Chapter 13: Necessary Pain

Little Falcon: I know, I know, late again but I've been under the weather lately and I am trying to whip my ass back in shape but it's not a one-day process so please bear with me…

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!

The farther she went, the more composed she's become- which should be the opposite because right now, she's in the company of wolves. And even if she's dressed in wolf's clothing, pretension can only last for so long especially when her supposed allies began asking questions.

"Isn't it stupid of you to get caught, danna-sama (master)?" One of them said as they traversed deeper into the forest. Obviously, this wasn't a friendly hello and the way she would respond would take or save her life.

Sasori isn't the type to take insults well so… hurling her mechanical tail at the speaker, she let her actions speak more than her words. At bated breath, she watched the others react to how she, disguised as the puppet master, answered Deidara's sarcastic pun. Apparently, her reaction was just adequate since no one bothered to disagree or something along those lines. As the blonde's maniacal laughter echoed throughout the quiet canopy, the kunoichi inwardly flinched, feeling her chakra reserves coming close to empty. You guys, better hurry it up… with her peripherals, she began searching for the best and least deadly way of getting out of the situation she has voluntarily put herself into.

The one-tailed beast inside him roiled restlessly as his heart and his mind were both paralyzed by one short revelation. She doesn't remember… he recalled being in this state. It was when he found her ashen remains in that cell… but, apparently, it's only a prick compared to this heart-rending surprise. To be emptily reflected in those mesmerizing emerald eyes he had grown addicted to, delivered the finishing blow. Right now, the love of his life sees him just as a stranger with a name. Nothing more, nothing less. All the memories of her, with her and anything about her formed cold chains that dragged him down in the abyss of utter despair.

Anger mixed with betrayal. Jealousy collided with affection. All of which impaired his capacity to think clearly. The sands beneath his feet were swirling threateningly as he felt his control chipping off, piece by piece at every second.

POOF! Everyone stopped moving for a quick moment before wheeling around to look at the place where the shadow clone was last seen. Cold sweat trickled from their forehead because there can only be two conclusions with this outcome. One was if Sakura purposely dematerialized her clone to save chakra while running away from the enemy. The second was… if she was discovered and then… no one dared to continue that train of thought. But everyone prayed it was the first.

An overwhelming fear of losing her again drowned his rage and knocked his senses back in place. He had lost her once and it almost killed him. He just knows that he won't survive if he lost her again. Without another word, Gaara disappeared in a cloud of sand.

What are they doing?! Expertly jumping from treetops to branches and vice versa, the exhausted kunoichi threw a quick glance over her shoulder and found no one pursuing her. When her chakra didn't hold out, she transformed back into being herself while still in their company. Like a hunted rabbit, she fled as fast as her legs can take her. The fact that she wasn't chased didn't give her any hope of security at all. She knew this kind of people- they are the ones that especially love to hunt. They let her run away only to let her know the feeling of real fear-the one that paralyzes not only her limbs but also her reason until there is nothing left but that gnawing dread of her coming doom.

She wanted to sprint and dash like there's no tomorrow, but her body can no longer comply. Upon landing on the forest floor, her knees gave way and as she struggled to her feet, her muscles shook uncontrollably. Fatigue finally caught up with her plus the injuries she sustained in her previous battle chose this time to act up. Her lungs fought to give the ventilation she so direly needed. Her heart slammed against her ribcage at an almost dangerous rate. Her muscles refused to relax but her bones felt like jelly. With a hard swallow, the kunoichi scanned the surroundings with her blurring vision. It was strangely quiet. Too quiet- no chirping of birds, no howling of monkey even the wind itself seemed to stop blowing.

Inwardly, she begged her body to cooperate but she remained on the ground, unable to stand. Her limbs didn't feel like they belong to her at all. They were heavy and stiff. Not even her toe can obey the command from her brain. Realizing that it was futile to force her body to move, she withdrew her kunai and prepared to do what was necessary at that moment. Lifting the blade high enough, the sharp edge scintillated bluish white upon catching a bit of light.

Suddenly, the air shifted making the fallen leaves scatter around her, creating a small visible whirlwind that distracted her for a moment. It only took a few seconds but as soon as she opened her eyes, she was surrounded. They made no noise and their chakra patterns were barely noticeable. Figures, even if they didn't make any effort to conceal it she wouldn't have discerned it since she was far from perfect form right now.

Like sentries, her enemies stood silently, encircling her. The distance between them was great but she knew that this time escape was impossible. It was an instinct cultivated after seeing and having spilled enough blood, both yours and not, that small certain voice that tells you when you still have a chance to live or when your number is up. Sakura knew the odds and has considered the possibilities.

When they started to approach her in a slow, steady gait, it was clear what she was had to do. I'm not going to be a hostage to be bartered with, nor will I be snitch and betray my village again… this time she lifted her kunai higher and held it with both her hands. However when she was about to deliver that lethal move, tears welled up in her eyes and trickled to the forest floor.

How can she still sense his presence even at her severe state? Even at the face of death, her senses were still attuned to his imminent arrival when her enemies remain oblivious to his growing presence. What are you doing? Why are you here? He was closing the distance in between them at an incredible velocity. Her hands trembled and so did her tears. Her head slowly turned right as her emerald eyes sought to see even a shadow of him. No… I can't do this again. I just can't… her logic immediately reminded her of the consequences of even thinking ofcalling his name.

Don't come any closer, please. Please… you don't have to do this anymore. Stay away from me… now, her tears were falling for an entirely different reason. At that moment, the kunoichi saw death as an easier way to live than face the what-if's of the future she chose to weave.

Her pupils dilated upon realizing that they were already right in front of her. In spite this scenario, her mind was still focused on him and him alone. GAARA! Her heart shouted but she chose another name to call. "NARUTO!"

His feet picked-up his pace as soon as he sensed her deteriorating chakra signature in the far north. His sand was swirling dangerously around him, ready to take orders from their master. As soon as he realized that she wasn't alone, he almost broke the speed of light. Sakura… Sakura… with or without memories of him, he needs to see her alive and well. That was the only thought that drove him there. Creating a wave of sand, he stormed into the battlefield only to be welcomed by the sound of sheer betrayal. "NARUTO!"

One word delivered the heaviest physical blow to his chest and crushed whatever was left of his shattered heart. But that didn't stop him from burying those bastards that dared to even lay their filthy hands on her.

As the sand surrounded and protected her while the torrential wave washed away her opponents, her body crumpled to the ground as she forced her tears to end. More than her wounds and bruises, she clutched the only part of her that felt the rawest pain- her heart. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… then she felt a familiar pair of arms holding her close. She kept her eyes closed to keep herself from revealing those emotions that she can't bear to hide at that moment and also to engrave into her memory the warmth of his touch.

The Sand Master held his woman close… afraid that she might disappear if he let go. His chest was exploding with rage, he wanted never wanted to kill more than he does now. However he yearned to really verify first… if she really is alive. His hands were reluctant initially but as soon as he felt her soft warm skin he immediately threw all reluctance out the window and embraced her as tight as he could. "Sakura…" he whispered her name against her hair like a prayer. His rough hand caressed her short silky tresses and brought the tips to his lips.

He's doing it again… she has studied human behavior through books and researches but not every human action has an equivalent definition. Gaara kissing the tips of her hair almost each and every time they were together was a specific example of the uncharted territories of her calculated psychology.

But she's even more perplexed why this peculiar gesture had more effect on her compared to his tight hugs and passionate kisses. When he's kissing her hair, she felt treasured… like she was the most important person in the world for him, like she's someone who's irreplaceable, like she's someone… he truly loves. Upon that thought, her heart felt a vice-like grip that grew tighter and tighter. How can she have done something that heartless to this person who did nothing but love her unconditionally? Just for a quick second, she was tempted to open her eyes.

"SAKURA-CHAN!" She heard her hokage's loud call before sensing him land nearby.

Seeing her alive made him release a breath he was holding ever since he saw her shadow clone vanish. Before he called out, his brows furrowed at the scene he was seeing. The stoic sand master had been the one to rescue her first. No, it wasn't only that. It was the way Gaara was holding Sakura… too close. His sky blue eyes narrowed dangerously as he saw him kiss her hair. A possessive growl erupted from his throat before he decided to cut-in. His unblinking gaze reflected the red head as he stood up, carrying her, to face him.

His jade eyes met with his as he held his woman. The carefree aura the young hokage was radiating at their first meeting was gone replaced by hostile jealousy. Without saying another word, Naruto stood in front of him and opened his arms, ready to receive the ,supposedly, unconscious kunoichi.

Instinctively, Gaara held her nearer with no intention of letting her go. His sand rumbled beneath his feet ready to defend his own.

The Rokudaime's vehement eyes gradually began turning into the shade of crimson as his nails grew into claws.

"Naruto?" Both jinchuurikis' aggression stopped abruptly upon hearing her weak tone.

Just how many times does he have to feel his world fall apart and his heart shatter into pieces? Just how many times does the world have to say that it's over? And just how much time does he need to realize… that she's no longer his? The sand master stood frozen in agony as the kunoichi in his arms extended her hands to reach for the man in front of him. He felt that old wall of indifference and hate slowly rebuilding around his heart while Sakura was taken from his hold. His eyes grew empty and cold as he relinquished custody of the battered kunoichi. However at the last moment, he felt something warm drip on his arm before she was taken completely. Tearing his gaze away from the reunited pair, he saw a drop of moisture on his skin. Its warmth was enough to prevent the numbing loss from swallowing his heart.

"Are you alright, Sakura-chan?" His voice was soft and gentle like his gaze. He carried her away like she was something that'll break easily. Receiving no reply, he dismissed it nonchalantly but his pupils dilated upon seeing the tears flowing from her eyes. Discreetly, he threw a glance over his shoulder to find the sand master touching a part of his arm tenderly with his eyes in utter misery. His brows knitted as he returned his gaze to the Medic-nin. Did they know each other? Naruto wanted to ask but he feared the truth especially when he feels there is something more behind it.

Little Falcon: Read and review onegai…