Author's Note (2020/06/11): Hey everyone! This chapter marks near ~300k words on FFN and ~290k on AO3 (and the ever-so-mature chapter number 69... ha). This story has also broke past 100 followers on FFN recently so I just want to say thank you to all who've followed, favourited, and reviewed over the year since I've started posting this rewrite! We are officially in the ending epilogue section with an air of slice of life, so be prepared for incoming fluff.

Stay safe everyone xx

Chapter 69
Of the Snow

Their footsteps crunched upon the soft beds of fallen snow as they met them on the silent tundra.

Before them in their sights were great huts fashioned of mammoth hide and tusks and fires were lit under the cooking meats. Tanners were busy staining the fresh pelts of the hunted mammoths and skinned elk for clothes while children laughed and played with bones and sticks, their mothers and fathers keeping a watchful eye. The Kumatsume clan were settled upon the great tundra near the fields of winter rice and wheat, the free people cultivating the harsh lands with ease and harmony with the other scattered mountain-folk. For the first time in generations, the bear-people and the wolf-people could finally live in peace with one another.

Clothed in animal hides and furs over their warm layered kimonos, a group of clansmen stood to greet the cloak-clad Kazekage and his violet-eyed bride-to-be. In the center stood an aged man of white hair and wild beard, his top-knot signifying his status – the elder of the clan. Close by was the green-eyed girl Nomasaki remembered from the cave only weeks ago, her dark hair neatly combed and her eyes full of life. Sana. A katana was strapped to the hip of each of the five clansmen who stood in the snow before them, their faces kind and welcoming.

"Thanks to the efforts of Sunagakure and Ishigakure, we of the Kumatsume clan are now free men." The elder began. "Yamagakure has been very accommodating - the Yamamori clan, too. Our people are getting used to the climate, and already they're farming on the permafrost." Bowing his white head of wild hair, he showed his gratitude to the shinobi before him. "We also owe you a thank you as well, Nomasaki-sama, Kazekage-sama. If it weren't for you, we would still be bound to those accursed mines in the darkness… so thank you."

Bowing back lightly, Nomasaki smiled. "No need to thank us – really," She assured, the fur of her cloak warming her rosy cheeks in the cold. "I just… did what I had to do, as a shinobi. Koga and Kenzō were monsters… there was no way we could've sat by idly. Freedom is not something you earn - it's something all deserve."

Giving a heartfelt and curious glance, she examined their grateful eyes. Even as they stood still on the tundra against its chilling soft winds, she could sense the nature energy that lay dormant in their blood. It was within each and every one of them, as if sleeping under some spell of old. It appeared the fabled Sage of Six Paths had paid a visit to both clans in the ancient times, gifting both clans with the strange power of a beast.

"Are you sure you don't want me to unseal your bloodline? The Reverse Sealing may be forbidden, but I was able to formulate it safely with some changes to the seal formula after some studying with the Suna Sealing Corps. The formula Reto-sama used was undone, so it would be of no trouble or qualms for Suna." She offered, kindly. "I'm sure my clansmen would be also willing to teach your people how to control nature energy for your kekkei genkai, since ours are similar to another."

One of the bearded Kumatsume rose his palm, a smile under his hairy mustache. "No need, m'lady, but thank you. We've grown used to being as we are, but if the time arises, we will surely seek you out. Thank you, truly."

Nodding, Gaara gave a calm glance. "If there's anything Sunagakure can do during this peace treaty, don't hesitate to send us a hawk."

"Much obliged, Kazekage-sama." The elder, bowed. "We thank you."

Holding the hilt of her katana, Sana smiled towards them. A wave of courage and pride was marked onto her lips, the frightened and timid girl from the caves now gone forever. Garbed in her hides and tunic of warm fabrics, she stood alongside her clansmen proudly.

"Now it's up to us to return the favor - we're going to rid the world of slaves." She exclaimed. "There's a ship sailing out of the Land of Wind's port in a fortnight to the continents across the silver waters. We're going to free as many as we can, just as you did for us."

"The silver waters," Nomasaki repeated, awed. "Have a safe journey, then. We wish you well."

Sana bowed, the others beside her soon following suit. "Thank you, m'lady. We hope to cross paths with you again someday."

As they parted ways towards the great mountains further north, Gaara gave her a glance from under the cover of his Kazekage's hat, its white flaps fluttering lightly in the cold and gentle winds. "You've done a good thing for them, freeing their clan." He said. "They owe their lives to you."

Humbled, she looked to the towering peak in their path. "They don't owe me anything. If anything, I still owe you my life." She smiled, turning to him. "You saved my life many times, in more ways I can count… the least I can do is give you mine in return."

Turning back to the approaching mountain, a smile formed on his lips. "As you say."

Her footsteps paused.

In the wake of the forest that followed the mountain path in a white haze of frost, Nomasaki looked to the west. Something was approaching closer from the far reaches of the tundra, the chakra strong and welcoming. Realizing what it was, her violet eyes widened in its direction. She could not help but smile in her pleasant surprise.

"What is it?"

"A friend,"

In the cover of white that fell lightly from the skies above, Gaara seen them. With a heavy brown cloak of fine fabric over his shoulders, Naruto's blonde hair stood out from the tundra as if the sun. The gleam of his forehead protector only confirmed it in their eyes, the symbol of Konoha etched clear as day for them to see. As he stepped out from the snowy winds, Naruto looked upon them in stunned amazement.

"Gaara?" He glanced, wide-eyed. "Huh? Nomasaki? What are you two doing here?"

"Diplomacy," Gaara replied, a light smile on his lips. "We're overseeing the integration of the Kumatsume clan into the Land of Mountains."

"It also doesn't hurt to visit my father either," Nomasaki entered, glancing to the Kazekage with a playful gleam in her eye. Meeting Naruto's face, she smiled kindly. "He's the chieftain of this village, my father."

Naruto blinked, surprised. "Really? You don't say!" Lost in deep thought, he narrowed his blue eyes, examining her face at a distance. "Now that you mention it… you do have a similar face shape…" A gleam from her hand caught his eye, near taking the breath from his lungs at the sight. "Wait – what's that on your finger?!"

"Oh," With a timid smile, she held it up for him to see. "That's my ring."

"Y-Your ring?" Shocked, he looked to Gaara beside her. "Are you two -?" Without a second thought, the young Kazekage nodded with a smile. Beaming, the Konoha ninja wrapped his arms around the two. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Naruto." Gaara gave a nod, his eyes turning stern as they parted. "Just keep your voice down. Her father doesn't know yet. That's partially why we're here in the first place."

"O-Oh, right. Sorry about that," He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I just finished a solo mission in the Land of Earth for Kakashi-sensei and I figured I'd take the Land of Mountains as a detour. This land is so different than back home, the snow is nice for a change. Hey – before I go, how about the three of us do something together?"

"Are you sure Hokage-sama is alright with you taking your time?"

"He's lucky I even went!" Naruto scoffed. "I had to exchange some intel to Sasuke for his mission… The bastard didn't even have the decency to stick around and chat! I swear, him turning into a wanderer did nothing for his social skills. Sakura is left home worrying about him constantly… He's due to return soon to Konoha but I wouldn't count on it -,"

A distant howl sounded on the winds.

Looking to the silent kunoichi at his side, Gaara gave her a curious glance. "What is it?"

"Nothing serious," She assured. "It's my clan. They're just communicating."

Another howl.

Taking a few steps into the snow of the tundra, she paused. After hearing another howl echo across the lands, she took in a deep breath and howled in return. The sound burst from her fanged jaws into the snowy skies with a following silence, alarming Naruto while Gaara remained calm and silent. The winds turned quiet as her jaws closed, waiting for the sounds to return.

Then a howl answered.

Gaara stepped closer. "What are they saying?"

Meeting his ringed-eyes, she smiled. "It's a summon to the shrine. Some children of the clan have come of age, it's a ceremony. I'll meet you in the village after it's done."

"Alright," He nodded. "Be careful."

Smiling back, she gave a parting wave to the two and took a few steps back. Shifting within a breeze of the snow-painted winds that blew past, the winds swept her dark fur-lined cloak that shrouded over her blue kimono. Within a glimpse of the blinding snows, she transformed into a great wolf of white fur and feral purple eyes. Digging her claws into the tundra, she bounded against the snow as if a ghost amongst the winds, towering over the humans she passed. Startled, Naruto fell onto the snow at his back with a thud. In a matter of moments, the blur of white fur vanished into the frosted conifer trees behind them. A beast.

"What the -?! She's huge -!" He stammered, bewildered. "I swear she was normal wolf-size last time I seen her -!?"

"The Yamamori clan's kekkei genkai transformation grows larger as they age," Gaara explained, calmly. "She reached her limit when she reached adulthood at eighteen."

Scoffing to himself, Naruto grumbled under his icy breath. "Let's hope so… or you'll find yourself ripped to shreds in your first argument as a married couple…"

"What did you say?"

"N-Nothing! Let's go somewhere to catch up."

Under the glow of paper lanterns, the snow-filled streets hummed peacefully with the chatter of the night.

Shinobi dressed in the flak jackets and garbs of Yamagakure sat red-faced and gleeful with their comrades at the bars and storefronts. Even those of the purple-eyed clan were part of the festivities, the ceremony-goers still set on celebrating the day into the dark of the night. A few Kumatsume clansmen lingered about as well, joining in with the haze of the rowdy night in the tiny mountain village. The echoing and comradery seemed enough to wake the dead – or the even the sleeping forest spirits the elders have long said to have lived amongst the trees. The kodama were at least kind and timid spirits, unlike the howling yamabiko that would have certainly disturbed the peace, being the natural tricksters they were. But both were simply stories told from the village elders, nothing more.

Seated at a dango bar, Naruto drank his sake with a beaming grimace. "The sake here is so strong compared to back home," He sighed, placing the cup on the counter. "At least it tastes good…" Noticing his silent friend beside him, he gave a curious glance. "Gaara -? Are you gonna have yours?"

Hesitantly, the Kazekage looked down at the cup in his hand. His hat and gourd aside at his feet, he mulled over taking his first drink. "I've never acquired a taste for it, to be honest." Brushing aside his nervousness, he gave in, rising the cup to his lips. "Since it's a special occasion, maybe just tonight."

Nomasaki smiled beside him, her cup already empty. "You think it's a special occasion? To tell my father, I mean."

"Perhaps," Grimacing back the bitter taste of alcohol, he swallowed his first shot. The cup made a clinging sound as it rested on the countertop, the beckoning for more already sounding. Turning towards her in his seat, he gave her a curious look from his tanuki-like eyes while his lips formed a slight smirk. "Just so we're on the same page… There's no secret clan rituals I don't know about, is there?"

She smirked back, holding her cup towards him. "Give me the alcohol and I'll tell you anything."

"Deal,"

After he passed her the bottle to pour her next drink, she told him anything and everything he asked. She told him how the tales of werewolves were of her people dating back centuries, how the moon never provoked a change to a beast, her disdain for horses and dogs, and the spirits the elders were said to have lived in the great snowy forest around them. All had not fascinated him as much as the sheen of her violet eyes from the lantern light as they talked. The ringing of her laugh and the fangs that he could see poking out from her mouth with each blushing sound made him feel as if it were their first time alone all over again.

Love was indeed a strange thing.

Midnight approached.

"I'm so happy you guys are together! No, seriously -," Naruto awed, his words becoming slurred as his face grew flushed from the alcohol. Placing a hand on the Kazekage's slouched shoulder, he leaned in. "Gaara, you deserve to be happy just as much as anyone. I'm so glad… so glad - you two are getting hitched! No, really – I am."

Glancing to him, Gaara met his expression near as flushed as he was. His face felt hot, his mind strangely eased and inhibition slowly receding. It near frightened him to grasp the unknown feeling. Maintaining sober thought, he nodded. "Thanks. It means a lot coming from you, Naruto." Narrowing his ringed-eyes, he gave him a stern and flushed glance. "…but keep your voice down, we can't let the whole village know…"

"Sorry, sorry!" Naruto chuckled, easing off. "I'm just excited for you, is all! By the way… are you going to finish that?"

Noticing the sake bottle in front of him, he shrugged. "It's all yours." Resting his elbows on the counter, he ran his fingers groggily through his messy red hair. "I feel… strange. Does sake normally do this?"

"Do what?"

Watching him pour another drink, Gaara averted his eyes. "Never mind…"

As Naruto took another shot, from what he saw from the corner of his eye made him gulp the sake back in horror. "Nomasaki -! You're drinking directly from the bottle!?"

Smiling from ear to ear, she let out a calming sigh as she finished chugging what was left of the intoxicating drink. Placing the empty clay bottle on the counter, the two watched cautiously as she swayed back into her seat with a grinning blush across her flushed cheeks in the cold. The calm before the storm – or so they have been told.

"Why not?" She mused. "I can handle my liquor pretty well, if I don't say so myself. Look – I can count how many drinks!" With glossy eyes, she counted the drinks on her fingers. "One, two… three? No… five? Four - four drinks. Oh, and the rest of the bottle just now. I think that's… eight? Yeah, eight."

Brushing off the horror he witnessed, Naruto turned to Gaara. "So… when's the wedding?"

"Later in the summer," Gaara said. "Once we get the blessings from the council and the Sand Priests, it's said and done." Remembering what awaited him in the morning, a shiver of nervousness crept into his throat. It caught him off guard. "...and from her father, Kyo-sama. The chieftain."

"Ah, really? Blessings? I should remember your culture is different than mine. I just asked Hinata's dad Hisashi-sama for his approval before I popped the question and… no, that was it."

Resting her hand under her chin, Nomasaki let out a soft sigh in thought. "I wonder how the council will react… They wanted us married a few months back, but I feel they still don't fully approve of me because of my clan." Her eyes glanced to the Kazekage with a glossy tint hiding her past hurt. "Those old-folks wanted you to marry that heiress back then, remember? In that arranged marriage to that woman of the Hoki Family -,"

"W-What?" Naruto interrupted, shocked. "You were in an arranged marriage?!"

"That's behind us," Gaara replied, averting Naruto's widened eyes and gaping mouth. A faint flush was visible on his face as he turned to meet Nomasaki beside him, his mind still unaware of the alcohol in his system. "Anyways, I could care less of what they say. They're just a group of non-discerning geezers… I only need to tell them of the marriage. It's tradition, nothing more. If they disagree, that's their problem. I'm the Kazekage... they can't treat me as if a child."

Leaning in closer, she gave a playful grin. "Maybe I should convince them otherwise. After all, I can be very convincing."

"Bare your fangs towards them might render them heart attacks," He laughed under his breath. "I can do the talking alone, don't worry."

Looking up towards the lanterns above, she let her thoughts take her. "I hope my father doesn't take the news too hard… I'm sure he'll be over the moon, but for some reason I can't help but be nervous."

"Did you see him today?"

She shook her head. "His attendants said he was hunting wild boar in the forest with some of his guardsmen," She sighed. "He should be back by the morning, before we return home to Sunagakure."

Hearing Naruto give a grumble in thought, they both turned to meet his curious and glossy blue eyes. His bandaged hand was held to his chin, examining the two carefully. "I wonder…" He began, his words slurred slightly. "Which one of you is the strongest?"

"Gaara's a Kage," Nomasaki chuckled. "I'm just a drunken wolf with the rank of jonin -,"

"No no, I mean physical strength!" He corrected himself. Catching the glimpse of the food on their counter, his mind suddenly came up with a challenge. "Look – there's one dumpling left. How about you two arm-wrestle for it! Winner takes all!"

Gaara jolted slightly in his seat. "I don't know…" He said, averting his eyes. "I don't really want to -,"

"Come on, Gaara," Naruto groaned. "Loosen up! It's just for fun!"

"Naruto said it's just for fun," Hearing her voice took him by surprise. Smiling softly in her flushed state, she gave an assuring glance. "We'll be married soon, and we'll be busy planning things. Let's have a little fun before that starts. After the wedding, we'll have all the time in the world to have fun like this."

He surprised himself from the words he uttered. "Alright… If you insist,"

Placing their elbows on the sturdy counter, the two clasped hands while looking into each other's eyes with an air of competition. Standing excitedly and drunk, Naruto gave the starting signal with the pump of his fist in the cold mountain air.

"Alright – go!"

Gripping each other tightly, their match began.

He could feel his sand quicken to harden under his sleeve, his Sand Armor already coming to his aid from the hand that attempted to make him submit. Looking towards her, he saw her violet eyes focused and unwavering. Her grip was strong, her strength even surprising himself for her dainty and slender figure. A beast lurked within her blood – he had to remember. A smirk found itself etched upon his face, relishing in the act.

"I don't want to hurt you, Nomasaki." He said with a taunt. "My sand acts on itself, you know."

"Oh, I know," She mused, smirking back. "… but so does my power!"

A wave of strength suddenly overcame him – catching him off guard from his winning chance. Slamming his sand-covered fist onto the counter, the hand of his bride claimed victory. Shocked into silence, Naruto twitched at the sight.

"N… Nomasaki wins…?!"

And the last dumpling was hers.

Stumbling on the snowy path, Nomasaki emerged the most sober of the three.

Leaving Naruto to sleep off his impending hangover at the village inn, the two departed into the streets of white and silence. The lanterns were all that guided their way against the snow at their path. The storefronts were closed and the loud drunken cheers of comradery had gone silent with the night hours. With Gaara's arm slung over her shoulder, she guided him over the treacherous steps of snow and ice as the light of the old stone lanterns lit their way back to the chieftain's residence on the hill. He was coherent in his mind but most uncoordinated in his movements. For the first time in his life, the Kazekage was close to being drunk. Even in the dim light, she could see the flushing of his face and the glossy coating over his seafoam eyes. Sake did not take to him kindly – or else he could have walked by himself.

"You didn't have to go so easy on me back there, I could tell you were holding back."

"I wasn't, believe me," He chuckled under his breath, the air turning to vapor before him. "You just… took me by surprise."

His footing stumbled, his sand barely being able to catch up with its master. Holding onto him firmly, she giggled. "Gaara, you're walking like you have two left feet. Even your sand is sluggish."

"The sake affected me more than I anticipated… How do you cope?"

"Laying down… or vomiting. Both help."

A faint laugh passed his lips in the cold.

The hill was just before them now, its winding road in their reach. As they started up the path, he felt his footing turn against him again. "Easy, easy," Catching him, she held her free hand behind his back for extra support. "We're almost there, just a few more steps,"

"Just imagine… the Kazekage… defeated by mere four shots of alcohol," He scoffed under his breath. "I don't think I'm drunk, but my body feels tired… and most uncooperative…"

"It'll pass," She assured. "I feel the same. We paced ourselves, we'll be alright."

Starting up the incline, they made it to firm ground. The porch was straight ahead, its entrance welcoming and lantern lights dimmed. A warm bed was waiting for them, a relief from the impending hangovers that would greet them in the morning hours. Pushing himself, Gaara overestimated his strength. Stumbling under his own steps, the Kazekage collapsed.

"Gaara -!"

Before she had a chance to react, she fell on top of him on the snow.

Startling him from the sudden contact, all he could do was stare into her eyes in silence as the cold from the snow eased through the cloak and Kazekage's hat he wore at his back. Surprised and blushing, she could not find the words to say either. It was the closest they have been in weeks, his stay in the hospital and village diplomacy keeping them apart. Even as he felt her clothed body over his, his heart yearned for her as it did when they were alone.

Realizing their position, he closed his ringed-tanuki eyes and smiled to himself. "You're right… I do have two left feet."

Hearing a laugh pass her lips enticed him. Softly, he touched her blushing cheek with his cold hand as the snowflakes danced around them. Gently, their lips met under the silent snowfall. Something stirred inside him, something as if awoken by the beverage his body could hardly handle. Parting from each other, he looked into her vibrant lilac eyes that gazed back at him so lovingly.

"Answer me this… How can someone… as pretty and nice as you… love me back?"

Bashful, she chuckled under the comfort of her furred cloak. Smiling gently, she placed her hands along his jawline. "You are you. Ever since you first showed me kindness, I started to fall for you… for the kind, wise, and grumpy person you are."

"Grumpy?"

She nodded. "Yes, grumpy."

Lovingly, she leaned in and kissed him again. Holding her in his arms, he stayed on the snow, refusing to let the cold make them part. Chuckling under his breath as they exchanged glances, his arms relaxed as he watched Nomasaki rise from his lap. Grasping his hand, she lifted him onto his feet, his sand still slow to rejoin him.

"Let's go inside, the winds are growing colder."

Making their way into the guestroom, they hung up their cloaks against the wall along the finely crafted hooks.

Not a single sound echoed within the chieftain's manse, the guards were gone and the housekeepers were sleeping in their chambers. Although fuzzy from the alcohol, she could still sense the chakra around them. Only theirs lingered close by. The guestroom was large and formal room with a bed coated in animal pelts from many different creatures, the furs creating a collage of warmth. Unlike the last time where they slept separate, they were fortunate enough to have a bed suitable for the two of them. Gaara's coordination improved by the time they were inside, carefully rising from his lean on her shoulder to walk on his own to place the Kazekage's hat and his sand gourd on the chair at the far side of the room. Sobriety finally approached them after many hours of pleasant chatter and snowy walks, the gloss in their eyes and the flushing from their cheeks receding.

After sliding the paper door closed, Nomasaki heard his footsteps approaching her from behind. "Ga -,"

Turning around, she hardly had any time to say his name while she felt his hands grasp her shoulders and hold her against the door as he kissed her tenderly. Overcome with feeling, she forgot what she wanted to say and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hungrily in return.

His hands trailed slowly from her shoulders to her waist, caressing the blue fabric that hugged her body. Between lustful breaths, her fingers found the buttons of his shirt, undoing them hastily as she felt his want for her pressing against her through his pants. Her fingers traced down the warm skin of his strong chest, feeling the white cloth that concealed his mortal wound. The bandages were still wrapped along his abdomen, the reminder of his injury pushed to the far back of his mind. Her gentle touch enticed him, unraveling his restraint on desire. It had been many weeks since they last shared a bed, and they could hold back no longer. Sparks drew them in, their bodies aching for another. Kissing her passionately, he pulled himself closer to her hips. Before she knew it, he was at the collar of her kimono, his lips at her neck as she felt the cool air caress her skin. A soft moan escaped her. While his teeth grazed her, his gentle hands traveled to where her breasts lay covered, his touch wandering down to undo the white obi across her waist.

Leaning towards her ear hidden by her long strands of gold, she felt him release her, his hot breath on her tingling skin.

"We should go to bed…" He whispered.

She whispered back, meeting his tanuki-like eyes in the darkness. "We should…"

Picking her up in his strong arms, he laid her down onto the bed of animal pelts and kissed her with as much love as he could fathom. One by one, their clothes pooled onto the tatami floor. Meeting each other's eyes in the scarce snowy moonlight, they fell into the furs as they felt the fire and ice clash amongst their skin.

Disappearing into the blankets below…

..more notes (2020/06/11): The forest spirits that are mentioned are inspired by Japanese mythology, particularly stories of yōkai.

Kodama (木霊) meaning "tree spirit" are timid spirit-like creatures that were said to inhabit healthy forests and even had connections to mountains and mountain gods. The yamabiko (山彦) meaning "mountain echo" are yōkai that live in mountainous regions and are responsible for the delayed sounds heard in mountains and valleys. They appear as if a cross between a dog and a monkey and are much easily heard than seen.