Summary: Baki is burdened with others' problems. Who's there to help him deal with his?

JOSTLING WINDS

Contact Comfort

Suna Academy

It had been a week since Matsuri arrived at the Academy to find that her sensei was absent. Temari had mentioned something about being called out on missions, so at least it eased Matsuri's feeling of abandonment. Still, at the end of the day, she walked back to the orphanage and the animosity that surrounded her there.

Matsuri kept to herself, which was a good thing since she was shunned by her cohort. Being shoved in the hallway or someone conveniently bumping into her to spill her tray of food was common enough. But now the harassment was escalating to the point they were saying horrible things about Gaara-sensei.

She had arrived to her room on the third night of Gaara's absence to find her sheets covered with words written in red: death, kill, demon. She screamed when she realized it was blood, but the dorm mother seemed more upset by the noise and inconvenience of getting out a new set of sheets.

The next day Matsuri actually rolled up her bedding and hid it in a cupboard. It meant she had to make her bed each night, but she thought the effort was worth it. Her relief was short lived because when she got out of the shower that night, someone had tampered with the towel. As she dried herself, the red blood rubbed into her skin. She shuddered as she threw down the towel, wondering who would go to the trouble of dipping it in blood. But she didn't scream.

"A desert mouse can withstand the sting of the scorpion," she muttered to herself as she retrieved a used towel from the laundry hamper and took another shower. She repeated the words as a mantra while she burned the bloody towel. By the time she got her bed made, it was quite late.

The next day at the Academy, Temari noticed that Matsuri seemed rather sleepy, so the kunoichi took her aside to ask what was wrong.

Matsuri merely shrugged in response and said, "I miss Gaara-sensei. I mean, I know he'll be all right on the mission. Your brother will look out for him, neh?"

Temari found the girl's concern sweet, so she smiled at her and said, "Don't worry; my brothers are strong shinobi. Gaara will be back before you know it, but lack of sleep won't help you improve while he's gone."

After that encounter with Temari, Matsuri felt less apprehensive about Gaara's well being, but she could only expect the surprises to get worse at the orphanage. Still, she was not going to let it break her. So when she found the dead bird at the bottom of her soup bowl at dinner, she calmly put away her dishes, left the dining room, and went outside to empty her stomach. There would be times during missions when she'd have to go without a meal, Gaara-sensei had told her, so she would see this as training.

Her tormentors had been frustrated by Matsuri's lack of response to their shenanigans and decided to take a direct approach with the girl. As Matsuri was about to enter the orphanage at the end of her day at the Academy, an older boy grabbed her arms and dragged her to an alley with a dead end. Two smirking girls appeared who were holding jars filled with liquid.

"Pin her to the ground, but leave her face open so we can pour this on her," directed one.

The boy who held her laughed gruffly, but when he tried to push her down, Matsuri dropped and let the fall give her momentum to throw him over her. His legs went flying and hit the jars the girls were holding so that the caustic solution burned their arms rather than Matsuri.

Matsuri lost no time pulling out her jouhyou and turned to spin it when she heard the boy swearing to rip her apart. Her actions were sufficient to keep the boy at bay, but she knew he could dodge around her at any time. With the wall behind her, she had no escape except through the enraged boy. Then she heard a voice that made her heart soar.

"Practicing, Matsuri?" Gaara seemed to appear out of the very sand itself at the entrance to the alley. He ignored the wailing girls beside him as the boy attacking Matsuri turned to face him.

"Gaara-sensei, it's good to see you're safely back from your mission," said Matsuri with sincere happiness as she let her jouhyou fall.

Gaara's indifferent gaze flicked to Matsuri's attacker. "Your choice of sparring partners is disappointing."

"Hai, Gaara-sensei, but it was not my choice."

Gaara finally glanced at the two wailing girls kneeling in the sand. Something had burned their arms. His gaze turned fully to the boy who now seemed to look rather pale.

Gaara closed his eyes as he said, "Then perhaps I should offer some instruction." He opened his eyes and directed the boy, "Dodge."

The ruffian suddenly felt the impact of a blow from the sand fist to his jaw. "No agility." A sand fist to the gut. "Severe lack of abdominal muscle tone." The sand shifted to sweep the legs from under him, although a quick compression of sand ensured a fractured ankle. "Doesn't know how to fall."

The ruffian was on the ground now, crawling to where the girls were silently staring in fear. They expected to be crushed in Gaara's sand at any moment.

"Pathetic." Kankuro had finally made it onto the scene and figured it wouldn't be a good idea to have his brother smother village 'children', regardless of how much it might be deserved. "Why don't you go give our report, Gaara? Your handwriting is better. I'll clean up here."

Gaara nodded since the Shukaku within him was raging for blood. He beckoned Matsuri to his side and said, "I came to tell you I was back. Expect a long day of training tomorrow."

Matsuri gave him a bright smile. "I would like that very much, Gaara-sensei, and I promise I'll work hard."

Kankuro waited until both of them had left before he unwrapped Karasu. He then ordered, "Before I call the medics, I want the whole story and if I don't get it, you will wish you had been crushed in sand. And don't give me any bullshit about being innocent children or poor little orphans. I know you're type. Now, who wants to talk first?"

The clicking noises the battle puppet was making were sufficient inducement for a full confession as the three began accusing each other.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cliff House

"...and so if Matsuri hadn't gotten away from them, she would have had that acid poured on her face." Kankuro had been describing the way Matsuri had been tormented at the orphanage during their absence.

Temari noticed that Baki actually pressed a hand against the drape covering his own face and whispered, "No one should have to experience that."

"I also told that dorm mother to pay more attention to what's going on or I'd have her suspended," added Kankuro. "Kagami would be pissed to find the jewels from the Crystal Caves were supporting the witch."

"You can do that?" asked Gaara of his brother, who just nodded.

"Kankuro is the chief benefactor of the orphanage," explained Baki.

"Gotta hand it to the Mouse, though. It took guts to put up with all that crap they did to her before then. She's got the makings of a good shinobi, bro."

"She also doesn't broadcast her troubles," sighed Temari. "I knew Matsuri wasn't sleeping well, but I had no idea about what was happening at the orphanage."

"You had your own distractions," muttered Baki.

"What's this?" asked Kankuro as he looked between the two.

Temari's gaze flicked to Baki who shook his head faintly before she responded, "A minor intruder, but nothing as bad as those stray cats you're always feeding."

"Aw, man, did I miss a visit from the Golden Buddha?" said Kankuro as he used the name he'd given to a rather corpulent tabby. "Did you give him a good scratch? And some milk?"

"No, I had more important things to attend to."

"Like what?" demanded Kankuro.

"You know, girl stuff," said Temari with a shrug.

"Hey, you haven't been into my supplies again, have you?" groused the puppeteer. "Those are for my puppets not your-- "

Temari just reached over and patted his head roughly. "Down, boy, or I won't be sending Kagami any more packages."

Kankuro was annoyed by the smirk on his sister's face because he knew he was blushing. "Fine, but ask next time."

Gaara looked at Baki, who merely shrugged at him. "Sometimes they speak a language all their own, Gaara. I just try to avoid the fallout."

The boy nodded at this sage advice. He remained silent for the duration of the meal, but when Baki finally left, the jonin realized he had a shadow.

"You want something, Gaara," asked the Wind Sword cautiously. He was worried that the demon vessel would now be after the blood of Matsuri's tormentors. Gaara slipped out of the shadows almost--shyly? Baki sat on a convenient bench and waited in silence while the boy joined him.

"Baki, do you think this happened to Matsuri because she's my student?"

The jonin frowned as he considered this. "Some people are just bullies who seek out those who seem weaker, but being your student does call attention to Matsuri."

"As her sensei, I feel responsible for her," said Gaara. "I suppose I have you to blame for that."

"I can live with the guilt," countered Baki.

Gaara was pensive for a while before he spoke again. "We're orphans, too, but you had us declared adults so we wouldn't be wards of the state. Can you do the same for Matsuri?"

"No, that wouldn't be possible," explained Baki, "but an adult over the age of twenty-one could be designated as her guardian if there's no protest from the Council."

Gaara frowned and, in an odd echo of his brother, said, "Sucks to be young."

"That's just puberty talking."

"You're older than twenty-one," pointed out Gaara.

"It would be inappropriate for Matsuri to be my ward. She's a young girl, I'm a bachelor, and, most importantly, I think I scare her. "

"Oh." Gaara nodded. "You're right, you do."

The Wind Sword was amused by the irony, but put a hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "Let me check out a few alternatives. I promise you that I will try to find a home for Matsuri so she can leave the orphanage."

"I'll find a way to repay you," offered Gaara.

Baki was surprised by the boy's words. "There's no debt between us, Gaara, only duty."

Gaara stood and nodded, but then turned and asked, "Duty as sensei or to family?"

"Whichever one you will accept from me," replied Baki. He didn't want to presume the boy held any filial ties to him, but as Gaara turned, the jonin swore he heard him whisper, "Family."

Baki released a long breath before muttering to himself, "Right, hell has frozen over. And if I see pigs flying, I'll know this was just a dream."

But instead of flying pigs, the Wind Sword spied a rutting boar. He was taking the more abandoned route to his quarters so he could think. As he crossed an alley, he recognized a familiar male voice. It was Yura, the husband of his old friend, Hiroko.

Baki stopped and was about to call out when he heard a woman's laughter--but it was not the man's wife. He felt his blood running cold and performed a seal to conceal his presence. He peered into the alley with the hope that his imagination was tricking him. He was disappointed.

- - - - - - --

Later that night while Gaara meditated in the garden, Kankuro found his sister sitting in front of her mirror as she brushed out her hair for the night.

"So tell me more about this intruder you had while we were gone," began Kankuro as he sauntered in and then sprawled out on her bed. "I figured it was something that was likely to set Gaara off given your evasive maneuvers at dinner."

Temari put down her brush and lay on her bed using Kankuro's ankles as a pillow. Her face was turned to the ceiling while she related Karumaru's invasion and Baki's pursuit. When she finished, she finally turned her face to look at her brother. "Talk about a creepy uncle."

"Creepy, psycho bastard, you mean," muttered Kankuro. He nudged her head by bouncing his ankle and said, "Why didn't you call us home sooner? I took that detour to the Crystal Caves thinking you'd enjoy another night free to do whatever that girly stuff is you do when you raid my puppet supplies."

"Baki doesn't want anything to disrupt Gaara's transition to humanity," explained Temari after she flicked her brother's knee to keep him still. "And he thinks Karumaru would trigger the Shukaku."

"So now we have a one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged crazy uncle. Man, does Baki intend to rip him up one piece at a time? Ow!" Kankuro jerked his leg when Temari pinched his toe. "Lay off; I was just being sarcastic. Hell, I'd like to help Baki rip that man to pieces."

"So would I, but I think he's hung up on avoiding blood killing blood," said Temari.

"I guess I see his point. Gaara has already killed one uncle and you have to admit that until the Chunin exams, we both felt like we could be his next victim."

"Yes, that's true, and Gaara's persistent menace makes me forget how dangerous Baki can be," said Temari. "When I really think about it, the things that Baki is capable of doing are scary. The jutsu that created the fulgarite is like the chidori the Leaf nins use, but the power is very contained and controlled. And to send his chakra out like that, to even know the symbols and seals of a forbidden jutsu..."

"Good to know the Wind Sword is on our side, huh?"

"I wouldn't want it any other way," admitted Temari.

Kankuro smiled to himself at her response, and so asked his next question. "So you left Baki passed out cold on the floor to recover?"

"Of course not; I dumped him on this bed," said Temari, then she slapped his thigh and said, "And don't you dare make anything dirty out of it."

Kankuro had to snicker, "Yeah, as if you slept with him."

Temari was silent, so Kankuro actually raised to his elbows and asked tentatively, "Temari, you didn't, you know, sleep with him?"

"It was just a nap!" snapped Temari before quickly explaining, "He was completely dozed off, so don't tell him. You know what a prude he is."

"Yeah, he'd probably insist on joining a monastery to protect you from temptation or something," said Kankuro. Then he ventured, "Or he would insist on marrying you; there's no scandal if engaged couples share a bed."

Temari just scoffed at that idea. "Baki wouldn't do that to me."

"Right," agreed Kankuro immediately as he thought about the betrothal scroll. "He'd only do something that extreme if he thought your life was in danger. Just supposing here."

Temari rolled onto her elbows and started to prod Kankuro's ticklish spots in response to his teasing. "Look, Baki was great while you two were gone. We've been working on wind jutsus every day. He took me to dinner every night; nice places, too, that made me feel like a real lady."

"Admit it, sis, Baki has been spoiling you since you were a midget--not that you've grown much since you were ten." Kankuro was dodging his sister's attack while trying to get in a few tickles of his own.

"You're one to talk about being spoiled," accused Temari with a laugh as Kankuro played dirty and used chakra strings to tickle her neck, so she ceased her attack. She fell back to using his ankles as a cushion and caught her breath. They settled back into a comfortable silence for a moment.

"You know, I was feeling lonely since this has been the first time you haven't been around to annoy me on a daily basis. I guess that was the reason I just curled up next to him." Her tone grew softer as she said, "It felt nice to just to hold someone."

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean." Kankuro bumped her head with his toe and said, "Don't worry, sis, I won't tell Baki you used him as a teddy bear."

They remained silent for a long time, each sibling remembering the comfort found in touching another.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --

Academy Offices

Baki was finishing paperwork at the Academy the next evening as he considered whether to confront Yura about his infidelity or disclose the matter to Hiroko. And then he had to find a way to get Matsuri away from the orphanage. And figure out where Karumaru could be hiding. And do some research on how to destroy the betrothal scroll. And---

The jonin was almost relieved when Kankuro walked into his office and closed the door. "Yo, gotta minute?"

"Apparently," replied Baki and put down his quill. "Temari told you about Karumaru's visit?"

"Yeah, and I see your point about not letting Gaara know."

"Good. So, why the visit? I'm still catching up on paperwork so we can get a real Academy superintendent assigned."

"I'll be quick," sighed Kankuro. "When we were at the caves, I asked Kagami to show me the deepest pit they had."

Baki's expression actually brightened at the thought that the betrothal scroll was gone. "That's brilliant."

"I have my moments," agreed Kankuro with a smirk, but then his voice grew serious. "So she takes me to the pit carved out by sulfur springs. It's so deep that I even lose sight of the light when she drops one of those globes in."

"Sounds perfect," agreed Baki hesitantly. "What happened?"

"I threw in the scroll," said Kankuro as he pulled out the offensive item and tossed it onto Baki's desk, "and the next morning, it was back on my pillow. Even carries a bit of the sulfur smell."

Baki looked at the scroll as if it were the most dangerous weapon on earth. He picked it up and lightly sniffed, verifying the lingering whiff of sulfur. "You're sure it's the..."

Baki let his voice drop out as he unrolled the scroll. There gleaming brightly in red were the signatures of Mitsuki no Baki and Sabaku no Temari. "Damn."

"You know, I sorta feel like the old man is still pulling strings and having a good laugh at us being unable to undo his handiwork," said Kankuro. "That scroll is not only indestructible, it's indispensible."

Baki rolled up the scroll and left it on his desk, then looked expectantly at Kankuro. The Puppet Master sighed and raised his hand to catch the scroll as it flew off the desk to him. "Look, sensei, no chakra strings!"

"It homes in on the oldest Sabaku male," suggested Baki, "or maybe it's because you resemble your father so much." At Kankuro's sour face, he added, "At least we have the consolation of knowing it's not going to your siblings."

Kankuro nodded, then looked at the Wind Sword for a long moment before venturing, "What do you think Temari would do if she found out about it? That you were the one father promised her to?"

"She'd feel betrayed," replied Baki immediately. "I always assured her that she wouldn't be forced into marriage if I could help it."

"But what if she wanted to marry you?" suggested Kankukro. "When she's ready, you know, older?"

"Are you sure all you were sniffing at the Crystal Caves was sulfur?" queried Baki.

"Look. All I'm saying is shouldn't you at least try--what's the word? Courting her?"

"Court Temari?" Baki repeated slowly.

"Is it so hard?" asked Kankuro as he sat up.

"It's preposterous."

Then Kankuro followed up with the dreaded question as he drawled out the word, "Why?"

"Courting would mean escorting Temari in public--"

"You already do that," chimed Kankuro.

"It's a matter of convenience since we're typically heading in the same direction," insisted Baki.

"You escort her like a proper lady, not a dog on a leash," inserted Baki.

"That's just to protect her from the dirty old geezers, middle-aged mashers, and horny young bucks out there."

"Gee, Sunagakure is really infested with sexual predators," muttered Kankuro dryly.

"You have no idea," muttered Baki with a frown, but instead of telling him about Yura, explained, "Courting means you take the young lady out, like to dinner."

"Yeah, and how often did she eat alone while Gaara and I were gone?"

"That's beside the point; I didn't want her to feel lonely while you hellions were gone," Baki replied. "Look, a man who's courting a woman should give her gifts--"

"You already gave her the tessen she uses and about ten other fans of varying sizes, her formal funeral kimono with the Mitsuki kamon, no less, along with that fancy kimono whose color matches her eyes, and the fancy hair do-dads that are your family heirlooms," retorted Kankuro as he counted on his fingers. "How hard can it be to keep doing that?"

The jonin stared at him for a moment, but then shook his head. "My grandfather's dying wish was that I treat Temari like his granddaughter. Temari understands this."

"Anyone ever call you a stubborn ass?" asked Kankuro in exasperation.

"No one ever repeated it," said Baki with a sardonic smile.

"Right, never mind. Forget I mentioned it. Temari would never be interested in a man like you. It's not like you offer her a sense of security or comfort. It's not like she trusts you. It's not like she's ever acted like she's jealous if you show an interest, real or imagined, in other women." Kankuro stood up. "But you're the Wind Master, so you're right. The idea of you ever courting my sister is preposterous."

Kankuro actually slammed the door as he left, but Baki really didn't pay attention because he was feeling rather stunned. He sat back and looked at the ceiling. Had he been courting Temari all along without admitting it to himself? In spite of all his evasive maneuvers to avoid marrying her, was he actually hoping that eventually Temari would be his wife?

"Right, that will happen when Gaara starts sleeping like baby," scoffed Baki.

The more Baki thought about it, the more he got irritated and regretted he didn't have an outlet for this frustration. Marriage was not a trivial matter, it was sacred, and if he had a wife, she would be cherished, not-- He thought about Hiroko and Yura and the rage that he'd kept in check all day swept through him.

Suddenly he pushed back his chair and rose with a purpose. "Time to deal with that two-timing snake."

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sunagakure

"He did what?" asked Temari incredulously.

"He beat up Yura!" declared Hiroko. Temari had responded to an urgent summons from Hiroko to meet her for breakfast and arrived to find the chunin with her twin boys. "I wanted to give my husband some peace while he recuperates at the cottage, so I brought the boys."

"Baki? You're sure it was Baki?"

"He dragged Yura home afterward and dumped him on my doorstep," conceded Hiroko, "but Baki didn't say a word to me and told Yura to provide the explanation."

"Well, what did Yura say?" asked Temari as she noticed the twins were giggling while they draped each other with ramen.

"Aagh! That's just it!" declared Hiroko as the twins now were slurping noodles off each other. "He's as stubborn as Baki and just said it was a guy thing. A guy thing! What the hell does that mean?"

"Look, Hiroko, Baki does not lose his cool over nothing," assured Temari as she reached over to wipe the remaining noodles off the boys. Their mother was obviously too agitated to notice their antics. "But maybe it's one of those guy things where the testosterone builds up and they have to hash it out. Like baboons establishing the alpha male."

"I suppose," conceded Hiroko. She heard her sons squeal and noticed a cart full of barrels traveling on the street outside the window had captured their attention. "You haven't noticed anything weird about Baki lately, have you?"

"Weird?" echoed Temari. "No, Baki's been perfectly Baki. And I ought to know because while the boys were on mission we spent a lot of time together."

"Maybe he's under some lingering genjutsu from that intruder at your house last week," ventured Hiroko. Then she realized her twins had climbed out of their high chair and were crawling out the door. "Oh, no, Temari, help me catch them!"

Luckily for them, Matsuri was on an errand for the orphanage at the time. When the girl saw two babies cruising along the wall outside the restaurant, she was amused, but became vigilant for a distressed mother. As she scanned the scene, she noticed one of the large barrels on the cart tottering as the rope gave way.

Matsuri rushed to the boys and caught the twins in her arms. She immediately tumbled out of the way as the rope broke. Meanwhile, Temari managed to get to the door in time to see the barrel falling and cast a jutsu to divert its landing.

"Matsuri!" called Temari as she reached the trio.

The girl unwrapped herself and two bouncing boys crawled quickly to their mother breathing heavily as they raced.

"Taro! Jiro! I'm gonna have Kankuro tie you up with chakra strings," Hiroko chided as she squeezed the boys who squealed in delight.

Matsuri rose with Temari's help and said, "Are the babies all right?"

"Their mother is likely to squeeze the health out of them, but they're fine thanks to you," assured Temari. "Hiroko, I'd like you to meet Noasu Matsuri. She's Gaara's student."

Soon, the twins and their mother were properly making the acquaintance of their savior. At Temari's suggestion, Matsuri delayed her errand to help Hiroko with the boys for the morning. But the blonde had an ulterior motive. She intended to confront a certain Wind Sword about his erratic behavior.

- - - - - - - - -

Councilor's Quarters

Baki had not returned to his quarters unscathed after his fight with Yura. He'd managed to slip out of his jonin vest and grab a pack of ice for his cheek. He had intended to lie on the couch for a moment, but fell asleep there. He was an easy target for Temari to roll off the couch.

Thump.

"That's for upsetting Hiroko."

"Go away, Temari." Baki remained on the floor on his back with his eyes closed.

"I see Yura got in a few shots at you." Temari leaned over and inspected his face. She bit back a chuckle as she lifted his hands to inspect his knuckles. "Hand to hand, was it? So tell me, what got you acting like some alpha male baboon?"

"I," began Baki as he opened his eyes and yanked his hands away from her, "am no baboon."

The Wind Sword sat up fully before adding, "But Yura is nothing more than a rutting boar. Now go away."

Temari felt her stomach twist as she drew her conclusions: Yura was unfaithful to Hiroko. She couldn't think of what to say for a moment.

Baki stood up and mumbled to himself, "Why did I ever tell her the hand seals to my quarters? What the hell was I thinking?"

"Hey, I'm still in here, you know," grumbled Temari when she found her voice.

"I'm adding insolent and impudent to your list of faults," muttered Baki as he went to his kitchen. He needed some tea.

"You can't; they mean the same thing," retorted Temari as she followed him.

The jonin stopped as he held the tea pot and tilted his head as he considered this. "You're right. Damn, I hate that, too."

"I think you're still in baboon mode. Now give me that," said Temari as she grabbed the tea pot and pushed him toward the kitchen stool.

"I'm adding bossy to the list," murmured Baki.

"I prefer domineering. It goes better with being insolent, vicious and conniving," said Temari with a shrug as she set the pot to boil. She then took a clean wash cloth and wet it before approaching the man. "And you didn't even bother cleaning yourself up. What were you thinking? Your tattoos look like blobs instead of Wind Sword honors. You've got a smear on your drape that look like a bloody smiley face."

"I do not!" protested Baki until Temari literally ripped the drape off and showed him.

Baki just sat glowering at her while she cleaned his face and continued speaking. "Hiroko has no idea why you beat up Yura; he just said it was a guy thing. She thinks you're being influenced by some genjutsu. So, how did you find out about his shenanigans?"

"Saw him," muttered Baki as he finally released a long sigh. "He can't treat Hiroko like that. She's his wife; she should be cherished. And she has no one else except for me to, to--"

"Defend her honor?" inserted Temari. "But you're not going to tell her, are you?"

"It hurt less to beat up the bastard than to face Hiroko," admitted Baki. "I watched her lose her family, Temari. I thought that she had gained everything back when she married Yura and started a family. I even envied her."

"And so like a big brother, you had to teach a lesson to her philandering husband," said Temari. "Do you want me to tell her why?"

"No." Baki soon admitted, "Yura swore he wouldn't cast his eyes on another woman again, let alone touch one."

"All right, I'll keep quiet about it," conceded Temari. "At least Hiroko has her boys to distract her. They got away from us at the restaurant and almost got slammed by a barrel. If Matsuri hadn't been running an errand for the orphanage, the boys would have been hurt."

"We should get Kankuro to tie them up with chakra strings," suggested Baki. "Or get Hiroko a nanny."

They suddenly looked at each other and then simultaneously grinned. Temari ventured, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"They can afford another person in their household and it is Hiroko's cottage; she inherited it from her family. And if Yura renigs on his promise, Hiroko won't be left alone to take care of the boys."

"Hiroko and Matsuri were getting along great when I left them; even the twins were behaving. Matsuri would have a ready made family."

"And Gaara would feel comfortable knowing Matsuri is living with Hiroko," added Baki.

"Look, go get cleaned up and we can make our plan. First, you need to apologize to Hiroko. We'll need her in a good humor to talk her into becoming Matsuri's guardian," said Temari. She moved to shove him off the stool. "I'll make a quick bite to eat while you get ready."

"All right--no, wait," said Baki. His voice actually sounded worried when he asked, "Does she hate me now?"

That's when it struck Temari that underneath the all powerful Wind Sword, the lost little boy lingered. His stark vulnerability at the moment created an impulse to hug him and reassure him, so she acted on it.

Baki tensed at first, but then relief flooded him as she maintained the contact, and he, too, gave in by leaning against her for the moment. He was surrounded by warmth and softness, but underneath these was a core of strength from which he drew comfort as she whispered, "No, Baki, Hiroko doesn't hate you."

The embrace continued in silence for a moment before Baki sought reassurance, "You're sure?"

"Hiroko might think you're a demented baboon, but I know she could never hate you." She was relieved to feel the chuckle rumbling in his chest as she held him.

He pulled back to ask, "What am I going to say to her?"

Temari smiled and gently punched his shoulder. "Stick to the baboon story. Women find it easy to believe."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sunagakure Orphanage

Matsuri was worried when the dorm mother called her to her office. It had been a hectic week of training at the Academy with Gaara-sensei. Kankuro and Temari also seemed to have been watching her all week. In fact, the Puppet Master had actually taught her the basics of chakra strings which she had managed with some modicum of success.

The girl took a deep breath as she walked in the corridor and tried to focus on good memories, like meeting Hiroko and her twins. Matsuri had wound up spending the day with them and she had enjoyed being in the middle of family, even if the twins did require constant attention.

Perhaps that was the problem. She had put off her errand for the orphanage to spend time with Hiroko and boys and it had finally been remembered. She wondered what punishment the dorm mother would meet out this time.

Ten minutes later she left the office and walked in stunned silence out the door of the orphanage. There waiting for her was Gaara-sensei. Behind him stood Baki, Temari and Kankuro.

"Are you ready to go to Hiroko's house?" asked Gaara.

"It's true then, Gaara-sensei?" asked Matsuri. "I have a new home? Hiroko will be my guardian?"

"It's your choice," confirmed Gaara.

She suddenly smiled brightly. "Hai, I want to go, but I need to pack."

"Kankuro and I will take care of it," offered Temari as she nudged her brother in the gut with her elbow. "Come on."

"Oof. Fine, I'll help pack, but I'm making you carry it," grumbled Kankuro as he followed his sister inside.

"You wish. You're the guy; you get to carry it. It's in the rules."

"That's not fair! You bench press more than I do. You're like a baboon woman--Ow!"

"Boys are the baboons..."

Matsuri just blinked as their voices receded when the siblings went through the door.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure they get your things to Hiroko's house," said Baki. "Gaara will take you there. You're expected for dinner and Hiroko doesn't like to be kept waiting."

The Wind Sword watched as Gaara merely turned and started walking, fully expecting his student to follow. Matsuri hurried after her sensei, but then turned to wave goodbye to the jonin. Baki merely nodded in acknowledgement. Family. Sometimes the ties had nothing to do with blood.

End Chapter 5

So where's the rescue Matsuri arc? Obviously waiting for the next chapter. I felt that I needed to tie Matsuri to the Sabaku siblings a bit more because when Gaara gives chase, there is no question that Gaara would come for her. So I thought there would be a bit more emotional investment in her well being on the part Team Baki. I have also adjusted the general summary because this story has become more about the Suna Academy than I originally intended. So, one more chapter here, then I'll start a new story to focus on the jonin trials (I've had the ideas about them sketched out).

About other issues. Hiroko is an OC that I created from the first story (Dry Winds) as a former teammate, lover, and now foster sister to Baki. Yura is the captain that we see during Shippuden.

I find myself imagining conversations between the characters that I think need to be shared. So we see Gaara actually seeking Baki's advice and practically asking a favor of him. We see Kankuro and Temari sharing a typical moment where they tease, but support each other. We see Kankuro getting frustrated by Baki's pigheadedness regarding his sister.

Temari feels comfortable in both bullying the jonin and offering comfort. And only Temari would get away with tossing Baki off the couch. Each time Baki identifies another fault she has, it's a weird substitute for an endearment. Still, I think that's the way their relationship would work at this point.

Hope to update within the month. Matsuri needs to be kidnapped and rescued! I really mean it this time. Thanks for reading and for leaving comments. But mostly thanks for being patient.