Here we go! chapter 25 is up and ready for your reading pleasure :) Enjoy!

Chapter 25, Marsh.

Tsunade had given me the list two days ago. I will be ready to leave in the morning. I have everything planned out, and Ino will stay with Ryuu while I am gone. Gaara has decided to let me take his daughter, under one condition. Him and Kankuro will be joining us.

I sighed as I wiped dirt from my face, rinsing the cloth out in the bathroom sink. I should be sleeping right now. I am going to need my rest. This will be a long trip. I looked at my face in the mirror. So much different than the one I have known all my life. My nose is long, my cheekbones slightly higher. And my eyes are still blue. Blue like Naruto's. And my hair is the copper color like Savannah's. My chest is about the same size, maybe a tiny bit smaller than it had been before. My muscle tone is much more on this body. I like that part. I look good with a little bit of hard muscles. I think I will keep those.

I grabbed my shirt off the rack and looked down at it. A long sleeve black shirt, a killer in hot weather. I think I need to do a little bit of shopping before I leave tomorrow morning. Who would be open this late? Hm... Maybe Sakura has something I can borrow. Though, the chest part will be much to big. I sighed, looking at my long sleeve shirt. I grabbed a pair of scissors I use to trim my hair with and cut off the arms of the shirt, and cut off the belly part so it wouldn't be so long. I slipped it on and looked at myself in the mirror.

The sight of the cut ends forming together was amazing. I am so talented. I stared down at my muscled stomach. I took away from the muscles a little, so it looked like a natural muscled look. And I added to my arms a little, taking away the fat. Once I was happy I looked at my face. I can't change anything there without looking more like myself, or hideous. I looked at my hair. I love my hair. I grabbed the scissors and cut it all off, leaving it only a few inches long. I took some mouse Sakura had lent me and shaped it all forward, sort of like how Kakashi does it. But my hair is now much shorter. Once I was happy enough with it I washed the left over mouse off my hands and grabbed my pants, pulling them on.

Now I am ready.

When Ryuu woke up, and after he stared wordlessly at my new look, I brought him to school. "Be good for Ino," I told him. He nodded and went into the building with the other children.

I saw Yukio entering the building alone, his sister is probably getting ready with Gaara and Kankuro to leave. Poor Yukio seems to get the short end of the stick all of the time. He will be left here, with Temari, while his sister gets to go and do something important. I waved to him and he waved back, giving me a smile. He will be alright. He is a strong boy.

When I got to the village gates everyone was there.

Sakura and Kakashi, Naruto, of course, Gaara, Jessica, and Kankuro. Also, Shikamaru, who I hadn't known knows who I am, and Kiba and Akamaru. With all of these people around, Jessica will be very well protected.

I am still pissed at Gaara.

Does he think that just because I wont tell them I am their mother that I don't love them? That I won't keep them safe? I tried not to think about it as we moved out.

We traveled for two days, and each time we stopped for a rest I made Jessica practice. I taught her how to draw water from the earth. I taught her how to quicken a plants growth and repair that which was dead. She learned to much in those two days, I was extremely impressed. We got to the wide open plains late afternoon of the second day. I told everyone I needed to rest and to set up camp somewhere in the middle of the plains. Akamaru picked a nice dry area with low grass.

As the sky darkened everyone started drifting off to their tents to sleep for the night. I watched Jessica enter a tent with Kankuro after giving her father a kiss goodnight. She smiled at me before she was hidden by the tent fabric. Kiba tossed another log to the fire and laid on his back to watch the stars, Akamaru curled around his head. The others did various things, I wasn't completely paying attention. My mind was on how I could complete such a task as quickly as possible. I know it will take no less than a week.

Maybe even two.

I didn't realize the size of this land before. On a map it doesn't seem like much.

I stood from the fire and slowly crept towards the shadows, not meeting anyone's eyes as I left. I walked though the darkness, the stars and moon lighting my way. When I was far enough from the group, so they were only a flickering light in the distance, I sat down on the cry earth and spread my fingers out on the grass, digging a little into their roots.

The best way to start is going to be finding the water source. For all of this grass to live there must be some sort of source they get their water from. From my understanding it doesn't rain much here. I put up a five miles radius and searched everywhere. I found a few small springs but nothing that would majorly help me.

I sighed and pulled my fingers out of the earth, opening my eyes back up.

There must be something I can do that will help speed things up. I pulled at my short hair, now wishing I had never cut it. What possessed me to cut my hair so short? I had hated it this short when I had to cut it off because of the plague. I honestly don't know why I did it. Maybe to prove I am a new person? Maybe. Could be I just wanted a change. I just don't know.

I glanced up when I heard a rustle. "What is it Kiba?"

He sat down in front of me and laced his fingers behind his head, chewing on his lip. "I've been watching you, you know. Since you came back and all."

I frowned. Okay, I have no idea where this is going. "And?"

"And," he shrugged, glancing up at the sky briefly. "I think you shouldn't worry about what others think. You've always done that to much."

How did the conversation get here? Oh. Right. It is Kiba we are talking about.

"You also need to stop holding everything on your shoulders." Kiba cleared his throat and pursed his lips. "You beat yourself up to much, too."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you done yet?"

Kiba looked at me with a scowl. "I'm being serious here!" I nodded, looking at him with my eyebrows up, waiting for him to say we are done with this conversation. "You're an adult. Start acting like one." And with that he got up and left me alone in the field.

I glared after him. I do act like an adult, for crying out loud!

Akamaru whined and licked my cheek. I rubbed his head and leaned against him. "Oh, Akamaru," I sighed. "What am I going to do?"

He snorted and stamped his front feet. I frowned at him. He nudged my knee with his nose and pointedly looked towards the others, his head tilting to the side.

I sighed and looked towards them, too. A small head was bobbing up and down in the grass. Jessica. That girl should be sleeping. "Can you show her the way to me, please?" He stood and walked off into the grass. It was only a few minutes before they both came back, Jessica looking a little worried until she finally saw me. "Why aren't you in bed, little girl?"

She frowned at me and sat down on the ground. "I'm not little. I couldn't sleep, Doe-sensei. And Kiba said you were out here. I wanted to come help you."

"How did you know I was doing anything?" I asked.

She shrugged, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Why else would you be out here in the middle of the night all alone? I want to help, Doe-sensei. That is why I am here." She crossed her arms over her chest, just like her father does when he has set his mind on something.

"Alright," I gave in. I reached out and motioned for her to take my hands. She scooted closer and set her hands in mine. I took a deep breath and shook both of our arms, resting the back of my hands on my knees. "Okay, I want you to breath deeply now. There is much I need to show you." She nodded and took a deep breath. I could feel her muscles relaxing. "I have already begun the work. But this is not something I can do on my own, and that is why I need you here, Jessica."

She nodded, her eyes closed and breathing deeply.

I took one of our linked hands and put them on the ground, her hand beneath mine. "Dig your fingers into the ground," I whispered. Once she did I laced my fingers around hers and dug my own fingers into the ground. "I need you to feel into the earth. Feel the life of the grass, feel the moisture in the dirt." I followed the path she was taking and softly guided her with words.

The first step to being able to help me is learning how to use her powers. She is still coming to know what she can and cannot do.

Soon she will learn there is nothing she cannot do.

The sun was just starting to rise when I called quits and we walked back to the others. Gaara watched us enter the small circle that had been created by the tents with his arms crossed over his chest. Jessica ran to him and gave him a hug, then started helping Sakura build the fire for cooking. Gaara was staring me down so I stared right back, crossing my arms over my chest as well. No one bothered us. We stood like that for a few hours, completely missing breakfast.

"Doe-sensei?" Jessica looked up at me, waving a hand in front of my face. "Are you okay?" When I didn't answer she turned to Sakura. "Sakura, why is she swaying?"

Just as I questioned myself about what she was saying I felt myself falling. Black dots formed before me, but I still caught the color red as Gaara caught me, gently lowering me to the ground. My tongue is heavy in my mouth.

"Get her some water." He ordered someone. "Jess, go get me a blanket." Once she was gone I felt Gaara's breath on my face. "Kira? Kira, are you alright?" He asked in a very hushed whisper. I felt my brow lower into a scowl. I told him never to say my name again. His breath was gone from my face. "She's alright," he said.

Did he really just make me scowl to see if I was responsive?

– –

When I came to I was in one of the tents, a blanket wrapped tightly around me. I sighed and tried to wiggle my way out of the tight blanket, but found it was harder than I had first thought it would be. How could I have done this to myself? I struggled a little more, then let out a big sigh and gave up, just laying there looking up at the top of the tent.

"Stuck?" Came an amused voice. I felt myself scowl. This is all his fault. Gaara leaned over me and began helping me get unwrapped from the blankets, but I didn't move. I just laid there as he pulled the corner out from under me and laid the blanket over me the right way. He laid back down then with one arm under his head. "Are you feeling any better?"

"Mm." My head is pounding. I must have used way to much chakra last night. My body feels tired. I let my eyes fall shut, not even trying to wonder what I am doing in his tent. Where is Jessica? I let my eyes fall closed and I listened to his light breathing. It has been so long since I have laid next to him and just rested. So very long.

The two of us are much to stubborn. He is stubborn because he will not let go of me. I am stubborn because I don't want him to, but I say otherwise. Why do we keep doing this? Everything always has to be done the hard way. Though, if everything happened the easy way, where would we be in life? Fat and lazy sitting on a couch shoving our faces, that is where. I reached over and took his hand, bringing it to my face. He did not move, letting me do what I wanted. I held his palm tightly to my cheek and closed my eyes against the warmth of it.

I decided to voice my thoughts aloud. "Why do we keep doing this?" I used a very hushed whisper, half hoping he couldn't hear me.

But, of course, he did. Gaara rolled on his side, still leaving his hand against my face, letting me move it as I pleased. He looked at me silently for a long time, then his thumb brushed my lower lip. "Because we both have very different opinions."

My lips frowned under his thumb. I let out a breath I hadn't realized until now I was holding. I swallowed. Obviously, he doesn't want it to be this way. And neither do it. I want to be able to hug him or kiss him or hold his hand any time I want without getting stares from others. I want to be me. But can I do that? I am my peoples protector. Will I ever be able to do that before the war has ended? "I have to protect them," I whispered.

Gaara's eyes moved from mine. He gave a small nod. At least he understands that part.

I reached up and brushed a strand of red hair from his forehead. "I'm sorry," I whispered, I could barely hear myself say it. But Gaara heard me. He looked back up into my eyes. I ran my fingers down his face. "I'm so sorry it has to be this way."

Gaara moved closer, putting his face at the base of my neck and wrapping one arm around my middle as he half laid on me. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly. "I miss you," He whispered into my ear, his breath hot.

I smiled. He has no idea how much I miss him.

We were not able to lay like that for long. It wasn't long before Sakura and Jessica came in the tent to check on me. Gaara told them my condition was better and Sakura said I should be fine to get up now. I went out to the fire with them and sat while I watched them spar together. Kiba and Kankuro were at it, trying to best the other. I wonder who will win. Without Akamaru Kiba may have a disadvantage, though Kankuro doesn't seem to be using his puppets. Maybe they made a rule of some kind.

Jessica sat next to Gaara and they talked softly, him drawing things in the dirt. She watched intently and kept nodding, glancing up at him for only a brief second before concentrating on the dirt drawing. Shikamaru took Kakashi and they went out scouting, making sure we are still safe for the time being. There is no telling how fast the enemy will be moving. Kakashi said something about setting up watches so everyone could be warned quickly if needed.

I watched the progress of the marsh as I viewed what was going on in front of me. Water is starting to trickle in under ground. Slowly, but surely. What Jessica and I did yesterday was a good start. But there is much more work to be done. I sighed. This is a huge project. But it needs to be done. Anything to slow their advancement. I looked up at the blue sky. I actually hope it rains. The more water we can get on this area the better. Something occurred to me.

I glanced over at Gaara, pushing a slight pulse in the ground towards him. He glanced up at me.

I stood and walked off, heading towards the edge of the plain, towards the trees. I glanced back when he didn't follow. "I would like your help with something, Kazekage-sama," I called back to him. "Please follow me. It is something only a Kage may help with." I said the last part because Jessica was about to follow him. She stared after us with a frown.

I lead Gaara a little ways into the trees. Then I turned to face him. "I need you to make sure I do not hurt myself, okay?" He scowled, a silent question as to why I am asking this of him. I told him the truth. "I am going to make it rain. Hard. I do not know how much this will take out of me." He nodded, now understanding.

I took a deep breath and spread my feet apart, holding my arms loosely to my sides. This is going to take a lot of concentration. I need to make a storm big enough to help with my project. More than five inches of rain would be lovely. The more the better. I shook my hands a little, trying to imagine everything that is within the creation of a storm. With another deep breath and with my hands slowly rising out in front of me, I began.

I stood there maybe an hour as the wind whipped my hair and as sweat dripped off my skin, saturating my clothing. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, drops of water fell from the sky. Before long it was a full blown downpour, lightning streaked the sky and thunder boomed. If I'm lucky, I can keep this going for a few hours. Hopefully I don't run out of energy before then.

I opened my eyes to see myself leaning heavily on Gaara's chest. I barely registered him asking if I was alright. I nodded and tried to stand up straight, but he grabbed my arm as he turned, pulling me onto his back. He walked me back to the camp like that, letting the rain beat down on us. I sighed lightly, wrapping my arms around his neck. I need to figure out how to keep this storm over us and raining hard like this. I will have to figure out a way to maintain the moisture in the sky without taking from the ground below.

I did a quick view of my range. I can take some from the forest, I can feel a river nearby. I can also take from surrounding clouds and add them to my storm. That may be helpful.

Gaara said something I couldn't hear, and he started to set me down. I stood next to him, gazing at the camp. Everyone was scrambling trying to get everything under cover. I smiled at Gaara and started jogging towards everyone, shouting for them to get out of the rain. I laughed despite being so tired. Poor Sakura looks frazzled. Does she not like the rain?

Shikamaru sat under the cover of one of the tents, glaring out at the rain.

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