Gaara woke before the sun came up. He was on instant alert because he didn't immediately recognize his surroundings. He sat up, rubbing his eyes blearily. A heaviness against his side prevented him from sitting up fully, and he looked down to find Sakura curled against him. Her face was smushed against his ribcage, her hair a wild mess around her head. Carefully, Gaara removed himself from her tangle of limbs and glanced over at Sarabi.
She was still on her hospital bed, still unmoving. Gingerly, he approached her and pressed the tip of his finger against the pulse point in her neck. She had a pulse, but it was weak. He didn't know what else to do to check on her, so he pulled her blanket up higher around her shoulders and sat down beside her feet.
He didn't want to, but he was going to have to leave them to get back to work. He had been away from his office for far too long already.
With one last glance to ensure Sakura was also fine, Gaara exited and quickly made his way to his office.
He was surprised to find Taiyo inside, lounging near the open window. Gaara wasn't exceptionally fond of people being in his office without him, but Taiyo was a self-made exception. Often during his first few months in Suna he would come to Gaara's office. Though it was gone now, Taiyo had exhibited the behavior of someone who missed being a leader. Gaara had been kind enough to indulge him and allow him to be fairly closely tied to Suna's daily governance. After all, Taiyo had some experience with that sort of thing and was often ready with handy advice or a helping hand.
It was all accompanied by a holier-than-thou attitude, but Gaara didn't find himself too bothered by it. Gaara had come to depend on him for certain things and allowed him to get away with things that others might not.
However, after some time, Taiyo had gleaned that Gaara wasn't always appreciative of having someone in his office and stopped coming in alone. Gaara was certain that his presence now was probably related to Sarabi.
"Good morning, Gaara-sama," Taiyo said, his face still turned toward the window. "I heard about what happened with Sarabi and that other Konoha-nin."
Gaara said nothing, unsure of how much information he wanted to give away, particularly where Sasuke was concerned.
"I went to check on her last night," he continued, turning to look Gaara square in the eye. "You were in her room."
Gaara didn't care for his accusing tone and felt his eyes steel over at the implication. "I was in there with Sakura," he explained. "We are still unsure of what's going on with her so she needed to be monitored all night to be safe."
"She's fine," Taiyo said, sensing the worry in Gaara in spite of his terse attitude. "Encountering the Sun Goddess after all this time was probably too much for her to handle. She'll be okay once she wakes up."
"You mean you know what happened to her?" Gaara demanded, "With the floating and the light and the being unconscious? Why didn't you say anything before?"
"I planned to, but like I said, you were in her room with her with the door closed," he replied calmly.
Gaara clenched his fists, feeling a little angry. "Tell me what you know," he demanded. He gestured to the chair across from his desk and then took his own seat. "I'll assume you aren't here to waste my time."
"Of course not, Gaara-sama, I've already been waiting for you for too long," Taiyo replied coolly. Gaara narrowed his eyes. "Now," Taiyo continued, "As you'll remember, down in the catacombs, we used the Sun Goddess—"
"The beast," Gaara corrected. "It's not a Goddess – don't call it that."
"Alright, fine, the beast," he amended. "Until we had seen the eggs, we were under the assumption that there was only one. Of course we had theories and theologies related to the beast's conception, but it was all rather vague. The presence of another, though… I was hoping that the other eggs wouldn't have been able to hatch since their mother was killed. That doesn't appear to be the case, though."
Gaara grunted his acknowledgement.
"I'm not sure what the relationship between the offspring of the Goddess – the beast, and Sarabi is, but if it is similar to that of hers with the beast, then she will need to tame it," Taiyo explained.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"The chakra that entered her body after the cave-in all those years ago was the beast's chakra," Taiyo said.
"Yes, I know that," Gaara snapped. "You said it was similar to a jinchuuriki."
"Well, you were the one who made the comparison. I'm still not entirely sure what that means," Taiyo said, stroking his beard as he leaned against the arm of his chair. "All I know is that Sarabi is irrevocably tied to the beast, even in its death. I suppose I had always kind of hoped that its death would be the end of things, but if this supernatural link exists with the beast's offspring, then we will likely need to address it. The beast will be drawn to her."
"I can't allow that," Gaara said, shaking his head. "That thing is too dangerous. It drove your people underground – I can't let that happen to Suna."
"I'm not suggesting that at all, Gaara-sama," Taiyo said. "I'm saying that in order to prevent such a thing from happening, you'll need to learn to control that beast. Sarabi is the only person who can."
"And you sure of this?"
"Of course not," Taiyo said, shaking his head. "It's my best, educated guess. I also believe that Sarabi will be drawn to the beast, too. She can probably sense it now, even in her sleep. Before she left for Konoha three years ago, she told me that she felt like the desert was always calling out to her. She said she felt right at home here and felt like she was leaving a piece of herself behind."
"And you feel that this wasn't just sentimentality?"
"If I might be so bold, I think it's in indication of the bond between her and the beast," Taiyo exlplained.
Gaara frowned, drumming his fingers against his desk. A quick glance at the window told him morning was approaching quickly. The sun was just beginning to spread light over the horizon.
"So what should we do about it?" Gaara asked, a little annoyed that he was in a position to be needing Taiyo's advice. "What would happen if we killed this one, too? It didn't seem to have any affect on Sarabi last time."
"It's death last time caused the link between them," Taiyo argued.
"I thought the ritual you performed caused the link between them," Gaara countered. "You were trying to harness its power, after all. You planned for yourself to be in Sarabi's position now, so what would you do at present if things had happened that way originally?"
"Well if things had gone according to plan then you and Sakura would never have been in our catacombs. I'd have been imbued with the spirit of the Goddess and be able to more effectively rule my people," Taiyo said, the bitterness in his tone unmistakable. Gaara hated that Taiyo seemed to blame him and Sakura for the destruction of his home. He understood why Taiyo felt that way, but Gaara hated it all the same.
"I realize you tie this situation very closely with religion," Gaara said, treading carefully. He wanted to stay away from the subject of the cave-in, but what he really needed information about wasn't much better. Taiyo's people used to worship that beast and Gaara needed to know where he stood on that front now.
"I'm no longer a religious man, Gaara-sama," Taiyo said, nodding his head curtly. "Old habits die hard, I suppose, but at some point over the last couple of years I began to understand the bubble I lived in and the absurdities I once believed it."
Gaara pressed his lips together tightly, a little unnerved by the topic. "Then you understand that the beast isn't a Goddess and that we must do what is in the best interest of Suna and Sarabi – not that goddamn beast."
"Yes, Gaara-sama, I understand and I agree with you completely."
Gaara narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but said nothing else.
"If I might make a suggestion," Taiyo began, "once Sarabi wakes up, I think it would be in your best interest to begin her training with sand immediately. I understand you taught her a few things before she left for Konoha."
"Yes," Gaara said with a nod. "You want me to teach her to control sand and the beast. Those are the powers given to her by the beast's chakra."
"You have experience with that sort of thing – much more than I do," Taiyo said with a surprisingly genuine humility. "Even if the beast weren't posing a problem, it's best she learn what she's capable of."
"Okay," Gaara agreed. "I'll begin as soon as she's awake."
"Very well. I'll let you get back to work, then."
Gaara watched Taiyo stand up and smooth down his tunic before exiting. He shut the door behind him with a gentle click. Gaara glanced down at the mound of paperwork on his desk and sighed.
/
Somewhere beneath the mountain of paperwork that had swallowed him, Gaara heard the sound of knocking at his door.
"Come in," he yelled, righting the fallen papers and scrolls.
The door opened and Temari stepped inside, her face a careful mask of neutrality. Gaara blinked at her, surprised and a little frightened by her lack of emotion. She wasn't usually one to hide her feelings (as long as that feeling was anger, and Gaara was pretty sure it was).
"Good morning, Temari," he said with false brightness. "How are the wedding festivities going?"
Temari's narrowed eyes met his, allowing him to see the anger nascent underneath her stoicism. "You would know if you had been there," she accused. "Did you think your presence wouldn't be missed?"
Gaara rolled his eyes and raked his hair away from his face. "That's why you're upset? Because I missed the – what was it, a wine tasting?"
"No," she snapped. "I'm not upset, I'm furious. I'm furious because you knew Sasuke was here and you didn't tell me. You let Sarabi leave with Sasuke and you didn't tell me. And then some goddamn Turtle Rock sand beast shit knocked her out and you didn't tell me."
"I have no obligation to tell you those things, Temari," Gaara said wearily, though he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. It wasn't for any nefarious reason that he had neglected to tell her those things. It had just not occurred to him. "You're getting married and you're leaving Suna. You're not going to be around to deal with Suna's problems anymore, so it's best we start weaning you off of them now."
"Excuse me?"
Gaara winced.
"So I guess getting married means I stop being your sister, then," she bit out. "And that I have no place in Suna's business."
"Stop it," Gaara said sharply, clenching his fist under the desk. "This isn't personal, Temari. I want you to enjoy your wedding festivities and I don't want you to be bothered by all this nonsense. It's all being handled. Sasuke is gone and I've already discussed what steps to take next as far as Sarabi goes."
"And?"
"Taiyo and I are going begin to teach her how to control the chakra she inherited from the beast," he answered. "We'll begin with sand manipulation, starting as soon as she wakes up."
"She's already awake."
Gaara was instantly on his feet, rushing to the door. Temari pushed out her arm and braced it against the doorframe, blocking the door.
"Gaara…"
Gaara felt his features soften as he looked down at his sister. This was going to be hard for her – letting go of her responsibilities here in Suna. She had always taken them very serious, identified with them even. He didn't like the idea of causing her any more stress, but he also needed her to understand her new role as a Konoha citizen.
"You must really love Shikamaru," he mused.
The furious blush that flamed up her cheeks amused him, but he refrained from laughing for her sake.
"I do," she said. "That's why I'm willing to make these sacrifices for him. I just… I'm having a hard time right now. I feel like I'm being shut out of my home. Everyone keeps talking about how much I'm going to love Konoha, and I'm sure I will, but…"
Gaara reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're always welcome in Suna. This is your home and me and Kankuro, we're you're family. If Konoha sucks, you can always come back here."
Temari grinned at him and then shoved his hand away playfully. "Thanks, Gaara," she said softly. Then her scowl returned. "But don't hide shit like that from me again. At least wait until I'm out of the country."
"Okay," he said with a laugh, "I'll try not to have any problems until after you leave."
/
Sarabi and Sakura were sitting together on her bed, giggling when Gaara entered the room. This was somewhat comforting and loosened the ball of nerves that had tightened in his chest as he had rushed down the hallway to find them.
"Sarabi," he breathed, unable to hide his relief. "I'm so glad you're awake. How is she doing, Sakura?"
Sakura straightened her posture and adopted a more serious expression. "All are her vitals are normal and she seems to be fine. I think perhaps she might have just fainted from being overwhelmed," she explained. She reached across into Sarabi's lap and clasped her hand.
"Well, that's good news," Gaara said, smiling in Sarabi's direction. "You really had us worried there for a minute."
"Gaara-sama, I don't know how to explain what happened," Sarabi said, her tone wavering. "One minute I was climbing a dune with Sasuke and the next I was waking up here in this bed. I can't remember anything that happened."
For a moment she looked likely to burst into tears. Sakura squeezed her hand and Sarabi leaned into her.
"Taiyo explained to me that you have a bond with the sand beast," Gaara said, treading carefully because he didn't want to upset her. "We discussed that the best course of action would be for you to learn how to control it by exercising the bond. Before we get to that, though, we need you to become adept with manipulating sand. Immediately."
"Right now?" Sarabi asked, glancing at Sakura with uncertainty.
"Yes," Gaara answered. "Right now."
"Gaara-sama, don't you think we should let her rest for a moment?" Sakura asked softly. "She's been through a lot."
Sarabi shook her head and pushed Sakura's arm away. A bit shakily, she got to her feet and ambled a few steps toward the door. "No, no, what about Sasuke?" she asked. "Where is he?"
Sakura pulled Sarabi back toward the bed. "Sasuke's gone, Sarabi," she said. "He didn't want to wait for you to wake up, and I'm not so sure you should be going with him anyway."
"But I thought this was my decision," Sarabi said, glancing between Sakura and Gaara.
"I thought you were doing it for me," Sakura ventured. "You still have unresolved business here in Suna. Don't you think that's more important?"
"Taiyo told me how you said the desert called to you," Gaara chimed in. "You belong here and you will thrive here. Do you understand?"
Sarabi's lower lip trembled and it reminded Gaara that she was still rather young. They all were. It suddenly seemed all so unfair.
"Don't tell me you were actually looking forward to spending time with that bastard," Gaara said, only half joking.
"What's wrong with that?" Sarabi demanded with new vigor. "I've seen Konoha and Suna, but I want to see all of what's between. And the other great nations, too. Is it really that hard to believe that I'd want to travel the world with a good-looking guy like Sasuke?"
Sakura's squeal of laughter was enough to cut through the bitterness that Gaara felt caking its way around his heart. He glanced over at her, surprised to see her amused instead of… jealous.
"I doubt your experience with Sasuke would have been anything so pleasant," she said through her laughter.
Wanting to cut that subject short, Gaara switched tactics. "I understand your desire to see the world, Sarabi," he began. "I hope you get to do that someday soon. But for now, won't you stay here in Suna and let the desert give you everything it has to offer? There will be time for traveling later. You shouldn't waste the potential you have now."
Sakura was glaring at him, though it seemed by her posture she agreed with what he was saying but didn't care for his sweetly condescending tone. He wasn't trying to be condescending, but he knew he could often come off that way.
"I guess you're right," she said with a sigh. "I just don't know about all this Sun Goddess stuff. I never asked for this, you know. It was supposed to be Taiyo-sama."
Gaara sat down next to her, sandwiching her between him and Sakura on the bed. "I know this isn't ideal," he said. "I want you to be happy here."
Sarabi smiled a half smile. Gaara hated that he could see heavy sadness behind her milky eyes. He knew the desert probably reminded her of the family and the home she lost all those years ago. He didn't want to push her emotional limits. He knew better than anyone what that felt like.
"I'm sure I will be, Gaara-sama," she said. "But do you think we could wait until tomorrow to start my training? I just don't think I'm up for it right now."
Gaara frowned, but it was a small enough request that he couldn't possibly deny her.
"Okay, Sarabi," he agreed. "Sakura and I will leave you alone to rest now."
She smiled gratefully as Gaara reached for Sakura's arm. Sakura gave him a scrutinizing look before accepting his arm and letting him walk her to the door.
/
Sakura was acting weird. Well, weirder than usual. She trotted alongside him as he made his way back to his office. If he couldn't be training Sarabi, then tackling the rest of that paperwork was the next priority. He hadn't asked for Sakura to tag along, but he had no problem with it either. He couldn't imagine a scenario in which he would turn away her company.
But her body was rigid, tensed like she was ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Her eyes kept flickering through the windows as they passed them as if she were searching for something. Sasuke, perhaps?
"Maybe you should get some rest, too, Sakura," he suggested politely. "You've also been through a lot today."
"Trying to get rid of me?"
"The last thing I want is to be rid of you," he said dryly. "I just want to make sure that you're okay."
"Well, I'm fine, Gaara-sama," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Should we get started researching the beast now or something?"
Gaara blinked. "Do you mean field research?" he asked in shock. "If that's what you're thinking, you're out of your mind."
"How else will we learn more about that thing?" she demanded. "You want to just thrust Sarabi into a situation she can't handle? She doesn't have shinobi training yet, you know."
"I'm not just going to thrust her into it," Gaara said defensively. "We're working on sand manipulation first. Shinobi training second. The beast can wait."
"Can it?" she pressed. "What are you going to do if it attacks the village? Are you going to kill it?"
Gaara stopped short and breathed in a heavy sigh. "What's with all the questions, Sakura? You know as much as I do."
"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to figure out what your plans are with that beast," she said, though she didn't sound very apologetic. "It's Sarabi's life at stake, you know."
"I'll protect Sarabi with the same vehemence I attempt to protect you with," he said a little dryly, though he understood her concern. "Do you want me to instate Hideki as her guard for now?"
"I'm sure he'll love that," she said sarcastically.
"Won't he?" Gaara asked. "Didn't you try to play matchmaker with the two of them?"
"Don't try to change the subject, Gaara!" she screeched. "Yes, fine, instate him as her guard, but we still have to investigate the beast! Clearly something strange is going on and we need to learn as much as we can before you just dive into things with Sarabi."
"I'm not going to just dive into things," Gaara said, but Sakura didn't seem to be listening.
"We need to know its sleeping and eating patterns, where it made its nest, what its connection with Sarabi is," she continued, ignoring Gaara completely. "Field research is the quickest way to figure all those things out."
"Yeah, right," Gaara agreed mockingly. "Remember last time we investigated that thing and accidentally killed it and an entire village of people living underground? It's dangerous. Let me handle this, okay? This has nothing to do with you."
The look of shock and rage that appeared on Sakura's face was so absolutely terrifying that Gaara inadvertently took a step backward.
"Nothing to do with me?" she seethed. "Are you really that deluded that you think this situation has nothing to do with me? Are you forgetting who helped you discover those people, including Sarabi? Hell, I saved your life that night! You'd be dead if this whole thing didn't have something to do with me. Sarabi is my apprentice. I know Suna is your country, but Sarabi is family and I'm going to do everything I can to keep her safe."
Gaara narrowed his eyes, itching to reach up and smack some sense into her. "Sakura, why do you have to be like this?" he asked wearily, rubbing his eyes with rigid fingers. "Can't you just trust me when I say I'll take care of it?"
Sakura pursed her lips in annoyance, which Gaara somehow found amusing in spite of how annoyed he felt, too.
"Don't make me give you another guard," he warned. "I don't want you out of the village walls unless you have a very, very good reason and my permission."
"Excuse me? I'm not a sand shinobi. You can't boss me around," she sassed.
"Would you speak like this to any of the other Kages?" he demanded.
That seemed to shut her mouth at least for a second. This had been a problem all those years ago – her impertinence. She had recognized at the time that she had been disrespectful and wanted to make her own sort of amends for it. Now, though, it seemed like she felt her new relationship with him gave her a free pass. If that was true, then Gaara needed to set her straight.
"No, I wouldn't," she said defensively, "but this is different."
"Would you talk to Tsunade this way?" he pressed.
Sakura rolled her eyes and again he wanted to smack her
"Sakura, I don't want you anywhere near that beast, do you understand?" he said, his voice, low, dangerous, and absolute. "If you must help in some way, then I'll direct you to Taiyo for now. But anything involving the beast, Turtle Rock, or being outside the village walls is completely off limits."
Sakura tapped her toe patiently while she waited for Gaara to shut up (which was clearly what she was doing judging by the look on her face).
"I know you're only acting this way because you want me to be safe," she ventured, "so I'm going to do as you say for now."
"That's good to hear," he said, sighing with relief.
"Since Sarabi is safe for now, it's probably best that I go find Naruto," she said, glancing down the hallway behind her. They were approaching his office door now.
Gaara subconsciously reached out with his chakra to feel for Naruto's. He could still feel it along the fringes of the village. He must have been at the guard tower still, even so long after Sasuke had left. He could only imagine the kind of conversation the two of them had, or the one he would have with Sakura soon. He didn't envy their suffering and he wished there was some way he could at least soothe it.
"Is it okay if I leave, Gaara-sama?"
Startled by the question and the honorific, Gaara glanced at her face to find her looking genuine and concerned instead of sarcastic as he first thought.
"Of course," he said, blinking in confusion. They stopped in front of his office door. Gaara paused, wishing he could invite her inside. Perhaps he wouldn't find all that paperwork so unbearable if he had some pleasant company.
"Will you still be here when I'm done?" she asked.
Gaara glanced at the massive pile of paperwork on his desk through the tiny window on the door. "Probably," he said softly. "Are you going to come back?"
"I could help you with your paperwork," she suggested with a charmingly demure smile. "I help Tsunade-sama with it all the time."
He gave her a skeptical look, but her offer had already melted all of the ice around his demeanor. All thoughts of the beast and Sasuke were gone, replaced with hopes that she actually would come back tonight so he could see her smile some more.
"Okay," he said. "I'd like that."
