A/N

Alright, I know it's short, but it's just an Epilogue. Here's your ending, hope you enjoy.

I will always love you

~Whitney Houston~

Gaara leaned against the nearest tree, arms crossed, tapping his foot impatiently as he stared at the doorway to his home. He could feel his heart racing in his chest as his anxiety seemed to grow with each passing second. It'd been hours, hours of waiting, wondering, fearing... he didn't understand what was taking so damn long. Gaara's pacing had even worn a small path into the ground before their house.

"Geez Gaara, I've never seen you so fidgety." The blonde, the one named Naruto, was the only thing standing between him and his house, blocking the entrance entirely. Being who he was, Naruto was probably the only one that could prevent him from doing anything.

Another high pitched scream filled the air, sending his skin crawling and making his hair stand on end. He fought back the urge to simply squeeze the blonde Shinobi to death while he made his way into the doorway, it'd be easy to simply slip past... but he promised Hinata he'd try to have patience.

And he was trying.

God was he trying.

It'd been three years since him and Hinata were married. The war had finally ended and though it took some time their villages had begun working together to strengthen their alliance. There had been some talk about how the couple would make their relationship work. Many viewed it impossible, others saw it as inappropriate. He still hadn't been very well liked in Konoha, his name was too well known and he didn't want to stay in Suna where his wife would be put at risk for simply being at his side. He could protect himself, but... if anything ever happened to her...

With these concerns the Hokage herself had given them an idea. A house settled between both villages. It would provide them both with the ability to travel home if they needed or allow family to visit when they could. Gaara could have cared less about Suna, but Konoha was another story. Many people in the village were close to Hinata's heart, and he couldn't allow her to suffer.

The was small, as Hinata wanted it, and settled nicely in the depths of the forest. A team of Anbu had set traps around their place at his request, as a precaution; especially in light of recent circumstances. He would have asked for ANBU protection routinely, however Hinata's father already had that covered. He wouldn't allow his daughter to remain outside the village without at least one member of their family watching them from time to time. Gaara was fine with that, he was never far if he left at all, but he wouldn't take any chances.

Not when it came to Hinata.

Or his child.

It was by the off chance that Ino, Sakura and Naruto had been paying Hinata a visit for her check-up, that his wife went into labor. Ino was the one that came to check up on Hinata personally, but she felt uncomfortable doing so alone. Apparently he still intimidated the blonde shinobi so her friend Sakura would join them. Though he still didn't trust her fully, Gaara had taken a liking towards Sakura. Hinata greatly enjoyed her company and he didn't feel anxious leaving the two alone together. Sakura had also helped to save his life once, he supposed he could give her some credit in that regard. Not to mention these were the people that had looked after her all those years ago when he'd left...

The thought still tore at him.

Naruto was another story all together. It had taken a full year before he would acknowledge the blonde and allow him around Hinata comfortably. Originally, whenever he'd visit, Gaara wouldn't let Naruto out of his sight for even a moment. He soon discovered that Naruto wasn't one to give up on anything, and he meant that literally. As annoying as it was, he had been determined to start a friendship between the two. Naruto had been the one that had almost killed him all that time ago, the one person that could actually put up a fight, but... he was precious to Hinata. Another person she loved.

She had so many, and at first this fact had troubled him. How could one person trust so many others? He learned over the years... he learned to adjust...

Gaara discovered that Naruto was also a Jinchuriki and had suffered a similar fate of being hated by all those surrounding him in the village. The one difference was that he had changed his fate, made friends and lived a very different life. Instead of embracing what the villagers had thought about him, he'd fought against it. Despite those difference the two had become close friends. Only Naruto could understand the loneliness he had also suffered, the loneliness that only someone like them could understand. Gaara had come to admire the shinobi before him.

Now, however, he was seriously contemplating tearing his friends head off if he didn't let him see his wife. Apparently, for some ridiculous traditional reasons, men weren't supposed to be in the room during the birthing process, Hinata had explained this to him and he had agreed to remain outside, but hearing his wife in pain made his blood boil and it was becoming difficult to reason himself to remain calm.

"What are they doing to her?" His voice was low, a different tone than what he usually used with Naruto and the young man seemed to take notice as he turned his attention fully on Gaara.

"Relax Gaara, Ino and Sakura aren't doing anything to hurt Hinata, I promise." Gaara continued to tap his foot; he could feel his sand shifting around him as he tried to calm his nerves. She'd yell his name if she were in any real danger right? She'd say something to let him know to come to her side, to protect her from them. What if they harmed her in the process, what if they harmed his child for simply being his? How was Hinata sure she could trust them so much?

Gaara remembered the elders putting the foul creature into his body, into an infant's body, forever cursing him with the fate of holding a demon; cursing him to a life of loneliness. If those people had done that, who's to say these people wouldn't do the same?

He could still hear her whimpering a little, hear the other's female voices, but the next scream was different from the rest. It was louder, longer and even had Naruto turning his head in silent worry. That momentary distraction was all he needed, Gaara ran past him, slamming the blonde to the ground before he had time to react. He burst through the first door and veered left towards their room where he came face to face with Sakura. From the outdoor commotion, she must have expected his outburst.

"Gaara, calm down." She spoke sternly and her gaze didn't waver as she stood up to him. He wanted to tear her out of his way, to simply remove this woman from existence. She was blocking his path to his wife, he could now hear Naruto scrambling behind him as he was yelling profanities to his friend.

But it was neither of the two that caused his anger to immediately cease.

Gaara felt his world spin at the sound of that small cry. A sound he never thought he'd get to hear, never even imagined it could be possible. Sakura must have saw the shift in him as well. He wasn't sure if he moved her to the side or she simply stepped out of the way because his gaze was locked on the small bundle now resting in his wife's arms.

He slowly walked forward, watching his wife coo to their newborn child as she uttered comforting whispers. She looked up to him with those same love filled eyes, as she always had and indicated for him to sit beside her.

He felt dizzy, unsure of himself, unbalanced. How could he deserve such a thing.

Gaara moved carefully, not wanting to jostle the bed she was on and leaned forward as Hinata presented the bundle for him to see. Inside was a small human, so tiny, it looked as if anything in the world could break it and he instantly wanted to do everything in his power to protect this beautiful person. There was some connection though, something that made his heart swell with pride. This child was a creation of both him and Hinata, it was something that connected them. Something he had finally done right with his life.

"Meet your daughter Gaara." His wife smiled, but his heart was racing. His daughter? His child? Could he be a good father after everything he'd done?

"Would you like to hold her?" At that Gaara startled, sitting back slightly and looked at Hinata unsure of his own feelings. He wanted to but...

"I might hurt her."

"You won't." Despite his hesitation and attempt at an objection, Hinata lifted the small bundle towards him. Afraid the child might be dropped, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling the small bundle to his chest, all the while his heart racing faster than he ever thought possible. Hinata guiding his hands as he did so, reassuring him that he wouldn't harm her. He cradled the child in his arms and couldn't help the joy he felt when those small eyes met his own.

This was the second female in his life to completely win over his heart with a single look.

Hinata watched her small family, they were all she'd ever wanted and could hope for. Her daughter, Sayuri, was now twelve years old and her son, Haru had just turned six. Haru watched his father anxiously as he tried to follow what him and his older sister were doing. The two stood apart from one another, each having been exchanging blows for the last hour.

Sayuri had just graduated from the Ninja academy and Gaara was adamant about making sure the girl would be able to protect herself. He had been hovering over the child since she was first born. Hinata remembered the day of her birth, she'd been certain he would harm Sakura, but the sound of Sayuri's first cry had brought him from whatever thoughts he'd been having.

Naruto and Sakura would visit often, bring their own three children to play alongside their two. Despite trusting both of them now, he still never allowed the children to wander far without his following. He was overprotective and nothing would ever change that about him. It was sweet to see him that way. He was the same Gaara she'd fallen in love with. The demon within him, never seemed to bother him any longer, as if some raging battle had finally been won. She knew it would have to be extracted one day, but that was a time long from now, when they would both be old and happy with living out their days as a family.

She watched Sayuri jump after her father yet again. Racing her own sand towards him as he blocked her movements and gave her further instruction. Her daughter had inherited her father's ability to manipulate sand. The only disappointment from Gaara was that it didn't protect her as his did, it simply did as she told it to. Sayuri had much the same attitude as her father. Quiet, reserved and proud, she looked up to him greatly, often asking him questions about the ninja life in general. About his past and how he had overcome his life. Despite the horrors of what he had done, he never lied to his daughter or made excuses for his actions. He told her the truth, claiming he'd rather her hear it from him than someone else. Their relationship with one another as father and daughter was quite amazing.

Her son was reserved as well, but not proud and outgoing like his sister. He shied away; much like his mother had done at his age, and preferred to watch those around him. Gaara was patient with his son, unlike her own father had been, allowing him to train at his own speed and pace. Haru had also been the one to inherit the Byakugan, and was just learning to master it.

Her father had passed the clan to her cousin Neji. It was unexpected, seeing as he wasn't a member of the main branch, but at the time there were no others worthy enough to take on the role. Neji fit that role perfectly. She had also learned of a secret way to remove the curse from the branch family and knew Neji was pleased about it. To her delight her father had decided to do away with the curse altogether. They lived in a different age, one that spoke of more peace than war.

5 years later…

The two sat on a hillside, overlooking a small river below them. Hinata was safely wrapped in Gaara's arms, with her head leaned back against his chest. Their lives had been simple, lived in peace without too much torment and pain. There had been trials, but what couple didn't have them? Their daughter had become a Jonin for Konoha, leaving her parents proud of her accomplishments. Their son had completed his requirements for Genin early and was now starting off on his own missions.

Their little house had grown quiet when the two were away, but it only brought Gaara and Hinata closer to one another.

"Gaara?" He hummed in response, "You told me once… that you didn't know love, joy or kindness. Have I given them to you?" She heard him chuckle beside her as he gently kissed the side of her neck.

"Hinata, you have given me far more than I had ever hoped to achieve in this life. You've made me happy, given me far more than I ever deserved." She smiled as she gazed down at the small river, spotting the two Gaara had been intent to spy on.

"If that boy touches her..." It was Hinata's turn to laugh.

"Gaara, she is a young adult now. It's time for her to find her happiness just as you did." Her husband seemed to think before he sighed in defeat. They watched their daughter, leaning against the shoulder of a young boy from Suna. The two had grown up together, worked together on a few missions as well. The boy was Yaoki's son and Hinata couldn't be happier by Sayuri's choice.

"Hinata?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." It was her turn to laugh.

"For what?"

"For giving me everything."

A/N

I really hope you enjoyed this and thank you all again for this amazing journey with me. You have all been great!

Though it pains me, I will bid you all farewell for now. I am actually sad and really don't want to post this epilogue. It's like saying farewell and I'll finally have to mark this fanfic as completed.

I'm not gonna cry... I'm not gonna cry... too late.

Till our next adventure

Farewell,

KiunoNamu