Chapter 18: No Regrets

Gaara shot up, covered in cold sweat as he panted. The filthy smell of the cabin still filled his nostrils, and the image of his future self was imprinted in his mind.

It was just a nightmare, no different than the million others that had filled his nights. It was impossible to see into the future. Dreams were just fantasies.

He calmed himself down as he leaned back on the tree. Kitai was fine. He would go see her in the morning and she'd be fine.

"It was the most regrettable thing I ever did. I didn't even try to stop her."

Gaara sat back up and quickly strapped his gourd on his back.

"Live life so you won't have any regrets!"

He reached the hospital, and wasn't surprised to find the door locked. Sand quickly spilled out of his gourd and seeped under the door. On the other side, a sand bunshin unlocked the door. Gaara ran through as the bunshin turned back into sand and poured into his gourd.

He stood in front of Kitai's room, unsure of whether to go in. He couldn't just stand out here if she was really...

He stepped into the room. It was nearly pitch black, except for the moonlight pouring through the window. He could hear her crying so softly, as if she had no more energy left to cry with.

He couldn't put her in danger. If she stayed with him there would always be a threat hanging by her.

But if she died now, then what was the point?

That was probably just a dream, you can't see the future. She could wake up the next day and run a lap around the hospital for all he knew.

But she looked like she was in pain. This could really be it for her.

She has a strong spirit. She could pull through this.

What if it's not her spirit that was broken? She could've given up her will to live.

Gaara listened as his head tried to reason out what to do. He just couldn't decide.

"Gaara..." Her voice was dripping with sadness. His feet carried him to the side of her bed. Her silver tears gleamed in the moonlight. "I don't want to leave..."

He didn't know if she would live or not, but, he had to tell her. No regrets.

He let all emotional barriers give way. He put his hand on her cheek, wiping away her tears.

"Kitai... Kitai," he spoke gently. She didn't open her eyes, but she turned her head towards him. "I'm sorry. So sorry. I knew you would be in danger, if you stayed with me. I couldn't let myself do that to you... I had to get you away from me. I couldn't let you give your life up for me." He realized that tears were welling in his eyes. He shut them tightly, but the tears squeezed out and ran down his chin. "But, don't go. I don't want you to go... I, I really... love you..."

He was sobbing freely now, letting the tears flow as his shoulders heaved. He felt a trembling hand wipe away his tears. He opened his eyes, and realized that Kitai was looking at him. Her face was still pale, and her cheeks were still sunken in. But, her eyes were shining, and she was smiling so happily. He took her hand that was still resting on his face. It felt so cold.

"You..." Her voice was weak and soft. "You're such an idiot..." He couldn't help grinning as more tears filled his eyes. He quickly blinked them away. "That's... the stupidest thing... you've ever done..." He nodded, completely agreeing with her. She closed her eyes as her body relaxed.

"Kitai?" Gaara felt a panic grow in him.

"Don't worry about me..." she sighed. "I'm just... sleepy."

Oooooooh, suspense!