I walked into the room Kankuro was in, carrying a tray with his breakfast on it. He was asleep, but stirring slightly. I smiled softly as I sat in the seat beside his bed and ran my fingers through his soft hair.

"Wha....?" He groaned, cracking open one eye and looking at me.

"Morning sleepy head." I chuckled. "Hungry?"

"Starving, but the food here is awful so I'll pass." He sighed.

"Fine then I'll just take this nice breakfast I cooked for you and leave." I smirked, turning slowly and watching his reaction from over my shoulder.

His eyes went wide.

"You cooked it?" He asked, trying to sit up only to cringe in pain. I rolled my eyes and walked over to him, helping him sit up. He gave me a sheepish grin. "Thanks. So what'd you make me?" He asked curiously. I chuckled.

"Well, I made you some French toast with syrup and powdered sugar, fried up some sausage, and juiced some oranges for you." I said. He looked at the plate and grinned.

"Thanks, that looks amazing." He said as he went to get the plate, purposely making it look like it was killing him to move.

"Fine, I'll feed you." I laughed lightly. He gave a sheepish chuckled, his cheeks reddening slightly.

~•~

After fighting off Akatsuki members and meeting up with team Gai, Sakura and I were waiting to break down the boulder closing off the Akatsuki base.

"Now! Sakura! Kota!" Kakashi yelled. Sakura punched the wall as I made my clippy turn into a giant mace.

The boulder crumbled away and revealed Sasori and Deidara, the latter of which was sitting on a very dead Gaara. My blood boiled at the sight of that as I growled.

"Been a while Kota." Sasori said boredly.

"Yeah, un, how ya been, hm?" Deidara mocked.

"K-Kota-nii?" Naruto gasped.

"Don't get the wrong idea," I scowled, my eyes not leaving the two Akatsuki members before me. "The only reason they know me is because I ran into these two in the mountains a year ago."

"Yes, and unfortunately we could not catch you without the risk of loosing our main priority." Sasori added emotionlessly.

"But now we have a second chance, yeah." Deidara smirked widely.

"Tch." I scoffed, glaring at them. "Shut the fuck up and give back my brother."

"Yeah! Give Gaara back!" Naruto yelled.

"Huh? Why do you want him, un?" Deidara asked, patting Gaara's cheek mockingly. Something snapped inside me.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM YOU BASTARD!" I screamed, my voice sounding like three voices at once: normal, shrill, and demonic.

Everyone jumped in surprise as a black chakra leaked from my body.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM DAMMIT!" I lunged at him. Then it all went black.

~•~

"Ugh..." I groaned. I opened my eyes and saw Chiyo and Naruto leaning over Gaara, pouring chakra into him. Chiyo was telling Naruto to follow his dreams, and I could tell she was losing life force. And quickly.

I pushed myself up, feeling extremely weak for some reason, and staggered over to them, setting a hand on Chiyo's shoulder.

"Let me help too." I said, my voice raw. Everyone, just noticing my awakening for the first time, looked at me in surprise.

"Very well." Chiyo finally nodded. I fell to my knees, putting my hands over there's. a strange black chakra came from my hands, turning their nice blue glow into a navy color.

"And Kota Namikaze." Chiyo said, looking at me. "You are a girl beyond her years, you've experienced scarring events, and hide your tears to spare those around you. You will be an excellent shinobi, surpassing even your parents. I hope you live a long and fulfilling life, dear."

"Thank you granny." I smiled, my voice cracking. "But you can't die yet."

I closed my eyes, ignoring her response, and concentrated.

Gaara? Gaara can you hear me?

K-Kota-nii? Where are you? Where am I?

Wake up Gaara. Suna needs you. Naruto needs you. I need you. Kankuro, Temari, they need you. Wake up.

Kota-nii, I can't. I'm too weak.

I poured more of my chakra into him, hearing Naruto and Chiyo yelp as their hands jerked away.

"That power!" Chiyo gasped weakly. I poured even more chakra into Gaara.

Come back to us Gaara. Please. Don't give up.

He gasped, bolting upright.

"What's going on?!" Chiyo exclaimed. "I never got to finish the jutsu! Kota's chakra forced my hands away!"

I opened my eyes and was met with Gaara's stunned ones.

"I couldn't let you finish that jutsu, Granny." I croaked, smiling weakly without looking away from Gaara. "So I just kind of used your jutsu as a kick start." I finally looked at the weak, shocked woman. "You're important to Sunagakure." I looked back at Gaara and smiled, pulling him into a hug. "And it's nice seeing you again after so long Gaara. I'm glad you're alright."

I pulled away, and Naruto put his hand on Gaara's shoulder.

"What are you.... Doing here?" Gaara asked, still confused.

"It's not just me..." Naruto grinned. Gaara looked around, noticing how almost everyone in the Hidden Sand had shown up.

I stood easily enough, smiling softly.

"Good job Kota." Kakashi said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You never cease to amaze me."

"Thanks." I smiled. He went to talk to Chiyo and I stood completely still, afraid that if I moved I'd collapse.

"Thank you for helping Gaara." Said a soft voice from beside me, making me look over at Temari and Kankuro. "But how are you still standing?" Temari asked.

"I don't know." I chuckled sheepishly, scratching my head. "But I'm pretty sure I'll face plant if I try walking..." I mumbled to myself.

Strong arms suddenly engulfed me, making my eyes widen and my cheeks burn as Kankuro hugged me tightly.

"Thank you for saving my little brother." He muttered into my hair. My surprise faded away and I returned the hug.

"Remember he's my theoretical brother too." I chuckled softly, burying my face in the crook of his warm neck and taking a breath of his pine scent.

"Heh, yeah I remember." He laughed quietly, holding me a bit tighter. "So I'm guessing that bringing Gaara back took a lot out of you?"

"Eh....... How'd ya guess....?" I mumbled quietly.

"You're leaning on me." He chuckled. "Want me to carry you?"

"But you're still recovering......" I argued. He sighed and pulled away, pecking me on the lips gently before picking me up bridal style.

"I think I'll live." He smirked as I wrapped my arms around his neck and his my blush by burying my face in his chest.