Gaara's POV

*A few months later*

I sprinted as fast as my body would allow my physical limits. The bare trees covered in snow were nothing but a splashes and blurs of white as I flashed by. With Kankuro also running by my side, we were speeding towards Konoha as a result from an emergency meeting called on by Tsunade about the whereabouts of Hazuki. As soon as I received my summons, I didn't waste a second to prepare for the trip. Kankuro of course insisted he come with me, in case it was an ambush or a trap. It was most likely that he was curious himself of Hazuki's condition and location. I don't blame him. It has been nearly seven months since our search for Hazuki began. I haven't given up since then and now that the Hokage had claimed they had information about her whereabouts, I didn't think twice about it.

As the trees thinned out I was finally able to see the trademark stone faces of Konoha's past Hokages. A sense of urgency overfilled my senses. 'What news of Hazuki will I receive? Is she fine? Is she hurt? Could she be… dead?' I shook my head clear of that nonsense and quickly landed in front of the massive red gates. I was tired, but I dared not show it. A trip between Konoha and Sunagakure would take a minimum of five days, but I managed to make it in three. Kankuro on the other hand was breathing heavily and resting his hands on his knees, with steam coming from his mouth. 'Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him so hard'.

Two guards instantly approached Kankuro and me as they bowed. "Kazekage-same," A man with a blue bandana over his head addressed me. "Welcome back to Konoha. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Tsunade-sama has been expecting you and your guest. Please go to the main hall to the top floor. She will be expecting you there."

I thanked him and flashed through the town and up the stairs to the familiar meeting room where I have been to many times before.

As I approached the oak doors, I steeled my nerves and put on my stoic face. I gave Kankuro a few seconds to catch his breath before entering.

When I entered the room, two emotions suddenly betrayed my calm façade: confusion and anger.

Dead center of the room, Tsunade was in her usual spot behind her wooden desk piled with paperwork. At her side was her assistant, Shizune, carrying her pet pig. And to my left… was Uchiha Sasuke. A hunger for violence filled my stomach at the sight of his face. 'The man who had hurt Hazuki is standing right in front of me.'

Standing next to the Uchiha Sasuke was a similar looking male with a long ponytail and two distinct marks under his eyes.

"What the fuck is this prick doing here?!" Kankuro blurted out.

'My thoughts exactly.' It took whatever amount of energy I had left to not kill this man. "Tsunade-sama… Please explain this situation." I demanded.

She exhaled a massive sigh and pinched the inner corners of her eyes as if she had a terrible headache. "A situation has arisen that I had not expected. These two men here have Hazuki and is well in their care."

It took me a few seconds to comprehend what she had just said. "What do you mean by that?"

"She is safe. And she is with us." The man with the long ponytail replied.

"This is Uchiha Itachi," Tsunade interjected. "He has been a spy for us on the Akatsuki and from many years of infiltration he has solid evidence of Madara's plan. You do recall that when Hazuki was kidnapped by the Akatsuki some time ago, Itachi double crossed them and with the help of Sasuke they both rescued her from the Akatsuki."

"That doesn't explain why Hazuki is with that bastard!" Kankuro jabbed his finger at Sasuke.

"Hazuki's child is the key to unlocking the end of the ninja world as we know it. Itachi here has been spying on Madara for enough years to know what his exact plans are. And as long as she is under his protection, he can help save the child and the mother." Tsunade's voice rose to assume command of the meeting.

"Wait. Explain to me how on earth Hazuki's child is the gateway to the end of the world?" My thoughts were momentarily distracted from punching Uchiha Sasuke in the face at the news of Hazuki.

As the Fifth Hokage explained the master plan of Madara seeking the eyes of Hazuki's child, it made me more and more repulsed of the Uchiha's. To think that someone would stoop so low to gain power. It was sickening.

When she finished I asked, "If I recall correctly, Hazuki is almost due to giving birth. With her life in such danger, as Kazekage … (and her 'lover' was what I wanted to say), I suggest that all the leaders of the rest of the ninja countries be informed about this."

"No."

The filth has spoken.

"Madara has a plan that can bring about the destruction of the whole world and you wish not to inform this to them?" I asked.

"Hazuki's location is of utmost secrecy. We do not know where or how many of Madara's spies have infiltrated each country therefore our location must not be common knowledge, even amongst leaders. And while we keep Madara guessing of where she is, we can prevent her and my son from being harmed."

Uchiha Sasuke had the audacity to call it his son.

"You do not have the privilege of calling her child your son when that was not her choice to begin with!" The bottled up anger has finally broken through my well kept calmness. I could feel my sand itching to claim another victim.

"I had…my reasons for what I did to her." He replied in somewhat haughty tone.

This was the breaking point. After he had spoken those words, the Shukaku emerged and had taken over my thought process.

'It feels good to be back.' I could now hear his thoughts in my head.

This time, instead of using my inner strength to battle the Shukaku into submission, I simply let myself go.

There were now two ways of dealing with this situation.

Option #1: Release my Shukaku inside and kill the man right in front of me. But then there was a chance of hurting others and starting a war between two powerful countries. As Kazekage, that would be a terrible choice.

Or Option #2: Sudden blinding force and make him suffer.

'You should pummel this man who you can never forgive until his eyes turn black and his spine nearly rips in half. Smash his ribs so badly that every breath he takes is filled with exquisite agony.' The Shukaku inside me whispered me its sweet lullabies.

This terrible seething anger towards that man, I have never felt before. It was an anger that seemed powerful enough to burn the world to cinders. Raping and physically scarring the woman I loved and also having the audacity to call that child his son.

Then I did something I had wanted to do for the longest time.

My sand automatically lunged for his throat. He was fast to respond by unsheathing his katana and blocking my attack, but not fast enough where the overwhelming sand smashed him out through the glass window.

The man with the ponytail, Itachi, reacted by preparing to throw a kunai at me, but Kankuro was faster and blocked his path with one of his fearsome puppets, giving me time to run to the window. I stood there for a second to see where I had thrown Sasuke's body. I located him sprinting across a rooftop a few yards away.

"Stop!" a voice commanded. But my thoughts were not in control anymore as the Shukaku and I jumped out of the window and chased after Sasuke.

As I jumped onto a rooftop, I saw Sasuke running towards the edge of the village into the forest. Probably to avoid any casualties to civilians. Smart man.

I snarled and chased after him with blinding speed. All my self control. All my discipline. All of my training to retain the One- tailed beast inside of me vanished like a snuffed out candle. Half my face had contorted into the appearance of the sand beast. My arms swelled into the familiar massive claws. But I didn't care. At this moment my only thoughts were to inflict as much pain as possible to the man in front of me.

We entered more into the dense forest that was now covered in fresh snow. As I caught up to Sasuke, he was standing in an open area already facing me, as if he knew that this was bound to happen.

"I can only imagine your anger right now, Sabaku no Gaara. But if you listen to me, I can explain everything."

I didn't want to hear it. My thoughts were slowly being consumed again by the evils of the Shukaku. It was just like what happened many years ago during the Chuunin exams. But this time, there is no one in the way of stopping me from killing him.

Automatically, the sand sped towards its target, making him jump high up into the trees. But the sand was relentless and kept chasing after him, making him scrambled like a cornered rabbit trapped in my clutches.

"I don't want to fight you!" He shouted from amongst the trees.

"Oh, you're going to have to if you want to live." I simply replied.

With my sand inching closer and closer, Sasuke finally used his sword to deflect the sand. His katana was a streak of silver. His blade rang as it collided with my hard sand. Again and again, my sand tried to crush its target but Sasuke was too swift and fast.

Tired of being on the defensive, Sasuke finally retaliated back as he shot a streak of lightening towards me.

'Silly attempt. My sand automatically creates a wall to protect me form any physical attack.'

However, it was just a distraction for him to instantly flash from behind, reappearing above me and swung down his katana. But I was quick enough to block his sword. With his blade wedged in my sand armored claw he, he had a desperate look on his face and said, "Orochimaru was going to kill her!"

'He's lying!' The Shukaku hissed. 'Let me kill him for you. Release me!' Whether what he said was true or not, I was starting to lose control over my thoughts. The Shukaku was quickly gaining control over my body.

I grabbed at his ankle and with all my force, I smashed him into the nearest tree, as a result breaking down five trees from the force.

"If I hadn't done what I did, you would have never seen her again." Sasuke's voice came from behind me. As I turned around I realized that I had just thrown his shadow clone. "And if you would let me explain-"

"I grow tired of you speaking." I cut him off. "You may justify your barbaric actions to what you did to Hazuki, but I can never forgive you. The damages you have done to her has scarred her in ways you can't even imagine. Have you seen the damages you have done to her? The wounds, the scars, the sufferings she underwent because of what you did to her." The hatred envoked in my words weren't enough to convey the turmoil inside of me. "And you have the nerve to call her child your son. And now there's a mad man out there who's goal is to consume her child to bring about the end of the world. You realize that you brought this upon her and the whole world."

His face was stoic and blank. But his black eyes did not betray his feelings and were easy to read, for I showed my feelings the same way. I could see that deep down he was hurt and filled with remorse. But I didn't care. He was a monster and if there was any justification for what he had done to Hazuki, the heavens would strike him dead.

"You Uchiha's sicken me."

"I can't correct the mistakes of my past ancestors nor that of my own past but as I said before, my brother and I will protect her with our lives." He stated, "And if you won't listen to me, then I will force you to." This time he was ready to face me and steeled himself.

'That's more like it.' The Shukaku smiled. I wasn't done with him yet.

"Like I said, I have no intentions of fighting you." His onyx eyes revealed nothing but the truth, "but seeing that you're nothing but a monster yourself, I will make you listen to me."

"Suit yourself. I will relish giving you the utmost painful and slow death." I snarled and launched my sand with all my might once again towards his heart as he sped towards me.

When suddenly a soft voice from behind called for me, "Gaara, stop!"

It was like a vice grip on my heart that brought everything to a screeching halt. Even the sand that was mere inches from penetrating Sasuke's organs had stopped in midair.

Holding my breath, I turned around to the source of the voice I've desperately wanted to hear for so long.

'Please don't let it be a lie.'

My breath caught in my throat.

There she was. Looking beautiful as ever against the white snow, like a ghost in winter.

"Hazuki."

Hazuki's POV

*Three days before*

The days got colder as winter approached and the due date for my baby was any day now. There was crisp white snow on the window sill and bare tree branches as I stared out the window. I was alone in the living room, which gave me alone time to daydream about things. Itachi had already made arrangements for me to give birth in the downstairs ward. Everytime I walked past the hospital-like room I always got the chills. I guess I wasn't sure about giving birth to an actual live baby. I always questioned how the baby would look like. Would it look like me? Or would it take after its father, Sasuke? Or would he look exactly like the child from my dreams?

But, as the arrival of my due date became closer, both Sasuke and Itachi seemed to be getting busier. Sasuke had explained that with the arrival of the baby, Madara would surely make an attempt to take the child away from me. Maybe this was why I was so afraid of giving birth. Knowing that once I give birth to my child, he or she was in immediate danger and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Hazuki?"

I looked up in surprise when Sasuke called my name from the hallway. "Yes? I'm here in the living room."

Sasuke appeared from the dim hallway. Because he has been busy for the past few months with the nearing of the due date of my baby, Sasuke had neglected his appearance and let his hair grow out. His bangs were just past his chin. I had to say, it was an interesting look for him.

He walked over to me and sat in front of me on the floor.

There seemed to be something on his mind that was bothering him. "Is something the matter?" I asked while brushing his long bangs out of his eyes.

"We are going to Konoha and you will be delivering your baby there, as requested by the Fifth Hokage."

It took me a second to realize what he had just said. "But…why? Will it be safe?"

"Itachi guarantees it's safe to go at this moment because he recently had intel that Madara is currently in the Western continent of the Wind Country, away from us. But Itachi has recently discovered that one of Madara's spies is here in this town and knows about this location. It will be any moment before he strikes. Our plan is to pretend to carry on as if we will deliver the baby here but we will secretly travel to Konoha."

Sasuke sighed. "I don't like it. Making you travel such distances especially in your conditions but we're taking more precautions as the days come closer to the due date. There are specific seals and techniques that the Hokage can perform to ensure a healthy delivery and wards to protect you from Madara. But…"

Sasuke's face hardened and softly he took my hand into his. "But, the Kazekage will be there also."

I froze at his words. I didn't know how to process what had just transpired. "G-Gaara? Why?"

Sasuke's voice tensed. "We all agreed that he of all people should know about this situation and also… he's still out there looking for you."

"No one's told him of my situation?!" I asked in disbelief. "Why hasn't anyone told him? This is absurd! How could you let him keep searching for me when I'm perfectly fine!"

"You don't understand the gravity of this situation, Hazuki. Your location is the utmost priority. If we told him or anyone else, Madara would surely use him against you and draw you to him."

I calmed down as he explained. It was true. If I had known Gaara was in danger, I knew I would go to him without a second thought.

"What about Karin, Suigetsu, and Juugo?"

"They will stay here in case Madara does come here. With Karin's chakra sensing abilities, she will know when exactly he will arrive and Juugo's messenger birds will inform us long before he gets here. Its also best that we travel with less people, we don't want to attract attention to ourselves."

I looked out the window at the tranquil scenery to collect my thoughts. I didn't know how I felt about seeing Gaara again. Especially after what has recently happened between me and Sasuke…how will I be able to look him in the eye? Was it possible to be in love with two men at the same time? I miss him so much.

Sasuke's hand gently tilted my head up to look him in the eye. "Is everything alright?"

"Mmm" I nodded. "Everything's fine." I lied but gave a small smile to try to hide it.

I could tell Sasuke knew I was lying but he let it slide anyways. "Alright. I'll pack your things. We're leaving tonight." He kissed me on the forehead before leaving me alone to ponder things alone.

*At Konoha*

Itachi, Sasuke, and I entered the great meeting room and behind a massive desk, stood who I assumed to be the Hokage. She was extremely beautiful for someone to her age to qualify as a Hokage she was very young. There was a lady to her right with short black hair and was a well dressed pig in her arms. And to her left was the jounin Kakashi-san, who greeted us with a smile.

Itachi walked a little ahead as I stood behind him and Sasuke close to my side.

"Itachi, glad you could make it on short notice. Was the journey alright?" The Hokage's voice was powerful and demanded command.

Itachi bowed before her before he replied, "Yes, as I have predicted, our journey was undisturbed. I hope we did not make you wait too long."

Tsunade waved her hand, "No, in fact you're early. Gaara should be here any minute now." Once hearing that word, my heart went into over drive again. I was getting extremely nervous to see him. Then she looked past his shoulders and to me. "Is that the girl?"

"Yes," Itachi gently brought me forward to meet the Hokage. "This is the famous Hazuki we've been talking about."

I bowed in front of her presence. "It is an honor to meet you, Tsunade-sama. I wish to sincerely thank you for all your help. I hope that I haven't caused too much trouble for you."

"It's nothing." Tsunade replied and then opened up one of her drawers. "As a trained medical –nin I will be helping you deliver your baby along with my assistant here, Shizune." The lady to the Hokage's side gave a small bow and kind smile. "While we have the time, I would like to give you a checkup to see you and your child's condition." Tsunade-sama said as took out a stethoscope from her drawer.

And of course I always had the worst of timing. Ever since the later stages of pregnancy I had been going to the bathroom nonstop. I might as well live in a bathroom. And at that moment, right before I was about to meet Gaara had to pee really badly.

"Padon me… but could I please use the restroom before we begin?" I chuckled nervously.

"Of course." She answered. "Its out the door to the right down the stairs."

"I can show her." Kakashi offered.

"Oh, it's alright. I can find it myself."

"We don't want you getting lost." Kakashi winked.

'Has he always been awkward around girls?' I giggled inwardly. But I assumed it was mostly for my protection. In case there was a slim chance that Madara would attack me in the bathroom.

"Do you need me to accompany you?" Sasuke asked in concern.

I shook my head. 'Geez I'm just going to the bathroom, not a death match. "I'm fine. I'll be back soon." I reassured him. "I apologize for the awkward timing, but please, if I do not come back in time, start the meeting without me." I said and followed Kakashi out the door and down the stairs.

"Well here we are." Kakashi said as we approached a wooden door. "I'll just be right outside."

I thanked him and quickly entered and relieved my duties on the porcelain throne. I couldn't help but let out a loud sigh of relief.

"Feel better?" Kakashi asked when I exited the bathroom.

"Much." I smiled.

We walked back together to the meeting room when suddenly the sound of breaking of glass filled the hallway. "What on earth?" Kakashi was on full alert. "Hazuki, stay close to me." He warned me and quickly entered the room.

I was suddenly scared. 'Could Madara already have known my location?'

As I peeked inside, I could have sworn it was not the same room I had just left before. The room that was once clean was now littered with shattered glass. Itachi was in a standstill battle with a fearsome puppet. And… Gaara!

He was standing just before the shattered window, appearing to jump. "Stop!" I cried.

But it was too late. He was already gone.

I had to go after Gaara. Whatever was going on, something didn't seem right. Why would be just jump out the window like that? Without thinking twice, I immediately sprinted down the stairs and out the main door to where Gaara was last headed.

*Kankuro's POV*

I immediately connected my chakra thread and blocked Itachi's attack with my puppet. 'I saw that from a mile away, pretty boy.' I scoffed.

This gave Gaara time to chase after that no good bastard, Sasuke.

"Stop!" a voice from the back door cried out, but I didn't give it much thought. I was too busy distracting Ponytails from going after those two.

"Tsunade-sama, what happened here?" Kakashi suddenly popped into the room. 'Where the heck did he come from?'

Tsunade's voice had turned into a fearsome growl, "Gaara lost his temper and that idiot, Sasuke didn't make it better!" Tsunade replied. "He attacked Sasuke and now he's let loose his one-tailed beast in my village!" she cried. "Itachi, you better teach your sibling on how to address his superiors." She reprimanded. "And that fool, Gaara should have more self-discipline for a Kazekage."

"And where is Hazuki?!" She shouted at Kakashi.

"Wait… Hazuki? She's here?" I asked in disbelief.

"We were about to explain, before things got out of hand…" Ponytail's voice was oiled with sarcasm.

Kakashi suddenly ran to the door and looked out the hallways in both directions. "She must have run after him." He said.

"She WHAT!?" The Hokage damn near broke my ear drum.

"We must stop Gaara immediately, we don't know if Gaara can control the tailed beast. This will also cause unnecessary attraction and once Madara gets word about this…" Ponytails said.

"He's right." Tsunade interjected. "We have to stop him before it's too late."

"Let me go. I can stop him." I said.

Tsunade gave a heavy sigh. "Fine. But they are to accompany you." She pointed to Kakashi and Ponytails. "Now GO!"

At her command we all bolted through the broken window and chased after Gaara and Sasuke's path.

*Hazuki's POV*

I panted heavily as I trudged through the snow. I know I shouldn't be exerting so much energy but I had to stop Gaara from losing himself. I entered the dense forest and headed towards the sound of the familiar grating sound of Gaara's sand.

'I'm almost there.' I picked up my pace with determination.

Soon I entered a small clearing and what I saw before me was what I had not expected. Gaara and Sasuke were battling. But Gaara … was not himself. He had been consumed by the Shukaku in him. Half his body had transformed into the sand beast. I had never seen him before like this.

Suddenly they both sprinted towards each other with murderous intent.

'He's going to kill Sasuke!'

"Gaara. Please!" I yelled.

With just that everything froze. Nothing but the soft snow moved gently down to the ground.

He slowly turned. His face I did not even recognize. Half his face was mangled into a snarling fearsome beast that he had trained so hard to contain.

"Hazuki?" He whispered in disbelief.

"Hazuki!" Sasuke suddenly flashed in front of me in a defensive position. "Hazuki, what are you doing here? He's dangerous. This is what I've been warning you about! Go back to the village!"

Through my heavy pants I saw clouds of steam coming from my mouth. I had gone over my limit. "Gaara… -pant- Gaara please –pant-, stop..."

"Hazuki? You're alive?" Gaara still seemed in shock at seeing me in front of him.

I walked around Sasuke to get closer to Gaara. But Sasuke suddenly grabbed my arm to pull me back. "Hazuki, he's dangerous!"

I turned my head and looked him in his dark eyes. "Please, let me go. I can help him."

He looked back at me with the same ferocity, not knowing whether or not it was safe. But he turned his head in frustration and, I knew that it took him much effort, he gently let go of my hand.

As soon as he released me I walked towards Gaara. Or what remained of him. His face was feral and beastly. I was scared more than anything, but I knew he wouldn't hurt me. I had to bring him back to who he was before the monster consumed him.

I closed the distance between us with my hands reaching out towards him; I gently placed them on his cheeks. Automatically, the snarling contorted face relaxed into what seemed like eternal relief.

Gaara sighed out what seemed to be like a thousand years of stress. "You're alive."

"Yes. I am. I'm here now."

"Please tell me this isn't a dream."

I brought his head down towards mine so that our foreheads were touching. "This isn't a dream. Please come back to me."

With those magical words, he dropped to his knees in defeat and the sand that made up the body of the Shukaku fell from his body, revealing the rest of his handsome face.

I sighed in relief. Gaara had won against the Shukaku inside of him.

I felt a pressure around my waist as I looked down and realized that Gaara was still on his knees hugging me around my stomach. There were glistens of moisture around the brim of his eyes. "I thought that I had lost you again." His voice was deep with sorrow.

'Oh how long have I waited to hear his voice again? His voice that brought such comfort and security to me.'

"I'm here now." I said as I gently stroked his soft crimson hair.

Sasuke, realizing that he was no longer needed nor did the situation include him, slinked back into the dense forest. Leaving Gaara to openly weep in peace.