Bring Me Happiness

Seated in front of the villagers, the Kazekage and his wife watched as the entire village danced, ate and played games. Everything around them seemed to be a distance dream and unreal however, as they both just sat in their bubble of silence.

The ground beneath them gleaned in darkness as the tension between them grew per second.

Oozing out with rage, Ren was unwilling to forgive Gaara for his previous actions.

Her face reddened by the embarrassment as she replayed the event in her head again and again; each time with new emotions bursting out from her heart.

“Isn't this what married people do? They show affection?”

She closed her eyes as she swallowed down her humiliation. Her fingers locked onto each other as she fidgeted in deep thoughts.

“If you’re going to use me like this to gain their confidence, don’t you think it’s a bit too cruel?”

She finally muttered to Gaara after a long absence of words.

Gaara looked away, his eyes shifted in an uncomfortable matter, well at least Ren thought she saw his face fall for even a second; yet she wasn’t sure because what he said next was utterly unexpected.

“Why? Did you want me to actually kiss you?” he smirked lightly.

His words stung at her heart as her eyes narrowed, obscured by his choice in words. Her hands stopped moving completely, and just before she could process his words carefully in her head, it became unleashed.

Ren’s face quickly turned to her husband as a fierce hand wanted to reach out to strike him but she remained controlled as villagers occasionally smiled at the newlyweds. She was then brought back to her senses.

I didn’t marry you because I loved you…and neither did you, so why am I acting this way?

Her sad eyes fell from his face, as they wondered out to the village again. Their faces were happy, and she could easily spot lovers within the crowd as well.

She hated everything that moment. She hated not being able to smack him across the face. She hated wanting to smack him. She hated wanting to stay by his side this way and she hated him for forcing her to do so.

Ren wished that she could stop herself from forming tears around her eyes as these emotions swayed her. The silence among Gaara and her caused Ren to sigh annoyed.

“Why are you not enjoying your party? A lot of people worked hard to put it together,” Gaara mumbled in a monotone voice.

Ren pushed her hands on the table and stood up from her chair. She walked away quickly before he could say anything else to her. Yet, Ren felt a strong hand reach out to grab her and stopped her from going any further.

“Where are you going?”

She looked down on the ground before finding the answer.

“I’m going to look for my parents…didn’t you say you would met with them?” She asked as she slightly turned her head to acknowledge him.

Gaara slanted his eyes suspiciously before pulling her back to him. Letting her body fall into his arms.

“I’ll go with you then…” Gaara said as he stood up and followed her.

Swallowing in order to quench her dry throat, Ren replied.

“Why?” Ren asked as she raised her eyebrow, “Are you afraid I’ll run away?”

“….” Gaara stared at her firm back before he responded, “Yes…I think you’ll run away…”

Ren’s eyes widen from his shocking response.

“That’s my reason for following you over here,” Gaara continued, “So, where do we begin looking? Would you rather I send Kankuro to look for your parents?”

“You talk so much lately…” Ren quietly spoke, trying hard to hide her smile. Ren couldn’t help but feel happy that Gaara would be going with her.

She was happy. Indeed his words had penetrated into her heart. And although they weren’t spoken out of love, Ren wanted to believe they were even if for a moment.

“Let’s start by looking near the food area,” Ren spoke.

Gaara suspected Ren was only hungry but didn’t argue over where to begin looking since he had no idea where to begin.

“Kazekage-sama!” called a voice from behind, they both turned to face a young shinobi.

“Kazekage-sama, you are needed in your office,” He informed with a deep bow.

Gaara eyed Ren before responding to this unexpected event, “I’m sure it can wait..”

“Kazekage-sama…” The shinobi muttered, wanting his lord to reconsider but Gaara was already walking away from the scene with Ren by his side.

“Are you hungry?” Gaara questioned as they both reached the buffet area.

“No, I’m fine…” Ren replied awkwardly, not knowing exactly what to say, afraid they would end up in another fight.

“If you’re hungry, you should eat…” He pushed forward.

“Have you eaten already?” Ren asked, “If you haven’t, then you should…”

“I’m not hungry. I was just asking.” He responded a bit too coldly to fit the new atmosphere they had created.

“Where can they be? There are so many people…” Ren thought out loud, ignoring his comment.

“If needed, we can split up to look for them…” Gaara suggested.

“How are you going to find them alone? You have no idea how they look like..” Ren smiled.

Gaara gazed around nervously.

“Are you nervous?” Ren asked as she leaned closer to Gaara.

“No.” He spoke, going back to his short answers.

“That would be pretty weird, I’ve never seen any other expression to you besides stern, angry, and furious…” She chuckled lightly.

Suddenly, Ren heard nothing else but a loud thud boom beside her. The entire village screamed in fear as voices kept shouting, “Kazekage-sama!”

Ren’s eyes widen as her head turned to see just where her husband had been but he wasn’t there, instead he was unconscious on the ground beside her.

“I’ve been waiting patiently, all this time..” spoke a rather deep voice. Ren’s body began to tremble at the sound. Knowing who it belonged to caused her to fall on her knees, bedsides Gaara.

“Gaara! Ren!” Kankuro’s voice broke through the crowd.

“Sas-Sasuke…” Ren muttered dazed as her hands fell on Gaara’s sleeping face, “W-What did you do?”

“Kazekage-sama!” The crowd continued to scream.

“Gaara!” Ren screamed as the tears failed to contain themselves, “You bastard! What did you do?”

“Easy…” Sasuke’s voice continued to echo in her head, “I just want those scrolls I’ve asked of you…”

“Are you okay, Ren?” Temari asked as Kankuro rushed forward with a pair of medical ninjas.

“Are you hurt?” She asked. Ren didn’t reply as she watched them place Gaara on a stretcher. He was then carried off somewhere.

“Listen carefully, bring me those scroll I’ve been asking for. I’ll be waiting outside of the village tomorrow.” Sasuke’s voice spoke, “I told you didn’t I? If you didn’t pull through, something bad would happen to him?”

“Take me to him, please!” Ren begged Temari as she helped her up.

“I’ll do what you want, just please don’t harm him!” Ren whispered, only for Sasuke to hear.

Rushing inside the Kage mansion, Ren didn’t care to knock down some guards as she ran straight to Gaara’s bedroom.

“How is he?” She exclaimed once she was at his door frame.

“He’s going to be fine,” replied the medical shinobi, “He has a fever now but by tomorrow, it’ll go away…”

“Will he really be okay? There is nothing else wrong?” Ren questioned the shinobi intensely.

“He fainted due to stress,” answered the ninja, “He is the Kazekage after all.”

“What a relief..” Temari sighed behind Ren, “Then we should just let him rest…”

“I’ll stay here, and keep an eye on him…” Ren replied.

“That’s fine. Please take good care of my brother…” Temari responded before leaving, “For a moment back there, I thought it was an invasion or some sort of an attack…”

“Let’s hope that should never happen!” The medical ninja replied as he walked behind Temari.

“Please, I would like to stay here alone with my husband,” Ren spoke, asking the guards to leave the room as well. They nodded and bowed before they took their leave as well.

Ren sighed deeply before she sat on his bed and watched his sweat as he groaned in pain.

“Where are you now, Sasuke?” Ren asked, “Come out! Show yourself!”

Yet, there was no reply at all.

“I don’t care if you have me yelling all night, I don’t care how crazy I’ll sound, just come out!” Ren spoke furiously, “Crowd! Show yourself!”

“Tchh, no need for the name calling Sabaku no Ren…”

“You-!” Ren shouted as she turned around to face the voice but there was nothing there.

“I said I would bring you the scrolls! Why did you have to go so far as to involve him!” Ren spoke rushed as she began to search the room.

“Because I didn’t believe you. It’s as simple as that!” Sasuke whispered in her ear behind her.

Ren froze, this time she knew it wasn’t just his voice, but she could feel his body pressed against her own.

“Why wouldn’t I? If it would prevent Gaara harm, you know I would! ” Ren responded, not wanting to turn to face him.

“For that reason, I knew you wouldn’t bring me those scrolls. You know exactly what I’m asking for, so don’t play stupid. I’m going to tell you now, so I won’t have to repeat myself again. Those scrolls, I’m going to use them to bring Gaara to me. If he doesn’t come, then I’ll destroy him..” he smirked evilly.

Ren’s body gave out and would have collapsed onto the floor if Sasuke had not held her arm.

“Bring me those scrolls…” He growled, “This is all I’m asking of you…”

Ren couldn’t help but burst out in tears. She was afraid, and scared to death that she was unable to protect Gaara.

“Let go, ” Ren said as she pulled away from Sasuke, “If you don’t leave I’ll scream…”

“Hmp,” Sasuke chuckled, “If you wanted me gone, you would have done so a long time ago but instead you choose to talk to me, why is that? You like me don’t you?”

“I won’t bring you that scroll! The map, the outline of this entire village! I’ll never hand that over to you!” Ren snapped back at him.

Sasuke’s eyes narrow, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

“Never say never. I know you’ll come find me..” He whispered darkly before bringing his face closer to hers.

Ren could see only his lips as they spoke softly, “Do you know who Gaara loves?”

Ren’s eyes widen as Sasuke continued, “It’s not you.”

Withdrawing from her face, he took a few steps closer to the bed with that smirk plastered in his face, “Are you curious as to who it is?..looks like you are…”

Sasuke watched as Ren was swayed by his words. Her entire body was dazed by his words as he spoke cruelly on the subject she was most sensitive of.

“Go to hell!” Ren growled as the tears spilled over her eyes, “You-!”

“-Sachi!” Sasuke replied with an eyebrow lifted up, “Her real name is Shori of the Sand…”