Disclaimer: I don't own neither Naruto, nor the songs used in the story.
A/N: This is a sequel to "I don't wanna be in love". Most chapters, probably all, will be inspired by some song or will contain lyrics. I will always name the songs in the beginning of the chapter.
Songs:
Monster by Imagine Dragons in the beginning and in the end of the chapter.
Why'd you only call me when you're high?' by Arctic Monkeys during the Christmas get together.
Scalpel
Chapter one: Mentally unstable
"You think you're god? You think you can save lives? Pff! Don't make me laugh. In a couple of seconds you won't even be able to save yourself." The blonde man said ready to blow up the place.
I'm only a man with a candle to guide me,
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me.
A monster, a monster,
I've turned into a monster,
A monster, a monster,
And it keeps getting stronger.
Being a doctor means being quite familiar with death, with sickness and with suffering. Sakura, now twenty seven and an aspiring cardio-thoracic surgeon, was well aware of all the changes that occurred in the human body once death settled in. She was aware of everything, and somehow, whenever a tragedy happened she managed to distance herself from it, saying that it was just part of her job. The problem appeared when she found herself unable to do so, unable to deal with loss.
She wished she could stay under the hot water coming from her shower forever but she knew that attending the funeral of Chiyo, the former Chief of surgery from Suna Hospital was a way of showing respect and a way of being there for all those who cared for the old woman just as much as she did, or even more. In times like this, in hard times, the spirit of camaraderie, which reigned in SH, could be seen.
Although the young medic had one well deserved free week, she couldn't sleep. She had always been an early riser so it was not much of a surprise but the problem was that she has been tossing and turning for most of the night. She had a lot of respect for the older woman and the fact that she died only served to remind Sakura that no matter how strong one is, no one is invincible.
Making her way to the kitchen, Sakura glanced at her phone to see three missed calls and a text from her boyfriend of seven months, Gaara no Sabaku.
From Gaara:
You didn't answer. Do you need a ride? I can pick you up and we can go together to the funeral.
Gaara was a really though guy and was holding up very well, considering that Chiyo had been an old friend of his deceased father. He was at work, and it would be a bother to him to come all the way to her apartment.
To Gaara:
No, thanks. I'm good. Just took a shower. See you there.
Chiyo had died of old age. The woman lived a somewhat satisfying life, so they really shouldn't be so depressed about her death. She would want them to keep doing what they did best. She would want them to save lives. But it was hard when one of them was down.
As she got to the her car, Sakura remembered how she met Chiyo and everyone from the hospital when she first came to Suna after leaving KHG only two years prior.
"Aunt Tsunade! I'm so happy to see you!"
"Sakura, I'm glad you're here!" The older woman said hugging her niece. "Shizune will be delighted to see you"
Tsunade was one of the best cardio-thoracic surgeons in the country and after Sakura visited her parents who also lived in Suna, she immediately called Tsunade to explain that she had resigned from KHG and needed a job. At first the blonde, honey eyed woman demanded to know why she did so, but seeing it was no use she abandoned the matter.
"First, we'll talk to Chiyo, the chief, in order to secure a position for you."
"How come you are not chief?"
"Too much paperwork. I'm a surgeon, not a manager."
"I see…" You could almost hear the silence, that's how uncomfortable it was. They both knew something was up and Sakura chose to speak. "I don't want a job that's not mine to have just because I'm your niece. I want to play and win fair and square so please tell Dr Chiyo that I'm ready for whatever test she has for me."
"I'm proud of you, Sakura." Tsunade said smiling.
As the sound of the roaring engine died down, Sakura forced herself to stand straight and be strong for those who needed her. She bit back a sob as she remembered how Chiyo had been skeptic of her but in the end was the one person who had more faith in her than anyone else.
"If you can pass my test then you are welcome to stay"
"Thank you!"
"Don't thank me, Haruno! Just wait and see what I have planned for you! You will be performing a surgery with doctor Ukon. Actually, you will be the one telling him what to do. One mistake and you're out. You will find out tomorrow which surgery you'll do."
The old lady was a lot of things, but indulgent was not one of them.
It would be funny how much Sakura had come to care for Chiyo, even though she had been Tsunade's rival. It would be funny if it weren't so sad. Walking through the cemetery, she spotted her red haired lover standing still by a grave.
At first, she didn't want to interrupt him, but then she figured that whatever he was going through, she would be by his side. If he wanted some space, all he had to do was say so and she would step aside. She wanted to be there for him because even though their relationship was far from perfect, it was worth the time and effort.
"Hey…" Sakura greeted him with a shy, sad smile, but it was all se could give. She glanced at the gravestone and saw a name she hadn't heard of before…
Yashamaru
Gaara put his arm around her waist and pulled her gently toward him. "I'm glad you're here. This is my uncle's grave."
"You never told me about him." But that was a pointless thing to say since Gaara never told her anything about his family. She only knew of his older siblings Kankuro and Temari, who she met at the hospital, before she and Gaara became an item.
"There's not much to tell. We should go. The ceremony is about to start."
Figures Gaara would avoid the subject with grace. Although Sakura was sure they cared about each other, she started to believe that she would never get to truly know the man she cared for so deeply. If he would let her in maybe he would be happier. That was all Sakura wanted. For him to be happy.
Everyone from the hospital was present. People she cared deeply about. She laughed and cried and argued with them but they were always there no matter what.
Temari and Kankuro no Sabaku were standing together, faces grim and eyes sad. She never likes seeing them like that.
Dr Sakon was also present. Though she knew he didn't exactly like her and she kinda hated him too, but she was happy to see him there. It showed that he was human.
Another person she could see in the crowd was Shisui Uchiha, a well known plastic surgeon. The man was always so happy. It reminded her of Kiba and not so much of his stoic, younger cousin, Sasuke, a man who she preferred not to think about. Shisui didn't know she had worked with Sasuke before coming to Suna so their relationship was pretty normal. He was the guy who always brought pizza and stuff. He too, looked depressed.
The ceremony started and even though the pink haired medic wanted to pay attention, she couldn't help but remember how she came to work for the admirable woman.
"Dr. Haruno, you're with me today."
The man was gone before she had time to react, so after a second she rushed after him to the operating room to wash up and prepare for the surgery.
When she got inside, she saw the patient. He was a handsome boy, a little younger than her. A victim of a car accident with a spleen rupture. The surgery had to be done right away.
But something wasn't right. There was an awful smell. Directing her attention she saw that Ukon was reeking of alcohol. How can a doctor be so careless? To put a man's life at risk because he couldn't keep himself from drinking? Was the man insane? His hand was trembling whilst holding he scalpel. He wasn't a doctor. E was a murderer.
"I'm not letting you operate this patient." Sakura said as she grabbed his hand.
"Bitch, let me go!"
"Nurse, call someone. This man needs surgery right now!"
"No one is answering!"
"Pressure is dropping!" another nurse yelled.
They were losing the patient. She needed to do something! She remembered learning the steps in med school and assisting Sasuke at two splenectomies. She had to at least open him to buy the surgeon who will operate sometime.
"Scalpel!"
"What do you think you're doing, you little whore?"
"I'm saving his life. Now move!"
Sakura cut the middle of his belly, piercing his skin, right below his ribs.
"Is anyone answering?"
The nurse shook her head in a negative answer and the young woman knew she was on her own. Carefully, not to damage the neighboring organs, Sakura started removing the bleeding spleen from its rightful place.
"No blood clot, no collapsed lung, no hernia and no injury to nearby organs. I'd say this surgery is a success." Sakura said as she closed the patient, skillfully suturing him.
The door suddenly opened and Chiyo walked in. If looks could kill…
The funeral was over and people started leaving. Sakura was one of the first to leave. She just wanted to get home and hopefully get some sleep.
"Are you ok? You don't look very well…"
"I'm just tired. I didn't get much sleep last night."
"I can take a few hours off if you need some company."
"Thanks Gaara, but I think I can manage. How are you, though? I know for a fact that you were close to Chiyo, even if only because she knew your father."
The man gazed at her for a while, his eyes betraying nothing. Then he sighed and put a strand of her hair behind her ear with a gentle, light touch. Feathery touches and soft words were rare for Gaara. He was a badass lawyer who always got what he wanted. In his world, being soft was a weakness, but once in a while, he allowed himself to be weak if that was what Sakura needed.
"I'm fine. It was her time to go. I will go back to work then and call you when I'm done. Try to get some sleep."
Nearing Sakura's car, he grabbed her hand and gave her a light, but firm squeeze. Sakura turned to him and was surprised when he kissed her forehead. It was times like this when she knew that Gaara was really a kind man, despite his reputation and somewhat cold demeanor.
It wasn't long until Sakura pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex. She got out of the car and started walking towards her flat, even though she felt like she wanted to curl into a ball right there and sleep on the cold pavement. When she finally got into her own bed, she found that she couldn't sleep though she was dead tired. She remembered how she met Gaara about two years ago.
After the stunt he pulled, Ukon was fired immediately and Sakura was hired. Needless to say, Chiyo had been terrified when she walked in and saw Sakura finishing the surgery. She immediately called the hospital's lawyer and asked him to take care of the legal matters.
"We're lucky that today is Friday and he is in Suna. He is co-CEO at a renewed law firm in Konoha and stays there for the rest of the week. You can go to him now to sign the contract. Second floor, room 23."
"Thank you, Chiyo."
"No, Haruno. Thank you for stopping Ukon from tarnishing this hospital's reputation. But mind my words, you weren't right to operate even if you were succesfull. You weren't employed here and you're just an intern. Another stunt like that and I won't hesitate to fire you."
"Yes, ma'am."
The lawyer was a very handsome young man about her age. He had red hair, a little darker than her strawberry blonde and green eyes just a shade darker than her own.
"Hello! I'm Haruno Sakura and Chiyo sent me here to sign a contract."
"Yes. Sign here."He replied without looking at her.
The girl signed where had indicated before shooting him another glance and got out of his office as soon as possible. He wasn't exactly all sunshine and rainbows.
By the time the sun set, Sakura gave up on her wishes of sleep. She didn't know what to do or say. When someone dies, even someone who was just a teacher to her, everything seems pointless. Opening the door of her fridge, she realized it was empty. She would have to refill it tomorrow. She would order something for the evening.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a soft click coming from her front door. She didn't know why, but she was just frozen in her position. For the first time in a very long time, she felt fear. Her mind was working at high speed but her body was trembling. Why was she shaking? Why couldn't she move?
She could hear footsteps going in the opposite direction of the kitchen toward her bedroom and then the sound of a door opening. There were a few moments of silence and then the intruder started coming towards the kitchen. By the time the door opened Sakura managed to grab a knife, although she knew it would be a futile attempt of protecting herself since it took her a few minutes just to muster the courage of picking up the sharp object.
"Sakura? What are you doing?"
"Gaara?" As she saw her boyfriend she realized she was just paranoid and ran to him engulfing him in a strong hug. It was a good thing he was strong, otherwise she would have tackled him to the floor. She forgot that she had given him the key to her apartment two weeks prior.
He was surprised by her antics and didn't return the unexpected hug. "I thought someone broke into my house." Was the short explanation.
Gaara seemed to understand since he gently put his muscular arms around her and held her close until her shaking stopped. He saw that his girlfriend was going through a lot and he, as a responsible boyfriend, had to do something. Too bad, he wasn't particularly good at this kind of things so the only thing he could do was hold her and say that he brought pizza. Nevertheless, for Sakura, that was more than enough.
As the two of them lay in bed, the girl realized that her bed was warmer and more welcoming now that he was there. He was a good man and he valued her opinions even though he didn't make it blatantly obvious. He was quiet but he knew when to speak up. She remembered how he listened to her and left his one-word sentences at home when she took him to meet her parents two months before. Or how he left his position as CEO in Konoha and opened his own private practice in Suna so they could spend more time together. It was nice to have someone to rely on. As she was dozing off, she remembered the beginning of their relationship.
It had been a month after Chiyo had hired her and the young medic wasn't exactly everyone's favorite person. No one knew where she had come from and how she got the job. All they knew was that she was Tsunade's niece. A new patient came in that day and they were still debating how to approach the problem.
Fed up with their attitude, Sakura needed to escape and practically hid in a room she thought to be unoccupied. It was actually a huge room in which the records of the hospital were kept. After she slammed the door shut, she saw the red haired lawyer looking through a box of documents. Now that was just great. She just had a fight with his older brother, Kankuro who was an orthopedic surgeon and she didn't feel like arguing with another one of the Sabaku siblings. His older sister, Temari was already after her neck.
"I didn't know there was someone here. I'll leave."
"I found what I was looking for. You can stay." Sakura thought the ice block must've had a really good day to speak so much.
"You must think I'm some kind of silly girl playing doctor, don't you? That I'm here because I'm Tsunade's niece…But let me tell you something. You know nothing about me."
"I don't care how you got here. As long as you're doing your job, it's none of my business."
"Oh. So you just don't care?"
"It's not my job to do so. But here's a piece of advice. Hiding in the closet won't do you any good. If you are a capable doctor, go out there and prove it."
"How can I prove anything if no one is listening to what I have to say? Everyone already labeled my ideas as stupid. They never heard a word of what I said."
"Perhaps you have to speak up for yourself until they listen." And with that he was gone, leaving Sakura to tend to her wounds as one would say.
After she calmed down she decided to go back to the doctor's room and at least be present when they criticized her and her idea. She would be strong because there was no one else to be strong for her anymore.
When she got there everyone was silent. As she took her seat she saw that everyone was looking over the plan she had made.
"Dr. Haruno, we looked over your suggestion and I think it is a good method of operating. We will present both options to the man and he will choose. Good job with coming up with a plan, though. Most interns don't do that."
"Thank you, sir." Sakura couldn't help but stare in awe at Kankuro who just spoke to her the longest sentence since they met. Maybe she would survive in Suna, after all.
The sun was rising. Gaara was looking at the girl sleeping peacefully in his arms. It was hard to believe that just a few hours before she was standing in the kitchen with what was probably the biggest knife she found ready to stab the intruder.
He was well aware that the stress had caught up with her. All the work and the extra hours she put in to prove her worth were taking a toll on her. Now Chiyo's death was also disturbing her very much. She couldn't get her rest and she was always up tight nowadays.
Maybe what they both needed was a weekend off. Going somewhere, just the two of them. Of course, it would be hard to leave the hospital. He was in charge temporary, since the chief had died, but Temari could take over for two days.
Wasting no time, he got out of bed and started making preparations.
When Sakura woke, she found Gaara in the kitchen with a cup of coffee hovering over some papers that she thought to be some legal documents from the hospital. Imagine her surprise when she saw hat they were actually offers regarding vacation destinations.
"What s that?"
"I spoke with Temari and she said she would take over for me for two fays. I was thinking of the two of us spending the weekend somewhere at the beach."
First, the pink haired woman was incredibly surprised. Even though they were together for awhile now, they never eloped before. It was a nice change. After recovering from her mini shock, she grinned widely for the first time in a long time.
"When do we leave?"
Sakura was checking to be sure she didn't leeve anything behind as Gaara was putting the luggage in his car. Their mini vacation was like heaven. They laid on the beach letting the sun pour down on them, drank colorful cocktails and bathed in the sea. Sakura just didn't want to leave. She knew they both had responsibilities back in Suna and they had to return. But she loved her job, so why did she have the nagging feeling that it was a bad thing to do?
"I'm ready."
"Good." Gaara said as she eyed her carefully. He then extended his hand to her and led her away from the car.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see." Her boyfriend said smiling at her with pride creeping in his heart. She was smiling and laughing. Her skin wasn't pale anymore but had a healthy glow, while her cheeks had a slight blush that reminded him of how careless she was when they began dating. Before the hospital encountered major financial problems and before so many tragedies happened in town so that most patients were beyond salvation. She was happy and all because of him.
The two of them slowly made their way on the beach, feeling the warm breeze on their skin and trying to memorize the nice feeling. They would need to remember the nice moments when they got back home. A little sample of paradise.
"I had a really nice time. I'm glad we came here. Thank you, Gaara."
Said man gazed into his lover's green eyes and wanted to say that they didn't need to leave just yet, that they could stay a little longer, but he knew he couldn't. He didn't even notice how close they were until the tips of their noses slightly touched. It was light, like a feather. Sakura was lost in a trance as she slowly and hesitantly brushed her lips upon his.
Normally, Gaara was the one to initiate anything physical since Sakura was still too shy. He sometimes thought she was afraid of him. He certainly would not blame her as he gave her numerous reasons for that. It was a nice change that she took matters into her own hands for once. It was probably not going to happen again in the nearby future so he decided to enjoy it while he had the chance.
The redhead slowly moved to reciprocate the kiss. They were barely touching but both of them knew how much emotion this light kiss carried. They had come so far in the past few months. From strangers to people who cared deeply about each other. Could Sakura hope that what they felt was true love? Their relationship started quite normally, no major obstacles to overcome, no people who wanted to keep them apart, but maybe that was how it was supposed to be. Maybe love was supposed to be easy.
Life was already hard enough.
Gaara was driving. It was already night and it was raining hard. From time to time lightning cut the dark, empty sky in half followed by the violent sound of thunder disturbed the calm silence.
The calm and majestic atmosphere from earlier had died the moment Sakura fell asleep in the passenger seat to his right. He realized how happy the sight of her lovely smile and the soft sound of her laughter made him.
Gaara decided there and then that he would always be there for her no matter what. Maybe he wasn't the perfect boyfriend, laughing and cuddling with her every morning before going to work. Maybe he couldn't do that because he was cold and somewhat twisted, but he could always think about her best interests and act accordingly no matter what.
He cold always be by her side, one way or another. He never thought he would come to care so much about Sakura. She surely had a way of winning everyone's hearts, including his.
Gaara walked in the bar near the hospital. His black, leather jacket had raindrops all over it and the sight of his wet hair was evidence as to how hard it was pouring outside. It was annoying that it was raining. Not that he cared very much but Kankuro would never stop complaining about how it should be sowing during this time of the year.
It was three days before Christmas and everyone from the hospital was having a little get together. It became a tradition over the years. Everyone would allow themselves a moment to relax and have a few drinks.
Taking a seat at the table, he ordered a glass of scotch. He really didn't like these gatherings very much, but even he couldn't take the constant blabbing of his two annoying and persistent siblings, so he had to show up at least for half an hour.
"Hey there, little brother!"
"Kankuro, where is Temari?"
"Probably somewhere being all lovey-dovey with some no name guy. I tell you, that Nara guy was good for her even though I didn't really like him at first. Too bad they got divorced."
"Are you drunk?"
"Ah, my dear friend, you see, 'drunk' is such a vague word. I'm afraid it has been raped of it's meaning. You say drunk, you think of a lunatic who can't even make a difference between his ass and his right foot, like Shisui. That guy is totally wasted. I say drunk and I think of a man who decided to strip of this society's rigid, uncomfortable norms and allow himself a moment of pure lucidity. One can only truly se the world he moment he opens his third eye. The eye of the mind, heart and soul."
"Forget I asked. I forgot that of all the types of drunks in the world, you had to be the poetic one."
"Hey, look! There's Sakura!"
Gaara swore he was going to kill Kankuro someday. It was a wonder the said girl didn't hear him since everyone else obviously had. Good thing his best friend wasn't there helping Kankuro make a fool out of himself. From what he heard from Kankuro, the raven haired doctor must have gone home due to his alcohol intoxication.
"And?"
"And she's hot."
"So? I thought you said she was just some spoiled brat who didn't know shit."
"That wouldn't make her any less hot as Uchiha would say. And I may have been wrong about her. She's pretty nice, even though she's kinda shy. And she does know shit. Actually she's a pretty good doc. Saved our asses a couple of times in the past few weeks with her ideas. I swear, I don't know how she gets them. It's like she pulls them out of that pretty ass of hers."
"Kankuro…"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I should probably get home…"
"I'll call you a cab."
"No, thanks. I could use a little fresh air. Hey, why don't you go talk to Sakura? It's been a while since you got some, right?"
"Not funny, Kankuro."
"Ah, yes. I forgot about that sultry nurse who got her ass fired a two weeks ago."
"Kankuro."
"Hey, I don't judge your one night stands. But why don't you try something more…classy for a change? Plus, you talked to Sakura before, so you're already friends."
"We're not friends. Go home, you're drunk."
"Sure thing, grandma."
Ignoring Kankuro, Gaara returned his attention to his glass. Then it slipped to the pink haired doctor. True thing, in the past year that she had worked for Suna Hospital they talked a couple of times, though he wouldn't call her his friend.
As his eyes paid more attention to her appearance, he saw that she was quite attractive. The simple, black, short dress she wore revealed more things than her blue scrubs and white coat usually did. She had creamy, slim but muscled legs. Pretty long for her height. He was facing her back. Her naked back for that since the dress revealed in that way some skin. Her long hair managed to cover that up fairly well, reaching her small waist.
To tell the truth he wanted to ask her out a couple of times but something always came up in Konoha at the law firm. Plus, she was a woman who needed to be wooed but he didn't really have time for that. Taking one more sip from his drink, he decided that he could at least say hello, since they were colleagues.
"Having fun?"
"Gaara! Hey! I had a good time, but it's getting late and I was thinking about going home." Indeed, she had had a good time but she was tired. She couldn't understand what possessed the handsome lawyer to talk to her.
They had talked before but only when he felt like it and it irked her. She really didn't have time to care for a emotionally constipated man who couldn't work for a relationship with a woman like her. She knew she was worth more work than simply being taken to some cheap motel after some bastard gathered enough courage by gulping down a few drinks.
"Why do you want to leave now that I'm here?"
"Why are you here only after you got some alcohol in your system? Will that be your excuse for not showing up again for a couple of weeks?"
"I'm not drunk."
"Oh…" True to hid word, Gaara was not even tipsy and Sakura knew that. She couldn't believe that she was lecturing this well accomplished lawyer like he was a five year old boy. What had gotten into her?
Perhaps it was the stress.
"I'm sorry. I know. I shouldn't have said that. I kinda snapped at the wrong person."
"Don't worry. You taking a cab home?"
"No, I live nearby and I could use a little walk."
"I'll walk you home then."
"There's no need to. I can manage."
"It's 1 AM. It's not quite a safe for you to be walking alone."
"Oh. Then, thank you."
The two of them chatted about the hospital all the way to Sakura's apartment. She was right. The walk had been short and Gaara found himself wanting to prolong the conversation, but he didn't because he knew Sakura was tired from work.
She didn't invite him in, but he had a feeling that she would do so pretty soon.
Monday showed up soon. That little bastard was too early if you asked Sakura. She turned to wake her boyfriend only to find that he wasn't there. He probably left to his house during the night since he didn't have any clothes at her place.
She hurried to fix up her breakfast, wondering how long it would be until Chiyo was replaced and Gaara could go back to being a part-time legal representative of the hospital, working one day a week at SH and the rest in his private practice. She wold miss seeing him at work all the time. She briefly wondered if Tsunade would finally give in and take the job.
Not wasting anymore time, she took a shower and got dressed, then started walking to the hospital. She had an early surgery with Tsunade programmed that morning. About two weeks after she came to Suna she saw just haw entertaining cardio-thoracic surgery was and she was lucky Tsunade was willing to teach her.
Ever since I could remember,
Everything inside of me,
Just wanted to fit in (oh oh oh oh)
"Tsunade, do you have a moment?"
"I have a surgery."
"I know. Sakura can start without you."
"Gaara, we already spoke about this."
"Please just come to my office for a second."
Tsunade sighed and gave the papers in her arms to the nurse who was walking with her. "Tell Sakura I'll be there in a moment and that she can start."
"Make it quick, Gaara."
"Tsunade, be reasonable. If you don't take this position, who will?"
"You're pleading with me now? Never thought I'd live to see the day."
"You are the best for the job."
"Why is that?"
"Because you're the best doctor we got."
"We have a lot of good doctors here."
"Yeah, we do. Sakura is a good surgeon but she isn't even thirty. She wouldn't know do what to do if she had to run a hospital by herself. Same goes for Shizune, Kankuro, Temari or any other doctor who works at SH. They do not have your experience."
"Then bring someone who has experience. I don't care about paperwork. I'm a surgeon, I cut things. I use a scalpel not a pen."
"Who do you want to hire? Do you know someone fit for the job? Someone we could trust? Because I don't. And to tell you the truth, the hospital isn't exactly in it's time of glory. We need to make things better and I think you're the right person for that. I'll even help with the paperwork."
"Why would you do that? Why do you care?"
"Because the people I care about care about this Hospital. My brother and sirter work here. Sakura works here and made a name for herself here. She works really hard and I don't want to take that away from her."
I was never one for pretenders,
Everything I tried to be,
Just wouldn't settle in (oh oh oh oh)
Tsunade's eyes softened and she wanted to say something but couldn't because she was interrupted by a loud explosion from above her.
If I told you what I was,
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous,
Would you be scared?
"What was that?" Tsunade said, her eyes widening as she stared at the ceiling.
"Tsunade! Snap out of it! Where was Sakura supposed to operate?"
"Room number five. Right above us."
Gaara paled and started running like his life depended on it. Tsunade was on his tail and they both got there soon.
The room was no more. The patient and and the nurse inside were thrown to the ground, dead. Sakura was not there. Gaara and Tsunade started resuscitating them, hoping to save their lives.
I get the feeling just because,
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me
"What the hell?"
"Kankuro! What's going on?"
"I don't know, Temari. Have you seen Gaara?"
"He was supposed to talk with Tsunade."
"We have to find them. And we have to get everyone out of here. It's not safe."
"Isn't that Sakura in the main hall near the entrance? I seems that she already started evacuating everyone."
Sakura Haruno was indeed struggling to get everyone out as soon as possible. The main hall was a spacious place with stairs, elevators and the waiting room. People came here because they wanted to leave and this way of access was the one everyone knew. The two siblings ran to her aid and to find out what was happening.
"Sakura, what's going on?"
"Room 5 just exploded. I was supposed to operate there with Tsunade. A nurse told me that Gaara and Tsunade got there and are taking care of the victims. We have to hurry and get everyone out. It might have been a one time accident but we can't take any chances."
People were scared. They were running to the exit. Everyone was in a hurry to get out but they were just blocking each other's way. It was hell on earth. The three doctors got out as many people as they could but it was hard to control the crowd when everyone was going crazy.
Another boom was heard and Kankuro only managed to get Temari and Sakura out of the way before the falling ceiling crushed them.
"That was close!" Temari said as she got to her feet.
"Thank you, Kankuro."
"No problem, Sakura."
"We have to help the people stuck under what's left of the ceiling…"
"Yeah, let me call Shisui first so that we can-"
"Good day ladies and gentleman. I suggest you move away from doors and windows if you wish to prolong you're pitiful existence. Heed my words or I will start killing you in the must brutal of ways."
"Where is that voice coming from?"
"The speakers. It's clear that this is no accident. It's a damn attack." Sakura answered Temari after regaining her composure.
"Does that mean that he is in the chief's office?"
"Not necessarily. He could be anywhere if he has the microphone from Chiyo's drawer."
"How do you know that?" Kankuro asked Sakura.
"It's not exactly a secret. You should pay more attention to what's happening around you."
"Don't say I didn't warn you" the sickening sweet voice said through the speakers.
"We should do what he says. We don't know what he'll blow up next."
"3…2…"
And then gun shots were heard and people started screaming and running. The three doctors made their way to the stairs. The shooter had been somewhere above but he couldn't be seen anymore. Soon they met up with Uchiha Shisui.
"I was in the conference room but I heard everything. Are you guys hurt?"
Shisui could see that his friends were unharmed though a little shocked.
"We're fine. We have to stop him somehow."
"Where's Gaara? Has anyone called the police?"
Just as Uchiha was thinking about this, the sound of numerous explosions resonated in the hospital.
"Say goodbye to your precious operating rooms. Next target: the third floor" The voice said again followed by maniacal laughter.
"Shit! He's blowing up the hospital! We've got to find him. He must be somewhere on the first or the second floor in order to talk through the speakers. Let's split up. Sakura and I take the first floor. Temari and Kankuro, second. The nurses will take care of the people here."
The four of them nodded and followed Shisui's orders, hoping that everyone was still alive.
"Tsunade! Tsunade, stop! She's dead!"
Shizune tried to calm the older woman. The victims didn't survive the explosion and they couldn't stay there any longer as it wasn't safe. Gaara looked at the shocked woman and was worried about Sakura and his family.
"We got to get to the others. To make sure they are safe."
Wordlessly, Tsunade and Shizune followed Gaara down the stairs and to the main hall. When they got there, they found Sakon with a first aid kit.
"Kankuro, Shisui, Temari and Sakura went to find this lunatic. We can't stand and wait for him to blow this place up. The police can't come in. If they make a move, we're all done for."
"Why would someone be doing this?"
"This man is not mentally stable, Shizune. He probably didn't blow the whole place out because he wants to attract more media coverage. Sakon is right. We can't wait for him to decide that it is time for us to die."
"Yes. Tsunade, you and Shizune help Sakon. These people are deadly injured. I'll look for the madman and I'll also find the others."
"No, I'll come with you."
"I's not safe."
"I am chief now. What I say, goes."
There was no arguing with the blonde woman as she made her way up the stair. Gaara groaned and followes her. At least she knew where Sakura's stubbornness came from.
Shizune also started following them, but Gaara decided to keep his mouth shut for once.
A loud explosion interrupted his thoghts. The third floor was gone. "We've got to hurry."
"Hey, does anyone want some coffee? Oh, wait! The cafeteria was on the third floor which I just blew up. Ups. My bad. No worries, second floor is next."
Sakura was running like her life depended on it, which it did. She convinced Shisui that she would be fine alone and that she would call him the moment she felt something suspicious. They split up in order to cover more ground. So far she didn't find anything.
"Sakura!"
The pink haired medic turned to see Temari. "We found a bomb on the second floor and we deactivated it. Good luck we got there in time or we'd be dead. There has to be a bomb here too. Come on, I know what to do if we find it."
They searched the rooms but found no explosives, though there was a weird smell.
"Temari, do you smell that?"
"Yeah. I think it's gasoline…."
"That means if he succeeds in detonating something here, the whole building will be on fire."
"My god…"
Gaara and Tsunade found Shisui and Kankuro hovering over something.
"Where are the girls?"
"Gaara! Don't scare me like that. I'm trying to deactivate this bomb."
"What?"
"Temari showed me how. She's somewhere on this floor, probably with Sakura."
Seeing Gaara's angry glare, Shisui decided to intervene and told him that they had to split to cover more ground.
"At first I was with and Sakura and Kankuro with Temari, but things got out of hand."
"Do you smell that?" said Tsunade scrunching her nose. The others tried to sense what she had been talking about.
"It's gasoline! He wants to kill us all."
It was Sakura's scared voice that answered the question. Gaara didn't waste a moment and pulled her petite form in his arms, mouthing a 'thank you' to his older sister for bringing her safe to him.
"So you think you're smart? Getting rid of the bombs didn't do you any good. You are only avoiding the inevitable. Why don't you come to the main hall so we can finally meet."
"He's downstairs? Everyone is probably there…" Shisui said rubbing his chin.
"It's better that we do what he says. I have a feeling he is not a very patient man."
Everyone looked at Kiba and realized that he was telling the truth.
"And yet we need a plan. I say we split up. Here are many stairs. Someone will distract his attention and the others will try to overpower him."
"I'll be the distraction and I'll take the main stairs. Shizune, Temari and Sakura should go with Shisui from the left and Kankuro and Gaara will take the other two staircases. We'll surround him."
"You can't go alone, Tsunade. I want to come with you."
"No, Sakura, if he's going to shoot me than you can't do anything if you're with me."
She wanted to protest. The thought of leaving her aunt alone with that monster was terrifying, but she knew Tsunade was right.
Sakura saw the man. He had long, blonde hair tied in a ponytail. It was the only thing that made his appearance light as he was clad in jet-black pants and a black shirt. The fingernails of his long, slim fingers were also painted black. Sakura saw that Gaara and Kankuro were getting closer and closer but at a very slow pace, careful not to attract attention. The man had a gun in one hand and a grenade in the other.
"I'm here." The older medic said whilst climbing down the stairs.
"So you finally decided to show up? I was getting bored. Where are the others?"
"Not here."
"I can see that lady! Now where are they?"
"What business do you have with them? I'm in charge, so let's settle this between us."
The man was turning red from anger. The damn bitch thought she could outsmart him. Well, he'll just have to show her that it was he who had the upper hand.
Everyone stood still as he started grinning out of the blue. Without another word, he lifted the gun and started shooting Tsunade.
Everything happened in slow motion. He elegantly arched his right arm toward the woman and slipped his finger on the trigger, the sick grin never leaving his face. Two bullets left the metallic object and made their way towards Sakura's aunt. Then she crumbed lifelessly to the floor as blood started pouring around her fallen body.
A sharp, desperate scream rippled through the air attracting the criminal's attention, as Shizune's knees gave out. Temari caught her in the last moment and they held her as they both sat on the ground.
"Oh, the great doc is having a panic attack? How sad… How utterly pathetic. Now, which one of you is next?"
Sakura felt like her world had been pulverized before her very eyes. The sight of the woman she wholeheartly admired laying on the cold floor made her tremble. Shizune wasn't the only one having a panic attack, but Sakura was to terrified to blink.
"How about you, handsome? Hm? You wanna die next? You seem kinda familiar. Do you happen to be related to an old friend of mine, Itachi?"
Shisui's eyes widened a small fraction. Everyone missed it, except for Sakura who, to her dismay, heard everything ten times more louder, saw everything a hundred times more clearer and couldn't smell anything else but Tsunade's blood invading her nostrils.
The Uchiha didn't get a chance to reply as he was shot in the head three times.
Sakura thought she would go deaf any moment as her eyes widened. She couldn't believe something like this could be happening to her. Just a day before she had been walking on the beach with Gaara. He was holding her hand and everything was so perfect.
She felt her fingernails cut through her palm as she squeezed her fists. She found herself talking to him, even though her voice was but a shy whisper.
"Why are you doing this?"
"What's that? Speak up, little one!"
"Why are you doing this?!"
"For art."
"I don't understand…"
"Of course you don't. How could you? How could anyone of you single minded idiots understand the true beauty of art? The elegance of explosion."
As he said those words he made a move to detonate the grenade, but Sakura's sharp voice made him pause a moment.
"Are you insane? Are you calling this mass murder art?"
"I don't care about the killing. It's about the explosion. Just think about it, little one. A human can live about seventy years, can he not? Look at this small thing in my hand. It's action will only last a second, but a second is enough to take away all those years."
"But don't you have people that you care about? Don't you value human life?"
"No, kid. I don't. I value blowing things up."
"That's because you've never done what I do every day. You didn't see the joy in a child's eyes the moment he founds out that his mother would live to see another day, to hold his hand once more as she walks him to school and to give him another goodnight kiss before he falls asleep…"
"You're just as stupid as the others! You think I care? I don't! I hate kids! I hate mothers! And I hate you. You doctors think you got everything figured out, don't you? You think you're god? You think you can save lives? Pff! Don't make me laugh. In a couple of seconds you won't even be able to save yourself." The blonde man said ready to blow up the place.
But he was wrong. Sakura knew that. They were not god. They were just people, but they helped others. And he was wrong about killing them all. He wouldn't do it.
He wouldn't do it because they wouldn't let him. Before he made another move, Gaara immobilized snatching the gun from him and Kankuro removed the grenade from his hand.
Haruno Sakura was barely breathing. She had seen death taking a stroll in front of her eyes. Hell! She didn't even know if her aunt and one of her friends were still alive.
Gaara was holding her hand as she gave the police officer her statement. The victims had been transported to nearby hospitals. Tsunade and Shisui were taken to Konoha General Hospital with the helicopter. The young medic had nearly lost it when she heard that she couldn't leave with them and refused to talk to the police. Gaara succeeded in coaxing the declaration out of her after the police officer promised that he would drive them to Konoha after they were done.
As she neared the police car, with Gaara close behind her, watching her every step, afraid that she would fall to the ground and break in tiny pieces, she couldn't help but think that it wasn't fair. No one deserved to take part in what had happened at the hospital. She didn't deserve to take part in it.
She was supposed to be happy with Gaara. But how could she ever feel something remotely close to happiness after she saw the bloodbath that resulted from a maniac's wrath.
A/N: Sakura and Gaara's relationship was supposed to be dysfunctional, but I managed to make them the couple of the year instead. Will Sasuke stand a chance in front of their love? This sounded so cheesy, I know, but I will not let my dear story become cheesy.
There were a lot of flashbacks in this chapter fosr us to see how Sakura spent her last two years in Suna. I am not saying there will not be any flashbacks from now on, but I will certainly try to lessen them.
I really hope you like this fic and that you like the songs that I proposed in the beginning of the chapter. I just fell in love with the song 'Why'd you only call me when you're high' by Arctic Monkeys.
This is a GaaSasuSaku fanfiction and I want to know what you think about it, so please review.
Marie Blubert