Tortured Memories

PoD- Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

My eyes locked onto the blue-eyed, red-hair Kazekage and felt my eyes bruning. Gaara and his siblings stood before us and Temari had an eye on Sasuke. I returned all my attention to Sasuke, I knew as soon as he saw Gaara he was fuming. I stared as he clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes. I was thinking about reaching out to him, but I too thought if I did he'd push me away, out of his line, leaving a path to Gaara.

"No way, Kakashi!" he shouted. "I'm not having anything to do with him!"

Kakashi sighed and turned to Sasuke. "Hmph. Sasuke -"

"And what makes you think you can deny our brother service?" Kankuro shouted angrily.

"Why don't you shut the hell up before I make you!" Sasuke replied.

"I'd like to see you try," Kankuro spat.

"Saskue, please! Be a little mature!" I scolded, I felt like his mother.

Sasuke ready his fist and started running toward Kankuro in a blind rage. Kankuro smirked and grabbed the strap on his back. I ran in front of Sasuke and used all my strength to try and hold him back. I pushed myself against his body and gripped his shirt as I fought him.

"Sasuke! Sasuke-kun, stop! Stop it Sasuke!" I shouted at him.

"Kankuro, listen!" Temari explained as she stepped in front of Kankuro, six feet behind me. "We need them! You can't go killing our escorts!"

"OH PLEASE LET ME JUST KILL HIM, THEN THE KAZEKAGE!!!" Sasuke shouted.

Kankuro ignored Sasuke intirely. "And why not?" Kankuro asked as he slowly loosened his grip.

"Because then we won't be able to get Gaara home safely," Temari answered.

Kankuro released the strap on his back and I continued to push against Sasuke's body. He was too powerful and I wasn't going to be able to hold him off for much longer, then he'd trample over me and straight for Kankuro. And now he wasn't wanting Kankuro, he wanted to pound Gaara. He, gaara, was the only thing he hated more now than Itachi.

"Sasuke, please settle down," I whined. GOd, Kakashi-sensei! Help!

"Not till I pound them into the ground and they're dead!" he growled.

"Naruto, Naruto-kun! Help!" I screamed. "Naruto!"

"Right, Sakura!" Naruto answered.

He came up behind Sasuke and grabbed his arms and wedged them behind his back. Naruto pulled his backwards and I fell to my knees panting. I noticed Sasuke and Naruto's eyes widen and Kakashi came and helped me up. They were so concerned about me. They're love for me had been growing and they're "friendship". I smiled and turned to Temari. We both approached each other and I smiled again.

"I'm sorry for Sasuke's behavior," I stated. I glanced back at him as she grumbled something to Naruto, ripped his arms away from his grasp and glanced at me. "It won't happen again."

"And forgive my idiot brother," she replied.

I smiled and we shook hands. I looked over her shoulder and peered at Gaara who was ignoring Kankuro's words of warning as he stared back at me blankly, yet, I could faintly see lust. I turned and returned to Sasuke. Sasuke sat down and crossed his arms over his chest. I knelt in front of him and smiled.

"Sasuke, I'm sensing some issues," I giggled.

"Yeah, so?" he answered.

"Sasuke, I know you care and you don't want me to get hurt, but," I glanced back at Gaara, "right now I need you to do what you always did when we were younger." I turned back to him and stared at his puzzled face. "I need you to set aside your emotions and forget that we have something. Ignore me like you use to. Please, just until we return the Kazekage to Suna and are heading home."

I stood up and walked over to Kakashi. I sat myself on the railing and kicked my feet back and forth. I watched Naruto seat himself beside Sasuke and they began to talk quietly and Gaara and his siblings did the same with one another. I felt Kakashi looking down at me and I sighed.

"Do you think he'll be able to do it?" I asked softly.

"Maybe. If you can keep them in line," he replied.

"Them? What do you mean?" I repeated.

"Sasuke and Naruto. They both have feelings for you, it's obvious, and they don't want the Kazekage to hurt you or stand in their way. They can deal with each other, they're friends, but not some outsider like Kazekage. I'm sure they'll be at least one problem. Don't worry Sakura. Everything will be fine," he stated. Although he sounded sincere I sensed some negativity.

He sighed and looked over at Sasuke. I could tell this wasn't going to go well. I'd have to lay awake all night and all day, just to make sure Sasuke doesn't kill Gaara and Sasuke doesn't get killed by Gaara. I sighed and closed my eyes.

I get visited by Gaara last night and now I have to spend forever with him so he can get home safely. Maybe I can die and he'll leave me alone...no then Sasuke and Naruto would be sad. Urgh, is there no end to this?

"So, sensei? When do we have to leave?" I asked.

"Now," Gaara stated.

"What?" I asked turning toward him.

"What? Gaara, are you sure?" Temari asked.

"Yeah, Gaara. Now? You possitive?" Kankuro added.

gaara closed his eyes and folded his arms. "The earlier we -"

"Yeah, Kazekage. It'll be pretty hard on you if we leave right away," Sasuke mocked. He smirked and leaned back against a railing post. "I don't think my team's ready to go anyways." Gaara opened his eyes and stared at Sasuke. "Hmn?"

"Sasuke, stop it," I scolded.

He didn't even acknowledge me. He kept eye contact with Gaara and Naruto nodded in agreement. I slapped my face and turned to Kakashi for assistance. Too late. He was burried deep into that stupid book of his again. I guess it was up to me.

"No, we leave now," Gaara stated.

"No, we're resting," Naruto and Sasuke replied.

"Well, I'm leaving and you can stay here," I stated.

I walked over and hesitantly took Gaara's hand and began to walk away. His hand felt like sand paper in mine and I wanted to withdraw it as soon as i felt his finger tips. His siblings followed and Sasuke and Naruto's eyes filled with rage. Kakashi looked up as the two of them raced after me and he sighed. He put his book away and came after us. Sasuke seperated mine and Gaara's hands and pulled me into the back of the line.

"Sasuke, what are you doing?" I asked.

"I don't want you near him! Got it?" he stated angrily.

"Eh, Sasuke! I'm not a child and you're certainly not my father!" I shouted. I saw his face fade to one of sadness. "Eh, Sasuke, I'm sorry. I'm a big girl I can take care of myself, but I will do as you ask. I'll try to keep my distance. Kay?"

"Whatever," he replied.

I stopped and the rest of the group continued on. I watched them as they made their way around the bend. I sighed and slowly pressed on. I didn't want to upset anyone during this mission, but I was bond to. If I had to protect Gaara, Naruto and Sasuke would be angered. If I didn't then, Gaara may be injured or worse.

"Why does it always have to be me?" I whined.

Kakashi led, walking in the front line, Nand Sasuke on the wings and I in the rear, like usual. I smiled softly and glanced up from my feet. Sasuke stared at Gaara then at me and back to Gaara as Gaara's eyes left me. Naruto then looked back at me, then to Kakashi and finally to Kankuro, who was glaring through Temari at Sasuke. I personally, was looking at everyone. Watching there movements and noting who would have issues with who.

Sasuke would have a HUGE issue with Gaara.

Sasuke would have an issue with Kakashi, most likely because Kakashi got him into this.

Sasuke would have an issue with Naruto, but the normal friendly rivalry.

Kankuro would have an issue with Sasuke for being rude earlier.

Naruto would have an issue with Gaara, too.

Naruto would have an issue with Kankuro for having an issue with Sasuke.

The Sabaka siblings would have an issue with theirdelves because that's what siblings do.

And...Kakashi would have no promblem, unless Sasuke decides togo psycho. And me? I'll have a problem with Naruto, Sasuke and Gaara. I can't escape that no matter what! Joy.

I kicked my foot against the ground and smiled as a cloud of dust danced in the sudden wind. Parts of the road were still wet from the newly melted snow, but Sasuke and naruto had no problem with it.

I sighed. This was going to be a terribly long, tiring, and problematic mission.