For Some Reason...

Kani floated down the path to the Kazekage Mansion and slipped past the ninja guards. She didn't know why they didn't stop her, she was in plain site. But nonetheless, she passed through the doors and went up the stairs to the Kazekage's Office. She didn't know why she was here, but she felt as through something was drawing her to this section of the building.

Gaara stood at his window, staring out with a forlorn expression. What had happened a few days before was still on his mind, and he was still healing from it, physically and emotionally. He wasn't about to ever listen to Shukaku again, though. That turned out to be a bad, no, horrible idea. Though, he really wondered why Shukaku had convinced him to take his emotions back. Probably out of fear.

Kani looked over at Gaara standing at the window. Was that why she was coming here? She glided towards him and stood close behind him, not saying or reveiling herself.

He snapped his head to the side, feeling like somebody was there. He winced, putting his hands to his head and grunting. He looked up, seeing nothing. "What..?"

He shook his head slowly, just so it didn't hurt again, looking back out the window. "Stop talking to me, Shukaku.. I don't care."

Kani cocked her head to one side. Shukaku? He thought she was Shukaku? No...that didn't make any sense. Well, neither did a lot of stuff lately but... "Gaara?" she asked. Her voice was distant and echoy, as though spoken through a long tunnel. "Are you in pain?"

He turned around, looking to each and every corner of the room, seeing nobody. He didn't let it bother him in any way that he couldn't see them, staying calm. "Who's here and what the hell do you want.."

"I'm here..." she said quietly, her voice fainter then before. "And I want to know why you look in pain..."

"It's none of your business." He replied, still looking around. "Why don't you come out of hiding so that we can talk like normal people, hm?"

"Why can't you see me?" she asked, her voice quieter then ever. She took a step towards him and lowered herself so that she was staring straight at him.

He felt the coldness, then backed away slightly, turning his head when he noticed that he was right against the window ledge. He turned his head again, looking right at Kani but not seeing her. "Who am I talking to..?"

Kani raised an eyebrow and stepped beside him. "Why can't you see me Gaara? The guards couldn't and now you?" She lowered herself so that she was 'standing' on the ground. "It's me..."

"You?" He looked around again. "And what might your name be?"

"You mean you don't remember me?" she asked, her voice rising a little higher. "It's Kani."

His eyes widened, and his heart beat faster. Which caused him to double over in pain, coughing up a bit of blood, since he had been stabbed in the heart merely two or three days ago. He was lucky to be alive, and probably wishing he wasn't, at that.

"Ngh.. what.. Kani?!"

Kani nodded and stared at him with pain filled eyes. Why was Gaara hurt? Why was he coughing up blood? She thought she had an idea, but it slipped from her mental grasp. "What's wrong Gaara?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. "Why are you hurt?"

"I suppose there... is a good reason.. ngh.. for you to forget.." He slowly brought himself back up, one hand clutching his chest and the other holding onto the window ledge for support. He wondered if the wound would ever heal, knowing that if it didn't he would have more than one heart wound for the rest of his life.

"You're dead, and.. that is why I.. cannot see you.. but I still seem to hear you.." He looked around again. "Right now.. you're merely wandering this earth.. believing that you are still alive.."

"But why can Raku see me?" she asked, her eyes wide. "Is it because you don't want to see me? And Raku does?" She shook her head, confused. No, why would Raku ever want to see her.

"That is not the case.." He shook his head slightly, staring at the ground. "Remember what happened with me? You were unable to see me as well.. I needed to go inside your mind. Some people are able to see spirits without even trying.."

Kani blinked. She remembered... "But...shouldn't you be able to see me. Seeing as you died before? Shouldn't you have a connection or something?"

"I'm not sure. Don't you think I would be able to see each and every ghost that went by me if that were the case?" He stopped clutching his chest, but kept his hand there. "Maybe my mind is trying to block everything out.. If I really tried, I'm sure I would be able to see you."

Kani noticed his hand clutching at his chest. "What happened?" she asked. She took a step forward and placed a hand just on top of his.

His eyes windened a bit more, and his hand felt incredibly cold. His heart beat faster once again, and his hand clutched his chest for the second time. "Hn..!! Ughh.. Kani.."

He attempted to calm himself down, his breathing heavy. "I was stabbed.. only a few days ago.. through my heart.. so naturally.. it would hurt at any moment.. when it beats faster.. since it didn't kill me.."

Kani quickly drew bad her hand, afraid that she had hurt him. "Who did that to you?" she asked. "Who hurt you so much? How could someone do that!"

"It is not your fault, Kani.." He closed his eyes. "Your touch only shocked me slightly.. but.. I am fine, do not worry.."

"NO!" She yelled and it was loud. "Who did that to you!? Who stabbed you!? Tell me! Please!"

('she yelled and it was loud' haha. it felt funny writing that)