"Shikadai! Matsuri! No!" The fifth Kazekage shouted as he made a mad dash for the two of them, skidding in front of their dying foe who's dagger pierced through the young man's chest, before falling in death.
He coughed up blood.
"Uncle!" Gaara's young nephew-only chunin in rank-exclaimed as he and his new aunt rushed to his side. Soon Gaara's brother and sister were there too, holding onto him tightly.
"Gaara you better not fucking die on me! Not again!" Temari begged of him, clutching his right hand in hers, holding him close.
"I'm..so sorry. Please..listen to me."
"Anything!" Kankurō said, crouched down by his side.
"Matsuri..I've trained you since you were a student...I know more than anyone what you're capable of. Don't let the pain of your past hold you back..use that pain and grow stronger.." She sat behind him, holding his head in her lap and stroking his hair. She didn't want to let go.
"I will Gaara..I promise."
"Sh..Shikadai..you're just like your father...a true Nara genius..but please, listen to your mother..and your superiors..they.." He coughed up some more blood. "They know what's best for you and deserve nothing but your highest respect.." Shikadai tried to wipe the tears from his eyes.
"Okay Uncle Gaara! I'll be better, I swear!" He cried. Temari wrapped one arm around his waist and held him close.
"Temari..Kankurō...I'm so sorry. I..I wish I could've been a better little brother to you two.."
"Don't say that! You were an amazing little brother!" Gaara let out an amused breath.
"I spent the majority of my life wishing you two would die...thinking you were nothing but a nuisance and bother to me. And for that, and for not knowing for so long how truly lucky I was to have you two, I'm sorry." He breathed quickly, his breath short and choppy. "Temari, you remind me of what I imagine mother to have been like. You were always so protective of me..even when you hated me. Thank you."
"I never hated you Gaara..you're my baby brother!"
"Kankurō..I'm so sorry I was such a poor little brother to you. We never got a chance to be close..like...like we should have. But you're my best friend, and I'll always appreciate you. There..there's just one thing I need to ask of you."
"Anything Gaara!"
"Please..keep the villagers safe..as the 6th Kazekage of Sunakagure.." Temari and Kankurō looked up at each other momentarily..Gaara had just passed on the title to Kankurō.
"I will Gaara. I promise, I'll protect everyone in that village till the day I die."
"Thank you..all of you. I love you." The light faded from his eyes entirely and his body was cold. Everyone around him cried, Kankurō rested his hands on his little brothers still chest.
"He said he loved us. Those were his final words."
"I never imagined I'd hear him say that.." Temari said.
"We have to do what he asked. It's all he wanted."
"I agree." The four stood, walking away from the boy. They all stopped and took one final look back at him.
"I'll never forget you."