I Will Return

Chapter 10: Finding the Strength to Break the Bond

Ok, I would like to say that this chapter might be a long but bare with me. And I apologize for any errors of any sort. I've been going through a bunch of my stories and tried fixing them but they just stay unfixed so I don't know what to do. If anyone could please give me some advice on how to fix them, it would be greatly appreciated….. Ok, on with the story…

Gaara's Point of View…

Gaara sighed as he sat in the living room. It had only been a week since what happened back at the club, still he can not recall what happened or what was going on at the time. It was as if his mind was repressing the very memory that the cops need to close the case and name the man that did this to him. But, unfortunately, he couldn't remember anything other than waking up in the street and then at his hotel. He had told them repeatedly that Shikamaru knows who it was but the cops said that if Gaara wished to press charges or have the man arrested, Gaara would have to name him. Shikamaru was not the one suing and he certainly wasn't a man of great importance, like Gaara was. Which he found that almost insulting to Shikamaru, being he was the one that was trying to help and was part of an equal stands as Gaara, but Shikamaru refused to retaliate, knowing that they were right.

But, still, he wished he could remember. It would give his new found friends some relief to actually know who the hell wanted him dead. Especially Sakura. Ever since his bad injuries, which had healed quickly, like he expected, she was always with. Not that he didn't mind that but still, he knew she had to get things done and he knew she couldn't just let things go and come to him every time she thinks that the man might be in the hotel.

But, through a complete disagreement and complete arguing for hours, it was decided that she would only come over when he called if it was an emergency, other than that, he would go see her for breakfast, breaks, lunches, and maybe even dinner and after night.

Ever since they slept together that one night, she kept coming up with excuses about having to stay with him and saying that it was too late to go home, so she would stay with him. Until one night, right when they were done eating from the food room service brought up, before she asked, he stopped her and simply said, "Will you stop with the excuses and just stayed with me if you want to. I'm not your dad, Sakura. You don't have to give me excuses for wanting to sleep with me. If you want to, sleep with me. God knows, I want to without you making up excuses." He smiled when she turned bright red. He could have sworn that he could see her hair turn red from complete embarrassment. Though the pug about her father thing was sort of harsh and he apologized immediately, but she just had to know that she didn't have to make up excuses to sleep with him.

He smiled as he stared out the giant sliding glass door. Remembering that night all to well. But, now he had a huge problem. Just a few minutes ago, he had gotten a call from both Temari and Kankuro. They kept telling him, reminding him that his vacation time was running out. That he needed to return soon. The company could do fine without for only so long. He didn't doubt Temari's quick thinking and Kankuro's well thought out plans in economic crisis and payments into the budget that they needed to stay alive. But, they needed him back. It was a kingdom without a king to show them the way. Though Gaara didn't see himself as a king, though he knew his company needed him and they were in desperate need for his help.

But, he had to consider the fact that he might leave Sakura and will return at a time he would not even know himself. He had to think now that he had return for her, he would take her with him, only if she wanted to come with him. She had to come at her own choice. He understood that if she said no. She had a life here that she established here in New York. She had a job, friends that cared very deeply for her, and a great opportunity to have an even greater life if he was not in the position he was in right now.

He wished a million times that he could have been something else other than what he was right now, but then again he had to remind himself that he was who he was because of what his decisions were and why he made them. To get to Sakura and keep her by his side. But he had forgotten that she also had a say in what happened between them. And he knew he could not ask her to leave her friends and everything that she had grown up with in just a week. He couldn't ask her to do that.

Having made up his mind, he grabbed the phone and quickly dialed the one number he knew would answer. He waited after a few rings before a groggy voice answered.

"Gaara, this is the tenth time you have called at 3 o'clock in the morning and that was when we were staying in Japan and you kept prank calling me, telling me it was already six when it wasn't. This better be good." Kiba said. Gaara smirked, hearing his old friend in such a 'happy' mood. But he ignored it.

"Listen Kiba, we are due to return to Japan in like 36 hours and I haven't had a chance to tell Sakura or ask her if she would like to come with me back to Japan." He said, hearing another voice on the other line.

"You mean to tell me that all this time, you haven't even asked her if she would even consider leaving with you? Not once?" Kiba asked. Now he sounded irritated.

"Well, let's see. It's not exactly a subject you bring up when you're about to go to sleep together or when you're having a romantic dinner together. 'Hey honey, while you're awake, I just want you to know that I'm being pulled back to Japan and I want you to drop everything here and come with me.' Or how about, 'How's the salad, oh and by the way, I'm going to drag you back to Japan with me because I don't want to leave you.' Kiba, does that sound like a great way to ask it?" Gaara asked in a semi sarcastic and irritated way.

He heard Kiba sigh on the other end, then hearing him rise off his bed and move about. "Wow. You guys have no problems in Wonderland, do you?" Kiba asked, making Gaara lose his patience.

"You know, Kiba. I could have just come over to your house, waking up both you and Ino in your 'Oh so special connection' you were having. I didn't call you to have you yell at me about my relationship being a freaking soap opera. I called you to let you know something and to ask a favor from you." Gaara said, practically yelling through the phone.

He heard Kiba sigh in defeat. "Alright, what is it man?" He asked. Gaara could feel his stomach tighten again, trying to force the words out.

"We're leaving in ten hours. I can't risk the company, just for me to have my old life back, for however long it was and how much I will miss it. I can't. Not after the many phone calls I got from my brother and sister. I can't let them be in that kind of stress anymore, Kiba. So, we're leaving at about five in the afternoon." Gaara finished, hearing him groan then stop.

"That's what you wanted to tell me, then what's the favor?" He asked. Gaara swallowed hard and looked at the one picture that he had of Sakura, smiling and holding his necklace in complete love and understanding.

"I want you to tell Ino to tell Sakura I'm sorry and I love her." He said. He looked over at the clock. It read 3:24. It was about to be time for him to call back Temari before she left for her break.

"Wait, why Ino? Why don't you tell her?" Kiba asked as Gaara sunk in his chair.

"I can't face her, Kiba. I just can't. If I see her, then I will not even bother going back to Japan. Temari told me if I was going to call her back, I was to have either one of the two answers. Yes, I'm coming back or no, I will not be coming back. And right now, I really want to just say no but I can't." Gaara said, dropping his head into his hands.

"Then, why don't you just say no and stay?" Kiba asked. Gaara growled in his throat.

"What have I been telling ever since I called you? My company is sinking. I have to go back or the world will lose the second best medical and science company it will ever know. It is hanging by a thread and if I stay away any longer, it will fall into a giant pit and stay there." Gaara growled at him, not caring if his conscious was telling him to stop yelling.

"Well, then tell Sakura that you are leaving. Don't drag my girl into this crap." He yelled back. Gaara sneered at an invisible Kiba. Imagining him growling and glaring at him as well.

"Because, whether you haven't noticed it or not, she was part of this from the beginning. So, like someone part of a big group assignment, she's going to finish her half of the work, like we both have." He could feel his blood boil already. Sometimes talking to Kiba was just so stressful.

"You're one to talk. You didn't finish any of those records before we left. You said you would." Kiba countered. Gaara slammed his fist into the nicely hung round mirror, letting his knuckles bleed as he grounded his teeth.

"Dear heaven on earth, Kiba. I call for a simple request and here you are yelling at me." Gaara sneered out of his mouth.

"Well, then let me ask you this, oh great steaming one. Do you love Sakura?" He asked, catching Gaara completely off guard.

That seemed to be a stupid question. Kiba knew that he loved Sakura. More than she could ever imagine. If he could, he would gladly bring her parents back, knowing all to well that she is still mourning over them. He wanted everything in her life to be a memory of just being happy beyond content and being with him because he gave her great happiness. But, he also wanted her to live her life. Live the life that she has made without him and he was still unsure if he could now be a part of it.

Gaara's rage began to simmer as he began to think of the many things they had done together. Things that she wanted to do with him. The things they should have done together some many years ago, but something always brought them a part. He never knew that maybe the universe wanted them a part.

He sighed as he could hear Kiba quickened breathing, waiting for his response. "Yes, I love her, Kiba. I love her so much, I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want to grow old with her, have a bunch kids and just be happy." He sighed again, feeling he was vulnerable right now.

"Don't you dare laugh at me, Kiba. You have told me countless times that you want to marry Ino. So, don't start laughing at me." He said quickly, knowing Kiba would jump at any chance to make fun of him whenever he showed his soft side to him.

"Gaara, look I know how you feel, but if she is that important to you, then stay. This is your life we're talking about." He said, in a now calmed voice.

Gaara closed his eyes. "Kiba, did you ever wonder maybe the universe or God just doesn't want us to be together? Every time I have a chance to be with her, there's always something else pulling me away from her. I feel that maybe it's time to face facts. I can't have her. I won't ever get to have her, just for maybe for myself. That part of my life, that chance was gone when I left so many years ago." Gaara said, feeling his heart constrict on him.

"So, you're just going to give up? Just like that? You never give up. I'm the one that gives up around here." Kiba said, determined to change Gaara's mind.

"No, Kiba. Not this time. I can't win this one. My many attempts from so many years ago and this one has failed as well. I still want you to have Ino tell Sakura I'm sorry and that I love her." Gaara said, closing his eyes.

"But, Gaara, you're so close. You got her. This attempt is at least better than the others that you tried." Gaara shook his head.

"I'm going to go pack. Then, I'm going to call the airport and get our tickets all ready for us when we arrive at the airport. I suggest you start packing as well. I might just schedule our tickets for us to leave in about an hour or so. I don't know, but this is….. This is over, Kiba. We need to head back." Gaara said, hanging up the phone, before hearing anything that Kiba had to say.

He knew what will happen and completely aware of the consequences, but maybe over time, she would realize that it just wasn't meant to be. He raise the phone back up and dialed Temari's number.

He waited until the second ring, he heard panting for some reason. "Gaara, oh my gosh. Look, I'll tell what just happened. The co-owner of the Strikers company just pulled away from us. And there are some rumors going around that our stock is going to climb to absolute zero. I don't know how much longer we can last. Please tell me your are coming back?" She asked, pleading for him to in her worried tone.

Gaara sighed and placed Sakura's picture down, letting her beautiful face, stare at the dark brown side table's face. "Yes, Temari. I'm coming back. I'm going to get the tickets in about an hour and come home soon. I'll be there in about seven to eight hours. Can you call the co-owner back and tell him I would like to talk to him when I land?" Gaara asked, looking out the glass doors again.

"Yeah sure. I can keep him in the loop for a while, but please hurry, Gaara. I don't know how much longer our employees can wait." He sighed, nodding.

"Don't worry. I'll be there soon." Gaara said, giving his love and saying goodbye. As he placed the phone down, he walked out to the balcony, staring at the many lights that light up the whole world and even more.

He let his hand feel around his pocket, pulling out a small box. His eyes became more pooled of tears and sadness. He knew that now he would be the one kind of person among others, that will never have what they have always dreamed of. And he knew that in his heart that he couldn't be happy, he wanted her to be happy. He placed the ring back into his pocket and walked leisurely back into the apartment, pulling the empty suitcases along with him.

Kiba's Point of View…..

Kiba sighed as he let the phone slide out of his hand and on to the counter. He couldn't believe what he just heard the cold heart, never back down Gaara just say. Giving up? It's over? Why did he just give up all of a sudden? Did the guy who hit him, knock out his pride and self esteem? He just didn't understand it.

He sighed, letting his hand rub at his aching arm now. Great. Now I have to tell Ino to go tell Sakura. He thought as he began taking the materials he needed to make the coffee. As he poured the coffee grains into the paper basket, he heard several footsteps come down the stairs. He smiled when he heard her sigh softly.

"Coffee? This early in the morning? Something must be up." She said as she approached him and kissed his cheek. He smiled as she swayed her hips while making her way to the stove. He groan inwardly. She knew just how to make him feel like he was going to give in, but then he remembered what he had to tell her and what he had to ask her to do.

"So, who was it? Was it Gaara?" She asked, taking the frying pan out of the oven. He sighed as he poured water down the container and turned it on.

"Well, yes it was." He said, pulling one of the bar chairs toward him, sitting down only a few feet away from her.

"What did he want this time? I swear if it's another one of those meetings, I'm going to scream." She said as she made her way to the fridge, opening it, looking for the eggs and milk. "Feel like eggs?" She asked, this time looking at him, now seeing the look of worry on his face.

"Kiba, what's wrong? What did Gaara ask for?" She asked, knowing very well that Kiba had something very concerning to say.

"Gaara's company is close to collapsing. They can't last much longer without him." He finally said, bringing his hand to his forehead.

"What? I thought he had everything handled before you guys left. Checked all the balances and made sure that all the partners settled for at least a month and the budget would be fine." She asked, trying to find reason not to hit him right now, knowing Gaara was to blame for waking him up.

"Well, he thought they would hold over longer until he came back, but I guess something major happened, otherwise he would've just told me about it later in the morning. Gaara has never freaked out like this. That means something bad has happened. He's packing right now and asking me to do the same. He may buy tickets for us to leave in an hour or whatever." He said, hearing the coffee ding to the temperature and alerting them that it was now making the coffee.

"But, you just got here. What am I suppose to do? How long do I have to wait for you this time?" Ino asked, walking to the coffee maker and pressing a time in for it to start soon.

"I don't know, Ino. It might take a while to pick the company back up on it's feet. His father got off on the wrong foot when he tried to surface the business to the world. He didn't have a plan. When he tried approaching the medical field, he only had a handful of sponsors and had 50,000 dollars. That wasn't enough to make the company he wanted, so he dipped his hand into the local gangs in Japan and offered them free health care and supplied them with info on anything they wanted. It went well, until his father had enough money to cut the ties and going with legal sponsors.." Kiba paused, seeing she grabbed a bar chair and placed it next to him.

"When he handed it over to Gaara, the gangs that he was involved with, approached Gaara, thinking he would be a push over, but he didn't let them have the free health care and instead told them, 'Get your asses out of my building before I kick you out the window and watch you dropped to your death, laughing.' That scared them and they pulled out, but that still didn't shut them up. Two years after he shoved them out, three company owners came to him and asked how his father acclaimed the money that just out of nowhere and into his lap. Gaara couldn't very well tell them that his father that he was part of the gang, regardless of what they already knew. He told them that he got him the money when he went to business school, helping local scientist that would offer proper experiments and have him get their supplies. Now that was a lie but the next day, his company then represented the medical field and the science organization. And he's been riding through this whole charred ever since his father kicked the bucket." Kiba said, looking at Ino's surprised face.

"Ok, fine. I'll accept that, but what about Sakura? Is she going to go with him?" She asked as he shook his head.

"As far as I know, Sakura doesn't even know that Gaara is here on vacation. She thinks he's here to stay. And he hasn't even told her what has been going on. So, no she's not going. Gaara is just going to leave and keep it like that." Kiba said, rubbing his tired eyes.

"What? He didn't even bother to ask her? Why won't he ask her?" She yelled at him. Kiba sighed as he looked at the coffee maker. It was almost done. It needed to hurry up.

"Because, she has a life here. She has a job, friends and she has built herself her own foundation here without him. He told me that he can no longer be a part of that life anymore. The moment he left her, was the moment the window closed and he was locked out." He said, tapping the carafe gently.

"She built her life waiting for him to come back. She has done nothing in her life except wait for him. He is her world. If he leaves again, I don't know what it will do to her. I don't know if I'll be able to help her through." She said, clenching her fists, letting the blood surge white on her skin.

"He was going to propose to her." He said, not looking at her surprised face.

"What? He was going to propose? Then why is he leaving without her?" She asked again. Kiba gave an aggravated sigh.

"Because he loves her. He is not going to ask her to drop everything that she has here, friends and a job and a home she just bought, and go with him to Japan. He's not going to force her to do it. He told me that maybe they weren't meant to be together. He thinks that God doesn't want them to be together. He's admitting defeat. He is throwing in the towel." He said. He could hear Ino sink back into her chair.

"He's just going to give up? Just like that? He's not concerned about how she might feel when he leaves?" She shouted again. Kiba turned to her and held her arms at her side.

"Look, he has asked you to tell Sakura that he is sorry and that he loves her. He refuses to see her, so he asked you to tell her." Kiba said. She shook her head, her eyes becoming like fire.

"I will not be a part of something that inevitability destroy my best friends life. And I refuse for him to leave without saying goodbye to her face to face." She said. Kiba slumped his shoulders. Only perking up at the sound of the coffee being done.

"You think I haven't told him this already? I tried to get him to reconsider, but he refuses and when he sets his mind on something, he sticks with it." He said as he poured him and her a cup.

"What about setting his mind on Sakura? And what it will do to her?" She asked after setting her cup down.

"I don't know, Ino. If I could get into his head I would, but I can't." He said setting his cup down and heading for the stairs to start packing.

"Then, how am I suppose to tell her? Things like this would be greatly appreciated when it comes to ripping someone's heart out." She said, following up the stairs.

"He figured you would come up with something. You always do." He said as he pulled out a suitcase and placed it open on the bed as he began to bury his clothes in it.

"What about Sasuke? What is he going to do about him? I'm sure once Sasuke hears that Gaara is gone again, he'll try to go after Sakura again." She said, just watching Kiba pack.

"I don't know, Ino. I guess he'll just let him have her." Kiba said as he grabbed his tooth brush and soap out the bathroom.

"Oh no. He is not leaving her with that psychotic moron that thinks that she is some goddess and has to have her." She said. Kiba rolled his eyes.

"Look, Ino. I don't know all the details. All I know is that he will be calling me any-" As soon as he said that, the phone rang. Kiba slipped his shoes on and grabbed the other phone up in their room.

"Hello?" He asked, sensing Ino become even more angry.

"Wait, now? You already got the car coming here and everything?… Alright. I'm coming." He said, hanging up the phone.

"Wait, you're leaving now?" She asked. Kiba nodded slowly. He picked up his suitcase and let it sit next to the bed.

"Any chance you want to squeeze into the suitcase? They have plenty of clothes I can buy in Japan." Kiba offered, smiling at her. He always said stuff like that to help lessen the mood.

She smiled, kissing him right then and there. She smiled when he instantly wrapped his arms around her. He sighed into the embrace and let his senses rise as she wrapped her arms around his strong neck. They would have continued but, the sound of a car horn broke the kiss and he could see tears now flowing from her eyes.

He cupped her face, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I'll be back soon, ok? And it will be forever this time. After this, I'll find a job here and we'll be happy." He said, kissing her forehead and picking up his suitcase.

"But, you have a job in a high price company. Why would you leave that?" She asked as he smirked at her as he turned around through the door.

"Well, it's what every man does when he wants to marry the girl of his dream." He said winking at her then leaving quickly.

He smiled when he realized that she was shocked at his response. He had proposed his way and he was sure she was excited because the second he got his things into the car, she came running out, leaping into his arms and kissing him repeatedly, all the while saying yes over and over again. He smiled and put her down.

"So, don't forget ok? Tell Sakura and watch her until I get back. I love you." He said as she kissed him again and smiled.

"I'll keep things covered here. I promise." She said, watching him pile into the car and wave goodbye as it drove off and headed over to Gaara's hotel.

Five hours later…

Sakura's Point of View…

Sakura woke up to a blissful awakening from the sun and the busy cars passing by. She smiled as she remembered the very events that took place during her dream. Her and Gaara were in high school again. He was leading her through his families back forest, wanting to show her his families secret area he found. She could the feel of excitement that was coming off of him.

She smiled when he told her they were almost there, he covered her eyes. She giggled at his playful antics.

"Gaara, what if I trip?" She asked and without thinking twice, he picked her up, bridal style, and carried her.

"There. Now cover your eyes and if you peek you'll spoil the surprise." He told her as she smiled at him. He was always able to make her feel better. She nuzzled her face into his chest and covered her eyes. She laughed when he tried to tickle her.

"Ok, when we stop, I want you to keep your eyes closed but I'm going to let you down, ok?" He told her. She nodded quickly, excited to know what he was going to show her.

When they came to a stop, he placed her down, her eyes still covered and her smile becoming bigger when he placed his hands over hers.

"Ok, ready?" He asked, which she nodded quickly. She felt the pull of his hands remove hers and what she saw took her breathe away.

A small lake with a vine like tree hanging near it like in the romance movies. She ran over to it, letting her knees sink next to it and feeling the water trickle against her skin.

She looked up to see Gaara smiling at her, then sitting next to her. He raised her hand in his and kissed it gently.

And that's when she woke up. She had never felt so completely happy in her entire life. She actually skipped to the bathroom. She never skips, not since 4th grade after tripping over own feet and making Gaara and Sasuke worry over her.

Sasuke….

She stopped, pulling her hand away from the shower handle. She hadn't heard anyone talk about him for a whole two weeks. That's not like him. She shook her head and took a quick shower. After she showered, she brushed her teeth and pulled on a pair of house shorts and a simple tank top. As she made her way down to the kitchen, she noticed a figure walking up to her door. She sighed and quickly answered it. She thought it was Gaara, but then again, she gave him a key so that he could come in anytime he wanted to. She thought he must of forgotten his key when he wanted top join her for breakfast, being it was her day off, but she was surprised to find Ino instead. Standing before her in her jeans and purple shirt. And with a worried look on her face.

Sakura instantly became concerned for her friend. "What is it?" She asked. She was unsure that she would come to her so early in the morning. She would usually be with Kiba or something like that. But, yet here she was, standing before her, all worried about something.

"I have to tell you something." Ino said. Sakura opened the door even more, letting her friend in. She sighed when she shut the door and made her way to the kitchen.

"Well, I'm sure you can tell me before Gaara gets here. I swear he is such a-" But Ino cut her off.

"Gaara's gone, Sakura. So is Kiba. They both left at four in the morning. They are probably on half way to Japan by now." Ino said. Sakura looked at Ino for a minute then laughed.

"That's funny, Ino. You got me. Gaara wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to me first and he promised he wouldn't leave. He breaks his promise." She smiled as she pour her a cup of coffee. She saw the look on Ino's face. She looked a little sleep deprived.

"Sakura, if you don't believe me, call the hotel and ask for his room." She told her as she went and picked up the phone and handed it to her. Sakura sighed and smiled.

"Ok, but just to prove you wrong, I'll check." She said as she dialed the hotel and only waited after the second ring for the front desk to pick up.

"New York Baskin Hotel, Front desk, how may I help you?" The woman asked. Sakura sighed and looked at the time.

"Yes, I would like to talk to Mr. Sabaku, room 435." She said, waiting for the woman to hook the line.

"I'm sorry, did you say Sabaku?" The lady asked. Sakura sighed and nodded to herself.

"Yes, Sabaku." She said, then there was silence before the woman answered.

"I'm sorry. He checked out about a couple of hours ago, turn his key in and everything. Would you like me to send him a message?" She asked, but Sakura had already dropped the phone.

He was gone. Gaara had left. He left again and this time didn't bother to say goodbye. She turned to look at her friend who was nodding her head and then lowered her head. Sakura felt her very heart split. Gaara was gone and she didn't when he was coming back. She sunk down to the floor, letting her cup fall out of her hands and cut her as is crashed against the floor. She felt nothing as she stared at the wall. Gaara was gone. He promised he wouldn't leave. Yet he did.

She shook her trying to understand this. Gaara had left at a very early hour, which means two things: Either something happened back in Japan or he was done with her. She knew it wasn't the second one, because if he was done with her, he wouldn't even bother to come back to her or promised to return to her. So, it had to be the third one.

Something happened and he had to leave without saying goodbye. She looked down at her necklace, letting the charm rest in her palm as she gripped it. With determination, she stood up and grabbed her purse.

"Sakura, what are you doing?" She heard Ino ask as she pulled out her holder that kept her credit cards safe. She turned to face her friend as she took out her card and placed the holder back into her purse.

"I'm going to Japan." She said, see Ino's eyes widen in shock and in astonishment. Sakura was going to Japan and she was going to make sure that her relationship with Gaara stayed right where it was suppose to be. Together like she wanted it to be and she was sure, he wanted it to be that way too…

Oh man. I am tired. I hope you guys like the new chapter and I will update tomorrow and I will update Oban because it needs to be. Ok please review. I would like to hear your opinions..