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"What news," she chuckled and he pulled away and brushed her cheek with his hand lovingly.
She smiled brightly at him seeing him smiling.
"What happens now?" she asked and he shook his head unable to find his words.
So, he just kissed her again, causing her to laugh.
End Memory.
Saya's eyes snapped open to gentle shaking and sat up to see Rini staring at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Your shift ended hours ago, Sai-senpai. Go home, it's late," she said and Saya rubbed her eyes tiredly.
She felt like she had blinked. Hours?
"Are you feeling alright?" Rini asked and Saya nodded.
"Yes, just surprised I slept so long," she mused and Rini chuckled.
"Well, go home and get more sleep. See you tomorrow," she said and Saya nodded her goodbye and left the hospital.
She walked to the tower quickly, feeling the wind pick up. A sandstorm was coming. She made her way to their room in the tower and walked in just as the sandstorm started.
Saya stared out into the storm. It was raging and she wondered how her balcony doors remained unmoved. She wondered what would happen if she opened them. Would the sand come in and sweep her away? She pressed her hand against the glass doors. It was cool to the touch.
She mulled over the past few days. She barely saw Gaara at all. He was always in meetings and when he wasn't, he spent a lot of time in his office. By the time he came in at night she was sleeping. And she was sure that one night he didn't come to bed at all. She'd have to ask what was going on.
They had a meeting in Konoha coming up to discuss the Chuunin Exams. Her hand gently pushed against the glass.
Would I be swept away?
"Saya?" Gaara called to her and she snapped out of her thoughts and pulled her hand away from the glass.
"Yes?" she asked and he stared at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked and she gestured to the storm.
"Looking at the sandstorm. It's a big one," she said softly and he stared at her.
Silence.
"If I opened this door...what would happen?" she asked and his eyes widened slightly.
She shrugged.
"I'm just curious. How is the glass that strong? If the doors opened, would I be swept out or would sand sweep in?" she asked and he frowned slightly.
"Why the sudden curiosity?" he inquired and she thought about it.
"It's beautiful, watching it from here. To be swept up in something so beautiful must feel like flying," she spoke dazed.
Silence.
"The glass was made from the finest sand struck by bolts of lightning over time. It's rare to find these days. And if you opened the doors now, with the way the wind is traveling, it would probably sweep you right out into the storm," he answered her and she nodded.
"Are you alright?" he asked and she nodded slowly.
He walked up to her and she turned to him, smiling slightly.
"Be honest," he whispered and her smile faltered as she touched her chest.
"I feel…heavy," she tried to describe the feeling.
"Heavy?" he asked and she nodded.
"Like there's this weight on my chest," she continued.
Silence.
She shook her head.
"I don't know. I can't pinpoint what it is exactly," she said and he nodded.
"Do not ignore it. If it becomes more, you'll tell me," he said and she nodded.
She leaned into him and he held her to him.
"I've missed you these past few days," she whispered and his grip tightened.
"The Kage have been meeting more, remotely. Naruto believes Momoshiki was only the beginning of something much bigger," he admitted and she sighed.
"How unfortunate," she mumbled.
She felt him caress her cheek and looked up at him. She gave him a small smile and he pressed his lips to hers firmly.
A Few Days Later…Konoha…
Saya was on edge and her family could sense something was wrong.
"I'd like it if you spoke to Sakura-san when you see her," Gaara said softly and she nodded.
Gaara hesitated before he went into the Hokage tower. She agreed way too easily. He was about to speak, but Saya spoke up first.
"I'll be alright. Don't worry about me," she smiled at him and he allowed a small smile to cross his lips.
"Impossible," he said and she chuckled as he went inside.
She turned to her kids, but they had already taken off. She sighed and then grabbed her head.
Memory...
Saya was sitting in another meeting with her husband, barely listening to the council drag on about their unwarranted and petty concerns for the village, when a messenger bird flew up and landed on the balcony. Kankuro retrieved the scroll from its carrier and walked over to his brother, handing it to him. The council members began to speak amongst themselves and Saya was pleased with the interruption.
Until she saw Gaara's face.
She sat up in her chair alertly and gently rested her hand on his leg, causing him to look at her.
"What's happened?" she asked and he tried to control his face.
But he was failing. He stood up and the council members quieted.
"The former Tsuchikage, Onoki-sama, has passed away," he said as firmly as he could.
All eyes widened.
"How?" Kankuro asked and Gaara shook his head.
"It doesn't say," he said, his voice still firm, but quieter now.
"Kurotsuchi-sama want's you there. She's requested for you by name. Will you be able to travel?" he asked her and she nodded.
"His funeral is in three days. We're leaving at nightfall," he said and exited the room quickly.
Saya followed him out, but when she stepped out into the hallway, he was gone. She sighed softly and thought it best to leave him be for now.
The Next Day...The Rock Village...
They arrived midday and Saya had to admit it. She loved the train. They walked into the Tsuchikage tower and greeted the other Kage and their families. Ryuzaki, Sera and Shinki stood close to their mother. Ryuzaki's eyes were searching for a particular person. A tap on his shoulder made him turn and smirk seeing Boruto grinning at him.
"Hey Ryuzaki!" he cheered and Ryuzaki nodded to him.
Hinata walked over to Saya and the two hugged tightly.
"I'm so happy to see you, though I wish the circumstances were better," she whispered and Saya nodded.
"How are you feeling?" she asked and Saya nodded.
"It was just a scare, but apparently everyone's heard. I'm fine, it wasn't what we thought," she said slightly embarrassed that everyone probably knew of the incident.
Hinata touched her shoulder and she looked at her friend.
"We love you. We worry about you. It's just something you have to deal with," she said and they broke into chuckles.
"Please take some time to get settled in. We will meet in an hour," Kurotsuchi's voice rose above the chatter.
Rock ANBU walked up to Saya and Hinata.
"Saya-san, please come with us," one said and Saya was about to follow them when Gaara was by her side.
"It was a long journey. She needs to rest—"
"—it's alright. They probably need the report before the meeting," she said and the Rock ANBU confirmed it with a nod.
Gaara seemed reluctant, but didn't say anything as she followed the ANBU to the hospital.
"I'll go with her, father," Shinki said and Gaara nodded as the twins followed him into the tower.
The Hospital Morgue...
Saya finished the process and smiled to herself.
Cause of death: Old age.
"What a way to go, Onoki," she whispered.
"May we all be so lucky," she added, covering the older man with a sheet.
Shinki stared at her.
"Is that how you want to die? Old age?" he asked and she nodded.
"If I could decide, yes," she said and he thought about it.
"I want to go in battle. The shinobi way," he said and she frowned.
"You shouldn't even be thinking about death," she chided softly.
"And that may be the shinobi way, but that doesn't have to be your shinobi way," she added and he stared at her.
Silence.
She finished up the report and they were about to leave the morgue when Rock ANBU stopped her. She frowned lightly in confusion and watched as an older man walked in. Shinki was immediately tense.
"Hello Saya-san," he said politely and she offered him a small smile.
"Hello," she said and watched the ANBU block the door, enclosing her inside with the man, her son, and the body.
It was only then that she became tense. She felt the ground shift slightly beneath her and knew Shinki's iron sand was ready.
"Is there a problem?" she asked and the older man shook his head.
"None at all. I understand you have the report ready for the Kage," he said and she nodded.
"I do. Who are you?" she asked, but he did not answer.
"Excellent, so the report says that he fought and died in battle," he said and Saya frowned.
"No, he died—"
"—in battle, Saya-san," he cut her off.
Silence.
Silence.
"That would be a falsification of records. I can't do that. It goes against the oath we take as medical nin. Who are you?" she asked again firmer this time.
Silence.
"Saya-san, it must be said that he died in battle. It was how he wanted to go out. It was his last wish. You must see it carried out," he said just as firm.
"My mother asked who you are," Shinki said firmly.
The man just smiled at him. Saya shook her head.
"Why was I asked here? If you needed that done then you should have asked one of your own. I'm not going into that meeting and lying to the Kage," she said and he stepped closer.
It caused her to step back and iron sand to fly up around her.
"Saya-san—"
"—please choose your next words carefully. It is not wise to threaten me for several reasons," she said quickly, noting the iron sand in the air.
Silence.
"If you do not say the former Tsuchikage died in battle...it will not be threats I deliver," he said calmly.
Silence.
Then he backed up and the ANBU moved from the door. Saya grabbed Shinki's hand and was cautious in her steps as they left and made their way to the tower.
The Tsuchikage Tower...
They all sat in the room as the Tsuchikage spoke about her grandfather. Saya glanced at Gaara and then down at the report. He had been distant since they got the news of Onoki's death. Ryuzaki sat next to her, annoyed he had to sit in on a meeting. But his mother would have none of it. It surprised him. She seemed tense today, not her usually playful self. Perhaps the death had affected her too. Sera sat next to him, calm and in her thoughts. Shinki had some of his iron sand resting in her lap, ready. He had wanted to pull his father from the meeting immediately, but Saya said it would look suspicious and he had to agree. So, they made a pact to be very cautious and aware in the meeting and they would tell him right after.
"Saya-san," Kurotsuchi said and Saya looked up from the report.
"Yes?" she asked seeing everyone staring at her.
"I had you come here because I trust you with my grandfather's body. We are ready to hear the cause of death," she said and Saya stared at her.
Then she glanced down at the report again.
Silence.
She could feel all the eyes in the room on her.
"Saya?" Gaara said and she looked at him.
Silence.
"The cause of death..." she trailed off.
She suddenly felt dizzy. Who was that man? Would he try to hurt her or her family? What should she say? Who was he that ANBU followed him around? Did he have an ear in the meeting? She looked at the ANBU standing around the room. Would they attack if she spoke the truth? She glanced at Shinki and felt the iron sand in her lap shift slightly.
"Saya-chan, is everything alright?" Naruto asked and Saya took in a deep, shaky breath.
"Onoki-sama's cause of death was…old age," she said quickly and waited.
Her eyes surveyed the room, waiting for the attack.
Silence.
Kurotsuchi nodded trying to hold back her tears.
"Thank you, Saya-san," she choked out and Saya nodded to her slowly.
There was a moment of silence before she turned to Gaara slightly.
"I need to speak with you," she said and he shook his head.
"It has to wait—"
"—it's urgent," Shinki said catching his attention.
"What is—" he stopped as Shinki's iron sand shot up quickly and Saya gasped, the kunai shallowly slicing into her neck.
Thankfully, the iron sand was able to stop the devastating blow. For the first time in Saya's life, she froze instead of acted. Yelling could be heard and then Gaara's sand enclosed her, Ryuzaki, Sera and Shinki in a dome. All fell silent.
Silence.
"Mom?" Ryuzaki called to her and she blinked and came out of her shock some.
"Are you alright, Mother?" Shinki asked wide eyed.
She pressed her hand to her neck, emitting a green glow. Then she breathed and managed to smile at them.
"Just a scratch," she whispered as the wound healed quickly.
She took in a shaky breath and then tensed as the sand dome opened. She stepped in front of her kids ready and alert, but relaxed some when Gaara walked through and the sand enclosed behind him. Before she could speak his hands were on her cheeks, allowing his stoic composure to fall. His eyes searched hers, filled with concern and she offered him a small smile.
"I'm okay," she whispered and he seemed to breathe then, leaning his head against hers and closing his eyes.
Ryuzaki and Shinki were both surprised, seeing their father look anything but calm, cool, and collected. Sera didn't seem surprised at all.
Saya touched Gaara's face gently and he grabbed her wrists keeping her hands on him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered and she shook her head.
"Stop," she said and he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"I shut you out. I was distracted. My sand didn't—" he was cut off as she pressed her lips to his.
"But Shinki had my back," she whispered calmly and Gaara appreciated that she could maintain her composure on the rare occasion he lost his.
She winked at Shinki, who gave a small smile. Ryuzaki rolled his eyes and nudged his brother annoyed. Sera grinned at him proudly.
"I'm okay," she murmured and he nodded after a moment, his composure returning.
"We've subdued the ANBU responsible as well as the man behind the attacks," he said and she nodded.
"Who was he?"
"Kurotsuchi-sama's grandfather on her father's side. She will deal with him properly," he said and Saya nodded.
She pulled Ryuzaki, Sera and Shinki close as the sand dome slowly dissolved around them.
End Memory.
Saya's eyes snapped up to meet familiar green ones.
"You alright, Saya?" Sakura asked her friend.
Silence.
"Saya?" she asked and Saya nodded.
"Yes, I think so," she said and Sakura frowned.
Silence.
"I'm being plagued. Every time I sleep or even blink, it's like I'm thrown back into the past. The memories aren't necessarily bad, but I have no idea what it means," she admitted quickly and Sakura's eyes widened.
"Does Gaara know this?" she asked and Saya shook her head.
"Some, not all," she whispered.
"He wanted me to talk to you. But I don't think it's a physical thing," she said tiredly.
Silence.
"We can run some tests," Sakura suggested and Saya nodded.
"Please," she whispered and Sakura nodded and they walked to the hospital.
I hope you enjoyed reading! Please review and let me know your thoughts. Onward!