Kumo

The next morning I wake up to the usual sound of water falling and rub my eyes sleepily. Looking over to check on Kaji, I'm suddenly completely awake. Kaji's gone. Sai's still there but Kaji is no were to be seen.

"Damnit."

I curse to myself. Completely forgetting my goggles I get up and look around the cavern. A little frantic I go over to the water and look in, hoping she hadn't tried suicide again. The sound of weight shifting cause me to look at the other side of the pool, were there was a small ledge, just big enough for maybe two people. I breath out in relief to see the red-head there looking at her own reflection in the water. She looks confused as pokes at what looks like her ears... reforming? No... that wasn't right... it looked more like they were dissolving but backwards. It was slow but the base of her ears were already all the way back, from what I could see she was just missing the top two inches. Jumping across, she doesn't even notice when I land quietly beside her. Only when I sit does she look over at me. Her eyes hold confusion but her face is emotionless as she says.

"Aren't body parts that are ripped off, supposed to stay off?

"Must be the demony part."

I grimace at how childish that sounded but quickly go back to a serious face. Kaji looks back across the water, her eyes are emotionless now and she her tone turns cold.

"I'm not going to be able to go back to Konoha now, am I."

It was more of a statement than a question, but I answered anyways.

"We'll figure something out. Anyways Kai-sensei said he was going to go talk to the Hokage today and figure out what we can do about the situation, but for now we'll be moving to Suna."

Continuing to look forward she nods then questions

"Will Gaara be there?"

"Yes."

"Saiyo?"

"I'm not sure who you mean."

"Never-mind. I have a feeling she'll be there, so you'll get to meet her."

It was my turn to nod. Standing up I look down at her and say

"Try not to stare at the water too long, we need to pack up and get moving. The others should be there already."

Then answering before she could even ask.

"The others went a head to report the situation with you to Kazekage-sama, but we stayed behind so your wounds could heal fully."

I don't wait for a response as I jump back across the water and head to the little sleeping area were the stuff was kept. Sai was up by now and had completely packed all of his and Kaji's stuff. He gave me a blank look before getting up and heading over to were I had come from. By the time I had finished packing and putting back on my goggles, Sai had returned with Kaji in tow. Away from the water she looked disturbingly pale, but besides that she wasn't shaking or limping, so was likely ok to travel. I pick my stuff up without a word and they do the same. I start to head to the way out when asks

"Are your cloths fire proof?"

The question seemed utterly random at that moment, but I nod.

"Kai-sensei made sure to gear us up with fire proof clothing at the begging of the mission. He never told me why though."

Motioning for me to come closer, she grabs my arm and says

"Your about to find out"

and before I could even respond we were surrounded by fire, then suddenly at Suna's gates. Ok that I was not expecting. Kaji lets go of my arm, then turns to the dessert. When she starts walking into it with Sai following I yell after them

"Aren't you coming in to Suna?! We need to talk to Kai-sensei about what we're going to do!"

Kaji stops and turns to me.

"Gaara knows were to find me if I'm needed."

She then turns back the way she was going and walks. I stand there watching them until they disappear behind a dune, then turn to the village. Shaking my head slightly I walk into Suna and head straight for the Kazekage's building knowing that's were I'd find my team.