𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐄'𝐒 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑 | gaara

Part 21

*Your P.O.V*

It's target practice for Kita and Nishi again.

"And- bam! Ten points, got her right in the chest!" says Kita, laughing. You wince. They'd since decided to upgrade from shuriken to kunai at the obvious loss of their third brother. Nishi waves him away, and takes aim with his kunai.

"This one's for Minami! Hyaaaaaaa!" A gasp escapes your lips as his kunai lodges itself in your side, just under your armpit. You feel its sting as its tip pierces your skin. You hadn't bathed in days. You hadn't eaten in days. You hadn't drunk, seen the light of day, or even slept in days. Your mind was always elsewhere as your body met torture after torture by the hands of the two brothers. Of course, they always liked to revisit the old methods.

"You know, Nishi, I find Risa-chan to be a great training dummy," says Kita, pulling out yet another kunai. You cough up blood, staining your already dirty white garment. Nishi snickers.

"I just wonder how long she's gonna hold up, you know?" Nishi throws another kunai, and it lodges itself right in your hip. You cry out in pain, and the brothers laugh.

"Say, Risa-chan, where is this Lord Kazekage? I'm just dying to meet him!" drawls Nishi, sneering at you. You scowl at him.

"Even if... Gaara did bother turning up... I wouldn't let you lay a finger on him!" you spit viciously. Kita approaches you with a mock pout plastered across his face.

"Why are you so intent on defending someone who's given up on you, hmm?" He reaches up and holds your chin in your hand. You growl and bite at him, and he retracts his hand, laughing.

"You've sure got the bite to match your bark, haven't you?" he snickers. You growl again.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on Gaara!" you say warningly. "Even if I end up dying in the process... which I probably will..." You sweatdrop at the irony of your words, then shake your head and continue.

"Okay, scrap that thought, but even if it means taking you down with me, I'll never let you touch Gaara!" you say, looking down at Kita proudly. He scowls and kicks you in the gut, sending you flying back and forth from the ropes that suspend you from the ceiling. You wince as the feeling of another rib cracking fills you.

"It's been five days, foolish girl," snarls Kita. "Don't you get it? No one cares." He throws another kunai, which, unlike the other playful shots they'd been taking, lodges itself deeply in your abdomen. Your breath ceases for a second, and you look down. Blood is beginning to fan out across your white dress, and the world starts spinning all over again. Kita laughs.

"Well, I think your time has come, don't you?" He looks over at Nishi, who nods.

"Agreed. Should we just leave her dangling there until she dies, or make it easier for her and string her from the rafters by her neck?" he laughs evilly. You open your mouth to speak, sight beginning to fade.

"How about we kill you two instead and take back [Name]?" You muster the energy to stay alert, and look up.

"Gaara!"

The Kazekage stands behind Nishi and Kita, flanked by Temari, Kankuro, Risa and Ichiro. It seems so surreal to you that you can't even believe it.

"Damn you two and your stupid apparitions," you mutter, hanging your head and closing your eyes again.

"[Name]!!!" You hear Risa's annoying voice and freeze.

Those aren't apparitions.

You look up, alerted, and there's no doubt about it. They're here.

"Hey! You fucking bastards, let my sister go!" you hear Risa scream. You manage a little grin. That's the Risa you knew. You close your eyes, feeling relieved. You felt as if you could finally... let go. A dreamy smile finds its way across your face, and you hear voices calling to you.

"[Name]! Don't give up yet!" Temari? "Hold on for just a bit more, we'll have you out in no time!"

You close your eyes.

"[Name], come on, don't do this!" Ichiro's voice. "I know you're stronger than that!"

"Why don't we all just shut up and get started?" you hear Risa snap. A hand wraps itself around your throat and pulls you down from the rope you dangled from. You gasp and look up, seeing Nishi.

"NO!" You don't know what happens, but you're falling to the ground, and Nishi is screaming in pain.

"I'M NOT LETTING YOU TAKE MY SISTER AGAIN!" you hear Risa scream. "GAARA, GET HER!" Your vision is blurred, but you can still feel. Someone's picking you up gently in their arms.

"Come on, [Name], it's home time for you." You feel the person sweep you up in their arms, and you look up. Gaara's face greets you.

"GAARA! GET Y/N BACK TO THE VILLAGE AS FAST AS YOU CAN!" You hear Risa's voice and close your eyes, barely managing to stay awake. You feel Gaara make a run for it, carrying you bridal style in his arms.

"It's okay now, [Name], I've got you now..." he murmurs softly. You hear the battle cries of those left behind, and internally smirk. Four on two. The brothers didn't stand a chance.

Even though your eyes are closed, sunlight still manages to blind you, making your eyes widen in shock.

"Why did you bother coming?" you mutter, lulling your head to the side. You hear Gaara scowl.

"Why would I not?" You roll your eyes, and hear Gaara sigh.

"Believe it or not, [Name], but I love you. And there's nothing that can change that fact." You feel him stop running, and open your eyes groggily.

Whaaaaa...?

He urges you to stand up, and when you make it obvious that you can't stand on your own, he carries you over to a tree and has you lean against it. You struggle to keep your eyes open, and keep your eyes locked on his face. He gets down on one knee, and you feel as if you're about to pass out.

"[Name]... will you marry me?" He takes your hand in his, and you giggle. He looks at you, confused.

"You're on the wrong knee."

Without another word, you collapse.