Alright this chapter focuses more on the Sasuke thing. I decided to put that in here because I wanted to do something different with it. The first part of it is word for word from the anime as far as what they say goes but then I put a twist on things. I like doing that.

Disclaimer: See other chapters because I'm tired of repeating myself

Ch. 5: Choices

Gaara woke up the next day and at first he had no idea where he was. As he got his bearing he noticed something warm pressed against him. He looked down and saw her. Kaoru was still sound asleep and snuggled against him. She had wrapped an arm around his waist. If Gaara had looked in the mirror he wouldn't have recognized the look in his eyes. For the first time in years there was a soft warm look in them as he gazed at the girl sleeping beside him. He carefully got up so that he wouldn't wake her.

Kaoru woke up and saw him standing by the window. She stood up and walked over to him. Thousands of emotions stormed through her at that moment. Gaara turned and looked at her. Her first reaction surprised them both. She hit him.

"You idiot. Do you know how scared I was? Why the hell didn't you tell me that you were going to attack then at least I would have been ready? When you let Shukaku out I had been terrified that I had lost you. Don't you ever scare me like that again or I swear I'll kill you myself and save myself the heartache," she shouted while hitting his chest. Tears streamed down her face.

Gaara let her hit him. When he saw her tears he surprised himself by wrapping his arms around her. She calmed down after a few minutes. She backed up with a sniffle, "I'm sorry, Gaara."

He just shook his head. She smiled at him, "But I really will kill you if you ever scare me like that again."

He merely raised an eyebrow. Kaoru found herself chuckling at the look on his face. Gaara definitely didn't believe that she could or would kill him. Hell, he was probably right. She cared about him too much. Kaoru walked over to the bags she saw on the table. There were clothes for both of them inside. She took the bag with her stuff into the bathroom and took a shower. After she was finished she made Gaara go into the bathroom for his own shower.

After both of them were clean Kaoru dragged Gaara out to eat. He didn't complain because he was hungry anyway. Besides, he needed to think about a few things and it was easier to do if he let Kaoru lead him around. When they arrived at the restaurant Temari and Kankuro were both there. They smiled and waved them both over. Gaara felt something new inside him. He wasn't sure what it was but he felt comfortable for the first time in his life.

Kaoru looked at her friend with a smile. He actually felt content. She sat down and dragged Gaara to sit down next to her. Temari, Kankuro, and Kaoru talked about their plans now. Kaoru decided to return to hospital duty. That didn't surprise anyone. Kaoru got up to leave and Gaara got up and followed her out. He had something to talk to her about now.

When they got outside the restaurant Gaara tapped her shoulder gently. She glanced at him with a curious stare. He motioned for her to follow him and she did. Gaara led her to the cliff she always liked to sit on when she was upset. The sun was setting and you could see Suna spreading out beneath them. He stood at the edge of the cliff facing Suna. His arms were crossed and his back was to her. Kaoru's crimson eyes were focused on his back.

"What is it, Gaara?" she asked him.

He didn't turn around, "I was wrong."

She blinked, "About what?"

"I want to be the Kazekage."

"What? But, Gaara, you know as well as I do the village won't accept that."

"I'll prove myself to them. Kaoru, I've finally realized something. I'm a person. Not a weapon or a monster."

"I could have told you that," she stated.

"You did tell me that. I will prove that you're right. I will work hard to be acknowledged by others. Even if they don't want to acknowledge me."

"It won't be easy, Gaara," she commented.

"I know. I'll need Temari's and Kankuro's support."

"They'll give it to you without hesitation," Kaoru stated.

"Good." Now Gaara turned to face her. His face was serious and sea green eyes bore into her. His tone was fierce, "I need you too."

She blinked again, "What?"

"Your support is the most important of them all."

"Why me?"

"Because you cared long before anyone else even considered it. You were my friend even when I was doing my best to keep you away. You haven't changed your mind about that have you?"

Kaoru was trying to process everything he had just said. She took so long to answer that he got worried that she really had changed her mind about being his friend. He felt a twinge of fear race through him.

"I need you, Kaoru."

Kaoru felt the twinge of worry and quickly reassured him, "Don't worry Gaara. I'm not going anywhere either."

Gaara gave her his first real smile in years. It was small but still a smile. Kaoru's eyes widened in surprise then she smiled at him. The two of them looked down at Suna then returned to their respective homes. The next day Kaoru headed to Konoha. She was going to stay the night with Sakura. Naruto was worried about his friend and had asked the Suna medical-nin for help. So Kaoru left for the Leaf Village to help her friend.

----In Konoha----

By this point in Konoha, the Akatsuki had already tried and failed to capture Naruto. Itachi and Sasuke had fought and of course Sasuke lost. Jiraiya had to come and save them both from the two S ranked ninja. Sasuke had not been happy. It was now everyone's greatest fear that he would run off and join Orochimaru just to gain power.

Sasuke was walking through Konoha. He was deep in thought which was odd. His mind should be clear now that he had come to a decision. The Uchiha was leaving Konoha. Orochimaru could make him stronger and that's what he wanted. The thing was he couldn't get that question out of his head. Tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, do you know what makes a person strong? He shook his head. This was pointless. He'd made his choice and he wouldn't change his mind now.

Suddenly Sakura came out from behind a tree. He spoke calmly, as if he wasn't planning on leaving, "What are you doing out so late? Just out for a stroll."

She looked him in the eyes, "In order to leave the village, you have to take this road."

Sasuke started to just walk around her and told her to go back home. At first she didn't say anything. Then silent tears began to fall down her face and she asked him why he shut everyone out. He stopped walking and answered her question with one of his own. "Why do I have to tell you? You meddle too much. Stop bothering me all the time."

Sakura did something odd then. She smiled as the tears continued to fall, "You always act like you hate me, Sasuke-kun. Do you remember when we became genin? The day the three-man teams were decided, and we were alone at this very spot. You were very angry with me, weren't you?"

He pretended like he didn't remember. The truth was he didn't want to remember. Why bother? It would just give her hope that he would stay and he didn't plan on it. She told him that it was alright because it had been a long time ago. She commented on how the friendship between him, her, Naruto, and Kakashi-sensei had started that day though. She talked about how difficult the missions had been but it had been fun too.

Then her smile faded, "But with revenge alone, you will not be able to make anyone happy." His back was still to her when she admitted to knowing what happen to his clan. She didn't see the flash of pain in his eyes. She continued to speak, "No one...neither you...nor me..."

"I know that. I'm different from you guys and I follow a different path," his tone was calm. "The four of us together...It's true that I have thought of that as one possible path. Despite the four of us having been together, my heart has chosen revenge. That's what I live for. I can't be like you or Naruto."

"Aren't you going to be lonely by yourself?" she demanded. "Sasuke-kun, you told me that being alone is painful! I know that very well, so much that it hurts! I have family and friends. But...If you leave, for me...To me, it's the same thing as being alone!"

This time something else came into Sasuke's head. He kept seeing the picture of their team together. He spoke to convince himself as much as her, "From this point on, new paths will start."

Sakura wouldn't hear it, "I...I love you more than anything! If you are by my side, I'll make sure that you won't regret it. I'll make every day more enjoyable, and you'll be happy! I would do anything for you! That's why...I beg you! Please stay here! I'll even help you with your revenge! There must be something I can do! That's why...please, stay here with me...If that's not possible...please take me with you..."

Because it'll affect more than just you. It'll affect everyone who cares about you. Kaoru's words ran through his head right then. He narrowed his eyes and looked back at her, "After all this, you're still annoying."

He turned and started to walk away again. She shouted at him, "Don't go!" She ran forward a few steps then continued, "If you go, I'll scream out loud and..."

Sasuke vanished. She knew where he was and didn't bother turning around to face him. Because it'll affect more than just you. It'll affect everyone who cares about you. Sasuke spoke then, "Sakura, thank you."

Then he knocked her out. When she fell he caught her then placed her gently on the stone bench. At first he was just going to walk away but he couldn't. Kaoru's words kept circling around and around in his head as he stared at Sakura's tear stained face. Because it'll affect more than just you. Tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, do you know what makes a person strong? He frowned and turned away from the bench but he didn't move any further. Across from him stood Kaoru. She had been there to stay the night with Sakura. When Sakura had left Kaoru had followed her. She had heard everything.

"So you did decide to leave," she commented.

"Why does it matter to you?"

"I'm not going to let you just walk away and don't think of doing what you did to Sakura. I'm not in love with you so I will hurt you."

"Like you could."

"Would you like to test that theory?" she asked him sweetly.

"This isn't like you. You're normally very...meek."

"I know. I get this way when my friends are hurt."

"Why won't you just let me go?"

"Why should I?" she returned.

"I have to avenge my clan no matter what."

"So why can't you do that here?"

"They make me soft. I won't get stronger here," he replied in frustration.

"Of course you will, Sasuke. You're just impatient."

"Look, Kaoru, get out of my way."

"Hear me out first, Sasuke. If you still want to leave when I'm finished I'll let you leave without a fight."

He considered for a moment then relaxed, "Go ahead. I'm listening."

Kaoru didn't waste anytime, "Do you think this is what you're clan would want? Do you honestly think they would want you to betray everyone that matters to you? This is not the life they intended for you to live. No parent would wish the path you've chosen for their children."

He couldn't meet her eyes now but he still wasn't convinced. Kaoru walked up to him and made him look into her blood red eyes, "Well, Sasuke? Do you think that this is what makes you strong? Becoming the very thing you hate?"

"What do you mean by that?" he asked in a dangerous tone.

Kaoru wasn't affected. He was nothing compared to Gaara. She glared right back at him and said, "You're becoming your brother. Leaving you're village and becoming a missing nin. Hurting everyone that cares about you. Not to mention joining the bad guys. The only thing left is to kill your best friend. I guess we should keep a close eye on Naruto, huh?"

Sasuke looked away again. Kaoru turned her back to him but said one last thing over her shoulder as she walked away. Her voice was like a whip, "You're parents would be ashamed of you, especially your father. From what I've heard, Fugaku Uchiha was a very honorable and loyal man. Tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, do you really want this path because once you step onto it you can never turn back? What will you do once you've obtained your revenge and there's no where for you to go? I'll tell you what you'll do. You'll look in the mirror and see Itachi looking back at you then you'll die."

She left him there. Kaoru didn't want to but she had made a deal with him. Now it was up to him. She just prayed that she wasn't putting to much faith in him. But what could she do? The only person who could stop Sasuke was Sasuke. He had to make this choice. All she could do was shove the cold hard truth in his face and hope it was ugly enough to him that he would stay. There was the chance he wouldn't think so or that he would just ignore what she said. Then again he could surprise her and stay after all. She would just have to wait and pray.

Sasuke stood there after she had left. What was he suppose to do? He could continue on his way. Part of him screamed for him to do just that. Ignore what Kaoru had said and keep going. What did she know anyway? Then another part of him couldn't ignore the facts. She was right. His father would have been ashamed of him. Fugaku Uchiha had even told him not to follow Itachi's path a few days before he died. It had also been the same day that his father had acknowledged Sasuke as his son.

Sasuke started to walk. He had just reached the gate to the village when he suddenly stopped. The things everyone had said to him ran through his head. "If you rely on the curse mark then you're development will stop here and you'll never beat Itachi.""If you want to beat me then you'll have to get stronger.""You're becoming your brother.""I love you more than anything. Please stay with me.""Fugaku Uchiha was a very honorable and loyal man. What will you do when you've obtained your revenge? You'll look in the mirror and see Itachi looking back at you.""Foolish brother, if you wish to kill me, hate me, detest me, and survive in an unsightly way. Run, run and cling to life.

His head jerked up and a determined light came into his eyes. He spun around and ran back the way he came. When he reached the park he stopped at the bench. Sakura was still there and unconscious. Carefully he picked her up bridal style and went to his clan's compound. He placed her on his bed and then sat in the window sill. Millions of thoughts ran through his head but one was the loudest. 'I will become stronger but I won't become Itachi. Just watch, Itachi, one day I'll be stronger than you and won't have to become a missing nin to do it. And I'll do it just to spite you.'

Hidden in the shadows a pair of blood red eyes smiled. Maybe the boy didn't have such a thick skull after all. Kaoru turned and headed back to Suna. She was done here. Sakura would be fine now. At least, she better be. Of course, she could always come back and kick Sasuke's ass if he had a backslide. Yeah, she could just do that. For now she wanted to get back to Gaara. Tomorrow he would start his mission to prove to everyone that he wasn't a monster. She had to be there to support him.

I know that's not how it happened but it's my story and I was never happy with him leaving so I don't like to make him leave in my stories if I can help it. Anyways I hope you liked this chapter.

Now remember I update faster if I get lots of reviews. hint hint. for those of you not getting the hint I want you to review.