Copyright Notice: Naruto and its characters do not belong to me but to its rightful owners.
The Wind Daimyo: Sabaku no Gaara Reflects
But I came and I was nothing
And time will give us nothing
So why did you choose to lean on
A man you knew was falling?
Mumford and Sons "The Enemy"
XXXXXXX
Gaara stood solemnly in front of the full mirror, the darkness of his full robes and mood overtaking the glossy surface. He looked into his reflection blankly, the green of his eyes humming madly. He closed his lids and tried to meditate, listening to the drops of water in the garden's fountains outside of his room. Shukaku laughed at him, yet the demon seemed out of sorts like Gaara did.
His mind was one fire, swirling with thoughts and new feelings he could not control. The planned coup, Hinata's recovery from the previous battle not long ago, his siblings' lives on the line, and the corruption reeking in this filthy place. He wanted to be gone from here. Shukaku wanted to kill them all slowly and drink in their blood, each little courtier and tradesmen here.
He had never felt fear like this, the real fear of losing family and someone…precious to gain the title of Kage. He had experienced fear of death by assassins as a child, fear of the idea of losing twice and now this. He had hardwired himself to be stoic, strong and calm after all the madness he had lost himself in freely long ago. Even now, he fought daily and this pleasure palace did not help him.
Boy, you are losing your calm. You are falling. Let yourself fall down and I will make the blood flow again for Mother…and gentle Hinata.
Do not speak her name!
Your walls are crumbling. You are succumbing and all the easier to take over. Hmmm…you thought to sleep for once and dream. You forget…you are a nightmare. You will never dream.
Gaara clutched his head, ripping at the tufts of red hair and reacting violently with a swing of his hand at the mirror. Sand shot forward, blocking the blow but still grazing the glass. Small uneven pieces fell to his feet. He opened one eye, drifting his gaze to one small shard. He sent his obedient sand to pick the shard up and land it in his palm. It resembled a blade, a knife. Dark thoughts rolled through him but he dropped the blade in sadness. Memories of childhood rolled through him for a few seconds before he blocked them.
"Gaara, are you okay?"
Kankuro stood mere feet from him, his dark black robes mirroring Gaara's. The stark difference was Kankuro radiated humor and his usual earthiness while Gaara echoed something darker.
Gaara cocked his head to the side, eyeing Kankuro.
"She is afraid."
Kankuro evaded the statement. "She wants to do this."
"To complete a mission you and Temari decided on without me."
"She is doing this for you. She must have a soft spot for broken people, for those who have…been dealt bad cards."
Gaara missed Kankuro's failed jest at the end and looked back at the shards on the ground. His face was multiplied in each piece.
"For a falling man."
Kankuro shifted uncomfortably before placing a hand on Gaara's shoulder.
"You will be a great Kage. She knows it as we do. There is not another who will understand suffering and to see our village grows, that we never suffer once more and that we can be strong as well as wise."
Gaara stood in silence before nodding.
"We must go now. Temari gave her instructions?"
Kankuro cracked a grin. "Explicit ones we had better follow and not be late on. You know Tem…she is not one with which to fuck with."
Author Note: Its been a long delay for additions to the story. I've been busy sorting and getting ready to take care of military spouse matters, plus my charging cord died. The next big chapter has been on my mind and I am trying to weave it together. Its a bit intimidating, but due to help from two inspiring songs that really connect to the story well so it shouldn't be long! I wanted to give a short chapter, some insight into Gaara's mind before this big event before him. Next will be Hinata's then...the big showdown. Expect beauty and darkness. Forgive grammar or spelling errors. Thank you to new and old fans! You are much appreciated and you will not be let down. XOXO