Sakura merely shivered at the disgusting look on the demon's face. Sand began to sliver and skip down his grinning face. Anybody else would have looked utterly pathetic, sitting on the ground, grinning up at you. But this sand devil had a special ability to look threatening and ready to massacre.
"What are my…" Shukaku started. Sakura raised a questioning eyebrow. "…requirements that you will set for me, love?" Shukaku asked, with his obnoxious voice starting to crack through.
Gaara growled slightly.
A slight tingle bloomed in Sakura's body, but she pushed it down.
'This is Shukaku, not Gaara.' She told herself.
"Yeah, but would Gaara ever say that to us?!" Inner Sakura boomed with fists in the air. Sakura caught herself wondering if he would ever say that to her.
"If your face doesn't scream inner conflict, I don't know what does," Shukaku said with a side-grin.
Sakura snapped a glare at him. "Shukaku, I'm going to have to change your eye color. Are you okay with that?" Sakura asked.
Shukaku gave her a skeptical grin. "…Why?"
"Because people have seen your-Gaara's- eyes, and they are pale blue, not midnight blue with a golden diamond. It's a mere cover-up, just for caution," Sakura ensured. Shukaku's cocky look answered her. She bent over and placed her hands on his eyes. As she began to deliver Chakra to his eyes, he drank it as a child would drink a sweet drink(or as Naruto would eat ramen). The feeling was getting him heated. He growled and Sakura's lips quivered. His now blue eyes snapped open and he snatched her wrists as he hissed to stop. Sakura's intent eyes flicked to his and she could have sworn she saw Gaara struggling to get free.
'How many times do I have to tell you?! DON'T TOUCH HER!' Gaara screamed. Shukaku just grinned in response and tightened his grip. The sand around him started to craw up her inner legs as she struggled.
"Please-,"
"Shut-up, Kunoichi!" Shukaku snapped. Sakura shut her mouth and stared into his eyes again. She mentally called out to Gaara, but nothing happened. Sakura silently cursed her short skirt. The high leather boots began to stick to her legs due to the massive amount of sweat her nervous system was releasing.
"Shukaku."
"…"
"…Shukaku…,"
"……"
Sakura grimaced before she said the next thing.
"Shukie-kun…please…let me go?" This apparently weakened the demon, because his grip slipped, and Sakura pulled her hands away quickly and transported to the other end of the room. Leftover soft pink petals traced and brushed gently across the course texture of Shukaku's face. Sakura gave him a nasty look and walked out of the hospital room.
Little swirls of sand lingered after her steps…
Kakashi was waiting outside. Obviously, he knew exactly what was going on in the small, now awkward room.
He leaned casually against the wall and relaxed his eyes and stared down at the floor. The door across from him opened and Sakura stepped out.
Sand lingered after her…
Kakashi's visible eye curved up to resemble a smile.
"Yo, Sakura! How is everything going?"
Sakura let out a sigh and leaned against the wall opposite of him. She stared up at the ceiling.
"It's going okay, I guess," she hesitated, reviewing her trust in the former ANBU jounin.
"Shukaku, he's taken complete control. He's agreed to do whatever it takes, but I'm sure I'll have to do a few-," she gazed at her hands "-things before I get him to do something extremely important."
Kakashi's eyes flicked from her wrists to her eyes.
"Sakura, do what you must. But be cautious, Konahoa can't afford to loose you again."
Sakura wanted to call him a liar, but he wasn't lying. The medical team depended on her. They needed her as much as the Leaf needed Tsunade.
"I-I don't know what to do anymore!" Sakura cried into her hands.
"People trust your judgment, Sakura. Do what you know is right." Kakashi disappeared in a puff of smoke and left her to think. But, no thinking would be thought, because Shukaku decided to make another appearance.
"I have to do WHAT?!"
"You decided to take over, now you gotta do it!"
Gaara laughed hysterically, pointing at Shukaku.
"I'm a DEMON, not some OFFICE RAT!"
"You are today!"
"Oh, like I know how to sign and approve treaties and papers."
Sakura shrugged.
"There's a simple solution, ask Gaara."
'She's right!' Gaara said.
"Like I care if she's right. I'd rather be killing!"
'No.'
"Why not?"
'Because you look like me and if you go around killing randomly they'll think it's me!'
"So…?"
'…'
"SO?!"
'IM THE DAMN KAZEKAGE! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN THE PAST 2 YEARS?!'
"Well, now that you ask…"
'No, don't answer that.'
Shukaku grinned.
"If your face doesn't scream inner conflict, I don't know what does."
Sakura said, mocking him.
Sand slammed her up against the wall.
"Don't mock me, Kunoichi!"
"Mmmph!"
Sand began to seep up her body at a fast rate.
"Before I go…,"
'Shukaku, you better pray that someone comes and eats you. Because when I come back into control, I will personally deal with you!' Gaara hissed.
Sakura wanted to cut off the demon's head. He was feeling her up. And she would if Gaara wasn't inside of him. The sand rubbed against places that made her moan. Her body was growing weak against the sexual tensions.
"Please-," her plea was cut off by a gasp.
"Sh-shukaku!" she cried. Gaara pulled and kicked at the prison in his mind again.
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STOP!'
The sand fell limp around her body and she slid to the hard, discomforting floor.
"Hey! Forehead!" Ino shouted from around the corner.
Shukaku grinned and disappeared in a illusion of sand. Ino jogged up to Sakura.
"What's up? You look…," Ino examined her then sat down next to her. "…Tired?"
"Yeah," Sakura muttered. "Already sick and tired…"
Ino discarded the last comment, giving Sakura a skeptical glance.
"Neh, I saw Gaara-sama walking down the street out the window just a few minutes ago. Is he allowed out already?"
Sakura gave Ino a quick glance. It may cause panic to tell her or anyone else.
"Yeah," Sakura said, her voice weak. "He is."
XxxX
Shukaku strode briskly down the dirt road. Some people bowed, mostly the older folk. The younger kids ran back and forth in front of him. He really didn't mind. They were young-
BAM, BAM, BAM!
Shukaku stumbled back. His head snapped down and his arms rose slightly. Three little kids clung to his leg, pulling on the Kage's robes. Two boys and a girl. They all looked about six or seven-years-old.
'Those would be my niece and two nephews. Kai, Heji, and Hana. Kai is Temari and Shikamaru's son. Heji and Hana are Kankuro and Meilin's children. Kai has deep brown hair and black eyes. Heji has light brown hair and black eyes, and Hana has black hair with red eyes. Say hi.' Gaara informed Shukaku.
Shukaku gazed at them.
"Sup little people?"
'…' Gaara closed his eyes and crossed his arms, excusing Shukaku's greeting.
"Where are your parents? I need to speak with them."
Hana smiled, grabbed his hand and drug him down the street.
"Aunt Temari's been waiting for you!" She said cheerfully.
'Oh, god...'
XxxX
Gaara was afraid to face Temari. He had been away in Konahoa for so long. She would probably pound him with her metal fan. Ugh.
"Gaara!" Temari yelled. "Now that your better, I CAN KILL YOU!!!!!" she screamed.
"YO!" Shukaku screeched with wild eyes. "YOU OLD HAG!"
Baki, how had just came in the room, Kankuro, and Temari stared at him.
"EXCUSE ME?" Temari demanded
Gaara crossed his arms.
"YOU HEARD ME! Now, GO POP A FREAKIN' MIDOL, YOU BLONDE DRAMA QUEEN!"
XxX
Sakura walked through the door. She was practically knocked over by the thick, tense air that was pouring out of the room.
She pointed at Shukaku. "Uh, that's not Gaara."
'Don't make it so obvious…' Gaara thought with sarcasm dripping in his voice.
"It's Shukaku, he's over Gaara's body at Gaara's will. Now, don't be totally freaked, but one of the major side effects-," Sakura was cut off be a small twitch in Shukaku's thick, red hair.
"Uhah…,"
No apparent expression was on Sakura's face as she just leaned forward from far across Shukaku. He looked at her from the corner of his eye.
"What?" he demanded roughly.
She frowned and kept staring, shaking her head. And leaning. Along with everyone else.
"Holy shit…," Temari mumbled.
A new pair of ears replaced Gaara's normal body ears. They were the shape of a raccoons, and placed on the sides of his head. Since Gaara's hair had grown some, they were almost completely covered.
Then, they suddenly twitched up. Everyone jolted back, instead of Sakura(who was totally expecting this).
Shukaku felt a foreign feeling for humans. He placed his hand on the area, and found that his animal features were finally sprouting.
"Cool."
He wiggled and tugged on them. Temari's kid giggled. Shukaku's eyes shot at the boy and grinned.
"Pretty cool, huh? I would so be jealous if I were you right now."
Heji just simply pouted and mumbled troublesome… Sakura decided to test if they worked properly yet. She grabbed Heji, and pulled him out into the hall. Temari eyed her suspiciously.
Sakura then whispered very quietly into the boy's ear, "Next, the tail will come."
Gaara twitched and Shukaku howled with laughter. When Sakura heard this, she figured they worked alright.
XxX
Tap-Tap-Tap
Shukaku stared at the desk.
Tap!-Tap!-Tap!
His ear twitched
TAP!-TAP!-TAP!
"DEVIL'S ABOVE! WHAT IS THAT TAPPING?!" He screamed.
'Relax, man. It's your supersonic hearing.' Gaara said.
"I don't care if it's your grandmother dieing. IT NEEDS TO SHUT UP!"
Sakura strode through the door.
'Tell her what you know.' Gaara said.
"Sakura, we know how to get Gaara back. We know what's wrong."
Sakura hesitated.
"Show me." She replied. Shukaku shrugged. "Okay, but it'll be brief."
Sakura blinked.
"Sakura."
Sakura gulped. His expression had changed. Now it's Gaara's expression. He grabbed his chest and cringed in pain.
Sakura ran over to him just in time to catch him.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" she asked.
"I'll survive," Gaara replied give Sakura a smile. He staggered up, telling Sakura he was okay to stand by himself. When he stood straight, he got knocked over again by Sakura's warm embrace.
"I thought I would never see you again." She mumbled into his chest.
He chuckled, tightening his wrap around her.
"I had to come back," he whispered. "I missed your hugs…"
Sakura relaxed and sank deeper into him.
"Why can't you stay?" she muttered.
"Because his brain isn't functioning correctly. When a demon takes over, human body injuries don't have effect. But when the human's come back, the effect of whatever blow they took before starts, well, effecting."
"Oh," Sakura said. "What are his injuries?"
Still in an tight embrace, Shukaku swayed. "I don't know. I can't feel them. But in time, they will heal themselves. I know that."
"MMmmm…"
Sakura fell asleep. Suddenly, his ears flicked forward and he glared at the door. Voices ran through the hall. Shukaku's hand fell from her shoulders to her elbows and gripped.
"Please?" asked a child's mature voice
"No! You already got some!" Snapped Temari's voice.
"Give it a rest. She won't give you any."
Shikamaru was there too.
"Uncle Shika's right! You are a pain!"
"Oh, and he told you that…?"
"I heard daddy and him talking."
Temari turned the hand. She let the door slowly open itself as she threatened Shikamaru. She turned toward the room and froze with a surprised expression. Kai stuck his head in.
"Leave." Shukaku demanded.
Temari swore and slammed the door, making Sakura wince slightly.
"Yo, kid. What do I do with it?" Shukaku said, picking up Sakura's limp arm and dropping it.
'Don't do that! I don't know, just sit in the chair and hold her, I guess. Just don't act like she'd a sack of potatoes.'
"Easy enough…" Shukaku stated, sitting on the chair. Her head slumped back and fell against his shoulder, her face centimeters away from her neck. Her hot breath tickled his neck. He grinned.
"I could get used to this…"
'Don't.' Gaara demanded.
"Whateva…"
XxX
When Sakura woke up, she saw pale. A pale color. She lifted her hand and touched it. It was soft.
'Hmm, skin.'
It was skin.
"Skin?"
"Yes, the human species is carbon-based. They call it 'skin'. Being a demon, I would be sure to know that."
Nice to wake up to Shukaku. Shukaku's neck, to be exact. She went to sit up, but something was keeping her from proceeding. She looked down. Shukaku's slim, sleeve covered arm was snaked around her waist. He shrugged.
"I didn't want you to fall."
"You, or Gaara?" Sakura asked with a low tone.
Shukaku just grinned.
"Now that your awake-!" He dumped her on the floor. "Please STAY awake. I don't want anymore mumbling in my ear."
"Hey! That hurt!"
"Oh, would you prefer the trash next time? I'll keep that in mind!"
"There won't be a next time!" she countered.
There was a slam. Sakura turned to the door. Sasuke stood there, with a ticked off look.
"Haruno, Freak." Sasuke greeted.
"Boy." Shukaku said, glaring at him.
XxX
The glare that was being passed form Shukaku and Sasuke was growing stronger. Sasuke turned his gaze to Sakura.
"I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see you both." He stated.
"Same here, but if I expressed it, I might get in trouble!" Shukaku countered.
Sasuke kept his eyes on Sakura. She crossed her arms and glared at him. "I'm still mad at you, you know."
Sasuke smirked. "Oh, and I feel absolutely perfect with what you did to me."
"Good. You deserved it." Sakura and Shukaku said in unison.
Naruto had slinked through the doorway during the heated conversation. "Uh…," mumbled the blonde. Sakura moved passed Sasuke to look at him. "Hi Naruto!"
Naruto put his hands up as she approached. "N-no! Sakura I wanted to tell-to-!" Sakura hugged him, cutting him off. "It's okay, Naruto. I forgive you. I know your intentions were good and you didn't want to hide."
Naruto relaxed against her. He squeezed her back. "I'm glad…" he sighed. After the warm greeting, Naruto told Sakura what Tsunade had to say. Shaking her head, Sakura said, "No. I can't. I have…to fix something before I go."
Shukaku gave her a sideways glace.
Naruto frowned. "What is it?"
She motioned toward Shukaku. "To get Gaara back."
Naruto laughed. "Sakura, he's right there!"
"That's-,"
"WHA-WHAT THE HELL- WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE!?" Naruto screamed, pointing a finger at Shukaku's head. Sasuke looked at Shukaku and got one of those twitchy faces. Shukaku, in the mood to tease, flicked his ear all over the place. Naruto slumped forward, dropping his hands and jaw, twitching.
"That's Shukaku!" Sakura said. "Can you keep it a secret?"
Naruto had fainted and Sasuke was looking at a long fuzzy thing like it was the plague crawling toward him.
"Is that a tail?" he asked, twitching severely. Shukaku looked down.
"Oh! Would you look at that, Sakura!"
Sakura nodded. "That should be the last part of the transformation!"
'Good.' Gaara said, cursing.
The tail was tan with midnight blue markings. It tightly wrapped itself around Shukaku's leg. Sakura woke Naruto up.
"Naruto, Shukaku has gone through a transformation."
Naruto was staring at Shukaku who decided to taunt him by grinning wildly and swing his tail violently.
"Ye-yeah…" Naruto stuttered. He backed out of the office and closed the door behind him.
Sasuke turned and left, leaving Sakura with Shukaku again. Shukaku stopped grinning, stretched is jaw and rested his tail. Sand began to creep from corners as he gazed at Sakura. The sand slowly wrapped itself around her ankles.
"Now…where were we?" he said in a lustful tone.
"In the middle of a fight." Sakura said bluntly.
"Aww come on babe, lets hit it off!"
"No."
"Why?" he whined.
Sakura transported herself away from the scene.
'If I were the type of person, I would laugh in your face right now.'
Shukaku cursed and went back to his paperwork.
XxX
Sakura made an order of dumplings on the streets of Suna. She waited at the stand, tapping her fingers. The stick was handed to her. She paid and turned, going down the street. As she ate the food, she wondered where Naruto and Sasuke had gone. Surely, they would stay and rest for a few hours before heading back. Naruto would want to go to the hot springs, and Sasuke would probably roam around the village. Sakura wanted to look for Sasuke. She needed to talk to him. Throwing out the empty stick, she hopped onto the nearest rooftop. She scanned over the roofs until she spotted two black dots quickly zipping around. They were racing. She followed them. When they stopped to catch their breath, she hopped down next to them.
'Now,' she though 'Every time I look at them, I feel my wrists sting…'
"Um, Sasuke, can I talk to you?"
Sasuke gave her a questioningly look. "Uh…"
"It's okay…"
"Okay then."
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, then followed Sakura. They stopped at the edge of the village, then went to the top of the wall. Some sand shinobi gave them skeptical looks. Sakura strode over to them and gave them a slip that Shukaku had written for her earlier. She walked back to Sasuke, looking out into the desert. It was getting late. And cold.
"Sasuke," she started, as they both gazed across the dunes. "I want to apologize for earlier."
They stayed quiet for a moment.
"Me too." Sasuke replied. "Sakura?"
"Hm?"
"Are you over me yet? Because if you aren't…"
"Yes."
…
It was quiet again.
"I love you."
XxX
