Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto or anythin related to it!

A/N: Here's chapter nine! Please enjoy and review. Fight scene and romance ahead! Also... Since Gaara isn't in a lot of the next arcs... The next couple chapters will be fillers with a special guest.

Kisame was well aware that lightning had the advantage over water, he wasn't some idiot. But the tables could turn just like that. As the girl jumped to dodge another wave, he manipulated another trying to make sure she got splashed. He growled when she disappeared from his sight. "Where is that brat?"

Ayami was before him, one blade swinging toward him. It collided with Samehada and she brought the other down. She gritted his teeth when he dodged and she saw another wave coming. Ayami couldn't afford to get to wet or her attacks could turn against her. She started running avoiding the water as much as possible.

The Akatsuki member came up beside her, showing his pointed teeth. Ayami slowed, swinging and missing several times. That sword of his was blocking everything she sent. She would never catch up to Gaara at this pace. The thought of him all alone made her push harder, stabbing her blades at the man faster. Those there was no skin contact, using Shikorida helped her cut his clothing numerous times. Just as she swung particularly hard, spikes poked out of Samehada and Hibiware got lodged between them. Kisame twisted his monster sword, forcing it out of the grasp of the greenette. Ayami released her defensive sword, angry that this water was in the way. Her blade flew behind them, falling into the water and vanishing. But the girl used this distraction to slice the shark man across his chest with her other blade, and to her surprise he grinned at her. She put distance between them.

Kisame laughed. "Ow, that hurt. Ha! What are you gonna do now, brat? I told you, you cant save your little friend!"

"And this is what I said, again: I'm going to handle you!" She covered her weapon with lightning, launching herself at the shark-like man. They exchanged blows and Ayami was conscious that every time their blades clashed, her long sleeves were getting more and more wet. At one point she swung and the lightning managed to shock her hand. She jumped back and examined her right hand. From where her thumb and first finger connected, there was a shallow cut half way up her forearm that leaked with blood. It didn't hurt much but it was still an open wound, she hissed and tore both her sleeves off. "Dammit..." This was not working. The more time she spent here, the more time Gaara had to be hurt.

Kisame used this distraction to throw Samehada into the air again and use Water Shark Missile. A water shark flew at Ayami and she used the electricity on her blade to stop it, but it burst, showering the girl with water. She'd missed his thoughts! The man caught his sword and jumped to attack the girl, coming down hard. She held Fukisokuna with both hands to guard herself, wishing it was Hibiware instead. Ayami could feel Fukisokuna didn't like fighting Samehada alone, she was starting to become wary. If the girl had been wet before, she was soaked now. The shark man growled pushing against the greenette's blade with more power. Her eyes widened, he hadn't been like that before.

"That Jinchuriki is gone forever. Just give up kid!" He pushed harder.

"Never" Ayami braced herself. There was no way she would give up.

"Fine then, your gonna have to learn the hard way!" Kisame rose his fist and punched the girl in the chest, throwing her deep into the water and bringing blood to her mouth. Fukisokuna floated away.

Ayami held her breath and surveyed herself. Her right hand couldn't take too much more and even if it didn't hurt, her chest was damaged. She'd been too careless about the water and this is what she got for it. Kisame had been aiming for her to get completely wet, for her attacks to become useless against him.

"I hope you know, I'm not finished yet" Kisame's voice sounded through the water. He slapped his hands together then pressed one against the surface of the water. "Five Man-Eating Sharks" He grinned as five water sharks swirled down toward the greenette. "First" Ayami swam out of the way. "Second" The next of flung her deeper into the water, knocking away some of her breath. "Third" This one caught the girl in its mouth, squeezing her body. Summoning her strength Ayami punched it between the teeth, succeeding in forcing it to open its jaws for her to swim away. "Fourth" She didn't see the next shark and it tore at her left shoulder. She could see her blood in the water. "Fifth meal!" The fifth shark dived down on Ayami, crushing her into the rocky ground, causing an explosion. Then the other four sharks followed. "My sharks will make sure you join the one-tail!"

The greenette fought the creatures hand-to-hand but they kept regenerating after every blow. She was getting no where. Blood was flowing out of her and her head was getting lighter, despite her every intention to keep fighting. This wouldn't be it, she had to help Gaara. And she was definitely not going to die here, without anyone who cared for her. Ayami was not going to die without seeing Gaara safe again. It was not going to happen.

The Akatsuki member watched what the girl was doing. Ayami held her hands together, her eyes shut tight. Kisame saw sparks and wondered what she was planning. If she used any electricity, it would damage her too.

It was incomplete but it would have to do. Her own version wasn't mastered just yet and after fighting this long, even that was at maybe fifty percent. So she would have to be quick about it. "Lightning Release Armour!" Her body was covered with white Chakra, heightening her physical strength greatly, even if only at half the power. The sharks dispersed as Ayami zipped past them and broke through the surface.

Kisame looked up surprised at her sudden speed. He was met with a punch that sent him skidding back across the water. By the time he steadied himself, she had been waiting for him, fists clenched. The man swung Samehada but Ayami was too fast and kicked him into the air effortlessly. She flew up after him, "Guillotine Drop!" She pulled together all her strength and performed a downward kick, directly on Kisame's head.

He fell down into the water making a huge splash. Ayami let the armour fade, watching the water leave. She located her swords and sheathed them. Then she went over to look at Kisame's corpse. "Its... Mukade..." He was a ninja from Suna! She'd wasted her time on a copy.

Irritated, Ayami started off again.

Hours later, she heard an explosion to her right. She turned in its direction, knowing Gaara would be close. A ways in front of her, she could make of Team Guy. "I told you I would catch up" She stated, coming up from behind. They'd fought their clones huh?

Lee gave her a smile. "Excellent work, Ayami-chan! I knew you would"

Ayami nodded and fell into run with them. "Slow down... An Akatsuki member isn't too far ahead" Neji said, activating his Byakugan.

The group snuck up behind Deidara, surprising him. "I see... You used your Byakugan to find my blind spot and surround me. I've never seen it for myself before. But whose this? Your not from Konohagakure" He eyed Ayami. "Weird" He grinned at her. "But I have to make my escape"

"With Konoha's strongest platoon, Team Guy, on your tail, there is no escape!" Guy smiled and his teeth gleamed.

"That's right!" Lee agreed.

"Get ready!" Tenten stated. Neji nodded and Ayami scowled. Like he had room to call people weird.

Deidara jumped into the air and the group each attack with their own style. The blonde was managing to evade all their attacks, with only a Kunai held between his teeth. He started to run again. "He doesn't have many places to go" Ayami mused. Suddenly, the blonde jumped downward, landing next to a clay bird. Then he proceeded to eat some of it. "He's... He's gonna blow! Everyone get away!"

All the ninja who'd gone in search of Gaara started to run, but Ayami had heard Deidara thoughts. If his bomb could do what he thought it could, even she wouldn't make it. Unconsciously, Shikorida acted for her, locating Kakashi and forcing him to use his Mangekyo Sharingan. The explosion swayed and collapsed in on itself, vanishing.

Most of the Shinobi fell to the ground panting, Ayami included, as the dust cleared. What had she done? How did she do it? Kakashi looked in even worse shape, as he explained what he'd done. Sighing, Ayami ranked her eyes over all the people there, before spotting the redhead. Asleep? Unconscious? Least he was safe. "Naruto, how long has he been asleep?" She asked looking at the blonde. He locked his eyes with hers, tensing.

"Ayami..." He shut his eyes and turned away.

She looked at the people all around her, none of them would meet her eyes. But really, they didn't have too. Their minds said it all. She hurried to Gaara cupping his face in her hands, lifting it. No, no, no... She ran her hand over his cheek. He was so cold. "Gaara! Please wake up!" She felt her tears brimming. "Please?"

Ayami didn't know when she started moving. Or how. Her head was bowed and she was conscious of Lee's arm around her shoulders, helping her along. In front of her, Naruto carried a lifeless Gaara. They were almost to Suna and decided to stop in a grassy field. The blonde carefully laid the redhead in the grass, "Sakura?" He asked. The pinkette nodded and approached Gaara, kneeling and tried healing him.

Ayami moved to stand next to Naruto, seeing a piece of hope. Sakura checked over the body before finally looking up at the both of them, shaking her head slowly. The greenette could sense the blonde shaking beside her, he was fighting against his emotions. Ayami moved toward the redhead, crouching next to his head. Her chest tightened and she bowed her head again, letting out a soft sob. She didn't care that her father taught her never to cry, she didn't care that it showed she was weak. Ayami pulled his head into her lap, leaning down to cradle him.

"W-why? Why did Gaara have to die like this!" Naruto said. He clenched his fists and moved to stand before the redhead. "He just became Kazekage!"

"Calm yourself, Uzumaki Naruto" Chiyo stated.

He spun around. "No! If you sand Shinobi wouldnt have ever put that monster inside of him, none of this would've happen!" Naruto released his anger. "Do you have any idea the burden he carried?" None of the ninja present spoke. Ayami looked up through tears at the blonde, he understood better than everyone. He spoke about how he couldn't save Gaara or Sasuke. But wrong about that. He had saved Gaara. If it wouldn't have been for Naruto, the redhead wouldn't have been able to see friendship again, never would've stopped being a weapon. The blonde had done what no one else could.

Chiyo stood and made her way to Gaara, placing her hands over him. Ayami looked at her and she met her eyes with a nod. Ayami widened her eyes, that jutsu would... "A-are you sure?" She asked.

Chiyo nodded again, but she smiled softly this time, reminding Ayami very much of Kirume. Then the old woman started the resurrection. Naruto stared at her, wondering what she was doing.

After a minute, Chiyo started to curse, she didn't have enough Chakra to finish the technique. The blonde went to her side, offering his own Chakra. "Place you hands over mine" The blonde did so and looked at Gaara intensely as the old woman took part of his Chakra.

With the technique almost complete, the old woman spoke to Naruto, "I'm glad someone like you have appeared in the Shinobi world, us foolish old people created. Everything I've ever done was a mistake, but at last I'll be able to do the right thing. The Sand Village and Konoha, maybe even Kumo as well-" She looked at Ayami briefly "-Their futures will be much different from the way they were back in my day. You have a strange power, become a Hokage like none before you" She smiled at both of the youngsters looking at her. "And Sakura, dont risk your life for a dying old lady. Your a rarity, surely you'll become an even Kunoichi than your master" Behind her, tears slid down Sakura's cheeks.

"Finally, Naruto, Ayami..." Both of them looked up at her. "This old woman has a request for you both. Naruto, you and Gaara share an understanding of each others suffering. And Ayami, what you and Gaara have for one another only comes around once in a life time. Please... Both of you help Gaara for me" Naruto closed his eyes and Ayami widened hers. She was getting glimpses of both Naruto and Gaara's minds. Actually, it could've been just one of them, but their mind were overlapping.

Ayami felt Gaara trying to push himself up and moved her hands, changing to clutching his hand. She could feel its warmth again.

The redhead pushed himself up, opening his eyes. The first thing that registered was Naruto with his hand on his shoulder, looking down at him with a smile. Next, there was his greenette, her eye's spilling new tears. Last, were the many ninja from his village encircling him.

Gaara looked at everyone with wide eyes. "They're..."

"Everyone ran to come save you!" Naruto told him. Gaara looked around again.

"Gaara-sama! Are you okay?" Matsuki ran through the crowd.

"He's fine!" Ayami growled at the girl. She didn't like her thoughts one bit.

"Ayami..." The redhead turned his eyes to her. "Your crying"

"Well, a friend of mine was dying" She wiped her face. "But hes alright now" Honestly, she wanted to cry some more. He was alive and well again and it made her so happy. Losing him was not an option. She felt Gaara tighten his hand on hers and smiled.

"You really caused a big fuss!" Naruto added.

"I'll say" Kankuro stepped through the crowd.

"You two show a little respect! He is the Kazekage after all" Temari reminded them. "How are you feeling?" In response Gaara tried standing. "Your still stiff, dont hurry yourself"

"I thought Kazekage-sama was really gonna die!" Ittetsu muttered.

Matsuri punched him. "There's no way he would die that easily. Gaara-sama is quiet, cool, strong, hot elite-!"

"And still so cute. And Kazekage-sama!" Sari added. They both rushed toward Gaara, knocking Naruto out of the way.

Ayami intercepted them, glaring. The two girls hesitated. "What did you say?" She asked. Before she could drag out their answer, a fist smashed into her face and the greenette was pushed back into the grass. She managed to land on her feet and looked at her assaulter. "Ringo! That freaking hurt" Ayami clutched her cheek tenderly.

"Well it serves you right for leaving us!" The boy retorted. Johana stood next to him, her arms crossed.

"Your always hitting me. Bet you never do that to Johana" She'd just had a battle, watched Gaara die and be brought back, and he wanted to punch her in the face. Unacceptable. "Kami!"

"Why didn't you come and get us before going? Look at you, your all torn up!" Johana motioned to her wildly.

Ayami shrugged. "I dont know. I guess when I found out I just started going without knowing, you know? I'm sorry" She didn't mean to hurt their feelings. She trusted and loved her teammates dearly. She'd just acted impulsively when it came to rescuing Gaara. "Really"

"Whatever" Ringo rolled his eyes.

"Its okay. What happen though?" The brunette asked, looking around.

"Granny Chiyo brought Gaara back with an incredible medical jutsu. She's out cold but she'll come to when-" Naruto told her.

"It wasn't a medical jutsu. Chiyo-baa brought Gaara back with a life transferring technique" Kankuro corrected. "She's dead"

The large group was silent as they all took it in. Chiyo believed in both Naruto and Gaara to change the future for the better. A true end fitting a Shinobi.

Gaara struggled to stand and the blonde helped him to his feet. "Everyone, pray for Elder Chiyo" He said. All the respective ninja bowed their heads.

"Your okay..." Ayami mumbled into the redheads shirt. She was clinging around his neck, not wanting to let go. She could feel him nodding. They were in his office once again. Ringo and Johana were somewhere with Temari and Kankuro, wanting to give them privacy. "I thought you wouldn't get to see another day"

"Dont worry about me, Ayami" Gaara told her, his arms resting on her back.

"You rhymed!" She laughed.

He smiled faintly at her. Actually he was feeling rather cold and wanted to hold her tighter. In response, his greenette pulled him closer, sharing her warmth with him. "I'm sorry"

"For what?"

"I put you through so much. Ever since we met, I've been the source of most of your troubles" He explained. "I'm becoming a burden to you"

"What?" Ayami raised her eyebrows and removed her arms from around him. "No your not. Without you, I'd have nothing to do! I follow after you cuz I care about you. I dont want you hurt or alone" She looked up at him. Then back down. "Cuz..."

"Ayami?"

"Cuz..." Okay, she could say it, right? No big deal, nothing to it. "I-" Her mouth clamped shut and refused to say anymore. She looked at him apologetic.

But he knew what she was trying to say. He was staring at her. Gaara could tell she got nervous so she started trying to say it again, but he put his hand over her mouth. He couldn't look away from her. All the things they went through for each other and now she was going to be the first to say it? She'd been the first person to accept him for what he was and the first to call him friend. Ayami was the first person to... Gaara closed his eyes, leaned down and touched his lips to hers softly. As new as this was to him, it was equally new to her. The redhead didn't want to scare her with this new side of him. He always made her work hard for him, even if it was unintentional. Ayami's feelings for Gaara were much clearer than his for her, and that was something he wanted to change.

His hands moved for him, one still cupping her cheek while the other circled his girls back. Gaara could lightly feel her hands holding onto his upper arms. How was it they came to this? It was always Ayami chasing after him, risking her life and safety. He'd seen her cry for him today. The greenette always said Gaara showed affection for her as well, but he could think of nothing. So he was definitely going to be the one to say it first. Gaara gently pulled his mouth away from hers, waiting for her green eyes to reopen. "I'm in love with you, Ayami" As he spoke, his hand traced her face, wanting to remember exactly how she felt.

"I love you too, Gaara" She smiled that smile he had come to adore. He hoped she was reading his mind this whole time. His thoughts expressed things much better. "How could I not be?" She looked teary once again, but the good kind.

"Good"

"Ayami! We have to go. It's real late" Johana's whiny voice sounded through the doors of Gaara's office. "C'mon!"

"I'm coming!" She told her before turning back to the redhead. She hurriedly hugged him tightly. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay" He smooth her hair. The boy felt her giggle and released her, watching her leave the room.

A/N: And that chapter is done! Please review for a cookie. Also about the special guest... It will be Ayami's mother. Find out what went down in the next couple filler chapters!