Disclaimer: This is the last time you are going to see one so...I don't own the characters.

Temari did not want to wake up. She wanted to keep her position on her sleep tousled bed and reclaim the gentle dream. Too bad for her it was morning and another day teetered on the brink of existence. She yawned and stretched working out the kinks from a nights sleep.

Rising from her nest on the bed she stumbled to the closet to find a clean outfit. Her back still ached from all her activity yesterday and she vainly tried to ease the stiffness in her shoulders.

Two strong hands made themselves known to her as they massaged her sore muscles. She sighed and leaned back into their touch. The hands moved lower alternating hard and soft strokes. They reached her waist and journeyed up her back again.This time slipping up under her top.

Smooth skin slid under rough fingertips. A soft moan urged the pair to continue. Temari snapped back into her senses. She gasped and whirled around. There stood Gaara standing with his hands outstretched as if reaching for her. Both were motionless, each waiting for the other to break the silence. Finally Gaara allowed his hands to drop and hang lifeless at his sides.

"Get ready. We journey to Konoha in an hour." He turned and strode from the room as if his sister had not just rejected his thoughtful gesture. The door clicked shut and Temari moved in a whirlwind of activity. She was fully dressed in less than five minutes and was tucking her fan into its usual place.

With one last glance at her slightly reddened face she left the room unconsciously mimicking Gaara's stride and confidently joined her two brothers. Kankuro rose from his seat on the steps and shouldered his faithful puppet and both followed their silent sibling at blinding speeds. The last thing on Temari's mind was the strange episode that occurred earlier.

The only question running through her head was, 'Why are we going to Leaf?' It seemed that only Gaara was trusted with whatever reason they were dashing for their shaky allies. Trees blurred into each other as they reached the edge of the desert and flung themselves into the forests. They moved as one unit. No words passed between the trio yet each moved with precision as if it had been a planned performance. 'At this rate we are going to be in the village by nightfall.'

Temari's mind raced wondering what was so important for them to be traveling at such speeds. Four masked figures joined them as they crossed the border into Fire Country. The cloaked figures made no move to stop the teens only falling into step with them. Soon the walls of Konoha loomed over them and there was barely a pause as they flashed through the gates.

Startled villagers and children stared in awe as they watched the ninjas fly past. They skidded to a stop before the Hokage's door. The ANBU leader motioned for his group to stay with the Sand-nins as he entered the innermost office. The door opened quickly and they were ushered inside.

Once he was standing in front of Godamie, Gaara slipped a small package out from one of his many pockets and without ceremony dropped it on her desk. He folded his arms and waited for the Hokage to react. Tsunade picked up the paper wrapped parcel and quickly divested it of its brown covering. A small box accompanied by a slip of paper was uncovered. Quickly reading through the note she opened the box to reveal a signet ring.

"Go find Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino." She paused for a minute as if contemplating. "Get Hyuuga Hinata as well." One of the ANBU team slipped out to search for the females. "You may stay in the village to rest. Rooms will be made available to you." The trio was shuffled off their importance gone once the box left their possession. They were housed in the same building that they inhabited during the Chuunin Exam.

Temari leaned against her balcony railing for a second before jumping down and heading towards the training grounds. She had two shadows. The sun was setting as she reached the almost empty practice grounds. Only one figure remained honing his body into a more perfect weapon.

"Uchiha." She called curtly receiving a glance and a quick nod before attention was diverted once again to the thick pole he had been pummeling. She took out her throwing stars and began to perfect her aim.

Slowly the sounds of flesh hitting wood stopped and only the whisper of shurikens embedding themselves into their target could be heard. She glanced over and caught the raven haired boy staring at her.

"What do you want?" Her voice was soft almost sounding like an invitation even to her own ears.

"Why are you here?" His voice was rough as if this was the first time he had used it in a long time.

"On a mission, nothing more." She ignored his raised eyebrow and released the weapon she had been holding. It missed the middle of the target by half an inch. Temari could feel a slight source of warmth behind her and to the right. The prodigy of Konoha had placed himself less than a foot away from her.

She turned her face to the side her eyes locating him immediately. A thrill warning of danger ran up her spine but she could not find the strength to move. He came closer wrapping his arms around her. Pale lips descended upon her. They never reached their target.

A wall of sand erupted from the ground beneath them completely hiding them from each other. A cruel grip wrapped around her forearm and she was dragged from the training grounds. The sand dropped and Sasuke was left alone half wondering if it had been a dream. Her captor refused to speak as he led her back to their rooms.

Her arm was hurting and she knew she would have bruises in the morning. Without a word Gaara thrust her into her designated room and slammed the door shut with enough force to almost break it. She shook as she heard his footsteps enter the room next to hers. Gently she prodded her arm and winced at the flash of pain. 'What was that about?' She wondered as she readied herself for a restless fearful night.