THIRD PERSON

The three remaning ANBU Black Ops stare solemnly at the purple-black barrier now separating them from the Third Hokage, and the demon snake Orochimaru. The fourth ANBU is somewhere below them, having attacked the barrier first, and suffered the consequences by bursting into flames and flying from the roof.

"This isn't good," one says, his eyes flicking to the four Sound Ninja keeping the barrier intact. "I know," replies the captain. "But there isn't much we can do about it. We can only pray Third Hokage has the strength to beat his former student."

Inside the barrier, Orochimaru, still dressed as the Kazekage, holds a kunai to Third Hokage's throat, smiling devilishly. "I was so hoping to take the Uchiha boy while Gaara was causing trouble," he says, his lips forming an unbelievable pout. "But sometimes things don't go according to plan."

"You're here for the Sharingan then," Third Hokage says, his eyes on his once prized pupil. The snake laughs. "Of course," he hisses gleefully. "Only the best will do for my purposes, and Sasuke is certainly a delicious speciman. Though, of course, he isn't the only reason I've come to the Leaf."

"Do you intend to conquer Konoha and rule as its Kage then?"

Another bout of hissing laughter escapes the snake's lips. "Conquer Konoha?" he laughs. "This petty little Village is not worth what you think, Sarutobi Sensei. No, I made my strike here in the Leaf Village for another reason. There's a certain little girl who has caught my eye in recent times."

"Little girl?" Third Hokage questions, his mind whirling with the possibilities. What little girl could be so special that Orochimaru would want to come after her? Hiruzen pitied the poor girl already.

"I've heard she's one of the last remaining of her clan," Orochimaru says slowly, in a deliberate manner than makes the Third Hokage grit his teeth in anticpation. "And such talent! Oh yes, the Yuki girl will make a fine edition as one of my test subje-- I mean, subordinates." He smiles cruelly as Hiruzen's eyes widen in recognition.

He could not--would not--allow Orochimaru, monster that he is, to have little Akari. Or Sasuke Uchiha. The thought of such young Ninja, the future of the Village and the holders of the Will of Fire, in the hands of such a sick, sadistic demon... It would be unforgiveable to allow such a thing.

No, the Third Hokage would not deliver the children into Orochimaru's outstretched hands. He would do what he hoped he would never have to, what he should have done years ago. He will kill Orochimaru with his own two hands, and end the misery that he could have prevented so long ago...

***

AKARI

Just as I make it back to Kakashi and Guy, Naruto, Shikamaru, a dog and Sakura leap through a hole in the wall and out into the Village. I pause, wondering, despite what's going on, what they can be doing at a time like this. Then, I'm thrust back into reality when a Sound Ninja jumps at me. Acting on impulse alone, I draw a kunai and, sidestepping his lunge, thrust it into his heart. He goes limp and falls to the ground in a crumbled heap.

I hop over him and approach Kakashi Sensei, who is whirling around, nailing enemy after enemy. His headband, normally covering his left eye, is pulled up, revealing a blood-red eye that makes me gasp upon seeing it.

"Kakashi Sensei!" I exclaim, ducking beneath another Ninja's attack. "Where the heck did you get the Sharingan?!"

He creates a clone of himself to dispatch another enemy and turns to me. I can't be sure, but it looks like, beneath that look of determination and intelligence, there's sadness in Kakashi's red eye. "A dying friend gave me a gift," he says shortly, though not meanly. "Now the more important question: Can you fight?"

I nod, quickly forming a handsign. "Ice Style: Crystal Mirror Trap!" Twin mirrors of ice materialize on either side of me. A Ninja, aiming for my head, sails into one mirror with a sharp exclamation of surprise and flies from the other, slamming his head into a wall and knocking himself unconscious.

"I'm one of the only Genin who didn't use any chakra during the final rounds," I tell him, somewhat bitterly. I'm still very much pissed that Dosu failed to show up for out fight. Though maybe it's a good thing, considering we're now under attack and I'm still full of strength.

Kakashi returns my nod. "And you're lucky you were placed under Kurenai's guidance. Naruto had to be released from the Genjutsu by Sakura."

"Where were they going anyway? And with Shikamaru and a dog too?"

"I've sent them on a mission to retrieve Sasuke."

"He's gone after Gaara, right?"

"I'm afraid so."

I fling several kunai into a group of enemy Ninja bearing Suna's headband, scowling while doing so. "Who would've thought the Sand would betray us," I murmur, just as Guy Sensei appears, back to back with Kakashi. "I'm curious as to what they want," Kakashi says, gripping his right arm with his left hand. Lightning-like charkra flickers around his fingers, growing into the chriping storm I saw Sasuke use earlier. Though this one actually looks about ten times as deadly.

"Have we given them a reason to attack us?" I ask Guy; Kakashi has dashed forward, slicing through an abundance of Sand and Sound Ninja who dared to get in his way. "Not one I can think of," the green-suited Jonin replies, kicking two Ninja out the massive hole in the wall.

Kakashi returns, looking slightly scruffier in appearance. "Whatever their reason, I know why Orochimaru has decided to show his face here today," he says. He jerks me closer to him, whipping out a kunai and stabbing a man who was aiming at my back. I look up into his strange set of eyes, and ask, "Who's Orochimaru?" Kakashi sighs. "An S-ranked criminal who used to be a student of the Third Hokage, before he turned rouge and fled the Village," he says. "Why would a student of the Third Hokage turn against the Leaf?" I ask, breathless with my shock.

"He wanted power," Guy Sensei chimes in. "He wanted the position of Fourth Hokage, and felt cheated when Minato got it instead of him."

"So he's after revenge?" I ask.

"Among other things," Kakashi replies uneasily, glancing out at the pulverized arena where Sasuke was last seen. "Seems like a pretty insubstantial reason to destroy an entire Village," I say, growing tired of the situation as more and more Ninja appear around us. Kakashi starts to say something, but I wave my hand at him, telling him to "hold that thought". I make a few rapid handsigns. "Ice Style: Ice Dome!"

A dome of ice, similar to Gaara's sand defense, surrounds the three of us. A decent amount of chakra leaves my body, reinforcing the ice and leaving me panting for a breath. A dozen or so kunai clink against the ice but ricochet back at the other Ninja, not even scratching my defense.

"Did Haku teach you this?" Kakashi asks, staring at the clear walls around us admiringly. I shake my head, hands held in front of me to help me focus my chakra. "I figured this one out on my own, though I know for a fact that Haku can use it. I'm sure he would've showed it to me, but he hasn't visited me in a while," I say.

"Who's this Haku you're both talking about?" Guy asks, I look over my shoulder at him, stifling a laugh when I see he's smiling and posing in front of the ice, apparently checking out his reflection. Then I grimace, knowing I won't be able to hold this defense for long.

"Haku is... a friend of ours," Kakashi says, shooting me a wink. I smile at him, or attempt to anyway. If I want to have any fighting strength left, I'll have to ditch the ice. "Guys, sorry to say this, but I've got to drop the ice," I say, gritting my teeth in concentration. "Before you do, Akari," Kakashi says, placing a slightly bloody hand on my shoulder. "I want to you go after Sasuke as well."

I blink. "Why?" I ask. "Don't you need help here?"

"No, I think Guy, me and the rest of the Jonin here can cover it. And I think you'd be helpful to the team I've already sent out. Naruto himself is already pretty worn out, and Sakura isn't much of a fighter. Having you with them will only make things go smoother."

"If you're sure..." I release a sharp breath and drop my barrier, letting it melt back into the air. Guy immediately goes into a frenzy, whirling and kicking and punching and generally being a Taijutsu beast. Kakashi, on the other hand, pulls out a scroll and lays it flat on the ground. I keep my eyes open, watching for Ninja while Kakashi bites his thumb and swipes it over the scroll, leaving a line of blood. "Summoning Jutsu!"

In a puff of smoke that makes my eyes water, a small little Ninken appears. He's so cute, with tan fur and long ears and legs. The kanji for Shinobi is on his forehead and a Leaf headband is around his neck. He wags his tail at Kakashi, who says warmly, "Hello, Biscuit."

Even his name is adorable!

"What's up, Kakashi? You don't usually give me a solo mission," Biscuit replies, tilting his head to the side. I don't comment on the fact that he's talking. It would just waste time. "I need you to track someone for a friend of mine," Kakashi explains, gesturing at me. Biscuit looks back at me, and his eyes light up. "This ain't a student of yours, Kakashi," he says. "But I wish she was! She's cute!"

I let out an unavoidable giggle at his complement while Kakashi sweat drops. "You're a dog, Biscuit," Kakashi reminds him, in a no-nonsense voice a lot of people use on dogs. "Don't get any ideas."

The Ninken shrugs and winks at me. "'Course Kakashi, whatever ya say," he says, his voice laced with easy-to-see sarcasm. Kakashi scowls at him. "Just pick up on Pakkun's scent, and lead Akari to his location."

Biscuit gets to his feet, his nose lifted in the air as he takes deep sniffs. He trots over to the hole in the wall, revealing the tops of buildings in the Village. I think it's a bunch of houses, but I can't be sure without a better look. "He went out this way," Biscuit says proudly. This time, both Kakashi and I sweat drop. "We know that, Biscuit," I say to him. "But we need you to keep following his scent, ok? It would mean a lot to me if you helped me find him." He nods eagerly, then sticks his tongue out at Kakashi. "See? Akari's nice to me! Seems like she enjoys my company, isn't always callin for Pakkun, now is she?"

"She doesn't know who Pakkun is, and she can't summon him."

"Well, whatever! It ain't the point!"

"Biscuit," I call warmly. "Can you show me where Pakkun is? He's with friends of mine, and they might be in trouble." I widen my eyes in fear for dramatic effect, and it does the trick. "Count on me, pretty Akari girl!" He turns around and jumps out the hole, landing easily on rooftop a dozen or so feet below. I look back at Kakashi and smile. "He's cute," I say, expressing my earlier thought. "He's trouble," Kakashi replies, running a hand through his thick hair. "But he's reliable. He'll find Pakkun, the little dog with Naruto and the others, no problem. Just keep him focused, will you? As you've noticed, he gets distracted easily... especially by girls."

"You wanna know what's funny?" I ask, smiling slightly still. "That is one of the only complements I've ever gotten about my appearance, and it came from a dog." I shake my head, glancing at the waiting Biscuit. Kakashi stands in front of me, rolling up his scroll and stuffing it in his weapons pouch. "You'd better hurry, Akari," he says. "I've got a bad feeling about that confrontation between Gaara and Sasuke. It may... stir up some bad feelings in him."

"I'm going to ask you what that means later," I say, narrowing my eyes at him. "And I've got a bad feeling too. I've had it ever since I saw Gaara's handywork in the hallway. You'll found out soon enough," I add at his puzzled expression. I start towards the hole, then pause, and turn back. I wrap my arms around Kakashi's waist, since he's a heck of a lot taller than I am, and hug him briefly. After only a moment of hesitation, he hugs me back.

"Be safe, Akari," he says as I back away. "You too," I say, flashing him a smile. "And tell Guy Sensei not to overdue it with the Taijutsu. He doesn't want to pull a muscle."

I leap out after Biscuit and follow him as he leads me through the Village, and eventually outside and into the forest.

I have to consciously ignore the many dead bodies piling up in the Village streets.

***

"There are two people up ahead," Biscuit informs me as we leap from branch to branch. "Do you recognize them?" I ask, my hand creeping to my weapons pouch. He shakes his small head. "Not personally, but they smell like the Village."

"So they're Leaf Ninja?"

"Most likely. Couldn't have got a strong smell like that from just visiting."

"You'd know Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke's scents right?"

"At least the blonde kid's. He smells... weird."

Oh I am so making sure Naruto hears about this!

I tell Biscuit that I want to find out who these guys are, and he nods, running for about a quarter of a mile before dropping into a clearing.

There are a bunch of Sound Ninja littered around the ground, apparently dead. I turn away from them and spot tow familiar people crouching at the far end of the clearing. "Shikamaru! Shikaku!" I call, running towards them. Shikamaru looks up, smiling as he leans back on his elbows. "Look who made it to the party," he greets. Shikaku gives me a lazy smile as well.

"What happened?" I ask, gesturing to the dead Sound Ninja. Shikamaru waves his hand, indicating it was no big deal. "I created a diversion so the others could go on," he says. "My dad had to come and save my lazy ass." My lips twitch into an amused smile; he's downplaying everything, but he's fine, so I can smile about it.

"What are you doing out here, anyway?" he asks.

"Kakashi Sensei asked me to go after you guys."

"Kakashi?" Shikaku asks. "How's he doing?" I recount my brief experience fighting with the Sand and Sound Ninja, telling Shikaku about Kakashi and Guy and about my mission in more detail. He nods when I've finished. "They might need help soon." He turns to his son and helps him to his feet. "C'mon, we're heading back." With a cheeky grin only a Nara can give, he adds, "Say goodbye to your girlfriend, kid."

Shikamaru sends me a "just kill me now" look, to which I grin evilly and shake my head. He sighs and shoves his father away from him. He says, "Finish up and get back to the Village in one piece, ok Akari?" I smile softly and nod. "I'll do that, Slothy."

"Aw, she's got a pet name for you kid! Be proud!"

"Shut up Dad!"

With a last wave to me, the Nara man take to the trees, still bickering over Shikamaru's supposed love life. I laugh softly to myself, about to head out myself, when Biscuit announces another presence. Not a second later, Shibi Aburame drops from a branch next to me.

I've only met Shino's father once before, during training for the Chunin Exams. He's got the same personality as his son, and it's easy to see where Shino gets his character traits from. If there's something different about them, I'd have to say Shibi is even less talkative than Shino. I didn't know such a thing was possible until I met the guy, but hey, to each his own and all that good stuff.

"Hello, Shibi," I greet awkwardly, unsure whether to call him by his name or Mr. Aburame or some weird honorific. But he nods to me, so I guess what I said is ok. "Is there any reason why you've come so far from the action?" I ask after he just looks at me for about a minute. He nods again. "I've been informed that my son has taken after the Uchiha boy," he says, in a monotone voice exactly like his son's.

"Shino?" I ask. "Oh yeah, I guess he would've released the Genjutsu as well. And he's out here?"

Another nod.

"I'll help you find him."

A shake of the head. "Finish whatever mission you're currently on," he says. "I've no need of help."

And he jumps back into the trees.

".......That guy's a freak," Biscuit says, and I barely stop myself from agreeing with him. "Let's go," I say to him and his ears prick up. "We'll skirt around the next two scents and head out for Naruto and the others, ok?" He nods and we resume in our chase.

Like I directed, Biscuit plots a course around Shino and Shibi's scents, and a third one he can't identify. I know it isn't Naruto, Sakura or Sasuke, so that's good. But the only other people out here must be the Sand Siblings, so I'm almost afraid of who it could be.

"I've got a lock on the blonde boy's scent," Biscuit says after a while. "There are..." He pauses to sniff the air again. "At least five other scents with him, and two of them don't seem human at all."

I blink. "What do you mean, not human?"

"Like, they aren't human. One smells like water and warts. The other, like chakra and..." He shivers. "Like evil."

I didn't know that evil had a smell, but I try not to focus on it too much anyway. "Gaara," I say, thinking about the deadly redhead. "His demon... maybe it's been unleashed," I say, and Biscuit wrinkles his nose. "Never liked demons," he says. "Way too nasty for my taste. Even the pretty ones."

Pretty demons?

"But that Nine Tails boy, he's different. Doesn't act the way you'd think a demon would, ya know?" Biscuit asks me from his place a few steps ahead of me. "Yeah," I agree, not wholly focused on the topic. If Gaara's unleashed his demon... I hope the others are ok.

It's another few minutes until Biscuit skids to a stop, shivering uncontrollably. I drop to a knee beside him, hugging his quaking form against me. "What's wrong?" I ask softly. He whimpers. "That chakra... it's so powerful, so nasty! I can smell blood too, and it's rolling in waves off that damn demon! I-I just can't... face that thing! I'm so sorry, Akari, but I can't! I don't know how Pakkun's standing this!"

I pat his head reassuringly, leaning down to whisper in his ear, "It's alright, Biscuit. Not many people can handle Gaara's when that demon is sealed away. I can't imagine how much worse he is right now. Just go back to wherever Kakashi Sensei summoned you from, ok? I'll be sure to tell him you were a great help to me." I smile at him and kiss the top of his furry head. "I'll be fine by myself."

He looks up at me with fearful eyes and nods. "I'm so sorry..." he whispers, before disappearing in the customary fashion. I sigh and get to my feet. I don't want to do this, but like Ibiki said so long ago, sometimes Ninja have to go on missions that seem suicidal. I can't think about my own safety. I have to focus on my fellow Konoha Ninja and my Village. I'll gladly give my life to protect my home, and even though I've been a coward in the past, I'll be better this time. No backing down, no matter how powerful the enemy.

Like Hinata said.

"Let's do this," I say out loud, starting towards the ensuing battle.

***

THIRD PERSON

Shukaku had been released.

It is worse than Gamabunta could've imagined, if that damned Sand Spirit is out and about. He is a powerful enemey, and the Chief isn't sure his newest henchman can handle him. But Naruto is determined to stop Gaara, despite his fearsome form, and save his beloved Sakura.

Heh, the Chief thinks to himself. Maybe this knucklehead isn't so bratty after all.

"OH YEAH!" Shukaku shouts. "I'M BACK BABY! I'M FREE AND IN CONTROL! AND I GET TO KILL A BUNCH OF PEOPLE!"

"Hell no, you damn raccoon dog!"

Both Naruto and Gamabunta turn to see a smallish girl standing on the remnants of a demolished tree, its appearance due to Gaara and Gamabunta's intense battle. The girl's arms are crossed and she's got a defiant scowl on her somewhat pretty face. But the Cheif can see she's shaking in fear even as she stares down Shukaku.

She's brave, even if she is a fool.

"Akari!" Naruto shouts in shock, staring at the girl with his perpetually wide eyes. She gives him a shaky smile. "How's it going? Need any help?"

"Can you do anything, pipsqueak?" the Chief asks. She raises an appraising eyebrow at him, wondering where the hell he came from. Well, Naruto is the only other person here, so he must've summoned him. Damn, first he beats the crap out of Neji, now he's summoning giant toads. Kid's gotten good.

In answer to the toad's question, Akari performs a few handsigns and an ice mirror appears behind her. She steps back into it, just as another mirror forms in the space next to Naruto. Akari steps out from the newly formed mirror, before both disappear as quickly as they came. "AH!" Naruto shrieks, jumping away from her. She rolls her eyes. "Yes, I know Haku is the only guy you've seen who can do this, we've been through it before," she says irritably, flicking her hand at him to stop his babbling.

"Ice Style," Gamabunta murmurs thoughtfully. "Yuki Clan?" he asks the girl. She nods, excited that someone knows of her family, but knowing now is not the time to ask about them. "Interesting friend you got there, kid," he says to Naruto, who sweat drops. "Well, we're not friends," he says weakly. Gamabunta puffs out some smoke, moving his pipe to the side of his mouth. "Well you should be, runt," he says. "Already got so much control over her kekkei genkai... girl's got some promise."

"AH! IT'S YOU!"

Akari flinches at the sound of the giant raccoon dog's hyper voice. He seems to be talking to her, and it's freaking her out immensely. Why the hell would he be interested in her?

"Who is that... thing?" she asks Bunta. "Shukaku," he replies. "The demon residing in that Sand Village runt. The boy's just put himself under a jutsu to make him fall asleep, and this allowed Shukaku to take full possession of the boy's form. He can only take control when his host is asleep, because it is when they're most vulnerable."

"Gaara," she growls, her eyes flashing as she stares down Shukaku. But Bunta can see traces of worry and sympathy in the girl's eyes, though her voice betrays neither. She shakes her head. "And I thought that kid could change. Guess I was wrong," she adds in a soft sigh. Bunta can't help but wonder why the redhead Sand Ninja concerns the girl so much; are they friends, or is she just naturally a caring person?

The latter probably is true to some extent, but he can't see her feeling that way about a boy so obviously taken over by his personal demons, both literal and figurative.

"YOU'RE THE FIESTY CHICK MY HOST WAS TAKING TO!" Shukaku bellows, his strange yellow eyes lighting up as he watches Akari's horrified expression. "I TOLD HIM I LIKED YOU, BUT DOES THE KID LISTEN? NOT AT ALL!" He then goes into a hysterical fit of laughter that makes everyone, including Bunta, sweat drop.

"Is he... stable?" Akari whispers. Bunta just puffs out some more smoke, unable to give her a clear answer.

"BUT YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE GONNA BE WORKING WITH THESE GUYS, I CAN'T JUST ROLL OVER FOR YA!" Shukaku shouts gleefully. "SO I'LL KILL EM FIRST, THEN DEAL WITH YOU. HOW'S THAT SOUND, FIESTY CHICK?"

"Like I'd rather spend eternity in hell," Akaru mutters, gritting her teeth in fury. Turning back to the others, she asks angrily, "Is there any way to get rid of this freak?" Naruto scratches his head, shrugging. "Dunno," he says. "Chief? Any ideas?"

"That host kid hasn't be under long," the toad says, narrowing his eyes at Shukaku's host, Gaara, hanging limply from the top of the demon's head. Akari follows his gaze and lets out a little gasp at the sight of the redhead, clearly unconscious, and only half protruding from Shukaku's sand-like body. What has this kid done now?

"A good punch to the head should wake him up, and that'll drive Shukaku back into his seal."

"A good punch to the head?" Akaru mumbles, glaring at Gaara's unconscious form. "Please, oh please, let me do the honors."

Bunta agrees, dipping his head slightly while Naruto lets out an indignant shout, saying he wants to be the one to take care of Gaara. "Naruto," Akari says softly, lowly. "Let me do this. You may be like Gaara, you may know his past and his loneliness, but you aren't him. And I know that makes you want to fight him all the more, but I need to do this. I was the one who was duped into believing the Sand Ninja could be trusted, and I won't forgive myself for that. I need to show these lying, arrogant bastards that Leaf Shinobi do not take kindly to being tricked."

Before anyone can make a move, however, Shukaku takes in a big gulp of air, his belly expanding greatly. "AIR BULLETS!" he shouts crazily, slamming his stomach with both palms and forcefully releasing the chakra-filled burst of air from his body. Bunta makes to move out of the way, but the girl stops him with a soft, "I think I've got this."

She pulls out a larger-than-average fan from her weapons pouch, spreading it out to reveal three purple moons almost identical to the ones decorating Temari's giant fan. Holding the fan in front of her, she spins around, creating a sharp blast of wind. "Cyclone Scythe Jutsu!" she shouts, whipping out her fan at the incoming attack to direct the wind, like how Temari manipulates her wind with her giant fan. It, being a smaller and more concentrated blast than Temari's, slices neatly through the air bullet, shattering its form and causing the bullet to detonate much earlier than intended. Akari, Naruto, Gamakichi atop Bunta's head also, and Bunta himself are still blasted with a shock wave-like wind, but are otherwise unharmed.

Akari, panting heavily, allows a small smile to cross her lips. "I wanted to try that against Dosu," she says, her voice broken by her quick breaths. "But that damn Sound bastard didn't show for our match. This is better practive though," she adds with an unintentionally smirk.

"WHERE THE HELL'D YOU LEARN THAT?!?" Naruto demands, waving his arms in a childish and frantic manner. She swipes the sweat from her forehead. "Temari," she says bitterly. "She showed it me, and gave me this fan, during my training for the final round of the Chunin Exams. She wanted to teach it me because she knew I have both Water and Wind Type Chakra, because of my kekkei genkai. And, she said, because we're friends." She practically spits the last word, turning away from a still wide-eyed Naruto.

The blonde can't see, but Bunta notices how her body stiffens in both anger and sadness. Her being on top of his head, though, even he can't see the tears threatening to spill onto her cheeks.

Akari had been played for a fool, and she doesn't like it one bit. She despises it in fact, so much so that she hopes to never see the Sand Kunoichi again, because she fears she'd kill her on sight.

Shukaku, slightly impressed with Akari's jutsu because it reminds him of his host's sister, laughs loudly and violently. Then he launches several more air bullets towards Bunta, who, seeing that Akari doesn't have it in her to counter them all, spits out his own water bullets to stop the projectiles.

"Hey!" Akari shouts excitedly as Bunta lands heavily on the ground. "I use that too! That's awesome!"

"Chief!" Naruto whines. "I told you! NOT OVER HERE! Sakura's somewhere down there!"

"That's right!" Akari exclaims, slapping her forehead in frustration. "I saw Sakura and Sasuke on my way over here. Sasuke told me that that sand around Sakura will keep crushing her unless we stop Gaara." She narrows her eyes. "Meaning I better act now." She weaves several more Signs, Signs Naruto recognizes this time. "Hey, wait!" he shouts, reaching out an arm to stop her. "Don't go alon--"

But she's already stepped into her mirror, connected to the one now above Shukaku's ugly head.

"Trust in her, kid," Gamabunta says to Naruto. "She's more resourceful than you seem to give her credit for."

Naruto watches silently as Akari, a girl he never much liked before now, steps out from her mirror, right in front of the still unconscious Gaara. His hands clench into fists as he watches, rooting for the black-haired girl he now wishes he'd been nicer to.

Akari steps lightly onto Shukaku's head, just feet from Gaara.

"If only you'd listened to me yesterday," she says, somewhat regretfully, somewhat bitterly, somewhat furiously. His limp form doesn't respond in the slightest and she sighs, pulling back a fist. "This is all because of your choice." She slams her fist forward, connecting with the side of Gaara's face, twisting his bland expression painfully.

"OW! OW! OW!" Akari exclaims, shaking her now bruised hand in front of her. Gaara has one hard head!

"AW MAN!" Shukaku bellows in an annoyed-teenager sort of voice. "I ONLY JUST GOT HERE!"

The light dims from his eyes, returning them to their original pale brown color, as Gaara's head snaps up, his sand armor cracking and crumbling from his skin.

"You," he growls, narrowing his tired eyes at Akari. "I thought I was fighting that Uzumaki boy."

"You were," Akari agrees, continuing to shake out her wounded fist. "But you've pissed me off so much since I met you, I decided I'd be the one to break your annoying little jutsu."

Sand swirls around her ankles, latching onto her and sealing her in place. She takes no notice, only glaring at the Sand Ninja she has never had a single kind thought about. He stares back at her, silently willing his sand to wrap tighter and tighter around the infuriating girl.

The sand crawls up her legs, but stops mid-way up her thighs. Gaara scowls, urging it to continue on its path, but the sand refuses to budge.

KID! Shukaku shouts in his mind, making him wince. I TOLD YOU ALREADY! WE AIN'T KILLING THE FIESTY CHICK! NOW STOP THAT!

But why? Gaara questions, his urge to kill stronger than ever as he eyes the now smirking Akari.

SHE STOOD UP TO US! THAT"S WHY! AND SHE DIDN'T DO IT ALL ARROGANT-LIKE LIKE THAT UCHIHA BRAT! SHE DID IT ALL CALM AND COOL. I LIKE HER. NOW STOP COMPLAINING AND LET ME THE HELL OUT! GO BACK TO SLEEP AND LET ME LIVE BABY!

Akari has no way to hear the seemingly silent conversation between Gaara and his demon, but she does understand that Gaara can't kill her. For whatever reason, he's unable to command his sand to take hold of and crush her, like he did to the Rain Ninja all those weeks ago.

The sand drops away from her and she calmly kicks it away, even though her heart is beating out of control. She's putting on a brave face, acting like how she thinks Sasuke would in this moment because she can't act like herself. Because she's silently screaming her head off. Ninja don't do that in the heat of battle, even when they're facing giant demon raccoon dogs.

"I could stab you through the heart right now," Akari says, making Gaara look up at her, Shukaku still ranting in his head. "I could rid the world of a lot of problems by getting rid of you.

"Try it," Gaara growls.

"But I'm not going to," she continues, as though she hasn't heard him. "Because I'm not like most Ninja. I care, I feel and, God help me, I still care for your sister."

Gaara blinks at her, the tiniest amount of surprise and confusion entering his sea-green eyes. His sister? What has Temari got to do with this?

"Despite everything, despite what she's done to me, I can't not care about her." Akari sighs, nudging a pile of sand with her foot. "And I can't in good conscience kill her younger brother with this damn heart of mine." She pulls a kunai from her pouch and holds his against her own heart, smiling bitterly at the sight. "Sometimes, I wish I could cut out my heart, become as unfeeling and uncaring as everyone expects a Ninja to be. Because, I know, one day, my heart is going to get me killed. I'll disregard everything to save someone, and it will the last thing I do. Or I'll give someone a second chance out of pity, and they'll turn around and stab me in the back." She taps her chest with the kunai. "I know life would be so much easier if I got rid of this thing, like you seem to have. But I can't bring myself to cut myself off from my feelings, my heart. I just... can't."

"Why are you telling me this?" Gaara asks, scowling at her. She frowns at the kunai still in her hands. "I don't know," she says finally. "It doesn't make much sense does it? Me spilling my heart to a boy who'd kill me without a second thought if he were able? Maybe I'm just passing time, maybe I just need to say this to someone. Whatever the reason, I'm saying it, and I'm saying it to you. But now I think I've gotten everything off my chest, for the moment at least."

She returns to the kunai to her weapons pouch and walks towards Gaara, who stiffens. "I think it's time we ended this, don't you?" she asks. And, not giving him a chance to reply, uppercuts his chin with a kick and knocks him completely from his spot in the sand. The beast resembling Shukaku, but not embodying his spirit, crumbles without Gaara to keep it together, sending both the boy and the girl perched on its head into the trees. Akari, her chakra and her strength spent, can do no more than make sure she lands on top of a tall tree, which just happens to be across from the one Gaara lands in.

"AKARI!"

Naruto launches himself down from Gamabunta's head and lands beside her, asking if she's alright.

"Good kid," Bunta mumbles around his pipe as he watches Akari struggle into a sitting position, smiling weakly at the tired blonde. He's used up all of the Nine Tails' chakra and is as close to passing out as Akari, who, having used her Ice Style several times already in conjuncture with her Wind Style jutsu, has only a small amount of chakra left.

"You like her, Dad?" Gamakichi chirps, watching as well. He likes the girl well enough, though she's a lot different from the hyperactive blonde kid. "Yeah, I think I might," Bunta replies. "Now, I'm out of chakra as well. Using those water bullets, and taking that damn air bullet to my chest... I'm done. Let's go home, Gamakichi."

"Alright, Dad!"

The two toads are gone, back to their home, in the next instant, leaving behind Gamabunta's dagger, lodged in the ground between the trees Akari, Naruto and Gaara are in.

Naruto, Akari and Gaara glare at one another, the dagger between them. Well, only Naruto and Gaara can really see each other, but Akari is glaring nonetheless. "You're out too, aren't you Gaara?" Akari calls, wincing as she shifts her weight to her bruised side; she landed rather hard on the tree. "No more chakra based attacks. No more sand to hide behind, right?"

He says nothing, only gets to his feet.

Naruto and Akari do the same.

"This is the end."

As the dagger vanishes, Naruto, Gaara and Akari launch themselves at each other, readying their attacks. Gaara makes to slam Naruto with a punch, but Akari and Naruto are faster, both landing punches on the Sand Ninja's face, sending him pounding into the ground below. But, both exhausted, they too drop to the forest floor, the impact making them as breathless as Gaara.

Akari is the one to land closer to Gaara, and he glowers at her, as she blinks open her eyes. "I wouldn't get back up," she says quietly, staring at the sky instead of the Sand Ninja. She smiles slightly at the sight of a few birds spiraling through the drifiting clouds, thinking they're a beautiful sight.

"Why?" Gaara asks. "Why are the two of you so strong, when you care for others so much?"

She shakes her head, still smiling. "I don't really know. But, I think, that it has to do with the fact that there is no limitations for us when we fight for someone else. Our safety, what happens to our body... it doesn't matter, as long as we protect the ones we love. If you're willing to die for someone, then it makes you that much more determined."

She glances at Naruto, who has yet to wake up.

"As for him," she says, turning to face Gaara fully. "I told you before, he was like you. He knows your pain, your loneliness. I don't. But if he were answering your question, I think he'd point out that his friends, the people he fights to protect, are the ones that saved him from his pain, his misery. And he'll do anything for them, because he wouldn't be alive, in the truest sense of the word, without them. Of course, I'm only speculating, but if you've known Naruto for as long as I have, if you've seen the change in him since being put on a team, you'd understand. He isn't like you, Gaara, because he was saved."

The smile never leaves her lips, even as she looks at Gaara's forcefully expressionless face. She looks at him for a moment more, then turns back to the sky, as blue and beautiful as ever.

"Why are you smiling?"

Akari, struggling, lifts a shaking hand to her mouth, feeling the curve of her lips as they smile without her knowledge. "I didn't realize I was," she murmurs. But she doesn't drop the smile. "I think it's because... the Chunin Exams are finally over."

Gaara doesn't respond to her strange comment. He too turns to look at the sky, trying to keep his thoughts on what the girl said. Naruto Uzumaki... was saved? Because of his friends? And the girl... she talked about love before, how she's willing to die for those she loves. She talks how Yashamaru use to talk, before the incident. Could he have been right, even amongst the lies he told?

While Gaara is preoccupied with his challenging thoughts, Sasuke Uchiha lands beside a still blacked out Naruto, who's now snoring softly. He checks the blonde boy over for serious injuries, then crosses to Akari, whose own eyes are starting to drift closed. He crouches next to her, frowning down at her. "Akari, right?" he says. She forces her eyes open and looks up at the raven-haired boy. "That's right," she says tiredly. She almost frowns at the sight of the black marks all over Sasuke's skin. She noticed them before, but she was in a hurry at the time and couldn't stick around to ask about it. Now, she's wondering if this is what Kakashi Sensei was talking about "stirring up bad feelings" within Sasuke. What are these marks, where'd they come from? She knows for a fact that they were never there before, at least, he didn't show them. What could've happened...

"Is Sakura alright?" Akari asks weakly. Sasuke nods, doing his best to keep his negative feelings for the girl off his face. First Naruto, of all people, shows him up with the summoning of that giant toad, now he finds out this girl has gotten even better than she was during the match with her brother. She's just like Haku, he thinks to himself bitterly, before smoothing the look from his face as Akari widens her eyes at him, clearly afraid for the pinkette's safety.

"Hn, yeah. She's fine. The sand dropped off a while ago."

"That's good..." Her voice trails off as her head turns to the side to find Gaara staring at her. She gives him a closed-eye smile. "Well, Gaara of the Desert, that's some blood that won't be on your hands, huh?" He's tempted to say something, though he isn't sure why, but before he can even open his mouth, Akari's face relaxes into sleep.

Leaping down from trees, Temari and Kankuro land just behind Gaara. Kankuro is still feeling the effects of that Shino's beetles, but he's well enough to move on his own. Temari has suffered the least amount of damage of the three Sand Siblings, but she is in no way alright. The battle with Shikamaru tired her out more than she'll admit, though she knows she'll have to move. The plan was obviously a failure, and the surviving Sand Shinobi will have to flee immediately.

Temari and Kankuro watch Sasuke, Akari and Naruto warily, even if Sasuke is the only who looks capable of throwing a punch. Temari, despite her better judgement, can't keep her eyes from going to Akari, now sleeping peacefully beside the Uchiha. Her friend... will she ever forgive her?

"Enough," Gaara says, his eyes watching the clouds.

"What?" Kankuro asks, staring down at his brother. "I've had enough," Gaara repeats. "Let's just go." Temari and Kankuro echange a look, before each taking one of Gaara's arms and wrapping it around their shoulders. They look once more at the Leaf Village Ninja, Temari's eyes lingering on Akari's happy face, then take to the trees, carrying Gaara between them.

Sasuke sighs, positive it would be a waste of time to chase after the Sand Ninja. He isn't strong enough to take on the three of them, even if they are exhausted. He himself doesn't have it in him to stay standing for much longer and is only too happy when Kakashi arrives with another of his Ninken, Bull, with Pakkun on his head. Sakura is slung over his shoulder, as out cold as Naruto and Akari.

"Yo," he says to Sasuke, who scowls at him. He can't believe the only thing his Sensei has to say is "Yo".

Kakashi looks at Akari and Naruto, smiling beneath his mask at the two of them. Akari isn't nearly as reckless as his blonde student, but she's willing to lose everything to protect the ones she loves, just like Naruto.

"Sasuke, mind carrying Sakura back for me?" the Jonin asks his emo-ish student. He lets out a soft, "Hn," and takes the pinkette from his Sensei, heading back towards the Village. Kakashi watches after his student until the trees swallow him whole, then turns back to Bull. "I'll leave Naruto to you, ok?" he asks, and the silent dog nods. The Jonin picks up Naruto and places him on Bull's back. The dog rises to his feet easily, the blonde's weight barely an issue for him. He nods to Kakashi, then takes off after Sasuke.

"You've overdone it once again, Akari," Kakashi says softly as he gently picks up the small Genin. She's smiling, and he can't imagine why. Though he knows when she hears the news, that smile will be gone in an instant. Maybe it's better for her to happy, if only for a while longer.

***

Upon entering the Village, Kakashi instructs Bull and Sasuke to carry Sakura and Naruto to the Leaf Village Hospital. Sasuke asks him what he's doing with Akari, since it's obvious he isn't going to follow them. "I've got to show her something," Kakashi says vaguely, to which Sasuke scowls like the Uchiha he is. "Annoyingly vague as always, Kakashi Sensei," he mutters, before turning and walking after Bull to the hospital.

Kakashi sighs and tightens his hold on Akari as he too turns away and begins walking. Kurenai is waiting for him where he left her, towards the middle of the Village. Tears fill her red eyes when she sees Akari, fast asleep in Kakashi's arms. "She'll be devaststed," she whispers. The boy lying on the ground beside her frowns, breathing heavily. "You'll... help her... won't you?" he asks, already beginning to see black on the edges of his vision. Kurenai nods as Kakashi places Akari beside the boy, leaning against the wall of a decimated home. The boy forces a smile onto his face as he watches Akari's eyes flutter open.

"Masaki," she whispers, confused as to why she's next to him. The last hting she remembers is seeing Gaara, lying on the ground and out of chakra. Then it's all blackness and dreams.

"Hello, little sister," he croaks out, reaching up a hand to touch her cheek. It leaves bloody fingerprints on her skin, which she notices immediately despite her groggy state. Her eyes travel down Masaki's body and a sharp gasp escapes her lips.

Her ex-brother's entire front is covered in blood, a long gash tearing into his chest and dragging down to his abdomen. Tears pour down Akari's cheeks. "Why... why aren't you in the hospital, Masaki?! You need help!"

He shakes his head sadly at her. "I'm beyond... it, Akari," he whispers, feeling that he doesn't have much time left. "I'm sorry," he says, and her eyes widen in dismay. "You... were right. I... should have... told you... about.... your past. I... feel awful... about it. But I swear... I always... loved you... as my... little sister. Always..."

"Masaki!" Akari exclaims, seeing his eyes close. She scrambles to her knees and leans over him, afraid to touch him but wanting to comfort him at the same time. She settles for grabbing onto his hand, which is quickly becoming limp and lifeless, with both of hers. "Masaki," she whispers, holding his hand before her, staring at him over the top of her own clasped hands. "Why did you go and do this to yourself? I-I was still so mad at you... and now, I want to take it all back! You are my brother! I love you! Please don't leave me!"

He laughs softly, lifting his eyelids for what could be the final time, them feeling like lead while he does so. "First," he says, his voice weak and uneven. "I didn't do this on purpose. Second, you had every right to be angry with me. I'm ok even if you're still angry; you should be. But I'm glad to hear you consider me to be your brother, because I've always felt that I was. And I'm sorry, Akari, but I've got to go. It's my time."

With the last of his quickly waning strength, he places a hand on the back of Akari's head, gently dragging her down to eye level. He kisses her forehead as tears flow uncontrollably from her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks and his as well. "Masaki, don't go..." she whispers. But his hand is limp already, falling from her head to his chest with an audible smack.

His eyes are closed, but a smile touches his lips.

Akari wants to scream and shout and cry and sob and everything else that people do when they've lost someone they love. But she can't; she is numb to everything. There is a hollow ache in her chest, but that is the only thing she notices. Not Kurenai Sensei as she wraps her arms around Akari, or Kakashi Sensei's warm hand on her shoulder. Nor does she react to a Ninja appearing behind her, saying, "We'll be informing the Village of Third Hokage's death shortly."

The only thing she can do is feel the ache of her loss, and hold her dead brother's hand.