Gaara leaned on the chair arm. He stayed up again. Even after shopping yesterday with his sister. Tired, yet unable to fall asleep, he started the unending task of paperwork.

Kankuro ran to his desk. "Good morning bro." He panted. "Can you please sign these documents in priority, please? I also need a search warrant in these areas."

The Kazekage blinked. "A search warrant for today. Why so late?"

Kankuro wanted to keep Hassassin and Arir under wraps. "A few imports have gone missing…"

Gaara stroked his name down on the slips. "Here, be careful."

A guilty spear sunk into Kankuro's heart. "Ah, yes, I will."

"Jebolo have you contacted Kori?"

"I have. Yuuta has gone to retrieve her."

"Kankuro, how is Gaara?" Bikkiri smiled.

"Unfortunately he was still at his desk. It has been three nights before he slept."

"At least he still eats."

"Barely even."

The two pondered the dilemma.

Jebolo pointed. "Hey, you're that girl. You are the ice ninja?"

Kori saw the familiar ninja. "I am. Back at the store, you forgot your headband."

The sapphire eyed Shinobi tossed the band. Jebolo gazed at the Suna symbol. Bikkiri hit the young ninja on the head. "Again?!"

Yuuta studied the female. She was relaxed among the police. Not many are. Most are worried about doing something wrong.

Kankuro rolled his eyes. "Never mind that. Yuuta, mind explaining our plan?"

"Yes sir." Yuuta squatted to draw in the sand. "Jebolo and Bikkiri will evacuate nearby residence. While closing off the area by crossing tape. Kankuro would like to negotiate before fighting. If the hostiles react, I am to Seal the perimeter Jebolo and Bikkiri set. We haven't exactly made a plan for Kori. You can watch."

Kankuro jumped at the last point. "No, no, we need her in the plan."

Yuuta sighed. "What are your strengths? Other than baking?"

Kankuro could dig a hole. Thow Yuuta in. Cover the hole, then make up a cover story.

Kori wasn't mad. She saw the last remark as a joke. "Strength is something I lack."

"Great, then you can help Bikkiri and Jebolo with evacuating the residence."

She laughed. "I am happy to give a demonstration of my ability."

"Stop telling jokes. I'll laugh too." Yuuta huffed.

Kankuro was about to hit Yuuta upside the head. Bikkiri stepped between Kori and Yuuta. "He is fine. Besides, he needs to save his strength."

The sand police were curious about the elder's reaction. Yuuta was offended, to say the least.

Kori needed to know who her opponents were. "Kankuro what are their names?"

Yuuta interrupted. "Hassassin and Ariri are the suspects."

The puppet master was displeased with the young officer. "They are the confirmed perpetrators."

The ice ninja stopped listening to the two. She recalled the three in the party.

Genjitsu, Byakugan, and the Setsuton user. Setsution is a stealth Kekkei Genkai. The Setsution one was named Sora Seishi. He died by an ice spike to the lungs.

"Hassassin is a Genjutsu user. Ariri possesses a Byakugan. They are not very clever with their talents. Which makes them dangerous. A young snake doesn't know how much poison to give. When it crosses a danger, the provoker gets an overdose of poison. All because they didn't know the proper amount to allow them to escape. Idiots are the most difficult opponent."

Yuuta almost tripped on a rock. He righted himself. Kankuro kept the thought simmering for a while.

"You have fought them before?"

"Unfortunately, to tell you that, would be a violation of agreed payment."

Kankuro leaned his hand on hip. "Bikkiri, ready?"

"Yes sir."

"Kankuro, if I may." Kori asked.

"Go ahead."

"I have a plan."

Kankuro glanced at the elder ninja. Bikkiri nodded with a smile. The police leader gave a skeptical look. "Let's hear it."

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

"Good morning and congratulations." Kori smiled at Ariri. "I am a part of the ice business. Every second week, we pull an address lottery for free ice."

Ariri looked cranky. She tilted her head to rest it on her shoulders. "I've never heard of it."

Kori observed a clipboard. "That is because you have never purchased from Mizu Yuki kōri LLC. We are cheaper than our competitors by an average of twenty Ryo on all purchases. Fortunately, we do not require a subscription for recipients. Sign this paper to confirm the delivery."

Ariri saw the official title. "Do you have a pen?"

Kori searched her pockets in shock. "I do not. Sorry, I must have dropped it."

"Who is it?" A male voice asked.

"We have been delivered free ice. I need a pen." Ariri yelled back.

"Ice, thank goodness. This desert heat is unbearable."

Hassassin handed Ariri a pencil. Kori winced. "I am sorry, it is recommended that the document is signed by pen. Otherwise, my superiors will not accept the document. I will be fined for the unverified placement of goods."

Ariri looked to Hassassin. Hassassin shrugged. The Byakugan user rolled her eyes. "You might as well haul the ice in. We will need to search for a pen."

Kori used her chakra to carry the ice in.

Yuuta grew impatient. "Sir, what if she has been compromised? Can we trust her? I say if she doesn't leave in a minute we go in."

Kankuro almost agreed. He heard glass shatter. Kori was thrown from a window. She hovered and charged in. "We shouldn't have trusted her," Yuuta whispered.

Kankuro prepared to storm the complex. An explosion burned a large hole in the building.

The side was immediately sealed with ice.

"Water release: Hail Barrage" Kori muttered. Hassassin weaved a quick sign. "Yin Release: Paralysis Jutsu!"

Ariri tried to shatter the new wall of ice. No luck. The hail fell in Ariri on her head, all twelve. She let out a slight gasp. Kori stopped moving. Though the ice ninja was still able to speak. "Before you fully decide to kill me. Can you accept my apology for killing Sora?"

The two paused from hearing the long lost name of their fallen comrade. Memory displayed itself painfully. "You're… Sombra Fragments! I thought I recognized you." Ariri yelled. She slapped Kori. "Hassassin, do not kill her yet. She needs to suffer."

The Genjitsu partner clenched his fists. "Right, she will experience being pierced in the heart tenfold. Then you can cut the chakra from her hands."

Kori was as worried as a koala munching on eucalyptus leaves. "How are you supposed to cast that Jutsu on me if I am in this one?"

Hassassin rolled his eyes. "You can cast more than one Senjitsu on someone."

"Right, right, right, I suppose you may be capable."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Hassassin gasped. Ariri grew weary of Kori. "Shut up, you worthless-"
"Worthless? Oh, sweety, you're not talking about me. Right?"

Kori's clones were behind both ninjas. "Good night."

Kankuro made it inside. Kori wasn't moving. Her eyes were closed, but she was standing up. The two criminals lay collapsed on the floor, both encased in thin ice domes. Kankuro wrapped the arms of the criminals. "Kori, are you alright?"

Smoke surrounded the raven-haired ninja. She disappeared.

"I told you it would work. They fell for the trap." Kankuro turned all around, "Where are you?"

"I never stepped into the house. Ariri saw this. She thought I was an ice clone that delivered to split the business. Hassassin placed me under a Genjutsu once the clone was inside. Ice clones are way more solid than water clones and durable. This lets them take more physical damage. All I had to do was place a Genjitsu making them think they defeated me."

"Clever, so I am in your Genjitsu." Kankuro mused.

He heard a snap. The illusion melted away. In the most literal way. Kori swirled water into a leather pouch. "Is my mission done yet?"

"If you want it to be."

"I kind of do. Ice doesn't deliver itself. Thank Yuuta for me."

"Sure."

Kori flashed out of sight. Bikkiri entered the house. "I hope we can see her around more often. We could use an officer like her for dangerous missions. Who knows, she might even leave the Ice selling business."

"Would she?"

Yuuta arrived on the scene with Jebolo. Jebolo tugged Yuuta's earing. "I never thought you would take the dare."

Bikkiri smiled. Kankuro rolled his eyes.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Miss Yuki stepped out of the shower. A sort of comfort hung in the steam. Kori plopped on her bed. The silk sheets were soft to touch. The pillows felt like clouds. The room had only one window, which only lit it up for a descending sun.

She got up, ready to fix a meal.

The Red Thai Curry was smelling delicious. The steam of the pot rose even in the semi-tropical environment. The rice cooker beeped till set. Lulu strutted to one target. Kori observed the quilled foe. "You want some rice, don't you."

A proud cluck came from the red-crested hen. Kori sat down. "I will make a deal to feed you all leftover rice. On the notion, you are to stop laying eggs behind my couch."

The chicken paced in circles.

"No idea what that means. I'm taking your actions as a deal."

A knock fell upon alert ears. Kori responded.

"Sorry for dropping in uninvited."

Kori stepped back. Her heart did a little pirouette. "Lord Kazekage Gaara, there is no need to apologize. Please come in."

Gaara wished he could never hear her address his name in such a formal manner. It made him feel as a mere stranger.

"To what do I owe the honor of this visit?" Kori set the bamboo table.

Gaara sat down on the couch. He scanned the place. "Someone left your address on my desk. It held the context of your name and these digits."

Kori poured the curry in two dishes, parting the sections in rice. The delicate spice combination met the nose. Gaara closed his eyes. A headache pounded in rhythm to his breathing. As tired as he was, Gaara was determined to try the food.

Kori studied her precious guest. He was wide awake but not functioning properly. Once in a while, he would fumble with the spoon. His reaction time was delayed so much he would reply a good five minutes later. The turquoise orbs were also confused. She convinced herself the dark circles had gotten darker.

"Two years later, you still have insomnia."

Gaara felt guilty. He thought he was in trouble. Those were his first thoughts. Regarding his upbringing.

Kori put the dishes away. Gaara sat in his chair, hands folded, head down, shoulders slightly up. The sapphire eyes were glued to the despairing figure. Kori kneeled down next to the chair. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Gaara cupped Kori's face, "You said you could cure me. Please, cure me."

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Temari stepped into the Kazekage office, ready to chew out her brother. Kankuro followed. Bikkri wasn't far behind.

"Alright, this time I want double the amount."

The sister wanted to find a good reason not to smack her brother. "You're no fair."

Kankuro looked to a nearby window. "Have you seen Gaara's favorite cactus?"

Bikkri clicked his tongue. "I wouldn't blame him if he hid it."

"Cactuses need sun. He couldn't have hidden it away."

"Cacti is for a plural of cactus," Temari corrected. "Check on Gaara's room window."

"Already did. He had plenty of others. Just, not the one with that bud."

Temari stopped in the doorway. Kankuro avoided bumping into the agitated older sister. "What is it?"

"Gaara is not here."

Kankuro shoved Temari aside. "Impossible, he wasn't in his room. Is he on a restroom break?"

The two siblings became distraught. Kankuro paced the main living-room. Temari wracked her brain, trying for some explanation why Gaara was nowhere to be found. Bikkri was surprised too. Kankuro picked up a couch pillow and screamed into it. Temari tapped her fingers on the cloth. She had too much on the mind.

"I blame Kankuro," Bikkri announced.

The striped puppeteer dropped the pillow. "Excuse me?!"

"I fully agree." Temari scoffed.

"Now how is it my fault this time?"

"It's always your fault one way or another." Temari clenched her teeth. "His favorite plant is missing along with him. Don't tell me they're coincidences. If you dropped the pot, just come clean."

"I did not touch the plant after bringing it into the office yesterday!"

"Seriously, Kankuro, Gaara is the Kazekage, but he is still a kid at heart. You keep pestering him about acting the part when you should congratulate him on doing such a good job. I am convinced that is why he works so hard."

Kankuro clenched his fists. "You are saying I made him run away!"

"I am saying, stop nagging him on what he is working on."

"I was right. You blame me for everything!"

"Where are you going?"

Kankuro held the door. "I am going where I am appreciated."

He slammed the door behind him. Bikkri watched. "That means you are on paper duty today."

Temari stood, not sure if she should be mad. "Fine, it's my turn anyway."

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Gaara lay peacefully on Kori's bed. He had slept from noon yesterday to eight in the morning. "Twenty hours of sleep in a row."

The read head rubbed his thumb on the light blue silk sheets. He pulled a fluffy pillow to his chest. His head was fuzzy with warmth and comfort. Gaara brought himself to open his eyes. To the well-rested ninja's dismay, the insomnia buddy was not in the room.

Gaara took time climbing out of the warmth of bed. He adjusted his knee-length cardigan. The long sleeves rolled up to his triceps and the tail was all wrinkled.

Gaara opened a door. It was the closet. So, he opened another door, to discover the bathroom. Gaara laughed to himself. He didn't know why opening the wrong door was so funny, but he was contented with the amusement.

He made it to the kitchen. The air smelled like vanilla. A note was next to the stove:

Sorry for leaving, Lord Kazekage. My job is to deliver ice. I have left oatmeal on the stove and some summer sausage. Bowls are in the top cabinet to your left. Feel free to anything in the fridge.

She addressed him formally in the letter. Was that how she saw him? Gaara sat down on the couch without an appetite.

He couldn't exactly understand her. She was always kind. Going out of her way to keep him safe. Even risking life on the line. Still now, as little she helped him, it seemed too much. Gaara chided himself for being unguarded. After all, it was only a matter of time until she turned him away. Much like everyone else who didn't share blood. Was she what was presented? Or did someone else wait to lurk undeath?

For some reason, he started feeling dizzy. The room seemed to spin. He saw a dark green blaze around him. A familiar angry feeling encompassed his insides. A bitter taste formed on his tongue. A strong and bitter taste.

Kori closed the door in a cheery mood. "I'm home."

No reply. Instead, Gaara stared with piercing eyes. Kori tried to brush off sheepish feelings. Lulu clucked, revealing her hiding spot. The blue-eyed ninja picked up the hen. "You're finally out of hiding. Iva asked about you. What was I to say?"

Kori remembered the handsome redhead noble staring holes into her. She put the chicken down. "D-did you eat?"

She saw the sink empty. He didn't eat, "Lord, I am going to ask you to eat something."

Gaara stood up. "I am going home."

"B-but you haven't eaten. I should take care of you. It is-"

"It is not for you to be concerned about."

Gaara strode past Kori. His heart tore a little. Kori caught his sleeve. "What did I do? I am s-sorry."

Her voice broke. She remembered how her sister pushed her away. Not again, please. Not you too.

Gaara tugged his sleeve away. He could feel another presence behind his words, in him. It was a presence possessing anger.

"You have assumed a place you can never have. We are done. Next time we meet, talk to me as if we haven't met before. Or better yet, don't talk to me."

"Gaara-"

"Kori," His back was to her. He clenched where his heart is. "I wasn't thinking straight yesterday. That is entirely my fault. Maybe it would be best if you left Suna"

He left.

Kori held her mouth. Lulu made frustrated chirps. The ninja tried her best to not cry. "Why, why does this always happen? I thought I changed. Instead, I am getting wrapped up in my past again."

The space around Gaara seized spinning. He held his mouth. What just happened?

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Gaara prepared himself for a prompt scolding. Temari has a talent for lectures. She is very angry and long-winded.

Yuuta was the first to see the rouge Kazekage. "Bikkiri, he is back."

The older ninja was relieved. "My young Lord. Your previous whereabouts are unimportant now. You should assume the worst."

Yuuta rolled his eyes. "Kankuro is gone sulking. He is in his workshop. Temari is stuck with the paperwork."

Gaara took the report. He headed towards an uncertain doom.

"Temari-Chan?"

The blond ninja got up. "Gaara,"

The Kazekage stood, apologetic.

Temari didn't push him. She didn't throw a book or turn over a table.

She hugged him.

"Gaara, you're safe. You scared me."

The redhead was stunned. Temari kept talking. "Where have you been?"

"I was in town."

"I knew it!" Temari's frustrated shout made Gaara stand back. "Kankuro should have never taken your plant. Kankuro is in his workshop if you want to make him bleed. Afterward, go to sleep. I have your duties for today."

Gaara felt no immediate relief. He took the time to walk back across the mansion to get to his room. Upon reaching the door, his insides churned. The conversation he had with Kori that morning replayed over.

"What did I do? I am s-sorry."

Gaara closed his door. He held his head. I told her that she shouldn't be concerned for me. That, it wasn't her business… That was me?

Bikkiri was walking through the hospital of Suna. Yuuta accompanied his elder because they were trying to solve a new mystery.

The two bodyguards noticed their Lord's name on a hospital check-in list. Yuuta barged in concerned. Bikkiri walked with more confidence in the situation.

A doctor scribbled on a pad. The Kazekage stared through a window outlooking the village market. The doctor saw the intruders.

"I am going to ask you to leave."

Bikkiri smiled. "Lord, if you wished to travel without your bodyguards, please say so. The siblings were quite distressed."

Gaara turned to the elder ninja. The doctor closed the notepad. "Should I leave?"

"No, please continue."

"So, you felt dizzy. The room started spinning. And there was a green glow?"

Yuuta was shocked. "Lord, did you get a bad taste in your mouth?"

"Mh."

Yuuta remembered how sudden he addressed the Kazekage. He bowed. "Might I ask what it was similar to?"

"Rotten egg?"

Bikkiri pulled out a notepad of his own. "That is odd. First Jebolo, then me, followed by Kankuro, and finally our own Kazekage. I do believe we are being targeted. Odd, Temari and Yuuta haven't gotten possessed recently. We should check it out. Lord Gaara, if you would please come with me to the station."