Oh Jeez I am a terrible person! I can't believe it's been this long! I am so sorry work killed me! The Next Chapter is here! Review as always if you're still with me!
The Next Day…
Gaara woke up and felt around for his wife. When he didn't feel anything he cracked his eyes open slightly and realized he was in his bed alone. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He looked around the room and still didn't see her. It was only when he heard an inhuman shriek that his eyes widened and he flew out of bed. He had just slipped a black shirt on when Temari came barging in unannounced.
"Gaara, Ren is outside with Saya and I can't believe I'm going to say this but I think a dragon is coming towards Suna!" she cried and Gaara followed her out of the room quickly.
When he got outside he spotted the huge bird first. Ren looked pissed.
"What do you mean Saya? You must let me take you as a host! This is a serious matter!" Ren roared.
Saya flinched slightly but held her own.
"Ren, I'm sorry but I cannot be a host for you now when I'm with child…maybe after—" she was cut off by Ren's screeching.
Saya closed her eyes. She knew the bird was pissed.
"He is on his way! He has found a host and is coming to claim him! This is unacceptable! You will let me take you as a host or—" Ren stopped speaking abruptly.
Saya stared at her feeling a little uneasy.
"He is here! I see the host he is after!" Ren shrieked.
Gaara was about to head towards her when the bird engulfed Saya within its wings quickly. Gaara gasped and ran over with Temari, Kankuro, and Shikamaru to help. Ren started shrinking into Saya and Gaara was panicking. She had said no to Ren! What the hell wasn't Ren getting? Gaara went to attack with his sand but was thrown back as well as the others. When they looked up, they saw a huge dragon appear from out of the sands. He too went straight for Saya, also engulfing her with his scaly wings.
Ryuzaki had just woken up from his nice sleep and headed outside to see what all the commotion was about. He saw the bird and dragon engulf his mother and watched his father get thrown away from them. Gaara tried to stand but the Phoenix and Dragon were showing no mercy and he was knocked down again. Ren was determined to make Saya her host. The Dragon was also fighting for something. Ryuzaki felt something well up inside of him. His whole family was in danger. His little sister could get hurt or even worse…and he was just going to sit and do nothing so as to not get in the way? No, he would fight and defend his family and his village. Ryuzaki forced his feet to move and he broke out into a run towards his mother.
Gaara saw his son run by and his eyes widened. He reached out to grab him calling his name but was knocked back by the two forces. Gaara tried to get up but he kept being forced down. Ryuzaki slipped by and hesitated right in front of his mother, who was engulfed in the red Phoenix chakra and dark black dragon chakra. He stared at his mom for a moment before taking off the bandage on his hand and looking at it. It was healing nicely. He dug his finger in the wound successfully reopening it and slammed it on the floor. His eyes were different.
"Sabaku Kyū…" he mumbled as sand wrapped around the entities alone and though his mother was still connected she was left untouched by the sand.
Once he shut his fist the sand broke through the connection with Saya and she dropped to the ground unconscious. Ryuzaki realized that he only had the bird within his sand. The dragon was no where to be seen. He shrugged it off…one less entity to deal with. He had a chance and he was taking it. Ryuzaki watched the trapped bird and quickly decided on his next attack.
"Gokusamaisō… (Prison Sand Burial)" he muttered spitefully.
The Phoenix began to sink into the ground and it shrieked loudly. Once it was under completely Ryuzaki was getting tired. He put his hands under the sand and took a shaky breath. His knees buckled. He couldn't do it. Then, suddenly, two hands reached under the sand and found his holding them tightly. A body hovered over him.
"Sabaku Taisō... (Desert Imperial Funeral)" Gaara seethed and the ground shook tremendously under them and the Phoenix stopped screaming.
They knew it wasn't dead but it was contained for a while. Everything became quiet then. Ryuzaki stumbled over to his mother and dropped to his knees.
"M-Mother…" he mumbled and fell unconscious next to her.
Gaara's sand caught him before he hit the floor. He grabbed his son looking him over. His hand was bleeding again and he was tired and scratched up but he would be okay with some rest. Gaara looked to Temari, who immediately reached out for the boy. He handed Ryuzaki to her carefully and Shikamaru began to wrap his hand. Gaara leaned over his wife carefully. He checked her pulse. It was slow but it was there. He picked her up carefully and they all ran to the hospital.
At The Hospital…
Gaara was feeling sick. The room was spinning. He hated hospitals. He couldn't understand how she worked in one. Sakura came out looking tired. Gaara stood up quickly and memories of the day she had died came back to him. It started out something like this. He held his breath. Sakura gave a small smile.
"Your son is awake and asking for you," she said kindly.
Gaara let some breath escape him. Sakura's smile faded some.
"We're finished with Sai-chan too but you cannot see her until tomorrow. She needs her rest…" Sakura said gently.
She was about to walk away when he firm hand stopped her.
"Sakura is the child…" he faded not being able to finish.
Sakura offered him a small smile.
"The baby has a heartbeat…that's all we know right now…" she said and Gaara took a deep breath.
"Let me take you to your son…" she said quietly and he nodded and looked back to his family, who ushered him to go and told him they'd wait as long as they had to.
He gave them a small nod and headed off with Sakura. Sakura led him to a small but cozy looking room.
"Take your time okay?" she said and left.
Gaara walked over to the bed and sat down in a chair. Ryuzaki had his eyes closed but they cracked open slightly when he only sensed his father's presence in the room.
"Father, are you angry with me?" he asked meekly.
Gaara furrowed his eyes.
"No Ryuzaki not at all. What you did…it was amazing…you saved your mother's life…you did well…she'll be very proud…" he stated thinking it was the right answer.
Gaara rested back in the chair. A comfortable silence took over them until Gaara spoke up.
"Ryuzaki…I think I can answer your question now…what I am afraid of…it occurred to me today. I don't think I could bear…losing someone I loved. That is what I fear…losing someone important to me…" he murmured lowly.
Ryuzaki stared at his father quietly.
"I'm afraid of that too father…does that mean we're alike?" he asked curiously.
Gaara stared at his son for a while before answering.
"I'd like to think you're more like your mother…but…I do see some of me in you…the better parts at least…" he said softly and Ryuzaki smiled.
"Good…I want to be like you father…" he murmured and Gaara couldn't help but smile some.
Ryuzaki yawned and his eyes lowered. Gaara rubbed his head gently.
"You should get some rest now. It's been a long day…" he murmured softly.
Ryuzaki nodded.
"You'll be here when I wake up?" he asked nervously.
Gaara nodded.
"I'll be here…" he said resting his head against the big chair.
"See you soon father…" Ryuzaki whispered before letting sleep consume him.
Gaara opened one eye.
"See you soon Ryuzaki…" he murmured quietly and went into a deep meditation.
The Next Day…
Gaara woke up out of his meditation to a soft commotion outside. He turned slightly in the chair to the hospital door and stared out the small door window. He saw pink hair and knew that could only be one person. He stood careful not to wake his sleeping son and walked to the door opening it quickly and scaring the people on the other side. Sakura turned around looking tired and offered Gaara a small smile. Gaara stared at the shinobi causing all the problems and his eyes widened.
Kakashi, Naruto, Jiro, Lee, Neji, Tenten, Gai, and his family were all trying to get into the room. Naruto spotted Gaara and ran over to him.
"Gaara, how are they?" he asked quickly.
Gaara nodded once.
"Ryuzaki is fine…I haven't seen Saya yet…" he said quietly.
Jiro walked up to Gaara and tugged on his robes.
"Gaara-san, can I see Ryuzaki?" he asked innocently.
Gaara smiled faintly and nodded holding the door open slightly for Jiro to run in…which he did. Naruto smiled.
"He wanted to come as soon as we heard…" he said softly and Gaara nodded.
"Ryuzaki will be happy to see his friend when he wakes up…thank you all for coming…" he said politely.
Sakura sighed.
"You can see Sai-chan now Gaara. The rest of you can visit Ryuzaki or wait in the waiting room. I think we all have a lot to talk about…" she smiled brightly.
Gaara walked down the hall to a small room and opened the door. Saya was lying in the hospital bed, her eyes closed. He walked next to her bedside and stared down at her softly. She looked peaceful. He touched her hand gently and her eyes fluttered open. Their eyes met and she smiled warmly up at him.
"Gaara…is Ryuzaki…" she trailed off as Gaara nodded.
"He's fine…he's tired but he's fine…" he said quietly.
Saya let out a sigh of relief and closed her eyes lightly. Gaara rubbed her head gently.
"Gaara is the baby—" he cut her off.
"—Sakura is running tests…she has a heartbeat…" he tried and Saya nodded slowly.
A soft knock at the door made them both look towards the door. Sakura poked her head in and grinned.
"Sai-chan, the waiting room is filled with friends and family that want to see you. I was hoping we could make a trade. Could I borrow Gaara for a moment and could I have the small village in the waiting room come see you?" she asked chuckling.
Saya chuckled too and nodded.
"Sure Sakura-chan, send them in," she said and Gaara stepped out as many shinobi from Suna and Konoha stepped in.
Gaara followed Sakura down a small corridor to a room darker then the rest. He began to feel uneasy and Sakura noticed it.
"Everything's fine Gaara-kun…the baby is perfectly healthy. I couldn't find anything wrong with the fetus and it looks like it only got stronger with what happened," she said grinning.
Gaara visibly relaxed.
"She can go home with you and your son soon. There is just one more thing I want to look into…" she said calmly.
Gaara furrowed his eyes.
"Is it anything I should be concerned about?" he asked and she shook her head quickly.
"No, no I wouldn't worry about it much…" she said smiling.
Gaara nodded and headed out back to her room. He didn't believe Sakura.
A Few Days Later…
Sakura walked into the Kazekage tower holding a file in her hands. She walked passed the Kazekage's office and straight to Shikamaru and Temari's room. She knocked once and then opened the door quickly.
"Shikamaru-kun I need a word…" she said seriously and Shikamaru stood up from his spot with Temari and headed to the door.
Temari furrowed her eyebrows.
"Shikamaru is everything alright?" she asked quickly.
Shikamaru turned around and nodded smiling slightly.
"Don't worry about it Tem-chan…it's probably nothing…" he murmured and went off with Sakura.
Before they exited Temari saw the red folder that Sakura held in her hands. She had only ever seen it once before, years ago. Shikamaru and Sakura walked the several blocks to the hospital and walked into a private room for employees only. Sakura closed the door locking it behind her.
"Okay what is it…what did you find out?" he asked cautiously.
Sakura sighed.
"It's not good Shikamaru-kun…" she said holding out the red file.
He hesitated.
"Take it…you need to read it…maybe…hopefully I am mistaken…" she murmured lowly.
Shikamaru sighed and took the folder opening it quickly and scanning through it. His eyes widened and he looked up at Sakura.
"This can't be right…it makes no sense…it would be impossible…" he said more to himself then Sakura.
Sakura nodded.
"What do we do? Do we tell Gaara or Sai-chan?" she asked and Shikamaru looked at her.
"Definitely not Saya…she would freak and it would make things worse," he said quickly.
Sakura nodded.
"Are we really going to tell Gaara? Will he understand?" she asked quietly.
Shikamaru shrugged.
"Probably not at first…but we have to make him understand…" he murmured and Sakura agreed.
They headed out and back to the tower where they would meet with Gaara. As they got to his office and were about to knock, the door flung open. A messenger ninja stood frightfully in the door trying to get out. He pushed passed the two shinobi and ran off down the corridor. Shikamaru and Sakura blinked rapidly wondering what the hell was going on. They walked in cautiously and saw Gaara sitting at his desk looking at his paperwork.
"Gaara, what was that all about?" Shikamaru asked curiously.
Gaara rubbed his temples.
"He didn't understand what the words 'get out' meant…so I showed him…" he said and Shikamaru and Sakura chuckled nervously.
"What can I do for you two?" he asked tiredly and Sakura sat down with Shikamaru.
"This is an important matter Gaara…we need you in a good state of mind…" Sakura said and this caught Gaara's attention.
"My state of mind is fine. What is this about?" he asked now more attentive.
Shikamaru sighed loudly.
"Alright…we're going to let you read a confidential hospital file on a certain patient…and we need to know if you understand what its saying…okay?" he asked and Gaara, though confused, nodded.
Shikamaru handed him the red file and Gaara stared at it before taking it.
"That's a red file…" he said calmly knowing what a red file meant.
"Yes…we know…" Sakura said nervously.
"Red files are used for unidentified cases…special cases…cases of the unexplained…I don't see many of these files in Suna…ever since I was born…" he murmured almost to himself.
Shikamaru nodded.
"Saya and Naruto had a file like this back in Konoha. I have my theories about this particular file but I need to know if you understand it…" he said and Gaara took it and opened it.
His eyes scanned over the contents and his eyes widened.
"W-What is the meaning of this?" he said, his voice taking on a deadly tone.
Sakura was panicking inside. Shikamaru kept a stoic composure.
"I-Is this some kind of sick joke?" he seethed while still staring at the paper.
Shikamaru shook his head slowly.
"I'm afraid not. It's all true…but I couldn't explain it until now…" he said softly.
Gaara finally looked up at the two shinobi before him.
"Explain…" he said quickly and Shikamaru looked to Sakura and she nodded giving him permission to take over.
"Alright…" Shikamaru started.
"What you just read is all true…the fetus of this patient…has a…well what we refer to as a Jinchuuriki…growing inside of her…but the Jinchuuriki is already inside of the baby…it doesn't have to be placed in after the birth…" he said hoping it made some sense.
Gaara was quiet.
"That is impossible. People chose to put the Jinchuuriki in Naruto and me. They had to be implanted in the child after birth. This one already is inside of the child…growing with it?" he asked uncertainly.
Shikamaru sighed.
"That's what we can't figure out just yet. We have no clue how the beast is growing with the child while still in the mother's stomach…it's a challenge but give me some time and we'll figure it out…" he said with confidence.
Sakura fidgeted nervously in her chair. Gaara cleared his throat some.
"Who is the patient that you are talking about?" he asked already knowing the answer.
Sakura wanted to leave the room. Shikamaru sighed and rubbed his temples.
"You know who the patient is already…" he said and Gaara glared at him.
"How long have you two known?" he asked trying to keep his composure.
Shikamaru took over.
"We were looking into it for some time but we weren't sure and we weren't going to tell you anything until we were sure…we're sure now Gaara…" he finished and Gaara closed his eyes.
"How am I supposed to tell her this?" he asked unsure how he was even taking it.
Shikamaru rubbed his temples.
"However you want to handle it…let us know and we'll help anyway we can…" he said and Gaara thought about it.
"What happens when she comes to term?" he asked quickly looking at them both.
Sakura looked down and Shikamaru groaned hoping he wouldn't ask that.
"Well…there are two options…one is that the birth goes fine and we deal with the child and help her contain the Jinchuuriki with help from Naruto and the Sannins…or…option two…the child is born and…basically unleashes hell on earth…and a lot of people die…" he said and Gaara's eyes were wide.
Those were two completely different options. Gaara stared at his desk for a while trying to process all of the information.
"Is there no other option?" Gaara asked hopelessly.
"Well…there is but you will not agree to it," Shikamaru said quietly.
Gaara furrowed his eyes.
"The death of the child," Shikamaru clarified.
"No."
"That is why I did not give you option three," Shikamaru said folding his hands.
"I'll tell her…but not yet…it's not the right time…" he murmured and Shikamaru and Sakura nodded.
"You're dismissed…" he said before adding,
"…do not tell Temari or Kankuro or anyone about this…understood?" he said and they nodded and exited his office.
When they were gone and the door was closed Gaara put his head in his hands and closed his eyes. What the hell was he going to do now?
Later That Day…
Gaara stepped out of the tower and walked towards the village market. She would be there and he needed to see her. He passed by some other women, some old, some young. Everyone was shopping because rain season was coming to Suna soon and they needed to stock up. Going outside wouldn't be an option because of the dangers sand when wet could cause. He skimmed through the crowds of people and spotted her. She was with Temari and they were laughing like they were kids again. Saya wiped a tear from her eye still chuckling and trying to compose herself. Temari was still bent over hysterical laughing. Gaara sighed. He wouldn't tell her now. She looked too happy. Saya looked up from Temari's bent over form and caught his eyes. Her smile widened and she ran over to him.
"Gaara, you're out of the office early!" she cheered and kissed his cheek quickly.
He mustered up a small smile for his wife and looked over at Temari. Temari walked over to the couple smiling and wiping tears from her eyes.
"Gaara it was great…you missed it…" she choked out still giddy.
"What did I miss, exactly?" he asked raising an eye.
Saya chuckled a bit.
"A man came through here ranting on about how the end of the world was coming…and then he tripped over Temari's fan and fell into a pit of rotten fruit," she laughed not being able to finish.
Gaara's small smile faded and a look of fear crossed his face for a brief moment. Temari missed it but Saya caught it. Her smile faded and she stared at him trying to find out what was wrong. He tried his smile again but it failed miserably.
"Saya…we need to talk…" he said as softly as he could.
Saya furrowed her eyebrows and nodded. She turned to Temari.
"See you later Tem-chan…I think I'll head back to the tower with Gaara from here…" she said as cheerfully as she could.
Temari shrugged still laughing and nodded.
"See you two later!" she yelled and ran off probably to find her kids and husband.
Saya and Gaara walked in silence for a while. The crowds died down and soon they were left in a quiet street of Suna.
"Gaara what's this about?" she asked him seeing how conflicted he looked.
Gaara took a breath and turned to her. He had to tell her. That's exactly what he did too. He told her everything. When he did she had to sit down on a park bench. He sat next to her letting her process all of the information.
"Whatever you want to do…I'll stand by your choice…" he said fearful that she wouldn't want the child but not knowing if it was the right thing to go through having it.
Saya was lost in her thoughts for a while before she dared to speak.
"I-I can't kill her…I won't…" she mumbled and Gaara didn't know what to feel.
"Alright…" he said really not sure what to say.
Saya looked up at him seeing his confliction.
"It's the dragon, isn't it? It had chosen her as a host. That's why Ren was so scared. She came back to try to help me," she said sadly and Gaara realized she was right.
The Dragon had disappeared that day. Ryuzaki only got the Phoenix. It had found its host. Ren was just trying to protect them.
"We should head back to the tower…" she mumbled and he stood up.
She stood up with him and they walked to the tower both secretly hoping the same thing…that this child would not be the end of the world.
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