Hello people! I'm really sorry for not updating for a while, but I had no time and am currently ill. I'll try to update more often during my time awake, lol. Hope you guys like this chapter and thanks to Joushou-Sensei, ShadowAssasin01, LostAngel217, Alysha Amber, and fruba1234 for reading and reviewing. Please review if you have the chance. Now on to the story!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the lovely Rei.

Chapter Eight

Kankuro was surprised when he learned that Rei had been attacked and showed genuine worry for the girl who tried to reassure him as he loitered by her bed. Gaara didn't say much, but he didn't bother her or question her anymore. She was grateful to him for having helped her, but she was still rather annoyed with his decisions regarding her own future. In general, thay tried to stay out of each other's way, which was rather easy as she was confined in her room while she recovered.

So it can be said that it came as a great surprise to Rei when Gaara suddenly appeared in her room with a tray of food. She blinked once, twice, thrice before realizing that her eyes were not deceiving her.

"How do you feel?" He asked as he set the tray down on the bedside table.

"Fine."

"That's good, I was worried your wounds weren't healing properly."

She felt her eye twitch at the young Kazekage's words. She couldn't help but wonder if both her eyes and ears were deceiving her or if she was just hallucinating and she had somehow injured her head without noticing. As that was highly unlikely she settled on the thought that she was simply going insane.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you." She said, accepting a bowl of soup.

"It might not be so good, but it's better that Temari's cooking." Gaara said.

Rei choked on her food at the rare show of humor. She looked up with watery eyes which seemed wider than possible.

"It's fine, really."

Gaara nodded and reached into his pocket. Rei watched intently as he pulled something out and stretched his hands towards her so that she could take it. She was surprised to see that it was a headband from Sunagakure. She looked up at Gaara with a questioning look. The look of surprise on her face could not be hidden no matter how hard she tried.

"If you wear that people will recognize you as a shinobi from Suna and will help you if you are in trouble."

"But, this isn't my village."

"It doesn't matter."

"I gave up on my village when I left and became a criminal…" She said, looking away.

"Maybe it's time you found a new one."

She looked up in time to see Gaara walk away, closing the door quietly as he stepped out of the room. She sat there looking at the door for a while before turning her azure gaze towards the headband in her lap. A small smile crept up on her face at the thought of starting over again. Although she was doubtful of the Kazekage's true intentions she was also thankful for the new chance that he had given her.

To some extent, she knew that it was foolish to think that she would be able to start over in Sunagakure, but she hoped she could. There was a part of her that thought that under the protection of the laconic, but relatively nice Kazekage she would be able to live peacefully. She would certainly like to. She sighed and ate as she tried not to get her hopes up, but she couldn't help but put the headband on, even if no one saw it.

In a way, it reassured her and made her feel safe. It made her feel like she actually belonged somewhere and wasn't just a wandering second-rate criminal anymore. It made her feel that things would be alright, at least for the time being.

Gaara was surprised at himself, not only had he been nice, but he had actually invited a criminal to become a citizen of his village. Apparently becoming Kazekage was a fast trip down the road of insanity. Even as he thought this, he knew that he wasn't insane. It was only fair to give the girl a chance after all she had been through. Apart from that, she really wasn't so bad once you got used to her sarcasm which seemed to rear its ugly head in each of her sentences be they complete or not.

At least he knew Kankuro would be happy and so would Temari, as soon as she returned. He could see his idiotic brother's smile as he cried knowing he wouldn't have to starve anymore and his older sister's grin at the news. If anything, this little decision of his promised to bring quite a few headaches at the very least. He just hoped that was all he would have to deal with.

Rei groaned as she laid in bed, sheets thrown to the side and pillows sliding off the bed. It was hot. Really hot. Really hot. It was at this moment in which she remembered why she had never stayed in Sunagakure. Being from Kirigakure, she was not used to such harsh weather. With a groan and a great amount of effort she managed to get off the bed and stumble into the restroom with a kunai in hand.

She looked at the mirror and directly towards her long hair which was currently sticking to her body in a rather uncomfortable way. Even though it was tied back in a high ponytail it was still a bother. She sighed and grasped it in her free hand.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." She muttered.

That being said, she proceeded to cut off most of her hair until it reached her shoulders. She sighed in relief as she shook off a few strands and disposed of them. Her head certainly felt lighter and it was nice to not have something sticking to her arms and back. She grinned happily and crawled back into her bed. It might not have been the neatest job, but it was good enough until she was in the mood to fix it.

Gaara walked down the hall and past Rei's bedroom. He could hear soft breathing from inside signaling that the girl was asleep. He silently crept into the room to retrieve the dishes from her meal. He stopped when he saw the sudden change in the girl's appearance.

Her hair, which had been rather long the last time he had seen her was now resting above her shoulders. Her bangs were hanging over the headband he had given her only hours before. He stared at her and frowned as he realized why he couldn't look away. She looked like Yashamaru, not greatly, but enough to get him to remember that person.

He picked up the dishes and left the room quickly before anymore memories would be stirred. He didn't want to do anything reckless and although he wasn't the same insane killer he had once been he didn't want to take any chances. There were some memories that were better left undisturbed.

End Chapter Eight

Hope you guys like it and again sorry for the long wait and the shortness. I came up with this in an hour (new record!) so pardon any mistakes, but I have little time. Please review if you have the chance.