Author's note:

Hey everyone!

I will most likely be posting maybe one chapter per month as my schedule is getting busy again with life-things and other stuff. My break from posting was a good one, and I'm feeling much better. I was in an accident, but I'm okay now! I've also been working on other projects so this story might take a bit longer to finish before I can start posting chapters for Red Iron (and this OC/Gaara series can finally be complete). This chapter is the first one for the alternating POVs I'm aiming to get used to writing - written as POV-third person (might try to plant unreliable narrators hehe), so I hope you like the transition.

As always, thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy the latest chapter!

Chapter 4
Gaara I

The chambers were dark with shadow and a strange cold.

With ANBU at his sides for silent guard, the Kazekage marched deeper down the winding stairwells and past walls adorned in aged sealing tags. Anger fuelled his steps, but his face was a stark glare of dignified calm. No matter how much rage writhed inside, a leader had to be decisive – and that was absolute. Upon reaching a barred iron door, the guard saw Gaara's approach and promptly seen him through. Baki was waiting for him, standing before a cell with his arms crossed behind his back. With a wordless glance, the aged commander saw him approach then turned back to the prisoner. Sensing a pair of eyes staring daggers at him through the thick shroud of shadows, Gaara turned and saw the man in question. Wrapped in sealing tags and bound with rope, the assassin was stripped of his black armour to reveal tattered garbs and his mouth was covered by a seal marked in blood. Even with the iron bars between them, Gaara could sense the man's revolting hatred and bloodlust just through his gaze.

Containing his anger, Gaara glared back. "Is this him?"

"Yes, Kazekage-sama." Baki nodded, disgruntled. "As you can see, the Sealing Corps had to bind him. He put up quite the struggle when captured… and even tried to blow himself up, if not for that seal on his mouth. That's where we found the paper-bomb."

Typical. "Let me see him."

Baki turned, furrowing his brow. "Exercise caution. You know what Tenbu are capable of… -,"

"I'm well aware." Gaara retorted, his tired mind losing patience. His words might as well have been a blade, their sharpness cutting through the dry air of the chambers. "I understand your concern, Baki – but as Kazekage I must settle this directly. We all know how Tenbu reacted when they were ignored… and I don't plan on making that same mistake twice."

Heeding his words, Baki gave a glance from his clothed shroud. "As you command." He nodded. Turning his attention to the guards, he gestured to the barred prison door. "Allow the Kazekage to interrogate our prisoner. Now."

Swiftly, the guards mobilized and readied the point of entry. Forming a hand-sign, the seal upon the lock was undone and the guard moved aside to allow Gaara to walk past. Baki followed close behind him, and the guard sealed the door behind them with a loud iron-fueled clangor. Taking a seat on a worn wooden chair, Gaara sat before the captive foe with Baki at his right-hand. Silent, the rag-clad man glared bitterly at the Kazekage.

"Release the seal on his mouth," Gaara commanded the guard. "I need to hear him speak."

With a nod, the guard stepped forward and undid the sealing tag. Gasping for breath through his gnashed teeth, the prisoner licked his dry lips and averted his glare to the dust-ridden floor of sandstone and clay. Silence appeared to be his strong-suit, it would seem.

"It's been a while since I've seen your kind…" Gaara began, crossing his arms over his chest. His glare hardened. "Tell me – what business do you have trying to poison my wife?"

The man coughed a laugh. "A business in dealing death… shouldn't that be obvious?"

"Why her?" Gaara pressed, anger rising in his tone. "Is it because of her clan? Or because of her marriage to me? Speak wisely… and speak now."

"What difference does it make? We want her dead." The man met his eyes, meeting the glare with a spiteful grin on his lips. "Especially if that bitch gives birth to pups… another mutt born into this world is our greatest threat as shinobi -,"

A wave of sand struck him, sending him against the floor.

Spitting out blood, the man let out a pained chuckle and slowly positioned himself against the wall. Even from a distance, he could see the rage within Gaara's ringed-eyes and the tightened grip upon his arm. If not for his level-head, Gaara would have killed him.

"Angry, are we?"

"Why did you try to kill Nomasaki?"

"…our work is incomplete." The prisoner confessed, his tone dark and lips curved into a grin. "Koga-sama and Kenzō-sama wanted to destroy this shithole of a village… but they couldn't realize the true cause of Tenbu. To fulfill that, your bitch of a wife must die – and you, too… because you simply stand in our way."

"True cause?" Gaara questioned, his glare narrowing. "Tell me… what is this true cause?"

The prisoner spat blood. "To hell with telling the likes of you!"

Before he could utter another word, sand suddenly swept around him and bound him to his very breath. Constricting his movements, the prisoner was forced to meet Gaara's eyes as he watched him stand and approach closer. Once within the Kazekage's shadow, the foe went blank in a sudden rising fear.

"What are you after?" Gaara demanded, rage seething from his glare. "Tenbu was defeated and somehow rats like you escaped into the sands… terrorizing my lands, my people - my family. Your power is nothing, both of your leaders are dead. What could you possibly be after? Is it your own people, the Kumatsume?"

Unmoving, the fear subsided from the prisoner and smugness soon painted his expression. "They're not my people… and to hell with them, too!"

The sand tightened.

"Tell me, now – or you'll be spending the rest of your worthless life behind bars… if I'm feeling merciful." Gaara threatened. "For the last time… What are you after?"

Peering deep into the Kazekage's glare, the man smirked in the face of death. "I'll tell you… when I rise from the ashes!"

With a loud crunch of flesh, the prisoner bit off his own tongue. Swallowing, he uttered words but made no noise. Crimson pooled from his curved lips, spilling down his ragged robes and dripping onto the cold floor below. An eery hiss soon sounded, alerting everyone in the room.

"Quick! Stop him!" Baki ordered the guards. "Restrain the prisoner, quickly!"

"The sealing tags!" A guard realized. "We're too late!"

As he saw the look in the prisoner's eyes, Gaara noticed what was happening. Moving between them and the dying man, he sent his sands to shield them from the impending blast. Swallowing the man covered in blood, it formed into a cocoon as if from hardened steel.

"Take cover!" Gaara shouted, forming a wall of sand. "Get down!"

As they shielded their heads and ducked, the blast erupted into a fiery plume of sand and blackened blood. Slowly, the wall of sand retreated and the sight of a crater was where the ragged man once sat. Standing, Gaara looked at what lay before him in held anger. It seemed as if the past came back to haunt him – even after all was said and done.

"The bastard killed himself…" Baki grunted, examining the sight. "He would have rather died than give us the intel… Admirable from a shinobi's perspective, but frustrating nonetheless. These bastards refuse to give up."

Gaara could not help but agree.

Following his former sensei's glance to the crater of sand and death, he felt as if his blood could come to a boil. Memories of snowy Yamagakure soon came to mind, remembering the day the black-armoured men invaded the tundra and engaged him and Nomasaki in combat. Fire and blood marked the invader's defeat, but in turn it sparked a never-ending conflict. It's the same mantra… no doubt they're persistent in whatever it is they're chasing. And they refused to divulge until the very end.

Turning on his heel, he started back to the chambers. "Send a hawk to Konoha."

"Sir?" A guard turned, concerned.

"Tell them what's happened and to watch the roads." Gaara commanded, firmly. "We need to end this before it has a chance to spread to other lands."

"Yes, sir!"

The night gave him no rest.

Insomnia ate away at Gaara's thoughts while he tossed and turned trying to sleep, his wife deep in slumber beside him amongst the blankets. By the time he returned home, Nomasaki was already fast asleep. After all, it was well past midnight – and sleep was never too far from her once the skies were dark with nighttime, and the child growing inside her made her unbearably tired. That whole night he spent awake as he lay beside her, holding her close as if to protect her from some unseen threat from the shadows. He heard her murmur something softly, a sweet sound he welcomed after hours of laying in torment.

"No… Gaara, it's okay… I didn't eat all the lemon-cakes… There's some left…"

She must be dreaming, he thought, At least she's able to sleep. Careful not to wake her, he kissed her golden head and ran his fingers through the stray strands that fell along his pillow. But sleep still refused to meet him.

When the sun slowly started to encroach over the desert horizon hours later, he rose from bed quietly, dressed himself, and took his leave. After stationing ANBU to guard the residence while he was away, Gaara secluded himself in his office to ruminate of the events that occurred. Shortly that morning, Kankurō found him. Understanding his plight, the puppeteer let out a sigh as he rested his back against the couch.

"So… he took his own life rather than rat out his comrades, eh?"

Gaara nodded, his tired gaze locked towards his folded hands that rested upon the desk. "As usual with these ones, yes."

Kankurō scoffed to himself. "The bastard… Well, at least he's dead." Turning back, he gave a look mired in suspicion. "Anyways… What do you make of that scroll from the Hoki woman?"

Gaara nearly forgot.

Just hours before the assassination attempt, a black hawk arrived at the Suna Aviary bearing the insignia of the honourable Hoki Family. It had been months since the last scroll found them when the heiress wrote to give her well-wishes to him and Nomasaki on their wedding. When he read the scroll that arrived only hours ago, and its contents left him with conflict if he should see them through.

"To the Kazekage,

I hope you are doing well and are enjoying your marriage.

My people have since returned to the Land of Wind with the help of Konohagakure and rebuilt our clan's settlement. That being said, I've heard of troubling tales of spice traders perishing in the desert. It also appears that you may know of these troubling tales as well. I would like to speak with you about this – from one clan-head to another.

I also have some urgent news on a different matter to bring to your attention, if you would hear me out. I cannot delay in informing you, so I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

May the desert gods watch over you,

Hakuto"

Gaara sighed. "It's strange enough."

"Do you honestly think she might have any intel on these remnants of Tenbu?" His brother pressed, his dark eyes narrowing. "It could be a ploy. Remember, she was supposed to marry you – not Nomasaki. She could be harbouring some grudge against you for missing out on that political power-grab."

Kankurō does have a point. "Possibly. Her own father hired them to kill me because of my rejection of the arrangement." Gaara agreed. "But to my knowledge, she carries no ill-will towards me or Nomasaki. She has a lover, anyways. And it was her father that wanted the marriage in the first place… not her."

Suspicion and concern miring his eyes, Kankurō pressed. "Can you trust her?"

Could he trust her?

That was a question that was yet to be tested. Despite the circumstances that brought them into contact, it proved to work against Tenbu and their plotting thanks to Hakuto's prompt messages by hawk and their convening at the oasis. A marriage did not occur – but a veil of trust supported by common enemies seemed to have been born out of it. But now that Tenbu once again threatened the desert lands, the heiress might not feel compelled to deal with the rising bloodshed due to a lack in military strength. The last he heard, the Hoki Family settlement was powerful in gold but lacking in shinobi. They had near one hundred strong able-fighters, and that was not near enough to survive. Even Yamagakure to the far north had them beat with their numbers of five hundred, thanks to the Yamamori and Kumatsume clans. The Hoki were all that they had. Perhaps I can lend some power to them… if they require it. Maybe that's what she's requesting as part of a bargaining trick.

Gaara looked to him, his expression stoic and firm. "I trusted her before. I might as well trust in her again." Turning back to his folded hands, a suspicion-led curiosity took over his thoughts. "However… I don't know what else she wishes to discuss."

"Only one way to find out." Kankurō stood from the couch, turning towards the door. Looking back, he gave a subtle smirk. "I'll gather my puppets and meet you at the gates in an hour."

Assured, Gaara nodded. And I have an hour to convince my wife this is necessary.

There was no telling how Nomasaki would take the news when it came time to inform her he was journeying to visit the woman he nearly married instead – if the elders and their tenet won, had not Gaara spoken out against it. Assuring himself, he knew that Nomasaki was not the kind to get jealous – but something told him she would no doubt be put at unease from the notion.

Leaving his office shortly after his brother, he ventured to their home to find her sitting at the kitchen table alone with a set of parchment and an ink brush. Turning to see him enter from the porch, her face lit up instantly as she met his glance. "I was wondering where you went off to," She smiled. "Were you at your office this morning?"

"Yeah," He answered, standing beside her seat at the table. Catching his eye, he noticed she was writing a letter. "To your father?"

She nodded, focusing back on writing. "He's due to arrive soon for your meeting to discuss the alliance and peace treaty, but I figured I'd tell him the news, so he knows what to expect when he… sees me. You know?" The brush paused in her fingers. Under her shroud of golden strands, he saw her giving a teary-eyed smile. "I mean, he's going to be a grandfather… so he should know about this."

She was right.

Out of their parents, Kyō was the only one surviving. For all Gaara knew, Rasa may have lived long enough to see this day, had he not been double-crossed by the snake Orochimaru. His mother Karura as well, if Shukaku were not sealed inside of him before his birth. Growing up, neither Gaara nor Nomasaki knew what it felt like to have grandparents for a shinobi's life was as brief as a candle to the winds – and shinobi were lucky to see past age thirty. For their child, things would be different – and Kyō would be around to watch over them, and they would have an aunt and uncle in Temari and Kankurō. For once, it seemed, they had hope of being a unified family – the family they both desired growing up in their separate lives of loneliness and heartache.

"I couldn't agree more." Gaara said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "When is he coming to Suna?"

"In two days, I think." She sighed, writing more. "Is that alright with you? The council shouldn't mind since this matter concerns them and all."

His hand flinched at her shoulder.

"What is it?" She asked, looking up at him with curious violet eyes. "Should I tell him to postpone?"

Keeping a calm face, Gaara shook his head. "No, that's alright." Taking his hand away from her shoulder, his ringed-eyes held a glint of seriousness that visibly concerned her. "I have a matter I must take care of before he arrives. I should only be gone a day or two, nothing more."

She rose a brow. "Whereabouts?"

Seeing the purple glimmer in her eyes from the intruding desert sun, he could sense her concern. Pained, he blinked away his guilt and averted his glance. "To the Hoki Family settlement… Hakuto-sama sent a scroll saying she wants to meet to discuss the possibility of Tenbu returning."

Surprise washed over Nomasaki's expression. "Hakuto-sama?"

"Kankurō will be going with me as back-up." He assured. "It's a reconnaissance mission, nothing for you to worry about. I'll be fine."

Standing from the table, she stepped closer. "Are you sure you must go?" She begged, her eyes pleading. "Can't you just send Kankurō?"

As Gaara studied her face, he saw a brief hint of fear hiding itself behind her glance. She must be still nervous since the assassination attempt. Guilt entering his heart, he pushed himself to give a light smile. "I won't be gone long. I'll be back in a few days' time."

"I know, but… -," Her words trailed. As her voice faded, she averted her glance away from his, clutching her arm timidly. No further words needed to be spoken for Gaara to know she did not want him to leave. But he had a duty to his village – and the village always came first.

"Don't worry." He assured, holding her close. Feeling her gingerly wrap her arms around his waist, he rested his head upon hers, breathing her in. "Stay safe for me, okay? The ANBU will be keeping a careful watch on you just in case. Until then, I need you to take over my clerical duties while I'm gone."

Startled, her body flinched against his. "Your… what?" Nomasaki stammered, looking up at him with an expression that held nervous confusion. "I-I was only your assistant! I can't stand in as Kazekage! Is this even allowed? Even if it's only for a day… I'm your wife but I'm not a leader -,"

"I believe in you." Taking her soft hand in his, he met her wide eyes and gave a firm nod. "You were Moro-sama's right-hand when he was alive and were next in line for succeeding him if the Tracking Unit hadn't merged with the ANBU. You've also ruled alongside your father while you lived in Yamagakure, so you have plenty of experience. Your new seat on the council as Ambassador doesn't hurt either."

Nomasaki stood in stunned silence. "A-Are you sure?"

"I am." Gaara nodded, touching her face softly. Slowly, his hand drifted from her as he turned towards the porch. Masking his guilt, he gave a small smile of assurance. "I'll see you soon."

Closing the door behind him, he allowed the ANBU to return to their station guard outside and he continued down the wide corridor. When he parted ways with Nomasaki, something in her eyes shone at the opportunity. Reading into her glance in hindsight, he realized what lingered within her thoughts. A sense of pride overcame his guilt. Had she been chieftain, they could have been equals. And now her time to rule has come, he thought, The council will surely love their loss of control… even if only temporary.

And the desert soon called.

Within hours of daybreak, the brothers reached the gates to the settlement.

At the fringe of the Land of Wind where desert meets forest, the Hoki Family's territory was in plain view. Gaara never ventured as far to see it, but heard of it from Nomasaki in passing. I would be travelling here instead of the mountains if the council had their way, he thought to himself. The Hoki Family were among the four noble families of the Land of Wind – and perhaps even the oldest. When Reto founded Sunagakure near one hundred years ago, the families of Hoki, Kazekage, Kurogane, and Samamoto came to his aid. The others – those containing Kekkei Genkai, like the ancient Kumatsume who once roamed the forest – were purged through banishment, sealing, or bloodshed. It was a gruesome history of power and feudalism, and it was a history Gaara bore upon his shoulders with a conscience. Kekkei Genkai-wielders were slowly being embraced by Suna culture, but the elders who clung to tradition still made their dissidence known with their scowls and remarks. By marrying Nomasaki, he wondered which noble family would turn against him next. Especially now that their child would contain two bloodlines.

Restoration marked their entry, with many of the homes and structures rebuilt since the betrayal of Tenbu against their people. Shrouded by hooded cloaks, the silent Suna-nin made their way down the main road towards the large homestead in the distance. The morning sun peeked out strongly from beyond the winding castle, disappearing behind the trees as they passed through the main gate. Guards stepped aside to allow them to pass, and before they knew it they were within the clan's audience chamber.

"Not a step further!" A shinobi appeared swiftly as the wind, readying their katana. Meeting the faces of the men, the shinobi's eyes glared back from under the shadows of their face-covering. "State your purpose or leave!"

A woman, Gaara realized by the tone.

Blocking their entry to the chamber, he studied their form and noticed the slender shape of their darkened garbs. And their eyes were as dark as shadows and gleaming. Sensing Kankurō move a hand to reach a scroll from his pack, Gaara stopped him before he had the chance. Feeling a set of eyes watching them, he looked towards the back of the room and saw someone seated at the altar. Atop a cushion and dressed in a kimono of fine cloth, Hakuto watched them emerge with a pleasant expression upon her soft face.

"Kazekage-sama," She greeted, smiling softly. "It's so wonderful to see you again. How are you, my lord?"

"I'm well." Gaara nodded, curtly. Pulling the hood back to reveal his unruly red hair, he glanced back to the shinobi who threatened them. "Who is this?"

"Forgive my sister, Shijima." Hakuto sighed, embarrassed. "She's sworn to protect me by my father's dying wishes. She near cut your wife upon first meeting if the wolf's blade wasn't quick enough to counter."

She was lucky Nomasaki merely countered, Gaara thought. "I see."

Promptly, Shijima withdrew her blade into the scabbard on her back. "It wasn't intentional." Bowing her head, she knelt. "Kazekage-sama, I ask for pardon. If I knew, I wouldn't have drawn my katana."

Accepting her apology, Gaara nodded and gestured for her to rise to her feet. Taking their seats in the chamber, he noticed a silence from Kankurō. Even from afar he could tell his brother was mesmerized by the Hoki heiress. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he turned back to Hakuto with an expression cleansed of emotion. "Forgive my brother for staring, Hakuto-sama. As he should be reminded, he has a lover in Suna… and my wife would surely tell her if he doesn't have the will to stop himself from intruding."

Kankurō instantly flinched.

"Oh?" Hakuto giggled into her sleeve. "Perhaps if you stay a while longer, I can introduce you to my husband. His name is Shizegane, but I must send his regrets. He's in Konohagakure right now settling some… diplomatic matters."

Averting his eyes, Kankurō coughed into his fist. "T… That won't be necessary…"

Putting the awkwardness aside, Gaara looked back to the heiress with stern eyes. "Hakuto-sama, we're pressed for time. What was it you wished to discuss?"

"Ah, yes." She nodded, her ocean blue eyes lost in thought. "I wanted to tell you what we know of these Tenbu remnants that have appeared in recent weeks. Following that dreadful attack, I sent some of our clan's scouts to search the area. We traced their tracks left behind and I believe we found a rendezvous point… or perhaps where some may be hiding."

"A hideout?" Gaara questioned.

She nodded. "Near the ruins of the ancient Fūjin Temple in the northern reaches of the desert. That's where our men saw the armour-clad followers travelling, at least. They are using some sort of barrier ninjutsu to mask its whereabouts, and if you approach too close… you appear back at where you started."

Something flickered in Kankurō's eyes. "A space-time ninjutsu…?"

"Perhaps…" Gaara agreed. This would be a task for Hatake Kakashi or the Uchiha. "Where exactly is this temple?"

"The northern region of this desert, near the where the forest of old begins." Hakuto sighed, her glance frustrated by the matter. "I regret to inform you that we're unsure of exactly what they're planning, but they're certainly no stranger to ruthless killing. We suspect it may have something to do with the heavens… as the temple near touches it."

A cryptic answer is the last thing we need. Gaara averted his eyes in suspicion. "I see…"

"She saw it in a dream," Shijima entered, taking her place at her sister's right-hand. "I wonder if the skies can perhaps give us the answers we seek… and the threat can be snuffed out. They might be after our clan as well, being that our father was double-crossed by the bastards."

"In a dream?" Gaara was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I must confess something," Hakuto spoke, drawing the brother's attention. "I consider myself… clairvoyant in a way. You see, I have visions of what can become of the future from my dreams. Those of us possessing nature-energy in our bloodlines have this gift… in different forms, of course."

So they possess nature-energy like the Yamamori and Kumatsume, Gaara thought, The Hoki Family must be ancient if that's the case. And were right under Reto-sama's nose… serves him right.

"Clairvoyant?" Kankurō repeated, surprised. "You mean you can see the future?"

Hakuto nodded. "Or the past."

"How is it so?" Gaara entered, curious.

"All of us blessed with the ancient blood are somewhat clairvoyant, Kazekage-sama. Though we don't become beasts like the Yamamori or the Kumatsume, we maintain some connection with the natural world. Some have it stronger than others, too." Hakuto said, meeting his eyes with a light smile. "Our dreams are almost always vague, however. Your wolf-bride probably has dreams, too. She might just not know it." Sadness entered her soft expression, her eyes averted away slightly. "It was how I was able to tell that Tenbu would betray my father, our clan-head. In my dream I saw red and black armour, and my father turning into a shadow. I didn't know what to make of it, so I decided to flee with Shijima by my side. And sure enough, it came true and our homestead turned into ruin."

Hesitantly, Kankurō smirked. "Can you see my future?"

"Step forward."

Kankurō did not even take a single step after rising that the heiress began to laugh softly into her sleeve. Confusing him, his brother paused. "What is it?"

"Kankurō-sama, you must forgive me." She smiled, rubbing a tear from her eye. "I can't just see someone's future. I need to dream it first. But your future that I can currently foresee right now is… certainly unremarkable. There is humour… but also anguish. I'm sorry, but that's all I can see as of the present."

Irked, Kankurō awkwardly took his seat and sat with arms crossed. "Anguish…?" He muttered. "Give me a break…"

As Gaara watched the heiress, he saw her expression turn calm and stern. Something lingered behind her blue eyes, something that seemed dire and unspoken. Then he noticed her eyes lock upon him from the distance. Does she see anguish in my future? "What is it?"

"Kazekage-sama, I had a dream of your future." She said, her voice wary. "Please, I must ask you to take my hand… so I can confirm if it's true." Holding out her outstretched palm, she beckoned him. "Don't fret, now. This is how I can see what lays ahead. Please, come forward."

Hesitant at first, Gaara rose from his seat on the floor and made his way towards the altar. Seeing the fear behind her eyes, he felt his chest become tense with what the future held. Slowly, he placed a hand from under his cloak into hers and let her grasp it gently. Hakuto then closed her eyes and breathed a smooth breath. Standing in silence, Gaara felt the quiet gnaw at him and his thoughts. If she truly was clairvoyant as she said, there was no telling what she may see.

A sudden gasp filled the air.

And her hand recoiled away from his.

"What is it?" Gaara asked, taking his hand back. "What did you see?"

Hakuto turned away, her dark hair cascading over her fearful and sorrowful eyes. "Just what I feared… I was hoping it was a mistake what I saw…" Forcing herself to meet his face, her expression spoke volumes of his fate. "…I saw a vision of her, your wife – the she-wolf. My lord Kazekage, I'm sorry… but she will die in childbed."

Gaara froze.

A sharpness struck his chest, his heart sinking from the words. "She'll… die?"

Reluctantly, Hakuto nodded. "I have seen it. In my vision, I saw… blood. A white flower turning red in the desert, and a… scream."

"That's a mistake." Gaara backed away, his eyes wide with shock and anger. "She can't die. She's a shinobi -,"

"I think you're forgetting, Kazekage-sama… she's a woman who can bear children." Hakuto replied, her voice low and quiet. "Even the most powerful women both shinobi and warrior alike succumb to a death on childbed if the delivery becomes difficult. Death does not cheat kunoichi or civilians, I'm afraid."

"Can I save her?" Gaara pressed, his eyes hurt and desperate. "Is there any way to stop it?"

Regretfully, the heiress shook her head. "I can't tell you that. My visions are just that – visions. They change sometimes, yes… but this one remains the same. I have seen it three times. Once, on your wedding night. Twice, only a few nights ago. And for the third time, I saw it the moment you put your hand to mine. I regret not telling you sooner."

Kankurō stood, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Gaara -,"

The Kazekage pushed the comfort away, anger forming in his ringed eyes as he kept his glance locked on Hakuto. "There must be a way -!"

"I'm sorry, Kazekage-sama." Hakuto lamented, sensing his torment and hurt. "If the vision changes, I will send a hawk. But for now, I would watch her carefully. The future may hold a different fate, but for now the white that lays below her will soon turn red with blood."

Turning away, Gaara hung his head low in sorrow as it washed over him. It was not until he shut his eyes tightly with his fingers that he realized he was on the verge of tears. His shoulders shuddered with each rageful breath, trembling through his lungs and grit teeth. I've killed her, he thought bitterly, We are finally together… and I've sentenced her to die. Damn it all…

In his mind, all he saw was Nomasaki and how happy she was the last they spoke. Her purple eyes gleamed from the sun as she met his face, and she had a soft smile upon her lips, the small bump hidden by her loose-fitting blue clothes. The hold of her in his arms was his favourite feeling in the world, her gentle hands grasping the back of his shirt while he could sense her heartbeat and smell the sweet scent of her hair. The thought of her being ripped away from his life was enough to send him into blind rage. And now images of her dying on a birthing bed haunted his thoughts, bleeding into the memories of their shared happiness.

Even if Shukaku was not to be sealed into their unborn child, she would certainly meet the same fate as his mother Karura – just as the council cautioned.

It was hopeless.

"Is there any way this can be stopped?" Kankurō entered, sensing Gaara's distress. "Do you know what will cause this?"

Hakuto looked down upon her lap with saddened eyes. "I'm not sure, I'm sorry." A sudden gleam of hope entered her expression. "If I may bear a solution… Shijima," Alerted by the call, the silent bodyguard turned. "Please travel to Sunagakure with Kazekage-sama. I entrust you to be the protector of his wife for the time being."

Shijima flinched. "Sister -?! You can't be serious -,"

Hakuto closed her eyes and nodded. "I know father entrusted you to me, but I don't require protection as of late. Nomasaki-sama does, however. For the good that Kazekage-sama has done for us and our clan following the rise of Tenbu, I beg this small favour of you as my older sister."

After a long silence, Shijima straightened her stance and sighed. "It appears I have no choice… I will do as you bid." Stepping down from the altar at her sister's side, she knelt before the Kazekage and bowed her head, drawing his attention. "Kazekage-sama, I swear my blade to you so I may be of service. I give you my life and oath as a shinobi of the Hoki Family."

Bringing himself to face her, he masked his hurt and turmoil behind an expression worthy of stone. After examining her bow from above, he nodded. "Rise."

Watching the three start towards the chamber doors, Hakuto bid them farewell. "May the desert gods guide you safely to Sunagakure."

Gaara refused to look back. Leading the formation, he swept the hood over his head and stormed out in a burst of sand and wind. Appearing outside beyond the Hoki Family settlement, the wind struck his eyes that were still wet with sorrow as he marched into the desert sands.

Curse those old gods and all they entail.

And curse the god of death.

And in Gaara's mind, there were no gods on this earth – only malice.