Suna's Kekkei Genkai

Chapter 18: Life Continues at a Story's End

This fic is a prequel for Past Meets Future for those of u I havent told yet. Unfortunately I wrote this after PMF and so the whole GaarNeji wasn't in it but I know how Gaara's becoming more and more ooc and if u read PMF he's REALLY out of character. It's because Sakurais helping him become a normal happy boy. and they are successful. So the Gaara in this is pre-Gaara-mirai :)

Neji stared out the window towards the main gate, and then back at Naruto, who was sitting with Hinata, playing some game with her and Hanabi. Naruto looked up at him, trying to give a reassuring smile, but it came out as worried one. Hinata refused to look at either of them and watched Hanabi make her move. They had been silent since they began playing, all worried for their friends from Sand. Hanabi hadn't been informed about the happenings, so she continued playing as if nothing happened.

Hiashi knocked then opened the door with a solemn expression. Hanabi ran up to him smiling.

"Tousan! I beat Naruto and Hinata-niichan!" she told him.

"Very good, Hanabi," he said smiling slightly down at her. "May I speak to them alone for a moment?"

"Hai!" Hanabi made a little bow then went out of the room and ran down the hall.

All three pairs of eyes were on Hiashi, desperate for some good news. Silence fell on them as Hiashi thought of the words he should use.

"Is Tsunade-sama back?" Hinata asked quietly.

"Yes, Hinata, she has returned," Hiashi said he paused for breath for a second, but Naruto interrupted him.

"Did she bring the sand nins back! Are they alright!" Naruto cried.

"Where are they!" Neji demanded.

"Will you let me finish?" Hiashi roared causing them to clamp their mouths shut. "Tsunade-sama has returned and she brought back all three sand nins…."

"How are they? Are they alright?" Neji asked quietly.

"No, they aren't, but—"

Naruto and Neji didn't wait for the 'but'. They ran passed him and out the door towards who knows where since Hiashi didn't tell them where the sand nins were. Hiashi blinked when he suddenly saw just his daughter standing before him. She gave him a tiny smile.

"But?" she asked.

He smiled down at her. "But Tsunade-sama is taking care of them."

…What happened…?

…Where am I…?

…Did I die…?

…I can't move…

…I hurt everywhere…

…Where's Temari…?

Kankurou cracked his eyes opened and saw a white ceiling. One he'd never seen before. But come to think of it, how many white ceilings could a fifteen year old see in one life? And how could one tell them apart? He didn't know. He was too tired to think about it. Since his eyes weren't helping with anything, he closed them and began using his other senses.

Touch? He was laying one a really comfortable bed that had warm sheets.

Smell? He smelled a lot of herbs like the ones Gaara use to bring home with instructions on how to prepare them from the Hokage.

Taste? He couldn't taste anything at all. He was hungry too. So hungry he'd eat Temari's cooking.

Hear? There was a beeping noise to his right and the sound of light breathing to his left. Someone on his right was working on something. Working and humming that tune from the music box Gaara got for Christmas…god that feels like such a long time ago.

"Oh, good, you're awake."

Kankurou opened his eyes again and saw the first thing he saw was big boobs.

"Whoa.."

SMACK!

"Ow!"

"I'm glad you feel better," Tsunade growled.

"Sorry," Kankurou said. "Where am I?"

"You're in a room that branches of my office," Tsunade replied. "How do you feel?"

"I hurt everywhere," he groaned. He suddenly remembered something and sat up quickly. "Where's Temari?" He looked to his left and saw her sleeping soundly on the bed next to him. Heaving a sigh of relief, he sat back again. "Does Gaara know we're back?" He looked over at Tsunade in question when she didn't answer at once and noticed the other bed. "Oh God!" he leapt up and tried to rush over to the bed.

Tsunade gently pushed him back on the bed. "It's ok," she said.

"What happened!" Kankurou demanded. He frantically stared over her shoulder at his still brother on the bed. "He was suppose to stay here! Why is he hurt?"

"He followed you," Tsunade explained. "Neji told me about it."

"Why didn't he stop him?" Kankurou said, quite near hysteria.

"Kankurou, calm down! Neji didn't know he left until later. He's ok though."

"He doesn't look ok…"

"I know he doesn't. And I suppose he isn't 'ok'. He'll live though, I've made sure of that," Tsunade said in a voice so sure of herself that Kankurou calmed down a bit.

"What happened?"

"He fought Ghostfist after he caught up with you. You two were already unconscious when Gaara arrived. He thought you were dead and flew into a rage. He was angry and upset that you were gone. When I found him, he was unconscious from his wounds and lack of blood, but he had crept over to you two and lain down with you, waiting to die with you."

Kankurou looked over at his little brother, close to tears and slowly got up and limped over to the bed. This time Tsunade let him. He reached out and brushed Gaara's hair off his head. "How'd you find out?" he asked the Hokage.

"Ghostfist wasn't quite dead when I got there," Tsunade explained. "And I spoke with Shukaku."

"You spoke with Shukaku?" Kankurou said in shock.

"Yes," she replied as if this was normal. "A very good source of information."

Shukaku: What am I? A guide book?

"…So Gaara's ok now?"

"Yes he'll be fine."

"How's Temari?"

"She's already been awake. She's just sleeping."

"How's she doing?" Kankurou asked.

"She's doing fine. She was a little upset when she woke up though," Tsunade said, looking upset herself. "I have to remember not to use seals around you three anymore."

Kankurou gave her a look. "You used seals in front of Temari?"

"Why doesn't she like them?" Tsunade asked.

"You remember when we first came here? How the sand nins brought us?"

"Yeah, you had seal on you to keep the Kekkei Genkai at bay."

"Well, they made Temari watch as they put them on Gaara, and then on me. It just really scared her and now she can't look at seals or sealing elements with out freaking out," Kankurou explained.

"I see," Tsunade said. She smiled then. "Honestly I understand her feelings."

"When will she wake up?"

"(Yawn) I'm awake," Temari yawned from across the room. She slowly stretched then sat up. She gave her relieved brother a wave then got up herself and came over to sit on Gaara's bed as well. Kankurou surprised her but hugging her tight or as tight as his aching body allowed him. She smiled and hugged back. When they were done, Temari climbed to Gaara's other side and laid down next to him. "When will Gaara wake up?"

"I don't know," Tsunade answered. "It could be a while. Shukaku told me that Gaara wasn't even answering him when he called and his mind is unsteady."

"What does that mean?" Kankurou asked worried.

"He's basically slipped into the darkest part of his mind where Shukaku can't find him, but can sense him," Tsunade suddenly glared down at the redhead. "I, myself, am very anxious for him to wake up so I can yell at him. The baka."

There were several footfalls outside and argument reached their ears.

"Let me in!"

"No they're sleeping! You can't go in yet!"

"Let us talk to obaachan, tte bayou!"

"Shut up Naruto!"

(POW)

(silence)

"Please Sakura?"

Tsunade smiled. "Sakura! Let Neji in."

The door opened and Sakura stepped in with Neji behind her. The Hyuga was out of breath from his search and looked very distraught. He swallowed hard as he entered the room. The sight of the two sand nins up and about seemed to help a bit.

"Hey guys," was all he could say.

"Hi Neji," Temari replied sitting up.

"Are you guys ok?" he asked.

They could all tell he was fighting the temptation to run over to Gaara and freak out. He composed himself though and didn't move from the door (the great Hyuga Neji does NOT run frantically into a room like a crazed fan girl-SNG).

"Yeah we're fine," they replied.

"Um…is…Gaara…"

"He'll be fine too," Tsunade assured him.

Relief was evident on his face. "Really?" he asked.

Tsunade nodded as she placed a hand on his head. Temari and Kankurou looked down at their bruised and bandaged brother. Temari laid down and gently wrapped her arms around him. Kankurou laid down and did the same. He felt really girly but didn't really care. He was tired.

Tsunade and Sakura smiled at the pretty picture they painted, sleeping together. Neji sat down, trying to calm himself down from his previous worry.

'Sleep well, oshii chan…' Tsunade smiled down at the boy that had come so far since she first met him.

Gaara remained in a coma for nearly a week and a half. Tsunade kept him in the same room so she could take care of him as much as possible. Temari and Kankurou refused to leave his side the entire time. Neji and Sakura visited every day and stayed until Tsunade kicked them out at night. While they waited both Kankurou and Temari healed and regained their strength.

They looked up when Sakura came in one afternoon. Neji had been forced to go on his team's mission and wasn't able to come. She smiled in greeting to them.

"Why don't you two take a break and go out for a while?" she suggested. "I'll stay with Gaara." Both shook their heads. "Honestly, you two haven't left this room since you got back. It's not like he's going anywhere. He'll be ok, I promise."

Temari and Kankurou looked at each other.

"I suppose we could go out for a few… minutes…" Temari started. "I do need a shower…"

Kankurou looked thoughtfully upset then turned and glared at her. "If he wakes up, tell us immediately!"

"I promise," she said.

As the two siblings grudgingly left, Sakura pulled a chair up to Gaara's bed and looked down at him. He was simply sleeping now, not longer in a coma, but his face was twisted from the torture of a nightmare. Perspiration dotted his forehead, causing his hair cling to it. She got up and took a cloth from the cabinet and wet it in the sink. As she washed his face of, she saw his Kekkei Genkai opening and closing from his fear of the dream. Her hand slipped from the cloth; her bare skin touched his eye lid and she felt a rush of chakra go through her, knocking her breath away and making it hard to breathe. Then it stopped as she heard a dark voice gently coaxing Gaara to pull it back. Then she felt something dark turn to her.

Who are you?

"Ha-Haruno Sakura…..Shukaku…sama?" she replied with a guess.

Heh…I am. You're the little one's friend.

"I am…Is he ok?" she asked. ' 'Little one's'?'

He's about to wake up, was the last thing she heard.

Sakura pulled her hand back as Gaara groaned and opened his eyes to a squint.

"Where am I?" he asked hoarsely.

"In Konoha," she replied, moving into his view. "Are you ok?"

Gaara looked very upset at this news. "Why didn't you leave me?"

"Cause! Why would we leave you to die!" she asked.

"I wanted to."

"Why?" she asked going to the window and sending one of those spiffy messenger birds to Temari and Kankurou.

Gaara didn't answer for a while and when he did it was barely audible. "I wanted to be with… Kankurou and Temari…"

Sakura didn't want the laugh bubbling up to come out, but it did. It came out in a fit of giggles. She hastily, and unsuccessfully, tried to stifle them as Gaara turned to her looking heartbroken, not understanding why his best friend was laughing at him.

"Why are you laughing at me, Sakura?" he cried.

She leaned down and gave him a gentle hug. He tried to push her away, still upset, but couldn't. "I'm sorry Gaara," she said. "I have a surprise for you."

"I don't want it," he said, looking away. Upset with life.

"What?" Sakura cried. "You love surprises!"

"Not anymore."

"Oh I think you'll like this one," she assured him.

She turned to the door as frantic footsteps rushed to it. The door burst open and two very out of breath and worried sand nins ran in. Gaara's eyes widened and if he could he would've sat up or jumped up, but he couldn't do either so he simply lay frozen on his bed.

"Oh, Gaara!" Temari rushed over and threw her arms around his neck. Both of their hair was still wet and a little soapy since they had both rushed over as soon as that annoying bird zoomed into Kankurou's bathroom (what'd you expect them to do?). She burst into tears on his shoulder. "You stupid, stupid boy!" she sobbed. "Why did you follow us? Why?"

Gaara didn't answer. There was a knot in his throat that forbid him to say a word. With his unbroken arm, he pulled her close and buried his face in her neck to hide the tears that were silently spilling down his cheeks. Kankurou moved to his other side. Reaching over, he brushed the tears from his brother's face.

Sakura smiled at them and stepped out to give them some time alone. She sat down on Tsunade's desk and thought for a bit. She should find Tsunade and tell her Gaara was awake. 'Who else should I tell…?'

DING

She smiled to herself, what a good friend she could be sometimes. She went back into the room when Gaara called her and asked her to do something for him. Which happened to be just what she had just thought of.

Sakura left and found Tsunade then she went to the field where Lee's team always trained after their missions. Gai was shouting encouragement to his sparring male subordinates. Tenten cheered too, but she mostly kept to her targets. Sakura watched them for a moment. Neji was distracted and was fighting no where near his best. Lee could see this and was going easy. Their ditzy teacher didn't seem to notice and had decided that they were being lazy.

Sakura made her presence known by calling out: "Hi Lee-san!" causing him to look in her direction while dodging Neji and run into a tree. She laughed behind her hand as she stepped forward.

"SAKURA! SO NICE TO SEE YOU ON THIS FINE AFTERNOON! HOW ARE YOU!" Gai screamed.

"I'm good thanks. I need to speak to Neji though," she said. "Just for a minute I promise!"

Neji stared wide eyed at her like a deer caught in headlights, then he slowly walked over to her like he was walking to his execution.

Sakura, being the evil devious child that only Gaara seems to know her for, saw this and couldn't resist. She forced herself to look drastically upset. As her face fell, Neji ran up to her and, grabbing her shoulders, shook her.

"How's Gaara! What's wrong!" Neji demanded. "Please…Sakura.."

"I have a message," she said. Sakura reached out and gave his strap things a yank like Gaara did to get his attention and make him nuts. " 'Come visit me soon.' " she said relaying her friend's message, then gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Neji looked clueless for a minute then broke into a smile. "He's ok?"

"Awake and complaining," she said. "He's with Temari and Kankurou."

"Can I…can I go see him?" Neji asked.

"He wants you to, but Neji? ….He just woke up ok?"

"Ok," Neji whispered quietly. "Thanks." He added before taking off.

When Tsunade came in to check on Gaara, Temari and Kankurou refused to leave again, but Tsunade was firm and sent them home. She smiled at Gaara when they were gone. "How do you feel?"

"Better..I guess,"

"Good," Tsunade said, then brought her hand down hard across his head.

"Ow! What was that for!" Gaara demanded clutching his head with his good hand. He gulped when Tsunade made a scary face and pushed it into his.

"Do. You. Realize. How…pissed I am at you!"

(sweat) "……um……really pissed?"

"Sha!" Tsunade sat back and glared at him for a while. Gaara didn't move for fear of more thwacking and was looking at everything but her. She suddenly stood up and leaned towards him again. Gaara shrank as far as he couldn't into the pillow. "However…" Gaara squeezed his eyes shut. Tsunade smiled at him and kissed his forehead lightly. "..you did a good job."

Gaara opened one eye, then the other. "I did?" he asked.

"Yep!" (XD)

"You're not mad at me?"

"A little," Tsunade said. "But not really."

She sat him up and began to change his bandages. He watched her, never having this done to him before curiosity is understandable. To humor him she showed him the large cut on his side. For reasons unknown to her comprehension, he seemed very impressed with it and was upset when she said she was going to make it go away. His focus on the cut dissolved instantly when the clock in her office struck five and he realized he was starving.

"You eat too much, you know that?" Tsunade said frowning down at him.

"I haven't eaten in a whole week and a half!" Gaara said. "I'm gonna look skin and bones if I don't eat."

"Gaara you already look like skin and bones, no matter how much you eat," Tsunade said.

"……That's beside the point," Gaara said, glaring at her. "I'm hungry."

"I'll get you something later," Tsunade said, getting up and turning to put the bandages away. Gaara made several rude gestures behind her back and instantly stopped when she turned around again. Tsunade glanced at the door (Gaara made a face at her) and smiled. "You have a visitor."

(Face disappears) "Really?"

Tsunade went into a corner as a knock sounded at the door. Gaara looked at the door then at Tsunade who was to his surprise suddenly invisible (like, POOF, Hokage power!).

"Come in," Gaara said still looking for his teacher.

"Hey Gaara," Neji said opening the door.

Gaara abandoned finding his teacher, since Neji was there. "Hi!" he said smiling.

Neji smiled at his happiness to see him. He held up a box wrapped up in a cloth. "I brought you a snack."

"Food!" Gaara cried happily, as Neji came in and sat on the bed next to him.

"No, snacks," Neji said placing the box on Gaara's stomach. Neji propped Gaara up on a bunch of pillows so they could sit up together. Neji opened the box for Gaara (ever tried opening something with one hand? It's frustrating) and Gaara looked in.

"Cookies!" Gaara shoved some in his mouth, barely chewing, he was so hungry.

"Hey, you'll choke if you eat to fast!" Neji cried, taking the box away.

"Mm! mn-mn mns mm-mm-hm!" Gaara said through his face full of cookies. "Mnn!" he growled at him.

" 'Mnn!' to you to," Neji said laying against the pillows. He pulled out one cookie and handed it to Gaara, who swallowed then ate that one, slowing down on his consumption since Neji was only handing them to him one at a time. "How do you feel?"

"Better," Gaara said nibbling on some chocolate chips in the cookies. "My stomach feels so much better (T-T)."

"Try these," Neji said holding up one of the other things in the box.

"Whaf ish in?" Gaara asked with the cookie in his mouth.

"It's good," Neji said holding it out.

Gaara took it and looked at it before popping it into his mouth.

(pause)

Shukaku in tears: Wow…..

Gaara: (tears) "What is this?"

"Um…Chocolate covered caramel?" Neji said, blinking at Gaara's expression.

"I like it….a lot." (squeaky voice)

"Um, Gaara, are you ok?" Neji asked staring at him.

"I think I'm having food withdrawal…." Gaara said laying back against the pillow and leaning on Neji's shoulder.

(Inner Neji aka according to SNG Clarence: you should have food withdrawal more often!)

Neji blushed and put his arm around Gaara's shoulders. Gaara continued to munch on the cookies and candy staring at the wall with an absentminded expression.

Against the wall, using her super cool ninja techniques, Tsunade smiled at them. She wished she had a camera to capture the moment, but she knew there would be more moments; since life continues even after a story ends.

Suna's Kekkei Genkai ending theme: .HackSIGN-A Stray Child (Gaara's music box)

If you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
Don't be in doubt and stray
Cling to your lonesome folly

Now you're too close to the pain
Let all the rain go further
Come back and kiss me in vain
Mother oh do not bother

Hear the chorus of pain
Taking you back to proper ways
It's so easy to find
If you could remind me

Now you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
So I will find you again
Kiss you for lonesome folly

H-R now goes into a corner and sobs because she loves this fic and it is over