Infected

Chapter 26: A Fever and a little Teasing

The pounding in his head made him want to throw up. Attempting to open his eyes, the lights burned, and the pounding grew worst. When was the last time he'd passed out? Wait... I passed out?

"NO!" Gaara bolted up his hands outstretched. "Shukaku!"

"Gaara! It's alright." A warmth enveloped his head and the smell of something citrusy filled his nose. "It's alright Gaara. Shukaku's not going to manifest. The bracelet, remember?"

A gentle hand stroked his head. Ah, Mizu. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist. When had his hands started to shake?

"It's alright. Everyone's safe. You saved everyone and you're safe." Her voice was gentle like an afternoon breeze as it brushed against his ear.

They stayed in this position for a while. Once his breathing slowed, he opened his eyes again and squinted against the pain. Vaguely, he could make out the outline of his room. His body felt too hot. It was hard to breathe, and it was like something heavy was sitting on his chest.

"Gaara?" Mizu looked at him asking a silent question.

"I'm ok now." Gaara's eyes went from Mizu's face to her long flowing undone hair, thin tank top and light pajama pants. "I think..."

Mizu leaned in and Gaara froze, his heart sped up again. She smiled at him mischievously before putting her forehead on his. "You have a fever."

He bit his lip, feeling disappointed. "Oh."

She batted her eyes seductively. "I could try to get rid of it like last time..."

Tilting his head, he tried to remember what she meant. It came back to him. He short-circuited. Looking from her face, to her top, to the rest of the room, he couldn't figure out where to focus.

"NO! Not until marriage." His fuzzy brain finally decided.

Mizu lightly put her finger on her bottom lip. "Oh? You don't want me to?"

"Be-besides! That was because I was infected! I'm not now," he protested.

"That wasn't exactly a no... I could just take advantage of you right now if I wanted to." Mizu pressed on his shoulders and he easily fell back into his pillows.

Huh? Even Mizu looked a little surprised, but grinned evilly and slid her leg over him straddling his waist. He froze his face burning with embarrassment or maybe just more fever. What was she intending to do? Her finger tips brushed the exposed skin near his collar sending shivers down his body.

"No sand cloak?"

Gaara shook his head. "No chakra..."

She smiled down at him, her hair slid over her shoulder and rested next to his face. Leaning forward she stopped short allowing only the tips of their noses to touch.

"By the way, I found a place to rent and I'll be moving out by the end of the week."

What? She pulled back still smiling her evil little smile. Gaara reached up and grabbed her shoulders. She let out a small squeak as he pulled her down onto the bed next to him. He was just as surprised as she was that he'd done it, but his cloudy brain forgot how to be embarrassed. Some of her hair had fallen in his face tickling his nose. Instead of brushing it off, he ran his fingers through it and sniffed. Citrus.

"Did you use my shampoo?" Gaara asked, her hair brushing his lips.

Her face was bright red. "I-I ran out of mine. I'll replace it..."

Why is she acting embarrassed? He took a sharp intake of breath and reached over to her face, his fingertips trailing along her cheek. Blush bloomed on her face where he touched and even her ears turned bright red as he stroked one. He wanted to kiss her. Sliding forward he brought their faces close but stopped short. Fever... That's right I have a fever. She looked at him disappointed and squirmed when he pinched her ear a little too hard.

Oh, there might be far enough... He gently put his lips against the soft spot at the base of the back of her ear. Her breath caught in her throat and her skin felt warm against his lips. What am I doing? Is this weird? He pulled back a little and saw the look on her face. Her eyes were glossy and her mouth slightly open, but she didn't seem opposed to what he was doing. Returning his lips to her skin, he got the urge to kiss more of her. Where? Hungrily, his eyes traveled from her ear, to her chin, to the base of her neck where his lips made contact again. A small moan escaped her lips, and he looked up panicked wondering if he'd done something wrong.

The desire in her eyes made him feel hotter and before he could stop himself, his lips found the soft part in-between her shoulder and collarbone. His eyes travel to the edge of her shirt where he could see the curve of her breast. If he went further would he be breaking the rules?

"If we did that would you stay...?"

Mizu shoved him back, her nails dug into his shoulders and he flinched at the scorn in her look. "Gaara."

He felt a heavyweight in his stomach.

"I'm not moving because you won't have sex with me. In fact, I'm angry that you'd think I would give you an ultimatum like that."

"I—."

"No, shut up and listen. In no way shape or form is it ok for anyone in a relationship to hold something over the other to get them to do something they don't want to do, whether that's a sexual act or otherwise. That's not a healthy relationship."

Gaara wanted to throw up and his headache was getting worse. "I... I'm sorry. I know that... I just don't want you to leave. I like you being here... with me."

Her rage dissipated, and she smiled gently. "You didn't let me finish. I found a place to rent... Yaba-san has a house she's willing to let me rent... it's a block away from here."

"Oh, that's still too far." He pouted.

She reached up and pushed his bottom lip back in. "I won't be far. You'll see me pretty much every day."

He sucked his lip in this time. "It's not the same."

She laughed and lowered her eyes looking up at him through her lashes while gently touching her neck. "You're rather honest when you're sick."

His gaze lingered on her fingers. "Did you like that?"

Blushing, she grabbed his shirt collar and pulled it down. "It was sweet, but something like this would have been a little more... enticing."

His heart beat loudly in his ears as her lips met the soft part of his neck. They parted and her tongue grazed his skin.

"What are you...?"

She wasn't biting him but sucking gently. His mouth drew tight. The act was somewhere in-between pleasure and pain. Did he like it or not? It was definitely enticing though. Releasing him, she smiled and licked her lips.

Gaara touched his neck feeling unsettled. "W-what was that?"

"Just a little fun." Mizu crawled out of his bed and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To make you some soup. If I play with you anymore, your fever will go up."

Gaara waited for her to leave before crawling back under the covers and touching his neck. He'd kind of liked it, but he'd need to do it again to be sure. His mind felt dizzy as he looked out his window at the midday sun. Ah! Our date...