PHANTOM OF THE SAND

ACT 2: Scene 3

Near the entrance to the village there was a stone bench that Sakura felt she was all too familiar with sometimes. For days after the night Sasuke had left she had come to sit there, thinking things over and praying for his safety. It was there she was sure she would get her first kiss from him, and it was there he had told her how annoying she was. Her opinions of a lot of things changed that day – of a lot of people, too. She sat there now - hoping that doing so would help her make a decision now.

She had really made a mess of things. After the events of the previous night she had no idea what Sasuke thought of her. Even though he'd kissed her hand and almost openly admitted being wrong she didn't feel she could approach him without feeling awkward. With a sigh, she rested her chin in her hands.

And what about Gaara? Yes, Gaara. What could she do about him? He was dangerous; everyone knew that. He obviously wasn't about to leave the theater or Konoha. And what did he want with her, exactly? He's kidnapped her from the theater, entered her house while she slept, and told her to her face that she belonged to him. He'd almost killed her, but he had stopped himself. The more she saw him the more confused she got about whether he was really as vicious as he seemed or if he was secretly striving to be peaceful.

…to be kind.

It was her doubt that made her defend him. Sakura liked to believe there was more to people than most originally thought. That was why she loved Sasuke. She had always thought that, maybe, one day she would see this inner part of him he never showed – the softer, gentler Sasuke. Even loud and obnoxious Naruto had a deeper side to him she had never suspected. He was extremely caring and dedicated – battling his own inner demons and coating them over with his mischievous grins. So it should stand to reason that even Gaara might have something hidden inside. As terrifying as he might have been….maybe he couldn't help it.

Sakura rubbed her forehead feeling boggled by all the analyzation. She had to concentrate on the here and now. Was she going to perform in the new production, or would she refuse to be a part of the madness? But what if she did? What would Gaara do?

"Augh, this is too much," she sighed, pulling herself to her feet. Maybe it would help to go for a brisk walk through the woods, maybe even do a little training. It might be exhilarating to get the adrenaline flowing. With a nod to herself she turned and headed in no real hurry towards the entrance of Konoha.

Her head was bowed, her eyes staring blandly at the stones under her feet so she didn't see anything before she heard it. But as soon as the voice hit her ears her eyes went wide and her head jerked up.

"Sakura-chaaaan!"

…………………………………………………..

"Can't do it."

"We probably shouldn't."

"How can he expect….?"

"Hmmnn," Kakashi hummed lowly from behind his mask as he flipped through the score of Don Juan Triumphant on his desk.

"I mean, granted, our students have grown a lot….but..," Iruka paused, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I know what you're getting at," Kakashi replied in a sort of whimsical tone as his eyes remained hovering over the text. Iruka looked over at him and frowned, reaching over to snab up the leather bound folder and its contents. "Hey."

"See what I mean? You're getting the same expression you get when reading those awful books of yours," Iruka scolded with a mild tinge of red to his cheeks. "This story is full of lust and rampant sexuality."

"And since when did you begin disliking any of that?" Kakashi mused.

"Shush. I'm just saying it's improper for our students to be performing things like this… They're too young."

"Practically adults, actually."

"…So!" the brown haired jounin spouted when he failed to come up with a more substantial remark. With the entertaining score confiscated from his desk, Kakashi turned his eyes to other papers there. He was not terribly surprised to find an all too familiar envelope. Opening it, he skimmed through the contents quietly. "What's it say?" Iruka didn't even have to ask who it was from. No one else sent them letters here.

"Instructions for the new production," Kakashi summed it up. "He's included a cast list even."

"Who's in the cast?" Iruka asked. Before Kakashi could answer, though, a furious Ino burst into the room. This was not going to be pleasant.

"Outrage! This whole thing is an outrage!" she declared, stomping about the room.

"What's the matter now?" Iruka asked.

"Have you seen the size of my part?" she continued to rage. "I've been here since this place was born and I've developed an immense reputation and for what? This is not even a leading role! I'm back in the chorus like some kind of nobody! Me! A nobody!"

"Just calm down," Kakashi hummed, already feeling a headache prickle at the back of his head.

"I will NOT!" It was then that the door burst open a second time to a rather boisterous greeting from the whiskered blonde.

"Hello, everyone!" Sakura followed in soon after, apparently amused by the outburst. She had just begun to miss it so it wasn't so annoying now.

"Ah, Naruto, welcome back," Kakashi greeted with a smile of his eyes and a small wave. Iruka shook his head simply – Naruto always had the strangest timing.

"Ah, here's the little cherry blossom," Ino sneered.

"Sakura, it seems you've been given the largest role in this 'Don Juan'," Kakashi told her, gesturing to the paper in his hand.

"She did? That's awesome! Congrats, Sakura-chan!" Naruto declared, grasping the kunoichi's hand and shaking it enthusiastically. Ino fumed.

"Sakura! She can't sing that! She doesn't have the voice for it at all!"

"Ino…," Iruka murmured, rubbing his forehead.

"She's behind this! Haruno Sakura!" the blonde kunoichi declared, jabbing a finger at Sakura. Sakura's brow furrowed and she stepped in front of Naruto to confront her childhood friend.

"How dare you!"

"Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"This is NOT my fault! I don't want any part in this!" Sakura defended.

"Sakura, surely…," Kakashi said.

"It's your decision," Iruka said with a nod, ready to pull any of his students out of the horrid production.

"But why not?" Kakashi interjected. Iruka gave him a sour glare. He simply shrugged.

"Oh, now she's backing out!" Ino huffed. "How responsible!"

"I can't sing it!" Sakura argued.

"Sakura. You don't have to. They can't make you do anything you don't want to," Naruto finally spoke up, catching her attention. "It's just a silly play, right? Someone else can play the part." All in the room looked at Naruto as if he was completely off his rocker. He blinked his bright blue eyes and tilted his head, confused. "What?"

"Naruto, it isn't as simple as that," Sakura said to him sadly. "A lot has been going on since you left."

"Like what?" Naruto asked.

"Well, you see…"

"We have another note!" declared Tsunade, bursting into the room and cutting Sakura off. The room was quickly becoming a little bit crowded, but Tsunade made her way to the desk where Kakashi sat.

"Oh, what's this one say?" Iruka asked, exasperated. Naruto and Sakura turned to look and listen to what was written.

"Fondest greetings to you all," Tsunade read. "A few instructions before rehearsal starts. Ino must be taught to act – we can't have her strutting around the stage. Our so-called managers need to learn their place is in their office, not in my art. As for Haruno-san…. No doubt she'll do her best. It's true she has a great deal of talent. However, she knows that if she wishes to excel she still has a great deal to learn – if her pride will allow her to return to me….her teacher… Your dearest phantom."

"Who wrote that?" Naruto asked, turning towards Sakura again. Sakura looked at him, finding it even hard to bar her words against Naruto's honest eyes.

"The phantom," came a low tone from the door. Everyone turned to find Sasuke leaning against the doorframe, having heard the contents of the letter. The tone in his voice sounded almost mocking and Sakura didn't miss his halfway glance at her. "I hope you all realize how ridiculous you're being about this. He's enjoying stringing you along."

"Ah, well thank you for that encouraging statement, Uchiha Sasuke," Tsunade said sourly, resting a hand on her hip.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked almost in disbelief. Sasuke glanced to the kitsune boy mildly.

"Naruto," he said simply before turning his attentions back to the others. "The answers are staring you right in the face.

"Is that so?" Kakashi asked, resting his head on a hand – used to Sasuke's cocky temperaments.

"Think about it. If you are going to perform this piece and Sakura sings this phantom is probably going to attend. You make sure every exit, every inch of backstage and house is covered. He won't be able to escape, even with his tricks. He'll be trapped."

Sakura watched Sasuke, knowing full well he didn't actually know all this for sure. If he really suspected what was true, he knew Gaara could take out a swarm of ninjas if he wanted to. It didn't matter how many there were. They had all seen it.

"Can you be so sure of that, though?" Iruka asked. "We don't know who or what exactly we're dealing with. We might have a repeat of yesterday night."

"Maybe. But like you said, none of us know who we're dealing with." Once again Sasuke's eyes flickered over in Sakura's direction almost accusingly. "So we'll just have to do what we can."

"This is madness!" Sakura suddenly burst, causing Naruto to jump beside her. He had gotten wrapped up in the swell of everything else going on.

"We can't exactly say that. It's worth a shot," Tsunade said, fingers to her chin.

"Believe me, this will not work!" Sakura insisted. The last thing she needed was a river of blood on her hands because they didn't know what they were dealing with.

"If you're so sure, Sakura, then help us. Maybe you have a better idea?" Sasuke prodded.

"No…," she said, shrinking back again.

"Well, instead of assuming things help us strategize," Tsunade replied.

"I can't."

"Excuses…," Ino huffed.

"Believe me, I'd LIKE to help…but.. We've seen what he can do…"

"Hence why we need to stop him while we can," Iruka said with a nod.

"I'm a little bit distraught by your refusal to help, Sakura. Do you know something we don't?" Ino prodded.

"Of course not."

"Right. You've got guilt written all over your face!" the blonde continued, advancing towards Sakura. Naruto stepped in her way defensively.

"Knock it off, Ino. If she says she doesn't know anything, she doesn't know!"

"As long as we have Sakura sing there IS a good chance he'll be close by," Kakashi noted to Iruka.

"Please don't do this," Sakura said, becoming dizzy amongst everything.

"God! Why won't anybody see through this girl!" Ino declared.

"If you don't stop I'll go CRAZY!" The room fell silent, all eyes on Sakura who was gripping her hair. Her hands released the pink locks and slid to her face before moving to clasp at her chest. She lifted her head and looked over at Sasuke who wore a rather discontent face. It was similar to the one she remembered when he had spoken the word 'annoying'. Searching for some sort of relief, her eyes fell on Naruto's who regarded her with slight concern. "Naruto… I'm scared." He bowed his head slightly and reached out to grasp her hand and lead her past the others into the empty hall. They watched her go quietly, some with more frustration than others.

"Sakura-chan, what's scaring you?" Naruto spoke quietly once they'd gone around the corner.

"He'll take me… If he finds me this won't ever end… and he'll always be there. I can never forget him..," she rambled quietly. Naruto tilted his head, the same concerned expression washing further over his face.

"Who will take you…? Not Sasuke?" he asked. Sakura had never seemed concerned with any other man. She shook her head and looked up at him.

"Oh, Naruto. So many awful things have happened here since you've been gone."

"Has anybody hurt you?" he suddenly asked with much seriousness.

"No… no," she replied, shaking her head. "He hasn't… killed anybody…..but so many accidents."

"Who?" One more time Sakura looked up into his eyes. She could barely contain it anymore.

"Please don't tell anyone else," she whispered. Naruto's brow furrowed a little in confusion but he nodded without hesitation. Resting her hands on his shoulders she leaned in close to his ear and only bit her tongue momentarily before speaking. Naruto's eyes widened a little and he pulled back to look at her.

"Here?" he asked, maintaining the quiet tone. She nodded.

"I don't know what to do. I can't betray him, Naruto… Sometimes I feel like I've become his prey and others I feel like I've become his savior…. He hasn't killed anyone yet but I know he can. We BOTH know he can. He usually never gives it a second thought…. If I refused to play this part he'll get angry and I'm afraid he WILL kill somebody. But if I agree, what will he do?" she rambled. Her eyes began to water against her will. It always broke his heart to see Sakura cry and the same was true now, even though he had managed to smother his crush on her ages ago. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her to comfort her. She welcomed the hug readily and was comforted in how warm and gentle he felt. Even the familiar smell of ramen clinging to him helped.

Naruto stood and thought about this, taking some time to let the multitude of information sink in. It was Gaara. But why was he here? And why was he after Sakura? He must have had his reasons but Naruto was very aware about how dangerous the sand-nin was when he was overtaken by his inner demon. He didn't want to see Sakura or anyone else get hurt – but he did not want Gaara to be harmed needlessly either. He knew how hard it was to be a lonely child infested with a monster, so he wanted to believe Gaara's reasons for being in Konoha and doing what he was had a good reason. At this point there was only one path to take. He had to know what was really going on.

"Sakura," he said softly. "Please don't think that I don't care about your or anyone else's safety… but I think you should do this." Sakura pulled back from him slightly to look at him for an explanation. "I mean… do you know why he's doing all this?" She shook her head helplessly. "Well, that's why. You need to play this through to the end to see what's behind it…. And believe me… if he had the chance to kill you before…twice now, actually, and he didn't…. there's a reason."

"Are you sure…? What if..?"

"Don't worry about it," he said, allowing a small grin to spread over his lips. "I'll be close by to make sure nothing bad happens. And you know I never go back on my word."

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Author's Note: OMG! It's Naruto! Yeah, I know. I couldn't help it. I wanted him to come in somewhere. And no worries, this is not going to turn into a love cube or anything. Naruto is sticking purely as a friend here. And YES I've split the "Raoul" character between Sasuke and Naruto here, but that'll be about it. :P Hope you enjoyed!