The Epilogue and the closure for Gaara x Ino's 'Please remember'

This is DaaNi-Chan, formerly known as TheLoneDevil in the last and final chapter of her Please remember

Thank you, everyone...

Enjoy!

"Take this report as fast as you can to Baki, he'll know what to do next" he ordered, receiving a nod from the Jonin standing in front of him, before bowing respectfully.

"Hai, Kazekage-sama" the Jonin said, standing up straight before walking out the door. "Oh, Kazekage-sama," he said, turning back around, causing the Kazekage to look up from his desk.

"it's great to have you back, sir" he said, nodding before walking out the door. Kazekage smiled, chuckling before moving his eyes towards the picture on his desk. It was a picture of him and his siblings, standing next to him while wearing his Kazekage uniform. That was such a great memory. His eyes moved to the clock standing next to the picture, "It's already 5 pm, huh?" he mumbled, leaning back in his chair.

He's been working non-stop ever since he came back with his siblings to Suna, to make up for the time he wasted in Konoha.

It's been crazy, everything that happened for him in the past year. Yes, it's been almost a year since he visited Konoha to bring back peace and harmony, like Tsunade put it, to both villages.

He chuckled as he remembered, from the moment he stepped foot in that village, nothing but chaos occurred. He managed to make a great amount of friends with people he have met before, whether it was in fights during the earlier exams or in different situations.

He remembered, from the moment he showed up in that village, a certain beauty caught his attention, and could help but to think about her everyday. He smiled when he looked at the single purple flower that decorated his room.

'Purple flowers represent dignity, pride and success. They also represent accomplishment and admiration. That fits your preferment as Kazekage'

Her voice rung in his ears like it was heard yesterday. How he missed her voice, her sweet voice. How he missed holding her hand, caressing her cheek, kissing her. How he missed her beautiful floral scent which made smelling that flower the first thing he did every morning. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled it.

"It's been a long time, Ino" he mumbled, turning around and looking out the small round window that overlooked at Suna, only the sun was visible from where he sat.

He remembered when he woke up after his fight with Deidara to find his siblings around him; he remembered that he lost consciousness again, only to be brought back by the only person he thought would never do.

He remembered that at some point, he gasped for breath, and then he was surrounded by a pair of arms, holding him close. He slowly started to regain consciousness when his sister left the room, leaving him with Ino and Tsunade, that's how he was told:

The pervious year:

"Don't you think Kankurou would want to know?" Ino said, still holding the half-conscious Gaara in her arms. Temari stopped caressing her young brother's hair and nodded, "Oh, You're right." She said, nodding and running out of the room, just in time for Tsunade to show up.

Ino looked up to see Hokage, smiling at her. "I see you've done something here" she said, smiling. Ino nodded and laid him down on the bed. Gaara was starting to become aware of his surroundings. Tsunade held a flashlight, checking his pupils (though he doesn't have ones)

"His pupils are responding normally" she mumbled, checking his other eye. "I don't know what you've done here, but you've brought him back" Tsunade said, nodding. "You should consider working as my apprentice for quite some time" Tsunade joked, laughing. She started checking Gaara's vital status, his heart beats, blood pressure, etc.

"He's doing great. I'll be back in a second" Tsunade said, walking out the room, leaving Ino alone with him. Her tears were dry on her cheeks, smiling when he slowly turned his head to face her.

"Ino?" he asked, looking at her with a tired expression. Ino nodded, "I'm here" she said, smiling. He moved his vision to his right hand, being held in hers. Ino blinked a couple of times before moving her hand away from his.

"Don't. Please." he said, tightening his grip on her hand, closing his eyes. Ino nodded and held his hand with her right, resting her left hand on it.

"Gaara" she mumbled, noticing that he was relaxed. "I'm sorry" she mumbled, sobbing once. He opened his eyes, looking at her. He was about to say something when she continued.

"What I've done was wrong." she said, fighting back the tears. "I realized my mistake. I don't even know how it happened, I just didn't intend to―"

"―Stop it, Ino," he interrupted, causing her tears to fall down her cheeks, "just Stop it" he mumbled, closing his eyes. "You've apologized more than once before and I showed to you that I didn't forgive you. Why would you go on with that again?" he firmly said, causing her to start sobbing, lowering her vision to her lap. "I…" he mumbled, looking at her crying figure.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing." Gaara started, making her look up at him. "I hurt you when I shouldn't have. I've made a terrible mistake not believing you, not giving you the chance to explain."

"There was nothing to be explained, you saw what you saw―"

"―your eyes could lie. My eyes did." He said, looking at her. They both went silent for a minute. "Besides, I shouldn't have done what I did anyway. I hurt you when I wasn't supposed to" he said, avoiding the eye contact with her.

Ino remained silent, holding his hand. She didn't know whether that was his way of apologizing or he was just speaking his mind.

"You only broke my arm," she said, chuckling. "that doesn't hurt even half as much as a broken heart" she said, tears strolling down her cheek, which were quickly wiped away with her left hand.

"I want things the way they used to be" he mumbled, causing Ino to gape at him. 'Is he saying…?'

"Gaara" she said, her lips quivering. He looked at her and smiled. "I want you back, Ino." he said, raising his right hand out of hers and touching her cheek. "Please, forgive me for what I've done" he said, narrowing his eyes sadly. Ino cried, looking at the bed sheet.

She reached for his hand and removed it away from her cheek. "How could you forgive me after what I've done?" she asked, looking at him straight in the eye.

"Because I love you," he said, smiling, "Ino-chan" he said, moving his hand back to her cheek. She froze, eye widened. Ino felt her heart skip a beat. They were dating, yes. They have kissed and flirted with each other, yes. But he never told her that word, those three words she always wanted to hear.

"W-What?" she stuttered, for the first time in her life. Her breath was held in the back of her throat, unable to go down to her lungs or out of her mouth. He blinked a couple of times, smiling.

"I heard every single word you told me. I'm here now, because of you, Ino. When you told me to remember every moment we spent together. That's how I knew I was truly loved, how I was truly needed, that my existence is important to at least one person in this world" he said, caressing her cheek.

Ino didn't comprehend his words; it was almost as if that was a dream. Her tears uncontrollably ran down her cheeks as she sobbed lightly.

"If only, if only you'd let me back into your life after what I've done. I would―"

He sentence was cut when she brought her lips down on his, kissing him deeply yet innocently. He was sure startled but complied, kissing her back with much passion and love, his left hand caressing her cheek. She pulled back, staring at his sea-foam green eyes.

"I sure want you in my life, Gaara" she said, smiling while her tears strolled down her cheeks. He smiled, wiping them away.

"I'm glad" he only said, giving her a lopsided grin before closing in the space between them, pulling her into another heavenly kiss. This time more forcefully and passionately. She felt butterflies in her stomach as he unconsciously moved her strand of hair behind her ear, deepening the kiss, both not wanting it to end, but it had to at some point.

"Gaara!" that voice interrupted their romantic mood. Pulling back from the kiss, Gaara glanced over her shoulder to see his brother, standing in the doorway. His purple face paint was a mess, indicating that either water was thrown at him or he was crying. Gaara narrowed his eyes, smiling.

"Hey" he said, realizing that his sister was starting to tear up as well. Kankurou walked slowly towards his brother's side. As soon as he stopped, he quickly adjusted the bed so he would be sitting up, not even asking for his brother's opinion about it. Gaara didn't complain. "I see you just got here" Gaara said, sitting up straight.

"She's just told me" he said, pointing at their older sister. "I'm glad you're back, bro, I really am" he said, nodding. Both Ino and Gaara glanced at each other, noticing that Kankurou was at the verge of tears. He moved his vision toward his older brother and extending his hand.

"Thanks, big brother" he said, surprising Kankurou who shook his hand, only to be pulled by him into a brotherly hug. Kankurou's eyes widened at the unexpected move from his brother.

"Thank you, really" Gaara mumbled, hugging his brother. Ino chuckled and started to tear up; she noticed tears in Kankurou's eyes as he hugged his brother back. Temari walked to Ino's side, letting the two brothers alone for a minute.

"I believe things have gotten better between the two of you?" Temari said, smiling and wiping away the tears from her eyes. Ino chuckled and nodded, "Yes, I believe so." she said, looking at Gaara and Kankurou as the latter started talking about some 'chick' he met during their stay.

"We owe you, Ino" Temari said, looking at Ino with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. Ino was in awe and hugged her friend, "You don't owe me anything, Temari. I did what had to be done" she said, pulling back from the hug and chuckling, both were brought to tears by the emotional situation.

"Ah, girls and their tears." Kankurou exclaimed, laughing and pointing at them. "You know, I never understood you, girls"

"Your little head will never do" Temari exclaimed, as she got into an argument with her older brother about whose head is bigger. Gaara looked at Ino and smiled,

"Come here" he said, extending his right arm to her. She smiled and complied with him, throwing her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

"I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you in my life" he whispered, making her pull away and look into his eyes. "I should be the one saying that" she said, chuckling. She bit her bottom lip, moving his now slightly longer hair away from his forehead.

"I love you too, Gaara" she mumbled, finally replying to his words. He chuckled, inching his face closer to her until their lips met in a small, sweet kiss yet full of passion and need for one another.

Present day:

His thoughts of that kiss his shared with her were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in" he said, turning his chair to face whoever was stepping in.

"Kazekage-sama," Baki said, bowing respectfully. "they're here" he said, receiving a nod from Gaara.

"Understood." he said, getting up off his chair and out of the room.

Gaara never thought he'd be pacing towards the front gate of his building to personally welcome the visitors. A couple of months ago, he received a letter from Konoha, addressed to him by his name, not his title. The letter, of course, was inspected minutely to make sure no forbidden techniques were included in them, for the sake of the Kazekage of course.

He remembered the day he received that letter…

The handwriting was delicate and unique, something he's never seen before. It was unfamiliar to him. He looked at the envelope, studying what it said:

Konohagakure medical department, requested by Second-in-command, Y.I.

"Y.I." he mumbled, smiling before opening the letter to read its content:

Dear Gaara,

It's been a while since we've contacted each other. I know you've been very busy with your work; I've been busy with mine also. I was finally promoted to Jonin rank along with many, many others after a whole year of hard work. I guess that paid off pretty well.

After the incident that occurred, Tsunade-sama decided that I would make a pretty good medic-nin. I graduated second on my class, after Sakura. She never stops being the top one, does she? I didn't care, really. I was happy knowing that I could make a difference rather than just sit at home, waiting for someone to pamper me and take care of me like a little girl. My image has changed here. I'm no longer Yamanaka Ino, the spoiled brat who does nothing but whine about not having a love life. I'm now Yamanaka Ino, proud Jonin and Medic-nin of Konohagakure and shall I say, girlfriend of the great Kazekage :D

I just wanted to inform you that Shikamaru, Chouji and I are going to be sent on an A-ranked mission in the next couple of days. Tsunade-sama ordered us to spend a couple of days at Sunagakure after the mission for it will be very exhausting, she says.

He unconsciously smiled, knowing that she was going to visit him soon. He continued on with reading.

Off the record, I wanted to tell you that I missed you so. Both Shikamaru and Chouji are sick of me for talking about you 24/7. I guess I couldn't take my mind off of you for a second there.

Can't wait to see you soon

Love, yours truly

Yamanaka Ino

He kept smiling all the way to the gate. Gaara couldn't wait to see her, hold her in his arms and kiss her. He missed her so bad. He knew exactly what to tell her when he sees her.

A couple of minutes later, he arrived, looking at the three Konoha ninjas, having a conversation with none other than his older brother, While one of the ninjas -Nara Shikamaru, as he remembered- had his arm around his sister's waist.

Gaara took a couple of steps forward, making his presence known, causing all five pair of eyes look at his direction. He saw her, looking at him, smiling from ear to ear.

"Gaara, it's been a while" Shikamaru started, moving away from Temari. Gaara smiled and nodded, walking closer to them. Chouji nodded respectfully while Ino just smiled. Kankurou and Temari looked at each other and had looks of amusement on their faces.

"C'mon guys, we'll show you to your rooms" Temari said, pulling on Shikamaru's hand while Chouji, after giving him another nod, walked along with Kankurou, each talking about their favorite subject, leaving the two lovers standing the long empty hallway.

Gaara thought he knew what to say, didn't he? Well, he was wrong. He froze in his place, not knowing what to say to her. Words had no place in his mind; he wanted to tell her how much he missed her and how bad he wanted to see her. But his thoughts couldn't be translated into words from the moment he laid eyes on her.

Gaara took a deep breath and exhaled it; "You're here" he started with a smile on his face. Ino nodded and started walking towards him, until she was a couple of inches away from him. "Yes, I'm finally here" she said, smiling. Ino could see his eyes shine even more as the time passed, making her smile even bigger.

He remembered the words she said in the letter, "I missed you too" he said, inching closer. Ino chuckled and moved her hands to the sides of his face, pulling him closer.

"I missed you even more since I wrote that letter" she said, closing in the gap between them, kissing his lips softly. Gaara smiled against her lips and moved his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him, deepening the kiss. She giggled as she gave him the entrance, their tongues passionately and fiercely fighting for dominance.

Ino's arms snaked around his neck, pulling him closer, moving their bodies as close they can to each other. A couple of minutes later, Gaara broke the kiss, panting.

"Must stop…for breath" he said, chuckling. Ino laughed, panting as well. She moved her right arm towards his chest, stopping at the blue part of his uniform.

"I didn't get the chance to tell you how good you look in this. I like a man in a uniform" she slyly said, smiling at him. He chuckled and leaned closer, whispering.

"You should see me without them" he said, causing her cheeks to heat up. Ino gave him a slap on his arm.

"My god, you've become such a pervert!" she exclaimed, laughing. "I bet you've been spending too much time with Kankurou and his chicks talk" she said, chuckling. Gaara nodded in agreement, "Yeah, well, someone's gotta mess with my head once in a while" he said, chuckling before checking her out.

"I haven't got the chance to tell you how beautiful you look" he said, studying Ino's features. Of course, her usual blue sandals, her fishnet knee caps, her short blue skirt, button up top. Her soft face and those rosy lips Gaara loved to admire, not to mention her baby blue eyes which were deep pools one could be lost in them.

"You didn't change at all, did you? Except that you've grown into a very, very attractive young woman" he said, holding her right hand and lifted it up, making her spin. "I might get jealous" he exclaimed, causing her to laugh. He noticed one different thing about her while she was spinning.

"You cut your hair?" he exclaimed, receiving a laugh from the short haired blonde. It was now held up in a small pony tail.

"Yeah, do you like it?" she said, smiling at him. He narrowed his eyes, before reaching up for the rubber band holding up her hair, tugging on it. He smiled once her hair swiftly fell on her shoulders.

"I love it" he said, smiling. Ino looked into his eyes and blushed, looking at the ground. Gaara smiled and ran his right hand through her hair, resting on the side of her head before pulling her closer into another kiss which lasted several minutes. When Gaara's hand reached to the rim of her shirt, she gasped

"Gaara," she said, pulling away. "don't forget we're in public, even worse, in your building. That won't be good for your reputation" she said, widening her eyes. "Don't worry, no one will care" he said, pulling her into another kiss. She chuckled against his mouth before pulling away.

"Well, I need to breathe" she said, taking a step backwards, looking at the ground. Gaara smiled as he admired the girl in front of him. He chuckled, knowing that if three years ago, someone told him that he would be with someone as sweet, intelligent, beautiful and attractive as her, he'd be laughing his head off, or probably laughing their heads off, if you know what I mean. It was surreal to him, to have someone like her in his life

"Ino," he said, causing her to look up at him. "I want to take you somewhere"

"Are you going to tell me?" she said as she was climbing up the stairs, blindfolded by one of his sashes that were brought from his office on his way. Gaara was holding her hand the whole time, telling her where to step, where to watch out for another step, until they reached a door at the top of the stairs.

"Don't be scared" he mumbled, opening the door. Ino, being blindfolded, gasped as soon as she felt the wind hit her, hearing the whistle-like sound of the winds.

"We're on higher grounds, aren't we?" she said, guessing. Gaara shushed her and led her to where he wanted her to stand. After a couple of steps, they reached for a railing. He rested her hands on it before whispering in her ear.

"You ready?" he said, receiving a nod from the blonde. In an instant, the sash was removed from her eyes. That's when she gasped.

"Oh, my god" Ino said, realizing that she was standing on the rooftop of the Kazekage building, overlooking at the sandy Sunagakure.

"I come here to think when I have a lot on my mind" he said, looking at her and smiling, noticing how astonished she was by the view.

"It's beautiful!" she said, as she watched the organized buildings of the village as far as the eyes could see. The buildings were spreading apart like sunrays; the Kazekage's building being the sun.

"Well, it's not that beautiful when you're alone with no one to share it with" he said, narrowing his eyes as a breeze passed them by. Ino looked at him with a quizzical look in her eyes. He smiled and turned to face her.

"Ino," he started, holding her hands. "remember the day when you were at the hospital, when you hurt your head? That day when I visited?" he said, receiving a nod from the blonde.

"I loved you from that day. I loved the way you made me feel. You made me feel like I matter in this world, like I could be something great to the world. I loved being there for you as much as you were there for me." he said, smiling. "I remember that day when we went to the park, it was the first time I saw a field of flowers that big, since I was raised in the desert" he said, looking around him.

"After I came back here, I realized that everyone in the village needed something in their lives. I knew that I had to work hard to make them all happy and now, knowing that they're all happy makes me really glad. I made everyone get what they want, never denied them from everything they needed. I wanted them to be loved, just like you made me feel loved" he said, looking at Ino who was already in tears, touched by his words.

"This village is like a flower in the middle of the desert, a flower that needs to be nurtured and taken care of, a flower that needs a fountain to water it and make it grow even better and stronger. I know I won't be able to do this alone" he said, smiling sincerely.

Gaara let go of her left hand and reached for something from the side pocket of his uniform, looked at the ground and sat down on one knee. He looked at the maroon colored velvet box and then at her, her other hand was covering her mouth as her tears flowed down her cheeks. Gaara chuckled, noticing that she was shivering; the hand he held was shaking like crazy.

"G-Gaara," she mumbled, crying and knowing what was coming. "honey" she said, sobbing harder as she tried to contain her tears, giving her boyfriend the chance to speak up.

He smiled and opened the box to reveal a diamond ring, "Yamanaka Ino," he started, causing her to chuckle while she was in tears.

"will you honor me and be my wife?" he said, smiling nervously. He loved her so much and he didn't want to lose her. He hoped she would say yes, he prayed she would say yes.

'Please, say yes, say yes!' he thought, biting his bottom lip as she remained silent for a couple of seconds, looking at the ring.

"Gaara," she mumbled, smiling. "I'd be more than happy and proud to be your wife" she said, throwing her arms around his neck as he hugged her back, getting up and spinning her around. A few seconds later, he put her back to the ground, both panting for two different reasons. She was astonished by his request while he was heaving sighs. Ino smiled as he took the ring out of its box and placed it on her finger, before he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, making her blush.

"You have no idea what you just made me feel" he said, smiling. She laughed and hugged him, before pulling back and sharing one great kiss, knowing that the two of them are soon to be husband and wife, knowing that no matter what they face in life, they will face it together.

The End

AHHHHH! I'm literally crying. I didn't want them to get married cuz that will end my story.

A bit cliché, don't you think? Yeah, well, I loved writing this one!

I hope you guys like the story, thank you very much for your support.

Love you all, God bless.

Please tell everyone about this story and this pairing; hopefully we'll make them CANON!

UPDATE!

I made a sequel to this story under the name "Never Forgotten". Please read and review that as well.