Release

"Then don't." The words circled around her brain over and over. "Don't go."

Rin stayed where she was, his lips dangerously close to hers.

His hot breath tickled the edges of her mouth, sending a pulsating deep down in her stomach.

She wanted him to come closer, wanted to feel the sensation of his kiss, but she hesitated.

What would it mean for them if she gave in?

They hadn't known each other long at all, but it felt like a lifetime. Could she give up everything, to be with a man she'd known less than a week? Was she that kind of woman?

Gaara's heart thundered in his chest.

She was so tantalizingly close, the familiar scent of jasmine filling his senses. Her rose-petal lips called to a part of him, he'd never explored.

He wanted all of her, every breath, every thought, all that she could show him and all that he'd never seen before. He wanted to know the sweet release of her body against his.

"Rin..."

"Gaara, we can't."

Those words stopped him short, just shy of her lips.

His eyes turned to hers. "Why not?"

She shook her head. "I can't stay here."

"You don't have to leave. I'll make it work. I'll protect you from everyone and everything, if I have to. I can do it."

Her hand came up to his face, caressing it in the warmth that he felt long after she left.

Her smile was sad. "I have no doubt about that, but I have a life back in the Sound, a career and a family, if you can call it that. I can't just give up everything because..."

"Because why?"

She choked down the lump in her throat, but stayed silent.

Gaara stood up from the table, pulling her with him.

His hands grasped her arms, holding her steady, as his gaze ensnared her. "Tell me."

Her knees shook when he stared at her like that. The sea green of his eyes swallowed her up in its intensity.

"I..."

He didn't move from his spot, didn't breathe. They both knew why she wanted to stay, what part of her felt as if she'd never leave the Kazekage of the Sand, but Rin didn't know how to say it.

For once in her life, she didn't know what the right words were to say.

So Gaara said it for her.

His hands trailed up her shoulders, cradling her face, as if she were the most precious thing he'd held.

His eyes stayed trapped within hers, his voice hot and low. "It's because ever since you arrived, the world feels brighter than ever before. The chaos of my mind quiets when you're near. By some miracle, something beyond our control, we found each other. I don't know about destiny or soulmates. I don't even know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know one thing."

Her voice shook with desire. "What is that?"

His arm dropped from her face and took her lower back, pulling her body close to his. "If I don't kiss you now, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

She knew she should stop him. The small voice in the back of her head, the one that was annoyingly right, cried out for her to think with her brain and not other aspects of herself.

That voice silenced when his lips met hers.

Sensation flooded her lips like a stream of electricity, tingling from the top of her head, down to her toes and back.

Her senses were full of him; every movement of his body rushing her with wave after wave of desire. His spicy, musk scent, the way his hands trailed along her skin, even the feeling of his clothes against her, set her on fire inside.

His kiss was a raging inferno and she wasn't going to let it be doused any time soon.

But, strangely enough, Gaara didn't feel on fire. He didn't feel alive or electric, the way she did.

Rin's kiss wasn't an ignition to him, it was a sanctuary.

Holding her body to his, feeling how she trembled beneath his touch, the way her lips were even softer than he imagined, all of it, filled him with a peace he'd never know without her.

He didn't just care for her, he needed her, like the desert needed rain.

With each heartbeat, that echoed in time with hers, he knew he couldn't let her go.

From this day on, whenever she was out of his arms, he would be empty. She was light and warmth and serenity, a soothing balm for his frozen soul.

His solace.

They stayed in each other's arms, neither finding the strength to let go.

"Gaara."

"Mm?"

She sighed, happiness bubbling within her. "I don't know."

He laughed. "I get it."

His lips came to her forehead, trailing a line of soft kisses, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

If he had his way, he'd stay in this happy place with her forever, until the sound of the doors opening, drove them apart.

Gaara's eyes turned up to the guards who waited, their awkward gaze shooting to the floor.

Though his lips left Rin's, he still held her tight in his arms, his voice coming out far calmer than she felt. "Yes?"

The larger of the two cleared his throat. "A thousand apologies for the interruption, Lord Kazekage, but we've received word from the Sound village."

Rin twisted in his arms, never leaving them, but now facing the guards. "Is it from my leader?"

They looked at Rin and up to Gaara, as if asking his permission to share the information with her.

When he didn't respond one way or the other, the guard nodded. "Yes. A falcon arrived moments ago with a scroll, for you, Lord Gaara."

He nodded. "Leave it on the table there and I'll see to it."

The smaller of the two guards stared at Rin, his mouth open and the larger cuffed his shoulder. "What are you doing, staring like a fish? Give him the scroll, idiot!"

"Oh... right." He jumped, breaking his trance from the sight of the uncommon pair.

After the message was placed on the table, both guards bowed and retreated out the doors, slamming them with their departure.

Gaara turned Rin around so she was facing him again. Her eyes trailed up to meet his and they stared for what seemed like forever, neither sure what to say.

In the end, it was Rin who spoke. "You should probably see to that scroll from my village."

His arms pulled her closer, lips threatening to take hers again. "I know, I should."

Her teeth came to her bottom lip, biting it to keep herself from falling into his kiss. "Gaara."

"Mmm hmm."

She rose a single finger to rest on his lips, her smile bright and hot. "Business first."

He groaned and reluctantly let her go. "Yes, yes."

His feet led him to the edge of the table, picking up the scroll and scanning it.

Rin leaned her arms against the back of the chair, watching his expression, which remained as unreadable as usual. "Well?"

"Hm."

"What does it say?"

He didn't respond.

The happy, dizzy feeling that was circling through her veins, calmed into a dull buzz. "Gaara?"

His eyes read through the scroll once more, before they settled on her. "I don't know what to say."

Rin tilted her head. "About?"

Gaara's brow drew together. "It is indeed from the leader of the Sound Village and it's involving you."

"In what way?"

The Kazekage lowered the scroll, so she could read it beside him.

Rin stepped closer and instantly recognized the handwriting:

"Lord Gaara, Fifth Kazekage of the Village Hidden in the Sand,

I've been made aware of the attack on your village. Your council saw fit to notify me, in case of misunderstanding or miscommunication.

I can assure you; this is in no way a direct assault from the Sound. We have no desire for anything other than a close friendship with the Sand.

I understand you have a culprit in your possession, who claims they are associated with my people.

You are also hosting one of my most valuable shinobi within your walls.

If it would please you, I give my express permission to use Ms. Ito's jutsu for your processes and maintain your use of her until this matter is resolved.

In other words, use my creation however you see fit, even if it is as nothing more than collateral.

Whatever aid you require from the Sound, will be given without delay.

Best regards,

Lord Orochimaru"

The name made her freeze.

Gaara read the message once more and turned to look at Rin, who turned pale before him.

"Rin?"

"It's been decided. I'm to be used a weapon."

He tossed the paper on the table. "Not if it isn't your choice. I wouldn't do that to you."

She felt like she would cry, but managed to hold herself straight. "Didn't you read it, Gaara? I'm his creation. Creations don't get choices."