak. 

To your surprise, Kankurou just shakes his head, while continuing onwards.  No comment, nothing. 

"Please, listen to me." The voice next to you definitely belongs to Gaara. As hard as it is to completely ignore him, you do your best. Ino advised you the same. No need to go against her and your brain. Although, your heart is saying something different.

But also, your heart got you into this mess, so no time to listen to it. Brain wins this round.

In the midway of running through the plain, the sand engulfs you. There is no sand nearby, so there is only one explanation.

"Please." How close he is? And why are you letting your guard down? Why don't you fight? What's wrong with you this time?

"Leave me be." You say in a low voice, addressing your words to Gaara, who stands dangerously close to you.

Before you are able to say or do anything, you feel a small bite in your neck. Like a bee. Or maybe a wasp...or...maybe...a needle.

Your vision goes blurry. Is this sleeping serum? Is Kankurou working with Gaara against you? Of course, he is, he's his brother.

"Sorry." Is the last thing you hear before you drift off completely. Why were you so reckless? What kind of charm he's got over you?

Well, you can definitely answer all the questions, even if you don't want to admit it.  

You were so reckless because you know he won't hurt you and you trust him completely. 

Charm...well...it's not a charm. You have feelings for him. Very strong feelings. Very, very strong...

Even after all that's happened, you still like him. More than you should have. But why? What is wrong with you? 

The last thing you are able to comprehend before you fully fall sleep is sand surrounding you, like a blanket. It is not deadly and rough, quite opposite. It's very soft and caring. And it feels like it has materialized into something. Hands...embracing you, lifting you...carrying you.

Is that him?

Who else would that be...

What is happening?