Infected

Chapter 31:The Worst Dinner Ever

Gaara walked down the halls of the Kazekage's office. He stopped at a window and looked out at the village. It was relatively peaceful. For now. He looked down at the scroll in his hand, Kankuro had delivered it to him this morning. The report talked about a facility being built near the border of the Land of Wind and Yama's borderers. His scouts hadn't been able to determine what Yama was up to and since the building was on their territory Gaara couldn't intervene.

"Lord Kazekage, how are you this fine morning?"

He resisted sighing and turned to Baka, who approached him with a smug grin on his face. Ever since Mizu had left over a month ago, he'd been approaching Gaara every day about something or another.

"I suppose. Did you need something Baka-san?" Gaara asked, his voice monotone.

Baka chuckled and patted Gaara's arm. "It's a fine day indeed. Lord Kazekage, would you do me the honor of joining my family for dinner tonight? I'm hosting a small gathering."

It took effort to bite back his immediate response of no. Temari had always been the one to attend these functions instead of him, but now that she was gone and his current assistant was the man in question's niece, he couldn't exactly turn him down without a good reason.

"I would be delighted by your invitation." Gaara smiled politely, but he felt no enthusiasm.

"Wonderful! Then I'll see you tonight around seven p.m." Baka bowed and excused himself.

Gaara waited until the man left, then looked down the hall. "You can come out now, big brother."

Kankuro poked his head out from behind a wall, looking guilty. "Sorry, Gaara, but that man makes me uncomfortable. Ever since Temari left, he's been the biggest pusher in council about either me or you getting married and having kids."

"Hmm," was all Gaara said in response.

Kankuro came out from behind the wall and sighed. "If you don't want to go, I can think up an excuse though and go in your place."

"It wouldn't due if I turned down all the council's social invitations."

His brother frowned at him. "You're taking this rather easy, the whole Mizu thing."

Gaara felt a throb in his chest at the mention of her name and buried the pain. He was used to hiding his feelings, suppressing them, pretending they didn't exist. This wasn't any different. Why should he think it would be?

"She wasn't a member of the sand village. She was free to go at any time." There was no emotion in his voice.

"Gaara... Alright, I understand. Well, have fun tonight then and enjoy the change of pace." Kankuro grinned at him, but his smile faded.

Gaara nodded to his brother and went on with the rest of his work. Heading back to his office, he found Hana setting some documents on his desk.

"Lord Kazekage, I finished gathering the reports you asked for." She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling.

Temari had trained her well. Even without his sister here to oversee her, Hana had become an efficient assistant.

"Good job," he quietly praised her as he picked up the documents and looked over them. The girl fidgeted nervously and didn't leave right away. "Was there something else?"

She jumped and blushed as she looked at the ground. "M-my uncle told me you're coming to dinner tonight."

"Yes, that's correct." He walked around his desk and sat down, so he could make notes on the reports.