A/N: God, this chapter is so short it disgusts me.
But I felt it was a good place to end it...
so yeah.
But I'll update either tomorrow or the day after to make up for it (:

And my some of my reviewers seem to be missing.
I hope they didn't get hit by a bus, that'd be sad ):
But thanks to the two who DID review! Means alot :D

Enjoy the tenth installation!

Disclaimer: Layuki: I DO NOT OWN!
fanny-kun: uhm...what are you doing here?
Layuki: Saying the disclaimer, duh. Anyways, sup?
fanny-kun: Ah...well continue on people, continue on...

"It's no good, he's gone?"

Layuki's head fell when she heard Sakura say the words next to her. Subconsciously, she took Gaara's hand, as if that would make him wake up.

It was disconcerting to see him just lying there, as if asleep. It was something she'd never thought she'd see in her lifetime, or any other.

Not even when Naruto started yelling did she take her eyes off of Gaara. Not even when she felt Neji's glare on the back of her head. Next to her, Sakura tilted her head, emerald eyes piercing into her. "It's okay to cry, you know. Ino told me that you liked him."

"Did she, now?" Layuki said, a small smile prying onto her face. "I give credit to her for being observant then." With a deep breath, she threw her head back and sighed, looking up at the sky. It seemed wrong that it was sunny and clear, that no one up there was mourning the death of the Kazekage. At a time like this, it should be raining, even in the desert.

"That's Ino-chan. But it looks like you want to cry, and it pains me that you don't" Sakura said cautiously.

To her surprise, Layuki let out a small uncharacteristic giggle. "How does it pain you, Sakura? You have no idea how hard it is on me right now, and don't say you understand, because you don't." She looked at the rosette out of the corner of her eye. "Sasuke is still alive, and Gaara isn't. That's why I can't cry, Sakura. Because I promised myself that he's the only one that's allowed to see me cry. With Gaara gone…"

It looked like Sakura was about so say something but then the old woman leaned over Gaara's body, hands glowing.

"Chiyo-sama! That justu…!" Sakura seemed to have a pained look on his face. When Naruto asked, all she said was, "Chiyo-sama…is bringing Gaara back."

"She can do that?" Layuki said quietly, watching in awe. She squeezed Gaara's hand in hers. "That's amazing. Really amazing."

Just then, Chiyo seemed to be struggling. "Use my chakra." Naruto said.

As she opened her mouth to reply, Layuki pushed Naruto to the side. "No Chiyo-sama, please use my chakra. Please."

The old woman looked at her for a moment then nodded. "Put your hands on top of mind." Layuki did as she was told and once she touched the elder's hands the woman shivered. "Goodness child, your hands are cold."

Layuki smiled as a reply, and then immediately felt the effects of her chakra draining out of her. As she hitched her breath, Naruto put his hands on top of hers and the pressure downed a little. She nodded in thanks and looked at Gaara's face as Chiyo said some words to everyone else.

"Help Gaara out. Both of you." Layuki turned to face the old woman once she heard these words. But before she could do much as look at Chiyo, the woman was dead.

A miniscule feeling lurched in her stomach, but Layuki felt no remorse. Why would she? She had known the puppeteer for but a few minutes, yet in those few minutes, she had done Layuki a favour larger than any other.

She had brought Gaara back.

"Thank you, Chiyo-sama." Layuki whispered, just as she felt Gaara's hand squeeze hers.

Gaara sat up, and Layuki felt even more like crying than she did when he wasn't awake. As commotion started around them, she tuned everyone out – like she so often does – and placed her head on his shoulder. "Welcome back, Gaara."

She heard girls squealing, and before she knew it she was pushed aside roughly. Looking up, she saw a couple girls fawning over Gaara and Temari trying to make them shoo away.

Any other time, she would have made those girls go away one way or the other now. But right now, Layuki was tired, so she sat up and rested her elbows on her knees, listening to Kankorou's explanation of Chiyo's life-transfer jutsu, which sounded quite interesting.

Soon though, everyone was standing up and Layuki began to, as well, just because she felt left out. A hand reached to her, and she looked up and smiled, taking Gaara's hand. "Thanks."

"Your hands are cold." He said, letting go.

She chuckled. "Coming from the person who was just dead." She paused. "What's being dead like, Gaara? Is it painful?" She half expected him to ask her what pain was, like so many years ago.

"I don't remember." He said quietly, and then, completely turning away from Layuki, "Everyone, say a prayer for Chiyo."

They did, and soon, everyone began to scatter.

Before long, it was just her and the Kazekage, everyone having begun the journey back to the village.

Gaara began to turn back too, and Layuki followed like a little puppy dog. "Hey Gaara?" He gave no sign that he'd heard her. But none that he hadn't either. "Thanks."

"For what?"

She probably could have worded her answer better, but hey, she was Layuki.

"For not staying dead."

A/N: See, it's grossly short.
But oh well.

Anyways, this is the last chapter following the manga line.
Starting next chapter it'll be free for all again.
she's not going to see Sasuke or anything...
Just letting you know (:

Thanks for reading!
Reviewers get cookies!!
fanny-kun