And here we continue with our heroes! What's going to happen now? And why is Ria so out of it? All answers to be answered in this episode of Stranded!

Ria: -Smacks her upside the head- Shut UP already! This isn't a friggin' TV show you dope!

-Laughs, rubbing head- I thought it was funny...

Ria: Well you're warped... that's why.

XD

Chapter Thirty Four

Ria's eyes opened partially, her vision blurred and watery, before closing them again. Muffled voices were echoing around her but she couldn't quite make out all the words. She felt like her entire body was leaden and packed down with sand bags. Ugh… what's… wrong with me… I don't think… I am supposed… to feel like this… for so long…

"… okay?" Ria's ears nearly twitched at finally understanding some of the conversation going on around her.

"I don't know…" Neji's voice rumbled quietly, hardly registering in her ears, "I didn't think she'd still be so out of it."

"She's been sleeping like a rock since we found her!" Naruto chipped in, his voice rumbled to her through his warm back. Oh… Naruto's still carrying me… how long… have I been out? Ria attempted to pull her brain back together through the fog covering her mind, what's the last thing… Images of the campfire burst into her mind, Hinata's worried face, small smile… Shino's face… "there is nothing you can do to make me feel any differently about you." Ria felt her body flinch in response to the memory.

"Hey! She moved!" Naruto yelled loudly. Ria attempted to open her eyes again as she felt them pull her from Naruto's back.

"Ria-chan?" Hinata asked quietly, her voice laced with worry.

"Miller-san, can you hear us?" Neji asked sternly.

Ria struggled to open her eyes, to say something, to move, anything, but she couldn't. Her body wouldn't respond and her mind was getting foggier by the second. She felt a cool hand brush her forehead, slipping over her skin oddly. Oh… I must have a fever or something…

"She's still burning up," Naruto chipped in, "I could feel her burning up when she was on my back."

"I can feel that, thank you Naruto," Neji replied sarcastically. He must be the one checking my forehead…

"Uh… not to be weird or anything but… do you think it's safe to take her back to Gaara like this?" Kiba asked hesitantly.

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Naruto yelled.

"Oh come on! I know you've heard the rumors! That this girl and he are hooked up! What if he thinks we had something to do with it?" Kiba argued.

"He's not like that anymore!" Naruto argued, "You already know that Kiba!"

"I agree," came Shino's quiet reply, "There's no way of knowing how Gaara-kun is going to take seeing her in this condition. It may be best to postpone our entry into Suna."

Ria's heart nearly stopped, panic making it flutter quickly in her chest. I need to see Gaara! He must be so worried! She nearly sobbed in her desperation to explain to them, that Gaara was more likely to be dangerous because she was still missing. If he found them harboring her just outside Suna… things would be worse. I understand him that much at least…

"No way!" Naruto yelled again. "This is wrong! If she really is his lover then what happens if we're found out here hiding her?" Naruto argued, striking her point so clearly Ria nearly gasped in relief. "He could see that as us being the perpetrators of whatever happened to her."

There was a long silence in the group and Ria felt her mind sucking her back into the fog, her hearing less clear and precise. No! Wait! Oh my god, what's happening to me!

"Regardless of what we decide to do we need to set up camp. She needs some type of treatment. Kiba-" Neji's voice calmly replied, it was the last thing she heard before she was swallowed by the darkness again.

When Ria's mind cleared up somewhat again they were obviously either still in camp or had already traveled and made another one. The group was debating again.

"-if we don't she could die." Neji finished calmly. Ria felt her body twitch in surprise. I might die

"I still don't think it's a good idea to let Gaara-kun see her like this. He could go on a rampage." Kiba argued again, but he seemed like sure of himself this time.

A hand descended on her forehead, cooling the skin almost instantly. The shock of it almost made her cry out with surprise, but her body merely twitched again in response.

"She's a bit responsive now," Shino said quietly.

She felt gentle hands shake her shoulders gently, "Ria-chan? Can you hear me?" Hinata asked with worry.

Ria struggled to make some type of response, but her body refused to obey her. She faintly heard herself make some type of really soft moan and she mentally danced with delight, a cool trickle tracing down her cheek and into her ear.

"Ria-chan! Can you talk? Does anything hurt?" Hinata asked excitedly, apparently they had tried reviving her before without success.

"Miller-san," Neji said quietly, she felt his hand touch her wrist "You've been unconscious for a few days now. You're running a high fever and have been sleeping for hours on end. We're almost to Sunagakure."

Ria mentally cried to herself. She felt as if she were locked away inside her own body, unable to communicate or express herself. My body's become an alien thing… a prison.

She felt her hand twitch again and Neji's fingers tighten around her wrist in response. He sighed loudly, "I think we need to get into Suna now. We'll go ahead and push through tonight instead of making camp."

"But-" Kiba started to argue.

"We don't have time anymore Kiba. She's hardly got any chakra left. It's like something is inside her, eating it." Neji said firmly, cutting him off.

I have chakra? Ria thought dumbly to herself, It never occurred to me that I'd have chakra. She mused over it momentarily before mentally freaking out; something's eating my chakra from insideme? Ewww!

"Did you see that Neji, with your Byakugan?" Shino asked.

Ria didn't hear a response, but assumed he'd nodded. The entire group was quiet and Ria felt someone carefully pick up her body. She was put onto someone's back, she presumed Naruto's, and felt her wrists and ankles tied together. Oh… that must be so I don't fall off.

"Alright, let's go. You ready Shino?" Neji asked.

"Yes," Ria started, her body flinching when he answered. Shino is carrying me?! Why? She felt his head turned faintly towards her before taking off, starting the last leg of their trek into Suna.

Somehow, Ria managed to keep herself on the edge of consciousness for the trek, so she was still semi-awake when they arrived at the village.

"Who's there?" Ria heard someone bellow loudly from above. We must be at the outer wall…

"We need to see Gaara right away!" Naruto yelled loudly from nearby.

"Jeez Naruto, let me talk ok?" Neji replied tiredly, "We need to see the Kazekage immediately," Neji called out towards the guard, "and a healer as well. We found Miller Ria and have come to return her home."

Ria heard some shouts after Neji's directions and felt them hustled inside the village. They were all moving at a steady run and Ria felt her heart settle, her body slacking against Shino's back in her relief.

There was a rapid flurry when the group was ushered into a building and Ria was quickly removed from Shino's back and laid out on a soft bed.

"Oh!" a woman exclaimed as she felt Ria's skin, "She's burning so hot! Hurry up and get me some water and ice! We need to cool this girl down right now!" the woman yelled, barking orders. Ria felt a hand brush her cheek, wiping away tears she didn't know she was shedding at the time, "Don't worry dear," she crooned, "you're in good hands now."

Ria felt herself being drawn back into the fogs of her mind as she started losing consciousness. I know… Ria mentally replied to the woman, but I was in good hands before too…

When Ria woke up again she could actually crack her eyes open. Ugh…Ria thought, her vision blurred and her eyelids heavy, I feel like crap…

It took a few minutes but eventually her vision cleared enough to properly view the unfamiliar ceiling above her. Where am I…? Memories of her trip back to Suna slowly came back to her, that's right… they brought me back… I'm home.

Ria felt a few tears trickle out from the edges of her eyes in relief. She blinked them away slowly, her throat working for a moment before finally swallowing. I wonder what happened after that… Ria thought dimly, her eyes drifting closed again, I hope Gaara isn't too worried…

The next time Ria roused she could hear a conversation going on around her.

"So they just found her in Earth Country?" a girl complained, skepticism evident in her voice. Ahh… Kaho… "And they found her four days ago? How is that possible? She just disappeared four days ago! They have to have been the ones who took her. It doesn't make any sense otherwise!"

Wait a second… I was found the day I disappeared? How is that possible? Ria thought tiredly, opening her eyes. She slowly focused on Kaho who was standing over her bed, her arms crossed over her chest. She had her back to her so she hadn't yet noticed Ria was awake. Moving her eyes Ria spotted Yuki tiding up her room, his back to her as well.

The older man sighed loudly, "I don't know how it could have happened but that's their story right now. The Kazekage hasn't decided what to think of the situation. Personally, I'm just glad she's alive. That man the Kazekage cornered didn't give up any information. But, you know Kaho-chan, it also doesn't make any sense for her captors to just… return her to the village four days later either. Especially in that condition! They would have to be suicidal!"

Ria licked her lips slowly, blinking her eyes again, "You know," she started, the words forced through her throat painfully, "the group that brought me back did not attack me that day…"

"Ria-chan!" Kaho exclaimed, echoing Yuki's "Ria!" when she spoke. Soon both were hovering at her bedside. Kaho was gripping Ria's hand and sobbing, having fallen onto her knees by Ria's beside. Wow… she really does care a lot about me… doesn't she? Ria thought, squeezing the younger girl's fingers gently, managing to conjure a weak smile.

Yuki was grinning widely at her on the other side of the bed, his hand going to her forehead, "You had us pretty worried there kiddo," he said softly, his voice husky with emotion.

"Sorry…" Ria croaked softly, "What happened to me?"

Yuki sighed, his free hand lowering to take hers, "We don't know yet. All we know is that there was a struggle in your house and you somehow made it onto the roof. Gaara-kun somehow noticed what was going on but by the time he reached your place you were gone and the ninja was running for it over the rooftops. Needless to say Gaara caught him. He's been working on the man for days trying to extract information about you."

Ria closed her eyes momentarily, trying not to visualize what Gaara had done to the poor sap, "Is he dead yet?"

Yuki's fingers tightened briefly on hers, "Not yet."

Ria nearly winced in sympathy, her eyes opening again. "Can I see Gaara?"

Yuki nodded, "He asked to be notified the moment you woke up. He's been here almost every minute since that group brought you in a few days ago. He's only left to have meetings with them and of course, the man he found earlier."

Yuki looked over her towards the door and nodded to someone Ria couldn't see. He looked back down to her and smiled again, "He should be here shortly."

Ria smiled and gently extracted her hand from Yuki's. Turning faintly she gently stroked Kaho's hair, her face still buried against her hand and the bed, "I'm sorry I worried you Kaho-chan… will you forgive me?"

The girl burst into louder sobs and released her hand, jumping up and hugging Ria fiercely around the neck, her wet face buried against Ria's shoulder. Ria closed her eyes and smiled faintly, stroking the girl's hair gently and returning the hug, "It's okay now Kaho-chan… I'm right here…"

It took a long, few minutes to calm the younger girl down but when a nurse poked her head in to warn them that the Kazekage was on his way, Yuki gently extracted Kaho from Ria and they left the room soon after, promising to visit later.

Ria closed her eyes briefly and bottled down her tears, she didn't want to be a sobbing mess when she saw Gaara. Her eyes startled open at the sharp snap of the door being shoved open. Turning her head faintly she saw Gaara standing in the doorway, panting, his fingers gripping the entrance. She felt her eyes soften as she slowly smiled, extending a hand out towards him slowly, "Gaara…" her voice choked on his name and she felt her eyes turn traitorous as tears slipped from them.

He snapped the door shut again and was at her side in a moment, his hands enclosing over hers and his mouth pressing soft, soothing kisses over her face. Ria squeezed her eyes shut and wrapped her arms around his neck while all of her fear and insecurity from her latest trial melted away as she cried against him.

He sat on the edge of her bed and held her carefully, muttering soft, gentle words of comfort into her ear while he held her, stroked her hair, kissed her face, and rocked her back and forth. She wasn't sure how long they simply held each other, trying to be a comfort for one another but by the time she'd stopped crying a red glow was illuminating the room and Gaara was stretched out on the bed with her, holding her just as close as she was holding him.

"Do you think you can tell me what happened?" Gaara asked quietly, breaking the silence.

Ria nodded, her fingers tightening her grip on his uniform, "You know that Naruto and the others didn't take me right?" Ria started with a panicked voice. She pulled back faintly and stared at his face, "They really didn't take me-"

He silenced her with a finger to her lips and a soft smile, "I know they didn't. We are allied with Konoha and even if we weren't I don't see any reason for them to steal you away only to bring you back. Besides, I caught the man who ransacked your apartment."

Ria relaxed again, her worry for the Konoha ninja alleviating, "Is he… still here?"

Gaara nodded shortly, "We still have him in captivity."

Ria stared into his eyes and touched the side of his face gently, her fingers stroking back towards his bright hair, "I'm not going to ask what was done to him… I don't think I have the stomach for it."

He captured her hand and kissed her palm gently before meeting her gaze again, his eyes steely, "I wouldn't elaborate even if you did ask."

Ria smiled wanly, her fingers curling around his, "Where are the Konoha ninja?"

"They are staying in the guest suites near my tower. Don't worry," he added when her brows furrowed together, "they are comfortable and free to do as they will. I'm not holding them captive."

Ria settled back again before smiling faintly, "I had just finished getting dressed and was leaving for work," she started. Gaara's face turned serious, his mouth turning into a line as he focused on taking in her story.

"I had opened the door to leave and he was just… standing there. At first… I just asked him if he needed anything… but when he smiled…" Ria couldn't still the shiver that raced through her, Gaara's arm tightened around her minutely, "I acted on instinct and slammed the door in his face."

"I wasn't even in the bedroom by the time he broke through the door, by the way – is my apartment still trashed?" Ria asked suddenly, detouring from her recollection.

Gaara shook his head in response so Ria continued, "Anyways, when I got to the bedroom I shoved my vanity against the door and tried to get out through the window. It's ancient so I only managed to open it a little bit." Ria's eyes closed as she remembered the frantic fear and desperation she'd felt while struggling with the window and somehow managed to still her shiver. "I did get out and onto the roof but he was so much faster than I was. He was suddenly in front of me and… I couldn't get away…" Ria sighed softly and opened her eyes, "The next thing I remember is waking up to Hinata and everyone in Earth Country. They were wonderful," Ria stated, her mind briefly winking back to the night when Shino confessed to not trusting her but she shoved the memory away, "and cared for me until they could get me home."

Gaara nodded after a moment of digesting her story before kissing her forehead, "That's basically what we surmised from the scene at your apartment. Nothing else was destroyed except for your front door, your bedroom door, your vanity, and your bedroom window. Everything else was intact and didn't show any signs of struggle." He hugged her suddenly, gripping her as if he were afraid she'd vanish in thin air. "I couldn't think when I saw you dangling from the edge of your roof… and when that man…" Gaara stopped and buried his face into the curve of her shoulder and neck, her eyes widening in surprise.

"It only took me a second to get there… but by the time I did… you were gone… just… disappeared…" Gaara continued quietly, hardly loud enough for her to hear.

"Gaara…" Ria whispered, squeezing her eyes shut as she held him tightly, "I'm so sorry-"

"You have nothing to be sorry for!" Gaara replied, pulling back from her, his hands cradling her face, "I'm just happy your back!" Ria gasped as a tear crept from the edge of his eye and trailed slowly down his face. He pressed his forehead against hers his voice choked with emotion, "I thought I'd lost you!"

Ria tightened her arms around him and squeezed her eyes shut, trying her best not to cry again. Gaara shifted and slanted his mouth over hers in a painful but moving kiss. Ria trembled as his body shuddered with suppressed emotion.

They stared at each other after the hard kiss and Gaara finally broke the silence, "I had your things moved…" his hand touched the side of her face as her eyes widened in surprise.

"What?" Ria asked in shock, "Where?"

"To the tower," Gaara replied simply, his eyes focused on hers.

Ria stared at him. She could feel indignation curling in her belly. How dare he move me without my permission! Ria thought angrily, she could feel that same anger taint her cheeks with a flush. She opened her mouth to argue when he spoke first, interrupting her.

"It's dangerous for you to stay there now. I know you loved it but your home isn't there anymore." Gaara said sternly, his voice echoing authority, "It's in the tower now."

"You can't make that decision for me-" Ria argued, her upset making her voice raise in volume.

"Marry me," Gaara said suddenly, scattering her wits and her argument.

"Wh-what?" Ria replied dumbly, her eyes wide again.

"Marry me. As soon as you're up to it we can have the ceremony." His hand stroked down the side of her shocked face, "I'm sure Mizuki-chan could have a kimono ready for you within a few days, anything you want, and the ceremony can be prepared anywhere you'd like it to be," Gaara continued gently, his fingers still stroking her face. "I was thinking maybe we could have it at the cliffs where we always walk. Perhaps near that odd inscription you have carved into the wall. What did you say it said again?" Gaara continued conversationally, seemingly unperturbed to have completely stilled her world.

Ria closed her eyes. When she opened them her vision was clouded by tears, happy ones. "It says… 'Gaara you are wonderful. Aishiteru, Ria'"

He stared at her a moment before slowly giving her that special, heart warming smile, "Aishiteru… huh?"

Ria nodded a huge grin splitting her face.

"When did you say you started that?" Gaara asked, cuddling her close.

Ria closed her eyes and settled against him happily, "Not long after we met. When I couldn't see you anymore… I marched up to the cliffs and just started writing it… I went every day for seven years… to make sure my message couldn't be erased." She lifted her face and smiled brightly to him, "I've always been in love with you – right from the start. Except that now I can hardly contain it anymore."

Gaara smiled to her again, granting her that wonderful smile. "Aishiteru Ria… will you marry me?"

Ria nodded, unable to get her vocal cords to work properly.

Gaara smiled a third time and kissed her gently again, sealing the deal.

As soon as I have the strength… we're going to get married… Ria opened her eyes and stared at him, her heart almost overflowing with joy, I'm going to marry Gaara… she thought warmly. Flashes of her family came unbidden to her mind, dimming her smile partially.

Gaara tilted his head at her, "What is wrong?"

Ria blinked back to the present, shoving the memories far back into her mind and hugged him tightly, "Nothing. Nothing is wrong. I love you. I love you so much Gaara."

He hugged her back, "I love you too."

Ria squeezed her eyes shut trying to ignore the sharp pain in her heart. My life is here now… I have to put the past behind me… Her brows furrowed with suppressed sadness as she forced the memories of her family deep within in heart, I'm sorry…but I choose this life… here… with him…

I know how this looks, but its not the end! I promise! -Giggles- What did you guys think? Am I predictable or what? -Laughs- I'm sure it was. XD But its a happy predictable!