Chapter 2

In the sand

"No matter how strong we are friends can always make us stronger. They make up for our flaws, as we make up for theirs. It's always good to have friends to watch our back."- Kakashi Hatake

The three Leaf ninja were leaping like crazy, following the lead of the Sand kunoichi with four pigtails- Temari. Finding the woman was quiet easy, considering she was walking along the road. She was shocked to hear the news about her youngest brother being taken captive by the Akatsuki. But then the shock turned to anger. She was relentlessly chasing to the Hidden Sand, wanting to learn more details and save Gaara.

Sakura had a few questions about the situation. Kakashi answered all he could. She felt sorry for Naruto when she learned about Nine-tails being sealed inside him 5 years ago. To learn that there were rogue ninja after him for that- it pained her. That is… the villagers looking at him with hate were bad enough, considering his subhuman complex, but the organization that actually looked at him like an animal or worse? And to hear about Itachi was another problem- the man, who killed his entire clan, leaving only his little brother alive. How could it be that these two were suffering by one man? How is it that both Naruto and Sasuke have to suffer just for being born? She really was just a stupid girl back in the past after all. She needed to make it right. She needed to find Naruto and Sasuke. Although, while there were news about Naruto last heard three years ago, there was still nothing about Sasuke's whereabouts. If that's the case, then finding Naruto would come first.

After a total of two days travel, the group finally reached the wall of the Hidden Sand. The passage was mostly cleared, but they still needed an escort through. The shinobi were still uncertain how save it was. Temari looked around and couldn't believe how many were injured. She wanted to reach for her fan and help. But then again she could be putting them in danger. She decided not to act. But it wasn't like she wouldn't do something.

Kazekage Tower

"This is no use." An elderly woman said. "This poison is a new type. I can't neutralize it."

"But you have to, Lady Chiyo!" Kankuro said through pain. "Otherwise he'll die."

"I know that, lad. But still…" Chiyo wondered. She was known as a poison specialist back in her younger days. Her poisons and drugs were actually so deadly that no one has ever survived. She was the pride of the village. That is until Tsunade entered the battlefield. The princess was able to counter every single poison Chiyo made.

Of course every poison maker also needed to have the knowledge how to counter it themselves. It was a failsafe. However, Elder Chiyo had no idea on how to counter this poison. Whoever made it was real good. And the man she was treating seemed to know who it was. Kankuro risked his life to save him from the blast, but couldn't learn the Akatsuki member's identity. If they were to learn anything that might help find Gaara, it was this man.

"I can't counter the poison. Whoever made it knew what's he, or she, doing." Chiyo said with regret. Kankuro's head dropped. He needed something to go and save his little brother.

The door soon opened, revealing four people waiting on the other side.

"Elder Chiyo?" Temari was wide eyed. "I never thought you'd actually move from your home. Are you no longer retiring?"

"Well, you younglings clearly can't handle things without me keeping an eye on you. Honestly. In my days…" the elder wanted to keep going, when she saw the Leaf ninja. Her eyes hardened. Truth to be told she hated the renewed alliance. She believed it to cause more harm. Then her eyes focused Kakashi… and she released her killer intent.

"YOU…!" She shouted, dashing at the man. The silver haired jonin was confused with the situation. "HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOURSELF HERE, WHITE FANG?" she tried to attack him. Luckily, Temari and Kankuro managed to stop her, while Sakura and Hitodama prepared to fight her.

Kakashi's eye widened. So this woman knew his father. But did he really resemble him that much? The man putted that thought aside seeing how mad the woman was.

"Lady Chiyo, please calm down." Temari begged.

"Calm down, sister." Another elderly voice said. It belonged to a man with a big head. The man approached her. "Can't you see? This is not the White Fang." At the sound of that, Chiyo froze. Then she took a closer look at Kakashi. It took a while, but she finally calmed down, with the face of regret. Whatever the story was, Kakashi decided not to ask.

"Who is that?" Hitodama asked with curiosity on her face, pointing at the poisoned man.

"This guy has seen one of the Akatsuki members." Kankuro answered. "The man seemed serious about killing him, as if he was known to us. But the poison prevents him from talking."

"I tried to counter the poison, but I just can't. The best I could do is slow it down." Chiyo explained with shame.

Sakura ran over to the man and examined him immediately. Her hands were engulfed in green light, as she ran them over the Sand ninja. Everyone sat quiet, waiting for the diagnosis.

"Bring me two buckets. One filled with water. Now." She instructed.

"You heard her. Move it." Kankuro commanded the two chunin in the room.

Temari looked at the elder woman, who had a skeptical look on her face. "It'll be alright. Sakura is the apprentice of Lady Tsunade." She explained. Chiyo's eyes showed frustration.

"So we now have help from the Slug Princess's little student, eh? How ironic. Our enemy is here to help." She commented.

"Lady Chiyo, we are not at war with the Hidden Leaf for years now." Temari explained.

"You are being too naïve, child." Chiyo commented, walking to the window.

The Sand chunin finally arrived with the buckets. When Sakura started the treatment, everyone in the room was amazed by her performance. The pink haired medic took some water with her hands, making it look like a bubble, ready to fall, and pressed it against the man. The water seemed to soak into the man's body. He winced a bit in pain and discomfort. After a minute or so, Sakura pulled the water out. Now it was purple. Now it was clear as to what she was doing: filtering his organism. She was pulling out all the toxins out of the Sand ninja. She threw the polluted water into the empty bucket and reached for more of the clear one. And she repeated that for a while, having someone bring some more water. After about half an hour, Sakura backed from the man, taking a breather.

"Well…?" Temari asked.

"I managed to remove the poison." She said. Then she continued before anyone could start cheering. "But he's still affected. Unless we can make an antidote, he will remain comatose… or die."

"So it was all for nothing." The elder commented.

"Not at all. With the poison removed we have more time." Sakura explained. "There is nothing to spread, but his body still needs a cure."

"In other words you removed the source but the problem still remains, right?" Kankuro asked a bit confused. It wasn't like he didn't understand anything, but wanted to be sure he followed.

"Right." Sakura replied. "Could I see some herbs?" she asked.

"I'll take you to the greenhouse." The puppeteer ninja said, letting the young medic to follow.

As the two left, Kakashi took a closer look at the unconscious chunin. They really needed something to go on. Then the jonin noticed something under the man's nail. As he took a closer look at it, he saw it was a piece of clothing. How could they have missed it? He summoned Pakkun, one of his dogs, after he removed the trial.

"Yo, Kakashi." The dog greeted. "Why'd you call me?"

"Pakkun. We're in crisis here. Think you can think you can track down someone by this?" the jonin asked, showing his summon the piece. The dog took a closer look at it at smelled it. It seemed to last long.

"It's faint. I mean very faint. That piece is a bit too small. Wait a second. I think I do smell someone other than this man here." Pakkun said.

"You can track him?"

"I'll try." He said.

"Then go." Kakashi ordered. And the dog ran out like a bullet.

Unknown location

The two Akatsuki members were walking along the cliff. Looking down there were thick roots joining the two sides like bridges. As they walked, they finally noticed their destination- a huge boulder with a tag. They nodded to each other and jumped down. Deidara made a few hand seals before pressing the boulder. It glowed and then lifted opening an entrance. Wasting no time, he and his partner entered. As the entrance closed, a shadowy figure appeared before them. The astral projection opened its eyes.

"You're late." It said with voice filled with power.

"Forgive us, leader, but Deidara was slacking." Sasori explained.

Deidara, of course, didn't like it. "Liar! We were late because you got spotted. Besides, it's not like you fought a jinchuriki, hn. So don't comment a fight unless you know how tough the opponent is, hn."

"It would've been easier if you were to stop calling your explosions art." Sasori talked back.

"But it is art. Art is a flash in darkness, hn. Something that reaches you in seconds. That illuminates you, hn."

"How can you call this art when no one can admire…"

"Enough!" leader roared. "We're wasting time. Prepare the jinchuriki for sealing."

"Yes, leader." Both Sasori and Deidara said.

The projection of the leader faded away, as the ground shook. In a matter of seconds, the earth opened, allowing a huge statue to emerge. The statue looked like a man with tied eyes, though it was more demonic in appearance. When its head came forth, hands appeared, shackled, making it look as if begging. The blond member of the Akatsuki looked at the clay bird, making it release the prize- Gaara. The red haired man was still unconscious. The two men jumped up to the statue's fingers. Then more astral projections appeared on the other fingers.

"Be ready." Leader said. "Once we start the sealing, it will take 3 days to complete it. And we cannot allow ourselves to be interrupted."

"Agreed." One voice said, looking at the projection of a man with a flytrap on its shoulders. "This is why I suggest Zetsu to keep on a look out. With all of us here, we can take this a bit lightly."

"Just don't take it too lightly." Leader commanded. Zetsu nodded. "Let us begin." Everyone began to make hand seals. At the final one: "Sealing Arts: Phantom Dragons Devour Sealing!"

The statue's mouth opened. A faint light was coming from it. A light that was very disturbing. No matter what, the Akatsuki could feel cold on their spin. They all had shivers. Then nine dragons made of chakra shot out, flying around the cave, as if trying to free themselves from the structure. The sight was somewhat magnificent. They were like vultures flying over the prey. The roar echoed throughout the cave making it look as if these were real dragons, not a jutsu. After a minute or two, they launched at the jinchuriki on the ground. Gaara cried in pain. He was engulfed in a blue bubble of light connected to the statue. As he screamed, an orange chakra was coming out of his mouth and being sucked into the statue. The Akatsuki remained in their positions. Now it was only a matter of time. In three days One-tails will be sealed.

Hidden Sand Village, Kazekage Tower

It was night already. The people were already going home to rest. The next day they would return to work. There was still a lot to do. Sakura just gave a shot to the poisoned man, satisfied with the results.

"It's not that great but he'll live." Sakura said. "Tomorrow he should be conscious."

"Then we'll know who dared to poison Baki-sensei." Temari said with fire in her eyes. Kankuro actually stepped back from her.

"And what about that dog you sent earlier, son of the White Fang?" Chiyo asked. "Any news?"

"Nothing good really." Kakashi admitted. "That piece of clothing was too small. Pakkun couldn't get anything."

"Then Baki-sensei is our only hope." Kankuro said. They just hoped he would wake up in time.

Hidden Leaf Village, Hokage Tower

"As you know Kakashi with the team are in the Hidden Sand Village, which was attacked by the Akatsuki." Tsunade said to the gathered party. She turned around to the window, looking at the moon. It was golden tonight. Somehow it made her feel the chills. Then she got back to business. "However, considering this is the Akatsuki we're talking about, I've decided to send you guys as support. You guy should be able to handle the situation well. Am I right?"

The team leader smiled, taking a nice-guy pose. "Of course, Lady Tsunade! Our Flames of Youth shall quarantine a mission success!" Guy said.

Hidden Sand Village, Kazekage Tower

Morning. The group has gathered around Baki, the man with half his face covered seemed to try and open his eyes. When the group entered the room and saw that, they were amazed- especially Sakura. She wasn't really certain if the antidote would've truly worked when she administrated it. Luckily, it worked better than she thought. Lady Chiyo, on the other hand, had mixed feelings. On one hand she was mad because the young Leaf medic was able to counter the poison she wasn't able to. This hit her pride the same as when Tsunade countered her every poison. But on the other hand she was glad because the Sand ninja would live. That and could share the information about the Kazekage kidnapper's partner's identity.

"Baki-sensei, are you awake? Can you talk?" Kankuro asked. The man seemed to struggle.

"Y-yes, Kan-kuro." Baki answered.

Then Temari pushed everyone aside with a mean look on her face. ""Baki-sensei! Focus! The men who poisoned you! Who was he? Do you know?" She said loudly but slowly. She wanted to be certain he follows. She wasn't as emotionally unstable right now. She knew that Baki should be still resting. But time was of the essence. They needed to rescue Gaara.

"The… man. It was… it was…" Baki tried to speak, clearly losing consciousness.

"Yes?" Kankuro asked.

"M-m-mas-ter… Saso-ri…" he gasped before going out cold.

"Sasori? Who's that?" Sakura asked confused.

"Sasori of the Red Sand." Hitodama said, more to herself. "I heard that name. One of the greatest puppeteer ninja of the Hidden Sand. I thought he died in his madness of trying to create a perfect puppet."

"Then your knowledge is based more on rumors rather than facts." Chiyo commented. "Sasori was a great puppeteer, indeed. Not only has he mastered the art of a puppeteer but also changed it to the form we use now a day. He was also the creator of many puppets we use nowadays."

"You seem to know him quite well, Lady Chiyo." Temari observed.

Then Chiyo's head dropped in shame. "That's because… I was the one to teach him. Both in arts of puppeteer and poison making. And he did not die as rumors say. Indeed, he was working on creating a perfect puppet. But after a few experiments, which left him scarred, more on his pride than body, he left the village. I do not truly understand the reason to this day, but I respect it."

"How come?" Kankuro asked.

"Now is not the time for questions like this, boy." The elder yelled. Then she calmed down. "If Sasori is part of the Akatsuki, then I think I know where they could take Gaara."

"Where?" every one asked at the same time.

"Sasori liked to train a lot. He had a hideout outside the village, by the borders with Fog Country.

"Fog Country?" Kakashi made sure if he heard that right. "Then it's near the Hidden Rain Village. We'll need to move cautiously." He suggested.

"I'm going with you, guys." Temari said, preparing her fan. "There's no way I'm letting my little brother's kidnappers get away without me hurting them."

"Then I'll tag along." Kankuro said. "I wanna fight with Master Sasori."

"You cannot." Chiyo stood in front of him. "Someone needs to stay here and make sure that the villagers are kept in their places. I'll go."

"But Lady Chiyo… this isn't a good idea. You're old… I mean, er, um… you, I mean, we can't risk having you hurt."

"I may be old, child, but I've still got some strength left in me to fight. I was Sasori's teacher and it has to be me to take him out. You wouldn't last long. Besides, I know where exactly his hideout is located. Without me you might be looking for it for days."

The team from the Leaf Village looked at each other. Kakashi sighed. "I don't suppose we have any other option. Do we?"

"We're wasting time here." The female enforcer commented with an annoyed look. "The fossil had better not slow us down, 'because I refuse to wait up for or carry her."

"Don't worry about me, girl. I wouldn't be volunteering on this one unless I'm certain I can carry my own weight." Chiyo talked back.

"Well then, how about we FINALLY GET GOING?" Temari 'suggested' with the glare that promised death. The group nodded in agreement and followed her to the exit. Kankuro and the Chiyo's brother both sighed heavily.

Later…

The group was moving fast, following Chiyo. Despite her age, she was fast. And it appeared she really did have things to settle with this Sasori guy. As they moved, none have noticed a face growing out of the tree. A face with yellow eyes. Its eyes hardened the glare.

"We seem to have a problem, Leader." Zetsu said, interrupting the unending scream of agony echoing throughout the cave. "It would someone's heading this way."

"Who?" Leader asked.

"A team from the Sand Village. They seem to be ninja from the Leaf. Kakashi Hatake is amongst them. And some old hag as well."

"Granny Chiyo?" Sasori asked in amusement. "Never thought she'd actually move her ass again."

"There's also one more group coming. This one's from the Leaf Village. Likely a backup." Black Zetsu commented. "It's Might Guy's Team."

"Guy, you say?" Kisame asked. "Then allow me to engage them. I owe him for kicking me in the face all these years ago."

"In this case I'll handle Kakashi. Considering he has the sharingan I'm a perfect opponent for him." Itachi reasoned.

"Very well." Leader agreed. "However do not use more than 30% of your power. We still need to seal One-tail."

"Roger." Kisame replied.

"Understood." Itachi acknowledged.

The desert

Team Guy has just exited the forest. Now they needed to travel through the dessert. They knew the travel would be difficult given the heat. But no matter what they needed to hurry. That's when Guy noticed a messenger hawk. It flew high above them, yet it saw them. It seems it was supposed to deliver the massage to the Leaf ninja. As soon as they read the message, the team change course. They were wasting no time. A friend was in need. Though Tenten wanted to complain about Guy and Lee's determination, she had to admit the situation indeed needed them to make haste.

Then Neji's danger sense kicked in. Something was wrong. But what.

He activated his byakugan, covering his face on the height of his eyes in veins.

The forest

The team reached the clearing. They considered taking a short break, when they all heard someone's voice.

"Guy-sensei!" Neji called. "Behind us!"

Guy caught the message and gestured to hold. As Team Guy stopped, they saw something rise from beneath the sand. It looked like a shark's fin. As it got near them, it sank again. It confused everyone.

Then an explosion took place. A high pillar of sand provided some shadow for the team, who managed to dodge at the last moment. As the cloud fell there was a big guy with a sword standing.

"It's been a while. Hasn't it, Green Beast?" the blue skinned man with shark-like teeth said, smiling.

"It has been a while, Kakashi." A stoic voice with no trace of emotions greeted. Everyone looked in the direction from where the wards came. A shadow was coming out of the bushes, only looking at them with red, blazing eyes. As the man came out, Sakura shivered seeing these familiar, rotating eyes. These crimson yet strong blazing eyes with three tomoes that just wouldn't stop rotating.

"So we ran into you after all, Itachi Uchiha." Kakashi commented, taking the stance.

To be continued…

A/N: Another chapter. Hope you'll like it. I was thinking about making an omake, but sadly I couldn't come up with anything. Maybe next time. Ja ne.