"This all happened because of a mistake?" Naruto says his hands turning to fists
"Has this happened to other machines?" Gaara asks
"We ran a diagnostic check and it came back with a faulty circuit, no one could tell it had a hairline fracture on the inside. The prototypes had something similar happen; we were assured the problems with it had been fixed in the final product" Shikamaru explaains
They hear a knock at the door, Naruto walks over opening it
"Hey, you should be resting"
"I need to speak with you" Gaara recognizing Neji's voice, Naruto nods, he turns to Shikamaru and Gaara
"I'll be right back" and walks out into the hall closing the door
"Have you made a decision?" he asks as soon as the door is closed
"It wasn't ideal but her and her team made it out of a deadly and stressful situation, they were hurt but made it out of the building, and she passes"
"No"
"I thought you f all people would be happy for her" Naruto says furrowing his brow
"Tell her she failed, or because it was incomplete you can't make a decision, being a chunin should be enough for her" Neji says point blank
"She wants to be part of this village and protect it-"
"She can by continuing working at the hospital, visit the other kage and be-"
"Out of harms way?" Naruto says his features softening, Neji keeps eye contact, Naruto hearing how he behaved at the hospital, how they all felt hearing and seeing her hooked up to all those machines, he sighs
"I'll discuss it with the other kage, it shouldn't be hard to convince them. At least she knows a lot more about fighting and how to defend herself" he says scratching his head
"Thank you" he turns to leave
"Neji?" Naruto says, he turns to look at him
"Get some rest, you look like crap"
"I did, not by choice" he mumbles walking away
….
"When could I head back to the sand village, I'd rather be the one to get Hatsukoi"
"Sakura informed us you need to stay in bed and no walking around for a few weeks" Gaara says softly, stroking her hand with his thumb
"I've been away from her for a long time… I miss her" she says looking down adjusting her blanket
"I'll see what I can do" He says reaching his hand up her face, stroking her cheek then bringing it down to cup her chin leaning in then pausing, then sitting back down in his chair, returning his hand into hers
"I didn't pass, it was incomplete Naurto says… There's always next year I suppose, though I feel I let down the people who helped me train especially Lee, when I got back after he heard what happened going to the Mizukage's village… he believed I can do it, he taught me so much up to this point" she says tearing up
"Lee is a great sensei, he and your other sensei's would understand. How has your healing been?" he says changing the subject
"Good… I'm going to have a scar though" she says feeling the groves of the bandage through her gown
"It will be your first scar" he states with a small smile
"It's only attractive if it's on a man" she says teasing, and a little proud to have it
The door opens seeing Sakura
"Hey bandage change" she says walking over, Gaara nods standing up and walking towards the door closing it behind him, Sakura closes the curtain, helping her with the gown
"Sakura, I want to go to the sand village to get Hattsukoi and bring her home" she says as Sakura re wraps her bandage
"I said no walking, you can die from this you know, we have to-"
"Please, she's my daughter.." she says in a quiet voice, Sakura stands stunned to hear her acknowledge Hatsukoi in the same way Sakura thought when she'd seen Hatsukoi in Shae's arms
"Someone with medical experience has to go with you, Ino will probably be willing but absolutely no walking around- you got it?" she says firmly getting in Shae's personal space
"Yeah I got it" she says in a flat tone, pulling her gown back on, Sakura walks towards the door and pauses at the entrance looking back at her
"You won't be leaving right away; we have to come up with a plan…. It's nice to know the application I sent in for you, for the open spot at the day care down stairs won't go to waste" she smiles, she smiles back then leaves the room.
"Lord Kazekage, may I speak with you" Sakura says before he can open the door, he nods following her down the hall into an empty room, she closes the door behind them
"Normally, I would never let someone who was still in the early stages of recovering to leave the hospital, however she wants to see Hatsukoi personally, I figure since she was in the midst of the adoption, she would need to sign several new documents nullifying the adoption, is that right?" she asks
"Yes" he replies, knowing there was a section in the documents that says she may cancel proceedings at any given time before the final signature
"Alright.. So you know, she's not allowed to walk more than a few feet or do anything strenuous, strict bed rest… also nothing strenuous" she says hinting at the word
"Nothing" she says raising her brow
' How does- Of course Sakura's her primary doctor, of course she'd know..' Gaara rationalizing the discussion as his eyes widen slightly, then he looks down nodding "I see"
Sakura sighs relieved she didn't have to actually say 'no sex' to the Kazekage
"It's going to take me at least two days to prepare everything, would that be okay? I know you've been here for quite a few days, we can have our shinobi-"
"I can wait, take your time" Gaara says opening the door to the hall, making his way back to Shae's room
'Great, now I have to have the same conversation with Neji..' Sakura groans leaving to find him
"It would seem you didn't need me to convince anyone to let you leave for Suna" he says a soft smile on his face as he sat down
"Sakura understands" she smiles "I can't wait to see her, she must've grown so much"
"I've checked up on her time to time and she is, however she's a little underweight and they had to change the formula with a slightly higher fat content, she should be having another checkup today" he says holding her hand
Their conversation staying on Hatsukoi, and daily habits, Gaara admitting he's checked in on them by using his third eye technique, Shae sharing what happened during the exam.
…..
As she's being taken outside in a wheel chair Sakura keeps reminding her of the dangers of walking around while she's still recovering
"I already sent what we've been doing to monitor you to the sand village, they're going to check you when you get there, Ino knows what to do if anything goes wrong or you have more discomfort than usual" she says as they stop outside then entrance. A gold and red lavish looking carrier designed for the Hokage.
"Why don't you just paint a bull-eye on Naruto's back I think it'd be easier" Shae says
"What?" Sakura looks at her confused
"This thing" she points at the carrier
"You can't be carried on someone's back, there will be too much pressure against your chest leaning against someone, this was your only option" she says stopping her in front of the opening to the carrier, Shae visibility cringes, sighs then stands up from the wheel chair slowly, then slowly sitting down into the opening, careful not to rip open her stitches
"This is so gotti looking… I think I would rather be in the wheel chair" she mumbles
"It's only for a few days" she looks passed Sakura seeing Neji, she smiles
"It's early, no one will see you as you leave" Sakura teases, Shae rolls her eyes shutting the blind
"See you when you get back… nothing strenuous I mean it" she whispers harshly
"Yeah, I said I got it' Shae says from behind the blind, feeling the carrier move, she looks out the other side seeing Ino
"Who's coming with us? I can't see and I'm not opening these blinds, cause this is embarrassing" she says to Ino, she looks through the small section Shae had been holding open to speak with her, she looks around front then the back
"Oh nothing" she says to someone on the other side waving
"Uh it looks like, the Kazekage, Kankuro, Neji, Ten ten, Kara and Ren" she says
"Kara and Ren?"
"Yeah, they're carrying you" she says looking at the front and back of the carrier
"They shouldn't be up either" Shae says worried
"You healed them remember? They're not the one with the collapsed lung, besides they heard you were leaving and wanted to help" Ino says giving a half smile
"Hm, still fascinating how you think blood loss is okay to go right back to work"
"It happens and they fully recovered, relax" Ino looks behind her and shakes her head
"Who was that?"
"Neji" she says raising her brow at her
"Are you alright?" she hears his voice from the other side, she turns peaking through
"Yeah just bothering Ino"
"Why do you have the blinds down?" he says reaching for it
"Like I said this is embarrassing being carried around in this" he smiles at her response
"I'll tell you when we're out of the village"
"Thanks Neji.." she stares at him through the small opening of the blind for a few seconds, he turns his head looking back at her raising his brow, she shakes her head letting it go.
….
"Everything looks good, and you know the deal bed rest only, there's a bath seat in the tub for when you shower" Ino says helping her into bed
"Great I'm a little old lady now" Shae says wincing as she lies down
"The bath seat?" Ten ten asks sitting at the foot of the bed
"Yeah, but I guess that will make shaving easier" she smiles
"You have a really nice room here" Ino says looking around then walking to the closet, opening it up
"And a lot of clothes" she says looking through her closet full of dresses
"How do you think that kunai ended up in your side? I mean they did protect you after all" Ten ten asks
"I'm guessing somewhere in between Ren sheltering me and Kara throwing me into the hallway… " she says thinking about where she was having that conversation with Chaos
"Hatsukoi huh?" Ino says turning to look at Shae holding a dark blue halter dress
"Hn?"
"Finally came to your senses and you're going to bring her home" Ino says walking over to her full length mirror holding it up to her
"Yeah" Shae smiles, waiting for someone to bring her as Gaara had instructed Baki to do so
"I guess almost dying does that" Ten ten says glancing to Shae then Ino
"Why are you going through her closet?" she asks
"Shae said if I ever came to Suna I could take a dress since she had plenty, it's also me and Sais anniversary soon. Easier than shopping for one, it still has the tag on it.." She says turning it over, her eyes widening
"You know how expensive this is?" she says her eyes still wide and mouth dropping, ten ten stands up walking over looking at the tag
"This would pay my rent for 5 months!" Ten ten says giving Shae the same expression, she blushes slightly
"I haven't looked at any of the tags, I've only worn a few since there's so many of them" she says looking at the closet
"How much are you getting paid?" Ino says looking at the closet. Ten ten slaps her arm
"That's rude to ask"
"They were gifts, I didn't pay for any of them.. They kind of just showed up with a note" she says avoiding eye contact
"From who?" Ino says composing herself and continuing to look at the dress in her hand
"Gaara.." Shae mumbles
"The Kazekage?" Ino tilting her head, it finally clicking as she feels the delicate fabric between her fingertips
"Are you?.." her eyes locking with Shae's.
Shae glancing from Ino to Ten ten then she looks down, Ino gasps
"What about Neji" she walks over sitting close to her
"It's complicated Ino, don't ask we'll be here until tomorrow evening" Ten ten says shaking her head then closing the closet doors
"I thought we were friends why does only Ten ten know?" Ino says her crossing her arms, offended
'Well Sakura knows too… kinda surprised she kept it to herself though it is the Kazekage so yeah I think she would be quiet'
"To be fair I see her more often" Shae says feeling a bit awkward
"I suppose that's true" she says waving her hand "But you could've told me when we had your party or that time you came back from Suna with Hatsukoi"
"Too many ears at the party and I don't think Hinata would've liked that conversation much especially when it involves her cousin"
"Okay well what the other times we went for coffee or lunch?" Ino says still having her arms crossed, Shae sighs
"Honestly?...I didn't want you judging me, that's why" she says looking up at her, Ino slowly uncrossing her arms
"Why would I do that? I told you so much and things I thought maybe you wouldn't approve of"
"I know I know-I'm sorry, it won't happen again" she says trying to sit up, Ino taking the pillow propping it up behind her
"So.. How is it?" Ino says after a few seconds, her curiosity over riding the fact Shae kept that secret from her Shae opens her mouth then looks over at Ten ten, who shrugs knowing she was going to say it anyways. Shae explaining how it all started up until that point
"Wow.. I never would've… wow" Ino says stunned with a blank stare at the wall
"He's a lot different from when we were genin that's for sure" she says snapping out of her daze
"Can someone see where Hatsukoi is, Baki should've brought her by now" Shae changing the subject
"Sure" Ten ten says still having a slight blush across her cheeks this being the first time hearing several of Shae and Gaaras intimate moments
Ino standing back up walking back to the closet
"You're not going to keep it? Or did you like a different one?" Shae asks
"It's really expensive"
"Take it, it's yours"
"No really-"
"Yes take it, it's not like you're paying for it"
"No I-"
"Take the god damn dress Ino" Shae says beginning to shuffle off the bed
"Fine, sheesh, you're so pushy sometimes, and stay there" She says glaring at her
"You're welcome, now you have something to wear for your anniversary" She smiles leaning back down against the pillow
"They were giving her a bath and feeding her before bringing her to you" Ten ten says giving her to Shae slowly, Hatsukoi almost diving out of her arms to Shae
"Oops, awe I missed you too" Shae holding her close, Hatsukoi holding her hands to Shaes face babbling fast
"Is that what happened? Oh my, really?" Shae says as if having a conversation with Hatsukoi
…..
"Naruto asked me back for an anbu mission.. It's going to be a few weeks until I see either of you" Neji says softly, Shae curled up in his arms as was Hatsukoi
"Anbu missions are always important and can sometimes take forever" she smiles "I don't think Naruto would ask unless it was necessary"
"How are you feeling?" he asks keeping his voice low Hatsukoi having fallen asleep a few minutes ago
'"Better, at least I can walk around a little more and I don't have to keep being a hermit" she smiles, the doctor giving her permission for a short stroll to the small park near by
"When are you leaving?" she asks turning to look at him
"In an hour" She nods, holding onto his arm restoring his chakra.
The last few weeks Neji had been more open and willing to share what he was thinking, Shae chalking it up to having almost died; not knowing it was only one of the reasons why he was being so open. Neji realizing he would be called back at any time leaving her alone with Gaara,
'At least she's still unable to be intimate with anyone for a few more weeks' he thought, as he left for the leaf village
Gaara would visit almost every evening, having set up an emergency team on call at the hospital should she take a turn for the worse, and helping her care for Hatsukoi while she started to have doubts about keeping Hatsukoi, ultimately worrying the couple who were more than excited to bring her into their home.
The paper work was still in the process of being looked over and to find a way to nullify the adoption, Shae resisting the urge to go through with the adoption, constantly weighing the pros and cons against each other in a continuous loop.
'Cons: If the village is attacked I would need to leave her in some nin's care, because of Gaara and I she's always going to be in danger even though she's not his, I can't stop chaos from drawing danger to me…. Maybe I should let her live with them… pros: I get to see her every day… I'd get to watch her grow up, her first tooth falling out, bike ride, first crush, first heart break' she thinks looking down at Hatsukoi tears beginning to form 'Is that enough of a reason to keep her in constant danger because I don't want…. I can't live without her.. I love her so much.. Someone's always going to try and hurt her because of me, I can't be selfish.. I have too… I have too' she cries holding her close, tears falling onto Hatsukoi's blanket
….
"Are you ready?" she hears turning to see Temari.
Temari having come from the leaf village at the request from Gaara, explaining Shae's decision.,
Shae nods, picking up the diaper bag, cradling Hatsukoi, as see coo's and looks around observantly they make their way to the Kazekages office. Temari not saying a word keeping her eyes lowered as they enter the room.
"There she is" says Mrs. Yashin, she sighs as if she was holding her breath
"I told you she would come, nothing to worry about" her husband whispers in her ear standing up from the couch
Shae walks over to Gaara's desk, he hands her the pen, her back turned to the couple, she hesitates, hovering over the dotted line, then signs the last page.
'This is the right thing for her..' she thinks turning around to face them she smiles
"Congratulations, you're parents now" she says still smiling, stepping closer to them as they walk over from the couch, Mrs. Yashin, holding her arms outstretched, Hatsukoi looks at them curiously then back at Shae, she nods handing her over.
'It's for the best, she's out of danger now..' Shae handing over the diaper bag
'If… This is for the best… Why does it feel like the biggest mistake of my life' Hatsukoi babbling to her new mom as she holds her close walking towards the door, Shae keeps smiling. Hatsukoi peering over Mts. Yashin's shoulder, extending her arm towards Shae
'Don't cry… it's for the best, don't..' Hatsukoi closing and opening her hand at Shae, something she would always do when she wanted to be picked up. The lump in her throat beginning to hurt, the tears waiting to fall, the door closes.
Shae covers her mouth sinking to the floor, trying to control her sobs that were becoming hysterical each passing second.
Gaara takes a step towards her, Temari holds her hand to him and walks over to her, her hand swinging outward, kneeling down, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Temari..I love her" she gasps between her sobs holding onto her as if her life depended on it
"I know… I know" she says in a soothing voice, rubbing her back
"I can't breathe" she says beginning to hyperventilate
"You're having a panic attack, it'll be over soon" Temari keeping her voice soft and soothing, staying where she is, waiting until her breathing became steady, lifting her to her feet, she stands letting Temari guide her back to the room.
"They still want you to see her when she's sick" Temari says covering her with the blanket, her sobs being muffled by a pillow, Shae was holding over her mouth, an attempt at silencing them
"She's only a few blocks away.." Temari noticing a few drops of blood appearing on her shirt where her wound is, she leaves the bedroom to find a small zippered bag stuffed with gauze, she walks back changing her bandage, then rubbing her back until she falls asleep.
Gaara having visited her, holding her every night while she would cry, fall asleep and wake up only to start all over again, encouraging her to eat while he was there since the nurse that would check up on her healing process let him know she wasn't eating during the day.
"I'm not hungry" she says softly holding onto Gaara's shirt her eyes not focused on anything
"At least this one" he holds up a small bowl of sauteed vegetables and beef, having her favorite foods brought to her room, she looks at the small bowl, then sits up taking the bowl, slowly eating away at it, setting it back on the tray and lays down in the same position, curled up next to him, her head on chest
"In all the times you've been here, I don't think I've shown you the music room, neither I nor my siblings know how to play an instrument, though if you wanted too we can take a walk over. I know you play a few.." he says watching her blank expression
"Yeah, maybe later.." she says, an automatic response
"Tell me how to help you" he whispers out of idea's to bring some flicker of emotion back to her features, she looks up at him, then crawls her way to the edge of the bed, standing up walking to the bathroom, he follows her, Shae closes the door, he waits outside hearing the shower running and sobs.
He waits outside the bathroom for an hour, finally hearing the shower being turned off, she walks out in a towel by him, her eyes down cast, he reaches out for her.
"I'm tired… Good night" she says closing her bedroom door on him, He stands starring at her bedroom door debating whether or not to enter, if it would make a difference, he turns to leave, pausing for a moment, then proceeds to enter the room, picking her up, using his sand to open the door to the main hall
"Gaara.. what are you doing" she says looking up at him the same blank stare, he keeps quiet, walking down two flights of stairs continuing down the end of long hallway, large wooden doors, using his sand again to open them. Inside the walls were covered in varnished wood, as did the floor, several stringed instruments lined the wall, a piano in the middle of the room, he sets her down on the bench in front of the piano.
"Will you play something for me?" She sighs looking over the black and white keys, her eyes wandering over to the stringed instruments, she stands up walking over to a violin, picking it up, turning toward him, the same unfocused looks in her eyes, bringing it up to position, testing for pitch, then running the bow along the strings, playing Mozart 'lacrimosa', the darkened sound filling the room.
Gaara's eyes transfixed on her as she bows and sways with the music, all the while feeling a sad cry in her heart recognizing it as hatsukoi when certain nights she would keep crying until she would pick her up, wondering where in the hell was to comfort her
'Why is it taking so long to get to her crib?!... Are they even there?, She's only 6 months old! pick her up! for god's sake pick her up!' she thought playing the last part of the song, as the note ends, so does Hatsukoi's heart slowly stopping it's sad cry, feeling an uncontrollable anger building in the pit of her stomach.
"That's a beauti-' Gaara being cut off by Shae throwing the violin across the room, the violin cracking, wood scattering, she turns to the other instruments picking up another, carrying it over head, bringing it down to the floor, another one smashed, kicking over a wooden drum, Gaara seeing she was about of step on the pieces of cello she smashed he uses his sand restraining her, Shae struggling against it
"LET GO!" her scream coming out border line shrill, Gaara gently setting her down on the floor away from any shards of wood, she lays on the floor bringing her knees up to her chest. Gaara assess the best way to approach her, Shae pushes herself to sit up right.
"I'm sorry.. I'll clean it up.." she says crawling over to the broken drum nearby, Gaara walks up behind her, crouching he pulls her to him, her back facing him
"I know it doesn't feel like it, but you're beginning to move on.." he says feeling her beginning to shake from her crying in his arms
"I don't want too" she says in a weak voice, screaming at Gaara the only time she's raised her voice in two weeks since letting Hatsukoi go
"She wouldn't want to see you this way" as soon as he finishes his sentence, she tenses up, pushing him away, as she stands to her feet
"What the hell do you know, you never spent any real time with her, you wouldn't have a clue at what she would want!" she yells at him, a flicker of raw emotion crossing his features before composing his self
"I've spent plenty of time with the both of you to know the way you are behaving would crush her" his tone having an edge to it, seeing Shae's stunned then hurt expression immediately regretting having bringing her up, Shae walks to the doors, using his sand to barricade them shut.
"Shae I-"
"Let me out"
"Please, let me apologize"
"Let me out" she growls, using her ability on the sand that blocked her from leaving, as the sand drops she reaches for the door handle only to have another one blocking her
"Let me the fuck out Gaara!" she says turning around only to come face to face with him, she freezes in her struggle to leave the music room she didn't hear him come up behind her
"I didn't mean to upset you further, I thought bringing you here would be a way to distract you from what you had lost with something else you love, I was wrong, forgive me" His concerned apologetic eyes instantly calming her anger, she looks passed him at the destruction of the room, only the piano appeared to be unscathed by her burst of anger.
She looks down feeling embarrassed for his constant efforts to cheer her up even for a moment, only to have her almost destroy all the instruments. The broken pieces scattered around the room looked as if she was a child throwing a massive tantrum. To him, it was her way to come to terms with her decision, having no real connection with anything from the room.
She sinks to the floor, her back against the sand covering the door.
"I'm sorry…. You're incredibly kind to have brought me here and I fuck it up", only dry sobs coming from her, he crouches in front of her
"They can be replaced" his voice returning to its gentle way, reaching for her hand, bringing it to his lips placing a soft kiss, she looks up at him with a small smile, a blush lingering still feeling embarrassed from her actions
'.. She doesn't seem completely lost anymore' he thinks bringing his hand to her cheek, he notices her breathing even though sitting on the floor was still shallow, he picks her up, taking her out of the room seeing Kankuro coming down the hall
"The staff on call" he all he says, Kankuro nodding, disappearing.
"I'm fine" she says holding her side, feeling her nightgown damp, she looks at her hand her finger tips smeared with blood.
As they enter her room the staff that are on call are sprinting down the hall to her, checking her pulse, breathing, her stitches.
"She opened a few of her stitches, if she's done anything rather physical it could've irritated her lung. When you were told you could go for a short walk, it didn't mean at a fast pace" the nurse concludes shaking her head, preparing a needle and thread
"It's only been a little over a month since your injury, how fast did you think you can heal.." she mumbles restitching her wound.
She sighs not caring she reopened her wound, her eyes wandering over to Kankuro and Gaara, Kankuro giving a disapproving look, while Gaara kept his normal composure in front of staff.
….
As she opens her eyes, she looks around realizing this wasn't her room, she looks around seeing Gaara lying next to her
'I don't remember coming to his room… wait.. this isn't his room either..' she stands up, walking out looking around at the new furniture and rooms.
'Maybe this is my new place?...' she thinks looking through the cupboards, making herself a cup of coffee, she sees a balcony attached to the living room with a chair and table, she walks over, opening the glass door, she steps onto the balcony sitting on the chair, breathing in the dry cool air.
Watching people go about their day and opening up shops she recognizes a blonde women walking with a small child in her arms
'Hatsukoi..' she smiles as Hatsukoi keeps trying to give her 'choo' to Mrs. Yashin, when she shakes her head, Hatsukoi throws it on the ground, picks it up, places it in her pocket, taking out a new one clipping it to Hatsukoi's shirt and placing it in her mouth. Shae keeps watching as they walk down the street until they disappear around a corner. She waits for a few minutes if they would come back, she lets out a small laughs standing up, walking back to the kitchen for another cup.
'She's always so silly, I wonder if they tried giving her oatmeal yet.. I think she'd enjoy pureed apples mixed in' she smiles, refilling her cup, hearing feet making contact with the floor she turns her head seeing Gaara.
"Hey" she says softly, still having the same smile he stares at her smile and the light that returned to her eyes, he smiles feeling relieved.
'I wonder if she seen her while on the balcony why she's happier' he thinks stepping closer, the main reason he had moved her to the new room. Shae placing her cup on the counter, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep kiss
"Good morning" he says, as she pulls away, opening his eyes the light in hers remaining.
"I have to go.." he says keeping his hands on her lower back debating if he can put off his work for a few hours.
"I know.. I'll be here when you get back" she whispers before kissing him again, sucking on his lower lip before sliding her tongue into his mouth, Gaara reciprocating the kiss, holding her closer, she flinches pull away her left arm down to her side
"Damn stitches you ruin everything" she says cringing
"Did they open again?" he says sliding off the strap of her dress, Shae turning to the side, moving her arm forward for him to see better.
"Hm it hasn't reopened" he says pulling the strap back up her shoulder.
"That's a relief" she smiles, hearing a knock at the door, he walks over to the door opening it, hearing Baki's voice, she stays quiet unsure if this is her room or Gaara's new quarters, the door closes, he comes back
"I'll visit later on today" he says kissing her gently, she nods watching him leave, she returns to the balcony, curling up in the chair wondering if she missed her chance at them coming back from their walk
…..
"Your wound healed up quite nicely, though I wouldn't send you on mission's just yet" the doctor says looking at her x-rays
"Thanks, could I at least go for longer walks?" she asks, he nods
"I don't see why not, but returning to your old training routine is out of the question, your wound may be healed but your lung still needs more time" he sits down closing her chart
"Thank you again" she smiles leaving his office, on her way back to her room, she sees Mrs. Yashin up ahead walking into a baby store, seeing a glimpse of Hatsukoi's arms holding up a stuffed animal from her stroller.
She finds herself making her way to the music room instead of her room, opening the doors she peers in, the instruments having already been replaced; she sits on the bench in front of the piano, running her fingers across the keys.
Closing her eyes she focuses on listening to Hatsukois heart beat zoning in on her emotions, she plucks away at the piano keys matching cords to her feelings.
Eventually playing several different classical pieces then onto her own songs.
Gaara having finished his duties for the day, checks her newly located room, not seeing her or any sign she's been there today, he walks to the stairway thinking of where she could've gone, he hears a faint sound, following it down the stairs, realizing it's coming from the music room recognizing her voice, he slowly opens the door wider walking in, silently closing the door behind him. Shae's back towards him as her fingers dance across the keys
"It has been so long, to be without you.. It has been so long to be without my only hope…This heart it beats, beats for only you…..my heart.. it beats, beats for only you, my heart is yours.. my heart is yours" her last note ringing through the room, taking the pen from the top of the piano, writing the rest of her lyrics onto the music book Kakashi had given her
"I've only heard the last part, from what I can tell it's beautiful and simple, with no hidden meaning… It is what it says it is" Gaara says from the doors, having stayed where he was not to disturb her, she takes the small book and places it in her pocket, and turns to him
"Hmm" she laughs "You haven't heard the rest of it, it could be crap" she smiles, he walks over, sitting next to her, looking over the keys then up at her
"Will you play it for me?"
A/N: There's some more Gaara time lol I know a few requested it, hope you enjoyed it, more to come :D
