Chapter 3: To the Sand

"Are you off on a mission now, Naruto?" Jiraiya said as we approached the gate with Tsunade, who sought to see us off.

"That's right!" said Naruto.

"Oh, more importantly." Jiraiya turned to the Hokage. "Tsunade, I've got some information for you."

"Are you sure you're up for this Katsumi?" Kakashi asked me.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," I said. "I've gotten over the initial shock."

"Everything will be alright," Kiku said, brushing against my leg. "We'll all get through this together."

"Oh, come on Naruto," said Jiraiya. "Come here for a second."

I held in a sigh. "I just wished I could have warned Gaara somehow. I knew he was a target. Maybe if I-"

"This was not your fault," Kakashi said firmly. "You cannot think that way. You did the best you could with the options available to you. We cannot change the past, but we can create a better future by rescuing Gaara."

I smiled slightly. "Right."

"Kakashi, keep an eye on Naruto and make sure he doesn't do anything too reckless," said Jiraiya. "I'm counting on you. Okay?"

"Okay," said Kakashi.

"Kakashi Sensei, Katsumi, Sakura, let's get a move on!" Naruto shouted, already halfway down the path and waving at the rest of us.

"H-Hey, wait up!" Sakura said, jogging after him.

I smirked and rolled my eyes. "Typical."

"We're off," Kakashi said.

"Hang on, Gaara!" Naruto called out.

"Don't run so far ahead!" I said.

"Like that's going to work," said Kiku. She ran beside me as I moved to catch up to my friend.

"Gaara, we're coming!" Naruto shouted after we had been running for awhile. He had really gotten ahead now. It was hard for even me to keep up.

"Naruto!" Sakura said. "I know you're in a hurry, but don't disrupt the unit!"

Naruto looked back at her, distress on his face. "But, but!"

"Don't lose your cool," said Kakashi. "Master Jiraiya told you not to, remember?" Still, Naruto did not stop.

"For crying out loud," Sakura said. Suddenly, she slowed down. "Temari!"

I followed her gaze to see Temari several yards away, running in the same direction. We immediately convened on the same tree branch. "Hey, guys," she said. "Are you headed out on a mission?"

"Yes," said Kakashi. "We are going to the Sand."

At Temari's shocked look, I said, "It's terrible, Temari. Gaara has been kidnapped by the Akatsuki!"

Temari gasped. "Gaara's been what?"

"We just received word ourselves," said Kakashi, "and we were sent to help."

A troubled look crossed Temari's face. "I was having a bad feeling. It'll take about two and a half days to get to the Sand from here. Let's hurry."

"Right."

For awhile, we all proceeded at the same pace. Eventually, Naruto broke off again and raced ahead. "I told you earlier not to disrupt the unit," Sakura scolded him. "I don't like it!"

"Even I know why they're after people like Gaara and me," Naruto said after slowing down. "You know it already, don't you, Sakura?" She looked at him, confused. "That I've got the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit sealed inside me." Sakura appeared to understand while Temari looked stunned. "Gaara and I both have monsters inside us. That's what they're after! That's what I don't like. They only see us as monsters. I don't like their selfish way of viewing us! A monster, huh? If that's the case, then we're the same.

"That's right. I was born a monster. Everything about us was the same, and he fought all by himself a lot more than me. To them, I'm now an artifact of a past they want to erase. Then why should I exist, and what should I live for? I thought about it but couldn't find an answer. But I need that reason while I'm alive. If not, it's the same as dying. The Akatsuki was after him! It's just like me this time, too. And yet, why does he always have to be the one to get the short end of the stick? It's always him! That's why I can't be wasting any time getting to him! This time, I want to save him right away!" I noticed tears slide down his face while he talked, and my heart went out to him with compassion.

"We will save him," I said, "together."

Naruto wiped his eyes. "You always knew, didn't you, Katsumi? You saw the connection before I did. You were always trying to help together. You're right. This time, we'll do it together."

"Katsumi, did you know about Naruto this whole time?" Temari asked.

"I found out the same time he did," I admitted.

"Then is that why-"

"Yeah. That's why I was so concerned with Gaara from the start. I sensed two distinct chakras in him just like Naruto and guessed the reason for it. I had seen Naruto suffer and didn't want Gaara to go through that as well."

Temari dipped her head. "Thank you."

"The Akatsuki are after people like Naruto and Gaara?" Sakura said.

"Yeah," I said. "The tailed beasts."

"Is that why Itachi attacked you that one time, Naruto?"

"That's right," said Naruto.

"They all have a specific target," I explained. "Naruto is Itachi's." And from what I suspected of Itachi, that was probably the best situation I could hope for.

"And Itachi is the person Sasuke wants to kill..." Sakura said softly.

I glanced at her and saw a troubled expression on her face. "Yes, that's right. And that's no good either. Revenge won't help him heal from his path. It will only lead him further into darkness. So... I've got to stop them both from getting what they want." And then I would save them both.

Sakura's look grew determined. "And I will help you, Katsumi. I will also protect those I care about."

I gave her a small smile. "Good."

We continued moving at a quick pace. Naruto stayed with us for the most part. At night, we took turns keeping watch. Temari volunteered to take the first shift. I waited until everyone else had fallen asleep before sitting up.

"Katsumi," Temari said, "why aren't you sleeping?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something," I said quietly.

"What about?"

I pulled my legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. "Well... You know I care about Gaara, right?"

"Of course. You were the first person to care about him. I would never doubt that."

I took a deep breath. "The truth is... One of the guys who kidnapped Gaara... I got to know him well when I was with the Akatsuki, and we became close. Really close." I looked up at Temari and saw the surprise on her face. "I know what he did was horrible, but I still care about him. I can't help but be concerned for him. I do have permission to speak with him first and try to convince him to join our side. I just - I don't know if this is a normal reaction. Revenge seems the common response to something like this. I'm not really angry at Deidara, and I don't hate him. I just want to help him... even though Gaara is my friend too. Is that wrong?"

Temari's expression changed to one of sympathy. "Of course it's not wrong to not hate someone. I think what you said about revenge earlier is correct. It doesn't solve anything. If you can neutralize this guy without fighting, that seems like a win to me. And there's no reason to feel guilty for caring about him. You cared about Gaara when everyone else saw him as a monster, and this is no different. You are being consistent, and that is good. Gaara would tell you the same thing. He likes you because you see the best in people. He wouldn't be mad at you, trust me."

I smiled slightly. "Thanks, Temari. That does make me feel better."

Temari smiled. "Good. Now get some sleep. You'll need the rest."

"Alright. Good night." With that off my mind, I was finally able to drift off.

Another day passed by without too much trouble. We were all anxious to reach out destination, but we had to make sure to not wear ourselves out. We could not help Gaara if we were exhausted. I took the first shift that night. Kiku stayed up with me, saying we needed to talk.

"Have you figured out what approach you're going to take with Deidara?" asked the cat.

I nodded. "I have been thinking about it and have a general approach. He will be easier to deal with than any of the Uchiha boys. With them, I do not even know where to begin."

Kiku swished her tail. "True. Deidara is simpler. So, let's hear it."

"Well, Deidara escapes the world and the consequences of his actions by living purely in the moment. I know he cares about me. If I can show him how much he has hurt me, he will be confronted with the truth and have to make a decision. I can't let him hide anymore."

"That makes sense to me. However... realize that, if you do this, you will be taking away his coping mechanism. How do you think he will survive without it? He won't be able to last long choosing evil like Obito or playing a role like Itachi. With his impulsive personality, we may very well end up getting himself killed by going to higher and higher extremes to feel something."

I sucked in a sharp breath. "I know, but that is a risk I have to take. If I do nothing, he will just be headed to a slow death. Is that any kinder? I have to give him a chance at a better life. I have to show him there's a better way. I need to help him choose good. Then he will be able to fall safely. If I provide him with an alternative, he won't be left with nothing."

Kiku rubbed against my leg before settling down beside me. "I know you can do it."

"I hope you're right." I glanced at Naruto, who slept nearby. I was probably Deidara's only chance at escaping his current life. I touched the clay phoenix around my neck and drew in his chakra, which comforted me. If needed, could I save him alone?

The next day, we had stop because of a sand storm. Naruto anxiously paced back and forth. "Here we're so close to the Village Hidden in the Sand," he said. "I can't just sit around waiting!"

"Naruto, I told you not to lose your patience," Sakura scolded him.

"But!"

"Be patient. Right now, Temari is the one who's the most anxious." Sakura nodded at Temari.

"The ironclad rule is to stay put right there if you encounter a sandstorm," Temari said softly, looking out at the sand with a hard expression. "You lose your sense of direction in a sandstorm. We often hear of people dying of dehydration after getting lost in the desert. It'll be okay. A sandstorm around this time of year shouldn't last too long."

"We'll get there soon enough," I said.

Naruto sighed and finally sat down. "Please let up soon."

Eventually, the storm did let up, and we raced to the Sand Village. There were Sand ninja to meet us, surprised we had made it with the sand storm. They told us grave news: Kankuro had been attacked and was in the hospital.

"They got Kankuro, too?" Temari said in surprise.

"Yes," said the Sand ninja. "Lord Kazekage was taken, and Kankuro followed in pursuit. Kankuro was poisoned by the enemy, and we don't know how to neutralize it."

"That was pretty brave," I said. Kankuro turned out to be a good brother after all. He immediately headed for the hospital and the treatment room that contained Kankuro. Temari and Sakura were able to get there, but the rest of us were block by an angry, old woman.

"You jerk!" she shouted at Kakashi.

"Huh?" Kakashi said in confusion.

"Prepare yourself!" And then she attacked Kakashi!

"Why you-!" Naruto growled. "What do you mean by suddenly pouncing on Kakashi Sensei like that? You wrinkly old hag! Come on, Katsumi."

"Right," I said. I took up a fighting stance beside him to defend Kakashi. Naruto used a shadow clone while I used my lightning shields. Still, the woman managed to get past us.

"This old hag is good."

"I'll never forget what you did back then!" the woman said to Kakashi. "White Fang of the Leaf, I shall avenge my son's death by defeating you today!"

"Er, no, you see I'm-" Kakashi started.

"No questions or answers!" The woman started toward him again.

"Big Sister, take a good look at him!" said an old man watching the fight. "He resembles him closely, but this one is not the White Fang!"

The woman stopped and looked at him. "Huh?" Then she glanced at Kakashi.

"Uh, hello," said Kakashi.

"Moreover, the White Fang of the Leaf died long ago," said the man. "Remember? When you got word of it, you cried tears of regret, since you could not avenge your son. Isn't that so, Sis?"

The woman flashed a smile. "Gotcha, I was only pretending to have gone senile."

I rolled my eyes. "An apology would be nice."

Kakashi placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's alright. No harm done."

"Kankuro!" Temari cried.

"Let me have a look," Sakura said, moving closer to Kankuro.

"Please do," said a Sand ninja.

"Kakashi Sensei and the rest of you, please stand back a bit."

"Got it," said Kakashi.

I hesitated at the door. "It's poison, right?"

Sakura glanced at me. "That's right."

"Then you might want to know it was Sasori who did it." Everyone in the room looked at me in shock. "He's from this village, right?" I frowned. "I guess the news hasn't reached you yet." I had told Tsunade, of course. She promised she would alert the Sand Village.

"Thank you, Katsumi. I will keep that in mind."

I followed the other bystanders outside the room and found chairs lined up in the hallway. I sat between Kakashi and the old woman. Kiku lay at my feet. "How do you know Sasori?" the woman asked.

I hesitated and glanced at Kakashi. When I saw no sign I should hide the info, I said, "He's part of the Akatsuki. They held me captive for awhile, and I got to know him for a bit. I know his partner a lot better though."

The woman appeared surprised. "You escaped?"

"No, it was a complicated situation. Everything is fine now."

The woman was silent for a long time. Then she said, "My name is Chiyo. I am Sasori's grandmother."

Now it was my turn to be surprised. The woman looked straight ahead, so I decided not to press her for more information at the time. "I'm Katsumi." She nodded but said nothing else.

"Say, Kakashi Sensei," said Naruto.

"Huh?" said Kakashi.

"What sort of person was that White Fang of the Leaf that this old lady here was talking about?"

"Well, that's hard to say." Kakashi rubbed his chin. "Hmm... Let's see... Well, in a word, he was my father."

"Hey, you there," said Chiyo. "Are you the son of the White Fang?"

"Yes."

"But of course. So, that's why you look so much like him."

Kiku looked between the two of them thoughtfully. "Interesting." I had to agree. Kakashi had never told me anything about his father. I was curious, but now was not the time to ask. Not a minute later, we were allowed to enter the examination room again.

"I directly extracted the toxin," Sakura explained. "With this, his life should no longer be in danger."

"Way to go, Sakura!" Naruto said with a grin.

"But we still can't rest easy. I will now concoct an antidote for the traces of toxin that remain in his body."

"Got it," said a Sand ninja. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Good work," I said to Sakura. I gazed at Kankuro in relief. That was one friend who was saved. Now we just had to find Gaara.