Pain. It was the only thing I could register at a time like this. The light from the tunnel was flickering, just like my heartbeat. Breathing was becoming a difficult task, even so I continued running through the cold cavern. I wasn't entirely sure if they will appear soon. I stumbled to the ground, too tired to move for now, but my heart refused to calm down. I heard it, sounds of a fight in the distance, and I forced myself to stand.
Ready to continue my path, crying in silence. I looked like a corpse already, with the tattered clothes and blood stained shirt. My thoughts drove me to my daughter, if I have known this would happen, then I will have tell her how much I loved her, how sorry I felt for everything. At least she will be safe, I keep repeating to myself. I just knew she will live and that was all it matters in the end. It's my fault, I wasn't strong enough to keep our legacy safe.
I couldn't do anything to save anyone but I had to fight, my daughter needed time. The worst thing would be that, I failed the promise I made to my own mother, so many things left to say and this could be my last resort. Now running for my life in the remains of what used to be our home. I had one last thing to do, my last chance to explain everything.
I heard a deep shout and cried harder, I knew that sound so well, but we made a promise. Cleaning my face, running more, chasing the soft light at the end. I cletched even harder the last token of my dear husband, an old wristband with carved patterns. My stubborn nature refused to believe that I lost him forever. With that in mind I focused more of my chakra in this item and made quick hand seals. I made it to the open gate when the breeze changed, he appeared in front of me in the cold night of the desert, there was no turning back now. His long cape hovering like an ultimatum, I couldn't see his face or anything else but I knew it was now or never.
The coldness in his voice was unmistakable. "Tired of pointless games?"
"What do you think?" My voice was hoarse, tired but I didn't want to die with more regrets.
Silence. The moon was ironically the only thing I wanted to see right now. When was the last time I glanced at the sky like this? It took a lot of effort to not flinch when he took my chin in his rough hand and made me look at him.
The only thing I could see was one dark eye and spiked hair, surrounded by a swirled mask. I collapsed on his knees, I appeared weak but I didn't cared. A beast who stole from me so much in one night, he won't take my daughter . I barely felt his hand in my collarbone, dizziness assaulted my senses.
"My patience won't last. I have wasted too much time already. Where is my vessel?"
"Ju-just kill me, it is too late" I answered coughing blood, disgusted he left me fall. I had an opportunity, gathering what was left of my chakra in my bloody fingers I draw the seal in my wrists. He laughed of course but I didn't cared.
"Still fighting… such a pity, as if you can hurt me with simple jutsus"
"Who said … it was for you" Before he could stop me a bright scarlet light came from the seal. As my vision began to blur and cold air tickled my face, the wristband disappeared and my heart stopped at last. Smiling because I knew that in the end, he didn't win the prize.
Kaoru wake up panting hard clutching her head. It was prickling from the inside. How many times will that dream will molest her? She had no idea. Green eyes looked at the little window near the living room, outside the sky was painted with clear blue patches and soft traces of light. Her head still bothered her, drumming as if that dream wanted to fly out of her head. Turning she noticed her surroundings for the first time. Oh, how did I get here? Her back arched, a grunt of discomfort as she stretched her tired limbs until a voice made her jump.
"Are you alright?"
Kaoru felt her jumping heart drum as she turned and fixed her hair and face with fast movements. Shame of being caught by him. Gaara stood with curious blue foggy eyes, portraying a single plain clear almond shirt and brown pants. She had seen him few times so casual, it was a welcome sight compared to his usual stiff posture.
"Yeah, mm… just… felt asleep I think... wait… what time is it?" Kaoru pausing while moving around her legs, waking up fully.
"Bed-time… he is waiting already" Gaara continued walking to the fridge, taking a plate with grapes and taking a bowl of flakes above the oven. "Do you want some?" He asked while opening a bag with bread.
"Yes, thank you… let me help" Kaoru already felt her headache subside, taking the bowls she turned around, Gaara followed silently as they climbed the stairs, and entered the room where her boy was waiting.
The little bundle of orange tackled her, almost making the food fall. He apologized and took his bowl, running to his bed. She smiled, letting Gaara pass and close the door. The boy with casual clothes with brown bright eyes was full of energy, he patted a spot besides him and Gaara took his place there. A common habit they had developed, this was her favorite time of her day.
"You're late! But I was nice and waited enough…" the young boy complained.
"Not so fast little man" Kaoru took a sit in the bed near his covered feet. Glancing at Gaara who was quietly munching grapes"How was he today?"
Gaara took a moment, glancing at the boy whose eyes were fully set on him, she grinned as his boy fidgeted.
"He got distracted again, Matsuri had to intervene…" Kaoru laughed, fully knowing why his boy was turning red.
"But I improved, please it was just…" He attempted to cover up, but she continued eating slowly while waiting for him to stop mumbling.
"I know exactly what it is… just for this time Yue" She poked his forehead, he pouted, the blush still in place. Gaara tilted his head in curiosity, I had to contain, like before, the desire to reveal Yue little secret. Yue took some grapes from Gaara with a slight angry scowl, the young Kazekage just lifted an eyebrow in curiosity. He was too oblivious for his own good.
"So, what story do you want to hear?" A question to successfully drive his attention away.
"Oh! I don't know… something new…"
"New… How about I told you of Konoha best kept secret?" Even Gaara looked interested, Yue was already grinning.
"What is it? Tell me!"
"Well, every ninja has something special behind his skills. Kakashi Hatake, the copycat ninja is one of the most skilled and intelligent, Anko Mitarashi the serpent mistress has a knack for being a bit crazy… but our Hokage was the most powerful of all." I paused to set aside the empty plate
"But every ninja has a secret… I discovered the old man, Hiruzen Sarutobi most embarrassing one by accident." Yue clutched the blanket in anticipation, Gaara already finished his fruit and was listening attentively.
"I was a little girl then… We were on the forest playing hide and seek, Naruto was very good at it. Therefore I got lost at one moment, but I heard a sharp noise, it was hurting my ears. I followed the sound to stop it and end up near a river, there I found an old man. Wrinkled face, blowing a bamboo flute… it took me a second to get… he was making that horrible noise."
"The Hokage… playing a flute?" Gaara asked intrigued, trying to imagine the scene. Yue was laughing and puffing his chest proudly.
"But it's very easy! How can't he do that?" Kaoru ruffled Yue hair, it made him quiet.
"Well, that was not the end of it… because there was Akane-san, she was pulling his ear, scolding him like a little child."
"Your guardian… scolding the Hokage?" Gaara continued asking again to himself, the tone of pure wonder was kind of cute.
"Poor man… Akane was your mom?"
"No, but she was a good woman… it's a bit sad you could not meet her." Kaoru said a bit sad, but grinned for him.
"But I will meet your friends, right?" Yue asked curiously.
"I hope so, you'll like Naruto-kun. He is…" She was interrupted by him.
"Fun, strong, brave… yeah yeah. You have said that so many times, I won't believe it until I meet him." Yue glanced at Gaara with seriousness before replying "Uncle Gaara, do you like Kaoru's teammates?"
Kaoru waited in silence. She wasn't so surprised by his question, Yue admired Gaara most of the time. She couldn't blame him, they were safe thanks for his hospitality and he was already doing a great favor to her just training Yue. Her concerns for his safety diminished knowing he was in good hands.
"Naruto is… very important to me." Gaara admitted softly, I smiled. Of course he would, it made her happy he considered Naruto an important friend. "I didn't meet Sakura-san or Sasuke-san, but…" His gaze found her green orbs, he surprised her with a very little sincere grin. It was like feeling the first ray of sun in the morning. A sensation purely innocent, but his admission was enough for me to regard him with fondness.
"I know how close they're for Kaoru, that is enough for me"
Again, the Kazekage left her thinking of her team and she wished to know how they were doing. Would Naruto be back already? Will Sakura be waiting for her as well in Konoha? Or she was still mad at her? Will Sasuke… be alright? A lot of things have happened, she wanted to meet everyone but before that, she had to finish her task here in Suna.
"Thanks…" Yue yawn was a sign for us to leave, I touched his cheek, caressing with my thumb softly as I looked at his brown eyes. "Rest well, you have to be ready for your big day…"
"I know…" He made himself comfortable, we were at the door when his voice stopped us. "Good night"
"Goodnight" Gaara answered, closing the door. Kaoru turned to him, with the empty plates in her hands and asked "Mind if I take this first?"
"No, I'll wait on my room"
It didn't took much time before Kaoru entered his room, he was already on the bed with his eyes closed. She started the usual ritual, biting her lip and drawing on her wrist the symbol of the moon, turning his wristband as well, touching the matching symbol. She focused her Reishi Rope and the connection glowed brightly. Feeling the usual protest from Shukaku inside him, trying to push her away. Inside his realm there was no live beyond darkness, it was like a cold cage forgotten of light but Isamu was there.
The Soul King was waiting outside the barrier surrounding the bars, he was a head taller, his hair as long that it touched his hips, silver shone like flames and scarlet eyes firmly set between her and the racoon spirit.
"He seems to be accepting his fate more peacefully these days" Isamu commented looking at the pair of golden iris behind the bars.
"Well, until I find a way for Gaara to sleep without our assistance at night… I don't think he will stop trying to get out" Kaoru said while putting more of her Reishi in the barrier.
"At least it won't be that hard once the ceremony is held… aren't you excited?" Isamu asked with curiosity while butterflies surrounded the place, their radiance making it seem like it was the night sky. Shukaku stopped grunting and his orbs looked up.
"More or less. Yue…"
"You chose him, it's up to him" Isamu cut her speech, he had a cocky grin as if daring her to challenge her own faith. Kaoru didn't answer, when she finished filling the barrier, she noticed Shukaku curled at ease, still watching the lights of the butterflies.
"I think… you have to go now. See you tomorrow Hime"
Kaoru blinked repeatedly, she was back in Gaara's room. Not willing to move until she heard his soft breathing, it was a soothing sight. He was resting, it took a long way to get here but she was glad for the efforts. Now it was easy to notice how much sleeping changed his face. Temari had said his red hair had a healthy air, and his eyes more bright.
However, her heart always lead her to remember her friends with him. Gaara silent nature similar to Sasuke, blue eyes and shyness like Naruto, a hidden passion of beliefs she discovered in their chats that made her think of Hinata. Even in his fighting style sometimes Kaoru thought of Sakura, the stronger the spirit the harder a punch.
She barely noticed her hand still clutching his wristband. Quickly releasing it. No, Gaara was much more. Not a source of resemblance and nostalgy because he had been… a hope. When they arrived with barely food to survive and a poisoned Yue in her arms. She almost went crazy, but he had received them with little to no reason of trust. No matter what others said, Gaara, Temari and Kankuro had supported them. She stood, ready to leave him rest, just watching him one last time.
Kaoru knew soon she will go back to Konoha, almost everything was ready. But in her heart she was sure… she will miss Suna just the same.