You've... changed. (naruto fanfic)

Chapter 18

---Kiyomi---

I leapt from tree to tree, following one of Mariko's summons, who was leading me to Gaara.

I know before I was a little out of it... I guess I just never really understood anything.

I can't believe it... all this time... Gaara had the One Tailed sealed inside of him. I... I never knew. I... I always thought that no one liked him just because... I actually never thought about it before. I was a kid. 

Heck even later on in life, I mean Gaara was always on my mind but... all these questions I never tried to answer.

"Are you okay, Kiyomi-sama?" asked Luke, who was Mariko's summon. Luke is a cub sized white tiger.

I shook my head, snapping away those thoughts.

"Yeah I'm fine, sorry did I worry you?" I asked.

"Well you were spacing out and... Mariko mentioned that you weren't feeling well..." he started trailing off.

I couldn't help but smile. I guess even though I'm still kinda mad at Mariko for last night, she always has my back.

"I'm fine. I'm just in deep thought... well I guess that's what you could call it anyways." I said rather awkwardly.

He just nodded before turning back to face the way we were going.

"We're catching up." said Luke as he sniffed the air once more. "The two that are fighting, the one were after and the Uchiha."

I narrowed my eyes.

Sasuke and Gaara fighting. Shit. How the fuck am I going to pull this off?

Actually, fuck it. I'll do whatever I have to when the time comes.

 ~

---3rd person---

Bloody hell! Thought Mariko with a growl as she sliced her kunai right down the stomach of a sound ninja. This is ridiculous! They just keep coming! How-

But her thoughts were cut off as she sensed one coming behind her, she turned, ready to attack but stopped as Kakashi appeared before her, sending a kick and the ninja, sending him flying away.

"My, my." started Kakashi. "Don't tell me your tired already Mariko?"

Mariko only smirked at him before grabbing onto his shoulders, using them as a boost to leap frog over him and clash with another ninja in the air.

"Don't doubt us Mist ninja so easily," she smirked before biting her thumb, drawing blood and making hand signs. "Summoning jitsu!"

 ~

"That's it keep moving!" said Rei motioning his hands towards the safe houses.

"Follow me! We're almost there," smiled Akari as she led some children to the houses.

Normally, the Leaf ninja would never show other village ninja where their safe houses are, however Kakashi insisted that they trust those two Mist genin.

So as of now, Akari and Rei have been helping to evacuate the Leaf citizens.

Of course they were still mad at each other, however, they put that behind them for now, and decided that helping these citizens were their top priority. 

 ~

"Sasuke Uchiha!"

Kiyomi flinched as soon as she heard that voice.