Mixing of Snow and Sand

Chapter 34: New Kazekage

After eating we went back to the hotel. I still wasn't feeling great but I knew it was probably just a side effect of my body still healing.

"Mia?" Temari asked while Gaara and Kankuro were talking in the other room.

"I have something I want to ask you...just don't freak out okay?"

"Uh okay?" I questioned, she got closer and whispered in my ear.

"Have you had sex with my brother?" I looked directly at her in horror.

"Why the hell would you think that?!" I demanded.

"I mean the food, your stomach I was thinking that maybe..."

"Temari! I'm sixteen! Gaara is younger than I am!" I yelled.

"Okay, okay! Calm down!" She blurted out as Gaara and Kankuro walked into the room utterly confused.

"Is everything alright?" Kankuro asked as he saw the redness in my face and the worry across Temari's.

"F-fine!" I stammered and turned away from everyone as my face flushed more. Gaara crossed the room and touched my shoulder lightly.

"Are you sure you're alright? You look really flushed." I pushed away and covered my face.

"I'm f-fine! I'm going for a walk." I started to head for the door.

"I'll-" Gaara started.

"No! I need to be alone for a little bit. I'll be careful, just please." I whispered and left without hearing his answer.

Damn Temari, asking a question like that. Gaara is fifteen and I'm sixteen. How could she possible think that...

I shook the thoughts away as I felt my face flush some more. I somehow always found myself by the river as I traveled in no real direction, just needing to be alone for a little bit. I sat down beside the water, staring at my reflection as it shimmered in the setting sun.

"Surprised you aren't with Gaara and the others." I looked back and saw my dad standing there.

"I..." I shook my head as I felt the heat return.

"Something happen?" He came and sat down beside me.

"Eh something like that...it's nothing, just needed to get some fresh air."

"What about Okami?"

"He's resting, he's been pretty stressed out since the seizure. Today was actually the first day I got out and about with everyone. It was nice to have some sense of normalcy again."

"I can imagine. I hear that a new Kazekage is going to be named soon."

"That's right. Though I don't know who they plan to choose. I leave that in the elders' hands. I know they'll pick the right person." I stated, looking out at the water once again.

"I'm sure you're right. I'm surprised you don't want to be the new Kazekage." I chuckled and shook my head.

"No, ever since Haku passed away and gave me this necklace..." I grasped it gently. "I thought I needed to work hard to become the leader that deserved this necklace. But I realize now, it was I needed to work hard to become a person who believed and trusted their comrades. Being a leader doesn't mean much if you can't care for the people around you. Lord Hokage cared very deeply about the people of this village and would have died for anyone here. I wasn't the same way...I cared only about myself. It wasn't until I saw Gaara again that that started to change. Seeing mom again helped too, she showed me what I lacked. It wasn't strength or power that I lacked...it was compassion, love. The things that I never felt growing up." I released my hold on the cool necklace.