Sand and Sun - Chapter 6

[temaridesertstorm]

The girl found herself in the dark once again, the water washing up against the back of her legs. The emptiness was somewhat familiar, no not as harsh and choking as before. She could tell that there was someone else there, the same person that kept calling out. He was speaking again, the message coming out clearly.
“Where are you?” the voice yelled, distinctly male, “Where are you?”
Once again, the girl wanted to speak to him, ask him about that he meant, but she knew that she would be pushed out if she turned around. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Her voice just didn’t come out, no matter how many times she tried. The voice continued to call out, just as it had before, but this time was different. It sounded rough, like something was wrong with the person’s throat. The pain in the voice echoed out with it, emotionally stabbing her heart with each word. Finally, she couldn’t stand it and she turned around, seeing the figure there. As before, the floor gave out underneath her and she feel back. But before the ground took her, she saw something that startled her: the person was crying, the tears dripping into the water below him.
Kira sat up and yawned, stretching her arms as she did. It was late, very late. She could tell because the sun was shining in the window of her room. Standing up and walking downstairs, she found herself alone.
‘Great,’ she thought, ‘what do I do? I guess I could go find them, and I think I know where.’
She quietly left the house and took a walk, looking around the street. A few people waved to her, and she waved back, but most of them didn’t see her. They continued on their way, doing what they had to do. She continued walking until she found the administrative building. Looking around for a while, she finally went inside.
It was an empty building, with a large entrance hall and a pair of stairs on the other side. She quickly snuck over to them and walked up, looking around for anyone else. As she continued along the hall, she turned to look behind her. When she did, she bumped into someone, knocking her to the floor.
“Ow…” she moaned, rubbing her backside.
“Need a hand?” a familiar voice asked her, and she looked up.
Gaara stood in front of her, his hand out to help her up. He looked calmly at her as he waited. She carefully took his hand and he pulled her up, causing her to stumble and bump into him again.
“Be careful,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulders to steady her, “What are you doing here anyway?”
She blinked. “Oh, I was looking for Temari or Kankuro.”
“They’re on a mission,” he replied bluntly.
“Oh, I’m sorry to bother you then,” she said, taking a step back.
“That’s alright. You can stay here with me if you’d like.”
She looked behind her. “Is that really alright?”
“Yes, if you’re with me, nothing will happen. I promise,” he said, lightly taking her hand and leading her down the hall.
The hall led across the entire building, finally intersecting with another hall, causing the first hall to end at a wall. He turned left, pulling her with him. This hall ended in an office, papers stacked neatly on the desk at the back.
“This is my office,” he mumbled, letting go of her hand and sitting down at the desk.
“Wow, looks like you have a lot of work to do,” she mumbled, struggling to look over the pile of papers on his desk.
“Too much work is more like it,” he sighed, “Just when I get close to being done, I get two times more. Would you like to help me? Anyway, you’ll be alone for a few days if you go home.”
She smiled. “Sure, I’d be happy to. What do you need help with?”
He reached over the pile of papers and handed her a single sheet. “I’d like you to read this out loud to me. I need to think about it.”
“Alright,” she said, taking the paper and sitting down in a chair in front of the desk, “‘This is an application to request the creation of a joint forces unit. A unit of such standards would benefit both countries, allowing for one country to access specific services from the other country. By signing this, we hope to achieve a better unity between our countries. Signed by the residing fifth Hokage...’”
She looked up from the paper to find Gaara leaning on his desk, the stacks of paper pushed aside so that he was able to look at her.
“Um…something wrong?” she asked, handing the paper back.
“No, not at all,” he said, taking the paper, leaving his eyes on her, “I’m just thinking about that.”
“Well, what do you think? I really don’t know what it’s about.”
“I think you have a beautiful reading voice.”
Kira blinked. “I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
He smiled, the expression clinging wonderfully to his face. “I know, but I’m talking about you now.”
“Why would you be…?” she blushed, but she couldn’t continue. Gaara had reached over has desk and pressed his lips against hers. She didn’t move for a minute, but she sighed and kissed him back.