Chapter 18

Chapter 18:

Right now Sasuke and I are chasing after the Sand Siblings.. Never realize how fast they were.

"Rai you alright?" Sasuke asked. He was still holding my hand.. Fangirl moment.. JUST KIDDING YOU STUPID .-.

"Yeah, and yourself?" I asked. He nodded.

"Temari, go. I'll take care of him." I heard Kankuro say. I frowned.

"Kankuro." I called out. Sasuke and I stopped on a branch.

"Rai!" Kankuro looked surprised.

"I won't let the brat get near him." He said. Sasuke glared at him.

"Why? He can help!" I said. Kankuro shook his head.

"He wants to kill Gaara."

"I don't want to kill him. I want to stop him." Sasuke said. Kankuro was looking between us.

"Let me battle him." Shino said. Huh? I looked behind me to see Shino on a branch.

"Shino what are you doing here?" I asked. He shook his head.

"We have a battle to finish." He told Kankuro. Kankuro smirked.

"Alright bug boy let's go." He said. I transported Sasuke and I behind Kankuro.

"Don't kill each other or I'll kill you both you got it?" I growled. They both gulped but nodded.

"Good." I said. Sasuke and I started running again.

We finally caught up with Gaara... where's Temari? o.o

"Hey Shukaku wanna fight your other half?" I asked.

"No, not really." Shukaku said while sighing. I grinned.

"Good get ready." I said.

"Shouldn't you use Isobu?" Matatabi asked.

"I'm not trying to kill him." I replied.

"You humans are all too soft and cowards." Kurama said.

"That's exactly why you're sealed inside of me." I said while smirking.

"Ha! You just got told!" Son Goku's laugh ranged through my mind.

"I have no idea what scheme you sand clowns are planning, but no matter what I'll stop it whatever it is." Sasuke said.

"Besides I'm dying to see what you're really are." He added. Gaara glared at him before holding his head and screaming.. His sand armor cracking.

"Gaara no!" Temari yelled.

"We're so alike Unchia... I don't have friends as you have. But they're not what makes you strong. It's your purpose that does it.. In that way we are alike. But for me to really show I existence I must kill you!" Gaara said.

He then started screaming, he kneeled down and held his head.

"Gaara!" I shouted.

"Rai no!" Sasuke said. I groaned. Dammit.

"Rai." Gaara said he lifted his head, his eyes met mine before he started screaming again.. His sand armor cracking more.

"REMEMBER WHAT YOU WANTED ME TO DO? REMEMBER WHAT YOU MADE ME PROMISE?!" I yelled.

"I don't care anymore! YOU ARE MY PREY!" He yelled. Half of Gaara started to transform.

"GAARA NO STOP!" Temari yelled. I cursed under my breath.

"Now. Let me feel it!" He yelled. Gaara went towards Sasuke.. Shukaku's arm stretched out. I transported Sasuke behind a tree as I jumped out of Gaara's way. News flash I can now transport people as long as I touched them first.

So yes I could've transported Gaara and I home that one day when we went to the water fall .-. Gaara found where Sasuke was and tried to catch him again. Sasuke dodged it easily.

"Is he human or monster?!" Sasuke said.

"Both." I yelled from where I was.

"WHY DO YOU HIDE SASUKE!? Do I frighten you? Are you shocked by my true form?! Come on come on Sasuke! To live I must kill and you are my prey!" Gaara yelled. I looked over to where I heard someone whimper.. Temari?!

"Temari!" I yelled. I hurried and ran over to her. She was balled up and covering her ears. She was so close to crying.

"Temari!" I tried again. She looked up and shook her head.

I heard Gaara yelling seeing him punching Sasuke.

"SASUKE!" I yelled. "Sasuke" turned into a log. God damn..

"GUESS AGAIN!" Sasuke yelled. He came in from behind and threw kunais at Gaara.. Which he blocked with his arm. Gaara fired them back which also hit "Sasuke"..

Sasuke and his clones are gonna be the death of me .

"What's wrong Sasuke? Why do you run and hide? Why don't you attack?!" Gaara yelled. Then he started screaming again..

"Why do you always run away?" Gaara mumbled. My eyes widen.

His strength is off the chart... "Are you afraid?!" Gaara yelled. "You live in fear everyday I'm alive!" He added. Sasuke was about to piss his pants.

"Gaara!" I yelled. I jumped next to Sasuke.

"He isn't afraid of you and neither am I." I said. Sasuke looked over at me and gave me that are you fucking serious look.

"YOU ALL FEAR ME!" He yelled.

"Sorry to shit in your cornflakes but I'm not scared of you." I yelled behind my back.

"Sasuke stop pissing your pants and hurry." I whispered harshly. Sasuke started thinking. Then he did hand signs. Chidori.

"With one blow I'll finish this!" Sasuke said.

Sasuke and Gaara went at each other.. Ohh shit. Sasuke's chidori went straight through Gaara's arm. Gaara landed on the tree branch next to me.. He started laughing like crazy.

"Now it's clear to me exactly why I've been looking forward to this... This pain. No one has ever made me hurt this much.. Expect for one other person.. Destroying you will make me feel alive." Gaara said.. Who was the other person?

"Who was the other person?" Sasuke asked confused.

"Rai Yamada. When she left the sand. It broke me to pieces! My own father told me that the only person who treated me like a person has died!" Gaara yelled. I gasped. His gourd started pouring out sand, it turned into a tail.

"GAARA STOP PLEASE!" I yelled. Gaara charged at Sasuke which Sasuke jumped out the way. Gaara tried again but Sasuke used his fire ball jutsu.

Gaara punched Sasuke, I watched as Sasuke flew past me.

"SASUKE!" I yelled. I ran over to where he was.

"Dammit kid." I mumbled. Gaara landed on a branch in front of us.

"Is that it? The greater the hate the greater the power" Gaara said. I growled.

Sasuke cruse mark began to glow.. His whole body had this marks on him. He did chidori again.. They both went at each other, Shukaku's arm fell off revealing Gaara's arm.

Gaara yelled again before the sand started forming another arm. Sasuke collapsed.

Gaara started running towards him again. I cursed under my breath. Sasuke can't move.. Will I be fast enough? I transported myself in front of Sasuke and tackled Gaara.

"RAI!" Naruto yelled. Naruto?! Gaara and I landed on a branch.

"Gaara stop!" I yelled. I was on top of him pinning him down.

"Naruto grab Sasuke!" I ordered. Gaara was thrashing around. I looked up to see Sakura and Pakkun with Sasuke. Naruto was in front of them. I didn't notice Shukaku's tail aiming towards me.

It wrapped around my throat and crushed it.

I tried to yell but nothing came out.. The pain was horrible.

"RAI!" Naruto yelled again. I shook my head as I coughed out blood. I tried to talk but I couldn't get anything out. Gaara threw me on the ground before he started racing towards Naruto.

Naruto went to punch Gaara but his tail blocked him. Gaara pinned Sakura to a tree with his arm.

"HOW DARE YOU HURT RAI!" Naruto shouted. Gaara's eyes widen.. So did Shukaku.

"I..Rai.." He mumbled. He looked over at me and his eyes widen more.

"YOU DID THAT TO HER!" Naruto yelled. Tears were about to pour out of his eyes. I wanted to tell him to run, to grabbed Sasuke and Sakura and run. But I couldn't say anything.

"That's exactly why you can't win. As long as you fight for the sake of others you will never advance to the next level. Forget your friends and fight for yourself."

"You're insane! Forget my friends!? No! Rai didn't forget you did she?" Naruto yelled. Gaara hesitated for a bit.

Narto charged at Gaara with a kunai. Gaara used his tail to whack him away.

"NARUTO!" I tried to yell. Again nothing came out. I used my sand to catch him. I staggered slightly as I stood up.

"I was never loved.. Never!" Gaara yelled. I wanted to shout you're wrong.. But I couldn't

"WHY DON'T YOU ATTACK?! Don't you care about what happens to your friends?!" Gaara said tighten his grip on Sakura. I wiped the blood off of my mouth and transported myself next to Naruto.

"RAI!" He yelled. I collapsed in his arms. I tried to say something but I couldn't. I started coughing up blood.

"DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO RAI?!" Naruto yelled. Without hesitation Gaara answered.

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT RAI! SHE ISN'T LOVED IN THIS WORLD." Gaara growled. My eyes widen.. What?

"NO ONE LOVES HER. SHE A MONSTER. A BIGGER MONSTER THAN YOU AND I" He said. Tears threaten to flow out.. Is that how he looked at me?

"YOU'RE WRONG! RAI IS A PERSON! SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND! SHE'S MY BABY SISTER" Naruto screamed. I grabbed his face and looked into his eyes as I shook my head. I pointed to Sakura. Naruto why are you hesitating.. Stop worrying about me dammit!

You need to get Sakura!

"I know Rai.. I know." He said. He set my gently next to Sasuke.

"RAI!" Sasuke yelled. My tear filled eyes found his.

"Are you okay?" He asked. I shook my head.

"What hurts?" He questioned. I pointed to my throat.

"You can't talk?" He asked. I nodded.

"What Gaara said wasn't true."Sasuke said. I shook my head.

"Rai. Don't you dare think like that. You're amazing. You are loved. As Naruto said you're my baby sister too okay?" Sasuke said. I looked at him with shock in my eyes.

"You make me soft." He mumbled. I cracked a smile.

Naruto started doing hand signs... Summoning jutsu? Where did he learn that?!

He bit his thumb and placed it on the branch. "Summoning Jutsu!" He said.

A small frog appeared before him. I wanted to laugh .. like crazy but I really wasn't in the position too.

>>>Timeskippp

Sooo currently Naruto and Chief Toad transformed into the nine tails. Grand isn't it? And Gaara is asleep...Meaning crazy Shakaku is in control.

I was just there... With Sasuke and Sakura.

"RAI!" Naruto yelled. I groaned.. Well tried too.

"I NEED YOUR HELP!" He yelled again. I used my sand and flew up.

"Yo you're up."

"He needs a good bash in the head." He said. I raised my eyebrow.

"Since Gaara is asleep, Shakaku has all the control. Gaara needs to wake up." Naruto said. I nodded.

"I can't believe they turned into me." Kurama said. I smirked slightly.

"LET'S END THIS NOW!" Naruto yelled. I flew towards Shakaku and Gaara.

>>Timeskipppp I took over control, letting Shakaku rest.

The other Shakaku turn towards me. "Rai Yamada.. The other half of the one tails." I smirked and nodded.

"You've turned Gaara soft." He said. I shrugged.

"BUT NOW WE'LL KILL YOU!" He roared. I smirked and shook my head.

Naruto jumped towards Gaara, sand wrapped around him but he kept on pushing. His head collided with Gaara's. Shakaku started cracking and started to crumble.

Naruto and Gaara went at each other fist raised. I was there in a flash. I punched both of them in the face.

Then I created a clone so I can catch both of them. I staggered as I coughed up more blood. My clones had Naruto and Gaara... I smiled slightly.

"Is this the end?" I asked myself.. Good job Naruto... You saved us all. I fell off of the sand and was in midair.

I thought about all the good memories.. I thought about all the smiles and laughs of my closes friends.. I closed my eyes as I collided with the ground.

Blood.. I saw my blood everywhere. My throat was burning.. It felt like someone just stuck a kunai in it and ripped it out.

I looked up to see the Sasuke catching Sakura. I smiled.. Good job Sasuke.

Naruto started crawling closer to Gaara.

"No stay away!" Gaara shouted. Naruto kept on crawling closer.

"It's unbearable isn't it? The feeling of being all alone. I know that feeling. I've been there. That dark and lonely place. But now there's others.. Others who means a lot to me. I care more about them than I care about myself. That's why I won't let anyone kill them or try to hurt them. I won't ever give up. I will stop you. Even if I have to kill you." Naruto said.

"But why? Why would you do this for anyone but yourself?" Gaara asked.

"Cause they saved me.. They rescued me from my loneliness. They accepted me for who I am and what I am. They're my friends" Naruto said.

"SASUKE!" Naruto said. I turned my head to see Sasuke kneeling by Naruto's side.

"Sakura is free. The sand crumbled away." He said. Then he saw me. His eye's widen at the amount of blood around me.

"RAI!" He shouted. He rushed to my side. I weakly smiled at him.

"Holy shit!" Naruto shouted. I heard him crawling towards me.

"Rai!" Temari yelled. She came to my side. Kankuro went over to Gaara and picked him up. Gaara's eyes widen at the sight of me.

"You're losing a lot of blood. We need to get you back." Sasuke said. I shook my head. I already feel me slipping. I grabbed his hand and shook my head again.

Tears formed around Sasuke's eyes. "Rai please... Stay. You can't die now!" He begged. I smiled at him and shook my head again.

"RAI! NO!" Naruto cried. Tears flowed freely.

"..Guys?" I said.

"What is it Rai?" Matatabi asked.

"Can you help me talk?" I asked.

"I....I l-l-love.. you a-all." I said while smiling at them. Gaara pushed Kankuro away and rushed to my side.

"Rai.. Please. Don't leave me. Please." He begged. I shook my head as my vision blurred.

"I..I'm.. sorry." I said as I closed my eyes.

(MAO'S POV)

(One day later)

"LET ME GO SEE MY FUCKING SISTER YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" Sora screamed with tears streaming down her face. Rai was rushed into the hospital. Her throat was crushed.

We tried coming yesterday but we couldn't.. They were operating.

"I'm sorry miss but no o-" The doctor started.

"HER THROAT IS FUCKING CRUSHED, SHE MIGHT DIE, JUST SHUT UP AND LET US GO SEE HER!" Kosuke yelled. I was sobbing like crazy. Sasuke told us everything that happened.

Everything was just a mess. Gramps.. He.. he.. I started sobbing harder.

"Mao.." Sora stopped yelling and hugged me.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" Kiba yelled. Hinata and Shino was following him closely

"They won't let us see her." Kosuke said. Kiba growled and Akamaru barked.

"LET US SEE HER!" He yelled. The doctor shook his head. Akamaru jumped down from Kiba's head and bit the doctor's foot. While he was trying to get him off we all sprinted.

"SORA!" Kosuke yelled. Sora nodded and activated her byakugan. She pointed to a room.

"There!" She yelled. We all sprinted into the room, Kiba grabbed a chair and dragged it over to put under the door knob. We all caught out breath before looking up.

Rai was laying there..Motionless on the bed.

"Rai.." Hinata started to walk over to her, we all followed.

Kosuke grabbed the clipboard next to the table and read it out loud.

"Rai suffered major injures in her throat. Her windpipe was damaged greatly.. She should be dead considering there is hardly a way for air to get through....She's going to be okay! Her throat is beginning to heal!" Kosuke yelled. We all jumped around hugging each other. Half of us were crying like crazy.

"THIS IS CRAZY! THIS IS A FUCKING MIRACLE!" Kiba yelled. RAI IS GOING TO BE OKAY! HOLY SHIT!

"She just won't be able to talk that much.. After her throat heals maybe.." Kosuke added.

"Rai will find a jutsu where she's able to be in our minds 24/7" Sora said. We all started to laugh expect Shino. Such a killjoy.. But my love.

"T-t-this is just.. Wow. She's going to be okay!" Hinata said.

"Rai wouldn't give up that easily." Shino said. I grinned at him.

"What happened to everyone else?" Kiba asked.

"The Sand Siblings escaped. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto are all alright." Sora informed them. They all nodded.

Someone started banging on the door.

"OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW!" The doctor yelled. We all rolled our eyes. I set down my backpack and grabbed the sleeping bags.

"Did everyone pack food and extra clothes?" I asked. Everyone nodded. Since we already knew that it was going to be hard to see Rai.. We decided to lock ourself in her room and stay there until she wakes up.

"She should wake up soon." Kosuke said. We all nodded.

"SHE'S SLEEPING?" I yelled/asked. I thought Rai couldn't sleep.

"I think it's more like she passed out..." Sora said.

"Well she's been passed out for awhile and nothing happened maybe the one tails doesn't wanna come out." I said shrugging.

"Ready?" Sora asked. I sighed but nodded. Not only are we gonna stay here but we're going to try to speed up the healing process. Our medical ninjutsu can heal almost everything in a matter of time.

"Rai still has most of her chakra." Sora said. I nodded. I sensed that too.

Kosuke took out a deck of cards. Team 8 sat next to him in a circle.

"Goldfish anyone?" Kosuke said. Sora laughed under her breath and shook her head. I pulled another chair next to Rai and started focusing my chakra.. Hopefully the Sand Siblings are alright..

"Let's goo." Sora said. I nodded.

(1 week later)

"RAI!" I attacked Rai into a hug. So much for soon! It's been a week and Rai finally woke up. And yes we stayed here for a week.

"FINALLY DAMN!" Sora screamed and joined in. Everyone else joined also.

"BAKA RAI!" Kiba yelled. Rai smiled and waved.

"You can't talk?" Hinata asked. Rai frowned and shook his head. She started doing hand signs..

...."What?"Shino asked. Rai sighed.

She pointed to Kosuke and then to her mind. "Sign language" Kosuke said. Rai grinned and nodded.

"I don't know how to."Sora said, all of us nodded. Rai sighed.

"Kosuke will just have to be my mouth" Kosuke said.

"That's true! He can either say it or transfer whatever you're saying in our minds. You should be able to talk soon though." Kiba said. Rai nodded.

"When did you learn how to do sign language?" Shino asked.

"I used to get bored from training so I decided to learn other stuff. Sign language was one of them. I thought it was pretty interesting so I stuck with it for awhile." Kosuke said. Ohhhhhhh.

"We should learn it." Hinata said playing with her fingers.

"It'll be cool!" Kiba said. Akamaru barked.. Probably agreeing.

"Sure!" Sora said.

"WE CAN HAVE LIKE SECRET CONVERSATIONS AND SHIT!" I yelled. Every laughed.. Expect for Shino of course and Rai.. Well Rai was laughing but nothing came out..

"Man this sucks ass." Rai's voice ranged through our mind.

"Yeah I guess, but this is how we can test how good we can all communicate with each other." Kosuke said.

"True." Shino said.

Rai's eyes widened. "How's Naruto and Sasuke?!"

"They're fine. Naruto is a bit injured but nothing too serious, same with Sasuke." I said. Rai nodded.

"RAI!" The door busted open. We finally decided to open the door when Rai woke up. It was Naruto and Sakura.

"Hey guys!" I said while waving. Naruto grinned at us.

"You're finally awake!" Naruto yelled. Rai nodded and smiled.

"Glad too see you guys alive." Rai said.

"WHOA HOW ARE YOU DOING THAT?!" Naruto asked. Rai pointed to Kosuke.

"Ohhhh." Sakura said. I nodded.

"Rai Yamada." The doctor came in. We all smiled innocently as he glared at us.

"You are able to leave. Just make sure you come here everyday for a check up, don't try to talk until your throat is fully healed okay?" He said. Rai nodded.

"Okay, sign out here." He said handing her a clipboard. She signed it quickly and began to stand.

"Where's Sasuke?" She asked.

"He's kind of out of it right now... Naruto and him almost killed each other." Sakura said.

(RAI'S POV)

I raised an eyebrow.

"He wanted to fight." Naruto said while glaring at the ground. I"sighed" as I got out of the bed. I stumbled slightly but Kiba caught me.

"Thanks Kibs." Kiba grinned at me and I grinned back. I looked down to see I'm still in my clothes. Yay! No weird hospital clothes! Iruka Sensei walked in and smiled slightly at me.

"You're awake!" He said. I nodded and grinned. He didn't look so happy.. What's wrong. "What's wrong Iruka Sensei?" I asked. Everyone became silent.

"The funeral is today. Lord 3rd's.." Iruka said. My eyes widened. "Gramps?" I asked turning towards Kiba. He nodded... But.. But.. How?

"He died protecting the village.. Orochimaru.." Naruto started. My fist clenched. I heard stories of that oreo.. "He's the one who gave Sasuke that mark." Sakura informed me.. Wait.. Sasuke.. Mark.. Orochimaru..Revenge...Power.. That's it. That's why he gave that curse mark to Sasuke.. He wants Sasuke to come to him for power...

"Sasu-"

"There's no time for that Rai. We need to get ready." Kosuke said. I nodded slightly. Maybe I'm just paranoid... Though, it makes sense. But Sasuke isn't that stupid is he?

>>Timeskipp

It's been about two weeks since the funeral.. The village was... Well mending slowly. I normally stayed in my room.. Locked up from the world. I was depressed and tired. I haven't even talked to the tailed friends in awhile..

"A bigger monster than you and I." Gaara's voice ranged out. I shook my head.. He didn't know what he was saying.. Did he?

We have a new Hokage.. She's ...Different than most women, yet she gained my respect quickly. Naruto and Pervy sage found her a couple days ago..I sighed. I still can't talk.. The only time I go out of my room is for the bathroom and my check ups.. I eat here and there but not really a lot.

It hurts to eat. It hurts to cry. I haven't cried this much in awhile.. So many innocent lives.. I shook my head. Get it together..

"MAO! RAI! SORA! KOSUKE!" Sakura yelled, she banged on our door. What's going on? "Sakura what's wrong?" I heard Mao get the door. Sakura started sobbing loudly.

"Sasuke.. He.. He..." Sakura started crying more. I jumped off of my bed and ran over. "He left" Sakura said shaking in Mao's arms.

"What do you mean!?" Sora asked. "He left last night.. He went to .. Orochimaru."Sakura informed us.

I KNEW IT, I FUCKING KNEW IT. Though I didn't think he'll be that stupid to actually go to the oreo.

"HE WHAT!?" Mao yelled. Shino walked out of her room and came over. "He went to Orochimaru?" Shino asked. Sakura nodded.

"Naruto, Kiba, Choji, Shikamaru, and Neji all went out after him early this morning." Sakura informed us. An odd choice.. Though I wish they would've came for us.

"How come they didn't get any of us?" Kosuke asked.

"Shikamaru only had a small amount of time to gather everyone." Sakura said while shaking her head. Mao had tears streaming down her face. "Mao." Sora started. Mao shook her head .

"Please Sora!" Mao yelled. She wants to go after them to. Sora shook her head.

"If they wanted us to go they would've gotten us." Kosuke said. Mao shook her head.

"I know! But what if they get hurt?!" Mao said. Sasuke how could you be so dumb. I walked away from them and into my room, I grabbed my pouch and my gourds.

Mao quickly pressure pointed Sakura and Shino. "I'm sorry my love." She whispered into Shino's ear before kissing him gently on the cheek.

"MAO!" Kosuke yelled. "Looks like it's settled. Kosuke go get ready." Sora said. She was already dressed.

"Rai you sure you're up to this?" Sora asked. I nodded. Sasuke is one of those people who even though he's a jerk.. You can't help but to love him.

"Let's go." Kosuke said. I nodded and transported us to the gates. "Rai you're up." Kosuke said. I nodded again and quickly sniffed the air. I smelled Kiba and Akamaru easily.

I pointed to the direction they went in.

"If we speed it up we should be able to catch up with them." Sora said. I nodded.

"Formations anyone?" Mao said. I smirked slightly.

"Rai you're in the front. Then it's Mao, Me and Sora. Rai create a clone and let her go in the very back okay?" Kosuke said. I nodded.

"Everyone knows what they're doing right?" Sora said. We all nodded.

"I'm the one who's leading us.. following the scent. My clone is the one who's watching over everything... The main defense." I said.. well thought...

"Yep, I'm watching right." Mao said.

"Left for me." Kosuke said while nodding.

"I have right, left and up." Sora said.

"And Rai has the whole thing." Mao said while smiling. I smiled back.

"Try to stay behind the other team. The enemy doesn't know we're coming so we have the advantage." Kosuke said. I nodded and we got in our formations.

"Rai. Lead the way." Sora said. I nodded and we started running.

(A couple hours later :3)

"Hold on" I said as I sniffed the air. I pointed to Sora and she activated her eyes.

"CHOJI!" She yelled. My eyes widen, I nodded and ran ahead.

Choji was passed out against a tree.

"Choji! Can you hear me?!" Mao said. She checked him for injures before performing medical ninjutsu on him.

He just groans a little.

"Looks like he won." Kosuke said pointing to a body.

"Damn.." Sora said. I nodded in agreement. I sensed more chakra.

"Be alert." Kosuke, Sora, my clone and I took out kunais while forming a protective circle around Choji and Mao.

"He needs to get to a hospital as soon as possible." Mao mumbled. We nodded.

"HEY!" A medical ninja popped out. We all lowered our kunais.

"He needs to get to a hospital as soon as possible." Mao said. More medical ninjas ran over.

I nodded at Mao as she stood up. We hurried and got back into formation before taking off.

Hopefully Choji is going to be okay....

"Looks like they're taking care of it." Sora said. I nodded. Man this is such a drag.

"Hey guys you alright?" I asked. I haven't talked to the tailed friends in awhile..

"RAI YOU'RE BACK!" Isobu yelled..

"Urm.. I didn't go anywhere." I said confused.

"Yes you did. You went on vacation right?" Matatabi said trying to hint at something... Ohhhh.

"Oh yeah! Thanks for reminding me!" I said.

"Man kid you're stupid." Kurama said. I rolled my eyes.

"I know. That's what's keeping me alive so far." I said.

"And you're stubbornness." Shukaku said.

"Thought that might get you killed." Son Goku said. I agreed.

"Rai you sense anything?" Sora asked. I stopped for a moment and sniffed the air.. Blood. But who's... Neji!

"Sora! Look for Neji about 100 meters ahead."

"On it!" Sora said. She gasped.

"He's injured pretty bad!" She said. I nodded and we rushed over there.

"Mao." Kosuke said. Mao nodded and created a clone.

"She will stay with him until the other medical ninjas get him. He's injures aren't as bad as Choji's.. But it's still bad." Mao said. We nodded.

Mao's clone started doing medical ninjutsu.

"You guys hurry." She said. We all nodded and started running again.. Man they're getting beat.

"There's only three of them left.." Sora said. I nodded.

"They should be alright.. Hopefully." Kosuke said. Mao sighed.

"If they die. I'm blaming Akamaru." She said. I rolled my eyes. They started laughing.

"Why would you blame an innocent dog." I asked raising an eyebrow.. They couldn't see.

"I don't know.." Mao said. I just shook my head. Troublesome child.. I smelled something in the air. I stopped and sniffed.. More blood.. And dog.. KIBA AND AKAMARU!

I rushed towards the smell.

"RAI WAIT UP!" Sora yelled. I couldn't stop. I smelled another familiar chakra..

I stopped at a clearing and saw Kiba, Akamaru.. and.. Kitty-Chan? What?

"KIBA!" Sora yelled as she landed beside me. I rushed over to Kiba's side.

"Rai?" He asked. I just shook my head, I grabbed Akamaru and started healing him. Mao came over and started healing Kiba.

"Kankuro?" Kosuke questioned.

"G-guys?!" I looked up to see him staring at me. My clone came over and took over healing Akamaru.

"Kitty-Chan."

"Y-you're alright! You're alive! Holy shit!" Kitty-Chan yelled. He ran over to me and crushed me into a hug. I smiled slightly and hugged him back.

"Thanks for saving Kiba."

Kitty-Chan nodded and pulled back. He grinned at me.

"You're actually alright!" Kitty-Chan said. I rolled my eyes.

"You're not going to get rid of me that easily!" I smirked. He nodded.

"Good!" He said.

"We need to move. Since you're here I'm judging the other Sand Siblings went on ahead?" Kosuke asked.

"Yeah they did." Kitty-Chan said while nodding.

"I'll stay with Kiba and Akamaru." Sora said. Kosuke nodded and kissed her cheek.

"Be safe you guys." Mao said while waving at Kankuro and Sora.

"Rai." Kosuke said. I nodded... Gaara is here.. I haven't seen that kid in a while.

I started following Naruto's scent. I smelled a little bit of Gaara and Temari too.

>>Timeskippp.

Kosuke stayed back with Temari and Shikamaru. Moa, and I started ahead.

"Do you think Sasuke is coming back?" Mao asked. I shook my head.

"I was afraid so." Mao said while frowning. Sasuke wants power. He'll do anything to get it...

But we can try.

"But we can try right?" Mao said. I nodded and smiled.

"Soo.. We're going to see Gaara." Mao said. I frowned a little but nodded. I'm not entirely sure how we are.. I mean he did tell me he didn't care about me.. So I'm not sure.

"You know you're amazing right.. And you are loved. Just because you have all tailed beast doesn't mean you're a monster." Mao said. I nodded.

I stopped, Mao stopped next to me.

"You sense something?" She asked. I nodded and pointing in front of us.

"Let's go." She said. I nodded.

We jumped ahead and saw Gaara and Bushy Brow.

"Looks like they're alright." Mao said. I nodded and used my sand to bring us up.

"LEE! GAARA!" Mao shouted. They looked up at us.

"RAI! MAO! WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?!" Bushy Brow asked.

"We could ask you the same thing." Mao said. Bushy Brow just waved her off.

"Where's Naruto and Sasuke?" She asked. Bushy brow pointed to the direction they went in. Mao took off.

"Rai stay here with these two!" She called out. I sighed but nodded.

"You're looking very youthful today!" Bushy Brow said while smiling. I smiled back and mouth thank you.

I turned towards Gaara and nodded.

"Rai." He said. I nodded again. He looked kind of different. Changed his outfit and he's a couple inches taller. He was looking at me with shock.

"You're alright?" He asked. I nodded.

"Looks like I couldn't kill you after all." He said. I smirked slightly and nodded.

"LET'S GO TO THE LEAF MY FELLOW COMRADES!" Bushy Brow yelled. He started running before my sand caught him.

"Rai! Why does this sand hold me back?! I need to get all of this energy out!" Bushy Brow yelled trying to run out of my sand. I rolled my eyes and set him on the sand platform I created.

He then started patting the sand and nodded "Comfortable.." He said. Then he fell asleep.. Odd child.

So much for all the energy.

"He is a great fighter." Gaara said. I nodded. I saw Gaara studying me at the corner of my eye. It was awkward for the first time.

We started walking back. Bushy Brow trailing behind us. Silence fell upon us.

"Thank you Rai." Gaara said cutting the silence. I looked over at him and raised an eyebrow.

"You and Naruto.. Helped me open my eyes. I finally realize that my purpose in life isn't to kill.. I finally realized the true meaning of friends. I'm striving to change myself. I.. I want to become Kazekage. I want to gain the respect of the village.." Gaara said. I grinned at him and he smiled at me slightly.

"Thank you.. Again." He said. I nodded. The rest of the way was now.. comfortable silence.