Chapter Text
XI.
The boy leaped to the rooftops in a single move. His small feet moved rapidly as he rushed ahead. His heart was in his throat and the scent of sadness and self-loathing grew stronger as he neared his brother. Yue approached the rooftop, slowing down in his steps. He eyed the small redhead, gaze growing dim as he saw his small form, hunched over with his knees tucked to his chest.
Gaara wore a black robe. He did not move as he approached him quietly. Yue made his steps known, walking with more noise than he often did. His brother’s sand bristled around him in warning, moving in wisps threateningly. It rose higher as he drew closer. His brother refused to look up from his knees.
“Gaara, it’s me.” He spoke quietly.
His brother stiffened, small hands digging into his robes tightly. He curled deeper into his knees, pushing back into the corner of the rooftop. He hid in the shadows and the sand continued shifting.
“Gaara please.” He pleaded.
“Go away.”
Yue shook his head and he stepped forward, uncaring of the sand. The sand snapped upwards in a swift move and it grabbed his wrists. Yue held still, golden eyes worried as he gazed at his brother. It broke his heart to see him like this. He remained unmoving as the sand crept closer and closer, engulfing his legs and arms.
“I will never go away little brother.” Yue promised.
The sand tightened.
Yue held still. He trusted his little brother. He knew he would accept him. The sand did not frighten him. He waited patiently, ignoring the soreness in his limbs as he was held in an awkward position. He knew Gaara had the ability to crush him but he held him back, encased tightly in the sand but he did not injure him. It was uncomfortable. There was no pain in the grip.
“Look at me.” Yue spoke.
His brother inhaled sharply and he lifted his head slowly.
“Come closer.”
Gaara stayed stubbornly in the shadows.
“Why… Why aren’t you scared?” He accused, voice angry and lost.
Yue released a small smile, watching as his brother slowly inched out of the shadows. The sand continued encroaching higher and higher. It reached his neck, swirling around him. It looped around him, circling and itching his skin. Yue’s eyes widened as his brother walked into the light. There was an inscription on his forehead - the word for love . Red and bruised, marring his skin.
Yue shook his head.
“I will never be scared of you.” He spoke honestly.
Gaara’s cold expression broke. His sand fell to the ground abruptly, receding to his gourd. The small boy fell to his knees with a broken wail. Yue rushed forward and pulled him into his arms as he began crying. Gaara hiccuped and whispered admissions of guilt and familial murder. The boy cried and cried and called himself a monster over and over again. Yue tightened his hold and shook his head sadly.
“It’s not your fault.” He whispered, over and over again. “None of this is your fault.”
The pair stayed on the rooftop as the sun began to set. Grief lingered heavily in the air, potent and prevalent through the entire village but it was at its strongest in the heart of a small red haired boy who blamed himself for the transgressions of his elders.
The child moved around the kitchen in a hurried frenzy. He grabbed the hot pot with thick cooking gloves and set it on the table. Yue scooped a serving of congee into the bowl and slid it to the small boy in front of him. He eyed the clock on the wall and pursed his lips in concern.
He did not want to leave Gaara alone with his dark thoughts but he had to report to the Kage. He had ignored the orders to report immediately in favour of finding his brother. Yue walked over to his brother and knelt by his side. He took his hands in his hold gently and smiled reassuringly.
“I need to step out for a bit, Gaara. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Gaara’s breath hitched and he looked scared.
“Where?” He asked, hands tightening on him.
Yue remained silent.
Gaara tightened his grip on his hands. “No lies. Yu-nii please no lies. No secrets either.”
Yue did not know what transpired between Gaara’s uncle and the young boy but he had his suspicions. Yashamaru had truly loved his nephew. His scent was always warm and fond. He would never have attempted to hurt his nephew intentionally unless it was out of his hands. The young boy nodded in acceptance. Secrets would drive them apart and his little brother was all he had.
“Something… something bad happened on my mission in Kiri…” He began in a whisper. “They… my own teammates… They tried to make me disappear.” He explained with a sad smile.
Gaara’s eyes grew wide and his sand shifted immediately, wrapping around the older child in an embrace. It felt protective - not threatening. It was as if the sand was trying to keep harm away from him by forming a shield. The pair stared at the sand in shock. Gaara blinked in confusion.
“It… it never did this before…” He whispered.
Yue’s eyes widened. He pressed the tip of his finger to the sand and he smiled gratefully.
“Thank you.” He whispered.
The sand fluttered briefly before it lowered to his ankles. It swirled around him, almost playful. The boy continued, pushing back his shock. The sand felt strangely sentient.
“The team… they weren’t really my teammates but ANBU, an assassination squad sent after me. Someone got to them before they got to me. I don’t know who… and well I was supposed to take the Chuunin exams in Kirigakure which have a very low survival rate… I need to go report to the Kazekage on why I returned alone.” He trailed off nervously.
“It’s father.” Gaara spoke angrily, voice dropping low. “He wants you dead. I will not let him.”
Yue sighed. “I don’t think we have the power to stop him otouto. The Kage’s will is absolute and he commands the entire village. We cannot afford to go up against them all.”
Gaara glared at him angrily. “But you can’t stay Nii!”
“I can’t leave either Gaara.” He explained calmly. “You are here.”
Gaara gazed at him helplessly. His eyes grew moist and his bottom lip trembled.
“I don’t want Yue-nii to die!”
Yue smiled sadly. “I’ll try my best.”
The boy sniffled and Yue nudged the bowl closer. He grabbed his sword, strapping it on his hip. He turned to his brother with a soft smile - I’ll be back - He inched closer to the sand that remained by his ankles and he poked it gently - Please watch over him - The sand moved back to its owner, floating over his small head in a playful halo.
Yue smiled at the sight and he made his way out the open window. He bid his brother a good night and rushed to the Kazekage’s tower to receive the judgment of Rasa.