Time flew faster than you could have imagined, almost another year paased.Living with Itachi and the other males turned out to be harder than you expected. Gaara upon being notified about the situation agreed to provide housing arrangements for all of them, but if course they refused.

As for those of Konoha, they visited whenever they could. Even Kakashi made sure to visit once in a while when he had to discuss a few things with the Kazekage. You of course visited Konoha as well. Despite being informed of the well being of your parents, you still wanted to see them.

On your first visit you really realized why they wanted to be left alone. They were happy, and as much as it pained you not to be able to hug them, you understood.

There's another person to make sure to hang around when ever you visited, well aside from your friends, Iruka. Despite his busy schedule as a teacher, he made sure to stick around.

For once you felt happy and relieved of not having to worry about anything. However as much as everything looks too good, there are certain things that have been bugging you. The relationship between Goro and the Uchiha brothers wasn't great, whenever they had to tolerate their presence, it only consisted of glares.

As for what you have done during this time, you now work at the hospital. They aren't capacitated to deal with lethal wounds or diseases so that's where you came in. You aren't required to go to missions since you're not a Kunoichi, so you are free to help whomever needs your help. It felt satisfying to know that you're able to help others, to save lives. And even the civilians came to love you, in a sense. It didn't help that Gaara would visit often, so those bad murmurs now were positive.

"Is that going to be all [Name]?" Blinking a few times, your eyes set on the woman. With a smile you nodded paying for the vegetables and some fruits.

"Yeah, that's all. Thanks." With everything that you needed at hand, you decided to head back home.

However a hooded figure blocked your path. The person's chakra could not be detected and you knew why. "Follow me."

Shock, it should be there but you knew it would happen sooner or later. Looking around, you then followed the male. You both came to an empty location away from the ears of others. "You sure are risking your life by coming here."

He lifted his hood to show the person hiding behind it. A smile appeared on his face. "Well, it's nice to see you too."

"What are you doing here?" You asked wanting to just move on.

A bag has been hanging at his hip, he untied it. "Tell me, how has your chakra been acting?"

A deep frown set on your features. "With the pills, it has been controlled. But I'm almost out of them."

He laughed. "Here, these are new. I have been working on them." His hand reached into the bag and from it, he showed you a small glass tube. "Unlike those pills, this liquid will not only control it, but it will eventually allow your body to recognize as a part of it."

You grabbed the offered tube and you looked at it, it's color matches the same as said chakra. "Why are you still helping me." Oh you didn't ask, you demand an answer.

His eyes narrowed."Aren't you satisfied with what I told you?"

"No." Giving him back the tube, you glared at him. "What's you game?"

Anger flashed through his eyes. "Do you wish to die then?"

"Of course I don't, but what really motivates you to help me." You growled stepping forward.

He ran his fingers through his hair as a long sigh escaped his lips. "What can I expect after knowing you for years." He began. "But I'm not obligated to respond to your questions. Now listen," he grabbed the bag too your hand and placed the tried on your hand. "If I were you, I would open my ears. There's trouble brewing on the north and it won't take long before it reaches you."

Information, that's also one of the reasons why he is here as well. But why is he helping you damn it! Oh. Shikamaru, his theory. "Speak woman."

He must have noticed your widened eyes then. "Tell me Kabuto, are your reasons personal?"

Then everything froze, he just stared at you as if you had somehow gained an extra eye. "Don't be ridiculous, the only reason why I'm helping you, it's simply because I have nothing much more interesting to do. If you wish to die then so be it."

You hadn't expect him to turn around ready to leave. "Tsk." And you grabbed his shoulder to prevent him from leaving. "I won't speak of that issue because I still need your help."

"Good. What I gave you can last for a year take one a month unless you feel anything strange. I'll be in touch to supply you with more." He didn't show his face and he just walked away leaving you standing there. But he's action only left you with more questions. His attitude only linked  with Shikamaru's theory and you hated how right he really was.

This is definitely not what you were hoping, you can deal with someone loving you but someone who is in the list of criminals? That's rough. Placing the basket on the ground, you tied the bag on your belt by the side of your hip.

"What was he doing here?" You froze, Gaara. Damn it.

For once you didn't know what to say, he has offered his home and even offered his protection only for you to hide something like that from him. Gulping down the saliva you fought to say something. That disappointed look didn't help either. "Gaara," he turned around ready to leave but you stopped him by grabbing his wrist. "I can explain."

Gently but firmly, he tore his hand from your hand as if your touch would burn his skin. With a guilty look, you retreated your hand. "Speak, I would really hate to have you imprisoned."

It would be reasonable if he decided to do so. You're surprised he hadn't done so already. "I... Lied when I returned. I wasn't completely healthy." You began by showing your chakra. "Although my body has returned to it's somewhat normal state,  my chakra has turned to be toxic and more like a poison. Because of that, my body is rejecting it, but by doing so my chakra began to poison my own body. The only way to make both my body and my chakra as one is to control it." You grabbed a very small pill hidden in a small container. "These were designed by Kabuto to control it until he designed something much better." Placing back the pill, you opened the bag and grabbed a tube. "He came to me to deliver these. According to him, this will help my body to recognize my chakra."

His eyes trailed to each and one of your movements. Today he had some extra time so he had decided to check the hospital, but since it was your day off, a patient needed your attention so he volunteered to find you. However once he did, he was terribly disappointed to find you with that man. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Because they tend to think of you as weak, they feel the need to always 'protect' you, you're not useless, you always find solutions for your problems even if it means trusting Kabuto. Quite honestly though, how could you explain to Gaara that you trust that man with your life? Kabuto has proven to be loyal to you, and now you know why.

"Because if I do, it doesn't benefit anyone. It'll only worry everyone, besides Kabuto knows what he is doing." You explained earning a glare from the male.

"You trust him, don't you?"

Pursing your lips, you knew that admitting such a thing would only bring you trouble. They all have been kind enough to trust you after you left. "I do, besides I don't have much options anyway. I know it's hard to believe but he's the only one who can help me."

"You depend too much on him."

It's your turn to growl. "I do, you know why? Because otherwise I'll die. I'm sorry I didn't tell you all but it's for the best."

He looked rather heartbroken. "You have us,  you have me."

Why is he making you feel so guilty and like a criminal? You closed the distance between the two of you and with the pal of your hand, you touched his cheek. Your eyes softened as you saw closer the effects of what was required of him as a leader. From such a young age he became the Kazekage, and you could see all the stress in his eyes. "And I thank you for that, you showed me that you really care for me. But there are things that no matter how much you try, you can't help with. I know it feels as if I am doing this on my own, and perhaps I am, but it's because it's the only way." With the thumb, you caressed his cheek, you felt him lean forward as he closed his eyes. His hand reached your hand and laid it on top of yours.

His eyelids discovered his green orbs as they stared at you with an unknown emotion. "Very well, I trust you."

With a grin, you removed your hand from his only to bring him into a hug. He's such a gentle heart. After a few moments of that interaction, you pulled away. "Thank you so much for believing in me. But why were you looking for me?"

"A new patient needs your assistance." With a nod, you turned around to grab the basket. "Alright, let's go."

But as you both left, Kabuto hadn't left just yet. He felt Gaara's chakra so he decided to be a witness of what would take place. What he watched wasn't of his liking, but upon hearing that you do indeed trust him was enough to bring a smile to his face.

Upon Orochimaru's death the feeling of belonging was gone, that is until he began to assist you with your health problems. He has after all, known you better than any of those you call friends. He knows your dislikes, likes, what ticks you off and what makes you happy. No, he didn't read any sort of report, nor did he look to find those answers. Three years were enough to get those answers naturally. How could he forget those laughs, not just any laughs, no, you shared them with him.

Who was there to see you in pain, and had to endure watching you suffer? He was, and although watching you in pain would have brought a smile to his face, it didn't. Whenever you screamed in pain while he had to perform a treatment, his heart would suffer. At first he thought that perhaps your death would bring his suffering to an end, and damn did he try it. However what he received was much more pain.

Watching that smile, that loving gaze on you and seeing you alive was enough payment for his services. You made him feel like he belonged, and that's good enough. With that content smile, he disappeared from sight. His life just seemed much brighter and it's all thanks to you.