Note: The viewpoint is alternating. That means that first chapter will be my POV, second will be Kakashi's, third will be mine again, etc. Well, until everyone is together again but we'll talk about that later.

"Gaara! Gaara, wait up!" I ran up behind him, hoping that he would stop. Luckily he did.

"Keiko?" He gave me a quizzical look, almost like he was confused at why I was there.

I leaned forward panting, trying to catch my breath. "You-" Pant. "Forgot-" Pant. "This."

"Oh!" Gaara snatched the book from my hands like it was some wonderful treasure. "Uh. Thanks."

I nodded and turned to go back to the village. "Keiko, wait!" Gaara grabbed onto my arm.

I turned to look at him again, now bearing the same confused expression he had worn seconds before.

Gaara looked a bit uneasy. "Kakashi would hate this..Not that I care. Would you like to come with me?"

"Really?" My eyes lit up. Gaara nodded. "But first I'd have to go back and get some things.." Gaara nodded again.

"Go."

I turned and ran off back to the village. I quietly, but quickly, entered my home and tip-toed to my bedroom. After locating a bag that would be a good size to hold some books, and things, I grabbed items such as my diary, and other sentimental items. My mind was raising with what I would tell Kakashi if I happened to run into him on my way out. There was no way he'd believe that I was just going out to see Sasuke or one of them if I had my bag with me. I crammed a few more blank books into my bag, along with the issue of Make Out Paradise that I stole from Kakashi. I pushed some hair behind my ears before peeking out of my bedroom. The house was quiet.

I raced down to the main room, and was just about to get out the door when Mizuki stopped me.

"Where are you going, Kei?"

"Uh. Just to Sasuke's place for a little bit."

"Does Father know you are going?" Mizuki raised her eyebrows.

"No. Could you tell him for me?" I bit down on my lip nervously.

"Yeah..But-"

"Okay! Thanks. Bye, Mizuki!"

Before she could question me any further, or pass any more judgement, I ran out the door and down the streets. I ran passed Sasuke's house and kept running. At this point no one was going to stop me from going with Gaara.

The run back was a bit harder, since I had a heavy sack on my back, but I managed to make it. Gaara was sitting on a high tree branch, possibly keeping a watch for me, or someone that might stop us from leaving. Once he saw me coming, he hopped down and waited with his arms folded. I stopped running a few inches in front of him, almost plowing him over. I stood, catching my breath, as he examined my flushed face. I wanted to rest so badly, but if we didn't leave now Kakashi and Mizuki might find out I was lying and come looking for me.

"This way." Gaara pointed, starting to move. "Don't stop for anything without telling me..You might get lost..Or worse."

I walked closely behind him, not sure if it would be okay to walk next to him or not. I had a feeling we had quite a journey ahead of us, but I bit my lip to stop my complaints. So I left everything I knew behind..And entered the world of the unknown.