This one is definitely my favourite oneshot so far (because of the last scene), although the first one is pretty close. Just so you know this is just after Gaara and Naruto's fight.

Love

To see Gaara lying beaten on the forest floor was shocking to say the least. Ever since Gaara had been lost to that monster Temari had hardly ever seen him get a scratch. Seeing him lying on the ground, forehead bleeding and chakra reserves dry, was...There were no words Temari could find that accurately described the situation, or how she felt. But as she looked at Gaara, so exposed and powerless, she couldn't help the pity and empathy she felt for him rush to the surface. She managed to shift it into a look of mere concern, but it was so much more than that. As she looked at Gaara now, somehow she knew...she had her brother back.

She wanted to hug him, to cry into his shoulder about how happy she was to see her real brother for the first time in years, but with the small audience nearby and Gaara's injured condition she knew it would have to wait until later. Or perhaps even never. She still didn't know if the real Gaara was back for good or not, and even if he was, she didn't know if he would want her hugging him. Even as the real Gaara, he was still able to kill her without blinking an eye.

Kankuro heaved him over his shoulder, and the three of them turned to their small audience, Sasuke and Naruto. Gaara looked up at them, as if telling them something without using words. In the next instant they were gone, heading back to their homeland.

Their trek through the forest was mostly silent. But they didn't really have anything to say. No, Temari thought, she and Kankuro had a lot to say, she could tell by the look on his face, but there were no words to put their thoughts into.

"Temari...Kankuro..."

Both siblings looked over at their younger brother, still being supported by Kankuro. His voice sounded no different than usual, and yet there was some tone in his voice that the two heard that was different. It sounded almost...regretful.

"I'm sorry..."

The words were spoken softly, in what could hardly even be called a whisper, but they reverberated loudly in Temari and Kankuro's ears. Never in either of their lives had they ever expected Gaara to be sorry for anything. At least, not since he had disappeared.

The tone in his voice told them that there was much more he wanted to say to them, but was either too weak or couldn't put it into words. Temari glanced over at Kankuro, a look of surprise and shock mixed into one on her face. She was too shocked and happy for words, but she had no idea what to say to him. Kankuro met her glance for an instant before turning back to their little brother. It seemed he was having difficulty as well trying to find something to say to him.

Eventually he settled for, "Don't worry about it." He and Temari hoped that would convince him that all was forgiven and they were simply glad to have their brother back.

On the second night of their trip back to Suna Temari noticed that something was bothering Gaara. She didn't know how she knew, since she had never really been able to read her brother before now, but somehow she just knew. She guessed it was because of some sort of sibling bond.

"What's wrong, Gaara?"

He jumped slightly at the sound of her voice despite the fact that she was whispering. It was then that she knew something was bothering him; Gaara would not have been surprised by her unless he was too distracted by something else to notice.

It was silent for a moment. Temari waited patiently for what she hoped would be the answer to her question. His words, however, disappointed her. "You should be in bed."

"I'm not tired, and anyways, it's almost my turn for watch," she replied, shifting to sit beside him. He stiffened a bit at the act, but didn't move away or say anything.

"Why do you insist on watches?" Gaara asked. "You know I can't sleep, thanks to Shukaku."

"Because even if you can't fall asleep you still need to rest," Temari scolded, then softened her voice so she didn't sound like an overprotective mother. "Look, I know you're practically invincible and all, but Kankuro and I are your siblings, and we just want to help you."

Temari noticed him flinch slightly as she said siblings, and continued after a short pause, "You didn't answer my question, you know."

"What question?" he asked, though she knew he knew what she was talking about.

"I asked you what's wrong."

"...I'm fine."

"Clearly not," she said. "Now tell me what's wrong."

Gaara looked as if he were going to argue some more, but after seeing Temari's I'm-your-big-sister-so-you-have-to-listen-to-me look, he sighed in defeat. "Temari, how...how can you and Kankuro be so forgiving to me, after everything I've done?"

Temari blinked. "Is that all?"

Her brother glanced at her with a look that said, What do you mean, 'is that all'?

She couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "We're siblings, Gaara."

It was silent for a moment, and Temari could tell Gaara was waiting for her to elaborate. When she didn't, he sighed again. "I don't understand much about bonds..."

"You don't have to," Temari stated. "You just feel them."

Gaara looked over at her, his expression somewhere between relief and utter confusion. Temari had to admit, it looked quite adorable on his face. It reminded her of Gaara when he was little.

On impulse, Temari leaned over and kissed his forehead gently. Gaara's eyes widened at the contact, and he stared at the ground with a light blush appearing on his cheeks.

"I love you, Gaara," Temari said softly, sincerity in her voice. Glancing over at Kankuro's sleeping form, she added, "We both do."

"Love..." Gaara repeated.

"Yes, Gaara...Love."

And as Temari watched him, she could have sworn she saw some sort of understanding in his eyes at the word.