Temari's evil. Why you ask? Well, remember the favor I owe her, for letting me skip a few hours of work, to go to dinner with the Akatsuki? She's finally decided to make me pay up.

"What do you want me to do?" I ask, sitting on my bed, drinking a cup of coffee. An evil smile forms on her face, and she innocently fidgets with a pen.

"Oh nothing much....just for you to confess your love to Gaara!" She says, throwing her arms up in the air dramatically.

I spit my coffee out, and start choking. She's joking right? Knowing her, she's not. But how did she find out about my little crush...? Was I that obvious?

"W-What?" I stutter out, blushing scarlet red.

"Oh don't give me that, I know you have a thing for him," She says, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"No- *sigh* Fine, maybe I do..." I say, not looking her in the eye.

"I knew it! But, my only question is why you haven't told him yet?"

"I thought he'd be in an arranged marriage or something? The reason why I never told him, was because I thought he'd hate me. He saved me, and let me live in his house. Asking him to love me would be too much. " I say, looking at my feet glumly.

"Gaara would never submit himself into an arranged marriage, unless he wanted to. All Gaara's ever wanted was for someone to accept him. You love him Saku, so go for it," Temari said, giving me a hug.

My eyes widen and I tense at first, before slowly wrapping my arms around her.

"I'll do it. It's time I stop being afraid."

"Plus, even if he denies you, there are plenty of guys lined up to date you," Temari says, laughing.

"Shut up!" I say, shoving her arm jokingly.

"I'm going to go find Gaara," I state, before getting up and sauntering out of the room.

I look everywhere in the house, but can't find him. It's about sunset and I find myself drifting towards the door. I spot Gaara laying on the grass, seemingly asleep. I sit beside him and let the orangy glow settle on me.

"You know Gaara, I'm indebted to you. You've done so much for me. But, I never expected to fall in love with you. I know you probably don't like me that way...but I love you. Thank God you're asleep and can't hear me..." I whisper. Ugh. Why is everything so complicated. Temari's right I need to tell him... but I'm scared. Scared of rejection.

"But I am awake..." I hear Gaara say.

I jump in surprise and turn pink. He heard me...he heard me confess!!

"And I love you too," Gaara says, giving me one of his rare smiles.

My mouth falls open in shock, and my thoughts stumble to a hault. He loves me?? Really?!

"I knew it!!! Now go get'm tiger! Roar!" Inner exclaims.

"Wow... You're annoying," I say laughing at her expression.

"We're the same person!!"

"Do...do you mean it?" I ask, approaching him catiously.

"Of course. I would never joke about something like that," He replies, getting closer to me.

I jump onto him, squeezing him into a hug. Mom...if you can see me now, I know you would be proud of my decision to leave dad. I know that you're happy to see my pain end. And I promise I'll move on from my past...but I'll never forget.

Gaara presses his warm lips onto mine, and I feel my body mesh with his. He holds me tighter, and I melt into his passionate kiss.

I guess this is the happy ending I always waited for.