Forgotten Dunes

No More Forgotten

Birthdays came and went with no indication of them even appearing, they were a fleeting dream in the unconscious of two of the sand siblings. Every year felt the same, the only indication of time passing was the small changes to their mindsets, both changing for the better from the hellish vortex that their minds had been pushed into as both children and teenagers. Nothing could quite rid them of the intense and horrid thoughts that had seeped into their minds but with time it seemed the bond they shared soothed them and made these thoughts manageable, even with the odd painful dip into the past.

Everything felt as a day should it a village littered with sand. There was a gentle freeze slowly moving sand along the dusty paths. This was the type of wind to be expected out of the storm season, luckily for the Kazekage clan, there was no heavy wind to be seen, almost prophesying the calm day that was coming around. Soft footsteps made their way up the lightly dusted steps of the Kazekage building. Every step brought the little sand that was settled on the wood to tumbled to the one below, creating small deposits of the cameral sediment to accumulate. The tan bags strapped to her waist were not filled with the dangerously sharp weapons that could be found on any kunoichi but rather small gifts for the Kazekage on this special day. Kiku wasn't used to giving gifts just like the rest of the siblings weren't and yet this year she had tried to see through all of that to give her brother something that would show him the appreciation he deserved and to curve the monstrous voice in her mind that was telling her it wasn't enough for a Kage. Even with these thoughts, he was a brother first, a twin and a Kage second.

Her toes gently knocked against the floor, small flakes of sand that found themselves stuck in the crevasses of her sandals fell to the ground before she raised her hand to give the door a few swift knocks. There was much more confidence in her actions that she had within her. It didn't matter how close of a bond they had now compared to as children, there was still a fear that lives deep inside her that the gifts she had prepared would fall flat and not be as loved as she had been anticipating. Nevertheless, she wouldn't know the outcome until she was faced with Gaara.

"Come in."

Hearing the low voice, she entered, using her hand to push back the door before she closed the space between her and the desk. Silence took over. It was a silence she used to detest, one that would drive her to insanity just to feel it closing in on her like a heavy fog, trying to suffocating everything in itsa path but not anymore. The past was over and their silence had gone from harming to healing.

"Good morning, brother." Her sweet voice hit the warm air as her fingers traveled to the clips keeping her pouches closed.

Gaara stared at his twin for a moment, his eyes squinting from the confusion swimming in his mind. It had never crossed his mind that it was a special day, his conscious only focused on the work he had to do for the village.

"What are you-"

Before he could finish his sentence she held up her free hand, one finger waggling to prevent him from talking anymore. Just as she had expected, he had forgotten. This wasn't a surprise to Kiku as there had really been no need for them to remember such a day when the world felt as if it was purposely crushing every ounce of innocent and dreaming they had. The world was different now and she wanted to show him that even they could have some happiness in this new world that was being built. Lowing her hand, Kiku opened up the first pouch and pulled out what looked like a squashed bear, it's stuffing being compressed into such a small area had made it look out of shape, however, as soon as it was out of it's confided prison it expanded back to itsthe normal shape. It was a rather childish gift to give a man that was running a village and had also fought in the war, but she didn'tsee it that way. This bear had taken her far too long to create. While her siblings were more versatile on the battlefield, she liked the simple things and she found that stitching up wounds were close enough to hand sewing that she was able to create something verysimilar to the bear Gaara had as a child. While she had a particular fondness for rabbits and other sweet animals in the form of soft toys when they were young, it seemed he just liked the simple thing sand really, had anything changed? Once she had smoothed out it's stuffing a little she held it out, the other's hands moved to take hold of the bear.

"Is this?" Gaara was even more confused at this moment. It was so similar to the bear he used to know that he wasn't quite sure what to think.

"No. This is the one I made you because-" She paused for a moment as if she was trying to add suspension to her words.

"-It's our birthday."

The blank look on his features soon turned to one of guilt. He had indeed forgotten the day and that was something he didn't want to forgive himself for.

"I'm sorry, I forgot"

Though, this didn't really seem to bother Kiku as a smile formed on her soft lips at his words. She leaned against the desk with a sparkle in her eyes.

"You don't need to tell me that twice, I thought you would but I don't care about that. I wanted to give you something to show how much I care about my older brother."

"I'm only a few minutes older."

"Still older!" She demanded, giving a playful chuckle before she pushed herself up to sit on the edge of the desk.

"Now, come on. Do you like it? I spent a lot of my spare time making that for you. I found some old photos of us and I couldn't think of what to get you then it hit me. I know the old one is lost and we're too old for things like that now but-" Her words trailed off as she started to come to terms with maybe it wasn't a good gift to get him.

Gaara may have been her twin but there had been many years off bloodstained memories or none at all. They were still trying to build a strong bond that twins should have.

"No, I like it." His words were all she needed to bring herself back out of her terrorizing thoughts.

Hearing them she perked up, soft locks of crimson gentle moved as she raised her eyes to look at him. After putting her soul into this gift, she found herself being a little too emotional over the sentiment that she smiled widely.

"Happy birthday, brother."