Three Fangirls VS. the Naruto World (Naruto Fanfic)

Best Days, Depressing Nights

Ari's POV

Our punishment wasn't that bad I guess. I mean, it easily could have been a hell of a lot worse, considering how pissed Kankuro and Temari were at us. I get where they were coming from, I really do. But was there any real need to scold us in front of all the Genin and their Senseis?

Then again, I don't think anyone really cared about us. After what happened to Lee.... Yeah, we weren't very important. Scar, Violet and I were so down we didn't even cheer for Choji against Dosu.

Oh and if you were wondering (how could you not be, after what we told you happened in the Forest of Death), Suki had chosen to opt out from the prelims. Seems she was mysteriously injured when she rejoined her teammates.... Hmm, I wonder. What could have happened?

Ah, a mystery that will never be solved, I'm sure.

Anyway, our punishment ended up being two weeks locked in the hotel. We were absolutely forbidden from leaving. If we even tried, Gaara would surround us in a sand ball for an hour.

That actually sounded kinda fun, but Scar talked me outta sneaking out at night. Said it would be bad for my pores to have that happen to me. Surprisingly, I actually cared about the state of my skin. Shocking, I know!

During those two weeks, we were put through torture.

Hell, thy name is Violet!

She sang to enterain us.

My ears were still bleeding by the time our sentence was up and I was allowed my first breath of fresh air in so long. I think I looked pretty much like a dying fish, I was sucking in so much air.

Scar told me I looked like a pervert.

"So where do you wanna go?" I asked after my euphoric moment of epicness had passed. Temari and Kankuro had left us alone on the condition that we didn't do anything stupid.

Mind you, it was really early in the morning, and they were half asleep, so I don't think they understood how incredibly impossible that request was.

Scar rubbed the sleep from her eyes as we aimlessly walked. Her insomnia was getting better, but she was up with Gaara most nights. Except when his siblings told us to stay away from him. We could guess that meant his hunger had returned.

"Could we please choose a place that doesn't insight further trouble?" she asked wearily, ending in a cute yawn. I opened my mouth to argue that trouble was part of the fun when a gust of dry, gritty sand swept in front of the three of us, making us jump back in surprise. Gaara appeared as the sand settled back into his gourd, as impassive and hot as ever.

.....Can you blame me for mentioning that?

"Uhh...." I was really at a loss for words, which just wasn't like me. Ask Scar. She'll tell you I have a response (even if it's meaningless and irrelevent) to everything! "Gaara..... hi?"

He nodded to me, which was more recognition than he usually gave to anyone. Excluding Scar of course. She got the full on creepy stare of his that made fangirls' hearts melt. I seriously thought they were insane. Scar sweat dropped nearly ever time he did it to her, and she had genuine feelings for the emo redhead!

Scar tilted her head to the side, studying Gaara with a bemused expression that, if we weren't sisters and I was dude, would have had me blushing. She really didn't realize how cute she was.

I think the three of us were going to chorus a question (and how awesome is it when siblings do that?!) but Gaara cut us all off by saying, "I'll be borrowing Scar." We all blinked simultaneously, uncomprehending.

"Say what now?"

My question went unanswered as he simply took hold of her arm and tugged her closer. She shot me a confused glance before they both disappeared in another swirl of sand.

I blinked a afew times. Nothing I did helped put the situation into a better perspective. Violet was in a similar state, but she snapped out of it quicker, and whirled on me. I was shocked when she grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me so violently I was getting nauseaus. All the while shouting something like, "OUR LITTLE SCAR IS GROWING UP!!! SHE'S GONNA GET MARRIED AND HAVE LITTLE SHUKAKU BABIES AND HER AND GAARA ARE GONNA BE TOGETHER FOREVER AND OH MY KAMI I LOVE THIS!!!!"

I sweat dropped. What?

But then it hit me like a bitch slap to the face.

My lips curled up in a rather scary smile and I gripped Violet's shoulders in an even tighter grip than she held on me. We looked at each other with identical Chesire smiles and she let out a giggle. This was what we had been waiting for!

"WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SHIPPUDEN!!!!"

"Uh... Ari?"

My eyes widened and I spun away from the giggling Violet to find a blushing Kiba standing awkwardly behind us. Akarmaru was at his side, wagging his tail, tongue lolling from his mouth. He looked happy to see me.

"Hi, Kiba," I said eagerly. "What's up?"

He blinked, like he couldn't believe the insane nut who had just been screaming and jumping around with the even more insane blonde could possibly say something so normal. He was right to be confused.

With a shake of his head, though, he threw off his worries and smiled at me, But, even though I was ecstatic to see him (without Suki anywhere nearby) I found it hard to mirror his expression. Something about him just seemed.... off. When he spoke, nothing was betrayed, but the thought still lingered.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out for a while," he said, running a hand through his hair a little sheepishly. He wasn't wearing his normal bulky gray jacket, so there was no hood to get in the way. Instead he had on a darker gray hoodie that was almost a charcoal color. His headband was also missing, letting his spiky brown hair fall into his eyes. Just made him smexier, in my oh so humble opinion.

Before I could bark out the most enthusiastic, disturbing response I could muster, Scar's voice snapped in my mind, reminding me to stay calm and not freak him out under any circumstances. So I smiled slightly and nodded. "That'd be really cool, Kiba."

Vi's shock was so great, she anime fell into the dirt.

I held back a snicker.

"Is your sister alright?" he asked, looking past me with concern.

"Fine!" she chirped, suddenly in his face. He reeled back in alarm and even Akarmaru laughed at him! Well, he barked and yipped but it sounded like laughter to me, so that's what I went with. "I'm really fine! Just go! Take Ari and go, go, go!" She shoved me forwards and I fell against Kiba's hard chest, which caused his arms to wrap around me instinctively. I blushed from being so close to him, and had to fight back my urge to fangirl like a madwoman.

Kiba righted me and gave me his signature cocky smile. You know, most people couldn't pull off cocky. They just ended up looking like bastards. But on Kiba, it didn't look conceited at all.

"So... wanna go?" he asked with the most bitter-sweet smile I'd ever been given. I knew then and there that something was wrong, and he hadn't been planning to ask me out before he ran into me. But I only smiled and walked away with him. Even if I was technically being used, I wanted to help him.

I could hear Violet giggling behind me, and I blushed harder, turning my face away so that Kiba couldn't see.

"Where are we going?" I asked. We were only walking around the Village, dodging pedestrians and peering at stalls and all they offered. Kiba looked around, shoving his hands deep into his hoodie's pockets.

"Uh..."

Just then, Akamaru barked and brushed against my legs. I glanced down at him and saw him pointing his nose ahead of us, eyes sparkling. I grinned and chased after him when he took off, leaving Kiba in the dust.

"Hey.... Wait up! Akarmaru!"

I followed Akamaru through the streets, aware that Kiba was never far behind. The little Ninken seemed to know where we were going, so I wasn't worried in the least. And I couldn't help laughing every time Kiba shouted out for us to stop or gave an indignant "ACK!" when he smacked into someone.

Akamaru suddenly skidded to a stop, and I barely kept myself from tumbling over him headfirst into the dirt. Actually, I didn't do shit. The warm hand that snaked around my arm and pulled me backwards saved me from taking an unfortunate spill. I was pulled back against a hard chest, and a delighted grin lit up my face, even though it was quickly becoming a freaky red color that even beat out Scarlette's blush on Mt. Hokage.

"You're.... pretty fast.... for a Sand Genin...." Kiba panted. I snickered. "Don't ya mean you're a little slow for an Inuzuka?" I countered with a cheesy grin over my shoulder. He pouted and huffed, to which I only chuckled and pulled away from him. Akamaru was still yapping.

"What's up, Boy?" I asked as I walked over to him. He pointed behind him at a small foodstand that made me laugh nervously.

"Oh, you shouldn't have, Akamaru...." I murmured.

Of course, he'd brought us to Ichiraku.

"Great idea, Akamaru!" Kiba congratulated him. The little Ninken yipped in response and wagged his tail with even greater force. So much so I was worried it'd fall off. Then we would've had to hold a funeral for Akamaru's tail. I wonder what you put on a gravestone for something like that.....

Before I could say anything, Kiba took hold of my hand and led me forward into the shop, where we both took seats at the counter. Teuchi was there, like always, and gave an uneasy smile when he caught sight of me. I grinned in a pitiful attempt to reassure him I wasn't going to do anything. He just sweat dropped and took our orders.

"Soooo," I began conversationally. Kiba refused to look at me, instead choosing to keep his sharp-eyed gaze on the counter where he rested both arms. Akamaru sat next to him. He'd begun to whimper the moment Teuchi left to prepare our food.

Even I have times where the spazzy side of me is pushed aside in favor of a more compassionate one. This was one of those times that I didn't want to ruin things with a random outburst.

"What's wrong, Kiba?"

He started and looked at me as if I were a ghost. I smiled sheepishly. "It's not hard to tell, if you're wondering," I told him. He blushed a bit and looked away again. I sighed. "I know you didn't want to ask me out today." At the beginnings of his protests, I put my hand on his arm to silence him. "I don't mean I'm upset about it. I just mean... I know you wanted a distraction, and you probably thought I could help with that. And I will. I'll do anything to keep that ridiculously gloomy expression off your face, Dog Boy." He flashed me a half-assed glare that I just smiled at. "But I need to know what's wrong in the first place before I can help. So.... What is it?"

The only sound in the small ramen shop was of Teuchi cooking. We could hear the water boiling, and the plop of him dropping the dried noodles into the pot. There was also a faint whistling, the kind a person uses when they're trying to not act suspicious.

I had no doubt Teuchi was listening in on our conversation.

Kiba eventually sighed and dropped his head against his arms dramatically. My smile dropped into a bitter frown. "That, buddy, is the universal sign for girl trouble," I muttered, venom dripping off my words. And yet Kiba didn't stir or protest. "What's that bi.... I mean, what's Suki done now?"

He chuckled humorlessly, and the sound set my heart racing. "I'm such an idiot," he mumbled against his arms. "I'm a bigger idiot than Naruto!"

I lay my head down on the counter, mirroring his position with ease; it was one I used a lot when I was bored. "That's not true," I told him. "No one can beat Naruto out in terms of stupid. But tell me about it anyway."

There was a pregnant pause. Then he said:

"She never cared about me."

My heart broke at the deep, bitter sadness in his voice, and I almost begged him to stop.

But he continued nonetheless.

"All this time, I knew. I knew I wasn't the only person she was flirting with, that she was interested in. But I thought.... I dunno. I thought I could convince her to pick me. Like I'm some great catch she couldn't live without." He sighed again, and it was so lonely.... Akamaru whimpered again. "Course that didn't happen. I should've paid attention to all the crap she did, but I couldn't help myself. She was like a goddess or something.... I don't even know anymore. Her looks made me forget about everything she did that hurt me. I'm so stupid!"

"Kiba," I said softly, afraid to break this fragile boy sitting next to me. "What did she do?"

He turned his head slightly so that we could lock eyes, and he flashed me a small smile. "I got her to go out with me yesterday," he said quietly. "And when I came back from ordering our food, she was kissing Ino. Ino. I lost to Ino."

"She's a bitch," I replied instantly, a growl vibrating in the back of my throat.

He raised a brow. "Ino?"

"What? No, Suki is the bitch! The Wicked Bitch of the West! That whore! That skanky, shitty whore!! I'm going to tear out her throat! I don't give a damn what Temari and Kankuro do to me, I'm gonna kill her! I don't even care if Kakashi comes after me! That bitch is gonna pay!"

I was halfway out of my seat when Kiba tugged me back, an amused glint in his dark eyes. "Didn't know you liked me so much, Sandy," he said, his voice a little smoother than before.

"You wish," I snorted on impulse, turning my head away cheekily. "I'm just sick and tired of that bitch, and this is the final flipping straw. It was bad enough when she flirted with Gaara of all people and practically drove my sister to murder. Now I find out she's kissing other girls while she's out on a date with you? Yeah. She's dead."

Once again, he pulled me back.

"You're cute," he said.

I think my heart might've stopped for a bit.

I actually confirmed that when, a few minutes later, Kiba was leaning over me, his eyes bright with worry. I was flat on my back in the dirt, and the room was still spinning. I sat up groggily, one hand to my aching forehead. The first thing Kiba said was, "You fainted again."

I cracked a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I noticed."

"Sorry, I didn't realize my sexiness affected you so much. I'll try to tone it down a bit."

"Dog Boy, you're pushing it," I muttered crossly. He only chuckled in response. This was weird. Normally I'd flat out agree with him that he's smexy and what not, but I was giving spur of the moment answers right then. Maybe it came from getting over the "fangirl" stage of my feelings for him....

Kiba helped me up and we sat down once again at the counter. By then Teuchi had returned and brought with him two steaming bowls of Miso ramen. I dug in without hesitation, slurping loudly and getting broth pretty much everywhere. This was how I ate whenever I came here, and I wasn't the least bit ashamed of it. Not even when Kiba started cracking up at me.

I just flicked his forehead and dove back into my ramen.

How early is it anyway? Too early for ramen.....? Nah, not possible.

When I finally finished, I pushed my bowl away and sat back with a contented sigh. Kiba, who had finished a minute or so before I did, chuckled again. I shot him a glare, to which he responded by dabbing at my face with a napkin.

I blinked in confusion, and he grinned. I opened my mouth to ask him what the hell he was doing, when he leaned forward and pressed his lips to my cheek.

Cue my dramatic heart attack that nearly sent me sprawling onto the floor again.

I managed to keep myself still and when he pulled back, I gaped at him.

"As much as I like ramen," he said, jerking a thumb at his licked-clean bowl, "I didn't really want to taste it when I did that."

"Ok....? But why did you do that?" I asked.

Another chuckle. "You're pretty dense, Sandy."











Scarlette's POV

It took a rather long time for me to get over the shock of having Gaara abduct me from my siblings. Of course, he had done things like that in the past. For instance, when he wanted to train and didn't bother asking if I had the time. He simply whisked me away from wherever I happened to be and brought the both of us to the training grounds in Suna. Yes, Gaara did, in fact, train me, despite his fairly pitiful first try.

In any case, I felt this specific "kidnapping" was different. Though I couldn't understand why exactly.

"Did you want to train, Gaara?" I asked. My voice broke the silence built up between us. It had been growing ever since he set us down atop some building among the many others in Konoha. All I could really tell was that we were someplace high. I didn't mind the heights; it was a spectacular view that was laid out before us. However, it paled in comparison to the view one obtained from being at the peak of Mt. Hokage, as it looked out over the entire Village.

Gaara's reply was short. "No."

I let out a soft sigh and swung my lithe legs, bending over slightly to look down at the many people passing below us. People watching was a sort of game I was used to. It occupied much of my time back in what I used to think of as reality. I say "used to" because the more time I spent here, the less it felt like that other world ever existed at all.

It was still early, though the sun was steadily rising. How long had we been up here? A half hour? Forty-five minutes? It didn't feel like so much time had passed. But it always seemed that way to me when I spent time with Gaara. I wasn't sure why, but I didn't mind it in the least.

"Do you hate me?"

The question came out of nowhere, and I jumped, I was so startled. Gaara caught my hand and gently pulled me back a bit so that I wasn't in danger of falling over the edge of the roof. I took several deep breaths to soothe my frayed nerves before chancing a look at the troubled Sand Genin.

For once he was looking at me, without staring, simply looking. It made a small smile curl up my lips, and I found my answer easily enough. "No," I told him firmly. "I could never hate you, Gaara. Did I do something to make you think otherwise? Because I assure it was unintentional. These past two weeks of being saddled together with only Ari and Violet as company has set me on edge, so if I've snapped at you or--"

"You haven't," he said quietly, looking out at the Village again.

"Then why....?" My voice trailed off and I sighed softly. I knew what he was worrying over. Well, perhaps not worrying. Gaara didn't seem like the type. But confused over, maybe. "The preliminary matches," I said faintly. "You think I see you differently after something like that."

He didn't reply, which was answer enough.

"One thing wouldn't change my entire view of you, Gaara," I said thoughtfully as I lay back with my arms crossed over my stomach. My eyes followed the slowly drifting clouds, and the occasional hawk that sweep fast, cutting a line through the vast expanse of blue. "And I've known all along about your darkness. I see you no differently than I did before the Exams began. You're Gaara. And no, I'm not speaking of how most others see you. I mean that you are the light that my sisters and I all see inside you, whether you realize it now or not. That is how I see you, Gaara of the Desert, and it is how I'll continue to see you. No matter how you act from now on."

I closed my eyes and smiled as a gentle breeze swept up from below and tousled my hair and clothes. Though strangely, I found myself longing for the dry, barren conditions of Suna. Perhaps I would always feel more at home among the desert than the forest. Suna was where I first came to enjoy my time in this world, where I made friends who didn't criticize every little thing my sisters chose to do. Suna was the first place where I could let go of my constant worries. It may not have kept my insomnia at bay, but it was enough to make my heart a little lighter.

There was silence for a long while. I wasn't concerned; most of my outings with Gaara came to be like this. He was never one to talk more than he thought necessary, and I didn't mind that about him. If not for sisters like Ari and Vi, I probably would have been much the same way.

When the silence had stretched to its breaking point, and I felt actual tension in the air (something that was rare between Gaara and I), I felt him shift closer to me. I thought nothing of it, not even when I felt him leaning over me.

Sometimes it was better not to question people's actions.

"Scarlette, would you mind if I tried something?"

"And what exactly would that be?"

"An experiment."

"Does it require sand?"

"No."

"Then go right ahead. Who am I to stop you?"

I expected him to fall silent again. What I didn't expect was to feel a cusion of sand lift my head up a bit. I furrowed my brow. "Gaara, I thought you said no--"

I was cut off when his lips brushed against mine.

My intital reaction (had this been at any other moment of my life) would have been to push him away and possibly slap him. But this was Gaara. Gaara didn't do things like this.... I was so startled (and, admittedly, pleasantly surprised) that when he fully pressed his lips to mine, I made no move to stop him.

The kiss was brief, but in my mind, it stretched out for eternity (good God, that was corny, but nontheless the truth). He pulled back not three seconds later and I forced myself to blink open my eyes. The look on Gaara's face was one I was not expecting.

He looked.... constipated.

Never in my life have I described someone in that way, but it fit how Gaara looked perfectly in that moment. Quite confused, and possibly in pain. I blinked again and sat up, anxious but unwilling to force comfort onto him.

"....Gaara, are you alright?" I asked softly when he remained silent for a moment or two. I was as mystified about the sudden kiss as you'd expect me to be, but I cared about Gaara's state of mind more. Because, despite his blood-thirsty nature and the entirety of his past misdeeds, I was fond of the redhead. Maybe what we had couldn't be called a friendship exactly, but it was mutual affection on some level. Of course, it took me till just then to realize it, but I found it was the truth in any case.

He looked up at me with dark eyes, his thoughts once again whirling. I smiled softly, hoping to encourage him to tell me what was bothering him.

He spoke in a hoarse whisper that I'm sure wasn't meant to reach my ears.

"Mother is silent for once."

Mother was what he called Shukaku, his demon, before the conclusion of the Chunin Exams. And from what I understood about the sand spirit, he was always screaming for Gaara to let him feed on delicious blood. Gaara was always apologizing for dirty, tainted or weak blood from the helpless victims he had killed.

....Did he mean that Shukaku wasn't out for my blood?

Gaara didn't speak any more on the subject and met my eyes after a moment of staring at the Village. "The.... strange feeling.... didn't go away," he said at last.

I cocked my head to the side, a bemused frown on my face. "Strange feeling?" I questioned curiously.

His arms wrapped around his stomach. "Here," he said, as way of an explanation. Like a small child. An image of a young Gaara speaking to his Uncle about love flashed through my mind, and my eyes softened.

"Are you sick?" I asked worriedly.

"Not according to your sister."

I tensed. "Which one?"

"Violet," he answered, brow furrowing. "She told me this strange feeling would go away if I kissed you."

The way he said it so casually.... it pierced my heart like a kunai. Like it meant absolutely nothing to him.

I swallowed back my dismay and offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry," I said. "She says nonsense quite a lot. If you aren't feeling well, Violet is not the one to consult about it. I'm sure we can find a doctor--"

"It isn't... bad."

"Hmm?"

"The feeling.... isn't bad."

His furrowed brow creased further as he thought, faced turned away from my slightly. I took a moment to think over his words.

Violet told him the strange feeling in his stomach would go away if he.... if he kissed me? Me specifically? I knew she had this fantasy that the two of us would fall in love but.... was she serious about it? And Gaara's feeling....

"Butterflies?" I murmured, for the most part to myself.

I studied Gaara's thoughtful face, and a smile flickered to life on my lips.

Perhaps she wasn't so far off.











Ari's POV

My day with Kiba turned about to be (literally) the best day of my young life. My favorite part? Practicing Taijutsu with him and Akamaru. Because Akamaru and I sent Kiba flying into a pond with our dynamic kicks.

.....I should have apologized for that.....

But it was sweet. That's what I most enjoyed about it. I'd fantasized about a day with Kiba all to myself before, and yet known of those were anything compared to the real thing. I had never in my life been happier.

So of course, it had to come crashing down.

That didn't happen immediately after our day together ended. More like a little bit later. But I'll get to that.

Kiba and I were walking through Konoha. The sun had set a half hour before, and the streets were lit up along shop fronts, lanterns hanging everywhere. A pretty glow was set over the streets and it only added to my "Best Dream I Never, Ever Want To Wake Up From" syndrome.

I still hadn't figured out what he meant earlier when he called me dense. Me? Dense? Pft, yeah right! I was downright sparse!

I feel like I just insulted myself further.

Anyway!

It didn't bother me, not knowing. Cause I got a peck on the cheek by the smexiest Inuzuka in the whole freaking Shinobi world.

I was happy.

Giddy.

Ecstatic.

Bursting with joy.

Lightheaded.

Wait. That one might've been from hunger. Ramen's soooo good. But it isn't filling by any means.

And I was almost murderous when our night was interrupted by Scar of all people.

She came from nowhere and latched onto my arms, pinning me in place. I was this close to cursing her out with a mouth even worse than Hidan's when she said:

"Ari, I need to talk to you. Please."

There was such a deals rating in her voice, I couldn't have said no to her even if she had been interrupting my and Kiba's wedding day.

I was already picturing the ceremony in my mind.

Damn, Kiba would look hot in a tux!

"Er, what's wrong, Scar?" I asked. A flicker of a smile passed over her lips, but she pulled them down into a frown before I could comment on it.

"Something's come up," she said, "and I sincerely need your thoughts on the matter."

Reluctantly, I looked to Kiba imploringly, silently asking for his permission. He grinned and chuckled.

"Family emergency. I get it. Go ahead, Ari, I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, he leaned forward and pecked my cheek again, lingering a moment longer than before, before strolling away with his hands in his pockets. Akamaru trotted along behind him.

I was really glad right then that he didn't see me differently after the Chunin Exams. He wasn't there for Gaara's match but he heard about it and what happened to Lee. But he told me he knew I wasn't like Gaara. And even though it stung to have my friend inadvertently insulted, I'd been grateful. So much so that I glomped him then and there.

Wasn't awkward at all.

"I see that relationship has grown by leaps and bounds."

"Don't ruin the moment, Scar."

She chuckled.

I took a deep breath and turned back to my sister. She looked at me, then at the ground, then to some random spot in the distance, before finally coming back to me. I motioned for her to get on with it, and she bit her lip.

Whoa. Scar was nervous? Was I gonna have to beat somebody's ass?!

"Walk and talk?" I offered. "It's late anyway. Violet's gonna throw a tantrum if we aren't back soon."

She agreed, and we started on our way back to the hotel. Scar stayed silent for a while, absently rubbing her arms. She thought she didn't have a nervous habit like I did, but every so often it showed up. She was anxious over something for sure.

"Does it have anything to do with Gaara?" I asked teasingly. To my surprise, she jumped at his name. 

Oh Lord, this shit was gettin' real!

I clung to her arm like a plucky little kid, grinning at her with enough force to blind someone. She regarded me warily, seeming to regret asking for my advice. Too late! I wasn't gonna back off anytime soon.

"What happened?" I demanded. 

She looked down at me, eyes sparkling at some memory or another. Ooh this was gonna be good, I just knew it!

"Gaara.... he...."

I wouldn't get to hear what exactly he did to make my sister so happy.

The second before the words tumbled from her mouth, the both of us felt ourselves freeze, joints locking up against our will.

Scar breathed a curse. It was pretty foul, and that's coming from me.

"Chakra strings," she hissed to me, catching my eye from the corner of her own. 

"Kankuro....?" I offered weakly, knowing he wouldn't play such a freaky trick on us. He liked to be the center of attention when he messed with us. He wouldn't have hidden himself.

She would've shaken her head, I'm sure, if she'd been able to. But because we were puppets (so not as cool the second time around), she said, "No. Not Kankuro."

"And that leaves...."

We both knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt. 

".....Sasori."