"Gaara!" Kankuro called, but Gaara looked right past him and at the battle scene. I turned so my back was to them and I tried to keep calm, hoping they wouldn't notice me. Of course that was a dumb thought…The truth was I had jumped in without even thinking it all the way through! Man was that one of the stupidest things I've ever done, and now I had accidently run into Gaara again. Though I did want to find him again, but this was just not the way I wanted to go about doing it. I picked up my weapon and started to walk off slowly hoping they would just let me go, but I guess I was wrong.

"Wait!" Kankuro called. "Who are you? And why did you question that man about Orochimaru?" He added sternly. The tone in his voice sounded like he was already aggravated or maybe that was his character. But then again I had heard things about that man.

"Because I'm… After him… That's all," I took a very big breath before facing them; I slowly turned my head and made eye contact with Gaara for the first time. And something must have triggered because his eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly. Temari and Kankuro looked puzzled and without a single word I start to sprint off into the woods until a voice caused me to freeze.

"Wait!"

I stood still listening to the footsteps get closer and closer. Before I know it I turn to my side and see Gaara standing there looking at me straight in the eye. A million images race through my mind. All the way to the day I saw him supposedly die, to the day he helped me, and even the drawings I drew before I knew him. All of that guilt seemed to disappear at the moment as I stared at his calm completion. This was also the first time I had seen him in the Kazekage clothing and he did look different. He must have traveled here for some sort of village business and his two siblings were his body guards.

"Thank you," He spoke softly.

"It's a dept repaid…." I wanted to say, but instead stared at him blankly.

"You… remember me?" I muffled. Gaara nodded to my surprise and I suddenly felt relieve wash over me.

"We're having dinner soon maybe you can join us? Since Gaara seems to know you… and you helped me…" Kankuro added, but sounded a bit hesitant. By impulse I denied the request, but there was something bugging me and telling me I should since I did come here looking for food in the first place, and this way it was free. A few seconds later my stomach decided to growl. Kankuro chuckled and I felt a light blush burn on my face.

"It sure sounds like you could use some food…" Kankuro added. Something finally struck a nerve with me. The day Deidara and I were flying away with Gaara Kankuro had seen me. He looked at me dead in the eye and yet he still didn't seem to recognize me… but that didn't mean he soon wouldn't. Every minute that passes is a risky one, but… Maybe he won't recognize me. And maybe I can take this time to figure out why everything always seems to point to this red haired boy. Too many thoughts coming in at once, but I decided to go with my gut instinct and that was to hang out here a little while longer. I'm sure Tobi would understand. I don't know what the others would think if they knew who I was hanging with, but I suddenly didn't care.

"Alright, but I can't stay long…" I added and Temari led the way back towards the village. They were staying at a luxury Inn and were going to be leaving soon.

"Why does she look so familiar?" Kankuro thought to himself and found himself constantly looking at Nayumei. He decided his thoughts would have to be kept to himself for now, but it was definitely bothering him. He knew she looked familiar, but couldn't figure it out just yet.

~::.::.::.::.:: An hour later::.::.::.::.::~

Yes you could say the whole situation was awkward and strange. And I myself never thought in a million years I'd be sitting at a table with these people let alone right beside Gaara. But everything still didn't make sense. How was it that Gaara was even alive? No one had told me, and it would be strange if I asked such a question. I tried to eat fast to get out of there for I was feeling more and more uncomfortable by the minute. There were a few interruptions now and then, but other then that it was rather quiet. I noticed Kankuro looking at me strangely, reminding me of Yamato and how he was probably on to. I had a right to be paranoid since my assumptions of Yamato turned out to be true. I hoped that there wouldn't be a repetition of that incident today.

...

"Time to leave…" I told myself and tried to think of a reasonable excuse without seeming rude, but for some reason I couldn't find the nerve to leave just yet. I quickly finished my food and excused myself without another word, ignoring that feeling at the back of my mind telling me I should stay a bit. I remembered I was gone way longer than expected and knew if I didn't get back soon Pein and the others would get even more aggravated with me, if that was even possible. Hopefully Tobi would cover for my, even though I secretly despised him. I wanted the ring back, though I hid it, and every time I was around him I would find myself staring at it. But could you blame me? After all the crap the Akatsuki pulled and took away what I so rightfully earned away from me, I had a right to be pissed. It was certainly not forgotten, and let's face it, it would never be. I decided to take a breather and went outside on to the roof top to look out at the village. The moon's light was especially bright tonight and I found myself finally feeling peaceful. Of course nothing ever lasts. I heard footsteps and turned around to see Gaara walking my way. I tighten my fist at what horrible luck I have and watch as he looked towards the village too, just a few feet away from me.

"You changed your hair…" His monotone voice spoke. His voice was so smooth and I found myself staring at him still. I reached up to touch the short hair that hung around my face. I didn't really miss the pigtails anymore, for I felt my new look was a good idea. But why should that matter to him? Or was he trying to make conversation? I found a million questions rush in and I stared dumfounded over the edge. He didn't seem the type to want to star random conversations with people he barely knew, unless he was also on to me! I calmed myself down and found this to be my grand opportunity to make a new friend and we began talking. He asked me where I disappeared to when he returned to Shotetsu's house and I was gone. I was quite surprised that he didn't tell Gaara anything like I asked. I simply told him I was in a hurry like I am now. But he eyed me suspiciously. Why did he care anyways? The subject was dropped and I asked him how it was like being Kazekage. Once he began talking about how he wanted people to finally see him as someone important after being shunned his whole life, I began to feel pity for him.

"I changed myself and it's all thanks to him…" He stated. I knew right then that he was talking about Naruto again, and I remembered that I met him just recently and how high spirited he was, of course anyone would want to be his friend. But I didn't want to get too personal with Gaara for we were just strangers still and nothing more, but he was the one adding things, I didn't even have to ask. It was almost like he knew I would understand, and I listened carefully to every word he spoke. I could imagine how horrible of a life he had from being the host of the tailed beast, but things were different now that he was no longer a host. They just seemed like a bunch of hypocrites to me, how they despised him his whole life and then he became Kazekage and suddenly everyone liked him. After all Kazekage was just a title to me. I began to think of the drawing I drew and how Pein had suspicions I could be from the sand village. Maybe I knew Gaara long ago and that was just something that was blocked. Maybe …just maybe he could know something about my mother. I decided now wasn't the time to ask about that, for I still needed to hunt down Orochimaru and question him first. I couldn't remember anything to share with Gaara which was a bummer. The only memories I had were about me murdering people and destroying villages. There's no way I could share that and he would understand, there was just no way. I mean I could tell him about the short life I had in the grass village, but I felt that was of no concern to him. Besides he didn't ask, I was the one asking questions. He kept his serious blank face the whole time and only occasionally I saw a hint of a smile on his face, but it was very faint.

"You're lucky you were able to change… There are just some people in this world that can never go back," I looked down at my feet wondering how he would take that.

"Anyone can change their path, and it's easier when you have a reason," Gaara continued.

"If you knew who I was… you'd never talk to me again… you'd come after me for another reason…" I told myself and started to feel angry at myself. I turned to face him and felt a smile spread on my face. He stared at me like he could see right through me and I felt a chill crawl up my spine. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you before…" I thought to myself. There was silence now and we both just stared at the stars coming out into the sky and suddenly I remembered I had to go back before Deidara came looking for me. It would ruin everything. Just then the doors busted open and I heard Kankuro yell Gaara's name. I began to feel panic rush over me knowing something was going to happen.

"I remember who you are now! You're with the Akatsuki!" Kankuro shouted and began to walk towards us.

"Kankuro…?" Gaara spoke looking towards him first and then at me. I wasn't able to hold onto my calm composure anymore I jumped on the edge and looked at him, wanting to explain it all while I had the chance, but it was too late. The peaceful conversation was over and there would never be another.

"She was with them when they took you away Gaara! She was wearing the same clothing!" He shouted. "I won't let you get away!"

"I'm sorry…"I whispered softly before I jumped off doing a back flip. Within seconds I was in the woods again and running as fast as I could towards the base. I knew I couldn't take back anything, and now that Gaara knew the truth I would never look for him again. At least my conscious was cleared, but despite that there was a part of me that felt sad.

~::.::.::.::.:: A few minutes later::.::.::.::.::~

I'd figured I'd gotten far enough away, but sensed many of them following me. They were getting closer and closer, causing the panic to rise and making me slip and tumble to the ground. Heavy branches began to fall around me and I heard footsteps coming my direction.

"The curse mark is there, and you know when you need it, use it…" I listened to the voices inside my head and felt my neck begin to pulsate. "No I won't…I won't do what he wants!" I stuttered and pushed myself onto my feet, when I turned around I saw Kankuro standing there with other ninjas behind him, of course he'd mobilize as many as he wanted. They all couldn't wait to wipe off another Akatsuki member off this world.

"You're coming with us," Kankuro yelled and already had his puppets out. One came right at me and I took out my boomerang knocking it far off. The other ninjas began to throw knives at me and I used a grass jutsu to make a shield. Kankuro used another of his puppets that had a sword for a tail coming right at me and it barely scraped my arm. I felt the bandages on my left arm rip and start to fall exposing my bruised arm from the training with Kisame. Kankuro held his puppet back as he stared at it and he began to ask questions like how I knew Gaara and how I dared to come back and face them after what the Akatsuki did. Of course I didn't know how to respond and just stared into space wondering how to go about handling this delicate situation. This boy didn't seem to have the will to understand so there was no point in trying to explain. I knew I could take them out so easily and within seconds too, I'd done it so many times before that I could do it with my eyes closed, but instead I let Kankuro's puppet slam me towards a tree. I fell to the ground and tasted blood from the corner of my mouth I looked up at him as he began to walk towards me insulting me for being so weak. It went silent before it went black.


Thanks for the reviews and reading so far! Your questions will be answered soon :D And I do appreciate tips such as if I use a word too much cause then I can fix it!