~Authors Note

I'm aware you all think this story is at a really fast pace, but I promise within the next few chapters the story will slow way down, I'm merely trying to get through the mess that is my thoughts right now, anyway hope you enjoy.

End Authors Note~

Turned out the only thing the medics could truly do for her was heal the pain she felt in her lower regions "We're sorry Haruno-san but it's been over a day there's nothing else we can do except deal with the consequences" the medic said.

Once the process had been finished and she was released from their care "Feel any better Sakura-chan" Naruto was there when she exited the room, after a moment of thinking about it, Sakura decided that no she didn't feel any better.

"No….there's a chance I could get well you know, even though I'm on the shot, I feel gross and like I want to scrub my skin raw to get the feel of him off of me" Sakura scowled, Sasuke almost cracked a smile at it.

Because it wasn't an expression she wore very much, then he remembered this was a very situation still and frowned "Then it would probably be wise if we found you a shower" Sasuke offered knowing she wouldn't rest until she was able to wash.

Sakura opened her mouth but was interrupted "I'll wait for you in the cafeteria" Gaara stated, walking away like it was no big deal, even if he wanted to stay at her side, there were things he needed to speak with his siblings about.

With that the members of Team Seven went off to find a place they could wash up while Gaara found where his own teammates were "Oh hey Gaara didn't see you there" Kankuro shot into a standing position, nervous and no longer relaxed like he had been just a moment ago.

Lazing about and working on his puppets for whatever would come their way next, however since the other day Gaara had been acting strange "Gaara is everything alright" Temari questioned fearfully, afraid for her life.

Pupil-less eyes focused on her "Father is a fool to ally himself with that Sannin, he's only concerned for his own goals and not how it will impact the rest of our country, therefor I will have nothing more to do with the so called plan" the redhead informed bluntly.

And just like that he exited the room leaving his siblings staring after him in confusion "W..What the hell was that…Gaara don't walk away from us, how can you suddenly dismiss the plan" the brunet that was his brother was in his way seconds later.

"Yeah you know everyone is counting on us to make sure our village gets the funding it deserves" the teal eyed blonde frowned keeping her distance unsure of what was going on anymore, Gaara wasn't to be deterred or swayed though for some reason.

As he turned to face them again "Do you truly believe this is the right path to do that, to follow after a man who has no morals, who would allow one of his own subordinates to rape an innocent kunoichi" Gaara growled.

Shukaku close to the surface, given the glint of madness in suddenly not so green eyes anymore "Someone was raped by one of Orochimaru's subordinates, whatever for" Temari gasped, feeling for the girl on a certain level even if she didn't know who said girl was.

Gaara nodded his head silent now "We're going to be in a lot of trouble Gaara" Kankuro grimaced not sure what to think of the suddenly moral-riddled Gaara, who had fought and loved only himself up until that day.

It didn't look like Gaara really cared about the consequences of dissing their plan to destroy the Leaf Village as he simply turned on his heels and disappeared, leaving them more confused than ever, with that he headed for the cafeteria.

Unfortunately he'd under estimated how much time it would take him to deal with his siblings as he spotted the team he'd promised earlier to be waiting, Sakura stood hastily, wearing clean clothing he presumed "I..we saved you a seat Gaara" the rosette called softly.

Quiet so as not to disturb any of the other occupants in the cafeteria "Don't be modest Sakura-chan, you saved the seat next to you specifically for Gaara" the Uzumaki grinned feeling like he was in some bizarre universe.

Where Sakura wasn't fawning over Sasuke and was actually paying attention to another guy, Gaara sat at her side anyway even if there were a couple of other open seats at the table "Feh, one of us is probably gonna have to fight him" the Uchiha grunted.

Making Gaara tilt his head to the side, questioning the Uchiha silently "Depending on how many of us actually make it through this round, there could be a preliminary round that pairs us against each other" Sasuke relented.

Feeling strange about answering the unasked question "When you were alone, did you encounter anyone" the redhead asked suddenly, Orochimaru had failed to curse-mark Sasuke, there was a possibility the Sannin was still after the second to last Uchiha.

Sasuke went rigid in response "Yeah a crazy kunoichi who could use big ass snakes from Grass I think, she just up and left after I met up with the Teme" Naruto jumped in, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

"Are you telling me that the whole being separated thing was part of a plan, you mean that guy did all of that on purpose but what for Gaara" Sakura's analytical mind snapped to as it processed everything being said at a high rate.

To fast for her teammates to keep up with at that current moment in time "Afraid so, the person you encountered was actually Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, that one was a subordinate of the Sannin as well Sakura, and avoid Kabuto Yakushi" Gaara rumbled.

Hinting to the girl who was responsible for the incident in the forest "And just how is it that you know all this Sabaku" Sasuke narrowed dark as night eyes on the boy who'd been helping them since yesterday suspiciously.

Knowing it was better to tell the truth to be trusted Gaara inclined his head "Sand is in league with him, but I've already announced that I'll have no further part in the plan" the crimson haired boy stated firmly.

"It's because of Sakura-chan isn't it Gaara, you know that you'd have to go against her if you continued to abide by their rules" the blonde knucklehead caught on instantly for the reason why Gaara was abandoning whatever plan his village had thought up.

The preteen nodded solemnly the most emotion he'd displayed so far since meeting them "Okay but we should probably tell the Hokage the minute we get out of here" the raven on the team grunted, still suspicious.

But he knew that if not for Sakura, they'd probably be going through some sort of hell in the next month or so "Right and Kakashi-sensei" the pinkette grimaced still torn and undecided on if she should tell her sensei what had happened.

With a sigh she thumped her head on the table, appetite gone now as those thoughts consumed her until someone decided to interrupt her one person pity party by nudging her gently on the arm "You really should eat Sakura-chan" Naruto commented.

Having noticed that out of the four of them the lone girl hadn't eaten "Dobe is right, keep up your strength" Sasuke grunted, not use to the whole being a concerned teammate thing obviously, but he knew skipping meals would not be good for Sakura.

"Ugh I'm not even hungry but fine" Sakura sighed, clearly going through some sort of depression as she stood and trudged off to find something to eat so the boys on her team would stop nagging her, Gaara a silent tag-along.

Four minutes later both were back with a tray in hand but it was clear that Sakura really wasn't hungry as she merely picked at her food "Eat what you can" Gaara prodded after a couple minutes of watching her push the food around on her tray.

Less than three minutes after eating four bites of the curry she'd chosen Sakura pushed her tray away stomach rebelling at the thought of anymore food then Sakura stood and vanished from the cafeteria, Gaara hot on her heels.

"This is going to be more than a little frustrating, I've never seen her so, you know" the blonde knucklehead grimaced feeling depressed himself and he didn't know Sakura felt truly so he couldn't help her at all which sucked.

Sasuke sighed "All we can do is be there for her, now hurry up Dobe, I don't want to leave her alone with him for long" the Uchiha grabbed up his empty tray, with the two others and disappeared to dump them.

Before hurrying after his lone female teammate, Naruto not long in coming "You know, barely eating isn't going to help you overcome all this, you said you'd be stronger" the redhead said when he caught up with her.

Jade orbs narrowed at the slightly mocking tone and Gaara saw anger, it appeared he'd upset her, but he definitely wasn't prepared for the scowl shot his way "I know but seriously I need a little space to deal with my feelings instead of someone trying to tell me how I should feel or act or what I should or shouldn't do" the pinkette spat.

Angrily stomping off and leaving him in the dust, by some miracle he didn't get angry himself, simply let her go without a fight "Looks like you were subjected to Sakura-chan's temper huh Gaara" Naruto skidded to a halt at his side mere seconds later.

"Clearly, she seems to be rather…" Gaara trailed off a little disconcerted that the girl he was trying to help didn't want him to help, rather she wanted to be alone to figure out what to do now since the accident had happened.

Naruto grimaced "Don't worry once she calms down she'll apologize, for now we just give her some space" Sasuke seemed to understand some of what his teammate was feeling and the need to be alone, it was how he got sometimes.

He just never thought Sakura would be the one to start acting somewhat like him as she walked away from them trying to figure out a way to keep her dream from shattering even more than it already had.

Thirty or so minutes later she was indeed back sporting a guilty expression "Sorry for snapping at you like that Gaara, I know your just concerned" Sakura did apologize, knowing that if not for Gaara they probably would have never made it through the forest either.

"And I do want to get stronger I just don't know how to do that right now I mean all I've done since becoming a shinobi is be an idiot, I only have above average chakra control and my intelligence isn't all that special either" the rosette admitted quietly, feeling pathetic.

During her semi-rant the two boys on her team nodded imperceptibly at one another "Then by all means Sakura allow us to help you get stronger, we are teammates after all" Sasuke smirked, gesturing between himself and Naruto as he said this.

Probably the most he'd ever spoken to her in all their lives, if this had been before the incident she would have been squealing like the fan-girl she use to be, but Sakura knew Sasuke was taking her desire to get stronger very seriously.

"Yeah, yeah Sakura-chan by the time the preliminary rounds happen if they happen at all you'll be the strongest rookie kunoichi out of all our graduating class Believe It" Naruto grinned wide, stretching the whisker marks on his cheeks.

And not wanting to be left out "And I'm sure there's something even I can help you learn" Gaara offered, still unsure of what was really going on or why the voice inside his head was pushing him to feel these things he hadn't felt before.

One thing for sure though is now that he'd gotten to know these three and how easily they'd accepted him, he'd go above and beyond to protect "Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara thank you so much I'm in your debt" Sakura sniffled overcome with emotion.

Just like that they were off to train, all on their lonesome before the survival round was to end, it wasn't going to be easy she knew but with her new-found desire to learn and get stronger Sakura knew that she couldn't slack off any longer.