Another long one here. i'm starting to get that feeling yu get when you realise something you've already mentioned is going to affect the rest of the story in a way you hadn't realised. Ah well, nothng i can't fix. BTW, if Konan uses paper as her jutsu, doesn't that mean she could also use wood style, seeing as paper is made with wood & water? Or is that one of those yin/yang nature things? And is this pairing completely random?

Disclaimer: If you read the message on my homepage, you'd see that i couldn't own naruto.

The true power of human sacrifice

Sand blew through the air, nearly completely obscuring what little there was to see. Three figures crossed the dunes, each of them wearing sedge hats & black cloaks with red clouds.

"I can't believe I'm here again." Sasori said

"Yeah, I thought I'd never have to return here again." Gaara agreed.

Gaara, Sasori & Deidara were travelling through the Land of Wind, coming close to Sunagakure. There had been rumours that Suna had developed a weapon even more powerful than the Jinchūriki they had lost. It was their mission to find out if the rumours were true &, if they were, either steal or destroy the weapon. For some reason, Sasori's spies hadn't made contact in a while, so Gaara sent Temari & Kankuro ahead as scouts.

"So what's the big deal with Sunagakure, is it really as bad as you say it is, un?" Deidara asked.

Gaara glanced at the volatile artist.

"You remember how Iwa reacted to your art?" he asked. Deidara nodded, "Well, Suna is different. They wouldn't give a damn about your art as long as you killed as many of their enemies as possible. In the end, your art would lose what made it unique. It would become nameless & faceless."

Deidara frowned, "So it's the opposite, but worse, un."

Through the three years Gaara had spent with Akatsuki, he had assisted in many missions with each of the other members, the exceptions being Pein, Konan & Zetsu. He had worked with Deidara on many occasions. Not so much with Sasori, he spent most of his time checking up on his spies. He had even helped Kakuzu in finding Hidan, Akatsuki's newest member. He had gotten to know each member well. He didn't know much about their pasts, they never really liked talking about it, but Gaara had seen a lot in their eyes.

"Damn it's hot." Deidara complained, "I don't know how you two managed to live here so long, un."

Gaara had to agree. He hadn't been in Sunagakure since he left for the chunin exams & he was no longer used to the heat. He loosened some of the buttons on his cloak, welcoming the slight breeze.

"There it is." Sasori said.

Sunagakure stood before them, the surrounding walls beaten by the countless sandstorms that passed through. Guards were stationed on the walls, but there weren't many of them. As the trio got closer, the guards began to notice them, but for some reason, they didn't react.

"How strange." Deidara said, "They're practically ignoring us, un."

"Perhaps they're expecting us." Gaara offered.

"Which means your siblings got caught." Sasori replied.

Gaara doubted that. Temari wouldn't have gotten too close without a perfect strategy. Even if they were captured, they wouldn't speak.

As they drew nearer, one of the guards stepped forward to meet them.

"This place is forbidden to outsiders." the guard stated, "Turn around & leave."

Deidara stepped forward.

"It would be best if you got out of our way, un." he said in a serious voice.

"I'll say it again, turn around & leave."

Gaara walked up to the guard until he was face to face.

"Get out of the way Baki." he ordered. Baki paled.

"Y-y-you…" he stammered. But his fear changed to anger, "Treacherous scum, you will die for abandoning Suna!"

But before Baki could make a move, he was thrown aside by a wave of sand. He rolled across the ground, groaning. He looked up & paled again. He was face to face with the blade of a beautiful naginata, glowing with a pale blue light. Gaara stared at his former 'sensei' with a look of complete apathy. Gaara whipped Sasayaki around & cracked the safe end on Baki's head, rendering him unconscious.

"Alright, lets go." Sasori said, entering the shaded entrance of Suna, Gaara & Deidara followed. They entered the streets of Sunagakure. Gaara paused.

The place was nothing like he remembered. It was a shadow of its former self. All the inhabitants looked weary, unwilling to do much of anything. The buildings were run down & the streets were filled with homeless people, huddling in the shade.

"What happened here?" Gaara asked, looking at the places he was once so familiar with, now unrecognisable.

"With three Kazekage dying mysteriously," Sasori replied, "The people believed that there was someone inside that was weakening Suna. This led to many civil wars. Also, no-one else wanted to take the position as the next Kazekage for fear of their own life. But what really hit the last nail in the coffin was when their most powerful shinobi abandoned them. With no Kazekage & no Jinchūriki, Suna was easy pickings for other countries."

Sasori glanced to Gaara, "Basically, you have destroyed Suna."

Gaara surveyed the streets again with a new perspective.

"I did this." he said, feeling numb. Sasori chuckled.

"Yep, I guess this means I owe you one." he said.

"No problem, you can just train my brother." Gaara replied. Sasori shook his head.

"Not in this lifetime." he said.

"Man this place is a dump." Deidara said, distastefully, "It's not even worth turning into art, un."

Sasori grunted.

"Find out what you can about this 'weapon'." he said.

"I'll locate my siblings, they must have gathered something." Gaara replied, as the three split up. He walked through the streets, when something occurred to him.

"If enemy countries have been attacking Sunagakure, then how is there even a single shinobi left here? And why isn't there a presence of another country?"

Gaara activated his eye of Shukaku to see if he could find Temari & Kankuro's Remnant chakra. He couldn't see Temari's, but there was a faint hint of Kankuro's. He paled as he saw the state of the chakra. Kankuro was badly hurt. Gaara ran after the chakra trail, desperation rising in his gut. Civilians stepped out of his way in fear as he hurtled through the streets. The trail was getting weaker, which meant Kankuro was too. The trail entered into a building. Gaara barged in, past a surprised family & flew up a flight of stairs, into a bedroom.

Kankuro was lying in a bed, unconscious. Gaara faltered as he saw his older brother.

"Kankuro…" Gaara whispered, kneeling next to him.

Kankuro was covered in bruises & dried blood. Some of his wounds were bandaged, but most looked like they just had something pressed against them to stem the bleeding. Gaara felt his eyes watering. He pressed his face into the quilt, growling in the effort of suppressing his tears.

"…g…Gaara."

Gaara lifted his head, Kankuro was looking at him, barely able to keep his eyes open.

"Kankuro!" Gaara exclaimed.

"Wh-where's Temari?"

Gaara froze.

"You don't know?" he asked fearfully.

The two brothers stared at each other, a look of horror in their eyes.

"What happened?" Gaara asked.

Kankuro attempted to sit up, but he was in too much pain.

"We were asking around town about what had happened here." he replied, wincing as he turned on his side, "But the people wouldn't speak to us, they were afraid of outsiders. Everywhere we went, it was the same. But then someone approached us."

"Who?"

"I don't know, I couldn't see his face. But he…"

Kankuro snapped upright, ignoring the pain & grabbed Gaara by the cloak.

"He used the sand around him as a weapon, just like you do!"

Gaara stared at his brother. Did he just say…?

Gaara pulled back his sleeve & channelled chakra into his ring.

He found himself back in Amegakure, in the throne room. Pein turned from the window as he sensed Gaara's presence.

"Gaara-san, how goes-"

"Where's the Ichibi?!" Gaara demanded.

Pein frowned at him.

"The Ichibi?" he repeated, "Madara kept it in the Suna hideout, why do you ask?"

"My brother encountered someone who also uses the sand." Gaara replied, "Only someone who possesses the Shukaku's chakra can do that."

Pein got to his feet.

"Go to the hideout." he ordered, "Confirm that the Ichibi is missing. If that's the case, locate it & bring it to us. Hurry!"

"Hai!"

Gaara faded back into Suna. He re-channelled chakra into his ring to contact Sasori & Deidara.

"Sasori-san, Deidara-san." he said, "I have reason to believe that Suna has retrieved the Ichibi & sealed it inside someone. I'm going to check it out."

"Ok." Deidara replied, "Let us know what you find out, un."

"But don't keep us waiting." Sasori added.

"Ok. Also, my sister has disappeared. Please keep an eye out for her."

"Temari-chan is missing?" Deidara repeated, "I'll take to the sky, see if I can find her."

"Thank you."

Gaara looked to Kankuro, "How's your chakra?"

Kankuro blinked & formed his hands into a seal.

"It's fine, my injuries are just flesh wounds." he replied.

"Good. Use Karasu to get around, I need to check something & I can't leave you here."

Kankuro nodded & did so. The two of them left the building & headed in the direction of the place Madara had taken Gaara to all those years ago.

But despite the severity of the situation, Gaara's thoughts were constantly returning to Temari. Where is she? Is she ok? Is she hurt?

It didn't take long to find the correct building, but they nearly missed it. The place was even more derelict than before. The door was missing, so the two stepped in & began their ascent of the stairs. With Gaara's thoughts weighing him down, the journey seemed to take forever. But eventually, they reached the top floor.

Gaara stepped into the room he had occupied only once before. It was a complete wreck. The furniture was slashed & broken, the walls spattered with blood & Madara's painting stolen. Gaara walked around the room, taking in the sights that had once appeared so wondrous & terrifying. But something was new. There was a cabinet placed against the far-side wall, broken glass scattered on & around it. Through the Shukaku's eye, Gaara saw that a powerful genjutsu had been cast here, but faded away. The teakettle had spent many years here, judging by the powerful, but old Remnant chakra present. This confirmed his fears. He activated his ring again & contacted Pein, who was awaiting Gaara.

"It is confirmed. The Ichibi is missing." Gaara said.

"Find it. Re-capture it & head for our nearest base." Pein ordered.

"Hai." Gaara replied, returning to the room.

"Sasori-san, Deidara-san, the Ichibi is gone." Gaara said, "I will try to follow its chakra. I'll need a birds eye view."

"I'm on my way." Deidara replied, "I'll meet you on the roof, un."

Gaara & Kankuro both made it to the roof, where they saw Deidara in the sky on his clay bird. He landed near them & they leapt on. The bird took back to the sky & began circling Suna. Gaara scanned the scene below him.

"You see anything, un?"

"No. Nothing yet." Gaara replied, "Wait, what's that?!"

Deidara used his scope to see what Gaara was talking about.

"It looks like…un?" he began.

A large amount of sand was blowing through the streets below, focused & with direction. The cloud turned corners at great speed, almost like it was going somewhere. Gaara used his Shukaku eye to get a better look. The cloud was radiating with the Ichibi's chakra.

"It's the Ichibi." Gaara said, "That's the Subaku Shunshin."

Deidara nodded, "Looks like Suna's weapon is a new Jinchūriki. But where's it going?"

"Wait." came a voice. Gaara froze.

"Umibe…"

"Are you saying Shukaku-sama is down there?"

Gaara winced. This could be a problem.

"The Shukaku is sealed both within myself & that individual." Gaara said, "Umibe, that person is misusing the Shukaku's power. But that same person does possess the vast majority of the Shukaku. If you wish to leave & join that person, then you & I will have to face each other."

Umibe was silent for a while.

"My people believe that the Shukaku will act as a gateway to our messiah." he said, "Most of us confused that with the Shukaku himself being our god. I may be young, but I studied our scriptures obsessively. The Shukaku isn't our god. It's the person who uses the power of the Shukaku for the best that we worship. You are our god, Gaara-sama."

Gaara blinked.

"Umibe… are you sure?"

"Hai, Gaara-sama!" Umibe replied, in his usual, happy voice. Gaara smiled.

"Thank you."

It was then that he realized Deidara was staring at him.

"Who are you talking to, un?" he asked.

"I'll tell you later. We have to capture the Ichibi."

"Right." Deidara said, before revealing his ring, "Sasori no Danna, we are currently pursuing the Ichibi. We will try to lead him outside of Suna, un."

Deidara paused as Sasori replied. He smirked.

"My art cannot be 'restrained'." he said, letting his sleeve cover his hand again, "Gaara-kun, we are going to divert the Ichibi to the main gate. You distract it while I prepare my art, un."

Gaara nodded & leapt off the clay bird, plummeting to the ground. He used his Sabaku Fuyū to fly over the Ichibi. He landed at the end of the street the sand cloud was flying through. The cloud stopped abruptly as Gaara stood in its path. The sand began to spiral into a small tornado & from that tornado, a boy stepped out.

Gaara's eyes widened as he looked at a near-mirror reflection of his younger self. The boy was only a few years younger than him, with the same red hair, the same sleep deprived eyes, even the same kanji on his forehead. The only difference was slightly lighter skin & the look in the boy's eyes.

"This person has been moulded in my image." Gaara thought. "And he's been completely corrupted by the Ichibi."

The child stared at him.

"He knows you." the child said, emotionlessly, "He is angry at you."

The boy's face changed into a malicious grin. When he spoke, a raspier voice came out.

"You thought you had silenced him." the boy said, "You really thought your words were enough to suppress his will?"

The boy then laughed in a beastial manner.

"You were wrong. He simply found a new body to play with."

Gaara didn't show any reaction to the boy's words.

"But he is dissatisfied." the boy continued, "I is nothing compared to what you were. If only you weren't so caring, so human."

"Where's Temari?" Gaara demanded. The boy's grin fell.

"Ah, her. The person who kept you from him. She's still alive." his grin returned as he saw the look of relief Gaara had desperately tried to hold back, "I want you to watch her die. Then you will once again be his. Forever."

The boy turned back into the sand cloud & began flying in the other direction. Gaara raced after the cloud. He was not going to let Temari die. Not if he had breath in his body.

He chased the cloud through the streets of Suna, growing enraged at the insane cackles coming from his quarry. A woman ahead turned & screamed as the cloud passed straight through her. Gaara ran past, not daring to look at her.

He chased the Shukaku through the main gates to outside of Suna, where the cloud stopped & formed back into the boy. The boy faced Gaara & raised a hand. The sand moved away to reveal a heap buried just beneath the surface. At Gaara's face, the boy smirked.

"Don't worry. She's still alive." the boy said, "I wouldn't dare allow her to die before this."

Temari was lifted into the air by the sand, which began to envelope her feet & rise up her legs. Gaara threw his arm forward, the sand slowing. The boy wore the same insane grin Gaara had once used.

"Don't resist." he said, "Her death will make you stronger!"

Gaara ignored him as he threw his other hand forward. The sand came to a complete stop, even beginning to recede. The boy frowned & concentrated. The sand began to rise again, up Temari's legs, her thighs, her stomach.

"AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!" Gaara screamed with effort, but he was fighting a losing battle. The sand rose past her chest, to her neck & the boy looked at Gaara, his evil grin widening.

"SUBAKU-"

Suddenly, explosions blinded both Gaara and the boy, smoke & sand completely obscuring their vision. When they could see again, Temari was gone.

"I've got her!" Deidara cried, Temari wrapped in the tail of his clay bird. The boy snarled & raised his hand.

"NO!" Gaara screamed, lunging at the boy & grabbing his wrists. The two stared at each other, both faces revealing pure hatred.

"Why?" the boy demanded, "Why would you fight so hard for her?"

"Because she is my sister!" Gaara yelled, "And I love her!"

The boy roared, his body covering itself in sand. Gaara leapt back as the boy transformed into a beast. The boy looked at Gaara & grinned manically.

"I will show you that love only makes you weak!" the boy roared, growing in size. The desert sand rushed to the boy as he grew into a giant tanuki. The thing was immense. It was the size of a mountain. From the forehead, the boy rose out of the sand & looked down to Gaara.

"FEEL THE POWER OF MY EXISTENCE!" the boy roared, forming a hand sign, "TANUKI NEIRI NO JUTSU!"

The boy fell forward, asleep. The tanuki shivered as the eyes changed. No-one moved as the tanuki slowly looked down to Gaara.

"Now you will see." the Shukaku whispered, a tendril of sand erupting from its leg, aimed straight at Gaara, who dodged it. More tendrils shot out, but Gaara dodged them all.

"Gaara-san!" Sasori called, coming out from the gates, "Attack the boy!"

Gaara nodded & faced the Shukaku. He focused chakra into three places. His arm, his right eye & the bottom of his spine. They all transformed, giving him the arm, eye & tail of the Shukaku. He ran & threw the arm at one of the tendrils, pulling himself into the air. The then wrapped the tail around another tendril & swung around it, grabbing onto another tendril. He dodged the Shukaku's attacks by using the eye to see the chakra's purpose. The Shukaku wasn't paying him its full attention, however, as Deidara was launching bombs at it from all angles. Gaara leapt onto the Shukaku's head & sprinted towards the sleeping boy. He pulled the arm back and punched the boy, who was pushed back several feet. But the boy didn't wake, his jutsu was too strong. Gaara leapt back off the Shukaku as he felt the sand shift around his feet. He used his Subaku Fuyū to remain airborne & flew at the boy. He turned in the air so he was upside down & drew Sasayaki.

"It's good that I saved this." he thought, turning Sasayaki so the bladeless point was facing the boy. He thrust forward, the tip striking the boy in the chest.

The effect was instantaneous. The boy screamed as Sasuke's Chidori struck him full force.

"NOOOOO!!!" the Shukaku roared, as he started to disperse. Deidara flew through the falling sand & grabbed the boy with his bird's beak. Gaara landed on the bird's back, where Kankuro was sitting with Temari's head resting on his lap.

"Temari?" Gaara said, stroking his sisters cheek, but there was no reaction. Deidara landed his bird, allowing Sasori to get on as well.

"Let me see her." Sasori said, shoving Gaara out of the way. He studied her closely.

"Hmm. She's got some bruises." he stated, "Slight oxygen starvation. We need to get some air in her lungs." he looked to Deidara.

"Got it." Deidara said, stepping forward & rolling back his sleeve. He moved his hand toward Temari's mouth & covered it, before breathing deeply.

"What is he doing?" Kankuro asked.

"He is taking in air," Sasori replied, "And transferring it into your sister."

"…dude, he's doing what to my sister?" Kankuro asked, looking at Deidara incredulously.

"Do you want her to live?" Sasori asked.

"Yeah, of course but-"

"Then shut up."

Kankuro nodded & looked down to Temari, slightly disgusted as her chest began to heave. After a short while with no reaction, she slowly opened her eyes. She tried to say something, but realized her mouth was covered. When she saw Deidara kneeling over her, her eyes slowly lowered to her mouth. She gave a muffled scream as she swatted Deidara's hand away.

"Sorry." Deidara said, rubbing the back of his head, "It kinda has a mind of its own."

Temari stared at him, appalled.

"Why the hell were you doing that?" she demanded. Gaara touched her shoulder.

"Temari, Deidara-san just saved your life." he said.

"Huh?" she looked at Gaara, "He did?"

Gaara nodded.

"Oh. Sorry. Thanks." she mumbled to Deidara, who was looking at her warily.

"Its alright." he replied, smiling nervously.

"Are you done?" Sasori asked, impatiently, "We've got a Bijū to extract."

"Right, lets fly, it's quicker." Deidara said, the clay bird taking off.

The journey wasn't nearly as long as it had been when they had walked, but it still took a while. Sasori had already contacted Pein, confirming their success. Temari had sat silently, her arms wrapped around her legs. Every now & then she would glance up at Deidara, but not say anything. Gaara & Kankuro both sat beside her, both watching her with concerned eyes.

"Alright, we're here." Deidara said, landing the clay bird on a river. Everyone jumped off & the bird disappeared, turning into a smaller one sitting in Deidara's hand. He dropped the bird in his clay pouch & turned to the boulder blocking the entrance. The boy was lying on Sasori's back, still unconscious. Deidara activated the seal on the boulder & it rolled out of the way.

Gaara turned to his siblings, "This could take a while. Go find a place to rest, I'll find you as soon as we're done."

Temari & Kankuro nodded & left. The rest of the group walked into the cavern, the boulder rolling back into place.

"Ah, you're here." said the holographic image of Pein, standing on the statue from the cathedral.

"What kept you?" Kisame's image asked, "I thought you didn't like to keep people waiting, Sasori-san."

"Lets get this over with." Sasori grumbled, dropping the boy on the ground.

He, Gaara & Deidara each leapt up to their respective finger. Gaara noted that they were the only ones physically there.

"How long is this damn thing going to take?" Hidan asked.

"We are currently missing a member." Pein said, glancing at the empty spot were Konan should have been. "She had very important matters to attend to."

But even the hologram couldn't hide the angry look in Pein's eyes.

"Heh heh." Kisame chuckled. "Trouble in paradise?"

"With her gone," Pein said, ignoring Kisame's jibe, "It will take about three days to extract the Ichibi."

"THREE FUCKING DAYS?!" Hidan exclaimed.

"Mind your language when speaking to Leader-sama." Kakuzu said, earning a glare from Hidan.

"Don't tell me what I can't say, asshole!" he yelled.

"Enough." Pein said, silencing the two, "This will already take long enough without your bickering. Now let us begin."

Everyone formed a hand sign, focusing their chakra into their rings.

"Fūinjutsu: Genryū Kyū Fūjin!" Pein called. The mouth of the statue opened up & nine dragons of chakra emerged, snaking towards the boy & enveloping him. The boy was lifted into the air, the Shukaku's chakra pouring out of his mouth & eyes. Gaara could feel his chakra being pulled out of his body, it was an uncomfortable feeling. These next three days were going to be difficult. Hidan's incessant complaining didn't help either. Kakuzu often scolded Hidan for it, resulting in the two arguing loudly until Pein silenced them. But Gaara barely noticed it, his mind on other things.

Throughout the time he had been with Akatsuki, he had watched her from a distance. He hadn't the chance to be close with her yet, almost never being in the same place, often seeing only her holographic image, or her seeing his. Gaara couldn't help but wonder what business she could have that would keep her from being here, doing the very thing that was Akatsuki's purpose.

"Has he discovered your true agenda?" he wondered, "Has he done something to you?"

Gaara felt eyes upon him. He looked up to see Pein watching him.

"Why are you staring at me? Do you know the truth?"

Gaara averted his gaze. If Pein knew the truth about his intentions, it was all over. Pein could never find out about Gaara's feelings, or it would mean death.

"We have visitors. They are Konoha shinobi."

Gaara's ears pricked up as he heard Zetsu speak. What were Konoha shinobi doing here?

"Who is it?" Pein asked.

"There is Hatake Kakashi, Ebizo of Suna, Haruno Sakura & Uzumaki Naruto."

Gaara froze. Them?

"There is also another team, consisting of Maito Gai, Hyuuga Neji, Tenten & Rock Lee."

Gaara paled. Them too? Pein nodded.

"Your information is as valuable as ever." he said, "Alright, Deidara-san, Gaara-san." Pein said, "Focus more chakra so-"

"We will do it." Itachi interrupted, "We are nearer to them."

"I have the most chakra out of all of us, so we won't be losing out much." Kisame added, before muttering, "And I have a score to settle." Pein nodded.

"Very well. We will use thirty percent of your chakra."

Kisame blinked, "Only thirty?"

"Yes." Pein replied, "Any more & we risk not having enough to complete the ritual."

"That is fine." Itachi said.

"Besides." Deidara added, "We only need to slow them down. This shouldn't take much longer, un."

"Lets begin." Pein said, "Shōten no Jutsu!"

Both Itachi & Kisame's images flickered as they re-focused their chakra. They both had their eyes closed, as if their minds were somewhere else.

Time passed in relative silence. All that could be heard was the slight groaning coming from the boy & the creaking as one of the statue's eyes slowly opened. After a while, Itachi & Kisame opened their eyes.

"They're strong." Kisame grinned, "That was a good fight."

Itachi stood silently.

"Good work, they have been slowed down enough." Pein said, lowering his hands, "We are done here."

As he said this, the dragons receded back into the mouth of the statue, one of the eyes fully open.

"Good." Sasori replied, "I hate to wait & baka, I can see you."

Deidara, who had been mouthing along with Sasori's words, smirked.

"Sorry Sasori no Danna." he said, before turning to Itachi, "So the Kyuubi is heading our way? We may have to face him. What can you tell us about him? Un."

Itachi didn't reply. Deidara got annoyed.

"Hey, teme, I'm talking to you!"

"Itachi-san, please tell them what you know." Pein asked. Itachi paused for a second before replying.

"He is the one who will scream & run at you." he said, disappearing.

"Is that all?!" Deidara demanded.

"Believe me, it's more than enough." Kisame replied, disappearing as well.

"Finally, I can get out of this fucking swamp." Hidan said, vanishing. Kakuzu & Zetsu left wordlessly. All that was left was Gaara, Deidara, Sasori & Pein.

"I'll leave the Kyuubi to you two." Pein said, "Gaara, you captured the Ichibi, so you have met your quota. Come to Amegakure, we wish to speak with you in person."

Gaara nodded as Pein dissipated. The three of them leapt off the statue as it sunk into the ground. They turned to face the entrance, Deidara sitting on the boy's body. Gaara & Sasori looked at the artist with distaste.

Suddenly, the boulder exploded into chunks, four figures leaping in. They were Ebizo, Sakura, Kakashi &-

"Gaara?!" Naruto yelled in surprise.