Part I-Gaara-Dream
"Hey, don't be sad. You're not alone. I'm your friend, aren't I?".That little girl throws a friendly smile to him. "What's your name?" the girl asked.
What is this? Is this a dream? Is this forgotten memories?
Gaara looked at his old self who was a child sitting alone in his swing embraced his favorite Teddy bear. But who is that little girl? The girl who acted friendly to him, the little girl who spoke sweetly to him. A Friend? Does he have a friend when he was little? If yes he will surely remember. But who is that girl?
The little Gaara hesitated to answer. If this girl knows who he is, she certainly doesn't want to play with him. Gaara meant to stay silent but her friendly smile made him give up. "Rei. My Name Is Rei *."
-000-
BRAK. "GARAAAA! IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP!" the sound of the door being opened and Kankurou's vioce wake Gaara up instantly. Should he be woken up in the same way every day? It's not a problem if Temari woke him up, but why should it be Kankurou?
Since Gaara was able to fall asleep, he always woke up late to the point that he had to be woken up by Temari or Kankurou. They let him be for two or three days but they say he should also remember his work. Kankurou and Temari are not wrong, but was it wrong for Gaara to enjoy sleeping?
Gaara just heaved a sigh and begin to depart from his bed. Kankurou already waiting with hands folded in front of his chest.
-000-
Gaara looked at his little self and the little girl that was playing with sand. He saw his much younger face. So cheerful and smiling widely. Does he ever smile like that? So many events, so much laughter and joke, so much joy in little Gaara.
'Rei-kun! Rei-kun look! Guess what I made!' The little girl smile widely. She made a large mound of sand and a few smaller one.
'uumm ... Stone?' little Gaara tried to answer. He didn't know what his little friends made. There were only a few pieces of sand dunes that do not form anything in particular.
That little girl puted. 'Wrooooong! This is our home!'s he said while pointing to the biggest one 'That's tou-san, Hana-chan and Neji-nii-chan.' she pointed her finger to three nearby small mounds.
'What is that?' Gaara asked while pointing out to the other two mounds. Adult Gaara found himself intrigued with her answer.
If what he saw was the fact that he forgot,can he find the girl back? Would the girl still remember him? Maybe not. Gaara himself forgot about that little girl, there's no guarantee that she still remember.
'It was me and Rei-kun.' The girl responded happily. Them? Heh. Cute little girl.
-000-
"Gaara." Gaara overheard someone calling him. "Gaara!" he felt that person shaking his body. "SABAKU NO GAARA! WAKE UP NOW!"
"Ugh. Temari. You don't need to shout."
"I WON'T SCREAM IF YOU'RE ALREADY UP FROM EARLIER!" Temari took a deep breath to calm herself down. She wondered since when her little brother become like an animal that going on hibernation. "Go downstairs quickly. Kankurou already lined up at the dinner table. A representative of Konoha will also come soon." Thus Temari left Gaara's bedroom and rush toward the academy.
-000-
As Temari said, Gaara found Kankurou already eating his breakfast. Gaara at down and ate his own food.
"Kankurou." Gaara intended to start a conversation. There are things he wants to ask. He hoped Knkurou wouldn't laugh and would actually help him. "I would like to ask something. Is a dream the recollection that we forget? "
Gaara's question make Kankurou choke. He was very surprised by his brother's question. He never thought that Gaara will ask about something ... difficult, complex and unknown fact. "Why are you asking about such a thing?"
"If you're not going to answer, just say it frankly!"
"Don't be angry my dear little brother. I'm going to answer it. "
"Then what?" Gaara began to get impatient with his older brother. Does he have to tease him first to answer a single question?
"Maybe."
Silence. No sound could be heard. Kankurou's going to continue his breakfast when Gaara asked him for explaination. Kankurou just heaved a breath. It was quite hard to have a brother whose curiosity and puberty were late.
"Listen well my dear little brother, there are many theories about dreams. Some say it's an omen **, some say that dream is a manifestation of the pent-up desire the dreamer highly coveted ***, we don't know. Could probably as you said, that dream is a manifestation of fractional form of events or memories you have forgotten. Why do you ask? "
"Can we dream about someone we don't know?"
'Ohoho ... interesting. Does Gaara dreaming about a woman? ' Kankurou's curiosity about Gaara's dream was getting bigger. "Nope. The people we dream about usually a person we have met at some point in our lives ****. Why do you ask about that such thing Gaara? Are you dreaming about something interesting? You can it to me."
Gaara depart from his seat "Kankurou, it's rare for you to know about something like that." And with that, he left for his Office.
"HEY! WHERE IS YOUR GRATITUDE?" but his cries just being answered by a wave of Gaara's hand. "Annoying little brother." snorted Kankurou.
-000-
Gaara realized that he is now standing where little Gaara was supposed to be, in front of the little girl. The girl's looking at the ground, she's crying. What's going on? Adult Gaara didn't know what to do. He just stood and watched the girl. He could not see the girl clearly. He thought with stand in front of the girl he can see her face clearly, but he can only see his hair only. Indigo-coloured short hair.
'R-Rei-kun *sniff* p-promise m-me *sniff* y-you wo-wouldn't fo-forget m-me.' adult Gaara cannot speak. He did not even know what his little self was going to say.
'Who? Who're you? Do we know each other? ' Gaara tried to ask but that little girl just stand still. She showed him her sweet smile but the smile seem forced and there's a hint of sadness there.
'I wo-won't fo-forget y-you. W-we will p-play a-again la-later, kay. ' The girl is now showing her genuine smile.
'Hey, who're you? At least tell me your name! ' Gaara was hoping the girl was able to hear his voice. He wanted to know who the girl is. Gaara has a feeling that he once met with the girl. But where? He knew this girl might be a relative of Hyuuga Neji. He had heard this girl mentioned the name of Neji.
'Let us make a vow of friendship! First, we say our name and then we say that we'll be friends forever!' the girl suggested with a big smile on her face. 'Me first! I…'
-000-
The sound of footsteps toward Gaara's room could be heard. BRAK! "GAARAAAA! WA — Oh. " Kankurou was surprised to see Gaara already woke up. His face showed vexation. Was it because of Kankurou? It seems not.
"Representatives from Konoha had come since yesterday. They are located at the Inn to rest and are ready to meet you. Temari wants you to meet them immediately. "
Gaara heaved his breath and prepared himself to get ready. Kankurou pay attention to all of Gaara's movement. Gaara wnt out of his bedroom and put on his usual expression but his resentment still can be seen in his face. Why should he be woken up when the little girl was about to say her name? It was very frustrating. Gaara stepped to meet the representatives of Konoha. The representatives who brought his fiancée.
Part II-Hinata-Illusion
'Hinata-chan! Don't forget to come back to Suna! I'll always be waiting for you ' that boy threw a smile to Hinata.
Hinata woke up instantly. Who is the boy that was dreamt by Hinata? Was he a friend she forget? Why does she have a feeling of guilt in her heart? What has she done to that boy?
Hinata could not stop thinking about that boy. She is determined to discover who the little boy is. But can she do that? She only knew the boy's eye color and name. Is there a person named Rei in Suna? She had to find out as soon as possible or Hinata could be crazy. She recalled that the boy was always alone and had no friend but Hinata. The guilt in Hinata's heart never go away, even it was growing since she realized that she had forgotten her friend.
'I've got to find him. I have to apologize to him. But how? Does he still remember me? '
-000-
That morning the air was very cool, perfect for practicing to warm the body. There were still a few of people doing activities. Hinata suddenly saw a shadow in the distance. A little boy was standing there. Hinata had approached the boy. Afraid lest the child was sick or get lost.
What she saw made her surprised. It is Rei? What is he doing there? Hinata was unable to speak. Her whole body going numb. The little boy started approaching. What should she do? Should Hinata run?
"Nee-chan." Hinata started to wake up. The cild is not Rei. Of course not. What was she thinking? How could Rei who was the same age as her had an appearance of a child.
Hinata threw her friendly smile to the boy "are you lost?"
"N-no. I'm waiting for my mom, but I see you continued to stare at me nee-chan, so I was a little uneasy. Does nee-chan know me? "
"No. Sorry, I think you are familiar. "
From a distance appears a woman carrying a shopping bag, it might be the boy's mother. The boy ran over to his mother and was leaving Hinata. It's ridiculous for Hinata to see Rei on that child.
-000-
"— ta, Hinata!" Kiba tried to call his teammate. Hinata was like in another world. This is the first time Kiba saw Hinata was looking like that. What's going on to make his friend ignore Naruto's existence beside her.
"Hinataa-chaaan ~ you're so cruel to forget about your friend." Naruto tried to draw attention from Hinata.
'You're so cruel to forget your friend' that words kept on recurring inside the Hyuuga. 'So cruel... ' she can see little Rei's face '... you're forgetting your friend.' Rei's voice kept on replaying on her head.
"Sso-sorry ..." the murmur of Hinata drew attention to Naruto and Kiba. "I'M SORRY REI-KUN!" Hinata suddenly yelled and bowed. Naruto who sat beside Hinata and Kiba who sat in front of her looked incredibly surprised with her attitude and her words.
"Hi-Hinata-chan, you dont need to bow." Kiba tried to pat Hinata's back.
"Ri-right Hinata-chan w-we forgive you." Naruto tried to help.
"Eh? Naruto-kun? Kiba-kun? What are you doing? "
Hinata's question made both of them confused. Is she OK? There must be something terribly wrong.
"Hinata-chan, who is Rei?" Naruto's question shocked Hinata. Where did Naruto know about Rei?
"If he hurt you or bugging you, just tell Naruto and I. We will definitely give him a lesson" Kiba tried to convince and appease Hinata. Naruto was agreeing with Kiba's words with a nod.
"A-ahaha ... no, it's nothing. You don't need to worry about it. "
-000-
"Hello Hinata. It's rare to see you come here as a patient." said Sakura.
Hinata just heaved her breath. She did not know whether the consultation on Sakura is a good thing. It could just be an illusion that is just a natural result of the stress and the number of thoughts in her brain. But if this continues, it will surely endanger herself and the people around her. An example is Neji, Hinata once hug Neji as she crying and apologizing because she thought Naji was Rei. Her father saw it and when he was training with Neji, he didn't hold himself back, causing Neji to be seriously injured.
Hinata knew her relationship and her father is already gotten a lot better, but if Hinata's 'disease ' not immediately cured, she does not know who will be the victims and if she remember her job that require her to go to Suna as soon as possible, she couldn't imagine she's being a burden in Suna.
"Actually I have a problem. I often see something that transform into person and if there are people who talk to me and if their words refer to something then the shadows and voices of that person would appear as if he was a real in front of me. No, it's not a genjutsu, if yes then the person who do it will be detected by me. " Hinata started to explain. "Is it possible that what I've experienced is just an illusion?"
"It's possible. Do you have any guilt on that person? You know that the illusions can occur due to a great sense of fear or guilt, so stimuli received by the five senses are interpreted incorrectly by the brain *****"
"I know it Sakura-chan, but if this is kept going on I can be crazy. I had to end it before I went to Suna. If this continues, a trip to Suna would be greatly hampered."
"Actually what's the problem? Is this related to Naruto? "
"It isn't. It's about a boy. He is my friend when I visit Suna when I was a kid. He was always alone, therefore I become his friend."
Sakura was surprised. The only person she knew in Suna that was always alone during their childhood is the Kazekage. Is it possible? Sakura was very curious, so from that she ventured to ask Hinata if the boy she mean was Gaara or not.
Hinata shook his head. "Gaara is not the child's name, his name's Rei. Only his eyes are the same color with the Kazekage's. "
"Hinata, maybe you could find out about him when you arrive at Suna. With the help of Gaara, it will certainly not hard to look it up, right? "
Hinata gave Sakura a thankful smile. It's fortunate that she came here today for a consultation.
"by the way, when will you go to Suna?"
"Tomorrow."
"That fast? You must be careful! Do not let your illusion harm the others. "
Hinata just smiled and laughed as she heard her friend's advice. She asked Sakura if there is patients who need her help. Because today is the last day of Hinata being a medical ninja in Konoha hospital and she didn't want to waste her time and she hope today can forget about the illusion that always come even if it was just for a moment.
Part III – Gaara and Hinata-Reality
The heat in Suna make Hinata wanted to take off her jacket and pants. Now she began to understand why Temari wear clothes like that. Hinata was sure if she will stay here, she will need to change her style on clothes. Maybe she can wear kimono that is not too thick. It will be very comfortable. But, what she will do first is taking a bath. Just imagine it already making Hinata happy.
They could see Kankurou waiting in the distance. Hinata couldn't figure why Kankurou can wear clothes like that in the air as hot as this.
"Welcome to Suna!" Kankurou greet them with glee. He, who somehow can be good friends with Kiba had the pleasure of seeing his best friend. Kiba gave him a wide grin, Neji only nodded his head a little, Hinata gave him a smile, while Shino just stayed silent. "How about you guys take a break and have fun in Suna for now? I will bring you to a good restaurant! "
"Good! I like what you suggest Kankurou! We were starving. EH Akamaru? " Kiba replied not less exuberant and eager. Akamaru answered with a cheerful bark.
"Kiba, Kankurou, we must meet the Kazekage to discuss important things." Shino tried to explain but the two friends have now walking ahead of them. Neji, Hinata and Shino had no other choice but to follow them.
-000-
When passing a park, Hinata suddenly stopped walking. She can see two children playing. The sound of their laughter and the sound of her crying began to sound clearly.
'Rei-kun, Rei-kun look! Guess what I made.' The little girl smile widely. She made a large mound of sand and a few smaller one.
-000-
'Rei-kun, c-can I h-hold y-your t-teddy?' asked the little girl shyly.
-000-
'Rei-kun looks! This food is my favorites. Come on Rei-kun try it!'
-000-
'Hina-chan, look what I made!' the boy showed her a doll he always brought that was made of sand. Hinata smiled at him broadly.
-000-
Hinata held back a small sob. She will be leaving Suna and go back to Konoha tomorrow. She had to leave her friend.
'Let us make a vow of friendship! First, we say our name and then we say that we'll be friends forever!' the girl suggested with a big smile on her face. 'Me first! I, Hyuuga Hinata, swearing will not forget about Rei-kun, we will be friends forever, and will always be there for Rei-kun and someday we will meet again. Come on now your turn!'
-000-
Neji and Shino who walked beside her suddenly stopped. They try to call out her name but the Hyuuga woman didn't give any respond. She seems to be in another world. Kiba and Kankurou who goes first started to go over them. Concerns began to appear on their faces.
Hinata still isn't budging. She seems to turn into a statue. And suddenly and without warning Hinata fell unconscious. Neji instantly catch her before she fell to the ground.
"I'll take Hinata-sama to the Inn. You guys go, don't worry. Maybe Hinata-sama just too tired. " Neji tried to calm himself.
"Hey Neji, could this has anything to do with the boy named Rei?" Kiba asked with a worried tone. Kankurou who don't know about the state of Hinata asked Kiba.
"Kankurou, can you help us?" Shino opened his mouth for the first time.
-000-
"Kankurou, what are you doing?" Gaara who just got home from his duty was surprised to see his older brother and some kagebunshin were surrounded by some pile of pappers.
Temari who was reading the magazine answer his questions "He was looking for someone. He said to help his friend. "
"AH!" Kankurou's exclamation surprised his two siblings. " Gaara! You're the Kazekage, right? You would know every ninja under your leadership right?" Gaara just nodded. "Is there a ninja named Rei who has green eyes?"
Gaara thought for a moment but there is no ninja Kankurou mentioned come to his mind. "Why do you ask Kankurou? It is possible that person was just ordinary citizens. "
"No. I've seen all the population data but none with the name Rei. "
"Hey, isn't there anyone by the name of Rei?" Temari started to join in the conversation. Her siblings just give her a confused look. Sometimes she wondered why her brothers could turn out to be a fool. "Forget it! Tell me if you already remember!"
Kankurou surrendered. The only person who could help him was Temari.
Gaara was thinking. Where was he heard that name before?
-000-
"I'm Sorry. I can't find anyone named Rei. " Kankurou apologized.
"No need to apologize Kankurou-san. Thank you for helping us, moreover, it is possible that that person isn't there in Suna. " Hinata threw a sincere smile to Kankurou.
"Hinata-chan. .." Kankurou looked towards Hinata with expression which cannot be explained. "You're very kind Hinata-chan! I'm lucky to have a younger sister like you. You're not like my little brother who is rude and not cute. " Kankurou says it while hugging Hinata. The Hyuuga could only laugh stiffly while the three Konoha man would love to give Kankurou a punch.
Suddenly Kankurou feel something hit his head. Temari hit him using her fan. "Do not carelessly hugged Hinata-chan." Hinata pulled out a breath of relief after seeing a Temari. She is the only woman that Hinata knew in Suna. Since Temari is also often to Konoha, then the woman is like a good friend, even though she sometime have a quarrel with Ino.
"Hinata-chan, don't need to be rigid and anxious. I don't know about the old people but at least Gaara won't bite." Hinata didn't know either she should be relief or be more anxious because of Temari's words.
-000-
Outside, the alleged meeting went smoothly. The officials did not comment on Hinata, in fact they were looked very pleased. Gaara has a feeling somehow that he had met with the Hyuuga, long before the chunnin exams.
"You called me, Kazekage-sama?"
"No need to be too formal, Neji. I'm calling you not because of our village." Gaara's words made Neji a little confused. Is this about Hinata? Is he does not pleased with Hinata? Does he wants to return Hinata to Konoha? If that so, then Neji didn't know whether he should be happy or not.
"There's something I want to ask." Neji's nod indicated Gaara to continue. "When you were small, have you ever visit Suna with the Hyuuga?" Gaara's question made Neji shocked to the umpteenth time. Neji only nodded to answer the Kazekage's questions.
"Is there a girl who tagged along? She had short indigo hair? "
Neji was speechless. Does Gaara discussing about Hinata? But he asked about Hinata when she was a little girl. "In my childhood, there are only two people that I know are indigo-haired, and only once I go to Suna with them." Neji's answer make Gaara became impatient. Couldn't he tell the name of that little girl immediately? "That person is Hinata-sama's mother and Hinata-sama herself. Why do you want to know? "
Hinata? The little girl in his dreams is Hinata? Fate apparently like to play with Gaara.
-000-
Hinata gave out a long sigh. She's been asked the residents about a person named Rei but there is no one knew him. Even Baki did not know.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Hinata saw Temari standing in front of her. "If you've got a problem, you can tell me. Maybe I can help. " Temari said while sitting on a swing beside Hinata.
"I'm looking for someone."
"Was it a man?" Hinata nodded. "Geez Hinata! You're already a fiancée of Gaara and you're still looking for another man? Think of Gaara's feeling, Hinata! "
"N-no! I-it's no-not l-like that! H-he wa-was my childhood friend!"
Temari laughed hard, confusing Hinata. "Calm down. I'm only kidding. You're too serious Hinata. "
"it's not funny Temari-chan."
Temari laughed again. "What's his name?"
"Rei." Replied Hinata. Hinata's answer made Temari surprised. So, a friend who was being aided by Kankurou was Hinata? Kankurou and Gaara would be extremely surprised if they know the thing Temari knew. When Temari was about to answer,, Gaara appeared before them shocking them both.
"I wanted to talk with Hyuuga-san." With that Temari was gone, looking for a place to peek at her brother.
-000-
"What do you want to talk about Kazekage-sama?" asked Hinata politely.
"Gaara."
"Eh?"
"Call me Gaara. Don't use the Kazekage. " Hinata just nodded. "Have you ever been to Suna when you were small?" Gaara asked. Hinata just nodded slowly.
"Are the person Kakurou help to find a boy named Rei?"
Hinata was surprised. How can it be Gaara knew Kankurou helped her? As if reading her mind, Gaara explains "He brought a lot of documents about the citizens back home and ask me."
"Ah, I'm sorry for troubling you."
"Why?" Hinata just looked at him questioningly. "Why do you want to look it up?"
Hinata felt somehow she must answer Gaara's question. "To apologize because I had forgotten about him, because I could not continue to be by his side, because I did not visit him again, because I'm leaving him behind." Hinata looked at her lap to avoid the gaze of Gaara.
"You don't need to apologize." Hinata looked at Gaara a gaze full of question. "I also had forgetten you. I also do not keep the promises we make. So we're even right, Hina-chan?" Gaara's word making Hinata spechless. Gaara was collecting the sand from sandbox with his chakra and shape it into a doll little Gaara always carried. "Remember this?"
Hinata then hug Gaara so suddenly it took him by surprise "REI-KUN!"
Gaara hug her back and put a smile that has not be seen on his face.
"Wait, why did you say your name is Rei?"
"Hmm ... because I was afraid you were going to avoid me if you know my name?"
"Then you're lying to me?"
"Of course not. Rei's my family name. Not everyone knows about my family name, so I think if I use that name then there wouldn't be a problem."
When Hinata was about to speak, Gaara cut it "How about we go eat to celebrate our reunion?" the look on Hinata's face turned into a cheerful one. "…and to celebrate our engagement, Hina-chan." Gaara whispered. Hinata's face turned red. It won't be long until Hinata's old habit reappear. Sure enough, soon she fell unconscious in the Kazekage's arms, leaving Gaara panic.
-000-
Temari who saw the entire incident can only sigh and shook her head. She did not know that his brother can be like that. But as long as Gaara is happy, maybe it's not a bad thing. She can't wait to let Kankurou know and see his reaction.
Authoress note: Thanks for reading and don't forget to review :)
Notes:
* = I read in an article that Rei is Gaara's real family name (yeah, I just read it when browsing for a material for this story). I didn't know whether it was true or not but as long as it can be used for my story then it's ok. hehehe
** = I read it from Cardcaptor Sakura.
*** = caption exists on Wikipedia. Please read for yourself.
**** = I read it on twitter when I read about interesting facts
* * * * * = article here social-sciences/psychology/1905489-ilusi-dan-halusinasi/ (in Bahasa)
Original
Gaara melihat dirinya yang dulu masih kecil duduk sendiri di ayunan miliknya memeluk boneka beruang kesayangannya.