GaaSaku: Saving You

Chapter 9: Welcome back, Lord Kazekage!

Hey, guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter as I continue to upload more. I know this is going to be a little short since it's almost at the very end of the story. But I'll be writing more GaaSaku stories next year!

Anyways, please read & review! :)

"Naruto, Sakura..." the red-haired Kazekage's eyes widened in astonishment when he slowly glances around just to see many people gathering and cheering on for him. "This is..."

"Yeah, everyone is here trying to save you," the blonde-haired ninja said happily. 

The pink-haired kunoichi let go of him as she turned around to check up on Chio's pulses. She widened her eyes in shock and closed her eyes calmly.

"No..." she said in mind.

"Lord Kazekage, we're glad you're back!" One of the sand jounins praised gleefully. 

"Are you alright, sir Gaara?" He asked concernedly. 

The red-haired Kazekage was speechless, so he nodded in answer instead. 

"There's no way that Gaara-sensei die that easily!!" Matsuri pointed out defensively and continue to gush on forward. "Gaara's a real strong and silent type, good-looking and elite."

"Yeah, yeah. But still there's some cuteness about him. Then, he's Kazekage," another brunette kunoichi said dreamily as they both were fangirling. 

"Next time for sure, I'll get Gaara out of whatever mess he's in!" Matsuri rushed over to his side eagerly. 

"No! Me!" Her brunette kunoichi friend exclaimed, shoving Naruto out of her way.

"Ugh. Yeah. I guess I'm still just a genin..." Naruto mumbled after he landed on the grass with a funny expression. 

"Don't feel bad. Women are always weak on their knees for the young, cool elite types," Kankuro chuckled when he knelt down in front of him. 

"Well, I remember Shikamaru saying something like that too," Naruto pouted thoughtfully, then both of them had their heads turned on Gaara and the others. 

Kankuro stares at the blonde-haired ninja near him as he began to remember the time his younger brother had spoken the words. "He knew the same pain as me. And he taught me that you can change how you live."

"Thank you, Naruto."

"Hm. You should be saying that to the old lady, not me... She saved Gaara with her amazing medical ninjutsu," the blonde-haired ninja said softly while glancing at Sakura, who was holding Chio tightly. 

"That was no medical ninjutsu, it was a life transfer ninjutsu. Lady Chio is dead," Kankuro confirmed sternly.

"Wha-what are you saying?" Naruto asked confusedly.

"A ninjutsu that restores life in exchange for the user's own," Kankuro explained, much to the others' dismay. 

"Yes..." Sakura murmured as she started crying over Chio and holding her gently, whereas Gaara was looking between them sadly. 

"Naruto... You really are a mysterious person. For Sakura, she really does have an emotional effect on people," Temari stated as she observed the pink-haired kunoichi genuinely. 

Then, the red-haired Kazekage slowly tries to stand up on his own until the blonde-haired ninja gripped beneath his right arm for support. Both of the jinchuriki had approached in front of Sakura and Chio's dead body.

The pink-haired kunoichi's tears were streaming down from her cheeks and looked up to them without saying anything. 

"Everyone, let's pray for Lady Chio," Gaara announced gently as they all bowed their heads, giving condolences for her in silence. 

The following morning came and the two teams from the leaf village were standing in front of Chio's grave. They had a few good memories with her and they wished they could have had a lot to spend more time with her. Nothing could bring her back to life since the technique that she use highly severe for other shinobi to perform. She was the only person who is capable of exchanging her life to someone else's. She sacrificed herself for the sake of the future generations. Simply, because she cares a lot about what had happened in the late centuries when she was still young. The only person that she wanted to save was Sasori, but instead it was Gaara. Her grandson is nothing but an outsider from their village. All he ever cared about was himself. He fell into darkness, just like the others who are still trapped inside. In spite of all, Chio is grateful for meeting the best kind of people in her life. Like Naruto, he has a mysterious power, which everyone starts to believe in him. When it comes to Sakura, she is the only person who still keeps her secrets to herself. At least one of them. 

"Sakura, Naruto. We're about to leave now," Kakashi called out to them. 

"Okay! Let's get going, Sakura!" The blonde-haired ninja said softly as he pulls up the straps of his backpack as he glanced over his right shoulder. 

The pink-haired kunoichi looks down on the grave and taps it, reminiscing what Chio had said to her before she gave her life away to the beloved red-haired Kazekage.

FLASHBACK:

"Young lady, loving someone who has one personal thing in his mind is not always easy. I just want you to remember that love is not about having those kinds of emotions. But to be able and willing to sacrifice everything for that person. Love is blindness, my dear. Sooner or later, you will realize who is actually there for you and who always stays at your side. Sasuke will not return anytime at this moment and it is best to leave him for now. Do not give up on him yet, Sakura. You are a strong, beautiful kunoichi who is capable of helping others in need and whose lives are in danger. You are always important to everyone, and to someone. Please... do yourself a favor. Learn how to love the right way because love is beyond powerful above anything else," Chio concluded as she smiled genuinely at her.

Sakura's eyes was glistening into tears happily and said when she hugged her. "Thank you so much."

END OF FLASHBACK

Back in the present time, the pink-haired kunoichi slides her fingers slowly over the trails of the carved words of Chio. She turns around, walking away, and stops for a moment to look back on her once again. "Thank you... Lady Chio."