*Tsukiko*

I stood at the front of the crowd, admiring the beautiful decorations and flowers. I looked closely at the flowers, pink lillies and white roses. A perfect combination of colours, although, I'm not sure about the flowers themselves. Each petal had an intricate design, making them all unique, exactly like Yukiko.

"Tsukiko, it's time." I heard Gaara whisper in my ear, I looked up to him and smiled a weary smile. Today was a day for remembering, for thinking of those we love. I walked forward, slowly at first, then increasing the pace to get to the memorial stone quicker.

I bowed before the stone and placed my flower on it. A beautiful white carnation, which looked superb as well as meant something. "Innocence and pure love." I whispered toward the stone tablet In front of me. "We all know it's true." I closed my eyes, saying a silent prayer, before walking back to the crowd to cry on Gaara's shoulder. Today I'm feeling better, but not one hundred per cent.

Gaara pulled me closer to him and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I grabbed his plain, black shirt and began to sob. It's not everyday you go to your friends funeral, even though we do live in a world of fighting and war.

I kept opening my eyes to see when this funeral would end. One by one, people walked up to the stone. They laid all sorts of flowers down for my best friend. Finally, it came round to Sasori's turn. He slowly walked up to her place of rest and kneeled in front of it. He placed a beautiful red tulip upon the stone tile and hung his head.

"Gaara-sama?" I whispered through the tears, "can we leave? Let Sasori have some time alone?" This would be the best course of action, as he was closer to her than all of us. It's funny how people's lives are intertwined.

Gaara nodded his head and started to walk off. Everyone looked at him, he looked back to them and stared for a moment. "It's over, everyone can go now." He solemnly said, before turning and continuing to walk. I was still hanging onto him, like a baby to its blanket.

The whole walk was a blur, before I knew it, I was at the Kazekage's mansion. 'I'll need to go visit her privately.' I thought as I wiped the last of the tears from my face. I took the seat beside Gaara and leant my arms on his desk.

"Tsukiko-dono, shall we go home and rest?" He asked, I was stunned. Too stunned to do anything, I just stared at him. "Well?" He asked, letting me think for a moment before I gave an answer.

"Yes, please." I replied after a few moments of silence. He smiled at me, the biggest and brightest smile I have ever seen.

Gaara and I had been dating for about a month now. He helped me through the tough times, especially while they were figuring out the cause of death. It came back as poison. The poison had shut Yukiko's body down slowly, allowing her to die in pain. Gaara has also been at Sasori's side, helping him get ingredients which he needed. He knew the blade was poisoned, he had applied it himself. The only thing is: He didn't have a damn cure for it. So, he locked himself away, trying to make cures for everyone of his poisons, just in case.

I stopped thinking about the events that had occurred and turned to Gaara, he looked so relieved for once. He walked into the room with a smile on his face. "Are you alright?" I asked as he grabbed my hand gently and pulled me up. He planted a small kiss on my forehead.

"Yes, Temari is taking charge." He said softly to me. He walked towards the door, me following behind, still holding his hand.

We walked through the village at a slow pace, taking every beautiful thing in. It wasn't too long before we had reached our destination. Gaara put the key into the lock and opened the door, his face perked up a bit more. 'Relief from being home?' I questioned myself, as I walked through the small door and headed straight for the living room sofa. I sat down on the amazingly soft fabric and grabbed a cushion to cuddle. I held it close to my chest for a while, as Gaara walked through and brought with him a cup of tea.

"Thank you." I practically purred at him. I put the mug to my lips and took a sip. "Hot, hot, hot!" I shouted, as I jumped back and almost spilled the tea over myself.

Gaara burst out laughing, it was the first time I've ever heard him laugh. The sound was like an angel singing, to my ears. I looked at him, wondering why he's never laughed before. He stopped laughing and grabbed my mug to put on the table. My cheeks went bright red, at being caught staring.

He sat down next to me and leaned closer. He slowly kissed my lips, just a simple peck, leaving me wanting more. I shuffled closer to him and smashed my lips against his, enjoying the feel of it. His lips were manly but soft to the touch. I licked his lips, demanding entry. His mouth opened, letting my tongue explore it. His hand cupped my cheek lightly, whilst the other hand stroked my back. It was glorious, a feeling of bliss. Our tongues danced to a rhythm, only we knew.

He laid down, pulling me on top of him. Never once breaking the kiss. I pulled my hands up from the awkward position they were in and rest them on his jaw bone.

I pulled away, wondering what was poking me. I sat up and looked down. "Okey, so is it me? Or are you happy to see me?" I asked in a devilish tone. I winked at him and in turn he blushed, his face going completely scarlet. "Should we find somewhere more comfortable?" I asked, as I started to pull my legs over his and stand up. He nodded, not wanting to speak. I grabbed his hand, effectively pulling him up, then marched us both to the cosy bedroom.

Once we were there, I sat down on the edge of the bed. I felt a little embarrassed at first, then Gaara walked over to me and started to kiss me again. He pushed me backwards and climbed on top of me. He was straddling my body. I looked at him, a cute smile playing at my lips, completely innocent. I lift my hands up until they reached his face, before pulling him down for a kiss once again.

Our mouths touched just enough to send a heat through my face. I started to relax and enjoy what was happening.

KNOCK KNOCK

Gaara pulled away from the kiss and rolled his eyes. I let a small giggle pass my lips, before stroking his amazing face.

He sat up and began to climb off of me, ready to kill any intruder. Then he left the room.

I laid there for awhile, listening to the noises around me. I put my fingers to my lips. 'Did that really just happen?' I thought to myself, remembering the feel of the kiss. Instantly, my cheeks flushed. I pulled my hand away and slowly got up off of the bed, to see what was happening.

"Tsukiko-dono, we have guests." Called Gaara from the other room. I rolled my eyes, as my hand reached out for the door handle.

I walked through the apartment and into the sitting room, there sat three strange looking Konoha shinobi. One had red stripes on his face, another had really blonde hair, and the last had jet black hair and jet black eyes.

I looked at them and smiled. I then walked over and took a place on the sofa. I grabbed my tea from the table, thanking Kami that it was still warm. I quickly gulped it down, leaving only a dribble at the bottom of the cup.

"So, Tsukiko." Gaara mentioned, pausing before he continued. "This is Naruto, Kiba and Itachi." I nodded at my wonderful man. I turned to look at the three again, noticing that each one was smiling at me.

"So, to what do we owe this visit?" I asked shyly. I don't know why I was so shy, I'm not normally. I was ready to say something else when the blonde answered.

"HI!" He practically shouted, I cringed at his loud voice. Then I heard a snicker come from the brunette. I glared at him. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" He finished.

"Itachi, why don't you finish?" The brunette asked the raven haired boy.

I turned to said boy and waited for an answer. He nod his head, then proceeded. "I'm Itachi and we are here to deliver important information on the Akatsuki." My face looked as if it had been hit by a stick. 'Is it me, or do I not know what the Akatsuki is?' I asked myself. I looked to Gaara for confirmation, he just nodded his head, indicating me to keep listening.

"So far, we know that it is made up of five members. They are all trying to capture the tailed beasts." Itachi stated, "We know that they need at least five more members. They used a decoy to try to get sasori back. They want me, plus they are looking for a few other people." I looked at the three boys, finally understanding what the Akatsuki was. I nodded for them to continue.

"We know the people they are looking for, not personally but by name." The brunette, Kiba, replied. "Kisame, Hidan, Zetsu, Itachi and Sasori." He listed the names of the people who they wanted.

I nodded my head, "So, what do we do?" I asked, wondering why they are telling us.

"The girl you saved at the summit is meeting up with Kisame. They are meeting in Takigakure." Gaara, who was not shocked at all, mentioned.

That's when it clicked. "So you want me to find her and inform them?" I asked, slightly sarcastically. All three nodded their heads. "Okey! I will do it, but who are the Jinchuuriki?" I asked again, I knew Gaara was one of them, and from what I had heard, so was Naruto.

Naruto was the first to pipe up at that moment. "Me, Gaara, Fu, Bee, Yugito, Rin, Roshi, Han and Utakata." I nodded again, I began to walk off to the bedroom to get ready.

I grabbed my gear and began to shove it on. I started with my fishnet top, and finished with my belt. The outfit, looked typically from Suna.

I strolled back into the main room, to face the guys again. "So, where do I start?" I asked a smile appearing on my lips.

"Tsuki-dono, wait." Gaara mentioned with a straight face. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.

"Well, someone's got to find that girl." I said, my face turning sour. "So why not start now?" I finished.

"It's too dangerous." He replied, "we need a plan first." I listened to him and rolled my eyes, since when do I ever have a plan? I know medical jutsu and I know how to fight with genjutsu, so why do I need a plan now? I sat down on the little table and placed my hand on my forehead.

"I've never had a plan before." I mentioned, a hint of confusion in my voice. I thought back to the last major mission. Well, it wasn't a mission but something personal.

It was back when Gaara had just become the Kazekage of Suna. He had been kidnapped by Sasori and a blonde chick/dude. I'm not really sure which gender it was, I think it was a little confused. Admittedly, I was knocked out on the mission but I survived and Gaara was returned unharmed.

"Tsukiko, I understand you're in a hurry, but these people, the Akatsuki, are dangerous." Itachi mentioned, pulling me from my thoughts. I really didn't appreciate that.

"So, let's start planning then." I smiled. Everyone started to look around waiting for someone to say something.

"Here's the plan." Itachi stated pulling a scroll from his pouch and laying it across the table. We all looked down at it and gasped. 'Isn't this a bit much?' I asked myself as I continued to stare at the paper in front of me.