Are you sure you have to go back so soon? Temari asked with concern evident on her eyes. We were on Gaara office, this discussion had taken long. Kaoru sighed on the background, her two boys besides looking between them.

"We would like to… but now that we know the Akatsuki are on the move. I don't feel too comfortable being so far from the village" Kakashi explained while Gai continued to support him.

"You do realize that even if you are there, in your condition there is nothing you can do, right?" Hikaru inquired in a mocking tone, not bothering to hide his delight at pointing out the obvious.

"Still there is something we like to report to our Hokage-sama" Sakura tried to convince us, not that it would deter Hikaru in the least.

"Something I'm sure can wait, even better… we have a huge group of shinobi. Gai team can get the job done faster without us, am I wrong?"

That was a very clever observation, she almost laughed when Gai eyes shone with such pride it could blind anyone.

"Yeah, I heard so much about the Green Beast of Konoha, the faster shinobi of all" Yue tagged along with a mischievous smile. Now I knew those two were just joking, and judging the expressions of everyone, except Lee and Gai, they knew as well.

"Of course we can do it! There is nothing my marvelous team can't do!" Gai was the first to answer, but Sakura retorted.

"No, wait. There are things we will like to say ourselves…"

"I have a better question." Interrupted Neji while looking at us. "Why are you so against returning to the village?"

That made all turn their eyes to us, knowing Hika was more than ready to mess everything I took his arm and said. "It's not that… We have some… unfinished business here we have to take care before going back"

"Do we really have to go?" asked Yue, looking disappointed. I knew why, he had more than one reason to desire being here.

"You want to be stronger, don't you?" Hikaru butted in, crossing his arms with a slight grimace.

"Besides… it's not as if we won't return" I assured him, looking to the Sand siblings so they know I was serious about that. They smiled, well Gaara nodded, but his shoulders loose the tense posture they had.

"We insist, stay one or two days at least. I offer you a place and treatment just to be assured your trip back will be bearable" Kankuro put it nicely, a reasonable offer that will give me the time I needed.

Luckily Naruto was the one to stop Sakura this time "I think it's a good idea, you know… we have time to prepare and I will be happy to spend some time here" He gazed at Gaara with that goofy confident smile, Hikaru was the first to back him up. Gai was more than ready to part just now, the last thing we saw was Ten Ten and Neji going out, following their two hyperactive men.

"I'm sure you must be starving but, first you need to clean up." Temari took that as a sign to kidnap me. "Let's meet in an hour on the tea shop" She was practically taking me out by force, Yue tagging along just by his quick reflexes.

I may look at first hesitant but on the inside I was happy with the news. The first thing I wanted to do was just that, indulge myself with a quick shower, eat something nice and pass time with my team. This will be our first lunch together on years, the flutter of excitement just thinking of it made time pass. When Yue and I cleaned up, we sat for a while writing my gift for Temari, Kankuro and Gaara, after that… scary experience I wanted them to have something nice and think of us. Yue tried to stole some of the recipes he kindly helped to write, just because he wanted to mess with me.

I decided to leave the fridge full at least, so we did a quick trip to the market. The people was optimistic and it was contagious, some whispered as we passed. Yet since they continued waving, bowing or smiling I assured myself it was nothing bad.

Yue returned with another huge box of diapers and it reminded me I had to deliver the supplies for the orphanage.

"What would I do without you?" I asked while we searched up for some clothes on the store. I was trying to find something that may be useful for the kids.

"Die of boredom? I know.. I know…" he gave me a red hair pin, I smiled picturing little Rin so cute with it.

"You have a nice taste!" Putting it on the basket along a pair of brushes, a notebook and paint bottles. He offered a book of poetry, I smiled… just what I was thinking we missed. "Toru will love it" I sighed as we waited now to checkout. "The only thing that I miss is Sora gift…"

"Oh yeah… that guy is very picky but, he won't mind if it comes from you" Yue said with a slight grimace, both boys were of the same age, well… Sora was half a year older but he acted much more mature and serious. Kaoru was sure they had a sane rivalry between them. Sora is a natural leader, protective and those qualities gave me an idea. I could give him my finished experiment, it would be nice.

"I will think about it, didn't give you trouble when I was not around?"

"The usual stuff, Rin-chan was a bit hard to handle… are you sure we can't take her with us?" Yue asked with hope on his face, but I could not give him that. I didn't have the rights or the citizenship to even consider taking Rin with us. Fortunately we were the next on the line, the woman gazed at us surprised.

"Oh dear, is it you! Please take something from the store with no charge" The woman said with joy, not sure why.

"I-I can't do that. This is all I will need and…"

"Oh no, I insist… everyone is talking about you and those Konoha shinobi" She took one bottle and put it on the basket, Yue was as confused like me. "It's my token of gratitude, so… I insist."

After that incident, we left the shopping at home and arrived for lunch at Gaara favorite tea shop I was relieved to see everyone already chatting, we had the establishment for ourselves.

"Kao-chan! Here, I got you a spot!" Naruto cheerful attitude did not failed to made me smile, but Yue was quick to sit down on that spot.

"Hey! Move out!" Naruto tried to push, Yue clutched his seat like a feral cat. Why doesn't he like Naruto? Sighing as both gazed at each other.

"Never! I want to be with Gaara-sama" It was Yue who challenged, but Kankuro laughed.

"This is more funny when it is not me" I think Temari pissed his foot because he started whining.

"Come and order something, those two will take their time" Hikaru said patting the sit besides Kakashi-sensei, who looked a bit more lively with Sakura at his side.

"I already ordered something for you" Gaara said from his sit, I thanked scowled at the Kazekage.

"Enjoy it while it last redhead. Show off" Sometimes I didn't have a single clue of what traveled on Hikaru's mind, if he was serious or not. The good thing, Gaara didn't take anything personal, as always he blinked and it made me wonder if Gaara even botherer listening. The waitress came and I ordered some miso for Yue with tempura, he was still bothering Naruto, of what… I had no clue.

"How are you feeling Kakashi-sensei?" It was the first thing on my mind, he smiled behind that mask.

"Don't worry, Sakura had been nice enough to relieve some of my exhaustion, she almost caged me to the hospital"

"Just because I wanted you to rest well.." Sakura protested, nudging gently our sensei.

"So I had to help him get out, I thought you won't like him miss a nice meal after all that" Hikaru made it clear, embracing Sakura shoulders in a friendly suspicious manner. Something she didn't liked one bit, by her scowl.

"If you value your hands… you have 5 seconds to take them off"

"Will love to see you try.. I mean, I will hate to be the one to ruin such an important reunion, damage the Kazekage favorite dinner spot and made Konoha pay for unnecessary reconstruction damages. Just because someone can't accept a bit of affection from a real gentleman." Sakura trembled, I really would not like making things hard for Gaara.

"Is Tsunade-sama as gentle on her punishments as I remember?" I had to resort to that, watching as Sakura calmed down and forced a smile. She was clever, and I was glad for that.

"I wonder, who may be more scary." Kankuro gazed at me with that chesire smile I was used to…

"My lady of course" Hikaru answered with such certain. Using "that term" I could not just fully be comfortable with. His arm still lingered on Sakura as he offered to serve another cup for her.

"Kao-chan? Hum… I find that hard to believe. Wait… what is it with that lady stuff? Do you still have sister complex?" Naruto asked, making Hika blush and reply.

"WE ARE NOT BROTHERS! And I don't have a complex" Hika let Sakura go, trying to cover up the blush drinking tea.

"Oh so that explains why he bite Keisuke hand that time…" Yue said with wonder, the waitress came and delivered our food quietly.

"You did?" I questioned curiously, Temari was the one to answer me.

"Not literally, but he is the best guard a lady could have. You didn't wondered why less men bothered to show off in the garden ?"

"I see… you had fun here" Kakashi could not hide the mirth on his statement, they laughed at my embarrassment, the joyous aura accompanied us on our trip home. Yue practically pushed me forward for the last night story on his bed. This time Temari and Kankuro decided to join us, settling another couch and more pillows. Even Hikaru came with another set of covers and soon we had an improvised arrangement of a camp. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing we have few hours together.

"Can you start?" Yue, as impatient as ever made himself comfortable besides Gaara.

"Make this one special…" Hikaru already laying on my legs as if he were a cat. Putting those bright and cute eyes, I called that "Devil's face", because it worked every time. I massaged his hair, he hummed in approval, yeah… definitely a cat.

Who didn't have a complex?" Kankuro taunted, Hikaru shouted pissed off.

"Repeat that and I swear I'll burn all of your dolls"

"They are not dolls" The puppeter counteres, a pillow hit his face suddenly and Yue scoffed. "Just shut up, I wanna hear!"

"I think… I have something in mind." It was a thought I had at the time Chiyo words echoed in the spirit world. The fear I had to lost a friend again… the weakness of my heart. A long time have passed with me trying to deny the feelings I had, because it pained the betrayal. However, when I felt the hollow massive anguish of Gaara on that realm. I wanted to begin being more honest, and maybe with luck I could open my heart again. So that night I talked about my childhood with Shisui and Itachi. Hika supported me silently, gently caressing my fingers when Sasuke name left my lips. I could not say it properly, it will take time to fully trust, to be that emotionally open again. Yet I wanted to try, so in this tale I focused on expressing what I felt, gazing at their eyes and hope they understood my intention. Printing our time together, holding them close on my mind... like those three Uchiha.

"Are you listening to me?" Sakura blow at my head finally broke the trance I was. Ugh, she really hits hard.

"Sorry Sakura-chan… What is it?" He had a box on his arms, they were walking around the village following Kaoru to finish her business more quickly. He still his nose a bit itchy with the powders on the garden.

"Ugh, just forget it. If you don't notice then it's no use to tell you" She got mad and walked faster to talk with Kaoru who had bags on both arms. Not wanting to be left behind he ushered his steps.

"... they tend to be shy at first so don't take anything personal. Oh and don't knock them out Sakura. I mean it" Kaoru said that last part a bit more seriously.

"Hey, don't treat me as if I could not handle a bunch of kids" Yes, Sakura was a bit offended, not wanting them to argue he asked."Where are we going now?"

"The orphanage, so be nice ok? They are coming" At soon as we passed the huge wall to an older building a young boy approached them. The first thing he noticed where those magenta eyes and short cream hair, he stopped when he noticed Kaoru was not alone.

"Sora, relax… they are friends. I have talked about them, you remember, right?" She coaxed softly, walking forward.

"... and Gaara-niisan?" He asked without taking his eyes from us.

"He is busy today… and doing fine, don't worry" The boy then gazed at my teammate and not sure why he blushed and took one bag from her hands, before giving his back and shouting.

"It's fine! Come on guys, Kao-chan is here" Naruto and Sakura stood there as the kids came and surrounded their raven teammate, he recognized some from before. Two set of redheads with caramel eyes, a small girl with cinnamon hair and maroon eyes hugging a doll and a boy with a long emerald dark hair and brown eyes wearing glasses.

"Wow… those kids really love her" Sakura said, he was just as surprised. With many questions around his head until the older taller boy, Sora approached him.

"... Hi" He paused, his magenta eyes gazed between us. "Would-Would you mind and follow me inside?"

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry I'm Sakura, nice to meet you" Sora just nodded and turned around, we entered the building and his first impression was that it looked very empty. Too big for a little group of children, few toys scattered around.

They stopped at a little kitchen, the boy started unpacking. "Let me help you" Sakura offered again, she was quickly cut out by him.

"You don't know the place, just leave it there...please" That last part sounded as if he was reminding himself to say it. Not liking his attitude he defended Sakura "Can you be more cold? or that is the usual greeting here?"

"Don't misunderstand." He interrupted, taking his box when he was distracted and continued unpacking and storing. "We trust Kaoru-chan, you did something nice for our Nii-san… but you"

He paused, magenta clashing with blue, a slight emotion of something passed through but was quickly brushed away as he gazed down. "you don't get it"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked truly confused what this boy was saying.

"With you here… she will leave us" That simple sentence silenced him as he passed the door quickly.

After that little chat Sora made sure to not talk with them at all, Sakura and Naruto tried to cope with the children. Sakura succeed more with the little green haired boy, Toru, but after a while they returned to their teammate, no matter how much she tried to include them, both decided to wait.

Now as they sat on the old big couch just gazing at how different Kaoru looked. Something was truly amazing at how her eyes shone with pure delight as she encouraged the baby on her arms. Her fingers glowing that purple aura as she traced the baby face. He didn't know why that had captivated his attention, why his chest felt warm and at the same time it hurted to see that. Her voice was making him dizzy with emotions he was foreign.

"I know, you will grow up and be the most beautiful lady." the baby girl made a cute sound, Kaoru smiled and even that boy Sora approached to ruffle the scarce blond hair.

"Rin-chan, can you feel it? I wonder if you can see as well" Kaoru keep talking with the baby, the other kids surrounding her, the girl Midori already tearing up hugging Toru. It was Sakura voice that interrupted his musings.

"So that was it…"

"What?"

"I was thinking, of what you said last night and I just get it now" Sakura reflected as she continued gazing at the little group. "Get what?"

"You haven't noticed yet?" She reprimanded slightly angry, but before he could even defend himself Kaoru was already up in front of them.

"I'm sorry, could you do me another favor?"

"Oh, of course Kao-chan. Just say it" He was more than ready to aid.

"There is something I must show you, I can't keep hide this from you. However, I feel bad it had to be so sudden" Cuddling little baby Rin on her arms peacefully munching a little toy.

"Oh you want us to keep your secret?" Sakura boasted in relief to help.

"Kind of, just promise me two things… one, don't freak out and don't make him mad. Well, maybe you won't, but I don't know for sure."

The kids were already on the move, following them out the door. "Two, you can't tell Tsunade of that place."

"Just what is it Kao-chan, it just sounds… suspicious" Naruto inquired as she let little Rin in Sora arms and embraced one by one the children. They were already sad and tears were falling, the boys tried to not make a sound. Sora was the only one whose face remained tense and clean.

"Please take care of them Sora, you will have Gaara-sama and Matsuri-san."

"But… she is not you." the boy tone was almost pleading, that was making Rin to start protesting. Kaoru took from her pocket a familiar wristband. He almost choked thinking it was the same she had received years ago but the brightness of the polish and color were distinctively different.

"Take it. Ask Gaara how to look for me" Those last parting words as Kaoru secured the wrist band finally broke the brave face of the boy and he surprised them when he tiptoed to kiss Kaoru cheek. Kaoru blinking unable to comprehend the action.

"I-I will. So, wait until I get stronger… I will make you proud"

That boy! Something about that was just not right. Bold. Stupid. Show off. He keep thinking about that as they followed Kaoru, the voices of the children being carried away by the wind. "They will miss you…" Sakura thought out loud.

"Well, it had not been always like this. At first it was… complicated" Kaoru turned briefly, waving softly to the kids still far away.

"Yeah? Even those kids?" Naruto was curious.

"Oh specially them. You won't believe how we meet, but that is a story for other time." Kaoru pointed out the old wristband on her right hand. Until now he noticed she still had that special gift. Both sharing a conspiratory smile, knowing what it meant for them.

"Where is the other boy… Yue?" Sakura asked.

"He is preparing a special gift" Kaoru answered excited, briefly looking at the sky and hummed softly in content.

"Why are you so happy suddenly?" Naruto questioned in suspicion, Kaoru turned briefly, smiling softly and saying. "You will see… just wait"

It was a bit more fresh, as the sun falled down enough, it wasn't that late when they approached a strange cave entry with huge oak doors.

Two guards in each side, Kaoru made them open the gate, but he felt they were a bit hesitant about it. Closing the door he noticed few torches along the passage and a lot of shining rocks above their heads. It was a pretty sight.

"Where are we?" Sakura voice echoed through the rocky cavern.

"This… was my homeland" She turned briefly, just to take a long breath and continued walking. "I'm not sure if I have told you about… the voice inside my head"

"The thing is… I would like you to meet him. Since he will be around a lot more than before"

"So.. that is the secret you want to keep?" Sakura asked. The light of what I thought was the exit was too bright, I could not see until we finally entered.

"No, this is…"

Naruto had to blink repeatedly, not sure if his eyes were betraying the vision in front of them.

A beautiful town was beneath their feet, where green patches of land surrounded buildings. Few people scattered around, some tending to what he guess was a field of crops, others just splashing to what he suspected was a lake. Kaoru continued walking, Sakura had to drag him because he was busy looking around.

"I didn't knew Suna… this explains why they had a nice stock of herbs" Sakura voiced out her thoughts.

"Well, not exactly. Months ago, this was a cemetery of debris. When he told me to come here I decided to give this place to Suna. Gaara, Temari and Kankuro were the ones responsible on gaining approval of their council. It's… nice looking the place so lively" Kaoru led us to a path that crossed through a large staircase at the top it stood a huge temple.

"Then… how it was before?" Naruto wondered, eager to continue hearing her story.

"I-I don't know."

"But you said…" Sakura was interrupted when Kaoru continued talking, they were already marching to the entrance, passing huge red doors with golden arrangements. On the inside a huge parlor, at the background a set of chairs placed on different levels. Kaoru stopped at the middle of the circle and sit down.

"Look, I'm telling you what I know. Personally, I don't remember how it was when I lived here. Believe me, I really would like to… but I think it's impossible, for what he said to me" She motioned for us to follow her actions. "I'm sure you have wanted to know who was the man that appeared the other day. Let me introduce him"

Kaoru did a few hand signs, as if she were summoning but a pair of big wings spread inside her shoulder blades, slowly the man from before appeared. It was the older and more masculine version of the boy that appeared on the bridge with Zabuza. A head taller than Kaoru, with royal white clothes and this time his face could be seen. Clear scarlet eyes, it brought another image of a pair of Sharingan and a slight shiver as he lifted Kaoru from her sit on the ground.

"Both had grown so much… what a surprise" His smooth baritone broke the shock, as he approached Sakura too closely.

"Hum… I think I broke her… oh what a shame"

"How did you know us?" Naruto diverted the attention, the man blinked as if confused.

"You didn't explain? Hime, for what exactly have you brought me here?"

"Sorry, it's just that… since we are going back to Konoha, they will have to know, there is no way to hide you now and they are my team. Please be nice" He… Did he just winked at her? Now Naruto was very confused, this man contrasting the first impression of a very pissed of monster years ago.

"And I thought it was something about that redhead… in that case" He turned and patted my shoulder so hard, in a strange friendly smile.

"Call me Isamu, the Lord stuff makes me feel too old." Sakura finally recovered enough and approached more confident and firmly presenting her hand. "I-I'm surprised you know us, what or who exactly are you?"

He walked past us, Kaoru made a sign to follow him around. "Since Hime-sama was little I could see from time to time through her eyes. Don't mind it too much. I'm… the Soul King, basically a God. What you see here is my creation, the rightful place of the Higashi clan, long story short… if you speak of this place without my Hime consent I will kill you"

"Hey! I said be nice!" Kaoru protested, he took her hands and twirled around as if she were a toy.

"Could not resist! This is the only pause I have after long working hours… be considerate my Hime" Naruto wondered the truthfulness of his words as he changed so drastically between serious and amiable. Sakura approached him to whisper "Do you really believe he is…"

As he watched the strange "God" and her teammate messing with each other, Naruto smiled and decided to give him the benefit of doubt. As he guided them in a quick trip around the underground town Naruto was sure that at least the spirit cared about her teammate and that was enough for now. He planned to talk with her later after that strange meeting.