A/N: Alright, let's see how many chapters I can publish before I crash for tonight. I have...three hours before bed. Easy peasy! So Gaara managed to escape, and Sakura seems to be going through a mid-teen crisis, and to top it off...she's unwittingly connected to a demon...nice...But Gaara will take good care of her won't he? Either that, or he'll eat her...hehhe... Alright, toodles people!

OoOoOo

Sakura trudged downstairs. She knew Kakashi would want a detailed explanation of her outburst, earlier this evening. And, likely enough, the reason wouldn't come. She, personally blamed it on hormones, but somehow, she didn't think Kakashi would see it in the same light. Sure, her hormones had been going crazy at the moment, but really, deep down inside, she knew it wasn't a reason. As a first rate kunochi, she had learnt better than to let her emotions get the better of her. But deep down inside, she was desperately afraid she'd lock it all away and become a living statue, just like Sasuke... She shivered at the thought as her toes hit the landing step. Kakashi stood in the corner of the room, admiring the family portraits.

"Kakashi sensei, what are you doing here?". The silver-haired nin turned around. He gestured towards the door with his gloved hand.

"I think you know why i'm here Sakura. Now, let's take this to a more appropriate place, shall we? Private matters need to be discussed", he rumbled and made for the door. Sakura sighed. This always meant something bad...It felt almost as bad as lying to her mother... She hobbled towards the door, gently closing it behind her as she stepped int the frigid- night air.

"Sakura. That outburst today was award worthy...". She tried to raise her voice in protest, but he silenced her. He cleared his throat loudly before continuing.

"Sakura...you, of all people know how deadly emotions can be. They have no place on the battlefield", he rumbled. She sighed.

"I know, Kakashi. I honestly don't know what happ-". Kakashi silenced her again before she got any further.

"Sakura, don;t try and explain it. We're all upset over Sasuke's illness. It's a hard pill to swallow and I, for one, don't intend n letting him loose the batt-".

"KAKASHI SENSEI! I saw him change into...into...whatever it was! It was horrifying! That was no normal disease!", she sobbed. Kakashi looked at her with pity. I thought it might have been... Kakashi thought to himself. He sat down on a nearby log. By now they were a few yards into the Haruno garden...

"I probably should have told you two what really happened...", Kakashi said as he shook his head.

"What happened? What's wrong with him sensei!!", Sakura babbled. Kakashi looked up at her with one gleaming black eye...

"Sasuke...has a certain...trait. Rather a problem actually. It's not natural, but it does have some significance, and we're calling n two professionals as we speak. One is a great healer, much like yourself...". Sakura blushed.

"And the other...can only be described as the older Naruto. They're very much similar, and I think Naruto will get along well...He needs someone, more flexible than I, to train him. And the Hokage knows that...", Kakashi looked down at the ground and Sakura sighed.

"Kakashi sensei...".

"Hmm?".

"I-I-I had a little encounter with one of the Sabaku siblings today, just after I left you guys... I-I charged at him and...then I don't remember anything until I get home. What happened?". Kakashi looked over again, this time worry was evident in his eye...

"Which one? Not that buffoon with the cat mask?", Kakashi struggled with the sentence. Sakura looked down at the floor...

"Um mm...I think his name was...Gaara?".

"Did he hurt you? You need to report it if he did. Disqualification...", Kakashi said. He stood.

"U mm, no. But my neck feels weird now. It's not a hurt pain...just a weird prickling...". Kakashi looked really upset now. Something wasn't right...

"Let me have a look...it might just be a splinter from training..". She pulled her hair back to expose a small pink, raised symbol. Kakashi suddenly gasped. He ran his fingers along the ridges... It's the mark...it's back again... But, it can't be! Sakura won't let Naruto near her! He mark of the beast...Kyuubi? or... Oh god no...Not now... Sakura jerked away.

"Kakashi sensei? What's wrong?". The sound of her voice was enough to startle Kakashi from his thoughts...

"Nothing", he smiled, "Just a splinter as I thought", he produced a splinted from his pocket to prove his point. Sakura shrugged.

"We better get you home hey? The sun's about to set, and knowing the new curfew, you better get going fast otherwise you'll end up in the Hokage's quarters. And believe me, he is not a night person!", Kakashi laughed. Sakura smiled unsurely...

"Alright, thanks, Kakashi!". Kakashi smiled and darted away. Sakura scratched at her neck again... She could still feel the ridges from the 'splinter' Kakashi had pulled from her neck. Hmmm, maybe it'll be gone in the morning. Perhaps i'd better keep my hair down for a few days to cover it...

She couldn't help but feel something watching her as she walked slowly back to the house. Shutting the door she trudged back into the kitchen...

"Did you two clear that thing up?".

"What thing?", Sakura looked at her mother. Her mother's hands went to her hips...

"You know what i'm talking about...".

"Oh that? Yeah, it's all okay now. Look mum, I have training tomorrow and I need to get to sleep. Is it alright if I skip tea?". Her mother scowled at her.

"Have those boys been teasing you about your lovely curves?".

"No mother, i'm just not hungry...". Her mother nodded and started straining the peas and rice.

"Night, sweetheart.". Sakura turned her back and headed up the stairs.

OoOoOo

Gaara lifted his blood covered face up from his kill. The miniature Shukaku next to him, kept on eating. The deer hadn't even stood a chance, Shukaku had bounded after it and sliced into it's neck. Gaara had greedily gorged himself as well. His stomach didn't take nicely to the processed stuff in the pantry cupboard... HE sniffed the night air eagerly. The scent of lilies and cherry blossom floated over the low wall that separated him from the gardens beyond.

"Shukaku! Where are we exactly?".

"U mm, I think we're outside the...Yamanaka household?".

"Somehow, I don't think so...". Voices drifted over the wall. A male and female. Gaara edged towards the wall and peeked over. The silver haired nin seemed to be a little on edge. Gaara watched for a few minutes until they parted ways. Then the smell hit him square in the face. The smell of his girl.

"Haruno...". He hissed. The pain returned in his chest again. Shukaku looked up. It's muzzle ,covered from it's eyes down in deer blood.

"What?".

"Haruno household...". He looked over to it and it nodded seeping back into the bulk of his sand. He smiled evilly, the shadows making a mask across his eyes. Jumping the wall he headed for the upstairs window. The light shone out, adding to the hazy light the moon cast upon the colourful garden. He slunk up the wall and stopped just outside the window. A slender shadow lingered within, it's pale, muscled outline clearly visible under the light cotton sheets... Gaara smiled and slid his claw through the gap in the window...

OoOoOo

Sakura stirred as she felt a breeze slip into her room. She turned on her bedside light and peered around the room. The window was wide open, the leafy vines of the umbrella plant wrapped around her windowsill...

"Must have been a broken catch...", she mumbled sleepily as she got up and closed it, anchoring it shut with one of her kunai.

"There, that'll hold it...". She slumped towards the huge futon and sunk into the spongy cushion. Sleep slowly claimed her...then the bed dipped.

"Mum, go away! I'm tired! I need sleep!", she moaned angrily. A voice next to her ear chuckled. She opened her eyes wide, just as a slender, pale hand slunk across her body.

"It's me, my cherry blossom...". Something about the voice made her want to relax...even though she knew perfectly, who the voice belonged to. She tried to struggle... but the hands around her waist tightened..

"Now, now. I'm not going to hurt you...Here, turn over...", the voice suggested. She did as she was told and stared back into the sea foam green depths of none other than...Sabaku no Gaara...

"G-G-Gaara! What are you doing here?".

"I...I had to check on you. I don't know why...", he whispered as she tried to push away. Gaara pulled her flush against his body...and she felt it... The clear bulge in his loose pants...

"Gaara! Get out!". He looked at her in surprise.

"I'm trying to suppress it, really. I just want company...until the dawn comes...". She stared at him.

"Gaara... I don't even know you!".

"P...p...ple...please?", Gaara choked out. Sakura sense something wasn't right.

"Gaara? Whats wrong?". He turned his head upwards and she saw it...two lines, deep and red on his chest and neck...Sakura gasped...

"GAARA!" Sakura whispered. She jumped up and closed her bedroom door... He followed her with his eyes sluggishly...

"Gaara...who did this? How come you didn't tell anyone?", she hissed as she ran to her tiny medical kit. She pulled out a couple of swabs and some saline solution...

"Because...they'd...kill me...". She stopped dead.

"Why?", she looked at him in utter disbelief. He looked down at the floor of the bedroom.

"Because...they do not care...as you do...".

No, because of what you've done to them you baka! Sakura gasped.

"What was that? I must be going crazy...". Gaara looked up at her sympathetically...

"No, you're not...but...how...can you hear it?".

"What do you mean 'it'?", Sakura asked, a little scared. Gaara shook his head.

"The reason...no one...will love me...". Sakura gasped.

"But, what is it?".

"A demon...". Sakura stared at him and carefully put the solution down. She now held two soaked swabs in her hand.

"Gaara...are you okay?". Gaara looked up at her. The moonlight coming through the window made his eyes appear grey... sad...depressed...lonely...She felt for him. She slowly crossed the room to him, and he watched her. When she started to place the swabs on his chest, he snapped his hand up and grabbed her arm.

"No salt...please...", he said gruffly. She nodded silently and placed them over on the bedside table.

"What about the bleeding?". Gaara shook his head.

"Don't...worry about...me". She shrugged and settled down on the floor. He leaned over the side of the futon and stared puzzled at her...

"What's wrong?", she asked him.

"Why... aren't you... sleeping up here?", he asked.

"Because there's no room, Gaa-".

"Yes there is...", he gestured to the area behind him. She looked unsure...but then shook her head and laid down behind him. She heard shuffling, then protective arms encircled her waist again and his face came next to hers.

"You...are mine...to protect...", he grumbled before she fell asleep...smiling...For the first time in weeks, she felt safe and happy...around a complete stranger. As she drifted off to sleep...she couldn't help but notice the burning on the back of her neck...

A/N: Okay, that was random...well, he obviously wasn't himself in this chapter... Gaara saying 'please'? Usually it's begone or something to that effect... Oh well. I can't say i'm expecting good reviews on this chapter but oh well! Next chapter will be better, I promise! Cyas! r&r!!