Time That Passes By

Chapter 22 - In Sunagakure

Third Person's POV

Kakashi summoned his dog summoning and ask them to trail down Mai's scent as well as the man who took Gaara away, since Kankuro has a small piece of cloth that belong to him. They immediately found Mai and the team followed Pakkun.

They reach to a water area and rubbles on the ground. They immediately went in and saw Mai passed out with Gaara on her lap.

'Mai!!" Kakashi ran to her. He checked on her and saw that she's still breathing.

"Gaara's okay too" Sakura said as she checks on him.

Chiyo, the old woman previously checks on Gaara and realise something's wrong.

"H-How?" She said.

"What is it?" Kakashi ask.

"The Bijuu in Gaara's gone!" Chiyo said.

"But he's alive..." Sakura said.

Somewhere else... in a dark place.

"hm, this is how it looks like..." Mai said, looking around.

There's nothing but a never ending path.

Mai just walk, following a trail of chakra. The only trail of chakra there is...

She arrives in a place, where in front of her lies a giant gate.

She approaches it, touching the gate.

Suddenly, she senses an upcoming attack from behind the bars. She jumped back. Giant claw like hand grabs the metal bars.

"Don't the hasty... Shukaku..." Mai said.

"You... I'll kill you!" A dark shadow growled from behind the bars.

"you should be grateful that I actually saved you from getting sucked into that statue" Mai said.

"Why did you do so? You'll be suffering just like that brat" Shukaku said.

"Mah, I'll be fine. I'll try to save your siblings, okay? I'm not so sure what'll happen if all the Bijuus are combined once again" Mai said.

Shukaku step forward, revealing himself.

"You are one weird human" Shukaku said.

"Maybe I am. Don't worry, I'll release you and the others once the conflicts ended. Well, that is depending on how you all behave" Mai said.

"Hmph! As if! You humans are alike!" he said.

Mai chuckle a bit.

"Well, take it easy now. And also, you won't be able to hurt me like what you did with Gaara. I sealed you in a different space, and I place a time barrier around you as well. If you want to... 'talk' to me, then just call for me. My name is Mai, Suzuki Mai, Well, I'll visit you once in a while then" Mai said and disappeared.

Shukaku growl can be heard echoing.

Mai opened her eyes slowly. She looks around the room she's laying in.

"you're awake"

Mai look to the side to see Kakashi sitting on the chair beside her bed, his book in front of his face.

Mai sigh.

"Kakashi, the book... can you put that away?" Mai said.

Kakashi look at her and then keep the book away.