Ta-Da! Okay don't kill me I know its been like years...

The feeling was different this time, not like an exploding ache in the brain. The last time she was knocked out it had hurt considerably more. This time it was like a gentle warmness soaking her into consciousness…

"She's coming to now, what? No don't, she's already awa-"

…and into a shock of icy shards stabbing her face. The reaction its self was extremely violent. She jerked up in such haste that she accidently slapped her savior, whose silver hair swayed in the wind nicely.

Silver hair?

Blinking back her wet locks and wiping the water from her eyes she gazed at the familiar teacher with a slightly red cheek.

"Kakashi! I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hit you so hard, are you alright?"

"I'm fine it seems Naruto was a little eager to help out."

"Naruto? What do you mea-"

"SAKURA!"

The sudden squeezing arms around her torso were enough to confirm the infamous "Naruto Hug".

"You're all right! We were sooooo worried something had happened, what did they do to you?

"Naruto"

"Did they torture you for information?"

"Naruto"

"They didn't do anything hentaish did they?"

"NARUTO! I can't breath!"

"Oh, sorry Sakura…"

Gasping for air she coughed a little and evened her breathing, this was not the first time she'd questioned Naruto's enthusiasm. Kakashi smiled as he brushed the sand from his uniform. The blazing sun had already dried and frizzed her hair to a considerable degree. It was uncomfortably bright after being in a dungeon for about a week, she couldn't possibly imagine her skin getting any paler if not for Akatsuki.

I don't even want to think about that

Because forgetting solves all your problems, look they are gonna want some answers and we have to tell them.

DON'T remind me….

She'd been through enough mental and physical abuse for the next year or so. Being a shinobi was becoming an actual danger after all those years at the academy. But there was also pride in knowing she was doing her duty to the village.

"Why am I wet? We're in the dessert apparently so it couldn't be rain."

"I thought you looked hot! Tried to cool you off, sorry Sakura."

WHAT?

That idiot…

"Of course," sighing with considerable resignation and a particular drawl of the "Oh".

Standing and running her fingers through her hair to untangle the pink mess Sakura couldn't have been happier to see her friends. Kakashi his usual outlined smile with that orange book of his, she sighed at the sight.

Pervy old man

But the thought gave her the barest of smiles. Even that damn masked face of his couldn't get her down now. She'd noticed his concern it just wasn't as verbal as Naruto.

"We've managed to make considerably good time. Half a day at tops two before we get back to Suna."

"That's a relief, I can't wait to take a bath and soak the dirt out of my skin. Being captive and all they don't usually allow such things."

"Well now that your awake we should start heading back, hopefully we can use any information you've gathered while…imprisoned."

There it was again, that tone and the way he said it. How could he not be worried? She'd been captured and somehow escaped the infamous killers... Team Gai were probably in the same state of mind right now. He watched her curiously for any sign of pain, but at the moment it was still inside and hidden.

Her burden alone.

"Right— so how did you know where I was anyways? What happened to Itachi?"

"I (lots of stress on the I) distracted him so that sensei could get you away safely." Naruto beamed happily. The setting sun created a beautiful orange red sky that framed the spiky haired boy with magnificent lighting. It was an enchanting sight.

"It wasn't difficult to track you, from the cave we went west and crossed the dessert to the forest, the direction the flying bird was seen."

"Oh you mean Deidara, shouldn't worry about him he's a little backwards."

Kakashi frowned slightly, "When we return they're will be enough time for questions and reports. For now let us wait until the night descends, its much easier to travel that way."

Everyone agreed and by the time the moon was climbing the evening dusk three ninja's kicking sand clouds in their wake crossed the empty terrain.

Make that four…

-2-

"I…hate….SAND!"

As they entered the gates of the village Sakura seemed to expel a continuous flow of sand particles from her body, it was everywhere. As she rubbed under her legs and took her sandals off it simply was not enough; its was like the time Ino and her were playing in the sandbox as kids. Except this time she was fleeing for her life from a secret terroristic organization. The times sure have changed.

No wander these people wear so many layers…

Or else they get a butt full of sand, pleasant isn't it?

Perhaps there is more to this fashion crisis than I originally thought.

A discontented twitch in her forehead revealed her eagerness to bathe, it did not go unnoticed.

"I know that face," pointed Kakashi; "but its urgent that we see Gara, I'm sure by now the Hokage has noticed our absence. We've been worried about your disappearance."

God, she felt like shit! Now she'd be prodded for all kind of answers with these crazy sand people, she'd seen how they treated their own natives, wouldn't be a step to do in an outsider. As the time came closer to the inevitable meeting her nerves knotted deep in her shoulder blades. There was SO much to be stressed out about. Besides, she didn't even want to think about that guy; let alone describe what kind of treatment she had gone through. People were suspicious creatures, when power was at stake paranoia and greed clouded dangerous minds.

She'd have to tread carefully, watch what you say and perhaps not say some things at all. But then again, she was practically IN with the new ruler than most of his village, and Naruto would be with her. This did a considerable amount in relaxing her muscles as she directed Chakra to those specific points with this soothing thought.

"You know, without your help we might not have saved Gaara he's very grateful."

"We all worked together, I just got distracted by this craz-" her thought trailed off as they turned the corner, Sakura recognized the red haired boy immediately at the opposite end of the room.

He seemed to have some color in his cheeks and a much more lively appearance than his previous unfeeling stoneness; Kakashi had filled her in on things while she'd been absent. So it made since the extraction of the Ichibi no Shukaku had changed him. But a lifetime of bloodlust was not that easy to recover from, the dark circles beneath his eyes remained a testament to this.

He'd be a strong ruler and a blessing to new generations after breaking the curse set on him. The new self had a new image as well, he sported the traditional Kazekage garb that puffed in white linen close to his neck; settling comfortably on top of a blue shirt and a white long sleeved robe that remained open and breezy. A few feet away the gorge sat by his side, a reminder of past suffering.

She was glad he'd finally found some peace.

No longer fighting inner demons, but ironically he himself became a "Shadow". The Fifth Wind Shadow of the heartless dessert always divided in hate and brokenness. Clear blue eyes with understanding and a will for love watched curiously as the group sat down around the table. There was no pain in his sight.

A smile tug his serious stare, which she assumed was Naruto's doing, and then he welcome them.

"I see you've found the rest of your team Kakashi, I'm glad to see everyone is safe except" - a quizzical brow raising- "where is Elder Chiyo?"

"I'm afraid—well its complicated. She died…"

There's no easy way to say this is there?

Ummmm…..

…..

No not really

"How did she die?"

"I-I can't remember. I passed out before I saw; I was poisoned in battle and I just-its blank. That's the last I saw her."

Besides my nightmares…

"I thought so, I had hoped however things were not so grim. She was an honorable lady."

His voice was quiet and sullen in respect.

She'd answered honestly even if it was only half the truth…

"What else happened? Do you know what they're plans are?"

"Besides the fact they want to suck the Jinchuriki out of all the hosts, I'm not sure. But they had planned on using me for this, to trap Naruto. But I'd never betray my friends like that."

"Sakura…you're the best." Big cheesy smile with kisses attached.

"Well-I planned my escape after Sasori- that ass hole- had left the compound, apparently they mostly work the field and only a few stay at base. I was lucky in that regard. Diedara, the blonde thing that originally attacked Suna, was left."

It didn't feel right to rat the codependent Tobi out as a bad guy…he'd grown on her a little. Anyways its not like he was any real danger to anyone except himself…

"When I did manage to escape I succeeded in using one of their members who seems mentally vulnerable to help me. The last I saw of him was before Itachi attacked. After that I was rescued and her I am."

"I see, there's not much I can do here; however, together we can defeat Akatsuki. I've already sent messengers informing the Hokage of this treaty, so I shall be accompanying you back home."

"Fantastic, let us precede with caution as Naruto remains a target."

Kakashi's grey eyes seemed worried from the gaps in her story. There would be time to talk later. To many details left out...

"Arrangements will be made for the funeral..."

To bury the dead, but there was no dead to burry.

A/N: Hurrah! Okay so i know its just been forever, let me know if your still liking the story as I update!

Sasori: REVIEW MY PUPPETS!

Sakura: you have so many issues...

Me: :D 3 puppet man!