Here it is everyone, chapter 34! Enjoy!

Chapter 34, Seeing.

I watched from the background as my plan was set in motion. There is something for everyone to do but me. I am here to dictate, to tell people what to do, when, and where to be. With each second that passes I feel myself become more antsy, I jump whenever lost in thought and someone says something to me. Gaara tried to get me to sit down for awhile, to take a breather, but I told him no. I am the master mind of this plan, I will be here to oversee its progress.

Every ninja within the walls of Konoha are in front of me, being told their parts they will play. Half of the population of the people have already been moved to the safe house built into the face of the Hokage mountain. There is a special group of ninja there to protect everyone, and another group that is scouring the city to grab anyone remaining. Fighting that battle dropped our numbers by a lot. We will have to make up for it by putting our all into it. We need to deal with this problem before they can regroup and attack again.

Gaara is right. We won that battle, but the war is far from over.

"Momma!"

"Jessica," I grabbed her hand and turned her right around. "You aren't supposed to be here."

She tried to pull out of my grasp, but I didn't let her. "Mom, let go! I need to talk to you about something!"

I stopped and turned towards her, making sure her back was to everything happening behind her. "What, Jessica? I'm kind of busy right now."

She just rolled her eyes. "You should know, mother, that didn't work for Daddy, and it wont work for you. Now," she grabbed my face with both hands and stared hard into my eyes. "Listen to me." I took a deep breath and put my hands over hers.

"I'm listening to you, Jessica," I whispered. "You have my full attention."

She didn't smile like I thought she would. She is to old for her age, though I guess what she has been through she has no choice but to grow up. "Remember during the fight when you felt the disturbance?" I nodded. "I've figured it out."

I glanced around to make sure no one was listening to us. Gaara caught my eye. I signaled for him to create a sound proof barrier around us. Sand covered us whole, trapping us in the dark. I let a flame dance on my palm so I could see my daughters face. "What are you talking about, Jessica? What have you figured out?" I whispered even though I knew no sound could make it to the other side of the sand wall. A giant eye formed next to us and watched us closely.

She let go of my face and clenched her hands. "I don't know... not exactly. I don't know how to describe it. But I can feel where there is a rip in our world." She rubbed her arm absentmindedly, her eyes looking far away. "It feels almost like a wound, but from the planet. Like when you are cut open and you feel the hole, but no pain? That's what it feels like. There is so much adrenalin, with the beasts and all, that the planet can't feel the pain yet."

I nodded. "But the pain will come."

Jessica looked at me with a worried face. "And when it does, who knows what will happen? We need to fix it before the pain hits. If we don't..." her voice trailed off.

I wiped my hand down my face. "If we don't, we are all in a lot of trouble." I gripped her shoulders tightly and made her look me right in the eye. "Jessica, you can't tell anyone else about this. No one else can know about this, okay? You didn't tell anyone, did you?"

She shook her head. "Not even Yukio."

I smoothed her hair from her face and kissed her forehead. "Good." I waved the sand away from us and nodded to myself. "Don't worry," I whispered to her. "I will figure something out. Go back to the safe place now, stay safe." She nodded and ran off. I wiped my hand down my face again.

Another ten tons was just thrown onto my shoulders.

I turned and surveyed those around me. Naruto has pretty much taken over most of the military happenings from Tsunade-sama. He is in line to be the next Hokage, and she is trusting him to do what is best for the people. She is trusting me to guide them all because I know the most about these creatures. Am I doing what is best for the people? Am I doing what is best for everyone I can see right now? I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath, shaking my hands out. I can't doubt myself. Not now. If I start to doubt myself, then why shouldn't others doubt me?

No doubting, I told myself. You are doing the best you can.

– –

By the time night rolled around, we had killed many of the changed Orangutan's. Right now, its kill or be killed. We have chosen to kill. We have chosen life, not death. Survival of the fittest. I taught a couple of the men the easiest and cleanest way to kill them, then they taught more people, who taught more people. By the time the sun was actually down, almost everyone knew what to do.

I stifled a yawn and turned my back to the camp fires with men all around. We decided to camp out tonight, since all of the electricity in the village has been cut off. Tsunade decided it was for the best. Save all of the power we can now, so we will have it when we are in desperate need. The only place with any electricity is the safe place under the Hokage mountains. And even then it is not much. Just one strip of lights that run though the whole place to keep everyone from going crazy down there. And that is it.

Gaara came up next to me and guided me towards a tent with his hand on the small of my back. "I just talked with Temari," he said to me. He held the flap back while I crawled inside. I curled up on the pile of blankets and cushions that were placed there for us to sleep on. He sat down next to me, leaning on one elbow. "The twins and Ryuu are safe underground with the others. They and the rest of their class are doing a great job keeping everyone calm and informing them what little information we allow them to know."

I smiled. "I'm glad they are doing good." I grabbed one of the smaller cushions and hugged it tightly to my chest, putting my head on the edge of it. I closed my eyes. I haven't given the tear between this world and mine much thought. I need to figure something out before I can talk to Gaara about it. When I opened my eyes again it was to see him staring at me. No, not a stare. A look. He just leaned on his elbow, looking at me. "What?" I asked, shifting slightly.

He blinked and his chest lifted with a semi-deep breath. He looked down at his hands. I looked, too. His hands are bigger than I remember from before. They are more powerful, more calloused, and in a way, more gentle. I think of all of the things I have done wrong. All of the pain I have caused this man. But still he loves me. He has never stopped loving me. Those hands have always been there to help me, to protect me from others, to protect me from myself.

The very first time I met him, I stabbed him in the side with a stick. Yet he did not stop trying to help me. He was patient, kind. He trusted me to go along with them and not give them much trouble. He trusted me to be with his friends, his family. He never once tried to keep me out of things because he thought I could hurt someone. And I know it is not because he thought I was weak. In fact, he thought the opposite. He helped me learn, he helped me train, along with his sister. I could always go to him when I had a problem.

I reached out and took one of his hands and pulled it to my face, pushing my nose into his palm. I closed my eyes and pressed his hand closer to my skin, rubbing my nose along his thumb. I have been so mean to him in the past. I've tried to keep his children from him, I've lied to him, I've mislead him over and over again. Shukaku saw past my lies. That night when I saw him for the first time when we were in the cabin recovering from the plague, he saw right through everything I have ever said to Gaara. His thumb trailed over my nose. Could it be Gaara saw through me the whole time, but went along with it all because he knew I had to figure things out myself?

"Kira," he whispered. I opened my eyes and looked at him. He shifted, moved closer and closer and closer. His body slid against mine and the weight of him comforted me. His other hand brushed back hair from my face.

I trailed one hand down his back. His broad shoulders, his thick muscles. Even though ten years has changed his physical appearance, I know he is still the same Gaara I fell in love with all those years ago. I know he is still the same man that believed in me no matter what. I ran my hand across the back of his neck, running my fingers through the bottom of his hair. His hair is still as soft as I remember. I started to sit up, forcing him to move. He sat directly next to me, a question in his eyes. But I just looked back. I didn't stare, I didn't try to give him a message with my eyes. I just looked.

I looked at the man I have loved all my life.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and crawled into his lap, wrapping my legs around his waist, too. I hugged him so tightly to me that I was sure we could never be separated. And when his arms came around me, to hold me in place, pulling me even tighter against him, I knew. I just knew.

I knew I would eventually lose him in the end.

But for now, for now he is mine. All mine.

My shoulders shook as I silently sobbed.

– –

I didn't sleep much that night, but when I did my dreams were filled of Grandpa. I saw him being mauled by the Orangutan's, ripped limb from limb. I saw them feeding on him. After that dream I woke up screaming, Gaara spent a long time trying to calm me down. I didn't sleep after that.

Before the sun started to make the earth light, I was up and moving. I was making my way towards the Hokage mountains, decked out with kunai and shuriken. But nothing tried to attack me, even though I was alone. Gaara will be upset when he wakes and finds me gone. I shrugged off the slight uneasy feeling. I should have been attacked at least once. There is no way we have killed all of the Orangutan's within the village walls. Plus, they can easily swing over the walls into the village.

A member of the Hyuuga family opened the secret door and allowed me entrance into the mountain. She smiled at me sweetly. "We are glad you have come, Kira-sama." I was a little shocked with the title she just gave me. Sama? I tried to keep the smile from showing how much hearing that pleases me. "Everyone is getting restless. Seeing you will calm them down."

We started to walk down the hall, the lights barely giving enough light to see. There is something in this girl that reminds me of Hinata. Could this be her little sister? "You are Hanabi, right? Hinata's little sister?" The same lock falls across her face as it did the last time I met her, over ten years ago.

She smiled sweetly to me. "Yes." She looks pleased that I remember her.

We came to a larger room, where many people are gathered. Very close together. I frowned. This is more like a prison than a safe place. Everyone is so packed together, it is almost crazy. Tsunade said this safe place was built way before she became the Hokage, before she was born even. Back then, she had told me, Konoha's population had been much smaller. She had assured me that everyone could fit. And they do, just I didn't think there would be so little room. And this is obviously not everyone. I wonder how far back other rooms are? When will they run out of air? I need to talk to Tsunade. They can't stay in here for weeks on end. I know I would go mad if I was made to stay in here in such close quarters.

Hanabi noticed my frown. "Come with me," she whispered. I followed her back into the hall, where she shut the door. "All of the rooms are like this one, and a couple are even more packed. We've tried our best to spread everyone out as much as we can, but..." her voice trailed off and she shrugged.

I glanced into the next room. She isn't exaggerating, either. This room looks more full than the last. "How much food and water is down here?" We kept moving down the hall, checking in on all of the rooms. Sweat prickled my brow. It's so hot down here. I noticed many had very thin shirts, or no shirts at all. Little children run around naked. Water will be a problem, I thought to myself, with this heat.

Hanabi waited for me to check the next room before she spoke. "We have enough food to last us weeks down here. But water is another story. There are large tanks towards the back of the compound, but with how hot it is in here, I doubt it will last half as long as the food." Just as I thought. "I pray it rains, for we will need it."

We came to the room where Tsunade was in, knelt by a few of the children, giving them small cups of water. I stood by the door, waiting for her to finish up. When she saw me, she said her fairwells, and followed us into the hall. I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned at the floor. "I think I might be able to make it rain, but I can't use up to much of my powers right now."

Tsunade shook her head and leaned against the wall. "We are fine for now. Jessica offered to do such about an hour ago."

I gave Hanabi a side glance. "Tsunade-sama, from what I have seen, they can't stay like this much longer. It's only been a little while, I know, but they are to tightly crammed. They need more space. I think we should secure a building or two, close to the ground, and let people rotate sleeping in the buildings. There would be more space, and they will all feel much better moving around instead of being cramped up like they are."

"Momma!" I turned just in time to see Jessica's hair fly behind her as she ran into a room. Then she was running towards me, dragging her brothers behind her. "I told you she would come see us!"

I hugged each of them and kissed their heads. I have to keep reminding myself they are old enough to take care of themselves. That they are safe here with Tsunade and the others. "What are you three up to?" I asked, trying to put on a brave face.

Yukio beamed at me. "We just were passing out the food and water, just like Hokage-sama told us to!"

I smiled and messed his hair. "Good job, guys!" Ryuu stood next to Jessica, just smiling faintly. His hand was in hers. I'm glad they have become close. It will help in the days and weeks to come. They can take care of each other. "What do you think about this place?" I asked them. They've had more interaction with everyone, and the people wouldn't try to hide anything from them like they would Tsunade to please her.

Yukio put his hand on his chin and stared thoughtfully at the floor. "I know of a few people who came in here coughing and one was throwing up. Well, the sickness is starting to spread, even though we have put all of the sicks people in a room together."

Ryuu frowned at his brother. "Do you think it could be spreading by using the same cup for water?"

I looked at him. "Yes, that could very well be it." I turned to Hanabi, then. "Hanabi, send someone out to the closest apartment buildings. Have them collect all of the cups they can find. Pots, too. Make sure each individual has their own cup. No more sharing. Not even for mother and child." She nodded and started walking off. I looked at the three children. "I'm giving you three this task. When they get back with the cups, make sure each is labeled with the persons name and room number. That way they can't get confused with anyone else."

All three stood up straight and nodded their heads, then turned to run off down the hall after Hanabi.

I collected my thoughts and turned meaningfully to Tsunade. But she held up her hand. "Let us go somewhere safe to talk about sensitive subjects," she said quietly. I felt myself relax a little, knowing I had a little more time to plan what I was going to say. She brought me to a small room, one that was small enough to fit two more people, and that was pushing it. "Alright, what do you need to discuss?"

I licked my lips. "Actually, I don't need to discuss anything. I need to tell you my plan." Her eyebrows shot up. She was about to say something, but she thought better about it and waved me on. She must have momentarily forgotten I am not a citizen of Konoha.

I told her about everything. Not only do I need to tell her, but I was hoping she may have some ideas or thoughts about it all that would help me in the long run. I've realized I cannot think of everything myself, but I know I cannot involve anyone else. By subtly asking for help, she can be involved, but not to involved. I think she realized this. I need to do this on my own. I am the only one who can fix this. I am the only one who has the power to do this.

This is on me.

I left Tsunade with a few thoughts tucked away to analyze later. This is not something I can just jump into. I will need to think carefully before I act on this. I stopped by the tent and grabbed a thick cloak. Today it will be cold. I walked around the view of everyone standing around, I don't want any questions asked of me. I need to think. And I need to be alone.

Unfortunately, I'm never so lucky.

Gaara caught sight of me and appeared in my path almost instantly. "Where are you going? Where were you?"

I took a step back so I could see his face. It's no use talking to his chest. "I had to run an errand. I'm safe, Gaara. There is no need for you to worry about me. I will be back in a couple days." I then tried to step around him, but he gently grabbed my arm.

"Kira..."

I sighed and turned to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my body against his. "There is something I need to do. I can't have you coming with me. You are needed here. I am putting my trust into you to lead these people. You are the Kazekage, Gaara. They need you."

His hand ran down my back, while his other one grabbed my hip. "They need you, too," he whispered. "Don't be careless."

I kissed his cheek and went on my way, throwing a wave over my shoulder.

I pulled the cloaks hood up over my head and wrapped it tightly around my shoulders, blocking out the chilly breeze. I walked through the woods towards where I last saw Grandpa. I found the splatters of blood that I remembered and followed them as far as I could. But the morning dew has erased most of the trail, and I gave up after about six hours of looking. I couldn't find the path I had been following. And now I am closer to where I should have started out. I huffed a sigh and walked towards the desert. Well, what was left of the desert. I ran through the night.

The small amounts of grass I had seen before is bigger, thicker. I stared sadly out on what used to be the desert that protected Suna. I still remember how Kakashi had dumped me off his back in this exact spot the first time they brought me here. I had annoyed him the whole way. I smiled sadly. I would give almost anything to go back and do it all over. There is so much I would change. I bent down and picked up a clump of dirt, rubbing it over both of my hands. The moisture in this dirt is at an amount that you should never, ever, find in a desert.

I gently pushed the cloak back over my shoulders and began my long run to the fallen gates of Suna. Thankfully, the sun is bright today. It feels good on the top of my head. I stopped about half way to take a drink of water and catch my breath. I looked sadly at the boulder next to me. This is the same boulder I sat at when I first found out I could manipulate the water. I remember how gentle and kind Hinata had been to me as she helped me figure it all out.

I pushed the memories from my head and continued on my way, running at an even pace. No matter how hard I tried to block my memories from taking over my thoughts, I couldn't help it. An image of me running next to Gaara while the wind pushed at my back, an image of him carrying me on his back. The image of me sparring with Tsunade just outsie the gates. I stopped running and leaned over, my hands on my knees. I breathed hard and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the memories. I need to focus.

The fallen gates were less than a mile away from me, but I cannot move any farther. I sat down and put my face in my hands, still trying to regain my breath. I peeked out between my fingers at the gates. The same gates that once held and protected such an amazing place that was so accepting. So wonderful. This is my home. This is where my children were raised. This is where they were born. This, this is where I fell in love with Gaara. I swallowed the surge of emotions I felt and stood back up, ignoring the shaking in my knees. It is much harder to see this place now that I am alone. When I came here with Naruto and Sakura, it was different. It wasn't real.

Now it is all much to real.

I walked past the gates and stopped, looking down the road at the half collapsed Kage tower. I looked to my left where there was still armor laying around, buildings crumbled over most of it. I looked to my right and saw the same thing. They tried to save Suna. But Gaara stopped them. He had them flee. He saved their lives, but lost their homes. I took a shaky breath and raised my chin, then continued on my way.

All around there is destruction. Rotten food that is squashed all over the ground. It looks like its been there for years, to the point where the smell isn't even there. I walked past the where the old shop was where Temari bought me my first outfit. I scoffed softly as I remembered the golden skirt and top. I must have looked ridiculous in that. I stopped in front of the steps and looked up into the ghost of Matsuri, standing there with her arms crossed as she accused me of poisoning Gaara's supper. I blinked and she was gone.

I glanced behind me and I saw Gaara pulling me behind him as he protected me from the drunk men from the bar. When I blinked, they, too, disappeared. I glanced up at the water tower and saw Hinata and I standing up there, talking about how I would train. I saw my happy smile, her happy smile. I looked away before my blink could make them disappear. I wrapped my arms around myself and continued on my way, seeing various people here and there, but them all disappearing with a blink of my eyes.

I finally made my way to the cemetery, the very one where they had buried me. I stared at the hundreds and hundreds of stones that held names and dates. I could see where mine still looks dug up, far off to the right. I made my way down the slight hill and walked among the rows and rows of stones, towards my own. I stared into the hole in the earth, where I could still see a bit of the coffin I had woken up in. That was a terrifying experience. I am so happy Jiraiya was there to pull me out. I walked over and ran my hand over my stone, traced my fingers over the name engraved, and the date. They didn't know the year of my birth, so they had just my born month and day and my death date and year.

I looked down into the hole and noticed something that couldn't have been mine. I jumped down and pulled out a dirty green scarf. I never wear scarfs and I highly doubt they put one around my neck when they put me in here. The material feels like polyester, too. I felt for a tag and finally found one. Machine wash only, it says. Something in my chest exploded.

Someone else from my world is here.

I stuffed the scarf into a pocket on my cloak and hurried to climb out of the hole. I searched for footprints, but the moist soil shows far to many. They could have been from when Jiraiya came to save me. They could have been Gaara's when he found out my grave had been dug up. I searched for some kind of sign as to where the person went. There is no way I could have simply dragged his scarf with me. I searched the area, but found nothing.

I knelt down and put my hands on the ground, digging my fingers into the moist earth. I spread out my power, looking, searching. A quick breath, the sound of a pain filled moan. I was up on my feet in a split second, raising towards the sound. This person is smart, they moved to the whole other side of the ruined village, far away from where they entered this world. I stopped to listen again, putting my hand against a crumbled building to pin point the area where I heard the sound.

I came to a half crumbled building on the outskirts of the village, the very last house before the wall. Okay, so maybe they aren't that smart. I ducked under the broken doorway and scanned the room. Someone has definitely been here for a week or two. They've cleared a corner of the room and have piled some old mats and clothing next to a window. The person is in this building.

I moved with little noise, just enough for them to know someone is here, but not enough to scare the wits out of them. I am curious to see who has made it into this world other than me. I walked over to the mats and felt them. Still warm. I closed my eyes and listened as carefully as I could. I opened my eyes again when I heard the frightened breathing of a child.

A child? I remembered the girls jumping rope where I had fallen. Did they rush over to see if we were okay and get sucked into this world? No, impossible. They would have been with me in the coffin if that had been the case. I put my hands out to the side and slowly stood up. The child is sitting on the other side of the room, curled up in a shadow behind one of the mats. They must have run over there when they heard me coming. Smart kid. I slowly turned around to face them, my face blank of emotion.

I was ready to say calming words when I saw the state the child was in. Blood covered a roughly bandaged arm, and a leg laid in an awkward position on the floor, not covered by the mat. Blood covered the child's face. And that is when I met the child's eyes.

"Oh God, no," I whispered, my knees buckling with my shock. Those copper waves, those brown eyes. I chocked on a sob. "Savannah?"

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