Again, this is only a side fic, and does not follow any sort of timeline from, Wild One. The chapters will be short and in no particular order! This chapter, for example, is after Gaara becomes Kazekage, so obviously there's been a time skip. This chapter was rewritten: 3-15-2013

I do not own Naruto.

"No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time."
-Lewis Carroll

Chapter 2: Kida's Great Escape

Pacing back and forth from one side of the tiny room I stared daggers at the blank, off-white walls. I refused to look at the clock ticking methodically on the wall. My arms periodically changed from being crossed across my chest to swinging aggressively at my sides.

I can't believe this…the nerve of him! I would think Gaara would at least have left me with a book before he locked me in this room, but no! The almighty Kazekage has far more important, nay better things to do with his precious time! When I get my hands on that boy I'm gonna beat him till sand comes out! First I'm going to punch that miserable face. Then I'm-

It was then that I finally noticed just how big the vent on the wall above the clock was, and just how easy it would be to slide the dresser close enough for even my short arms to reach it…

Look out, people of Suna! Because your Kazekage is about to learn not to underestimate me again!

xxxxxxx

Okay maybe this wasn't the best idea I've ever had… It hadn't taken long before I'd lost track of the time that had passed since I first crawled my way into this horrid maze of a venting system. Just who built these deathtraps anyway? If I were to put vents in a building as large as the kage offices, I would have kept in mind that a desperate girl might have to crawl through them some day! In fact-

It was then that the first spot of light, in an unbearably long time, flashed into my eyes. I froze in my scuffle, crawl, scuffle, pattern that I'd been using since I first entered the "Vents of Death", as I had come to call them. Light! I had seen real, artificial light! Thank all the sand in Suna, I'm saved! I reversed my crawl so fast that I almost lodged myself into a pretzel-like shape in my attempt to race towards the dimly lit corner.

I reached the turn where the faint glow could be seen, and a sigh of relief escaped my parched lips. It echoed off the cold, stainless steel walls around me. I pushed myself towards my soon to be exit with mounting excitement as the dim light grew not only bigger, but brighter as well.

In a matter of moments, I was close enough to touch the metal screen. Pushing against it I almost groaned in frustration when I found it to be screwed shut. I pushed against it more firmly with my hands flat, fighting back tears of disappointment. This is not going to stop me from getting out of this vent! I am getting out, right now, or my name's not Kida!

I twisted myself around again, ignoring the bruises that were surely forming from earlier. Gathering my knees close to my chest, I tensed them before kicking as hard as I could in these cramped conditions. The grate bent in the center. I kicked again, and this time I felt the metal start to give. After my third kick I felt the screws give and the metal cover go flying.

Success! I twisted my way closer to the now open vent, and pushed myself through the open hole. I dropped in a crumpled heap on the floor with a jarring thud next to the bent venting cover.

"Umph!" The air was pushed from my lungs as I hit the ground. I sat for a moment crouched on my tingling legs. A triumphant smile stretched across my face as I caught my breath. I twisted around as I stood, ready finish making my escape from the kage office.

"I did it! I'm free…?" I trailed off once I turned around. To my horror not only, Gaara, but his entire council room were staring at my with both shocked, and even some amused faces. Some held kunai at the ready.

"Um…hello everyone! I was, uh... just making sure the vents didn't, ummm… that they were sturdy! Yep! Only the best vents for the kage office after all! Hahaha…" I laughed rubbing the back of my head as I slowly made my way towards the door, trying not to panic at the forbidding glare Gaara had aimed directly at me.

"Kida-" he said ominously as he started to stand.

"Well, I'm off to inspect some other stuff, bye!" I said quickly while turning and making a break for the door, ignoring the chorus of laughter that followed. And to my credit, I not only made it through that door but also halfway down the hall before a pair of strong arms caught me around the waist.

It was with teary eyes that I looked up to discover that it as none other than Kankuro that had foiled my attempt to escape.

"Please, let me go," I begged trying to sound as pitiful as I possibly could.

"Not a chance, Carrot Top," he said with a smile that scrunched his purple face paint. He carried me under his arm like a sack of potatoes. "Gaara would kill me if I let you get away now. Besides I can't wait to see what he has to say to you this time."

"Do you think he's that mad at me…?" I asked miserably.

"Oh yeah, you're in for it this time!" he said cheerfully and in all honesty probably just glad that he wasn't the one in trouble.

I lowered my head in defeat, letting my hair swish back and forth in front of my face. So much for my great escape…

AN: As to why Gaara had to lock her up for a few hours is simple…I'll let you think of your own reason! With Kida there can be oh so many…And just so you know if you don't review for this chapter that means Gaara kills her.

Kida: What? You'll kill me off for just a couple of damn reviews!

Me: Yep. –Nods-