2

I told her everything and when her husband came home explained the story to him too. Little did know that it was the best decision that I've made... Ever since our fleeing of our home country, I've had this tremendous amount of doubt in my heart. Thinking that this whole idea of leaving was a bad idea. What would've happened if we just stayed in our old home? But the arms that soon surrounded us refreshed the feeling of love in our lives just for a moment. And in that brief moment felt home again. My heart skipped a beat and... for the first time... in a long time cried tears of... joy. Relief and reassurance filled my heart up and my knees became weak. wrapped my arms around this woman's waist and cried a million, "Thank you's!"

I was grateful because this was no ordinary hug a random woman was giving us. This was open arms offering us a home to live in and an acceptance of who we are. No matter what we dragged along into their home, they accepted us. Words didn't have to be spoken, this. simple action said everything.

From then on... the trust between our two families grew tremendously. At first, of course, it took a while for us to settle in. Gaara didn't speak much and Kankuro kept picking fights with the neighborhood kids. just kept all my attention on my brothers. Made sure they didn't get into too much trouble so we didn't put too much stress on the Uchiha's. made sure they ate, showered, and when the Uchiha family aided us into getting back into school, Ihelped and made sure the two of them focused on their homework. My brothers came before me. Always have and always will. It got to the point where Itachi had to keep an eye 'on me to make sure that ate too. And he did.

Gaara at first gave Saskue the cold shoulder. Mrs. Mikoto always picked at Gaara to push him to play with other kids or at least speak to Saskue from time to time. But nothing would change his mind... until he met one of Saskue's friends. Naruto Uzumaki.
One day, the Uzumaki family came for a visit. Mrs. Uchiha invited them over for dinner with us. became such a help in the house, that got to help with cooking that night. Mrs. Kushina even brought along some desserts. To me, she was a very odd woman. She was blessed with beautiful long fiery red hair and a loud personality to match with it. A complete opposite from Mrs. Mikoto. But in some way, together they fit.

Upon meeting my brothers and , the Uzumaki's were almost too ecstatic to meet us. Once they saw our faces Mrs. Kushina and her son almost pounced at us. Mr. Minato, embarrassed, gave his apologies. Naruto instantly began to play with Saskue and Kankuro. tried to push Gaara into joining with them but, he stuck to my side. Even while gave Mrs. Mikoto a helping hand in the kitchen.

"What a shy boy." Mrs. Kushina commented.

She looked down at Gaara and smiled. He smiled faintly in return and proceeded to bug me, asking if I needed any help.

"Why don't you join the boys in the living room, Gaara?" Kushina asked.

He glared. "I want to help my sister."

"Oh, leave the poor boy alone, Kushina." Mr. Minato said from the table where he and Mr. Fugaku sat sipping on tea.

"Oh, 'm just helping the boy out, ya' know!" Kushina said.

When she went back to cooking I turned to Gaara and pinched his cheeks.

"You don't have to be a stranger. Kankuro is settling in just fine and its only been six months since we got here."

He stayed quiet.

"The people here are nice and are willing to give us a chance. Take advantage while you can. You never know what tomorrow may bring."

He began to glare.

"Gaara… are you listening to me?" I said with my hands on my hips.

He mumbled something under his breath I couldn't make out. "What was that?"

"This house doesn't feel like home." He snapped causing me to jump back and caught the attention of the adults in the room.

"Gaara…"

"How long are we gonna fake it? You and I both know we don't belong here Temari! You really think we can just forget about the past and start some kind of new here? I don't think you're that naïve Temari."

And with that he marched upstairs and slammed the door shut behind him. I froze where I stood in shock as the world around me seemed to stop spinning. Was Gaara right? Were we just faking this somewhat peace in our lives and just going through the motions as time passed. It could be true… But there was a part of me that didn't want to believe that. A part of me that just wanted to hold on to the little hope that I had left in my heart. Gaara's words hit me like a ton on bricks and in front of everyone I broke.

I began to cry before I could even stop myself. All around me, eyes of sympathy watched me and open arms began to approach trying to console me. I panicked and in a rush I pushed Mrs. Kushina away and ran out to the backyard. I forced the tears to stop and wiped them off my face. I took in deep breaths trying to calm myself down and hoped that no one from inside came out to try to talk to me. Inside I heard Kankuro and the other two asking what was going on.

Fugaku told them it was nothing. "Continue as you were." He told them.

I sat on the edge of the floor board and looked up at the moon. What are we doing here? I began to ask myself millions of questions and the more that went on the more I began to break. Soon enough I caught myself sobbing again. I tried to force them back in but, the tears just kept falling.

"Just let them fall. There's no use in trying to stop them, it's how you feel. It's no good for you if you just keep your feelings hidden."

Turning around I found Itachi leaning against one of the post holding up the house. "What are you doing here?"

"I just got back from Shisui's house. What's wrong, Temari?"

"Nothing." I turned back around and hid my face in my knees.

"As expected of you Temari. Why am I not surprised?"

I poked an eye out and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Since you got here you've had your guard up. Making sure no one saw you vulnerable. You hide whenever you get sad. And you make sure no one hears you when you cry at night. You put up a good act I'll tell you that. If I didn't know you any better than I would think you were the strongest person I know. But you're not. Temari, you're probably the one who's torn the most, whose heart is shredded into the tiniest little pieces. Because you knew your parents and Uncle the most- the longest. So, when they left you with your little brothers, in your mind you had to be the parent- the one that they could look up to. So, you put on this mask and you made sure the shell you built around yourself was strong. But- and that a BIG but… inside your just as fragile as glass. You seem hard but just as soon as someone drops you… you break."

I kept quiet.

"Am I right, Temari." He asked.

Still. Nothing.

"Tem-"

I screamed. "HOW!"

His eyes were now big. Surprised. "Wha-"

"How could you just read me? H-how could just…" The tears finally overcame me and I couldn't speak anymore. My words turned into desperate cries. Soon I felt arms wrap themselves around me and a chin rest on my right shoulder. Itachi's calm voice whispered in my ear.

"You don't always have to be that strong figure in their life Temari. Even the strongest mountains break. Even the strongest walls fall. Teach them that it's okay to be vulnerable. Teach them it's okay to smile and trust people. They watch you and act like you do. They look up to you because YOU are all they have left. You can be strong but, also be happy, be out-going, be sad, be excited, be loving, be caring, be fearless, be everything. So, that they can be too."

Through all the tears, I nodded. "Okay. Okay." I repeated until I went hoarse.

-Gaara-

I slammed the door behind me and began kicking things around. How cold Temari act like this? Out of all of us she should be the one whose-

After a while, the door swung open and there stood that yellow-haired boy of the other family. I glared.

"What do you want?"

He said nothing but starred. I stared back. Does he think starring me down is going to make me scare of him?

After a while he went up to the window by my bed and opened it.

"Hey, what are yo- "

I was interrupted. Not by him… but a cry. A depressed and desperate cry. He looked back at me and glared.

"You hear that? That's your sister. Kankuro is downstairs upset seeing her like this and what are you doing up here? Mad because she's trying to give you and your brother the best she can offer!? We know you and your sibling's situation and at the dinner tonight we were going to offer you guys a helping hand. Because we know DAMN-well what you guys been through. The Uchiha's already told us everything. Especially your sister! Traveling three days, not really knowing where she was going, just following the drive in her heart to get you guys a new place to call home! She puts you guys before her and probably you just a little bit before Kankuro when she can. I'd kill to have a sister like her! And if she doesn't get the award for the Best Sister in the World, I can't name another… So, how dare you call the only person you have left, naïve. How dare you talk to the only person you have left the way you did downstairs. She'd give her life if she could! FOR YOU!"

I starred now shocked. I had no words to say.

"Can't think of anything to say now, huh?" He chuckled. "Pathetic. That's what you are."

He turned his back to me finally and walked out the bedroom. Left me alone to listen to my sister's cries alone.

That's my fault…?

That night Temari didn't join us for dinner. She stayed upstairs with Itachi. He told us that he would watch over her for the night and that we could take his room. Kankuro gave him the okay. I kept quiet.

Dinner was filled with small talk. Minato and Naruto tried to fill in the blanks with jokes they apparently thought were funny but, no one really laughed. They did but, it was AT them, not with them. As the conversation died down, and dessert was being passed out I began to talk.

"I'm…"

Everyone paused.

"What is it, boy?" Mr. Fugaku asked.

"I'm sorry for ruining the night you had planned. I didn't mean to- "

"If anyone you should be apologizing to your sister!" Saskue snapped.

"Saskue! That is no way to speak." Mrs. Mikoto spoke with a stern voice.

"It's alright. I deserve it." All eyes grew and eyebrows were raised surprised.

"My actions tonight were uncalled for and treating my sister in such a way was not okay. I'm sorry for the way I've been acting these past couple months and I promise a change will come out of me. Kankuro, I'm sorry for not being the same little brother I was before."

"It's alright, little guy." He smiled.

I nodded. Then Fugaku spoke.

"This step you have taken to apologize publicly to us is more than enough for us. We except your apology Gaara. But know now, that the three of you can come to us for anything. We are not here just to put a roof over your heads. We're your family now, and you can lean on us too. Your sister can't carry all the weight of her own."

And with that I finally broke as my fist tried to clench my heart. It felt as if his words alone repaired my broken heart. I cried like I never did before. Kankuro came over, draped his arm over my shoulder with a smile, and said "Thank you." For me.

"…so…much..." I added.

Thank You…so much!

-Temari-

Itachi held me until morning as I slept. I cried into his shirt until it was soaking wet. But he didn't mind though. He didn't mind one bit. He smiled down at me as I cried myself to sleep. And as I closed my eyes I heard him say:

"From now on Temari, lean on me. Think of me as your older brother that you can now look up to…Hm, (He chuckled) after hearing this Shisui might want to tag in on that title too. If you didn't know, Shisui cares for you guys a lot, even though he doesn't know much about you. I love you. We all love you. Don't carry the weight all by yourself… you can give it to us. Your family. God knows, you need a break."

And I did. I leaned on him.