(2023/06/19) Author's note: Hey! I'm back!

I was hoping to get this chapter out sooner, but life things happened - and writer's blocks, too. This chapter has been bugging me for three months and I'm still not happy with it. I feel like I phoned it in for this one, but alas - it's finished, so I'm just glad it's out and done. The next chapters will be more fun to write (and hopefully won't have as many issues during the writing process). We're approaching the end of the POV chapters and will begin the third-person omnipresent view I missed writing so much. Writing these chapters with character POVs was an interesting way of telling the story - which I think benefited the progression - but I'm excited to be returning to a more common form that I wish to revisit.

As always, thank you all for reading! xx

And happy pride month 3

Chapter 28
Gaara VIII

The ancient settlement was barren.

Not a soul lingered upon the road, nor a guard or stray dog. On his last visit, Gaara swore he saw villagers and guardsmen alike living within the walls of the Hōki family's territory. But today, it appeared as if a town of ghosts. The skies were dark, an overcast grim with a coming storm of frost. An ominous feeling filled him as he took in the abandoned houses they passed by. The worn gates swung lifelessly in the wind at their backs, groaning in warning.

"The village is empty," Kankuro observed. "This doesn't look good."

Shikamaru agreed. "Where could they have gone? I mean, villagers just don't vanish."

Hakuto-sama didn't say anything in her letters, Gaara thought, Something doesn't feel right.

An empty, cold wind howled.

He hoped the discussion would be brief and not entirely pointless. It had been months since their last encounter with Tenbu, but the greatness of their reach across the desert lands and beyond was growing worrisome. Soon enough, Earth and Mountain would be at each other's throats with no one but Wind to bind them – and sure enough, the war would follow. Then the peace the Shinobi Alliance had forged would shatter into nothing.

And the cycle of hatred and death would begin anew.

When he left Sunagakure that morning, he assured Nomasaki that he would be home by nightfall. But what he saw in the settlement only convinced him further that a battle was to be had – and Tenbu would appear sooner or later. It was good that Shikamaru was with them, for his shadow ninjutsu would prove useful to bind or trap any wayward agents who dared to cross them within the palace walls. The three shinobi agreed to have their wits about them. And chakra hung heavily in the cold air.

The scent of blood.

But no crimson marked the cobble pathways.

If Nomasaki were here, she would snuff them out. If only the letter had been sent eight months earlier.

Appearing over the swinging gates as they entered, the Hōki homestead arched over them. No guards greeted them at the doors, and no handmaiden or attendant was spotted in the corridors meeting the grand chamber where the heiress sat. Only two guards remained in the entire house, standing idly behind their sworn heiress. Hakuto was seated on her elegant cushion at the dais, watching them enter with careful, doe-like blue eyes. Her hair swam over her shoulders like liquid coal, clashing with the brilliant red kimono she wore. As Gaara saw her face, he sensed her fear. Her tension.

Something is definitely not right.

"Kazekage-sama," She greeted once the doors echoed shut behind them. "I've been expecting you. How was your journey?"

Gaara cleansed his expression, wearing his stoicism. "Without interruption."

Hakuto turned to her Konoha guest. "Shikamaru-sama, nice to see you again. I trust your deer are well?"

Shikamaru nodded. "Yes, my lady."

Beside him, Kankurō coughed into his balled fist.

"Oh?" Hakuto noticed. "You're here, too."

Gaara pretended he missed the interaction.

At his right, Kankurō grumbled and averted his glance. It was comical, he had to admit, but now was not the time. They came here for a purpose – to learn where Tenbu was hiding. Not to exchange pleasantries and nothings. The letters Hakuto sent over months contained cryptic hints Gaara had to carefully piece together behind his closed office doors. Not even Nomasaki was aware of them. He did not want her to worry about the exchanges, especially in her emotionally vulnerable state. She had enough on her plate with her second pregnancy and house arrest sentence. But he did feel as if he stabbed himself in the foot for hiding the letters, for she might have offered her interpretation – and potentially saved him from an unneeded visit.

Gaara stepped forward. "Tell me all you know of Tenbu's movements."

"The letters, yes," Hakuto sighed. "I will, Kazekage-sama. But first, I must tell you of a vision I had."

Kankurō huffed, crossing his arms. "Another vision?"

Another vision, indeed.

Gaara had no time for such nuisances. Anger swept within him, nearly provoking his sands to swirl in the gourd that clung to his waist. He eyed the heiress, glaring. "I'm not sure how accurate your clairvoyance is, Hakuto-sama. My wife is alive and well. She didn't die as you previously foretold."

"She lives, yes. But she did die, Kazekage-sama. A part of her has died… and she is reborn as a stronger person." Hakuto dared to smile. "Don't you agree?"

He almost audibly snorted in retort.

How would she know? Could she have possibly seen through her foresight?

The notion was ridiculous. Hakuto saw Nomasaki die in childbirth from the blood-seal. A white flower turns red in the desert sands, followed by a scream. That was her vision. But Nomasaki was alive – and strong. She survived against all odds and visions and delivered their healthy son. Gaara wanted to curse Hakuto for taking credit for his wife's struggle and strength, all the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears Nomasaki endured to face her trauma. But he bit his tongue in reluctance.

Kankurō scoffed under his breath. "Weird."

Gaara closed his eyes in agreement.

"We haven't much time," Hakuto spoke, her voice stressed. "Kazekage-sama, listen carefully. A vision has been troubling me since your last visit to my homestead. My clairvoyance is becoming hard to decipher, as in my vision, the world is near all but dark… save for a red sun, as red as iron."

"A red sun?" Gaara repeated in disbelief.

Shikamaru pondered. "An eclipse, by chance?"

Hakuto nodded. "Yes, I believe so. The world is dark, and only a red sun is left. Cold ones awaken and are swallowed by a mountain of fire. Fire will vanquish ice. I don't know what this means… except that time is cardinal, as esteemed by the Sand Priests."

Time is cardinal… Gaara thought it was foolish to ask more, but he did not want to take the chance. "What else can you see?"

The heiress stared aimlessly ahead, her visions flashing before her ocean blue eyes, "There is a snake in the grass… a wolf at the door… and a bear on the mountain," She looked at him through a glass façade. "A tanuki will sleep, which I think refers to you, Kazekage-sama."

A sleeping tanuki, Gaara thought, Cryptic as always.

Whether she was referring to Shukaku or not, Gaara felt a sudden strangeness from the words. He was reminded of the coldness of death those years ago when the one-tail was extracted from his mortal body. The day he was no longer a jinchuriki. Darkness, silence, and nothing. Was it himself who would sleep, as the heiress said?

She has been wrong before, Gaara reminded himself, Nomasaki is still alive.

A bear on the mountain – Gaara was unsure. The Kumatsume clan only came to mind, and Nomasaki would be the one to ask. But a wolf at the door made him instantly think of his wife. She had been trying to reclaim her powers for nearly a year after the ordeal with Tenbu, and she was making great progress if not for the countless interruptions of duty and political disputes. But at the door signified a threat waiting to lunge. Would Nomasaki be the threat? Or better yet, her estranged brother, who Genji was held at the mercy of his puppet strings?

And a snake in the grass – Orochimaru.

He forgot about the Sannin. It was a grave gamble to meet with the snake in its lair, and Gaara did so without a second thought when the Uchiha brought it to his attention. Had he made a mistake in doing so? Was the snake concocting some elaborate scheme to cause further discord between Suna and Konoha? It seemed that his dark ways were always evident, and Gaara knew better than to trust a snake.

But he knew one thing – the heiress' words were always strange and cryptic.

One of the guards turned to his liege. "Hakuto-sama,"

She nodded. "Yes, we must leave. They approach." Turning back to her guests, her blue eyes appeared faded and tired, as if exhausted from masking her inner strife. She was pleading. "Please, take me to Konoha once more. I will claim sanctuary – as will my dear husband, Shizegane."

A bolt of chakra flared outside.

And then a hissing noise.

Gaara knew the presence well enough. The scent of blood returned, and it was then that he realized it was a blood-seal. Tenbu were here. Bracing himself, he turned and prepared his sands as Kankurō took on the defensive and unleashed two of his prized puppets. Shikamaru whipped his head to the closed doors, forming hand-signs for his shadow ninjutsu.

Then the hissing turned into a squeal.

Shikamaru turned back. "Everyone, get down!"

The blast erupted, decimating the grand wooden arches that held the ancient homestead together. Gaara summoned his sand to shield them from the explosion. The desert sands shuddered and moulded with each rupture of the jutsu, swimming over the heads of the Suna and Konoha-nin and the Hōki heiress. Hakuto sat calmly on her cushioned seat, refusing to stand. Her guards quivered at her back, holding their spears as if poised to drop them and run. Out of all the guards she once had, the ones who chose to stay were utter cowards. Kankurō's Salamander and Sasori puppets flanked the formation, deployed and ready to unleash upon their adversaries.

Another burst of energy took out what remained of the doors, clashing with the sand.

When the dust settled, three Tenbu agents stood before them while five more surrounded the perimeter. Eight of them. Gaara grit his teeth, solidifying his stance on the tatami floor. Kankurō flexed the strings of Salamander, drawing up its shield, and the Sasori puppet opened its back to reveal twin spinning blades at the shoulders. Shikamaru caught the three agents with his Shadow Possession justu, with the taller one in the middle giving him the most struggle. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he held them in place, but the agent in the middle must have had a strong chakra to provoke such a reaction from one of Konoha's finest. Gaara moved some of his sand to form floating spikes, pointing them toward the other five should they feel motivated to strike first.

But they held their ground.

"Seer," The tall agent spoke, his voice rough. Gaara recognized the tone and glared directly into his darkened violet eyes. "Your time has come! Have you made your choice?"

Shikamaru tensed, looking back. "Hakuto-sama?"

When Gaara turned to see her face, she was apathetic. Emotionless. You fool, Gaara fumed, You pulled us into their web… and for your foolish trust in them. I would have expected better from someone with foresight. Damn it! Gaara kept silent, waiting for her to admit her treachery first.

Hakuto breathed. "Kazekage-sama, I must confess… Tenbu and I have been corresponding."

Kankurō fumed. "What?!"

"After they assassinated my father, they found where I was hiding when we first met at the oasis… and forced me to make a choice," Hakuto turned to meet Gaara's widened ringed-eyes, her expression graceful yet guilt-ridden. "My love, Shizegane… or you."

"You played us!" Kankurō shouted. "You filthy harlot!"

"Kankurō, enough!" Gaara quelled. "Let her speak."

Hakuto hung her head low until her black hair curtained her porcelain face. "I had no route of escape, you must understand. I am not a shinobi. I know medical ninjutsu, yes – but fighting? My elder sister was born with that innate talent. Unable to defend myself, Tenbu had me where they wanted me." She sighed regretfully. "My lover, Shizegane, was taken by Tenbu when I had no decision upon their last visit to my shambled homestead. Tenbu knew I was sending you letters… and now they are here to take me away to their compound where I'm to be reunited with my husband."

Shikamaru spoke first, keeping his temper in check. "So you lied to Suna and Konoha? Hakuto-sama, I thought you were above such treasons."

Gaara dared to ask, meeting her rising glance. "Was Shijima part of this, too?"

Saying nothing, Hakuto only nodded.

"Gaara!" Kankurō called out, drawing his attention. "Nomasaki could be in danger!"

"The she-wolf is safe, believe me." Hakuto interrupted. "My elder sister is a most loyal friend. She would never draw her blade on your wife. I promise you."

Kankurō glared at her, scoffing. "Why should we believe you, huh?! Gaara, let's get out of here!"

The purple-eyed Tenbu agent held his war-axe firmly, poised to strike any moment. Gaara swore he thought he saw a sneer under his masked lips. "I'm afraid you're forbidden to leave, Kazekage-sama."

"Hakuto-sama," A nameless Tenbu called, their katana drawn at their side. "What is your decision? Have you come to a conclusion at last?"

The room stilled, coming to an eerie silence.

And now it was the moment of truth.

Sitting calmly, Hakuto closed her eyes and took in a breath and exhaled. When her blue eyes opened, her face was slate-like. Emotionless. The vibrance of her eyes dulled as she met those of the Tenbu agents who surrounded her guests. "…My decision," She began, firming her tone. A certain edge formed on her lips, and her brow furrowed. "Followers of Tenbu, you must kill me… for I choose neither!"

Shock swelled in Gaara's chest, bewildered.

She chose to die.

For their sake.

Kankurō had no words, and neither did Shikamaru.

And it was understood that the Hōki Family and its legacy died that day.

The purple-eyed agent scoffed. "Think you're clever, wench? Very well," He gestured his axe to the agent closest to the heiress. "Slit her throat!"

Gaara sent his sand. "Not so fast!"

Hell broke loose.

Blades clashed, shouts rang, puppet strings were deployed, shadows danced, and sand swam. The chaos that ensued took only seconds to occur. The guards took their positions to protect Hakuto while she sat with eyes closed – as if accepting her imminent fate. Gaara emerged from his sand just in time to stop the axe from breaking through the guards' defences. His sand grasped the enemy's wrist and swallowed the weapon, drawing their ire.

Their chakra surged as if awakening a beast.

And it was then Gaara recognized the chakra.

Upon meeting the Tenbu agent's eyes, he noticed their hidden purple shade – as if deepened lilac. His heart froze. It was Temujin. And in that moment of hesitation, the agent freed themselves. Gaara solidified his stance on the sandy steps of the dais, but the agent leapt back. Sand violently flew, but the agent missed every swipe, slash, and grasp while in the air. Landing firmly on the shattered ground, the agent grinned under their masked visage. Their violet eyes shone like nightshade in the broken glass.

And with a single hand-sign, Temujin was gone.

"Kazekage-sama!" Hakuto shouted, the guards tense and shaking. "Are you alright?"

Gaara said nothing, fixating on the spot where Temujin vanished. He's escaped… back to crawl at Genji's side. At least I didn't kill him, for Nomasaki's sake… This is her cross to bear.

"Kazekage-sama?"

"I'm fine," Gaara turned his attention to Kankuro. "Kankurō – hold your fire!"

Just before Kankurō could unleash the fire from his Sasori puppet, sands swirled to his defences to block a blood-seal attack from one of the Tenbu agents in his blind spot. "Thanks, Gaara!" Turning, with the swipe of his hand, his Salamander puppet devoured an approaching agent, and the Sasori puppet incinerated another. He gnashed his teeth, nearly smirking. "Damn, these Tenbu are persistent!"

Shikamaru formed the final hand-sign for his Shadow Stitching paper-bomb technique. The three Tenbu agents who flew at him were punctured like tacks on a board in a burst of violent webbed shadows. Explosions boomed and echoed, leaving no trace of their remains.

The Nara sighed, rubbing at his neck. "I'd say," He admitted. "They don't seem too concerned for their lives. They rushed directly at me. Not exactly the tactics of high-level shinobi. More like the motives of mercenaries."

Gaara agreed. "Mercenaries, indeed… if a bit clumsy."

And two Tenbu agents remained.

They stood poised with their weapons drawn and bolted towards the dais where Hakuto sat between her guards. Gaara sent his sand, but the agents dodged and dashed onward, maneuvering around and over the streams of sand that were sent their way.

And an unfamiliar chakra appeared outside.

A burst of water flooded the palace, dragging the remaining agents into pits of quicksand that formed on the exposed earth. Their screams went silent as the pits solidified into golden, earthen tombs. Gaara looked up, and his sand shielded his view. Out of the mist stood a tall, muscular shinobi whose garbs were ragged as if from a struggle. His hair was raven-black, and his eyes were a pale green, drained of all sympathy and mortal fear.

Just his presence alone was enough to alarm Gaara.

His sand swam to protect him, forming a giant wave to counter the water that rose by the nameless shinobi. Across the destroyed palace, he stared down the black-haired young man, meeting his furious glare. The air fell dense with chakra, signifying that their power could clash at any moment.

The room held its breath.

"Shizegane!"

Hakuto's voice, Gaara realized.

When he drifted his glance to see her run down the dais towards the adversary, he was confused to see her embrace him. She buried her face into the torn fabric that clung to his chest, and he ran his rough hands through her shining black hair. They kissed, and instantly Gaara knew it was best to drop his guard. His glance fell to Hakuto's kimono, and he was stunned at the sight.

She was with child.

And Shizegane, the name she shouted – it was her lover.

But something still did not sit right watching him enter and drown the black-garbed fiends.

"Thank goodness you're alive!" Hakuto wept. "How did you escape?"

Shizegane grunted. "That purple-eyed Tenbu released me. He probably figured I'd die during the fighting. I tried to get him back, but the bastard was too fast for me to catch him."

Gaara felt his fist clench. At least let him stay alive long enough for Nomasaki to lift the seal. Hesitantly, his sand slowly receded into his gourd. He stared back at Shizegane's uneasy pale green eyes, examining their intentions.

"Shizegane,"

Shizegane tensed, the water at his command flaring.

And it was then that Gaara realized he intended to fight needlessly.

"It's alright," Hakuto intervened, placing a palm on her lover's cheek. "Kazekage-sama is on our side."

Kankuro and Shikamaru watched with tense glances as the water sank back into the puddles strewn upon the shattered palace floor. Shizegane kept his glare on Gaara, unmoving. "So you're the one who wanted my wife?"

Gaara bit his tongue. "I never wanted her, and she never wanted me. It was a failed arranged marriage by the Suna Council, nothing more than that."

Shizegane scoffed, averting his attention at last. "Right. You're married to a beast, I forgot."

Anger flared in Gaara's gourd, the sands swirling. And you married a delusional heiress.

"Shizegane, they are our allies." Hakuto comforted. "Please don't judge them so harshly."

Shikamaru entered, bewildered by all that occurred. "You planned this?"

Shamefully, Hakuto nodded. "It was the only way to end it. I couldn't stand being a pawn for Tenbu. I only wanted to help you so my father's spirit could have peace… and for your family and village to be protected." She looked to Gaara, her blue eyes glistening with tears. "It was the least I could do as a former fiancée of the Kazekage."

Closing his eyes, Gaara calmed himself.

Silence.

Kankurō turned to his brother. "Gaara?"

Gaara opened his eyes, rectifying his decision.

"Thank you, Hakuto-sama. Your sacrifice will not go unrewarded." He turned to his brother and brother-in-law. "Kankuro, Shikamaru, we must relocate Hakuto-sama and her husband to Konoha as originally planned. The Hōki Family no longer exists… from this day forward."

Hakuto clapped her hands together, grateful. "Oh, thank you, Kazekage-sama!"

And so, it was done.

As the sun began to sink behind the trees, the others stood and watched as Gaara's sand rose and swallowed the remnants of the scorched palace. What remained of the ancient manse echoed into the hollow evening in a chorus of shattered glass, splintered wood, and groans of stone while the Sand Tsunami swept in and over every crevice, every window, every door, and pulled it under. Not even the gates were sparred. Sand soon swallowed all, leaving the once great settlement of ancients a sad, empty field of barren earth. He did not look back but could hear Hakuto trying her best not to weep. Shizegane consoled her, while Kankuro and Shikamaru said nothing.

It had to be done.

That night, they set off to Konohagakure to relocate the pregnant Hōki heiress and her lover.

The few surviving servants and guards loyal to the Hōki household decided to accompany them, which made for a bloated and weighted mission. Even tasked escorting Hakuto was risky enough, but escorting an additional ten lives while Tenbu waited in the shadows did nothing to ease Gaara's insomnia and inner strife. Shizegane was apprehensive, shooting glances and glares toward Gaara every now and then as they travelled. Gaara ignored this – for his insomnia and fleeting chakra were more of a concern.

He said nothing to Kankurō or Shikamaru of his tiredness, but it was creeping up on him while he waited awake by the dimmed campfire they made in the Land of Rivers. He even found himself missing the companionship of Shukaku. The one-tail would have kept him awake, even in the most dire of situations. But now, as a mere man – a mortal, his eyelids grew heavy with each blink into the night. His strength had waned from the earlier battle, but when the rest had awoken, he flew them on his sand to Konoha at once.

When he delivered them all safely, he fell asleep under a maple tree in the Nara clan's residence.

And when he would wake, discussions with the Hokage would ensue.

Knowing the circumstances from Shikamaru's hawk, Hatake Kakashi blinked once and nodded in accepted silence. ANBU and those from the Intelligence Division soon appeared and swept Hakuto and her husband away to be processed. They rescinded their names, took on new identities as members of the Nara clan, and agreed to live quietly as common folk.

And so, the price of freedom was paid.

"Kazekage-sama,"

Hakuto walked by him on the porch, a woollen shawl across her shoulders. Gaara turned, insomnia gnawing at his existing headache. "Everything is in order. Is there anything else you need?"

She shook her head, hesitating at her thoughts. "I saw… a sleeping tanuki. I know for a fact it was you, Kazekage-sama. But the sleep wasn't a peaceful one. It was… a quiet sleep. A dead sleep in a tomb of stone and water. The sky was a strange, odd red. And I was… frightened." She straightened her silky black hair from the shawl, eyeing him in an eerie calm. "My visions don't always mean anything and don't always come true. But for your sake as someone I will always trust and confide in, I want you to live cautiously." She smiled beautifully. "Give my regards to my dear sister and your wife. I wish them both well. Goodnight, Kazekage-sama."

"The red sun," Gaara turned. "Do you know when this is said to happen?"

Hakuto paused. "I'm not so sure. As the days go by, my clairvoyance is turning vague. But the phrase' time is cardinal' rings true. Perhaps the Sand Priests of your village may point to some guidance?"

Gaara looked back to the nightly garden of frost, disgruntled. "Perhaps."

"You should rest, Kazekage-sama," Hakuto smiled when she saw him glimpse back. "And again, I thank you."

He said nothing, instead opting to nod back and continue in his reflections.

And once Hakuto left, he was alone with his thoughts once more.

Shikamaru made the risky decision to stay in Konoha.

Although Gaara and Kankurō could not blame him for not wanting to make the trip twice in one week, they knew Temari would raise hell over it for certain. But that was Shikamaru's funeral. Delegating with the Hokage and the Nara elders over integrating the Hōki heiress and her remaining loyalists proved hard on the head – and patience, it seemed. As calm and tactful as he was, even Shikamaru was pushed to his limits when dealing with such an issue. He sent a hawk to Sunagakure to tell Temari everything he could – the rest he would tell her when she returned home with Shikadai.

Gaara and Kankurō wasted no time in returning to Sunagakure.

It was nighttime when they arrived.

His sand crashed them into the estate courtyards when they saw the broken glass and craters strewn across the once immaculate landscape. It appeared as if a battle occurred, and Gaara's anxieties immediately went to Tenbu. But before he could rush inside the mansion, Shijima met them and told them what happened the day they departed – when Matsuri tried to brandish a dagger, and Temujin gave his warning. The shock left Gaara silent, leaving Kankuro to ask the questions. Nomasaki and Kyōkurō were safe – a relief. But once again, Tenbu struck the moment he stepped out of Sunagakure. Guilt soon filled his chest, blurring his conscience.

The first stop was the council chambers.

An emergency meeting of the elders was convened, where Gaara and Kankurō told the Suna Council what occurred: that Shizegane betrayed Sunagakure and the Hōki Family by attempting a coup with Tenbu over the ancient estate, resulting in the assassination of Hakuto. And subsequently, Shizegane was killed. The council was aghast. Kankurō supported the claim when pressed, even producing evidence from his damaged puppets. It made Gaara uneasy about lying even in the most acceptable situations. Still, he knew that Hakuto would never be safe if she remained within the borders of the Land of Wind. A woman possessing the power of clairvoyant visions would be heavily sought by Tenbu – or any dark power wanting a taste of foresight.

And now, to at least the Land of Wind, the Hōki Family was dead.

Leaving the Kazekage's hat hung on the porch was a weight lifting off his shoulders.

The cloak hung beside it in the dark, the only trace of light emanating from the nearby kitchen. Temari stopped him in the hall, catching him off guard. She said the same things as Shijima but mentioned her wariness of the Kurogane Family. It was not her place to make accusations to the Kazekage – even if her own brother – but Gaara understood by her vague words that she, too, must be aware of Genji and his connections to Tenbu, should she ever fully confide her thoughts. Perhaps she thought Genji was behind Matsuri's sudden boldness to make an attempt at Nomasaki's life.

She was right to think so.

When Gaara checked, Shikadai was in the nursery with Kyōkurō, soundly sleeping close to his cousin. His son was always a peaceful sleeper. Even as a growing toddler, Kyōkurō hardly ever woke crying or going down with struggle. Gaara was glad his son could sleep peacefully amongst everything else. And hopefully, the peace would linger just a little while longer. He ran a hand through his soft, feathery red hair and pulled the blanket over his chest. Kyōkurō hummed sweetly, lost in his dreams. Gaara silently left the room, his sand softly closing the door behind his steps.

A dim light was under the bedroom door, Gaara noticed.

He exhaled tiredly, feeling the tension in his chest and shoulders ease and entered. The click of the door closing was the only sound, as the shadows swallowed all and any noise. He expected Nomasaki to be awake with the light, but she was lying on her back, head tilted to the side on her pillow in hazy sleep. She blinked slowly, the light irritating her eyes. Gaara sensed the tension returned.

She sighed. "It's been three days… Three days, Gaara."

An argument was the last thing he wanted upon returning home.

Gaara proceeded to undress for bed, his back facing the bed. "I was on a mission of utmost importance. I did what was necessary."

"Necessary?" Nomasaki sat up, wincing from the weight of her belly. Tears shone in her bitter violet eyes, emotions swirling. "Visiting your former fiancée was necessary? Helping her move to Konoha? Surely I would think it would be necessary to return to your family… as family should have the utmost importance."

Not even the scrolls I sent seemed to quell her temper. He kept his back to her. "Is this how the fight starts?"

She shot back. "I don't know, does it?"

Gaara grumbled under his breath as he threw his clothes into the hamper. He pulled loose-fitting black pants up to his hips, tying them comfortably. He thought of a retort but knew it was useless. He was pushed to his limits by insomnia, and Nomasaki was dealing with a myriad of emotions, understandably so. She had faced another attempt at her life, her husband was gone longer than expected to see a former fiancée, and she was eight months pregnant with their second child – the latter was the heaviest burden. He had to tread carefully with his words – as he wanted to sleep so desperately, but his temper was in danger of clashing with the wolf.

So he held his tongue as long as he could and continued preparing for bed.

Nomasaki held back her sobs, but her voice was obviously choked. "You have no idea what foul rumours swirl within this village! Rumours that inevitably fall to my ears, as your wife! You leaving at the drop of a hat to see her stoked the flames, and your delay only made them worse!" She masked a snarl beneath a breath, but he could still hear its rumble. "Even some councillors have the nerve to suggest so… even while looking directly at me in the chambers while you were gone!" She hung her head low, rubbing a soothing hand over her swollen belly. "Knowing I'm with child…"

Gaara paused. "I would like to think you, of all people, would trust me… after all these years."

"O-Of course, Gaara. I don't doubt that -,"

He glanced back, anger rising. "Then why are you questioning my loyalty for the sake of foolish rumours?"

Nomasaki stood, holding the weight of her belly. "I trust you. It's her I don't trust!"

"She's married, by the way… and also with child."

She froze, stunned. "She is… really?"

Gaara said nothing, pulling a white shirt over his head.

"Oh, Gaara…" Nomasaki's voice choked. "I'm so sorry,"

He joined her on the bed and held her close. She kept repeating apologies, but he was too tired to tell her otherwise. He ran his fingers through her long golden hair as she shuddered into him. He sighed with sympathy. "I know you're upset because I took longer than intended… For that, I'm sorry. But you must understand that, as Kazekage, I have a right to my own secrets… such as why I was delayed. You will know in time, but that's unimportant right now. But you will know soon, next time we travel to Konoha."

She looked up at him, her violet eyes glossy with tears. But fear and anger resided within. "Was it Tenbu? Were you attacked?"

"I didn't want you to worry."

She breathed a laugh, sniffling. "We don't do well with secrets."

He sighed, agreeing. "That's true."

She held his hand, cupping it in hers, and held her eyes firmly on his exhausted glance. Unwavering. "But… please tell me everything to do with Tenbu. I want to protect my family as much as you do, even if that means staying behind on house arrest."

A change came over him, his tiredness leaving for all but a moment. He leaned near her ear. "You served nine months of your sentence…"

His lips met her neck, and Nomasaki near moaned aloud from the feel of his hot tongue on her cold skin. It had become unbearable in the short time he missed her so much. Even after a brief argument, if she said the words, he would take off his clothes if she did as much as utter them. Insomnia could wait. He traced her jawline and made his way down to her collarbone, and her breathing quickly grew lustful and begging.

She chuckled. "I'll do nine more, but without the pregnancy. Two children are enough for me."

Gaara sighed. "Thank the old desert gods…"

Nomasaki nudged him playfully. Softly, she put her lips to his and held his face. Her fingers laced through the messy mop of crimson hair behind his ears, and when their lips parted, her expression turned blank and dire.

And insomnia came gnawing back in a fury.

She held her hands over her breast, mulling her choice of words. "I… have to tell you something." She averted her glance at first and sighed. "While you were gone, Temujin came. He blackmailed Matsuri into attempting to poison myself and Kyōkurō, but that failed, so he made off with her, and we've had no luck tracking them down…"

"I've heard," Gaara admitted. "And it was Matsuri? Are you sure?"

"I was as shocked as you," Nomasaki sighed. "I knew she wouldn't act alone or even resort to something like that. She was fearful. I saw it in her eyes."

"She will be charged when we recover her, I promise."

"No," She spoke out. When Gaara saw her glance, her eyes were pleading. Desperate. "She had no choice. I was in her shoes once before, so I understand. Don't be cruel to her. She loves you, Gaara. She never wanted to cause either of us harm, so please…"

The revelation took him off guard.

Through all the time he knew Matsuri, he never would have expected her to turn on him and his family unprovoked. Surely it was Tenbu… or Genji, for that matter. And to have Temujin involved further complicated things. But to have Nomasaki wish nothing but forgiveness for Matsuri in her darkest hour seemed nearly admirable, albeit unorthodox. Gaara could see where she was coming from, and he felt it, too. Matsuri would be charged in the Suna Court, but he could lessen her sentence if evidence of Genji's meddling was uncovered before the trial.

He took her hand, nodding. "Alright."

Next, Nomasaki told him of Temujin's sudden appearance.

Her words clung to her lips as pain and strife dared to make her sob further, but she held strong and told him all that had occurred. She even admitted she left the village with Temari and Shijima to track down her brother and Matsuri. Still, it led them to an empty settlement abandoned by all except a catatonic woman named Hana. Nomasaki's head lowered as she spoke of the woman, confiding in him her suspicions of Genji and a forbidden genjutsu. Gaara held her hand, comforting her as he was lost for words.

"I couldn't help her," Nomasaki lamented. "I tried to, I really did… but she disappeared. None of the ANBU stationed at the hospital know what happened to her. It was as if she was spirited away."

Gaara rubbed her arm as she leaned into him, pondering. "You did all you could."

"And Temujin…" Nomasaki breathed a laugh, masking her grief. "He's my brother, and they twisted him into this horrible, vile person. He is willing to do anything for Genji… anything for Tenbu. Even kill him, he said. He's my only brother – stolen by the enemy, and I feel absolutely helpless in this state. It's laughable."

"He'll come around… and we'll save him, I promise. Tenbu will be destroyed soon… and Genji with them." He hesitated at first, biting his tongue. "…Temujin was at the Hōki settlement – with Tenbu. They attacked, and I… couldn't bring myself to kill him. For your sake, I couldn't."

She turned away, averting her glance to the floor. "I see…"

"When we fought, I sensed his ferality – his power. It was like yours, but darker. Uncontrolled." The words fell from his lips. "It… reminded me of how I used to be, long ago."

She tried her best to make light of the facts. "I guess Tenbu is in for the fight of their lives, huh?"

When he looked at her, he saw her looking back at him with glistening lilac eyes. The words of promise gave her strength, and confidence, in her moment of bleakness. He gingerly cradled her face in his sand-ridden hands, keeping any emotion that could swim to his throat at bay. But speaking tested him. He felt his eyes become wet as he blinked.

"I'm just glad you're safe… and I can hold you in my arms…"

Gaara embraced her, holding her close to his body. Nomasaki pulled him closer, burying her face into his chest. She did not cry or weep. She remained still and strong. He ran his fingers through her golden hair, and he could smell its sweetness and glimpse its shine. It was the longest since her impulsive cut in the cistern, and he allowed it to fall as it left his hand. Minutes passed, and when they slowly parted, he tenderly put his lips to hers.

His smile faded as he stood from the bed. "You should go to sleep. There's… some things I need to take care of before morning."

She eyed him, concerned. "Is it your insomnia?"

"Partially." He admitted, pausing by the door. "I won't be long."

The office was cold and dark.

It had been as he had left it when he departed those near four days ago. Not even Nomasaki had done as much as enter the office, he was told. She instead opted to work from the comfort of their home, especially since the incident in the estate gardens. For that, he was grateful. With no need for a light, he sat at his worn chair and pulled out parchments from the desk drawer. He pushed aside the books and notepads to gather the letters he mulled over the last time he sat at the desk. A letter from Sasuke and the letter from Hakuto. The former spoke of a sudden quiet from Tenbu in the Land of Earth, with the absence of Genji from the court of the daimyo. And the latter was of Hakuto pleading for Gaara to come to the Hōki homestead and save her – before Tenbu could strike.

He mulled over Hakuto's words – about the red skies and darkening sun.

Time is cardinal… Sand Priests…

If what Hakuto said held any weight, surely the Sand Priests in their temple would know how to decipher such a cryptic clue. Nomasaki had to see them anyways once she resumed her memory recollection with Shijima. It was worth a shot.

Unopened letters on his desk caught his eye.

His sand sliced them open. Yamagakure, Iwagakure, and the lands of Mountain and Earth. Four letters all on the growing tension in the north. Iwa and Earth still desired the mines, and Yama and Mountain were unmoving. Earth was bold enough to threaten to annex the territory, posturing that if Suna did not affirm its position with the Shinobi Union, Suna would be considered an enemy of equal measure – all by cause of Gaara's marriage to the Yama chieftain's daughter. Iwa said nothing of an attack, only that they would 'have no choice' but to intervene if no decision is made on the mines by the first day of spring.

They had less than a month.

Sighing, Gaara forced himself to stay awake a while longer to write a response. A summit of Earth and Mountain was to be held in Yama – and the Kazekage would be the mediator. If the peace were to end, he would do anything in his power to stop it. He knew Kyō would accept, but convincing the stubborn Earth daimyo to come would be another feat. This was their last chance.

After sealing it with a jutsu, he gave it to the Aviary and watched the hawk fly off into the night skies.

And then he went to bed.