Okay well...I tried to make this chapter formatted just like a book but once I upload it onto fanfic, it turns to this. But I tried. Anyway, I'm sorry for the late update but I've been lazy.

Disclaimer: Naruto-not mine. Nozomi and story-mine.

WARNING: Spoilers for Naruto 2! (after the time skip)


Chapter 12:

"Determination"

I stared into his eyes, begging, pleading for him to allow me to see him again. How could Itachi possibly believe I could leave Gaara? How could I simply forget everything Gaara's done for me? I refuse to leave him, he might be suffering, or hurt and I have to see him again. Even though a year has passed, I still remember him so clearly. The way we parted...was no where near I would have liked to leave it. It was a miscommunication, and he'll forgive me, I know he will.

Itachi stared into my eyes and breathed on me, "What if he doesn't? What if he still loathes you? What will you do then? You heart would shatter and you'll have nothing to live for then."

"He'll forgive me. I know he will. Even if he doesn't, I'll devote the rest of my life to him in order to lessen the burden on myself," I smiled.

Itachi hesitated, "You've changed. You were never like this. You were more…calm."

"You've made me realize how much I really care for him. You were the reason for this Itachi, and I thank you."

I took my hand away from his and rubbed it, he could have broken my wrist, the way he was handling it. I stood up and left him. I opened a cabinet and took out my most prized possession, the pendant that Gaara gave to me. I placed it around my neck and faced Itachi.

I whispered, "You see this? This is my life, Gaara gave this to me and as long as I have this, I know he does not loathe me."

Itachi angrily stood and walked out of my room, slamming the door shut. I smiled because I knew how selfish Itachi was but he could never stop what I felt; he could never control the thoughts in my mind. He could only torture or inflict pain. I was going to leave this place; I had to find a way to escape Itachi.

The next morning was as if I had never escaped, Itachi was acting normal and I did not mention Gaara to him. He even continued with my training outside, out of sight from the villagers that were visible over the cliff. Part of my training was endurance and my tests were to see how long I could run with Itachi at my heels. At first, I had to embarrassingly admit that my best time was five minutes. But now, I had built up my strength enormously. My best time was forty-five minutes. Today, I was going to push myself farther than I ever had, this was to prove my determination to Gaara, to Itachi and to myself. I was confident and as soon as Itachi motioned for me to begin, I raced off.

The trees were simple to avoid. I passed the branches and rocks and leaves with a whizzing noise left by the wind around me. I paced myself, careful not to exhaust my stamina all at once. Itachi was pacing himself as well, he wasn't even in eyesight of me but he knew where I was going, it was obvious, my trail was very clear. This is where I placed my plan into effect. I made clones of myself, only, my clones where made of fire. Then the three of us split up, spreading fire. That should rid me of my trail. I suppressed a grin when I felt Itachi pause, uncertain where to go from there.

"I won't lose your trail, you are still so obvious," Itachi teased from about 20 yards away. Since I had learned to control the dragon inside of me, my senses had bumped up a level. My eyesight could spot a squirrel's nest 30 yards away; my sense of hearing could hear Itachi's voice up to 50 yards, if I was concentrating enough. My taste, I could tell you the percentage of alcohol in a substance and even what type of alcohal it was. My feet could sense the movement of someone else's feet on the ground and my nose could smell as well as any trained animal.

Half an hour passed and I still had about three fourths of my energy. Itachi was still on my trail but he had lost some ground. I had stopped burning the forest as soon as I realized that wouldn't distract Itachi. Another half-hour later, I was still running but Itachi was catching up now. He was about 20 yards away, enough to see me. Now was when I should push myself. I started picking up my pace so quickly, Itachi was falling behind. I began jumping from branch to branch as fast as my legs could take me. I even burned the branches behind me to slow Itachi down. As I thought, it did.

It's been an hour and a half since I started my training. I beat my best time but my energy was running low. The muscles in my legs started to protest against my will. They ached a little but I could keep going, I could keep going for Gaara. Itachi wasn't slowing down, he started to catch up. He was within 20 yards again and I ran faster, I was almost at my limit but I could push myself a little more. He didn't slow and I sprinted. After ten minutes, my muscles were screaming out with pain but I had to ignore them. This was to prove myself and I wasn't going to back down soon.

Soon, I heard a voice.

"Nozomi, you will injure yourself if you keep going."

I tried to run faster. I couldn't remember how long it's been, I forgot some time ago. But I wouldn't lose, not now. My clumsiness betrayed me, as I stepped onto a weak branch, it snapped in half and I fell. I softened my fall by placing a layer of chakra between the ground and my feet. As I lifted myself to keep on going, I felt a kunai at my neck.

"You've improved. Two hours and ten minutes," Itachi stated.

It was over and I collapsed.

When I awoke, my body ached and I couldn't even lift my head. As my eyes focused, I remembered what had happened and I felt a sting at my confidence. Maybe I wasn't strong enough to leave and see Gaara. I knew I had to prove myself against Itachi but he was so…strong. His strength was on another plane than mine. I could only dream of his true power. How could I compete against that?

I heard footsteps walk up the stairs and into my room. Itachi sat on the edge of my bed and I looked away, ashamed.

He tried to council me, "You don't have to be ashamed. You did well. Not many could outrun me for two hours."

"But it's not good enough. I have to prove myself against you so I could go to see Gaara."

"Are you that simple-minded? I am trying to save you from what will happen. Do you not see that?" His voice came out in an angry, hushed tone.

"All I want," I sighed, "is to see him again. You are my enemy because you are preventing my one goal."

"Do enemies teach you to control a monster inside of you? If it weren't for me, The Hachimata would have killed you a long time ago. Do enemies train you to become stronger?"

I knew he was right. I was grateful to him for everything he's done for me but I-I only really wanted to see Gaara. I've spent too long here, with Itachi.

I was defeated, "I am grateful for all you've done. But I only want to see Gaara."

Irritated, Itachi stood and began to walk around the room. He turned to me and eyed me until he said, "Do you know why I am protecting you from him?"

I listened.

"Akatsuki. The organization that I am in," He turned away from me, "wants the Shukaku. They and I, want to take the demon from Gaara."

"I don't see how that is so-"

"If the Shukaku is extracted from its host, the host will die."

I hated him. He betrayed me.

The tears began to fall and my voice cracked, "H-how could you do this? To me? You know…how much I care for him," I looked at the ground, hurt, "I thought you were a friend to me. I thought you just wanted to help me but you betrayed me!"

I saw the regret on Itachi's face but it couldn't compare to my regret. I had to abandon the person who saved me from death, the person who became my friend over this year. I had to bury the guilt I would feel. I stood and tried to walk past Itachi to gather my things- despite my weak body. I had to leave. There was no possible reason to stay here anymore. I couldn't stand to see the face of someone who would kill the person I cared for the most.

"Nozomi, I thought maybe you could get over him. I wanted the pain to be as minimal as possible for you-"

I interrupted and stated my departure in the coldest tone possible, "I'm leaving. Do not come after me. I never want to see you again."

And I left.

I loaded my things in a single bag and I walked out into the rainy twilight. I brought a map that I had bought a while ago. I was heading for Suna, no matter what came my way. I knew Itachi had given up on me, he wouldn't bother me anymore. But now I had another burden on my shoulders -I had to save Gaara from Itachi. I headed for the nearest village I could find by night down, I wasn't a fool. I paid for a hotel night and once I sat on my bed, I felt the loneliest I've felt since the last time I saw Gaara. I held my pendant and whispered to myself that he would by glad to see me, he surely wouldn't hold a grudge for a year, right?