I'm with you Chapter 2

Gaara's POV

I regained consciousness in a panicked state. I was breathing heavily trying to calm down my panicked heart. I looked around and it seemed I was in a small cabin. On the nightstand there was a glass of water and a water bottle. I took the glass of water and drank it greedily, then the bottle, consuming almost half of its contents. I finally calmed down a little and tried to recall the moments before ending up here.

I was fighting the Akatsuki…I lost…

Then I remember pain…

Then calmness…

Now I am here. I was dressed in a black kimono. Where are my clothes?

Sakura no hana wa itsu hiraku

I heard an angelic voice sing. Was this heaven? Did a person like me deserve to go to heaven?

Yama no osato ni itsu hiraku

There it was again. I sat on the edge of the bed and tried to sit up and managed steadily to accomplish that.

Sakura no hana wa itsu niou

I walked slowly to the open door. I was met with the brightness of the sun, the sound of the river, the green grass under my feet…

Warau nana no ko asubu koto

I looked at the source of the singing. I gasped. I didn't know if I should run away unnoticed or go back in the cabin and pretend I was asleep. Destiny chose for me. It was none of those. She was petting a deer and then she was distracted by something in the nearby tree. She went over and picked up a baby bird. She was going to…I just opened my mouth…My doubt in her; her instability brought me to reveal my presence.

Sakura no hana wa itsu odoru

Was her last line before I opened my mouth; and I regret it. "Don't."

Hitomi's POV

I continued to sing as I heard a few distressed chirps and was distraught from the deer. Under the nearby tree there was a chick that has fallen from its nest. I reached out for it and grabbed it, bringing it to my chest, then used the vectors to try and-

"Don't." I froze and looked back. My eyes widened.

"Gaara…"

Gaara's POV

My heart skipped a beat when she said my name. She was so…beautiful was not good enough of a word. She looked like a princess. Her hair was so long it reached her ankles. Her expression looked so pure; a slight rejection would break her beyond repair. She also looked a little tired and skinny. I tried to compose myself, not to let her know how much her presence was affecting me. I wanted to go to her, pick her up and bring her in the cabin where I would proceed to do show her how much I missed her. But I just couldn't. Would she even let me at this point? She was one of the Akatsuki. She chose them. I must no longer associate myself with people like her. She is my enemy. She knew right, that her team would abduct me and kill me, right? Yet here she was, pretending like noting happened…

Hitomi's POV

I was frozen in place. And so was he. My mind was blank. I wished I could stop time in this very moment. I haven't seen him in such a long time and he has changed so much...He was taller, his hair was longer, his shoulders broad…he was becoming a man. I tried to figure what he was feeling. His eyes were easy for me to read, or so I thought. He looked blankly at me, as if I was boring him. That, or he hid what he was feeling very well. He did not want to be here. Either way, it hurt. For the first time in a while my heart jolted in pain. At least I knew I still had one.

"Don't kill it." I heard him say making me lose my train of thoughts. Then I remembered the baby bird I was still holding with the vectors. I didn't know if I should try using my voice right now. I felt weak in the knees, I felt nauseous. I felt the same way I did two years and a half ago. I put the chick in its nest and turned to him.

"I wasn't…going to kill it." He displayed no emotion on his face. I wondered what he was really feeling. What should I say? I don't want to make him leave. We both continued to look at each other for a while. The tension was killing me. I had to say something. "How are you feeling?"

He just glared at me before breaking eye contact. He continued looking angry. I just asked him a question…He hated me. He wasn't ever going to come looking for me. I tried to push these hurtful thoughts away. Our situation was complicated. He must know by now that I was hanging out with the Akatsuki. Of course he would be angry. He thought I was the enemy. I had to prove him otherwise. But before I could say anything else he took steps in the direction opposed to me. "Please…" My voice was already cracking and it made him freeze right in his tracks. "Please…Stay a little longer…I beg you…" I fell to my knees.

He glanced at me. "My village needs me." My heart was crushed. I nodded solemnly. He was going to leave. I couldn't let him.

"Going in the desert with no food or water is not a wise choice." He now turned fully towards me looking conflicted. "I can give you food and water…" He looked at me as if he did not trust me. I did not know how much abuse my heart was willing to take. "What other choice do you have?"

He then smirked, as if he solved his problem without needing my help. "Judging by the climate here I am close to the Leaf, and since we are allied I could request help." I felt angry as I heard that. I wasn't going to let him leave. But…I couldn't stop him either. I felt like my world was crashing down again. There was no way for me to win this, was there?

He was coming towards me, cautiously, as if I would hurt him. I couldn't even look at him anymore. My heart felt like it would grow hands and claw me from the inside, ready to escape. I placed my hands on my face and sat on the ground and began crying soundly. I wasn't alright. I wanted to disappear. I heard him walk behind me and that's when my sadness turned to anger again. I turned around still on the ground.

"Why do you hate me so much?!" I slowly got up. "What did I ever do to you to hate me so much?!" I was yelling with raw emotion: hurt, anger, longing and a glint of hate.

To my surprise he turned around and looked equally pissed off. "Your people abducted me! You're my enemy! Why should I even consider trusting you?!"

"Because you know me! I am the same person I was years ago! You don't even know everything!" We took a moment to calm down. We were both screaming at each other like mad men. "You left me here…I was just trying to survive…" My voice cracked and all my anger left me as I remembered that day. "I think…I was punished enough for the sins I made…"

"You hypocrite…" I glanced at him and he still looked angry. "Do you even remember what you promised me years back? I can't even look at you."

I didn't know what he was referring to. "I promised you a lot of things. What are you referring to exactly? You know what, it doesn't even matter, because you broke your word first!" I spat with venom.

He glared at me and opened his mouth ready to yell at me some more but before he could say anything else he got pale and collapsed.

"Gaara!" I felt tears. This was my entire fault. I rushed to his side and checked on his vitals. He was alive but he had been unfed and tired. He wouldn't have made it to the Leaf. I lifted him up using the vectors and brought him inside. I placed him gently on the bed and took a seat next to him. I figured I should begin making something fresh for him to eat once he wakes up. I would glance at him every now and then whenever he would shift in his sleep or groan. Once the food was done I placed it on the table. I quickly went out to get some fresh water from the river and placed it on the table before taking a seat in the chair next to his bed…and waited.

I was about to doze off when he shifted awake. He looked dizzy still and then looked around. For a moment he looked glad to see me but as he realized who I was he jolted up on the bed and was about to get up but I pushed him down. "You're not well, Gaara…Just please relax a little." He glared at me but seemed like he listened. I got up from my chair and took the bowl of soup to bring it to his bed. "I made you food." He looked skeptically at me. I brought a spoonful to his face but he pushed it away. "You're acting like a spoiled brat!" I yelled at him. "You aren't getting anywhere near your stupid village if you won't eat anything!" He glared still but did not say anything. I tasted the soup in front of him to confirm his suspicions. "It wasn't tampered with, alright?" The next thing I knew, he grabbed the soup from my hands and began eating greedily. He was so…cute. "Slow down, you'll…choke…" He ate it in record time. I got up and got the second meal and handed it to him but he wouldn't take it. "I don't really like tongue, so…" He glared at me. I sighed and took a bite. He grabbed the plate from my hands and began eating. Halfway through the meal he began looking like he almost had enough but continued to eat all of it. He was done eating and things got awkward fast. I did not know what to say to him. I looked at him and he looked like he was deep in thought. I took the dishes and placed them in the sink before turning towards him. "How are you feeling, Gaara?" He risked a glance at me. He looked calm.

"Why did…you feed me?"

Was he analyzing the situation? Did he realize he acted in the wrong way? I walked next to him and sat down on the chair. "You could also ask why you woke up in bed instead of being dead, because that is what you would have been if I didn't get you out." I said as I felt tears but tried to push them back.

"What are you talking about?"

"They wanted the Shukaku…they only took a part of him. Can you still feel him?"

He was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "He's almost faint."

I nodded. "Good. That's good."

"But why this? Why did you do this?"

"You're saying that like you don't know me anymore…just shut up."

"Answer me so that I can understand you, damn it!"

I looked at him, not really knowing what to say. I looked at the counter and looked at the photo that stood there. I smiled and picked it up, looking over it for a while before handing it to him. "Do you remember that day?" He did not say anything, just looked at the photo over and over again. "I placed it near my bed and find myself reliving it daily in my head. And then I wake up. The room has no color, the food has no taste, and breathing is a chore…" My emotions were overwhelming me. "I j-just…" My voice was cracking. "I…I miss the old days…"

He snickered. "You miss killing? Is that what you miss?!"

I twitched and shook my head. "I miss someone…"

"Bullshit."

I looked at him confused. Where were these responses coming from? "What did you mean in the forest? What promise did I break?"

"You found another when you said you would never!"

Another? What the fuck was he saying? "What the fuck are you saying?"

"You're fucking another man!" He said with such anger and hate it almost made me cry.

"Why the fuck would that even bother you? You're the one who abandoned me!" I spit back with more hate.

He then displayed this vacant expression on his face. "So it's true then."

I lost all self control and slapped him. It was so incredibly fast the sand had no time to react. "You don't know what I had to endure to be where I am right now! You have no right to make these presumptions about me after you abandoned me in the middle of nowhere. I was starved and dehydrated by the time they found me where they did. They took care of me, they were my family for two years and a half and I stabbed them in the back for you! What the fuck could that possibly mean?!"

I was so angry I could hardly control my breathing. Yet I did not use my vectors. Who is in control now? I could always control myself. I was so angry at him. I glanced at him but he had his face turned away. Before I could yell some more a small droplet fell from his cheek. I began feeling a mixture of emotions: I fist felt sad, then guilty and then I was overwhelmed by the need to touch him, to embrace him. But I couldn't do that. He needed space.

"I'll give you a moment." I said and left the cabin, closing the door slowly.

I leaned against the door and sighed. This was not how I expected our reunion to be. I hoped he wouldn't hate me. I hoped he had second thoughts about leaving me. Right now…why is he crying? Could he possibly feel guilt? Why would he be bothered if I was indeed with another man? He always told me he did not care. I had so many questions I needed to ask him but knew that I must not. I did not know how he might react. I did not want to push him further away from me. I felt hopeless. How was I going to face him now? What was I supposed to say? I just…I missed him so much…I just wanted to go in there and succumb to my lust in order to forget, or to imagine that this two and a half year gap was just in my imagination. But I just couldn't…also I don't think he would want to.

I felt like I needed to go for a walk and clear up my head but did not want to leave him alone. I got up and decided to go in. He sat on the bed leaning on his elbows and looking deep in thought. I sat on the chair next to the bed and he glanced at me before looking down again.

I had to say something. "I'm sorry I slapped you."

"No." He shook his head. "You were right. Back then…I did not handle the situation how I was supposed to." He looked at me with a hopeful expression. "Will you come back to the Sand?"

I was dumbfounded. There was an explosion of feelings happening inside me. I did not know what to say. I was so happy I felt tears coming. I looked at him and nodded. "I want home." I said that like I was a homesick child. I missed Suna, but not its people; people that hated Gaara. "Are you sure it's alright?"

He nodded.

"Why?"

"Because I now realize that I was in no place to just leave you there. I could have locked you up and check your instability and slowly integrate you into society."

"So…I get it that is what is going to happen when I step into Suna."

He nodded. "You will be under my supervision constantly."

I smiled at him. "I wouldn't mind that…" He just looked at me for a moment. "I missed you, Gaara." I said.

He then broke eye contact and shook his head. "I don't know why I can't believe you."

"Gaara look around you." He did and saw the paintings on the wall. "Not a day did I not think about you. You were the first thing I thought about in the morning and the last thing I thought about as I fell asleep. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Because I saw you with him…"

"Who? Describe him to me."

"Tan, long hair, tall…"

"Do you even want to know why I hung out with that guy?" He shrugged. "His eyes reminded me of you. He and I have nothing together. He is just my teammate. I never slept with anybody in all this time. I just waited for you. But you didn't want me. If it wasn't for this incident I wouldn't have seen you ever again." He scoffed and kind of refused to look at me.

I was getting angry again. I quickly took his hand in mine and pulled him off the bed and out of the cabin. I closed the door to show him the sign that has been waiting for him this whole time. "I stayed here, in the exact place you left me, waiting for you." He looked at the sign, and then he glanced at me. "I swear to you, Gaara. In all these years you were the only one that has been plaguing my thoughts." When he did not say anything I took that as rejection and my eyes began stinging with tears. "P-Please…believe me."

He turned towards me, still looking in my eyes. It was as if he was trying so hard to peek into my memories, to see with his own eyes that I was being truthful to him. I wanted to badly to touch him, to feel his warmth, but I only got that icy stare. He then raised his hand to my cheek and caressed it with his thumb. I leaned into his touch as if it could heal all my emotional pain and it seemed to be working. A sense of tranquility washed over me. I closed my eyes in delight, and that is when he kissed me. I allowed it at first, but as I felt him trap me against the door of the cabin, as I felt his hands on my hips and breasts, as I felt his member harden against my crotch, I pushed him away gently.

I immediately glanced at him and noticed his expression. It was like the first time I rejected his advances. He looked hurt. "I want you, I really do, but you can't just barge into my life again and act as if nothing happened."

He snickered. "I thought you were my toy."

I looked at him for a moment. "That is no longer my desire. I want…more."

"What do you mean more?"

"I…want to be equal to you. I will no longer let you treat me like an object." He was silent, probably not knowing what to say. "This time, I really want you to trust me, I want to be friends, and we will see where that will take us."

"You speak like you forget what I am."

"I know that you changed. You're no longer aggressive. The old you would have caught me in his sand the first chance he got. And now with the Shukaku almost absent you will be able to be in more control. So…let's just let time decide."

"Hn." He glanced at me. "But have you changed?"

"I think I'm honestly the same."

"If you want to come back home you have to promise me something."

"Anything."

"Do not take this lightly, because if you break this rule I will be forced to make you leave." I felt uneasy as he said that. "And I really don't…want you to leave." My heart throbbed. "Do not kill. Ever. Only if I am in any danger, you can. But you can't when someone says something bad about me. Understand?"

I nodded. "I understand." I smiled at him. "So how are things in Suna now? How are Temari and Kankuro?"

"Well I became Kazekage and I'm trying to-"

"Oh God! And you're telling me now?" I said maybe a little too enthusiastically. He looked kind of shocked. "That's really good for you! I'm so proud!" I said and before I could help myself I embraced him tightly to my chest. I then realized what I was doing and pulled away only to have him pull me back in his arms.

"Stay. Please." He said as he was caressing my back and holding his head on my shoulder. He sniffed my hair and snuggled closer in it. This brought me back. I let him hold him for as long as he wanted. I realized he also missed me in his own way, maybe he did not even realize it. He still had hardship with what he was feeling. I had to go easy on him. He hurt me but I can't blame him much for it. Now as Kazekage he is trying to keep his village safe. Allowing me to come home means a lot for him as I could be a blessing and a curse. I want to believe that he misses me, and that he wants me back the same way I do.

He finally released me and I took a step back smiling at him in the process. "Congratulations." I said.

"Thank you." He nodded shortly.

"So are people more accepting of you now?"

He nodded. "The majority are."

"But…not all of them."

He shook his head. "Not anyone can like you…but it is better."

"I'm so glad…It will be more bearable to come home then. I am sorry I said your village is stupid. I was just mad you know…all this time they were against you for no reason at all. And...you chose them over me. That…hurt me…because I was always there."

He couldn't look at me. "I am not proud of what I did. I want to make you see that I am different. I won't make the same mistake again."

I giggled. "And even if you did I am certain I would forgive you, Gaara." He then looked at me. He was unreadable.

"Let's go home."

I nodded. "Let's go home, Gaara."

He gave me a small smile and nodded.

"Let me just pack a few things and we will be on our way." I sprinted in the cabin and pulled a duffel bag from under the bed. I took some food for the road for the both of us, all my essentials, some nice clothes I had and emotional stuff. I placed the bag over my shoulder. I looked over at the insect on my nightstand. Could I raise her in the desert? I sighed. I had to release her. I took her and placed her on my shoulder. With a final glance at the Akatsuki cloak hanging on my chair, I closed the door. I was leaving my past behind. I was going back home with Gaara.

I glanced at him and he gestured to me to give him my bag. I shook my head and used a vector to carry it. He smiled gently as he looked at me. My loins…I noticed his attention was caught by the small creature on my shoulder. "I was just…going to set her free…" I was kind of sad. "Praying mantises have kept me company for all these years. I always cry when they die." I held her in my hands, admiring her beautiful colors one last time.

Gaara didn't look like he knew what to say, how to comfort me. "Um…" He tried. "We could take it with us if you like."

I looked at him and smiled. "I would, but she wouldn't survive in that climate…"

He almost looked sad. I was maybe imagining it. I walked a few steps to where the grass was bigger and let her go. She then looked at me as if she knew this was goodbye. These are such intelligent beings…"Take care, you…And don't eat the little guy's head, alright?" I gave her a small sad smile. I got up and walked next to Gaara. We began walking together, towards our home.

Shortly after walking a little I glanced at Gaara for a second and found him looking at me too. He sketched a look of surprise and turned his head slightly in the opposite direction. Was he…checking me out? I wanted to believe that so bad, but he wasn't, was he? I figured I should say something to ease up the tension.

"So, uh, you never told me about your siblings. How are they? Do you get along?"

He glanced at me. "Yes, we get along quite well right now actually. And they are alright."

"Then they must miss and worry about you so much." I looked at him for a while. "I…am glad I was there just in time."

He gave me a small smile and nodded. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

During our journey to Suna I noticed Gaara looking at me several times, but other than that, nothing special happened, until we reached the oasis from years back. We decided to take a bath since we both felt quite sticky and he let me go first. I was secretly hoping he would watch me. He promised me he would look the other way the whole time. I stripped naked and tried the water at first and it was quite warm since it still was day out. I enjoyed the water for a bit before moving on to scrubbing my skin lightly. It felt so refreshing. I was admiring the desert and my surroundings. I was so, so happy. Then, with the corner of my eye I saw something in the sky. I knew what that was. So my wish came true…My hair was covering my breasts, but I gave him a little hand, but also made sure he knew I saw him as I waved at him in a flirting manner.

The eye crumbled away and I decided to end my bath. I was fortunate enough to bring some towels along. I grabbed two, using one to purposefully tie it around my waist in a loose manner. I walked towards him and he was still pretending to play the innocent card. I threw him the towel letting him know I was done. "Did you enjoy the show?" I smirked.

"I'm sorry I was peeking. I apologize."

"It's alright, really, I-" I then felt my towel fall down my body. "Woops." I pretended to be surprised as the towel hit the ground. I let him see me from a closer angle. I watched his face as it got redder and redder by the second. For a while he did not say anything. A moment later he got up together with my towel and wrapped it around me, refusing to meet my gaze.

"Why are you teasing me?" He muttered.

"I don't know, it is fun…and it is you that's watching me so…it doesn't feel wrong, or bad." He then got in my space, looking me right in the eyes.

"Then why won't you let me have you?"

"Looking and touching are different…please understand?" He backed up a bit.

"Hn." He just took his towel and left to go wash.

I adored this…safe feeling I got when I was near him. He always joked about rape in the past, but he never actually did it. And right now he saw me naked and made no move to cause me displeasure. He listened to me. So he really does want me, but probably just my body. I wanted more. So much more.

I then glanced at the oasis. He was slowly getting naked and I watched the whole thing. It was my right after he watched me, right? He got in the water but never turned around, like he knew I was watching. The view I saw getting wasn't bad, though…Compared to years back, his ass had developed nicely. His back was bigger, shoulders wider. It really was a sight for sore eyes. Beautiful.

I was in a bit of a daze as I looked at him. I eventually had enough and continued drying my body before getting dressed. I gave him his privacy and waited for him to finish so that we could be on our way. One day later we reached the Sand.

We both were tired and a little dehydrated but other than that we were fine. I saw sand again and couldn't help myself from taking off my sandals and stepping on it. It was morning so it wasn't scorching at all; it was pleasing. I was home, where I belonged.

I was kind of fearful to enter the village. I didn't want Gaara to be judged for bringing me back. He noticed.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm just…I'm afraid that people will think badly of you if you bring me back. If that'll be the case you can tell me to-"

"Hitomi." He shut me up. "You saved me. There is no way I am telling you to leave, whatever they say."

I nodded. I still felt uneasy. "But what if-"

I felt him grab my shoulders and look at me with a serious expression. "I won't let you leave again. Do you understand?"

The way he looked at me made my heart swell. He looked like he really meant it. I've never seen him so determined. "I do understand, but I just don't want all of your effort to go to waste. You're Kazekage-"

"That has nothing to do with anything."

"I see." I smiled gently and sighed.

He took my hand in his. "Let's go. We've been gone long enough; especially you. Help me take care of the village. Will you, Hitomi?" He squeezed my hand.

I gasped. Then I looked at his face; his eyes. "I can try." I smiled at him and felt like crying. We were always meant to collaborate. Now we were partners for something positive. Deep down I guess I wanted this kind of life for him. "But can you promise me something too?"

"Speak."

"Teach me to see the world like you do. Teach me to forgive."

He smiled up at me. "I will be happy to."

I smiled and nodded in thanks. We slowly walked towards the main gate where there were two shinobi guarding, and then there were four, then seven. As we approached more and more shinobi showed up, and then a lot of civilians and they were all cheering for him. I was overwhelmed and held his hand tighter. "This is more like it…" I whispered to him. I let go of his hand and pushed him gently forward. He held a questioning look. "Go. This is your moment. I'll be right behind you."

He nodded hesitantly before proceeding to greet the welcoming crowd. I looked in awe at him as the crowd finally reached him and looked at him like he deserved to be looked at. He was appreciated, respected and I could even say loved by his people. They were making a pathway for him, welcoming him home.

Those eyes…

My head snapped to the voice that said those words. It was a small child. My glare softened and instead smiled at the little kid. He hid behind his parent, which took notice of the behavior of his child and noticed me. His face paled and took a step back not saying anything. I felt a stab in my heart at that. I shouldn't care but for some reason I do.

It's her…

She's back?

I heard more and more voices around me, making me feel unwelcomed as always. I shook my head trying to control myself.

It's definitely her…

He brought her back?

Again…they were involving him-

"Hitomi." His voice brought me back to reality. "Hitomi come here." He extended his hand towards me urging me to take it. I did so hesitantly. The voices were momentarily silent. He pushed me forward and began speaking. "I am sure a lot of you know this woman. I can read it in your stares." The crowd was silent and he continued. "But never forget that she was a villager here. She is one of us and I vow for her when I say that she is no longer like she was in the past, for if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here now. I want you to forget her sins like you forgot about mine. Please do not be afraid of her and show her hospitality."

I looked around and people were still silent. My heart was hurting. They weren't going to accept me. I was about to release myself from his grasp but then I heard clapping coming from the gates. I gasped. I covered my mouth in shock and began crying, not being able to control myself. Temari and Kankuro were making their way towards us clapping strongly and were hesitantly followed by the villagers. When they were at close distance I took them both in my arms like I have known them all my life. I didn't even greet Gaara like this, but our situation was different.

They were also surprised with my affection. "I really missed you guys." I let them go. "Even you." I said looking at Kankuro. I was wiping away my tears when Gaara pulled me at his side.

"Shall we?" He said.

I smiled and nodded. "I'm home."

It was a certain warmness on Gaara's face that made me blush. He caressed my back and nodded. "It's good to have you home."

I couldn't help myself and I leaned up and kissed his cheek shortly before walking forward to the village. I looked back and saw the siblings greet Gaara with a long hug. I was taken aback but nonetheless smiled and waited for them.

It felt good to be back.