Hey! I'm back :) so sorry I've taken so long to update, but I'm not dead. I've been extremely busy doing summer homework and preparing for my senior year. It's been awhile, so sorry if this isn't the same quality as my other chapters. Just need a bit of time to get back into the rhythm of it. This chapter focuses on Temari and her coping with the fact her brother is dead, and also on her coming to her senses. Filler-ish, but I will be getting back to the main plot next chapter.

Thanks for all of the reviews. It is my fuel to keep writing :)

Disclaimer (jeez, hate these): I own nothing of this. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, not me. I only write for the joy of writing and pleasing my readers.


Chapter 9: Return

"Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind?"

"Gaara, what do you mean? This is the best offer that I've heard since we've been here."

"So, you meet a strange man who claims to be the leader of Oto, he offers you some power and revenge, and you take it. Oh, let's not forget the part where he wants to invade the leaf and disrupt the chuunin exams. Did I miss something? I don't see any logic in this, at all." Gaara sighed with irritation. As soon as Temari had gotten home, Gaara was expecting silence from his sister, but instead she'd sat him down on the sofa and was spouting this... nonsense.

"You may not get it now, but you will. Gaara, come on. We have to. To avenge Kankuro." Temari tried to reason.

"Temari, no! You're going about this the wrong way! I refuse to let you throw away your life like that! And if this man really is from Oto, you'll be making yourself an enemy of Konoha! Suna is an ally of Konoha, and there's no doubt in my mind that the damn council of our village won't hesitate to mark you a missing-nin and send hunters after you. Is that what you want? Is that what Kankuro would want you to do? Think like the kunoichi you were raised to be and stop being so damn selfish!" Gaara roared. Temari fell silent, Gaara's words having struck deep within her.

'Your brother has a point. What will you do girl?'

'I...'

"I... don't know Gaara. I just don't. Let me at least sleep on it, okay?" Temari said, standing up. She walked past her brother, out of the living room and into her room. Gaara sighed and went to his own room.

'Hmm, an all out attack on Konoha. Could give us a chance to see blood. Come on Gaara, you know you want it. You want something to take your frustrations out on, and so does Temari. Give in, feel their blood run through your sand, watch it pool at your feet.'

'Leave me be Shukaku. I will not give in. This situation with Temari is a large enough thorn in my side, I don't need another.'

'Hmm, sure. But remember: Once a killer, always a killer. You'll come to me, and when you do, it'll be over. For you... for everyone.' Shukaku snickered, retreating into the dark corners of the redhead's mind.

'Kankuro, what would you do?' Gaara sighed, gazing out of the window at the empty village streets below. Despite Kankuro being the rash, impulsive idiot he was, he always knew what to do in these kinds of situations.


"Temari... Temari... Tema!" Temari found herself in a land of clouds. She was standing on one of them, and she looked up to see who had called her. She almost let out a sob when she saw him, but forced it back with all of her might.

"Kankuro?" her voice broke, and she couldn't help the tear that slid down her face.

"Hey, why are you crying? You know I hate seeing you do that."

"What's going on? Why are you here?"

"Heh. You underestimate me sis. Before I died, I had enough chakra left to send some into both of you. Just in case I needed to come straighten you guys out. Seems like you're having trouble."

"Of course I'm having trouble! I had to watch my little brother die, and I wasn't able to do a damn thing about it! Why does no one seem to get what I'm saying?"

"Mari, it's because you're not missing me as a brother. You're missing me as a son. Let's face it, dad never cared for us, and Yashamaru was just as bad. You're the one who kept us alive. You went on extra missions when we rested to get enough money when dad didn't give us any. I understand, but you gotta calm down. Yes, I'm gone. But that doesn't mean I'm not with you. I will always be with you and Gaara." Kankuro said, walking closer to Temari and wrapping her in a hug. "You were always there. Holding me when I had a nightmare or holding Gaara when he had night terrors. Tending to us whenever we got hurt, and standing up for us when dad accused us of doing stuff we did or didn't do. It's time you let someone support you. You're not alone." he said.

"Kankuro, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to protect you, but I swear to you. I will protect Gaara no matter what I have to do."

"That's more like it. Now go and kick some ass in that exam for me." Kankuro smirked, letting go and stepping back.

"I guess this is goodbye."

"Yeah, I guess it is." Kankuro began to fade away. "Don't forget. You're the strongest girl in Suna, our wind mistress, and my sister. Never forget that. I love you Temari." Kankuro said, and he was gone. The last image she held of her brother was him, smiling without a care in the world.

"I love you too, Kankuro."


"Gaara, can I come in?" the soft voice of his sister alerted Gaara, bringing him out of his rest. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, it was time to get the day started. Gaara looked at her and nodded as he moved to sit on the unused bed. Temari's eyes were still downcast as she sat beside him.

"Have you thought about it?" was Gaara's immediate question.

"Yeah."

"And?"

"Gaara, I thought and thought last night. And I realized something. I love you, and all the people in Suna. The civilians who have nothing to do with our past anyways. It's my home, no matter what has happened to us. The village and her people are my life. I don't know what I would do without them."

"Good, so-"

"Gaara please, let me finish. If I can help it, I never want anyone else to experience what we've gone through. So I must do what I think is right. To protect Suna, you..." she started, leaning over and kissing Gaara on the forehead. "... and to protect as many people as I can from Otogakure." she whispered. Gaara was about to ask her what she meant when he felt her fist, cloaked in chakra, and the pain that exploded in his stomach. Temari stood up and made sure he lay back before running out of the room.

"Temari." he tried to call out, but it was no use. His voice was shot, and she was gone.


Temari ran through the village, knowing that if she wanted to leave she'd have to do it before Shukaku allowed Gaara to regain consciousness. Her lithe form flew by the few civilians that were beginning their days, the darkness making it easier for her. She'd sent a message to her clone already, telling her to tell the sound four to meet her outside the gates of the village. She felt their presence as she neared and sighed. So it began.


Naruto was in his apartment, having woken up early so he could begin practicing again. He sighed. His mind kept drifting back to thoughts of Temari. He hoped she was okay. Of course, getting captured and tortured, then having your brother die in front of you weren't exactly on the top 5 easiest traumas to get over list. He decided that he'd go check on her when the sun came up so Gaara wouldn't go crazy over his sister having such an early visitor. He looked at the scroll in his hand and sighed. He hated reading.

'Honestly, if I want to be stronger, truly stronger, I feel like I should be doing this on my own. I mean, look at my dad. He created all of his techniques. All of these techniques. I don't want to be known as his leftovers.'

'That's one hell of a point. So, you gonna stop trying to control me?'

'Oh hell no, you're going down fox. But I'm just gonna find my center for my own jutsu. I will be keeping the Flying Thunder God technique however. It's awesome!' Naruto grinned, sealing the scrolls away and going to get dressed. A quick jog around the village would help clear his mind and get his chakra flowing. Of course, Naruto would never forget breakfast, so he scarfed down a bowl of instant ramen before heading to the door.

"Alright! Let's do this!" he declared, opening the door and running out. Only to be knocked down by a solid, panting figure. Naruto looked up into the panicked eyes of...

"Gaara? What are you doing here? What's wrong?" he asked, noticing that Gaara held his stomach in pain.

"Temari... left. She said something about protecting those she cared for, then she knocked me out. I don't know what she's planning, but she was burdened when she left, I could practically feel it. We need to find her, now!" Gaara explained. Naruto almost didn't believe Gaara, that he was playing a sick joke. But he was 100% serious. She was gone. Again! Naruto immediately called on Kyuu's abilities and tried to track her down. He ran back into his home, haphazardly throwing supplies into a bag before rushing back out.

"Let's go."


"So, what's the problem?" Kidomaru asked as the group of six leaped through the trees.

"Gaara didn't feel the way I do, so I left. Hope that won't hamper the plans too much."

"Please. Regardless, Konoha will fall. We have Iwa and Kumo as well, so they'll make up for it." Kidomaru assured her. She sighed in relief.

"Will Orochimaru be angry?"

"He won't be joyed, but he'll get over it. Stop worrying." Tayuya said.

"As long as you still deliver the message to the Uchiha brat, he'll be fine." Kidomaru said. Temari nodded and they continued on.

"Kidomaru, you and my clone should go find a way to throw them off of my trail. I don't care how, just do it." Temari said. Both nodded and separated from the group.

'Sorry guys, can't let you find me just yet.'


Naruto and Gaara searched frantically. Her scent was disappearing, way faster than the normal rate a scent should fade at.

"Why? Why would she do this?" Naruto groaned in frustration, struggling to stay on the trail.

"She said she didn't want anyone else to feel the pain that we felt. This Otogakure and its Orochimaru are obviously a threat to our peace."

"So she's gonna risk her life to take them all down?"

"That's something I'd rather not think about. Just focus on finding her." Gaara snapped. Naruto fell silent and kept going. The morning forest was peaceful, the only sounds being the disruption of branches as they launched off of them. Wait...

"Gaara, I don't hear anything."

"You can hear me."

"No, not that. Look at the sun, it's rising. We should hear birds, squirrels, something."

"A genjutsu?"

"No, Shukaku and Kyuu shouldn't be affected by genjutsu like that. Which means..."

"They're all dead." the two jinchuuriki searched until they began spotting small animals, lying in their own pools of blood and impaled on thin, golden brown arrows. Naruto's nose caught something and he went closer. Kneeling by a chipmunk, he plucked off a blonde strand of hair. His nose twitched as he recognized the smell, the unique smell of sand and vanilla. The hair vanished with a tiny puff of smoke, as did the other strands of hair.

"Temari's clone's hair. Either she... or they, have planned this out. We've been following a false lead!" Naruto snarled, punching the ground and leaving a small crater.

"We have no choice. We must tell someone more suited to this. Perhaps the Konoha ANBU-"

"Did you forget what the ANBU did last time? They restrained you and Kankuro without another question. Was it because you are her brothers, or was it because you are from Suna? Either way, I don't trust the ANBU, not with her care." Naruto snapped

"What do you suggest then?" Gaara asked, surprised that the blond could think so thoroughly.

"I'll go directly to the old man and ask him to send a few Inuzuka and my sensei to help us. They are the best trackers in Konoha." Naruto said. Gaara nodded his consent, and they headed back, full speed.


"She left?" even the elderly hokage could not hide his surprise that the young kunoichi would do such a thing.

"Jiji, don't draw conclusions. She knows that Orochimaru plans to attack the village-"

"He what?" ... Oh yeah. That detail had slipped him in his adrenaline rush.

"Yeah. Oto, Iwa and Kumo may have an alliance. They're gonna strike during the third exam. Anyways, she told Gaara that she didn't want anyone else going through the pain of losing a loved one again before she left. So we think she is trying to earn the trust of Orochimaru's forces and then betray them. But we don't know if she's in danger or not. Please, Kiba, Kakashi-sensei, even Hana. They have to be here."

"Naruto, you know that I believe you. However, none of them are in the village, and won't be back until tomorrow. The chuunin exams resume in 6 days, so perhaps she'll be back. If not, she will be disqualified."

"Is that all you have to say about it? Damn it old man, you expect me or Gaara to just sit back and take that?" Naruto growled.

"Naruto, I'm sorry. But there's nothing more I can do. You said you didn't want the ANBU involved at all. And with our sensory specialists out... wait. There is one more."

"Anyone, just help us." Naruto said.


The three sound nin and Temari made it back to a small hideout, maybe ten miles from the village. Kidomaru got there a few minutes after them and they made their way to the briefing room. They'd be meeting up with Orochimaru here, to further discuss their plan. Temari wandered around the building when the meeting was over. They had just discussed weakpoints around the village where they'd need to strike. Temari was being assigned to the attack wave under command of Orochimaru himself. She was to attack the stadium and prevent enemies from nearing him as the sound four erected their jutsu. Then she was to go to the center of the village and kill as many as possible. That very thought at the important role unnerved her. How the hell would she pull this off?

"... Kill him?" the sound floated to her ears. She crept closer to see Orochimaru addressing Sakon.

"No my lord. I believe she left him alive, only knocking him out before she fled the village." Sakon said. Were they talking about her?

"Damn Suna kunoichi. If that jinchuuriki goes to the old man, then it's all over with!"

"I doubt he would. The ANBU would get involved, and I doubt he would trust them with his sister's safety."

"No matter. I cannot take any chances. Tell Tayuya and Jirobo to go back to Konoha and dispose of the boy. Kidomaru and I are going to move ahead to the next hideout. You take care of her." and just like that, her plan was ruined. Temari steeled her nerves and fled the area before she was caught.

'Damn, what do I do now?'

'See? This is what you get for trying to play Hero.' Meian snarled.

'Oh shutup.'


A person in a trench coat stood before Hiruzen, his bored expression unchanging.

"I knew you'd call for me eventually." he said in a monotone drawl.

"Can you track her?"

"Can I track her? I've had my kikaichu on her since that last event. I know exactly where she is. But we must move before they move."

"Naruto, Gaara. Please follow Shibi. His tracking skills nearly parallel those of our ANBU." the two boys nodded, following the stoic man out of the room.


Nearly two hours later Temari sat in a small room that served as her bedroom, pondering over her next move. She had no idea what she was going to do, so her mind settled on fleeing. She stood and ran to the door, flinging it open to reveal someone in mid knock. A silver haired man she didn't want to see.

"Shit." she breathed. He grabbed at her, aiming for her throat, but Temari ducked and swept her leg along the ground in a circle, tripping the Sound Four member. She jumped back and wove some handsigns, thrusting her palm toward Sakon. He was thrown back by the compressed wind and she took the opportunity to run past him and out of the hideout. She grabbed her fan and opened it all of the way, not planning to underestimate this enemy. He was right behind her, and she wasted no time in swinging the fan.

"Wind scythe jutsu!" Sakon jumped out of the way as the blades assaulted the building behind him.

"Heh, you'll have to do better than that." Sakon said, rushing at Temari. She snapped her fan shut and put it in front of her body, blocking the hits. She swung it like a sword, catching Sakon in the chest, before a log took his place. Temari barely had time to react, putting up a wind shield as Sakon aimed a kick at her face. The shield absorbed most of it, but the raw power still managed to push her back a few inches. Temari flipped backwards, grabbing a kunai and feeding her chakra into it. She threw it and Sakon dodged.

'Perfect.' Temari disappeared and reappeared behind Sakon, her fan above her head and ready to crack his skull like an egg. And it would've worked too, if it weren't for another set of hands that caught it.

"What?"

"Hey there. Not letting ya get us that easily." and Temari was kicked back. She was able to upright herself and land, although she still skidded back a couple of feet. She faced her two opponents and growled.

'Need some help?'

'No, I can't let them know about you. Then the Akatsuki or some other pure chakra-loving freak will find out and try to capture me and hurt you. I refuse to let that happen Meian. I'll figure out some other way.' Temari told him, unwavering in her decision. Meian was silent for a while, but then he let out a breathy laugh.

'You've got to be the most interesting human I've ever met. Alright then.'

The two rushed at Temari, and she jumped high into the air, preparing to swing her fan at them. But the two were fast, and jumped as well. The other was in front of her, Sakon behind her. She spun and kicked Sakon, then brought her fan down upon the other, watching as they fell back toward the ground. Using her fan, she glided down to the nearest branch and watched the duo as they stood up.

"Sakon, this is annoying."

"Should we do it Ukon?"

"Yeah." strange red marks passed over their skin before they settled, darkening into black. They rushed Temari at the same time, following her closely as she dropped down from the branch. She landed on the ground, sprinting away from them.

Just what the hell were those markings? They were definitely faster, no doubt they'd gotten a strength boost as well. She needed a plan, and she needed one fast. Maybe she'd have to use it. They knew she was Gaara's sister, so they had to know about her chakra. But they didn't know about Meian.

'Meian.'

'Yeah, yeah. I know.'

Temari stopped running and faced her opponents. A light shroud of white chakra covered her body, most of it concentrated in her hands. Sakon reached her first. He threw a punch with his right fist and she blocked it before throwing him over her head as Ukon tried to punch her in the stomach. She jumped, flipping backwards and kicking Sakon further away. She landed, her fan out and open, and channeled her chakra into it.

"Wind style: Pure wind scythe jutsu!" she yelled, swinging it around her entire body. Everything was quiet, then both opponents received numerous cuts and gashes. They fell to their knees, and she channeled more chakra into her fan, waiting for any tricks. Neither disappeared, so they were the real ones.

"Gah! I forgot about that pesky chakra. Sakon, we are at a disadvantage with those damn long range attacks."

"Shut up! I know that! Come get some rest, I'm going for Stage two." Sakon ordered. Ukon disappeared and reappeared beside his brother, merging with his body once again. Sakon stood and glared at Temari.

"Well, it's been awhile since I was pushed to this form. But, it's all over now. Enemies who see me in this form, cannot be allowed to live!" Sakon growled. His skin darkened, until it was a reddish color. Thick armor plates grew and covered his left arm, a sharp horn protruded from the right side of his forehead, and his silver hair now reached his waist. Temari knew not to underestimate him, so she called upon more of the pure chakra. But even her chakra could not prepare her for the speed he now possessed. He disappeared and before she knew it, she received a crushing kick on her left side. The grotesque cracking sounds and the unreal pain told her at least three of her ribs were broken. As she flew to the side, Sakon chased her, kicking her in the stomach and sending her the short distance to the ground. But that didn't make it hurt any less. Before she could cry out in pain, Sakon had her by the throat and lifted her up.

"Jeez, if you hadn't made such a big mistake, we could've been great allies. But I have my orders. I'd love to make you die slowly and painfully, but I have other things to do. Oh well, I could take a couple of minutes to crush your throat." he said, almost like he was having a casual conversation, squeezing tighter. Meian's chakra was already healing the broken ribs, but it couldn't stop her from suffocating.

'Damnit! Don't you dare die!'

'Don't worry Meian. Stop underestimating me.' Temari placed her hands on Sakon's, seemingly trying to pry his hands off. Sakon smirked and squeezed harder. He felt a heat on his hand and ignored it. The heat grew, and grew, and grew. Sakon's hand erupted in a white flame, making him abandon his grip and focus on putting it out. Temari landed, giving him no chance to do so and uppercutted him. He fell backwards, hand still on fire and she walked to him, ready to crush the life out of him. The pain she felt in her ribs was now a dull ache, and she could easily deal with that. Ukon separated from his brother, trying to punch Temari, but she stepped back and avoided it. Ukon growled and kept swinging, never landing a hit. Temari ducked under his next punch and kicked him in the stomach, making him stumble back a bit. Taking the opening, Temari jumped at him, trying to kick him in the head, but he ducked. She anticipated that and swung her body so that her other leg would come down on his head. It connected, and to make sure it hurt, she put some pure chakra behind the kick. She jumped back and waited, but Ukon's body remained unmoving.

"Good job Ukon. Come on bro, get some rest. I'll handle it from here." Temari's head snapped to the right to see Sakon, looking good as new. Ukon staggered up as Sakon appeared beside him, wasting no time in using his kekkei genkai to fuse with his brother again. Sakon disappeared and Temari jumped, knowing what his next move would be. He expected that, and instead reappeared above her. He grabbed her hair, his claws cutting the bands that held the top two pigtails, and slammed her to the ground. He pulled her up by her hair, making her cry out as she did, and pulled out a kunai. He pressed it against her throat, and she froze under the cold steel's touch.

"You are a strong one. Pushing us to this limit isn't normal. But it's all over now. Any last words?" he asked. He chuckled when she said nothing. "Oh well." and he pressed the kunai closer. She could feel a thin line of blood run down her neck, and knew she would die. She closed her eyes and waited for fate to make its cruel move. But none came and she realized she heard a faint sound. The sound of... sand. Her eyes flew open to see Naruto and Gaara at the edge of the clearing, both breathing harder than normal. Naruto had that cloak of red chakra around him, and two tails swayed behind him. Chakra appendages held Sakon's hand and body, and Gaara's sand held her body. Naruto shifted his chakra so that the kunai was pulled away from her neck, and Gaara pulled his sister toward them.

"H-how is that possible? You should be dead! Tayuya and Jirobo went after you. There's no way you could've beaten them!" Sakon yelled. Naruto smirked.

"You don't get it. Normally, we may not have won. But we had more than just us." Shibi jumped down and landed beside them. "Plus, there was no way we were gonna let Temari suffer alone. I don't know why she can't get it through her thick head, but we're all in this together! You mess with one of us." and Naruto's hold tightened. "You mess with all of us."

Gaara sent his sand to cover Sakon's body and lifted him into the air.

"You made my sister bleed. The punishment for a crime so heinous is immediate forfeit of your life. Sand burial!" the blood splattered all over the area, and Naruto and Gaara's forms relaxed. Then they turned on her.

"What the hell were you thinking!" they all froze and turned to look at Gaara. The normally calm, near emotionless boy was absolutely furious at his sister. "You could've gotten yourself killed!"

"Gaara, I..."

"Look Temari. I know how much it hurts, and no one wants to see that suffering in anyone. But to make it right, we have to do it right. Together. This is definitely not it. Do you understand me? Even if you did succeed with killing that man, or even Orochimaru, you couldn't take on three nations alone. You'd die, and where would that leave me? Where would it leave him?" Gaara said, pointing at Naruto. Temari looked at Naruto, and found only understanding in his eyes. She bit back the tears and nodded. But they were tears of relief, like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"I understand. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. But Gaara, Naruto..." she said, standing up and gathering her hair into the two pigtails using spare rubber bands she produced from her weapon pouch.

"Hmm?"

"Promise me one thing. Let's finish these exams, and if Orochimaru shows his sorry ass again, we'll take every single one of them down." she smirked. Both were relieved to see the spark of determination in her eyes and smiled back. Those were the eyes they knew and loved.

"Hell yeah!" Naruto shouted.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Gaara smirked. Suddenly, their faces twisted in pain and they disappeared.

"What? Clones? Then where are they? Don't tell me they're still fighting." Temari groaned before running the way they'd come from. Shibi followed her, a bit shocked. Here she was, a kunoichi, concerned with the wellbeing of two jinchuuriki?

'Times have changed, it seems.'


Naruto and Gaara stood, panting as their opponents looked like they weren't even breaking a sweat.

"Come on brats. You'll never touch us like this." Tayuya mocked. Honestly, the exhaustion of chakra had her and Jirobo just as tired as their opponents, but they had been trained hard enough to hide it. In Orochimaru's presence, showing any sign of weakness was like begging for death. He had no use for weaklings.

'Where the hell is Temari?' was the thought filling both Jinchuuriki's minds. They felt that click in their heads, and memories from their clones filled their minds. Naruto smiled. She was fine. Gaara let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, and focused on the fight.

"Ha! With skills like this, you'll never rescue your friend! I bet Sakon has her dead by now, there's no way she could beat him." Jirobo laughed in that annoying voice of his.

"You two seriously underestimate your opponents, and that will be your downfall. Temari is fine, and Sakon is dead." Naruto said.

"And how do you know that?" Tayuya smirked.

"Because, I'm right here." Tayuya and Jirobo's heads snapped up to see Temari, kneeling on a tree branch. She was obviously exhausted, and hadn't had a chance to catch her breath. Shibi stood beside her, looking stoic as always.

"N-no. There's just no way! There is no way that someone like you could defeat Sakon alone! He is our strongest!" Tayuya yelled. Temari took a deep breath and laughed.

"Was your strongest. And you know what's funny Tayuya? I wasn't alone. I was never alone. It took me far too long to realize it, but as long as I have those two," she said, motioning toward Naruto and Gaara. "I will never lose!" she proclaimed.

"Oh don't get so full of yourself you idiot. You still have to get through us." Tayuya smirked, bringing her flute up to her mouth. But before she blew, Temari's voice stopped her.

"You fight with sound? Then give up."

"You know, it's rude to interrupt someone during a technique. And why would I give up? Once you get a taste of my music, you'll-"

"Let me stop you right there. You honestly think your sound waves can touch me? Well then, let me end this before you make an even bigger fool of yourself. Once you get a taste of my wind... you won't be getting up again." Temari said, standing up and pulling out her fan. She bit her thumb and swiped it down the length of it, leaving a thick trail of blood. "Goodbye. Summoning: Blade Dance!" she yelled, swinging her fan. A sharp wind picked up and a weasel wearing an eye patch and a black jacket appeared out of a poof of smoke.

"Yeah, what's up boss?"

"Kamatari, kill that girl. Try to kill the other one as well."

"Alright then." Kamatari pushed chakra into his scythe and took off, leaving a path of devastation. Some trees were sliced into chunks, others were ripped from their roots, but all of them flew toward Tayuya. She put her flute up, trying to summon her Doki to protect her from some of the attack, but one of the sharp blades sliced the instrument clean in half. Her screams could be heard as everything finally hit her, but soon the forest was quiet again, and her chakra signature was gone. Temari fell to one knee, panting heavily. Her eyes scanned the floor below her and found Jirobo. He had managed to escape the assault, but not fully. He seemed to favor his right leg, and his left arm hung limply at his side. She stood back up, determined not to look weak in front of an enemy, although her breathing could easily give her away. Sand enveloped Jirobo a few seconds later and Gaara prepared to crush him.

"Gaara, no! Don't kill him!" Temari yelled. Gaara turned his head toward his sister, hand still prepared to close.

"Why not?"

"Crush his arms and one leg... Either he makes it back to wherever Orochimaru is hiding... or someone will find him. But Jirobo... if you get back to Orochimaru, be sure to inform him that his plans are shot... The Hokage knows about his plans, and I am sure defense preparations are already underway." Temari said. Gaara nodded and pulled the sand away from Jirobo's body, leaving it on his left leg and both arms. He closed his hands, and Jirobo's voice hit an octave higher as his bones were audibly crushed into pieces. Gaara dropped him and he fell to the ground with a grunt.

"Alright, let's get back to the village. We're done here." Shibi suggested. Everyone nodded and Temari made to jump down, but her muscles were too tired. She could no longer move. So all she managed to do was slip off the branch and watch as the ground rushed to meet her. She was caught, and she looked up into the blue, angry eyes of Naruto.

"Don't do something stupid like that ever again. You hear me? You're precious to me Tema-chan, and I'd go ballistic if something happened to you."

"Naruto... thank you. I thought I had to do something, something to get even with someone. But hell, what good is it if I throw my life away?" she laughed. "Thanks for saving me Naru-kun. You too Gaara. I'd have been screwed if you two hadn't-" Temari was cut off by Naruto's lips on her own. He pulled away after a few short seconds and smiled at her.

"Rest Tema-hime. Stop talking." Naruto whispered. Temari nodded and closed her eyes, quickly falling asleep. Naruto began walking, Gaara and Shino on either side of him.

'Come on. He just planted one on your sister and you had no reaction.'

'What business is it of mine? He makes her happy, so I am more than willing to accept him. But if he hurts her, I will kill him.'

'You're getting soft. Kami you're boring now. The old Gaara wouldn't have hesitated to crush that idiot.' Shukaku sighed in exasperation, his presence fading to the back of Gaara's mind.


"No! This can't be possible! All of this work, for nothing?" Orochimaru quickly learned about the death of his two underlings and the incapacitated Jirobo, and was not taking it well.

"My Lord, I wouldn't say for nothing."

"How is this not for nothing Kabuto? If someone came to save her, then the old man knows about my plans! They'll be ready for us. With only Kidomaru, how the hell is the four seal barrier supposed to be formed?"

"My Lord, why not kill Jirobo and reanimate all of them? Surely the Edo Tensei has been perfected."

"To do that, I would need three sacrifices. Plus the four I plan to use in my fight with Sarutobi." but Orochimaru knew his secret technique needed an obscene amount of chakra, especially to reanimate who he had in mind. The chakra he would be able to spare for the technique only gave him a day to keep it going once activated.

"Kidomaru and I can easily get that many. It'd be child's play."

"If you can do that, it's the only other option I have."

"Yes my Lord. We shall return by morning." and Kabuto left. Orochimaru sat back in his chair and sighed. He had the utmost confidence in Kabuto, he would succeed. He smiled as he began to modify his plans accordingly. No one was yet aware of the fact that he would be among them when the invasion began, and that would give him the edge he needed.

'Make your preparations Sarutobi. No matter what you do, you'll never be ready for what I have in store for you.'


Naruto, Gaara and Shibi stood in front of the Hokage, completely silent. Temari was beside Naruto, but she had her head bowed.

"Hokage-sama, I am truly sorry that my actions have caused you so much trouble. I was brash, and I wasn't thinking like a true kunoichi. I will accept any and all punishments you have." she said, never making eye contact.

"Lady Temari, please look at me." Temari did as she was told and steeled her face.

"I am not angry. I was more worried than anything. You may not be a kunoichi of my village, but Orochimaru was once my student. I know what evils he is capable of. And I am impressed, that you had the guts to try to stand up to him, no matter what your reasons were. So you are not in trouble my dear, relax. But for now, the only thing you need worry about is the exam that will resume next week." Hiruzen said, a smile on his face the entire time. Temari was shocked. She expected some kind of punishment, an interrogation even. He was either too trusting, or the best kage she'd ever met (her mind swayed toward the latter). She bowed again.

"Thank you Hokage-sama."

"Now, Naruto, Gaara. I will leave her in your hands. Go and rest, for you will need it if you are to make up for lost training time."

"Oh man! I completely forgot about that!" Naruto nearly shrieked, grabbing Temari and Gaara and dashing out of the office.

"Do not worry Hokage-sama, I will keep my kikaichu on her."

"Do what you feel you must Shibi. But I doubt it will be needed. Naruto will make sure she is safe, if her brother cannot. But I must ask you, get your son and bring him here. I have a special mission for the both of you."

"Of course, Hokage-sama." and Shibi disappeared. Hiruzen turned his chair around to face his window, and looked out on his village.

'Orochimaru, when will you give up? What are you after? Your ambition, to learn every jutsu, what does this village hold that you desire? No, it can't be.' Sarutobi paled, then called for his secretary to bring Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai and Guy to him.


Temari found herself in that familiar land of flames again, the green tendrils trying to lick at her feet. Trying to suck her back into the threshold of darkness.

'Meian, I don't think I want to exact revenge anymore. I have to be able to protect Gaara. So I need to stay close to him, and try to salvage the wreckage of our fucked up family.'

'How tragic. Look, I don't care what the hell you do. Just as long as you survive long enough for me to kill your father.'

'Don't you worry Meian. I will survive. And you want to know why? I've made two vows for myself. One, to protect Gaara at any and all costs. And two, to erase the darkness in your heart.' she declared. Meian's eyes widened and the flames increased in intensity for a split second. Then he laughed.

'You think you can do such a thing? Give up, few have tried and all have failed. I hold much more hate than you know, and your father is only a small fraction of it.'

'I won't give up Meian. Don't you worry big guy.' Temari nearly laughed.


It was around midnight, and a certain Uchiha was fast asleep. There was a loud knock at the door and his onyx eyes shot open.

'Damn, just who could it be this late at night?' he snarled, making his way to the door. There was another knock, and it sounded more concerned. The Uchiha smoothed his hair back and tried his best not to look half dead as he opened the door to find four individuals whom he knew quite well. They all exhaled.

"Thank Kami you're fine."

"Kakashi, what's the meaning of this?" Sasuke demanded, not moving.

"May we come in? It's very important. It's got to do with your... situation." Kakashi whispered. Sasuke's eyes widened and he stepped aside to let the jonin into his home.

"Don't expect me to play host. I'm not fixing anyone anything. Now talk." Sasuke said, plopping down on his sofa.

"Orochimaru, he's coming back."

"That bastard! How dare he show his face again?"

"We have every reason to believe his target, well at least one of his targets, is you, since you possess the Sharingan. We are simply here to keep watch over you. From now on, you shall be with a jonin level shinobi or higher at all times. We cannot allow you to fall into their hands."

"Hah, like I'd be stupid enough to go. Why would I let him take me anyways? To gain this power he spoke of? I don't need anyone to get stronger. I'm doing fine, although a stronger technique wouldn't hurt."

"Oh, I'll teach you some. Right after the prelims are over." Kakashi said, wondering if Sasuke was lying in anyway. When he discerned he wasn't, he stood. "Well then, guess that's all. We'll be here until further notice, but it'll be like we aren't even here." Kakashi said, and the four teachers disappeared, not giving Sasuke a chance to argue.

'Stupid jonin.'


Yes! Another one out of the way. Honestly, I'm really glad this is over with now. Time to focus on the main storyline now. Please review, the little button down there will not bite. I promise. And I apologize if the fight scenes aren't to your liking. Frankly, I don't consider myself to be the best at them, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Be looking forward to the resume of the exams, because they're coming. And I may switch up the matches, to make it more unpredictable. Should I? Let me know.