Mmkay children. So… Sorry for halting the Beyblade story, if you've read it. I will update it eventually, but some stuff happened, and it caused my Gaara fascination to resurface, so yeah… Sorry again. But hopefully you guys will like this new story. It's actually, like two years old, I just never wrote it down in a way that didn't make me hate it.

Warning: Shounen-ai, oocness(I'll try very hard to keep it to a minimum), Ocs, tampering with the main storyline(barely), and some Shoujo-ai(Just for you my little Ritsuka-chan. I know how hard it's been for you, so there's definitely going to be something in here just for you. Promise)

Oh yeah, and uhh, I may have some fun with Baki+sake, and Neji+Sake in later chapters for some of my peeps… You know who you are…

Oh, and this story will, hopefully, be mostly Sand Sib-centric.

K, so this may be a bit confusing, but here's the gist of it without giving anything away(I hope). This chapter will take place right before Shippuden. It involves Temari and one of the few oc, travelling together to Konoha with some character developing scenarios/explanations. You'll see (and hopefully understand).

Gaara waited patiently. He didn't know how long it had been; only that he could do nothing but wait. His office seemed larger than he knew it was. When he sat there in silence, one of those rare days with very little paperwork, he simply took in his surroundings. The redhead wondered how his innocent childhood was stolen from him and replaced with the bloodthirsty life he lived.

"Life is a curious thing, isn't it?" the Kazekage heard from behind him.

Knowing who it was, he didn't bother to spare the intruder a glance. Instead, he removed his kage headwear and leaned back in his chair, allowing a pair of hands to begin massaging his shoulders. They were firm, strong. Gaara had seen these hands kill before, but for some reason he would put his life in them. A soft sigh escaped his lips at the warmth and comforting stimulation on his shoulders.

"You're here for mission assignment…" the Sunagakure official said softly, not really wanting the rubbing to stop.

"You can tell me while I continue," the female voice whispered into his ear.

"Umm…" the two shinobi looked up. Temari, Gaara's only sister stood in the doorway, a small group of scrolls in one arm, and an amused grin on her face. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Yes," Gaara replied monotonously, sitting up straight.

"Damn," the blond behind him replied. "And I had hoped to avoid this mission."

Her violet eyes glanced carelessly at the scrolls Temari placed on her friend's desk. She blew a stray strand of her short hair out of her face and allowed her long legs to carry her around the oak desk, red scarf trailing behind.

"That's strange. You're usually all gung-ho when it comes to kicking ass," the wind user smirked.

"Well usually I would be, but…"

"She'll be accompanying you to Konohagakure," Gaara stated, surprising his sister and causing the feral blond beside her to scowl.

"I don't want to," she stated, glaring.

"You would disobey your Kazekage?" Gaara teased. No one else could bring this side of him out. It wasn't something obvious. Gaara spoke in his usual tone, so anyone else would think he was being serious. This girl on the other hand…

"Well I disobey my friend all the time," she cockily stated, playing along.

"Why can't I just go alone, like usually?" Temari never knew who had the ball in their court; she only knew never to get involved. Kankuro tried once, but somehow he came out of it physically injured. So instead, she just went with what she knew.

"Simple. You'll be too busy too busy preparing for the Chūnin exams to do this task."

"Or," the quick tongued teen replied. "You want to get rid of me?" She eyed her Kazekage suspiciously, and he looked right back at her without flinching like most others would.

"Oh," Temari nodded, finally understanding. Even when they were younger, Temari noticed the younger girl had stolen many things, particularly from festivals. She had inherited a hefty sum of money, a huge understatement, but for some reason felt the need to either take or hide valuable items. Her guess was she did so for attention in the younger days, and now her sadistic side got a kick out of seeing the villagers panic. And it helped that she was somehow never caught in the act.

"Yes, I'm getting rid of you. This is the first festival in Sunagakure that will be held under my watch, and I don't need you here causing chaos, is that understood?" Gaara explained firmly.

His friend shrugged, she turned her back to him and leaned her backside against his desk. "You know, Gaa-chan, if you asked, I wouldn't do anything. In fact, if you wanted, I'd even help those assholes with the festival."

"You know, I have no doubt in my mind that statement is untrue," the Kazekage crossed his arms across his desk, staring at the blonde's almost completely bare back. Temari nodded.

"You know," she said, turning back to face him with a vicious smirk. "I fell the same way."

Temari shook her head and smiled. She didn't understand their friendship, but she knew it worked. Aside from the creatures living inside each of them, they had almost nothing in common. They were the ocean and sand upon a beach. Carelessly, she pushed and pulled him along into her vast, colorful world. And little by little he crumbled, and allowed himself to be taken along for a dangerous ride. They were an odd pair, but Temari was happy for her brother to have found someone who could understand him so close to home instead of who knows where in the Shinobi world.

"Alright then," Temari smiled. "Meet me at that new restaurant in half an hour with your things packed. We'll have something to eat, and then be on our way."

"You got it. Order me some sukiyaki, would you?"

Temari lifted an eyebrow. "That's a winter dish. It's summer."

"Don't worry, the shop owner knows me. Just tell him his adorable little 'Yuri-chan' wants some of his delicious sukiyaki. He'll make some. If you're lucky, I may even share with you~"

"Right, well whatever."

The duo watched as Temari departed.

"My sister was… smiling?"

"Yeah, I thought it was kinda weird too. She usually has this crooked smirk, but just now she looked genuinely happy… I wonder who died," she joked, planting her butt on the kage's desk and crossing one leg over the other.

"Shouldn't you be packing?" Gaara sighed while reading through the first scroll Temari had left for him.

"Done," she simply stated. "I finished last night."

The Kazekage's eyes traveled from the scroll to his "friend". She had begun reading another scroll to help him, as usual. She looked back at him questioningly.

"What?"

"You… You packed last night?"

"Of course I did," she smirked almost identically matching Temari. "We all know my fascination with causing discord to Suna, so there really is no other way to stop me than to send me away. There is no way I'd ruin the festival for you."

Gaara's sky blue eyes closed, and he buried his face in his hands. The girl was so odd, saying one thing, doing another. She played with his head so much that it felt like just another day at the office. Yet, at the end of the day, there she was, removing herself as an obstacle willingly. "Your name does you no justice," he finally said after a moment of silence. She had been smiling down at him, he just knew it.

"Yeah, I know. Like I haven't heard that one before," she commented, ruffling his hair a bit. The kunoichi hopped off the desk and began walking toward the door. "You know, maybe there's something I forgot to pack. Guess I'd better check."

Gaara threw a scroll at her, which she skillfully caught and held with a single finger. She recognized it as her mission debrief. Gaara usually wrote one up for her, knowing too well she hated long, boring conversations.

"No, you really don't know. You surpass your name. The "Even Lily"? You are far more than "even."" She was visibly surprised. The Kazekage gave her a small, but noticeable smile. "Take care on your mission, Akatori Saeyuri."

The girl smiled back. "Stay safe, Sabaku no Gaara."

With that Gaara was left alone to his work. He leaned back in his chair, reading over the scroll the older teen had previously looked at and smirked. "And don't cause any trouble," he added to himself, seeing a doodle of the feather of her family crest she'd made at the bottom.

Saeyuri stretched as she and Temari excited their home city. They made their way toward Konohagakure, the prosperous city sitting in the forest. While Temari watched their path, her partner had begun to read her scroll. She was being ordered to acquire some medical ninjutsu under the tutelage of someone named "Haruno Sakura," then bring it back in order to assist Sunagakure. In return, she was to offer Lady Tsunade the information on the smaller scroll rolled inside the one she was currently reading. There was a Kage seal, customized by her per Gaara's request, and a warning at the end of her debrief not to open it. Sae scowled at the piece of paper and rolled it back up.

"What's wrong?" Temari asked curiously.

"Your brother's a jerk. That's all," she responded, pouting. Temari chuckled and they both felt the wind pick up. Their cloaks moved with the wind, and they drew their hoods up. "Damn wind. I'm going to have to get Gaara to remove all this sand when we get back."

"Huh, never thought to use his abilities for that." Temari pondered the idea and laughed to herself. It was odd, being alone with the younger girl. She was usually so quiet with everyone else but Gaara, even herself and Kankuro were no exception to her cold shoulder. It was a wonder how she felt like she could tell this girl all her deep dark secrets. The only thing she knew about the Akatori heiress was that she had befriended Gaara while on a combined mission with Konoha, she could kick some serious ass, she lived alone with her elder brother because the rest or her kin were wiped out, and that she had no shame when it came to her body.

Anyone could tell that Saeyuri was comfortable in her skin by the clothes she wore beneath her tan cloak. It wasn't like she was a slut. In fact, Temari doubted that the girl had ever been intimate with anyone pass the point of friendship. She'd always seen Saeyuri alone when they were growing up, usually conversing with older Shinobi, or her own brother. Saeyuri was truly a curious creature.

"Neh, Temari-san," she heard the younger girls voice and looked up. "How long will it take to get to Konohagakure? You've been there before, right?"

"Yes, multiple times now. Well," Temari thought back to her previous travels. Saeyuri was much quicker than herself, so she'd get to Konoha in less than half the time any other shinobi. Now Temari wondered why she didn't just leave her behind. "After we exit the desert, we can pick up the pace."

"Understood," Saeyuri said, then fell silent. She allowed her hair and hood to shield her face from sun, sand, and sister of her only friend. Her mind wandered somewhere she wasn't used to. To a place in her subconscious where she was, in fact, a fifteen year old girl, and not the "Feral Phoenix" she had been nicknamed by the Sunagakure villagers. Her violet eyes, usually giving off a cold and detached vibe to any who met them, now seemed riddled with pain and doubt.

I wonder if Temari-san even likes me. I've never been very kind to her, or Kankuro for that matter. No, they must hate me. It's not like I've done anything to get into their good graces. All I do is take up their little brother's time. Maybe the villagers are right. Perhaps the Phoenix is meant to fly solo…

With that in mind, Saeyuri let out a quiet sigh, not realizing that Temari had been watching her the entire time.

Saeyuri, what's wrong? Why don't you ever let anyone but Gaara in? If there's a way I can help you, just tell me! I'll do anything I possibly can! Not just for Gaara, but for you. I… I want to help you…

Temari couldn't voice her thoughts. It wasn't out of fear that Saeyuri would lash out at her, but the thought of not being able to gain the younger girl's trust.

Truth be told, Saeyuri-san, I've always been watching you…

"Trees."

Saeyuri's voice brought Temari out of her thoughts. She looked up ahead, and sure enough they would reach the forest soon enough. The desert had thinned out where they were now, and Temari wondered just how long they'd been walking. Saeyuri smiled, and Temari mirrored the action. She knew it took a lot for the young girl to show anything but boredom, so in a way it was a victory.

"How much longer now?" she asked, reminding her superior of a child.

"Well," the older of the two looked at the position of the sun. It would set in a few hours time. "I think we should stop in an hour or so to set up camp. After that, the rest of the journey will be straight forward and quick."

"Hmm, if you say so," Saeyuri nodded. She heard the lack of Temari's footsteps and stopped in her tracks while removing her cloak. "Something wrong?"

"No," Temari lied, biting her lip. She looked up at Sae and reconsidered her feelings. No, she knew that if she didn't try, neither would the younger blond. "Actually, yes. Something is bothering, and I think we should talk about it," she said firmly.

Saeyuri nodded but looked bored. "Alright, but I think we should set up camp first if this conversation is going to take a while."

Temari agreed and they entered the forest, searching for a small clearing off the main path.

They'd walked a mile or so before agreeing on the spot and began to set up. Temari had a small tent packed. It could fit three, and usually Kankuro was the one to pack it, but he was probably finishing up the solo mission he'd been assigned.

She hadn't noticed, but Saeyuri had already set up a small campfire in the middle of the few logs that were used by previous travelers. Saeyuri's sleeping bag hadn't been unrolled yet, so Temari took the liberty of fixing it up in her tent. The short haired girl did a few hand signs and set the wood on fire after noticing Temari's action.

"Umm," she walked toward the tent, removing the two katana from her belt. "Wh-what are you doing exactly?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Temari smartly replied while emerging from the tent. "I'm setting up the tent we'll be sharing for tonight."

Saeyuri's shoulders dropped and Temari smirked. "But… Why?"

"Obviously so you won't catch a cold, silly," Temari laughed it off and dug in her bag for some of the food she'd packed. After finally finding some of the instant ramen she had found during her last trip to the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Temari pulled out a kettle and a container of water and set to work preparing the small meal. She stopped and turned to Saeyuri who just stared at her skeptically. "Are you alright with ramen or do you have something else?"

"Oh! Well I brought a few loaves of bread I baked last night, and some kim chee my brother picked up from his last mission…" she trailed off, her eyes darting around nervously. "W-we could share. I brought enough for the both of us… Just in case…"

"Great! I can't wait to taste your bread. I had no idea you cooked," Temari mentally added it to the things she now knew about the young Kunoichi. "Bet it's gonna taste great!"

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Saeyuri questioned while placing her fixings on a small pack-away wooden table. "Did Gaara ask you to treat me kindly?"

Temari watched the girl intently. She usually hid her true feelings so well, and Gaara had said that he observed her stating the exact opposite of what she meant for some reason. Now however, she stood before Temari, something akin to… anxiety perhaps… evident in her beautiful amethyst eyes.

"Actually," Temari finally broke the silence, motioning for Saeyuri to sit down across from her near the fire. "That's what I wanted to discuss with you. Well close enough to the subject."

"Alright," the younger kunoichi nodded, intending to listen with an open mind.

Temari couldn't exactly think of what to say. She'd had it all figured out, but looking at the "Feral Phoenix of Sunagakure" she realized something. She was just a girl. A young teenage girl, who had lost all but one of her family members, and had been ridiculed by her peers. How many times had she gone home and cried to her big brother as a child- as a teenager?

"It's revolting…" she finally said without thinking.

"… Umm… Huh?" Saeyuri tilted her head, not knowing if she had heard right.

"N-no! Not you, Akatori-san! I mean what's happened to you!"

"Well, Temari-san, I'm 16. You're going to have to be a bit more specific. A lot has happened to me in sixteen years."

"I know… I know…" She looked at the confused blond apologetically. "I know you haven't been treated well since you came to Sunagakure ten years ago. I want to apologize for that."

"But you didn't do anything to me. Neither has Kankuro. In fact, Kankuro tried asking me out once, and although he ended up with a nose, it was quite flat-"

"Because I did nothing! Because I watched from the sidelines, and listened to rumors. And… And because I didn't do this earlier."

"Do what?" the Chūnin questioned.

Temari held out her hand. "Hello there."

"Uhh hi?"

"My name is Temari. I know we don't know each other very well, so I'd like to change that."

"Temari-san, what are you-"

"I've seen you around the village, but never had the courage to talk to you, but now I would really like us to be friends. Please take care of me, Akatori Saeyuri-san"

The shock was evident in the young Akatori's eyes. The flames from the makeshift campfire made her glow like an ethereal being. Somehow, the surprise only added to her beauty. The cold glare she usually had set on her face had never belonged there. Temari knew for a fact that this girl was meant to smile. And now it was her mission to make that happen.

A small laugh could be heard coming from Saeyuri. She had hid her face behind her right hand, and the older of the two wondered if she'd start crying. But no, a joyful sound was elicited from her instead.

"Oh my God, you had me worried! I thought you were going to say something awful, but instead you act as if we've just met!" Temari scowled at her response, but smiled once again the second she looked up from her hand.

"Hello there. My name is Temari. I know we don't-"

"Alright I got it already." Saeyuri took the hand that hadn't been lowered and shook it. "My name is Saeyuri, but you may call me Sae, but not Yuri. I would really like to get along with you, Temari-san. Your brother tells me good things about you."

The two suddenly burst into laughter. If anyone who had ever met them had walked in on the two shinobi giggling like academy girls, they would instantly think they were in some odd Genjutsu.

The teens fell asleep after their meal, talking a bit as they drifted into slumber. Saeyuri had convinced her new friend that they didn't need to switch guard duty, for she had someone to watch over them.

That night Saeyuri slept well. She only remembered one dream. No, not a dream, but a memory. The second time she had met Gaara, and the first time she had ever worked together with him. When Temari awoke, she found the younger teen smiling in her sleep and began to pack up the equipment that was unlikely to be used.

She smiled when the younger girl emerged from the tent, fully clothed and ready to continue their short journey.

"Sleep well?" Temari asked, fixing the younger girls bangs a bit.

"Yeah. I had a dream. It was the first time Gaara and I worked together. You know, on that mission with the Leaf?"

Temari nodded. She'd never heard the full story before. She only knew of the mission. Saeyuri's attachment to Gaara, and his willingness to keep her around him, had developed during the mission from what she'd heard from Korobi and Yaoki, the other two shinobi that were assigned to the mission.

"Will you tell me how it happened? We both know Gaara isn't the type to give details about personal matters such as this."

Saeyuri nodded. "Well, I had been returning from a mission with my brother and father- a simple guard a V.I.P mission- when a messenger bird intercepted us…"

-Sigh- Ok, I really shouldn't write stories late at night/too early in the morning. It turns into crappy ending chapters. Blergh.

Anyways, hope you liked it. I know I actually enjoyed writing it. Saeyuri is a complex character, and I hope you'll like her. She may seem bipolar now, but it'll get worse hah just kidding (I hope). You'll understand later (maybe).

Next chapter involves a flashback. The entire story may jump around a bit, but I'll try very hard not to confuse you. If you have any questions or maybe even a request (Like a pairing, or you want an oc cameo?), just ask.