You sat a plate of refreshments down for Gaara on your coffee table, consisting of crackers, cheese and some cookies. It wasn't that you didn't have anything else, it was just rather late and after coming from the wedding were there was food, it was highly likely either of you might still be hungry. Tired was more like it, especially for you, easily you could go to bed actually you wanted too. But, it would be rude not to mention disrespectful to be not courteous to Gaara. He is the Kazekage after all. Though also it's been so long since you last saw and heard from him.
Taking a seat a cushion away from him on your dark brown camelback sofa. In the living room. You watch Gaara's eyes look around your place. It was a rather nice size, with three rooms. Natsuki and Kaito each had their own, no longer sharing like before. A nice kitchen with most up to date appliances. A nice size dinning room that connected to the kitchen. The living room was rather large. Your furniture and color theme was of browns and greens, earth tones really. Very relaxing and calming. There where a few pictures around, some hanging on the wall and sitting around. Of you and the kids. Your little one with Natsuki and Kaito. Your friends. You and Temari. A group shot with everyone. You, Natsuki, and Kaito after their graduation from the Academy. And lastly in the center of the room over the mantle, Neji. Next it a smaller one on either side, you and him from a mission the two of you did together. And with Natsuki and Kaito. Gaara put it together from looking at your timeline of pictures which no doubt you had more elsewhere, you here with Neji. He was aware of what happened to him during the war. It made perfect sense for him not to talk to you. Looking at the picture of your little one on the wall. He figured that part out too.
Through your pictures he saw your growth. The sound of the teapot steaming broke his focus, feeling you get up he watches you. You come back in just two minutes with two cups of tea handing him one.
"Thank you."he takes it.
You retake your seat back in your spot."You're welcome. So, did you like my pictures?"
He wasn't sure how to really answer that. Trying to read your smile."Their, very nice."he said."It seems you've had a good life."
"Thank you."you accept what he said."Yes. Who would have thought after two years, this would happen. Natsuki and Kaito are both genin's now."
"They are?"he seem rather surprise."That's good."
You take a sip of your tea."Yes. They graduated about...four months ago. Natsuki has her eyes set on being an ANBU. While Kaito wants to follow in his father's footsteps to become a Medic-nin. They're both really good. Both of them are on the same team. Their jonin is very good, though the two of them do can drive them over the edge."You chuckle a bit."But, the two of them are really good together."You look away from him at a picture of the two of them posing with their new forehead protectors on."No matter what mission they go on, they always have the others back. Kaito will heal Natsuki and she will be always defend for him. Their both growing up so fine. So fast. It's scary really. Two years ago, they were so different. Now look at them. I couldn't be more prouder."
You speak with pride and love. Clearing your throat you turn the conversation to Gaara."So? How have you been? Gaara? I know being Kazekage has kept you busy. Temari would tell me how much you've been working to keep peace with the great villages. That's really good to hear. I just hope though, you are taking care of yourself. Taking time out to enjoy things. Or maybe someone is doing that for you?"
"No. There's no one."he tells you."I have been working with the other villages, we're all on good terms. Since after the war."
"That's so wonderful to hear. The last time I went to each one, I heard bits a pieces. From the war, came something wonderful. Everyone is uniting together and peace is spreading across the lands."You say with relief."It's so good. Fighting, brings nothing but suffering. Being able to prevent that, is a good thing. Though I know in life we have to experience suffering in order to grow. But, if I can do anything to lessen it, than I will. Look at me talking about myself. How rude. You're the guest here. Please tell me how things have been going for you? How is your village? How is Mr. Ebizo? Everyone? Kankuro?"
Gaara got silent, his mind and mouth locked on him. These where simple questions to answer, why he couldn't answer them? He wasn't sure. It was clear this was nothing but small talk, but you made it seem like the most important thing. In your eyes he could see how happy you where to see him. It wasn't the same happiness like before those years ago, when you were younger. But still held felt the same. His looked deeper in yours, searching them.
There was something behind them, he wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks or not. Or his guilt was making him see what he feared. That he couldn't look at you anymore. Turning away, which you became confused and worried. Was it something you said? He just suddenly shut himself off and away. Just a few seconds ago he was talking, now this. Placing your cup down, you move closer to him, calling to him.
"Gaara."You call to him softly. Reaching out a hand, placing it on his wrist gently."Gaara, what's wrong? Are you okay? Gaara?"
He could hear you rising concern in your voice. Again. He thought to himself. He was causing you pain and suffering. After two years, the reunion between you two, he thought it would be better. Not like this.
Why did he force himself to come here? If just would have went back to his room, and leave back to Suna he wouldn't be here. And cause this on you. His guilt was stronger than he thought. It wouldn't allow him to say what he wanted, after all this time. No. The guilt was to heavy. Even when you opened your door to him, allowed him in your home. Talk with him despite being tired. To be joyful on having his company. He couldn't enjoy it like you were. Another misstep on his part. This was a mistake he told himself. He heard you calling out to him, like the many times you have before. Just wanting to know. But he wouldn't tell you. No matter what.
Raising a hand he places it on yours, lifting it off setting it aside without looking at you. This took you by surprise. Watching him stand up placing the tea down, his back to you. Thanking you and apologizing for coming over to late.
Adjusting his suit."You have a lovely home."He tells you rather cold it seem.
You didn't understand, why his behavior just changed suddenly. This wasn't the Gaara you knew, two years couldn't have changed him this much towards you. Not after all you've been hearing about him working so hard to make sure things where peaceful. No person like that would cast their back to you. It hurt. This confusion hurt. The same when he left you back in Konoha. It left you feeling rather angry with him, even though you where given a personal scroll that explained his reasoning. Getting to your feet you quickly. Having enough of this, bring the scroll to you and with your energy bind him.
Stepping in between him and door. And hold up the scroll. He looks at it shocked and guilty. Your eyes fall on the unopen scroll, releasing Gaara from your hold."I never read it."you tell him."After I was given this. I was so upset. I didn't understand. I was so confused."Your voice tighten with anger. But settle."I didn't understand why you did what you did at first. But, I think now I know."Lifting your eyes to look at him.
There was not single look of bitterness nor resentment. Only peace and understanding, with a slight hint of confusion. That what you believed his reason to be matched your own. You wanted closure. That's all you wanted. Placing a hand on the side of his face, your thumb strokes his cheek softly.
You smile at him."Gaara. Please, do not keep carrying this burden of guilt. I am no longer upset with you. I know you were trying to do what you thought was best. You never put me in any sort of danger. My main concern was to ease it for you. But it seems I've failed on that part."You cry."If you can find it in your heart to forgive me. As I have with you, that will be enough for me. For two years not hearing from you, I should have reached out to take that pain away. You had tired so much to do that for me. You gave so much kindness, I had to find a way to repay you back. And here again you shower me with it. So, please no more. No more Gaara. Release yourself from these binds."You bring your hand back smiling at him."Holding onto the past doesn't do any good."
Touched and broken up by your words. Recalling the words of others to him. Brought tears to his eyes. The memories he shared with you back in Suna, just the two of you. Always smiling at him, calling his name. And what you said. What you promised. Here you stood before him pleading for him to release himself from it all. He saw the hurt in your eyes that he'd been holding on this for years. His guilt. You wanted him to forgive himself. What you said, about his choices he made for you, were to protect you. Yet he thought it caused the opposite with you. But through your eyes he saw it wasn't true. He had only focused on the negative results of it all. You had grown pass it all, it was like you where extending him a hand to take. To start anew. Why did you always want to save him? No matter what, you always seem to. During the war. During your rescue. Against his own councilmen.
Recalling what you always told him. You wanted him to take care of himself. And since he wouldn't, you did it for him. Without a second thought. Even now, with everything. You still wanted that for him. Closing his eyes, he opens them. Accepting it. Forgive himself, he looks to you tenderly. With a smile.
Finally he could say it after all this time. What he always wanted to say to you."I'm sorry. May."
He pulls you into a secure embrace. Holding you tightly. In the past you were the one who gave him the hugs and when you did he never returned them or was to late too. But not this time. Smiling, you get your arms loose. And return his hug. No words needed to said. It was clear the two of you missed the other.
Separating just a bit from him, you look up."Please Gaara. Let's start over. Okay?"You say with a smile."How is everything?"
Kakashi sat in his office going over some paperwork, Shizune standing next to him. Even after Tsunade step down as Hokage she remained the assistant for the current one."Anything new?"Kakashi inquires, though he already knew what she was going to say.
"Oh. Well, let me see."She goes through her memory and some of the files in her hands."The Academy is looking to expand. And expansion of the village is going rather well. Let me see...The Kazekage has extended his stay for a few more days since the wedding. An-"
Kakashi holds up a hand stopping her. She looks at him, behind his tired eyes there was a gleam happiness. Turning in his chair he gets up and goes to the window looking out spotting with his eyes. Two people taking yet another stroll together, well three to exact one though being pushed in a stroller. Though sometimes it was just the two. It was about this time they would walk pass. For the pass almost two weeks they where seen together. Kakashi didn't need to be out there to know, he had eyes everywhere if he needed to use them. And use them he did. He didn't mind his guest staying longer than they had intended. They had their reason, which was obvious to those who could see it. It warmed his heart seeing and hearing about the two. Seeing them both together, clearly made the others day. Watching the rebuilding of their relationship, to see it blossom into what many hope it would be.
Shizune comes over and peers out spotting the two. She smiles sweetly at them both. Watching the way the two smiled at each other, the way one stared so deeply at the other. It took a bit of time for her to understand why they extended their stay more, but she soon caught on. It was a good thing. A very good thing.
After that night and talk with Gaara, the plate now cleared between the two of you. Allowed the two of you rebuild what had been lost those last two years. It was rather nice having his company, you where rather surprise he extended his stay in Konoha. You just assumed he had business to take care of. To your surprise he didn't and pretty much every morning he would be at your door. It started to become the norm seeing him. You would invite him in for breakfast to eat with you and kids, if they didn't have to leave to go on a mission in the village. After breakfast Gaara would asks to go on a stroll with you and your little one if you didn't have to drop them off. The strolls where nice, it gave the two of you time talk and catch up. You would do errands with him. Though you enjoyed spending time with Gaara, you still had a to make a living. You still had a job, which to your surprise Kakashi took you off and gave you a rather strange mission. To be Gaara's company, not in that sense but just to make sure he would have a good stay here in the village.
You didn't mind, it was just nice to have him around. You took him to different sites through out the village. Places to eat and to go. This time with him it felt different than before, though you couldn't place it. Maybe it was the fact Gaara would talk back and was more casual and relaxed. He still carried himself professionally and humble. He didn't mind your little one coming along. You would regal him with stories about your old life back in your world. The funny ones or bring up times back in Suna. Memories the two of you shared small laughter, though you laughed more than him. When the day came to an end you would invite him to stay for dinner if he wanted too. About two times Lee ended up coming over surprised to find Gaara there, but thrilled to see him. Shikamaru also came over or you would just happen to run into him. He would pretty much tell you that Yoshino wanted you to come over more.
With Gaara's stay, it didn't prevent you from going to visit their graves. Taking your little one to see Neji's. Placing flowers on each grave respectfully. You would spend a few minutes talking to each one of them.
Time just seem to be more pleasant and brighter with his company. Everything you said he was interested in. When his time was up in Konoha, you were rather bummed he had to go back to Suna. Admitting you would miss his company. You saw him off with Kakashi. Wishing him well and hoped to see him soon. Though most importantly to take care of himself. He had your information should he want to keep in-contact with you. With him gone, your life return back to normal. Watching and caring for your family. You didn't mind really, just that, now that Naruto and Hinata were both married, and the others getting into relationships. Left you a bit by yourself, besides with the children. You watched them from afar moving forward into their futures. It made you happy to see them prosper.
You just wondered, if you felt happy for them. Why you felt a bit bitter. You couldn't quite figure it out, staring at the shogi piece on the board before you. Analyzing the pieces on the board. Looking at what Shikamaru had played. It was a really good. The two of you sat outside on the engawa playing shogi. The game the two of you use to play back when you use to live with him and his family. A game of skill and strategy, one Shikamaru was very good at. Holding one of the pawn pieces, you seem rather lost on a simple move. This wasn't like you, Shikamaru knew you where rather good when it came to this game. A shock to many who perceived you as the type that wouldn't be able to play this game. If his sensei was still alive he would praise you for your skill in the game. Which of course credit went to your computer mind. Able to process faster than most minds. Which was no wonder why this game wasn't much a challenge, unless you went up against a opponent like Shikamaru or Shikaku.
When playing this game, your moves where rather fast. Not like this slow, hesitant nor confuse. The move was easy, you could easily corner one his bishops. You where playing rather sloppy. Realizing he had noticed you poor playing skills. You quickly make a random move. A mistake he saw.
Which you cover up with some excuse."Sorry. I'm just tired."you lie to him. Looking down at the board."You're move."
Not even a challenge. Tired? He knew that was not fully true. Inside the house, his mother was tending to your little one. Natsuki and Kaito both went on a mission that took them away from the village. So there was no need for you really to be tired.
He could easily pry, but preferred to let it come out naturally. Through shoji. A strategy game that worked in real life too. He moves his piece and gestures for you to go next. Again you took quite some time to go over his move. Your hand loomed over another pawn. Another stupid move, your hand was hesitant to pick it up. So you move it over to your rook. Not a good move either, moving your rook would give him an opening. It seem like you noticed it, and decided against moving that piece. Going for another pawn instead. Moving it, taking out his rook. Finally a good move, not really the best but still good. Still, it was sloppy. He took that and captured your bishop.
Lost and stuck at the move he just did. You just smile to yourself solemnly."Guess you win, brother."you look at him.
"You can still make some moves."he tells you, noticing some moves that you could make. Though that was of course if you decided to take them.
Your eyes look over the board than to the small amount of pieces you had compared to Shikamaru. He had taken a pretty good amount. Setting them in pairs. Again you hesitate which piece to move. Frustration began to cloud your mind, he could see it in your eyes. Yet, you still forced yourself to keep going, to keep playing. Making more sloppy moves. Soon leaving you with barely anything to protect your king. Only added to your frustration.
Shikamaru looks at the clock, this game was much to short between you two. A normal game with the two of you lasted at least almost two hours to two hours and half. Not 45 minutes. You where stuck. What move could you make to win? None of them seem to work. Giving up seem to be the only way out. But what good would that do? You could the pressure of trying to figure out what move to make along with Shikamaru's piercing observing eyes. Your eyes shifted between him and the board. If you moved that, than he could this. Moving that one, gave him a free pass. And that move would allow him to take your King.
Stump. You became stump. Resting the piece you had back on the board, you look at him in defeat. With that he make his move."Well, look at that. I win."he sits back folding his arms. Looking at you."I would say for us to go again. But something tells me, your not really focusing. So,"he starts to put the pieces back on the board. Setting it back up. You do the same thing."Let's try this again."He makes the first move. Looking at you rather serious and concerned."But, this time make the right moves."