Emi shifted her weight from one foot to the other, annoying the crap out of Baki as he stood beside her at the Suna entrance. Every citizen of Suna had come out to welcome Gaara back. Not a space on the wall was bare as every eye was turned towards the horizon.
"Settle down, Emi. They'll be here soon."
Emi bit her lip and stopped moving, shooting Baki an apologetic smile. His lips quirked a little, betraying his amusement. Emi's gaze shifted back to the horizon, scanning for any type of movement through the haze of heat distorting the air. She began to fidget again.
Nerves bundled inside of Emi. She had read the scroll, been told numerous times that Gaara was alive but she needed to see for herself.
All the talk about new leadership had her doubting, but even if he had never returned, some part of her would still always believe that he would.
"There they are!" someone shouted from up on the wall. Murmurs and cries of joy erupted from the villagers.
Emi stood ramrod straight, her heart in her throat as she peered through the hazy air. A few seconds passed and she couldn't see anything.
"Baki, I don't-"
"Be patient and watch," he amended softly. Emi shut her mouth and watched.
A faint, harsh line appeared through the haze. Emi's breath seized in her lungs as she looked on. She willed her legs to move, to run but they didn't. She refused to move until she saw the tell-tale red hair.
People had already started to run forward to greet the group, but Emi's eyes continued to search. She saw the familiar face of Matsuri in the crowd, as well as the pink hair of Sakura. Next was Temari who was walking alongside of Kankuro. Emi didn't care how he had left her in Suna, all she cared about was the red head being helped along by an unfamiliar blonde boy. A tear streaked down her face, but she didn't care. Gaara was home and he was alive. He had come back. She wanted to run, but her legs still stuck fast.
From behind, Baki gave her a shove and soon her legs were moving of their own accord. She darted between people who were frantically trying to get to Gaara, to see their Kazekage. In her rush, she activated her bloodline limit, flashing herself ahead of the crowd in a streak of brilliant white light. She saw the group of Suna and Leaf nin stop, watching the ribbon of light speeding towards them.
Emi came to an abrupt halt a few feet away from the crowd standing directly in front of Gaara. She searched his face and found no injuries, although he was undoubtedly weak. She didn't notice as Sakura, Kankuro and Temari shared knowing smiles as Emi stared at Gaara.
She gazed into familiar azure eyes, eyes which were currently so filled with emotion as he looked straight back at her. Emi took a hesitant step forward.
"G-Gaara?" she whispered.
He looked at her with such intensity through eyes she knew so well. His lips pulled into a small smile as he took a step forward out of the grasp of his blonde friend who was now watching the exchange with curiosity.
From behind her, Emi heard the crowd slow to a stop as they also watched their Kazekage and Emi. Gaara's arms lifted slightly up and outwards. An invitation. Emi released a breath she hadn't known she was holding as she darted forward, sand kicking up beneath her feet as she rushed to embrace him tightly. She cried into his shoulder as his arms wrapped around her, neither caring that all of Suna was watching them.
His head buried into her neck to inhale her scent, proof that he truly was alive and that she was here with him. Emi leant back a little to look into his eyes. She bought a hand up to cup his cheek, her smile so wide her face was almost split in two. He smiled back, a small yet genuine curve of his lips. He leant forward, his lips meeting hers. The roaring cheer of the crowds fell on their deaf ears as they embraced and kissed, lost in each other.
They pulled apart, Emi resting her forehead against his.
"Welcome home," Emi whispered. He gave her another squeeze before they pulled apart. They had let Suna know who they were to each other, and nothing could be more perfect. They were alive, and they loved. One step at a time.
It was enough for now.