#Gaara smut

[bridgetotheskyyy]

chapter five.

masterlist

Chapter summary: Your father arrives, the end of the month draws near, and you and Gaara hit some milestones . . .

Chapter warnings: 18+, smut (THATS RIGHT YOU GUYSS), lots of angst, physical sickness

Word count: 12k

A/N: full notes on ao3! Pls let me know if you find any errors tumblr hates me (and I hate tumblr <3333)

Read on ao3 here:

You knew it was him, though his back was to you. For you had been walking behind him all your life.

An entourage of personal guards surrounded your father. Cyclone. The strongest band of ninja from the Oasis village. All of them carried shields fashioned like scorpion pedipalps. Face masks covered all but their eyes. In the center was your father. The elders listened with rapt attention as he raconteured some epic story containing a dragon with arms outstretched and a stentorian voice. Baki sat among them, his eye shifting between you and Father. Neither Kankuro nor Temari were present yet. 

“Ahh,” said Ebizo. “And here is Lord Kazekage now.”

Your father turned to see who had come, his eyes widening underneath the disk of his village head hat; they were devoid of the madness you were accustomed to seeing in them. 

“(Y/n) …” Father ignored Gaara to marvel at you. He strolled, arms wide, to you. “My angel.”

He roped arms around you; you suppressed a flinch. He parted to caress your face. “I’ve been blind without the light of your smile,” he said. 

“Father …” Your voice was high with hope. “I’ve … I’ve missed you.”

“Not nearly as much as I have missed you, my star.” His voice hadn’t been this gentle in addressing you since you were a child, lulled to sleep by the bounce of his knee. “How I managed in the dark, I will never know.”

Gaara bowed to him. “I have hoped to meet you for a very long time, Lord Boutoku.”

“Oh, son-in-law.” Your father strode toward Gaara, arms ready to embrace him. “You are the splitting image of the fourth Kazekage himself.”

He enveloped Gaara as everyone watched, not sure of what to say. 

“Come,” Father urged. “There’s much to discuss.”

Your father’s Cyclone parted down the middle to admit the three of you. You followed Gaara to the table, but your father remained on his feet. 

“It is a shame Lady Ikanago is absent,” Ebizo said. “She would have relished this the very most.”

“There will be more than enough time for me to become acquainted with the Sand’s dignitaries, surely,” your father said.

“Lord Boutoku was just telling us about the customs of your village,” Baki told you. 

“Yes,” your father said. “Now —“

The door burst open. Temari and Kankuro came through.

“Don’t start without us —!”

“Kankuro, get off my foot —!”

“Ahh,” your father said, “and this must be Lord Kazekage’s eldest sister.”

Their eyes widened before they hastened to compose themselves, hands going behind their backs. 

“Uh — yes.” Temari bowed. “A pleasure.”

“It’s very nice to see you again, Lord Boutoku,” Kankuro said.

“The feeling is mutual,” your father said. “Come, come. Now that we’re all here, we can discuss the wedding at last. But first.” Your father clapped his hands, and a servant knelt at his side, offering something in his hands. Your father took it to give to you. “Your mother made me promise to pass this on to you when the time came, and I infringe upon her memory if I withhold it from you a moment longer.”

A small velvet box. You opened it: a ring.

Your mother’s ring.

“It’s beautiful,” Gaara said.

You gawked at the miraculous rock for a few seconds longer before slowly raising your head to your father. He had loved no one in the world more than her. Hideo a close second (and you last, probably). Warmth blanketed over your entire being as Father squeezed your hand.

“I am sure Lord Kazekage had his own plans for securing a ring. I hope he does not mind,” he said, eyes soft on you.

“Not at all,” Gaara interjected. “The Oasis is very loyal to its traditions; I suspected something like this may happen.”

And he gently took the ring box from your hand as the members of the council watched, entranced by the sight of Gaara taking the ring from the box and sliding it over your finger. 

You raised your hand to the light; the ring shone like a star he’d pricked from the sky just for your finger. You observed the scene, as if it had been plucked from one of your daydreams. Gaara before you, your father blessing it all, Kankuro, Temari, and Baki smiling. 

“I’m … so happy,” You said, choked with emotion. “Thank you, Father, I — Thank you …!”

“What a blessed union,” Ebizo said. “Hopefully, Lord Boutoku will be open to answering a few of our questions?”

“Of course,” Father boomed. “Of course!”

Your father spoke of the traditions of your village. Dual colors were decided on, a mixture of the Sand’s beige with your village’s blue, along with the special foods that have become specialties in the Oasis. By the end, there was a layout for the reception, who would be coming and then seated where. 

It was surprisingly fun for you. Temari had taken it upon herself to bring a binder to keep the information safe and at hand. You were waiting for your father to pause in the event of possible objections, but it obviously wasn’t necessary; the council was besotted with your father, hanging on his every word as he circled the council’s oval table as though lecturing them.

“Now,” Father sighed dramatically with a pat of his thigh, “if the council would oblige me, the trip here was excessive, and I am not as young as I used to be …”

“Of course,” Ryusa said. “A period of rest is warranted now.”

A Sand guard appeared by Gaara’s side to whisper, “It’s time, Lord Kazekage.”

Gaara nodded as you frowned, confused. It hit you: Matsuri. 

“Gaara,” You murmured. “I want to come. I know this will be hard for you.”

“And I would like you to be with us.” Gaara lowered his head. “But perhaps it’s better for you to stay and reconnect with your father.”

A few seconds and you said, “Okay.”

“And,” Gaara smiled, “perhaps excise a few details?”

You chuckled. “Will do.” 

You gave Gaara’s arm a reassuring squeeze before he raised from his seat, Kankuro and Temari following him. 

“I’ll send one of them to tell you how things went,” Gaara said. 

You nodded and watched the three of them leave. By the time you turned your attention back to the council, it was disbanding. Your father came to you. 

“I finally have you to myself, my dove,” he said. “Lord Kazekage has fixed me with my own quarters. Come along. We have much to talk about.”

You didn’t know what to expect as you entered your father’s private room. Similar to yours, save for the luxuries yours didn’t possess (which, you were sure, was Temari’s doing in an effort to impress him). A fireplace crackled in the quiet space, dousing amber light on the sitting room floor as the curtains were drawn. Two plush loveseats faced each other, separated by a rug and a coffee table. A large bed sectioned off in the corner. 

Your father followed you in, Chuuyou on his tail. 

“These knees.” Your father sank into a couch with a pained sigh. “Never get old, (Y/n). Promise me that.”

“I promise,” You said simply to obey.

“Chuuyou.” Father turned to him. “I applaud you for protecting my daughter, as you have. You have made both your village and head proud.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Chuuyou bowed his head, both out of respect and, though he could not hide it from you, to conceal his guilty expression.

He’s still thinking about the beach.

Seconds passed in silence. You sat across from Father, feeling as though it was what he was waiting for, and remained stock still. Another sigh from him. He appeared aged in a way he never had to you before. 

“Despite all my orders,” he said after a century, “you still have not tried to poison him.”

Oh no. You balled your fists in your lap. You shrank into yourself, desperate to make yourself smaller.

“I’m sorry.” You hung your head. “I’m sorry I disobeyed, I … I just couldn’t.”

“… Thank the gods.”

You looked up. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I have been rash.” Father ran a hand over his face. “There is more benefit to you marrying the Kazekage than there could ever be in disposing of him.” 

“But …” Hope, once again, sat tentatively inside of you, unsure of its place in this conversation. “What about Hideo?” 

There it was — the insane look common in your father’s eye rushed into his irises, all for it to disappear as quickly as it had come. Father lowered his gaze, his entire being depressed and deflated, and for a moment you felt the full weight of your father’s losses like it was yours. And in a way, it was.

“I have lost a great deal, by living in the past,” your father said. “I refuse to lose anything else … It was a mistake to send you here under such nefarious pretenses.”

“Father …” You were so quick to tears lately and now was no different. You couldn’t believe it. Relief and sympathy raised within you. The vice, wrapped around your heart always, fell away.

“Just tell me one thing,” he said, looking up at you finally. “Do you think you may come to love him?” 

You thought, now, of Gaara, and the unobstructed path that now led to him. 

“Yes.”

Matsuri was relocated to the Sunagakure prison later that day. Multiple accounts of her espousing her jealousy and displeasure of Gaara’s imminent marriage to you had reached a variety of ears, and, with all the evidence against her and no more cards to play, her guilt was obvious.

In the midst of all of this, all you wanted to do was go to Gaara — to be there for him and because, freed from your bond of violence, you ached for him — but you fought against it. Surely what he needed now was time to breathe. Despite knowing so little of her, you knew Matsuri had been his student, and to watch her fall into treason due to personal feelings had to be traumatic.

You just wanted to be out of the way. You couldn’t shake the feeling this was partially your fault to begin with. You kept to your room, unsure of what to do with all this free time and lack of anxiety. You couldn’t believe you were free. You admired the little piece of sky sparkling on your finger. You only had the slightest recollections of your mother wearing it as she held you, tending to your tiny body and needs.

 You held your ring finger with a tenderness mirroring hers, sat at your windowsill as evening sighed into night, the soft whistling of the wind brushing past a village at peace, when a knock ripped you from your reverie.

You straightened. “Come in.”

You expected a maid who’d come to tell you dinner was ready, but — 

“Are you all right?”

You startled. Gaara shut the door behind him, never taking his eyes off you, and let himself into your room. He was without his Kage robes, dressed in his trench coat. 

“Gaara,” You said, astonished. A pause. 

“I’ve not seen you all day.”

“I thought it best to stay away,” You said. “Are you all right?”

His eyes rounded with clarity. “You’ve heard.”

“Maids like to gossip.”

He was quiet for a second. He looked away. “It is done.” 

“I am so sorry.” You removed yourself from the window seat and crossed the room to him. You folded your arms, having it awkward to have them simply dangle there, and you weren’t sure if Gaara would like to be touched.

Gaara’s head hung still. He looked so aggrieved, tiredness lining his face. 

“What happened?” You asked carefully.

“There was an abundance of evidence,” Gaara began. “The elders were especially hard on her. Matsuri cried a great deal.” His hands clenched at his sides. “She kept saying it wasn’t her and that she’d been framed, yet there was nothing she could do or say to defend herself.” 

You sat on your bed. “Sit with me,” You said, patting the space beside you. 

When he did, he continued: “I forgive her.” Gaara turned to you. “Please do not let this taint your view of who she is. She is still a very talented and gifted shinobi.”

“I won’t.” You shook your head. Despite the anger you felt for Matsuri at the last meeting with the council, it had long since passed, and all you felt was a hollowness for the man beside you, his aggrieved bewilderment your own. 

Gaara gazed into his lap, invisible brows furrowed by sorrow. “I … am still perplexed as to how this could have happened … Matsuri … But I also know love is a powerful force that can make people act contrary to themselves.” His hand inched toward yours, resting on your lap. “I know because … though I felt sympathy for Matsuri, I feel as though my heart wasn’t with her.” He looked up at you. “It was with you.”

“Gaara …” You held his hand. You were beyond flattered, and, with the new conditions you were under, you felt you could really lean into the reserved but true affection Gaara was giving you. You, now, lived in the serene turquoise of his eyes as the faintest of smiles crossed his face.

“I wanted to return to you to be by your side. All I could think about was you today, and the ring … Our future.” He rose from the bed, your hand still in his. “Come. There is something I’d like to show you.”

“Of course,” You said, curiosity lilting your voice.

Gaara led you down hallways. You realized you had never been to this area of the palace before. It was a more secluded part of the palace, quieter; nothing but a simple vase potting an enormous plant by the new, mysterious doorway you were led through. 

He led you to a door, and all clicked into place for you.

His room. Gaara’s room.

At that moment, you realized you had never actually been to Gaara’s room. You couldn’t even tell anyone where it was in the palace. Sweat pressed against your palms. Warm light filled the room, but it was bare save for a simple wooden desk, a lamp, a bed, a carpet — but what caught your attention was the collection of cacti on the desk.

Definitely Gaara’s room.

He let you in first and you heard him close the door behind him as you took it in with a small smile. 

You turned to him. “What do you want me for?”

“I invited you here because I wished to see you in private,” Gaara said. “I want to be alone with you. I’ve …missed having you by my side since the tent. I’ve never had anyone so close to me for so long.” Color came to Gaara’s cheeks. “As a couple,” he began, approaching you, “we should be sharing a room — and a bed.” 

You turned to it, conspicuously wide enough for the two of you. You stared. Nothing was keeping you from Gaara now. 

“Then perhaps we should make it truly ours.”

Gaara searched your face, your meaning lost on him, as you approached. 

This time, you kissed him.

You cupped the back of his head, where crimson hair ran between your fingers. When Gaara reciprocated, your legs weakened, but he kept you steady with all the strength with which you’d been familiarized.

You had not realized your feet were moving backwards until the slight jab at the back of your knees. 

With a whimper, you fell backward. Gaara quickly caught you. You sat on the bed, scooting away from him, which he took as a beckon to follow. You sighed when your head pressed into the pillows. Gaara blanketed your body with his, his lips possessing yours a second time. 

You moaned, opened your mouth for his tongue to come play with yours. You welcomed the pressure of his body on top of you, your hands once again losing themselves in his hair as he flicked and nibbled against your lips. 

“Show me,” Gaara moaned against your jawline, his tone raw and commanding as your hands scaled his back. “Show me everything from the books. I want to know everything.”

“That could take a while,” You hummed, your lips parting as he nibbled at your flushed skin. But we have time. We have all the time in the world.

“Then you should start now.” Gaara nibbled on your neck. Your heels dug into his calves as his wet tongue swept over the vulnerable skin. 

You fumbled, pulling yourself out from under Gaara to work your shirt over your head, grappling with the deja vu you felt as you tossed it aside. You couldn’t wait. You couldn’t. Gaara awkwardly fumbled with the buttons of his trench coat until you assisted. 

So many layers. You shed your pants away, now down to your underwear. You had never let another see you this naked before, let alone nude, besides your maids, and there were no secrets amongst women. But somehow, you were not nervous as you unhooked your bra. Gaara’s motions had stilled to a stop. Flutters went straight to your cunt with the way his eyes scanned you, hungry, as it slowly unfolded before him. 

Your panties hung around one bare ankle when Gaara brushed a hand over your leg. He hooked fingers under your panties to pull them away himself and onto the floor.

“I want to touch you.” His tone was impossibly husky, low. His hand traveled from your leg to your inner thigh.

You laid back down for him. You were completely bare for him now, you realized, as his eyes roved hungrily over your naked flesh. Gaara’s head settled over your chest, pressing kisses against the valley of your breast, one hand preoccupied with your nipple —

“Mm …!” You arched into him. Gaara’s teeth grazed against another nipple. His curious tongue swirled against the rising bud. You heard the buckles of his uniform unfastening as your head sunk in the pillows, and you knew he was in the midst of shedding the remainder of his gear as he busied with your breasts. His naked skin pressed against your thighs. Your cunt throbbed, maddening you to be touched. 

Thankfully, Gaara’s curiosity worked in your favor; his lips traveled down your skin, brushing over a nipple before sliding past the bones of your ribcage. His hands hooked over the fat of your thighs, the soft brush of your pubic hair grazing his chin.

“I remember, in the books …” Gaara’s thumb gently spread one lip, your juices surely leaking over. “The man tastes the woman. I want to taste you, too.”

Your heart skipped; Gaara’s hot breath hit your lips. “He licks up the valley of her lips …”  .

You gasped. You realized what he was doing; he was quoting Icha Icha.

His lips flicked experimentally at your folds. You flinched, a knee knocking his head.

He paused to examine you. “Does it feel good?”

“Yes, Gaara …” You gripped one of Gaara’s shoulders to compel him forward, excitement causing you to flutter. “It feels so good …”

Not needing to be told twice, he sank down, gave your folds a series of licks. You could feel him pause to taste your juices before starting again. 

“Good …” he murmured. “So good … If I’d known …”

“Keep going …!”

You lost a hand in his hair. Gaara was eating you. It was unreal. His hot breath on your lips, his open palms spreading your thighs open, was something right out of your wildest dreams. He ate you gently, experimenting with this new territory that was you. You were more than happy to oblige, spreading your legs wider to become more accessible to him in a way you have never been with any man before him. You gripped the sheets at his sudden kisses, the unsuspected swipes of his tongue. His fingers gently spread and kneaded at your labia, exploring you and overstimulating you in the process.

Gaara came up, accidentally brushing a nose against your clit —

You cried out. You pressed him into your cunt. A quick learner, he tested the tip of his tongue against the nub, coaxing another series of moans from you. Your eyes doubled back as he latched on to your clit, the suction of his lips driving you wild.

You writhed underneath him. Your hands rubbed over his hands as he lapped up your juices. 

“Oh — use — Gaara, you have to use your — your fingers, oh!” 

Gaara paused momentarily, as though something had occurred to him. 

“She welcomed his fingers like old friends into her heat …”

You felt his thumb brush against your folds. It pressed farther in until it breached the entrance of your hole.

“Gaara …!” You pulled at his hair.

He grunted but did nothing to stop you, teasing your entrance with his thumb as his tongue swirled around your clit. Your legs trembled, your back arching off the bed and into his willing mouth. Your juices seeped past the fat of your behind, only for Gaara to reach down to collect it with his tongue.

His breath quickened as he replaced his thumb with a finger, pressing it in —

“Ahh! Ha—aha!” A familiar tightness was tormenting your abdomen. Close, close. You tried to think through your haze; if you could just get him to … “Another, please, and — and curl them up, oh —“

“I will …!”

He obeyed with a soft growl, adding another finger into your slippery heat. Your strangled breath coincided with his fingers sinking in. So full, but not enough. You ached for more, bucking your hips in desperation. As instructed, he brought his fingers up in beckoning —

“Aah!” 

Gaara’s tongue returned to your clit, curling his fingers again and again, your juices seeping, slipping past his digits. You rocked into his fingers, finding a rhythm with him. 

He sucked and kissed your clit, fingers beckoning one final time —

You cried out, clutching at him with both hands. You clenched over his fingers, the walls around them becoming rougher and tighter as your climax came. You shuddered, biting your lip. Gaara was not stopping, inciting wave after wave through you until you plateaued. Pleasure crashed back down around you, forcing you limp against the bed.

“Gaara!” You warned, pushing him away. “Stop, stop! I — I can’t —!”

Immediately, he pulled his mouth and fingers away. You fell to your side, squeezing your legs. You panted, face hot, and in your haze wondered, in the future, if he would do this to you: edge you without realizing — or maybe on purpose? Finger and fuck your poor insides to make you a fumbling mess, as long as it was what you liked. If you told him, he would do it …

A second or so more and Gaara’s hand brushed against your elbow. “Was that all right?”

You turned over your shoulder to look at him, stars in your eyes. “Incredible.” You twisted to face him, kissing his lips, tasting and smelling yourself on him.

It wasn’t long before you were throbbing again, desperate for more contact. Your overactive imagination made it so. He embraced you in the kiss, his warm cock poking at you. You broke the kiss, panting as you brushed him aside to admire him.

You salivated at the sight of him. Your dream to have him twitching and dripping his seed down your mouth was not gone, but … but you couldn’t wait any longer. 

Besides, there would be more time for that.

“I need you inside of me,” You said.

He seemed to understand. You laid back down for him to topple you. Visions of the future — you topping him, bouncing atop his cock, swallowing his seed from under his table— filled your mind. Many fantasies that had already been revisited during your alone times. There would be so much time now. You just needed him.

You helped him position himself. Your excited cunt clenched around nothing in anticipation. You bit your lip as his cockhead brushed against your entrance.

“You will tell me,” Gaara began, both an assumption and an order, “if anything hurts.”

You nodded hastily, clinging to his arms. “Of course.”

“Good,” he said, “because I may not be able to stop.”

His cock slid into you, filling you in ways you couldn’t have imagined. You clung to him, nails digging into his forearms as he filled you to capacity. 

You nestled in the crook of his neck. “Gaara …”

Pain gave way to pleasure as Gaara succumbed to a thrust. Your head whirled with the novel sensations. The pain was alien but not immense. You stifled stammers out of fear they might encourage him to stop. 

Under no circumstances could he stop. 

Another thrust — 

“Mmfm!” You threw your head back. Gaara’s lips crashed into yours as he moved against you, slapping his hips into yours. 

You bit into his neck this time, nibbling at the hickeyed skin soon to bruise there. Gaara’s hand found your clit by accident — and upon seeing your pleased reaction, fixed his hand there and circled it.

He grunted with pleasure as your legs involuntarily wrapped around his waist. His pants puffed into your skin as he pounded you. “Ti — tight …!”

The pain at your core mingled with the pleasure in a way that was strangely pleasant. Your lips part to emit a confused moan-whimper. You wanted more, demanded more. So enamored with Gaara’s plundering of your cunt and his sounds increasing in volume, you didn’t feel him flinch away until his cock had left you.

Gaara pulled away, a hand glued to his cock with eyes squeezed shut. White spent spilled over your inner thigh with a frustrated cry from Gaara. You watched, mesmerized, as ropes of come spilled from his slit and onto your beaded skin.

“Gaara …” You murmured, cunt squeezing around nothing.

He opened his eyes to mere darkened slits, panting as he observed his work.

“I’m — I’m sorry …” He began to come to his senses, realizing what he’d done. “I didn’t know …”

“It’s okay.” You swept his spent from your thigh with scoops of your finger, disposing of it on the fabric. “They’re just sheets.”

Gaara glanced up at you. “Yes, but you …?”

“It’s okay.” You inched toward him. “I can’t get you back up, don’t worry …”

You caressed his cock, now turning flaccid. Gaara took a sharp intake of breath as your grip grew firm. You ran your tongue over your bottom lip before pressing a soft kiss to his head. You tested the waters, taking him into your mouth slowly  to see how he would react. Another kiss and swipe of your tongue —

“Nnrgh …” Gaara fisted the sheets. 

You resisted a smirk as you drew back, eyes flickering up at him. “Good?”

“Yes …” His breathing had grown labored, no doubt due to the gentle strokes you spoiled his overstimulated shaft with.

You leaned forward to run your tongue over the ridge of his head, outlining the span of it with your tongue. Gaara’s short, nearly inaudible gasps spurred you on to trap his head between your lips and suck.

“Ah, hah-ah —“

You took in more of him, feeling the veins trailing his cock grow more prominent with each new inch into your mouth. You grazed your fingertips over his balls as you dared another inch, hollowing your cheeks to serve his twitching cock.

“All right.” Gaara’s hand laid on your shoulder. “Enough — enough.”

You obeyed and released him with a pop. He was near fully erect now, his cock level with your face. You dug nails into your thigh. It had been so hard for you to resist tweaking your clit with him buried in your mouth.

“If you go on, I won’t last,” he explained. 

You nodded and followed the gesture of his gaze back into bed. He returned to his rightful place above you.

“One day soon, I’ll be on top,” You rambled, cheeks red and hot, as Gaara repositioned himself above you. “I can’t imagine how good you’d feel.”

“That day will be today. I only want to get this right now,” Gaara said, and with the tiniest bit of fanfare, placed his head at the tight ring of your cunt and slid inside.

“Aah — AHAA!”

“You seemed to like this before,” Gaara said, voice raised with teasing tilt as he rolled two finger pads into your neglected clit, accompanying his play with deep, slow thrusts.

“Mm …!” You arched into him, your leg spasmed in his hold as he tapped at your clit, Gaara’s fingers dangerously close to where his cock and your opening met. “Gaara!”

“That’s it,” he said. “That’s what I want to hear.” His thrusts quickened inchmeal, but a simple step felt like a mile. “I won’t be a novice for long, (Y/n). I’ll learn everything.”

He slapped a hard thrust into you and stayed there, your hips to his.

“I’ll make you feel everything,” he said as your head fell back into the disarrayed pillows.

You clenched him hard without meaning to. He had to stop talking, otherwise … The encouragement of your cunt was enough to make Gaara rock into you, lustful grunts sounding above you. You closed your and looped arms around his; his clit play would not stop; three fingers tweaked and circled your clit now, your pleasure mounting.

“She finds herself at the peak of climax, and he would be the one to deliver it to her …!”

With a loud moan, you clenched around him tighter and relished the startled moan he gave. His frown rested against your forehead. He seemed to be battling both with the pleasure he felt and the struggle to understand you, how this was possible. Your clit fixed between his two fingers, driving you mad as he filled you again and again with his cock.

Tightness gripped you again, and you knew were you were close. Gaara’s hand abandoned your calf to knead at your breast, eyes closed as he lost himself in you. 

“I — I’m …” he panted. “Again …!”

Gaara’s cock twitched inside of you. Close. How could he not be? You knew this wouldn’t last long, even with the help of your mouth. Your mind blared white, bright with the idea of Gaara coming so deep inside of you —

“Ahah …” Your vision gave you another pleasured throb you didn’t need. “Gaara …!”

Stupid, stupid. You couldn’t let him, you couldn’t — 

But you wanted it. Wanted him. You gripped on to him tighter. “Do it,” You ordered. “Do it, I want you — want —“

Yet as he slammed into you one final time and the warmth of his come filled you, you could do nothing but hold him closer and take it. His fingers tormented you, the stimulation sending you over the edge as well. 

Gaara pulled out, and you felt the slick of his seed seep from your hole onto the sheets. You moaned, clenching around his spent. 

So good …

“Amazing …” he remarked, eyes on your drooling cunt.

You tried to wade through the pleasure thrumming through you to understand your mistake, but couldn’t. The after-sex buzz proved too profound. You could hardly register it as a mistake at all, what with how good you felt, pleasurable aches simmering underneath your flushed skin. You dragged Gaara close for another kiss. 

Once released, Gaara said, “I’ve never experienced this level of closeness with anyone …” He wrapped arms around you. He lowered his gaze to your beaded clavicle while you played with the damp ends of his rustled hair. “It is strange, but wonderful, too.”

“Neither have I.” You grinned. He’s so grateful. You admired the light smile that came to Gaara’s face. “Was I good?”

Gaara glanced up. “Is it possible for someone not be to be good?”

You couldn’t discern your blush from the natural post-coitus flush you had. “It’s possible.” You wished you hadn’t said it; Gaara’s brows knit together, his eyes wandering with thoughts. Apparently, you’d given him a new worry. “But you were amazing,” You hastened to add.

His expressions softened. “Good. I’m glad.” He watched you pepper his hand and arms with kisses. “I want to be as good as the men in the books.”

“I think you’ve already achieved that, my love.”

Gaara nestled closer to you in the sheets. His hand flexed — open, close — as you left a kiss on his green veins. “Do we need to stop?” Gaara asked.

You met his eye, your mind drunk with him. 

“No,” You said and pulled him forward — for the two of you to be pulled under.

                                                                                                   

You had very little appetite at breakfast, your mind still enamored with the previous events that had come to pass.

Gaara was, of course, not at breakfast; tending to sensitive Kazekage duties was of the utmost importance. So instead, you choose to eat with Kankuro and Temari.

Gaara had quite the … stamina. You were sure you had looked like murder for the rest of the night; bed hair and wild eyes as you walked Gaara through all the things you had only read about and heard from other noble ladies. Aches you fought to keep discreet restricted a lot of your movements. 

The sounds of Gaara’s soft pants and whispers of praise were still in your ear long after they had faded into time. Warmth spread through your cheeks as you stared idly at the water remaining in your glass, looking but not seeing. 

“So close, (Y/n) —“

“You feel amazing —“

“Don’t make me stop —“

“(Y/n)? (Y/n)!”

Temari tore you from your reverie, the images of last night turning to watercolor in your mind.

“Watch the salt,” she said, pointing to your plate.

You looked down to see your hand pouring a hill of salt on your fish. You sighed, put it away and shoveled the hill from your plate.

“I’m going to give a speech at the wedding,” Kankuro said, mind made up. 

“I think that’s a great idea.” Temari sipped her tea. “Just as long as you tell me what you’re going to say.”

“What?” Kankuro crossed his arms indignantly. “You don’t trust me?” 

“Oh, I wonder why, Mr. psychoactive cactus man?”

Kankuro sighed in defeat as you giggled. “All right, fine,” he replied. 

“Do you have anything written?” You asked, desperate for something to cling to so you might live in the present.

Kankuro shrugged. “Not yet. I’m not as good with words as Gaara.”

“Nonsense!” You playfully slapped him on the shoulder. “I’m sure whatever you say will be lovely. You’ve got to let me read.”

Kankuro held up his pinkie. “Promise.”

“I hope Lord Boutoku’s quarters are to his satisfaction,” Temari said as you wrapped your pinkie around Kankuro’s. “We wanted only the best to make him comfortable.”

So it was her. You smiled. “He’s doing well. Thank you, Temari.”

“No problem!”

Better than well, actually; your father had returned to a softer version of himself, ordering servants to and fro and requesting to be served all of his meals in bed. You resisted an eye-roll, thinking about the prima donna that he was. As long as he was happy, you supposed.

“All right, I’m outta here.” Temari set aside a napkin and rose from her seat. “Long day today.”

“With what, exactly?”

“Lady Ikanago has requested details about Lord Boutoku’s arrival, and I said I’d go fill her in,” Temari explained. 

“Gonna grab her some painkillers for that hip, too?”

Temari threw a bun at Kankuro’s head, which he aptly caught and bit into. 

“Or maybe some purple pandemonium.” Temari snickered as Kankuro blanched. She left her chair. “So long, you two.”

You waved goodbye to her and returned to your breakfast, humming quietly before taking a sip of your water — 

“So,” Kankuro began. “You and my little brother sure had fun last night, didn’t you —?”

— You spit out your water. 

“Wha — what?” You dabbed yourself frantically with a napkin.

Kankuro’s laughter shook his shoulders, the bun becoming clearly too heavy to hold under the weight of the mirth.

“How do you —“ Your mind went to wild places. “He didn’t tell you —?”

“Are you kidding?” Kankuro said. “Of course not. He’d never; he’s ever bit the gentleman he seems.”

“Then …” You looked around helplessly. “Then how …?”

Kankuro tapped a finger on his temple. “A brother knows these things; I got a good look at him earlier this morning.” He took another bite out of his now crescent moon of a bun and added with a mouth full, “plus, the two of you are such virgins — all dazed and bashful. If this is you trying to hide it, then the whole village will know.”

“Oh, gods.” You hid in your soup. You had passed out long before Gaara and had woken up in his bed without him in it, accompanied only by a simple note telling you Kazekage duties had pulled him away and to go back to sleep full of good dreams.

Kankuro chuckled. “Don’t sweat it. Nobody heard anything.”

“That’s not helping me to not sweat.”

“It’s okay!” Kankuro couldn’t stop grinning. “Really! I’m glad of it.” He shook his head, his smile not having died. “I was worried it’d never happen for him, my poor little brother.”

You groaned, elbow supporting your weight as you ran a hand over your face. “Does Temari know?”

“You’re still alive,” Kankuro said, “so no.”

That earned a little dry laugh from you, a spark of mirth, and it was gone. You looked up through a crack in your fingers. “He looked happy this morning when you saw him, right?”

Kankuro’s expression sobered a bit as he looked into your worried face. “Of course.”

You sighed, relieved.

Kankuro scooped another egg onto his plate. “You gonna go see if he’s still happy?”

“He’s busy.” Both your arms folded on the table. You looked out the window at the faraway blue sky. “I don’t want to bother him.”

In truth, you had no idea what you were supposed to do after sex. Icha Icha was coming up dry on that front; the couples usually lazed in bed or fell asleep together and the time skips gave you no idea what was meant to happen the day after. 

“You’re too timid, sis.” Kankuro reached over and pinched your cheek as you grumbled. “Don’t worry about that; we bug him all day with little things. He always says he doesn’t mind. Breaks up the monotony of the day.”

You smiled to yourself. “I don’t know …”

“Both of you think too much,” Kankuro said. “Do you even think last night would have happened if my brother was so sensitive to everything you did? Stop worrying.”

You chuckled. “Okay, okay. I’ll go myself.”

“That a girl.”

You straightened your back as you neared Gaara’s office. Despite your nerves, you did want to see him again. 

“Do I look all right, Chuuyou?” You asked.

He blinked, as though surprised you would expect a reasonable answer about fashion from a shinobi. “The skirt complements your legs very well, my lady.”

You nodded, assured. You had opted for your precious fishnets again, with wedged sandals and a skirt to soften their effect. Would everything be different post-coitus? For better or worse? You let yourself into his office.

“Gaara?” You sweetened your voice as the door creaked open.

Two other Sand ninjas flanked Gaara’s desk. Their heads raised when you entered. You met Gaara’s eye immediately, who stiffened upon seeing you.

“Hello, gentlemen,” You said. “I would like a minute alone with my fiancée.”

The ninja exchanged glances. You watched in mild amusement as they obeyed without a word from Gaara and exited.

“They are instructed to listen to you now as well,” Gaara said as the door closed, reading the question on your face. “I thought it appropriate, as you will be a part of my family from now on.”

Butterflies fluttered in your chest as you strode to his desk. You will be a part of my family. You admired your cactus gift now present atop it, now the parent of two tiny succulents flanking either sides of it.

 “I apologize for leaving so abruptly,” Gaara said. “My responsibilities as Kazekage …”

“No!” You dismissed him with a nervous laugh. “Don’t apologize, it was nothing.”

“I never would have left you for anything less imperative,” Gaara said while shuffling papers. 

Gaara’s fingers grazed yours as they ghosted the wood of the desk. And, upon instinct, you crossed the desk to him. He stared ahead. Rose-colored the pale in his face as he set aside a folder.

“Last night was … all right?”

“That’s a bit of an understatement.” You looped a finger around one of his. “Funny. I was going to ask you the same.” 

“Nonsense.” Gaara’s grip grew firmer on your hand. “You were — are — everything a man could ask for.” 

You lowered your gaze sheepishly, not knowing what to say to that. 

Gaara gave an affirmative nod. “Good. At any rate, there is still much I wish for you to teach me.” He opened a drawer. You gawked at his collection of Icha Icha novels. 

“You keep these in here?”

“They don’t interfere with work, I assure you.”

“I could’ve sworn I taught you enough last night!” 

“Perhaps for one night,” Gaara said, “but not indefinitely.”

You giggled as he rose to admire you. A gentle smile narrowed his eyes. Gaara’s thumb brushed the side of your face. He left a kiss on your forehead. 

Gaara …

“I intend to spend more time with you once my work is done,” Gaara said as he parted from you.  

“I understand,” You said and, feigning tiredness, you added, “and in the meantime, I guess I’ll look to see what my father is up to.”

Gaara nodded wordlessly. You pet his hand, not quite through with the feel of his touch, before waving goodbye to him before leaving the office. 

You might as well have been walking on pure air; there was nothing tethering you to the earth. Nothing at all.

The end of the month began to draw near. You, your father, and Gaara were in talks about how the two villages would intersect from now on. Father was willing to split his Cyclone down the middle and gift you some of the members, but you weren’t too sure. There were certain classified documents he promised you could now read and, if you deemed it wise, share with Gaara. Those you were more interested in; if you could assist in the coming together of your two villages in any way, that was how you wanted to occupy your time. The diplomacy enthralled you.

But it wasn’t because you didn’t appreciate the effort; Father hadn’t been this warm toward you since the days before your mother had died. It made you feel precious to see him grow incensed about the attack at the beach. You had to suppress laughter when he promised he would send his best to hang your attacker at a town square, slice him into pieces (whatever suited his mood that day) until you steered him on to a different subject. You often had your breakfasts with him now, where he either asked you about your days with Gaara’s family or reminisced about the good old days of being a shinobi (whenever those were, but you knew better than to interject). 

And, of course, there was the ever-elusive oasis. 

You asked Father if he had told Gaara anything about your village’s greatest secret, but his answers were always vague. Supposedly, he was saving the juiciest information for last.

“He’s told me nothing,” Gaara said during one breakfast Father hadn’t roped you into, “and I think it’s because I haven’t asked. I don’t wish to seem too eager.”

“Well, they can have it,” Temari had said, twirling her fork. “I’m not really that curious about some puddle of water in the middle of the desert — no offense,” she added to you with an apologetic flash of a smile. “I just care about how much of a precedent this will set for other villages we’ve rivaled with.”

“Temari’s right,” Baki said before turning to Gaara. “Excellent deduction skills, Lord Kazekage; we wouldn’t want to make Lord Boutoku uncomfortable with our inquiries. The council is doing more than enough of that on their own.”

Kankuro, you noticed, had been strangely silent on the matter.

You and Gaara were sharing a room now, which you were sure was some kind of symbolic metaphor. You had few possessions to move in besides things that were left in your closet; the clothes you had brought with you to Sunagakure, the clothes you’d bought with Temari, simple knick knacks. Gaara was more than liberal with his personal space and seemed to welcome the intrusion.

You woke one morning — ready to retch. You tore the sheets off of you and sprinted to the bathroom. You ducked your head in the toilet and vomited until you dry-heaved. 

You collapsed to the side with a groan. You wiped your mouth and flushed it away. 

“Are you all right, my lady?” one of the servants asked, her voice muffled through the closed door. 

“I’m — I’m fine!” You rubbed your chest, stiff and aching from the retching. 

What was this all about? You hadn’t eaten anything out of the ordinary? In fact, you’d barely eaten anything at all the past few days. Nothing beyond what was necessary to sustain you. Your mind had been on things far more urgent than food. How could you —

A sharp, cold chill ran over you.

No … it can’t be. 

 … It could. 

Leaving out your first night with Gaara, the others had been … extensive. And sorely lacking in protection. 

Oh. Oh —

“Damn you, Jiraiya-sensei!” You hissed as you scampered to your feet. 

This wasn’t supposed to happen! His characters never used protection! What a fantasy!

But you should’ve known better, after all the stories noble women had shared with you about their accidental pregnancies. Some had even fallen pregnant on their cycle. All of these cautionary tales had impelled the younger ones to be more careful. You had not been careful. 

You were pregnant.

Your head spun as you faced yourself in the mirror, ready to … you didn’t know. Laugh maniacally? Cry? Be … happy? 

Happy?

You brushed a hand over your belly. Could it be possible you were growing life there at that very moment? Your child? Gaara’s child? You would be a mother? All of these casualties formed chaotic webs inside your mind, one string falling after the last. Your overactive brain flashed images of you and Gaara and children that looked like both of you. A family. A proper family …

Worry was replaced with rising elation, like a morning sun coming to bring clarity. What if you were pregnant? Wouldn’t it be a good thing? And the wedding … no one would ever know you had gotten pregnant before; in no way would you start showing before the time came. 

Who would you tell? Who could you tell? Temari? Would she be upset with you? 

You wished, more than anything, to have your mother. 

She would know what to do. You felt a strange kinship with her suddenly; was this what it was like for her when she had discovered her pregnancy? Your mind went a mile a minute. You knew who you could tell.

Finally, you stepped out of the bathroom to see serving ladies and Chuuyou looking concerned.

“I’m fine, really!” You assured. Your mind was made up. “Chuuyou.”

“Yes, my lady?” his soothing voice hit your ear.

“I need to see my father.”

“Ahh, and if it isn’t my favorite daughter.”

Chuuyou stepped aside so you could enter your father’s room. The windows were drawn to let in the morning sun. Tendrils of steam curled into the air from his teacup. All of this was contradicted by him fanning himself on one of the couches. 

“Hello, Father,” You greeted.

“Come, come.” He centered the tray on the table.”And to what do I owe this early meeting? I wasn’t expecting to see you for a few hours more.”

“Well, uh.” You watched your father’s hands dance around the tea. He poured you a cup and offered it to you. You accepted it with a tight smile. “I have something to tell you.”

Father sipped his tea. “I’m all ears.”

“Well …” You lowered your gaze to your mug, the steam heating your chin. “I woke up feeling sick this morning —“

“Oh, don’t tell me.” Father snapped his fan closed with a chuckle. “You inherited your weak stomach from your mother. Shame, shame. The woman was my entire world, but the poor thing could be so —“

“I think I may be pregnant.”

… 

…

Breeze whipped the curtain hems with a howl. Chuuyou seemed to take in a sharp breath in the corner, unseen by you; You only had eyes for Father. He’d become a statue, facing you without seeing.

“Pregnant?” Father’s voice was hushed, low. “You’re sure?”

“We — well, I’m not entirely sure.” You twiddled your fingers. “I haven’t done any tests, but it’s a possibility …” You cleared your throat, lowering your gaze. “Highly possible. I was sick this morning, and I’ve never felt anything like that before. We can visit the infirmary together to be sure —“

“You stupid girl.”

You glanced up — hot tea seared your face.

You screamed, hands flying to your face as you doubled over to the sound of china shattering. 

“Chuuyou!” Father roared, “close the curtains!”

You collapsed on the floor, still holding your face. Every part of your face burned, hot and horrible. You wailed. Curtains rustled. A hand seized the hem of your shirt to hoist you to your feet. 

“Get up — GET UP — look at me!” Father snarled, shaking you. 

You obeyed with a frightened whimper. Your blurred vision of Father struggled to focus in the darkness. “Father — father, please —!” 

“What did I ever do for the gods to curse me with you?” he yanked you closer. “I’ve been as patient as possible, but this? I am so sick of your whorish ways!”

“Father, fath —!”

“Chuuyou told me everything about your filthy little tryst with the Kazekage in his greenhouse,” Father hissed, hot breath close to your face. “Why do you think I’m here —!?”

He tossed you. You were a fool to think the couch would meet you; your back collided with the hard ground. You stumbled, fumbling away on the wet floor on wobbling hands and feet as Father advanced.

“Did you think I would be overjoyed to see you married off to our greatest enemy? Stupid girl!” He picked up another tea cup and threw it at your head. You dodged with a shriek and it split apart at the wall.

You gasped, clutching at the wall. Something came to light in your head, wedged by the horror. The greenhouse … You glanced at Chuuyou. At the same moment, he met your eye. 

You had been alone with Gaara in the greenhouse. But you were never alone, not really. And Baki had been assured by his own informants the two of you hadn’t been seen. But you had been seen. But not by Matsuri. By someone who was always watching, for you had your guardian, your supposed protector.

Your shadow.

“It was you …” You whispered. “You spread the word about the greenhouse …”

Chuuyou lowered his gaze. “Yes …”

“You told him!” You pointed to Father, a set of dominoes toppling in your mind. “You set up Matsuri!” 

He closed his eyes.

“Yes,” he muttered. “Once I realized you were truly falling in love with the Kazekage, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I left your side at times I knew you wouldn’t notice or care, and assured there were two Matsuris when there should have been one. I had a clone of her visit a gossip columnist in the village. I knew it would cause a scandal.” He bowed his head. “And it did.”

You shook your head, the level of scheming overwhelming to wrap your head around. “How could you?”

And one of Gaara’s closest? His precious student, of all people? But, with a sickening feeling in your stomach unrelated to the fetus growing there, you began to understand: It would appear as though Gaara was a leader, a Kage, who did not have his house in order, who could not control those closest to him. An unstable house was one easy to topple. How he must have felt in the desert, when morning had come and Gaara was still alive. 

“The Sand must be defeated, My Lady —“

“Do not call me that!” You shrieked. “You have no right to call me that!” 

“This village is duplicitous, it is evil!” Chuuyou went on. “All the years of humiliation, of oppression ― it cannot be undone by something so cynical as a political marriage! They must pay for the pain they have caused us.”

“You helped to sully Gaara’s reputation to spread doubt in the council.” You felt you might retch again. “To strengthen the factions already against him.”

“His reputation has already been sullied. He is a monster — he was born on —“

“And my reputation, Chuuyou?” You murmured, your heart breaking even more than you thought it could, thought it capable. “What about mine?”

Chuuyou opened his eyes only to cast his gaze to the floor, shame keeping him from lifting his chin.

“You were supposed to protect me …” Rage and sorrow toiled inside you. And he failed both times.

You felt dirty and depraved, deprived. Chuuyou, the one person you felt you could always trust even if his shadowing had been bothersome at times. But then … What kind of fool were you? Chuuyou had been chosen by your father, after all. Anyone imposed by him should have raised your alarm, should have cast doubt within you. 

“The opinion of those living in the Sand will cease to matter once I have instilled myself as their ruler,” Father said. You had not forgotten he was there. You could never forget. “I was really hoping you would surprise me,” Father’s voice was low as he glowered over you. “Everything I have taught you … I was hoping you had some sound reason for delaying your task. But instead you come to me, suspicious of carrying his child. You are so pathetically predictable.”

“So it was all lies,” You said. “All of it, from the moment you came.”

“My time here has been miserable,” Father hissed. “Having to watch you play house with that thing” — he threw his hand — “and his family. I am here for one reason and one only, and that is to take matters into my own hands.”

Your eyes widened at him. It was all beginning to make sense now. The letter — it had come after the greenhouse. Your father and his Cyclone. You had thought him simply paranoid, wanting his own protection.

That was not why.

You thought of the other Oasis ninja littered all over the palace — the entire village. Perfectly poised to act. All they needed was to be given word … 

“So you’ve just been —“ You struggled to get words out. “Biding your time?”

“In a manner of speaking,” Father said. “It seems, despite my intentions, I have friends in this village.” His smile was cold. “Members of the council would like to see the Kazekage’s removal.”

A cold chill. Joseki. And only the gods knew who else. No. No …!

You weren’t quick enough — Father grabbed you again. 

“I would hate to kill kin,” he said. “I am giving you not a mission, but a choice. Either you kill your beloved, or you can join your mother and brother in the afterlife.”

You stared at him. Tears ran down your face. “You wouldn’t,” You whispered hopelessly. “You wouldn’t.”

The madness had returned to your father’s eyes. Dread sank you; the madness had never left him. 

“It would be a shame if I had to kill my unborn grandchild as well, a blight on our family that it is.”

He dropped you and you fell sloppily to the floor. You cradled your head as it throbbed. You cracked your eyes open, sobbing in the corner as Father left the room, and Chuuyou, his sorrowful gaze lingering on you, followed him.

You hated no one more than yourself.

You had no idea how long you laid on the floor, shattered dreams and china surrounding you. Darkness and quiet swallowed up the room. Spilled tea long cold wet the bottom of your sandals. Time blurred miserably, thick and colorless, and you inferred that it must’ve been hours. You had managed to pick yourself off the floor and skulk to the room that had once been yours. Chuuyou’s loss weighed your step where he would’ve trailed them. Locking the door behind you, you waited to collapse on the bed to collapse in every other way.

You screamed into a pillow, your tears wetting the fabric. You clenched fists into its plush, and you were sure you could rip it apart, powered by nothing but anguish.

Emotions had blinded you. You were so desperate to believe your father had changed his mind you had missed the truth: he only wanted to succeed where you had failed. 

He was playing along. All this time … All the while working out sinister background details with Joseki and — horror rained down on you — others to take down Gaara. Had all those times at his bedside been a lie? You couldn’t quite believe it; Father’s joy had seemed so genuine, his laughter — when was the last time you’d heard him laugh? He’d been a different person, an echo of something long lost. The memories of all those mornings evoked a different ache in you, impelling you to touch a hand on your chest. I lost the father I never had. That’s why I feel the way I do.

Chuuyou (your shadow, what a joke) had, at some point, slipped away to frame Matsuri. What was her role in this? Beside your angst lay curiosity; a part of you wanted to go to her cell and ask her yourself.

But you couldn’t. There was no time. Angst. Curiosity. Alarm. You were possibly carrying Gaara’s child — and wouldn’t be for much longer, if you didn’t do something fast. You wiped your tears with the back of your arm, releasing a shuddering breath as you rose from bed.

There was only one card you had to play: you had to tell Gaara. Now.

You picked yourself up from your self-hate, composed yourself, and left the room for the one you shared with Gaara. He had to be there by now; it was late afternoon. The last time you had turned your head to the sky, it had been periwinkle. Your head had swelled with dreams. You hadn’t wanted to die.

You lugged yourself around, giving idle hellos to maids and servants who greeted you, working past hallways now familiar to you until you made it to the bedroom door and entered.

“Gaara …!” You were relieved. 

Gaara sat at the bed’s edge, one leg swung over the other. Unharmed. He raised his head to smile at you. “(Y/n). Hello. I was just waiting for you.”

You brought him into a hug. “Thank the gods …” You whispered into his sleeve.

You felt his hand still at the small of your back. “(Y/n) … There have been some issues.”

You pulled back to stare inquisitively up at him. Carefully, you asked, “What do you mean? … What types of issues?”

Gaara cast his gaze low. “Would you be opposed to remaining only in the palace?”

“Gaara.” Your brows furrowed. “What’s going on?”

Gaara still averted your gaze. “I hate asking this of you — you’ve been so sequestered already — but … There are anti-Kazekage sentiments brewing across the village.”

“Anti-Kazekage …” You trailed. Did this have to do with the greenhouse? Or your father? Or both? “Gaara, oh no … I’m sorry …”

“Don’t be,” Gaara said. “It’s as I told you: not all have come to accept me. And as there has been a significant uptick in drama lately, it was to be expected. I highly doubt it will leak to the entire village. I’ll deal with it.” He glanced up at you at last. “But I fear for your safety, especially after what took place at the beach …” He stopped, invisible brows furrowed as he appraised you. “Is something the matter?”

“Yes.” There was no point sugarcoating. This was it. You couldn’t be a coward anymore. Do the right thing for once. For your husband. For the baby. “My —“ 

But your tongue refused to work; it lay limp in your mouth. Your lips parted, but only breath escaped. Sound, no words. 

Gaara took your hand. “Take your time. That is what Temari would always tell me when I had trouble speaking as a child.” He paused. “As a young child.”

“I’m all right,” You said, creating some distance between the two of you. “I’m — okay, really! It’s just, my —“ Again, your tongue froze. Your lips closed against your will, refusing to help you impart speech. You tried to force words out — only to remain hopelessly tongue tied. You closed your eyes with a sinking realization.

Your heart ramped. Panic set in. Oh, no. Oh no oh no.

Father’s done something to me. I can’t say it! I can hardly  think !

“Are you okay?” 

“Gaara …” Fear shallowed your breath. It gripped you like a child hiding from the dark, and you wished you had a teddy to hug. I’m so scared. What should I do?

“(Y/n).” Gaara’s voice was firm now.

You closed your eyes, bringing Gaara close. “No.” You shook your head. “I — I just …” You fought tears. You couldn’t tell the truth, and now you truly couldn’t. I can’t tell him — I literally can’t tell him. “I just can’t stay inside anymore! I feel so claustrophobic, but — but I always seem to be causing trouble for you … That shouldn’t be the case for someone you love.”

“No.” Gaara caressed your cheek. “If anything, I cause trouble for you.” And with all the authority of a Kage, he said, “I will address this. I’m sorry, truly, but it will only be for a few more days. No longer.”

Like you cared about living or being anywhere besides the Sand palace. Like you wouldn’t want to burrow into it and stay forever. Wordlessly, you brought him into a hug. You wanted to burrow inside him, hide in your fiancée, the only place you felt safe. Even if he couldn’t save you.

“If anything, I cause trouble for you,” Gaara said. He stroked the nape of your neck, his voice as gentle as autumn rain. “Forgive me.”

You pinched at his sleeve, a cue for him to comfort you more, and, miraculously, Gaara obliged, running a hand over your arm.

“You … could never cause trouble for me.”

“Do you think (Y/n) has been acting strangely lately?” Gaara asked. 

His siblings lounged around the sitting room, accompanied by Baki. Despite the demands of their respective duties, some days were slower than others. Gaara lived for these days where he could enjoy the company of his family and friends, and he enjoyed it now, even with his concern for you.

At his inquiry, Temari stopped fanning herself. “Hm?”  “I haven’t noticed anything. Though … I haven’t seen much of Lord Boutoku lately. Oh.” She sighed and rested her chin on her palm. “I hope the council’s not crowding him too much. Did you hear Ryusa kept him out all day yesterday?”

“Serves him right,” Kankuro grumbled. “Geezers. All of them. He’s got some nerve, always retiring to his room because he’s tired — like he doesn’t have servants waiting on him hand and foot.”

“I’ve heard about people having …” Gaara fought the anxiety inside of him as he reached for the term, “cold feet …”

“Certainly not, Lord Kazekage,” Baki said. “You must understand: women are mysterious creatures. They need a great deal of time to themselves.”

“I second that,” Temari said. “It’s a surprise you’re not married, Baki.”

Baki gave her a flat look. “Oh, is it?”

“Gaara,” she said, ignoring Baki, “I’m sure she’s fine. Don’t worry.”

“Yeah, I’ll go check on her for you,” Kankuro said. 

Gaara frowned. “But …”

Kankuro placed a hand on Gaara’s shoulder on his way out. “Big brother will take care of it. Don’t worry.”

Gaara appreciated the levity, and after a second or two nodded.

“Thank you, Kankuro.”

Kankuro made it to Gaara’s quarters. He could hear the trickle of shower water. The bed was perfectly made, along with the rest of the room. Not a hair out of place — beside your necklace on the bedside table.

Kankuro sighed. Worried about nothing, as always, Gaara. The necklace’s disk caught in the lamplight. Curiosity tugged at him. He approached the necklace. He remembered the pomp-and-circumstance that came along with Lord Boutoku bestowing it on you. The whole thing was cheesy, but … sweet. He knew how much you loved the thing, were never seen without it. Maybe the old man wasn’t so bad. Crazy, but not bad. 

Kankuro grazed the necklace’s face — he misjudged it, though, and it clanked to the floor.

“Woops.” He knelt down to retrieve it, only to see its disk had cracked open. 

His eyes widened. “Oh no,” he hissed. “No!”

Kankuro, what the fuck did you —?

Glistening black caught his eye. The necklace had broken apart at its center like a metaphorical heart, allowing something to … seep from it.

Something was inside the necklace.

He leaned forward to further inspect it.

Your hands ran absentmindedly over your body. The hot water did nothing to change the corpse-cold temperature of your skin. With numb fingers, you shut the water off, your hair dripping over the valve.

You felt othered from your own body, trapped in it with no choices, no resolution. The clock ticked imminently to doomsday in your mind. When would Father attack? Would he make you watch it as punishment? 

I hope he kills me first. I do not want to see what he does next.

You palmed your stomach and imagined the fetus occupying your womb. The only thing anchoring you from life, and you had even failed this life before it was even born.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Only a few days ago, you were reeling at the prospect of marrying Gaara, only sooner you were imagining starting a family. What a risible delusion. What a farce.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

You left the shower and wrapped a towel around yourself. A new set of dry clothes lay folded for you, and after drying off, you dressed. Fresh clothes. Soft. Flowery-scented shampoo, soap. The warmth of the clothes failed to penetrate your skin, much like the shower water had. You felt carved, rounded out and empty, like a shell whose creature had long since slithered away.

You reached for your necklace — it was gone. 

What? Your reverie cleared enough for you to ponder. Had you misplaced it? Remembering one moment from another had become a struggle. What had you done with it?

Unless it was taken?

Your eyes widened. Panic shattered the reverie completely. What if Father had taken it, or had someone do it? 

You exited the room, head swinging either way. Where would you look? The only place that came to mind was the sitting room. You headed there, descended the stairs to the last floor —

“Has anyone seen my —?”

Gaara was there, waiting for you. And Temari and Kankuro. And Baki. And a dozen other sand ninja.

You froze on the stairs.

Kankuro, blank-faced, lifted his hand: your necklace chain roped around his fingers and hung there. “Looking for something?” He turned half of the necklace’s broken face and the poison dripped blood-black dots onto the floor.

Your body, flushed from running, ran corpse-cold again. “I …”

“(Y/n) …” Gaara said. “What is this?”

Your throat was too constricted to help form words. A thousand knives seemed to hold you in place.

“An incredibly powerful agent, I’d say,” Kankuro finished for him in a detached, clinical voice, though nothing could conceal the cold fury underneath. “Extracted from the Red Spine plant. Grows from her side of the desert. I’ve even read about it … You would’ve been dead in seconds, Gaara.”

You shook your head wildly. “No, Gaara, Kankuro — I can explain …!”

“So that’s why Boutoku’s here,” Temari said under her breath. You could see the whites of her knuckles from where you stood. Shadows shrouded her eyes before she fixed you with a murderous glare. “You planned to poison him.”

There was no air in your lungs. “No … no …. Wait, I — please —“

“This whole time …” Kankuro’s anger simmered under his breath, barely held back. “It’s all been a ruse. You were waiting for us to let our guards down —“

“No!”

“I knew something was off!” Temari roared, a hysterical edge to her voice now. “I knew something was wrong! This whole time — and when you woke up in the infirmary and flipped out about the necklace being gone! You thought we’d found out!”

Tears were streaming down your face now. You tried to move your mouth helplessly to reveal the truth, but no words were forthcoming. As Father designed, your tongue rolled and failed you.

It doesn’t matter. I knew. I agreed to all of this. All of it.

“There must be some explanation.” Gaara’s voice was measured, but even you could detect the hint of desperation in his tone. “A misunderstanding …?”

You kept moving your mouth, but you were sure you only appeared stammering and pathetic, grasping at straws to craft into lies. Your legs failed; you slumped to a step. You caught Baki’s eye, quietly pleading, but disappointment seemed to keep him silent.

“There isn’t, Gaara.” Kankuro took a step. You’d never seen him look so imposing; his face paint rendered him monstrous. “She’s been wearing that fucking thing since she got here, since I brought her to you —!”

Kankuro threw the necklace, emptied of its contents, into your face. You yelped, catching it with trembling hands. Temari’s 

hands shook, aching, probably, for a weapon to strike you with.

“You snake!” Kankuro hissed. “After everything —!”

“Gaara …” You looked up — and your heart fell to pieces.

Gaara was a stone, but his eyes were lined with moisture. You had brought him to near tears.

You had done this.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Baki asked. “If you’ve anything at all to say.”

“Please, Gaara  …” You were crawling away from the stairs now, toward them. “Please, please …”

Save me.

Gaara turned away from you. His expression was cold. 

“Take her.”

“No!” You screamed as ninja advanced to grab you. You kicked as you were hoisted to your feet. “No, you can’t, Gaara!” You were being thrust through the threshold when your voice ripped from your throat: “I’M PREGNANT!”

The shinobi paused, turned to Gaara for guidance. 

Gaara searched your eyes, his expression reserved in his desperation for this to be true. 

“Please,” You sobbed. “It’s true … You can’t do this. You know it’s possible.” 

He turned around, this time his back to you. “She’ll be given a test to confirm whether this is true. We can no longer take her on her word. We’re done here … Take her.”

You sobbed miserably as you were dragged away. Temari and Kankuro’s words filtered through your awareness, but nothing registered.

“Matsuri needs to be released, we need to go get her —“

“We have to deal with Boutoku now!” 

“I can’t believe this —“

But it all fell away as you lolled your head to the side. Brutal daylight hit your face as you were dragged from the palace’s entrance, and through blurry eyes, you watched the place that had become your home grow farther away. Nothing but a dream.

#gaara x reader #gaara x you #gaara x y/n #gaara smut #naruto x reader #naruto x y/n #naruto x you #naruto smut #my work

[delirious-donna]

2 for one for the character kinks <3

Gaara: Bondage

Rock Lee: Orgasm denial

Gaara - Bondage

Definitely a yes and in both giving and receiving (I firmly believe it would take some time for Gaara to gain the trust in you before he is willing to make himself vulnerable in that way). I can imagine he gets very turned on by the sight of you splayed out on the bed and bound at the wrists and ankles.

Actually, I feel like Gaara could be one to push a little further and maybe even own and use a spreader bar. Being able to manipulative the tension and how wide your legs are spread whilst he toys with your pretty little cunt. Cooing in that low gravelly tone as he swipes rough fingers along your slit to gather the nectar that flows freely at being bound and under his hungry gaze. “Shall I fuck your tight hole with you like this, or how about like this?” He asks whilst flipping you over onto your front, chest pushed into the mattress and ass high in the air.

Rock Lee - Orgasm Denial

Mm, a tough one. I don’t think Lee would be very into edging in the sense of giving it out. He is so sweet and caring of his partner that he wants to see them happy at all times, the thought of denying you pleasure or that you might even cry from that denial… no, I don’t think he could bear it.

However, receiving is a different story. Lee can endure a lot, we all know that and being teased and edged to the brink of his sanity would probably be both torturous and overwhelmingly enjoyable for him. Stroking his achingly hard cock as it weeps thick precum, licking it up to his whimpered moans and sweat beaded on his brow… “Are you close, baby? Should I let you cum this time?” Watching as he nods fervently, wide luminous eyes beseeching you to let him find that final release that you’ve strung out for almost too long.

Oh god that orgasm would be explosive to say the least.

Send me a character and a kink and I’ll tell you if they are into it or not.

#delirious answers #nightingale my darling #gaara x reader #gaara smut #rock lee x reader #rock lee smut

[bridgetotheskyyy]

chapter four.

masterlist

Chapter summary: Gaara shares his past, there's a cactus, and you get a letter . . .

Chapter warnings: sexual content, 18+, psychoactive elements, angst, drama

Word count: 13k

A/N: I’m not completely satisfied with the pacing of this one, So, I hope y’all are okay with this being the chapter where Everything Happens lmfaooo. Once again, please forgive any errors you might see. I was slightly less hawkish with this chapter to get it out. Thank you and hope you enjoy!

Read on ao3 here

“Ah, I see.” Baki’s voice dipped with disappointment.

Gaara and Temari had returned to brief Baki on everything, though Temari did most of the heavy-lifting in explaining. Kankuro was absent, though; the moment they had returned, he had taken it upon himself to continue his sub-Kazekage duties and, two days into their return to Sunagakure, they hadn’t seen much of him since.

“There was always a risk,” Baki said. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad Lord Kazekage and Lady (Y/n) were able to enjoy their time, short though it was. And …” Baki set a sheet of paper aside, brows drawn together in thought. “that Lady (Y/n) was able to return relatively unscathed.”

Gaara shared in Baki’s discreet concern; you had said so little to him during the trip back, and after being checked thoroughly by medical nin, you were sent to bed for vital rest. Your accoster had no assailants they needed to worry about. They even had a sea-side town ready to assist them if they needed anything as a payoff. From a perspective that was coldly shinobi, it wasn’t a bad deal. 

But Gaara continued to replay the scene in his head — his sand wrapped around the man who’d assaulted you, his rage, your pleading, your voice so small, so helpless.

I frightened her.

It had been long since Gaara had felt a guilt quite like this — since he’d felt an anger like that. And now the shame, like the anger, threatened to drown him. It weighed his every step.

You, someone he came to see more and more as his future wife.

“In the meantime, we’ll tighten security,” Temari told Gaara. “No more trips or lavish shopping sprees until the news of this has died down. Hell,” Temari shrugged, “maybe even until after the wedding.”

Gaara felt Temari’s stare but did not take the bait.

“Lord Kazekage …?” Baki began measuredly. “Is there something you’d like to add?”

It was a moment before Gaara answered, grimacing. “I was a fool … and rash.”

“Gaara,” Temari cooed, placing a hand on his shoulder. “No …”

Your pleading lived in his mind, and your voice resurrected ghosts. All the ones he had killed, all the blood shed in the name of his bloodlust, his soullessness … Hundreds, maybe thousands. Gaara chafed against the memory of his old self.

Gaara, please … don’t.

“I feel …” Gaara gripped hard at the arms he had crossed, “as though I’ve … relapsed.”

“Lord …” Baki sounded stricken.

“Gaara, no,” Temari said firmly. 

Gaara thought of the desert, of you sleeping beside him. Your trembling breath easing as you fell into slumber beside him was the only peace he had enjoyed that night or since. He’d been so relieved you had come to see him at all. What a miracle. 

But he could still smell fear on you. An image spiked in his mind, thorny and awful, of you, eyes wide as you recoiled. Desperate to get away. Gaara squirmed with the thought. 

“Anyone would have done the same,” Baki said. “You were only trying to protect Lady (Y/n).”

“Baki’s right,” Temari murmured. “It’s only natural to want to protect the ones you lo —“

Temari paused, touched fingers to her lips, surprised by her own near choice of words.

Love.

Did he love you? How would he know? Maybe not, but … You were becoming precious to him. And yet … 

Love is the heart’s desire to serve those precious to us. 

If you weren’t someone he loved, you were someone he was coming to love. 

Had he ruined things? 

He’d been driven by a desire to protect you, true, but it felt a lie to pretend his feelings were strictly heroic, like the liquid hot desire to strangle the man’s neck hadn’t lived beside the need to save you. Gaara stood; Temari’s hand slipped from his shoulder. 

“I know what I have to do,” he said.

Gaara knew Temari understood, though she pretended not to. “What …?”

Gaara clenched his fist. 

“I have to tell her the truth. About my past.”

You were all right. Physically, at least. 

You cradled yourself in bed with a sickened groan as another wave of anxiety set your chest aflame. You pressed a hand to your sternum; the ache there restricted your breathing. Your head was weighed with cotton. You had eaten little, spoken to no one. 

You ached for the obliviousness of sleep, where Hideo awaited to make you laugh, where he and you sat under cloudless skies on uneventful days, where he let you rest your head on his leg and drift off to the sound of his voice, where you were anything but who you were. 

Your head whirled; your options spider-webbed, each one worse than the last. What could you do now? If you told them about your father’s nefarious plans, would they believe you? Would they understand you had changed and had no intention of hurting Gaara? But you had just such intentions in the tent, determined as you were to let it all end. Only Temari had found you, and Gaara’s waking was the only thing that staved off her suspicions. 

I am a fool. You had incriminated yourself by going to his bedside. Your hands wouldn’t be clean because you exposed your father; if anything, it would only look like you were simply trying to cover all your bases.

If you wanted to hurt him, however, you had been given ample opportunities to do so. But —

But but but.

Your webs tangled and knotted. You were selfish. You didn’t want any harm to come to Gaara or his loved ones, but you also didn’t want to sacrifice … whatever this was. This play at a family. This ruse. Despite the panic you suppressed, you had never been so happy.

You touched your lips and remembered the kiss Gaara had left there. 

You raised from bed, the sheets pooling around your abdomen. You couldn’t stay here and drive yourself crazy. And … you were sure Gaara and his siblings were worried, along with Baki. But the absence of people had been refreshing. You were alone and thus had no need to perform.

It’s enough. You’ll just go mad. 

You dressed appropriately: a simple shirt — your beloved fishnet underneath; it made you look and feel stronger —  and pants and heeled sandals. Simple but still pretty. You inspected yourself in the mirror. You combed your hair, combined it again, three times for good measure. You straightened your clothes, eliminating every wrinkle. You wanted to look nice. You liked looking nice, but today it was essential to you. You couldn’t give away your inner turmoil. You wanted Gaara to think you looked nice, too, and, after minutes of excessive grooming, you thought you did. You looked every bit the normal girl you wanted to be. If anyone saw you now, they would see an ordinary villager in Sunagakure. 

 The necklace gave you away.

What you wouldn’t give to be a normal, ordinary girl. A normal father, a normal family. Hideo was the closest thing you ever had to a normal family bond. Protective and kind. And gone. And you didn’t know how or why.

Or who.

Stop pitying yourself and just go. You twisted the doorknob to exit your room. 

“Kankuro? Kankuro! Are you even listening to me?”

Kankuro stamped document after document with automated precision. Only when Temari’s hand came over his own did he pause.

He sighed. “Temari, unless it’s important, please let me get back to work.”

“Look at me.”

Kankuro raised his head, where Temari’s concerned gaze waited for him. 

There she goes, being all motherly again …

“How are Gaara and (Y/n)?” he asked, feeling defeated.

Temari withdrew her hand. “We haven’t seen (Y/n) in a while, but the nurses say she’s well. And Gaara, well …” Temari grimaced. “Kankuro, I can’t help but feel like something bad is going to happen.”

Kankuro shot her an exasperated look. “This again? We’ve been over this —“

“No,” Temari intercepted. “Not about (Y/n), just … in general.”

“This sixth sense of yours would’ve been a little more helpful at the beach, y’know.”

The dig was below the belt and Kankuro knew it, instantly regretted it, but Temari seemed not to mind. “Hey, if I wasn’t busy helping you swindle greasy septuagenarians so you could win fancy pirate coins, I probably would’ve been more helpful.”

Kankuro shuffled sheets of paper to find the one demanding attention.

“I know,” he said solemnly.

“Like I said, we all slipped up.” Temari crossed her arms. “I don’t hold it against you. I thought I could talk to you, is all.”

“You can talk to me, Temari.”

Temari cast her gaze to the floor. “I’m worried about Gaara. He’s beating himself up over that rogue ninja … He thinks he relapsed, Kankuro.”

“Relapsed?” Kankuro parroted. 

“His word, not mine,” Temari said. “It’s been a long time since he’s been that angry and almost killed someone and enjoyed the prospect of it.” Temari fidgeted. “He says he’s going to tell her everything.”

Kankuro’s eyes widened. “Everything?”

“Yep.” Temari sunk into a nearby chair. 

“Well,” Kankuro began. “That’s his business.”

“I can’t help thinking we should interfere. Help him, somehow.”

“No,” Kankuro gave her a pointed look. “If they’re going to get married, there can’t be any secrets. Especially not ones that big. Gaara knows that. His past is one hell of a thing to keep from his fiancé. She deserves to know what she’s getting into.”

Temari faced him. “But his past would be hard to swallow even if she was a ninja. What if she doesn’t understand? If she can’t handle it? And he really likes her … He really likes her.” She paused with this realization, as though it had caught up to her at last. “I can see that. After all, I almost …”

Temari’s sentence died away.

“Only more reason to tell her the truth,” Kankuro said. “If she can’t handle it, then she’s not the one.”

Temari met his eye, the turquoise of hers reminding him so much of their mother. “… What if she leaves him?”

Kankuro’s emotions were tugged by the sorrow in Temari’s voice. Gaara. His little brother, who had lost so, so much, had lived such a harrowing life. Could he take another disappointment? You running away, as the villagers had? Relapse. What a choice of words.

“I trust Gaara,” Kankuro muttered. “He’s stronger than any of us could have imagined, in more ways than one. He knows the risk better than us, too, and what he can handle. The truth has to prevail. After all, what is love based on?”

Temari stared at him crookedly. “When’d you get so smart?”

Kankuro shrugged, secretly thankful for the sudden levity. “When you weren’t looking.” Another shrug. “By watching the two of you.”

“What did you ever do with that medallion, by the way?”

Kankuro dismissed this with a wave of a hand. “Gave it away, like you said.”

Temari doubled back. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Kankuro tossed a sheet of paper. “You were right; anything worth that much should go to the village. In the end, I was happy to be rid of it. Least I could do.”

Temari eyed him as he resumed his stamping. “You’ve really stepped up, Lord Kazekage. I’m proud of you.”

“Yeah, well.” Kankuro chuckled. “Let’s just be grateful it won’t be permanent.”

You forced yourself to eat a balanced meal in the dining hall. You enjoyed the quiet meal and afterward set your mind to finding Gaara and the others — but it turned out you didn’t need to; a servant found you doodling in the hallway who promised to take you to Gaara.

Gaara had sent for you. 

He brought you to the roof of the Kazekage’s office. He spoke little; the tension the quiet heightened increased the anxiety already latent in you.

You looked toward him; Gaara’s back was to you, the day’s breeze rustling his hair and the long hem of his crimson coat. 

“Gaara …?”

Gaara turned to you. “(Y/n) …” He grimaced, as though the words sitting on his tongue were too bitter for his taste.

You approached him. You had no desire to rush him to speak. Your anxiety spiked a thought — Is he going to confess? — and you drew in a sharp breath. You placed a hand on the railing to steady you, the sandstone stable beneath your palm. You looked out into his village. Cliffs swallowed the village, dramatizing the shadows beginning to creep as the day dwindled. 

“We haven’t spoken for a while,” Gaara said. “How’re you feeling?”

“Oh.” Your shrug coincided with a sheepish smile. “Fine … I haven’t been sleeping too well, but otherwise …”

“Perhaps … it’s because we’re not sleeping together anymore,” Gaara said.

Your head shot up, cheeks red. His shy smile dawned realization in you: he’s joking.

“Oh, har-har,” You said. “When did you become so witty?”

“I’ve learned a thing or two from Kankuro, you could say,” Gaara said. 

You laughed to yourself. A silence fell, though it was not as awkward as you imagined it might be.

“I am sorry I have spoken to you …”

“It’s all right,” You said. “I’ve been …” You struggled, drumming your hands on the railing. “I mean. Gaara, I’ve —”

That night,” Gaara began. “I’m glad you came to me. That … you haven’t come to fear me. I’m sure you must’ve been afraid — in general, if not … of me.”

“Of course,” You said. You had done a lot of thinking about that. Gaara had been driven to rage to save you. It had been horrible, but it was because the rogue ninja had tried to hurt you. And worse; he had been intending to hold you hostage, to drive your father to action. A tradeoff. And the gods only know what he had planned on doing with you in the space between the beginning of your capture and its end. “You did come to save me — twice, actually. From drowning and from him.”

“I wouldn’t have let either happen.”

You nodded, held his gaze. The comment, though obvious, still sent a warm sense of protection through you. One you had never felt at home. If the rogue had succeeded, would your father have spent a dime to ensure your return? Would you have been worth it? Would it have been out of love or to save himself the embarrassment? You didn’t know. You didn’t know.

 Another pause. Gaara broke eye contact first, lowering his gaze to his hand on the railing.

“I’ve been a coward,” Gaara said. “I’ve been … putting off telling you the truth about some things. Allow me an opportunity to share my history with you.”

You blinked before acquiescing with a nod, shifty-eyed though you were.

“Okay,” You said. “But don’t call yourself that; you’re not a coward in the slightest.”

If anything, I’m the coward.

“Reserve your judgment; you may feel differently once I’ve told you everything.”

The sunset colors complimented Gaara so well as he eyed the horizon, seemingly lost in the past.

“Before my birth, the Sand suffered from cuts to our budget from the Wind Daimyo,” Gaara began. “That put the village at a vast disadvantage. The Fourth Kazekage — my father — felt it best to create an ultimate weapon that could heighten the village’s reputation and render us formidable to our rivals. He decided that one of his children would come to house a demon and become that ultimate weapon.”

You froze. A demon. In the sky bound journey to the beach, hand on your hip, Gaara had called it a spirit. Gaara turned to you, appraised your reaction to such a word. Years of practice aided in keeping your expression neutral, and he went on:

“Neither Temari or Kankuro could coexist with this demon, so my father decided I would be the weapon he so desired. By the time I was born, it was already done. It cost me my mother.” Gaara paused. “I was sheltered, like you. My father taught me shinobi arts privately, and I was cared for by my uncle, my mother’s brother, Yashamaru.”

You recognized the name in the madness of the story you were sure was only just beginning. 

“The villagers feared me because of what I was, but I kept trying to reach out … I couldn’t understand why I hurt people when I didn’t want to, why I couldn’t be normal.”

You swallowed. A normal girl.

“My father decided that this sentimentality was an impediment to my development as his tool, and so instructed my uncle to kill me —“

“What?” You placed a hand over your heart. 

Gaara’s lips quirked in an almost-smile, as though your horror was flattering in some way. “My uncle told me my mother had never loved me, and neither had he, before killing himself … I came to believe my life was the only one that mattered — that the sand that rose to protect me at all costs did so without fail. I believed my reason for existing was to kill others and preserve only myself.”

A self-sharpening tool.

“It was deceit,” Gaara said, facing you now. “My father only wanted me to believe all of this so I could be a proper tool for him. He had tried many times to kill me, but eventually stopped when he realized I could be of use once I had my powers under control. He sent me on missions to terrorize his enemies, and surely I killed many of the ninja from your village as well.”

Your village. Hideo. And yet you could not shave off the sympathy you had for Gaara.

“This is all so morbid,” You said. “How could a father be so cruel …”

And yet here you were, your father’s tool, sent to commit atrocities and seed divisions between your two villages. What if the idea had come to your father’s head and not Rasa’s? It scared you, how easily you could have been used in the exact same fashion. How you already were. Of all the things to have in common with Gaara, it had to be this.

“He wished to protect his village at all costs,” Gaara said hastily. “I understand his choice, though it has caused me great pain.”

You stared in disbelief. How? How could he forgive the Fourth for being so depraved? But you remained silent, sensing Gaara was not done.

“I went on killing, caring for no one but myself,” Gaara said. “My siblings were terrified of me. They hated me. Baki, too. The Sand plotted to attack the Leaf, as you know. We succeeded, partially, but then …”

“But then you met Naruto Uzumaki,” You finished for him. The pieces were beginning to click together.

“Yes,” Gaara said. “He was strong because he had those he loved. I didn’t understand it. I couldn’t understand it. Not at first. But he didn’t come to hate me. He saved me from the emptiness. I had someone who understood me … He changed me.” The dying light was gentle on him as he continued. “I returned to the village, determined to win them over, and show everyone I was sincere in my efforts to live differently and protect them. I discovered my father’s ploys: I really was loved by my mother and Yashamaru, and it only encouraged me to continue on.”

Gaara went on sharing more with you, and when you asked for clarifications, he gave them to you. It was all so much — for you were not a shinobi, but even if you were, it would still be much to swallow — but you tried to remain as silent as you could so as not to interrupt his story.

“I will never truly make up for the mistakes of my past,” Gaara said sorrowfully. “Those like Joseki have made that clear. But I can do what I can to improve.”

Your father hadn’t shared any of this with you. Gaara had been a child. But, you supposed, none of this would have mattered to Father. Your eyes fell over him, admiration flooding you. How could one person be so strong? What an anticlimactic, nihilistic end your mission would have been for Gaara. All that work to change, to do better, all to be murdered in his bed by some harlot …

You resumed your finger-drumming. Gaara raised his head expectantly.

“I am sure this is much to take in,” Gaara said, the edges of his voice tinged with nerves, though he tried to hide it. “But … it was wrong of me to not tell you the moment you arrived in my village. I am sorry.”

“No.” Your eyes stung as you shook your head. “It’s — It’s okay.”

Gaara nodded curtly. He averted his eyes.

“I understand,” You blurted out. 

His head shot up. “You do?”

“As much as I can,” You said. “I don’t hold this — any of this — against you, Gaara.” You came forward, felt him flinch as you caressed his cheek. “If men were half as forgiving, half as strong as you, the world would be a better place.”

He held the hand holding him. “Thank you, (Y/n),” Gaara said with all the softness of a feather.

This is it. You swallowed. Tell him now. Your lips parted to speak but not words were forthcoming. Do it! Your vision blurred; warm tears ran tracks down your face. You cried for him — and for yourself. For all you were too weak to say. 

If only I could be as strong as you, Gaara …

“No.” Gaara gently thumbed your tears away. “Please, don’t …”

You sniffled, hanging your head low. “M’sorry …”

“I didn’t tell you all of this to upset you.” Gaara inched closer. “Let me be the one to cheer you up after all that. There’s something in the greenhouse I’d like to show you.”

“O — Okay.” You tried a smile. “Anything you say.”

Gaara headed toward the door leading away from the roof. And, besotted, you followed him.

It seemed a simple cactus to you, though Gaara insisted it was different. 

“Kankuro gave it to me a day or so after the party,” he explained. “He meant for me to take it with us on our beach trip, but I’m sorry to say I forgot it along the way.”

You evaluated the little desert plant. It was cute. Its rounded leaves raised in a patty-cake like fashion, squat and tiny in its cinnamon-colored pot.

“Probably because I couldn’t understand why it was needed in the first place.” Gaara tilted his head as he inspected the plant further. “I’ve never read about it.”

“It’s not as nice as the one I got you,” You joked, poking the cactus’s leaf, aware of your present-cactus sitting beside on Gaara’s table.

You moved aside when Gaara the botanist came to touch its fat petals. “Kankuro said to drink the water inside.”

Gaara took a small knife from his table and cut into one of the leaves with precision. He took the two little glasses on the table and allowed the water within to leak into them before handing you one.

“Are … Are you sure this is safe?” You asked.

“Kankuro gave it to me.” Gaara picked up the note beside the cactus as you sniffed your glass. “He gave me a note with it that said ‘have fun!’ I don’t know why he wrote that, but I figured this would help lighten the mood and cheer you up after everything I revealed to you.”

“That’s nice.” You glanced at the note before sipping from your glass. You doubled, taken aback by the bittersweet taste. Tart. Like lemon juice. “Wo —Wow.”

Gaara sipped after you. “I see …”

Another sip. You giggled. Relief spread through your veins as the melodrama of the day … fell away … like vapor … for some reason. 

Gaara sipped again. “Hm.” His cheeks pinkened. 

“I think we should” — You stumbled, placed a hand on the table — “sit down …”

Gaara took your advice. The two of you settled on the floor of one of the greenhouse aisles, admiring the succulents hidden away behind glass displays. Gaara’s gourd sat abandoned by the wall.

Another sip. You giggled some more, hugging yourself. Gaara’s face grew pinker with every sip.

“You’re much prettier than the girls in the Icha Icha novels,” he said.

You cackled and the sound was ugly, witchy almost, in your throat, but you couldn’t bring yourself to care. “Ohh, I love those books.”

“They’re very strange.” Gaara tilted his head as though to reconsider. “But very well-written.”

“You only say they’re strange because you don’t understand them.” You nudged Gaara. 

“I suppose you’re right about that …” Gaara’s arm brushed yours as he swayed beside you. “Sometimes, one chapter comes back to me in particular. The one where the woman catches her husband with the vacuum cleaner?”

You guffawed. “Oh, that chapter was bitchin’.”

“Yes …” Gaara was blinking a lot. “That’s the word.”

“You’ll come to understand when you have more experience.” You shot your arm in the air. “Time for another lesson —!” You caught yourself about to fall. “Whoa … Hehe!”

Gaara helped to steady you with a ginger touch to your shoulder. “Be careful …”

You faced him, your head lolling against the back drawers. He was so beautiful. A desert hottie. Ha, hot. You pounced on him, fastening a leg over his own to straddle him. Gaara held your hips as you slithered hands under his collar.

“You have nice skin for someone who lives in the desert,” You said. 

“Likewise,” he quipped.

You pecked Gaara on the nose before brushing it with your own with a purr.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I want to help you understand the books better,” You sat on him properly, “and why the characters do what they do.”

Gaara held you tight to him. A blink and he was on top of you. 

“You’re strong!” You kneaded the muscles of his arms underneath his sleeves.

Gaara bent down to plant a kiss to your neck — before giving you several. 

“Mmm …” You turned your head to allow him access to more skin. “Gaara …”

“One of the men in the books does this to the woman before kissing her some more,” Gaara said. “I understand this.”

Your fingers threaded in his hair, keeping him close. “You do?” You murmured.

“Yes,” Gaara whispered. “And when I imagine you in her place, I understand it even more …”

You ran your tongue over the shell of Gaara’s ear as he kissed the junction of your neck and jaw. He shivered under your hands. “You think I’m as pretty as her?”

“Prettier.” He nibbled into the dip at your jaw’s end. “Much prettier.”

Gaara’s lips trailed up your jaw until he kissed your mouth, pulling back only to run his tongue over your lips. 

“He did that to her, too.”

You pulled Gaara’s face forward, your lips crashing to his. Your arms wrapped around his neck, hands buried in his hair as he reciprocated. You nipped and flicked your tongue against his lower lip, yearning your message to be understood. Success; Gaara opened his mouth and your tongues met, running over one another. Gaara’s hands pawed at your breasts; your nipples came to life under his kneading.

“This isn’t — ah — the first time we’ve done this,” You murmured. “Not to me. I’ve had dreams …”

“I’m flattered.” Gaara’s low baritone rumbled on your lips. 

“Mmm.” You arched your back as Gaara pinched your nipples. “Aha!”

He bucked into you and you felt the unmistakable stab of his erection. He returned to your neck to bite and lick there. 

“We need to be nude, so we can do everything the characters do in the books,” Gaara said, voice husky. “Like — mm — the scene where the man puts his penis in the woman’s mouth …”

You sighed as Gaara tugged on your earlobe. “Okay …” Gaara’s cock in your mouth. Mmmm … Wouldn’t be the first time you’d imagined it …

“Show me,” he ordered.

You rolled him over and heard the fallaway sound of a pot crashing onto the floor, but paid no mind to it as you lifted your shirt and the fishnet with it from your body and tossed both.

“Absolutely, I will.” You guided Gaara’s hands to your bra cups, sighed as he kneaded the soft flesh. “I’d do anything for you, Gaara …”

You were so preoccupied with the buttons of his trench coat you did not hear the door open.

“Gaara?!” 

“Lady (Y/n)?!”

You raised your head toward the entrance. Temari and Baki stood in the threshold, mouths agape and blue-faced.

“Hi, guys!” You waved to them.

“You know,” the nurse began, “for someone who doesn’t like to drink, Lord Kazekage sure is under the influence a lot …”

Kankuro looked over his shoulder, murder in his eyes. “’Fuck you say about my brother?”

The nurses jumped. 

“Nothing, nothing!  My — My — My apologies, Lord Kankuro …!” He said.

They scurried away to continue caring for Gaara and you. The two of you were laid on separate beds, stars in your eyes and surely hallucinating, if the nonsense the two of you spouting was anything to go by.

“Let me get this straight.” Temari pinched the space between her eyebrows. “You gave our brother a psychoactive cactus and planned on getting him high during our beach trip?” 

“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” Kankuro cried. “I totally forgot about it and — and we got back and there was all the paperwork that needed to be done —”

“Why is Kankuro’s skin purple?” You asked dreamily, head lolling from side to side. You pointed at him. “That’s way too much makeup, sir!” 

Baki sighed against the wall as a wreath of stars spun around your head. Chuuyou stared at you with news eyes — Kankuro doubted your guardian had ever seen you like this — and seemingly at a loss for what to do. 

Baki hadn’t said a word since he helped Temari carry the two of you to the infirmary. He asked one of the nurses, “Are they going to be all right?”

“Certainly, Lord Baki,” a nurse said. “They will be fine.”

“(Y/n),” Gaara said. “Shukaku is speaking to me … He’s telling me about a great skin regimen!”

“The sand demon?” You gasped. “Tell me!”

Baki blinked at the nurse.

“Uh, the psychoactive elements of the purple pandemonium cactus will run their course,” he said, “then, they will be fine.”

“Purpl —? This is such a mess.” Temari facepalmed. “I should be kicking your ass, Kankuro —“

“Don’t,” Gaara urged dreamily. “Peace must prevail …”

“I can’t believe you thought this” — Temari gestured to the two of them — “would be funny.”

“At least they didn’t …” Baki stalled, blanching, “ … go too far.”

The three of them stood in an awkward pause. Apparently, you had been found shirtless while riding his poor brother like a pony. Kankuro, already considering you more of a sister than anything, cringed at the mental image. You were so dignified, all without being the snob he had anticipated when he first met you. You would be horrified once the cactus water wore off and you returned to your senses. He sighed; even when he tried to fix his problems, he caused more of them. 

“I’m sorry,” Kankuro pressed. “This is all my fault. I’m not denying it. But we’ve got bigger problems now; neither of them can be seen like this — and what if they were seen? It’s not like those greenhouse windows are tinted.”

“One problem at a time, Kankuro,” Baki insisted, exasperated. 

“For the time being, at least they’re all right,” Temari said. She turned to Kankuro and sighed. “I’m … starting to think maybe you’re right.”

Kankuro raised his brows in surprise. “Do my ears deceive me?”

Temari looked back to Gaara, limp on the bed as nurses minded his vitals. “I think I do have a mommy problem. I saw them in the greenhouse getting all … Y’know, and I was horrified — but not for the right reasons. I was thinking about Gaara’s … innocence. Not his political career. And then I wondered: why? Gaara’s a grown man. He can make his own decisions.”

“Lord Kazekage!” one of the nurses tried to hold Gaara down. “You must stay put —!”

“But the sun looks like Naruto Uzumaki!” Gaara insisted. “We have to go outside; he wants to tell us how to make ramen to honor the gods!” 

“Maybe he shouldn’t be making his own decisions right now,” Kankuro quipped.

Temari managed a weak laugh as the nurses relaxed her brother. “I shouldn’t have an opinion on his sex life. I’m just so used to protecting the two of you. I’ve done it all my life. But, I need to let go …” She looked up at Kankuro. “Do you think he told her?”

“Uh.” Kankuro scratched his head. “She knows who Shukaku is? So, uh-huh. I’m guessing it went well.”

“Too well.” Temari blinked. “All joking aside, you’re right; this can’t get out. It would cause a scandal and put Gaara at a disadvantage. His role as Kazekage would be in question.”

“We’ll do some reconnaissance,” Baki said. You started singing to yourself, waving your arms in the air, attending some invisible concert, and he sighed. “Do you know how long the effects last, Kankuro?”

“Erm,” Kankuro said. “Let’s just say they’ve got a long night ahead of them.”

You cracked eyes open — only to be met with the headache to end all headaches.

You moaned, shifted to your side. Your vision was blurry as you pressed one side of your face into the pillow, the other eye focused enough to see Baki in a chair beside you.

“What happened?” You croaked at him.

“It’s all right.” The creak of a chair, a hand caressing your back that must have been Baki’s. “There was an … incident.” 

“Oh, good, she’s awake!” a feminine voice said, definitely Temari’s.

“My head …” You lay on your back, frowning at the throb in your head. Baki placed a hand on your forehead. 

“The headache must come from being dehydrated,” he said. “Temari, get the nurses.”

“What?” You groaned as Temari left to obey Baki. “What are you talking about? What incident —?” 

You froze. Your eyes grew wide. Reality nudged — then crashed and burned beside you.

Each new memory unlocked compounded your horror. The cactus, the sluttiness — oh, not to mention the night before where you and Gaara bumbled all night long, reduced to toddlers the nurses had to work overtime to care for.

“Oh gods.” You curled into a ball, burning with shame. Gaara! You propped up, turned to see Gaara on the bed beside you, quiet but awake and averting your eyes. You laid flat on your back, the ceiling light blinking at you. Baki moved to turn it off so as to not aggravate your headache, your only light now filtering in through the window. “Baki, I’m a disgrace.”

“No, you’re not,” Baki assured you.

How can he say that? If father hears about this, he’ll murder me. That was the best case scenario. You rubbed your sore throat. What if someone learned of the poison in your necklace …

The necklace. You caressed your bare neck. The necklace that was gone.

It was gone .

You shot up, headache be damned. Temari had returned with nurses, a hand maneuvering the necklace to place a glass of water closer to you.

“Give that back!” You cried. “Right now!”

Heads turned to you. Temari froze.

You caught yourself. “Sorry, I … I’m sorry. Thank you,” You added as a nurse carried a food tray to you. “It’s just — that’s precious to me, and —”

“It’s all right.” Temari chuckled as she offered you the necklace. “I know you have questions and it’s a long story, but basically it’s all Kankuro’s fault. So, don’t worry.”

You nodded, head thumping; your previous outburst had done nothing to assuage it. 

“Drink the water first,” Baki instructed. 

You did as he asked, sipping the glass of water. You fastened your necklace around your neck miserably before addressing the tray of food. You didn’t want to look at food, but — 

“(Y/n) …”

Gaara had abandoned his bed and came to yours. He stood before you. You blinked as he bowed.

“I’m sorry for all of this,” he said. “Truly. I should have been more careful.”

“Oh, Gaara,” You cooed. “No …”

“I haven’t been a good host. My behavior in the greenhouse was … perverted.”

“We weren’t in control of our actions,” You pressed. I can’t say I regret it entirely, either …

Gaara looked away. “I know women like to wait until they’re married for … that sort of thing.”

“It couldn’t be helped, I think,” You assured him with a nervous laugh.

“Both of you should eat,” a nurse said gently as a second dropped another tray off at the foot of Gaara’s bed. “The psychoactive properties of the cactus have clearly worn off quite a bit, but we shouldn’t get too cocky. Light meals will help.”

Gaara nodded to the nurse.

“So, (Y/n),” Temari said. “Is my brother a good kisser or what?”

You spluttered. Baki nearly dropped the tray he was adjusting for you.

“Te — Temari!” You couldn’t breathe.

Temari snickered. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

It was another day and countless glasses of water later before your symptoms eroded completely. You were sure your vision would forever be tinted purple before that, too, cleared up. The nurses cleared you from the infirmary and you thanked them a thousand times over for their help, and apologized they had to work so hard. 

But you were pleased. You were free and you could eat solids again! You were nearly at the end of your second week in Sunagakure, and it had felt like an eternity.

Gaara was avoiding you; he had been allowed to leave the infirmary before you and had not returned to visit you. You couldn’t find him anywhere. Maybe it was for the best, you thought, strolling around the sand palace. Memories of the greenhouse blared more vivid than ever. The kisses, Gaara’s hands on your skin, what you had said to each other. Your face grew hot to recall it. Would you ever be able to face him again?

You groaned as you turned a corner. And just when we had made so much progress. Gaara had opened up to you and, though you hadn’t afforded him the same courtesy out of fear, you had been overjoyed to earn his vulnerability. Your shoulders dipped in disappointment when you came across a door you hadn’t seen before. It was arched with a golden knob. Movement from within. You did the polite thing and knocked.

“Come in.” It was Kankuro’s voice.

With that, you pushed the door open and looked around — it was a museum of puppets. Some sitting on the floor while others hung from the ceiling. It all would’ve been rather creepy, if not for Kankuro in the center, Crow in his lap like a baby while his father polished his arm. 

“Oh,” Kankuro’s voice depressed. “Hey. How are you feeling?”

“Better than ever. I haven’t seen you in days.” You closed the door. “What’ve you been up to?”

“Oh …” Kankuro smiled faintly. “Yeah, sorry about that … I finished up paperwork early today, so decided to get back to my old hobby.” He lifted Crow’s arm to indicate his old hobby. “I’m sorry about the whole cactus thing. I haven’t been able to formally apologize; no time …”

“It’s okay, really!” You said. 

“It’s really not,” Kankuro said. “What if we had needed Gaara to be, y’know, lucid?”

“We didn’t need to dive right into it the way we did. We could’ve inspected it some more.” 

“You weren’t as cautious because you trusted me,” Kankuro said. He sighed. “Don’t try to make me feel better. I deserve to feel like shit.”

You leaned against his table. “Where did you even get it? Where’d you hear about it?”

“Read about it,” Kankuro said. “It was in one of the books I had sent to the office while I was doing research on …” He paused. “Other stuff … I thought it’d be funny.”

A beat. “It was kind of funny,” You said.

“Maybe.” Kankuro lowered Crow’s arm to face you. “But, it was irresponsible, really, with everything going on.”

You couldn’t refute that, but you didn’t want Kankuro feeling bad, either. You liked him happy.

You tried to throw Kankuro a bone. “It could’ve been worse.” 

“What if you and Gaara had gotten like that when that rogue had attacked you? What if it had a violent effect on Gaara and he hurt you or went on a rampage? What if it had killed you both?”

All horrific scenarios. All totally possible. The bone plunged into the abyss. “Huh … May — Maybe don’t think about those things?”

“The truth is …” Kankuro began. “It was fun to be able to relate to Gaara as a brother first and the Kazekage second, like old times. I was thrilled about having a new edition to our family. Nervous at first, obviously, but then I met you, and you were so …” Kankuro motioned toward you. “You. The last few years have been so bloody. The Fourth Ninja War and everything. Madara — you don’t need to know who that is, honestly, count yourself lucky. It was nice to have things be so lighthearted … But, I got carried away. I truly am sorry.”

You said nothing, soaking in the indirect flattery. You watched as Kankuro cradled Crow in his lap. “You really love Gaara, don’t you?”

Kankuro, satisfied with his job, set Crow aside. “I do. After everything he’s been through — after everything Rasa put him through … He’s really come far. Far beyond what anyone would have expected of him. He’s gained the respect of our whole village. I hate that I might’ve jeopardized that.”

“He told me,” You said. “About his past.”

Kankuro waited expectantly. “And …?”

“It changes nothing about the way I’ve come to feel about him,” You said. “Besides deepening my respect. I wish there was some way I could excise the pain he’s suffered from all he’s come to learn from it.”

Kankuro appeared stunned. “That’s … I feel the exact same way.”

He’s so much like Hideo. You tilted your head, and it was like seeing a reflection in water. You found your brother’s face in Kankuro’s.

“Don’t worry about anything.” Hideo’s smile replaced the sun. “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you.”

Kankuro stared. “Hey. (Y/n)?”

“… Yes?”

He stared. “Promise me, no matter what, you’ll take care of Gaara. Be a good wife to him? He deserves that.”

Your heart lurched, but you remained still.

“I will,” You whispered. “I promise.”

You couldn’t bear Kankuro’s presence anymore and so promised to see him at dinner. You stalked the halls like a ghost before venturing toward the hall leading to your room. 

You retired to your room, tired from nothing. 

A hawk waited for you.

Panic seized your heart and wet your palms. The hawk flapped its wing in hello as your stomach spun and spun and spun.

Oh, gods. You could see your father’s wrath seeping from the letter. You wanted to hole up in the corner and die, but your hands worked to undo the letter from the hawk’s latch.

You waited a beat or two before unfurling it. The hawk abandoned your window, leaving you alone with your father’s words. You exhaled through chattering teeth and braced the moment you saw the black ink. 

Dearest (Y/n), Forgive me. 

“What?” You gawked, sinking to the foot of your bed. 

My sweet girl, my precious star come from heaven to grace my earth, will you forgive an old man of his foibles? I have spent these last few days deep in thought. I have been horrible to you. My only daughter. It is only natural you come to despise me. How Hideo would despise me as well, if he knew. However, only the gods could comprehend how much I’ve missed you. By the time you receive this letter, I will be on my way to Sunagakure —

“What?!”  You slipped to the floor.

— to help with the wedding preparations. I long to meet my future son-in-law. Please let everyone know I mean to arrive in a matter of days. Yours truly, Father.

You set the letter aside. 

Your father was coming here.

And no word about the mission you had been sent on. He only desired to meet Gaara. Hope brightened inside of you. Maybe he meant it …? Hell, after the weeks you’d had, you were ready to believe anything. Only one clue suggested Father’s change of heart might be real:

He never left the Oasis village. In all your life, he had been too paranoid to step one foot away from his home. And why, if you were already here? If he was sincere …

If he was sincere … You were free. 

You would never have to reveal your mission — or even better, maybe your father would reveal it all and ask for forgiveness? The future — always so bleak — vivified, star-bright inside you. The dream became more of a reality to you. You could marry Gaara and put this all behind you …

Or it was all a trick, and the old man plotted to strangle you in your sleep. That was possible, too.

You had only one option: wait until you could speak to your father in person. If you tried to go forth with his wishes or expose the plan, what if you ruined everything forever? If he was coming, a confrontation with him would either confirm or deny your wishes. 

You wouldn’t get in your own way. You would wait for him to come and reveal his true colors.

You went to bed with a letter you left intact.

You twirled your fork at the breakfast table, eyes on the door. Everyone else was present — Kankuro, Temari, even Baki, who joined for breakfast occasionally. Gaara was the missing link. Apparently, he had resumed his place in the office for the morning. But the truth was glaring: Gaara was still avoiding you.

You slammed your fork down after a ten minute grace period. “This is just silly! He can’t still be thinking about the greenhouse!”

“He can,” Baki said, arms crossed. “Speaking of, from what we gathered, neither of you were seen. And there’s been no gossip our shinobi have picked up on the streets —”

“That’s all important, but that’s not what I meant,” You dismissed with a sigh. “He’s still ashamed personally. I don’t see why, though; I took it as a compliment.”

Baki cleared his throat as Temari and Kankuro snickered, the former rotating her plate for no reason at all.

“I’ve already forgiven him and it wasn’t his fault! He’s a man,” You continued to rant. For once, you could enjoy his company without the mission hanging over your head, and today he chose to be absent? “He has urges, and so what? So do I —“

“Perhaps something came up.” Baki hastened to change the subject. “Gaara’s not known to be late.”

“He’s been avoiding me for days,” You pressed. With a pout, you added, “I was hoping we could discuss something …”

You hadn’t dropped the news of your father’s coming yet.

Kankuro shrugged. “Maybe he doesn’t know how to speak to you after all that.”

“You stay out of this,” Temari teased.

“Speaking of matters to discuss,” Baki said. “I choose to join you all today because many shinobi from Oasis and Suna will be at this wedding,” Baki turned to you. “We’ll, of course, need to combine the traditions of both villages so as not to aggravate either. I wanted to know if there were any specific traditions we need to keep in mind.”

“Well, actually,” You began. “I think we should wait a little longer to talk about this. My f —“

A ninja poofed into the dining room, crouched in a bow. 

“What’s happening?” Temari set her food aside, alert.

“Lord Kazekage has requested an audience with you all,” the ninja said. “It is of the utmost importance.”

The four of you piled into the Kazekage’s office and were greeted with the sounds of crying. Gaara’s back was turned to you all as he looked out the window. A girl was kneeling on the floor, sobbing.

“What’s going on here?” Baki shut the door. “What’s the meaning of this?”

Temari appraised the girl — she gawked. “Matsuri?”

Matsuri’s sob wracked her body.

“Why is she crying?” Kankuro asked. “Gaara?”

Gaara turned to face the group, looking crestfallen. He raised his hand and a letter appeared.

The ninja who had brought you all stepped forward. “Matsuri was caught conversing with some gossip columnist about what she saw in the greenhouse a few days ago.”

The room erupted in cries of confusion. 

“What?” Kankuro said.

“You can’t be serious!” Temari cried out.

Your gaze remained on Gaara, but he wouldn’t look at you.

“It wasn’t me!” Matsuri was hysterical, waving her hand out. “It wasn’t! It was forged!”

“She was seen by some personnel. She was leaving the ‘office,’” the ninja was heavy on air quotes, “of the columnist only a few hours ago.”

“No!” Matsuri howled. “I’d never do that!”

“You might, if you thought it would send (Y/n) home.” You could hear the sharp disappointment in Temari’s voice as she approached Matsuri. “Remember how sad you were at the party? You even asked me if Gaara had to marry, if there was some way he could reconsider.”

Matsuri stammered as heads turned to her. 

“I even had to step away to console you,” Temari added. She sighed, and with a voice fit for scolding a child: “Do you have … any idea what this could do to Gaara’s reputation?”

You backed away until you hit a wall, anxiety squeezing breath out of your lungs and refusing to let new oxygen in.

“Please, I didn’t do it!” Matsuri cried. “Please, please —”

“This is bad,” Baki hissed. “What if the council learns of this?” 

“They may already know if she’s” — Kankuro shot a finger in Matsuri’s direction — “been unloading our dirty laundry everywhere. You know how quickly rumors spread— and the old geezers like to pretend they’re above it all. They’ll be the first to get the scope.”

Oh gods. Not this. Not now. Having this all happen privately was one thing, but now the village could know? 

And your father, who was coming to the village? Father would know.

No. No. If he had new plans, would this ruin those, too? You couldn’t breathe; there would be no surviving his rage. Slut, whore, harlot. He would disown you.

No, keep it down. You can’t panic now. No. No.

“It wasn’t me …” Matsuri sobbed miserably. “Please …”

“Matsuri,” Gaara said, the first word he had spoken since you had all arrived. “Stand up. Please.”

Matsuri obeyed, standing slowly to meet her maker. She wrung hands in her tear-stained shirt.

“We all believe in second chances here,” Gaara said.

“Not all of us,” Kankuro hissed. 

“And the truth has yet to be revealed to its full capacity.” Gaara ignored his brother. “They’ll be a hearing for you. Understand?”

Matsuri sniffed, knowing better than to argue with her Kazekage, and nodded. Gaara gestured something you did not understand and more ninja appeared, kneeling before him.

“Send her away,” Gaara told them. “Keep eyes on her, but do not harm her.”

They did so, dragging Matsuri out the door, one of her arms in one of theirs.

“What an idiot!” Kankuro slammed a hand against the desk. “Just when we thought she finally got over her little crush on you — but no, she just had to double down!” He threw his hands up. “This is ridiculous! How can she say she loves you and then go and —”

“This is all your fault!” Temari rounded on him. “You and your fucking purple pandemonium —“

“We have to think of the future now,” Baki said. “We must work to mitigate the damage Matsuri might have caused.”

“I knew this was going to come to bite us in the ass somehow.” Temari moaned into her hand. “It can’t get any worse …”

“It can.” You were about to shatter to pieces. You stood outside of yourself, seeing words leave your mouth. “I received a letter from my father last night. He’s on his way.”

…

The room erupted.

“Thanks for jinxing it, Temari!” Kankuro shouted.

“What?” Temari cried. “He’s coming here? He can’t!”

“He can,” Gaara said calmly. “That’s good news, isn’t it? I finally get to meet my future father-in-law.”

“Lord Kazekage,” Baki said. “Read the room.”

“He can’t come now!” Temari picked at her ponytails. “We have nothing prepared for him! We haven’t even started preparing for the wedding yet!”

“He’d like to help with preparations, actually,” You said, desperate to cling to something to keep yourself grounded. “H — How, I have no idea —” 

“He cannot learn of this, most of all,” Baki said. 

Finally, Gaara’s eyes found you. He studied you as the others argued. He stepped away from his desk and came to you.

“Who wants to bet with our luck he already knows,” Kankuro threw up his hands.

“We can’t think the worst,” Baki said.

“All because of a stupid plant!” Temari cried.

“Everyone calm down,” Gaara said above the chaos. 

Heads turned to him. His attention was on you, however; he took your hand in his. His calm pulse, thrumming through his palm, soothed your own.

“The villagers are not nearly as fickle as all that,” he muttered. “They will understand (Y/n) and I are young and soon to be married.”

It was a few seconds before Kankuro shrugged. “You know, he’s got a point.” 

“That may be true, Lord Kazekage,” Baki began. “But you will have detractors who will take this misstep to create division.”

“Certainly,” Gaara said without a beat passed. “The next few days will be essential. Without a doubt, the council will want a word with me. We will handle that as a team. We can also address Matsuri,” Gaara paused; the hurt darkened his face. “and prepare for Lord Boutoku’s arrival.

No one spoke, but you could feel the spirits in the room lifting. 

Gaara smiled faintly. “Even if we must spend all day working out these issues, it will get done.”

“All right, Gaara. You win.” Kankuro sighed and turned to Baki. “Mind splitting that migraine medication with me?”

“I second that,” Temari said. 

By the time preparations were ironed out, it was sundown. 

“Sheesh,” Kankuro said. “I’ve never wanted to rest so bad.” He held the door open for all of you. “You coming?”

“I’ll be a moment,” Gaara said. “I would like to speak to (Y/n) for a while.”

With no objections, Kankuro, Temari, and Baki exited, leaving you alone with your fiancé. 

The moment they were gone, you collapsed into a chair. Despite your fatigue, though, you were blown away by Gaara’s strength. Nothing threw him off. And despite your spiraling — and the spiraling of everyone else — he had simply taken control. You could see why he was the Kazekage.

It was so attractive.

“(Y/n),” Gaara said, coming to the front of the desk with arms crossed. “I noticed you earlier. Your breathing was rapid, and you looked ill. Are you all right?”

The panic inside of you then was the panic inside of you now. You had only numbed it with Gaara’s help, but it had manifested in other ways, like the exhaustion gnawing at your bones now. 

“… No,” You said. 

Gaara knelt. “It’s all right not to be.”

His words uncorked something in you. Pain stabbed your throat, and the heat under your skin disturbed you. “I’m so afraid …”

Gaara came forward and enveloped you in a hug. Once you recovered from the surprise, you hid in the crook of his shoulder. He was steady, an anchor for you to cling to. You hugged him harder.

“I won’t allow for this arrangement to fail,” he said. “I will prove myself worthy of you.”

You laughed in disbelief. “Like you haven’t already?” You leaned back to meet his eye. “You were so strong and composed. I know how much Matsuri means to you, and I’m sorry. Thank you. I … I don’t think I could do any of this without you. I’m so tired.”

Humility hung Gaara’s head. “I am happy to have impressed you. I feel fatigued, as well. And …” He blushed. “If circumstances were different, I would prefer for you to share my bed like before. When we were in my tent …”

Ah, yes. Sleeping … Sleeping with Gaara. Weren’t there other ways to deal with stress?

You withdrew your hands. You did not want to think about sleeping with Gaara. Not now.

Gaara moved away as well. Neither of you spoke in the elastic stretch of time. Your eyes flickered to his lips … You thought of how he had kissed you, licked you in the greenhouse. How ready he was to devour you. Show me. You shivered. What you wouldn’t give for him to top you now, your legs wrapped around him as he laid you onto his desk …

You cleared your throat as you left your chair. You looked away from Gaara’s face before he could notice the hungry expression lingering on yours.

“I know you’re not feeling your best,” Gaara said. “But is there anything I can do to help?”

Please don’t ask me that. There’s so much you could do — do to me.

“No,” You said. “I’m better now, Gaara. Really!” 

Gaara was not convinced. “I don’t like it when you lie about your feelings.”

His bluntness surprised you. 

I lie to you all the time, you just don’t know.

He stepped toward you. He was only a few inches taller than you, but with such a commanding presence, he loomed. “I hope you don’t think I’ve been avoiding you.”

You raised your head, desperately trying to hold your own. “Oh no?”

“It’s the truth.” Gaara’s fingers grazed your own. “Despite leaving the infirmary before you, it took me some time to recover from … all we did.”

You swallowed. Were you supposed to take that as an insult or a compliment?

“I’m not usually touched,” Gaara said. “Nor do I touch others … But sometimes, I still feel you on my skin.” He wrapped fingers around yours. “Please, let me be the one to bring you peace. If you need me to …”

You blushed. What was he saying? You couldn’t talk about this! Not now! And … You couldn’t use him to make yourself feel better.

“Gaara …” You backed away, your fingers falling from his grasp in the process. “I’m so tired. If I seem off, it’s because I need to sleep. Thank you for everything. I mean it. But I really am fine.” You bowed to show your respect for his compassion. “Goodnight.”

Gaara let the moment fall. He studied you still as you inched toward the door, but did nothing to stop you.

“Goodnight,” he muttered to you as you hurried out the door. 

You returned to your room hot for an entirely different reason. You changed into a nightgown before slipping into bed, but the idea of sleep was risible as your skin tortured you with phantom memories of Gaara’s lips at your neck, hands at your breasts, erection pressing into your inner thigh …

What would he have done had the two of you gone uninterrupted? He was clearly inexperienced, but his passion could make up for that …Definitely. You squeezed your legs. You would show him what to do and then, just like before, his fervor would lead the way …

You throbbed.

You couldn’t sleep like this.

You shivered at the memory of Gaara’s baritone in your ear, hot breath on your skin … 

“Gaara …” You breathed into your pillow as your hand snaked past the hem of your nightgown. Your fingertips grazed the fat of your clothed vulva. You gasped; the sharp pleasure sent you squeezing your thighs together. You fidgeted to allow your hand more access, tapped your clit gently. 

Gaara’s weight came over you. His tongue ran across yours, a moan low in his throat as you unclasped the buttons of his trench coat —

“Mm …” You slipped your hand past the elastic of your panties. Your folds, already moist, wet your fingers as you found a rhythm.

“(Y/n) …” Gaara’s erection kneaded into your thigh, poking as his lips sucked against the tender spots of your neck. His hands shadowed your bare breasts as he bucked into you —

“Don’t stop!”  You clung to him as he fucked you, his cock stuffing you. “Just like that, come on, oh, gods —“

You flicked and worked your clit, quickening your pace as you replayed the mental image of engulfing Gaara’s cock, your fingers now his in your reimagining. You rolled on your back and spread your legs for easier access to your clit, your breath tapering into soft pants.

“Come, (Y/n),” Gaara ordered — in that tone, with that voice. “Come for me, come …!”

“Gaara!” Your head fell into the pillow, your fingers frantically circling your clit as your walls clenched around nothing. You held Gaara in your mind as stars exploded behind your eyelids. You settled your back, pained from arching, into the mattress. You rolled your fingers now from pure habit as you rode out your climax.

You pulled your fingers away from your slick folds, overrun with arousal. You should get up, clean yourself, but the exhaustion seduced your eyes to flutter closed, and sleep took you instead.

Members of the Suna council filtered into the room — and froze when they spotted the four of you already seated.

You corrected your posture, forced a poker face you had come to master. Today, you discarded the casual wear you had become used to and had opted for one of the many kimonos you had brought to Sunagakure. It seemed the right thing to do. You strove to use every tool in your arsenal to appear ladylike and good-natured. Especially after your … eventful night. 

“Elders.” Gaara greeted them with a respectful nod, though he remained seated.

“Wha —“ Joseki stammered. “How —?”

“It seems,” Ebizo began, studying Gaara as he found a seat, “our Lord Kazekage has beaten us to the punch.”

You eyed the group but could find no female. “Where is Ikanago?”

“If you must know,” Ebizo grunted as he lowered into his seat, “Lady Ikanago was so excited to hear about this … greenhouse fiasco, she had an accident at home and now nurses a broken hip. She will be absent for our meetings until further notice.”

“I’m …” You struggled as Kankuro snickered from across you, “sorry to hear about that.”

“If the Kazekage insists, then we will get to the point,” Joseki said. He still stood as his contemporaries sat, ready to round on Gaara. “What is this we’ve been hearing about drugs and — and orgies?”

“Pardon?” Temari said.

Oh no. You resisted a facepalm; it sounded like the rumors were doing what all rumors did: bifurcate, multiply, mutate. So the story now was that you and Gaara were throwing orgies while getting high? This was what you had to deal with? For the first time since worries about rumors began, you felt a surge of resentment for Matsuri. 

Thanks a lot .

“Nothing but mendacious chatter, I assure you,” Gaara’s voice was placid, ever composed. He sat with you on his right, siblings on his left, his fingers knitted together on the table. “Please, Elder, sit down.”

“Reckless, My Lord, reckless — even if the rumors are exaggerated!” Goza leaned forward. “Under the influence, again? My Lord, we warned you about a second time.”

“And I abided by the warning,” Gaara retorted. “I was simply caught unawares.”

“Lord Kazekage,” Ryusa said, already exasperated. “It is only a matter of time before this information travels outside of the village. We will be a laughing stock!”

“And what of your student? This Matsuri?” Sajo said. “She’s awaiting a hearing! Who will attend it?”

The council room flared with so much chatter it was hard to decipher who was saying what where. 

“So disgraceful —”

“If she’s proven guilty —?”

“We cannot afford what this gossip will cost us —!”

You glanced at Joseki, who was silent. And why wouldn’t he be? All he had to do was allow the council to speak for him. This is what he’s always wanted: for the council to turn against Gaara …

“Lord Kazekage,” Ebizo spoke above the rest, compelling the others to silence, “understands his role as Kage. I highly doubt anything that has been said today hasn’t been considered by himself a thousand times over.”

“We can only wonder, now, can’t we?” Sajo shot a finger toward you. “And what do you have to say for yourself?” 

You shot him your coldest noblewoman stare in return. “I do not tremble at the prospect of foul rumors and neither does my fiancé; only the shallow entertain them.”

“Perhaps you should,” Sajo replied. “You are to be married to Lord Kazekage in a month’s time. You are meant to be a lady and yet you run around like a — ”

“Enough.”

Despite the council’s attempts to intimidate him, Gaara’s title and gravitas forced them quiet. Heads turned to him expectantly, but for seconds more he built anticipation.

Oh, boy, here it comes …

“For years, I have suffered the cold harangues of this council,” Gaara began. “You have given me orders. You have insulted my family. Yet, I have taken it all in stride for the good of the village and those of you who purport to love it and hold it in high esteem.”  

“Lo —Lord Kazekage.” Sajo gaped at his Kazekage. “Do you accuse us of simple lip service?”

“Sajo is right,” Ryusa said. “You can’t expect —?”

“I expect you to advise me.” Gaara stood and pressed palms flat on the table. “So, advise me. If you love this village as much as you say, you will rally behind me. You will help to alleviate the chaos this incident might have caused. So far, I have received aid only from my siblings, future wife, and former sensei. This is what they have come up with.” Gaara motioned to Temari. “My sister, Lady Temari, will take to the streets to answer questions. My brother, Lord Kankuro, will carry the brunt of this incident and admit it was caused by his prank. Though, I doubt the people of the Sand will be so quick to throw me away on simple gossip as my council.”

“I agree with Lord Kazekage,” Baki said. “I think his role in defeating Madara Uchiha will have certainly solidified their love for him.” 

Kankuro held up defensive hands. “Just our opinion, however.”

“Regardless,” Gaara went on as if neither Baki or Kankuro had spoken, “whether or not we succeed in containing and curtailing this mishap will be on your hands as well as mine.”

No one spoke. It was a tall order; something told you the urge to critique the young Kage while feeling no responsibility to guide him was a tantalizing one. But if his failure was theirs? Less so.

You thought of how timid Gaara was with you upon your first meeting, how even a hand hold had seemed promiscuous. He was a gentleman always, and the insinuation he would rope you into group sex — and it would be easy for many to believe — was not funny to you. Your boiling blood challenged your poker face. Do they really have so little faith in him? After everything he’s done?

Ebizo was first to break the silence. “My sister, Lady Chiyo, had faith in our Lord Kazekage. As do I. He is a strong man, one of conviction.” Ebizo gazed at you consolingly. “And Lady (Y/n), though I know little of her, shows bravery in facing these rumors head on. Their mistakes are ones any one of us would have made in our youth. These are peaceful times, fit for celebration. Perhaps these two got carried away with their feelings. I agree with Lord Kazekage’s assessment of the situation.”

You mouthed a thank you to Ebizo and caught his imperceptible nod your way.

“As do I.”

Your lips parted in astonishment as the attention went to Joseki. 

“I, of all of you, have been the most harsh on Lord Kazekage.” Joseki cast his gaze on the table. “We can only hope to earn his forgiveness by dedicating ourselves to his rule.”

The council gazed at one another with surprise and confusion. This time no one spoke for a different reason.

Ikanago’s spoken to him, You theorized with relief. Or maybe it was you, so willing to vacation with Gaara despite his warnings. He hadn’t managed to scare you off. Had that counted for anything?

Gaara motioned to you. “My fiancé has something to announce to you all.”

On cue, you stood, swallowing your nerves along the way. You squared your shoulders as you said, “My father, Lord Boutoku, will be arriving in a matter of days.”

Excited murmurs sounded among the council. 

“A shame Ikanago won't be here for that,” Kankuro said under his breath.

“We will need your help in preparing a warm greeting for him,” You continued. 

The initial chaos of the meeting mellowed into an enthused optimism as it came to a close. The council members sung a completely different tune now, praising Gaara and overjoyed at the prospect of your father’s arrival. Sajo approached you, seemingly to apologize for his almost-comment, but Gaara stepped in front of you, armed with a pointed look, and Sajo hurriedly excused himself from the hall. 

“You did so well, little brother.” Kankuro patted Gaara on the shoulder as the elders left. Only you, Baki, and his siblings were left.

“Excellent, truly, Lord Kazekage,” Baki added. 

“Truly flawless!” Temari said, looking impressed as she crossed her arms.

Gaara pinkened under the praise. The gravitas befitting his station had vanished, leaving only the man you knew. He nodded sheepishly at his siblings but eyed you.

“I don’t think,” You stepped toward him, “anyone could’ve done better.”

Gaara smiled.

“It is too bad about Ikanago’s hip, though,” You added. 

“Not surprising news.” Kankuro gathered up significant papers at the table. “These relics would rather die than retire so those younger than them can come in and actually change things.” He laid a hand over his heart. “I, on the other hand, will retire by the ripe age of thirty — at the latest.”

“We all hope you do,” Temari joked.

Days passed. Preparations for your father’s arrival were laid out, and Gaara, most of all, was happy he wouldn’t be caught by surprise by his future father-in-law. 

Despite your bleak anecdotes, Gaara was excited to meet him. You refused to dull his enthusiasm by sharing anything too intimate, especially since it seemed your father would be on his best behavior anyway. 

Maybe. Oh, gods, you hoped so.

There was still Matsuri to handle, but Gaara told you they would delay her hearing until he had ample time for it.

“It’s so weird seeing you behind that desk now,” You said to Gaara.

Gaara was back to work as Kazekage after his long sabbatical. Kankuro and Temari assisted in ceding him urgent paperwork and documentation. Kankuro told him he could hold down the fort for a little longer, but Gaara had insisted.

“It’s for the best.” Gaara smiled at you. 

“Maybe it is,” Kankuro teased. “We see what happens when our little brother has too much free time on his hands.”

“I’d like to thank you, too, Kankuro,” Gaara said, “for all your hard work.”

“Ah, Gaara …” Kankuro grinned. “What are brothers for?”

Gaara sobered. “I prefer Lord Kazekage.”

Kankuro’s ease tapered. “Oh, I — I —“

Gaara smiled. “Just kidding.”

You and Temari laughed as Kankuro wrapped an arm around Gaara and pulled him in for a side-hug. 

“You got me!” Kankuro said. “I really have grown on you!” 

Temari and Kankuro left Gaara to it. You were alone with him; the silence rang in your ears. You sighed into it. Could it be? Were you actually … relaxed? After the whirlwind, also referred to as the last few days, you were calm. The room had been decluttered of extraneous plants and puppets and now appeared too bare to you. Emptied. You studied the paperwork pile, handed Gaara a sheet of paper stamped with importance. 

Gaara accepted it. “Thank you.” 

You let your hand dangle in the air. “Can you believe it?”

He raised his head. “What?”

“Exactly.” You smiled. “It’s actually quiet. What did we do to deserve it?”

Gaara echoed your joy with a small smile. “You’re right. I’m used to Temari and Kankuro yelling at each other on their way out.”

You giggled. For a moment, you stared at him working, his motions rhythmic. Slip, read, stamp. Slip, read, stamp. Your gaze trailed up his forearms until you noticed the hunch at his shoulders. 

“You still seem a bit tense.” 

“Hm.” Gaara’s attention was on a document. “There’s still much to do and not all of it pleasant.”

You came around the desk, your heels clicking against the floor, until you were behind Gaara. You chuckled with surprise; he seemed not to notice you. Perhaps he thought you were looking out the window? You settled hands on his shoulders from behind.

He paused.  You kneaded his shoulders, unsure if you were doing it right until Gaara’s groan vindicated you. 

Gaara cleared the gravel from his throat. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want to be the only one relaxed.”

Gaara leaned into your touch. His shoulders fell as he sighed. His hair brushed against your lower stomach. You leaned forward, your arms crisscrossing around his chest, your cheek brushing against his. Gaara met your eye, his heartbeat thrumming against your wrist, a sound thundering in the taut quiet.

His hand slipped past your neck, fingers pressing into the onset of your spine. “Come.”

Don’t use that word, please.

Gaara plucked the hem of your top to beckon you. This was a bad idea … And yet you inclined as he did, his magnetism too great to resist, and your lips met.

“Gaa …” He kissed his name away. Gaara caressed your cheek, deepening the kiss as a consequence. It was neither the timid kiss in the lagoon nor the lustful kiss in the greenhouse. It sat at the nexus of both, familiar and new. Lingering. You craved more. You tried to voice his name again and again you were silenced.

Gaara broke away after a second, sensing your resistance though you did nothing to resist. “I’m sorry … It’s been so long since I kissed you. I’ve been wanting to do it again.”

The warmth in your cheeks alerted you to your blush. You blinked. “We shouldn’t.” Your protest sounded futile. “We can’t. Not after the council, I … We have to behave, I think … I’m sorry — this is my fault, I got too … This is reckless …”  You swayed back, swallowing in a dry mouth. “The door — It isn’t even locked.”

“And if I lock it?”

You met both Gaara’s gaze and challenge with silence. You froze as he stood and strode to the door. It locked it with a clink. You released a broken exhale as he returned, face inches from yours.

“Answer me.”

You licked your lips, tasting the remnants of him there. Your answer should be no, followed with a rapid shake of your head, but the word slipped from your lips to tell the truth:

 “Yes.”

Gaara took your hand, led you forward until you were sinking into him — 

And against his lips again. You cupped Gaara’s face as he embraced you, crushing you to his chest. Your breasts sat plush against his trench-coat, eliciting a soft gasp from your fiancé. Gaara’s lips parted to admit a groan, but you swallowed it before grazing your tongue on his lower lip and inviting yourself into his mouth. Your nail snatched on one of the buttons of his trench-coat. You sighed at the memory of his erection, firmly pressed against you in the greenhouse. You anticipated it now. You adjusted until both of your legs were on either side of him, your backside resting on the desk’s edge. You fisted the fabric of his coat. Gaara swiped at your tongue; you gasped, a throb from below sending you grinding against his abdomen.

“(Y/n) …” Gaara broke away only to kiss a path down your jaw.

You moaned as his teeth grazed the tender neckskin. You bit your lip as his hand crept up the hem of your shirt. The feel of skin on skin wiped your mind blank.

Yes yes yes — 

A knock.

You came up from water. Gaara pulled away; the loss of his counterweight sent you stumbling to your feet. Gaara composed himself, glaring at the surface of his desk before helping you away from it. After a few beats, he said, “Come in.”

The knob turned — and turned.

“Oh!”  You hurried to unlock it. A shinobi awaited you on the other side. 

“Uh, Lady (Y/n).” He nodded Gaara’s way. “Lord Kazekage.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“Well, it’s … Lord Boutoku has arrived.”

#gaara x reader #gaara x you #gaara x y/n #gaara smut #naruto x reader #naruto x y/n #naruto x you #naruto smut #my work

[nevernotswagging]

Under The Table

♡ pairing: Gaara x GN!reader Under The Table

♡ wc: 0.5k

♡ w: NSFW, oral (male recieving) minor scratching,

The stifled moans that Gaara let out were enough to encourage you to keep going, even though your knees were screaming at you to get up.

You pulled away, allowing for yourself to catch your breath before immediately returning back to kitten licking the tip. You could feel his dick twitching in response to your teasing to the head.

Above you, Gaara was attempting to focus on his paperwork that he had to get done ASAP, but it was evidently difficult when you were on your knees under his desk giving him an intense feeling of pleasure.

You'd almost think Gaara wasn't enjoying it with how good he was at keeping quiet but you knew Gaara better than anyone else. You could see the way his hand would repeatedly ball into a fist before unclenching right after. You could feel how tense his thighs were beneath your hand and the way that his legs would bounce up and down. Gaara wasn't vocal during intimate moments but his physical pleasure was just as reassuring as would any noise be.

Your tongue trailed around the head of his dick before you allowed it to slip back into your mouth. The warmth and weight against your tongue made you moan while you tasted the salty mess that would dribble out.

With one of your hands you caressed his thigh up and down occasionally letting your nails scratch against his bare skin. "I have a meeting soon." Gaara announced with shaky words. "We only have 5 minutes." You knew that it wasn't 5 minutes until the meeting but more 5 minutes until he had to recollect himself and prepare.

"Perfect" You smirked up at him.

Your head bobbed up and down along his length, your hands gripping onto the parts that you couldn't fit and with both moves it wouldn't be long until Gaara came in your mouth.

You wished in these moments that Gaara would let loose and fuck your mouth with hard thrusts, but Gaara had previously expressed that he was uncomfortable with doing something like that with you, he didn't like hearing you gag with his dick down your throat because he thought he was hurting you, when in reality it was the complete opposite.

The vibrations of your moaning was what triggered Gaara's release. He let out a grunt as he stopped what he was doing and allowed for his climax to take place. He ran a hand through your hair as you finished cleaning him up before helping you stand up. "I told you to bring a pillow." He deadpanned as he looked at your knees. You smiled sweetly at him and brushed it off like it was nothing, but you knew that your knees would be killing you tomorrow.

"I don't mind." You said quietly. "You should get ready before one of your siblings comes looking for you."

"I expect to see you when I'm finished." Gaara said while he was leaving the room.

#gaara #gaara x reader #gaara smut #naruto gaara #naruto x reader #naruto smut

[silenceisthenewscreaming]

Late at Night (Gaara x Reader smut)

NO MINORS ALLOWED PAST THE CUT OFF POINT.

18 + PLEASE!

Warnings: Mentions of cock warming, oral (male/female), sex in the workplace.

Authors note: pls bear with me here folks this is the first fanfic anything i've posted in YEARS so i may be a little rusty. Also my first Naruto based/Gaara/Smut post so if you have any tips/comments/concerns i would love to hear them.

Credit for the gifs to their creators!

For the record this is after the war and Gaara is aged up for 22!

Plot: You and Gaara are working late in the Kazekage's office after everyone has gone home. He finally acts on the things he'd desired for so long....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It started off small between you two, nothing to crazy outside the realm of stolen kisses in alley ways and in his office late at night. You were the one thing he had to himself that no one else could share because he was the only one who got to hold you in such a tender way. Your arms wrapped around his neck as your foreheads pressed together, lips just hovering over one another as his breath grew shaky at the thought of closing the gap.

Gaara was so gentle with you all the time being the cautious man he is he didn’t want to frighten you by his sudden urges to bend you over his desk and claim you as his. He wouldn’t dream of pursuing his sick thoughts of his head between your legs as his tongue worked in and out of your sopping cunt as his hands gripped your breasts and you cried out his name in soft moans.

No, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t touch you like that no matter how bad it got and by now as he pressed your hips closer to his desk and planting his hands on either side of you to prevent your inevitable escape. The way his eyes searched yours for the permission to kiss you was full of desperation and lust, it made you squeeze your thighs shut as your cunt throbbed at the thought of him taking advantage of the moment. Taking your hands out from around his neck and dragging one hand slowly down his chest till you hit his belt buckle that held his robes closed.

Pulling him flush against you and shoving your ass into the desk firmly, He groaned at the sudden action and finally pressed his lips against yours letting one hand grip your cheek and slip into your hair. Your tongue running across his lips as he granted you access to continue exploring him, your hand still on his belt now fumbled to undo it before he changed his mind.

“Y/N���Is this what you want my love?”

Your soft “yes” was barely audible as you were distracted by his hands gripped your hips and lifting you into seated position on his desk. Placing his hand on yours and pushing it away as he shook his head, hands placed back on your thighs as he met your gaze. Your pouted lip at the push of your hand was clear that you were frustrated by his lack of allowing you to have your way with your kazekage.

“Louder for me sweetheart please, I need to hear you say it”

You smirked and your gaze changed to a more playful sparkle as his fingers slipped under your chin and coaxed you head up to keep you looking at him.

“I want you…Lord Kazeka- “

Gaara wouldn’t let you finish as his lips crashed against yours in a battle for dominance, letting you explore his chest as you finger haphazardly undid the buttons on his shirt to gain access to his soft skin underneath. He’d been so touch starved his entire life that the small scrapes you left on his chest with your nails as you pushed his shirt off his shoulders caused a breathy moan to escape his lips as he shook off the shirt the rest of the way and planted his hands firmly on your hips again grinding you into the desk not even breaking the kiss as it grew heated.

His fingers dipping into the waist band of your skirt as one hand slipped under your ass pulling you ever so slightly off the desk just enough for him to swiftly yank that stupid skirt down your thighs. The red color of the panties that were clearly soaked by your sweet cunt getting so excited from his touch made him stop to stare for a moment. The whimper slipping from you was what snapped him back to reality as he shoved your thighs apart to get a better view, you elbows propped against his desk and papers strewn all over the floor caused him to sit back in his chair and take in the view. You again pouted as you looked at him and cursed his name mentally,

“Gaara I swear to god if you stop all the sudden, I’m going to scream”

He shook his head as he softly laughed at your snappy attitude all the sudden, you were normally so patient with him it was rare you actually tried to command the kazekage to do your bidding. Leaning back in his chair as your foot reached out to the armrest in a pathetic attempt to pull him back to you. His hands gently caressed your leg as they travelled up just below your knee and back down to your ankles.

“Do you really want this Darling? Please. I will not be stopping if we carry on like this, I’ve craved you for far too long”

His voice broke as your eyes softened and you pushed yourself into a seated position and leaned over to meet him in the middle, placing your hand on the side of his face as you kissed him sweetly and whispered against his lips.

“I’ve wanted you for so long Gaara, through everything…I need you; I love you”

That was more than enough to bring the kazekage back to you and he pressed you back into your previous position. A hand travelling down your stomach and up your thigh and he squeezed the soft tender skin before dipping his fingers between your sweet folds and watching you tip your head back in bliss. A finger slipping its way into your tight cunt that caused him to falter at the feeling of your pussy gripping his finger so well. The other hand on your opposite thigh pushing your leg back to press against your stomach as a second finger slipped in and his pace picked up at the sight of your eyes rolling back and the moan ripping from your lips and a broken version of his name was repeated over and over again.

His eyes never leaving your reactions even though his cock grew hard and uncomfortable in his pants, he wanted you in this moment and nothing else as he felt your walls clamp down on his fingers. How pretty you look splayed out for him on his desk and crying out his name as if your life depended on it, how pretty did you taste he wondered as he suddenly pulled his fingers from your cunt and sat back in his chair. Pulling himself closer to his desk as he buried his face between your legs and slowly licking up your cunt in a straight line, pressing flat against your clit as your hands found their way into his hair.

So good, so sweet as he pressed his nose into your pussy and continued to fuck your sweet hole with his tongue. He couldn’t stop even though he wanted release just as bad he wanted to see yours more, he wanted to give into the immoral thoughts that plagued him during long council meetings as he thought of you waiting in his office for him.

Fingers pressing back into your cunt as he pulled his face away long enough to see you looking up at him with big eyes that begged him to continue, words dropping from your lips that he only heard before in his dreams.

“Gaara baby please, fuck me baby”

His eyes widened as a soft smile graced his beautiful face, pulling his fingers from your hungry cunt once again he finished the process of unhooking his belt and pushing his pants down his thighs just enough to allow the release of his cock as it sprang from his boxers. Your eyes looked greedy as you quickly scrambled off the desk and pressed him back to his chair as your placed your knees on the ground and sat between his legs. You wanted to taste his cock before he pressed into you, in fact Gaara wasn’t the only one who thought bad things when alone. You to dreamed of his cock sliding in between your legs and fucking you while he did his work, sitting pretty on his lap and keeping his cock warm until he finished then having him fuck you hard against his desk as a prize for being such a good girl.

He wondered for a moment what you could be thinking of as your hand wrapped around his cock guiding the hard member between your lips as you sweetly pushed your mouth down the length of his shaft. God he thought you would be the death of him if you continued this, your tongue swirling around the tip of his cock in slow motions before taking him whole in your mouth again was pressed your nose against his skin as his cock touched the back of your throat.

He was seeing stars as his moans grew a little louder and more frequent, hand desperately gripping at your hair to keep your head down for longer and he bucked his hips up to further please himself with you.

“I- I thought you wanted me to fuck you my love”

You broke away from his cock with a satisfying pop of your lips from the coating of saliva now on him, the sight of the little trail of spit going from your lower lip to his cock just about caused him to burst right then and there.

“mmm...I do…Jus’ wanted to make you feel good to”

“Pleas’. Darling I won’t last much longer like this, please...”

The sight of the begging redhead made you heart flutter as he picked you up from your knees and placed you back on his desk. Spreading your legs before Gaara even had to think of asking you, he fumbled when lining up the tip of his cock with your wet fucking pussy. Your hand slipping down you body between your legs to grip his cock gently and guide him into you. He groaned at the sudden tightness that gripped around his cock for the first time, pausing for a minute to let you adjust to his size before looking in your eyes and confirming you still wanted this before pushing deeper and drawing his hips back to slam into you again.

Leaning over you and planting one hand on the side of your head and one pushing your legs against your stomach again as his pace became faster and the moans became more strained as he watched you cry out his name for the hundredth time as you tightened against him again.

“Y/N, darling you’re so wet for me…such a good girl for me…all mine…just for me...”

“Gaara…Please plea- I’m gonna cu- cum”

“Cum for me my love. Cum for your Kazekage”

Gaara was normally such a soft spoken man it was unusual for him to be so firm with you, but gone were the soft gentle touches as he picked up pace and the only things that filled the office were his grunts and the slapping noises of his balls against you skin.

Your cries grew louder as your nails grabbed at the skin on his back and left long red marks that only made him pound your plush thighs harder and a thick ring of your wetness pooled around his cock, he wouldn’t last much longer as he looked at you one last time and your eyes met as you clamped down on him again just like before but this time a gush of your sweet cum rushed over his cock and before he could react his body tensed as his own orgasm ran over him, the quick pull out of his cock as he sprayed his cum over your stomach and pretty little cunt.

You giggled as he quickly looked back up at you from admiring his work on your body, A soft laugh and satisfied smile played on his lips as he pulled you up from his desk and wrapped his arms around your waist. Pressing a soft kiss to your lips and watching you relax in his arms he couldn’t believe he’d finally gotten what he’d wanted all this time. You. Just you, like this in his arms and praising him softly. A hand coming to the side of your face as he pulled away and looked you in the eyes,

“I love you to Y/N…”

#gaara #gaara smut #gaara x reader #smut #naruto shippuden #kazekage gaara #subaku no gaara #gaara of the desert

[azurelyy]

If it's not a bother can we have the best bros Kankuro and Gaara for the ask game? And thank you.

Definitely not a bother at all, thank you for the ask!

Kankuro:

1: sexuality headcanon

He sounds so fucking hot when he comes. He just makes this low, low groan that rumbles his entire chest. It's addictive. Not to mention the fact that this means he's going to hold you in his muscular arms so tightly, cradling you to him like a prized possession, as he chants "IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou."

2: otp

I am going to get so much shit for this and everyone is going to scream at me about how this is a crack ship but I don't care. One day, when I write this stupid fic idea I've had of them and finally just put it into the world, maybe you'll come around. You will understand just how PURE AND GREAT these two are... SaiKank. Watch out for them, they're coming! Haha.

3: brotp

I don't really have one...sdkfhnsdkjfn. I'm sorry lol.

4: notp

I guess Hinata? I don't see that working out well for them lol.

5: first headcanon that pops into my head

Kankuro is the type to go on a date with someone and literally zone out as they talk because he's too busy thinking about how cute they are. And then he gets embarrassed when he has to admit it to them...

"Uh... What? I'm really sorry, I wasn't listening because I was looking at your lips. You have a really cute smile."

6: favorite line from this character

I have no idea. I'm sorry lol.

7: one way in which I relate to this character

He's funny and I like to think I am also funny.

8: thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character

The puppets. Need I say more?

9: cinnamon roll or problematic fave?

I don't think he's really either? I guess he is sort of problematic because he was kind of a douche during the chunin exams, so I'll go with that.

Gaara:

1: sexuality headcanon

Submissive. He is the sub and there's no arguing with me. He can take control if needed but that is definitely not his preference. He will let you do ~whatever~ you want to him, and he is very good about repaying the favor back to you ;)

2: otp

GaaLee <3. My little babies.

3: brotp

Naruto! I love how inspired by Naruto Gaara is. I think it's adorable. And then all Gaara wants is to make Naruto happy... I am MELTING AHHHHH.

4: notp

Naruto. I do think Gaara has a crush on him, but I don't ship it. Naruto was never going to reciprocate (sorry!) and so Gaara should move on to someone better... Like Lee <3.

5: first headcanon that pops into my head

He's a snuggler. He does not want space between him and his partner in bed. If there is even a slight gap, he will assume they're upset with him.

6: favorite line from this character

“I think of you as a friend. I used to think “friend” was just another word… Nothing more, nothing less. But when I met you, I realized what was important was the word’s meaning.” 

7: one way in which I relate to this character

I swear I don't mean to keep making these so sad but like, I GET his loneliness. Not so much anymore, but back in the day... Yeah.

8: thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character

This picture:

9: cinnamon roll or problematic fave?

Cinnamon rollllllll~ He is a rare character that went from problematic to cinnamon roll and honestly, we LOVE the development!

#gaara #azurelyy scribbles #ask game #gaara headcanons #gaara smut #kankuro #kankuro headcanons #kankuro smut

[undersero]

Hi bestie 🥺 I’m sorry u had a rough appointment. Sending u lots of hugs 🤗

As for naruto stuff, what do u think about soft sex with Gaara 👀? Or Kiba?

Thank you sweetie ❤️🤍🧡

I think most sex with Gaara is soft, tbh. He likes taking his time and feeling your body and how your toes curl and the way your back arches. Soft sex means lots of kisses and a slow pace and lots and lots of Gaara gazing at you like you’re a precious treasure.

With Kiba, soft sex is a little less often but is still incredible. He talks to you while he fucks you slowly, nibbling along your shoulders and telling you how perfect you are. He says how you’re so hot/gorgeous/whatever your favorite adjective is, and the sharp sting of his little fangs on your skin makes everything so sloppy and good. Kiba’s heart eyes are the biggest when you have soft sex and I think his loads are pretty big then too ehehehe

#bee’s asks #kiba smut #gaara smut #kiba thirst #gaara thirst

[pompompurinwrites]

Gaara x Fem!Reader Pt.1

This is really short and I’m gonna be real not that good😭I SWEAR YALL I WILL PUT IN MORE EFFORT IN MY NEXT ONESHOT🫶💕I will most likely write a pt.2 but not for a few weeks at least so I will be posting another oneshot that I have fully done.

TW: 18+, breastfeeding

Word count: 181

Gaara squeezed your plump breasts. His hands caressing them like they were the most prized jewels he has ever touched.

“A-ah” you pant out.

“Does it feel good y/n”. Gaara’s cheeks started to turn bright pink on his pale skin.

He got the courage to take one of your nipples into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around and then engulfed the whole thing.

“Y/n…you taste so good.” Gaara looked at your face, glistening with sweat.

Your face goes from pink to dark red.

“Don’t say such embarrassing things”. You are starting to come undone.

He sucked the droplets of milk that squirted out of your breasts. He kept drinking not being able to get his fill.

To him you’re the best tasting thing in the world.

“Gaara, are we done yet.” You shakily asked him. You were so tired just from him sucking for a few minutes.

“You’re finished already”?

You knew his stamina was high so you endured it just for him.

“N-no, I can go a little longer”. You really wanted him to get to the main course.

#gaara x y/n #gaara x reader #gaara smut #gaara fanfic #naruto shippuden #naruto shippuden x reader #Gaara x fem!reader

[blueroan-equestrian]

So Glad I Have You

Smut

I quietly made my way to the file room that none of the ninjas have any idea how to keep things straight despite me taking time to teach them and yet it is I who they say is a no body. I am the Kazakage’s office manager. I know everything that goes on here. But I rarely get any respect from any of the ninjas and often talked down to as if I am useless being mostly. The staff that live here are cordial at least but I don’t often deal with them, it’s the outside village Ninjas that I have to deal with as they know nothing about the inner workings here.

Though I might not be a ninja, I make sure that this place has everything it needs and coordinate the compound’s staff scheduling with the exception of the Kazekage of course. I handle payroll and that is a pain to do in it of itself. Today was payroll day and I can’t even leave my file room for if I do they will create a month’s worth of work. So I bring in my laptop and yell at them when they come in and try to be lazy.

Today was payroll day so I was sitting on the table in the center of the room when someone entered the room and I gave a quick glance. Not immediately recognizing the red haired blur I assumed was just a new ninja who moved here so I quickly bark out the file room system followed by “and if you don’t understand that just ask for help instead being a stupid meat head.”

The man chuckled, “People have been telling me that there’s a file room gremlin and I think I found the one they were referring to.”

“If they don’t want to deal with the gremlin then perhaps they should stop being complete idiot’s who can’t follow a simple filing system when left alone. It’s payroll day and I don’t have time to go through their blatant disregard for the system to fix it like I do every other day.” I state without looking up.

“They have all been told how to file there own reports like you did with me?”

“Normally I show them how to do it, not that they listen. You are the only newbie to show up on payroll day. Now do you need help or …” I looked up and realized who I was talking to. But I held my poker face refusing to balk.

He smirked, “Well I assure you that I will not show you such disrespect. Your system seems clear and efficient, why hasn’t it been followed?”

I snort as if finding humor in the question, “I’m not a ninja and yes they have told me as much. The kids are better about following my system and rarely on purpose mess it up. It’s the adult’s who seem to lack brains. If I didn’t know better, I would think that there was a brain sucker on the loose.”

The kazekage seemed amused, “It would seem like it. I will take care of this, if it continues, you come let me know. I’m Gaara by the way.”

“I’m (y/n). Nice to meet you, Lord Kazekage.” I leaned forward giving him a small bow as I was on a table sitting crisscrossed apple sauce and couldn’t give more.

“It’s nice to meet you too (y/n). I don’t like how the ninjas here have been treating you and I hope you know that I would never support such poor behavior. If this continues please come see me. I mean it. If this is what gets me my reports that I need when I need them then it better be followed. Not that they shouldn’t respect you either way. You are here in this job for reason after all.” Gaara stammered.

I cocked my head to the side with a smile, “Well aren’t you cute when you’re flustered.”

He turned beat red, “Um what? I mean I just want to make sure you know that you are valued here and treated correctly… um I need to get back to the office.”

I shrugged it off and continued with my work scolding the Ninjas who came in and tried to make and leave messes.

…

I finished my day and I went back to my quarters in the Kazekage’s compound. It has a sitting room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a full bathroom. It’s quite spacious. One of the reasons I put up with the bs I go through is for this space. It has good benefits for a job Ninjas constantly treat you like shit for. Most staff in the compound aren’t Ninjas though they don’t seem to have as much of an issue with the ninjas as I do. Only the gaurds are trained Ninjas. Though the difference between me and the other staff is that I have some authority and they don’t like that.

I changed into comfortable pajamas and plopped down on my couch when there was a knock on my door. I shuffled to the door and opened it up. Outside stood Kazekage Gaara. I bowed deeply, “Lord Kazekage! I… I wasn’t expecting anyone. What brings you here? Is something wrong?”

He seemed to have a pink dusting over his cheeks. It was cute… wait did I just call the Kazekage cute? At least I said it in my head this time and not out loud. He took a moment before speaking, “Nothings wrong, just wanted to stop and apologize again for the way that you have been treated here. It was unacceptable and I want you to know that I won’t tolerate such juvenile behavior. You are an essential member of my staff and not a single one of my staff should ever be treated as less than no matter their status. So please notify my secretary if this ever happens again to you or anyone else on staff.”

I looked at him trying to read him because other than the light blush he was like a complete wall and unreadable. I nodded slowly trying to figure out what was happening. “Um… I know… this isn’t on you and it’s alright… it’s not like I’m going to die over it.”

He gave me a look for just a moment breaking the stoic one he was holding. “A file room that isn’t maintained here, very well could lead to some serious issues. But that isn’t why you deserve to be treated with respect. You are a member of my staff and that alone entitles you to be treated with respect and dignity. Again I apologize for your treatment here… good night.”

“Good night Lord Kazekage.” I bowed deeply again before closing the door when he turned to leave.

…

I did have an easier time now that the Kazekage got involved, though I still don’t know why he did. After all he is a very busy man. He runs the whole village and does more than his share to keep it safe. Today I was putting in the compound orders, as in cleaning supplies, office supplies, and equipment for the guards. I was typing away on my computer in my quaint office when I got a knock. I keep my door open so I just looked up and for the third time this week found the Kazekage standing before me. I stood up and bowed, “Lord Kazekage, what brings you here? Surely little ol me doesn’t warrant a visit from such a busy and important person.”

He stepped in and took a seat in front of my desk and for a second I could see the young man he actually was behind the responsibilities placed on his shoulders. He gathered his thoughts before speaking, “Well…the first time I came to see you I had over heard two of my ninjas talking about you and was curious about what they were talking about… but then I met you and …”

He was rambling and honestly I wasn’t following until his brother, Kankuro, walked past the door saying, “Just ask her out for god’s sake! Don’t overthink it!”

I chuckled as Gaara turned beat red. “Oh? Is that why you stopped by my quarters? And now that’s why you are here? Do you want to ask or should I?”

He ran his hands through his hair, “Um…. (Y/n), I was hoping for um a date with you… maybe to dinner?”

I smiled, “I think dinner would be nice. Is there a particular time that suits you best?”

He took a breath, “Uh tomorrow at six?”

“Okay, sounds good how about you come to my quarters and I will make you dinner.” I flirted.

“You want to make me dinner?” He questioned rather shyly.

“I would love to cook for you. I might not be the best cook but I promise it’s edible.” I chuckled.

He smiled, “That would be nice. I haven’t had a home cooked meal in ages. Thank you for the talk and agreeing to the date… I will see you tomorrow?”

“I will see you tomorrow, Lord Kazekage.”

He paused at the door, “Please, call me Gaara. Have a good evening Miss.(y/n).”

“Alright, you have a good evening too Gaara-sama.”

…

I got off work a little early so I could stop at the store before heading back and starting dinner for myself and Gaara. I wasn’t a great cook but I think my chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is pretty decent so that’s what I was cooking and a bottle of red wine in the fridge.

I had just finished setting the the table when I got a knock on the door. I opened up the door and there he was standing straight and tall, with those soft sea foam eyes gazing at me. It was my turn to blush. “Lorrr I mean Gaara-Sama please come in. I just set the table.”

Gaara handed me a bouquet of flowers, “I brought you some flowers. I hope they are to your liking.”

I take the flowers and hold them to my nose, “They are beautiful, thank you.”

I lead him in quickly as I take care of the flowers and pulled out the bottle of wine. “Do you drink red wine?”

He nodded, “Yes thank you. This all smells amazing. Thank you.”

I chuckled as I finished pouring us wine, “Are you always this formal?”

He blushed, “l… I don’t know… I just don’t want to mess this up. I really like you and I can’t even explain it. But I don’t know how to do this I have never been on a date before.”

I nodded, “Well. Just do your best to relax. If formal suits you best that’s fine. It’s just us.”

He smiled and we slowly found a rhythm as we talked and ate our dinner.

I went to clear our plates but Gaara quickly took them, “Please, you cooked. Let me do the cleaning. I will be done in just a moment.”

I plopped down on my couch and waited patiently for him to return. When he did, he sat next to me with impeccable posture. I tucked my feet under one of his thighs. He looked at me but didn’t say anything. “So uh want to watch a movie with me?”

He nodded, “That would be nice.”

“Are you comfortable? You know you can make yourself at home.” I could see the gears inside his head going but his face held solid. He stayed quiet so I moved to pick a movie on Netflix. I found a good rom-com and asked, “Is this okay? We can pick something else but keep in mind I don’t do scary movies.”

He nodded, “This is fine. Why don’t you do scary movies?”

I chuckled, “Because they’re scary and I won’t sleep for weeks.”

He smirked, “I suppose I can’t blame you. Though you live in one of the most secure buildings in Suna.”

“No one said fear was logical.” I countered playfully.

Finally he seemed to relax and lose the stiffness. He slumped into the couch and I moved to snuggle into his side. He glanced down at first looking unsure what he should do so I pulled back, “If snuggling makes you uncomfortable we don’t have to.”

He paused for a moment and thought for just a second, “No, I want to… I just never had someone want to be so close to me before. It’s different…. Honestly I didn’t think you were going to say yes when I asked you out… It was my brother who encouraged me to ask. I was certain that you would say no and if you did agree to it, it was because of my position.”

I nodded, “Oh… was that why you were so reserved all this time?” He nods, “Well I assure you if I didn’t want to go on a date with you I would not have invited you into my quarters. I would have chosen some place much more public so if I needed to I could walk away easily.”

He chuckled, “That’s smart. I didn’t think of that. But what if during this date something went wrong?”

I shrugged, “I was pretty sure it wouldn’t. Soooo cuddles?”

Gaara reached out his arm gesturing for me to come close. I smiled and dived down for some cuddles. Gaara’s arm encircled me pulling me close. He smelled like sandalwood, and his body though layered with the Kazekage robes, I could feel just how solid he was. His breath was steady and his heart beat strong and steady, it slowly lulled me to sleep.

I woke up tucked into my bed. I got up and got ready for the day. I walked into my kitchen to find a little note left for me.

Hope you slept well. You look cute when you’re asleep. I will be busy the next couple of weeks but hopefully I can see you again.

Gaara

I smiled at the sweet note and went about my day. I checked the file room like I do every day but unlike normal, there were very few errors to fix. So I went about checking supplies which with the size of this place takes some time. I do this for two reasons, one sometimes people forget to tell me we need something and two just to check with staff and see if they need help with anything. It also allows me to see what needs to get done around the building I guess. It’s a never ending cycle.

I sat on top of my desk sending out emails to the department heads, (cleaning morning and night shift, maintenance morning and night shift, the part time file clerk, and gaurd though their email is just so they know what’s going on) The email was for new staff updates and training, what needs to be worked on or improved upon. And lastly what would help each group keep morale up. When I got a little surprise from a certain red head.

“Do you always sit on tables?” He asked light heartedly.

I smiled, “I don’t sit on dining tables or side tables.”

He chuckled as he walked into my small office, “Oh well that’s good to know.”

“I thought that you were going to be busy today.”

“I might be playing hooky for a meeting I’m supposed to be in.”

Leaned forward to wrap my arms around his neck. I leaned my head close enough to feel his breath on my lips. “Well then maybe I should reward you with a kiss hmm?” Upon hearing the hitch in his breath I closed the gap, kissing him deeply. He groaned and pulled back quickly after.

“I’m so sorry I don’t know what came over me.” He stammered.

I chuckled and set my computer aside. “Well I do. And while I don’t mind, we’re in my office. What will people say?”

He blushed, “What?”

“Just giving you a hard time. But I’m sure after a few more dates I wouldn’t mind.”

He swallowed, “while I appreciate the offer… I have to decline… I don’t think I am ready for that step yet.”

I played with the hair at the nape of his neck, “If you aren’t ready and I am moving too fast, you never have to apologize for speaking up on what you feel and need.”

…

We quietly dated and often I was a little bit more ready for each step but I understood that he had reservations. After all he had been through quite a bit. Today we munched on the snacks I had in my cupboard on my couch, he brought his work with him and for the most part the only sound was the tv. I had my feet tucked under his thighs to have some sort of contact. I watched my favorite tv series. I got used to coexisting with little interaction. I glanced over at him and his stack of papers, I heaved a sigh, “You hungry? I think I might start dinner.”

He looked up at me for the first time in what felt like forever, “Oh, um. Kind of actually but you know I can just have the kitchen do it.”

I shrugged, “I don’t have anything else to do right now so I might as well.”

He nodded, “Alright… (y/n)….”

I stopped and looked back at him, “Yes?”

“I…. I’m not good at this and I often talk to Kankuro about our dates and he has pointed out that you might be… being polite about this situation. And I think he’s right… Right? I know I can be a bit oblivious.”

“Gaara, I understand that you have a never ending stream of work… but I would be lying if I told you that it didn’t bother me that we don’t have conversations beyond the basic pleasantries. A little attention would be nice sometimes but I know it’s not easy for you. It’s not an easy balance. You know this has been our longest conversation all month.”

He nodded thoughtfully, “I see… I suppose I have been a little absent… I can start with being present at dinner.”

I smiled and shuffled over to give him a quick kiss, “That would be nice. Now how does a BLT sound?”

He gives me a peck back and smiles, “Sounds good.”

…

We started having one hour a week for just us time. This week was snuggling time. “You smell good today.” I hummed.

He chuckled and kissed my head, “Naruto gifted me this new cologne. I wasn’t sure about it but I’m glad you like it… sweetheart?”

“Hmmm….?”

He shifted me in his arms, “Um… why do you stay with me? I didn’t even realize I wasn’t giving you attention until you said something and Kankuro pointed out being in the same room isn’t actually being together. I guess what I mean is I haven’t put into our relationship the same that you do.”

“And what do you think I put into it?”

“You bring me out of my office, plan our sit ins, you make our meals, you tell me about your day and even though I usually give you the same response… I’m completely obtuse, and you are completely aware of me.”

I raised my eyebrows, “You sound pretty aware yourself. Gaara, I don’t have nearly as much responsibility as you do. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. Sure sometimes I might feel a little lonely but I know you care. I know you see me. We have a different kind of relationship is all. Sure I would love more contact and affection but it’s important we go at a pace we are both comfortable with. So if baby steps is where you are at then that’s is perfectly fine.”

He leans me back onto the couch with his eyes shining, “If you will still have me… I think I would like to go to the next step.”

“What step is that, baby?” I hummed as I ran my hands over his muscular arms that that encircled me.

“I… I think I am ready… for intercourse.”

I chuckled but shifted under him to allow him to settle between my legs, “Always so formal but if you want to… I don’t mind.” I reached down and wriggled out of my panties. I took his hand and guided it down to my folds. I leaned up and kissed him as I reached to palm him through his pants. He awkwardly started prodding at my entrance. So I pushed him back, “Here, let me show you how to help prep me.”

I reached down and delicately began to work myself as he watched intently. After a little bit of watching he swatted my hand away and began to play with me himself. His fingers were calloused but still ginger as they swept into me. I moaned as I tossed my head back. “Gaara…” I moaned as I quickly undressed the rest of the way. “Please…. Give it to me.” I tugged at his layered clothes.

He sat up and removed his clothes. He climbed back over me. “Um… may I?” He asked as he clumsily lined himself up with me. I nodded and he began to slowly enter me.

I let out a whimper as he was quite thick and lengthy as he stretched me out around him. He was slow with his pace. He pushed all the way in, before pulling almost all the way out again. His eyes were screwed shut tight as he pumped in and out. I bucked my own hips to meet his thrusts. The room might of had a tv going but all I could hear were the sounds of our moans mixing and the steady sound of our skin slapping together. He gained a confidence as he picked up the pace then suddenly stop, flip me over and slammed back into my weeping hole. He groaned and panted as his fingers would surely leave bruises on my hips.

He hit just the right spot sending me over the edge. My own climax pulled Gaara with me, spilling his seed inside of me. Both of us collapsed, I on the couch and he on top of me. He kissed at my shoulders as we both came down from our highs. After a good minute Gaara adjusted us so that I was laying on his chest. His fingers danced over the skin of my back. I hummed happily and what felt like the first time in forever, we just savored each other. He dropped a kiss on my head and hummed, “That was amazing my love.”

I peak up at him, “love?”

His cheeks are pink as he nodded, “yeah… I um… I think it’s safe to say that I love you… I love you so much. I don’t know if I have ever felt anything like this before… sweetheart?”

“Hmmm?”

“Will you marry me? I know being my wife won’t be the most glamorous or even as easy as a normal marriage but I can say that every night I will share a bed with you. That I will hold you every night, though I can’t promise you much more time awake together than l have now but…”

“Yes… on one condition.” He nodded and I continued. “If I get pregnant, you’ll carve time out for just them too. And more than just family dinner.”

He nodded seriously, “I understand. Children are quite a serious thing… and I did just… I accept your condition. I will train them if you are to become pregnant. They will know that they are loved. Though you should know that I am not great with kids.”

“As long as you love them.” I giggled and we shared a kiss. He smiled too.

“Shall I take you to bed?” He hummed and I agreed. That night we snuggled in my bed.

I woke to an empty bed. I got up to move about my day. I was restocking the file room when I got a visit from Gaara’s assistant. “The Kazekage has requested your presence in his office.”

I quickly made my way over to his office, “Gaara-sama? Is everything alright?”

Gaara looked up from his work at his desk with a smile, “sweetheart! Come in! I wanted to ask you your ring size. I want to get you a proper ring but I have no idea what size you are.”

“Oh! Um (your size). That’s sweet of you to think of me like that.” I hummed as I walked in to give him a kiss.

He wrapped a hand around my waist and pulled me close, “Kankuro said it’s traditional to give the woman you plan to marry a ring. I wouldn’t want you to think that I didn’t value you. I care quite deeply for you… which is why I asked Kankuro about the traditions in marriages. He said I should get you a ring…. But I’m not sure the type which he said I should talk to you about it.”

I moved to sit on his lap, “why don’t we go out to pick out matching rings together.”

“You sure? If we do that people may start talking about you in a different way.” He hummed rubbing my thighs.

“You are about to become my husband, I don’t think we can help that for much longer unless you are planning on keeping me your little secret.” I teased.

“I suppose you’re right but I can’t help worrying. I don’t want you to be put on the spot because of me. I don’t want you to be be treated any kind of way… you know what I mean.”

I kissed at his neck and hummed, “I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me. You and I are all that matters. I love you so much.”

“I love…mmm… you too…” he moaned as I worked his sweet spot. “Baby, please I need to get this work done. I promise I will get off work early so that we can go pick out a ring.”

I gave him one last kiss, “Alright, I will behave. See you tonight…. One more kiss?”

“Ok but just one.” He kissed me and I made my way out of the office back to work.

I worked efficiently and quickly until Gaara came and found me, “alright love let’s go find you a ring, I got the shop open for just us. You can pick whatever you want.”

“If I didn’t know better I would have thought that you were showing off.” I giggled taking his hand in mine.

The shop was dark but each sales rep had pulled out several displays out. The manager shuffled up quickly and bows deeply, “Lord Kazekage, it’s an honor. Please come in and take your time.”

Gaara placed a hand on my lower back, “My fiancé here will be picking it out as it is for her.”

The manager bowed to me this time, “Please allow me to help you pick out a ring as beautiful as you.” We follow him around until we come across a beautiful red ruby center surrounded by diamonds with twisted silver band that is also studded in diamonds.

“It matches your hair.” I hummed “but what do you think of it?”

Gaara peered over my shoulder, “Is that a good thing?”

“That it reminds me of you?” I hummed as I reached up and kissed him, “of course it is!”

The manager nodded, “I couldn’t agree more with the young madam.”

He smiled ever so lightly, “Is that the one?”

“Yes. It’s perfect, do you want to put it on me?” I squealed excitedly.

Gaara pinched his brows together in confusion, “why?”

The manager answered, “It’s tradition! It’s traditional for the man to put the engagement ring onto his betrotheds finger.”

Gaara nodded taking the ring form me and then slipped it onto my finger. Gaara kissed me, “Alright so how much do I owe?”

The manager had them step aside to settle the cost. He came back and led me back to my apartment in the compound. He took my hands before we stepped into my quarters, “I was thinking… maybe we should move you into my quarters…. It’s bigger and nicer and closer to my office. It’ll be easier for us to have time together.”

“I think that makes sense I will pick up some boxes tomorrow to get started on working on that.”

…

Gaara’s quarters were significantly larger and definitely nicer than my own. I took always got off work before Gaara and would be alone in the large place. Today I sat in the den with my poster board and little table and name tags trying to plan our wedding reception. The few friends and family we had was easy to sit but the difficult part was sitting the political people we had to invite. Knowing what nation doesn’t get along with another was absolutely ridiculous thing that I didn’t want to deal with but Gaara said it was what the elders insisted upon. Gaara says that’s just how things are for him as the Kazekage. Everything is a political move for him with the exception of myself. I eventually decided I wasted enough time on it and went to start dinner. His kitchen was immaculate before I moved in, now it’s always a bit messy which he never complains about. I finished prepping and putting the dish in the oven.

By the time I pulled out the dish Gaara walks in looking… like he’s been in the field. “Gaara? What happened?” I asked abandoning the dish on the counter and ran to him.

He didn’t say much but kind of brushed past me, “Why is it always a mess?”

“Bad day I see. I’m going to zoom past that attitude though. You going to tell me what is going on or what?”

“Nothing just the village had an attack I had to deal with and now this mess. You know for a office manager who is so organized you are such a hot mess” He glared.

“Excuse you, I have been planning our wedding alone and I make you dinner every night. I don’t know what you are complaining about but you have never complained about any of this before so do you want to try again or am I going to stay with a friend until you are ready to use your words?” I asked with my eyebrows raised.

He huffed, “Let’s just eat dinner and take a shower I’m exhausted.”

… we ate in silence and he cleared the table before grabbing my hand and pulling me into the lavish bathroom. “Gaara?” I questioned.

He looked at me with this exhausted look, “baby… please I just need something good today… please…”

I sighed, “Alright but I don’t like the attitude I got a minute ago. I started to strip and he followed suit.

“I know I know… I should be talking things out but I’m not used to it… are you ready?” He asked as he moved to take off his pants.

I simply move to turn on the very luxurious rain shower. I loved his shower he quickly joined me. “I absolutely love this shower, I could spend all day in it.” I hummed.

He slowly stepped in behind me, his fingers slide over my wet skin and pulled me back into him. He laid kisses over my shoulder and prodded my but with his hard cock. He hummed at the stimulation and he quickly reached down to rub circles on my pearl. I let my head lull back onto his shoulder. He eventually pushed me forward so that I would be against the wall with my hips back for him to easily line up with my entrance and glide in. Gaara bucked his hips with a singular focus. He moaned with one last thrust and when he stilled inside of me spilling his seed deep inside, I could feel him beginning to shake and sob.

I panicked and twirled around and pulled him into my arms, “Baby! What’s wrong?”

He peppered me in kisses, “My love, you have been so open and patient with me. I just snapped at you and you simply treat me like you do even though I just yelled at you for no real reason other than that I had a hard day at work. I don’t know what you think about me but I can’t imagine it’s good.”

I chuckled, “I’m sorry I don’t mean to laugh but you had a bad day and needed a release. I understand that and I don’t want you to be upset about it. I get it…” I brushed my fingers against his cheeks.

“I am so sorry and I am so glad that I have you.”

#kazekage gaara #gaara x y/n #gaara imagines #gaara smut #gaara of the sand #gaara x reader #gaara of the desert

[delirious-donna]

What Did You Call Me? [Gaara]

Oct. 26 - Gaara x female reader

A moment of passion turns into something dark and twisted when you let slip a new pet name. Rather than be repulsed, it strikes a match against a primal part of Gaara's soul.

warnings: daddy kink, riding, mating press, orgasm denial, overstimulation, marking, praise, Gaara snapping like an elastic band

Masterlist

The night had started much like so many before had, coaxing your overtired husband away from the study and into your awaiting bed.

Helping him undress to petulant moans that he was perfectly capable of getting ready for bed on his own, yet you knew he didn’t really mean it. Of course, he was capable of going through the motions of stripping out of his clothes and stepping into the loose black pants that he favoured, but he adored being cared for.

You weren’t babying him, only demonstrating how deeply you loved him. That he would never go forgotten, you were there to ensure he did not stay at his desk well into the night and although he feigned his grumbles, you could always see the appreciation in his drowsy eyes.

Tonight, they were jewel bright and sharp, they followed you around the room whilst you went through your own nightly routine. Gaara always looked the most relaxed in these moments, the minutes before you were both tucked up in bed. An arm resting behind his head, sheets barely covering up to his hips and that faint pink that would tip his ears each time you bent over to put something away.

“Gaara, I need you.”

You whispered into the darkness, a palm inching across the expanse of his chest as you rolled over to face him. Drowsy eyes blinked, a soft smile painting his lips and he hummed an unknown melody as your lips sought him out in eagerness.

He tasted spicy, bursts of cardamom upon your tongue and you swallowed his groan of surprise at how hard you pressed against him. Slipping inside his mouth to flick your tongue against his, travelling the expanse of his teeth before sucking on his lower lip.

“Where do you need me, my sunshine?”

The words were offered between kisses, small bursts of moments to allow for the much-needed air to fill your lungs. You felt overpowered by how rapidly this fiery need consumed you, it had not been on your mind prior to settling into Gaara’s protective side, but something about his familiar scent and warmth had sent you reeling.

With a leg draped over his own, you rolled further over to straddle his lap fully and dragged your slit across the stirring of his erection.

“Does this answer your question, my love?”

Gaara grunted a short sharp exhale as his hands flew to your waist and stroked your sides. Your fingers sought out his red locks, working them through his hair until you were tugging. Shifting the angle of his face, letting yourself fall back to the kisses that were stealing away your remaining sanity.

His fingers teased at the underside of your breasts, letting the roughened pads slowly slide up until he could lower your nightdress and bare them to his hungry gaze. A thumb swiped over the stiffened peak, making you jolt and roll your hips further down on his awakening cock.

Gaara was swept into your ardent passion, little bolts of lightning running up his spine at how wonderful you always made him feel. How needed, desired and wanted he was to you. He could spend an age loving you, worshipping your body like you were some higher deity, but he sensed your urgency tonight.

Feeling between your bodies, skimming his fingers across the damp cotton of your panties, he lowered his pants enough to let his cock spring free. His hand made to wrap around the base but you beat him to it, your much smaller fingers tightening around his shaft until he was biting his lip to halt the moans that were close to bubbling free.

“You’re so eager tonight, what has gotten into you?”

“Nothing yet, but I’m hoping you’ll let me sink on this beautiful cock if I ask nicely enough?” you quipped back, lighting up at the chuckle of laughter that greeted you.

His thumb pressed beneath the edge of your panties, gathering the strands of slick already painting your folds before pushing towards your clit. Soft circular movements, letting you whimper with need whilst your fingers clutched into his shoulders and lips popped open in a silent moan.

“Be my guest, sunshine,” he said with a rasp.

You were shifting, moving around to help with pressing your soaked panties to the side and guiding him to where you needed him most. Savouring the feel of slicking his cock along your wetness until he locked into place and your hips ground down.

Gaara’s grip moved to your waist, down to your hips and helped you fuck yourself on the tip of his cock. Working your pussy open with the steady roll of your hips and guttural groans of delight. His gaze was even more hooded than usual, transfixed with the hand that brushed through your hair whilst the other palmed your breast.

In no time at all you were moving faster, the frenetic bounce of your hips to meet the ones below driving you onwards. Wet smacks of skin on skin grew louder with each and every descent and suddenly you could feel that familiar tingle shoot across your chest.

“Oh…” You whined, face scrunched up and Gaara bit his lip at how flushed and sexy you looked in the throes of your building ecstasy.

“Are you going to cum for me?”

Your head rolled back, fervent nods offered in reply and he assumed you won’t verbally respond as little gasps flood the air, but he is surprised when you do speak. When you offer him a name he has never heard from you before nor had he ever expected to hear in this context.

“Mmhmm. Yes, Daddy.”

The eyes that had been droopy, lazy with lust and fatigue snap wide. Strong fingers bite into the plush of your hips and force you to stop moving. You cry and whimper, your orgasm being denied and it’s like you don’t even realise what you said.

A petulant pout sits upon your lips, but Gaara is more focused on the rev within his chest. His heart feels like it might tear straight through his rib cage, a tightness that is close to painful grips his heavy balls and he sits up in a hurry.

“What did you call me?” he inquired quietly. The calm tone beneath his words has your eyes flying to his own and you recall what you had said with mortification descending upon you. Oh god, how could you have let that slip out? Sure, it was a turn-on for you but one that was embarrassing and you had never shared it with anyone, not even your husband, not til now.

“Oh shit, I - I didn’t mean to—”

Gaara cut you off by grabbing at your jaw, his thumb pressed into your cheek until your lips parted in surprise. He tilted your face from side to side, admiring you with such a wickedly sharp look that you wanted to groan but are too fearful to do so.

“Didn’t ask for excuses, now, tell me. What did you call me?” he repeated and your spine straightened at the dominance he exerts over you.

“D-Daddy.”

Your voice is meek, eyes sinking away from him and there is a click of teeth seconds before you're rolled to your back. Pressed deep into the mattress, your legs forced against your chest with Gaara securing his hands at the bend of your knees.

You had almost forgotten your lost orgasm, the release that had been so close but fluttered away when your hips had been forced to still, but with one dutiful stroke, your usually docile husband had you clawing at him.

Never had he felt so feral, so driven to consume you with every primal fibre of his being. Gaara had snapped at that one word and having never considered it as something to desire before, now, he only wanted to hear it again.

Your breasts bounced from every forceful meeting of your hips, knees pressed tightly to your body and you struggled to take air into your lungs. Every inhale was knocked straight back out with the sinful roll of his hips, and when his thumb crashed hard against your throbbing clit, you lost your mind.

Everything was in freefall, gripping him with your velvet walls as your back arched high and your throat strained taut. His weight was close to overbearing as he leaned forward to bite and suck on your lips, his mouth trailing down your neck and leaving a path of bruises - his mark of ownership - on your skin.

“That’s it sunshine, cum on Daddy’s cock. Such a good girl for me.”

You whimpered at the lust in his voice, at the deep tone that answered an instinctual call within your gut. Gaara straightened to his knees once more, driving his twitching cock deep into your walls and from this position you could watch as it disappeared into your pussy. The base was ringed in thick cream and you wriggled from the feeling of overstimulation, his cockhead rubbing incessantly against your sweet spot.

“Please… oh please. Daddy s’too much.”

He chuckled and it made you gasp, your gentle husband was gone and in his place was the man you would come to know as only Daddy.

Daddy didn’t visit often, but when he did, you couldn’t walk right for days…

#delirious writes #kinktober 2022 #kinktober #gaara smut #gaara x reader #daddy gaara #gaara of the sand #tw daddy kink

[mercymccann]

I feel like I have to tell someone this but I was scrolling threw Facebook so fast I thought Gaara’s gourd was his buttcheeks 🤣🤣🤣

I CAN’T UNSEE IT!!!

#naruto #naruto shippuden #kazekage gaara #gaara smut #gaara of the desert #sabaku no gaara #gaara of the sand #kazekage #naruto funny #funny naruto posts #naruto funny moments

[mortyvongola2-0]

Quickie

Pairing: Gaara of the Sand x Reader

Genre: Oneshot, Smut

Word Count: 1.2k

Warnings: afab!reader, dirty talk, vaginal sex, multiple orgasms, exhibitionism, unprotected sex, creampie, panty stealing, quickie in a closet, big boi Gaara, strong language (Gaara gets to curse~ yay~)

A/N: Its about damn time I wrote something for my man. Also have I ever mentioned how much I love @therantingfangirl? Because I do, she even makes time to proofread little pieces like this for me~

Read it on AO3

You squeezed your eyes shut, your mouth falling open and your head falling back. There was a loud thunk as the back of your head met the wall. “Ahh,” you groaned, both pain and pleasure coursing through you.

“Shh,” your lover hushed, a strained smirk on his lips. “You’re going to get us caught.”

“S-sorry.” Your grip on the back of his neck tightened, moving your hips in attempts to take in more of his swollen length. The stretch burned, a lack of preparation causing a majority of your struggle, but it just further spurred you on.

“Fuck.” The gravel of his voice made you shiver. “Too tight,” he grunted, his hands moving to hold your legs further apart while remaining wrapped around his waist. The soft texture of his sand held you against the wall, preventing you from hitting your head again. “Relax.”

Nodding wordlessly, you tried to relax your muscles but the more he sunk into you the more your walls fluttered around him. He felt like the perfect limbo, the familiar stretch and length a pleasure while the rushed entrance was a torture. His breathing hitched as he finally bottomed out, he paused to allow you both a moment to adjust.

It wasn’t like you weren’t wet, you most certainly were. Everything about him turned you on. The seafoam green of his eyes, the bright red of his hair, the commanding mannerisms of a Kazekage, your favorite was that voice. So deep, so rugged, and it only got better with the weight of pleasure on his tongue. You wished he would talk more.

“I thought we were supposed to be quick.” You were panting and once you were readjusted to his large size, you bucked your hips into his. He grunted, nodded his head, and began to move his hips with yours. The more he thrust into you the wetter you became, until you could feel your arousal ease his every move. “Mmm, Gaara.”

“Not so loud,” he repeated, his breathing just as labored. “They’ll be in the next room for the meeting any minute.”

His hand reached down and began searching for your clit, his slippery fingers briefly touched your widened entrance and you gasped. The redhead shivered at the sound, his thrusts beginning to increase in speed. When his fingers found that bundle of nerves his sand moved to cover your mouth to muffle your cries. The tightening in your abdomen told you that you were approaching your peak, but you didn’t want to. You wanted to stay in this broom closet, connected to the one you loved, taking pleasure in each other’s bodies, even if only a little bit longer. You locked your legs around his hips, preventing him from pulling out. An almost inaudible growl rumbled from his throat, his grip became bruising, and his hips smacked into yours with abandon. He squeezed his eyes shut in concentration and you wanted to remove the sand to kiss him, to swallow his delicious grunts and groans.

He paused and you let out a whine, but you couldn’t help but freeze when you heard the doorknob begin to turn. You looked at him with wide eyes, his sand quickly shuffling over to lock the door and push against it incase the person had a key. As you impatiently waited for the person to leave, his fingers began to circle your clit once again. Another muffled moan tore through you.

The Kazekage was no longer looking at you, he continued to watch the doorknob jiggle as he played with your throbbing bud. It was an intense feeling; the mixture of anxiety from possibly being caught, his deft fingers changing direction, his cock throbbing as it waited impatiently inside you. Your fingernails dug into his clothed shoulders and your body trembled as you came, quiet whines leaving you. His eyes squeezed shut, your spasming walls causing him to lose concentration and let out a shaky breath.

“Guess I’ll need to get the keys,” came the muffled voice of the disgruntled janitor. Your heart was thrumming too loudly in your ears for you to hear his footsteps as he left, but as soon as the Kazekage was sure he was gone he moved his molten orbs back to you.

“You’re so filthy,” he grunted, his hips resuming their brutal pace. You were oversensitive and the resumed friction made your toes curl. “Cumming with someone else in earshot.”

His thrusts were beginning to lose rhythm, his sack smacked against your ass loudly. His fingers hadn’t stopped moving. His sand left your mouth and you leaned forward almost immediately. You buried your head in his neck and began mouthing at the covered skin, wishing you could tear through it and leave your marks on his pale skin. “Are you going to cum again?”

You nodded as well as you could. The redhead’s lips began to pepper your exposed neck with sloppy kisses of his own. You were so close, for the second time. To further chase that high, you began to grind against him messily. The changing angles made him scrape against that spongy part inside of you with every drag out. “G-Gaara,” you warned.

“Me to-oo,” he stuttered, his hips almost erratic. The sand at your back began to shift, trembling with the one who commanded it. The grip he had on your hips became painful and his teeth dug into your skin, marking you in the way you wanted to mark him. His arms shook as he moved to whisper in your ear. “Cum.”

How could you disobey a command like that?

Your eyes rolled back; his tip pressed against your cervix like it belonged there. A loud mewl began to leave your lips and he quickly covered them with his own. His hips stuttered and you felt the telltale warmth of his spend as your walls massaged it out of him. You licked his lips, desperately seeking his tongue to try and ground yourself. He continued to twitch inside of you, spurt after spurt making you feel full, and he groaned into your mouth as your tongues met.

He removed his fingers from your sex and brought that same shaky hand up to cup your cheek. Your head tilted and you licked the roof of his mouth. After a few more seconds, he began to soften and pulled out of you slowly. A shiver ran through you at the feeling of his semen leaking out and onto your thighs. The Kazakage lowered you to the ground gently, his breathing still rapid. You clutched his shoulders, your legs not quite ready to stand.

“Sorry,” he began, adjusting his clothes and putting himself away. A shame, you thought. Gaara placed a gentle kiss to your forehead. “Are you alright?”

“I’m more than alright.” You smirked. He smiled. His gentle hands began to help you fix your clothing, his sperm drying against your thighs. He gave you a hesitant look as he placed your panties in his robes, you snickered.

Once you were able to walk again the two of you went to the door. Gaara leaned down and placed a loving kiss against your swollen lips. “I may be a bit late today.”

“And I’ll be waiting,” you teased.

He opened the door, and you poked your head out, looking to the right before looking to the left. You didn’t see anyone, so you both began to step out of the closet before you heard someone clear their throat. You flushed in embarrassment while Gaara sighed, his older brother was leaning against the wall hidden by the door. “Did you guys have a good time?”

tagged list: @therantingfangirl @justmyownreality @mal-the-konohoe

#naruto series #gaara of the desert #gaara smut #gaara of the sand #gaara x reader #gaara x you #gaara x y/n #fanfic #fanfiction #mortyvongola2 0 fic #sabaku no gaara #kazekage gaara #naruto gaara #kankuro #mortyvongola2 fanfic

[itachisloverlol]

Guys, I love all the suggestions, I will do them, but now I kinda wanna try nsfw writing. If you have some ideas please lmk. I'm not sure I will be good at it but I'll try my best. I think, I can write any uchiha haha. Kakashi, Gaara if you want.

#uchiha smut #madara smut #kakashi smut #gaara smut #itachi smut #sasuke smut #obito smut

[bridgetotheskyyy]

chapter three.

masterlist

Chapter summary: You and the Sand Siblings go on vacation and, in the process, you and Gaara grow closer . . .

Chapter warnings: violence near the end, mentions of gambling lol, sexual tension, angst

Word count: 12k

A/N: (I encourage everyone to read the notes of this chapter from my ao3 as they're quite extensive lol)

Read on ao3 here

The paper stack damn near reached the ceiling.

 You stared at it. “Wow.”

“Yep.” Kankuro approached the chair, slouched into it. “This is what it looks like when a war ends and you put off all the serious stuff.”

The paperwork pile was hardly the most eye-catching thing in the office; Kankuro had brought Crow, Kuroari, and another puppet, whose name you hadn’t learned, into the room. They slumped against potted plants, readied for polishing or tweaking the moment their daddy required a break from the workload.

Still, your eyes returned to the pile and wondered how many of the sheets referred to the Kazekage’s imminent marriage. How many mentioned you by name?

Your brow quirked. “What kind of serious stuff?”

“Boring stuff.” Kankuro yawned as he swiveled in the Kazekage’s chair. “Only thing that makes it bearable is knowing I won’t have to see any of this stuff for the next few days.” He shot his fists into the air. “The beach!”

“The beach!” You echoed. A thought occurred. “Have you ever been to one?”

“No.” Kankuro chuckled, kicking feet up on the desk, arms behind his back. “I’m like you; desert child through and through. Never even seen one. Can’t wait.”

“But you’re a shinobi!” You said. “I bet you’ve been all around.”

“I have,” Kankuro said. “But, I don’t know, it just never happened.” He looked out the window, where the day was uncharacteristically clear. A smile tugged on his lips for reasons eluding you. “When you’re a shinobi, you get to go to lots of exotic locales, but there’s not a lot of time for sightseeing.”

Your gaze climbed the bodies of the puppets with awe. “Such amazing powers you all have.” 

“Don’t be so quick to envy us,” Kankuro said. “It’s not a very glamorous life; you’re usually fighting for your life or trying to take somebody else’s.”

“At least you get to determine your life.” You barely heard yourself in your reverie. “Or, if you don’t like it, fight to get out of it.”

“Yeah?” The Kazekage’s chair creaked; Kankuro must have leaned forward in it. “And what are you fighting to get out of, (Y/n)?”

You sobered, turning your head to see Kankuro staring. “Hm? Oh — Sorry, I was just …” 

“(Y/n).” Kankuro was serious now. “Temari wasn’t too hard on you the other day, was she? Look, I know she can be scary — uh, most of the time — but, when you get to know her, she’s —” 

“What? No! I—” You swallowed, surprised by yourself. What was wrong with you? You couldn’t black out like that! “I don’t — know where my head went just now!”

For seconds more, he was quiet, only watching you inquisitively. You felt spotlighted.

The hand of the analog clock at the wall caught your eye. Nearly noon. 

“I better go get Gaara.” You headed to the door.

“You’re sure you’re all right?” Kankuro asked from behind.

“Yes, definitely,” You hastened, only to halt your hand at the knob. “Oh, by the way, how exactly are we getting to the beach?”

Another smile tugged at Kankuro’s lips as he pulled a cloth forth from the desk drawer, likely for polishing. “Oh, that’s a surprise.”

You continued self-flagellating as you traipsed through the halls of the Kazekage’s palace, attempting to find a way out of its maze. 

What was wrong with you? Like being a shinobi would give you more power over your life, access to your fate. Hideo was a shinobi. Did he control his fate?

Did anyone?

You were controlling your fate now — rebelling against your father, choosing Gaara and his siblings. You had grabbed the rope of fate.

You only hoped it didn’t slip from your grasp, burn your hand in the free fall.

You caught eyes with someone as they rounded the corner opposite you. Someone familiar … Rough lines creasing his aged face, Suna council garb —

“Elder Joseki,” You greeted.

Joseki’s eyes widened imperceptibly upon recognizing you. “Lady (Y/n),” he drawled. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay in the Sand.”

“Yes,” You replied coolly. “It’s been most pleasant. Thank you.”

Joseki studied you with a demeaning glare, the same one he had fixed you with at the party a century ago. You couldn’t tell if it was you he was displeased with or the world.

“And,” he began, “I’m guessing Lord Kazekage hasn’t told you anything of … importance?”

“He’s told me enough.”

“Has he?” 

You matched his cold stare with your own. “Your dislike of the Kazekage seems personal.”

Joseki advanced. “He’s more dangerous than you know, my lady. More dangerous than you can conceive. Do not buy into his act; the villagers are still deeply afraid of him, they only pretend to love him.” He clenched his fist. “Seas could not contain the amount of blood that boy has shed.”

You hardened yourself to his speech. “Personal, and most unpatriotic.”

“I only hope you will reconsider,” Joseki urged. “Return to your village before it is too late, and you are trapped here with more enemies than friends.”

“If you insist on riddles, I’m leaving.” You hurried past him.

“Going where?”

You stared crookedly at him. What right did he have to be so forward? So familiar? You had no reason to answer, but a desire to bite back at him corrupted you. “If you must know, the Kazekage and his siblings are taking me on a trip.”

Joseki’s eyes went wide, his skin paling. “You — You can’t be left alone with him!”

“You have stepped out of bounds, Elder.” Your voice was harsh. “We have nothing further to say to one another.”

“Lady (Y/n), wait —!”

But you were already on your way, blocking Joseki from your mind. 

You were so sick of paranoid old men.

He’s just like father … a pathetic old man, all of them.

You found Gaara asleep at his desk in the greenhouse, surrounded by the small cacti he fathered and loved so much. 

You tiptoed forward to see his face, plastered, along with his arms, against his desk. You had never seen him so vulnerable. Gaara’s eyelids, rimmed with coal-black, were closed, and his lips parted to exhale gentle breaths expanding his chest. 

So cute.

And intimate. 

Just days ago, you had sat in the same chair and told Gaara about your brother’s death. You squirmed with the memory. You refused to think of Father’s letter, the allegations that Gaara had been the one to …

Gaara stirred in his sleep. You hated to wake him — and considered against it. You leaned forward —

Something caught your eye. You turned your head. Behind a series of tall plants, something large loomed in the shadows. Something made of sand.

You tiptoed away from Gaara, synchronizing your steps with his gentle snores. Brushing banana leaves aside, you saw:

It was a sand-made statue of a woman. Short-haired and kind-eyed, along with the prettiest hands you had ever seen. It was only a second or two before you realized who she must be.  

Karura.

You made your way back to Gaara and leaned over his shoulder. With a loving begrudge, you began to rouse him.

“Gaara …!” You gently nudged his shoulder. “Gaara!”

His eyes cracked — flew open.

He shot up. You were face to face. Your lips almost touching —

“Eep!” You jumped away as his face turned red. “I’m sorry!”

“No …” Gaara looked around as though surprised by himself. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

“Can’t tell you how much I didn’t want to wake you.”

He smiled. “I catch up on sleep now whenever I can; I guess I sleep deeper than I thought.”

“That’s a good thing,” You assured him. He works so hard as the Kazekage that Kankuro taking over gives him time to breathe.

Gaara’s eyes roved over you, an arm roped over the chair. “You look nice.”

You admired yourself; you had been more casual in your dress since Temari had taken you shopping. A white shirt, underneath which was some fishnet you had become smitten with and borrowed from Temari’s closet (she said if you wore it some might mistake you for being a shinobi, which only made you want to wear it more) and simple black pants were what you choose to go with today. 

“Thank you.” You hung your head bashfully — only to be reminded of the statue and redirected your gaze toward it.

Gaara followed your attention. He stiffened. “You saw it …”

You met his eye and shared the vulnerability swimming there. “I … hope you’re not mad; I wasn’t trying to snoop, I … It’s very pretty.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s of her, isn’t it?” You said. “Your mother.”

Karura. The modest woman with the pretty name. You had only seen small portraits of her here and there, tiny mementos her children clung to in their efforts to never forget her. 

“Yes,” Gaara said, rising from his chair to approach the statue. “I was inspired last night. I’m never really satisfied with the work I do.”

“Don’t say that.” You followed him, feet instinctively carrying you wherever he went. “She would have loved it.” 

Gaara’s eyes widened, clearly taken aback by your assessment. He faced you as the two of you stood side-by-side, admiring the sand stature. “Do you think so?”

You turned to give him a smile. “I know so,” You affirmed. 

Of course she loved him; who wouldn’t?

And you don’t know if you did it on purpose or not, but your index finger came to brush against Gaara’s. You were thrown by the fire the slightest touch erupted in your belly. You looked down to spot your finger’s treachery. Gaara seemed neither to care nor mind. 

Your heart cartwheeled when he took your hand in his hold, the skin of his palm warm and secure against your own.

You remembered how it felt to be cradled in his lap seconds before you had leaped away, his hands on your shoulders … Something purred inside you, compelling you to lean into the hand hold.

You cleared your throat and broke away without knowing why. “You don’t talk about your father much, I notice.”

A shadow came over Gaara’s face. “The relationship the Fourth Kazekage and I had was … difficult.”

“You’re speaking to the choir with that one.” You giggled. You wiggled the hand Gaara once held in hopes of eradicating the tingle there. “I won’t pry.”

“No,” he said. “It’s all right. I was his … experiment.”

Cold water ran over you. You paused. 

Experiment. It was the same word Joseki had used. How odd …

A bitter laugh from you. “I think we’re all experiments of our parents.”

Gaara relaxed, seeming to be grateful for the out you’d given him.

“Lord Kazekage,” a new voice entered the greenhouse, and the two of you turned to see a servant. “Lady Temari told me to fetch you. The party is ready.” 

“Ooh.” You turned to Gaara with a conspiratorial smile. “And it begins.”

Luggages were hauled into carriages while Sand and Oasis ninja gathered to accompany the four of you on your vacation. Staring at the carriages ready for departure by the gates of Sunagakure gave you a strange sense of deja vu. 

“I’m not looking forward to getting back into those things,” You said to Gaara. 

He didn’t answer you.

A strange puppet you hadn’t recognized from Kankuro’s collection lay hunched by the side of the carriage. Temari came through the gap between carts, wielding a metal bar you couldn’t identify. She was followed by Kankuro and Baki.

“I hope the two of you have considered what I said,” Baki said.

“Oh, believe us, we have,” Kankuro said, and he and his sisters tapered into giggles. 

Baki sighed before catching sight of you. His demeanor transformed; the fatherly air had returned. “Lady (Y/n)!” He said warmly.

You returned his smile. “Hello, Baki.”

Baki turned to the carriages. “We took the luxury of packing your things for you. I hope you don’t mind. None of your things were extraneously handled, and I made sure your privacy was secured.”

“Oh, I hope you didn’t go to too much trouble,” You said. “I don’t need much!”

One of the carriage doors was left ajar; you spotted the luggage you had come with. 

“None at all,” Baki said. He gave a warning look toward Temari and Kankuro, who only bowed their heads. “I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”

You sighed, the reality of another carriage ride looming ever nearer. Let’s just get this part over with.

You made to hop into the carriage —

Someone caught your hand. You looked to your side and Gaara was there.

“What’s wrong?” You let Gaara lead you away from the carriage by hand.

“Oh,” Kankuro pointed to the carriage, “that won’t be your ride.” He shut the carriage door and turned to the ninja. “Start moving! We’ll catch up!” 

The ninja scurried away while the carriage jerked to life. It rode down toward the village gates. 

You looked toward Gaara with a nervous laugh. “What’s going on?”

Gaara simply smiled and swept his hand —

And enveloped you in a small sandstorm as tides of sand whipped past you. The wind pulled at your hair and toward Gaara. A giant platform solidified at his feet. He nudged you gently toward him and the two of you bumped hips as the platform began to float.

Float. 

Your scream crescendoed as the platform carried the two of you into a cloudless sky. The vertigo had you gripping Gaara’s shoulder as the entire village sprawled beneath you. Its spidered streets and huge, domed buildings grew smaller as Gaara directed the two of you away from the village. 

“I thought this would be a fun way to travel,” Gaara said, before looking down at you clutching his arm to add, “but, if you don’t like it —“

“Are you kidding?” You screeched. “Go faster! Faster!” 

Temari and Kankuro were at a lower altitude, carrying themselves over the Suna gates by their own machinations; Temari’s metal blade was actually a fan she used to glide over the gate, while Kankuro’s puppet was somehow attached to his back, propelling him through the air with giant batlike wings. 

“As you wish,” Gaara murmured, and sped up.

You could do nothing but gawk. The desert spilled out past the gates like a giant ocean; rolling dunes towering like waves, seeking to outdo one another as their hills stretched out over undisturbed cerulean. You detected the ninja and carriage below, but barely, having been reduced to mere ants from the altitude.

“This is amazing …” You breathed out.

“Come.” Gaara lowered himself on the platform to sit criss-cross. “Sit.”

You clutched onto him hard as he aided you. You let your legs lay out on your side. You traded his arm for his neck — hesitated, until Gaara allowed your touch, and you wrapped arms around him.

“I would never let you fall.” Gaara bowed his head forward with an assuring stare. “You know that?”

You nodded. A calm smile graced his lips, perfect on his face. His hand rested gingerly on your waist, sending your heart into a back-flip. Wind ruffled his crimson hair, bits of sand carrying into the air. And in that moment you believed Gaara had never lied once in his life.

Your hold on him mercified. “I believe you,” you whispered.

I was right. Amazing powers. You looked back to see Temari, the wind rippling her ponytails, laughing in the air. She watched Kankuro do flips and dips in the sky, folding and reopening his puppet’s wings. Squeak. The cork of Gaara’s gourd loosened to free yet more sand, and in midair the strips of sand morphed to become butterflies. 

They were all gods to you.

One butterfly landed on your cheek, kissed your face, and you giggled. “How is this possible?” You asked.

Gaara’s ease lessened. “I was … born with special gifts. Because of a spirit.”

You glanced at him — only to do a double-take. Your eyes widened. 

Wait.

Were they really gods?

“The spirit is gone, but very little of my power has dwindled,” Gaara added.

You leaned into Gaara’s side, allowing this new information to sink in. You were curious, so curious, and for once your father’s intentions did nothing to pervert that curiosity; you were enthralled.

You tilted your head. “What kind of —“ 

But then you realized; you were close again, so close, even closer than when you were in his lap nights ago. Your arms fastened around his neck, his hand holding your waist. There was no startling need to get away this time, only a growing need to dispel the remaining inches. 

Gaara stared at you from the corner of his eye, smiling. No blush, no fluster. 

The sun shone in your eyes. You cupped a hand over your forehead to visor them.

“The sun looks amazing on you …” 

You were not prepared for the husk in Gaara’s voice. Heat colored your cheeks. You raised your head to him. Your heartbeat quickened in your throat as your eyes got lost in the turquoise of his. That sweet, serene green —

A gust of wind blew past Gaara’s face to ruin the moment. 

You gasped, spun your head. “Not funny!” You yelled.

Kankuro and Temari only laughed and flew ahead of the two of you.

It was a full three hours of flight before a town, nestled into a cliff, came into view.

It was hard, after the fanfare of the last three hours, to both literally and metaphorically come down to earth. The moment Gaara had you on the ground, and the four of you huddled at the town’s gates, you playfully socked Kankuro’s arm. 

“O — ow!” Kankuro chuckled, rubbing his arm. 

“Why didn’t you tell me he was gonna do that?” You play-hissed in his ear.

“It was my idea, actually,” Temari said smugly.

Your hand flew to your chest to feign shock. “Female solidarity is dead!”

“Let’s hurry to the hotel,” Gaara said. “While it’s still nice out.”

The four of you ushered into town, as incognito as possible to avoid causing a stir. You wove your way through the streets when wet hit your nose. Salt graced your tongue when your lips parted.

The sea.

Excitement added élan to your steps. You barely maintained the proper pleasantries as you entered the hotel lobby. The group revealed identities and startled the receptionist — along with the rest of the staff, one of them prompted to fetch the hotel owner. 

“Lord Kazekage!” He bowed furiously, sweating just as much. “And his lovely siblings! Oh, oh, this is such a surprise! What an honor!”

“Sir,” one of the staff whispered in his ear, “I’ve seen her. She’s Lord Boutoku’s daughter, she’s marrying the Kazekage next month —” 

“LORD BOUTOKU’S DAUGHTER —?!”

Kankuro slapped a hand over the owner’s mouth as people in the lobby looked away from their newspapers and fine breakfasts to mind the commotion. “Mind keeping it quiet! Someone might overhear!”

The owner fished a handkerchief from his pocket to dab himself. “Yes, of course …! My apologies, Lord Kankuro …!”

“Look,” Kankuro’s eyes flickered every which way as he leaned in conspiratorially, “we’re here on a little weekend vacation, all right? We’d appreciate it if you helped us lay low.”

“Oh, oh.” You were sure the owner would go into shock. “Of course, certainly, oh, whatever you need, we’d be more than happy to provide!”

“Thank you, sir.” Temari was all charm and smiles as she slid a mysterious gold card to the receptionist behind the desk. “If you could just set us up with rooms now.”

“Of course, of course!” the owner said. “Only the finest for the Kazekage and his family!”

And he hadn’t lied; the rooms were enormous. It occurred to you just how little Gaara had to actually do as the Kazekage; only a few minutes had passed and already he had been secured the most luxurious room due to his title. It was decided: You and Gaara would share while Temari and Kankuro would have their own separate quarters. Gaara’s, of course, was the largest. He grew concerned on your behalf and asked if you wanted a room of your own, but, as there were two beds in the suite, you didn’t mind. And anyway, Gaara was the most trustworthy man in the history of men. 

“And besides.” You held back giggles as Temari and Kankuro collapsed on plushy couch cushions. “Your room has the best accommodations anyway — we’ll all just end up congregating in here anyway.”

“If you’re sure about it.” Gaara let himself smile as he examined the room. “We really must thank the owner for his hospitality. They are nice rooms.”

“A big tip!” Kankuro said, sinking into the cushions with pleased sighs. “The biggest!”

“I’m so sick of buildings,” You said, nearly bouncing up and down. “I want the beach!” 

“We might as well,” Gaara said. “I would hate to make you wait any longer.”

You gulped, imagining that phrase in a different context. What’s wrong with you lately? Too much Icha Icha!

The four of you retrieved the beach appropriate clothing and items from your bags and left the hotel. It didn’t help that the hotel had such lovely views of the beach — the bluest water you had ever witnessed. So close.

It was a five-minute walk until the beach, its plush sands transitioned from orange-beige to white, came into sight.

“Whoa,” Kankuro said. 

The waves curled and laid on the shore. Your eyes widened.

You ripped your shoes off and ripped past people cluttering the beach. You were through with your inhibitions. You expected to hear someone call for you to come back, only to glance over your shoulder and see Temari and Kankuro following you into the water. You let out a delighted scream as you plunged headfirst into the toiling waves.

Only then did you remember you didn’t know how to swim.

“Okay,” Kankuro motioned what was called a backstroke, “just lean your arm out like this —“

“No!” You squealed. “I’ll drown!” 

“Don’t be silly!” Temari said. Temari, who had decided she was already tired of the water, opted instead for a beach chair, sunglasses, and a smoothie underneath a shading umbrella. “You’ve got three of the strongest shinobi in the world watching over you. No one would let you drown — especially Gaara.”

Gaara, against all odds, could swim himself. He shadowed you in the water, holding his arm out to you.

 You pouted. “I thought neither of you had ever been to the beach.”

“Well, we know how to swim,” Kankuro said. “We’re shinobi, remember? Trained for every occasion.”

“I can continue helping her,” Gaara said as Kankuro made to help you. Something unknown passed between them, and Kankuro backed off.

“I’m, uh, headed back to shore.” Kankuro performed his so-called backstroke. “Take care, you two!”

You waved him goodbye.

“You’re doing well,” Gaara said. “Do you like the beach?”

“I love it!” You cried. “I can’t wait to catch starfish and, oh!” — You let go of Gaara — “shells —!”

“(Y/n!) —!”

Without his arm, you went under. Your cries transmuted to bubbles as you flailed. A wave brushed you aside, jolting you into panic. You flailed harder. Hands grabbed you and pulled you to the surface. 

“Are you all right?” Gaara’s voice was muffled by the water in your ears.

You looked over your shoulder to see Gaara holding you. Wild crimson locks clung to his face. Shirtless.

“I—” You spit saltwater out before answering, blinked water from your eyes. “Yes.” 

Your skills improved as Gaara taught you the basics, and soon you could bob your head over the water without support. Pleased with this progress, you decided on a break. You two emerged on land to admire the view. 

“Finally,” Temari said. “Thought you two would be at sea forever.”

“It’s really nice, Temari.” You pat your hair dry. “Sure you don’t wanna join?”

“I realized I prefer the view.” Temari took another sip of her drink — only to suck at the bottom of her cup. “I’m gonna get another.”

“I’ll come with,” Kankuro said. “I’m starving.”

You and Gaara were left alone on the beach now. You looked back at the waves. They coiled, crested, and collapsed to bask on the white sand with rhythmic harmony, as though dancing to a tune you were too ignorant to hear. You sighed.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” You said.

“Yes,” Gaara said. “It is …”

“But how can there be a sea next to a desert?” You said. “It just doesn’t seem possible …”

“It’s indeed possible, if the air on the desert side is dry enough.”

Amazing … You looked out into the horizon. The world was such a magical, beautiful place — and your delusional father had kept you from it.

“You know,” You let your towel slip into your lap, “back home, it’s said that our oasis was once a sea. A lot of us believe that.” You paused; did you believe that? You hadn’t thought much of it, only thought it was such a pretty myth. “Or a gift from a spirit, after our first village head, Goro, slayed a horrible beast.” 

“It sounds like an amazing place,” Gaara said. “I hope, one day, you will take me to see it in person.”

Your father shadowed the conversation, dimming the light of the tales running rapid in your head. 

“Kankuro has told me some things about it, though little has been written,” Gaara continued, looking straight ahead. The shade of the umbrella shrouded all but one leg as he propped an elbow on a knee. “About how it has magical properties. Is that true?”

You cast your gaze to your feet, which you burrowed into the sand. Your knees were hugged to your chest. “I don’t really know. The truth is, I’ve never seen it myself. Father forbade me, said I’m not ‘ready.’ Everyone I know, I know from him.” Like everything else. “He’s told me stories … I just know people who aren’t from our village can’t access it or drink its water. They need permission from the village head. But …”

You leaned forward to take his hand, enamored with the way your fingers intertwined with his. 

“Once we’re married, you’ll be considered family,” You said. “We’ll see it together.”

Gaara ran a thumb over one of your fingers, considering you with a faint smile. “Yes, I’d like that.”

You unearthed a new dream. You gave it life and love and cradled it close to your heart. You watered it, as Gaara did his beloved plants, to keep it strong, and so it flourished in your mind’s eye: You and Gaara, visiting the oasis together, lounging underneath palm trees and sparkling water. You made to clench your hand until you remembered Gaara was holding it. 

I can’t let Father destroy this dream. I  can’t.

Gaara looked over your shoulder. “Oh, Temari and Kankuro are coming back …”

Temari and Kankuro sulked back to your section on the beach.

“The stands have nothing good,” Kankuro sighed. “Let’s go in the hotel to eat.”

“That’s Kankuro language for ‘let’s gamble,’” Temari snickered.

“I would never kid about food!” Kankuro argued. “I’m seriously hungry.”

“So am I.” You stood and dusted off your skirt. “Let’s go”

“Very well.” Gaara reclaimed your hand to help him off the beach, gave it a squeeze. “It will be on me.”

You secured a round table in one of the hotel’s swanky restaurants. It turned out Temari was right, because the moment your order came, Kankuro snatched his tray and made his way to the seductive poker tables to lose only the gods knew how much money.

“So predictable.” Temari rolled her eyes, crossing her legs at the table. 

You played with your fries, twirling them in the ketchup — something that would’ve gotten you a firm lecture back home — while Gaara set down his glass. 

“I meant to ask you both,” Gaara began. “When you went out shopping, did anything interesting happen? Did you talk about anything?”

You and Temari froze. You focused on the smiley-faces you were making with your ketchup pile while Temari scrambled for words. 

Your sister told me in so many words that she would rip my throat off if I so much as laid a finger on you — which makes all this a hundred times harder …

“Uh, I — aha, well.” Temari continued to stammer, worrying a napkin in her hands. “We …”

“Just girl stuff, that was all it was!” You chirped. 

“Ye—Yeah!” Temari said. She waved him off. “Nothing that would interest you, or — or any man, really!”

“Any man …” Gaara parroted. “I see.”

“No offense!” You nudged him assuredly. 

He raised his head. “Does that mean you discussed the wedding?”

“Hm?” You blinked. You were caught off guard; in fact, there had been no discussion of the wedding since you’d arrived. The wedding that was meant to be a wedding.

The wedding that was only a sham to get you here. 

“I think I would like a more traditional wedding, like Naruto and Hinata had,” Gaara said, surprising you with his forwardness. “You would look beautiful in traditional attire.”

“Uh.” This was not something you thought he would ever have any interest in.

“It seems like something the council would approve of, considering how stubborn they are about the old ways of doing things.” Gaara stiffened. “Only if you wanted. I thought we could discuss it over this vacation.”

“Gaara!” Temari scooted smoothie number five away, scandalized by her brother’s forwardness. Clearly, she had never met this version of her brother before, either. “What brought this on?”

“Our friends from the Leaf have been ecstatic about the news,” Gaara said. “And, as it’s only two or so weeks away now …”

“I think we should wait until we’re all gathered to talk about this, don’t you?” Temari’s amicable, sweet-older-sister voice was so incongruous with the woman you had come to know. 

“I agree,” You hastened, thankful for the save. “That way we can all be in the know. I mean, Kankuro’s not even sitting here.”

“I think you may be right,” Gaara said bashfully. “Sorry about that. I guess I just got carried away for a minute there.”

“Not at all,” You said before biting into another fry. He’s so cute.

You had come to realize there was nothing quite like Gaara flattery; he was so earnest, so sincere. And he was excited about the wedding, about marrying you. The wings of your heart brushed your ribcage. But you didn’t want to have this discussion; it brought your lie(s) to the forefront of your mind. It was too raw, and you were not yet strong enough to weather it, to invite the others into your delusions. Only you could have these fantasies in the privacy of your mind where nothing could reach them.

But it was another facet to the dream you’d begun to nourish. 

A new thought slotted in with the rest: Gaara mentioned Naruto, seventh Hokage — his friend.

“You’ve said before that you know Naruto Uzumaki personally.” You leaned in with curiosity. “What’s he like?”

“An absolute goofball,” Temari said.

“A true friend,” Gaara amended. “And an incredibly strong and formidable opponent.”

Temari shrugged. “Yeah, that, too.”

Gaara began sharing amazing anecdotes about his adventures with his other shinobi friends, how he and Gaara had fought after the attack on Konoha (you paid special attention to your meal, averting your eyes from anyone else), how the Leaf ninja had changed his perspective on life, how addicted he was to ramen. Your head spun with it all, especially when they used what you suspected were special shinobi words from their lexicon.

“And he was trained by Jiraiya,” You said, awed. “The same Jiraiya who wrote the Icha Icha series?”

“That’s the one,” Temari twirled her fork with sarcasm, head in her palm. 

“This is all so incredible …” You said.

“Really?” Gaara said. “Is that so?”

“It’s a shame I can never meet him …” You said solemnly. “If things had turned out differently, he would be coming to the wedding as well — I could even get a signed copy!”

“The world is so cruel.” Temari feigned sadness.

Gaara wore an expression you had come to know when he was deep in thought. “I could get Naruto to arrange something, regardless.”

“Really?” You said as Temari choked on her drink.

“Gaara, no,” she said.

“No, no.” You echoed her sentiments, albeit for a different reason. “You’ve done enough for me.”

Blingblingbling. A series of metallic sounds blared as machines blazed their dispensers with coins. Gaara furrowed his brows. You could tell he was not fond of the hotel’s busy atmosphere, the endless commotion — not to mention the cigarette smoke.

“Let’s go to our rooms,” You said. “It’s getting late.”

Gaara perked. “Really? If you don’t mind …”

“Not at all.” You faced Temari. “Right, Temari?”

“I could get a break from the beach,” Temari said, waving the smoke away. “And the smoke.”

The three of you took the elevator back to the room floors and traipse the hallways, looking for your respective rooms. 

“Thanks for saving me back there, by the way,” Temari said, cupping a hand over her mouth conspiratorially. 

You chuckle. “You don’t have to thank me.”

“I’m sorry for the way I acted in general,” Temari said. “I’ve been meaning to apologize, actually. I was hard on you. But … Gaara’s my little brother and all, I’m sure you understand.”

“Absolutely,” You said. “Something tells me my …” You fought a stutter in your throat. “… brother would have done the same for me.”

Hideo would always be the gnawing pang at your heart. You realized that as you approached the knob to admit you and Gaara into the room.

You turned the knob — 

Crying. Wails.

You gasped. “Who is that?”

The three of you looked to the corner of the hallway — the source of the sound — where Kankuro was rounding, tears streaking his makeup. 

“Kankuro?” You said. 

“What’s happened?” Gaara said with startling authority.

“I’ve …” He sank to his knees in the hallway. “I lost so much money!”

“Oh, no!” You cupped your mouth. 

“It’s those damn scheming geezers!” Kankuro cried, throwing his hand, tears wobbling down his face. “They cheated me, saw me coming from a mile away!”

“I told you not to get cocky if you were gonna gamble!” Temari said. “Now look at you!”

You and Gaara chuckled at the sight and each goodnight to them, but you were sure neither of them heard you over Kankuro’s crying and Temari’s yelling.

The next day, the blue of the sky was forced to contend with the weak wispy clouds breezing past, shielding and unveiling the sun at their leisure.

You admired them as you emerged from underneath the water. The sky enveloped your vision, and for a second you were sure you had been transported to heaven before Gaara broke you from your reverie:

“You’re advancing fast,” he praised, stationery in the water beside you.

You swerved, so you were across one another. “That’s because I have such a good teacher.”

Gaara smiled wordlessly as you initiated your novice backstroke. The irony of the Kazekage of Sunagakure teaching you how to swim was not at all lost on you. Chuuyou had worried about you being so far from his watchful eye, but you had insisted he keep more of a distance.

“My Lady,” he had said, his soft tone cut with an imploring edge, “I encourage you to reconsider.”

“I’m fine, Chuuyou.” You did your best to curb your annoyance, but it came out as a hiss, anyway. He’s just doing the job Father assigned him. “I would just like a little space. Please?”

And he had started giving it to you, no matter how unwillingly. You didn’t want Chuuyou so close; he was such a reminder of Father, of your real reason for being with Gaara and his siblings. You wanted all reminders gone. You wanted to fall into the dream.

Now, you couldn’t see Chuuyou anywhere on the beach. A pinch of anxiety previously holding your chest hostage released, relaxed into nothingness. 

You splashed Gaara with water, giggling. “Race you to the shore!”

And Gaara, once again, didn’t answer; his answer came in the sound of him trading water with precision and speed. He was strong, much stronger than he looked, although you were not ignorant of the faint trace of muscle his lean form possessed. 

He beat you, of course. He helped you from the water, the beach waves dispensing their white suds around your ankles. 

“Oh!” You looked over the faint red burn forming on Gaara’s skin. 

“Hm, I see.” He inspected his arms, which bore a few red spots. “I forgot.”

“You have to be more careful! Come here.” You took his hand, leading him back to the mismatched collection of beach towels you had secured on the beach. “I’ll put some on you.”

Kankuro and Temari were mysteriously missing. While you were sure Kankuro was engrossed in a life-or-death rematch with the old men who had swindled him the night before, you were not entirely sure what was keeping Temari.

You suspected, maybe, she was willingly leaving you alone with Gaara, who you hadn’t had a quiet moment with since only the gods know when. Unless, of course, you took the night before into consideration. For at least thirty minutes, you had pretended to sleep, pretended to not be aware of Gaara’s loving gaze on you in the dim tangerine light of the hotel room, only for him to fall asleep and you to turn the tables on him, staring at him semi-darkness with a racing heart you were hopeless to still. He had not even touched you; the only words he had exchanged after you had traded your beach clothes in for some pajamas had been a simple, hospitable goodnight, and still you couldn’t take your mind off of the intimacy of it all. Despite the two beds, despite everything. 

Now, you were squeezing sunscreen into your hand, ready to massage it into his skin?

Gaara resisted. “You don’t have to,” he insisted. 

You rubbed the cream together with your hands. “It’s all right, I don’t want you to get hurt — the sun is really intense.”

You ignored the way your heart skipped at the idea of massaging his bare skin. 

I’m helping him, that’s all …

Gaara acquiesced. He closed his eyes when your hands fell on him. The sunscreen cooled underneath your palms as they made a trail down his arm. 

“I’m usually more careful than this,” he said as you leaned in to address the arm across you. “It must have skipped my mind.”

You didn’t answer; your mouth went dry as you preoccupied yourself with how smooth and soft his skin felt under your fingers, like refined virgin marble. It was as though he had never been touched by another living soul in all his life. You felt blessed, honored. 

A low rumble escaped Gaara’s throat as you leaned farther, the plush of your breast sinking into his arm and you jerked away, conscious of it. 

You’re just helping …

“Does it feel … okay?” You asked.

“It does.”

Gaara leaned his head away so that you could massage into his neck, where your fingers brushed against the nape of his neck, felt the slightest indication of soft red hair beneath your fingernail. The slight of red hair under your fingers — you wanted to thread them in his forest of hair, before transferring to his chest. You could feel the ghosts of muscle you detected earlier, hard and … and steady. Gaara sat back to give you more access, but it only encouraged you to admire him more; the cliff of his jaw and, eyes trailing down even further, his lips …

Helping.

Your finger grazed one of his nipples, and Gaara flinched underneath the touch. He cracked an eye open at you, but you refused to meet it, pretending it didn’t happen by moving next to his back, lathering the span of it with sunscreen. 

“There.” Your mouth was so parched the word almost didn’t form. “You should be all … set.”

You noticed the thoughtful, intense look Gaara was giving you. Your throat constricted, feeling more exposed than he was under his attention. If this was an Icha Icha novel, you knew he would lean forward, cup the back of your head and …

“Thank you,” Gaara’s voice was light.

You only nodded. You curled sinful hands in your lap, the sensation of Gaara’s skin tingling yours. 

“… Excuse me?”

You were grateful for the distraction as your head turned to the source of the new little voice. 

A little boy had crept toward the two of you on the beach, but he was staring at Gaara.

“… Are you th — the … Kazekage?”

Gaara turned to you for help and you sighed.

“The jig is up, I suppose,” You muttered to him. 

“It’s true then?” the boy perked up in anticipation of Gaara’s answer.

Clearly emboldened, some of the boy’s other friends and playmates came to his side, waiting.

Gaara smiled and after a brief pause, “Yes. I am.”

Murmurs of amazement. 

“Cool!” the boy said. “Can you show us some stuff?”

The kids crowded Gaara with their strung-out “pleases” and adorable pleading.

You leaned to whisper to Gaara, “Do it!”

He smiled before turning his attention to the beach. Sand began to stir and move, and you were glad the beach itself was much less crowded, with only the children doodling there, because sand began to rise and churn. Gaara grew sand structures on the beach. You furrowed your brows, following his vision as the sand morphed and solidified into …

Gaara had raised a giant sandcastle, complete with terraces and a drawbridge which plopped onto the beach floor to admit everyone.

The children rushed to the castle to admire it. 

“Wow …” You gawked, entering into it. “It’s like a dollhouse!” 

“Temari and Kankuro used to ask me to make things with sand all the time,” Gaara said as the children took your entering for clear permission and began to flood the castle. 

Slides rolled down from spaces in the railings, little windows above the balustrades cut squares of sunlight for the perfect game of hopscotch. An atrium admitted invited more sunlight. 

You giggled as they ran and played. 

“This is amazing!” The little boy said, swinging on makeshift monkey bars. He plopped down and approached Gaara. “I wanna be just like you when I grow up, Lord Kazekage.”

Gaara looked stunned, before recovering with a gentle smile. “I hope everyone enjoys themselves …”

An hour or so passed while the two of you played with the children. Gaara constructed kaiju out of the stand and, having taken lessons from Kankuro, puppeteered them into fights as the children cheered on their favorites. Children took turns on the slides, falling into a giant whirlpool Gaara made. He encouraged you to go last, and your laughter turned to screams as you were propelled into the air and caught by Gaara’s forgiving sand.

“I want a castle just like this when we marry.” You admired the sandcastle from the outside as children tired themselves out around you. The sun had intensified, bringing with it a heat to parch your mouth dry.

You waited for Gaara’s interjection, but when he stayed quiet, you turned to him, only to see his attention was away from the beach, near a rise of obsidian rocks.

“I think there’s a cave over there,” Gaara said.

“I’ve never seen a cave before …” You said.

He turned to you. “Would you like to?”

You smiled. “What about the —?”

“I think they’re more than occupied.” Gaara gestured to the children still running and playing in and out of the sandcastle. “They won’t miss us.”

You smiled, nodded. “Let’s go.”

Rocks erected and curved like crescent moons to protect its own private island; a lagoon. 

The two of you swam to explore, the way led by the sounds of seagulls and rushing waves. Gaara chaperoned you, but you swam without aid until the two of you came to the rocky shore. 

You raised yourself from the waters by grabbing a rock for purchase, Gaara not far behind.

“I knew it,” You said triumphantly.

A small alcove indicated a cave not far off. 

“Let’s go in!” You said, any and all fear you might have had to explore such a place dulled by the fact Gaara was with you. “I’ve got to find some souvenirs for this trip.”

“All right, then,” Gaara obliged.

The cave’s ceiling cast shadows over the water. A hole in its rocky ceiling created a natural spotlight at its center. Color winked in your periphery, hinting at aquatic flowers accosted by the rolling waters, and you wondered if you could find petals lost in the water.

“This is amazing,” You said. “It’s like earth meeting water.” You twirled in the water to see Gaara admiring you thoughtfully. You became self-conscious. Nerves constricted your speech. “What’s wrong?”

 “Nothing,” Gaara muttered as he inched closer. “You are very brave; you try new things all the time.”

You stilled — only to remember your imperative to stay moving in the water. He called me brave. You weren’t so sure. You only had the nerve to explore because you were aided by the Kazekage. But still, you opened your mouth, only to close it again; never had anyone ever complimented you on anything other than your “beauty.” You struggled to receive it.

Am I brave? How would I know …?

“I would like to thank you, (Y/n),” Gaara went on, cradling your name in his deep, dulcet tone. “You’ve done nothing but smile since the moment you came to my village. It must have been difficult to come here, all things considered … So, thank you.”

You were silent. His warm words blanketed you. It had been hard. Frightening. Everything was foreign. Nothing felt like home. And there was the weight of your — you swallowed — mission. What was this ability Gaara had to make you feel so seen? Now exposed, not undressed, but … read. Appreciated. Lovingly studied. Annotated. 

You became struck with the intimacy of the cave; it was only you and Gaara. You were so far from shore. The scene was beginning to soften, its edges watercoloring until it seemed more dream than reality. The water had to rival the peaceful turquoise of Gaara’s eyes as you became lost in them. 

He caressed your cheek so gingerly you flinched at the hand you hadn’t seen rise.

“I would … like to try something. Is that all right?”

Your mouth refused to form words; you nodded your consent.

Gaara’s other hand came to rest against your hip, steadying you in water as he had done in air. He leaned toward you, into you. You blinked water from your lashes, frozen everywhere else. You were in a dream:

Gaara’s lips brushed against yours.

His kiss was gentle, virgin, but you felt the soft plant of his lips on your own, and your soul departed from your flesh despite its lack of violence. Your eyes fluttered close, your hands resting on his shoulders.

Centuries later, Gaara moved away. You opened your eyes to see him nestled among the stars clouding your vision.

“I’ve …” Gaara lowered his gaze. “I’ve never kissed anyone before.”

You struggled to recover. If you were speechless before, he had managed to eviscerate your vocabulary, your mental library set ablaze. Your heart was a hummingbird trapped in your chest. “Li — likewise …”

Gaara looked up, concerned. “Was it okay?”

You shook your head — until you realized you would have to couple it with words to assuage his concern. “No, no! It was — Gaara … it was amazing.”

Gaara smiled. “… I was worried. Thank you for letting me kiss you.”

You returned his smile. “Thank you for the souvenir.”

You were plopped back into reality, with the sea and the salt and the seagulls singing their songs overhead. An awkward silence punctured it all. You simply stared at him. And stared and stared and stared.

He grazed a hand over your wet forearm. “Would you like to do it again —?”

“Yes …” You said before he could finish, wrapping arms around him. 

“Gaara! (Y/n)!”

It was Kankuro’s voice, far away, yet loud enough to dispel the dream entirely.

“Is that …?” Gaara trailed.

“Gaara!”

You broke away from him. “We should head back — there might be trouble.”

Gaara didn’t object, following you out. You could detect the significant dots of Temari and Kankuro on the shore as you two returned. 

“What’s going on?” You said as you and Gaara emerged from the water. 

Kankuro’s thousand-yard stare was your only reply. “I’ve done it,” he said quietly. “I’ve finally done.”

“What, Kankuro?” Gaara asked. 

Kankuro thrust something in your faces. You fixed eyes on it. A medallion the color of the sun stared back. 

You gasped. “But that’s —!”

“One of the old geezers won it off a pirate years back!” Kankuro said triumphantly.

“He begged me to help him beat the guys at the table,” Temari exclaimed, arms crossed. “How much is it, anyway?”

“Temari,” Kankuro deadpanned, “it’s worth thousands.”

Temari’s gasp echoed yours, as though she were doused with cold water —

“I take back everything I ever said about you, Kankuro!” Temari said, fingers knitted and stars in her eyes. 

“That’s a once in a lifetime, I bet!” You said. “I’ve only seen one of those things once in my entire life.”

“Who would bet something this valuable in a game of cards?” Temari said. “Men are so reckless —“

“Congratulations, Kankuro!” Gaara said. “We knew you could do it.”

“Me, too,” Kankuro spun the coin with his thumb and caught it, satisfied with himself. 

“Me, too,” Temari patted him on the back. “Now you can help pay off the Sand’s debt!”

It was a second before Kankuro realized what Temari was saying — and then the crying and begging began.

“So, you two been up to much?” Temari said. She eyed the giant sandcastle of Gaara’s making and the kids who had turned it into their personal playground, all while ignoring Kankuro’s crying in the background. She raised her brows. “Ah, I see. Anything else?”

Neither you nor Gaara answered. A few seconds ticked by before Temari blanched.

“Nothing much,” Gaara said finally.

You kept eyes on your toes, hoping the red on your face could be excused for the beach heat.

Gaara watched you return to his hotel room, saltwater washed from your hair, sighing. Kankuro sat on one of the couches, grumbling and cradling his precious coin to his chest, while Temari lounged on another, drink in hand.

“Those kids must’ve had a field day,” Temari said. “It was sweet of you to do that, Gaara.”

“It was (Y/n)’s idea, actually,” Gaara corrected. Warmth spread over him as he remembered the parents coming to collect their children, their little hands raised in farewell as they called it a day. He had decided to leave the sandcastle where it was, however, so they might play another day.

“It was your expertise,” You said, patting your damp hair with the towel. “Just hopin’ those families will keep us being here a secret.”

Gaara watched you inquisitively.

“It’s the least they can do,” Kankuro said sullenly, kicking his feet on an ottoman, fuzzy slippers dangling from its edge. “We built them a freakin’ fast food playground for free.” His face softened. “They did look real cute out there, though. And playtime is important.”

“I’m sure they will!” You settled into a chair. “It must’ve taken a great deal of chakra control, as well!” 

Temari paused. “You know about chakra?”

“Of course I do,” You said, waving her off.

“No, you don’t.”

The room paused. Heads turned to Gaara. 

You tilted your head at him. “What do you mean?”

Gaara didn’t answer. He raised from his chair. He fished a shuriken from his pocket and threw it —

It pierced the flesh of your throat.

“Gaara —!” Temari and Kankuro yelled in unison.

You clutched your throat and Gaara waited for blood. There was no blood.

You poofed away.

“A clone!” Kankuro shot from his chair.

“We need to find her,” Gaara said. “Now.”

The violent colors of the sunset bled into the horizon; burnt oranges and crimsons drowned the sky. You hugged knees to your chest as the suds of waves kissed your feet. 

Your fingers were touched to the skin of your lips. 

He had kissed you. Gaara, the Kazekage, had kissed you, and he had wanted to do it again.

He wanted you. It was clear. You wanted him.

And yet you lied to him.

It was not like you had imagined. Nothing about this trip to Sunagakure was, but this … was especially off-kilter. You had imagined a filthy, detached nightly tryst. Your yukata torn from your body by feverish hands as the Kazekage ravaged you — not asking, only taking. And, after defiling you and drifting to sleep, you would unwind your treacherous necklace from your neck and drip poison into his snoring mouth …

It was what your father had intended and what you had expected.

Instead … The ghost of Gaara’s hand tingled your hip, and his gentle kiss had imprinted itself on your lipskin. So sweet, so …

You searched the horizon. Hideo, what do I do? What would you have me do?

Did it matter if you chose to remove yourself from your father’s plan? Gaara is exactly who you would’ve wanted for me, Hideo. You were still lying. Even if your father came and killed you for being a traitor, you would still be lying … No. It was more than that. That was skin deep. The shame went deeper to puncture veins and bone. You were the lie. A pretty wife for the Kazekage, come to make peace. Come to destroy it.

You stood, nausea wobbling your step, and wretched your necklace from your neck. 

Your necklace was a lie, too. 

A weapon.

Did it matter if, in your madness, you had decided to hang on to it to protect Gaara, or yourself, if the time came? You stumbled, eyes returning to the horizon.

You would throw it into the sea and let the water devour it. 

The pendant of it sat in your palm, cool against your skin. Your hand made a fist around it, ready to —

A force at your side. You collapsed to the ground. The necklace flew from your hands. Your side exploded with pain. Something wove to restrict your hands behind your back.

You cried out, groaning with pain and barely able to register it before harsh hands yanked on your constricted wrists. They hoisted you to your feet by something — someone.

You screamed — only for a hand to clasp to your mouth.

“You’re quite the prize. I’ll admit that at least,” said a voice in your ear, low and masculine. “And in more ways than one. I can only imagine what Lord Boutoku will trade for you.”

You struggled as you were dragged backwards, the beach shore growing smaller. 

No. Nonononono.

Someone had found out, someone had found you —

A blast from behind you and the hands holding you were gone. You stumbled to remain standing. You turned around to see your captor crash on the beach floor.

“Get away from her!”

You turned. Temari — fan unfolded at her side — and Kankuro were running toward you. Gaara mysteriously absent, but your eyes searched for him, nevertheless.

Temari took you in her arms before maneuvering you behind her. Your captor was on his feet now, knife-weapon in hand.

“Heh,” the guy smirked. “I can take you two.”

Kankuro’s matching smirk was deadlier. “What about three?”

Sand pooled, tentacled, and shot forward to grab your captor. It hoisted the man in the air as he screamed. It bound his arms and legs.

Your eyes widened as sand cocooned him. “What in the world —?”

Sssssssss…

You frowned, concentrating on the sound. A snake? No … Sand rustled. You turned to see something rising on the beach. It emerged slowly, taking on the image of a man — it was a man. 

Gaara.

Gaara’s image solidified to become flesh and bone, hair and skin and clothing.

“Gaara …” You were relieved — until you felt the rage radiating from him. 

Even from where the man lay trapped, towering in the air, you could see the color leave his face.

“The — the Kazekage …!”

“You knew Lord Boutoku’s daughter was here, but not the Kazekage?” Kankuro mocked. He clicked his tongue. “You’re even dumber than you look.”

“Explain yourself,” Gaara ordered.

“H — Hey.” The man trembled in the sand’s death grip. “I didn’t know — I’m sorry, okay? I — I take it back. I never would’ve hurt the girl, all right? I only wanted —“

“Your prize?” Gaara’s voice was low, his stare hardening. “And what if she hadn’t given you the information you wanted?”

A deceptive curl of sand wrapped around the man’s throat like a python. You turned back to Temari and Kankuro, who were watching with detached amusement.

“I — I only wanted money, okay! That’s all!” 

Temari feigned a coo. “Aww. You’ll be getting a bit more than that now, I’m afraid.” 

“You’re a disgrace …” Murder lived in Gaara’s eyes. 

Sand constricted, crushed, concealing your captor’s tremors as he screamed in terror. The amusement was gone from Temari and Kankuro, replaced with a growing concern.

“Gaara!” Kankuro said, inching closer. “C’mon. Don’t. It’s not worth it.”

“Gaara!” Temari hissed. “I thought you were only going to scare him, don’t tell me you —?”

“Gaara.” Your voice was small among the screaming and the perennial rustling of sand and your rapid heart in your ears. “Please, don’t. Please … it’s all right.”

Gaara’s hand flinched beside him, as though desperately resisting the urge to clench it. His glare did not leave the man he threatened to kill.

“Please …” You pleaded softly. 

Gaara tore himself away from the scene, stalking away.

The sand lost its shape and crashed like water downward. The man plummeted to the ground. You yelped as a sickening crack sounded through the beach, and then silence. It was only until you saw the man rise from his place, one leg making up for the mangled other, were you able to breathe again. He was alive.

But barely.

Sand and Oasis ninja flooded the hotel. You felt bad for the other clientele, who were looking around for answers and found few. 

Your captor had, apparently, heard about your staying at the hotel and, once getting a glimpse of you at the beach, had created a clone of you to fool everyone. Afterward, it was only a means of finding you alone to make a move. He had been carded away and, despite the horrible crack you’d heard, had only managed to break literally an arm and a leg. Nothing more. Until more information was known, the guests were either encouraged to leave or sequester themselves in their rooms. 

The rogue had managed, in the fray of the vacation, to fool even Chuuyou. Who, you had a feeling, would be glued to you even more than before from now on.

You were fine. Slightly shaken, and your side still screamed with pain if you grew too bold, but otherwise fine, your necklace having been returned to you by Temari to weigh you down like an anvil. You were more concerned for Gaara, who had not spoken a word to anyone since walking off the beach. He lingered in the corner of the lobby. He said nothing to no one. 

“I am so, so very sorry for this.” The hotel owner bowed profusely in the lobby, over and over, as the situation resolved. “The family of the Kazekage, please … Whatever we can do to rectify this horrific event — please accept my apologies, oh gods, oh oh oh —“

“It’s all right,” Kankuro said soberly, attention clearly elsewhere. You had never seen him so serious. He shook his head at Temari. “You were right. Damn, I’ve been reckless …”

“No, Kankuro.” Temari petted him on the shoulder. “It’s all right; it wasn’t just your responsibility —”

“No,” Kankuro swatted her away, “it’s not all right. I am the Kazekage’s guard. Imagine what could’ve happened?”

Temari was quiet, face soured by the multitude of ugly possibilities. A strange knowing pulsed the air, passing between the two of them and excluding you.

You recalled their faces. At first, Temari and Kankuro had been derisive, hardly bothered at all by Gaara’s rage. As though they had witnessed it a million times. It had startled you. Only later, when it seemed Gaara would kill him, did they move to stop him … 

But something gnawed at you, like a mosquito stabbing for blood, refusing to be ignored. The way Gaara’s sand had curled up around your captor. The cocoon. How ready it was to envelope him, seal him away.

A sand burial. 

… Wasn’t that what Father had called it in his letter? … 

… Where had he gotten that terminology?

Something gross and lingering layered over you like the remnants of a bad dream, like snake-skin. It crawled up your skin. For a split second, you imagined Hideo in the man’s place, and the need to retch sent you grappling at the back of a chair.

Hadn’t Joseki tried to warn you, tried to stop you? 

What if he had good reason?

Seas could not contain the blood that boy has shed.

No. It didn’t make sense — nothing made sense.

You had so many questions and no way to get them. Gaara had moved to protect you. A warm sense of comfort sat beside the gross feeling.

Gaara, kind, loving, his villagers loved him, his siblings loved him, he was kind to you, had kissed you — 

And yet, you couldn’t reconcile the murder you had seen in Gaara’s face, holding the man he was ready to kill (for you!!) in the air …

Dizzy, you steered yourself in a chair. 

It got Gaara’s attention. “Are you all right, (Y/n)?” 

You startled at the sound of his voice. “Ye — Yes, I’m fine …”

Gaara studied you. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No,” You lied, side sore and aching for Epsom salts.

“Are you sure?”

His voice was gentle. You looked up at him, noted the concern in his face, those lips you had kissed only hours ago. Looking into his eyes ignited a storm inside you. It shouldn’t have been possible to feel so much just by the mere sight of someone. 

Did you kill Hideo, Gaara?

“Yes.”

“We’re not staying,” Kankuro told the hotel owner. “We’re too vulnerable here. Too confined.”

“I understand,” the owner said. “If there’s anything I can do … Anything at all …”

The desert was quiet. The four of you were on your way back to Suna. The emergency tents from the carriages had been risen and now sat like tiny pyramids in the starry night.

You snuck away from yours, coming out from its flap into the chilly desert air, such a stark contrast to the heat during the day. Gaara’s tent sat adjacent to yours, a soft orange candlelight emanating from its slit. It was long into the night before Gaara’s shadow could no longer be seen flickering on the tent’s cloth walls. Somehow, he had found sleep.

You didn’t know what you were doing or why. Despite Gaara being the last person you should want to see, all you wanted was to be near him, as though the truth you couldn’t piece together would show on his face. 

Barefoot, you carried yourself toward Gaara’s tent. The breeze swept the hem of your robe. A flicker in your periphery startled you.

Chuuyou stood by your tent. He met your eye.

You froze.

He nodded to you and stared out into the desert, as though he had seen nothing.

A shared secret. Understanding.

He’s thinks I’m going to kill Gaara. A chill trickled your spine.

Something about Chuuyou’s reaction made the plan so … real. Others were waiting on you. They would act. What would happen after it was done? Would the Oasis ninja ambush the other tents, attempt to kill Temari and Kankuro? Would there be a full scale battle right in the middle of nowhere as your ninja stole you away and took you back to the village? The chill within rivaled the chill without.

You shook it off, attempted to chip away at the reality of it. We’re in the middle of the desert. It would be foolish to do it now — even if I was going to. Doesn’t he see that? You crept into Gaara’s tent. 

He slept on his slip of a bed on the floor, face peaceful in the candlelight. Quiet, save for the slight crunch of your bare feet on the sandy ground. 

How could he sleep after everything that had happened? A better question: what were you doing here? Did you want to talk to Gaara, hoping there would be some way you could bring up Hideo’s death without seeming suspicious, accusatory? But you had no plan, and he was asleep. And now here you were, standing over him in the night.

You remembered how Gaara had told you about his heavy sleeping. In another world, this would be the moment. You would simply slip the poison from the necklace into his mouth and be done with it. No more confusion. It would be done, your tight-roping act over and done with. 

You wouldn’t have to wonder anymore. A decision would have been made. You would just have to live with yourself. But could you live with yourself? 

The mental torture, and the desire to free yourself from it, sent your hand to your necklace. You trailed fingers to the back of it, to detach it.

You stood witness to his sleeping form. He slept the way he had when he was surrounded by his plants. How sweet his hobby was, how he had endeared himself to you. The statue of Karura. How gorgeous he was then, how gorgeous he was now … 

In your madness, Hideo’s voice morphed with your father’s: Do it. Avenge me. Avenge me.

You studied his face but found no answers there.

You leaned over him, as though the answers you sought after were an inch or so away —

“(Y/n)?”

You startled. Temari’s head had poked through the slit of the tent.

“What are you doing in here?”

You froze. In that moment, you knew exactly what it looked like: you, deviously bent over her baby brother, about to do only the gods knew what. Your mind spun for an excuse.

In that moment, you saw a slim change in Temari’s expression — Concern? Anger? Suspicion? 

Before it could change, Gaara roused. A groan rumbled in his throat. “What’s happened?” he asked groggily. 

He propped up. Your eyes flickered from him to Temari.

“I — I couldn’t sleep,” You said, not technically a lie. “I wanted to sleep with Gaara tonight.”

Gaara sat up in bed.

“What?” Temari was blushing.

“I’m … still so rattled by what happened …” You went on, using your actual nerves to amplify the effects of your lie-not-lie. I’m such a mess. “I’d feel safer if I …”

“That’s fine,” Gaara said.

“Gaara,” Temari said, scandalized. “Are — are you sure?”

“It makes sense that (Y/n) would be uncomfortable alone after what happened.” Gaara moved aside to make room for you on the futon. “We’ll be husband and wife soon enough as it is. It’s only natural we begin sleeping together.”

Gaara seemed to avoid your eye, the weight of the day’s events an uncomfortable one. As if on cue, you slipped into the futon to be beside him, making a mental side note of the warmth flooding you immediately after.

“Well —” Temari stammered. “A — All right. As long as …” She paused; considering what came after as was too horrifying to think about. “Good night!” 

You blushed; of course her mind would go to when she had found the two of you on the beach, the unspoken words to explain what you had been up to. She zipped the tent back up, leaving the two of you alone.

You laid down, exhaled a long breath. Gaara’s presence beside you was immense.

“I am … sorry,” he said. “For today. This is not how I wanted things to go.”

“It’s all right. I’m not as fragile as you think.” You balled a fist under the pillow. “I’m sure shinobi see far worse.”

“It’s no use comparing yourself to us; we are trained to face violence and be somewhat desensitized to it,” Gaara said. “I don’t expect you to be. Do you want to talk about it?”

This was the Gaara you had come to know, but what about the one from earlier? There were two Gaaras in your mind.

“No,” You assured softly. “I’m fine.”

“I understand …” You detected a bit of disappointment in Gaara’s voice. “Sleep now, then. We’ll be back in the village by the afternoon.”

You obeyed without meaning to. Exhaustion won out against your anxieties. The moment your eyes closed, you were asleep.

In the morning, you would wake up with your hand in Gaara’s, having reached for it in the night.

#gaara x reader #gaara x you #gaara x y/n #gaara smut #naruto x reader #naruto x y/n #naruto x you #naruto smut #my work

[kxkyuu]

s- so i saw your underrated monday post 👀 what do you think gaara is like in bed or as a lover?

hope you’re having a nice day kirei!!! mwah! <333

Gaara to me is a service sub. He power bottoms but loves to worship you and tend to your needs.

Gaara letting you leash him while you ride his face

Gaara worshiping your tits

He let's you be in most control

#[💌]–mail.time #[🫂]–mooties #sumi<3 #twt p*rn #gaara smut #gaara headcanons #[🔞]–underrated.monday

[georgina-layla]

Gaara - the anime collection

#gaaruto #kazekage gaara #gaara smut #gaara naruto #gaara no sabaku #naruto #manga panel #manga art #fine art #fineart #ANIME AESTHETIC #anime fanart #anime art #anime boy