Author's Note (2021/05/24): While doing my revisions of this fic now that it's completed (and I have nothing else to do) I thought it would be interesting to have a chapter that shows my OC's full Tsukuyomi dream and not just the small glimpse from the previous chapter. I should've wrote this long ago, but I'm glad it did because I started wondering if the way I wrote my OC was a mistake. From this chapter, I am happy with what I initially decided.

Chapter 38
The Dream

White filled her vision.

Clearing, Nomasaki saw the invaders closing in. Dodging their advances, she sent Hanone to deal with the ones who dared approach her comrades while she fought off their swordplay with the skills of her own. Her katana made a high-pitch ring when her enemy struck her blade, her weapon proving strong. The man could hardly keep up with her movements, his feet crunching in the snow desperate to maintain his footing. But she had a beast's strength and her foe was a fool to forget. Forcefully, her wolf's blood propelled her to strike down her armour-clad adversary. He slammed his back onto the snow and opened his eyes to see her pointing her katana directly under his chin.

"I yield, I yield!" He pleaded. "P-Please! Don't kill me!"

She moved the blade close enough to his skin for the steel to kiss it. "Leave this land and never return!" Her violet eyes glared intensely into his terrified eyes of brown, her voice deepening from her awakened wolf's blood. "…or else you'll spell your end!"

Much to his surprise, she gave him the gift of mercy.

With their tails between their legs, the invaders fled the tundra with their horses and banners that still remained. The remnants of their intrusion were littered upon the reddened snow and ice while pieces of dark armour dotted the landscape. Although she led the command, Nomasaki managed to defeat the invaders without the loss of a single life. "What use is your foe if they're dead and can't remember their mistake of attacking?", she often said to her comrades. She ensured that Ishigakure remember their faces the next time they attack – and the might of their wolves, too.

"Ishigakure surrendered!" She heard her comrades yell, thrusting their blades into the air. "Yamagakure remains a free land! Down with the invaders!"

"Good work, Nomasaki!" Her senior officer approached. "Because of you, we turned the tide of battle against them!"

She smiled, sheathing her katana into its scabbard on her back. "I had nothing to do with it. It was all our strength, collectively. We won because we fought for Yama."

She heard the crunch of Hanone's paws on the snow and turned to see his muzzle red with battle. "You're too bashful, Nomasaki… You're the strongest of your peers, you know that as well as I do."

"Hanone -,"

"He's right." Her officer agreed, folding his strong arms over his cloak-covered chest. "You're our newest jonin yet our best! No one can wield the Yamamori Kekkei Genkai half as good as you."

She saw no point in arguing for the sake of being humble. Accepting the compliment, she nodded. "Thank you." She turned to Hanone. "Let's go home, we should tell everyone the good news."

They were called into the chieftain's manse that evening after much celebration took place in the snowy streets of their enemy's defeat. Seated around the mighty hearth in the centre of the great hall, the Yamagakure Council, head shinobi, and Yamamori clan listened to their elderly chieftain's words. Their leader was a long-bearded man past eighty, ruling the small mountain village for many decades through war, disease, and famine. He was well-respected amongst the villagers and clansmen for his service, repairing the lost union between the civilians and Yamamori clan that remained since the First Shinobi War. But alas, his days were soon numbered for not even their esteemed ruler could live forever.

"As you all know, my time ruling is coming to an end." The chieftain spoke through his beard with his breathy voice. "I've served Yamagakure for near forty years as its chieftain, maintaining order, and ensuring our survival against not one, but two shinobi wars. There are lands that sense our weakened strength and are trying to annex our territory… much to the fear of our daimyo. The Land of Earth, in particular, being that we share a border." He moved his head towards Nomasaki's father, who sat beside her and her mother. "Kyō, what can you speak of that?"

Kyō nodded, his expression stern. "As head of the border unit, I can report that Iwagakure has been sending more troops near our land's boundaries. It seems the Tsuchikage is trying to antagonize us, as if to spark a conflict in order for them to justify a future war. I… can't help but feel uneasy about their movements."

"The Yamamori clan has sensed their chakra growing stronger in numbers," Mikomi added. "We've been tailing them to see whereabouts they're headed, but all paths point towards our lands, unfortunately."

Taking in their dire words, the elder nodded and turned back to face the shinobi and councillors. "Our new chieftain must be not only strong in the ways of a shinobi, but also in ways of the mind and the ways of the heart." His words echoed throughout the room's tatami walls. "We are dealing with the greatest crisis since the fever that swept through our gates… so the next leader must be prepared to take on the burdens of this land wholeheartedly."

"My lord chieftain," A purple-eyed council member rose. "The Yama Council and the Yamamori clan are ready to hear your nomination, my lord."

"Very well… In that case," The elder nodded. Frail with age, he stood with his cane, his hands clasped over its carved wooden handle while he studied the anticipating faces and pairs of purple eyes that sat throughout the room. Meeting the eyes of his people, a smile appeared subtly under his long white beard. "…I would like to name Yamamori Nomasaki as my successor."

Nomasaki froze.

Did I hear him right? She was lost for words. As the faces all turned towards her, she heard shocked voices swirl amongst the hearth fire that danced in the room's centre. Her parents sat still and silent and then started conversing amongst themselves with proud smiles on their faces. She, on the other hand, was still in a state of shock.

"Me?" She managed, standing from her cushion on the floor. "My lord, I'm only seventeen! I've just been promoted to jonin not even for two years! Are you… certain about this?"

The elderly chieftain nodded. "You've proved yourself time and time again. Any time an invading land approaches, you deter them from the battlefield with your prowess. Whether it be Ishigakure, Kusagakure, or another land… you handle them swiftly and without much bloodshed. The villagers even call you a hero." He eyed her keenly. "You are also the first woman to break our traditions. You refused to be a healer, and you refused to be a teacher… and by doing so you've proved to us that you are strong in body and spirit – an equal of any man. And now the women are following your example." She saw him smile a proud smile, surprising her greatly. "I can't think of anyone else I would rather see succeed me than the heiress of the Yamamori clan. I choose you, Nomasaki."

The councillor called a vote. "All in favour?"

"'Aye!" was shouted throughout the hall, rumbling the warmth of the fire. "'Aye! 'Aye!" Stunned, she stood before the villagers that swore to her name. Taking in their cheers and shouts, she never felt prouder to be from Yamagakure than that moment. "'Aye for Nomasaki-sama!"

On that next day, she stood before the Yamamori homestead.

Dressed in a fine kimono of dark blue fabric and a white haori with a cloak of thick white fur draped over her shoulders, she knelt on her knees to receive the rites from the village priestess who kept the shrine. The young priestess of red-and-white spoke of their many gods and demons, calling for the benevolent ones to bless her on this day. Taking the red sap of the winter trees that filled the snowy meadow, the priestess ran the substance down Nomasaki's eyes to her cheeks and chin. The mark of the gods, her village said. Kneeling down before her was the elderly chieftain. Removing it from its scabbard, she was presented the ancient sword of Yamagakure – Onikiri, the blade of demon-slaying. Its steel shone brightly under the snowy skies, the engraved kanji appearing before her very eyes. Nodding, she took the sword – as was tradition, and the elder bowed and stepped aside.

The priestess opened her arms to the skies. "On these ancient lands of the mountain-folk, I hereby name Nomasaki of the Yamamori clan as chieftain of Yamagakure. Long may she reign!"

"Long may she reign!" Thundered across the crowd as she stood. "Long may she reign!"

Warmed, she took in the crowd below. Once the ceremony ended, she was joined by her parents. Holding her close, her mother and father embraced her in their arms. "We're so proud of you!" Her mother smiled. "We'll be right here to help, should you need anything."

Grateful, she nodded with scarce tears in her violet eyes. "Thanks, mom and dad."

And so, she began her reign.

Months passed…

With a thud, the robe-clad man as thrown to the floor. Lumbering closer, Hanone barred his fangs and readied his jaws for attack. Standing over him, Nomasaki looked down at the shivering man in pure contempt. "I refuse."

She swore she near saw tears in his eyes. "H-He's going to eat me!" He cried. "Please, no!"

"He won't. You're just a snack to him, that's all." She assured, sharply. "Now leave!"

Scurrying towards the doors, the man clumsily fell as he attempted to push open the doors himself while the guards refused to help him. Amused, Nomasaki's young and fair handmaid closed the chamber doors to stop the snow and cold from entering further. "That's the fourth suitor this month! My, Nomasaki-sama… you're certainly a maiden sought after."

"It's the land they want." She answered, returned to her seat at the head of the room. "They want a foothold in these territories so they can annex our tiny nation. Our village is forgotten to our neighbours until they discover they can mine the mountains for minerals… then they send their hounds to go sniffing about."

Her handmaiden giggled. "Still, it's quite fun to watch. They honestly think they have a chance!"

"It's all men, too." She said to herself. I wouldn't mind if a woman was sent once in a while…

"M'lady!" A Yama shinobi burst through the doors. "An envoy from Sunagakure of the Land of Wind is en route to Yamagakure!"

The village struck her. "Sunagakure?" She turned to her father, who sat at her right-hand. "Father, that's where you're from - and my grandparents. What's Sunagakure like now? It's been so long since we last paid a visit."

He shrugged. "I haven't been to those lands in more than a decade. I wouldn't know what they could possibly want with us."

Suspicions within her grew. "Unless they're after our country…" Rising, she started for her summon. "Hanone, let's go see who our visitors are!"

"Right!"

Jumping atop the wolf's back, she burst through the doors into the world of snow and ice. They reached the mountain pathway in only minutes, hidden by the shroud of frost that coated the pines and winter trees in their wake. Even the giant wolf was well masked by the realm of white, leaving only their breaths visible. Through the white branches and pine needles, Nomasaki turned towards where she could sense a great chakra approaching. Over the crest of the path, she saw them. It was a small envoy of three shinobi, led by a cloaked young man with crimson red hair who carried a large gourd on his back. Beside him were his bodyguards – another cloaked young man dressed in the clothes of a kabuki performer, and a young woman wielding a war-fan and dressed in light armour under her cloak. The chakra she felt was unlike she had ever sensed before. It was greater than any she had known – even greater than that of Hanone.

"That must be the Kazekage… the one in the middle…!" She whispered. "I don't sense others…"

Hanone grumbled. "His chakra is menacing…! A tailed-beast, no doubt…!"

"A tailed-beast…? Really…?"

A branch under Hanone's paw sent a loud crunch throughout the mountain air. Temari came to an abrupt pause, whipping her glare towards the fringe of the winter forest. Her fan was ready at her side, her gloved hands gripping it tightly. "Do you hear something? It sounds like there's something in the woods."

She suddenly felt as if she was being watched.

Turning to the path, she saw a white figure in the distance. "What's that?"

While Kankurō readied a scroll from his pack, the figure suddenly became clear. A giant wolf stood far from them on the mountain path, its shape near as tall as the trees where it emerged. Surprising them, they could see a young woman clothed in a blue dress and white fur cloak sitting on its back as if it were a horse. They were unmoving. As if a mirage, they disappeared amongst the wind and snow.

"A wolf -! And a… girl?" Kankurō spoke, confused. "They just… vanished."

Witnessing the appearance, Gaara stood calm. "So it seems."

The unexpected guests arrived sooner than she realized. Seated with the great hearth at their backs, Nomasaki studied their expressions from her high seat at the front of the chambers. The red-haired shinobi was in the centre, while this bodyguards sat on either side of him. Their chakra was unfamiliar to her and strange, and their faceless expressions did nothing to inform her of their intentions.

A guard entered the floor, commencing the meeting. "Kazekage-sama of Sunagakure, you are now in the audience of our chieftain – Nomasaki of the Yamamori clan."

Watching the guard bow and take his leave, Nomasaki gave a light smile to her guests. "Welcome to Yamagakure of the Land of Mountains, Kazekage-sama. It's not every day a Kage of the Five Great Nations pays us a visit."

Kankurō jolted in his seat. "It's her… -?!"

"A woman chieftain… finally." Temari remarked to herself.

Gaara was unsurprised, his expression as calm and stoic as a statue. "I believe I saw you on the mountain." He said. "You were with a large wolf."

Nomasaki nodded. "Hanone, he's my summon. He's of the revered Wolf Clan that inhabits our village's sacred forest, the giant white wolves known only to my people. I saw you, too. I wanted to see you for myself before making a judgement. You arrive with no army, no entourage save for your bodyguards, and with no prior notice from a hawk." Her violet eyes narrowed slightly. "What brings you to my village? As you can understand from one leader to another, I have to be suspicious when an outsider arrives… and so unannounced." She breathed a calming breath to herself and closed her eyes. "Our country is small and has little shinobi force. We have the Land of Earth to the north who wants to annex us, the Land of Claws to the east who wants to destroy us… and you, the Land of Wind to the south… who's intentions are still not clear." She studied his face carefully, attempting to draw out the slightest fragment of mistrust. "Are you here to declare war? Annexation? Or are you trying to propose some sort of political marriage, like those foolish suitors I have to deal with as Yama's chieftain? State your purpose, and state it well."

Gaara's expression was firm. "I've come for none of those reasons. I'm here at the request of your daimyo to propose an alliance between Sunagakure and Yamagakure, effectively joining the Land of Wind and the Land of Mountains… as allies."

"An alliance?" She raised a brow. "Our daimyo has said no such thing."

Kankurō scoffed. "A chieftain should have better communication with their daimyo…"

Promptly, his words drew the ire of her guards. Spears pointed towards him fiercely, and purple eyes glared at him. "You dare question the rule of our lady?!" A guard barked. "Outsider!"

"Ignore my brother," Gaara apologized. "It's been a long journey to get here."

She brushed it off. "I understand. That being said, we received no hawk of this… alliance-talk. I've never known Suna for being generous, as someone who has never set foot outside my homeland since I was a mere child. If you will, tell me what this… 'alliance' means to you – as Kazekage."

He could sense the kind of ruler she was. Diligent, calculating, and fierce. His interest was sparked. "Should this alliance form, Yamagakure and the Land of Mountains can rest assured that the Land of Earth would not threaten them again. Ishigakure will be deterred to attack your borders, and your nation can finally have a moment's rest." He stated. "As Kazekage, I understand this responsibility and I'm open to forming this relationship with our neighbours to the far north."

"What are your terms?" She asked. "As chieftain, I believe I have a right to know. I will protect this village until my very last breath, so I need to make sure our lands will survive and not perish under the name and banner of an outside country we do not know. Tell me the request of your daimyo."

He nodded. "Sunagakure will send troops to assist in border protection and to train the incoming recruits for combat. We offer our military might and our resources in exchange for your village's safety. What our daimyo wants in exchange… is the right to farm on your land's tundra. The Land of Wind is scarce of freshwater and crops, so the opportunity to farm in your country would greatly help to feed my people… who are at the mercy of the desert and its harsh climate."

Sensing the truth in his eyes, she rose from her seat and stepped down to meet him. "And these are my terms…" She spoke with a light smile. "The Land of Wind may use some of our land to farm, but only during the desert's dry season. Our land is covered in tundra, so winter rice and winter wheat can grow all year. Any crops yielded from our farmers that exceed our needs can be sent to Sunagakure when needed. Also…" Her violet eyes firmed. "Yamagakure will remain strong and independent from all other villages and lands that wish to claim it. The Land of Mountains will remain unconquered by the Land of Earth, and the country shall remain an independent and sovereign land through this alliance with Sunagakure and the Land of Wind. Is that clear, Kazekage-sama?"

He stood. "Yes."

"Very well." She agreed. "I believe we have ourselves an alliance, then."

Meeting each other's faces, they joined their hands together and shook hands. His hold was smooth and firm, while hers was stronger than it appeared. As he seen her face to face, he could see what lay within her vibrant purple eyes. The will to protect her people, kindness, and bravery. For someone as young as himself to be named ruler, he realized they must have been cut from the same cloth. Nomasaki sensed the same in him as well. He had a gaze that held warmth, protection, and an iron-will. And a faint touch of sand lingered where their hands touched. It was the second time a desert-dweller and a mountain-folk had met.

And so their alliance was formed.

"I don't trust that one…" Hanone remarked as he watched them leave.

"Hanone, it's alright." She assured. "I can sense his chakra, and he seems trustworthy."

The wolf snapped. "…He's of Suna."

"So is my father." She countered. "What is your point?"

In the alliance's short few months of life, their daimyo requested they embark on a joint mission to the Land of Claws to answer to calls of a peace treaty. Such a feat would mean the end to the bloodshed that marred the history of Yamagakure, and would usher in a new age of peace between the two small nations of Mountain and Claw. Hesitantly, Nomasaki accepted the task as chieftain and departed from the gates to meet with the en route Kazekage in the Land of Rivers.

"Safe travels, my lady!" Her handmaiden called.

Her mother bid her farewell with a hug, then turned to the summon which she was mounted. "Hanone, protect my daughter as you always have."

"I'll protect her with my life." The wolf answered.

"We'll be back soon, I promise." Nomasaki assured. "I know the Land of Claws is our enemy, but they've proposed a peace treaty. The Kazekage will be joining me since it's a joint effort between Yama and Suna."

Her father nodded in approval. "We'll await your return, Nomasaki-sama."

As the snows fell, she departed.

The journey to the Land of Claws was a journey not for the faint of heart.

From the Land of Mountains, one had to travel the vast tundra to the border of the Land of Wind, then turn eastward to the Land of Rivers and then north to the Land of Claws. Three days, even if sleep was avoided. The journey to the Land of Rivers took one day, and just as he said in his letters, the Kazekage was waiting at the rendezvous point. Travelling on foot meant there was time for conversation, allowing the two leaders to get to know one another.

"Forgive me for asking, but your chakra… are you a jinchuriki?" Nomasaki asked, shyly. "I can sense chakra, so it just comes natural to me."

He nodded. "I'm the jinchuriki of Shukaku, the one-tailed tanuki. I was next in line of succession, so I was chosen as its host after my birth."

"Succession?" She repeated, curious. "Wait - Sunagakure has a system similar to the daimyo, right? Inheritance? Wasn't your father the Fourth Kazekage?"

"He was… until recently." He said, his eyes on the forested path ahead. "After the last conflict, he decided it was time to retire. So he chose me to continue on in his place as the Fifth Kazekage." He gave a brief chuckle under his breath. "Now he spends his time playing shogi with my mother and uncle. It's… certainly different to see him in that sort of light." Curious, he turned to her. "Your father, he's Kyō of the Wind Blade?"

She smiled. "Yes. He immigrated to Yama after meeting my mother, back when the Third Shinobi War ended. He wasn't from the same land, but he took it upon himself to learn our customs. He taught me how to use a katana, and my mother taught me how to use my Kekkei Genkai." She snickered. "I learned wind-release from both of them… although my mother is better at it than he is, even with his 'Wind Blade'."

"I... think our fathers knew each other."

"Did they?" She turned. "Wait - actually, I think I remember you. My family came to Sunagakure when I was a child, we might have played together as kids. There was another boy, the hyper blond-one."

Gaara nodded, remembering. "Uzumaki Naruto, he's the Fourth Hokage's son. I think it was a Kage Summit, then."

"You're right! I remember now, my father was asked to come for a jonin mission. We stayed at my grandparents."

"Small world."

The fire crackled dimly that night.

Laying atop her wolf's back under her furred cloak for a blanket, she looked to the silent Kazekage who sat watching the dying embers. "What's it like… being Kazekage?"

"It's quite the task." Gaara spoke. "I thought it was about being strong, but ruling over a village… no amount of training or studying can prepare you for that."

She sighed, turning on her back so she could watch the stars through the trees. "I feel the same about being chieftain. I love Yama and everyone in it, but it adds a burden to your shoulders that you cannot lift no matter how hard you push. That's why forming bonds with your people is important, everyone is a pillar to what makes a village truly strong."

For a moment, he looked back at her. Faintly, he could see the vibrant and strange colour of her eyes – and then he remembered the same eyes that lingered within the village in the mountains. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. "Your eyes… is that a trait of your clan?"

Catching her off guard, she thought about the question. Still, she was humbled. "Everyone born into the Yamamori clan have purple eyes. At least, that's what my mother and the clan matriarch say." She smiled up at the night skies. "Legends passed down in my family say that we have purple eyes to let those of the mountain know that we wolf-people are protecting them."

As sleep slowly approached, she found herself looking towards him. Silent and still, he sat by the fire with eyes closed halfway. They appeared as if they belonged to a tanuki with their dark rings, striking her curiosity. The longer she looked, the more she could see something within them. Even from afar, his eyes drew her in.

Noticing her stare, he gave a confused look. "Why are you looking at me like that for?"

"I wanted to see your eyes." She smiled lightly. "They seem… kind."

Surprised and humbled, he looked back to the fire and gave a small nod. "…Thank you."

Dawn brought them strife.

Taking them by surprise, they were ambushed by bandits on the snowy path to the Land of Claws. Thirty descended upon them from the cover of the hills, closing in on them as they reached a clearing atop the meadow. With ease, they defeated the intruders – but the leader of the bandit hoard proved strong and difficult, even for shinobi at their level. Combining their strengths, they defeated the missing-nin together. Just before their enemy collapsed into their sand-ridden grave, Gaara was dealt a crushing blow to his shoulder while trying to defend her from the recoil. Fortunately, the wound was not mortal. Despite her not knowing medical ninjutsu, Nomasaki took it upon herself to heal his injury.

"Okay, this is going to sting a little bit."

As the cloth in alcohol touched his open wound that covered his shoulder to his chest, he winced, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes. At his age of seventeen, he was still not completely used to physical pain. However, with each press of the cloth, it became more tolerable as he could sense her hands delicately tending to his wound – trying her best to be gentle. With each press, more dried crimson leaked onto the cloth until it was soaked with red. Switching to the cold cloth from the river, she tampered it lightly against his wound. Surprising himself, he felt no more pain. It was bearable.

"I may not know medical ninjutsu," She smiled, in her friendly nature. "But I can at least clean it up a little. That's what first-aid kits are for, anyways. I may be chieftain, but dressing wounds is something I've done many times for those in my village." Remaining silent, he slowly opened his eyes, accepting the pain as a trial he had to hurdle – his wound becoming numb from the alcohol and the cold. Her eyes saddened at the wound while she crudely healed. "You know… You didn't have to be so reckless."

"What do you mean by 'reckless'?" He asked, looking straight ahead into the snowy forest.

"You shielded me from that attack, the recoil of that jutsu they used..." She answered, her eyes closing halfway in guilt. She switched to the bandage dressings, lightly wrapping the cloth carefully over his wound. "I could have dodged it, but… you still…"

"I did it because I had to protect you."

"Yes, because I was the target."

"No." Surprising her, she froze, the bandages pausing on his wound. "I can't explain it, but… I just had to."

As she met his ringed-eyes, it felt as if time came to a standstill. Her heart was light and fluttering in her chest while she took him in. He saw her for what she was, yet he still pushed on. His gaze into her was unwavering, warm, and protective. He saw every fleck of violet within her glance, as if the very lilacs of spring were blossoming before his eyes. Never had he felt such a way towards someone before. It were as if there was some gravitational pull making him want to be closer.

In only a few moments, they became lost in each other's eyes.

Slowly, their lips met under the softly falling snow that surrounded them on the white meadow of blooming snow lilies. He was just as kind as she knew from his gaze, and his touch was careful and his hands were strong while he held her in his arms. She knew she made a mistake, falling for such a person – a Kage, at that. But she was also a chieftain who pledged her life for Yamagakure.

And she was in love with the Kazekage.

When the mission was completed, and the peace treaty was finally struck between Yama and Ishi, the two leaders stood at the red gates of the snowy mountain village. Longing was present in their eyes, both of them reluctant to say goodbye as it was time to part ways. Standing beside her handmaiden and Hanone, Nomasaki watched the Kazekage with glistening eyes.

"I'll write to you," He said. "I'll come to Yama to see you as much as I'm able, and you're welcome to visit me in Suna."

She smiled. "I'd like that very much, Kazekage-sama."

"Gaara." He smiled back. Stepping closer, he held her in his arms. "I'll see you soon…"

Nodding, she gave a light smile, and they had a parting embrace. "Take care."

Watching his back descend down the winding mountain path, her heart already longed for him to return. She knew she would see him again, but she still ached for him to be near. Who knew an alliance between a village she never seen would cause her to feel love for another for the first time?

It was not long after until they were reunited. She took it upon herself to visit him in Suna alongside her father, who wanted to see his long-lost homeland. She was introduced to his siblings as both the chieftain and his partner, and she near panicked at the prospect of meeting his parents – the Fourth Kazekage and his wife. Luckily, Rasa and Kyō knew each other from their genin days, and his mother Karura took her in her caring arms and welcomed her to the family. In only a few short hours, the Kazekage clan welcomed the outsider into their home.

When she returned to Yamagakure, she continued to rule over the coming months with her heart full and mind at ease. Her village was at peace, their enemies turned to allies, and the times were prosperous. It was only more than a year after their first meeting that the two leaders had become engaged. Stunning the councils of their respective villages, the Kazekage of Sunagakure and chieftain of Yamagakure pledged to union – something unheard of within the shinobi world. She did not want to leave her seat and neither did he, but they reached an amicable compromise – they would see each other during summits, monthly visits, and on vacation time, splitting time between each other's village.

Their romance could work – and survive.

As they walked together down the snowy path of white, never had she felt so much peace.

Her village was restored, her parents were together and Mikomi was alive, Hanone was guarding her clan's homestead, and the Yamamori clan was alive and respected in Yama as they once were in ancient times. And at her side was Gaara, admiring her with a glance that emanated utmost devotion and protection.

This is how things should be, or how they should have been, she realized, My life should have ended up like this instead of…

Her thoughts trailed as she began to realize the absence of her life in Sunagakure and the faces of all those she had grown to care for. Shinto, Meiyumi, Hashira-sensei, Temari, Kankurō, Commander Moro, Sōhei, her father Kyō, and the Konoha-nin she fought alongside before falling asleep.

The realization struck her.

When I wake up, I will not forget this dream… but next time I will dream of my home.

I will dream of the life I am living…

And faded into the realm of white as it swallowed everything around her.

Notes: The name of the blade given to Nomasaki at the swearing-in ceremony, Onikiri (鬼切) meaning "Demon Slayer", is a reference to a thousand-year old Japanese folktale where a man named Watanabe no Tsuna slayed an orge in battle and was given a sword named Onikiri as a momento from his leader.

Little fun fact: when envisioning my OC's clan I was inspired by elements of Norse paganism, Shintoism, and the Ainu peoples of Japan (which may explain some of the traditions/wolf-stuff related to her clan's lore)