Chapter 40
Farewell

One month after the end of the Fourth Shinobi War…

For the first time, it appeared the world was peaceful.

Peace was flourishing within the five great villages, with discussions relating to the war's outcome consuming much of the time of the Five Kage. One early morning, Nomasaki sat clothed in her baggy pajamas across from her father with their breakfast. Her long gold hair wisped her forehead in its messy state, brushing it behind her ears as she ate. Her father stayed at her tiny apartment for several weeks, sleeping on the futon in the living room. Since the war, he had learned to cope with his devastating wound. Although rendered incapacitated due to his permanent limp, his swordplay skills have stayed sharp as the steel of his katana. A retired shinobi in his mid-forties, Kyō took his injury with utmost pride. He fought through two wars and he lived – and being able to live old enough to see his daughter was all he wanted.

"So, the tracking unit is temporarily on hiatus since the war?"

Nodding, she picked up rice with her chopsticks. "For now, at least." She replied, eating her breakfast in small bites. "I'm currently debating if I can continue through the ranks. I've been enjoying the peace. I... didn't exactly have the best memories in the unit, if you recall what I told you."

The trial was now behind her, but the event left her mind a wreck.

Summoned by the Sunagakure Council and a jury comprised of ANBU, Intel Division shinobi, and Jonin superiors, she hesitantly approached the witness stand when her name was called. Sōhei spoke before her, and he did not fear speaking Kenzō's name in the slightest. The curse mark upon him remained dormant, despite how the imprisoned writhed to move his hand from his shackles. After the Kazekage signalled for her to speak next, she saw Kenzō's darkened and bloodshot eyes follow her as she descended to her seat. She told them all that she could, repeating the words she told Gaara when he found out, and desperately tried to push herself to say more.

Then she spoke again.

A burn erupted onto her when Kenzō managed to lift his sole hand for the jutsu, and the guards mobilized to restrain and stop him. The rest of the trial was a blur to her, but it ended with her and Sōhei earning pardons and Kenzō being dealt a life sentence to the Sunagakure Prison in its deepest chambers. She woke up on the floor of the chambers with eyes huddled around her to see her wake. Sand lifted her up, she remembered. It was Gaara who rushed to her side. But it took at least five minutes of questioning from the nearby medic to remember her name, the date, and where she was.

Kenzō could never touch her again - but still, she clung to doubt.

"Well, you should consider being part of the shinobi forces." He smiled, clasping onto his tea before him. "You're very bright, and not just saying that because you're my daughter." Chuckling, she smiled to herself as she continued to finish her breakfast. Turning to the window beside them, he gazed at the gleaming sun that shone through the sand-tinted glass. "I rose through the ranks after the last war, the Third Shinobi War. I met your mother, and... well, you know the rest."

"Not really," She mused. "What did you do after you returned for your sentencing? I know you were sent to the western desert for exile, but... did your superiors know you had a family in Yamagakure? Did Rasa know, the Fourth Kazekage?"

"Rasa was the only one. I confided in him with my letters... before returning to face judgement. He was... surprisingly understanding. He lost his wife around the same time, so I think he exercised sympathy in letting me keep my life rather than executing me... knowing I had a family." Kyō's glance through the window grew saddened, his eyes narrowing. "But... he wasn't the only one after all. A councillor knew, apparently. Kenzō, the dissident that gave you that curse seal. I don't know how he knew, but he was certainly unforgiving. He tried to push the other councillors to end my life, but was furious when he was unsuccessful in convincing the Kazekage at the time." He looked back to his daughter, noticing the unease in her eyes. "Something wrong?"

"That man... Kenzō," She replied, her eyes stern. My tongue didn't burn. His name is powerless. "He has a strange fixation on my chakra. He was the councillor who made the village take me in as a shinobi when I arrived here four years ago... grooming me to use my sensory skills for his benefit. He forced me to spy on Gaara-sama. He threatened to kill me if I didn't comply..." A flicker of fire danced on her tongue. I'm saying too much. Averting her glance to the table, her eyes saddened. "He... also used you as leverage against me."

"Is that so?" Kyō snorted. "That bastard, at least he's locked behind bars for the rat he is. I never liked that man, not even in my youth."

Hesitating at first, she looked down at her lap before bringing herself to meet her father's face. "What was it like growing up here in Suna? You said you were close with the Fourth Kazekage, how did that come about?"

"I suppose I should tell you. It's been a while since I thought of my past life in this village, being I was in exile living another." Kyō sighed, a bittersweet smile on his lips. "I grew up in the lower-class district of Suna with my parents. They were both civilians who worked as craftsmen, so times were tough. I decided... to become a shinobi to support my family, and I ended up graduating from the academy when I was ten years old. I was on the same genin team as Rasa, and that was how we became friends." He snorted a laugh in fondness, remembering his long-forgotten comrade. "Also... there was no way in hell the elders would allow a descendant from a noble family to be caught with a desert-rat such as myself... but luckily shinobi don't care over frivolous things like birth-right." His smile faded. "When I became chunin, I was leading a squadron on my first mission as a commander... and mercenaries attacked the village. My parents were killed... and I couldn't do anything to save them."

Nomasaki lowered her gaze to her tea, her eyes saddened from his tale. "My grandparents... -,"

"They were good people, and raised me to value family above all else." Kyō said, his eyes stern and lost in his memories. "When the Third Shinobi War broke out, I soon realized through the horrors of war that the shinobi ways taught in Suna did not align with my personal values. In Suna, we are taught to value the mission over the lives over our own comrades... 'the village comes first', is what they told us as young as we could hold a kunai. Rasa believed in it, many of my comrades did - but me... after losing my parents, it was something I began to question." His expression softened, joy and grief painting his hazel eyes. "In the end, I saw the war as pointless... and I met your mother, Mikomi." A light chuckle passed his lips. "One day, I saw a lone white wolf emerge from the forest - and before I knew it, it transformed into a beautiful young woman in a red kimono. She was picking herbs alone in the forest, and she saw me staring... so she asked my name. When I saw her purple eyes, I told her -," Holding back tears, he breathed in a strong breath and wiped his eye. "What more could I say? I was smitten." Seeing his daughter's glance share in sympathy from across the table, he calmed himself and nodded. "I defected my post and chose to live a life amongst the mountains with your mother. If I could go back and do it all again, I would still choose the same. She was everything to me... and so are you, Nomasaki."

Comforted, she smiled at him from the cover of her rice bowl.

Everything worked out, she thought.

She was relieved of her spying, she and Gaara were closer than ever, and she had a father. For the first time since she was a child living in the mountains with her mother, her life felt whole again. Hanone's loss still pained her every day, his final act of devouring his late master burned forever in her memory. It would be an insult to forget, she thought, He died a true guardian... protecting me until the very end. "So... what will you do now? You're retired now, do you have any plans?"

"Well," He started with a sigh. "I have all the time in the world to do what I feel is right... and atone for the things I've done." Curiously, she raised a brow at him as he gave her a smile. "You know, if you chose not to continue with the Suna ranks… you can return to Yamagakure."

Flinching, her chopsticks paused on her bowl of rice – the mention of her birthplace and village jolting her. During the war, he mentioned his dream to rebuild Yama to its former glory. And the Yamamori appeared before her very eyes from the ghosts they once were in her thoughts. He truly meant it, after all - he was to be the pillar. Surprised, she glanced at him with her lilac eyes wide in curiosity. "Y-Yamagakure? What do you mean?" She stammered. "The village was destroyed –,"

"Well," He began. "We've recently got confirmation that there are survivors from that raid five years ago, so we're assembling a squad to help rebuild – with Kazekage-sama's permission of course. We also received permission from not just our daimyo in the Land of Wind, but the daimyo of the Land of Mountains as well. It appears they have their capital back in order following the war, with the new daimyo just being coronated."

"Oh, that's incredible!" She responded, surprised and intrigued. "How long will this be going on?"

"Not sure. Could be a few weeks, could be a few months, could be permanent…" Glancing down at his crossed arms against his chest, he gave a small smile of relief. "I've also gotten word that there are Yamamori descendants up there… After the war, some of the scattered clansmen returned to the mountains, which I find is astonishing."

"The clansmen – my clan?" She pressed. "The Yamamori? They've returned to the mountains?"

He nodded. "It was amazing, to say the least. From their words, hearing of a young woman riding on the back of a wolf into battle... their hopes swelled. From the north, the south, the east, the west – even as far as the Land of Frost - the Yamamori returned to the Land of Mountains at last. Your mother would be proud, I know that." He smiled to her. "I can't help but think the 'young woman riding a wolf into battle' was you."

Warmed, she looked down upon her lap. "I can't believe it... That's such a relief."

"I figured I'd bring it up to you to see if you were interested." He finished. "We could really use you up there. It would help us solidify a relationship between your people and Yama like never before. I'm sure Kazekage-sama would give you permission to go as you wish. But then again he needs you too, huh?"

Her hand froze.

She pondered to herself, wondering if she should take the risk and return to her long-awaited homeland in the north. Snow, frost, and cold waited for her as it always did - only this time, it would not be scarcely within her dreams. And her clan had returned. As she thought more of it, she could feel the ache within her bones for the homeland she left behind. She pined for the cold endlessly as she was surrounded by the striking warmth of the desert's grasp - and now she had a chance to leave.

Looking down at her lap, her eyes narrowed in slight sadness. "That all sounds highly interesting, but I…–," Catching her sadness, she smiled up at him and masked her grief for her mountains in the north. "Things have changed. Sunagakure is my home now, and I think I want to… start a life here."

"Is it the Kazekage?" He asked, giving a light smile as he became curious. "Rasa's son. Gaara, is it?"

Jolting her and catching her off guard, she became flustered, her cheeks reddening from the accusation. "N-No! W-Well, I…–! It's, b-because I –!"

"No need," He chuckled. "I understand. You're young and you want to figure things out." Standing up, he gave her a smile. "I should be on my way. There's lots to prepare for before we set out to the Land of Mountains." As Nomasaki saw him to the door of her apartment, he turned to her sorrow-tinted expression, smiling to cheer her up. "If you ever decide to visit, you can whenever you like. You will always be welcome."

Gently, she smiled and nodded. Her fingers lightly grazed the doorframe as he stood outside. "Of course."

Once more, she and her father departed from one another – only now without the need for forgiveness. Catching her attention, she sensed a presence nearby. Turning towards its direction, her eyes narrowed slightly. Then to the skies. A hawk circled above, crying against the still autumn winds.

The tracking unit.

Closing the door, she retreated from the daylight.

Clad in her wolfish mask and flak jacket of Suna, Nomasaki stood before her superior in the confines of the tracking unit's meeting chamber.

Scarce droplets from the piping above dripped upon the clay floor, intruding the silence between the shinobi who stood across from another. Facing her with his arms crossed against his chest, the towering presence of Commander Moro eyed her porcelain mask with his eyes narrowed at its red markings that swirling around its snarling expression.

"As I'm sure you're aware," He began. "Kenzō's request that you be tried as well for treason before the trial has fell through. Kazekage-sama granted you and Sōhei a full pardon, clearing you both of any wrong-doing. Your efforts in the war have also helped your case, and the council permits your freedom. Right now, Kenzō is rotting in his cell for the crimes he's committed, and all his men are being questioned and detained as well... with their curse seal choking their tongues." His stern expression eased. "We of the Sunagakure Tracking Unit have our reputation scarred, but the council has agreed to allow us to exist so long as we work alongside the ANBU and heed to Kazekage's commands."

"I see." She replied. "That's... a relief."

Silence enveloped the room after she spoke.

At long last, her worst fear was quelled. Kenzō could no longer harm her or Gaara - they were untouchable. Never again would she have to sleep with a kunai under her pillow in the fears of Kenzō's masked men arriving to put her out of her misery. The pardon was no surprise to her. Since he discovered her spying, Gaara had been quieter than usual around her, but overall, he was no different towards her as far as his treatment of her was concerned. If anything, he brought it upon himself to be closer to her. He had a protective nature to his gestures, and she admired him for that. During the war, she felt him hold her close for the first time – the memory of his warm chakra and strong arms still fresh in her senses. From the glint of his ringed-eyes, she could see the care he had for her as she gazed into them – and she hoped he could see that as well while gazing into hers. They became more than just their bond – and grew closer than either could have imagined. She loved him - and she was afraid that he would find out. He was the Kazekage of her village, her superior who was instrumental in ending the horrid war against the Akatsuki and their army of resurrected husks – and he was her friend above all else. If she were to reveal to him her true feelings – or if he found out – things would never be the same.

What would he even think of me, after all I've done? Would he even care?

She was certain those were questions that were better left unanswered.

He knew the love of friendship, but the love of another in the romantic way was something she was unsure he was aware. Deep in the depths of her heart, she feared she would only receive a broken heart and a fractured friendship with the person she cared for most. She did not want to risk it. Bringing herself to face her commander, she stepped forward. Pausing before a brief sliver of light, her wolfish mask gleamed in the faint sunlight. Its snarl evoked the stern expression she wished to convey. But her fragile heart could hardly muster a frown. She felt emotionally spent and exhausted, and her low-toned voice proved it.

"If I can make a request, Moro-sama..." Kneeling before her commander's slate-like permanent scowl, she looked down upon the clay floor at her feet. Her glance was mired in guilt, her lilac eyes closed halfway in her shame. "I would like to join the ranks of the tracking unit full-time... but first, I think it's best that I... take a leave of absence. The war, it... affected me, and the trial, too. I only want to serve with a clear head, so I would appreciate a break from any immediate duties. If it please you, sir."

Her request struck his curiosity. Narrowing his eyes at her mask's silent snarling, Moro looked upon her, examining her flak jacket and black clothing as she sat knelt in the broken darkness, near concealed by the shadows and just as silent. "You're the Kazekage's assistant," He replied. "If you were full-time in our unit when you resume your duties, you would not be able to fulfill the duties he's already assigned you. Unless you recently changed your mind?"

Her glance saddening towards the floor, she nodded. "I have."

"When are you relieved of your duties?"

"Tomorrow."

"Does he know?"

"No... he doesn't." She spoke, her voice low. Raising her head, she met his questioning gaze. "Not yet, at least. I will be breaking the news to him soon."

Mulling over his options, Moro closed his eyes and sighed to himself. Before him sat the former obsession of his associate Kenzō the Dissident, her mask shapened to that of the wolf she truly was. She was just as silent, like a ghost among the white skies of the desert while she carried out her duties. Her sensory skills were of great importance, with her clan's name once more being spoken of across the lands from the aide she gave the Kazekage during the great war that recently ended with a conclusion of peace. The outsider was a truly naturalized citizen – and a seasoned kunoichi with experience on the front lines. She was different than the moment I first met her, he thought, She seems stronger in her gaze and unafraid of the world around her. He knew what he was going to answer. "Very well," He nodded, a light smile etched upon his scowling face of scars. "You are hereby relieved of your duties until the unit deems fit you return. When that time comes, you will be admitted full-time to our ranks... as a standard tracker-nin. Best of luck to you, outsider."

"Yes, sir." She bowed her head, gratefully. "Thank you... for this..."

Noon approached.

She made her way towards the village exit, walking through the bustling streets as she eyed the valley cliffs in the distance. Dressed in her blue kimono, she continued down the plaza while she prepared herself to say goodbye to her father. She was astounded to hear that he managed to gather a host of over fifty able-bodied men, all of them shinobi young and retired, merchants, cooks, smiths, and civilians. She was almost tempted to go herself. While she passed by a dumpling shop, she could feel the familiar and warm chakra she was drawn to nearby where she stood. Close by, the young Kazekage and his siblings sat at a table within the street-side restaurant, conversing with one another. Keeping on her path and trying to focus on her goal, she continued towards the village exit in silence.

"Ah, Nomasaki!" Noticing her walk past, Kankurō waved his hand towards her. "You're not working today, are you? Come join us!"

Pausing from his voice, she stepped towards them, a light smile on her porcelain face. "Oh, thank you." She searched for words. As she met eyes with Gaara, who sat silently with his siblings, she timidly averted her glance. "Um… I would, but… I'm actually on my way to see off my father. He's leaving to help rebuild Yamagakure."

"N-No kidding," Kankurō uttered, surprised. "Really? That's incredible! How come you're not going?"

"Kankurō –!" Temari hushed, bumping his elbow with hers. Knowing it was a sensitive subject, she scowled at him. "Don't go there."

Lightly, she smiled at them to mask the sorrow tinted in her eyes. "I… should be on my way. Maybe next time?"

With a subtle bow of her gold head, she continued on her path. It had been nearly her entire lifetime since she last had a father, and four years since she fled her homeland in the far north. Even as she walked the streets heavy with heat, her bones felt as if they were melting. At least it was tolerable. Four years of training to be a kunoichi of the desert lands had hardened her for the blistering sun, but her pale skin still burnt if she was not too careful. The sand in her blood was scarce, but at least she could make peace with it.

As she walked off down the village street, she could feel Gaara's chakra behind her. "Wait, Nomasaki."

"G-Gaara," She turned, slightly surprised. As she looked at his stance, she noticed his eyes retained a hint of pleading and emptiness. "Is this about the forms from the Allied Forces I gave you yesterday?"

He shook his head of messy crimson. "No, it's not that…" He said, looking down. "I need to... ask you something."

"What is it?" She asked, curiously. "Is it for the council?"

"There's something I need to do…" He spoke, averting his glance. Even from a distance, she could see that his eyes were closed halfway in hidden sorrow. "I… don't want to this alone…" Looking up to her, he gave her a calm expression, masking his previously exposed sorrow. "As my assistant, can I ask you to do this with me?"

From his words, her memory jolted. And then she knew what he was talking about. It had been nearly a month since the war ended - and nearly a month since Shukaku had returned to their village. Lurking outside within the vast sands, the beast dwelled beyond the outskirts near the discarded and buried statues of their decaying desert gods. The coppers and golds in the statues were long since gone, but they acted as a sigil of survival - the halfway point between life and death. Although no longer a force of fear in her heart, the villagers who remembered its bloodlust kept their distance. She felt nothing but empathy for him and his decision.

"Of course," She nodded, smiling lightly. "On the condition that I do this as your friend, not as your assistant."

Lightly, he smiled at her response. Humbled. "Deal." Realizing the error of his ways, his expression turned saddened. "About your dad – I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner about Yamagakure. I assumed you knew –,"

Her chest seized in guilt. "Don't worry about it," She assured. "I considered it, to tell you the truth... but I feel I'll be happier if I stay here. This is my home." After hearing her own words, she wondered if she thought they were even true. Before she could walk off, her steps paused in the sands as she thought carefully about what to say next. Eyeing him gratefully, she could not help but feel horrible and guilty as she said the words. A knife of ice twisted in her heart. "I have to thank you... for pardoning me." She feigned a soft smile. "I'll see you later, Kazekage-sama."

Disappearing into the crowds ahead, Gaara watched longingly as her blue figure vanished amongst the hundreds pooling at the gates. His palm held behind his back, he tightened his grip upon the flower he made with his sands. It was made carefully, the grains etched into near perfect detail of a rose he saw at the gardens of his estate. He wondered if she liked flowers. Hoping to gather the courage to give it to her, he then understood his flawed timing.

With a squeeze, the desert flower returned to the sands of his hand, disappearing with a breeze of the warm winds at his back.

The departure of her father was bittersweet, tinged with pride and longing.

His worn and strong arms held her close as they locked for a final hold, while hers were somber and thin. She noticed a courageous sheen to his hazel eyes as he said his goodbyes to her, eagerness as well. The others who joined him were all good men and women, she was told. She was relieved they would be with him. Although he could walk on his own with the help of his wooden cane, Kyō could no longer hold a sword to battle. As a retired shinobi nearing his late forties, combat would hopefully be seldom seen in his case – especially being that the war was finished. Watching him depart into the yellow sands was the hard part. Managing to keep her spirits up at the gates, everything hit her at once the moment she saw the cloak of his back and his greying orange hair swaying in the winds that afternoon. No one seen her shed her scarce tears, her pride and hope lifting her pain.

I would see him again, she reminded herself, I would someday. Yamagakure would always be there, waiting for me.

Her heart lightened at the thought.

And in that moment, she knew what she must do.

The mountains were waiting for her.

Leaving the gates, she started on her path through the sands to the east. Feeling the wind against her as she moved, she traded in her human form for the shape of the beast with white fur. Bounding across the dunes, the wolf darted against the sands free to go wherever it wanted. Kenzō and his men were behind bars, the war was over, and she was a free shinobi. The north was calling, but so was another. Picking up the scent of his chakra, she felt the hot sands against her paws as she dashed in a burst of white. There were no wolves in the desert, but she persisted, nonetheless.

She was the 'Wolf of the Desert', after all.

The silhouette of a decaying statue passed her by as if a shadow. It was near completely swallowed by the sands, its fingers grasping outward while only the crown of its head was visible. The gold and red had long eroded away from the winds of times, leaving only a faint glimmer of the past. The desert was a harsh and cruel place, even to the gods of the desert it seemed. Coming to a slow, the wolf trotted along the top of the dune above, taking in the chakra that lay below.

Hearing her approach, Gaara turned to see the wolf's violet eyes greet him. "You've made it," He said. "I take it you've seen off your father?"

Within a swift wind, the wolf reverted back into the human form it knew. Her gold hair whipped against her face as she stood beside him, the sleeves of her blue kimono fluttering at her sides. "Yeah," She nodded, her face etched with a smile tinged in hurt. "It's a long journey north, but I have faith in him. He's a good man."

"Thank you... for doing this."

"It's the least I can do for all the trouble I've caused you these past few months," She smiled. "I was going to ask, why meet out in the middle of the desert–?"

Sensing Gaara's silence, she felt herself search for a question until she was interrupted by a powerful chakra drawing near. Out of the sands before them, the giant tanuki of sand billowed above the dunes and took shape. Purple inscriptions twisted and bulged until its limbs and head were defined and cut, its large belly protruding out of the sands before them as its single tail painted in swirls of violet whipped behind slowly. Frozen as she stood, Nomasaki eyed the tanuki with eyes gone wide as its monstrous chakra erupted through her senses. Even now, its strength chilled her to the core.

"Shukaku," Gaara began, stepping towards it calm-faced. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Keh!" The tanuki jeered. "It's been nearly a month, runt! You humans take so long in your squabbling... So tell me – have you decided?"

Nomasaki turned to Gaara beside her.

It was a question she also wanted to ask him herself. If he was going to become a jinchuriki again. For weeks following the war's end, the Suna Council and the village elders mulled over the question for nights on end. Such a decision had to be handled carefully above all else. The times may have become peaceful, but there was no telling when the other villages would show a hunger for power and use the tailed-beasts as a weapon once more. It was a horrible thought – but still a scant possibility. Gaara stayed silent during the discourse, listening to all arguments. She often found herself listening in to these meetings, standing behind Gaara's seat on the council while his brother argued with Zarō and the other elders. Nights became long and drawn into the morning, resulting in her sleeping on the job on some nights. When she would wake on the couch in his office, she would often find herself covered in a blanket of some sort. Either him or not, she appreciated the gesture. She said to him once that the only good thing that came with his insomnia was his ability to stay awake during such meetings. He stayed silent, as if he had not even heard her speak in the first place. Worried she struck a nerve, she took it upon herself to distance from him. He had nothing but torment for weeks. The question weighed heavy on his shoulders, but ultimately it was decided it would be his decision.

Having been born with the beast sealed inside him, it would only seem fitting for him to decide his fate for himself.

"We've been separated well over two years," Gaara began. "And you are no longer a target by the Akatsuki, or our village." Intently, Shukaku looked down at the humans who stood beneath him – towering over them. Looking at the beast in a sympathetic nature, Gaara's eyes conveyed nothing but good will. "I'm willing to become your jinchuriki once again but… I also respect and value your freedom as a tailed-beast."

"Well, runt… you really have grown." Shukaku smirked, whipping his tail behind him. "It's bold of you to allow me to return to the desert… it almost makes me teary!" Grinning, he leaned in towards them and exerted its usual incoherent yet threatening gaze. "As much as I want to destroy Suna for the torture they made me endure over the years, I appreciate what you've decided."

Holding his arm towards the beast, Gaara locked eyes with it, his expression stoic. "Shukaku… as the Fifth Kazekage, I promise you that Suna will no longer use you for jinchuriki!" He proclaimed. "You're free." Amicably, a small smile formed on his lips as he looked up to the beast – as if to signify fondness. "If we should cross paths once more, we will no longer be enemies… but friends."

Acknowledging his words in silence, Shukaku gazed at his former jinchuriki, observing his friendly gesture – thinking of the progress they have made together over the years. Turning his monstrous eyes to Nomasaki, it sensed her fear and trembling that plagued her stare. Standing silent beside the young Kazekage, she was still caught off guard by the presence of his monstrous strength. "And this one still shivers in my presence!" He pointed towards her in his rowdy nature, causing her to jolt from the accusation. "You! Wolf-girl… Lighten up!"

"He's no threat to you, Nomasaki." Gaara spoke, turning to her. "Rest assured, he's safe."

"I know, it's just…" She replied. Looking down at her feet for a moment - trying to brush off the fear still evident in her eyes. As she looked up to face the tailed-beast, her eyes slightly widened from the feel of its sinister chakra. Although an ally, its power was far beyond human. "Your chakra… it's so strong! I can't help but feel shaken."

Releasing a loud and bellowing laugh, Shukaku caused a sweeping gust to blow past them, blowing the desert air around them. "Now that's flattering!" He jeered. "You'd make one ninja quite happy with compliments like that!" As if subliminal, the beast eyed Gaara in a hinting gesture. Curious from its glance, Gaara thought about its choice in words – perplexed by what it could have possibly meant. Briefly, he glanced at Nomasaki, then glanced back at Shukaku – unsure of what to make of the remark. In response, Shukaku smirked at him – mocking his emotional ignorance. "Well, now," The beast began. "I should get going. It's been quite a while since I was able to call the desert my home… Nearly a thousand years!" Slowly, it turned towards the desert horizon and began to walk in its blinding direction – hobbling its massive body towards the sands. Pausing, the beast glanced back at the two human who stood behind it, as if to say a final farewell. "So long, Gaara… the Kazekage!"

With the sudden burst of the desert winds, the monstrous creature turned into a large mass of sand – becoming one with the desert. Seeping into the dune, the tailed-beast disappeared into the vast sands of the Land of Wind – Shukaku was finally free. As Gaara stood silently while he gazed into the desert horizon, his ringed turquoise eyes gleamed with sadness. Not only was Shukaku free of its burden, but so was he. Although extracted from him over two years ago, having closure with his former tailed-beast lifted a massive weight from his shoulders. Noticing his silence as they stood before the calm desert winds, Nomasaki turned to him, her gaze concerned and curious.

"Gaara?"

"I'm fine. It's just…" As she looked at him, her eyes closed halfway in shared empathy, sensing his emotional relief. Glancing at him, she could see the glistening of tears forming in his stoic eyes. "Times have definitely changed for the better…"

Gingerly, a light wind passed by them as they stood in the desert that afternoon, swaying his red hair of crimson, and hers of golden blonde. As the breeze flowed past them, she could feel a light stream of sand touch her hand ever so gently. Slightly surprised, she looked down, watching it carefully guide her hand to his. Softly, she intertwined her fingers with his, touched by his gesture of comfort. Knowing what tomorrow would bring, she hid her guilt behind her violet eyes – promising silently to share that moment with him for as long as she was able. She wanted nothing more than to hold his hand for as long as she could, but she knew in her heart that such a fate would be impossible. Guilt masked behind her soft expression, she decided she would let him know tomorrow that she decided to return to the mountains of cold.

She chose her path, and she would soon walk it at sunrise.

Looking up to him, she saw his ringed tanuki-like eyes still locked on the horizon. Her eyes glistening with admiration, she felt her guilt-ridden heart swell with comfort. He may have been a jinchuriki, but he was by far the most understanding and caring person she knew. She could tell not just by his glance towards the sun, but through the warmth his hand gave her. It felt just as it did in her Infinite Dream – only now it was real. Only then did she realize how small her hands were compared to his, her dainty fingers intertwined with his, callused and strong. Even from a simple hold, she could feel his desire to protect her. Gently, she smiled to herself and followed his gaze as they held hands in silence.

Watching the desert sun together…

~ Part II End ~