I Fade Away [Gaara II]

Final Chapter

Azmaria's laugher rang in the air as friends danced around and enjoyed the party. Her face was beaming. She was grinning so much at times the young woman had to close her eyes. A hand lightly clasped her shoulder and Azmaria turned to see Gaara standing behind her. Her grin grew at his arrival.

"Master Gaara! Would you like to join me?" the young woman asked.

He shook his head. "Come with me," he said.

Azmaria nodded, waving to Temari before disappearing into the crowd. Gaara led them away from the room and down the dark halls that were not occupied. Slowly all sounds of the party began to disappear and they were met with silence. Azmaria found them standing on a balcony over looking Suna. Stars filled the night sky, the moon shining brightly.

She looked over at the Master as he stared out over the sand in thought. The once happy expression faltered slightly upon seeing him deep in thought, almost troubled.

"Master Gaara?" she spoke softly.

Azmaria reached forward, gently touching a shoulder. It startled him from his thoughts and he looked down at her.

"Are you alright?"

Gaara took in Azmaria's appearance. Where had the time gone? How had they come from being kids to adults? It almost seemed unreal, as if time passed without him knowing. When Azmaria came to the Kazekage household she had been slightly taller than him with a stick straight body. She was timid, shy, but confident when the time called for it. Now his Soldier stood to his shoulders, him having grown greatly from being a kid. Her body had filled out, containing muscles from all of her training, as well as curves in the right places the young man began noticing more. Azmaria was now confident, brave, strong, kind, and an amazing person overall.

However, their journey and chapter in life was now coming to an end. Gaara was never good at saying goodbye, which is why he wanted to do it in private.

"You're twenty-one," Gaara finally answered.

Azmaria snickered. "Are you calling me old, Master Gaara?" she teased.

A low chuckle came from his throat as he shook his head. "Never..."

Azmaria realized what this was all about, smile dropping as she stared at the ground. The young woman let the hand fall away from his shoulder back to her side. The silence between them was deafening, but neither knew what to say. Hand moving inside a pocket he pulled out a wrapped gift, handing it over. Taking the item, she opened the box startled by what was inside. The silver chain was short enough so it didn't hang low, meaning the item could not be used against her in the field as a choking weapon. In the center sat a custom-made pendant in the shape of a desert lily, reflecting the pale hue of the purple-blue edges in the light. But it was the small yellow crystals that stood in place of the anthers that caused the Soldier to quickly look up at the young man and then back down at the gift. It was absolutely breathtaking.

"Happy Birthday," he said.

"Master Gaara... thank you..."

He knew she was thinking it was too much. "You deserve it."

She gave a smile. "It's beautiful."

The Kazekage watched the Soldier carefully, taking a deep breath. "Azmaria," Gaara spoke lowly.

"Yes, Master Gaara," Azmaria asked in a whisper. Surprised her voice didn't crack.

"Thank you. For everything. You were everything and more that I could ask for in a Solider. I suppose it was fate when you came to live with me all those years ago." He sighed. "That time has now come to pass..."