CHAPTER NINE:
Two Days Later
Misaki woke up from a deep sleep. Her eyes focused on the room she was in and found she was in the room she shared with Gaara. Kankuro was in a chair beside the bed. He finally noticed at she was awake and said, "Misaki. Are you feeling better?"
She tried to move, but felt achy as she did so. "My limbs are still sore somewhat."
"Do you remember what happened?"
"I only remember falling in sand and Shukaku." She paused then asked, "Where's Gaara?"
"He's out talking to that blonde boy. It seems they have become somewhat of friends." Kankuro responded. He then questioned, "Do you want something to eat? Some soup?"
"No. My stomach is hurting." Misaki explained.
"You haven't ate in two days Misaki. You need something."
She sighed, "Maybe some broth."
"Okay. I'll make some." Kankuro replied then stood up and left for the kitchen to make something for her to eat. Misaki wondered why Gaara was talking to the blonde-headed boy. What was going on?
xxxx
Naruto and Gaara sat down under a tree as the sun shown down on them. "You look sad Gaara. Why are you sad?"
"I don't know if my friend Misaki will forgive me for what I did to her." He replied.
"People generally forgive if you give them a chance. Show her that you have changed."
"It's just that...what I did to her. I took my anger out on her and I shouldn't have."
"Sometimes we do bad things Gaara, but that doesn't mean we are bad people." Naruto tried to explain to his friend.
"I hope she will understand."
"She will. Have confidence."
xxxx
Kankuro sat beside Misaki and began to feed her as she looked at her friend. "I know you must be tired. Do you want to take a bath afterwards?"
"Yes. That would be nice." Misaki replied then took another spoon of broth.
"I'm sorry you feel so bad." Kankuro told her as he looked to the side.
"It's not your fault Kankuro. It's not Gaara's either."
Kankuro's eyes widened, "What?!"
"He is angry and possessed by Shukaku. I can forgive Gaara. Can't you?" Misaki asked him.
"It's a little hard. Afterall, he raped you."
"You're his brother. You need to be accepting of him. Sometimes it's hard to forgive, but you have to."
Kankuro spooned some more broth in her mouth. "It's just that I don't know how you can forgive so easily after what he did to you."
"It's not easy Kankuro. I wish it was. However, he still is my friend." She told him while looking away. It wasn't easy forgiving her friend. She had been raped by him and the demon within him. However, in her heart she still loved him. No matter what he could do to her. "I'm crazy for loving him. I know."
"No. It isn't crazy. You are a loving and accepting person." He complimented her.
"It's going to be a while before I can be around him alone, but I still forgive him."
After finishing the broth, Kankuro put the bowl on the bedside table and asked, "Do you wish to take a bath now?"
"Yes. It will make me feel better."
xxxx
Misaki walked out of the bathroom in a long white nightgown. She was ready to lay down again. However, she found Gaara sitting in the chair beside the bed. He turned towards her, his eyes looking at hers blankly. "Gaara?"
"Yes, i'm here."
"Can I help you?"
He laughed softly, "No. I wanted to tell you that I...apologize for the past."
She walked to him and took his hands in her own. Gaara looked at her in a confused way. "I forgive you Gaara. You are still my friend."
Gaara felt tears fall down his pale cheeks then wiped them away. He hadn't cried in so long. "Thank you Misaki."
"Please don't forget it."
He nodded at her then stood up and replied, "I'll let you get more rest."
"Thank you Gaara."
xxxx
Five Days Later
Misaki was in her room in the Suna Kazekage Tower. They had learned when they had got back that Ryozo had been killed by Orochimaru. She had apologized several times to the siblings for their loss. She knew what it was to lose a parent, but she wished that they had their father still. Her body was still sore from the battle with Shukaku, but she could at least move freely now.
A knock interrupted her thoughts and the door opened. Kankuro entered her room and he said, "You've been up here for a while. Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
"Are you sure?"
Misaki smiled at him then replied, "I'm sure Kankuro. You act like i'm a baby."
"No I don't." He said with a laugh.
"I am just sad about your father."
"Don't be. I thought I would tell you that the council is considering Gaara as the next Kazekage."
"What?!" Misaki yelled.
"Yep."
"I'm glad. I'm just really surprised. He will be a good Kazekage."
"We don't know when they will make their decision, but I think that Gaara is going to be a good Kazekage as well. Hopefully better than our father." Kankuro said to her.
Misaki nodded at her partner, "Is he happy?"
"No. He seems like his usual self. I'm sure if they do make him Kazekage, he will want to make changes to Suna."
"I know Gaara will be good Kazekage. I have faith in him."
"Are you coming to join us for dinner?"
"I'm still sore. I will eat later Kankuro. Thanks for asking."
"Don't hide in your room please. We do worry about you."
Misaki smiled at him then gave Kankuro a tight hug, "I appreciate everything you and the others have done for me."
"Don't worry Misaki. We'll make it." Kankuro replied with as he gave her a hug.
"I know we will Kankuro. No matter what."