Ghost in the Sand
Siblings

Temari couldn't help but notice the change in Gaara's behavior. Both she and Kankuro were thrown off by the apology, and what made things even odder was the fact there was no need for Gaara to apologize for anything. Kankuro pulled her aside when they finally stopped and whispered into her ear. "Exactly what is he apologizing for?"

"I don't know. I guess for messing up the mission?"

"Does Gaara even understand what it means to mess up a mission? This is the first time he's ever done so Temari." The elder of her two brother's scratched the top of his head. "It honestly doesn't make sense."

Temari found herself approached by the youngest of her siblings once he was finally able to move on his own. Another strange thing came out of his mouth. "Are you all right?"

"I'm all right Gaara. I'm a bit confused as to why you're asking such a question." The kunoichi tilted her head to the side slightly as an odd expression appeared on Gaara's face. She felt air pull quickly into her lungs. "Something bothering you?"

"N... no." The boy slid away.

The second brother was watching from near by. "Temari..."

"What?"

"Did Gaara do anything to you recently?"

"Recently?" The kunoichi looked up at the forest above. "I got slammed into a tree when I tried tending his injuries. Speaking of which..." The blond paused realizing what Gaara was asking about. "Look. I need to look over his injuries to make sure they're bandaged properly."

"He's not going to let you. He hates being touched."

Gaara though let her touch him. The look on the red head's face was full of curiosity as she took care of his injuries. It bothered her not knowing how fast his injuries would heal. Not only was this the first time she remembered Gaara being injured, but she also didn't know if being a jinchuriki would help the healing process. She avoided making eye contact as she finished binding his chest. "I really am all right. I've had worse injuries."

On the way back the two siblings noticed how Gaara remained near them. Normally they would find time to speak with each other without him hearing as he didn't like being around them, but for some reason he clung to his two older siblings. Temari finally asked Gaara if he would feel up the water flasks for her, and the young shinobi grabbed the flasks quickly. Konkoro watched Gaara leave. "Is it just me, or has Gaara changed?"

"I can't exactly put my finger on why or how much, but he has changed." Temari took a deep breath. "Konkoro... what do you think the Kazekage is going to do to Gaara when we get back. We did after all fail the mission."

The kunoichi heard her brother draw in a deep breath. "He's going to personally kill Gaara. I mean... wasn't this like... Gaara's last chance or something to prove himself useful to the village."

The cogs in Temari's mind thought carefully over this realization both she and her eldest brother came to, and the next time she was able to convince Gaara to go do something she shared the plan she'd formulated with Konkoro. For a bit she was worried Konkoro wouldn't want to go along with her plan. Gaara had done nothing to make them want to protect him, but both knew they knew their younger brother need not do anything for them to want to protect him.

It was honestly the first time they could.

They stopped an hour or two Suna and took a break. It was then that Temari asked Gaara to stay. Somehow she knew the young shinobi wasn't happy about being told to stay, and perhaps even confused. "This is for your own good Gaara."

She then headed towards the village, and saw the tense look of the villagers when they entered through the front entrance. Both siblings could hear the people gossiping as they passed by, and none of it was pleasant. One rumor indicated the Kazekage was dead, and another said the council was thinking of replacing him for implementing such a plan. Some wanted Gaara to be killed off. Most disturbing though was the rumors of another victim of Gaara, and how their young brother was now doing more then just killing people."

"Seriously..." Konkoro turned to confront the latest person only for Temari to pull him aside.

"Remember. We're trying to find Baki to find out what is going on. If we find out there are ill intentions towards Gaara then we'll try to gather supplies and meet up where we left him. If for some reason we can't get to him he'll follow the order I gave and get away from there."

"Or he'll think we're in trouble and try rescuing us."

"You mean he'll unintentionally make things worse."

"Yeah. That's pretty bad considering it very much looks like he's trying to make amends."

Temari let go of Konkoro's shoulder and headed to the place they received missions from hoping her eldest brother wouldn't react to the stares people sent their way. She walked up to the men, and saw them looking at her with trepidation. "You're reporting in."

"We're reporting in and finding out what is going on."

"I'm not sure if I have permission to tell you what is going on."

The blond watched the man for a few minutes before turning around. "We'll go and find Baki then."

"Baki hasn't returned yet either. He's back at Konoha cleaning up the Kazekage's..."

Temari heard the man start to speak ill of their village leader. "There are ways to say what you were going to say with more tact."

Kankuro followed close on her heals. "What are we going to do? We can't ask Baki for answers."

"The Kazekage is missing. Didn't you hear him say he hasn't returned either."

"So what are we going to do?"

"Is there anybody other then Baki on the council we can trust?"

"I don't know really. I don't like Joseki or Goza. They've always been the most outspoken regarding killing Gaara off."

"We have time to decide whether we need to flee the village or not as well as gather supplies. I mean Gaara will..." Temari stopped still when a head of red hair appeared in front of her. "Gaara! Why..."

Kankuro let out a sigh. "You should know by now sis that Gaara doesn't listen to instructions."

"I listened."

"We didn't retrieve you, you moron."

"The Kazekage did."

Temari felt a sudden chug at her chest as she realized she'd used the wrong words. "Gaara..." She quickly bowed. "I'm sorry for not giving you better instructions. I should have said you were to wait to be retrieved by us or Baki sensei."

"Sensei was with him."

The eldest sibling snapped up quickly, and then jerked her head to look at Kankuro. She watched as her elder brother visibly swallowed. "Gaara. Do you understand why we told you to wait out there."

"No."

Temari felt her facial features soften. "Gaara. We failed the mission."

"So?"

"What happens when you mess up?" The young kunoichi watched as Gaara continued to look at her.

"I'm not allowed to kill unless I'm on a mission."

"Gaara..." The kunoichi took a deep breath. "You do understand we failed the mission. We've never failed a mission before. This was also a major mission." Temari watched as her younger brother avoided eye contact. "Do you realize we're trying to protect you from what the Kazekage will do to you?"

"Don't."

Kankuro reached out and grabbed the front of his brother's clothing. "You ungrateful little... do you realize what kind of trouble we're going through for you?"

"I do."

"You..."

"Knock it off you two! We have other things to worry about." Temari took a deep breath. "Are you hungry Gaara?" She watched the boy look at her blankly. "Why don't we get something to eat?"

"Where? The only place to go is home. It's not as if Gaara can show up any place they sell food without people wanting him to leave."

"It's all right. I'll figure out something." The youngest sibling turned away to go off on his own.

"Don't." Temari watched as to see him. "We'll figure out something. It's not as if we can go home to get something to eat either. Not when we don't know what the Kazekage is thinking."

A silence fell over the three. Kankuro let out a sigh. "I guess I can't invite you two to hide out in my studio. It's one of the places he'll look. Perhaps we should just show our faces to the Kazekage. He's going to come looking for us, and the longer we keep him waiting the madder he's going to get."

"The Kazekage..." Gaara paused. "Never mind." His head darted up. "Sensei..."

The two other siblings turned their heads in the direction Gaara was looking in and saw the young Shinobi looking right at Baki. The man jumped down from the room, and stood in front of the three. "I'm surprised to find all three of you together. Normally you three stick to your own devices."

"What's going on Baki?" Temari moved to stand between Gaara and their teacher. She noticed two Kunoha shinobi were with him.

"These two helped us in retrieving the Kazekage. He is currently having his injuries looked over. He asked me to make sure our guests are settled." The man took a deep sigh. "He also asked to make sure Gaara didn't kill you two as well."

"Gaara wouldn't..."

Temari quickly placed a hand on her elder brother's shoulder, and shook her head. "I take it you wish for us three to come back with you?"

"I'm quite sure the Kazekage is going to want reports from you and Kankuro regarding the mission."

The young kunoichi noticed Gaara look away when their sensei didn't mention the Kazekage wanting to speak to him. Kankuro noticed his brother's reaction. "I think he suspects any report from you would be comprised of..."

Temari quickly elbowed him in the ribs to prevent him from saying something he shouldn't. She watched as Gaara disappeared from their sight.