In the distance, Kankuro could see his teammates leaning up against a tree at the edge of the forest.

"About you showed up, how was that hunch of yours?" Maki said as she pushed off the tree to face him.

"It was a pretty good hunch. I found our target." Kankuro answered which made Maki perk up and approach him with determination in her eyes.

"Then let's go!" She announced as she threw up her arm.

"Actually, someone got to him first." He told her making her face him again.

"Who?" Yamura, the third member, questioned as he approached the two.

"Ko Himura," Kankuro answered which made his teammate's tense at her name.

"That snake's kid? What was she doing going after our target?" Maki questioned with anger not forgetting what he did to the previous Hokage.

"The same reason as us, apparently he didn't have an information on the Akatsuki." Kankuro answered as he looked up at the sky thinking about the conversation he had with Ko.

"Tsk," Yamura scoffed as he flipped his long brown hair out of his face. "You talked to that murderer and believed her?"

The comment angered Kankuro but kept his composure not wanting to show his weakness in front of anyone, especially his teammates.

"I was watching their fight." He told the two but didn't mention he talked to Ko. "We have to report this to Gaara immediately."

Just as the three started to run, the sky started to get brighter making the trio turn around seeing a large white figure illuminating the sky before it exploded making them shield their eyes as debris flew through the air pushing them back a few feet.

"Was that?" Maki started once everything calmed down.

"Yeah, that was Deidara," Yamura confirmed.

"Let's go!" Kankuro ordered as rushed off towards the explosion hoping Ko wasn't part of that blast. As of now, all he could focus on was taht explosion. Thoughts raced though his head all hoping Ko was okay. She can't die. He can't lose her. 

"I told you she was lying," Yamura said as he and Maki caught up to Kankuro who ignored the comment for his was overwhelmed with worry.

"You better be alright Ko, that couldn't have been the last conversation we'll ever have. There's so much I still need to tell you." His heart raced with antisipation making him sprint faster than his teammates who struggled to keep up.

"There's a group of shinobi close to us," Yamura spoke up making the others on high alert.

As they got closer, Kankuro recognized the chakra signatures. "They're not the enemy, it's the Leaf Shinobi." He told them as they could see them stopped at a clearing.

"Kankuro!" Naruto greeted and walked over to them. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Probably same as you, heading towards that explosion." He answered the blonde then looked at the other Leaf shinobi and their canine companions. "We better get going."

The Sand and Leaf shinobi ran together towards the battle ground following the ninja hounds who caught Sasuke and Ko's scent.

"What do you think happened?" Naruto questioned looking mostly at Kakashi for an answer.

"Deidara was either after Ko or Sasuke." He said which shocked the Leaf.

"What? How do you know?!" Naruto shouted as he quickened his pace to catch up with Kankuro who looked back seeing his teammates were covering the rear of the group.

"I actually ran into her earlier," he admitted which made the other Leaf look at him.

"And you let that traitor go?" Kiba interjected followed by Akamaru's bark.

"I couldn't handle her myself. I was on my way to the village to inform Gaara but then that explosion happened. I think Deidara was after her. She said the Akatsuki either wants her dead or to recruit her. From that explosion, I'm guessing she refused."

At the news, Naruto's face lit up turning into a grin. "I told you guys she wasn't evil!" He exclaimed. "She was only following orders and now that she's free, she's turning her life around!"

"Perhaps," Kakashi spoke up. "But if that explosion was meant for her, I doubt she survived."

"Of course she did! What about that jutsu that allows her to go underground?"

"That jutsu only has you go a few feet under, not far enough to escape that kind of blast."

"She's alive Kakashi-sensei, I know she is." He said with confidence which gave Kankuro hope.

Finally they reached the battle ground meeting up with the remaining Leaf shinobi.

"Sasuke and Ko were right here until a moment ago, it seems there were more people traveling with them." Pakkun told the shinobi as he continued to sniff the area.

"Why is Ko traveling with Sasuke though?" Sakura finally spoke up. "He's the one who kill Orochimaru. Wouldn't she be looking for revenge?"

"She doesn't seem like the revenge type." Kakashi said.

"I think she didn't have a choice, she's a wanted criminal and a target of the Akatsuki. Traveling in a group would benefit her." Kankuro answered.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go after them!" Naruto shouted.

"We can't unfortunately," Pakkun said.

"Why not?!" Naruto shouted with anger just wanting to save his friends.

"The trail ends here," Kakashi told him.

"One possibility is that they were obliterated by the explosion but Sasuke could've used a space-time jutsu to teleport them somewhere safe." Yamato explained.

"Looks like it's the latter," Kiba said, "my nose is even better than a ninja hounds. I found their scent." He announced with a smirk.

The news lifted the weight off of Kankuro's chest. If there was a scent, then Ko must be alive.

"Lead the way Kiba!" 

Edited: 2/21/2021