He liked to see the sky, where the moon and the stars danced above his head with no concern of the world. It had been a habit he picked up when Shukaku was specially reckless. However, free from his unwanted visitor it remained certain… hesitance from his part. Yet he must try, for her sake…
Said woman was climbing up the roof, the surprise when her eyes meet his, Kaoru faced down, that assured his first impression.
"Come here" Gaara soft tone a precaution, just in case she wanted to run. Once she sit down, fidgeting with her hair again, Gaara decided to speak first.
"The clouds seem more dark, almost invisible"
He waited, the silence not bothering him on the least. Gaara wasn't one to pry, he didn't need to when she is concerned. Her tone, soft and blissful as she said "I like them. Their color made the moonlight shine more brightly." Gaara followed her eyesight, something she said was echoing on his head. "No matter where I am, the hue… it's the same." She said it with nostalgy he was familiar from her stories. What he didn't expect was her fingers suddenly holding his wrist, he had time to avoid it, as they faced each other he realized two things. First, he didn't want to. Two, she was containing her tears.
"Will you be alright?" He asked without thinking, she laughed shortly, not the kind one filled with joy but something he didn't get at first.
"I'm supposed to ask you that…" he ignored the last whisper, just to spare her the embarrassment but inside he felt his heart throb with a sweet warmness. You were gone… Guilty at first that her worry, her pain made him happy, she cared… people cared about him.
He had to repeat that phrase constantly after his resurrection. The miracle he sometimes doubted he deserved. However, people proved him wrong, his village and his family, both had assured him on some way or another.
"Please, don't ever make me look for you again" Kaoru plead was a promise he will not break. Maybe this way he could find a way to repay Naruto and Kaoru help. There was something around that matter he had to ask.
"Have you decided then?"
She nodded, their hands still joined as she made little circles on his wrist, something that soothed both.
"I'm afraid… what my decision will do to my team. Would you think they will understand?" Kaoru tone faltered, he noticed but worrying over the future won't help.
"… have faith, that Sasuke will choose right as well." Garra felt strange being the one reassuring another concerns. It was kind of the few privileges he wanted to fulfill with his important people. As he silently contemplated the woman with the gaze lost on the moon, he felt the need to ask much more, do something. He didn't understand why words failed to explain his desire to spend more time with her.
"but..." she whispered, jade still gazing up as Kaoru voice broke the silence. "Gaara…I..." her tone quivered, he turned and was surprised to see her crying. His heart ached, it was...unpleasant. But he waited, because her lips opened and closed, unknowingly pressuring his brain for some type of answer or action to stop her tears.
It was after she gazed down and her hand trembled that his body answered. Tightening his hold on her hand, for the first time returning her gesture with soft and unsure circles of his thumb around her pulse.
"Show me"
Even he didn't get how asking for that bond would help. Yet seconds later her green sadness was replaced with wonder, gradually as he continued his thumb massage did the light on her hands softly glowed. He conceded with a nod at her silent request, and as the hot spread like tiny flames through his chest.
This was the first time he was awake on their connection. However the unfamiliar surrounding of the space told him, it was not his domain. The forest foliage that ended near a rocky cliffside where Kaoru stood, staring at the bottom of a dark pit. He felt exposed to something here, it was unfamiliar but not threatening. Lights surrounded both of them, all of them a color of violet, he blinked as some of them floated around him.
"…I don't know if I can do this" she said, step by step he closed the distance until he stared as well at the pit, where he noticed dark flames dancing. "Then why had you agreed?"
Then an opaque image materialized from the flames and Gaara watched amazed as a little version of Kaoru and Sasuke talked in front of them.
"I promised a long time ago, because I thought I will be ready when the time came but…" then she took my hand and it felt overwhelming, the strong hold on his chest intensified as another swirl of images appeared slowly. He had seen him before on the Bingo book, Itachi Uchiha appeared on some memories, his own kidnapper Deidara above his body and someone he didn't recognized falling on the same pit they were standing before his body changed and replaced him as tears falled.
"When I thought you were dead… I realized that… I was wrong, so badly wrong because.."
This weren't his emotions, the shiver, the struggle, it came from the petite woman.
"I could not accept losing someone I loved again. Not after Shisui, you opened my heart and I didn't knew. I just.. was so scared to hold someone so close to me, and because of that I..."
He was stuck on disbelief at her confession, not sure what he was feeling. Love was something far from his expertise, an emotion with no boundaries, a feeling with many faces he was confused in his own path of comprehension and looking at her green mint eyes, with the same expression. He knew both were a mess. Because the emotions changed from joy to pain, from anxiousness to desire, and much more, it wa something undefined and confusing. He was waiting something, but what? Neither had an answer.
"I owe you more than I can return but I have to ask something of you…"
Without thinking he nodded, Gaara was willing to do what she requested of him. He trusted her like no other, due to her actions in the past. Due to her connections and something more, he wondered if someday he will know the answer.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone of this… not even Naruto"
That night both friends shared something deep, the confession taking by surprise the young Kazekage who could express on the safety of her link what he struggled to show. He might have refused, he was on denial at first, but after she explained carefully this secret… Gaara had no other option. However he made a request as well. The moon, the only witness of the pain in their chest, both gazing at each other not willing to say goodbye yet.
The trip back to Konoha had been long, Kaoru fidgeted as they approached. The first night was the longest she had since their trip over Kirigakure. Luckily they didn't noticed how reluctant she was to sleep, since she wasn't sure if the usual nightmare will come. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden for her team. The colors of the forest, quite different from Suna, from time to time she distracted herself talking with them on the way. Kakashi-sensei was just as amiable and somewhat mysterious, surprisingly Hikaru had entertain him with stuff he didn't wanted me to hear.
If he was not the one holding Kakashi on the way back she might have kicked his legs. Sakura was chatting with Yue, after discovering his crush for Matsuri-chan she asked for stories about the Kazekage student and his training. Such a clever approach, since then Yue picked a slight comfort and eased the first hours. If Matsuri-chan didn't get from his gift and promise how much he liked her, Yue might go back and make it clear.
Unfortunately, the only one that didn't get it was Naruto. Explaining to him end up in a slight fight between them. Seriously, she didn't understand why could they not get along? She had told a lot of stories about Naruto, Kaoru was sure she could write a long novel. Well, that said just how much she missed him.
The excitement inside her tummy as they passed the entrance had her mind inspect their surrounding just like her first time. Much to her relief once they arrived on the hospital Kakashi finally had the rest he needed. Tsunade soon came to examine him, he will just spend a week resting, what I didn't expect was being dragged out. Once on the Hokage tower the powerful woman shouted angrily.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?! HAVE YOU ANY IDEA OF HOW MUCH TROUBLE BOTH OF YOU ARE IN?!" Yue clutched my arm as discreetly as possible, trying not to lose his patience, he didn't feared her. No, but he was quite protective so I had to squeeze back his hand just to assure him it was alright. First impressions mattered, I didn't wanted him to attack the Hokage, so we just let Tsunade finish. "... NO, OF COURSE YOU DIDN'T. AND NOW YOU JUST APPEAR AS IF NOTHING HAVE HAPPENED? WITH A KID? EXPLAIN, RIGHT NOW!"
"Hokage-sama, blame me… she didn't knew I took her against your orders, But it didn't affected the mission at all, or I'm wrong?" Hikaru was not in the least affected, sometimes I really believed he had a dead wish, because his lack of reaction pissed her off more.
"That is not the point!"
"Please Tsunade-sama, excuse him… I'm the reason we stalled our comeback." Kaoru scowled at Hikaru, who just sighed and let her approach the blond old woman. "I plead him for my sake, I had already wrote a report for you of those circumstances and I'm willing to answer any question about it. However, I want to ask for something."
Kaoru presented two scrolls at her, Tsunade scowled at first, probably thinking the pain to have more paperwork but after a long calculating silence she smiled briefly. "You have guts, I give you that"
"I trained her, of course she will be one hell of a woman" Hikaru unexpected compliment made her blush horribly, he laughed, she wanted to hide.
"We will see that. Then, who is the kid?" Tsunade gazed with mild curiosity at Yue, who take that as a sign to come near.
"Yue is the boy we rescued on Kirigakure, I request you a formal citizenship for him. I'll sign as his… adoptive mother. This is the only request I have, let him live here on the village. No interrogation."
"Kirigakure… now I'm dying to read that report of yours." Tsunade thought out loud. Shizune who had been silent until now speak her displeasure. "How can you demand something like that? It's up to Lady Tsunade and the council that decision…"
"That is why I'm asking… he lives here or else… we will leave the Fire country"
"You can't be serious… the implications…" Shizune said in shock.
"Yes, I'm. I made a promise, I won't abandon him, no matter what." Kaoru fixed her eyes on the woman, neither backing out.
"Think about it, Hokage-sama I assure you. There is more to lose if you let us go." Hikaru hand squeezed her shoulder, standing tall, supporting her as always. The knock on the door broke the silence, Tsunade sighed and finally replied.
"Once I read this, I'll let you know my decision… go and rest now that you can"
Kaoru couldn't contain her smile at the prospect of return home, taking Yue hand she practically ran out in excitement, leaving Sakura behind. This time she ignored her in favor of her desire, Yue was curious and smiling, eyes taking everything he could of his surroundings.
"Kao-chan, the village is so different from Suna… they have a lot of stuff here"
"Yes, I will show you my favorite shops… I can't wait for everyone to meet you" She was fantasizing about it, Hikaru pulled her hair gently just to mess with her.
"So, I will stay?"
"I'm confident you will, there is no way Tsunade can refuse" Hikaru assured the orange boy.
"Ugh, I don't like her very much…"
"She is our Hokage, we must be polite… Oh, we are almost there"
The Uchiha State, held the same structure and aura, touching briefly the seal she have placed long ago. Now, that she had grown enough, she placed her hand over the old ink, purple glowed naturally and put her training on use. She didn't need to ran again around the state as she used the seal link to supply again the barrier with a huge amount of Reishi. It took less and she still feel energy inside her. There were some changes, some of the flowers looked a bit down, but how did they lasted this long? When they entered their home, the long cleaning process started. Kaoru was eagerly making space in another room for Yue, it was easier with the extra hand and before the afternoon they gazed their clean home. Hikaru offered to unpack for her, Yue and her went out for food and buy something for the next couple of days. The boy was pleased with the variety of vegetables, fruits and food stalls, she let him pick out and now on the market both divided between stalls. She was picking the last tomatoes when her hand collided with another, Kaoru turned ready to apologize when both stopped looking at each other, something was familiar… the blue scarf, the hair… It took a second later for her to recognize him fully.
"Konohamaru?"
"I… hum… do we know each other?" He had grown taller, the boyish face was gone, she smiled noticing how much he had grown.
"Yeah, It's me Kaoru… Oh, your voice has changed, it's nice!" She tried to see if the other kids were with him, but his voice shifted his attention.
"Ka-Kaoru? Oh, nii-chan teammate! Does he know you are here? You are… well… you really look different, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. But.. When did you arrived? What have you done? Are you..."
She put a finger on his lips, there were too many questions at once, but Kaoru was happy facing someone familiar. "I think we can answer all that with a cup of tea and some food."
Konohamaru smiled in excitement but then he blinked and gazed down in embarrassment, if his blushing cheeks mean that. "I-I will love to, but I'm on a mission." Then Kaoru noticed the bags he had on each hand.
"Oh, it's alright. You don't seem to be angry about it"
"Yeah, I stopped complaining about this kind of missions time ago. What matters is that we help the village in any way we can" Kaoru touched his hair and ruffled playfully, proud to see he had matured as well. "You almost sound like a man… I'm so happy for you! If you continue like that you will grow to be quite popular"
She mean that as a light semi-joke, there was nothing wrong in saying something she actually believed will be a fact. Their laughs were interrupted when Yue voice came from behind, turning to see him with bags ready to go.
"Is that all or we have to buy something else?" He asked smoothly, I made space for him by my side.
"Some drinks and milk and that would be all. Well, it was a pleasure to see you again Konohamaru. Before you go I want to introduce Yue, hope you two can be friends in the future."
Both boys stared a second, Konohamaru took the tomato, paid quickly and turned to us fully.
"Oh, am… Hi, nice to meet you. You're new, right? If you need something you can ask me" He said politely, but smiled a bit. Yue gazed between us and replied.
"Hi… thanks. See you later then"
When he was far, Yue turned and asked whom exactly was him. That made the trip more entertaining as we finally finished shopping and walked back home. A loud bark got my attention, some big white dog, on the end of that alley something about it was familiar, but I could distinguish that orange and black jacket everywhere.
"Naruto-kun!" Waving to get his attention, Yue huffed but he followed without complain. Looking closely, he had company, two men quite different. The pale one had a pair of dark glasses and his face was covered from the top to the bottom in a huge coat, the next one had a dusky complexion in comparison, with a wild brown hair and it was until his dog approached that it clicked.
"Oh, god… Kiba-san? Shino-san?" I stared in disbelief watching how much they had changed. Akamaru sniffed and barked, Yue got a bit closer to me. He purposefully blocked the bags of food I had.
"Hum.. do we know her?" Kiba gruff and deep voice surprised me, a slightly more serious and rich tone intervene.
"You… recognized me?" Shino said, while Kiba sniffed and Akamaru barked again, Yue tensed a bit.
"Kao-chan! Oh, glad to find you… Granny said" Naruto was interrupted as Kiba invaded my space suddenly.
"Oh… You… You are that girl" Yue got between us and said. "Hey! Stay back, she doesn't like strangers touching her" I left the bags I had and take Yue shoulder.
"No worries, he is a friend. Remember your manners" He relaxed but his cheeks get red, maybe I embarrassed him.
"Mm… I-I'm sorry… I'm Yue" Kiba sniffed him as well, something my boy felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Eh? Kiba Inuzuka… hum… he smell like sand and… a bit like you?" Kiba gazed in curiosity, but retracted a few seconds later. "That is strange"
"You haven't changed much… why do you have to sniff around?" Naruto questioned, I laughed a bit at Kiba reaction.
"I'm impressed Kiba, you look more sturdy, guess this years done wonders…" Yue grunted, before I had the chance to turn, Kiba laughed.
"Finally, someone notices that! Being honest, I do worked out with Akamaru on some new techniques. You can come and see us when we get back if you want."
"You are being too nice… you didn't liked her back then" Naruto angrily replied, crossing his arms and scowling at his direction.
"Ugh… I don't say it just for me. She is Hinata friend, guess now that both of you are back I will see you around often."
"It may seem like he finally understood he had to be nice to our comandres" Shino interjected, I smiled at him and Yue asked.
"Is he another friend?"
I nodded "Shino Aburame is a man of few words but nonetheless a good listener." He nodded, I took that as a good sign. "What have you been up to?"
He gladly answered my curiosity "We were just waiting Kurenai-sensei for our new mission. A bad timing perhaps?"
"I know, I would have liked to see everyone. Mostly because I want to present this boy here, my adoptive son." Yue bowed a bit, and blushed.
"By the way, where is Hinata? I'm dying to see her." Shino moved a bit his head, as if pointing a direction on the other side of the alley. I didn't noticed when Naruto or Kiba moved, the Inuzuka had secured on his arms a woman with long navy hair, pale porcelain skin, it was until he secured her on the tree that recognition flashed on my mind.
"Oh my… Hinata? Wha-What happened?"
"No idea, I just say hi and she fall like a potato" Naruto answered while scratching his neck. He tried to princk Hinata but Kiba quickly diverted his hand.
"Don't! Ugh, is that how you treat a woman? Just leave her to me." I blinked at his angry tone, the way he said it … he really cared for my friend. That is good, she is in the best hands. With teammates like that, who could complain?
Naruto took my arm suddenly and made me stand up with him as he said "Oh, that reminds me… we have to talk" He was pushing me aside when Yue kicked his foot and set me free.
"Don't touch her!"
"What is your problem?" Naruto shouted, I exhaled long and turned to retrieve my bags meanwhile.
"You are, just because she is nice to you I won't let you handle her like a rag doll. We are busy, or are you blind now?"
Before Yue could say anymore I stood between them with a sad frown and interjected Naruto.
"I'm fine Yue. Naruto is just being himself, can you please try and get along with him?"
"But…" I approached him more and faced him fully with my stare. "Yue, don't make me mad. I'm hungry enough, please just think about it. We can talk about this later if you want. I want to understand you"
"Oh, now I see… you'll be a nice mom" Shino compliment took me by surprise, I could not hide the blush and the embarrassment as Kiba asked about it.
However in an quick act of cleverness Naruto took one of my bags and had me already walking back home with Yue behind.
"Uf.. That was close, now let me help you.. hum..You said you're hungry, right? If you don't want to cook...I can"
"Oh no, please this is enough. We are too tired to cook so.." Kaoru tried to assure him, he just smiled and continued.
"Then let me escort you home, I still have something to talk with you.. you won't like it"
"This will be a long day…" Kaoru heard Yue murmur as they continued their path.
Now with full stomach and clean after a quick bath, Kaoru went to the living room with a towel on her shoulders. Comfortable in a comfy pair of shorts and a red shirt with a V cut, since it was a bit hot outside. Naruto was talking with Hikaru when she entered, searching a can of juice.
"Kao-chan what would we do then? We have to pressure Granny for you to come on this mission! There is no way you should be left behind"
"Na-Naruto-kun… I want to but…"
"There have to be a way to convince her, we are a team… we have to bring Sasuke back together. I won't accept anyone else in our team" Naruto said with displeasure and determination. Hikaru sighed and said. "Maybe I should go and check for you guys"
"Would you do that? Oh Hika…" Kaoru smiled.
"In any case, I have to be there soon for my next mission…" just by looking at his fake smile, she got a bad feeling about it but he just ruffled her hair and got out.
"But- you just got back…" Naruto had little time to say, as the next one to enter the kitchen with another towel on his shoulders started to clean the dishes.
"We must obey… he will be back" Yue continued scrubbing the dishes, Naruto stood up and went out to the garden, curiosity made me follow.
"Should not be.. dead already?" He questioned examining the garden. I had not seen the flowers and herbs until he pointed it out. I was clueless on what could have happened. Some needed water but it made me happy, thinking I won't have restart.
"What did you think when you arrived home?"
His clear blue gaze surprised, he thought a second about it. "Honestly? I… didn't liked. Everything was a mess… Too quiet at night"
Kaoru looked at him as he turned and went a bit far away to the line of trees. Like a bee looking for honey she silently followed, waiting if he had something else to say. His hands caressed briefly the rough surface. His eyes, that forced smile… he didn't liked it at all. It was just then I thought. How much time had he spend alone?
"Do you want… to spend the night here?" Before I had time to think I voiced out my thought, but his eyes… something about it made me self conscious. It wasn't bad… then why?
"You.. mean it? I-I… I will love it!" The way his smile seemed to brighten the garden, make me blush, he was too distracted mumbling in excitement. What took her completely unguarded was his abrupt hug, feeling her feet leaving the ground in panic embracing his shoulders as he made her world spin, literally. His laugh, boasted with such delight it was difficult to keep her mind working.
"... dinner in my account. I will prepare your favorite candy! You still like cherries, don't you? Oh, wait… are you ok?" He put his hand on my forehead, it didn't helped to recover my calm demeanor. "Now that I remember… had you sleep? Are those black rings?"
"Na-Naruto, please let me breath" I had to push him a little, because it felt strange and I didn't knew what to do about it.
"Oh sorry! Hum.. you don't like my hugs anymore?"
"I-I do, just… ohh forget it. I felt a bit tired, that is all." She smiled for him, because he didn't need to worry about her. So he pushed him forward back her home and spend the whole afternoon with him.