Okay really big warning, this chapter is completely unbeta'd. (5/22/07) Beta'd

(5/22/07) Three words, "summer school" and "Vog". Luckily my friend who also reads this story volunteered to help. Thank you! This means bad news as well, sorry, it'll be six weeks till summer school is over T.T and you know the drill. It will be very difficult for me to update until then. I also promised to write stories for my beta readers as payment for their work, a NarutoXHinata and a GaaraXHinata. Since I won't be able to spend long hours on the computer editing my chapters (I won't release chapters if I haven't spent at least a couple hours editing it.). So expect at least a moderate amount of updates starting then, along with a one shot and a new story (if they let me post them).

(5/22/07) Okay, you can review now :D Please do, remember, I don't mind if you just let me know that you're there :) Oh, right,

darkmaster445? Sorry, I tried reply to your review, but the email wouldn't go through for some reason.

Big apologies to everyone, but my beta readers have all gone asleep and I did promise to get the next chapter up by tonight. (I've really got to stop making these promises -.-"). If you don't mind the wait, then the final version of this chapter will be up tomorrow night.

Otherwise read at your own risk!

Quick thanks to:

dewprism56

SSJ2 PikaFlash

XHonokaxkh

burnstar

Tri-Edge of the Azure Flame…

Danimals21

Lonniet84

I really loved reading your reviews:) I promise to reply to them tomorrow right after I repost this chapter.

AuroraStarPhoenix: Hoshiakari quick the disclaimer!

Hoshiakari: But you're not even done yet!

AuroraStarPhoenix: I know but we have to do it no matter what.

Hoshiakari: Okay, I think we all know that AuroraStarPhoenix-san owns nothing but me and Kankuro-jisan's new puppet, Harinezume. I'd say the usual read and review, but since this isn't the final one I guess you can review that when you read it :D

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"normal speech"

"spoken by everyone in the area"

'thoughts'

'thoughts of the other people in response to the previous speaker'

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Next day….

Kotetsu sat on the low wooden platform beside a little girl clad entirely in white. Judging from the way she had both her mask and hood up, the chuunin concluded that there was going to be some excitement in a few moments. Leaning back on his arms, he shared an amused look with his partner who was propped up against one of the posts. The other chuunin's right eye twinkled and he shifted his position to reach down to scratch the ninken's ears. "So, Hoshi-chan, who are you up against today?"

Eyes hidden by darkened lens rose to meet his gaze as small childish hands continued to give the dog a nice backrub. "Temari-bachan and Kankuro-jisan. They should be here soon."

Izumo resumed his slouching position against the post and chuckled. "Well don't forget to tell us all about it when it's over."

"Kay!"

The two men continued to enjoy the last moments of a peaceful afternoon and watching over the little child from the future. The Suna siblings were due to arrive soon and they couldn't wait to see what the little kunoichi had in store for them.

Hoshiakari had moved on to give the ninken a nice scratch behind the ears when two shadows appeared in front of the check-in stand. Looking up, she saw her two opponents of the day and sighed. Standing up she dusted off her cape and patted the dog on the head. "Is it time already?"

Smirking, the two nodded.

Kotetsu and Izumo watched amusedly as their young companion made the small leap off the platform to confront her newest prey. "Kay, but can we have a time limit? I'm kinda tired and I needs to get up early for my mission tomorrow."

Ignoring her brother's silent plea, the blonde kunoichi nodded. "How long should this last?"

Hoshiakari pretended to think it over as she scratched her hood-covered head. "Think you can catch me in an hour?"

Temari, being the strategist of the group, sized up the little girl. She finally concluded that it would be difficult to catch the girl in a direct attack. They couldn't just hand over the doll to the girl and if she agreed to the short time limit, little shortstop here was sure to suspect something. In addition, while they were expected to put up a fight, it would only be a waste of charka if it dragged on too long, and Kankuro needed all of his strength if he was to remotely retrieve Harinezumi later. "Two."

Hoshiakari nodded and the two females continued to ignore the furiously objecting puppet-nin in the background. "Done!"

Unused to having to negotiate the terms of battle beforehand, the opponents stood there staring uneasily at one another. Neither side knew how to begin this game. Moments past, and it would have been completely silent if not for the chirping of the birds and the soft snickering of the two guards. Finally, the little girl spoke up. "10 second head start?"

Relieved, Temari nodded.

"Okay, Ja ne Kotetsu-jisan, Izumo-jisan!" Giving a small wave to the two chuckling guards, the white figure vanished in a puff of smoke to the astonishment of the two siblings.

Angrily, Temari clenched her fist as she realized that it was only a kage bunshin. "Get her!"

The two quickly ran off in pursuit of their target.

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"Come out come out, gaki" The puppet-nin called out softly as he opened the door of a room. He had seen her run into this inn and followed her up to the third floor. Tiptoeing stealthily down the hallway, he continued his search, trying to flush out the prey. "Kankuro-jisan isn't going to hurt you 'much…'…we just want to take your picture…that's all."

He peered into a small room to find it empty. Carefully checking it twice, he then cautiously closed the door soundlessly and moved onto the next hotel room. The muffled sound of a door closing had him instantly turning around. Tiptoeing softly, he moved towards it and reached for the doorknob. He had barely touched it when he heard another soft click. Puzzled, Kankuro turned around again just in time to see a piece of white cloth disappear behind a red door. 'Gotcha!' The Suna-nin grinned as he quickly moved to open the door.

-click-

Another door opened. Believing the sound to be just another tenant entering his or her room, he ignored it and concentrated on his destination.

"Kankuro-jisan? What are you doing?"

The puppet master of Suna looked back to see the little girl wave tauntingly at him before shutting the door. He quickly ran to the door only to hear another door open behind him.

"Over here Kankuro-jisan!"

The jounin once again turned around and saw the little girl now on the other side of the hallway. 'How'd she get there so fast?' He was about to take a step towards that door when the one to his right opened. He looked down to see her waving up at him. Kankuro quickly leaped for her only to have the door slammed in his purple-makeup face.

In an instant, the other doors in the hotel began randomly opening and closing. Each time, a Hoshiakari could be seen either smiling widely and waving, or calling out to him in her high childish voice. 'Shadow clones…' The confused shinobi could only stand in the hallway and watch as the girl played a round of Hoshiakari-in-the-hotel-rooms with him. 'We're wasting time…now where was that little shrimp' "Aaargh!!!" Kankuro randomly grabbed the nearest doorknob and slammed it open. "Gotcha!"

What he found was a young woman. (A/N: oooh, this is gonna be painful…) "AAAAHHHHH!!!! THIEF!!!!"

Kankuro looked up to see a various objects being thrown at him. He quickly brought his arms up in defense. "No! Wait, madam it's all just a mistake!"

Unfortunately the lady was not listening. "AAAAHHH!!! THIEF!!!"

Utilizing every shinobi skill he ever learned, the jounin began dodging the larger objects hurled out of the room. The puppet-nin began rethinking the pros and cons of his habit of constantly walking around looking like a cat burglar as he ducked to avoid decapitation by a hand mirror. After one lamp later, followed by the lamp stand, a bar of soap, a chair and the table that went with it, Kankuro was sure that there was nothing else left in the room the insane woman could throw at him. He was wrong. The middle child of the Suna siblings looked up just in time to see a bed flying towards him. 'I really hate kids…' (A/N: That's gonna hurt…)

Kankuro pushed the heavy furniture aside and quickly ran down the hallway looking for an escape.

"Kankuro-jisan! Quick in here!" Once inside the room, he turned to the little girl and smirked. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that it isn't smart to aid the enemy?"

"You're right." Hoshiakari ran into the adjoining room and onto the balcony. "Ja ne Kankuro-jisan!" Kankuro ran to the railings to see her land on Temari's fan.

A grin crossed his face. "We got her!"

About to leap off the balcony after them, he was suddenly dragged back by his collar. The Suna-nin looked up to find himself surround by two ANBU and one furious hotel guest. "That's the one sir! He was the one trying to sneak into my room!"

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Temari smirked at the little indigo-head in front of her, "Well well, what do we have here…Now why don't you turn around and give Temari-bachan a look at those pretty little eyes."

The little girl turned around and the blonde-haired teen was surprised to see the trademark Byakugan veins on the girl's temples.

"If I can't use my chakra then we'll both crash." She warned.

"Wakatta." The child chirped happily. A little too happily. Temari watched in shock as the young genin stood up and jumped off the fan. "Ja ne!"

The blonde teen turned around to see her victim hanging on a street lamp and missed the oncoming watermelon cart.

CRAAAASSHHH!!!

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Having finally convinced the authorities that he was not a thief, Kankuro went off in search of his neesan, silently thanking his brother for vouching for his innocence. He didn't have to look far. The puppet-nin watched as his sister lay sprawled on the ground among a heap of broken melons while a little off, Hoshiakari released her hold on the street pole and landed gracefully on the ground.

The little girl took a few tentative steps towards the dazed kunoichi and called out worriedly, "Mari-bachan? Daijoubu desu ka!"

"Grrrr…" Temari glared at the two white figures spinning before her eyes.

"okay…uhhh… I think that's a yes." The girl quickly turned on her heel and ran away.

Snickering, Kankuro slowly strolled up to his sister to lend her a hand. Seeing her look somewhat disoriented, he held up two fingers. "Oy Temari, how many fingers am I holding up."

She knocked his hand away irritably. "Kankuro! She's getting away!"

"Well sorry for worrying about you!" He retorted a bit hurt and the two then began their daily sibling battle.

"She's getting away." Temari and Kankuro stopped in mid-bicker to see their brother paying off the irate vendor.

Finished with his errand, Gaara raised a non-existent eyebrow at his siblings before turning around to leave. "By the way, you have 30 minutes left."

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30 minutes later…

Walking down the street wearily, Kankuro and Temari searched for the little troublemaker. In Kankuro's hand was the beautiful wooden doll. "Don't know why we can't just get Gaara to hold the kid still for us," he grumbled.

Tired, Temari wished they could do just that. The little girl had led them through so many traps and obstacles that the kunoichi wondered if they could use her in the next chuunin exam. Forget the forest of death, all they had to do was let the little midget loose on the genin and that alone was guaranteed to cut the number of applicants in half. "You know he likes her." she reminded him, "He may not show it but the kid actually amuses him"

"Well what about us? We're his siblings! Whatever happened to family loyalty?!" The puppet master complained loudly. He still owed the little twerp for the incident with the water bucket trap that caused his special make-up to smear, and with luck, this doll was going to help them get even.

The two paused their conversation as they saw the little girl running towards them. "Okay, two hours over! Remember your promise!"

Temari smiled indulgently, "Hai, don't worry, we remember. You're going to be a very good shinobi one day Hoshi-chan. It's not often that someone outsmarts Kankuro and me. Isn't that right Kankuro?"

She looked out of the corner of her eye to see her brother's still scowling face and gave him a sharp nudge in the ribs. "Isn't that right Kankuro?"

Pasting a smile on his face, the puppet-nin agreed with his elder sister.

The blonde turned back to the girl. "And as a reward, your Kankuro-jiisan has something special for you."

"You did? Really?" Happily, the little girl began hopping in place.

"Yep, it's right here, your ojisan worked very hard on it" Temari said as Kankuro gave her the present smiling.

Hoshiakari took one look at the doll and instantly fell in love. "Oh! Kirei!"

"Arigatoo Kankuro-jisan!" She exclaimed elatedly bowing.

'Wait a minute… I thought Kanki-jisan hated kids..is it a trap' Hoshiakari began eyeing them suspiciously. "Temari-bachan, Kankuro-jiisan? How'd you know that I was going to win? Is this a trwick?"

Temari frantically waved her hands before her as she tried to salvage the situation. "No,no,no! We were planning to give it to you even if you lost, as a welcoming present. What's wrong, don't you like it?" She asked.

The child took another glance at the extremely tempting doll. "I do... it's just that… I thought Kankuro-jisan didn't like me."

Temari silently begged her brother to not screw up the mission. Feeling the pressure, Kankuro looked at the sunglass-wearing midget uneasily. "W-what gave you that idea?"

'How dumb do they think I am?' Hoshiakari made a face behind her mask and sunglasses. "Remember in Tsunade-baachan's office?"

Trying to hold onto his abnormally large smile, the puppeteer tried for an easy answer. "Well that was then."

"Huh?"

Temari thought fast "What Kankuro is trying to say is that you made Gaara smile, and for that we are grateful. He doesn't smile much, you know."

Kankuro forced the smile to remain on his face and gritted his teeth. "Please just take the doll."

Hidden, Gaara silently chuckled at his siblings' discomfort.

"Oh okay," Hoshiakari reached out to receive her present. Taking a firm hold of the toy, she tried to take it. "Uhhh…Kankuro-jisan, it's okay you can let go now…"

Keeping her own smile on, Temari hissed at her brother. "Kankuro give her the doll."

The doll's creator forced himself to pry his fingers off his precious invention.

The girl eagerly hugged the doll close, "Domo arigatoo Kankuro-jisan, Temari-bachan! What's her name?"

"Harinezumi"

'Hedgehog' Redlights flashed in her mind. Not once showing her true thoughts, Hoshiakari thanked the two siblings again and ran off to deal with her new gift.

The two teenagers gave sigh of relief as they saw the small cape flutter around a corner. Then in unison, they turned to glare at the shadows in disgust. "Gaara you can stop laughing now."

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Back at the Hyuuga compound, Hoshiakari sat in her room analyzing the doll. 'It could be a trap…maybe I should test it…' The little girl had no idea how to test the doll for traps without offending the two siblings. Knowing the purpose of their mission, there was probably a camera or something hidden in it. It would be hard to give a reason for removing her new toy's head. 'Although…it'd be hard for them to say how they knew what I was doing to Harinezumi too.'

However, Hoshiakari didn't want to take that particular risk. 'Knowing Temari-bachan, she probably already has an excuse.' She continued to stare at the doll from behind her sunglasses. 'Demo… it's so pretty!'

'I know I'll take it to Neji-jisan! He'll know what to do!', Hoshiakari grabbed the doll and ran off in search of her uncle.

'Wait what if there's a microphone in this too…' The young child stopped herself from completing the thought. 'boy I'm getting paranoid…' She looked at the doll again. 'Oh well better safe then sorry!"

Spotting her aunt writing at a desk in the office, she went over, "Hanabi-bachan?"

"Hai, Hoshiakari?" The pre-teen looked up questioningly.

Hoshiakari gave the doll to her aunt. "Can you watch Harinezumi for a minute? I forgot to do something."

Giving her niece a strange look, Hanabi hesitantly took the doll. "Hai…"

"Arigatoo!" yelled Hoshiakari as she sped off. She soon discovered the Hyuuga prodigy training in the courtyard.

Seeing his niece, Neji walked over to greet her. "So how did it go today Hoshi?"

"It's not over yet Neji-jisan. I think Temari-bachan and Kankuro-jisan had another trap for me." Hoshiakari confided. "Neji-jisan can you help me?"

Sitting down on the porch, the ANBU gave his niece an inquiring look. "Okay."

"Well," the little girl began, "Kankuro-jisan and Temari-bachan gave me a really pretty doll and I think it's a trap, but I can't prove it cause it might have a hiddn camra or somethin."

Neji smiled, "Well, let's seen then, where is the doll now?"

"With Hanabi-bachan,"

Immediately conceiving a plan, the Hyuuga prodigy smirked evilly. He shared his idea with his little niece and in no time, Hoshiakari had a smile on her face as well. "Now, why don't you go get little Harinezumi?"

Giggling, the child ran to obey her uncle's orders. "Hai, Neji-jisan!"

Returning a few moments later, she handed the doll over. "Here you go Neji-jisan."

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Meanwhile back at the Suna Sibling Headquarters…

The two worriedly listened as their spying device was handed over to the ANBU.

Temari tensed as she saw him carefully checking the doll. 'If he finds out… then it's all over…'

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Hyuuga Compound….

Neji casually checked the doll over. "Hoshi, this doll is very well-made; we need to be extra carefully with it."

"Hai", she replied happily.

'Time to make them squirm…' Neji began his game. "After all we wouldn't want to break or damage it would we?"

Back at the hotel, Kankuro had a bad premonition. He did not like where this conversation was headed.

Hoshiakari nodded agreeing with her uncle's every word.

Satisfied, he continued. "And considering that you're a shinobi many things could happen if you were to always keep it with you."

Desperately keeping a straight and solemn face, Hinata's daughter agreed.

"I mean what if it fell in the river." He stated meaningfully, "or what if it gets hit with a stray explosive tag, and if I'm not mistaken, capturing Tora(1) is still a traditional genin mission is it."

The white hooded figure nodded vigorously.

Kankuro began gnawing at his fingers. 'Stay calm Kankuro, he's only making assumptions. There's no need to worry.'

"Also, accidents happen, if you're not careful, the parts might wear off over time." Neji gave his niece a serious stare. "A broken leg here, a detached arm there."

In the Suna sibling's hotel room, Kankuro was enraged at the insults hurled at his work of art. "I spent days putting her together! She's flawless!"

Back at the Hyuuga compound Neji and his niece were far from finished with their little act.

"A careless person could accidentally knock it off a shelf." He went on. "For example, just the other day one of the servants accidentallybumped into the table and shattered your kaasan's vase."

Kankuro stared at the screen incredulously. 'I thought everyone in the Hyuuga household had the Byakugan?! How can they accidentally bump into anything!?!?'

"Demo…" Hoshiakari protested, "Neji-jisan, kaasan said that she was only standing in for Mari-san who was sick, and there was no one else to take her place. The job agency did say sowry."

"And what would happen if Mari-san becomes ill again." The ANBU shook his head dismissingly.

"Not to mention that it's made out of wood…" he trailed off suggestively. Pretending to be deep in thought, he began fingering the doll's arms. His eyes brightened as an idea popped in his head. "Although that might be useful in survival training..."

Hidden from the doll's viewpoint, Hoshiakari rolled on the grass covering her mouth to silence her laughter.

His eyes now gleaming, Neji moved on to study the doll's hair. "The material of this hair is quite strong. It could easily be substituted for rope in times of emergency."

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Meanwhile….

"Nooooooooo!" Kankuro screamed as he made an attempt fly out the door and rescue his puppet

"Kankuro, get a hold of yourself! He's only trying to get into your head! They're doing it on purpose!" Yelled Temari as she held him back.

Kankuro burst into tears "They going to use my puppet as firewood!" He wailed. "That crazy over practical Hyuuga wants to take Harinezumi apart and use her for survival training!!!"

"It's just a puppet!"

"JUST A PUPPET!?!?" Kankuro whirled on his sister indignantly. She dared to called one of his greatest achievements just a mere puppet?! "How about we give her your fan and let's see what you'll say!" he shot back. Shaking her off, he dashed to the door. "Hang on precious! Daddy's coming!"

"This is getting embarrassing." Temari's eye twitched rapidly as she tackled her brother.

Pinning him down, she turned to her other brother. "Gaara don't just stand there smirking, help me!"

Amused aquamarine eyes coolly stared back at her. "No." Crossing his arms, Gaara leaned back to enjoy the show. (A/N: Whoa evil little brother ne?)

By now, unable to get free, the puppet-nin was on the ground sobbing miserably. "That was one of my best work too…it took me weeks to find the material for her dress…and those eyes…." he broke off with a hiccup. "…I spent hours just getting the perfect shade…"

Temari sighed giving up. It was already obvious that the little girl was onto them. They might as well go retrieve the doll before her brother succeeded in embarrassing himself further. "Come on, let's go check on your puppet"

Trying to recompose himself, Kankuro followed his sister out the door. "I really, really hate kids."

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"Hoshiakari-sama, some people are here to see you."

Hoshiakari looked up to see Temari and Kankuro behind the Hyuuga guard. "Arigatoo, ojisan."

She walked to them smiling innocently, "Temari-bachan, Kankuro-jisan! Konbanwa!"

Seeing her act as if she had spent the last hour with her evil scheming uncle plan the demise of one of his treasured puppet made Kankuro snap. "Don't Kankuro-jisan me gaki! What have you done to Harinezumi?!" He screamed.

Glancing at her nervous wreck of a brother, Temari elbowed him before turning a nervous smile to Hoshiakari, "What he means is that we hope you liked the doll we gave you."

Hoshiakari's smile widened. "Hai, she was very pretty."

Kankuro's heart skipped a beat as he faintly confirmed his worse fears. "Was?"

"Hai, Neji-jisan said that one of joints was loose and that he'd fix it for me." The little girl explained.

At that moment, the person being discussed arrived at the door. "Hoshiakari, it is time for supper. Ah, Temari-san, Kankuro-san, Konbanwa. Sumimasen, we were not expecting guests."

Kankuro's eyes were glued on the ANBU as he casually removed a wooden toothpick from his mouth. His poor nerves couldn't take it any more. The others watched as the Kazekage's older brother roll his eyes upward and slumped to the ground unconscious.

Hoshiakari gazed down worriedly at one of the Suna's elite shinobi. "uhhh… Kankuro-jisan?" She looked back up at her partner in crime. "I think we overdid it Neji-jisan."

"Hn."

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(1) Tora is the Fire Lord wife's pet cat who is always escaping. It seems that the cat has escaped so many times that it's like a rite of passage for every genin team to get a mission in capturing it. The cat is also dangerous and likes to claw at the unlucky person who does catch it.