Child. You were looking for me.

Sakura's mouth did not move yet the words rang clearly around him. Her body glowed as she stalked the Kazekage. Gaara's guard was automatically raised. Temari heaving Kankuro's knocked out body up was frozen from the amount of power that now radiated from Sakura. Her Kazekage was in real danger she could feel it. She needed to move though her legs would not budge.

I am not your enemy. For now. Sakura did not move her eyes from the Kazekage.He could feel her power coming in waves. Hitting him with what felt like a boulder each pulse of power. Gaara watched as no emotion betrayed Jogi Hiko thoughts. I am not here to cause terror. I came to set something right that was wronged a long time ago.

"Why did you attach to Sakura?"

She chose me.

"Ignorance of the situation is not choosing."

Sakura raised off the ground slightly in irriatation thegreen wigs made of light beat quickly on her back. You speak of ignorance like you have none.Those that want to stop me will find her soon. Sakura gestured to herselfand the area around her. If you want to protect your village and Sakura you will need to find something for me.

"What is this thing you require?"

Jogi Hiko eyes lit up the darkness and Gaara could feel the air get cold.

The scroll of Chishiki. Gaara felt iceat his finger tips. Why did the name of this scroll make him feel like this?

"Scroll of knowledge? Where can I find this item?"

Send Sakura to the land of owls in one months time. On the night the moon is the brightest. I will take over her body and retrieve the scroll. After I am done with it the land of sand may keep it.

"Why do you want this scroll? How can we trust you?"

Ahah ah , a smirkrippled across Sakura's face. So many questions and not enough time. Sakura's eyes started to dim in brightness.

This body's mind and soul is too strong for me to stay in control. What an interesting kunoichi take care of her Kazekkagggeee of the sand.

The glowing green light left Sakura's eyes completely. She blinked multiple times collapsing knees first on the ground. "I didn't hurt anyone, right?" She mumbled through hot tears that began to stream down her face. Grabbing her head in pain she whispered. "Naruto could hurt people as a jinchūriki when he lost control. I could have-" her voice broke, "How could I let it take over? What is wrong with me? No one is safe."

Gaara rushed to her side, "you didn't hurt anyone." He picked her up like a bride holding her tight to his chest as she sobbed quietly. She was so fragile. Even though just a moment ago when she had come after him she was overwhelmingly frightening. The small thing in his arms felt so helpless.

"Temari, rise." Gaara seemed to release the hold that Jogi Hiko's power had placed on her. Temari almost fell to the ground s herself with weak knees. She breathed deeply to steady herself. Temari lifted up Kankuro who was still passed out of her shoulders and the brother and sister headed towards the Kazekage's tower is silence.

In the darkness multiple prying eyes watched. Hakuto stood with Tōjūrō. "Wonderful job, Hakuto." Tōjūrō praised her. Hakuto shifted on both feet uncomfortable with spying on the sand siblings. "I will do what I can for you and your lover in discussion with the council. Now go." Hakuto shifted in the darkness as Tōjūrō chuckled to himself.

Gaara had sent Temari off with Kankuro and had Sakura still in his arms as he headed to her room. She had cried herself to sleep as he carried her. Gaara could only imagine what she was feeling. She had watched time and time again her teammate get into battles and kidnapped for his power. She had seen how destructive and menacing it could be.

He arrived at her room and set her gently on the bed. She was covered in dust and sweat. Her puffy eyes slowly cracked open. "Please. Don't leave me." Her voice was barely a scratchy whisper.

His heart froze. No one had ever wanted him to stay with them. He nodded slowly. His hair falling in his eyes. She wanted him to stay. "I will help you draw a bath." He picked her up again and brought her into her bathroom. He sat her on the toilet as he ran the hot water in the tub. They sat in silence.

Should he leave now? She had told him to stay, but he felt as if he had already invaded so much of her privacy. He couldn't bare to look at her. He was embarrassed of his actions even as he tried to justify them in his head.

Sakura undid her bath robe. Gaara had already seen her naked before why did it matter now? Letting the robe it slide off her body it hit the floor. Gaara looked away as she sank into the tub. Warmth once again soaking into her muscles. They ached. What was relaxed in the bath house had now tightened under the strain of the nights events.

She picked up a sponge and began to clean off the dirt and sweat. Gaara sat with his back against the tub, never once looking at her. Was she that horrific? Was she now a monster in his eyes?

"Am I so disgusting that now you can't bare to look at me?" Her eyes stung. He must be so irritated with her. A leaf ninja that is a jinchūriki arriving in his village with no warning.

"I'm the disgusting one." Gaara pushed his hair back out of his face and leaned his head back to stare at the ceiling. "I'm the pervert that snuck into the bath with you." Gaara said this with such disgust in his voice Sakura knew he could taste it on his tongue. Sakura was shocked. That's what he cared about? That's why he wouldn't look at her.

His red locks pushed at the edge of the tub. Sakura reached out without a thought and ran her fingers through his crimson hair. She watched as he silently closed his eyes.

"Can you forgive me?" His lips hung open as she rang her fingers over and over through his hair. It was so soft.

"Can you forgive me?" They both remained quiet. Unsure of how to answer. Sakura finished washing and they both rose out of the bathroom. Sakura had a towel wrapped around herself that Gaara had retrieved for her from the bedroom.

Gaara turned to leave. Sakura's heart started to beat out of her chest. She didn't want to be alone. She didn't want him to leave. She didn't want to face the nightmares alone tonight.

"Stay with me." Gaara turned with a blank expression on his face. Sakura searched his emerald eyes. A spark of an emotion flew through them which Sakura could not identify.

"Hn."