One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

One Month......into August


-Temari's 22nd birthday is celebrated


Two Months.....September

Three Months.....October

Four Months.....November

Five Months......December


Six Months......January

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The months passed by and Tenmai's eyes were still without sight. Sakura consulted with Tsunade but the Hokage didn't know of anything that could fix what was wrong with her 'god-daughter'. The Elders assigned a kunoichi to help Tenmai with protecting Gaara. The one they chose was Matsuri, a Chuunin whom Gaara knew and, to an extent, trusted. He had saved her before and she paid him back by looking for him when he was kidnapped by Deidara.
When Tenmai met Matsuri, she took a liking to the girl, but was wary. Matsuri paid Gaara and Tenmai respect, though Tenmai could tell there was more to it then respect for the Kazekage. The way Matsuri talked to Gaara gave it away that the young Suna kunoichi had a crush on the man she looked up to, the same man that was engaged to a certain waterfall ninja.

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One day, while Tenmai walked along the streets with Gaara, all the while having an arm laced through his, were greeted by Matsuri. The young kunoichi showed up everyday at the same time, always knowing where the Kazekage and his fiance were going to be. Today was no different. The trio walked around the marketplace set on the main street leading up to the Kazekage building. There was a small sand storm sweeping through the area outside the city, blowing the grains violently around the villagers as they meandered around.
Tenmai had her cloak wrapped tight around her as she held onto Gaara. Matsuri was chatting away with said man about some of the missions that were waiting assignment in his office. He was considering sending her on one of the simple, C-class missions. The pay was substantial for an escort to the Rock Country. As Tenmai paid attention the environment around her, she noticed something was off. Despite there being a sand storm, it was unusually quiet. The villagers around her were few and scarce, and ever so silent.
All beings have chakra, though not all work on making it reach it's potential. Those around them were not ninja yet one chakra stood out. It was slightly stronger then a usual worker, though not as powerful as a ninjas. Though the most peculiar thing was that it felt dark, tainted by the things only Shinobi deal with. Gaara kept walking, informing Tenmai that he had yet to notice. The chakra was high up, probably on one of the roofs, and was ahead of them. It seemed to rise as they came closer. Tenmai focused on it, reaching out with her bloodline trait, the Hidden Ones, to find out exactly where the person was and who they were.
The Hidden Ones whispered only one word to her.
'Danger!'
Tenmai reacted without thought and released Gaara. When he turned to ask her what was wrong, she shoved him back, knocking him and Matsuri down to the ground. A grunt reached the ears of the two on the ground and they looked up to see several kunai sticking out of Tenmai's chest and abdomen. They were in shock and unable to move. A shadow of a person jumped off of the roof and landed 20 feet away from the three. He watched, along with Gaara and Matsuri, as Tenmai plucked the kunai from her body.
“That....was a very bad idea.” she scolded, monotonously, sending a small glare in the direction of their offender.
“Who are you?” he demanded, making his gender known by the deep baritone voice.
“Who I am is not important to you. What is is that you tried to eradicate the Kazekage and as his guard I will not allow you do so as long as I live.”
“Then I guess I have to kill you.”
“Try.”
The man flickered out of view before reappearing beside Tenmai, aiming a kick to her head. She ducked down as soon as she felt the air shift and swiped her foot out to knock him over. He dodged it by leaping back, away from them. Tenmai stretched out her arms before throwing her cloak off. Her outfit had changed since she arrived in Suna. A long-sleeved shirt adorned her upper-half, deep red in color and going down to her wrists where they were tucked into gloves. Black shorts going to just above mid-thigh covered her. Lower-thigh high, deep red stockings flowed down into mid-shin high, black boots.
Her sais were tucked into a holster wrapped around her right thigh, her sword hanging off her back from the holster crossing her front. The headband of Takigakure rested around her neck and the headband of Suna, given to her by Gaara shortly after taking on her mission, was slung across her hips. Black hair was pulled back into a long French braid ending at her sai holster.
“This will be a pity.” the man sneered.
“What will be?” Tenmai asked, onyx eyes flickering around the strong waves of chakra in her minds eye, the chakra emanating from the man.
“Killing such a beauty like you.”
“Don't you know the saying?”
“Which one?”
“Never be distracted, especially by your opponent.” she smirked and disappeared, reappearing behind him, chakra masked. “They could sneak up on you.”
He whipped around, drawing the sword he had on his hip. It met Tenmai in a shower of sparks. The swords violently caressed each other before pushing off, only to meet again at a different angle. Tenmai and the man danced in a violent game of cat and mouse, swords swinging this way and that, coming closer and closer to making a kill. Gaara and Matsuri were watching with wide-eyes, shocked at the skill Tenmai showed, despite not being able to see.
A second person joined the man and came up behind Tenmai, swinging a longer sword at her back. As Tenmai switched her sword to her left hand, she parried an attack and drew a sai, effectively blocking the swipe at her back. The two opponents were shocked at her ability to fight the two simultaneously. Sword met sword, sai blocked hit after hit. Tenmai fought off her enemies, but wasn't able to pick up on the faint chakra coming up behind Gaara until just before the attack came. Slicing the head off of the first man that came at her and jabbing her sai down the neck of the second, their blood spraying out to be drunk greedily by the sand, Tenmai whipped around to yell a warning to the two of their offender but was too late.
Gaara turned around and blocked the sword that would have killed Matsuri with his body, not even thinking about the sand he could so easily use. It was instinct. The steel drove deep into his abdomen and through the other side, burying the tip in the sand below the Kazekage's body. Sand and wind whipped dangerously around the man who stabbed Gaara and he gazed up to look into the eye's of a very pissed off Tenmai. Throwing her hand out, the sand wrapped around the would-be assassin, creating a cocoon similar to the Sand Coffin. Making her outstretched hand a fist, the sand imploded, killing the man within. Tenmai fell to her knees beside Gaara, pulling the sword out and throwing it to the side carelessly.
“Matsuri?”
“Yes, Tenmai-san?”
“Go inform the hospital that I will be arriving with Gaara. Explain the whole situation.”
“Of course.”
As Matsuri phased out of sight, Tenmai summoned chakra into her hands and ran the green energy over the wound in Gaara's abdomen. He was loosing blood fast, the sword having sliced part of the major artery and vein. A grimace came to Tenmai's face as she pushed chakra into his body, desperately trying to heal the slices. The cells grew slowly, the bleeding being held back by a small wall of energy. Gaara's face was pale as he panted, groaning at the pain.
“Just hang on Gaara, I've almost closed the artery and vein. As soon as I do, I'll get you to the hospital.”
“Tenmai...”
“Don't speak, conserve your energy.” she smiled faintly. “I've got you.”
Gaara ran his fingers over the hand hovering above him before falling into unconsciousness. As soon as the bleeding was under control, Tenmai gathered the fallen leader into her arms, sent out a wave of chakra that bounced off of the buildings like sonar, and locked on to Matsuri. She was met outside by the kunoichi who ushered her in. Gaara was set on a bed and wheeled into surgery, Tenmai following along after telling Matsuri to inform Temari and Kankuro. It would be a while fixing Gaara up. There were limitations to chakra healing.

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Turquoise eyes flickered open and took in the surroundings. Light tan walls with random pieces of furniture met his eyes, along with a metal pole holding a bag of fluid that was connected to his arm. Light cream colored sheets covered his body and he wore a standard, yet comfortable hospital robe and gown. Soft breathing was heard beside him and Gaara looked at the head full of black hair resting on his bed. A small, delicate hand clasped his own. The body shifted and Tenmai lifted her head, hearing a change in Gaara's breathing.
“Gaara, you should be laying down. It's only been two days since you were injured.”
“What...happened? It's foggy.” Gaara asked, rubbing his head with the hand the needle was attached to.
“You got stabbed protecting Matsuri. We were ambushed.”
“You were able to fight. How?”
“Chakra signatures. I'll go tell the others you're awake.”
Tenmai squeezed his hand before standing up, feeling the wall all the way to the door. Gaara watched her walk out before turning his attention to his wound. Moving the robe to the side, he could see the dressing covering what was likely a minor wound. He could remember Tenmai hovering above him, pushing healing chakra into him. At the time, he was dizzy and tired, cold from the lack of blood circulation. Gaara had thought he would die and if it wasn't for Tenmai, he would have. One thing he was confused about was the tone of voice Tenmai used before leaving the room, the look on her face. She looked so sad.
The door burst open and Matsuri rushed in, followed by Kankuro and Temari, Tenmai taking up the rear. Matsuri proceeded to hug Gaara tightly, being careful of his wound. She thanked him over and over again, saying how stupid he was for doing what he did. Kankuro had to pry the kunoichi off of him, then proceeded to throw an arm over his brothers shoulder, telling him that they were all worried. Temari ran a hand through Gaara's hair from the other side of the bed.
“You had us worried there, Panda. We don't want anything else like this happening again.”
“Defiantly.” Kankuro agreed.
“Yeah. Stop being so reckless, Gaara-san.” Matsuri said, smiling brightly.
“Well, I know everyone is happy that Gaara is awake, but I need to go over his vitals and check his bandage. You will be able to see him in the morning.” Tenmai told them.
“Alright. Night, baby bro.” Temari kissed Gaara's forehead before heading out of the room.
“Night, Gaara.”
“Sleep well, Gaara-san.”
Tenmai walked over to his bed side, checking the drip on his IV before walking over to a cabinet. Pulling out necessary medical equipment, Tenmai proceeded to check his temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration. After writing it all down, she put gloves on and removed his dressing. There was a scab underneath it and some fresh blood.
“I told you to stay laying down.”
“How do you know I'm bleeding?” he asked suspiciously.
“The scab was pulled up in the area closer to your right ribs. It's also very slick.”
“Oh.”
She began to clean up the area around the wound with saline, before wiping it dry. Removing the gloves, she summoned move green chakra into her hands and gently caressed the area, mending the broken tissue. Gaara watched as the skin grew and covered the wound, leaving only a faint scar. Tenmai ran a light finger over the scar, causing goosebumps to erupt on Gaara's arms, a shiver running down his spine. She smiled lightly at him, before resting her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat.
“How are you feeling, Gaara?” she asked, running a hand up and down his arm.
“I'm fine, but how are you? You got hit by kunai.”
“I was more worried about you. The medics took care of my cuts after I was finished with you. You gave us quite a scare. We wound up losing you twice while in the operation room. It was a long procedure, the sword tore through your stomach, pancreas, nicked your small intestines, hit part of the descending artery, and nearly severed your inferior vena cava, the large vein behind the artery. You were very lucky Gaara.”
Gaara looked down at her. She had a sad smile on her face and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Tenmai knew she had to be strong for Gaara and refused to let weakness show. He stroked her cheek and placed a small kiss on her forehead. Lifting her head up, Tenmai ran her fingers through his fiery-red hair, down his cheek, before leaning in and placing a simple, yet heartwarming kiss on his lips. Before he could kiss her further, she pulled away, a sad look on her face.
“What's wrong?” he wondered, placing a hand hesitantly over hers.”
“I didn't keep my promise.”
“What...?”
“My promise to protect you. I didn't realize that man was there until it was too late. You could have died Gaara. It's my duty to protect you and I....almost lost you.” Tenmai bowed her head before standing up. “You need to get some rest, Gaara. I'll give these notes to the head medic and he will come in to see you in the morning. I promise I'll be back tomorrow. It will be a promise I can keep.”
As she turned away to leave, Gaara grabbed onto her hand and pulled her to sit next to him. She tried to get back up but he wouldn't allow it.
“I might have been hurt, but you saved me from death, Tenmai. That is good enough for me.”
“But..”
“Let me finish. You are the first person who has ever shown me such care and love. I don't even deserve it, but you won't hear otherwise. Thank you, so very much, for having such faith in a monster.”
“You are not a monster, Panda-chan.” Tenmai scolded, placing her hands on his cheeks. “Monsters are not cute, nor are they kind and caring. They do not believe in friends and have no sense of honor. You posses all these qualities so you are not a monster. You have lead a hard life, but the Shukaku is gone. Chiyo gave her life so that you can start over. Don't let her death be in vain.”
“You have such faith in me.”
“Of course I do. I love you.”
“Hn.”
Tenmai placed her arms around Gaara's chest and back before placing her head on his shoulder. He stiffened at the contact, but she whispered soothing words to him. He began to relax a bit before he noticed Tenmai humming. Soon she began to mumble words to follow the vibrations in her throat.
“Sing.”
“Huh?”
“Sing. I want to hear.”
Smiling brightly at him, she sat up a bit before taking a breath, the words floating around the room, the melody haunting yet serene, passion in every word.

'Dear my love, haven't you wanted to be with me
And dear my love, haven't you longed to be free
I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you
And at sweet night, you are my own
Take my hand

'We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name'

Gaara closed his eyes and turned onto his side, head resting on Tenmai's shoulder as she ran a hand through his hair. Smiling, she continued.

'I have dreamt of a place for you and I
No one knows who we are there
All I want is to give my life only to you
I've dreamt so long I cannot dream anymore
Let's run away, I'll take you there

'We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the mornings light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where no one needs a reason

'Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you

'Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you now

'We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name'

On the last note, Tenmai looked down to see Gaara sound asleep, looking peaceful in his slumber. Placing a kiss on his forehead, she rested her head on his, closed her eyes, and joined him in sleep.

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A week later found Gaara out of the hospital and in his office, catching up on some paperwork. It was late, the sun having set hours ago, but he still worked. His tea had long gone cold and everyone else have already went home. While focusing on a particular document, he barely heard the door open. Looking up, he saw Tenmai walking in, throwing her cloak over the back of a chair as she made her way around his desk. Sitting on the edge of his desk, she looked over at him.
“Why are you still here? You should have been home hours ago.”
“I had some things to finish up.”
“Oh, like what?” Tenmai picked up the document. “B-class mission to Konoha to help a Chuunin group track down a missing ninja. Probably Akatsuki or my father's organization. Send Matsuri and her team, they could handle it. You can send Kankuro with them too. I heard their sensei was sick or something.”
“What the....did you just read that?”
“Yep.”
Tenmai flashed Gaara a large smile, looking him dead in the eye. She had missed looking into his turquoise orbs every day. Most people saw a cold and quiet man in them, she saw the sad child he was and the wonderful man he had become.
“How?”
“That is a story for another day. Right now I want to do something.”
“Huh...”
Gaara wasn't able to finish his thought as Tenmai straddled on his lap and kissed him fiercely. He responded immediately and a full out war began. When they began to run out of air, they pulled apart and rested their foreheads against each other. Bright turquoise bore into bottomless black, each with happiness in them.
“Happy birthday Gaara.”
Gaara wondered why she said that before looking over her shoulder at the small calendar. January 19th, Gaara's 20th birthday was today. He had forgotten. Tenmai smiled, giving him a small kiss on the nose.
“Sing me another song.”
“Alright.”
They turned around in the chair, Tenmai sitting comfortably on his lap, faced the window with the moon shinning in, and she began to sing another song, all the while running her fingers through his hair.

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She can see!!! As a note, I will explain how she is able to see again in a later chapter, along with any holes I might leave, the most noticeable in the next chapter.