Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto (But I do own fluffy slippers)

Yeah the Sequel to Love and Hope. This one should be better than that one I hope anyway.

Chapter One

Alright, so we left off with Yumiko promising to bring back her clan… and now its five years later. Five years since Gaara was resurrected and their first kiss, four years after the Akatsuki was defeated, and four years have passed since Sasuke returned to Konoha. Everything was peaceful for quite some time until the raids started. And that was just a few months ago. But other than that everything was normal, Yumiko, now twenty-one, stayed in Sunagakure doing missions and working in the hospital. And still, no children. Yep that's what I said; she hasn't gotten any farther with him than that time five years ago… and this is where the sequel starts…

'Gods this is so annoying,' Yumiko groaned inwardly. She had been sitting in her office of the hospital for about three days straight. The glass door showed the backs of two shinobi watching passerby's. Under Gaara's request she needed bodyguards since the nearby raids started. But now this was getting stupid. It was about noon and she knew they would leave for lunch soon and be replaced by two more. Just her luck, there they come now, two men. She shot up from her chair and rushed to the door, leaving paperwork unattended and left for another day. Once she stepped outside she came face to face with one of the guards but held her stoic expression.

"Good evening Yumiko-san," Ittestu greeted.

"Good evening. I'm heading to the restroom for a moment," she lied, slinking by his partner and they both watched her turn the corner.

Once she was out of sight, she sped off. A few nurses and doctors turned and watched the blur disappear out the Hospital doors and it was minutes later, when Yumiko was just down the street in front of the academy, that shouts were heard asking if they had seen a young woman dash out of there. She reached a café and looked through the crowded area looking for her dear friend Temari. She had sent a letter earlier saying that she had some amazing news after she came back from her last mission. Four spiky pigtails were spotted in the crowd and Yumiko glided over to them. She sat at a small table in the back, next to the colorful curtains that shaded the kitchen from the rest of the restaurant. With legs crossed and fingers impatiently tapping the table, she knew that she had kept the twenty-four year old waiting.

"So, what is this all-important-news you couldn't wait to tell me?" the woman asked, taking a seat before her.

"I'm getting married!" Temari shouted slamming her hands on the table and shooting out of her chair.

"W-What! You're kidding? He finally proposed?" Yumiko shouted, wide-eyed.

Truthfully, she didn't really expect Shikamaru to settle down… ever. It was more likely that he would slump around playing shogi with elderly people and be sarcastic. Well he's still sarcastic but not a elderly shogi playing man! By now the two were jumping up and down screaming and everyone was staring but soon two familiar shinobi waltzed in and catch a glance at Yumiko in the back. Her two bodyguards had found her after about fifteen minutes of frantically searching the hospital. Once she saw the two men, her instincts kicked in and the curtains flapped behind her as she made a run for it.

"Running for it again, eh Yumiko-san?" A cook asked noticing her swerving around cooking stations for the third time this week.

He was around sixty, a little heavy set, and his wrinkles were more apparent from the sun tanned skin. The man was happily stirring a pot of broth and smiling as he saw her throw an apple from a basket and catch it behind her back. She was so lively and fun loving, but when she first moved to the village, Yumiko was shy around everyone. A few shouts came from the dining room and the young woman flinched but continued her path around the kitchen.

"They just can't stay away. But did you hear? Temari-chan is getting married!"

"Really? So that lazy-ass finally got around to it did he?"

"Uh-huh. Well, I'm sorry I have to cut this conversation in half, but I have a few angry ninja on my tail… again," she laughed while biting into the apple.

The chef waved good-bye and continued working. 'If I can make it back before they catch me, maybe I'll be off the hook,' she thought taking sharp turns down alleyways and saying hello to a few people that stared at her. She stumbled through the doors, and greeted the villagers in the lobby and behind the front desk. She heard barking and the only canine aloud in this hospital was Ishiko. Her head whipped around and saw the flash of black markings hurdling towards her face. A loud thump was heard when Yumiko was tackled to the ground.

"Alright, alright, Ishiko. Where's Kankuro?"

Kankuro had taken her on his last mission because they were in need of a powerful scent tracker. But she didn't see him trailing behind her dog to give her a bone-crushing hug. That was odd, considering that every time he saw her he would call her his sister-in-law. That pissed her off to no end-Gaara hardly even touched her, let alone marry her. Sure a small hug now and then, but after five years-that gets old. After the licking attack on her face was complete, Yumiko ran to her office, hoping to find him sitting on her desk or pulling a practical joke. But she swung the door open and found nothing. Her boring paperwork still on her desk from earlier and the windows open, letting in a small breeze. The young medic-nin walked over to shut the windows but as her hand reached the glass, a voice startled her from behind.

"It's about time you showed up."

She jumped out of her skin, twirling around to meet a purple painted grin and cat ears.

"You ass-hole! You scared me! And… oh my God what happened?" she asked startled to see bleeding wounds on his arms and lower abdomen.

"Oh, just a few scratches. I had a run in with rogue ninja on the way back," he laughed nervously, expecting a scolding.

But her hands flew up with a green glow and started to heal the gashes.

"I should be getting these with you, not healing them" the doctor smirked while finishing up her job.

"You know, if Gaara heard that, he'd lock you up and throw away the key," he chuckled, rubbing the once bleeding areas as Yumiko went to sit at her desk.

Ishiko was beside it, wagging her tail wit her head rested on her black front paws. She laughed breathlessly as she took her seat picking up a pen and twirling it between slender fingers.

"It's not like he hasn't already. He's kept me guarded and watched for months. In case he didn't know, I can take care of myself! Do you think I can't? Because I hate it when-"

"Alright! Just stop ranting and let's go and see if we can't fix this," he sighed opening the door to dismiss the two guards that had retaken their posts.

A winning smile plastered itself on her features as they sauntered to the exit. But Ishiko was sniffing the air and glaring at nearby people. Loud screaming echoed through the halls as a man with a knife swung at Yumiko, sending a deep gash up her left leg. Then he swung back around and hit her in the right arm. Kankuro was pushed away by the man and had come back along with Ittestu while nurses ran up to help Yumiko stable herself. And that's how her day started downhill…

00000000

"Gods, he's going to kill me," Kankuro groaned to himself as both made their way to the Kazekage building.

She rolled her eyes for the millionth time that evening and examined herself again. It wasn't that bad. Just a few wrappings that covered a large portion on her leg and opposite arm. It wasn't his fault anyway, she should have been more careful and took heed to Ishiko's actions. But the canine was walking on her other side carefully patrolling the streets for any more attackers. As they walked up the stairs, Yumiko had a terrible feeling.

"Yumiko-chan?" Gaara's voice sounded from the conference room.

All three flinched as they slowly turned their heads to see him sitting beside an elderly and two young men. She pulled Kankuro so that he was covering her arm and Ishiko had expertly shifted so that her leg was hidden-she was tall enough to hide it. His eyes looked over the three of them and their nervous smiles and hand waving was practically screaming that something was wrong. Gaara rose from his chair and motioned them to come closer. Yumiko latched onto Kankuro's arm with her left arm and the both walked forward, along with Ishiko. Temari was already in the room, telling her brother about her wedding in a few months like she had told Yumiko earlier that day. Even though something was totally out of the ordinary, she hadn't picked up on it yet.

"Kankuro, could you come over here?" Gaara asked his brother.

"Um… sure."

'Great… just freaking great,' Yumiko grumbled to herself. Kankuro left her side and she sighed heavily, knowing what would come next. And sure enough Temari was over in a heartbeat asking what the hell she could have done to herself in forty-five minutes. Yumiko blew a stray strand of hair from her face and rolled her eyes at her friend's reaction. Jeez! It was only two knife wounds from a maniac. How bad was that compared to what she went through before? By this time the old man was standing with his mouth agape. The two younger ones mimicked his expression but weren't looking at her injuries. That was what made her uncomfortable.

"Yumiko-chan, did you get those injuries from an ambush?" Gaara sighed knowing that she had once again evaded the guards.

"If I said yes… what would happen?"

He groaned, this was probably the sixth time that day. The Kazekage didn't have time for this right now, he had important people sitting in the room at this moment and they never got a chance to state their business. Which reminded him…

"My apologizes, Takahiro. What was your request?"

Takahiro was a king from the land just north of the Land of Wind and to keep peace he usually met with the Kazekage once a year to validate any treaty matters. It was strange this time because he brought his two sons, Kiyohiko and Akihiko. All three of them had risen from their seats when Yumiko walked into the room and Takahiro seemed to know her name from somewhere.

"Pardon me but are you Kyoto Yumiko?" The elderly man asked her after a moment of silence.

Kyoto. She hadn't head that name for so long since not many people knew her past, not even Temari or Kankuro. Of course Gaara knew, since he was the Kazekage. But that name, it just brought back so many memories. Daiki's face flashed in her mind and she had to hold in a sob. Instead it came out in a strangled breathless chuckle.

"I haven't heard that name in years. Tell me, how do you know that name?" she asked taking a seat across from him.

"Princess, we've been looking for you for two decades. You are the only heir to the throne."

At the first word Gaara's head snapped in her direction to gain a look at her expression. Okay so he didn't know the royalty part of her past, but he knew everything else. Her face did change from its curious smile to the emotionless disgust at the mention. Before he could dismiss the matter Takahiro began again.

"You did know that by the age of womanhood that you need to marry into royal blood didn't you?"

Yes he knew she was here and that was the reason to bring his sons along. They were the only ones close to the Land of Wind so the choice was easy. Kiyohiko or Akihiko. Number one or number two. By this time Gaara was next to her and glaring at the two men who hadn't diverted their eyes from the young medic since she came in the room. Yeah that was starting to piss him off.

"I'm sorry but Yumiko-chan must be tired and her injuries need tended to," he stated while helping her out of the chair and towards the door.

Temari, Kankuro, and Ishiko stood speechless and confused as anyone could be at this moment. But after seeing their friend's reaction they helped keep the three foreigners in the room while they made a run for it. After they walked down the hall and up four flights of stairs the two made it to their room. Yes I said THEIR room, a two bed, two bathroom, double desk room and Ishiko's large fluffy bed in the corner next to Yumiko's laboratory. It was basically two rooms that they forgot to separate with a wall. What a couple right? Yumiko plopped onto the bed and took a shaky breath. Everything this shitty just had to happen to her didn't it? She felt the bed shift under Gaara's weight and waited for the feel of two gorgeous eyes boring holes in her head.

"How does your leg feel?" he asked perfectly hiding the care in his voice.

She inwardly laughed; even years after they had met he still had that mask. But every now and then he'd forget about it and smile at her in the privacy of their room and nowhere else.

"It hurts…Alright, are you mad or not?" She asked closing her eyes.

There it was that straight to the point attitude she always had. Gaara smirked while looking out the window into the village. Surely the king and his two sons where gone now. He hoped anyway.

"Mad about the fact that you left out a very important piece of information from you life? Or mad because you eluded your guards? Again!"

"Um… how about both? All the anger in one go."

Her arm covered her eyes and her legs dangled from the side of the bed. When he got mad there was no stopping him. Sure he never really yelled, but she had known him long enough to see past that blank tone and see that the words hurt. Her heart was pounding in her chest and something was screaming at her to look at him but she held back the feeling. Could she see his face now? He must be so disappointed, no not must be, is disappointed. The entire royalty thing did come as a shock now, but when Daiki-sensei told her, she was so excited that she could actually become a ninja. 'Well, isn't this a fucking kick in the pants.'

"Why do you do this Yumiko? The shinobi I assign to you say that you're very pleasant until you run. This is for your protection and now that this has come along…" he trailed off running his hand through his hair.

"I do that so I can have some excitement in my life. You've kept me cooped up in that hospital for months!"

"You know about the raids in the nearby countries-"

"Yes I do! You'll let your sister go out on missions but if I even set foot out of these doors I need two escorts and five undercover shinobi watching over the crowd-and yes, I do know about them!" she interrupted shooting off the bed ready to punch through a wall.

Gaara's arms were crossed and his attention was now turned to his roommate. Her white doctors coat was open and showing her black top with silver swirl designs that stops just about her hip. The left side stretches up and wraps around her neck a few times before the loose end falls on her right shoulder. A mini skirt and the usual knee high boots accompanied the top. She looked very petite and innocent, but then there were the eyes. The vivid auburn eyes that were now glaring daggers at him were always catching. Now they were full of hurt and that was never her best look. He missed her usual sparkly eyes but he hardly saw those anymore since he was always working, and when he did see her they looked betrayed almost. Did his actions make her that unhappy?

"Yumiko-"

"I know, I know. You're sorry," she sighed calming down a bit.

"I'll stop worrying so much. But you're still not going to go on missions until the rogue ninja are stopped," he smirk enjoying her unbelievable expression.

"What am I going to do then? I can go to the hospital whenever I want I'm the director so that shouldn't be hard. I'm not wasting all of my time there OR at the academy."

"You'll be my secr-"

"If you say secretary I'll jump off a building," Yumiko snarled.

"… Then body guard. Any better?" He asked raising a non-existent brow.

"Sure, but what are we going to do about King Nosey and his sons Thing One and Two?"

He chuckled and stood up to walk to his desk and gazed at the thousands of papers that seemed to explode over time.

"I could convince them that they were wrong about your identity… but then they would probably become hostile..."

"I have to pick then," she groaned.

After all she had been through to become friends with Gaara and even the separation she couldn't be with him like she had planned. But now she was just sounding selfish. What if Gaara didn't even like her that way anymore? She had been rambling when he kissed her. Was it just a way to shut her up? Most likely since he had about a million fan girls to waste his time with, why choose her?

The Kazekage was stunned by her words. Did she mean them? Of course not, she was his first friend and she was more than capable of getting a boyfriend by now but she chose to stay single because of him. Didn't she? What if she was just being sympathetic for his sake? He had heard his shinobi talk about her before, all were positive things, some made him want to strangle the men but they would be positive to her.

"What are you saying?" he asked turning to face her.

She looked as if she had said the most terrible thing to him and wanted to kill herself. Which she did.

"I have to choose one of the princes or risk the treaty being broken."

Sacrifice. Who knows maybe she could learn to like the princes and maybe revive her clan like her parents and sensei would have wanted. This was the prime of her life, she just couldn't wait around for a man who was starting to stray away from her after a few years… even if she wanted to. He was her best friend and at one point she thought more but that turned out to be a lie. Yumiko wanted what was best for Gaara and what was best for him was best for the village that was what came from being the Kazekage. He couldn't take a break from that.

"A-are you sure about this?"

She couldn't believe her ears. That was the first time he ever stuttered in his life. But why did he?

"Yes, I live here too so the villages business is my business," she stated in a matter-of-factly manner.

She lifted back the covers and slipped into bed, staring at the ceiling. Gaara was still standing with eyes the size of dinner plates. She was serious?

"Kazekage-sama, you should get some rest," Yumiko suggested slipping into sleep.

She was always formal when she was calm. Not once did she address him as Gaara-chan, or anything else… it was always Kazekag-sama. When he confronted her about the subject once, she was professional.

*Flashback*

"Good evening, Yumiko-chan," Gaara greeted his roommate when she came through the door.

"Good evening, Kazekage-sama."

Gaara froze; it was the same thing every time. It had been how long since they met? Fourteen years maybe? Yumiko went into her bathroom to change, hanging her coat on the doorknob. 'Now could be a good time,' Gaara said to himself.

"Yumiko, why do you call me that? We're not working at the moment."

"Because, Kazekage-sama, I'm on call, so I'm not off work yet," she grinned pushing the door open and walking to her desk to finish up some papers.

"You're always on call," Gaara almost whined.

"That's not my fault."

*End Flashback*

It was his fault. A job at the hospital wasn't very easy. There was paperwork, emergencies, surgeries to observe, apprentices to train. It wasn't like the Kazekage's job but it wasn't anywhere near easy. Gaara dropped into his bed, waiting for sleep to come over him. After his resurrection, he was finally able to sleep but the dark rings around his eyes were permanent. Yumiko made sure he slept every night, but it was difficult this time. Would she just choose one of the princes out of the blue, or get to know them better; giving Gaara more time to solve this entire problem? Either way he had to stop this somehow. She was his first friend, and probably the first one to smack some sense into him. Now it was his turn…