Author: JesterFromHell

Description: Gaara / Kankuro / OFC fic. Slightly AU, because the world this plays in, is pretty similar to our real world, but you'll see later on, that there are some differences to suport the storyline. In addition, I needed to change to Manga plotline for my benefits. Also note, no yaoi / sandcest whatsoever. It's complicated to say the least. But I can assure you, it's meant to be a Gaara/OFC fic, Kankuro's just there for entertainment.

Status: unbeta'd / chaptered / unfinished

Rated: M for later chapters

Summary: Let's follow Gaara and Kankuro into our world and all the adventurous, trivial, funny, disturbing and sad things they encounter throughout their journey back home, together with a young private investigator.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. But hey, it could be worse...


Chapter One - Flicker


"What I'm about to tell you, you wouldn't believe." I said seriously.

"I want to know everything."

"Really everything?" I smirked at the blonde sitting in front of me in the office.

"You heard me."

"Okay. But, don't complain afterwards." I shrugged, trying to remember everything that had happened and getting it in order.

"I never complain."

I just had to roll my eyes, because I had heard otherwise, but bit my comment back. "Alright. But it's going to be a long story."

"Just get it on. I have all the time I need." Ha, not a patient one. That I had heard too. And I've already known.

"Okay." I closed my eyes, an image forming in my mind. The day that had changed my entire life. The day I had to abandon every sense of reason I had.


I sat in my office at home going over several case files. As a private investigator I quickly learned, what was worth reading and was wasn't. I had specialized on a certain nature of cases. The ones, that earned me money and weren't too dangerous. I was coward to begin with. To make money for living with helping wifes, that were being cheated by rich and high-ranked husbands is a good business.

I never minded the fact that you had to dig deep and get your hands dirty in the process. In this fucked up world it was just natural. I never bothered with it. I inherited the skills and everything else to provide me with what it needs to form such a rolling business along with this old huge house or more villa. The musky smell that these kind of homes held was also ever present. And I liked it. It reminded me of old days, where my uncle used to sit in this very armchair at the desk, where I was located now.

He raised me like a daughter, playing little detective games with, maybe already assuming that one day I would follow his footsteps. Though our taste in cases differed. He always took on the dangerous ones, working with the police to save lives. I never had an affinity for this, as to where we get back to the point of me being a coward. I never had fired a gun and never intended too.

But, there had been one case, that changed my thinking or let's say slightly shifted it. My opinion stayed the same, but a gun, used with the right intention, could save your life. Especially in dangerous times like these. Therefore, I eventually bought one, and since then hid it in the lowest drawer of the desk. Though I touched it only once when I placed it there.

The case that had scarred me that much, to finally have this thing in my house, had begun with a child's abduction, and ended with a dead father and a mother locked away in prison for the next 15 years. The police had partially blamed me on the outcome. And they had been right. This regret I had to live with for the rest of my life. So, when a new file came fluttering in, I took my time to thoroughly think over it before I accepted. I never wanted to experience something like that again, it had been out of my league to handle it properly.

So, even with not thinking highly of the local authorities, whenever a large case crossed my desk, I passed it on the police. They were corrupted, yes, from the inside having traitors among their own ranks, but still also some upstanding officers worth of being trusted. As I said before, the world is fucked up. Terror. Crime. Everywhere you look. The world had changed since the old days. In the Middle East war raged. Oil and money, that's all there is to it. Moreover, our government was no difference. And the society was no difference as well. All that counted was social status, wealth and power.

To think about all of this, I guess I could consider myself lucky. I had nothing to do with all that crap, except for the cases that involved these likes of people. But with an already large amount of money on my bank account I could step away from it every time I wanted to. But I stuck up to my common cases, because these women who assigned me, or most of them, deserved some justice. Being cheated on, being treated like scum. Their husbands deserved to get what was coming to them. I always thought it was my part, yet small as it was, to do something about that.

Did I mention I also was interested in the paranormal activity? No, not like aliens. All these small things, you can't explain with simple reason like ghosts and haunted mansion. It always had intrigued me. I often spent time digging through the web, encountering curious stories. It was entertaining and helped me to get my mind somewhere else from time to time. And I always wanted to have such a case on my desk as well. But yet it had never happened.

But not today. I studied the file in front of me. But it was no use this late at night. My bad eyesight, a genetic disease unfortunately, caused me headaches when I read to long. I sighed and slumped back, rubbing my temples to ease the pain a bit. It was no use. Better to get some sleep and rest them properly I guessed and closed the file putting it on top of one of the three piles on my desk.

It was not a bulletproof system to maintain the bit of order I forced myself to exercise, but it worked for me. Although, the piles were messy themselves. As I put it on top of the 'maybe' stack my fingers brushed something that was too thick to belong there. I had to chuckle, seeing what was in between the files. It was the latest publication of 'Naruto', my beloved ninja novel. Must have put it there yesterday without noticing.

I got up from the chair in order to finally get to bed as the light bulbs from the old-fashioned chandelier above my desk flickered, then dimmed and for a split second, I felt my stomach tighten as I watched curiously. The bulbs flickered once more and then were back to normal function. I shrugged it off, not listening to the weird feeling in my guts. It really wasn't that uncommon with all those old cables in a house over 100 years old and not well maintained at all.

I only remembered it next day, when something happened, that shock my entire being.

It was sunny Sunday and my time to get away from the big and dark city I lived in for a few hours. Running through the woods always helped with relaxing and getting rid of some anger or frustration that occasionally came along with my job. It was a good method for me, feeling my lungs burn as I gained more speed. The feeling of pushing my body to its limit and further and after that feeling completely spent.

My breathing became shallower as I felt that I almost reached my top speed. My legs started aching. This was it. Just a little bit further.

Someone said to me, that this kind of behavior showed clearly my lack of sexual encounters. I had laughed at it. It was stupid. And there was no way, that running could ever compensate for it. However, the feeling of total exhaustion was much the same. Yeah, but I really didn't need the hassle of relationships with a man. It was wearing me out. The last one I had was over two years ago and had left me empty.

And all the energy and effort to fill the all the holes again had taken a lot of time. There was no way I could let that happens again. So, I never did. Sex wasn't even necessary anymore. But running was vital for me. I suddenly chuckled. Okay it was sort of a replacement. And it did fit well with me.

I haltered and bent down, securing my upper body with my hands on my thighs, panting heavily. Then I looked around. I didn't wanted to get too far, considering I still had to get back to my car.

I rose back up, taking in the warm sunrays that hit my face. A swarm of birds suddenly took off towards the blue sky, filling the air with fluttering noises, that almost startled me. I gated in the direction, squinting my eyes but it was useless. I couldn't even look that far with these ruined eyesight.

But the flicker of red in the treetops I could distinguish. I knew I paled. What the hell was that just now? You know, what they say about famous last words? Yes, I knew too, so I restrained myself from saying them. Instead I just turned around, determined to get back to the car, because I couldn't shake off the shiver of being watched.

When I heard graveling noises behind me, I quickly fell into running again. But my legs weren't yet back in condition to gain velocity so soon. But I couldn't find the courage to stop and face whoever was trailing me either. I grunted as realized it was pointless. My calves nearly cramped and I grunted at my sluggish pace. A voice from behind did the rest, I staggered and stopped.

As I turned to face whoever just ordered me to stop I could recognize the red, that earlier had flickered through the green leaves. But nothing more. It were two people alright, but they stood just slightly out of her range to decipher their faced clearly. But, despite that they seemed awfully familiar.

"What do you want?" I mentally cheered for myself for sounding so gutsy, I felt rattled to no end.

"A talk." The guy in the dark clothes replied in the same voice style.

I waved at him dismissively, but my voice remained sharp and wary. "That's what they all say." To my horror, he actually started coming towards me and the blur became an actual man. Boy, I corrected myself. The other one followed him suit.

"I don't feel like talking." I said cautiously, changing my stance to make it easier for me too run head over heel.

"Just a few words." The taller one tried to persuade me with his hands held up in an apologetic manner. The guy, who was nothing but a red blur was still silent. And then he wasn't blurry anymore at all when they continued to close the gap between us.

I had to conceal my surprise and the gasp that nearly escaped me at the view. "It can't be…." I muttered, hoping they didn't hear me.

He must have noticed my attempt to get away, for something tucked at my leg. Seeing the delicate, yet subtle, movement of the fingers of his right hand my mind surprisingly didn't fail me. I knew that. I've seen it before. But, it wasn't possible. And that thing on the others guys back triggered the next reaction I was about to do.

I twirled around and ran. And the surprise, that I managed to snap the chakra strings didn't even get the time to sink in. All I could think about was that this was a dream, but running seemed a very good option, nonetheless.

I thoroughly prayed, they wouldn't follow me. But dreams intended to act on their own. And I was right, when I realized my feet sinking into the ground or rather sand. My mind screamed, this wasn't real. But it sure felt like it, when my face painfully connected with the ground.

I didn't know, why I ran. But this was maybe what I had anticipated to happen. He wouldn't kill me right? Right? He was one of good now. And there was no way his brother would let it happen either. Moreover, the redhead had been completely sedate earlier, when he had the chance to take my life in the blink of an eye.

My trail of thought was interrupted, because I heard the soft thuds of two pairs of feet landing next to me. I attentively examined their footwear, which surely wasn't common for people in this world, when I raised my head. Good gracious.

I spit out some the sand that had found its way into my mouth, for I was gaping in shock, when I fell down. Sand. I ground my teeth gathering enough saliva to spit out the rest that had settled down between my teeth. I knew, whom I had to thank for this, but decided against it. Who knows, how he would he would react. Probably with shoving more sand into my mouth and down my throat.

"So, ready to talk yet?" The puppeteer asked a smile on his painted lips and extended his hand to help me up.

I slapped it away. "No…" I was sulking. How the hell could it be that he found my state so amusing? Did he really approve of Gaara's method to stop me? It seemed like it, though he quirked an eyebrow at him, which meant something like 'You overdid it'. Gaara stood there in his usual posture, arms crossed over his chest and all. His teal emotionless eyes clearly read 'I don't care'.

I was slowly getting past the first shock of encountering two sand shinobi in the woods not far away from my hometown and lifted myself up to sit on my bum, dusting my clothes of. Kankuro clicked his tongue and pointed at me, then shot Gaara a reproachful look.

I lifted my hand to my face, which hurt like shit by the way, and knew what he meant. My nose bled. It was just some tiny droplets, but still, it was damn fucking blood. I wiped it away with my sleeve and sulked even more.

Then a realization hit me. I shouldn't even be aware of the fact that it was Gaara's sand that had stopped me. They shouldn't even exist here. They shouldn't even consist of more than ink and paper rather than flesh and blood. I knew, I looked shocked again and quickly tried to conceal my expression. Did they even know?

How would they react, if I told them? Sure, it would be devastating to know that they were just characters in a manga, only meant to entertain people. I couldn't bring myself to tell them right away. I felt…sorry for them. So I hid my knowledge for now, until I thought it appropriate to let them know.

Gaara's carmine colored coat flapped in the soft breeze and the surreal feeling passed, when the sound brought me back to here and now. This was as real as it could get I thought, watching the hem of Gaara's clothes wafting in front of my eyes.

"What's wrong?" Kankuro asked curiously. He must have noticed my inner struggle through my facial expression.

I perked up. "My face hurts." I said matter-of-factly, saving me with a lie and I succeeded, because it was only a half a lie. It was hurting.

"Yeah, sorry about that. We didn't mean to…" He started and I knew, what he was going to say, so I interrupted him.

"It's okay. Yeah, you chased after me, and so I tripped. I'm pretty clumsy, so it's not your fault, entirely at least. You just scared me a bit, when you showed up so suddenly. It's not like you made me trip, right? That'd be ridiculous." I laughed effusively, saving him from the explanation about his sand-wielding brother. And also to point out, that I didn't think it was possible for them to make me fall from a distance.

They quickly exchanged a puzzled look and simply left it at that. I decided to play dumb as well.

But there was something that I wanted to know. "So, what's that about that 'talk' you were so eager about?" I finally got up, yet again ignoring Kankuro's politely offered hand. So he dropped it again with a disappointed look. Yeah, I was still a bit peeved.

"It's complicated. But to make it short, we want to know where exactly we are located." Kankuro said, somewhat uncertain about to how to say that they got plain lost without downright admitting it. I knew they were. Because they weren't anywhere near to the place they called home.

"How did you get here?" I asked, sensing their discomfort about that question.

Kankuro sighed and looked at Gaara, who didn't show any sign of aiding him. "That's the problem, I think. And I know, you're not gonna believe us and probably run away again. And I wouldn't blame you, if you did, because it's just absurd and…." I was afraid he would go on and on like that, without saying anything usable.

And his little brother must have thought the same, for he lifted his gaze upwards and my eyes followed his until I blinked into the bright sun high up in the sky. I should be more shocked, but since I was aware of the fact that they arrived here in some weird way, my surprise was limited when he finally replied on his babbling brothers behalf.

"We fell down." His deep voice amazed me. It was almost too deep for a man, boy, of his age. His voice quivered with quiet composure and I have to say it surprised me more than his statement. Yes, that's how amazing it was.

"Out of the sky?" I asked incredulously, still looking up and craving to hear his voice again. "Hn." And sadly he disappointed me, with sticking to his trademark answer. Pity.

"See, I knew she wouldn't believe it." Kankuro muttered next to me and I flashed him a compassionate smile. "I never said anything like that."

"Do you know a place called Sunagakure?" He then suddenly asked and I merely winced. "Nope."

Kankuro's eyes widened and Gaara's narrowed. I held my hands up defensively. "I never heard of a place like that. But it's a huge world, so who knows?"

"You've never heard of any hidden villages? What about the Fire Country or the Wind Country? Does it ring a bell?" Kankuro pressed further.

I knew my face contorted slightly, because he was getting upset and gesturing around frantically, maybe already sensing that something was pretty off.

"I swear I don't know." I said soothingly and stepped away from him.

"Kankuro." Gaara rasped his brother's name admonishingly to remind him to keep his temper down.

And he listened to him, stopping right away and decided to silently clench his fists. I could see the disbelief and confusion on his face. Did he figure it out already? Well, I did, but I had an unfair disadvantage. As incredible as it seemed, but somehow they had managed to travel into my world. Period.

This really was something. And I knew I shouldn't get excited, but I was. The Kazekage and his brother were standing right in front of me in flesh and blood. Though, they pretty looked the same like their inked images, some difference could be identified by looking closely.

I didn't realize I was gawking, until Gaara's annoyed eyes told me so.

"So what now?" Kankuro asked him and he released me from his mental grip.

I quickly regained my composure and started to mull over things, ignoring the Suna nins as they both began to speak quietly which each other.

I could just not leave them here. What would happen to them? They were complete strangers in this world. Maybe they were good in defending themselves, but figuring out how life was in this world was not something they should find out without assistance.

My resolve had been there, the moment I had recognized who they were. I wouldn't let them end up here all by themselves. Up to this point, I had followed their story in the manga. I liked the characters and their story. And with Gaara and Kankuro it was no difference. I would help them no matter what.

"Uh, excuse me?" Both turned their heads towards me not happy about the interruption of their talk, but no one said a word. A few seconds of silence passed until I finally noticed that they were waiting for me to speak as I was waiting for permission to do so.

I scratched my neck with an impish grin. "I was wondering about your situation and just wanted to say, I'm offering my help."

There were surprised by my blunt offer, I could tell. Kankuro swallowed, Gaara just stared at me.

"Let me make this clear for you. We fell out of the sky…." Kankuro began, I nodded. "…we think we are in a different world…." He quirked an eyebrow at me, I cocked my head curiously, indicating that I kept up with him. "…and yet you are willing to help us…" I nodded again, he smiled. "You're nuts."

That wasn't what I expected. But I casually brushed it off. I've been called worse. "You're one to talk. I mean look at you." I motioned towards his face. "No one in his right mind would walk around like that. And your clothes? The strangest ones I've ever seen. And his eyes! There are no pupils in them. That's something that's completely impossible. You hear, it's physically impossible." I talked myself into such rage, that I gasped for air.

"Why?"

I rolled my eyes at the randomness of Gaara's question. "What do you mean?"

"Why do want to help us?"

I shuffled my feet. "Because you seem to need it."

"Aren't you afraid?" He asked in his monotone voice.

"Of what?" I raised my brows at him to underline my words.

"That we might harm you?" He appeared to be surprised, that this thought had never seemed to cross my mind.

I shook my head at him. "If you truly wanted to, you surely wouldn't have bothered with talking to me first."

His face had no emotion, yet he seemed to relent. I wasn't a shinobi and I knew they had guessed that much. I posed no threat to them and maybe that was one of the reasons they eventually followed me.

"So, why are you so convinced, that you are in a different world anyway?" I asked, as we were on the way back to my car.

"I thought you'd believe us, why are you asking?" Kankuro countered sounding rather warily.

„Calm down. Just curious, is all." Geez, never would've assumed he would get so easily offended.

He relaxed perceptibly and groaned. "It's hard to describe. But it seems to have some kind of effect on us. Amongst other things, it feels like there's some extra pressure on our bodies. It feels weird to be moving around. And it takes more effort than usual. That's the biggest difference. Also I don't recognize a single plant around here. And the trees look different from what we know. And, the way we came here of course." He ended with a sheepish grin.

"So what exactly happened to you?" I was wondering if he would finally and truly mention Suna and the shinobi world, because he was awfully secretive about it up to this point. And when he exchanged a look with Gaara, who was on his right side, making him walk in the middle and me on his other side, I realized he was asking the Kazekage if it was okay to speak about it.

Permission granted, I guessed, because he took a deep breath and continued. "We were engaged in a battle with enemy shinobi from another country when it happened. Some bright light appeared right in the middle of the fighting. Gaara and I were the closest to it. I remember the air becoming stagnant. Flickers of light form all around us. And waves of light appeared in mid air. It was so bright it hurt my eyes. Also it frightened me. I had never seen anything like that. And when I watched it, I realized I was being sucked in. It knocked all the air out of me I thought I would suffocate. And I had a strange feeling. I can't describe it properly, but it felt like my whole existence was questioned, like I was to shrink until I completely vanished. And then everything went dark. I don't know how long it was until I woke up, but it was yet in this absolute darkness. I called everyone's name and to my surprise Gaara answered me. Then suddenly something like a rift appeared ahead of us. And when we reached for it, we could see a clear blue sky. And then we fell down. Luckily Gaara saved us from getting crushed."

I blinked at him, but he avoided to look at me, his head lowered. I wanted to say something, but words failed me.

"Well, that pretty much sums it up. So, how does it sound to you?" His voice was quiet. Uncertain.

"That's amazing."

He lifted his head, looking surprised. "Huh?"

"I mean, it sure isn't good for you and I know that much, because ending up in another world sucks, but that's something considered next to impossible. And here you are. It's like time traveling, but much better." I explained not fully aware of the excitement in my voice.

"Well, at least someone is happy." Kankuro snarled at me. "Though, of course it doesn't concern you." And quickly slipped into being frustrated.

I could've slapped myself across the face for being so rude. "Hey, I'm sorry. Don't let it get you down. I said I'd help you. We'll find out what happened. You came here, so I'm sure there's got to be a way back, you know. We just need to find it. Who knows, maybe tomorrow that weird light pops back up again and you can just right back home. Until that, you just stick around with me." I offered, hoping that it would comfort him at least a bit.

"And you are sure about that? We really don't want to bother you." Kankuro replied.

I playfully slapped his shoulder, which earned me another a glare from his brother, who I almost forgot was present as well when I listened to Kankuro's story. But who could blame me, since he was so terribly not talkative.

"You know, you could always hire me, if you're afraid of me backing out." I couldn't hide my amusement, when he seemed disturbed. "Pay you?"

"Yeah, I'll investigate your case, because I'm an ace detective." I winked at him with the boast of my profession. Not that he caught my drift.

"But you just offered your help for free! There's no way we could pay you! We don't have money with us. And I doubt, even if we did, it would be the kind you use in this world!"

Okay, at this point, I should have reminded myself, that joking around with Kankuro wasn't appropriate, at least not yet when he and his brother were in this delicate situation. I just wanted to lighten up the mood and failed utterly. I took the blame on me.

As I spotted my car, I was relieved and welcomed the distraction it offered for both shinobi eyed it with sudden interest. Oh, right, they never had seen a car before, haven't they?