You couldn't remember the last time you had dinner, no you've sat down and a meal with everyone. Even the Akimichi's came over. You where happy to see Karui and little Chocho. Telling the woman you would bring over some soup for her and her daughter. Offering to tend to things for her, so she could get better. The little ones even Hikari where put to rest. After of course they ate a bit. Leaving the adults up to talk and mingle. Which of course meant sake was provided, though you declined and stuck with tea instead. Naruto was the loudest out of everyone, it clearly wasn't the sake. Just him. Though to be safe, Hinata stopped his flow.
Everyone was able to catch up, bring up old stories and times of the past. Laughter from everyone. Some though where embarrassed when their stories were brought up. Of course most of the stories where before you came here to this world. Still, it was nice to hear them. Noticing this Shikamaru throws in stories about you. Commenting how troublesome you had been, and still are. Of course all of it in a playful way.
"You were so clueless. You know that."Shikamaru said with a half smirk."Always with your heads in the clouds. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't turn into a balloon."
"And you were dead weight."you comment back. Earning laughs and Oh snaps. The little snide battle between you both, was nothing but love for one another. Though sarcasm wasn't really your strong suit, you understood it to some extent. And could make comebacks, though most of time would prefer not too.
Unless they started it. Which Shikamaru clearly was and Naruto jumps in."Seriously. You can be so dense sometimes when it came to the simplest of things."
"Well, I do have your blood. So I must have picked up something from you."You remark back.
Burning him. Sakura couldn't help but laugh and Hinata, though tired to hide it."T-that was so cold."he groans."N-Not cool. May. Not cool."
You just laugh, though apologize for saying it. Which you just joke and say you where just joking burning him again. He didn't take it bad and joins in laughing with everyone. More stories were brought up. Praises went around on how much everyone has grown and the way their lives have all turned out. Who would have thought? Was the look everyone had on. Looking down the hall, where the children slept all together in one room. They where all small enough. Each parent's eyes reflecting how much love they held for their little one. And the future each one envision. In your eyes, you could Hikari becoming her own person, with her father's personality and will. Making friends and sharing strong bonds with everyone child in the room she was sharing with them. The wonderful childhood she have. This was what it was like to watch a life grow. It was quite marvelous. Never would have thought ever in your life you could actually produce yourself, considering what you are. A factor you often wonder if your daughter shared with you. In her DNA at least. Your pregnancy with her wasn't the best because of what you are. A struggle. Yes, giving birth was always a life or death situation. Though with you, it was more leaning towards death. Your body chemistry took the presence of Hikari in you as threat, which was why your energy was being siphon from you. To protect her. A automatic mechanism for your body to heal itself and with a life compelled it to protect. Which was why you had abdominal pains. She was growing inside.
When it became closer, your body became very weak. Most of your energy being taken to ensure her survival. She was born healthy was all that mattered. But, you where left in a limbo like state. Tsunade had to work rather fast to ensure your life too. Just like before, you had to have blood transfusion from her, Kakashi and Naruto again. Mixed in with the Kraang Power Cell. It worked but your body did slip under. To point she had to go out and get help from a certain reformed, Sannin. Who managed to provide some help for the crisis. It took some time for your body to recover. It was scary you remember going through it. Though Kuerani walked you through it all, and you had everyone around you. Well minus Sasuke, whom you felt came after you had fallen asleep. You still were new to life and doing something like this was just-you wished badly for Neji to be present. To be able to look into his eyes, to give you strength. To focus on something else. Like he always told you. To look at him. Look into his eyes.
But he wasn't there. The only time he was maybe in your dreams. After you had Hikari, you where sure you was. Standing right in front of you, apologizing for leaving, then thanking you and how proud he was. And to move forward. It only lasted a for a split second, those words remained with you. Even till this day. Looking around at everyone, they went back to talking, they went back to reminiscing and talking. Naruto trying to start something, being a knucklehead. Ino and Temari talking casually. Along with Sakura and Hinata. You observe them each, Karui listening to Shikamaru and her husband, chiming in every now and then. You where so focused on looking at everyone you didn't notice Karui get up and come over to you.
Until she tapped your shoulder. Startling you a bit."Sorry."she apologizes. She thumbs over her shoulder outside to the back."Want to get some fresh air?"
"Yes."you get up and follow her outside.
The merriment could still be heard even when Karui slide the door shut. The two of you sat down on the engawa and gaze up at the stars."This is much better."she sighs stretching."That is one thing I miss about back in Kumo. The openness. Don't get me wrong, I love it here in Konoha, but it has noting like Kumo's openness."
That was right. Kumo was rather open and breezy village. You did like that about it.
"It is nice,"you look back inside at the shadows of everyone."To get together with everyone. It's been so long. Moments like this are to be treasured. Like old times really."
She chuckles lightly."Seriously? You and your innocent outlook."Looking at you, you look back. The two of you smile at each other."But, it was that kind of look, that made me feel really welcomed here in Konoha. When I moved here. You helped me out really well. Doting a bit. But helpful. Besides Choji, you made me feel at home. I was glad to find someone who could sympathize with me."
Kauri was right. When she came here to live after marrying Choji. It was quite an adjustment. You knew she felt rather distant and alienated. Coming from her home to here. Just like you really. Except you came from a different world. But, it still mirrored each others. And because of it, you and her developed a bond and friendship. You did whatever you could to make her feel comfortable. And to see this village was wonderful. Taking out time out of your day to be with her. And when she finally felt at home, it was a good thing.
Besides Hinata who was you best friend. Karui considered you one to her. Which didn't change when she did find out about who and what you are. No doubt from Choji. She never saw you in a different light. You where just May to her. Her friend. She promised to not tell anyone else. Finding it rather cool and interesting actually.
The two of you kept gazing up at the stars."There where more starts to see back in, Kumo too."she said."Filling the sky. Remember?"
"Yes. I do. The same back in Suna."you say. Thinking about it fondly."Every night, stars. Just stars everywhere. That was what I really liked about Suna. The openness. The space. Maybe that's was so fond of Kumo. Anyway, we shouldn't focus so much on what is in the past. We have to look ahead. Our lives are moving forward. Not backwards."
"If that's the case, then why do you avoid it."she points out. Catching you off guard.
Shocked by what she said, you look at her. She turns to you, looking straight into your eyes."..."You where just speechless. Unsure what to say. There was nothing, because what she said was right on the dot.
With nothing coming from you, she continues."I can see it in your eyes. You know I'm right."She exhales."You talk about everyone moving forward in their lives, but you haven't yet. Sure the years have gone by and we've all grown. But, you haven't. Not in the right way. You've yet take the right step. Always doing things here and there to keep yourself busy. It makes me wonder really. Why you force yourself to remain back. After what I've been told by others and you. The way you stride forward coming to this world. Knowing you needed to keep going. To understand this world. Now you seem to be doing the opposite. Look. I don't mind you wanting to take of others. To protect them. Want them to be happy. But, what about you? Your happiness?"
You put on a smile."I am happy."you tell her. She saw through your false smile.
Getting ready to say something, but just leaves it be. It was clear you where not going to admit it. Scoffing shaking her head, giving you a half smile."Fine. So what kind of soup are you going to make me?"
You and Karui spend a few more minutes outside, before going back inside. Surprised to find there with the others, Gaara. There was also Kankuro, but you where more surprised to see Gaara. Happy just surprised.
He greets you first. Getting up and walking over to you."Hello May. How are you?"
You smile at him."Gaara. This a surprise. I didn't know you where here in Konoha. I'm doing fine. Thank you. I was just about to head home. It's getting rather late. And I have some things I need to finish."
"No."Temari steps in. You look at her."You're staying here tonight. Besides, Hikari is already fast asleep. Waking her up will only make it harder to put her back to bed. We have room set up for you. You're welcome."
There was no point of trying to argue back. Unless you wanted something to happen. And not to mention the look she gave you, scared you."Alright."you give in."Thank you. Guess I'm staying."you look to Gaara. Smiling.
More laughs filled the evening, going into late evening. Everyone mingling together. You managed to get time with Hinata, though most of it was spent with Gaara. The two of you talking and catching up. While the others talked among themselves, they would glance over at the two of you ever now and then. Noticing and paying attention. They could see a difference when the two of you where in the other's presence. To you, it was just casual talk between two friends, though for the others they saw something else. Temari especially paid close attention. Glancing every so often over to Kankuro who would look back to her. Both siblings smiling. In their eyes, they saw a younger version of you and Gaara four years ago.
Catching up with Gaara was a delight. Feeling this was the right time bring it up and ask. He gets ready, when you Hikari comes into the room rubbing her eyes. Getting everyone's attention. Calling for you, crying. Stating she had a really bad dream. Excusing yourself, you over to comfort her. Then lead her back to the room. Gaara missed out on his chance. A bit disappointed. Naruto's hand comes down landing on his shoulder. Gaara looks at his friend, who gives him a encouraging look. While Gaara was more hesitant.
"You can do this."he assures him.
Taking comfort in Naruto's words and the support of everyone else. Gaara was ready. He just hoped you would, well. You would except.
It took you some time to put Hikari back to sleep. You had to walk around with her, rocking her back and forth assuring your daughter was going to be alright. It took some time, but she did end up going back to sleep in your arms. So you took her back to the room, finding the others besides Shikadi gone. Tucking her back in, and re-tucking in the little Nara. You go back to where everyone had been. Finding they had left, from Shikamaru. You where rather bummed, unable to say good-bye to them. Looking around seeing there was cleaning that needed to be done, you offer to help. But Temari coming back after seeing the others off told you no. Shikamaru and Kankuro would do it. Much to the men's annoyance. But they didn't complain and complied.
Leaving you with little to do. That is until Temari asks for you to give a pillow to, she wasn't sure if she had left him one in his room. She directs you to his room, you reach it knocking on the door announcing yourself. In just a few seconds he opens it, dressed in red pajamas.
"Here, Temari wanted me to give this to you."you hand him the pillow.
He takes it."Thank you. Before you go, May. There is something I would like to asks of you."
Down the hall, Temari looked down at the suppose "private" conversation between the two. Shikamaru and Kankuro look at her, shaking their heads. Though neither of them would say anything. A satisfying smile comes to Temari, watching you and Gaara. Though she couldn't hear and kind of guess the reaction. She knew it was going well. That she didn't need to stay for the end. And leaves.
Morning came, Temari was the first one up or at least she thought. Finding Gaara up, sitting outside on the engawa. Staring at the rising sun. From someone else's point of view, it would seem he was sitting there in deep thought. But Termai knew better. Behind those eyes she saw anguish and pain. He was hurt, she could see. But what it was, she figured out. Upset now, she gets ready to take action.
"Don't."Gaara tells her. Stopping his sister's reaction. She looks at him shocked."It's alright. That is her decision. Let it be."He said accepting it, despite the pain and hurt in his words. And forced smile, that dropped."She left early this morning."
"Gaara..."she looks at her younger brother. Suffering.
This wasn't she expected to happen. No. She was sure it would be a good thing. After all it only made sense. How could May, say no? Better yet, what did Gaara say to her? How did he word it? From what she saw last night, it looked like it was going well. She should have stayed till the very end. To see her brother like this, she didn't like it. He seem so empty. There just had to be some way to get through. Sensing others, she turns around to find her husband and Kankuro. She didn't have to tell them anything, they could see it all. Behind his exterior Shikamaru was just as angry as his wife. Two years ago he had a talk with May, about everything. And now this. This had to stop. Leaving quietly he goes to handle this himself. Though not without some help.
You place a flower on Neji's grave, closing your eyes for a bit. Hikari standing next to you, does the same thing. It was early morning, the sun was halfway up. You had left Shikamaru's place before anyone woke up. Opening your eyes, reading Neji's name on the tombstone. Long. You put on a smile, and get on your knees pulling Hikari in your lap. Resting your chin gently on the top of her head. Normally you would be talking to him by now. But you just didn't have it in you. Not after last night. Karui's words rang through your mind and to add to it. What Gaara said as well. Which you did not take. And for some reason haunted you. Thinking about it, made you upset. But also hurt. You where torn up inside. Unsure what to do. Confused on what to do.
What you did know, this was your home. Everything was here. You needed to be here. To protect the others. To ensure their happiness. Watch their lives flourish. Be here when they needed you. Take care of them. There was no way to give that up. You where moving forward. With them.
If that was the case, than why did you feel so stuck and lost. Afraid. Hikari seem to sense this, she looks up at you worried.
"Mommy..."she whimpers. Hugging you tightly."Mommy. No crying. No crying, mommy. Daddy, says no crying."
Hearing her words, you look down at her. She looks up at you. Begging you not to be sad anymore. Placing a hand on her cheek, using a finger you wipe away her tears. Giving her a assuring smile, everything was alright. Yes. Everything was going to be alright.
"May." You hear Naruto say your name. You and Hikari turn around to find him coming over.
This was a surprise. You weren't expecting him to be here. Well at least not at this time. Never the less, you didn't mind seeing him. Standing up greet him, when you noticed something different. He seem serious and upset. At you. The furrow he had was heated. Glaring at you. Only twice in your life had Naruto given you this look. And this made it the third time.
"We need to talk."he said through his teeth. He makes a shadow clone that takes Hikari from you. So she wouldn't hear for it.
The clone takes Hikari over to the others, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, their husbands, Kauri, Choji. Even Lee was there with Tenten, Kiba. Pretty much the whole group on the sidelines. Hikari didn't understand what was going on, why everyone was here going against her mother. She began to hear yelling from afar, coming from Naruto and her mother. Scaring the little girl worrying as well. Whipping her head around, seeing Naruto yelling May. Who stood her ground giving Naruto a rather cold shoulder. The two of them in a heated argument. That clearly wasn't going anywhere.
Shikamaru had informed all of them about what happened and they couldn't believe, May. What was going through her mind to say that. They saw what happiness and joy it would bring her. But she couldn't herself. She never seem to see her own happiness, only focusing on the happiness of others. If anyone could get through to her, make her admit it, Naruto could. He was very good at doing that. The rest here just in case they needed to come in and to back up Naruto, showing May he was right. This was an intervention. It needed to happen sooner or later. The words between the two became more and more heated. Hikari scared demanded what was going on. And why her Uncle was being so mean to her mother. Crying for her mother, sensing her mother's rising emotions. Clone Naruto wouldn't release her. The others had to do their best to not cave into her cries. Hinata did though try to assure the little one nothing bad was happening to her mother. Just that Naruto wanted her to realize something.
That something Hikari didn't understand. Just a few minutes ago, she was able to make her mother happy. And now the others where making her fell miserable. Angry at them, the intense emotion activated her eyes. A shock to Hinata, for the girl to unlock it so young.
"This isn't going anywhere."Ino growls. Having enough she starts walking over taking matters into her own hand. When Sai grabs her, stopping her from going. She turns around to her husband demanding why he stopped her.
He just points forward, she looks noticing two things. One the yelling had stopped between May and Naruto and second both of them coming back. Seeing her mother coming back, Hikari calms down her eyes go back to normal. She starts to cry for her mother.
With your head down, you reach the others lifting your head just a bit looking at them each. Reading their faces, they agreed with Naruto 100% and telling you it was okay. It was true what Naruto said, what Kauri said. They where both right. You've been holding yourself back. Trying to find other ways to avoid moving forward. Taking care of everyone, making sure they had what they needed, where protected. Because you where...where...
Holding out your arms for your daughter, the clone gives you Hikari and leaves."Mommy!"she cries happy. Asking if you were alright.
Which you assure that you where. Still unsure if it was the right thing to do. No longer confused, Naruto explained it to you. A gentle hand rest on your cheek, you look finding Hinata. She smiles at you.
"We'll be okay."she assures you."You need to move forward, May."
"B-but..."you stammer, to be hushed by Sakura.
"You've done more than you know."She tells you."Don't let this pass you by. Please, we all want you to be-"
"To be happy."Lee finishes it for her."And if that makes you happy. It's okay. It doesn't make you selfish. We'll still be here for you no matter what."
Looking to Tenten, she nods head. Looking at all of them, they each supported you and pushed you forward. But that wasn't all you felt pushing you, turning around looking back at the grave. Ached at your heart. Naruto comes and places a hand on you."He still with you."Knowing what he meant, you look down at Hikari.
Finally accepting it, you cringe and start to cry."I'm just scared."You whimper. He pulls you into him, careful not to harm Hikari."I'm scared, Naruto. I'm scared of what might happen, w-when I leave...I-I..."
He hushes you."Shh...Everything will be fine."He kisses the top of your head. The others come in hugging you.
At the front gates of the village, Gaara with Kankuro where being seen off by Kakashi, Guy, Tsunade, Temari and her family. The Kazekage thanks Kakashi and everyone. Saying his good-byes, he tells Kankuro he was ready. The two of them start to leave.
"Gaara!"
Halting him in his tracks. All heads whip around in the direction the voice came from. Gaara's eyes widen surprised to see them come flying straight at him. His eyes follow them as they land a few feet away. Green eyes locked with glowing golden-yellow eyes. That went away showing apologetic and guilty eyes. Looking away for a second then back to him. He could they where trying to figure out what to say, after all they had caused to him. Asking for his forgiveness. For being a hypocrite, telling him to forgive himself for what he believed he did. To move on from the past and walk forward. To start anew. Which they themselves had not been doing. And because of that, they locked themselves away. Refusing to see the deepness their relationship had become. The fact in each others presence they where happy. Just like back then. They're the ones who shunned that away, afraid of taking that step. Refusing to see it. But knew it was there, with the help of a certain blonde man. Who came in after with his wife and the others watching and waiting to see what the Kazekage and kounichi would do. Here was the point that would either be cross or not.
They all stood there listening to the golden eye in-human girl pour out and explain to the best of her abilities how sorry she was. She kept stammer over the word sorry over and over again. She didn't realize Gaara had moved closer. Her head down, he places a hand on the side of her cheek gently, lifting it up. So he could look at her fully. He knew she was weeping despite not showing any tears, so he shed them for her. Locking his eyes with her, she stopped. There it was, that look everyone saw between them. Pulling attraction between them both. Gaara leaned further in tilting his head downward, while lifting up your's. His eyes began to close slowly, the same with you. The more he leaned in, his sand began to encase around the two of you. Shielding the intimate moment between you and him, from the others. Which they didn't mind. They where just happy. All eyes on the sphere of sand that stood at the entrance of the gate.