Mother Nature's Flower

*** I am so sorry that I forgot to post yesterday! I was going to but forgot! Again, so sorry. ***

Since the moment on the roof, Gaara and Aiko have gotten closer. They became like brother and sister. A real brother and sister. Gaara and Toshiko were really the only ones who she wasn’t a little bit scared of. Kankuro scared her because of his face makeup, and Temari scared her because of the aura of strength that emanated from her.

As Gaara and Aiko were in her and Toshiko’s shared room, a maid walked in and said that the Kazekage would like to see them in his office asap. Aiko and Gaara looked at each other before getting up and following the maid. As they walked, Gaara held an emotionless facade, but inside he was freaking out. What was his father going to do this time?

Aiko’s fear was written all over her face. She would have to face the Kazekage again. But this time, without Toshiko there to help her. Sure, Gaara was here, but Toshiko was the only one who knew what she had been through her entire life.

As the doors of the Kazekage’s office loomed closer, Aiko became stricken with panic. She involuntarily reached out for Gaara’s hand to squeeze. When Gaara felt her small hand wrap around his, he looked down at her. Her eyes were wide with fear, her palms were sweaty, and her breathes were labored.

Gaara gripped her hand back, letting her know that he was there. She gave him a shaky smile in thanks.

The maid knocked on the door, a few seconds later they were invited in. Aiko refused to let go of Gaara’s hand, even when the Kazekage stared pointedly at their entwined hands. Gaara was about to let go when Aiko tightened her grip to qn almost unbareable degree. He looked down at her, concern flashed in his eyes before it disappeared.

The Kazekage cleared his throat before saying why he called them into his office.

“I called you both here because you seemed to get close and I wanted to let you both know that it is time for Aiko to go the Hidden Leaf village. I just got a reply to the letter I sent when Aiko and Toshiko arrived. The hokage was glad for the warning and is readying a special home for AIko, since she is still a child, and Toshiko will not be with her for at least a year.”

Aiko froze. She knew that the day would come when she would need to leave Suna and Toshiko would stay until his probation was over. But now she was close with Gaara. What if when they met again, he didn’t like her? Or he changed? And not for the better.

As she was contemplating all of the things that could go wrong, Gaara was thinking about what he was going to do now that Aiko was going to leave. She was the only one who talked to him like he was an actual human being and not just some freak or monster.

The Kazekage cleared his throat to catch their attention before continuing what he was saying before they both spaced out.

“Anyway, a ninja from the village will be coming over to escort Aiko from Suna to Konoha. I suggest you pack your stuff, Aiko. They will be coming early tomorrow morning. That’s all, you are dismissed.”

With that Aiko and Gaara left the room. As they were walking back to Aiko’s bedroom, they both held tight to each other's hand, not wanting to let go of each other.

As the sun was rising over the horizon, a small group of people were waiting at the gate for a ninja from the Leaf.

Aiko was saying goodbye to Toshiko, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro and a few others while trying not to cry. She didn’t want to go to a new place all by herself. Without Toshiko to help her. Without Gaara either. Even though they met almost two weeks ago, they were best friends.

Aiko looked at Toshiko and Gaara with tears streaming down her face. She really didn’t want to leave.

With a heart wrenching sb escaping her throat, she ran to Toshiko. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her face pressed into his stomach. Toshiko had tears threatening eyes but would not give into them. He just picked her up and hugged her back, hiding his face in her shoulder. She hugged back tighter.