Birthdays Past

Chapter 10: The Game of Silence

By: Vampire Toy

PG 13 (Just in case)

Disclaimer: Me no own ;;

"Talking"

(Inner Sakura) – Eh, well, I got some advice on italics, but my box thingie in 'preview' doesn't have an italics sign/thing so this will have to do, thanks tho! ;

:Sound effect:

…

Gaara never gave me another moment to contemplate his words as his sand nudged me closer to him under his sand umbrella even though the rain had long since stopped. We walked slowly through the forest on a much more maneuverable path. The sun began rising slowly and its orange beams soon made the forest's earlier threats seem non-existent. At one point during our trip Gaara gave me back my pouch which contained all the gifts my friend's had given me and I was occupied surveying them all but only for a short while.

"Gaara…" I finally spoke, after letting the sun light and silence extend. He made no effort to respond so I continued, "The rain has stopped, you can let down your sand."

He again said nothing but his sand retreated from the little canopy it had made over my head and slowly slithered back into his gourd. My face scrunched angrily, was he mad at me? For what!

(Ask him! He has no right to be angry with you!)

"Gaara."

"…."

"What's the matter with you!" I snapped.

"…" he turned to face me and I almost fell over when I saw the look he gave me. Almost an expression of sadness, but covered with anger and what looked like…betrayal?

"Listen…" I tried nervously, "I don't know your mood swings or anything but…it seems like your angry at me, I just wanted to know why…."

His lip twitched as if he were about to smirk but he refrained.

"Of anyone that I have ever met and let live….you must be the stupidest one."

"Excuse me!"

"You obviously knew Itachi would be near, but you still came out….and looking the way you did your lucky he didn't rape you."

(EH! That's the longest sentence he's ever given me…)

"W-well listen! I was worried about my friends! That's not stupidity it's caring!"

"You know he wants nothing to do with your friends…."

"…how much did you hear then?"

(I never told him any of that…)

"…I only listened so I could find you."

"Heh?" I watched Gaara curiously.

"I…..that sand on you…….I knew you'd try get out…."

(…………..He….is…a….stalker….)

"You kept your sand on me! Like a tracking device or something!"

"Something of the sort."

"Take it off! All of it! W-where did you put it? I mean…where on my body!"

(Explains why the dry sand wouldn't come off….)

I watched Gaara, embarrassed that he'd been able to hear and see everything I'd done thus far. I turned even redder when I thought I saw a small blush creep over his cheeks.

"Just your legs," He turned to me "and your arms."

"Eh…well, please…take it off, your not my babysitter."

Gaara was silent but I felt grains trickling down my arms and legs, lightly tickling me. I giggled softly and Gaara gave me a curious side glance.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, the sand was just tickling me…." I said smiling softly. Gaara nod slightly and looked ahead of him again. This new attitude of his made me uncomfortable and I wanted the silence to be gone even if I had to fill it myself.

"So…you…uh…saw and heard everything since the sand was….on me …right?"

"I only listened to find you."

"I-I know, but, I mean…"

"My bathroom?"

(Heheh….)

I blushed and grinned meekly. Gaara gave me a small smile and shook his head.

"You're going to have to stay longer for that."

My face fell, what did he mean? Was I going to have to fix it?

(I hope not….you suck at home improvement…)

"Urr….What do you mean?"

"I don't think you have the money to pay for it, you're not a carpenter, I can't see how else you would pay for it."

"Just…staying at your house?"

"Until its fixed."

(He wants your company!)

I smiled despite myself, "Alright, I guess that's all I can do…"

Gaara looked at me, his lip twitching slightly.

(He's confused, I guess he was expecting a fight?)

"But we need to find my friends first!"

"Of course…"

"And we need to stop …." (Itachi…? That's right! I can't tell anyone, well…Gaara already knows, but no one else can know!)

"I mean…. Gaara, please don't tell anyone…especially Sasuke about what happened!"

Gaara stiffened at Sasuke's name and gave me a hard glare.

"I think the others deserve to know what new threats have arisen."

"No!" I grabbed his shirt to stop him and stared up at him in horror, "It'll be more of a threat if you tell them! YOUR not even supposed to know!"

"But I do know."

"Gaara! You heard what he said! You heard what Itachi said….please, there's still one team missing. At least wait until we find them!"

I must've looked terrified because Gaara looked at me for only a few moments before letting out a sigh.

"Fine, but if anyone in my village is suddenly put in danger, then I will tell them."

"Ok, that's fine….that's ok, thank you…"

We stood for a moment in awkward silence and I slowly let go of Gaara's shirt but his hands grabbed my wrists suddenly and I looked up in surprise.

"Don't ever go out alone again. If you must go, then come find me, I'm always up."

I blinked and stared in confusion but nod slowly.

(Eeep….it's almost like he's glaring at me but I think he's going to….)

Kiss me?

Gaara's face was hovering considerably closer above my own face and his stare only that much more intense up close.

"We're….here." he pulled back and I turned to see the edge of the cavern that lead into the Sand Village. I let out my breath that I had unknowingly been holding.

"R-right…."

….

Gaara easily swirled us inside with his sand and I immediately smiled in relief when I saw Choji, Kiba, and Shino safe and sound as Gaara had promised.

"Guys!" I cried happily.

"Hey Sakura!" Kiba grinned.

"Good to see you." Shino nod.

"Hey Sakura, welcome back." Choji waved.

"Did anyone try hurt you guys?" I asked immediately.

"We were attacked if that's what you're asking, but we are fine as you can see." Shino said.

"Good…good…" I smiled.

"Sakura, we were worried about you…" I heard Sasuke say. I turned and froze as he made his way towards me.

:"You can't go near him, not for any reason, not for anything, avoid him….avoid him bluntly, don't speak to him. You don't know when I'll be watching and if I catch you speaking to him or writing him a letter or even making eye contact, then I'll pick your friends off one by one.":

I have to…avoid him….i looked around frantically for something, anything I could do or say so that I could just avoid him.

"Kiba!" I yelled angrily.

"Eh!" Kiba looked over at me, surprised at my angry tone.

"I…Don't think I've forgotten what you had done that night you walked me home!"

"Oh…hehe, you're still thinking about…."

:SWACK:

:Ahh! Sakura! This is no way to welcome me back! I've been through trauma!"

"I told you I'd make you pay!"

"S-Sakura? It was just a joke! Honest!" Kiba whined.

(He looks like a sad puppy, like he just wants to roll over….arg! I need to find a new distraction!)

"Uh, Sakura?" Sasuke said from behind me.

"Haha! I'm just kidding Kiba!" I grabbed him and hugged him tightly, swinging him between Sasuke and me.

"You know I'd never really get that mad at you! You're much too cute! Hahah!"

"Eh?" Kiba blinked and gave me a confused look.

"Sakura…" Sasuke tried again.

"Haha, and just look at that expression of yours! So cute." I pulled Kiba's cheeks, and spun him around like a human shield, blocking Sasuke's advances every time he tried to go around Kiba.

"Dat weely urts Shakura!" Kiba whimpered.

"Oh you kidder! So how was your trip? Oh I just missed you so much!" I hugged Kiba again, continuing to block Sasuke.

"Sakura!" Sasuke cried.

"Oh I forgot!" I ran over to Shino and hugged him, "I missed you all so much!"

"Sakura what are you doing?" Sasuke asked, obviously getting angry.

(I'm sorry Sasuke)

"And you too Choji!" I ran over hugged him tightly

"Sakura why are you being so spazy?" Ino asked her hands on her hips.

"I was just afraid everyone would die, you know me! Always worried! Haahha!"

"Sakura!" Sasuke reached out for my arm but a splurge of sand blocked him. I looked over at Gaara who stood solemnly in the corner, watching all my panic.

"I'm really tired!" I announced and ran off while I still had the chance.

I hear Ino yell something at me and Sasuke began yelling at Gaara while Kiba complained that his face hurt.

I dove into my room and shut it, locking it and flopping face down on the bed. I lift my head slightly to look over at the bathroom only to see that it had been cleaned up and the door had been barricaded to prevent anymore instances.

I sighed and rolled over onto my back. How long could I do this? Every time Sasuke said my name he sounded more pained than before. I hated hurting him, and I hated hiding these things from my friends. They should know, but then the others could get hurt as well.

(What should I do?)

I don't know.

…

VampireToy: WOOT an update! I know it's kinda short and crappy, I apologize greatly! But I'm trying my best to update everything while doing a good job, I don't want to give you guys crap to read, thank you for being patient with me! Please R & R, flames welcome :)