I'm bored of not owning things.

I've always wondered how the siblings were recruited on this mission when they live three days away and also how they managed to find all the action just when things were getting dangerous. I kind of imagined them standing behind a rock going "Not yet!"

This chapter doesn't really fit in with the others does it? I'm not sure whether I should change it or not...

As always reviews are welcome!

Update: grammar fixing and swapping chapters.


"The mission request is this: Locate the Konoha team, assess the situation and act according. Whether this means the continuation of the mission or the retrieval of survivors, I would leave to your judgement."

Tsunade placed her hands palms down on the table.

"Do you accept?"

Temari glanced at Kankuro. They had just arrived in the village after three days of travel for the purpose of a village meeting when they were immediately summoned to the Hokage's office.

He's going to blow.

Sure enough the purple faced youth was opening his mouth in protest.

"Why are we sorting out your-!"

Temari jabbed his ribs hard and gave him a warning look.

We are building relations here, behave! Her eyes said.

Kankuro gave her an annoyed look and turned away, muttering to himself.

"Who are the team members and what are their abilities?" Gaara's quiet voice spoke next. Temari and Kankuro both glanced at their brother.

They were standing in their usual formation; Gaara in front with his arms folded, his siblings right behind him. It was the same position that they had kept since their first mission, but Temari knew that the feelings between them were anything but the same.

Ever since the invasion business, Gaara had changed. The last time they were in Konoha their roles were essentially that of a wild animal and its untrained handlers. Now...she wasn't quite sure what they are.

Gaara had opened up a whole can of emotions that all three of them were carefully feeling their way around.

It's like standing in a field where every blade of grass is a razor,

Temari smiled ruefully to herself.

and we are fumbling towards each other, trying desperately not to be cut to shreds.

In addition, Temari was pleasantly surprised at how well this new Gaara (or was this the old Gaara? The fragile boy she had glimpsed once long ago?) conducted himself in the village meetings. This was in spite of his lack of experience and his…well…frankly murderous history. He had a refreshingly earnest and clear sighted political voice, and Temari found herself daring to hope for...something.

"The team is led by Nara Shikamaru-"

Temari's ears pricked up.

"-and consists of Uzumaki Naruto-"

She saw her youngest sibling's face showing an emotion. Precisely what emotion it wasn't clear, but it was most certainly an emotion.

"-Hyuuga Neji, Inuzuka Kiba and Akimichi Chouji. I also have it under good authority that Rock Lee has left the village and has most likely joined them."

Tsunade smiled briefly.

"I think you all know of their abilities."

"A group of genin?" Temari couldn't help but ask, "They aren't weak, but is there no one more senior that Konoha can spare?"

"Nara has been promoted to Chuunin, he was marked out by the Hokage before his death."

"I see." Temari was thoughtful over this information.

I guess it's not surprising.

"We accept." Gaara's answer was prompt.

And so that was how Temari found herself travelling rapidly through the forest, with a group of medical ninja trailing behind and Gaara scouting ahead with his sand eyes.

"3km at 11 o' clock, there's a casualty but no enemies." he said suddenly.

"Who is it?" this came from the leading medical ninja, a neat middle aged woman.

"The one with the body expansion jutsu."

"Got it! You two," the woman gestured two of her team, "go!"

"Don't send your best, 15km at 1 o'clock. The shinobi with the white eyes. No enemies."

Gaara's voice was calm.

"He doesn't have much time left. There's a hole near his heart and another in his abdomen."

"Fine. Kai, with me! We will retrieve Hyuuga Neji." The woman turned to her right hand woman,

"Hana, you're second in command, follow their instructions."

And with that the medical team reduced in half.

Suddenly the Temari felt it, a strong chakra signal within her range of senses.

She glanced at her brother, "Gaara." She murmured.

"The shadow shinobi, 50km at 2 o' clock with an enemy." he paused briefly, "There are two more further ahead, the canine shinobi, 80km at 10 o'clock and Rock Lee 130km at 12 o' clock. Both engaged with enemy units."

"We're not going to make it at this rate." she heard Kankuro muttering and glancing behind them, "They're too slow!"

"That's fine, they aren't combat units." Temari replied, and before she could stop herself, "I'll take the closest enemy unit."

This wasn't like her. Usually they would determine the characteristics of the enemies first before they split up. Gaara would fight the strongest (in the not too distant past, he would have killed them if they tried to take his prey from him) and out of the leftovers Kankuro would go for the mid ranged enemies, whilst Temari focussed on the long ranged units.

That was how it usually went. She was breaking the unspoken rule...but this was an exception.

She may have learnt that pride in a battle was dangerous, but this wasn't that kind of pride. She hoped her brothers understood.

"Fine, the enemy will not be a problem for you." Gaara didn't show anything in his voice.

"Who's the lucky bastard for me then, Gaara?" Kankuro asked.

"150km at 10 o'clock. You should have no issues"

All three looked at each other and nodded briefly.

Game set.

"Excuse me! What about us?" The one called Hana shouted. The sand shinobi were moving faster and faster.

"Ah sorry, sorry!" Kankuro shouted out over his shoulders cheerfully, fingers already itching over invisible strings.

"But we're going ahead!" Temari continued as she turned her head and gave the medical ninja a grin.

"It should be over soon." Gaara's voice, though not raised, was clear. "Arrive in your own time."

And with that the Sunan shinobi split in three different directions, and in a blur of movement, were gone.

"Why do people always do this to us!?" Temari faintly heard Hana cry.

She grinned to herself.

Has he improved?


I love these siblings. So much.

Please don't ask about the distances in the chapter, I don't actually know anything about a ninja's speed. I would measure it if I could...actually no I wouldn't.

Sorry.

In other words I have no idea what I'm doing. Isn't it grand?