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People who are Important: Book One	By : Morales89 Category: Naruto > General Views: 1255 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto and Tv tokyo. This is a purely fanwritten work, with which I make no money, and write only for the pleasure of myself and my readers.

Chapter List
- 21
- 22
- 23
Chapter 21

Shia sat in Konoha hospital worrying, crying, and every few minutes throwing up whatever she'd managed to eat in the past two days. She'd been like this since she'd heard the news. Tsunade had sent Team Kakashi on a very important mission, and after hearing the details accidentally, Shia'd passed out. Tsunade had yet to come back with the results of what was wrong with her. Though there had been some obvious concern in those honey brown eyes when the female Sannin had left the room.
(Flashback)
"Tsunade-sama! There's an urgent message from the Sand!" Shizune cried, rushing into the room with a scroll.
The Hokage stopped reprimanding Naruto for his poor manners to look up with slight surprise. Her golden brown eyes skimmed over the page widening more with each passing second. 'This isn't good,' Tsunade thought. Her eyes fell to the team in front of her. If anyone was capable of saving the Kazekage it'd be Naruto's team. She believed in the blond, and thought this a perfect excuse to give him a higher ranked mission than the ones that Shizune had suggested.
Shia watched the blond Hokage look over the scroll and saw the immediate switch in posture. Tsunade-sama's body language had suddenly become tense with an air of anxiety. Light brown eyes glanced up to Naruto and his teammates. 'What's going on? What's happened in Sunagakure? Are Temari, Kankurou, and Gaara okay?' were just a few of the questions rushing through the young Akito Head's mind. Finally, the Slug Princess let out a long sigh, turning her very serious eyes on Team Kakashi.
"Sunagakure's Kazekage has been kidnapped…" she started, earning a collective gasp from the room. Shia felt her insides tighten painfully, and her stomach started to do an extremely uncomfortable dance. 'Gaara!' she thought frantically. She heard Naruto voice her thoughts aloud.
"…by the Akatsuki," the Godaime finished, and suddenly, Shia couldn't see straight anymore. The floor wavered around her, fading away once or twice before coming back into view and spinning. She felt her abdomen convulse painfully.
"I'm reassigning Team Kakashi. Your new mission is to go to Sunagakure and help them as much as you can. You will also follow whatever orders are given," Tsunade said, and the team nodded.
Sakura looked over to her friend who was suddenly looking very pale. The brunette was shaking uncontrollably, with wide, frightened dark blue eyes. Her breaths came in short pants. Her hand clenched the material of her shirt right over her stomach. Suddenly she let out an extremely disturbing howl, doubling over and clenching her gut with an extremely pained expression scrunching her features. The pinkette rushed over to her friend frantically asking if she was okay, but to no avail. Shia continued to tremble, groaning in pain with her eyes screwed shut tight. Within seconds the Akito Head was unconscious. Reluctantly, Sakura allowed the medical team to rush her friend away on a stretcher, and set out for her mission to Sunagakure.
(end flashback)
And so that's how it went. Now Shia sat in her hospital bed, poking at the lunch they'd brought her, and worrying more. The Akatsuki had Gaara. They'd kidnapped him, and there was nothing she could do to help. For all she knew he was already….'No, he's gonna be alright. Everything's gonna be fine,' she thought in her head. Suddenly she heard voices outside of the door. Her ears strained to hear.
"I'm sorry Akito-sama, demo…I have to talk to Shia-san first. She's very…uh…sick…you've been putting too much pressure on her and the anxiety has made her ill. I can't allow you to see her until I am sure she is well enough to handle it," Tsunade's smooth, intelligent voice said from behind the door.
There was an exasperated sigh, and the sound of footsteps reluctantly retreating. After all, the Akito Elders would not argue with the Hokage. The door opened and shut quietly, and Tsunade turned to face her with a mildly concerned, yet mostly serious face. The news wasn't good whatever it was, and Shia knew she could hide nothing from the Shinobi World's best medical specialist. Honey brown eyes narrowed at her as the Hokage took her seat next to the bed.
"How long have you known?" she asked simply, knowing Shia knew what she was talking about. The girl's blue eyes filled with frightened tears before focusing on the white sheets of the hospital bed..
"I recognized the 'symptoms' a few weeks ago," the brunette answered softly. Tsunade felt bad for the young clan leader.
"Judging by the development I'd say you're about two months in," the blond Hokage said, resting a hand on the girl's forearm.
"I know…" Shia said quietly. Of course she knew. She was a medic, and a Jounin at that.
"Have you told anyone? Does the father know?" Tsunade asked, seeing the flash of sorrow that entered the girl's deep blue eyes.
"I…I haven't told anyone. I didn't want the council to know until…"
"Until it was too late to get rid of it, I understand. You don't have to worry. I will not allow the Council to force you to abort," the older woman interrupted. She saw some relief wash over the Shia's face.
"I want to go to Suna," Shia stated, and the Hokage sent her an incredulous look.
"That is highly impossible Shia-san, you almost miscarried. I can't send you on that mission knowing what could happen to you or the baby. I suggest you rest for now…you can trust N"
"I know I can trust Naruto-kun! But my friends need me. I could help…I can fight! I've been doing missions for two months! I can"
"Get that child killed is what you'll do! I know you're worried about your friends in Sunagakure, but I have sent two very capable teams to deal with this problem. When the conflict is over, I will send you over to see them," Tsunade interrupted. The girl in the bed shook angrily, tears springing from her eyes.
"You don't understand! I have to go! He's in danger! I can save him!" she cried out loudly. Tsunade's brown eyes went wide at her statement, and suddenly it clicked.
"Tell me Shia-san, two months ago…you were in Sunagakure were you not?" the blond asked, arching a golden brow at her patient. Shia's angry expression faltered, and apprehension replaced said emotion on her pretty face.
"H..hai," she stuttered, wide eyes looking nervously at the leader of her village. Tsunade smiled softly, throwing the other girl off a little. Wasn't she supposed to have a fierce temper? Shouldn't she be screaming how much of an idiot Shia was right now? 'Jiraiya-sama was wrong. She does have a softer side,' Shia thought.
"I think we need to have a word with your family Shia-san. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell them about your 'problem', but they need to understand that they're making you sick. You're life isn't just yours anymore. You've got an innocent life in there that needs protecting. Perhaps we can come to a compromise about this wedding," the Hokage said. Shia was immediately grateful, and launched herself at the Sannin. Tsunade hugged her briefly, then left, saying Shia was free to go home, and promising to come to the Akito Complex later that night to talk with the Council.
Sunagakure: Temari's Group
"We shouldn't be just standing around! We have to do something! Gaara-sama's our Kazekage!"
"Shut up Matsuri!" Temari ordered, "you think I don't know. He's my little brother!" she said, forcing her tears back to glare at the girl.
Matsuri closed her mouth immediately. It's not that Temari had anything in particular against the girl. However…the only student of her little brother had been preaching for hours about how they were wasting their time guarding this border while Gaara was in the clutches of the Akatsuki. As if the eldest Sabaku didn't know. As if she wasn't just as scared and worried for her little brother as the young brunette Chuunin. How in the hell was this supposed to help anything? No one except Konoha knew about Gaara's abduction. Temari should be there with those Konoha shinobi. She should be fighting Akatsuki to get her baby brother back, and yet the council had decided she should stay here.
The blond wind mistress looked off into the desert. Her worried emerald eyes burned with unshed tears thinking of what those demonic Akatsuki bastards could be doing to her baby brother at this minute. They could be torturing him, beating him…she didn't even want to think of what else, and there was nothing she could do. She was forced to stay at home, and be completely helpless. She trusted Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura to bring him back. But what if…they were already too late? She shook her head fiercely and turned to her squad.
"That's it. I can't take it anymore. Matsuri, and the three of you follow me! The rest of you stay here and guard this border with your lives. DO NOT let the council know we've gone," she said before rushing towards the gates of Sunagakure. Not surprisingly at all, Kankurou sat waiting for them. 'I knew I should have expected this. No use in trying to convince this baka to go back to the hospital,' she thought.
"Let's get going, ne? Big sister," he said with that ridiculous smile of his. She nodded, and they all rushed towards the gates together. 'We're coming Gaara,' both Sabakus thought simultaneously.
Akatsuki Hideout
The cave was fairly silent except for the sound of the demon being extracted from the fifteen year old Kage they'd kidnapped. Every once and a while the redhead would groan in pain, but other than that, no one made much noise. The clones of Itachi and Kisame had been defeated, surprising the members of Akatsuki. They'd known Kakashi would be a problem, Gai too, and perhaps the Hyuuga. However…the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki and his other teammate had put up quite a fight along with the green clad leaf Jounin's team.
Only a few more minutes and the One Tailed demon, Shukaku, would be sealed. As the life left the young redhead, none felt any remorse. It's not that they had anything against him. In fact, if he weren't a target he may have made a great addition to the organization, or ally in the future they planned to dominate. Sacrifices needed to be made for the greater goal. This kid was just one of the many that would be sacrificed for Leader-sama's(a.k.a Pein) final objective.
Gaara
'What's this?…' Gaara thought, staring at a pale hand in front of him. Everything was glaringly white and bright around him. He felt as if he were in a completely different world.
'Oh…it's just my hand.' He moved his hand slowly from his face, squinting into the bright light at a far away object that seemed to be getting closer. 'Huh…what's that?….me?' he thought, as the vision of himself stopped just a few feet away. He took in the dead, emotionless eyes of his former self. The blank, mint green ice that hid a glint of hatred and murderous intent.
'Why did I become like that? Why did I desire it so badly?' he wondered, looking over the smooth listless features of his own face.
'Those eyes…that nose….that mouth…' he thought almost absently, feeling as if he was slipping away. He looked down at his hand again. He thought of his family briefly, at least they were safe. Thank the gods SHE hadn't been there to see it. Though she must know now. No doubt Konoha had been informed. He remembered that final desperate cry from his older brother, and briefly wondered how Temari had taken the news. He sincerely hoped that they were okay. He sincerely hoped Kankurou hadn't done anything stupid,..that Shia was somewhere safe, not fighting Akatsuki for him….and from the bottom of his slowing heart…he hoped for their happiness.
'I wonder…did my existence ever become necessary to anyone,' he thought, watching the vision of his former self drift away swiftly. His mind was slowly dissolving as the last bits of Shukaku were sucked from his body by the Akatsuki. 'It was just a slight feeling….' was his last thought before darkness overwhelmed him.
A body, heavy with death, thudded to the ground loudly. For a few moments, the S-class group of criminals stared at the dead teenager. Their emotions were dulled, for most of them had killed mercilessly for years, a few had even slain their own blood. Akasuna no Sasori sighed loudly through his large, frightening looking puppet's mouth.
"Finally…" he murmured. The other Akatsuki members were taking their leave. Leader disappeared with one last order to Itachi.
"What is the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki like?" the master of puppets asked, Itachi glared at him for few moments before turning away.
"He is the one that screams and charges first…" he answered softly, disappearing seconds after. Deidara and Sasori absorbed those words before the redheaded puppet user snorted and mumbled something about the rudeness of the haughty Uchiha.
Team Kakashi
One…two….three six shinobi heard Maito Gai count over the headset. On three Kakashi, Neji, Tenten, Lee, and Gai each removed their respective seals, effectively dissipating the barrier.
"Now Sakura!" Kakashi said, and his pink haired student rushed fiercely at the large boulder that blocked their way into the cave.
With a strong slam of her fist the boulder cracked, then loudly shattered to pieces. Swiftly the four remaining ninja entered the cave. All four sets of eyes widened simultaneously. There, just in front of them, sat a feminine blond man with a half ponytail, a long side bang, and one ocean blue eye glinting playfully at them. Next to him was a large, rather ugly, and monstrous looking man with a long metal tail that reminded one of a scorpion. That wasn't the issue however…underneath the blond was something they'd all hoped they wouldn't find. The blue eyed Akatsuki sat comfortably on top of Gaara's unmoving corpse.
'Were we too late?' Kakashi thought sadly, flicking his eyes over to a furious looking Naruto and gauging the amount of time it would take for the young blond to reveal his jinchuuriki status. The scars on his cheeks darkened, and his eyes began to bleed into red. 'So much for not letting them know he's the Kyuubi container,' the Copy nin thought.
Akito Council
"I'm sorry Hokage-sama, but these are the Clan laws, and they have been this way since the founding of Akito House. We can't simply re-write the laws because our leader is a selfish teenager and doesn't know what's best for her, or the clan," one of the elders said coldly. Shia glared at him with hell flames dancing in her eyes.
"How dare you call me selfish! You have no idea what I've given up for this clan! You don't know what it's like to be me! To be fifteen years old and not aloud to love!" she exclaimed loudly. Tsunade's strong hand fell to her shoulder, effectively silencing her.
"As you said, the laws have been that way since the founding. Perhaps they have become obsolete by now. Even Hyuuga House changed their ancient laws so that it could allow Hinata-san to inherit. Why can't you just wait a little while? She's been doing a fine job without a husband," the blond woman said coolly.
"We are not Hyuuga House. I'm sure Hiashi-sama is searching at this very moment for a worthy husband of his heir," another elder pointed out. The Hokage chuckled darkly.
"No…you see, Hiashi-sama has had quite a change of heart about his daughter over the past two years. He believes she is strong enough to make her own decisions about marriage and so on. HE understands that no good leadership could come out of a loveless marriage," Tsunade said, glaring icily at the group of close minded old fools.
"Who said she could not love him? She refused to even meet with him more than once. She wouldn't even give him a chance to woo her," a council member said.
"I have no ill feelings towards Kenichi-sama, however, he could not woo me no matter how hard he tried," Shia explained firmly. She felt a squeeze of encouragement on her shoulder.
"It has nothing whatsoever to do with him. I simply can not love him," she finished with a sigh. The tension in the room was high, and one could almost smell the frustration of the Councilmen.
"How could you possibly know that without giving him a chance? He could win your heart…" Akito Tadashi, the Lead Council Member, finally spoke. Shia looked up at his tranquil face and felt a little guilty. She was causing so many problems for her family, but she would not give up. Gaara was worth it. 'Kami-sama, I hope he's alright…' she thought.
"Gomenasai…but…my heart can be won by no man that you choose for me," she said softly. Tsunade looked down at the young medic with compassion. If only the council knew who her heart belonged to, perhaps they'd think differently.
"Well then I'm sorry Shia-sama, but you have condemned yourself to a loveless marriage. The Council's final decision is for you to wed Saitama Kenichi-sama in a month's time. Wedding preparations begin tomorrow. You will choose your floral arrangements, catering, and guest list, among other things," Tadashi said firmly.
"Tadashi-san, I'm surprised at you. Would you condemn your own daughter to such a fate?" Tsunade asked with a raise of her golden brow. The Akito Lead Elder looked at her emotionlessly.
"Tsunade-sama, I respect you very much, however, this decision is ours. You can not interfere," he said quietly, then rose to leave.
The rest of the elders left with him, as Shia began to tremble. She would not marry Kenichi. She refused. She loved Gaara. She wanted only Gaara. She was carrying the child of GAARA! She didn't want to marry some rich son of a daimyo who she could never love. It was as unfair to him as it was to her. Kenichi was a good man...he deserved better.
"I'm sorry Shia-san, but, there's nothing more I can do. This is in your hands now. Only you can make the right decision," Tsunade said, breaking the girl out of her thoughts. Shia looked up at the blond Hokage and smiled.
"I will tell you this Shia-san. If you should choose to disappear, as Hokage, I shall not hold it against you," the Sannin said before ruffling the young girl's hair and leaving.
It was a few moments before the older woman's words finally registered in Shia's young, angry mind. What did the Hokage mean? Did she just tell her to run away? In a month's time, Shia would be three months pregnant, who knows if she'd begin to gain weight by then. Surely the councilmen would notice she'd be getting sick often. In a clan of medics, how could she hide such a secret for much longer.
No, she had to flee. She had to run from this pointless marriage, and go somewhere where her and her child could live happily. Had Tsunade-sama not just given her permission to do so? '…as Hokage, I shall not hold it against you…' Yes…the leader of the Hidden Leaf had just given her word that if Shia left tonight, she would not be considered a missing-nin. 'Then the decision is made…' she thought briefly, rushing to her room to pack her things discreetly.
Sometime Later
Shia had her things packed, and had strictly ordered she not be disturbed by anyone. The council merely dismissed it as her being a selfish teenager again and obeyed her request. An angry Shia was not an easy thing to deal with, even for them. It was about four in the morning, and the sun was peeking over the horizon. She'd leave at dawn…that's what she'd decided. She'd go to Suna, and try to be of some assistance there.
Her thoughts strayed to Gaara once again. Was he okay? Was he hurt? Was he…de…'No, I refuse to think of that. He's probably in his office surrounded by paperwork by now if Naruto had anything to do with his rescue,' she reassured herself. Her heart, however, tightened painfully and that made her worry. Something just wasn't right in the world of Shia right now. It felt as if something were missing. She hadn't time think on it before a sharp knock sounded at her door.
"I asked not to be disturbed," she said coldly, not rising to open the door.
"Is it such a horrible thing for a man to want to see his fiancé?" Kenichi's voice said from behind the door.
She sighed, she really had nothing against him personally. She just didn't want them to have to suffer a loveless marriage. It was so unfair for him to have to marry a woman whose heart was already claimed by another. If only he knew how unfit she was to wed him. She was not a virgin, and what's more... she was with child. Another man's child. Kenichi, sweet and passionate man that he was, deserved a woman who could care for him the way he needed her to. Not some pregnant fifteen year old who was in love with her best friend. The door slid open, and a dark, perfectly arched brow lifted quizzically at the sight of her bags.
"Going somewhere?" he asked softly, sounding slightly amused. She frowned at him.
"Kenichi-sama, I'm sorry, but I can't do this. I can't marry you," she said, looking up at him through pleading dark blue eyes.
He chuckled softly, walking up to her and taking her small, smooth hand in his. He pressed his lips charmingly to her palm before smiling handsomely at her. Really…she wished she didn't have to hurt him. He had such a nice smile. She'd hate to take that away from him. Shia honestly liked the guy, but as no more than a friend.
"I'm afraid I do not understand Shia," he said, a hint of amusement in those deep brown eyes. She sighed loudly; frustrated and tired.
"I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to even if I told you," she murmured softly. She let out a surprised huff when he turned her around and wrapped his arms around her waist from the back. One of his large, gentle hands rested over her abdomen, fingers drumming fondly.
"Try me darling…I'm a bit more perceptive than you seem to believe," he said, cheek resting against the top of her brunette head.
Kenichi wasn't a stupid man. When he'd been told he was to marry the Akito Clan's female successor, he'd been rather excited. After meeting her however, he wasn't sure he could go through with the marriage after all. She was mature for a fifteen year old, he had to give her that, but she was inexperienced and slightly naïve. Being eight years her senior, it wasn't hard to tell her heart already belonged to another. He'd just been biding his time until she felt it time to tell him. Shia was stubborn, however, so he'd recalculated his plan and decided to ask her directly. He figured she'd pull something like running away after the council gave her their final decision.
"I don't want to hurt you," he heard her say quietly, and knew she meant it. Perhaps he could have loved her, had he been a less observant man, and not realized she had already been claimed. She'd make a great wife someday. Strong, intelligent, while caring and compassionate. She was opinionated, and independent, a hell of a medic, and a pretty decent cook. It was quite a shame she could never be his, but he was not the type of man to force a marriage onto one so young. He couldn't do that to her.
"I do not believe that you will Shia," he said, and he felt a tremble of sadness course over her. Her small hand came up to rest over his.
"I am already in love. I have to go to him now. He is in danger, and there is something I have to tell him. I have to help him. I can save him. I know I can, it's just a matter of getting there in time. I'm leaving at dawn," she explained, surprised when Kenichi just chuckled warmly.
"You'll be happy to know I am not in pain," he said, and she turned to look at him with shocked eyes.
"I have come to think of you as more of a younger sibling really. The age difference is too much, and though you're mature, I've known since the day I met you that you already belonged to someone else. How far along are you then?" he asked, receiving a fearful, shocked, and relieved look all at the same time. She was the only person he knew that could mix so many conflicting emotions into one facial expression.
"How did you know?" she asked shakily. He rubbed his hand over her stomach.
"Did you think your dizzy spells and morning sickness went unnoticed by everyone? The council yes, the servants yes…but not me. I've always been an observant man Shia. It just took me a little while to put two and two together. If it's any consolation, your family and elders remain ignorant to your current condition," he explained, and she let out a long relieved breath.
"You're not angry?" she asked, warily regarding him with her intelligent blue eyes. He smiled at her.
"I'm not…." there was a short pause.
Neither spoke, but her eyes showed him such gratitude, and his smile gave her the relief she needed. Perhaps she could have loved him, had he come first, but Gaara had her heart. She knew that she'd do anything for him. Shia smiled at her fiancé amiably and the silence was finally broken by his calm voice.
"It is nearly dawn. You should get going if you want to leave before the house begins to stir," he said quietly, embracing her quickly and striding out of the room with one last smile.
She slung her bag over her shoulder and dashed quickly through the corridors of the Main House. As fast as she could without over exerting herself, she rushed towards the gates of Konoha and in the direction of Suna. She didn't know where Akatsuki had taken Gaara, but Sunagakure was the place that she had to start if she wanted to find anything.
Temari and Kankurou
Both elder Sabakus ran swiftly through the foliage. Their tracker-nin had lead them into a green forest within a few hours. They'd just resumed chasing their leaf comrades' trail after their short break in what looked like a recent battle ground. Surprisingly Elder Chiyo's brother Ebizo-sama had decided to join them in their quest to find Gaara.
"We're getting close," the tracker-nin said, and both superiors nodded.
'Gaara please be safe,' Temari thought, though somehow she knew it wasn't so. Kankurou was thinking along the same lines as his sister. Everyone always wanted Gaara. The young redhead had just began to come out of his shell. He'd just begun to show love towards his family and friends. His torn heart had just begun to heal. Now…this. Why was it that whenever Gaara was the least bit happy…something had to come along and ruin it?
"It's gonna be okay Temari," he said before he could stop himself.
Her green eyes sent him a rare look, gratitude, as they continued forward. He just wanted her to stop looking so broken. She'd always been strong. In fact…the last time he could remember her crying was for Gaara. If she cried, he wasn't sure how well he'd hold himself together. Despite the way he normally acted towards her, Temari was still his older sister, and he looked to her for a certain amount of stability when the times called for it. For a long time, she'd been almost a mother figure in his life...in some ways he still clung to that idea. Looking ahead, they caught a dot of black up ahead. A familiar chakra signal pulsed, and both were shocked to see her.
"Thank the Gods I found you…" Akito Shia said breathlessly. Temari and Kankurou exchanged confused looks.
"Shia-chan, though I'm sure we are both happy to see you, shouldn't you be in Konoha leading your clan right about now?" Temari asked practically. Shia smiled at them.
"Um…well..about that. I heard that Gaara-kun was in danger, so I came rushing out here to save him. That and…well…the council gave me a final decision I wasn't fond of," she said, eyes growing bitter. Temari looked at her baffled for a few moments.
"So you just left?" Kankurou asked, as the young medic fell into pace next to the sprinting puppeteer.
"Hai…Tsunade-sama was not fond of their decision either, let's just leave it at that until I've more time to explain," she said, looking a little worn out. Shia knew she was expending more energy than normal. With the baby it was difficult to run full force for hours straight.
"Okay, we'll talk later," Temari said quietly, but with an air of finality that told Shia the blond knew something was up.
Being naturally a very perceptive young woman, Temari had taken a glance at her younger friend and immediately known something was off. Shia was far too winded, too tired looking and slow. She was either ill, out of shape, or something else the blond wasn't sure about, but she'd find out. Later, however, because right now they had more important things to attend to. She turned her deep green eyes on the ninja ahead of her.
"How much longer?" she asked sternly, he looked back at her with a sad smile.
"We're here," he said, watching sadly as those worried green eyes shifted to the top of the hill.
There lay Gaara, motionless…breathless…lifeless. For a moment the group of Sand-nin with their one leaf comrade could only stand in silence. Temari's eyes welled with tears which she fought down if only for her brother. She glanced over at him. His dark brown eyes were trained unrelentingly on their unmoving sibling. Pain entered those usually mischievous, amused eyes. She laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. None could move. Naruto was crying up on the hill while the rest of his group looked on sadly. Temari turned her gaze toward Shia, who looked as if she'd been impaled in the head by a kunai.
Shia stared at the sedimentary body of the boy she loved. His red hair danced lightly in the wind over his smooth, pale face. His body was stiff, his chest still. She moved forward, trying to get close to him. She stopped just in front of his comatose body. Nothing...no chakra signature...no breathing...just nothing. She felt something inside of her break then. It felt as if her soul was cracking slowly. Her heart shattered into a million tiny pieces, and suddenly she was cold. Numb…her whole body went numb, her mind vaguely aware she'd fallen to her knees.
Without thought she raised her trembling hands and placed them over his chest. She could save him. He wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead. Not Gaara. Not now. Not ever! She needed him. There was no point in going on if he wasn't there. Green chakra emitted from her hands as tears started to roll down her unfeeling cheeks. She was unaware of the desperate sobs escaping her mouth, the loud mantra of "No" she was chanting, or the sorrowful stares she was receiving. The energy continued to leave her, in vain, because he was already long gone. She began to tremble uncontrollably. The steady stream of chakra became inconsistent and flickered.
"Wake up damnit!" she cried out without realizing. Her mind was going blank...the world outside of her and her lover's corpse seemed to fade away.
She sobbed harder, as the energy in her body continued to leave her. Distantly she felt someone's arms lock around her waist and pull her away. She fought them. Her small hands balled into assailing fists against a strong chest. She kicked and screamed, clawed and bit, but her captor did not let go.
"Let me go! I can save him! I can!" she cried out, but ultimately broke down against the strong ninja holding her.
"Gaara!" she wailed loudly, curling against the person who held her.
She sobbed into his chest savagely, exhausting her already weakened body to the point she was nauseous. Her insides lurched, the world spun rapidly around her, and she released the contents of her stomach onto the ground in front of her. Darkness overtook her, and soon she was unconscious once again.
Sakura rushed forward immediately, but was stopped by her sensei. She sent him a meaningful glare, but he just stared at her with those wise eyes that made her stop to think. At this point, with as little chakra as she had left, there was nothing she could do for Shia. In the meanwhile, Chiyo-sama had seated herself in front of Gaara's corpse. Naruto looked on with confused interest as the old woman laid her palms over the redhead's unmoving chest. A powerful burst of energy flew out of the woman, manifesting itself as a blue glow around her hands. Sakura's light green eyes widened.
"Chiyo-baasama that jutsu will…" she began, but trailed off when the old woman turned to give her a friendly eye crease.
So that's what the woman had been talking about. She was going to give her life to revive the young Kazekage. It all made sense now. This was the final act that could make up for a lifetime of mistakes. The old woman poured her life energy into the former jinchuuriki, but became tired quickly.
"Damn…not enough chakra," Chiyo murmured quietly. Naruto's blue eyes widened at the statement, and he knelt down opposite from the elder.
"Can you use my chakra?" he asked determinedly. The Suna elder seemed slightly shocked but nodded nonetheless.
"Place your hands over mine," she said quietly, and he did. Immediately the blue glow grew stronger. For a few moments it was silent. Chiyo stared at the young blond across from her, seemingly lost in thought. Everyone turned their attention on the old woman when she spoke again.
"In this world of shinobi made by many foolish old people, I'm glad to see someone such as yourself has appeared," Chiyo began quietly, Naruto looked at her with perplexed blue eyes. The elder continued on.
"My past…everything I've done has been nothing more than one mistake after another…" she said, wise dark eyes moving from Naruto's confused face to Gaara's lifeless one.
"Still…in my last moments, it looks like I'll finally be able to set things right," she said…expression softening as she felt the life leaving herself and leaking into the current Kazekage.
"Konoha…and Suna…the future starting now will be different from the time I lived. This unusual gift of yours which Kakashi spoke of…" she said, looking up into those vibrant blue eyes.
"The gift will surely change the future….after you become a Hokage like none before you that is…" she said, starting to feel light headed as darkness began to envelope her. These were her last seconds. She wondered briefly how this one leaf child had made her believe in him so suddenly, and so fiercly.
"...and you Sakura…next time instead of risking your life for a dying old woman, I want you to protect what's most important to you…" Sakura's eyes welled up with tears.
"You're a lot like me…surely you'll become a kunoichi greater than even your master. After all, a woman with a gallant spirit matching any man's is indeed a rarity…" Chiyo said with a small smile. Sakura felt a tear trickle down her cheek. Chiyo's attention returned to the blond jinchuuriki in front of her.
"Finally Naruto…this old woman has a request of you," she began, and his blue eyes widened.
"You are the only person capable of understanding Gaara's suffering. Gaara understands your suffering as well," Naruto stared at the weakening old woman expectantly as she continued to speak. She looked up at him through weary eyes.
"Please…help Gaara for me…" she finished, watching as his sky blue eyes softened into a compassionate sapphire hue.
His lids fell slowly over his eyes as he concentrated hard. In his mind's eye he saw his younger self surrounded by all the people he cared about, but one was missing. He heard a muffled sob from behind him and looked back to see a tiny redheaded child dressed in Sunagakure style clothing, with a rather large gourd attached to his back. He pushed past the others and began to sprint his way over to the small, lonely boy. He couldn't let anyone suffer like he did. Naruto would help this boy. His friend…Sabaku no Gaara.
'Gaara!….Gaara!' he cried out in his mind.
Gaara felt a strange sense of awareness returning to him. He heard his name being called distantly. 'Who's this…who's calling?…Whose hand is this?' he thought as he stared at the pale appendage in front of him. 'Oh…it's just my hand again,' he thought absently. His mind slowly came back to him, making him realize something. 'My hand?….me? Me?…who am I?' he thought, seeing a much younger version of himself crying alone. The young him was curled into himself on the floor with that big gourd on his back…alone..as usual. He felt himself fade into that former image of himself. 'I'm…' he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned his tear streaked face to look at the owner.
An equally young version of Uzumaki Naruto stared back at him with that impossible smile. Confusion fluttered through his awakening mind as he stared at the child version of the blond leaf-nin. Soon the unconscious world began to fade, he began to feel his body, and the young image of Naruto faded into an older, relieved looking one.
"Gaara…" was all the blond said, staring at him with friendly, sorrow tinted eyes.
The redhead whipped his head around, observing his surroundings. The last thing he remembered was being wrapped in some kind of clay bird's tail. He vaguely remembered a very bright, white light…and perhaps dying. To say he was confused was a huge understatement.
"Naruto?" he managed, the blond just looked at him with his compassionate blue eyes.
Gaara's wide jade eyes stared at him shocked. He looked around again, this time actually seeing what was around him. All of his fellow Suna shinobi surrounded him along with Neji, Tenten, Lee, Hatake Kakashi, Maito Gai, Sakura, and his siblings. Everyone was staring at him with wide, relieved, and slightly confused eyes. What were they all doing there?
"This is…" he started, but Naruto just smiled, his blue eyes forming happy arches of eye lashes and said,
"Everyone was rushing just to save you."
Black rimmed eyes opened even wider if possible as he glanced around the crowd. It was strange to see all the people he was sure only tolerated him for the simple fact that he was Kazekage, were here looking happy that he was alive. For the first time in his life, he felt as if his ninja really accepted him.
"Oi! You put us through a lot," Naruto chuckled with a firm clap on Gaara's shoulder.
The Kazekage looked up at him wide eyed, and still slightly frazzled. He was beyond perplexed at the moment, and his newly awakened brain was taking its sweet, dandy time to process exactly what was going on. For lack of any other action, he looked to his siblings. Kankurou nodded his agreement with the blond Leaf-nin.
"For sure…you're a little brother I'll always have to worry about, eh?" he said, smiling doofily at him.
Inside, Kankurou's heart rejoiced at the sight of his brother alive. Temari chastised the brunette about getting cheeky with the person who was still currently the Kazekage, calling both the puppeteer and the Kyuubi container underlings before turning to her youngest brother. She studied him briefly as both Naruto and Kankurou pouted unhappily behind her.
"Gaara..how are you feeling?" she asked.
He tried to stand, failed and groaned in frustration. This was wonderful. He couldn't stand again, and though he didn't object to Shia coming out to help him recover, she had her own problems to deal with in Konoha. That brought about another thought…Shia…he'd died without even telling her he loved her. She had to know about this by now…he only hoped she hadn't taken it too hard. He wondered if she was okay.
"You shouldn't move just yet, you're body isn't back to full health yet," Temari scolded softly with a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him sitting.
A nameless shinobi sniffled back his tears, murmuring about his relief that the Kazkekage was alive. Matsuri's voice cried out in objection. Something about Gaara not dying so easily. He found it rather difficult to focus at the moment, and completely ignored the fight that was going on between two girls behind him. That is until they threw both Naruto and Kankurou aside as they both rushed to the redhead's side at the same time. Temari stood in front of him protectively. Gaara continued to gather himself.
Kankurou and Naruto mused about the female weakness for elite ninjas, which left Naruto pouting sadly since he was still a genin. The puppeteer almost laughed at the blonde's expression. He may have been a genin, but Naruto didn't seem to realize how many lives he'd changed since he'd become one. The brunette thought back to that seemingly distant conversation on the cliff two years ago. Gaara had changed because of this boy. He'd seen the light, so to say. He'd worked hard and ultimately was accepted by the very same people who'd hated him. For all of this, they were all thankful to Uzumaki Naruto. They'd finally become a family because of him.
"Thank you Naruto," he said quietly. The blond just looked at him confused but smiled a second later.
The Kyuubi container passed the gratitude onto the elder Chiyo, however….Chiyo lay dead in Sakura's arms at the moment. Kankurou immediately realized why. 'She used that jutsu,' he thought as he began to explain to the blond why the elder was dead, and not just passed out.
"I keep expecting her to wake up and say 'I'm just playing dead!'…such a peaceful expression she has now," Ebizo-sama said sadly. Sakura nodded her agreement.
"Yes.." she said softly, a tear escaping her eye and making a path over her cheek.
Gaara looked over towards the dead elder. Had she really brought him back to life? She'd always said she didn't care about the future of the village. This isn't something she'd normally do. Yet…Naruto seemed to have that affect on people. Gaara was grateful to the old woman for giving her life to restore his. His sister had voiced his previous thoughts to an utterly baffled yet somehow understanding blond. Only Naruto could be both at the same time. Gaara stared at the motionless old woman, a certain sadness filling him. He braced a hand on the floor and made to get up. Unfortunately, his body just wasn't having that at the moment.
"Gaara-sama!" a familiar voice exclaimed from beside him, before a strong hand braced his elbow and hoisted him up effortlessly.
His teal eyes wordlessly thanked Naruto, who only smiled slightly in response. Gaara looked down at the pink haired medic and the dead old woman as he stood next to who he considered his best friend. For a split second he allowed his eyes to soften, but closed them.
"Everyone say a prayer for Chiyo," he ordered quietly.
After a short moment of silence, he ordered the majority of the shinobi away, sending a group of them to prepare Chiyo's body for her funeral. He glanced around the remaining faces. His siblings, Naruto and his team, Lee and his team. It was then he noticed Shia's limp body draped in Rock Lee's arms. Panic coursed through his system briefly before he squashed it.
"Don't worry. She just passed out, but I think we should get her into a proper bed to rest for a while, and I'll check her over," Sakura's voice said. He nodded and they began their trip back to Sunagakure.
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People who are Important: Book One