Blood In The Sand

She nodded, crawling over to the board and sitting down. "Who has first move?"

"I do."

The chess match began, with Gaara having the advantage. Each move, no matter how big or small, ended with Gaara catching her pieces. His black stained-glass sandglass pieces were pretty much the only ones left on the board, with her only having three pieces left. Rena sighed. "I'm sorry, Gaara. I'm not good at this game. I'm not good at anything. I want to tell you, I wanted to tell you, but I… can't. If it was just up to me, I would. I'd tell you anything else you wanted to know, anything at all, but this is the one thing I can't."

"..." Another turn passed. She was down to two pieces.

"If it is the end, then I guess I didn't do more than enough. I wish I could have done more, or been better for you. If I can't be with you… It'd be too painful to stay. I'll leave the Hidden Sand after the Chuunin Exams."

Another turn… but this time, she had captured two of his. Suddenly, Gaara wasn't playing nearly as well. It turned into a rather fast comeback as suddenly he made mistakes that allowed her to overtake most of the board with only two pieces remaining. His pawns and his bishops fell, as did hers. In the end, only Gaara's King remained, facing her Queen. He looked away from the board as she moved her Queen, capturing the King and finally winning the game. "Gaara!" She exclaimed, happily, as she jumped up, bouncing around. "I did it! I did it, we can remain as we are!" She stopped as some of the pieces rolled off of the roof, into the bushes down below. "Aaargh! Sansa loves this chess set! She'll beat the hell out of me if I lose even a single piece, she's had it ever since I was born!" Rena dived off of the roof, into the bushes, to retrieve the lost sandglass pieces.

Gaara picked up Rena's queen, a clear sandglass piece. He examined it, turning it around in his hand. It was one of the most gorgeous pieces of glass there was; it was made solely for furniture and design choices. It reminded him of the way he controlled his sand; it was like the specks in the middle of the glass were placed there by a master artisan, creating the illusion of flowing sand whenever the piece moved. There were few in the Hidden Sand that could craft such pieces, and they weren't available anywhere else. He remembered that his uncle had an affinity for the glass… it would have been enough to sour his mood, had Rena not slapped her hand onto the roof and pulled herself up at that very moment. "Whew… I saved the sandglass!"

He stood up, walking over to her. "Don't make the mistake of thinking that we're going to remain the same. I told you, we're going to improve what we already have."

"Improve?" She asked dumbly, cocking her head to the side.

"I want you to be mine." It suddenly felt like Gaara was towering above her and she flushed her now-signature purple. "Everything. The second I ask something of you, you give it to me. If I tell you to do something, no matter how much you don't want to, you do it."

"But, I can't-"

"You can." His face darkened. "And you will. Now, I'm not going to just walk away if you lie to me. I'm going to punish you."

"But, I-"

"As for that man you're meeting… I'll go with you."

"Huh?"

"After the Chuunin Exams, I'm going with you. I don't care. I'll find out for myself."

"But, he said…"

He gave her a glare that shut her up instantaneously. As he stepped forward, she took a step back, losing her footing as she slipped from the roof, tumbling down. Gaara was much faster than her, using his sand to [quite literally] sweep her off her feet and gently land her on the ground. She almost lost her balance again, but he was there to steady her. "It doesn't matter who says what. It doesn't matter if they're a man or a woman, you're mine." He tugged her arm, causing her to fall into him. His sash was surprisingly soft. He was hesitant, but he raised his arm, his fingers sliding through her hair, as he pressed her face into his chest. It was as much of a hug as he'd allow himself to give.

However, it seemed like there were eyes everywhere. Ikari's narrowed as his fingers tightened around the black box he was carrying, his lips pursed and eyebrows scrunched into a frown. He looked away, sighing, before looking back. "You know, at least it's him. But it won't be for long." His eyes flicked to the woman standing in the shade of the tree and watching the exchange.

"Don't you think you're being cruel?" Ikari gave a half-hearted laugh, flipping open the box to reveal a purple flower. It was unique in the fact that it looked exactly like a bleeding heart, but it was surrounded by dried bell blossoms.

Sansa stepped out from the shade, glaring directly at Gaara. "In the end… it's not about having a monster inside you or not. It's about what you make of yourself despite that monster. Gaara… Gaara had options. It's not his fault, but I can't let that monster near my little girl. And you… you never had a choice in the first place."

"The only reason anyone speaks about anyone like that is if they're the host to a tailed beast. So that's the kind of monster he is." Ikari grinned. "I might just have a chance after all. Your daughter seems to be interested in monsters."

Sansa grabbed him by the collar, raising him slightly off the ground. "For him, it might be a physical entity, but for you? It runs through your blood. He could escape it. You can't."

"By that logic, isn't your daughter a monster too?" Sansa paused, a grimace spreading across her face before she set Ikari down to take a look at Rena picking up the sandglass pieces she had dropped in her fall. Gaara was watching her, leaning against the wall. Sansa looked back to Ikari, raising an eyebrow.

"There's a difference between you and her, kuroi-chi. You're a different breed. You're born dark."

"How does an outsider know about the kuroi-chi? The way our village used to work… you'd be dead if you knew about it. The Chikage would have directed us to destroy you if you even so much as uttered a word if you knew. Even a hint."

She shoved him away, shoving her hands in her pockets. "You know nothing about the Village Hidden in the Shadows, kid. I bet you don't even know where it was." Now she was finally getting under his skin. He glared at her- if only looks could kill. "That's the difference between you and me. I created the title of kuroi-chi. You wouldn't make the cut." Before he knew it, Sansa's hand lightly tapped his shoulder. She had blinked forward so fast he hadn't even seen her. He yelped in surprise, crashing to the ground, scrambling away from her. She was gone, nowhere in sight, yet he could hear her voice in his ear. "I told you. This is your last warning. The next is your death. You're screwing with things your generation couldn't possibly understand."

Ikari looked up and Gaara and Rena stared at him as if he were insane. "It was a bug." He muttered, getting up and collecting the box he had brought for Rena. He'd have to stop this progression somehow, but it seemed like Sansa had it covered. He'd just have to trust that she'd do what's best for her child… and cut the girl off from Gaara.

"Kankuro, I want to talk to you about Rena." Sansa turned around. This time, it was simply the four of them in a room- Su & Suno were out choosing dinner. Suno kept asking her to choose the best sign, and they'd eat from whichever one she thought was the best. It was clear the boy was nervous, aggressively so as he twitched and sweated.

"I.. have I done something wrong?"

Sansa looked up, sighing. "No. I've signed the arranged marriage contract, as ordered by the Kazekage. I've sent it back to the office. Your wedding is in three months." Kankuro's eyes widened, his jaw-dropping open as Temari clapped him on the back.

"Close your mouth, little brother, you're going to catch flies." Still, it seemed as if Kankuro was stunned to the point where he could do nothing but stare, mouth gaping and eyes bulging. Temari slowly placed her hand under his chin, pushing it up and closing it for him. "This is all Kankuro has ever wanted since he was a kid. You've probably made his life."

"Kankuro. I expect that you, of all people, will treat my daughter right… and steer her on the right path." Sansa's words followed a harsh voice, but of course, she was aggressive with this. It was her child. "Do what you think is right. In three months, I will give you my daughter's hand personally. Accept responsibility. Make me seven grandchildren."

"Yes, mam!" Kankuro barked his face flushing red. Temari whacked him on the head, causing him to bolt forward and slam into the floor. "Oww… Temari, you didn't have to hit me that hard."

"You look like a horndog. Of course, I have to hit you that hard." She teased. "I'm glad Rena will become my sister, though."

"Kankuro… if you look at my future daughter that way… I'll make sure you won't be able to make grandchildren." Baki snapped, his irritance growing.

"Hey, I want grandchildren." Sansa glared at him, causing him to back down.

"G-grandchildren…" There was another lecherous look on Kankuro's face, quelled by yet another smack to the back of his head, this time by Baki. "Hey! That's super weird!" Kankuro's voice was louder now as he pointed at Baki. "You're going to be my dad! That's even weirder! My dad is gonna be Rena's dad! Ewww!"

"You moron. You've been dreaming about marrying her since you were a kid to the point where you got depression when she left." Temari shook her head. "All those years… and that didn't even cross your mind. All I can say is- moron."

"Sansa wasn't engaged to Baki back then!"

"...Moron."

"You too, Baki?!"

"I believe we should confine Gaara and Rena to their rooms in the meanwhile." The jolly conversation stopped, the room going silent. Baki knew exactly why and Temari… well, she had been wondering for a while now. Kankuro, on the other hand, remained his legendary self.

"Why?"

The three turned to look at him in disbelief. Had he not seen the glances exchanged between the two? It was as if nobody else mattered when they were in the room. The way Gaara had been looking at her while Sansa and Kankuro had been having their match, it was like none of them even existed save for Rena. That in itself was something Baki had barely ever seen before. Still, a doomed affection. The biggest surprise was that Gaara had these feelings in the first place. If they didn't separate them, Rena would surely… find her end. "Because Gaara is getting restless and Rena… is getting restless."

It was a real creative response, but Kankuro seemed to buy it. "Gaara I can understand. He's seemed really bloodthirsty lately, more than usual. Rena's been… doing all kinds of strange things." Sansa wondered what kind of strange things Rena could be doing that Kankuro of all people considered strange, but that didn't matter.

"Kankuro, tonight you will confine Gaara to his room. Temari, you'll deal with Rena."

"Do you think… that's such a good idea?" Kankuro asked, causing Sansa to glare at him and shut him up. He didn't want to be at the end of her ill will, just as he didn't want to be Gaara's next victim. Sansa sighed, just as the rest stood up.

"Let's go retrieve them."

It had come as both shock and surprise as Gaara and Rena re-entered the building only to be accosted by the group. "Rena, Gaara, you are to return to your rooms for the rest of the night."

"Sansa? What's this about?" Rena tilted her head to the side, furrowing her brows. "Ikari just came to visit. He brought snacks and everything." She gestured to the boy, who simply raised his hand to reveal a finely-crafted box that undoubtedly held sweet, delicate treasures.

"He'll have to leave." Sansa dismissed him with a wave of her hand as if he were a mere servant. How dare she treat him like this? Ikari had been sure to rest the flowers on her windowsill before he'd come in… and broke the lock on the window. He'd have his way, regardless of what Sansa wanted. She'd find it was her who would be ousted from his clan's members life, not him.

"But… Sansa!" Rena insisted, stepping forward. She had never quite been this strict… Rena didn't understand. Why had she changed? Why did she need to be so overbearing?

"Please, Rena." Sansa stepped forward, giving her child a soft smile. "I only want to protect you. Your curfew from now on is five in the afternoon. You'll accept no food, or gifts from anyone save for me, Temari, Baki or Kankuro." She enveloped Rena's hands in her own, but Rena tore away from her, backing up with a confused look in her eyes.

"I don't get it. I don't! I can take care of myself, I'm not a kid anymore!" She dashed past Sansa, running up the stairs to her room. Gaara and Ikari moved to go after her, but Sansa raised her arm, her eyes moving to them.

"I will not let my daughter be taken from me again." Her voice was low, commanding, but it held authority to it. "Kankuro, follow after her." Kankuro's head snapped up as he gulped.

"Y-yeah, Sansa!" He turned to follow her up the stairs. She waited until he was gone before she turned back to them, giving them a light, but a menacing smile that meant nothing other than disrespect.

"I won't let her make poor choices in her naive youth that will affect her future… and I refuse both of you." Ikari's glare deepened, while Gaara shifted his eyes away, standing off to the side. "You're too late anyway. I sent the letter forty minutes ago. She's now engaged, set to be wed in three months."

"What?!" Ikari snapped, finally showing something other than impartialness. "You can't… that's taking away her freedom! And it's not like I'm into her or anything, so you don't need to parade around! We're just friends!"

"Keep telling yourself that," Baki said, leaning against the sign-in desk. The clerk was hiding behind it, listening to all of the juicy deets without letting anyone know. She felt like she was in a real-life drama. Damn it! Why was that girl so lucky?!

"She was annoying anyways," Gaara muttered, walking past Sansa, who didn't stop him.

"Very well. I'm glad we have an understanding, at least. It's unbecoming of anyone to interfere in an already established wedding date. She's going to be the esteemed bride of the future Kazekage, Kankuro Suna." Gaara stopped, blood rushing to his head. He could feel the pressure inside his building. Kankuro...? His brother? His brother? Of all the people they could have put in his way… of all the people they chose to take what was his away from him… it was the most expendable. He'd take care of it. "Is there a problem, Gaara?"

"No. I'm just wondering why you're blathering on."

Rude, as always. Sansa supposed all was fine. Despite what she'd seen, she was sure it was only a passing infatuation. Gaara couldn't feel anymore and with Rena ceasing to be a distraction, things were going to go back to normal soon. She was sure Rena would fall for Kankuro… ever since that day, it was obvious that her future had already been decided for her and it would be a prosperous one indeed. Maybe she could get rid of Rena's want to be a shinobi, as well. "Good. Return to your room. Temari will escort you there."

He wordlessly ascended the stairs, Temari following closely behind. Ikari glared at Sansa before turning and walking out of the inn. Sansa turned to Baki. "I'm counting on you to find Suno and Tsukiyomi. I've got more business to deal with."

"Rena…?" Kankuro opened the door, Now was a better time than any to tell her about the proposal. He was nervous and wasn't sure how she'd take it. She was lying down on her bed, face in her pillow as he came in and sat on the bed beside her, reaching out and gently touching her back. She shot up, scrambling backward, before sighing.

"Oh. It's just you." It was clear she wasn't happy about the restrictions enforced on her. Kankuro knew that from the moment he met her, she wouldn't just be a caged bird willingly. She'd always been so free, both with her words and her actions, not caring what anyone thought but herself. With that sense of freedom, however, came a recklessness that required her to be protected.

"I want to talk to you." Kankuro undid his hood, placing it on the bed, exposing his hair. She moved forward, sitting beside him. "I've always, really, really, really tried… so hard to get your attention."

"Huh?"

"This entire time, I've been trying to get you to see me. You know, me. Getting your attention… it's been hard, that's for sure." He gave her a genuine smile, which she returned with a confused look. "I'm going to keep my confession simple this time."

"This time?"

"I love you, Rena." She paused, her eyes widening. She couldn't say anything, simply staring at Kankuro like she was caught red-handed in a spotlight. "I… confronted this feeling a long time ago. When you died… my heart turned to stone and I realized I'd never love anyone again. Then you came back… and I realized… no matter what happened between us, I'd never love anyone but you." He put his hands in his lap, twiddling his thumbs as he looked down, a shy grin on his face as it flushed.

"Kankuro…?"

His hand raised to cup her cheek and he looked at her in a way she couldn't put into words. She could do nothing but stare at him, flustered. She could barely process it as his lips pressed gently against hers, his hand stroking the back of her head softly. As he drew back, she only saw Genuity in his eyes. "I love you." He said softly, affectionately, in a way she couldn't return. "You don't need to accept me yet. I'm not going to chain you down until you love me. I just.. I was told to let you know about our arranged marriage."

"What?"

He stood up, walking over to the door. "Please don't blame Sansa, this is something I asked for. We're going to get married in three months. You're going to be the wife of the Kazekage. I'll leave you with your thoughts for now, but… I hope you can give me an earnest response." As he opened the door further, his eyes widened. He was face-to-face with his baby brother, sand flowing around him. Temari groaned on the floor, having been knocked out. He backed up, fear crossing his face- Gaara's eyes were merciless, his bloodlust almost visible in the air itself. He raised his arm and sand wrapped around Kankuro, raising him into the air as he made a fist and opened his mouth to speak…

"Gaara!" Rena's voice broke him out of his stupor and his sand dropped to the ground. Kankuro hit his head on the floor, instantly passing out from the impact. He gripped at the spot over his painfully beating heart, shaking as it panged over and over. He was remembering the way Kankuro took what was his, the one thing he considered sacred, and desecrated it. His hand whipped up, sand wrapping around Rena's throat and raising her in the air. She struggled, her limbs flailing. If it's her… if it's her! Why the hell didn't he just rid himself of this problem before it even began?! She was making him weak! It was her fault!

And this painful, painful thing inside of him… It was his mother. Telling him to kill her. Yelling at him. "You have to die!" He screamed, "She won't… stop… SCREAMING… in my head!"

As Rena clawed at the sand, she struggled to breathe. "O...okay…"

Gaara's fingers twitched as he grasped his head, releasing partially the tight grip he had on Rena's throat. "Wh...ngh, what?"

She could feel that it was loose enough for her to speak normally. "If it's for you, Gaara… I'd gladly let my life be taken from me." Despite the fact she was scared, despite that, she was trembling and even though she didn't want to die… she gave Gaara the brightest, happiest smile she could muster. Tears dripped from her eyes, sinking into his sand. "I told you before, didn't I? You're the most important thing. Life isn't worth living without you!"

"Why…?" He murmured, before sharply raising his voice. "Why aren't you fighting?! People don't do what you're doing! Normal people… normal people beg me for their lives! Normal people struggle and scream and futilely beg and then they DIE! Why won't you just DIE?!"

"Because… I don't want to hurt you, Gaara." Her tears were flowing now and he was looking directly at her, his expression that of a lost child who didn't know what to do. "If you want me to die, then I'll die. I'll still always be with you, right? Even if I'm just like everyone else to you, even if my blood is mixed with everyone else's… I might be a little jealous, so forgive me, but at least I'd always be with you!"

"...With you…" His headache was pounding and he felt like he was losing his sanity fast. "You're such a nuisance… I don't care about you! I won't ever love you! I won't be weak and I won't cease to exist! I love only myself! I fight only for myself! I will never fight for you!"

Even though it hurt, she still felt like she needed to get through to him… and if she couldn't, at least she was going to die by his hand instead of any other. Even that… if it was just that, then even that was fine. "Then… don't. But… for you, I'll live. You don't need to do the same… I'd never ask that of you."

"You're saying…" He paused, removing his hand from his head. "You'll make yourself weak voluntarily…? And I'll grow… stronger?"

"That's right, Gaara. I'll sacrifice everything of mine to protect you. I'll throw myself in front of anything to save you. And you… can just keep on living."

His hands dropped to his sides as the sand dropped her to the floor and flew back into his gourd. It was as if he hadn't lost his sanity in the first place."... Do what you want. My sand would be stained purple if I were to kill you anyway." He turned away, leaving the room as Rena scrambled over to Kankuro, checking for a pulse. She let out a breath of relief as she found that his pulse was still there.

Baki ran into the room, having returned from his task. Suno and Su came in behind him, Suno leaning over Temari's unconscious body as he picked her up. "What happened here?!"

"Gaara did. They should be fine… he only knocked them out. I think Gaara's gone… but if looks could kill, then anyone he looks at right now is going to die."

"We need to find him before he compromises the entire damned mission!" Baki snapped. Rena opened her mouth to ask, but he was already gone.

"Suno, take care of Kankuro too, okay?"

"Got it. Where are you going, Lady Rena?" He asked, his frown apparent.

"I have to find Gaara."

As Rena disappeared, back on the ledge next to her windowsill, Ikari sighed, shaking his head. "It turns out that my biggest enemy isn't the mother, but the psychopath."

X

X

Konoha Hospital

4:50 PM

Gaara and Rena's Relationship Level: 63% [Was 0%]

Ikari and Rena's Relationship Level: [Why Would You Ever Ship This]

X

X

"Hm, strange. There's nobody here." A pink-haired girl looked around the lobby of the Konoha Hospital, but there was nobody around. That was strange, considering it was the middle of the day and lunch had just passed. She still walked up to the ledger and scribbled in that she was visiting Rock Lee. Turning around, she shivered. It was pretty creepy when it felt so deserted… "Huh… oh well. Time to go visit Lee." She turned back in the direction of the hallway, walking in the direction of Lee's room.

A long shadow stretched across the floor, reaching over as she walked past. Turquoise orbs watched her move… until she was out of sight. She didn't interest him, but if she had his room number…

He followed the girl as she entered Rock Lee's room. She gave him a sorrowful glance as she put flowers in the empty vase on Lee's bedside table. Turning around, she left the room.

5:00 PM

Gaara entered the room, slowly and carefully as his sand paved the way for him, opening the door. He would kill this enemy that had been protected by the false love of others; this would be the blood he would use to quell his mother's thirst for Rena's blood. He stood over Rock Lee's comatose body, raising his hand over his chest. It lingered and he was reminded of the night he did something similar to Rena.. but this was different. His sand crept up the bed, from his feet to his legs and his body. As it got closer, reaching his neck and finally his head, he was full of endless bloodlust. The sand needed blood and it needed it now. He could still feel it calling for Rena's, but these miscreants… this escaped victim's blood would have to do.

The door swung open haphazardly with a creak as in walked Blondie, whose hostility spiked immediately when he saw what Gaara was doing. "Hey, what are you doing to bushy brows?!" Gaara paused, turning to face them, his expression blank and lacking any of the bloodlust it had before. He didn't enjoy being interrupted.

"W-Woah, were you gonna kill him…?" The guy with spiky hair stepped back a little, shocked. He could tell Gaara was dangerous and not someone either of them could face without dying.

"Get away from bushy brows!" Lacking any sense of danger, the blonde kid continued to yell at Gaara.

"When I turned six, my father tried to assassinate me more times than I can count." Gaara's eyes had that dead look to them once more. Shikamaru and Naruto were frozen to their spots, both unsure why he was telling them this."All attempts failed. The entire village hated me. I couldn't control myself. I had emotional problems, you see. My father pampered and protected me."

"Did he try to assassinate you, or did he pamper and protect you?"

"Both, as I said. Then he got my uncle to try and kill me. My best friend, my only friend, left the village. I was a failed weapon, nothing more. For a long time, I was stuck wondering what purpose I have in life. After she disappeared..." Gaara held his head in rage, his eyes brimming with insanity. "I still haven't forgiven her. This grudge will rage on forever. The many times people feared to assassinate me... I realized my purpose was to kill." Gaara looked up, and the smile on his face struck fear into Naruto's heart. The sand began to creep towards them, lashing out. The door opened again.

"Might Gai is here! Save the fight for the arena, kids!"

Rena had finally located Gaara, but it seemed like she was a few floors above her paygrade. She could hear blondie yelling, so she did the only thing she could- charging up and clearing three floors in a single jump. Not very smart, as she was afraid of heights. She slammed against the window, clawing at the sides as both Shikamaru and Naruto jumped from the sound. She was an unexpected drop-in, but Gaara didn't even bat an eye. "Gaara, I've been looking for you!" She balanced herself but it seemed like even the slightest amount of wind could tip her over and send her plummeting.

Gaara, seemingly uninterested, didn't even look at her. Naruto was paralyzed by fear and Shikamaru was racking his brain for a strategy. If Gai hadn't come in, the floor would have been covered in blood…

"Gaara?" Rena asked, tilting her head to the side. "Help me in?"

"Stay away from me." He muttered, brushing past the paralyzed Naruto & Shikamaru. Rena dropped from the open window, priming up to chase after him, but Naruto blocked her path, causing her to skid to a stop in front of the blonde kid.

"He'll… he'll kill you! What are you doing, chasing after him?!"

"Is it any of your business whether I live or die?" Rena snapped, slipping under his arm like it was a game of competitive limbo. "Stay out of my way, kid, I can take care of myself." As she ran out, Naruto was still trying to think of a comeback.

As she turned the corner, Gaara was standing at the other end of the hallway… waiting for her. But, without turning around to face her, he began to speak. "Why do you keep following me? I've threatened your life, I've told you to stay away from me and I've almost killed my siblings in front of you. I've attacked you several times. Do I need to break your legs to get my point across?"

He was back to being cold and cruel, but she was unfazed. She committed to this, so she would pull through. "Even if you did break my legs, I'd drag myself with my arms so I'd always be two steps behind you. Break my arms and I'll just use my mouth to pull myself along!"

"Why do you bother?" He sighed. "Why are you so persistent…? I'm just going to be the one to kill you in the end." Rena approached him from behind and he made no move to leave or stop her. She intertwined her fingers with his, after a moment, Gaara curled his fingers, locking them both in a hand-holding grip.

"I already told you. If you want me to die, I'll die."

"Don't expect me to save you if you're in trouble."

"I don't, Gaara."

And like that, in silence, they walked out of the building. There was still, however, one place left Gaara wanted to go.

X

X

Kakashi's Training Grounds

Rena and Gaara's Relationship Level: 85%

X

X

"Wait, Sasuke. I smell bloodlust in the air." Kakashi temporarily stopped Sasuke's training. Gaara himself stepped out from behind a rock. He hadn't been watching them for long, but he made no move to hide his intent. He'd delivered Rena safely to the inn before coming here, so nothing was holding him back.

"I had a feeling it was you." The taller man with white hair was rather nonchalant with the way he spoke as if he was confident he could fend off Gaara.

"You have the same eyes as me, Sasuke Uchiha," Gaara stated, ignoring Kakashi's words. He'd probably have observed for a little longer had the Jonin not interfered. "Hate-filled and seeking purpose, vengeance." It was true, Gaara's eyes were nothing less than filled with it- and he knew it.

"I'm trying to train. Get lost." It was clear Sasuke was uninterested in having a conversation. That was fine. But, his attempt at seeing if the Uchiha would understand was futile. He disappeared his destination the inn, allowing the two to resume training. Purpose… perhaps he didn't need to seek it as much as he had before...

The Dancing Leaf Inn

"What the hell did you think you were doing, Gaara, putting our mission in jeopardy?!" Baki's harsh voice filled the silence of the room in the inn. "And Rena, letting him go off like that when you caught him… I thought you were smarter than this! It proves Sansa is right in placing restrictions on you!"

"I made him swear not to shed blood.." Rena whispered, her head low. She knew she shouldn't have, but when Gaara asked her… she couldn't say no. He could have just taken off, but he stopped to ask her for once.

"Are you stupid enough to think that a promise would stop him? Do you think you have what it takes? You haven't even started training with Sansa yet and you think you can stop a Jinchuriki?! This isn't some fantasy world where all of your wishes can come true! It's time for you to wake up and face reality- you're going to get yourself killed if you keep walking the path you do!"

"Shut up, Baki." Gaara stood. "I did what she asked, so there should be no problem. Shut up." Sand particles floated around him irregularly as he walked out of the room, slamming the door shut with the sand he'd gathered. It almost caused Rena to smile- It hadn't been easy to get to this point, but Gaara was shifting. Everything was changing from what it was. He was getting better but he had a habit of destroying their progress by burning the bridges they made together. He'd finally asked her something, rather than just going off on his own and doing it… that was enough for tonight.

Soon, however, the Chuunin exams would start again. Soon, she'd face Kana and either die or be the one killing her. She'd never killed anyone before... Not that she remembered, anyway. As she walked back to her room, wordlessly, ignoring Baki, she opened up her window, looking out of it. Seeing the black box on her windowsill, she brought it inside and opened it. "What a pretty flower arrangement… who left you here?"

She opened the note within, reading over it.

"Dried flowers never die. I hope that this could be our love. Your… a secret admirer?" Who could it possibly be? Gaara wouldn't do something like this and Kankuro had been knocked out. Maybe a Leaf shinobi? Regardless, she wasn't interested.

Gaara rested in his bed, staring down the wall, thinking... Imagining. Perhaps there was a future in which he and Rena could coexist… perhaps he didn't need to kill her. Maybe someday, but not today. He would be her purpose, her everything. He would make sure it stayed that way and that nothing ever changed. He wanted her. He would have her. Regardless of whether Kankuro loved her or not, he was sure she would remain his.

Little did either of them know, on a little balcony, the alienistic chakra from the preliminaries lay brewing. "How very interesting…" The woman laughed, delicately and femininely. She was covered in a black cloak, meant to obscure her face, but her hands and lips were dainty. She poured her tea into her cup, looking through Rena's window… observing. A light wind wafted the scent of the tea into the breeze, exposing just for a moment the woman's eyes.

A set of bright, purple pupils. She smiled, almost sadistically, as if she knew secrets that nobody else did. "You're mine… I'll take you back, but I think I'll play with all of the new toys around you first. You'll remember the worth of your blood... The worth that woman pretending to be your mother degraded."