Give and Recieve ~Gaara~

Chapter 18

A happy giggle escaped my throat as Gaara and I glided across the dance floor in time to the beautiful music. I love these parties. But I think it's the dancing I like most. But it's dancing with Gaara that makes me feel truly giddy inside. He always gets this smile on his face and looks down at me in a way that send butterflies flying in my stomach. Like always, many people watched as we glided, perfectly in sync with each other. Once the music ended we made our way off the dance floor arm in arm.

A few people came up to us and started a conversation I didn't really pay any attention too. Definitely have not had enough to drink for this. Ooh, and the object of my affection is bubbling in a pretty glass not to far away. I excused myself and headed straight for the bar, grabbing a glass of champagne and downing it. The bartender gave me a look and I shot him one myself, handing him the glass for more. One I had a full glass, I went to find Gaara again. I really hope some old woman isn't hitting on him... although that would be really funny.

As I searched, I thought about my revelation yesterday. Love. I've never been in love with a person before. Okay, yeah, I've given out lots of love in exchange for some pretty sweet items, but never have I felt love for the people. Not even Kankuro now that I really think about it. He's different, like one of those really good friends that don't mind leaning over and kissing because you're close, but at the same time someone you couldn't date for very long. I don't really know how to express my feelings for him other than my normal trade. But something tells me that won't fly with Gaara.

So how do I go about this? Should just tell him? Sounds awkward. Be creative? Yeah, no. Oh my God! Shit like this should not be this confusing! I mean, my God! Just say it but not randomly and awkwardly but it should be nicer than that but I give no fucks... I really need to talk to Kankuro about this stuff...

I found Gaara's crop of red hair in the mess of people and continued forward, stopping though when I saw who he was with. There were at least five very pretty and obviously rich girls standing around him, each trying to get his attention. Though he didn't seem all that interested in them he still politely chatted with them. For some reason, I felt a really bad feeling inside seeing him surrounded by those girls. They looked like the belonged near him, like they were on the same level as him.

I'm not like them. I have no social standing, unless you count having screwed half the councilors at this party. Damn I need some air... Turning, I headed straight for a balcony, champagne glass in hand. It was cool out there and a small wind played with the end of my dress. Leaned against the railing I looked back into the party and watched people chat and drink their drinks. That feeling came back though. That feeling that I didn't belong.

With a sigh I leaned back and looked to the sky. So many stars... Each one shines and gives off a pretty glow. Some are smaller than others, but each one has it's place up there. I wonder where my place is...

"Now there's a familiar face." I looked forward to the smiling man who stood not to far from me.

My own smile broke across my face. "Aki! 'Sup big guy, long time no see." I gave him a tight hug and a little peck on the cheek. He leaned against the railing with me. "How's the wife?"

He rubbed the back of his head and grinned like a fool. "She's pregnant."

"Way-to-go. That's gettin stuff done." I congratulated.

"Thanks." It was quiet for a while. But it was comfortable. Aki was always one of those customers that made me feel really comfortable and safe. He isn't that much older than me and a total cutie. But Gaara is still my top cutie. :3 "Why are you out here, Kisa?" Aki asked.

I held up my champagne glass and smirked. "I'm underage."

"I know you better than that, Kisa."

My smirk stayed as I looked down to my new shoes. "Observant asshole."

Aki chuckled. "Well that hasn't changed." A small silence stretched out between us. "So? What's the reason you're out here instead of dancing with the Kazekage?"

The bubbles in my drink suddenly became very interesting. Pop...pop...pop... With a sigh, I told him how I was feeling. After all, he would be the one who would understand the most in this situation. "I had my confidence chipped when I saw him talking to a group of rich girls."

"Ah, you feel like you don't belong again." He stated.

"Again, observant bitch." My gaze went back up to the sky. "But yeah. In a way, I know I could never really compare to someone like them when at events like this. I can act the part and look the part, but on the inside I'm an entirely different creature... And I'm sure Gaara would prefer someone from a good family instead of a hooker from a broken home."

"Oh really? And you are certain of his feelings on this matter?" he lightly teased.

I grinned. "No. In all honesty I know he wants to tell those kinds of girls to go for a long walk off a short dock. Girls like that are totally fake and annoying. Gaara hates annoying."

"Then how come he seems to like you so much?"

I playfully punched his shoulder. "Dick." My smile softened though as I thought of that. Does it really look like Gaara likes me?

"Well speak of the devil." I looked up to find Gaara standing in the doorway looking out to us, his eyes trained on Aki. He stood up and sighed. "Well I best go find Miori. It was nice to see you again Kisa."

"Nice to see you too big guy. Say hi to Mi-chan for me." He nodded and walked back inside, Gaara coming over the moment Aki walked past him. I quickly downed my drink and hid the glass.

"Who was that?" Gaara asked.

Maybe I shouldn't have gulped down three glasses of this stuff, I'm starting to feel kinda light. But I grinned teasingly anyway. "Aw, is the cutie jealous?" Gaara was not amused. "Oh calm down you. I'm only teasing. Here, his name is Aki Tanabara, he's an old customer of mine." I chuckled. "Well if you can even call him that."

"What do you mean?"

Wow I'm light. This is weird feeling. "Aki never slept with me." I said with a smile. This seemed to surprise Gaara slightly. Yay story time! "When I was thirteen Aki was sixteen and his family was really pushing him to get married, so they kept sending him to these kinds of events to meet girls, but he didn't know how to really talk to girls like the ones here. That's where I came in. He paid me to go to parties with him and taught me everything I needed to know about interacting in high society, from etiquette to dancing. While at the parties, I told him things to say to the girls to get them to like him. But he didn't like very many of them. Total bitches, not gonna lie. But one party I let him try conversing on his own and hung out near the snacks.

"That's where I met Miori. She was really shy and lonely but I got her talking and found out she wasn't a total bitch. So I pulled her over to Aki, they hit it off and got married the next year. I was a brides maid!" I said excitedly. "Aki also taught me how to read and do math so, eh."

Gaara visibly relaxed and leaned against the railing with me. His next words though... though they were soft, I could hear perfectly clear. "I was jealous."

My eyes met his and suddenly I was caught in this pool of weird happiness. He was jealous of Aki? Does that mean... He does like me? My eyes softened a bit. "I was jealous of that group of girls earlier..." I admitted.

"Why?"

"Now, I could ask you that same question cutie." I said with a smirk, earning a 'crap' expression from him. I laughed lightly and leaned into him. "But the short answer... I guess it's because... I like you... as more than a friend." He stiffened but then relaxed. His hand pushed my chin up to look at him, his eyes soft and filled with an emotion I have only ever seen in them while dancing. There go the butterflies again. My face got really warm as he leaned down slowly and I closed my eyes, feeling his lips press against mine. Maybe... this is where I belong. With Gaara. Just like this.