The next morning, Sakura woke with a start, sweat pouring down her body. She sat up, pink hair lurching from her shoulders. Her chest heaved as her breaths came in shallow gasps. The dream she had just experienced had been the most vivid and bloody she had ever seen. Sakura could still feel the heat of fire growing in intensity until it was painful. She could see the body parts strewn around the area, blood coating the ground and flowing like a river. Sakura had seen massacre before yet that dream made her want to vomit. As the images of the nightmare faded, Sakura got to her feet on shaky legs and swallowed. Some breakfast and a nice dip in the river nearby would help her forget about that dream. The young woman placed a Transformation Jutsu, a disguise different from the one she had used to infiltrate the Sound. At least she could confirm that Hideki worked for Orochimaru, but has for where the snake ninja was, they were still no closer to finding out.
Sakura fingered the wavy royal blue hair framing her face before reaching out her chakra to check the area for any other ninjas. When she detected nothing, the kunoichi grabbed her pack and exited her cave. The air was humid, but much cooler due to the lack of light. The sun was just peaking over the horizon, still shadowed by the thick foliage. An orange hue was making its way across the forest floor. Birds were awake and chirping their morning songs. Sakura could hear insects as she made her way through the brush. The distant call of animals echoed around her. It was clear why it was called the Sound Village.
Soon, the sound of water reached her ears and Sakura scanned her environment once again for anyone who could be out to kill her. There was a tiny chakra she noticed, but she bet it was a small animal. Sakura sat cross-legged, placed a hand on her thigh, and pulsated chakra into the injury from yesterday. She healed some, but didn't have enough energy to restore her leg. Exhaustion crept over her and the medic Nin remembered she needed food and water. It would give her the strength necessary to heal her back wound. As if on cue, her stomach grumbled. Sakura reached into her pack and pulled out a bag of blueberries and some wrapped smoked fish she grabbed during her infiltration. Sakura popped a blueberry in her mouth and relished the juices flowing over her tongue.
As she continued to eat the delicious fruit, the female's mind wandered to that crimson haired guy claiming to be a One. It was true, his skills were incredible, but he could just be a strong ninja. What was his name again? Gaarr, Gandalf? No, that wasn't it. Sakura racked her brain trying to remember his name, but it had slipped her memory. No doubt he would find her again. A sour expression crossed Sakura's face. What lunatic confronts a stranger and claims they are their protector? Not only that, she was not an incompetent ninja. The Team Seven member was beyond her teenage weakness that hindered her teammates. Ever since then, she trained hard and had become one of the strongest kunoichi save her predecessor Lady Tsunade. Sure, she had gotten herself into a bind, but that was her own fault for being too forward with her questioning. Lesson learned.
Sakura unwrapped her fish and took a bite. The meat was cold and chewy from sitting overnight, but the smoky flavor was undeniable. While she chewed, Sakura decided that this guy was a nut job and a dangerous one at that. She didn't miss the murderous look gleaming in his eyes as he ripped apart those ninjas. There was also hatred burning in those teal orbs. He might hold to his "I have to protect you" nonsense and wouldn't hurt her, but optimism in the ninja world got you killed. After breakfast, Sakura shed her clothes and stepped into the gentle current. The water made goosebumps rise on her skin, but it was comforting. She cleaned up and got dressed again. Sakura needed to home and brief the Hokage, but the ninja tensed when she identified chakra nearby. The bushes moved and her hand went to the kunai strapped to her hip. A bunny jumped out and Sakura sighed with relief.
"You had me on edge for a second there, little guy."
The small animal hopped towards her, one long ear cocked towards her voice. Its tiny pink nose twitched as it checked her out. After a few moments, Sakura's eyebrows furrowed. A white rabbit in the middle of the forest during this time of year? White rabbits were only in this area during the winter. Something didn't smell right and Sakura jumped back and pulled out a kunai.
"Alright, show yourself!" she shouted.
"Superb, my dear child."
The bunny changed and there stood Hideki Takahashi smiling at her. Sakura's heart beat faster. He brushed his wavy ebony hair over his shoulder and gave her a seductive look. Grey orbs glanced over her and the woman felt as if her skin was crawling.
"This new disguise is more... exotic," he said in his sultry voice. "Why don't you show me what you really look like, hmm?"
"Why don't you tell me where Orochimaru is," Sakura countered, moving into her fight stance.
A deep chuckle emitted from her pursuer's mouth. "I'm sure you know Orochimaru changes hideouts every few weeks to avoid people finding him. We do business that's it."
That was a true statement. Orochimaru wouldn't tell anyone other than those traveling with him of his location. That meant her entire mission had been a bust unless this man was lying. It wouldn't hurt to bring him into custody and have the best interrogator Ibiki try his hand at gaining information.
"I'm not so sure you're being honest so you're coming with me!"
Sakura threw the kunai, and it surprised her when it deflected and returned at her full speed. She dodged it with ease, but what the hell just happened?
"How do you like my ninjutsu?" Hideki questioned, a smile still wide across his slender face. "I may not be a ninja, but I still have tricks up my sleeve. It reflects anything thrown at me back at the person who threw it."
"Well, we'll just have to do this hand to hand," Sakura responded as she launched herself at her opponent. A well-aimed punch collided with the invisible shield and she got thrown back across the wide river. Sakura felt the wind knocked out of her when she slammed into a tree. Searing pain coursed from the injury in her back and Sakura got to her knees, trying to regain her breath.
"You seem like a smart girl," the criminal mocked, "but I suppose not. Did you think physical attacks would not also deflect?"
Sakura couldn't believe she didn't think of that. She needed tact with this man to defeat him. The shield would cover all sides depending on which she attacked. Was it possible for him to counter multiple attacks at once? Maybe she could try an even more powerful physical attack and break the barrier. Sakura didn't have much time to plan out her battle strategy as her opponent flashed his fingers through hand signs.
"Wind Style: Cyclone Razor Blades!"
Sakura dodged majority of the attack, but one nicked her arm. She skidded to a halt in front of Hideki for half a second before launching a frontal attack. She pressed hard using a large amount of chakra against the shield. Hideki's barrier was weakening. It seemed Hideki also picked up on the same thing and Sakura reached down to stop a kunai from spearing through her stomach. Now they were at a standstill; whoever lost power first would lose. As hard as the female pressed against the barrier with her right fist, she was having to put as much force to stop the weapon from injuring her.
Dammit, if I let go, I may not gain the upper hand.
Sakura was wracking her brain thinking of what she should do. It pissed her off because she could mop the floor with him at her full strength. Genjutsu may work, but she would have to perform hand signs. She wouldn't have enough chakra to hold genjutsu and her transformation jutsu at the same time. Beryl orbs moved to the ground where she noticed sand was creeping towards Hideki. Was it that guy again? She searched and noticed familiar red hair. His arms stayed crossed over his chest, just like they had been the day before. A blank expression was on his pale face.
Gaara...
"What's this?!" Hideki exclaimed as he looked down at his feet once the sand had locked around his ankles.
Sakura broke their standoff and jumped back just as the sand wrapped its way around Hideki's torso.
Shit, Gaara may kill him and there goes a possible lead.
"Wait!" Sakura shouted. "Would you back off?! I'm taking him back to my village so don't kill him!"
Gaara turned his cold stare at the woman who had shouted at him and she noticed the iciness behind it. For a moment, she was sure he would kill the man anyway, but instead, he replied, "Fine. What now?"
Putting him in genjutsu was out of the question due to how much chakra she had spent during her battle. Sakura needed to tie him with chakra enhanced ropes. She would still have to contact her summoning animal to carry her prisoner. She would tie Hideki up first. Sakura moved over to her pack, pulled out a rope, and sifted her chakra through it. She also pulled out a cloth she had used to bathe with earlier. She needed to cover his eyes as well just in case he had another jutsu up his sleeve. Sakura walked over to Hideki and tied the still damp cloth over his eyes. She wanted to smack the shit out of him when she saw the smile break over his face, knowing he was enjoying the scent of her soap. Stupid pervert. A shrill whistle echoed through the air and Sakura detected at least twelve more chakras. She whirled around just as a group of ninjas clad in green surrounded them. Why hadn't she been able to sense them before?
"Ready to face my little army?" Hideki questioned. "You didn't think I would come alone did you?"
Each of the ninja pulled out two sets of shuriken and Sakura's muscle tensed, ready to dodge the weapons. Before the new foes could throw their shuriken, Gaara's sand moved like lightning and took each one out. When he administered killing blows, the men disappeared in a cloud of smoke. When they were all gone, Sakura knocked Hideki unconscious so he couldn't pull any more tricks.
She turned to face Gaara. "Thanks for the help I guess, but you need to stop following me. It's creepy."
"As I have told you, I must protect you for five years," Gaara answered as his sand returned to him. "You are the last mortal I have to guard."
Last one he had to guard? What the hell did that mean? Was this guy loose up top? Not only did he think he was a One, but he believed he had to protect her from danger?
"No thanks. I can handle myself."
"That does not seem true based on yesterday."
Her brows furrowed in annoyance as she stood to face the sand user. "How about you watch what you say because you don't know what kind of ninja I am. You saw me in a bind. I'm not some weakling that needs you to keep saving her. I have teammates to watch my back most of the time I do not need your services."
"I did not ask you if you required my help," Gaara retorted. "You will receive it. Do I make myself clear?"
This asshole! Sakura's temper got the better of her and she marched over and poked him in the chest, ignoring that he was taller than she thought. "Get over yourself! I don't want you following me! When I get my strength back and if you're still following me, I will kick your a-"
Sand streaked in her direction. Sakura dodged and ended up in the river, panting and glaring at her attacker who was claiming to be her protector.
"Do not test me," Gaara whispered in the most menacing voice she had ever heard. "I will kill you if you continue to cross me, mortal."
With that, he disappeared in a whirl of sand. Sakura got to her feet and stomped to her unconscious prisoner. She wanted nothing to do with him! Sakura would kick his ass if he continued to stalk her. She doubted he was a One. Sakura brushed Gaara from her mind, pulled out a scroll, and bit her finger, causing blood to drip from it. She did her hands signs and slammed her hand on the scroll.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A large puff of smoke emitted from the scroll and once it cleared, there stood an adorable little tan kitten. It licked its paw and scrubbed it over its head before letting out a soft meow.
"Why are you in that form Makoto?" Sakura asked in annoyance. "You can't fight like that."
"True," came his smooth voice as he moved towards her, "but I'm just so adorable, I may thwart your enemies with my cuteness."
"You are so cocky."
Sakura watched as Makoto transformed into his true form: a large saber-toothed tiger. His powerful shoulders were a few inches taller than her yet there was no fear, even when the kunoichi had first summoned him. She held her arms out and stroked his neck and he purred, rubbing his face against her cheek.
Sakura kissed his neck before saying, "I need you to carry this guy back to the village. Can you do that for me?"
Makoto laid on the soft earth. "I think I should carry you too dear. You need to gather your strength."
"I'm fine." Sakura hoisted Hideki onto Makoto's back. "I need to make sure this guy stays unconscious."
Soon they were moving through the trees.
Gaara leaned against a strong oak tree, arms crossed over his chest. He gazed at the grass in front of him, temper boiling at high levels. It had taken everything in him not to snap that mouthy woman's neck and take the punishment he would receive for doing so. Just looking at her made his blood turn to lava and his vision go red. Her attitude toward him made her all the more infuriating. Gaara detected another presences and turned his gaze to see a man standing a few feet. His dark hair was straight, stopping just past his shoulders. Golden eyes met with Gaara's as he used a slender hand to adjust his clothing.
"What are you doing here Utakata?"
The One of Charm gave him half a smile before saying, "Madara really wasn't pleased with that display Gaara."
This wasn't the first episode where Gaara almost killed his project human. However, Madara never sent someone to correct him. What was so special about this woman? Madara was not the sentimental type, so it wasn't because he wanted Gaara to be free of his punishment. Gaara's mind mulled over what purpose Sakura could play in Madara's plans.
"You're spacing out on me Gaara," Utakata said while switching his bubble flute to his other hand. "Just control your temper a little better and everything will be okay. You'll be free of this soon enough."
Gaara had already tuned Utakata out. His concern was false. Still, he noted that he wouldn't be able to threaten Sakura or make it look like he would hurt her. The One of Rage sought Sakura's life force, something different from searching for someone's chakra. Each human had their own unique life force and once a One had pinpointed a life force, they could find that mortal anywhere. He sensed that she was moving farther away, meaning she was most likely headed back to her village.
"I will be more careful," Gaara said, and with a nod, Utakata disappeared.
This would be the hardest five years of Gaara's extended life.
Later that night, Sakura and Makoto stopped to make camp. The large animal returned to his summoning world, promising he would come when Sakura called for him in the morning. After setting up a small fire, she grilled the two fish she caught in a small brook nearby. She still had rice left in her stash so she warmed it and ate her bland dinner. Once she had more strength, she healed the wound on her back. She also healed the small cut on her arm that had stopped bleeding two hours ago. It had already started healing on its own so it didn't take much to fix it.
Beryl orbs looked over at her prisoner, who remained unconscious. Most times, she had teammates with her who could help watch him. Sakura had caught a nap during her ride with Makoto, but not long enough. Exhausted washed over. Her eyes burned for sleep and she faded quite a few times. She jolted awake from another presence and she looked up to see the current bane of her existence, Gaara, standing in front of the fire staring at her.
"You're tired," he spoke. "Sleep and I will watch this man."
"Why would I trust someone who threatened to kill me earlier?!" Sakura snapped, glaring at this guy's audacity.
"Because I will not hurt you," Gaara responded. "Madara sent a warning for me not to harm you."
He was going off on that whole "I'm a celestial being" crap again. Sakura needed proof he was a One. She thought hard trying to remember her history class from when she was younger. If she remembered, there was something that all the Ones shared that distinguished them from regular ninjas. What was it again?
"Prove that you're a One," Sakura challenged.
Gaara's face remained blank at her words. This woman demanded proof? Fine, if that was what she wanted, he would prove it and she would never doubt him again after; no one ever did. The problem was if he unleashed all his power, he may not have the ability to control himself, so he would just go halfway.
"Remember that this was your request."
The wind whirled around Gaara, whipping his hair around his pale face. The ground shook and the forceful gust extinguished her fire. A powerful baritone sound echoed around them and a sonic wave pushed forward in all directions, breaking nearby trees. Sakura squinted, amazed at the spike in chakra she detected from Gaara. She had never witnessed someone so powerful in her life. She shielded her eyes with her hand as her hair whipped at her face, leaving her skin stinging. When she looked at Gaara, her eyes widened at what she saw.
The left side of his body remained normal, but the other half transformed into a strange mutation. It elongated his arm and changed it into a clawed hand. His skin altered into a tan color, left eye changing from cyan to his sclera being black and the pupil golden. A large, thick tail had grown from his back. By now, his chakra had tripled in intensity and its heavy pressure weighing down on her.
That was what made him a One, the Tailed beast he harbored inside him. Each of the Ones had a monster locked inside them to avoid the creatures wreaking havoc on the universe. If someone killed a One, the beast got placed in another person. They did not die because their host perished. In fact, they would try to cause problems the first moments of freedom. There was only one person who had the power to place these beasts into a host, but his name slipped her mind.
"Okay!" Sakura shouted. "I believe you now!"
After a few moments, Gaara's chakra levels dropped and he returned to his normal form. He continued to stare at Sakura as if waiting for her to speak.
"So, you really plan on staying around for five years?!"
"Yes," was his simple answer.
Sakura stood up and dusted herself off from the debris on her clothes. "Well, let's have ground rules. Don't jump in on a battle unless I ask for your help, deal?"
The One nodded.
"Good," Sakura said as she lay down onto her sleeping bag. "Wake me up when you need to sleep."
"I never sleep," Gaara answered, moving to lean against a tree that was still standing. "Rest, I will not let him harm you or get away."
Sakura stayed hesitant, but something told her Gaara would hold to his word. She laid down after braiding her hair into a single plait. She gave the crimson-haired male one last look before lying down and falling into a fitful sleep.
