That's it. This is the final chapter. I hope you like it. It acts as both and ending and a epilogue. I'm going to miss this story very much. I've come to like this story a lot and the characters. Oh, well. I'll finish my other two and start a new one.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ch. 28: The End

Shukaku stopped moving and turned with a grin. Kaoru looked a little worse for wear but she was unharmed. He had known of course. His sand protected her instinctively just like it did for Gaara. A dome of sand had formed around her a second before the fireballs had connected, protecting her from the blast. Unlike Gaara, Shukaku had been angry that someone had attacked her in the first place not because she had died.

"You've finally woken up," he greeted her.

Kaoru nodded, "Thank you for saving me, Shukaku. I owe you but can you please not kill my friends? Gaara will be very unhappy if you do and I don't want that."

He let out a sigh, "But it's so much fun." He looked down at her and let out another sigh, "Fine. I suppose you want me to wake Gaara up while I'm at it."

She smiled, "That would be nice."

He pretended to consider it for just a moment then said, "Alright but just this once."

The sand began to melt away and Gaara began falling through the air. Kankuro jumped up and caught his little brother before he hit he ground. Gaara's eyes opened slowly and he sat up with a groan. "What happened?"

"Shukaku was released and nearly killed us all after he had destroyed all the Akatsuki members," Kankuro replied.

Gaara closed his eyes as he remembered why Shukaku had been released. "Kaoru."

She heard the pain and sorrow in Gaara's voice and rushed over. "I'm right here, Gaara-kun."

His eyes snapped open and looked right into her crimson gaze. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Gaara reached out and tentatively touched her face as if he were afraid she wasn't real. He stood up and pulled her to her feet. Kaoru was surprised to find his arms around her waist and him pulling her against him. Gaara just held on tight and thanked all the gods that she was alright. "I thought I lost you," he whispered in her ear so low that only she could hear him.

She wrapped her arms around him and whispered, "You can't lose me. Shukaku is too protective."

Gaara smirked and picked her up. He turned to everyone, "Let's go home."

Everyone agreed full heartedly. The sand shinobi arrived at Suna several days later. Everyone was exhausted but happy. They were finally home. Kohaku rushed forward and Kaoru lifted him. She held him close while he told her how worried he had been and that he was glad she was alright. Her grandmother and grandfather came up to her with identical relieved looks. Kaoru looked at Makoto in surprise.

"You came all the way here from Kirigakure?" she asked him.

"Of course. I heard that you had been kidnapped. You didn't expect me to sit there and do nothing did you," he demanded of her.

Kaoru put Kohaku down and hugged both of her grandparents tightly. Many more people came up to reassure themselves that she really was alright. Kaoru spent the rest of the day telling people that she fine and glad to be home. Gaara stayed out of the way and just kept her in his sights. He would have plenty of time with her later. The sun set and Kaoru was exhausted. Gaara saw this and lifted her into his arms. Everyone looked at him in mild surprise.

"Kaoru's tired," was all he said as he walked away.

Kaede and Makoto exchanged glances. "He asked me the question earlier," Makoto stated.

Kaede grinned, "Good. That means Gaara-sama is finally taking the next step."

Kohaku listened to his grandparents talk and wondered what they were talking about. The little boy stood and followed after the two people he cared about most in his life. When he saw them standing in front of Kaoru's house, he hid so that they wouldn't see him. They were talking about something and he wanted to know what it was.

"Kaoru, I have never been so scared in my life," Gaara was telling her.

"I said I was sorry. I don't know what else to tell you."

"Don't say anything," Gaara told her.

The kage pulled her to him and Kohaku closed his eyes. He heard a muffled squeak from his mother but nothing else for a moment. Moment later he heard panting and risked opening his eyes. Gaara had his forehead resting against Kaoru's. The two of them just stood there for a moment before Gaara spoke again.

"Kaoru."

"What is it, Gaara-kun?"

"I've been meaning to ask you something for several months now." He drew in a deep breath, "I think I finally know what I want."

"What?" she asked curiously.

What he said in reply was so low that only Kaoru could hear. Kaoru looked up at the kazekage with wide red eyes. Gaara watched her carefully and finally said, "You're making me nervous, Kaoru. Say something."

She smiled and threw her arms around his neck, "Yes. Of course I will."

Gaara smiled in relief. He looked over towards the compounds entrance, "And of course you and Kohaku will move in with me. You don't object to that do you kid."

Kohaku came rushing out with excitement in his blue eyes, "Really?!"

Gaara nodded, "Since your mother did just agree to marry me."

The little boy jumped into his mother's arms and could only repeat himself, "Really?!"

Kaoru laughed, "Yes, really."

"Well, it's about damn time," a familiar voice stated. Gaara and Kaoru turned to see Kankuro and the rest of Suna standing there. Everyone had on identical grins.

Temari placed her hands on her hips, "You two waited long enough. Now the wedding has to be soon. I don't want there to be time for anything to go wrong. We've been waiting on this for what feels like forever."

Gaara's eyes narrowed and whispered to Kaoru, "Can't we just get eloped?"

She laughed, "Sorry, Gaara-kun."

He groaned and suddenly knew how Sasuke had felt when told he had to go through a wedding. The next several months was a blur of plans and decorations. All of Suna was preparing for the wedding everyone had been waiting on. Before anyone knew it the time had come. Gaara was standing on the edge of the cliff over looking his village. The sun was setting creating a breath taking background. The entire village had come, along with Kaoru's clan from Kirigakure and all their friends from Konoha. Gaara was still wishing they had just eloped. He caught Sasuke's smirk and reminded himself why he wasn't punching the Uchiha. Kaoru would be upset if he punched anyone on their wedding day. Damn it. He should have made sure no one was listening when he asked her to marry him. Then he wouldn't be in this mess.

Then he saw her. Kaoru walked up to him in her simple white gown. He could see the ruby heart he had given her five years ago hanging from it's silver chain. She smiled at him and nothing else mattered anymore. All he saw was her. He felt something inside change when they kissed at the end of the ceremony. That place in his heart that had been broken by years of hatred and his uncle's betrayal was gone now. His uncle was right. Love did heal wounds to the heart.

----------ten years later----------

"Come on, papa. Momma's waiting on us for lunch," a little five year old girl informed her father as she pulled him behind her. She looked remarkably like her mother except for her eyes, which were a sea foam green. The little girl was filled with excitement because her older brother, Kohaku, had just returned from a mission. She couldn't wait to see him again.

The two reached the restaurant and a boy about ten years old was waiting for them at the door. He resembled his father in every way, a constant annoyance to his mother. She had to carry him around for nine months and he looked like his father. The boy saw them two, "You're late. Momma was about to come to get you."

"I hoped you stopped her, Haru," his father told the boy.

"Of course I did." The boy fidgeted just a little, "Kohaku and Uncle Sasori helped."

"Good. Let's go inside before no one can stop her."

The three walked in and saw a large group in the corner. Konoha's shinobi from teams 7, 8, and 10 were all there along with Temari, Kankuro, and Sasori. They were all in Konoha to celebrate Naruto's promotion. The knucklehead had finally become Hokage when Tsunade retired.

Naruto looked up and saw them, "Gaara, you're late."

"Sorry. Paperwork."

"Will you and Sasuke every change. The two of you need to learn to speak in complete sentences," Naruto complained.

A woman stood up and walked over to Gaara. He smiled at her. She had long dark hair with two shoulder length locks framing her face. She was currently wearing a loose fitting dress since she was at least three month pregnant. Her crimson eyes smiled up at her husband. "Gaara-kun, the paperwork could have waited."

He shrugged.

She sighed and just snuggled close to him. A boy with shaggy blonde hair came up to them with his own grin, "Hey, dad."

Gaara looked at Kohaku. The boy was nearly as tall as he was now. His deep blue eyes were filled with happiness showing that he had indeed inherited his mother's personality. "You haven't changed much."

"Why should I?" Kohaku replied with a shrug.

"Papa, can I stay the night with Kimiko and Rin," his daughter asked, motioning to a girl with pink hair and emerald eyes.

Natsumi was Sasuke's and Sakura's youngest child. Their two oldest children were both boys. The oldest was the same age as Gaara's and Kaoru's son, Haru. Sasuke and Sakura had named him Fugaku, after Sasuke's father. Fukagu was also a spitting image of his father. The other boy, who was about seven years old, was named Hatori and also resembled his father except for his emerald eyes. Both boys had activated their sharingans and were in the ninja academy in Konoha. Like their father and uncle they were one of the best students in their class.

Rin was Naruto's and Hinata's middle child. She had blonde hair and the Hyuga's silver eyes. Unlike Natsumi and Kimiko, she only had one older brother named Minato. He was just like his father in every way, a hyperactive knucklehead, and like his father he had a great deal of strength in him. Her younger sister, Sango, was only a year old and looked just like her mother.

"Only if their parents say she can, Kimiko," Kaoru replied to her daughters question.

Kimiko and Natsumi were both the same age and had become very close friends. Rin was a year younger than Kimiko and Natsumi but the three girls were thick as thieves. It was fitting since their parents were the same. Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara were often training together and helping each other out. Kaoru, Sakura, and Hinata were always talking and comparing notes. Now that Kaoru was pregnant again the other two were visiting Suna frequently to help her get ready for the baby. It was only fitting that their children develop close friendships with each other. Even their boys were close to each other.

Hinata smiled, "Of course you can stay Kimiko. Rin has already asked if she could stay the night with Natsumi."

"And we've given our permission. The more the merrier," Sakura added.

Sasuke tried not to groan. Three five year old girls was too much for him. It was hard enough keeping up with only one girl. Though that could be because he was an overprotective father. Hatori rushed up to Sasuke, "Dad! Dad!"

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"Uncle Itachi agreed to take us all camping if you guys say it's okay."

"Who's 'us all'?" Naruto asked.

Kohaku grinned, "All the boys. I'm going with them. Itachi thought that all of you would like a break from all the little brats. His words not mine."

"Uncle Itachi wouldn't call us brats," Hatori objected. "Would he?"

Sakura chuckled, "He probably would but it's like your father calling you twerp."

Hatori thought about it and somehow worked it out with his seven year old logic. He smiled brightly, "Okay mommy. So can we go with Uncle Itachi?"

"You and Fugaku can but the other's have to ask their own parents," Sasuke informed him.

Kohaku and Haru both looked at Kaoru and Gaara with identical pleading looks. Kaoru chuckled, "You can both go. Kohaku, I expect you to keep an eye on Haru."

"Of course, mom. I always watch out for Haru," Kohaku assured her.

She smiled, "I know you do."

The children eventually scattered to wherever they were going to be for the night with their parents' permission. Kaoru turned to Naruto with a smile, "Congratulations. You finally did it."

He grinned, "I know. Sometimes I still can't believe it. Tomorrow I will be the Hokage."

"How's Neji and Tenten these days?" Kaoru asked.

"They're fine. Neji had become the head of our clan." Hinata smiled, "You know that they have twin boys now right?"

"Yes. Tenten told me and I even met the two of them earlier today. They look like their father."

"They act like him too."

Kaoru grinned, "That ought to make Tenten happy."

"It drives her crazy. She's always saying that she carries them around for nine months and they look and act like him. Where's the justice in that?" Hinata replied laughing.

"How about Shikamaru and Ino?"

"Unfortunately for Shikamaru, their oldest is a girl that acts just like Ino. Ino's pregnant again though so Shikamaru is hoping for a boy."

They six adults continued to talk for several hours as they began to talk about everything and nothing. The sun had set by the time Kaoru and Gaara reached the apartment they were given in Konoha. Kaoru stood on a balcony and watched the sky. A pair of strong arms came around her waist and she leaned back against her husband with a smile. Kaoru felt the slight kick of the baby growing inside of her.

"Can you believe that we're here? That we're married and have three wonderful kids and one more on the way?" she asked him.

"Yes."

"So articulate. Somethings never change," she told him with a smile.

He smirked, "Would you want me to?"

"No."

"Now who's articulate?"

She laughed and turned in his arms so that she faced him, "I guess I picking up some of your bad habits. Kind of like Haru. Did you know that your son can manipulate sand? He also doesn't show his emotions when he's around anyone but us."

Gaara just nodded with a rare smile. Of course he knew. He knew everything that went on with his family. Gaara knew that his son was the top student in his class. He knew that Kimiko was friends with every kid in her class and was much like her mother and Kohaku.

His smile turned into a smirk. He also knew that this was a rare occasion. He had his wife all to himself for the night a probably most of the next day. Gaara pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, "Why don't you come to bed."

She tried not to chuckle, "Is that all you think about? We already have two kids and another on the way."

"And?" He brushed his lips against her neck.

Kaoru felt a shiver run down her spine. Gaara grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the room. She watched him with amused red eyes. He watched her with a hungry sea foam gaze. Kaoru rolled her eyes with a laugh as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"Fine. Let's go to bed, Sabaku no Gaara."

"I'm glad you agree with me, Kaoru Tsukino."

Later that night, Gaara was laying down with his head propped on his hand. He gazed down at his wife. He had lied earlier. There were still times he couldn't believe she was his. Her crimson eyes opened slowly and looked up at him with a smile.

"See. I told you I would always be your friend and that one day you would believe me."

He chuckled, "I should have just listened to you from the start."

"Yes, you should have," she told him smugly.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too, Gaara-kun, and I always have," she replied.

The End

And not to sound cheesy or anything but they lived happily ever after....okay so it was cheesy but i liked it. I hope you liked this story. As usual check my profile page for any updates on potential stories and you can let me know if there is one you would like to read. I will probably update it tomorrow with my new ideas.

Oh, almost forgot. Please let me know what you thought of this story.