AN: This is set in a few days before the start of the Shippuden series. ^.^

Two and a half years pass ever so slowly. I've waited patiently for Sasuke to return. I'm beginning to think that he had second thoughts, which means he doesn't want me to go with him at all. It's not like I'm not ready for it. If anything, I was more ready than he was when he left. Now I know for a fact that I could deal with the transformation. I've gotten so much stronger over this long period of time.

I've grown older, too. Not just in a physical way – though I've grown that way as well – but in a mental way. I'm much more mature than I was when he left me. I'll still sacrifice anything in order to make a mission a success, but I'm not as reckless as I was.

I've been a bit of a downer lately. I'll go for straight hours without speaking and just staring into space with training. My outfit has changed. I'm wearing darker clothes than my former light green and gray. My button-up shirt is a dark blue with black trim and my skirt is black. It's basically the same colors Sasuke used to wear; only the blue is a shade lighter.

I've grown more knowing as well. I did like Sasuke advised; I researched into the Akatsuki, and even some back history of Konoha. It involved a lot of sneaking into the Hokage's office when no one was around, and I had to get Shiky to stay quiet a few times, but I was successful. I also gathered a lot of information from other villages as well. I know more than most Jonin do about them.

For example, Kisame is a former swordsman of the Mist. A man named Diedara from the Rocks was forced into the Akatsuki by Itachi. Sasori of the Red sand, the creator of Kankuro's puppets, is a member. Hidan is Jashin and immortal. I could sit and speak for hours about all of the information I have collected, but I have to keep it to myself. Sasuke and I will kill them by ourselves.

But, there is a problem with that. I don't think I want to kill all of them; only the ones that seem to be the most troublesome. I've learned many things about the Leaf. And this village has a lot of secrets.

Shoji hugs my waist from behind, "Popori! My beauty I haven't seen you in such a long time! What with my training with Lady Tsunade and Sakura all the time, I never have time to pronounce my love for you!"

He's gotten taller over these years, but he isn't the tallest in his age group. His auburn hair has gotten longer, reaching his shoulders now. It doesn't have a part, but side swept bangs rather. His piercing blue eyes have gotten slightly more serious, but not that much. He still has a lust for almost every woman in Konoha, but now it's even more perverse.

I grab his wrists and throw him over my shoulders and onto the ground in front of me. I glare down at him with a foot on top of his chest. He gets red around the cheeks and gets a goofy grin on his face. I look down to see what his problem is.

Crap it. I remove my foot from his chest so he doesn't have a nice few of my undergarments anymore. I am still getting used to running around in this skirt. I have fishnet under it, but they don't help that much on the coverage part.

"Don't mention this to anyone or I'll cut your area off in your sleep and glue them to your forehead." I say darkly.

Shoji widens his eyes and nods quickly. His head snaps up when he hears the same footsteps that I do. I follow his gaze to see four blond pigtails and blue eyes bobbing towards me, along with one dark ponytail and lazy brown eyes. Temari and Shikamaru walk up to us. Temari in her knew garb from the Sand. Shikamaru in his tall, good looking glory from the Leaf.

"Popori, what were you doing with Shoji over here?" Temari teases, "Are you two on a date?"

I grimace as Shikamaru snorts beside her, "Yeah right." We say at the same time.

I smile secretly at him, and he does the same. Shiky and I have gotten really close over the last two and a half years. Since we were both made Chunin first, we did a lot of missions together in the beginning; most of them were just the two of us. Plus, he and I just get along really well. I seriously do consider him one of my closest friends.

Shoji sits up and gazes at Temari, "What about you and Shikamaru?"

"What about it?" The three of us answer in unison.

"Are you two on a date?" He asks with a smirk.

We all roll our eyes at him as Shikamaru says, "No way," at the same time Temari and I say, "Whatever."

The four of us exchange looks then laugh.

"But seriously," Shikamaru says, "I'm just in charge of showing her around. It's a drag really."

Shoji looks to Temari then says with an enticing grin, "I wouldn't think so. Having a gorgeous woman like her around would be nice for a change."

Temari tries to hide a blush while I scoff and Shiky rolls his eyes. "Alright lover boy," I say, "Play time is over. Time for business."

I grab his ear and pull him up and away from Shikamaru and Temari. I wave to both of them as they smile at me. I let go of Shoji and then run to Tsunade's office. I really want to go to Suna. I haven't seen Kankuro in a while. And seeing Temari reminds me of that.

When I walk into her office she smiles at me and says, "Just the girl I've wanted to see."

I give her a look and she continues, "I have been saving a mission special just for you, Popori. Suna has been wanting–"

"Of course, I'll do it!" I say without waiting for her to finish. I scold myself mentally then bow low to the ground, "My deepest apologies, Lady Tsunade. I'll let you finish now."

She laughs at me, "Oh, you can find out from the Kazekage when you get there. I'm sure he will be glad to see you." She winks at me.

Gaara is the Kazekage of the Sand now. I'm so proud of him; it's like watching your younger sibling learning to walk. I haven't spoken to him in a while either; god I need to hurry and get out of here.

I bow again politely before I exit, "Thank you Lady Tsunade!" I run out the door excitedly.

While heading to the front gates, I see Gontei and Uncle Sate walking together. Gontei has grown a lot, too. He towers over me, even getting a few inches on his father. He has filled out nicely, now showing just how strong he is. His sandy blond hair still hangs in his amber eyes, maybe even more so, like a wall shielding his emotions from the world.

When my uncle sees me he smiles, "Popori! What are you in such a rush for?" He asks brightly.

I look at him with cheerful eyes, "I've been issued a mission to Suna!"

Gontei gives a knowing look to his father who chuckles, "Well have fun. Give my regards to Kankuro and the new Kazekage!"

I nod then head on my voyage to Suna.

When I arrive in the Village Hidden in the Sand, I'm happy to see that it hasn't changed that much. It's still as beautiful as I remember it being when I first came. When I stroll in, many Sand Shinobi smile and nod or greet me by my name. I guess I'm known well around here.

I walk straight to the main building where Gaara's office is. When I head in, I see Baki Sensei. I smile warmly at him and he does the same.

"Popori, so nice to see you." He says. "I'm glad you came so quickly, the Kazekage has been waiting patiently for you." He gives me a serious look, "You know, you helped him a lot in the Chunin exams all that time ago. You really did."

I smile as the warmth of pride swells up in my chest; that is exactly what I had planned for. Another mission a success.

"Thank you, Baki Sensei," I say. "I'm glad to hear that."

I bid him farewell then head into Gaara's office. I put on a business face; he is higher ranked than me, and that means he deserves the highest respect. I open the door to see familiar light green eyes meet mine. Gaara stands as I enter, he doesn't smile but he looks much friendlier than he used to.

"Popori, my friend, I'm glad to see you made it safely to my village." He says in a monotone that is friendlier than I remember it as well.

"Gaara Kazekage, I'm also glad to be reunited with you." I reply bowing respectively.

His eyes soften as he strolls over to me and places a hand on my shoulder, "There is no need to be so formal with me, old friend. Without you, I wouldn't be in such a high position."

I beam at him, "Gaara-kun, I'm so happy to see you!" I hug him very unprofessionally.

He smirks, "That is the Popori I know."

I regain my composure and look to him as a superior. "What is my mission?" I ask like an extremely good soldier.

He nods, "Well, my siblings and I have wanted to spend time with you for a long time." He looks at me seriously, "Temari left for Konoha a few days ago. I trust she was there when you left?" I nod so he continues, "So she is checked off the list. And we have just conversed." He gives me a wry look. "All that is left is my brother."

I blink, "You called me to Suna to spend time with you and your siblings?"

He shrugs, "I like to call it, constructive bonding between our villages."

I nod, "Well it does sound strictly professional when you put it that way . . ." I smirk, "Alright I except."

Gaara nods with a small smirk, "I knew you would."

As I leave his office I'm shocked. I can't believe I arrived at Suna practically for a vacation. And Lady Tsunade permitted it!

I stroll around the village alone for a while. When I walk past a coffee shop, I can see one pair of girls look at me then giggle nervously. Curious, I give them a look. When I meet my eyes with theirs they immediately look away blushing. I furrow my brows in confusion. What is that about?

I spy another pair of girls walking past me in the street. One of them is talking animatedly while the other is hanging on her every word. As I pass them I can get bits and pieces of their conversation.

" . . . He was so passionate . . ."

" . . . I can't believe he did it with you . . ."

" . . . So exciting! Like how there was a chance we could get caught!"

I can't take anymore of this. Something is gnawing at my insides and I can't ignore it. The suspicion is killing me. I tap the dreamy-eyed girl on the shoulder.

"Hey, um, who are you two talking about?" I ask, or more like demand.

She doesn't seem to acknowledge who I am, but just stares past me in a dreamy state. "Kankuro."

The girl beside her looks like she just witnessed a murder. And if she follows me that is exactly what she will see.

I stalk off, leaving them both in the dust. I barge into his hotel and knock on the room Gaara gave me. When there isn't an answer I take a step back, and then kick the door as hard as I can. The force of the blow knocks it off of its hinges. I push the door out of my way and look around the room furiously.

The noise didn't even wake the slob up! He's laying in his bed fast asleep with his arm hanging over the side and drool dripping from his mouth. Any other time I would have thought it cute, but I'm too pissed to acknowledge the adorable sight.

I pick up something on his bedside table and throw it at his head. He jerks upright, grabbing a kunai, and looks around with wide, sleepy eyes. When he sees that it's only me he jumps out of bed and hugs me. When he pulls away he sees my expression and stares dumbly at me.

"What's wrong?" he asks. If I wasn't so furious with him, I would take notice of how he has grown. Without his face paint on, he looks so much older. He's taller and more chiseled, but of course I don't notice this.

I glower at him, "What's this I hear about you being 'passionate' with a girl I don't even know?"

He blanches, "Po-chan, you don't understand!"

That confirms it, his expression says it all, "YOU CHEATED ON ME?!" I scream at him.

He flinches back at the words, "No! Well, at least I didn't mean to!"

"Well it seems you haven't meant a lot of things now haven't you?" I spit at him, turning and stalking out of the room before he can stop me, or rather I can kill him.

I can hear him calling my name and pleading for me to stop and listen, but I ignore all of his pleas. He doesn't disserve an excuse. I'm so heart broken right now, I can barely breathe. I thought he said he loved me. You don't do these things to people you love! Tears don't fall from my face, though. I haven't had salt water flood from my lids since the day of the old man's funeral. I've been holding strong to my vow.

I run back to the main building to tell Gaara, or at least ask him if I have permission to kill his brother and one of his villagers. I'm so blinded with fury that I forget where his office is and I end up walking around the entire building twice before finding it.

When I walk in his office, he isn't there. Furrowing my brows I look down both sides of the hall. Gaara is no where to be found. I hear the faintest of sounds. Like something that is supposed to be loud, but muffled by something, like listening to fireworks with earmuffs on.

I walk out onto the roof and then I see them. Gaara is fighting with someone in the air. Who is it? That cloak . . . it's an Akatsuki. My breath catches in my throat. They have come for Gaara, or rather, the jinchuriki inside of him. While I'm studying the battle I find out which Akatsuki is fighting Gaara. Diedara, the former bomb terrorist originating in the Rocks. Fantastic.

Is Diedara the only one? He must have been accompanied by someone. The Akatsuki usually travel in pairs. I scan the area for any signs of an S-ranked criminal. I catch a glimpse of red and black and head straight for it. I act on impulse, not thinking my actions through before carrying them out like the Chunin I have become would. No, this is personal.

When I approach the spot where I saw the image, I stop about fifty yards away. No need to be too reckless at the moment. I take long, silent breaths so as not to give my position away. I crouch behind a large boulder, the wind blowing towards me, so it doesn't give my scent away.

I hear movement and leap into the air just as the boulder explodes. When I land I look to see who my attacker is. A large wooden creature stares at me while drawing back the tail it attacked me with.

Without knowing, I recognize the thing. It is Sasori of the Red Sand. What other Akatsuki would use a wooden puppet as a weapon?

In a dark voice he growls, "What are you doing here, girl?"

I stand up straighter, but keep my knees bent slightly so if I have to make a dive I can go to either side. "Sasori of the Red Sand," I note, ignoring his question. "You and Diedara have come to capture the jinchuriki, I presume?"

He glares at me, "How the hell do you know that, you brat?"

I smirk at him, "I know a lot of things about you and your organization. I know you plan to capture Gaara and take the jinchuriki from inside him, but I don't know why or how you plan to do this."

He snarls while flicking his tail at me, "Well you aren't going to find out anymore than that. Die, brat!"

I dodge his attack, landing and performing hand signs at the same time. I'm ready for another attack as the lightning flicks from my fingertips.

"Why don't you settle down, hn?" I ask sounding annoyed, but I'm quite enjoying myself. I just performed an imitation of Diedara, I know. The look on Sasori's face tells me that I pulled it off perfectly.

"Who the hell are you?" He demands from me.

I smirk at him, "Popori Ikame of the Leaf."

His eyes narrow as I tell him this. "You know entirely too much. Why don't you come back with Diedara and me, and we'll talk on the way." I glare at him as he adds, "We can both explain ourselves."

I know this is a trap. I know if he gets a chance he'll kill me without warning. I know if he takes me wherever he is taking Gaara, I'll definitely be killed. Or at least used as a play toy. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. I'm not going to let them kill Gaara just to obtain the beast within him.

I nod solemnly, "Alright. I'll come with you two, but I'm not foolish. I'll warn you now; I have many tricks up my sleeve."

He snickers as he draws his tail back entirely and I let my lightning die down. "Good, now all we have to do is wait for Diedara. He shouldn't be long now. He knows I hate to keep people waiting."

AN: alright to clear some things up, the beginning of the chapter takes place before Shippuden, but when Popori gets to Suna, it is obviously set in Shippuden. So how did you guys like this chapter? Yeah the Kankuro thing was unexpected right? I have reason for making Popori hate him, though. Don't worry. ^.^