A/N: Hello. This week has been very...eventful for me. I was stung by a wasp and had a severe allergic reaction. I had to go into emergency care. I was surprised, since I have been stung by bees before...wasps on the other hand, I don't recall. Well, that's over with and I shall be looking out for wasps from here on out.

Then I had to go to the doctor for an infected puncture wound in the side of my hip. The infection had gotten worse and I had to go back to the doctor to have it cut open and drained. Not a very pleasant experience.

I am sorry this chapter is a bit late.

Jeez, what a week. -_-'

I would also like to take this time to thank my reviewers. They are the reason I'm posting this even though I'm still sick.

Thank you. Your reviews encourage me. :)

+++Part 10+++

Metal Bird

I will stay by my friend.

Her mother was being disagreeable again. Kat could no longer stand to be in the house. And though she was forbidden from seeing him, she was not going to tolerate and do nothing.

"Why?" she had asked her mother repeatedly.

"Because I said so!"

Again with that infuriating response!

"It's not fair! He's my friend, my best friend! He's good!"

"That's enough! My mind isn't changing."

Kat knew if she continued a verbal protest she would surely get the belt. But that didn't stop her completely. She would not talk to her mother, not smile, laugh, or acknowledge her in any way. She would even refuse to eat if she had to! However, right now, she needed to find a way to get to him. She would wait, pretend to play in the grass, and then...when no eyes were watching her...

"I'll be sneaky, very sneaky."

Heat waves boiled the desert whilst the powerful sun set the sand ablaze. All of that, however, was nothing compared to the scorching pain in his chest. The longer she was away, the more intense it became. Gaara was becoming more unstable by the day. Already, they were finding victims of his wrath scattered throughout the village.

"Is she here?"

"No, I'm sorry Gaara, she's not here," his caretaker replied, sympathy dripping from each word. "Did you have a fight?"

Downcast, the boy mumbled, "No."

They hadn't had a fight at all. It was the mother. She wouldn't let Katy come to him. Nor would she let Gaara near Katy. She was polite when he went to their door, but she was also firm. It was excuse after excuse. Katy can't play today. Katy's sick now, come back later. He snuck to her window once and they were able to talk, if only for a little while. A screeching window being opened travels fast through a small house. At least he knew it wasn't Katy's wish.

"She's being a butt monkey! She won't even tell me why! She's bloody...she's bloody coming! Hide!"

That was the last he spoke to her. She dove for her closet and he had to get out of there. He returned later to reason with the woman but now she would not only send him away, she would watch to make sure he left. He wasn't getting near that window again.

"Maybe you should try apologizing," suggested the med nin.

He tried that. He tried pleading with that woman. He even tried subtle threats. It got him nowhere. Gaara was on his last thread. The next step was to either kidnap Katy in the night, or kill her mother.

He contemplated it.

The latter, he knew, would not go over very well with anyone. Well...

Kidnapping it was.

She tossed, she turned, and she flopped around in her bed. Her "pretend to play in the grass then sneak away" plan had been ruined...and by her stupid loud mouth brother no less! She had been so close!

Right when she was about to make it past the first hill and out of sight, "Hey-ey! Where does Katy think she's going? Does she think she's going somewhere?"

She gripped her pillow, frustration growing rapidly.

Stupid Denim!

She could hear his voice now, obnoxiously loud and mocking. He knew he was sabotaging her- he did it just to make her mad!

Annoying jerk!

He wasn't going to get away with it. Katy frowned, clutching a small green object in her hand. Denim wanted to see their dad's airplane.

Dad actually said yes...and he didn't ask me if I wanted to see too! She narrowed her glinting eyes. Well they can have fun trying to get in without the key! Ha, haha-

"Kitty..."

A sharp intake of breath was all she could muster before a hand covered her mouth. He was crouched on the sill of the window. Slowly, silently he moved down onto the bed. Joyful recognition flared in her eyes as he carefully removed his hand. Though she spoke in a whisper, enthusiasm was evident in her voice.

"You opened the squeaky window without squeeeaks!"

"Shh," Gaara motioned her to be calm. "I'm kidnapping you."

Her confusion at that sentence was quickly taken over by awe. "Cool..."

Was it really kidnapping if the kidnapped thought it awesome?

Spending the night up on the Kaze mansion rooftop, looking out at the expansive star-filled sky with her best friend...there was nothing like it.

He sat as close to her as he possibly could. Side to side, shoulder to shoulder, arm to arm. They had a lot of catching up to do. She told him the basics of what was going on in her world: Bacon is good; God is great. One look at her silly smile made the hissing pain in his chest melt away. One look in those eyes made him feel like he was flying. And one touch of her hand made him feel...like he was home.

We're together, just you and me...

Morning was approaching, its light beginning to brush the eastern horizon. Was it time to go? Her tired little eyes were begging to be closed. But sea-foam eyes begged to differ. They had been open far longer than those hazel brown things. She wasn't going anywhere. Katherine didn't want to be tired, didn't want to leave her friend.

"I'm staying right here!" she nodded to herself. She wouldn't make him face the day alone. But heavy eyelids screamed their objection. She shook her head violently.

"Kitty...?" She could hear his concern.

"I," she swallowed, "I need a glass of water...or something."

"...All right," he said, taking her hand and leading her down into the mansion. To her wobbly legs, it seemed like they'd walked a thousand halls. Finally, they came to a room where she could have some water. She clutched the cool cup with warm fingers, taking a few gulps in-between breaths. The sound of bare feet patting along the floor startled Katherine. It would seem she wasn't the only thirsty one around here.

Please don't be that man...

A blonde individual walked around the corner. But it was not Yashamaru.

It's...her.

Although she did not have her hair in its usual style, Katy still recognized her. It hung loose, light and poofy around her head. She stopped when she saw them, stunned. Katy hid her face with the cup, warily peering over the rim. The older girl cautiously continued her way to the faucet. No words were exchanged, only glances. With her own cup filled, she took one last look at her little brother. Her stare held mistrust, his stare held nothing. Her eyes shifted to Katy for the briefest moment. Then she turned and walked away. She walked away...and left her brother's heart in the care of a stranger.

And she didn't look back.

Katherine squirmed uncomfortably, setting her water down. "I'm okay now."

His gaze softened on her. He did not mind his sister's decision one bit. Katy sighed, reaching down into the pockets of her nightgown. Her eyes widened before she pulled out a green key. Sleepiness forgotten, she turned to her friend with new anticipation.

"Wanna see an air plane?"

Silent rays of sun drifted into the room, gently waking the sleeping mother. She stretched, reaching over to her husband's side. Feeling nothing but the cool sheets, she remembered Charles getting up before sunrise to attend an early men's bible study at their church. Emitting a quiet sigh, she slipped out form the covers and pulled on along silky pink robe. Charlotte admired her love's devotion, to both her and the Lord, but sometimes he worked too hard. Managing a farm was difficult and demanding. She hated the thought of him having to start that work soon after coming home from the meeting. It was her opinion that he should take at least half the day off.

It is your opinion that is keeping a lonely child from his only friend.

That statement passed through her mind in an instant. She didn't know where it came from but it stopped her breath. Why did she just think that? No, she thought, he...I don't want him around my daughter!

She brushed off that train of thinking before glancing at the clock. Charles would be home soon. She needed to get breakfast going. She didn't want him going to work on an empty stomach.

Lonely child...

Still...she could not shake off this feeling. She feared it would follow her throughout the entire day if she didn't get busy on something else.

Golden beams lit up the kitchen, compelling her to let in the fresh morning air. She leaned out from the newly opened window, gladly taking in the crisp dew-filled breeze. It was a perfect day. The birds sang, the cows grazed, and someone was already mowing the lawn. Wait, no... That wasn't the mower. It was louder and it sounded vaguely familiar. Charlotte tapped her chin. Where had she heard that before? Oh, yes! It was Charles' small plane.

Charlotte's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Why was it running and who started it? She hurried down the hall to check her children. Denim was fast asleep. But in the next room the bed was empty.

"Katherine!"

"Turn it off," shouted the red haired boy over the roaring engine.

"I'm trying!" Katherine searched the compartment frantically. She had no idea what to do. She had only wanted to show Gaara the inside because he'd never seen such a machine before. The amazement he held on his face in that moment compelled her to be bold. And boldness caused her to push a few buttons and flip a couple switches. He color drained from her face when it came alive.

"Kitty!"

"Okay, okay," she yelled back, pushing a random lever. Please turn off! she plead silently.

Her pleadings did nothing, now it was moving. The small white aircraft crept forward out of its dwelling. Now even Gaara was getting nervous. He knew they had to make it stop. Frenetically the two pulled random levers, switches, anything that might make it stop. All their efforts only made the machine do the opposite. The propeller on the front went into full gear as the plane sped up. They were heading straight at one of the barns.

"Turn it! We're going to crash!"

The little brunette leapt at her friend's direction, taking the controls in her hands. With all her might she leaned into the flight pad. Gaara reached over and added some pull to Kat's push. Sluggishly, the aircraft changed its direction until they were going straight down the dirt road. This road lead out into the fields, but they were going to be in real trouble if they didn't find a way to turn it off before they reached the trees.

Charlotte flew down the path, her pink robe sweeping out behind her like a cape. A hastily dressed Denim followed in her steps. When they reached the barns she knew it was too late. There was no stopping it, the plane as going full speed. All the mother and son could do was watch. And watch they did; Charlotte in dismay and Denim in awe. The white aircraft swerved, and for a minute Charlotte thought it would tip over, but it leveled out. Not being able to stand it any longer, the mother ran for the truck.

"Come on, Denim! We're going after her!"

"What are we gonna do? Cut it off?"

"Whatever it takes! Get in!"

Inside, Katherine was in full panic mode. They were going to hit the trees. Scanning the dash, she saw no big red button or anything that said stop. Her father used to be in the Air Force; unfortunately he shared most his knowledge of that time with Denim. The only education Katy received about these great flying machines was from a computer game called Red Baron or something of that sort. She looked over to Gaara. He was trying to do something with his powers again. But that wouldn't do. His powers went on and off in this place and she doubted he would be able to gather enough sand in time.

If she didn't hurry they would crash. There was no time to think whether the game was the same as reality or not. Mimicking what she did with the computer joystick, she pulled back. The plane tilted up more and more until all the two friends could see was sky. She shrieked at the shuddering noise of the plane as the tips of branches scraped its belly. They careened in the air, Katy tried to stabilize it but her panic caused her to jerk the control. The plane went up then down then back up again. Gaara's training kicked in, and he forced himself to keep calm. He took her hands in his and away from the controls. Without the hands to move it around, it went still and the aircraft smoothed out.

It seemed quieter in the compartment now, the panic seeping away. Katherine remembered her dad's words.

They basically fly themselves. You just have to give it direction and let it go.

Gaara moved over to the window, his eyes widening when he looked down. They weren't high enough to be in the clouds, but they were up enough that the truck following on the ground looked small.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to Katy. "Can you get us down?"

She stared off into space, her friend's voice barely bringing her back. "I...played a game...on the computer...where I flew the plane with the joystick. An-and I always did good except..."

"Except...?" He grasped her arm, urging her to continue.

"Except when it came to landing. I would bounce it down and sometimes...it exploded."

The horror that grew on his face could not be described. Said horror doubled when Katherine started to laugh. Laugh! Here they were in this sticky situation and she was laughing her butt off! He didn't know it was more from shock than comedy. His grip on her arm tightened. Finally, she got herself together.

"Okay," she gasped, "Okay. All I have to do is turn around, push the joystick down...and we should land all right."

She clutched the controls, gently pushing down. Gaara aided her, directing her where they needed to land. They came down upon the field fast. Just like in the game, Katy pulled up on the control just before they hit the ground. Everything shook. The plane veered and started to spin.

"Get out," he shouted at her.

After opening their doors, they threw themselves out. Katherine slammed down on her side; Gaara hit the ground with his feet. With speed beyond his years, he got away. But when he looked back, Katy was still down and the machine still spun.

The truck pulled up and Charlotte did not bother to shut it off before hopping out. She ran towards her daughter screaming. She could be run over at any time. Or, heaven forbid, the propeller could chop her up.

Katherine didn't know, or rather, didn't have time to comprehend her situation. She stared blankly as the engine roared. She only heard it, the propeller coming up from behind her. She only saw it, the wheel turning from the front. But she could no longer process it. Her mind was blank.

She felt a force, a pain in her head. And she thought it had hit her...

Only when the ground moved beneath her did she realize it. Gaara had dragged her away. He grabbed her by the fist thing he could reach- her hair. He threw her forward before covering her with his own body. He held her tightly... when all the noise stopped.

Slowly, the scarlet haired boy lifted his head. Charlotte climbed down from the sky vehicle. The arctic-eyed woman gazed long and hard at the boy. He looked back, his stare hard at first but then it melted into pleading.

And she knew what he was asking.

Back at the house, the three sat at the table. Denim was sent to his room for now and Katy's father would be here any second. She bit her lip. They were in so much trouble. She had already explained everything. It was an accident. But her mother's silence was threatening to her. Charlotte sat with her hand covering her mouth. She didn't know what to make of this. But she had to say something.

Inhaling deeply, she had both children's attention. But what left her mouth was far from what either had expected.

"I realize I've been...judgmental. I wouldn't let you see each other and I gave neither of you a good reason. I thought I was right." She turned to Gaara. "I thought you were bad for Katy. I was wrong. Today I saw you risk yourself for her. I want you to know I'm sorry for keeping you away. You will always be welcomed here from now on."

Katy and Gaara shared cheerful glances. The mother knew neither of them were aware of how hard that was for her to say.

"But," Charlotte emphasized. "That doesn't mean you're off the hook for this. You two could have been killed. Katherine, your punishment... I'll come up with something."

"We won't go near the metal bird again," Gaara interceded for his friend. "We didn't mean for it to come alive."

Charlotte could not help the confusion that struck her. Metal bird?

This child is a stranger to this land, no doubt.

A/N: I wasn't very happy with this chapter for some reason. I tried to research private small planes and how they work but all I could get was info on the battle aircraft. I know it wasn't very realistic but it was inspired by the ending scene in the movie Wild America where Mark takes his dad's plane to fly. If you've seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Reviews are appreciated!

Thanks for reading. ^_^