AN: For those of you who are upset about the Kankuro incident, here's the resolution. 3

When I wake, I'm staring up at multiple faces peering down at me. Among these faces are Kankuro, Gaara, Naruto, and Temari. When my eyes open, they all smile at me. Gaara doesn't smile, but his features are erased of all worry. I look at all of them but my gaze locks onto Kankuro.

The last time we spoke, I had stormed out of his room in a fit of rage. I still don't know if he cheated on me or not. I want to find out, but at the same time, I don't. I really can't handle the heart break.

Naruto chuckles at me, "Hey, Popori, you're awake! Finally!"

I smirk at him, "You can't get rid of me that easily Uzamaki."

Temari giggles as she hugs my neck. I hug her back with one arm and sit up in my hospital bed. She puts both hands on her hips and sticks her tongue out at me.

"It's bad enough I have to worry about both my brothers," She says. "But you had to get me anxious about you, too."

I roll my eyes, "Well sorry for being helpful." I mutter.

She giggles again then turns and skips out of the room. Naruto gives me one last thumbs up, then follows after her. Gaara has his arms crossed and is looking at me. I stare back, not knowing what to say.

"I know you don't like the recognition," He states. "But I would like you to know that all of Suna is grateful to you. I've always been here for you, Popori, but now I'm sure any of the Sand Shinobi would give their life for you. We are in your debt. I am in your debt."

I blush lightly and look down, muttering, "Oh, stop. It was just the usual act of selflessness. No need to go to such extremes."

Gaara shakes his head in disagreement. "You are so stubborn, Popori Ikame."

I smirk up at him, "Yeah, I know."

He smirks back at me then glances at his brother. He gives Kankuro a meaningful look then nods to me then leaves us alone.

I don't meet Kankuro's eyes. I don't want to look at him. I'll burst into a fit of rage. I can feel him looking at me, willing me to look back at him. I ignore his attempt.

He finally sighs quietly and kneels by my bedside, taking my hand in his. "Popori, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I upset you. I'm sorry I made you hurt. I never wanted to hurt you."

I stare at my lap as I say, "Is it true?"

"Popori–"

"Is it true?" I interrupt him, finally looking at him. I give him the most deadpan look I've ever given him. I'm not bullshitting.

He stares back at me, "It was only one kiss."

I gawk at him and rip my hand out of his. Both my hands instinctively ball into fists.

He quickly recovers himself, "I never meant for it to happen. It wasn't my intention at all. She kissed me! Popori, I was training with her and she jumped on me!"

I glare at him, "Did you kiss her back?"

"No . . . Well, kind of." He admits.

I exhale an angry breath while massaging my temples. "I understand that you never wanted to hurt me. And I guess I can believe that she came onto you. But I don't want anything to do with you, Kankuro. Please, just don't speak to me anymore."

I don't know what else to say to him. I quietly stand up without even a glance in his direction; I leave Kankuro alone in the room.

Team Kakashi is waiting for me on the other side of the door. I discover this when I find Naruto pressed up against it, trying to hear my conversation. When I turn the handle and open the door, he falls on his face in front of me. I blink. Sakura and Kakashi are sitting on the other side of the hall, both looking in opposite directions away from me.

Naruto gets up and places a hand behind his head. "Eh, heh. I was just checking . . . to see if you were ready to go yet. . . Are you ready?"

I nod with a blank look and head down the hallway. The more distance I put between myself and Kankuro, the better I feel. The sooner I get out of this village the better.

When we arrive back in Konoha, Shoji is the first to great us. He flies at us with great speed and locks both Sakura and I in a bear hug. I push at his face as Sakura takes his wrist and flings him away.

"What the hell is your problem?" I demand of him.

He pushes himself up from being face down in the dirt and smiles at me. "I'm just saying hello to the most beautiful pair of ladies in the village."

Sakura rolls her eyes but I can see the blush hidden beneath her cheeks. "Oh, save it for someone who believes it."

He makes a hurt puppy face, "Fine I'll go see Hinata then." He mutters under his breath.

I crinkle my nose in disgust as he leaves. I apologize to Sakura then make my departure. As I walk home, I bump into Gontei. When he catches sight of me, he smirks then captures me in a real bear hug. He hugs me so tight I struggle to breath and he lifts me into the air. When he sets me down I glare up at him.

"Don't do that!" I manage to choke out while popping my back.

He only makes a teasing face at me. I'm about to tell him how I really feel about his teasing when I catch sight of a certain lazy-eyed boy walking behind him.

I peer around Gontei and smile brightly, "Shiky-kun!"

Shikamaru falters in his steps then turns his head to meet my gaze. When he sees who called him – though I know for a fact that I am the only person who uses that pet name for him – he returns my smile. He walks over to Gontei and me, his hands behind his head.

"Hey, Popori. How was the mission?" He asks in his usual lazy tone.

"Oh you know a surprise attack from Akatsuki. The usual." I say in a tone that makes it sound like no big deal.

The two boys gawk at me so I update them on the whole story. When I finish they both stare at me like I'm insane.

"What?" I ask, feeling self conscious.

"You gave yourself up to the Akatsuki?" Shiky says in outrage. And by the look on Gontei's face, he's thinking the same thing.

"I wasn't gonna stay with them or anything . . . I just needed a way to get Gaara back." I say while looking at my feet, feeling like a small child.

"Well it sounds like if you had waited a little while, you would've had the chance to get him back without that huge risk." Shiky scolds me.

I look up at him, "Well, I'm sorry . . ."

He raps his knuckles against my forehead, "Hello? Where's the Popori who knows to always have a good head on her shoulders while on a mission?"

I smirk, "Maybe she got swept up in the clouds."

He chuckles then grabs my shoulders and pulls me in for a hug. It's not a bear hug, but it feels three times stronger than Gontei's and Shoji's combined. He pulls away put keeps his hands holding my upper arms.

"Well tell her to stop daydreaming and get her ass back down here with the rest of us where she belongs!" Shiky smirks.

I giggle, "I'll give her the message."

Shiky leaves then Gontei and I go on our way. I notice something out of the corner of my eye. Sakura leaves. The little pink petals float along in the wind making the surroundings seem more and more familiar. I stop dead in my tracks and stare at the two rows of trees.

All in a few seconds I remember the scene perfectly. Shinzi teasing Mi-ho. Keime smiling and watching over us like the big sister she was. Me, skipping along the seemingly safe path unaware of the danger that lay ahead of us.

My eyes narrow in disgust. I make a B-line for the path. I can see Gontei staring at my strangely from the corner of my eye, but I ignore my mute cousin. I sprint down the path until I get to our tree. My name along with my deceased sisters' names, are carved into the trunk.

I stare at the dead tree. A feeling of sadness sweeps over me like a cold breeze. I fall to my knees and clutch my chest. The pain is so unbearable, I am having trouble breathing. I manage to let choked gasps of breath escape my lips. I'm having a break down.

Gontei walks up behind me and places a strong hand on my shoulder. I ignore it. The warmth radiating from it can't fix my pain. It won't make it go away. It won't mend anything. I struggle, but manage to stand back up. I take a long strangled breath then turn on my heel and walk away from the bad memories. But I know better; walking away doesn't make the hurt go away, it doesn't even dim it down that much. It just gives you a distraction until you can find something else to distract you.

I stand alone in the training area. Part of that might be because it's storming. Part of it might be because it's one in the morning. It might even be a combination of the both. I don't care. I like the rain. The storm clouds are gorgeous in my opinion. Plus, I like to try and catch the lightning that strikes down and redirect it. It's great for strengthening my kekkai genkai.

My eyes are closed. My senses are focused on finding out where the next bolt will strike. I smirk and use as much speed as I can to get under the natural electricity. I point my first two fingers up at it and absorb as much lightning as I can. I can feel the power flowing up my arm, across my chest and back down my other arm. I make a grunting sound and the bolt flies from my fingertips.

I smirk. I love this. It is so freaking entertaining. I hear a rustling behind me and the smirk turns into a devilish smile. I hop into a tree and lean against the base of it. Lightning strikes again, lighting up my surroundings so I can see the shadow of a figure behind me.

I take out a kunai and with the speed of lightning – no pun intended – I clash weapons with the figure. A raven-haired male stares back at me. I look up at his face and snicker. He has the same look of loneliness in his eyes he had three years ago. He's aged a lot; he's much taller and way more muscled.

Well, time to put my acting skills to the test. This will be my biggest and most important gig yet. Now we'll see how many people will go into an uproar. The Leaf deserves it anyway. I mean, how the hell do all these people get in here anyway? They need a major security upgrade. I can't help myself, I have to snicker again.

"About damn time . . . Sasuke Uchiha."

AN: Oh, ho! Well look who it is! Sorry about the thing with Kankuro . . . But I always wanted her to be with Shiky-kun! 3 But I think I'll make her choose between the two in the end. So who do you guys want her to end up with and why? It will influence the outcome of the story a lot!