I don't own Naruto. All rights are reserved to Masashi Kishimoto. This is a Karui/Gaara fanfic. I hope you enjoy.

The sun burned across the dry, arid plains as I walked forward, tired and weary of the long trek that was still in process. In three days we would reach Sunagakure. A train of escorts and wagons bearing supplies followed suite, guided by the sure and steady stride of my team leader, Samui. Vultures cried off in the distant and I sighed. Why the hell was I here? Somewhere along the line, I had deduced that I had been hand picked by the Raikage to protect Lord Gaara, to offer my services in the line of duty. It was a pretty haughty notion, but what other reason could there be? We were at war. It still seemed logical, even now, as I marched across the hot desert. Dark scruples, however, haunted my mind. Shielding my eyes away from the glare, I closed my eyes and allowed myself a moment of reprieve…

I was a failure. There was no other to say it. That stupid Uchiha had been right there, begging me to knock him off his high horse, and yet….

"There! They've breached the walls!"

My face grew hot with shame, as I dug my fingers into my brow, trying to stave off my overwhelming frustration of how close I had been. Sooo fucking close! In that moment of confusion and panic, I had caught sight of him before I had caught a whiff of his unmistakable scent. And what a caustic, foul stench it had been. For a moment, I had almost pitied him and his twisted soul…Almost. Careening forward, I had been spurred on by the sick, pulsating need for retribution. My katana had trembled with ecstasy. Rushing in, my face twisted in hate, I could barley contain myself. Our blades had clashed when, without any signal on his part, his bleached-haired friend had jumped into the fray and then…nothing. They had disappeared.

"Karui, the Kazekage requests your audience."

Pulled away from my reverie, I turned to see who was addressing me. It was a solemn Omoi. I shook my head. "Come again?"

He frowned. "The Kazekage. He wants to speak with you." Wide-eyed, I pulled Omoi closer. My words were strained and harsh.

" What? Now? Can't it wait till' after?"

Omoi shook his head. "No, it's urgent." Releasing him, I sighed. The very thought of having an audience with the Kazekage was reminiscent to nightmares. And it wasn't just the red devil's notoriety for torture and abuse that was disarming-it was his appeal too. Believe me, I had heard the stories from fawning konoichi. Was I excited? Hell no! I was so nervous I dug my fingers into my palm, drawing blood. The last time Gaara no Sabaku had called on me, things hadn't gone too well. As I made my way towards the High Carriage, a lithe konoichi with cropped brown hair jumped down from the driver's seat. She made her way towards me. "And what business have you here, Cloud-nin?" Her sneer made my blood surge.

" I have orders, Matsuri. Lord Gaara wishes to speak with me. Open the carriage." She cocked her head to the side and frowned, seizing me, before turning to open the door.

"Make it quick." She breathed. Oh, I will, I thought. It's not like I wanted a repeat of what had happened two days ago. Gingerly, I placed a hand on my tightly bandaged right arm: it was a bitter reminder of why I didn't like spending two minutes with this guy. For some reason, in the midst of spouting orders, Gaara had erupted. The sand had ripped through everything and everyone and I had placed myself in harm's way when I noticed an injured konoichi. Bruised and stitched, the gaping wound I had received was slow to heal, but it had been worth it. At least I had saved a life. As the door closed behind me and the carriage returned to its normal pace, I took a seat. Shrouded in shadow, the Kazekage glared from under his immense white-blue hat.

"Do you know why you're here?" Tension pulsed in the air. Dear God, it was about to happen again.

My mouth felt dry as I answered. "No, sir."

A thin sheen of sweat masked his face before an explosion of sand choked me. Gasping, I struggled to breath, both confused and pained by the onslaught. The Godaime seemed to be battling something else, though. Livid, he continued. "With my integrity having been brought into question by the other Kages at that the Summit, most notably by the Tsuchikage, I was given an ultimatum: if I was to assure my position as commanding general of the joint shinobi force, I would first have to prove myself capable of compassion." His hands curled into fists and the sand around my body tightened. My injured arm screamed in protest. Suddenly aware of my pain, he released me. I fell to the ground coughing. His tone became rough.

"I gave up my freedom for you. I expect you to do the same." It was such an ominous statement I stiffened. What the hell was he talking about? Those pale, kohl rimmed eyes seemed devoid of life. My head was throbbing with a sharp ache that ran all along my body, but I forced myself to ignore it. At that moment, the carriage lurched to a stop and I nearly toppled forward before he caught me. His brilliant red hair contrasted with his pale pallor. God, he was beautiful. His slender fingers pressed against my bruised arm causing me to flinch and draw back. I noted my blood on his fingertips. The stitches had reopened. His growled. "Fuck." Mute, he led me towards the door and wrenched it open. As soon as he did, Matsuri rushed to greet him.

" How may I be of service Godaime-san?"

Gaara's expression was stoic as he splayed his encrusted fingers. "My wife's wound needs to stitched. See to it that it's done." His wife? Hold up. Wait. What? Was this some sort of fucking joke? Did he really think I was suicidal? Did anyone just see what happened?

"Your…your wife?" She gawked. Gaara glared.

"You're trying my patience, Matsuri. Perhaps I'll have to replace you."

Bowing, she blushed. "Forgive me, Godaime-san." As she led me away, towards the medical tent that had been set up for tonight's camp, she rounded on me. "Is it true? Are you really his wife?" In truth, I didn't know what to say, so I shrugged.

"I know as much about this whole situation as you do." Taking a step back, I threw her a glance. "But you're welcome to try and change his mind."

Bowing, she shook her head. "If the Kazekage choose you to be his wife, then you're his wife. That's it. There's nothing more to say. Please, allow me to escort you the rest of the way, my Lady." My lady? I pushed her into standing position, my eyes pleading for her to understand.

"Don't. Please. Let's…let's not make a big deal about this." Deep down, my mind was in turmoil. Gaara of the Sand was a stranger. On top of that, he was cruel and unpredictable. Moreover, it was no secret that I was nothing more then collateral to him. He didn't know me and I didn't think he'd ever really care to. There had to be a way out of this. There just had to be…. Besides, I was already in love with someone else.

Matsuri placed a hand on my shoulder, as if sensing my distress."Hey, don't worry. I won't breathe a word about this until the wedding." Her words struck a nerve and soon tears were streaming down my cheeks. Startled by my reaction, she hugged me. "I know, I know. This can only be stressful. Don't worry. Honest. Everything's going to be o.k."

I could only hope.