Author's Note (2020/08/21):

Here we are, over one year later after starting this rewrite - we've made it to the final chapter...

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who read or even happened to glance at my story whether it be this 74-chapter rewrite or the old Quizilla original from back in 2009. This story took so much time, effort, dedication, and editing (oof… the proofreads were brutal sometimes lol) so if you liked this fanfiction, I thank you from the bottom of my anxiety-ridden heart. I appreciate every read, favourite/follow, kudos, bookmark, subscription, comment, and review. I read every review and comment, and whether you loved my story or hated it - thank you! This chapter was the most difficult one for me to write being the last one due to the bittersweetness of it all, so I hope you enjoy this closing chapter to the longest story I've ever written (~430k words and counting!).

Chapter 81
Family

Seven years later…

The sand whisked from his fingers in plumes of gold, dancing in the air above him as he ran.

Darting down the grand corridor of the estate, the bright-eyed child beamed towards the flying bird of gold he created from his small hands. Flapping its short wings, the doll-sized bird flew above in a breeze while he leapt and laughed as he chased it. His violet eyes seen an opening – and he went for it. Jumping as high as he could, the red-haired boy clutched the gold-sand bird in his palms. Landing on the carpeted floor with a thud, he felt the rumble shudder through him. Carefully, he peeked through his fingers at the bird he caught. Startling him, the bird fluttered out and burst into a glimmer of gold dust. Chuckling gleefully, the boy sat as the golden sand rained down, littering his clothes and the rug with the evidence of play.

An unfamiliar presence suddenly entered. Cautiously, he stood onto his feet and turned towards the bend of the long hall. The chakra was unlike he ever knew. It was as compelling and strange as it was powerful - maybe even more powerful than that of his father's. Voices soon followed – two of them. A man of grey-white hair clothed in white and red garbs appeared beyond the bend, accompanied with a tall shinobi of a short blond cut and an outfit of orange and black. Their headbands strapped to their sides had an emblem he never saw before, not the gourd of Suna he saw garbed on his parents. Conversing pleasantly, they paused as soon as they saw the startled red-headed child standing further down the hallway. Before the blond man could say anything, the child dashed further into the corridor at his back.

"Papa–!"

Puzzled, Kakashi watched as the boy disappeared beyond the corridor's bend. "Hm? A child?"

"Red hair…?" Naruto spoke aloud, stunned at what he saw. His mind suddenly jolted with a memory. "Wait – there's no way–!"

Stepping out from the far end of the hall, the Kazekage made his entrance as his son followed with a hand grasped onto the flaps of his coat. "Papa – look...!" The child stammered, shyly, not taking his eyes off the foreigners for a second. "Strange men…! Who are they…? Why are they here…?"

"Strange men?" Gaara repeated, curiously. "Kyōkurō, what do you mean–?"

Smiling under his mask, Kakashi raised a palm for a wave as they approached. "It's been a while, Kazekage-sama." He greeted. "Sorry for arriving later than we intended. A sandstorm delayed us by a day on our journey."

The Sixth Hokage.

Surprised at the sight of his allies, Gaara nearly forgot about their scheduled arrival. Balancing leadership and fatherhood was indeed a challenge he did not anticipate, but nonetheless he did his best – even if he let some meetings slip his mind. Smiling lightly, he nodded in greeting.

"Hokage-sama," Catching his attention, he met the familiar face of his friend. "Naruto!"

With a nod of his blond head, Naruto gave a brotherly smile. "Hey."

Feeling his son turn away from the Konoha visitors as his grip of his coat changed, Gaara looked down at his son comfortingly as he knelt to meet his nervous eyes. Assuringly, he gave a warm smile. "It's alright, Kyōkurō." He said. "They're our friends."

Timidly, Kyōkurō peeked out towards the visitors again. Seeing the two men turn to face him, the child gasped and hid away behind his father. Clutching at the burgundy fabric, Kyōkurō glanced at them from the shield of his parent's presence. Standing, Gaara placed a hand on his shoulder, meeting the curious glances of the Konoha shinobi with a calm air.

"I'm sorry, he's quite shy."

"No need," Naruto chuckled. "It's nice to meet you!"

Hesitantly, Kyōkurō looked towards Naruto. Sensing his chakra, he could feel the powerful presence that lurked around him, but soon after seeing his welcoming expression, his nervousness began to slowly dissipate. The chakra was nothing to fear – it was just like his father only fox-like. The chakra of a tailed-beast, he remembered his mother telling him once. Letting go of his father's coat, he stepped closer to the white-haired Hokage and his jinchuriki bodyguard. Examining the older man's curious dark eyes, he could then tell what his chakra contained.

"Papa," He whispered, turning back to him. "That man smells like a dog…"

At his desk, Gaara watched warmly as Kyōkurō scribbled with his crayons on the floor. The child's eyes were agleam with focus, drawing waves of vibrant reds, blues, and yellows on sprawling paper while humming a tune. For a child of nearing seven years, his memory of shapes and detail was remarkable. Noticing Gaara's watchful eye, Naruto looked on with a humored grin. Sitting on the couch across from the Kazekage, he sat beside the Sixth Hokage in pleased silence.

"I gotta say," He chucked. "I never took you for the fatherly-type, Gaara!"

Drawing his attention, Gaara glanced to him with a nod. "It surprised me, too." He smiled, turning back to his cheerful son. "It… grew on me, being a parent."

"I remember when you told us the news," Naruto smiled, folding his arms behind his head as he relaxed. "Hinata and I still have those baby pictures you sent us a while back. They grow so fast... I still can't believe my son Boruto is turning six! And Himawari four..." He chuckled. "Who knows? Maybe our kids will be friends someday."

Smiling, Gaara agreed. "I can see that."

Observing the conversation between the two shinobi a generation his junior, Kakashi gave a friendly glance from his aged and darkened eyes. "How is your wife, Nomasaki-sama these days?" He entered, pleasantly. "I heard she's now the Suna Ambassador for Yamagakure."

"She's in good health," Gaara nodded. "She should be returning home from the Land of Mountains shortly. Since the remains of the tracking unit merged with the Sunagakure ANBU after the war, she said the work of an ambassador suits her better. She has dual-citizenship as well, so that makes it easier on our end."

Turning towards the scribbling child upon the floor, the Hokage took in the vibrance of the boy's tangles of red hair and strange violet eyes. Those eyes, he remembered – he last time he saw them was at the wedding only years before. As for every other feature, the child scarcely had anything else of his mother. The boy who sat on the floor was a pure clone of his father, that was for certain. The red hair proved it. He did not know what was more surprising – the fact that the Kazekage even fathered a child to begin with - or that the child he fathered had eyebrows.

"Your son certainly has her eyes," Kakashi said. "No doubt about it."

"'The Seed is Strong'," Gaara replied, drawing their glances. "That's what her father told me of the Yamamori line. All descendants of the clan have those purple eyes, no matter how thin the blood becomes."

Looking back to the occupied boy, Naruto took notice of how much he resembled his father. In contrast to the serious, brooding, and withdrawn Kazekage, the child was cheery, timid, and brimming of child-like wonder and energy. It almost reminded him of the resemblance between himself and his son back in Konoha, the child he and his wife named Boruto. Sons do take after their fathers in many ways, he thought. "I must say, overall he looks exactly like you." He grinned. "The red hair makes him your splitting image!"

Turning towards him, the Kazekage gave a light smile. "I get that a lot. He's actually more like his mother in personality. He's a kind child, and very shy."

"Papa!" Kyōkurō proclaimed, beaming gleefully as he jumped to his father's desk. "I finished my drawing! Did you want to see it?"

Taking the paper in his hands, he saw scribbles of golden birds flying over a sea of blue. Proudly, Kyōkurō stood on his tip-toes with a wide smile. "It's very good, Kyōkurō. Are the birds flying with your Gold Dust?" Gaara asked, curiously.

"Uh huh!" Kyōkurō nodded. "I'm getting better at it!"

Gaara nodded, his tone turning warm as he passed back the drawing. "Make sure to draw something for your mother when she returns. She'd like that."

"I will!"

Surprised, Naruto turned to the child. "Gold Dust?" He repeated, looking to Gaara with wide eyes. "You mean like your father's? The Fourth Kazekage?"

"Yeah," Gaara replied, nodding. "It surprised us as well. He has a natural talent for it, awakening his Magnet Release only about a year ago when he started at the academy. His instructors were just as shocked as we were when they found out."

Watching the red-haired child plop himself back upon the floor, Kakashi turned to his bodyguard with his eyes calm and crisp. "Naruto, do you have the materials for the meeting?"

"Oh!" Naruto jolted, meeting his gaze. "Uh… Yes!"

"Gaara-sama," Kakashi began. "When would be able to call the meeting?"

Gaara nodded, turning to where he was seated. "Any time. I can send for the council when you're ready."

"Ah, excellent," Kakashi sighed, standing on his tired feet. "Let's get to it, then. Economics is as boring as watching paint dry on the temple steps but it's no more painful than stripping a bandage."

Kyōkurō's crayon suddenly froze on the paper – sensing a chakra draw near. "Mom!" As the door creaking sounded within the room, Kyōkurō dashed towards her. Hugging the lap of her blue dress, he beamed as Nomasaki bent down to hold him close in her motherly arms. "Welcome home!"

"Kyōkurō," She smiled back, warmly. "I missed you!"

Beaming gleefully, he pulled out the drawing of the golden birds against a blue sky.

"Look what I drew!"

"That's lovely!" She praised. "I'll hang it on the fridge when we go home."

"How was your journey?" Gaara asked, a smile on his lips as he watched her enter.

"Long," She chuckled. "I swear, it gets longer each time. And summer is upon us, which makes the traveling more tiring. Still, everything went well. My father is pleased with the proposed training regimen. As soon as the Suna instructors arrive, they can move along with their plans. The Wind and Mountain daimyos seem to be getting along as well. My father sends his regards, as usual. He said he's going to send us a scroll sometime soon being there's still no phone-lines in Yama, being as isolated as they are still."

Unbeknownst to the guests from afar, a small shadow creeped along the back of the couch where they sat. Slowly, the shadow stood on the top of the couch's frame, choosing the unsuspecting Naruto as its next victim. Barring their fangs, the beastly shadow creeped closer. Sensing something behind him, Naruto whipped his head around – only to see the ghastly visage of a wolfish beast snarling back at him. Gasping loudly, he fell to the floor as the energetic red-haired girl with a ponytail jumped down onto the couch in a fit of laughter.

Her next victim fell nearly as loud as the last – her unsuspecting nanny Meiyumi.

Noticing what transpired, Kakashi looked to the snickering child. "And who's this little one?"

"Setsuka." Gaara answered with a sigh, watching his daughter fondly. "She's just shy of six – and already she's figured out how to use her Kekkei Genkai. Well... one of them."

The Hokage chuckled. "She's quite the little hell-raiser, isn't she?" Leaning down to meet Naruto's ear, he whispered an awkward sigh. "She must take after her father in that department, don't you think?"

Averting his glance, Naruto scoffed. "She's more like her mother if you ask me..."

"Setsuka!"

Jolting her, the child's laughter froze as she was soon graced by the stern glance of her mother. Although not as strict as Gaara, Nomasaki took great care to teach their children proper etiquette – especially if the blood of the wolf was involved.

And Setsuka was no stranger to rebellion.

The two Kazekage siblings were as much opposites as fire and water. Born on a warm spring day, Kyōkurō entered the world a small and shy child and was named for his loving grandfather and watchful uncle. He was born a month premature, but healthy – a relief to the Kazekage and his anxieties. A year later, Setsuka was born in the snowy mountains of her mother's homeland of Yamagakure during a winter storm – as bold and surprising as she was. The labor was triggered by the rising tensions during the meeting of the Land of Earth and the Land of Mountains, where the Kazekage was summoned as a mediator – and Nomasaki's wolfish anger got the better of her that day with the unexpected arrival of their second child after she yelled at the Earth daimyo. Snow lilies were blooming along the mountainside that stormy day, and so their daughter was named.

While Kyōkurō awakened the Gold Dust through his father's Magnet Release and inherited some of his mother's sensory skills, Setsuka awakened Ōkamitoko in its early stages - and their family had gained another wolf in turn. Although still unable to transform fully, Setsuka never relinquished the chance to scare her victims by changing her face on command. Her cousin Shikadai was her favourite victim, and she would often hide behind closets when he would visit Sunagakure with his parents – that was until her aunt would find her before the act. Only Temari scared her – not even her mother or father came close. It was no question that their daughter was indeed a handful – albeit a lovable one.

With her arms crossed against her chest, Nomasaki put on a firm visage, her purple eyes as unmoving as stone. "What did I tell you about scaring people like that?"

Sighing in surrender, Setsuka glanced down to her feet, rocking her body back and forth on her heels with her hands folded behind. "That scaring people is not very nice..."

Nomasaki rose a brow, her eyes narrowed and firm. "And?"

Pouting, Setsuka averted her embarrassed violet eyes. "Don't scare guests in dad's office... no matter how fun is it..."

Nodding, Nomasaki smiled in relief. "Good, that's my girl. And what do we say to people we scare?"

Shamefully, Setsuka walked over to the fell man. Catching his attention, she bowed her head. "Sorry, fox-sir."

"That's... alright," Naruto laughed off, standing on his feet. "Don't worry about it!"

"I'll take the children home. Meiyumi will be wondering what was taking so long." Nomasaki announced, shuffling Kyōkurō and Setsuka under her guiding arms. Pausing before the doorway, she gave a parting smile and wave. "It was nice seeing you, Hokage-sama – Naruto!"

"Bye, Nomasaki!"

After the small chorus of the children's goodbyes as they exited into the winding hall, a Suna shinobi made their way to the office no less than a moment after they left. Tension and urgency was marked in his disciplined eyes despite his calm face.

Dire news.

Dissipating the warmth in the room, the shinobi's presence alerted Gaara's suspicions. "Sorry to interrupt, Kazekage-sama," They entered, as they knelt before their leader. "I understand that Hokage-sama and Naruto-sama are visiting, but there is an urgent need you must attend to. I'm afraid I can't delay this news any longer."

Gaara's eyes narrowed, trying to decipher his claims. "Urgent?" He repeated. "Under what grounds?"

The Suna ninja grimaced, his troubled glance not leaving the carpeted floor. "There's been a disturbing tale circling around the far reaches of the western desert... about a person wielding the Iron Sand–!"

The Iron Sand.

Just hearing the mention of it shocked him.

Only the legendary Third Kazekage was said to have been able to wield such a power, a power that could only arise from his clan's long-forgotten Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai. It was for that reason why the man was such a feared shinobi – and what lead to his ultimate demise. The Third Kazekage was the most powerful shinobi ever to emerge from Sunagakure, and the Iron Sand claimed the lives of thousands in his wake. Iron was not only its namesake for its strength – but also for the bloodshed it caused. If the Iron Sand were to have been awakened, the consequences could be severe – and his village's peace may be once again on the line.

He had to act fast.

"The Iron Sand?" He questioned. "Are you certain?"

The Suna ninja nodded. "The council confirmed the source from the intel unit just this morning. They said they want to conduct an investigation with the ANBU, in case they pose a significant danger."

Pondering his moves carefully, Gaara held his folded hands to his lips. Mulling over his options, the silence in the room became deafening. Seated on the couch, Kakashi and Naruto sat still and attentively, their expressions tense and quiet. Even the foreign visitors knew the gravity of the situation. The tales of the Iron Sand spread far and wide over decades - even in recent memory due to the infamous puppeteer-turned-Akatsuki Sasori of the Red Sands, the one who killed the most powerful shinobi in Suna's history and used his body as a weapon for war. The Iron Sand must not be used by the wrong hands – by any means necessary. That was what Gaara decided.

"Very well." He spoke, rising from his desk. "In that case, I'll depart immediately."

"K-Kazekage-sama–?!"

Ignoring the shocked messenger, Gaara turned to his guests. "Naruto, Kakashi – I'm sorry our meeting was cut short." Making eye contact with the shinobi at his door, he gestured to his Konoha guests. "In the meantime, please escort our friends from Konoha to their sleeping chambers. The meeting between Sunagakure and Konohagakure will resume when I return."

Standing up as fast as he could, the Suna ninja nodded. "Y-Yes, sir! Right away!"

As Naruto and Kakashi parted ways down the corridor with their escort, Gaara started down the opposite end for the stairs. Before he was able to be on his way, a sheen of gold hair caught his attention. Standing outside his office, Nomasaki looked at him with deep concern held in her violet eyes. She heard everything. Her expression spoke for itself.

"Are you sure it's wise to go alone?" She asked. "That messenger seemed distraught. It's too dangerous for you to go by yourself."

He nodded, his expression unmoving. "I have no other choice. It is what it is. The Iron Sand is a danger to us all, I have to do something before it's too late." Turning his body towards the direction of the stairs, his glance calmed as he met her eyes for a moment. "Take care of the children. I'll be back soon."

"I'm going with you."

Pausing in his steps, he turned back and found himself looking at an expression of determined seriousness painted over her. Her eyes met his, unbroken and firm in their persuasion. "Nomasaki, this is something I need to do alone as Kazekage."

She shook her head. "As your wife, I disagree. This is something we need to do together." Easing the tension, she gave a light smile. "Kankuro will look after the children while we're gone. Meiyumi's with him, too. They'll be safe, we can trust them."

"I'm not in the mood to argue," He said with a sigh. "But you won't back down easily, will you?"

"Not a chance." She smiled, meeting his ringed-eyes as she touched his arm. "Remember, you're my husband regardless of what those old councillors call you. I'm going to be at your side through everything – even in situations like these." A light breath of a laugh passed her lips. "Also, how else will you find your way? You'll be lost in the desert for weeks without my sensory abilities! I'm a wolf of the desert, you know. You need me."

She was not wrong, he had to admit.

Comforted by her words, he gave a warm smile.

"Alright... you win."

The desert was as merciless as ever.

Unlike the eastern sands that were swept by the sometimes-harsh winds of death, the sands to the west were unknown and even more unforgiving. Not even the Demon Desert could hold itself to it in comparison. A thick haze of sand clouded their path, blinding them from the sky and from the land at their feet. Protruding out from the sands were the bones of vultures and antelope, claimed as victims to the desert's wrath. The heat was unparalleled to that of their village, boiling the sands they walked on in their journey west. As she walked at her husband's side, she could hardly grasp the recollection that her own father spent ten years of banishment there – and somehow survived to tell the tale.

Unlike Gaara, she was not unbothered by the conditions. Although protected by a shield of Gaara's sand as they walked onwards, the harsh winds still cut through her with all their ferocity.

Relinquishing her form, she let the blood under her skin boil and her body changed into the familiar beast it knew. With a barking snarl, the large white wolf with its feral violet eyes darted out into the unknown – leaving Gaara behind in its wake.

Hours passed – and their path still lay hidden from view.

Gaara knew where they were headed – and his heart pounded with the anticipation of seeing it for himself. All he knew about his ancient clan were stories spoken in passing of madness and quarrel, but soon he would be able to look upon them himself and confirm his own judgement. If the tales of the Iron Sand were true, then he would have no choice but to intervene. To imagine another descendent of the clan wielding Magnet Release was almost unfathomable. His iron heart hardened at the thought of slaying a family member if the madness prevailed – but he would have to judge that himself. If the wielder of the Iron Sand was a threat, he would have to act as a Kazekage to stop them. Unfazed by the sands, Gaara stopped and examined the sandstorm that swirled around his makeshift barrier.

"How much further?"

Trotting out from the wall of wind and sand, the wolf appeared and stood silent inside the safe-zone of his barrier. Within a harsh gust of winds, Nomasaki regained her human form and adjusted the black cloak that sat on her shoulders. Gesturing towards the northwest, she nodded.

"Just beyond this sandstorm," She answered. "There's chakra focused just ahead–,"

Her sudden silence and hesitance to speak drew his curiosity. As he examined her face, her gaze towards the path was solemn. "What of it?"

Lowering her glance, she reminded herself of the faint chakra.

"There's... not many. Maybe five."

Taking in her words, he turned back to the path with eyes firm and clean of sorrow. As she rejoined his side, the outer reaches of the storm finally began to recede. Stepping out into the blinding sunlight, they saw it. Situated at the bottom of the dunes was a small clay structure that lay beyond a shattered gate. It was in a decrepit state of decay, near swallowed by the sands that surrounded it. The red that once adorned the structure was eroded away into a faded orange, burned by the rays of the unrelenting sun that scorched the landscape. The windows were boarded with broken pieces of wood and not a single soul stood outside. It was a clan settlement that was swallowed by the sands of time.

Approaching quietly, they paused before the collapsing gate. Sensing a chakra emerge, Nomasaki turned to the structure – with Gaara's gaze soon following. Out from the structure, a startled older man in a tattered tunic came out with a rusty spear in hand. Running towards them, he guarded the path to its entrance with a limp in his step. "Who goes there?!" He shouted, holding the spear ready to strike. Unmoving to his gesture, Gaara and Nomasaki stayed calm and did not say a single word. The silence was enough to shock the man. As he noticed the red hair and ringed-eyes of a tanuki, the man gasped.

"Who...–?! Y-You're–! Kazekage-sama–!"

Bowing his apologies, the bearded elder man led the two Sunagakure shinobi inside the decaying compound.

Seated across the man on a tattered tatami mat, Gaara spoke first. "Is this your settlement?"

Flinching in his seat on the floor, the elder man nodded. "Y-Yes," He answered, averting his eyes. "We're the last branch of the Kazekage clan... or what's left of it, at least." Raising his lowered head, he looked Gaara in the eyes. "You're a remnant of us through the honored line of the late Reto-sama, the founder of Suna itself, so no doubt you can be trusted with our whereabouts."

Nodding, a small smile formed on Gaara's lips. "Yes, thank you."

Sitting beside her husband, Nomasaki slowly pulled down her hood and revealed her face. "It's an honor to be at the Kazekage clan stronghold."

Upon seeing her, the elder man jolted at her strange lilac eyes and golden hair. Looking back and forth from her to Gaara, the man struggled to spit out his words of shock. "You've brought an outsider–!"

"This is my wife, Nomasaki." Gaara assured, calm-faced. "She's of the Yamamori clan and is the daughter of Kyō, the chieftain of Yamagakure."

Smiling softly, she bowed her head briefly to the frightened man. "Pleased to meet you, sir."

Fumbling, the man bowed upon the floor before them. "M-M'lady," He stammered. "Forgive my pardons... Our clan is in shambles with paranoia running strong." Sitting up, he sat beside himself with his thoughts of anguish. "Over the time since the great villages prospered, the madness that plagued us began to take hold and stir conflict as if the desert gods flipped all their coins to destroy us. We isolated ourselves in the desert in the hopes that we could survive into obscurity with the mania disappearing... but the mania still persists in some of us."

"I see." Gaara said. Firmly, his ringed-eyes turned stern as he locked eyes with the solemn man. "The reason why we're here... Sunagakure has received word that there is a wielder of the Iron Sand lurking within these parts. Is there any truth to this?"

The man shuddered, stunned at his words. "The Iron Sand–?! So you've found out...!"

"Tell us everything."

Grimacing at the thought, the man averted his glance from the visitors. Hesitantly, he pushed himself to reveal what he knew. Clutching the tattered fabric that covered his knees, he closed his eyes to prevent any more sorrow and pain. "There's a child... who often descends into fits of rage and madness. There is a frightening rumor spoken on hushed tones that he's the last living cousin of the Third Kazekage, one of your predecessors. I fear for the child's psyche... He's fraught with so much pain and loss – and his strength is unimaginable–!"

Gaara's eyes widened, shocked. "The Third Kazekage?"

"That explains why he has the Iron Sand!" Nomasaki spoke aloud. "Who were his parents? Do you know who they were?"

Sadly, the man shook his head. "Six years ago, he showed up at our doorstep swaddled in a blanket. An infant, no more than a few weeks old." Looking up to them at last, he gave a regretful glance. "Not a soul was in sight, so I'm afraid we'll never know who they were. Whoever they were, they left their son in our care with no trace left of them to be found..."

A child with the Iron Sand, Gaara thought.

A child.

The enemy he sought was nothing more than a child the same age as his youngest. Abandoned at birth, ostracized by his kin, carrying a burden far greater than his will - it was all too familiar to Gaara. His iron-will dissipating behind a growing sympathy, he suddenly realized his change in plan. As Kazekage, he had to do the right thing – he knew what he had to do.

"A son, you say?" Gaara asked.

The man nodded. "Shinki is his name."

Feeling the silence in the air between them, Nomasaki turned to Gaara at her side. Even though he sat calm and collected, she could plainly see the empathy and shared sorrow that lingered behind his turquoise eyes. It struck her as all too familiar, reminding her of times when Shukaku still wreaked havoc on his psyche. "Gaara," She spoke.

He paid no mind to the sound of his name. "Where is the child?"

"Out in the desert north of here, surrounded by a storm of his own doing. The others tried to calm his fury, but...–," The man hesitated, gritting his teeth as he held his head down in fear. "He's far too strong. He has the gift of the Iron Sand and we seldom have anyone left who can use Magnet Release. The child is prone to madness... I can see it in his eyes..."

Without saying a single word, Gaara stood and started for the doorway concealed by an aged and ragged tarp. Watching him walk off, Nomasaki looked on in stunned bewilderment.

"Gaara!" She called after him. "What are you doing–?!"

Turning, he gave an assuring glance. "I'll be fine, just stay here." Clinging to concern, she watched as his back disappeared from her view.

The heart of the sandstorm was blazoned with a dark hue. As Gaara approached closer to the source, he felt the cold dead air touch his face. The sand that swirled from the winds of the storm was painted with specks of thick black minerals – the iron he was searching for. As the winds swirling grew more violent, he kept his closed fists firmly at his sides and trudged forward. Then, he saw him. Sitting with his head hung low in the eye of the storm of blackened sands was a child in tattered clothes with dark hair that hid his face from view.

Shinki.

"Go away!" The child yelled. "Leave me alone!"

Pausing before him, Gaara looked down upon the child with a deep-held empathy.

He saw himself there – he was there once, he reminded himself.

Alone.

Sensing his approach, the dark-haired child shot his gaze towards him. In a burst of black sands, the iron swept against the sandstorm and swirled around. With eyes knowing only hatred and pain, the child glared at the Kazekage in anger. It was then that Gaara noticed the peculiar red markings upon the child's face, appearing as if a tear of blood was running down his cheek. His pain was that great even his face conveyed it. Before Gaara could step an inch closer, the black sands circling him formed into spikes. Summoning the sand from his gourd, he deflected the projectiles from striking. As the sand surrounded the two, the child's rage-filled eyes were unmoving on the man who approached him. Startling him, the man paused – unfazed by the spikes that pierced his back from behind his defenses.

Comfortingly, Gaara hugged the child.

Holding the boy close in his arms, he pushed aside the pain his wounds gave him. Speechless and wide-eyed, the child felt the comfort melt away his deep-seeded anger. One by one, the clumps of Iron Sand fell to the sand at their feet as his rage propelled them no more. With the swirling winds, the sand burst through the storm – quelling it at last. Releasing the child under the bright desert sun, Gaara knelt to meet the child's face.

"I'll teach you how to control your powers." He spoke. "Your name is Shinki, is it?"

With wide and surprised green eyes, the child nodded.

"Gaara!"

From the crown of the desert hill, Nomasaki ran to his side. As she stopped in her tracks, she gasped at the sight of his injuries. There were three puncture wounds, each of them breaking

through the strong burgundy fabric of his coat.

And the blood was fresh.

"You're hurt!"

Shocked, she examined them with worried eyes and soon caught the glimpse of the strange child. Seeing the child's surprised eyes on her, she could not help but turn to see him for herself. Kneeling down by Gaara, she could clearly sense the resemblance in the chakra of the Iron Sand child and the Kazekage. It was nothing obvious of a family relation, but the similarities in in their chakra could be clearly sensed – even if they were nothing more than mere distant cousins separated by clan hierarchy. It was surprising to her.

"Who's this?" She asked, stunned at the child before her. "Is this–?"

Gaara nodded. "Shinki."

Later that night, the Kazekage and his wife sat once more before the elder in the decaying clan compound. After Nomasaki dressed Gaara's wounds and wrapped them in bandages, Shinki fell asleep in one of the rooms on a bed made of straw and stone. The entire compound was in disarray, the years of isolation proving most unkind to those who managed to survive. Seated before the bearded elder and a small contained fire, the Suna shinobi gave their parting words with a heart heavy with the oncoming departure.

"I'll be taking Shinki under my wing." Gaara said. "He'll be safely guarded and treated as if one of my own. I'll teach the child how to control his powers, and ensure that the Iron Sand will no longer be a danger. I assure you that no harm will come to him."

Taking a long inhale from his pipe, the elder exhaled the smoke in sorrowful relief. "Thank you, Kazekage-sama." He bowed briefly in gratitude. "I only wish his parents could thank you themselves..."

Closing his ringed-eyes, Gaara nodded.

Standing, he then took his leave in solemn silence.

Following him outside, Nomasaki saw him looking up at the moon above in the darkened night skies of winds. It was a full moon, she realized. Joining him, she stood and followed his gaze towards it. Thinking to herself, she looked down for a moment and pondered her words. Glancing to him, she gave a glint of concern from her eyes. "You see yourself in this child, don't you?"

He nodded. "We were cut from the same cloth, bearing only loneliness and hurt... fear as well." Looking down towards the blue sands, his eyes saddened and empathetic. "As a father, you see these things. I can only hope to steer him on to the right path as I have been."

"Selfless as always." She said with a smile. "For someone so stone-faced, you really do have a big heart." As she looked up to the moon in the desert sky above, a smile formed on her lips, fondly recalling a moment they shared long ago. "Remember that time... when we first met?" Turning to her, he saw the soft smile that lined her lips. Her lilac eyes were gazing up at the full moon above, admiring its presence it exerting down onto them.

Without saying a word, he nodded. She saw his answer from the corner of her eye. Looking down for a moment, she remembered the words they shared when loneliness and hurt still plagued them.

It felt as if a lifetime ago in a distant land far from home.

"You said that you wished one day you could look up at the moon and not lose control... and you were a jinchuriki." Breathing a short chuckle to herself, she thought of the hardship she once faced to push down the remembered sorrow. "And I said that wolves howl at the moon, but never once had I wanted to. I was a girl, alone and aimless... and a wolf without a place to call home." Looking to him at her side, she gave a heartfelt smile. "The moon reminds me of that night... from those many years ago. I also see part of myself in Shinki, feeling so lost. I can understand his pain – well, part of it."

Gaara felt her words. "And you're alright with my decision?"

"You have to take him under your wing. Where else is he supposed to go?" She replied, turning to him. "I stand by your choice. He is your family." Turning back to the moon, a soft smile formed on her lips. "…and Kyōkurō and Setsuka would be more than excited to have another sibling."

Warmed by her answer, he smiled back and nodded. "Thank you, Nomasaki."

And the night winds finally calmed.

Outside on the rooftop, the puppet chased the children in a playful manner.

Dashing away from the puppet's pursuit under the bright sun, Kyōkurō and Setsuka broke off in separate directions while their doting uncle commanded the small puppet with his nimble chakra strings. Jumping and rolling, the children evaded the chase for a time. Eventually, the puppet caught up to the two of them - wrapping them in its strings as they stumbled into each other. Laughing gleefully, their play was suddenly interrupted by a presence on the winds. Seeing the silhouette of their parents emerge from the doorway, they darted towards them.

"They're back!" Setsuka beamed, outrunning her brother. "Mom! Dad!"

"Hey!" Kankuro shouted. "Don't go running off like that!"

Kneeling down to meet their running children, Nomasaki held them close under the arms of her cloak, patting their red heads as they exchanged smiles and laughter. Watching close by, Kankuro gave a smile of comforted relief. It was not only a relief to see that his brother and sister-in-law returned unscathed from their journey, but also a relief to relinquish the children back to their parents. Watching the two in Gaara and Nomasaki's absence proved tiring for him and he was worn out from all the play and guardianship. He wondered how Meiyumi managed to do that every day – and remain a medic-nin on top of that.

Gaara walked to his side, a light smile of gratitude on his face.

"I take it you had your hands full," He said. "Thank you for watching them."

Smirking lightly as he stretched his arms, Kankuro let out a tired chuckle.

"I'm only doing my civic duty as a good uncle, is all..."

"We're so glad you're home!" Setsuka beamed, hugging her father's leg. As Gaara bent down to meet her needy purple eyes, she whispered loudly in his ear. "Uncle Kankuro made us eat spinach…!" Scoffing lightly, Kankuro shrugged while Gaara shot him a humored smirk of awkward amusement.

Noticing the silent black-haired boy who stood behind his parents, Kyōkurō watched him with a curious glint to his nervous lilac eyes. Not saying a single word, Shinki stood as still as a mountain against the wind – unmoving. Setsuka noticed, too. Joining her elder brother's side, she could also feel his chakra. The boy was as strange as he was silent.

Hesitantly, Kyōkurō stepped closer as he eyed his father with caution. "Dad, who is… he?"

"This is Shinki." Gaara said. Gesturing to his children, he nodded towards the silent child. "Shinki, this is Kyōkurō and Setsuka."

Looking to Gaara first, Shinki's green eyes looked to the siblings that stood only an arm's length away. Just like the Kazekage, they both had the unruly red hair and a similar chakra to them – the only difference being their peculiar violet eyes. Although the nervousness in their glances depleted, the curiosity and caution still remained.

"…Kyōkurō, Setsuka," Shinki repeated.

Taking notice of the nervous silence around them, Nomasaki knelt down and placed a hand on their shoulders. Meeting their faces and their timid purple eyes, she gave a warm smile of assurance. "Shinki is part of our family now," She spoke, softly. "Say hello."

Family.

The word stunned Shinki.

He glanced at Nomasaki and the red-haired children, and then glanced to the Kazekage, his green eyes widened in astonishment.

"F… Family?"

Smiling warmly, Gaara nodded.

Sensing someone approaching, Shinki turned to see Kyōkurō walking towards him. With an air of shyness, Kyōkurō held out his palm while his other hand moved slowly over it. Slowly, tiny golden grains from the desert air around them circled into his palm. Clutching his hands closed in a moment of focus, Shinki watched curiously. When Kyōkurō lifted his palm, a small bird made of golden sand flapped its wings and sparkled from the sun above.

Amazed, Shinki tried to follow.

Covering his hands, he summoned a swirl of black sand to his closed hands. Struggling at first, he was near overwhelmed by the power of his Iron Sand as he tried his best to focus. I don't want to hurt them, he thought, Focus…! Slowly, he lifted his palm and a tiny bird made from black sand flew from his grasp, fluttering awkwardly in the air. In a matter of moments, the golden bird joined it in the sky, swirling around each other against the plain of blue as they danced against the calming winds of spring. Beaming excitedly, Setsuka watched beside her parents and uncle before running up to join her brothers. As they played, for the first time in Shinki's life, a smile graced his face – replacing the pain that he once knew.

Relieved, Gaara watched Shinki bond with his children.

And it was then he realized he did the right thing.

Noon.

Weeks after his journey to the clan compound, Gaara found himself in an unfamiliar predicament. It was not the council, nor the turmoil of Kage Summits, but something much more dire. Seated on a wooden chair in their living room, he sat with a slouch as Nomasaki dotingly combed his unruly hair. On his only day off in weeks, he was forced to deal with the daunting task of family pictures.

That was the last thing he wanted to do.

Dressed for the occasion, he wore his fine burgundy outfit of its matching coat and pants and she wore her blue and white kimono with her long golden hair down and a small top-knot at the back of her head. Their children wore matching outfits of greens and whites, playing in the corner of the large room as the photographer entered. Gently, his wife touched some of the stray strands from his eyes with her delicate fingers, combing his crimson hair over to the side.

Noticing his quiet, she sighed. "I know you don't like getting your picture taken but remember: we're a family." She smiled. "A family does things together they don't always like."

"It's not that I don't like getting photographed, it's just the hassle…" He replied, looking down at the floor. "You didn't have to do this."

She gave a light-hearted laugh. "I wanted to, for our kids – and for us, when we get older. They won't be this small forever. This way, we can always look back."

As she moved from the back of the chair, Gaara averted his gaze as she approached. Tinted in his ringed-eyes was a subtle sadness with embarrassment not too far behind. He bit his lip. Seeing the slight grimace to his expression, she smiled and touched his knee with her hand. "Chin up," She assured. "We'll get the picture and it'll be over. Then no more pictures until they graduate from the academy in a few years! We have the rest of the day to relax on your day off from work."

Solemnly, his ringed-eyes looked down at the floor.

"It's not that, Nomasaki... It's…–,"

Hearing cheerful laughter, he turned to see his children playing with Shinki near the window as the photographer set up his bulky camera in the room's center. Morphing her face back and forth from human to wolf, Setsuka snickered at the flinching she caused Kyōkurō as Shinki remained unfazed. In a mix of gold and iron, the two boys made small people-shaped figures with their sands, showing their works of art to each other and bonding over their shared Kekkei Genkai. It were as if they were true-born siblings from the very start.

And before him was his loving wife.

Standing at the kitchen table, Nomasaki pushed her long gold hair behind her ears and packed away the brush and organized the papers he forgot from work into a neat pile. Even when no longer his assistant, she was always there for him to pick up the pieces and steer him on the right path. Through thick and thin, she was there. A constant. From a stranger at the start, she became his comrade, his friend, his lover, and eventually his wife. Just seeing her comforting smile and hearing her soft voice was enough to fill his sand-ridden heart with warmth. It was the small acts of kindness that moved him so much. Watching her back, he felt as if he could start to weep.

Surprising her, she felt Gaara wrap his arms around her from behind.

He appeared in an instant with his sands, the air around them still as he held her close. Resting his head against hers in embrace, he buried his face into her silky golden hair. "You've given me so much...! Your love and support, and our children…" He said, quietly, his voice near quivering. "You changed my life. I can only repay you by being with you forever..."

Bewildered for a moment, Nomasaki erupted into a sweet heart-felt laugh. Turning around in his arms to face him, she placed a hand on his cheek, meeting his teary tanuki-like eyes. "You're so sweet, even when you ramble. No wonder I love you as much as I do!" She snickered lovingly. Smiling gently into him, she felt the tears near form in her eyes as well. "You know... you changed my life, too. You found me in the desert those many years ago and helped me realize my shinobi way. If we never crossed paths, my life... well, it would be completely different than it is now."

He chuckled, the tears in his eyes hidden by his happiness. "Seven years of marriage and we're talking possibilities..."

"I'm the happiest I've ever been because of you." She said, smiling up at him. "Grumpy or not, I wouldn't ask for anything more."

Warmly, he smiled back at his wife.

After they shared a brief kiss, Nomasaki noticed the photographer preparing to take the photos. Stepping out of his arms, she patted down the fabric of her kimono's lap and started for the living room. "Alright, it's picture time!"

In the center of the room over the regal rug that painted the floor in its elegant reds and golds, two fine crafted chairs of wood with embroidered silk cushions were positioned for both of them to sit. As she took her seat, she called over the children and they soon followed. Seeing them all together, Gaara realized his place beside his wife. Sitting at the chair on her side, he rested his hands on the wooden arms and watched the children stand in their spots.

Standing under the focusing cloth, the plump old photographer scratched his moustache with his fingers as he briefly stuck his head out to see them. "Ready, Kazekage-sama?" He called, holding the shutter switch in his hands. "On the count of three! One... two...–,"

"Smile, dear." Nomasaki reminded, smiling softly towards the camera.

"Three!" The photographer signalled, disappearing under the black cloth. "Say 'Suna'!"

As their children chorused the word in unison, the flash flickered before them in a brief blinding light. And as quickly as it began, it was over. Seated beside her, Gaara glanced adoringly to his wife from the corner of his eye. After spending nearly fourteen years knowing each other, their lives were finally free from loneliness, pain, Akatsuki, Tenbu, and unwilling borders established by birthright and circumstance. And years later, he was no longer a feared jinchuriki but a respected leader - and she was revered for her ancient bloodline and no longer pained by the black curse mark that was placed upon her tongue.

They were both free from their burdens - free from their suffering - and free from their predetermined fates.

And the red thread of fate had tied them together for eternity.

Sand and snow came together once before, but through their shared joy and anguish they had a bond stronger than the toughest iron. Complete opposites at first and from near opposite worlds, they were quick to realize they had more in common than they thought. Where the cold mountains of the north and the cruel desert meet, he found her – and she found him.

Never once did I imagine this could be my future… Thank you, Nomasaki… I love you…

That day, a photograph was taken of the young family.

Dressed in her blue kimono with white sleeves, Nomasaki sat in a chair with her long gold hair flowing over her shoulders. Smiling gently, her hand was placed on the shoulder of her beaming son who stood before her. Beside her in the chair to her right was her husband, the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure. Wearing his fine burgundy clothes with his crimson red hair combed neatly to its side, a loving and warm smile was present on his face. Proudly, his young daughter stood in front of his chair with her ponytail and wide smile. Standing close in-between his adopted siblings was Shinki, with a small smile on his lips.

The Kazekage family…

~ The End ~

Notes: Gaara and Nomasaki's children have meanings within their names.

Kyōkurō has an interesting name. His name is a hybrid of his maternal grandfather Kyō (杏) and his paternal uncle Kankuro (カンクロウ). Putting the romaji spelling of his name together, we get "Kyōkurō" (京九郎) which can be translated to "winding road".

Setsuka, on the other hand, has a name that is after a flower. In Japanese, "Setsuka" (雪華) literally translates to "snow flower". Outside of the story, "Setsuka" is also the name of a character in the Soul Caliber series of video games.

Closing notes:

And we reached the end... it feels so surreal that this longfic is finally over after more than a year of posting the initial first chapter.

~430,000 words later...

I spent so many late nights and rainy days writing this story (well, rewrite) and I never thought I would finally see the day where I can say with confidence "It's done, it's finally DONE!"

From being a 12-13 year old teen who posted a story to Quizilla back in 2009 to a 20-something aspiring writer 10 years later living through a pandemic, I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading my story and for following me on this journey of fan-work, fanfiction, creative writing, and wish fulfillment. Writing is incredibly hard and time consuming, so keeping up with this fanfiction was quite a daunting task for myself - but it was well worth it. As a parting remark, I would like to tell you all to read stories - any story - and follow the authors you love and show your support for their works. Write your own story - write the story you want to read. Share your story - no matter how short or long. You can do it!

As for what's next - a sequel fic has officially begun!

This story serves as Part I of The Wolf and the Tanuki series, with Desert Flowers beginning as the direct sequel - a slice of life/adventure taking place after Chapter 80 with Nomasaki as the main POV but with some chapters from other characters both canon and OC. The third story in this series is Red Iron, as the second and final sequel which follows the life of Setsuka and multiple POVs. If you want to keep reading what happens, feel free to check those stories out!

I was thinking of writing a sequel at some point, but that may or may not happen depending on my life situation. I am working full-time so I no longer have the dedication to write as much or as often as I used to, which has led to me delaying chapters of this story and putting my other story A Forest Hidden on hiatus. That was part of the reason why I introduced Shinki in this closing chapter because I wanted to showcase him in the sequel, and the sequel isn't going to be posted any time soon unfortunately, so I added him in the final draft for the ending just in case.

Once again, thank you all for reading through this massive story and I hope you enjoyed it to some capacity as much as I did writing it over the last year.

Thank you all so much for your support on FFN, AO3, and Wattpad xx