Three figures made their way through the mountains that surrounded Wind Country. Carefully they made sure they stayed undetected. Fighting was not part of the plan and would be avoided if possible.
When the village of Suna came within view, one of the figures came to a halt.
Taryn stared out across the desert at the village entrance in the hillside. Three years since she had last seen those gates. It still looked the same.
She hadn’t even noticed that Itachi and Kisame were already up ahead until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and looked up.
Itachi looked at her with an emotionless expression. He turned his head towards Suna and then looked back at her. “Come,” he said, “we have a long way to go until the meeting place.” He turned around and hurried back to Kisame who was waiting for them half a mile away. He gave Taryn an amused smile when she passed him, but she ignored it and strode further down the mountain path.
Itachi was right.
There was no use in dwelling in the past. There was only going forward.

***

Taryn stood in the mountains surrounding Suna. She had stood here before, unable to head any further. But this time she could. She could finally return home. Still, she postponed it a moment longer and took in the beauty of the desert. How much she had missed the sight of it.
The journey from Konoha had taken three days. Tsunade had offered her an escort, but she had declined. She preferred being alone.
In her bag was a decree from Konoha with conditions for a new alliance. She was to give it to the council of Suna.
Taryn frowned. What would she find when she entered those gates? The funeral was probably already over. Had they chosen a new Kazekage yet? She knew she would only get the answers when she entered the village, but it was harder than she could have thought.
Strange how leaving the village had been so much easier.
Taryn took a deep breath and started off towards the gates.

***

“What do you mean she’s gone?!” Naruto shouted at his teacher. He and Sakura both had come to see him to ask after Taryn. Now that they knew how much Sasuke hated her, they wanted to know the truth and since their teammate would never give them the answers, they had decided to get them from Kakashi.
Kakashi looked at them calmly. “I mean she’s gone. She went back to Suna.”
“Suna!” Naruto shouted.
“But Kakashi-sensei,” Sakura said, “she is banished from Suna.”
“She was,” he answered her, “but the Kazekage died and the council withdrew her banishment.” “Just like that?” Sakura gasped.
“Yes,” Kakashi answered, “just like that. Did you need something from her?” Even though he knew fully well why they were here.
They seemed hesitant to answer him and exchanged glances. It was Naruto that answered the question. “What Sasuke said,” he started, “he said she was working with that Itachi guy. Is that…? I mean… she was there at the inn when they came looking for me… but… she saved Sasuke’s life and…”
Kakashi sighed.
“Sensei,” Sakura said, “is Taryn working for that Itachi guy?”
“No,” Kakashi said, “but I think she’s in contact with him.”
“Whaaat?! His students gasped.
“You should know,” Kakashi continued, “that Itachi and Taryn have a long history together. They have formed a strong bond. They understand eachother, always have. Both of them were their family’s prodigy. Both of them became Chuunin and afterwards Jounin at a very young age. They faced eachother in the arena at the Chuunin Exams and tied in the final match. I wasn’t in Konoha at that time, but I heard the story. The battle lasted over an hour and neither wanted to give up. They knew eachother from the Academy in Konoha though they were in different years and when Taryn fled to Konoha they became very close.”
“They were in love,” Sakura said softly.
“No,” Kakashi said, “not then. That was later.”
“So Sasuke was right,” Naruto said, “she helped Itachi when he killed the Uchiha clan.”
“No,” Kakashi said, “she had already left Konoha by then, but it was around the same time ,so I understand why he may believe so.”
“But you said she’s in contact with him.”
“I think she might be, but it is as Naruto said, she saved Sasuke’s life. I do not think she will try to kill him. She came here because of him, to stop Orochimaru. But she was too late.”
“She has the same mark as Sasuke,” Sakura remembered.
Kakashi nodded. “Yes, he got to her too.”
He didn’t want the conversation to go this direction, so he changed the subject. “All you need to know is that the Hokage trusted her enough to let her into this village without a guard. And she was never officially declared a missing nin, even though she left Konoha and ran with criminals for a while.”
“No one in the village seems to trust her much,” Sakura said.
“That’s not so strange now, is it,” Kakashi told her, “she was banished from Suna and most villagers feel that she betrayed Konoha too by running away after being offered refugee.” “Kakashi-sensei…” Naruto said hesitantly, “why was Taryn banished from Suna?” He had been dying to know for a while now.
“Why do you want to know?” Kakashi asked, “just out of curiosity?”
“No,” Naruto said, “I want to understand.”
Kakashi stared at him for a long time. “How about you?” he looked at Sakura, “is this some plan to get closer to Sasuke?”
Sakura blushed. It had stared out that way, but not anymore. Taryn had saved Sasuke after all. “No sensei,” she said softly.
Kakashi nodded. “Alright. I will tell you.” He sighed. “I should tell you that not many people know the truth. The Hokage knew. And my guess is that lord Hyuuga was also informed when he was asked to take her in. A handful of others may know, but that ‘s it.”
His students nodded.
“You have seen Gaara, haven’t you,” Kakashi said, “you know he’s a Jinchuuriki. His father, the Kazekage infused him with the One Tail to create the ultimate weapon.”
Naruto nodded. He already knew that.
“The problem with such a weapon is that it can get hard to control. In this case that is exactly what happened. You have seen what it has lead to in the arena. Gaara was considered a danger to the village and is father sought to kill him.”
“Yes,” Naruto said, “he told me that.”
“He would kill his own child?” Sakura asked in horror.
Kakashi ignored their comments and continued. “Since the sand protected Gaara of its own accord, none of the Kazekage’s assassins succeeded. They all lost their own lives instead. The Kazekage couldn’t afford to lose any more shinobi, but then he found one he knew would succeed..”
“Who?” Naruto asked.
“Taryn,” Sakura understood.
Kakashi nodded. “Yes. Taryn. Ever since Gaara was born, she had taken care of him. While everyone else was afraid of him, she was not. She loved him more than anything and he trusted her completely. The sand never harmed her.”
Naruto grew an angry expression. He suddenly realized why Taryn had so much pain in her eyes whenever she looked at Gaara. “He would ask her to kill her own brother?! His own daughter?! His own son?!”
“Yes. He did that,” Kakashi said.
“But that’s cruel!” It had been cruel enough to fuse a child with a tailed beast, but this…
“That may be so,” Kakashi said, “but he was still her superior. Not her father, but the Kazekage and she ignored direct orders.”
“Are you sticking up for him?!” Naruto shouted.
Kakashi looked at him calmly. “I’m not saying I approve, but I’m saying it as it is. You want to become Hokage one day, don’t you? That is more than just appointing missions. It is making difficult decisions.”
“You’re saying he’s right?!”
Kakashi ran a hand through his hair. This was harder then he had thought. “Taryn still claims it was a loyalty test. He never liked it how close she was with Gaara. Her loyalty should be with her village and the Kazekage. But it wasn’t. She wouldn’t kill Gaara and she was banished for it.” His eyes saddened for a moment. “For one thing, the Kazekage has always been a strict man. He expects obedience from everyone. The two of them never got along.”
Naruto and Sakura were both silent for a moment. “Taryn… chose to be banished?” Sakura asked softly.
“Because she loves her brother,” Kakashi said.

“Love is more important than honor. Honor is worthless without love.”

Naruto remembered Taryn’s words. He understood better now.
“But Kakashi-sensei,” Sakura said, “if more people were to know the truth, they would trust her more, don’t you think? If they knew she didn’t do anything wrong?”
“Think on it,” Kakashi said, “if people knew why she was banished why would know her weak spot. And they would use it against her. Aside from that, there are people who don’t care about the reason. It is still a fact that she disobeyed orders. That on its own is treason enough.” “Gaara doesn’t know, does he,” Naruto said.
“No. He doesn’t.” Kakashi looked at his students. “So now you know.”
Naruto and Sakura nodded and turned to leave.
“Hey,” Kakashi said “this conversation doesn’t leave this room. Do you understand? You are to tell no one about it. Not even Sasuke.”
“But if Sasuke…” Sakura protested.
“Do you understand?” Kakashi repeated.
Both of them gulped and nodded.
Good,” Kakashi said, “now leave.”

***

When Taryn reached the village’s gates she was stopped by two Jounin. “Halt,” one of them said, “reveal yourself and state your business.” 
Taryn let down the hood of her cloak.
“Taryn-sama,” they gasped.
“I bring valuable documents from Tsunade, Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure for the Council of Sunagakure,” she said, “I’m expected.”
“O-Of course,” the first Jounin said, “we were informed. We just didn’t expect it to be so soon.” The second Jounin gave a slight bow. “Welcome home, Taryn-sama. Please forgive my companion. He has only risen to Jounin rank a few weeks ago.”
“I don’t mind,” Taryn said softly, “will the council see me?”
The Jounin nodded. “I will take you.”
She followed the man through the village, looking around at the buildings she knew from her youth. “Much has changed here,” she  said sadly.
“You’ve been gone a long time,” her guide answered. She nodded. “What is your name?” she asked.
“I am called Yamaru.”
“Yamaru,” Taryn said, “Has a new Kazekage been chosen yet?”
“No,” Yamaru answered, “the council has been ruling the village with your brother Kankuro. I believe they are waiting for your return to make any further decision.”
Taryn nodded. “Thank you,” she said.

They had arrived at the Council building. Yamaru bowed again and vanished. Taryn stared at the large doors and hesitated for a moment. The last time she had entered this building, her father had renounced her. And here she was again. She still knew the way and walked up the stairs to the council room.
She entered without knocking.
The twelve council members all looked up when she walked in. “Taryn-sama,” one of them addressed her. “We weren’t expecting you so soon. How was your journey? If you had sent a messenger bird to inform us about your arrival, we would have arranged for an escort to meet with you.”
“Perhaps I preferred a humbler return,” Taryn said. She would never have accepted an escort. She  wasn’t completely sure that all the council members were happy with her return. Accidents could always happen on a journey, even to well trained shinobi.
She stepped forward. “I bring negotiations from Tsunade, Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure.” She placed the scroll on the table. “Would anyone be so kind as to inform me what caused my father’s death?”
“It was Orochimaru,” one of the council members spoke, “disguised as our Kazekage he initiated the invasion plan.” He hesitated for a moment. “Since your father had been on bad foot with the late Hokage for some time, no one thought it strange. We sincerely regret not seeing through it. Perhaps your father could have been saved if we had, but all of us were misled.” ‘What good would it have done me had he lived?’  Taryn thought, ‘should I feel anything for the man who called himself my father? Perhaps I should, but I can’t find it at this time.’ She nodded at the man.
Another spoke. “We believe that your father the Kazekage was killed before he start of the Chuunin exams. We only discovered his remains after the attack. We will let someone take you to the gravesite later if you wish to pay your respects.”
Taryn nodded again. “Hai,” she said. She had forgotten that returning to Suna meant returning to formalities as well. Sometimes it was better not to serve any nation.

They all looked up when the doors were thrown open again. “What am I being summoned for this time?” an angry Kankuro said, “isn’t there anything you can solve without…” He stopped talking when he noticed Taryn. His eyes went wide and he let out a gasp. “Taryn,” he said while walking up to her with sturdy steps. He stopped in front of her and hesitated for a moment. “Kankuro,” Taryn stated calmly.
Then he pulled her into a bearhug. Taryn gasped stunned. “Good to have you back, sis,” he said.
After a moment of hesitation Taryn answered his hug and let out a sigh. “Good to be back,” she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek.

***

“You what?!” Gaara growled at his brother.
They were standing on the rooftop of their house. The sun was slowly setting. “You let her come back just like that?! Why?!”
“It’s been long enough,” Kankuro stated, “and with father gone…”
“You should have consulted with Temari and me,” Gaara said, “she’s not just your sister. We have a say in this too.”
“I thought you’d be happy,” Kankuro said, “you used to adore her.”
“That was before I knew she didn’t care. Before she betrayed Suna.”
Kankuro stared at him for a long time. “You really don’t know, do you,” he said, “I thought you would have figured it out by now. But you really have no clue.”
“What are you talking about?” Gaara demanded.
“Why she was banished,” Kankuro said. He eyed his brother warily. Even though Gaara had gone through a huge personality change since the Chuunin Exams, he still had a deadly edge to him.
Kankuro sighed as he continued. The council knew the truth. He had know that for while. Now Gaara needed to know as well. “I was still a child,” he said, “but I used to eavesdrop at father’s office. I was there that day. I don’t know if she knew I heard everything, but she saw me on her way out. They had a huge argument. I have never seen father so furious when she refused her mission.”
“What mission?” Gaara asked, though he had a sudden feeling that he’d rather not know. His brother looked him in the eye as he steadied himself for the impact of his answer.
“The mission to kill you.”

“You wanted to see me?” Taryn bowed to her father.
The Kazekage looked up from the reports he had been reading and nodded. “Yes. Close the door please.” Taryn did as he said and turned back to him. “Taryn, you are my best shinobi. The proof of that is your flawless record and your rank as Jounin, which you earned at an early age.” He paused for a moment, but she didn’t respond. He nodded and stood up. “I have a special mission for you. One I can only entrust to you.” He took a folder and shove it across the desk.
When Taryn went to take it, he placed a hand on it and looked her in the eye with a serious expression. “This mission is highly classified and you will speak about it with no one. Do you hear me?”
“Yes sir,” Taryn said, but he didn’t lift his hand.
“It is of extreme importance that you succeed.”
Taryn nodded. “I will not fail.”
“Good. I knew I could count on you.” He took his hand away from the folder and let her take it. “It’s an assassination assignment,” he said, “I need you to…”
“You want me to kill Gaara?!” Taryn shouted. She glared at her father. “He’s my brother!”
“He’s become a danger to the village!”
“Only because you made him like that!”
“Don’t you dare use that tone with me!” the Kazekage gave her a threatening glare.
“You can not be serious!” Taryn said, “he’s your son!"
“He’s out of control.”
“He’s barely seven!” Taryn snapped.
“That’s why this has to be done now when he’s still unaware of his powers. He will only be more of a danger when he’s older.”
“I won’t do it.”
The Kazekage narrowed his eyes at her. “You already accepted the mission.”
“I give it back to you,” Taryn growled, “I refuse. I will not kill Gaara.”
“You will do as I say!”
“No,” Taryn said in an icy voice, “find someone else to do it. I will not.”
“There is no one else,” he answered, “all the others I sent lost their lives. I know you will succeed.”
A content smile crawled around Taryn’s lips. “I guess that’s just bad luck then.”
“You treacherous brat!” the Kazekage growled in a low voice.
Taryn turned away from him. “If that was all…”
“You walk out that door and I’ll disown you,” she heard her father say.
Taryn stopped and stared at him.
The man that called himself her father smirked at her. “Oh. I have your attention now do I?” He picked up the folder she had dropped and handed it back to her. “See to it. Report in the morning.”
Taryn stared at the man in front of her. “I think you do not understand,” she said, “I do not accept this mission. I will not kill my brother.”
The Kazekage’s eyes glowed with pure hate. “You are no child of mine,” he said, “I hereby banish you from Suna. You have until sunset to leave the area. If after that I find you in this territory again, I will have you killed.”
Taryn gave him a cold look. “So be it,” she said and walked out the door.

In the hall she almost stumbled over Kankuro who was staring at her wide-eyed. She patted him on the head. “Keep training,” she told him, “take care of your brother and sister.”
Kankuro stared after her with sad eyes as she left the building. He knew she wasn’t coming back.

On the outskirts of town she found her little brother. He was sitting on a rock, by himself as usual. The sight of it made her heart tighten. She had hoped to sneak away without being seen, but she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to him.
This was the last time she would see him.
His eyes lit up when he noticed her. “Nee-san.”
“Hey squirt,” she said, “what are you doing here so far from town?”
He shrugged. “Here I don’t frighten anyone.”
Taryn gave him a sad smile and ruffled his hair.
“Where are you going?” Gaara asked.
“Away,” Taryn said, “I have to leave town.”
“Again?” Gaara asked, “but you only just came back. Do you have to go on another mission so soon?”
“I’m sorry Gaara,” Taryn said, “I have no choice.” She kneeled down in front of him. “Father sent me away. He doesn’t want me to stay in Suna anymore.”
“Why?”
Taryn smiled sadly. “He never liked me much, did he.”
“Don’t go onee-chan,” Gaara pleaded.
“I’m sorry Gaara. I have to.”
“Take me with you.”
Taryn sighed. “I wish I could, but I’ll come back for you one day.” She hugged him tightly. “I promise.”