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Chapter Sixty


"They're going to be suspicious of this..." Kankuro warns.

Despite his honest advice, Sakura continues to travel through the lush jungle. Pushing leaves aside as she treks, Sakura can feel fatigue weighing her body down. She's been awake for quite some time now and she has the knowledge that-

'That seal on my back,' she thinks with shrinking eyes.

She wonders if the root cause of her feebleness is exhausting her once again. Maybe she will ask Gaara to take her to that mysterious pool when he returns.

"No one is going to be suspicious of anything," Sakura comments with a huff.

Her mind returns to the task at hand and she swallows hard at her biggest discovery on this island so far.

'Of all the people...how in the world did he...and of all the places to be...' her mind is full of thoughts.

"You wanting to speak privately to a prisoner is cause for some-" Kankuro begins.

He stops short once Sakura turns around to face him face to face. He is frozen in place as the rosette rushes to front him with a finger under his nose.

"No one is going to become suspicious because you're not going to say anything that would seem suspicious," Sakura orders.

The young woman spins back around on her heels before marching once more towards the mountain.

"Sakura," Kankuro calls to her after a minute.

Somehow, the brunette isn't surprised that Sakura ignores him and continues on her trail.

"Sakura!" he calls again. "Sure, since Gaara isn't around he won't know, but the guardsmen-"

"You're a captain. These men are here to listen to you; not question you!" Sakura hollers back.

What stops her briefly in her tracks is Kankuro's next words.

"Wow," he comments with a light laugh. "You know, Gaara use to tell me the same thing years ago."

Sakura just blinks at the idea of Gaara and her shadowing one another. It makes her question her part in all the mess Gaara has created, but quickly she shakes her head to rid the thought. Instead, she falls into a different line of thinking.

'Gaara may be evil at times, but he is a very intelligent man,' Sakura can admit to herself.

With that knowledge Sakura just considers Kankuro's comment a compliment of sorts. Her intelligence identical to the Kazekage's...were he one in this world. Still, his intelligence shines just the same in this world as her own and Sakura's thought stays; lest Kankuro's words have her doubting.

"Just as long as….you know," Sakura adds. "You agree to not telling any of this to Gaara."

Though she doesn't show it, Sakura does get a little nervous when Kankuro laughs to Sakura's words. It is a laugh that mimics Gaara's in a way; a chortle you would hear from a man who threatens to take the world because it's an order.

"Alright," Kankuro comments much to Sakura's relief. "Secrets are easy for me to hide, you can trust me on that."

"Oh, I do," Sakura quickly quips while she continues through the path. "Your brother is excellent at biting his tongue. I'm sure he's taught you to be the same."

Sakura is caught by surprise and even jumps lightly when Kankuro suddenly appears in front of her. He narrows and glares at Sakura. Dark is his face suddenly that Sakura actually sees some of Gaara's coldness in Kankuro. She feels there will suddenly be reprimand to her actions at this point. Instead, Kankuro presses for reasoning.

"You know, I obviously need a decent enough reason so that I don't find this all suspicious."

Kankuro does a small, arrogant smirk. Though his teeth don't show off like Gaara's does when he grins, the pompous attitude is readable on Kankuro as much as it is on Gaara's face. Sakura's narrow gaze returns once Kankuro places himself more in front of Sakura and blocks her path.

What can Sakura say? The truth is cause for suspicion; she knows this person. She thinks hard on Kankuro. All this time her focus was on the redheaded young man that Sakura gave it little thought that she should learn how to read other members in Gaara's party. When she thinks back on Kankuro all she can fall back on is his child self and how much different he was compared to…

"You know, Kankuro," Sakura begins to a speak.

A small smile spreads on her face when she knows exactly what she needs to say to get Kankuro to look the other way.

"I have to say, out of you and your siblings, you are probably the most considerate."

Sakura must surprise the brunette, for he lifts his head some to shine away the shadow around his eyes. The dark look is gone and Kankuro looks instead towards Sakura with interest and surprise. In his gaze, glass and real, does the rosette's image reflect as she continues.

"You were afraid of me in the beginning. The quiet one. But you were the first one who was kind to me."

Looking at him, Sakura spots Kankuro lightly shake his head as he recalls the time. He smirks when one occurrence returns to him.

"I wanted you to be our mother," Kankuro confesses.

Their eyes meet and there is a soft smile on Kankuro's face. Sakura recalls the day Kankuro had told her that in his young age.

"You know, I don't think you realize how fond of you we were," Kankuro speaks.

Sakura opens to mouth to counter his words but stops herself when Kankuro shakes his head and continues.

"You were the only person who accepted us as who we three are. Siblings," Kankuro says in a somewhat riled manner. "We're siblings, and only you taught us that. You taught us how to love one another."

Kankuro looks exasperated suddenly, but Sakura lets him vent.

"Not even our own dad could get past that and recognize us. You showed us what family was all about. What love is about."

Sakura swallows hard when Kankuro stares at her in silence. Her position feels awkward despite the truth Kankuro speaks.

"So, don't go doubting us or thinking us crazy when we say how much we love you. You made us see the good and experience love before war showed us the ugly side of the world."

Sakura feels her heart sink as the impact of Kankuro's words sink in. Her short period of in between time can never compare to Kankuro's fifteen years of longing for that feeling of being loved to return. One thing is certain for Sakura, it's been a very long fifteen years for everyone involved. Somehow, they've morphed Sakura's sudden appearance as an ending to hard times since she was the beginning of better times so long ago.

Sakura smiles towards Kankuro and appreciates his sincere words, but has to push them aside for now for the task at hand.

"You've been gone from this island," Sakura comments. "You don't know how far your brother has pushed that love."

Sakura watches Kankuro swallow hard and his face flushes. Perhaps, he does know. Maybe from past experiences he has seen how far Gaara takes their relationship, or maybe Kankuro has suspicion. Still, Sakura tracks forward.

"I need to speak to that person Temari was with," Sakura speaks instead. "I'd like to speak privately...if possible."

Kankuro must be at a lost, or guilt plagues him; he looks at Sakura as if he is some sort of physical pain while rocking on his feet. Or, Sakura wonders, if he converting back to the man who first brought her here with fumbling words and desperate to hug Sakura like a mother.

"Who is she?!" Kankuro barks almost defensively.

Question is, who is he wanting to protect? Gaara or her?

"A friend I made in that prison," Sakura answers truthfully. "I'd like to thank them. They showed me kindness when I was locked away in there."

Truth. It is all truth. Sure Sakura has a deeper meaning to want to speak with this person, but even that person wouldn't have the faintest clue of who she even is to Sakura. It seems Sakura's plan works as Kankuro suddenly deflates in defeat. His shoulders sag and his eyes widen. Sakura knew this would happen; she was not lying when she revealed to Kankuro that he was full of kindness. He would not refuse even if she refused to answer him. Guilt from her unfair imprisonment, or guilt for what Gaara has done to her, makes Kankuro take a step back and nod his head for Sakura to lead.

"Let's go," Kankuro speaks.

Sakura offers Kankuro a smile which the brunette refuses to look at.

"That's all she is, Sakura?" he presses when Sakura just stares at him.

Sakura blinks in wonder. Has her blonde friend been under Kankuro's suspicious nose even before she asked to be brought here? Still, Sakura's words are nothing but the truth.

"That's all she is," Sakura murmurs.

It's good enough for Kankuro and the two continue their trek through the jungle and towards the mountain. The rosette only falls behind Kankuro once the entrance to the mountain appears and the guardsmen look skeptically at Sakura as she approaches. Like she had assumed, Kankuro's company casts away the guardsmen doubt and suspicion. The rosette follows Kankuro into the hot mountain and she swallows hard at the silence around her. She can see into the cells that many people are held in them, but they are still and silent; like corpses.

"This is inhumane," Sakura hisses in Kankuro's direction.

The heat begins to build the farther down they travel and Sakura recalls how unbearable this environment was even for her one night stay.

"This is just how it is," Kankuro murmurs back.

Before Sakura can speak again, Kankuro raises his hand to stop her steps. The rosette stands in place when Kankuro ventures forward to talk to the guard watching over the cells on this floor. Sakura's eyes venture past them to look at the one cell she suspects her friend is in. The small lamps in the dark, rocky hallway cast very little light, but the rosette spots her friend's silhouette. At the sight of this person, Sakura's heart quickens. Her eyes are hardened on the other woman that she doesn't even notice when the guard and Kankuro begin to walk past her.

"Sakura," Kankuro calls back her attention and places a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be right here this whole time, if you don't mind."

Sakura quickly shakes her head. Her eyes still settle on the cell but she quickly speaks.

"Thank you, Kankuro."

Sakura sprints to the cell at the end of the hall the second she finishes thanking Kankuro. She takes a firm hold of the bars on the cell as her eyes dance around the darkness to get a clearer view of the woman inside the cage. Sakura's eyes widen when a crystal-blue gaze meets with her own emerald one. Once Sakura tries to speaks she realizes a sudden wave of emotions hit her at the sight of an old friend. As close as they are in Sakura's world, her admiration and adoration for the person in the cell won't be known by anyone in this world but by Sakura.

"Um..." Sakura mumbles at first. "Hi, my name is-"

"Sakura," the woman cheerfully answers.

The rosette is wide-eyed as the other woman grins at Sakura with a bright smile. Her smile alone causes Sakura's heart to pause, but what truly steals her breath away is the way the woman says Sakura's name.

'Not the same,' her mind reminds her.

Despite that knowledge, Sakura can feel her eyes begin to water. As Sakura's hands grip the bars tighter, the other woman draws closer towards Sakura.

"Please," Sakura voices as she feels the wetness in her eyes as her emotions build. "If you don't mind...would you call me Sakura-chan?"

Even in this world, Sakura can't swallow the fact that her nickname is not carried here. Luckily for her, the other woman obliges with a bright smile. The love and compassion this person carries just may be the same in her own world.

"Sakura-chan," the girl whispers and draws her face closer to Sakura. "Temari has told me all about you."

Sakura sniffles and only nods to the other woman. She takes a moment to wipe her tears away, but eventually Sakura composes herself. Even if she already knows it, she asks to keep face.

"Can I have your name?" Sakura asks.

The girl hums for a moment and even rolls her eyes some in thought.

"I'd tell you it doesn't really matter," the girl begins. "No one here asks for my name, save Temari."

Her blue eyes fall back to Sakura's own where, once again, a warm grin spreads her face.

"I'd say you don't need to call me anything, Sakura-chan!" the girl laughs.

There a sudden twinkle in her eyes before she speaks again and Sakura recognizes that mischievous side of her friend.

"But, you already know it anyway," the girl smiles.

For a moment, Sakura is caught off guard. Yes, she knows this person's name, but never in this world have they been properly introduced. Sakura is at a lost of what to say before the girl skips closer to Sakura. The young woman whispers to Sakura, and the rosette is smart enough to know this conversation is meant for her ears only; no guards and no Kankuro.

"We met in Konoha, remember?" the girl laughs lightly. "You chased me down the streets and hollered my name!"

Sakura blinks as she recalls what the woman is telling her. Sakura even returns a smile of her own.

"You remember that?" Sakura asks in disbelief.

The girl nods before reciting what Sakura had told this person at such a young age in this world.

"Don't ever give up. They will all depend on you someday," the woman repeats what Sakura had told her years ago. "Look at me now, old lady. I didn't give up."

Sakura realizes then too that the phrase her friend keeps telling her is the same she etched into the fruit she handed Sakura when she was first locked away. Sakura becomes wide-eyed when she thinks back on that moment.

'She knew right away who I was the second I was locked in here. He wanted me to recognize him!'

Sakura swallows hard as the woman smiles bigger to Sakura's surprised gaze.

"Naruto," she whispers for only her friend to hear. "Why are you here? Why are you in this cage?"

Naruto grins again, as he does so he brushes his long, blonde locks with his hand. His transformation, from man to woman, is the appearance he takes on now.

"Naruko is my name," Naruto speaks a little more loudly for invading ears. "I'm in here because I was captured."

'Purposely,' Sakura thinks.

Even in this world, she understands Naruto's hints and signals. She believes him purposefully captured for whatever reasons of his own.

"Caught the eye of Temari," Naruko smirks. "When I'm not locked in here you'll usually find me with her."

Sakura rolls her lips back before looking at Naruto with a serious gaze.

"Does...Temari know?" Sakura whispers.

The rosette blushes when Naruko's smirk grows. The blonde even rocks her hips some before laughing.

"The sister of Gaara knows just enough," Naruko speaks before glancing back to where Kankuro stands. "But I do ask that you-"

Sakura quickly shakes her head before Naruko can finish speaking.

"Temari and I will have no discussion of you," Sakura states.

Naruko laughs before cupping her hands in joy at what Sakura tells her.

Sakura wants to berate the young woman for how well she plays her woman counterpart, but holds back for the sake of secrecy.

"Well, that's good to hear," Naruko laughs. "Because Temari has told me everything about you."

Sakura watches as Naruko draws close to her again.

"She tells me how everyone thinks you're the real one."

Sakura's eyes dance around the floor as this thought settles in. Her eyes only freeze in place one they lock with the blue gaze of her friend.

"It's been some time since I last spoke to Kakashi-sensei," Naruko whispers. "but I can tell you're not one of us."

Sakura grips the bar hard, almost in a light panic at what she thinks Naruko implies. Sakura worries her blonde acquaintance will think her on Gaara's side.

"I'm-"

"-the real one," Naruko finishes for Sakura with a growing smile. "I know you are."

Naruko's explanation comes after Sakura sends her a confusing glance.

"I heard you the first night you were in the house. I was with Temari, and I could hear you stand up to Gaara in the living room...They wouldn't send a Sakura here and have her oppose Gaara so much."

Naruko suddenly begins to chuckle lightly.

"Honestly, Sakura-chan, I thought you were going to be killed by him that night!" Naruko exclaims.

Sakura does not get caught up in Naruko's light attitude and instead shakes her head with narrowing eyes.

"This war is pointless," Sakura firmly states. "He has destroyed the world and threatens Konoha, and for what? He won't even tell me."

Sakura looks away angrily once she remembers Gaara's dark concealment and secrets he refuses to share. A moment of silence follows and it is only broken by a loud sniff done by Naruko before she speaks.

"I know what it is he's after," Naruko whispers in Sakura's direction. "Well...one thing at least."

Sakura's eyes widen and her voice almost demands Naruko to quickly speak.

"I..." Sakura's voice trails until it is lost.

Sakura heaves a heavy sigh when her mind itches for Naruko's answer.

"Is it me?" Sakura finally manages to breath out.

Her eyes shake as Naruko peers down at her with a heavy frown.

"Did he do all of this...because of me? Was he looking for me, or was it retaliation of some sort?"

Naruko crooks her neck some as her frown still sits. The blonde eyes the shadows down the hall and narrows her gaze at the dark silhouettes in her sight.

"Initially, there were questions about you..." Naruko whispers quickly.

Naruko's eyes are on the shadows instead of Sakura and the rosette listens carefully. She can tell Naruko does her best to speak in secrecy due to the guards and Kankuro that still stand near.

"They're going to be suspicious of this..." Kankuro's warning echoes in Sakura's mind.

It seems Naruko is, at least smart enough, to recognize this as well and fakes a smile on her face despite the news she shares to create a carefree facade.

"I only know what Kakashi-sensei told me, but apparently Gaara is after a lot more than just you Sakura."

Sakura's eyes widen in surprise.

"It's...not solely me? Then, it's not my fault, right?" she asks herself almost breathless.

An extremely heavy weight is suddenly lifted off her shoulders. Her eyes must show some relief for Naruko smiles at her with white teeth shining. Yet, the smile falls as Sakura waits on Naruko to elaborate still.

"Then what is it he wants?" Sakura's speech is fast as she tires of waiting for the answer.

She forsakes hearing the truth from Gaara. How could she be blamed when a source to all her troubling answers is finally in front of her? Sakura's question makes the young woman bite at her bottom lip.

"I...don't…" Naruko begins before sighing.

The blonde begins to pace around the cell and Sakura is left waiting while hanging onto the bars.

"Why?" Sakura whines when Naruko looks at her with an expression Sakura knows all too well. "Why won't you tell me?"

As Naruko keeps silent her eyes stay frozen on Sakura. Again, an unspoken answer is given to Sakura. The rosette, even in this world, can read her best friend's expressions with ease.

'Naruto does not trust you entirely in this world,' Sakura remembers.

"Then why reveal yourself to me?" Sakura whispers.

Naruko shrugs and her lips form a smile.

"There's just something about you, Sakura-chan. I didn't recognize it when I was younger, but there's definitely something-" Naruko places a hand on her chest as she continues. -"about you that makes me feel tied to you."

The blonde laughs loudly before brushing her hand to the back of her head as her cheeks blush.

"I know it probably sounds weird to you!" she exclaims loudly through her laughs.

Naruko slumps her head some and pouts before confessing through a quiet mumble for Sakura to hear.

"I guess, because of that feeling, I never forgot you or those encouraging words you told me all those years ago."

Sakura blushes this time to Naruko's inspiriting words.

"In a way," Naruko begins with a small smile, "You helped me become the person I am today."

Sakura's heart drops. She's mad at herself now. So mad. She grinds her teeth hard while lowering her head low. Sakura grips the cell bars harder through the disappointment swimming through her now.

'Damn it,' Sakura thinks bitterly. 'Why Naruto and not Gaara too? Naruto had Iruka...He had others! Gaara was suppose to redeem his happiness too.'

As Sakura struggles internally, Naruko stands back and looks down at the rosette. To someone who knows nothing of the situation, they would look down at the once proud kunoichi in wonder. Instead, Naruko looks down at Sakura with a hard gaze and determined heart.

"Sakura-chan," Naruko comments while watching Sakura emotionally struggle. "Temari has told me stories about you...about you and Gaara's time together when he was young."

Naruko's words are enough to distract Sakura and her inner turmoil, and she looks back up at the blonde. Their eyes lock and Naruko continues with a hard gaze.

"She's told me about your disappearance, your return, and your confusion of this war."

Sakura shakes her head as Naruko goes down the list.

"You're probably asking yourself how you could have listened to the words of someone like me," Sakura sadly jokes.

Naruko gives Sakura one more hard stare before lowering herself to one knee to meet Sakura more closely. Naruko offers Sakura a gentle smile once the rosette looks up at her.

"Are you kidding?" Naruko laughs lightly. "I also hear through the walls. I hear what you tell him at times. I know exactly what it is you're trying to achieve here."

Sakura wants to cry from her friend's words. Naruto's kindness knows no bounds and it somehow reaches to her even in this world.

"Even when you're cornered by him you're spitting and hitting back still. I really like people like you!" Naruko laughs again.

Sakura lifts her face up a little more and she even manages a smile. Sometimes it isn't fists that show off the strength you carry, and the rosette is grateful Naruto can still see that fighting spirit inside of her.

Naruko suddenly sighs as she looks back towards the shadows that lurk down the hall.

"Like I said, I know what it is you want to achieve. You're trying to save Konoha too."

Slip of a tongue, just like she knows Naruto to be, Sakura isn't at all surprised by his words.

"Too?" she whispers at Naruko.

The blue-eyed woman nods to Sakura with a glint in her eyes that tells Sakura she keeps more hidden from her. Then again, she shouldn't be surprised to hear that Naruto is here doing the same. She should know Naruto doesn't allow himself to be kept locked up and hold his womanly form just for laughs and fun. It dawns on Sakura then just how much her friend is putting himself through and all for…

"He said he would leave Konoha alone!" Sakura hurriedly tells Naruko the good news.

The goal the two reach to achieve, Sakura has done it with Naruko blinking at her in surprise.

"Wait. What? Really?" Naruko asks in awe.

Before Sakura can answer with a smile, Naruko's nose wrinkles and eyes narrow towards Kankuro's group.

"Yes, he said he would stop...for me," Sakura whispers the final part as guilt comes to her.

Gaara had promised her an enormous favor and here she sits bad-mouthing the redhead when redemption for him is the closest Sakura has seen yet. Her lips curl back when Naruko scoffs lightly.

"Sakura-chan...are you sure he means it?"

Sakura wants to believe in Gaara. Her little friend is somewhere still inside the monster, and she plans to help change him back to the man she envisioned him to become.

"I wanted Gaara to be better than the man that stands in front of me today," Sakura blindly confesses.

Her eyes venture far. Far from Naruko, far from the mountain, and far from the island does her gaze settle. She looks far back into her memories to remember the little boy who was so close to her prior.

"All I ever wanted from Gaara was for him to be happy and know that he had love surrounding him," Sakura whispers before lowering her head. "Even with me gone."

Naruko is silent as she stares at Sakura's defeated look. The blonde's blue-gaze shifts back towards Kankuro's group when she sees someone take a step forward in Sakura's direction. They stop themselves, but Naruko wonders if that movement stemmed from Sakura speaking about her sad situation.

"Even I couldn't beat the beast inside his mind," Sakura whispers to herself.

Naruko turns her gaze swiftly towards Sakura at the mention of a beast.

"A beast?" Naruko feigns a surprise in her voice.

Sakura's eyes return to Naruko's own where Sakura has a glare of her own.

"Shukaku," Sakura tells Naruko as if this information is widespread and known.

The blonde swallows hard and Sakura's struggling mind makes her speak more before thinking.

"Why?" Sakura suddenly asks Naruko. "Why is his future so different? Why does the Ichibi torment him to this point of madness while the Kyubi left you-"

Naruko's hand suddenly clasps over Sakura's mouth. Naruko's grip is so hard that Sakura can practically feel Naruko's nails digging into her cheeks while she looks in the direction Kankuro stands. Her breath is heavy as she looks suddenly troubled and disheveled.

"Sakura-chan," Naruko warningly whispers. "Exactly...how much about me do you know?"

'Everything,' Sakura wants to say.

Then Sakura rethinks, does she know this Naruto? Whose to say his intentions here and now are not just as evil as the redhead who was suppose to prosper. Not to mention, Naruto had told her that he was there to save Konoha and Sakura has to wonder to what extent Naruto would go? Perhaps he is even disguised now as some part of assassination attempt. She can't let that happen; not when she has already saved Konoha and plans to save Gaara from himself next. Naruto's tie to her will be the fear she puts in him to keep her blonde friend in check.

"Everything," Sakura tells Naruko.

A seed of fear is planted in Naruko. There is no reason to lie to the person in front of her now and Sakura keeps her eyes steady on Naruko's trembling gaze.

"Gaara carried the same burden you did as a child," Sakura rephrases before drawing closer to Naruko to whisper. "I know all about the Kyubi."

Naruko gulps hard and actually looks frightened when looking back at Sakura. At this time in their lives, Kurama is no secret. The tale of boy and fox, who saved the world, travels from village to village in her world. Here, in this world, Sakura assumes that story is left untold by the wary gaze Naruko gives Sakura.

"...does Gaara know?" Naruko breathes heavily.

Sakura can actually see the blonde's forehead begin to perspire and the rosette believes it comes from Naruko's nervous expression than the hot mountain. The blonde also takes a moment to take in her surroundings and making sure their voices stay low.

'Does he know?' Sakura even asks herself.

Judging by Naruko's expression, she is scared. There is fear in her that Gaara may have knowledge about the fox who lives inside Naruto.

"I don't know," Sakura whispers back. "Why?"

Naruko's face seems to only flush more with Sakura's answer. The scare in her grows with Sakura stating that she has no idea of Gaara's knowledge.

"Sakura-chan, listen to me please," Naruko pleads before leveling with Sakura's. "It's very important that Gaara does not learn about what I carry or who I really am."

Sakura blinks as questions arise.

"I already promised you that I wouldn't tell him who you are," Sakura repeats.

Yet, the rosette grows only more curious as Naruko shakes her head.

"Listen carefully to what I'm telling you," Naruko whispers before clearing her throat and speaking slowly. "It's very important that Gaara does not learn who the Kyubi's host is."

Sakura is still confused so she presses.

"Why?"

So unlike Gaara with secrets, Naruko is willing to share more than Sakura knows she should.

Naruko swallows hard again. There is struggle in Sakura's friend as what to say and not to say, and Sakura can't blame her. If not for that tie Naruto spoke of Sakura imagines the blonde would be more cautious of her words.

'Then again...it is Naruto,' Sakura thinks with a groan.

Naruko leans in closer to Sakura and the rosette preps herself for the answer.

"Like I said Sakura-chan, Gaara's goal is still unclear to me as well. That's part of the reason why I'm even here now..." Naruko confesses.

Sakura opens her mouth to ask why exactly he is here in the first place, but stops once Naruko continues.

"What Gaara's after...it may be more than I know," Naruko continues. "But along the way, through this war, he's been looking for the Kyubi."

Sakura's head actually crooks back in bewilderment.

"Gaara is?" Sakura asks herself as her mind begins to pick at the pieces and figure out why. "Why would he be looking for-"

"To kill us," Naruko answers with a dead gaze.

"What…?" Sakura slowly mouths, even more confused by Naruko's words. "He...but you two...Why?!" Sakura cries out the last word.

Two close friends in her world, Naruto was a light in the eyes of Gaara that what Sakura hears now both anger and baffles her. Naruko opens her mouth to speak but stops short and looks to the side of her once footsteps approach close to Sakura. The rosette doesn't even acknowledge the man that waits on her until he is forced to speak.

"Sakura," Kankuro speaks. "You're tired. Maybe it's time we get you back home to-"

Sakura swings at the arm that tries to reach for her. Angry eyes settle on Kankuro.

"No," Sakura flatly tells him. "Leave us alone. I want to speak with my friend."

Kankuro's lips curl back and it becomes obvious no isn't an answer once he whispers towards her.

"It's suspicious enough with you two whispering at every chance and then hollering next, you know," Kankuro tells Sakura. "The guards are asking questions."

This information pushes Naruko to speak up.

"Go on and rest, Sakura-chan!" Naruko grins brightly. "We'll talk again soon. I'm sure of it! You look so tired today..."

Sakura, seeing Naruko's act begin again, feels torn. Her best friend's life is threatened by a man she once labeled as a best friend too. Worst of all, Gaara, unbeknownst to him, has a person he seeks right under his nose. If that information is ever found out then Naruto's life…

Sakura sighs at the reality of the situation. Naruto must have a good reason to be here now if he risks putting his life in front a man that wants to end it. Both of her friends, as strong as she knows Naruto to be, is just as much threat to Gaara's life while Gaara seeks to kill Naruto.

'This wasn't suppose to be the future! They saved one another!' she thinks of both Naruto and Gaara.

Why is this world so awful?

Sakura nods to Naruko before Kankuro escorts her away. She has been given some answers today, but not all.

"Soon," Sakura tells Naruko with determination. "I will see you again real soon."