CHAPTER ONE
AN: FIRST STORY, LET'S HOPE IN A BLAST! Unfortunately, English is not my native language. I know there'll be errors and probably it'll not result perfectly fluent; still I'm here to improve and ready to accept all your correction and criticism. I can't wait for your comments and reviews. Let's go and have fun!
I do not own Naruto nor Avatar: The Last Airbender. Their creator does.
"Gaara, wake up" a voice said, accompanied with a gentle shake. It was Temari.
"In five minutes, we'll be at the Leaf" she added.
Gaara was still drowsy: the pounding in his head made him grimace and his muscles were completely numb. He rubbed his eyes, hoping to shake away the tiredness.
"Here, your tonics" Kankuro said, offering numerous pills and a small glass bottle.
"Thank you" Gaara rasped, followed by a couple of coughs.
He snatched the pills from his hand and took them. He snatched the flask Temari was offering him and downed it in a couple of gulps, welcoming the freshness that eased the soreness in his mouth and throat. Gaara smiled at his siblings and took the vial from his brother, downing in one go. He grimaced.
"The second one" Kankuro said, uncorking another small bottle before passing it to him.
Gaara sighed, "What a pain" he added with a smirk.
"But it's necessary" Temari reprimanded with a scowl.
Gaara drank the concoction and stood up from the Salamander puppet that Kankuro was using to carry him.
"I never thought your puppet could be so comfortable" he said to his brother. Kankuro huffed and took one of his scrolls. With a few hand signs the puppet disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Gaara stretched his limbs, feeling the previous soreness and ache leaving his body. The power of those medicines always surprised him. His strength was returning, his chakra flow resurged in a few minutes like a tidal wave. Kankuro unrolled another scroll and a pile of sand emerged from it.
"Is it really necessary?" Temari prodded.
"It is" Gaara said, extending his hand over the pile of sand, which slowly started to take the form of his usual gourd. He lifted it with a grunt and his sister helped him to secure it on his back.
"Let's go" Gaara said.
They approached the gates of Konoha at a steady pace and they were not surprised when they saw Shizune was waiting for them. She greeted them with a smile and her usual polite bow.
"Lord Kazekage, welcome to Konoha"
Gaara nodded at her.
"The other Kage are already waiting for you"
"Thank you Shizune"
The streets of Konoha were busier than usual and Gaara couldn't help but smile to see the excitement of the citizens of the leaf. Naruto was getting married, and the entire village was bubbling like steaming pot. His heart swelled to know that his best friend was taking such an important step as that. He was happy and proud of him.
When they reached the Hokage office, Gaara stopped and contemplated the building for a couple of minutes. He sighed and turned to his siblings.
"See you later, Temari." he said before entering the palace with Shizune and Kankuro who escorted him to the conference room before leaving.
Gaara knocked and Kakashi's voice allowed him to come in. As Shizune anticipated, the other leaders were already there with the addition of Tsunade.
"Lord Kazekage" Kakashi greeted him with a nod, "We're glad to see you here"
"Thank you" Gaara replied, taking off his gourd with a grunt. The other eyed him wearily.
Tsunade approached him and put a hand on his shoulder, "How do you feel, Kazekage" she asked without preamble.
"Nothing changes since the last time" Gaara smiled thinly, "Moreover, I think we can drop the honorifics given the situation. This will be my last meeting and I'd like to keep as informal as possible." Gaara offered.
Onoki smiled ruefully, "Of course, my boy"
Gaara enjoyed spending that time with his fellow kage, simply chattering and discussing about amenities and he could feel he wasn't the only one appreciating that moment. Gaara felt a special connection with his colleagues which only became stronger during and after the war. Their interaction had never been easy. Onoki was the oldest but sometimes his stubbornness and snide remarks made him look childish (but Gaara had to admit that since the end of the war such traits were tampered since he met him for the first time). Kakashi was older than Gaara, but he was his junior in the duties of being a Kage and their interactions had been extremely awkward in their first meeting; especially because Kakashi wasn't totally enthusiast about his new position and when Gaara chided him to take it more seriously the other three snickered at Kakashi embarrassment.
Gaara felt a surge burst of happiness and gratefulness at them. They were great comrades and friends.
"Are you sure about not telling Naruto?" Tsunade demanded.
"Yes" Gaara nodded, "We both know that there's nothing we can do. I'm terminal and with very little time. He marries tomorrow and he'll be on honeymoon the day after tomorrow. I don't want him to worry about me" he said, glancing the older woman, "We both know what he would do if I told him"
Tsunade snorted, "He'd turn the countries upside down to find a cure"
Gaara smiled, "Yes he would and to me, knowing he would do such a thing for me is well enough."
"Selfless as always I see" she noted.
"Practical" he corrected.
She sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch had never been so gentle and delicate, "I'm sorry" she said, "I tried everything in my power…"
He turned to face her and smiled, "I know, Tsunade and I'm grateful. You retired but still worked only for my sake."
Gaara walked towards the other kage with Tsunade following him.
"I have something for you" he declared with a smile, "Kankuro you can come in."
His brother entered the room with a box and placed it on the table. Gaara thanked him.
"I'd like you to inform Shikamaru that I need to have a word with him tonight" Gaara informed his brother, "And not a word to Temari about it" he glanced Kankuro.
His brother nodded, "Understood, see you later" he bowed to him and the other kage before leaving.
"What is it?" A asked.
Gaara placed a hand on the wooden box.
"I wanted to gift you something to remember our time together and the many trials we went through" he explained, "But I had a hard time to figure out what I could give you. We're shinobi and kage, we've little time for amenities and trinkets"
Everybody snorted in agreement. Gaara knew them very well. They had interests and hobbies like him, but they were all shinobi to the core.
"This is the only thing I could come up with" he announced them, opening the box and revealing five metal plates with the Suna insignia. They weren't fixed on the cloth. They all looked at him as he sported a second head.
"Never before a village gave his metal plates to other shinobi, least of all other kage" Mei commented.
Gaara nodded, "This's true but I'm the Kazekage and I can do it if I want to share them with my comrades and friends"
"Cheeky as always" Onoki quipped.
"I do hope these'll make you remember that you'll always have friends in the Sand, even when I'll not be there." he smiled at them.
"It's a mighty gift, Gaara" Kakashi said, taking his metal plate before offering his hand to him.
Gaara shook it, "I'm glad you liked it."
Gaara entered in the Nara compound. It was his second time visiting it and he forgot how elegant it was. The gardens were well tended, and the wooden porch was so clean and shiny he could see the moon reflection on it. Shikamaru and a woman, who Gaara assumed was his mother were waiting for him.
"Lord Kazekage" she greeted him an extremely formal bow, "You honour us with your presence. I am Yoshino Nara." Shikamaru followed his mother, although he was less formal.
"There's no need to bow" he reassured them, "And you can call me by my name, miss Nara" Gaara explained, "I'm grateful you accepted to have me even at such time"
"Can I offer you something?" she asked.
Gaara mulled for a few seconds, "A coffee, please."
"Tea for me, thanks" Shikamaru said. Yoshino nodded to Gaara than gave one glare to his son who stiffened under her gaze.
"I'd appreciate a cup of tea, mum" he asked with much more politeness.
Shikamaru sighed before waving to Gaara to follow him.
"I see you're not carrying your gourd" Shikamaru remarked with casualness.
Gaara was not surprised by his attentiveness, "I don't need it. I'm safe inside the village"
"I'm sure" he nodded, "It's only that I've never seen you without it. Even in Suna you always carry it with you"
"Indeed" Gaara replied.
Shikamaru gave him a glace, his eyes narrowed. He brought him to a veranda on the back of the compound, where a chessboard stood on a small wooden table.
"I thought we could play a bit" Shikamaru said, picking up the box, "Temari gifted me a set of the chess you use in Suna and I've to admit the change from ours provided a nice challenge" he smirked, opening the box and taking a black and white pawn in his hands and closing them. Gaara chose the left one and he got the black one. They set their pieces in silence and it stretchered for ten long minutes until Yoshino arrived with their drinks. They thanked her before she left to retire for the night.
Gaara took a sip of his coffee, and he was surprised by its flavour. It reminded him of home.
"Temari taught us to make it" Shikamaru said with a smile, reading his thoughts. When Shikamaru took his pack of cigarettes from his pants' pockets Gaara eyed him.
"Can I have one?" he asked.
Shikamaru gaped a little, stunned by his request.
"I didn't know you smoked" he said.
"I don't" Gaara smirked, "But I want to try"
The bitter taste of smoke filled his mouth and then filled his lungs. The first couple of drags were difficult but he easily adapted, and he noted he didn't mind the flavour and the smoke. He didn't know why Temari complained so much about Shikamaru's habits.
"I'm dying, Shikamaru" Gaara announced and Shikamaru's hand left his rook. The game completely forgotten.
"W... what?" he stammered.
Gaara sighed and looked him. "I'm dying and it'll be very soon I think." Gaara confessed, "I can feel it"
"How?"
"The reanimation jutsu" Gaara informed him. Shikamaru visibly gulped and then he took a long drag from his cigarette.
"A side effect"
"More or less" Gaara nodded, "It was the first time it had been used and none could know if I'd face complications or drawbacks. I discovered about it after the war"
"And?"
"My body's decaying. Now I can hardly manipulate my own chakra, my reserves are extremely low and to keep my body going I've to assume a large numbers of tonics and drugs"
Shikamaru eyed the cigarette in Gaara's hand, and he smirked, "This'll hardly make a difference"
"Who knows?"
"My siblings and Baki, the kage including Tsunade, Ebizu an elder of my village and now you"
Shikamaru sighed, "Why me?" he moved his piece, resuming the game.
"Because you're rational" Gaara said, "You'll be able to explain and especially calm down Naruto when he'll hear about it."
Shikamaru cursed, "It's too much, Gaara"
"I know" he sighed, "Tsunade worked without a break to find a cure, but she had to surrender. There's nothing we can do. I chose to not talk before because we hoped to find a solution and there were more pressing matters after the war."
Shikamaru nodded, moving his horse, "Check" he said. Gaara countered his move.
"I'm sorry to put this burden on you, Shikamaru."
He shook his head, "I'm glad you talked to me. I'll try to reason with Naruto, but he'll be very pissed."
Gaara snorted and Shikamaru smiled weakly.
"Kankuro will succeed me"
"Hn"
"Temari'll give him a hand" he continued
"Then I will be at her side" Shikamaru said, moving his bishop and eating one of Gaara's horses.
"Thank you" he replied, "Treat her well"
"I will" Shikamaru nodded, "And I will help Kankuro and Naruto when they'll become kage." he sighed, "What a drag… I forsee many headaches" he smiled.
They continued their game in a comfortable silence.
Gaara readjusted his backpack and glanced to the Leaf village. He basked in it, and he carved every possible detail in his mind. Sai was waiting patiently for him, without saying a word.
"Gaara!"
He was stunned to see Shikamaru running his way. He didn't expect it. He acknowledged him with a nod.
"Temari told me you were leaving early" he said, "I wanted to say goodbye."
"Thank you, Shikamaru. I really appreciate it" he smiled.
"I see you have a new sash" he pointed his new piece of clothing. Gaara eyed the object with fondness. A vivid green with yellow edges. He strapped it like he did with old white one. It reminded him when he was a genin.
"A gift from the Tsuchikage"
"I see" Shikamaru nodded. "You're not wearing your robes either"
"I thought to use the new outfit Temari and Kankuro gave me one year age" he summarized, "I'm a shinobi before being a Kage"
Shikamaru took a new pack of cigarettes from his pocket with a lighter and gave them to him.
"I noticed you appreciated the other night" he said.
"I did"
He put them in his pocket and reached for his hand's which was still extended.
"It's been an honour to play with you the other night" Shikamaru affirmed, "You are a worthy opponent."
"The feelings are mutual" he said, "Goodbye, Shikamaru."
"Goodbye Gaara" he replied softly, his eyes staring to moisture. He gave a last squeeze before putting his hands in his pocket and leaving them without another word.
"We can go"
Sai nodded, "Yes, Lord Kazekage"
The shinobi took his scroll and in a blink of an eye two large ink birds appeared. They climbed on them, and they took off, leaving the village behind them. The Leaf disappeared from Gaara's sight in a few minutes.
Gaara had to admit he was surprised. He had never expected to reach his destination so quickly. Sai's birds were fast. The leaf shinobi had already left and Gaara was walking towards a mass of rocks in the middle of the land of Wind. An enormous presence stirred the sand beneath his feet when he reached his destination.
"Gaara" a loud voice rumbled, the echoes of the rocks making it hollower.
"Shukaku" Gaara greeted.
Soon the Tailed Beast emerged and assessed him with his ever-present scowl.
"Six months have passed since you visited me?" he said, "What is the meaning of your visit, this time?"
"I've come to greet an old friend, that's all" Gaara replied.
The sand on Shukaku's body stirred and the beast lowered his head.
"You're dying"
Gaara was surprised by his statement since he never told him about his condition.
"You underestimate me, Gaara" Shukaku said before he could speak, "You were my Jinchuuriki and even if I am not inside your body anymore, I can still sense many things. The bond between a Tailed Beast and the Jinchuuriki aren't so easily destroyed"
"Still, you're a very particular case since you've survived the extraction" he finished.
"Naruto survived too" Gaara answered.
"Because you and the others managed to replace part of that stupid fox inside his body… That brat is the most fortunate human I've ever seen" he grumbled.
Gaara huffed, not surprised by Shukaku's hatred toward the Nine Tail Fox. Every time he visited him, he had to hear him promises of vengeance and spiteful curses towards the other Tailed Beast.
"What I don't understand is why you're here" Shukaku asked, "Shouldn't you be with your friends and family in your last days?"
Gaara sighed and sat down on the sand. He took the cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. He really wanted it.
"I don't want to spend my last days in a hospital room, witnessing my loved ones despairing about my condition. Have them look at my body slowly decaying and see the despair in their eyes because of the hopefulness of this situation. I've enjoyed my last moments with them in the possible way before my body surrenders."
"Moreover, I really wish to spend my last moments with you, Shukaku. Despite my illness, you'll not treat me with pity"
"You bet" the Tailed Beast reassured.
"I've come to this world, and you were with me. I died when the Akatsuki stripped you from my body" he took a drag and smiled to him, "I think it's only right to spend my last days with you"
"Do as you wish" Shukaku scoffed.
"I will" Gaara said before unpacking his supplies from his backpack.
The next days passed slowly, the time stretched more than Gaara had imagined. Despite his words, Shukaku kept him company. He told him a lot. The time he spent with the Sage of Six Paths the first years of his life. Those tales intrigued Gaara, to him it seemed a fairy tale. Those stories and adventures he never had the opportunity to enjoy in his childhood and Shukaku was surely a great narrator. He told him of the world, of the people and how they changed between the centuries. He even told him of Bumpuku, his previous Jinchuuriki, and how he grows to respect the old monk; Gaara agreed with him, he found the man an example of strength and determination. The desert made everything more comforting. Both Gaara and Shukaku were in their element. The two of them were the masters of those lands and Gaara thought it poetic to make that place his grave. The perfect resting place for Gaara of the Sand Waterfall.
His body wasn't responding to him anymore. Every movement seemed impossible and even breathing had become too strenuous. Gaara didn't noticed the tendrils of sand wrapping around his body and in an instant, he wasn't in his tent anymore. He was on Shukaku's hand.
"I think it's time" Shukaku said.
Gaara collected his strength, "It is"
"Aren't you scared?" he grumbled.
"I am" Gaara tried to chuckle which only ended in a coughing fit, "But I already died once. This time at least, it'll be peaceful" he wheezed.
"I'd have loved to enjoy this time of peace" he continued, "To make new friends, to learn more about our world, to build a better future for the next generation. Find love maybe and to start a family" he rasped, "To grow old and more experienced and wiser"
The sun was rising, and its rays were painting the sky and the sand beneath them was shining. It was a beautiful sight. However, the brightness of the sun started to dwindle, and his eyelids were becoming heavier. His senses were duller and the last sensation he felt was Shukaku's sand around him.