As we ran through the desert and forest, or in my case rode, I sensed a presence and halted just an instant before running over an Akatsuki member; Shoji rearing up and nearly crushing him before he jumped back.

"Stay back!" I shouted to the others behind me as they jumped onto the ground.

Itachi Uchiha. S-rank criminal and the one who hurt Kakashi and tried to attack Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke's brother and also a sharingan user. Extremely dangerous. Avoid eye contact. I turned Shoji's reins to keep him from looking into Itachi's eyes and turned to the others.

"Kakashi, I need to scout ahead and make sure the trail's still fresh and that we're going the right direction and not on a false trail." I gave him a serious look. "Can you handle this? I will return as fast as I'm able."

He nodded. "We'll be fine."

I nodded as well and turned the reins, when he called out once more.

"Shi… Be careful."

I gave him a closed-eye grin and turned back around, leaning down and whispering to Shoji. "Shoji, close your eyes and don't look at him."

"You've got to be crazy." He muttered, already understanding what I was planning.

I smirked, patting the side of his neck. "Only sometimes…"

I put Shoji into a gallop, charging straight ahead at Itachi. I shut my eyes and drew my sword, Shoji putting chakra into his hooves to silence them, and I listened. I heard the quiet rustling of cloth and the sound of metal rubbing against it, and just managed to block Itachi's kunai and cut his cloak as he jumped to the side to dodge us. The moment he was behind us, Shoji and I opened our eyes and I grinned widely, sheathing my sword as I hurriedly began tracking the trail once more. Hopefully we haven't been wasting our time. I was on the right scent before, but they could have noticed me and laid down a false one. I sighed and after a while of tracking the scent, I found myself in the same place I was before and scowled.

"We're going in circles." Shoji said.

"I noticed." I rubbed the back of my head and turning him around. "Let's go back to the others. We were on the right trail, but they laid down a false scent with it. It started over where Itachi was, so if we go back, I should be able to pick up the right one."

Shoji sighed, obviously tired from our constant running around we've been doing and I pat his neck.

"We should be able to take a break in a bit. We just need to find the others and start down the right trail."

"Yeah, well… You better have some more of those apples in there."

I smiled. "I guess it's a good thing I grabbed some before I left, huh."

Shoji tossed his head with a whinny. "Alright! Let's get moving then!"

He went into a fast gallop and I chuckled a bit as we hurried on back to where Kakashi and the others were. Once we got there, though it hadn't been that long, Itachi was already down. Though it's not Itachi in that crevice… I thought, catching the scent of an unknown person as Shoji and I came to a halt by them. Kakashi noticed me first and gave me a look.

"So?"

"We're on the right trail, but a second false one starts up here and leads off into the forest and had me going in circles. I can locate the right one now, however."

He nodded, pulling a hand through his hair as he looked over at the body.

"His objective was to delay and gather information about us. Those bastards have good jutsu indeed."

The elder woman, Chiyo, nodded. "Indeed. This was clearly stalling. There's no mistake about it. They've already started to extract the bijuu! Perhaps they wish to use the 'one-tail' Shukaku to make a new jinchuriki."

"There's no time then. We must hurry to save Gaara." Kakashi said, but there were other things on Sakura's mind.

"Jinchuriki?"

"Like I said," Chiyo began. "Since the bijuu have inconceivable power, every country wanted to use them for military affairs. A jinchuriki is, so to speak, something that exists to control that power."

I flinched, turning my head away to look out towards the forest in case of another enemy approaching and to distract myself, though it wasn't quite working. Is that what I am? But the way the third Hokage said it… I can't be a jinchuriki. But this thing in me… Orochimaru put it there, so could it be something like the bijuu? Shoji turned his head, nudging my leg with his nose, silently trying to comfort me.

"But you said before that nobody at all could control that power."

"That is how it is, yes… But still, over time people have tried to control that power by sealing the bijuu in humans. By doing that, the overwhelming power of the bijuu is compressed and that power could be directed. And the ones who had bijuu sealed in them… that is to say people like Gaara…were called jinchuriki."

I swallowed thickly, hand touching my stomach as I continued to listen, silently.

"The feature of jinchuriki is that they resonate with the bijuu and can use inconceivable power. Including Gaara, in the history of the sand, three jinchuriki have appeared so far."

"The jinchuriki were used many times for war, weren't they?"

I gripped the reins harder, teeth grit tightly as memories of being with Orochimaru began replaying in my head.

"Hn, hn. Yes, my little mutt. Soon. Soon, I can finally use you to get revenge on those bastards. And then… oh yes… and then we'll destroy all that's left. And no one will be able to stop us. Oh, but don't worry… You'll live. You have to, or else what weapon could I possibly use? Especially with the tailed beasts roaming about."

"If the bijuu is extracted, that jinchuriki will die."

"Only a few more tests, little mutt. Oh, they won't be that bad. Only extremely painful."

The pain… it hurts… make it stop… I don't want any more tests… I don't want this thing inside of me… please… just let me die already…

"Shi?"

A hand touched my leg and I jolted, eyes wide and panicked as I tugged on the reins hard, jostling a confused Shoji. Standing beside me was an equally surprised Kakashi, eyeing me cautiously.

"You alright?"

I nodded, lowering my arms and bowing my head, though my hands remained tight on the reins.

"I'm fine. We should be going though. Once we're down the right trail a bit, we can stop for a break."

I turned Shoji back towards the forest, trotting a bit to get ahead of the group before getting into a gallop once we entered the forest. The ride was a tense one, no one speaking as we hurried along and as the sun set, we went a bit further before pulling to a halt. I turned to the others as I turned Shoji around.

"We'll rest here and begin moving once more in the morning."

"Eh? We can't just stop, Shi! Gaara's still out there!" Naruto shouted as I climbed off Shoji and began removing his saddle.

"We must save our energy, Naruto… Rest is important."

He went to argue further, but Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

"She's right, Naruto. We can't go through the night and expect to be able to battle when we reach Gaara."

Naruto frowned, but threw off his backpack, claiming to go find firewood to build a fire whereas I removed Shoji's bridle and brushed a hand along his face.

"Shi?" Kakashi called out.

I looked at him over my shoulder. "Hm?"

"You doing okay? You don't look like you've rested since you left."

I turned back to Shoji, reaching in my pouch and pulling out an apple, letting him eat from my hand.

"I haven't. I had maybe an hours rest when I left our village. I've been following the trail since then"

Kakashi nodded, coming closer and reaching out, allowing Shoji to sniff him before also running his hand along Shoji's face. "He's a strong looking summon. I wouldn't have expected you to have a horse, though it suits you."

Shoji seemed to smirk at the praise and I gave Kakashi a dull look.

"Don't encourage him. His ego's big enough."

Shoji snorted, butting me with his head and I let out a small chuckle, shoving him back before spotting the suspicious closed-eye grin Kakashi was giving me.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm just glad you cheered up."

I lowered my gaze, turning my head back to Shoji, a hand brushing his neck. "I was… just remembering things better left forgotten."

"Ah." Kakashi said, before dropping the subject and looking at my pouch. "So what else do you have in there? Anything for the rest of us? Other than apples, I mean."

I gave him a smirk and dug through my bag and pulled out a scroll. Naruto caught sight of it and grinned, fist pumping.

"Alright! Good job, Shi!"

The others were very confused and turned to me in surprise as I gave a small grin.

I rolled out the scroll, removed one of my gloves and bit my thumb, glancing up at Naruto who stood in front of me with an eager look.

"You ready?"

He nodded. "Heck yeah!"

I grinned and placed both hands on the scroll, shoving one into the scroll, searching around for a moment before reaching deeper, everything up to my upper arm gone in the scroll. Everyone watched with eager eyes, when I suddenly smirked. Got one! I pulled my arm out of the scroll and held up the squirming fish by its tail, shocking everyone but Naruto, who cheered and took it from me as I went to find another. Sakura took a step forward then, eyes wide in amazement.

"H-How'd you do that?!"

I was too focused on what I was doing to look at her, but answered.

"It's a water seal. I just wondered what would happen if I put fish in it and found out they continued to live somehow. Doesn't quite work with other animals yet though."

She paled at the thought as I pulled out another fish, handing it over to her, before reaching in again. Kakashi this time came over, kneeling down and looking at the scroll curiously.

"How does this work?"

"The water seal does exactly what one would think. Holds water. It's the same as a storage seal. Both lack oxygen, but water has oxygen in it, which is how the fish survive. Only issue is I need to dump the water every other week. More than three fish use up all the oxygen by that time and the water's not exactly clean either. It's harder than it looks though. I need to keep the seal closed to hold the water in, but open it enough for my hand." I said with a chuckle, pulling out another fish and handing it to Naruto now that he returned.

"Pervy-sennin taught Shi all kinds of things about seals! She's made all sorts!"

I nodded, digging for another fish. "Water seal, storage seal, endless sorted storage seal, and a food seal that hasn't done much other than postpone the expiration date by a week."

"That is some significant seal work you've done." Chiyo commented, as I grabbed a fish and handed it to Sakura.

"I had two months to do what I could on my own. You'd be surprised what you learn by comparing two seals." I said quietly, grabbing the last fish and rolling up my scroll, dropping it in my pouch and going to prepare my fish for cooking.

Once everyone had eaten I laid back against Shoji, who had laid on the ground by a tree, and rested my swords against my shoulder. I then pulled my tan traveling cloak off and draped it over me, using it as a blanket when Kakashi suddenly came over with a grin.

"May I join you?"

I raised a brow, glancing at Shoji who simply closed his eyes and turned away, so I turned back and nodded, scooting over to make room and handing him my cloak. He pushed it back and I pushed it forward.

"Take it."

He shook his head. "I'm fine. You need it more than I do."

I frowned and threw it at him instead, watching as he pulled it off of his head and I pulled out another cloak from my pouch. He sighed with a small smile and we both got comfortable, drifting off to sleep.

"We're nearly there!" I called out over my shoulder as the others jumped on branches not far behind me. "There's a cliff up ahead and it's down below!"

I suddenly turned, sniffing the air before smirking and turning back to the others once more.

"Looks like we're not the only ones!"

Sure enough, when we reached the edge of the cliff, we saw Guy throw a hard punch into the rock sealing where the Akatsuki were, only for it to ripple.

"Uh, Shi? How are you going to get down there?" Naruto asked, pointing at Shoji. "Won't you both die or drown or something?"

Shoji glared at him and scoffed, while I gave Naruto a smirk and turned to face the cliff, laying low on Shoji's back as my smirk grew bigger.

"Hyah!" I shouted, charging Shoji towards the edge of the cliff, hearing Naruto freak out behind me.

"S-Shi! No wait! Don't jump!"

Shoji jumped off the cliff and easily landed on the water behind Guy and his team, pawing his hoof on the water with a smirk.

"That's a 'five seal barrier'." I said to Guy, who smiled as well, giving me a thumbs up.

"Quite the youthful entrance, Shi!"

I gave a mocking bow, Kakashi and the others landed behind me.

"I try. Though I apologize for being late."

"We ran into a bit of trouble on the way." Kakashi said, as Naruto ran to my side in a panic.

"Why'd you do that, Shi?! You really scared me!"

I raised a brow at him. "You shouldn't underestimate Shoji." I said, patting Shoji's neck as he let out a proud snort.

"Naruto! Sakura! Shi!" Lee shouted, and once everyone was reacquainted and Pakkun and Shoji were sent off, we got down to business.

"Right! First off, this barrier, eh, Shi? Kakashi?"

I nodded, allowing Kakashi to explain.

"This particular 'five seal barrier' is created by tokens with 'kin' written on them placed in five places in the vicinity. The 'kin' token you see in front of you, and the other tokens are in the four other places. To remove the barrier, all of them must be detached."

"So where are they? The other four?" Naruto asked, and just as Kakashi was about to ask Neji to use his byakugan, I interrupted.

"I already know where they are."

"What?!" Naruto shouted, making me wince and stick a finger in my ear. "Why didn't you take them off already?!"

"Because, Naruto." I grumbled, not pleased about my ears being blown out. "If they were protected by a jutsu, I could be in for a lot of trouble. Not only that, but it could give me away to the Akatsuki inside and then I could be dead. I didn't do it not because I didn't want to. But because if I let the Akatsuki know I was here, we could have lost Gaara. Understand?"

He frowned, but nodded, understanding my logic and where I was coming from and, feeling bad for the tone I took with him, I ruffled his hair.

"We'll save him, Naruto."

Kakashi cleared his throat, bringing me back on track.

"Right… There's one on a rock about 500 meters North-east of here. One on a tree trunk on a river bank 350 meters South-east of here. One on a wall 650 meters North-west of here, and one inside a grove about 800 meters South-west of here. Though I suggest Neji use his byakugan to guide you to each one. I am not confident in my directions." I said, looking away and rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly.

"Alright!" Guy said, pulling out some radios from his pack. "If it's that range, we'll use these radios! While we're taking Neji's directions, we can keep in communication, and we'll find the locations of the tokens!"

Everyone in his team took a radio and he handed one to Kakashi and I, letting us put them on around our necks as he gave us a thumbs up.

"Speed-wise, my team is faster, minus Shi, of course. The frequency is 174. Wait for our message!"

"It's up to you." Kakashi said.

"Good luck." I replied as well.

"Team Guy! Let's go with the full power of youth! Scatter!"

They hurried off and Kakashi got in position on the large boulder to peel the seal away when the time was right.

"We'll break in with a button-hook entry." He said and we all got in position just as the confirmation came over the radio and he ripped it off. "Sakura!"

"Okay!" She shouted, slamming her fist into the boulder as Kakashi jumped off.

With the boulder in shambles, Kakashi gave us the signal and the five of us jumped into the hideout; Kakashi and Naruto on one side of the entrance, Sakura and Chiyo on the other, and me blocking the entrance. When we got there though, I felt my stomach clench tightly at the sight of Gaara lying underneath of Deidara as he sat on him and the only other Akatsuki in there being Sasori.

"Well then, which of you is the jinchuriki, I wonder, un."

Naruto, furious, shouted back at him. "You bastards! I'll smash you to pieces!"

"That one." Sasori said, making me slightly more cautious.

"Well, seems like it, un."

They know who he is, so he'll probably be the first they go after. The problem is, how are they going to do it? Both at once? One after him while the other attacks us? Either way though, Naruto's top priority. And with his emotions running high… I might have to stick with him.

"Gaara! What're you doing, sleeping there lazily?! Stand the hell up! Hey! Gaara, are you listening to me?!"

"Stop, Naruto." Kakashi said, eyeing him sadly. "You should understand…"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't you get it? He's well dead, un."

"…Give him back…" Naruto said quietly and I immediately knew what he was going to do. "Give him back! You bastards!"

Naruto went to charge in, but Kakashi and I both jumped in front of him.

"Calm down, Naruto." I said. "They're Akatsuki. If you go rushing in, they'll kill you."

Naruto grit his teeth in anger, but didn't try to force his way through, as the two Akatsuki began to argue.

"I'll look after this one." Sasori said. "It seems like that jinchuriki wants to take this one back."

"Master, this'll probably make you angry, but I'll handle that jinchuriki, un."

Oh, don't tell me. I thought, eyes giving the two enemies a disbelieving look.

"The assignment is one person to the beast. Don't push it, Deidara."

"If an artist doesn't get high levels of inspiration, his sentiments are dulled, master. It's said that the kyuubi jinchuriki is considerably strong, un."

"What? You call those explosions fine art? Fine art is something wonderful that's left long into the future. Eternal beauty."

"They involve the same skilled labor, I respect you, but fine art is the beauty of that single fleeting moment of explosion."

I sighed, dropping my head. I was right. They're arguing.

"Stop playing around, bastards!" Naruto shouted, pulling out a scroll and summoning a fuuma shuriken which he threw at the two Akatsuki members.

I wasn't surprised when Sasori deflected it with his metal tail and they continued arguing, and even Kakashi was beginning to get annoyed by the enemy's fighting. We didn't have long to wait though, because Deidara's clay bird swallowed Gaara and Deidara barely escaped Sasori's tail before hopping on his bird and flying out of the entrance.

"Wait the hell up!" Naruto shouted, going to follow after him, Kakashi following with last minute instructions.

"Naruto and I will handle the one outside. Sakura, Chiyo, Shi. Take care of this one… but until Team Guy gets back, try not to overdo it."

"Got it!" Sakura shouted.

"Kakashi!" I called out, stopping him for a moment. "He's unstable. Don't hesitate to use the seal. That girly blonde does long range clay explosive attacks, but I don't know if he does close range as well, so watch it."

Kakashi nodded and hurried out after Naruto, while I kept my eyes on Sasori and moved over to where Sakura and Chiyo were. Sakura seemed to be panicking slightly, but I wasn't exactly completely calm either. He uses poison and, while I have a resistance to most poisons, I don't know how many hits of his I can take, which means long-range attacks are my best option except most of mine are close-range. This is going to be difficult if I'm not careful.

"Sakura, don't be afraid. I'm here." Chiyo said, making me roll my eyes.

And I'm not? Chiyo then pulled out a good amount of kunai and threw them at Sasori, confusing me. Why would she do that? He'll just block with his tail. And when he did I wasn't too surprised, but him removing a good section of his cloak to reveal a large shell on his back had me slightly shocked. This is new.

"If you plan to oppose me, then I've no choice. Why don't you three join my collection? Eh, Chiyo? First I'll drag out your entrails, then when I've ripped off your skin, I'll clean off all the blood…"

As Sasori went off on all the things he was going to do to dismember us, I began analyzing him as best I could in preparation for his attack. That arm of his… I swear I've seen something like it before… I suddenly remembered something from when I was with Orochimaru, being forced to fight for my life in a room full of other experiments trying to kill me. That's it! That arm has to be just like the other one I saw on one of the experiments. Which not only means that Sasori has had contact with Orochimaru, but that arm of his has cylinders of needles that can be used with air pressure to turn one into a pincushion.

"His real body is on the inside." I heard Chiyo said and frowned under my scarf.

Even better. We won't have access to his actual self to finish him off until we get him out of that puppet. Which means someone will need to get close enough to break that defensive shell on his back.

"Then what should we do?" Sakura asked.

"We need to break his shell." I said, catching their attention and Chiyo nodded.

"We have to get Sasori out of Hiruko if we want to be able to do anything. The most terrifying thing about puppets are the unpredictable 'traps', mechanisms that can launch attacks from anywhere."

I narrowed my eyes, scanning over the puppet for anything that might give away where these traps could come from. With the cloak in the way, there's a ton of possibilities. Plus the fact that his mouth is covered, only proves that there's a trick in there. Plus that arm of his…

"The shape's slightly different to the Hiruko I knew long ago." Chiyo said. "Firstly, that shell on his back wasn't there before. And that must have strengthened his defense. I've also never seen that left hand before. Furthermore, he might have redesigned his most important traps."

"What should we do?"

"I have a plan" I announced, surprising them both.

"But how?" Chiyo said. "I may know about some of his traps, but it's impossible to guess what traps he might have hidden."

I felt my lips twitch up in a smirk and narrowed my eyes at Sasori as I spoke to her.

"He has some sort of trap built into his mouth and that shield on his back is too thick for someone with average shinobi strength to break and that arm… I've seen it before."

"What?!"

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. "I've had to fight someone who had that arm."

"Impossible…"

I glanced at Sakura, who seemed to be trying to connect the dots, but shifted my gaze back to Sasori.

"It shoots out metal cylinders and when they open, they release pressurized air, launching out needles. It's extremely difficult to dodge, but possible if you have enough agility."

Chiyo frowned. "Even if this is true, I definitely don't have the power needed to destroy the shell on Hiruko's back."

"And that's where Sakura comes in." I said, looking back at Sakura who was surprised, but determined. Good. You've truly grown, Sakura. "In order for you to destroy the shell, Sakura, you have to get close enough to hit him. Which means avoiding all the traps and their poison."

"Knowledge of traps, instant reaction… I don't have either of those."

"You don't." I said, smirking. "But I'm sure Chiyo does."

Chiyo reached up to her cap and removed it, untying the bun on her head. "What do I look like to you? Just a helpless old hag? Leave it to me. That's why I'm here. His battle experience pales compared to mine. Plus, the first move has already been made."

My smirk grew as I pulled off my traveling cloak and reached up to my scarf. "I thought that's what that smell was and it sounds like you've already figured out my plan."

"It's certainly clever." Chiyo said with a grin, before turning to Sakura. "Sakura, listen to me. Together, we will defeat him… Shi, was it?"

"Yup."

"I know my skills well, but will you be able to react in time?"

I pulled the scarf from around my neck, a wicked grin stretched across my face. "Don't underestimate me, grandma."

She scoffed. "This younger generation is getting cockier by the decade."

She then turned to Sakura and explained the plan and it wasn't long before we were ready to fight. Sakura shifted into a ready position as I crouched low to the ground, hand on the hilt of my sword.

"Alright. Let's go for it!" Sakura said.

"So you're finally ready? I'm sure you know, I don't like to be kept waiting." Sasori complained, reaching up to the cloth covering his face.

"Relax." Chiyo said. "We'll kill you quickly!"

The three of us charged right at him and, sure enough, the puppet opened its mouth and shot hundreds of weapons at us, which Chiyo and Sakura easily dodged along with me. It was then that the arm of the puppet was launched at us and that was when I went into action, quickly doing hand signs. Lightning Blade. Lightning cloaked my sword and I quickly charged at the arm, bringing the sword up and instantly slicing through it. I expected the backlash of the built up air pressure and allowed myself to be pushed back, but I landed on my feet just in time to see Chiyo stop Sasori's tail and Sakura slam her fist into the shell and shatter it to pieces. A black shape flew out of the body a bit further away and my nose twitched. That's odd. He still smells like a puppet…

"Of course…" Sasori spoke. "That's my grandmother. No wonder even that little girl would be able to avoid my traps. You saw all of my attacks but you used chakra threads from the puppet jutsu to control the little girl. Furthermore, you even cleverly put chakra threads on Hiruko's tail. Wasn't it when you attacked with the kunai at the beginning? The chakra threads attached to the kunai switched over to the tail when they hit. Though I didn't expect your friend to know about my arm."

I shrugged, coming up next to Chiyo and sheathing my sword. "Lucky guess."

Chiyo sighed, gazing at Sasori almost… softly. "Indeed. Even though I was suppressing the chakra as much as possible so it was invisible, you worked it out well."

Sasori grabbed the black cloth covering him. "Well, of course. Who was it who taught me to play with puppets? No one else but you."

"Yes… Well, we're done playing for today." Chiyo said, but looked shocked once Sasori's face was revealed.

"Well, do you really think it will be that easy, grandma Chiyo?"

I raised a brow as Sakura and Chiyo seemed to be frozen in shock. He looks very young. From the information Jiraiya shared with me, he should look far older than this. And that puppet smell… It could just be because he was inside a puppet for so long, but… It's odd. I grew tense then, as I saw Sasori pull out a scroll.

"I'll show you what I brought along. Killing him for my collection gave me a hard time indeed. That's why I like him the best."

There was a poof of smoke and the puppet that came out seemed to only surprise everyone even more.

"That is…Sandaime Kazekage." Chiyo breathed out and my own eyes widened a fraction.

No way. This only proves it further. Sasori was… had to be teamed up with Orochimaru while he was with the Akatsuki. I felt my hands shake, though not in fear. No. I was excited.

"Well, let us begin." Sasori said, crouching low with the puppet hovering over him.

I smirked as well. "Can't wait."

Sakura looked over at Chiyo in shock. "Sandaime Kazekage?… Then…" It's been over ten years… since the Sandaime suddenly disappeared from the village.

"Sasori, you—"

"Mm, for a retired old woman near death, you're still quite good." Sasori commented.

"Even retired and near death, I'll still take action. I've too many regrets to die yet. My grandson. You've not only fallen to the level of a mere criminal, but you've betrayed your village and gone after the Kazekage three times!"

"Three times?" Sakura said, looking back at Chiyo, who nodded.

"It was Orochimaru who killed Yondaime Kazekage, Gaara's father, but it was this one who guided him. And this time with Gaara… Also, even the Sandaime…"

"Hey, hey. I don't know about Yondaime. It was my subordinate who guided him." Sasori corrected. "Indeed, I was originally partnered with Orochimaru in the Akatsuki, so we did many things."

"I thought so…" Shi said, catching everyone's attention as her smirk grew. "That arm was one of his experiments."

Sasori raised a brow, curious. "And how did you know about that?"

"Does it matter?"

Sasori tilted hit head to the side. "No. I suppose it doesn't… Well, let's get going."

Sasori launched the puppet forward and Chiyo pulled Sakura back, out of his range as multiple sets of blades appeared from his arm.

Shi went to help, but stopped upon seeing Hiruko's tail intercept the claws before they could hit Sakura. The tail broke apart and Sasori made the puppet's arm open up, launching out multiple arms, but all of them missed due to Chiyo's skills as her puppet master. Just then though, a cloud of smoke came from one of the arms and Shi cursed, as Chiyo shouted out orders.

"Sakura! Don't take a single breath!"

Chiyo's eyes went wide and Shi realized that she couldn't pull Sakura out and quickly hurried towards the cloud.

"S-Shi! What are you doing?!"

"Trust me, granny Chiyo." Shi said, running into the cloud and drawing her sword, cutting the ropes that had wrapped around Sakura.

Thing was, Sasori had launched more and, quickly taking action, Shi threw Sakura out of the cloud to Chiyo.

"Shi!"

Shi, caught by the kunai ropes, smirked and reached into her pouch, pulling out an exploding tag and activated it, blowing away the poison cloud and tossing her back, where she landed haphazardly on her feet. Breathing hard, she smirked at Sasori as Sakura began shouting at him.

"I'll get you! Even if you blow off my arms and legs, if I take in your poison and it paralyzes me, I'll get you! I swear it! No matter how much you resist, no matter what you do! I'll beat you half to death, and make you talk about Orochimaru! Got it?!"

Sasori launched more kunai in response, but Chiyo suddenly brought out two puppets, protecting Sakura and Shi from them.

"You think men stop to listen when a woman's talking."

"Idiots." Shi muttered.

"Ah, them…" Sasori said, commenting about the two puppets.

"Yes. The first puppets you constructed. Your father and mother."

Shi and Sakura shared surprised looks, but Sasori was unaffected.

"What is it you plan to do with those things? They're puppets I created. I know all of their secrets. This is pointless."

The two puppets joined hands and pulled away, revealing wires, which they used to cut through the multitude of hands and engage in a short battle with Sasori's puppet. The two of them easily managed to destroy the weapons he had pulled out, leaving Sakura in shock.

"A-Amazing…"

"This certainly has become awkward." Sasori said, dully. "Shall I get serious then?"

Shi tensed as the puppet's mouth opened and black sand appeared to pour out of its mouth.

"So that puppet uses the Sandaime's jutsu?"

"It's been a while, eh? Since this is the jutsu that made people see the Sandaime Kazekage as the strongest of them all. So I'm really gonna kill you now."

"What is it?" Sakura questioned.

"The most feared weapon in the sand, the iron sand." Chiyo said, catching Shi's attention. "Based on a previous Shukaku host's jutsu, Sandaime created this himself. It can be changed into any form and weapons to suit the situation can be created. Sandaime Kazekage was born with the ability to change chakra into magnetic force."

Shi's eyes widened, but narrowed as she began to smirk, a plan forming in her head.

"What does that mean?" Sakura asked. "Isn't that just a puppet? Why would an inanimate puppet have chakra?"

"No… It's a 'human puppet' created originally from a living body. Thus, it's made to contain the chakra from its previous life. No one but Sasori can create a 'human puppet'. And in that way he can use its jutsu from when it was alive. That is the greatest advantage of a 'human puppet'."

"That's not all. That's why it's my favorite from my collection."

"Sakura, Shi. Now you must leave here! I will handle it alone from here."

"What?!" Sakura shouted as Shi raised a brow.

"This is far beyond what I had thought. Now that that's come out, you can't do anything!"

Shi smirked. "You're underestimating me again, granny Chiyo."

Chiyo went to get angry at Shi, but Sasori was already launching his puppet and millions of iron sand pellets towards them.

"Too slow!"

One puppet grabbed Sakura and carried her out of danger and the other put up a chakra shield to protect Chiyo, but Shi was out in the open and when the dust settled, even Sasori was surprised.

"You…"

Shi stood there with a devilish grin, a wire full of kunai in her hands, each kunai covered in black iron sand particles.

"Shi, you…"

Shi turned to Chiyo with a grin. "I told you, granny. I'm better than you think."

Sasori had a miniscule frown on his face. "You know how to use magnetic chakra."

Shi gave him a look and shook her head. "No. I just mixed chakra natures. Lightning and air create a magnetic ability."

Sasori turned to Chiyo then. "You've been changing them, I see. Even a chakra shield. You've upgraded them since I played with them, it seems."

Chiyo's puppet closed its arms and Shi gave it a glance as it began to shake.

"Kuku, that jutsu is unblockable. You know well that you have to avoid it, but you were just concerned with getting the little girl away, eh?"

"Can't be unblockable." Shi said with a frown. "I just blocked it."

Sasori ignored her. "I've worked the iron sand through all of that puppet's body. As long as I have Sandaime's magnetic force, it's useless. Well, now I'll aim for all of you at the same time. And so I'm sure I've killed you, I'll make it into a truly lethal shape."

The black sand gathered above all three of them in long spear shapes and Shi rolled her eyes, pulling more wire from her pouch and letting out a slow breath as she began spinning the wire and kunai above her.

"With one puppet, there's no way you can all be blocked! What now, old woman?!"

The sand spears were launched towards them and even sped up with air pressure from the puppet, but Shi let go of one end of the wire, extending it so that it created a large circle above her and Sakura. Unfortunately, it was only able to gather up some sand and sand spears came up out of the ground, very nearly slicing into Shi. Sakura though was protected from them by the puppet Chiyo sent and Chiyo herself was protected by a shield she created with her puppet right arm.

"Your own arm…You've rigged your own body. We puppeteers, we definitely think along the same lines."

"Yes, that may be so." Chiyo said, arm shaking.

"And you." Sasori turned to Shi, who was glaring at him as she got up from off the ground. "You have good reflexes to dodge those and while your ability to use magnetic fields may be strong, there's always a backlash to using it."

Shi nodded. "It attracts everything metal. Including the sand you hid below me."

Chiyo tried to move her arm, but it wouldn't work, as well as the puppet protecting Sakura.

"The iron sand has made its way through, so it's finished. Plus, your puppets are useless. What now? A puppeteer without a puppet is just a regular person, eh? Ku ku."

More black sand poured out of the puppet's mouth, forming a large triangle and block, which even Shi knew she couldn't block.

"Even for someone like me, the situation seems hopeless. Sakura, Shi, you must get away!"

What I can do now… is… Sakura grit her teeth, afraid, but wanting to be strong. She made her decision then and stood before Chiyo.

"Chiyo, please use me!" What I can do now, is fight as Chiyo's puppet.

"I am the only one-armed now. I cannot support you as much as before."

"That's fine!" Sakura said. "I may not have amazing weapons in me like a puppet, but what I do have is my master's contempt for losing!"

Shi stepped forward as well. "Granny Chiyo, you may not be able to use me as a puppet, but I will provide you and Sakura with as much back up as I can."

Chiyo glanced at Shi, who gave a cheesy closed-eye grin in return. Tsunade… you seemed to have found some good kids. Chiyo attached her chakra strings to Sakura.

"Sandaime's ability is magnetic force! So iron and steel weapons are ineffective."

"Perfect! What I also got from my master were unarmed combat skills!" Sakura said, punching her fist into her palm.

"While I use mostly weapons," Shi said, drawing her sword. "I can at least block what comes after us with my own magnetic force."

"This again? Useless." Sasori said, as they charged.

He sent the triangle at them, enhancing its speed with air pressure and slamming the point into the ground as they dodged. Expecting this, he went to drop the block on Sakura and Shi, but they both dodged, Sakura using the chance to slam her fist into the block and send it speeding back into the cave wall.

"We're not done yet!" She yelled.

She continued to dodge the flying shapes and punch them into walls of the cave, Shi blocking any smaller weapons he tried to throw at them, and it wasn't long before the whole top of the cave collapsed. Sakura was panting hard, as was Shi, but they both still had plenty of fight in them and Chiyo was even shocked at how they were both handling this. This is some girl. In this small amount of time, she's already beginning to see through Sasori's attack pattern. So that even without my assistance, she can do it. A girl like this… Tsunade, you have a good apprentice indeed. And this one… Chiyo glanced at Shi, who was smirking even now. She's impressed me quite a bit as well. Her knowledge of chakra natures and seals is impressive. And her ability to observe and come up with on the spot battle strategies is on par with that of a tactics expert. She, too, is a force to be reckoned with.

Just then, Sasori had the triangle run into the block and they split up into large branches of iron sand which immediately slammed into the ground. Once the dust settled, Chiyo called out in worry.

"Sakura! Shi! Are you alright?!"

Shi stood before Sakura, blood dripping onto the broken up ground, and she gave Sakura a fake smile.

"S-Sorry, Sakura… I blocked all I could…"

Both Shi and Sakura swayed and fell to the ground, Chiyo's eyes wide in shock as she realized that Sasori had put poison in the iron sand.

"Kuku, the poison's effective. The body instantly becomes numb and immobile. If left alone, they have three days, but that's not what I plan to do." Sasori said, making his puppet fly towards them both, a blade coming from his arm.

Chiyo tried to move, but the rocks had her arm pinned, and was helpless to watch as the puppet flew at the two downed shinobi. Just as the puppet reached Sakura and Shi though, Sakura stood and punched it, destroying the puppet and collapsing the iron sand structure. She then hurried over to Chiyo and moved the rock.

"Sakura… you…"

Sakura held out her hand, revealing a small needle vial. "An antidote. There's one left now. I will give it to you."

"When did…"

"When I was making the antidote for Kankuro, I was only able to make three. Because I knew the opponent used poison, I made them into injection form and brought them along." Sakura explained. "But the antidote only works for three minutes. In that time, no matter how much poison we get, the effects of the antidote will turn it into harmless protein." Sakura then began healing Chiyo's arm. "Sasori didn't know about this antidote. I was waiting for him to use his final skill, then he would be unprepared. That was my chance. So I couldn't use it until the very last moment. So now the poison won't affect me for three minutes. It must be decided in these three minutes!"

"…But Shi…"

Sakura's face fell. "She told me… before we even got here that if she should be poisoned to leave her… I don't know why, but…"

Just then, they heard a groan and Shi's head poked out from the pool of iron sand, a hand rubbing her head as she winced.

"Kami, who knew rocks could hurt so much."

"S-Shi!"

Shi turned and chuckled nervously when she saw Chiyo and Sakura's shocked face.

"Y-Yo."

Sakura immediately grew angry. "You idiot! Why didn't you say anything?!"

Shi got up and brushed the sand off her, wincing even further when her hand brushed a rather large wound in her side, alerting Sakura and Chiyo.

"Y-You're hurt, but… how are you not…"

Shi came over and rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, you remember how I told you I was Orochimaru's experiment?"

"You mean…" Sakura's face fell as Shi gave her another nervous smile.

"I'm kind of immune to nearly all poisons."

"You…" Chiyo said, catching their attention. "You're one of Orochimaru's experiments?"

Shi nodded. "I apologize for not saying anything, but the element of surprise was essential."

She nodded and turned to Sakura, who was still healing her arm. "Sakura, my left hand is fine now."

Sakura dropped her arm and sat there panting, when Shi came over and had her own hand glowing on some of Sakura's wounds.

"Shi, what are you doing? I'm fine."

Shi just gave her a closed-eye grin and continued, earning a sigh from Sakura. Once Shi had finished, they both stood.

"There's no time to waste. Can you move now, Chiyo?" Sakura said.

Chiyo nodded and stood as well, tucking the antidote away. "Let's go, Sakura, Shi."

Sakura slipped her glove back on. "Okay.

"Osu." Shi replied with a yawn.

It was then though, that Sasori began removing his cloak, revealing something surprising.

"Since the trouble I had getting into the Akatsuki… I wonder when it was…"

"What…What is—"

"Since he separated from me, he has not aged. He is just like long ago. That is why."

Standing before them, Sasori stood, a puppet with blades coming out of his back and a long cord with a spike on the end rolled up in his abdomen.

Shi tilted her head to the side. "I thought it was odd he still smelled like a puppet."

Sakura's eyebrow twitched. "And you didn't think about telling us?!"

Shi gave her a look. "I didn't think it was important."

Sasori, tired of waiting, had two pipes come out of his palms and proceeded to try and burn the three of them, only for them to hide behind rocks and continue arguing.

"It's important when we could've died!"

"But we didn't."

Chiyo sweat dropped. "Is now really the time to be arguing?"

The fire soon stopped, but they didn't expect Sasori to launch his spike cord into Sakura's side, alerting Shi, who spotted him heading right towards Chiyo.

"Shi!" Sakura shouted, and Shi nodded.

As Sakura began pulling the cord, Shi gathered up her chakra, a grey cloak overtaking her from as her canines grew larger and a deep growl came from her throat. Smoke covered where she was at and as soon as Sakura pulled Sasori towards them, a huge grey beast jumped over her and grabbed Sasori in its jaws, snapping it to pieces. Shi shook her large head, tossing Sasori behind them and gave Sakura a grin.

"Haha, we did it… Chiyo, we did it!"

"Sakura, Shi… you…"

A clicking sound came from behind them and Shi immediately grabbed Sakura in her mouth, jumping back to where Chiyo was and putting her down as Sasori put himself back together. Chiyo too, called her arm back and pulled out a scroll.

"This is a jutsu I forbade myself… I thought I'd never use it again, but it seems that wasn't to be."

She rolled out the scroll and ten puppets appeared around her, but Sasori wasn't too impressed.

"They say that the strength of a puppeteer is measured by the amount of puppets they use."

"So many… amazing." Sakura murmured.

"Chiyo's great technique, 'finger by finger'. I've heard rumors of it. It's a mechanism that is said to have taken down an entire castle. Shiro Higi: Jikki Chikamatsu no Shuu. The very first user of Kugutsu no jutsu, Enzaemon's ten masterpieces." A scroll popped out of his back and he threw it up, opening his chest cavity. "That is a considerable amount of puppets, but…"

Suddenly, hundreds of black cloaked puppets came out of his scroll.

"With this, I took down a country." He then dropped his head into a hand. "How'll I explain this… How long it took me to take down a little girl, a mutt, and an old hag… that I even had to take out my last trick. Aka Higi: Hyakki no Souen. I will show you this power."

"Sakura." Chiyo said. "The antidote has already worn off you… do not do anything."

Sakura looked back, but smiled. "You already know, don't you? My character?"

"Indeed. You got your personality from Tsunade too. But this will be the final act. Are you prepared?"

"Yes."

"Still here." Shi chimed in, giving them a look, to which they chuckled.

"Of course. Couldn't forget you, you brat." Chiyo chimed in and Shi rolled her eyes, facing forward.

"Sakura, let me know when the poison starts working. I'll help you out."

Sakura gave a small smile. "Alright Shi… and thanks."

"They're coming!" Chiyo announced and all Sasori's puppets attacked.

As puppet after puppet was taken down, Chiyo was cut in the side, but she brushed off the pain as Shi moved closer to her to attack incoming enemies. Shi wasn't exactly in the best of shape either, being so large, she was easier to hit and had already taken numerous hits, but the number she was taking down counter-balanced that.

"Sakura, go for Sasori. I will handle the rest."

"Okay!"

"Use that!"

One of the puppets spit out a ball and Sakura threw it and it turned into a large head, grabbing Sasori in its jaws and pinning him to the wall.

"We did it." Sakura panted.

"You cannot move… it is over, Sasori. That sealing jutsu completely suppresses all chakra. You can't even use a chakra thread." Chiyo said, before falling to her knees.

"Chiyo! Hurry, take the antidote!"

Suddenly, a puppet began moving and Shi and Sakura quickly hurried over to keep it from piercing Chiyo. Unfortunately though, before Shi could get there, a group of puppets rose up, spearing her underbelly the same instant Sasori's sword stabbed through Sakura.

"Sakura!" Shi shouted, blood dripping from her muzzle as she ripped puppets off of her and stumbling made her way over.

"Hurry… Take the antidote… Chiyo." Sakura said, surprising them all.

"Oh-ho. Worrying about others even with an injury like this? What a girl." Sasori said, pushing the sword deeper and pulling it out a bit as well. "It seems the poison is having its effect. This blade is also of course, a poisoned blade."

"Sakura!" Shi shouted once more, when Chiyo reached over, stabbing the antidote into Sakura's leg.

Sasori went to pull back, but Sakura held fast to his sword, holding him in place.

"Not so fast."

Chiyo started to move and in that instant, Sasori pulled his elbow joint out to reveal another sword, but before he could attack anyone, Shi grabbed him by his ankles in her mouth and Chiyo used that opportunity to have her puppets stab him in the chest in the only part he could bleed. Seeing this, Shi growled before dropping him onto a rock where a seal was in place.

"Now you cannot move… I am certain…" Chiyo said. "It doesn't matter whether you have a puppet body… A part of you real body is still needed to control chakra. That's your weak point. And… from that skinned body of yours, just the left part of your chest was left intact… A puppet body, after all, is just a regular puppet… Your real body is that chest part that uses chakra."

Sakura collapsed then and Shi changed back, cringing and falling to her knees as she approached Sakura. Chiyo as well went over and began healing her, pulling out the sword.

"It's pointless. I hit a vital spot." Sasori said. "Even without poison, she'll be dead soon enough. There's too much blood loss. Since you're a medical ninja too, I aimed for somewhere that can't be treated easily."

"Sakura…" Shi breathed out, a glowing hand on her stomach where her own wounds were.

"Hm… I have already stopped medical treatment. What I am doing now is not medical ninjutsu. I am giving my own life energy. A tensei ninjutsu."

"Granny Chiyo…"

"In the beginning, it was for you." Chiyo told Sasori. "I alone spent many years working out this jutsu for you. With this jutsu, I can give even life to a puppet… in exchange for using up the user's life… but now it is already a dream that cannot be realized."

Shi came over to Chiyo and held out a hand, covered in blood. "Can my blood help? I am immune so…"

Chiyo gave her a look and nodded, placing a glowing green hand on hers. "I need to make it less potent, but it should at least lessen the poison's effects."

"For you too, granny Chiyo."

Shi gave her a small grin, allowing Chiyo to siphon off her blood and give it to Sakura and herself, but she had been losing blood at a fast rate already and was soon forced to stop as she grew paler and her breathing grew more ragged.

"Pathetic." Sasori said, causing Shi to turn to him and growl lowly. "When did you start getting senile, grandma?"

Sakura shook and was able to sit up on her elbows, causing Shi to sigh quietly in relief.

"Sakura, are you alright?"

"Yes…"

"Hm? That's odd." Sasori said, drawing attention to him once more. "From that tensei ninjutsu, doesn't the jutsu user die from giving up their life to a dead person?"

"Sakura received a fatal wound, but she didn't die. So I… also came to this level."

"Well, that's a pity."

Sakura suddenly got up and punched Sasori across the face.

"Give it up. This body feels no pain. If all you do is hit me, your fist is all that will hurt." He said. "Women like to do useless things, don't they, kuku. Even connected by blood tied as we are, I won't feel a thing if grandma here dies. My heart… is just like my body. Of all the hundreds and thousands I've killed so far. She's just another one of them. It's that simple."

Shi then got up and punched him, teeth grit even as her knuckles bled from the hit.

"What do you think a human life is?!" She shouted. "Do you know what living is like?! What do you think blood ties are?! Just something you can throw away?!"

"Hey, are those the words of a shinobi?"

Shi growled angrily, grabbing his cloak and getting in his face. "If you didn't care for those things, then why make puppets of your mother and father, you bastard."

"That's enough, Shi. What made him this way is the terrible customs and teachings of the sand." Chiyo said, and Shi reluctantly backed off.

"Want to try becoming like this too? If you do, then you'll probably get what I'm saying. An undecaying body… A puppet body can be rebuilt over and over, unfettered by a mortal lifespan. I can just make as many people as I want out of puppets if I want them. I don't just add for the sake of numbers. Collections are about quality."

"What the hell are you…" Sakura asked, glaring.

"If I must say, maybe a person who couldn't become a puppet. I am a puppet, but an incomplete puppet with the 'core' of my real body. Not human… not puppet… I won't be able to move for much longer. Before that, I'll do something pointless for you. A… reward for defeating me."

The group gave him odd looks, questioning his suspicious actions.

"You wanted to know about Orochimaru, didn't you? Go to the Tenchi bridge in the Grass village, at noon, ten days from now."

"You…" Shi said, eyes narrowed. "That experiment was yours, wasn't it."

Sasori smirked slightly. "I have a spy in Orochimaru's subordinates. I am supposed to meet with him there."

Sasori fell then, along with the other puppets and Sakura gave her a small smile.

"You did it, Chiyo… Incredible…"

"No. The one who really should have been defeated… was me… Sasori saw our last attack…but… somehow, he couldn't avoid it. It gave him a small opening…"

"Then…"

Chiyo didn't answer Sakura, just gave a small smile, before grunting, doubling over slightly.

"Chiyo!"

"Granny Chiyo!"

Shi came over and helped her up, picking her up and placing her on her back with a wince.

"Quickly, let's go back to the village!" Sakura said. "I'll make a new antidote right away—"

"No."

"But why?! We've done what we had to do! If we don't get back and make an antidote—"

"More importantly… there is still… something I must… do."

"Shi, can you bring us to the others?" Chiyo asked and I nodded, adjusting her on my back before heading outside and taking a big sniff of air.

I turned to Sakura then. "Follow me."

It took a while, Kakashi and them having gotten out of range of even the radios, but we eventually caught up and landed on the ground with a soft 'thump."

"Finally caught up." Sakura said as I let Chiyo off my back.

"You found this place well." Kakashi commented, eyeing me and my stomach, where my wounds had reopened and started bleeding again. "Though it seems Shi got herself into trouble again."

I rolled my eyes. "And you didn't?"

He chuckled slightly, and I frowned as I noticed how exhausted he looked. And his sharingan is out too. Seems Deidara was a tough one. I sighed and pulled back out my scarf, wrapping it around my neck and soaking in the comfort it always provided me.

"Sakura, Shi… the three of you did it."

"Yes." Chiyo said. "More importantly, what of Gaara?"

Naruto's gaze went to a couple of clones who held Gaara and Chiyo nodded.

"Alright."

It was then though, that I picked up a few scents and turned my head towards where not only Deidara was at, but Team Guy as well. The group began fighting, but when Deidara reached his fallen clay bird, my eyes widened.

"Watch it, you guys! He does long-range explosives!"

I spotted Deidara eating some of the clay and when I saw him puffing up like a balloon, I knew what was about to happen. We won't get away in time… Neji figured out what was about to happen and I began pumping chakra into my system just as team Guy met up with everyone. Come on, come on! I transformed, gathering everyone up in front of me and having laced my body with water before I changed, covered everyone as the explosion went off. I felt the fire licking at my fur, the water preventing most of it from actually burning, though not all of it, and once the explosion finished, I stood up once more and changed back, immediately collapsing as my energy ran out and my legs could hold me up no longer.

"Shi!"

Naruto hurried over and kept me from hitting the ground, and I panted, hissing at the pain on my back where I had been badly burned; that portion of my shirt having been scorched off as well.

"Are you alright, Shi?" Naruto asked, but I gave him a thumbs up.

"I'm alright, but is everyone safe?"

I glanced around and relaxed a bit, just as the two Naruto clones carrying Gaara landed with worried looks. Naruto took Gaara from the clones, Guy helped Kakashi, Sakura helped Chiyo, and Lee helped me, and we all headed out to a field not far from here to see what we could do about Gaara. Kakashi and I were set down, Gaara laid on the grass not far from us and Sakura checked him over with a sorrowful look.

"Sakura…"

Sakura shook her head, announcing it to us all. Gaara was dead and there was nothing we could do. Tears slipped down Naruto's face as he shook, hands clenched at his sides.

"Why… was Gaara… always Gaara… To die like this… He's the Kazekage… He didn't just become Kazekage…"

"Relax, Naruto Uzumaki." Chiyo said.

"Shut up!" Naruto shouted, rounding on her. "If you shinobi of the sand hadn't put a monster in Gaara, then nothing like this would've happened! Did any of you even try to ask Gaara how he felt?! What is this jinchuriki anyway?! You just arrogantly made up that word to call them!"

Naruto began to sob as I too felt tears run down my face, every word he said cutting into my core. If they hadn't done this… If Orochimaru hadn't done this to me… No one ever asked me… I was forced… tortured with experiments… and this beast… I might as well be a jinchuriki… I didn't want this thing in me. I didn't want to be used as a weapon for Konoha. Hell, I still question why I'm here sometimes… and Gaara… he's so similar to me, it's almost scary. I felt a hand on mine and fisted my hand in the grass, knowing that it was Kakashi's.

"I couldn't save Sasuke… and I couldn't save Gaara…" Naruto cried. "For three years… I trained desperately, but nothing's changed since three years ago, has it…"

Suddenly, Chiyo stood up and walked over to Gaara, catching everyone's attention as she placed her hands on him.

"Chiyo… that jutsu is—"

My eyes widened as I realized what she was doing. She's going to give up her life to save him… this is what she meant by saying there was still something she had to do. As Chiyo was doing this, I noticed that the glowing around her hands fluctuated and stood up, stumbling my way over and standing next to Naruto as we both said the same thing.

"Please use our chakra."

"Old lady, can you do that?" Naruto asked, kneeling down as I did as well.

"Please, Granny Chiyo." I begged. Please let me help him.

"Put your hands on top of mine."

Naruto and I did so, and Chiyo began to speak.

"I am glad that someone like you two appeared in this world of shinobi that we old people created. In the past, everything I did was mistaken, but at the very end, it seems I am able to do the right thing. Sand… and Konoha… Their futures are differing from our past… What Kakashi said, Naruto, your mysterious power. That power may change the future. Become a Hokage unlike any before… And Sakura, do not risk your life for an old hag next time. Save that which is important to you. You are a lot like me. There are not many women with chivalrous spirits matching those of men. You may become a kunoichi surpassing your own master. And you, you brat."

I winced, looking at Chiyo cautiously, but she just gave me a soft smile.

"You shouldn't be so willing to lose your life protecting others. Don't forget those who you would end up leaving behind. They care for you too and all that pain you've been put through… put it to good use. Try living for once in your life."

"Granny Chiyo…"

"And stop calling me that." She said with a frown. "I'm still young, you know."

I let out a short chuckle, giving her a small smile as I lowered my head, more tears threatening to fall because I knew what she was doing. She was dying.

"Naruto, Shi, a request from an old hag. You two are the only ones who can know Gaara's pain. Gaara also knows your pain. Help Gaara out."

Naruto and I closed our eyes and I felt as though I was suddenly somewhere else, surrounded by those people who cared for me and who I cared for. But someone was missing and the little Naruto next to me tugged my pants leg and pointed behind us. The two of us hurried and ran, before finding another little boy with red hair curled up on the ground crying. Naruto went over and grabbed his shoulder and I knelt beside him as well, pulling down my scarf and giving him a small soft grin.

"Gaara…" Naruto said, our eyes open now and the real Gaara sitting up before us, surrounded by the shinobi of Sunagakure. "Everyone came running to save you."

"Aren't you lucky?" I said, pulling back up my scarf as I sat on my backside, too tired to crouch any longer.

"Hey, you put us through a lot…" Naruto said, Kankuro coming up with a nod.

"For sure. You're a little brother I always have to worry about, eh?"

I gave him a deadpan look. "Says the guy I had to save."

"Oi! I would've been fine!"

I raised a brow and he grew angrier with me, going to shout something, but Temari came over and interrupted.

"Hey, don't go getting all complacent! Gaara's still the Kazekage, so don't be so cheeky! You underlings!"

Naruto joined the two of us in sweatdropping and Temari pushed him aside, getting close to Gaara.

"Gaara, how are you feeling?"

Gaara tried to stand, but he didn't quite have enough energy for that yet.

"You shouldn't be in such a hurry to move. Your body's not back to full health yet."

I heard a bunch of women behind us getting all excited about Gaara and leaned over just in time to dodge them as they hurried forward to surround Gaara.

"Yeah, I guess I'm still just a genin." Naruto grumbled.

"Don't feel bad. Women are always weak at the knees for the elite cool types." Kankuro said, trying to comfort Naruto.

"Well, I remember Shikamaru saying something like that too. What about you, Shi? Aren't you still a chunin?"

I shook my head. "I got promoted. Jiraiya recommended it."

"Eh?! That jerk asked for you to get promoted but not me?!"

"Seems so." I shrugged, forcing myself to stand and managing to make it to where Kakashi was, before collapsing on the grass once more.

He was nice enough to let me lean against him (and by nice I mean he put an arm around my shoulder and forced me to with a smirk) and I struggled to stay conscious as exhaustion, blood loss, chakra loss, and my lack of rest caught up to me. I could still hear that people were talking, but I couldn't make out the words anymore and as much as my back was radiating a burning pain, it was far too easy to ignore it and before long, I had slipped away, into that inky darkness that I was so familiar with now.

The day came where we were supposed to leave and, as much as I was against it, I had Shoji out and Kakashi was sitting in front of me thanks to his chakra exhaustion and my own injuries. If he smirks at me any more, I'm going to push him off. I thought, eyebrow twitching slightly as we walked, having said goodbye to Gaara.

"Oh? What's with that grumpy face, Shi?" Kakashi asked, and I frowned.

"That's it." I said, letting go of Shoji's reins and shoving Kakashi off him, and into the sand below while I glared at him from atop Shoji, saddle and reins disappearing with a poof of smoke as I grabbed a hold of his mane. "You're annoying."

Kakashi sweat dropped, reaching up a hand from his place in the sand. "S-Shi—"

"Hyah!" I shouted, putting Shoji into a gallop to get ahead of the group before slowing down, the others talking quietly behind me as Guy picked Kakashi up.

"Wow, Shi's in a bad mood, huh?"

"No kidding. I wonder what Kakashi-sensei did to piss her off."

Shoji turned his head to them and they went quiet, him letting out a snort and turning back. It wasn't long though, when I heard Tenten complain about Guy and Kakashi walking too slow in the back.

"Both of you senseis are so slow!"

"Eh, sorry, Guy. Because I used the sharingan, my body won't move and I made Shi angry so I doubt she'll let me back on her horse anytime soon."

"You bet." I called out from the front, earning sweatdrops from everyone listening.

"Right!" Guy suddenly shouted, and I turned back to find guy with Kakashi on his back and his backpack on his front.

That's just… wrong. I thought, earning a sweatdrop of my own before turning around and ignoring them.

"This way, I'll be faster! Ahahaha! Think any of you can keep up with me?!" He shouted, speeding off ahead.

I rolled my eyes and glanced back when I heard Lee.

"Neji…"

He too had put his pack onto his front and was bent over trying to get Neji to climb on his back.

"Absolutely not!"

I smirked a bit at them and shook my head, patting Shoji's neck and leaning over to whisper into his ear.

"Wanna have some fun?"

"What kind of fun?" He asked, curious.

"I'll give you five apples and five carrots if you race Guy and Kakashi and win."

Shoji smirked, tossing his head. "You underestimate me, Shi."

I smirked and gave the others behind us a wave. "Later~"

"Huh?" They all said as Shoji reared up and we dashed off to race Guy, who was more than up for the challenge.

Needless to say, Shoji and I won, leaving Guy so thoroughly exhausted that I had to call out a second horse (a work horse named Renji) to carry them both back to the village, thoroughly embarrassing them both. And who's to say I didn't get anything out of this?