Gaara stares at the document being slid across over to him, his eyes read every single word. Stopping at the bottom that required his signature and once he put it there, it would be complete. Finalized. It was the best course of action to do, he thought it over many times since the start of everything. There wasn't much he could offer, not the proper care they needed. Here they would have what was essential, what he knew they would need. Thinking of what he saw and felt. What Hamato told him and the others. And the fact so many where willing to take them, to provide what they truly needed. Made him curse himself he could not bring himself to do it. Sure at the beginning he might have just a little bit, but not as much as everyone here would. Sure a very few back in the village would most likely wonder about why they where not present, anymore. While others would be rejoiced about this decision. But, to Gaara it felt like he was just handing over his responsibilities. Though was it really his responsibility? Or did he make his own?
Why did it feel like by doing this, though his mind told him it was the right thing another part of him told him it was not. Why did it matter, they couldn't make the decision themselves at the moment. So it came down to him, since they didn't have records anyway it wouldn't really matter. At least when signed the document they would be able to start one. He would have everything moved here for them. His village wasn't they type a person like them should live in, no. They deserved a village that flourished and thrived. Bright and warm. Kind and humble. Just...just like them. Yes, they would fit in here perfectly. At least those here would be able to protect them, not much Gaara could say about himself, he couldn't even protect them back in his own village. He wasn't even fully aware of the bad treatment they received from others in his village, when he specifically told it not happen. Thinking about it, when he saw it and heard from the memories he witnessed. How could he not know? He was the Kazekage. Why didn't they tell him, he would have stopped it. But, thinking about it carefully he understood their reason why, why they never bother to speak up to anyone about it. Nor with the small bit of unfair treatment they received in this village. Though at here, as he mention before they had the protection and it seem to now gone away after what was being told around the village.
Reflecting upon Yamato Yoshi, words, the talk he had with not just Gaara but also Tsunade, Kakashi, pretty much all the jonins, minus Konoha 11, along with Fukasuka and Shima. Telling them the most important information before he included Naruto and the others. Though did not enclose what he told Gaara and the others. After having a talk with Tsunade about it, bringing up the talk. In a sense convincing Gaara that it was the best choice or maybe it was just his guilt that made him think that way. He could feel his own personal feelings screaming inside him, pleading him not to do this. It wasn't the right thing to do. To imagine how they would be when chose this for them. To release them. Thinking of their time in his village, their sudden appearance out of nowhere, watching their transition from world to another. Having to learn and adapt, all with a smile upon their face. The times they would eat together, just cause. Or the meals he either find in the fridge or have delivered to his office should he forget to take them. Watch either the sunset or sunrise, even the stars. Something they made him do, for him to relax and find time for himself. He knew because of their oblivious innocent personality, they did to do it. To make Gaara feel better about himself, to be helpful. It was the right thing to do. A few times when they came to his office and enjoy a meal with him and force him to dance with them. Though of course Gaara was pretty stiff, but they didn't seem to mind and would work with anyway. While he stood still they would still dance, and direct him on what to do. Even if it was just moving his feet forward or back. They where thrilled he decided to dance with them.
He remember once when he was over thinking it, that he didn't pay attention and Kankuro had walked in on them both. His brother was surprised to see what he saw.
Moments and times like that, Gaara knows he won't have anymore. Nor the surprise pop ups, or when they had stayed with him and his family, the random times they would be up when was home, just cause. How they would talk to him about their old life with such joy and happiness. How they would give him origami stars or flowers. The hugs he would receive from them. He wouldn't be able to see them off on missions when he could, nor be greeted by them, when they returned. He wouldn't be able to see their progress, every cherishing moment would now be over. He wouldn't hear their calling to him, no more spending time together, smiles and laughter from them. He would only know about them through passing.
Was this really the right thing to do? Would something such as this have a huge impact upon anything...on anyone...? Temari? Kankuro? Well of course his sister, she was attached to them. Trained them. Watched them. Spent time together. Of course this effect her. Then there was Ebizo, the old man had grown a fondness to them. Allowing them to have his sister's work, symbolically passing the torch to them. Gaara remembering seen the trust and confidence Ebizo had in his eyes, when he handed it over. The old man seem to know it was in the right hands. If Kai was still alive, it would effect the man too, being the one who tended to them when they first came. Gaara had the man over them, Kai accepting them and enjoying their presence, being in a sense a teacher to them too. Watching and caring too. Guiding them. There was also the students at the academy, even Shira and his teammates, and Matsuri and hers. Remembering how they came rushing over and wanted to help in the rescue mission. Though only a handful of people, still...was it enough..enough to cover up the guilt and responsibility Gaara felt towards it all. The damage that had been done to them, the horrible and terrible experience they had to endure. All for...for everyone's sake, but it seem mainly for him. Recalling what he heard. It amazed him how they where willing to be plunged back into the darkness they had been born in, to ensure everyone else and himself would not be hurt, they would be safe from the horrors they went through. The images plastered in his mind, replayed over and over again.
The torture, experimentation, beatings and whatever other horrific they were put through. Becoming permanently branded. Their agonizing screams they had refused to let out after time, if they did it would mean what they received would be inflicted upon the rest. It sicken him, on the twisted psychological damage done to them, to scare them. To make them submit. What Ryota said to them, all of that happening under his nose. And he didn't notice. He didn't pick up the small signs, they had left for him. They calling to him for help, but he paid no mind. And because it lead to all this. It was bad enough to know how they came into existence, how they where made. It was true. When they told him, how they had been built piece by piece by the Kraang. But he didn't know, they had experience life and death so many times. Those creatures if not satisfied would destroy and then remake, until they where pleased. No doubt it had to be painful, and it made sense why they valued and enjoyed life. Why everything to them was like something new. Having been denied life so many times until they actually received it. They took everything at face value all the time, the good intentions the had shone brightly, which did come off as being naive. And why they where affected by the backstories and lives of the others. How it affected them to take such an action. Gaara saw it in their eyes, how much life meant to them, how they would do anything to protect it.
Why they wanted him to enjoy the smallest things, take time for himself. Didn't mind throwing themselves in danger. Taking every blow, even back in their world from what he and the others saw. The fearless look in their golden eyes, that changed to joy in a matter of seconds, the look of relief they had on their face when things went well, and everyone was safe. He understood why they embraced so much. Why they cared more about others, than themselves. Putting everything on the line to keep others safe. They where nothing like those who made them, far from it. Many would wonder how something that bad produce something so good? A question that didn't seem to have answer. No matter how or who tired to look for any answer.
Through seeing all this, their memories and life. Opened Gaara's eyes and the others for sure but he knew mainly his. On the person they actually are. Seeing their good memories, the skills and talents they had. That they didn't show nor mention to anyone. What they like to do, what they love. What they cherished. Everything. Their favorite pastime. Food to eat. Favorite color, which was many. How they told jokes, explaining them. The way they slept. How they would like to wake up in the night and go to the roof to look at the stars. Beg their sister to take them a flower shop. Playing games with their family. Watching movies with their friends. Training. Opening up their arms and heart to let in everything. The way they looked at rain, using them as their own tears. Like they seem to be sympathizing with the gray clouds. To smile when the sun came out, illuminating their smile and eyes more. Asking simple common sense questions, so innocently. How they truly enjoyed going to school for the first time. Overly excited yet nervous to meet others. Their intellect sharper than many in the school, able to over exceed many at the school. Which did earn them enemies and hardship. But that did not stop them from smiling. It did puzzle them, and made their spirits drop for a second. The sad thing was how they knew how different they were to others, the different worlds they where forced to walk. By themselves, often sneaking out to be alone and ponder why, why they where different. And so many other questions they wanted the answer for. Questions they never brought up to their sister or anyone. Feeling they did not want to be a burden.
But if confronted, would tell. Yet, still carry that smile and those bright eyes filled with joy and hope. Even after everything they had been put through, Gaara remember from the memories during their captivity they managed to smile, even if was broken. A smile was smile to them, it was the first thing they woke up to, once they opened their eyes. So it was only fitting. That day they opened their eyes, everyone they knew was around them, welcoming to life. To this new and joyous experience. Something precious. That many took for granted. That Gaara took for granted.
The realization pained his heart. Tears began to form in his eyes, his mind began to remind him of their words they had said to him.
How they would repay his kindness. They would do what they need to ensure he would have nothing to worry about. Promising to bring back everyone. Protect them. Protect his village. Make sure he always had his home and his people, they made him happy. They would do anything to make sure he would remain happy. Telling him not to worry, they had it.
With each remembrance of their words, he recalled the affection they would place on his forehead right on his mark. To seal the promise they made him. And each time they never failed. And each time, Gaara didn't noticed the hidden messages. Telling him, they where not afraid to die. They couldn't live with themselves should someone else perish. The scars. Marks. Gashes. Burns. Everything on their body. Their battered, beaten, broken down body. All they said, showed. The pain they put themselves in, the Hell they faced to make sure everyone was safe. Taking the blows. How they saved him, when they where suppose to kill him. Wanting to take their own life, using up their energy to do so. To save everyone. Taking down the enemy so the others would not have too. Fix their mistakes they felt they made. They always felt guilty for what was happening in this world now. Bringing forth this horrible darkness. Darkness that was apart of them, their family. Their problem back home. Since they couldn't cry or figure out a way to express these emotions to anyone. This was their way. Turning into something they detest. Which resulted in the lost of those dear to them, without their knowledge of doing so. But, innocents would do that. They would allow themselves to be corrupted for the good. Submit to what they fear. Even if they where afraid themselves. It didn't matter. It never did.
Becoming upset now, realizing all this a little to late. Only fueled the pain and regret of it all. His tears now became hot, from his own anger. They rolled down his face, dropping onto the paper. Luckily there was no one in the room to see this. He had asked Tsunade for time alone to ponder it all. Seeing their smile in his mind, made more tears come. Tears of grief mixing in with his angered and regretful ones. There was no way he could say sorry, there where just no words that could even come close to cover it. After everything they did. He didn't have the right to asks for it, he wouldn't want to accept their forgiveness or whatever it was they would say to him. To make it feel it was never his fault. It was their own choice.
Picking up the pen, he looms it over the line asking for his signature. The tip of the pen just half a centimeter away, all he had to do was sign. Thinking of their smile, made his decision easy now.
Heart rate, stable. Breathing, stable. Blood pressure, stable. Brainwaves...stable. Body temperature, low...but still good. Pulse, stable. Everything was checking out well. Which was good, very good. The patient's body responding well from the surgery. It took grueling work and careful hands and excellent minds. There was no room for errors, Tsunade wouldn't have any. If just one variable was miscalculated it would have to be done over again, which meant the patient's life would slip away. There wasn't time to practice, once everything was perfect as perfect could be. The operation began. Those working didn't get a rest, not even blinking. Exhausting their energy, and when it was they had to be quickly replaced with the back up. Tsunade had made sure everything was covered and prepared. Her pupils even had a bit of a hard time keeping up with her. But they persevered through. Bodies became tired. Worn out. Everything was just taxing. But, they managed to pull through and make it a success. Everyone knew Tsunade wouldn't be able to live with herself should she let them die. After finding breaking through the horrors and darkness of their mind, to find them near death, she managed to inject the substance that would keep them some what stable. From that point it was a race back to the village putting them back on life support. The woman wasted no time to get the preparation ready, finishing up the results needed.
After obtaining what she needed, from Naruto, Kakashi, and herself she was able to proceed. From studying the works in the Grimoria and finding what she needed, also managing to counter the seal placed on them. Bringing their cells back to life. Restarting their whole body, isolating what was killing them. To quickly make something to counter it. While helping Inoijin who focused on repairing the mind, a very delicate procedure that took very precise focus. It was strenuous, the man didn't take a break for almost three full days. Ino managed to help him a bit. He had to reconnect detach synapses and neurons. He had to enter her mind and doing it in a sense manually. With each one he reconnected did cause a jolt, luckily the patient was heavily sedated. Because if not, they would be in true agony. Everyone gave it their all through the whole ordeal. Those not assisting kept their hopes up, for it to go well. There was no doubt in their mind it didn't go well. Waiting day after day for the results, anxious to see them and know they where alright.
When it was all over, everyone held their breaths for the results, to be relieved all the efforts everyone paid off. It was a success. Cries and cheers of joy flooded the whole hospital. Normally people would be hushed crudely but these celebration was an exception. Those who shed tears, shed. Those who jump for joy did so. Those who did both, did so. It was like the sun rose in the sky that night. Everyone couldn't be more happier to hear it all. They where saved. They survived. Promises managed to be kept. Everyone wanted to go see them, but that was one thing they could not do. No. They had to wait, as the patient needed to recover but there would be tabs kept on them and everyone would be informed. When they awoke. Tsunade order them each to go home and get some rest. Naruto had protest, stopping when he thought of something. One that made Tsunade suspicious on his sudden agreement.
Day after day, there was no word of them having woken up yet. The others would come by to see, but would be told the same thing. Not yet. Tsunade made sure checks at least twice an hour. She even went herself to see, if anything dropped to summon her right away. Though gratefully it hadn't happened. Still it was an uneasy feeling, everything now rested on them. If they wanted to live or not. So far so good. Now if they could just open their eyes, everything would really be good.
The nurse checked off everything and jotted down the vital signs of the patient before their eyes. Bandages wrapped on them, almost covering most of their body. The tubes and wires attached to them, the breathing mask, IV in their arm. They use to have a blood transfusion machine in here too, but it was removed their blood pressure was soon stable. In fact there use to be a lot more machines and devices in the room. Though Tsunade had them removed little by little when she felt they didn't need it anymore.
Checking the IV to see if it needed to refilled, the liquid wasn't clear like normal ones. No, it was a more a luminous magenta color from the crushed Kraang powercell crystals. It provided the nutrition needed to their body. The bag was halfway full, they write that down to remind the next one to change it. As they wrote it down, their ears heard something. The heart monitor. Turning their eyes in the direction, looking at the screen. What they saw was just a surprise. Turning around the patient laying the bed, then back to the screen, reading the stats to double check. Grabbing their clipboard they hurry out and scream for someone to get Tsunade.
The woman was going over the results of the operation, when she received the alarming message.
"What?!"she nearly jumps out of her chair."Alert the others."she commands. And quickly proceeds to the hospital.
The message was received by the others, they dropped everything they where doing and race straight to the hospital like a stampede, Naruto of course leading. They burst in to find Kakashi and the other jonins minus Neji who was with Naruto and the group there. Even Kurenai and her daughter. In the lobby, before Naruto could even say something, Shizune comes running down the hall telling them to follow. Everyone does, though Naruto rushes passed her causing the woman to chase after him and yell for him to stop while directing him to the right room. Racing up the flight of stairs, almost knocking people down Naruto makes it to the room. He read it: D-7, the door was closed. Swallowing hard, his hand seemed hesitant to turn the knob. Which turned on its own, standing there Sakura she tells him to hurry up and come in and the others. Flagging them down ushering them to hurry while trying to contain her own nerves. With everyone inside, even Inoijin who stood next to Tsunade and his daughter. Naruto tells everyone to quickly set it up, to be scolded by Tsunade to hush. Everyone circles around the bed, eagerly waiting. Hinata started to pray, to stop when she felt the tension coming from Neji next to her. She looks at him, studying the way his eyes remained focused on her friend in the bed. She could see it in his eyes he wanted them to wake up. The stress of all of this now showed on him, the joy his eyes showed even if one could not see it. Everything he felt now came out.
The sound of a soft moan that escaped their lips, brought her attention back. All eyes focused on the unmoved eyelids. They hadn't moved yet, forever remaining close. Another soft moan came, that was good. Very good. Tsunade puts her ear close to their chest to listen to their heartbeat, she heard nothing irregular. Which was good. Natsuki became anxious and scared. she grabs the nearest hand squeezing it tightly for comfort and it squeezes back. The girl kept her eyes focused on the closed eyes. She began to pray silently to open. To please open so she could see those golden yellow eyes that gave her so much hope. Comfort. Love. Support. Joy. Everything she thought was gone. Eyes that told her she had a home, she was someone. Tears began to come to her eyes. Her emotions soon began to take over, her focus so intense that she didn't notice the tears falling down her face.
Silence hushed in the room, the only sound the monitors in the room and clock. Everyone poured in their hopes and desire for them to awake. They had too, they knew they would. Naruto leans in closer...
"Come on...come on May. Come home."he whispers encouragingly."Please!"he pleads.
...The eyes began to move under the lids, as if searching for the voice. They watch as the muscles press together on eyelids before they began to slowly, very slowly open only to shut again. Everyone holds their breath, Tsunade tells them they can do it, with Lee and a few others. They just needed a push, the right push to open their eyes. They've come this far. The eyelids lift up again barely, struggling it seem. Like a newborn. But the voices around them gave them the push they needed. The light started to slowly peep through into your retinas, it was scary at first but those faint voices of encouragement reached you and pushed your fear away. You grab hold of that light, the hand takes hold of you and begins to pull you towards the light. It was bright. That it blinded you for a second. Blinking a few times, your vision was blurry but you could sense yourself somewhere. It felt warm. Like home. Where you back home? Was it all a dream? Your head was hurting a bit, but not to much. Your surroundings took a few minutes to focus, and when they did you where greeted with so many concern, thrilled and relived smiles and bright faces. Looking down at you, happy to see you. Confused at first, these faces weren't your family, April or Kirby. Nor where they your friends, Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mikey, Casey or Master Splinter. Not even Spike or Leatherhead. No. These faces where different. Your mind began to register them. The process hurt for a second, seeing the confused look on your face made the others worry. Naruto demanded to know what was going on. Tsunade couldn't really explain. He was about to start ranting, but stopped when he heard...
"N-Naruto...?"you say his name. He turns around with the biggest smile on. You blink and look at everyone remembering the faces that went with the names. Slowly a smile began to form."E-Everyone...h-hello."your words came out like a struggle but still genuine.
A few of them had their tears return to their eyes. Some just smiled. Naruto did both, he places a affectionate hand on head gently. And brings his forehead down to yours touching yours."Hey May, welcome home."