White Rose

Sorry, sorry and sorry. Another week of delay. I've been having an art block ever since I finished the last chapter and it was really awful! I couldn't write, I couldn't draw, I couldn't work, HELL I couldn't even sleep properly. Whatever I started or did it was horrible and I didn't want you guys to put up with bad quality. I gave my very best to overcome that annoying block and this is kinda more or less the result. I do hope you enjoy it.

Thank you goes to the people who reviewed the last chapter: katarauchiha653719, Animestar001, darkheart1992, enapets21, aquamarine-acaia and Sandra1920499

Another thanks goes to WingedIsis16 and Myabita22 for the alert

My last thank you goes to thunderoc and Uchiha-Chan for the fave

SPOILERWARNING: Some happenings from Naruto Shippuuden are mentioned in this chapter. I've warned you! ^^°

Rates and especially reviews are highly welcome and keep me motivated to develop this story, don't forget that you don't need an account to do so

Last but not least: Have fun

I do not own Naruto

Story

Author's commentary/Yelling

Thoughts/Dreams/Memories

Awakening

Was the world spinning? It was hard to tell since everything was so dark. Consciousness... Consciousness... Was it present? Even harder to tell... Darkness... Maybe closed eyelids? Awake or sleeping? Hm... None of those... A very unpleasant feeling, just like the world was spinning... But it was just a feeling pestering the body since the eyes weren't able to see anything else but black... Hm... Being able to feel a body... Maybe that wasn't such a bad start... Toes, legs, arms, fingers... Nothing missing... Ah, yes... Closed eyelids, definitely closed. At least that was cleared now... What now? Hm... The need to remember... Yes, the need to remember the last thing that happened... Good question. What exactly happened? What was the very last memory? Hm... Something was blocking the way, the memory locked...

"Wha... thi... she?... ", syllables echoing in the ear.

Was there someone? Ah, something was happening... No... The world was finally getting slower...

"... now?", more syllables. This time more understandable.

The eyelids' heaviness slowly disappeared... Eyes started sending blurry pictures to the brain...

"Obvi... just... let... this... ", different voices, maybe two persons?

The world finally stopped spinning, eyesight and hearing slowly kicking in. Unfortunately the body was still weak, not obeying...

"I guess this is who he was talking about... ", a male had spoken.

"Can we trust... erm... this being?", there was the second male. His voice seemed kind of familiar.

"Well, there was a tranquilizer dart in his hand and he is knocked out. I doubt he did that himself. There is way too much evidence for a fight here, but I wonder... ", the man wore the mask of a lizard.

"You wonder what? Didn't you just say we can trust... erm... Are you sure it's male?", the man with the dog mask sounded rather obedient.

Displeased grunting left said being's lips: "I AM male... ", it was hard for him to talk or move, but he was finally fully conscious again, "What do you... want?"

"You seem to be dealing with some adverse effects from the sedative... ", Lizard bent forward, getting closer to him, "Tell me... What happened here, monkey?"

Enma scoffed: "For you it's your majesty... ", he didn't like being treated without respect.

"I didn't mean to offend your highness. We were unaware of the fact that a king was in front of us. Furthermore we are looking for someone we need to find as quick as possible. This place is where we lost the tracks so we require your help... ", Lizard reached out his hand to help the creature in front of him.

Enma had to admit that this was much more to his liking, but he was still cautious of trusting these two he recognized as Anbu. They hadn't killed him until now and he wasn't sure if that was going to stay like that: "Who exactly are you looking for and why?", cautiously he took his hand. The old monkey accepted Lizard's help because he was still a bit dizzy.

"We mean no harm to the girl we are looking for. She is fifteen years old, white hair, tanned skin... Uhm... ", Dog tilted his head, seemingly thinking about something.

"What my friend is trying to say is, that we are looking for your companion, Bara", Enma stared at both of them, "You have been seen together with her... "

"So then you must be from Sunagakure?", the monkey pointed at Dog, "I should have known after recognizing his voice... "

"My voice?", Dog pointed a finger at himself and Enma nodded, "How can you know my voice? I've never seen you before... ", he was a bit confused.

"From the hospital, I'd say", Lizard had analyzed the information faster than his companion.

"Looks like you are the smarter part of the team", Enma smirked.

"You could say it's my special ability, but back to the original topic. We have to bring the girl back home. Where is she?", Lizard stood up, looking around.

Good question. Where was she actually? And why had Enma been unconscious? He couldn't clearly remember. Had something happened to them? The two Anbu had mentioned something like a fight and a tranquilizer dart... The old monkey stared at the branch in front of him. There he saw something awfully familiar, a Suna armlet. Immediately he picked it up. This was Bara's! Damn! He remembered again. That gray haired boy had tossed it to him...

"Shit!", Enma jumped up, his eyes roaming around the scene. Nobody was there except for him and the Anbu. The three young shinobi and the guy Bara had called Toya were no where to be seen. They were gone! How long had he been out?!

"Something wrong?"

"When did you find me?"

"About half an hour ago. We've scanned the area before you woke up. I think you've been unconscious for a while now. Tranquilizer usually knock you out for at least two hours."

"Was anybody here when you arrived?"

"No. Just you and some left weapons. Blood, broken tree branches... The more or less usual signs for a battle. What happened?"

"We've been attacked by a team of shinobi and Bara was kidnapped. I don't know where they went, but I know who sent them... ", Enma gritted his teeth. He knew that it was most probably too late to run after her kidnappers. Who knew where they had run to and how far they had come? He had lost another companion to Orochimaru and that just within one single day! Not even 24 hours! Damn him!!!

"We need every information you can give us to get her back. People have already been worrying for her before this happened... Maybe we should head back, get some reinforcements, inform people... Possibly clear things up with Baki... ", Lizard seemed to be contemplating.

"I think -you know who- already did that... ", Dog sat down, "And to be honest I wouldn't want to be in his place... "

Enma eyed Bara's armlet. She was a slender girl. Her upper arm wasn't even as wide as his wrist, but there was enough fabric to tie the item around it. He would take care of it until he would find her...

Lizard turned to the monkey: "Who is responsible for her abduction? We might have information on that person and we could continue the search now."

Enma shook his head: "I hardly believe that anybody knows were he is now. Many people are searching for him due to the crimes he has committed in his life... "

Dog felt intrigued: "Who are you talking about?"

"Orochimaru... ", Enma clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

It felt like anything had gone silent at the mentioning of this name, not even the birds were chirping. At least that was how it felt for the three men that had gathered. Lizard was the first to break the silence after a while: "This is grave... This surely requires more than just Dog and me... "

"Since Bara has signed my contract and she is a citizen of Suna you can count me as your ally.. ", he raised his fist to show them the sign of the hidden sand, "We need to free her from that monster... "

"I didn't expect anything else from you, but it's still not enough. We have to return to the village. The Kazekage will know what to do... ", Lizard was thinking about the next steps.

"He's dead... ", Enma wasn't sure that they would believe him, but it was better to tell them now.

"Dead?!", Dog jumped up, "Are you serious?!"

"How do you know that?", Lizard seemed surprised himself.

"It's hard to explain... Bara had this item she was constantly using to track him. I've never seen anything like it, but I guess it was the reason why she left the village and the hospital. She knew where he was and that made her determined to find and help him. It seems that it was somehow connected to him. Anyway... As the item broke, she told me that he had died... I actually believe what she said back then... ", he tried not recalling that moment. Her face, her words, simply everything of her... Seeing and hearing her in that state, he couldn't help but feel affected.

"Things seem to get worse by the second... ", Dog took a deep breath of air.

"Either way we have to go back to the village. Even though I don't want to go to the council with this matter, I'm afraid that we have to... Bara's protection was the Kazekage's private wish. He told us that he didn't want the council to know. I think that's why he never told us why somebody had tried to abduct her from the hospital... ", Lizard sighed.

"That means that Orochimaru was after her for a while now... ", Enma clenched his fists again, "If I had known, I wouldn't have let her out of the village. Orochimaru is no man, he is a monster. And I for instance don't want to see anybody in his hands, under any circumstances.. He has no mercy... "

"I think we all can agree on that. However, we need to return to the village. I need you to explain the exact events to us while we're on the way. Every detail matters. We shall see what we will do next as soon as we reached the village... ", Lizard gestured towards south.

"Then let's head out... ", Enma leaped from one tree to the next, the Anbu following closely.

None of them knew that Gaara had been found and revived not too long before Enma had awakened...

"Something happened... ", Temari looked at her brothers and she had to admit that the look on their faces were making it really hard to talk.

"What happened?", Kankuro lay a hand on her shoulder, "You know that you can tell us everything."

She shifted her eyes, now staring at her youngest brother. His expression was unreadable, but that was just his usual self. She knew that would change as soon as she would spill the beans. And she HAD to tell him... Suddenly the place seemed so crowded. No wonder, considering that they were in the middle of the village, on some random street. Many people were passing them by: "Can we go somewhere private? I don't think that everybody needs to listen to what I'm about to say... "

Gaara's eyes shifted to the side, staring into nowhere: "Can this wait until after we've visited Bara?"

"NO!", she clasped a hand against her mouth, she hadn't wanted to shout.

People were looking at them, seemingly interested in what was happening. Kankuro noticed that: "Let's get somewhere private. I don't like the crowd that's building. Besides of that I'm sure that Bara won't run away if we don't visit her right now", he gave his brother a grin.

Temari unconsciously gritted her teeth, 'If only he knew... '

"I guess we could go to one of our apartments. We surely won't be bothered there. Who's apartment is next to this place?", Kankuro looked around, orienting himself.

"That should be mine", Gaara motioned into the direction of his place.

"Then let's hurry. I have a feeling that our big sis has a real big itch on her tongue", Kankuro grinned, teasing said woman.

Temari gave him a real nasty glare, making him flinch. This was not the time for something like that: "Yes, hurry... ", her voice was cold.

The three of them hurried to the Kazekage's apartment. After they had entered and the door had been closed Temari wasn't able to hold it anymore: "She's gone!", the words just blurted out of her mouth.

"Who?", Kankuro raised an eyebrow.

"Bara... She's not here... ", she took a deep breath of air while her brothers stared wide eyed at her. Now she had to continue to the harder part: "She's not in the hospital and she's not in Sunagakure... She's gone... "

"Y-You're kidding, right?", Kankuro didn't look very amused.

Temari shook her head: "I'm sorry but it's true... Dog and Lizard went to retrieve her, but they haven't returned yet... "

"How can that be possible?! What happened?!", Kankuro eyed his brother.

Gaara had frozen in place, thoughts running through his mind. Unconsciously clenching his fists he turned away from his siblings. How could she not be where he had left her? He had taken her that she would be fine, hadn't he? Temari and Kankuro tried to get his attention, but they had become nonexistent. Somehow he couldn't help himself. He didn't believe his sister's words. He had to go and see for himself. He had to convince himself that she was lying! He would go and visit Bara, hug her, caress and kiss her. That was what he wanted and that was what he would do...

"Gaara, are you listening to what I say?" Temari was just about to grab his shoulder as sand whirled around his being. The very next second he was gone: "Damn, he used Shunshin to get away... He wasn't listening to a thing that I said, was he?"

"Nope. And I can imagine why... I think I know where he went to", Kankuro turned to leave the apartment again.

"What are you thinking?", Temari followed closely. She wondered why he would know what Gaara was thinking in a situation like this. Her youngest sibling was hardly ever understandable.

"I think he is on his way to the hospital. He wants to see for himself if she is gone or not... ", he stopped his tracks for a moment, "I just hope he'll stay calm. It won't help anybody if he looses his temper now... Especially after everything that happened... "

"I still have to explain everything to him. Hopefully Dog and Lizard will return together with Bara soon... ", she sighed, "He really likes her, right?"

Kankuro took a deep breath of air: "I have a feeling that he likes her more than we can imagine... But who can blame him?... ", he turned and continued walking while mumbling to himself, "I just hope he'll treat her the way she deserves it as soon as she's back... "

Even though his words had been hardly audible she had noticed them. Nevertheless she doubted what her ears had perceived. Had he really said that just a moment ago? It almost sounded like he was... Her eyes widened. So that's how it was. She never knew that Kankuro liked Bara too... Was that the reason why he knew what Gaara could be thinking? Was he thinking the same way as his brother? Was there a chance that they felt the same way right now?!... This could possibly end in a big mess, but that was negligible now. Priority lay on Bara's return. Everything else would be handled after that.

"Don't just stand and stare! We need to get to the hospital!", Kankuro looked impatient.

Temari walked up to her brother before both of them headed to the hospital at a fast pace.

Meanwhile Gaara had reached the room where Bara had been stationed. He was standing in front of her door, trying to calm himself. He couldn't deny that he was agitated. The Anbu he had left for her protection were nowhere to be seen. If he hadn't been so exhausted he might have used his senses to try and locate their chakra, but that might have confirmed the fact that his sister was right... No. He had to open the door, enter that room and look for himself.

'Just open the door and enter, boy. Don't be a coward. If you keep standing there you'll never know!', he scoffed. Shukaku would have probably said something like that. Somehow it was strange. Just standing in front of that door he had expected a sarcastic comment or something. For as long as he could remember he had never been alone in his mind. Shukaku had always been somewhere, his presence lingering in his mind. The demon's voice had not always been there, but that didn't mean it couldn't affect Gaara. Now it was gone, leaving great emptiness. Not that he missed it. NO. Quite the contrary. Just being himself was a pleasant feeling, one that he decided to enjoy. Especially when he was with the person he cared the most.

Finally he would be alone with Bara. Just the two of them. He wanted to tell her how much he cared. He adored the flustered look on her face after kissing her. Thinking of it almost made his lips curl up. He had to admit that she made him happy. He chuckled. He remembered the first promise she had given him. She had promised to make him smile one day. It looked like that day had arrived and he wanted to show Bara. Her and nobody else. His smile was something only she would be allowed to see. A rather hard task when he thought about it. Just thinking about her was tempting his lips. And it was definitely harder not to think of her. She had become irresistible to him. The way she smiled and laughed. That cute blush and the flustered look she would give him after kissing. Her slender body under his fingertips. Her soft skin...

Gaara shook his head as he realized what he was actually thinking of. This was not the time for daydreaming. It was time to act! Slowly he opened the door and entered the room...

"Gaara!", a melodious voice reached his ear, "You finally came to visit me!", the girl smiled happily while said boy walked up to her. "Are you okay? I was so worried and I'm sorry for causing you such trouble. I just wanted to help... ", she blushed, "But I'm fine now!", she stood up from the bed to prove her statement, "See?" Without a second thought he grabbed her hand, pulling her into a tight embrace. Bara squealed in surprise: "Erm... I-is everything o-okay?"

"Yes. Now it is... ", he pressed her tighter to himself, "Now that I have you back everything is fine... "...

Even if he had hoped for such a scene, nothing of that had happened. In reality he was standing in the doorway, staring at an empty bed. She was gone, just like Temari had said. The emptiness left by the demon was nothing compared to the emptiness that was currently spreading through the boy. Where was she? Was she okay? Had she fled or had she been kidnapped? Why would she want to flee? And how did she get away? Was it his fault? Had he done something wrong?!

Helplessly he stumbled through the room towards the next best sitting opportunity. Exhausted he sat down. Why now? Hadn't his death been enough? Back then he had already thought that he would never see her again. Now this. Returning to life had obviously given him false hope. The hope of being together with her for the rest of his new life...

Again Gaara felt cursed. Would his life be damned forever? Hadn't he earned forgiveness already? He had tried and given his best. He had fought for being Kazekage. He had fought to protect the village. He had fought for being accepted... He had fought for... her... Reviewing the last few months Bara had been the only reason for his selfishness. He wanted to be the one she cared the most. She was nothing he wanted to share. When it came to her, he wanted to be selfish. And now was the time for that, even if it was just a little...

"Gaara?", Temari stood in front of him, "Are you okay?"

"Where's Kankuro?", the Kazekage didn't care to look at his sister.

"I'm not sure. A Jonin found us, asking for one of us to help with something. He stayed behind, sending me to you... ", she hunkered down.

"How did he know I would be here?", his voice was dry.

She just shook her head: "Not important. Listen Gaara-", she was interrupted by a strange sound.

"Gaara, Temari!", Kankuro stood in the doorway, panting heavily.

"Kankuro? What's wrong?", Temari raised an eyebrow.

"It's... Dog... Lizard... ", he took a deep breath, "Dog and Lizard have returned... "...

A spinning world, darkness, exhaustion. Bara was about to gain consciousness and that to her own misfortune. Soon she realized that she had been tied up, blindfolded and gagged, wishing herself back to unconsciousness. She was confused and afraid. She had gotten herself into a real big mess with no clue how to get out again. But why should she actually care? It was not like she had a place to go. Sure, she could have gone back to Suna, but the memories of Gaara would just keep haunting her forever. Staying there would be pure torture at some point. Konoha might have been an option since Asuma lived there, but she was somewhat sure that he wouldn't be able to care for her. She knew of his lover and disturbing his love life was nothing she wanted to do. Besides of that she would only be reminded of her lost love again. Living alone somewhere didn't look like a too good option. She would most probably neglect things that were actually important and that would end rather unpleasant.

Now, if she had to spend her time somewhere, then why not here? It was not like she had a choice at the moment. If she would be a prisoner she might have some time to mourn. More than anything else she wanted time to grieve for her dead beloved. But somehow she had a feeling that it wouldn't come to that.

"Hello there", she turned her head to the voice, "So you finally woke up?", the voice was friendly.

Bara recognized the voice but didn't care to answer. He wasn't the person she used to know.

He undid the ties around her ankles and pulled her to her feet: "Walk", he grabbed the nape of her neck, pushing her forward.

"Hmhmph!", his grip on her was inflicting pain an she couldn't help but make it audible.

He reacted by loosening his hand a bit: "Just follow my orders Aimi and I won't have to hurt you, understand? And don't try to flee. I've shackled you with chakra cuffs."

Bara's heart skipped a beat: "Hm?!", but she kept walking, following his order. What had he called her just now?

"I see you understand and I think you wonder about how I called you. I guess you would like to know what's going on here, right?"

Her head might have been filled with sorrow and the thoughts of Gaara might have occupied a great amount of her mind, but she still got rather curious. Maybe it would distract her a bit, ease her pain... Slowly she nodded.

"Maybe we should start by introducing properly. I am Kabuto Yakushi and I will be responsible for you from now on. You, my dear, are a very rare specimen I will be allowed to research."

Specimen?! So he knew about her secret? And what was that about research? Bara's heart took up the pace. This felt somewhat familiar. She was afraid of what he would do to her.

"I look forward to working with you and I am sure that my results will please master Orochimaru."

NO! Not again that name! Defiantly she pushed her weight against Kabuto, making both of them stop. That name alone gave her the creeps. She didn't want to go to where that man was. NO!

The gray haired boy just started inflicting some pain on her: "I see you seem to remember him. Stop struggling Aimi. It's no use after all. You may have fled the first time you were his experimental subject, but we caught you in the end. I can promise you that it won't be any different in the future. Wherever you will go, we will find you. The only permanent escape you have is death and I will take care that won't happen", he pushed her forward.

Obediently she walked to wherever he wanted her to go. His words had etched themselves into her mind, giving her a headache. So he knew something about her past and it didn't sound pleasant at all. She had been an experiment. A prisoner of what she was. She had escaped... But she couldn't remember. At least not yet. Judging by her growing headache it wouldn't stay like that. She always got a headache when she started remembering things from her past that were locked. It was like her life's energy was sucked out of her body, starting with the head. The more memories, the more pain.

"Now, where was I? Of course, you. You've been born in Kumogakure as member of the Shirobara clan. Your mother was Reika Shirobara and your father an unknown man. We've tried finding data about him, but there was none. Not long after your birth, your mother fled from Kumo together with you. The reason for that is unknown, but why should we care? You won't be going anywhere but your cell for now. If you're a good girl, meaning you'll be cooperative, I might tell you more. I'm pretty sure you would like to know-Huh?", he scanned the girl.

Bara was sweating bullets and shaking. Her knees buckled and she landed on grassy ground. Pain was shooting through her entire being while memories of her childhood unlocked themselves. She was shouting in agony. There were too much memories, too much pain, too much of everything!

Kabuto bent over and analyzed her. He could tell that she was feeling great pain, but he couldn't tell why. Something strange was happening. It was like her life was being pulled out of her. Quickly he grabbed her, trying to bring her to the secret hideout as fast as possible. If she was going to die on him, he'd be in serious trouble.

About twenty minutes had passed before her pain went away. Bara was extremely exhausted. She had been sleeping not too long ago due to the sedative, but now she didn't want to do anything else. Yes, sleep. She wanted to rest and her body would be grateful if she did. Currently she was on an examination table somewhere, nowhere. Too much... It had been too much to remember... Her head was still throbbing, but she remembered. She could finally remember her childhood again. And she hated it... She hated almost every second of it... Sleep... She needed some sleep...

Her mind drifted into delirium after Kabuto had injected her some painkiller. Unfortunately her sleep was plagued by nightmares. Nightmares of her past...

Wow. Quite much happened in short time, didn't it? Poor Bara or better Aimi... Twenty minutes of pain! I feel really sorry for her since it must have been hell. She finally remembers, but what happened in her past? And do we want to know that? Poor girl. Doesn't even know that the one she loves isn't dead...

Sneak Preview:

Aimi: Mom?

Reika: Honey?! Why are you here? I've told you to not leave that place.

Aimi: It's okay mom... I know what happened...

And PLEASE, PLEASE review my dear readers ^^°