Chapter 48
Sand and Snow

All they could see was a realm of white.

Trudging through the thick blankets of snow at their feet, the two brothers trekked the far northern mountain. Having reached the Land of Mountains border by sunrise, time was still hot on their trail. As they started for the mountain's peak at the base of the tundra fields behind them, the blinding sun over the harsh silver lands riddled with frost suddenly disappeared from their view – a strong snowfall as if occurring out of nowhere. While the winds turned harsh and brisk with the freezing cold, their journey unfortunately turned longer and treacherous. All along the mountain path they traveled were frost-covered trees and little signs of civilization, and no fellow travelers passing them by. The growing storm was becoming too much. The cold was indeed a brutal force to be reckoned with, just as the severe heat of the desert they called home. Although Gaara was coping with the change of climate, Kankurō was struggling to stay warm – clutching his arms while we was wrapped in his cloak.

"T-This place is so cold!" He shivered. "I-It m-might even be colder than the Land of Iron! I-I t-t-take back what I said earlier!"

"She grew up here, Kankurō." Gaara spoke, making his way up the winding path. "This is what she was used to, winter lasts forever in this land."

"What?! Y-You've gotta be kidding me…!" He scoffed to himself. "How she m-managed to live here and in S-Suna is beyond me…"

While they braved the elements of the winding slope of endless white before them, Gaara was surprisingly faring better despite his sand not being in use. Although he only saw snow a scarce two times in his life, seeing the snows of the Land of Mountains stirred a slight bout of bittersweet wonder. But it was not the first time, he suddenly realized. The first time was in the forests of the Land of Rivers – the mission he embarked on with his former assistant months after the Akatsuki stole Shukaku. Snow was something alien to him, so unnatural and cold. Upon seeing it in person, he decided his judgement was wrong.

It was cold – but strong it was.

Hearing Nomasaki speak of her homeland in such a loving way spurred his never-ending curiosity, and now he knew why. The land may have been dangerous and foreign to them, but the land was nonetheless quite beautiful. White and silver covered everything in its wake, and small blue flowers burst from the impenetrable blanket of white around the bases of the conifers sprayed with frost. Snow lilies. It was astounding that a climate so cold and unforgiving could be teeming with so much life – and hope.

While they reached the top of the snowy pathway, they reached a brief clearing from the winds and falling snow. The snowfall became calm and featherlike in the skies, falling as if plumes of feathers. Pausing in their steps as their feet crunched upon the snow below, the two stopped and pulled down their hoods – taking in the frostbitten air around them, their breath visible with each exhale. As they focused their eyes on the horizon, they saw a tiny settlement near the peak of the mountain, shrouded by the frosted pine trees that covered the snowy curve of the land. In the distance, a thin trail of smoke broke through the snowy clouds above, seemingly from a lit chimney.

Yamagakure was within their reach.

"We're almost in Yama," Gaara said. "It's near the mountaintop."

Suddenly, Gaara could feel himself being watched from where he stood. Curiously, he turned towards the darkened thicket at his side - his eyes widening at the sudden familiarity. Standing completely still, a white wolf was hidden amongst the frosted trees, its lilac eyes piercing into his gaze – watching every move the Suna ninja made on the mountain path. To his surprise, he noticed four more wolves gazing towards them, their bodies hidden amongst the pines like ghosts. Although they stood silently, they did not appear aggressive, but they were definitely not shy of making their presence known. As he glanced at the wolves, his eyes grew saddened with the memory of her.

"Are these…?" Kankurō stammered, surprised of the sight around them. "Is one of these wolves Nomasaki?"

"No," Gaara replied, his breath visible in the icy air. "But they're her clansmen, the Yamamori." Turning towards the mountain path ahead, he looked to where the chimney was radiating that morning. "We're almost there. We should keep going."

A growl broke the silent winds.

Behind them, wolves slowly marched out from the shadows. Their eyes were a piercing lilac, feral and beast-like with caution mired in their snarls. Turning, more wolves entered from ahead - and soon the brothers realized that they had been surrounded. Reaching for his puppet scroll with shivering fingers, Gaara moved Kankurō's hand away. "Don't. They're not our enemies."

"Then why are we surrounded as if they plan to make the hunt?" Kankurō scoffed, watching the wolves' vicious expressions. "I don't trust them!"

The main wolf of the pack moved forward, their paws crunching in the snow on their path. In a whirlwind of snow and sky, the wolf transformed into a man standing near six feet tall with a thick head of dark hair and a long beard. He wore robes of green wool lined with black embroidery and a cloak of grey fur sat over his broad shoulders. As he narrowed his glance at the two foreigners, his purple eyes gleamed in the faint sun.

"You there," The bearded man called, his voice as crisp as the wind. "State your purpose, and state it true. Yamagakure isn't expecting visitors, so you're treading on very dangerous ground." A wolf snapped after he spoke. "Your headbands say Sunagakure... Why are two Suna-nin travelling so far from home?"

Gaara stepped forward, his face stern. "We're here to see Nomasaki. I'm the Fifth Kazekage of Suna, and this is my brother, Kankurō."

"Nomasaki-sama?" The Yamamori stiffened his brow, examining the two carefully. "That's the chieftain's daughter, what business do you have with her? To my knowledge, my lady isn't expecting you. It'd be best if you turn around... and go back where you came from."

The wolves around them arched their backs further, their snarls rumbling through their fanged jaws. Unmoved by the beasts, Gaara stood firm. "We're not going anywhere. Take us to her... and to Kyō-sama. We have urgent news concerning the Five Kage Summit that would be best for him to hear from us, rather than from a scroll sent too late."

The Yamamori grew silent.

Sensing the truth in the foreigner's strange ringed eyes, the bearded man signalled to the wolves to break formation. Snarls danced on the fading winds as the white beasts trotted off into the frosted thicket. "Very well," The man nodded. "Please, follow me. These mountain slopes can be treacherous to foreigners, so stay close to my path."

Gaara nodded, moving his hand away from the gourd under his cloak. "Thank you."

The path grew twisted and daunting the further they went.

Even with their Yamamori escort, the road to Yama was nonexistent. At some points during the twists and turns, they were able to look down and see an ocean of pines far below. Their escort told them they would be ascending five hundred metres of mountain, a journey of at least several hours. It was not until the halfway point that their escort told them his name. "Ekashiba, after my father," the man spoke, "He was a rancher of elk in the Land of Frost, and hid his true identity from the rest of the world... as I did". After much silent travel, the bearded man revealed he was the right-hand to Yamagakure's chieftain. Watching the Yamamori's eyes carefully, Gaara soon remembered that they had met before. In the Land of Iron when the wolves descended - he saw the same man become a wolf and vanish with the beasts amongst the snows.

The times for the clan have indeed changed.

Hours passed of the ascent, and the isolated mountain village was finally within their sights. Luckily, the snowfall calmed and became a gentle flurry as the afternoon approached. However, the brisk cold still remained on the silent winds that flowed past them. As he walked under the red gates that marked the entrance to the tiny village behind Ekashiba's path, Gaara paused for a moment, glancing up at the aged and flaking paint on the structure - noticing the faintly charred evidence of a past burning. The white wolves soon emerged from the thicket as silent as ghosts and returned to their hamlet, some of them changing back into their human forms wearing fur cloaks and wool robes.

"This way, Kazekage-sama." Ekashiba directed. "The chieftain's manse is at the end of the village perimeter."

Heeding his words, the two Suna ninja started through the main village path. Wary pairs of purple eyes watched them, along with the few villagers who observed them from the shelter of their porches and doorways. Their eyes were wide, curious, and somewhat startled at their foreign visitors, with all pleasantries of the civilians falling silent upon the cold air. Although Yama was a ninja village, they were still very small and isolated from the rest of the world. There were no phonelines present overhead, and the single electrical line only reached the final house on the main road as the mountain was too treacherous and unpredictable for it to go any further. To the visitors, it looked as if the village was trapped in the past, almost as if it were a village directly from the Warring States Era - in the days before shinobi villages existed.

Over the last two years since the end of the Fourth Shinobi War, Yama was rebuilt by willing Suna ninja, along with the aid of the scattered mountainfolk who took refuge on the treacherous tundra and neighboring lands. Remains of the charred houses and stores from the previous invasion by Ishigakure were restored to their former glory, following an influx of citizens new and old to the settlement. There was now new life being breathed into the mountainside, with a new ninja academy even opened and a new leader established.

Kyō of Sunagakure, Nomasaki's father.

As they reached the final house in the village, they stopped in their tracks. Hanging over the snowy hilltop as if watching guard over the village, the house was large and winding with a porch that surrounded its entire expanse and an elegant pointed roof – appearing as if a small castle from times of old. Catching Gaara's attention instantly was the crest above the porch doorway. A black triangle before a white background, resembling a tree upon a snowy field.

It appeared as if a clan crest, he thought – and then he realized. Remembering the words Nomasaki spoke to him of her clan that night in the Land of Rivers, he knew what it truly meant. The ones who guarded the mountain, the ghosts upon the trail – the wolves. The Yamamori clan, standing watch to protect the mountain-folk who claimed the snowy lands as their home. It was their sigil.

"Kazekage-sama, funny seeing you here."

Glancing at the winding porch, they seen the silhouette of a man sitting beyond its confines, smoking from a long dark pipe. As Gaara watched the man walk towards them from the porch with a cane and a limp, he realized who he was. Dressed in a black haori and brown garb, he took one last puff from his pipe and glanced at the two brothers with narrowed hazel eyes. Greying orange hair and a short white beard – he recognized the face. Nomasaki's father, Kyō. Their last encounter being the war over two years ago, it was evident that so much has changed since then – if not for him, Yama would still cease to exist. He took it upon himself to rebuild the village he abandoned – perhaps for atonement. Regardless, the land was his to rule by all rights of democracy.

"Ekashiba, thank you for leading our... unexpected guests to our hamlet." Kyō nodded. "I appreciate it." Silently, the bearded Yamamori nodded back and took his leave. Directing his attention to the visiting shinobi, the chieftain gestured to the manse's large wooden doors of gilded iron. "Please, come inside. We can discuss matters there where there's a warm fire in the hearth and hot tea."

"Kyō. Chieftain, I mean. It's been a while." Gaara spoke, pausing before the village leader as his elder brother entered the open doors. "Before we talk, I need to ask you something."

"Is it why are you here, especially so unannounced?" Kyō asked, his glance suspicious. "Are you looking for Nomasaki?"

"…Yes," Gaara nodded, trying to mask his nervousness and concern. "How did you know? Is she here?"

Gesturing to the path behind them, Kyō directed their attention towards it. The path was sheathed in frost, winding all the way up through the forest behind the chieftain's residence, close to the summit of the peak of their settlement. "She's at the Yamamori Shrine, further up the mountain." He replied. "She's doing some sort of training, I think." Turning back towards the young Kazekage, his expression turned stern – crossing his arms against his chest. "I reckon you have some explaining to do, is that it?"

Caught off guard from his question, Gaara jolted slightly for a moment. Averting his glance, he shielded his shame with a stoic stare to the snow beneath him.

"What have you heard?"

"Everything."

Hurt returning to his gaze, Gaara brought himself to meet his eyes. Knowing that her father was aware of everything between them only made him more uncomfortable – but he believed he deserved it for what he did. "I see."

Kyō's expression becoming calmer, he grasped the handle of his cane with his palm as it crunched in the snow at their feet. "If you came all this way just to see her, I suggest apologizing first," He explained, his eyes having an air of fatherly protection. "She was pretty hurt when she arrived a few days ago. I suspect she's still hurt, so you should approach cautiously." Glancing back at the snowy forest of white behind them, his hazel eyes narrowed. "You should go while you still have the chance, before she returns at sundown."

"Thank you," Gaara nodded, a small smile on his lips as he met his gaze. "Kyō-sama."

Taking in a sigh of winter air, Kyō lead the way into the chambers of hearth-fire. "Now then, let's sit down and have a heart-to-heart as Kage and chieftain."

The great hall was ablaze with the warm of a lit fire in the stone hearth, adorned in carpets of furs with embroidered robes and scrolls hanging from the walls. At the end of the chamber was an altar for the leader to take in their audience - where Kyō sat and intently listened while guards stood at either side of him. Gaara and Kankurō explained themselves fully in the chambers, seated upon thick cushions over the tatami floor. Gaara did most of the talking, and Kyō sat and listened with the utmost caution.

"And what's more from the Summit," Gaara continued. "Is that there appears to be a group of strange shinobi who can mask their presence hunting our forces. They've attacked scouts from Sunagakure, and the Tsuchikage has said that Iwa-nin have been targets as well."

"The Iwa-nin have blamed us for that." Kyō said, his eyes firm. "I spoke to Ōnoki-sama on this matter, and the appearance of these foes is nothing short of alarming. Nomasaki was tailed by them on her way here, coincidentally... but they got away."

Gaara and Kakuro both jolted, shocked. "They pursued her?" Gaara repeated, concern showing in his eyes. "Was she able to find out their allegiance?"

Kyō hesitated, averting his glance at first. Looking back to the Suna-nin, his hazel eyes sterned. "She thinks they were the same ones who destroyed Yamagakure seven years ago. The men of black armour."

"Could this be the work of Ishigakure?" Kankurō turned to Gaara, his eyes narrowed. "They attacked Yamagakure and tried to kidnap Nomasaki."

Sensing the Kazekage's quiet, Kyō continued. "I sent an owl to Zenken-sama, the chieftain of Ishigakure. I doubt Ishi dares to threaten these lands, but given our bloody history and the past rivalry of our Yamamori clan and their Kumatsume clan... who knows? We of Yama must be cautious, especially in these times of warranted peace amongst the Five Great Nations."

"I see..." Gaara said, lowering his gaze to the floor.

"I understand you wish to speak with her," Kyō drew his glance. "I suggest to you that you see her sooner than later. She'll be back by sundown, as I said earlier. We can resume these talks later."

Standing, the Kazekage gave a short bow. "Thank you, Kyō-sama."

After a nod was exchanged between the two leaders, the young Kazekage and his brother departed the manse and proceeded towards the winding wooded path that led to the Yamamori Shrine. The Yamamori Forest was forbidden to outsiders, but Gaara knew he had no choice but to enter. The dark cover of trees blanketed the path in shadows, the cold growing strong and bitter. There were no wolves, and there were none in near a century. Hanone was the last one, and he was long since dead. Silence was the only thing that greeted them, broken by the sounds of their steps crunching upon the ice and snow. When the two reached the boundary where the path finally ended and the forest began, Gaara paused. Before them was a serene white meadow of silver, surrounded by the shield of ice-covered cliffs and pine. Beyond that, was where Nomasaki was hidden from the rest of the world.

And the forest called him.

"Kankurō," He spoke, his breath visible in the mountain air. Curiously, Kankurō turned to him, watching him untie the thick cloak that sat warmly on his shoulders and the Kazekage hat that covered his head. Passing them to his brother, Gaara had a stern tint to his ringed turquoise eyes as he looked towards the towering forest in the distance. "You can wait here. I'll go on ahead on my own."

Surprised, Kankurō's eyes widened – confused and slightly shocked. The cold was unimaginable to him, clinging to every breath they made, so seeing his younger brother remove his only shelter from the frost startled him. Taking the cloak in his hands, he watched as he stepped forward in the snow. "What are you doing? Are you mad?!" He stammered. "You'll freeze! It's too cold!"

"This is going to sound odd, but..." Gaara began, his footsteps pausing with a light crunch on the snowy ground. Glancing back at his brother, a warm smile visible was visible on his pale features. "…I think I've finally gotten used to it."

Although the wind was brisk and frigid, the air was not nearly as thick as it was earlier. In the cold, he surprisingly felt somewhat comfortable. Snow, a total opposite of sand, was somehow growing on him – a young man who knew only the cruel desert heat. It was a strange irony as if fire growing accustomed to ice. And a tanuki was pursuing after a wolf - a ōkami.

Kankurō smirked, nodding once at him. "Good luck, little brother."

Nodding in return, Gaara smiled lightly. When he turned back towards the forest ahead, his face became stern and prepared.

There was no turning back.

The Yamamori Forest was a realm of dense pines and shrouded amongst the frost. Hardly a fraction of sunlight dared to enter through the treetops, cloaking all his sights in a thin shadow. Nestled amongst the conifers were trees with outstretched branches and red leaves, the rare winter trees that bled a strange red sap from their bark. They appeared as if plumes of blood amongst the white world, as if cherry blossoms that withstood the bitter cold of the north. Through his scarce chakra sense, it felt as if the very forest was alive in some way. The forest was forbidden to those without the blood of the wolf, but nothing stirred.

Only silence and the wind.

And then his vision darkened.

"Who are you?"

The child-like voice froze him in his steps.

Turning around, he saw a small child standing out from the thicket. She was alone and had a glint of sorrow in her vibrant purple eyes. Dressed in a wool kimono of red and white fabric, her gold hair stood out amongst the white around her and her cheeks were rosy from the cold. Stunned, Gaara studied the child cautiously. "Nomasaki?"

"I think I remember you... You have eyes like the ones I saw."

Drawing his gaze, he turned back and saw himself and Nomasaki standing upon the moonlit cliffs of Sunagakure, overlooking the vast expanse of desert that lay beyond the village walls. "One day, I want to be able to look at the moon without feeling I could lose control," he heard his younger self say. "It's funny," Nomasaki said back, "How everyone says wolves howl at the moon, but... not once have I ever wanted to." He saw her turn to the jinchuriki beside her, her eyes kind and curious. "Who… are you?" He heard her ask, "What's your name?". And his younger self answered - "Gaara. And yourself?". Shyly, a small smile appeared on her pale face. "Nomasaki."

The scene changed as if before his very eyes.

Amongst the dunes, he saw Nomasaki and Shinto preparing camp for their first mission as Chunin. The rest of their squadron were conversing around a fire, leaving the two members of Team Hashira to talk alone. "I don't know why you care so much for that one... I mean... he's feared for a reason, Nomasaki," Shinto grumbled, sharpening his kunai, "You don't need to keep sticking up for him." Turning back, she shot him a firm look of loyalty. "Why shouldn't I? He's one of us, isn't he?" Turning back to preparing the tent, she closed her eyes halfway. "Besides... he's my friend." Her answer irked Shinto, leaving him to sigh. "Whatever," He scoffed under his breath, "Just be careful, alright? He's a jinchuriki of that tanuki-demon. You never know when he can lose control."

Lose control... the words came back, echoed through another voice.

As his Third Eye Jutsu watched them while he sat outside the unit in solitude, he saw the silhouette of himself fade into grains of sand.

And the forest swallowed him whole.

Realizing he was trapped in a genjutsu, Gaara pressed onward through the forest and left all visions behind.

The sound of a torrent waterfall graced his ears, drawing him back to the place where Nomasaki healed him by the snowy riverside. From afar, he saw the silhouettes of himself being healed by his former assistant. Even with the noise of water, he heard every word spoken as if it were the only sound. "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." Remaining silent, he saw himself 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…," She began, You didn't have to be so reckless." Gaara saw his former self meet her eyes briefly. "What do you mean by 'reckless'?" He heard himself ask. "You shielded me from that attack," She answered, her eyes closing halfway in guilt, lightly touching his wound with the crimson-stained cloth, "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 cloth pausing on his wound.

"I can't explain it, but… I just had to."

Sitting before each other, the tanuki and the wolf met each other's eyes in the cold - sharing a deep gaze as they barred their souls.

"Young Kazekage …do you have feelings for her?" A beast grumbled through its jaws. Hanone, he realized. "Because… I believe she has developed feelings for you."

"...No," He heard himself speak. "That's a lie. I... think you're mistaken."

I lied, Gaara thought, I was the one who was mistaken.

Pressing on, he moved past the trees until he saw a clearing. Once more, the genjutsu delved deep into his mind and brought forth memories of the war. He saw himself beside her amidst the destruction that bloomed around them, her vibrant violet eyes staring at him in shocked silence. "Nomasaki," He heard himself say to her, "You're precious to me. That's why I'm protecting you… I want to protect you. Not because you're my assistant, but for our bond. I… care about you."

Remembering the feel of her trembles as he held her close, he could sense the fear she had for the future. When he awoke from the Infinite Tsukuyomi, he went to find her as soon as he could. "Gaara!" She stammered, surprised to see him so close, "You're alright –," A wind grew close, and a feeling of warmth enveloped her as she felt his arms wrap around her in embrace. His hold was strong, protective, and relieved. He closed his eyes tightly, containing all the emotions that swirled in the pits of his stomach. Seeing his assistant unharmed and alive after such an ordeal was true mercy. "I'm glad you're safe…" He remembered himself saying, his face near buried by her gold hair. "I was worried about you…" Smiling gently, she placed her hand on his shoulder, closing her eyes as she could feel tears of joy breaking through. Unlike the hold of fierce protectiveness he gave her that night of the meteor, his hold on her that day was careful and soothing. His chakra was warm and enveloping, comforting even. Her senses took all of him in, accepting his calming presence. "As was I with you…" He remembered her say, "It's good to see you again… and this time, not in my dreams."

And the war fled his vision.

The cold grew strong, gnawing at the Sand Armour that shielded him from the cold.

"You're just… so caring and kind…" He heard her voice in his thoughts, "It's no wonder why I'm... not surprised by how much I… love you."

"Gaara, Do you love her?" Temari questioned him, the anger still vivid in his memories. "Well? Do you?"

And he remembered his answer. "Yes..."

He loved her.

The words of his final letter entered his mind, "Nomasaki, I love you."

As he moved past the final trees, the memories flashed before his eyes. From the last night they shared together to their first meeting on that moonlit night, his heart ached with yearning to tell her all that he felt and all that he wanted her to know.

And the genjutsu ended.

He stepped out from the Yamamori Forest into a blinding white land.

Snow softly fell from the skies, and directly within his sights he saw a far-off figure in the distance. A distant hue of gold marked her appearance, his heart rising in his chest. She was there. It led me to her, he realized.

Alone, she sat before the shrine – a dark thick cloak on her shoulders to stay warm in the never-ending cold.

In silence, she sat with her eyes closed before the snow-covered altar, meditating before the small wolf statue of the shrine as the snow softly fell. She came here once as a child with her mother – from memories of when she was alive and in good health - and now, years later as a young woman to be in tune with her ancestors and the mountain by which she hailed from. Her blue kimono-like dress getting damp from the snow underneath her, she could feel a slight shiver creep up into her spine. All her time in Suna affected her cold tolerance but only slightly – however it was noticeable. Distracting herself from the world, she focused on her meditation. Gently, small flurries continued to fall from that sky, powdering the frozen earth below as she prayed. After a few more moments, she could feel a strong presence approach her, making its way towards the shrine at a calm and steady pace. Reluctantly, she tried tuning it out.

It got closer.

She could feel the presence stop just steps behind her. Surprised, her eyes widened in its familiarity and warmth, her heart jumping in her chest. Behind her with concerned eyes of guilt, Gaara stood. "I'm surprised you came all this way." She remarked, not turning to him. "…As you can see, I'm busy." Her words were pained, despite trying to be stern. With a calming breath, she closed her eyes, continuing her meditation and focus.

"Nomasaki," He began, averting his gaze as he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry… for not telling you the truth sooner… That was wrong of me."

"Of course, it was wrong!" Surprising him, her change in tone grasped his attention, watching her back with concerned eyes as she remained in her seat upon the snow. "It was dishonest, but… I appreciate your apology. I'll always be fond of you no matter what… That's my weakness." Opening her lilac eyes, she looked down at the snow beneath, her voice becoming quiet as her eyes grew saddened. "No matter the reason, I will always forgive you. We've… been through a lot together. I care about you." Slowly, she lifted herself up from the snowy ground of the meadow. Turning around, she faced him, meeting his gaze for a brief moment. She could clearly see the emotion tinged in his ringed-eyes. "I see the forest got to you."

"It was just a genjutsu."

She glanced to the forest as a cold wind blew past, her purple eyes glimmering in the mountain sun. "The Yamamori Forest is a sacred place to my clan. Only those with my blood can avoid the tricks it plays on the mind. If not, it induces visions of all those who are within the forest." Meeting his face, guilt swelled into her throat. "Also, I should be apologizing. I... yelled at you, and ran off. I'm sorry... for that."

Gaara shook his head. "You had a right to be angry. I was keeping a secret from you... one that I should've made clear from the beginning."

With a somber stare, she looked down with eyes closed halfway. "So did you… go through with it, then?" She asked, quietly. "The arranged marriage?"

As he stood before her, he shook his head - looking into her eyes with a serious tint to his glance. "I declined the arrangement. That's why I came here to see you, I wanted to apologize and tell you where I stand."

Surprised, her eyes widened, curious as to what he wanted to tell her. "Where you… stand?" She repeated. "What do you mean?"

As he thought of what to say next, he continued to gaze at her lilac eyes, his expression softening as he started to feel flustered. To Gaara, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had a slender build, fair skin, and alluring womanly features. Her hair was as gold as the desert sun, falling over her shoulders in strands, and her gentle eyes were the same color of the lilacs of spring. He felt as if he could stare into them forever. She was one of the kindest people he knew, and she made him feel the most comfortable, warm, and content. At this moment, he knew he was finally ready to bare his feelings to her at long last.

"The truth is… I'm…" He started, at first averting his glance. Masking his nervousness, he looked directly towards her, his expression longing and from the heart – speaking words he never thought he would ever say to someone. "I'm in love with you."

Surprised, Nomasaki's eyes widened greatly from his words. Trying to grasp what he spoke within her mind, her cheeks turned red instantly. "W… What did you just say?"

His expression calm and clean of nervousness, he gave a hint of a faint smile. "I… want to be with someone of my own choice. And that's you, Nomasaki." His expression softened, as his confession lifted from his shoulders. His eyes closed halfway, as he thought to himself the extent of his feelings – unwavering, warmth, and comforting. "You don't have to reciprocate my feelings, but that's how I feel."

Almost shaking from his words, she felt her eyes begin to fill with forming tears. "Gaara…!" She whispered. "You…–!"

Surprising him, she cupped her hands over her face, sobbing greatly in silence from his words to her. Confused and bewildered by her reaction, he did not know what to make of her sudden crying. "What's wrong?" He asked, reaching out to her in slight nervousness. "Did I… do something?"

Bravely and nervously, she stood up straight and wiped her tears away with her sleeves, clenching her fists at her sides as she continued to blush. "I love you!" She shouted, her fangs visible in her mouth and eyes tightly closed. "I'll be with you regardless if you're the Kazekage or not! I don't care!" Surprised greatly by her words, he gently smiled at her stance while he listened to her ramble. Humbled by her confession, he walked closer to her – his footsteps crunching lightly in the snow beneath him that afternoon. "If you were a slob or a lowly Genin," She continued to shout, her closed eyes wet and her fists clenching tighter as she continued to confess. "Even if you weren't a ninja at all, I'd still–!"

Sensing his closeness, she flinched at the feel of his warm chakra.

Slowly, she looked up to meet his gaze before her, his seafoam eyes locked onto her eyes of lilac. They were only breaths apart from each other. Silent and stunned, she stood before him blushing vibrantly, her tearstained cheeks glistening from the mountain sun and the frost. Unable to speak, she gazed into his longing expression wide-eyed and overcome with emotion. Gingerly, he touched her rosy cheek with his palm – lightly wiping away the last tears with his finger. The warmth from his hand clashed with the cold texture of her soft skin, surprising her from his gesture of kindness. As they gazed deeply into another's eyes, he edged closer - cradling her face with his warm hands as thoughts of desire flooded his mind.

For once, the timing was perfect.

Softly, his lips touched hers.

Surprising her greatly, she froze. As she could feel her chest flutter with warmth, she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck – returning every bit of his affections as the snow lightly fell from the sky. After their lips parted, she looked down at the snow at her feet, smiling warmly as her cheeks blushed in the cold. "I can't tell you how long I've wanted to do that…" Glancing up at him, she let out a brief soft chuckle, grazing her cheeks with her finger delicately, hoping to hide the evidence of her tears. "I've always… been a crier. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Noticing her adoring expression, he warmly smiled at her. "You're more outspoken since when I first met you. You've grown into such a confident and strong person. It's… admirable. I've always admired that about you."

She smirked, her cheeks still red. "And you're more expressive than ever." She added, playfully. "You've become a great Kazekage, and the village respects you. You're so determined and strong-willed, and you always make sure to do the right thing. You're the kindest person I've met." With a coy giggle, she gestured to his head of crimson red hair. "Your hair is messier than ever, too."

Taking in her playful jab, he closed his eyes, a small smile evident on his lips. "We should head back to Yamagakure," He said, turning towards the path behind them. "Your dad is waiting for us."

Gently and blushing, she smiled back. "Yeah," She nodded. "Let's head back."

Together, the two walked down the mountain's snowy path beside each other. Lightly, she could feel a something soft and grainy touch her hand at her side. Surprised by the feel, she glanced down, noticing a soft stream of sand guiding her hand to his. Despite his confession to her, she could tell he was still nervous to physically touch her hand himself – just as he did two years ago when they said their goodbyes to Shukaku in the desert. Softly, she took his hand in hers, gently smiling to herself from his gesture. As they walked, she held his palm tightly in the cold mountain air. Glancing to her beside him, he softly smiled. As they returned to Yama as a couple at long last, he knew and had fully accepted that he was in love with her.

In love with a wolf...

Notes: The given name of Kyō's right-hand, "Ekashiba" (エカシバ), is an Ainu name which means "Someone who can do great things".

Further, the winter trees of Yama are inspired by the weirwoods of A Song of Ice and Fire by GRRM. I know I reference this series a lot, but it has really shaped my writing style and influenced the aesthetic I want to present in my fiction.