AN: Sorry for the delay! Here is the next chapter and it is another long one for you.

This Mission 1 is becoming longer than originally thought, so please bear with me. I might not do them this long in the future, but if you like it this long then I will do so. Please tell me in the reviews if you do! There is a Poll on my profile for this fanfiction, Please vote!

Special thanks to SunnySummer77 for the review! -it helped with this chapter.

-Warning: There will be some change in how the characters react and behave in this story compared to the anime/manga. The rating is currently T, but just in case there might be M rated content and if it is please telling me right away, so I can change the rating to the correct one. (This will be the last time for this warning unless I feel the contest warrants one.)

Thank you! Please R&R!

I do not own Naruto.

Mission 1 (part 4)

Kyou (Rin) POV:

It was the next morning that I checked my own chakra reserves trying to understand why I was still so tired. It was half full, which is unusual since I haven't been using it enough for that to be that low. Maybe the small snake took some with it. I better be careful from now on. I am eating more, but my chakra under this henge is recovering slower than it should. I will send a report to Orochimaru if this doesn't change or gets worse. Instead of pulling out the new scrolls and putting up another barrier I went back to sleep until Jun yelled at me to wake up.

It was a normal day like it has been since I first came to this village until lunch. We were alone in our corner of the classroom. After we got lectured for our pranks the other students didn't try to eavesdrop on us and left us alone half the time. My friends were talking about possible pranks for the future. I waited until there was a break in the conversation when I asked, "Why don't we ask Gaara to help us with our pranks? It would be easier and give us a bigger range of pranks." My friends stared at me as if I grew another head and more likely I was insane. Yuki even asked, "Are you insane?" If Yuki was asking, then it was worse than insane since she is basically insane.

I shrugged and said, "My brother said I should try to get along more with Gaara, because he noticed how often Gaara was alone." My friends seemed to relax at the reason behind my suggestion, especially Jun. Yuki said, "Sorry, but we can hang out with him, because of our parents. They don't want us near him and because he is a monster and rampages that kills many people." The others nodded in agreement to the point she was trying to get across. Jun said, "There is also the fact we basically run every time we see him. His sand has hurt several people, even when he isn't rampaging. So we won't be able to hang out with you should you try to hang out with him. I mean we can't hang out with him even if you are there." I nodded my understanding and said, "My brother really wants me to, so I have to try. I will probably try tomorrow, so to get it over with." They frowned but they understood that my brother's opinion and requests are most important to me. The bell rang for class before we could talk more about it.

It was on the way home today from Jun's house, for I was working in their shop today as my odd job, that Jun's attitude was different. He walked more closely to me and seemed upset, but he didn't show it. We talked and laughed like we usually did until we got to my front door. He became quiet and serious. He asked quietly, "Is there no way I can convince you or your brother to keep you from that monster?" I stared at him, but he was looking at the ground or wouldn't look me in the eye. I replied just as quiet and serious, "I don't think so… I will ok. It isn't like I am going to be stop being friends with everyone. Who knows maybe he is different than you believe him to be."

Jun frowned at that and hugged me close. I felt his fear and sorrow when he hugged me. He was subtly shaking as he said, "He will kill you." I hugged him back a little more tighter and said, "I won't die. I won't let anyone kill me. If I feel he will even, try I will run or call my stalkers for help. I promise I won't die." Jun hugged me for a while before pulling away and stared at me in the eyes. He held up his pinky and I pinky-promised him. He said, "If you are in danger, don't hesitate and call your stalkers they will protect you." I nodded, and he smiled a bit more relieved and hugged me again. This one was short and then he ran home telling me that I better stop over to his house after, so he knew I was alive. I smiled and shouted I would while waving.

This is a tiring mission. If only I didn't have to make friends, then it would be a lot easier.

I went in and dropped my bag by the couch and went into the kitchen to grab a snack. I grabbed a piece of bread and went back into the living room and Kabuto was there by the couch. He was frowning at me in disapproval. I sighed internally and really didn't want to fight with him. Externally, I looked at him questioningly with a tilt of my head. His frown deepened and said, "I was watching from my room. Jun hugged you, twice. It looked intimate and like you two are very close. I don't approve of where your "friendship" is going with him." He didn't say it but there was an undertone saying that Orochimaru would also not be ok with it. I internally rolled my eyes.

There is no way I'm interested in what you are thinking, Kabuto. You really should keep your head out of the gutter. Maybe you should take a break from all those missions, since you are seeing things. Also if I can't trust you, how am I supposed to be close and trusting with him?

I replied with a flat look, "I am not interest in him like that! We are only friends. Brother, he hugged me, because he is scared for his friend is going to try to be friends with Gaara tomorrow, who everyone believes he is a bloody monster that will kill me for even breathing near him. Maybe, you need a break from all those missions since it is making you so tired that you can't think straight." There was a scolding undertone in my words that said I didn't think of Jun that way. My eyes were telling him 'I am here on a mission. There is no way I would fail this mission.' My comment served to not only get Kabuto pissed at me as well as got my point across, but also to spark his interest in how my undertone meant. I notice this spark of interest rolled my eyes at him as if to say he is being stupid. I almost laughed at his glare at that, but his silent 'I'm going to kill you' aura that only I could feel stopped me.

Might as well do some affectionate scene for the stalkers while I rest. This will be fun, and I bet I will see some great reactions from Kabuto. He is going to be so upset with me later.

I snacked on my bread as I sat, next to where he was standing, on the couch. He sat with me though he hesitated before sitting which was the only sign that showed his confusion. Since he sat next to me I let my fatigue wash over me for a bit and lean my head on his shoulder which made him tense and freeze. If I had not been so tired I would laugh and tell him that he shouldn't freeze like that in the future. It took him a little while, but he relaxed with a sigh as if we were reconciling and getting over our fight. I could tell he was confused until I put my hand on his. He stared at me in the eyes for a moment clearly shocked and almost embarrassed until I basically rolled my eyes at him which got him to understand what I meant by this. He checked my health through his usual way but this time using the skin-contact of our hands. I felt his curiosity about my chakra level and worry over my fatigue.

Hahahaha! ...I was right his reaction was so funny! ...I am very tired. This isn't good and now I have to tell him or else this mission will get a whole lot more complicated.

I closed my eyes as I rested against his shoulder and said quietly, "My chakra is lower than it should be, so I am tired. Orochimaru-sensei said to show more affection, so I figured this could work for the both of us. I rest as I lean on you like a kid would do to her brother if not her father, or at least that was what I gathered from the families here. I hate to admit it, but I am worried. My chakra never acted like this before and I am not even using it enough for it to be this low. I was going to write in my report if it didn't change or got worse. It got worse… It got even lower than it was, and I didn't used any besides the henge. I thought eating more would help it get better, but it only does a little. I figured you should know since we are on a mission together." Kabuto took this in silently, but I could still tell how he felt since I was in close contact with him. What surprised me most was that out of all that he felt, the strongest was worry for me and not for the mission.

I wasn't expecting Kabuto to actually care for me. I guess being his student and this mission made it possible. Sigh, that meant life just got harder especially when I finally leave. Keeping everything a secret will also be harder since he would be able to tell now that I'm hiding things. He is so much like a cat…

I must've underestimated how tired I was because the next thing I know, I was looking at the roof over my bed when I opened my eyes. Kabuto must have put me on my bed with a blanket and my window was closed which showed a bit of protectiveness. It made me smile. I checked my chakra and saw it was better but still worryingly low. I was about to get up when I felt a small amount of chakra and heat on my stomach. I pulled up the blanket to see a snake, a bit bigger than the one who carried our reports, curled up there. I blinked and played back down when it gave me a flat look. I have seen that look a few times which meant If I did anything to upset it I will not only bite me, but tell whoever put it there what I did, for example if I tried getting up when I should be resting. I learned that the hard way several times. I sighed since this meant Orochimaru knew that I practically fainted and both were probably upset with me for being weak.

Gggrrreeeaaattt. Now I will get scolded for not being vigilant and complicating the mission. I finally get a mission and I mess it up. Now they probably won't let me leave the hideout after this mission!

What will become of this mission? was my last thought as I fell asleep again after hearing the snake hiss at me and its warm chakra lulled me to sleep. Next, I woke with the smell of food and the snake was gone. I carefully got up just in case and went downstairs to the table. Kabuto have made something like soup in a pot on the stove. I sat at the table trying to get the dizziness under control and my sight to clear. Once it had I burst out laughing very hard. Kabuto had a pink frilly apron on as he was standing by the pot stirring it. I noticed that a smiled flashed across his face before he frowned at my laughing. I slowly got control enough to stop laughing but I couldn't help my smile that would not be denied. He shook his head as he said, "The things I do for my little sister. It is great that you are laughing earnestly and loudly. It has been a long time since you did so, especially after we first came here. I think I have been away on missions too much, so I am going to ask them to give me a break to spend time with you. I would like to actually meet your friends and help with the chores for a while."

Crap! He is staying because I fainted. They want to keep an eye on me now though I feel like he also is going to try to learn more about the real me. I have to also be more on guard with him around. This mission just got so much more complicated and tiring!

I smiled externally and said, "Yay! You have been gone too much brother. You also have been working too hard and need rest yourself." He nodded and quietly emphasizing words as he said, "You have been doing very well and you have missed me and said nothing. I am sure your teacher would have doing something to help you learn more considering you transferred in. I am happy you are learning and me being here doesn't mean you are being a burden."

~So basically what I got from this is: You didn't do anything wrong. Orochimaru did something to learn more about you. I am not staying as a punishment and you are not really the reason why I am staying around more. ~

Damn that Orochimaru! What the hell did he do that would make my chakra that low? Did Kabuto fix it or am I going to have to figure out a way to deal with this without dying? This makes me trust them even less specially if they lower my chakra this much even if it is not truly deadly to me.

I looked up at Kabuto with a tilted head my question clear only in my eyes. He nodded while smiling in an apologetic way and his eyes basically said, "I fixed it." I smiled in relief and went over and hugged him. He wasn't expecting this and flinched, and I laughed quietly against him as he gently patted my head until I let go. I went and sat back at the table and we ate with idle chatter of how everything is at school and what we were learning. It was the first time outside of lessons at the hideout that we felt close and like true companions…

The next day Kabuto handed me my breakfast and lunch as I ran out the door to where my friends were waiting. I waved as I walked with my friends away from my house once I saw Kabuto waving from the kitchen window with a steaming mug in his other hand. He had been tempted to have kept me home today to rest, but it would be too suspicious if he did. He also didn't want me to try to be friendly with Gaara considering my chakra was low, but I am going to anyway.

He will probably yell at me if he finds out and that I got hurt. I know Gaara won't hurt me on purpose unless I attack him first. It must be hard being part of a village that ran in fear of you and you are forever isolated even emotionally from your family. I can at least understand if he has gone insane after I would have if I was in the same situation. This may be difficult, but I hope I can truly be friends with Gaara.

It was after school my friends and I went to the park to play together. We played tag which was interesting because we all were really good at this game. It wasn't until the third round when the other kids started running away and we looked to see why. Gaara was there but he was just sitting on the swing watching them run with a frown. My friends turned to go with the others who have ran but stopped to hug me before going. It was quiet after everyone left and Gaara didn't noticed that I had stayed or if he did he didn't show it. He was staring at the ground with a confused frown. I signed internally at the sight then headed over.

I came over until I stood about four feet in front of him and hesitatingly asked, "Hi. How are you?" This surprised him because he looked up quickly which made me wince internally since it looked like it would have hurt. I shifted from one foot to the other as he stared at me with shock after a while of complete silence. He noticed my forgetting and looked at my feet which I stop immediately. I took a quiet breath and looking at his face as I said, "Hi, I'm Kyou. What's your name?" Shock was completely written all over Gaara's face and he sat there experiencing this shock. I shift a bit again and said again, "Hi, I'm Kyou. What's your name?" The repeat of my introduction and question snapped Gaara out of his shock as he quietly responded, "My name is Gaara of the Desert." I smiled at him happy he answered which made him blink at me like an owl. I said, "Nice to meet you. Um...what do I call you? Gaara-san or Desert-san?" He blinked then seemed to process my question and said, "Gaara-san is ok."

Gaara seemed uneasy about talking to someone and another kid though it is not surprising considering all the others always run from him. I replied with a smile, "Ok, Gaara-san it is." I sat down on the swing next to him and he seemed shocked considering how close I was, and his sand wasn't reacting. I smiled at him and he hesitantly smiled back though it as was a small one. I asked, "Do you like to swing?" He shrugged with his smile disappearing as his face went back to blank which was his neutral and natural expression. I swung a little bit and the silence came back. Gaara started swinging too after a while. We swung in silence until the sun started to set and my stalkers were uneasy with this development. I smiled at Gaara after I got off the swing and said, "I have to go home now, but can we play again?" Gaara surprised but nodded. I tripped as I turned, and his sand caught me.

There was a deadly silence, and everyone froze. The stalkers and Gaara was waiting for me to scream and struggle, but to their surprise I was calm. I looked at the sand and it shifted so I was standing. I gently patted it and said with a smile, "Thank you, Sand." It let me go and it disappeared among the normal sand. I turned to Gaara and said with a happy smile, "Thank you. See you next time." I turned and walked home slowly, and my stalkers followed after a moment. I turn suddenly and ran into one of my stalkers who instantly disappeared. I stood there for a moment in confusion then went to Jun's house.

I knocked on the door and he came running considering how loud he was. He opened the door and I smile and showed him a victory sign. I said, "I told you so. He wasn't mean to me and didn't threaten me. I am alive and well." Jun stood there dumbfounded and then he hugged me. I patted his back and then he let go. He said, "I don't know whether I should say you're lucky or insane. I am happy you are ok though." I smiled and said, "I better get going since it is getting late. See you in the morning?" He nodded, and I left to get home before Kabuto realizes that I went against his orders.

I opened the door and already I felt Kabuto's killing intent. I didn't flinch which I probably should have and went in as if his aura wasn't effective. I dropped my bag by the couch which he was sitting with his arms crossed and scowling and I grabbed a bread from the kitchen since he will probably lecture me for a while. I put up a barrier which he noticed and frowned at me since it would use chakra when I am already so low, but I ignored him. I sat next to him eating and tilted my head while looking at him as if to ask what's wrong? This made him go from irritated to pissed off. His annoyance was a little obvious, so I couldn't help but smile. He noticed my smile and took a breath to calm down before saying, "I heard you went to become friends with Gaara today." I smiled and with a bit of sarcasm said, "Yes, I did as requested by my big brother who I respect enough not to fear for my life."

We sat in silence before I sighed and said, "Nothing happened. I am fine otherwise do you think I would have stay for so long. I am sure the ninjas that stalk me would have done something or I would be in the hospital if something bad had happened. Anyway, I greeted him friendly and he eventually greeted me back once he got over the shock and we sat on the swings swinging in silence until sunset. I said I'd see him again before leaving." Kabuto glared at me and said, "You forgot about the part when you tripped, and his sand caught you and put you back on your feet then reluctantly let go. There is also the fact that you were calm and even happy during this time." I shrugged at him and said, "I thought I was supposed to get close to him. If I want to do that I have to not be afraid of him and his sand. It will help get him to open up. Also he smiled like a normal happy kid for an instant as I was treating him like a human being not a monster." I purposely ignored the part of the sand being reluctant to let me go.

He will probably say something about it any moment. Luckily, I can easily lie about it, but we should be more careful in the future. Great... Kabuto will be even more suspicious of me now about this too.

Kabuto narrowed his eyes at me as he asked, "Why did the sand seemed so reluctant to let you go?" I replied with a sigh, "I was the first person who treated him like a human being. Gaara-san probably didn't want me to leave, because he is probably lonely."

I could tell that Kabuto wasn't convinced but he dropped the topic. He said, "I can't punish you because this is part of our mission and it would break our cover, but I am disappointed in you. You should not have done anything until your chakra was at least average level. This is your first mission and it could be your last if you aren't more careful!" I said calmly with a blank face, "I am not afraid of death after all I faced the possibility every moment back when I was imprisoned. I know my limits. It's hard not to when they were tested for so long even by you and Orochimaru-sensei. I know this may be my first mission, but I won't mess it up. If you doubt me this much, then how will you ever learn to trust me and let me fight my own battles?"

This made Kabuto flinch and look at my face. I got up dropping the barrier and smiled as I said, "I'm going to go finish my homework. See you in the morning. I already ate so I don't need any dinner." I turn and went to my room exhausted both physically and emotionally. I finished the homework and then laid on my bed to rest and fell asleep…

'No! Please, Don't!" a voice screamed in the darkness. Then I felt warm liquid splash onto my face and the screams were louder than before. "STOP!" screamed the voice but no one was listening, and a man said, "The drugs are not working. She should have exploded by now with her power. Keep going, but don't kill her." Then screams of agony and pain thundered into the darkness turning more and more animalistic but quickly fading. Pain so strongly rushed through causing the loudest scream into the darkness….

I woke with a start as the memory faded. I noticed that there was a sound proof barrier around me and I relaxed a bit. I sat up and went to stare out the window at the moon with my back supported by the side of my bed. I dropped the barrier and continued to stare at the full moon outside.

Nightmares of my memories. At least Kabuto didn't hear me screaming in my sleep. The stalkers seemed not to notice either. I am lucky that I am able to make these barriers with only my chakra and unconsciously. The full moon is soothing and gives me power. I really hate it when this happens, and it happened a lot when I was in the base considering I didn't have a window. Phantom pain washed over me again and disappeared just as quickly. I wonder how much longer I have.

There was an animal's roar that thundered into the sky along with the sound of buildings being destroyed. I got up and got dressed then sealed the scrolls from Orochimaru into a seal on my upper arm. Kabuto burst into my room only to see me up and grabbing some things. He grabbed me and carried me out to the wall and I turned in his grip to see the One-tails rampaging. He crushed my house and looked like he was trying to destroy someone or likely something. I focused my eyes on an object that seemed to be moving fast and recognized it as another one of Orochimaru's experiments whom seems to be manipulating the One-Tails into attacking it in self-defense. The Sand ninjas slowly were able to catch it and the One-tails killed it immediately without hurting the ninjas. It was not long after that the One-tails calmed down and returned to its cage though it still looked pissed that it was provoked.

I felt bad for Gaara and the One-tails for they will be treated terribly after this. At least the One-tails didn't go on a rampage and only killed the experiment, but it also confirmed that the One-tails can control itself and who it kills. Kabuto and I was sitting on the wall waiting for everything and anyone to calm down. I kept a scared look on my face as if I was still terrified and Kabuto looked worried, but we were both calm on the inside since this was part of the plan. Jun and the stalkers came to us and Jun pulled me into a hug which would have been unappropriated at any other time and the stalkers talked with Kabuto. Jun wouldn't let go for a while, so I just sat there until our friends came and hugged me too. Yuki said, "See! This is why we told you not to be friends with him! He is a monster that kills people because he wants to!" Some of the higher-ranking ninja came along with the Kazekage and were already talking with Kabuto. I was at lost for words and Kabuto must have noticed so he called me over. I hugged my friends and went over to the ninja and Kabuto who were talking about rebuilding our house.

The Kazekage stared at me and I tried to seem like an ordinary girl, but it felt like he knew that I wasn't scared and that I wanted to be Gaara's friend before. He cleared his throat and our group gave him our attention. His eyes didn't move away from me at first during the quiet, but then moved to meet Kabuto's as he spoke, "I am aware that your house was destroyed and that almost everyone here won't let you live with them. I offer that you and your sister stay in my house until yours is rebuilt. My children are the only ones who live there since I rarely go home and there are many empty rooms. Would you accept my offer?" There was absolute dead silence that followed and many of the citizens were staring at their Kage as if he was crazy. Kabuto was quiet with shock on his face then it looked like he was thinking. I grabbed Kabuto's hand and stared up at him and he looked down at me in question. I made show of taking a breath and had a determined expression on my face and nodded at him. Kabuto put his other hand on my head and ruffled my hair in an affected way which made both of us smile.

He turned back to the Kage and said, "If you are sure, then we will accept your offer, but only until our house is remade. My sister and I have not experienced this type of...event before, but we have already lived through one horror that was more painful. We will do our best to follow any rules and requests you give us on how to behave. We are honored you are willing to let us stay with you and are humbled to do so. Thank you." This made everyone gasp and I internally rolled my eyes. This may make our cover break all together but there was no other way to get close to the Kage apparently and it was the order we received. Jun and my friends looked very worried, but no one said anything. The Kage nodded and said, "Good. You would be easier to contact with further missions and other citizens wouldn't go near my house so I'm happy you are willing to go there even though my son is the reason yours was destroyed." Kabuto didn't say anything, and I couldn't help the anger from showing in my eyes for a moment which I'm pretty sure the Kage saw since a smile appeared on his face for a moment before vanishing as if it was never there.

Kage continued, "I had heard you had your sister try to become friends with him. I was surprised and happy to hear about it, especially when I heard she didn't get scared of him and his sand. I hope during the time you both reside in my house that they continue to become friends as well as that she does so also with my other children. I am sure her and Gaara will probably become close friends, won't you Kyou?" I hid behind Kabuto then looked up at the Kage and nodded like a scared kid, but inside I was pissed and worried.

There is no way. He should not have noticed it so soon. Those dawn stalkers! He knows the sand likes me because that is the only way it would treat me different though I wonder why myself whether it was Gaara or just the sand. This damn Kage is going to get me killed or use me himself. Kabuto and Orochimaru might even force me to stay here if it helped them, I bet! If they even try, I'm dropping out and leaving. I rather face my enemies than follow Orochimaru and this Kage's orders. There is also the fact that I have to go to ninja school. Dammit Orochimaru!

I got sympathetic looks from every villager and the parents of my friends looked worried. I went over to them to get a hug, but their parents moved between us. I was shocked and so was everyone else. Jun's parents were among the ones who stopped me, but they wouldn't look me in the eyes. The parents in front of me said. "Sorry, Kyou, but we can't let you be close with our kids anymore. The fact that you even tried to be friends with that boy is the reason even if you had to do it. Also the fact that you weren't scared by his sand is all more the reason that we can't let you be friends anymore. We trusted you, but we won't anymore." I showed the pain in my expression before hiding my face with my hair. My friends tried to argue with their parents, but they couldn't. Kabuto came over and put a hand on my head, before picking me up into his arms.

I was shocked that he did that and hid my face against his chest to make it look like I was hiding my tears. He said to the parents, "My sister didn't do anything wrong. You are the ones who are monsters. You are the ones who accepted her and made the bond yet because she didn't show fear, you throw her away as if she was nothing more than a stranger. You all will regret this especially once you see how amazing she is when she is older. Have any of you even thought that maybe that kid doesn't hurt people on purpose? I am happy my sister is trying to be his friend, because it shows that she actually has a heart that is willing to overcome her fear."

I'm happy that Kabuto stood up for me and actually meant it. I could tell he is starting to trust me more and that he truly cares for me. The parents' faces are so funny. It is as if he called them idiots to their faces and they don't know whether to be obviously pissed or not. So funny!

I put my arms around Kabuto's neck and hugged him a little tighter. I couldn't help laughing against his chest and he noticed it and quaked with suppressed laughter himself for a moment after he turned away from the villagers and started walking to the ninjas and the Kage. The Kage nodded and the ninjas who nodded back. They led us away and as Kabuto was walking in away in the direction the ninja were going I looked up and saw the Kage staring at me. Our eyes met and his showed curiosity and interest where mine feared but for a moment anger when his showed a bit more happiness. Then Kabuto jumped, and our staring contest was abruptly ended with no one the wiser that it happened at all.

It is great that he is playing the part of sympathetic brother for the mission, but I wish he actually believed his words about Gaara. I will nap until we get there since my chakra is still low, but luckily it should be at average amount by tomorrow.

I awoke when Kabuto landed in front of a huge house and the ninja were standing in front of us, but it was obvious that they were scared and were uncomfortable. The door was opened by another kid that had golden hair in four ponytails and was a girl though she did have similar blue eyes to Gaara. Kabuto let me down as the ninjas told the girl what was going on. The girl nodded and looked at us with a curious gaze. Kabuto was quick to show that he was a reliable older brother that had manners and she smiled at him. Kabuto pushed me forward and we stared at each other in silence until Kabuto nudged me to speak. I said with a nervous smile while holding out my hand for a handshake, "Hi, I'm Kyou, it's nice to meet you."

She stared at me for a second and then she smiled and said while taking my hand for the handshake, "Hi, I'm Temari, it's nice to meet you." I relaxed and smiled as she led us inside where another person stood waiting. He wore a cat-eared hood and had make-up on his face that was purple. He stared at us until Temari elbowed him in the gut to which he said, "Hi, I'm Kankurou. Welcome to our house." Kabuto smiled as he said, "Thank you for welcoming us to your home. We are honored to stay here with you and if we are doing anything wrong please tell us right away." The two Kage kids nodded and I noticed Kankurou staring at me, so I smiled in a friendly way, but it only made him frown.

Temari showed us our rooms and we got settled before going down stairs and Temari and Kankurou were frozen when they saw us and for a good reason since Gaara was standing there. Kabuto stayed frozen unsure of what to do, but I couldn't help but smile. I walked forward and said with a smile to Gaara, "Hi, Gaara-san. We will be staying here too for a while."

Surprise doesn't even describe the expressions of everyone which internally made me laugh though the most shocked was Gaara for he thought he had just went on a rampage and it often makes people hate him as well as scared of him. Yet here I was smiling friend-like to him and not being so obviously afraid. I did notice Kabuto recovering quickly as if nudged by my remark and he smiled cautiously and said, "Hello, I'm Kabuto, Kyou's older brother. It is nice to meet you." Gaara nodded seeming not sure how to react to us. I noticed that he started frowning and saw some guilt appear in his eyes after Temari and Kankurou started talking about dinner with Kabuto as they walked into the kitchen as if there was no awkward meeting and we were like guests.

I frowned and said, "It isn't your fault. Something or someone provoked you and the being that you share life with." This made him look up at me in surprise. I smiled and said, "It may be difficult, but remember it isn't either of your faults for the destruction that happen. I will be happy if we can be friends." Before Gaara could react, Kabuto called us into the kitchen for dinner and the dinner was quiet. Gaara kept glancing at me every so often but didn't say anything about our conversation that was interrupted and disappeared after dinner.

We each went to our separate rooms and later Kabuto came into my room after I set up a barrier. He frowned at me in disappointment as he said, "You should not have told him that you knew that he carries the One-Tails. It could make the last thread of our cover break. Be more aware and careful from now on." I nodded without arguing that it was obvious that the being that destroyed our house was the One-Tails and that the Kage probably suspects something already. I dropped the barrier after he left and went to sleep thinking:

I will have to tell Kabuto about the reasons why I was imprisoned soon or he and Orochimaru will be in trouble as well as that it doesn't have to be the whole truth. I will have to tell them something of who were the ones that imprisoned me, but I won't tell them exactly who did it. Half-truths are the best lies and most believable ones. For this mission, I hope I can become friends with Gaara and his siblings quickly. Hopefully, after that he will believe me when I say it isn't his fault and that he isn't a monster. It is difficult carrying another within yourself and even more so when they are sealed yet wish for freedom. I wonder if freedom will ever be true for the Tailed-Beings that exist and for their human counterparts.

Dreams are the only freedom I will ever truly know until my end finally comes along with peace...

AN: What do you think of this chapter? (length/content/characters)

I do realize that Kankurou doesn't dress with car-hood and make-up as a kid, but it is how I know him. It also helps to tell the difference between him and the other kids in the chapter(s).

There is a Poll on my profile about what happens after Mission 1, please vote!

Also, Thank you to the person who voted already -It helps a lot!

Thank you for reading! Please review!

I will update again soon! Hopefully, only another 2 months, but no promises!

~Who wants to see Kabuto as a neko (half human and half cat -traits)?