Infected

Chapter 4: Roommate

Gaara sat a crossed from Mizu as she scarfed down the bowl of egg fried rice. He'd paused on his own meal, chopsticks mid-air as he watched her eat. I thought only Naruto ate like that. He suppressed a smile at the memory. The other customers glanced their way and the woman who took their order would periodically pass by their table and stare. He wasn't sure if that was because of the way Mizu scarfed down her food or because he'd brought someone other than his two siblings out to eat. His keen ears picked up the words "Kazekage", "Date", and "Woman" from the others guests. Figures, they're staring at me. Mizu put her chopsticks on top of her bowl and put her hands together, thanking their hosts for the food. Gaara realized he'd barely touched his own meal too entranced by Mizu as she ate; he didn't really feel all that hungry, anyway. The waitresses scurried back over to them.

"W-was it not to your liking Lord Kazekage?" the waitresses fidgeted.

Gaara looked up at her and the woman went a little pale. I wonder when I'll stop getting those looks.

"No, it was good. I am just full. Could I take it go?" Gaara asked as nicely as he could.

The waitresses nodded quickly and left to bag his food for him. He noticed Mizu looking at him with lethargic eyes; her chin rested in her hand.

"What?" he asked unnerved.

"Hmm? It's nothing much I was just wondering what you did to make so many people look at you that way," Mizu answered bluntly.

Gaara felt a twinge in his stomach, "What way?"

"Fearfully."

Gaara looked down at the table his eyes dark.

"No, never mind. Forget I asked it's none of my business," Mizu stretched letting out a contented sigh.

Gaara could regret the past all he wanted but it would never change. He'd decided when he became Kazekage four years ago that he would work the rest of his life for his village's sake to make up for it, even if he could never fully repent. The waitress came back to give Gaara his doggy bag and Gaara paid for the meal. At first the woman tried to turn down his money but was easily swayed to take it. Though she may have just been fearful of what he would do if she kept refusing. They left the restaurant and found Yoki lounging against the outside of the building. The sun was setting, casting long orangey shadows against the sandy tiles of the buildings. He led Mizu and Yoki to a house far from the center of town. Some children gaped and point to the lion as they passed. When they arrived at the secluded house, an old woman name Yaba sat outside on the front porch.

"Oh, welcome home, Lord Kazekage," Yaba leaned heavily on a cane.

She was the caretaker of Gaara's house when he was away, which was usually every day, since he stayed in the Kazekage's office most nights. Yaba squinted at the lion and Mizu then chuckled.

"Ohhh, Lady Temari came by earlier and asked me to open your guest room. Now I can see why she was in such a huff about it. You don't intend to have a fling now do you Lord Kazekage?" Yaba chuckled.

"Y-yaba-san!" Gaara blushed. "Of course I don't."

Mizu turned to him, "Why am I not good enough for you?"

Gaara looked at her shocked and unable to respond. Yaba didn't miss a beat.

"My, my Lord Kazekage. I believe you have some explaining to do," the old woman laughed evilly.

Mizu's eyes flashed mischievously, she put her hand on her mouth, "And here you go feeding me and bring me to your house; yet, I am not good enough even for some fun?"

Gaara was redder than his hair at this point; it was the first time in his life two women tagged team teased him.

"Really now Lord Kazekage, don't you have any decency. Insulting the woman you're on a date with," Yaba cackled. "I must tell Lady Temari to educate you properly on how to treat women."

Both Yaba and Mizu laughed in unison, Gaara could only stand there turning redder by the minute. No one ever taught him how to deal with this kind of attack!

Yaba turned to Mizu looking at her intently, "Child, you're older than you appear."

Mizu looked at her and smiled, "You're very keen."

"You live long enough you get a sense of these things," Yaba looked towards the lion and smile. "I see... you are much older than you appear."

Finally, Yaba stood up and walked off the porch.

"Well, then I'll take my leave Lord Kazekage. Have fun tonight you two?" The old lady chuckled and walked off.

Gaara stood there fuming finally recovering from the barrage. He took a closer look at Mizu. She's obviously older than me but what did Yaba-san mean by much older than she appears?

"How old are you?" Gaara asked.

Mizu turned to him a radiant smile on her face and without warning smacked him on the cheek. It didn't hurt because of his sand cloak but what was bizarre was his sand didn't react to stop her. What just happened!? For the first time in his life a woman slapped him.

"It's rude to ask a woman her age," Mizu smiled at him evilly.

"I think it's rude to tease people you barely know," Gaara looked at the ground and muttered under his breath.

When he looked back up, he felt his heart skip a beat. Mizu's eyes were soft and the backlighting of the sunset made her features almost most magical as she smiled gently.

"Probably, but it's just so much fun," Mizu laughed.

Gaara's heart pounded loudly in his ears. How am I supposed to response to this kind of attack?