Chapter 29
That evening…
They were set to depart back to Suna…
However, a persistent blizzard hit Yama out of nowhere, preventing them from leaving.
The three Suna ninja took refuge in the living room of the chieftain's residence, much to their dismay.
Gaara sat on the couch in the room's centre, and Nomasaki stood by the sliding doors, watching the snowfall from the porch.
While a space heater kept them warm, Kankuro sitting closest to it and warming his hands.
Trying to stay as warm as possible as the harsh mountain winds quaked the house.
"When will this storm let up?" He shivered, turning to Nomasaki. "Any idea when?"
"Not sure, but probably not until morning." She sighed. "The mountains are treacherous, especially in times like these."
She turned back to the window of the porch.
The blizzard was merciless.
Already there were houses in Yama that were near buried by the depths of the snow.
"We sometimes get storms that last days on end. That's why Yama is still isolated from the other villages."
Kankuro shuddered, with a slight groan.
"Of course…"
Quietly, footsteps approached them from the hallway.
"It's getting late." Kyo spoke, gesturing to the hall as he turned to the Kazekage and his brother. "There are rooms for you two if you needed somewhere to sleep."
"Thank you," Gaara nodded. "That's very kind."
As Kyo walked off from the visiting Sand ninja, he exchanged a gaze with the young Kazekage.
Almost as if to imply trust.
Before disappearing down the hall, he nodded his head towards the corridor.
While Nomasaki and Kankuro chatted about the weather, he stood up from the couch and joined Kyo in the hallway...
Walking further down towards the end of the corridor, Kyo paused.
Turning to face the young Kazekage.
A serious yet pleading tint in his hazel eyes.
"Kazekage-sama, no… Gaara," He started, correcting himself. "Before you return to Suna, there's something I must make clear to you."
"What is it?" Gaara asked, curious.
Kyo closed his eyes, preparing his spiel.
"I know that you and my daughter have known each other for quite a while, and care deeply for one another…"
He opened his eyes, his glance once again serious.
"But… as her father, I must ask that if you pursue her romantically, please respect her as you always have."
This surprised the young Kazekage.
Was he receiving 'the talk'?
"She loves you, I can see it in her eyes. And…" Kyo's expression softened. "I can see it in yours, too. You share her feelings."
Gaara stood silent.
Still in surprise that her father knew everything.
Kyo noticed.
"Is that not correct?"
"Uh," Gaara fumbled. "…Yes."
Kyo nodded, acknowledging his answer.
"Protect her." He spoke, his eyes stern and pleading. "Keep her safe."
Knowing full well that her clan was still scrutinized by some, he deeply worried for her safety.
"She's my only child… she's all I have left. Surely, you must be able to understand a father's plea."
He looked down, his eyes closing halfway in sadness.
"I trust in her judgement… so I would like to also trust in yours, Kazekage-sama."
Kyo locked eyes with the young Kazekage, his expression serious and concerned.
"So… Gaara," He began. "Can I trust you to protect and care for my daughter? Do you accept my conditions, as her father?"
Honoured by his request, Gaara nodded.
"I won't let anything happen to Nomasaki, you have my word." He replied, smiling softly.
He looked down for a moment, thinking of his feelings for her.
Since coming clean to her, he felt so loved and content.
"I've always admired her… and cared for her." He confessed. "She means… so much to me."
He looked up to him, a protective glance in his eyes.
A promise.
"I rejected the arranged marriage because of her. That should make my intentions clear to you."
"Is that so?" Kyo sighed, warmly smiling as he closed his eyes.
Turning away, he began towards his room.
As he was about to enter the doorway, he paused.
"Well… I have one last thing to say to you, then…"
Preparing for a lecture, Gaara braced himself.
Kyo turned back towards the young Kazekage.
A genuine and grateful smile on his expression.
"…Welcome to the family."
Surprised, Gaara took in his words.
Family.
Had he gained her father's acceptance already?
Quietly, Kyo retired for the night.
Closing the sliding wooden door behind him and shutting off the lights.
Alone, Gaara stood in the hallway.
Taking in what had just transpired…
Later that night…
As Nomasaki lay in her bed on the tatami floor, she heard a quiet knock on her door.
Rising slightly, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
The person entered, and slid the door closed in silence.
"Hm?" She yawned.
As her vision cleared, she seen Gaara standing before her.
"O-Oh!" She stammered, blushing. "It's you."
Gaara's eyes closed halfway, holding slight sombre for waking her up.
"I'm still unable to sleep," He began. "Can I stay here, with you?"
Surprised by his request, she smiled.
"Make yourself at home." She nodded.
As Gaara sat down near her bed, she laid down in the blankets and made herself comfortable.
Looking up at the ceiling, she gently smiled.
"I… used to live here in this house, as a child."
"With your mom?" He asked, turning to her.
Knowing it was a sensitive subject.
She nodded as she looked at him.
"Yeah," She smiled, softly, yet saddened at the memory. "It's too bad she passed when I was young, she was very kind and would've liked to meet you."
"Even though I'm the Kazekage?" He asked. "A Sand ninja?"
"Yes! She probably would've been over the moon about it, honestly."
Her lilac eyes closed halfway as she looked above, remembering her mother.
Sadness tinting her gaze.
"The village almost didn't give her a marked grave."
Surprised by her words, he turned towards her.
"They were so afraid of her, of us. Our clan has a bad reputation for past conflicts, so they were hesitant."
A sorrowful smile painted on her face, she remembered how much she missed her.
"In the end, they laid her to rest with the other villagers. They must have pitied me, since I was orphaned. The 'wolf girl', as they called me."
From hearing her words, he looked down.
Resonating with her sadness.
"I'm sorry."
"What about your mom?"
Turning her body over until she was laying on her belly, she placed her hand under her chin.
Ready to listen to his answer, with a soft smile on her lips.
"My... mother?" He repeated, slightly startled by her request.
It was a question no one has readily asked him before.
Nomasaki nodded, happily.
"What was she like? I've always wanted to ask."
His gaze returning straight ahead towards the dim moonlit-window, his expression became emotionless.
"She was... quite something." He started, quietly. "She was Yashamaru's twin sister, and was also kind. She loved my family very much."
Sadly, his eyes closed halfway.
"She... died shortly after I was born. The sealing jutsu used to make me Shukaku's jinchuriki, it placed her body under great stress."
Shocked and saddened by his words, she looked down.
Feeling his sorrow.
"For a long time, I thought I was to blame for her passing... But now I know, it wasn't my fault."
Looking at his palm, his expression softened.
"Her love lives on in my sand, and protects me." He said, whisper-like. "At least, that's what my father said... when we fought during the war."
Nomasaki closed her eyes, feeling guilty for asking such a question.
"I'm so sorry, Gaara." She spoke, regretfully.
"Don't be."
Surprised, she turned to him.
"Talking with you is always welcome." He said, softly, turning to her. "It's... therapeutic, almost."
Warmly, she smiled at him.
As she turned her body over on her side in the bed, she sighed, tiredly.
"On the topic of parents," She yawned. "What was it my dad was talking to you about?"
"Your dad asked me to protect you."
"He did?" She asked, chuckling. "Honestly! I'm a jonin and he still worries about me... damn him."
Turning to her, he locked eyes with her.
Sharing an intent and deep gaze together.
"Nomasaki," He began. "I promise I will protect you. You're precious to me"
Surprised by his words, she faintly blushed.
His eyes conveyed his intentions.
He was truly committed to standing by his promise.
Looking down at herself, she remembered when he hugged her during the war.
Her lips formed a small smile as she fondly imagined his embrace.
"Ever since the war," She spoke. "You still meant what you said, after all this time."
His gaze determined, he nodded.
"Always."
With a warm smile, she sighed.
She turned her back towards him in the bed.
Her eyes closed and ready to sleep.
"It was nice being here and visiting dad and the others, but I can't wait to go back home."
Her words surprised him.
"I thought this was your home?" He asked. "You were born here, in Yama."
She smiled to herself, warmly.
"Yama will always have a place in my heart, but…" She spoke, gently. "My home is in Suna."
From her words, he softly smiled.
Comforted and at ease.
"You should get your rest," He reminded, closing his eyes. "Since we'll be leaving early in the morning."
"Speaking of which, I was thinking…" She spoke, quietly.
Her response striking his curiosity.
"When we get back to Suna, would you…" She stammered, her face becoming red. "Want to go on… a date? With me?"
Her words surprised him, catching him off guard.
Shyly, she averted her gaze.
"I-I feel bad about, you know… that time in Konoha. I want to make it up to you." She said. "You're the Kazekage and are very busy, so it's okay if you-"
"Yes."
Surprised she looked up at him
"R-Really?"
Looking into her eyes, he nodded.
She smiled, gently, at his response.
Growing tired, she lay her head back onto her pillow.
"I can't wait… when we get home…"
As she turned, she pulled the blankets with her.
Rolling herself up in comfort.
"Gaara, I have... a favour to ask."
"What is it?"
"For tonight, would you…" She started, sounding flustered.
As she could feel her cheeks reddening, she huddled closer into the blankets so he couldn't see her expression.
"Would you... sleep in the bed with me? Just for tonight?"
His eyes widened, surprised and humbled by her request.
Sadly, he closed his eyes halfway and averted his gaze.
"I told you… I can't." He replied, quietly. "I still struggle with my insomnia…"
Closing her eyes and trying once more to sleep, she accepted his reasoning.
Silently, she could hear him stand up and walk towards her.
Carefully, Gaara joined her by laying on top of the blankets beside her, just like their night at the inn only a week ago.
"I can only… hold you." He stated, his voice soft and protective. "Is that… alright?"
With her back facing him, she nodded her head as she lay in the blankets.
"Yes."
Gently, he wrapped his arms around her.
Holding her close to his body.
Protecting her as she slept soundly in his arms...
