Sorry for the wait, my charger crapped out on me, and then I was gone for a week. I hope this looong chapter makes up for it!! Review at the end please! Thanks!

Chapter 9, Saying Goodbye, But Not Forever.

"Kira? Kira, wake up." I sighed and slowly opened my eyes to see Sakura smiling down at me. I sat up in the bed and stretched my arms over my head.

"What's going on?" I asked, rubbing sleep from my eyes. I had another bad dream, and slept like crap. Not to mention I was freezing all night long.

"You were talking in your sleep." She whispered, sitting down next to me. "Are you okay?"

Great... I'm hoping I didn't say anything that I don't want them to know. They don't need to worry about me, I can handle it myself. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was nothing, just a nightmare." I gave her a small smile and brushed my bangs out of my eyes. "What time is it?" I asked with a yawn.

Sakura glanced out the window that had the curtains pulled back, letting the morning sunshine in. "About ten." She said, looking back at me. "Temari almost has breakfast done. She wants you to wake up now, so that you can eat with us. My team is leaving for our village once sunset comes along." She walked back over to the door and smiled before she shut it behind her.

Okay, so they are leaving... where am I going? Am I going with them, or staying here in this place with Temari and Gaara, oh and I can't forget about the oh so loving Kankuro! I think I might want to stay here... because I like Temari, she's a strong women, and I think that it would be fun to hang around with her all the time. Gaara probably wont want me to be around him all day, and I don't want to be around Kankuro, I'm afraid he might try to pull something on me. But, if I go back with the others, then I can be with Hinata, Sakura, and Ino. And maybe even Kakashi will let me hang around with him. I know that Naruto would want to hang around with me, and maybe Kiba, but I don't really know the others all that much.

I don't know what to do. I'm so confused. Maybe I will just take a shower and then go eat some breakfast, clear my head a little. I don't really like the thought of everyone leaving me. Not again.

"Kira, take a seat anywhere." Ino said, placing plates on the long table that was in the kitchen.

"Do you need help?" I asked, reaching for the last of the plates. She smiled and handed them to me, before she started putting out the forks and knifes.

Soon all of the others were in the room chatting happily. All but Gaara, who is no where to be seen. We all sat down and started eating without him. But Temari was putting food on a plate and setting it aside, most likely for him. Ino was talking with Shikamaru and Choji about the trip home, and how much she can't wait to get back. Sakura was agreeing with her, and so was Naruto and Kiba. Hinata ate silently and kept her eyes down on her plate. Kiba and Kankuro started talking loudly about something or other, but I'm really not paying attention. Where is Gaara? I thought Temari said that we all have to eat together, or not at all. Yet she is saving a plate for him.

Once breakfast was over, again without Gaara even making an appearance, I went upstairs to clean up and change into some clean clothing. Temari gave me a dress like thing that she said she used to wear when she was younger them me, but I'm small for a girl my age. It's a blue color with a white area that goes over my middle. It's short, but she gave me mesh shorts to put under it. Then when I came out of the room, she smiled and pulled me into her bedroom.

"Turn around." she commanded.

I did as told and then felt her rapping something around my stomach, and when I looked down she was tying a red sash around me, making it into a large bow in the back.

"There, its perfect on you!" She smiled. I smiled back and fixed my pony tail, pushing my bangs to the side of my face. "Why don't you let your hair down?"

"I never take my hair down, and would never in this heat." I laughed softly. She nodded in understanding, then we both went back downstairs with the others.

I went over and sat next to Hinata on the couch, she is watching some show that talks only in Japanese. Some man with a really long sword is killing some monster that is running rampage in the city they are in... wait a minute.. How the heck do they have Bleach?! There's that girl with the black hair, putting her glove on her hand. How the heck... this is weird. Anne used to watch this show all the time. What other TV shows do they get that I would know about? I grabbed the remote from Hinata and started flipping through the channels. They have all of them! Even Sponge Bob! Just in a Japanese form. Like his pineapple house has a Japanese style door, the one that slides and stuff.

"Something wrong?" Temari asked, taking the remote from my hands and shutting off the TV set.

"This is weird." I whispered, shaking my head. The two girls looked at me oddly for a few seconds. "It's nothing, just thinking about something."

"Mmhmm... Well, I'm bringing Gaara his food, and I want you to come with me so that we can go shopping for some new clothes for you after." She turned around and walked into the kitchen and returned with the plate of food she had set to the side earlier. "Come on."

I got up and followed her out to where our shoes are, then out of the house. The heat of the day is strong, and I'm so glad that my hair is up. My bangs are sticking to my skin as it is, but if my hair was done... then that wouldn't be good. Not many people are out, only a few here and there going into stores or coming out. They probably are trying to stay out of the sun, knowing how hot out it is. He huge temperature drop at night is kind of odd. It's so hot out during the day, then freezing cold at night. Opposites. I never knew that the weather could just change so rapidly like that.

A few kids ran around us kicking around a beat up looking ball. But they are having fun, and thats all that matters. I smiled as I watched them, the hurried to catch up with Temari. The buildings here are almost as big as the ones in New York, if not a little bigger. But they are no where nears as beautiful on the outside. They are all the same color, the color of sand, and they all look the same. All but the huge tower in front of us that towers over all the other buildings, making them look small. That building had a Japanese style roof, in a red color, and the rest of the building is the sand color. Windows dot along one the very top, all look very dark because of the sun creating shadows. I followed Temari up into it, getting blasted with cold air the second we were inside. I smiled and slowly walked behind Temari, looking around a little bit.

The place is a little boring, but still has its own taste. The floors are tile, just like in Temari's house. Walls look to be made of wood, though. A very deep mahogany color, its very nice. Temari lead me all the way to the very top, I only know because it took so long, and there were so many steps! I don't think I ever want to come to Gaara's office again... it takes to long to climb the stairs.

Temari knocked on two large doors at the end of the hall, waiting until a muffled voice came. "Gaara, I brought you your breakfast." She said, entering and walking in, leaving the door open for me. I walked in and silently shut it, turning around slowly. "Eat up, you need your strength."

"Whoa..." I whispered to myself, looking around the biggest office I have ever seen. The ones in New York aren't even this big! It's huge! But oddly empty. Only a black leather couch against one wall, then a desk and the chair Gaara is sitting in fill the room. The rest is open space. My eyes met Gaara's for a split second, before he looked down at the food that was set in front of him.

"Thank you, Temari." He mumbled, and started eating a few bites, still looking over a few papers that sat in front of him. "What are you doing after you leave?" He asked, setting the paper down and glancing at his sister who was sitting down on the couch. I stood by the door, looking at the two siblings uneasily. Why do I feel so out of place here? Oh, yeah, thats right. Because I'm not from this world!

"Taking her shopping for some clothes. I'm glad that she fits in my old stuff, or she would have had to wear those dirty ones again." Temari waved her hand at me as she inspected her nails. Gaara's eyes glanced at me, and traveled down my body before he looked back at his plate.

"Watch her well."

"I know." Temari stood and walked back over to me. "Well, lets get going. It's going to be really hot soon, and I don't want you to barbecue on your first day here." She smiled and lead me from the room. I glanced at Gaara one more time, meeting his eyes, before Temari shut the doors.

We walked through the crowd, Temari talking about all of the different stores that we could go in, and asking what I like to wear. I stayed silent, just looking around me. All of the stores are nothing like the ones that are back home! There is a store that is totally devoted to weapons, and nothing else! I mean, yeah, we have gun stores and stuff, but this store is just creepy! Temari grabbed my arm and pulled me into one of the clothing stores, and started looking through racks. I sighed a small sigh and started looking at them too, no harm in trying to please her. I noticed that I've gotten many stares from people passing by, men and women. I need to watch what I do and say, I don't want everyone to hate me because of one stupid mistake. I don't want another accident to happen anytime soon. I can live without them ever happening again.

"Try this!" Temari grabbed my arm and shoved me behind a curtain, along with an armful of clothing. "Hurry, I want to see them!" She called, then I heard her footsteps retreating.

I sighed and set all of the items down, then started talking off the dress that I am wearing. I really do like it, but it's a little short for my liking. I grabbed a long sleeve mesh shirt and pulled it on, along with a belly shirt that is a golden color and sparkles. After I put back on the shorts made from mesh, then pulled on a mini black skirt and looked at it in the full length mirror. I like the two shirts, but I'm not sure about the skirt. I took it off and put on a pair of Capri pants that are black. A lot like the ones Hinata wears, but maybe a little shorter. It looks good, but I still don't like the bottoms.

"Are you done?" Temari asked from the other side of the curtain. I pulled it back and showed her, turning in a small circle.

"I don't like the pants, though." I whispered, patting them down in a way that made them feel a little better on my legs.

"I know just the thing!" She was gone, then back in a flash. "Try this." She handed me a golden skirt, one that matches the shirt. "Put on those mesh shorts if you want." I nodded and went back into the changing room, pulling the curtain closed.

I did as she said, then pulled on the skirt. I've never really been a big fan of skirts, but I like this one. It looks perfect! I smiled and pushed the curtain to the side to smile at Temari. "I like it."

"Me, too."

Temari bought me a few sets of the same outfit, then we were on our way again. She pulled me into a tea house and made me kneel on the cushion across from her, while she ordered. I told her that I've never had tea before, and she wants me to try it. I guess having tea is a big thing here, everyone likes it. I don't think anyone back home drank tea, mom used to say it was the most disgusting thing on earth. Well, that was until she tried a maple syrup and peanut butter sandwich. Which, personally, I think is pretty good. A women wearing an odd looking dress set to small cups down in front of us, then smiled and left.

"Try it." Temari picked up her cup, and I copied her, making sure to do everything she does. I don't want to do something wrong and disrespect someone or something. She carefully lifted it to her lips and gave it a small blow, me doing the same. We both took a small sip at the same time.

I believe my mother now.

I set the cup down and pushed it away from me a little, trying not to let the disgust that I feel show on my face. I think I failed at it though, for Temari burst out laughing.

"It's okay that you don't like it, Kira." She still laughed. "Not everybody does." A smirk was on her face as she took another small sip. "But, this is the best place you will ever taste tea. I have never had better then they serve at this place."

"Then I will never try it again." I whispered, trying to smile a little.

After Temari finished her tea, we went back to the house, where Sakura and Ino made me go change into the new clothes Temari got me. So, I did, not wanting to get hit like Naruto and Kankuro had been for fighting last night. Those girls scare me a little, but I know Sakura doesn't mean any harm, still not to sure about Ino though. I think she might enjoy other peoples pain. After the girls stopped telling me how wonderful I look in the gold and black, I went to help Temari with lunch. I really don't like people telling me that I'm beautiful, it makes me feel funny.

"Do you know how to cook?" Temari asked, chopping up some odd looking thing. I don't even know which food group to put it in!

"Yes. But not with this stuff." I said, pointing to the food that was waiting to be cut up.

"Okay, well, take over the chopping. Just cut it all small, diced like, and I do the rest." I nodded and took the knife from her.

I just kind of stared at the knife in my hands, the memory of me stabbing Gaara coming to mind. I dropped the knife and gripped the counter top, taking deep breaths. I need to forget. Why can't I just forget everything that happened that night? I want to, so badly. I could feel Temari's eyes on me, but she didn't speak. I am very grateful for that, I probably would have broken down if she would have ask me what was wrong. I pushed everything to the back of my mind, and locked it away. It's best if I deal with it when I am alone, not when people are around to see me.

I picked up the knife slowly, and took hold of the cold feeling thing and started cutting it. It cuts like a carrot, the feeling of the blade slicing it is what makes me think that its like a carrot. I continued cutting, not talking or looking up. I have a weapon in my hands now, I need to keep my cool and not get scared if someone walks into the room. They may never trust me if I attack someone because they want a glass of water. Once I was done cutting everything that was there, I picked up the board that I cut it all on and brought it over to the pan that Temari was cooking some kind of meat in.

"Just put it in the pan." She said, motioning to the pan in front of her.

I pushed all of it into the pan, which responded with a nice sizzling sound. I smiled and put the board back. Temari stirred and tossed the contents of the pan and hummed while she did so. Maybe someday I can be that carefree again. Temari looks like a very good cook, I'm hoping that she will teach me how to cook with this type of food. There is some stuff that I recognize, but it looks different from the ones that we have back home. And it smells so much better then that fruit and meat I've had for the last few months. The breakfast I had this morning was mouth watering. Even those small chips from last night!

"Kira?" I glanced over my shoulder to see Hinata coming in, a soft smile on her lips. "I want you to come with me for awhile, at least until Temari is done cooking. I want you to practice using the water like you did before." I swallowed hard and nodded.

"Be back in about an hour!" Temari called after us, adding some spice to the food.

Hinata took me to a big building that was a square shape. We climbed up a really, really, really tall ladder to get to the top, and what I saw made me gasp. The building's roof was sliding open, showing water. The whole thing was full of just water, probably the cities whole water supply is in this one tower.

"I had to get permission from Kazekage-sama for you to be able to practice here." She glanced over at the Kazekage tower and waved. I looked over to see a single figure standing on the roof, red hair blowing in the wind. I smiled and waved also, then looked back at the fully exposed water. "Now, I want you to try and lift some of this water." She waved her hand out at the, I have no idea how many tons, or water.

"O-okay." I said, taking a deep breath. If I remember correctly, I was thinking about all of my friends, may they rest in peace, when I moved the water last time. I don't want to think about them right now, I'm trying to forget. My best friend now would have to be Hinata or Temari. I started thinking about them, and how much I am going to miss Hinata and the others when they leave, but how much fun I will have with Temari and her family. Family. My family. My mom, my older brother, and my younger sister. A picture of my little sisters smiling face as she waved goodbye filled my head.

"Bye Kira! I love you, hurry back and have fun!" Her laugh filled my ears, then the laugh of my older brother as he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, calling me a fair well. Mom's voice scolding him for tormenting Savanna, the last memory I have of them.

I lifted my hands to my face to wipe away the silent tears running from my eyes. When I opened them, water was rising. I lifted my hands up above my head and moved them around. It's like I have puppet strings connected to the water, that's what it feels like. With every move, every twitch of my finger, the water goes a different way. I made it be still in the air, it looking like a untied ribbon. I focused on trying to make the water move with my mind, commanding it to do what I want. Slowly, slower then anything, it started moving, twirling around itself. I let a little smile come to my lips as I lowered my hands, staring at the water intently, trying to make it stay up with just my mind.

So far, so good. The water is staying in the air with my hands by my sides, and it is moving to what I want, even though it is going slower then anything. I can still feel the tears slowly making their way down both of my cheeks, but I don't dare to wipe them. I want to concentrate as much as I can. I can feel my energy draining, just like when I was running and trying to push myself with the wind. But its a lot slower feeling, like it doesn't take as much out of me to use water then it does wind. I can feel the sun beating down on me as if it was trying to push me over. Sweat trickles down the side of my face, and arms, I'm not sure I can stand this much longer. I'm starting to feel completely drained. Either the water is getting heavier, or my concentration is slipping. I have to put my arms back up to keep the water afloat. I'm not going to be able to hold it much longer, drips are already falling from it.

"Put it down easily." Hinata whispered.

I had forgot all about her being next to me, so it startled me a little when she spoke. I slowly brought my arms down, moving them in a flowing motion to get the water to lay flat without splashing to much. Once all of the water was down, my knees buckled on me and I fell to my hands and knees, panting hard. I wiped my face with my arm to remove the sweat, but mostly the tears that still lingered on my skin.

"Are you alright?" Hinata asked softly, lightly putting her hand on my back as she knelt down next to me. I nodded and took long deep breaths, trying to get a little energy back. At this rate, I'm sure I will even be able to stand up without help. She gave a small gasp and her hand was gone from my back.

A large hand wrapped around my upper arm and lifted me up to my feet, I came face to face with Gaara. I just stared, not really all here right now. I think the water took some of my brain with it. In one fluid motion I found myself on Gaara's back, and him and Hinata were jumping down, the water being covered back up. I sighed and let myself rest against Gaara, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.

How long has he been running? His heart couldn't be beating that fast from just coming over to the water tower from his tower... Oh well, I'm to tired to figure it out...

– –

"Why do you have to go?" I asked in a whisper, watching Hinata pack her bag from the bed. She looked at me with a small smile.

"I need to go home." Then she folded one of her shirts and put it in the bag. "But I will visit soon, I promise. When ever I get the chance, I will come see you." She came over after slinging her bag over her shoulder and gave me a hug.

I nodded, still the sadness filled my heart. Hinata is my best friend now, I don't ever want her to leave. What if-what if something bad happens to her? W-what if I never see her again? I quickly stood and turned away from her, pretending to look out the window while I wiped the tears away. I don't want her to think I'm so weak. I want to be strong, like them. With a deep breath I turned around and smiled at her. "I know, and I can't wait." She smiled back at me and we both went downstairs.

"Are you ready to go, Hinata?" Naruto asked, hands behind his head with a goofy grin on his face.

"Y-yes, Naruto-kun." Hinata blushed. I smiled and rolled my eyes.

"Akamaru!" I called, running over to the big dog and hugging him around the neck tightly. "I'm going to miss you." I whispered, looking into his eyes. He whined and gave me a small lick on the cheek. "Come visit sometime, okay?" I smiled and kissed his forehead.

"What about me?" Kiba asked, holding his arms open. "Don't I get a kiss?" He smirked. I smiled widely and opened my arms up like him, walking towards him. Right before we hugged, I turned to my left and hugged Sakura instead, she laughed along with the others. I glanced at the pouting dog boy with a smirk.

"Sorry, Kiba, I don't want your dog breath." I pinched my nose and waved my hand in front of my face. Everyone laughed again, and the dog barked his laugh.

"We should get going." Shikamaru said. "We need to get out of the desert before sunrise." The sun was just going down, would it really take them that long? It didn't seem that long on the way in, though I don't really remember it all that much.

"We will walk you to the gates." Kankuro said, stretching his arms over his head.

The walk to the gate was talkative, but I didn't say much. I slowed down my pace so that I was last, watching everyone converse with each other. They are all happy. They all love each other, and I know they will do anything to keep the others safe. When will I be strong enough to keep the ones I love safe? I don't want anyone else to die, I wont be able to deal with another death of my close friends. And thats what these people are. They are like my new family, and I have already known them for a short while. But these guys have saved my life, Hinata, Sakura, and Gaara mostly.

Soft footsteps came up beside me, and I turned my head to see Gaara. He was wearing some kind of white robe with blue down the front. As if he felt my gaze, he looked at me. I gave him a small smile and looked back down at the ground in front of me. I know that I am safe, as long as Gaara is around. But I will still miss everyone else, it's going to be a lot different without them.

When we got to the gate, everyone fell silent. Goodbyes are always hard, no matter what kind. The silence is uncomfortable, and I kept shifting my weight to my other foot, staring at each and everyone of them, who stared back with a small smile. Even Kakashi was smiling under his mask. And Shikamaru gave me a smile, even though he yawned half way threw it.

"Well..." Naruto was the first one to break the long silence. "I guess this is goodbye for now, Kira." He walked over to me and gave me a tight hug. "Take care of yourself." He whispered.

I hugged him back. "I will."

All of the others came over and gave me a hug, then Temari, avoiding Kankuro completely, all but Kiba that is. They had a dramatic goodbye. Its a little disturbing. Naruto was the only one to give Gaara a hug, the others just bowed. Naruto and Gaara must be awful close, the only other person outside of Gaara's family that I've seen touch him was that Matsuri chick. When it was Kakashi's turn to say goodbye to me, he put his arm over my shoulders and pulled me close.

"You take care, and don't let Temari push you around." He said, humor in his voice. Temari shot a glare at him, and "humphed" while she crossed her arms and turned away. "Here," He reached into his pouch and grabbed something. "I think you should carry one of these with you from now on, theres no telling what will happen if you are caught without it." He held out a knife looking thing with a holder, the same kind a few others, like Hinata, Sakura, and Naruto, have around their leg. "Keep this kunai with you when you aren't in the house."

"Thank you." I whispered, trying to hold back my tears as I took it from him. I strapped it to my leg, just like the others have it, and placed the kunai inside. When I looked back up, all of them were smiling at me, all with the exception of Gaara that is, but, in his own way, I think he was smiling. Well, maybe not, but I like to think he is. I smiled at them and looked at each and everyone of their faces. "You are all my friends, no matter what happens from here on out, I will never forget any one of you." I swallowed tears and smiled bigger. The girls, even Temari, let out a cry and tackled me into a hug. I just laughed and tried to hug them back, but my arms are kind of stuck.

"Well..." Sakura trailed off.

"...This is..." Ino said.

"...Goodbye..." Hinata whispered, eyes looking a little watery.

"But not forever." I smiled, giving them a peace sign. They laughed and hugged me once more before turning to follow the others out.

I watched them go, the sun making me have to squint to see their dark figures. I hope they have a safe trip home. Pretty soon they were only hazy dark figures on the horizon, running towards the setting sun. Then they were gone.

Just like that.

It might be years before I see them again, I'm really going to miss them. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, turning to face the three, well, now two, Kankuro disappeared, that I am going to be living with. They are my new family, well, sorta.

"Come on," Temari smiled, putting her arm over my shoulders. "let's go home." I looked at her as we walked for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Yeah, home."