Tsunade kept Gaara and me in the hospital for a full night. I was told Gaara's wounds were initially much worse than mine, but he seemed to recover more quickly than I did. She said it was some sort of demon host trait.
That night, after Gaara had grudgingly gone back to his own room, Tsunade insisted that two Konoha ninjas watch my room, one stationed at my door, the other outside near my window. She explained to me that the guards were there to prevent another Akatsuki attack, since they could be in the area. However, I had the distinct feeling that it was Sasuke she was protecting me from.
I tried to veer my thoughts away from him, but his face kept popping into my head. Was I really an Uchiha? I knew nothing of his clan except . . . well Tsunade had mentioned that I was a survivor. Did that mean they were all dead? But what about Sasuke, then?
My mind was far too hectic to allow me to sleep, and if not that, my pounding headache kept me awake. Maybe some fresh air will calm me down. The room was too stuffy anyway, I decided, so I got out of bed to open the window.
As I lifted up the glass pane, I welcomed the cool night breeze filling the room. After living in the Wind for so long, a cold wind was comforting and nostalgic. Yet this air was full of different smells, like wood and food. The air back home always smelt like sand. Sighing heavily, I leaned out on my elbows to look out on the village from my third story window. The night was quiet; streetlights dimly lit the empty avenues below, and the dark sky was huge and scattered in stars.
"Nice view, huh?" A familiar voice called next to me. It was Kakashi, using his chakra to let him hang outside the window, next to me with his heels and back on the wall. His dark clothes silhouetted him in weird patterns against the building.
"So you're my guard?" I asked. I had to admit, it was still a little weird seeing ninjas cling to walls by simply focusing their chakra to their feet. But with my new eyes, I could actually watch as the steady flow of blue swirled through his body, under his control.
He nodded and smiled to me. "I had to make sure you were safe tonight, so I volunteered for the job. Your safety means a lot to Gaara."
"How can you tell?" I asked. He turned to face the darkened village.
"When we first met him, Gaara wouldn't think twice about killing a complete stranger. He seemed like a monster to everyone, but he only needed someone to show him what friendship was. Naruto realized that right away. He stepped in to show Gaara that he cared. Now," he looked back to me, "he has you to protect, and to love and be loved by. Everyone was amazed that he went to such lengths to save you."
I didn't realize that I had changed him so much. Looking out over the quiet town, I thought about how oddly happy it made me that I had inadvertently helped him learn to love. Kakashi and I sat in silence for a while before he cleared his throat.
"You're being released tomorrow. Will you talk to Sasuke then?"
I thought for a minute. "I do want to speak to him, but I don't have any answers. I'm more likely to be asking the questions. That is, if he lets me."
"He'll calm down by tomorrow."
"Kakashi, I was wondering . . ."
"Mhm,"
"Does your Hokage have to deal with all this as well?"
"All what?"
"The kidnappings, the politics, even our arranged marriage. There's so much going on, between the fighting and the secrets, and us having to save each other constantly."
He laughed and shook his head. "No, Tsunade just does paperwork all day . . . and drink. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her fight in ages. But there will be a time that she's tested for her abilities and dedication, just like you're being tested now."
"But why do Gaara and I get put into these situations?" I wasn't really expecting an answer.
He looked thoughtful for a minute. "Well, one reason might be because you're so young. Tsunade's really over 50, though she hides that fact. But I think most people assume youth means weakness, which isn't true. Plus, Gaara's a Jinchuuriki, a demon host, which makes him a target for anyone looking for power. Especially Akatsuki. They tried to attack him back when he first became Kazekage, but he beat their asses out of the country. That's why they used you, to bring him to their hideout. They must have been desperate, to just assume he would follow."
"Hey, how did he find me, anyway?"
"Toboe led him there. At least that's what I heard."
"Toboe! I forgot about him. How is he?"
He scratched his head. "Last I heard he was over at the Inuzuka compound. I'm sure he's okay."
There was a comfortable silence as I realized everything would turn out alright. Gaara and Toboe were safe, and he already knew I was not the Raikage's daughter. He loved me anyway, and kept my secret. But what did that mean for him?
"Kakashi . . . do you think people will accept that I'm not who they thought I was?"
I couldn't see his expression in the dark. "Seluni, if I know one thing, it's that people can sometimes judge others too quickly. But I have a feeling that you and Gaara will make them understand that you're still the same person, and you have the right to be with him."
I suddenly felt a swell of gratitude towards the masked man.
"Thanks, Kakashi,"
"No problem."
"No, I mean, thank you for everything. You really helped me get through a few rough spots, when I needed someone there."
He laughed softly. "All I did was guide you a bit when you needed the confidence to continue. But, ah, a little piece of advice?"
"Sure."
"Next time you drop everything to follow a letter, make sure it's from the right person. I've been kicking myself all day that I never told you I use dogs, not birds, to deliver mail. Just remember that in case you ever get another forged letter from 'me', okay?"
I nodded, finally feeling the exhaustion of the day catching up to me. Excusing myself from Kakashi's company, I closed the window, leaving a crack open for a breeze, and hopped back into bed.
I fell asleep rather quickly after that, perfectly content to sleep for hours on end. But during the night I woke up gasping in a cold sweat. A searing headache blinded me for a minute before I could catch my breath and calm down.
Rubbing my forehead, the pain seemed to subside slightly. In the silence I noticed a familiar trickling sound coming from the door. I immediately recognized it as Gaara's sand creeping across the room.
I sat up and watched lazily from my bed as the mess of sand gathered at one spot on the floor. After only a few minutes, my husband stood in the dark before me, his eyes set on mine, and the remainder of his precious sand floating around his feet. I, however, was focused on the fact that he was only wearing his loose pants, his chest exposed to the cool night. After all the times we had slept together as husband and wife, his hard body still seemed to amaze me.
I smirked up at him, his intentions all too clear. "Just couldn't wait, could you?"
His deliberate footsteps towards me were my answer. Pushing my shoulders down, he set himself on top of me, straddling me with his knees. He pressed his lips to mine and I could feel his chest heaving on mine.
He began kissing down my neck as his hands found their way to my shirt. Humming in pleasure I inadvertently arched my back towards him.
Something was pestering the back of my mind. "Gaara, they're right outside the room, you're not supposed to be here." I heard him laugh softly in response as his lips and tongue continued to assault my neck.
I winced as I recognized that laugh. "Shukaku . . ." It had been a long time since the demon emerged from within Gaara. I had been fortunate to have not seen him in so long, but once in a while, when Gaara was particularly excited, this would happen. I braced myself for what Shukaku might do this time.
A rope of sand whipped up from the floor, catching my wrists and pulling them above my head. I shut my eyes and thought about what my options were. I could shout and alert the Konoha ninjas on guard outside.
My shirt was pushed off my shoulders. But if they burst in here, they might attack him, which would hurt Gaara as well as the demon.
His hips were grinding against mine, pressing himself against my thigh. I can stick this out one more time. Besides, last time I screamed it only made things worse for me. The demon doesn't like to be interrupted.
The sheets between us were ripped away and the remainder of my clothes was pulled down by his sand. I heard a faint growling as he lowered his head down my chest, kissing and licking a line down to my stomach. I waited impatiently for the worst part to begin as it always did on these wretched nights, with his lust for blood.
As he explored my body, his sand formed several more thin ropes like whips that suspended in the air above me.
Thrash. Cut. My mouth opened in an almost scream but I forced myself to remain quiet. Slash. Whip. I choked back the sobs rising in my throat. Gaara, or Shukaku, seemed completely oblivious to the pain I was in, except for the hungry way he watched my wounds bleed.
Finally something pressed against me down there. Good, I thought, the quicker he begins, the quicker he will finish. Unfortunately, the demon had a lot of stamina and could continue for a while, even if I passed out from pain in the meantime. As he pushed his way inside I heard his ragged breathing increase, and a rope of sand snaked its way around my neck. He bottomed out deep inside me before pulling out again, rolling his head back in pleasure. The sand restraints around my wrists and neck tightened as he began.
xxxxxxxxx
I slowly woke to hear birds chirping cheerfully outside my window. That's strange, I thought, I haven't heard birds sing since I left Kumogakure. I didn't know where I was for a minute, but I didn't have time to consider it once the burning headache returned full force. As I tried to raise my hand to my head, the sudden pain of my fresh wounds hit me. Oh, yeah. The familiar weight of Gaara's body on mine, and the stinging all over my body brought me back to reality. Refusing to open my eyes, I lay for a minute until the pain in my head subsided to a dull throbbing.
His body was shivering on mine, yet his breathing was calm. I felt a surge of pity for Gaara, who could never sleep soundly, and it was only on a few rare nights that he wouldn't wake up sweating or shouting from some twisted nightmare.
I finally opened my eyes, yet I regretted it instantly. The degree of pain I felt from my cuts doubled when I actually saw the damage.
The hospital bed was splattered in blood, as was Gaara's entire body, sprawled across mine on his front. My stomach lurched as I saw the amount of blood near his mouth, as if he had bitten me All over my body were welts and gashes, mixed in with a thin layer of sand over our figures. It accumulated near my wrists, where deep burns had scarred my skin. Had I passed out again last night? I must have, because I hardly remembered a thing after the horrible whips.
I remained motionless for a few minutes, wondering how to handle the situation. Biting my lip absentmindedly, I yelped in pain as the scabbing skin ripped easily once more.
Gaara shifted slightly, inadvertently tearing a layer of blood that had glued me to him. It felt like a thousand needles had dug into my stomach, and I watched helplessly as a few fresh lines of my blood trickled down my side.
Still, I knew it wasn't him that caused me pain; the demon was in control last night. Gaara couldn't stop him any more than I could. I looked down at the face of my husband, my attacker. He looked so peaceful. When he was sleeping, he was back to his real self. Just watching him sleep helped calm me down and catch my breath until I dropped my head back onto my pillow, wishing more than anything else that he would be freed from this curse.
A sudden soft knock on the door brought me back from my thoughts. Shit, what do I do? I looked down at Gaara's naked body, which thankfully covered mine. Still, there was no hiding the blood –
The door opened and a blonde head peeked inside. Big blue eyes met mine, slowly took in the scene, then shot back to me, wider with fear.
"Wha- What - Seluni? Is that Gaara? Oh damn . . . oh damn –"
"Wait," I hissed, "Naruto, please –" The door slammed shut with a bang, and the body on mine stirred again.
Gaara's back rose as he inhaled sharply, raising his arms to stretch himself as he did each morning. I couldn't help but whimper at the effect his movements were having on my unhealed cuts. Noticing the noise, eyes still closed, he wrapped his arms around my torso and dug his face into my chest like a pillow. It was cute at other times, but not now, when a dark red line had been slashed from my collar bone to my navel.
My gasp of pain finally caused his dark eyelids to open, as his beautiful aqua eyes met mine. He examined my face for a second, then his shock turned into understanding and fear. He whipped his head around to look at our entwined bodies and the sheets and the blood and sand. He leapt off the bed and the dusted sand followed suit, collecting at his feet.
His fearful eyes met mine. "Seluni . . ." his voice nearly broke my heart. I looked away miserably, unable to keep his gaze when memories of similar bloody mornings were running through my mind. I felt shaky hands folding the red stained sheets over me, covering my body.
The door burst open and Tsunade charged in, Shizune and Naruto close in tow. I instinctively pulled the sheets up tighter to me as the three surveyed the scene. Shizune's face turned beet red and she whipped around to face the open doorway.
Tsunade rubbed her eyes in contemplation and said quietly, "Kazekage, please get dressed."
I would have laughed at the situation if it hadn't been so serious. After a rustling of clothes from behind me, Gaara walked around the bed so he stood between the Hokage and me.
"Can you help her?" he asked, his eyes on the floor. His set jaw proved how angry he was.
"Wha- Of course I'm going to help her!" Tsunade hastily stepped around Gaara and began lifting the sheets around me gingerly, examining my cuts. "Kazekage, please tell me what happened."
There was a stark silence in the room as the four of us awaited his answer.
"It was me," he murmured, and I watched his troubled eyes close as he said it. "It was an accident."
Tsunade's head whipped around to him. "You did this to her? Why?" I could almost feel Gaara's guilt as her words hit him.
"It wasn't him. It was Shukaku." Naruto stepped towards Gaara as he spoke, his eyes looking as guilty as Gaara's. "It was your demon, wasn't it?"
Gaara looked up at the blonde, but without that look of indifferent contempt as he had with most people. I suddenly remembered Kakashi's words that night.
'He seemed like a monster to everyone, but he only needed someone to show him what friendship was. Naruto realized that right away. He stepped in to show Gaara that he cared.'
So there was a familiarity between these two. I was glad for that. Gaara needed a friend now. My wounds were easy to heal, but Gaara's pain was where no medic could find it.
"Shizune, stop acting like a school girl and help me!" Tsunade's voice boomed. "And for God's sake close the door!"
The apprentice nearly jumped out of her skin and ran to obey her orders. I heard a chuckle from the window – Kakashi was perched there, for how long, I didn't know. From what I could see of his face, he looked more bemused than upset at the scene before him.
"Hatake Kakashi!" Tsunade snapped. "Where the hell were you when this happened?"
He held a hand up, trying to appear innocent. "Well, I've been on guard all night. There have been no intruders into the room. I had no idea I was to protect Seluni from her own husband. I gave them their privacy."
Tsunade foot began tapping impatiently and she opened her mouth as if to answer, then thought better of it. Finally, giving an exasperated sigh she went back to examining my wounds.
"Alright, nothing serious," she muttered to herself as green chakra began spilling out of her hands. But she couldn't work unless the sheets were removed. "Shizune, please escort Naruto and the Kazekage out. And close that window; we don't want any pesty birds in the room."
Kakashi laughed at her implication and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Come on, Naruto, Kazekage," Shizune opened the door just as someone was skidding to a stop outside the room.
"Sasuke, get out of here!" Naruto hissed. Sasuke ignored him, but his eyes grew wide at the sight me wrapped in bloody sheets.
"What did you do to her?" he shouted at Gaara.
Gaara stepped up to him angrily as sand picked itself up off the floor and swirled quickly around his feet.
"You – leave." His steady voice caused me to groan in frustration. I was fed up with these boys always willing to pick a fight.
"ALL of you STOP fighting or I'm gonna BEAT you til you CRY!" I roared, from my bed, earning wise stares from all three boys.
"Please." I added as an afterthought.
Naruto snickered and put a hand on Gaara's bare shoulder, guiding him reluctantly out of the room. "Don't worry, Seluni, I'll keep an eye on them!" he called out as he pulled the door shut with his foot.
I still heard his muffled voice from the hallway. "Although I would pay big money to see Sasuke cry . . ."
xxxxxxxxx
It didn't take long for Tsunade to heal my cuts. The worst one was the gash across my chest, which left a dull pink scar that matched the one along my side.
"I'm turning into a real freak show," I chuckled as the Hokage finished healing the welts on my wrist. (I was feeling much better now, and I hadn't heard any fighting from the three in the hallway besides the occasional outburst from Naruto.)
Tsuande smiled vaguely, yet I could tell her mind was elsewhere. "All done no w," she said, placing my wrists down onto my lap. I was all dressed again in a pair of clothes Temari had dropped off at the front desk during the night. I was still feeling stiff, and my headache still pounded dully, but overall nothing serious prevented me from leaving the hospital that afternoon.
Shizune nodded and began opening the door.
"Wait," Tsunade called to her, "I need you to leave the room for a minute." Her apprentice nodded suspiciously and stepped out, meeting many loud protests and questions from the three men outside. I didn't hear her soft answers because Tsunade was looking at me with a stern face.
Once the door shut behind Shizune, the Hokage sat next to me on the bed, taking my hand like a parent about to lecture.
"Seluni, I know what happened. And I know that the reason you accept it is because you love the Kazekage . . . but something has to change."
"What'd you mean?"
"As it looks to me, you willingly put your life on the line to submit to Gaara's demon." She waved away my protests. "I need you to promise me you won't sleep with him as long as you remain in this country. If something happened to you, it would have severe effects on our peace status. Misunderstandings have a way of being grossly exaggerated; I've seen wars started by far lesser things than the death of a Kage's wife."
I nodded solemnly.
"I need one more thing from you, Seluni. Surprising as it may be, it's actually my business whether you came from a Konoha clan or not. So I'd prefer it if you could speak with Sasuke Uchiha as soon as possible."
Sighing, I nodded again. It could not be put off any longer. I gazed out the window at the orange sun, just reaching over the rooftops and splashing the village in the glow of its rays.
"Do you mind if I speak privately with him? Maybe outside?"
Tsuande's relieved smile told me she had almost expected a refusal. She picked up a pair of sandals at the foot of the bed and laid them at my feet.
"Are you feeling well enough right now?"
Xxxxxx
A/N: again, I'm sorry about the wait! I kept making more drafts of this chapter and tossed quite a few, and I'm still not satisfied with this one. Ah well, I hope you enjoyed it!!