Well, after a long while, I finally have this chapter done. Not sure I'm liking where it's going, so I may change it a little.

Chapter 11, Sensei.

Naruto looked between us. "Her? What does she have to do with anything?"

Gaara stepped right up to me and stared down into my eyes. "Everything." His hand came up so fast I had no time to react. He snatched the mask from my face and took a startled step back. My hands flew up to cover my face.

Naruto's jaw dropped and Sakura gasped loudly. Gaara's face was that of pure shock. Then it turned to uncertainty. I peeked out from between my fingers at him, my breath coming in and out as gasps. Why did he just do that! Who did he think I was? I spotted my mask on the floor and lunged for it, but Naruto kicked it farther away before I could grab it. He spun me around, pinning my arm behind my back, his arm across my throat, threatening to cut off my air.

"What the hell kind of genjutsu is this?" he growled at me. "Deactivate it!" The yell so close to my ear had me flinching, which made him tighten his arm around my throat. I gasped and tried to pull away his arm with my other hand, but he twisted my arm a little more, and put more pressure on my throat. "Deactivate it!" he yelled.

I felt my eyes starting to bulge slightly, my face I knew was starting to change colors from the lack of air, and I could already feel my feet going numb. My eyes flickered with black dots, and that was when I saw the unmasked rage on Gaara's face.

"Gaara!" I gasped just as he through all of his power behind his sand at Naruto. I had no other choice. Gaara would have killed the both of us.

The sand stopped abruptly in front of me, like it had hit a wall. Naruto's grip fell with the shock of the attack and the sudden stop. I elbowed him in the stomach and sidestepped out of the way as my hold on the sand failed and it came hurdling at us. Sand wrapped around my legs, but I waved it away and it fell uselessly to the floor. I rubbed my throat as I waited for Gaara's next move.

But it never came.

When I met his eyes he fell. Gaara fell to his knees, his face upturned, staring at me with his mouth open a little. Tears shined in his eyes. I have never, ever, seen Gaara cry. I've never even thought about him tearing up at something. But here he is, staring at me with tears rolling down his cheeks. I heard a stifled gasp and glanced over to see Sakura in full tears, but with a smile. Naruto was sitting on the floor with a smile and gave me a nod of approval. Had he known all along?

"Kira?" Gaara's strangled whisper had me looking at him again.

I swallowed hard and picked up my mask, putting it back on my face and walking out the door. I didn't look back. I walked right down the stairs, through the lobby, and out the door. I headed back to the gates, but found myself taking a detour. Before I knew it I was standing in front of the house I had lived in with Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. Only a quarter of it stands. The roof Gaara and I sat on for hours at night was demolished.

I felt him behind me before I heard the sand shift. "Kira..." His hand touched my arm, his fingers easily wrapping around my elbow. I couldn't make myself pull away from him. But I didn't look at him either. And he didn't try to move me in anyway. He just stood behind me with his hand wrapped around my elbow. "Tell me this is a dream," he finally whispered.

Slowly I turned to face him, his hold on me breaking. I looked up into his eyes, so wide and shining in the dim light. I stared into their pupil less depths and found myself with tears starting to form. I shook my head. "I can't do that. I lived ten years thinking this was all a dream. I can't do that to you," I whispered.

His hand slowly came up and removed my mask, once more dropping it to the ground. His eyes scanned my face, his hands reached up and wrapped around my upper arms, squeezing slightly. I swallowed hard. This is absolutely the very thing I wanted to avoid. What do I say? Sorry I've been gone for so long, I've been getting drunk every night and watching my best friend screw up her life? Yeah. That would be a real conversation starter!

But Gaara's eyes closed and his body leaned forward. He moved slowly, but it wasn't long before he had me wrapped up in his arms, lifting me off the ground. He has definitely gotten taller, towering over me more than ever. I felt the intake of air as he breathed in, then the heat as he breathed out. I closed my eyes and wiggled until I could somewhat hug him back.

"I thought I would never see you again," he whispered.

I smiled, knowing he couldn't see it. How odd. I had thought the same thing. I took a deep breath against his jacket. He still smells the same, maybe a little more musky, though. I took another deep breath and let it out slowly. Gaara pulled back and stared down into my eyes, his still shiny and a little red. I smiled at him. My smile was all he needed to lift me up again in his arms, and whisk me away with a gust of sand.

I frowned when I saw where we ended up. The only part of the wall left unharmed. It also happened to overlook the place where I had been buried. I stared at the hole in the ground and took a deep breath. His hand ran over my hair, combing his fingers through. His other stayed on the small of my back.

"You haven't changed at all," he whispered. His fingers combed through my hair again.

I worked my tongue and looked up at his face. "I may not look physically different, Gaara, but I am a completely different person. As I am very sure you are, too." I bit my lip and glanced down. "It has been ten years."

His head bent down and leaned against my neck. I felt the deep intake of breath he took, and felt his arm circling around my waist. "I can't believe you are here," he said again. His arm tightened. "You really did come back."

"Gaara!" Naruto flashed to our sides, startling me. I jumped a little bit, unconsciously moving closer to Gaara. His arm tightened around me. Naruto's blue eyes held flames. "Don't you ever do that again! You aren't even supposed to be here! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be near this place? You can't just go running off like that!" Naruto's flaming eyes turned on me. "And you! You, of all people, should know how dangerous this place can be."

I looked down at my feet. I do know. But I had forgotten for a moment.

"Do not lecture me. You are not Hokage yet, Uzumaki." Gaara said. He pulled me towards the edge of the wall and held on tight as he jumped down. Sakura was waiting for us, hands on her knees and breathing hard. She just stared at me as Gaara landed, never loosening his arm around me. "Come, we will go back to Konoha. The twins will want to see you." His arm tightened and the sand started to swirl around us.

"No!" I knocked all of the sand away and pulled away from him. "No, Gaara." How can I say this? I guess there is no easy way. "I have not come back, not really. I am here only for one reason, you must understand!"

Gaara's hand lashed out and grabbed my upper arm, holding on painfully. "And what would that reason be?" he hissed in my face. I could read the hurt all over his body, but he tried to hide it. His hand tightened. "Answer me!"

I pulled roughly away from him and clenched my teeth. "I absolutely haven't come back to be abused by you!" The shock on his face was so great that I could have slapped him with a fish and he would have the same expression. "The countries are at war, Gaara, if you have forgotten. That is why I am here. I left my family, my life, behind to save this world. I do not need to be lectured or abused by you because of it. Maybe Sakura can just erase your memory for you so you don't even know I am here." I spun on my heal and looked at Naruto. "I believe I have seen enough. I want to go back."

He nodded and motioned with his head for me to go first. I snapped my fingers and the sand at my feet formed into my mask, rising to meet my hand. I placed it on my face. Then I started walking towards the gates.

I did so without looking back to see Gaara's face. I know there will be a hurt so strong it will send me to my knees.

– –

"Doe! Doe! Doe!"

I glanced behind me and opened up my arms just in time for Aiko to fly into me. She giggled as she wiggled all around, hugging me and kissing me. She patted my cheeks and kissed my nose and laughed again. I smiled brightly and kissed her cheek, setting her back on the ground. She giggled again and ran behind my legs, peaking out behind.

"Daddy, no! No, Daddy!" She giggled harder and screamed as Naruto jumped out from behind the corner of a building. "Daddy bad! Bad Daddy! Bad! Bad! Bad!" She giggled loudly again and was off like a rocket.

Naruto winked as he passed, running after the little lightning bolt.

I kept walking towards the training ground where I knew I would find Temari with my daughter. My finger traced the cool porcelain of my mask. I wish I didn't have to wear this stupid thing. Gaara, the one person I wanted most to know, knows, and I hate it. Naruto knew from the beginning, though he wont tell me how, Sakura knows, and Kakashi saw right through me. Who else is going to know in the next few days? Naruto and Hinata are married. He will probably tell her. And she will be to excited to keep it to herself.

I kicked a stone and glanced out over the small field. There they are, Temari and Jessica. Naruto and Gaara both requested that I go out during their training period and see if I might be able to help. I scoffed. Of course I might be able to help. Naruto explained to me that Jessica is just like her mother. Just like me. But she doesn't know how to use or control her powers. They are hoping I can teach her. But how? How can I show her how without giving myself away?

I chewed all of this over as I made my way towards them. Gaara hasn't looked me in the eye since I put my mask back on.

Temari noticed me and waved me over, but Jessica did not look up from what she was trying to do. I took a seat in front of her, watching Temari do her teaching. Maybe if I watch I might be able to understand Jessica's frustrations and what she can't get.

"Feel the chakra run through your body," Temari was saying. "Let it make your toes tingle all the way up to your nose. Now, bring the power to your fingertips. Let it glow." Sweat beaded on my daughters face, trickling down her cheeks. But nothing happened. There was no glow in her fingers.

"I can't do it!" she yelled. Jessica glared at Temari. "You know I can't. So stop trying to make me do it! We've been trying this for weeks!"

Temari took a deep breath and put a gentle hand on Jessica's back. "It takes time, Jess. And we have all the time in the world."

Frustrated tears formed in the little girls brown eyes. "No, Aunt Temari, we don't. They are going to attack here soon, and everyone will be needed. I have to be able to help, Aunty! I have to learn." Jessica squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. Her forehead furrowed as she concentrated, her teeth clamping down on her lip.

I couldn't hold still any longer, not seeing the blood bead at her lips from her biting them. I reached out with one hand and gently touched her chin, bringing her attention to me and off the biting. I held one finger up and crossed my legs in front of me like she was doing. I placed my hands up turned on each knee and waited for her to do the same. I took a deep exaggerated breath and let it out slowly through my mouth. I breathed in through my nose again, and out through my mouth.

Jessica started to take the deep breaths, pausing for a few seconds between each. I breathed with her, watching as her muscles slowly relaxed, her eyes shutting on their own. I closed my eyes as well and we just breathed deeply, relaxing. Temari was silent through it all. After five or six minutes I opened my eyes again and uncrossed my legs, leaning over one to stretch. Jessica followed my movements without complaint.

We stretched every muscle in our bodies we could then I had her stand next to me, facing the village. I took a step forward and her foot moved less than a second behind mine. And without communicating it, we were running towards the village. I lead us through a path that would soon become routine for her, one that was a combination of flat surfaces, hills, and obstacles. Hopefully she will be able to learn to use the wind in aiding her with her running. I can already feel the wind beating against my cheek coming off her. I just need her to feel it this time.

When the sun started to set we were both panting for air, sweat trickling out of every pore on our bodies, feeling like we were going to drop at any second, but still jogging. We looped around the Hokage building and came to a stop in front of it. Jessica sat down before I could and started the deep breathing I showed her. I stood against the wall and watched my daughter do something that I had taught her. Me! She is doing something that I, her mother, taught her to do. I think my heart is above the clouds right now with how high its flying.

After her heart rate was calm and her breathing back, Jessica stood and gave me a small smile. "Will I see you tomorrow, Sensei?"

My heart soared higher as I nodded to her. She smiled bigger and ran off into the building.

"Looks like you've won her over," someone's hand fell on my shoulder and gave a light squeeze. I glanced back to see Kankuro. His face has surely matured. He looks much older, and without the paint on his face, much cuter. "It is hard for her to trust people. Just remember that."

I nodded, letting my eyes briefly glance over him. What is it with these guys letting their hair grow out? Kankuro's brown hair is long enough to hand in his eyes, and it brushes the back of his neck. His muscles, like Gaara's, are now thick. There is a look to his face that says he isn't the stupid Kanky I used to know and love. When I saw him in Tsunade's office I hadn't really looked him over well. I had been to shocked to see everyone else that I had somehow over looked him a little bit. But I don't know how I could have. This definitely isn't the same man that used to tease me.

His hand squeezed once more and I saw his back as he started walking away. Before he got too far he glanced back with a wink and said, "It's nice to have you back, Kira."

I stood with my jaw open as I stared at his retreating back. How is it everyone is finding out! Did Gaara tell him? Does that mean Temari knew who I was? Was that why she let me take over so easily? I stamped my foot and turned, stalking back to my room in Tsunade's place. I will have to talk with her about it. I am not even sure if she knows Gaara knows about me. Does she even know Kakashi knows? He could have lied to me, after all. No, she knows he knows. Kakashi isn't a liar.

Speaking of the devil! I jogged to catch up with him and Sakura, grabbed both of their hands and rushing them towards a back alley. They both went along with me without struggling. Once we were in the shadows I glanced at him, he nodded and I smiled so bright I thought it would sweep away the shadows.

"I helped her!" I whispered. "And she listened to me! I taught her something! My own baby girl." I put my hands to my mouth to try and hide the brightness of my smile, but I knew they would still see it.

Sakura smiled and Kakashi's eye crinkled. "Are you going to become her teacher?" Kakashi asked.

I nodded. "She has my powers, so I am really the only one that can help her. I just need to figure out how to show her without giving myself away. Can you believe it! I'm going to be spending time with my baby!"

Sakura's smile grew. "I'm very happy for you," she said. "Maybe Yukio will hang around when you are teaching so you can see both of them. I might drop a few hints to get him over some times."

"Thank you!" I hugged her tightly. "And I'm sorry about everything, Sakura," I whispered in her ear.

Her arms tightened around me. "It's okay. I completely understand."

Review? I might be changing this chapter a little, so make sure you check back and make sure okay? Hope you enjoyed!