Hot Springs

Rin allowed Gaara to take her from the dining room, away from the twisting halls and stuffy council room.

In fact, he took her off the grounds entirely.

That was fine. She wanted to be as far away from the emotions she'd just experienced, as possible and...

Her attention turned to her hand, that was secured in Gaara's, as he led her past the backyard of the estate.

She wanted to be with him tonight, in any way possible.

Seeing her creator's defeated expression, gaining the freedom she wanted, all of it was overwhelming.

Rin didn't know where she stood anymore, she just wanted to be beside the man she loved, wherever that may be.

The sun set a few hours ago, the chill of the desert air drifting around her shoulders, raising goosebumps on her arms.

Gaara slipped off his coat. "Here, we're not going too far, but it's going to get even colder soon."

"Won't you be cold?"

He smiled, draping the red fabric around her shoulders. "Hardly, I have you beside me."

Those words made her heart skip, filling her up with the ease she'd lost today. "So, where exactly are you taking me, Lord Kazekage? Are we going back to the Oasis?"

He shook his head. "Nowhere near that far. Just trust me, you'll like this. I intend to show you all the things about the desert that make it beautiful."

Rin held tighter to him, as they came to a large cliff face. She tilted her head up and couldn't see the top.

Gaara patted the rock. "Here we are."

"And here is...?"

His arms came around her waist, pulling her close to himself. "Hang on. You'll find out."

A wave of sand came beneath them, causing her to lose her footing and stumble into his grasp.

Good sand.

Gaara's arms held her tight, as they climbed the impressive mountainside together, Rin begging herself not to look down.

She closed her eyes and he laughed. "What's wrong? Don't like flying?"

Rin shook her head. "It's the falling, I don't like!"

He squeezed her shoulders. "Then don't look down. Look up."

Her eyes peeked open, just in time for them to past through the cloud covering and the sight that waited, stole her breath from her lungs.

Above her, a universe of stars painted the night sky; their shine lighting up the word below. A large, cool moon hung lazily in the middle, surrounded by her children, who flickered in and out, in time with each other.

Rin held close to Gaara, marveling at the swirling galaxies, that reminded her of jewels in the sky.

Never before had she seen the heavens so clearly.

Even in the Sound, where their homes were on raised hills and nature held them, they weren't this bright.

Something about the vast expanse of the desert, made them shine brighter than before.

Her eyes turned to Gaara's pleased face and felt a rush in her chest.

Or, it could be that she'd never seen them with him before.

The wave of sand beneath them, settled onto the top of the mountain, solid ground feeling wonderful under her feet again.

Rin stayed looking at the mesmerizing sight above her. "This is amazing, Gaara. Thank you."

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, I had nothing to do with that, but it's a nice perk."

"What do you mean?"

Those hands turned her, so that she was looking behind them. "This is what I wanted you to see."

On top of a mountain, where she had no idea how others could reach, waited the hot springs she'd been promised, but unlike any she'd seen.

Not the building with one or two small tubs and separate changing rooms, but one, open-aired bath, with a natural rock wall surrounding it.

"This isn't what I'm used to." Rin murmured to herself, amazed at the sight.

Gaara smiled. "It's fun to see you surprised. This is the Kazekage's private spa. Only members of the family are allowed up here. Hence why it's so difficult to reach."

He led her to the hot water, which bubbled up from the mountain's core, the steam rising against the cold night air.

Rin dipped her toe in, gasping when it suddenly illuminated at her touch. "Why is it glowing?!"

Gaara knelt down and splashed his hand in the water, holding it up for her to see. "Bioluminescent. There are algae in this water that gives it that bright blue glow. Temari says it's good for the skin and girls care about that. What do you think?"

"About my skin?"

He chuckled. "No, your skin is lovely. I meant the water."

Rin shook her head, dipping her hands into the hot water, smiling as it shone in her grasp. "I think it's magical. Truly magical."

Gaara was captivated by the expression on her face.

It brought him joy to show Rin new things, especially when she smiled like that. He'd give anything for that smile.

"Where do I change?"

The words snapped him out of his trance and filled him with a new sensation. "Oh... um. Nowhere really. Temari comes up here by herself and I've never bathed with anyone. It really just falls to whomever lays claim that night."

Rin stood up and turned to meet his expression. "I see."

The coat he gave her felt suddenly felt heavy. Her skin was hot beneath it. "So, we just get in, do we?"

Gaara's face reddened. "Oh, I was going to let you relax. I'll stand watch over you. I think you've earned some time to yourself."

"You're not planning on getting in with me?"

His pulse quickened. "If you want me to join you... I will."

Suddenly, Rin felt very much in control again. She knew how this must be for him and the attempt to be a gentleman, made her want to go faster than he was probably ready for.

Instead, she slid her fingers into his and stood on her tip-toes to kiss his cheek. "I think you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I'm getting in, take your time coming after me."

The feeling of her lips against his cheek was enough to drive him wild.

How in the world was he going to last in a hot spring with her?!

He swallowed the panicking thoughts rising in the back of his throat. "Alright. Go ahead."

She took a few steps away from him and waited. "Gaara?"

"Yes?" He nearly squeaked.

Rin smiled and twisted her finger in the air. "Turn around so I can change."

"Oh, right." He did as she requested, inhaling the cold night air, begging for a moment of clarity in his thoughts.

They ran rampant in his mind.

"The steam will hide her. The layer of bioluminescent will cover her. I won't see anything.... I really want to see something... No, no, I don't, not if she doesn't want me to see her! Stop being selfish Gaara, she's been through too much for that to be on her mind. It wouldn't be right. You'll be taking advantage. How does Kankuro do this when he brings girls up here?"

Kankuro told him of his conquests before, but Gaara never wanted to hear about it. It seemed crude. He didn't want to be crude with Rin. He wanted to be the best person in her life.

"I should just leave her to her space. Respect her. Respect what she means to you." He chided himself.

"Gaara?"

"Yes?!"

Rin smiled, already in the water. "Are you coming?"

He steeled himself, breathing deep the scent of the natural spring.

The inner dialog filled his mind again. "You're a man, Gaara. You're the Kazekage of the Sand. Now turn around, reign in your instincts and give her the proper respect she deserves."

He turned and wished he hadn't; all the resolve melting from his body and into the night air.

Rin waited in the hot spring; lovely hair draped around her shoulders like a cloak.

The layer of steam did blur her a bit and he wasn't mistaken about the algae hiding her entire body from his sight, but that didn't stop him from imagining what was below or feel even more tempted that he couldn't see her right away.

Her smile was calm and pleased at his response. "I'm covered. It's okay to join me, if you want?"

Gaara stayed where he was, fixated on the way the ripples rose and fell whenever she shifted. One wrong move and he'd see everything he'd dreamed of.

Rin tilted her head. "What's wrong? You brought me up here for this, didn't you?"

He cleared his throat, trying to find his voice. "I wanted you to relax."

"And for you to relax with me, yes?"

"Yes..."

"So?"

He wanted to join her, every part of his body begged to slide into the water beside the woman he loved and yet, he stayed put, uncertain of how to move forward.

Rin studied the expression on his face, taking in the battle he was fighting. "Oh... I see."

She swam to the side of the pool that was closest to him, the shining water moving around her, showing more skin than he'd ever seen.

Her arms came to the wall and she waited, looking like a mermaid, with the gentle smile on her face. "We don't have to do anything you don't want, Gaara. If you want to stay up there and keep watch, that's your choice. But, if you wish to join me in here, I'm happy to just be held by you, as well."

Her sweet words made him ache inside and he stepped closer to the water, kneeling down so that he was cupping her face. "I just don't want to take advantage of you right now."

Rin laughed. "My sweet Gaara, who do you think will be the one taking advantage here?"

His eyes widened at her laugh and felt a blush come to his cheeks. "Still..."

With that, Rin rose up out of the water and kissed him, her hands bracing her form against the pool side.

Gaara froze in place, the overwhelming sensations shooting up and down his body.

Her lips spoke around his, giving small kisses as she did. "Come here."

She lowered back down in the water and it was all he could do not to fall in with her. He wanted to be close to her. Needed to feel her kiss again, until he couldn't feel anything else.

Without realizing he was moving, Gaara's fingers came to his shirt and lifted it off.

Rin swam back to her original spot, enjoying the show of him undressing.

She'd seen Gaara's chest and back before, the impressive tone of his muscles sending a flutter through her stomach.

His fingers stopped at his pants and looked back to Rin, blood rushing to his face. "Um... could you?"

He was so adorable, she might die.

"Okay, I'll close my eyes until you get in."

She did, promising herself she wouldn't peek, even though she wanted to.

If he was going through so much to respect her, it was only right she'd do the same.

The sound of him getting in the hot spring made her excited.

Gaara settled himself in, the water warming his cold body, melting his muscles in the best way.

He waited for his heart to settle and stared at Rin, who rested with her eyes closed, like he asked.

His inner voice rushed in his mind. "Oh god, what am I even doing? This is unmanly. She's probably expecting me to take her right here and now. Do I even know how? I'm just getting used to kissing her."

He watched the way the steam curled around her face and his body ached. "If she isn't lovely, though..."

Without thinking, Gaara swam closer and rested just to the side, studying her. She didn't seem real.

Between the glowing of the water and the cool light of the moon, Rin's pale skin shone in the darkness. She looked like a celestial being; a creature that only came alive during the night and he was the keeper of those late hours.

How could he have been allowed to be near such a divine being, let alone touch her?

Rin's mouth curled into a pleased smile. "Can I open my eyes?"

Gaara stayed where he was, fixated on the beauty before him, the feelings becoming overwhelming.

"Gaara?" She asked again, her smile fading.

Rin peeked one eye open, finding him in the pool beside her, the strangest expression on his face. "What is it?"

He shook his head, turning away from her. "I don't know."

Orochimaru's words came to him. "Are you man enough to handle my pet?"

"I have no idea what I'm supposed to do."

Rin slid up behind him, wrapping her arms around his front, her voice sweet in his ear. "Love me. You already know how to do that."

Her lips went to his neck, leaving soft kisses. "And you do it better than anyone."