For the Love of Gaara
Road Home
The next day Sahara sends a message to Baki that she is ready to return home. Neji no longer needs her and she is anxious to see Gaara and tell him what she learned. Baki replies that he will send someone to escort her back. He doesn't want her traveling alone. The day she is suppose to leave Sahara visits Neji to say goodbye. Neji is sad to see Sahara has to leave he has something to say to her of great importance.
"Sahara," Neji starts. "I have something to tell you."
"Be quick Neji, I have to pack for my trip back home." Sahara says.
"I want to thank you for all you have done for me. No one has ever treated me as kind as you have. Even when I messed up you still stayed and helped me even though you wanted to leave. I have grown very fond of you Sahara. You are a special young lady. One day you will make someone a wonderful companion."
"I like you too Neji, but I am too young to think about that." Sahara senses that Neji feels more than he is letting on and is embaressed.
"Sahara would you ever consider living here in the Leaf Village?" Neji asks her. "I mean if you found the right person to share you life with?"
Neji leans into Sahara as if to hug her. Sahara shyly pulls away from him and takes a step back.
"Neji," Sahara starts. "I don't think I will live here."
"Why not? Isn't your Mother from here?" Neji discussed her meeting with Kakashi and told him about her family.
How dare he assume just because she has extended family here that she would just abandon Suna and her life there.
"My heart belongs to my village and the people in it. I can't just leave my father and the orphans." Sahara tells him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had so much responsability there." Neji says.
"It's not that its just," Sahara pauses. "There is someone dear to me there and I can't leave until I tell him how I feel."
Neji nods.
"Thank you Neji for giving me the opportunity to help you. I learned alot by being here. Someday you will find someone who will complete you and be happy." Sahara hugs him goodbye and returns to her room to pack.
A knock comes at the door. "It's open" Sahara says "I'm almost ready."
"I've come to escort you home." a voice says.
Sahara's body stiffens, her heart begins to pound in her chest. She inhales deeply. That scent, that voice.
"Gaara!" Sahara turns around. She runs up to him nearly knocking him backwards, she throws her arms around his neck. She hugs him so tight. At first he is stunned. His face is that of surprise his eyes widen. Then his expression softens and he holds her close to him. "I missed you so much."
"We need to get going," he says.
Sahara quickly lets him go. She realizes they are in public view. "I'm sorry Gaara." She apologizes. She knows Gaara is not used to being touched. But she senses something else is wrong. The last time she saw him, he was not so formal.
As soon as they clear the gate of Konoha, Sahara stops. "Is something wrong? Did I do something to make you angry? Is it because I hugged you?" Sahara says confused.
Gaara doesn't answer her. Sahara pouts. They are a few miles away when Garra finally speaks.
"Do you love him?" Gaara ask.
"Who?" Sahara says puzzled.
"That ninja you helped." Gaara says "Do you want to be with him?"
"Why would you think that Gaara?" Sahara ask.
"I saw the two of you together." Gaara tells her. "I saw you before I came to get you."
He was watching me. Sahara starts to get angry but then realizes that Gaara is jealous. She decides to play his game.
"What business is it of yours?" Sahara ask.
"Baki sent me to escort you home so that means I am responsible for you." Gaara states. "I just need to know if he is going to try to get you to go back to Konoha thats all."
"No Gaara," Sahara says embarassed. "No one is going to make me go back to Konoha. I am ready to go home."
"You didn't answer my question." Gaara says.
"My heart belongs to Suna and nothing will ever change that." Sahara tells him.
Gaara stays silent.
"Gaara would you care if I left Suna and found somewhere else to live?" Sahara fishes for an answer.
Gaara ignores her.
"I suppose some day when I find a mate I will have to go where ever he is to live." she says.
Gaara stops and turns to Sahara. He is acting so strange. Why won't he just tell me what's going on.
"Sahara," Gaara starts. "It's hard for me to tell others how I feel."
Sahara looks at Gaara. She wants to grab him and kiss him and hold him close and never let go.
"When I had to leave you in Konoha it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I didn't want to leave you there alone. When I got back and saw you with that ninja I couldn't bear it. You are so independent. I thought you needed me to protect you all the time. But you can take care of yourself. It hurt to know that. To think you didn't need me." Gaara's eyes begin to water.
"I do need you Gaara." Sahara begins. "Who will walk me home?"
Gaara smiles. "I will," he says. "But anyone can do that."
"No Gaara," Sahara says, "You are the only one I want too. Gaara my heart doesn't just belong to Suna. It belongs to you. You are important to me." Sahara reaches into her shirt and pulls out her necklace. At the end of the string is the jar of sand Gaara left her. It never left her neck.
"I kept it near my heart." Sahara tells him. "I opened it when I was sad and lonely. When I smelled it I thought of you and wasn't lonely any more. I knew that when I came home you would be there waiting for me. I love you Gaara."
Gaara's tears begin to flow. "Please Sahara don't ever leave me again. I will stay with you whereever you need to go. I will give up everything just to be by your side. These past weeks were the hardest to endure. I thought I was never going to see you again."
"I promise Gaara if you promise." Sahara tells him.
"I promise never to leave you again." Gaara kisses Sahara on the lips. He holds her close to him. She hugs his waist tightly. They embrace for several minutes. True loves first kiss. Gaara finally allows Sahara to breath. She grabs his head pulling him into her. She kisses him again. He doesn't pull away. He lifts her up off her feet. Finally she releases him from her grip. He lets her down to the ground. She gently touches his cheek. He pushes her hair from her face.
"I love you." Gaara says softly. Sahara smiles.
They continue on their way hand in hand. Sahara tells Gaara about the things she learned about her mother while in Konoha. She tells him about Kika and her visions. Gaara can't believe she is 'White Fang's' Granddaughter and Kakashi Hatake is her uncle. She tells Gaara how Kika and Baki met and why Kika left the Leaf Village. Then she tells Gaara that she and Kika paid a visit to Konoha when Sahara was three. It's getting dark soon and they set up camp for the night. Sahara sets up her tent while Gaara starts a fire. They eat their supper and Sahara invites Gaara into her tent. He follows her in.
"Gaara will you rest with me?" Sahara says. "I want to be near you."
Gaara lies down and Sahara snuggles up next to him. The air is cool. Gaara wraps his arms around Sahara. She does the same to him. Soon they both drift off into slumber. The next morning Gaara is awake before Sahara. He lies there motionless until she opens her eyes. He looks at her lovingly.
"Did you sleep well?" She ask.
"Yes," Gaara says "I don't understand how I can sleep so peacefully when I'm with you?"
Sahara grins and kisses him. They rise and pack up their belongings. They continue on their way to Suna. Sahara continues to explain all the medical techniques she learned while treating Neji. Gaara winces at the sound of his name. Sahara sees how her mention of Neji puts Gaara on edge and she changes the subject. Sahara ask Gaara about what he did in Suna while she was gone. She ask about Baki and the orphans. He tells her that they miss her and he didn't do much while she was away except miss her too. She giggles and grabs him by the waist. He pulls her close to his side and walks next to her, The day passes quickly and soon they make camp once again.
