I know it's been awhile since I last posted but I hope you're still reading. This chapter was written three different times in an attempt to reunite Gaara and Nari the right way. This was the best I could come up with.
Warning! Cheesy lemons at the end.
Kankuro looked so relieved to see me. "Nari…," he started again but he couldn't get any more words to come out. I saw in his eyes the pain he had suffered since I disappeared. It humbled me and I wished, more than anything, that I could take it all back.
"It's good to see you alive and well," I said for him. Then, seeing Suri's awkward stance I said, "This is Suri. She's been kind to me."
"Yes," he turned towards her. "Thank you for sending a hawk. I'm Kankuro, Temari's brother. She said you had met." Suri nodded. "Well, I'll be taking Nari now. We need to get back to Suna." The woman made no protest. I waved goodbye and thanked her for her hospitality before following Kankuro.
"Where's Temari?" I asked, figuring she had to be nearby. His eyes landed on me with a slight look of disapproval. My confusion must have shown because he shook his head.
"You can run through people's minds unnoticed, leaving messages as you go and you never thought to tell someone to tell us that you were alive. And now you're pretending you can't just find any answer you want in my head." The accusation struck a deep note but I couldn't blame him. It was the first time he had seen me incapable of reading his thoughts. So, very calmly, I told him:
"Something is wrong with my chakra system because I can't slip in and out of your mind. Only your current thoughts are clear, and only if they're about me."
"Where have you been, Nari?"
"I'll tell you when I tell Gaara." Kankuro stopped and stared at me.
"All this time away and…" He couldn't finish. Waves of pain rushed through his mind. All I could do was walk beside him and try not to say a word. I was so caught up in Kankuro's pain that I didn't feel the new minds entering my radius as we entered camp. Only the arms, so familiar, wrapping around my form pulled me from my thoughts. Before I mentally registered who it was, I was already embracing them back, pulling them tighter.
Gaara and I both went to talk at once, needing the other to know that our love had remained true. We both half-laughed and a cold hand caressed my cheek. Tears shimmered in his eyes but none of them fell. "I'm sorry," I finally managed.
"Just tell me where you've been." I looked around and saw that Temari and Matsuri were there as well. Along with Baki. The whole family had gathered. Aiyota was the only one absent.
"Well…" I went on to explain Itachi and waking up in the cave. Then I told about my chakra system and confusion and how I had been working my way back ever since. It took a while to convince all of them, especially Temari, but I managed. Afterwards, we sat in a sort of stunned silence. Then, Gaara caught a glimpse of my hand. Pure joy contaminated his system and he brought my hand to his lips, kissing the ring he had claimed me with.
"You said yes!" Matsuri was the first one to catch on. Baki swiveled his head towards the child.
"Said yes to what?" he inquired. I realized that he had been left out of the little scheme.
"She's going to marry Gaara-sensei. Look! She has a ring on her finger and everything!" I could feel disappointment and yet some form of happiness at the news. Matsuri truly cared for the ex-jinchuriki, at least enough to be happy for him. Baki wasn't even surprised, having seen it all along. To him, there were no more alike people in the world. It was as though we had been created for one another. Temari and Kankuro already knew, which is probably why they were the angriest when I disappeared.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" At this, my redhead laughed. To think I was worried that you wouldn't agree. I thought for sure that you'd deny me for a free life. I didn't want to respond out loud so I just smiled.
"Nari, you do realize that, as the Kazekage, there will have to be a ceremony, often including guests for all over the nations," Temari stated.
"A cer – e –mony? But… Why? Can't we just skip that part?" Laughter rang out from around the circle.
"We'll worry about this another time," my moon assured me. "Go to bed, Nari. We'll be home by tomorrow night." I nodded and laid down by the fire, unconsciously shifting forms as I went.
►§◄
No one woke me up when they departed. Instead, the first grain of sand hitting my face drew me from my very vivid, very embarrassing dreams that had a lot to do with beds and clothes and the lack thereof. Gaara, apparently, had no problem with letting me hitch a ride on his shoulders. We were nearly to Suna by the time I came to.
You have very interesting dreams, my moon commented.
You could see them? If foxes blushed, I'd be red all over.
Since you first fell asleep, you're thoughts have been open to me. It seems your chakra system recognizes my mind.
That's just wrong. I can barely decipher their thoughts, I pulled up images of Temari and Kankuro, being too lazy to gesture at them with my head, but you can hear mine. It's like the gods want me to suffer.
The gods again, hmm? I asked Aiyota about them while you were gone. He said you're the only person he knew that actually solidly believed in the original legends. Even he doesn't care too much for the gods. He says they're just tales to make ninetailed children behave. I furrowed my eyebrows and snuggled my head closer to his neck.
Without the gods, who would judge us? With minor distaste I realized I sounded like Hidan. It matters little anyhow. I have no one to teach them to.
Oh? And what of our children? Are you going to let them be heathens to a religion you're so devoted to? I cringed at the thought of children and my silence didn't go unnoticed. Is there something wrong, Nari?
I've never even considered the possibility of having children. Then again, marriage is also a pleasant surprise. Otherwise I'd end up like Aiyota. Still, children… The mating scroll popped into my head again. I had read that thing three times over and never could I come to terms with exactly what it said. I hadn't even thought to consult with Aiyota about it. Now, I knew I had to. Especially if Gaara wanted a child.
Tell me about your gods, Nari. I want to know why you are the way you are.
Where to begin? Well, the god created the universe, of course, and they're all internally balanced. For example, while Mopa is the goddess of judgment and prayer, she's also the goddess of tolerance and heathenism.
How many gods are there?
Seven, one for each day in the week. There's Mopa, Perzil, Fravi, Hertho, Kithn, Trinoc, and Jashin. Three goddess and four gods.
Jashin… I've heard that name before. One of the Akatsuki members, Hidan, claims to be a worshipper of Lord Jashin, which is why him and I don't get along. He has so many things wrong about Jashin that it's saddening.
What is Jashin like? Gaara asked.
Jashin is the god of war and absolute destruction, so Hidan is right in that respect. But, since the gods are balanced internally, Jashin is also equal parts the god of peace and mercy. And, in my opinion, that's why Hidan has all the powers he does. Normally, a god would get sick of hearing prayer all the time and just end the person. But, since Hidan is truly devoted, despite his inaccuracy, Jashin has granted him his wish for immortality and power. Normally, immortality is a curse but Hidan doesn't know that. I think, one day, Jashin is going to set him straight.
Suna was fast approaching. I fell silent as I took in the feeling of coming home. My one, true home.
Aiyota will be inside. He's filling in as Head of Defense until you come back. He's making sure no one changes your plans. I nipped at Gaara's ear for purposefully ruining the moment with politic talk. He scratched my head good-naturedly.
"How long has she been awake?" Kankuro asked, noticing my activity.
"Only a few minutes," the redhead answered.
"Well, put her down. All of Suna is going to want to see her return. I bet they're all waiting for us now. It'd be best if she be in human form when we reach them." Gaara did as his elder sister asked and I let my human body take shape, realizing how strange it was for me to be in a kimono in the desert. Temari was right, of course. Only thanks to my moon was I able to escape all the questions and reach the Kazekage building within a half hour. I was too exhausted to deal with them or anyone else. Some council members tried to get at me but Gaara sent them off and took me straight to his room.
"I just woke up," I argued as he pulled me to the bed. An uncharacteristic smirk splayed across his lips as he removed his gourd and top coat. He dragged me by the wrists into his arms and kissed me.
"This time, you've been away too long." The words barely managed to escape his mouth, it was so close to my skin. He kissed down my throat, letting my wrap my arms around his neck as he rested his hands on my waist. He unclipped my scroll and kunai pouch, letting them drop to the ground. I couldn't help but to smile as I realized where this was going.
"Then show me what I've missed," I whispered in his ear. It didn't take three seconds for both of us to be naked and on his bed. It wasn't nearly as awkward as the first time, neither of us as scared of these strange emotions. My hands tangled in his mess of bloody locks, holding him to me. His hands were everywhere, tracing flames down my body.
By the time he slowly pushed into me, thoughts had vanished. Pure sensation took their place as he filled me, making me feel whole for the first time. With our minds and bodies entangled, it was impossible to tell where I left off and he began. Just as surely as I felt his shaft, I felt my walls squeezing around him. Passionate kisses were exchanged all around. Skin tingled as soft hair feathered against it. Pressure began to build, where or in whom I couldn't decipher. All I knew was that, when the dam broke, there was nothing but bright lights and earthquakes.
As our breathing slowed, the boundaries between ourselves reformed, leaving us in awe of what had just occurred. Gaara didn't leave my body, just held me close and tried not to crush me. Nothing was said, no words capable of expressing the emotions of our souls.
Thanks for reading and, as always, please review.
We are coming close to the end here, as I'm sure you can tell. I'm not sure how long it has left to go, but not much. At least you won't have to wait two months for an update!