Konoha: Rise from the Ashes (The Return of Ki-chan and Le-chan! ^^)

[Ravenheart]

You know the plot! ^^ (Wow, feels good to be doing this again...). I'll do the 'setup' post and we can get rolling.

~*~*~*~

Feelings weren't something that 'Sai' had experienced in a long time. He knew vaguely what it was like to be happy. And he knew that some part of his mind still registered fear, even if the emotion no longer affected him. But in the midst of all this he couldn't help the impression that something was just... well, he couldn't think of a word for it. It was like trying to name a painting: how does one attach feeling to a swirl of color? How does one name a sensation that is little more than a sense?

It wasn't like any emotion he could remember. Never ever.

He was perched on a large, bent metal beam, overlooking the enormous crater where Konoha had once been. The setting sun cast its orange rays over his pale white skin. The destruction was so complete he could see places where the Underground had been exposed for the first time in... well, it might have been the first time ever. Sai had never thought about it before. Some of the villagers had taken refuge down there. Others stayed on the surface and camped. Some took their orders from Danzou, as he did. Still others from Uzumaki Naruto, which was how he came to be here. He was waiting for his partner. They were due on a mission.

In the meanwhile, he painted. Or tried. He tried to capture the destruction, the rift where once everything had been. Such things would daunt ordinary artists, because they could not get beyond the emotion of the event. Sai didn't have that problem.

Yet all he had was a blank, empty page.

~*~*~*~

A day and a half. That was how much time had passed. A day and a half. It seemed like forever...

"Keiji, be careful with those, I made them with-"

"OUCH!!!"

"... spicy leeks. You know how 'Yuki-chan is."

"My house, my food. Or you can go get Ichiraku for the fiftieth time this month."

"It's fine, Miyuki. Don't listen to the boys whining, I've told you that since day one."

It was nice. The little house, however small, had always been empty. Now it was full. And people were laughing. It was like the culmination of all good things. For once, everything in her life was going well.

And then came the blast...

Miyuki's eyes shot open.

Initially she was aware of the ache: legs folded awkwardly, her head bending her neck at an odd angle, back pressed too firmly against the wall.

She'd waited outside the office, silent, refusing to disturb him before absolutely necessary. In the process, Miyuki had slid slowly down the wall and fallen asleep. But it was early evening now. Gaara would surely get done with his work soon.

Miyuki stood up and rubbed the back of her sore neck, trying not to think about it too much. She had said she would be back in a few weeks to visit. He would have to hear the news from her. They didn't have time to send a messenger hawk... he wouldn't be expecting it in the least. Or her, for that matter.

Why did I come?

To get help for Naruto.

... and because I need him.

She looked at the office door, still shut tight. Please come out soon...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ couldnt agree more ;D ]]

Miharu stretched her legs as she travled the never ending stairs. 'I always, always tell everyone i can work independently, and i can survive on my own, but they go ahead an partner me with someone i hardly know. this is going to be soo much fun! Yah right..' Miharu thought to herself. She sighed when she came to the end of her long stair travel. She sheilded her eyes from the sun that burst out from the hill tops.

She pulled her dust brown hair off of her shoulders and into a small pony tail. She fixed her glasses that rest down on her nose, they where reading glasses but she liked tricking people into thinking she was just a brainy looking type girl with no muscle or power. She walked up to the boy sitting infront of her, hands on her hip.

"Excuse, are you my partner?" she asked, "I didn't know they hired a painter to be my partner." she chuckled to herself, "even though you have nothing on the paper, thats a piece of artwork for its self!" she said. 'There i go again...' she sighed, 'why do i always critisize someone i hardly know? No wonder Mama said i had no real friends. Ha.'

----

Gaara finished his last paper for the day, hopefully. He knew more work would be put on his shoulders tomorrow no doubt. With a sigh he stood up and headed towards his door. He was reading to take a break off of all his work and get someone to eat and drink. Little did he know what was waiting for him as he opened his door,...


[sorry gaara's portion is so small D: i couldn't think of anything xD More shall come! next post D<! ]

[Ravenheart]

Sai glanced carelessly down at her. He realized he should try making friends, but she behaved differently.

He went into his bag, dug out his book, and referred to it.

... Critical behavior in a friend can often mean that this person is either trying to help, or finds fault within themselves. Initially the best response is to accept it graciously... saying 'thank you'... or, if it is the second case, do nothing to ask about the root of the problem. Your friend will explain in their own time.

Sai flipped shut the book, tucked his things away, and hopped down.

Remember to smile. Smiling is the best way to make a good first impression.

So he did, the best he knew how.

"Oh, you must be Miharu!" he said as if surprised. "I wasn't sure what to paint yet, but thank you for your opinion anyway. I'm called Sai."

~*~

Whether she was half-asleep again or it was battlefield fatigue was anyone's guess, but Miyuki was almost startled when the door finally did open.

... I look like a mess, she realized too late. She'd been running through the desert, she was still scraped and bruised from the fighting, and she was visibly tired and run-down. Not exactly the picture of beauty.

But there were more important things to talk about.

"... Gaara, hi, I..." she trailed off. Initially she pinned on a smile, but when she tried to find the words, it grew weaker and weaker. Her face was a stoic mask. But her eyes looked terribly sad.

"I... I'm sorry I came unanounced. So soon. I didn't mean to drop in on you, but... you must not have heard..." she tried, bit by bit, before finally she took her eyes off the floor and looked at him.

"... I didn't know where else to go! I just... couldn't stay there any longer... not..." she tried to calm herself down, to start again, she took a deep breath...

"Almost two days ago," she said, very, very softly. "Akatsuki came for Naruto... like they did for you, but they sent their leader. He's okay... Naruto, that is. Pein is dead, but... he attacked the village... Konoha is gone. Destroyed."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

'He didn't take it negitivaly? Thats the first,...this is good, right?' she questioned herself. "Ah, yes, im Miharu, and your,...uh,..Sai right?" she asked. She then looked over the land scape, "Theres always plunty of thingsto paint." seh said. "Like the setting sun, or the destroied village. Maybe the remaining heads of Konaha, to symbol the stregthn that the land still carries." she said pointing to each thing as she spoke.

She then coughed, "Um, excuse me." she said pushing her glasses up on her face once more. "anyways, why excatly did i have to get partnered with you?" she asked Sai, staring him up and down. "And whats with your attire? Dont you get cold?" she asked shaking her head.

---

Of course you weren't going to see a shocked face on Gaara, the Kazekage. Of course you weren't going to see concern for the people who died, or even a set of emotion of worry, or sad ness from Gaara, but what you could get where words, maybe not powerful as an earth quake but words to calm some people, maybe.

Gaara stood still and sighed a silently, yet slow sigh. "Whats left of Konoha?" he asked Miyuki. He could tell it was a touchy subject so he wasn't planning on asking to many questions about Konoha and its disasters. For now he was thinking of heading down to Konoha to check out whats going on and to see if the Hokage wanted some helpers down there but he knew he wouldn't be able to get down to Konoha any time soon, especially since Konoha got attacked.

[Ravenheart]

They were good ideas, Sai decided. Not that they really appealed to him. There was nothing that really tugged at his heartstrings or stirred inspiration in him. But it did make good, logical sense.

"Nani? Oh," he said, recalling the fact that his midriff was bare. Oh well. "No, I don't get cold easily." Part of being trained to resist such things was that you didn't notice when you WERE cold, though.

~*~

Gaara was calm. All right. That helped Miyuki some, as she knew it would. Gaara was calm, the world wasn't going to completely spin off its axis...

"There's the Stone Faces. And the main gate, mostly. And the Underground," Miyuki answered, slowly recalling the damage bit-by-bit.

"... and that's it." That was the hard part. Nothing else.

"... And you should know too, we have no Hokage. Well, some of us do. Naruto is my Hokage now, no matter what happens," she said with a weak shadow of a smile. "But Tsunade... she gave her life. Almost all the villagers were saved by her medical justu. Now Danzou wants to be Hokage. He could have helped, too, but he didn't. He just wanted the title... now he'll look like a hero... and that means Naruto will have to wrest the title away from him. But there's no clear leader anymore."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "True that." she said. "Anyways, where are we to head first, Sai?" she asked looking over the village once more.

---

With this been said, Gaara felt like he had to do something. "tell me..." he said, "Should i go down there to help things settle?" he asked Miyuki. If so, he would make sure to do so so that the village would know what to do and where they stand. This, is where Gaara had to make a decision, and a big one either way.

[Ravenheart]

Sai paused, pondered, and referred to his book, flipping it open again in plain sight.

... That's odd. Usually you're supposed to get to know your friend. But she seems very intent on business. Like him. Like she was ANBU ROOT. But he knew all the ROOT members. She wasn't one of them.

"I think it's customary to share a meal or some such thing first," he said, quite obviously perplexed by her behavior. "If that doesn't interest you then we should go to the mission at once."

~*~

Miyuki was terribly torn by this. On the one hand, she knew that Gaara could leave things with Kankuro and all would be well... Temari would be out to see to Shikamaru as soon as she found out, Miyuki knew that. Baki would help Kankuro. It would be fine. But at the same time, Gaara had only just gotten back. He was healed from his brush with death, things were just getting back to normal...

"... I want you to. Which is selfish," she confessed. She didn't have the strength or the energy to pretend that she was noble and selfless. She seemed ashamed of such a wish. "Whether or not you should, I can't tell you that. I know that Naruto came running when he heard you were in trouble... Kami-sama, it was awful, eight tails..." she squeezed her eyes shut and gave a shiver even as she remembered it. Like the demon chakra was on her skin, the memory was so bad. She forced it from her mind and looked at him again. "He would be thankful. But things are going so well here, and everyone's so happy that you're back... only you can decide."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"whatever pleases you." she said heading down the stair case. "I'll get a few things to eat then we can be on our way." she said.

'first time i've critisized someone without them picking a fight. He's got a hard ego...and if he would just drop it i could go on the mission alone.' She sighed, "Are you coming you fa-" she stoped, 'Why be mean? Why not be nice? Maybe thats what he's doing...' "Just Hurry up gaywad. " she said, and caught herself, "And by gay i mean Happy." she laughed then continued on without him.

---

"I'll leave late tonight and early in the morning." he said. "I'll get Kankuro to take over, i'll get something to eat, and then i shal get ready for tonight." he said. He put a hand on Miyuki's shoulder for a few seconds before heading down to the kitchen. "Is there anything else i may need to know before i leave?" he asked her, meaning, he wanted her to follow him to the kitchen.

[Ravenheart]

Now Sai was REALLY perplexed. She was so... odd. He knew he should be thinking about the mission. But he'd never been faced with anything like this before.

"Oh! A rushed response! You're lying!" he said, with his usual careful smile. It almost looked like he was pleased that he figured this out. Or... was she joking? Like he tried with Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan at first?

NOW he understood!

"Well, hurry up, fatass," he replied, neither sounding agressive or passive. Just indifferent. He walked past her and toward one of the large campsites.

((XD This has got to be one of the most fun characters I have ever played...))

~*~

Miyuki took the hint. She'd known Gaara long enough, his subtle moods, how he said things without actually saying them.

"I'll come with you," she said softly, following after him.

Along the way to the kitchen she didn't think too hard. She just talked, recounted beginning to end what had happened... how Jiraya had been killed, how Naruto went to train with the Toads and had returned as the new Toad Sage. All about the attack, the death of Kakashi. How Hinata had been ready to lay down her life for him, how Naruto had destroyed Pein, found Nagato, and killed him. Everything, the whole story.

By the time they got there, she didn't exactly feel better. Rather than feeling like she was going to burst with tears and anger, now she just felt empty and weak. But that at least made it easier for her mind to rest.

"... that's all," she mumbled in conclusion.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu narrowed her eyes, "Its on dip sh.it..." she said quietly to herself. "And i hope you heard that." she said as she walked past him. "We came to eat so lets hurry up and get something to eat." she said.

---

Gaara grabbed a cup and put some water in it and took a sip. His eyes averted from wall to wall, to Miyuki, to wall again as he began to think of what he could do to help the Konoha village. "Can you tell me where the villagers of Konoha are staying at right now?" he asked her, his eyes now averted back on Miyuki.

[Ravenheart]

Sai wound his way through the encampment. Most people were still in shock, but had adopted the usual life-goes-on attitude that the people of Fire Country had. Indeed, there was one group gathered around a large campfire with big, albiet battered cooking pots over it.

"Sai, hey!"

It was Sakura and Naruto, with chipped bowls of ramen sitting on the ground in front of them. The shop was in ruins. But the owner of Ichiraku, and his daughter Ayame were still alive, and still cooking.

"Hello, Sakura-chan," Sai said blankly, waving, though he put on his smile again. "Hello Naruto-kun. This is Miharu."

Naruto, at this point, had bigger problems than Sai. But... it was still SAI!

"Oh damn, don't tell me you tried to make a friend..." he groaned, clapping a hand over his eyes. That was all he needed, the icing on the cake, he wanted Sai to go on a simple mission, but had neglected that his social skills were... well, atrocious.

Sai sat down at the imaginary counter and looked expectantly up at Miharu. Clearly he expected her to join them.

((Thought I'd have the Terrible Two break the ice and explain that, 'No, he's not an ass, just kinda dense.' XD))

~*~

Miyuki leaned on the wall nearby, though she didn't eat or drink anything. She was hungry, but... at the same time, it was like her appetite was gone...

"Most of them have set up camp outside the ruins. Some of the military people, other shinobi, they've gone down below with Danzou. Most of the clans... Hyuuga, Inuzuka, Aburame... they're all above. They stay together. It's like there's a camp-village outside where the village once was," she explained. Yep, Fire Country refused to roll over and die.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Of course Miharu would join them, but the only problem was, she couldn't bring herself to move. 'If i join them i'll become a total biotch and then they'll run away. If i dont join them they'll think somethings wrong and ask me questions and I'll still be a biotch.' She narrowed her eyes. "On second thought im not hungry." she said, and with that she took her leave.

---

Gaara nodded, "they may have to stay they for a while." he said. "Though i will come up with a way to get the village back on top and to its original ways sometime soon." he said. He set his cup down and crossed his arms looking off into the distance.

[Ravenheart]

"Nah-ah. Retreat is not allowed!" Sakura said, grabbing her quite gleefully by the ankle and yanking so she fell flat onto her butt on the grass next to them.

Sai scooted over to make room for her, and ordered an extra bowl of ramen. There was no need for money now. Nobody had any, so what they did have, they shared freely.

~*~

Miyuki took the opportunity to watch him while he wasn't aware of it. Coming here was a good idea. Without even realizing it before now, she'd come to depend on Gaara. He just seemed so calm and steady...

"Domo arigato gosaimasu," she murmured shyly. There just weren't words big enough...

((><.... I think that's right......? *Has had no Japanese practice with you gone*))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu twitched and bit her tounge hard. She stuffed her face with ramen to keep from speaking. 'Just eat then hurry the hell out.' she thought. She watched everyone talk amongest them selfs and slowly her tension lowered and she began to eat slowly.

---

Gaara just nodded and kept silent. He gave a content sigh. "Did you bring anything with you?" he asked. He highly doubted she did but he wanted to make sure she left with everything because he would probably be down in Konoha for a while.

[[no itsright ^^]]

[Ravenheart]

"So how many stupid things has he said to you so far?" Sakura asked bluntly.

"Nani?" Sai interjected. He thought it had gone well...

"He means well, but he's kinda slow!" Naruto added in a loud whisper. "He'll try to insult you but he doesn't mean it." After all, what did Sai know anyway?! Naruto had a huge-

"Just go easy on him. He's a weird one," Sakura said, not even aware of Naruto's bruised pride. As usual.

Sai glanced at Miharu. He had an expression this time. It stated plainly 'I have no idea what these two are babbling about.'

~*~

Miyuki blinked as if confused.

"No... I kind of took off without thinking..." she realised. She knew where she was going, but she hadn't really thought it out. She just knew that she needed to be with Gaara.

How stupid of me... she thought with reddening cheeks.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu twitched and before she knew it she slammed her hand on Sai's face. "Dont stare at me like that you douchbag. Dont you have something better to do?" she asked him. She sighed, finished her food and set her bowl down. She smiled half heartedly, "No, he doesn't seem to bother me."

[[ haha naruto and a big...you know are you trying to make me love naruto again? D< xD im just kidding i still love the dofus <3<3]]

---

Gaara nodded, "After i tell everyone about my leave I'll get ready and we can head out." he said heading out of the kitchen.

[Ravenheart]

Sai saw stars, thought he might like to paint them, and then realized he was flat on his back with a big red mark on his ghost-white face.

"Aha... she hits almost as hard as you do, Sakura-chan...." Sai said, sitting up and rubbing his face. Ow. Ow ow...

Sakura laughed in approval. "Yeah, looks like you know how to handle him. You'll do okay!" she agreed.

((It'd be fair payback for that VERY dirty picture of Gaara you sent me. We BOTH know the size of his, *ahem* 'package' now, if you recall.))

~*~

"Please..." Miyuki took him gently by the sleeve to stop him, then indicated the slight dark tinge under her eyes.

"... I haven't slept since the night before the attack," she said, by way of asking if she could stay the night before returning. She was miserably tired, tired enough to fall asleep standing up outside his office.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"I wouldn't be talking pinky. Whats up with your forehead anyways?" she asked. Miharu then sighed dusted her butt off and thenlooked down at her partner. "you are done yet?" she asked, hands onher hips.

[[ what if i said no i dont remember? o-o xD ]]

---

Gaara stared down at her, normally he would take any ones hand off of his rob, but he made an excption. "Alright, you can rest for now. When you feel you are ready we can head out." he said. "Ill have a room open for you in a second.

[Ravenheart]

Mmmm.... soooo sleepy.... *passes out* ZZZzzzZZZzzz....

Yeah, gotta go to bed ^^'

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Same here! :3 night! fun rping again though, huh? xD

[Ravenheart]

"YOU-!!!"

"S-S-Sakura-chan, c'mon, if you injure her you'll just have to heal her again," Naruto jumped to his feet with a nervous laugh and put himself between Sakura and Miharu. He promptly took her wrath in the form of a punch in the face, but that was okay. If he had a ryo for every time Sakura had decked him, even for a minor offense, he could buy his own village.

Meanwhile, Sai said nothing to all this. He quietly finished his ramen and collected his things again.

"Heh... Sai, I'm trusting you with this one, got it?" Naruto said, getting to his feet again.

Sai blinked, a little confused. It dawned on him all at once...

Tsunade is dead. Two people giving orders. There are two Hokages.

Now THAT was a puzzlement.

"... we should get going," was all he said before departing.

((Oh no? Well I'll just have to remind you.))

~*~

Miyuki realized in her fatigued state that she had almost offended him, so she released her light grip on his sleeve and withdrew her hand. She didn't speak. Just gave a small bow so as not to make a scene.

"Thank you," she said softly. No more.

((Yes! :D I am so glad you're back!))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "Finally!" she then sighed and then smiled, "Well, see you guys later!" she said waving at Naruto and Sakura before taking her lead first.

She was bipolar or anything, she just had a hard life when she was young. She had five brothers and no mother. Mainly her brothers took care of her, and for that reason she developed a crude, yet kind, personality from her brothers criticism, and because of that, she had hardly any friends because her brothers would criticize her friends in their face, or she would criticize them. She doesn't hate her brothers, and she doesn't hate not having friends. She's fine on her own.

---

Once Gaara got an open room for Miyuki he showed her to her room and allowed her to do what she pleased. "I'll be in my office when you wake up." he told her.

[Ravenheart]

Leaving Hokage Number One to wonder how long it would take her to annihilate Sai...

~~~

Sai didn't really talk much as they left the light of the campfires behind. He was careful to stay in the light of the rising moon, though. He had to read his book.

It didn't slow their progress any. They made it to the edge of the village as quickly as they normally would, to the wrecked remnants of the front gate. Only then did Sai pocket his book.

"... Since I'm leading this mission, although I hope we can work as partners instead," he explained with another one of his careful smiles. "We're looking for the Akatsuki agent known as Konan. It is believed that she and Pein were romantically involved, so there is a high likelihood that she will try to take revenge on Naruto Uzumaki. We have to stop that. They believe she is returning to the Rain Village, so we will try to find her there."

~*~

Miyuki managed to smile at Gaara, however weakly. It wasn't exactly a happy smile so much as a grateful one.

"I'll come and find you then," she said. She wanted to thank him. Again. But she'd already said it at least three times....

[Ravenheart]

((Sorry I dropped offline, btw, my mom had to call my aunt in Illinois.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ its fine i was watching this movie my brother had to do for a project at school xD ]]

Miharu nodded, "Question; do you have any sort of cule what Konan, that chick, looks like?" she asked. "Because there could be more then just one Konan at the Rain village- though i highly doubt it. Though - it would still be a lot easier to know what she looks like instead of trying to search for her." Miharu said pulling her hair down from her pony tail and taking her glasses off and stuffing them into her pouch. It was time to get to business.


---

Gaara nodded, "Alright." he said. He headed out of the room and shut her door so she could rest.

[Ravenheart]

Sai noticed that she seemed more serious now. So he followed suit.

"You'll know her when you see her. She has blue-purple hair, wears an Akatsuki uniform, and she always has an origami flower in her bun. She knows it makes her easy to identify, but she doesn't fear detection either. Right now she is, as they say, a loose cannon," Sai replied, sounding cold, blunt, and rude... just like any ANBU ROOT.

~*~

Miyuki breathed a sigh of relief when he departed. Not because she was happy to see him go. But because she no longer had to act more stoic than she felt.

Well, no thinking involved, she changed, dove into bed, and let sleep take her for the first time in too long...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "Alright, sounds easy enough." she said. She pulled her gloves on and then stared at him. "Do you have any type of information on her? Like any taijutsu's or ninjutsu's she might use? Or any thing that could be a great use of information for me?" she asked.

---

[what shall i do now? :3]

[Ravenheart]

"Paper. She can animate paper into weapons or into butterflies to scout, or even into wings to fly. She can also transform herself into paper. This ability is hampered if a person manages to cover her in oil, effectively disabling her. While transforming she is equally susceptible to fire," he answered. He was much more used to this sort of interaction. Again, there was that strange sense, though... as if something were not quite right with this picture...

~*~

((Um... either we can fast forward, or I can dynamite Miyuki out of bed with nightmares or something XD))

((Either way I have to go for now. I'll be back online at 9 or so.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Ah okay." she said. "Any thing else i should be concerned about?" she asked. She was ready for battle, but her strategy was to get to know her oponet as best as poisible, get to understand their techniques and then strike at their weak points.

---

[[ fastforward is good! unless you wish her to have a nightmare im fine with either xD ]]

[[ awwws D: okay... ]]

[Ravenheart]

Sai shook his head. "Only that the locals believe she is an angel, and call her so. We will recieve no help from them," he said. There was something else, but...

He opened his book again and began to page through it furiously (except that Sai did not know fury).

Getting to know your friend: the simplest way to do this is just to talk to them. Ask a person about their interests, their life, or about something the two of you have in common. The object is to get them to talk so you can better understand them in the future.

Sai considered this carefully, then flipped a few more pages. He had read this book front-to-back ((except in Japan the back IS the front... ><)) several times already, so he knew where all the important parts were.

Strange behavior in your friend: if a friend is exhibiting unusual behavior, such as unpleasant moods, harsh or unfriendly speech, or simply not acting like themself, the problem is most often from within and not from without. If your friend is the type to talk, ask what is bothering them. Sometimes it helps just for someone to listen, as your friend may feel the need to keep from troubling others with their problems. If not, it is better not to ask questions in case the problem is very upsetting. Remember to be open and perceptive to possible reasons for your friend's ill feelings. Remember: a true friend would not want their friend to suffer if they could help it somehow.

To which Sai thought, That... isn't exactly helpful, but... I may need it later.

He bookmarked the page, put the book away, and smiled the best he knew how.

"That is all. Let's go," he said, dashing up to the treetops where he could keep an eye on what was happening below as they travelled.

~*~

Miyuki did turn up at Gaara's office, clean and patched up and mostly rested. She'd managed breakfast, which was a step in the right direction, given that she'd been too panicked the past few days to even function like a normal person.

Well, she was still going back to the wreck. But that was fine. She had help.

Gaara had mentioned that he was going to explain the situation to everyone, so she wasn't shy about knocking on the door of his office. She knew she wasn't interrupting.

... she hoped.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu followed right behind him, "Do you have any stratigies into taking Konan down?" she asked. If so, she wanted to know what so she could help, or try to think of something better.

---

"You can come in." Gaara said from behind the door. She wasn't intrupting anything. Gaara was just telling Kankuro what he will be doing and when he will be leaveing and what he wants KAnkuro to take care of when he's gone.

[Ravenheart]

Sai glanced back at her, and seemed unsure what to make of this. So he asked her.

"You're confusing: who are you?"

Of course he knew who she was in the sense that she was Miharu, his partner. But beyond that, nothing. WHO was she? Where did she come from? What was her family like? That sort of thing. Anything to help him make sense of the way she acted.

~*~

Miyuki entered and, upon seeing Kankuro, waved to him and proceeded to the front of Gaara's desk.

"I'm ready to go whenever you are," she said. Ordinarily she would have started with 'good morning,' but it looked as if Gaara was already straight to business.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu sighed, "Saw this one coming...my name is Miharu Mitsuki. I came originally from the rock village, there my Mom and Dad worked as ANBU's. My mom died on my at the age of seven while she was still on a mission. She was, well the only girl in my family. I didn't cry because i saw it coming. You could say i was rather smart for my age..." she said with a sigh. "Me being the last girl, i had to step up and fill my moms big shoes, which, was an imposible task. I couldn't cook a i didn't know how to do laundry, but i managed some how. I have five brothers who always criticised me, but those arebrothers for you right?" she laughed lightly.

"I guess you could say my life was a reck with the fact that my father hardly came home, and to the fact that when he did get home he was drunk. OF course i figured he would get attacked or just commit suidice because he couldn't 'live' without my mom. But you know, weeks and months, and then a year passed my dad never showed his face, so i called him dead and left him at that."

"I guess the reason i am this way is because i had no one to take care of me, but brothers who criticized me. Thats fine, i mean, i dont hate them, because they still took care of me." she smiled."so i guess you could say i had five fathers." she shrughed.

She then narrowed her eyes, "What about you?" she asked.

---

Kankuro gave a wave and a nod back at Miyuki.

He nodded, "Are you hungry?" he asked. "It will be a bit of a long way down so you should eat before we leave." Gaara said standing up. "I already have eaten." he said, "and Kankuro will be getting settled before we leave." he said.

[Ravenheart]

Well. That was more like it.

Now I believe it's my turn...

"I am called 'Sai,'" he answered simply, glancing back over his shoulder at her as they went. "I don't remember my name, if I had one. I was brought up in ANBU ROOT under the command of Danzo, so I don't really have feelings or opinions. I did have a brother, in a way. His name was Shin, but he died. But I didn't kill him. He was sick. I think I was sad. After that, life went on. I forgot about him for a long time... but then, I met Uzumaki Naruto, and he reminded me of Shin. And I remembered," here his smile looked... oddly genuine. "I think I must have missed 'friends,' so I'm trying to make more of them now. Naruto-kun has taught me a lot. But... I'm still not very good at it yet."

He searched mentally. Recalled everything he could of his youth. There were traumatic memories of ROOT... but it's hard to be traumatized when you have no emotions. There were countless battles, none of which he thought were very important. There was... ROOT, Shin, ROOT again, and then Naruto. His life.

((... She'd better bring him out of that slowly, or Sai's going to be the biggest case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the history of the Shinobi Nations. Right up there with Gaara, anyway.))

~*~

Miyuki shook her head. She'd managed some breakfast. That was enough.

"I'll be fine," she said. At her hip she carried a canteen full of water and a small pouch with some rations bars. She would be set for the trip. She actually prepared this time. "I'm feeling better now, so I won't slow us down."

It was like his odd, Gaara-way of indicating that he actually gave a fleeting thought to her well-being. That was a lot, coming from him.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "Well im sorry." she said, "But dont you ever questions the ROOTS?" she asked. "I mean the fact that you dont remember anything, to me its kinda weird. No offensive fag." she said smirking to herself.

---

Gaara nodded, "Then we shall leave now. Kankuro, you know what you need to do." he said. "Lets leave now Miyuki." he said heading out of his office.

[Ravenheart]

Sai only shrugged indifferently. "Danzo is my superior. I follow his orders. My life is for a greater cause. It doesn't matter," he said dismissively.

...and then turned his attention elsewhere.

"'Fag.'" He repeated, seeming to mull this term over. "You aren't the first one to say so. Strange... I don't understand... I have no feelings, for men or women. So I can't really be a homosexual, no." His own conclusion seemed to satisfy him, though he looked back to see if she understood him.

~*~

Miyuki inclined her head respectfully and dashed off after Gaara. She said nothing. Just became quiet, and followed.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu tried not to laugh. "How do you not have feelings?" she asked. "Surely you do." she said. "I mean, common its not like they just disapeared." she said. "Though, if you say so, your name could be douchbag." she smiled.

---

Gaara glanced back at her and continued forwards. "How long did it take you to get here?" he asked her.

[[ gotta go volley ball practice be back around 8:30-9 ish my time. ]]

[Ravenheart]

"I don't," Sai answered, as if he couldn't remember being any other way. "Emotions lead to complications. There's no need for them." His face was totally blank. Was this Sai talking, or just ROOT?

~*~

"A day and a half. But Gai's team has been known to make it in half a day if they try," Miyuki added. For an ordinary civillian, it was a three-day journey. But a shinobi could cut that time in half, easily.

((Okay. Try not to trip! Or get hit with the ball!))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu shrugged, "Surely you aren't a robot." she said. "Somewhere you have feelings, right?" she asked.

----

"I would like to get there rather quickly." he said. "I want to get there and get back." he said.

[Ravenheart]

Sai looked down at his chest, where he could feel his heart beating. He seemed to recall that it had something to do with emotion, but he couldn't remember what.

Helplessly he looked back up at her. It was apparent he was trying. He thought of many things that people would call 'good' or 'bad' or 'happy' or anything...

He just shook his head. "I can't find anything," he answered. "Except... once. When Naruto reminded me of Shin. That was... happy, I think. Yes. A little."

~*~

Miyuki's steps faltered for a moment. When she looked up to him it was... hesitant. Perhaps worried. With Miyuki it was hard to tell. But she didn't seem in any great hurry to explain herself either.

"Very well. Twelve hours at most. I don't need sleep," she said, almost as if challenging herself.

... perhaps he'll realize this isn't an ordinary mission when we get there. Or... should I tell him now that he could be away for a week or two...? Naruto... Hokage-sama... will need his support. But if he wants to stay here, I shouldn't force him to come...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu gave a small smile, "See? You may not be just a plain person." she said. "Now im not sure why you dont have feelings but somewhere you do." she said with a small shrugh. "Anyways, how far is it to the rain country?" she asked.

---

Gaara nodded, "very well.." he said before picking up his pace. He knew he wasn't going to be there for a day, but he did want to hurry to Konoha. That was all.

[Ravenheart]

The notion that Sai might not be a blank slate was just too radical for him. His eyes went wide, then narrowed in contemplation.

"... Less than a day if we keep going like this," he answered, choosing to ignore the matter entirely.

((>>FF>>?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Good." Miharu said. "Im ready for battle anyways."

---

[sure! x3]]

[Ravenheart]

~*~*~*~

The land of rain was called so for a reason. By the time Sai and Miharu got there, it was bucketing.

"She won't be able to do anything like this," Sai remarked as they stood on the edge of the village. He shifted his sword on his back, then took off his headband and tucked it neatly away.

"Take it off," he said for her to do the same. "They aren't friendly to Konoha here."

~*~

I wonder what it was like... coming from a land open and flat to a place where you could barely see the sky through the trees. And then out of the forest, this 'village' more the size of a city, stretching on and on with four somber stone faces watching over it...

"We're here," Miyuki announced quietly.

There wasn't much of anything. There was clearly an empty space beyond the trees some distance away. But no towers reached to the tops of the trees. No noises. No smells of food vendors and sakura trees. Just eerie silence.

Miyuki hardly recognized it herself. But she forced herself through it. And soon enough they came to a distinguishing feature at last: the battered, half-broken remains of the main gate.

Miyuki rested a hand there fondly as she went through.

As for the rest of Konoha, there was nothing but a crater filled with the foundations of buildings, and the five Stone Faces looking over it all.

She glanced back to Gaara. She had no words. Her expression said everything.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu pushed her wet hair out of her eyes. She reached behind her neck and began to untie her konoha head band. She folded it neatly in her pouch. "She should be easy target...most likely. Then again, i shouldn't underestamate you." she said clamly.

---

Gaara stared at the main entrance for a while. He then stared over at Miyuki and then followed after her into the remains of Konoha. She was right, nothing was left, not really, just the heads that over looked the village. "Take me to where they are all at." he said.

[Ravenheart]

"Let's hope she got caught in the rain. We'll find an obscure inn to use as a base. Somewhere that won't ask questions and doesn't care about politics. From there we'll scout, ask locals, try to find out about 'God's Angel' and where she's been lately," Sai explained his plan. He ran his fingers through his wet bangs absentmindedly. His forehead felt bare now... "Once we find out, we'll attack swiftly, suddenly, and without mercy."

~*~

Miyuki looked to him, nodded, then took off around the edge of what remained of the village.

Some had gone into the wreckage. Bits of homes remained, some were salvaging. Others simply went to come to terms with what had happened. But a good deal more stayed on the edge, in one of the massive camps that had cropped up since then. It was like an army, the way they spread far and wide and seemed to have their own order. But there were children among them, and women who were obviously wives and mothers, not shinobi. Civillians. Like a refugee camp.

"Some went below with Danzo. But the majority of the villagers are up here. All the big clans are, too, even Hyuuga Hiashi won't go with Danzo... although he's been hesitant to admit his support for Naruto, too," Miyuki explained as they neared the edge of the massive encampment.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Understood." Miharu said watching him mess with his bangs. She then looked ahead at the entrance to the rain country. She was ready, but she knew better then to just barge in.

---

Gaara nodded as he looked around. "Is there enough food for everyone?" he asked. It was devasting, of course, but Gaara wanted to try to re-build Konoha. Not now, but he wanted to make sure everyone was fed and that they would have enough for for a month or two.

[Ravenheart]

((Yep. Your favorite boy not only wears a belly-shirt and low-rise pants, but he's now soaking wet.))

Sai looked her over briefly. What a sight they'd make...

"Try not to look so offensive," he blurted out. Oops.

~*~

Miyuki nodded as she worked her way through the crowd, most of whom did a double-take when they saw who her guest was.

"He struck the village, but not the outlying farmlands. We've seen a lot of rice and vegetables. Meat is scarce, so we're finding other ways to supplement protein and iron," Miyuki explained, searching for the right tent. "Water isn't an issue. The rivers are clean, unless someone thought to poison them, which I doubt. That's not Pein's style."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ hehe what a site i wish to see >w< *cough**cough* what?
>3>
<3<]]

She looked over at him, "I could say the same for you." she said with a smile. She then headed into the rain country, "Lets go." she said.

---

Gaara nodded, "I can send some meat down here from Suna if you may need it." he said looking around himself. "But from what i hear, food supply is fine. What about attire, and shelter?" he asked.

[Ravenheart]

((Hmm.... *editeditedit*))

Oh. She understood then!

Sai silently congratulated himself for not completely bungling a conversation for once, and proceeded... after her? That wasn't right.

"I almost wonder who is leading this mission," he remarked as they passed through the gates. His voice was very soft.

~*~

"Attire, only what we have on our backs. And shelter, only what you see here," Miyuki replied, gesturing around. There were tents and lean-to's and similar makeshift shelters, but no more.

Somebody jumped to their feet and ran off shouting. "It's Gaara! It's Sabaku no Gaara!"

Miyuki glanced after him, and the crowd that followed, also shouting the news in shock.

"Ah! That's helpful!" she said, apparently cheerful about something...?

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[whatcha doin'? ._. ]]

"I heard that." she said, "just a little bit of it." she said, glanceing back at him, then contining on wards.

---

Gaara stared at the people shouting his name. He then stared back at Miyuki, is it such a praise for me to be here?" he asked, "But," he began, "I shall gather some people to help me make more shelters for people with the remaining supplies." he said. "If there is any...?"

[Ravenheart]

((Hmm... should I tell her...? XD))

Sai glanced at her, then to the gate guards, then back to her as they moved through the streets.

"We act more like partners than a superior to a follower. That isn't how ROOT works. But I don't believe it to be a bad thing either," he said, coming up closer behind her so he could speak without being overheard.

~*~

"Supplies are what we can get from the wreckage, little more," Miyuki replied, eyes still following the villagers. "And to answer your first question, it isn't just you: look at who they think should know."

As they watched, they gathered outside one shabby tent until a kid about their age rolled out rubbing his eyes.

"Hnnn... what's so important I have to get up?" Naruto groaned. He yawned, stretched, then caught sight of his visitor. He jumped to his feet and dashed forward, somewhat groggy still, but nevertheless...

"Gaara! What are you doing here?!" he asked, a grin coming over his face.

"I thought you could use some help. Advice. Resources," Miyuki explained from where she stood... now behind Gaara. She'd slipped into the background to let the two talk.

Naruto glanced at her briefly, then back to Gaara in disbelief.

"And you came all the way out here, just like that?" he asked. Like it didn't make sense to him.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ yes! >D xD ]]

"Whats it matter?" she asked, "Just drop the ROOTs thing once in a while." she said with a shrugh.

---

Gaara nodded, "Yeah." he said simply, "Shouldn't a neighbor country come and help a neighobr..?" he asked Naruto.

[Ravenheart]

((Well... I was just thinking that it's been awhile since I did any RPC pics...))

Sai stopped dead in his tracks, feet falling flat in a mud puddle no less. Just... drop the root thing... it was like trying to get his eyes to move in two different directions. Or to paint upside-down. Whenever he tried... he just locked up...

Overall the reaction was less than three seconds long. But in his head, it felt longer.

"It isn't that easy..." he answered. "I'll explain later, I guess. But not here." He'd no sooner said that than a few local shinobi trooped past.

~*~

Naruto still didn't seem to get it. He hadn't even thought about that yet...

Miyuki gave a soft laugh. "Get used to it, Hokage-sama," she said.

"Woah! Hey, not yet, I don't want to go there without the Daimyo's say-so... gives Danzo one less excuse, y'know?" he laughed nervously. "Still, good to see you. We need all the help we can."

"He's in charge. Ask him your questions," Miyuki whispered. She rested a hand on Gaara's back lightly and gave the very gentlest push forward... not even enough to make him move, but enough to get her point across.

I didn't just bring you here for me. I'm not selfish.

Besides, while they talked, she could see what was left of her house...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ oh really? x3 ]]

Miharu glanced back at him then stopped. She sighed , "Well go on a head.." she said allowing him to move forward so he could be the 'boss'. She sighed and crossed her arms.

---

Gaara glanced back at MIyuki then walked to Naruto's side. "Is everyone alive?" he asked Naruto. "Do you know how many?"

[Ravenheart]

Sai did feel better that way... not that he had feelings, really, it was just one less thing for him to worry about if he was the one in control. After all, he had a few ranks on her. If she went and died it'd be his fault.

... I don't think I want to remember what it's like to feel 'bad.'

~*~

"Almost everyone. There are some still missing, but only a few. There are people out there now looking for them, and so far all the rescues have worked out fine. And Granny Tsunade was able to save anyone who didn't get killed in the initial onslaught," Naruto explained, openly relieved that while the village was levelled, the people were okay... mostly.

Miyuki gave a faint smile. Once Naruto had been a guide to Gaara. Now Gaara would guide Naruto. After all, he was a natural leader, and an elite shinobi... but as a Kage? He'd need some training.

She turned away without so much as a 'goodbye.' Let the boys do their work. She had her own grim task to take care of.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu sighed and crossed her arms as she trailed far behind Sai just looking at the senary. She pulled her hair out of her eyes to help her see a bit more clearly.

---

Gaara nodded, "And theres not enough shelter for everyone is there..?" he asked Naruto, staring down at the under ground tunnels that where dug up.

[Ravenheart]

((Scenery* ^^' Sorry, but you asked for help with your spelling...))

Sai dropped back suddenly, took Miharu by the arm, and steered her down an alley.

A group of three higher-ranked shinobi trooped past the other way, as if on a mission somehow. They faltered, galnced around, but then kept going.

"That's what I thought... she knows she's been trailed," Sai whispered. "We need to find somewhere to lie low, and soon."

~*~

"Kinda..." Naruto said awkwardly, following Gaara's eyes to the tunnels. "See, Danzo's got room for everyone down there. It's like a village under the village. But going to live there means going by his rules, and he... hnnn...."

Naruto looked especially grim about something. NOT a look often found on his face.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ yup! thank you :3! x3 i shall work on my spelling xD ]]

Miharu looked down at her arm, "Alright but you dont have to grabed my arm." she said prying his hand off of her arm. She rubbed her arm and held it before looking out of the alley way, "Dont touch me." she said coldly.

---

"Then we should make room up here..." Gaara said shortly after. "Can we not...?" he asked.

[Ravenheart]

Sai looked... confused. Just like he was no good at communicating, her body language was nigh unreadable. It was impossible to know how she would react to things.

"... I wouldn't have. But you wouldn't have moved quickly enough for us to get out of sight," he answered bluntly.

~*~

Naurto nodded. "Once the rescue teams are done we'll have to level the place and start over. Actually, a couple messengers came in from the Hidden Mist. They're sending help with that when we're ready. It's just... what to do until then, y'know? We're fine for now, but it'll have to rain at some point, and it'll be cold and damp and people will get sick without good shelter." He gave a reluctant laugh. "And some of 'em think handing me over would fix everything. It's not gonna happen, dattebayo. I'll fix this. If it kills me, I'll fix this."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Just dont touch me again!" she said firmly. "Its bad enough that im partnered with you,..a guy." she said quiet angry.

---

Gaara nodded, "For now the best we can do is try to build some shelter for when the rain comes." he said.

[Ravenheart]

Sai blinked, expression totally blank. He'd heard that a lot of girls didn't really like guys, but... this was a bit much.

"I don't bite," he said, putting on his smile. "You don't need to worry. You're not even my type." Which was true, mostly. Sai, having no feelings or opinions, didn't even HAVE a type. He'd just never looked at a girl that way before. His life was ongoing indifference: he wasn't attracted to any girl (or any guy, for those who wondered), he couldn't see the difference between good or evil, save that what Danzo said was evil, was. He couldn't embrace or fear anything. Couldn't love or hate, be angry, happy, or sad. He was a blank slate. What about that bothered her?

~*~

Naruto gave a small grin, determined all of a sudden. "Right. That's a good place to start," he agreed, turning away from the crater and looking back at the camp.

The big problem was the number of people. Families shared little shelters, but no larger groups than four or five. Most camped in twos or alone. There was no way to keep up like that.

"I'll get some people together to start building bigger shelters, so we can fit multiple families in each one. That'll solve half the problem. Captain Yamato can help, he knows wood-style jutsu. Once there's a plan, can you clear out some land for us to start on?" he asked, looking to Gaara. He hoped so, there was still a little patch of desert in this region from when he'd fought Kimimaro all those years ago. Hopefully he'd be able to do it again...

((I'm jumping for joy. Everybody was saying that because Shukaku's gone, Gaara couldn't use his sand anymore. But they were WRONG! :D Kishimoto-san said he'll never lose that ability.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu shook her head, "I don't care." she said. "Just dont touch me." she said heading out of the ally way. "Just continue your lead onto being the boss and dont touch me and we won't have an issuse."

---

Gaara nodded, "Yeah , i will." he said quietly. "When you have people i want you to come back and let me know." he said.

[Ravenheart]

Sai hurried along to the shadiest-looking inn he could find, the types of people who didn't care about politics as long as they could get away with living low. He had no concern for petty criminals. It was the big time, the war criminals with hefty, international bounties that concerned him. Like their target. Like Konan.

He acted well. A couple of desperate teens on the move, needing a place to lay their heads. He made a great show of paying 'only what he could afford,' then snagged the key to the room before any questions could be asked.

The halls were dimly lit, the place ill-kept.

"At least it's dry," he remarked as he jammed the key into the lock. It stuck, then finally turned, and they were in. No sooner than that he had flipped open his book to research Miharu's odd behavior.

~*~

Naruto grinned and gave a thumbs-up to this.

"Will do. Be back soon!" he was gone just as quickly as he had come, an orange flash among the crowd.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu steped into their room and laid down on the bed facing the wall holding onto herself. She sighed softly and closed her eyes. She wasn't going to go to sleep, just think things over on how to attack Konan.

---

Gaara stared at him, "How many people did you gather? "he asked.

[Ravenheart]

Sai blinked at her. Alright, he'd take the floor.

He didn't say anything, manners forgotten. He went into the bathroom to at least dry off some, wishing he'd brought some spare clothes (being, well, a guy, he wasn't in the habit of doing things like that).

Now here was a predicament: cold-resistant though he was, he wasn't eager to go from being warm and dry to cold and wet in his clothes again.

... damn.

He gave an indifferent shrug to himself. For lack of a better plan he hung his soaked clothes over the edge of the tub to dry, sank down against the wall with a towel around his waist, and went back to contemplating his book with an absent expression on his face. So far, nothing to help him unravel the mystery that was Miharu.

~*~

((Um... was that a >>FF>>?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu sat up then climbed off the bed, "Ill be right back." she said quietly, "Not that you care." She shrugged. Shes come to relized guys dont really care about any one but themselves and if they get what they want they are satisfied.

---

[[ um sure i suppose so :3 ]]

[Ravenheart]

Sai poked his head out, not wanting to offend her by exposing the rest of himself. Some girls were touchy about that.

"Where are you going?" he asked bluntly. Not anywhere on her own, that was for sure.

~*~

Naruto came back not too long after. A group of men, among them Captain Yamato and some of them from Keiji's family were following, ready to do their part.

"Okay, we've got a team and a site picked out. Ready to come with us?" Naruto asked.

((Feel free to stick Kairi in where/whenever you like.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Whats it matter to you what i do?" she asked him.

---

[[ i think i'll stick her in a little here and there helping them try to build some shelter. Also, i have decided to change a bit of Kairi's bio. It just seemed...so...Marry Sue. :3 Haha she doesn't have a tailed beast [ or whatever i said she had] And etc. If you want the story just ask, i dont care xD ]]

Gaara nodded, "Yes lets get going." he said. "Ah, Captain Yamato..." Kairi said quietly coming upon the group, "Whats going on?" she asked.

[Ravenheart]

Sai found this question difficult to answer. He put it as simply as possible.

"I'm your superior. If you die, I'm responsible," he explained. "No, it's more complicated... hmm...." He wiped his bangs out of his face again and tried to answer well.

"... it's something Naruto-kun said, ultimately. That's all," he said, for lack of a better explanation. He'd spare her the details. But while he wasn't very good at feeling things, thanks to Naruto he was getting better at being attached to people. Miharu was his responsibility. His comrade. If he turned his back on that, how could he ever understand Naruto's strength? But... no, still, it was more than that... and now Sai was struggling to understand his own head.

~*~

((Fill me in. It'll help if I know the details.))

Yamato glanced over at the newcomer. Ah, yes. The kid that had a habit of popping up...

"Bad weather is on the way. We're trying to build some better shelter so no one freezes in the rain. If you want to help, talk to Naruto. He's running the show," he said with a fond smile.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Right." she said. "Ill just be out here watching the rain then." she said rolling her eyes and leaving the room.

---

[[ then ill pm you it xD haha its a bit of change[sorta] but i got tired of it xD ]]

Kairi nodded, "Alright." she said. She headed up to the front of the group and tapped Naruto's shoulder. If she had a way of helping others she would make sure to figure out how to do it. "Naruto?" she questioned, "Ah, its the Kazekage!" she said quickly, noticing Gaara.

[Ravenheart]

Sai heaved a massive sigh to this. He was getting nowhere fast with her.

What else could he do? At least assured of some measure of privacy with her out of the room, he wandered over toward the window and sat down on the bed to keep an eye on her. He didn't full-blown STARE at her. Just glanced down now and then to make sure she was okay.

~*~

Naruto turned around, eyes wide. And here she was, popped up again!

"Hey, Kairi!" he laughed, grinning. "Nope, I'm still the idiot in orange, dattebayo! Come to help out?"

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu put her face in her hands, she wanted to cry, she did. She was remembering what had happened the last time she saw her father. Mainly the reason why she lives with her brothers is because she hated her father. He was always drunk or beating on one of her brothers. Before she knew it, she became a victim. That was a one time thing and her brothers took good care of her after wards.

It wasn't that she was scared of men, she knew there where gentle guys out there, but she was just scared of them touching her once more. She whiped her eyes and stared up at the sky as the rain fell down on her face. She was beginning to feel guilty of yelling at Sai.

---

Kairi nodded, "Yeah." she said with a small nod. "Is there any room for me?" she asked. "I could help any one with wounds or something if you dont have any room for me to help build shelter." she said. She wanted to help as much as posible and she wanted to stay on top and help people become less upset--though some weren't-- and more lively.

[Ravenheart]

Sai had no way of knowing what was going on, of course. She looked upset, yes... but that wasn't any of his business, and he knew it.

And he was drowsy. Rather than leave her entirely alone, however, he quickly painted up a mouse and sent it to keep watch on her while he dozed. That done, he slid under the covers (it was her fault for leaving them), and closed his eyes for a bit...

~*~

"This is men's work," Naruto admitted, looking around at the crowd. All men. He wasn't really sexist, but when it came to moving logs and builidng things, men were just better suited. "Sakura could use you, though. Over there." He stood next to her and pointed over her shoulder to where Sakura's medical camp was.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu rubbed her eyes and heading out onto the streets to find some food to bring back for her and sai for later on. She thought of it as a kind of, 'im sorry so heres some food i bought for you for later on' type thing. She went into a small shop and looked around for anything that they could eat without cooking. She grabbed a few fruits and went to the counter to pay.

---

Kairi nodded, "Alright." she said with a smile. "you be careful then!" she said, "And ill try my best to help Sakura-san out as much as i can...!" She said with a wide smile at Naruto. "Let me know if theres anything i can do though. " she said. She waved bye to Naruto and headed to the tent where Naruto had pointed. 'And maybe i can learn a bit from Sakura-san...or Senpai, i should say..

Gaara stared at Naruto and Kairi. "Who was that...?" he asked Naruto. It wasn't his business, but Gaara didn't care. He crossed his arms looking back at the group Naruto had gather. This would be enough to help build a few shelters, anf big ones at that.

[Ravenheart]

((Um... sleeping Sai?))

~*~

Naruto looked the way Kairi had run and gave a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head.

"She's, uh... a... a friend," he answered. A very close friend. Who had stayed with him for awhile when they were kids...

All right, so he wasn't fooling anyone, least of all Gaara.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ haha yah i meant to brign her back to the apartment.]]

Miharu entered the apartment and set some of the fruit down on the table. "I brought back some fruit.." she said. She then looked into the small room and saw Sai laying down. She sighed, shrugged and washed an apple off. "Sorry." she said quietly to him after taking a bit. She wasn't sure wheather or not he heard her but she didn't mind.

After she finished her fruit, she yawned and pulled a towel out, to dry herself a bit. She then laid down on the broken couch and stared at the ceiling. This would be an interesting mission. She sighed once more, rolled over and closed her eyes to ge a bit of rest herself.

---

Gaara just gave a nod. He wouldn't really understand that feeling...well maybe just a little, but even so, he would keep it a little less unknown and quiet. "We should get started then." he said. "Take me to the area where the shelters shall be built." he said.

He came here to help, and thats what he was going to do. It was only then did he relize that Miyuki was gone. Sure he was distracted but he figured she would at least say where she would be. He glanced around. If she wasn't near then she must be a bit far. He wasn't going to go search for her, but he knew she would come back when she was ready too, whereever she went to.

[Ravenheart]

Sai was made aware of her return only by the tiny squeak of his mouse as it returned itself to his roll of paper. He peered one eye open, saw her on the couch, then closed it again. She came back safe. That was what mattered...

... but there was more to be done.

Sai said up and began painting away furiously. It would take big snakes for this job.

Eventually he had four of them. Being made only of ink, they slid under her without so much as a feeling, lifted her, and carried her into the bed. Sai slid out and covered her up. He'd take the couch.

~*~

They reached the spot, down near the river, but still on the hillside. It was like a shelf, relatively flat, but covered in the massive trees that were native to Fire Country.

"Everybody step back!" Naruto called, pointing out the spot to Gaara. "Can you do it?" He was more than willing to forget girl problems for now.

((I need to sleep... ^^'))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[haha Miharu is asleep :3 ]]

---

[[ let me get this straight, he uses his sand to take out some trees, right?]]

Gaara nodded. It would be an easy task for him to do.

[Ravenheart]

((Yep. >>FF>> time.))

~*~*~*~

Get up. Dress. Eat. Get moving.

... eat...?

For the first time Sai took note of the fruit that Miharu had apparently brought in. Necesity? Or a friendly gesture?

He consulted the book, which made him think maybe it was the second one. Still, better not to assume. So, in silence, he sat and munched as quietly as possible until she woke up. It was night now. He didn't dare leave her alone, but they needed to get on with business.

~*~

((Yeah, Gaara's been known to do such things. Although if you like we can just skip ahead, get Kairi and Miyuki back in the picture.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu sat up from her bed and rubbed her eyes. It wasn't the most comfortable beds in the world but it was a lot comfortable then her own bed at home. She stretched, ruffled her hair. As soon as she got out of the bed she was confused. She was originally on the couch, not the bed. She then stepped into the kitchen where Sai sat. "How did i get on the bed?" she asked. Maybe she got up and got into bed while Sai was in the restroom. She wasn't quiet sure. She yawned and grabbed an apple before taking a bit.

---

[[ Yes bring Yuki-chan back! >w< i wanna know what happens! :3 And remember, i may need some help cause i only rarely get to read Naruto now-in-days >< ]]

[Ravenheart]

He turned around in his chair to look at her as she came in.

"I put you there. I didn't touch you," Sai answered through a mouthful of apple. He looked blank, as ever, but somehow innocent and clueless too. "Good morning to you too. Or good evening, more accurately."

~*~

((Now-in-days... nowadays? ;) But yes, I will bear that in mind.))

Come early evening, Miyuki hiked back from the ruins empty-handed. Her house, having been on the edge of the village, wasn't hit as hard as some... but there was nothing worth carrying with her. Nothing that she would need at the camp. It was mostly metal things that could stand up to the blast. They would be there when it was time to rebuild.

Coming up into the campsite, she could see the groups were already making their way into the woods. Captain Yamato and his group had done a remarkable job. The houses were simple, but thanks to his jutsu they were also sturdy, and looked like decent houses, not just makeshift shelters.

He must have had help putting them together inside, though. And I bet Naruto put the Fox to good use, if they were able to build that much.

She gave a wry, halfhearted smile and continued her way into the woods to find a place of her own. She didn't really feel happy. But she would find Gaara, and maybe that would help...

((I'm not sure where you left off. But at one point on a mission, Yamato conjures a house using his wood jutsu in the middle of a forest. There weren't any furnishings inside, but the house was there. It looked like one of the old, traditional Japanese houses, two stories tall. So yeah, picture a bunch of those, big and empty, just plopped down in a clear space in the woods, and that's about what the group has managed to accomplish in a day.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded and took another bit. "Yah, good evening.." she said quietly. She went back onto the bed and sat up on her knees to take a look out the window. 'Its still raining,...' She thought to herself. "Does this rain ever stop?" she asked turning around to Sai. She just thought it was a bit strange is all...but to her, this was very helpful.

---

[[ ah sorry xD haha ah im not very good at my spelling today D': At least you are helping me! xD]]

Gaara stood crossed armed staring up at one of the houses. There where plently of house now. This was good. He had part of his work done, all he needed to do was to have some food planted and find some type of meat for proteins. Of course he had other plans to make before he left to go back to Suna, and a ton of things, but he wanted to start with the most important things for now. Shelter, food and water. Shelter was fine for now as well as water, but as Miyuki had said, Meat was scarse and that could be bad.

[Ravenheart]

Sai looked outside. It was darker now, but he could still hear the rain clearly. He'd never been here before. He couldn't really recall much of life beyond the Konoha underground...

"I guess it rains most of the time. 'Rain village,' after all," he said, voice becoming quiet again. She had him thinking again... she did that a lot.

~*~

Miyuki came up closer, in awe of what the two Kage's and a captain had accomplished in one day.

When she reached a group of people, she asked them about the Lord Kazekage, and pointed her his way. She found him outside the shelters, and came up behind him quietly, as was her habit not to speak at first. He was so aloof, it was hard to just look at him without being noticed...

"... You did well," she said finally, coming closer so as to get his attention. She put on the best smile she could without being fake... which wasn't much, but at least it was genuine. She was proud of him, and Naruto. But there was just too much more in her head right now...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu rested her head down on the window sill. "Do you think it stops?" she asked him. "I find it strange how it just seems to rain and rain...and how its only raining here, for forever." she said quietly. "You think the skys crying for this villlage?" she thought aloud.

---

Gaara simply nodded. No thank you, as always, just a simple..nod. "Where did you go.." he asked casually takign a glance back at her. It wasn't like he was worried or anything he was just asking. He was...just asking.

[Ravenheart]

Sai's face slowly came into a frown. The sky... crying?

He left the kitchen and walked toward the window, sitting next to her to better contemplate this. He didn't talk for a few minutes. Just sat, staring out at the gray curtains of rain.

"I don't remember what it's like to cry. I don't know if the sky can cry. I don't even know when to smile or to frown," he said. Was that regret in his voice? "But people cry when their sad, especially for other people. So if the sky could cry for this village, I think it would." No mockery. He seemed honest, sincere, even if he didn't fully understand it himself.

~*~

She came to stand next to him. She was able to keep a forced smile for a few seconds, but then it disappeared.

"To see what was left of my house... you never came to my house, did you? I always came to bother you instead..." she reflected, more thinking out loud than actually talking to him. It brought a faint smile back. But it went again quickly. "It was small, after all I was the only one there. I was proud of it. The whole team was over for dinner the night of the attack... but it's gone now. A little of the foundation in the corner. Some scrap metal. That's about all..."

It wasn't that Miyuki expected any comfort from him. I'm not stupid, she thought. But it felt better just to be able to say it to someone. She couldn't help a feeling of guilt for laying it on him, though.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stared at Sai. "I guess i couldn't ask you how it feels not to feel..huh?" she asked. "But some people say it would be better not to feel hurt or pain." she said staring out side once more, "But i believe it is good because it helps people get things out and understand things more." she said. "For me.." she began softly, "Im greatful for my feelings even though i had a rough past." she said, "And right now, i feel sorry for you." she said glancing back at him.

---

He was quiet. What more could he do? Say he's sorry, give her a hug for comfort? He wasn't like Naruto,... he couldn't do that. He began to wonder if he would ever be able to do that. "You can still rebuild it." This was the only thing he could think of. Re-build a new house. He knew it wouldn't be easy for her, because of all those memories she had in that house where gone, but he figured she could make new ones and start anew, like a few people have already began to do.

[Ravenheart]

"... It does make things difficult," Sai admitted at great length. "I think that I might like to have friends. Like Naruto. But I can't understand people... so it's hard."

He gave the very faintest sigh to this. "I can't rgret ROOT. How could I, not knowing what else might have been? But since I've surfaced, I've found that there are many more questions here than there are answers."

~*~

Miyuki looked up to him and gave a small shrug. "That's all there is to do, isn't there? There's no giving up. Just going on."

She gave a sigh, staring at the people for a moment, and then at the ground.

"I think... I should be on my own, for awhile," she said softly. "I need to deal with this... I'm going to go find somewhere I can stay."

So, just like that she walked off again. She told him where she was going this time, that was an improvement. And Gaara was calm as ever, that was also good. But still, she needed to get away. It wasn't his problem.

She paused, and glanced back to him. "Thank you, for helping today."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu gave a big sigh and fell back onto the bed. "This mood is so depressing." she said. She then smiled and looked at the wall and giggled to herself softly. At least for a moment she figured she got to know Sai a whole lot better. She grabbed what was left of her apple, hopped off the bed and threw it away before getting something to drink. She stared down at her glass then held it up. She then gave a small smirk then set her cup on the counter.

---

Gaara turned to Miyuki. He gave her a nod as if to say your welcome, or take your time to regroup and what not. He then stepped forward to go find NAruto and see what else he should do.

[Ravenheart]

Sai studied her quietly. He didn't say anything, and he wasn't exactly staring. But just observing. Trying to understand.

He laid down on his back on the bed and watched her in the next room. She puzzled him. Most people were easy enough to understand, if you knew how to read them, which Sai usually did. But Miharu... she wore a smile when others would frown. It confused him.

He quietly opened his book and searched for the answers.

~*~

Naruto dashed past Miyuki as she left. He noted that she looked miserable, but she was one of countless.

"Oh, good, she found you. She'd been asking around," Naruto sighed in relief, catching up with Gaara. "The group's calling it a night. I don't know if you're sleeping now, but there's plenty of room." He jerked a thumb toward the buildings they had built that day. He then looked around nervously and leaned forward.

"That, uh... that girl from earlier... you seen her around?" he asked in a low voice, grinning sheepishly.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu then dug in her bag and pulled out a book. She then looked over at Sai. "How long will we be waiting?" she askeed. She wasn't an impaitencet person. She was actually really patiencent and if it would take a while, she would just read her book. If she wasn't doing anything she would have her nose in a book.

---

Gaara simply shook his head."No." he said plain in simple. Gaara watched Naruto...for now he was a bit curious as to what he would care for. He sometimes confused him then again, helped him understand a few things slowly.

[Ravenheart]

Sai looked over at her. He didn't even lift his head, so he was looking at her sideways.

"We should go now, if you've had enough to eat," he answered simply. They were here on a mission, and they needed to get to it before Konan moved again.

~*~

Naruto sighed and leaned his back against a tree next to his friend, scanning the crowd for her.

"... she turned up here a few years ago. When we were kids. She was on the run from some kind of trouble with her clan... stupid, I never really asked what. Maybe it just didn't matter," he thought, grinning. That was a nice thought. "She didn't really have anyone, so she stayed with em for awhile... Damn, she could get annoying, too... but then I left. I came back. She left. and... I guess I was more attached to her than I realized." By the look on his face, it was clear his eyes weren't even seeing what was in front of him. They were on her, wherever she was.

"So now she comes back! I can't just let her disappear again!" he said, laughter becoming more nervous again. His eyes focused again, looking around anxiously. What if she decided not to get involved? What if she'd already left? He wasn't exactly ready to admit he liked her... but he didn't want her to go away, either.

((BTW, your inbox is full ;)))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "Yes, more then ready." she said. It was time to get serious. She set her book on her table and took her hair band and pulled her hair up. She tightened her gloves. She was ready. She knew that by the end of this mission she may be sicker then a wet dog but this was one serious missions she's had in a long time.

---

Gaara glanced around breifly. He wasn't sure how to comfort Naruto and tell him that she may not have even left, but the least he could do is help him find her. He then pointed over towards one of the houses they had built. "IS that her.." he asked pointing.

[Ravenheart]

Sai rolled to his feet at once. He stood up and made for the door.

"Remember, God's Angel. Nobody here is our friend," he said quietly as he opened the door. "We'll try their old hideout first."

~*~

It wasn't a question of comfort. Naruto would talk at anyone, first of all. Secondly, chances were that Gaara didn't even understand why this was such a big deal, so he saw the need to explain.

Of course, all of that went out of mind when he followed Gaara's pointing finger.

"Hey! Thanks!" he said, leaving at once.

He came up behind Kairi quickly, slowing once he got to her side.

"Kairi! Hey! How were things with Sakura?" he asked her. Hopefully Sakura didn't give her a hard time...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "Got it. " she said. She opened the door, "Lead the way boss. "she said ready to get things started.

---

Kairi smiled, "Hey NAruto." she said. "Things look really nice! You guys did a great job." she said. She looked back up at the shelters. "Well Sakura taught me a whole lot!" she said. "Expect i kinda kept messing things up.." she said with a nervous laugh. "I just dont think the medical area is for me." she said with a shrug.

[Ravenheart]

Sai led the way out into the streets, which were dark and empty at this hour. The rain had slowed from a downpour to a drizzle, and Sai searched the sky for the highest point of the village.

"Up there," he said, gesturing toward a tall tower-like structure. "So Pein could send his signal to his bodies. I suspect she's returned there so her leader can find her."

~*~

Naruto shook his head. "Everybody's in one piece, that's what matters," he assured her. He looked up at the buildings. "I didn't really do much... Gaara levelled the place, and Captain Yamato put up the buildings. They're all sectioned off inside, I helped with that a little. But I'm not much of a builder," he said with a nervous laugh. Most of his jutsu were designed to blow things up or tear them apart...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "I suppose she may, or may not be there." she said, "But never hurts to check." she said with a smirk. She was gettingg excited.

---

Kairi shook her head and stared over at Naruto. "It doesn't matter who did what most and who helped and what not." She began, "It just matters that people are happy." she said, "And the fact that you helped is god enough. "she said. "You still helped.." she said. "Besides, you've helped a lot of people as it is, Ho-Kag-A-Sama.." she said with a small giggle and smile.

[[ Ki-chan has to go now D: ahh..but ill see you tomorrow! :] ]]

[Ravenheart]

Sai couldn't actually feel excited, no... but suddenly he very much wanted to get to the top of that tower.

And so he was off, through the dark streets, out of the residential area of the village. Soon they were surrounded by military buildings, most of them abandoned and boarded up in the wake of countless wars. Akatsuki agents could have been anywhere, but Sai led with confidence.

"So far so good. Do we have company?" he asked her, just loudly enough to be heard.

~*~

Naruto grinned, maybe a little nervous, but proud at the same time.

"Well, nothing's official yet... I mean, the Daimyo could show up tomorrow and give the title to that creep Danzo... but thanks," he added. Guilty as it was, it was kinda nice to hear someone say it out loud finally.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu shook her head. She didn't notice any one for the mean time.
She made sure to stay on Sai's heels just incase, and she was, for a fact, excited.

---

Kairi smiled witha small alugh to herself. "Your welcome." she said. "If its someone that deserves that title is you Naruto-kun." she said glacning over at him with a warm smile.

[Ravenheart]

So in they went, into the empty darkness of the cold building. It was like there was nothing between them and the faint grey light outside but a chilled metal shell.

Sai's eyes adjusted quickly to the dark, and he found the stairs up, going very quietly. He was trained for stealth and silence, and so moved without a sound. From time to time when he wasn't watching his 12, he looked back to 6, behind him, to make sure Miharu was all right. He didn't say a word the entire time, just signaled which way he needed her to go or where he was going. The quiet was so complete that the sound of his own breathing seemed deafening.

~*~

Naruto's face turned a very light red underneath the whisker-marks. He couldn't find anything to say to this. It wasn't the sort of thing he was used to hearing...

He looked at the buildings, then to her.

"Hey, you wanna find someplace we can crash for the night? Sakura's busy with the injured, and all the clans are sticking together, so I'm kinda on my own, I don't know about you..." he said. Not that he was suggesting anything. It was simply that camping was better with friends, or a team at the very least. And even Sai was off and about, though maybe that was a good thing...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu made sure to stay as quiet as poisble and made srue to pay close attention to Sai's signals. She didn't want to mess things up. And she isn't one to normally do that either.

---

Kairi nodded, "Sure sounds great!" she said. she didn't have anythign else to do. And if she didn't she would try to find something to do and or stay.

[Ravenheart]

Outside the storm picked up. Out the windows, Sai could see power in the village flicker. Being up this high probably wasn't so smart.

As they neared the top, he spotted not one, but two silhouettes outside. Eyes wide, he signaled Miharu urgently to drop out of sight and lay low. Was it the leader...? No, Sai recognized that one, it was the one they called 'Tobi.' But that couldn't be...

"The village survives yet. Nagato's attack has been in vain," Konan was saying with clear sorrow and resentment. "Uzumaki Naruto, he insists on picking up and carrying on. He couldn't make him understand."

"Then nothing was accomplished?"

"The Hokage is dead. Konoha has no clear leader now. That is all," she replied.

Sai listened intently to this. Yes, she was reporting to him. Just who was Tobi really, then...?

((Hmm... how exciting do I want to make this...?))

~*~

Naruto grinned, glad for some company.

"Alright, let's go. I think the ones toward the back are pretty much empty," he said, leading her through the crowds to one of the houses farther away from the village. Most people wanted to stay as close to home as possible. Naruto had mostly come to terms with the fact that this WAS 'home' for the time being.

"... good to know you weren't hurt in the attack, by the way," he said, half-smiling at her.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[im sorry for my lame short posts xD haha im a bit busy and not in a mood to rp[yet again i am xD again sorry D: ]]

Miharu stayed quiet. SHe didn't move an inch. She wasn't scared to move at the least just didn't want to blow their cover. She began to question whither or not she was scared when she figured she wasn't breathing. She made sure to take long yet short breaths to make sure to take less breaths at a time.

She stared at the floor as she listened to Konan and some man talk. This was intresting.

---

Kairi nodded staring at her feet when he said that, "Thanks.." she said quietly. She was happy naruto was safe but seeing the whole eight tailed fox scared her. SHe didn't want to see it again. She shook her head lightly and kept quiet. She wasn't fully scared of NAruto. No, she loved him, it was just the sight of NAruto almost going nine tailed on Pein that scared her.

[Ravenheart]

((It's okay, we can put it on pause for awhile if you wan't a break.))

Sai listened closely, trying not even to move.

"Oh well. It's not a problem. My little prodigy will fix all of that," Tobi answered.

"Uchiha Sasuke?"

"He knows the truth of our clan now. Konoha will be made to understand Pain. Rest assured of that."

Sai's eyes went wide at this point. He gestured urgently to Miharu.

Withdraw! Now!

"Did you hear something?"

~*~

Naruto looked at her, maybe moping a little. That wasn't a good sign at all...

"I know, I know... I scared a lot of people. I'm sorry," he said, his voice quiet, but determined. "It'll never happen again, dattebayo."

I can handle it now. I know I can... I'm the Fourth Hokage's son.

~*~

Once Miyuki had gotten ahold of herself some, she went to the upper levels of the last building. It was mostly empty, quiet... just Gaara's kind of place.

She was betting on this, as she had a tray in her hands. Normally he took to high-up places where there was little company to be found. Well, too bad, she'd come to find him.

"Gaara-kun?" she called quietly, coming up the stairs. It was no secret how she felt about him anymore, after all.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[haha sorry about that yesterday. :] I was watching all these Gackt videos and got caught in the middle of it all and just didn't feel like RPing that day]]

Miharu nodded when she saw Sai give the signal. Just as quietly as she came she quickly left quietly, as possible that is. She still didn't quite understand what was going on, and who Uchiha Sasuke was. In fact she hardly even know who this Konan girl was. She was confused but still tried to understand. One thing she did know though was that the fact that Konoha was in trouble, again.

---

Kairi quickly looked up, "Im sorry!" she said, "Was i that obvious?" she asked sadly. She knew it was his fault in the first place and she felt bad now that he had said what he just said. She knew he must've felt bad as it was anyways.

---

Gaara stared at the stair way where Miyuki had come up. He wasn't really doing anything. Just sitting and thinking. It was then that he realized how the Paper work took up so much of his time that he actually had something to do instead of sit around and stare at a wall all day. It wasn't that he missed it or anything, it just gave him something to do.

[[ Yay! x3 i was wondering when you'd bring her back, i just love her and Gaara! D: ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Gackt is my hero!! *squee* I had no less than three sigs featuring him while you were gone, and I'm working on a new one :D So... yeah, forgiven!))

By the time they were far enough away, Sai ignored the previous rule laid down by Miharu and pulled her along beside him, top-speed, back the way they had come.

"Code-red. Do you know the name Uchiha Madara?" he asked, obviously ignoring what little human element had passed between them. In the face of survival, ROOT training kicked in.

~*~

Naruto shrugged. "Yeah, kinda," he confessed. But he managed a smile at her. "Hey, it's fine... you'll never have to worry about it again."

Well, maybe it wasn't entirely fine. But Naruto had some measure of hope. He got the impression that Kairi, unlike some, actually saw that he wasn't the Fox. She understood... or he liked to think she did.

~*~

((Heh, and here I always feel bad for taking up your time with them ^^'))

Miyuki walked over to him, half-smiling, and set the tray down in front of him.

"It isn't much," she confessed. "Just some rice, and some mushroom soup."

She pushed it forward. The dishes were chipped at the edges, having taken a beating in the attack. But it was what she could find to give in these circumstances. She hoped it would do.

((My brother is demanding the comp... I'll be back in a couple hours, k?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ i gotta go ill reply when i get back from V-ball practice. Be back around 9 or 8 my time ]]

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ lol i use to hate him because of all the girls who liked him xD But when i first listened to one of his songs i was like, WOAH! He's a good singer xD Haha and a deep sexy voice too o3o ]]

Miharu, for this time, wasn't going to explode at Sai. She tried to stay clam when he grabbed her because she knew this was serious, even though she was a bit scared when he did take ahold of her. She nodded, "Yah i know him..." she said quietly.

---

Kairi shook her head, "Im sorry." she said quietly. She didn't mean to be so obvious. She sighed. She was a bit upset with her self now, and embarrassed. "sorry." she said once more. It wasn't Naruto's fault, and it wasn't his fault he was the nine tailed fox.

---

[[ no its fine! Actually to be honest, i always feel rude when its just me and my characters D: Because i mean im having to make you work two guy characters so i feel bad about that D: But i always like being Gaara so i can get better with him ^^ ]]

Of course Gaara wasn't going to say think you or even show gratitude but just a nod. He took the dish and began to eat staring at the wall. He wasn't going to ask her how she was and if she was okay. He wasn't going to give her comfort or a hug. He was just Gaara, and this meant silence. He would nod for a thanks and to show respect but thats all. He would normally state things instead of asking the question. He was just -- Gaara.

[[whom Le-chan adores through Rain or shine x3 And yah okay :] ]]

[Ravenheart]

((I know!! I love how he does the first part of Lu:Na, the quality of his voice is just... ahh...))

((You want sexy? Listen to his song 'Vanilla.' Don't ask, just do it.))

Sai continued his run through the streets. The sheer speed that they moved at made the rain seem to pound on them harder, but he had bigger concerns.

"That's who Tobi really is," he answered, looking back behind them. "You can be certain he knows that Konan was followed. If he finds us, we're both dead. We need to get out of this village. Now."

It was as close to panic as Sai had come in a long time. All the bodily reactions were there... an increased pulse, an adrenaline surge, it was just that the emotion wasn't responding. Only the physical symptoms. But that was bad enough, and he wanted it to stop. More importantly, he wanted to get them out of there before Madara found them.

~*~

Naruto shook his head again. He rested a hand on her shoulder to stop her, then turned her gently to look at him (or at least as gently as Naruto knew how).

"Don't worry!" he said again, grinning at her and meaning it. "Look, you're alive and you're not running away from me screaming. That's what matters."

"... and I was pretty scared too," he added. He figured that Kairi was a safe enough person to admit that to. "It's not like I can blame you, so quit worrying about it, okay?"

~*~

Miyuki didn't expect any more of him. He was Gaara, she loved him that way. She did what she did because she loved him, not because she wanted to be thanked or praised.

As for comfort... she had her team, she reminded herself. She would rely on her boys instead.

So she sat quietly, expecting nothing, asking only to keep him company.

((Yes, I love him ^//^ For good or ill, I just do.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ oh i have! when i first listened to it iwas like O///O seriously xD And i was like, "Its a good song still! xD " i like it :3 although the lyrics are rather...well you know .///. but its a good song none-the-less :] ]]

Miharu narrowed her eyes, "But how?" she asked, "Didn't he die?" she asked. When Sai said to get out of the village now, she was a bit scared. Not scared to the point to where she's freaking out, but to the point to where she would want to hide under her covers like a little kid would do when they think they see shadows.

Thats when it hit her. She had left her book on the table where they had stayed in the hotel. She griped her hands tightly. She wanted to go back and get it because it was a special book to her, and it had something very special in it. Her life was on the line right now, so for now, she would have to leave it behind. She'll go back and get it, no doubt. She will...once she knews she can.

---

Kairi had a tint blush but nodded. "Alright." she said putting on a smile. She then blinked, "Naruto, you where scared?" she asked. She never thought he was scared. All she knew was taht she was scared, not because of the nine tails, but because she was afraid she was going to lose him...

She laughed a little, "I never thought you'd be scared.." she said. It was just a little shock to her. Now she would begin to consider things before she even thinks about loseing him or being scared for that matter, because she has to consider his feelings as well.

---

Once Gaara finished his meal he set his cup down on his tray then stared over at Miyuki. "What is everyone doing.." he said. He hadn't left for about an hour or less and he wasn't quiet sure what was going outside of his little room. He wasn't curious i guess you could say, just sorta...asking.

[[ aw >w< hehe I understand you xD ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Heh, well, being a gaijin and all, first time I listened to it I thought 'Oh, hey! This is catchy, I wonder what it means...' Well, I googled it... and I found the translation... and my boyfriend watched my face turn scarlet in about thirty seconds. XD It was funny, looking back on it.))

((Also recommended, go to YouTube, look for a video of him doing 'Mirror' live. No more caffeine for him!))

Sai wasn't good at emotions, but he knew behavior, which was slightly different.

He slowed and brought them around a corner, as if Madara could see from the top of a tower and they would be safe behind a buidling.

"You're distracted: what is it?" he asked bluntly. Almost demanding, but more serious than he was offensive. It was crunch time. Survival mode. He didn't have time to be polite about things.

~*~

Naruto looked away, down and to the side. "Pein... said some things that made me think. Some ugly things. I didn't know what to do... I've never felt so rotten in my whole life, and he would have won if He hadn't shown up..."

He smiled, not a goofy smile, but real happiness. "Hey, guess what? I'm the Fourth Hokage's son!"

~*~

Miyuki glanced over to him, settling his dishes on the tray and then moving it aside for him.

"Most everyone has gone to bed, except the night-people, and the watch that Naruto had posted. He's somewhere with Kairi now... Keiji will be staying with his clan for now. Matsu's agreed to stay with me," she answered. Details she knew that Gaara hadn't asked for, but she gave them nonetheless.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ lol i can imagine that! xD HAha when i listened to it i was like 'omg O.o' i was so red in the face so i understand! xD]]

[[haha alright thanks ill go check it out. :3 ]]

"Its just that i left my book back at the hotel." she said. "It doesn't matter!" she said quickly, "I mean it is precious to me but my life is worth more." she said with a quiet and small laugh. She was nervous and when she got nervous she wouldrush her words and studder and sometimes become a bit loud.

---

"No way!" she said. "I mean, duh, of course! It makes sense, you and the hokage look the same, your both han-" she stoped, laughed to herself then stared over at him, "Wait, what type of things did Pein say to you?" she asked narrowing her eyes a bit in worry.

---

Gaara nodded, "what about you.." he said. Was she going to leave soon? Go to bed? He wasn't pushing her out of his room, he just wanted to know.

[[ nice siganture *3* ]]

[Ravenheart]

Sai actually hesitated. He thought twice, looking between the village gate and the direction of the hotel. Yes, that was an actual twang of emotion. Sympathy.

He pointed almost toward the gate, but more to the left.

"Run that way. No matter what happens, just keep going. I'll find you. Go, now," he ordered, and just like that he was off, disappeared in the direction of the hotel.

~*~

Naruto made his way into one of the buildings, to one of the upper levels, and into one of the rooms with a hurriedly-assembled bedroll and a small candle-lamp. It wasn't much, but it was home for now. Though the rest of the room looked sad and empty...

"Just a lot of stuff about pain and revenge. War causes war... that's what they want them for, the tailed beasts. That's what Gaara and all the others have died for: so Pein could make a weapon out of all of them, and let all the countries destroy each other. He said, there can't be peace in this world until everyone understand the pain of war."

He sat down on the floor, looked up at Kairi, and smiled. "I think there's a better way. So did Ero-Sanin," he said. "So I'm not going to let it get to me any more."

~*~

Miyuki gave a light shrug. Did it matter?

"I was thinking about trying to get some sleep," she answered. Easier said than done. She hadn't slept well since the attack. "But I wanted to see you first, I thought I'd bring you dinner." She smiled faintly. And I did. So why am I still hanging around?

((Thanks! :D I love Last Song. It gets me every time...))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu heisted for a moment. She wanted to chase after Sai and tell him to forget it and go. She clenched her fists once more. Just follow orders...you can do it this time. If you dont, you might put his life at risk...even if it already is.. She then ran off in the direction Sai had told her to run off at. She would glance back every now and then and pick up speed. You better hurry back..dumba.ss

---

Kairi sat down infront of Naruto. "Thats good." she said. "Because in the end either both wars end in a no win and no lose battle, or one of them wins. But what does that make the person who one? I mean if you look back at the other person who lost, everything and many people may have died. Supplies may be scarces..." she began, "But the person who won has taken everything away from the person who lost." she said, "Is that what people want? To take something from others?" she asked her self, thinking aloud and staring down at her lap. "Is it? Dont people just want a happy and normal life? So why do people create war? In order to win happiness?" she asked. It was all to confusing to her. She was confused and shook her head, "It just never makes sense." she said. She then laughed, "well who am i to talk, right?" she asked, "I mean , im still a bit young, and i hardly understand war as it is, so maybe theres more to war then what ive said. "she said with a shrug.

---

Gaara nodded. He didn't mind the company, but he didn't hate it either. She could stay as long as she wanted and Gaara simply wouldn't care. It wasn't as if he wouldn't care in a rude way, it was just Gaara.

[Ravenheart]

~*~*~*~

It took some time. And a couple of close calls. But eventually Sai turned up.

He caught up to Miharu, overtaking her quickly and landing on a tree branch in front of her.

"I got the book. The whole village is on high alert, though," Sai said, holding it out to her. He was panting, trying to catch his breath in the cold, wet air.

~*~

Naruto shook his head. "I don't think so," he answered, stubborn as always. "We understand just as well as anyone else. Look what we've grown up with! These wars are hurting everyone, even if they're not on the battlefield they're still feeling a part of that pain..."

She shook his head. That was a dark road that he didn't want to go down.

"But that doesn't mean I'm giving up. I'm sure as hell not going to apologize and make friends with Akatsuki. Let's fix this village first," he suggested with a smile to her. "Then we can save the world."

~*~

Miyuki didn't mind the quiet. She was used to the calm silence that passed between her and Gaara. No, what bothered her were her own thoughts...

She didn't regret telling him, no. It had to be done, before she lost her chance again. But... where did that leave them? Gaara knew how she felt about him, that was all she wanted. But for the first time she had to consider how he felt about her, if he even felt one way or another.

Just friends, I guess... until he says otherwise. So I love him from a distance. I've been doing that for years now.

Miyuki sat there with him for a long time as she thought on this, or just let her mind drift to more peaceful places when it could. Finally, she came back to reality, seeing the moon peer through the window.

"It's late..." she murmured, more to herself than to him.

She then brought out her second (however small) gift.

"I brought this for you, by the way. I don't know if you've gotten used to sleep yet... you should really try... but either way, I know it's chilly here compared to the desert," she said.

She stood up, unfolded the blanket, and draped it lightly over his shoulders. With that, she gave a small bow, picked up the dishes, and turned to go.

((Guess what? I got a forehead protector today at the mall! :D))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu took the book and held it close. She glanced inside to make sure the thing she cherished most was still in there. She bowed to him, for now she was very grateful. She wasn't sure why Sai had gone back to get her book for her, but she was happy nonetheless. "Thank you, and im sorry for causing you trouble." she said quietly. "But now that i have it, we should continue forwards." she said. She wanted to hug him, like she did with her brothers whenever they showed some kindness to her on a rare bases, but he wasn't her brothers and she found it to be a bit weird if she where to do that.

---

Kairi nodded then laid down, she giggled then turned her back to Naruto. "Naruto deserves the title of Hokage." she said quietly. "It would be best." she said. "I believe in Naruto, and so does a lot of people." she said. "So you deserve the title. Not only for us but for the village." she said, "You've done a lot." she said, "And everyone's grateful for that." she said a bit quietly. She then turned to him half way, "Your close to meeting you goal, Naruto. Dont let it slip away." she said.

---

Gaara stared at his shoulders. He knew it was nice of her to consider bringing a blanket. He wasn't use to sleeping just yet, but he was slowly getting use to it. He would try to sleep but the thought of the demon that would take over him in his sleep would occasionally taint his mind. If he was Naruto, he knew Naruto would have grinned said thinks and offer them to stay. What could Gaara do? "You can stay." he said. It was said as a demand but he wasn't even sure how to respond. If she said no, she said no. If she said yes, then she said yes. But Gaara found it even weird how he consider to even say that. 'You can stay.' What was he thinking when he said that?

[Ravenheart]

Sai wasn't even looking at her. Just at the book, for a moment or two anyway.

"I... understand," he said, looking at her as if confused. "You reminded me of something. That's all."

But we should go, he reminded himself. Carelessly he turned his back on her and kept moving.

"There's an abandoned village not far from here. We'll take shelter there for the night and keep moving tomorrow," he called to her.

~*~

Naruto gave a faint smile as he pulled off his jacket and flopped onto his bed. It wasn't much, but he was so bone-weary that it felt like a king's feather bed to him.

"Thanks... it's nice to know I've got someone on my side," he said, yawning halfway through.

~*~

Miyuki stopped suddenly and looked back at him. He said it. Like someone kicked him in the head, yes, but he still said it...

She didn't say anything. Just disappeared down the stairs.

... and a few minutes later she came back with her bedroll under one arm and began to set it up. She certainly wasn't going to turn him down if he was willing to put up with her. She rolled it out, fluffed the flattened pillow, smoothed out the lumps...

"... Thank you," she said quietly as she went about her business.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ ah no way! x3 lucky! i dont have one xD haha im poor anyways xD ]]

Miharu nodded, "Alright." she said. She wasn't going to ask what he reminded her of, she wasn't because it wasn't any of her buisness. Though she wanted to know, she wouldn't ask. She put that behind her head and put her book in her bag. "Im ready." she said.

---

Kairi smiled and pulled off her shoes. She laid back on her back staring up at the ceiling. "Naruto, when , and if you become Hokage. What dream do you goal do you wish to fufill next?" she asked curiously.

---

Gaara watched her set up her things, he nodded like always when she said thank you. He stared at her for a while before staring outside. It was late,and again tonight he would try to rest, that is, if he could.

[Ravenheart]

((They aren't that pricey if you get them at F.Y.E. The colors are more limited, but it's a fair trade-off. The punch line is you have to bend it to fit the size of your head, but it's not so hard.))

Sai beckoned for her to follow, and together they went through the dark woods and the rain. Eventually the village was sighted, not boarded up or destroyed. Like everyone had just... walked out one day. It was creepy, in the dark with this weather.

"Stay close," Sai ordered, slowing down. "I don't think they would come this way, though. They'll expect us to report back to Konoha... we've gone in the exact opposite direction."

~*~

Naruto... kicked his shoes off. Lazy, lazy, lazy.

"When," he corrected her with a grin. "I don't know, I guess I never thought about it. I mean, there's Sasuke, but somehow I think that'll come to an end before I make it to Hokage. So... I really don't know." He hadn't realized it until now.

~*~

Miyuki slipped out of her shoes, her vest, everything she wasn't sleeping in... that left her pants and her black tank-top... and set them aside neatly. She glanced over to Gaara. It felt awkward... her going to sleep while he'd stay up all night. Almost guilty. But she'd gotten used to it once, some time ago, she could get used to it again. And this time she was fairly sure that he wouldn't lose patience with her and kill her while she slept.

Gaara isn't the type to do things simply because it's polite. I must be welcome. She reasoned. That was a slightly comforting thought as she slid under her blankets.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ hm :3 thanks. Idk if my mall has a store called F.Y.E but ill make sure to check next time i go :] ]]

Miharu stayed close behind Sai. If it was one thing, she wasn't such a fan of horror movies, so the fact that this abandoned village was quiet and lonesome scared her enough. She made sure to keep up with him because she didn't want to get lost and then something ends up eating her like in those horror flicks. "Won't they head to konoha?" she asked with a bit of studder.

---

Kairi unwrapped her bandages around her left arm and laid it in a pile as she listened to him. "You'll probably be to busy to have time to mess around." she said thinking aloud, then quickly went silent. She rubbed her eyes and then sighed. "Im sure Sasuke will come back, one way or another. Wheather he comes back by himself, or you bring him back, im sure he will come back." she said, taking off her ninja tool bag along with the bandages.

---

Gaara sighed in relaxation. He wanted to relax himself before he tired to sleep, again, if he could. His mind kept telling him no, while he wanted to, badly. He glanced over at Miyuki once more, he caught himself doing it quite freguently and didn't quite know why. His mind was still questioning why he told her she could stay. He was confused and tired all at once.

[[ heres Kairi in ship. its kinda a little sketchy thing though >< : http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Mewfu/kairi2.png ]]

[Ravenheart]

"Not when they can't find our trail. Madara might send a lackey, but he won't go himself, not when he knows that 'Nine-tails' tore apart all six Peins and Nagato," Sai answered, distinctly resembling an elephant storming through a cemetery, the way he opened doors wide, saw leaking rooves, and slammed them shut again carelessly. Nothing scary about any of this. But then... life under Konoha had been scary enough, although he didn't realize it...

"Here, this one looks all right," Sai said, opening up one door to a small house. It opened with a loud creak that could be heard even over the storm. Without hesitation, he went in.

~*~

Naruto yawned again, but rolled onto his side to watch her. "Yeah, he'll come back. He doesn't get a say in it," he answered with a grin. He was confident. Sasuke wasn't as dumb as Orochimaru.

~*~

Miyuki was used to being around Gaara. She was so accustomed to his presence, in fact, that she could tell when he was agitated. Like now.

So she peered one drowsy eye open to look at him.

"... Laying down is usually a good place to start," she advised in a sleepy voice, a faint smile on her face.

((Oooh... *clicky*))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stood outside the door. She didn't dare go in. Unlike him, she had only been in Konoha a little while. Not very long. She was always on a mission so she was hardly home and she would travel back in forth. She only had to weaknesses, men, and dark, scary, creepy creaking places. She knew this was the only place for them to stay but she didn't want to, or at least for now..

---

Kairi smiled and laid back down. She rubbed her eyes once more, yawned and smiled warmly at Naruto. "Its been a while since we've been able to talk like this." she said tiredly.

---

Gaara stared at Miyuki. For a moment he sat there, sighed and stared at the wall again. He moved a little to where he was laying down. He stared at the ceiling, bound to close his eyes but kept heistating. It wasn't like Gaara to heisatate...but he was.

[Ravenheart]

Sai glanced back and noticed that she was still out there. It was far too dark to consult his book, so he was on his own.

Kami-sama have mercy.

Quickly he strained to recall what he had read. Hugging backfired the last time he tried it on someone (although that last someone was Naruto)...

He walked back to the door and just stared at her for a moment.

"You can stay out here and freeze in the rain, or you can come in," he said bluntly. Two options, very simple. But... attempting an inviting gesture... he came forward and opened up the door for her.

~*~

Naruto gave a lazy smile. "Yeah, how long's it been now?" he asked with a small laugh. He hadn't bothered to keep track. But he had the impression that it was awhile...

~*~

Miyuki shook her head slightly, although it was into the pillow. She did love him, and that was why she bothered to worry about him.

"... it's not there anymore," she reminded him quietly. She wished she could do something more about it... but it was Gaara's battle to fight, and she couldn't help. At least he was trying. Resigned to this, Miyuki began to doze off again.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu would usually react with a smart comment or slap the person in the face. This time she stayed silent and stared at her feet. Most of the time she could do somethign with a heart beat, but this wasnt one of those times. She stared at the line that sepearated the door way and the outside. It was cold outside but scary inside. "Id rather freeze." she said plainly looking up at him. She didn't mind, ...well she did, but facing her fears was one of those things she couldn't do.

---

"A couple of weeks, or a month.." she said, "I kinda lost track." she pulled her covers up over her body and stared over at Naruto. It was nice to be able to sleep in the same room as him again.

---

Gaara knew that very well, but it was strange...when Miyuki said it it was claimly and...he became claim. He closed his eyes for a while. The thoughts went away for a least a good ten mintues allowing him to rest his eyes, even if that meant he had to re-open them.

[Ravenheart]

"Remeber this discussion we had about me being responsible?" Sai pointed out. It was her problem now.

Well, she'd kick and scream and he didn't really care, so Sai promptly lifted her up, carried her inside, and set her back on her feet in a corner nearby.

"Sorry," he said with obvious insincerity. "I've found a lamp. Give me a minute."

Of course, if he left the lights out, she wouldn't be able to see well enough to beat him to death...

~*~

Naruto gave a vague nod of agreement. He'd lost track too...

"Better get used to it. It could be like this for awhile," he warned her teasingly.

~*~

((Um... sleeping Miyuki.))

((And sleeping Le-chan. D: I am soooo dead tired right now....))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ oh hey, have you heard of the Retuner song by Gackt? Its so very beautiful and sad! I cried when i watched the video so sad! D: But Gackt looks hot as a samurai ;D ]]

"Hurry up!" she shouted. She was angry as it was that he had brought her in. but now that she was in, she wasn't going to move. She could beat him up tomorrow when the suns out and theres plunty of light and what not.

---

Kairi smiled, "Oh joy.." she said jokingly back. She laughed slightly. "Good night Naruto." she said softly.

---

[[ same here, good night @_@ ]]

[Ravenheart]

((... he's not just any samurai, Ki-chan, he's Uesugi Kenshin. (I dunno, I've been told I know more Japanese history than some Japanese... ^^') He played him in some TV series and that's what inspired the song. Now he marches as him in the Uesugi Kenshin parade every year. YouTube it. There are some videos from the news (and YOU will be able to understand what he's saying! :D Gackt uses the sexy deep voice when he's rallying his troops- you'll see!)))

((... will reply momentarily. I have to go split kindling.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ oh well i knew this much x3 hehe actually ive seen part of the tv but what? about the first ten mintues? xD ]]

[Ravenheart]

[[ oh hey, have you heard of the Retuner song by Gackt? Its so very beautiful and sad! I cried when i watched the video so sad! D: But Gackt looks hot as a samurai ;D ]]

"Hurry up!" she shouted. She was angry as it was that he had brought her in. but now that she was in, she wasn't going to move. She could beat him up tomorrow when the suns out and theres plunty of light and what not.

---

Kairi smiled, "Oh joy.." she said jokingly back. She laughed slightly. "Good night Naruto." she said softly.

---

[[ same here, good night @_@ ]]

((Hey, I take what I can get :D I really want to get his Nine*Nine DVD, but it costs an arm and a leg.))

((Whatnot* is all one word.))

If Sai knew how to be irritated, he would be. But luckily, he didn't.

After a moment or two a weak light appeared behind the spotted, worn paper of the lamp. The glow it cast around the room made it look all the more creepy, but at least it was light.

"That's better," he said, more to himself than to her.

Looking around the room, it was clear that the village had been evacuated on short-notice. Chairs were overturned, cabinets hung wide open with some old cans and jars still there. The old, wooden table had begun to splinter from neglect... it made him want to paint, but he wasn't sure why.

~*~

Naruto yawned, stretched, and flopped back down on his pillow. Obvious intent to sleep.

"'Night Kairi..." he mumbled.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ whats that movie about? :3 ]]

[[ oh! thanks :3 ]]

Miharu gave a soft sigh in relief. It was light, and although it did make the room look a bit creepy, at least she wasn't in the dark. She walked towards the light and sat down by it over viewing the room. "Why do you think this village was abandoned?" she asked.

---

Kairi gave a faint smile before shuting her eyes to rest.

[Ravenheart]

((Oh, it's his best live performances from the last 10 years of his career (1999-2009, hence the name. His hyperactive performance of Mirror is on there, YAY!). His videos are great and all, but he's so much fun live!))

She'd no sooner sat down than Sai moved the light and started to head upstairs.

"Shinobi like us, probably. Maybe not from Konoha, but some other enemy," he answered casually. "They grabbed what they could and fled for their lives to the Rain Village. Whether or not they were saved by doing so... that's anyone's guess."

He walked upstairs. There was a small walkway overlooking the downstairs, then three bedrooms. Sai went into one... the bed was still unmade.

((Okay, okay, maybe I'm basing the scary house on the cursed house from 'Ju-On'... ^^' Do you do horror movies?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ oh wow. That sounds cool ! ^^ ]]

Miharu quickly followed after him. "Dont just move the ligth without letting me know!" she said quickly. She stayed close behind Sai and looked around. The house WAS really scary...

[[ yes! :3 Ju-on is my favorite movie after all. And when it comes to scary movies...im a fan girl *3* ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Yay! Takashi Shimizu is the MAN! Did you see his other one, Marebito?))

"Sure," Sai said carelessly, looking around. The place had really been abandoned in a rush... but Sai had no reverence. He poked around, opened the drawers, slid open the closet... a musty, mildewy smell rushed down from above, presumably from a waterlogged attic...

"Huh. What's up here?" he wondered out loud, hoisting himself up. He left the lamp on a shelf down below so she wouldn't be completely in the dark.

"AH!" he shouted suddenly. There was a scuffling sound, as if he'd jumped or fallen over.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ No! But so going to watch it ! ^^ honestly, Ju-on is one of the scariest[expect for the Haunting in Connen.] ive ever watched! But i loved it! =D ]]

Miharu gave a small scream when he screamed. She covered her mouth, "Wh-wh-what is it?!" she shouted standing close to the light. SHe held it up just in case. NOW she was freaking out.

[Ravenheart]

((Oh, my runner-up is Silent Hill. I'll tell you this: the scariness of Marebito doesn't sink in until later. It isn't like Ju-on. It's... psychological... disturbing... it took a couple days for it to sink in for me. Oh, and I don't think I'll ever be able to ride comfortably in a Tokyo subway O_O Ever.))

Sai's hand flopped down through the opening, pale and pasty and dead-looking as always.

There was a mousetrap on it.

He poked his head over the edge and pried the thing off. "It hurt..." he explained in a mumble. It clattered to the ground, and Sai put on his smile to show that he was okay.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ YAh silent hill isn't to bad either :] Oh god now i wanna watch it! D: Haha i think ill go see if i can find it and watch it later on :] ]]

Miharu jumped a little then sighed when Sai had come down. She then twitched and glared at him. Right now she really wanted to punch him for scarying her, and through the light at him, but since it was her only light she wasn't planning on during that. Punching was the other option, but she was scared to move out of the light and towards the dark attic. Oh how she hated attics...

[Ravenheart]

((I don't actually own any horrors... I have to rent them :o I've been meaning to watch Silent Hill again for awhile, though. Maybe next time I'm in town I'll snag it.))

The thunder rumbled outside as Sai went back into the attic. There was some rustling in the dark, a lot of moving, and then he dropped back down with a plastic bag over his shoulder.

"Extra bedding. That stuff is probably molding," he said, nodding toward the bed. The plastic had kept out the water and whatever mice the trap hadn't gotten.

He dumped it out and handed her a quilt, simple as that. He was trying to be helpful. It wasn't his fault he was as white as a ghost anyway and not in the least scared of... well, anything...

((... Sai looks like dead-Toshio, but grown up. XD Did you ever notice?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ really? i own quiet a few and if a new one comes out my mom orders it off of netflix x3 ]]

Miharu grabbed the quilt, "Why must you look so scary?" She said narrowing her eyes holding tight to the quilt. "Whats up in that attic anyways?" she asked.

[[ yes actually he kinda does! Toshio is a cute yet scary boy though x3 Also, sorry if i reply late im watching the Day the earth stood still here and there ^^ ;; ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Hee. I should do that!))

Sai looked at her blankly, then back toward the attic.

"Come and see," he said simply. He hopped up, and brough the lamp along with him so she could see better... and so she wouldn't have a choice but to follow him.

((It's fine ^_^))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ haha yah :3 we just got the day the earth stood still from Netflix. Even though ive already seen it i still wanna watch it because its really good! ]]

Miharu quickly followed after him. "I hate attics.." she said quietly to herself. She gripped her shirt tightly as she slowly looked up in the attic.

[Ravenheart]

((Heh, shall I let you go then?))

Sai was sitting cross-legged on the floor, facing away. Because the attic was smaller than most of the rooms, the light waqs able to fill it better. There was some old furniture, more spare bedding, boxes of children's toys long out of use... nothing truly sinister. Just empty and lonely. And up above them the rain pounded down on the roof.

"... we're safer in here than we are out there," he reminded her.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[no im fine! I have a dinning room and we use this room for gaming not to eat, so i can see into my living room while im on the comp. So im watching it and talking to youat the same time so im fine! ^^ Plus ive already seen it xD ]]

"We are sleeping up here?" She asked after sneezeing a couple of times. She then looked around. IT was a strange attic yet it wasn't that scary as the rest of the house.

[Ravenheart]

"Don't be ridiculous," Sai said, glancing over at her. "We'll use the bed down there. I'm not worried about ghosts. Just more mouse traps, rat poison, and black mold. I just wanted to prove to you that there's nothing in the dark that you can't see in the light."

He turned around to face her, looking around the room. "This is like home to me. I bet you didn't know there's an entire city under Konoha that never sees the sun."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu narrowed her eyes, "What?" she asked. "But how?" she said a bit sadly. "Why was there a village under Konoha to begin with?" she asked.

[Ravenheart]

"I don't know," Sai answered with a shrug. "It was just there. So was I. I suppose I must have been an orphan. Either way, that's where I was raised. Even now when I wake up and go outside, I think how blindingly bright it is."

He took the lamp and settled a piece of cloth over it. The light was still going, yes, but it was so dim he knew she wouldn't be able to see him.

"I can see you just fine. I know that about six feet in front of me there's a stack of boxes full of broken household things, and an electric lamp that the top is falling off of," he said, eyes searching around the room.

He blew out the lamp then, and moved past her. He took her wrist in one hand and turned her around so they were facing the exit, although she wouldn't have known it.

"I need you to trust me," he said plainly. He would help her down. If she was too scared, he would leave her there. But they were surviving now. She would have to trust him. If not... it could end very badly.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

'That sorta explains things...' she thought to her self. jumped a little when he took ahold of her wrist but slowly nodded, "Um....alright.." she said. She wasn't going to stay up in that attic, she was for sure about that. It would make sense of how his skin is so pale, and how he is able to see in the dark but what didn't make sense is how and why the village was there. He didn't know that, so she figured not a lot of people would know why.

[Ravenheart]

No, only Danzo knew the answers to that, and Sai knew that his leader didn't part with his secrets. He knew it was not his place to ask. Why did he question these things now...?

Sai put her hands on his shoulders to steady her, then lifted her down easily. He was built skinny, but that didn't mean he wasn't strong. He left her there for a second, and then lit the lamp again. He'd put his smile on again.

"You see?" he said. He could pick her up, carry her around, pull her to where she needed to go... but that didn't mean he was going to hurt her.

He handed her the lamp, knowing she would need it more than he would, and proceeded to strip the old sheets and quilt of the bed and re-make it with what had been packed in the attic. For good measure, he pulled the curtains over the windows.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stared at the lamp then over to sai then back at the lamp again. What a strange mission... she sighed to herself softly. "When do you time do you think it'll be when we get back to konoha?" she asked him. She wanted to go home. Even if it wasn't really her true home , she still wanted to go back home.

[[ heyyyy :] this time if i hardly post its because im working on a project for me, you, and my sister, sorta :3 so this is just a heads up xD ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Huh? Okay, whatever you say... ^^'))

Sai looked over at her, pausing in his work.

I've read that when people have bad news, they don't make eye contact... what kind of face should I make...?

So, Sai kept eye contact, but his face stayed blank.

"I don't know that. We might be away for a couple more days. Maybe a week. Maybe a month, depending on how badly Madara wants us dead," he answered bluntly. "We'll return as soon as possible. But we can't endanger the village at any cost, even if it means they think we're MIA or KIA."

((... we should do a horror RP sometime.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ Oh we should! that would be awesome! ]]

Miharu sighed. She and SAi where wanted dead by madara. That scared her and she wanted to go home. But one thing she did learn was to put herself before others, and thats what she was going to do. She wasnt going to risk others life becase she wanted to go home. She sighed once more "oh well." she said quietly and pulled out her book.

[Ravenheart]

Sai finished his work. The bed was compulsively neat, sheets folded back precisely six inches... everything. Military habit. Almost robotic.

He looked over at the book, wondering not for the first time.

"... what's in it?" he asked, unable to help himself.

((We should make it morning for the rest of the world ><))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Oh.." Miharu said. She opened it up and pulled out a necklace. "It was my great great great grandma's." she said. "On my mom's side of the family has been nothing but girls." she said. "So they have been passing it down to each girl. They can only pass it down until the next girl is married. Its kinda like a gift to mother and daughter." she said. "But since my mom died before my marriage i automatically got it." she said. "Im suppose to wear it, but i dont want to lose it, and i want to wait until i am married." she said with a small smile.

[[ alright thats fine ! ^^ ]]

[Ravenheart]

Sai nodded. Again, he wasn't sure what kind of face he was supposed to make, and he didn't really understand sympathy all that well. When it had hit him, it was like a ton of bricks...

He turned away, leaving her in peace, and for awhile he just flipped through the pages of his own book until he got to the middle. He contemplated that one for a long time...

"I'm going to sleep," he said after awhile. Rather than take the bed, he took one of the pillows and made himself comfortable with a sheet on the floor. The cold and the damp didn't bother him. It was good enough.

~*~

Hokage or not, some things would never change about Naruto. For instance, the snoring. And the fact that he slept spread-out and half off his bed most of the time.

If it weren't for the stupid sunbeam in his face, he might not have woken up. But morning arrived and the snoring stopped and Naruto couldn't avoid being awake.

"Hnnn...." he groaned, rubbing his eyes.

~*~

For Miyuki, on the other hand, the sun was just more incentive to sleep. She just couldn't bring herself to move. She was curled up like a cat in the sunbeam with her hair in her face, carefree and undignified, and she didn't mind.

... I'll have to get up though... help Naruto.... she thought reluctantly.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"You can take the bed this time." she said. She's slept on the floor plunty of times and wouldn't mind taking the floor today.

---

Kairi climbed up the stairs with some breakfeast. "Ah, your awake. "she said with a smile. Kairi was always awake and ready in the morning. She always makes sure to make her bed nice and neat and then get breakfeast before cleaning. At least she use to clean. The only place to clean was naruto's mess.

---

Gaara had an on-off sleep last night like a cat. He would rest for a while then wake again. IT was nonstop. He got little rest, but he considered the thought that at least he was able to sleep even just a little. Of course he was awake, but he wasn't moving. He was just staring up at the ceiling like he had a bit last night. IT was fine, he didn't mind it at all.

[Ravenheart]

Sai shook his head. "That's not what the book said," he explained. In stark contrast to the downright eerie house, Sai held up his other book... the one about making friends. It was almost comedic.

"Apparently you're supposed to treat girls differently," he recalled, flipping through the pages until he found the chapter he was looking for. "Be extra polite. Extra courteous. Things like that..."

~*~

Naruto gave a wide yawn and tried to see straight again. It took a couple minutes...

"Hmm..." he mumbled again, but then perked up. "Hey, what smells good?" Typical...

~*~

"Mmph."

Miyuki gave a little mumble of protest to her own good sense, but then sat up and stretched anyway.

"Ohiyo gosaimasu," she said, still quiet and drowsy as she looked over to Gaara. Nice of him to let her stay, she thought vaguely...

((Sorry for the wait, I had to go get dinner. =9 Mum made spicy beef and broccoli.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu sighed, "Alright." she stuffed her mothers necklace back into her book then climbed over to her bed. "Your using a book to try to make friends?" she asked narrowing her eyes as she rolled over to face him.

---

Kairi smiled, "Well i brought some ramen up for you and me to eat." she said. It wasn't much but she knew he loved ramen so she wanted to get him some at the least.

---

Gaara sat up slowly then looked over at her. "Ohayo..." he said quietly. He knew that today he had a lot of things to take care of. He wanted to see if there where any wild animals around for meat and to maybe, go down to the village below konoha and see what lays down there.

[[ its fien same here xD ]

[Ravenheart]

Sai nodded. He did need all the help he could get.

"It gives me somewhere to start, anyway," he explained. As if he had suddenly remembered to do so, he smiled.

~*~

"Ramen?" Naruto was awake at once. He crawled out of his bed and sat cross-legged on the floor. The way he looked up at Kairi was like a puppy when you were about to feed it... or a young fox, more aptly.

~*~

... Matsu's going to look like a wet cat when I go down there. Oh well, she thought. His problem, not hers.

She turned around and started to dress again, pulling on her vest and everything else.

"So what's the plan today, Kazekage-sama?" she asked, half-smiling.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Best way to make friends is to be yourself." she said. "Good nigth Sai." she said and rolled over.

---

Kairi smiled with a small giggled. She handed him a bowl. "I brought three bowls." she said. "Im not hungry so you can have mine." she said, sitting down and setting the trays of ramen down as well.

---

"Do you know of any wild animals aroudn here.." he said to her. first figure that out, next explore the village then go down to the underground village.

[Ravenheart]

Sai blinked in confusion.

"Goodnight..." he said, blowing out the lantern. But he couldn't sleep right away. That one gave him too much to think about...

~*~

Naruto snatched one bowl immediately and began to shovel noodles into his mouth. The rest of her sentence didn't kick in until a moment or two later.

"... three?" he repeated through a mouthful. Why three?

~*~

Miyuki shook her head. "Not enough to feed the village. We're going to have to get help from somewhere else. I think we can get by with fish for awhile, until the diplomats get back with whatever supplies they can get," she said, putting the wrappings back on her arms and pulling on her gloves. Naruto would leave that to others, people more skilled with words than he was... although it was the fact that he was so genuine that charmed people.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

When Sai blew out the light Miharu rolled back over. She couldnt see sai but she knew he was thier. That helped her fall asleep.

---

"Yah." she nodded, "Incase your still hungry after that one. And if you can't eat them all now, you can save them for later." she said with a smile.

---

Gaara nodded. He had one thing covered. All he had to do now was explore whats left of Konoha, and maybe later on check out the village under Konoha.

[Ravenheart]

Morning came. This was only clear because the sky was gray, not black, and the rain had slowed to a drizzle.

Sai sat up, rubbed his eyes, looked around. They'd slept through the night, that alone was a good sign. And the house looked exactly as they had left it. He still wanted to paint... but he knew there were more important things to be done.

"Miharu?" he called, looking over where he'd last seen her, in the bed.

~*~

Naruto looked blissfully happy. It was a lucky thing that ramen was impervious, it had managed to survive the attack...

"Thank you, Kairi," he managed to get out through a full mouth. Just barely.

~*~

Miyuki slid her shoes on and wrapped her scarf around her neck, tossing the ends over her shoulders as usual. She then straightened her bed and stood up.

She knew she wanted to have a better look at the village. And to talk to Yasuo-sensei and the ANBU, see what they had turned up. She had a feeling that they'd send Uchiha Sasuke for Naruto next, and when they did, she wanted a piece of him...

She shook her head to rid it of the violent thoughts. Call it justice, call it a grudge, she just couldn't forgive it. But, the village was first, and before that...

"... I'm going to get breakfast," she said, glancing over to him. "I can bring you something, if you like...?"

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu mumbled something and opened one eye. "Time to get up? "she asked drowsily. She was still tired, yet half awake and half asleep. Lets just say she woke up every hour[at least] because she sore she heard a noise. She sat up and rubbed her eyes with a yawn.

---

Kairi smiled at him, "Your welcome." she said. She then walked over to Naruto's bed and began to make it.

---

Gaara nodded. In the mean time while she was gone he could think things over. He would ask Naruto what else there is that needs to be fixed and what not.

[Ravenheart]

Sai nodded. "We'll need to get going," he said.

He got to his feet, peered out the window, then headed downstairs.

"I'm going to see if any of those cans are still good. If not, we'll have to move for another village quickly. We didn't really have time to plan this," he remarked as he went down. It was dim in the house, but not so dim that the lamp was needed.

~*~

Naruto looked over to her curiously. He'd kinda gotten used to not having her around...

He swallowed his mouthful before speaking this time.

"You don't have to," he said. He could fend for himself now, mostly.

~*~

Miyuki went down the stairs and about her business. It took some time, but she did eventually come back.

"Right, again, it's not a real breakfast... there's rice, but I couldn't come up with any miso, and the tamagoyaki is a little... well, it's not as good as I would have done in my own kitchen," Miyuki sighed in frustration, setting the tray down in front of him. She prided herself on her cooking. To serve anything less than her own best felt like a failure. But they had only what they had been given and what had survived the blast, so it was all she could manage.

She didn't say anything after that. Just resigned herself quietly to her own bowl of rice.

((Yeah, I went on a Japanese cooking spree. Food = good. =) And I'm a master at yakisoba now... well, as much of a master as a gaijin can be, anyway. My dumplings are nothing to be sneezed at either. But I cheat. I buy the wrappers :o))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu sighed. She stood up, stretched then followed Sai downstairs. She could see a lot better now, and wasn't so scared. She glanced around as she went down stairs to get a better look around. "Ill help." she said.

---

Kairi stopped in her tracks. SHe stared down at where he had laid before droping his blankest. "Yah, your rigth." she said with a small laugh. SHe then floded her hair behind her ears. "Sorry." she said a bit embarrased. He was older, and he was to be Hokage soon. Of course he didn't really need her help.

---

Gaara began to eat when he got his food. It was food and he didn't mind what he ate. It wasn't bad, he figured. He glanced over at Miyuki as he ate. He just watched her quietly. He wasn't really thinking of anything just watching her.

[[ really? im not good at cooking xD Haha i usually burn it D':

also if it takes a while for me to reply its cause im in the shower ]]

[Ravenheart]

Sai looked back at her, nodded in acknowledgement, and went immediately for the kitchen cabinets.

"Some of this is still good..." he noted, rifling through. Canned soup, dated to go bad in a year. Beans. Some noodles that looked as if mice had gotten to them... but not so bad, considering...

~*~

Naruto... was struck silent for a few seconds. The gesture made him notice what a pretty face she had.

"Huh? No, it's not that, I mean it's nice and all, but... you already brought me breakfast, y'know? Take it easy," he said with a grin.

~*~

Miyuki wasn't even aware of it. Idly she thought about just handling the food instead of going after Uchiha's blood... but no, the second one was just too difficult to resist.

She missed her house. It was one thing to be travelling, but another to know there was no home to go back to. Like when she'd first come to Konoha, and realized her family wasn't coming too.

Well, all we can do is pick up and keep moving. Will of Fire and all that, right? she smiled faintly to herself and recalled the days of the Third Hokage. Not wanting to force a conversation with Gaara, she kept to her own thoughts.

((Oh, I love cooking. Although I'm still better at more western dishes ^^' It's a pity you don't live here. I'd cook for you sometime!))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu opened a few cabinets. She grabbed some cans that where still good. She jumpped when she saw a mouse crawl by. SHe then grabbed ahold of the mouse, "Guess this family had mouse problems." she said, setting the mouse down.

---

Kairi nodded. "Alright, but its alright." she said, "I've done it before." she said.

---

When Gaara finished his meal he took a drink of water then set his things down on his tray. He stared back at Miyuki before standing up.

[[sorry its short i have to go >< bye! ]]

[[oh man that would be awesome! ]]

[Ravenheart]

"I think more moved in after they left," Sai said, watching the thing scurry across the floor. He lifted an empty pot from a hook on the wall and set it on the old stove. "It doesn't seem to be a bad home."

~*~

Naruto looked away, as if thinking. Yeah, she had, he'd just never really paid attention. Taken it for granted, really...

"Well... thanks..." he said awkwardly, still managing to smile. Like it had just dawned on him for the first time.

~*~

Miyuki caught it that time... Gaara had a very powerful gaze, she'd noted more than once, and she'd been aware of it even before she developed feelings for him. As guilty as she felt for it, though, now she liked it that he was looking at her...

She looked up at him curiously: why? But she didn't ask out loud.

"... Will I see you later, then?" she asked instead.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded, "Um..alittle.." she said. "Once you get past the whole creepy part." she said. She then pulled open the fridge and then pluged her nose. "Something in here is rotten." she said in disgust.

---

Kairi nodded and smiled, "Sure. "She said. SHe then finished making NAruto's bed then got up to look out side. "ITs not bad out today." she said.

---

Gaara shook his head, "Im not leaveing yet." he said. He crossed his arms and took a glance ouside to see who all was out wandering around and to see if Naruto may be awake and out side.

[Ravenheart]

"Everything," Sai corrected her, glancing over. "Close it. You don't want to inhale anything."

I'm responsible, he reminded himself. He was used to operating alone, ever since Shin... but now, with her around, he had to be extra-careful. He wasn't going to put her in bubble-wrap or anything, but he at least had to give more thought to things than usual.

~*~

Naruto looked outside. She was right, it was so sunny out, and the air seemed so calm.

He hurried and slurped down his second bowl of ramen, then leapt to his feet.

"Yeah, good day to be outside," he agreed. "There's a lot to be done out there. Some traders are supposed to be coming today, I'm going to help them out."

~*~

Miyuki gave a small nod. Usually Gaara was away and busy before she could so much as blink.

She stood up too, looking out the window, but from farther back.

"Naruto is doing well... he has help, of course, but he's really becoming a leader to the people," she said softly, looking at the crowds gathering and going to work without so much as a direction given to them. Rather than despair, they were all ready to do their part...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded and shut the door. She then looked around for a can opener. "Do you know where the can opener is?" she asked Sai, as she opened cabinents underneath.

---

Kairi glanced over at Naruto, "thats good." she said. "When you do that," she said, "I think ill go see if i can help Sakura with the injured again today." she said. "I mgith learn some thing new as well." she said getting a bit excited. She wasn't good at healing, but is always excited to learn more to get better.

---

Gaara nodded in agreement. Naruto was becoming a great leader. "Do you know of any plans that will be going on today." he asked her quietly, stepping away from the window and turning around to look at her.

[Ravenheart]

Sai was one step ahead of her. He held it up for her to see at the same time that he emptied two cans of soup, one after another, into the pot.

"Can you take care of this?" he asked with a smile, however fake. "I'll keep an eye outside."

He turned on the stove, which made a few ticking noises, as if annoyed at him for waking it up. But the burner began to warm up, so he didn't worry about it, and eventually the noise stopped.

~*~

Naruto nodded his approval to her. Something about seeing her excited made him excited too.

"All right. But watch out, Temari turned up last night, and you'll have to get past her to get to Shikamaru," he said, sliding open the door of the room.

((Shikamaru broke his leg in the fighting, by the way XD Gives him a good excuse to be lazy.))

~*~

Miyuki shook her head. "Nothing big, anyway," she answered, walking over and resting her hands on the windowsill. "Some traders are coming in to give us supplies. We have some things we can give back... the roads are rough, and they'll need protecting. A group was going down to the village and then out again, following the hot springs. They want to build a small wall and set up a makeshift bathhouse so people can get clean. Everybody's doing whatever they do best, I guess," she said. She smiled, then looked down in confusion.

"... did you know your sister was coming?" she asked, spotting a distinct set of four blonde pigtails down below.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu set the pot of soup on the buner once it was fully heated. She took off her gloves and slid them in her bag. She found a big spoon to stur the soup with. She first washed the spoon off then set it in the pot of soup. She put a hand on her hip as she stured the soup quietly. Every now and then she would glance back to see if she could still see Sai then go back to sturring.

---

"I think they are a cute couple. "she said smiling to herself. Shikamaru was so lazy, but Temari put him in his place. "But its alright." she said, "Ill make sure to leave that to Sakura anyways." she said, dusting her skirt off a bit.

---

Gaara shook his head, "No." he said, walking back to the window. He wasn't completely behind Miyuki, he was just behind her to the point where he could see down and out the window. He crossed his arms narrowing his eyes a bit as he saw Temari walk past. Now he questioned why she came. Was she coming for him? He was,...well confused a bit.

[Ravenheart]

Sai stood near the door, just keeping watch. They weren't in much of a position to run from where they were, but if Madara suddenly came along, he wanted to see him before he saw them.

He then turned his focus to Miharu for awhile. Didn't say anything, and as usual he had no opinion, just watching her.

Having a thought, finally, he pulled out his painting scroll, a brush, and some ink. He sat at the table and started to paint. Still, he didn't speak.

~*~

The action drew attention to her legs... which, Naruto noticed for the first time, were kinda nice to look at...

STOP THAT! You get hit that way! Like that time with Sakura...

"Yeah, they're great," Naruto said with a small laugh, taking his attention away from Kairi's looks. He didn't mean anything naughty by it, but girls generally didn't like it if you looked at them too long... "They're trying to tell everyone differently, but I don't believe it for a minute."

~*~

Miyuki looked over her shoulder at him. He looked so... puzzled.

She grinned as if she might laugh, although she was very careful not to. It was just so odd to see that clueless look on Gaara's face, he always seemed so in-control.

"... you really don't know, do you?" she realized.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu set the spoon down to rub her eyes and yawn a little. She still wasn't fully awake. As soon as she soup boiled a little she turned off the burner and then went back to sturring a little.

---

Kairi nodded, "Yah." she said with another smile. "Anyways, i think i will take my leave now." she said, crouching down setting the two bowls Naruto had eaten on top of each other, "Would you like me to leave these two bowls here for you for later?" she asked him.

---

He didn't like admiting things, but this is one of those things that he didn't quiet get. Surely they wouldnt have sent her here. He was just so..."No." he said finally. And why was it that he didnt know why she was here? Thats what bugged him, and the fact that she was even here bugged him. He would ask if Miyuki know why she was here, but figured she may not even know herself.

[Ravenheart]

After awhile Sai lost track of what was going on outside, or even what was going on in the room. He was just so absorbed with his painting that he couldn't think of anything else.

It was a challenge. He hadn't really done anything like this before, but he was doing fine with it. He just... couldn't look away until it was finished....

~*~

Naruto shook his head, half-smirking and half just smiling.

"I can feed myself, Kairi," he reminded her. "I can even wash dishes now! When I want to... when I have to..." Okay, so it was a small improvement.

~*~

Miyuki turned so that she could look at him, but also out the window. She wore a small smile as she explained.

"It's Nara Shikamaru," she said simply, looking up at Gaara. "They started seeing each other after the Chunin Exams. Now they're a couple. Although they'd both deny it..."

She looked out the window again. Shikamaru had hobbled out with his bandaged and braced leg on a pair of crutches. Temari was onto him instantly, looking annoyed, even angry with him, but then relieved. 'I forgive you' her whole manner seemed to say. Shikamaru seemed to be acting bored or annoyed. 'What a drag,' as he would say. But something was just... off, about the whole thing, that kept her from taking it at face value...

She looked down at them, just watching quietly.

"It's the way they look at each other," she said softly. "They pretend otherwise, they make excuses. But you can see it: they love each other."

She felt her cheeks start to turn red, and she turned away, walking back across the room, sitting down and setting all of the dishes on the tray to be carried away when she left.

Which will be soon... I don't think I'll be able to make eye contact with Him for a week now...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu then turned off the burner when the soup was ready and pulled out some bowls she found in a cabinent. She then went to the sink to wash them out. As she finished washing them out she washed some spoons. She put some soup in each of the bowls. She then handed a bowl set a bowl down on the table for Sai then ate leaned back on the counter to eat hers. She sturred her soup with her spoon, sighed then began to eat. She looked over to the side just staring off in the distance. I hate this silence.. she thought to herself before taking another bite, its so strange...

---

Kairi nodded with a small laugh, "Right. "she said. "Sorry. "she said. She then stacked the two bowls ontop of the two empty ones, she picked up the tray as she stood up. "Well, i guess i see and talk to you later." she said.

---

Seeing each other. Another part that love played. First you see each other then you marry if you are happy together. That was least of Gaara's thoughts though, what he thought of was the fact that Temari had not told Gaara of this. Of course she couldnt because of the way Gaara was...but he didn't want her to see this shikamaru. He stepped away from the window and glared at the wall. What was he to do now...

[Ravenheart]

The smell of soup finally brought Sai out of art-world and back into three dimensions.

He looked at the bowl as if he'd forgotten what to do with it. Then his brain finally caught up with his body, and he picked up his spoon.

"... Thank you," he remembered to say. The book said that this was the right thing to do when somebody did you a favor. "I had an idea. I think it will work."

As he started in on his soup, he turned the scroll so she could see it.

And she was looking at herself.

~*~

Naruto grinned, waved, and dashed down the hall. "Seeya, Kairi!"

((Sorry so short... didn't know what else to say, really. ^^'))

~*~

Miyuki did laugh this time. She wouldn't look him in the eyes, no, but she did watch him do his Determined-Walk-Of-Doom. What did he think he was going to do, crush Shikamaru?

"Why are you so upset over it?" she asked, unable to stop herself from smiling. "She's happy with him, and Shikamaru isn't the type to toy with a girl... clearly he thinks she's worth the trouble, so he must be serious. Why does it bother you so much?" He was her brother, not her father...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stepped forward and stared down at the scroll. "Thats me." she said lettign go of her spoon and pointing at the picture. "Why'd you draw me?" she asked a bit embarrassed. Although it was good nontheless.

---

[[ no its fine ^^ ]]

Kairi waved bye to Naruto slowly, "Yah, bye.. "She said quietly. She sighed and then headed out of the house.

---

Thats just the thing, Gaara had no clue why it had bothered him. Temari was older then him by a few years and she was old enough to make her own decisions. Was he actually caring about his sister, and trying to be protective of her? This all just confused him a lot. "I dont know.. "he admited finally. Surely Miyuki would know...maybe.

[Ravenheart]

"Ink clone," Sai explained. "I can copy myself easily. I see myself every day. But to copy someone else, that's more difficult."

He handed her the scroll so she could have a better look.

"I've found them more effective than the standard shadow clone... they're easier to change if you want them to do something differently," he said. He thought maybe he felt something, saying all of this, but he just couldn't figure out what it was...

~*~

Miyuki smiled at this. So strong and so proud and yet... so clueless...

"It stands to reason that you care about your sister... you don't want to see her get hurt," she interpreted.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu set her bowl down and took ahold of the scroll. The ink clone did look quiet a bit like her. "This is interesting. "she said sitting down at the table and taking another bite. "How many can you make?" she asked.

---

Care. He hated the word so much and yet didn't even realize he could share that feeling. "Care for her.." he said behind his voice lightly. Did he really?

[Ravenheart]

"As many as I paint," Sai answered, looking over his work as well. It was good, he decided. "It's meant as a decoy, not for use in combat, although if I put enough chakra into it I suppose it could shadow-clone itself...." He'd never considered that option before.

~*~

Miyuki nodded, trying not to look too pleased. Though her next thought lowered her spirits some, it was still a happy thing to think about.

"If something ever happened to Temari, you'd go chasing after her, the same way you went after Matsuri, who you care about too," she explained. "Just the same way they went after you when Akatsuki came and took you... do you understand?"

((Oh, just so you can see what Yamato can do...))

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee146/laberlaber/Naruto/67148895yk3.gif

((Put Naruto's chakra behind that? Ta-da! Housing for Konoha's villagers.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu nodded. "This is...cool." she admited. "I didn't know you could do something like that!" she said. She was kinda shocked. She never even knew that he could do something like, well she hardly knew him anyways.

---

Gaara gave a small nod. He onyl considered Matsuri a student and figured to go after her anyways, but it didn't cross him that he had cared about her in order to go after her. He sighed, this was strange.

[Ravenheart]

Sai gave a shrug. He didn't think it was THAT impressive...

"It's something I've always done, since I was a child. I draw. I paint. That's where my jutsu come from," he explained. He picked up his brush and added a few more strokes as if not quite content with it yet. For a boy without feelings, he was an effective artist.

~*~

Miyuki smirked. It was a good-natured smirk, though.

"Give it up. Your heart's not as cold and dead as you might think," she said, quiet but confident.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu finished her soup and put the bowl in the sink and washed her dish out. "Do you know why you became a ninja?" she asked him crossing her arms. If she could draw that good she probably wouldn't have become a ninja. Then again...

---

Gaara sighed, maybe it wasn't. Could tha be a sign of changing? Just a little? He wanted to be like Naruto but that would take a lot of time, but it seems as though he was slowly progressing.

[Ravenheart]

((Hey, bro wants the comp -_-' Will reply when I get back.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ alright D: ]]

[Ravenheart]

Miharu finished her soup and put the bowl in the sink and washed her dish out. "Do you know why you became a ninja?" she asked him crossing her arms. If she could draw that good she probably wouldn't have become a ninja. Then again...

---

Gaara sighed, maybe it wasn't. Could tha be a sign of changing? Just a little? He wanted to be like Naruto but that would take a lot of time, but it seems as though he was slowly progressing.

Sai looked at her, then nearly went cross-eyed with confusion. How DID that happen...?

"... I think Danzo recruited me as a child, knowing I wouldn't be missed," Sai said, shrugging helplessly. "I don't know. It just is, like most of my life. No feeling, no opinion, and so no questions. It is."

~*~

Miyuki's expression shifted to one of mild concern.

"... That's what you wanted, though, isn't it?" she asked quietly. "To find strength through connections with people, like Naruto does?"

He couldn't fib his way out of that if he tried. Miyuki knew those were almost his own words. She just didn't want to see him back away from his goal now.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Well surely someone missed you." she said. "I mean even if you dont have an family, surely someone was to miss you. Theres always one person right?" she said. She shrugged, "Its none of my business." she said. "Anyways, whats the plan for today?" she asked.

---

"I suppose so.." Gaara said quietly. That was when he relized that thats what he wanted. For now, he didn't plan on backing out at the least.

[Ravenheart]

Sai shook his head. No one, ever. Just... blank, before, then, and after.

Am I missing something...? Sai was forced to think for the first time. He seemed to react to this thought defensively, shoulders rising, posture shifting... but then to go into a sort of... shut-down.

"Get up, get out. Make it as far as we can in one day, hopefully to the nearest allied village," he said, abruptly packing his scroll and inks away. He rolled up the beautiful portrait, tucked it out of sight without a care, plopped his bowl in the sink (it wasn't like they were coming back), and went out the door without so much as acknowledging her. Not hostile. Just... painfully apathetic...

~*~

She smiled faintly. As much as she wanted to be a part of that... but no, she would make no attempt to win Gaara's heart. He still needed time. He knew he was loved, and he allowed her to help him. That would have to be enough for now.

That's what love is, though... she reminded herself. Gaara's well-being came first. Still, she couldn't restrain a soft sigh as she got to her feet with the tray.

"I'm glad to hear it," she answered him, still giving her calm smile. "It's a good goal- don't give up on it."

And so she turned and started down the stairs. The day was still ahead, after all.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stood in the house for a while. Just staring at teh door. What did i say this time? She thought. Did i say anything to make him like this? He says he has no feelings but he doesn't let me think that. She then stared around the house. It was kinda sad to leave it, even though she hated it. She sighed and left the house. She headed up behind, hands behind her back just watching him ahead.

---

Gaara stayed where he was for a while. He was slowly progressing thats what he knew. He then uncrossed his arms and headed out going to find Naruto maybe, or just to explore whats left of Konoha if he couldn't find Naruto himself.

[Ravenheart]

Sai went ahead, not so much as looking back. It was a bad idea in this misty weather, but he wasn't thinking about that now.

No, Sai had no feelings, and the more time he spent in this sunny world the more he realized how freakish that was. There were times when hints of it came back... he WANTED to feel... hell, he WANTED something for the first time in a long time... but it was as if his own mind couldn't handle it...

~*~

Naruto was, by now, back down at the main camp, which served only as a gathering place now that the houses were up. A few carts had arrived bearing medical supplies, fresh clothing and such things (presumably sent by a bunch of level-headed women), ample food and storage for it.

Naruto himself could be seen hefting large sacks of rice off of the cart and bringing them into a sort of storage-shed that had been erected with Yamato's help. The enigmatic captain was also present, carrying in baskets of this and that when he wasn't assigning shinobi of proper level to protect certain merchants or caravans. Sakura had showed up with a few of her nurses, gathering whatever medicine and bandages and whatever else they would need for that day. All in all, much going on.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu ran a little to catch up with Sai. She watched his back some more before walking quickly to get by his side, she looked up at him and narrowed her eyes a little, "Whats wrong?" she asked. She knew something was up, at least. Unless she was just wrong and Sai was always like this. She wasn't excatly sure.

---

Gaara walked down to the group. He decided to help. He used his sand to help Naruto and Yamato carry things. He didn't see any harm in it, plus it would get things done quicker. Gaara didn't see it as helping that much though, just something to get done and over with type of thing.

[Ravenheart]

Sai tried to respond twice. Each time he reconsidered his words and closed his mouth again, trying to come up with something. He went so far as to stop moving in order to think better, standing still in the soft, cool fog.

"You confuse me," he answered finally. He had a facial expression, for once: he was truly lost, miserably confused. "You make me think things that I can't remember ever thinking before. You make me remember things I had put away. You talk, and I question. That's new. I never used to, and I don't know what you're doing to me or how."

It occurred to him suddenly that his heartbeat had sped up, and his thoughts were moving quickly. Like when he was on a mission, and it became dangerous. It wasn't fear, it was more like adrenaline, but not quite...

Her touched a hand to his forehead, as if somehow he could stop his own thoughts with just his hand.

~*~

((Shall we leave the boys to their work, then?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Um..." Miharu said looking down on the ground and then up at him again, "Um, im sorry?" she said. SHe wasn't sure whither or not she was suppose to apologize or not. Actually, she was quite confused right now. She didn't quite get him. "Am i not suppose to ask questions?" she asked.

---

[[we can if you want to. I dont care what we do :] ]]

[Ravenheart]

"If I knew the answer to that, we wouldn't be having this problem," Sai said, looking up again slowly.

The gray sky was getting lighter. Noon was approaching.

"We have to move, quickly," he said, looking ahead. "But when we camp tonight, outside or in a village... I think we should talk more about this. I... would like to talk more about this," he corrected himself. An opinion. An original thought. And the burning question, Apart from ROOT, who am I? Anybody? Nobody?

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ i just love your avatar[been meaning to tell you that xD ]]

Miharu slowly nodded, "Um, alright." she said. You see this is why i hate being partnered with people. I just dont understand them..

Miharu headed up, "Lets get going then." she said being controling again.

[Ravenheart]

((Hee! Thanks! ^^ He's so great. I'm a sucker for his 'blue' songs.))

Sai nodded and followed. Right now, he was too baffled to care who led and who followed...

~*~*~*~

By sun-down they had reached a small village just within the Fire Country border. It had a small shinobi guard, nothing compared to Konoha, but at least it was defended. Sai wasted no time securing them a hotel room, this one decent and clean. For whatever reason, his mind kept going back to that empty house they'd left behind...

He sat down on the edge of the bed, looking out the window at the setting sun. His mind was still going, still trying to figure it all out...

"... At least here we won't have to hide. We're in our own territory now, which even Madara won't cross. Not yet," he remarked, steering his mind to more pressing matters.

~*~

At the same time, far away, the people of Konoha were out at the cooking fires and laughing to the night sky.

Naruto grinned as approached the large groups. It had been a good day, much had been done. Word had come from the Mist that Tazuna and his workers would come to lay the frames and foundations for the first true buildings of the village. Yes, it was a tragedy, but in the face of that, everything was going so well.

He bid farewell to Gaara, for now, and embarked in the direction of the medical building to find Kairi.

As usual, he barged in unanounced.

"Hey Sakura!!" he called loudly into the quiet of the mostly-empty room. "Where's Kairi, do you know?" He didn't wait for an answer, just looked around for himself.

~*~

Miyuki, meanwhile, had yet to join the crowd. She would later. But for now, she had other plans. So the rest of her team went on ahead to dinner, and she went back up to the room she shared with Gaara.

For a moment, all she did was lay down on her bed, just resting her eyes. So Konan had disappeared into thin air, the agents they had sent were on the run. And the one called Tobi was nowhere to be found. Strange circumstances... being only a Jonin, she was only allowed to know so much, though.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[yah mee to :'D But that avatar just gets me becaues i get caught staring at it for a while xD it just love it xD ]]

Miharu nodded as she walked in stretching. She pulled off her shoes and her shirt so she was wearing her black tube top and her black pants. She said down on the bed, and then fell back. "Yah." she said, "Im kinda happy." she said with a sigh, then curled up in a ball.

---

"Kairi left not to long ago." Sakura said, "She's not in here." she said. "She said she was going down to the river to was up." she said.

Which is were Kairi was at. She had her bandages off her arm and was washing her hands in the river. She washed the blood off her hands and washed her face off. She sighed and then pulled off her shoes, putting her feet in the water.

---

When Gaara finished he headed on back to his room. It was no sooner when Miyuki arrived that he came up stairs. He didn't mind her on the floor, he wasn't going to yell at her to get out. He walked in sat down like he did before and went back towhat he had done before, think.

[Ravenheart]

((Ooh! Ooh! I've got sexy Gackt too, just give me a second... (no, not anything like what YOU'VE sent me, just Gackt being... well, himself).))

Sai looked over at her... and found, for whatever stupid reason, he couldn't stop.

He was careful to be subtle about it. He'd learned from Sakura that if you look at girls too long, they hurt you. Badly. But he couldn't help it, either, it was the cursed eyes of the artist to seek beauty. It made him feel nothing. But nor could he easily look away.

She's 'happy.' That's good, he thought vaguely. This emotion thing was starting to make sense to him, even if he couldn't experience it firsthand.

~*~

"Okay, bye!" You didn't need to tell him twice...

Naruto made his way down to the river, where it was somewhat quiet and cut off from the camp. He didn't say much, just enjoyed the peace for a moment while he walked along the edge, looking for her.

"Hey, Kairi!" he called, breaking the silence when he saw her. He grinned like a fool, waving his arms to get her attention. Typical Naruto.

~*~

"Hmm?" Miyuki peered one eye open, then sat up when she saw he was there. She half-smiled at him.

"Sorry, should I leave you to your thoughts?" she asked. It was his room, after all, and she didn't want to be in his way.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[[ Pshh...i dont know what your talking about! >> Haha but let me see! xD ]]

Miharu sighed, then opened up her bag. She pulled out her glasses and her book before opening it and beginng to read it after she put on her glasses. for the mean time she had no clue Sai was staring at her. At some points Miharu was oblivious and unaware of her surroundings, which isn't good for a shonobi. She sighed silently as she read.

---

Kairi glanced back behind her , smiled and laughed, "Hey Naruto. "she said waving back at him. She then stood up and whipped her hands off on her skirt. "What brings you down here?" she asked with a smile as she pulled on her shoes.

---

Gaara shook his head no. He didn't care what she did really though. SHe could leave or she could stay he didn't care either way.

[Ravenheart]

((What a pity, I can't find the one I was looking for... oh well, you'll have to make due with the shipment I'm sending you instead.))

Sai was hesitant at first... but then gave in. He went in his bag for paper and ink, and quietly began to paint, giving careful study to his subject.

"... The necklace again?" he guessed, simply for the sake of conversation. Too much silence, he'd read, made people uncomfortable.

~*~

"Nothing, just thought I'd catch up with you before dinner," he said, still grinning like a fool. He pushed a branch out of his way, tucking so it would miss his head when it came back. "There's fresh stuff up the hill, even the Akamichi clan are satisfied."

~*~

Miyuki restrained a sigh, just barely. She said nothing, just picked up her salvaged comb from beside her bedroll and began to run it through her hair, taking off her forehead protector only when she had to.

"I'm on my way out to the hot springs... the new one, anyway," she corrected herself. "If you need me," which I doubt, "I'll be back in a little while."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ aw D: i wanted to see it xD And what package? O-o ]]

Miharu nodded, "Yah." she said quietly. "But you know, i dont see whats so special about it." she said staring at it. "Doesn't quiet make sense.." she said, "Must have meant a whole lot to my great great grandma...orsomething. "She said.

---

"Dinner sounds nice right now." she said after she finished rebandaging her arm."Thanks for meeting me." she said with a smile.

---

Gaara nodded. LAter on, he figured, he should go and take a bath as well. He hasn't had one for a while. He figured he could take one after he ate maybe...or if he will even eat. He sighed then stared out side, it was getting late.

[Ravenheart]

Sai nodded to show he was listening. He'd read that you were supposed to do that.

"Unanswered questions... I had a lot of those for Shin. I think that's when I stopped asking them," he thought out loud. "It's not unusual for people to attach feeling to an object, though..."

~*~

Naruto smiled. "No problem. Now what are you waiting for? Hurry up and come with me!" he said, teasing her mostly. The day had been a big success, and he was ready to kick back with some ramen and admire their work.

"So how were things with Sakura today?" he asked on the way.

~*~

Miyuki looked to him silently, thinking. Eventually she just heaved a sigh and stood up.

"I'll be back..." she said, disappearing downstairs.

When she came back, it was with food, again. She knew that Gaara, despite his aspirations to one day be social, was not so good with crowds.

"Here," she said, setting the tray down. It was quite a full meal. "The beef is rare, the way you like it. And I wasn't sure what you would want with your rice, so I grabbed a few things..."

Okay, so she fussed. Only because she loved him.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu sat up quickly, "Where you attached to Shin?" she asked Sai looking over at him. "Was Shin just an object to you?" she asked with a quite confused face.

---

Kairi sighed, "well.." she began, "I dont think im meant to be a medical ninja.." she said, "She was trying to teach me the basics and i just kept getting it wrong." she said. "My clan is, well, WAS known for the high ranked medical ninjas, besides Tsunde. We were all to be medical ninjas, expection for guys. My sister is younger then me, but she is better then me and father is and was always telling me to 'be more like sister', and 'if i dont get this right you dont get dinner'." she sighed. "I just cant get any of it right." she said. "I dont want to be a medical ninja anyways.." she said, "Thats partically why im not back in the rock village where my clan is." she said, "Once father was found he's just been harsh on me while my sister is the little angel." she shrugged, "I told him i was leaving and never coming back." she said with a small laugh.

---

Gaara nodded as a thank you before he began to eat. His eyes roamed the room then watched her like he had last time. They always seemed to end up on her, and he had no clue why. He then looked outside as the sun began to set. Night would come soon, and fast.

[Ravenheart]

"Huh?" Sai looked up from his work, puzzled. "Oh... you misunderstand. Here."

He went into his bag and reached across to her bed. In his hand was his book, the picture book he had made for Shin, but never had the chance to give him. It was one of the few things that made him feel anything... and so he had never been able to give it up.

"I made this for him, when we were children in ROOT. My art has gotten better since then," he remarked, more to himself than to her. "I begin on one side, Shin on the other... see for yourself."

~*~

Naruto shook his head, looking seriously annoyed, though not with her.

"He and Hyuuga Hiashi should start some demented club," he muttered irritably. He did his best to laugh it off. "Hey, you probably did better than I would have, though. Sakura's right, I'm an idiot, I'd be no good at that medical stuff." He couldn't even do genjutsu without completely screwing it up.

~*~

Well, he had food. Miyuki saw no reason to stay.

So she finished combing out her hair, then flicked it back over her shoulders and stood up.

"I'll be back," she said, heading for the stairs again. This time she really did intend to go for a bath...

He'll be fine. I'm probably making him nuts with my hovering anyway...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stared at the book and touched the cover. "What happened to Shin?" she asked, "How did he die?" she asked suddenly saddened.

---

Kairi laughed quietly to herself. "Yah your right, if Naruto can't do it then i should because i dont want to be as dumb as NAruto. "She said teasingly before running off quickly.

---

Gaara watched her leave before continueing his meal in silence. Thaat was when he reliezed that iwas better to have someone with him then to eat alone. If he where naruto he would be eatin adn laughing with a crowd of friends...friends. Naruto was his friend,...but Gaara never even realized he never ate with Naruto. Strange...are friends suppose to eat together?Now he was set to confusion again.

[Ravenheart]

Sai set down his work and came to sit next to her on the edge of the bed, showing her the pages as he had painted them.

"... the enemies we fought, and defeated, one-by-one, becoming stronger than each of them, one at a time," he explained, showing pictures from both his side and Shin's. They showed one of the boys against some greater enemy, and each time the page turned, they had taken the armor and weapon of the enemy before.

Until finally there was only one page left. The middle, where they would meet.

"Think of all the battles you've seen so far," Sai said, detached-sounding, as if in the memory itself. "What do you think happened?"

~*~

"HEY!" Naruto shouted, but then he laughed and chased after her... up the hill, too!

"Wait up! You are DEAD when I catch up with you, dattebayo!" he laughed as he tried to catch up. He was stronger, yes... but she was just slightly faster.

~*~

Miyuki knew she should get dinner too... but her appetite hadn't been quite right since the attack, so she wasn't really hungry.

So she went down to the new spring instead.

Once there, the hot water helped clear her head for whatever reason, and she was left in quiet, just looking at the stars as they peered out one by one. In silence she thought. And remembered.

... three years? Four? How long has it been, and I'm still just dancing in a shadow, hoping that he'll notice me...

He's doing well, though. Getting better. And he has friends here, whether he knows it or not, and two siblings who love him and would risk life and limb for him. Me, I should just focus on getting a house of my own again...

She sighed. Yes, there were bigger problems, but Gaara was usually somewhere on her mind, especially when he was visiting.

... Keiji and Matsu are going to start wondering where I am. I should hurry up...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu shook her head, "I can't imagine.." she said quietly. What was that, sadness, sympathy? She just sorta felt her heart ache all of a sudden and she wasn't quite sure why it was saddened all of a sudden, it just sorta, happened.

---

Kairi laughed and triped on her way up the hill. "You won't catch me!" she said sticking her tounge out at him as she reached the top of the hill. "Besides you need to burn off that fat of yours!" she teased again before running off once more.

---

Gaara finished his meal and set it aside. He stood up and stared out side where he could hear a few people chatting. Friends. He thougth once more. If he could, he would go and sit with everyone,...but he just couldn't get himself to move.

[Ravenheart]

Sai looked at her, his face blank.

"In order to graduate in ROOT, you have to prove that you belong there. There's no room for emotion. We fought our way there... so next, we were to fight each other. The survivor joins ROOT," Sai explained, as if not bothered by it at all.

But then he revealed the page.

Sai and Shin stood together, holding hands and smiling.

"Shin was sick," he explained, voice becoming quiet. "We never fought. He died of his illness... and I never got to give this to him."

Saying it out loud, Sai felt something. He wasn't sure if he liked it...

~*~

"Okay, NOW you're asking for it!" Naruto said. She'd done it, she'd finally done it...

With an extra burst of chakra, Naruto charged up the hill, launched himself forward, and managed to throw his arms around her ankles to topple her over (though not before he belly-flopped on the grass himself).

~*~

Miyuki got out, got dressed, not really bothering with her uniform. She wore her scarf, and her gloves, and her pants and shirt, but that was all. The arm-wrappings, the vest, her hitai-ate, she just hung it all over one arm and carried it with her.

She came back to the camp, wiping her long, damp bangs out of her eyes. Now to find her boys in all this, that was the challenge...

She cast a glance up to Gaara's window, but then away again quickly. That wasn't her problem right now.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ aws i almost cried D': that gets me every time! D: ]]

Miharu sniffled and whiped her eyes, "But thats a good thing isn't it?" she asked. "I mean you didn't have to fight him." she said, "Even though he did die in the end, at least not by your hands right?" she asked him. "If Shin wasn't ill, you could have died my his hands even..." she said. "It could have been Shin that i partnered up with to find Konan." she said, "Not Sai." she said. She then rubbed her eyes, "Are you greatful that you were the one who joined ROOT?" she asked him.

---

Kairi laughed when she fell onto the grass and slowly sat up. "Im sorry did i offend you?" she asked biting her lip to try to keep her self from laughing.

---

Gaara steped away from his window and then left his room and walked down the hall way. He narrowed his eyes, what would naruto do? Is what he kept thinking.

[Ravenheart]

((Ughh.... *passes out* I must sleep. I have to get up and go to work tomorrow... NEVER work for a church, Ki-chan, ever.... ^^' Nah, I don't mind, but the hours are killer. I'll be online when I get home, k?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ kaaaay :3 Night Le-chan! ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Grateful*))

Sai looked at her, again, as if studying her. Was that the face he was supposed to make when Shin died, then?

"Grateful, to join ROOT?" he repeated, thinking it over. "I don't know what else I might have done with my life. But given that my options were to do so or be killed..." Well, the choice was not entirely clear. Did he love Shin? He called him brother, but at the same time he could feel nothing....

"I shouldn't be there. I don't think I could have killed him," he realized suddenly.

~*~

Naruto gave the girl a sharp poke to the forehead, smirking like a cat toying with a mouse.

"Oh, just a little. Were you even watching that battle?! I haven't got an ounce of fat on me!" he berated her playfully. "Some way to talk to your soon-to-be Hokage!"

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[Ah! thank you! :3 ]]

Miharu shook her head, "I dont think you would be able to either." she said. "If you weren't able to kill Shin, and Shin could kill you, what would you do?" She asked him.

---

Kairi laughed some more, "Oh, im so so very sorry Mr.Hokage." she said. "I should use my words more carefully!" she said. "Oh, and you are right Mr.Hokage, you are clearly not fat, im sorry my mistake, your just simpply obtuse." she said playfully, between giggles

[Ravenheart]

((I think you mean obsese* for someone who's fat. Obtuse is a math-term for an angle over 90 degrees. Obtuse can also mean difficult. If someone is being 'deliberately obtuse,' it's just a fancy way of saying that they're giving you a hard time.))

Sai simply shook his head. "I don't know. Defend myself, I guess, I couldn't just get killed."

He was quiet for a moment, staring at the floor, deep in thought.

"Would Shin have tried to kill me, I wonder? I don't think so... we should both be dead," he said quietly, just lost in memory.

~*~

"That does it!" Naruto shouted, pretending to be angry. "You like laughing so much?"

He promptly siezed Kairi around the waist and proceeded to tickle her within an inch of her life. His hold was strong, there was no way for her to muscle out.

((I'll be back later. My brother's being a b!tch...))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ oh i didn't know that, thanks :3! xD Haha im doing so bad today D': ]]

Miharu stood up, "Im sure he wouldn't have tried to kill you either." she said, "Im sure Shin loved you too." she said getting out a glass of water. She then went silent, "You loved Shin." she said, "Im sure of it, or else you wouldn't have kept that book of yours." she said, "You wouldn't have wanted to give it to him." she said, "Im sure of it." she said setting the glass down.

---

Kairi did try to push Naruto out of the way but couldn't, "Stop it!" She said inbetween giggles and laughs." Na-naruto!" she said still laughing.

[[aw okay D: ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Rawr, I spelled it wrong now >< Added an extra 's.'... 'Obese' :o))

Sai sad nothing to this. He looked down at the book, his face shockingly blank, dark eyes seeing nothing.

"There is no emotion. There is only ROOT."

What are we fighting for, though? And why? He doesn't believe in it, in victory through death. And Uchiha Sasuke... he would kill him, but Naruto-kun still won't let him go...

Shin... was it all for nothing?


He closed his eyes and sighed. There was an emotion there... he just didn't know what it was.

~*~

Naruto finally let her squirm free, giving her enough of a push that she wouldn't come back for revenge. He sat grinning like a fool boy in the grass. Justice had been served.

"You had it coming, and you KNOW it!" he said.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ its fine i wouldn't have known xD ]]

"Confused again?" Miharu asked him when he went silent and had that 'look' on his face. She wasn't quite sure if he was confused, but was just guessing.

---

Kairi laughed a little bit more before she sat up. She smiled over at him, "Yah i know." she said. She stood up, "But im hungry now, and im sure you are too!" she said. "So lets go get something to eat now." she said with a smile.

[Ravenheart]

He opened his eyes again, and shook his head. "That too, but no. I think I might be sick. Running in the cold and rain, that's probably what did it," he said. He put a hand to his chest, balled in a fist, like someone with a bad cough or chest pains. It hurt.

~*~

Naruto rolled his eyes as he stood up.

"Crazy girl..." he groaned in mock-complaint. "Yeah, let's go eat!"

~*~

Miyuki, in the meanwhile, had forced herself to dinner with her sensei and her boys. They met this with approval and enthusiasm, which she knew was their stupid, awkward, guy way of saying they cared.

"So where's your boyfriend at?" Keiji asked with a wicked grin.

"He's not my boyfriend," Miyuki answered stiffly, though she soon soothed her nerves with the lovely taste of mushroom soup with scallions...

"Nah, get it right: he's not her boyfriend, she's just his stalker," Matsu replied, picking his way through a heaped bowl of rice.

"I will dump this all over your lap if you make me, Matsu. Your choice: do you want children someday or not?"

"Woah!" Keiji laughed at the threat. That was a new one, and Miyuki had an arsenal of them.

"Play nice, children," Yasuo chided them halfheartedly. He pushed his glasses up on his nose and helped himself to thirds of his many favorites. He'd work it off later. "Miyuki's getting a life of her own, finally. You two might do the same."

"HEY!" three voices became playfully insulted all at once. Keiji went so far as to punch his sensei in the arm, nearly sending Yasuo's dinner into his lap.

((Matsu, small crush on Miyuki. He thinks Ino is The Babe, though, so it's nothing too serious. He and Keiji both turn into stuttering idiots when Ino shows up... who is just pleased with the attention and disregards them.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stared at him in confusion. "Does your chest hurt or something?" she asked seeing him put his hand to his chest. She put her glass down and grabbed a chair.

---

Kairi smiled, "I would race you but you look so tired." she said, "I guess you just got so worn out chasing me up that hill." she said teasingly again. She then walked on towards the fire where everyone was.

---

[[ aw x3 Haha that would be funny to see xD They are all goffing off, Oh hey theres Ino! "What?!" xD haha :'D im amusing myself xD ]]

[[Ah what wold you like me to do with Gaara? I wasn't to sure what you wanted. I was thinking of taking him outside where everyone was because he wants to 'change' you know but then i figured i shouldnt ._. should i? Or do you have something you want me to do with him? ]]

[Ravenheart]

Sai nodded. Sick, yes, that made sense... what a nuisance, with them being on the run it would slow them down...

"I'll take something for it," he said indifferently. He looked up to her. "Are you a medic-nin?" If not, he'd take a stroll into town for some medicine. It needed to go away. Now.

~*~

"Were you watching that battle or not? Or how about all the stuff we moved today? I'm beat!" Naruto said, plopping down near the big cooking fire. The Ichiraku crew was there, along with some other cooks, and it all smelled good to him.

He opened his mouth to order, but was cut off by the head cook.

"Yeah, the usual, we know," he chuckled. "Order up! Uzumaki's here!"

~*~

((I was thinking he should give social a try. You're allowed to let the character grow, you know ^_~ After all, what's the good of just thinking about being like Naruto if he's not actually going to do it?))

((Yeah, it kinda works like this: Miyuki can be standing around talking to her boys and suddenly she'll say, "Bye, guys." They look all confused. Ino walks past, and they promptly announce "BYE MIYUKI!" and take off.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu stood up, "I have a few things for chest pains, but first, where does it hurt?" she asked digging threw her bag. She was no medic ninja but she knew that running in the cold rain was to moreinlikey give you a cold, not chest pains. She was beginning to think it was something else.

---

Kairi smiled and sat down next to him. She then ordered some Miso soup. She stared into the fire and brought her knees up to her chest and rest her chin on her knees.

---

[[alright :3 ]]

No sooner did Gaara hear an uproar of laughter and people talking did he come down out of his house and towards the group of people, family, friends, and children. At first he felt a bit weird and out of place. He crossed his arms as he walked closer to the group. It wasn't that bad...he figured and it wasnt that hard to get into the group. He didn't have to talk he could just listen to others talk.

[[ lmao xD thats funny. :3 I wish i could see that happen D: ]]

[Ravenheart]

((You'd be surprised. Whenever we did gym class in cold, damp weather, I'd end up wheezing and achy for hours >< I had a sadistic gym teacher in middle school. Mile run. In the fog.))

Sai indicated the general viscinity of his heart and the surrounding muscles. Cold, wet air could wreak havoc on the lungs, he knew. It stood to reason that it could easily be fixed, though.

~*~

((I finally got to try miso! They sell it at a local grocery store now, powdered. White miso. Weird stuff, but... tasty =9 ))

Naruto mimicked her gesture, but rested his head sideways to look at her better.

"Hey, you're not about to go and pull all this shy stuff on me, are you?" he asked, grinning. Nope, not allowed...

~*~

People were generally accomodating of the Lord Kazekage. After all, he'd come all the way out to help Naruto, they weren't going to go away.

But Miyuki, for a change, was unaware of him. She sat laughing as Keiji and Yasuo-sensei got into a small-scale food fight, flicking bits of rice and whatever else at each other.

"Idiots," Matsu said fondly.

Miyuki looked over her shoulder at him. "Hey, Matsu..."

He looked perplexed. "... What?"

"Catch!"

A sliced water chestnut hit him flat on the forehead, stuck there for a moment, and then slid down into his bowl, leaving Miyuki laughing even more... albeit at his expense. He looked like a wet cat.

"Nice shot, 'Yuki-chan! Dare you to try that one on me!" Keiji said.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ im glad my teachers aren't that cruel o-o xD ]]

Miharu sat down on the bed, "Near your heart?" she asked, "Isn't that a heart ache?" she asked him.

---

[[ it is one of my favorite ^w^ i love it! ]]

Kairi turned her head to face him and smile, "No." she said with a small giggle. "Its just kinda nice. "She said staring at the fire, "Everyone here is like family to everyone." she said, "So its kinda...nice." she said with a shrug.

---

Gaara noticed the three, four if you count the sensei , messing around. This was probably one of his first times seeing Miyuki like this and he wasn't able to take his eyes off her-again.

[Ravenheart]

Sai gave a helpless shrug and looked at HER for an answer. She was the medic, not him.

"Whatever it's called," he said, not really concerned. "Can you make it stop?"

~*~

((It truly sucks- the only Japanese restaurant around here is about an hour and a half away -_-' So I'm learning how to make my own instead! =9))

Naruto nodded, a smile on his face as he looked around at the crowd.

"Yeah, everyone's really come together on this. Will of Fire, like the old man Third used to say," Naruto said. He just enjoyed being there. A few years ago he had been totally alone. Now he felt like he was actually part of things...

~*~

Miyuki was too distracted with her sensei and her boys to even notice Gaara for the moment. The fight continued, Matsu still too dignified and cool to get involved, Miyuki trying to get in a shot on Keiji and failing miserably, Yasuo sitting back and enjoying the chaos he'd started.

"Knock it off! You're not supposed to win!" she whined, even though she was laughing at the same time. Keiji just grinned, then stuck out his tongue.

"My work here is done," Yasuo said, smirking quietly.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu shook her head, "You can't stop a heart ache." she said, "It just kinda means...your upset over soemthing. Or your missing something whether it be your missing it a whole lot or deathly." she said, "My guess is your missing Shin." she said.

---

Kairi then stretched her legs and arms. "I dont need to go home." she said, "Because my homes here, just like NAruto's." she said with a nod. "Besides i'd miss you to much." she said with a smile. "Id miss you and everyone a whole bunch." she said.

---

Gaara finally realized what he was doing and decided to move away. It was kinda wierd staring at her for a while, she didnt want her to think he was a freak. Wait...why would he care what she thought? He shook his head and found Naruto with that one girl. He decided to just go sit down next to Naruto. He didn't really say anything just sat down.

[Ravenheart]

Sai gave her a very blank look. Clearly he didn't believe her.

So, as usual when his social skills left him, he stood up and walked out.

"I'll be back," he said. That was all.

He then shut the door on her.

It wasn't that Sai was angry with her. But any more of this and he felt like his head was going to explode. He just needed to get out for awhile, think things over. That's all.

~*~

At that point, a pleasant, tingly feeling had hijacked Naruto's brain...

And then Gaara sat down, and with him reality. Not that it was really a bad thing. Friends were good.

"Gaara, hey!" he said, grinning. "Decided to come out and join the crowd for once?"

~*~

Well, Naruto's voice carried. Miyuki ceased her attacks, looked over and saw Gaara over at one of the other fires with Naruto and Kairi.

Good, he's come out of his cave. I'll... no, I'll stay here, give him some space...

"Hey, earth to 'Yuki-chan!"

Keiji was trying to get her attention, Matsu going so far as to wave a hand in front of her eyes. She blinked, then blushed and turned away from Gaara again.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Miharu watched him leave. She sighed, i did it again, she thought. She laid back on the bed again and looked up at the ceiling. She sighed once more before curling up in a ball, ill leave him to have some space, in the mean time..ill..just, sleep.. she thought shutting her eyes.

---

Kairi smiled over at Gaara, "Hi." she said. "Im Kairi." she said. She knew him, but she figured he didn't know her.

Gaara nodded to NAruto, "Yes." he sad quietly. He then stared over at Kairi and nodded. He stared at the fire, "This is what NAruto does isn't it." he said.

[Ravenheart]

Naruto looked slightly confused by Gaara's statement, but he nodded.

"Yeah, I guess. Hang out, talk to people... harass some of them," he said with a sly grin, giving Kairi another poke in the ribs for good measure.

Naruto couldn't help but feel this unspoken connection with everyone there. It didn't matter if he knew them or not, or if they were talking or silent. They were united by common purpose. He wondered if Gaara did too, since he was from Suna. But Naruto didn't do the sensitive thing well, at least not out loud, so he said nothing other than, "Hey, the ramen's here! Want any, Gaara?"

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Kairi held her side and gave a playful glare at him.

Gaara simply shook his head, "I've already aten." he said continuing to stare into the fire. Hang out, talk and harssas. this is what NAruto said he did. Gaara knew then he had a LOT of work to do...

[Ravenheart]

((Eaten*))

Well, not seriously harass. Only Kairi got that special treatment.

Naruto gave a shrug. Missing out on good ramen? Well, he'd offered. He handed Kairi her miso soup with a grin.

"Sorry... kinda," he said. Maybe a little. No, not really...

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Kairi smiled with a small laugh, "ITs fine." she said before she began to eat her miso soup.

[Ravenheart]

((The scene seems to be slowing down a bit. Shall we call a fast-forward?))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ uh...yes @_@ i wasnt sure what to write. Also, i just thought i'd say, I love Miyuki! xD Haha anyways continue on :3 ]]

[Ravenheart]

((O_o Um... good thing someone does! XD And what, pray tell, made you arrive at this conclusion?))

~*~*~*~

Naruto had flopped on the grass on his back some time ago, absolutely stuffed with ramen and content as could be. By now the light of the cooking fires had died down to embers. Some had gone to bed. Others, like him, were lying flat on their backs and staring at the stars.

Hmm... don't want to move... he thought. For the middle of a crisis, it had been such a nice night.

~*~

As the rest of the group wound down, Miyuki got up.

"I'm calling it a night, boys. Oyasuminasai*!" she said with a smile and a wave.

"Hey, take it easy. We'll seeya," Keiji said, giving a vague mock-salute.

"'Night, Yuki-chan," said Matsu, glancing over nonchalantly.

She turned away from them and cast a glance around the camp for Gaara...

No. Just go to bed. Give him some space, she silently advised herself. So she didn't look. Just made her way through the dark and quiet toward the houses. It wasn't a sinister sort of thing... just calm and peaceful.

((*I hope I got that right!! >< You told me once, but I can't remember if that's it...))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ Well that last post with Miyuki in it and how she was just having fun and then suddenly when she sees Gaara she goes silent and red, she's so cute :'D ]]

Kairi was staring up at the night sky, "Its a nice night tonight." she said with smile. "Have you ever tried counting the stars?" she asked Naruto as she stared up at the sky. It truly was a nice night outside and it was a peaceful one at that.

---

When the fire was dim and people began to retreat Gaara stood up. He nodded a sorta good night to Naruto and headed off to his room. He found himself glancing around for Miyuki and when he didn't see her he walked onwards towards his room.

[[no that was right! ^^ ]]

[Ravenheart]

Naruto shook his head. "Nah... I'm not quite that stubborn. And too impatient," he laughed slightly, glancing over at her. "What about you?"

~*~

Miyuki had the head start. She went into the room, but opened the windows wide, sitting on the windowsill and looking out at the sky, just lost in thought.

There are some things that even Akatsuki can't take away. These stars are ours. No one else in the world sees them exactly as we do. They can't ever change that. The thought brought her some comfort.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Kairi smiled, "Yah actually." she said. "I use to see how many i could count before i got to tired." she said, "I would try to count more each time, try to bet my old record." she said, "I could hardly count to twenty." she said and shrugged.

---

Gaara headed up the stares and looked over as he climbed them seeing her on the window sill. He stayed quiet so she could stay in her thoughts, but like always, he sat down near his corner and stared at her every now and then.

[[ sorry took a shower ._.]]

[Ravenheart]

"Were you just little, or just really tired?" Naruto had to ask. It was a good idea, though... he would have to try it sometime.

~*~

Miyuki was aware that he had come in. She didn't want to sling herself at him or anything, so she kept to her own thoughts for awhile.

"I saw you with Naruto and Kairi tonight. I'm glad you decided to come out," she said finally, after many long minutes of silence.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ gah! i love your new avatar xD ]]

"Both, i suppose." she said. "when i was little and i couldn't go to sleep i would count stars instead of sheep." she said. "I always liked the stars better then sheep anyways." she said with a smile.

---

Gaara nodded, "I figured i should try." he said silently as he stared at the wall. His arms where crossed as he spoke. "I have a lot of work to do." he said more to himself then to her.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ gotta go D': Night Le-chan! ]]

[Ravenheart]

((Yay! I was afraid you'd be upset with me for changing it XD))

"Yeah..." Naruto agreed, nose wrinking slightly. Sheep smelled bad... "I never really thought of it, though. Usually if I couldn't sleep, I'd just stay awake. No mom to tell me otherwise." He grinned at this as if about to laugh. It wasn't that he particularly relished that fact, it was just looking back on his youthful idiocy... not that he was completely over it.

~*~

"Maybe so," Miyuki agreed, shrugging her shoulders. She turned where she sat to face him. "But it's a good start. Keiji and Matsu used to think I was weird because I hardly ever spoke. But all it really took was time. You'll get there."

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

[[ haha not at all *3* ]]

Kairi smiled before she yawned and rubbed her eyes. She slowly sat up and grabbed the back of her knees and glanced down at Naruto. "I think im going to head to bed now." she said with a smile.

---

Gaara sighed to himself, "I will get there eventually." he said looking off to the side. Another day meant another start so he could get to accomplish things as the days go on, and who knows, maybe accomplish his change quickly now that he's here with Naruto a little bit.

[[ Its so sad D: down here like an F1 tornado hit and eventhought it wasn't that big it did a LOT of damage and it was on teh ground for 15 mins. too! those for homeless people! D: ]]

[Ravenheart]

Naruto looked up at her, still smiling. "Yeah, probably a good idea," he sighed, getting slowly to his feet too. He wouldn't mind just sleeping on the grass, but a bed was more comfortable.

~*~

Miyuki nodded, giving him a confident smile. "You will. I'm sure of it," she said. After all, she'd said the same thing about him becoming Kazekage. He'd done it.

And done so well... she thought as she looked at him. She was proud at him, for everything he had done since then. But too shy to say it, doubting that he would want to hear it from her.

((Ouch! That's so sad! :( I'd forgotten you were in tornado country.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Kairi jumpped to her feet as well and stretched. She then headed off towards her room that she shared with Naruto. "Anything big you have going on tomorrow, Ho-ka-ge-sama?" she asked looking back at him.

---

Gaara nodded, he was sure of it too. Afterall he did become Kazekage and one goal just leads to another.He knew he had to take care of Konoha first and formost before he tried to do anything else.

[[ yah D: im just glad it didn't touch down any where near me. [though it was really close]]]

[Ravenheart]

Naruto nodded. "It's down to business. Now that we have what we need to survive, we need to go after Akatsuki before they can come here: I'm meeting with some of the jonins tomorrow... and the ANBU, some of them," he said, his eyes goin to the ground. If only Kakashi-sensei were still here, it would be so much easier...

~*~

Miyuki's smile faded slowly. He wasn't up for talk, that much was apparent... less than usual. She wasn't disappointed, not really. Just not as enthusiastic.

"Naruto's called a meeting for tomorrow, to see about how to deal with Akatsuki. Yasuo-sensei wants me to come," she explained. I want to be an ANBU captain someday, did you know that? So he thought it would be good practice.

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

Kairi nodded, "So you plan on leaving?" she asked slowly, staring at her feet as she kicked the dirt underneath her. She then opened the door to the house, and left it open for Naruto before she started to climb the stairs of the house up to her and his room.

---

Gaara nodded once more, "Does any one know where they are located?" he aske quietly. He knew he wanted to get a hand on the Akatsuki...but then again, he was free,but he did almost die as well.

[Ravenheart]

Naruto followed, and did his best to smile for Kairi.

"If I have to, yeah. But I don't want to leave the village on its own right now. That's why there's ANBU," he said to her.

~*~

"They sent Sai with a partner to follow Konan. But he hasn't even sent a report back yet, so there must have been big trouble. I hope he's okay," she said worriedly, looking out the window as if she could somehow find Sai that way. She didn't know him very well, but she'd developed a soft spot for him, a fondness for the strange boy who meant well and didn't know why.

((And yes, I'm going to bring him back soon.))

[XoX_AngelKitty_XoX]

"Oh..." Kairi said quietly. She didn't really want NAruto to leave, but if he had to she would let him, after all. Besides, he would be, and will be Hokage soon so he must to the hard things before reaching his goal. "Well." she said as she entered the room, "Thats fine." she said with a nod. "If you have to leave then you have to leave." she said as she began to unwrap her bandages.

---

Gaara followed her gaze out the window before looking back to the wall."How long has he and his partner been gone?" he questioned. If he hadn't sent a report then that did mean big trouble, either that or he's dead.

[[Haha its fine :3 For a moment i forgot about him xD I was like, OH! yah, nowi remember xD ]]

[Ravenheart]

"Like I said, I'd rather not," Naruto said, plopping down on his bed and stripping out of his usual orange jacket. He kinda wanted to ditch the shirt too, the night was warm, but somehow he thought Kairi might not approve.

He frowned, putting a hand over his abdomen. That's right, it was back. Fixed... and clear as day. Suddenly he lost all desire to ever go shirtless again.

~*~

"Three days now. Sai always reports back quickly, but we haven't had a word from him. I'm worried," she said quietly, still scanning the horizon. Sai was an ANBU-rank. If he'd gotten killed...