I've had several people asking when this story takes place and figured I would address that at the beginning of this chapter. As I told several others I have a hard time really keeping with time lines so if something is out of place I do apologize. When I started writing this fanfic I had not really thought about a time in the anime that I wanted to place it, but since I've been asked to pin it down by several people... It is after the Kazekage rescue arc but before the Pein Arc.
Also, I feed off the reviews I've been getting! I appreciate it so thank you so much for leaving them! If you have any questions feel free to ask by way of review or IM. Again, Thanks for reading.
Kohana blinked open her eyes to find herself in a dark room. For a second she panicked, but when Sai placed a hand on hers she turned to look into his familiar face. Relief washed over her.
"Sai..." she whispered.
"Good morning, Sleepy Head," Sai said and ruffled her hair. It was then Kohana noticed the curtains over the windows. She wasn't back in hell, but images flashed before her as she remembered. She hadn't dreamed the whole thing had she. Her mind was reeling from what she had felt last night. What was that other chakra? Had Danzo been correct? Did she really have darkness within her?
"Stop it," Sai softly commanded.
Kohana shook herself from her thoughts to stare at the pale man in the dark.
"Regardless of what may or may not have happened last night you should remember who you are."
"And who am I?" she asked with a shaky voice, tears threatening to spill over. Sai took her chin in his hand.
"You are Kohana, the little flower I happened upon one day. You were kept in the dark, but the light within you couldn't be extinguished. I'm sorry I did not realize that it was a trap sooner."
Kohana threw her arms around Sai, surprising him.
"Thank you, Sai," she whispered into his neck.
Drawing her back to look at her, "There is someone you need to meet."
"The Kazekage?" she asked wiping her eyes.
"I am Sabaku no Gaara the Kazekage of Suna."
Kohana gasped as for the first time she realized they were not alone. Her eyes landed on the tall red-headed man with a tattoo on his forehead.
"It is a pleasure to meet you 'Hana," Gaara said and bowed slightly. She nodded. Kohana was intrigued by him to say the least, but what Sai said next shocked her.
"I haven't given you permission to call me 'Hana."
"Kohana, the Kazekage has agreed to protect you... as his sister."
"What?"
Gaara smiled lopsided, "Welcome to the family 'Hana."
"Sai already gave me a name."
Trying to take her attention away from Gaara, Sai tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
"It will be just like with the merchant, Kohana. Gaara is also going to teach you."
"Teach me what?"
It was Gaara who spoke up, "To be a kunoichi."
"He is going to help you learn to defend yourself."
She looked from one to the other, "Couldn't you stay and teach me, Sai?"
Gaara and Sai looked at each other and something passed between them.
"Do you remember what happened last night?"
She remembered bits and pieces. The strange feeling overcoming her. Being engulfed in red, then black chakra. She nodded slowly, "Some of it."
"Have you ever heard of a Jinchuuriki, 'Hana?" Gaara asked as he watched her expressions.
"Danzo used to speak of it but I never knew what he was talking about, why?"
"A Jinchuuriki is a host to a Bijuu. A tailed beast that is sealed within a human. We believe that you possess part of a tailed beast within you."
"A tailed beast inside of me... but I don't understand. How could you know?"
Gaara closed his eyes a moment, "I was once a Jinchuuriki as well. When you use part of the bijuu's chakra it is a different surge of power than if you were to use your own chakra. I have fought against the particular chakra that is your bijuu's before."
"I don't remember ever meeting you before much less fighting."
Gaara looked to Sai. Sai held onto her hand.
"Kohana, we believe you possess the nine-tailed fox's chakra. The thing with that is you are not the only one who possesses the nine tails."
She remained silent waiting for the rest of it. She could tell Sai was hesitating over something.
"Gaara fought the other person in possession of the nine tails."
"Who?" she finally asked.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Gaara said.
"The yellow-haired boy that helped bring us here?" Kohana asked thinking this was too much of a coincidence. The world was so much different than the dark, black room that had once been her cage. It was full of light and confusion. There were so many questions.
"How? How was the beast sealed within us?"
"Perhaps I should start from the beginning," Sai suggested and she nodded. So he told her the story of Minato and Kushina. He explained about the nine-tailed fox being released and he told her what Minato did to seal the beast. Everything that had been told to him about that day so long ago. When he was done he waited, watching as she still seemed to be absorbing it all. It wouldn't be long before...
"Where do I come in? When would he have had time to seal part of the beast inside Naruto, and then seal it away with himself... unless..." She stopped suddenly looking at Sai.
"I believe Naruto is your brother. Not only your brother, your twin."
Tears that she had been struggling so hard to keep in check flowed. So many years wondering if she was really alone in the world. All those years in the dark hating Danzo. She used to have a mother. She used to have a father. She had a brother. A brother who, just a few days ago, she had met. She had traveled with.
"I know it's a lot to take in, a lot to process, but I need you to listen to me, Kohana."
She was looking without really seeing, but she tried to focus on Sai's pale face.
"Naruto does not yet suspect or know that you are his sister. It is imperative that we he doesn't find out right now..."
Kohana stopped hearing. Sitting up straight in bed, her tears changing to anger.
"I have been locked away all of my life and told what I can and can't do. And now I learn I had a mother, a father, and a brother who still lives but I can't rejoice in this fact because of why?"
"Kohana, it's not about what you want at this moment. It's what needs to happen. If you want to see Danzo beaten to a pulp then I suggest you choose to listen to me on this."
Kohana scowled, "I need some time to think."
"Very well, we will visit you again tomorrow, Princess."
Gaara looked at her one last time sitting on the bed with her hands clenched into fists before turning to go. Sai ruffled her hair and followed him out.
Kohana sat there thinking and the more she thought the more agitated she became. Don't tell Naruto?! Baka! She would tell Naruto all right and the two of them would go after Danzo themselves. She had long since gotten up from bed and was pacing the room waiting for night to fall.
As soon as it was dark she moved to the window and jumped out. She looked for the hotel that they had gone to. Naruto would still be there she hoped. Spotting it she jumped to the roof and headed for the door to the stairs.
"Baka."
Kohana turned to see Gaara standing on the edge of the roof arms crossed.
"How did you...?"
Gaara smirked, "You have more in common with your brother than you realize."
"I'm going to tell Naruto and you can't stop me," she glowered a moment then turned to the door. Sand rushed in front of her and blocked her path. She looked back over her shoulder in surprise.
"I agree that you should be the one who tells Naruto, but as we told you before... Now is not the time to do it."
"Bastard! What gives you the right?" she asked rushing him. As she neared him the sand blocked her punch. Howling in frustration she punched at him again.
"Why do you persist? You must realize how useless this is..."
Rearing back to punch him, sand grabbed her wrist to prevent her swing and Gaara had a sense of deja vu when she head butt him. Not hard enough like her sibling counter part as was made apparent by her sitting on the ground rubbing her forehead.
"Ow..." she whined and glaring up at him. He closed his eyes shook his head.
"I owe your brother a great deal."
Curious but not wanting to show it she stuck her tongue out at him and turned around crossing her legs and arms in front of her. This only served to make Gaara chuckle.
"Naruto saved me from my hatred and loneliness a long time ago. He helped shape me into the man I have become," he looked down at the red head who was peeking at him from over her shoulder. She looked away when she realized he noticed.
"Being in the shape you are in now you have no chance to defeat Danzo even with Naruto's help. You can't even manage to get passed me."
She turned and stood all in one motion ready to fight again.
Holding up a hand to stop her, "If you really want to defeat him then you are going to need my help whether you want to admit it or not. Tomorrow morning you will be announced as my sister..."
"But I'm not your sister," she growled.
"Sabaku no Hana."
"Desert flower?" she asked incredulous.
Gaara smirked, "Nice touch is it not?"
"My name is Kohana."
"It is my understanding that Sai gave you that name. It should be no problem for you to take on the one I give you."
She could feel the same rush from yesterday pouring through her. Clutching her chest she growled. Gaara was unfazed by the showing having seen it from Naruto and felt it himself.
"Breathe, 'Hana," he said calmly and walked to her touching her shoulder, "Breathe."
Kohana struggled with the beast within her and focused on Gaara's surprisingly soothing voice.
"That's it. Breathe in, breathe out. You're doing good, 'Hana."
She felt her system coming back to normal as her body began to shake.
"I imagine that the reason you have such problem controlling the beast is due to your sheltered life..."
"Sheltered!?"
"...and all of the recent stress you have come under recently is festering inside of you," he said ignoring her, "If you want to become stronger you are going to have to trust me and in turn I will tell you about your brother."
Kohana looked up at Gaara, "So, if I agree to stay here posing as your sister you will help me control the nine tails?"
"Only if you follow my orders strictly. You are, under no circumstance, allowed to tell Naruto about your relation to him until I give you permission to do so. Violate these conditions and I will immediately cease to train you, is that understood?"
Grudgingly Kohana realized that she needed this man's help. She looked up at him as he offered a hand out to her. Sighing, "I have no other choice," she took his hand, "Deal."
"Again, welcome to the family, Sabaku no Hana."
"For the time being... Thank you, Gaara."