Yay!! I'm updating again! I hope this makes up for the long wait. Anyhoo, enjoy this chapter!!

Chapter 9

Journey to the Wind Country: Sand Team

Kankuro finished packing all of his belongings. He went into Gaara's room.

"I'm all ready."

"Good." said Gaara.

Then Temari entered the room, still hiccupping. "I'm ready too."

"Good, then let's go. Temari, get rid of those hiccups."

Gaara, Temari and Kankuro left the apartment. Kankuro saw that the clock on the wall of the apartment said midnight.

"Gaara, are you sure we have enough food?" Kankuro asked.

"Don't know, don't care."

"Dang."

When the small party reached the gate, Gaara used Sand Coffin on the guards. Temari and Kankuro slipped out with Gaara.

Kankuro made no attempt to start a conversation. 10 minutes had already past since they left the gate.

"Hey Kankuro, you wanna tell us 'bout your love dove?" smirked Temari. See didn't have her hiccups, but still sounded drunk.

"No."

"You sure?"

"Yes." replied Kankuro.

"Shut up you two. We're in the desert now. We have to be extremely quiet." hissed Gaara. Sand slowly slithered out of his gourd as he spoke.

Temari and Kankuro nodded to their team mate.

The small party walked a ways.

"I heard something." Gaara said.

Temari reached back for her fan, while Kankuro readied Crow.

"Now Gaara, Kankuro, Temari. You don't have to come at me like that." Sasukeru said.

"Sa-Sasukeru? Is it really you?" asked Kankuro.

"Long time no see." said Gaara.

"Indeed." replied Sasukeru. He was wearing gray cargo pants, blue sleeveless shirt, sand headband, and a long, black cape with the Uchiha Clan symbol on the back.

"How are things in the wind country?" asked Temari.

"All is well."

"Have you made contact with the other 'alive' members of the Uchiha Clan?" Gaara asked.

"Only Itachi."

Kankuro was too shocked to speak. He was never informed that Sasukeru was one of the Uchiha members. He only thought Sasuke and Itachi were left.

"Come. We must hurry to the wind country." Sasukeru said. He started walking away. The others followed.

"So," Sasukeru said, "Kankuro. How's this…….err…..love life coming along? With Sakura I presume?"

Kankuro just scowled.

"Now now, no need to get embarrassed." Sasukeru smirked.

"It's none of your business."

"Fine. If you feel that way."

Not a word was said for the rest of the journey to the wind country. When they arrived at the gate, Sasukeru spoke again.

"I have received word that the Hokage is sending over some……..ah……..chunin. We will be setting traps around the area. I hope it won't be a problem." and with that, he left the three team mates at the gate.

Well, there's another chapter for you. Thanks to SaNdEr-ThE-rUbBeR-bAnDeR, seguha, and Dog of the Dead for reviewing!

Uchiha Odd