Ino walked down the hospital's hallway, a small cactus in her hands. Suna didn't have any flower shops or gift shops. The closest thing to buy a gift was specialty stores and you had to order weeks ahead of time. The desert village didn't get visitors unless they were lost and needing water or medical help. The cactus was sold at a small market with only a few other little cactus. She picked it up and inspected it. She didn't know anything about cacti but hell, there was no way Shikamaru could let it die. They were sturdy and manly, she guessed.

Entering the small hospital room, Shikamaru was propped on his back with pillows on each side of him. His thick black hair was just at the top of his shoulders. He was looking out the circular window at the clear sky, hoping a single drifting cloud would peak in. Unfortunately it was a clear day, not a single cloud strolled the sky. She was relieved to see Temari wasn't there. They could finally be alone without a sand sibling nearby.

"Hey Ino"

Ino put the cactus next to the hospital bed and took a seat. Shikamaru's face was covered in small scabs from the scratches from the branches.

"How are you?" she asked.

"I'm alright. My back is healing but I'll have a nasty scar. They said I can leave soon"

"I feel responsible for you being here"

"Don't, Ino. You didn't do anything. I'll always protect you just as I would for Choji and Mirai. Besides, don't girls think scars are sexy anyway?" he had a small grin. Bless him he was trying to make her laugh. She out a mixture of a sigh and laugh, nodding. Ino took his hand in her's and gave it a gentle squeeze.

They talked for a while, mostly about how different Suna was from Konoha. She missed this. Being alone with him and just talking. She felt at peace but that was soon interrupted as a nurse came in, "Sorry but I need to ask that you please leave the room. We need to change bandages."

"I guess I should get going anyway" Ino stood up and kissed Shikamaru on his forehead. He closed his eyes as her lips lingered for a second.

Closing the door behind her, she walked down the hallway. Her heart felt light just from their brief time together. Ino turned the corner and nearly collided with Temari.

"Sorr- Ino? What are you doing here?" Temari asked.

"I came to see Shika" Ino defensively answered, not missing a beat.

Temari's eyebrow raised at the younger girl's tone. Deciding not to say anything about it, she changed the subject, "I'm sorry about the other night. I thought Keeva was trying to escape. I didn't know you were still in control."

Ino stared at the older woman, unsure about the whole thing herself. Ino was furious inside at Temari. Her face was starting to feel hot and she hid her closed fist behind her back. "You shouldn't doubt my abilities although I would your's. You almost killed Shikamaru and that is unforgivable."

With that said, Ino left. Temari stared at the younger blonde in disbelief.

Gaara handed Kankuro a small scroll, "Just North of our borders, a small village has reported all the men have disappeared. Becoming tranced and walking into the forest. A few men have washed up in the river but no signs of trauma reported from the village doctor. You and Ino will go to Bevia and investigate. Find these men and what's really going on."

"Only the men?" Ino asked as Kankuro handed her the scroll to look over.

Gaara nodded, "The women are in fear their young sons will be next. The village is small so haste is of the importance."

Kankuro and Ino nodded. They packed their bags and headed north to Bevia. The two shinobis hardly spoke as they crossed the desert for hours. The sun was starting to set and they decided to walk.

"I don't know how you guys do it"

Kankuro looked over at her, "Do what?"

"Live with the heat and the sand. It's so dry that no matter how much lotion I put on, my skin still feels dry and dusty! Sand is in my shoes all the time. It's nerve-wrecking!"

Kankuro shrugged, "When you use the girly smell-good lotion, of course it isn't going to work. You gotta use the thick stuff"

Ino looked up at her taller companion as her feet struggled in the sand dune, "So what's your favorite 'girly smell-good' lotion?"

Kankuro gave her a 'really?' look, "Growing up, Temari had those lotions were everywhere in the house. Plus.. my ex used to slather that stuff on all the time, refusing to belief they didn't work."

"Oh.. an ex, huh? Never thought girls would be lining up for big creepy monster dolls"

Kankuro rolled his eyes, "Tch. What do you know?"

"I am just surprised is all. They're kinda unsettling"

"Well maybe if you weren't so stuck up, Shikamaru would have stayed" Kankuro whispered to himself.

"What did you just say? You don't know anything about what I had with Shika and I'm not stuck up, you freak!"

Kankuro stopped in his tracks ahead of her and while she was struggling to catch up, "Freak, huh?" He pushed her back lightly with one finger into her shoulder, knowing full well her footing wasn't good in the sand.

"Hey-EH-WHOA!" and down she went rolling down the sand hill. Once she landed, Ino spit out the sand that had gotten in her mouth.

"Who the hell do you think you are?! I could of broken my neck!"

Kankuro looked back the way they had come, his eyes narrowed at the skyline. Ino kept screaming below but he wasn't listening. Kankuro slid down the dune, "Get up!"

"Are you looking for a fight? I can tell you right now your punk ass won't win" Ino rubbed at her scrapped calf as she shouted at him. Kankuro pulled her up by her upper arm. She tried pulling away, "Don't touch me, asshole!"

Kankuro gripped her upper arm tighter and yanked her forward so she was chest to chest with him, "You can scream at me later, banshee. Just run!" he said with a snarl. The two started running sloppily up the sand dune. Once over, the two slid down and started running towards the large boulders off in the distance.

"Why are we running?!" Ino yelled at him, her anger soaring.

Kankuro did not answer. Instead he reached behind him and pulled one of his large scrolls off his back. He threw the large scroll and it unwound open yards in front of them. Ino looked back and saw the reason for their hurried retreat. An incredible billowing wall of sand and dust was rushing after them.

"Kuroari!"

The dust was swallowing the night sky faster than they could outrun it. The moon and its light were blocked by the thick mass and the two shinobis were running in the pure darkness. The only visibility she could see were five thin blue lines of chakra emitted from the puppet master's fingertips. The oncoming sandstorm was approaching right behind them, the winds were picking up and sand was getting in her eyes. Ino squeezed her eyes shut and covered her nose and mouth so she didn't breathe in the sand. She felt a strong hand grab her own small one. She blindly followed Kankuro. She could hear a chattering sound getting louder and soon she was pulled harshly around and into the hard chest of her comrade. The shudders of Kuroari's stomach closed, encasing it's master and Ino as the storm whipped passed. Kuroari's body was behind the large boulder for cover but the wind still whipped and howled. Kuroari's wicked smiling face watched the sand engulf itself, unafraid of the darkness.

Ino looked up but it was dark inside of the puppet. She was against Kankuro's chest which was heaving between trying to catch his breath and laughing. Kankuro's body was radiating warmth and she could smell a faint scent of sage through his garb. Suna had a similar smell which was different to anyone who grew up in Konoha with the luscious trees and grass. The earthy smell was no where near the sand dunes.

"I haven't done that in a long time!"

Ino pushed herself off of Kankuro and shoved him, "Are you kidding me?! You couldn't possibly think that was fun"

"Yeah, you never raced sa- oh, that's right; I forgot you guys don't get sandstorms."

"How did you know it was coming? I didn't even see it until it was almost got us"

"When you live in the desert, sandstorms and rain become extra sensory."

"So what now?"

"We wait it out. The storm should pass in a few hours" Kankuro slid down the back of Kuroari's stomach, taking a seat.

Ino let out a frustrated sigh, "Ugh."

"No use in complaining, ja. Sit down. We could use the rest before reaching Bevia"

Ino sat beside Kankuro, her backpack between her legs. The scrape on her calf was stinging from the sand inside. Grabbing a flashlight out of her backpack, she inspected it. "Ow" she gently brushed some of the sand off. It was a tight fit for the two and their packs but she managed to pull her first aid kit out. Kankuro frowned at her.

"Here" he took the small kit from her hand and started prepping the cotton ball with alcohol. Ino shifted and extended her leg out against Kuroari's walls. Kankuro leaned forward and applied it gently. Ino winced but didn't say anything. He looked over at her and spoke low, "Sorry."

"That didn't hurt"

"No; about what I said to you."

"And pushing me?" her voice had an angry undertone.

Kankuro nodded, "I'm sorry about that too"

Ino crossed her arms defensively, "Don't expect an apology from me. I don't think I said anything that deserved that."

"You said something that hit a sore spot. I hear it a lot and its.. always gotten under my skin"

Ino didn't ask and Kankuro didn't elaborate any further. They didn't speak as he finished applying the bandage to her leg. Soon after, the two got as comfortable as they could and tried to fall asleep.

When Kankuro woke, his eyes adjusted to the darkness. His left arm felt heavy and numb. There was pressure against it. Using one hand, his chakra strings connected to Kuroari's points and the shudders opened, a bit of sand poured in. The storm had passed and it was still dark outside. The moonlight brought visibility to the desert outside. Kankuro looked down at the sleeping blonde against him. Her head was resting on his shoulder, her knees brought up and leaning against his own. Despite his numb arm, he didn't pull away. He found himself staying still as not to wake her and she catch him staring at her. He had to admit, she was beautiful. Shikamaru was a lucky bastard, he thought. Shaking the thought from his head, he drifted back to sleep.

Ino rubbed her groggy face into the warm fabric she had been resting on. Opening her eyes, she looked at what her pillow had been: Kankuro's shoulder. A fast flush of pink tainted her cheeks. Her eyes were slow to look up at him. She was sure he'd have an annoyed expression or be irritated. To her relief, he was still asleep. 'Phew'

Ino crawled out of Kuroari's stomach and started stretching her long legs. She had slept in many uncomfortable positions through out her missions but none as cramped as a puppet's stomach. The desert heat was starting to rise as the sun ascended the sky in the distance. Rolling her shoulders back and popping her neck, she looked back at Kankuro who was still asleep. Thinking back to their exchange yesterday, Ino started to get mad again. Kankuro looked so peaceful sleeping in that creepy puppet, Ino felt her anger release. These puppets were Kankuro's pride and she unthinkingly insulted him like a brat. 'No wonder he had gotten so ticked off.' If she was to get through this mission successfully, they needed to get along. She wasn't ready to be sent back to Konoha early when everything with Shikamaru was working out so well. She gently shook his shoulder, "Kankuro.."
He groaned, peeking up at her with one eye. Ino extended her hand to help him up and he took it.

The two made their way into the forest just south of Bevia. Unlike the luscious green trees in Konoha that rustled in the wind, Bevia's forest was mostly tall pine trees. They hadn't really spoke since that morning but to Ino's relief, it wasn't uncomfortable. They still had a couple miles to go before Kankuro started to slowed down. His face softened as he looked around, trying to find something in the trees. When he stopped, Ino watched him silently. He didn't seem to consider her as he started walking east.

"Bevia's the other way. Where are you going?" Ino pestered as she followed behind him, unsure of where he was heading. When he didn't answer her calls and she pulled on his arm, "Hey! Don't ignore me! Are you looking for another fight! Answer me!"
He pulled away and started running. She was struggling to keep up with him as he was going with everything he had. The trees started to clear, revealing a large lake. Ino watched Kankuro stop at the water's edge and after a moment of peering into it's soft waves, Kankuro walked into the lake. Ino kept calling his name, trying to catch up but he was chest deep before he disappeared under the water. She dropped her backpack and jumped in after him.
Kankuro was still and sinking further into the lake's depths. She could see bubbles escaping his mouth and his eyes closing. He didn't try to swim or struggle to breath. Ino feared she was too late as she gripped his collar and started pulling him up to the surface. She struggled to keep herself and Kankuro afloat but she managed to drag Kankuro's motionless body to the shore and started performing CPR. After two tries, Kankuro coughed up water and rolled on to his side, gasping for breath. The panic that swelled in her chest was released in a form of a sigh, "Thank goodness!" Ino rubbed his back as he coughed up water and took shakey breaths in. Resting her head against him, "What were you thinking, you idiot!"

When Ino opened her eyes, there was a figure off in the distance watching the two ninjas from behind the trees. She could barely make them out before they suddenly disappeared. Kankuro laid back down and covered his eyes with his forearm. 'Who was that?'

"You have some explaining to do" Ino tuck her long wet bangs behind her ear.

Kankuro revealed one eye and groaned. She helped her weakened comrade up. Bevia wasn't too far away and they began their walk. With Kankuro's arm over her shoulder, she looked back at the trees where she had last seen the figure.

"It started almost a month ago. They.. got up and left. They walked into the forest and have not returned. Their bodies have been returning in the river that runs through our village" The old woman paused, her eyes on the brink of shedding tears down her weathered face. Her voice had faltered several times. "I am thankful your companion made it to our village without incident"

Ino eyed Kankuro. He hadn't spoken to her since she pulled him from the lake. When he was able to walk on his own, he ignored her completely until they reached Bevia. Something horrible came over him, she was sure of it. He could have died today and she was sure no one would believe Kankuro the Puppet Master of Sunagakure, Son of the Fourth, and brother to the Fifth would willingly drown. Would anyone really believe her? Did it have anything to do with what was happening to the village men? She didn't know Kankuro personally but her instincts were telling her the two were connected unless what ever Kankuro's personal demons were out to play. But she felt in her gut that he wouldn't do such a thing. She considered this while the she listened to the old woman, Kim.

"My son in law was the recent one to leave. We were getting ready for supper. Sara and the children were prepping the table. Kenji was removing his shoes when he came in. I saw him standing in the doorway, one shoe on and the other in his hand. I asked him if he was alright and he looked passed me like he didn't see or hear me. The children ran after him but he ignored them and kept walking. Kenji loves his children; to ignore them like that isn't in his character. We called the children back in and Sara went after him but he was already gone. We tried searching for him but.. We found nothing"
Ino looked down the hall to from where they sat. The front door where they had removed their shoes, there was a single men's shoe.

"Kenji's behavior prior to walking out, was this the same for the other men in the village? Your husband included?"

"Yes"

"When was the last body found in the river?"

"Four days ago. My husband and the quilter's eldest son"

Ino looked down, "I am so sorry-"

CRASH!

A young, wild eyed woman appeared in the hallway. A silver tray and spilled drinks were on the floor before her. Within a blink the young woman was angry and her eyes were fierce. "The Sand Village only sent two ninjas? We paid the entire village's savings and this is what we get?! One is a male!" The woman slammed her hands against the wall. Her arms shook in anger and frustrated tears started streaming down her tanned face. "Every father, brother, son and husband were taken by that woman! My own husband and father were led away and I am to have faith in you two? She'll get you too" her eyes were fierce as she narrowed them on an undisturbed Kankuro.

"Sara! Control yourself!" Kim yelled with a strict voice only a mother could have. It sent a chill that raised the hair on the back of Ino's neck. Sara, the woman with such anger left the room. The sound of the door slamming echoed loudly into the small house.

"I apologize for my daughter. Please forgive her tongue. This has been an unreal tragedy for us all" Kim bowed her head to Ino and Kankuro.

"We understand. There are a few more questions I'd like to ask you if you don't mind" Ino hadn't let Sara's outburst reveal her own doubts about Kankuro's safety. With what had happened early in the day, Ino worried.

"Of course. Anything to help" Kim's hands shook as she scooped a spoonful of sugar into her coffee.

"What woman is she talking about?"

"There's been a woman living in the forest for weeks now. The others are saying she is the cause. A bad omen."

Ino looked over at Kankuro who had finally seemed to be listening.

After some further questioning, Ino and Kankuro went outside to talk. They surveyed the village as they walked around. There was much to do but the sun was setting and the smell of dinner was heavy in the air. Their own stomachs were starting to growl.

"Tomorrow we'll talk to the other villagers, see if there has been anyone other than that woman in the forest then head in to find her" Kankuro took a deep breath as he placed both of his gloved hands on his head.

"It's hard to believe one woman could make half a village just walk away" Ino paused and Kankuro looked back at her. They stared at each other for a moment. Ino took a step closer to the taller ninja so she could lower her voice, "I think.. this morning's events have something to do with what's happening here"

"Am I under questioning now too?"

Ino lifted her shoulders, "If not then please explain. If its some deep dark secret, you don't have to tell me but almost drowning is not something that anyone can just blow off!"

"I know how it looks. I'm not suicidal, Ino"

"Kankuro, you were acting the same way that she described. It's like you were possessed. Maybe whats going on here, happened to you? If so, you're the only one who still breathes and anything you can share will help us both. We're supposed to be a team right now, Kankuro." Ino placed her hand on his forearm.

Kankuro squeezed his bridge between his eyes, letting out a surrendering grunt. She was right of course. He couldn't keep things from her while they solved this. He didn't know what to make of incident. He had been trying to piece together his memory and the lack of self control he had had all day. No matter how much he tried to remember, his mind was foggy.

"I don't know if this is a real memory or not but I thought I heard a woman's voice singing. Like an old radio on in the next room. I felt at peace as we were walking and then I'm spitting up water with you over me. I don't remember anything in between."

"Do you recognize the voice?" Ino threw it out there, not knowing if he would or not but anything helped.

"Yeah.. it was my mother's. That's what is bothering me about this whole thing" Kankuro surprised her.

"Your mother's..?"

"She's been dead for 19 years but it sounded just like her."

"I didn't hear any voices but I did see someone. When we were on the lake, I saw someone in the trees watching us"

"Could have been our mystery woman or a villager"

"Just another question to ask"

The two went inside and ate the dinner Kim prepared. Sara didn't touch her food as she sat at the table. Her eyes were only focused on her wedding band. Her two children prodded Ino and Kankuro with questions about being a ninja, intrigued by their guests (especially Kankuro.)

A cat's purring was in Kankuro's ear. He opened one eye and turned over to face the cat. It was looking at him with half closed eyes. He sat up and looked to the bed where Ino was still asleep. He lay back down and closed his eyes, "a few more minutes" he muttered. A loud shriek from outside made him jump up. Ino flung her blanket as she jumped out of bed, eyes wide and alert and they both ran down the stairs of Kim's home in their pajamas. One woman was collapsed on the grass, shrieking as two other women tried to console her. Villagers were gathering at the river, a heavy fog was blocking the view until they pushed through the villagers. Kankuro and Ino got to the river's edge only to see two bloated male bodies floating face up, bobbing in and out of the thick fog. Their eyes were lifeless and pale. A woman pushed passed the other female villagers, taking in the sight of her husband. She ran in to the ice cold water after him but Kankuro was right behind her, grabbed her by her waist, pulling her back up to the shore.

"No! Lemme go! Lemme go! Nooo!" the woman tried pushing Kankuro away but he would not let her go. Her hysteric cries were loud and full of raw emotion. The woman was having a hard time breathing but it didn't stop her from trying to get out of Kankuro's grip.

The whole scene stunned Ino. The screaming woman and her anguish tunnel visioned Ino into a trance. During the Great War, there was no time to mourn. There was no time to let your pain out, not when you had to survive. Not when you had to fight and stay strong. One thing that citizen's could never understand about being a ninja; there was no time for grief. Keep protecting, keep fighting, get stronger.

"Ino!" Kankuro's voice broke her trance.

She realized Kankuro was in front of her. His pajamas were soaked and clung to his form. Goosebumps were highly visible on his arms as his teeth chattered. He had pulled the two bodies ashore. Just how long had she been standing there? The hysteric women were already being dragged away by the villagers. The remaining women looked on at the two of them, whispering behind hands and shaking their heads. Ino vigorously ran her hands up and down Kankuro's arms to try to warm him. 'They think Kankuro is a lost hope. Jerk or not, I won't let him end up in this river' Sara and Kim ran up to with a blanket. Ino took the blanket and quickly wrapped her partner in it. Kim and Ino helped Kankuro walk back to the house. Ino looked back at Sara who remained, staring at the men's bodies. Would they find Kenji alive? Or was his body making his way back via the river? Kankuro looked down at Ino, his lips started to match his smeared purple kabuki paint. She didn't know what to say to him, embarrassed she had faltered to help him.

Once Kankuro had warmed up and dressed, they helped the villagers bury the men in the village cemetery. The hysteria was now silent cries and dazed eyes. Most of the tombstones had recent dates. No one could offer any more details than Kim had given. They all experienced the same situation. Their fathers, brothers, husbands, sons walked into the forest and were still unaccounted for. The women had barred their children from entering the forest rightfully so. At night the wildlife and the rustling of the trees gave an eerie presence in the shadows. The villager's eluded that 'the forest witch' lured them away but no one could say how.

As they patrolled the village, discussing their next action, a small group of four boys ran up, sticks in hand and hand-made headbands with a small shield painted on them. They couldn't have been older than nine years old.

"We want to help!" they shouted and raised their sticks.

"Yeah! We are strong and good fighters too!"

"You're a bunch of kids" Kankuro didn't bother to even look at them.

"Screw you! We weren't asking you, you ugly freak! We may be kids but we're dependable!" the tallest shouted.

"This isn't a game." Kankuro stared them down.

Ino stood between Kankuro and the group of boys, giving Kankuro a venomous stare before smiling at the boys, bending to their height. "My comrade here is terrible with words. What he's trying to say is to let us handle patrolling the forest."

"B-but we can help" the smallest boy in the group protested, his scarf covering the bottom half of his small face.

Ino placed a finger on her bottom lip, "Well, since we'll be in the forest, and all these ladies left alone, they have no one to protect them"

The boy's faces light up and they straightened their posture with confidence.

"Can you be strong ninjas and protect your mothers while we're gone?" she smiled. Kankuro folded his arms across his chest, uninterested.

The young boys gathered around her, pulling on her to listen to them, "You don't have to worry about my mom! I'll protect her with my life!"

The young group boys ran off with one turning back to yell, "Hey ninja-lady, your boyfriend is ugly and mean!"

Kankuro glared at the kid as he made a face at Kankuro before running off too, "tch."

"He's not my boyfriend!" Ino yelled as she shook her fist at the boys.