Kaila stood at the gates of her village. Her heart pounded so hard. She wasn't sure why. This was her home after all. In all honesty it felt as if she had been gone for a lifetime. But there she stood, her hand in Garra's- holding it so tight. As he was going to go through the gate she held them there. His gaze fell upon her. No words. No pressing questions as to why they weren't going inside. He just gave a small smile and waited. Kaila couldn't believe how patient he was being with her. It had been a month since she had been back home. Taking a deep breath - she took a step forward. Crossing that small gap, she was home.
They made their way to her small apartment on the edge of town. A small smile came on her face. She opened the door, reaching for the light. The room was filled with a dim light. Kaila stepped in toward the small sitting area and placed the bags she had been carrying down. She turned to face Gaara as he looked around her small apartment. She could see that he wasn't happy she only had such a small place. She folded her arms around her back and walked over to him, leaning up on her toes and kissing him. " I know it's small. But I really don't need much. Plus I normally wasn't here."
" Why?" Gaara held her close.
Kaila shrugged. " Normally I had missions with other groups or my own. I also loved staying on the roof. I just didn't do it during the winter. Far too cold." She couldn't help but smile at him. After all, their first kiss was under the stars. She loved thinking about that moment. She would always cherish it. Leaning into him she couldn't help wrapping her arms around him. She couldn't help herself from smiling. For once she finally felt happy. She had a life to share with someone. A hard banging came from the door.
" Kaila! Are you home?"
" Naruto, will you stop!"
Kaila laughed as she heard Naruto on the other side. Along with Sakura getting on to him. She gave Garra a quick kiss and hurried over to the door. Opening it she hugged them both. She felt them hugging her back and they just stayed that way. This was her family. She had missed them so much. Pulling back she smiled. " You guys just get back too?"
" Yes. Kiba told us he saw you arrive as they went to go meet Kurenai sensei. Shino and Hinata said hello also. Oh Gaara." Sakura spoke as she was surprised to see him. Naruto was as well. But as they stepped in Naruto clasped Gaara's arm.
" Hey it's good to see you man. What are you doing here?"
" I escorted Kaila to her apartment. But I must see Lady Tsunade. Temari is probably waiting for me to arrive. I'll see you tonight. It was good to see you both as well." Gaara grasped Kaila's hand for a moment and gave a squeeze.
Kaila blushed as she knew her friends were staring at her. She went to her small kitchen and quickly made some tea. She poured them all a cup and brought it to the sitting area and sat with them. " Before I answer your questions I have one." Kaila hesitated. She wanted to know. She needed to know. " Did you find him?"
Naruto sank into his chair. Looking away. His eyes narrowed with sadness. " No. He has really made it difficult to find him. But he is strong and very skilled as we all know, so of course he wouldn't make it easy for us. Or anyone. But we did run into a group that cornered us on the way here. They were specially made blue and gray gear. I never seen any ninja wear it before."
" What did they want? Thankfully you guys are okay."
" It was odd." Sakura spoke." They wanted to know about you."
Kaila felt the blood drain from her face. Was it them? Were they targeting her village? Her family? What was it Itachi had said they wanted from her? A superior being? Her being that last Uchiha shouldn't really even be a big deal but for them it was.
" Kaila? Hey are you okay?" Naruto asked her.
No. She really wasn't. She was starting to become very freaked out. She was being targeted by people who she didn't even know. Her very close friends who were her very dear family were even being targeted. Even if they were not harmed it did not make her feel any less nauseous at the very thought of them being near them. She sipped her tea and continued to think rapidly on the subject before responding to them.
" Kaila. We didn't say anything. We would never say anything to go against you." Naruto said the words with promise. With truth. Trust in each one.
" I know. I wouldn't expect anything less. I trust you guys. But I have no real idea who these guys are. Or what they want." She really didn't. " Well I say for now let's just hangout and have dinner later. ANd not worry about anything else."
Lady Tsunade sat as she listened to what Gaara had to say about the attack in the village. Itachi had made an attack which was really a distraction to just speak with Kaila. He could have done anything yet he did that. Which most likely was to make sure the Akatsuki thought he was targeting Gaara- for the moment. She didn't like any of this. Naruto and Sakura had also reported a group of unknown ninja had questioned them also about Kaila. This was growing into a bigger problem than she expected it to be. She could tell there was something else on the Kazekage's mind. " Was there something else that you wish to discuss?"
" Yes. I have come to ask if you can arrange for a wedding to be held here in the village as soon as possible."
Tsunade was stunned by his request. " A wedding? Well I am sure it can be done. For who is this wedding for?"
" For Kaila and I."
Tsunade sat straight and looked at him dead on. Temerai stood in shock as the words left her brother's lips. " Well this is a surprise. I assume Kaila is overjoyed with the proposal?"
" I have yet to ask her. I plan to ask tonight. But I want her family and friends to be with her. My brother is watching the Hidden Sand in my place till we return. If Kaila wishes to stay here I will not stop her. But I want her with me always."
Tsunade sank back and smiled. So this was to be a surprise if she said yes. Well how could she say no to that? They deserved something joyous. Tsunade felt Kaial deserved to be happy. And if they had found it with each other- she wasn't going to stop them. " I will see what I can do for you. Just tell me as soon as you can that she has said yes."
Gaara smiled and bowed in respect as he took his leave. Temerai at his side. Now he was off to find his future wife.
Kaila stood with Sakura cutting vegetables. Hinata and Ino even came over for dinner. They were setting the table as everyone seemed to come and join them. Kaila didn't mind. They all grew up together and even watched over for one another as they grew older and saw how everyone changed. Everyone was laughing and helping to get everything together. Well Choji was eating all the snacks they had all brought and even laid out. Ino threw a pillow at him to make him stop.
" Hey! Come on, Ino." Choji said as he sat up from the spot he had fallen.
" Stop eating everything! Kaila and everyone has gone through alot of trouble for the food. Try to be considerate of everyone else." Ino said as she crossed her arms at him.
Everyone laughed. The door then opened as Gaara and Temari came inside. Everyone stopped and looked as they entered. Temari stopped near Shikamaru as Gaara made his way to Kaila.
" There you are. How did your meeting go?" Kailal asked as she greeted him.
" Went very well. I didn't mean to stop everyone from having fun."
Kaila laughed. " You didn't. They are just surprised is all. But you both are just in time. The food will be ready in just a few minutes. Naruto of course will be here in a minute or so. He had to go get his roman. I think Hinata went with him too. Oh there they are. "
" Sorry. I had to get a few different ones. But Hinata and I got the cakes too." Naruto said as he held the door open for Hinata. Who was holding two very large boxes.
" Here allow me." Gaara took one of the cakes away from her.
" Oh. Thank you, Lord Kazekage." Hinata spoke shyly.
" Please. No reason to be so formal here. Really. Naruto, may I have a moment." Gaara smiled as everyone seemed to calm down a bit and began to enjoy themselves again.
Kaila watched as Naruto and Gaara walked off and spoke. She helped everyone with the food and big pot of stew they made. Looking up, Kaila saw Temari standing alone. Going to her she reached out for her. She pulled her to sit next to her and oddly enough Shikamaru. Kaila handed Temari a bowl of the stew and a few pieces of cake that Hinata had been nice enough to cut. " Eat all you want. Trust me, Choji doesn't have all my food."
Temaru couldn't help but laugh. " Thank you. You have been so kind. And you have brought my brother so much joy."
Kaila felt herself blush. She had expected that compliment. All she could do was smile and nod. She then felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up she saw Gaara. His face was very serious. " Are you okay?"
" Yes." He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. " Kaila. I have something I need to ask you. And with everyone you consider family being here I couldn't think of a better time to ask this." Gaara took a deep breath. " Will you give me the honor of being with you for the rest of my life?"
Kaila felt her heart stop. Was he asking her what she thought he was? Was he asking her to be his wife? The wife of the Kazekage? He wants to spend the rest of his life with me? She could tell everyone was in shock from his question and awaiting her answer. She took a slow deep breath. She gripped his hand so tight, then let go and brought her hands to the side of his face and kissed him. " Yes. Yes!" Kaila hugged him so tight.
Gaara held her to him as everyone cheered in excitement for them and congradulations! He couldn't believe she had said yes. If it was all a dream he was determined not to wake up. She was his. Forever.
Sakura watched as Gaara held Kaila close. Everyone talking and teasing. She elbowed Naruto to get his attention. She waited for him to turn his head to her before speaking. " What did Gaara pull you away for before he asked her his question?"
" Oh." Naruto laughed, " He asked for my blessing. As her friend he wanted someone she loved to be asked the proper way. To be honest I am glad he did. I wanted Kaila to be happy. I mean we have known for a long time that she was in love with him."
" Yes, we did." Sakura smiled as she sipped her tea. She couldn't help but be a small bit envious. Kaila had found love. Real love. Sakura couldn't help but want that for herself- with the one person her heart wouldn't allow her to give up. But for now she would be happy for her friend- who deserved it just as much as she did.