I think its pretty obvious gaara is alive. Mut was just trying to draw out the tards and see who would respond.. anywhoo The shukaku might be released.. which could be the Aka.. yeah plan.. so they can seal it or caputre it then possibly discard the now useless Gaara if they seperate the two entities. and this might continueas they go around collecting more and more of the tails or evil monster huge enemies.. blah blah blah.. I just hope it isnt this predictable.. really.. that would suck ..