Absolved.

Poisoned.

[Song: Hey Brother - Avicii]

"Kairi?" My sister shook me gently awake and I opened my eyes to the pink and blue skies of near dawn. "We are getting ready to leave."

I nodded softly, trying to get up and disturbing the dog I was surprised to find next to me. He huffed a little, pushing his head further over the small of my back and adjusting his rather large paw.

Temari giggled a little "Looks like this big guy isn't ready to get up." She scratched Buru's ear, causing his paw to come up and kick at my back a little the way dogs do when you find the spot.

"Buru." Kakashi called from where he'd appeared between the trees. The large dog stood up, careful not to stand on me, and walked over to his master with a small whine. "Time to go back buddy."

Buru gave Kakashi's face a large kiss as he went to unsummon. It moved his headband up and he had to pull it back down over his sharingan as he stood back up. "Sakura and Naruto are ready to go." He informed us.

I nodded, quickly getting up and folding up my cloak to put away in my bag. I then handed Kakashi back his vest but he shook his head and told me to put it on if I wanted. I smiled, the morning was a bit crisp and I pulled it over my shoulders. I had to do it up to keep it from falling off during the journey as he had a broader frame than I did.

I was hurting about last night, in the delusions of sleeplessness I had confessed to him that I had wanted to stay with him, and he had told me I needed to go to bed. I had been hoping he would have told me the same, that he had wanted me to stay. Apparently somewhere in the night my nightmares had begun to annoy him again because he'd summoned Buru to comfort me. The voice inside raged on at me about being stupid, useless, and naive.

It had taken almost half the day to reach Sunagakure, and we were met at the gates by Baki who seemed to be there waiting for us. It called back the nightmare of being in the Akatsuki. It started to set in, they had really taken Gaara.. And it was probably my fault for leading him out of the village.

"M'ladies." He greeted us, strangely formal. "Team Kakashi, welcome to our village."

Temari and I nodded respectfully to him but we didn't speak. More bad news was coming and we both felt it in our bones.

"Do you have anyone tracking Gaara?" Kakashi asked, straight to business.

"We had sent out a pursuit squad lead by Lord Kankuro.." Baki trailed off, his eyes falling to Temari and I. "I'm so sorry."

My heart fell.

"Where is my brother?" Temari growled.

"He is in the hospital."

Temari grabbed my hand, not waiting to hear the rest and we ran towards the hospital building, not knowing what to expect.

Kakashi stepped in front of us in the hallway, raising his hand to stop us. "Please, let me go first.." His speed was unbelievable.

I glared at him, this is was my brother. Kakashi had no ties to him, no reason to be the first to see him, no right to stop us like this.

"Okay.." Temari said, drawing me close to her and wrapping her arm around me like a half hug. "We will get our emotions under control."

Kakashi nodded, heading into the room while Naruto and Sakura waited with us. I suppose he was just trying to help.

"REVENGE AT LAST!"

I turned the corner to see Granny Chiyo, one of the villages secluded elders diving angrily at Kakashi.

"Granny no!" I cried out without thinking and then watched as Naruto and a clone blocked her and knocked her back.