Beta'd by MindTrash
Chapter Sixty-three
Sakura is caught off-guard by Naruto's question. She stands there in silence instead of granting him an answer, and her eyes are round while staring at Naruko's own gentle smile.
'Run away with him?' Sakura continuously thinks. 'Right now?'
She hasn't attempted to run, but she assumed her lack of chakra bound her to this island regardless of her decision. Now another opportunity presents itself in the form of her blonde friend's offering.
'If you run, he will chase you,' A voice whispers in Sakura's mind.
It's a warning she was told when Gaara was a child, and the thought of the young redhead's toothless grin tugs at her heartstrings. She can't run when she is still attempting to save that child; she can't run when Konoha is kept safe in return for her obedience.
She can't run away.
Yet, before she gives Naruko an answer the blonde swiftly puts her hands behind her head in a playful manner.
"Just kidding!" Naruko chimes brightly before laughter ensues.
Sakura is confused and quiet while watching Naruko laugh away, but in time her mind helps her to figure the friend she knows all too tell.
'Liar,' Sakura labels Naruto. 'You meant it.'
Perhaps it was Sakura's cold-feet that caused Naruto to retract his offer. Whatever the reason, the rosette's eyes shrink when another thought comes to mind.
'He is planning to eventually run.'
The blonde knows nothing of Sakura, but Sakura could write a book on her friend, and his mannerisms. He may not realize it, but he has inadvertently revealed his future plan by asking Sakura to leave with him. Her eyes shrink more when she is left wondering still why Naruto is even here. Sakura's emerald gaze shifts over towards the guards nearby.
'Naruto and I need to talk secretly soon...'
She has to get him to reveal his plans, a task she isn't sure will be hard or not. So far, Naruto has been open with Sakura, but even her slow-processing friend should understand that the rosette is nowhere near an ally in all of this mess. Still, she feels her goal should be a priority. After all, she is fighting to keep both sides alive when Naruto tells her that Gaara would kill him; but then she is also left wondering while staring at Naruko-
'Are you here to kill Gaara?'
Sakura feels a shiver run down her spine at the thought of the two overpowered beings lashing out at one another. It would be a beautiful, dismal spectacle to her; an exciting fight but also one she hopes she will never have to witness.
'I don't want my friends going after one another again!' Her determination spikes.
Still, thinking back on Naruto's offer, Sakura knows she should at least let the blonde know that she understands what he's saying. That, and no better way to convince someone that she is on their team than to side with them.
"Alright," Sakura answers with a nod towards Naruko.
Her answer has Naruko's laughter in the air suddenly die. The blonde's face deadpans before she narrows her eyes in front of her while listening to Sakura whisper towards her.
"If he goes back on his word. If he threatens Konoha or becomes greedy... I will go with you," Sakura feels almost breathless as she finishes her hurried words.
Naruko smirks in front of her, and gives a faint nod. The blonde looks determined as Sakura pulls her gaze back towards the mountain.
"I hope it doesn't come to that though..." Sakura confesses.
The feeling surprises Sakura, but she is now impatient for Gaara's return. She knows it's because she wants to see him keep his promise, and to stop this fighting, but she can't help feeling anxiety pumping her heart harder now. What's worse is that her mind swims with nothing but the redhead once Naruko remains quiet.
In time, Temari once again reappears. Sakura holds a bated breath at the sight of Temari, watching and waiting for whether she brings along any prisoners.
'Kankuro's experiments...' Sakura thinks dreadfully on the thought.
The rosette is relieved to see that Temari approaches her and Naruto with no one in tow. Once in front of the two, Temari looks to Sakura with a cold, serious gaze before sliding them towards Naruko who offers Temari a smile.
"Let's go," Temari tells the two, disgruntled.
Once again, Sakura is the leader trudging through the jungle first. The rosette is quiet and slow as fatigue weighs down on her. As soon as they are a fair distance away from the mountain of guards and prisoners, Sakura listens in on Naruko speaking to Temari.
"I'm lucky today," Naruko chimes happily. "I get to see you two days in a row."
"Gaara's not here," Temari informs Naruko.
"Luck-y," Naruko sings again.
Sakura's face continues to twist at the thought of Temari and Naruto. Temari and Naruto... Or Naruko? But with how watchful and mindful as Temari is towards her brothers with the act not returned, perhaps Naruto is the only one who pays Temari any mind of her well-being. At least, that's what Sakura is to assume when she hears the two speak further.
"You look tired, I'll rub your feet tonight," Naruko proudly proclaims.
This causes Temari to shush Naruko.
"Moron," Temari hisses. "Don't talk like that where people can hear."
Naruko pouts as her eyes turn to Sakura in front of her.
"Why?" Naruko asks. "You said Gaara was gone. It's only me and Sakura-chan, he-"
A loud smacking noise is what causes Sakura to stop, and turn back to watch the two blondes. Naruko's mouth is clasped hard by Temari's hand, and the fan wielder gives Naruko a frightened stare.
"It's Sakura-sama, you got that?" Temari tells Naruko before pressing her palm harder into her mouth.
Sakura is about to reach out, and tell Temari that the nickname was on her request, but stops with her next words.
"If Gaara hears you call her anything else he will kill you, do you understand?" Temari continues.
It isn't until Naurko nods feverishly that Temari drops her hand from Naruko's mouth.
"You're rough, Temari," Naruko whines as the trio continues their walk back. "I'm not going to rub your feet after all."
Sakura remains quiet, but listens to Temari and Naruko converse all the way back home. Once back at the giant house, Sakura is the one to lead inside the home, and she makes her way straight to her bedroom. Her guidance to the room isn't met with any protest or suggestion. Temari and Naruko follow to wherever Sakura takes them.
'All because of Gaara,' Sakura thinks. 'All because of our relationship.'
Sakura takes a seat in a chair while Naruko looks at Temari.
"Can I?" Naruko asks while pointing to the seat opposite of Sakura.
Judging by the behavior, Temari must be keeping Naruko sealed in her room when she brings the bright blonde from the mountain prison, for now the eldest sister looks slightly uncomfortable about where they now stand. Before Temari can refuse and say otherwise, Sakura speaks up.
"It's fine," Sakura drawls lightly.
Emerald eyes meet the green of Temari's stern gaze.
"Right?" Sakura questions. "It's not like Gaara is here."
Temari licks her lips in uncertainty.
"We don't know when he will be back," Temari conveys with caution in her voice. "If he were to walk in here now, and see-"
"But Sakura-chan-" Naruko begins to speak.
"Sakura-sama!" Temari tries to correct.
"-is here." Naruko finishes her words while her eyes fall back and forth between Temari and Sakura.
Sakura's eyes narrow as Naruko points out something that isn't as obvious for Sakura to see. Gaara has placed some power in her hands, given his feelings towards her. She stopped him from attacking Konoha, surely she could sway him in allowing Naruko's presence when she asks for it.
'He wouldn't hurt Naruko if I ask,' Sakura considers in her mind. 'As long as he thinks Naruko is nobody important he could care less about her presence.'
"Gaara is unpredictable," Temari murmurs quietly, as if her words alone are blasphemous in this household.
Temari's voice makes Sakura shake off her thoughts, and she can't help but nod in agreement.
"It's nice to finally hear something we agree on when it comes to Gaara," Sakura jeered.
Despite possibly starting a quarrel, her comment instead brings silence to the group before Sakura returns the original topic at hand.
"I'll make sure Gaara doesn't hurt her," Sakura murmurs gently as her eyes turn to Temari's shaking gaze. "I promise."
And it's a promise Sakura intends to keep. She would never let the life of one of her best friends be stolen by Gaara. No matter what world he resided in, Sakura would do whatever she could to keep Naruto safe.
Temari, who continues to stare at Sakura silently, is shaken lightly by the rosette's profound oath to protect Naruko from her own brother. Her gratitude is only shown towards Sakura with a silent thanks in her mind, something the rosette will never learn of.
"I'm going to check up on Kankuro," Temari announces.
Temari eyes the younger blonde skeptically, but Naruko simply mirrors back a smile. However, it is actually Sakura who shifts in her seat with anxiety. Once again, she is to be left alone with Naruto, and she wonders what questions she must hurriedly ask. Once Temari turns her eyes to Sakura the rosette drops her gaze.
"Sakura-sama, I would advise you not to run. Otherwise-"
"I'm not going to run," Sakura explains with a heavy sigh, tired of hearing a broken record.
To ease Temari's uneasiness, Naruko speaks up.
"I'll scream if she tries anything funny," Naruko adds jokingly.
Just like her blonde friend assumes Temari predictably nods, and turns to leave more quickly now that she had been properly reassured.
"I won't be long," Temari repeats after opening the door.
As she steps out Temari is about to close the door when Naruko speaks one final time.
"I'm hungry though. Bring us something to eat, won't ya?"
The bright blonde is left smiling at the door as Temari closes it behind her without another word. Sakura and Naruko remain silent as they listen to Temari's footsteps disappear down the stairs.
"Good thing the walls are so thin in this house," Naruko comments.
Before Sakura can question what the blonde means, a puff of smoke suddenly floods the rosette's vision. She is left coughing, and waving the plume away from her face before peering over at where Naruko was sitting.
"What was that?" Sakura asks through her coughing.
Her eyes grow wide, and her jaw drops as the female who was sitting in front of her before is now back to his original form.
"Naruto..." Sakura whispers when the familiar face grins wide in response.
Like Gaara, the Naruto from here and from her world share close to the same physique. His blonde hair is a little more long and wild, which makes Sakura wonder just how long he has parading around in his womanly form.
"Ah," Naruto sighs heavily before stretching his arms behind him. "This feels so much better."
Naruto cups at his chest where his breasts were. He presses at the flatness that is his skin before whining at Sakura.
"I can't believe how heavy boobs can be! Hair too!"
Sakura blushes while her temper rises to Naruto's childish remarks.
"Idiot," She tells him, and her eyes scan the door Temari just exited. "You're pressing your luck."
Sakura warns Naruto, but the blonde just jumps to his feet before he scans the rosette's room more closely.
"It's fine, it's fine," He brushes it off. "I'll be able to sense and hear her on her way back. Besides, she will be busy with her brother, and she'll be bringing us food."
Sakura blinks, and watches a smiling Naruto gazing out of her window.
"I didn't hear her agree to bring back food," Sakura comments as Naruto's smile grows.
"She will," Naruto quips lightly. "She always does."
That smile is too big, and Naruto's vision is glazed over as if he is dreaming, in Sakura's opinion. She wants to ask again what Naruto's feelings are towards Temari, but bites her tongue at the possible complicated conversation it will bring.
'I can ask later. Those aren't the questions I need answered now,' Sakura thinks.
The rosette grabs a hold of the chair handles, and grips them tight while leaning herself closer to Naruto. Sakura feels exhausted compared to the bubbly blonde in front of her.
"Naruto, I need to know what your plan is."
Sakura's question makes Naruto's playful smile fall, even his simple mind can grasp the rosette's desperate solemnity. Her focused eyes, and tense poise are enough for the blonde to study her for only one second before speaking out.
"You don't want him hurt..." Naruto states with a gentleness forming on his features.
He turns his gaze away from Sakura before turning to look back out of her window. Outside the night is stirring, and the stars and moon are hidden behind a vortex of dark clouds that pledge to envelop the green jungle in heavy rains.
"He's killed so many people, but he is still a good enough guy for you to let him live," Naruto mumbles to Sakura.
The logic is wrong. It's stupid. Sakura is smart enough to realize this of Gaara, however, she understands Naruto's point in saying that. Yet…
"He wasn't like this as a child," Sakura counters. "Never did I imagine he would grow up to be like who he is today."
Naruto's blue eyes deadpan while looking back at Sakura. As if nature wants to set the ominous tone, lightning strikes in the distance, and lights up Sakura's room in a foreboding fashion.
"Temari told me he committed murder as a child."
That information makes the hairs on Sakura's neck stand, and she is speechless for the moment. Her eyes scour the air some when she knows it is the truth, but the situation is more complicated then her friend knows. Would she even have the time to share the information about Gaara's past? Not to mention, Sakura is now worried that Naruto's dark tone and emotionless eyes hold a thought that Sakura is already dreading to hear.
Thunder suddenly follows, booming in the distance. As it settles, Naruto's smile once again returns.
"But Temari would also be devastated if something were to happen to her youngest brother."
Sakura's eyes widen in shock. Naruto seems to do a complete turn around from a moment ago as his smile and eyes grow into a determined, steadfast decision.
"I'm not here to fight Gaara, or anything like that," Naruto reveals. "I mean...I still think he is a bad guy, but I at least want to be able to talk to him one day."
Sakura lets out a loud breath she was holding in, and sinks loosely into the chair she sits on. The rosette almost wants to crack a smile at how reassured she suddenly feels.
"I have time to help him still," Sakura whispers to herself.
Naruto carefully watches Sakura's reactions. He continues to hold a smile but it does slowly fall to just a gentle gaze.
"It can be scary," Naruto gently tells Sakura.
The rosette's gaze returns to Naruto in question. The blonde begins to elaborate while nodding his head.
"-Thinking that him and I, you know, we're kinda the same, but he's... well... We're all here now because of him."
Naruto swallows hard before slowly averting his gaze from Sakura's stern eyes.
"Is this because he's like me? Is he doing this because of the tailed beast inside of him?"
Sakura looks down at the ground. Naruto has asked a question she has been trying to find an answer to for a while.
"I don't know," Sakura confesses. "It might be."
She can just feel Naruto tense uncomfortably to that answer. Naruto's not ready to hear that Gaara, and their shared traits may be the cause to all this fighting.
"It isn't right what they did to him."
Sakura smiles lightly after hearing Naruto's compassion. She knows the genuine care from her friend will only go so far given that Gaara aimed his deadly sand in the direction of Konoha, but it's nice to see Naruto can still easily recognize the struggles Gaara went through.
"It isn't fair what they did to both of you. Neither of you asked for this," Sakura tells him.
Sakura is stricken when Naruto's hard, angry gaze slides in her direction. The rosette has never garnered Naruto's heated look in her world, but she is given an explanation as to why she does now.
"You know a lot about me, Sakura," Naruto discloses. "I've been thinking about that since yesterday."
Sakura is quiet as Naruto's stare hardens. He doesn't threaten her, but the noticeable information Sakura shares may be more hidden in this world than her own. She may be revealing to know more than even Naruto is aware of himself.
"But you're not a spy," Naruto repeats Sakura's words. "You're like a prisoner, but with some freedom. Gaara wants you here, but why is he so desperate to keep you here if you don't want to be?"
Sakura's quick thinking paints the perfect picture in Naruto's mind. So much so that the blonde goes wide-eyed as soon as the young woman explains to him-
"I probably mean to Gaara what Iruka means to you."
Naruto slowly nods as the meaning sinks in that there is love present, a strong bond that is explained in that sentence alone.
"No wonder you're so stressed out over saving him," Naruto repeats. "Ah! You knew Iruka-sensei?"
Sakura nods, and bites her bottom lip before speaking.
"I don't want anymore fighting. I don't want anymore lives lost. I don't wish this war to go on anymore."
Naruto chuckles some before revealing to Sakura the truth of her words.
"That's what we all want. Gaara too. How we each achieve that is all different though."
Naruto raises three fingers towards Sakura.
"Gaara wants to accomplish that with more fighting."
Naruto lowers one finger before continuing.
"You want to accomplish that in a more peaceful way. With everyone just forgiving one another, and life going on."
Sakura almost cringes when Naruto says this. She feels as if she is being berated by her friend with her belief to end this war peacefully. Still, as she looks back at Naruto's blue eyes, she nods affirming this to him with no quake.
"I want no one else to die over this thoughtless fighting."
Naruto is quiet after Sakura's words. He simply stares at the rosette without a word, or any emotion morphing his lips and eyes. With time, he eventually lowers his third, final finger, and whispers-
"And then, there's our way."
Sakura's eyes narrow to what Naruto has just told her. He insists to her that he is indeed there with a plan to end this fighting. However, he has yet to say how or what outcome that will leave Gaara.
'Our way?' Sakura thinks with a scrambling mind to figure it all out. 'Konoha's way? Kakashi's way? Who devised a plan?'
Sakura licks her lips when Naruto remains quiet.
"What's your-" Sakura begins but is cut off by Naruto's sudden burst of laughter.
Naruto even taps the handle of his chair as he tries to calm his ringing laughter.
"You're funny, Sakura-chan," Naruto says with a grin in Sakura's direction.
The rosette is left confused but keeps her face passive while watching Naruto. It isn't until the blonde manages to quiet himself down does he reveal to Sakura why he finds her request entertaining.
"You think I would just tell you it?" Naruto speaks while shaking his head.
He is a ninja still, Sakura is reminded. A form of trust is with these two, both are aware, but one can never be too careful. Sakura is not surprised that Naruto looks at her with some doubt in his mind to where her allegiance lies. So, instead of pressing, instead of begging, Sakura sits back quietly in understanding to what Naruto says.
Sakura knows her friend is right to keep his secrets when they are literally under the roof of the enemy. Yet, Sakura's mind is a quick one, and the stare Naruto has on her is curious. She preps herself for a question she has heard here countless times, and she knows her answers now may be the key to getting Naruto to openly speak to her.
"That is, unless, you maybe want to tell me how you know about me, and Kurama..." Naruto's voice is breathy with a quiet tone so uncharacteristic to him.
Once again, Sakura's knowledge of others is brought up. She called him by his name when it was never given to her just like Gaara. She is also aware of the creature stirring inside Naruto when it seems the outside world is baffled as to where the host to the nine-tails could be.
Sakura sits quietly, listening to the light rain begin to patter at her window. Thunder booms in the distance still, but her sole attention is on Naruto, and his invasive words.
"Temari admitted to me that you told Gaara you're from Konoha. Is that true?"
Sakura curls her lips back. Of course Naruto would be curious of that, he has never seen or heard of her yet here she sits spouting Konoha is her home.
'Lie,' her mind tells her. 'Tell him it was years ago. Tell him you said it to save the village.'
With these thoughts another voice suddenly chimes in Sakura's mind. It isn't until the rosette stares at Naruto's blue curious eyes that are trained on her, and waiting for her to speak, does the womanly voice in her mind boom instead of echo.
'Tell him the truth!'
'No,' Sakura argues back while gripping her chair hard. 'Temari may find out. Then Gaara, through his sister, may find out.'
She will be disbelieved, and possibly labeled crazy or a liar. If Gaara were to think either of those of her, then what hope does she have that he will not harm Konoha? He would probably cast her aside, and never listen to a thing she has to say ever again. She can't jeopardize what she has managed to salvage so far. The truth has to wait. She can reveal nothing to no one, and as she opens her mouth to say this, her eyes lock with Naruto's own.
Her heart shatters at the sight of his concerned expression. He can sense her turmoil with her answer.
'You can't lie to him,' She suddenly thinks.
So then her mind plays with what possibilities may unfold, with whatever she says next, with the worst possible ending being...
"Gaara can't know anything I'm about to tell you," Sakura whispers to Naruto.
The blonde goes wide-eyed, perhaps surprised that Sakura was deciding to reveal the truth to him. Naruto slowly nods to the rosette, agreeing.
"Temari too," Sakura warns Naruto, remembering his loud mouth.
Again, the blonde nods before adding himself-
"Just between you, and me."
Sakura nods to this, and repeats Naruto's words.
"Just between you, and me."
After this, Sakura draws in a heavy breath, holds it, and slowly releases it. She notices her hand trembling slightly; nervous that her next words may be the folly that ruins her entire way of life, and brings the downfall of her closest friends. Naruto's own hand gently slides on top of hers, giving her a reassuring squeeze, and he is prepared with a gentle smile once Sakura looks back at him.
"I promise," Naruto tells her. "It will be okay. We're friends now after all, right?"
Sakura returns a tired smile of her own before letting it drop from her face.
"Right," Sakura nods while her eyes waver on Naruto's blue eyes. "Right."
Sakura takes a moment, but does rock lightly in her chair while continuing to nod.
"We are friends," She repeats. "After all we've been through together, throughout all these years, why wouldn't we be?"
She feels Naruto's hand give a tense squeeze of her own hand before it suddenly slides off of her. Sakura doesn't need to look at the blonde now to know that he is probably lost, and confused by her words. It's only when he speaks with a nervous disbelieving voice does she realize the extremity of her words.
"E-Eh?" He chuckles lightly. "We never spent years together, Sakura-chan."
Sakura's lips roll back as she continues to instinctively protect her words. Her eyes waver slightly as Naruto's stare morphs into Sakura's worst fears; disbelief.
'It's not too late,' her mind reminds her. 'You can still lie your way out of this.'
Despite her thoughts, Sakura feels her heart beating faster to the idea of revealing the truth to Naruto. Mixed with fear is some excitement, and relief that finally she can share the truth with someone. The heavy weight that has been holding her down can now be lifted some from her friend Naruto.
Hopefully…
There is only one way to find out if Naruto will take Sakura's words to heart, or shun her by thinking she has fabricated a story before him.
"You like ramen," Sakura comments on a low breath.
Naruto scoffs lightly, but his eyes shine in amusement to how Sakura approaches him now.
"Love," He corrects her. "I love ramen. Everyone knows that though."
Sakura swallows hard before pressing on.
"You were an orphan in the village," Sakura comments.
Naruto's eyes turn away from Sakura's.
"These are all things anyone can learn," Naruto adds.
His underlying message to Sakura is clear; she will have to do a lot more convincing than that. So, Sakura sits quietly in thought, trying to figure out what to say next since her answers now are too obvious for him.
"Your father," Sakura speaks, and watches Naruto's eyes instantly land on her. "Do you know who he was?"
Naruto nods to answer yes, but before Sakura can move on, Naruto speaks.
"You know too?"
Sakura slowly nods to answer 'yes', and is met with Naruto glaring at her. Instead of a name, Naruto asks a question.
"How?"
It must be a secret to some still. That, or Naruto has kept it hidden; whatever the case, instead of a name from Sakura he asks her means of gaining knowledge. It becomes a quiet staring game between the two before Sakura sighs heavily. It is a breath she hates giving, for she knows it is a sigh of defeat.
She can no longer beat around the bush. Especially when time plays some factor here. Temari will return eventually.
"...Would you believe me-" Sakura whispers as her eyes divert from Naruto's. "-If I told you I knew you in another world?"
Heavy silence follows, and Sakura can't help but shrink as the seconds passing by feel like minutes. She wants to berate herself for her wording, but a voice in her heart reminds her to be proud that she has finally spoken the truth.
"You're saying you're from another world where we all exist, and know one another?" Naruto questions with disbelief.
Sakura keeps her eyes away still, but nods slowly to answer him. Again, silent seconds pass before Naruto speaks.
"Sakura," Naruto calls seriously to the rosette while forsaking the nickname.
Sakura reluctantly turns her gaze back up to Naruto. Her eyes widen when she sees a light blush across his cheeks.
"By chance, did you and I date in your world?"
Sakura's eyes widen, and jaw drops slightly to the bold question. Yet, the most surprising thing of all to Sakura is that Naruto doesn't quickly dismiss her claims.
"I-Idiot!" Sakura stammers embarrassed by Naruto's question, but excited that she is finally able to share some truth. "We... we grew up together in a team led by Kakashi-sensei. It would have been weird if we dated."
Sakura holds the information from Naruto about his crush in her world, but it's almost no shock to her now that he is flirtatious with her.
"Wait, wait, wait," Naruto speaks while holding up his hands. "So, this is what you're really saying? That you're not from this world?"
"At first... I thought I had gone back in time, but it turns out it might be a whole other world completely," Sakura affirms. "The past seemed exactly as I remembered it until I visited Konoha, and found my parents had passed already without having me yet."
Naruto swallows hard this time, trying to let this information sink in.
"Is that why you were there in Konoha all those years ago?" Naruto questions. "Ah! Is that why you changed your hair to black? Because you thought that-"
"-Someone would recognize me. Yes," Sakura finishes for Naruto with a nod.
Sakura watches as Naruto's eyes grow the widest yet, and he slumps into his chair. Her blonde friend has been easy to convince, but Sakura then realizes there was more to visiting Konoha.
"No," Sakura speaks, and turns her eyes to the dark window where rain and lightening reside. "No, I went to Konoha to find a way home, and because I wanted to show Gaara where I grew up."
Naruto does a sharp gasp that causes Sakura to look at him. His face is full of shock before he points an accusing finger towards her.
"This all happened before you ran! Temari told me you never came back from Konoha! That's when the Kazekage thought you stole Gaara, that's when the war started and... and..." Naruto slows his speech when Sakura's eyes fall sadly to the ground.
Even the slow thinking blonde can spot Sakura's heartache, and she defends herself with a sad voice.
"I didn't run from Gaara... I would have never ran from him. He was my little friend that helped me get through the days wondering if I'd return to my own world."
Instead of pressing for a reason, Naruto asks instead.
"Is there a Gaara in your world?"
Sakura swallows hard, and bites her lip back.
"Ah, there is," Naruto chimes, deciphering this from Sakura's expressions.
A silence follows as Naruto waits on Sakura who is now unsure what to share and what not to share. Should her friends and relations back in her own world be kept hidden? Time is of the matter, and she has so much to share.
"Is he nice to you in his world?"
Sakura does a mock laugh and shakes her head while answering.
"We barely know one another."
Her answer is spoken on a sad breath that even Naruto can see.
"But-" Sakura lifts her head up again. "I've learned quite a bit from my time here with Gaara. When I go back perhaps-"
"Go back?" Naruto interrupts.
Looking at him, Sakura can see his face twist and turn in confusion.
"You can just jump into worlds like that? You can just mess with time whenever you want?"
Sakura swallows hard to Naruto's question, and shakes her head.
"You think I would be here doing what I do now if I had an easy means to?"
Naruto deflates some under Sakura's hard stare. In time, she sighs as well.
"I found a way to this world's past, and future. I'll find a way back to my own home," Sakura mumbles, but it is with confidence.
A moment of silence comes after Sakura's declaration, and two listen to the patter of rain for a moment before Naruto speaks.
"Aren't you going to miss him though?"
Sakura's eyes widen, and she looks at Naruto in shock.
"I..." Sakura attempts to answer, but finds the answer to be a lot more difficult to figure out.
Her attachment to an evil man who was once a happy child she grew to love, how can she answer that?
"The Gaara I miss..." Sakura slowly speaks again when her answer comes with a heavy heart. "-Is the one I already miss. The child I grew to love... I can never see him again even if I wanted to."
Silence again. Naruto inhales sharply while taking in Sakura's solemn gaze.
"You never know," Naruto quips, trying to lighten Sakura's mood. "Never say never."
Sakura smiles to this comment, even though she is certain time wouldn't send her back, she is still grateful that Naruto is there to lighten her mood.
"But-" Naruto drags the word. "You're doing a lot for Gaara now. I imagine you'd still miss this Gaara."
Sakura rolls her eyes once Naruto throws her a wide grin, and she does dwell on the thought for a moment.
'If I could change him back to how he was...' Sakura thinks.
She thinks for some time before eventually mumbling to herself.
"If I can just get him to be like the Kazekage he is in my world, then-"
"Kazekakge?! Gaara?!" Naruto cries in disbelief while cutting Sakura off.
Sakura nods to Naruto before watching the blonde's blue eyes brighten.
"Then- then what about me?" Naruto excitably asks. "Am I Hokage there?"
Sakura smiles big seeing Naruto mimic who own world so much so. Yet, the sight is disheartening when Gaara is thrown into the equation, and Sakura can't help but ask herself again-
'Why did Gaara come out so differently?'
Still, she holds that smile before shaking her head at the blonde.
"No," She answers truthfully. "Not yet."
Naruto pouts, and huffs some before slumping back into his chair. He is clearly disappointed in Sakura's answer.
"But you saved the world," Sakura adds in.
The blonde's eyes widen as he looks towards Sakura in surprise.
"You ended a war that all shinobi fought in," Sakura continues.
Naruto's eyes light up like a child to a story.
"Kind of like what we're doing now," Naruto adds with a smile.
Sakura opens her mouth but slowly closes it when she does spot the similarities in the situation.
"Yeah..." She ultimately admits. "It is. Except, Gaara was on our side in my world."
A quietness sets the tone again, but Naruto is still all smiles while Sakura looks away in disdain knowing the Gaara here and of her world reflect only in image.
"That's why I said I'd like to talk to him," Naruto murmurs to Sakura.
His smile grows when Sakura returns an appreciate smile of her own. The blonde is her sunshine on this stormy night. After a while, Sakura blinks when she realizes that Naruto, unless he has perfected acting in this world, genuinely believes her given his questions and curiosities.
"You don't find this unbelievable?" Sakura can't help but question.
Naruto's face falls some, as if Sakura's question is completely out of place.
"You haven't given me a reason not to," Naruto answers with a nudge of his head. "But... can't say I've ever heard-
"-of such a thing. Of time travel or of different worlds," Sakura finishes for him. "Neither have I, and I'm still trying to figure out what this even is."
Naruto watches as Sakura's frown and dreary eyes appear again.
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm still on my mission that led me here. I wonder if I'm lost in the desert still while this is all some dehydrated dream."
Sakura brings her eyes back to Naruto after speaking, and watches his eyes go stern.
"Then I wonder, is this all genjutsu? Is this world, this war, Gaara, you... is it even real?"
Without words, Naruto can see the turmoil Sakura is now in. She is still struggling wondering if the friends she has made here, the impact she has done to others, is even real. Will her struggles now be in vain if this world turns out to be just a hallucination? If so, what cost will it take from the rosette's mind?
In turn, Naruto can only purse and tighten his lips in thought. Like Sakura, he doesn't have an answer for her nor has he heard of such a power in his world.
'Maybe 'he' would know,' Naruto thinks. 'Maybe 'he' would have answers for her.'
Still, that is for another time, as his and Sakura's time is sparse. Naruto then presses for something that will help them in their present situation.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto calls to the rosette.
It's his calm demeanor that makes Sakura eye Naruto as he steps closer to the rosette.
"There's so much I want to ask, and learn about you," Naruto says while extending his arm to her.
He places his hand on top of hers before taking a knee before her. Their eyes lock, and Naruto gives the rosette a heartfelt smile.
"But we might have to save it for another date," Naruto adds before his eyes shift to the bedroom door.
Sakura nods quickly, and silently understands.
"Alright," She tells Naruto.
There is a pause between the two before Sakura speaks again.
"What do you want to know?"
She knows she is almost as clueless in this world as a newborn. She knows not why Gaara does what he does. She doesn't know how to stop Gaara should he continue his onslaught. She doesn't know if he keeps promises like he says he does. She doesn't know what Naruto wishes to gain from her at this moment.
Sakura is taken slightly aback by Naruto's sudden, beaming grin.
"Tell me about you, and Gaara. The past you two had, I want to hear it from you," Naruto answers her. "From the very beginning."
The rosette opens her mouth to speak, but stops when Naruto's hand gives hers an even harder squeeze.
"And also," He sternly speaks before locking his eyes with Sakura. "I'm curious about this time-traveling business. Tell me why you think Konoha would even have such a thing like that."
Sakura only has the scroll to go off by. No other leads. No other clues. No reasonable explanations. Still, she nods without hesitation in Naruto's direction.
"Alright," she answers him again before drawing in a big breath.
Sakura begins to tell Naruto a tale of her mission, her sudden arrival in Suna in the past. She watches the blonde's eyes widen when she speaks of the tailed beast inside Gaara, as well as his emotional and mental struggles as a child. The pain his father and entire village put on him. Sakura elaborates to Naruto how she was certain her time with young Gaara would shape him into the man of her world; to be a proud Kazekage. The rosette discusses the scroll she stole from Konoha to the blonde, and her disappearance that stole her from Gaara and brought her to a world fifteen years later.
By the end of Sakura's long story, Naruto has taken a seat cross-legged on the floor and ponders on the possibilities Sakura is constantly thinking about. He hums as he tilts his head back and forth.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto murmurs after some time. "This a lot to take in."
Sakura swallows hard at the blonde's reaction. She can see the doubt in his eyes that she feared people would have if she ever spoke the truth.
"Also," She begins to add in. "I have a seal on my back that is stealing my chakra, and draining it."
Her head falls once Naruto looks at her with worried eyes.
"I don't know how to break it," Sakura whispers. "...and I don't know how much time I have left."
Naruto suddenly shoots himself to stand upright. He raises his fists slightly as a solution comes to his mind.
"I know!" He beams. "I know someone who-"
The blonde suddenly pauses mid-sentence, and his eyes grow wide looking down at Sakura. As his face drops, a strike of lightning lights up the window, and a loud boom of thunder shakes the room. Naruto suddenly looks distraught, and Sakura grows anxious at his sudden change in moods.
"What's wrong?" She asks as the rain outside taps at her window relentlessly.
There is another flash that blinds Sakura momentarily once it lights up the room. Yet, as her vision returns Sakura catches herself looking up at Naruto's womanly form; Naruko. Before Sakura can ask if Temari is returning, Naruko casts her eyes to Sakura's window before making a dash towards it. Despite the darkness outside, Naruko stares out of it and her eyes waver as if she is watching something happening outside intently.
When Naruko remains quiet, Sakura slowly raises herself from her chair.
"What's wrong?!" She presses harder for Naruto to answer.
The blonde is still quiet but she does lick her lips in time while her blue eyed gaze is still set.
"He's back," Naruko tells Sakura.
Sakura sighs. Naruto doesn't even need to say a name; she knows who Naruko speaks of. His return is a quick one, but Sakura is grateful as she can finally sit and talk with Gaara to get a feel and understanding of his next motives.
'And to make sure he keeps his promise to me,' Sakura thinks before settling herself back into her chair.
"Sakura," Naruko softly calls to the rosette as her blue eyes remain outside. "You need to go to him."
Sakura's eyes widen to Naruko's words, but the blonde doesn't turn her gaze to allow for the rosette to affirm the words or not.
Before Sakura can ask why, Naruko elaborates;
"Gaara is about to die."
