Sorry for the late update, everyone! Technical difficulties, really...Thanks for the reviews, as always! I'm feeling very good about the numbers, and reading each one pumps me up to spit out another chapter! (Okay...bad choice of words, but you get the idea...)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

"Well, well…What's this, yeah? What's happened to you Sasori-dono?" Deidara said with slight surprise. He did nothing to conceal the smirk slowly appearing on his face."Was that half-dead girl too much for you?"

"No," Sasori snapped. "The wench merely had a back up. I was careless and unprepared, is all."

Deidara chuckled, "And you give me crap about being prepared?"

"Shut up, Deidara," Sasori growled, "We're late and we need to make up the time you wasted. The next time I see that girl, she will be the one burned alive." His tone suggested that the matter was closed, and he started walking away, dragging along a blackened Hiruko with him.

---

"What?!" Kyoko screamed, sitting up quickly. "Gaara…He's gone?!"

Nami watched as her friend's enraged expression turn into distress and worry. "There was nothing I could do, okay? But we'll get him back, you know?" She lowered her voice, "We can still rely on the canon."

"That's not the point!" Kyoko scowled. "We came here so we could change what happens! Nothing's changed! Gaara will still die! I wasn't able to do anything to stop what was supposed to happen! It's like we don't even need to exist!" Kyoko bit her lip as tears threatened to fall. "And now…Why didn't Gaara just let me fight?!"

"He obviously wanted to protect you," Kankuro cut in coldly. He was leaning against the wall, unpleased about what Nami had told him before and Gaara's fate. "The only way to do that was to stop you from fighting. You've got such a thick head, he had no other choice."

"Kankuro," Temari said sharply.

Kyoko narrowed her eyes. "Well I can't say the same for you!" she spat, gesturing towards Midori lying in the bed opposite to hers. "Some man you are! Now my teammate is in this condition!"

"I wasn't happy about leaving her, okay?" Kankuro growled. "Why don't you just lie down and shut up? You're really pissing me off. If you three hadn't come to Suna in the first place, I doubt there'd be as much trouble as there is now."

"What did you say?!" Nami shouted.

"Break it up, kids," Marieke ordered as she walked into the room with a group of Suna shinobi. "What's done is done. Once the back up from Konoha arrives, we can set out. It won't be long, and according to what I know, I estimate we have plenty of time to tail the Akatsuki. We're all shinobi, so we can all keep level heads. Understood?"

"Whatever," Kankuro mumbled as he walked out of the room.

Marieke turned to Temari and whispered, "See to it that he doesn't do anything rash. Even if we've told him what's to come, I doubt he'll care at all."

"Right."

"So, how are my favorite students doing?" Marieke said cheerfully.

Kyoko growled and dropped face-down into her pillow angrily like a rock. Nami rolled her eyes and groaned, and of course, Midori couldn't say anything.

"I see."

---

"Kankuro, don't be like this," Temari said, crossing her arms.

"Don't tell me you aren't even a little worried about Gaara, Temari," Kankuro retorted.

"Of course I am! I'm just not as eager as you are to run out in enemy territory blindly!" Temari shouted. "You're so stupid, why don't you think things through for once?"

"This is Gaara's life that's on the line! There's no time to think things through!"

"You know that our shinobi supply is low after that infiltration," Temari said, trying to calm down. "We wouldn't be able to fight those Akatsuki guys by ourselves. We need our allies."

"And where are they now? We can't just wait!"

"Yes we can. It's all we can do."

"You're not serious!"

"Just shut up already," Temari ordered heatedly. "As your older sister I'm demanding you follow my orders."

Kankuro just scowled and turned away from her.

Temari sighed, a look of concern clearly written on her face. Kankuro…

---

Although Konoha was contacted early, Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi didn't arrive for another two days; a day earlier than what would've originally happened. Whence they made their appearance, Sakura directly began preparing for the removal of the poison in Midori's body.

"Is she okay?" Naruto asked

"Told ya you wouldn't be able to do anything until Konoha came," Nami said cheekily to the Suna medics.

"You insolent…" one of the medics growled before he was called over by Sakura to assist her.

While the younger shinobi crowded around Sakura to help in any way, Marieke relayed the recent events to Kakashi in detail near the doorway.

"…I see," Kakashi said as soon as he finished. "Well then, I guess we'll just have to—AUGH!" Kakashi nearly toppled over like a board as a body bounded onto his back.

"DIE WHITE FANG OF KONOHA!"

Everyone looked up (Sakura only for a second) and watched as a short old woman pounded her fists against Kakashi's head. The malicious granny was passionately clung to Kakashi with her legs that were stronger than they looked, and the silver-haired jounin was still glazed from the surprise assault.

"Ow, Miss!" Kakashi protested painfully, "Could you (ow) possibly (ow) get off (ow) my back?!" He tried to pry her off without injuring her, but was unsuccessful.

"NEVER!" she shrieked. "I will get revenge for my son today! Say goodbye, White Fang of Konoha!"

"No, (ow) I'm not (ow) White Fang!"

"Get offa Kakashi-sensei, you hag!" Naruto ordered as he grabbed the woman from behind and started to pull.

"Get yer hands offa me, sonny!" Chiyo screeched.

"Sister," said an equally as old man. He had walked into the room and patted Chiyo on the back, "He's not the White Fang, just look. There's a strong resemblance, but its not the same person."

"Eh?" Chiyo leaned over Kakashi's shoulder and looked at him sideways, eyes wide. "O…Ooh…" She hopped off his back and started cackling in embarrassment. "Ahahaha…I knew that!"

Kakashi let out a breath of relief.

Baki came in shortly and said, "Oh…I see shinobi from Konoha has arrived." He bowed politely.

"I came here to examine a girl poisoned by my grandson…" Chiyo said, glancing at Sakura. "But I see my skills are not needed. What a waste of my time!"

"Please stay, Chiyo-baasama!" Baki pleaded. "We may need your expertise about your grandson just yet!"

"Fine, fine, fine," Chiyo sighed. "Only because I don't want to see you begging like a dog."

Baki looked offended for a split second, then relieved. "You'll have to give us some information about Sasori."

"I'll do that later," Chiyo answered, "When I see him."

"What?! You're planning on going—"

"Well, I fancy a nice walk outside!" Chiyo interrupted loudly, strolling out the room with a spring in her step.

"W-Wait Chiyo-baasama!"

"Crazy old lady…" Naruto mumbled.

---

"We're only a day ahead of schedule," Kyoko said, "I doubt that'll make a difference…Gaara's probably going to be…"

"Don't say that," Nami interrupted. "We know the location of the Akatsuki hideout and how to open it up. That saves time too. As soon as Midori's up and ready, we're gonna get Gaara back."

"Yeah…" Kyoko mumbled. "By the way…What's that new technique Marieke-sensei mentioned?"

"Jealous, are you?" Nami smirked.

"Shyeah right, I just wanna know how it works," Kyoko said with false indifference.

"I bet it's too complicated for you to understand," Nami shrugged, examining her nails. "Maybe I'll tell you when you're fifteen, kiddo."

"Oh yeah?!" Kyoko fumed. "Well…I'm bigger than you!"

"Okay, but you said it, not me."

Kyoko crossed her arms and pouted. "Jerk."

"Nami."

Nami and Kyoko turned in unison to see Marieke. "I'd like to have a word with you."

---

"All better now?" Sakura asked, patting Midori on the back.

"Y-Yeah…" Midori said with a bit of difficulty. "Better than before anyway…"

Sakura noticed Midori's frown. "What's wrong?"

Midori covered her frown with a small smile, "Nothing really…It's just…I'm not much of a medic if I can't cure myself, you know? I guess I'm just…not good enough."

"Mm...You know what I think?" Sakura said.

"What?"

"I think you should stop with the self-pity and start acting like you want to be," Sakura said, pointing a finger in the air. "You're not going to get anywhere just like that, trust me, I know. And even if your skills are better than before, that doesn't mean you're the best you can be."

Midori just stared at her, speechless.

Sakura giggled and said, "It's one person's opinion, of course."

"…Yeah…" Sakura's…really seeing clearly now.

"I'm sorry you won't be able to complete the mission with all of us," Sakura continued. "You need your rest, and honestly, jumping back into action would be the worst thing you could do now. I have to produce an antidote, so I'll be back in a while to give it to you. In the meantime, you know not to move around."

"Of course," Midori said.

Sakura smiled and walked out the door.

Midori took a deep breath and pressed her hand against her chest. A glossy glove of green chakra escaped from her hand, and the girl started inhaling and exhaling steadily. Don't count me out just yet, Sakura…

---

"You do realize that this jutsu isn't one that should be used frequently, especially after you just barely learned it," Marieke said. "Your body hasn't adapted to the multiple energies at work yet. It's difficult to keep so many energies running, and if you don't balance them out at all times, the heat will kill you. It's essential that you release the second waves of chakra from every inch of your body to protect yourself constantly—"

"I know how it works!" Nami interrupted short-temperedly. "And if you were gonna lecture me about it, why did you teach me the jutsu?"

"The only reason I taught you the technique is because Midori and Kyoko don't have the right caliber," Marieke said sharply. "But that doesn't mean you can use it in every battle you ever fight. I'm telling you this so you won't foolishly kill yourself without realizing. You saw how terrible your burns were, and there may not be medics around next time."

"I've only used it once," Nami mumbled, rubbing her arm angrily.

"Don't use it again unless it's a matter of life and death," Marieke said, "And that's an order. We may be equal shinobi now that I'm technically not your sensei anymore, but I'm still your superior. Until the day you can triumph against me, I'd advise you take my advice."

"If all I have to do is beat you, then—" Nami started to challenge, but stopped when she saw a figure advancing through the doorway.

"Marieke, Nami," Kakashi said, walking out towards the two women, "We're going to leave now."

"All right," Marieke said. "Lead the way."

"Oh, I'm not the one who's going to be leading," Kakashi said.

At that moment, Kyoko came up, surprising Nami.

"You remember where Gaara was taken?"

"Of course I do," Kyoko replied, "I'd be useless if I didn't."

Nami gave her a doubtful look and said, "You…sure?"

"Yes," Kyoko said impatiently. "We don't have all day, okay? So let's go already!"

The group of Team Kakashi minus Sasuke, Team Marieke minus Midori, and the old woman Chiyo (much to Baki's displeasure) were about to depart. However, they were stopped abruptly by none other than Kankuro.

"Kankuro?" Kyoko questioned, "What…?"

"I know I'd be useless in a fight against those guys with my puppets out of action but…" Kankuro said hesitantly, "Please just…bring my brother back, everyone. Bring him back safely and…don't you dare get killed."

Kyoko grinned and opened her mouth to answer him, but was unable to, for Naruto instantly cut in.

"Don't worry about a thing!" Naruto declared, "I'm going to be Hokage someday too! This way I can secure an advance favor from the Kazekage!"

"And Gaara's our friend," Kyoko added. "There's no way we're going to let those guys keep him."

"Right, right!" Naruto agreed.

Kankuro didn't smile, but his eyes showed his encouragement and gratefulness. Maybe I can rely on these guys…After all; Uzumaki Naruto was the one who changed Gaara. And that girl…

"Midori says good luck," Temari said, gaining the rescue team's attention. "I wish I could help."

"We won't be needing the luck," Nami stated.

"And you just keep strengthening the Suna defenses," Marieke said, "The village needs you here."

Temari nodded, and the two of the three Sand Siblings stood silently as the large group departed, heading out towards Suna's exit at breakneck speed. The mission to aid Suna had ended. Next mission: Save Gaara.

Just for the record, I don't hate Kankuro or anything. I actually love him very much, but in my eyes, Kyoko wouldn't be able to get along with him too well because she'd probably annoy the heck out of him...(Don't kill me, Kyoko!) Not to mention he's still sour from being forced to stay in Suna instead of go after Gaara.

Since this chapter's kind of like an aftermath from before and an opening to the next chapter, I'll probably update the following chapter sometime very soon. I'd say in 2-4 days instead of 7 because I've been feeling so happy lately.

Please R&R! And I hope everyone had a happy Halloween (to those who celebrate, of course)!

-HM