It's okay. I forgot what's happened too. ╮ (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) ╭


Chapter Fifty-nine


Even Gaara's call that he would meet her downstairs doesn't send Matsuri running away quickly from the bathroom door. Matsuri lingers quietly behind, but both Gaara and Sakura can easily sense her until, eventually, her heavy steps signal her departure. Gaara is the one to pull away from Sakura's hold before motioning for her to leave with him.

Sakura sniffles and wipes her tears away with warm water before exiting the shower. She can feel Gaara's eyes trained on her as she walks past him and reaches for her clothes on the floor. They are both quiet while Sakura is unsure what to say or how to approach Gaara from this point forward.

'He's done me a great favor,' she thinks.

Yet, with that line of thinking does all the awful occurrences Gaara has done flash through Sakura's mind. Gaara has killed innocent people. Gaara has threatened her and countless others over and over. Gaara portrays the lives of those close to him as a hindrance and speaks of how easily disposable each one of them is. Gaara still keeps his secrets from her. Gaara still holds her cloistered on this island with a say that she cannot leave him. While Konoha is safe, Sakura wonders just what that means for the rest of the crumbling world.

'He said all that was left was Konoha. Does that mean he will just...stop?' Sakura asks herself. 'Will he reach out to Kakashi and look to end the fighting now? Just what was he after in the first place?'

While placing her pants back on, Sakura looks up at the redhead as he finishes doing the same. Gaara raises to meet Sakura's eyes once he feels them on him and he offers her a gentle smile. A kind of smile that feels genuine and sends a message that he appreciates what she has done for him. Sakura was right in her thinking; giving a little on her end has granted her a helping hand from Gaara that lifts a heavy burden from her shoulders. Still, her shoulders sag and her back weighs hefty from the other struggles that threaten to take so much from her.

Sakura attempts to return a gentle smile of her own but the longer she stares into Gaara's hard, teal gaze does her smile fall and turn sad. She quickly averts away her look to hide the feeling from him. Gaara takes steps closer to her and she feels almost certain the young man will retract his words from her less-than-happy display. As much as he claws and demands for her happiness to mimic how he looks at her, Sakura waits for that blow of words from his mouth. Instead, all his mouth brings is another gentle kiss at the corner of her head.

"Go rest, Sakura," he ushers her along instead. "There's business I need to attend to now."

There is nothing more that Sakura would like than to rest; to prop on a bed and just sleep her worries away. But she is still wary of Gaara and his intentions and she wants to make sure he follows through still with his end of the deal. Gaara may coax her to sleep but Sakura has some worry in her that Konoha may be in ruins when she awakes.

"With Matsuri and her battalion?" Sakura questions that she hopes leads Gaara to speak.

Gaara doesn't persuade her otherwise and only speaks once he opens the wash room door open for her.

"My men, not Matsuri's," he corrects Sakura with small pride. "I have affairs outside this island where I require them."

Some of Sakura's concern grows as she looks at Gaara, her previous thoughts returning. He seems at ease to what he says though that it relieves Sakura some to believe he will still keep his promise.

"You are welcome to see me off," Gaara tells her, and actually props a small smile at the idea that Sakura wants to say goodbye to him. "But be sure to rest afterwards."

Sakura walks towards him as he continues to hold the door open for her. She stops short just before exiting and stares out to his room with a face that contorts. She even bites her lips in thought as she continues to think of what has just transpired in that shower.

'He loves you,' a mysterious voice echoes in her mind.

'...I don't want him to,' Sakura thinks back. 'Not like the way he does.'

Still, whatever admiration Gaara has on Sakura has saved both her and her village. A tool she can use, but Sakura hates and despises it. Yet, until she is certain he is a changed man, it may be her only means now as her muscles are already beginning to lose their girth.

"Thank you, Gaara," she whispers on a breath.

Her eyes continue to dance in front of her and she swallows hard while contemplating a decision in her mind. Her lips twist back and forth before Gaara replies.

"If there is something that ever troubles you, Sakura, you can tell me anything," he speaks so nonchalant. "I want to become your strength now like you were mine years ago."

His words move her. It's quick, happens so fast, but Sakura bounces on her toes to place a small kiss on Gaara's cheek. She may not be able to lace her words with affection like the redhead does for her, but she can manage through physical kindness. Before the situation can escalate into anything more, Sakura treads out of the wash room and out of Gaara's room and into the hallway. The rosette waits on Gaara to step behind her before she leads the way down the stairs and through the home.

The pair are quiet, but Sakura has to admit there is a calmness about Gaara that has her eyes focused forward than sliding back to make sure the man behind her behaves. It isn't until there is a light, muffled cry does Sakura freeze in her spot.

'Trouble,' her first initial thought until hushed voices and muffled words catch her ears.

Sakura looks back at the door the pair had just passed once she realizes the cry came from in there.

"Temari..." Gaara hisses, his eyes and grinding teeth looking back towards the door along with Sakura.

It's actually Sakura who takes a hold of Gaara's shoulder to stop him from barging into the room.

"Don't," Sakura whispers.

She is all the more glad to have reach out once she sees the flames in Gaara's eyes. While she continues to feel safe in his presence, she is certain those flames would have burnt Temari. Now the scream, muffled noises, and hush whispers paint a picture in Sakura's mind. Her first night in this home had revealed more than she was wanting to learn when it came to unusual noises at night. Sakura starts her steps again; certain the redhead will follow to her silent beckoning. A huff from him, but like a loyal pup he follows Sakura.

"Does Temari have a boyfriend?" Sakura asks after some steps are taken.

Genuinely curious, the rosette also asks in a means to distract Gaara from storming back into the room.

"I think I've told you before, Temari is not shameful in bedding a prisoner from time to time."

Once again, Sakura freezes. Before any questions come she is quick to take steps back towards Temari's room. She will not condone what Temari does to another unwilling no matter how little her strength. Just before she goes past Gaara, the redhead nabs her arm to hold her back this time. Without words, he understands Sakura's intention. All the more evident as her worried eyes remain on the room than turning to him.

"This prisoner is willing," Gaara whispers in Sakura's direction. "They may very well be lovers."

Sakura's eyes widen to what Gaara tells her; he earns her wide, emerald gaze.

"...and you're alright with this?" Sakura asks in a small voice.

Sakura is surprised that Gaara allows Temari some sense repose, and even at the use of him declaring his sister has a lover. So out of tune of his sibling's lives Gaara portrayed himself to be that he surprises Sakura greatly with the knowledge he has of Temari.

"It matters not what Temari does with others," Gaara tells Sakura with steady eyes.

Sakura wonders if this is the redhead's way of saying that it is none of his business than deciding to fall back on the idea that Gaara cares nothing for his sister. The rosette asks no more. If what Gaara says is true, Sakura's heart feels a little more light to the new knowledge. She turns back around to lead the way downstairs.

'It was mostly women I saw up in that prison mountain,' Sakura muses lightly; wondering what sort of lover Temari has taken.

Her thoughts also fall onto Shikamaru from her own home. It's odd for Sakura to think Shikamaru and Temari beginning to date before coming here and learning the blonde has fallen into the arms of another. Then again, her situation here differs as much as the relationship her and Gaara shared back in her own world. She never imagined how dark and depraved Gaara's young self to be and how easily influenced his older self could become with those twisted thoughts of his.

'Naruto really did save him,' Sakura muses.

Sakura stops short just before Matsuri comes into view. The brunette sneers in Sakura's direction before placing a hand on her hip.

"So, Konoha is your home," Matsuri's grimace grows.

Behind her stand three men. Armed like ninjas, they don masks like any village anbu, but the designs on their white mask bear no shape and only have Gaara's kanji painted red across the entire white masks. Whether sloppily painted or purposeful, the red paint from the writing has glided down and stain each mask uniquely; like blood trailing down from a wound to the head. As soon as Gaara's steps come close behind Sakura is when the men move down to one knee before bowing their heads low.

"This is your army?" Sakura asks, turning her head back some for Gaara to hear her.

There's a sudden tight grip on Sakura's shoulder and from the growing frown of Matsuri in front of her, she is certain the hand tightly holding her is Gaara's.

"You'd be much more impressed if you could see the entirety of them," Gaara whispers dark and delightfully in Sakura's ear.

Sakura shows her distaste to that idea by stepping away from Gaara's hold and shying her face away from his. There is nothing more she'd like than to take the men in front of her and pummel them broken, Gaara included, but she holds back for the sake of-

"Tell me we're not doing this," Matsuri cuts in.

Disgust she held for Sakura, but turning back to look at the brunette Sakura can see the young woman's eyes look worriedly towards Gaara. Gaara straightens his back and crosses his arms behind him while looking down at Matsuri. His gaze is heavy and solemn; like a leader.

"I haven't even informed you what it is we are doing," Gaara comments.

Matsuri crosses her head to the side as angry eyes return to her gaze. Once again, she sneers towards Sakura before barring her teeth at Gaara.

"She comes to you and claims Konoha is her home!" Matsuri hollers. "Any other would have been thrown into the mountain but instead you take her into your room and-and-!"

Matsuri bites her lips once Gaara rises a brow bone in her direction.

"And?" he mocks her.

Matsuri digs her teeth into the skin of her lip but her angry gaze is as hard as Gaara's own. With time, Matsuri breathes a heavy sigh.

"I know it's not Konoha we five are going to now," Matsuri calmly whispers. "And if it isn't Konoha, there is only one other place."

Sakura watches with curiosity at the conversation in front of her. Gaara had told her he was leaving, but Matsuri's anxiety and worried eyes towards Gaara has the rosette wondering in her mind as well.

'Just what is he planning next?'

Once again, the rosette is put through a loop of questions she knows she will get no answers to as the pair continue to speak vague.

"You are correct in your assumptions," Gaara finally tells Matsuri.

The brunette's face flushes white and she looks to almost be on the verge of tears.

"All because of her?!" Matsuri cries out while throwing an arm towards Gaara. "She is from Konoha! She is another fake! A spy! She would try to kill you like the others have! If you can't get rid of her than let me!"

The end of her cries signals the beginning of something terrifyingly dark about to happen. Gaara's hand shoots out for Matsuri's neck. Markings like Shukaku begin painting and spreading on Gaara's skin. His claws suddenly dig deeper into Matsuri's skin as his teal eyes begin to glow a sickly, bright yellow. Sand starts dripping out of Gaara's gourd as if the contents inside are overflowing suddenly. Worst of all, the men Matsuri claims to be a part of her platoon are quick to circle her in and aim their weapons in her direction; trapping her in place.

Gaara growls while lifting Matsuri up until her toes begin sliding against the hard floor. When he speaks next, Gaara's own voice echoes with a bass in his voice that is not his own.

"A threat to Sakura is a threat to me," his throat vibrates something sinister. "I can't have a risk like you on this island!"

"Stop!" Sakura hollers before rushing to Gaara's side.

She panics when Gaara's gaze continues on Matsuri and he ignores Sakura's plea. Her eyes widen to the sight of a mouth growing and opening wide to show off fangs that drip saliva like a feral animal. Sakura looks back at Matsuri who is beginning to change in color from the lack of air.

"Stop him he'll kill her!" Sakura screams at the men who continue to keep Matsuri boxed in.

Like Gaara, they ignore her calls while following only the lead of the man who seems to be changing into a monster right in front of them. Desperate, Sakura throws a punch at Gaara which is deflected easily by his sand defense.

"Damn it, Gaara!" Sakura screams at him. "Stop already!"

Sakura hates this feeling. So helpless she suddenly feels that she almost wants to cry. She chose to teach her mind and body to overcome these situations at the young age; never wanting the feeling of being so helpless when she stood back to watch Naruto chase after Sasuke.

Though she wishes to win her own battles, Sakura's savior this time is Kankuro once he suddenly sweeps into the room. Despite Gaara's threats, despite Gaara's harm on him in the past, despite the fear Gaara has placed in him, Kankuro storms in without a break in his stride before placing himself next to Gaara's face. Kankuro's demeanor tells Sakura that this Gaara is a normalcy to him

"Gaara," he's quick to speak. "You've got to stop. You're going to kill her. She isn't worth it. Got it?"

When his words fall on deaf ears, Kankuro reaches for Gaara's arm that his holding Matsuri.

"She's valuable to you," Kankuro presses instead. "You need her for your victory. Don't make me have to fight you!"

Kankuro earns Gaara's glare finally but Gaara only threatens with a growl and barred fangs while Matsuri goes limp. As the precious seconds of life tick-tock for Matsuri, Kankuro grounds himself to speak words that might stop Gaara instead.

"Gaara, Sakura is watching you right now. Don't let her see this side to you." Kankuro presses instead. "Don't scare her away again."

Sakura joins Kankuro by placing herself next to him; a plead in her look as Gaara's eyes slide towards Sakura.

"Don't do this," she tries as well. "Matsuri is your friend. She cares deeply for you."

Her heart quickens when she sees Gaara's gaze begin to shift and the yellow glow begins to turn back to teal as he stares at Sakura still. Sakura begins to nod once she realizes she is finally getting through.

"You don't want to hurt those close to you Gaara, right?" Sakura continues, remembering much of this consoling in Gaara's younger years.

Gaara cries out. Along with his holler does he toss Matsuri back. The brunette draws breath in before losing it a second later once Gaara throws her hard against the wall. Instantly, the men surrounding Matsuri retract their weapons. It is Kankuro who rushes to check on Matsuri while Sakura stands back to watch Gaara stagger in his spot. He drops his head as his disheveled hair sways with his imbalance steps.

"Gaara," Sakura speaks before stepping forward to take a hold of him. "Why would you do that?!"

He suddenly looks rumpled; physically and mentally, that Sakura actually casts him a worried look before she takes his arm to help holster him up. His sudden exasperation has Sakura wondering.

'Was he about to let the Ichibi out?'

She frowns more to the idea once she spots the claw that hangs limply over her shoulder. Though it dons no sand, Gaara's pale skin is painted with Shukaku's dark markings. With nails sharp like a wolf and fangs to match, Sakura's mind wonders how Matsuri could invoke such resentment from the redhead.

"All because of what she said, Gaara? Really?!" Sakura can't bite her tongue this time.

Teal eyes slide slowly to Sakura's angry gaze but they are tinted like a wild animal's glowing eyes. Once again, the redhead surprises Sakura with his next words.

"I apologize, if I frightened you," a breathy whisper on his part. "I...could not accept what she said about you and deciding how I should feel."

Gaara swallows slowly while locking his eyes with Sakura's as the rosette is left to ponder at the thought. She understands Gaara has feelings for her but it will never justify-

'Ah!' the gears in her mind begin to turn. 'Perhaps Matsuri holds some influence over him still. Maybe Gaara doesn't like to be reminded that I may be a fake like Matsuri points me to be.'

Sakura watches Gaara while he collects himself and retracts his arm from her. He poises himself with a straight back before brushing his hair back in place with his hands. His hand is normal now before he takes long steps towards Matsuri.

"You know, you need to learn when to keep that big mouth of yours shut," Kankuro whispers while helping Matsuri up.

"I don't need to hear that from a guy whose mind is so messed up," Matsuri whispers spitefully back towards Kankuro.

Matsuri pushes Kankuro to the side the second she senses Gaara approaching. Sakura steps towards Kankuro as the two grimace at the display Matsuri gives next. Falling to both knees, Matsuri bows her head low to the floor once Gaara stop in front of her and looks down at her.

"Gaara-sama, I-" Matsuri begins her apology.

"Bite your tongue," Gaara cuts her off.

Sakura's angry eyes return but before she can take a step forward to stop Gaara it is Kankuro who places a hand to hold Sakura back by her shoulder. A silent warning, and Sakura stays put. They wait watching the redheaded man. Though he looks ready to strike down the bowing woman, he instead speaks before turning away.

"Punishment will come later," Gaara tells her. "I don't want to hear a sound from you for the duration of this mission, understood?"

"Hai, Gaara-sama," Matsuri whispers sourly.

Gaara is not Gaara without some demented wording on his part and he does just that before finishing up with Matsuri.

"If a blade pierces you, I will make your end all the more insufferable if you emit even a scream."

Just how did Sakura convince this dark man again not to lay a finger on her home? These thoughts come to her, but she is silent once Gaara turns to look at her for a good few seconds before turning angry eyes towards Kankuro.

"You know what's expected of you and Temari," Gaara tells Kankuro. "Watch her at all costs."

"I will not run," Sakura speaks back. "As long as you keep your end of the deal then I have no reason to run."

Sakura's fists ball hard as Gaara approaches her; his stare on her hard and never-breaking. He leans down to whisper to the rosette.

"I have them watch not because I think you will run...but because I don't want you stolen from me again."

Sakura simply stands there with no response to give. What can she even say to that?

"Tell me where it is you're going now. What it is you're doing," Sakura presses.

"I go to a village that even I know little of. A place where I'm told a god is homed."

Vague, once again. As Gaara begins pulling away and retracting with apology in his eyes, Sakura looks to him in desperation and a plead in her voice.

"Stay," she presses. "Stay and tell me what it is you do and why."

Gaara just steps back more and this time Matsuri, and the masked men, stand behind him while looking at Sakura.

"Perhaps," Gaara begins with a nod. "We can sit down and have that conversation...once I return."

His gaze is solemn, genuine. It actually makes Sakura's eyes shake and breath speechless.

"Let's go," Gaara instructs his men.

It's only a few steps out the door before the group disperse in a flash. Sakura steps outside watching in the general direction Gaara has ran off to. By this time of day, the sun is beginning to rise and mist settles the moist, soiled ground. Sakura crosses her arms as a coolness passes by her.

"Where a god is homed..." Sakura repeats Gaara's words.

For some reason, she feels she has heard this phrase before. Because of it, an ominous feeling settles in the pit of her stomach.

"Be safe," she whispers to no one.

A wish Sakura isn't sure she will later regret.

"You know, you're right in wishing that."

Sakura tenses when Kankuro's voice is heard. He has made his way outside and stands behind Sakura unbeknownst to her. Her whispers reach him and Sakura looks back just in time to watch him light a cigarette in his mouth.

"I didn't know you smoke..." Sakura comments.

Kankuro gives her a long stare.

"You wouldn't... You know, it's not like I did this as a kid."

A bit of a know-it-all answer, but Sakura let's it slide as she knows Kankuro has no idea of his other self she has known over the years in her own world. Instead, she watches Kankuro sigh as his smoke leaves him. Once again, he paints himself differently then Sakura remembers him before Gaara sent him off to fight. As her stare lingers, the duo are silent while Kankuro looks away towards the sunrise.

"Why do you say I should wish for Gaara to return? Do you know where he's gone off to?"

Kankuro swallows hard but his eyes remain clam.

"Honestly, I don't know much about it either. Gaara is the only one who goes in and out of that village."

Sakura's brow furrows.

"Which village?"

When she is met with silence, Sakura understands an answer will not come from him and jumps to her next questions.

"What's his reason to bring Matsuri and the others then? I know he doesn't go to fight with just a few of his men tagging along."

Kankuro shrugs before puffing out smoke.

"You're right," Kankuro mumbles with another puff. "So if not to fight then it's probably-"

"For show," Sakura finishes while turning to watch the sunrise next to the brunette man.

Kankuro's turn for his gaze to shift towards Sakura, which he does while nodding his head.

"You know," Kankuro whispers.

One more hard gaze on Sakura before Kankuro turns to look away again.

"When you brought me here, I thought your behavior was as damaged as Gaara's own," Sakura suddenly whispers.

The pair's eyes finally meet. Careless, Kankuro is while blowing smoke. Meanwhile, Sakura crosses her arms as the morning air crisps with a chill. Her eyes heavy and dull from the hours spent awake.

"You're completely different each time I see you," the rosette adds, hoping for some explanation.

Kankuro looks down and steps lightly in place. He is quiet in thought before looking back up and biting his cigarette.

"When you're a long ways from home, it can sometimes mess with your head," Kankuro confesses.

Concerned, emerald eyes follow the puppeteers finger as he taps lightly against his forehead. Without words, he signals what he says and Sakura understands completely. Months have passed since she last spoke with some of her closest friends; Sasuke, Ino, Tsunade.

'Naruto,' Sakura sadly thinks.

What the young woman wouldn't give just to see the blonde's goofy smile again. Whether subconscious or not, Sakura knows her home is constantly on her mind. She can agree with Kankuro the toll it takes on the mind wondering when the next time you'll visit friends and family will be. Perhaps, this is why she fights the best she can for a place that mimics her home.

However, Sakura's face furrows when she thinks hard on the place she assumes Kankuro considers his home. If homesickness takes a toll on his mind then why follow Gaara who completely rid the brunette of the place he was born? She turns back to look at Kankuro and ask him this, but instead she is fronted with a more familiar face. Kankuro widens his eyes with a twitch in his smile. Only his glass eye reflects anything, which just happens to be Sakura's own confused gaze.

"I know what it is you're thinking but that place is not where I consider my home, you know?"

Another drag of smoke and Kankuro relaxes his eyes before answering Sakura's inevitable question. As quiet as she is, the rosette wonders in her mind if Kankuro's unprovoked sentences are therapeutic in a way. Maybe he vents to her now to ease a heavy feeling settled somewhere inside him.

"After fifteen years of constant fighting the battlefield became my home," Kankuro adds.

Sakura doesn't even need to look at the brunette; she can just feel the way he shakes now through his voice. He's nervous about what he has revealed which just cements to Sakura how much Kankuro has probably been bottling up. His words itself are also troubling to hear; so much so that Sakura actually swallows hard as her eyes remain in front of her.

'The battlefield as a home?' Sakura questions in her mind.

Just how many fights was Kankuro sent off to by Rasa? How did the lives he take become a source of comfort in the brunette's mind? How could stability come to Kankuro when he is literally watching foe and friend being slaughtered around him?

'There is darkness in him,' Sakura thinks while narrowing her eyes and turning them back towards Kankuro. 'Just like his brother...'

But then...what can Sakura actually say right now? Bloodshed causes Kankuro some sense of security where his behavior seems stable, normal. Away from it, Kankuro's anxiety and stress gets the better hold of him. All of these thoughts swim in Sakura's mind.

"You need help," Sakura whispers in his direction.

It's no surprise for Sakura to hear Kankuro let out a hearty laugh. Troubling to hear, but no surprise.

'What has happened to them?' Sakura thinks while rolling her lips back. 'What happened to those happy, carefree kids?'

When did a lonely child decide he wanted the world? When did a loving sister tremble at the sight of her brothers? When did a shy boy loose a grip on his sanity? The questions swim in the rosette's mind. As the guilt begins to settle within her, so does the anger and Kankuro's continuous laughter helps her none.

"Shut up!" she turns to holler at Kankuro.

The brunette's eyes widen again in shock at Sakura's sudden outburst. His laugh quickly dies, but he is forced to look away when Sakura's piercing stare remains on him.

"Don't you dare laugh at this situation. You shouldn't find this funny at all! You should be concerned with what you're telling me right now!"

Sakura knows she has struck him with shared knowledge when Kankuro sighs heavy and rubs the back of his neck. His eyes remain away, but his shoulders sag the way Sakura had expected him to.

"You know...I know that," Kankuro eventually answers Sakura before turning to send her a sympathetic smile. "In a few days, I won't."

Sakura shakes her head at him.

"Gaara promised not to touch Konoha. As much as I know, from what I hear, this is it. What do you expect to do now when the source of your ease is taken from you?" Sakura coldly questions.

Kankuro's eyes open in surprise to what Sakura tells him but he eventually relaxes them as the words sink in.

"So, that's why he's going..." Kankuro murmurs before blowing smoke in the direction of the sun.

Sakura still stares with angry eyes but is quiet.

"Can you imagine the lengths taken to keep Gaara away from Konoha? No matter where it was we struck next, Konoha always fought back as hard as they could," Kankuro speaks with a soft voice. "It was suppose to be the final big win...and nothing was going to get in Gaara's way. Except..."

Kankuro surprises Sakura by turning to send a smug smirk in her direction. He rolls his cigarette from one corner of his lip to the other corner while slowly nodding his head.

"The more Konoha pushed, the more Gaara pushed back. Their perseverance gave him headaches."

Kankuro stops and eyes Sakura for a minute before continuing.

"In just one night, you've convinced a very powerful man to abandon a goal he has been working towards for years."

Sakura cast her head to the side and lets her eyes fall. She understands already what the puppeteer explains to Sakura.

"I know you hate to hear it, but maybe you should appreciate him a little more," Kankuro finishes.

Sakura's eyes narrow.

"The destruction of Konoha, of the world, should have never evenbeen a dream for him," Sakura retorts.

She is surprised Kankuro laughs again at her harsh words.

"Sakura!" he calls out with a light smile. "Just accept it! He may be a bad guy in your eyes, but even bad men can fall in love."

The truth to Kankuro's words only anger Sakura more. She is aware, very aware of Gaara's feelings. As Kankuro puts it, she simply does not want to accept that such a wicked man can look at her the way her own father looks at her mother.

"You impacted our lives more than you think, Sakura. Even Temari seems a little more happier now that your back."

Sakura highly doubts that and continues to remain silent despite the truth Kankuro is setting in for her.

"Now, think about how we feel when someone we look up to begins parading around calling us wicked and horrid. Then you wonder why Gaara, or even I, don't know how to approach you. We really are walking on eggshells around you, Sakura."

Sakura groans, and though she denies it, her frustration continues on with the truth Kankuro hands her.

"If there was truly love on Gaara's part, like you say, then he would unlock the chains that tie me here," Sakura tries to calmly say instead.

Kankuro just rolls his eyes.

"I've yet to see you try to run. I'd try to stop you, like Gaara ordered me, but I've yet to do that. It's like you want to stay here. It's like you care for Gaara. You know, it's like you-"

"Of course I love him!" Sakura suddenly cries angrily at Kankuro.

She doesn't even realize the tears on her face begin until she sees herself reflected in Kankuro's glass eye and working eye. His gaze lights up to her declaration just enough for Sakura to see herself in his eye.

"Is that what you wanted to hear; that I love him?! I knew that even before you brought me to this island. He is my friend. You all are!" Sakura continues to cry. "I love you three that it hurts me to see you all this way!"

Despite her tears, her words make Kankuro's smile grow at the sight of her. When he says nothing, Sakura eventually lowers her head to hide and hold back whatever more tears may fall. Her water works threaten to breakthrough when she feels an arm snake around her and pull her in to a tight, hard chest.

"But...I feel so guilty," Sakura admits. "I'm not suppose to love my enemy."

She has done it once before with Sasuke and assumed those days were done.

"You know," Kankuro whispers to Sakura as his hug on her tightens. "You've changed over the years as well."

Sakura sniffles against Kankuro's chest while listening.

"But," Kankuro adds. "For some reason...I like Sakura more now then I did Sakaasan."

Sakura chuckles lightly to the old nickname. She had yet to realize that Kankuro had done like she wished and used her real name. For some reason, the opposite effect she hoped for is gone. Kankuro using her real name just feels...wrong. She is silent on the matter for she realizes, with time, the old nickname may just return.

"Gaara doesn't let you leave because he needs you," Kankuro whispers some more.

Sakura only blinks as she rests her head against Kankuro's hold.

"And you know, he needs you because he loves you."

Once again, Gaara's reasoning is explained to her with the source of his actions stemming from that one emotion etched into his forehead.

'Love,' a voice in Sakura's mind murmurs.

"What are you two doing?"

A new voice speaks between Kankuro and Sakura causing the pair to break their embrace. Sakura blinks as Temari eyes them both skeptically from the doorway. Before Sakura can answer, Kankuro blows smoke in Temari's direction and distracts the blonde.

"Just playing with fire," Kankuro jokes.

He even garners a laugh from Temari some before the blonde smiles in Sakura's direction.

"Yeah..." Temari drags the word for a moment. "I imagine it's better I caught you two than my little brother."

This time, it's Temari who earns a small chuckle from Sakura. It's funny to see the two siblings joke about their younger brother when before they were poised in his presence.

'They seem...like different people now,' Sakura thinks before remembering Gaara's kindness. 'Gaara too.'

"Why are you up so early?" Kankuro pulls Sakura's thoughts away as he calls to his sister.

Temari actually blushes to that question but nonetheless maintains composure as she answers.

"I was interrogating a prisoner. I'm returning her to the mountain now," Temari says before her eyes shy away.

"Uh-huh," Kankuro comments before finishing off his cigarette. "Let me guess...that same blonde one who-"

Before Kankuro can even finish his sentence, Temari is shoved lightly to the side as a new face appears through the doorway. A new girl suddenly comes into view and the sight of her makes Sakura's face flush white.

"Hi, Temari's brother!" the girl beams nrigtly before waving at Kankuro. "How are you today?"

Kankuro grins as he spots his sister's face reddening.

"Yo," he waves back. "I thought I heard you in Temari's room last night."

"Yeah! Probably!" the girl grins. "I'm not surprised you could hear me! Temari and I were up all night doing all sorts of-"

The girl's muffled cries are heard as Temari quickly clasps the young woman's mouth.

"Interrogating! That's what we-I mean-I was doing," Temari snaps.

Kankuro eyes the young woman before looking back at Temari.

"Yeah… You know, seems like you you have a real knack for making 'em talk."

Temari only reddens more as Kankuro hollers with laughter. By hand, Temari leads the other blonde woman.

"What did I tell you about talking like that! What if Gaara were here?!" Temari whispers to the new girl.

The young blonde only laughs before being dragged away by Temari. The new face looks back behind her with a bright smile and she waves at Kankuro.

"Bye, Temari's brother!" she calls.

Her grins grows once Kankuro returns the gesture. The woman's blue eyes trail more towards Sakura's wide, shock gaze. As their eyes meet, the young woman's goofy grin turns into a gentle smile that stretches the marking on her cheeks.

"It was nice seeing you again too! Bye for now!" the young woman calls back.

Once the pair is out of sight, Kankuro talks to Sakura.

"Ah," he quips once he figures something out. "You were in the cell next to her when we first brought you here, weren't you? Did you two talk or something? She seems to know you."

Kankuro tenses once he looks back at Sakura. Tears pour down her face once again but she nods feverishly to Kankuro's words.

"Ye..." Sakura's voice cracks before she tries again. "Yes, we did."

Though she cries, Sakura actually lets out an amused laugh at her new discovery. She looks out towards the mountain.

'Of course he would be here,' Sakura thinks.