It was just sex.

She moaned her breathing erratic with her upward and downward movements. The thick head of his penis penetrating her felt like she was nearing cloud 9. Grinding her pelvis against him she could hear his moan behind her right before she continued her previous movements.

"Ah, it feels so good," she moaned knowing she is reaching her limit.

Her black raven hair came down to a 'v' at the small of her back, it made her look even sexier as she would occasionally toss her head back and moan while he watched her ride his dick. His eyes watching it disappear in between those wet lips while he got a great view of her ass. It has always only ever been about the sex, a way for them to both relieve stress without the concern of a relationship. A relationship, something they both denied that they wanted. He grew up with trust problems due to the childhood he had and now as the Kazekage he still has problems getting that close with another person. On the other hand she had trusted too easily and was burned repeatedly until it hurt too much to give it a try again.

He supposed when his brother introduced them to one another it was for the purpose of bonding or healing but instead they started this affair because regardless of the mind and heart, he is still a man in body and she is definitely a female with certain needs. She looked so exotic moaning and riding his dick the way she is. The fact she enjoys sex just as much as he does almost like another form of exercise had been a bonus since she is always willing and ready to go for a round. It is funny though, they have been like this for months now and no one even has a clue that he has her screaming his name whenever they can make time which is often.

"Gaara I can't hold out for much longer," her voice thick with pleasure had him grabbing around her waist, eyes watching as she lowered herself on his dick again, the sight sending heat to his loins giving him the extra burst as he slammed his hips upwards watching her hair tumble back at the loud moan as she arched her back. He knows that she loves it when he surprises her like that, it excites her further.

With precise movements his feet were flat on the bed as he began thrusting his hips up being quick and hard. Knowing his hands will be enough to keep her being impaled by his dick she arched her back as one hand grabbed his balls to play with them while the other went to her black curls giving them both extra attention as he took over while she panted up top between moans spilling out of her mouth. He grunted as he felt those soft fingers touch his balls, playing with them as he became tense and increased the force to his thrusts with their ends coming soon. Gaara gritted his teeth and then with an explosion of pressure the sperm began coating her walls, trying to make its way to her womb while her walls continued milking him. Around his pubic area and down his scrotum he could feel and see their hot liquids flow out after the initial gush.

A blue eye looked at him over her shoulder briefly as forced her forward on to her hands not letting his dick slip out from her hot cavern. Getting his legs beneath him he took the power back in terms of position not done with her yet tonight. He knows how to work her body; he can manipulate it now almost as well as he manipulates the sand. With a hand flat on her back he smoothed it down her tailbone loving the fact her rump always gets pushed up further into the air not unlike a cat being petted. Gripping her hips again he gave them a light squeeze as he felt her walls squeeze him a couple times. His aqua eyes looked at that round and toned ass he just enjoyed seeing bouncing up and down in the previous position. Kneading the large muscles that make it up she began moaning, her walls clenching him as felt his dick harden and expand. After a couple more minutes of getting them both back in gear he began a brutal pace that made her toes curl as she yelled out, "GAARA!"

Like every time when it was over he gave her just enough time gather her clothes as they disappeared with a swirl of sand only reappearing in her apartment before he disappeared the same way, both taking showers alone as they have a silent agreement of what they can and cannot do in order not to gain feelings for the other. For instance, any sex position where they are facing the other, one is always blindfolded if not both of them. They do not speak hardly ever face to face or share things about themselves so really outside of being good sex partners they knew little about the other and do not socialize outside of his bedroom beyond him picking her up or dropping her off. Stepping under the stream of hot water he felt the majority of his tension drain from his body as he shut his eyes fighting off the part of him that wanted to take a shower with her for once.

After that hookup he appeared in her place once again a couple days later knowing that she should be home. Looking around the place, the only light coming from the windows he realized it looks barer than it usually is. Seeing a paper on the table in the silent home he read what he supposed to be her handwriting.

"My time is up, take care."

-Kagome

He knew about this, well to some extent. This was one of the few things he does know about her is that she informed him at the beginning of their sexual encounters that their will come a time that she will be leaving and won't have the time to give any formal goodbyes, she will simply be gone. With his lack of knowledge on her it bothered him that he has no idea where she disappeared to or why she left. For spending so much time with her, more time with her than a lot of people he really should feel ashamed for never taking the time to get to know her even on a friendly basis but it wasn't something she wanted either because eventually she will leave and it sounds to him like she doesn't anticipate ever seeing anyone ever again. With a frown he left the note as it was and left her apartment, ignoring the tightening in his chest.

-previously in her apartment-

"Come on wench, it's time to go," a gruff voice said as they landed in her living room via window. The hood fell back revealing doggy ears on top a thick mane of silver hair.

"Already," her blue eyes appeared as she stepped out of her bathroom.

"Yeah we need to get going so grab whatever you need and let's go," he sounded impatient. "We can't lose the trail after it took so long to pick it up."

With a sad and knowing look she was soon walking down the streets wearing a brown matching cloak as they made their way out of the village with a heavy heart. This day has truly come. Although she had not known the Kazekage all that well, both holding back on getting attached, she still would miss him and even though she had a few friends, no one real close, it was bittersweet leaving a village she has spent months living at knowing no one will truly miss her here she believed but then again it was her goal to leave without feeling too guilty about the sudden departure she will have to make.

So now as she stood before Naraku, facing off with him as InuYasha held a weakened Kikyo behind her she had no problem defending them even if they are the reason for the scars on her heart. In her mind she had convinced herself that she will not likely walk away from this battle but after several months of fighting him since she left Suna, she hadn't thought back then that she would hold so much regret now. This is her duty though and she cannot turn her back on it or taking down this monster that is now causing problems in a new era. With a firm resolve and feet planted in the sand she pushed her powers into the bow in her hand purifying a few tentacles as she remained the only one standing right at this point.

With heavy breaths and the blood loss more than normal, most likely at a dangerous level by now she rested against a tree, her duty finished but her body feeling broken. Panting and pushing the area around her was the beginnings of a forest on the edge of the Land of Wind, the desert battlefield straight ahead of her, her eyes barely making out the sand. Her body had hit this tree hard, it hurt a lot to breathe but right now she has much more important things to do and she wasn't about to fail.

A pained cry escaped her lips, tears streaming down like a dam that just burst, it hurt so much. Hands fisting in what was left of her outfit after the battle and her ripping the fabric up for a more important purpose. 'Please body just hold on longer,' she pleaded.

With a few more deep breaths and pushes she held her hands ready, feeling like she is being split in two and crushed all at the same time she bit her lip in an attempt to stop her cries of pain when she finally felt it. Sucking in another lungful of air the head finally came out. Her excitement helping her to give another push as her one hand easily supported it as she soon fully birthed this miracle child, the new cries of the newborn baby rose up into the air around her. Although in pain she couldn't help but give a watery smile as she looked at them with the pride and love of a caring mother.

With all the care and gentleness she could give her first born, she did her best to clean them up and get any gunk out of their mouth and nose. She was worried and rightfully so as she swaddled them up and offered her breast. The feeling was unusual but this is a natural way to feed your child. Looking down at their small body being held in her arms she regretted the fact she has no way to contact the father or get them help. With a battle like that it is possible it was reported back, she is certain it would be but what would happen next? Keeping calm she knew her focus will have to be on just staying alive as long as possible for the sake of her child but right now her time is limited and this tree could very well be where she will take her final breaths. Tears gathering in her eyes she cuddled her baby closer.

Gaara had been given a strange report, one that had him deciding to check things out personally. Heading out with a medic and a couple other shinobi he had made his way towards the border where the battle had taken place and now stands looking at it. Kneeling down he could find traces of ashes and other such finds like blood and strange creatures hacked to bits but not a soul in sight. Eyes looking around again, just as he caught sight of what looked to be a path where someone or something was tossed he could barely make out crying.

The skin on his brow knitted, he gave the signal to pursue as he took the lead noting the broken branches and charred earth as they went into the forest. Approaching carefully his eyes made out the barely clad figure up ahead, the crying coming from the bundle held in their arms. His nose scrunched up a little, the smell of different fluids soaked into the earth floor permeated the area. It was a female, she had been sent flying into the tree and it appears she had been pregnant at the time; the impact must have forced her into childbirth.

When he finally reached her dirty and bloody form he was unsure if she is still alive, his eyes portraying the sad thought. Carefully he knelt down, the raven colored locks making his heart beat faster as he pushed them out of the way and looked at a face he never thought he would see again. Alarmed he removed the child from her limp hold, taking notice to the red hair that is definitely his and the black rings around their eyes. He remained crouched there stunned as he realized this child is his. They were so small, he knew that meant the birth was premature just like his and then as he looked at the mother of his child he felt his chest tighten, the panic flaring inside him as he searched for a sign of her breathing still.

The medic came forward, beginning to check for signs of life in her and the extent of damage. "Lord Gaara the mother is still alive but I don't think she will make it," he turned to him unsure why his lord looks so upset by all of this.

No one knew those two were sleeping together while it was going on, his brother had even approached him after she left and in an angry voice had asked, "Why didn't you two give it a shot?"

He looked over the horizon at his usual place for his talks with his brother. "Neither of us would take a chance in that direction. You could say she was my lover but we kept feelings out of it, it was just sex, and she informed me that at any time she will simply be gone but I knew not why."

"Wait so this whole time you two were sleeping together and yet all you ever did is fuck? Are you both so stubborn that you can't even see how much you might need that deeper connection with one another," he asked him.

"Kankuro, I appreciate you trying to look out for my best interests but there is little to discuss now since she is gone. I don't know where she went or why but it didn't sound like I would ever see her again so why start something that will only end in pain," he countered back to him.

"Was it really just about sex all of these months since I introduced you two? I find it hard to believe that neither of you came to care for the other at least a little bit," he grew to feeling so aggravated and frustrated at this revelation.

Thinking over the times he has watched her play with the orphaned children or do good deeds around the village, he knew the answer already. "I do miss her," he revealed, "and not just because of the sex." His brother grew quiet behind him, most likely stunned and hoping to hear more. "Even if we didn't allow ourselves to kiss and do things in bed that might lead to such feelings I can't say I avoided them because I still picked things up with her body language whether inside the bedroom or watching her outside of it. I know she is a good and caring person, I've seen her do nice things a thousand times but in the end I was then afraid of the hurt that would come when she disappears. If not for the fact that she would eventually be gone I feel I would have wanted to be more together, maybe even a couple."

Kankuro looked at his brother sad as he understood. "I just had hoped she might be the one to make you happy. I guess there is no point in trying to find her or wonder if she will ever come back. It did sound like we will never see or hear from her again."

Now glancing between the baby and the mother he felt part of him warm up at the sight of his child and another break at the dying mother. It was a tug-of-war match with his emotions. "We need to get her help, stabilize her long enough for me to get her to Suna," he ordered out, his voice strained. From the corner of his eyes he noticed the disturbed dirt. Turning his head to look at it better he realized it was a message. She drew the kanji for 'miracle' in the dirt and then below it, 'Kazekage Gaara.' It was her effort to get the child united with the father, him.

The baby began crying again and he tried going for a rocking movement he had seen his sister use with her child, trying to pull from memory anything that will help him now. "Shhh," he tried to hush the baby, still unsure if he has a son or daughter. Walking around the clearing with nervous energy, his eyes darted to look over at Kagome as he felt the possible tragedy of a dying mother and a premature newborn weighing down on him. In his conscience he at least knew it had not been entirely his fault since he didn't even know she was pregnant to begin with and he certainly didn't do anything that caused her to go into a premature birthing of their child. Pausing he looked back at her before his eyes went down to the baby beginning to cry again, their child. It isn't like the child was brought into the world because they had fallen in love but he would be lying if he said that he doesn't care about her or sport some amount of feelings. The child though was brought into the world by parents that do love and care for them but right now it appeared the child would only get to experience the love of their father in the future.

Eyes looking around the area he somehow earlier missed the discarded bow lying next to the tree. The bow was right where Kagome left it, the quiver of arrows tipped over. Kagome had looked up from where she made the painful hit, eyes glaring at the monster through the pain. Naraku had thought she was done for after that hit but she will show him different, she will show him how wrong he is. Arms shaking and protesting with each movement, sharp pains running through her back, she bit her tongue to keep quiet as she notched the arrow and pulled back aiming. With the soft twang of her bow she let loose an arrow charged with her lavender powers. The bright light coming from the forest just barely caught his attention as he looked right at it, a slow show of horror spread on his face just as he was struck.

Grabbing her half of the jewel she tugged it off the necklace while watching the display before her. Starting out praying she held her glowing half in hand, her strained voice coming out, "Shikon no Tama I bid your other half to return and unite," her eyes could see the tainted other half becoming purified before it tore out of Naraku's chest and joined with her other half, turning pure once more. "It is time jewel to be rid of you. I wish for you to disappear forever so you may never be fought over like this ever again." With a glow the jewel rose up getting brighter and brighter until it exploded into a shiny dust and was carried away with the wind. Naraku screamed in front of her and like the jewel he became an explosion of light then turned to ash. Trying to get over the shock that he is dead and the jewel is gone while she is still alive a contraction hit her hard and she just realized that her water broke after being slammed into this tree. Clutching her side in pain she felt the panic rising in her chest at the circumstances until she began to calm down internally, doing her best to think this through. Knowing it can get cold at night around here she tore her pants into shorts with the help of an arrow head, and her top was torn until it only covered her breasts, her sleeves turned to straps but this was all for something far more important, the survival of her first child, it has to be done.

Looking at that quiver of arrows and the bow he did not know how she made this basically her last stand against her biggest enemy or how right at this tree she also destroyed a jewel that could have caused havoc to his era, and destroy his village, but he did know this is the place she gave birth after hitting the tree, this is the place she most likely figured to be her last breaths. He ordered one of his men to gather her weapons, he felt surprised that she is an archer with such a traditional bow and quiver. As soon as she was stabilized enough for the trip back he wrapped her in sand to keep her movement to a minimum after hearing she has fractures in the bones. With his child in his arms and Kagome spread out before him he left with the others on the sand transportation.

Pacing at the Suna hospital he has already been here for several minutes and sent out a new team to take pictures of the battle that had occurred where he found them. After arriving on his sand the medic was quick to get help in moving Kagome on to a stretcher and getting her to where she needed to be while filling in another medic about the child. He didn't want to but he let them tend to his child and now stood outside a hospital room waiting to ensure they are fine while sweating over Kagome being on another floor.

"Lord Gaara," a nurse stepped out. "The child will be fine; the mother had done well to take care of him. Would you happen to have any information on the mother so we can begin writing things down and find the father?"

"I am the father," he surprised her with that answer. "The mother is Higurashi Kagome," he watched her jerk back into action as she felt a little foolish since the child does greatly resemble him. Having the gender revealed to him he asked, "When can I see him?"

Still a bit startled at the news she straightened up again, "Umm now if you want," she watched him walk into the room she just exited, following shortly after as she took notice to some of the tension leaving his form as he looked down at his son, the frown wiped off his face, instead looking more curious now that the child is all cleaned up with a diaper. "He will have to be bottle fed for the time being sir, would you like information on how to care for your newborn?"

He didn't turn from his sleeping son, "Yes, I would like that," he responded, keeping his voice soft.

"I will go and do that sir," she exited the room leaving the new father to take in the so far healthy newborn, a rare occurrence but she figured they will figure out how later. When she returned a few minutes later with the information in hand as well as a book it was quickly received by him. "The doctors would like to keep him for observation for a few days just to ensure he will be fine. Have you decided on a name for him yet," she inquired.

Aqua eyes looked back down at the sleeping child she could see he wasn't sure yet. "No I haven't made up my mind yet," and it wasn't hard to see why. Just the other day he didn't even know he was a father… Knowing his child will be in safe hands here he informed the nurse, "I'm going to check on Kagome then return in a while," he looked back to his son wanting to hold him but not wanting to wake him he turned and walked out the door. His steps took him to the stairwell until he reached her floor and entered, feet leading him right up to her room. Right now he couldn't bring himself to sit down and read the information given to him; his ears were trained to hear anything on the other side of that door that might give him a clue to how she is doing.

Unfortunately it was muffled and no one came out in search of informing him of her state of health. It meant to him that the situation is dire indeed. Seeing the long hand to the clock sticking out of the wall move around until an hour had passed he was soon turning around to retrace his steps back to his son wanting to check on him even though he didn't want to leave Kagome either. When he reached the hallway where his son's room is he could see a familiar dark clothed figure approaching from the other end.

"Where are they," Kankuro quickly asked him, his voice a mixture of worry and excitement.

"My son is in here sleeping," he gestured to the room, opening the door as he watched his brother's face light up.

"Son… so that means I have another nephew," he quietly said to himself as he approached the hospital crib, looking down at what could almost be mistaken for Gaara as a baby but he had a feeling the eyes will be more like the mother's in shape and color. "Have you thought of names," he asked while still taking in every detail of the newest family member.

"No but Kagome wrote the kanji for miracle in the dirt so I am guessing that was one of her feelings when looking upon him," he answered but had yet to think of a fitting name since he wants to honor her.

"I would too from the little I have heard. Now where is Kagome," he looked over at his brother concerned.

"Down two floors, I just came from there but haven't heard word." They both shared the same concern. His brother practically mirrored his face as he looked down at his new nephew while taking in the lack of news on the mother.

"Would you like me to send a letter out to Temari, see if maybe she can come give us a hand? She will probably want to kill us if we don't send word sooner rather than later." Yeah their sister can sure have a temper but he doubts she will really say much towards Gaara.

"That would be nice. I will be remaining here, I'm heading back down to Kagome," he joined his brother in looking at the small bundle. Neither dared to disturb the child any further so they quietly exited the room with Kankuro following him to see where Kagome is being taken care of.

With a look at the operation room he turned to his brother seeing him look at it worriedly, no doubt trying to hear what is going on inside. "I will be back later Gaara," he departed knowing any extra words right now might do more damage than good. To him it appeared that Kagome anticipated her death but not a pregnancy. The two of them might not be in love right now but if she lives through this that child is sure to bring them together eventually. Sending a prayer above he hoped for the best, he didn't want another tragic incident like this in the family.

Gaara stood in front of the waiting room with the papers still in hand. The situation made him keep drawing comparisons to his birth, thinking of how upset and worried his own father must have been. They were married with two kids already, a third being birthed as she lay dying. In his mind he repeated the conversation he had with his father during the war, focusing on how they both agreed his mother is strong and now he shares that semblance with the mother of his child. To lie against the tree she was thrown into and give birth to a child with no one to help her. She had even took great effort to care for their son and scribble a message in the dirt as she likely felt her life slipping away. Mothers are strong; they can withstand a lot, far more than he probably could. Her body was broken and battered, fluids soaked into the ground. The pain she must have endured along with the helplessness… He wished he had known wished he had been there sooner so she wouldn't have had to go through it alone…

Hearing the door open a worn out older lady stepped out in her garb from the operation room. "Lord Gaara," she noticed him in the quiet and mostly empty halls of the hospital in this late hour. He turned and gave her his full attention, patiently waiting to hear what might be the final word. "It is uncertain still whether she will live or die. The woman we discovered is a priestess and with the aid of her power and strong will she was not only breast feeding the child to keep them fed, she was also feeding them her life energy. We are getting things ready for a new team to come in and replace us while she is stabilized. Right now we are all low on chakra."

"How bad is the damage," the quiet question came out almost as if he is afraid to ask.

"She had several fractures in her spine, ribs, skull, and shoulder bones. The blood loss was already correcting itself and any damage from the birthing area we healed but her life energy is what ensured the survival of the child I'm sure but is also why I am not sure she will make it through this. I am sorry I didn't have better news for you sir," she bowed to him, not aware of their relationship but able to see he is concerned about her.

"Just do your best," he instructed and watched her go in. He waited until the two teams swapped before going upstairs to be with his son instead. He slumped into a chair in the room, setting the papers on the one next to it as he propped his arms up on his knees as he held his head. How is he supposed to raise a child on his own or even begin to explain the events around their birth? Surely his son will one day want to know all of these questions and should be able to obtain them when he grows curious about his mother. The love of a mother, he feels his mother's love every time the sand automatically defends him from attack. Will his son be similar in that fashion? Kagome was literally giving the remaining bit of her life to keep him alive… Running a hand through his hair he felt at a loss on what to do as he looked at his son sleeping soundly now that he is clean with a full belly. "Kagome…"