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Chapter Fifty-seven


The impact never comes.

A blink of an eye and the brunette's weapon seems to be only an inch away from coming into contact with Sakura's kunai. In the next blink, the rosette sees nothing in front of her. Sakura turns to a rough stance, a tight grip on her weapon once snarls, growls, and loud cries hit her ears.

Sakura expects to spot a spitting, feral animal by those rabid-like sounds. Instead, she spots the brunette woman hissing those noises while held back in the arms of Gaara's sand.

"Calm yourself!" Gaara whispers his order to the woman trapped in his grains. "Matsuri!"

Sakura's head jolts back slightly and her eyes widen once she catches her assailant's name.

"Matsuri?" Sakura whispers to herself in disbelief.

Sure enough, as the home's lights catches the brunette's flailing head from time to time, Sakura recognizes the little girl who approached Gaara at the playground in his youth. Even if her face now scowls.

Despite Gaara's defense and his order to Matsuri, the woman continues to resist and struggle against his sand as her vicious eyes look towards Sakura with ill-intent.

The minutes in which Gaara continues to calm Matsuri down, is the same amount of time Sakura needs before narrowing her eyes towards Matsuri. It's more of a warning on Sakura's part as she silently relays to the brunette that she is not afraid of her and that she would be wise to stay out of her way. This in turn makes Matsuri holler and cry out in rage.

"Filthy whore!" she cries out. "Your resistance uses the most disgusting tactics over and over and then don't-!"

Matsuri's voice is suddenly lost and Sakura gasps lightly when the sand holding Matsuri back is suddenly replaced by Gaara's own forceful hands.

He slams and pins Matsuri's face hard against the ground, his element still slithering dangerously around the two. Sakura watches on as some of Gaara's hidden rage is resurfaced. The same flaming anger lights his eyes just as brightly as when he first reunited with Sakura.

"Think before you speak, Matsuri!" Gaara growls at the woman under him. "Speak to Sakura like that again and there will be consequences!"

Despite the fear Gaara has put into everyone, even his own siblings knees shake when Gaara passes by, Matsuri growls right back at the redhead.

"Let me go!" she even cries as his hard hands tighten against her arms. "Don't let the resistance fool you again, Gaara-sama! It's just another fake! Another spy or assassin trying to get close to you!"

Angry, teal eyes stay glued to Matsuri before her struggles begin to slow. Sakura sighs before sliding her kunai back into her holster and makes her way towards Gaara and Matsuri. Sakura isn't sure how to feel towards the brunette. A close, quick bond between her and Gaara led Sakura to believe the little girl would help Gaara overcome his obstacles preventing him from sustaining a happy life. Granted, Sakura knows friends don't always stay friends, or that Matsuri could have easily disappeared or died in this long war. Still...

In the back of her mind, Sakura's conscience is trying to show her the hypocrisy in her line of thinking. While blaming those close to Gaara at his young age partially for his outcome, Sakura continues to deny her part in helping to create the imbalanced man before her. Still, Sakura looks down at Matsuri with some detest, and she wants to ask the same question she has asked Baki, Chiyo-baasama, Temari, and Kankuro.

Why? Why did you let Gaara become this way?

And yet…

Sakura's lips remain pursed. She is tired of asking the same questions over and over and over. In the end, the rosette has learned that Temari, Kankuro, and even she herself, follow Gaara for the same reason. With Matsuri's next claim, does Sakura's mind echo-

'Ultimately love is everything.'

"I'm just trying to protect you..." Matsuri mumbles, her resistance gone. "You know I just don't want them to hurt you again."

Sakura swallows hard at Matsuri's words and her emerald gaze slowly slides to spot the bracelet that Matsuri wears. Sakura can't help herself from reaching for Matsuri's jewelry. Particularly, the multi-colored stone Sakura plucks between her fingers.

"Don't touch that!" Matsuri cries and begins flailing again.

With Gaara's hold still tight, Sakura pays Matsuri little mind. Instead, her eyes focus on the stone as Gaara's own gaze settles on Sakura and what she studies.

"You have no right to touch that!" Matsuri continues to cry.

Sakura's eyes narrow at the familiar stone. It came from the same necklace Sakura had helped pick out for Gaara in Konoha at his young age. A necklace then, it seems with growth Matsuri has transformed the gift into a bracelet. Even if a serene memory resurfaces with her time with Gaara, Sakura's eyes shrink in anger. This necklace only rises more confusing and frustrating questions in her mind. One thing is clear though, the brunette's words and fondness for the cheap, gift-shop trinket tell Sakura that-

"She loves you, Gaara," Sakura whispers.

Sakura wears the same size shoes as this brunette; fondness over a man whose gaze falls onto everything but you. Gaara is to Matsuri what Sasuke is to Sakura. Sakura is really unsure how to feel towards Matsuri once she realizes this. What irks Sakura most though is the secrets, possibly lies, Gaara has kept from her. He claimed pain after Sakura's departure, led her to believe his path turned lonely once again, but this necklace shows something else.

"It means nothing," Gaara is quick to comment. "My feelings for her don't reflect how she feels towards me."

For the redhead, he tries to push Sakura back into the world they were sharing before. However, Sakura has been pulled away the moment Matsuri joined the three, and the rosette is merely quiet as she backs away slightly before looking back towards the home.

Under him, Matsuri deflates to Gaara's comment, but her perseverance in getting Gaara to return her feelings remain. Matsuri is a mirror of the rosette with their many attempts swooning for a man who scowls at the sight of them. An image Sakura will later recognize. However, unlike Sakura, Matsuri knows well how to quickly nab the attention of the man she loves and grins under Gaara's weight before speaking.

"Gaara-sama, it is done."

Not only does Gaara's eyes glow but so too does Sakura turn back to the brunette with curiosity.

'What's been done?' Sakura wonders.

A sudden wind of change happens, and Gaara is happy to pick himself up and off the woman before extending a hand to help her up. There is even a warm, but still sinister looking to Sakura, smile he has waiting for Matsuri as she tangles her hand with his.

"I expected you were not here to deliver me a displeasing message," Gaara grins at Matsuri.

Sakura is surprised at the scene in front of her. Gaara holds the brunette hand in hand now, and his eyes remain glued onto Matsuri's own rather than casting them back towards Sakura. They even take baby steps towards the home without acknowledging Sakura.

'Just like that huh?' Sakura thinks.

She isn't sure how to feel being suddenly pushed aside, but she figures Gaara's attention on someone else besides her always grants her opportunity away from the redhead's watchful eyes. Though...she is still unsure on her next course of action or what news Matsuri brings to Gaara.

"I hope that little mountain can hold all the prisoners I brought from up north."

"North," Sakura whispers.

There was fighting up north, Sakura remembers. Temari had made a mention of the fight to Gaara in her presence while Kakashi echoed the same. Gaara had grown irritated claiming that a she should have taken care of it by now while Kankuro assured that the captain up north would handle it.

'Could it be?' Sakura thinks while watching Matsuri mimic Gaara's detestable grin. 'Was she the other captain they spoke of?'

Dread suddenly washes over Sakura making her face white while she stands back to watch the pair converse and make their way to the home without her. For Sakura, all she can think of is if Matsuri is here now, claiming she has prisoners from the north, then that may mean the resistance, possibly friends of hers, have fallen to the hands of this brunette.

Sakura's eyes narrow and a sneer appears once Matsuri laughs at whatever it is Gaara has told her before her own glare turns back to meet with Sakura's own. In the arms of Gaara, Matsuri wears her smile smug. Sakura tries to ignore her, ignore her look, and ignore the fact that this woman may have led an army to help chip away at whatever resistance is left fighting against Gaara. Instead, she slowly follows suit towards the home while trying to repress her chaotic emotions.

'Don't act rash,' she reminds herself. 'Remember you're limited.'

She almost feels the need to claw out the skin that holds a seal on her back, but instead tightens her fists before entering the home. Upon entering, Sakura finds Gaara has taken a seat leisurely on a cushioned chair as Matsuri continues to draw him to her with tales of the victory at hand, among whatever news and secrets she has learned through prisoners captured. The aura of the home is still dark, but Sakura feels a mood change. Between Gaara and Matsuri, there is excitement, and the rosette wonders what the redhead thinks of now.

'Kakashi mentioned Gaara's army had taken hold of most lands,' Sakura thinks, staring blankly at the two converse from the doorway. 'Now the fight has been won for him up north.'

Sakura's eyes narrow as Gaara forces out a loud, mocking laugh.

'All while he was here. He did nothing. Just how big is his army?' Sakura's mind begins to rattle.

She has a question, but she knows the answer will probably tire her. So, instead, she continues to stand and watch the two converse. As she stands silently, she realizes besides Gaara and Matsuri, Temari also joins. From the kitchen the blonde brings cups and drink.

"Let's celebrate," she hears Gaara tell Matsuri.

Sakura's sigh is a heavy one upon hearing that, but all attention is far from her until another body enters her line of vision. Opposite of Gaara and Matsuri does Kankuro sit as well. Disheveled appearance and messy hair tell Sakura that his return must have just been within the hour. While she realizes there may have been possibly friends of hers he has taken down with his own puppets, Sakura still beams at the sight of him. She even looks at Temari to share in her excitement, but the blonde focuses on passing the cups around instead.

Still, there is a new calmness that emits from Temari, and Sakura is certain her ecstatic feelings probably reflect Temari's own upon seeing Kankuro's safe return. Unlike Temari though, Sakura is quick to approach where he sits.

"Kankuro," Sakura excitedly calls his name before drawing up to him. "I'm so happy to see you. Welcome back."

She smiles down at him, expecting his eyes to find hers and at any moment return her smile. Instead, she is left standing there as Kankuro's eyes stay focused on Gaara and Matsuri completely while taking a sip of his drink. His eyes look tired, worn, nervous, excited and…something else she can't quite figure out. As silence lingers, Sakura even drawing up the other's attention from her call to Kankuro, she continues to stand there while staring at Kankuro and waiting for his reply. He doesn't look her way, but does give her a hoarse greeting after smacking his lips.

"Hey, Sakura," Kankuro mumbles.

Sakura's shoulders fall and her smile becomes a hard frown to Kankuro's cold greeting. It's like she stares at a new person now, whereas the Kankuro before seemed happy at her appearance and even slipped in the nickname he had for her at his young age.

'What were you expecting?' Sakura reminds herself. 'These people are not...'

Sakura looks back at Gaara, hoping to see the little boy's face that helps remind her why she does what she does now, who she does this for. Instead, her eyes narrow once her look hits Gaara's own. He was already watching her, sneaking glances. His smile grows while he lets Sakura realize this, but also grins to mock Sakura's attention on Kankuro before his eyes trail back to Matsuri who continues to tell him of the battle. The little boy's face is beginning to become harder for Sakura to place on Gaara, but she is reminded of a child who once glanced jealousy towards his siblings for nabbing Sakura's attention. As warped and twisted as Gaara has grown to become, she is sure Gaara's watchful eye remains on her and the interactions she shares with others. Sakura knows that Gaara may be giving Matsuri her moment, but it is the rosette that is constantly on his mind.

She still has secrets that he is after.

Feigned interest, an overabundance in praise, promises of better rewards for her later on, as Sakura hears all of it come out of Gaara's mouth and to Matsuri, Sakura wonders if even his siblings can recognize his false promises to the poor woman. Love blinds Matsuri, and as much as it shouldn't interest Sakura, it does. After all, Matsuri's love could reveal something more about Gaara she knows nothing about. Maybe, once upon a time, Gaara had made an attempt at loving someone other than himself.

"Temari," Matsuri suddenly calls. "Pour me another, will you? I've been doing quite a bit for Gaara-sama while you've been here just playing around."

Sakura rolls her eyes at Matsuri's words before deciding to take a seat next to Kankuro. A princess in the arms of her lover, how else is Temari to say no in the presence of Gaara? It sets a tone for Matsuri in Sakura's head. She has met girls like Matsuri before and usually they cower and cry when those arms are far from protecting them. She is disheartened to see the blonde, prideful woman pour the bottle while Matsuri's smile grows. A spitting image of Gaara now, that evil smile has the audacity to speak again.

"Try not to spill, will you?" Matsuri tells Temari. "I still don't get why your hands shake so much."

Sakura shoots her angry eyes towards Matsuri, ready to speak up. Yet, surprisingly, it is Kankuro who interrupts.

"You know, maybe too many has you seeing your glass empty when you're still halfway from there," Kankuro speaks clearly before dragging a sniff.

All eyes turn to Kankuro. Even Sakura's eyes widen to his deep, clear voice. She has never heard Kankuro, since she has been here, retaliate back in any way. His tone and voice sound so different then what she has been used to hearing. She is shocked, he sounds so much like-

'Kankuro from back home!' Sakura thinks.

As her eyes study his profile, she feels his eyes are more clear and open. In school, Sakura and her peers were taught that it was normal for fighters to come out of a battle acting differently. In a flight or fight situation, everyone acted on different instincts and their cool down after was no exception. Sakura wonders if this is the case for Kankuro. A clearer mind he may have now, perhaps this was why Gaara was so keen on sending him out to fight. If this is the case, then Sakura knows that his method is twisted; bloodbath just to ease the mind.

"Kankuro," Gaara warns him in his voice.

He must be in a great mood, Sakura thinks, for Gaara's warnings before included threats and physical violence. Instead, his warning offers a smile that he turns back towards Matsuri. It paints a clearer picture in Sakura's mind, Gaara in a good mood is not a good sign. It means he's achieved something he shouldn't. He may even be one step closer to his ultimate goal.

"I was only joking, Kankuro," Matsuri adds and sips from her cup. "Don't upset me, or you know what I'll do."

Before Matsuri finishes, Kankuro crooks his neck and cuts her off.

"What will you do, Matsuri?" Kankuro begins, unfazed by her threat. "You know, you were in such a panic at what to do before I got to the battle that it makes me wonder if you know how to do anything."

A cup whizzes by between Sakura and Kankuro's head. Though, admittedly in her mind, Sakura feels the cup fly closer by her head than Kankuro's. Glass shatters behind them, and red paints the wall while dripping to stain the dirty floor. Matsuri's eyes fill with rage once again.

'Easy to anger,' Sakura notes.

What she notices too is Temari and Kankuro tense up lightly as well before they position themselves differently in their seats.

'They're all ready to fight,' Sakura thinks.

A brother who claimed to Sakura that he would follow Gaara to the ends of the earth. A sister who does as she is told, all for the sake of Gaara's happiness. A young woman, easy to anger but ecstatic for whatever scraps are thrown under her nose by Gaara. In Sakura's mind, it's just all wrong. Has the world gone so crazy and blind that it will fight among itself just to please this redhead?

Gaara claims loneliness and pain, but his followers look up to him. He has most of the world as many people keep telling her.

'How did he become this way when he had so many people surrounding him? Could not one of them help him where I left off?'

Another voice whispers in her mind.

'It's because you-'

Despite what is happening between Kankuro and Matsuri, even Temari caught up in the mess and swearing at the two to knock it off in front of Gaara, Sakura looks towards Gaara with her own thoughts. She isn't surprised to find his eyes already on her own emerald gaze. He smiles in her direction but it is a smug, mocking smile that tells Sakura to be wary. He knows she is thinking deeply on different matters and his smile tells her he is doing the same. Together, they are a group who look to achieve whatever Gaara wants, but Sakura still feels she is only fighting against Gaara. The redhead wants to turn their fighting into something romantic and paints Sakura as a sexually appealing being to lust and fond after. Meanwhile, Sakura wants to show Gaara how wrong that line of thinking is. How all of this is wrong.

"If I would have been here a mistake like her would have never happened!" Matsuri screams while pointing at Sakura.

Sakura's temper rises and she picks herself up from the couch as Matsuri does the same. A challenge in their eyes.

"There are a lot of mistakes here, but don't point your finger at me when the man behind you is destroying the very world you live in."

Sakura earns Matsuri's fangs and glare.

"He is making a world for us! Gaara-sama is the only leader who promises all that we desire!"

Sakura's ears perk up to what she is hearing, and she licks her lips in anticipation and hopes that Matsuri will say more. She knows there is a secret they keep from Sakura, and with a new opponent comes new opportunities. Even Kankuro and Temari shift in their seats. Knowingly, they understand what secrets Gaara keeps from Sakura and that they are expected to hold the lock just as tight when the rosette comes to them. Matsuri however...

"How can you deny someone who promises you a perfect world?" Matsuri deadpans as her eyes widen, giving her a manic expression. "Gaara-sama promises us all that we-"

"Matsuri," Gaara growls this time.

Anger returns to the redheaded man, and he warns with just a single use of the name. His narrow gaze sets on Sakura as hers set on his. Matsuri swallows hard and even shoots Gaara an odd look before glancing from him and back to Sakura.

"Ah," Matsuri eventually murmurs as a grin spreads on her face. "I get it now."

The brunette is smug and smiling while she returns to sit. Whatever she has figured out, it humors her while she mocks Sakura.

"You don't know what's going on, do you?" Matsuri smiles at Sakura. "You're actually quite different from the other ugly, pink-haired rats who sneaked in here. They were always such a bore, always agreeing with everything said and done."

Despite her words, Sakura's eyes remain glued to Gaara's own and her lips remain tight while she delves into her thoughts.

'What did you promise the world, Gaara?' Sakura wonders. 'What did you say to make mostly every man and woman follow you to destroy our way of life?'

Even before meeting his child self, Sakura knew how passionate Gaara was in his roles. As a militant, it is no different. Sakura glances towards Temari, who holds her eyes steady with hers before falling to the floor. She looks to Kankuro next, his eyes seem settled on his brother. She ignores Matsuri's smile to look back at Gaara; the only one who has a definite answer.

"I know enough to know that what Gaara does now is wrong and needs to be stopped."

Sakura swallows hard as silence follows, but she does see Gaara's gaze let up a bit. She remembers what they shared earlier. Though ruined, she could sense the child in Gaara she remembered as he began sharing some secrets with her. She hates his approach, but will admit Gaara has thrown her a bone. He has told her more today than she imagined he would do willingly. Despite anger towards him now she can't push away what trust she has gained with Gaara.

"Tell me what you promised them. What is it you want out of this war?" Sakura whispers towards Gaara.

Her voice is calm and relaxed. She actually surprises Gaara and he lets up his glare some while the others wait on him in wonder of what he will say. Contemplative thoughts follow the redhead. They all know this as he remains silent.

"What I want?" Gaara murmurs to himself. "A purpose. A reason. A place in this world to exist."

Sakura grinds her teeth at the vague answer. She almost wants to mimic Matsuri's drink throw at how frustrated the redhead makes her feel.

"That's not good enough!" Sakura hollers at Gaara. "I'm tired of these games!"

Gaara opens his mouth but shuts it quick as Sakura turns to each one of them.

"I'm tired of these games you each play! I'm so tired that I..." her voice trails.

The eyes all on her do not change their expression.

"If you're tired then why don't you just go," Matsuri eventually breaks the silence.

Sakura's eyes turn to Matsuri's hard, angry gaze.

"With the fight up north wrapping up you might as well just give up. All that's left now is Konoha."

Sakura's heart drops. Like a heavy stone in water, her heart sinks while her eyes widen at what she hears. She knew Gaara was after Konoha, but didn't realize how little time she would have left. Once again, time cruelly mocks at her. Along with her body, her mind is taking a toll. Time is chipping away at her thoughts and hopes for this world.

For Gaara.

Looking back at the redheaded man, Sakura sees him actually contemplating while looking away from her and to the side of him. He does not refute Matsuri's claim.

"If Gaara-sama chose to, he could end everyone's celebration now and march towards Konoha. Nothing can stop us now," Matsuri speaks before taking another sip from her glass.

Sakura can't even feel her heart anymore. Gaara still remains silent while looking away but Sakura still stares at him while rocking in her spot. An army outside this home celebrates for their win tonight, but in the morning they may very well be knocking on Konoha's doors, and Sakura hasn't the faintest idea what to do now. It's becoming much harder for her to picture the boy Gaara once was. Not even Matsuri's cry of laughter brings Sakura's attention away from Gaara.

"Look at how upset she is!" Matsuri laughs before lifting her glass towards Kankuro. "When you told me Sakura showed up, I knew it was just another rebel."

A brown gaze looks towards Sakura, and Matsuri clicks her tongue in annoyance when Sakura's attention is deadpanned on Gaara instead of on her own ridicule.

"If you're not happy with the situation, why not run back to Konoha? Let them know we're on our way."

Still her words elicit nothing as Sakura delves through her mind and thoughts. What can she possibly do now?

'Konoha is going to fall as soon as Gaara decides,' Sakura sadly thinks. 'My friends. My colleagues. They're all going to-'

Hope seems lost and as strong as she is, Sakura can't help but feel suddenly defeated. She vaguely catches Kankuro's next words but forgets them a second later.

"Watch what you say, Matsuri. You know, you'd do well to just shut up completely," Kankuro comments before lifting himself from his seat and leaving the room.

Swears return as Temari and Matsuri begin at each other with words, but they all seem like white noise to Sakura as her stare remains on Gaara who seems to be refusing to look at her right now.

She can't give up now.

"I won't let you do this," Sakura suddenly whispers towards Gaara.

Gaara still doesn't look at her but the quietness falls into the room just in time for Gaara to speak back.

"You may not let me but you cannot stop me."

Gaara swallows hard to his words and Sakura's body seems to burn and grow heavy the longer she stares at Gaara. It's just as Matsuri says, Gaara is only thinking of his next goal in mind. She feels suddenly broken and stops herself once she feels heat in the corner of her eyes. As much as she hates it, tears begin forming. She is a lion, her fangs are suppose to be her weapon. Tears are for lambs.

Still, there is a power she has. A power no sealing can steal from her. A power that needs no words. Love is a powerful force, and where Matsuri may sneer at Sakura's broken, weak spirit, Sakura has spent her life swaying many minds and opening many hearts with her own love. Gaara is no exception to its power despite his cold heart and it surprises everyone that Sakura seeks his comfort when he is the very man that threatens to take everything from her. The rosette rushes to Gaara once she realizes she can't control her tears. Falling to her knees, she buries and hides her tears into Gaara's lap.

"Don't do it," she begs into the fabric of his clothes. "Please."

A request so insane, Sakura prepares herself to hear the room explode with laughter. When in love though, one may very well act crazy, and Sakura tenses lightly when she feels Gaara place a gentle hand on top of her head. A gentle brush of her locks tells Sakura that he touches her with comfort in mind.

"Get off of him!" Matsuri roars before making a reach for Sakura.

"Matsuri!" Gaara suddenly speaks and stops the brunette in her steps, but Sakura can still feel his hands coax lovingly through her hair.

For Sakura, the little boy comes to mind. She would caress his red locks the same way Gaara does to her pink strands.

"Gather your most able men for me," Gaara finishes telling Matsuri.

Orders to the brunette, and Sakura ponders on them and what it all means.

"Gather?" Matsuri questions. "I can't imagine any of them sober right now after our big win."

Irritation comes off of Gaara's click of the tongue before he turns to Temari.

"Find me your most able men then. Whether yours or Matsuri's, it doesn't matter."

Temari nods.

"Hai," Temari murmurs before glancing towards Sakura.

A hard stare but it lasts only seconds before the blonde looks at Matsuri.

"Let's go," Temari tells Matsuri.

The brunette lingers with narrow eyes settling on Sakura.

"She is tricking you, Gaara-sama," Matsuri whispers.

Silence follows and Gaara's eyes stay intensive on the rosette. His indifference towards Matsuri while she waits on him gets to her, but she reluctantly does as she is told. The brunette does not leave silently though.

"Even if she is the real Sakura, don't forget what she did to you. Don't let go of that hate I know you have for her, Gaara-sama."

Matsuri marches out the room without waiting for acknowledgment. Though Gaara's strokes continue through Sakura's hair, a pause did come from Matsuri's sentence. Still, the redhead continues to sweep Sakura's hair while the rosette wets his lap with her tears. His hands circle around Sakura's head to come and cradle her chin up to look at her wet, emerald eyes.

"Beautiful blossom," Gaara whispers, and begins wiping away whatever tears and strands of messy hair stick to her face. "What can I do to stop these tears?"

Sakura's eyes widen to the affectionate display, and she wonders if he would continue this were his siblings, and Matsuri, still in the room. Perhaps this is why he had sent them on their way. Her mind screams at her to remember.

'Don't be fooled. Don't let this monster trick you with feigned kindness.'

"Even your tears are beautiful," Gaara murmurs before gently kissing the top of her head. "Cry if you must, but stay with me like this."

Gaara's adulation towards Sakura rocks her and she sniffs before pulling slightly away.

"Konoha," Sakura whispers with a hoarse breath. "Don't do it."

Since it is a desperate request, Sakura allows Gaara some lineage once his hands return to cradle her face. He places another kiss on her, this time at the corner of her eye. He kisses away a tear.

"Why?" Gaara whispers while craning his neck towards her ear while holding her face still. "Why are you so keen on saving that village, Sakura?"

She thinks of the past they once shared there. The joy and fun they had together while playing in fresh snow, and Sakura opens her mouth to remind Gaara of that past. Yet, she knows that Gaara easily recalls their past and still he points his blade towards the gates of her home.

Nothing she can say will…

'No,' a voice in her mind tells her. 'You can tell him the truth.'

Desperate. Sakura is desperate to save her friends. She is desperate to save Konoha even if it means nothing to her in this world. She stifles her tears and pulls her head back enough just for Gaara to look back at her gaze. As their eyes lock, her eyes never waver as she finally reveals something Gaara has been clawing at her to tell him since the day she arrived.

"Konoha is my home," Sakura whispers.