1)
So, this is what death is. All these years of torture and pain, now it's all gone, and I feel great. I feel so uplifted, so free. Like an enormous weight has been lifted off of me and I have shed all of my human pain, worries, and possessions. But wait, where am I? I have no body yet my spirit holds it's shape. I can see, yet I have no eyes. I can listen, yet I have no ears. Can I be seen or heard? What is my purpose in this strange new world? Just my luck, I finally get settled and then I need to change because of something new. Will I know where home is? Do I really want to go back?
"Son, is that you? It's been ages ,since I've seen you," called a familiar voice.
"What's going on here? Where am I," I asked, the former 4th kazekage. I didn't even bother calling him, Dad, because what kind of dad puts an evil spirit inside of his son, then orders assassins after him?
"I see you followed in my footsteps, Gaara. Well, as you may have noticed, you're dead. We are in the place of your death and we're here because we have unfinished business and can't pass until we have finished what we were supposed to do in our human life," He stated.
"What do you need to do?"
"I need to be the father I never was. I was planning to get to know you better."
"It took you fifteen years and death to figure out that a father's love should be unconditional?"
"Better late than never, right? I regret treating you like this, a criminal rather than a son. I've seen that Shukaku had a big influence on you because, you had nobody else,"my father said.
I was not ready to forgive him yet, but decided to follow him when he was leaving. He is the only person who could give me any answers and maybe find and fufill my purpose. Plus, I was dead already, what do I have left to lose? As we walked outside of that hide-out we stumbled upon a few leaf village ninja. Among them was the "#1, hyper-active, knuckle-head, ninja," Naruto Uzumaki. The only person who knows how I feel, and my only friend.
" Do you know them, they look your age. They look a little familiar, but not too,"Dad asked.
" Yeah, I know one of them. He's my hero," I told him
"Which one, the one with the mask?"
"no the blonde, loud one."
"What could you possibly admire him for? He looks kind of desperate."Dad stated
"He's a dedicated jinchuriki. He also didn't go crazy like I did. He found a purpose and went against what others thought. He showed me that just because I have a monster, or rather had a monster, inside me doesn't mean I have to act like one. He inspired to reach for the stars, and to not stop until I get there. It's because of him that I was who I was before, kazekage.
[break]
2)
"Hey, Dad," I said, finally just saying Dad, though my feelings twords hadn't changed, "If age doesn't matter and who we were is unimportant, than how do we distinguish ranks between one another?"
"When I died I knew more than you. How curious. Well, we have no need for ranks. We will pass over soon enough anyway," he explained.
"Oh, has this happened to anyone before? Not knowing anything at first."
"Not that I know of. Maybe it's a jinchuriki thing? though they all have passed over."
How wonderful, I thought I was lonely before? I can't communicate with anyone but my dad. At least I had Kankuro, Temari, and later, Naruto to talk to. To feel close to, at least a few, "certain people" aren't here. That would make me even more miserable.
Suddenly, I hear a familiar voice and one I know from somewhere, "Gaara? Gaara, over here! Hi, gosh you have grown!"
Just the person I didn't want to see, my uncle Yoshamaru. But, there is a beautiful woman standing next to him. Thing is, Yoshamaru was never married. I know I've seen her face before. Who is she and how does she know this horrible person?
"Let me do this, I think he's starting to trust me more," Dad explains to the woman, "Gaara, this is your mom. she's waited fifteen years to meet you. Though if she had been here watching you, I wouldn't be surprised."
Everthing was quiet as the woman began to speak, "Gaara, oh, look at my little boy, all grown up. I have always been there, with you, Kankuro, and Temari. I saw everything."
"Then you agree with Dad, you think I was a monster right," I interupteed suddenly feeling hurt and depressed at what I thought her answer would be. I was dead, why could I feel
this pain?
"How could I do such a thing? It was I who loved you when there was nobody. What you did was monsterous, but it was what you did later that makes up for it. You put your life on the line to save the village, and you left your mark, and there it will stay for all eternity."
"The village would have never had to go through that if I wasn't there. The only reason the Akatsuki came there was to get Shukaku. My village was wrecked because I was alive.Now I can't cause anymore pain, suffering, or destuction."
Then, out of nowhere my mom wraps me in a hug. Doesn't she get it? Psycos aren't supposed to get hugs, people who do bad things don't get love, and both of those appply to me. In fact, Anyone else would curse my soul for all eternity. Why does she feel so loving when I just met her? Is she doing this because she cares about me and my feeling? The feelings I've hidden for so long, they feel extinguished? Is this what it's like to have a mom?
[break]
3)
"Are we there yet?" It had felt like days since we started walking, or rather gliding, back to the village. I didn't even know why we were going or even where we were. Not like a I was very demanding but I was still curious, we didn' t need to go there, we had no connections to that place after our deaths, right?
"We're almost there, gosh, no patience at all." Yoshamaru criticized.
"Why are we even going, It's not like there is anything left we can do, right?"
"We can go back and watch our loved ones in secret and wait
for death to reunite us."
"So you become stalkers? Isn't that creepy?"
Mom reaced over to me, concern clearly showing on her face, "Is there something wrong with you, dear? I mean, your acting a little bit strange."
"Yeah, he's been acting like this ever since he died. What do you think is wrong?" Dad told her.
Yoshamaru muttered to himself as he shook his head, "Maybe he... No, we can't know for sure."
"Please brother, if you know anything, any reason for my son to be acting so strangely, tell us."
"It's a thought, but totally impossible. Sister, even if it were to be true, there would be nothing anyone could do about it. It's too late."
"Yoshamaru, tell me! Chances are, it's not impossible to reverse."
"Well, I was thinking..." he sighed." Maybe he wasn't supposed to die yet, and he is too unprepared to know what is going on."
" I can't even fit in after death, is that right? Makes sense, once an outcast, always an outcast I guess." I said, kinda depressed to find that, that may be the case. Why can't I ever fit in? Why do I have so many questions? Why are they never answered? But, most importantly, who am I asking,myself? Some things must carry on after death. "Well, we might as well see Kankuro and Temari and see what the village is doing without me."
"You finally decided to embrace the 'ghost way?' And look, there's the village now!" Dad anounced.
I wanted them to think that I knew what was going on though I
still don't understand this. I have no clue what I was supposed to do and I don't know what to do now. People said it was I who was the most important person in Suna, they would have never guessed that I just approved of their suggestions. I was a fifteen year-old running a whole village, I had no idea what I got myself into and I didn't know what to do. Suna is a great place to live because of the people and how their opinions on what needs done and how soon in the village. I let the people run it, all I had to do was say yes or no. Because they thought I knew what I was doing, all was peaceful and safe. Had they known, chaos would have taken over and destroyed the village. I am using that same thought for my family now, the less that, they know, the happier they will be.
I didn't even know where I was going until someone screamed. It didn't hurt, or feel, but I walked right through someone. She had four spikey, blonde, pony-tail, a black dress, a ninja headband, and a fan. Oh my gourd, I walked through Temari! Wait, Temari's not one to scream, but she did when I walked through her.
"Gaara, you need to watch out! Don't you know that if you run into someone they can feel it?" Dad shouted.
"I knew that," I lied "I was just lost in thought."
"What were you thinking about? Were you remembering your past life? Sometimes certain objects or places cause rememberance." Mom explained. She was very smart and nice, how could she have been my mother?
Then, Temari said, "I miss my little brother, Gaara, I wish he would come home already. And Kankuro. Bakas, didn't they realize how much we need them? He just ran off like that, without re-enforcements. Now he very well may die." Then I saw something I never thought possible, I saw Temari cry.
Kankuro? What about Kankuro? Is he hurt, or worse? He would be in the hospital if he were close to death. We had to go, and go now. "We need to go to the hospital, now."
"What's wrong, Gaara? You look troubled." Yoshamaru asked.
"My brother could die any minute! I have to go see him to-" I started.
"-To welcome him, awww, I haven't seen him in years, how nice."
" No, not that. I guess I couldn't stop death or try to help
him, though."
"But wouldn't you like to see him?"
"No, I don't want him to die. I want him to stay there, for Temari." Even though they are dead, how can they bee so, cruel. Wishing someone death so that they could reunite with their lost one. I couldn't take it and I started to run to the hospital. I didn't care if anyone came or stayed, I needed to know that my brother was okay.
At the hospital, I heard some medical nins talk about how Kankuro got hospitalized. They say that after I was kidnapped Kankuro followed, and eventually caught up to, the Akatsuki. After that, he fought Sasori to a fight. Little did Kankuro know that Sasori was a puppet master and that even the puppets Kankuro used were once Sasori's. Needless to say Kankuro was poisoned. If it hadn't been for Sakura, they would have never found a cure and he would be dead.
I peeked in his room and his condition looked stable, though he was asleep. I decided to check on the people in power and to see how my village was doing without me. It turns out that they where looking for another Kazekage. One suggested Kankuro, due to his relationship with me, and his courage and stength as a ninja. But they weren't too impressed. I listened to all of there suggestions, and Kankuro still had alot of good points.
After I got my fill of that, I decided to check on my brother again. He was asleep, but this time Temari was there. She was asleep too. I went into their nightmares and was surprised. Temari's was about her losing us and having to live alone. While she was still grieving they de-ninjafied her and she was married to Shikamaru, at least I think that was part of the bad dream. Kankuro's dream was similar to Temari's. He dreamt about how it would be without me. His dream included terror, attack, fire, and being conquered. And for som reason an alien named Bob tried to suck his brains out. When they awoke they both stated that they had a strange dream, though neither would tell the other one what it was about.
I was still in the hospital when I got to thinking, death is the best thing that's happened to me. I have a mother and father who love me, I am still different, but I know I am needed. Since it was still night Kankuro and Temari went to sleep again. While asleep I walked over to Kankuro and put my hand on him and as I did that, he told me not to leave him again and they both said it was because they love me. So I told them goodnight and they awoke with a fright.
"Did you hear that?" they asked one another.
[break]
4)
I had four eyes staring at the wall in my direction. What if they had seen me? Wait a minute, so what if they saw me? I'm the ghost, I should be scaring them not the other way around. And what's so bad if they do hear me? I mean aside from the fact that they'll know I'm dead.
"Um, hi guys?" I say as I wave to the shocked Temari and Kankuro. They turned to look at the other and let out a scream in unison. A nurse ran in and asked what was wrong. I put my hand to my lips and wondered if they could see me.
"Uh, I felt a sharp pain in my side and woke up Temari. But now the pain's gone." Kankuro lied. He must have seen me. As the nurse walked away, Kanuro started to sit up. "Gaara, how did you get here?"
That was when Temari, with tears streamming down her face, rushed up to hug me. She slamed into a wall all confused. Kankuro stared at me, then Temari and at me again and asked what the heck was going on here.My reply was short and sweet.
"I am a ghost. Now don't worry, I have come here to see that you, Kankuro, are alive and well. And that you, Temari, are okay. You are my family and I regret taking you forgranted. I have a duty to fufill that I still don't know about and so I'm stuck in this crossroad between life and death. I don't fit in here because I am completely unsure of what is going on here. I don't even know why you can hear or see me. I am confused and alone and it's worse than when I was a child."
"Gaara!!! You got killed!" Temari was furious at me, I don't know why I mean I was unconscience the whole time I was kidnappped. "What were you thinking running out into battle like that in the first place! Did you even stop to think about us and how we felt about this? And while I was away in Konoha, no less!"
"Do you not understand? The village and it's people would have been destroyed if it weren't for me. Some lunatic was gonna blow it up to smitherines. I had to do it, it was my life, or the lives of many."
"I just want my brother here, with us again."
"I know, but I am here, with you guys. In one way or another." I said.
"Did I mention that there is also emotional baggage that can keep a ghost here." Dad said walking in.
"Dad? Is that you?" My siblings asked.
"Can you really see and hear me? That'll make things easier."
"Make what easier?" Temari asked.
"Oh, just my un-finished business."
"Which is?"
"To be the father I never was."
"If you freak out about Dad wait 'till you see Mom!" I said. Sure they saw her before but that was 15 years ago.
"Um, about that. You see Gaara, your Mom crossed over. Her job was to help you get to where you needed to go." Dad explained.
"Well, how about Yoshamaru? He's still here, right?"
"He needed to know that his sister was happy and not in distress or held down."
"So, it's just us? Wow, sorry I didn't know."
"Well, since we are here, I guess we could help you out." Temari said.
"Yeah, but to help you pass, first we need to know why you're here, then help you reach it." Kankuro stated.
[break]
5)
"Baka! If we knew why he was here, he wouldn't be having this problem!" Temari yelled at Kankuro. The tears dried on her face which was red with frustraition. I didn't blame her. She's under alot of pressure with all that's happened so far.
"Hey, I'm just trying to get things straight and make a plan! I don't hear anyone else throwing out suggestions!"
"Baka, we know that part! So, you just distracted our thinking. Can't you use your head!?"
"That's enough Temari, it's not his fault, it's hard on all of us." Dad said trying to calm Temari down.
"No, and how do you plan to be a good father by not helping your son? The reason you're here in the first is because you dumped all of this reapsonsibility on me instead of doing it yourself." Temari replied.
"What responsiblity? What have you done?"
"I've taken care of Gaara and Kankuro by myself after Yoshimaru died! I had to keep Gaara from killing Kankuro so many times, it'll make your head spin!"
"Then why did you have to keep doing it? You should have just-"
"Just what? Left them by themselves? What are you thinking? I had to be there because if it weren't for me, this family would be torn farther apart. Do you think it would be easy for me to leave my little brother alone to die? Maybe it's easier for you, but I care about him!"
Everone was quiet and still, as if frozen in place. I was terrified, Temari never lost her cool like this. She was fierce in battle, but never outside of it. She was never like this and I cannot tell you how wierd it was.
"...I do too. I died before I could tell him that. I love you all." Dad said with sorrow and regret.
"I love you too, Dad. Sorry about that. I had to let my feelings out out."Temari admitted.
"I love you too Dad."Said Kankuro obviously desperate for attention.
Dad started to glow and then vanished into thin air. He passed over. Now it was the three of us again. I was the only one to possibly know how I feel again. But I'm not alone, I have my siblings and that's all I ever needed. I finally realize that.
[break]
6)
" I think we need to see that psycic down the street maybe she can reveal his true purpose" Kankurou suggests.
"That sounds good enough for me" Temari says.
"I just want to live again, so okay" I agree.
So, here we are walking to the psycic and people are staring at them. They know who they are and wonder why aren't they freaking out about their own brother? When we get to Madame Jade's tent we are relieved no lines.
"Madame Jade see that you wish for her to speak to those since past." She says dramatically.
"Yes Madame, its our brother, wish to know his purpose." Kankurou explains.
"Silence, his purpose is to surpass all previous kazekages. Why do you ask such a thing? With I feel a presence in the room. A boy, red hair, no, not a boy, it's Gaara-Sama. He tells you to go out till you find his body and the body of an old grandmother. Tell me more oh kazekage!"
"I want to go home and be who I was."I say in her ear.
"You want 10 bucks?" She hints. What a hoax. Temari and Kankurou leave. They go to find my body anyways.
The next day I feel pulled by some kind of force. I fly over to it as fat as I can, it's me, and all the guys standing around me. I go to it and I'm reunited once more, but for every new life one must die, and it was Chiyo's who was sacrificed this time, I never will forget her. And now I'm where I should be. A happily ever after, for me. I never thought that was possible.
