Freedom ~Gaara~

Chapter 4

Chinsei smiled brightly and laughed as she spun in circles holding a little boys hands. That warm feeling once again began to fill me as I watched the two most important people in my life enjoying the day with joy clearly displayed across their faces. I began to feel that watching them, I could not be any happier and that there was nothing that could change the joy I felt or take away the light from my life. They continued to laugh and play and Chinsei began to sing a song that the little boy joined in with.

The music filled the air around me and I breathed in. The music. That music. So calm and happy. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." They sang it over and over again and I felt like the sun was shining brighter just for them. The boy noticed me and called to me.

"Daddy!" I smiled and started over to them.

But that's when it became dark and dreary, like a sudden storm was rolling in. But Chinsei's smile and the boy's never faltered. It was like they couldn't even see it. The temperature dropped and I had an overwhelming sense that my family was in danger. I began to run, but made little progress to them. A figure dropped down between myself and them. Something about this figure seemed very familiar and I couldn't help the surge of panic that flooded my heart.

Chinsei's face fell and that glorious smile was replaced by a look of pure and utter terror. She took a few steps back, holding the boy tightly in her arms. He also looked at the figure, frightened. "Daddy..." He called in a scared voice. I began to run again, determination to save them flooding me. The figures head turned slowly to me and what I saw made me stop. No. Red eyes narrowed at me, the black design in them filling me with anger.

He turned back to Chinsei and the boy and attacked them. Chinsei's scream filled the area and mixed with my own yell.

My eyes opened with a start and I took in a sharp breath. Morning light shone through the window, telling me it had all been a dream. I brought my hand up and slid it over my eyes and into my hair, trying to wake up a bit. What was that? Why would I be dreaming about him? I stopped him from taking Chinsei many years ago. He holds no fear over us anymore.

Chinsei laid with her head on my shoulder, my arm around her. She was peaceful. Was I doing the right thing? Right now she's peaceful and fine and happy. But if I involve her in what could very well become the next great ninja war... will she still be able to be happy and peaceful like this? It was the question I had been wondering since yesterday when the messenger told me about the summit. Today was the day we were to leave and still didn't know if I wanted Chinsei to go or not.

I knew though that she wouldn't take no for an answer. She is determined to go with me for some reason. As my advisor or my wife, I'm not sure. But one thing is for certain, I have to make sure the she's safe there. Not just for my own peace of mind but for Light's well being. If something were to happen and Light was harmed...

Chinsei groaned lightly and curled herself closer into me. I gently stroked her hair and watched her sleep. It's amazing. Neither of us used to be able to sleep. Maybe Chinsei would get a few hours in here and there. But since having Shukaku extracted from myself and Chinsei's leave from music, we both have been able to sleep peacefully next to each other.

With a small sigh, I moved my wife off of me and got out of bed. We will have to leave soon. Walking down the hall I could hear the distinct sound of Nora moving her food bowl around the kitchen. Will have to feed her before I start anything. She looked up at me as I entered the kitchen and then looked down at her food bowl again before looked up at me again. "I'm getting it." I muttered.

Her bowl full, Nora happily ate while I started to make morning tea for myself and Chinsei. It seemed like any other day. I had the feeling that I was going to make tea and sit at the table to do a little work, Nora would jump into my lap and nap after eating, and somewhere after that Chinsei would pad down the hall and join me before going to work at the hospital. But I knew that today after we had our morning tea together we wouldn't be going to our respective offices. We instead would be leaving for the land of iron and the five kage summit.

Just as always, Nora jumped into my lap and I began to scratch her behind the ear, earning a soft purr in response. It wasn't much longer that I heard Chinsei's feet slapping the wood of the hall floor. She came into view, black hair a mess and small hand rubbing at her eyes. She looked up at me and smiled. "Good morning." She said happily. I gave her a smile in reply.

We drank our tea together and chatted like any other morning. It was soothing. But soon we had to finish our morning ritual and find warm clothing for the trip. Chinsei dressed in a thicker dress and stockings but I insisted that she also wear a long scarf. By the time we met up with Temari and Kankuro at the gate she was getting irritated with my 'over-worrying'. But I only smiled to her and gave her a soft kiss before arriving at the gate.

They smiled when they saw us and I pulled down my scarf to speak. "Alright. Let's go." And Chinsei's hand tightly clutched in mine, we began the treck to the land of Iron. And I could only hope that Chinsei was right and nothing would happen. I could only hope.