-Fayre-

It's been two months since Raja and Shukaku brought me back. After everyone woke up from their shock they bombarded me with questions. Raja said I could tell Gaara and his siblings the truth, but no one else. So needless to say I told a lot of lies that day. Gaara had managed to clear up the whole funeral that was planned for me with he help of Naruto who had somehow managed to become Hokage after Tsunade's death. Turns out that Pein attacked Konoha after my run in with them. I told Gaara about the child we'd lost and he grieved, but after a while life returned to normal in Suna. Except for the past few weeks I've been really tired and really hungry and there was no reason for it. I just shrugged it off and blamed it on the fact that I had died.

"Where you going Fay?"

Temari asked and I blinked out of my thoughts as I reached the door.

"Oh, just out."

I said trying to get to the door before Gaara came downstairs.

"You're going out to train again aren't you?"

She asked and I froze.

"Don't worry, I'll cover for you."

She said and I smiled at her before leaving and quickly running for my secluded area of the city where I trained. I ducked down an alley and looked both ways before pushing a plank of wood from the fence out of the way and slipping into the little space behind it. I had found it completely by accident. I saw a cat and chased it until it disappeared through the fence. Since then I've been using this place to train so I'd be ready when I next faced Pein. This time, he was going to be the one who died.

I had just finished my training session when I heard someone speak.

"Training again?"

The familiar voice of Kiyomi asked from behind me and I turned to see her jump down from the rooftops and land beside me.

"Hey Kiyomi."

I said as sheathed my katana.

"Hehe, you caught me."

I said as I walked over towards the exit with her following. We slipped through and walked down the streets together.

"It's still hard to believe you're alive. I mean-"

She said and I cut her off with a look.

"Sorry, but I'm just happy you're back."

She said and I smiled at her.

"I'm glad to be back. So, how are things with you and Kanky?"

I asked and she blushed a bright red.

"Fine."

She said and I laughed as we reached the house.

"Whatever."

I said and she stuck her tongue out at me and I did the same as I made my way to the kitchen. I made me some food and sat down at the table to eat, but stopped when I saw Temari, Kankuro, and Kiyomi looking at me wide eyed.

"What?"

I asked with my sandwich halfway to my mouth.

"Are you really going to eat all that?"

Kankuro asked and I looked down at the BLT sandwich in my hand, the loaded baked potato, the salad, and the bag of sour cream and onion chips all laid out on the table infront of me.

"What? I'm hungry."

I defended as I bit into my sandwich. They all laughed at me before going about their own business. I finished my food and made my way silently upstairs. I locked my door and pulled the scrolls and maps out from under my bed. I had been keeping tabs on Pein and the remaining Akatsuki members and knew where they were hiding out, the only thing was I didn't want to go after them by myself, but I knew Gaara wouldn't want me anywhere near them. I sighed as I looked them over one last time before sliding them back under my bed and stuffing them beneath the floorboard so no one would find them by accident.

'I need to talk to them about it. If I wait much longer then I'll lose them.'

I thought to myself as I made my way back downstairs. I found Temari, Kankuro, and Kiyomi all sitting on the couch in the living room watching some movie and I sighed to myself.

'It's now or never, I'll deal with Gaara later.'

I thought as I walked into the room and cut the T.V off.

"Hey! We were watching that!"

Kankuro yelled but stopped when he saw the look on my face.

"What is it?"

Temari asked and I sighed again as I sat on the arm of the chair facing the couch they were all sitting on.

"Don't flip out, but I want to go after Pein."

I said and their eyes widened in shock, but Temari was the first to speak.

"Are you sure? I mean considering what happened last time."

She said and I looked at her.

"I know, but that's exactly why I want to go after him in the first place. I don't' want him to be able to ever do that to anyone else. And I have the power to make it so he can't. So my question for you guys is this. Are you willing to help me, or am I going to have to go on my own?"

I asked seriously and watched as Temari and Kankuro looked at each other before nodding.

"We'll help you. There's no way in hell we're going to let you go up against that bastard alone."

Kankuro said and I smiled at him.

"I'm coming too. You gave me a chance when no one else would."

Kiyomi said and I smiled at her.

"Thanks guys."

I said and they smiled at me.

"There's just one problem."

Temari said and I looked at her confused.

"Gaara."

She said and I sighed to myself. I knew that, but what could I do about it? He wasn't going to like the idea and I just knew we were going to have a fight about it whenever he got home and I told him. Luckily though, he wasn't due back til late.

"What about Gaara?"

A familiar deep voice asked and we all looked towards the doorway to see Gaara leaning against the doorjam with his arms crossed over his chest and an unhappy look in his teal colored eyes. They settled on me and I had trouble swallowing.

"Gaara, I need to-"

I started, but he cut me off.

"Upstairs."

He said and by the tone of his voice I guess he already heard what Temari, Kankuro, Kiyomi and I had been talking about and he wasn't too happy about it.

I followed him upstairs to his room and silently shut the door after me. I looked at the floor until he said something. I had expected him to yell at me so I was surprised when he spoke so softly.

"When were you going to tell me?"

He asked and I looked up at his face to see hurt in his eyes and I instantly felt bad for not telling him first.

"Because I know you don't want me to go."

I said and his eyes never left mine.

"You're right. I don't want you to go."

He said and I sighed as I pushed away from the door.

"Gaara, I have to go. I can't let him live while I know I have the power to kill him."

I said and he glared at me.

"What makes you suddenly think you have the power to kill him?"

He asked, his voice rising slightly.

"Did you forget everything I told you when I came back? Shukaku and Raja gave me the power before sending me back!"

I yelled at him and he growled.

"I still don't want you to go. Let Kankuro, Temari, Kiyomi and I go instead. We'll take care of it and you can stay here."

He said and I glared at him.

"No. I'm going to kill that bastard myself."

I said and he sighed before walking up to me. I expected a repeat of our last fight, but was surprised when his arms gently wrapped around my waist and one of his hands came up to cup my cheek.

"I don't want to lose you again Fayre."

He said softly as he looked me in the eyes. I could see all the pain and anguish he felt when he'd thought he'd lost me and I sighed as I wrapped my arms around him in return.

"Gaara, you're not going to lose me again."

I said and he was going to argue, but I cut him off.

"I swear to you Gaara, he isn't going to kill me again."

I said and he looked at me skeptically for a minute before finally closing his eyes and sighing. He leaned his forehead against my shoulder and I kissed his temple.

"I promise Gaara, nothing will happen to me this time."

I said and he just tightened his hold around me as if hoping to never have to let me go. I tightened my hold around him and held him close. I knew he didn't like the idea of me facing off against Pein, but at least he was willing to let me do this.

'Don't worry Gaara, I don't plan on dying again any time soon.'