Rein Her In

One week. That's all the time she had left. Seven fleeting days that traveled like tumble weeds on the desert breeze.

Her days had been spent in studies with a rigorous schedule that almost rivaled the lab she was raised in. The scent of the dusty library, the sound of turning pages and scribbling notes, the headache that became a constant companion to her, made up Rin's life.

The only breaks that kept her sane, were when she collapsed into the safety of Gaara's arms at night and the occasional laughs little Koji gave her. The boy stuck to her side like glue, carrying piles of manuscripts back and forth, fetching her water and meals she would work right through if someone didn't keep an eye on her.

While she never intended for him to take this role so seriously, it gave him so much joy to see her gratitude and he'd even managed to put on a few pounds. His face was slightly fuller, his shoulders rounded instead of sharp and that was a sight she could get used to.

With his help, she'd conquered Mr. Soma's inane test, though by the snarl on the teacher's face, she could tell a passing grade was the last thing he wanted to give her.

"You know passing one test doesn't make you qualified to be the Kazekage's bride?"

She riled herself up to obliterate him with the comeback about his manhood that would bring him to his knees, but with Koji standing beside her, watching her face, she stilled. "Well, it's a start, isn't it? Thank you for your tutorship, Mr. Soma."

That didn't stop her from knocking over his cup of pencils when she left though.

Small victories.

Koji was adjusting to his new life at the manor and, just as Gaara had predicted, the questions came pouring in. Everyone wanted to know about the strange boy and why it seemed as if the Sound girl could do as she pleased? What would that mean for the strength of the line if he so easily buckled to her whims?

Of course, none of these questions were brave enough to come to him directly. All the intel he received was in the form of Temari's morning rundown.

"What does the village whisper today, sister?"

"The same thing that's been circulating. They have much to say about Rin and your new charge, a charge, I might add, that you didn't approve with us either."

Gaara flicked through his documents, avoiding her gaze. "Trust me, it's not like I had much of a say in it."

"That's the problem, Gaara. Everyone can see it."

He sighed. "See what, exactly?"

Kankuro snickered. "That your balls are securely in Rin's bag, little bro."

Temari balked. "A modicum of respect, Kankuro!"

He shrugged. "Sorry, that's what people are saying. Maybe not that forward, but it's true. They worry she will be the one to actually run this village and you'll let her do it."

Gaara placed a hand to his head, wincing past the headache. "Would that be such a bad thing?"

Both siblings stared at each other and back at him. "What?"

"What is it that she's doing so wrong? She found an orphan and gave him a home. She's trying to actively work amongst the people and learn all our customs and history. What do they really have to complain about?"

Kankuro shrugged and Temari sighed. "There is a certain level of power and respect the village expects from their Kazekage. If she continues to do things of her own volition, regardless of their intent, it could reflect poorly on your standing."

Gaara just scoffed and picked up a document to scan over. "Ridiculous."

"Perhaps if you…"

"If I what? Tell her she can't be kind to less fortunate? Tell her to stop engaging with villagers who haven't given her the same level of decency? If it's not one thing, it will be the next. They want to see some respect and power? Watch me not bend to their demands about her."

"But Gaara…"

"No. I'll hear no more of this foolishness. If they can come with some legitimate reason for me to be displeased or correct her, I'll listen. Until then, I'll not be that brute that is reining in my woman for my own image. I have more important things to do."

Kankuro opened his mouth to say something, but the look on Temari's face stilled him. If he didn't know any better, he could swear his sister was smiling. It was so rare on her stony face; it was hard to tell for sure.

"Well, we will just get on with our duties then."

Gaara nodded to them and Temari caught her brother's eye on her way out, signaling for him to follow her.

When they made it out the massive doors, Kankuro laced his hands behind his head. "What do you get out of that one?"

"Interesting to say the least."

"Come on Temari, you always have something more than that to say. What are you thinking?"

She held her trusty clipboard tighter to her chest. "I think he's entirely too in love with that girl."

Kankuro's brow drew tighter. "Then why are you smiling?"

Temari took a breath and stretched. "How wonderful a problem for him to have. Also, this is the first time I've heard Gaara take such a stance on his own. He's becoming a wonderful Kazekage, indeed."

Her brother smirked. "We need to be careful though. If we turn our backs, Rin will have turned this entire place into an orphanage. Kids running through the halls, grubby fingers knocking down the paintings and vases. Chaos reigning."

Temari chuckled. "I don't doubt that for a second. Let's continue to do damage control, the Cleansing is approaching."

"Do you think she stands a chance of passing?"

The elder sister thought about it. "I think she will give us one hell of a show one way or another."

They exchanged a laugh, rare as it was, but then, it was becoming more common and neither was upset about that fact.

~~~~~~~~~

The night before the Cleansing had come upon them.

Rin stared at the doors to the dining room, where inside, the heads of the noble families were waiting.

She knew all eyes would be on her. Every move she made, every word she spoke, each one held under scrutiny.

Her hands shook on the handle.

What if she made a fool of herself? What if she said the wrong thing, or worse, tripped flat on her face? What would Gaara do? How could she recover?

"It's not like I expect you to pass anyway."

"What?"

Rin shot around to see her beloved's face, but it lacked the warmth she'd come to know from his eyes.

"You don't honestly think you can stand by my side, do you? You aren't worthy of being the Kazekage's bride. You're nothing. You're not even human."

"Wh…. Why are you saying this to me?"

Suddenly a woman appeared at his side. A beautiful, young thing, with large eyes and a perfect smile that lit up the room.

Gaara held her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "Someone like this, is far more worthy than you. You're just an embarrassment to me."

"I'm not an embarrassment."

The woman giggled and whispered something in his ear, which made the Kazekage smirk. "You will fail. I know it. You know it. Best to give up now."

"I won't fail!"

Gaara laughed, a cruel, wicked sound, as he pulled the strange woman closer. "You already have."

Rin shot awake, staring at the empty ceiling above her head. She was dripping in sweat, her hair a tangled mess.

Koji was nestled at her side and hadn't even stirred despite her running nightmare.

She wiped a hand over her face, quieting her racing heartbeat. This same dream had been plaguing her for weeks. The same one each time.

The story they'd been reading laid discarded on her chest, the candles burned down to the bottom of their dishes.

Rin closed the book and settled it on the bedside table, brushing her fingers over Koji's hair when she did it.

The boy usually slept in his own bed and she encouraged that, however, at this moment, she was glad for the company.

The empty bed to her other side made the nightmare too real.

She knew Gaara had duties that kept him working late into the night and with the Cleansing only two days away, he was busier than ever.

Rin curled Koji closer to her and whispered. "I won't fail. I can't."

All that was left was for her to pretend to be as sure as she sounded.