moonlight: and here we are...
gaara: dun dun dun!
moonlight: -_- ahem... after denying you guys months of updates, i decided to upload this little chappie and i hope you find it... interesting.
gaara: oh yes, it is VERY interesting.
sakura: oi...
moonlight: Sakura? i haven't heard from you in a while.
gaara: *licks lips deliciously*
sakura: and now you know why.
DISCLAIMER: whoever doesnt know by NOW this story is purely fictional and does not have rights to naruto or kishimoto.
Gaara: isnt it supposed to be the other way around?
Moonlight: don't spoil my moment gaara, go eat a cookie or something.
Chapter 12
Sakura
In no time we neared the gates of Konoha rather than days like I feared, but I was only a few hours into my search when I discovered the wounded Gaara.
In that little time that it took us, it was mostly quiet with me usually being the one to try to strike up a conversation. His answers were usually nods with a few yes's and No's here and there.
It was noon and the streets were busy with people hustling and bustling around. Children played on the sidewalks while the elders sat and hummed to themselves on the porch.
"Okay, first I must inform Tsunade about you being successfully retrieved and then-"
A pale hand covered my mouth.
"No, no one can know that I'm here especially her. If she finds out I'll be sent back to Suna for sure."
I pried his hand off my lips "But, why is it that you don't want to go back in the first place?"
"Shut up." His voice was cold.
I bit my lip hard in frustration. What could it be that he is not telling me? If I knew maybe it would be easier to understand but why is he making it so difficult?
I guess it is time to change tactics I thought to myself bleakly.
"Alright…I won't tell Tsunade but you have to tell me the reason why you left Suna."
"I'm sorry I am going to have to decline, don't we already have another deal?" he reminded me.
"Well, if that's the case then I'm just going to run to Tsunade now and tell her about your arrival." I threatened.
"You wouldn't." his eyes intended that he was near the edge.
"But I would, there is nothing stopping me." I could tell I was pushing his buttons
I have to be careful because I might not make it out of this alive. I thought bleakly.
"Sakura…don't you dare." He clenched his fists.
"Fine…but you have to agree to my deal then."
"I will, but on one condition."
Now it was my turn to get angry. "What's the catch?"
"I have to stay at your house for the time being and maybe I'll tell you, if I feel like it."
I growled but there was no way was going to win this. Even if I did run to Tsunade his sand would have killed me before I even got the chance.
"Agreed."
He smiled and I realized what I had just done.
I invited this, strange, monster like, apparently broken soul into my house while my parents weren't home. Yeah, I was pretty much doomed.
"That's a good girl…now which way to your house?"
I cringed and almost fainted at the sound of his menacing voice. "This way."
While we walked the small pathway to my house, past the Sakura trees and the fountains, I glanced at him from time to time. He didn't seem to be paying attention, his eyes were fixated on the scenery and his expression was almost sad, it made my heart just about break in two.
Maybe he is a little bit damaged. I thought somberly.
"What is it?" Gaara interrupted suddenly. Had I been staring at him the whole time?
"Err…nothing, s-sorry." I blushed.
Half a smile appeared on his handsome face but it didn't reach his eyes as he looked away.
God damnit sakura! Why do you always space out like that?
'It looked like you were getting lost in his eyes to me'
Shut up! What do you know?
We reached the narrow, but tall house that sat tightly between two other ones just like it. The cheerful aura that surrounded the home was almost enough to make me forget about the man that was about to enter it.
It was rather neat, even though I didn't bother to clean it which surprised me. The dust that accumulated in the house over a short period of time was mind boggling though. Gaara removed the cloak that he put on to hide his face and set it on the nearby table. And for the first time since we left the desert I looked at Gaara's body which was covered from head to toe in dried blood. I could still smell the copper-like stench. I then stared down at my own body which was equally coated and I wondered why no one bothered to stop me.
"Um… are going to have to do something about this blood." I stated the obvious.
"What do you suggest we do?" Gaara questioned, eyes jaded.
"Well…I guess you need a bath." He perked up a bit after that sentence.
I lead him up the stairs to my bathroom, and started the water for his bath. The large pile of clothes that was in the corner made me groan. I still hadn't done the laundry. And from the looks of it I really needed to.
"Okay, just put your dirty clothes in this corner and I'll wash it for you. I'll see if I could find something of my dad's that you can wear." I explained.
"Problem."
"What's the problem?" I asked, annoyed.
"I kind of can't move without physically injuring myself."
I looked at his heavily bandaged shoulder and his cut up arms. I sighed and stalked towards him.
"You owe me big time for this."
He chuckled, a throaty sound and stood still as I undid his buttons one by one.
His toned chest was revealed once again and it reminded me of our meeting in the desert. That incredible warmth was something I could not bear. It left me wanting more. I shook the thought out of my head and continued what I was doing.
The top's gone now for the bottom. I blushed.
Inner sakura screamed at the thought and I desperately wished she wouldn't.
I slowly moved my fingers to his zipper when firm hands grabbed my wrists.
"Sakura…I can do this part if you don't want to. Thank you." He smiled.
"r-right." I let out a long breath and walked away from him.
"But, I am going to need your help bathing me."
My relief disappeared in an instant. "Fine…whatever."
I watched him wince in pain as he removed his bottoms carefully, not trying to make big movements. I blushed madly at his nude form that was exposed in front of my eyes to see. He had a small build but was rather muscular and I noticed he was several inches taller than me. My staring didn't seem to bother him as he eased into the large tub.
He leaned his head back against the tub and he closed his eyes at the sudden relief. When the weirdness of the situation passed, I sauntered towards my parents' bathroom and chose one of my dad's shampoos and soaps. Gaara was such in a sleep-like state that I didn't want to bother him. I settled the hygiene products on the counter-top and sat on the small wooden stool.
He cocked an eye open, his head still against the rim of the tub.
"You don't have to wait." he chuckled.
"Sorry, I didn't want to bother you and get my head ripped off in the process" I snapped.
He huffed and sat up, water dripping off his semi-wet hair. The droplets covered his body along with the bloodstains that still remained. It was a rather erotic scene
I poured the shampoo onto his head and massaged his scalp, moving my fingers in small circles. He moaned and he seemed to enjoy what I was doing.
The blood that was mussed in his hair dripped down his forehead; the droplets cleaned his face of the red liquid and revealed his kanji tattoo that was hidden underneath.
I scrubbed his scalp until the stickiness had disappeared and I began to wash his body. The soap covered every inch of him and cleaned the remaining blood with ease. I shut the water off after rinsing him and walked towards the linen closet when something wet caught my hips.
"Wait…you still need a bath don't you?" Gaara questioned, hands gripping me tighter.
I stayed frozen in that position. "It's fine…I can just take one after you."
He spun me around to face his dark rimmed orbs.
"Join me"
O_o things are really heating up now! what will sakura say? what will gaara do? will this fic ever end? will i go insane? will-
Gaara: put a cork in it will ya!
sakura: oi...
