(2021/07/03) Author's Note:

Hi everyone,

As I was editing Sand and Snow (the work that precedes this one), I felt I should write more about my OC and their life after the ending of the fic. Before I get working more on Red Iron (the *true* sequel - and before the POV changes), I want to write this second part to the series so it can have three parts - and also to include more fluff between my OC, Gaara, and their new family. The majority of this fic will be slice of life/fluff w/the odd smut scene here and there, but there will also be action + fight scenes and an underlying plot that will be resolved at the end (and will ultimately be the segway to Red Iron).Not sure how often I will update the fic, but only time will tell I guess.

I hope you enjoy! xx

The Wolf and the Tanuki

Part II

Desert Flowers

Chapter 1
The Beach House

The winds from the rising sea swept her by.

Standing close to the shoreline, Nomasaki breathed in the brisk salt and felt at ease. The sun was beating down at her, the heat of summer's end warming her head of gold and its winds fluttering past her yukata of embroidered blue and white fabric. Longing to stay a few moments longer, she knew that their time was spent and that they would have to return to Sunagakure by nightfall. Their honeymoon was a week of pure bliss, love, and peace. Not a soul dared to bother them. Only the sea that stood before their cottage dared to make any noise from the waves that crashed upon the sands with each rising wind. The ocean was unlike anything she saw before. It was a vast pool of endless water, with depths still unknown to man.

As she saw the sunlight ripple against the shining waters, she remembered their first night at the beach house. It was midnight. Dressed in only the thin silk robe of red from her wedding kimono, she descended down the finely crafted steps to the beach that stretched as far as her eyes could see. Then, she saw him in the distance. The robe fell off her shoulders with ease, pooling upon the sand behind her while she walked out to meet him under the stars. She joined Gaara in the water, cloaked only by the moonlight that shone above in the dark night skies. Her skin prickled as she was reminded of how the cool water made her shiver, his embrace keeping her warm as they fell into each other. She could not remember how they left the waters, but they soon crashed into another upon the feather bed surrounded by snow lilies, waking the next morning with her head on his chest while he ran his fingers through her hair. They spent near every moment together, entwined into each other's caress and lost amongst a sea of blankets and an ocean at their door.

The crash of the waves broke her recollection, bringing her back to reality.

An entourage from Suna arrived at the cottage early that morning, taking Gaara's devoted time away from his wife and prompting him to prepare for the long journey home. Seven days was not near long enough for their honeymoon, but knowing he was the Kazekage she had accepted. A Kage was a leader first, and a partner second. Before their wedding, she heard elders say that a Kage had two wives – the first wife being duty, and their real wife being the second. Nomasaki accepted that, too. Gaara was already a man married to the duty of being Kazekage – and she was now his second wife, his human wife. And the wife of a Kage was to be dignified, respectful, and fully devoted to their husband. She knew all of that, and she persisted he do the same – to which he wholeheartedly agreed. She was a woman born of the mountains to the north, the heiress to the Yamamori clan – and a wolf by blood.

And she was a wolf first – and a Kage's wife second.

Sensing his chakra draw near, she kept her gaze upon the blue waters. Standing beside her, Gaara saw the calm within her violet eyes and followed where her gaze went. He stayed silent, knowing full well she did not want to leave.

"It's funny." Nomasaki began. "I grew up knowing only the snow of the mountains and the sand of the desert, but never have I known the salt of the sea. It's a nice change of scenery, if only for a little while." She breathed in the salt, closing her eyes. "I wish we could stay here a bit longer… We need more time like this."

Gaara agreed, nodding once. "I know, but it can't be helped. The village needs me back, and sooner rather than later." The wind swayed his red hair as he turned to her, a light smile on his lips. "We can come here again. I can take time off from my duties every once in a while, like a vacation of sorts."

While the wind swept past her golden strands, she lovingly placed her hand over her abdomen. Glancing down to her tiny bump, she near felt tears rising to her glistening eyes as she found herself smiling. "…and next time, we'll be a family."

Seeing her near shed tears, he gingerly placed his hand over hers. Meeting her shining purple eyes, he gave a warm smile. "I know." His gaze drifted to where his hand lay, feeling her soft hand under his. Reminded of what lay underneath, he shared her feelings. Although he knew for days, the notion still shocked him that it was even possible. "I'm still coming to terms with… picturing it. I never thought of myself ever becoming a father."

"I wasn't sure if I would survive this long to become a mother, and yet… it happened." She said, her tears of joy breaking her soft voice. Looking down where their hands touched, she smiled. "I'm so excited to meet them, whoever they may be… but to be honest, I'm scared. This will be a new challenge for us, to be parents."

He placed a hand upon her cheek, wiping the scarce tears that fell from her eyes with his fingers. "We'll be fine, don't worry."

"Kazekage-sama, Nomasaki-sama," A guardsman called, interrupting their moment. "The chariot is ready for your departure!"

Gaara moved away from her, meeting the guard's bow. "Thank you. We'll be right there." As he began on his way, he paused upon the sands as he realized his wife was not following. When he looked back, she was still standing before the waves, her gold hair swaying in the salt winds. "Nomasaki?"

"I'll only be a moment." She assured, her gaze locked towards the sea. "I… just want to see it one last time before we go."

Sensing the sorrow entering her soft voice, Gaara understood. Taking his leave, he left her alone to silently mourn her comrade who had always wanted to see the ocean. Standing still, Nomasaki took in the endless waters one last time as the memory of Shinto crossed her mind. She fulfilled her end of the promise – she came to the ocean, the 'end of the world'. But Shinto could never see it with his own eyes, for the dead saw nothing but the darkness of void. She wondered if his desert gods were with him, if there was an afterlife for those who believed in the gods that created the cradle of sands. But all that roamed their mortal world were monsters and man – and the gods were absent.

Can you see it, Shinto? I've made it to the ocean. It touches the sky, just as you said. A large wave crashed against the shoreline, the winds growing with the rising high tide of the morning. She took it as a sign. Turning away, she looked back one final time. Tears glistened in her violet eyes, her heart swelling with the pain of loss and the joy of life. Sleep well, my friend… until we meet again.

And she left the sea behind her.

The chariot was carved from fine wood and adorned in red and gold. Harnessed to the front were two horses, both of them stocky, hardy, and of short dark manes and sable coats. Sensing Nomasaki approach, the two horses panicked upon her scent. The animals reared their necks while the wolf drew closer, snorting and neighing loudly as if ready to bolt from their harnesses to flee. Nomasaki never did like horses. They were large, loud, and unpredictable creatures. If dogs were a wolf's rival, then horses were a wolf's annoyance. It also did not help that their smell was especially potent. Covering her nose with her sleeve, she entered the chariot and sat across from her husband on the cushioned seating. After one of the guards closed the door, the shades were drawn and a command was made – and then the chariot started to move.

The first twenty minutes were bearable, but after an hour Nomasaki felt her stomach churning as she thought about the motion of the carriage and the stink of horse meat. Gaara seemed to be lost in thought – or in at least a near grasp with sleep, judging by the way his glance was directed to his lap. She could not see his eyes through his unruly red hair, leaving her to think it was best to let him rest. Although their time together was well spent, Gaara had only managed twice to sleep for a full night. By the second hour, the silence of the carriage waned as the whinnies of the horses drew her annoyed attention. Feeling Gaara's tired gaze lift towards her, she sunk into her seat and tried her best to ignore the unease she felt in her stomach.

"I've never liked horses…" She grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why can't I just be able to use my Kekkei Genkai like normal and just avoid riding in a carriage entirely? Not being able to use my Ōkamitoko is surely a death-sentence!" A smirk in self-pity painted her lips. "I feel as if my own body is betraying me…"

Her remark humoured him, making him show a light smile. "It's not for long." He assured. "The journey from here to Suna is only a few more hours. You can make it."

She sighed, placing a gentle palm over her yukata's obi. "I know my chakra is disturbed from… this, but still… it's inconvenient. I should count myself lucky that my senses aren't completely blind." A thought suddenly jolted her, her eyes growing shocked and sad. "If I can't transform… then how can I hunt? How am I going to eat fresh camel? My jaws won't be sinking into anything for another seven months!"

The wagon struck a bump, the insides swaying and dragging against the sand beneath the wheels. It was enough to ruin her careful focus. Covering her mouth, she managed to swallow back any urge to retch. Still, she heaved from the sickening motion. The knots in her stomach swirled, and a strong hunger pang soon rumbled with it. For some strange reason, she had an urge to try horsemeat. The thought of camel soon entered her mind, making her mouth water. Embarrassed, she averted her glance as she felt Gaara's concerned eyes watching her carefully.

"If what Meiyumi said is anything to go by, it's going to get worse before it gets better…" She lamented. "Already at near two months I can feel myself growing hungry just thinking of making the hunt… and I don't even like camel that much to begin with…"

Gaara's hand flinched upon his knee. "Did… Meiyumi tell anyone that you're…?"

Sensing his nervousness, she turned back to him. "No, she's sworn to secrecy." She gave a soft smile. "As a medic-nin, she can't break patient confidentially – even if that patient is her wolfish friend and the father of her friend's to-be-born-child is the Kazekage. Not even Kankurō knows, so we can trust her to keep our secret… at least for a little while." Realizing what lay ahead, she grew anxious of what awaited them in Suna. "That reminds me… We… have to tell my dad, and your siblings… -,"

"That can wait." Gaara reached out and touched her hand, his comforting hold easing her. "First thing we have to do is go home, and for you to get that camel and some rest."

Nomasaki chuckled. "Bless you, Gaara. You know me too well." Reminding herself of telling the news, a thought struck her with worry and shame. Looking down, her violet eyes saddened. "And what of the council? They… wanted the heir, but will they be upset? I mean… I carry a Kekkei Genkai and so do you… How will that work?"

"I'll handle that, don't trouble yourself over it." He met her worried eyes, his gaze deep and protective while his hand still held hers. "It's true what they wanted, but they're still old-fashioned – even with the changes the village has endured in recent times. If they give us grief, I'll silence them."

"Not if I can silence them first." She smiled, a hint of wolfishness on her lips. Her teeth appeared fanged as she grinned, her blood stirring beneath her blue robes. "It's been a while since I gave someone a good scare… perhaps one of the elders will be next."

For the first time in weeks, Gaara saw the glimmer of a beast behind her soft violet eyes. Holding her hand in his, he looked down in his thoughts. Already, he found himself picturing her standing over them in the shape of a wolf with piercing purple eyes and white fangs that glistened in the dark. A beast, if anything. Seeing her frighten the council would certainly be an entertaining sight, and he would not put it past her to act on it if they dared to provoke her. She may have been his wife, but the wolf's blood she carried in her veins was proud and strong – and gave her a will as stiff and unmoving as the mountain where she was born. Amused, he smiled warmly at the notion.

A loud thunder sounded as the chariot came to a sudden halt.

Surprising them both, they heard a faint shouting outside followed by the panicked whinnies of the horses. Perplexed by the situation, Gaara released her hand and started for the door. Of all times for this to happen. Hearing the fabric of her yukata rustle, he looked back and eased her back to her seat. "Wait here,"

Reluctantly, Nomasaki listened – but her senses chilled her with caution.

Stepping out into the orange lands, Gaara saw one of the guards tending to the horses while the other was nowhere to be seen. Surrounded by pure desert, their village was nowhere in sight and the ocean that they left behind had all but disappeared. The horizon swallowed all in dusk. Scanning the area, he placed his hand over the top of his gourd and narrowed his glance into the distance. "Why did we stop?"

"Kazekage-sama!" A guard shouted. "Look, over here!"

Jolting him, he vanished within a burst of sands and wind. Appearing beside the guard in the distance, Gaara's eyes widened at the sight before him. Blood. Red painted the desert sands along with the remnants of merchant carts, kunai, and black scorch marks from fire. An entire merchant caravan lay dead, its followers spread across the dunes with their throats cut and entrails exposed. On high, buzzards soon began circling as the fresh scent of death reached them in the orange skies.

Disturbed by the sight, the guard knelt onto the sands the pierced their katana in front of them. Grasping the hilt of the blade, they exhaled. "How foul… Who could've just killed an entire caravan like this?" They glanced up to the Kazekage, their eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Kazekage-sama, do you think… could this be the work of Shukaku? The one-tail is freed, after all."

Upon glancing back to the bodies, Gaara shook his head. "No, Shukaku wouldn't bother to go after traveling merchants. Tanuki don't care to meddle in the affairs of humans… especially humans that don't pose a threat." As he examined the bloody scene, his mind raced for answers. "Bandits, or missing-nin most likely." Hearing the sound of footsteps against the sands, he turned and saw Nomasaki running to meet them. Concern soon marked his expression, twisting with dismay and caution. "Nomasaki, I told you to stay inside the chariot -,"

"I could sense the dead. With my senses heightened it was too hard to ignore." She glanced to the guard, her eyes being careful to avoid the death around her. "Guard, tell me this – did you see anything? Any raiders or bandits who could've done this?"

The stood, removing their katana from the sands and returning it to their scabbard. "No, my lady. Nothing. Our horses could sense something, however. But perhaps it was the buzzards that startled them."

Unconvinced, she looked to the silent dead for clues. Being accustomed to death was a shinobi's way of life, but as used to it as she was, the sight of blood and gore did nothing for a shinobi who was expecting. Quelling her churning stomach, she focused on ignoring the strong scent of decay and flesh. They've only been dead no more than a day… someone knew we were coming. No doubt they wanted to send a message. "No. Your horses sensed something… but it was no buzzard."

"Nomasaki," Gaara called. "Can you sense anything nearby?"

Stepping closer to the winds, she formed a hand-sign with her palms and entered her focus. Closing her eyes, she took a calming breath and let the chakra come to her. Even in her state, her wolf's blood writhed with the want to release. She could feel Gaara's strong and protective chakra engulf her, and the two guards nearby had small flickers of strength in comparison. But as she searched further, nothing else came.

"No," Opening her eyes, she shook her head. "Nothing." Surprising her, she suddenly sensed a dimming chakra enter her periphery. Turning towards it, she saw a merchant gasping for breath. "Wait! One of them is still alive!"

Rushing to their side, she saw the merchant was an elderly man. White of hair and bearded, the old man appeared to be near seventy. And the gash across his chest leaked his life's blood. Frailly, he covered the wound with his wrinkled and worn shaking hand. Seeing him entering the end of his life, Nomasaki watched with sorrow. Her heart compelling her, she knelt down and ripped a piece of her white sleeve to use on his injury. Pressing the silk fabric onto his bleeding wound, she felt him breathe easier – if only for a little white.

"Don't move." She said. "You're gravely injured."

"Bless you, young woman…" The old man coughed, weakly. "But I'm afraid I'm… done for…"

Gaara knelt before him, his ringed eyes stern. "Did you see who attacked you?"

The man closed his eyes, breathing his words through bloodied lips. "It was… a hoard of raiders… dressed in… black armour… with… beasts on their breastplates…" His wound pulsed under the silk, and tears rose into his throat as he remembered the faces of his slaughtered brethren. "They killed us all, even though we weren't shinobi… We were spice-traders! We posed no threat… yet they still… Ungh -!"

Nomasaki froze.

It felt as if the faded scar on her forearm suddenly came to life in her memories. Her tongue reminded her she was free to speak, but the remembrance of the hexagram that was burned on to it made her shudder. And then visions of fire, blood, and oily black stone flashed before her widened violet eyes.

"Black armour with beasts…?" She repeated, swallowing her fear. She turned to Gaara, panic clear on her expression. "Gaara, it's not Tenbu – is it? We defeated them. We killed Kenzō and Koga, with the others imprisoned by Ishigakure -,"

Gaara averted his eyes, mulling over the possibility. "That may be, but there still may be remnants that wish to finish their work." He sighed, closing his eyes. "If this is the case, then we must prepare to eradicate all that remains of them. We can't take the chance."

He's right, she thought. As much as the news disturbed her, there was a faint possibility that those loyal to Tenbu may still be lurking amongst the shadows. Even with their leaders dead and decayed, those who swore featly will not back down easily or buckle their knees to the authority of the Kazekage – the man whose clan they swore to destroy. Worry shrouded her thoughts, worry for herself, Gaara, the village – and the child to whom she would one day give birth. Saddened, she gingerly placed a palm over her abdomen as if in comfort. If there were enemies lurking within the darkness targeting the Kazekage and his family, no doubt their child would be guided by fate to endure a life surrounded by guards and village walls. If the curse of the clan was anything to go by, their child would be in danger from the moment it took its first breath.

"Guards," Gaara commanded, drawing their glances. "See to it this man gets medical attention – his life is in danger."

"No…" The old man coughed, crimson painting his white beard. "I'm… dying… I can feel it…" Seeing the tanuki-eyed man turn back, the elder gave a teary pleading glance. "Please… give me the gift of mercy… so I can… be reunited with my family… in the Pure Lands…"

Standing, Gaara nodded in silence.

After Nomasaki stood and stepped behind him, he raised his outstretched palm to where the old man lay in a pool of red sands. "As you wish."

With a frail smile on his aged and cracked lips of red iron, the man closed his eyes and prepared for his slumber. Sands soon swam over his body, coating him in his embrace and warmth as he sank further and further below the surface. It was not until the desert swallowed him that the man had taken his final breath.

And then the sands stilled.

Gaara gazed towards the man's resting place in somber suspicion, his arm withdrawing while the sands once more grew silent. May you find peace – or whatever gods you worshipped.

"What do we do?" Nomasaki pressed, her eyes worried. "Should we search for them?"

Her voice drew him back. "Not now, not in your condition. We'll arrange a pursuit squad in Suna, they can take care of the rest from there."

"I'll write to my father." She said. "The Kumatsume were prisoners to Tenbu once, perhaps they know of those who choose to linger." Reminding herself of the hardships, her purple eyes saddened. Glancing down to the bump hidden by her obi, she held her hand over it and soon she felt the guilt rising into her throat. "So… this is how our life will go, isn't it? Our child… When they are born, they'll be forced to deal with shadows chasing them – all for the blood that lays within their veins… just as we did."

It was true.

Not even days before their own wedding, an assassin had appeared in the village. Upon defeat and capture, the assailant refused to divulge anything – other than the fact that they wanted Nomasaki dead. The Kazekage's bride – as they confessed to the Suna ANBU. Knowing there was a union, assassins have mobilized in their ratways at the news of the marriage between the Kazekage and the she-wolf.

And now the she-wolf was carrying his child.

Shame entered his thoughts, and the promise to never cause her any pain had already been shattered. Pain would follow them in their shared life – as would the assassins and remnants of the resistance. The only escape was death. Averting his eyes from hers, Gaara pushed the troubling thoughts to the back of his mind.

"It's a fate that can't be avoided." He sighed. "Whether you be a Kage or from a clan – no matter how respected or liked you or your people are, there will always be those who want to take your life because of the blood you carry. I've known that since I was a child because of my clan and from being a jinchuriki… and you as well from being of the Yamamori. It's just terrible luck that our clans will soon share a bloodline."

His words saddened her of the reality, but managed to humour her in a way. A light smile formed on her lips as she gazed down at her hand. "Your desert gods must have wanted to torment you… to bring the two of us together. You of the Kazekage clan and mine of the Yamamori… They've woven that red thread to us and there's no way for us to sever it." Her heart warmed as she felt the tiny bump under her palm. "And when we have this child… we'll be joined by blood."

Looking down, his red hair covered his saddened eyes. "I'm sorry, Nomasaki."

"I understood the consequences when I married you. I'm not going anywhere, believe me."

Rising his glance to meet hers, he saw the dimming orange sun reflected in her purple eyes. The colour appeared darkened, near as deep as the purest nightshade. With her gold hair and haunting violet eyes, she looked as if she were glowing. A gentle smile formed on her lips as she saw his face, warmed and loved.

"I promised you my life, remember?"

Humbled, he closed his eyes with a breath and smiled back. "How can I forget?"

"Kazekage-sama, my lady," A guard approached. "Dusk is upon us. We best travel before nightfall, or else the horses will grow weary."

"Right." Gaara agreed, turning on his heel. "Send a hawk to the council and tell them what's happened here. I must convene with them at dawn to discuss this incident."

The guard nodded. "Yes, sir!"

As she returned to the carriage, Nomasaki sensed a stir upon the winds. Pausing, she looked back to the orange horizon. A chakra was far off in the distance – and an ominous one at that. Trying her hardest to decode the presence, her senses soon turned foggy and the chakra faded from her mind. Hearing the horses wicker and wail in their harnesses, it was clear to her that whatever attacked the merchants was not far away.

Something was out there.

"What's wrong?" Gaara asked, noticing her quiet. "Do you sense something?"

Bringing her back to reality, she met his glance and shook her head. "My senses tuned out before I had the chance to see for myself." Looking back to the distance, her eyes narrowed. "Whatever it is… it's not far off."

Following her glance, he touched her shoulder. "Get inside. We have to carry on."

"I know. It's just… -," Her words trailed. "…unnerving."

I know, he wanted to say.

Watching her enter the carriage, his glance soon lingered back to the horizon. As the skies grew darker each passing second, he wondered how long it would be until Tenbu would rear their treasonous heads once more against the village.

And nightfall soon approached.