Nothing Special

Chapter 40

The days passed, and Naruto was struggling with the second step. Aceso had to treat Naruto multiple times, he was exhausted, from this training a lot, and used a lot of ointment. It had been about four weeks now, and Aceso was now walking around the town, she looked at the medicine stand for ingredients. She was really starting to miss the Leaf Village, she didn't think she'd be gone this long, she had gotten much stronger. The surgery was now at a 66% success rate.

Aceso paid for her things and walked away from the stand. She went into another shop and looked around, it had more medical supplies such as pestles and mortars. She turned around and bumped into someone and fell on her butt.

"Ow," Aceso breathed.

" I'm sorry," The person, the voice seemed familiar. Aceso looked up just as the person was turning around. The person had sea form eyes, short red hair, dark eye lining, love written on his forehead, and no eyebrows. Her eyes went a little wide, the person was dressed differently than in the last encounter. The two stared at each other, both a little wide-eyed. Many memories ran through Aceso's head, a lot of good, but also a lot of bad.

" Gaara," Aceso said carefully. " How are you?"

" I am doing good," Gaara answered as he held out his hand.

" That's good to hear," Aceso answered as she looked at his hand, she then grabbed it and he helped her up. " What are you doing here?"

" Checking out the festival," Gaara answered. " Why are you so far from the Leaf Village?"

" Trying to find a certain someone," Aceso answered. " But we've been in this town for like a month."

" We?" Gaara asked.

" Master Jiraiya and Naruto," Aceso answered.

" Hm," Gaara breathed.

" Are you here with your siblings?" Aceso asked he nodded. He seemed gentler than the last time, even kinder.

" I'm sorry," Gaara said as they stepped out of the shop.

" Sorry for what?" Aceso asked.

" For hurting you," Gaara answered as he looked at the ground.

" No worries," Aceso answered as they passed a tea shop. " Are you busy?" She stopped walking.

" Huh?" Gaara asked.

" Want to get some tea?" Aceso asked. "Catch up?"

" Sure," Gaara agreed, they went and got tea and sat in the shop, Aceso stared at her tea, slowly sipping it. He told her a few things since he returned to the sand village, and Aceso told him a few things. Afterward, they went back out, a family was passing them.

" Why can't you and your sister get along like those two?" a mother asked her kids.

" Cause she's annoying," the little boy asked. Aceso and Gaara looked at each other and then at the family.

" Tell me, how do you and your sister get along?" the mother asked the two.

" Oh-" Aceso began.

" By becoming friends as well," Gaara answered.

" Huh?" Aceso gasped softly as she looked up at him.

" We are going to work on your friendship skills," the mother said as the family walked away.

" You seemed surprised by my answer," Gaara pointed out as he looked at her.

" That's because I am," Aceso confirmed. " I thought we weren't friends."

" Can we be friends?" Gaara asked.

" Absolutely," Aceso smiled. " For real this time?" He nodded, and she smiled more. " By the way, I don't think that's how siblings work."