Tortured Memories

PoD- "Hillo everyone! I hope every is enjoying this. Though, I think everyone likes my GaarSaku instead of my SasuSaku...oh well, I like them both. Heheh! I hope you -"

Senior Gaara- "All enjoy the chapter. It's all about -"

PoD- "Gaara, basicly!"

Disclaimer- "No deh ownz!"

Chapter Six

The weeks past and we didn't have any interruptions. I had made a full recovery and so did Naruto's back. That night, after the battle between us and Kisame and Itachi, I freaked out because of a dream - a nightmare really. Naruto and Kakashi we lying on the ground dead and... it was just too weird. I woke up in tears and no one had noticed.

Today we're heading back to Konoha. Some ANBU came earlier and told Kakashi it was safe. So, we just completed packing our belongings, but I did most of it. Naruto was goofing off and Sasuke was packing his stuff while Kakashi was on look-out duty.

"Kakashi-sensei," I called, he was sitting at the top of a tree so I had to shout. I wiped my brow and smiled.

"All done."

Kakashi glanced back and smiled. "So you are," he replied. "Good job, Sakura. You too, Sasuke. Uh, where's Naruto?"

Sasuke stood up and pointed over his shoulder. "Sleeping like a rock," Sasuke stated.

Kakashi jumped from his post and landed in front of us. He started toward Naruto. I stared and I got a 'bright idea'.

"Sensei? Why don't I wake him?" I asked.

"Alright, you can try. Good luck, though," he replied.

I nodded and ran over to Naruto. I knelt down next to him, so my back was turned to Sasuke and Kakashi. I tucked my hair behind my right ear and bent down beside his ear.

"Naruto-kun, wake up," I whispered.

"Kay..." he grumbled.

I stood up as he leaned up and rubbed his eyes. I turned back to Kakashi and Sasuke with a triumphant smile. Kakashi stared at me as though I had killed a Jounin all on my own and Sasuke's stare was a lot less impressed, he looked sad. I walked over to him and stood on tip toes so I could get to his ear.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied and quickly gave me a peck on the cheek.

I smiled and turned back to face everyone. I bent down and picked up Naruto's two bags. I tossed them to him and they hit him in the head. I laughed as I picked mine up and used a rope as straps to secure them on my back. Sasuke, Kakashi and Naruto did the same.

Cha! This is so great! We finally get to be free of this musky place!

"Right! Let's get going then!" I cheered.

We arrived in Konoha in the late afternoon. Everything was fine. All the buildings stood tall and nothing appeared to be damaged. Then I recalled the night when we left. Something had been coming after us. I stopped and everyone passed me. Then everyone stopped and looked back at me with puzzled expressions.

"Kakashi-sensei, why did we have to leave Konoha in the first place?" I asked.

"Well, apparently the Kazekage's sister sent him here to loosen up, but after what happened at the training grounds, Tsunade-sama thought we should leave once Gaara came to the hospital. She said things would be fine if we left, because we - or more you and Sasuke - make him upset, though I can't see why exactly." Kakashi stated.

My vision fell to the ground. So...so it was Gaara? He was the one coming after us.

"Well, it doesn't look like he left exactly," Sasuke stated.

I looked up and my eyes locked with his. He slowly passed with his two siblings following. Our eyes stayed in contact until he was completely behind us. I shuddered. It felt as though he was still staring at me. Then the footsteps halted.

"Gaara?" Temari asked in surprise.

I was frozen and Sasuke and Naruto were staring past me and straight at him. I knew they were staring at him. And now he was going to freak out on them. No? The footsteps continued on and I felt my fear shrinking. I fell to my knees in relief and smiled at my companions.

"You okay, Sakura?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine!" I replied with joy.

"Then why are you on the ground?" Kakashi asked.

"I thought he was going to start something, that's all. I'm glad we're all okay," I replied.

"Well, that's nice and all, but we probably should go inform Tsunade-sama that we're all alive and that we encountered my brother," Sasuke stated.

"Right," Naruto and I agreed.

I had decided to hang back at the training ground until Kakashi was done explaining everything to Tsunade. The snow was melting by this time so the grass was shown. It was so much greener than I had remembered. It had felt like I had been trapped in winter for so long. I was glad to be free. I was glad that spring was coming...and I was glad I still had them.

I sat down and rested against the grass. It was wet from the melted snow, but it felt really good against my back. I sighed as I began to relax and watched the clouds roll across the blue sky. But could it last?

"I wonder how Naruto and Sasuke are doing," I whispered.

Someone was near; I could hear their foot steps. I leaned up and my face dropped. He was here? Why did he keep showing up? This was not going to end well. I could feel it in my bones. I slowly stood up and stared at him.

"Sakura," the Kazekage looked at his feet.

"Gaara - eh, I mean, Kazekage-sama. What are you doing here?" I asked.

I didn't like where this was going. Not one bit. I could see that stare examining me up and down now, it gave me goose bumps. I didn't know what I was going to do if he was here for me or if started toward me.

"Oi, Sakura-chan!" Naruto called.

I turned away from Gaara in surprise. When I realized it was just my companions, I turned back to the Kazekage. But like usual, he was gone. I was stunned. How could he move so quickly? I was fixed on that spot as I tried to calculate everything.

"Ah, what you looking at?" Naruto asked.

"Nothing... nothing at all. So, how'd it go at the Hokage's office?" I asked.

"Not so well. She wants you to come and speak with her," Kakashi sighed. "Immediately."