Mate of the Sand (Gaara's Neko sequel)

Mate of the Sand Chapter 7

Sorry, I'm much late...  I didn't mean to be, but I have no enthusiasm for this right now.  Gotta find my muse.  Which means please comment some good music to listen to.

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As we walk to the first natural beauty, Ino keeps on smiling sappily.

"Ooh! You and Gaara! Squee! It's just to cute!"

I raise my eyebrows in mock fear, speeding ahead of her slightly.

She huffs, but continues her... whatever you'd call it.

Shikamaru glances at me.

"So where are we going exactly?"

I smile happily.

"An oasis that I spent a lot of time at as a child."

By that, he knows I mean before I met Gaara.

Shi-kun nod slightly and it gets silent.

Well, except for Chouji's crunching and the wind playing with the sand.

The wind is stronger than usual, but I don't voice my suspicions.

Shikamaru would turn around and immediately go back, even without proof.

With Gaara so overprotective right now, it's nice to do my own thing.

I love Gaara, but I'm not a porcelain doll.

So I keep walking, leading them to the oasis.

The first time they see it, Ino gasps in delight.

"It's so beautiful... So green and colorful..."

I nod happily, trying not to portray my thoughts.

"I spent a lot of time here. I'm surprised no one lives here."

And it really is a paradise.

So many trees on the sand, in such rich colors.

Fruit and plants, small animals even, to eat and a wonderful pool to drink from.

I would have spent all my time here, but I was trying to escape my mother at the time.

When we enter, the grass that dusts the ground gently tickles my toes.

"Have you brought Gaara here?"

I shake my head.

"Then this should be your honeymooning spot."

Flushing, I make my was down to the crystal clear water.

It gets it's water from deep underground, further down than I can swim.

The wind is picking up and Shikamaru narrows his eyes.

"The wind is very strong, even for the desert. We'll have to spend the night here."

He shoots a look at me, telling me I can't fool him.

"But, other people will be able to come find us, right?"

I shake my head.

"Two of the sides are the bases of cliffs, the others are hidden by sand dunes."

Chouji sighs.

"So we really are stuck here for the night... What is there to eat?"

I grin, gesturing to the trees around us.

"I'll go find some. Wanna start a fire?"

He nods determinedly, and Ino goes to get water.

Shikamaru follows me into the trees.

"Why didn't you tell us about the sandstorm? You must have known it would happen."

I reach up, gathering coconuts, mangoes and bananas.

"Because we'll be fine. I wanted to get out, and you worry too much."

He sighs tiredly.

"It's dangerous. I know the Kazekage has been watching you lately, but this won't make him stop."

I turn, walking back to the pool, not looking at him.

"I know. I know... But it's like I'm more likely to be killed than I ever was."

He falls into step beside me.

"Aren't you?"

I shake my head.

"You've heard of the ritual, I know you have. Only one person knows how to kill me, mother."

He pauses for a moment.

"He doesn't want you hurt either."

This is starting to annoy me.

"I know, alright! I already want to be back with him, but what's done is done."

Although he sighs, he doesn't say anything else.

XXX

After we've eaten, the sandstorm is going full blunt.

We're sheltered by the trees, but there isn't much other cover.

Ino and Chouji are both huddled under a tree, but Shikamaru and I are standing still, aware.

This is a natural storm, but we make sure to watch everything.

Nature often provides oppertunities, I might not be the only one who knows about this place.

We're standing under trees, but we still have trouble seeing through the sand.

I keep hearing a sound, a keening wail, but Shikamaru doesn't.

Am I going crazy?

No, it's there.

What is it..?

A neko child...

That's what it sounds like.

Out here, all alone?

Mother...

She's sending me a message.

What does it mean?

I don't know.

But I have to find him.

Racing out into the storm, I ignore Shikamaru's calls.

"Kyatto-hana? What the hell are you doing?"

The calls get louder, I add a few of my own.

"Nayyyyioooowww!"

Scanning my surroundings, I find the only shelter is a large rock.

I sprint towards it, following the calls.

A short tail shows from under it as I croutch down.

Letting out a low call, the child flings his arms around me and I run back to the semi-shelter.

Shikamaru's eyes widen slightly, opening fully for once, but I rush immediately for the pool.

The boy is dressed in rags, looking malnurished.

Well, this is bad.

He's unconscious now, poor thing.

Ino comes walking up, trying to block the sand from her eyes.

She notices the snow white ears and tail, gasping.

"He's... like you..."

I trickle some water down his throat, shaking my head.

"He doesn't have a chakra system. That's the difference."

Then I lift him again and sit at the base of a tree, sheltering him from the wind with my body.