(A/N: I know it's been awhile since I updated this fiction but its because as usual a lot of shit has been going on in my life. Eh, well its almost over and I'm gonna go off to college in September. So I can now get back to the story.  hope you enjoy it.)

Chapter 23: Missing

"It has been some time….Itachi" a cloaked figure said as he emerged from the shadows. The figure of Itachi stood with his back to the figure, bored and uncaring as usual "Indeed….Sasori…" he said in his monotone. Sasori crept slowly foreward his massive tail hanging behind him, and his odd mask peaking out from his heavy Akatsuki cloak. "I trust you failed in capturing both Jinchurriki (A/N: Those with demons inside of him, IE Gaara and Naruto)" He chuckled. Itachi rolled his eyes slightly "It was simply not the right time….that is all." He said briskly as he started to walk off "but if you feel you can do a better job…" he stopped in place and looked casually over his shoulder "feel free to take a shot at it." And he walked off, his footsteps echoing down the hollow halls of Akatsuki HQ. Sasori smirked "I think I will, Itachi….I think I will…" he walked off as well in the opposite direction.

---Later in Sunagakure---

In a sand sculpted castle, a bitter man sat on his throne, surrounded by puppets. Lifeless machines he used to do his dirty work. In a sense he treated everyone like a puppet, he was the man who loved to control and destroy…his name…was Kankuro. He had met no one with his specific interests and had no reason to develop social skills as a child because of his little brother Sabaku no Gaara. Gaara…you were a monster…and because of your crimes…I had no friends…his eyes slanted in anger I will never forgive you for that. He thought as he glowered out at his faithful subjects. He clenched his fist as he stood up Time to train…he thought as he closed his eyes and drew upon his chakra, molding it into thin lines connecting to five puppets, they stood at attention. He concentrated and connected to ten, small beads of sweat glistening as they rolled down his face. Come on…how am I supposed to control this army of puppets if I cant even control twenty? He asked himself as he tried once more to extend his chakra out into twenty puppets. The blue lines stretched and stretched, his concentration slipping, finally they reached the puppets, who slowly stood. Kankuro opened his eyes and smiled evilly "TWENTY!!" he yelled as his cry of success echoed up through the spires of his sand castle. He released them gasping for breath, retracting the chakra lines back into his body.

A slow polite clapping was heard as a particular Akatsuki robe peeked out of the darkness, his face hidden in shadow except for his eyes. "well done….young puppeteer." The Akatsuki member said. Kankuro growled lowly hating to be called young "And who are you?" he asked slightly wary why did my border patrol puppets not warn me that he was coming? How did he get in here unaided? He thought to himself. "you're damn good if you can get through my puppets….who are you?" he asked. Sasori laughed "you call though puppets? Those were mere toys!" he laughed again, his entire body chuckling. Kankuro growled "I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT THESE TOYS CAN DO!!" he yelled as he flung his hand forward and lowered a summoning scroll to the ground, in a poof of smoke Karasu(A/N: Karasu is the first puppet Kankuro is seen using during the show, the four handed one.) appeared. Sasori lifted an eyebrow as he saw the puppet charge clacking loudly all four hands extended. He laughed as all four attack spikes imbedded in Karasu hit him square in the chest "now what?" Sasori asked as he tore away his Akatsuki cloak revealing that Karasu had hit Hiruko (A/N: Hiruko is the scorpion puppet that Sasori resides in most of the time.). Kankuro's eyes widened in surprise Another puppeteer? He asked himself. Hiruko then smashed Karasu with its giant tail sweeping it aside and charging Kankuro himself. Kankuro was paralyzed with fear, immobilized. Hiruko struck with its poisoned tail landing square in Kankuro's chest, in a poof of smoke Kankuro was not there, only Kuroari(A/N: The defense puppet that Kankuro uses, can also combine with Karasu as seen in the series). Hiruko smirked, if that was possible for a puppet, "you know Kankuro…you're really outmatched here….I MADE those puppets you're using…." He laughed evilly. Kankuro listened from up in a corner controlling his puppets from there This is getting seriously out of hand…I may be out matched here… he tightened his fist and shook his head NO! I WILL NOT BE BESTED! He thought as he steeled his mind for the battle. He brought Karasu and Kuroari to surround Hiruko and Sasori. "You may be a puppet master too, but I will not be bested so easily…" Karasu said with Kankuro's voice. The two puppets charged Sasori, Karasu extending its arms to attack while Kuroari opened its chest, spitting out string which ensnared Hiruko. Karasu wrapped around Hiruko and started flying toward Kuroari's chest, then it released Hiruko into Kuroari's chest. The chest snapped shut, all its locks clicking into place. I have you now…Kankuro thought as Karasu snapped apart and sank its weapons into the sockets of Kuroari "Kurohigi Kiki Nihatsu"(A/N: Black Secret Technique Machine Two Shot) Kankuro said smugly. He sank down from the upper spire of the chamber where he had been hiding. "I hoped you liked playing with my toys…" Kankuro said laughing as he turned away from the puppets and started to walk down to his throne. Suddenly a groaning noise filled the chamber and Kankuro turned slowly around to see his puppets locks groaning to stay hinged. "This can't be…" Kankuro stuttered. The puppet busted completely open sending puppet fragments everywhere. When the dust cleared, there sat Hiruko "Is that all you've got?" he asked darkly "and you call yourself a puppet master…" the scorpion tail swung through the air and with a sickening noise pierced Kankuro through the chest. His scream echoed through the caverns "You adored your toys so much, I think I'll be generous….even in death you will still commune with them…I will make you…a Hitokugutsu" (A/N: A human puppet) Kankuro's eyes lolled back into his skull as he breathed his last "It seems…I've lost….the game…" Kankuro said as he died with a confident smirk on his face. Sasori growled and with a whip of his tail removed the corpse from his tail "Now…what to do with all these puppets….." he laughed evilly as he surveyed the army, his laughes echoing inside the castle. His laughter and Kankuro's screams mixed in the castle and leaked out into the desert night air filling the desert with the eerie melody.

---Meanwhile in Kazekage's Palace---

Gaara stared out at the stars his sea green sleepless eyes En'Ioko…he thought sadly. You…I can't describe you… and as if by magic the kitsune appeared by his side "Nice night Gaara-kun." She said softly in his ear. Gaara blinked impassively not showing his surprise "Yeah…its one of the perks of being an insomniac." He said softly "you get to look at the stars." He trailed off getting lost in his own thought. En'Ioko sighed He doesn't deserve what's coming to him…I had thought…he really was a monster…but…he's proved to be nothing like that…I…I am sorry Gaara-kun…she thought as she at him sadly. Her eyes wandered over his black t-shirt and ripped blue jeans, his chains that hung low from his jeans seemed to mirror his enslavement to Shukaku. You really do deserve better… she thought as she slowly walked away steeling herself for what she had to do that evening.

As En'Ioko walked away Gaara watched her leave I hate to see you go…his eyes wandered down her lithe form but I love watching you leave…he allowed himself a lustful thought and a smirk to play across his face. I really do feel around you…and…its not so bad…he thought softly to himself. He took a deep breath of cool night air, allowing it to clear his mind.

Sasuke and Naruto walked slowly toward Gaara, flanking him on both sides "hey" Naruto said cheerfully. "hn" Sasuke greeted Gaara in his usual manner. Gaara's sand swirled a little around him and produced a pack of cigarettes, it popped open the top and took out three. Sasuke and Naruto took one each from the sand as the sand lifted the final one to Gaara's mouth "Sasuke, got a light?" Gaara mumbled. Sasuke nodded as the sand took all three from their owners and held them out about ten feet away from them "go ahead, Sasuke!" Naruto said waiting for the lighter to come out. Instead Sasuke smirked and his hands made a flurry of hand signs "Katon: Gyukaru no jutsu!" he said as he produced a thin line of flame that ignited the cigarettes. Gaara blinked and handed out the smokes to them again. Naruto growled "SASUKE! WHAT A SHOW OFF!! GRRR!!" he yelled as he took the cigarette and took a drag on it. Sasuke chuckled and smoked for awhile. Gaara just stood there puffing every now and then, the three stood there somehow sharing the same sense of dread "its coming" Gaara said softly. Naruto nodded and said "I can feel it…" Sasuke nodded as well "Its…going to be bad…I just wish we knew what it was." He said blowing out a long plume of smoke. "I wish we could go back to smoking and drinking on our roof in Konoha….locking Naruto in the trunk…strapping him to the roof…" Sasuke said softly. Gaara nodded "it seems so far away now though….as if we're totally different people….". Naruto growled "am I the ONLY ONE who DOESN'T MISS THE OLD DAYS?!?" he yelled. Sasuke smirked "at least Naruto is still the same." All three shinobi shared a grin and a hearty laugh, at least trying to relax before the giant fight descended on them all. Gaara extended his fist forward towards Sasuke and Naruto "no matter what happens….we three watch each other's backs….". Naruto nodded and stuck his fist in towards Gaara's "yeah, all for one and one for all." Sasuke nodded grimly "till death and after…" all three looked at each other in the eyes "brothers till the end. We are The Fox, The Demon and The Avenger." They all knew in their hearts, even if they didn't act like it sometimes……..they were friends till the end….no matter if they went through hell and back…they'd make it through together.

In the girls dorms, Kismet sat in her black lace bra and black thong reading Nietzsche "When you look into the Abyss, the Abyss looks into you." She read aloud. That's so true…I love this guy…she chewed on her pencil and thought Applies a lot to Gaara too…maybe the reason he's pushed me away is because he sees into me…and I've been acting like he doesn't…she sighed boys are so complicated…she paused and then smirked at least the worthwhile ones are. She laughed and looked out to see Gaara smoking with Naruto and Sasuke He doesn't realize it yet…but he's not alone anymore…He's found where he belongs….with us.

Sasuke and Naruto took one last look at Gaara before stamping out their cigarettes and walking off. Sasuke looked back towards the palace Gaara…you are like me…and I won't forget this time I have with you and Naruto…my only friends…He sighed and walked off. Naruto looked ahead You have become one of my important people Gaara…and I will fight to protect you…I promise. Then Gaara was alone, standing in the dark looking at the full moon and stars.

A black inky shadow leapt up the side of the building one ledge at a time, doing flips and handsprings agilely until the feminine form landed right in front of Gaara. "Hey there handsome" she whispered. Gaara calmed himself Only one girl could get me this excited…The figure stepped into the moon light revealing her feminine form clad in only a dark purple bed sheet wrapped toga style around her Kismet…he thought. She smirked and walked toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck "miss me?" she asked. Gaara nodded "yeah." He said as he pulled her in close and kissed her softly. Kismet responded in turn not by her usual turning up the heat method but by keeping it soft and sweet. "I…I need to talk…" Kismet said softly burying her head into his chest. Gaara looked down at her puzzled "ok…" he said warily.

Kismet's eyes burned "everyone looks at me like I'm a slut, like I don't have feelings…but you know me…you know that…I…I.." she let tears start to slide down her cheeks "I love you…." She whispered. Gaara let the impact of her words hit him. Love?...what?…how?…why? he thought as his hands seemed to instinctually wrap around her, holding her. Kismet snuggled into his chest more "I…I know I'm very physical…but that's only because…I know…I know…" he sighed "that I can't deny you…anything." She said softly as she looked up at him, eyes moist and lips quivering. Gaara looked into her eyes and for once, his eyes softened and he leaned down and kissed her softly. Kismet leaned up into the kiss, enjoying how it seemed to last forever, how it felt…to be accepted. The kiss ended and Gaara said "Thank you…for…saying that." He sight and let go of her, walking off to stare at the moon "but I cannot love…I…am…" he looked down at his feet. "a monster…" she said softly as the sand cackled in his mind. Kismet wiped her eyes and was confident again, "So you're worried about hurting me? Or about falling in love because you're afraid that you would get rejected for being a monster?" she asked slowly walking towards him seductively "because as for the hurt….sometimes I like it.." she smirked "and lucky for you…." She came up behind him and licked his ear, whispering "I LIKE monsters…"

(A/N: Sorry for lack of lemon here, it wasn't finished on time b/c of a certain person who couldn't be bothered to focus for a few hours. So don't blame me.)

Gaara woke up groggily with the sun rising over the Sunagukure landscape. His eyes watched the light hues of red and orange play across the sands and clouds. He let a small smile appear on his face, then it disappeared like the precious colors of the sunrise. He looked over next to him and realized Kismet was still there, cuddled up in his arms smiling contentedly. He looked down at her and ran his hand through her soft red hair "Kismet…" he seemed to say the name in an attempt at tenderness, failing though. Kismet moaned and covered her head with the covers.

Gaara smirked and almost laughed as he rose out of bed and headed to the shower smelling thoroughly of sex. He turned on the water and fidgeted with himself until he was sure the water was warm enough. He climbed in the shower feeling the warm water splashing on him, cleansing him of his morning yuckiness. He poured in his hand some body wash, lathered it over his toned and now tanned skin. His red hair had grown long and shaggy now Time for a trip to the royal barber…he thought as he shampooed his hair. He got out of the shower and wrapped his lower portion of himself in a towel. He went to his drawers and picked out a pair of blood red boxers and put them on. He pulled out a pair of tattered black jeans and put new chains on them, putting the pants on as well. Then he grabbed a dark green t-shirt and put it on. Finally he ran his hands through his red shaggy hair a couple of times to get it at least in the vague style he wanted it. He looked himself over in the mirror and nodded to himself as his sand gathered around him forming his classic gourd on his back "there…all set." He said as he walked out of his room letting Kismet sleep.

He arrived in the giant common room of their little section of the Palace, also there he saw Kara, Neji, Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto, Ino, and Hinata. Kara was wearing a camo t-shirt with loose jeans and a wrist band. Neji was wearing his white shirt with classic blue jeans and a simple chain around his neck. Sakura was wearing a cute pink shirt with a blue jean skirt. Sasuke was wearing his black t-shirt, blue jeans, and silver chains down his jeans. Naruto was wearing his usual orange jumpsuit. Ino was wearing a blue tube top with a really short brown skirt. Finally Hinata was wearing a plain blue shirt with plain blue jeans. "morning Gaara" they all said except for Sasuke who just said "hn". Gaara nodded "morning" he said lowly as he sat down in a plushy red leather chair. "So what we gonna do today?" Naruto asked excited. Gaara shrugged bored "whatever, I guess" But I feel that today...is different…like I won't be seeing everyone here again…he thought as he looked over everyone once more. Finally Kara spoke up "you okay Gaara?" she asked worriedly. Gaara snapped out of it "yeah…" he said shaking his head to clear it. A knock sounded at the door and Gaara opened it with his sand, the door swung open revealing En'Ioko panting for breath "GAARA!! KANKURO'S HERE! HE'S BROUGHT HIS ARMY!! ITS HUGE!!! WE NEED YOU ALL NOW!" she screamed. Gaara nodded and he rose from the chair and looked everyone in the eyes "Let's do this…this is my home…I must protect it." You are my family…I must protect you all. He thought but didn't say. Kismet rose groggily and stumbled out the door in her tight leather battle gear. The rest filed out ready for battle, not looking too happy about it though.

The sight that greeted the team of shinobi was not at all what they were thinking it would be…and it shocked them all into full awareness. An army of ninja's from all different villages and all different ages…..including the Third Kazekage. At the front was Kankuro, chakra strings extending from all of his fingers and toes controlling……..the people. Sakura blinked and then realized something horrible….something…sick…she promptly threw up all over the ground. Everyone turned to her and was concerned "What's wrong?" Sasuke asked holding her from behind. Sakura finally recovered and said "The ninja's….they…they're puppets…human…puppets." She said gagging. Neji's Byakugan activated and he was horrified "she…she's right…all of them….used to be human…but now…are puppets." Gaara remained impassive "Kankuro…I always knew you were sick…but this…this is…unforgivable." He said to Kankuro. Neji stopped him from going on "Gaara….Kankuro…is a puppet too." Gaara was hit like a ton of bricks oh…my brother…how…who…oh no…he clenched his fists slowly you were supposed to be mine to kill…he thought as his sand whipped around him. He growled and turned to face the Jounin "TODAY WE ARE FACED WITH EXTINCTION! WILL YOU STAND AS THE MEN YOU ARE AND FIGHT WITH ME? OR WILL YOU COWER IN FRIGHT?" his voice boomed as sand gathered behind him in a massive tidal wave "THIS IS SUNAGAKURE! AND THE VERY SAND ITSELF BECKONS FOR US TO FIGHT! LET US SHOW THEM THE TERROR OF THE HIDDEN VILLAGE OF SAND!!" he roared as the sand shot up into the sky and rained down upon all the puppets and men alike, cracking into the puppets like projectiles but harmlessly splashing against the Jounin. "TO BATTLE!!" Gaara roared as a massive wave of sand carried him to the front of the battle. The ninja rallied behind him charging "FOR KAZEKAGE! FOR GAARA!!" they shouted as they leapt into battle against the puppets.

A solitary Akatsuki cloaked figure stood in the very back of the battle, his hands making a flurry of hand signs "it is time….Sabaku no Gaara…" his hands continued making signs "Aka Higi: Hyakki no Sōen" He said gravely (A/N: Red Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets) The puppets sprang to life fighting the Jounin, using ninja techniques as well as throwing shiruken. Gaara rode the wave of sand covering one third of the army "Sabaku Taisō" (A/N: Desert Imperial Funeral) He said as he placed his hands on the sand which compacted all the sand under enormous pressure, breaking all the puppets underneath. The second wave of puppets flung several hundred shiruken at Gaara, his sand moving into position automatically blocking them as the Jounin that had been under, slowly were brought to the surface unharmed, they rushed forward towards the puppets throwing shiruken with exploding tags on them. Kara rushed forward using her shadow attacks and super strength to destroy puppets one at a time. Neji's byakugan fully active helped him see the chakra strings as he used Juken to cut them leaving the puppets limp and harmless. Naruto and Sasuke teamed up with Rasengan and Chidori respectively taking many puppets down at once. Hinata tried to copy her brother's movements with marginal success. Ino and Sakura ran around the battle field healing wounded Jounin. Kismet took out her katana's and charged them with her kyuubi fire and started going to work on the puppets carving them into pieces or disabling them.

En'Ioko watched around them I didn't think they'd even get through the first wave…this is….impressive. I underestimated them…well perhaps I can make Kankuro's job easier…she thought as she ran up to where Gaara was on the front lines, she stopped right infront of him and hugged him, slipping a dagger out of her sleeve "En'Ioko what are you doing?" Gaara asked puzzled as he hugged her back "this is just in case I don't get to say…." She shoved the dagger into Gaara's back too fast for his sand to react "goodbye" she said in his ear as fire surged from her hands into the dagger and she twisted it twice. Gaara's eyes widened in surprise and pain as he fell forward onto her. En'Ioko tossed him off of her to the sand and sprinted away with tears in her eyes I'm so sorry Gaara…but I had to do it…Kankuro is my master…and he wanted you dead…she thought as she ran off the battle field and back to the sand castle. Gaara watched her flee Did she just…stab me…in the back? Am I bleeding? Is this my blood? He blinked impassively feeling rage, anger, betrayal and hurt echo up from his soul, breaking through the impassive bonds that he kept himself under all the time. He was angry…but dying. I have no energy…its not supposed to end like this…its not…supposed…to end…he sighed and closed his eyes falling into a deep dark sleep. A billowing yellow chakra flowed out from his dan tien circulating through his chakra system, healing the back wound, sand crawling all over him, building building buiding until he stood twenty stories high. Shukaku let out a giant screech as he looked down at the puppet army and laughed as he shot out two balls of concentrated air "Fūton: Renkūdan" he said evilly. (A/N: Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet) puppets scattered everywhere broken and battered. Sasuke and Naruto looked up at Shukaku "oh no…" they said at the same time. The Fourth Kazekage watched the battle from the palace "Shukaku arises once more to protect Sunagakure…Gaara…" he said softly as he watched intently.

Sasori growled "I didn't plan on him releasing the demon…why would he do that? He hates releasing shukaku…its…its not feasible…" he thought as he ran toward Shukaku. There must be a way to stop him…If only I had a bigger puppet…he thought sadly It looks like this is over for me unless I can take down Shukaku…He made a hand sign and a the puppets started to concentrate their attacks on Shukaku. The giant raccoon-dog snarled and started picking puppets up and eating them. Sasori smirked "Exploding puppet technique" as his hands made a flurry of hand signs. A rumbling was heard from inside of Shukaku's stomace as it growled and rumbled. Shukaku roared in pain as part of the sand that made up his stomach exploded outward and he collapsed onto the sand floor, melting away roaring. Kismet heard the roar and continued fighting, trying to get to Gaara. Hinata couldn't navigate in the battle, too much noise, too much anger, too much chaos…she sat down in the middle of the battle and cried. Kara stuck near Neji trying to protect him at all costs. Sasuke and Naruto stuck together fighting as a team, one complimenting the other perfectly. Sakura and Ino continued healing, not knowing what was happening.

Off in the distance, on a sandy dune, a solitary figure watched the battle as the giant monster fell down to, dust meeting dust. She let a single tear fall out of her eyes "Goodbye Gaara-kun…" she said softly as she turned her back and walked out into the horizon…alone. "Gaara…I may not have loved you…but…you are human…and I hope you realize that sooner or later…and I hope you're happy…goodbye…" she said to the empty wind. And with that En'Ioko vanished into the dust and light, never to be seen again.

Gaara was awake, he could feel his wounds healed, and he could feel energized….as if…Shukaku had come out. He panicked and tried to move, but found it hard, he could feel the sand melting away from him, his shell melting into the desert from whence it came. He pulled his head up gasping for air, he sucked in a lung full of dry sweet desert air, and the dull noise of battle beset his ears once more. He growled as he picked himself up, his chakra almost depleted and before his eyes he saw man who bore a striking resemblance to himself standing over him "So Sabaku no Gaara…you survived…" and with a clacking sound he grabbed him up from the ground, the sand intercepting his hand and throwing him back into the sand. Gaara smirked and used his chakra to bury the interloper in sand "Sabaku Kyu!" the sand tightened around the red haired man. "Sabaku Soso!" he said as he clenched his fist, the sand imploding upon itself with a sickening crunching noise. Gaara panted as he stood on his own. The sand shifted as the man rose like a puppet and with a clacking noise he stood upright, a scorpion tail behind him "fool…that won't kill me…" he said softly as he struck with his fists and tail, Gaara's sand blocking all of them with a little effort "I'll kill you…you've killed all my puppets…" Sasori said deathly serious. Gaara couldn't move, his ankles pinned down by a puppet at his feet who had jumped back to life. He growled and watched as Sasori's tail dripped poison for the final attack. Gaara's mind rushed as his hands made the instinctive movements for his last defense "Saikō Zettai Bōgyo: Shukaku no Tatte" (A/N: Last Absolute Defense: Shield of Shukaku) he said in his monotone as a giant life size replica of shukaku appeared infront of him "this is made of the deserts strongest minerals….you won't be able to pierce this." Gaara said as the poisoned tail dug repeatedly into the shukaku, as Sasori's ankles were pinned in place by sand. Sasori growled until he could no longer sustain the puppet and Gaara moved back several feet, concentrating hard as he dissipated the Shukaku replica and gritted his teeth as he made the hand symbols for his next attack "This is it….my last shot…" Gaara sputtered as he tried to hold his eyes open "Saikō Zettai Hōgeki, Shukaku no Hōkō" (A/N: Ultimate Absolute Attack: Shukaku's Halberd) he said as he held out his hand and a giant spear materialized from sand in his hand, its blade shaped like Shukaku's paw. Sasori stood there in terror "you…you can't pierce my armor!" he said as he shielded his heart with his hands and five puppets rushed over to guard him. Gaara leaned foreward and threw the spear with deadly accuracy towards Sasori's heart, one by one the puppets put themselves in its way and one by one they shattered. Finally it entered into the Hiruko's armor and with a splintering sound it shattered through it and pierced the heart beneath it, killing Sasori. Sasori gurgled for a moment then dropped down dead, still clutching his puppet strings. Gaara fell to his knees in the sand drained of all his chakra and tired. Gaara fell down further biting the dust and passing out as the puppets around them stopped moving without their master to control them.

Sasuke and Naruto fell down poisoned from the puppets hits on them, and breathed a sigh of relief as the puppets died all around them. They laid down on the sand, closed their eyes…and prepared for death. Sakura and Ino hurried taking Sasuke and Naruto to the hospital, Kara taking Neji. Neither Kismet nor Gaara was seen. Kismet limped seeing the battle was over back to base, suddenly she tripped over something. She fell forward hitting the sand hard and let out an "oomph!". She got up and saw Sabaku no Gaara on the ground. She gasped and put her ear to his mouth "shallow breathing…white skin…." She looked him over, seeing a puncture wound in his back "poisoned…" she said as she grabbed him and flung him over her shoulder "got to get him some help…" she winced at the pain that sent shooting up her feet from the extra weight, but she winced and bore it "I have to save him….he saved me…" she said as she limped forward "I have to save him….I love him." She said softly.

The others sat in the hospital sleeping, except for the girls. They sat on the window looking for Gaara to come miraculously appear over the horizon….but no one came. Finally a solitary figure with a huge load on its back appeared shadowed by the sunset appeared on the horizon. The girls leaned in to see who it was, only to see it was Kismet, holding Gaara on her back, limping back towards the Palace. The girls stared in wonder "no way…its Kismet…and she's…carrying him…" they just stared and watched as the black leather clad woman approached the door and leapt up the wall, collapsing on the bed with Gaara "he…poisoned…get..help.." she muttered before passing out totally exhausted. Sakura ripped back what was left of Gaara's shirt and put her hands on his chest concentrating her chakra on him, ridding him of most of the poison. An hour passed and she sat back exhausted "It'll take awhile… but they'll be okay…all of them…now……we need to rest…" she gasped as she fell asleep. One by one the ladies fell asleep next to their boy friends, holding their hands.

In the dark of the night, sometime around midnight an Akatsuki cloaked figure with blood red eyes calmly entered the room. He looked over the sleeping figures impassively Thank you Sasori for doing my job for me…Uchiha Itachi thought as he scooped up and sleeping Gaara. He shouldered him easily and leapt out of the window One tailed demon captured…and one less Sasori to deal with…today has been a VERY productive day…He thought as he jumped along the desert landscape into an open cave. "Now time to summon the others…and perform the ritual." He said to himself as he made a hand sign and thought one thing Its Time

----end----