In Gaara's room…

At dawn approached Gaara looked at the window and sighed.

'How long had I been sitting here?' he thought

He then headed for the door but Temari had her back on the door and was smirking at him.

'Hey, did you sit there all night?' Temari asked, with her cheeky face on.

Gaara didn't answer and just walked by her. Temari decided to keep on questioning him until he told her the 'details' on the night.

She bolted with lightning speed to face him again.

'So? Aren't you going to tell me? I know about the kiss,' she told him.

Gaara at this point was extremely annoyed and told her that he didn't mean the kiss.

'It was only a thank you. I couldn't express it any other way,' he explained.

Temari, however, remained unconvinced. When she was about to pester him more, Kiba ran to Gaara and announced that he was about to leave to Konoha as Akamaru's state was deteriorating fast. 'His eyes are bleeding,' he added. Gaara nodded his head to approve of the decision. Just then Hinata overheard and offered to come with Kiba. Kiba rejected the idea as he was afraid that Hinata might hold him down as he was in rush to help Akamaru. Kiba then waved goodbye and flew out the window.

Temari walked over to Hinata to tell what she had witnessed in the night but Gaara had kept a close eye on her and used his sand to cover her mouth.

'Don't tell, or else,' he ordered.

He forced his sand into her mouth causing her to splutter.

'Okay then I won't tell, but she'll find out, even if I don't tell,' Temari retorted.

Hinata was puzzled and asked why they were arguing over her. Gaara assured that it was nothing and Temari walked out, her annoyance written all over her face.

In the sand desert…

Kiba was walking despite the raging sand, beating painfully against his face. His mind was in wonder. He thought about many things.

Was Hinata still the girl that he loved?

He shook his head in confusion.

'No,' he thought. She was different, she had the seal. He remembered what had happened to Sasuke. Sasuke had the seal because he wanted to kill.

Was it that Hinata was as bloodthirsty as Sasuke?

'No,' he thought again. She was pure, she would only kill to protect.

Just then a figure appeared in the distance. As it grew larger it became clearer. It was a member of Akatsuki.

'Yo, how are you?' It walked past him and waved. Kiba turned his head to face it but he was greeted by a blow to the head. Kiba was on the ground and blood dripped from his lips. Kiba thought of the odds. He knew that he had a disadvantage as his weapon was unusable.

'Daikamaitachi no Jutsu ,' a huge wind came from behind him and missed his hair by inches as it blew the figure off its feet.

'Don't you dare touch this chuunin!' A female voice shouted out. Temari jumped over Kiba's head and stood to face the figure that rose.

'Oh… a female. I've never fought one of those before,' the figure chuckled.

'I'm not a female. My name is Temari from the sand, but it doesn't matter. After I'm done with you, there is no need for you to know,' Temari informed him.

'My name is Tobi, and I am a missing nin. I come with strict orders to kill you' Tobi told them.

He stood in a fighting position and Temari in hers. Kiba stood up to back up Temari.

Temari let out a gust of wind and Tobi dodged it quite easily. Temari jumped up behind him and let out another gust of wind which tore Tobi up. Temari landed on the ground and placed her fan on her back again.

A few shurikens came from behind her and then, being controlled by chakra threads headed for her head. Temari sensed them and barely avoided them. She then caught sight of the body but only saw a few pieces of wood. Tobi sneaked up under her and was about to grab her leg when Kiba pushed her out of the way.

'You should be more careful,' Kiba told her

Temari was in thought and didn't hear his voice.

'He can dodge my fan wind by great speed; it seems that seem is his ability. I just have to get a distraction then when he finishes him spurt of energy and is recovering I'll attack' Temari smiled at the thought of being able to defeat him.

Temari beckoned Kiba over and told him the plan. Kiba agreed.

'It'll be too easy,' he added.

Kiba ran to Tobi and wrapped himself around Tobi. Puff! It turned to a big log of wood. Then Temari fired her kiri kiri mai to her front and then Tobi was soon a pile of blood. Kiba used the log of wood as protection so he remained unharmed.

'That was really good Temari. You saved my life' Kiba whispered.

Temari smiled and patted his head.

'You're a friend of my brother so I had to help you and there's one thing I need you to do,' Temari replied.

'What is it?' Kiba asked.

'I'll tell you when we return to the sand,' Temari replied, more mysteriously this time.

In Konoha…

Temari and Kiba were now closing in on the borders of Konoha. They joked about many things and seemed to be friends for years, even if they had only met a few days ago.

'There's a tea house over there. Would you like a drink Kiba?' Temari asked him.

Kiba agreed so they entered. They sat down and it was then when Kiba realized something.

'Temari, I forgot … I forgot my wallet.' Kiba said.

'It's okay,' she smiled and then took out her purse.

Kiba was awed at the sight of the thickness.

'Don't worry, I'm not a thief,' Temari joked 'It's because Gaara's the Kazekage that we have such high salaries.'

Kiba looked down out of embarrassment as a girl had to pay for him.

'So, the thing I wanted to ask you to do to.'

Kiba leaned forward so he could concentrate more on her words.

Temari shifted in her seat.

'I'm not sure you really want to hear this Kiba, so I'll make you ready to hear it,' she thought.

Temari smiled 'Do you know how Gaara is lately?' she asked.

'I never knew him before so I can't really say anything,' Kiba muttered.

'Well, I'll tell you. He's been getting more cheerful these last few days despite the constant appearances of Akatsuki,' Temari told him.

'I think it's because of Hinata.' She finished. Kiba looked unsurprised as he knew Hinata could change someone with her sweet and shy nature, even if she was very quiet. It was quite the opposite of Naruto that would give energy and will to a person with his shouts of enthusiasm,' he thought.

'When I mentioned Hinata's name Kiba didn't blush so if I told him I'm sure it won't hurt him as much so I think I will tell him,' Temari contemplated.

'Did you what happened last night?' Temari murmured. Kiba shook his head.

'Gaara kissed Hinata,' Temari answered bluntly. Kiba thought that he would burst into tears. Temari patted his back just before he did cry.

'You know it's not that bad,' she told him.

Kiba looked up at her.

'She is just like my sister, so gentle, so sensitive,' Kiba thought.

Before he knew it Temari had embraced him in a hug. Kiba closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm sensation of a brotherly sisterly affection. When they had finished their tea they headed for the hospital.

'Hello, Sir and Madam, can I help you?' Kiba pointed to his pet that was lying very still and it almost seemed like it was dead, except for the endless blood trails that was beginning to dirty the tiles.

'My, a very bad case of infection, please go to room 461 the lady told them.

They were tended to by a friendly looking male doctor who took Akamaru in his arms very gently.

'Be strong Akamaru,' Kiba called out. Temari placed her hand on his shoulder. 'He'll be alright,' she whispered.