Author's Note: Here's another one! Enjoy!

The sky outside was grey, large clouds covering the sun, and the soft pitter-pattering of rain against the rooftop.

"Do you really have to go?" Gaara mumbled into your shoulder, his eyes still closed. He had tuned out the beeping of his alarm clock long ago, not wanting to release you from his embrace to turn it off.

A month ago, you had received an invitation to an Arts Program Event at one of Konoha's top universities, and you had already made up your mind when you told Gaara about the event. He had immediately said no, not wanting you to be so far from him. You didn't get to see him very often already, and if you went, it would be a whole six months before he'd get to see you again. You had argued about it for a bit; you are telling him that it could be a one-time opportunity, and that it would be a perfect time to learn new things and get some experience, and him immediately bringing up the worst-case scenario.

In the end, he'd relented. And so, it was confirmed, that in a months' time, you'd be on a plane headed to Konoha-nearly halfway across the country.

"Yes, my flight leaves at noon, Gaara. I need to get ready." You replied, though your hands still traced the ridges of his spine, slid over his shoulders to caress his face and pull him towards you for a kiss.

You would miss him, but this was a great opportunity for your future, and you didn't want to pass it up. "We can always chat through Skype," you said as you forced yourself to pull out of Gaara's embrace. "And it's not like I'll be gone forever." You added, turning off the still blaring alarm as you searched through your closet for a pair of jeans.

Gaara sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as the sheets pooled at his waist. "Are you sure I can't convince you to stay?" He asked, his voice husky. You pulled on a pair of black jeans and your favorite purple hoodie before you padded back over the bed to press your lips against your boyfriend's in a chaste kiss.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Besides, Naruto said he'd wait to pick me up at the airport when I get there." You assured. Gaara pulled on a loose t-shirt and pair of sweats and followed you as you headed downstairs. You called a cab as you walked into the living room, Gaara helping as you grabbed your suitcase, duffel, and backpack and hauled them in front of the door. "I'll Skype you as soon as I get there, okay?" you promised.

You both ate cereal as you waited for the cab, forcing small talk until a car horn announced your cab had arrived. Outside on the sidewalk, you hugged Gaara tightly. "I'll miss you." You said into his chest.

"I'll miss you too," Gaara replied, leaning back and pressing a kiss to your forehead. "The house already feels too big." He forced a smile as you headed out to the cab, the driver helping you load your stuff. You blew him a kiss from the window as the cab drove off, and Gaara stood there on the porch until the cab had turned the corner of the street, a sinking feeling suddenly twisting in the pit of his stomach.

Gaara finished another shot of sake, ignoring the buzzing of his cellphone. He knew it. He knew something bad would happen.

He shouldn't have let you get on that plane. No, he shouldn't have let you step out the door. He shook his head, bypassing the shot glass and just taking a swig from the bottle, the same burning its way down his throat did nothing to ease the burning pain in his chest. It had only been a few days, but it seemed so much longer.

The plane you had been on crashed. Everyone on board, including the crew and pilot, had been killed in the accident. No survivors.

End of Chapter 5

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed! See you in the next one! Bye!