Here it is, chapter 37! I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it :)

Chapter 37, Questions.

Tenten through everything she had at me, or so she said. I just got done a match against her. She let me win. I've seen her fight before, though I've never had the chance to fight her myself. She went easy on me. I punched a wall as hard as I could, hearing a gruesome snap from my knuckles. I kicked the wall with a little less force as I sucked in a breath.

I hate not having my powers. I need to learn everything all over again. Tenten has been teaching me in hand to hand combat, because I will need it. I'm fine with a sword or weapon, but once my hands have nothing to hold, I freeze up. Because I don't have that reassurance that I can blow or burn someone away. Hinata tried to give me some pointers from the side lines, but since she is pregnant again, which I just learned this morning, she cannot fight me. I won't let her, and neither will Naruto.

The smell of smoke found its way to my nose. I scrunched up my face and waved my hand around in the air around my head. "Must you smoke around me, Shikamaru? It's such a bad habit."

He scoffed, blowing a cloud of smoke away from me this time. Smoking is something he picked up from his former Sensei, Asuma. "Punching walls and breaking a finger is a much worse habit, Kira." I rolled my eyes and walked off. He followed, much to my distaste. "You need to find a better hobby. Soon all of your fingers will be broken, and from what I've heard, you can't heal yourself... So, in your own words you've used once, if you keep that up you're screwed."

I spun on him. "And how the hell is it myfault I can't use my powers?" I yelled at him. I yelled in frustration and accidentally hit my hurt hand on something, bringing tears to my eyes from the pain. "I don't need you to tell me how much my life sucks right now. I can't do anything. I can barely think straight, Shikamaru." I strained to keep from crying. My life back in New York was never this hard.

He sighed and ground his cigarette into the ground with his toe. "Come with me," he said softly.

I followed him to a building near the training grounds and up a stairwell until we reached the roof. He walked over to a bench and sat down, putting his arms behind his head as he leaned back. I sat next to him, still cradling my hand against my chest. I looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. I sat back and tried to make myself relax. Shikamaru sat next to me in silence, just watching the clouds above. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back.

"Sometimes the only thing you can do is watch the clouds and try not think," he said softly. "I used to come up here all the time when the stress became to much."

I opened my eyes and watched the clouds float above. The sky is so vast. So amazing. A gentle wind blew, brushing my cheeks. "I can't protect her, Shikamaru," I whispered. "What am I supposed to do?"

I saw him shrug out of the corner of my eye. "Let us protect her. You've done so much already, Kira."

My breathing started to quicken. I've still got so much to do, and so little time. "You don't get it," I breathed out. I smiled at him, my thoughts on dark places. "Everyone is in danger." My voice was barely a whisper. "I need my powers so I can figure out how to stop what is happening. I am the only one that can."

He frowned at me. "Jessica has the same powers as you. Teach her."

I shook my head. "What needs to be done is beyond what she can do. Shikamaru, our worlds are converging. I don't know how long it will take, or who's controlling it, but pretty soon our worlds will become one. I cannot let that happen. So many people will die. I need to stop it. I need to be able to use my powers."

"Converging?" He brought his hand to his chin like he always used to when he thought deeply. He made a disapproving sound in his throat. "That's impossible."

"Is it? Think about it, Shikamaru. The Black Plague was from my world, yet it found it's way here. The Orangutan's are from my world and they are here, too. Savannah is my little sister. Hell, I am proof enough. When I was saved from the Akasuki the first time a whole plane load of us were here."I scoffed and looked back up at the sky. "It can happen. It ishappening. Do you understand my frustration now?"

He nodded. "I never thought I would see something like this. Have you told anyone else about this yet?"

I shook my head. "Only Jessica knows, but I told her to keep it between the two of us. I don't want to worry anyone else."

He nodded. "That would be a good idea. It could start a panic."

We were silent for a little while. The whole time I battled with myself about telling him what I suspected about Savannah. It would make sense for her to have the same powers as me, but I don't want to believe it. I don't want her to become a target like Jessica and I have. But if she does have the same powers, I need to find out before she accidentally hurts herself or someone else. I need to train her how to control the powers. Jessica needed help to find hers. But Savannah will need help to control it.

"Is there something you would like to tell me?" He asked quietly.

I like how softly he speaks. We can just whisper back and forth, keeping the atmosphere peaceful. "I think Savannah has powers. I only suspect. I can't be certain."

He nodded. "It would make perfect sense. Should they show so quickly, though? You had to teach Jessica how to bring her powers forth."

"I was just thinking about that." I took a calming breath. I hope I'm not right. I hope I am just imaging everything. "Savannah is my sister, though. She has the exact same blood as I do. Jessica came from me and Gaara, so her blood is different. Jessica needed help to bring it forth because Shukaku has filled Gaara's blood, so her powers battled against it. With Savannah, there would be nothing to stop the powers from developing. I had found my powers right off practically, though I didn't know what they were nor how to control them." But Savannah is so much like Mom and Kaleb. Could she have enough of Dads side to be like me?

"That would make sense. You should find out before this eats you alive." He lit a cigarette and winked at me. "I could have worse habits." He looked pointedly at my hand. "You should have that looked at."

On my way to see Savannah I saw Sakura coming out of Tsunade's office. She stopped me with a scowl and healed my hand up. "How did you do this?" she asked.

I shrugged. I have a feeling she will beat me if I told her I punched a wall...

She sighed heavily and put her hand on her stomach. I smiled and put mine next to hers, wishing I could reach with my power and feel the baby. "I'm happy for you, Sakura."

She smiled too. "Thanks, but he or she could have had better timing." We laughed a little. "Savannah is waiting for you."

I nodded and went on my way. I stepped into the room and sat down on the chair next to her bed. She is reading right now, I don't want to interrupt. I put my feet up on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to think of some way to figure out if she does have powers. I could preform a simple test like Hinata did with me all those years ago. Bringing up a sad memory would be easy right now and there is water on the night stand. Anger would also be very easy. But I don't feel like taking the risk of starting a fire. And moving the earth could be dangerous under this mountain.

Wind would be a good one, but I don't want her up and running around right now. She is still trying to regain strength in her leg.

Bad memories and water it is!

I took the glass from the stand and handed it to her. "How did you find out about Kaleb?" I asked quietly. I bit my cheek to keep myself from backing out of this. It wont only hurt her.

She looked over at me as she held the glass. Her face was sad. "The man in the army suit came to our house. He had Kaleb's necklace in his hand. The shark tooth that Dad made into a necklace for him." She swallowed hard.

"He never takes that off," I whispered.

She nodded. "I know. When I saw him I knew something was wrong. He told us his name and he was the guy Kaleb had wrote about in his letters. They were good friends. He told us that Kaleb told him to bring this back to us. To let us know he is okay and will wait for us in heaven. He didn't want us to be sad." Her voice cracked. She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "The funeral was horrible. They shot guns in the air and everything. Mom had to be taken to the hospital because she passed out."

I tried to hold back my own tears, but I couldn't. A few spilled to my cheeks. "Can I have that glass?" She handed it to me, wiping her eyes again. I looked in it.

The top layer was frozen.

Shit.

– –

The next few hours I spent with Tsunade, discussing what my options were. One, I could train Savannah. Two, Tsunade could put a block on her powers. Or, three, we could let it ride its course and see what happens. The last one was out of the question. And I don't want Tsunade to block her powers, I know how badly that sucks. So I guess I will have to train her.

"Momma!" I looked behind me to see Jessica running towards me, a big smile on her face. "Guess what?"

"What?" I smile and ran my hand over her hair. She's started wearing it in a French braid. I like it, its cute on her.

"Guess!"

I laughed. "Oh, I don't know! Uncle Kanky finally gave up playing with dolls?"

She laughed hard. "No, of course not, Momma!" She laughed some more and I couldn't help but smile. "Daddy got us some new armor! We are going to be learning how to fight the orange beasts!"

"Orangutan's," I correct softly. My heart was racing. They are to small to fight off those apes. They will get killed. "Jess, where is your father?" I couldn't defend myself when I was attacked, how could children possibly stand a chance against those beasts?

She turned and pointed towards the training field. "He is helping Uncle Kanky and Aunt Temari set up a training course for us."

I kissed the top of her head. "Run along now, Jessica. Be safe." She nodded with a smile and ran off to find her brother most likely. It's rare I see those two apart. And now Ryuu is attached to their hips. I made my way towards the training field, but a yellow flash caught me first.

"Kira, can we talk for a second?" Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. He lead me off in the other direction, away from Gaara and away from my confrontation with him. Did he plan to lead me away from the argument he knew was about to occur? He wouldn't meet my eyes. "Can you help me with something?" He asked. He kicked a rock and kept his face down.

"What's wrong, Naruto?" He looks almost... scared.

He kicked another rock and sighed. "Hinata wants her father to take the children away from here. Somewhere safer. And... he wants her to go with him."

I felt my heart soften. Naruto needs Hinata here for emotional support. No wonder I haven't seen much of him in the last week or so. He's probably been fighting to keep her and his children here where he can protect them himself. He doesn't like the idea of someone else being in charge of his families protection. I know that fear and pain all to well.

"What can I do?" I asked, gently squeezing his arm.

He looked over at me with sad eyes. "I've tried everything, Kira," he whispered. "But she wont listen. Her father is using her pregnancy against her. He keeps saying she should think of her children. But I can't let them go, Kira. You have to help me keep them here. If they leave, I can't protect them. How can I convince her they are safer here? That she is safer here..."

The fear in his eyes is so raw I can feel the fear nipping at my insides. "I will talk with her, Naruto. I will try to help you." I paused and looked away from his eyes. "But as a mother I can sympathize with her worry. And as a protector, I know your fear. I will trying to make her see reason."

He nodded and shoved his hands deep in his pockets. "I can't lose her," he whispered. "I just can't."

I rested my head against his shoulder. "I know."

A couple hours later I found Gaara chatting with Shikamaru and Kiba. Kiba met my eyes and tossed me a wink, then turned his back on me. I haven't talked with him much since we returned to Konoha. I will have to corner him at some point. Shikamaru sighed heavily when he saw me, and turned his back on me, also.

"If you are here to argue," he said, "then you can leave."

I glared at Shikamaru's back and walked up to stand next to him and Kiba. I avoided Gaara's eyes. "What makes you think I came here to argue?"

Kiba chuckled. "Because Jessica told us she slipped and told you about the training area and their new armor." He looked at me with amusement. "Looks like Shikamaru won this bet. I thought you would have been here in less than ten minutes."

Shikamaru accepted the money from Kiba and shoved it in his pockets. Gaara handed over some, too, now refusing to meet my eyes. "Oh, yes," Shikamaru smirked. "He bet, too. He thought you would confront him alone, not with us around."I smiled sweetly at Shikamaru and held my hand out. "Looks like I win then, because I think its a good idea."Their jaws dropped, and Gaara's expression held slight amusement. "Seriously?" Kiba asked. I nodded. Shikamaru sighed and grumbled about troublesome women and placed the money in my hand. I shoved it deep in my pockets. "Are you completely serious right now?"I laughed. No, not at all. "Of course! They should know how to protect themselves if one should get past us. Face it, someday they are going to be protecting their loved ones and their children. They might as well get strong and smart now rather than later when they need it but don't have it.""Exactly our thought process," Shikamaru grumbled.

I linked my arm through Shikamaru's and smiled sweetly. "I came to find you. We need to have a little chat." He sighed and waved to the others as we walked away. I could feel Gaara's eyes following us.

When we were out of hearing distance he glanced at me from the corner of his eye. "What do you need, Kira?"

I shook my head and lead him to the place where he showed me the clouds. I laid down and stared up at the blue sky, trying to formulate my thoughts. "Savannah has powers, I'm sure of it." I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes, linking my hands over my chest. "And I've been thinking. When I gave birth to the twins in that awful place, they were able to push thoughts into Naruto's head to tell him they wanted Gaara and I. Before I left this world Jessica had used some sort of power to push me into the stove where I burned my hands very badly. What happened to those powers? Another thing. The black men that infected us with the black plague. Where were they from? How the hell did such a bad disease get into this world?"

He was silent as he puffed on a cigarette. "We never did pursue those men, did we?"

I sat up quickly, looking over at him. Something else had just accrued to me. "He stabbed Gaara," I whispered. Shikamaru squinted at me with one eye. "The man in black, he stabbed Gaara in the chest, remember? I had thrown my katana out of anger and stabbed him in the leg. When I got back to camp Gaara was on the ground." I paused for a second, looking towards where the others were still at the new training field. "How could he have gotten past Gaara's ultimate defense? How was the hole created and why are our worlds shifting together? We really need answers, Shikamaru. I was hoping you might be able to help me figure this all out. Without answers we are treading very dangerous waters."

Shikamaru blew out a big cloud of smoke. "Everything that comes from your world just makes things so troublesome." He sighed and flicked his cigarette to the ground. "I guess we better have a chat with Tsunade-sama and Gaara-sama. Which would you like to deal with?"

I snorted and rolled my eyes.

Like I have an option.

– – –

Somehow we had gotten rid of the children for the evening. I'm still not sure how that had worked out. I lay next to Gaara, my hand tracing patterns on his chest with my head resting on his shoulder. He has his arms wrapped around me and his lips rest on my forehead. I sighed and closed my eyes, melting into his embrace.

Sadly, I have to break it. I slowly sat up and stared down at him. "There's something I need to talk to you about," I said softly. He ran his hand up and down my arm, looking at me questioningly. The breeze from the window ruffled his hair slightly. "I need to ask you questions about the past, about what happened."

"Don't be afraid to talk to me, Kira." His fingers trailed across my cheek. "You know I will answer anything you need me to."

I smiled and nodded. Of course I know. I just hate bringing up the painful past. "I need you to think back to a long time ago. You remember the Black Death, right?" He nodded, his brow lowering. "And the men in black? I need to ask you about the one that stabbed you. How? How did he get past your defense?"

Gaara put one arm behind his head and looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. "I'm not sure." His eyes came back to me. "What does that matter? What are you thinking about?"

I crossed my legs and held his hand in between my own. "Everything. I'm trying to figure everything out. As Shikamaru said, everything that comes from my world just makes a big mess. The plague came from my world. How? Who brought it here? And then that guy was able to get around your defense enough to almost kill you. How? The Orangutan's are different than the ones I've seen in my world. Why? And, most importantly, how did they get here? The poison fruit couldn't have changed them that much in such a short time. There has to be some other factor we are missing. Savannah said they came through the hole like she had. Well, there's another question. How did she get here? Gaara, everything is so messed up. I need answers. Please, how did he get around your defense? The sand should have stopped him but it didn't." I squeezed his hand. "Please think hard about it and tell me what you remember. It's very important."

He sighed and nodded, closing his eyes. "I remember being angry at you. I had to walk away so I didn't hurt you." His brow pulled down further. "He just stabbed me. I felt something behind me and when I turned he pushed the kunai into my chest." He laced his fingers with mine and stared at them. "That is all I can remember. After that you saved me."

This time it was me who sighed. "Are you sure? You just felt a presence behind you? It couldn't have been anything else?"

He frowned at me. "No, Kira. I would have known if it was something else. I do not know how he got past the sand. I've never wondered about it until now."

I crawled back to him and put my face into the crook of his neck. His strong arms wrapped around me once more, holding me tightly to his side. "This is all so confusing," I whispered. "There's something I'm missing. Something important."

We were quiet for a long while. I was almost asleep when Gaara shifted. "What about Anne?"

I shook my head. "No, she has nothing to do with this. She's gone for good, Gaara. Thank God," I whispered the last part. She may have died horribly, but she can't bother us anymore. She will never lay her hands on my family again.

"What killed her, though?"

I groaned. "Can't we just leave her be, Gaara? I don't want to talk about her. I don't even want to think about her."

"Someone was controlling her." Gaara shifted even more until he was sitting up. I pulled a pillow over my head and held it tightly. "Now that I think about it, that wasn't the first time someone has been able to slip past my sand." I peeked out from under the pillow at him. He was frowning as he stared at my tattoo. His thumb traced the "i" of Suna on my hip. "There have been a few other instances just like it."

"Do you mean when your throat was practically ripped out? Jess had shown me you were under the tree. I was terrified you were going to die." I rolled so I was laying on my back, staring up at him. His muscles bulged as he stretched. "When else?"

A half smile appeared on his face as his eyes found mine once more. "About every time you and I have ever fought." The time I stabbed him the day we first met flashed before my eyes. Others, the time Shukaku almost won, the time I saved Naruto from him when he found out I came back, they, too, flashed before my eyes. "You have always been able to get past my defense." He leaned over and kissed my tattoo.

I squirmed away from him and glanced out the window at the dark sky. Unfortunately, my thoughts started to drift back to Anne. She, too, was always able to get past Gaara's sand. How? I've always been able to because of my powers. I glanced over at him. "I have a theory..." His head hung down and he sighed. I couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, it wont hurt! You just have to try and stop Savannah from killing you. That's all!"

He eyed me. "You want to use me to train her?"

I scooted closer and took his hand in mine. "If I'm right, she will be able to get past your sand without using any kind of powers. So, before she actually learns to control them, I want to test out my theory."

Did you like the little bit of fluff I put in at the end? It finally seems like Kira and Gaara have everything figured out!