Whoa! Last chapter, I really feel that this story is in need of some serious reediting... So I'll be trying to do that whilst continuing the next part of this story. When the next portion of this story comes out I'll be sure to let you know.
Anyway I'm sure we all understand that I do not own Naruto any of its canon characters or locations ... Well lets carry on.
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The World Through A Grain of Sand Is Lit Up By The Moon
A quiet landing tap alerted Gaara to a presence, but he didn't react in anyway; knowing already that it was the kunoichi.
"Konbanwa, Gaara-san." Despite the excitement she felt Hitomi remained calm, feeling eased by Gaara's nature.
"Good evening Shimizu-san." Gaara quietly replied, meeting her gray eyes. Hitomi made herself comfortable, and it took some time before either of them decided to say anything.
"I'd like to change the rules of our little game tonight..." Hitomi kept her gaze on the ground below, feeling those jade eyes fall upon her. "I'm going to allow you to ask me whatever you like, without any bounds." The two shinobi had taken to asking one another questions pertaining to themselves, and until that time both teenagers had placed boundaries on certain subjects. Gaara nodded in agreement, motioning her to proceed.
An unnatural zephyr swept across the sand village, warming both ninja for only a moment.
"Why is it that you never released Shukaku and destroyed this village?" Hitomi questioned, raising her gaze to meet his. Gaara tried to not show the shock he felt, he knew that her question was going to be something like that. Sighing, the redhead turned his eyes to the stars; he'd never given the reasons not to much thought.
"There has always been something saying not to, something that won't let me." Gaara took on that haunting tone again. But it didn't chill the girl as it did many times in the past
"Perhaps its thats inescapable part of human nature that desires someplace to call home. Regardless of how I was treated here, I consider this place my home." The male felt those disquieting gray eyes on him, despite the notion they gave, Gaara met those eyes. For an instant feeling lost, when he noticed her tiny smile. It took several moments for the male to break her gaze.
"My question to you is..." A flurry of topics bombarded the young male. Most of them concerning the dragon tattoo on her shoulder. "Why were you crying earlier?" the question was blurted out so suddenly that neither of them was ready for it. Gaara turned to the girl, seeing her shocked expression. Hitomi turned around and left the seat she'd taken, unable to look at him as she's done earlier.
"For two years, I've had the same nightmare... almost every night." Hitomi's voice, though melancholic was laced with attempts to keep a normal tone. Gaara turned to observe her, finding everything from her fluttering kimono robe to her slightly pigeon-toed stance wistful.
"I remember having to bless my fathers body... I was very young when my grandmother died, I can't even recall her now. But I was not ready to lose my father..." The girl's tone was now marked with deep breathing, to prevent crying out loud.
"And I know that it can't be helped, but had I not taken the keiyaku from my father... he wouldn't... I would still be able to see my most precious person." Hitomi wiped her eyes, her trembling breathes were deep and broken. Minutes passed where Gaara watched the kunoichi regain her composure.
"I have just one more question, Gaara-san." Hitomi said quietly. "If you needed too... Would you protect this village and those who reside in it?" She continued to face away, but threw him a glance.
"Yes, not simply because its my duty as a shinobi. This is my home, and the people here though still afraid, I know they think better of me now." Gaara stared at the floor, admitting a great truth to himself and to the priestess. "I know that its because of you that they think better of me, because you've helped me see with eyes unclouded by Shukaku. ...Thank you, Shimizu-san." Hitomi smiled to herself, feeling the tiniest hint of butterflies in her stomach.
"Now ask me about my mission..." Hitomi ordered, throwing the redhead another backwards glance.
Gaara blinked in slight confusion, having pushed his curiosity about her mission so far into the recesses of his mind that it almost slipped away. He did so, catching the hints of a smile in what he could see of her profile.
"I was not simply ordered to ensure that you were no longer a threat to Sunagakure." Gaara remained quiet wondering exactly what she was trying to express.
"In truth, the elders wanted me to completely seal Shukaku inside you. I refused that request, declaring that the amount of strength you'd lose was too great. But I offered a different plan, one that required my constant attention. I chose to observe, noticing even in those few weeks at the beginning that you no longer thought of only yourself. The seal that I did place on you, the one that has kept Shukaku from influencing you so deeply was simply because I saw the way the moon affected him."
Hitomi explained, not wanting to give her secret away so quickly.
"So what exactly was the mission for?" Gaara was somewhat agitated with the kunoichi, preferring to receive his answers bluntly, rather than little bits of information.
"Be patient... All of this leads to one very important truth, Gaara-san." Hitomi turned towards him, a coy smile flashing for a moment.
"And it is because of me..." Hitomi continued "That the council had you lead that mission. Because I wanted to see how you acted in a position like that, leading a group of shinobi. And it is also because of me that..." Hitomi stopped meeting his jade gaze, Gaara could see the excitement dancing across the girl's foggy eyes. "Its because of me that the elders of Kaze no Kuni have decided that Sabaku no Gaara would become Godaime Kazekage." Hitomi grinned as the red haired male stared, his expression one of total disbelief.
"You're a liar." Gaara stood, his expression changing into anger.
"Honestly..." Hitomi huffed, shaking her head. "I have a lot of respect for you Gaara, why would I lie?" Gaara paused, mulling her words in his mind. She really didn't have a reason to lie, but its was simply unbelievable.
"And furthermore..." the kunoichi stood before him, placing a hand on her hip. "I'm amazed you didn't come to that conclusion sooner." Hitomi grabbed his arm, pulling him to the edge of the adobe building they stood upon, showing him the sleeping sand village.
"This is your responsibility now... These people, this village..." Gaara listened to her soft voice, scanning the sight before him. "The council isn't sure your ready, don't prove them right. Furthermore, its as much my reputation as it is yours... Don't let me down, I have faith that you'll lead this village better than any Kage ever has." Hitomi smiled.
"Kazekage... I thought that maybe that was her purpose... only for a second though." Gaara shifted his gaze towards the girl, who watched the stars above them, she seemed lost in her own thoughts too. He observed her carefully, noticing all the changes she'd undergone since her arrival here. Her long hair now rested on her shoulders, her form showing more signs of femininity. She looked a little older, her eyes not so childish anymore.
Hitomi noticed him staring before she reacted, that strange turning in her stomach occurred again. Shifting her eyes, she inwardly smiled as the redhead averted his gaze. The girl turned her eyes to the sleeping village, and then to Gaara.
"So do you believe me no-" Before Hitomi could finish, the male's arms were around her. Dazed by his sudden action the girl was unable to react.
"Thank you, Hitomi." Gaara whispered, not knowing that simply saying her name churned the butterflies in her stomach.
"Y-you needn't thank me, Gaara." Hitomi smiled.
"Its weird... cause I'm gonna miss this place." Itsuki stated to his teammates. Both nodded, turning to catch a glimpse of the sun sinking into the plateaus, casting Suna into a premature night.
"Yea... I liked it here. It was quiet, unlike Tsuki." Mitsuki replied, turning his opaque blue eyes to an approaching figure. "Gaara-san." He mumbled, pointing to the redhead. Hitomi followed his finger and turned her head curiously towards the boy. When he reached the group, he nodded politely to the twins as they bowed slightly They treated Gaara with respect now, as it was Hitomi's request to show the people of Suna the way they should be treating their own Kage.
"I wanted to say goodbye again, and thank you three for everything you've done." Gaara seemed oddly nervous speaking with such formality towards them.
"Hey, it was never a problem." Itsuki smiled, scratching his head. "Yea, we didn't even know about Hitomi's mission." Mitsuki continued, smiling just the same as his twin.
"So when will you be returning?" Gaara turned his jade eyes to the kunoichi.
"Why are you gonna miss me?" She teased lightly smirking slightly.
"I need to know when Suna will be needing extra security around these borders." The male retorted, Itsuki tried to stifle his laughter as Hitomi's expression changed into defeat.
"Sarcastic bastard..." She grumbled. "Anyway... hopefully sooner than later, I'd like to start considering Sunagakure, an escape from my life." She smiled somewhat. Their gazes met unable to read the emotion in each others eyes.
"You... all of you are welcome in Su-" Taken by surprise Gaara didn't expect Hitomi to latch her arms around him.
"Thank you Gaara... We'll be back again."
------------------- Tsuki-chan's After Thoughts---------------------
Well, that's the end of Lullaby... The next part of the story will be much better I can guarantee it.
I'm probably gonna revise this story so look out for some changes. And when I post the next installment I'll make sure to tell everyone.
Thank you.