Chapter-37

Team 7 and Shikamaru ran after Pakkun who had sensed where Gaara was going. They were going really fast. Suddenly a kunai came hurtling towards Sasuke. He deflected it and they al came to a stop. They looked around and saw some Oto ninjas who were trying to stop them. After thinking, Shikamaru said

"You guys go ahead. I'll handle them."

"Are you sure, Shikamaru?" asked Sakura worriedly

"Aa. Now go."

Shikamaru jumped down and started fighting.

Rest of the group travelled further. Temari looked at Gaara who was groaning from pain. I have to hurry. I can't let Gaara lose control before it is the right time. She looked behind but didn't see anyone. Suddenly after a few minutes, Kankuro stopped and turned around.

"Kankuro?Why did you stop?"

"They're coming."

"Shit. Let's go. Hurry."

"I'll distract them. You go."

She looked at him worriedly but nodded and went ahead.

Soon, Team 7 saw Kankuro on a branch ready for them.

"Where's Gaara?" asked an angry Naruto

"I don't need to tell you that." He said that as he took out his puppet. He launchec it towards the group. They all sat on separate branches. Suddenly, some one threw a kunai at Kankuro which he dodged. Shino finally came out.

"Shino? What are you doing here?"

"I was asked by Kakashi sensei to follow and help you. You guys go ahead. I'll deal with him."

"okay. Thanks."

And they went ahead. Pakkun said, "We're closing in on them. Be ready."

They all looked determined and took out their kunai. After a short while, they saw Temari carrying Gaara. Naruto was furious. Sakura looked at him worriedly. Temari looked back and them closing in. Damn. They're almost here. And then she came to a stop when Gaara said to stop.

"This isn't the time Gaara! We have to go."

"Shut up and move out of the way. Don't bother me when I want to have fun." He said with a crazy look and she felt scared. She went ahead a little and settled on a stem of the tree.

Team 7 finally spotted Gaara waiting for them. He sure is strong but he is crazy. Thought Sasuke.

"Gaara, I ask of you to stop. Do not try to attack the village!" said Sakura

"Attack the village. What the hell?!" shouted Naruto

Why does he want to attack the village?

"You cannot stop me. I will destroy anything that comes my way. Anything." He said with an evil grin

Temari gulped. It's gonna start soon. Gaara can't be stopped anymore.

Team 7 took defensive poses and waited for the attack. Suddenly sand came from behind them making them jump to the branch right in front of Gaara. He kept attacking them with sand. Naruto made clones and they all started to attack Gaara but it didn't work. Gaara just twirled his hand around with force and the clones disappeared.

"You're no match for me. Uchiha Sasuke, I want to battle with you."

"Same here." Said Sasuke with a smirk. Sasuke launched a fireball at Gaara at Gaara which burned down his sand. Then he threw some kunai at him, two of which hit him. One in the shoulder and other on his leg. Gaara looked at Sasuke lividly.

"You are the first one who has made me bleed. But I wont let you live long enough."

Suddenly gathered the sand from the surrounding the forest and hurtling it towards Sasuke. Damn it. What do I do? I used up my chakra enough chakra and now I already used 3 chidoris. Sasuke immediately launching herself at Gaara.

"Sakura, NO! Don't.." but it was too late. Gaara got more sand and hurtled it towards her when she jumped at him. She crashed into a tree. She blearily opened her eyes and tried to stand but failed. Sasuke turned to Gaara lividly. I'm going to kill him. He hurt Sakura. Naruto came beside him and then they both launched forward and started getting pass the sand and threw weapons at every opening but they had no luck.

"Why are you fighting me? For fun? I think you want to experience death." said Gaara with an evil smirk.

"I don't plan on dying anytime soon. Im gonna become the Hokage to make everyone acknowledge my presence."

"We are not gonna die but you will. Because you hurt Sakura." said Sasuke with a glare

Meanwhile Gaara was facing an enormous after hearing Naruto's words. Acknowledge him? That is not possible, yet he has people who protect him. I have always been betrayed or hurt. Suddenly Gaara's body started to change. It's happening. Thought Temari grimly.

He had his arms in a sand type creature and a tail. He roared and said

"you have angered me. You'll die." And then he stretched his hands towards both Naruto and Sasuke. They couldn't find a tree out of his range. Shit. I might actually have to use it inspite of Kakashi's warning. Sasuke screamed as he forcibly made a Chidori and cut the sand hands. Gaara stumbled and held his head. Now Sasuke couldn't move. He was completely out of chakra so he collapsed on the ground, panting heavily. Naruto went to attack him but was thrown far away.

"Now its your turn, Uchiha Sasuke." He said and launched his hand, which recovered quicky, towards Sasuke.

Sakura was watching them fight and she slowly stood up. Suddenly Naruto was thrown away and the hand went towards Sasuke who was completely out of chakra and energy. No! he can't defend himself right now and she jumped in between the hand and Sasuke. Sasuke looked at her in shock

"Sakura! move or you'll get crushed!" he said panickly

"But you will live. That's all I want" she said and gave him a sad but beautiful smile.

No. NO. Sakura… these thoughts were interrupted when the hand crashed against Sakura and pinned her to a tree. She groaned and blood slipped through her mouth.

"Stupid girl. Why come in between?!" Asked a furious Gaara as he tightened his grip on her. Her face contorted in pain

"Because he is precious to me" she said with a smile

Gaara held his head as old memories of him being betrayed by someone he called his family rushed back after hearing Sakura. He got angry and tightened the grip more. Sakura gave a grunt but was sweating furiously and her eyes were closed as she bit her lip from screaming.

"Sakura!" said a worried Sasuke. He wanted to help her but he couldn't move. Naruto came back and saw Sakura pinned to the tree and now he was angry.

"Let Sakura-chan go." He said gravely

Gaara smirked and cut his hand from in between and now Sakura was pinned to the tree with hard sand. She grimaced as she slowly opened her eyes to look that Naruto and Gaara were fighting crazily. At least, they're safe. Sasuke got some strength from resting and went to Sakura but a stretch sand hand stopped him.

"The sand gets harder and harder as time goes by and she will be crushed completely. You cant help her."

Sasuke looked wide eyed at Gaara and then looked at Sakura who was in more pain as time passed. Sasuke didn't have the strength to Gaara so he focused on Sakura. I have to get her off this. But how? He went to Sakura

"Sakura! are you awake?"

"Yeah" she replied weakly

"Look I'm gonna use Chidori to cut this sand."

"No."

Did I hear that right? She said No?

"what? Why not?"

"You don't have much chakra left. Don't waste it on me. Besides I have a plan so just sit back."

"I can't just leave you like this! You're being crushed."

"It's fine. I'll be alright." She said with a smile.

They heard a roar and looked up. Sasuke saw that Gaara's beast was colossal. But Naruto had also summoned a giant toad and they were fighting crazily.

"Sakura, please. Let me help." Said Sasuke.

"No. Reserve your chakra. We also have to go back. We all are battered and tired. We can't carry anybody."

"But what about you?! I can't just leave you like this!"

"Sasuke, do you trust me?"

Sasuke stared at her in silence contemplating why she asked this but nodded.

"Then get away from the tree."

He gave her a worried look but jumped to another tree next to Sakura's.

Sakura started concentrating and then the next instant, the tree broke in half. Since there was nothing to hold onto, the sand fell down. But she didn't have just enough strength to jump to a branch so she also started falling.

"Sakura!" he rushed when he saw her falling but caught her and then they settled on a big branch.

Sasuke looked back he destroyed tree with shock and then he looked back at her, amazed.

"How the hell did you do that?"

"I released chakra all over my body protect my bones from breaking. I had enough time for kicking the tree and breaking it in half before the sand hardened."

Sasuke looke at her in wonder. She sure is smart. He was pulled out of his dazed state when Sakura yelled out in pain as she clenched her hand on the curse mark.

"Damn it. I used medical ninjutsu so its starting to act up."

Sasuke was worried but nothing happened. She didn't go crazy like before. Sasuke held her hand to provide support. She smiled a little and then grimaced in pain. Sasuke didn't let go. Slowly her breathing slowed down, she stopped shaking and finally relaxed.

"Thanks Sasuke." She offered him a sweet smile.

Sasuke tried to hide his blush but then he asked her

"Why did you come in between that guy and me? I could have handled him!"

"You didn't have the necessary amount of chakra because of your fight in the arena and fighting right now. your muscles are fatigued. I knew you would be crushed but I made the plan and jumped in between which gave you time to regain chakra." She explained.

She really is the best kunoichi I can think of.

"Thanks." Said Sasuke while turning his head away

Sakura giggled because she knew he was embarrassed.

Little did they know, Naruto and Gaara were about to end their fight. One tail disappeared and Gamabunta also disappeared. They both fell on the ground. Gaara was wondering what was Naruto's purpose. But Naruto told him saving my village and friends was his purpose.

"But didn't the villagers hate you too? Weren't you lonely?"

Naruto gave him a sad smile

"They did hate me. But I have a teacher who is more important to me than anybody because he dragged me out and helped me. You should also accept the help when someone offers. You won't get stronger by being alone."

Gaara looked at him in shock and their conversation ended. Sasuke and Sakura came to where they landed and saw Naruto grinning up at them and while giving a thumbs up. Sakura smiled and Sasuke smirked.

"Let's go back."

When they left, Temari came down and left with Gaara.

"Temari, I'm sorry."

Temari was shocked those words from him but then she smiled. Uzumaki Naruto…