Welcome to Gaia! ::

Rheingold

Temari gasped as the information came through the communications log, “Karin!” she called, the gennin had returned earlier with her team and reported to Temari to assist.

“Yes Auntie?” the reddish gold haired girl asked, green eyes staring in worry at the look in the blonde’s eyes.

“Go get your mother and Shane… there’s news from Danshoku.” Temari said, biting her lip, “It was attacked…”

Karin’s eyes widened and she ran off full speed to grab Mira and Shane, “There’s an urgent message!” she cried, “Something just happened!”

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Yuko narrowed her eyes as she looked over the Akatsuki base.

“Just like old times isn’t it?” a voice said behind her, “You came in the middle of the night to report when you saw my secret in Kiri.”

She whirled around, “Madara.” the venom was sharp in her voice, “You and I will end this here.”

He smirked, “Just try it and see.”

There were no more words as the red-headed Mizukage launched into the first of her attacks, forming seals as she summoned her scalpels.

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In Sunagakure, Shikamaru sighed as he entered the Kazekage’s office, “Tsumi.” he said looking at the bookshelf of scrolls, “Now Konoha has desert power.”

He reached a hand to take the first down as the captain of the forces he led into the hidden village coughed behind him, “Orders?”

“How many of their civilians and shinobi are left?”

The captain fidgeted, “Many of their forces were able to escape into the deep desert where we couldn’t follow… and there are rumors that the Kazekage and his family made it to Danshoku.”

“They don’t matter. We have his village, he’ll be back to attempt to take it back,” Shikamaru’s eyes darkened, “Especially since he left all these forbidden desert jutsu just lying around, that’s dangerous,” he sighed, “The first order is to instate a new Kazekage.”

“That would be you,” Matsuri said as she and Sari entered the room, each going to one of his sides and licking him, “Since you so easily took over.”

“Troublesome,” he sighed again, but an evil glint was in his eyes, “Without you two helping, Temari might have figured me out sooner.”

Sari purred, “We’ve been waiting for this day for so long. We’re so grateful to you for letting us have our revenge.”

“He really was a monster,” Matsuri said as the captain of the forces left before the two girls showed Shikamaru exactly how grateful they were.

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Yuko panted, none of her attacks were getting through, No choice… I have to use it… “Boil Release!” she shouted, the air turning hot as it sped towards Madara, “Corrosive Mist!”

It worked…almost… his mask was destroyed and she saw the face he had hidden for so long. But before she had a chance to gloat, to follow up the attack with her next, the sharingan in his eyes spinned and suddenly he was at her, his kunai in her gut.

“It ends here still,” she gasped out forming more hand seals, “Lava Release! Explosion!” below her the ground turned red as magma boiled up from up, engulfing them both.

She attempted to grab him, to keep him from escaping.

It was no use, he slipped from her grasp, and her only comfort as the lava swallowed her whole was that she knew he was injured, quite possibly deathly so.

She closed her eyes, Itachi… I’m coming to join you now… Choujuuro… I’m sorry I couldn’t love you as much as you did me… Take care of our children… and our village… You’re Mizukage now.

She waited for the final bell to toll, blinked in surprise at the suddenly cool air.

“You are worthy,” a cool feminine voice said, and Yuko looked up to see a woman standing over her in blood red plate armor, her blonde hair whipping as cool blonde eyes looked down at her. “I am the Eidolon Brynhildr, a champion of the Goddess… and I have chosen you to be my master. He will not escape us again.”

Nodding, Yuko’s eyes closed. Much later she would open them to find herself back at the base camp, a worried Karasu looking over her from where he sat next to her bedroll, Crow Itachi on his shoulder.

The golden band around her left handed ring finger, the one Itachi had given her years before, felt warm. She lifted it up, marveling at the light and heat she felt from inside it. Brynhildr…

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Mira and Gaara were talking quietly as she cooked, “I can’t believe Dyzzi’s gone,” the woman said sadly, “She was one… no she was my first friend.”

He smiled sadly, looking around at the plethora of food Mira had made, her strange way of dealing with grief, “She died as a kage should, she defended her village.”

A soft thud as the cook placed down a plate of shrimp tempura. “W…will you go like that one day?” she asked quietly, biting her lip.

Suddenly he was next to her, tilting her chin up as he captured her lips in a passionate kiss, “I can’t promise,” he whispered when they parted, “It’s the same as with you… or have you forgotten how you were almost sacrificed?”

She nodded at that, chewing the inside of her cheek as she considered his words, and their hands intertwined, he leaned to kiss her again…

“Ouch!” Haru and Sora tumbled forward from their hiding spot near the back of the kitchen, “Damn…” they looked up to see their parents looking at them, “Well what are you waiting for!” they exclaimed, “Kiss her Dad!”.

Mira sighed, gently smiling at the two, “Isn’t it bedtime?”

“But Mama,” Haru started.

“Get on you two, you both still have veggie duty in the morning,” she said before Sora could finish the sentence, leading them to the tent the other children were sleeping in.

“You too Chihiro,” Gaara said quietly after they had gone, and his daughter peeked sheepishly out from the opposite side from where the boys were hiding.

“It’s not like I sleep Daddy,” she said, “And we’re all worried about Mama…”

He smiled, “Mama’s a big girl,” he promised, “And she has Neji and I to worry about her,” he walked over to her, picking her up, “You need to at least rest, even a short meditation will do wonders.”

“Daddy… that lullaby…” she asked quietly, “The one you sang to me when I started having the nightmares… can you sing it to me again?”

He smiled at her, “Of course,” he said as she hugged his neck and in a low voice he sang the words as he carried her back into the tent.

It was one of the few nights that she was able to sleep, deep and dreamless.

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The next morning armies moved forward from Sunagakure, heading toward the base camp. From atop the Kazekage tower, Shikamaru lazed at the desk, chewing on a piece of straw as he gazed back at the clouds.

A nin opened the door, “I want you to send a message to that outpost,” he said, “Send it on the fastest hawk… I want them to know exactly where it came from and who sent it.”

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Temari came running into the kitchen the second Tobimaru landed, knowing that both Gaara and Mira would be there, “Here,” she said handing him the letter.

He opened it up, “Apparently the occupation of Sunagakure was a success for Konohagakure. And he,” he would not acknowledge the name of the man who betrayed his sister, “Has taken my position.”

Mira and Temari exchanged a glance before he continued.

“He claims that he has given the information on how to use the sands and puppets to his forces, that he has desert power now and will be attacking us shortly.” There was an evil glint in Gaara’s eyes as he looked up.

Years ago that look would have frightened Temari, now she merely nodded, the same glint in her own eyes.

“Fool,” Gaara said, “He may have desert power now, but he forgets one thing.” he smirked, commanding his sand to come forth and tear the letter up, crush it to join the rest of his grains.

“I am desert power.” he said that in his quiet but powerful voice.

The one who betrayed his sister would not live, he would make certain of that.

Carpe Noctum

The night before the battle with Konoha’s forces was one of those tranquil moonlit nights that poets tended to flood with imageries of romanticism. Umbra sighed as she looked out towards the full moon, “They’re heading out tomorrow.”

Next to her, Mira looked up from the rations she was preparing, “Go on,” she said gently, “Who knows when you’d get the chance again. Besides… it’s good luck.”

Umbra blushed and jumped up, hitting her head on the tent’s support beam, “Ooof,” she moaned rubbing her head, “Wait… what about the kids?”

“They’re fine,” Mira promised, “Go spend some time with Lee.”

The purple haired kunoichi didn’t need to be told again and went running off to find her energetic teacher, finding him on the perimeter, talking to Neji and Tenten as the three were finishing up their strategy meeting.

“Umbra,” Neji said quietly, and Lee turned, his eyes lighting up with joy as he saw her. Tenten giggled as Neji sighed, “I think we’re done here anyways. We should rest up for tomorrow.”

“I don’t think Lee’s going to be doing much resting,” Tenten laughed, poking at the sudden dark blush forming on Lee‘s face.

“Gah!” Neji abruptly stood up and marched away, “I can’t know that!”

“But I thought that you already did!” Tenten teased, jumping up and following him back to the camp, laughing at the loud, “GAH!” from Neji.

Umbra pressed her fingers together, “So my team’s on defense tomorrow, but I was kinda hoping that we would get to fight together again.”

“I’m actually glad,” Lee smiled at her, “I’ll be better able to concentrate on the battle knowing that you and Kano are safe.”

They stared at each other for a long moment then a sudden wind picked up and Umbra blinked as she found herself in his arms, “Lee-sensei…” she breathed.

“We’ve gotten a bit further than that in the last few years,” he whispered huskily in her ear as he picked her up, “Umbra-chan, let’s revel in our youth before this battle.”

She sighed as he kissed her, throwing her arms around his neck as he planted smaller kisses down her throat and to her chest, one of his hands reaching into her blouse.

Umbra was incredibly grateful that Gai had been ordered to scout the armies earlier that day, when they reached their tent, it was empty. He put her down for a moment and she rushed to her bags to get out the soundproofing seal that the Danshoku technicians had prepared for such occasions. Setting it in place, she turned back to Lee, giving a slight “oomph” as he tackled her onto the bedrolls.

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Shikamaru smirked as he leaned against his command tent, tomorrow they would be facing against the forward camp and his long planned revenge would finally begin. Behind him Matsuri and Sari were talking quietly, lustful whispers that went straight to his groin.

Troublesome woman. He glowered at the thought of Temari, how she absolutely refused to bend for him, how she dominated him… not how it was supposed to be at all. Ever since that day she had saved his life, she had taken a haughty attitude for him.

The first part of his revenge was almost complete, break the sand woman completely to his will, then on to destroy this wretched village that had taken everyone away from him. Even Choji had left, saying that it wasn’t right what Konoha was doing.

He sighed, remembering his deal with the elders of Konoha… he couldn’t kill everyone at this base, the Hyuuga girl had to be delivered to her clan.

Plaintive pleas sounded behind him, the two girls begging him to give them attention. He smirked once again before turning into the tent.

You would have wished you begged me like that when I kill your brothers in front of your eyes.

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“Mama,” Chihiro said as Mira combed and braided her daughter’s hair, “Why aren’t you going to fight?”

“We’re staying here to guard the camp and keep the communications open and a semi-permanent medical center,” Mira said quietly, “Your daddies are just going to make sure they don’t reach this point.”

The small girl nodded at that, chewing on her lip. Across from them in the temporary onsen, Temari grinned at her as she towel dried Usagi, “Don’t fret Chi, we’re going to be kept awfully busy here. You can join Karin in helping me with the message running all over base.”

Mira left her daughter and knocked on the barrier separating the girl’s and boy’s bath, “Oi! Hurry up you three! Bedtime!” The twins and Kano’s voices rose up, arguing the fact.

Temari started working on Usagi’s hair, “Soooo…are you going to wish Gaara and Neji luck for the battle?” she asked with an all-knowing grin.

The red-headed woman stopped for a moment and turned to her sister-in-law, “It wouldn’t be fair to you to simply leave you with all the children just so I can get sex.”

Temari chuckled, “You’ve got to be more selfish Mi-chan. Besides, I have a good feeling that when all of this is over I’m going to be subject to your matchmaking. I figure, I get in a good favor, and maybe I won’t be set up with a total loser wimp.”

“I’ll have you know that my matchmaking skills are perfected so that anyone I would set you up with, and I’m not saying that I’m going to, would be absolutely perfect for you.”

“After that lazy b*****d, all I’m asking for is someone to actually do something in bed instead of lie there and let me do all the work,” Temari sighed, “I don’t think I ever actually came with him. Boring sex was boring.”

Usagi’s hair was set in her small buns and Mira knocked on the barrier again, “Boys. Out,” she turned back to Temari, “Considering the majority of the village, I don’t think that’ll be a problem. The hard part lies in getting at least someone bi.”

The blonde laughed at that as the twins and Kano came out from the bath, rubbing their hair with a towel.

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Later that night, Mira was standing outside the children’s tent, looking up at the stars.

“Go,” Temari smiled as she stepped out, “I’ll never forgive you if you don’t give my brother a damn good reason to come back.”

A small smile, and she was off to the tent that Gaara was using as his personal command center and sleeping quarters. She stopped at the tent flaps for a moment before slightly parting them and slipping in.

“I was wondering when you would come,” the red-headed smirked from where he was leaning against Neji’s bare chest.

She crossed the tent, “Sorry I was late, I had a difficult time getting the children to settle down.”

Both reached for her, and she let herself be pulled into their arms.

Tomorrow the battle would begin. Tonight they needed each other more than they ever had in the past. The brewing storm on the horizon threatened to take the stars from the sky.

Joan of Arc

The morning came, and with it, the war.

Gaara led his and Neji’s team and a small force to meet with the army coming from Sunagakure. Mira went to the mess tent, waiting for news from the lines as she directed the children in the small chores that they had.

Karin pressed a note into her hand, “Yuko’s calling a meeting, there’s a new force coming.”

Mira nodded, chewing her lip, “Gaara was afraid of such,” she whispered before walking briskly to the medical tent.

In it the Mizukage was directing her subordinate medics into action, “Mira, I’m leaving you in charge of the defense here with your team. The army headed this way will take the rest of the forces here. However I will be leaving a team of medics, and in absolute worse case scenario, I need you to protect the hospital.”

She turned to Karin, “You are coming with me.”

“What about the communication lines to Danshoku?” the small gennin asked, “Don’t we need to keep those open?”

“Danshoku was destroyed,” Yuko said in a cold voice.

Mira’s eyes widened, “Sachiko and Ryuuichi are alright…” she started.

“Damnit, don’t try and comfort me now,” the Mizukage snapped, “Karin, go join the rest of my force. It’s time that you started getting treated like the other gennin.”

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“As you suspected,” Neji whispered, byakuguan glaring, “Shikamaru is in the front. Be careful… his shadow stitching…”

“Won’t be enough to hold me,” Gaara promised, “I’ll handle him, you direct the forces around to flank.”

“Are you certain about this plan,” Lee said with wide eyes, “Couldn’t we simply retake…”

“They can’t have anyplace to fall back to,” the Kazekage said through clenched teeth, “Afterwards we can rebuild Suna, but for now… we have to destroy the path there.”

Neji and Lee nodded and left, taking the majority of the forces with them. Kankuro and Temari stayed behind, “You sure?” the puppet master asked.

“Keep the rest of the forces busy, trap him into facing me alone.” with that Gaara’s sand surrounded him and the red head was gone. His brother nodded, fingers already flexing the individual chakra strings sending them to the approaching armies. His sister formed some seals, directing the wind to start blowing at immense velocities.

When they started fighting amongst himself Kankuro smirked, easily distracting them away from each other… away from their leader, who was becoming more frustrated with each skirmish, knowing that somewhere the puppet master was causing it, that the wind mistress was causing the gales.

Then the sand picked up with the wind, blinding the enemy through the sand storm, and through it, Kankuro and Temari knew that Gaara had begun his assault.

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Mira chewed her lip as Yuko led the forces away from the camp and towards the Konoha lines.

“Something’s up,” Umbra noted, “You’re not just nervous about Karin being called into battle.”

“Too easy,” the red-head whispered, “Allora… form a watch on the perimeter. Umbra, I’m leaving you in charge of the barrier, get Chi and the twins to use their abilities and back up your mirrors.”

“You think that they’re going to somehow attack here?” Allora asked.

“Wouldn’t you?” Mira looked over to the children, “They’re after Karasu and Usagi, remember. And it’s not a big secret where our forward base is. I’m willing to bet that there’s a smaller force hiding undercover in the desert or mountains. We’re going to have to fight.” She turned to Umbra, “Get the kids in the medical tent and prep for the barriers. I’m trusting you to keep them safe.”

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Night fell, and the sand storm that had been brewing all day finally reached a frenzy and Shikamaru shielded his eyes from the harsh winds, “Damnit… fall back!” he yelled, not sure if anyone could even hear.

“News from the base,” a nin pressed a message into his hand, “Suna’s been destroyed!”

“Troublesome,” the Nara looked around, “You’re really willing to destroy your village just for a slight chance of winning?” he yelled.

There was no answer, only the wind blowing sharply across the dunes, and briefly he wondered if he was crazy for thinking that the former Kage and his siblings were the cause of this sand storm.

Suddenly he smirked, “You didn’t think that this was the only force that came from Suna did you? I bet that Matsuri and Sari have already destroyed the for…”

His voice trailed off as he felt the sand climb up his body, saw the face briefly in the storms ahead of him.

Suddenly the winds were calm, and Gaara stood alone over the bloodied sands.

He pressed a hand to the wireless in his ear, “It’s done. Fall back.”

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Mira stood in the center of the camp, watching quietly for any sign. Behind her was a dome of bone, glass, and sand that she knew the children and Umbra to be safely behind. Ahead of her, in the mountain path that bottlenecked into the camp was Allora.

“Incoming,” came Allora’s voice over the wireless, “Orders?”

“Take care of the leaders,” her fists flared up, “Hopefully the rest of the group will break up then.”

“Understood,” Allora’s voice said.

In the forces, Matsuri and Sari paused, “We’re after the white-eyed brat,” Matsuri said, “Kill all the others.”

“Think we’ll let you?” Allora said from her perch in the rocks above, holding her whip at the ready.

“We’ll take care of this one,” Sari said, “The rest of you go.”

“Mira,” Allora said into the wireless, “You’re outnumbered. By a damn sight, there’s twenty heading your way.”

“I told you that it’s fine,” Mira’s voice said, “You take care of the leaders, I’ll get the rest. Don’t forget my kekkei genki.”

“Don’t really see how being a human flamethrower is gonna help.” she snapped her whip, jumping as Matsuri and Sari attacked her.

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Mira easily defeated the first five, Phoenix, I may not need to call on you after all.

“Don’t get too cocky,” the gentle voice said from her necklace, “I sense that the remaining fifteen won’t be so easily defeated…” the voice trailed off, “Behind you!” she yelped.

Pota stood there, next to Zetsu, “We came to get the Uchiha child,” the plant man said, “You don’t mind do you?” Pota moved into the attack then, swinging his club.

Mira jumped out of the way, “Hanami Dango!” she yelled directing a punch downwards.

Kunai shot pass her, a few grazing her, and she glanced back to see the nin that were with Matsuri and Sari entering the camp, “Crap… there are too many…” a hand flew to the Phoenix‘s stone, “Can you amplify my flames if I go all out?”

“That’ll kill you!” Phoenix cried.

“We may not have a choice!”

More kunai flew and the club came down. Mira stared at Pota as she held his club still, “You’re not getting them,” she said, “You’ll burn first.”

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Allora was standing up from Matsuri’s and Sari’s defeated and battered bodies when the sky started glowing, “Crap!” her hand flew up to the wireless, “Mira! Come in!”

Only static answered her, she started to run back, but a wave of sheer heat pushed her back, “Damnit!”

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Yuko looked back towards the camp from where she was leading the forces towards Danshoku, “What does that glow mean?”

Karin’s eyes widened, “No… it can’t be,” she turned to the older nin, “We have to go back!”

“We can’t!” Yuko exclaimed, then her eyes softened as she chew her lip, seeing the worry in the girl‘s eye and looking at the glowing sky, she finally sighed in defeat, “But you go ahead. You might be able to somehow help.”

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Fear gripped his heart, and he couldn’t say why, “Hurry!” Gaara ordered as he saw the glowing sky, only knowing that he had to somehow get there before it was too late.

Too late for what though?

His siblings nodded, and they started running.

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“Auntie Umbra,” Chihiro cried, “Something’s happening outside!”

The purple haired nin chewed her lip, as she wrapped her arms around her son and the two youngest of Mira’s children. Haru and Sora found themselves huddling next to her as Karasu nervously looked at the surrounding wall.

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Blood dripped from where the kunai had struck her skin and blue flames surrounded her as she looked at the enemy nin surrounding her.

The blue flames gave way to red to yellow to white, growing outward, enveloping everything in it’s path, except for the dome the children were beneath, the flames surrounded that, but not touching, somehow giving it protection from the rest.

And then suddenly, it was over, the flames exploded in a violent burst and disappeared. Not one of the enemy had survived the fire.

But Mira was nowhere to be seen. All that was left of her was the small glowing red stone that once hung around her neck that slowly fell into a pile of ashes, the only bright spot in the blackened camp.

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It was dawn when Gaara returned with his and Neji’s teams, all walking quickly across the burnt campsite, searching for some sign that their families had survived.

“Here!” Umbra cried out to Lee as the wall of mirrors sand and bone fell away. She held Usagi, the other children behind her, “Mira kept us all…” her voice trailed off, finally seeing in the sunrise what she couldn’t the past night, not through the barriers she was ordered to stay behind, “Where is she?”

Karin ran into the clearing then, “Mama!”

“Where did Yuko and the rest of the forces here go?” Neji asked Umbra as Gaara used his sand to try and find some sign of Mira or the others.

Allora answered, “Danshoku was attacked. Yuko went to see if there were any survivors from the shelters.”

There was silence at those words as the remaining people at the base looked at each other. Usagi started crying that she was hungry and Neji took her from Umbra, reaching into his bag for some of the rations that Mira had made a few nights ago.

Haru and Sora took Chihiro’s hand and the three of them went to their father, reaching him as he picked up a red stone.

“That’s Mama’s necklace,” his daughter said quietly as she watched him stare at it, “She never takes it off… that and the ring you gave her.”

The twins had the silver sheen to their eyes as they looked around, finally sighing, “We can’t tell… there were too many here last night.”

“Don’t look anymore,” Gaara whispered as his fingers closed over the warm stone, and the rain started to fall, echoing the tears forming in his eyes, “She isn’t here.”

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The group traveled to the remains of Suna, and Gaara used the sand to rebuild the city exactly to what it was, entering it as though nothing had happened. He left Neji and the children in his office as he and his siblings went to the council room.

As he suspected, the old men were there, safe from outside influences in their tomb. “Worse than scum,” he said as he swept in, “How many of our villagers were killed while you hid here? While you kissed the feet of that traitor spy?”

No mercy, he hadn’t the patience for it anymore, not for these old men who had been selling out his people since the beginning, prevented him from...

…The warm stone he was wearing beneath his robes burned a bit against his skin, and he took a breath to calm down. They were gone now, no need to give them a second thought.

Gaara turned to Kankuro after the sand filled the room, “Go to the dunes, find our people that have hidden themselves in the desert. Take Karin with you, she needs the diversion.”

He nodded, then looked at him with a bit of worry, “I know we’re fighting a war… but give yourself time to grieve. She deserves that much at least. Karin and the children aren‘t the only ones who…”

He didn’t answer him, instead turning to Temari, “All of those holes in our defenses… I want them gone. If the enemy that attacked Danshoku attempts to come here, I don’t want them to even be able to find us. Inform the look-outs to keep an eye out for survivors. If they’re real, they’ll need the haven.”

“He’s right you know,” Temari said quietly.

Gaara turned and glared at them both, and for the first time in years they were reminded of why they were once afraid of him.

“Right,” they said jumping to their new duties, but not before giving a worried glance to their brother.

He stood alone in the hall, before he called his sand to himself, letting the grains drift him away.

He landed at the top of the Kazekage tower, looking out on the village as the sand formed and flowed around him as he looked up at the stars.

“Daddy?” Chihiro’s voice sounded, and he turned to look at her, as she used her own sand to balance herself to sit next to him, “I can’t sleep again,” she said quietly, “Haru and Sora have each other and Usagi’s with other dad…” she didn’t say anymore as he took her into his arms, her small arms wrapping around him.

The stars above didn’t seem as bright as they used to.

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Pain, there was so much pain. She was vaguely aware of the pale hands that wrapped around her, pulled her out of the fire and into this white place.

She couldn’t even move, only feel the pain, only stare ahead into the brightened void.

Her mind raced, struggling to catch a foothold on something, anything, that told her who she was.

Pale, sincere, teal eyes came to her mind, but she couldn’t place who they belonged to, why they made her warm and happy.

A shadow passed in front of her, “You don’t belong here,” a gentle voice said, one she vaguely recognized.

But who?

Something pressed itself to her lips, a cool liquid passed into her mouth and down her throat.

And with it, she remembered.

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Gaara sat in his office, having tucked Chihiro in at the couch, her clutching the old bear as she managed to sleep.

The stone seemed so warm, and he almost wished that he knew how Mira could speak to the being that lived inside it, ask the eidolon if there was…

He shook his head, it was a silly hope.

However, he didn’t remember the stone being this warm, not when he kissed beneath it on the throat that wore it.
That thought led to other memories, of the hands that slowly led his to her waist, of the mouth that knew just where to…

He stopped for a moment, breathing raggedly, taking the necklace off and staring at it’s soft glow.

She sat at the kitchen’s bay window a wistful look on her face, moonlight reflecting off of her red hair, and he saw a small bit of the gold that made itself so prevalent in her eldest daughter.

He walked over to her, and she was so engrossed in her knitting that she didn’t notice until he sat on the cushions across from her, something that earned him a brief warm smile.

“It’s late,” he said quietly.

She nodded, “I didn’t want to go to sleep just yet, Karin’s birthday is tomorrow and I’m almost finished with this.” she made a few more stitches, then held up the finished green and blue blanket, “I don’t know why I take on these big projects with hardly enough time to do them.”

He didn’t say anything, just watched her fold up the blanket, walk into the kitchen proper to get one of the spools of ribbons in her drawer, wrapping the thing up in parcel paper and placing it in the cabinet where she hid all of her presents for others.

Oddly enough, he couldn’t recall Haru or Sora ever going into the shelves within. All of the children left it alone, though even Usagi knew that was where Mira hid the gifts.

“Coming to bed?” she asked turning to him, reaching her hand out.

He reached to grasp it, for some reason suddenly needing to touch her…

And teal eyes opened to find the warm stone still in his hand, his head lying on his desk where he had fallen asleep a few hours ago. He clasped the necklace back around his neck, stuffing it under his shirt.

The door opened, and Temari came in, “Akatsuki’s been spotted,” she said quietly.

“How many?” he folded his hands as he stared at her.

She bit her lip, then slowly answered, “All of them.”

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Phoenix sighed, “If you and I save them, we will cease to exist... The only way...”

“No,” Sin smirked, “There’s another way.”

Her eyes widened, “But that’s…”

“Do we care?” he brushed his lips against her ear, “Give me the feather, we’ll revive them both and then...”

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Gaara stared at Temari, “All of…” he jerked his hand back in shock, the stone had started burning,

“Hey, what’s that…” his sister stared at the red gem on the desk, as it grew brighter.

Suddenly both shielded their eyes, and a weight knocked them both down. When Gaara looked, a woman with more gold in her red hair than he remembered her having was sitting on top of him, “Mira…” he breathed.

“Ouch,” she grimaced, “I didn’t think that was what she meant when she said she had to rebuild everything.”

“Your hair…” he stared, “It’s like fire…”

“Considering that’s what she used, I’m not surpri… Oomph,” she winced, but smiled as Chihiro hugged her, “Did you guys miss me?” she asked gently, stroking her daughter’s hair.

“We thought you were dead,” Gaara said, his hand drifting to her face, “Not even the twins could…” a slight cough caused him to turned to Temari, “Haru?”

“Heh,” the blue haired nin rubbed the back of his head, “I know I was dead… but it seemed that something got me revived.”

“Not to complain about your coming back to life or anything,” Temari said, “But your elbow is pressing into my chest and even though you’re cute, it hurts. Move.”

Blushing, he scooted off of her, “Sorry I thought it was a pil…” her eyes narrowed, “It was just so…” he bowed his head, “Nevermind.”

“So how’d you two come back anyways?” Temari asked, looking from one to the other.

Mira was standing at the desk, trying to piece together the fragments of the red gem, “Phoenix sacrificed herself,” she breathed, “I can’t hear her anymore.”

Haru stood, and his fingers brushed against the bone mask hanging from his belt, looking down he stared at it.

Sin’s face was cracked. It was then he realized that he couldn’t hear the dark voice that had haunted him for so long either.

“Gaara, I hate to cut the reunion short,” Temari said quietly, “But the Akatsuki are attacking.”

“Damnit,” he said, then turned to his daughter, “Chi, go tell everyone Mira’s alri.. Mira you go with her, I want to make sure you’re perfectly alright before you get in combat again.” he reluctantly… very reluctantly moved his hand from her face, “I can’t…”

“You won’t,” she promised, “Just…”

He pressed his lips against hers, a hungry kiss that promised so much more later…

They parted, and she smiled at him as Chihiro took her hand to lead her to the where the other children were waiting.

“Hey Haru, after my brother and I go kick these guy’s asses take me out to dinner.” Temari suddenly said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

He turned to her in surprise, “I…”

She grinned, “You ain’t going to this battle either, so just sit tight and hold the homestead for me. Besides I’m looking for a good time, and based on some things Gaara told me, I want to look with you.”

Emerald eyes widened, “He told…” Haru blushed, “But… I…” Mira took his arm, whispered something in his ear, “I mean… yes! I’ll have dinner with you!”

“Good,” Temari smiled, ignoring the slight glare Gaara was giving her, “See you then.” Mira and Haru left with Chihiro then, and she picked up her fan.

“I never told you anything…” her brother started.

“Not directly, but I do remember the discussion you and Mira were having when you were naming the twins,” she smiled, “I figured, I better get to him before word gets out that he’s suddenly alive,” her eyes darkened, “We better win. As bad as you were without Mira, I’d hate to see her should something happen to you.”

“We will,” Gaara assured her.

“You better believe that,” Temari grinned, “Cause you and I have got some good sex waiting on us when we get back!”

He had to remind himself that he couldn’t use the sand coffin on her… and a small part admitted that she was right.

Wait…

“You just met him!”

Reunion

Yuko slunk back to the mountain walls, having sent most of the forces, what little she had left, back to Suna when she received the hawk from Gaara a day ago.

I’ve retaken it. Fall back.

She had personally refused, not until she could find out some news, any news of Choujuuro or her two youngest. Above her Itachi flew, quietly scouting from the air.

He had already warned her of a few patrols here and there, and she showed these foreigners absolutely no mercy when she encountered them, unable to interrogate them for information on her family.

After the third such incident, Itachi landed on her shoulder, and gently pecked her ear.

“I don’t need your approval for this,” she huffed, “He’s still alive, they’re still alive. I refuse to bury them.” tears formed in her eyes, “It was hard enough…”

Another gentle peck, and he took a strand of hair into his mouth.

She wiped her eyes and stared at the crow, for a second almost seeing her dead lover’s face as he twirled the strand of hair in his fingers.

He took flight, pecking her forehead as he did so, and resumed his patrol from the sky. She nodded, and went back to her search from the ground.

-------------------------------------------------------------

“Mama!” the twins chorused as they hugged her.

They weren’t alone, Mira’s eyes widened in surprise as Neji wrapped his arms around her shoulders, “Don’t you dare do that again,” he whispered, “I can’t lose anyone else in my family.”

Lee and Umbra were next to embrace her, “Mama Mira you can’t…” Umbra sniffed, “Do you realize just how horrible it was to have the barriers go away and have you not be there!”

“Don’t ever let your youth burn so brightly it destroys you again,” Lee nodded.

“I won’t…” she promised, “I’ll figure out some other way to protect…”

“We’ll do it together,” Neji kissed her forehead, then stared at her, “Your hair…”

“I kinda like it,” she smiled, “Gaara said it looked like fire,” she twirled a red-gold strand, “I always wondered where Karin got the blond from.”

Before anyone could say anything more, the door opened again, and the adults looked in shock at the blue-haired nin who entered it.

Strangely, it was the twins who moved first, as it was with Mira.

“Uncle Haru!” they cried, going to hug the man once dubbed as their godfather, giving affectionate kisses to his cheeks.

He looked sadly at Mira and the others, “Gaara wants everyone to get ready for a fight, though he ordered that…”

“You and Mira are staying here then,” Neji nodded in understanding, “And you had something to do with her revival I’m guessing.”

Haru nodded, “Well… not so much me
as Sin and Phoenix. I’m not sure the details, but they got us both out of that place,” his eyes saddened for a moment, “At a pretty high sacrifice to themselves.”

-------------------------------------------------------------

It was nearly sunrise, and Yuko was exhausted, she had been climbing these mountain trails outside of Danshoku for almost two days now, not finding any sign at all, almost giving up hope.

Itachi landed on her shoulder again, not able to see anything from the sky. He pecked at her ear again, trying to tell her to rest, that she wasn’t going to find anyone in this state.

“Not yet,” she whispered, “Just a little bit more. He’s around here somewhere, I know it.”

But her words were breathy and she sat down against the rock face, barely able to keep her eyes opened.

There was a small patrol coming and Itachi flapped his wings, trying to get her to move, do something.

No use, her chakra was depleted, her physical strength gone. He squawked, seeing the men come closer, seeing them raise their crossbows to her, recognizing her as one of the enemy, the one who took out previous patrols.

They pulled the triggers.

And suddenly Choujuuro was in front of her, using his sword to deflect the bolts, before quickly going into the attack, dispatching the three Germans in short order.

“Mommy,” Sachiko said as she shook the Mizukage, following right behind in her father’s footsteps.

“She’s out Dada,” Ryuuichi looked up.

Choujuuro gently picked Yuko up, “She must have started searching as soon as she heard,” he said quietly, “Come on kids, let’s take her to the shelter, what’s left of it anyways.”

Both of them nodded and followed the Swordsman back up the mountain.

Itachi watched them for a moment, breathing a slight bit of relief as he took flight.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Gaara looked out over the desert, “Six of them,” he said. Next to him Neji nodded, his byakugaun already looking for weaknesses, “The one in the middle is Madara… but there’s one right behind him that has a very similar chakra nature. Those two are going to be the most difficult.”

“The small force here may not be enough,” the Kazekage mused, “But still… I won’t let there be anymore sacrifice.”

“Is that even possible?” Neji asked quietly.

There was no answer as he felt the winds pick up, the sand move over the dunes towards the incoming Akatsuki.

Even if Kankuro and Karin couldn’t find any of the desert dwellers, even if Yuko’s force returned too late, even if Shane and the rest weren’t coming back…

Even if they were all alone…

He knew that Gaara wouldn’t let Suna fall a second time.

stare Actually, that's one of the few sexual things I don't go for.

xd Oh I know. How's the chappie coming?

YAY! Made an official thread for twincest btw xd
LAWLS AT MY BOREDOM!