Naruto's Butterfly

"Normal person speaking"

"This means someone is thinking these lines."

Flashbacks will have a break before and after.

Name no jutsu: this is for jutsus obviously no breaks for them if they are mentioned in flashbacks they will appear as so: name no jutsu, or the English names.

Demons or 'higher beings' along with inners talk and think like this.

I am not the owner of anything really. Wish I was but I am not.


Chapter 8: Destination Suna

It was getting to be late evening and they had made even faster time than they thought due to Naruto's absurd pace. The march was starting to really affect the group though. Even Alice needed to stop to rest.

Naruto needed to rest as well, but he was so focused on saving Gaara that he didn't realize how tired he actually was. The only reason he wasn't falling over completely exhausted was due to Kyuubi's healing abilities.

Kakashi spoke up firmly and said to Naruto. "We should make camp here for the night, Naruto." Kakashi was still mostly fine, but the others weren't and he knew if they kept going much longer even he would need to rest.

Naruto growled a little but turned to answer, "If we stop now we won't be able to make it to Suna before it's too late!"

Alice was getting a little edgy from all of the running and said, "And do what exactly, Naruto?! Collapse from exhaustion at the gates? That will definitely help them." She had an angry look on her face.

Naruto turned and was about to say he was just fine when Kakashi spoke first.

"Naruto the only reason why you aren't about to fall over from exhaustion now is because of your special circumstance. Look at yourself." He pointed to a puddle of water nearby on the forest floor form a recent storm.

Naruto looked and gasped as he noticed his eyes were silted red and his whisker marks were thicker than usual. He sighed and calmed down. "I guess you two are both right. Sorry I was just in a hurry to help Gaara as soon as possible."

Alice sighed and gave a small half smile as she said, "It is understandable, but we need to arrive in the best condition we can or we won't help at all."

Sakura who only paid some attention to their talk panted out, "Yeah, if someone was wounded and needed my immediate aide I wouldn't be able to do anything. I'm no slouch but your pace is insane!"

"We will be reaching the border tomorrow early to mid-morning. Usually with a squad of top notch Jonin this leg of the journey takes at best a day and a half. We will be doing it in a day." The pink haired girl then collapsed to the ground exhausted.

Kakashi then commanded, "Alight now that we settled that matter. Naruto, go gather fire wood. Sakura, you rest up. You will have first watch tonight, so you have more time to recover before morning."

"Seems those long shifts at the hospital are finally taking a small toll on you." Sakura just continued sitting there on the ground.

Kakashi then turned to Alice and asked, "What did you do when you were traveling with Naruto and Jiraiya?"

Naruto was the one that answered, "She would cook and gather the herbs she needed while we got the dinner food. She also took early morning watch."

Kakashi then thought for a bit while Alice answered a little angered that Naruto answered for her like that. "I also helped make camp and gather firewood or whatever I could to help out."

Naruto grimaced knowing he might have offended her. He apologized, "Sorry, Alice. I was just hoping you could cook again, so I was emphasizing it."

Alice felt a little less angry hearing that. She was happy in a way that Naruto liked her cooking that much. She replied, "Apology accepted, Naruto."

Kakashi didn't see any harm in her cooking if she didn't mind. He kind of wanted to taste it. "Sounds good to me. I'll get us fish. Can you get the seasonings you need here?"

Alice looked around with her finger resting on lips in thought. Kakashi smiled, he found it very cute. Naruto also did and noticed Kakashi-sensei looking Alice up and down. The blonde shinobi wasn't happy about this, but did nothing for now. They were on a mission after all.

Alice then spoke up, "I should be able to find them or something that will work. I wonder if I can find any good mushrooms as well." Alice then started going off to look for what she needed.

Kakashi gave a little chuckle and said, "I guess she is set on cooking for sure. I better get some good fish then to impress her."

He then giggled a little perversely as he thought of some of his favorite scenes in the Icha Icha series. There were plenty where a shinobi impressed a beautiful girl with his ability to get good game for a meal they shared while on the move.

Naruto didn't like this one bit at all. He knew Alice would have none of it and could take care of matters herself. He didn't like where he knew Kakashi's thoughts most likely went.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice returned shortly with the ingredients she needed for supper and started making preparations by the fire Naruto had started. She smiled to herself and hummed a little tune happily as she got things ready.

Naruto looked up and asked her, "What's got you in such a good mood, Alice-chan?"

Alice just smiled and replied happily, "I found some good mushrooms that will go perfect with the dish. I know they won't make anyone sick so no harm in adding them."

Kakashi then came back from the river with two large baskets full of fish grinning foolishly thinking he would impress Alice with his feat of skill and strength. "Got the fish! Lots of them as well!"

Alice looked up and gave him a disappointed frown. She shook her head and said, "Really, Kakashi-san did you forget we are on a mission of great importance? What on Earth gave you the idea we would be able to eat all of those fish? One basket would have been plenty more than enough."

Naruto burst out laughing along with Sakura who was rested up and ready for supper. Naruto for some reason was glad, or maybe relieved that Kakashi's first attempt failed at least. Sakura was happy to see Alice put Kakashi in his place again with little effort. Kakashi sniffed and held back tears as he placed the baskets down near Alice and went to sit in a dark corner.

Alice sighed as she said, "Well we should be able to preserve the extras for the rest of the trip. Still you did go a little overboard." Kakashi brightened a little and joined the others.

Kakashi and Sakura offered to help prep the fish, but Alice told them not to worry and Naruto grinned a little. Sakura looked to Naruto and asked him, "Why are you grinning it could take her forever to prepare the fish alone for all of us."

Naruto chuckled and said, "Just watch, Sakura."

Sakura did so and was amazed to see Alice use her knife to make quick work of the fish. She suddenly got a bit excited; she had only seen fish prepped this way in nice restaurants. The pinkette was even more amazed as she watched the green-eyed beauty start to cook up a storm. It seemed Alice still had her speed even with regular everyday matters.

In no time at all, Alice finished cooking their meal and served each of them. They each had a good portion of fish to make up for the lost energy and vegetables on the side with Mushrooms topping the vegetables. Sakura was really impressed with the display and was about to eat when she heard someone shout.

"Amazing! This is the best meal I've ever had on the go or even most of the time! And the prep speed was hard for even my eyes to see!" Kakashi shouted with pure ecstasy. Alice blushed at his praise's enthusiasm.

Sakura took a bite after hearing that. She almost cried tears of joy. She hadn't had the time to get a decent meal in several weeks due to her work and training.

She soon added her own praises. "This is delicious! You know if you weren't a Kunoichi you could have opened a very successful restaurant. All of the important people would become regulars after two or three meals there!"

The dark haired girl blushed a little more. Sakura continued eating; even the veggies were wonderful including the mushrooms. She had never been a big fan of them herself but the way Alice prepped them tasted wonderful. Sakura thought it was a pity Naruto didn't eat such things as veggies. Her eyes lit up as she thought she could ask to have his since he never liked them.

Sakura then looked up and her jaw fell open in shock. Kakashi also had his jaw open. The two stared as Naruto happily ate his vegetables.

Once he finished, he looked to Alice and told her, "Great as always, Alice. I'll tell you again if you learned to make ramen I might never go to Ichiraku's again!"

Alice smiled more and said, "Thank you, Naruto-kun. I'm glad you like the food. Thank you as well Sakura-san and Kakashi-san. I am pleased you three are enjoying the meal."

Sakura was once again reminded of how close the two were and how Alice seemed too really do the impossible. She only hoped Tsunade didn't find out Naruto ate vegetables now. She would owe the Hokage a night on the town which was always expensive.

They had placed a bet and if Sakura would have won, Tsunade would let her sign the slug contract and taken her to the restaurant of her choice for supper along with two days off form Hospital duty. Sakura knew she would get to sign the slug contract someday, but she was eager to sign it sooner rather than later. Also she had known of the perfect restaurant to have Tsunade-sensei take her for supper. Lastly, any time off from Hospital duty was welcomed.

After setting up guard duty, they all called it a night. Naruto however didn't really sleep well despite knowing what Alice told him before was true. He still felt they couldn't get there fast enough to help Gaara.

When it came time for Alice to start her shift he was still awake. He still woke her up but he didn't retire to rest for a few more hours despite his shift ending. He could handle sleepless nights they weren't entirely a foreign concept to him.

Alice was however a bit concerned. She knew he needed sleep. She gave a feeble attempt by saying, "You know you should get a little more sleep, Naruto. Sleepless nights aren't fun."

He just frowned and said, "I know what I can handle, Alice. What do you know of sleepless nights? I've had them before. A lot when I was younger." He knew he had said something he shouldn't have, but he was a little edgy and didn't apologize.

Alice frowned. She wanted to say something in rebuttal but knew it wouldn't reach his ears. After a bit of silence she decided to break it. "Hey, Naruto?" She asked him casually hoping he would realize she wasn't going to pursue the earlier topic.

He knew what she was doing and was a bit thankful so he replied, "Yes, Alice?"

She sighed in relief. She really didn't want things to go sour with Naruto. "Can you tell me how to summon? I'm curious about how it's supposed to work normally. Like when you summon the toads." She didn't want to tell him about the wonderland contract yet. She wished to use that at a proper time and surprise him when she learned how to do it.

Naruto, glad for a little early morning talk to help his mind ease a little bit, answered her, "Well you have to sign a contract with a summon group to do so. This being the case the signs for summoning are the same."

"You sign the contract with your blood and then practice. Once you can summon the boss summon or in some cases they pay you a visit their self. You have to pass a test of some sort to prove you are a worthy summoner."

"I had to stay on top of Gamabunta's head for a whole day to show him I was the one who summoned him and he had better get used to it. He's the boss toad summon. He's huge like the size of several large buildings. I was completely out of it once the sun set but I had proved myself to him and he has been good to me since." Naruto couldn't help but grin a bit. The Toad was tough and talked tough, but he was also protective of his precious people.

Alice didn't think she would have any summons that big. She also knew she had yet to see how they might have changed like the cat said though. She then asked more questions, "What are the hand signs for summoning? How do you know how much energy to use or how to summon a certain one? Is it some kind of luck of the draw? Because I don't see how that would be useful if you had to just hope for a useful toad or whatever you plan to summon."

Naruto felt a small hint of a smile tug on his lips. He felt a bit refreshed answering Alice's questions. He explained to her about focusing on what you wanted to summon or on a particular summon if you knew them. He also went into detail about how he discovered each summon including herself had a different feel to them. He then showed her the hand signs for the jutsu. When he finished he asked if Alice understood it all.

Alice thought for a minute and then asked him, "You said each summon including me has a different feel to them. What do I feel like, Naruto?"

Naruto blushed at the question remembering when he first figured that out on their trip and also thought about literally feeling her. He answered, "You feel unlike any other summon and more complex. The best I can describe it as is… Serene and warm with just a hint of darkness. The darkness isn't terrifying or anything though. Usually summons have a simpler feeling to them." He looked away a little embarrassed at how he really enjoyed the feeling of her summoning.

Alice blushed to his answer. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she felt happy he paid such attention to how her summoning felt. She wasn't the best with romance and that stuff, but she thought the way he described it sounded a bit romantic.

She didn't want him to think he said something he shouldn't have so she said to him, "Thanks Naruto, for answering my questions."

After some more talk, the sun started to rise and Alice went about making a good but light breakfast for them. She knew they would be going hard again today from how Naruto had been yesterday.

When it was almost complete Naruto decided to go ahead and wake up Kakashi and Sakura. Kakashi was not happy to see the blonde shinobi waking him up because he knew it meant he hadn't slept after his shift. "Naruto why are you waking me up? Shouldn't you be asleep?" He asked his former student.

Naruto just looked at him and answered plainly, "I couldn't sleep. So I stayed awake as Alice did her watch." Kakashi took a little solace that the boy at least wasn't on edge the whole night keeping watch alone but not much. Naruto then went and woke Sakura up.

They sat down for a delicious light breakfast and afterwards broke camp and headed out. Just like Alice thought Naruto started off with the same pace they used last afternoon as they continued their journey to Suna.

{-} {-} {-}

Temari was not having a good time. Her journey back was pleasant enough at first and she took her time. After some time, she started receiving all kinds of bad omens. Her cup of tea spontaneously cracked, her sandal strap broke, and she crossed the path of a black cat among others.

She wasn't usually superstitious, but this was getting to her none the less. At first she was a bit girly, which didn't happen often with her. She thought maybe her slim chances with Shikamaru were slipping away and the omens were telling her this. She thought maybe that new girl had something to do with it. She noticed how he kept looking at her.

As the omens kept coming though, she started thinking that if they were to be believed something had to have happened in Suna. She figured this because even if nothing happened between her and Shikamaru it wouldn't be so bad to deserve this many omens. She had started to go a little faster as she was getting close to the Wind and Fire Border.

{-} {-} {-}

Naruto was leading again with the others doing their best to keep up. They landed at the border between Fire and Wind lands. Naruto stopped so the others could catch up. Once they did Naruto spoke, "Kakashi-sensei? Do you know the best way from here? I haven't been to Suna much before. I knew which direction to take to get to the border though."

Kakashi landed and pulled out a map. It was a bit old, but he hoped it would be good enough to plot out a course. "Here let me check this for a bit first and then we will have a way to go."

Naruto frowned and for a brief second his eyes changed colors before turning back. He knew he couldn't do anything about it now. He cursed not having taken a trip while training to Suna and remembering how to get there.

Sakura was glad for a bit of a breather. Just like she had guessed, they reached the border about mid-morning. She was a bit amazed that they made the trip in such a short amount of time. Their pace was insane and not the best to take, but they had made it none the less.

She wished she could brag to someone like Lee or Gai for making this trip so fast. The two green clad ninjas still creeped her out, but she didn't mind them so much now. They were friendly, maybe even too friendly. Still they were loyal Konoha ninja. Loyalty was something she started to care more about when it came to people.

Alice stood next to Sakura thinking what she should do about Naruto's behavior. She saw his eyes flash red and knew what that meant. She, despite knowing better, secretly wondered if Naruto would be this eager to come get her if something happened and he couldn't summon her for some reason. She shook her head. That was not something to think about at this time.

Naruto finally got frustrated and demanded he see the map. He felt that Kakashi was taking too long to do so. "Let me see that, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi kept looking at the map and said to him, "I don't think you would be able to understand this map well enough, Naruto."

Naruto growled a little and looked over his shoulder. He stared and said, "How can you read anything on that map, Kakashi? I mean there is hardly anything on it. How old is this map?"

Kakashi was a little affronted and said in defense, "Hey it may not be the most recent but it's reliable. Besides there is a reason for it showing little of anything. If an enemy got a hold of this map they wouldn't be able to understand it."

Naruto said with anger, "Well yah! It doesn't show any landmarks like rivers or roads or you know mountain ranges!"

Kakashi just kept looking at the piece of paper and said, "I know where all of those features are, Naruto. No need to worry. Go stand over there you're in my light."

Naruto was about to shout at the one-eyed Jonin when Alice said, "Shhh…. There is a ninja coming this way." The others immediately got on guard and Kakashi asked her where. She replied, "They are coming from behind us and to the west a bit. There is only one and they are coming fast this way."

Kakashi ordered them to get in position and to be ready to ambush. He wasn't sure if they were Akatsuki or not. Usually a ninja wouldn't be by their self though which sent up warning flags. He knew they couldn't be reinforcements because Tsunade would have sent a team not a single Ninja for this.

They waited a few seconds. They had been waiting longer than was usually the case in this circumstance making them wonder how good Alice's sensing abilities were.

Finally they heard the sound of sandals hitting the forest floor heading towards them quickly. It seemed odd this ninja wasn't trying to be quite. Then they saw blonde spiky hair in four pigtails and a metal fan. They relaxed and Naruto shouted before they appeared on the ground. "Temari-chan!"

Temari looked up to see Naruto, Kakashi and Sakura landing on the ground. She then noticed the girl in the blue dress standing in front of her before the others even landed. She was surprised to see them and worried. She asked, "What's going on here?"

Kakashi answered for the group. "The Kazekage was taken by the Akatsuki and they asked for immediate aide. We were told to help. We were just figuring out the best way to get to Suna from here. You wouldn't mind leading us would you? Since you know the Land of Wind better than we do."

Temari looked even more worried now and she frowned. Her little brother was attacked by those monsters. She knew something bad had happened, but she didn't think it would be this bad. She recovered and said, "Sure I'll lead. I hope we aren't too late to help."

She then took off faster than she was travelling before, but much to Sakura's relief, a tad bit slower than Naruto's pace. Sakura was glad that Temari was leading and understood that even if they got there sooner going faster, they would be completely exhausted and wouldn't be able to help. Naruto seemed to have forgotten what Alice told him yesterday on that matter.

They soon followed suit. As they were running Temari asked Kakashi, "No offense but even with short notice, why were you four selected? I mean I know you are strong but Alice? She is new right?"

Kakashi replied, "Well Sakura aside from Tsunade and Shizune is the best medic we have in Konoha. I've fought Akatsuki before so I have some experience with them. Alice and Naruto have also faced a member of Akatsuki before."

Temari couldn't help but feel impressed hearing this. "Well I guess that is something if they have already encountered members of the group before and survived to tell about it recently."

Kakashi smiled under his mask as he told her, "More than that. They actually forced one of them to retreat. I just survived my encounter because they got the information they wanted and left."

The sand Kunoichi was more impressed now. "The new girl and Naruto have beaten back an Akatsuki member before? Seems like they are both stronger than I thought." She thought to herself.

The Sand Kunoichi also secretly hoped Alice wouldn't find interest in Shikamaru and hoped she was with or would be with Naruto instead. It would be tough, but she hoped something happened between herself and Shikamaru. She didn't want to have to get into some serious girl fight over the lazy shadow user though.

She tore herself from her thoughts as they continued going to Suna. She wasn't taking the fastest route they could take but it was fast enough. She knew that even with Gaara in danger she shouldn't let them see Suna's secret routes to their village even if they are allied nations.

{-} {-} {-}

They kept their pace into the late evening before making camp for the night. Naruto wasn't too happy to be stopping, however he knew without Temari they wouldn't get there any faster. He had been paying attention to the route they took in case he needed it for future trips to Suna.

He was barely keeping his cool. The others noticed he was a bit on edge, but they weren't sure what to say to calm him down. He wasn't drawing on the Kyuubi's chakra so that was an obvious sign that he was mostly in control at least.

Temari said to them before calling it a night, "If we keep up this pace we should get there in a couple of more days. We won't be getting there any faster than this."

Naruto was sure there just had to be a better way, but he didn't know anything about it. He was glad they only had two more days to go before Suna nonetheless. He just wished he knew a faster way to travel.

Sakura was surprised to hear Temari say how close they were. No one she knew of had made the trip to Suna in a total of 4 days. It usually took 6 or 7 days to get there.

Temari was on her own worrying more about her brother not really ready for sleep. She cursed herself for taking her time in the Land of Fire. Even though she knew there wasn't anything she could do about it. She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a soft hand touch her shoulder.

She turned to see Alice looking at her sorrowfully as the green-eyed girl said, "I'm sorry to hear that Suna and your brother already got caught up in this Akatsuki mess. I wish I could say he was perfectly fine and not to worry, but since he was caught I doubt that is the case. I'm sure he is still alive." Alice doubted he would be for much longer but she knew not to say that.

Temari frowned. Despite herself, she felt just a tiny bit better. She looked to the dark haired girl and said, "I hope so too. Worst case scenario though he at least protected Suna from being destroyed even if it was at the cost of his own life. He wouldn't have been caught otherwise unless he was protecting the whole village at once from the enemy."

Temari sighed and the only thing that kept her from crying was her own strength and her training. She then said, "I just hate how this happened. Things were finally going good for him and then Akatsuki has to come and mess it up. Kankuro and I only got him back as an actual brother about three years ago, after the Chunin exams." The sand Kunoichi wasn't sure why she felt she could talk to Alice about this, but for some reason she decided she could.

Alice gave her a soft smile and said to her, "Naruto told me about him. No matter how this ends you can bet Akatsuki will pay for it in time." Alice gave a yawn, "I think I should get to bed now. I have the last watch after all. It may not be possible, but I hope you can get some sleep Temari-san."

Temari bade the girl in the blue dress a goodnight and then relaxed her body. She may not get sleep but she would at least get some rest.

{-} {-} {-}

The next day they were mostly quite while they continued their journey. Temari, despite her better judgment, ended up taking a short cut that cut their time by half a day. She said it was a path that usually wasn't accessible but the wind had been just right this morning that they could take it.

She figured it could be forgiven that she showed them this route since it was an emergency. It wasn't too sensitive of a secret anyways at least. She also noticed Naruto was almost as anxious to get there as she was. She was getting a bit concerned about him. She figured she would try speaking to him or try to get Alice to at least. The Suna girl hoped the petite girl would know what to do to calm him down.

That night once they made camp and had supper she noticed that Naruto wondered off in a fit. Temari looked for Alice, but couldn't find her anywhere. She figured she would talk to Naruto and remind him that he wasn't the only one with someone important on the line here if nothing else.

{-} {-} {-}

Naruto was leaning near a tree with his arms folded cursing his luck. They weren't there yet. He knew Gaara really needed their help days ago, but they kept stopping and making camp every night.

If it was up to him he would have kept going and been there by now. Naruto was lost in his own thoughts and didn't notice the red chakra around him nor his eyes turning red. He finally stopped to breathe and the chakra receded but he was still angry and on edge.

Alice watched for a bit from behind a tree and frowned at the sight. She didn't like how the Kyuubi's chakra appeared even if it wasn't for long. She sighed and knew she had to calm him down. She stepped from behind the tree making sure Naruto noticed her approaching him.

She came to him and did the only thing she could think of in a situation like this. It was the one thing she had wished for more than anything during the dark nights at Rutledge. She came to him and just as the Kyuubi's chakra was starting to rise again she wrapped her arms around Naruto and gave him a hug from behind.

Naruto froze as the chakra dissipated and he heard Alice say to him softly; "Calm down, Naruto. We will get there tomorrow and find out what happened."

He wasn't sure what to say to her. He stood there for a few minutes shocked but calming down. He took in her scent. He finally voiced his thoughts, "I don't know if we will get there fast enough to help… He's my friend and fellow Jinchuriki. I don't want to lose him too, like I have so many others." He hung his head down.

Alice let go and he turned around to face her while still hanging his head. The green eyed beauty hugged him again and said, "We will find a way to save him, Naruto. But if nothing else, even if the worst comes to pass. You won't be alone, Naruto."

He leaned into the hug and said, "No one cares much about me. Even you probably only put up with me because I summoned you here and you don't know anyone else that might be able to send you back. I don't really have anyone."

Alice hugged him tighter and said to him in a small almost hurt voice. "You do have me, Naruto. I won't leave you alone while you need me. I'm not only around you because of the summoning. I care about you."

Alice felt the blonde haired teen pull her tighter into his arms and then she heard tears hit her dress. Naruto tried to hide his tears but couldn't any longer. He rarely ever heard someone say those words to him. He also had never had someone hug him like Alice was right now. Alice unnoticed to him also shed some tears, but she quickly stopped them she needed to be strong right now, despite her feelings.

After a few moments like that he was finally calmed down and they broke their hug apart. Alice gave him a warm and soft smile as she asked him, "Are you feeling better now, Naruto?"

"I think so. Thanks I guess I needed that." He felt very weary but still didn't think he could sleep.

Alice then said, "No problem. I'm here for you if needed after all. Do you think you could sleep tonight? I noticed you haven't slept during this trip. You've worried me because of that you know and the others."

Naruto gave a weak smile and said, "Sorry I don't think I can sleep tonight either."

Alice frowned and thought of something she had done to help the children at Houndsditch before she had her relapse. "Naruto turn around and sit down." Naruto looked at her questioningly. She said, "Oh just do it okay? It is nothing to worry about."

Naruto nodded and did as he was told. He was surprised when he felt Alice sit behind him and wrap her arms around him. He was about to say something when she broke him off, "Just relax, Naruto. Don't worry about me."

He decided he would do as she said. He felt calmer and more comfortable. He soon heard Alice start to hum a gentle tune. He breathed in the clean air and her scent. His eyes started to get heavy and before long he fell asleep. Alice kept in that position humming while Naruto finally got some much needed sleep so that he would be ready for tomorrow.

{-} {-} {-}

Temari watched the whole scene play out from a nearby tree. She couldn't help but smile despite being worried about her brother Gaara. Once she felt it was clear she came out and stood next to Alice and said in a quite teasing voice. "All I got was a hand on the shoulder and a few words. You know it is my brother in trouble right?"

Alice looked at Temari and said equally quietly, "Do you want me to give you a big hug and hum you a lullaby, Temari-chan?" Alice gave a little smile to the Suna Kunoichi.

Temari grimaced at the thought. She didn't have anything against the girl, but she thought it was too girly for her to receive something like that. "I suppose not." She sighed and said, "I do worry about Gaara though."

Alice frowned and said, "At least we will be in Suna tomorrow and we can find out what happened then, hopefully."

Temari nodded and sat down next to Alice in silence for a while. After some time she spoke again, "You know, Alice-chan. We probably shouldn't leave Kakashi alone with Sakura."

Alice smiled and said with mock horror, "You're right Lord knows what he would do to the innocent pink haired defenseless girl that can create carters in the ground with a simple punch."

Temari had to stifle a laugh before replying, "That isn't what I meant. Wow though, I mean Shikamaru told me she was really strong, but I didn't think she was that strong. Either way he shouldn't have to do watch the whole night or worry about where we went off too."

Alice gave a little laugh and said, "Help me get Naruto there without disturbing him then." The blonde Kunoichi nodded and stood up to help.

{-} {-} {-}

They managed to carry Naruto back without waking him up. Once they returned to camp Kakashi looked at them with annoyance for a couple of seconds before he saw they were carrying a sleeping Naruto back.

He sighed in relief and said quietly, "Phew I'm glad he finally fell asleep. I was worried about him. I noticed the Kyuubi's chakra a lot more these last couple of days and figured it was because he wasn't getting any sleep at nights."

Alice said to him quietly, "Yeah I had too. He is asleep now though and that is what matters."

Temari nodded her support and then said, "I'll take his watch tonight. Since I was allowed to rest last night."

Kakashi eye-smiled and answered her, "Great you get first watch then that way you won't have to be disturbed during the night and can get us to Suna with a clear head." With those words Alice and Kakashi called it a night and Temari took first watch.

{-} {-} {-}

With the next day they finally made it to Suna just after noon. This would give them plenty of time to aide who they could immediately and find out what happened and what their next move would be.

Unfortunately it wouldn't take long for them to already get busy. Soon after they entered the village a sand ninja came and told Temari to hurry to the hospital where her other brother Kankuro was in bad shape after fighting one of the Akasuki.

Once they entered, the medic ninjas told her they can't figure out what to do about the poison in his system. Temari stood there in shock not sure what to do or say. Sakura noticed this and quickly put her hair in a ponytail and started giving them orders. One of the medic ninjas quickly asked her, "Who are you?"

The pinkette smiled and said, 'I'm Sakura Haruno apprentice to Tsunade and third best medic ninja in Konoha." The medics started doing everything she said from then on. They knew well enough of Tsunade's medic prowess and figured right away that Shizune was the only other higher leveled medic in Konoha.

Temari despite all of her training and strength almost collapsed to the ground. Alice fortunately caught her and gave the blonde girl a reassuring hug as she cried softly into the dark haired girl's shoulder. The sand Kunoichi said things quietly to Alice such as, "I can't lose either or both of my brothers." And, "Why wasn't I here to help them." Followed by "They're all I have left of my family."

Alice just remained silent trying her best not to blame her presence somehow causing all of this. She frowned and thought to herself, "Why does death always follow me around? This isn't Wonderland. I can't just magically fix everything by saving my own mind here."

She knew she shouldn't blame herself for this. She knew it wasn't her fault. Alice also knew death was something common in the life of a ninja.

None the less once time had passed and Sakura had made an antidote to the very advanced, complex, and previously before 100% fatal poison on the fly using the skills and her brain to figure it out, she was relieved that she would this time at least be sparred of witnessing someone die and possibly leave all but one of a family dead. She didn't want Temari to become another version of her.

Sakura gave a cheer at her success and said he would need to recover for a while but he would live. Alice couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of the girl as she thought, "No wonder Naruto likes her. She is smart, pretty and strong."

Alice then started fearing that maybe Naruto still liked Sakura a lot. Alice felt silly, but she still found herself inadequate to the people around her. The area around her felt dark and sad. Alice shook herself as Sakura said again thinking it was because of Kankuro's near death, "He will be ok, don't worry."

Alice pushed her thoughts aside. She would just prove she can be just as helpful and strong. She then gave Temari a little squeeze and said to the sand Kunoichi in a soothing voice, "Kankuro will be alright, Temari-chan. Sakura just said so."

Temari was brought from her depressing thoughts of losing her brothers and looked up with a tear streaked face at a smiling Alice and then to an equally smiling Sakura. She gave Alice one last tight hug before releasing her and giving Sakura a big hug as a thank you and kept repeating thank you over and over to her.

Sakura couldn't help but smile and pat Temari on the back as the sand Kunoichi regained her composure and stood back up.

They soon heard a groan coming from the puppet user. Kankuro woke up and shocked them all as he said to everyone, "It was Sasori of the Red Sand that attacked me."

Before anyone could tell him to lie down and rest he showed them a piece of cloth he had been holding the whole time and continued, "Use this to track him and Save Gaara!" He then collapsed again. The group headed back into the waiting room so that he could get some rest.

Right outside in the waiting room before they could say anything an old lady tried to attack Kakashi calling him Konoha's White Fang. As she quickly launches herself at him she found Naruto grabbing her out stretched hand and a blade to her neck.

Chiyo stumbled backwards and realized that this wasn't the man she thought he was. Temari frowned as she said, "Fine way to thank the ones that just saved Kankuro and are here to help save our Kazekage."

Chiyo was shocked to hear that Kankuro was saved she had tried to help out but she couldn't. "I don't believe it. I saw his shape and tried but I knew only Tsunade could save him."

Sakura gave a smile and said, "I'm Tsuande's apprentice. She taught me a lot, especially about dealing with poisons. I was glad to help to out."

The old lady was once again stunned that someone so young even with tutoring could do such a thing. She knew she needed to apologize for what she did earlier. "That's impressive. Anyways I'm sorry for my behavior. My old brain sometimes gets a little confused about these things. I'm Elder Chiyo."

Kakashi eye-smiled and said, "I'm sorry as well. I am not Konoha's White Fang. He was my father. He has been dead for many years now. I'm Kakashi."

Naruto bowed and apologized to Chiyo "heh heh sorry about that."

Alice bowed deeply and said fearfully, "I am sorry to have drawn my blade on you. I only wanted to stop you from attacking Kakashi-san. I wasn't planning on using it on you."

Chiyo gave a little chuckle and said, "I know. If you had wished to kill me I think I would have already been dead. I can tell you won't hesitate if it is to save your companions. You are really quick I must say." She didn't even notice the girl until after she noticed the young man and felt the blade to her neck. "The young really are surprising." She thought to herself.

After she got up and they explained about the piece of cloth Kankuro gave them, Kakashi said. "I can use my dog summons to help track down where Sasori of the Red Sand went and then we can hopefully find Gaara."

The ninja gathered agreed to this strategy. Temari was about to volunteer to go with them because she was the oldest and should protect and save her brothers now that she was back in Suna.

However before Temari could say anything Chiyo intervened and said, "I will go with you. I may be old and sometimes senile, but I am still capable of fighting in my own way. Sasori is a puppet master form Suna so only another puppet master that knew him when he was still loyal can hope to defeat him."

Kakashi wasn't sure about this he actually hoped to have Temari join them again. She was skilled, talented, strong and of course beautiful. However he saw the logic of the old lady but had to ask, "Can you keep up with us?"

She just laughed and said she could. She then turned to Temari and said to her, "I know you want to go Temari-chan but this is the better choice. You should stay here rest a little bit and wait for Kankuro to recover. No doubt he will try to go out and fight sooner than he should. He will listen to you but no one else."

Temari bowed her head in surrender. The old lady was right and she knew it. "Okay. But as soon as we can we are coming. Also be safe all of you." With that the four pigtail haired girl went to her other brother's bed side and waited for him.

Once Kakashi summoned Pakkun, Alice looked at the little dog and said with the hint of a smile, "Despite the long face he is kind of cute."

Pakkun seemed to blush before turning to Kakashi and saying in a gruff deep voice, "Yes, boss?" Alice gave a little giggle the difference in voice from appearance added to his charm she thought.

Kakashi gave him the piece of cloth and ordered, "Sniff this and lead us to the owner." With that Pakkun did as he was told and set off in the front leading the group to Sasori and hopefully the Akatsuki lair.


A/N: Hope the chapter was good. Next up is what obviously comes next.