Authors note: well I think this update was quicker than the last… I can only hope though hehe, sorry again! This chapter took a bit to write because it just might be the last one :( no seriously. This may either be; a) the last chapter but there will be a sequel, b) I'll just continue on this story and not have it separate, or, c) just the last chapter, end of the story

Princess of Altea-170: glad it was good :) as to whether or not Gaara will meet up again with Yoshiko… I'm not even going to tell if she lived or died in the sandstorm; what do you think?

Reidluver: blushes aw thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it so much :)

pendragoness: thanks :) hopefully this was quick enough. Or just quicker ;;

Mariku-san:)

And thanks to all who read my fanfic, you've kept me going and kept me writing even though I'm sure it hasn't seemed like it sometimes. And now for what may be the last chapter. I really hope you enjoy!

Also just so you all know, I usually have someone read my chapters before I post them but I was unable to find someone to do so this time around. So I severely apologize for any mistakes or anything! I just had this done for nearly a week now and wanted to post it… sorry.

---All a Lie---

He kept to the shadows, watching in wait. The Kazekage had gone ahead, both watching the boy as he began his walk back home. The red heads gaze was downward, his face a mix of loneliness and despair, of drowning in a black pool with no chance of surfacing again. In the time it had taken for Yashamaru to report to the Kazekage, hear his order and to accept it, Gaara had once again been rejected, turned away, the door slammed in his face, once again he had failed the hopeful quest he had taken upon himself; and this time there was no Yoshiko to soften the blow. While walking along a man walking the opposite way did not make a straight line to the other side of the street like everyone else, from the way he walked Yashamaru could tell the man was drunk.

Gaara didn't know what to do, he paid no attention to those around him not caring how they all seemed to skitter away as he slowly dragged his feet along wanting to be back home with the one person who cared about him, the one person who loved him despite everything that he was. He didn't have the ointment with him anymore; he had gone to the fountain once more and had left it on the edge. He couldn't explain why he felt like going there, though when he went it seemed like, for just a split second, that there was someone sitting on the other side of the fountain… he could've sworn he could see them through the water. Thinking it was Yoshiko he had run over; but there was no one there, it had only been in his mind. He had placed the bag of ointment down then, and began his walk home. Gaara was so lost in his thoughts as he walked he didn't notice the drunken man until he bumped into him.

"Be careful! You stupid kid…" the man demanded, the alcohol on his breath stinging Gaara's nose. At first Gaara didn't move, the familiarity of the mans voice ringing through his mind. Though when Gaara looked up at the man the look he gave him was enough to snap him out of his drunken stupor. "You're…"

Again… Gaara thought, though it wasn't just the look this time. Everything that had been happening, everything was his fault his fault! Why things had turned out the way they had, why did she have to leave? Why did he have to cause them both such pain? Why…? Why?! All the emotions Gaara had been bottling up inside him since the time he had first seen the man Yoshiko called father struck her without hesitation or restraint, from that day till now. The burning pain he felt within his chest, he wanted this man to know his pain… it was his fault. Before the man could react, before Gaara could possibly understand what was going on, his mind now clouded with a flood of emotions. The bottle fell to the ground shattering on impact as the sand swarmed around the man before Gaara, the man Yoshiko had called father, the man Gaara wanted gone from existence.

The sand released the now lifeless man, his body dropping to the ground. Gaara looked at the man for a moment and wondered why… he had erased the cause of the pain… yet felt no better. Had he waited too long? Yashamaru said a wound of the flesh would get infected if left untreated… was a wound of the heart the same? Perhaps it was… it wasn't like it was going to bring Yoshiko back. Or… or would she now hate him for killing her father? So lost in thought he was unaware that his feet were leading him home once more, the words and questions shouted by the villagers as they ran over seeing what he had done fell on deaf ears. The only time he stopped was when he felt something stir within him, without even looking he knew who it was who stood beside him. Turning his gaze upward to look to the side he saw his father looking back down at him completely disregarding the apologetic hopeful look on his sons face and the small attempt the boy made at a smile. Gaara felt his head lower in shame as his fathers gaze did not change from the disappointed one he gave to him so often. Gaara's face saddened, but for some reason the pain he usually felt was not there.

Father… Gaara thought, but said nothing. Instead he turned his head forward once more his eyes focused on the ground, and after a moment he felt the strength return to his legs… enough to carry him all the way back home.

He had searched the house once he'd gotten home but his uncle was nowhere to be found. At this point Gaara didn't feel he had the energy to carry himself to the top of the house so instead sat on the railing of the balcony outside his room.

It didn't go well… he thought to himself as he sat there going over in his mind what had happened in what was surely no more than an hour. Why am I the only one who is a monster? He thought to himself as he lifted his hands to look at them. They were trembling. What am I? He thought to himself as he buried his face in his hands as tears threatened to spill.

The thing that can heal a wound in the heart… is love. Yashamaru's words echoed through his mind. They seemed to hold the answer to everything and yet he seemed incapable of finding it… of finding for himself, the one thing that his uncle said he needed, the one thing he needed that his uncle said he received from his mother and his uncle. But… if he had it then why did it still hurt so much?

"Yashamaru…" The name fell strangled between sobs from Gaara's lips wanting to know… and wishing above all else that his uncle was there now for him as he clutched his shirt over his heart once more.

The movement behind Gaara was silent, but the masked ninja felt he could've made noise and it would've gone unnoticed by the distraught child. Seizing the moment, kunai rose in front of the ninja by his will and launched themselves at Gaara aimed to deliver a killing blow. Though Gaara was oblivious the sand rose instantly forming a shield behind him blocking the kunai. Gaara flinched the instant the sand rose behind him his mind snapping back to reality as he turned to look behind him a disbelieving look on his face.

What? Gaara looked at the ninja who stood on the balcony behind him feeling a mix of confusion and fear take him. Did… did this person just try to kill me? The ninja had already raised more kunai their intent clear. Why? Gaara slowly felt his fear and confusion turn to anger and rage. Why do I… why am I the only one to have to go through all of this! He slowly stood from where he sat eyes filled with rage and determination as they remained fixed on the one intent on killing him. More kunai flew but again the sand moved again to block them keeping its form around him, protecting him like Yashamaru said it always would. Gaara swung his arm up shoving his palm at the ninja the sand rushing to comply. It wrapped around the ninja like a coffin pinning down his arms and legs cutting off any possibility of an escape attempt. Never once did Gaara's eyes leave the ninja as he raised him off the ground the sand lifting him up as he moved his hand in unison. The ninja struggled though Gaara was certain he knew it was futile, he was not going to let him go. The look of absolute hatred never left Gaara's eyes as he clenched his hand to a fist willing the sand to do the same, to crush the life from the ninja. Blood splattered the walls and ground before the ninja fell to the ground, still alive, still breathing. The fear had returned to Gaara as he looked at the unknown figure hands clenched at his chest as if it provided some form of comfort. For some reason he was unable to kill this person… he lacked the rage he had felt before despite the fact that this person had just tried to take his life.

"Who are you…?" Gaara was barely able to stammer the question out. "Why…" as he looked the person over he felt the words catch in his throat as he noticed the bandage around their finger. "Ah…" the sound was meek and barely audible. He swallowed hard certain, Yashamaru… that was the finger his uncle had cut… but no, he was certain this wasn't his uncle, there was just no way it could be. Stealing himself he walked over to the fallen ninja intent on proving it wasn't his uncle. His feet moved as if they were lead and his hand trembled as he reached for the cloth that covered the mans face almost as if somewhere, something deep inside of him knew it was his uncle no matter how much his heart told him it could not be true. When the ninja made no movement to stop him Gaara quickly pulled back the cloth with ease but quickly dropped it as he felt himself go rigid. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down at his attacker, the one he had just tried to kill, Yashamaru. He turned his head towards Gaara but did not look at him; blood flowing from his head lined his face and ran from his lips from internal injuries.

"You're strong, as I expected… Gaara-sama." he said simply a simple look of sadness on his face. The moment he said his name the reality of what had just happened hit Gaara like a strike of lightning right through his heart. He clutched his shirt tightly the other hand going to his head. His head felt like it was going to explode and his heart felt like it was threatening to do the same. The small amount of hope that Gaara had retained in the knowledge that his uncle loved him and cared for him seemed to now be tearing him apart. Gaara opened his mouth but his lunged refused to draw in the air that seemed to choke his throat.

"Yashamaru…" Was as far as Gaara got before he felt his knees give way beneath him as he cried out in pain, he cried out so loud he felt it tear at his throat; but the pain was nothing in comparison to what he felt in his heart. The sand swirled around him as he felt his entire world come crashing down around him. Tears flowed down his face as he tried to take in more breath only to have the small amount he managed to breathe in released in painful sobs as he hunched down on himself. Yashamaru coughed up a small amount of the blood he felt filling his lungs as he looked up at the moon, paying no attention to his charge as he wept, all he felt now was remorse from his failure to kill his sisters son.

"Why… Why?" His pleading words finally reached Yashamaru's ears and he turned to look at the boy. "Yashamaru, why did you… why" He wanted to know… he wanted to know because he prayed for there to be some reason for his uncle to do this, perhaps something that had forced him into it… that he hadn't really wanted to kill him. "Why?" Gaara pleaded again his eyes on his uncles. Love is the spirit of devoting yourself to someone important and close to you… it is expressed by caring for and protecting that person. Just like my sister. His uncle's words seemed to reverberate loudly through his mind making it hurt even more. You are a person who is important and close to me, Gaara-sama. Those had been his uncles' exact words… there had to be some reason behind this, his uncle loved him… didn't he? "You… you… I thought you were…" he said sobbingly as he tried to wipe away his tears. Yashamaru looked forward once more before answering.

"It was an order." He said simply, his voice soft lacking the energy to raise it properly. Moving his hands from his eyes Gaara looked at his uncle wondering if he had heard correctly. "I was ordered to kill you." He repeated as if to erase any doubt in Gaara's mind. Gaara's eyes widened slightly… so there was a reason behind it! But who- "By your father… Kazekage-sama" Yashamaru named him before Gaara had a chance to think. The tears began to flow again; the knowledge of all of this was almost too much for Gaara's mind to comprehend.

"Father did…" as his mind reeled Gaara felt his stomach do the same. He quickly placed a hand to his mouth but could not stop his stomach from emptying its contents. The thought of his father ordering him to be killed… it was too much. "Father? Why? Why me?" he asked coughing slightly once his stomach stopped reeling though the tears would not stop.

"You were born with the Shukaku of the Sand, and then observed like a guinea pig, Gaara-sama." Gaara listened unmoving as Yashamaru revealed the truth of his life as if it were nothing more than a mere inconsequential thing. "But since you could not control the power of the living soul, Shukaku, and were unable to manipulate the sand on your own… your existence was deemed a danger to the village. Before that happened…" Yashamaru paused for a moment to gather himself, wanting this thing before him to know the truth before he died. In that moment Gaara finally raised his head to look at his uncle, his face was still that of an innocent, hoping… pleading.

"Then you did this unwillingly because Father ordered you to…"

"No, that's not correct." He didn't want him to misunderstand, to have any questions or doubts about what why he had done what he had. "It is true I received the order from Kazekage-sama… but I could've refused it if I had wished to. Gaara-sama… deep within my heart… I hated you. You took the life of my beloved sister when you were born. My sister's memento… I tried to love you by thinking of you as her treasured child… but I couldn't. My sister did not wish for your birth." Yashamaru watched the full moon that had begun to rise as he spoke his thoughts not on the crying child beside him. No, his thoughts were on his sister as he spoke. "She became this village's sacrifice, and she died cursing this village. After that, I carried a wound that could never heal." At his uncles words Gaara remembered his uncle telling him, what seemed like only moments ago, about how a wound of the heart was different from a wound of the flesh and how it may never heal. Had he caused his uncle such a wound? A wound that had caused his uncle such pain that he harbored such hatred towards him that he would not hesitate to kill him? That he had carried… since the day he was born?

"My sister gave you your name. 'This child's name is Gaara. An Asura that loves himself. Love only yourself. And fight only for yourself. By doing so, you can continue to exist… your name carries those wishes.' But my sister did not give you that name because she cared for you or loved you. She gave you that name so that you could continue to exist… because she hated and cursed this village as she died, and she wanted her deep hatred… to exist and remain… to let others know of it." In his mind, the image Gaara always carried in his mind of how he believed his mother to be began to crumble to sand, destroyed at his uncle's words. He clutched his head as if hoping that somehow he could hold on to some small fragment… not wanting to loose his world as reality came crashing down around him destroying all he had held dear and cherished. All of it now turning to dust.

"You were not loved." It was all… just a lie? Gaara thought to himself. As he stayed beside his uncle feeling completely paralyzed by the mans words, Yashamaru opened up his vest revealing a cluster of bomb tags; the first one sparking as he opened up his jacket. "This is it. Please die." Yashamaru managed to say as he felt his life begin to flicker to an end. He didn't want to die at the hands of his nephew… no… this monster; he would see his mission through even if it meant his death, he had been prepared for this. He gave one last smile, a smile that to him felt like the first true smile he had given in years. Gaara stayed unmoving, as if not caring if the blast consumed him or not. The tags detonated in a bright flash of light, and in the time it took for the clouds to pass the moon, the smoke cleared. The sand had once again protected Gaara leaving him completely untouched despite the fact that the detonation had been strong enough to destroy any trace of his uncle and leave a sizable crater in the balcony and take out the wall beside him.

Gaara, still didn't move. He stayed where he was, crouching; hugging his knees to his chest as the sand slowly trickled down around him. His tears had stopped flowing, almost as if he had none left to shed. The sickening feeling that had struck him when his uncle had told him the truth had vanished leaving him feeling hollow inside. It was almost as if he had been split open and carved out leaving him with nothing. And that's how he felt; hollow… alone… with nothing… no one… he was alone with the world as it truly was with the veil of lies removed from his eyes.

I believed that my sister always loved you, Gaara-sama. The words repeated in his mind now seemed to mock him lacking the tenderness he had believed they held when he first heard them.

Love? He had asked… how foolish; it was clear now that there was no such thing. His hands fell to the ground in front of him as he slumped forward as his sand shield collapsed around him.

The sand automatically protects you because of love. No… not because of love… because of hate.

I believe that the will of your mother is inside the sand. No, that wasn't true… if it was… was it? Gaara was often afraid of the spirit he felt within the sand, was it his mother's hatred he felt?

Its love. No matter how hard Gaara tried to block out his uncles voice it continued in his mind taunting him relentlessly with the lies he had so foolishly believed, wanted so bad to be true. He felt the hatred wrap around him thickly as the sand moved to his will as he cried out this time in rage and anger instead of sadness and fear. The sand rose around him like giant ribbons while the ends sliced into his skin above his eye. Despite always keeping him from harm before, for once Gaara's will was stronger, his hatred more overpowering than the will to let him take no harm. The sand froze in place around Gaara looking like some sort of twisted spiders web as he finally stood, hands fisted at his sides. Slowly the sand began to trickle down once more as Gaara stood panting for a while before finally raising his head. Blood trickled around his eye from the new symbol on his forehead that the sand had sliced into his skin.

Love only yourself.

And fight only for yourself.

That is what Gaara is… Me.

I finally understand. I'm alone.

I won't believe in anyone, or love anyone.

I'm alone.

Yes I am alone.

The blood that flowed from the symbol that read 'love' mixed with the tears making it seem as if he were crying blood. He believed he finally understood, this was why he was treated this way, this was the reason for everything. And if this was the way it was, then fine, Gaara felt like he would have no problem with that. The emptiness inside him seemed to burn, wanting him to take out his anger and hate on those who had lied to him, who had been false… mocked him… there was no love, only hate. Gaara stood on the balcony looking out at the village; it was their fault, they were all to blame. His mother died hating and cursing the village; if it wasn't for them then his mother would still be alive. Slowly, the sand began to gather once more wrapping around Gaara. Gaara looked at his arm as the sand swallowed it creating a larger one with blue lines running down it. Yes… I will help mother carry out her wish. The reason I was born, the reason I am here. Gaara let the sand consume him as he felt his hate echoing from the back of his mind where he once believed the monster to live. It wasn't a monster, it was his mother, and he would be a good boy and help his mother.

---

Not too far away Kankuro and Temari ran from Baki not wanting to go to bed just yet, and had even taken to the rooftops in hopes of extending their bedtime. Temari froze and Kankuro felt his blood run cold as an inhumane scream filled the air.

"T-Temari… what was…" Kankuro didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as Temari screamed and pointed past him. Whirling around Kankuro saw a creature that he was certain would haunt his dreams for nights to come.

"Kankuro come on!" Temari cried tugging on her brother's arm but he was frozen in place his face cracked with fear. Both screamed and kicked out as they felt themselves plucked from the ground only to hear a reassuring voice.

"Don't struggle! I need to get you both to safety."

"Baki!" Temari cried certain she had never been happier to see their guardian and teacher.

"Baki… what is that?" Kankuro finally managed to ask as they were carried at top speed away from the monster the sound of its roar still echoed behind them now laced with screams and what sounded like explosions. Trying to look behind them Temari saw a large arm rise up and come crushing down.

"It's destroying the houses!" Temari screeched.

"What is that?!" Kankuro demanded again sounding more panicked.

"Something I hoped we would never have to see…" Baki said almost to himself. The two looked up at him but he said no more and only focused on getting the two children of the Kazegage away from the third. It was clear to Baki that Yashamaru had failed his task. Baki wasn't sure if he should be grateful that the boy was still alive or not. While he had been against the suggestion of Gaara's assassination he had not spoken up about this idea. He felt uncertain in his mind; he was not sure if he did not want the boy to die or if it was simply that he believed something like this would have no work on the boy.

Elsewhere the Kazekage stood watching the scene before him. It was just as he had planned; it was just as he had wanted. Raising that monster in an environment like that was leaving him far too soft. A tool of the village must be sharp and strong, a tool must not be allowed to love or be loved. In a flurry of sand one of his nin's appeared at his side kneeling beside his lord.

"Kazekage-sama! Gaara has-"

"I know." He said cutting the man off. "I will deal with him shortly." The man looked at his leader for a moment uncertain but knew better than to say anything so instead he returned to the ninja who were attempting to hold the giant creature back with little to no luck. It wasn't until a large aria had been cleared before the Kazekage finally stepped up to strike down the giant creature. What had lasted an hour or more was over in a matter of seconds leaving an exhausted Gaara asleep in the middle of the destruction. Picking him up the Kazekage carried Gaara back to what was left of the house the child had grown up in. other than the balcony most of the house was strangely intact. The Kazekage snorted, amused at the fact that the monster left his own house standing at the edge of the destruction. He laid him down on the bed to sleep and left to take up watch over the house to wait until the boy had awakened and make sure he didn't try anything else. It would take enough time to repair the damage his little 'temper tantrum' had caused as the Kazekage called it. Giving orders and taking damage reports, he stayed atop the house waiting, ready to help his tool into his new 'life'.

---

As the light filtered through the gaping hole in the wall Gaara shifted then stirred giving a soft groan. He hurt all over, but it was inside that he hurt. He felt as if he had been torn to shreds. For a moment he felt as if he could not breathe and quickly yanked the scarf from around his neck as if doing so would help him breath easier. As he did so tossing it to the side in the process a small glint caught his eyes and the sound of something solid hit the ground with the scarf. Scrambling after it quickly he picked up his scarf jostling it slightly causing the pendant he had pulled off with it to fall free and clink to the ground. Gaara sat down looking at the pendant unable to help feeling a little confused. He had remembered last night as clear as the dawn; he had not forgotten what he was. He looked at the pendant for a moment before picking it up by the leather straps. He then took the two pictures from his bedside table; the one of him and his brother and sister, and the one of him and Yoshiko. He had no friends, no family, he was alone. Walking over to the far wall he placed his hand against it the brick beginning to crumble away to sand at his will. Once there was a big enough opening he placed the three things inside and had the sand close up the hole in the wall making it look like it was never there. He would put these things away, and never think of them again. He would forget the time he had spent with his family… those lumps of flesh… the time he had a friend.

After all… it was all just a lie… right?

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Authors note: Um ok, this may be the last chapter. I might add more or do a sequel, not sure just yet. But for now please R&R and tell me what you think. Sorry again for taking so long, hope it was worth the wait! Thank you again one and all, each and every one of you. And to those who made the AMV's that I listened to while writing that kept me in the right mindset to write this chapter.