Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Given The Chance ❯ Finally Arriving ( Chapter 24 )

Chapter #24

Finally Arriving

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Co.

 

Hey, I got another chapter done already (I am so freaking proud of myself). Things about the attack do get completely explained as the story goes (its not random so don't worry), you all just need to be patient and let the plot points unfold a bit more.

 

In the mean time there is going to be a long awaited fluff overload (sorry again, the Christmas day chapter is right after this, and it will be long don't worry) so excuse me and my happy `ocular gusher' tears while I slave over my keyboard! (Lol I think I may have had a little bit to much Pepsi…)

 

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“Its ok if you sleep, I'm right here,” Gaara picked her up bridal style, “I'm not going to leave you. No one will take you from me.”

 

Back at camp the two eldest sand siblings waited along with Cassandra's family for Gaara to come back. They had been waiting for hours and they could sometimes even hear the commotion happening far off in the distance which made them even more restless.

 

Hale had been threatening to run off by himself to go find his sister and he would have on several occasions had Kankuro not dragged him back every time. Temari spent the last few hours trying to calm down Daichi who seemed like she was about to burst a blood vessel. Gina had been bawling ever since she got back to her mother who started crying right along with her.

 

Suddenly both dogs came barreling through the trees barking and making a fuss. Kobi was sporting a rainbow of cuts and bruises that were slowly showing up from under his light coloured fur while Cori seemed to be in much better shape.

 

It was a few seconds later when Gaara came walking through the trees with Cassandra fast asleep in his arms.

 

Daichi was the first to his feet by far, and with a petrified look on his face, “What happened to her?”

 

“She's asleep,” stated Gaara, “So be quiet.”

 

“What happened to her?” Hale insisted.

 

“Ok just sit down for a minute Hale,” Temari instructed firmly, “We can get through this a bit faster if you just calm down.”

 

“Hey what's going on over here?” Two new forms came leaping out of the shadows, two people the sand-nin knew well.

 

The first was a bored looking Jounin with his hair pulled up into a spiky ponytail and the second was a pink haired medic-nin.

 

“Shikamaru,” Temari let out a sigh of relief, “Sakura-chan!”

 

“What has been going on out here we could hear the commotion all the way in the village,” Shikamaru asked in his usual dull tone, “Hokage-sama sent four of us to see what was happening.”

 

“Four?” asked Kankuro.

 

“Naruto and Sasuke out searching, we figured it be faster if we split up,” Sakura explained, “So what on earth is going on?”

 

“There was some trouble with a small group of highwaymen hired to capture us,” Temari answered and turned to Gaara for the rest of the story.

 

Gaara didn't feel up to talking but he did owe some kind of summary of what happened after Temari left, “They were a pair of sisters, one looked like she was no more than ten, and the other one kept transforming so I couldn't tell what she looked like. I destroyed some container they needed and they ran off so you'll need to send people to look for them. They're strong, be careful.”

 

“We'll tell that to Naruto and Sasuke when they catch up,” Sakura nodded, “But what about the girl? Is she alright? Do you want me to take a look at her?”

 

Nodding Gaara put Cassandra down so Sakura could examine her. Sakura was a quick worker and immediately began healing the cuts on Cassie's legs with her chakra. She also located Cassie's dislocated shoulder and healed that as well, and when she was finished the expression on Cassie's face was much more peaceful.

 

“She'll be fine, but her body was almost completely drained earlier so she its best to let her sleep for a while,” Sakura instructed.

 

Gaara let out a small sigh of relief, `I can't believe I let this happen…'

 

Cassandra's eyelashes fluttered and her eyebrows furrowed for moment, “Hmm…”

 

“Cassie can you hear me?” Daichi grabbed his daughter's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

 

“I feel dizzy…” Cassie's voice was so soft they barely even caught what she said.

 

“You need to sleep to regain your energy,” Sakura said once again, “Just go back to sleep and try to relax. We're going to take you back to Konoha.”

 

Without a word Gaara moved forward and scooped her up again so he was holding her bridal style in his arms. He told her before she fell asleep no one would take her from him, and he knew he was being a little possessive about it, but somehow he couldn't help it. Especially after watching her get the injuries Sakura had to heal in the first place.

 

The two Konoha-nin looked confused for a minute but didn't say anything as Gaara walked off towards Konoha.

 

“Do I even dare ask?” Shikamaru turned to Temari who was by his side.

 

“Gaara found himself a little sweetheart,” Temari gave a small grin and took Shikamaru's hand, “You should meet her when she is conscious, she's a really sweet girl.”

 

“I didn't think Gaara and sweet went together,” Sakura had the same little smile Temari had, “So when did this happen Temari-chan?”

 

“A while back now, but lets save the adorable stories until we get back to the village,” Temari gave Shikamaru's hand a gentle squeeze, “You wouldn't believe how many times I wished I had a camera with those two around.”

 

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“I want to walk…” Cassandra whined.

 

“No.” Gaara knew she was just being stubborn, but she still needed to rest to regain her strength even if she appeared to be healing faster than expected. So much for her sleeping the injuries off.

 

“But Gaara-kun I'm not tired…” she murmured before giving a loud yawn.

 

“Just rest for a little while,” he insisted.

 

Cassie sighed and leaned her head on Gaara's shoulder, “That girl did something really weird. She only touched me for a second and along with screwing around in my memories she showed me the highlights of what was planned to happen. I didn't know the specifics but that container had something that was important to them inside so I kind of took a stab in the dark by telling you to crush it...”

 

`She took her memories so she would be able to act out Cassie perfectly, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference myself had she not come crashing through the trees at the last minute,' Gaara looked down at her tired face for a moment, “I'm sorry about letting all this happen.”

 

“I don't know why you're apologizing. None of this was anyone's fault but those two girls,” she pointed out, “You're the one that ended up finishing it.”

 

`Only after nearly loosing myself and allowing you to see me in that form,' he pointed out to himself, “You should sleep for a little while before we get to the village.”

 

“I don't want to sleep … that Yang girl did something in my head that keeps making me remember stuff I don't want to remember,” Cassie looked down at her hands, “Every time I close my eyes I see the time when my mom was still in the hospital. It was pretty close to the end and they had her on a lot of pain medication so she wasn't really … herself. I remember going in to give her flowers and she turned to me and asked me my name, and after talking to her for a little while I realized she didn't even remember who I was. I don't want to have to keep reliving that.”

 

There was a long silence between the two. Cassie was the first to speak as usual, “I should thank you for saving me … again. I must be a nuisance the way I keep getting in the way huh?”

 

“They attacked because they wanted to get to me, and you were the bait.”

 

“Do I have to keep reminding you that it was you that finished it?” Smiling softly she buried her face in Gaara's neck and kissed him, “All I ever see is the Gaara I know. I stopped being afraid of monsters when I was very small, and I know you're no monster.”

 

For a few moments he held onto her just a little tighter, `What would I do without her?'

 

“Gaara,” Cassandra grinned and held her hand out to catch one of the small white snowflakes that begun to fall, “Look its snowing.”

 

That was no surprise. It was freezing cold outside and clouds gathered quite some time ago making it dull and grey out. Gaara hadn't thought anything of it and he certainly didn't think all that much about snow.

 

“Have you ever been in Konoha in the winter?”

 

“No.”

 

“Wow, have you every actually seen snow before?”

 

Another thing Gaara never actually thought about it. It was true, he never seen snow in his life, he did live in a desert after all…

 

Laughing her cheeks went slightly rosy and she kissed his cheek, “See, aren't you glad you came now?”

 

“Very,” he agreed.

 

A short distance away Naruto and Sasuke were passing by on their way to rendezvous with Shikamaru and Sakura when they happened to catch a glimpse of Gaara with a pretty young girl in his arms. It was just to tempting to look so - being sure to keep their distance and hide their chakra - they stopped to watch for a moment.

 

“No way,” Naruto gaped for a moment with a big goofy grin on his face, “Wadda ya know, the sand freak has a girlfriend!”

 

“Keep your voice down dobe,” Sasuke hissed, but even Uchiha Sasuke had a small smirk forming on his face.

 

“Wow where did he find her anyway? She's pretty cute,” Naruto snickered.

 

Sasuke shook his head and hit Naruto over the head, “Come on we have to go meet Sakura.”

 

“Sasuke-teme,” the hyperactive blonde muttered as he followed Sasuke back into the woods.

 

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It didn't take long for the others to catch up and by then they were already at the Konoha gates. Cassandra insisted that she start walking shortly before they got to the gates, but she was slow, slightly lethargic, and she had to hold onto Gaara's arm for support. Still, everyone did find it impressive that she had even that much energy when Sakura said that she would have been more likely to sleep until the until the next day.

 

They ended up at a house on the outskirts of the village, just an average little home, and it was type of place where you would expect someone to be raising a family.

 

One of the windows opened - the one that led to the kitchen - and a dark haired woman glanced outside. She had to look a second time before grinning and running back into the house and out to the door.

 

She was a woman in her late thirties or early forties with her long ebony hair twisted into a braid that ended just past her shoulder blades. Gaara almost thought she was seeing Cassandra's mother again, but there were some differences that were hard to miss. Her eyes were a bit narrower and a honey hazel colour, she was a little bit taller than Cassandra's mother, and her face was slimmer and didn't share the same childish roundness. Her obviously pregnant belly bulged out from her body.

 

Following closely behind her was a young man about the same height as Gaara - though a year or two older - who had neatly combed light brown hair and bright blue eyes. He was wearing a loose fitting white shirt that complimented his lean muscled body and a pair of comfortable blue jeans.

 

Next to him were two young children - a little boy and girl - that didn't look more than four years old. They were obviously twins because they both had the same blonde hair (the boy's was in a mop cut and the girl's was about mid back length and up in pigtails), blue eyes, and similar facial features. The two were even dressed in similar outfits.

 

The little blonde boy pulled a camera out of his pocket and handed it to his twin sister who began clicking pictures so fast Gaara had spots dancing all over his eyes.

 

“Daichi, Hale, Cassie, its been a long time,” the woman greeted warmly before looking over the several faces she didn't recognize, “It seems you brought some visitors for the holidays this year now haven't you?”

 

“Afraid we have,” Daichi laughed and gave the woman a big hug, and then pointed to Hana and Gina, “This is Chiba Hana and her daughter Gina, I told you about them in the letter I sent.”

 

“And this is Temari, Kankuro, and Sabaku No Gaara,” Cassie piped up.

 

“Sabaku No Gaara as in the Kazekage?” The woman looked a little bit shocked and it took her a few seconds to respond. Remembering her manners she smiled sweetly and gave a shallow bow, “Well it's very nice to meet you all. My name is Alex, I am Daichi's sister-in-law. This is my son Fujita, and the twins Kin and Gin.”

 

“Nice to meet you,” Fujita stepped forward with a smile similar to his mother's, “Now are we all going to come inside or wait until we are frozen to the walkway?”

 

The group walked in and found seats in the living room which became quickly crowded with the amount of people. Fujita went off with the twins to go grab some extra chairs from the dining room while Cassie claimed a spot on the love seat and Gaara sat down next to her. Temari, Kankuro, Hale and Gina tried their best to all find a seat on the couch even if Gina was half sitting on top of hale. Daichi and Hana took two of the seats brought in from the kitchen and Alex sat on the overstuffed chair next to the couch.

 

The twins ran up and climbed onto Cassandra's lap chatting happily and giving her big hugs.

 

“Wow Kin, and Gin you have gotten so big since I last saw you,” Cassie wrapped her arms around both children, “I barely recognized you two.”

 

“How long are you going to stay Cassie-chan?” Kin asked excitedly.

 

“What did you get us for Christmas?” Gin asked with her most innocent smile.

 

Cassie stuck her tongue out, “Hey I'm not telling you nosy little bugs.”

 

“Aw,” the twins whined in unison.

 

“Hey,” Fujita leaned over the back of the love seat and messed up Cassandra's hair, “I want to hear everything about what's going on in Sunagakure Cassie, and no details will be skipped. Especially the ones that explains why Kazekage-sama is here.”

 

“Can't that stuff wait until later?” Cassandra pouted, “We have been traveling forever and I'm too tired to deal with you Fujita.”

 

“You look tired too,” Fujita laughed, “What did you do before you got here anyway? Run laps around the village?”

 

Cassandra laughed, “While it's snowing, not a chance.”

 

“So Kazekage-sama how long are you going to be in Konoha?” Fujita said with his attention turned to the stoic red head.

 

`So long as Cassie is here,' was his inner thought but he wasn't about to actually say it so he just shrugged, “Until after the holidays.”

 

The group heard the sound of the door opening and three male voices from the hallway.

 

“Raidon must be home,” Alex announced happily.

 

Two men walked in the room, two of which Gaara recognized instantly by their trademark green spandex suits, bowl cuts, and thick eyebrows. The third was a man in his early forties, Gai's height with sandy blonde hair, and a medium build. He assumed he was `Raidon' who was obviously Alex's husband.

 

Gai and Lee shot across the room in the blink of an eye, picking up Cassie before she even realized what was going on.

 

“Ah if it isn't my youthful little cousin,” Gai declared happily as he gave Cassie a death grip hug.

 

“Welcome back Cassie-chan,” Lee cheered.

 

“No air … choking … not breathing…” Cassie wheezed.

 

Gai released her after a few minutes - hints of blue were beginning to show in her lips - and set her back on her feet again just so he could beam at her, “Honestly you should come visit more often, we always have to wait so long, and I know Tenten was wondering when you guys would be coming up from Suna again.”

 

A few seconds later Lee finally sensed the pair of sea foam coloured eyes staring in their direction, “Gaara-sama? What are you doing here?”

 

“Visiting,” Gaara was getting sick of having to explain his presents.

 

Cassandra glanced at the two of them, “You two know each other?”

 

“We met back during the Chunin exams,” Lee explained.

 

“Oh,” Cassie yawned.

 

It was clear that she was still exhausted after having gone through a night of near hell and she was fighting just to keep her eyes open. Her feet felt weighed down but somehow she still made it back to the love seat and collapsed back into the cushions with her legs pulled into her chest.

 

“Well that saves another - yawn - introduction down doesn't it?” Cassie slid sideways - she didn't even have the strength to sit up anymore - until she was leaning against Gaara's shoulder.

 

“Oh my, what is wrong with her?” Alex got to her feet in concern.

 

Daichi's eyebrows furrowed, “There was an accident on the way over here. She was healed, but she has been tired ever since. She wasn't even supposed to be walking around but she was being stubborn.”

 

“We'll get her to the spare room upstairs so she can rest then,” Alex said.

 

Gaara picked the half asleep girl up and followed Alex up the stairs.

 

Cassandra groaned in annoyance, “But I'm fine…”

 

“Just sleep for a while,” insisted Gaara in a low tone Alex couldn't hear, “Or so help me I am tying you to the bed.”

 

“Fine,” Cassie turned so she could burry her face in Gaara's chest, “But just for a little while, you have to wake me up later ok?”

 

 

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Ahhhh! I don't want to leave it off here but I am at my dad's for the next few days and I won't be able to write, so I thought to myself `I can't be mean they must have new chapters for showering me with their kick ass reviews!!' (Anime river tears of happiness)

 

The next chapter will be out soon (as soon as its written lol), so sit tight and review like your life depends on it!

 

Lil_Pix