-

Labored breathing filled the room as well as the rhythmic taping of Daichi's foot. He sat next to his sister's bed waiting for any signs of her awakening. It had been two days since she had fallen unconscious and they had fled from their home traveling to Suna. The Kazekage had the best medic nin in Suna try and identify the poison and search for a cure. So far they still couldn't figure it out and Mizu's condition was weakening. They predicted that in three days her organs would shut down and she would die.

The door to his left opened and entered the Kazekage. His usual emotionless face was betrayed by his worried eyes. It seemed no matter how emotionless his face was his eyes betrayed him and projected every bit of emotion for the world to see.

"I sent a letter to Konoha. The Hokage there is the best medic nin in the five shinobi countries. Although she isn't available they are sending her student who is of almost equal abilities. She'll be here with in three days." The chair clatter to the floor as Daichi stood to his feet enraged.

"She'll be dead within three days!" He yelled standing.

"We are trying to do the best we can." Daichi was furious, he could feel his anger rising. If this man wasn't the Kazekage and had given them free medical treatment and a place to stay he would have skewered him where he stood. His hand twitched at the urge, he was going to make them pay for what they did to his sister. He brushed past the Kazekage eyes averted from his aquamarine gaze. The Kazekage turned to watch him leave.

"Where are you going?"

"To train."

-

Kankuro stood over his friend's crouched form before sitting down next to him. The brunette's eyes were unfocused and steely as he overlooked the civilians busing themselves in Sunagakure's markets. Kankuro placed his hand on the male's shoulder meant for comfort.

"Gaara is doing all he can to help your sister." The boy didn't answer and looked away up at the shining sun.

"I should have protected her. I promised her I'd never let them hurt us and they almost succeeded in kidnapping us."

"Us? I thought you said they were after Mizu…"

"They're after both of us." He paused looked back at Kankuro. "Maybe it's better this way. If she just……she wouldn't have deal with all this. We've been through enough. I just want a normal life for once."

"You need to tell Gaara what's going on. He's the Kazekage and he can offer you protection."

"We're already putting you in danger by being in this village. Imagine if you actually protected us. They'd destroy this place like they did to our village." Kankuro paused unsure of what to say. Daichi stood to his feet and walked away going to check on his sister.

-

He walked through the halls of Suna's hospital passing busy nurses and doctors. When he came to room 212 he slid open the door and step inside looking at his feet. As he looked up he saw the Kazekage and a young woman, blonde hair pulled up in four spiky ponytails. They both looked towards the young man as he walked up to the bed that held his unconscious sister. He looked up at the Kazekage eyes void of emotion.

"I sent a letter to our parents, they'll be here tonight. Their names are MeiMei Shiku and MeiMei Rei."

"I'll tell the guards of their arrival." Mizu groaned on the bed shaking as she pulled the sheets tighter around her form. All looked down upon her form, Daichi was the first to grabbed her hand caressing it softly.

"Mizu. Mizu can you hear me?" He spoke softly leaning next to her head. She groaned again and her eyes flicked open before snapping shut.

"W-wat-er." She whispered voice hoarse from not using it. Daichi nodded and rushed over to the sink in the bathroom filling up a cup of cold water and then bringing it back over to Mizu.

"Let me help you." Spoke a soft feminine voice. The blonde bent down and lifted Mizu helping her lean against the bed in a sitting position. Daichi then held the cup to Mizu's mouth. She turned her head away at the last minute causing the water to run down her chest soaking into her clothes.

"I thought she wanted water." Temari spoke looking at Daichi. He place the cup on the table next to her bed as he watch the water trickle down her skin. He gasped as he noticed her skin absorbed all the water.

"Go turn on the shower." Temari looked at Daichi and then to her brother who nodded his head.

"Listen to him." She nodded and walked over to the bathroom turning the knob and then cold water rained down on the tile. Daichi removed the blankets that clung to Mizu's sweating form and then lifted her in his arms.

"What are you doing?" Gaara asked making no movements to stop the brunette. Daichi carried Mizu over to the bathroom, Temari moved out of the way as he set Mizu on the tiled floor below not caring as the ice cold water soaked his cloths and hair. He brought his hand under Mizu's lolling head and lifted it.

"Mizu can you here me?" The blue haired child opened her eyes looking at her brother with half lidded eyes. She smiled tiredly and sighed.

"Water." She whispered closing her eyes.

The droplets of water rained down on both of them. The water soaking into Daichi's clothes while the water was absorbed into Mizu's skin as Daichi cursed angry at himself for not thinking of this sooner.

"What are you doing?" asked Gaara as Temari looked on with a confused and slightly worried look.

"Water." He laughed a bit. Temari looked at him like he was insane. "Water can dilute almost any substance; luckily with Mizu's abilities she should be able to flush the poison out of her system. If not all of it just enough to buy her some time." He looked up to see puzzle look on both siblings faces. "I'll explain everything once she wakes up…I've noticed you've been wondering who those people where but was kind enough not to mention it. I'll answer all your questions later." The red headed Kazekage nodded his head and walked out of the bathroom looking back at Temari's concerned face. Temari barley knew this girl yet held a motherly compassion towards her. If Gaara was anyone else he would have smiled but he was not and choose to keep his face blank.

"Temari," She looked towards her brother. "I need you too inform the guards of their parent's arrival." The kunoichi nodded her head and left the bathroom before pausing next to her brother.

"A-Ai-chan?" A meek voice whispered. Gaara's head turned in the direction of the voice while the kunoichi looked towards the blue haired child. Daichi bent next to his sister caressing her cheek as he lift her head to his vision. "Don't speak you need to save your energy and flush out the poison. The younger sibling shook her hand and brought up a hand up slowly and pathetically pushed away her brother's hand.

"Meh…A-Ai-chan…" The Kazekage walked over to the slumped girl eyes blank of emotion.

"What?" Her eyes flickered open to reveal a heartwarming gaze as she smiled tiredly.

"T-thank you for helping us." The Kazekage eyes widened slightly before returning back to their normal size. He nodded his head and turned swiftly leaving the bathroom to return to his office and finishes up his much neglected paperwork. As he brushed past Temari she smirked looking at her brother with a teasing glance.

"Ai-chan?" she teased tailing after him. Her brother sent her a glare effectively silencing her but that didn't stop her from giggling behind him.

-

The Kazekage sat in his office taking care of the work he had missed while away. A knock was heard and Temari then entered the office.

"If you're here to give me more paperwork. Put it there." He stated pointing to the trashcan.

"I don't think your suppose to do that." Her brother looked up eyes weary from stress. His sister wouldn't bother him if it was nothing,

"What is it?"

"Meimei Shiku and Rei are here. They refused to check in with us and went straight to the hospital. Also Naruto and Shikamaru have escorted Sakura and she is looking at Mizu as we speak." Gaara sighed and placed the pen in his hand on the table. Rising from his seat he made his way out of the office and towards the door.

"Do you have any missions?" her smile fell at the mention of said mission as she wouldn't be able to visit her friends.

"I have one tomorrow." Gaara noticed this.

"I'll reassign it to Baki. I'll allow you to accompany the konoha ninjas while they are here." The smile returned to his sister's face and they left the office to meet their much missed friends.

-

I laid in bed shell shocked, watching the scene play out before me. Three ninjas with Konoha headbands stood in the door too frightened to enter. My mother stood on one side of the bed as my dad stood in the background. While Daichi stood on the other listening my mothers rant with an uninterested expression.

"How could you let this happened to your sister? She's in the hospital for kami's sake." Now my mother isn't one to overreact but usually when her children's are injured, even in the smallest way she goes all out. I remember one time; I told Daichi he wouldn't be able to eat a handful of wasabi. Well taking this as in insult to his "manly pride" he shoved it all in his mouth in one bite and started choking. Eventually he swallowed it whole but he was sick the rest of the night. My mother wouldn't speak to me for about a week, accusing me of trying to 'kill' my brother; death by wasabi what an odd way to die.

"Sorry but It's not my fault she…" he said trying to get her attention.

"Not your fault…not your fault! How in kami's name is this not your fault!? You're supposed to take care of her. You promised your father and me that when you left you take care of each other and look what happened. What if she died, Daichi? What were you going to say then…sorry?" I stood mouth agape looking at my mother in utter shock. I could tell Daichi was upset; his face was clenched tightly to keep himself from saying anything that he'd regret while his fists were clenched at his side. The determination in his eyes told me that he was trying desperately not to harm our mother in anyway. My brother didn't deserve this; he's done so much for me. I saw my mother open her mouth and inhale getting ready to continue her angry rant. I took this time to say something.

"Oka-san!" she turned towards me eyes softening, "Please stop, if it wasn't for Daichi then I don't know where I'd be right now, besides your giving me a headache." My mother opened her mouth to object but I silenced her.

"I'm tired; can you come back tomorrow when I feel better?" I asked giving her a yawn. Her mouth abruptly shut as she paused and then walked over to me giving me a chaste kiss on the forehead.

"I'm only worried about you." I nodded.

"I know." My father finally stepped out of the corner of the room and stepped up to me; he smoothed my hair down and bent down to my level.

"Thanks Hun, I don't know how long she would have went on like that. You know you mother but you know she's only worried about you two. I'll see you later Mizu." He bent up and walked over to Daichi giving him a fatherly hug.

"It's so great to see you again. I've missed you so much. Don't listen to your mother, she's just worried. You've done great taking care of yourselves," he smiled sadly. "I'm proud of you." He said smiling and patting my brother on the back. "I'll see you tomorrow, son." As they left the room the konoha ninja stood to the side trying to get as far away from my mother as possible.

"You think after finally seeing us when we've been going for eight years she'd be a bit nicer, ne?" I joked. Daichi only sighed as he ran his hand over his face, falling back into his chair.

"I haven't seen you this stressed out since we told mom we were leaving home." I giggled. He turned to me eyes hardened in an exasperated glare.

"I'm not stressed because of mom, Im stressed because of you! Mizu, you could have died. I told you to flee and you didn't listen to me…"

"But I didn't die." I pointed out trying to make the situation better but only succeed in making it worse.

"That's not the point. You need to do as I say. They were a lot stronger than you. If you were against them yourself..." He stated pinning me down with his stare.

"I could have taken them myself." I huffed crossing my hands across my chest. I wasn't that weak…maybe I was. I had been slacking on my training over the last few weeks…Okay more or less blowing it off all together.

"You haven't even been training like I told you too."

"TRAININGS BORING! I just sit there and throw stuff at trees. I feel like a retard. I mean if you were going to help me then I wouldn't have a problem with it." Daichi smirked at my words. Uh-oh, I don't like that at all. What is he thinking?

"I'll train you in Suna, then. When you're out of the hospital we'll begin." My mouth slackened and my eyes widened.

"B-but…don't we have to get back home." I stuttered trying to think of something to get me out of training. Honestly I hated training, I was lazy and apathetic when it came to it and now that Daichi was going to "help me" oh dear Kami-sama save me. Daichi's eyes averted themselves for my face as he whispered something. Although it was low I could still here it.

"What!?"

"Everything was burned to the ground. There is nothing to go back too…We're going to have to find a new place to stay."

"All my stuff. It's all gone." Daichi only nodded confirming my fears. My stuffed rabbit, Fluffykins, my blankie, all of our clothes. Everything that's meant anything to me is all gone. All my precious belonging just went up into smoke. I felt a drop of water landed on my lap, as I brought up my hand to my eye and felt tears it was only then that I realized I was crying. They were such petty things to cry over but they meant the world to me. Especially my stuffed rabbit, it was the only item I had to remember an old friend and now it's gone. Daichi just looked at me eyes softened in sympathy. I rubbed the tears from my eyes and inhaled sharply.

"I'm fine." He nodded, knowing there was nothing else to say he changed the topic.

"I'm going to see how Chi's doing. The hospital doesn't allow animals; so she's staying in the hotel. Let the medic ninja take a look at you and don't give hr a hard time. I'll be back later." I nodded as he stood and exited the room. I groaned throwing my head back. For once, I'd like it if life gave us a break.

I now noticed that the three Konoha ninjas that were at the door earlier had been reduced to one. They must have left. The young woman that remained had vibrant pink hair and dazzling emerald eyes, her face was kind and accepting and her presences put me at ease the second she walked into the room.

"Hi, my name's Sakura," She was holding a clipboard most likely that of my medical history and current condition. Her brows knit together in confusing as she read the chart,

"It says here that you were injected with an unknown poison…" she looked up at me observing my state, "but you seem to be fine…" I smiled sheepishly at her. Maybe it would be best if I told her the medic nins cured me. It would be a lot easier than explaining how I extracted the poison myself and would leave a lot less question for me to answer. But then again she might talk to the medic nins to research the poison herself.

"Um…about that," I said sitting up. Her eyes rested on me and lowered the clipboard focusing on all I had to say, "Daichi, my brother, managed to flush the poison out of my system using a special jutsu, I don't know if he removed it all but I feel a lot better." That wasn't a complete lie. I just need to tell Daichi if she decides to ask any questions.

"Do you remember what it was called?" Oh shit, what if she wants to learn it…uh.

"It's a family trait; I don't remember what it was called…" She looked disappointed for a second but then smiled kindly.

"That's alright. Let's have a look at you shall we?"

She proceeded by taking a blood sample and my temperature, and then removing the trace amounts of poison from my system. She told me she would make an antidote for the type of poison for others to use, myself included although she hoped I would be more careful. She told me I was healthy enough to leave the hospital tomorrow morning seeing that it was pointless to leave now at night.

"Are you sure I'm okay to leave tomorrow, I think you may have missed something." I forced myself to cough feigning sick, "I think I may need to stay in the hospital for another week or so…It could be deadly." She only gave me a disapproving glance before laughing a bit.

"You're leaving the hospital tomorrow." she said sternly as my face fell. Then she broke out into a smile, "but I can write a note forbidding you to over exert yourself." A smile broke out on my face and I jumped out of bed and tackle hugged her to the ground.

"I love you! You're official my hero." I screamed as we hit the ground.

"Your welcome?" she seemed scared by my action but I just shrugged it off.

"You have no idea how much I hate training, Thank you so much Sakura-nee-san!"

-

The room was basked in bright lights keeping me from the sleep I so much desired. A thin sheet covered my form as I had kicked the comforter off on to the tiled floor below. The climate I was now in was foreign and unwelcoming. The dry desert air irritated my eyes and throat and the heat during the day was unrelenting. The only bearable time of the day was at night when the sun had left and the moon and stars littered the sky. But even then the dry air and unfamiliar surrounds kept me awake and alert. I may have been able to sleep better if Daichi was with me or maybe even the demonic fur ball chi but I couldn't bring myself to ask them. I curled in a ball and wished I had my stuffed rabbit fluffykins, his presence would have surly put me to sleep. As I closed my eyes I inhaled remember the poignant smell of evergreens that was soaked into his fabric body.

It reminded me of Konoha and the day that I received him from my blue eyed friend.

-

Night surrounded the busy village of Konoha, draping unlit alleyways in complete darkness. The streets were vacant as my people were already in their home getting themselves ready to face the day tomorrow, that is save for two young children, both the age of nine.

A lightly tan boy stood before his blue eyed friend tears streaming down his ocean blue eyes. As he wiped furiously at his eyes I wrapped my small arms around his waist pulling him towards me.

"I'm sorry, Kitty-chan. But Nii-san and I have to go back home, we don't have anywhere else to stay…" I explained as my heart panged at his saddened eyes. Brother had decided that it was time to leave Konoha, explaining that if we stayed any longer the group of rogue ninja might find us.

"Why don't you stay here? You can live with me. Both you and your brother, my apartments big enough and I don't mind." His words were rushed and frantic. He wasn't ready to lose one of the only people that treated him like an equal. I buried my head in the crook of his neck before pulling away from him. His eyes spoke of true sadness and pain and it only hurt me to see him like this. I reached behind into the pouch that was attached at my hip and pulled out an item wrapped in cloth. Upon seeing this, his eyes lit up with curiosity and I smiled at his childish nature. I unwrapped it slowly revealing a small glass bottle, a string of leather tied tightly around the end making it into a necklace; inside a liquid shining a brilliant blue color that rivaled my dear friend's eyes. His mouth hung open in awe and he stared at it in curiosity. I smiled a bit giggling at his antics.

"This," I held it up to his face letting his eyes observe it, "is something special. Something that I hope you can remember me by."

"What is it?" he asked as I held it out from him to take.

"You'll have to figure that out by yourself…" as I saw him begin to try and open it my hands reached out stopping him, "but don't use it until you absolutely need it. When your down and it feels like your never going to win; when you have no other options. Do you understand?" He nodded smiling lightly as pulled the necklace over his head.

"Why are you giving this to me?"

"Because you're my friend…I hope you won't forget me." I stated looking into his oceanic eyes.

"I won't." he confirmed embracing me in one last hug.

-

When I returned to our hotel that night in front of the door sat a stuffed rabbit. It was propped by the door, a note attached to its neck with a string of ribbon. I picked it up and held it in my arms as I read the note.

Mizuko (1)

If you ever come back to Konoha, find me. I don't think I'll ever find anyone that can eat ramen almost as fast as I can. Don't forget me.

Kitty-chan

-

My eyes flickered open when I felt a presence in my room, it wasn't someone that I'd recognize instantly but their chakra signature seemed familiar. I turned my head and saw a blur of red above me. As I squinted my eyes and let them readjust to the light I saw Gaara stand before me unsure.

"Were you sleeping?" I shook my head wiping my eyes dry. Why was he here? I haven't seen him since…

"Sakura-san told me you are well enough to leave tomorrow morning." I nodded as an uncomfortable silence enveloped us. None of this was new to me. He was just stating the obvious. Is there a reason he's here or just he just want to keep me up all night with this blabber. I saw him shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other before something was shoved into my arms. Looking down I saw a brown mass of cloth and stuffing known as a teddy bear. I brought the worn and beaten thing to face and inhaled, it smelled of tears and dirt.

I had thought the stoic Kazekage to be emotionless and uncaring but know holding this bear in my arms…may he wasn't so bad. Maybe I should give him a chance.

"Why are you giving this to…?" I looked up only to see that he was gone. As I looked around the room I saw on one and confirmed that he must have left when I was looking at the bear. I held it at arms length looking it over.

"You are a cute little thing, aren't ya?" I brought it back in my arms hugging it closely. A smile found its way on my face as I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. I think I'll name you Ai-chan seeing as Gaara-kun doesn't like it that much.

-

(1) Mizuko means water child. It's Mizu's nickname.

Longest chapter ever! I hope you all enjoyed although nothing was explained at all! It was but then I decided this chapter was too long. It's still too long; six pages on Word! So I split it in two. So next chapter things will be explained I promise. Also a little tiny bit of Gaara love; if you squint really hard. I'm sorry this jumped around a lot. I couldn't help myself. I hope you enjoyed. Thanks to my reviewer Kyuuba Inuzuka. I dedicate this to them cause there amazing. I should have the next chapter out soon hopefully. Hope you like it!

I think I need a beta, someone to criticize my work and spell check and all that snazzy stuff. Anyone interested.