-Zendaya-

Earth shattering silence surrounded me as I lay suspended in the darkness that enveloped me. My body felt weightless as I floated through the darkness and I tried to remember what happened. The Akatsuki had waged war on Suna, Gaara was there. I remember seeing him in danger, then...nothing.

What happened afterwards? Where is Gaara, Temari, and the others? Where am I? Am I dead? Please if I'm dreaming let me wake up!

I begged as I shut my eyes tightly, hoping I hadn't died in the war.

"Ze...aya...Z...nda...ya"

I frowned at the sound of a voice trying to say something, but it sounded muffled.

"Zend...ay..a...ea..r...me.?"

I tried focusing on just the sound of whomever's voice was speaking and felt my body slowly stop floating and I felt a bed beneath me, the sheets felt rough beneath my palms.

"Zendaya, can you hear me?"

The voice was suddenly so clear that I was surprised I'd ever had trouble hearing them in the first place and I tried opening my eyes. Bright light flooded in through my eyelids and I immediately shut them again, groaning at the pain the light had caused.

"She's awake! Go get lady Tsunade!"

Someone, it sounded like Sakura, shouted and I knew I was in the hospital now.

Hurried footsteps and voices filled the air, but I ignored them all as I tried to slowly open my eyes so the pain from before wouldn't return. Eventually I was able to keep my eyes open, though I had to blink a couple times before they adjusted to the blinding lights of the hospital room I was in.

"Awake? Move aside."

I heard the sound of Tsunade's voice and turned just in time to see her come around the curtain that had been drawn around my bed to provide me with some privacy.

"You are awake."

The blonde hokage said, obviously surprised at this revelation. I opened my mouth to say something, but a dry airy sound came out instead of words.

"Don't strain yourself, you've been asleep for a while. Just take things slow."

Tsunade instructed as she poured water into a glass before handing it to me after Sakura helped me sit up. The water going down my throat felt like a waterfall of re-freshness, I thought I'd never get enough to drink. Tsunade had to refill the glass three times before I'd had enough to feel my throat wasn't going to catch fire from how parched it was.

"How are you feeling Zen?"

I turned towards the female Hokage and cleared my throat, wincing only slightly at the small sting of pain, before speaking.

"T-Tired. How long have I been out?"

I asked, my voice sounding hoarse with disuse and saw a bemused smile flash across Tsunade's face before it was replaced with a serious frown.

"You've been out for two weeks. The Elemental State you entered during the war took a major toll on your body. I've never seen anything like this before except for with Naruto. Your internal organs were burned and there was too much blood for us to do anything. We thought we were going to lose you when your body started healing itself. We had done all we could when you were suddenly enveloped in a red aura-like barrier that kept anyone from coming near you until a few days ago. I thought you would have woken then, but you showed no signs of waking up, but you were completely healed, as if nothing had happened to you."

Tsunade explained and I stared at my hands.

Had I really been so badly injured?

I wondered, only to be brought out of my musings by the sound of Tsunade telling everyone to leave the room. Hearing the door click and seeing Tsunade return, I looked up at the older woman, curious as to why she made everyone else leave. I started to feel nervous when she didn't say anything, just sat on the edge of my hospital bed before placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Congratulations Zen."

Tsunade suddenly said with a smile and I stared at her in complete and utter confusion which just made her laugh.

"Congratulations for what exactly?"

I asked, though was a little afraid to find out.

"You're pregnant Zen, did you really not know? You're well over two months along now."

Tsunade told me and I felt my eyes widen as I stared at the end of my bed.

P-Pregnant?

"If there's anything you need-"

Tsunade started to say as she got up and I turned to look up at the Leaf Village's Hokage.

"Gaara."

I said and saw her give me a soft smile before nodding and disappearing behind the screen again. The sound of the door opening and closing told me she was gone.

Glancing down at my stomach I didn't see any difference. It was still flat and hadn't changed any, was I really pregnant?

"Zendaya?"

A familiar raspy voice asked softly and I turned towards the direction of the door and waited with baited breath as his footsteps carried him closer until he came into view. He stopped at the end of the bed for a moment and I felt like time froze when I saw the bags under his eyes, the state of his clothes and hair, it looked like he hadn't slept at all. Knowing him, he probably didn't.

"Zen, you're okay!"

The breath I was holding was suddenly knocked out of me by Gaara's arms as they wrapped themselves around me and he pulled me into a hug. I could feel him bury his face into my hair and hold me close, like he was afraid he'd lose me. All words left me and the only thing I could do was reach up and attempt to tame the wild mess that was his hair as he held onto me like a drowning man to a life preserver.

"I thought I had lost you."

Gaara whispered in a hoarse voice, breaking the silence that had enveloped us. I frowned before placing my hand a top his head.

"I'm sorry Gaara."

I apologized and felt him hug me tighter.

How am I going to tell him?

I wondered before realizing the best way would be to just tell him straight out.

"Gaara, there's something you need to know."

I started and watched as he released me to sit up and look at me. His sea-foam green eyes stared into my scarlet ones and the fear I felt about how he'd take the news I was about to tell him faded.

"What is it Zen? Do I need to get Lady Tsunade?"

He asked as he started to get up to head for the door. I reached out and grabbed his arm to stop him. He turned back to look at me and I smiled sheepishly up at him.

"You're going to be a daddy."

The color faded from Gaara's face so quickly I thought he might faint. He said nothing, just slowly sat back down on the hospital bed I was lying in. His eyes stared straight ahead, unseeing anything in the room and I could tell he was trying to wrap his mind around what I'd just told him.

"Gaara?"

I called tentatively and it seemed to pull him out of his daze a little as he turned to look at me, but I was surprised to see fear and doubt in his eyes.

"I can't be a father. With everything I've done, all the people I've killed and who I am...I won't be a good father..."

He said and I felt my heart wrench as I realized what he was thinking.

"Oh baby no."

I said as I moved towards the end of the bed where Gaara was sitting and pulled him to me.

"Gaara, you will be a great father. Look at what you've done since then. You worked so hard to make Suna great again, you're Kazekage! You help people, you've saved people and fought to keep those you love safe. You are a strong, loyal man with a sweet heart that cares greatly for things you are passionate about. I can't think of any person who would be a better father than you."

I told him and saw in his eyes that he didn't fully believe me. I felt him hold me close as I ran my fingers through his hair to calm him down.

"You'll be a great father Gaara."

~Three and a half years later~

-Gaara-

"Come on Aly, you need to get ready."

I said as I watched the young red-haired girl run around the room, laughing.

"I don't wanna!"

She screamed defiantly and I couldn't help but sigh as I smiled at her. Using my sand to corner her, I smirked as the girl squeaked in surprise when she was lifted up and carried across the room to me before being dropped in my arms.

"No fair daddy!"

The young red-head whined, but her sea-foam green eyes danced with myrrh as I hugged her close.

"You don't want to keep everyone waiting now do you Aly? Auntie Temari and Uncle Kankuro worked hard to set everything up and invite all your friends."

I said as I had my sand pick the dress up from the bed and carry it over to me. Crouching so I was at my daughter's level I held the dress out and saw Alyssia pout before throwing her arms up so I could get her dressed.

"Are you behaving for your father Aly?"

A familiar voice asked from the doorway as I finished zipping up Alyssia's dress and in an instant she was running towards the door.

"Mommy!"

Alyssia shouted with a big smile and I watched as I stood up as Zendaya bent over to pick our daughter up. Smiling as she brushed her bright auburn hair from her face.

"How's mommy's birthday girl?"

Zendaya asked and I smiled as Alyssia started rambling about how I wouldn't let her get out of getting dressed. I half listened as I walked over to the desk in the corner of Alyssia's room and picked up the brightly decorated box on it.

"He cheated and used his sand! It's no fair!"

"And bad girls who don't do as they say don't get tuck ins."

I said as I walked over to join Zendaya by the door. The look of horror on my daughter's face when I said that was priceless, like she couldn't believe I'd just said that.

"Mommy and I have a gift for you Aly, happy birthday sweetie."

I said as I held out the little box for her. Alyssia looked from me to Zendaya before taking and tearing into the box. Wrapping paper, ribbons, and cardboard all were tossed to the floor until Alyssia got to the present that was hidden inside and a surprised gasp escaped her. I smiled as she held up the sand colored teddy bear and looked at it.

"This is mine?"

She asked and I nodded. She squealed with happiness before crushing the bear to her chest.

"I love it! Thank you mommy! Thank you daddy!"

I smiled as I walked over and wrapped my arm around Zendaya's waist. She brought her hand up and laced our fingers together. I felt her messing with the silver band on my left hand and laughed internally as I watched our daughter play with her new teddy bear.

~Two years later~

-Zendaya-

Never would I have thought this day would come. My mother had told me that I was to be the Elemental of Fire, but she had died before she could tell me. I knew how the role worked, my child would follow me and her child would then follow and so on and so on. I didn't know if there was to be a ceremony or if it just happened, but to me it just seemed right for there to be a ceremony. Alyssia had learned of her ability earlier than I had and was scared. She was playing with Shakka, Temari and Shikamaru's son, when flames shot out from her hands and burned his face. Thankfully Shikamaru was calm enough to call Sakura and so the damage done wasn't as bad as it could have been. She still felt bad whenever Shakka was over and she saw the left side of his face, but because of that she was very diligent in her training.

"Ready?"

Gaara asked as he came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and I nodded. Walking forward until I stood in front of my daughter, I smiled down at her as everyone took their seats.

"Alyssia Anne Sabaku, are you prepared for what the role that is set before you?"

I asked and saw my daughter nod her head and could see she was nervous.

"Today will start your journey to become the next Fire Elemental should anything happen to me. Upon that day, do you promise to make the trip to the temple to accept the full force of your powers from the God that controls your element?"

I asked and could see Alyssia hesitate ever so slightly. I had fully explained to her how the role of an Elemental worked as my mother had explained it and knew she didn't fully understand. After a while I saw Alyssia straighten her shoulders before answering confidently.

"I promise."

Smiling, I continued. Speaking the words that filled me, feeling my sisters spirits with me.

"Then today shall mark your apprenticeship until the day comes when you take over my role."

I said before stepping down and kissing the top of my daughter's forehead.

"Thank you mama."

Alyssia said and I smiled as I hugged her. Hopefully that day wouldn't come for a good while yet.

-Gaara-

Since our daughter's ceremony Suna has been peaceful, which is great. Only bad part is that now I had nothing to distract me from the fact my wife was out searching for those worthy to take over the other three Elemental roles. She had said she knew of at least two, but she wasn't sure how they would react. Thinking back on the conversation we had that night, I wonder if I shouldn't have offered to go with her.

I'm just overthinking things. Zen will be fine.

I told myself as I stood from my desk and walked towards the door. Our shinobi had recovered from the war with the Akatsuki a few years back, and now our numbers had grown. More and more young people wanted to become shinobi and it filled my heart with pride. The village was doing well.

Walking out of the Kazekage tower, I headed back towards the house me and my siblings chose as a home away from home. We had been raised in the tower when our father was still Kazekage, but after the Chunin Exams we had wanted somewhere to start fresh. It now held a different meaning to me as well, it was where Zendaya, Alyssia, and I lived together. It was our home.

"Daddy!"

I heard my daughter shout from the second-story window of the house even before I got to the gate. By the time I did, she had already run out to greet me.

"You're home!"

She said and I smiled as I placed my hand on her head.

"Yea, thought I'd come back for a bit."

"Amaya's here, she says mommy asked her to consider taking over the Earth Elemental's role and she is thinking of doing it."

So that's who she found to take her sister Souki's place? A fine choice in my opinion.

I thought as I followed my daughter inside. I found Amaya sitting on the couch in the living room, she stood up when she saw me but I waved the formalities aside and saw her smile meekly.

"So you are going to be the new Earth Elemental? Has my wife talked to you about what all that entails?"

I asked as I took a seat opposite of her. Seeing Amaya shake her head I sighed, it would seem Zendaya had either forgotten to explain or was too busy.

"I'm sure she'll explain when she gets back."

Alyssia spoke up on her mother's behalf.

"Oh I know that sweetie. You're mother and I are friends, if anything I bet she wants to wait until all the people she finds worthy to take her late sisters' roles are assembled to explain things in detail."

Amaya said and I had to say, that made a lot of sense.

"How long do you think it'll be until mom comes home?"

Alyssia asked, turning to look at me and I sighed as I saw my wife's eyes staring back at me.

"I don't know, but she'll return when she has finished what needs to be done. She just has an important role to do right now."

I explained and saw Alyssia smile wistfully before turning her attention back to Amaya and striking up a conversation, leaving me to my thoughts. I knew Zendaya would return, one day, but first she had to restore order to the temples and for now I could wait.

-Zendaya-

I shivered as the crisp cool air of the mountains blew across the lawn of Kouriko's bedroom balcony. I'd just unloaded a lot on her, asking her to take my sister Xenakis' place as the Water Elemental, and had stepped out to give her time to think it over. It had been a while since I'd last been up here and forgot just how cold it really was. Maybe I was just too used to the weather in Suna, but it was enough to make me miss home, that much was for sure.

I hope Gaara and Alyssia are alright without me. I managed to run into Amaya before leaving and asked her to take Souki's place. If Kouriko accepts, that then leaves Kensali's temple.

I sighed silently to myself, my breath coming out in a white puff in front of me. A pang in my stomach pulled my attention from my thoughts and I laid a hand over the spot that ached as a smile pulled at my lips.

"I know you're worried too, but I know mommy's baby boy will do fine as the first male Elemental."

I whispered softly to the barely noticeable bump hidden under my clothes. It would be another seven months before my son would be born, and Gaara didn't even know he was going to be a father again. I hadn't known until a few weeks ago when I'd started getting sick. It would take a few years before he was ready, but once he came of age he, like his sister, would go through the ceremony.

"Zen, I've made my decision."

Kouriko called from inside her room and I smiled down at my stomach before walking over and opening the door to go inside. Stopping just inside and leaning against the door jam, I saw Kouriko sitting in the middle of her bed looking serious.

"Well?"

I prompted and saw her look me in the eyes before smiling sheepishly.

"I can't promise I'll be very good at it, but I'd be willing to give it a shot."

She said and I smiled warmly at her.

"Then we can make arrangements to head back to Suna in two week's time. Until then, how about we see how far you've progressed in your training."

I said and Kouriko's face nearly split in two as she jumped to her feet and grabbed her weapon. Two more weeks and we'd head back home for Amaya and Kouriko's ceremonies, then it would only be a matter of time until the last Elemental is born. I wasn't too sure if my sisters approved of my choices, but at the same time I had a feeling that they would pick the same people if given the time to get to know them like I did. The love they had for their friends and family was enough to get on my good side, but the thing that made me choose them was the loyalty I could see not only in their actions, but also in their hearts.