Salt in the Wound

Warning: This chapter does indeed contain some graphic sexual content. If you don't want to read it I have placed it between a double set of line spacers. Nothing improtant will be missed if someone does decide to skip it. I just didn't want to spring it on you. Enjoi :D

Fragile girl, was that all I could ever be? Just some stick legged piece of glass that could shatter at any moment? One thing was for sure, the next time I died I wanted it to be for good, none of this resurrection nonsense that kept coming up to bite me at the ankles like some hungry puppy. This feeling was all too familiar, this dream like void that held me while I refused to wake up and face reality. What if I opened my eyes and could only see the endless horizon of that violent indigo sky? I didn’t want to take my chances and find out I never really did make it back to him.

Oh Kami, what have I done to deserve such limitless agony? I thought I had been good, in both lives to count. Now it all seemed like some back lashing punishment for living in constant sin. So I had slept with a boy I wasn’t married to, at least I had said I love you right? Who was I kidding.

I was nothing to praise. Just some vessel, used up and dead.

My eyes clenched tighter, don’t open them I told myself. What happened last time I did, I hate even thinking about it. But I couldn’t forget.

The pain, the blood, my frantic yelling. Then came that old familiar friend, the black out. I could feel my body and I could hear a small annoying noise in the distance, but who is to say what I would find behind my eyelids? Like I said, I didn’t want to take the chances.

“Still here are you?” The voice of some professional wash up hit my brain like a bomb. The volume was pushed up far too high for my liking and the voice itself was distorted and unclear. Almost in an eerie manner. “Well, her vitals are improving. Slowly, but they are surely getting better. You’ve been here for two days straight, are you sure you don’t want to get some sleep?”

“No, I’m fine.” Such a cold voice, something I hadn’t heard in so long. Or so it seemed to be nearly ages ago. I wouldn’t say it, not his name. This sick joke, just like my sisters had been. It was to the point where I would have believe anything anyone decided to tell me. If they said I was actually a reincarnate of some ancient demon of complete and utter failure, so be it I guess I was.

“Yes Kazekage-sama, someone will bring you tea momentarily, for your stay.” The manner of his speaking was unsure and hesitant. I wanted to tell him to make it kabusecha tea, something Gaara and I both enjoyed. Shivering slightly, I recoiled from thinking his name.

I had told myself I wouldn’t dammit.

My senses slowly came to me, or so my conscious tricked me into believing. I won’t open my eyes. I couldn’t. The faint but irritating sound became distinguishable, like a machine a hospital would hold. Of course, I’m in the hospital.

Alive and breathing. My hands moved slowly, running my fingers across the rough fabric I was covered by. Even the smells of antiseptics and the faint familiar odor of desert rain slipped through my blurring numbness. Half of it was Gaara’s smell, that intoxicating scent that filled me, drowned me, and comforted me. If this all turned out to be a lie, my heart couldn’t bear it.

And I really didn’t want to die, again.

The sound of a door opened and a clatter followed. “Complimentary bancha tea for you, Lord Kazekage.” A faint smile met my lips, this had to be real. I wasn’t that creative. The scrape of metal meeting wood sounded throughout and at last, I opened my eyes.

“Pardon, but do you by any chance have any kabusecha teas here?” My head titled towards the startled twosome, my eyes locking on softly to the woman’s rigid form. Quickly she regained herself and nodded, bowing to me. “Thank you ma‘am.” I tried nodding back but it felt more like a spasm in my neck. I’m sure she understood. My head turned back upright so that I could fixate on the crooked ceiling tiles. He didn’t say anything to me so I gave in and turned my head once again, ignoring the chiding pain in my spine. Silver eyes met turquoise eyes and finally after a silent dose of reassurance, I smiled. Faintly, but it was there. His hand covered his eyes and he shook his head, almost in frustration. “Not happy to see me alive are you?” I teased smartly. His hand fell and he looked suddenly exhausted, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting while his eyes softened.

“Don’t say that Ishiko” was all he needed to say to nearly make me cry. He was as real as I was right now and that’s all that mattered to me. Shaking away the rush of emotions I tried sitting up. Something which obviously wasn’t going to happen just yet.

“Would you mind telling me how long I’ve been here?” I asked sweetly, turning to look into his tired face.

“Two days. Two very, long days.” He added. The door again swung open and the nurse I had requested tea from came in, carrying yet another metal tray. She placed it horizontal to Gaara’s and with a thank you from me she departed.

“What happened Gaara?” My voice cracked unintentionally, I didn’t really want him to think I was getting emotional again but the look on his face told me he already did.

“You were dead. And somehow you took in a piece of Hitsuchi’s soul. At least that’s what he told me before he passed.” He firmly handed me a cup of my tea and without hesitation he took a cup for himself. Like I had said, it was a preference we shared. “What happened with you I can’t say, but you came back. Loudly I might add.” His stoic face leaned into his cup as his sipped gracefully, eyes shut. “You fell unconscious, resulting in you being here. Stabilized.”

“You’re telling me Hitsuchi is…dead?” This bothered me. The demon I had lived with and was convinced he had been the enemy was gone. The very same monster who had spared my life and handed me what might as well have been called a second chance, this whole circle seemed oddly unfair and outnumbered. Gaara gave me a subtle nod and apology, all I could do was nod back.

“As he told me, everything was for a better cause. In turn with his death came a newly forged alliance and the promise of safety to this village. His brother perished as well. It was only because of his sacrifice are you now alive and with me.” I nodded and turned by head towards the window. Not quite as positive as he was. “You’re healing at an alarming rate Ishiko, you should be able to leave within the week.”

“That’s good to hear.” I replied, eyes scanning the busy streets of Suna. Everyone acted like nothing had ever happened. Perhaps that was best. “Thank you for being here.” I tilted my head back towards him watching his face turn from tired to confused.

“Why wouldn’t I be? I owe that much to you.” My eyes fell. I was under the impression things would have changed, how ignorant. He wouldn’t admit he was here because he cared. Only because he felt he owed it to me. With a low sigh and a sharp mumble he turned towards me with narrow eyes. “I shouldn’t even have to say it Ishiko. We both know why I’m here, isn’t it obvious?” Amusement lit up my face as I brought my eyes back up.

“Of course it is, that doesn’t mean it’s not nice to hear.” Batting my eyelashes teasingly, he looked into his cup of tea with sudden interest.

“I’m here because I was worried about you. You have plagued my thoughts for far too long to keep ignoring it, I had no other choice but to reassure myself you would come out of this alive and well.” A smile met my lips and I couldn’t help but notice he was staring at me from over his tea cup.

“Thank you Gaara-kun. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear that.” As far as affection went, he was improving. “Tell me, how are the other two?” Thankful to be off topic he relaxed slightly.

“They are fine. Small wounds and mere exhaustion were they biggest obstacles they met. They will be happy to know you’re awake. Should I go retrieve them?” Shaking my head I slunk down farther into the depths of my thin pillow.

“Maybe not now. I think my medicine is wearing off.” He got the hint and nodded. Telling me he would alert the nurses and soon be back by my side. The nurse came in before he did and fed me another dose of medicine. I fell asleep before I saw him walk back into the room. No doubt however, I knew he would be there when I opened my eyes again.

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As Gaara had predicted, Ishiko was out of the hospital within the week. Her legs were still weak but she was finally able to walk without the assistance of the constantly offering hand of Kankuro. Their reunion had been a happy one. She cried while he tried not to cry and from that point on in the hospital, he hadn’t left the room. Even Temari had made her visiting cycles more frequently, never failing to remind Ishiko of all the things they would do together once she was fully healed. Something Ishiko always nodded at but secretly wanted to hide from. Once out of the hospital, she quickly fell back into her schedule of assisting Gaara in his office duties.

“Things haven’t changed at all.” Ishiko said flatly while filing away the stack of papers the Kazekage had just finished. “Tell me, what are the terms to this new contract?” She inquired. Without looking up from his paperwork he answered.

“An exchange so to speak, only temporary. A small group of our Jounin and ANBU will be assigned duties in Konoha, as will theirs for Suna. We are to meet up in less than two weeks to finalize the pact.” She nodded and sat back, watching the Kazekage with thoughtful eyes. Her eyes closed as she felt the urge to remind him of what she had told him before everything fell to pieces.

“Gaara, I want you to know something.” This brought his attention upwards to meet her face. “When I told you I loved you I obviously meant it. And what I said about us trying to make something of this strange relationship, well, I’m making it your choice. I don’t want to rush you or smother you in the slightest. Only if you’re comfortable with moving forward.” In other words, he thought, making it something official. He pushed the paper away from him and folded his hands, watching the girl squirm under his stare. Finally he sighed and looked away.

“If you have the patience to do so, then of course. I am more than comfortable with this idea of yours.“ His soft look met hers and he could see from the glimmer in her eyes he had said the right thing. He was tempted to tell her how he felt, repeat the words he had told her as he held her dead body in his arms. But he didn’t. Now that she was alive there was no point in rushing anything. It wasn’t to say he didn’t love her, but more or less he wasn’t ready to admit it to her. Everything is different when you’re talking to someone who can’t hear you. Who knows what would happen if she had heard him say the things he did that night. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, breathing lightly on his neck.

“I told you before Gaara-kun, I would wait as long as I had to for you.” Her voice sent shivers down his spine and he turned to meet her piercing gaze. That feeling that rose inside him was almost overwhelming. Such burning passion between the two lit up her eyes like fire. A sudden spark in his eyes and his mouth crashed into hers, with a slight sound of surprise she fell backwards to the floor. dragging him down with her. He arched over her, hands holding onto her back and neck, not willing to let her go yet.

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It had been too long for him, too long since he tasted her, since he had touched her, since he knew her more than anyone had yet to. They didn’t exchange words, but instead let the intensity of their passion speak for them. Her hands brought him closer, no sooner did she flip position and continued to straddle the hungry looking boy. Her mouth quickly found his neck and she breathed into him what she could hardly contain. “I do this because…you are precious to me.” His eyes shut and he threw his head backwards, mouth tilting open.

“Just as you are precious to me Ishiko.” Gripping her arms gently and using his leg as support he regained his position on top and stared down longingly at the raven haired girl who had long since lost the sweet glimmer in her eyes and had replaced it with something more animalistic. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed…this.” He said before lowering himself down to sweetly graze her lips. His black rimmed eyes searched her before he felt himself being pulled down back to her mouth.

It was unstoppable. She yearned for him just as he longed for her and he without a doubt he would take her there on his floor. His hands hungrily stripped her of her pants and no sooner did he slip down his own. There wasn’t time for foreplay, or so it seemed he didn’t have the patience like last time.

He brought her upwards from where he sat, legs crossed in front of him and cradled her close, allowing her to situate herself on top of his length. With wide eyes she brought herself down and she gasped at the rapture that flooded her every nerve, earning a small smirk from the red haired boy in front of her. Her legs wrapped instinctively around his lower back and she brought her face to his, searching his eyes. “Are you alright?” He breathed, his cheeks bearing the sign of a small flush.

“I’m better than alright.” A wicked grin crossed her soft features and she pulled him in for a fiery kiss. His eyes widened before clenching tightly, hands tightening around her.

“If you say so” she nuzzled into him, her hips rocking not as fast as he would have liked and he gripped her lower back. Agitated at the lack of control he held over her now, he brought her forward following suit and wasting no time in entering her again. Ishiko ran a hand his neck and clenched, they both knew it to be vital to keep their voices at a minimum, something she was having a hard time controlling as his hips thrusted against her harder and harder.

The lower region of her stomach clenched and her silver eyes grew wide as her body arched into Gaara, he growled and brought his mouth down to her neck, a smirk hidden beneath the shadow of his face. The faint moan of his name reached him and it only made him force himself harder into her, every minor sound calling his end on faster. He looked at her face as her muscles clenched around him, her release racking her body as her mouth opened wide, hardly restraining the outcry that threatened on her tongue. To her amusement, the blue eyed boy on top of her moaned loudly as his end came.

With one last thrust of his hips he fell forward, barely able to hold himself up from crashing down on her. His seed filled her and her face contorted at the feeling. Gaara pushed himself off with a ragged breath and lazily re-arranged his clothes. Eyes shut and mouth hanging slightly open. “That was pushing it a little don’t you think?” Her voice shook as she struggled to stabilize her breathing, standing up from her spot on the floor.

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“I don’t care.” He breathed out, pulling himself upwards back to his chair and inching forward onto his desk in exhaustion. “That was…” The girl smiled down at him as he trailed off, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder and lowering herself to his level.

“Perfect.” She whispered, tousling his hair with her free hand. “It was absolutely perfect.”