Mean while in the village hidden in the sand

Katana and her mate had just arrived when they were met by two ninjas. One was a girl with a giant fan as a weapon causing Katana to smile. 'So, she uses one too, too bad I know all the real techniques for the weapon.' she thought tauntingly only to turn and notice the boy with a puppet on his back. Both looked a little young to be ninja and guards for that matter but they disregarded it.

"Who are you?"

"Why are you here?" they demanded only to watch as the boy sighed and the girl stepped up to talk.

"The name is Katana and that's Riku, we're here to talk to...to...damn what was his name hun." said Katana not really caring for names as long as she was close to Kakette and her goal.

"Sorry, she can be forgetful, we're here to see Gaara of the sand and his...his girlfriend." he said while reminding himself of the proper term to use. For a while the ninjas just stood there only to finally nod and nod their heads.

"This way,"

"Keep up." and with that the four took off at their top speed, Katana accidently passing her tour guides by. By the time they found Gaara and Kakette Katana was annoyed and Riku was just there, not sure as to why he was the one explaining things when it was her mission and not his.

"Katana?" whispered Kakette causing Gaara's sand to submit and his eye browse to raise.

"Kakette, who are they?"

"You ready here? Leader is fetching Vetis and apparently Itachi Uchiha as well." she said completely ignoring the boys question.

"Kakette?"

"Sorry Gaara but hold on a bit. I understand but can we stay here a day extra to give Gaara here some time to think after we talk?"

"Nani? You should have told him by now."

"Sorry but I just forgot." she admitted while rubbing the back of her head slyly.

"Please."

"Fine, you have 24 hours and I mean 24 hours or we're leaving without you."

"Deal."

"Then lets go look around Riku, I'm hungry."

"Hn, laters." and with that the couple took off, leaving behind a very confused Gaara and siblings.

"Gaara...I?" but before she could finish Temari interrupted.

"Should we follow them or just kill them Gaara?"

"No! Please you guys don't want to do that."

"And why not." Temari hissed causing Kakette to look at her evilly.

"I ought to kill you my self thats why."

"Enough! Temari, Kankuro leave us and leave them alone."

"But Gaara?"

"Now!" he yelled out with a warning in his voice only to watch the two do as they were told. Once left alone Kakette began her explanation only to cry through the middle and calm at the end, unsure as to what his answer would be at the end.

"And so that's why I have to go. Please, come with me Gaara...I...I love you." she finally admitted only to look at the floor, trying to hide the blush on her face. Gaara tried not to smile at the end upon hearing her feelings but couldn't help it. She was the first girl to have ever spoken such words to him an actually meant it so how could he not follow her? After a long period of silence Kakette lost with her tears and let them fall free, hoping that the silence was due to the shock and not to discuss. Finally...

"Of course I will, I love you too Kakette." he spoke so softly that it was a miracle Kakette had heard his final answer. Upon hearing it though her head shot up as her smile grew and her eyes shined. How happy she was to hear those words, to know that not only had she fallen in love with him but that he had fallen in love with her as well. Soon the two found each other in each others arms, each comforting the over on some sort of level and happy to know that they had finally found the one person they knew they could spend eternity with and as far as the knew, they were going to. Meanwhile Katana and Riku stood just out side the door, smiling at the way things had turned out for their friend, their fellow pack member. Unlike the other's in the pack they were the only one's who had stayed together, who had found each other after the great war and lived together; waiting for the next carriers to be born and they to take their rightful place. Katana as the demon she was and Riku as her immortal mate.

Back with the akatsuki

"We've made our decision, and the truth of the matter is that we..." Pein started causing Vetis to nervously look over at Verlet who amazedly had an extremely calm look on her face.

"that we will accept your invitation." he finished causing all of those who were on guard to drop it and smile inwardly. When they had all gathered as a "family", they had all said the same thing

"We will accept this for her, for the heart of the akatsuki." and so with nothing more to add everyone was sure on the final decision. Verlet smiled.

"I knew you were smart Leader-sama"

"Correction you are the leader now."

"Nice try but I'm not getting stuck with all you're paper work. Your still the leader and that's final, not to mention that I am the one who will be guarding your lands not the "village"." she stated as a matter of factly.

"Still as wise as ever." he spoke only to be teased.

"And your still a dobe leader-sama." she said upon sticking her tongue out and causing the others to laugh. Then once the meeting was over Verlet was given a room for the night to rest for their departure the next day. 'hum wonder if he'll come with?' was Verlet's last thought before falling freely on her bed and allowing sleep to finally claim her.