The sun was beginning to set, threatening of the oncoming dusk. Our forest was silent but for a few late birds singing from far off. The two men stared each other down menacingly, holding the weary attention of everyone.

"Sasuke," Sakura whispered, "Neither of them is fully healed yet, and we're running out of time before any more Akatsuki show up." He ignored her, his fists clenching.

"Sasuke, back down," Kakashi interrupted firmly, stepping towards the two men, "You will not start a fight with the Kazekage. That's an order."

The black-haired boy finally nodded, tearing his eyes away from Gaara's to glance into mine. A shiver went down my spine. "Yes, Sensei," Sasuke muttered darkly, and leapt up and away into the trees. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, even the Sand-nin.

Temari rushed over to hug both of us at the same time, tears still staining her cheeks. "I'm so glad you're okay! Seluni, we were all so worried when you disappeared. And Gaara, you should have waited for us to look for her!"

Kankuro gently pulled her away. "C'mon, let's go. Hey, thanks for not dying, you two."

I forced a smile and clung onto Gaara, digging my face in his shoulder. I was still so unbelievably happy he was alright.

He put his arm around me. "Stop crying, Seluni, it's all over." I pulled away and looked at his face, but he was watching the spot where Sasuke disappeared. I realized I wanted nothing more than to be back home with him, always feeling as safe as I did when he was around.

"Hey Sakura, have you finished healing the wolf?" Kakashi asked.

I looked over, having forgotten about Toboe. The pink haired girl was kneeling over him, her hands and body glowing green, fueling Toboe with more chakra. After a minute she replied, "It's tricky to heal animals, but he's going to live. Let's get everyone to the hospital as soon as possible." Kakashi nodded.

"I believe the Inuzukas are the people to see about healing dogs," said the white-eyed boy. I had completely forgotten about the other team of ninjas, who had been standing aside to silently watch the ordeal. Maybe they figured it wasn't their mess to get into.

A boy in green, almost identical to their leader, nodded. "Let's get moving, everyone!! Konoha is only a few hours away, so we should try to get there in half an hour!!" With that he picked up Toboe tentatively and swiftly bounded into the trees.

"Will he be careful with Toboe?" I asked Guy. He laughed and gave me a corny thumbs-up. "He has the power of youth to help him!! Your pet is in good hands! Team Guy, WE"RE OFF!!" The remaining three ninja leapt away, leaving the rest of us in stunned silence.

"They have way too much energy," mumbled Kankuro.

Kakashi shook his head. "It's best to ignore it. Anyway, Kazekage, are you healed enough to run?"

Gaara nodded.

"Okay, Naruto, you can carry Seluni on your back. We have to make good time back to the Leaf," he explained to me.

The blonde boy stepped forward but Gaara pulled me closer with a threatening glare. "I'll carry her," he said stubbornly.

"You have the energy for that?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow at his bloodied clothes and face. Gaara nodded again and pointed to the ground at the edge of the clearing, where thousands of sparkles of chakra were gathering towards him. Well, I saw them as sparkles.

"Your sand," said Temari.

"I've been collecting it since your medic healed me. I can use it now to strengthen my own chakra." As he spoke, the sand swirled up to him and formed his large gourd on his back. I watched as the sand's chakra drained into Gaara's body.

"Alright then," said Kakashi, "Since Sasuke left without command, Kankuro and Naruto, you follow last. Our priority is protecting the Kazekage and wife. We're all headed to the hospital."

I heard Temari mumble something about chauvinist men, then I was scooped up bridal style by Gaara.

"Aw, how cute!" gushed Sakura. I looked up to Gaara with a smile but he wasn't looking at me. Okay, then.

"Team 7, Sand-nin, back to Konoha." Kakashi leapt into the trees, and with a rush of wind in my face, Gaara followed.

Xxxxxxxxxx

After a few hours of running, we reached the large front gates of Konoha. As Gaara set me down, breathing a bit heavily, I noticed there were far more ninja stationed there than before.

Team Guy was already there waiting for us, as well as Hana and Kiba Inuzuka, and about five other ninjas in vests I hadn't met.

Kakashi led us to the gate to speak with the guards there, but my mind was focused on the fact that Gaara's hand still clung to mine. I wasn't used to this blatant display of affection. And when had such a simple gesture like holding my hand come to mean so much to me?

I peeked a glance at his face, which was stern and expressionless as always. That face really could make grown men run away in fear, yet this was the only face I could ever take comfort in. Now, however, I got the distinct feeling he was lost in his thoughts. He hadn't even looked at me since the forest.

I tugged his hand. "Hey, can we talk to the Inuzukas?"

I motioned to over to the dog-loving ninjas, leaning against the village wall. Gaara nodded, still staring ahead of him. Kiba waved to us and walked over, Akamaru close in tow. Hana with her three wolfish dogs stayed put, her eyes fixated on Kakashi as he briefed several guards on the mission.

"We were wondering what happened to Sasuke," said one. "He passed us in such a huff we didn't dare ask him what went on."

I couldn't make out Kakashi's answer, but it seemed to satisfy the others without them making a fuss. I was soon greeted by Kiba's big smile.

He bowed before the Kazekage respectfully. "Good to see you two are safe. But I have to ask, what did you let happen to Toboe? He won't even tell me what happened," his eyes showed real concern.

I had forgotten that these people could "understand" the dogs. "Um, I wasn't really able to watch, but Toboe saved my life by attacking an Akatsuki member."

His eyes grew large. "Woah. He's lucky to be in the shape he's in. Hey," he leaned in closer, "Watch what you let your wolf do in battle. He's untrained and could easily get hurt. But the worst part about having a pet in a fight is that they would easily die for you." He reached to pat his huge dog on the head. "Don't let it get to that point."

I nodded solemnly. I hadn't realized what Toboe risked to help me back in the Akatsuki lair. But, I was sure he was safe with these people, whose main concern seemed to be dogs.

Kiba bit his lip. "One more thing," he scratched the back of his own head, "I'm assuming you know by now that you are somehow an Inuzuka, which is why Hana and I smelt you as a wolf. Our own people smell like dogs, but it never occurred to us that you could be Inuzuka. You had no markings then, you know." He pointed to his own cheeks, where twin red fangs marked his skin.

Is that what's on my face? That plus my new eyes, no wonder Gaara didn't recognize me at first. I glanced at my husband, whose eyes were on his siblings. But why won't he even look at me? Does he blame me for being kidnapped?

Kakashi called to us, where all our rescuers stood waiting. "Hey, you two are injured, remember? We have to get you across town." I nodded. Even though I was only a bit sore now, it would be wise for a medic to check up on us, in case of more concealed damage.

As we passed the guards at the threshold of the village, each one gawked at me in awe. I was sick of all these questions and stares. So looking to the ground stubbornly, I let Gaara's hand guide me the rest of the way to the hospital.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

"Maybe you didn't hear me clearly. Seluni will nothave any visitors until she's fully healed!!"

I had only met the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, a few hours ago, yet already her loud voice was giving me a headache. How could such a temperamental woman run a country?

"Do you think this is a joke?! Do you understand what this means to me, to my clan?!" Sasuke's thunderous voice rivaled hers as my migraine worsened. From down the hallway, Tsunade had caught Sasuke trying to slip into my hospital room, and so the shouting match began. I could hear it all too clearly from my bed, and I was sure the rest of the building could hear it as well.

"Listen, child, just because there is one more person who survived from your clan doesn't mean I will undermine my concern for my patient!" Her voice rose to a screech. "Now get out of here until she is healed! Sakura, escort Uchiha out of here!"

"Yes, ma'am." Sakura's voice was trembling. It was hard for me to hear this woman yell, I could only imagine how scary she was to witness.

"I'm not leaving until I know who she is!" Sasuke rebuked, "If I'm going to revive my clan I need to -"

"Kazekage!" Tsunade's interrupted. "What are you doing out of bed?" Oh shit . . .

Gaara's steady voice was quite unsettling. "Leave this building, Uchiha," he warned. "You have no business with my wife, no matter what clan she is from."

Suddenly it hit me; why Gaara had been so distant in the last few hours. It was painfully clear that he was weighing the outcomes of this new information; that I was clearly not from the Lightning Country. It was only a matter of time before word got out, since it wasn't like I could hide this new identity. The red in my eyes and the streaks on my face proved that, beyond doubt, I was a child of Konoha. Everything we had married for was now at stake.

Would he be angry with me? What if he denied the peace treaty's validity? What if – what if he left me here? My headache throbbed as I imagined the scenario.

Slow footsteps approached down the hallway. I inadvertently gulped and gripped the bed sheets. A flash of fear shot through me. He wouldn't . . . hurt me again, would he?

The footsteps stopped at my door. No, I had to calm myself down. Gaara would never hurt me on purpose. Only Shukaku. I knew that, yet I was terrified.

The door opened, and there stood Gaara, bandaged slightly and with his familiar gourd on.

"Gaara," I couldn't even force a smile. "I didn't know – I mean I did know but I wasn't sure, and I had no idea how to tell you or what it would mean and I was so afraid of losing you - I can't help it – I'm so sorry!" The tears flowed out again. I couldn't even bear to look at him.

He was silent in the doorway as I sobbed into my sheets. "I have no idea what to do. There's no one to help me or tell me what to do, and everyone is mad at me, or they'll think I was lying – the peace treaty is void - I've ruined everything!"

A hand on my shoulder. I looked up into Gaara's teary eyes. He was crying, too. "It's okay, Seluni. This is not your fault." He sat down next to me and wrapped his arms around me, holding me as I cried into his shoulder. It was so comforting to be in his arms again like when we were back in the Sand. How could I fix this mess I made of everything? It was all so much simpler when I knew who I was. If only I could start over. . .

"I knew, Seluni." His voice penetrated my deep thoughts. I pulled away from him, horrified.

"You – you knew?! How? Why didn't you tell me?"

He sighed and looked away. "I knew that excuse you gave me for the Inuzuka's visit was a lie. It wasn't a very good one, either."

"It wasn't my idea," I sulked. My mind was racing. How did this happen? Why didn't he tell me?

"I know; it was probably Kakashi's. Despite what most people think, he's not quite a genius." His mouth curled into a small smile, and I returned the grin. Smiling was so much easier after a good cry.

"So, you spied on me, did you?" I winked. "And I thought you were trustworthy."

"I think you were the one lying, Seluni."

"True." I smiled as his fingertips ran up my cheek. "But I didn't have much of a choice."

"I know."

"So . . . what do we do now?"

He looked into my eyes for a minute before answering. "Now, we find out the truth."

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Yay! thank you all for your wonderful reviews! they inspire me to write faster!

Next update will hopefully be later this week!