Author's Note (2021/05/27): New chapter added to better explain/fix gap between Part II and Blank Period. I also thought it was kinda empty that my character just "quits" and doesn't physically go anywhere (I wanted her to be gone to add more to the distance between her and Gaara instead of her just being cowardly and refusing to see him after the war). So yeah, this chapter sets up their inevitable reunion after two years since the war ended. Hope you enjoy!

Sand and Snow

~ Blank Period ~

Chapter 41
The Return

Two years later…

The wind was crisp and cold as it touched her warm cheeks.

Snow surrounded her in the heavenly realm of white. Icicles clung to the sprawling mountain cliffsides, and frost painted the pines in a glossy haze of silver. Sitting before the ancient wolf statue that was cracked with age and by the cold, Nomasaki sat in silent prayer and breathed in the life around her. She wore a thick cloak of black fur on her shoulders, shrouding her kimono from the bitter cold that ate at her half-blood body. The winds were calm but their sting was harsh. They swam through each strand of her golden hair, rippling the smooth silk that glimmered in the mountain sun. She was truly a woman grown and nearing age twenty, and to her surprise the thick gold hair she knew most of her life had finally turned straight and flowing. Perhaps the mountain air was kinder than the dry bite of the desert's heat. And for once, her previous burdens as a shinobi of Suna had finally left her – all thanks to the mountain's saving grace.

But it was mornings like these where she felt truly at peace.

The Yamamori Forest was a secret realm only her clansmen knew well enough to tread, for those lacking the blood of the wolf would sooner get lost or risk freezing from the harsh conditions. At the meadow by its foot, it was where she made her daily visits. Using the scrolls Maki gave her before she left Suna, Nomasaki practiced her fūinjutsu with kunai and snow lilies. She could perform the basics, but the focus from her chakra was something difficult for her to overcome. Even with fūinjutsu, her chakra proved wild at times. When not practicing her techniques or readings, she would spend hours in silent prayer. She prayed every morning from dawn until noon, using her clan-given gift to sense all the life that called the mountain their home. She could sense the villagers and her clan, the rabbits and cave bears that roamed the wilderness, and the snow lilies that grew along the mountain slopes. The more she focused, the more she could sense the essence of life. Even every rock and babbling brook seemed alive. She was near convinced that the ancient statue contained life within it as well – through a faint pulse of nature energy. But in the snows it stayed still and silent.

And then the silence was broken.

"My lady!"

The Yama-nin's footsteps crunched to a halt as they caught their breath. Upon his forehead, his gleaming shinobi headband signalled his allegiance – three snow-crested peaks etched amongst one another, appearing as if the very mountains where they stood. Pretending as if she never heard them, Nomasaki remained calm in focus. She was not yet used to being referred to as a 'lady' despite her two years of residence in the mountains. The title did not fit her in her eyes – but it was because of her father. For his leadership, dedication, and willingness to bring the estranged Yamamori clan and villagers together, Kyō was unanimously elected as the chieftain of Yamagakure. His reign was two years long and the title of 'lady' followed her wherever she went.

At least it's not 'traitor' or 'outsider', she thought.

"Sorry to interrupt, my lady," The man huffed. "But a hawk from Sunagakure arrived this morning."

Breaking her from careful meditation, she turned to him with eyes wide. "From Sunagakure?" She repeated. "Who is it? Is it from the Kazekage?"

The Yama-nin shook his head. "No, my lady. It's the Suna Council."

Her heart sank.

Turning back to the statue, she closed her eyes and breathed out the cold mountain air, swirling into white vapours from her lips. Meeting the messenger at the edge of the white meadow, she took the scroll from his hands and read it silently. Reaching the end of its contents, she narrowed her eyes slightly at its meaning.

"What is it?"

If only I knew. She looked to him, handing him back the parchment. "They're requesting I return… It appears they need me for an assignment that's yet to be specified."

"And your response?"

"Tell them I accept." She nodded, her face calm as still water. "It's been a while since I've been to Suna, and I think I'm due for a visit."

The messenger knelt onto the snows. "Yes, my lady. I'll write to them right away!"

Once the Yama-nin faded away with the Teleportation Jutsu, Nomasaki was once again alone in comfortable solitude. The winds were cold and firm with ice and brittle frost, and the wordless hum of life danced within her senses. Wolves walked as still as ghosts through the white pines beyond, their piercing purple eyes making careful watch over the peaceful mountain hamlet. They'll be fine without me, she assured herself, I won't be gone too long, after all.

But that was a conviction her was unsure of herself.

Even in the days of winter, the desert heat was merciless.

In the two years following the war, Gaara's duties as Fifth Kazekage had surprisingly became even more demanding. With warfare slumbering for at least a time, the new peaceful ways of the world called for more inquiries to the village's economy and their repaired relationship with the daimyo of the Land of Wind. He could not even have a moment's peace from the councillors and their bickering over exports. It was all boring talk, and it seldom required him to do as much as listen. Even in his seasoned five-year reign, Gaara thought of the duties as simply that – his duty. But even duty turned dull if the same matter was brought up near every meeting. Temari and Kankurō must have sensed the change in business as they were now largely absent from the council chambers. With the peace-terms and treaties, Temari was the diligent Suna Ambassador in his stead and Kankurō was busy manning the Suna Puppet Corps. And in an unexpected turn on the day after the departure of Shukaku, his trusted assistant and friend willingly resigned from her position - instead choosing to take a leave-of-absence to the mountains of the far north.

And Gaara was alone.

Leaving behind only a notice of resignation on his desk, she did not have the nerve to face him directly as she reigned her responsibilities to the council. It was for the best, he reasoned, She suffered enough in this place. In the drawers of his desk, he found the letter and the ones behind it in the spot where he kept them hidden.

"Gaara,

Thank you for allowing me to work as your assistant these past three years. Thank you for believing in me when I was accused of treason and supporting me in the trial, and for your pardon. I'm sorry for all that I've done to you and I'm glad that I have such a wonderful and amazing friend such as you. You have become a great Kazekage and everyone respects you. I'm sorry, but I must leave your service as assistant. I've thought long and hard about what you said to me that time we travelled to Ishigakure, about choosing my own path. I think I decided what I must do. I know this may be difficult to hear, but I must return to my homeland in the north. Yamagakure needs me, and so does my father – and my people, too. I don't know what I'll be doing or how long I'll be gone, but I promise you that I will return again someday. This place is my home, too – I am a half-blood, as the elders say.

I'll be serving my temporary leave-of-absence in Yama, and as such, I can no longer work as your assistant. I know it's rather sudden, but with the aftermath of the trial and the war, I need some time to be away from everything (I'm sure the village will be glad I'm gone, too). This decision was hard for me to reach, but I trust in your ability to find someone to replace me. I hope I can stay on good terms with you, as I feel nothing but positive things about you. You're my closest friend and you mean so much to me.

I wish you well, and I hope we will see each other again soon.

Your favorite assistant,

Nomasaki."

Further down on the note, she wrote a comment that made his heart near sink in his chest.

"PS: Remember to fill out your paperwork on time! I'm sure you'll remember, you are the Fifth Kazekage. Just don't be reckless, okay?"

Even her parting words of hurt were comforting to him.

Not once had she held any doubt for him, and for that he was surely humbled. Since that day after the war, they have not spoken to or even seen each other. Not once. Although she took it upon herself to write to him, Gaara never returned an answer to her letters. Alone at his desk that evening, he glanced to the others behind it and pulled them out to read. And the hurt came rushing back.

"Gaara,

It's been a month since I left for the Land of Mountains. My father is leading the restoration, and the village near looks just as I remembered it in my childhood. Over one hundred refuges from the invasion met us on the tundra steppes and we've managed to make a small settlement to establish some farmlands. The Yamamori from the Land of Frost have returned, too. I've been busy teaching them what I know – especially the young ones, so our clan's jutsu can be continued to be passed down. Many of us have awakened our Kekkei Genkai, but there are a few who have yet to reach that milestone. I've been telling the younger ones the same stories my mother would tell me, too – they seem to like them! I'd like you to meet them someday, my clan – they're a strong and hardy people.

I miss Sunagakure and I'm hoping to come visit soon. I know you're Kazekage so it may be easier for me to visit you rather than you visit me (does that sound weird?).

Love, Nomasaki"

He looked to her second letter, the orange sun dimming behind his seat.

"Gaara,

I'm not sure if you received my letter I sent a few months back.

I just wanted to write to you to tell you I'm enjoying my life in the mountains as I once did. We have near three hundred civilians here now, and the village just built a new academy. The old village custom forbidding women from becoming kunoichi was undone – some of my clansmen say I was the cause for this change (I'm humbled at the very least). My father was elected chieftain today, I've never been prouder of him. He truly is a great man, and the villagers all love him despite him being born an outsider to these lands. It's funny… in my Tsukuyomi dream, I dreamt I was the chieftain. What could have been if Ishigakure had not invaded, right? I wonder if I would have been a good leader…

I think about you – and I miss you. It seems this place demands more of me so it's been difficult to leave, but maybe soon I will come back to Suna, and you can tell me all that you've been up to. I know you're the Kazekage so you're probably busy, but I just wanted to write to you since you've been on my mind.

Love, Nomasaki"

It was her third and final letter that stung the most.

"Gaara,

I have been in Yamagakure for a year now and much has changed. The village has five hundred people within its borders – and two hundred shinobi! The restoration has been completed, and the daimyo appears to be pleased with the cooperation from the Land of Wind and Suna, so I must thank you for that. My clan has returned to the village where they originated and have a new homestead built just before the Yamamori Forest, and my childhood home – the old homestead - was rebuilt and it's where my father and I live (we call it the 'chieftain's manse'). As for me, I'm not sure what the future holds. I was told I can receive dual-citizenship because of my birth, so I may take it up with the Sunagakure Border Corps when I visit next.

I've also been a target recently. Not by assassins or missing-nin, but by suitors. I've been subject to letters and gifts of snow lilies and fur pelts by secret admirers, and some even had the gumption to approach me directly. The ones who came were lords and the like from nearby lands who most likely heard of our restoration and are interested in mining our mountains for minerals. I'm the chieftain's daughter so I guess it's to be expected to be viewed as a bargaining chip (damn them). Being myself, I challenged them to single-combat – none of them even came close to winning my hand! You should've seen the last one, he was so embarrassed to be defeated by a woman in a kimono and near soiled himself when I barred my fangs (I know you would have found it amusing to watch).

I know we as shinobi live lives as brief as a candle flame, and we marry young and settle down young… but I'm not sure about that yet. There's still much I want to do, still much I want to see – so I think I might have to think carefully before deciding when and if I want to settle down and start a family. What do you think of this? You're the Kazekage so you might not have as much pressure as me to get married, but… do you ever picture yourself settling down? Maybe when I come visit Suna, we can get together and talk about this – would that be alright with you? I miss you very much and I still think about you sometimes. I hope the village is treating you well, you're a great Kazekage and you deserve all the rest your insomnia prevents you.

I miss you.

Love, Nomasaki"

Void.

Returning the letters to their place in his desk drawer, he sat in silent thought over the words he wanted to write back but lacked the courage to put pen to paper. The things he wanted to say were trivial to him, but he did not know another way to properly express what his heart wanted. He wanted her back – but what for? To be his assistant again? Or to simply be back to being the supportive friend he knew her to be? Those were selfish reasons. She's back with her people after all she went through. But she was two days' north from where he was, and he had to understand that she was not returning anytime soon. At least if he gave her that sand flower, she would have had something to remember him by. If time had any indication, it appeared it was just simply not meant to be.

But he knew one thing – and that was that he loved her.

The day he found that first letter on his desk was his loneliest day in years, so much so even his siblings took notice of his moping. Boring a void in his professional life and his personal life, his day-to-day routine consisted of constant work and insomnia – with no one able to fill her shoes as adequately as she did. Day in and day out, he worked tirelessly as the Kazekage with the occasional and gracious help from his brother-turned-bodyguard Kankuro. Unknown to himself, Nomasaki's sudden departure had him torn deep inside and his siblings could see it plainly from his blank ringed-eyes. Protection, admiration, and love. The depth of his feelings for her were unwavering.

It became so obvious that Kankuro decided to take matters into his own hands as any 'good brother' would do. One night, the puppeteer persuaded the stoic-faced Kage to go on a nightly stroll through the village's far northern end. When Gaara realized he was being lured into the village's notorious red-light district, he was met with an urging glance from his doting sibling. The Kazekage did not hesitate to turn back and go home – where he stayed up the entire night struggling to fall asleep and reading books on botany. Temari even offered her sisterly advice on learning how to speak to women. He declined.

And it was at this point that his siblings realized that the effort was hopeless.

As he turned twenty years of age that arriving winter, he was beginning to gain a new perspective on his village, his purpose, and his relationships with others. However, on how to act, he was still unsure. What do I even write back after all this time has passed?

And his heart was still preoccupied – but doubt prevailed.

Sitting on the porch step of the dimly lit Kazekage family's living quarters, Temari sat removing her worn sandals. She only just returned from yet another mission in the Land of Fire as the Ambassador, and three days of travel were behind her. The large battle fan rested beside her on the porch with a bag of supplies in tow. Although it was already evening, she appeared as if she was not even close to being tired from the journey. It was something she had grown used to over the years.

"I still can't believe I was gone for more than a week or so," She grumbled. "That Land of Silence incident really shook things up in Konoha… for better or for worse." Turning to her sibling who stood behind her, she gave a light smile. "Being that I'm the Sand Ambassador, I couldn't exactly avoid this series of events. Unless you wanted to be saddled with that instead, of course."

"Yeah, no thanks. That seemed a mess, to be honest." Kankuro scoffed. "You do that." As he stood leaning against the wall, he smirked at her. His prying glance met her eyes. Suspicious, almost, but in the most sibling-like way possible. She's hiding something.

Sensing her brother's glance, she awkwardly jolted for a moment. "W-What are you looking at me like that for? What's your deal?"

"So... what is it with you and that Nara guy, huh? Are you planning on seeing him or…-?"

"What?!" She gasped, her eyes wide in shock and face blushing. "N-No, of course not! Why would I do that?!"

"Because you always seem to hang with him in some way or another. You must've spent lots of time with him while you were in Konoha this time around. Are you two meeting up when you have to go back -?"

She scoffed back, ignoring his prying eyes. "You ask too many questions!" A thought entering her mind, her expression calmed as she stood and started for the kitchen to grab a glass of water. "Also, I have news."

He raised a brow. "News?"

"Nomasaki is coming back. She sent a hawk to the council when I was there earlier."

"Wha -? Really?" Kankuro awed, surprised. "I thought she was content where she was."

Temari shrugged, her glass in hand. "They summoned her back for an assignment… The old bastards wouldn't tell me what it was. I'm guessing they need her senses, and she's still a shinobi of our lands so no doubt they must've reached out in some way."

"Did you say she's coming back?"

Prompting the two to turn towards the porch, Gaara stood in stunned silence. His eyes were tired and worn, the rings more pronounced than usual – and for once his hurt eyes appeared with a fragment of hope. As quiet as he was, his sudden appearance startled them slightly. Temari bit her tongue. Ever since Nomasaki's departure, she had been careful to not bring up the outsider's name in his presence. Although a friend to her still, with Gaara she was the source of his emotional distance in recent years. She left a void that could not be filled, no matter how many failed assistants or ill-fated attempts to draw away his interest. And still, his thoughts persisted about the wolf-girl from the far mountains.

"Gaara," Temari said. "I didn't know you were here. But yeah, she is. Tomorrow, actually." She gave him a concerned look. "You… didn't write back to her, didn't you? She told me she sent you letters while she was gone but she didn't hear back from you."

Gaara froze.

Averting his eyes, the hope retreated. "…I… wasn't sure of what to say."

Temari's eyes flickered with a spark of anger. "What do you even mean by that -? Never mind," Giving up on the pointless questioning, she put away her empty glass and started for the hallway. "I'm going to meet up with her tomorrow before I leave for the Land of Fire again on my next assignment. Gaara, you should come and see her. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you."

Hesitating, he resigned. "Temari, I can't…"

"She is still your friend, isn't she?"

"Yes, but… –,"

"But what?" Temari raised a brow, crossing her arms against her chest as she stood before him. "Honestly! It's just Nomasaki! She'll be more than happy to see you after two years! Wouldn't you?"

Wouldn't I? That was something he wanted to find out for himself. But once again, doubt settled in his thoughts. Averting his glance, he looked down in shame. "I know but… things changed. What… do I say to her?"

Temari groaned and walked away. "Fine. I'll go myself! If she asks where you are, I'll say you were too busy…"

Watching his sister leave for her room, Kankuro sighed. "Ah, so she'll be here tomorrow… Gaara, I have to say… you look nervous, and that's a phrase I don't think I've ever said."

"I'm not." A lie.

Kankuro chuckled a smirk. "Sure, sure… but what if she comes back with some beast-man? Or even a swaddled baby…?" Seeing Gaara start his retreat to his room, he sighed. "Alright, I'm sorry. I'm just messing with you. Anyways… since that mission, Temari's been so touchy... Don't you think, Gaara?"

Stepping out from the shadow of the hallway, the young Kazekage walked to his brother's side. "Only when you seem to ask her about Shikamaru. Why do you press her so much?"

Jolting, Kankuro whipped his head to him. His expression both flustered and embarrassed.

"H-Hey, I'm allowed to pry! I'm just a concerned brother, that's all!" Suddenly, he remembered something important – jogging his foggy memory that early morning and snapping him out from his guilty-ridden daze. "Ah, that reminds me!" Making his way towards his puppet chamber, he paused for a moment, turning to his younger brother with a smile. "The puppet corps needs me on an assignment for the next few days… I can't believe I almost totally forgot about it. You'll be fine without a bodyguard, right? I told the council in advance I'd be gone so they'd have to find someone else to fill my shoes for a week or two. You have that Summit in Konoha in a few days too, and you'll need someone assigned to protect you while I'm gone." Realizing his words, he scratched his messy head of brown hair. "Who am I kidding... you're Gaara of the Sand Waterfall! It's not like you need protection or anything."

"I haven't been called that in years," Gaara responded. "But I guess old nicknames die hard, don't they?" The last time he was called that was long ago, before he became the Kazekage of Suna. When I was still a jinchuriki.

Gathering up his things, he paused yet again. "Hey, Gaara,"

"What is it?"

Turning towards him, an expression of slight sympathy and concern appeared on Kankuro's face. "Maybe... do something for yourself for a change?" He suggested, scratching his head. "Maybe try to socialize with others instead of being cooped up in your office all day?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Kankuro sighed. "Since the war ended, you've been buried in your work. I know being the Kazekage is a lot of responsibility, but maybe try to relax a little?"

"Kankuro -,"

In a brief moment, Kankuro disappeared into the confines of his puppet chamber. Not hearing his younger sibling's call, he assembled his weapons in preparation for his next assignment that loomed in only a few hours' time. Paused in curiosity to his request and unsure of how to respond, the Kazekage was alone for the time being in the confines of his home.

And the silence returned.

The desert wind turned cold on the advent of night.

For Nomasaki, she was lucky the journey had been an easy one. After bidding her father and villagers farewell that morning as a human, she descended down the snowy peak as a beast. Her form had grown to near surpassing Hanone in size, her limbs powerful, her coat a rippling white, and her jaws large enough to crush a boar in one single bite. She was a ghostly giant to the wild wolves that sometimes prowled the tundra, reminding her of the small form she once had after her Kekkei Genkai first awakened. And now she was fully grown – and monstrous in the eyes of men. The frosted pines zoomed past her vision as she flew down the slopes of snow and stone, and the tundra passed her by in only a matter of hours. The desert was the easiest part of her journey, especially since the sun disappeared over the horizon. The sands were cool underneath her paws as she dashed amongst the dunes, with the wind hardly daring to strike her as she approached closer to the village she was sworn to for the past seven years. Seeing its walls in the distance, she slowed to a trot and then a pause. With the rising winds of night, she became a woman once again and followed the pathway as a human. Watching the walls grow taller in her sights, she felt her heart grow heavy with longing and nervousness. Keeping a calm face, she reached the border entrance at the foot of the valley cliffs by midnight.

"Halt!" The border-nin thrust the points of their spears towards her. "Stop right there, traveller! State your purpose. These may be times of peace but we of the Border Corps have the right to question your intentions!"

"I'm a Suna kunoichi returning from a leave-of-absence. I'm here on request of the council." Nomasaki spoke, her voice crisp. "Step aside, if you please."

The other border-nin approached with a furrowed brow. "How do we know you are who you say you are -?!"

A flash of white startled the men, making them near quiver in their positions. Towering over them was a shadow that reached eight feet and a snarl that shivered their bones with its sheer might. Its haunting purple eyes in the dark struck fear into their hearts.

"What the -?! A-A w-wolf!"

"It's the outsider!" The other guard spat at his comrade. "You fool! Let her pass!"

As sudden as she transformed, the woman before them was once again petite and pleasant in her cloak of dark fur and kimono. She gave them a kind smile as she passed through their guard. "Thank you."

Stepping out from the shadow and into the dimly lit streets, Nomasaki's heart eased at the familiar sights around her. In a way, she felt she never truly left home to begin with. The soft hum of nightlife danced on the quiet cool winds, and the chakra of the village was peaceful and quaint. And there was familiar chakra waiting to greet her after so long.

"Hey! Nomasaki!"

Sensing their chakra, she saw them standing in the square together. Meeting them, she took Meiyumi and Shinto in for a hug, their faces meeting the dense and warm fur of the cloak that sat on her shoulders. "It's been a while, you two." She smiled. "I missed you guys so much."

After Team Hashira embraced, Meiyumi eyed her with excitement in her shining brown eyes. The medic-nin had a sense of wisdom about her, her expertise in the healing arts emanating from her glance. "How was Yamagakure? You have to tell us!"

Nomasaki nodded, smiling softly. "It was amazing, I wish you could see it for yourselves. We'll have to go together some time, it's truly a peaceful place." With a smirk, Meiyumi looked her up and down with arms folded against her chest. Seeing her friend look at her in such a way struck both her curiosity and shyness. "What's the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I knew it! You look more womanly than the last time I saw you. Your hair is so pretty! It's smoother and near silk-like." Meiyumi awed. Upon seeing the subtle curves of her friend's feminine chest and hips, she smirked. "Seems like your boyish figure is no more!"

Averting her shy lilac eyes, a faint blush spread across Nomasaki's cheeks. "Y-You think so?"

"Don't you think, Shinto?" Meiyumi nudged. "Doesn't Nomasaki look like a total cutie?"

Shinto flinched, his face reddening. "I-I, uh… why are you asking me that?" Coughing into his fist, he brushed off the nervousness that crept into his throat. He smiled towards her. "A cutie that would tear your throat out, maybe. You're still the same wolf-girl we grew to love as our teammate. Woman or not, it doesn't matter."

They're both the same, that's a relief. Nomasaki smiled back. "Thanks." Noticing the presence of his lost arm, she could tell from the craftsmanship that he had his puppet limb attached. "Your arm, you got your prosthetic limb! How is it?"

He moved it in a slow flex, pulling back his sleeve to show its joints and etchings. "Feels almost as if I never lost it! I have a blade hidden in it, too. A nasty surprise for anyone who attacks me during missions. Kankurō did a great job with the design. I'm... surprised, actually."

"Let's go get something to eat! There's a really good stall that has chicken skewers – and great sake!" Meiyumi beamed. "What's the sake in Yama like?"

"Thick," Nomasaki chuckled. "Very well made. I never thought I'd acquire a taste for alcohol, but sake is a great way to relax after a long journey." As long as one doesn't go overboard the first time… that first time was rough.

Shinto nodded in agreement, his stomach grumbling. "That settles it, let's go!" Walking beside his comrades, he leaned closer to Nomasaki. "Say, uh… I don't think I mentioned it in our letters, but I'm in the Suna ANBU now. I started last month."

"That's great, Shinto!" She smiled. "Congratulations."

Averting his eyes, he pushed himself to ask the words. "I was wondering… maybe after you get settled, maybe we can… do something… just the two of us?"

Nomasaki was curious. "What do you mean? Like hang out or train?"

"S-Sure." Shinto nodded. "What do you say?"

"Well," Nomasaki pondered. "I have an assignment from the council that I leave on in two days' time. When I get back, we can do something then. Unless the Kazekage summons me and forbids me from rest."

A sudden sharpness entered Shinto's eyes. "Do you still talk to him?"

"How can I answer that?" She shrugged, her smile fading on the streets ahead. "He never responded to my letters."