Chapter 25

Gaara gently laid his palm on her chest, feeling the rise and fall of her bosom. He locked everything else out of his mind, only allowing himself to listen to the small breaths that she took. Sleep was one place where she could escape what the ugly world had to offer her. He hoped that he appeared in her dreams, not as a monster but as a lover, a man who cared about her and would give his very life to protect her. It seemed that would what it took to make things right.

He stood from the couch, and walking towards the window, laid a pale hand against the glass. Mountains upon mountains marked the landscape of Suna, while the golden sand playfully swooshed in the wind. It was sunset now, and a beautiful one at that. Hues of purple and pink painted the twilight sky while the big yellow orb called the sun sank back behind the tranquil sandy mountain tops. Gaara breathed deeply. This is his home, the place where he was born and where he will be buried. This is the place that he will fight to protect and die defending.

He watched as the shop keepers closed their venders and closed their windows. These people were his people, their burdens his burdens and their hope was his hope.

"I cannot ponder what must be done for too long, or else I will lose my way and always spend time thinking about what I should have done…I don't want that to happen." Gaara's eyes narrowed as he watched the sun set behind the sandy dunes of Suna. Somehow he had to fix things, he had to find out everything and then use that knowledge to stop whatever chaos was reigning in the land. He had to stop himself from becoming what he hated the most.

"There are many theories as to why Shukaku still resides within Gaara. When Akatsuki capture my grandson, they successfully extracted Shukaku's physical form. What they missed, or perhaps did not comprehend is that we all have souls." Temari listened closely. Of course they all have souls…but what does she mean by physical form?

"Grandmother…Shukaku's physical form…"

"Yes. The Jinchuuriki and their host are tied by more than just seals. After awhile if the Demon has bonded with their host for any reason they attach their soul to them. Right now, the real Shukaku is a soulless being. He is constantly trying to regain his physical form. It seems that right before he was extracted from Gaara he entrusted his soul into his body, to ensure Akatsuki could not have complete control over him. That is my understanding, anyway."

Temari tried to let the information sink in. It seemed almost impossible. She tried to create a scenario in her mind; she tried to remember everything in proper order so it could all make sense. Then it seemed to come to her…everything seemed to be clear.

"All this time…Shukaku had never left."

"Yes, true. Shukaku is a fallen god; his form is now that of a wretched demon who must be reunited with his body. Once Shukaku is reunited with his physical form, Gaara would have a better chance of controlling the demon within."

"But how? Akatsuki-," The older woman placed a finger on her lips, motioning for Temari to be silent.

"There is a way, but only one person can do that." Temari could feel her heart beating, and her mind racing. Who was this person? Who could save her brother from going insane?

"Who?"

"Matsuri. Matsuri is the only one who can reunite Shukaku with his soul. But it takes much preparation and power…even though Gaia resides within Matsuri, the young fool girl has not reach her full potential. Yuuki and Gaara are way ahead of her in terms of soul resonance."

"So if Matsuri can only connect with Gaia like Gaara can with Shukaku then she'll be able to save him!"

"She'll need to do more than just connect with Gaia. She will need to know how to summon her when she is needed." The confused look on Temari's face made the old woman sneer with irritation. She motioned for Temari to follow her as she walked back into the cave. The hallway was dark and forbidding as the two women walked down it to a room on the left. Grandmother opened the door. Candles flickered inside the room as the door swung open, a small gust of wind threatening to blow them out. It was a clean room, the stone floor was cold to the feet and the walls were dark with lanterns hanging down from posts. Bookshelves were on each wall of the room and papers upon papers were stacked in every nook and cranny. It was quite messy. To Temari, it looked like a small personal library.

"This is a special room. No one can come in without my presence. The room knows, and if you try to enter without me being with you, claws will come up from the ground and rip you to shreds. I've placed a summons around the whole room. Be warned, stupid girl." Temari refused to counter a response. She figured she was lucky to even get this far…but she couldn't help being cautious. She knew that her grandmother wanted freedom for the reward of helping them, but she was being a bit too helpful.

Nonsense…I've promised grandmother freedom…of course she would help as much as she could in return for such a gift. I should be embracing the fact she didn't kill us in the beginning… but if doing this can help Gaara, then so be it!

"I will help you along the way. When this is over I expect a full pardon for my sins. Now, you had better leave before the day is over. That bastard grandchild of mine must be overcome with anger at your disappearance."

"'It's just one thing after another." Gaara muttered, walking briskly beside Baki. The hallways of the Kazekage tower were all but bare as night settled over Suna. Temari and Kankuro had disappear only hours after he had left to find Matsuri. He could no idea where in the world they could be, he had no leads, and they hadn't even left him an obnoxious note hinting at what they might be doing.

That means they could possibly get in trouble for what they are doing. What idiot leaves and doesn't tell me? I'll have them buried in sand up to their necks when I find them!

"Kazekage-sama, we have searched everywhere and Kankuro-dono and Temari-dono are nowhere to be found."

"They are doing something…something they do not want me to find out about. This is the only reason why they have not alerted to me to their actions; those stupid idiots!"

"We currently have two parties out searching for them. The last time they were seen was yesterday afternoon heading east towards the Ramón Sand Dunes." Gaara stopped walking, he stopped thinking about everything he had previously thought was of utmost importance. Listening to the sound of his black boots against the floor, and watching the flicker torches out of the corner of his eye he spoke to Baki in an even tone of voice.

"Where were they headed?" Baki flipped the paper on the clip board and scrolled with his eyes.

"Two of our off duty scouts that were coming back to Suna from a family festival at local village said they met Temari-dono and Kankuro-dono going to opposite way. They didn't think much of it until this morning when they heard they had gone missing."

Gaara bit his lip, the warm feeling of blood dripping down his lips to his mouth made him shiver with its bitter metallic taste. Why in the world would they go to that sandy mountainous area? There was nothing out there except for the abandoned city that was forbidden to enter.

His brows furrowed as he thought of his siblings. Knowing them…they we're up to no good. Something was going on that they knew he would disapprove of. They continued walking down the corridor until they reached the stairs leading to the bottom floor of the building. Gaara briskly took to the stairs, entering the main lobby. Three guards stood at the front entrance, alert and seemingly tense.

"I'm leaving for tonight. Some of the elders and lobbyists are still inside. Keep watch." The men nodded.

"Good night, Kazekage-sama." Gaara nodded and motioned for Baki to follow him. Baki didn't have any idea what to say to Gaara at this moment. The young man was being pushed so many ways sometimes he doubted if Gaara, no matter how strong willed the young man was, would go insane. Truthfully speaking, he was still weary of Gaara. There was something unspoken lurking in the boy's mind and aura that Baki could not quite grasp. They walked in silence on the sandy street, the occasional straggler wandering around at night. They were about several blocks from Baki's home when Gaara turned around.

"I've never seen your home before. Are you wife and children home?" Baki stiffened.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama."

"Would you do anything to protect your family, Baki?"

"I would." Gaara turned to him, a faint smile on his face.

"My future family…is with Matsuri. I will do anything to protect her." Baki leaned one knee, his hand gripped Gaara's.

"My life and will is dedicated to serving you, Kazekage-sama. I promise I will not fail to protect what is yours."