Author's note: Life has been crazy and this chapter took much longer than I thought it would. I just couldn't seem to get it right no matter how hard I tried. Then I realised we were coming up to a month without an update. So I buckled down. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters.
For what seemed like an eternity they stood in silence, pale specs of ice swirling around them in a turbulent dance guided by gales of wind. Sakura felt Gaara's hand at her back. They had fought against Sasuke before. They knew what was coming and both kept their eyes averted from his. "Sakura." The dark man sounded her name again, this time firmer and more demanding. He had never liked to repeat himself.
She kept her shoulders back and her head as high as she could whilst not looking into his piercing gaze. "What do you want?"
"You." The statement stilled her heart. How many years and she waited to hear him say that? So many long years that she was no longer waiting. She had moved on. It sounded as she always thought it would, but she supposed that somewhere along the line her expectations had changed. That dream had been hollow and full of pain. Only when time and maturity had separated that fantasy from the cold and lonely reality of loving him did he fulfil her desiccated dream. She took a breath and thought it over, allowing her shock to dissipate and common sense to come crashing back into her. That desire had long since faded into nothing but a dull memory from her past.
Her hand flicked out sharply gesturing back towards Kumo. "And all of that was?"
"Necessary," he stated conclusively.
"Bullshit," she snapped, shaking her head sadly. He did not want her. Not really. How could he want her, the real her? He did not even know her; not as she was now. "What do you really want?" Her voice held suspicion and was far more wary than Sasuke wished for it to be. She did not trust him and that might prove to be a problem.
Sasuke now knew he had made a mistake. Somewhere in his carefully crafted plans he had either not been drastic enough, or not gentle enough. It seemed, when it came to Sakura, he was never caring enough. It was not something he knew how to rectify, nor did he wish to really. This was who he was and he had no intention of changing. But, with that said, he had a goal and if it was a truth she needed she would get one. "I mean it," he said simply, hoping that a little reassurance would solve everything and she would bounce up next to him as she had when they were young.
"I don't believe you." Gaara could hear the hurt under the disbelief and could not blame her for feeling such. After all this time and all that had transpired, of which he only knew the minute details, it was absurd of Sasuke to expect that to be all he needed to say. Such declarations would not work on her. Not any more. Her sharp intake of breath was followed by the tightening of her fists. "Why? Why do you want me?" It was a valid question. If he was looking for her help and merely went about it in a misguided way then perhaps she might forgive him in time. If not, she may find it harder to forgive him of more nefarious intentions.
The statement that followed was colder than it should have been, but slightly warmer than anything else that had transpired to date. "You know why."
"No, you're going to have to spell it out for me. Or is that too annoying?" Her brusque question was met with silence. If it affected him he did not show it, so she continued, piecing together as much of the puzzle as she had yet been able to. "Let me guess, you want more Uchihas." None of them were surprised that she had come to that conclusion. It was obvious really and Sakura was not foolish. "There are plenty of women who would be more than willing, I'm sure. The red head with glasses might be a good place to start. She seems devoted to you and is strong." Sakura could not remember the girls name but they both knew who she meant. If not her, then there would be plenty of others who would see the handsome Uchiha as a man to be saved. She knew that all too well. She had been one of them.
Sasuke took a step forward and frowned when sand whipped about before Sakura menacingly. They were smart not to let him close and not to look him in the eye. He intended to take any opportunity he saw and with them being as wary as they were things were bound to get complicated. Sabaku no Gaara. He respected the nin, more than he did most others, but the red head was in the way and had been from the start of this little endeavour. He would not be allowed to interfere or stand next to Sakura so intimately. The former jinchuriki would be dealt with before the day was through.
Petal pink mingled with snow. Sasuke allowed a hollow smirk to appear on his features. He hated to express himself in such a way, but there was still the possibility that Sakura, if given enough incentive, would follow him of her own accord. Gaara would not be able to stop her, not for long at least. Sasuke extended his hand out further taking another step. "It has to be you."
Sakura cringed at the words that floated to her on the wind. She did not doubt that in his mind he thought that. Such had always been the way with him. Once he set his mind to something it was next to impossible to make him see any different. Only brute strength to match his own made him back down, and more often that not it only fuelled his competitive streak instead. "It really doesn't." There was a tinge of melancholy in her tone that neither male failed to pick up on. That sadness quickly transformed back into indigence and anger. Sakura now knew he wanted her, but but she was not so naive to think that it was purely for the sake of love. There was more to it than that, and she would argue that love had very little to do with what was going on. "What else? What am I missing? Gaara?" Pleadng, she turned and softened her gaze.
"The treaty," his voice was strong but quiet, and she wondered if he had struggled over whether to say anything at all. It was a warning, a chance for Sasuke to come clean. He was not even sure why he had extended the opportunity, but it had seemed wrong to jump at the chance to sully the bonds the pair had once formed without allowing Sasuke to tell her the truth of his own accord. Gaara did not think it would change the outcome, but ultimately this issue fell down to the two Sannins that stood before him. He could not stop Sasuke from taking Sakura if she did not help him, and he could not keep Sakura from leaving if she chose to.
"What did it say Sasuke?" It was a moot question really. She had a pretty good idea what it said. Still, there was a part of her that needed to hear it. She needed to know how far Sasuke had been willing to go to get what he wanted. "Gaara, please. I want to know for sure."
The Kazekage narrowed his eyes knowing it would do little good. The Uchiha was keeping his mouth shut, which was possibly the smartest thing he could do at this point. "He wants you to abandon Konoha for Oto and become the Uchiha matriarch." He had not said much but the implications were strong.
It started as a twist of her lips and gradually turned into sneer the likes of which neither had ever seen on her face before. "Abandon Konoha, become your wife- oh excuse me 'matriarch'- and let you attempt to kill my best friend and everyone I hold dear. Was that all?" She demanded. "You had me taken so you could destroy my home and then what? Kill everyone I care about? You thought I would just go along with that?"
It was barely noticeable but she knew him well enough to read the subtle signs that he gave off. The tilt of his chin gave away a telltale flicker of his pattered orbs from her face to her wrists. That was all she needed to confirm it. The sealing had been his idea and it was possible he had not intended to remove it for some time. Her eyes narrowed and a low hiss seeped through her teeth. "How could you?" The hurt she was experiencing paled to the outrage that pumped in her veins.
She finally understood. Having A seal her chakra, moving her to a secure location, Gaara's hesitancy to tell her what was in the treaty- it all confirmed her suspicion, one she had desperately hoped was misplaced. He had wanted her to willingly sign away everything she held dear; her loved ones, her accomplishments, and her freedom. He had tried to back her into a corner, where no other viable option would present itself. Her or them, and he knew what she would choose.
She could not tell if the pain in her chest was a heart attack or fury but whatever it was it made her want to scream and punch something. "You would really go that far!" she accused, not expecting an answer. She already knew it to be true. She had seen his plan in action, but a small part of her had hoped for better from him, though she did not know why. He would have taken her by force, threats, coercion, bribery, seduction, anything. What ever it took. She would have been his prisoner, and if he had his way she would have had no choice but to agree to it willingly. "No."
"No?" His chin tilted up, the closest thing to shock she was likely to see from him.
She did not back down. Instead she straightened her back and squared away her shoulders. "No, I won't go with you. I am a kuniochi, a healer, damn it! I have worked hard to get here. There are people I love and cherish and I will protect them. I'm not going to let you take any of that away." She could feel the start of furious tears threaten to impede her vision. She shook them away, focusing on the sand that circled around her in ring of protection. It was a reminder, along with the man that wielded it, that there were those who would be hurt to see her go. There were those who supported her and her accomplishments and wanted to see her happy. She would never forgive herself if she let them or herself down. Going back to Sasuke now, under such circumstances, would be a betrayal of her self and those that cared for her. "It's always all about you, isn't it. What you want; no compromises. What about what I want! You don't care about how loosing all of that would make me feel, do you?" She ground out between clenched teeth and tight jaws.
There was no sympathy in his stance as he continued his deliberate march forward. "You will not need others or such petty condolences." His fingertips lit up in white hot flaming kanjis. That was all he needed in order to take alway everything she had worked so hard for. One well placed hand on her skin and she would be next to useless once more.
"Go fuck yourself." The words were slow and deliberate, the set of her jaw and the determination that rolled off her in waves informed Sasuke that she was quite serious. She was genuinely and vehemently turning him down. She was not trying to draw assurances from him and was not going to be persuaded by anything he did now. It left only one option in his mind.
Sasuke took another step towards her with his hand held out, but paused at the slither of sand that rose to meet him. "Stay out of this," he said, warning the Suna leader. This was between him and Sakura and had nothing to do with the interloper. The sand nins presence had stopped being a mere irritant and had started to truly make him angry, not to mention the fact that the child of the desert seemed to be closer to Sakura than was tolerable. They stood so close that her arm was touching his chest; closer than friends or comrades. Her petal pink hair was grazing the mans collar bone every time the cold gusts of air blew past them.
Gaara looked down to Sakura. If she was ready to fight her old teammate then he would stand by her. "She does not wish to go with you." The steel in his voice carried over the wind and Sakura found herself drawing closer to the wonderful man at her side. It was not his fight, but she was grateful for his assistance for as long as he was willing to give it.
"And you're going to stop me?" Sasuke said, almost taunting them with a sneer. His attention flickered between the two who stood in solidarity against him. His eyes fell to the arm that linked the pair together. Gaara had not moved his hand from her back. Sasuke felt something well up in the back of his mouth, leaving a lump in his throat and a sour taste behind. All he really wanted to do was rip that hand off and create distance between them. He would need to in order to take Sakura back to Oto. With Gaara fighting at her side they could overpower him, for as much as he was not fond of the Sand nin, he had to give credit where it was due. Sabaku no Gaara was not one to be taken on lightly. By employing a well planned strategy they could find themselves victorious. "Then I'll have to kill you," he said, the only sign of his intention was the subtle flex of his fingers.
Sasuke was as fast as they both remembered, but they were ready. Sakura released her seal immediately, the dark markings crossing over her pale skin. She stepped forward clenching her fingers into fists and sat back into her stance, keeping her legs bent more than usual. Gaara knelt and they all felt the earth tremble as dark shimmering particles lifted from the dirt and filled the air.
The purple energy of Susanoo gathered around Sasuke menacingly. Sakura braced herself. The purple blade that had interrupted her moment with the Kazekage came down on them, intending to separate them. The partially developed skeleton was troublesome and she intended to show her old teammate how far she had come. She smirked. He would need to do better than that if he wanted to take her by surprise. Her chakra built up further and she raised her arms to catch the blade as it came down. Black sand reinforced her grip, protecting her bare hands from the impact. A shout escaped her as she shoved the sword away, dragging the skeleton into her strike zone. Her fist hit bone and the underdeveloped ribcage cracked under the pressure.
Her fist broke through the purple barrier, causing it to break away in fragments. Sasuke dodged the first few punches that flew his way but was not expecting her to sweep her foot into his own. The arch caught him painfully in his achilles heel, causing a shooting pain to rocket up his leg. She had only clipped him but the chakra had managed to sever part of his tendon. Sakura recognised the inhale of his breath and flash stepped out of the way. The fire ball was met by a wall of sand that pushed the blaze out towards the forest. Sakura deftly landed within the confines of the sand barrier and prepared for the next attack.
Sasuke heard the slither behind him and jumped through the air to dodge. He darted away from the tendrils expertly noting the pattern. He turned his eyes to the man at the centre of the sand shield, who stood coolly with arms crossed. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Sakura had disappeared, hiding herself behind Gaara's sand to mask her movement. He searched and found nothing. The pressure of her punch hit his face. It was not a full strike but it still dolled out damage. A sand rope had snapped around his waist to hold him in place. He felt sand reinforced knuckles ram into his cheek bone. He heard a crack and immediately switched places with a fallen branch near by.
Sakura did not let up. She rushed towards him and he stepped back for the first time when a wave of sand rose at her her back. A flying knee threatened to tag his ribs as he spun out of her reach, but he was not clear yet. He jumped onto a near by tree to keep from being pulled under the swirling mass of glittering granules. The tree shook as she pulled it out of the ground by it's roots to fling him across the clearing.
Sasuke landed on his feet and pulled out his sword. He saw the tilt of her lips as they both moved to meet in a clash of lighting covered steel and razor sharp charka scalpels. The blade caught her, slicing her outer arm. Sasuke immediately reached out to grab her, only to find that she was behind him weaving symbols. The water dragon hit him at full force and her felt the electric current rumble up through his spine. His sharingan spun and his ameterasu sizzled when it connected with the liquid, creating a barrier between him and the onslaught of water.
Steam rose around them and Sasuke searched the millions of water droplets to find a trace of either nin. The ground shifted and he felt his ankles sink into the terrain. His hand raised to block the elbow that threatened to split his skull open. Her delicate fingers trailed over his arm and he looked down to find a tag had been settled there. Black flames quickly engulfed the paper as it prepared to activate. With a grunt he jutted his finger tips out hoping to catch a hold of flesh. He smirked in triumph, intent on spinning her around and placing her under a genjutsu. His victory was halted as the kanji on his fingertips pressed into her arm and yet the chakra on her limbs blazed as if nothing had happened. Sand leapt away from her skin, taking his hand with it, worming its way up his arm. The sand coffin grew with each passing instant, squeezing the bones in his limb. He recalled the pressure as the same one he had witnessed many years before.
Sasuke let out a disgruntled huff. The sand continued to squeeze with ever increasing pressure, but it did not bother him. His black flame ignighted and took care of it quickly enough. Blood poured from his eye and he could taste the copper tang on his tongue. He could not afford to dally about. He had managed to loose Naruto, though he knew it would not be for long. Sasuke needed finish this quickly. All he needed to do was touch Sakura, the actual Sakura, just once.
His mind stopped going through the scenarios. Perhaps he had been going about this the wrong way. He heard her battle cry as she raced in to knock him out. He parried her strike expertly and formed an attack of his own. Snakes flowed out of his sleeve and snapped at her shirt as she halted her advance. His following kick to the gut just barely missed her but it gave him the millisecond he needed. As she crossed her arms she saw his lips enter her field of vision quickly followed by a his nose and slammed her eyes shut. Sakura jutted a leg out hoping to create distance, but felt no connection. She dropped down to the ground and dragged her fingers through the now loose dirt. It swept up into an arch creating a screen and momentarily causing Sasuke to blink. The sand shielded her eyes and she began to back up, flaring her chakra scalpels. The impact of a blade on the sand made her open her eyes again, carefully.
Fingers reached out for her neck and she yanked her self backwards, weaving though hand symbols. Spikes of earth appeared before jutting out go the ground between herself and their opponent. Gaara jumped forward to meet her halfway.
The sand came up around her and she barely registered the shift in space before she realised what had happened. She was, in an instant, on the outside of Gaara's ultimate shield, which meant...
"No!" she screeched desperately, catapulting herself back towards the two men. The chirp of the chidori echoed in her ears. Sakura pushed off the ground with her chakra enhanced limbs and flew though the sand barrier, hands held up with healing energy. Gaara flipped backwards to avoid the piercing technique but Sasuke had always been faster than any other save, perhaps, Lee.
The scent of burning meat and iron filled the air as the tell tale squeal of the lightning was muffled by flesh. Her stomach dropped and she frantically reached out for the enigmatic Suna shinobi. Her hands hit his back and she felt him cough, his lungs heavy with blood. Sakura ground her teeth together as she willed her power flow through her and into him, healing as the chidori pushed clean through until Sasuke had impaled the leader.
Sasuke winced at the feel of the grip around his neck. His breathing shallowed as the sand squeezed attempting to make him pass out. He soon would if Gaara did not let up, but he liked the odds. The sharp edged of broken ribs scratched at his flesh, and even with the sand making it difficult to breath his lips lifted in a smirk.
It was a strange experience, to be on the cusp of both life an death. Gaara had been there once before and knew the sickening sensation that coursed through his entire being. His life was being ripped from him whilst at the same time being wilfully held in, just as it had been the first time. Back then Shukaku did not have the strength to save his life; Sakura did.
Gaara looked over his shoulder to glance at the woman behind him. With her at his side he would not die. He knew that, yet a small part of him wanted to be sure he saw that look of determination one more time if it was, by some small chance, to be his last. It was what had initially drawn him to her in the first place. Over the years he and seen that look many times and it never failed to catch his attention. The first time when he had tried to kill her teammates at the chuunin exams, and most notably when she had reached into Naruto's chest to revive him on the battle field during the war were turning points for him. He had never seen someone so fiercely beautiful, and he was amazed to find that this time her determination was focused solely on saving him.
Sasuke's smirk turned to a frown when pairs of green orbs linked for the briefest of seconds while she actively thwarted his intentions. Powerful eyes narrowed. He began to return his hand into the gapping hole to rip the mans heart out, but winced noticeably as chakra sliced through his wrist. The pressure of a chakra laden hand clasped onto his useless one. Slowly, healing Gaara as she moved, she guided the offending appendage through the red heads chest cavity.
Sakura's hands never left the Kazekage, but faster then Sasuke thought her capable of she stood before the Suna leader, her back blocking his path to the man that had thwarted his plan. Her healing chakra poured into Gaara's chest at an alarming speed but she did not stop. The diamond on her forehead blazed as the hole began to knit itself back together. Sasuke shifted his foot aiming to strike once more. Gaara's arms rose and he grimaced. Sakura held onto him as she healed him, allowing the sand to flow around them and fend off their enemy.
The whirl of a rasengan broke through the canopy of white and tan. "Sasuke!" Gaara allowed relief to wash over him and quickly willed his sand to retreat and encapsulate them once more. Sasuke turned to face his oldest rival, moving away from the wind charged palm that came careening towards him.
The glow of her chakra was all that allowed him to see the contortion of her features as she did her best to keep her emotions in check. "I'm so sorry, Gaara." Despite her efforts, after all of the stress of the day, a few errant tears slipped down her cheeks. He could not see them very well in the dark but he could feel the droplets on his skin as she continued to siphon her chakra into his system.
"It is not your fault," he said leaning into her touch, trying not to pas out from the pain that was slowly dissipating.
She sniffed and shook her head. "It is. You're hurt and I-" The caress of corse fingertips wiped her cheeks more gruffly than he had originally intended but he did not like to see her tears.
"I could not stand by," he admitted, allowing on of his hands to travel down to caress her jaw.
Beryl eyes widened as she blinked up at him, somewhat shocked at his forthright statement, but more the tenderness that he had suddenly exposed to her. The care in his touch and tone were hard to mistake. Of course there was the kiss to consider as well. Sakura felt a tug on her cheeks as the pad of his thumb traced her lips. "I think I understand," she said, resting her head under his chin. She dared not let go of his chest, afraid that if she did she might make a mistake. Instead she remained still as his shallow breathing and erratic heartbeat slowly returned to normal. She could hear the blows being exchanged outside and could only imagine the impressive and deadly display the two world class shinobi were putting on. She was glad they had been caught in the middle of nowhere. They remained in the shelter for a short time as she monitored his progress. He was not fully healed but all of the vital injuries had been tended to. "We should step in before the blow up the planet."
He nodded in agreement and released his jutsu, happy to retain what strength he had that remained. The snow had slowed and in-between the flecks of white large patches of grey sky had taken over. A loud boom echoed over the area as the two warriors clashed. Polar opposites landed in the snow, Sasuke breathing hard as Naruto growled defensively when the the darker mans eyes slid past him towards Sakura. Naruto stood to his full height between his teammates, a rasengan held a loft towards his battle weary ex-teammate.
"Sakura." Her name from his mouth was a final demand. His eyes flitted between the three and there was an ache in his chest that he could not and would not try to define. It was clear she was not going to leave willingly and with those two near by he would not be taking her by force either. Not today at least. "Tch." A swirl on the atmosphere dragged him into another dimension.
Naruto snorted at his friends petulant arrogance. Big blue eyes rolled as he retracted his jutsu and began to walk over. Sakura allowed a small smile to grace her features. When he had told everyone he wanted a cape instead of a robe to wear as Kage she had wondered why. Now she knew it was for moments like this. There was a part of her hearts brother that liked to look the part of the hero and he was doing a damn fine job. His Kage uniform whipped about behind him dramatically. "Sakura-chan, are you ok?" he asked as he got closer.
She reached out to hug him with a scolding but pleased lilt to her voice. "Of course I am, you baka. Are you?" she asked assessing his condition.
"Yeah fine," he chuckled as he waved her off. The blonde man brushed his nose with the back of his hand before turning his attention to his fellow Kage. He knew Gaara was hurt, but he also knew Sakura had healed him and felt no need to ask about his condition. Instead there was something far more pressing he wished to say. Blue eyes were as bright as a summer sky when the edges crinkled with a wide smile. "Thanks Gaara, I owe you one." The wide palm of the tall Hokage found it's way to Gaara's shoulder in a familiar gesture. The three of them paused for a moment letting the tension dissipate before Naruto looked around nervously. "You should head home before Kakashi-sensei comes looking for you. You know he gets protective."
"I know." The black lines slowly receded back to her forehead and Gaara noticed that the diamond had not yet disappeared, merely faded a little bit.
"I should probably go get Baa-chan and make sure she doesn't destroy the place," he said, his smile turning to a small frown. The two men seemed to share a silent conversation that Sakura was not privy to. Having come to a decision Naurto turned on his heel and waved over his shoulder. "See you when I get back. We'll get ramen!" It did not much matter which of them he was speaking to. They all knew that no matter the city or the company Naruto would be using their presence as an excuse to indulge in his favourite meal.
As her old friend disappeared in to the snow covered trees she felt a hand at her elbow. His warmth reminded her of exactly how cold it was outside. "I'll see you home." His voice was quiet and she was not surprised. She had just removed an arm from his chest cavity and she was sure everything would be feeling a little sore. Still she did not have the heart to argue with him and in the state they were in she did not think it wise to sit around in the snow. They needed to get to a more permanent shelter that he did not need to keep aloft with his chakra. Someplace warm might help as well, as she had no coat and his clothes now had a gapping hole in the middle.
It reminded her of exactly how close he had come to death. A second longer and he might have died. Regardless he seemed determined to move despite his condition and so they began a slow walk though the falling snow. He had a destination in mind, one that he thought they could both use.
Baki did not know if it was idiocy or genius that fuelled their current state of affairs and he recalled thinking much the same thoughts when Tsunade had been the reigning Hokage. The Kage summit had once again disintegrated into a collective fit of immature competitions and too much alcohol.
Thankfully most of the official tasks had been accomplished before the busty woman had managed to find a sake bottle. Kumo had not been pleased to find themselves being pressured by the other Kages to replace A, but understood that it was clearly necessary for the alliance to continue unsullied. The vote had been relatively quick and, with a recommendation from the Legendary Sucker herself and a number of council members, Darui found himself next in line to lead his people.
And then the tedious parts began. Someone, and he was not sure who but he was certain in this moment that he hated them with the fire of a thousand suns, had suggested that they all immediately begin to rework their treaties in light of the events. With Gaara gone the duty fell to him to look out for Suna's best interests. The paper work was not really the problem. He had expected paper work when he volunteered to become part of Gaara's elite guard, not quite able to let go of his young student just yet. It was the Kages that were each a handful in their own rights and together were a migraine waiting to happen. Normally with Gaara around they would find themselves tempered to a certain degree, but without that quiet assurity lurking at the head of the table the Kages were cutting up like kids at school with no teacher.
A sake bottle broke on the ground and boisterous laughing broke out amongst the leaders.
"What the hell is going on here!" Oh thank Kami, Baki wanted to shout. A spiky blonde head of hair entered the room and stomped over to his stand in. For a moment it seemed as if the young Kage was going to scold the medic or perhaps get angry. With that being the case they might actually be able to get some work done. Baki's hopes were dashed when the man's shoulders slumped and Naruto began to whine. "We talked about this Baa-chan. Work first, sake later."
What he got for his troubles was a rosy cheeked pout. "Shut up, you brat. It's already finished." The older woman waved at her anbu guard, all of whom had been wise enough to take her orders without complaint, and motioned to the stacks of paper they held waiting for Naruto's signature.
The war hero sighed, looking more than a little weary. He would be up all night examining those papers; such was the life of a Kage. Speaking of, Baki looked around for a telltale crop of red hair but found none. Instead he caught Naruto's eye.
The tall man had the decency to look sheepish, having returned without his counterpart but grinned never the less. "Sorry Baki, he's going to make sure Sakura-chan gets home. Then he'll head back this way to wrap it all up."
Baki was not sure whether to sob or rejoice. Gaara had left it all to him, a sign that he was trusted by his former student and Kage. On the other hand it was a lot of Kami be damned paper work to sift through if he wanted this to be finished by the time Gaara returned. Having finally earned the stoic mans trust so completely, he was not going to risk loosing over not having the documents ready to sign when his leader returned.
Silently he wished his protage luck. Gaara would have to put himself out there if he was going to get anywhere with the pretty Konoha medic, but Baki supposed freeing her from an enemy cell and offering to escort her back home were both big steps in the right direction.
Gaara looked around the bleak terrain. He knew Sakura was curious as to where they were headed with such determination. Thankfully the storm had calmed considerably and now that they had crossed the border into the land of hot water things were feeling a little warmer. She stayed close to his side monitoring his condition as they travelled and he was glad for it. He felt a twinge in his chest but he supposed that was to be expected after such an ordeal. For almost a month after Shukaku had been extracted he had felt like he had been hit by one of those trams Naruto was thinking of approving for Konoha.
He really needed to rest but he wanted to do so in comfort if it could be helped. If he could hold out just a few more minutes then...
"Gaara?" His name on her lips said with such concern squeezed his heart with a vice grip. It was a question that needed an answer but he was not sure of his state. She would know better than he would if he was physically on the mend. Her hand reached out tentatively for his and he turned his palm to meet hers.
"We will be there in a moment." He felt her fingers weave into his own and he let out an inaudible sigh of relief. He had been a little worried as she had walked along side him in quiet concern. He was not really sure how to address the issue they had broached inside the sand dome. Did she really understand? He wanted to be sure.
They walked for a few more minutes in the dying light and he noticed that occasionally she would reach down with her free hand to pick up sticks and tinder, something he started doing as well. He smelled the steam before he saw the cave. He recognised it from a mission a few years back. He sent his sand in to investigate the area. The last thing he wanted to deal with was a territorial animal getting upset with them for stepping into its home.
The cave was clear but when his sand returned he was not pleased to find himself winded. The sooner they could get inside and settle down the better. Sakura seemed to realise what he was thinking for she took longer strides and rushed ahead to prep, regrettably releasing his hand in the process.
By the time he reached the cave entrance she was already setting things up, her sticks set in a small pile on a dry patch of ground. His joined hers as she started the fire and tended it carefully. Sakura turned her gaze to him and smiled gently. "I'll go find us some food. Is there a stream near by?"
He nodded recalling that there was. "About a mile due west," he said, hoping he had remembered that correctly. She looked a little hesitant to leave but after a beat quickly disappeared into the grey horizon with a flash. He did not like to see her go on her own after what had transpired but admittedly he would have been of little help.
Gaara averted his gaze from where she had been standing, annoyed at himself for not saying more and not really being able to go with her to help in catching dinner. But he knew he had about one more minute before he sat down and did not get up again for a while. With careful determination he walked to the back of the cave where the steam was thicker. The natural hot spring was so inviting and he knew that a few minutes in the warm water would not only help him feel better physically but also probably help clear his mind.
Piece by piece his clothing fell off and he slipped into the water. A shuddering breath escaped from his lungs. The warm water felt incredible on his tired muscles. He could just barely feel the rock surface under his feet. He folded his arms on the lip of the springs entrance and rested his forehead on his forearms.
He stayed still for a time allowing the warm water to pull the tension away from his tired bones. He thought he imagined the tingling that shot up his biceps, almost like the buzz of skin on his own, but his head shot up when soft supple flesh grazed the curves of his back.
"Gaara, are you alright?" Jade eyes turned to find emerald ones peering at him over his shoulder. He was staring; he knew that much. Slowly he twisted around and was rendered speechless. She had gotten in the water with out him noticing and had taking off her clothing as well. Haruno Sakura, in all her glory, had willingly joined him for a bath.
"Hn." She took a confident step forward and he barely surpassed a groan when her pert breasts touched his chest and the skin of her thighs connected with his. Gaara closed his eyes for an instant trying to get a hold of himself. He was in no condition to do what he wished to, so desperately.
When he opened them again he immediately regretted having closed his eyes to begin with. Sakura's gaze began to dart about avoiding his own and though she did not step back he could tell she was second guessing her decision. His arms shot out to grip her waist as gently as he could manage whilst keeping her in place.
Sakura relaxed in his embrace. Green chakra glowed under the water and silently she asked for permission, which he gave with a small squeeze to her petite form. Her chakra in his system was so very reassuring and the tightening he had noticed in his chest before dissipated.
"Rest," she insisted, kissing his lips lightly and then nuzzling his cheek affectionately. "I won't go anywhere." Her promise hung between them with sincerity.
Gaara held her as close as he could, somewhat awestruck at the position he had managed to find himself in. A still glowing hand shifted to the newly knitted skin on his chest. He looked down to the faded diamond on her forehead. The mark was begging to be kissed and so he did. He looked down at the gorgeous woman before him and felt an ever increasing stir of desire in his belly. Her lips parted at the hunger that was suddenly apparent in his eyes. "Resting might be difficult," he admitted, not bothering to hide his want for her. "but I will try." Her giggle was music to his ears as she leaned against his muscular frame bringing her head to his shoulder. The smell of cooking fish reminded him that one of them would have to tend to those soon but for the moment he had her all to himself and he would do his damnedest to keep it that way.
End Comments: I hope that this is as it should be. As stated between the holidays and a new puppy in my life things have been hectic. But I do have the start of our next instalment and I am still aiming to finish this before the end of the year. There will be one or two more chapters depending on the length. So I hope you enjoyed it and I can't wait for the next one. Please forgive any mistakes. I try to fix all I can find but i do not have a beta reader. And reviews are very much welcome and appreciated, but please no flames. Until next time!