Gaara felt empty. Not just physically.

He felt spent.

So many problems pressing at his head. He had so much to deal with. He had so many problems and too little solutions. He just didn't know what to do. And there was no one to ask because honestly, he had the answers and the questions. But what decision? What path could he choose? How long did he have to choose? His stomach was feeling tighter. He was empty, but any moment he was going to dry heave. "Gaara, dude, you okay?" Gaara tried to swallow, gulp down the sick coming up his throat. As disgusting as it sounded. The redhead leaned over the toilet just in case. He tried to compose himself, but his voice still trembled as he spoke.

"I-I'm fine."

"Is it Temari's cooking?" Kankuro asked.

What a good explanation. And he didn't even have to come up with it.

"Yeah," Gaara said. Leaning over the toilet again. Ugh, his throat felt so raw...

"You're too nice. You didn't have to eat that shit," Kankuro said.

"I didn't... want it to go to waste. Besides... she would've been upset," Gaara murmured.

"Not as upset as she is now," Kankuro said. "You okay, man? You sound really bad in there."

"Sorry."

"Sorry for what? Throwing up? You need help?"

"Help?" Gaara groaned. "What the hell do you mean by help?"

"Jeez that came out wrong," Kankuro said. "Erm-"

"I know what you meant," the redhead moaned, not wanting to make his brother explain what he'd understood. "Th-thanks, Kankuro. But I'm fine. Really. J-just go to the kitchen and k-k-keep Temari out of the kitchen, okay? G-guard the kitchen with your life."

Kankuro chuckled.

"Sure thing, man. For both of our sakes. For the world's sake," Kankuro said, his tone melodramatic.

Gaara snickered. Then felt something rise up into his throat. He leaned over the toilet again.

And his big brother winced as he heard a squelch and a nasty smacking noise.

"It's not even in my stomach anymore," Gaara whispered. "Shit. Not good."

He tried to make his stomach relax. But he couldn't.

These emotions were awful. Gaara missed the days when he-

No! Stop complaining! There's no going back! If you keep complaining, then you can't do the simplest thing, which is just DEAL WITH IT. Do it. Deal with your emotions.

I'm overwhelmed, Gaara thought, replying to the voice in his head.

"I think you're nuts. Come on, Gaara, what's with you? You're not hearing voices. You're just thinking aloud in your head and you seem to think your thoughts are voices. They're not. They're your thoughts, your words, your conscience, I guess you could say. Everything you hear are your thoughts. Not voices. Silly Gaara," a voice that sounded suspiciously like Naruto said. "Believe it! You're not crazy! No crazier than me!" The voice laughed and Gaara knew it was his boyfriend.

Wrong. If I'm hearing you, then I must be going insane.

But now that he thought of it... Naruto was a part of him.

And... update. Two short updates.

R.I.P. Wallace Hartley.