Secret Eden

by Blackecplise

Gaara had wanted to become his friend, in where people can trust and depend on him What happens if his discovery at that Cursed Ruins gave him that exact chance? A certain book came in mind that things starts to look awfully familiar with this girl.OCXGaa

8. Chapter 8: Mission: Setting Out, Day 1

Blackeclipse: I'm on a roll~ even though there aren't so many reviewing D: why aren't people reviewing? :( is my story that boring? :( Am I a terrible writer DX!

Mizuumi: Ano~-Blackeclipse-sama, are you alright? OAO?

Blackeclipse: ….*emo corner* _ _|||

Disclaimer: Aaaannnnndddd I do not own Naruto, Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. And this fanfic is owned by Blackeclipse :) me!

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Chapter Eight: Mission: Setting Out Day 1.

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*Tap*

It was early in the morning.

The window was closest to Mieihi's bed, and a tapping sound was heard, mostly something you would expect to hear in Konoha, if you were to live there.

*Tap-tap-tap!*

"….Nh?" Mieihi, being a light sleeper, slowly opened her eyes to the sound. She sat up, turning her head to the bed next to her, seeing that Gaara wasn't there, his sheets though weren't fixed, as if he had woke up a few minutes ago. She looked around and saw the door that led to the bathroom was closed, and the light was coming from below it, indicating that perhaps he was in there, using it.

*Tap-tap-tap-tap!*

"?" she blinked, she had heard it again, turning her refreshed head to the window, there was a hand. At first, thinking it was an enemy, an enemy won't be that stupid enough to do that. Or maybe the enemy is stupid…?

"Psst!—Mieihi-chan…!—you there?—you awake?" there was a whisper like male voice coming from the window.

"Mieihi-chan~~!" another whisper like voice was heard, a soft female voice.

She kicked her covers to get off her bed, wearing a white dress pajama as she went to the window, and blinked at the sight of two blue eyes and golden hair clad in black and orange jacket and pants, with a Konoha leaf head protector. She recognized the face, but this was the first time she saw him wear that, next to them was a very familiar kunoichi with long brown side bangs and brighter oceanic eyes.

A grin greeted her as she opens the window silently. "….Mornin' Miehi-chan!" Naruto greeted with a fox grin.

"O~ha—yo~!" Mizuumi saluted as she blinked.

"…Naruto-san and…Mizuumi-san….?" She muttered quietly, wondering why are they even whispering.

"We're going to treat ya before we go on the mission!" Naruto said in a quiet did-you-know-tone with his hand in a gesture of a whisper, looking cautiously inside. "Where's Gaara?" Mizuumi too looked inside chibily, wondering if there was sand going towards them any moment now.

"…He's the waterloo…" she said.

Her replies were blank 'whut' faces.

"…The bathroom…" she sighed to them.

"Oh!—We mean—oh~…!" Naruto and Mizuumi exclaimed, then suddenly going back down into a whisper, covering each other's mouths with their hands.

Mieihi started to wonder if they're related somehow, she looked passed them with her eyes, seeing blue and almost translucent platform below them, she wondered if it was ice that end them up here. Although it wasn't that high to begin with, since there were no trees nearby their window, it made sense.

"Get dressed…but very quietly and quick!—we can't bring you there when Gaara's around….!"

"Pwease~?"

She didn't know about that, feeling uneasy on going without Gaara with her or telling him, the last time she did that he gave a scary dark tone to his voice. But to their pleas, she knew he had a special bond with Naruto and sooner or later nodded to them.

"Meet us there~" Mizuumi pointed to the fences that acted as gates to the Hokage Residence. "We'll be hiding there….!" She had a determined tone.

"….Understood." she nodded anyway, as they nodded back and sooner or later disappeared with the ice evaporating in a poof rate. They might get in trouble if I don't hurry…. She looked at the bathroom's door, the sound of running water assured her that he didn't hear them.

She quickly removed her clothing, changing into her bandaged bra that Temari taught her how to do on her own, slipping into the heavy high collar belted black shirt she had with her battle outfit, inside of it, she didn't feel itchy at all when she felt the cold chain mail that was made under it, she put on her black short-shorts and putting onto her long black socks/stockings, her shinobi black slipper/shoes, as she fastened all the belts in her current clothing.

She suddenly heard the creaking sound of the faucet, she panicked, quickly grabbing her gloves, a glove hanging at her clenched mouth as she put one at one hand, next the other.

Suddenly heard the tapping of feet on the wet tiles, she searched frantically for her small shoulder string bag and jumped out of the window, leaving her long coat jacket at the bed.

The door opened, with a half naked Gaara coming out, a towel at his shoulders, his hand using one end to dry his hair, he was already wearing his battle outfit pants, his hair spiking as he dried it out.

He blinked when he noticed a faint trace of chakra, and turned his head to see the window open, and the person sleeping at the other bed, gone.

With a long coat jacket left there.

"…Mieihi…?" he muttered looking around the room some more, and sighed, …Matta…(Again).

+++Behind the Fence Gates of Hokage's Residence+++

"Aah!—there you are!" Naruto grinned when she appeared in black feathers before them, he scratched his head while smiling down at her. "That's a relief~!—I thought Gaara caught you for a moment ago!"

Mizuumi nodded as well in that thought.

"He almost did….I was able to jump out in time…" Mieihi said in her boyish girlish voice, again striking a doubt in their minds, but from her outfit, they had no doubt.

It was really cool, with the belts to make the wearer fit, long sleeves covering almost her whole hand, her red gloves fingers contrasting with the black fabric, the small belt had went around her wrist, hinting the shape of it, the other belts had also fit her shape, outlining her curves and the high collar was the only thing free there to cover a part of her chin and her neck, but those short-shorts….

"UGAAAHHH!" Naruto suddenly had a nose bleed.

"NARUTO-KUN!—NARUTO-KUN!-NARUTO-KUUN!" Mizuumi panicked as she grabbed, well, supposedly she would have grabbed his collar but, instead, was his neck. Thus, strangling him. "DON'T DIE!—AAH! SO MANY BLOOD!-NARUTO-KUUNN! WAAAH~~!"

"…If you won't stop strangling him….he will." Mieihi sweat dropped, but her shake grew more violently. She sighed again. "She's not listening…."

+++Outside Temari's Room+++

Temari came out of her room, sighing as she adjusted her Tessen from behind, pulling her black finger-pocket-less gloves, adorning her usual black short sleeved kimono with a more revealing neckline unlike the usual kimono designs, although it wasn't as revealing as the water kunoichi's outfit, Mizuumi though had a sleeveless black turtle neck to cover inside, there was a red sash to tie around her waist, a pale brown belt was also around it, with pouches and a small bag of medicine herbs, soldier pills and the rest needed like her shuriken pouch and kunais behind her back, and the Sunagakure head protect worn no her head proudly to her grin,

She had grown worry of not seeing the youngest in their small family, especially when they came home with a welcoming entrance to give her a heart attack, being the eldest isn't really fun when you see them like that. Kids. She wondered if she sounded more mature when she just said that to herself.

…or old.

"Oh you're up!" a tougher voice was heard from her side, turning to see the second eldest of the group, wearing a black long top and black trousers with a red tie around his waist, his hair completely covered by his pointy black hood that looks like a cat from its design. The two black scrolls were behind him at the base of his spine, gloves in the similar design with hers was also worn. A proud Sunagakure head protector was also on his forehead, and back again with another new design of purple face paint. "We just got enough time left to go and get something to bite…Let's go and get Gaara and Mieihi…!"

"Kankuro…?" Temari grinned nodding to the idea, "Not a bad idea…!" as her back faces the door, her brother going infront of her with a thumbs up.

Both of them ignorant of the footsteps coming closer.

"Well let's go and wake Gaara and M-"

"That won't be necessary…"

"Aaaaahhhh!" Both Temari and Kankuro screamed when their youngest brother suddenly appearing at their sides, both of them gripping onto their hearts before it popped out.

Gaara was wearing something different this time, more likely of a different color, the long high closed collar of his coat was black, and the purple vest he wore was brown, the grey belt was around his waist, a chain also worn around it extending to hold the sand gourd to aid the purplish color of cloth that held it close to Gaara's back, his pants though remained the same, the ring on his lower limb and upper limb had the same colour as his vest.

In his left arm, hanged Mieihi's coat.

"G—Gaara ka? (Gaara huh?)" Kankuro panted as they both calmed down to his presents. "Dammit Gaara—Don't go on sneaking up on us like that in the morning!" he grit his teeth.

Gaara simply crossed his arms, tightening the coat that hanged at his arm, "…It is no fault of mine that I caught you both off guard."

Both were taken back with a sigh from their brother, Gaara simply doesn't want to lose at a conversation, that was a fact that always remained with him.

Temari blinked, finally noticing the coat that he held, she pointed. "Isn't that?"

He nodded, "Mieihi's long jacket coat…." He looked down on it. "…It was left on her bed when the window opened."

Kankuro gasped, "What!—Was she taken!—was she kidnapped?"

Temari slammed her fist to him. "WITH GAARA IN THE ROOM! IMPOSSIBLE!" she yelled out.

Kankuro gasped again while holding his head. "EH!—GAARA DID YOU DO SOMETHING TO HER?*SMACK!*" and… another falcon punch was delivered by their eldest.

"No….when I woke up she was sleeping, when I came out of my shower she was gone. Her clothes she had worn last night are on the floor…she had hurried to change and left…." Gaara explained, secretly cradling the urge to kill his brother for his idiotic ideas.

"But…she left through the window?—why not the door?" Temari tilted her head as Kankuro came back to life, shielding himself before Temari punched him again, he wondered if it was Sakura in her instead, but at the other hand, he was relieved that she had used her fists instead of her over sized iron fan.

On the other hand, it both, fucking hurt like hell.

"She was in a hurry I suppose." The Kazekage assumed in his thoughts as well, "…Perhaps she was avoiding me to know…" ….Wait….. he suddenly paused.

"…Eh?" Temari and Kankuro suddenly noticed the depressing dark atmosphere slowly coming out from their little Kazekage.

….Avoiding me….? He continued his thoughts.

"G-Gaara….?" The two eldest sweats worriedly, "!" that was when they suddenly felt the darkness beginning to be released within him. "G—Gaara—w-what ever your thinking we're sure it's not true!" they both began to panic as they stepped back.

Oh dear.

+++Ichiraku Ramen+++

"HUWAH!" was the blaring voice in the store as Mizuumi ate her 6th serving of their special, beside her was Naruto, who had his 7th, and beside him.

Was Mieihi staring at the bowl of hot soup and meat, eggs, vegetables, noodles and the other ingredients giving out its aroma. She looked at the chopsticks, staring at them.

Ayame, though was alone without the old man, he must be resting since it was still early in the morning, to her claim, they had a lot of visitors and he was absolutely worn out from cooking non-stop.

She looked back at the two and remembered the moment she was pulled in here.

+++Flash back+++

A few blinks came by when Naruto grabbed her wrist at the right, and Mizuumi at her left, pulling her like a kid with parents to the shop.

"Welcome!—Ah! Naruto-kun! Mizuumi-chan!" a young girl with chocolate brown hair smiled, wearing a white bandana, kimono and an apron, steam coming from the stoves behind her, a bright grin from her tanned face. "Who's this?—Ain't he gorgeous?"

"Ah—No—she's a girl!" Naruto beckoned his hand to her to catch her attention,

"Eeh!" she gasped in surprise, "She's gorgeous then!" sparkles came from her eyes. "Aw~! She's so cute and innocent looking~!"

"Hehehe~ Isn't she~? Ayame-chan~" Mizuumi grinned hugging Mieihi.

Black wings suddenly spiked out making Mizuumi scream and moving away comically, it was a good thing, like Gaara's sand, the water had froze infront of her to block the black needles that was about to kill her.

"Ah….sorry…" Mieihi had an evil look that said 'do-not-touch-me :O'

Mizuumi shuddered in a sweat dropped. UWAH…SCARY…! Something told her…that that wasn't really the case.

Naruto had supported this idea unknowingly. A part of me says that she did that for real, Mizuumi-chan…Naruto and Ayame both sighed, then he turned to her with a grin. "Well then!—I'm going to have 3 Ichiraku Ramen specials as usual! My treat datte ba yo~!" a hand out to add in the gesture.

And she saluted. "Hai! For a minute Naruto-kun!—Mizuumi-chan! And uh…"

Mizuumi suddenly slides in the picture with a hand gesturing to Mieihi like a polite saleslady. "Blackfea*BLACK FEATHERS POINTING AT HER*-I MEAN—Mieihi-chan~!" she sweat dropped as the black feathers dispersed together with Mieihi's wings.

"I—Is that so—T-that's a nice name…" Ayame gave an uneasy smile at the scene. This is why…I chose not to be a kunoichi….

+++End of Flashback+++

"Areh?—Whash wong Mieihi-chyan~?" Naruto asked between mouthfuls, turning to her in attention that she haven't touched it yet.

"…." She shook her head, I can't rely on Gaara to feed me…and telling him would be utterly humiliating… she sighed. "…Nothing…It's just my first time." She pointed tot his while looking back at him. "What is this called again?"

He slurped his whole ramen bowl and grinned, some of the soup was still on his cheeks. "…It's called Ramen!—the best energy source for strong Hokage leveled Ninjas like me!"

"….Hokage…" she blinked, "Do you want to be a Hokage, Naruto-san?—Why is that?"

He grinned as he adjusted his metal head protector, "You betcha!—One day, I'm going to become this Village's Hokage and help as much people as I can!-And with that….I will even bring my friends back!" he put up a fist, a smile hiding the though of Sasuke still beyond his reach. He still remained cheerful, "I want people to look up to me—Just like what Gaara did!—I can't fall behind ya know!—There's no way I am going to lose to No-Brows!"

Mizuumi gave a peace sign when she was done with hers, "I'm going to become the Mizukage soon—isn't it cool that most of our friends are becoming Kages? Hehehehe~!"

…Aspirations. Was what she had in her mind.

"Sore wa, watashi no/ore no, yume, datte sa/datte ba yo!"

(That is, our own, dream…!)

Both of them exclaimed with a happy grin, Mizuumi ending with her 'datte sa', and Naruto's famous 'datte ba yo'. Both seeming so similar to one another, them saying the exact same thing despite the uses of 'my' in that Language, they seem to have the same smile, the same determination, and the same dream.

She gave a small soft grin. "Dreams…huh?" her dictionary mind seemed to have underestimated them, …So Gaara's dream was like theirs…she looked back down at the ramen before her. As the noise of those two rises for more ramen, and the happy Ayame before her grinning.

She went into thought, the warm aroma of her own bowl surrounding her. Naruto-san wants to become a Hokage, Mizuum-san and Mizukage…Gaara is now a Kazekage…her left eye softened, ….What do I want to become?... she shook her head to that, and began to pick up her spoon, sipping the soup first, till she began to use her chopsticks perfectly with noticing it, her head was just blank, although a part of her didn't know why. "…I just….want…" she began to mutter to herself. "…to protect those I care about….by taking in whatever pain they will or would receive…so they won't feel it…"

Unknowingly, Naruto was listening as he stared at her in silence, a small grin was visible from the noodles hanging his mouth. "…"

A few minutes later, they had heard a voice. "…So this is where you are all at." A female voice and another pair of foot steps was heard, when they turned around, a pink haired kunoichi emerged from the short curtains of the shop, her red metal head protector fashion as a head band, her red sleeveless top complimented it as her grayish purple skirt that was slit in design, she wore black shorts that looks a lot more like short leggings, wearing her belt here with pouches and bags from it, her black gloves contrasting to the white curtains, she had a grin on her face, but her emerald eyes shows worry when she saw Mieihi.

Mieihi just gave her a grin to let her know that she's fine, and Sakura gave a sigh before Naruto called out her name. "Ah!-Sakura-chan!" accompanied with Mizuumi at her name.

Sai later on came inside, wearing his unusual but unique battle attire with his tanto at his back, his metal head protector at his forehead, his scrolls and ink at the sides of his belt, his belly was exposed from the high cut of his shirt, one long sleeve and one was short, shades of gray and black could be seen, at least he was wearing black pants. He had his fake smile on, but they knew he was trying, ever since Naruto and Sakura met him, and after him turning into a good at Orochimaru's Hide out, he is.

Although reading books, wasn't really the best source to know how to get along with everyone else. "Good morning Mieihi-san, Mizuumi-san….."

"OY! I'M HERE TOO!" Naruto called out irritatedly as Mizuumi held him before he pounced at the artist, HIS VERY FACE IS ANNOYING IN THE MORNING!

"Hmm…." He paused to suddenly analyze the situation before him, placing a hand on his chin in deep thought. "…when a man had asked a lady out with another woman…" Sai simply shook at his head.

"TEMEE…..!(YOU…!)" Naruto growled before Sakura slammed both fists at him and Sai in a blink.

Sakura turned to Ayame and greeted her as she laughed uneasily going back to her work. Sakura's jade yes turn to the bowl of Mieihi, which was already done, and she looked up to her with her sapphire eyes. She grinned slightly at her, Well, Naruto is better at these kinds of stuff than I am… she admitted as Mieihi slowly returned a smile.

After the two clutching onto their heads and Mizuumi's worried face upon them, Sakura continued. "Naruto…you better get ready to set off for the mission got it?—Everyone's already forming by the gates!"

Naruto's eyes widened. "Oh crap!—thanks Sakura-chan!" he nodded as he went to Ayame. "2 more bowls please!'

"BAKA!" Sakura slammed her fist again to his head, almost knocking out the O' So powerful Jinchuuriki.

"S—Sakura-chan…" he sweat dropped. At this rate…my head will crack open…

"Anyhow, me and Sai will go on ahead to inform Kakashi-sensei and Shizune-san that you're coming…hurry up ok!" Sakura placed her hands on her hips and turned to leave.

"Well then, see you then." Sai bowed his head politely, well, to actually dodge the kunai that was to hit him, "Aren't we all active?—Ahahaha…!" He chuckled while leaving, avoiding shurikens this time.

"AHAHAHA' YOUR FACE YOU BASTARD!" Naruto blurted out angrily.

+++A few minutes of him cursing later+++

"Come again, Naruto-kun! Mizuumi-chan! Mieihi-chan!" Ayame called out as Naruto waved back while they all set out to the direction of the Konohagakure's gates.

"Aah, my stomach's full and I'm all charged up!" he grinned, placing his hands behind his head in his usual carefree gesture.

Mizuumi scrunched her eyebrows. "…But you'll puke if you work too much!"

"Don't worry!—I never puked when I ate ramen before!—In fact! It's like my extra chakra reserve!" he said positively as Mieihi followed them from behind.

"That's because you don't tell anyone!" she pouted.

"Hehehehe—hehe….uhh….oh yeah…" he sweat dropped at the memory of him almost being killed by the enemy if it weren't for him vomiting on the enemy and giving him a chance of an opening. "Well!—that time it was a part of my strategy! And Konohamaru bought it as a new Jutsu I learned from Ero-Sannin!"

"Mou! Jiraya-sama really teaches you weird things!"

"Rasengan's not weird!"

"The other one!"

"Ohh….WAIT THAT'S SAI'S JUTSU NOT MINE!"

She stuck her tongue out in disbelief, "It was you!-YOU-YOU-YOU!"

"NOO! NO IT WASN'T!—IT WASN'T ME MIZUUMI-CHAN! BELIEVE IT!"

Usually…when a girl is…she stopped at her thoughts, wondering if Sai's first impression suddenly hit her, seeing Sakura's punch, even though she knows she could deflect it easily, she can't guarantee for Sakura's safety, or in this case, those two.

*BARK!-BARK!-BARK!*

"Huh?" Both Mizuumi and Naruto turned their heads to a rough barking sound, and turned to see behind Mieihi, who was currently blinking at them, the huge running Akamaru.

…

"AKAMARU WAIT!!" Kiba's voice was heard running from behind him.

…

RUNNING AKAMARU!

"I-YA!—YA-" Mizuumi and Naruto began to swing their arms before them in a panic gesture. "—MIEIHI-CHAN!" they both screamed, their hands out, but before they knew it-

*THUDDD!*

"*BARK –BARK-BARK!*" Akamaru hand pounced on Mieihi and started licking her face, Kiba who had stopped running turned bluish pale and so was Shino and Neji who came after him.

Mieihi began to smile slightly as she petted the huge dog above her, Akamaru nudging his head on her head as he moved back to let her sit up. "It's nice to see you again, Akamaru." He replied with a bark.

"Heh." Kiba quirked an eye brow as he placed a hand on his hip. "SO it was your scent that made Akamaru come running here…"

"And I though there was an enemy too." Neji sighed as he looked to see who was with her, blushing to look away when he saw oceanic blue eyes that was owned by one of his female childhood friends.

Mieihi stood up, still petting Akamaru as Naruto noticed them. "Kiba!—Neji!" he blinked, Shino was suddenly left out. "Wow, didn't notice-"

"Um, Naruto-kun." Mizuumi sweat dropped as Shino's own depressing bug corner was not far behind from being revealed to them.

"Why do you not notice me as the first or second?—I have appeared her just before Neji and after Kiba had arrived beside Akamaru and your fellow friend which is by the name Mieihi from the information provided by Shizune-san." Shino muttered darkly to himself. "Having the absents of your friends not acknowledging who you are or your presence. That is not leading to a good cooperative mission…Naruto."

That annoying way of talking…. "Ahaha, s-sorry Shino….!" The blonde Jinchuuriki grinned while gritting his teeth.

The more depressed Shino looked back at him. "You ought to greet your friends a bit more when you see them…..nazenara(because)…..you will cause great pain and suffering to their emotions within them at the thought of your ignorance…."

It really is Shino-kun…. Mizuumi sweat dropped at this.

"Shino?" Mieihi muttered as she turned her head to the man with black glasses and a hood together with his head protector, his collar completely concealing his face from society. She stared at them as bugs began to crawl from his shoulders.

"EEKKK!" Mizuumi screamed by the sight of it, hiding behind Naruto as Kiba, Neji and Naruto sighed of her predictable reactions.

"….?" Shino was still staring at the kunoichi staring at him, notifying the bandage concealing her right eye and unusual gorgeous appearance, if he remembers correctly, her voice had a mixture of a boy and a girl. But from her outfit, she is definitely a girl. If so, then it seems she has a stronger resistance to insect sightings.

"…Bug man."

Everyone froze, and even Shino who had blue streaks on his forehead while Naruto and Mizuumi went infront of Mieihi to scold her on not being like Sai.

"Ok Mieihi-chan?—Don't ever listen to Sai ok?—Ok!"

She only blinked. "….I see….so calling.." each name she said, they turned their heads to. "Naruto-san, Yellow Cat, Kiba-san, Dog man. Akamaru, Whitey and Neji-san…." After the shots had almost made Kiba and Akamaru fall into despair, together with Naruto while he was asking to himself why a yellow cat?-they paused when she was staring at Neji who was looking back at her.

"…" Neji was looking back at her, with his usual expression of nothingness.

All of them urging for him to have the most embarrassing nick name e—

"…..Genius." she simply said.

"WHY DOES HE GET THAT KIND OF FANCY NICK NAME?" Naruto and Kiba yelled out with Akamaru barking in his own language, Shino sulking in his own world.

"Hmph." Neji simply looked away from them. "A genius is always a genius to other people's eyes…."

"TEMEE!" Both Naruto and Kiba yelled out.

Naruto and Kiba was about to pounce forward to him before Mizuumi saw it. "AH! WAIT GUYS DON'T FIGHT!" in an instant she slammed the ground with her hand as ice suddenly came bursting infront of them with pointy tips and some also holding them back like chains.

"MIZUUMI-CHAN YOU NEARLY KILLED US!" both of them said in panic as Mizuumi was bowing down continuously in apology.

Neji was simply watching the sight, in his mind, he wanted them to be killed, too bad.

"OY! YOUR FACE IS TELLING US WHAT'RE YOU THINKIN' YOU BASTARD!"

"Hmph….so what?"

"YOU!"

"Aah—aah! Come on guys please stop fighting!"

"…..It seems the my first impressions on people I just met are still something very depressing, thus, making it hard to open some kind of friendship and bringing in another step closer to cooperation of future missions when put together. Such things are sometimes go unnoticed, therefore…." Shino muttered to himself depressingly at his own dark corner of despair.

Mieihi and Akamaru was just watching the so-called matured shinobis do their battles. …They are all alike…

+++A few minutes later|||]]][[[[ Konohagakure Front Gates]]][[[||||+++

"GYAAAHHH!"

"N-NARUTO-KUN!" (Mizuumi)

The sound of the loud hammer bang had actually came from the chakra infused fist that was sent straight down the earth, which had the blonde shinobi's head, "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ALL LATE!?" and there on goes forth the explanations and name pointing and another feud between shinobis of this Village, again.

Guess who's fist was that…

"S—Sakura…chan…."

Ding!

We got a winner.

As these things went on at the front of the entrance, and Izumo and Kotetsu trying to separate the violent Kunoichi from the remorseful Jinchuuriki despite their explanations and apologies.

Mieihi had walked away from them.

She could count 8 of them though, before she wondered why, she looked back to the Support team of team Shizune and team Kakashi, the man named 'Shino' seems to be a long ranged fighter…if those bugs are a part of his Jutsus…he can be used to navigate and cover some unreachable parts of the forest…. She turned her eyes to Kiba. Kiba-san and Akamaru could do both depending on their skills….however, dogs usually have a high sense of smell, especially Akamaru, being a no ordinary dog…. She turned to Neji, who seemed to be cool despite the fingers being pointed at him, she blinked as her left eye glowed. ….I don't know about Neji-san…but he seems to be also another important aspect of this mission…and with that she thought while looking at everyone around them. …Everything seemed to well planned and organized by Tsunade-sama….

She was highly impressed with this, even though she can't read minds, she knew everyone here was hand picked by her. …But…this kind of thing…

She looked down on the ground. …I hope nothing goes wrong…

"Mieihi…"

A voice called out infront of her as she snapped out of her worried thoughts, looking up to see Gaara looking at her directly. "Gaa…ra?" she noticed, the finally realizing what she had done. "I'm sorry—N-Naruto-san and Mizuumi-san had asked me to go without yo-"

"It's fine." He interrupted her as he handed her long coat jacket to her, she took it with wide eyes.

She didn't even notice she wasn't wearing it at all. "..Ah…thank you." She nodded while putting it on, she was going to fasten the belt till she noticed it had been pushed back, she tried to twist but it seems like when she was in a hurry, or when Gaara had held it, the belt was moved back.

Then suddenly, she felt hands moving the belt back to its place at her front. Eh…?

She froze when she saw him bent down, fastening the belt for her to fit her waist, and the rest until it was in perfect fit like before, she continued to blink at this sight, not sure what to think of it as Gaara stood up straight, him being a bit taller than her. "…" he was supposed to say something, but ended up going blank is his mouth.

"Um…" she slowly smiled back, wondering if friends normally do this to other friends when they feel like to. "Thanks, Gaara…!"

"Ah, there you are Mieihi!"

Gaara instantly looked away from the sound of Temari's voice.

Temari blinked when she noticed Gaara with her, Kankuro turning at the sound of Mieihi's name. She placed her hands on her hips, "Now don't go with those idiots ok?—And I was thinking of eating together with everyone before we leave!"

"Whaddya mean huh!—it was my idea!" Kankuro complained while Temari threatened him with her O' so powerful iron fan.

"I apologize….I'll be sure to do so." Mieihi frowned with an apologetic look, while Temari began to ruffle her head like a kid. "W-wha?"

"Aww, we're not angry! But apology accepted anyway!" Temari grinned boyishly as she turned to Gaara. "Well, since they're here, we're all set."

"Indeed." Gaara nodded as he continued. "We will fall into the planned formation from our passed discussion once we enter the Forest….for the meantime, Hino, Mizuumi, and Mieihi shall be behind us three."

His siblings hand nodded, to him, and he continued. "I will leave you in charge of watching over our two guides….since you are beside them during our trip at this formation—Our goal is to take any evidence with us, engage in arms once attacked as a defense…do not be the first to give the blow…When you see an Akatsuki, you either not approach—or make a way to tract them so we can find their other HQ…is this understood, Temari, Kankuro?"

"Yup!" Temari grinned, placing a hand on her hip. "I also heard that when we go west to the Forest at North….we'll be able to somehow connect and find a way to the Forest at the Land of Wind….I suggest we take it."

"Where did you learn this?" Gaara asked, although it is possible since some of the missing victims could have possibly used that root.

"When I was helping the water shinobi in returning the victims to their villages…most of them came from the Fire Country… I've also done my fair research to see if this was a fact when I was granted permission to go into Konoha archives for a few minutes….It seems like there is a route there but prohibited by ordinary travelers-I think we can handle that….the Investigation Team of Konohagakure had also used that route…."

"I see….very well then….we shall go by your route…" He turned to Kankuro, he didn't hear his affirmation.

As if he was fearing from Gaara's glare, he quickly answered. "Ya got it, Gaara!" Kankuro nodded. "A-"

"AHA! YOU TOO!—WHY ARE YOU LATE?" they both heard a yell of anger.

Kakashi came from the gates, they all turned their heads to the raise of Naruto and Sakura's voices. "Aah…"

Kakashi had a carefree tone. "Well….I was suppose to earlier after eating…..till I noticed that an old lady's cat had climbed up a tree and got stuck there….I had no choice as a fellow shinobi to help a senior citizen and a living thing." him giving a face of 'I-am-SO-not-lying'.

"USOTSUKI!(Liar!)" they both of them pointed out as the Jonin sweat dropped at this.

+++Land of Fire Connecting Forests+++

Their formation wasn't shaken as they jumped from branch to branch, the Sand siblings being at the front, Mizuumi at Kankuro's left, Mieihi at Temari's right, behind them was Team Kakashi, and the list goes on:

Kankuro ~ Gaara ~ Temari

Mizuumi ~ ~ Mieihi

~ Kakashi ~

Naruto ~ Sakura

~ Sai ~

~ Shizune ~

~ Neji ~

~ Kiba & Akamaru ~

~ Shino ~

+Team Kakashi+

"Meh, that Gaara acting all leader and all…" Naruto mumbled to himself as Sakura took a step on a branch and sighed. "And he has to be in charge along side with Kakashi-sensei?—he's being so full of himself!" a pout came at the end.

"Well of course, he is in charged of leading us there to the Land of Wind." Sakura told him as Naruto shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah…yeah I know…." Naruto muttered as he looked up ahead, pouting, again. Hmph…and why the heck is Mizuumi-chan all the way there at front? There's an open space just between them and infront of Kakashi-sensei!—"GAAH!" From his thought, he had almost slipped if he haven't balanced himself back in time. "-WOAH!"

"Taku…(geez) watch where you're stepping at, seriously!—It just rained a few days ago and this forest takes in more moisture….!" Sakura scolded him as he sweated it.

Sai was simply smiling from behind. "Well since Naruto is a hard headed person…it's to be expected for him to lose balance with his head up forward."

"TEMEE-SAI!! (SAI-YOU!) WILL YOU KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!"

"Well…I only stated the facts, did I not?"

"Ugh…" both Kakashi and Sakura sighed, another feud is going to fire up soon.

+Team Shizune+

"They look so energetic today, don't they?" she said uneasily while watching them yell at each other and failed attempts of Naruto kicking Sai off to his own mistake of hitting his own head by some small branches, and Sai giving a remark making it even worst. She has a feeling Sakura will snap soon.

"Honestly…to them, the saying 'it's nosier with just two women around' takes it effect in the alternative gender…." Neji muttered, as the noise grew louder. Noisy as always…. Then he paused in his thoughts. No wait…there's another one like him here.

"WOOHOOO! LET'S GO AKAMARU!"

"*HOWLS*!"

Ugh…! Neji sighed mentally.

+Front+

"Honestly….Konoha ninjas sure are hyper…" Temari stated.

"YUP! XD" Mizuumi cheered out, making the blonde surprised that she had heard her, and a side thought of-

Why the hell did she say 'X' & 'D'? Both Kankuro and Temari thought.

Gaara though made no comment at this as he continued to focus on ahead. Making little effort of jumping great leaps of branches to increase speed, "We will run out of day light if we continue to be this slow." He had announced to his siblings.

Making them snap their heads in attention. "Understood, Gaara." And the quickened their pace along with him, a chain reaction followed him as they went deeper through the forest.

Mieihi's tail coat flapped behind her as she continued on leaping on branches, when Temari turned her eyes to see if she was doing alright, she was a bit startled that she was basically on her tip toes, and landing on her tip toes. She must be extremely light… she thought to herself as she turned to the rest, who lands either at their whole foot base or half of their foot. She looked on forward to see not even Gaara lands like that, although it was to be expected, his sand gourd, when tried to hold it when he left the Hokage Building to accompany Miehi and Sakura, it was indeed very heavy, and it freaked her out more when she remembered that he had always carried it around with him ever since he was 10 or perhaps younger than that.

I bet that if Gaara didn't have his gourd…he too would be faster than any of us on his feet….it's a shame that he doesn't use too much Taijutsu… she thought to herself in her blunt mind. On the side note, even my hand is heavy to carry for orders, and for Kankuro to have the strength of carrying his own puppet at a younger age as well…..perhaps we have gone faster in our agility…..although that green Konoha Shinobi from the Chunin Exams before was faster…to think he had carried weights at his feet. Sooner or later, she will wonder why is, she re-analyzing everyone again.

"…" Mieihi had stared infront of her, not even noticing the times she had skipped tree branches nor noticing Temari's glance at her moments ago, she was full of worry from her 'vision' yet sometimes her mind goes into a blank of not wanting to see the image again. She diverted her attention to the location, which is still the Land of Fire's forestry and territory, she recalled passing through here with Gaara, Kankuro and Temari days ago, wondering if they had passed their stop over. She moved her head to a side to look over her shoulder, and blinked to have weirdly made eye contact with Kakashi. "…" she simply stared at him.

As he looked back at her and blinked, then closing into a smiling expression behind his mask, she looked back, fighting a grin as she looked beyond him, Sakura, Sai and Naruto though were still in a fight, as Neji was already telling Kiba to stop yelling and Akamaru whining while Shino, well, remained quiet with his bugs around him.

He must be already sending his insects to the Forest… she thought to herself, turning her head to her left, seeing Mizuumi going forward, she seems so agile as well, and her look was more like she was at play, not in a mission, yet perhaps that's just how she is. A total opposite of me. Was the best way to describe the future Mizukage of the Land of Water, ahead of her was Kankuro, a hand occasionally checking if his scrolls were still there, being held by a white long cloth and a red tie that connected with the other red tie belt around his waist, only then she noticed the new face paint he had own.

She turned to who was in the middle a head of her.

Gaara though, remained expressionless and focused on his direction, quickening his pace to make up for the team they had lost when she and the rest were late, half grateful that Sakura didn't get angry at her, it was also for her own good, but somehow, she almost liked the feeling of getting reprimanded, it was something she has yet to fully get, but it was something she never experienced.

The sudden image of Gaara fastening the belt that closed her long coat jacket suddenly flashed in her head.

Heat started to raise from her face as she suddenly slammed her hand blindly to her face, making a huge slap sound that startled the 2 next to her at her left.

"M—Mieihi?—w-what's wrong?" Temari gasped as Mieihi covered her face, grateful for her gloves being red to hide the head of her face from behind seen.

"…Nothing….I'm …fine…."she had almost stuttered her words as she shook her head.

Spindrift eyes were looking at her, a long moment later, he had returned his attention to before him.

The sudden image of Gaara fastening the belt that closed her long coat jacket suddenly flashed in his head.

[Author's note: …. LOL…. :D sorry can't resist.]

He slightly cringed, Why did I do that kind of action? He began to ask at the memory, mentally sighing as his façade showed nothing to the ones nearby his presence. She is not a child….it's pathetic….a pathetic action that I did for no reason at all.

He wanted to shake his head, but knew it would make his siblings notice, them being keen observers such as he is.

Then he blinked, he just saw something move infront of him, although it was still far, he had focused closely until his eyes finally widened. "STOP." He said in a loud voice as they all halted on the branches and parts of the trees.

"What's wrong, Gaara?" Naruto called out to him before Temari or Kankuro did.

Gaara didn't answer as he remained focused on the sight before him. It's them…again. "...Do not do anything except those before Kakashi-san…."

Everyone else looked at each other and nodded, Mieihi slowly blinking before they continued on.

And before they knew it, the hidden bandits had suddenly pounced on them, Gaara's sand began to cover his front and below him, continuing to go forward, Temari and Kankuro and took a leap simultaneously and threw shurikens with sharp precision at the hearts of the ones being hidden before Team Kakashi and Team Shizune were reached.

Mizuumi grinned as she flung her hand up to make a ice shield above them before the floating balloon bombs had struck them as they all continued forward, then she blinked, when she looked to her right, Mieihi had looked at her as well and they both nodded.

The two took a simultaneous leap and threw their kunais at each other's sides, cutting the rope behind one another that held a huge lumber before it swings to them, crushing them, also hitting the ones who had pushed it earlier. They both landed as they continued to leap forward in a more quickened pace.

Mizuumi had flicked her hand in a downward gesture for water from the moisture to come together and turn to ice, freezing the archers that were below them, at the very moment of her action, Gaara had summoned his sand above them to stop the arrows from the top of their trees to rain down on them, extending to the last which was Shino.

"Sabaku Shuriken(Sand Shuriken)." He whispered as the sand shield began to spike and throw sand shurikens towards the archers in great accuracy without looking.

+Team Kakashi+

Amazing…. Sakura's eyes widened at their actions. Each of them are covering each other's blind spots, defending and doing offense at the sametime…not one of us behind them are being attacked…she began to notice the change and leap faster and faster, Naruto and Sai together with the rest had began to struggle to keep up. Gaara is really serious when he's the leader of a mission…..

Tch!—there's no fun for us here! Naruto on the other hand complained. Watching the ones infront, then suddenly his eyes widened, actually everyone did then they saw what it was before them.

++Front+++

There were numerous of bomb traps before them and on t he trees, Gaara was already putting the sand around them and Mizuumi the ice below them all on the forest floor, they began to notice more arrows, kunais and shurikens began to rain above them, in a weird way there were chains suddenly surrounding Gaara while Temari and Kankuro jumped back, Gaara brought out to create a circular sand sphere as his protection.

"GAARA!" Naruto called out while everyone began to notice more and more weapons heading towards them from above.

Temari looked closely, seeing something being wet at their tips, her eyes widened. "IT'S POISONED!"

"!" Gaara cringed from his sister's words, an explosion happened coming from the chains that was around his sand sphere, it didn't do much but it made them jump back from the explosion, although Temari's fan had been pinned to another branch on impact, it was also the same second where Kankuro was summoning his puppet, Crow, until Crow had slammed to a tree along with his master when the explosion had more chain reactions that was slowly disappearing till smoke was left around them.

He made an opening just so he can see and saw the weapons, blades, shurikens and kunais together with the arrows, in a split second he had agreed they were poisoned, but before he was able to bring up his hand, black feathers had suddenly showered everyone including him, and huge black wings had appeared to slowly cover the sky above.

His eyes widened as he turned to see Mieihi there, she was bent down almost like Naruto when he was going into his Bijuu mode, her clothes had burns, she didn't even jump out of the way as her black wings extended more, horror came to his realization as those moments were in a slow motion to him.

"-DON'T!-" was what he yelled out when she extended her two black wings, making it bigger and bigger and even wider than before, extending to the back like his sand, her feathers became an extension to cover their comrades.

"MIEIHI!" Temari and Mizuumi both screamed as she suddenly winced, indicating that the weapons have fired onto her wings.

"Kh…" she winced as her wings began to spike, her feathers turning to huge black stakes. She turned her eye to Gaara, "….Gaa…ra…" her voice sounded like her wind pipe was being strangled.

"!" His eyes widened, and he swore he felt himself shiver.

"….Cover…everyone….NOW….!" she managed to say in a hoarse voice, the feathers from her wings getting even sharper.

Without further delay, he began to bring out both of his hands flinging them in a cross before him as the sand suddenly created a barrier around everyone in their separate spheres.

"WHAT TH—HEY!!" Naruto panicked as he could be heard beating up the hard sand walls from behind, the same claims and resistance came from everyone else as Gaara turned his eyes angrily to Mieihi.

She looked back at him, and he knew he should too, with hesitation, her gripped his hand into a claw, making his own sand sphere, completely covering him, the only things that were seen, 12 sand spheres on the branches, and what she could hear, was them crying out their names, saying they want to help.

Mieihi winced as she slumped, her hands grabbed onto the lumber below her, trying to stay in balance. "Black Eden…" She muttered as her left eye glows in a deep sapphire color. "…Black Blood Bath…."

++within the spheres++

"OY!—MIEIHIII!" Naruto cried out, beating it up violently. "GAARA—GAARA WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!—LET US HELP HER! GAARAA!" he screamed out.

"WE'RE IN AS WELL NARUTO!"

"!—Sakura-chan!"

"KYAA! IT'S SO DARK AND SANDY!"

"EH! MIZUUMI-CHAN!"

"Everyone's being defended Naruto, including Gaara…"

He turned to, what at least he thinks, is where Kakashi was. "KAKASHI-SENSEI!"

"IT LOOKS LIKE WE CAN BARELY HEAR ANYTHING EXCEPT EVERYONE WHO'S INSIDE THE SPHERES!" Shizune's voice had called out.

A bark here was a sign of Akamaru and Kiba was growling, trying to get out.

"NEJI-KUN! TRY USING YOUR BYAKUGAN!"

"Understood!" Neji, from his own sphere had nodded his head. He closed his eyes, and began to open them instantly. His voices being visible around his eyes. "BYAKUGAN!" he scanned the whole area, WHAT THE! His eyes widened at the sight, every color was inverted, numerous of blue was around.

Blue, was the opposite of red.

Red was. "There's so much blood…!" Neji suddenly voiced out his thoughts before he could even stop himself, everyone gasped.

"MIEIHI!—MIEIHI GOD DAMMIT!" Temari and Kankuro could be heard screaming out.

"GAARA! GAARA LET US OUT!"

"…." On the other hand, Gaara's hands were crawling onto his own sand wall sphere, he was trying to fight the urge to suddenly break everyone, and at the same time, break them out of his own defense. If he will do that, what if he would risk all of them in danger?

He was the one, among all of them, who had a lot of pain and panic.

Neji searched some more, then he finally saw a figure there standing, although it was completely vague began of so many objects, there was a huge white mass from it, from the points, it was very pointy and huge, then he watching slowly retract.

…

Wait…

…retract…

"….THAT IS…..!" Was what he managed to say, but it was enough to give everyone the picture he saw.

"KUSO!" Naruto cursed as his teeth showed fangs. "GA-!" before he knew it the sand had almost violently disperses to open up, as if Gaara is now ultimately angry.

++Outside++

Everyone froze in shock, there was blood, absolutely everywhere, there on trees, heads were here and there, guts, arms, cloth, weapons, everything was a huge massacre that Shizune began to wonder if this was some kind of horrible Genjutsu that Kakashi used and backfired, but even he was shocked.

Gaara though, was shocked even more to see where Mieihi last stood.

She was bent down, her wings were like completely thrashed and messy from the kunais, swords, arrows and blades sticking out as blood seeped out from the wounds, purplish liquid indicated a deadly poison, blood splatters were on her coat, the only thing wounded on her were just her wings.

She fell to her knee as in an instant motion she wings twitched, making the blades fall off from their penetration, "MIEIHI!" everyone cried out, but it was Gaara who was the first to grab hold of her before she fell off the branch from where she was.

Her eye was closed as Gaara shook her, "MIEIHI!—MIEIHI!" he yelled out as everyone encircled them.

"Gaara—please move asi-"

"I WON'T!" Gaara yelled out to the medical kunoichi, making Sakura move back from the frightening look he had as sand began to approach her, his eyes were as deadly as the eyes of Shukaku, she froze on the spot at the sigh that was until Naruto went infront of her.

"GAARA—GAARA IT'S OK! IT'S JUST SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto called out to his friend as Gaara remained looking fierce, his arms around her, not minding the blood in his hands as it was located below her wing roots, her head leaning on his shoulder, forehead against his neck.

"…It's…fine." A weak voice was suddenly heard as everyone snapped their heads to see sapphire eye slowly opening.

"MIEIHI-SAMA!" Mizuumi gasped out of relief.

Mieihi looked up weakly at Gaara, then her eye rolled to look at everyone which resulted to slight nausea, "…I was able…to cancel…some of the most deadliest of Wolf Bane Effects."

She recognized the poison immediately…Both Shizune and Sakura's eyes widened, their thoughts were the same as they watched her wings slowly disappearing as each feather floats away from it, disappearing into ash at mid air before their sight, indicating an infection in them was being exterminated.

The blood was oozing out as she winced, the purplish liquid was also coming out as chakra was seen around her wings, healing her wound in an extremely fast rate, and without any further reactions, her wings had dispersed back into her body.

Although she had panted from the pain, she seemed to be sweating, but the kunoichis knew she wasn't going to die.

"Thank goodness!—I thought you we're…!" Temari fell to her knees, not wanting to finish the sentence as everyone sighed.

Gaara began to lift Mieihi to him closely, carrying her. "…We will find a river….and camp there." He turned his eyes to Mizuumi, and his eyes had struck her like an ice sickle. "You can sense bodies of water, correct?—Lead us there now…"

"A-A—HAI! KAZEKAGE-SAMA!" Mizuumi nodded as she began to look up ahead and her eyes glowed, instantly locating it. "THIS WAY!" and in a startling speed, she just tapped her foot on the wood slightly and lunges off like a dart, Gaara not falling back behind as everyone instantly followed him.

The day was slowly nearer a sunset.

As they skipped from branch to branch, Naruto clenched his teeth. I can't believe it—I was just watching…! He clenched his hands into a fist, making Sakura noticed but she didn't say anything as she painfully look forward. TCH! "Kuso…." He growled to impossible, Sai not saying anything to his friend as his eyes turned to him.

+++Rocky River Bank+++

Gaara announces that they will camp here, Kakashi had summoned one of his Ninku, a pug, to send a message to Tsunade about the future delay they would bring and about what had happened.

Tents were built here and there as Gaara brought Mieihi in a tent, Sakura and Shizune had to force him to stay outside.

"Kazekage Gaara-sama…" Shizune said in a strong firm voice. "…She's only suffering the slight side affects of the poison…but she is not going to die….the poisoned had been mixed with an artificial chakra depletion poison that once the victim uses chakra to heal, it would give a big strain on her—It was a good thing Mieihi-chan was able to excrete the most of the Poison out of her wings, otherwise it would really mean death in a few hours…"

Gaara cringed at her words, as Sakura proceed to go back inside after Naruto helped her bring water, Neji and Shino was helping out in the fire not far from the tent, Kiba and Akamaru was asked to find herbs under Shizune's previous orders, Kakashi was with Kankuro for guarding the campsite.

Temari was not far from Gaara, but closer to the tent, worried about Mieihi as she winced at her ragged breathing, but she heard no screams. At least she's breathing.

Shizune sighed, keeping her distance and dismissing the thought of placing her hand on his shoulder, fearing the sand dancing around his feet would spike up, stabbing her wrist. "….It is not your fault Gaara-kun…." She softly said, his hands were crossed against his chest as he was looking at her with a hard look, she dared not to look at it, it felt as if he could burn her by just looking with his fierce eyes. It was the same look as before, when he was younger. "…Judging from the sight of everything…Mieihi-chan was able to extinguish the bandits, all of the bandits…making sure none would come out way…you were asked by her to shield everyone—There are no faults here…"

"…." Gaara said nothing, but his shaking voice had a resisting tone to yell.

"Instead of being angry of yourself….I suggest you calm down…" she looked at his arms, and turned away. "…and wash your hands…" she bowed her head to Temari before going in the tent of where Sakura and Mieihi was.

If he had eye brows, they were be scrunched in a very gesture manner of him being inflamed, but he look down, heaving a sigh as his sister looked back at him worriedly, but said nothing as he turned away, approaching the river where Mizuumi stood at with Naruto, helping with catching fish.

He saw them, and knew one of them would try talking, so he went farther away.

"Gaara…" Temari muttered worriedly as she saw her little brother go farther until he was small in her sight.

…

…

….

Gaara looked down at the river, it was already getting darker, as light was already disappearing, and the dark blue sky was beginning to merge from the ocean above them, he looked at his hands and winced, they were Mieihi's blood, he remembered the first time he saw blood, it was when he had killed those he loved and those who were his enemies.

He even saw his own blood, but somehow, this was far terrifying.

Terrifying…? Gaara asked himself as he closed it, his insomnia eyes made it seem like his eyes were all black from his lids. …Why does it...scare me? He shook his head. "Such thoughts are useless…" he told himself, placing his hands on the rushing river water, cleaning it.

"So you're here alone now?" a voice came from his side, and turned his head to see the male Hyuga.

Gaara looked back down the water with no other words.

"Temari wanted me to tell you that the food will be ready in 30 minutes so wait till then…" Neji replied coolly as Gaara nodded his head, not facing him.

Neji sighed, his arms crossed. "…The bandits there didn't seem like ordinary bandits to me. At any rate, we should still continue a mission with extra caution…." He began to say, "…Once we are done, that is when we can start investigating what were they or who are they…." Gaara had no reply, but he knew he had agreed mentally. Neji turned away from him, meaning to go back to the campsite, but he purposely made himself stand there in slight silence.

"…She was smiling, when I saw through your sand with my Byakugan …"

"…?" his head only move slightly at this, it was more like a flinch, his hand pausing before the forgotten action was done.

"…Instead of sulking…why don't you wait for her to be alright, and tell her 'you did a good job'?—I think she would agree with a genius like me, that sulking and being all angry is just a waste of time…." Neji turned his head, just enough for him to look over his shoulder. "…You're choice….you're not the only one sulking here." And that was when the Byakugan holder walked away, Sai, was not far from where Gaara is, but grinned slightly when Gaara stood up, commanding his sand to enter back to his gourd as he walked back into the campsite.

It was like an hour later, Neji together with Shino and Sai had both retired for the night early, Kiba and Akamaru came with the herbs asked by Shizune and was allowed to enter their tent, Kakashi and Kankuro was standing guard out of the Campsite, Temari was placed on guard at a nearby tree, looking into the forest.

Mizuumi was busy helping by making the water share gathered medicinal and a healing kind of water as she came back and forth with an expression that they thought would never give, a serious one.

Gaara and Naruto were left to just stare at the fire, the fish bones they had ate were at there sides. "…I'm sure…" Naruto began to break the silence as Gaara moved his eyes to his friend. "…I'm sure Mieihi-chan's happy..!" he grinned, instantly continuing before Gaara turned pissed. "Because she was able to protect us….right?

"…I just….want…" her voice had suddenly echoed in his mind, the bright image of her face was seen. "…to protect those I care about….by taking in whatever pain they will or would receive…so they won't feel it anymore…"

He remembered her words from this morning as he told it to Gaara, his knees infront of him as his chin and arms leaned on his knees, his arms covering half of his face, his bottom on the rocks below them, feeling the look Gaara was giving out to him. "...She said that without knowing, or caring if anyone did…" he mutters, his blue eyes staring at the fire. "….even though do she seems to be a bit like you or Sasuke in personality—or sometimes like a lil' kid—she's really something." A small grin came in. "That's why tomorrow, I'm going to give her a huge scolding!—you should too Gaara…!"

Gaara turned away when his energetic opposite turned to him., not answering

"Well—don't be like that Gaara!" he began to slam a head hand on his hand back as his sand blocked it out of reflex, but Naruto didn't mind. "Since she saved us, we should greet her with grins!—I mean, she's cuter when she smiles rather than frowning!" he nudged his own friend, trying to get something out of him.

Gaara found him self sighing as he stared at the flames. "….Perhaps…you are right."

"What do you mean 'perhaps'!—Come on~ Gaara!—She is so cute when she smiles right?—Frowning makes her look like a guy!" Naruto grinned, his elbow now resting on his friend's shoulder, if it weren't him, Gaara would have slapped it off his shoulder. "This happens a lot!—No need to be all emo!"

Gaara somehow was testing his own patience…

Naruto was still smiling, but then it slowly went down when nothing had changed in his friend, he looked down and sighed tiredly. "…Well, I'm sure she'll not that look in your face….but whatever happens-happens Gaara….no one's to blame…" he smirked slightly, "…But she's amazing to think she could dispel some poison out….when it happens again—Orders or no orders I'm going to help on protecting her!" a fist was up, like he usual gesture, spindrift eyes turning to him. "She's my friend!—Mission or not we're all friends aren't we?—You feel the same way too right Gaara?—So stop sulking and think of ways to kick their asses!"

"…" He found himself blinking to his optimistic friend, and then looking back into the fire. "….I see…." He slowly nodded, not minding Naruto's hard hand slapping his back in another carefree 'friend' gesture. I have to…suppress my feelings more…otherwise it will cause so much trouble to all of us.

A few minutes later, Kiba came out of the tent, while extending his arms up in a yawn. "Aww geez I'm bushed!—Welp, it's a good thing we've done all we can….eh Akamaru?" he grinned to his best friend who was wagging his tail and barking in response.

Naruto and Gaara turned their heads, but the blonde stood up first. "How is she Kiba!"

Kiba walked towards his friend while talking, "She's good…we were able to lower her up-coming fever…a bunch of medical stuff is too complicated so you can ask 'em there, all I know she's fine." He pointed a thumb to the tent, seeing Mizuumi and Shizune coming out of the tent, smiling, Naruto sighed of relief. "I'm going to get some shut eye—see ya!" Akamaru gave a bark in his own response to Naruto, and the two went back to their tent.

"Hear that Gaara?—she's fine!" Naruto turned around to see his expression, but blinked when he wasn't there. "EH?"

"May I go and see her?"

"Yes you may, Kazekage-sama!"

"HAI –HAI~!"

"OY!" Naruto yelled out in irritation when Gaara had went first inside, Shizune and Mizuumi giving a go signal. "Ain't fair Gaara!-AIN'T FAIR!"

+Tent+

Gaara entered head first inside, seeing Sakura sitting beside her while putting a wet towel on Mieihi's forehead, Sakura noticed the change in atmosphere, turning her head to meet the Kazekage coming down to sit beside her, "How is she?"

Sakura grinned slightly as she looked at him, then back at her. "…She's amazing….it's as if not a single drop of poison was evident…but the effects took place in giving her a small fever, a change in her temperature, causing dizziness and blurriness of her eyes….she was able to excrete the deadly part of the poison….we wanted to check both of her eyes just in case it had targeted her eyes…but she refused to remove her bandaged, almost ready to attack us but she was able to stop herself to." Sakura informed him as she fixed the wet used towels, he winced at the sight of blood. "This blood came out from her back at her shoulder blades, she stated that she forced the wings in when the feathers of her wings were slightly sharpened into a spike like state…..she said it was a part of her Shock Defense."

"Shock Defense'?" Gaara blinked as she continued.

"She says that everytime she battles, a part of her won't stop till everything is executed…it would take time for her defense to lower its guard, even if she forced her wings back within her, it would wound her a little if they haven't returned to the normal state yet. She told me…" she looked down at Mieihi's now sleeping face, she had taken sleep a few minutes before Gaara came in, and she sighed. "…that if she can't force her guard down…and if she goes berserk in how she killed all those bandits or rogue ninjas…..we had to kill her."

Gaara cringed, "…Kill her?"

"…Even though she said she can control her powers….I don't understand…if she can control her powers, why go berserk?" Sakura shook her head, "She's very confusing….everything about her, I can't make sense of…."

"…" Gaara looked away from her and turned to Sakura. "…She can't control herself…if that is what she meant by being unstable of her psyche…"

"Herself?" Sakura blinked.

"Psyche' is our own well being and soul…" he looked back to her, recalling the book he had read when he was younger. "…when I was younger….I had read a fairy tale book when I was alone at library Yashamaru brought me….that then…it had described a fallen angel that had came into human hands, and was merged with another human…"

Sakura's jade eyes widened. "Then…this Mieihi's…!" she turned back to her.

"That's right…" Gaara muttered. "….the result of 'Soul Merging'….is an unstable and unpredictable psyche…Miehi…" then he shook his head. "But….I believe she isn't that unstable…..but only afraid."

Sakura scrunched her brows together, "…Afraid of what she is…huh?" I've heard that before… Sakura thought sadly, feeling sympathy for her.

"If she truly is unstable, like what those scientist reported her to be….then we would all be dead now…" Gaara added as he closed his eyes, "…for that kind of attack, would mean we have crossed the Fire Country's border and had entered the Forest….we shouldn't let out guard down….we are going to set out early. I suggest you go back to your tent and regain your energy. Same goes to the ones who helped you here…."

Sakura looked back at him worriedly. "How about you?"

Gaara's eyes softened at Mieihi. "…I cannot sleep…" not now…

"Oh." Sakura felt like hitting herself in her memory and the insomnia black rings around his eyes. "Sorry….well then, goodnight then…Gaara-kun."

She stood up as he bowed his head in a gesture of reply. "Since you're here….can you please ask her to try and remove her bandage?"

He turned back to her, looking over his shoulder. "Why?"

"The towel is suppose to cool off her forehead…but the bandage somehow doesn't let it….She won't listen to us…" then a smile came from her face as she opened the flaps of the tent door. "…But I'm sure she will, if you asked her…." And there she left, leaving Gaara staring at the entrance blankly at her words, not minding the sorrow words Naruto had spatted at him from the outside of wanting to see her until what he presumes must be Sakura pounding his head for being too noisy, another voice came that must be Mizuumi trying to calm them down.

She will if I ask her…huh? He thought as he looked back at her, his eyes softening, his hand reaching out but pausing before he touched her face.

His hand gripped into a fist as he pulled it back. I swear I will not allow this to happen…his eyes becoming darker as his anger rising back within him. …I am going to kill those who gets in my way in protecting those who I deem importanc-

"You're thoughts…."

"!" His eyes widened, startled as her mouth began to move, and saw her sapphire blue left eye slowly opening.

"-….is dark…are you angry?" She began to ask weakly.

He shook his head, as a relaxed expression came to her face. "…How are you feeling?"

"…..Nothing…" she muttered simply, there was no pain around her, but she could feel heat, her mind telling her it was just an after effect. "Sorry…about this—I didn't mean to pull us back a day…"

"It's fine….at least we were able to discover that some rogue nins do attack the missing victims that weren't found…this proves your side of the story about protecting them back when you where there…" Gaara said simple, closing his eyes momentarily, opening them again after a few seconds. "Everyone else except for Temari, Kankuro and Kakashi-san had retired for the night."

"I see…" she moved her head to look back at him. "…shouldn't you sleep?"

"I don't feel like it….my insomnia seemed have returned…but I do not mind." Gaara shook his head, "Judging from the way they attacked us, those numbers of weapons and arrows could mean a hidden village filled with them…from the looks of how you executed them, we might have done the whole village."

She swallowed at the memory. "Some of them….were too young…yet they fight." She mumbled. "…when I killed those young people….I felt nothing…" her eye turned to him. "…have you ever felt that way before?"

Gaara had an expressionless, but he knew very well the feeling of nonsense feeling to the point that it wasn't quenching his blood lust, but all he did was look at her.

Even though he didn't say, she knew the answer as she looked away from his eyes. "I see."

He cringed slightly, wondering if he was too easy to read by her. That was when he remembered what Sakura had said, "…Mieihi….remove your bandage."

"Huh?" she looked back at him, almost startled at his command.

"Sakura-san had asked me to place this cold wet towel on your forehead—that bandage is in the way….remove it."

"…." Mieihi hesitated.

"You removed it before….didn't you?—why is it that you are hesitating?" He tilted his head as she was silent at first.

"…Removing poison is something in my skills that uses this right eye for support…it deals a lot of energy, with my chakra and my own, and gives a lot of pain….but the pain part is being silenced by this eye….it's like an anesthetic for surgery." She explained as her expression seemed to darken. "…thus my right eye hurts a lot."

"…"

"…It hurts to the point that I might open it…" and you might…..

"…Remove it, please."

"Tch…" she cringed as Gaara repeated it. "….I told you—I don't want to."

"…Remove it…or I will." Gaara said firmly. She glared at him for the first time but he didn't shook, "…we need you to recover, resisting isn't something you are capable of doing right now….so please, remove it…." She looked away stubbornly and he knew why, he gave a sigh. "….Miei-"

"Fine."

He looked back at her, and before he knew it, she was sitting up, revealing the bandaged top she had on that covered her breasts, and she was wearing a net shirt, he felt a small blush but didn't mind it as she began to remove her bandage, unwrapping it till it was fully off her eye, she winced as she slammed her right hand on her right eye to avoid it from opening.

Then his eyes widened, there was a red liquid coming out from between her fingers, "Mie-"

"Its fine…" she winced as the blood continued, "…at the left, my tears are water, at the right, my tears are blood…" her left eye showed pain and sorrow. "…unlike my left eye….my right eye reveals too much emotion and frightens those who had given the seal on it…." Her hand began to wrap the bandage around both eyes. Making a blindfold that startled the Kazekage.

"Why are y-"

"You only need the forehead, am I correct?" Mieihi muttered quietly as she grinned slightly, "…this way its fine…"

But to him, it wasn't, seeing her blindfolded, had brought back the image when she was at the capsule, and he didn't like it. It can't be helped. He told himself, as she finally set back to lying down on the sheets below her, Gaara transferred his hands from his lap to the wet towel beneath the healing water Mizuumi had done.

He squeezed the excess water and fold it into a rectangle, his other hand moved her long messy bangs gently, and flinched at something he saw. It was at her right side of her forehead, it was very small and unnoticeable, but he saw a cross there. It was a burn mark, a scar, something like his own Kanji he had etched with his sand. Did she…do this to herself before? He wondered as he proceeds to cover it with the wet fabric, pushing her hair back.

His eyes slightly widening when he saw some steaming coming out, her temperature must be really low. "…You should get some sleep…"

"…." He felt her hesitate again, and then finally nodded. "….Alright." she did need to re-cooperate after all, despite her mysterious powers, it doesn't come in a built in energy restoration system, she was an experiment, and there was always a reason why she was a 'failed' category.

It was long before he had finally felt her at sleep that he headed outside.

+Outside+

"Gaara!" the Kazekage turned to his brother who was running towards him after he walked a few steps out of the tent. "How is she?" his older brother had a worried face.

"She is alright….I told her to rest for the time being…" he looked up at the sky, it was pitch black and the air was cold, he guessed it was about 9:00 in the evening now.

He heard his brother sigh, Kankuro crossing his arms as he shook his head. "That kid….she really is an idiot…she does something dangerous even when Temari announced that it was poisonous—we could have just jumped out…and if you were to shield us with your sand, no one from us would be injured."

"Are you saying her actions were foolish?" Gaara asked.

"Well n-…" Kankuro paused, the sound of Gaara's voice wasn't his usual, it sounded like a spark in his temper as he looked back. "…Gaara?"

"…Indeed…it is foolish of her." He sighed, looking away as he tried to lower his spark. "…from the looks of it….she just lunges forward and attack, elements such as poison, she won't pay attention at….from the way it looks, if we just let her do what she wants, she can get herself killed."

"….Yeah…I agree." Kankuro nodded as he scratched his forehead. "…Geez…she really did made you so angry then…"

"…." His eyes saddened at this, at the memory of her command to him.

"You could have ignored it!-why didn't you?"

He blinked, "…Who knows?" he began to ask himself as well. "…but…if I didn't…then what will happen if she accidentally kill all of us?"

Kankuro's eyes widened at this. "Gaara…!"

Gaara turned to his brother. "…Sakura-san had received word from her…and even she did as well….." he cringed. "…she does have perfect control of her powers but not herself…"

"!" His eyes widened even more at this. "…D-does that mean….that if you didn't shield us then?"

"…You probably didn't feel it." Gaara looked back at his brother. "…But the feathers that solidified into black needles and blades had also targeted everyone…the sand spheres prevented that from happening—She knew that would happen…."

"But—but it's not on purpose right!—S-she wouldn't…!"

"…" Gaara looked away. "…She really is like me….." Kankuro flinched as Gaara gave him a cold look. "…do you know the answer now?-"

"-Both of you—Stop making it sound like she's the murderer of the bunch." The eldest sister started to make her appearance at their sides, sighing. "…We all know that once someone is wounded, they hallucinate in terms of a poisoned state of being….the poisoned probably had made her aim off….Gaara you know that well!"

"…" he blinked as she had a point, "…I only stated the facts." He looked down on the ground. "…I'm not…trying to antagonize her." His eyes seemed to be in pain.

Both older siblings looked at him in a slight pang of feeling within him, and he knew he had that pang as well.

"We all aren't…" Kankuro began to speak out.

"Suman nai…(I'm sorry..)." Gaara apologized, it seemed like his habit of stating the 'facts' had made himself angry at himself.

"N-no Gaara!—I—I am…!" Temari panicked, waving her hands to her little brother. "…anyhow…no one's at fault, not even her!"

"Just those bitches." Kankuro cursed under his breath, referring to those bandits, Gaara had agreed with his brother together with his sister.

"But it seems like….they are really dead serious on stopping us from the looks of it." The sound of a more manlier voice was heard, turning their heads to see the older Jonin walking towards them. "…This is a route that has been banned by the previous Hokage…and because of this ban, it had been forgotten and soon is homed to one of the bandits that still seems to be lurking around the areas….the Hokage didn't mind them as long as no one passed through her."

"What?—That's insane!" Kankuro yelled out but Kakashi held up his hand to him.

"…Back then, the 'Forest' we are heading was already dangerous even before the 'Cursed Ruins' was the 'Tornado Village' of the Wind Country." Kakashi explained, making the sand siblings listening to his explanation. "…The bandits, unknowingly to them, had helped in preventing travelers to use this route….back when bandits didn't settle here…this was a favored route to use when traveling to the Tornado Village, or passing through the other nearby villages instead of passing the hot blazing deserts nearby Sunagakure…..like a huge Oasis." He turned a lazy right eye to them. "….and when the bandits came here….it was like a hot spot for danger and blood shed….thus, this place was prohibited. Gaara…who told you to use this route?"

Gaara was about to speak up before his older sister went infront of him. "I did!—It's not Gaara's fault!"

"I'm not saying it is his fault…." Kakashi shook his head, "…actually, it had given us more information, and thus, the rumors had been correct."

Kankuro quirked an eyebrow, "Rumors?"

Kakashi nodded as he looked at Gaara, "I'm sure you as well…know of this, Kazekage-sama."

The three faced the youngest, as he nodded. "Even in Suna….there have been claims of a 'Bandit Village' that would be the size of a small portion of Konoha…it's like a place to isolate runaway criminals….and since that 'Forest' was dangerous and unnamed…years ago, the old Kazekage and the Hokage, along with the approval of the previous Kages, had agreed on a 'Prison' for captured criminals…and also using this at their own use."

"What?" his two siblings gasped at the information.

His spindrift eyes blinks expressionlessly. "…It benefits both sides, as for the criminals, it is solitude…for the Kages and other villages, it is a way to warn off those citizens who won't pay attention to Laws of every Country….and since this was only located at the borders of the Fire Country and the Wind Country, it was permitted…..however, it seems like there are people who knew of this route….the rumors aren't rumors after all then." He moved his eyes to the tent where she stayed, and the 3 had done the same as his eyes softened. "It would answer the question to why so many weapons were present then….."

"Aah Geez!" Kankuro grit his teeth while sighing. "…I would say it's like hitting two birds with one stone….but I say that stone was sharp that it had cut a wound on our hand!" he turned his head to Temari who nodded in agreement.

"…Anyhow, we were able to confirm this…I leave it to Tsunade to go on and deal with this….I have told Shizune about this as well." Kakashi nodded to the three of them. "…So far…since the Village may be small…it is still dangerous when they contain poison along in their blades…its best to mask our presence and move in air."

Gaara wondered about this as his two siblings had expressed his inner thoughts, with a face of 'ya-expect-us-to-fly!' on them.

Kakashi grinned. "No worries!—That is were Sai, Kiba-kun and Mizuumi-chan come in!" they gave a blink simultaneously. He sweat dropped. "…Sai could create beasts paintings into reality…in other words, transportation for all of us. Kiba-kun has his ways with animals and going around the place, smelling poison from anywhere along with Shino-kun….they would be at the tree tops….those two are more forest oriented because of their techniques….Shino can also easily dispel any poison using his insects. Kiba has his way with smelling poisoned weapons from an astonishing perimeter…Shizune would be accompanying them in this…." He began to kneel down, using the rocks as his formation ideas. "It's dangerous for all of us to be at one element, which is on the land….so by covering both we have both advantages…..using Neji-kun's Byakugan…..we could see beyond…and his sight from the sky would be enhanced for us to plan ahead."

Gaara seemed to get it as he nodded. "I understand…if there are any Akatsuki amongst these woods, then Naruto would also be safe with us on air…along with Mieihi….Temari and Kankuro would be with us as well, for the 3 of us are long ranged fighters, it would better suit us. Being ambushed from above was our disadvantage…this will see to it that it won't repeat itself. Along with Hino-san, it seems like she will also fit in this arrangement, Sakura-san being with us as or medic nin and balancing the other party below us with Shizune-san…" he turned to Kakashi who stood up. "I presume that you would be with them as well?"

Kakashi gave a nod. "…Balancing the Kekkei Genkai, if so something goes wrong then, I would be able to assist."

"I see." Temari shifted a foot in her stand. "Balancing everything out, huh?—But how does Naruto come in?—wouldn't that also be a risk?—why did Tsunade allowed him to join?"

Both Gaara and Kakashi answered. "Because he won't stop insisting to…"

"Aaah." Both Kankuro and Temari nodded, they knew they were going to say that. "Just to be expected from that idiot to give us more troubles."

Gaara continued on, "…Kakashi-san….from your ninken….did you also ask how far is it till we reach the territories of the 'Forest'?"

The silver haired Jonin gave a confident nod. "…It'll be 12 hours by foot and air…"

"Eh?—and I though we are already here." Kankuro sighed in a complaint. And even Gaara, although he had NO intention on making it known."Well…it can't be helped."

"Then it is settled?" Kakashi asked them, and nods were his answer. "Alright then…"

"Everyone then should be ready for tomorrow." Gaara interrupted him, crossing his arms against his chest. "You all should retire for the night."

"Eh?—But Gaara…should you do as well?" Temari asked worriedly and he shook his head.

"….I cannot sleep….it seems my insomnia turns back on when I am not fully comfortable with the surroundings…"

"Hmm…that seems to be reasonable…" Kakashi titled his head to the sky. "…I'll also ask Pakkun to help in guarding the blind spots around here…"

Gaara nodded his head. "Please do then."

"Well…If Gaara says so…" Kankuro shrugged his shoulders while turning away to go towards his tent. "'Night then!"

Temari scratched her head, "I guess…..Gaara, call us when anything happens alright!" she said strongly before seeing his angry look she walked away with a wave gesture.

"Well then, I'll leave it to you then." Kakashi nodded while he too nodded back to him, the Jonin walked at his previous post of the nearby river, and saw him cut a small wound at his thumb using his kunai, slamming it down on the ground, a puff of smoke came with a small pug in alert to his masters orders, his mouth moving in a form of speech.

It wasn't long before Kakashi had gone to his tent, leaving Gaara alone.

He looked around to see it was quiet, and he knew everyone was already resting.

"*SNOORE~~!* *SN-SN-SNOOREEEE~!*"

…nevermind.

He closed his eyes into a sigh, walking towards the river, away from his blonde friend's tent before hearing some rude mumbles.

He didn't even notice that he was standing next to the talking ninken. "Aah…you must be the young Kazekage!" Pakkun had said with his sleepy looking face.

Gaara looked back down at the small pug and nodded, a bit taken aback from a talking dog. IT….talked…

But knowing this world, anything is possible.

"I am Pakkun!—I had helped in tracking down your scent to find the Akatsuki's hideout in your rescue!" but then his ears dropped down. "…unfortunately we were too late—I am sorry for that…however…I am glad you seemed to have come back!"

"…For everything you've done to be, I am grateful…" Gaara bowed his head, making the dog shook his oval head.

"No need to be so formal!—we're all comrades here anyway!" he barked, looking back to the water as he sat down, sniffing the air. "I smell restlessness!—is it you then?—are you sure you're not tired?"

"…I am very sure…" Gaara muttered.

"Hmm…then it must be your heart then!"

Somehow, Gaara wanted to give a face of 'what-the-hell-?' but somehow it didn't show. "…My….heart…?" there was a double question mark on it.

"Yes! You're heart boy your heart!" he had a doggy nod to show as if he was right and knew everything. "…In other words, you are deeply worried about something or someone!"

"…" Gaara looked back to the river, regretting on ever coming here to this spot, this dog had somehow reminded him of the Taijutsu using Leaf Shinobi's teacher, what was his name again?—he was never good at names to those that he hated before.

"Is it the girl over there?"

He paused.

"Aha!" Pakkun gave a contented 'aha' at that reaction. "…Well I heard from my master she did a very childish—careless yet heroic act…for that I respect her!—But it seems you worry more than the rest here…!"

"…I…worry more?"

"More like you worry too much!"

"….." Gaara finally looked back at him in questions. "…what do you mean, by that?—is it not normal to worry?"

"Well no, not like that…" Pakkun tilted his head. "…but it seems like….you're worry is a bit more different from the other types of worries in the human heart of emotions!"

This is perhaps, why Gaara had suppressed all emotions in his childhood, all of these somehow didn't make sense, especially when he just discovered there were different 'types' of worries.

He blinked, feeling like cursing, HE WAS BEING LECTURED BY A DOG. My pride does NOT approve of this insolence.

"Arah what's this?—there seems to be distress in the air as well!—it's coming from you! Young Kazekage-sama!"

"….I am going to….check the other parts of the campsite." Gaara said as Pakkun nodded, turning away not hearing his words as he managed to escape from that weird dog that seems to take after his master at times.

Gaara sighed while walking away, looking back at Mieihi's tent from afar, he blinked as he looked away, seeing there was no signs of any struggle inside.

He looked up at the sky, it was blank, and the surroundings were cold, almost reminding him from back when they were at Suna, when he and Mieihi were up at their roof, recalling that he couldn't sleep then.

And that she was afraid to sleep. …Back then… he remembered her smile then, and the time before he gave her name, she was scared then, she had fallen asleep and woke up right then. That time… his eyes closed, not being able to finish his thoughts, he suddenly felt weird.

When he closed his eyes, he could almost feel her next to him, back when they were at that tree in Konoha, back when he had finally calmed her down, he had held her too close that he could feel her heart beat beating fast, his hand twitched for some unknown reason.

Before, she always followed him, waiting for him, but now, not so far from this time, she had snuck out without his consent to be with other people, not even telling him where she went.

She even refused for him to help her and protect her.

It was somehow, hurting inside somewhere when she had looked away from him, and when she had looked at him with her other personality.

And just when he felt angry at her, he wondered why was he even angry?

It was something, weird.

Why is it? He asked himself, thinking back, remembering suddenly, those very eyes that looked into him, he suddenly felt like sinking into them.

He opened his eyes again, he just imagined something unspeakable and felt heat enter his face, he face palmed, "What was that…just now?" I should stop thinking too much as well. He sighed when he just thought about it and rethinking about it again.

But then… something, a sound had made him pause for a moment, he stilled his breathing to listen closely.

It was a sound of uneasy breathing and cries, "!" his eyes widened, leaving his gourd as he rushed out and ran inside the next tent.

+Mieihi's Tent+

His eyes widened when her body seemed to be writhing in pain, her back was arched backwards, "Gaah…!" he heard her gasp as her hand blindly tried to grab something before her, the other was on her neck as if something was strangling her.

"Mieihi!" Gaara gasped, running towards her, "What's wrong!"

Her head was shaking side to side, "No…!" she cried out. "No I don't want to…!" her hands were now flung infront of her, almost slapping his face if he didn't move his head. "Gaara…!—G—Gaara…!"

"Mieihi!-Mieihi wake up!" Gaara called out to her as he tried to shake her shoulder, jerking his hands once he did when an electric spark seemed to come from her.

"Why?—Why….why am I alone…!" she cried out, "I can't see anything….it's so dark!" her hands slammed to her face, and began scratching. "…my eyes—those eyes….!"

He cringed as he began to pin her down, not minding the electricity volts from her as he went untop of her, "Wake up-NOW!" he called out, he managed to stop her from moving around her body, but her hands were still clawing on her face. Her blindfold. He placed a hand on it, trying to find the end, but his wrist was grabbed by her hand.

She shivered at her grip "…Who's…there…?" her voice was shivering, it seemed like when he yelled out a bit louder she was able to hear a part of his desperate call.

His eyes were wide open, his mouth though managed to answer. "…Gaara…"

"…Gaa…..ra…?" she muttered, like the time from before, at that lab.

He nodded to her. "….Mieihi….Wake up…" he said softly, slowly relaxing his shoulders.

He saw tears and blood tears beginning to flow from her face, she seemed to have calmed down, his hand was pulled against her face, as his eyes softened, wiping the blood tears off her face with his thumb, in a sudden motion, she sat up and grabbing hold of him, hugging him close to her as she buried her head to his chest. Her hands gripping onto the frabric on his back desperately.

But he was in moment of shock, of someone being this close to him before, his hands were still before her back, not knowing what to do anymore.

"It is Gaara…!" she muttered, her voice sounded like a child. "…this smell…and heat…and soul….it is Gaara…!" clinging onto him like he would suddenly disappear before her, she didn't know why but her mind was suddenly giving her pangs of pain and confusion, pride be dammed, and composure of her ice façade was shattered all at once when she had let herself sound so childish, so weak, before the one who had found her before.

He found himself melting, as she sighed of relief, shivering no more from his body heat, uneasily, he placed his arms around her gently, lowering his head slightly as his mind searched for proper words. "….Are you alright…?"

"…Sorry…" she muttered, "…I had…..a bad dream….and opened to see it was still dark." She gripped tighter to him. "…If I didn't hear your voice….I might."

He held her tighter, hushing her. "…..It's….alright now…" he whispered as he felt herself relax. …She seems to respond when I call out to her then. He noted, but his thoughts were cut when he felt her shift, he looked down to see her moving her head, her bandaged had loosened slightly, her hands transferring from his back, to his chest. Wha…

"!" he paused, his eyes startled when he saw her looking up at him, making him lean back a bit but stopping, fearing that if he leaned on the tent wall it would ruin the shape.

Her face was suddenly going nearer to him, her eyes still closed shut by the bandages around them.

"Mi…" his voice was simply a whisper, being cut off when he felt her breath against his lips, it wasn't helping at all when he had let her pull him down slightly, bending down enough for him to be close to her face as well, there was just a small space between them.

His sea foam eyes widened in shock in how close he was to a person, enough for him to feel her breathing, to smell her sweet scent. What is this…? He asked himself in confusion, he had suddenly felt his heart throb heavily that it was audible, his entire body froze, the sand around them was back into dust, the long forgotten attempt to push her back was gone from his mind.

It felt as if time was slowing down, wondering if this was some kind of genjutsu, and that she was in her State of Shock.

But perhaps it wasn't, her breath against his face, her own heat and her grip was too real.

He saw the bandages had lowered, enough for him to see her left eye as her right was covering by her bangs, the wet dry towel somewhere forgotten as well.

That made it worst for him.

To see the sapphire sky blue eyes of Mieihi, her eye was half open, but nevertheless they were open, she was awake, the eyes weren't like before.

This was real.

"…ei…" he had managed to whisper her second syllable, but she only paused when he did, the space between them was dangerously close to none.

Looking at her eyes, he was controlling the self within him from sinking forward, it was hypnotizing to him, and he didn't know why she had such Genjutsu affect on him.

But he knew this was no Genjutsu.

What….is this…? He asked himself again, feeling his own heart beat throbbing loudly, it was picking up pace. Unknowingly, his lips were slightly parted like hers, he had a sudden urge.

An urge, that he didn't know what it was, but to clasp his lips against her own.

But a part of him was holding him back. "…hi…" was what he whispered in a softer tone, that would be unheard by anyone but them. The chain that was restraining him to sink down to her was slowly beginning to break, he felt like losing control, he felt like suddenly kissing her right there, deeply to his hungry heart's content to the unknown hunger he had built up within him.

It was confusing, it was driving him insane.

He didn't know what to make of it, he felt like every second, their lips were getting closer by a millisecond.

She looked at him, … she had said nothing when she suddenly closed her eyes and fell to the side, instincts had caught her by Gaara's arm, but he was still in his own state of shock.

His eyes were wide, as wide as possible, his face glowing in a shade of pink or red, blood rushing to his face causing incredible heat.

He looked back at the girl who was now unconscious at his arms, she had fallen back to sleep.

Silence rained on them, it was if it had never happened.

He blinked, seeing that she was back on the bed, as if she did not just come near him.

What was that?—An illusion?

His shivering hand had slowly made its way to his face, his fingers at the tip of his lips, still feeling the slightly warmth of her breath there, and his own trembling breathing, he was on the verge of going insane.

His sea foamed eyes were still wide and at the same time full of… emotion.

The emotion of shock, and any other strong emotion you can think of, with no anger in it.

His face was falling into the color of his brick red hair, and in the moment he quickly got into his feet, and almost angrily, went out of the tent.

+Outside+

Pakkun was at the outside of the tent, a few footsteps away from the entrance till he saw the Kazekage storming out. "…I heard a commotion!"

"Everything is fine!" his answer was as fast as a bullet from a gun close to your head.

"?" Pakkun tilted his head when the young man had rushed to the river, leaving the dog behind there to stay in post of that position. He sighed, "…honestly…these pups…!" he muttered while shaking his head. "…anyhow…you will figure it out soon…young Kazekage!" a glint was in the dog's eye then, as if he was the wisest of them all.

But for the red headed Kazekage, it was not working out too well.

He had knelt down at the side of the river, washing his face in attempt to wash off the redness of his face, seeing that it was still there, he was wondering if the fever had transferred to him, beads of water fell from his face as he looked down to the rushing water, stars illuminated a part of the sky, enough for him to see his reflection, even a bit. What on earth happened…back there? He asked himself in panic, one hand grasping onto his chest as he panted. My heart is pumping blood in a fast rate…as if I had done so much exercise or training….but I recall being calm and at a normal heart beat before entering. He tried to analyze the situation. My body is burning…am I having a fever?—No…that isn't so...there are no headaches occurring, no coughs…

He was at war with himself again, not being able to comprehend what had happened at the tent back there. His hand covering half of his face as he grits his teeth, his expression seems to be that of pain, but the redness had shown from his cheeks crossing over the bridge of his nose, his hand had also gripped his hair between fingers as he closed his eyes.

What…. have you…. done to me…?

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MWAHAHAHAHA. :D oh yes, I've done an almost-kissing-scene there XD I can't help it…!

Aah~, Gaara is so confused XD oh how I love it~

Oh, and if you're wondering why they are giving a huge fuss about poison. Hey, come on!—Itachi died due illness which can occur suddenly (and had occurred with other almost insanely powerful characters in Naruto) and poison is also an option to certain death!

No matter how strong ya are, poison and deadly diseases can always be a harbinger of death to everyone.

And yes, you, being poisoned, and also, (in Mieihi's case) a very important aspect of this story…. IS A BIG DEAL.

I always laughed while writing the lil' ninken Pakkun XD and also the idea of Gaara talking to a dog IS SO AMUSING TO ME XD XD

I suddenly remembered one of Kishimoto-sama's art works in where Team 7 (Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto) were in the air and on eagles, it was so cool when I imagined it. So I guess pulling those guys together really paid off the headache :D

I also forgot to mention my apologies for the "Kages' conversation" somewhere in this Fanfiction….I had seen that the Mizukage was a girl, not to mention she has an OUTSTANDING character design, and the other kages were pretty much….. :O daaamnnn~, and I made them sound like all greedy males DX! FORGIVE MEEEE!

I will try to fix it soon…but it seems its too late now ==; so I'll be sure to consider their genders and personalities more when there's going to be another meeting.

I'm sorry if the characters seemed to be OOC, :(. But I recall Gaara being more polite when he changed, it was really heard to know what he may react when he saw her panicking in her tent, but I'm still trying my best D:, anyhow, Gaara still has his sadistic side :D when he's angry, his face really does frightens his siblings! :DD but to the fans - XD XD - yes, it gives the OMGHE'SSOHAWT effect…

I, myself, am guilty of his sadistic side…and yet it becomes even more cooler if he's being a 'sadist' to PROTECT someone :)

I'm trying to draw him, but I managed to only do the MEME XD if you guys would like to see them, pls go to my profile, I've placed a link there for my deviants, my account there is Blackeclipse88~

And also, I'm also uploading a small comic of when Gaara had heeded into Kankuro's advice into asking her out… although it may not occur at the fanfic. Who knows? :)

Mieihi: it's so darkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodarkit'ssodark!

Blackeclipse: THAT'S BECAUSE YOU INSISTED ON THE BLINDFOLD!

MIEIHI: THAT'S BECAUSE YOU WROTE IT THAT WAY!

Gaara: Oy—hurry up and close this chapter!

Mieihi: It's too long now in this autho—

Blackeclipse: '!'!-END! :D

Gaara & Mieihi: DO IT PROPERLY YOU FOOL!