(2022/01/03): Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season! Mine was low-key (could not see family due to pandemic-related stuff), but I am trying to make the best of things. We're at the cusp of what's to come next in this fic - I'm so excited to get to those upcoming chapters! My update schedule will likely slow down as I head back to work/school, so I will try to update this at least 1-2 times per month. I'm anticipating maybe 40 chapters max - but we'll have to wait and see (it will definitely exceed 100k words, however).

Also I made a tumblr account where I'm promoting my fics! If you want to check out gif collages and lil tidbits of what I'm writing, you can check out my blog at [aela-targaryen . tumblr .com]. A New Year's resolution of mine is to get back into drawing again. I used to draw all the time as a kid but was discouraged from it, so I'm trying to pick up where I left off as an adult - that being said, I may or may not post some of my doodles there as well ^-^

As always, thank you for reading xx

Chapter 11
Gaara III

As fast as winter approached, the cold refused to wane.

The desert did not know snow in its lands, but at night when the dark descended, the sands grew near as cold as the tundra from the winds that battered the dunes in relentless fury. Spring was still weeks away, but there was no way of telling if the winds were anything to go by. The desert might as well have been tundra. Gaara's twenty-first birthday was an uneventful one – which was what he wanted. Putting a Sand Clone in his office to fulfill paperwork duties, he spent the day at home to rest and free himself from the earaches of council meetings. Nomasaki made a spiced gizzard dish – which was his favourite, even if gizzard turned her stomach – and a honey cake adorned in white frosting and candles. Kankurō and Meiyumi arrived as soon as the cake was placed on the table, and Temari joined remotely through Kankurō's new phone device. The idea of a mobile phone still puzzled Gaara, and he was further perplexed when his brother gifted him one of his own.

"You just add in the number, like so… and then you press this button to call."

"This is troublesome." Gaara grumbled under his breath. "The screen keeps changing on me."

Kankurō grabbed the phone from his hand. "You're pressing too hard! Jeez, Gaara…" With a sigh, he passed it back. "Try it now."

"…my phone is ringing." Meiyumi chuckled.

"Oh, shit." Kankurō realized. "I must've taken your phone by mistake. Sorry, Meiyumi."

Nomasaki gifted him a set of first edition books on plant taxonomy, and a set of gardening tools for the greenhouse. She waited until the comradery of Kankurō died down, which Gaara was not sure if it was out of her innate shyness or because she wanted it to be more intimate. Either way, he was grateful. Little did she know, she did not have to give him anything.

Her simply breathing and having a heartbeat was enough.

March.

Nomasaki was eight-months pregnant.

Gaara was not sure if he should be excited or terrified. Some nights if he was able to sleep, he was awoken by nightmares of her dying on a bloody birthing bed – sometimes covered by a white sheet as he entered the dark room where she lay. When Nomasaki would stir beside him, he brushed her hair and kissed her before telling her to go back to sleep. Even if he did not tell her of the nightmares themselves, they were clearly visible within the dark circles that marked his eyes. Insomnia still ate away at him, whether he was still a jinchuriki or not. Nomasaki spent long days and nights at the Sealing Corps still, with Shijima keeping watch and Meiyumi at her side. He went sometimes to check on her progress, and each time there was slight improvement. By now, her hands were still covered in a thick layer of bandages that had to be changed every so often. Even with Nomasaki's understanding of the forbidden fūinjutsu, the power it wrought was too great for mortal hands.

And to think the same jutsu was used to seal Shukaku to myself… and my mother.

On days where he could not attend himself, he sent his Third Eye to keep careful watch over his wife. He was amazed by her bravery and courage each day, her will to surpass the jutsu only growing stronger as her due date approached. No matter how many times she cursed and burnt her hands, she only kept fighting.

He chose an incredible woman for a wife – and a shinobi, at that.

A wolf.

Before heading into the office that morning, Gaara decided to visit the greenhouse. Nomasaki was awake, and accompanied him after finishing her breakfast. The flowers were already in bloom, the snow lilies shining brilliant shades of blue and bursts of red and pink from the desert flowers that filled the glass chambers. While he attended to a new cactus, he heard a surprised shriek from his wife that near made him grip the pot so hard he thought it may shatter in his hands.

"What's wrong?"

"My sunflower!" She awed, her smile beaming in the sunlight. "It survived!"

Turning, he saw the bright and vibrant shades of gold that painted it petals. The sunflower was tall and thick in stem, with its smaller brothers and sisters growing timidly around it. For her first planting, Gaara was thoroughly impressed. However, it seemed as if Nomasaki blatantly avoided confronting the plot of dead perennials behind her. At least the sunflower made it through the winter unscathed.

His office was as silent as a crypt for the first time in months, it seemed.

Kankurō was nowhere to be seen due to his mission with the Puppet Corps, leaving Gaara to finish his paperwork and filings in a calm quiet. He appreciated the silence and solitude on most days, which left him time to think interrupted. By mid-afternoon, the paperwork that was once looming on falling off his desk was completed. Before he had the chance to leave his seat for the day, a messenger from the Suna Aviary entered and gave him a scroll marked with the inscriptions for 'urgent'. Reading its contents, his heart sank.

A Five Kage Summit in the Land of Earth. "So it's happening, then…"

"Did you want me to send a response, sir?"

Gaara nodded at them firmly, placing the scroll on his desk. "Yes. Tell the Tsuchikage I'll depart at dawn."

The messenger nodded back. "Yes, sir!"

Once they left him, he stood from his seat and wandered to the window. Below, the streets of Sunagakure appeared quiet in the winter haze. Afternoon still lingered, but beyond the cliffs he could see the faint darkness of dusk approaching. Villagers did not crowd the plaza as they did in the warmer months, but throughout it seemed as if an ominous air lingered. Something did not sit right with him that day, and he found himself narrowing his eyes through the glass as if trying to see something he could not. Blinking, he turned away and started for the door.

He decided it was time to leave.

Reaching the corridor of their residence, he heard loud guffaws of laughter and conversation. Guests? I didn't agree to this. He could faintly make out Kankurō's loud voice as he walked closer to home, signalling to him there was indeed something going on behind closed doors. Gaara just wanted to have a quiet evening at home, but the thought of entertaining company was certain to cause a headache. He figured Kankurō invited himself over again to try to convince him to go drinking downtown – something Gaara was reluctant to even consider. Alcohol always left a bitter taste in his mouth, but it was something Nomasaki relished and missed to no end. He could not understand the appeal.

When he opened the door, he was bewildered to see his wife sitting on the floor surrounded by other kunoichi. And the loudness died off, the room near falling silent. Meiyumi was on the floor beside her, with Kankurō close by – Kankurō? What is he doing here? Shijima stood against the wall as if a statue and turned her head subtly to meet his glance, while two kunoichi he vaguely recognized looked stunned to see him enter unannounced. Only once he closed the door did he realize it was Sari and Matsuri – his former student. There were small gifts laid out in the room's center, snacks on the living room table, and yellow balloons that floated to the ceiling. It appeared as if they were stuck to the ceiling tiles. The sight caught him off guard. Nomasaki's birthday was not until about another week. Were they celebrating early and forgot to tell me?

Nomasaki saw him, her wide violet eyes of timid shock locked his way. "G-Gaara,"

He felt his expression freeze, unable to bring himself to a stoic calm. "What's this?"

"Gaara, you're just in time!" Kankurō smirked. "My gift is next."

Meiyumi bumped his shoulder playfully. "Our gift, Kankurō." The medic smiled, turning to the Kazekage. "It's a baby-shower! It's only four more weeks until the due-date, so it's customary to give the mother-to-be some presents to prepare for the birth. You weren't invited because you're the father. In most cases, it's just for women."

Baby shower? His eyes drifted back to his brother, slightly annoyed. "Why is Kankurō here?"

"I invited myself." Kankurō chuckled with a grin. "If you weren't so busy with work earlier, I would've went and got you after my mission ended."

When Gaara turned to meet his wife, her face instantly turned red with fluster. "T-They sprang this on me, I-I had no time!" She timidly spoke out. "In Yama, it's not customary to celebrate until after the birth. I was just as confused as you. I'm sorry, Gaara."

He could read what lay behind her visible shyness as he met her face. Sighing to himself, he closed his eyes and smiled faintly when they opened once again. "It's alright." Joining her on the floor, he ignored the silence in the room and pretended it was just them. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm okay, yes." She nodded, smiling. "My back doesn't hurt as much and it's getting more difficult to walk… I waddle like a penguin now, it's embarrassing."

He could not help but smile from the notion. She did have a funny walk as of late, all because of the weight from their growing child that was to arrive sooner than they could remember. Gently, he placed his hand over hers. "What did you get?"

"Sari brought jumpers, a small toy javelin from Matsuri, and my father sent a crib crafted from the weavers." She pointed to each gift as she replied, her face beaming with joy and excitement. A sheen of soft pink bloomed on her cheeks, her pride swelling through her expression. Gaara could tell she was very grateful, even if it all was a sudden surprise. "Shijima gave me a book on children's stories from the Land of Wind… and Maki-senpai brought over sealing cloth – and wooden toys, too. She had to leave early, however. They needed her back at the Sealing Corps."

"Did Temari send anything?"

Nomasaki snickered. "She gave us ryo."

Figured. "That was nice of her."

She pushed aside some gift-wrappings, pulling out a picture frame that was folded inwards. It had a wooden finish, with tiny engravings of detail. "Naruto and Hinata sent us a picture frame set for our family photos… that was nice of them."

Gaara took the frame as she passed it over, feeling the detail with his fingertips. Of course Naruto had to send something… That's very much like him. He looked back to her, a warm smile on his lips. "…We'll have to send them a thank-you note."

Nomasaki smiled back, her expression soft and cheeks blushing.

She seemed so happy to him then, just as she was supposed to be. For a moment, Gaara completely forgot about the blood-seal that lurked beneath the scar on her arm and the vision the heiress foretold. She seemed as if a 'normal' expecting mother – if the mother had fangs and a bestial temper, that is. Her belly was swollen to the size of a pumpkin, and impossible to hide. She hardly ventured from the estate – choosing to only go back and forth between the Sealing Corps and her check-ups with Meiyumi at the Suna Hospital. Still, the villagers seemed to be aware of what was happening. Even the councillors were beginning to grow excited for the arrival of another descendant of Reto – regardless of the accursed and bloody history Gaara's ancestor caused in his wake. Even knowing of the consequences of Nomasaki's Kekkei Genkai, the elders who once objected to the news were ecstatic for the new heir to be born. And Gaara felt excited as well – and proud. His wife was strong, unafraid, and she would survive – he was convinced.

"Alright," Kankurō interrupted, pushing a large, wrapped box between them. "Here it is! Go ahead and open it, I dare you."

Nomasaki raised a brow, her fanged smile smirking. "What did you get us? Is it sake?"

Kankurō scoffed. "Better. Trust me."

Pulling apart the ribbon and tearing the paper, Nomasaki sat puzzled. Gaara did not know what to make of it either. Lifting the rectangular plastic device from the present, Nomasaki appeared stumped. "Uh, Kankurō… Not to be rude, but what is this?"

"A video camera!" Kankurō grinned, folding his arms across his chest. "Technology really ramped up since the war. These things aren't so expensive anymore, and the film can even be digital!" He bolstered, gestured to himself proudly. "I wanted to get one for myself, but I figured I'd get one for you two for the birth of your kid since… ya know, it's one of those things people are buying these for anyways."

Kankurō, you bastard. Thankfully, Gaara stayed silent.

"That's very kind of you, Kankurō. Thank you." Nomasaki awkwardly smiled, placing the gift off to the side. "I don't… think I'd be comfortable during the… birth. But afterwards, we will definitely use it. Later on, at least." She turned to Gaara, her glance near timid. "What do you think, Gaara?"

Gaara felt his expression settle into a firm annoyance.

"Hm?" Kankurō peered, seeing his arms folded tightly against his shirt. "Gaara, you're strangely silent."

Holding back his tone, Gaara held his tongue. "I'm not comfortable with cameras."

Kankurō groaned, mockingly. "Ah, come on, Gaara! Don't you think the little guy would want to see the moment they're born?"

Gaara held firm. "I don't think anyone does…"

"Sheesh…" Kankurō sighed. Then, a humoured scoff passed his lips. "You're almost as frazzled as that time the Hokage and that Konohamaru-kid wanted you to give a video message for Naruto's wedding."

The memory came back as if from nowhere. When the Hokage and grandson of the late Third arrived in Suna that day, Gaara assumed it was for a short visit – not an imposition. The moment he saw the video camera and Kankurō pressured him to give a proverb, his only instinct was to flee. Which he did. Then his sand swept the rest of the footage into chaos. He was fortunate that Nomasaki was gone on an assignment that day, or else she would have teased him about it – although playfully.

Gaara kept firm, his ringed-eyes near glaring as he looked away. "I am not -,"

"Yeah right!" Kankurō pointed, purposely trying to push his temper further. "Look how nervous you are! You're averting your eyes again."

"Quit it!"

Nomasaki chuckled into her sleeve, while the other kunoichi kept to their own conversation.

Kankurō sighed onto his hand, leaning. "I guess our Kazekage is camera-shy. I have no idea how you managed to get wedding photos with him, Nomasaki."

"Me neither." Nomasaki laughed.

Hearing her sweet laughter near made Gaara snap out of his irritated mood.

Kankurō was not entirely wrong, as he recalled.

Their wedding was a very private and intimate affair – with less than fifty people in attendance – and still the prospect of a social event irked him. The photographer managed to take only a handful of photos before Gaara decided it was done and time for them to bid farewell to their guests. Even so, the prints came out better than he hoped. The photo they had framed upon their wall was of them together after the ceremony. Nomasaki was looking up at him, her violet eyes vibrant and deep as lavender, and her smile was full of admiration and love. Her dress was captured fully, its red detailing shining in the afternoon sun, and the white pelt of fur sitting on her shoulders appeared near as white as snow itself. Gaara stood beside her in his Kazekage robes, holding her hand while the hat near concealed his expression. And for the first time, a photo was taken of him visibly smiling. Not even his photo after his appointment as Fifth Kazekage did he smile – although Temari and Kankurō were, which Gaara took as compensation. Gaara hated the prospect of being photographed or recorded, but if it made his wife happy, he was willing to compromise.

Perhaps they would take videos of their child, such as their first steps and first birthday.

That, Gaara was alright with – as long as he was the one behind the lens.

Meiyumi wedged herself between them, handing Nomasaki a pile of unopened envelopes. "Here are the cards. I can help you go through them."

"Thanks, Meiyumi."

As Nomasaki began to shuffle through the stack, her hand suddenly froze. When Gaara noticed, he saw that her cheeriness faded, replaced by a wary glance. "What's wrong?" He asked, looking over her shoulder. Written in fine calligraphy was the name 'Hakuto'. Understandable, he thought. Masking his shared suspicion, he gave a calm glance. "From Hakuto?"

Sullenly, Nomasaki nodded. "…Yes."

Reading her eyes, Gaara took the letter from her and read it to himself.

"To Nomasaki-sama,

Congratulations on your pregnancy – I hope motherhood suits you well.

I will be sending along my gift to you, but it may be delayed due to current hostilities in our lands. Despite this, I will make sure Shijima hand-delivers it personally. I foresee a bright future for the child, and I wish you and your dear husband the best.

May the desert gods watch over you,

Hakuto"

The letter perplexed him. Has her vision changed?

Nomasaki leaned in closer, narrowing her eyes carefully at its writing. "I wonder what it is…" She turned to her silent bodyguard, who stood as if made from stone. "Do you have any guesses, Shijima?"

"That, I can't tell you, my lady." Shijima answered. "My sister and I are two very different kunoichi. She's the healer and sight-seer, while I'm the guard and my cursed eyes are sealed. I don't know what she's planning, but rest-assured, it's nothing too drastic."

"I see…" Nomasaki sighed. Cupping her hand over her mouth to hide her fanged teeth, she let out a yawn and chuckled as it left her lips. "I think eating that all that food earlier made me sleepy."

Meiyumi stood, placing her hands on her hips. "It is getting late. You should turn in, Nomasaki. You'll need all the sleep you can muster before the baby comes."

"You're right." Nomasaki agreed, her face seeming a timid sort of embarrassed. She was being bashful. "Thanks for doing this, Meiyumi. Even if it was short-notice." With a shy hint to her smile, she looked up at him. "Gaara, can you help me up?"

He did not need to say anything for his sand to come to aid – or lift a finger.

As he stood, he allowed his sand to slowly push her up from her seated position from the floor. Once she straightened her legs, he took her by the hand as the sands receded back to the small gourd on his belt. Nomasaki let out a breath as she stood, the weight of her swollen belly evident in her tired stance. She placed a hand over it, and as Gaara read her eyes, he could see the pain behind them – most likely from her lower back where it hurt the most.

"Thank you all for coming." Gaara spoke for her, looking to their guests. "It's… much appreciated."

Sari and Matsuri soon took their leave. Gaara vaguely remembered Sari as one of Matsuri's teammates, but he did not remember her being so close to Meiyumi – let alone his wife. But then he was reminded of Nomasaki telling him that Sari was one of the newer medic-nin who Meiyumi instructed at the hospital, so it came as no surprise that Nomasaki would befriend her through association. With Matsuri, however, was unexpected. She was briefly a student of his shortly before he found Nomasaki's lifeless body near swallowed by the desert sands – and as Kankurō put it, became one of the many admirers of the Kazekage when he took office at fifteen. Gaara himself did not speak with her since, but the fact that she was in their home for Nomasaki's sake seemed to give assurance he did not treat her coldly for leaving as her sensei.

He began to wonder what kind of sensei Nomasaki would be when it came time to train Sana.

But the reminder of the blood-seal made him feel a sense of reluctant pessimism.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Bye, Sari!" Meiyumi waved back.

Following close behind her friend, Matsuri timidly paused and bowed to them. "Thanks for inviting me. Well… you didn't – Meiyumi did, but you let me in your house, so… thank you."

"Thank you for visiting." Nomasaki smiled. "We should hang out more often, Matsuri. I'm sorry I never got the chance much while we were genin."

Matsuri gave a curt nod her way. "That's alright." Smiling timidly, she turned to him and waved. "Bye, Gaara-sama!"

The interaction left Gaara puzzled.

Once they were gone, Nomasaki chuckled. "I think she's more excited to see you again than me."

"She was my student, nothing more."

"I know that. I'm only teasing." Nomasaki smiled. "And you're easy to tease." Drawing in his glance, she brought herself closer and kissed him. As their lips parted, he felt her lips form into a smile. It seemed as if she had the wind knocked out of her, her eyes going wide before she realized what was happening. Gently, she placed a palm over her belly. "This one won't stop kicking. I honestly feel like I'm bruised from the inside."

"It won't be long now," Meiyumi laughed. "You're going to have your hands full, by the looks of things. If that kicking is anything to go by!"

"And try to at least save that stuff for later, ya know? Especially when you're not the only ones in the room." Kankurō entered, giving Gaara a sly grin. "Apparently sexual activity can make the baby come sooner. So try not to break another desk, alright?"

Meiyumi nudged him, playfully. "Kankurō -!"

"You had to say something…" Gaara grumbled, annoyed once again.

Nomasaki kept her composure with an embarrassed smile, but Gaara could feel her become tense with nerves from the touch of his hand to her shoulder. "R-Right. Sorry about that." Gaara felt her recoil. A pain must have shot through her – her body shuddering at first. She quelled a curse by biting her lip, clutching her stomach protectively. "Ow -! What was that…?"

Alerted, Gaara held her by the shoulders – near instinctively. Not the blood-seal, he thought, It's too early. She breathed in and out slowly, and the shudder passed. When he met her eyes, he saw that she seemed frightened. "Are you alright?"

"I… think so." She said, her hands delicately leaving her belly. "It wasn't the seal, it was… something else."

Meiyumi chuckled, excitedly. "You might be having early contractions! They're normal, but they'll get more common as you approach your due date." She glanced to Kankurō at her side. "And that's why it's important to abstain until after delivery." She looked back to Nomasaki, smiling lightly. "You wouldn't want any surprises – especially since your baby is still breeched. They have to flip – but lucky for you, it should be another week or so."

Another thing to worry about…

"Kazekage-sama," A Suna-nin entered – and without knocking. Realizing their error as Gaara turned to receive them, they knelt and bowed their head to the porch floor. "Forgive me for interrupting, but the council sent me."

"What for?" Gaara questioned. "It's near nightfall. They can wait until morning."

The messenger looked up, their face nervous. "It's Genji-sama from the Kurogane Family, sir. He arrived suddenly."

The news irked him.

"That one…" Gaara heard Nomasaki.

Genji was known to the council for years as a rather difficult individual.

He was the patriarch of the Kurogane Family, the household where his late mother Karura and uncle Yashamaru hailed – and Genji was, by blood rights, his great-uncle. The settlement where the clan claimed lands was known for their vast oases and supplied the water to the Land of Wind's many villages through trade routes. Nomasaki dealt with Genji personally while Gaara was gone to meet with Hakuto months ago – and he knew how that turned out. The council was furious, and Nomasaki feared she ruined relations for good. In Gaara's eyes, those relations were ruined long before she came into the picture. The blame there could be placed on Rasa, whose commands to create a new jinchuriki of Shukaku resulted in the death of Karura – Gaara's mother.

And Genji was one known to hold a grudge.

His hand slowly left Nomasaki's shoulder as he prepared himself to leave. Ignoring the sudden quiet in the room, he turned towards the silent bodyguard. "Shijima, guard my wife while I'm gone."

Shijima nodded. "Yes, Gaara-sama."

As he made his way to follow the messenger, he met Kankurō's glance. His dark eyes were firm, irked, and unmoving. It would have humoured him that they felt the same for their estranged distant relative, but his mind was too clouded with annoyance and suspicion to pay any attention to it. Without saying another word, he left.

And the door shut behind him, shattering what little silence remained.

Darkness shrouded the corridor, save for the dimmed sconce lights that braved the shadows.

When the messenger stood aside for him to enter his office, Genji was already there making himself comfortable. Gaara could sense his temper rise. Just when all headaches seemed to rid themselves, a new one comes along. The door shuttered behind him.

The clan-head glanced to him, the scar under his eye visible in the lamplight. "I was waiting for you to show. It seems you inherited your tactfulness from your father, surely not from my niece. Then again…" Genji sighed, appearing humoured as he examined his closed palm. "My brother – your late grandfather - was older than I. Despite that, he willingly was placed in the branch family and I remained the heir. It seems even if we do share blood, it's of the lesser sort."

You old bastard. You came here to disturb me, nothing more, Gaara thought, holding his tongue. "Genji-sama." He spoke, his voice even and firm. He tried to avoid glaring but his patience began to wane. "I didn't know you were coming. If you sent a hawk, I would've made sure to see you sooner. What brought you to Sunagakure on such short notice, and at such a late hour?"

"I take it your foreigner-wife declined to inform you on my last visit… no matter." Genji sighed. He met the Kazekage's glance with sternness. "Our family is in dire peril. With these black-armoured fiends destroying every village they touch, it's becoming near impossible for our people to export our water for trade. We are in the middle of a dry season, with the winter proving to be much more unbearable than we could have ever thought… and our allegiance to the rule in Suna is to be tested."

Gaara's ringed-eyes narrowed. "Tested under what grounds?"

"We of the Kurogane have shared ties with your clan of the Kazekage for generations. Your mother Karura, my beloved niece, was the last. You must be aware of where I'm getting at."

This foolishness again. Anger rose in his throat. "You're too late." He held firm. "I'm already married, and there's no annulment in the future. If that's what you came for, you can forget it."

Genji spoke without hesitation. "Kankurō-sama is single and unmarried, if the rumours are to be true."

"You're not wrong." Gaara admitted. "But why should I force my brother to a union he shows no interest in? It's counterproductive, and archaic."

"It's his duty as one who carries the bloodline."

Bloodline… Waste of time. "It's power you want, isn't it?" Gaara countered, crossing his arms over his chest. "We already offered our military assistance to your settlement, yet you've declined at the opportunity."

Genji sighed. "You're sharp, I'll give you that. But yes, political power is what I desire. Our people are one of the four noble families of the Land of Wind, and the village needs our influence to sustain."

Sustain… - Gaara near scoffed.

"For the sake of the village's stability given your… dissidence, I am willing to look past it." Genji continued. "As you know, I am the patriarch of the Kurogane, and I have three daughters with my second wife that would no doubt make suitable brides to your elder brother. Surely one of them would suffice."

Anger rose in Gaara's throat, his patience maintaining his stern façade. "Genji-sama, I must request you leave."

"Is that so?" Genji scoffed, making his way towards the door. "I understand your wife is to be giving birth soon. She's a… frightening woman, in a wolfish way. I wish her all the luck, for the desert gods' sake… she'll be needing it. Your mother perished on a birthing bed, no doubt the half-breed should fare better." His words struck Gaara as suspicious. He could not help but glare at the clan-leader as he paused by the open doorway. Genji looked back, appearing near humoured at the Kazekage's irritated expression. "I'll be back again when you're in a negotiating mood. Perhaps the council will be easier to sway." He glared back. "Best of luck to you, Kazekage-sama. From what I can see here, you're going to need it."

And the door shuttered behind him.

Once he was gone, Gaara slammed a sand-covered fist onto the surface of his desk. Sand burst all over it, scattering papers into the floor from its impact. He sighed. Leaning over the desk, he contemplated his thoughts. He almost regretted not letting his rage free, but he remembered he had to be decisive – he was still the Kazekage, and had to act as such. He could not go around threatening every disgruntled councillor or elder who crossed his path, but he could at least imagine their fear when confronted. For an instant, the thought of Genji suddenly reminded him of Kenzō.

That's not a good sign, he thought, It's one thing after another.

Visiting the greenhouse seemed a fair way to clean his thoughts.

A serene quiet surrounded the glass building that night, the scarce lighting of the lamps illuminating the courtyard of budding cacti and flowers that began to emerge from their winter slumbers. His plants were just as he left them earlier that morning – undisturbed. He decided to tend to a few he neglected his attention, moving some marigolds and daffodils to new pots with fresh soils. Setting the replanted flowers to their new space upon a shelf where they could get greater sunlight, Gaara cleaned his hands with a rag and shut off the lights. Before he left, he glanced towards Nomasaki's sunflower. It was still healthy and growing – a relief considering her beginner skills in gardening.

But then Gaara saw something that drew his concern.

Laid out in front of the sunflower were red blooming flowers, appearing as if they were ripped out from the soil and thrown. Their petals were sprawling and near red as blood itself, looking like the claws of a feral beast. He did not recognize the species at first, but when he knelt to take a closer look, he saw exactly what they were.

There's no such flowers in the greenhouse, he realized, They were cut only recently… Someone had to have placed them here deliberately.

Taking one in his hand carefully, he examined its claw-like petals. And then he was suddenly reminded of what they were. From the lines of one of the books Nomasaki gifted him for his birthday, he remembered the name of the species.

Spider lilies, he thought, They mean death. Suspicion clouded his judgment, making room for paranoia. Genji couldn't have done this… could he?

Crushing the lilies in his fist, he hurriedly left the greenhouse in a burst of sands and wind.

It was nearing midnight.

When he teleported to the corridor of the estate, he saw the silhouette of the Hoki bodyguard standing in front of the large wooden crafted door that led to their home. She glanced to him as he approach, her stance as stiff as stone itself.

"Shijima,"

"Yes, Kazekage-sama?"

Gaara's eyes narrowed slightly, masking his urgency with calm. "Did you detect anyone entering the estate grounds?" He said, forcing his voice to stay even. "Any strange or unfamiliar chakra?" Genji-sama, he wanted to say, Did that old bastard sneak his way through to the greenhouse?

The kunoichi shook her head. "No, sir. Nothing out of the ordinary."

His tension in his shoulders eased. "I see…" He breathed, his glance lowering to his feet. He could feel the tiredness grow heavy in his eyes, his insomnia resurfacing once again. He met her unseen glance, his face cleansed of emotion. "Keep watch at all times. If you grow tired, let me know and I'll send a Sand Clone to cover for you. We're at a crucial time... it could happen at any moment. We must be prepared when it comes."

She nodded. "Understood."

After Shijima stepped aside, Gaara entered his home. Closing the door behind him, he took off his shoes in the porch and started for the hall. As he walked past the kitchen, he caught a glimpse of Nomasaki sitting at the table with her sewing kit laid out with pieces of yellow fabric. She was dressed in her nightrobes, accompanied only by the moonlight that entered through the large windows. When she saw him, she smiled softly – as she always did.

"I didn't think you'd be back so soon." She spoke, focusing back on her sewing project. "Kankurō and Meiyumi just left. They said they'll be over in the morning, they want to have breakfast with us before you go to the Summit."

"I see." He said, taking a seat beside her. "What are you making?"

With her face beaming, she held it up in her bandaged hands for him to see. It was a tiny jumper sewed from the scattered yellow pieces that were on the table - one that would fit a newborn child. She was proud of her work, he could tell. "I'm trying to make a jumper." She giggled. "The stitching is harder than I'm used to… but I think I'm getting the hang of it."

Seeing how happy and excited she was warmed him, but also provoked a strange sort of guilt. He felt heartache where joy should be, and paranoia was in his thoughts where there was supposed to be comfort. He was torn, and he was certain his lowered glance to his lap in solemn despair did nothing to hide his emotions.

"Gaara?"

He forced himself to ask the question. "And you're sure about the jutsu?"

There was a silence.

When Gaara looked up to her, Nomasaki nodded and smiled at him. "I'm not worried about that anymore." Her glance from her purple eyes emanated confidence. Determination, he realized. "Shijima helped translate the scroll for the jutsu, and I got advice from someone who… believed in me." She continued on with her sewing, unbothered. "Basically, it all comes down to timing. If I can cast my jutsu the moment it sets in, I can beat it… and put that vision behind me."

Gaara sat in bewilderment. He was almost optimistic, but his thoughts continued to bother him. He eyed her, his ringed-eyes concerned. "What will you do? What must be done to… deal with it?"

"I must use myself." She answered, her voice strong in conviction. "After all, I am the vessel and the toll."

Vessel and the toll?

He remembered her talking about the strange wordings in the old scroll she studied at the Sealing Corps. The words 'vessel' and 'toll' appeared often – and he remembered the snake uttered the word 'vessel' while they talked months ago. Hearing it from herself that she may have figured out a way to stop the curse from befalling her made a hope rise in his chest.

Perhaps the person who left the spider lilies made a dire mistake.

She pricked her finger on the needle, putting it to her lips and she finished sewing the final section by hand. "If my ancestors could do it, why can't I? I have the blood of the wolf and the blood of the desert in my veins. I decide my own fate, not some dream or cursed-seal." As she finished the jumper, she laid it onto the table and folded her hands onto her lap. She met Gaara's glance with a firmness to her violet eyes – unbowed, unbent, unbroken. "I'm not afraid anymore. If I'm to be a mother, I shouldn't be afraid. I must be strong… and I am a shinobi, too."

Catching her by surprise, Gaara took her in his arms.

He held her close, feeling her warmth as he rested his head on her shoulder. He took in the sweet scent of her hair, closing his eyes tightly while he felt her blushing cheek against his. Softly, she wrapped her arms around him, her bandaged hands grasping at the clothes on his back.

"I'll be with you through everything." He promised. "Always."

She nodded, holding back tears. "Always."

As his embrace left her, he sensed her jolt slightly. "Another contraction?"

"No," She shook her head, smiling warmly. "A kick. They just know how much I love and care for you, that's all." She placed a hand over her belly, admiring it lovingly. "And I think they know how excited we are for them…"

Standing from his chair at the kitchen table, he kissed her forehead. Meeting her wide violet eyes and blushing face, he could not help but give a light smile. And he willingly forgot all about the troubles that plagued him. "Did you want to go to bed?"

Timidly, she nodded. "But remember what Kankurō warned you about."

"I know," He said, taking her by the hand and helping her up. "I only meant sleep."

She snickered. "Liar."

Gingerly, he cupped her face in his hands and put his lips to hers. "You need sleep."

"Fair." She smiled. "And so do you. You have a summit to get to in the morning."

The reminder of the summit did not sit easy with him. He did not want to leave at such a time, a time where she could enter labour at any time. No matter how many books he read, there was no way he could prepare any further. But he could not decline – that would be unprofessional. And the matter of discussion was Tenbu and their resurgence in the Lands of Earth and Wind. He had to go – no matter how badly he wanted to stay home with his heavily-pregnant wife.

Nomasaki kissed his cheek softly. "I'm going to get ready." She said, smiling lightly in the moonlight. "I'll meet you in bed – to sleep."

As she vanished into the darkness of the hallway, Gaara stood and watched until her gold and blue figure disappeared into their bedroom. Looking back towards the table, his fingers grazed over the jumper, feeling the warmth of the fabric and the care that went into making it. After tidying up, he glanced towards the moonlight that intruded through the windows. It was a new moon, he noticed. When the moon turned full, her due date would be upon them.

And she would become the 'vessel' and the 'toll'.

Putting aside his thoughts, he followed her.

Looking forward for sleep to find him.

Notes: Red spider lilies, also known as the equinox flower, are flowers native to China, Nepal, and Korea, and were introduced to Japan through rice trading centuries ago. In Buddhist traditions, these flowers are sometimes placed onto the tombs to the dead as tribute. In Japan, the red spider lily signals the arrival of fall and because of their association with death and mourning, they are often laid at funerals.

Because the spider lily is associated with death, one should never give a bouquet of these flowers – for it is a symbol of bad luck in this context.

Also – "unbowed, unbent, unbroken" is a reference to the Sand-Snakes of GRRM's series A Song of Ice and Fire.