Alright, so it's been like FOREVER since I've updated. And well, I apologize. So. This is what I have for you and I hope you like it. I think the end may be something that happened too soon, but I just couldn't help myself. It made me giddy. So, oh well.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto or all that. I only own the characters of which are not a part of the show and the plot which I do believe is still forming.

I hope you all enjoy.

Gaara of The Desert 20

"Better than expected?" Venus snapped. "What the hell were you expecting?"

Turning to look at her, I smiled softly, "I was expecting to be ripped to pieces."

"And you're smiling about that?" Venus hissed, her eyes growing darker.

"There's nothing to be smiling about, Anya." Ashlynn cut in.

"Sure there is." I paused, turning back to look into the village from where we stood. "It means he recognizes that I'm really me, even if he doesn't want to believe it."

Venus was not happy, I could tell. How? I'm sure many of you are asking yourselves that. It's simple really, even people who haven't known her as long as I have can figure it out easily. She kind of exudes death when she gets really pissed, like right now, and her eyes kind of glow, now, seeing as her eyes are blood red, you'd think they would glow that color, but no. They actually glow an icy blue color, that eerie blue that makes you almost piss yourself if stared at for long periods of time; and to be honest, the fact that her eyes change from red to blue in a snap is enough to make you piss yourself. But anyway, you can also tell she's pissed because she shouts, snaps, hisses, and growls all sorts of profanity; and sometimes she'll attack things, and by sometimes, I mean all the time.

"Don't destroy anything V, I don't need you getting kicked out of the village because you attacked something." I said, turning and beginning to walk towards the middle of the village.

Most of the people were in their homes, retired for the day, but there were still a number of shops and restaurants open and children running around playing with their friends. As I was taking in the sights of the village for the first time, it was beautiful, everything was made of sand it seemed. I loved it. I was startled out of my sight seeing by the voice of a little girl who had apparently recognized who I was.

"You're the pretty lady! Look guys, the pretty lady is back!" The girl said running up to me, her three friends behind her. She was cute, about as tall as my hip, light brown hair and pretty green eyes. She held her hand out to me, saying, "Hi, I'm Sayo!"

I smiled as I crouched down and shook the little girl's hand, "I'm Anya, who are your friends?"

Sayo smiled wider and pointed to a girl with black hair and light blue eyes, "That's Asa," then a boy with what looked like blue hair and, I think, light orange eyes. "That's Haru, and that's Ran." The boy had silver hair and blue-gray eyes.

"It's nice to meet you." I said with a smile. "These are my, friends, would you like to meet them?"

The kids nodded, a little shy. I smiled and started with the Leaf ninja. "This is Hinata, that's Neji, Shino, and Kiba and his dog Akumaru. And these three are some of my best friends, Ashlynn, Silver, and Venus." I laughed softly as the kids flinched away from Venus' glare.

"What's wrong with her?" Asa whispered.

"I CAN HEAR YOU!" Venus snapped.

"She's just a little cranky." I whispered back.

Venus glared and began muttering to herself, though, she was muttering loud enough for the children to hear what she was talking about. These poor children, I've scarred them for life by introducing them to V. They'll probably go home and have nightmares about horrific, bloody deaths. Maybe I'm being too dramatic.

"Just ignore her," I told the children with a smile.

Sayo smiled at me and nodded before frowning, she looked kinda sad. "Why didn't you come back with Kazekage-sama?"

I smiled sadly. "Because a mean boy took me away to an evil man, but I'm back now."

"Are you going to help Kazekage-sama again?" The little girl asked.

"I'm going to try."

"He missed you." Ran said softly, glancing around as if he were afraid of something attacking him for saying such a thing. "Everyone thought he was giving into the demon inside him, but nobody noticed how sad he was."

"You're very observant for a kid." Ashlynn said, looking at the silver haired boy.

He just shrugged.

"It's true though." Haru spoke up. "And then there were people who looked like you," He paused to point at Anya. "But they were different."

"Different how?" Silver asked, studying at the blue haired boy.

"They didn't play with the sand like she does." Asa said softly, gesturing at me.

"They were…mean.. they wouldn't talk until they saw the Kazekage and if the knocked into someone or knocked them down or made them drop something, they never apologized or helped them like the real pretty lady did." Haru explained.

"Shouldn't you brats be home now." Venus growled.

"V don't be mean." I said, glancing back at her, she was still super pissed. I looked back to the four kids in front of us. "Well, it was nice meeting you, but my friends and I have to go now, but we'll be around, so we'll see you guys some other time, alright?"

The kids smiled and nodded before running off and I smiled and stood up from my crouched position, stretching before continuing towards the Kazekage's home. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, just walking where my feet led me as they used to, towards the auras I identified as Temari and Kankuro.

"Are we there yet?" V snapped.

"I think this is the house." I replied as though Venus wasn't in the mood to rip anyone's head off.

"You THINK this is the house? You mean you don't KNOW?" Venus hissed, grumbling under her breath as Silver laid a hand on the enraged girl's arm.

I rolled my eyes before knocking on the door. I heard movement and a few moments later the door was opened and I was face to face with Kankuro. He looked confused as he stared at me, looking over Venus, Silver, Ashlynn, and the Leaf Ninja before looking back at me again, his eyes wide.

"Neko?" He asked, causing me to scowl.

"Again with that stupid nickname! You never told me why you called me that either!" I said accusingly.

"Temari!" He called, not taking his eyes off me, probably afraid I'd disappear.

There was an exasperated noise before the blonde girl was seem just behind her younger brother.

"What is it Kankuro?" She asked, clearly annoyed.

Kankuro moved sideways, opening the door more, still not taking his eyes off of me.

"Seriously Kankuro, take a picture, it'll last longer." I muttered before looking at Temari, waving at her. "Hi Temari."

"Anya?" She asked in disbelief. "You're not fake?"

I scoffed, offended. "Of course not. Damn, I'm aware that there were replicated me's running around, but seriously, I'm the real deal, I swear. Ask Gaara, he knows, even if he doesn't want to admit it!" I snapped. "Now, can we come in? We've been standing outside your door for about ten minutes now because you guys can't get over the fact that I'm really here."

"It's really you?" Temari asked, she sounded torn between desperately wanting to believe me and being wary of the fact that I might not be how I say I am.

"YES! IT'S REALLY HER! NOW LET US IN!" Venus yelled, her eyes still ice blue.

Temari and Kankuro looked over to Venus before looking back at me. "Who's she?" They asked simultaneously.

"That's Venus, she's really pissed. So, I'd refrain from saying anything stupid." I informed them, looking pointedly at Kankuro. "So, can we come in now? Naruto sent us and we're pretty tired. Or I am at least."

"It's definitely her." The siblings muttered before moving out of the way for the group of us to enter the house.

"FINALLY!" Venus raged, causing me and Ash to roll our eyes.

"Is she always like that?" Kankuro muttered to me as Temari closed the door behind us.

"UGH! I CAN HEAR YOU!" Venus growled.

"I'd just stop talking Kankuro." I told him. "She's really angry right now."

"Why?" He asked.

"Because your brother tried to kill Anya." Silver said quietly. "We don't take it lightly when someone even threatens our Anya."

"Your Anya?" Temari asked.

"Yes," Ashlynn cut in. "We used to be trapped within her, kind of like how Kyuubi is sealed within Naurto and how Shukaku was sealed within Gaara. Over the years, we've become very protective of her."

"Well then, how come you're not all like that?" Kankuro asked pointing at Venus.

"You shouldn't have said that." I muttered as I watched V lunge at Kankuro and pin him to the wall. "She doesn't like being talked about as if she's not here, right V?"

"Do it again, you make up wearing weirdo, and I'll probably kill you." Venus growled as she pulled him away from the wall and slammed him against it again. "And don't point at me, next time, I'll just break your finger."

"Alright V, he gets it, let him go please." Anya coaxed. "He's not worth it."

"I resent that." Kankuro muttered.

"Do you want to die?" Anya hissed. "'Cause she'll do it, no problem."

"She's right, I will." Venus said, glaring at the boy.

"Venus, please let him go?" Ashlynn asked halfheartedly.

Growling lowly, Venus let Kankuro go and stepped away from him, standing back between Ashlynn and Silver. I sighed, this was not going well. Not at all. Temari excused herself into the kitchen to make some food for us, seeing as we didn't really have time to eat between the journey from Konoha to Suna. I nodded gratefully, but also a little apprehensive, for I'd never had her cooking and Gaara usually tried to avoid having me eat anything she made, unless in was instant soup of something. It's going to be a long night.

A Kazekage's work is never done. At least it isn't for me. I'm always awake. Always protecting the village. Lately, I'm hardly ever home, I'm always doing something to keep busy, ever since Anya- No, I refuse to think about her. I was wandering around the village when I sensed people coming towards the village and made my way to the gates. I watched as the guards inquired as to what their business was and as they whispered to each other before looking down at me. I nodded. They opened the gate and I saw Leaf Ninja standing there.

"What brings the Leaf Ninja here so late?" I asked as I watched them walk toward me.

"Hokage Naruto ordered us to get here as soon as possible," The dog boy, Kiba, informed me. Curious.

"For what reason?" I asked, watching as the four ninja glanced at each other before my attention was drawn to something I had neglected to notice. There were people on the oversized dog and one of them slid down and stepped forward.

"Hello Gaara." She greeted me, as if nothing had happened, I felt my eyes widen. This isn't possible, she can't be here… It's been two years. Without even thinking about it, I struck out at her using the sand, only to have her block with a wall of sand as she squeaked. None of the other ones had ever done that. Use the sand. "The hell kind of hello is that?"

"Who are you?" I growled. It couldn't be her, there's no way it could be her.

"It's me Gaara, I'm back." She told me as she manipulated the sand, her voice soft. "The girls are here too." She said, motioning to the three girls still sitting on Akumaru. "They just aren't up here anymore." She said as she touched her temple. "I'm home."

"No!" I growled, attacking her with the sand, only to have it stop in front of her.

"Yes," She said as she walked towards me, lifting her shirt just enough to see the kanji tattoo I'd given her, left of her pierced navel. "You gave me this, remember?"

I glared and disappeared. It couldn't be her, they must have figured out how to send clones that can replicate her powers. But that still doesn't explain the tattoo and the piercing; none of the others had had them. I know they didn't because they wore clothing that revealed that portion of skin. Sighing angrily, I returned to my office and began pacing. This couldn't be happening, but clearly it was. She couldn't be back though, Orochimaru had her and there's no way she could have gotten away from him. It's just not possible. I started when I felt something wet on my face, reaching up, I wiped my fingers across it. Crying. I was crying. I can't remember the last time I cried. She was back and I couldn't accept it.

Back at the house, Anya, Ashlynn, and Silver had managed to barely calm Venus down during the time it took for Temari to make something simple for everyone to eat. Hinata seemed hesitant to do anything, Neji was smirking as he watched Venus, Shino was just watching because there was nothing better to do, and Kiba seemed highly amused. Everyone had gone into the living room while Temari was in the kitchen and they were relaxing, more tired than they would care to admit, seeing as they had cut a, normally, two day trip down to a one day trip. It was exhausting. Kankuro seemed to be eying Venus warily, waiting for her to just jump up and attack him for no reason. And Venus seemed to find this amusing, seeing as she was smirking, and seemed like she was actually contemplating attack him. Which the other three wouldn't put past her.

"Venus, stop tormenting him." Anya said, nudging the dark haired girl.

"But it's fun." Venus whined, yes, whined. Her eyes were still tinged blue and Anya rolled her eyes, not taking the girl's whining seriously.

"I know, but I don't need to explain to Gaara why his brother is dead just because you find it fun to torment him without actually touching him."

"But his thoughts are amusing when he's scared." Venus retorted, a devious smirk on her face.

Everyone, with the exception of Ashlynn and Silver, turned to look at Anya and Venus curiously. The Leaf Ninja had briefly witnessed an episode where Venus was yelling at Sasuke to stop thinking certain thoughts. They all remembered, but they didn't know how, well the how being she was able to read his mind, but how she was able to read his mind is what stumped them.

"I'm sure they are V, but please. I would very much appreciate it if you wouldn't torment Kankuro." Anya pleaded. "I'll even make you a deal; You try not to torment Kankuro so much and when we catch Sasuke, you can torment him all you want. Mentally, not physically."

Venus turned her head to look at the dark red, nearly black, headed girl, her face blank for a few moments before a huge grin took over the girl's face. "I like that idea. I like it a lot. But I'm not making any promises."

Anya smiled back softly. "Just try, that's all I'm asking."

"Yeah, yeah."

Ashlynn snorted. "Now she's gonna sit there and think of the different possibilities of what she can put the cockatoo ass through."

"So long as she doesn't kill Kankuro, I'm ok with that." Anya said as Temari walked into the room.

"The food is ready." She told them, ushering them all into the dining room and sitting them at the table. "It's nothing fancy, mostly instant stuff."

"It's fine Temari." Anya told her as she sat down and grabbed a bowl of ramen; it seemed like the safest bet.

"So, how exactly are you able to read minds?" Neji asked, staring at Venus over the food he'd grabbed.

Venus looked up and stared at Neji, blinking only once. "The same way I can talk to people in their heads."

"But that doesn't answer the question."

Venus stared him in the eye for a full five minutes, barely blinking before she spoke again. "It's called telepathy, duh."

"Doesn't explain why you have it."

"You have to counter everything I say, don't you?"

The rest of the group just stared as they ate.

"Are you going to answer?" Was all Neji said.

Venus stared at him, blank-faced again. "I'm not human. And we'll just leave it at that. I don't like talking about it."

Ashlynn and Silver glanced at each other before looking back at Venus and Neji. He seemed to want to say something else, but Venus' blue tinged eyes had him keeping it to himself even though Venus could hear his thoughts, but at least she didn't actually have to answer his thoughts. Anya smiled softly and nudged Venus.

'I think you should just be happy he's showing interest.'

'I already know he's interested, I can read him mind, remember.'

'True, but he could have just been interested in the knowledge, but he stopped asking questions, which is a very good sign.'

Venus blushed lightly, not that anyone was paying attention. 'Shut up Anya.'

Anya grinned and shook her head before going back to her food. Venus looked over at Ashlynn and Silver who were looking at her with their own worried looks but Venus just smiled. She'd be fine.

After everyone was finished eating, we were all split up into pairs in order to share rooms. Neji and Shino were using one room, Kiba was to get a room for himself and Akumaru seeing as his dog is huge, Silver and Venus were paired, and Ashlynn and Hinata were paired for another room. This place is bigger than I originally thought. Not that Gaara ever told me how large this place really is.

"And we'll just put you in Gaara's room, seeing as he's never really home." Temari said softly, her face sad.

"Thanks," I said softly before leaving the group to go into Gaara's room. It was still the same, nothing changed. Sand was still everywhere, clothes here and there, like usual. It made my heart ache to know that while it seemed like nothing had changed, a whole lot really had. We weren't totally the same, I no longer had the girls in my head, Gaara no longer had Shukaku, and while I had been locked up in a laboratory for two years, Gaara had to suffer through the pain of not knowing if I was dead or alive while he had to take care of his village. I wish I could have been there to help him, but obviously, I wasn't.

I looked through the drawers that I had used while staying here, the clothes that Gaara and I had gotten on the first shopping trip I'd gone on in the village were still in the drawers, untouched. Sighing sadly, I grabbed some of the night clothing and wandered into Gaara's bathroom to take a shower. Forty minutes later, I was dressed in pajama pants and a tank top and had my hair wrapped in a towel, brush in hand, and walking out of the bathroom. I sensed him before I saw him. He was on my left as I walked out of the door. He was just staring at me, staring through me, like I wasn't there. Maybe he really thought I wasn't. Well, I'll have to make him aware of the fact that I'm here and I really don't intend to go anywhere; though, the Akatsuki might have something to say about that.

"Gaara?" I asked softly, shifting from one foot to the other.

He looked into my eyes and I saw his pain and confusion.

"I'm here." I told him gently, slowly reaching for one of his hands with my free hand, stopping just short of touching him. "I'm really here."

He looked down at my hand and back up to my face, I saw his hand twitch and then I felt it enclose around my own. I smiled softly, squeezing his hand gently. He just stared at me, his eyes conveying all of the emotions his face didn't actually show and it was heartbreaking.

"Naru-kun told me…about what happened to you…and Shukaku…"I told him softly.

Gaara was silent for a few minutes before he finally spoke. "Naruto likes to talk a lot."

I laughed softly. "Yeah, that he does." I paused, walking towards his bed, pulling him with me before I spoke again. "But, as you saw, I not longer have the girls stuck in me either. They're ecstatic about it and it's nice for me too. I can finally have some peace in my own head." I let go of his hand and climbed onto his bed, sitting back against the head of the bed, legs crossed in front of me. "But for now, I want to sleep, and I think you need to sleep too."

Gaara stared at me a moment before nodding. He went to his dresser and into the bathroom to change. He walked out in pajama pants, just pajama pants. Damn he's got defined muscles. I smiled as he climbed into bed next to me as I continued to pull the brush through my hair until all the little tangles were gone and pulled it into a ponytail. I tossed the towel onto the floor and put the brush on the nightstand before scooting down the bed, laying next to Gaara.

I rolled onto my side and looked at him before leaning up and gently placing a kiss on his tattoo. "I love you Gaara." I whispered, laying back down, a smile on my face as I closed my eyes.

As I slowly dozed off, I was vaguely aware of his arms wrapping around me, holding me close as he whispered. "I think I love you too."