So, that's the first chapter, it follows the anime plot almost in every detail. Hope you like it)

Next time: The introduction to the Snow Country. Ow, it's cold!


Kankuro had a habit elaborated during years of living with his mentally unstable brother and fulfilling dangerous missions along with him. The point was: wake up at the slightest sound but never open your eyes right away. The reason for such cautiousness was simple: when dealing with Gaara you'd better observe the situation first and find out his mood and location so that your fellow shinobis won't have to clean up after your murderous death. For Kankuro it was just as simple and natural as breathing. When he woke up from his incredible dream, his eyes just remained shut on their own. Then he slowly opened one eye a crack secretly thanks to his eyelashes that were long enough to cover this action. What he saw, however, made him relax a little: the Suna hospital's ceiling was like an old friend to him particularly the part above that bed. During his previous stays here he memorized all the cracks and lines on it and even made some of his own. A scorpion was hidden there between the cracks, but to Kankuro its presence was undoubted. Years ago he put it there as a reminder of the one he wanted to surpass and admired so much. Each time he was injured on a mission due to his puppets being too slow or his own lack of reaction, he looked at the sign and gained his confidence back. His name was to be feared of and admired, much more than Akasuna no Sasori's. Kankuro mentally smirked: he has just lost to that one hidden behind the scorpion sign and lost totally; he was nowhere near his level. If only Chiyo had agreed to train him…but she wasn't there for him.

Chasing away the sad thoughts he observed the room and saw one blond girl sleeping on the chair near his bed. She looked dead tired; he even noticed a few wrinkles newly formed on her forehead. Kankuro decided to announce his return to the world finally as he opened his eyes fully and tried to sit on the bed. That was tough. His muscles weren't working properly, his arms were shaking and vision was still blurred, but Kankuro felt better. Temari rushed to him with a scream and suddenly quite a few people were in the room. Kankuro recognized them – their allies from Konoha and among them…that boy, Uzumaki Naruto. Temari was shaking too when she hugged him or was it just his imagination? There were also the elders demanding if their precious grandson was the one to take away the Kazekage they didn't like so much. When it came to the traces of the criminals Kankuro thanked Karasu again. He gave Kakashi the key to save Gaara but what he was feeling was nothing but despair and grief as he couldn't do it himself though it was his duty and liability.

He was amazed with the capabilities of the pink-haired medic who managed to save him and even prepared the antidote. The only disturbing thing was that Kankuro didn't like having unpaid debts especially to those not from his family. That's why when they were leaving he asked her for a small talk.

"Thank you for healing me. Once you're in trouble you can come to me for help." – He said looking down.

She only smiled and told him it was her duty and that he didn't owe her nothing. But Kankuro, being the stubborn he was, shook his head and repeated his words.

When he saw Naruto's confidence he was a bit reassured and remembering all the changes that happened to his brother due to the blond he even managed to ask (Temari and Baki were astonished to hear Kankuro asking someone for favor) him to rescue Gaara. And then Konoha shinobis left leaving the Sand Siblings alone. Kankuro's room at once became quiet. In the middle of the night he woke up with an urge to transform his messed up feelings into something material. The only suitable way he knew was to make a sign on the object he'll never loose – on his own body. When Temari came to visit him in the morning she found him sleeping peacefully with the bleeding image of crow carved on his shoulder.

Several days later Kankuro decide it was time to get away from hospital and go after his brother. Perhaps it was already late but he wasn't the type to wait calmly while others fight. He put on his usual black outfit and painted his face. Years ago he decided to only put on the hat while looking at the door of his house for the last time before leaving and he followed that rule once again. Kankuro still felt rather odd and realized that he was rather weak in his current state without any of his puppets but he still had the usual weapons in the packs. They started off quickly: Temari and Kankuro being ahead of the group as they couldn't resist the urge to do at least something. All the shinobis of the group seemed to be encouraged too so their speed was amazing. Kankuro ran and his thoughts were far from the road he was on. He remembered everything that has happened to them for the last 3 years: Gaara's change, the new boundaries formed between them and all the problems they have faced and solved. And despite Gaara's high rank Kankuro has developed older brother's feelings towards him.

Gaara never pitied himself nor asked for pity but when he was a newly appointed Kazekage he was having so many problems that he simply couldn't take care of everything. Then there would always be Temari and Kankuro to help him without words, just because he meant a lot for them. And Gaara who was learning to understand people's feelings felt happy that they no longer feared him but cared for him and were proud of him. He hadn't received any of these from his own father and now his siblings were in a way substituting parents for him. Of course, they wouldn't tell him what is good and what is bad but they loved him and the small family was now more united than ever. And there was always Baki, their previous sensei, who was the forth in the Kazekage's List of Trusted People after Temari, Kankuro and Uzumaki Naruto.

For Kankuro his brotherly feelings about Gaara were mixed with respect and loyalty to him as the Kazekage in unknown proportion and he doubted he'd ever understand him fully. Kankuro knew he wasn't lucky but Gaara's kidnapping wasn't on his List of Things that Can Happen and now he was desperate to get his revenge. Of course he knew that without his puppets he could do nothing to Sasori and the other guy that defeated even Gaara but at the moment he could simply bite their throats off with nothing but his teeth. With those unhappy thoughts, being full with anger, rage and fear for his brother Kankuro never stopped running.

When they finally reached their goal he felt everything inside him turn upside down at the sight of his brother sitting on the grass near Naruto. Kankuro smiled at his face, Gaara definitely didn't expect everyone to worry about him so much. He went towards him saying:

"You made me worry, little brother", - only to be pushed away by Temari who fell on her knees near the Kazekage with a worried expression on her face.

"How do you feel, Gaara?" – She asked and Kankuro couldn't help rolling his eyes – Temari acted just like their mother.

Then he had to explain the truth about Chiyo-baa-sama's sacrifice to an overjoyed Naruto who suddenly turned into a very sad one. But to Kankuro her actions were clear; she just tried to fix the worst mistakes she had made: misjudging her grandson and making Gaara's life a living hell. She pleaded herself guilty and Kankuro was inspired by her example in a way. He came up to Gaara and said seriously:

"Kazekage-sama, it may not be the best time for it, but I ask you to give me your permission to leave the village for a year starting from today."

Only Gaara and Temari heard his words and looked at him surprised.

"I don't want one of my best shinobis away when he may be of great help. Anyways, what's the purpose of that?" – asked the redhead. For him such a conversation was rather a tough thing considering his current state. For Kankuro admitting his real reasons was even tougher.

"I'm no longer a good shinobi. I was defeated so easily by him and that only means I'm weak. I think that after a year of training outside the village I can gain more power and serve Suna better, that's why I ask you again to give your permission, Kazekage-sama" – he said, dissembling his reasons to get away from the village. Of course he wasn't ready to tell his siblings that everything was because of one stupid dream though he believed it was true without real evidence.

Gaara looked at him for a while and then signed.

"I guess, I can do nothing with that. You have my permission. If you want, you can start off right now, I'll send all the documents later. But remember, Kankuro, you should return that day next year at noon, I'll be waiting for you."

"Me too, and if you ever get your ass kicked, don't blame me for not being there to save it" – added his sister and all of a sudden hugged him. "Oi, there's no need for that" – said a slightly embarrassed puppeteer. He stood up and was about to say his goodbyes when a pink-haired kunoichi appeared in front of him. She had something wrapped in black fabric in her hands.

"He wanted me to give that to you" – she said and quickly left. Kankuro looked suspiciously at the thing and removed the fabric. In his hands was a thick notebook covered in black skin with a red scorpion sign on it. Kankuro gasped as he opened it and saw lines of accurate kanji. That was nothing but a diary of Akasuna no Sasori.

He carefully put it in one of his hidden pockets and bowed to his siblings and the rest of the group.

"See you later" – were his last words as he headed towards the sunset.