Meanwhile, with the Sand Siblings

They were running through the trees silently, until a bored voice spoke up for (what had seemed to the other two) a hundred time during the last 15 minutes. "Are we there yet?"

His sister was next to him, desperately trying to keep herself from beating the daylights out of the annoying male. "Does it look like we're there?" Gaara, who was in front of them, slowed down and kept running between them. "Temari, calm down, he's just trying to piss you off... and, Kankurou, say another word and it will be your last." He stated without a single change on his emotionless face. If she didn't know better, Temari would've given her youngest brother an overemotional, bone crushing hug, right on the spot... But she decided on showing off her teeth with a wide green on her face to Kankurou instead.

They finally reached the town in which Gaara was supposed to meet the other Kages in. "Finally! Let's get to a hotel right now, I so need a shower!"

Kankurou was standing behind his sister, holding down chuckles. "Yeah, I think we all noticed that."

Temari caught Gaara's warning glare and sighed. This better be worth it. "I'm so glad I'll be able to spend a few hours away from your ugly face Kankurou, I don't think I could hold out any longer without killing you." Kankurou just kept smirking, completely oblivious of the dangerous waters he sailed in. "Like you could."

"That's enough. We have to check in now." With that the red head turned around and started walking towards the hotel. After one final death glare thrown at each other, his siblings hurried behind him.

When they got to their rooms, Temari realized how wonderful life is – not only that she'd got a nice medium sized room with an equal bathroom, but she also found out that Kankurou got the smallest one, with pink walls and fluffed pillows. Oh, yes, life is good.

While Kankurou was sulking about the unfairness of life (and his brother, he knew that, that quiet, little monster did this because he teased Temari), and Temari was in her room laughing her butt off, Gaara decided to use the quiet moment while he could, and took a shower. When he got out of the steamy bathroom, he froze from the feeling of a familiar chakra nearby. No way... I thought she died. He concentrated, wanting to be sure he wasn't wrong. It's definitely her. But how? I know I haven't killed her, but there's no way she could have survived in that condition in the middle of the dessert...

Someone probably came for her. I knew I should have killed her back then.

Oh, well, nothing that can't be fixed.

With Akane

She was slowly coming back from her slumber. What is that? She shot her eyes open, now completely awake. Please tell me I'm dreaming... This can't be happening! She felt sand wrapping around her arms, legs and neck. Then her black, panicking eyes met the icy blue ones. She couldn't use any jutsus since her hands were trapped in sand. She wanted to call for help, but her mouth was also covered. She didn't expect to be as lucky as she was the last time. All she could do was helplessly stare at him.

Gaara was standing next to her bed, murderous intent clear in his eyes. "What do we have here? It's quite a surprise, considering that you're supposed to be dead." His voice was just loud enough for her to hear him. Now what? I'm going to die... I don't want to die! But somehow I don't think he gives a damn about what I want. Guess Sasuke was right, I did screw up. If I didn't fall asleep I wouldn't be in this mess. She closed her eyes. There is nothing more for me to see anyway. She felt the sand move and completely cover her. She held her breath. Her heart was beating so fast she could have sworn that it was going to jump out of her chest. I can't believe that it's going to end like this, I wish I had more time. He moved his hand, ready to crush her in one move.

Footsteps were heard in the hallway. They stopped outside the room. A knock on the door fallowed. "Akane, are you awake?" Said female shot her eyes open again. It's Sakura! We agreed to meet for an early lunch after we rested.

Before she knew it, the sand was gone along with it's master. Looks like I've still got some of that luck left... To bad it's probably going to run out soon. I know I haven't seen the last of him. Sakura knocked again. "Akane?"

"Yes Sakura, I'll be right out, just give me a second."

A couple of minutes later, which was Akane's personal record, they were outside looking for a restaurant. "So, what would you like for lunch? I was thinking about having ramen, I didn't eat it in a while." No answer. Akane just kept walking with her gaze directed somewhere in front of her feet. Sakura felt like she was talking to a wall. "Akane? Is everything alright?"

Akane lift her head to face her. "I'm fine, why do you ask?"

She offered her a small smile. "You seemed concerned that's all... There's no need for you to worry about this mission so much, you'll do fine."

"Yeah, I know." She turned her face away from Sakura and started looking around. "Ramen sounds good."

On the roof of some house in the town, with Gaara

He was blankly staring at the town under him, not really seeing it. He was to busy with his enraged thoughts. I was so close... She got away again. She incredibly lucky, I'll give her that. He turned around to look in the direction of the hotel he was staying in with his siblings (which just happened to be the same one Tsunade and the others were) and decided to head back. Standing here fuming will get me nowhere, I'll just have to wait. A few seconds later, he was back in his room. Right on time to hear someone knocking on the door. "Hey Gaara! You in there?"

"Come in."

The puppet maser casually opened the door and walked in, but prevented himself from coming any closer after seeing his brother pissed off. "Wow, Gaara, what's with the angry face?"

At that moment Gaara realized he wasn't wearing his usually emotionless expression and tried to cover it up. "I don't know what you're talking about." He had already turned back to his usual self, but it was too late. His older brother's usually care-free face was serious. "Alright. Spill. What happened?"

Gaara kept his composure, his arms now crossed. "Nothing."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me. It can take all day if you want." At that moment, Temari appeared behind him. "Tell you what?"

"Nothing. Kankurou's just overreacting."

"Oh yeah? When I came in a moment ago, he was looking like he's ready to rip someone apart. I just want to know why."

"And why are suddenly my emotions so important to you?"

Temari was the one to answer, now completely interested in the conversation. "Because you are our baby brother and we care about you. Besides, whatever got you pissed off must be big, you're never angry for no reason."

Realizing that they aren't going to let it go, Gaara gave up and sighed. "Fine, just close the door first."

Temari shut the door behind her and turned her attention back at him. "So what is it?"

"Remember the last assassin that was sent after me?"

"You mean that girl from Konoha that infiltrated the village in the middle of the night?"

"Yes."

"What about her?"

"She's here."

I just want to point out some things: just like in the original series, Shukaku was extracted from Gaara, he died and was revived. Everything is pretty much the same, except for the part where team Kakashi and team Gai came to help – in the story they didn't since Konoha and Suna weren't allies. Anyway, Gaara can still control the sand and he is stronger than ever! (I'm a Gaara fan, deal with it...) Oh yeah, he can sleep but he doesn't sleep much so he still has the dark rings around his eyes. (Personally, I can't really imagine him without those...)