Disclaimer- Gummibearninja: Hello I'm Gummibearninja! I remember it so you don't have to!

Miniko: Oh you did not just steal the Nostalgia Critic's line!

Gummibearninja: I only wanted to try it…..wait how do you even know who he is? Do you even HAVE internet in your world?

Miniko-*shrugs* I don't know I just do.

Gummibearninja; Well that was a very detailed answer…

Miniko-Anyway we don't own Naruto!

Chapter 20

Miniko's Tears

It was just about 2 A.M when Chahiro looked at her clock after suddenly waking up in the night. She let out a small sigh "That son of mine…" Chahiro whispered to herself before getting out of bed and quickly changing into clothes.

Since the attack in March, Chahiro, Auron and Yuuri have been taking turns guarding the house through the night. Miniko of course didn't know this was going on and the family avoided telling her so she wouldn't worry.

She peeked outside her room and saw Yuuri sitting on the couch, clearly trying desperately to stay awake. She let out a small chuckle and shook her head. If only you allowed me to get this extra sleep when you were an infant. She thought as she walked over to her son and sat next to him on the couch.

"Alright Yuuri," Chahiro said softly. "You go get some sleep now, I'll take over until your Father gets home."

Yuuri looked over at her. "Are you sure? Because I can probably go another hour." Yuuri said between a yawn.

Chahiro smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm positive. You've done more than enough." She smirked at her son. "Beside it looks like YOU need the sleep more than me."

"Yeah I guess you're right…" Yuuri admitted. "Wake me up though if you need rest though, mom."

Chahiro nodded and good night to each other and Yuuri began to head to the stairs. He didn't even make it to the stairs when there was sudden loud knocking at the door, making both of them jump.

"What on earth…?" Chahiro questioned standing up.

"Alright, who's there?" Yuuri asked suspiciously

The knocking stopped and familiar voice spoke. "Yuuri, it's me! Please you have to let me in!"

"Is that Gaara?" Yuuri puzzled.

"What?" Chahiro hurried to the entrance and opened the door and liked Yuuri assumed, saw Gaara standing there. Sweat ran down his face and she could tell he must have ran here. His body shivered when the cold wind hit him, as he caught his breath again.

"Gaara! What in the world happened?!" Chahiro asked. She shook her head, realizing now wasn't the time for questions. "Oh never mind, come on in." She placed her hand on Gaara's back and quickly guided him into the house.

"What's he doing here this late?" Yuuri asked.

She kneeled down in front of Gaara and placed he hands on his shoulder, his body was still trembling as he touched his arm. "Gaara what's wrong? Are you alright?"

"Listen to me!" Gaara blurted out, ignoring the sympathy. "Yuna came back, but this time she came with another shinobi who might be the leader! Auron is there fighting him still and told me to come warn you!" Gaara explained the situation as fast as he could.

"What? Yuna's back?" Said a voice and everyone turned to see it was Miniko. She was standing at the bottom of the stairs, a look of terror on her face. "Gaara, is it true what you said? Yuna attacked you and now fathers fighting the leader…?" Her voice was shaking.

Gaara realized Miniko must have been using her telepathy to listen in more on what happened then what he told. "Yeah…"

"Auron he is fighting him alone?" Chahiro face paled as she tried to make sense of the information she was given. "Well it's not over yet…" She looked at Gaara. "Gaara's where is the attack happening?" Chahiro asked.

"Just outside the village, close to the training grounds." Gaara told her.

Chahiro nodded. "Alright, I'm heading out there then." She stood up and turned to Miniko. "Miniko I want you to wait in the house and you can let me know if anything happens here and it will be the best way to keep you safe. Gaara I think its best you stay here too." She added.

Gaara was about to open his mouth to say something but after one single look at her face, he knew this was no time to argue. He nodded and entered the house as Chahiro hurried to her room and in moments came out with her shinobi supplies.

Yuuri stood there stunned as he watched everything unfold. His mother was now at the door and he hurried over. "Wait mom!" Yuuri called as he dashed to the door. "Let me come too!"

Chahiro instantly denied. "No, you should stay here with your sisters and Gaara, in case they try to come to the house."

Yuuri bit his lip in frustration, but he knew his mother was right. "I understand…" Yuuri said with a sigh.

Chahiro put her hand on his shoulder. "I WILL bring him back." Chahiro promised, before she hurried out to the scene.

XXXXXXX

After Chahiro left the three of them all waited in silence for their return. Yuuri paced restlessly around the room, frustrated that there wasn't much he could do right now. Miniko and Gaara both sat on the couch, neither of them saying a word.

Gaara looked over at Miniko and saw her fidgeting with her fingers as she stared at the floor. He didn't like seeing Miniko in such distress and thought of attempting to comfort her. He almost had his hand on her shoulder before he chickened out and placed his hands back at his side. Even if I do say anything it won't help the situation…

Yuuri saw this and stopped moving around the room. He took a deep breath and walked over to the two children. "Hey, Miniko I think your quietness is freaking Gaara out," Yuuri said trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, Dad's really strong and I know he's going to be home before we know it." Yuuri consoled.

Miniko nodded, however her expression didn't change. Yuuri and Gaara both glanced at each other, before Gaara looked at the ground and Yuuri walked across the room, sitting down in a chair and the silence continued.

Several minutes went by, when Gaara then heard Miniko quietly gasp. He turned to her and saw her body shaking. Her face was white and any light she had left in her eye was gone. "Miniko?" Gaara said, also making Yuuri look at their direction.

Miniko didn't look at him but she answered to him. "I can't hear…" She said, in a quiet tone.

"You can't hear?" Gaara repeated, making sure he heard correctly.

"My Father…I can't hear my father anymore!" She said again, Yuuri hearing her this time too. Suddenly without saying another word, Miniko stood up from the couch, dashed to the stairs to her room.

Gaara and Yuuri were on their feet now and Yuuri called to her, as the door slammed. "Miniko!" But after realizing there was no point in trying right now he gritted his teeth and sat back down.

She can't hear him? Don't tell me that means… Yuuri's began to shake at the thought. I don't think her telepathy can listen to unconscious people either…So she's probably overthinking this… However, the worries remained.

Gaara was still standing by the couch, unsure of what to do now. Suddenly the door opened. Yuuri quickly stood up and they both turned to the door and saw Chahiro standing there with another Sand Shinobi. Her body shaking and her face was wet with tears. The other shinobi had his hands on her shoulders, showing she must have fought against coming here.

"Mom!" Yuuri said running over and helping his mother to a chair. He lowered himself to the ground and gently squeezed his mother's shoulders. "Mom, what happened?!" Yuuri asked, his voice cracking. "Where's dad?!"

Chahiro coiled her arms around her chest, gripping her shoulders. She opened her mouth but nothing would come out. Yuuri looked at the Shinobi, still standing at the entrance. The sorrow Yuuri's face made him look away before saying anything.

"I'm sorry Yuuri but-" He started.

"He's gone." Chahiro suddenly spoke, her voice quiet, but clear. "I tried to heal him, but I was too late...Now he's…" Chahiro wasn't even able to finish before fresh tears started rolling down her face. "I'm sorry….I'm so sorry I was too late to help you, Auron!" she sobbed, cupping her hands over her face.

Yuuri's arms dropped to the ground and his pupils shrank. "No…But dad's always been strong…He wouldn't die this easily to someone as low as him!" He jumped up and bolted out the door, without saying another word.

Gaara stood there stunned at everything he was seeing. Auron…is dead!?

Gaara decided it was best for him to leave and he quietly made his way to the door and started down the street. As he passed the side of the house, he stopped and looked up at Miniko's bedroom window. The image Miniko's petrified look he saw earlier was still fresh in his mind and it wouldn't leave, bringing a wave of guilt. If only I didn't fall for Yuna's stupid trick, everything would be okay and Miniko wouldn't have to feel like this! The thought made him sick to his stomach. Gaara bit his lip and turned away and kept walking.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tears were already forming in Miniko's eyes as she slammed the door to her room .Father's….dead… The thought turned her legs to jelly and she fell back against her door, large tears rolling down her face.

As she sobbed, other voices entered her head.

"I should've been there with him! I should have battled along with him!" Damn it! Damn it!"

"If I didn't fall for Yuna's stupid trick Miniko wouldn't be feeling like this…."

"Auron, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"Yuuri? Gaara? Mom?" Miniko whispered.

"It's my fault…" Miniko heard all three of them say in unison.

"No!" Miniko covered her ears. "It's not!"

"My fault….It's my fault…" Their voices continued.

Miniko shook her head fiercely "It's not your fault! It's not your fault! It's-" Miniko gasped and brought her shaking hands to her face.

It's my fault….It's all my fault….For being born the way I am…

She heard sobbing and realized they were coming from her mother. She felt a lump form in her throat. I did this…I'm the reason Gaara was nearly killed, the reason Yuuri is angry and the reason mom's crying...She shut her eyes and forced the lump in her throat down. Why should I have a right to be upset, when I'm the one who caused all this?

Miniko stood up, wiped away the tears off her cheek and slowly walked over to her bed and tucked herself in. In her bed, she could still hear her mother's sob. Miniko felt herself forming tears and she bit her lip.

Don't cry…it's your fault…Don't cry…Don't cry…

For Miniko, the days that followed after her Father's death felt like being trapped in a Genjutsu. Even though she has never experienced those type of techniques, this is what she imagined it would be like; an endless nightmare, out of her control. But this wasn't an illusion, this was reality. Her Father was dead. Uncle Taro was contacted from the leaf and he showed up in a couple of days and a funeral was planned. This was her reality.

Throughout the house, she heard her Brother's frustration and anger, Mayu's confusion and cries as she tried to understand the concept of death and late at night she could hear her mother sobbing in her bed. But she still stuck to guilty motto and refused to cry.

Even on the day of her father's funeral, she stood there looking at his grave and fought back tears. Don't cry…Don't cry…Don't cry…. She thought until she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Miniko looked to her right and saw Gaara standing next to her.

"Gaara?" Miniko said, surprised to see him.

Gaara removed his hand from her and put them at his side. "I hope it's alright I came." He said quietly.

Miniko nodded. "It's fine, but why?"

Gaara didn't answer right away but shortly he said. ""I remembered when Yashamaru died, all I wanted was for you to be with me. So I thought, since you just lost your Father, that maybe I would come be here for you."

Those words made Miniko's chest feel tight. She looked to the ground. "F-For me?" Miniko's body began to tremble, as she gripped her hands into a fist. "But why? Why for me?"

Gaara looked at her. "Miniko?"

Tears. Tears that Miniko has been trying so hard to hold back were now streaming down her face like a river. She couldn't stop no matter how much she tried. "It's my fault," Miniko started. "It's my fault he's dead…It's because I exist with these powers! Why should I deserve help and protection from others, when I'm the one who caused all of this to begin with!?" She said, hiccupping between sentences.

Next thing she knew was feeling Gaara gently taking hold of her hand. Her sobs halted as she turned to him, surprised. He wouldn't look at her and she could tell by his shaking hand that he was nervous of his actions too, but he still held on.

"I...didn't know your Father that well, or even what a proper parent is; but I know he wouldn't want you blaming yourself." Gaara offered cautiously. "He wanted to protect you; whether or not you had your abilities. And that's not your fault." Gaara looked over at her, a whisper of a smile on his face. "Besides, I don't like you blaming yourself either."

Miniko couldn't think of a way to respond, so she looked at the ground. Despite his strict methods, for years he would do anything in his power to protect her and Gaara's words reminded her of that.

"Father…" Miniko said to herself. She allowed fresh tears to roll down her face, tightly holding Gaara's hand for the rest of the funeral.

XXXXXXXX

Far away from Suna, Yuna was resting in a bed. She wasn't sure how long she's been laying there. After the last battle, Father took her back to the base, tried to heal her eyes and then was put in a bed and left her here. That was a few days ago, so maybe it's been three days? Well it wouldn't have made a difference regardless whether she knew or not. She's been getting nutarians through an I.V for a while, but no one has bothered to come back and refill it for some time. Oh well, what a little malnutrition is going to do? She's use to this.

Yuna touched her face. She could still feel the bandages over her eyes. I'm still here… She thought as she slowly she rubbed her fingers over the smooth cloth. Her touch seemed to be her only sense left. There was no smells, no sound, no taste and all around her was darkness. It terrified her, but she knew crying wouldn't do anything about it, so instead she copes.

Darkness, the agency, experiments, needles, the fear and dedication she has to Father. That was all Yuna ever knew. No love, no comfort or even joy and if she hasn't met Miniko, she never would have even known those feeling existed. Miniko. Just thinking of that stupid blonde made her chest tight.

"Miniko…Why….Why do you act like you hate me? We're friends…" Yuna's body shook. "We both were each other's first friend! You said so!" Yuna gritted her teeth. "Why don't you remember…?"

Suddenly she heard her door open. "Father, you're back now." Yuna greeted, already knowing who it was. She heard more footsteps follow. She figured Most likely it was one of the doctors who worked under Father.

"Check her eyes." Father ordered them.

The doctor sat Yuna up in her bed and slowly began to remove her bandages. She bit her lip. Please let my eyes be okay….I need my eyes….I need to be useful. She prayed till the cloth was completely off. She opened her eyes. But nothing changed. She could still only see darkness.

The doctor sighed. "Her eyes too much damage from that attack sir. I'd be surprised if Yuna could even ever see again."

"I see…" Father exhaled. "Bandage her back up and refill her drip for now then. I'm going to have to go revise my plan now."

Father's words made Yuna pale. No…I can't be useless….I can't. I can't! She heard her Father and the doctor leave the room. "I'm not…" Yuna whispered. "I'm not useless trash!" Yuna yelled, yanking her IV out of her hand. She jolted out of her bed, ran out the door down the hall.

In her mind, Yuna could see the static image of carts, tools and few other doctors and scientists scattered across the hall. She ran right passed them. Yuna didn't need her eyes to see and she was going to prove that. I'll prove to father that I'm not useless!

Suddenly she came to a room with an open door, where Father was. She ran inside and called out to him. "Father please, I can still be useful to you!"

The image of Father and the doctor turned toward her. "Yuna?" Father sounded surprised.

"How did she…?" The doctor puzzled.

Yuna ignored them, "I don't need my eyes Father! I'll prove it!" All around the room, Yuna could see the shapes of syringes, surgical knives and needles on carts. Still standing in one spot, she lifted up all the tools and directed them towards the doctor. She could sense his fear as he shuddered.

The Doctor couldn't move and he shook in fear. "P-Please don't kill me!" He begged

His pleads didn't help though. Yuna glared at him coldly. "I'll show you I can still fight, Father." The doctor screamed as Yuna readied her aim but Father interrupted her.

"That's quite enough. Yuna." He said, making Yuna halt her attack.

"I-I just want to still be useful to you Father!" Yuna could feel tears forming in her eyes. "I don't want you to throw me away!"

Father walked over to her, avoiding the tools that were still hovering around the room. "My dear child…" He softly said once he was in front of Yuna. "You have long exceeded my expectations, you don't need to prove that to me."

"I did?" Yuna looked up.

He nodded. "Don't let one defeat bring you down. Thanks to you, Auron is no longer a problem to us. With him out of the picture, it's only a matter of time till Miniko is with again." He placed his hand on her head. "Just remember who you are fighting for, my Child. If you do that and you can obtain anything."

Yuna could feel a smile appear on her face. "I will…I'll remember that."

He gave her another smile before walking out the door. Yuna was about to follow him, till she noticed the doctor still weeping in fear, the weapons still surrounding him. "Oh right, almost forgot about you." She brought them back to the ground. The doctor fell to the ground, still whimpering and shaking. "Oh relax, not like I actually stabbed you." She rolled her eyes before turning around to follow Father.