Still own nothing but the oc. Hope everyone is enjoying it so far. Time for a little time jump.

Question

Five months later – Momo

'I can't believe that it's been almost six months of us being here. We've all seem to have made this a second home.' I thought as Risa and I headed towards the center of the city.

Some people who remembered me from the festival greeted me as I walked by. The kids would stop me and want to pet Risa. I was enjoying being at the village. Temari was teaching me how to cook different foods. We spend about every meal time together telling stories. Risa tries to follow Gaara everywhere he goes. It seems she's getting a bit attached. Yoruichi turned herself into a cat and freaked Risa out at first.

We took turns taking watch each night with one of the sand siblings. Temari would bring a small fan and try to teach me how to use wind. Kankurō would bring a small puppet and try to teach me how to work with it by using chakra threads. Matusri would join me every now and then. She taught me how to send messages to and from the other villages. We would have fun sending them to Konoha and see who would send one back. At times it would be Hinata sending back the most replies. The nights Gaara would join me on the night watch, we would leave early and watch the sun set in silence. I started to notice that the dark rings around his eyes were slowly fading.

"Hey Momo!" called Shūhei as he ran towards me, "Yoruichi is looking for you."

We headed off to find Yoruichi. We found her in Gaara's office with Temari, Kankurō and Hanatarō.

"We received word from the head captain for us to come back. Apparently we have decreased the threat of Hollows by a good margin. We are to head back in a week so, start packing."

I sighed as we left. I knew Risa wasn't going to like leaving Gaara behind.

"Yoruichi, can you wait a minute." asked Gaara "I have to ask you something."

Kazekage office - Gaara

Yoruichi looked at me with curiosity in her eyes.

"What's up?"

"I don't know how things are with your people, but I wanted to know if there is a way I could have Momo stay?"

"I could see about having her stationed here, but there is more, right?"

"I have fallen in love with her and I would like to have her be my wife someday. How would I go about asking?"

"We do have rules for and against this, mostly because we are more of spirits ourselves than being human. You would have to write a letter to our Head Captain and then one to the Spirit King. The Spirit King would approve of this by giving his blessing. If he does, the Head Captain would have her discharged or demoted. Then she would be given a special gigai that would allow her to be human and not to have problems if you two have kids. She'll probably be demoted from lieutenant to be a substitute shinigami. This doesn't happen very often and we have had the reverse happen recently. If you're serious, I'll help you. Granted a lot of us will be excited because we want to see her happy after all she's been through."

"Wow, I didn't think it would complicated."

"It's not really, you just have to be aware of what the process is. Besides there is a lot in your favor."

I pulled out a box and put it on the table. Yoruichi took it, opened it, and gasped. There was a charm of Suna's symbol on it and next to it is a rose-gold ring with an engraving on the band, Suna's symbol with a rose around it, just like my tattoo.

"I was hoping to give her these, but I don't know what to do now."

"Give her the charm now, wait on the ring until you get an answer. Let's get started on the letter and I'll deliver them for you."

I nodded and grabbed some paper. "I think I'll stop by tonight and give her the charm."

"Don't worry, everything is in your favor."

"Thank you."

Hours later

Knock, knock

"Door's open, come on in."

I opened the door to Momo's unit. I sighed; I didn't want her to go. Momo came out of the bedroom with Risa following her. I ran over and hugged her tightly.

"I don't want you to go," I blurted out, "I love you." I started to pull away, just enough to look at her. I couldn't tell if she was shocked or upset. She looked at me and smiled.

"Oh, Gaara, I didn't think you felt the same."

"I'd figured I'd at least come over and help you pack. Oh, I have some things for you."

I pulled two books out and a small box.

"These are for you; one is a book about Suna and it's history, the other book is about ninjutsu or the hand signs we do. The box has something to remember me by."

I watched Momo's reactions to each. She smiled at each book. When she opened that box, there was a huge grin that crossed her face.

"Can you help me put it on?"

I went around her, kissed the back of her neck and undid the clasp, pulling the necklace around. She slid the charm on the chain and I redid the clasp as I put the necklace back on her. She turned and beamed at me.

"I hope you like them" I smiled as I hugged her.

"Of course, I do."

At weeks end – Momo

We were all packed and waiting by Gaara's office. Risa was on my shoulder. Gaara and Kankurō showed up to say good-bye. Gaara's eyes looked very sad.

"Here Gaara, read this after we leave. I think you'll like it." Winked Yoruichi as she handed him an envelope. "Shūhei, if you please."

He drew his sword and stabbed the air.

"Open!" he commanded.

The senkaimon opened. Shūhei lead the way, Hanatarō following him.

"Thank you for everything, we'll be in touch." Yoruichi said as she shook Gaara's hand, then turned and walked in the senkaimon. Gaara turned to look at me.

"Don't say anything, we'll see each other again. I promise." Gaara whispered to me and kissed me. "Take care of Risa for me."

I walked into senkaimon with tears streaming down my face.

"Don't worry Momo, you'll see him sooner than you think." Yoruichi said trying to comfort me as she put her hand on my shoulder.

"Besides, we all approve of him." Shūhei grinned and Hanatarō nodded.

We reached the other side and I was surprised to see who was waiting for us. Temari and Captain Kuchiki.

"Temari is here on business. The head captain requested a meeting with her about her village. I already told him that you could escort her back when she's all done here." Captain Kuchiki informed me. I noticed that Temari didn't have her big fan with her but a couple of smaller ones along her waist.

"Of course captain." I replied and headed to the barracks to drop off my stuff. I still couldn't help feeling like my heart was breaking.

Don't cry Momo...

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