As the years go by…
Prologue
In the stone basement of the hospital, two Anbu were guarding a door. Soft pads rang in the corridor, hardly making more noise then the sand, slipping down the side of the dunes. A red haired, pale skinned young man strode along the corridor. The guarded door just opened, and the leader of the medic nins came out. He stopped as he spot the young man, and bow his head respectfully.
„Kazekage sama."
„How is he?" Asked Gaara. The aged man answer with hesitation.
„A little better physically, but…"
„.. but?"
„He isn't getting well the way a man in his age should." The Kazekage didn't say a thing, just looked at the men questioningly. The medic continued: „We already exluded poisoning, and curses, I'd rather say … he doesn't want to get well. He's mental and spiritual state is very bad. He hardly said a word, since being here. He's still on infusion, becouse he refuse to eat. He just doesn't want to live."
'I see." Said Gaara quietly, and he sent the medic off with a wave of his hand. The man bow, and leflt.
Gaara stayed there, staring in front of him. He was trying to prepare himself, before visiting the injured man. He should do something, but didn't know what. He wasn't too good with these kind of matters, but he must try. He can't just let him die, too many things happened to that.
For his sign one of the guards knocked the door the previously fixed way, what told the ones inside, that there is no danger. The door opened, and Gaara entered the room. The two guards inside checked his identity with a quick jutsu before they bow. Gaara nodded approvingly. One can never be too coutious when it's about Akatsuki. The guard outside can be forced…
„Leave us alone" he said to the guards. „You too" turned to the medic nin. When they all left the room, Gaara just observed the person ont he bed silently. The injured didn't move, and though his eyes were open he barely blink. His wound were covered with bandages, infusion ran into his vein, supplying liquid, nutriment and medicine.
„I"d never thought, you would give up so easily" said Gaara finally, but no answer came, not even a glance. The injured just continued staring at the ceiling. „Are you affraid?" asked him, but no answer came this time either. There he goes! He knew this won't work out. Maybe he should've sent Kankuro to Konohagakure. If Temari should be here, she would know what to say or do. He sighed, and turned to the door to leave, when the other man spoke:
„ Why don't you leave me to die?" he asked very quietly. Gaara froze. Suddenly he knew exactly what he has to say:
„ Couse HE wouldn"t let you die either. He wanted you to live."
„ But why?"asked the man a litle louder. „Why? I never asked him to save me, to fight for me this way, moreover I did everything to cut every bond ever connected us. I almost killed him" he broke off, maybe due to the emotions, maybe just grew tired.
„But you knew him" answered Gaara quietly „He always wanted to protect everyone. Never thouth of himself. He would give his life for his friends any time, or even for a perfect strager. He was just like that. And whatever you did, he never thouth of you in other way, than as a friend."
„It is I who should be dead…" the words were hardly audible.
„But you didn't, He died to save You. If you threw your life away, you make his death meaningless. You have to get well, and hold your head high whatever comes to you. You don't have to just live, bat you have to live a full life. Think about it. Altough I've informed Konohagakure about the situation, it will still be at least a week, before they get here." With this, he left the man alone.