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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
- 22
- 23
- 24
Chapter 22

"You wanted to see me little brother?" Temari's voice said from behind his room door.
"I did…" he said simply, which she took as her cue to enter.
She found him sitting on the window sill, looking out into the village thoughtfully. He looked rather peaceful, and she couldn't stamp back the happiness in her heart that he was alive. She'd been really scared back there. After all this time, they'd finally become a family. Maybe not the most normal of families around, but they loved each other nonetheless. Seeing him dead, laying motionless on the ground, and knowing she could do nothing had really frightened her beyond belief. His jade eyes turned on her pensively.
"I believe I am in love Temari…" he said as simply as if he were talking about the socks he would wear tomorrow. Temari was speechless for a few moments, shocked at the sudden openness of her youngest brother.
"Oh?" was all she could manage to say. He arched his hairless brow at her before turning his head to stare out of the window again.
"Hai…" was his answer.
She struggled for the right words to say for a few moments. She'd never imagined Gaara falling in love. She was sure he didn't even know what love was. Perhaps that was why he was talking to her. She remembered this subject coming up two months ago, but he'd never actually specified why it was he needed to know what love felt like when he asked.
"Are you going to tell me who it is?" she asked, waiting a few seconds before he nodded.
"She is currently laying unconscious in Sunagakure Hospital with Haruno treating her," he explained quietly. It took a few seconds for her shocked brain to figure out who he meant. 'Shia-chan…' she thought.
"Does she know?" Temari asked. He sighed softly.
"She does not," he answered, voice a little tense with sorrow.
"Do you plan on telling her?" she asked.
His lighter green eyes turned to look at her and suddenly she found him looking a little vulnerable and scared. His usual blank expression was replaced with one of high anxiety and slight panic. It was then that she noticed the pale hand clenched in the material of his shirt covering his heart. It was then she saw the slight trembling of his body, and quickened breathing. From the looks of it his heart was probably racing.
"Neechan….I'm afraid…" he admitted quietly…helplessly.
Temari swallowed her own tears in order to be strong for her little brother. Of course he was afraid, he'd known nothing but hatred for the longest time, even from his family. She needed him to admit his fear to her. Both Kankurou and herself knew that his fear with them, was losing their love. His fear of love in general, was something neither of them really understood. She needed him to explain it to her, so she could help him confront it.
"What is it that you're afraid of Gaara?" she asked, walking toward him and enveloping him into a warm, sisterly embrace.
Her heart clenched tight when he buried his pained face into her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist. The fact that he was allowing her to see him so weak, made her insides flutter with elation. He was turning to her for advice, and allowing her to see how afraid he really was. She smiled down at him, deep green eyes warming with sisterly love.
"I don't want to hurt anymore neechan," he murmured against her shoulder. Temari absently began stroking his soft, slightly damp from his recent shower, blood red hair.
"Shia-chan will not hurt you," she said confidently. If the medic's reaction to his death was anything to go by, that girl loved him more than was imaginable. Gaara lifted his suddenly much younger looking face to look up at her through his haunted mint eyes.
"How can you be so sure?" he asked. She smiled at him, nuzzling his soft locks affectionately.
"She loves you. I know she does. You should have seen the way she sobbed when she saw you laying there," Temari began, his light green eyes glinted with mild interest.
"You should have seen the hollow look in her eyes. If you had, you would not be doubting her now….it was like her soul left her right then and there. Like she'd just lost everything that made the world bearable," she explained, and his heart clenched painfully in his chest. It made him feel slightly relieved that she'd been so affected, yet troubled him deeply that she'd hurt so much because of him.
"Is it supposed to hurt neechan?" he asked, pulling away from the comfortable warmth of his sister's arms.
"Sometimes…if the one you love is in pain…it will hurt you too," she said, placing a somewhat motherly kiss on his pale forehead.
"I know you're scared Gaara, but let me give you some advice," Temari started, and he stared at her with an expectant look.
"You can't live your life in fear of being hurt little brother. It's foolish….and naïve. Love is always a gamble, it doesn't always work out. It's most definitely not perfect, and sometimes it can be very painful. If you choose to be with her, things will not just go smoothly like in movies or fairytales. You'll disagree on things; you'll butt heads. You'll argue and hurt each other," she explained, and he was currently not liking the sound of this love thing. Temari's eyes warmed suddenly, as if she were thinking of her secret love.
"However…to argue is only healthy in a relationship. You'll also forgive, make compromises, and learn from your mistakes. You'll find out what makes your partner happy, and what upsets them. You'll know her better than anyone in the world, and you'll both be there for each other in ways it is impossible to be with mere friends and family members. It is a special bond that is worth the risk one must take," she concluded.
Gaara stared at her quizzically for a few moments, allowing everything she'd just said to seep into his mind. He analyzed it, considering every point she'd made. Love was indeed the most confusing of emotions. Ultimately, it seemed worth a try. She'd said she loved him. Shia had even promised to give up her clan if he should return her feelings. At the moment she was indisposed in the hospital. That brought about another thought.
The pink haired apprentice to the Hokage had seemed quite serious about Shia's condition. After a quick look over she'd herded everyone, including him, out of the room and told them not to disturb her until she was finished. Had his death really been that devastating to Shia? Gaara felt his stomach twist nervously. 'What if she's really sick?' he thought. Lee had said that she'd thrown up just before fainting. He decided he was going to the hospital now, and Haruno would just have to deal with his presence in the room.
Sunagakure Hospital
Sakura let out a long breath, wiping the sweat from her brow, and smiling at her accomplishment. It had taken a few hours, but Shia's condition had stabilized. What she wanted to know, and planned to find out when the other woke, was why in the hell the brunette hadn't told her she was pregnant. Why she was here in said condition? And…why she hadn't noticed before? What about her fiancé? Her clan? Sakura's thoughts halted as Shia's lashes began to flutter. The brunette blinked a few times, looking around her unfamiliar surroundings, and then shot up into a sitting position.
"Gaara!" she cried out, tears exploding from the corners of her eyes. Sakura rushed forward quickly, wrapping her arms around the hysterical girl.
"Shh…please try and stay calm Shia. Think about the baby. You're hurting the baby," she cooed softly, and the other girl calmed slowly, but surely. Soon enough, questioning navy eyes looked up at her, slightly frazzled.
"W..where am I?" she asked shakily. Sakura sat at the edge of the bed.
"You're at Sunagakure Hospital. You had a nervous breakdown, and in your condition, it was pretty devastating to your system. After we got Gaara-sama back to his village we rushed you here for treatment," the pinkette explained. Shia's dark blue eyes widened at the sound of her love's name.
"You don't have to protect me Sakura-chan…I know he's…." she started, trailing off in the end with a broken look in her suddenly hollow eyes.
'That's right…she doesn't know he's alive,' the pinkette thought. Shia's tears continued to fall, soaking the white hospital sheet. When the girl started to tremble again, the rosette knew she'd have to calm her. The only thing was, knowing Shia the way she did, the pink haired girl knew she wouldn't believe Gaara'd been revived. At least not right away. The Hokage's apprentice decided to give it a shot anyway. Sakura drew her friend into a warm embrace.
"He's alive Shia. We saved him," she said quietly, not missing the tensing of the other's body at her statement. The brunette shoved her back to glare at her meaningfully.
"I said not to protect me! I know he's dead! I saw him! I felt his cold, breathless body with my own two hands! I saw!… I know!..….. I saw!" she screamed out chaotically, voice breaking on the last word.
The tears started flowing again, and she'd become nauseous once more. Her stomach began to play jump rope with her intestines as her heart clenched painfully in her chest. Shia's entire body began to quake violently again. He was dead, she'd seen it with her own eyes. He was dead, and she didn't even get to say goodbye. She'd never see him again. She'd never hear that monotonous voice again, or see that tiny smile he reserved just for the people he cared about. He was gone…she started coughing as her breaths became difficult and raspy. Her stomach protested loudly to the very little bit of food that was inside of it, and her world distorted in her vision.
"Shia-chan…you have to calm down. You're making yourself sick," Sakura tried to reason, but the other girl was far from listening to reason.
"NO!" she screamed, hurling the sheets off of her and making a b-line for the bathroom.
The door slammed shut, and the sounds of heaving gags could be heard from inside. Gagging, and sobbing….loud, desperate sobs of someone who'd lost everything. Coughing…sputtering, then more wailing. If she kept this up she was going to kill herself. She was going to kill that child. Sakura stood, hurrying to the door and ripping it off the hinges. Shia sat, curled around the toilet, crying and looking a mess. Her eyes were hollow, puffy and red….haunted by sorrow and despair. Sakura grabbed a hand towel, wetting it with warm water, and cleaned up her friend as best as she could. Soothingly, she wrapped her arms around the girl, rocking her back and forth just so. She cooed quietly in her ear, happy when the brunette finally seemed to mellow.
"Shia-chan…you can't keep doing this to yourself. You've got to hold yourself together. Seeing him like that brought you to the brink of miscarriage. I had to work so hard to make sure that baby lived. Please…calm down, and talk to me. We've a lot to catch up on it seems," the rosette said quietly. She helped her friend up, and back to the bed after flushing the toilet. Shia stared blankly at the sheets as if she were not even conscious.
"I…I'm sorry Sakura-chan. B..but how can you expect me to believe such a thing. I saw him Sakura-chan. He was dead. He was gone and I was helpless to save him. How can I believe what you say?" she asked, eyes sadly staring down at the white sheets of her bed. Sakura placed a hand over Shia's trembling one.
"You think I would lie about such a thing?" she asked. Those deep blue eyes looked up at her guiltily.
"Iie…I suppose not. I…I just don't know how to feel right now. I know I should be happy…I think I am. I'm so confused," she said, brow furrowing in frustration.
"I'm sure he'll be down to see you soon enough. He did look rather angry when I forced him out of here," Sakura assured, gaining a weak smile from the other.
"I was so scared. I was so sure I'd lost him," Shia murmured.
She felt a squeeze on her hand and looked up to see Sakura's reassuring smile. 'No, Sakura-chan would not lie to me,' she thought. She felt a weight lift from her shoulders partially, and figured that the rest would leave when she saw him. She began to worry again. How was she supposed to act towards him? She wasn't ready to see him. She'd almost lost him. She didn't know how she'd react to seeing him alive.
"I understand how you feel, but try to stay calm. Why don't you explain to me how this came about? I'm afraid I'm rather confused as to how you got like this. Who is the father? When did this happen?" Sakura asked all at once.
"I suppose it started two years ago on my mission to Sunagakure. I met the Sabakus…they were an odd, but utterly charming pair, Temari and Kankurou that is. Gaara…he was cold, and he was scarred from a difficult past. He was injured physically, and I'd come to heal him. At first he was rude, cold…glacial even. He was hateful and unkind, and uncooperative…twice I almost died at his hands," Shia began. Sakura gasped.
"But little by little…he started to change. He became closer to his family. We became friends, and then I left," the brunette explained.
"I kept in touch with him by letters until I had to start training. When I came out of training he and his family invited me to the Kazekage Inauguration Ceremony. You should've seen my face when I found out it was him. I suppose it was on my second trip, two months back, that I fell in love with him. I hadn't expected it to happen, and I'd been fully prepared to be married off to some rich man for the sake of my clan," Shia continued.
"Love is too powerful I guess. On the night of his inauguration, I gave him everything. I guess you could say that's how I ended up the way I am now," she finished. Sakura took a few seconds to register all the new information.
"You mean…?" the pinkette asked in wonder, blushing slightly.
"Hai…I've known for some time now. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't want the council to catch wind of it. I didn't want to worry you," Shia said with a soft, apologetic smile. Sakura just shook her head.
"What are you going to do?" Sakura asked.
Shia looked thoughtful for a few moments. She ran over a series of possible actions she could take. Thoughtfully sorting through each possible outcome. She would not marry Kenichi-sama. Perhaps she'd return to Konoha if the Council could come to some kind of compromise. She'd marry under one condition…and that's if it was with someone she loved. There was no reason she had to marry now. She could wait as long as it took.
"I'm not sure what I'll do yet. I guess that all depends on what the Council decides, and what Gaara wants to do," she said. Sakura nodded. Her more curious side was itching to ask her friend what sex with Gaara was like.
"So…um…what was it like?" Sakura asked blushing crimson and refusing to meet Shia's eyes. The pinkette had yet to lose her virginity, seeing as the one she loves was not around…but that didn't stop her curiosity.
"It was amazing," the other replied easily, and so quickly Sakura had to see the look on her face.
"H…he knew what he was doing?" she asked eyes wide.
"Not at first, but he learned quickly. I've never done that with anyone else, but I'm pretty sure he's a natural genius," Shia said, blushing herself. Sakura's mouth hung open in a gape, images of Gaara flooding her mind, she pushed them away, however. She was not a pervert. There was a sharp knock on the door.
"I'm coming in," a familiar cold voice stated before either could say anything. Both girls lifted their eyes just in time to see him.
In that moment, Shia's heart seemed to stop. In strolled Gaara, tall, lean, and dressed in a black, rather comfortable looking ensemble. His teal eyes stared at her intensely, and his messy mop of scarlet hair danced lightly in the breeze from the open window. It was a few moments before she realized she'd forgotten to breath. She heaved in a pretty large, labored breath, panting softly until her lungs stopped burning.
"Leave us," he said, turning his green eyes on Sakura. She nodded, throwing an encouraging smile behind her before closing the door quietly.
Gaara stared at the girl he was in love with. She looked noticeably pale and disoriented. Her navy eyes were wide with shock. Her mouth hung open in a tiny gape. She looked tired…exhausted even. He saw her quivering hand resting just over her heart as if trying to calm herself. Her breathing had quickened, her eyes shined with new tears. Hesitantly he took a step forward, not breaking eye contact with her. The white sheet fell to the ground as she stood and made her way feebly towards him. When they were just a breath away, her small, trembling hands reached out…stopping just short of his chest.
Shia was scared to touch him. She was afraid that doing so would awaken her from this wonderful dream. There he stood, alive…strong looking. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating in the small space between them. His breath tickled her cheek, and she wanted nothing more than to reach out. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and hold him forever. He made no move to touch her, and she was grateful for that. She had to do this at her own pace. The fact that he was alive was so much to handle already. Slowly…Shia laid her palm over his rhythmically beating heart. He was warm….not like before…on the hill. His chest rose and fell with his breaths…his body was warm with life.
The tears came quickly, streaming over her pale face and soaking into his shirt as she buried her face into his shoulder. Her arms clung desperately to his waist as she sobbed. Gaara allowed his arms to rest around her lightly, not wanting to overwhelm her. He rubbed comforting circles over her small, quaking back. He murmured careful words into her ear. He didn't know what he was saying; he only hoped that she'd stop crying. It was obvious she'd already cried far too much for his sake. After sometime she seemed to calm. Her sobs became but small sniffles, and her breathing returned to normal.
They stayed silent for sometime. Words were unnecessary for the moment. Her arms loosened around his waist, but she did not withdraw. She rested her head comfortably against his chest, and closed her eyes. She breathed in his scent and reveled in his warmth. Shia listened to the periodic thudding of his heart, happiness swirling inside of her. He was alive. Suddenly things didn't seem so hard anymore. Her pregnancy…her marriage…it was okay. He was here now. She was safe.
The Kazekage held on to her gently. He was relieved to see she'd stopped crying. A woman crying was still a very uncomfortable experience for him. He was not practiced in the art of comforting. She seemed contented just resting against him, so he lifted her easily into his arms and sat them both on the bed. She settled herself between his legs, her stomach against his, her chest against his. Her small hand lay, fingers splayed over his heart. He rested his arms contentedly around her waist, feeling her heart beat against his chest evenly.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, finally breaking the silence. She'd tilted her head back slightly so she could look at him.
"What do you have to be sorry about?" he asked, drumming his fingers lightly on her lower back.
"I couldn't save you," she said, eyes growing sad. Without much thought he found himself kissing her temple fondly.
"Don't be ridiculous," was his answer.
"I love you," she said without hesitation, and his heart thudded loudly.
For a few moments they stared at each other silently. Gaara debated with himself over whether he should say anything to her. He loved her, that was true, but he argued with himself about whether it was okay to say so yet. The doubt returned. That feeling of insecurity he'd always had when it came to the subject of love. He didn't want to hurt anymore. 'What should I do?' he thought, anxiety taking over.
It was then that he suddenly realized that Shukaku was gone. Sure…he knew Akatsuki had removed the demon, but now…he really felt it. By now, the demon would have already scolded him for his anxiety and threatened to kill something. He didn't miss it, but it was different, and definitely something he'd have to get used to. His thoughts were interrupted by the light kiss placed on his chest over his heart. He felt himself hold her tighter.
"….I don't want you to marry anyone," he said softly, his stomach jumped nervously as soon as he'd said it. He feared rejection, however useless his doing so was.
"Then it's a good thing I have no intention of doing so, neh?" she said, smiling at him. Relief washed over him.
"What about your clan?" he asked. She sighed.
"I am their leader. They will force me to do nothing," Shia answered determinedly.
"I'm glad…because…" he seemed to hesitate for a moment, "…I…I love you."
He'd done it…he'd taken the risk. His stomach writhed inside of him as if waging war with his other innards. Shia smiled up at him, eyes glowing warmly, and somehow he knew he'd made the right decision. Finally, he'd be able to be happy. Though he was still afraid…he knew his sister's advice was wise. Living in fear was both foolish and impossible for him. He needed to take that risk. For himself as much as for the woman he currently held in his arms.
"Gaara…there's something I have to tell you," she said, suddenly looking nervous. He tensed, wondering if she was having second thoughts already.
"What is it?" he asked, voice almost inaudibly panicked.
"If I tell you…will you promise you'll still love me after?" she asked, looking up at him with wide, scared eyes. 'Nani?' he thought. He was pretty sure that he couldn't stop loving her. Didn't she know that?
"I don't think I can stop now that I've started," he answered innocently, slightly confused.
She smiled at his naiveté. Slowly she turned in his arms so that her back was against his chest. Teal eyes watched puzzled as one of her small hands guided his larger, pale one to rest over her lower stomach. She held it there for a few seconds. Her fingers squeezed his to the warm flesh. Shia let her head fall to his shoulder, and tilted so she could look into his baffled green eyes.
"It may not look like much now, but…in a few months I'll be sporting a rather large bulge there," she said quietly, laughing softly when his gaze turned into an intensely perplexed stare.
"This…" she began, patting his hand on her womb, "…is your legacy."
He thought on those words for a few moments. It took him a few moments to put the clues together in his confused mind. Shock coursed over him swiftly, and he stared down at her in wonder. He noted that she looked a little scared. Shia was gazing anxiously at him, and when his eyes locked with hers her mouth opened to apologize. He silenced her with his lips.
She thought he was angry. How could he be angry? He was going to have a family. Granted…he was only fifteen, but…again, being a ninja who'd just returned from death's doorstep, life was going to move a little faster for him. When he lifted his mouth from hers he found her staring at him in confusion. Gaara's light green eyes turned their attention to her stomach.
"Gaara?"
"You mean…that there's a baby in there?" he asked in complete wonderment. She had to giggle at his utter cuteness.
"Hai, I'm about two months along," Shia answered quietly, watching the emotions flicker over his usually blank features. His hand caressed her stomach affectionately.
"I'm going to be a father…" he stated amazed.
"That you are," she said softly, "I couldn't tell you how happy I am that you're not upset. I love you so much Gaara."
"You'll marry me then?" he asked, shifting his fascinated mint eyes to her face. If she was pregnant, and they were to be a family…it only made sense for them to marry. That, and he wanted to. Her deep blue eyes widened in shock, but slowly a happy grin wound its way onto her face.
"You mean it?" she asked, tears threatening to fall again.
"Why would I have asked if I didn't?" he asked legitimately. She chuckled again at his forwardness.
"Of course I will," Shia said, kissing him again.
"Good…I guess I did the right thing when I sent a letter asking for your hand to the Hokage," he said thoughtfully, she arched a brow at him in question, but laughed anyway.
"I'm glad that you did," she said, burying her face into his shoulder. They stayed that way in silence for a few minutes. Each reflected on what had just happened.
"You'd better rest then," Gaara said, moving to leave, but she clung to him.
"Stay with me," she said, blue eyes pleading, and he found himself unable to say no.
It wasn't long before she'd fallen asleep in his arms. He looked down at his future wife, and reached a hand into his pants' pocket to retrieve the ring he'd meant to present her with. Gaara slid it easily on her finger, sitting back to admire the way it twinkled on her slim digit. She'd be his wife soon. She'd bear his child soon. He rubbed her lower abdomen again. It was amazing to think there was another life in there. His child…they'd be a family.
Akito Complex: Konohagakure
"Tadashi-sama! Hokage-sama is here to speak with you," a servant informed.
"Send her in," the old, frustrated man said sliding a hand over his face.
In walked the woman he knew had something to do with Shia's disappearance. The clues were glaringly obvious. Shia had left without a word and had not been named a missing-nin. He knew that Tsunade hadn't been on board with the marriage, and truthfully, he hadn't been too fond of it himself. It was the law, however, and no matter how much he didn't like it, the majority of the Council refused to budge. Tsunade had been right, he would not condemn his own daughter to such a fate, and in fact he hadn't. His daughter was happily married in Wave Country with her loving husband. The blond Hokage took a seat directly in front of him, regarding him coolly with a small smile.
"Tsunade-sama I trust that you are well," he greeted politely.
"I am, though I could use a cup of sake right about now," she answered truthfully.
"Keiko see to it," he ordered the female servant before directing his attention toward the blond.
"As you may already know, Shia-sama is missing," he started, she rose her brow indifferently.
"She is safe in Sunagakure currently helping on a mission there," she replied easily.
"We both know the truth of this matter so let's get straight to the point. Your personal appearance here shows that whatever news you've brought with you is important enough for a personal delivery," Tadashi explained.
"Perceptive as ever Tadashi-san," she said, taking the cup of sake from the servant and sipping slowly.
"Hn…" he answered. Tsunade placed the cup carefully on the table before looking at him with serious golden brown eyes.
"The Godaime Kazekage of Sunagakure has voiced his interest in taking Shia-san as his bride," she said, getting right to the point. The elder's eyes widened slightly.
"Kazekage-sama is a bright young ninja, fifteen to be exact. The youngest Kage to date, and not to mention one of our greatest allies," she explained. Akito Tadashi processed the information carefully. The match had definite potential.
"What are your thoughts on this Hokage-sama?" he asked, narrowing his eyes skeptically. She smiled at him easily.
"I thought that we could come to a compromise. You want Shia-san to marry…she wants to love. This union is a perfect chance for both, as well as an additional strong bond to hold Sunagakure and Konohagakure together as allies," the Godaime said. His expression became pensive and he was silent for a few moments.
"I agree that this could be beneficial, and I doubt that the Council will turn up their noses at the Kazekage. There will be some conditions with this union, however," Tadashi said in warning.
"State your terms," Tsunade answered.
"The Akito Clan is based in Konoha, but being the wife of the Kazekage, Shia will naturally live in the country of her husband," he began, the blond Hokage nodded her understanding.
"Shia, being Head of Akito House, is to spend at least one week out of every month here, in Konohagakure fulfilling her duties as our leader," he said.
"Every two months, and not until a year has passed," the Godaime bargained expertly, "She will be a wife, and eventually a mother. Her being away for a week every month would be too unstable for the first years of marriage."
"Accepted," the Akito Elder answered.
"Also…as an Akito Leader, and medic, she shall not become some housewife. She will be appointed head medic of Sunagakure Hospital, and be given regular missions as any other shinobi. The exception being while she is with child," he explained.
"I can assure you that Kazekage-sama and the Sunagakure Council of Elders will not allow Shia-san's talents to go to waste, and I will appoint her as a permanent legion between our two nations so that she will remain a citizen of Konoha," the Hokage assured him.
"Our final condition…Shia must produce an heir. The gender is not important, but since she is our leader it will have to be her that gives us the heir. Shia will do so within a year of her marriage, and she will be known as an Akito, even though she will be taking her husband's name," he said.
"Understood. We will simply add his surname to hers, and the heir should not be a problem," Tsunade said, knowing the heir would come sooner than they thought.
"The terms are accepted then?" Tadashi asked.
"Hai," the female Sannin answered.
"I will go talk to the Council now. We shall send you word of our final decision in three hours time," the old man explained.
"Fine," she said, "good day to you Akito-sama."
"And to you Hokage-sama," he said with a slight bow.
Sunagakure Council of Elders
"Then it is decided…Shia-sama and Gaara-sama will wed within two weeks time," Baki said, the other council members grumbled their accord.
"We will send word to Konohagakure now," Temari said before leaving for the mail room.
With the council dismissed, Baki made his way down to the hospital room Gaara was reported to not have left in the last five hours. He highly doubted that Akito House would turn down a marriage proposal from a Kage. It had high political benefits on both ends of the Union. A nurse waved the Jounin over to a closed white door that said '302' on it, and opened the door quietly. The thing that struck him first was Gaara's rather placid expression as he held onto the sleeping form of a frail looking brunette. The intense green eyes of his former student snapped up in their direction almost immediately. The nurse excused herself and left.
"Baki-sensei?" the redhead said softly. It took the older man a few seconds to process the scene.
"Gaara-sama…I take it this is your fiancé," Baki said, quietly so as not to wake the sleeping girl. The Kazekage nodded.
"Has Akito House responded?" Gaara asked.
"Not yet…but I'm positive that they will not turn you away. You are a Kage after all. There are many benefits on both sides to this union," the Jounin explained. Gaara's light eyes fell to the face of his sleeping wife-to-be.
"That doesn't matter. As long as I can have her," he murmured almost too quietly for Baki to hear.
The Sand Jounin remained silent for a few moments. He felt almost relieved, and a little frightened. He'd been with the Sand Siblings since they'd become genin. He almost considered them his own children seeing as he was far more of a father to them than the late Kazekage had ever been. He'd explained the birds and the bees to both Kankurou and Temari. He'd been there when Temari had her first period. It was the most uncomfortable experience of his life, but he'd been there. Even Gaara…even when he was closed off and homicidal. Baki had always worried about the boy. He knew he couldn't possibly understand the pain that the redhead had been through.
But watching him now…seeing the way he gently coddled the sleeping brunette in his pale arms. It was like watching his own son grow up right before him. Deep down from the bottom of his heart he was glad to see someone had come to love Gaara. But…there was that sense of reluctance to let go…as most fathers have. It struck him funny that he'd never even thought of having kids of his own. Now, his youngest Sabaku was getting married. He let a small smile play on his lips, chuckling lightly when Gaara's brow rose questioningly.
"You brats are growing up too fast," he said simply, bowing before he left the room.
The young Kazekage stared puzzled at the spot where his ex-sensei had been standing. He shrugged it off as Baki just being weird, as Kankurou would put it. He'd never actually seen Baki's 'weirdness' in person, but after that little show, he was beginning to see where the puppeteer was coming from. 'No wonder Kankurou's so weird. He spends the most time with Baki,' the redhead thought. His thoughts were broken off when a loud crashing sound came from just down the hall. A blur of black whizzed past the open doorway, and soon another loud crash, accompanied by a louder cry of pain, sounded.
"BAKA! I KNEW I SHOULD'VE GIVEN HIM THE TALK! NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE! YOU STUPID, DOLL LOVING IDIOT! STICK TO YOUR TEA PARTIES MORON!" Temari's voice screamed down the hall.
Gaara's green eyes snapped down to look at the surprisingly still sleeping Shia. 'She must really be tired,' he thought. Suddenly he felt the murderous aura of his sister come closer. Glancing up he saw the fuming blond standing in the doorway glaring at him. For the first time in his life, he was truly afraid of his sister.
"So…you knocked her up did you?" she asked in a barely controlled tone as she schooled herself to remain calm and sit. Gaara didn't understand.
"I didn't hit her," he said, almost afraid to speak. Temari's glare turned merciless.
"A fine job that idiot brother of ours did giving you the talk huh?" she asked. Gaara was beyond speech at this point. He'd cleverly surmised that nothing he said would go over well with the seething female.
"Now that you've planted your seeds…" Temari began. Gaara quietly wished she'd stop using metaphors he didn't understand.
"…I suppose you plan to take responsibility for your actions," she said. He just stared at her with a confounded look on his face.
"I don't understand why you're so angry," he ventured, immediately regretting opening his mouth as his sister's eyes became identical to the pits of hell.
"You don't understand…" she chuckled darkly, "…OF COURSE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU DECIDED TO HAVE SEX! .NOTHING! YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME YOU COMEPLETE BAKA! AND THAT DAMNED BROTHER OF OURS, COMPLETELY USELESS!" the eldest Sabaku screamed. Gaara stared wide eyed at his sister. Until now, she'd never raised her voice to him.
"Calm down Temari-chan…it was as much my fault as it was either of theirs," Shia's sleepy voice said from beside him. Two pairs of green eyes shot to her, Temari's calming slightly.
"Why? You of all people know how to protect yourself. So why didn't you?" the blond asked in a considerably calmer tone. Shia smiled.
"I hadn't expected it would happen. It was a last minute decision, and honestly…at the time, I highly doubt either of us were worrying about it too much," she answered. Gaara smirked lightly, and Temari grimaced.
"Gross.." was the wind mistress's reply. Her green eyes shifted back to her brother's face, his smirk melting immediately into a rather terrified look. She softened.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you Gaara. I'm just worried about you is all. You're my little brother," she said, reaching over to ruffle his hair affectionately. He seemed to calm instantly.
"Why do you always apologize to him? I get blasted through three cement walls but noooo…you don't apologize to me. You yell at him a little and just can't seem to stop yourself," Kankurou complained angrily as he walked into the room. Temari shot him a dangerous look that stopped him in his tracks.
"There's a simple answer to that. He's cuter than you," the blond explained, earning a smirk from her youngest brother, and a glare from the other.
"You're just kissing up to him so he'll let you go to Konoha more often. Right Gaara? You can obviously see she's just buttering you up so she can go fuck the Nara," Kankurou said with a childish pout on. Temari growled at him menacingly.
"He said it not me," Gaara stated, enjoying the look of frightened betrayal his older brother shot at him. Shia had wriggled her way out of his arms, sending him an apologetic smile when he looked at her with questioning eyes.
"Excuse me…" she barely managed before rushing over to the bathroom and kneeling over the toilet.
She threw up again, seriously not enjoying that this wouldn't be the worst part of her pregnancy. There were much more 'wonderful' joys of being pregnant she'd have to endure in the coming months. She flushed the toilet, and washed out her mouth thoroughly before making her way back to the hospital bed. Gaara looked up at her with mild panic in his eyes, which in Gaara language means 'Holy shit are you dying?'. Shia merely smiled at him, assuring him that it was perfectly normal for her to be doing things like that in her condition. Kankurou, who hadn't been paying attention to her explanation questioned her immediately.
"What'd you do that for?" he asked, referring to her bathroom episode. Temari smirked maliciously at him.
"Isn't it obvious…the sight of your face was just too nauseating for her to handle in her condition," the blond answered easily. Kankurou glared heatedly at her. Gaara turned toward his fiancé.
"Are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?" he asked monotonously, referring to his insane, and utterly violent family. She giggled, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
"I'm looking forward to it," she answered smiling sweetly as he claimed her lips again. She opened her mouth under his, allowing his seeking tongue to slip into her mouth and dance lightly with hers. She giggled when he nipped at her bottom lip, wrapping her arms around his neck to allow the kiss to deepen.
"Kami-sama! Could you wait until we leave the room?" Kankurou asked, jumping up and making his way towards the door.
"What this idiot means to say is, we'll see you later little brother," Temari translated, letting her fan fall heavily on the back of puppeteer's head.
"Oi! You're going to give me brain damage," he snapped angrily as they left.
"One must have a brain to have brain damage," they heard Temari answer before the voices faded away down the hall. A fairly amused looking nurse entered the room to check on Shia's condition. After announcing the girl seemed much better, she left the couple alone. Seconds later Hatake Kakashi entered the room with the Konoha gang. Naruto was in their faces immediately, and loudly to boot.
"Are you really pregnant Shia-chan?" he asked with narrowed blue eyes in the direction of Gaara. Shia laughed.
"I am…but don't look at him that way. It's not all his fault. It takes two," she scolded lightly, enjoying the blush that made its way over the blonde's tan cheeks. Kakashi held out a scroll to Gaara.
"I think you'll be happy to know that Akito House has accepted your proposal Gaara-kun…I mean Kazekage-sama," the Copy nin corrected immediately.
"I think saving my life merits a drop of formalities," Gaara stated in a bland tone as he read over the terms, he allowed Shia to look them over as well before looking back to the silver haired Jounin.
"The terms are accepted," he said simply, making his way out of the bed. Shia looked up at him with chibi eyes.
"No…don't you do that. I've work to do. I'll be back later," he said, pressing a swift kiss to her soft lips and striding out the door. The others in the room stood stunned for a moment.
"Oh the youthful springtime of love is upon us!" Maito Gai exclaimed loudly after Gaara's little display of affection.
The entire room of people sweat dropped, Neji and Tenten rolled their eyes exasperatedly, while Lee mimicked his sensei jovially. Shia watched her friends, they seemed happy. She was so overwhelmingly happy that Gaara was alive, she couldn't help but giggle and laugh with them. Sakura turned to her with worried green eyes.
"Do you think you can stomach some lunch?" the pinkette asked. Shia nodded and watched as her friend rushed out of the room. Everything was going to be just fine.
Two Weeks Later
"I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Sabaku, our Kazekage and new, honored Kazehime," the head elder of the council announced to the populace of Sunagakure.
He, Gaara, and Shia all stood on the balcony of Kazekage tower, looking over the village. As he tied the symbolic blue and white ribbons to join the two young ninjas' wrists, Gaara leaned in and kissed his new wife. She giggled when the crowd erupted into loud cheers, the loudest being her friends, and his family of course. She was so happy, she couldn't wait to start the rest of her life with him.
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People who are Important: Book One