Gaara's eyes were stuck on the sky as another terrifying screech echoed through the village. Snow continued to fall from the sky with silent grace, but its beauty didn't seem to sit well with anyone but Kazeku. His power hungry smile never waivered as each scream from the demonic bird was heard. Honestly, all of them were still in shock that he could so readily kill a girl he had helped raise since she was but a child. All so he could get his greedy hands on power. The murderous rage he felt was unmeasurable at this point. Not only had this man raised her since she was a child but he hired assassins to kill her, used her as a host for the power of a demon bird, and then killed her himself when the assassins couldn't do their job; extracting the demon out of her. Yes, to say he was seeing red was a little understated.

Another terrible screech rang out and the enormous shadow was slowly descending upon them. None of the Sand Siblings knew what to do or expect as none of them had been face to face with a breathing demon. They all fdelt a sense of anxiety swell within them as the bird slowly drew closer. What were they going to do, fight it? Most impirtantly, what was Kazeku planning on doing with it? As the thought passed through Gaara's mind, his eyes widened a bit. Did he plan on becoming the new host of the demon in order to control its power? Or use that Possession Jutsu on it?

"She's finally here." His disgusting voice broke through the heavy silence and for a moment, they looked at him and his whimsical smile. He was so unphased about killing an innocent girl.

Their eyes turned away for him as the talons of the demon bird set themselves on the sand. Each one of them had to crane their necks to look at it, her legs far bigger then either of them. This, this was the demon Yukiuta. Her pure white feathers ruffled as she made herself comfortable, shaking off what felt like more snow. Was she made of the stuff? In the darkness brought on by her storm clouds, it looked as if her feathers weren't feathered at all but in fact snow! So it was entirely possible. Her legs, talons and beak looked to be made of solid ice; even almost as transparent as the substance itself. From this angle, below one if her massive claws, it was impossible to see her eyes. One would need to grow as tall as a mountain or more just to peer into the eyes of a demon such as her.

Before them all, she slowly lowered her gaze to the Sand Siblings. Her eyes were a fierce and hollow blue, her brows knitted together in contemplation as if she were studying each of them. The pupiless eye that had all three of them in its sights sent a chill down Gaara's spine. How was he supposed to react to a living, breathing demon staring him in the face with a singular eye? Although he couldn't deny the beauty of her supernaturally blue eyes. Was this were Setsuko got the color in her irises? Her face drew closer to Gaara, both his siblings slowly backing away to give her massive head room. Gaara drew in a deep breath from his nose, the frigid air stinging his nasal cavities. She didn't once turn her head but kept eye contact with him. Why was she studying him so much? What was going through her mind; did he even want to know what went through the mind of a demon?

"You are the one called Gaara." This was most definitely a statement and not a question. What was the question was if she were talking to him or herself.

Gaara nodded courtly but silently.

There wads silence as she continued to study him. Finally it was broken, but not by Yukiuta or Gaara.

"My dear Lady! Forget this fool and use your powers only for me." Kazeku raised his voice so that he could be heard through their tense staring.

The moment she heard his voice there was a strange glow from her eyes before turning away and facing the older man. "You wish me to forget the man my host body loved?"

"Yes." His answer was short and almost full of malice. Did he really hate them that much? Another bout of silence as her peered over at them, specifically Gaara. A hateful, burning grin spread across his face. "In fact, I want you to freeze this land, starting with its Kazekage."

Gaara's eyes widened as the words left his mouth. "You would kill hundreds of innocent people just to spite a girl who stood up to you?"

"Bite your tongue!" He spat his words venomously as he glared at the teen. "I will start with this wretched desert because it's an eye sore."

"And what of your own home?" He asked almost certain the answer but wanting to hear it for himself.

"My home?" His voice held a curious tone as he looked away and seemed to think about his words carefully. "My home will be where I rule from on high of course." Her said this as if were there most obvious thing in the world.

Gaara clenched his hands into fists angrily. He was going to throw away everything Setsuko had done with that vvillage; with her home. How could someone be so cruel? As this thought floated through his mind, he remembered how he used to be. Years ago he was no different then Kazeku, willing to throw everything away for his own benefit. It was possible that he was as cruel as they could cxome. He always shed so much blood for his own, skewed, happiness and what did he really have to show for it? A destroyed village, villagers dead or missing and a girl he loved now nothing but ash. There was nothing worth while in his life that he could look back on with a favorable attitude. Everything was lost.

"There's a good lad." Kazeku's sick voice rang in his ears and he glanced up at him. The man was slowly climbing onto the back of Yukiuta like he owned her. "I will freeze this arid region and soon, the rest of the five great nations!"

Gaara could say nothing as he watched the deranged man take off to the skies.

"Gaara, we can't let him freeze the village or the great nations! It would end the shinobi world!" Kankuro was in a panic, looking at his younger brother with sweat dripping down the side of his face in fear. Gaara would never allow something like that to happen, right?

When Gaara made no move to answer or even look back at him, Kankuro looked towards his sister who also held a panic, disturbed look on her face. "Gaara!"

Temari felt her heart skip a beat when he didn't answer. He lived the village, he would never let the people die unnecessarily! Why was he being so quiet? Her mind thought back to just a dew moments ago when a scared, blonde girl was standing in front of them with terror in her eyes and begging Gaara to lie to her. She had never wanted to give her life away in such a manner; never even bring made aware she was a vessel for a demon. The look upon Temari's face softened considerably. She knew now why he was being so quiet. He had achieved all the goals he wanted to accomplish in his life; to be loved and be Kazekage. To have that love ripped away so suddenly, he must still be deeply reeling from the shock. A memory of Setsuko looking at Gaara with such a kind and beautiful smile passed through her thoughts. Her eyes had been full of nothing but love for him lately. There was nothing that could be done though; her body was nothing now. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, looking into his eyes as he looked up at her. He seemed to understand almost instantly.

His eyes turned toward the black sky with a renewed sense of fighting spirit. "Evacuate the village, I'll handle Kazeku." Without another word, he used his sand to lift into the air and follow after the giant bird.

He would avenge Setsuko no matter the cost! Of course, he would not make it easy to fall prey to death, even if he wanted nothing more than to see her smiling face again. There was only so much that he could allow. There was a loud screech from the sky and he looked fixedly on the snow made demon ahead of him. He needed to get in front of them; he had seen something in her eyes as they had their stare down. With nothing but determination in his green eyes, he compelled his sand faster.

Yukiuta screeched loudly, the vibrations causing a sudden blizzard to begin. The Village Hidden by the Sand was suddenly engulfed in white powder, freezing the winds into glassy shard oof griping cold. Exhaling a breath, Gaara could see his breath in a white puff. The normally hot, arid winds were bitter and wet. Her could feel a slight heaviness as he was continuously struck by snow and ice, his sand absorbing the frozen water. If he didn't hurry he would fall straight from the sky to his death. Shaking his wind blown hair, he mentally told himself that he would not fail Setsuko's memory! Gritting his teeth, he moved faster through the crushing winds, sliding under an enormous wing to hide himself from Kazeku and came face to face with the frozen demon again. Her body jerked to a stop seeing him so suddenly in her face, causing Kazeku to see just what was the matter.

"Yukiuta!" Gaara shouted her name over the winds with all his might, earning a glow from her eyes. Whether it was angry or compliant, he couldn't say.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kazeku glared at the teen, finding his meddling annoying.

Ignoring the furious man on her back, he stared into her seemingly narrowed eyes. "Yukiuta, you were with Setsuko since her birth right? How could you just allow her to die like that?" He wanted some answers. "Being bonded with her for so long, didn't you feel anything for her?"

There was no response from her, only a glare. It was as if she had no mind of her own. This realization hit Gaara hard. Was he going to have to kill a demon just to save it? If that was the case, just how was he even supposed to do that? There was a sudden ominous glow from her eyes as she lifted a wing very differently from her steady flapping. Thrusting it forward, sharp shards of ice sped towards him. Quickly he raised his shield, barely able to stop the shards powered further by the swift winds. The ice dug deep into his shield, a point nearly running through his face. With his almond shaped eyes wide, he couldn't help the sigh of relief that left his lips in a white puff of frozen air. With reluctance, he let himself release his sand shield only to come eye level with Yukiuta. Gaara couldn't stop himself from the jerk in his body and his loss of breath as he saw the menace in her eyes.

Even in their previous face to face encounters seeing a demon so close to his face that he could touch her icy beak was jarring. This creature lived within the woman he had fallen in love with? Even with his own demon, somehow that wild tanuki didn't compare to this. How had Setsuko been able to survive with something so terrifying locked inside her? Had it been because she didn't know about it? For as long as eternity seemed, Gaara stared into those terrible eyes of death and ice and they stared back. Was she thinking about something? Another strange shimmer passed through her eyes again and she seemed to ruffle her feathers.

"You..." Her booming voice echoed through the icy shower. Somehow it seemed shaky and forced, like there was something holding her back.

Gaara clocked his head, curious about the way her voice sounded. What was she even trying to say?

There was a strained silence from her as she glared at him.

"What are you waiting for Yukiuta?! Freeze him solid!" Kazeku barked the order and she stretched her jaw open; although even that seemed forced.

Why was she listening to this old mutt anyways? Of course! The Jutsu that he placed on the Ice Dragon. "You don't want to harm me do you? You seem to know who I am, don't you? I can see it in your eyes."

She was hesitating as the young redhead spoke to her. The steady flapping of her wings and howl of the winds were the only thing between them when he finally fell silent, waiting for her response.

His green eyes couldn't leave her demonic blue ones; they reminded him too much of Setsuko's. All he could see in this repulsive and beautiful demon was the one he loved.

"Gaara..." Her voice finally croaked out his name with surprising softness. Her voice was so lovely; smooth and cool like the ice she was made from and yet fierce like the blizzards she created.

He looked at her with complexity.

"...Setsuko was...only born because...because of me..." For some reason, her words struck him harder than he thought they would.

"What are you talking about?" He asked so utterly confused. Was she born specifically to be her host?

There was silence for a moment. "It was...many years ago..."

Her feet had been carrying her for days. Out in the worst blizzard of the year, she had to continue on no matter what; her husband was counting on her. It was because off him she was out in this weather, unable to see even the fingers resting against her lips for warmth from her breath. He had been out on a job to make sure they had money for their family. It was only recently they found out she was with child, but he began working a thousand times harder immediately; even forbidding her from taking on assignments. Why try and tame the wild beast she was? Even the current King had tried to stop her endeavor to find her husband, lost in the blizzard, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

She hurriedly trudged through the mountains of snow, she would need to take shelter soon. Her powder blue eyes looked down at her fingers, barely able to make them out. Curling and uncurling them, she could feel the blood in her veins beginning to freeze; she had been out too long. Thinking of the welfare of her baby, she looked for a cave to sleep in. Everything was impossible to see though. How could she find a cave in a wall of white? As she shielded her eyes from the onslaught of ice, it was as if something was calling her, compelling her forward. As she followed the sound, the sweet, melodious sound, she saw the darkness of a cave slowly coming into view. How lucky was she?

Through the night she stayed in that cave, waiting out the storm and most of the cold with her fire. Removing the mask that shielded her face from the biting winds, her long blonde hair gel free. Shaking out what powder had built up in her hair, she lay curled up by the fire to warm herself and her baby, all the while her hands resting upon her stomach.

When light had come, or what she thought was light, her blue eyes peered out if the darkness of the cave to see that the blizzard had not let up even the slightest. It had raged all throughout the night and now unto the morning, if she could even call it morning. With a heavy, but dealing sigh, she wrapped her face back up in the warmth of the cloth and made her way back out into the snow. If this weather continues, not only would her husband die, but surely she would too; even with their ninja training. She was practically walking around blind anyways, the snow making visibility impossible. Would she give up on her husband though, especially when they were going to be ushering in new life? Never. With a deep breath she stepped further into the blanket, her white puffs of breath the only thing she could make out.

How long had she been searching? Hours? Days? She didn't know. In fact her as sense of time was so off that to her, it felt like years had gone by. As she was trying to figure what time it was and just where she was, she felt her feet give way. The sound of crumbling earth caused her heart to stop out of surprise as the feeling of falling overwhelmed her. With a wail of fright, she fell from the unstable cliff she had accidentally stepped near. Her heart skipped a beat as the sounds of rushing air roared through her ears. She was going to die.

Yukiuta paused her story momentarily, looking into Gaara's eyes as if searching for something. What was she trying to find? Gaara returned her gaze undauntedly, feeling that if he showed any signs of fear or uneasiness, she might lash out again. Yet still, he was curious as to the reason if no it only her story, but her pausing the story. Had Kazeku ordered something of her?

She could feel the taint of his dark chakra drilling through her body. It felt like being in Hell all over again; the torments suffered at the hands of another. She had left to be free, and yet here she was, chained to evil once again. Yukiuta wanted nothing more than to be free! It was for that reason she had chosen Meroko 'Ice Dragon' Ayani; her married name. She had chosen her to break the cycle she had been subjected to for millennia. She allowed her gaze to steady once again, meeting the redhead's hard stare.

"Meroko, almost died...that day..." Her voices was still strained as she fought against the seal.

Her body fell to the bottom with a silent thump. The fresh powder cushioning her fall, but the hidden rock slamming against the side of her temple. She was instantly knocked unconscious. With the upheaval of the storm, her unmoving body was soon covered in ice. This was going to be her grave, along with her unborn child. The frozen water began to turn a thick red as it absorbed the life essence of the woman's bleeding wound.

Through the heavy fall of snow, a figure began to appear. Shadowed by the waves of white, their feet stopped just short of the lump that was the woman's body. They seemed to blend in with the surroundings of the storm, their shades of blues and white camoflauging them from view. What was noticed was a fluttering and the soft sound of fine fabric rustling in the harsh wind. With a firm hand the figure picked up the limp woman and walked off with her, further into the storm, reaching its epicenter. The wind didn't blow, the snow didn't fall; everything was just frozen solid. Any animals that ventured into the eye were petrified in ice, still alive, but at the same time dead.

Stepping into a dimly lit hut, the woman was placed upon a vacant bed and her wound dressed. With her skin white and the feeling of death upon her, the figure placed their hands upon her head; muddying up their hands in her blood. With this simple action they were transported into her mind, where they saw that everything looked just the same as the real world, frozen. Sitting on a bolder in the middle of the wasteland was the blonde haired woman, her hands lovingly rubbing her belly. She seemed to be humming a tune as well. The figure approached, the woman turned around as she heard the shift in the snow. Her blue eyes widened when she saw a massive bird staring down at her. Her body tensed as she watched it lower its head closer to her.

"Meroko Ayani." When the bird spoke, their voice was calm, smooth and utterly beautiful. However, the woman could hear an underline ferocity in it that had her on edge.

"Yes." The woman replied back with as much calm as she could muster.

There was an intense stare from the demonic blue eyes glowing at her before their voice spoke again. "Your unborn child is going to die this night." Meroko instinctively wrapped her hands tighter around her midsection. "However, I can save it if you promise to give up your life."

"What do you mean my child is going to die?" Surprisingly, her voice wasn't frantic.

"You have foolishly rushed to save the life of another without thinking of its consequences. This has led to the punishment you must suffer through. But I can prevent this, if you promise to give me your life."

"Who are you?"

"...I am Yukiuta. The demon that inhabits these icy mountains."

"Yukiuta..." Meroko looked away in thought. This could all be a trick, but her baby was in danger. "Alright."

"This is how...I came to be linked to Setsuko..." With her explanation over, Gaara sighed heavily.

Looking up at the monster before him, he was quick to block a supposed sneak attack by Kazeku. "I won't allow myself to be done in by some snot nose brat!"

"Brat you say?" Gaara descended upon Kazeku like a hawk to prey; the look in his eyes nothing but murder. Getting close to the man's face, he leaned in close so only Kazeku could hear his words. "I am Gaara the Kazekage of the Sand Village, and if I ever see you in my village again for whatever reason, I will not hesitate to turn this sand red."

His gray eyes widened with fear and shock. "Why are you sparing me life?"

For a long moment Gaara was silent, glaring at him sternly. "Setsuko would have wanted me to. However..." The wind around him picked up immensely as Yukiuta descended to the ground, landing gracefully behind the two men. "She may be another story."

Demon eyes glowed with bright intensity as they glared at the older man suddenly cowering before them. "You! Child of Banki do not think I have forgotten all the years of subjugation and torment you and your wretched family have put me through!" Her voice boomed with so much anger that the very air around them shook.

An intense swirl of snow and ice swirled around her body as it shrank to the size of the people around her. When the winds dispersed, there stood a young woman with blue tinted skin as if she had been frozen and curled white hair pinned up in an elogant but messy bun. Soft blue fabric wrapped around her slim body in a fine kimono tied by an exceptionally dark blue sash with white ornaments hanging from it. The sleeves were long and as the descended her arms, the fabric became sheer and her skin could be seen; the same style applied to the hem of her kimono as well. While her overall appearance seemed regal and poised, she stomped her way over to Kazeku with a dagger made of ice forming in her hands.

"I have no reason not to behead you where you kneel." Her words were dark and menacing, her glare matching. "However," she paused to straighten out her posture and let the dagger disappear. "None of that would bring me much joy. No, I must make you suffer for what your family has done to me...and Setsuko."

The mention of her name startled Gaara. He didn't know she actually cared; she was a demon after all.

A blue hand reached out towards Kazeku; painstakingly slow. As it neared him, he instinctively backed away from her. However, there was nowhere he could run to for safety. The tips of her fingers touched his cheek and he instantly let out a puff of white hot breath.

"Yukiuta, what about my village and its people?" Although Gaara wanted nothing more than to watch him suffer, his proities were elsewhere.

Her glassy eyes shifted slightly to look over her shoulder at him. "Your village?" She went quiet and allowed herself to look at the frozen wasteland it had become because of her. She remembered the feelings Setsuko has for this small, dying village and sighed heavily. "Very well."

Turning from the slowly freezing Kazeku, she faced the village fully and raised a hand towards it. At her silent command, tthe howling winds ceased and the snow slowly began to leave the sand. Gaara watched her, as did his siblings, and he noticed small glowling snowflakes falling from her fingertips. She was a different kind of demon than the ones that he and the Jinchuriki carried, that was obvious to him now. It was almost as of she were actually born from hell, a true demon. In a matter of minutes the once white village was once again covered in its arid conditions and the lives that had been lost because of her, restored. He had not deserved such horror simply because he was doing his duty as a leader and thus she allowed the dead to return; but only this once would she grant a favor such as this.

She didn't say a word as her attention turned back to Kazeku. Gaara went to thank her, but she merely gave him a blank stare. With a wave of her hand, a swirl of cloudy ice took the man away from their sight. Yukiuta seemed to linger a bit longer, looking as if she were billing over a decision. Before anyone could speak up, she was gone in a flash, only a frigid wind left behind.

In a forest, with the sun shining brightly, a little girl bounced through the fields of flowers and wildlife. Her medium length, dirty blonde hair nodded happily as she frolicked. Her mother, not far behind, watched her with a half hearted smile. The two of them were picking flowers to sell in the nearby village, and while the mother held a basket full of lavish flora, the young girl held nothing but a grin on her lips.

"Ai, don't wander off to far!" Her daughter never listened no matter how many times she told her to stay close, but still, as a mother, she had to say it.

Ignoring the words spoken by her mother, the girl named Ai sped further into the density of the forest. She hummed to herself and skipped around picking flowers in a carefree manner. While she enjoyed helping her mother, she also enjoyed exploring. This time would be different from all the time before though. Her feet stopped suddenly, eyes wide with shock. Laying before her, in a torn hospital gown, but otherwise unharmed, was a girl! She had long, platinum hair and pale, pale skin. She had never seen a girl so beautiful before!

"Mom! Mom, I found a girl!" She called to her mother as she inched closer.

There was an unheard sigh. "Ai, I'm not falling for this again."

"No, mom, I'm serious! I can't tell if she's dead or not." She got closer and knelt down beside the motionless body. On her chest was a singular snowflake which struck Ai as odd as it was the beginning of summer.

"Oh Ai, this better not be one of your strange flower bed jokes...again..." Her words slowly faded into silence as she came upon her daughter kneeling beside an unconscious girl. "Ai, out of the way!" She quickly moved her daughter out of the way, checking to see if the girl was alright.

"...Mom, is she okay...?" Ai asked with hesitancy in her voice.

What neither of them saw was the single twitch from one of her fingers as the snowflake melted into her body.

A/N: It's finally over! Or is it? Dun dun dun! After months, this story is finally over! My eyeballs hurt, but I wanted to get this finished. I hope you all enjoyed it and if you want an epilogue, let me know! I'm glad I got to finish this story and share it with all of you, it's been so much fun. My next things are to do an update for My Medicine and then finish Wretched Soul. So check them out! If you want to indulge the sick freak within you, definitely check out My Medicine.

Anyways, thank you for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following! I love all yo invisible faces!