By The Strings

2~ trust

"What the hell!" Kankuro exclaimed moments before all hell broke loose.

A poof came from my arms, the body became much bigger, he had been using a transformation jutsu.

I heard Temari cry out as she landed on the ground, the guy she was holding onto transformed back into himself, I heard multiple kunai fly through the air, it made contact with Kankuros chest.

Gaara finished off both the others with a move he called 'sand coffin' I slid over to Kankuro who was groaning in pain.

"Maybe you should trust me a little more!" I was pissed.

"Medical bag, now please!" Temari tossed it to me instantly making me panic, my pup was asleep inside, it's his favorite place to nap. I pulled out a few gauze pads and disinfectant trying not to stir her awake.

I pulled out the one in his chest and healed it quickly while the others were not bad and only needed to be dressed.

"There, you're all patched up." I sighed irritated.

"Thank you, Masako" Temari thanked me in his place. "They were probably just a few bandits but we should get a move on immediately," I said getting ready to move out.

"You will probably be tired from the healing so ill be nice and give you an option. You can walk or you can walk and ill help you with your equipment im assuming you have." I turned towards where his voice was coming from.

"What, you think im weak?" He questioned holding himself up. "No, I just don't want to have to stop for a while in case there are more of those. Whichever will reserve your strength is the best bet for us." I explained in a way an idiot could understand it.

"You should probably carry it then..." He sounded reluctant but understood where I was coming from.

I turned around waiting for someone to help me put it on. I only offered to help because I know how drowsy the jutsu can make you feel for a few hours, and because heard a bit about the sand village siblings and that they all carried something on their backs. "I can help if you need it" the young girl offered wanting to be useful after having just sat there during that whole fiasco.

"Here, I handed her my medical bag so I could carry whatever it was Kankuro had.

"Protect that with your life." It also had all of my valuables in it so it was a bit heavy.

A very heavy weight was placed on my back almost tipping me over, "you got it?" He questioned nicer than before. "Yeah, I got it." I adjusted to the weight and followed the sound of the others footsteps.

Another 6 hours of walking and we were nearing the border, I could smell the rain coming.

"Kankuro, you feeling more energized?" I questioned him. "Much better." He replied happily.

"Good, come get your dolls." He growled, "they aren't dolls. There puppets." I shrugged handing them to him. Definitely dolls I thought to myself.

"Let's keep going until the rain starts." The four agreed, "yeah, you become our biggest defense in the rain," Temari snickered lightening the mood.

I giggled a bit following them through the unfamiliar land. "So what's the deal with you three?" I questioned seriously.

"What do you mean?" Gaara questioned as he stopped walking for a moment. "Are you guys blood-related? You all act so differently."

"Yes, we are blood-related." He replied walking again, "we were raised apart if that's what you were assuming." He finished.

"I meant no disrespect, im just trying to get to know you three better." I waved my hands in front of my face.

"No, it's fine. What about you? Any siblings or?" Tamari questioned to change the subject.

"A brother and a sister," I smiled missing them. "Is that so? I wonder if we've met!" She sounded cheerful.

I smiled a little, "you definitely know my brother." I remembered him talking about Kankuro and helping him and everything like that.

"I hear he has a lot of respect for you Kankuro, hope it's not misplaced." I joked enjoying pushing this guy's buttons.

I stopped dead in my tracks as drops started hitting my shirt.

"Rain," I said in unison with Gaara.

We hurried to make camp under some of the big trees, I took my bag from the girl whose name I didn't remember.

I opened it hearing my my pup snore, he was still fast asleep. After the night we had he hadn't gotten any sleep so I thought it best not to disturb him.

I did grab 4 food bars which I threw to the other 4 not feeling like eating.

An hour had passed and the rain hadn't ceased, "if it doesn't let up soon we should just go through it in case those guys are still on our trail," Temari suggested.

"I won't be able to hear much or smell anything if there becomes a threat," I tried to argue. "That's exactly why we need to get a move on." I scratched the back of my neck, "I can't walk on my own if I can't use any of my senses." I objected.

"I'm sure Kankuro wouldn't mind linking arms with you since you did save his life." There was hope in her voice.

"Temari-"

"Shut it." There was a thud sound.

"Ok."

"Well, let's get a move on." She stated loudly getting up and picking up her equipment.

A harsh tap on my shoulder made me turn to see what it was, but im not sure why I expected to 'see' anything.

He linked his arm with mine and we were off again.