A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed ^-^ and sorry for the delay. Had a major writers block, every time I sat down to write my mind just blanked and I felt sick. Then there's the floods which are raging the state . . T-T Also, sorry If Matsuri is a bit OOC. If you have any ideas on how to make her better feel free to share them.

"Mai!" the noise was like thunder. "Mai, get up!"

Early morning was filtering in through the balcony, giving my skin a warm pleasant glow. I wiped at my eyes and threw off the soft, fluffy covers. I opened the door, Temari stood outside with her hands on her hips. "Yes, Temari?"

"We're about to leave for work. You'll have to make your own breakfast, we have stuff in the fridges and cupboards and you can use them."

"Oh, okay then," I said.

Temari pursed her lips. "Kankuro mentioned something about you talking to the Kazekage? I talked to him and he has some free time in about an hour so if you want to see him do it then otherwise you'll have to make an appointment."

I blinked. "Alright. I'll... go see him."

Temari nodded. "See you later."

"Have a nice day." I smiled.

The world seemed to be moving at a faster pace than me. One minute I was talking to Kankuro about my past and the next second there's a time for me to see the Kazekage about it. I sighed. Did I have a choice now? Temari and Kankuro had gone out of their way to help me, I couldn't turn down a talk with the Kazekage... could I?

No. I shook my head. It had to be done sometime, things need to be changed. I closed the door and walked into the bathroom. It took me a little while to work out the shower, but after that I spent quite a bit of time in there.

There was plenty of food in the house, at least for someone like me who was lucky to get scraps. I wondered how much was the regular amount of food one eats but since there was no one around to ask, I just had something small.

I hesitated on the doorstep. The streets were piled with people coming and going, most of them had the shiny metal ninja headbands. If I stepped in there would I be thrown to the ground and trampled by the stampede?

I closed the door and locked it, tucking my new keys into my light purple Obi. It probably didn't matter if I locked it, no one would be stupid enough to break into the house of the Kazekage. With a hand to my chest I breathed in and stepped into the crowd.

I was not thrown to the ground. I was not trampled. In fact, most of the passers-by didn't even spare me a second glance as they shot past me. I was quickly distracted by the strange and wonderful people of Suna. Was it like this everyday?

I looked down the streets, which way was I supposed to take? I squinted my eyes but that didn't seem to make it any clearer. Great, I had an hour to get to the administration building and I was lost – again.

"Lost again, I see," the blonde looked down at me through her sparkling blue eyes.

I looked for an exit but there were people on either side of us now, caging us in. I mumbled to my shoes, "I'm not lost."

"Oh, so your looking around with a dopey face was something else?" She laughed shrilly at her own joke. "I love the clothes by the way, much improved. From looking like a potato to baby's doll. Really chic."

Heat was rising in my cheeks and my teeth were clenched.

"You left so quickly yesterday I didn't get to ask your name. I'm Haruna."

"Mai."

"Mai? How adorable! Did you just make that up on the spot?" People looked towards us as she laughed again. "Here I was... expecting B1 or B2-"

"Haruna? Wasn't the Kazekage expecting your mission report fifteen minutes ago?" The new comer had shoulder length brown hair and warm brown eyes. She wore a brown vest over a light purplish brown dress and wrapped around her neck was the shinobi forehead protector.

Haruna looked at the girl with obvious disgust and I decided I like this new girl. "Well isn't it the Kazekage's little pet? What a perfect couple." With a flip of her long golden hair she spun around and merged into the crowd.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem." The ninja girl smiled. "You must be new here, I'm Matsuri."

She bowed respectfully and I was surprised at first, then I returned the gesture. "I'm Mai. I just arrived here the other day."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mai. I hope we can be friends."

"After what you just said to Haruna? Of course." There was a warmth in my heart that erased the cold touch of Haruna's gaze. I beamed.

"She's like that to everyone. Where were you headed?"

"The administration building, I'm supposed to see the Kazekage."

"Really? I'm headed that way myself. I'll walk you there."

She starting walking along the street and I followed her. "Thanks."

Her warm brown eyes slide off into the distance as if she can see something that I can't, then she turns to me with a small, awed smile."Have you met the Kazekage yet?"

"No, but I saw him the other night."

Matsuri grinned from ear to ear. "He's amazing, isn't he? He's even better in person, you'll see!"

I stepped into the Administration building. Matsuri had left me just outside, she had had an errand to run. I walked up to the desk and waited. The clerk had his head down, staring at some paper work. "Um, excuse me?"

He looked up, his glasses slid down his nose and he smiled. "Sorry, Miss. Is there something I could help you with?"

Apparently he didn't recognize me. "Yes, I was told to see the Kazekage. Where can I find his office?"

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I uh.. I'm not sure. Temari said he had some free time and that I could meet with him then..."

"Well, if that's the case!" He pointed down the hallway. "Go down there, the big office near the staircase."

"Thank you." I turned from the desk and started to walk towards the hallway. My hands shook by my side. My nerves were frayed. What would I say? What would he say? Was it really okay for me to talk to him? Did I need to do something else, like sign papers? Could I really just walk in there and tell a stranger everything?

I lifted my chin as I entered the hallway. I had to do this because if I didn't there would be others like me, it would continue until someone stopped it. And I could stop it, all I had to do was tell the Kazekage. Then no one would ever be a possession again and that was worth a little discomfort, wasn't it?

Before I knew it I was at the office, the door was open and welcoming. I took a deep breath and peeked around the corner. The Kazekage was reading through a bunch of paperwork, his shaggy red hair falling about his eyes. He looked up and my heart stopped. He had the same gorgeous eyes as my mirage. The same brilliant red hair.

"You're the one Temari sent?"

And the same smooth voice.

But I wasn't dreaming now. I blinked, my mind was frozen and foggy, completely shut down. I had to say something, something that made sense. I had to get out of there. My head was flashing through the events of that day. Under the palm tree, his lips, soft and lovely...

"Uh... No, sorry. Bye."

Then I ran. Because fantasy and reality were beginning to merge.