Forgotten

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Naruto (Shippuden). This is a story inspired by the original made up for entertainment purposes only. - Krystal

Chapter 36: No Goodbyes

She did not hear from since that night. She didn't know whether he was still nearby or gone far away. She sent a message out to him. It should have reached him by that day, but she received no reply. Because she couldn't blow her cover at the Sand Village, she didn't seek him out either. As it kept bothering her, she still kept on going with her life in Sunagakure. Just like any other day, Yuki spent it in the library with Gaara. She was reading up on medical ninjutsus as it was something that she felt the need to improve on. He was reading up on how to handle political tension.

"These seem a little dated." He told her.

They would often discuss about their readings as it helped them gain a new perspective on things.

"Why do you say that?"

"Using people as sacrifices to reduce the tension between countries is said to be the best way to ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people."

"They are not wrong." Yuki said as she put down her book.

"I don't want to become someone who would willingly sacrifice someone in order to ensure the safety of the country."

"Sacrifices are bound to happen. If you can reduce the harm by doing so, you are going to have to."

"Do agree with the method though?" Gaara asked as he also closed the book he was reading.

"I don't, but I understand its purpose and its efficacy. You really can't deny that."

"It's sad, isn't it?"

"How fragile life is?"

"Yes. It's also scary."

"Having someone hold your life in their hands?"

"No. Having to hold someone's life in your hand. Making that decision." He paused for a second before telling Yuki a little more about how he was feeling. "I always resented my father turning me into a monster, but now that I might have to be in the same position as him, I can somehow understand him. I wonder if it hurt him to do this to me."

He touched the scar on his forehead. Yuki looked out the window. Time was going by really quickly. In no time, Gaara would no longer be able to just sit around here with her. He would be sitting high up in the office, making life and death decisions, dealing with problems he could have ignored. Yuki was reminded of the Third. How hard was it for him when making certain decisions? Then, she remembered Itachi's sacrifice. She remembered how cold and stoic the Third remained when she was breaking down in front of him because that sacrifice. Then she remembered how Neji's father passed away protecting the whole clan, but left behind his young son. She sighed.

"I didn't mean to exhaust you." He then said, noticing how her energy seemed to have been drained.

"No. I just thought of a lot of things. How long have I been here, in Sunagakure, now?"

"It's been a while now. I want to say at least a year?"

"Has it been that long?"

"Why are you asking? Are you thinking of leaving?"

"I... I probably should."

"Stay. I need you." He said as looked at her in the eyes.

"You have your siblings." Yuki replied, looking away. "I've been away for so long."

He didn't insist. He knew that wasn't going to change her mind. Within the year she's been here, he got to know her well. Once she decided on something, there was no way someone could talk her out of it. He sighed and opened his book to where he was. He then pleaded, one last time:

"Just until I become Kazekage, then?"

"Certainly." She replied as she also continued her readings.

Before they knew it, the day he would become Kazekage arrived. Everybody was frantically getting ready, with Kankuro being the most nervous. He felt so proud and happy, but he was also very worried something would happen. Yuki didn't blame him. Many of the deserters were still out there. As much as they put effort into capturing any remains of the rebellion, they were just not able to catch everyone. Furthermore, they were unaware if anybody else harbored secretly any hate towards Gaara within the village itself. Temari, Kankuro, Baki and Yuki promised each other to keep an eye open during this day to any suspicious activity.

The ceremony started well. Many villagers grew to know the new Gaara. A lot, especially the younger generation, were happy that he was the new Kazekage. It marked a new era of ruling that, as Gaara promised, would be characterized by peace and partnership between Sunagakure and the other villages. As he was standing on the balcony of the Kazekage's office for everyone to see, Yuki noticed something flying in an interesting pattern in the sky. She asked the guard she was standing next to to lend her his binoculars to have a look. He gave her a dark look and told her to mind her own business. There was no doubt that something was about to happen. She sneaked away and headed over next to Kankuro and told him what she had noticed. He gave her a nod as she headed to the rooftop to have a better look at that flying thing. Its movement made it obvious to her. It was a puppet, shaped like a bird. She turned around and noticed that it wasn't the only one. There was at least another dozen. Before she could even attempt to take them down, they all charged towards Gaara. As expected, his sand immediately came to his protection. Yuki slid down the roof and saw the chakra strings attached to the puppet. She tried following the lines to trace them back to whoever was manipulating it. He was a few hundred meters away from the Kazekage's office. She pulled out her katana and cut those strings to stop the movement of the puppet before heading towards the puppeteer. As she made her move, her eyes met with Gaara and she could read his lips telling her to be careful. She gave him a quick nod and disappeared towards their enemy.

In the corner of her eye, she spotted Kankuro and Temari doing the same. They were headed towards different enemies, but, most likely, coordinated their actions. Judging from the puppets that were seen, there was at least twelve people involved. Observing the way they manipulated their puppets, they all originated from the Sand. Puppeteers weren't known for their strength in close combat. This wasn't any different. Yuki quickly knocked him out and headed out the building where he was hiding. As she stepped out, she noticed that the puppets were now, no longer just attacking Gaara, but they were also causing chaos in the crowd of villagers. Gaara's sand was working hard at protecting both him and the people. Angered by such a scene, Yuki headed down into the crowd to clear out the danger and get everybody to safety. People were running in confusion while others, dressed as Sand shinobi, were chasing them and causing terror. She joined up with Temari who was also clearing the streets in order to prevent death from happening.

"We should have taken more preventive measures." She told Yuki as she shielded some kids with her fan before instructing them to head into one of the businesses nearby.

"I thought that they would target Gaara, but to attack the citizens as well is a new low."

Yuki was now fighting a man whose attack showed his experience as a previous ANBU. He was agile and quick. Yuki was barely able to keep up against him. She couldn't use any flashy moves as it would cause more destruction and could possible harm any by-standers. He, on the other hand, couldn't care less. He was an Earth ninjutsu user. He was quite proficient as well. Yuki tried to lead him to an open space where she would be able to use her lightning jutsus, but he was smart enough not to fall for it.

"Why are you fighting for this village?" He asked her.

"I think the better question would be why are you attacking your own village." She said as she blocked his earth spear with her katana.

He didn't answer. She couldn't read any emotions on his face. She could only assume that he had no real reasons. Perhaps, it was simply the dislike he had for the new Kazekage. It was a bad excuse, but it was an excuse, nonetheless. He was ruthless in his ways. He gave very little care about his surroundings. He would destroy anything on his way. Just when Yuki thought he was only capable of big scale attacks, needles went flying by her. He was now layering his large scale earth ninjutsus with small and fast needles. Just as before, he didn't care whether they would harm any civilians despite Yuki being his only target at the moment. As the ground collapsed, a group of children were exposed to the needles. Occupied by her own obstacles, Yuki could only see the scene unfolding right in front of her eyes. She threw her katana in an attempt to deflect as many needles as possible, leaving herself weaponless in the meantime. As she jumped backwards to avoid the last few needles, she saw that her katana did not deflect all the projectiles.

"Kaiten!" said a very familiar voice as a blast of wind came through and protected the children.

"Neji..." she murmured.

It was indeed Gai's team. Tenten took the children away from the scene as Lee jumped forward and started fighting the man. Yuki finally managed to take a breather under the piercing glaring eyes of Neji.

"Are you here to attend the party?" Yuki asked as she walked over.

"Tsunade-sama was worried that this sort of thing would happen. Therefore she sent a few of us here to ensure everyone's safety. She didn't mention your participation in this mission though."

"I just walked by and stumbled upon this fight." Yuki replied, sarcastically. "But really, not the time to talk right now."

Indeed, a few projectiles came their way and they split in order to avoid them. As one of them passed right under Yuki's nose, she recognized the scent as being a potent poison if ever in contact with blood.

"Lee! Those needles might not hurt if they scratch you, but they are dipped in poison! Be careful!" She yelled out as Lee was being more and more careless about taking blows in order to be able to land a blow.

"Got it!" He answered as he became a little more conservative in his movements. "He's really good. I haven't met someone with such great taijutsu in a while."

"He's an ANBU." Yuki explained as she was fighting some other shinobis who had just arrived on the scene. "They are trained very strictly in each area of fighting."

"You would know that very well." Neji said under his breath at Yuki before turning towards his teammate. "Lee, you should switch opponent with Yuki."

Lee did as he was told despite wanting to continue his fight against that man. Yuki did oppose to the idea, but did not appreciate that comment. She figured this wasn't the time to quarrel, however. The fighting now became fairer as Tenten was able to, alongside with Temari, clear out the streets of any civilians. However, more opponents had joined the fight. They were quickly outnumbered.

"You cannot win this." The man told her. "There are too many who don't think Gaara should become Kazekage."

"He'll prove you wrong."

"That is if he gets the chance to do so."

"I'll make sure he does."

"Over my dead body."

They kept their fight going for a little longer. He then asked her:

"You are an ANBU, aren't you? You are great at masking your techniques, but I can tell now. Konoha's ANBU are weak. You were taught that emotions should not be involved, but I can tell you care about everyone too much."

"And you care too little. You forgot what an ANBU's role is." She replied.

He didn't seem to care. She wasn't wrong. He really did forget, but he also really didn't care.

"Some people don't even know how they came to meet their death..." He said as he grinned.

It was the first time that she saw some emotion on his face. It wasn't emotion. It was evil intent. As she noticed that change on his face, she saw that both Neji and Lee had their backs to them. At that moment, Lee turned around and spotted them. Neji's back was still facing her. She saw needles fly right pass her towards his blind spot. She flashed herself to his side, pulled out a kunai and blocked the first wave of needles. One of them, unfortunately, grazed the side of her cheek. Neji quickly pulled her in and used his Kaiten to deflect the rest of the weapons. As they were spinning inside, Yuki felt the side of her cheek going numb. Her head started to pound as well. As their spinning movement stopped, she saw a figure by the man side that looked very familiar. He was covered by a mask that was typical of Konoha's ANBU's uniforms. He had quietly gone behind him and gave him a fatal blow. He then rushed over and killed the remaining shinobis that were fighting against them. Lee and Neji looked at him in a fearful manner. Although they were aware that shinobis had to kill, it was their first seeing such quick and cold bloodshed. There was no doubt in Yuki's mind of who he was. As the poison spread further into her system, Yuki crumbled to the ground as Neji used himself as a pillow to allow her to land without much impact.

"I'll take her with me." The one who came to their help said to Neji.

"I don't think so..." Neji started, still clutching on tightly to Yuki.

"Let him." Yuki barely managed to say.

"We don't even know him!" Neji told her, obviously upset. "We need to get you to the hospital first."

"I don't want to argue right now." Yuki told him before turning to the ANBU. "Grab my katana on the way, will you?"

He nodded as he picked her up from the ground under the glaring eyes of Neji who did not stand up. He then suddenly grabbed onto Yuki's hand and asked her:

"Are you not going to say goodbye again?"

She smiled as her eyes felt heavy and closed. He let go, feeling through her hand that she was too tired to utter another word. It took them a year to see each other again, yet there was not even time for them to talk. He looked at her being carried away by this unknown shinobi as she wrapped her arms around his neck. As he grabbed her katana from the sandy ground, they vanished in midair leaving one drop of blood falling onto the ground from the open wound on her cheek. She was gone, once again.

End of Chapter 36

Thank you for reading this chapter.

Quick reunion, but bittersweet.

Hope you liked it.

xox

Krystal