-Kimi-

I kept my eyes on Shukaku as I raced towards him. I saw a flash of blonde and looked up to see Naruto sailing through the air straight towards Gaara.

"What the hell is he thinking?"

I wondered aloud to myself before kicking off and hurrying towards them. I was shocked that he managed to get so close to him, but what made me stop and stare at them in complete shock was when Naruto head butted Gaara. I'm not really sure what happened after that, all I know is that Naruto got knocked to the ground quite forcefully by Shukaku's clawed hand and then disappeared and Gaara fell towards the ground. I tried to get to him, but I was too far away. I closed my eyes not wanting to see him collide with the earth. After a while I opened my eyes to see him on the ground and the dirt beneath him was softened by sand. I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked at the two people on the ground and saw they were okay. It was then that I noticed Naruto was crawling towards Gaara inch by inch using only his chin to move.

"You're not alone in this. I know it's painful, but there are other ways to feel alive other than killing. There are friends and family that make it all easier, they help you realize you're not as alone as you think. I know it hurts, but we can make it better."

He said to Gaara as he inched closer. I saw the pained look in Gaara's eyes and saw he was still confused. I jumped down and landed next to Naruto.

"That's enough."

I said and he looked at me confused.

"But-"

He started, but I cut him off.

"It's fine Naruto, you've done enough. Rest."

I said and he nodded before laying his head down and closing his eyes. I walked over to Gaara who was looking at me. I saw his eyes look me up and down and saw the pained look in his eyes increase when he saw how beat up I was. It wasn't really from him so much as from the flying debris in the forest.

"He's right you know Gaara, there are people out there that can make it better."

I said as I walked closer to him and stopped infront of him. He looked up at me with confusion and hurt in his teal colored eyes.

"No there's not. No one cares. Even you didn't care."

He said and looked away from me. I sighed and knelt down so I could look at him easily.

"That's not true Gaara. Naruto cares, your brother and sister care. I care."

I said and his eyes flashed to me for a second before moving away again.

"No you don't. What reason would you have for caring?"

He asked and I growled and grabbed his chin to make him look at me.

"I've told you before haven't I?"

I asked and he looked at me confused.

"I care about those I hold dear and will risk everything to keep them safe."

I said and he glared at me.

"What does that have to do with me?"

He asked and I smiled softly at him.

"Because, I care about you Gaara. I hold very few things close to my heart, and you're one of them."

I said before leaning forward and pressing my lips to the kanji on his forehead. I pulled back and smiled at him before getting to my feet and looking at the bushes behind him.

"Make sure you take good care of him."

I said before walking over to a now unconscious Naruto and pulling him to his feet. I threw his arm over my shoulder and took off back towards Konoha.

-Kankuro-

"How did she know we were here?"

I asked as Temari and I stepped out of the brush and over to Gaara.

"I don't know."

She said as we picked Gaara up and held up between the two of us.

"Are you okay Gaara?"

Temari asked and I noticed that he had a far away look on his face. I turned and looked at where Kimiko and Naruto had gone and couldn't help but feel grateful towards them. They had managed to get Gaara back even after Shukaku had taken control.

'That girl is truly remarkable.'

I thought as I helped Temari get Gaara back to Suna.

Once we'd put Gaara in a hospital room we reported back for our next mission.

"You three are to go back and finish the Chuunin Exams, Gaara is to fight against Sasuke and kill him. You two's fights don't matter, all that matters is Gaara's fight with Sasuke. Go back as soon as he can get back on his feet."

The ANBU said and we both nodded before leaving and heading to see if Gaara was ok.

"Why do we do what they say again?"

I asked Temari as we walked down the halls.

"Because our father is still Kazekage. Until that changes we have to do what they say."

Temari said and I sighed as we reached the room where we'd left Gaara to rest. We pushed open the door and we stopped when we saw Gaara sitting up on the cot we'd laid him down on with a hand pressed to the kanji on his forehead. That faraway look was still in his eyes.

"Gaara?"

Temari asked and his head shot up to us, but he didn't glare at us. Instead, it seemed like he was actually looking at us for the first time.

-Gaara-

I couldn't understand it. When Kimiko had said what she did it made my heart skip a beat, then when she leaned forward and kissed my scar I felt happy for a split moment. The whole time while Temari and Kankuro were taking me back to Suna I couldn't help but feel warmth from where she'd kissed me.

'Why do I feel like this?'

I wondered as I reached up and touched where her lips had been.

'That girl is different than I had thought.'

Shukaku said and I actually didn't mind the fact that he'd chosen to surface at that moment. I was too lost to care.

'How so?'

I asked and saw him smile within my mind.

'We had been under the impression she was like everyone else when she had turned on us, but she just proved she's not. She actually…..cares.'

Shukaku said and that simple word made my heart beat slightly faster.

'What's wrong with me? Why am I acting like this? Why am I so confused?'

I asked completely lost.

'You'll just have to figure that out yourself.'

He said before going back into his cage.

"Gaara?"

I heard Temari say and looked up to see her and Kankuro standing in the doorway. I looked at them for the first time and noticed that what Kimiko said seemed to be true. I could clearly see the look of worry on both Temari and Kankuro's faces.

"Are you alright?"

She asked as she and Kankuro walked into the room.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

I said as I got to my feet.

"Good. We need to go back and finish the Chuunin Exams."

Kankuro said and I inwardly sighed. I knew that they wouldn't end the mission there.

"Alright, let's get going."

I said as I headed towards the door and I heard both of them follow. The closer I got to Konoha the more I felt anxious for some reason. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling that I'd know once I got there.