Hola ^-^ I believe this is the longest chapter...ever o-o It's full of everything! Tell me what you think.

After Gaara's outburst toward Sasuke and Shukaku's awakening Gaara had the rogue vampire that attacked Sakura tracked. Neji found its charm working on another human hours later and Kankuro volunteered for its execution. A few hours later Kankuro returned with news that the beast was dead.

Before dawn that day Gaara held a meeting, calling together the entire household. Anko was informed of her master change and Kankuro was informed of his choice to a new maid. Kankuro kept his composure and simply denied the need for a new maid.

Gaara's anger for small things grew as his need for Sakura's blood grew. Life in the house became calm, even dull. Gaara was rarely seen. He stayed in his office until the early hours of the day and when he wasn't there, he was in his room, sleeping out the day.

Sakura attempted to communicate with him through their bond once everyday on the first week and when Gaara blocked their bond completely she quickly took a hint. She settled for probing her mind to make sure he was still there. Though he was there, his physical absence was weighing heavily on her mind.

It was now the fourth week since the last night she had seen him. There was a battle at the end of the week and Sakura was curious as to if Gaara would shun her assistance. Being a maid she felt no right to ask about Gaara so she played the silent sufferer.

The days passed in a blur and things were so slow that Sakura and Ino slept through many nights as well as days. But today, it was the day to prepare for the battle that night. The maids were all a bustle while the vampires slept through the bright day.

Sakura leaned her chin on her fist and sighed. She looked out onto the day from the glass windows surrounding her. The glass room felt so safe and, surrounded by the beautiful garden, it really was a haven. Sakura turned her head lazily toward the cherry blossom field. She remembered that night and the all too familiar furious face Gaara threw at her. Getting herself into trouble was easy, it was getting out that proved to be hard.

"Sakura? What are you doing in here?" Ino asked walking in behind Sakura.

"Just soaking up some sun." Sakura forced a smile to her friend.

Ino smiled back, worried, and then turned toward the way Sakura had been staring.

"It hasn't been the same since that night huh?" Ino asked.

Sakura stood and walked to the big doors that lead outside ignoring Ino's question. Holding onto the handle she turned to meet Ino's curious gaze.

"I wonder why we're not allowed outside during the day..It looks safe enough." Sakura pondered out loud looking up to the roof of the glass room. It was covered in transparent blue cogs, wheels, and tumblers to show that the barrier was still in place.

"I think it's because they are not awake to make sure it is."

Sakura huffed. Safe seemed so boring lately. It's only when things went wrong that Gaara was there to fix it. She knew it should be impossible but she missed him. She missed the cold, cruel look he gave her when she did something she wasn't even aware of. His strong hands and his even stronger words. All the things everyone saw and feared, she missed. But mostly she missed what no one saw. How soft his skin was, the calm, almost soothing, green of his eyes. How he cared more than any normal person but hid that fact so well. Even his brothers did not see it but she did.

It was a blessing and even more so a curse. Sakura could only assume that the reason Gaara detested her so was because of her knowledge. Because of the way she saw him.

"Girls!" Anko shouted, taking Sakura from her thoughts, "I presume that all your preparations are made if your relaxing in here."

Ino studdered, "W-well--"

"Mine are." Sakura answered firmly.

"Really?" Anko asked, not amused, "You have all of Gaara's things together and ready for him?"

Sakura cocked up an eyebrow and spoke precisely, "All..the preparations."

Anko sighed, and nodded curtly. She wasn't surprised. Since Sakura had no one to specifically care for, she got all her chores done in expert time.

Anko and Ino left the room. Sakura sat on top of one of the black, metal tables. Reclining back on her hands she closed her eyes and began to day dream. Before she knew it she was asleep.

Sakura was in the cherry blossom field again. Her senses were not clouded or altered. She spun in circles attempting to figure out why she was there. Then, striding from behind a tree, Gaara appeared.

Sakura's heart stuttered and half a smile played at her lips. The half a smile disappeared seeing a wicked smirk appear on Gaara's face. This was not the Gaara she knew. His eyes..they were different.

"Hello Sakura-chan~" a too shrill voice spoke.

Sakura's heart raced and her breathing picked up.

"Come now Sakura-chan, let me take what this body so desperately desires. I promise to give something in return." Gaara's head tilted slightly and the words came out calmly.

'This dream' Sakura thought and closed her eyes tight. 'Wake up!'

Gaara's new found voice laughed horribly then charged toward her.

Sakura's brow creased and she was on the verge of hyperventilating, 'WAKE UP!' she screamed.

The dream ended abruptly and Sakura jumped up. The sun was setting now. Sakura breathed out heavily. She had had that dream countless times, every time she slept it seemed. She had no idea what the hidden message was, but she knew it was there. One thing she didn't have to look to deeply to see was that Gaara was even more dangerous than he had been.

Sakura picked herself off the table and walked into the laundry room.

"The masters will be waking up soon." Tenten spoke to the whole group, "Bring their suits to them as soon as possible."

Sakura nodded, as did Ino and Anko.

Tenten then turned toward Sakura, "Sakura, Gaara will not need your assistance tonight."

Sakura expected the news but had no idea how bad it would sting. She blinked fast and hard, fighting tears. Tenten looked to the floor and then turned away. Sakura cleared her throat of the massive lump that formed, "What do I do?"

"Help who needs helping." Tenten said simply and walked out of the room. Tenten could only imagine the pain Sakura felt. Being shunned by your master for your own good was bad enough for Tenten but Sakura was shunned for a reason she didn't even know.

Sakura breathed jaggedly. Finally she walked to her room and threw herself on her bed. Her head hurt with anger, she wanted to hate him, she wanted to throw something at him, to yell at him. But she stewed, dealing with the pain he caused, once again, she sat up and looked at the adjacent wall. She did nothing wrong, but his cruel treatment told her otherwise.

Then out of no where Anko popped into the door way, "Sakura we can't have you slacking tonight of all nights." Anko leaned her body to one side and looked at Sakura with reprove.

Sakura followed Anko to the living room where many vampires were already gathering.

None of them were suited up so she guessed she would be helping them.

"Sakura." Sasuke greeted her with a hand peck. Sakura jumped from his sudden appearance and then smiled a half hearted smile.

Sasuke had been a regular around the house for the last four weeks. Sorting out some business with his own maid and Gaara. After the first week of his business he would regularly pop in on what ever she was doing.

"Sasuke-sama, how have you been?" Sakura asked.

"Absolutely starved now that I see you." Sasuke said smoothly, brushing Sakura's cheek.

Sakura blushed, 'Was that supposed to be a compliment?'

"If you need any assistance, please, let me know." Sakura smiled and pulled herself free of his alluring presence.

Sakura caught back up with Anko in the laundry room.

"Oh, Sakura. Just stand out in the living room and if someone needs your assistance that is your cue." Anko said quickly as she laid out two suits.

Sakura nodded, disappointed, and turned to walk back out into the living room.

Anko sighed and grabbed Sakura's arm to pull her into a hug, "I know it hurts Sakura." she whispered. "Being forcefully separated from your vampire is hard." Anko spoke softly and knowingly. Sakura could see Anko's longing for her true bond in her eyes. Sakura hugged Anko back and then let go before the flood gates opened. Anko looked down to the suits and then looked at Sakura's turned back mischievously.

Five…Ten…Twenty minutes pasted as Sakura stood outside the laundry room for all vampires assistance.

"Sakura-chan." someone whined.

Sakura turned to see Naruto. She smiled at his pitiful pout and then asked, "Can I help you Naruto-sama?"

Naruto drug his feet toward her, "I'm thirsty."

Sakura nodded and walked toward the kitchen to run smack into something impossibly hard for a human. Looking up at the obstacle it definitely wasn't human, but a white haired, mysterious looking vampire. His dark eye swept over her as he watched her stagger backward. He caught her smoothly and stood her up straight, "Whoa now." he smiled a too human smile, it reached his eyes.

"I'm so sorry…" She said then bowed.

"I'm Kakashi, and it's no problem." he chuckled and looked toward his company waiting for her to introduce herself.

"Sakura.." she introduced with a red face. The other two vampires smiled there fanged grins.

"This is Itachi, and Kiba." Each nodded when their name was mentioned. Sakura bowed toward them. Itachi was familiar, but Kiba's dog like smile was totally new.

"What were you in such a rush for Sakura?" Kiba stepped forward, oddly intrigued.

"I was getting Naruto-sama a drink." she smiled a small smile toward the friendly looking Kiba.

Both Kakashi and Itachi chuckled. It seemed to float above them then dissipate like smoke. Kiba smiled brightly, his eyes never leaving Sakura's face.

"Well, we will excuse you then." Itachi's dark eyes blinked slowly at her. She felt as if she couldn't look away. Kakashi touched her back gently and Sakura shook herself from his gaze.

She bowed and quickly brought Naruto his drink.

"Thanks Sakura-chan." Naruto sighed and walked away.

Sakura licked her lips and adjusted her position preparing for another long night. Her mind wouldn't stop circling around the three, completely alluring, vamps she just met. She had no idea why Itachi seemed so familiar or why Kakashi's eyes held something she had seen before, or even whether Kiba's looks were because she was gorgeous or just delicious looking.

"Time to suit up!!!" Neji's order echoed throughout the living room and broke Sakura from her thoughts.

Sakura looked around, waiting for an opportunity to help. Sasuke was the first that she saw and the more comfortable choice.

"May I help you Sasuke-sama?" Sakura smiled, offering.

Sasuke nodded and handed her his chest armor. He pulled his over shirt off his body and placed it on the edge of the couch. Sakura wrapped her arms around him with the chest piece. Squinting one eye closed and biting her lip she wrestled with one of the latches on the back of the armor.

Sasuke chuckled, "Do you need help Sakura?" he asked looking down on the odd face she made.

Sakura blushed, embarrassed, "I'm sorry Sasuke-sama, it seems to be bent or something."

"I wouldn't be surprised." Sasuke said then leaned to breath in her ear, "Take your time."

Sakura turned to face him, their faces now only inches apart. Sakura knew now why Itachi was so familiar. Sasuke had the same eyes and the only difference in their hair was Itachi's was blacker, Sasuke's was more blue. The latch hitched and she pulled away sweeping her hair out of her eyes.

Sakura turned, looking for another vampire to help while handing Sasuke his gloves. She saw the white haired Kakashi putting on his chest armor. Sakura turned and bowed to Sasuke then walked toward Kakashi.

"Let me help you, Kakashi-sama." she spoke softly behind him and took the latches in her hands.

"Thank you, Sakura."

Once she was done with his armor she turned again searching for a chance to help. Itachi was leaning on the wall, eyes closed, without his armor on.

She approached him, "Do you need assistance Itachi-sama?" He opened his eyes slowly and Sakura jumped back seeing redness. He blinked quickly until his eyes returned to normal.

"I didn't mean to startle you. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated." he said pulling on his chest armor.

Sakura smiled and pulled the armor back, her hands at his shoulders. "It was obviously me that startled you Itachi-sama."

Itachi's eyes followed her movements, "My eyes have a mind of their own now. They have grown tired of me."

"I would assume they are very fond of you." Sakura giggled inwardly.

Itachi didn't smile or smirk, "Thank you for your help, Sakura was it?"

"Yes and it was no problem Itachi-sama." and she left him with a smile.

Sakura turned looking at the suited up vampires feeling oddly accomplished. Sakura nearly burst into laughter seeing Naruto struggling with his armor, his arm bent behind him trying to latch the highest one on his back.. She walked toward him to help him when she was pulled away from the living room and into the laundry room.

"Hurry, Gaara-sama needs his suit." Anko shoved his chest armor at her.

"I was told he didn't need my assistance tonight." Sakura looked at Anko with a creased brow attempting to give her back the chest armor.

"I am replacing your duties Sakura, help me with the suit!" Anko rushed out of the room and Sakura held the chest piece clutched to her chest. Anko had the rest of the suit and rushed to Gaara's room. Anko knocked lightly, Sakura's breath caught in her throat waiting for him to speak, "Come in."

Sakura's heart stuttered and her face became hot. Anko rushed in, "I'm so sorry Gaara-sama, it's been hectic around here. Sakura place it on the bed."

Gaara's breathing stopped, it took breath to speak so he stayed silent. Sakura eyed him, her brow pulled up like a sad puppy. His eyes were cruel and his mouth in a deep frown. She rushed to put the armor on the bed and then turned to exit.

"Anko…" Gaara spoke, Sakura and Anko froze, "Since Sakura is here and has, obviously done nothing to help, you may go back to your work. She will assist me. " Gaara ordered. Sakura's brow creased and eyed him again, protesting his insult with her eyes.

Anko nodded and as she left threw a knowing smile at Sakura that Sakura didn't see. Her eyes were fixed on Gaara. She didn't wait for him to speak, instead she picked up the under armor slowly and walked it to him. Looking at him, the lump returned in her throat. She tried to calm her nerves but she could hear her blood rushing through her veins nervously.

If she could hear it then it was screaming at Gaara. He inclined heavily on the wall next to him, fighting his control. Sakura turned hearing the thud of his weight against the wall. She side stepped to stand in front of him, examining his huffing body. She would have spoken but the look in his eyes told her not to.

Gaara pushed himself up and took the under armor from Sakura's hands. Sakura stepped back and let him pull it over his body. Sakura wanted to talk to him, so many questions rushed in her mind, but she just couldn't. Gaara's throat burned, the control he built was failing.

His fangs grew in his mouth and he finally breathed out. Sakura gasped seeing his fangs so clearly. They were so long and so sharp. Her heart thudding in her chest she stepped forward. Being but a foot from him she pulled the edges of his under armor down, straightening it. Gaara closed his eyes tight feeling the warmth of her fingers through the tight material.

"You know…" She spoke finally, "…if you would let me in. It wouldn't be so hard to keep me out." Her breath was like warm silk whipping around his body.

Gaara slammed his hand against the wall beside him, cracking the wood. Sakura winced, thankful that wasn't her, but stood her ground. He huffed angrily, if she would taunt him, she would feel his troubles.

Gaara let down his guard. Struggles, needs, desires that he had kept from her flowed into her mind. Sakura stood confused for a moment and Gaara grunted at her closeness. Then, finally, it clicked.

Sakura's breathing picked up and her hand rose to shakily push her waist length hair from her shoulder. Gaara pushed her away roughly and Sakura staggered backward.

"Your pathetic…offering what you are most afraid to give." he turned away from her, leaning his body against the wall, breathing heavily. He couldn't hurt her like he did last time, he couldn't hear her slowing heart nearly stopping because he couldn't control himself.

Sakura's eyes narrowed furiously, her heart thudding and she spoke. "And your pathetic!" she stepped forward, "Afraid to take what is willingly offered…do you think life in this house matters to me?!" Sakura rose her voice, "Without you?!"

Gaara flew into her, slamming her against the wall behind her. Sakura squealed and gripped his shirt violently. She then regained her footing and continued when Gaara said nothing, "You bound me to you and made me feel…cared for…" her voice cracked.

Gaara huffed, his breathing still heavy, and stared into her furious eyes, "Cared for? Do you count the mental scars and bump forming on the back of your head?" Gaara bit toward her.

Sakura grabbed his jaw in her small hands, almost making him look straight at her, making sure he heard her every word, "You know I see what no one else does. You know I see how utterly worried you were under all your anger the night I was attacked."

Gaara growled and grabbed Sakura's throat. It wasn't hard enough to cut off her air supply, just a warning. Sakura placed a hand on top of his, pushing her fingers into his palm, "But what you don't know…is that..I would never hurt you. I would never tell anyone if you didn't want them to know." Sakura pulled on his hand.

His grip tightened and his eyes narrowed, "Liar.."

Sakura gasped at his tightening grip, "That night…you told me, that I would feel pain that I couldn't handle. I understand that now."

Gaara's teeth clinched, knowing what she would say. But his hand loosened its grip when she pulled it again.

"I can't handle the pain of you being here but not actually being here.. Knowing your there but choosing to ignore me, to ignore everyone." Sakura's eyes filled with tears but she stared just as intensely into his eyes, "I understand now…You want me to hate you…that would make everything easier…but like you said, if I was meant to hate you.." Sakura placed her hand on his cheek and Gaara closed his eyes tight. "…the bond wouldn't have changed that."

Gaara released his grip on Sakura's throat. His breathing didn't calm but, as he opened his eyes to look at her, his stare did.

Sakura removed her hand from his cheek to push her hair from her shoulder again, her hand barely shaking now. "I want you…to drink.." Gaara nearly bit through his own lip and Sakura waited.

Gaara then placed his hand on her shoulder and thumbed across his mark on Sakura's neck. Once, twice, and Sakura sighed into peace.

'It will not hurt, like before..' Gaara promised in her mind.

Sakura nodded as Gaara cupped the back of her head. 'But you must be completely still..'

His mouth opening, his fangs extending to their extent, he neared her throat. Sakura closed her eyes tight, seeing a glimpse of his fangs had her heart going into a flutter.

'I promise..it will not hurt" he reassured her, feeling her anxiety.

Gaara's fangs sunk in and Sakura whined loudly. Then there was nothing, nothing but numbness. Sakura's eyes popped open looking around, all she felt was the warmth of her blood rushing around her body and the warmth of Gaara's mouth. Gaara clinched, his hand fisting her hair, he pulled her close. Sakura's face went up to the roof instinctively offering Gaara her neck. He held his control and did not pull more blood than came freely.

Sakura placed her hand on the back of his neck, his red hair cascaded over her fingers.

It seemed as if an hour passed in the elapsed three minutes. Sakura felt her heart stutter.

'Gaara.'

Gaara broke free, his nose nudged her collarbone and his deep breath went down her chest as he spoke. "I know…"Sakura's skin tingled.

"Everyone is waiting." she reminded and then gasped loudly feeling Gaara's warm tongue slide over the two wound holes on her neck.

"I know.." he repeated. Sakura tried to push Gaara away, what she felt wasn't sane. Pleasure pulsed through her body like blood in her veins. Gaara smirked completely satisfied of himself and her blood, "The pain I can cause you…is nothing compared to the pleasure.." he breathed down her neck. Sakura blushed a wild red.

Gaara actually chuckled an open mouth chuckle and Sakura smiled shyly.

"Here," Sakura waved him toward the bed as she picked up his armor. She reached around him tightening and fastening the armor to perfection.

Gaara inhaled deeply and Sakura turned to face him, their noses touched. Sakura jerked back, "Sorry." Gaara grabbed her jaw roughly and Sakura closed her eyes, ready to be yelled at. His grip softened and his nose touched hers again. Sakura opened her eyes to meet Gaara's gaze as he closed his eyes.

Gaara's breath mixed with her jagged, and nervous breath. Sakura closed her eyes again and let her nose slide down the side of his and right before their lips touched he moved his face away from hers. His lips pressed on the side of her mouth, then her cheek, her jaw bone, under her jaw, and all the way down her neck.

Sakura's breath tickled the back of his ear and her hands slid down the back of his neck. Then Gaara stopped and breathed down her neck, composing himself, he looked up to Sakura.

Sakura looked into his eyes wanting to see what she knew was there the last time she had looked so closely. There they were, they were pushed to the back and guarded but she saw them, the emotions that were so new to him.

Gaara looked away from her probing gaze, "I do not know these emotions. They are over whelming in your presence and…it is hard to control myself."

Sakura nodded, understanding, she wouldn't provoke those emotions just because she could.

Gaara turned from her and took his gloves from the bed prepared to leave.

"I have one question Gaara-sama." she stopped him as he touched the door knob.

Gaara gazed back at her, "Yes?"

"You know of..this dream I've been having, don't you?" she asked.

Gaara nodded, keeping her gaze.

"Could you explain it?"

"That is more than one question Sakura." he smirked. Sakura nodded knowingly but looked at him desperately. Gaara sighed, "He is Shukaku. My demon." Gaara began before Sakura interrupted.

"A vampire with a demon?" she questioned. Gaara raised an eyebrow and his eyes spoke for him, 'Let me finish.'

"When I was born my father had him sealed within me. I went through a decade and a half fighting him. Finally, I conquered him. I pushed him out of my mind but he never left. The last time he..came back..was when the ambush happened. I found that, in a weakened emotional state, he could come back. He fed off of my pain and only when I controlled my emotions did he leave again."

As he spoke, memories of his father and the assignation attempt on him flooded her mind.

"That's why…" Sakura began and Gaara finished for her, "..when we met, I had no emotion."

"You thought they were weakness." she added.

"To Shukaku they are. After the first taste of your blood I knew I would have to fight them. I was stubborn, the bond's history tells that these emotions are not fightable. What you are meant to feel you feel, simple yet complicated."

"But now what? Will he plague my dreams still?"

Gaara walked to her, "I am not sure.. Though lately I have realized that Shukaku can be fought directly instead of simply pushing him away. It is just a more complicated fight and I will have to work on it."

"What can I do to help?" she compulsively moved toward him.

"Once," he touched her temples, "he controlled me by plaguing me when I slept. Until I fought back. You are but a human and Shukaku is a demon, he can make you feel pain in your dreams you wouldn't imagine possible. So, for you, I will block our bond tonight while you sleep. If he comes in your dreams do not fight him Sakura. Make yourself wake up, anything, but do not fight him."

Sakura's brow creased at her weakness.

"Weakness?" Gaara asked.

"I can do nothing to help you."

"You can be safe." he ordered and touched his forehead to hers. Sakura gasped and her eyes fluttered closed. Gaara caught her under the arms and laid her on the bed. Sending her to sleep would protect her from the stresses her mind would be under because of his blocking their bond.

He found his bite mark on her neck, it was now only two small pink dots above his completely filled in mark. It was black like a tattoo but much much deeper.

"Sleep through the night." he ordered her still body and then turned to disappear in a puff of sand.

Gaara stood outside of his room, closed his eyes and turned his face up to the ceiling. His body was high, alert, and accomplished. Sakura's standing up to him and offering him her blood had completed their bond. She was a weak, and frail human woman but she had let loose what he had fought to control. She had confronted her feelings and his, in front of him no less. Now, he could feel the slow rise and fall of her chest in his own and felt her heart beat in time with his.