Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Rated T.
R&R please!
- Chapter Seven -
"Gaara-sama, we need to talk."
He didn't reply.
Sakura sighed and sat down beside him. "Talk to me, Gaara-sama. It will help."
Gaara turned towards her. "I remember the Chunin exams, you were there... and you reminded me of my Uncle Yashamaru, a man who tried to kill me."
The pinkette gasped in surprise. "I reminded you of him?"
"Your eyes, the determined look to protect those you love, is what I mean, Sakura."
She sighed in relief. "Gaara-sama, that's all in the past now, don't you think you need to forgive yourself?"
Gaara looked down at his hands. "These hands... are hands of a killer. A murderer. How could I forgive myself for this?"
Sakura chuckled softly and placed her hands in his. "Gaara-sama, we're all killers. You, me, Naruto... we've all killed someone innocent before. You were... alone for most of your life. You didn't know any better. Please, move on."
His eyes softened at the sight of her petite, small hands, placed in his own medium-sized ones. She seemed so small, yet, she was this strong woman. He could admire her if he wanted to, but he didn't.
"Why would you go out of your way for someone like me?"
She removed her hands from his grasp and tried to ignore how lonely they felt now. "Because, I care about you and you're my friend."
Gaara felt his lips twitch into a small smile as he looked at her. "... Thank you, Sakura."
Sakura blushed slightly and stood up, while clearing her throat nervously. "Y-you're welcome, although I didn't really do anything."
"OI! SAKURA-CHAN! GAARA!"
Both ninja turned towards the slightly loud, obnoxious, voice to their left and cringed when they realized Naruto was running towards them.
"What is it baka?" Sakura asked, while punching him on the head.
Naruto felt tears run down his cheeks, as he rubbed the sore. "Ouch, no need to be so rough. I just knew you two would be up here. Hinata-chan and I are going for a walk. Do you two want to join us?"
Sakura looked back at Gaara and smiled, "Come on, Gaara."
He nodded in response, "All right..."
xXx
Temari watched Matsuri pace around in the dungeon she was in, which made her sigh. She was tired of watching after this brat, especially since she was the one who poisoned her brother. All the sandy blond wanted to was ring her neck for it.
Her little brother could have died! And this bitch acted like nothing was wrong! How could she even do this to Gaara? She was in love with him! Or so she thought... but why now? Why would she suddenly do this...? It didn't make any sense.
"Matsuri, it's hard to believe you were the one who poisoned Gaara."
Matsuri looked up. "Why? Because I love him?" Then she scoffed slightly.
Temari glared. "I could just kill you, quietly, and make it look like an accident if you don't tell me the truth."
"Okay... I'll whisper it into your ear..."
Temari stepped closer to the bars and listened to what Matsuri was telling her. Her eyes widened slightly and she rushed out of the dungeons, leaving Matsuri behind.
"You watch her, and do NOT let her out of your sight!"
Once she was finally out of the dungeon area, she made her way over to the hospital. That's most likely where Gaara would be - since Kankuro was lying bed - trying to get better. Although Sakura healed him, there were still side effects that even she didn't know about.
"Sakura, GAARA! I need to talk to you now."
Naruto looked at her funny. "What's going on now?"
She huffed. "Shut up, blondie!"
Sakura placed a hand on Temari's shoulder. "Calm down and tell us what happened."
Temari exhaled. "I know who really wanted to kill you, Gaara."
Gaara's eyes widened, but he said nothing. "..."
"Matsuri says the council hired her to do their bidding, offering her a lot of ryo. Greed can destroy a person..." She said, before trailing off.
He sighed. "I don't doubt that it was them..."
Sakura placed her hand in his, which shocked the other three ninja, including Gaara himself. "Don't worry, I'll be here for you."
He shook the feeling of butterflies crawling around in his stomach as he looked down at her. She was so beautiful - yet... manly.
Gaara almost face-palmed at the thought. I shouldn't even think of her at all.
"We should go to the council."
Each one of them nodded towards each other, and took off towards Kazekage Tower.
