Control

Stars of Longing

Yumi's wings ached with each movement she made but she pushed on. She had to. She would not fail Gyo. She promised long ago to protect you when he could not. Yumi was rather indifferent about you but Gyo wasn't. You were his responsibility--his family and student...and as Gyo's summon and friend Yumi inherited this burden...but she couldn't always be there to protect you and neither could Gyo...but she could do something now...and so she flew without stopping.

She flew long into the night--over the forest of Konoha, through the land of fire, and into the land of wind. The full moon's rays guided Yumi as she flew through the dark sky. Even in the dark, she was an expert tracker...but she was beginning to grow tired...she had already used much of her chakra and was now solely relying on yours...You may not have much talent but you certainly had a vast chakra reserve due to your phoenix...this reserve was the only reason Yumi was still present even through this great distance from you...You would certainly become a formidable opponent if you ever fully grasped your kekkei genkai...

However, even you had your limits. Yumi knew this, and she knew that the longer she stayed in this realm the less chakra you would have...but right now your chakra felt relatively stable which meant you weren't actively fighting and depleting your reserves. No matter how far Yumi traveled, she would always be able to feel your chakra--it was part of the summoning contract you signed. Yumi didn't particularly like that stipulation of the agreement but she had to admit it was useful...

If anything, it gave her a sense of ease as she soared through the sky. All she had to worry about was reaching the sand village. Even at the high speeds she was flying, Yumi could tell she was close. She could sense all the chakras in the distance, and she instinctively pushed herself to fly faster.

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Gaara exhaled softly as his gaze shifted between the moon and the stars. His posture was lax as he silently observed the world above; he did so most nights...and like most nights, his thoughts would drift to you...

He remembers when the two of you were children...you used to sneak out and watch the stars together...he misses that. Even when he thought you abandoned him he still thought of you as he gazed at the stars. At the time, he often felt bitter about it...but even through the bitterness he always felt a profound sense of longing-- a longing for the friendship and companionship you shared as kids-- a longing for you. He used to hate that...but then he learned the truth--that you still cared for him. You never stopped...and after everything he did you still wanted to be his friend...you still wanted him.

Gaara never felt wanted until you. You accepted him at his best and worst. He didn't understand how but you did...that's just who you were. You were just so strong-willed and selfless. It made him want to be better--like you and Naruto.

Gaara closed his eyes at the thought before abruptly snapping them open at a loud caw. His sharp eyes scanned across the night sky to see a blue hawk flying toward him. Gaara squinted his eyes at the bird, he wasn't aware of any hawk that color...and it had chakra...it had your chakra. Gaara could tell by the way Shikaku stirred within him. Shikaku always reacted to your chakra...Gaara wasn't sure why but every time you were near Shikaku grew restless. It took Gaara a long time to form this connection...

When the two of you were kids Shikaku was always restless and after you left Shikaku remained that way so Gaara never noticed a difference. Over time, Gaara began to associate Shikaku's agitation with his own blood lust. It had fueled Gaara's previous desire to kill and when he encountered you years later the agitation was no different. It wasn't until Gaara discovered your identity that he began to notice the subtlety in Shikaku's behavior towards you. Gaara couldn't explain it...but he clung to the knowledge anyways. It meant he could always find you...and it allowed him to know without so much as a mere glance that the hawk was somehow connected to you.