"A Jinchuriki is capable of incredible power by resonating with their Biju. Including Gaara, there have been three Jinchuriki in the sand's history. Removing a Biji requires a seal jutsu with power that is momentarily equal to that of the Biju. But once the Biju is removed the Junchuriki...Dies." 

My body begins to shake with both anger and fear, the intense feelings coursing through my veins and filling me with adrenaline. Lady Chiyo's words resonate deeply, and as I run beside Naruto, a new sense of determination fills my being. I will not allow the Akatsuki to hurt Gaara or any of my other friends. If something happens to any of them....the Akatsuki will all die a slow and painful death. Reaching down, I pull off my Chakra weights mid-stride, just as Naruto lets out a low, nasty growl. 

Together, Naruto and I simultaneously speed ahead of the others, Naruto himself giving off rather aggressive and violent Chakra levels. 

The nine-tailed fox was fueling his anger. 

From behind me, I hear Kakashi conversing with Lady Chiyo, and as he does, I feel a twinge of irritation at the topic of choice. 

"Why are those kids trying so hard to save Gaara? He's not even from the same village." Asks Chiyo. 

"Naruto is also a Jinchuriki...the nine-tailed fox is sealed inside of him." Starts Kakashi. I hear a gasp of shock leave the old lady, and I refrain from turning around to glare. She better not think any less of him now, or so help me, I'll ripe a new one out of her. 

"Naruto probably doesn't have special feelings for Sunakagure, but Gaara is a Jinchuriki too. Naruto understands Gaara better than anyone of Sunakagure could. When it comes to how Jinchuriki are treated, all the villages are pretty much the same. That's why Naruto has to save Gaara. Whether it's Konoha or Suna..means nothing to him. To Naruto, Gaara is a companion that shares his pain." 

Silence elapses over the two, and as we continue to run, I begin to believe that Lady Chiyo wouldn't even utter a reply. She soon proves me wrong as she asks Kakashi a question in a strained voice. 

"Then what about the Sairen Shinobi? The one called Lorelei, why is she so urgent in her need to save him? Is it for similar reasons?" 

Kakashi sighs loudly, and even though I faced forwards, I could still somehow feel his eyes trained on me. He know's I'm listening in. "Can I explain it to her, Lorelei?" 

I raise a thumbs up in the air, signalling it was fine, even though I still felt small pricks of irritation. I pushed down the feeling and ignored it, something that I have become better at doing as of late. 

"Lorelei's reasonings are much the same, and yet slightly different. Although she doesn't harbour a Biju, Lorelei was often times ridiculed for how she looked, and the things that she would be capable of. Because of this, she knows exactly what it's like to be an outcast. Gaara and Lorelei bonded during their time together in the Chunnin exams a few years back...both suffered from bouts of madness, and anger that usually ended in someone dying. They understand each other to such a level, that when Gaara went into his murderous rampages, Lorelei was often times the only one able to calm him down." 

Kakashi pauses for a second, almost as if he was recollecting his own thoughts. His next sentences were hesitant and almost calculated as if to gauge my reaction. "From what I've heard...they both know what its like to be almost killed by either family or by people that were sent after them. They can sympathize with each other, and because of that, they have a whole new level of trust for one another. And while Gaara has the tattoo on his forehead to symbolize what he's gone through, Lorelei's skin is decorated with numerous scars." 

As soon as he finished, I felt my eyes sting relentlessly with the threat of tears. Swallowing the lump that began to build up in my throat, I ignore both Sakura's and Lady Chiyo's gasps. This was the first time Sakura had any idea of what transpired in my life, for I didn't bother leaving her a note before I left for the Mist. Growling lowly to myself, I put on an extra burst of speed as familiar Chakra signals reach my senses. 

Pushing my legs to move faster, I quickly arrive at the area in which the Chakra signals resonated from. In the small clearing stood Gai, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee. 

Kakashi suddenly appears beside me as I land on the water where everyone was gathered. Kakashi's eyes take a quick survey of the area before addressing Gai. "Its a Five seal barrier." 

Gai smirks as his students swivel around and look at us with surprise and alarm. 

"You're late, Kakashi." 

"Well, you see...We ran into a little trouble on the way here." 

Rock Lee breaks out into a smile as he looks towards Naruto, Sakura, and I. "Naruto, Sakura!!... Wait, who is the other person beside you?" 

This catches everyone's attention. "And who's the old lady??" 

I keep my mouth shut, my almost glowing blue eyes looking around the area. You'd think that they'd at least be able to recognize me by my familiar attire. I guess not. Although, from the look that Neji was currently shooting my way, it would seem that he knew who I was. 

He probably recognized my Chakra signature. Even though my Chakra is currently being hidden, his Byakugan is activated, therefore letting him see my Chakra system. Sakura steps forward and addresses' Rock Lee's question. 

"The old lady is an advisor from the Sand! Which the other girl is an Anbu from the leaf. Her name's Lorelei, and lady Tsunade sent her with us to lend us assistance." 

Bless Sakura and her soul. Everyone seems satisfied with her answer and therefore doesn't push for more information. Although, the name Lorelei seemed to get Gai's attention pretty damn quickly, as his head snaps around in suspition.

"Isn't Lorelei the shinobi from the Mist? You're ranked as an A-Ranked Shinobi in the bingo book, know for your deadly singing and silent attacks. "Do not engage alone" is written in your description. Why would you now be working for Konoha when you seemed content with doing missions for KiriKagure?" Growling, I unfold my once crossed arms, and open my lips to speak, by voice breaking through the sentence. 

"I do believe, you know the reason to that question, Gai." His eyes widen as he recognizes my sharp tone. My voice could have cut glass, the warning crystal clear as he looks towards Lady Chiyo, the only one who doesn't know my true identity at this point. 

"Ah, my apologies...Lorelei. Anyways, shall we get going, Kakashi?" 

Kakashi nods in agreement, but that's not what I was focused on. What I was focused on, was the intense stares that I was receiving from my comrades. Each one looking at me with shock, and the obvious longing to ask me questions. 

But like the smart cookies they were, they kept their damn mouths shut. 

Shaking my head, my ponytail swings back and forth as I await my orders. 

"Kakashi! Our first order of business is the barrier. How do we get passed it?" Asked Gai. I listening keenly, trying to learn anything that I can. Unfortunately, I was absolutely horrendous when it came to seals. Of course, I could do the basic, simple ones, but in the ninja world, I can't also rely on simple seals, and I won't always have someone skilled in that area with me. 

Hikaru was talented in that field, but like I said, he won't always be with me when I need to deal with a particularly tricky seal.

"A five-seal barriers established by placing five talismans in the nearby area. A single character Forbidden is inscribed on each.  one of these is sitting right in front of us. There are four others. Until we peel them off, we can't do a thing about the barrier."

Naruto's face scrunches up in concern, his eyes turning serious as he takes in Kakashi's words. "Well, where are they? I mean the other four?" 

"Neji." States Kakashi. 

"Got it." 

Clasping his hands together, I feel Neji's chakra become even more concentrated in the area around his eyes. More veins appear around his eyes as he looks focuses on finding the seals. 

"I see them. One is on a rock 500 meters to the north-east..another is on a tree by a river 350 meters southeast. Then theres another one on a cliff wall 650 meters to the north-west. And the last one is in the woods 800 meters Southwest from here." Confirms Neji. 

I take out a kunai and twirl it around my finger as Team Gai all pull out wireless communicators and attach them to their necks. 

"Neji will lead us right to the Talismans. The frequency of the communicators is set at 174. Hang tight till we touch base." 

"We're counting on you." Says Kakashi. 

"Team Gai! Let's go forth with the power of youth! Scatter!" 

It didn't take long for Team Gai to find each seal, and as they did, Kakashi jumps towards our seal and grabs a hold of it. He waits a couple moments before ripping off the seal. 

I move and stand beside Naruto as Kakashi instructs Sakura to aim a Chakra infused punch towards the large boulder that once held the seal. 

"Sakura!" 

"Here I come!" 

Chakra swirls around her fist as she runs towards the boulder with deadly force. With a single punch, the boulder explodes into pieces, plumes of dust and dirt rising in the air as Kakashi jumps away from the mess. Rushing inside, I feel my stomach drop as I take in the scene in front of me. 

Gaara lay unmoving behind two Akatsuki members dressed in cloaks which were decorated in bloody red clouds. Growling, I feel fiery rage burn through my body as I lock eyes will the blonde who is currently sitting on Gaara's body. 

We were too late. 

"Now, which one of you is the Jinchuriki host?Hmmm?" Smirks the blonde Akatsuki. 

A loud shriek is released from my throat, causing all those around me to flinch. Naruto, however, was the least affected, as his whisker markers expand, pupils turn into slits, and irises take on a red glow. 

"You! You are dead meat!" snarls Naruto. 

"Prepare to die you son of a bitch!" My snarl rivalled Naruto's as I take a threatening step forward, dangerous Chakra emanating from the both of us. 

Naruto then proceeded to yell at the body of Gaara, convinced that he was simply just acting, and yet, deep down, he knew that he was dead. 

"Give me Gaara! You stinking..!" Naruto charges and although rage burned deeply in my body, even I knew not to charge right now. Kakashi and I appear in front of Naruto, blocking him from moving or going any farther. 

"Cool it. Charge in without thinking, and you'll get us all killed." 

The blonde from the Akatsuki laughs mockingly and addresses his partner with a sneer. "I'll hold on to the body. Since it appears...the Jinchuriki host and the ANBU are just burning for it." 

My growl rips through the area, earning me the attention of the Akatsuki at last. "lorelei.." I hear the other Akatsuki whisper to himself. 

"Sasori, I know this isn't what you want to hear, but...I'll handle the Jinchuriki host. Hmmm?" 

The man that is now identified as Sasori looks at the blonde with a deadly gaze full of warning. 

"Listen, our quota is one apiece. If I were you Deidara I wouldn't push my luck." From the names that they have given out...this Sasori man is the one that poisoned Kankuro, while Deidara is the one who originally kidnapped Gaara. 

My rage increased tenfold as I continue to eye the two, anticipation and bloodthirst making it hard for me to stay rooted to my spot. Deidara barks out a hard laugh, a smirk adorning his face as he looks at our group. 

"An artist must always seek ever greater stimulation...lest his senses turn dull...this Jinchurik host of the nine-tailed fox...from what I hear, he is fairly strong, hmmm?" 

"What? Those Pyrotechnics of yours...art? Art is a work of beauty captured and left for prosperity...it is the beauty of all eternity." Says Sasori in a rather rough voice. 

"Quite so, Sasori. As a fellow artist...I certainly..respect your perspective. But, in my opinion, art is a transient beauty that fades after just a moment." 

Talking, while there are enemies in front of you?! Nothing aggravated me more. Why are we just standing here listening to these two talk about art?!

I've had enough of this. 

Growling, Naruto whips out a scroll while I pull out the obsidian Chakra blades that Asuma had gifted me when I was in the hospital. As I charged them with Chakra, the strings of lightning that were engraved in the metal seemed to come alive. 

Naruto was the first one to attack, and as his giant Shuriken is blocked by Sasori's tail, the man himself not even bothering to look in our direction. Deidara's clay bird picks up Gaara's body, and I feel myself go rigid as Deidara jumps to avoid Sasori's tail after making remarks about his "puppet show" 

Deidara takes off, and as he does, growls and chases after him. Shooting a single glance towards Kakashi, I run after both of the blondes. With ease, I manage to catch up with them both, and as I run beside Naruto, a plan begins to formulate in my brain. 

Deidara is going to pay for hurting Gaara.

He's going to pay in the most painful way possible. 

___________________________________

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

-Mizuko