Tortured Memories

PoD- Welcome to 'Tortured Memories'. Please forgive poor Panda for being delade in her updates, but I've been grounded and had other...priorities. Forgive? Arigato, arigato graciously much, loves!

Chapter Eight

I was in that point of sleep where you're half conscious and the slightest sound can rouse you. I was resting among my sheets when what sounded like footsteps arose from the hall. I stayed still and opened my eyes. Pure darkness engulfed my sight. I sat there and allowed my eyes to adjust. As they finally noticed everything in the room the door began to open. I quickly closed my eyes and grabbed the hidden kunai under my pillow.

Sasuke told me to always have one in case anything should happen. He had taught me how to control my breathing better and some other tricks Kakashi and Naruto had no clue we knew. Sasuke for some reason now wanted me to always have my guard up and always be prepared to protect myself.

I remained still as the floorboards creaked across the room as whoever was at the door neared me. I felt my heart rate speeding and I remembered what Sasuke had told me. I slowly felt it return to a steady beat and I gripped the kunai tighter in my hand.

I shot up from the mattress; sheets flew across my face and my pillow flew through the air. I tried to look around through the sheets and flying pillow, but I saw no one. As the sheets rested around my legs I stared silently into the darkness. I was terrified and shocked. Someone had been here and I totally missed them, even with Sasuke's teachings I still missed them.

I felt myself fall back onto the mattress and then blank. It felt as if I hadn't shot up and I was still in my half consious sleep, then nothing.

I awoke to nothing. Not a sound from inside or outside. It was an eerie silence that I didn't go over well with. It felt too...suspicious and like it was hiding a secret. I propped myself up with my elbows and stared around the room. I smiled and stared out into the sun. I sat up completely and ran my hand across my bed. I felt something, something not mine and something like grains.

I slowly gripped it in my hand and gently pulled my arm from under the sheets. I released my grip and slowly sand poured from my palm. I shuddered and quickly threw the sheets from my body. Sand- it was all around me.

Last night. The one who had disappeared so quickly! It was Gaara! I quickly stood up and threw myself onto the floor. I didn't feel comfortable in my room anymore, it wasn't my sanctuary place anymore. I grabbed a bag from the closet and a handful of clothes without taking my eyes off the bed. I backed up against he door as I shoved everything essential to my needs into the bag.

I grabbed the door and pushed myself from the room and sped down the hall. I ran out into the street and took a sharp turn. It was still early and Naruto wouldn't be at the bridge, yet. Although, I really hope Sasuke would be. He was what I needed right about now.

Half way there I had finally slowed my pace and I was now coming up on it. Just like I had hoped Sasuke was there and Naruto wasn't. I smiled and adjusted the straps of my bag. I continued toward him silently with that one thought going through my mind. What would he think?

"Uh...morning Sasuke-kun," I stated.

"Morning Sakura," he replied turning.

I tried to smile because I knew he saw the backpack and was thinking the worst. He straightened up from his slouching position against the railing and stared. I stopped and looked away briefly and turned back.

"Sasuke, it's not what it looks like. So, please, just calm down," I paused and took it off my shoulders, letting it drop beside my feet. "I'm just getting out of my house. I'm not leaving Konoha. I promise."

"What?" he murmured. I waited. Why was he asking "what"?

"I said -"

"No, I know what you said. Just...Why?"

"Because there are people who know me and know I'm there and I don't want to get hurt or worst. Have you, Naruto, or sensei getting hurt because you come to protect me. I don't want that. So, after training I'll probably see if I can stay with Ino or Tenten, maybe Hinata too."

"It's Gaara. Isn't it? He's after you again?"

"Uh..."

"Well, I don't see how any of those kunoichis could possibly protect you from that crazy Kazekage like Gaara. They wouldn't even lay a finger on him because he's a Kage, which means you'd be a sitting duck."

"Eh..? Well, I don't...then what am I suppose to do..?"

"I guess -"

"Hey, Sakura! Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.

Naruto..! I was talking with Sasuke-kun about something important! You ruined it!!!

I put a mock smile on my face and turned to Naruto. I knew Sasuke saw right through it, but at least Naruto wouldn't.

"Morning Naruto," I chimed.

"What's wrong Sakura?" he asked.

"Uh, w-what?" I stammered.

H-He saw through m-my act?! But how? T-This is Naruto we're talking about! Isn't it?

"Ah, don't worry Sakura. I'm just joking with you," he replied.

I sighed happily and sat down on my knees and gripped my hands against my thighs. I really thought he was actually getting good and reading people like Sasuke. I'm just glad he hasn't acquired that skill, yet. Or I would've been done for. I smiled and started laughing. Yeah, right! Naruto being able to see through that! Ha!

I calmed down and sprawled out across the bridge. I smiled, just like old times. Naruto, Sasuke and I being here for hours on end and Kakashi sets the time showing up three hours late anyways. It was as though we were kids again.

"Hey, everyone," a familiar voice stated from above us.

"You're late Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto and I scolded.

Wait...he's only late by...ten minuts. What's up sensei?

"Hey, Kakashi. Nice of you to join us," Sasuke added.

"Yeah, sorry, I was talking with Tsunade-sama," he replied.

"Tsunade-sama..?"

"Liar, liar pants on fire!" Naruto shouted.

"No, really. We have a new mission," Kakashi drawled.

"A mission?" I asked.

"Sakura, will you not repeat what I say?" Kakashi smiled.

"So, what kind of mission is it?" Sasuke asked.

"Yeah, sensei. What's the job?" I added.

"Well, we've got a B Rank, so we're going to have to be careful," he stated.

A B Rank? We haven't had one this high in awhile. I wonder what we have to do exactly. I hope we get to escort someone!

"And Sasuke, please, promise me you'll keep your cool," he added.

"What the hell are you talking about Kakashi?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto and I stared at him and our sensei. What was Kakashi talking about? Keep his cool? Now, what were we going to be doing that might make him lose his cool? Maybe the mission dealt with a document about his past that we had to hand over to another village? No...Then what?

"Sensei, what do we have to retrieve?" I asked.

"Uh, well. It's not 'what we have to retrieve', it's more of 'who' we have to escort," Kakashi stated.

"Well, then who do we have to escort?" I asked.

"Me," a voice came.

All three of us turned quickly. My eyes widened and I felt my heart being stabbed and torn. I stared in surprise and fear.

H-Him? We have to escort h-him?!

PoD- Thank you for you kindess. Buh-Bye, and please, come again!