Arc 2 Chapter 5: Her Return
A fortnight has passed. Many of the inhabitants were decorating the streets in preparation of the Kazekage's 21th birthday celebration. And the council approved of it as a way to lift morale and also to strengthen diplomatic relationships. The council has also other plans, that is selected suitors are there in competition for the Kazekage's potential alliances. Gaara knew he could not find an excuse to refuse it, as it was a good diplomatic strategy. The notable guests were the Hokage, with other guests from Konoha. From the Earth Country, the Tsuchikage's daughter of Iwagakure, along with her mother and 5 other guests were to attend. From The Land of Water's hidden village, Kirigakure, an ambassador and his daughter were the representative. Most of the guest he realised were here for the Chuunin Exams.
On the eve of the ball that marks the beginning of the weeklong celebrations, the Konoha entourage finally arrived. Gaara was delighted that Naruto had finally showed up and came to greet him personally. "Ah, Gaara! Sorry, sorry. We were kept behind with some business... you know." Naruto said light-heartedly after greeting the Kazekage. With the Hokage, the rest of the entourage were Hinata, Sakura, Lee, Neji, and Tenten (Partial of the team who were involved in Gaara's rescue some six years ago). The kunoichis were excited. The celebration next day would be spectacular, with guests invited to the ball.
"Also, guess who we bumped into on our way here?" Behind the Hokage's entourage, came a figure. It was such a familiar face, but this time dressed a little differently. Miharu bowed politely to the Kazekage, Gaara in turn bowed, his face in his usual expressionless state.
"It has been a while, Miharu." Gaara said. So formal, he thought to himself. Yet it was necessary to have their relationship secret for now. "You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. And you must attend the ball tomorrow. I shall have my assistant arrange a place for you to stay, unfortunately this time you won't be able to stay with Yui, as she is visiting some relatives outside the village."
Miharu thanked him politely.
"Hey hey, Gaara!" Naruto blared. "Be sure to have Miharu's accommodation near the girls. I'm sure they will like to get together before the ball."
Gaara said that he would, departing with Naruto to the council chamber while the other guests busied themselves with settling into their guestrooms. Gaara sneaked one last look at Miharu as she was led away by Tomita with Sakura and Hinata. Suddenly, he could not wait for the ball.
If it were up to Gaara, he would prefer to celebrate his birthday in peace this year. Instead, since breakfast he had spent his day receiving and entertaining guests (except for Konoha, who opted to enjoy the village themselves and thus saving Gaara some energy) particularly those that came in hopes to become a suitor. Soon, the day grew dark and the decoration lights were on everywhere in the village, creating a wonderful party atmosphere. The guests slowly arrived at the central hall, were the main celebration/ball was being held. Immediately the Iwakagure was keen to stick with Gaara. It was obvious that the Tsuchikage daughter, Atsuko, was still a highly promising candidate to his council members as well as to the Iwakagure's. Finally, guests of Konohagakure had arrived and Gaara felt relieved. He quickly made his excuse to Atsuko and her mother to receive the Hokage and his entourage. And being the Hokage, it was natural the Gaara would be paying more attention to him than any of the guests of the night. Naruto jokingly apologised for their tardiness, and explained that the girls had taken upon themselves to dress Miharu for the occasion. Sure enough, behind the group was Miharu, looking rather unsure of herself. Gaara was amazed, for she was… exceptionally stunning. Her dark hair was upswept with several locks falling softly around her face. Small blooms of white orchids adorned her crown. The emerald-green gown hugged her slender figure, accentuating her feminine features. Eyes followed the mysterious young woman as she walked in.
Soon they were called to dinner. As tradition dictates, the ladies had to have a male partner escorting them to the dinner area. Naruto took Hinata, Sakura went with Lee, Tenten with Neji. Gaara wanted to escort Miharu, but duty dictated that he must go with Atsuko. So, Tomita took her instead. He felt grateful and simultaneously a pang of jealously towards his assistant.
In the large dining area, Gaara sat at the head of the table with Naruto on his right. Miharu was sat with Lee, Tomita and some other representative from other villages. At one point during dinner Gaara overheard a confused guest asking who Miharu was, for she was introduced as a visitor and a herbalist. Yet, no Hidden Village was named from where she was from.
Then, the dance began. Gaara dutifully danced with all the eligible ladies that night, by order of superiority. But Miharu wasn't in that list; until Naruto pointed that out that she should since she is single. Gaara could give Naruto a kiss then, for that is all he thought of since the dance began. Envious eyes trailed the pair as Gaara offered his hand to Miharu and led her to the dance floor. Everything around him save for the girl he was holding seemed to have melted away – it was just he, she, and the music. He turned his head towards her a little and breathed her in: a hint of jasmine, rose and orchid from her hair. They danced to the slow song known in as the Evening Primrose from the Wind Country. For the first half of the dance, neither said anything. Thoughts that he had wanted to say to her since that night at the oasis seemed to have firmly stuck inside his throat.
"I am glad that you have finally come back." Gaara said into her ear finally. How he had longed to see her, but those words he was left unspoken.
"So am I, Gaara-sama. And in time for your birthday too, if only I knew that it was your birthday earlier. I could have gotten a present for you."
"That wouldn't be necessary, Miharu. It is more than enough that you are here…"
The song ended, ceasing their conversation. Dignitaries again swamped the Kazekage, leaving Miharu on her own.
Sometime during the night, Gaara was able to sneak away from the crowd and went to the large balcony for some fresh air. He found Miharu was at the farthest and darkest corner, away from the gaze of everyone she had tonight. He knew that Miharu was uncomfortable in large crowds given her nature of solitude. He approached the apothecary, who was gazing at the stars that cold night. Miharu heard him and turned around. She was a little surprised by his presence there, but greeted him kindly.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Gaara asked casually.
"Yes, it is." Miharu replied.
"You look very beautiful tonight." He said, coming closer to her.
Miharu, blushing, gave her thanks this time, adding that it was not often that she felt this feminine. She was so alluring at that moment that he had to fight the urge to hold her. Just then as the first wave of fireworks was released in the Kazekage's honour. Ball guests started to fill the balcony quickly to watch the fireworks display. Gaara returned to this duty as the host and Kazekage.
Later in the night, the winds picked up. And soon it was apparent that storm was fast approaching. By then however, the fireworks performance had been done and the party was mainly over. There were only a few people left in the hall, some obviously intoxicated by the alcoholic beverages (and that Lee did not have a drop of it, thank goodness). Gaara deemed that it was finally safe to retire when Naruto and company departed, and the aides were about to escort him back to his quarters when he spotted Miharu saying goodnight to the Konoha shinobis. Gaara told his aides to leave him as he caught up with her.
"Care to take a walk with me?" He asked. She nodded. They left the hall discreetly.
----
"Is there a destination?" Miharu asked the red-haired man.
Gaara nodded, "There is something I want to do, and I'd like you to accompany me." They walked in the streets of Sunakagure, carefully avoiding the few merry crowds still around at the time of night. Finally, to a deserted looking place within the village. A sign marked the site as the shinobi cemetery. Miharu looked at the Kazekage quizzically.
"I haven't been here for a while… couldn't bring myself to… but now that you are here…"
Miharu gave a smile, knowing his feelings exactly. "It was the same for me, when I buried my parents."
She reached out and held his hand, reassuring him to enter the cemetery. Gaara led her to the top a rocky hill.
"When I was a child, I would sit here for hours, looking at this grave." He said, indicating the monumental tomb. Miharu read the inscription silently.
"Mother," Gaara said quietly, "It has been a while… Today's my 21st. Thought that I should come here and give thanks to you… even if you thought I was a monster. I don't know if that is true… but that is what I have to believe… but I don't hate you, in fact it is opposite. I am a stronger person now, and a protector of this village. And I am not alone." He knelt down at the tomb and prayed.
Miharu followed the Kazekage, and gave her prayers to Karura. "I'm sure you will be proud of your son if you'd known him." She said softly. She took one of her orchids from her hair and placed it upon the tombstone. Gaara then turned to the grave next to his mother. It was specially protected with seals and expensive materials to prevent anyone tempering with its content.
"Father…" Gaara said, his voice straining. "How I hated you. I've learnt to forgive you for everything that you had done to me. But I can't forget…"
Miharu gave his hand a gentle squeeze, and Gaara smiled slightly in appreciation. He continued, "Rest assured though that this village will be looked after… things will changed for the better."
They went to other two graves in the cemetery, giving thanks. First his uncle Yashamaru, then they stopped at Chiyo's tomb.
"This," Gaara said, "is the one who sealed the Shukaku in me. And also the one who gave her life for me."
Miharu gazed at the engraving, then at Gaara. "This was… six years ago?" she questioned. Gaara nodded. "She gave me another chance at life. And I won't waste it."
They made their way back to the Kazekage's building, after Gaara saw Miharu to her door; he made his own way to his quarters. But once inside, he felt this ache in his heart - an emptiness, which was so painful to bear. He left his quarters and quickly went two floors down. He knocked softly at her door. She opened the door, a surprise on her face at his swift reappearance.
"I miss you." Gaara blurted out. "I…" he struggled with the words. "I'm sorry… I just don't want to be alone tonight."
Miharu stepped aside to let him in, and he did in one smooth motion. He closed the door behind him with a hand, pulling her to his body with another. They kissed passionately, undressing each other as they moved towards the bedroom.
Gaara lay naked in her arms, his head resting gently on her bosom. He could hear her heart beating beneath him. "Thank you." He whispered to her, and drifted contently into sleep as she played absently with his hair.
----
"Don't think that you can be rid of me, Sabaku no Gaara."
The voice was familiar, thought Gaara. He stood in a bright place, so bright that all he could see around him was light. He froze for a moment. This place…
"Do you remember the last time you were here?" The voice asked.
Gaara knew where this place reminded him. He didn't want to be here.
"I can't have been dead." Gaara said flatly. "This is one of your tricks again, Shukaku."
"Yes. You are in another dream, after all. But this time, I have you figured out."
"I am not afraid of you, demon."
"But I know you are afraid to be in that place. That middle place between life and death, where you saw yourself… helpless… unwanted… That is what scares you so much that you don't want to sleep. You are afraid that you will end up in that place again. And find that no one cares about you. No one wants you."
"Enough!" Gaara roared, "Stop it! I won't listen to you. I know now that I can be rid of this nightmare that you brought on."
"She won't be able help you, Gaara. No one can help you."
"You don't know anything."
"I know that she will betray you. And you will return to that place again."
"You're not real!" Gaara screamed.
"Am I not? Truth is, you don't know what I am. I just look like the one-tailed demon to you…"
-----
Gaara woke with a start, the words from the nightmare echoing in his mind. He looked around. The sun was up, and he could hear Miharu taking a shower in the bathroom.
Everything seemed as it was to be.
Yet, Gaara couldn't help to feel a sense of foreboding.
