Chapter 30

She showed Travis to the modest but comfortable guest room where he'd be sleeping. The walls were made of smooth sandstone, and a soft breeze drifted in through the open window. A futon was already laid out, and the scent of fresh linen lingered in the air.

"Thanks," he said, turning to her with a grateful nod.

Temari smiled. "You're welcome."

"So… where are you sleeping?" he asked, curious.

A light pink hue colored her cheeks as she hesitated. "Oh, um… my room isn’t very far from here," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "So if you need anything—anything at all—don’t hesitate to come find me." She paused, then added with a grin, "But for now, let’s go have some dinner. It’s just about to be served."

"Alright," he replied, falling into step beside her as they began walking through the winding sandstone corridors of the Kazekage’s complex. The warm, golden tones of the walls reflected the dimming sunlight, casting a soft glow around them.

“So, is Gaara going to be there?” Travis asked as they rounded a corner.

Temari shook her head, her expression turning more serious for a moment. “I don’t think he will. He’s still recovering… and so is Kankurou. They both need rest. But it’ll be just us, if you don’t mind.”

He glanced at her, smiling. “Why would I mind having dinner with a beautiful girl? That’s like… a dream come true.”

He instantly regretted how cheesy it sounded, but before he could mentally kick himself, he noticed Temari’s reaction.

Her blush deepened and she let out a soft laugh, clearly flattered. “Well then… let’s hurry,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

They reached the dining room shortly after. It wasn’t nearly as grand as Travis had imagined. Rather, it was simple and cozy—designed for the Kazekage’s family rather than grand diplomatic banquets. The table was modest in size, set for just a few people. Warm light from paper lanterns filled the room, giving it a welcoming glow.

Temari and Travis sat next to each other, and soon, steaming dishes were brought in—grilled fish, seasoned rice, roasted vegetables, and a pot of fragrant tea. As they ate, the atmosphere grew more relaxed.

They talked, laughed, and shared stories, slowly peeling back layers and learning more about each other.


' This is nice,' Temari thought, stealing a quick glance at Travis as he laughed at one of his own stories during dinner.


The soft lighting in the dining room cast a warm glow on his face, and the way he leaned in when she spoke made her feel like she had his full attention. It had been a long time since she’d enjoyed someone’s company like this.

After they finished eating, the two walked back to the guest quarters side by side, the silence between them not awkward but peaceful. When they arrived, they stood in the hallway for a moment, both unsure how to end the night.

“Well… goodnight,” Temari finally said, offering a small smile.

“Goodnight,” Travis replied, his voice gentle.

He entered his room and flopped onto the futon with a tired sigh. After a moment, he pulled his phone from his bag and powered it on.

' It’s been a while since I played some games, ' he thought, smiling to himself as he tapped the screen.

The familiar sounds of his favorite mobile game greeted him as he relaxed into the night.

....

The next morning, warm sunlight streamed through the window, waking Travis. He stretched, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and wandered into the adjoining bathroom. After freshening up, he stepped out, towel around his neck and completely forgetting one important thing—his shirt.

As he opened the door into the hallway, he was suddenly face-to-face with Temari.

“Oh—!” she started, eyes widening slightly as they fell to his bare chest. Her cheeks instantly flushed a bright red.

Travis froze.

Temari quickly turned around, hiding her face. “Umm… good morning, Travis. I—uh—I'll wait for you in the hallway. Just finish getting ready, okay?” she said quickly, her voice a bit higher than usual.

“Hey, umm… sure,” he mumbled, now keenly aware of his lack of clothing as he retreated back into his room in embarrassment.

Outside, Temari stood still, face red and heart racing. She gently tapped her forehead against the wall and groaned softly. ' What is wrong with me? she thought. It’s not like I haven’t seen guys shirtless before… but that was different.'

Once Travis was dressed, he rejoined Temari in the hallway. She greeted him as if nothing had happened, all smiles and calm demeanor—but inwardly, her mind kept replaying the image of his toned physique. It took everything she had not to let it show on her face.

They walked together to the dining area where breakfast was served—simple fare of rice, eggs, and miso soup. They chatted casually, though every now and then Temari caught herself staring just a little too long.

After breakfast, Travis leaned back in his chair, satisfied. “I honestly want a tour of the Kazekage’s tower,” he said.

Temari nodded. “Oh, alright. Let’s begin there. Then we can go around the village.”

“Sounds perfect.”

And so, they began their tour at the Kazekage’s Tower. The sandstone building rose high above the rest of the village, its architecture both practical and symbolic of
Suna’s enduring strength. Inside, the walls were lined with scrolls, artifacts, and maps of the Land of Wind. The office itself was clean and functional—Gaara’s style for sure.

When Travis entered Gaara’s office, his eyes scanned the room. An idea sparked in his mind, making him grin.

Temari caught the smirk and raised an eyebrow. “What are you smiling about?”

He turned to her, playful as ever. “Well, I’m spending the day with a beautiful girl. What’s not to be happy about?”

Temari’s breath caught for a second as her cheeks flushed again. She looked away, trying to hide the growing smile on her face. 'I’ve never really felt like this for any guy, ' she thought.

' Normally, I’d brush a compliment off without a second thought… but with Travis, it’s different.'

After wrapping up their time at the tower, the two stepped outside, the desert wind picking up slightly as they continued exploring the village.

Children ran past them laughing, and shopkeepers waved as they passed. Suna, though often seen as a harsh place, felt a little softer today—with them in it.



TO BE CONTINUED