Previously-

His footsteps stopped suddenly and had to stop and turn around to look at him. "Why did you stop so sudde-" he cut me off.

"Is that what you believe?"

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Now-

"Huh?"

"I said, is that what you believe? What your really believe?" He pressed further, Looking at me.

"Well, I mean I feel in control. I don't feel like I'm going to lose it or anything like that. I think I'm fine!"

"I see." He said. "Well then, if that's the case, would you care to test your, control?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, taken aback by his question. He stood, his green eyes focused on me. His muscles tensed. His form, unmoving. I crossed my arms and looked at him. "Fine." I felt really riled up. I can control myself! I can do it! I will do it! He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me to follow after him as we walked in a completely different direction. Doesnt Gaara trust me? That thought flitted through my brain quickly, before it changed into something else. Something, worse.

If Gaara can't trust me to control myself, then will he still love me?

Is that why he wants me to control myself?

Is that why he is angry with me?

So then, if I prove I can control myself then, everything will go back to normal? A tiny crack split in my heart, traveling a little ways before stopping. I can keep control, then will Gaara kiss me again? Hug me again? I felt a shudder run down my spine. It was small. I felt my toes move to curl up, and I swallowed and tried to focus on his back. To try to distract myself from my thoughts. However, It only made me think about it more.

I want Gaara to touch me.

I want it so badly. I don't even know why it's hitting me so hard. It's just- god it fucking hurts! I clenched my fists and shook my head.

"Naruto." I jerked my head upwards and looked at him.

"Y-yeah?" He started to draw a circle in the ground around me.

"Stay within this circle."

"What about when the sun comes up?"

"I would not worry about that. This particular spot should not be able to get hit by the sun."

"Okay, so I just stand here?" I asked him a little puzzled. How does standing prove control? Gaara didn't reply. He just looked at me for a moment before running off. I heard faint sounds of crashing wood, and something sweet. Blood, I think. Then he returned. A weird looking dummy in his arms. He set it up in front of me.

"Every two minutes I will add blood. You will stay in the circle until you cannot contain yourself any longer."

"Uh. Okay." He nodded and poured blood inside of the dummy. "Hey Gaara where did you get the blood for this?" He didn't answer. He simply kept going.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed but my throat felt like it was burning. I was so thirsty! I licked my lips and leaned forward.

Just

A

Little

Closer!

Wait! What am I doing?! I jerked myself back and looked over at Gaara. He didn't blink. His simple look directly as the stupid dummy.

The dummy I wanted to rip apart.

--Gaara--

Time. It ticked by slowly. Though that was not in Naruto's favor. I was correct, about his lack of control. I wish i was not. He lasted about one hour. However i had not reached four pints of blood. The average amount of blood in a humans body. Actually, i do not believe he even made it two and a half. I sighed at myself, letting my eyes slid shut as i listen to his desperate licking and the sound of a poorly made dummy being ripped apart for something it had no control over. To make matters worse, that 'blood' was comprised mostly of animal blood to dilute the effect the blood had on him and help to conserve what we had left. Of course there was still some left. I turned back to look at him. He was coming back to his senses. He did not say a word as i picked everything up. He simply stood and followed after me. As i left, heading back south.

"That is why i keep 'going on about control.'" I said softly as i headed down the non existing path.

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