Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Given The Chance ❯ Back in the Shell ( Chapter 35 )

Chapter #35

Back in the Shell

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Co.

 

Even I didn't expect this story to be this long, I'm so proud of myself! Of course I had everything planned out from chapter one (just to show you how far ahead I was thinking) and it turned out to be my longest running story by far!

 

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Cassandra felt like her eyes were glued shut, and no matter how hard she tried to open them they just wouldn't. Eventually she just allowed herself to sleep, and drift in and out of consciousness as people talked beside her bed. At best she caught some odd mumbled out words between occasional visitors before falling into another dreamless sleep. Every time she fell asleep and woke up she felt just a little more of her strength return, until eventually she found enough energy just to open her tired eyes.

 

She squinted against the blinding white of her hospital walls, and off in the distance she could hear all sorts of monitors make their little rhythmic beeping noises. After what happened it was no surprised she ended up in a hospital, the thing that actually surprised her was the fact that she lived. Everything was so dark for so long she could have sworn she simply died, and the noises of the monitors that would have otherwise been annoying suddenly made her heart pound faster. Cassie was still alive and kicking! The first ever survivor of a Wondering Spirit host, and all it took was a mini coma. She would have been a bit more overjoyed if she had any ability to move her limbs whatsoever. That strength had yet to return.

 

Beside her bed was her father, Daichi, sitting slumped over in his chair with his head leaning against the wall. His eyes were half open and had a slightly far off look indicative of someone hovering between sleep and consciousness.

 

“…D-dad…” It took a bit of effort to talk, and her voice was barely more than a whisper.

 

Daichi jumped to attention, and seeing his daughter's eyes open nearly made him cry, “Thank Kami, you're awake! You've been sleeping for almost two days, and it was beginning to make me worry. I swear Cassandra I will ground you until you turn twenty if you ever scare me like that again! There is only so much I can take you know!”

 

Cassie returned her father's ranting with a tired smile, “I'm glad … to see you're ok, dad. How is everyone else?”

 

“Cassie, you're an odd one. You wake up after nearly dying, and the first thing you ask is whether everyone else is ok.” Daichi sighed and held his daughter's hand gently, “Everyone else is just fine, Cassie, so save your strength by not worrying.”

 

“…How is Gaara?”

 

Daichi paused, “I'm not sure because I've been here with you the entire time, and it's not like anyone will ever tell me anything around here. Hale said he was going to check things out a little while ago, so he'll tell you when he gets back.”

 

`He's in the hospital … that Faceless thing didn't get to Gaara did she…?' Cassie's stomach lurched and she turned to her father once again, “I need to speak with Sakura, Neji, Temari, and Kankuro. I need to tell them something right away.”

 

“But you should rest, and you're in no condition to-”

 

“Please, it's important, and it can't wait.”

 

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Temari sighed. She hated dealing with Gaara when he was in a bad mood, and his mood was only worsening the longer he was forced to be confined to a hospital room with no explanation. But what else could they do? He lost six months worth of memory, and he was refusing to believe the little stuff they did tell him. The little battle in the woods, and the fact that someone took over a girl's body to try and get to him would be what he'd most likely believe, but there was no way in hell the Gaara before Cassie's influence would believe he'd fallen in love with someone.

 

`Poor Cassie … if we can't figure out a way to fix this, and do it soon, it will break her heart,' thought Temari as her eyes followed her youngest brother's pacing back and forth across the room. “Gaara, will you please just listen to me for once and sit down? You're not doing anyone any good, in fact I think watching you pace for so long is giving me whiplash.”

 

Gaara just gave his classic `screw off' grunt and continued pacing without another form of acknowledgement toward his sister. It'd been a day already, and even though he'd gained back the ability to move freely again he still didn't have his normal control over the sand. All the sand could do was protect him, but anything else was beyond his depleted chakra levels. He made sure to inform his siblings that as soon as he had control over his sand again he was leaving because then they wouldn't be able to stop him.

 

Temari groaned in annoyance, `I'd almost forgotten how cold he used to be. Cassie must have the patience of a saint to be able to bring someone like Gaara out of his shell.'

 

The doorknob turned, and both of the sand-nin turned to see who was coming in.

 

Hale - who Gaara could no longer recognize anyway - stuck his head in the door, “Hey, Temari, could you come with me for a second? She's finally woken up.”

 

“Really?” Temari felt relief rush over her.

 

“Who woke up?” asked Gaara.

 

Temari paused to consider her answer. She wasn't any kind of specialist, so she had no idea if just coming out and saying it would do any good at all. Eventually the blonde young woman decided he wouldn't believe her if she told him anyway. “A friend of mine is in recovery, and I'm going to go visit her. Please don't go anywhere while I'm gone, Gaara.”

 

`I'll leave whenever I please,' thought Gaara as his cold sea foam eyes watched his sister leave him alone in the tiny hospital room.

 

Once out of earshot Temari let out a sigh as she walked beside Cassie's brother.

 

“So is he going to get his memory back or not?” asked Hale out of the blue.

 

The question caught Temari slightly off guard, but her tired and saddened expression stayed the same, “We don't know. Sakura and Neji are both searching like crazy for some kind of cure for it before it spreads again like on Cassie, but there isn't anything we know of so far. Honestly, I didn't think you even cared that much, and with your attitude towards Gaara I would think this would be a relief for you.”

 

“I don't care for Gaara at all, but Cassie always seemed genuinely happy with him,” mumbled Hale, “For a long time a few years back Cassie would never let anyone know when she was sad or upset, hell, she'd apologies if she ever got caught looking troubled. So ever since I always worried whether Cassie was smiling because she was happy, or she was smiling because she didn't want to worry Dad and I. Then Gaara stepped in, and I noticed she started to look a lot more peaceful than normal, she started singing while she worked again, and her smile … it just seemed more genuine. If Gaara just forgets about her Cassie will go back to putting on that fake smile and she won't tell anyone how she really feels.”

 

“That's really sweet for an older brother,” Temari answered softly.

 

Hale scowled at the tile floor, “Of all the possible outcomes … this would be the worst. Near the end of our mother's life Cassie became the invisible girl, and all the extra meds they had mom on caused a lot of memory loss. She forgot a lot of things … even Cassie, and mom never got those memories back before she died…”

 

`…Can something that particularly crushing to Cassie be happening by coincidence?' thought Temari as they finally reached Cassie's room door.

 

The raven haired girl was propped up by a couple big fluffy pillows, and she turned her head to smile at the two of them as they walked in. The fact that she wasn't in good health was very apparent. She was even paler than usual, the shadows on her face were accented from fatigue, and she had particularly dark circles around her slightly dulled green eyes.

 

Everyone else was already present in the room. Kankuro and Daichi occupied the two guest chairs, and Sakura and Neji were busy examining Cassie for any other possible complications.

 

“Her name was Faceless if any of you were wondering, the thing that was controlling by body,” Cassie's weak voice was easily heard in the tense silence of the world, “she is still alive isn't she?”

 

No one answered, but it was painfully obvious Cassie knew the seal had been transferred to a new host, Gaara.

 

Despite Sakura's scolding Cassie pushed herself up so she was sitting on her own with her feet dangling over the edge of the bed, “It doesn't take long for Faceless to absorb the host's soul after she takes full control. I woke up just in time, I was very lucky, but … something got all mixed up in the time when neither of us could control my body. The things I saw … I think they were her thoughts, and likewise she saw all of mine… Let me tell you, Faceless isn't a dimwit, but she has a couple damn sick thoughts. It would give you all nightmares if you saw the things she's done to obtain more power.”

 

“How much do you know about the seal?” asked Sakura who, after hours of reading through old records, was eager for answers like everyone else.

 

“It's a target mostly, first the seal is placed, and then Faceless can transfer bodies. Please, don't ask me how I broke the seal on my own from the inside because I honestly don't know myself. But I do know some details about Faceless that could prove very fatal to her,” Cassie's eyes lifted from the floor where they'd been glued and she gave an exhausted glance to everyone, “there is a way to get rid of the seal for good, and in a sense we're very lucky because Gaara already broke her failsafe container. It was a pottery container with a bunch of containment seals on the inside, and it is her only hiding spot outside of an actual body that she has. There is no way for her to create a new one, so if I force her out again without giving her the chance to find a new host she's done for. Unfortunately there is a catch…”

 

Temari didn't like the sound of that, “What kind of catch?”

 

“To break the seal from the `outside' I need a special scroll,” explained Cassie, “and the problem is that Yang has it. Yin and Yang - the two little girls - are her puppets that she created by sacrificing the lives of children, and the ones she entrusted with her mortality. Faceless knows I've seen all of her thoughts, so it's likely the two of them are lying low. For now she is building up her power, and weakening him, she has to find a way to cause Gaara a lot of pain.”

 

`So she does know Gaara has the seal on his back … but does she know that his memories were erased?' The blonde sand-nin was only growing more concerned over the well being of her brother and friend.

 

“She needed to be subtle when inside my body, so she started giving me bad dreams, and bringing back every time I felt sad or hurt. Faceless hadn't decided what method she'd use with Gaara when I saw her thoughts, but she's going to choose whichever way is the best to cause him emotional pain. All she needs is control over Gaara's body, and then she'll make him fall asleep so she can spread into the Shukaku's consciousness. That way she'll have both their chakra, and even if she has to abandon the body she'll have that power. When she absorbs the host's soul she still gets to keep all the benefits, such as the Shukaku's near limitless chakra.” Cassie swallowed hard, “I don't need to tell you the bad things that will happen if she takes control…”

 

“All hell will break loose,” Kankuro groaned, “so we have to wait for this kid to show up before we can do anything about this?”

 

Cassie nodded, she'd become too weak again that her brother was supporting her, “They'll likely show up again when Faceless is ready to make her move, and when that happens we have to act fast.”

 

“Looks like we may be staying here longer than expected, Neji,” Sakura mumbled to the Hyuga as she forced Cassie to lie back down again. “We should send word to the Hokage.”

 

There was nothing relaxed about the mood in the room as everyone mulled over what was going on. Temari just rubbed her temple and happened to look out the door and catch a glimpse of Gaara making his subtle exit.

 

The blonde didn't think before speaking, and she gave herself a mental beating afterward for it, “Gaara, you're not supposed to leave the hospital yet! Uh … oh damn…”

 

Gaara gave Temari one of those old, slightly cold and indifferent, stares as he stood in the doorway. If he'd had any memory whatsoever he would have noticed the hopeful green eyes staring his way, but he didn't seem to notice at all. “I have work to do, and I'm going to leave right now. Goodbye.”

 

When Gaara turned to walk down the hallway Temari cringed. She couldn't bear to turn around and see the look on her friend's face, `Stupid, stupid, stupid! Bad big mouth, don't blurt, just shut the hell up!'

 

It was hard to describe the look on Cassie's face. For the first few seconds in was painfully obvious she was hurt by that, but it took her all of a few moments to just let her eyes fall and real emotion drain from her face. Something about that look meant she knew Gaara's loss of memory was one of the many possible things that were inevitably going to happen. Naturally, it was the most devastating to her.

 

“Cassie, are you ok?” Hale placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.

 

“I-I think I just pushed myself a little to hard, I'm really tired right now, and I want to sleep some more if that's ok…” was her mumbled response. She wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. She just glued her eyes to the floor and allowed her hair to fall into her face.

 

Sakura motioned for everyone to head out, even her father and brother, “I actually recommend you sleep some more. You woke up quite soon for what we expected, and the only way to get your strength back is to rest. I'll make sure no one bothers you.”

 

“Arigato,” Cassie whispered. She watched everyone leave the room and close the door behind them. When she was sure no one was around she placed her hands over her eyes and bit her lip.

 

`Don't cry, please, don't cry…' Truth be told, Iwate Cassandra hadn't cried since she was seven. Not even when her mother died. She always just hid herself inside her closet where she could completely detach herself from the world, and she could pretend nothing was wrong. Deep inside she hated the habit because it made her feel like a coward, but mostly she was just tired. She was tired of hiding when she was upset, she was tired of always pretending she was alright, and she was tired of being forgotten…

 

`I'm such a coward … I couldn't even say anything after he walked in…' There were no closets to hide in, nothing to help her forget, and she could feel her eyes sting with the threat of tears. But, as Hale said once after she accidentally fell down the stairs, it was almost physically impossible for her to cry.

 

Once the haze in her eyes cleared she blinked and just spent the next few hours staring at her ceiling, `So long as Faceless is inside him she can make him forget me as many times as she wants. Just outright telling him isn't going to work … I'm going to have to wait. When the twins show up again I'll get rid of her once and for all. She was able to get to him because of me, so I'm going to fix the mistake.'

 

Just outside the door Temari and Sakura headed for the nearest coffee machine. Temari couldn't stop glaring daggers at the floor in front of them.

 

Sakura sighed, “It's not going to melt, no matter how much you glare.”

 

“Whoever this Faceless is, she has no shame whatsoever!” Hollered Temari, who got a prompt reminder from Sakura that she was still inside a hospital, “That thing planned all this out, and she is using the lowest means possible to do it. When Cassie's mom was in the hospital she forgot about her, and her dad and brother were so caught up they forgot about her too. Faceless knows it because they were in the same head, and she's using that against Cassie. She knows it is what hurts Cassie the most, and it's the best way to stop Cassie's meddling.”

 

“I know it's cruel, and it's going to be hard, but I want you and your brother not to mention Cassie when you're around him. If Faceless can make Gaara forget once, she can do it again, or she could pull off something worse.” By the tone of Sakura's voice it sounded as though she was just as frustrated as Temari. The pinkette saw what Gaara used to be like, she was nearly killed, and then she saw how much he changed after he met Cassie. Cassie was somehow able to bring Gaara out of his defensive shell and show him what love was, and suddenly Gaara was thrust right back into the shell before their very eyes. Anyone who could do that and destroy the hearts of two people like that was certainly cold, and almost inhuman.

 

Temari continued to scowl at her coffee, “It's not fair, he was happy, Gaara was happy with her. I actually saw him smile for the first time in his life because he was with her … and now he's going to go back to the way he was before…”

 

Sakura sipped her coffee to try and bring back at least some of her alertness. She thought about how hard it would be for Temari to show her sibling affection toward her youngest brother. She cared deeply for Gaara as his older sister, and it was causing her a lot of pain to see all the unfortunate things happen to him. Gaara had more than his share of misfortune the moment he was born, and things only seemed to get harder.

 

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Gaara dug through his drawers and files. He needed proof, and he needed to see it for himself that he actually lived six months he didn't remember. He knew everyone wouldn't lie to him, but he just needed confirmation in his own mind, and he knew all the files could prove everything he'd been told.

 

The most recent things he'd signed were all dated in January, and it took a lot of self-restraint for him not to rip the paper in half, `Six months, six GODDAMN months!'

 

When he finished his short anger period he sat down in his chair and sighed. He rubbed his temples for a few moments trying to think as hard as he could to see if he could remember anything, but he was drawing nothing but blanks.

 

`Other than some sort of battle, what could have happened?' he wondered for quite some time. Eventually he just shook his head at himself, `I'm being stupid. It's likely that life went on as usual until the point I was attacked, and the memories will probably return soon. I'm the Kazekage, it's my job to protect this village, and I can't do that if I'm worrying over a little amnesia… It's not like I forgot something Temari and Kankuro couldn't tell me anyway … right?'

 

 

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Ouch, that was slightly cold for poor Cassie. (Sigh) Gaara you clueless little boy, don't you realize lots of people love you? (Points to hoard of crazed fangirls reading the story.) Uh, I've had so much fun writing his new gentle side, and now I've got to go back to writing cold Gaara again … (sigh).

Oh well! Maybe the more you guys review the faster his memory will come back!

 

Lil_Pix

 

To my reviewers:

 

Hinata_87- There was the next chapter for you! Hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to leave another review!

 

Gaara_Freak- (Rubs back of head sheepishly) Believe it or not this was one of my original plot points I had planned all the way from chapter one!! I know its evil, but it makes you want to keep reading, ne?

 

Hiei81- (Holds up sign for Cassie's sympathy club) We're going to be the fangirls dedicated to duct taping Gaara-kun to a chair and forcing him to read every chapter of this story! He'll believe it then!

 

Valinor's Twilight- Sorry about the spelling, and the bad Japanese (naturally I only really speak English here) but I'm glad you liked it anyway.

 

MoonAngel8- Because I'm evil and it makes people want to keep reading and reviewing!! Ah! Believe me when I say writing it was difficult (sniffle) poor Cassie-chan

 

Kokoro Hodoki17- Gaara will always be hot, and no worries about the memory thing because I have everything planned out!! Keep leaving the reviews and I will keep posting chapters!

 

Yuboy97- (Joins in crying fit) I know it's sad! Come share some strawberry ice cream with Cassie and I, and we can all be sad together!

 

FightingPheonix36- (Strikes good guy pose) True love never disappears, BELIEVE IT! You just have to keep reading/reviewing to find out how it all unfolds my friend!

 

Gaara252- You're long wait is over!! I hope you liked the chapter … and I hope you survive the wait until the next chappie!

 

SupersexyPooka- …I hope you didn't die on me there Pooka-chan because I still look forward to your reviews.

 

Dudekiller- There needs to be some evil in it otherwise … well, nothing would happen!