"Wh…what?" Gaara nervously asked. The breeze picked up and ruffled with his silky red hair that seemed to radiate in the sun's heat. Nothing else seemed to matter at that slight moment. It didn't even matter if he didn't feel the same way. As long as I finally had the guts to tell him, even if things would forever be awkward between us after this, at least I would know. I just needed that reassurance whether he did or not. The pain had a late reaction and I suddenly found myself flinching and panting heavily as the spear almost knocked me forward. I took my gaze away from him, and slowly began to pull the spear from my chest. Gaara remained silent until I had stopped pulling on it.

"You'll worsen your injury…" He said strangely. I heard Deidara's footsteps coming toward us and with one hard tug I pulled the rest of the spear out. I bit my lip as to not let the sounds of pain come threw and stumbled to turn myself and face Deidara.

"Nay…" Deidara spoke soothingly. "So in the end you picked Gaara…"

"Dei…" I whispered and attempted a smile as he walked closer, seeming completely harmless."What we had was a very long time ago. And it wasn't anything special. You know that very well…"

"Hm… Yes I know, un."

"I'm sorry." And with the last of my strength I shot the spear threw his chest and watched as he fell to his knees staring at it. I was able to pierce him directly threw the heart and within seconds he collapsed to his side and laid motionless. I collapsed to my knees and held onto my chest, now seeping out blood that I wasn't able to contain. I began to fall backwards and closed my eyes preparing for the impact with the hard cold ground, but instead landed into Gaara's arms. His hand rested under my neck for support. The tears slowly began to fall as I stared up ahead avoiding his gaze.

"My time has finally come…." I said gently.

"No… we'll get you some help. You just try and rest now," Gaara spoke in such a way that made it obvious he was holding back emotions.

"Gaara…. We both know…" I started, but he interrupted me with a raised voice assuring me that I was going to be fine. I looked upon his face, and told him that I would hope to dream of it forever and that at least for once in my life I finally felt happy. I felt him slightly tremble as if he was holding back tears himself. It reminded me of when I was holding my mother as she died, and I began to sob as Gaara gripped my hand. It had become very difficult to breath and I could no longer move. My body had gone stiff and the blood continued to spill. It almost seemed like we weren't in the middle of a war anymore, for it had fallen absolutely silent. It seemed as if nothing else existed in the world except for me and him. I looked around as I asked where Zetsu had gone and he simply stated that he left awhile ago. It began to sprinkle, and then soon pouring rain. I flinched when the first few drops landed on my forehead and locked eyes with Gaara who was shaking from the cold and loss of blood.

"Tell the others that I'm so sorry for everything… I never meant any of this to happen…." I tried, but my voice faded out to a quieter tone as I tried to swallow back blood. I was feeling nauseous from it.

"You'll be able to tell them yourself Nay… stop thinking negative thoughts. You'll be fine. I… I promise," He whispered. The sound of raindrops falling into already formed puddles surrounded the air around us and I looked into his beautiful eyes and attempted a smile.

"Love…" Nay thought to herself. "Is this really what it feels like? I'm glad I was able to experience it. Even if it wasn't for long… but I have to know… "Just then I jerked forward and coughed up some blood and felt as if my wound had opened even more, I pressed on it with my hand and attempted to sit, but Gaara insisted I lay back down. The sound of my heart pumping got louder to me and soon it became all I could hear, I fell back motionless and stared up at the sky, as it got louder and louder and then it slowed down and it began to fade out.

"I'm sorry Gaara…"

"Stay with me Nay! I love you…" I heard Gaara say desperately. Hearing him say it, actually say it, made my heart begin to race all over again, I forced my eyes to stay open and locked eyes with him yet again as I wanted to hear those wonderful words over and over again. He tightened his grip and pulled me closer to his chest.

"Wh-what?" I heard myself repeat.

"I love you. That's why you need to live. For me, for yourself and for your friends! And your mother…" Gaara sounded like he was trying his hardest to stay calm, but tears began to fall from the corner of his eyes.

"Okay," I said."I don't ever want to leave you…" I spoke softer and he pulled me in even closer. I wanted to kiss him, but not while blood was spilling from the corner of my mouth. I felt myself smile as I rested my head on his chest and felt myself begin to fall asleep. Suddenly, rustling in some bushes nearby startled us, and we watched Zetsu begin to walk towards us.

"How tragic… In love, but fated to die," Zetsu's black half spoke as the white half laughed menacingly. Like after everything that we've endured wasn't enough. Gaara gently laid me on the floor and rose to his feet to face him.

"Its time for you to die," Gaara said calmly. Zetsu began using attacks, but Gaara was able to corner him and used his sand coffin on him. The last I heard from him was a cry like he sounded like he was in actual, true pain and then when the sand dispersed covered in blood, he was gone. I tried to sit, astounded at how quickly that went and couldn't believe it, was Zetsu really dead finally? Gaara walked over to where he was standing, and I expected him to jump from the ground like he usually would, but instead Gaara found his Akatsuki ring and began to walk back towards me.

"He's gone…" I then looked over at Deidara's lifeless body and then at Gaara who was scanning the area to make sure, and for no surprises to come. As I struggled to sit all the way I let out a cry and then gritted my teeth together as I continued to go for it. Gaara kneeled down next to me and pushed the hair in my face back and behind my ears. He then placed one arm under my injured legs and the other on my back and carried me bridal style.

"Wait Gaara! You're injured!" I tried to fight it, but he said it was fine."Gaara… please…"

He looked at my face that was filled with worry and the look of wanting to burst into tears again, and so he gently put my feet down and kept my arm around his waist.

"Kankuro and Temari should be here at any moment," He began, but when another spear flew from a tree off in the distant it had gone blank for me.

~::.::.::.::.::A while later::.::.::.::.::~

Temari's voice was heard talking to some lady I didn't recognize. I gently opened my eyes and closed them again when the brightness burned them from what appeared to be a hospital room. I was suddenly startled and shot up and looked around frantically to justify that I was back in the sand. Temari and the nurse rushed over to me as I began trying to speak, but sat back when a pain in my chest began.

"Nay! It's okay, your in the hospital, your wounds haven't healed yet you shouldn't make sudden movements like that!" Temari snapped, in a big sisterly like manner, but with a stern authority.

"What happened!" I was feeling anxious as I looked outside the window at the peaceful looking village. And suddenly all those events I last remembered flash through my brain and I began to feel overwhelmed. There was a wound I didn't remember on my left side and I pressed on it as Temari briefly described Zetsu had managed to hit me a second time. Then her and Kankuro showed up and helped Gaara defeat Zetsu for good, and then I was rushed back here. I stared at the ground in a zombie like manner, not sure what to say to that. Temari watched in silence as I began to calm down and finally sighed then smirked.

"The war is over. Everything's fine now, and as for the incident regarding you and the Akatsuki trap, well that's all out in the open too. So you don't have to worry about anyone holding any sort of grudge against you. It wasn't your fault and they know that very well. In fact there were even some people that never even doubted you in the first place," Temari explained and placed her hand on her hip as I fidgeted with my sheets. The nurse excused herself and told Temari to call if anything was needed. I watched as she left and then looked back out the window as the crystal blue sky hung over the village.

"I see. So what happened to the Akatsuki? And Naruto?" I was trying not to sound alarmed, but didn't expect things to end so fast.

"The Akatsuki were defeated… as for Madara's plan, he wasn't able to go through with it. He was defeated."

"Defeated? By who?" I wondered.

"Defeated by Naruto," She paused a moment. "And Sasuke."

My head snapped as the second name was mentioned and then I suddenly remembered being in a cave like place, poorly lit and he was telling me if I were to escape to do it then. He was really trying to help me out…Then reminisced the time I was first introduced to him and how I wanted to kill him.

"Yes I know, kind of hard to believe. Together they defeated the Akatsuki and Kabuto, and now I think they're both back at the leaf. Everything's returning back to normal, well almost…" She stopped a moment and walked towards the door and opened it. I watched as Gaara, now in his Kazekage outfit again began to walk towards me. Temari excused herself and left us alone. The door closed softly behind her and I found myself looking down at my bandaged legs, avoiding his gaze.

"I'm glad you're okay," I stated, sounding rather awkward. I wasn't all too sure that our confessions were just a dream I had or if it actually happened. He smiled, and suddenly my nerves disappeared as he walked closer to me. "I'm glad everyone is okay," I added.

"You forgot to say that you're glad that you yourself are okay," He added calmly and then gave me another smile. I was starting to think that I hadn't dreamed any of it for it was rare for Gaara to smile this much. Now standing right beside me I locked eyes with him and gave him a smile of my own.

"That too…"

He began to lean towards my face and I felt my heart beating so fast I swear I thought it would jump out. He laid a gentle kiss on my forehead, leaving me astounded and confused and then he pulled away.

"I'll let you rest," His voice sounded emotionless and I found a sudden rush, race through my body as he began to walk away again. I quickly grabbed him by the wrist and cried out, "Wait!"

He turned to me wide eyed as I sat all the way up and locked eyes with him, without even thinking of what I was doing I pulled him closer to me and our lips finally met. I was worried that it would turn out to be just like that other time and he would be too afraid or just didn't want to, but now that I knew he had feelings too and our confessions were real, I went for it. I gently pulled away and smiled looking deeply into his eyes. He pulled me into a hug and I asked if he was feeling up to a walk. He was concerned for my wounds, but I insisted I felt better and couldn't stand being cooped up in there. After what seemed like five minutes of going back and forth I convinced him, but then he said I should rest there another day or so. So we went back to calmly arguing about it until I officially won. And with that he said I could meet him in a few; he walked out. I couldn't help but smile big at the feeling I felt all over, and the happiness that had filled my heart. I couldn't remember a time I felt such joy like this and slowly slipped from my bed and walked towards a pair of clothes folded neatly on a table that Temari must have left. My whole body ached, but that was no match compared to this new found fuzzy feeling. I got dressed and looked back one more time at the hospital bed and began to head towards Gaara's office.

~::.::.::.::.::A while later::.::.::.::.::~

Kankuro greeted me when I walked in and Temari scolded me for being stubborn and leaving the hospital early, I apologized and then apologized again for what had happened when my memories had been messed with. This time they both assured me that it was all just a set up and not my fault and that it was in the past now. I looked at Gaara who was watching me peacefully and smiled. Gaara rose and walked towards us excusing us and then grabbing a hold of my hand. Temari and Kankuro watched with huge grins and the door finally closed behind us.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Was all he said, leaving me hanging. I tightened my grip on our intertwined fingers and we slowly walked down some stairs and then towards my favorite place in the whole village, a place I had nearly forgotten.

"The balcony!" I shouted and walked ahead of him, still holding onto his hand. The sun was just about to set and I turned as he walked up behind me and looked up at the sky in time for the breeze to play with his silky red hair. Villagers that were waiting below began to cheer. The smile on my face hadn't faded and I began to wave to all them. I finally felt like I had a permanent home with people that were glad to see me. I looked up at the sky and began to think of my mothers words, and for the first time, I felt at peace. No more feelings of something else to come, no more worries, no more living in fear or regret. Only the simple happiness of being in love with the red haired boy, and him being in love with me. We began to watch the sunset and I rested my head on his shoulder as it became quiet again.

"You see? I promised you, and I'll always keep my promises," Gaara sweetly added. I nodded and embraced him in a hug, that I hoped would last all night; the sun was now fully set.

"I'm so glad."

The End :D

YAY! Okay, well I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and who read! Means alot, anyways I'd like to hear your thoughts, good enough ending for ya? I hope so :)