---Three years later--- (I lied in the last chapter, disregard preview)

I sat in shock as I watched my overly hyper friend consume his fifteenth bowl of ramen. I guess I shouldn't be shocked, since he does it all the time, but still. It's quite a site to see. I mean, come on! You'd think that all the nonstop ramen going into his body would have some bad affects. But he still grew, he still had energy, he still bugged the shit out of me and Sasuke, he still learned... wait.

Ah. That's what it was.

I smothered a snicker behind my hand as I finally shed light onto a great mystery. But unfortunately my hand motion caught Naruto's attention.

"Ne, Sakura-chan?" He asked as he wiped some broth that dribbled down his chin. "What's so funny?" How could I put it lightly? He reminded me of a five-year-old? Nah, I don't think he'd take to that very kindly.

"Nothing." I said with a smile. He just shrugged and turned back to his precious.

Ah, Naruto was so gullible.

Well, that was enough of a break. "Hey, Naruto. I'm gonna head back to the training grounds for a bit." He just nodded his head as he continued to stuff his face. I laid down enough money to pay for my bowl and left Ichiraku. (sp?)

Humming softly to myself, I began to walk toward my special training ground where Gaara had taught me since I was twelve. It was far away from anything, so we wouldn't be disturbed.

Gaara...

He had been acting weird lately. Only coming to talk to me during training. It had started a year ago, when I started to hang out a little more with my team. I hope he wasn't angry. I mean, I had to have other friends too, and he was the one ignoring me! I tired to reason with him, but he wasn't in the best of moods at the time. So I just dropped the subject and never picked it up again.

Shaking my thoughts from my head, I realized that I had reached my destination, so I calmly called for my 'sensei.'

"GAARA!" Birds flew from the surrounding trees.

"Woman, you will refrain from yelling. I am right here." I giggled slightly. "But Gaara-kun, how was I supposed to know if you were here or not?" When silence met my answer, I knew he didn't want to argue today.

I sighed. I hated when he was like this! We never talked about anything anymore, unless it had to do with training. What was with him?

"So, all-knowing one. What shall we do today?" I asked as I began to prepare by doing some light stretches.

"Work on your target-practice. Your aim is off." I sighed very softly before I grabbed a handful of shiriken (sp?) and walked to the nearest bulls eye. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Gaara-kun? I have to ask you something." Only the wind answered me. "Seriously! This whole 'let's ignore Sakura,' thing is really aggravating!" Leaves all around me rustled.

"Gaara-kun?" Nothing. I was starting to worry. 'Did he leave?'

"Talking to your imaginary friend, Sakura?" I nearly jumped out of my skin at the break of silence. "What the fuck do you want, Sasuke?" A human-shaped shadow walked into the dimming light, with red glaring eyes. 'Sharingan.'

"Such a foul mouth." The commas in his sharingan began to spin wildly. "I shall have to fix that." I closed my eyes and laughed to myself. "Do you think that I'm that weak?"

"I want to see how much you have improved in my absence."

The grass crunched a few feet in front of me, I gasped as a hand closed around my throat, not completely cutting off my supply of air, but enough to shock my into opening my eyes.

"Sakura, fight me." I was silent. 'How can I fight him? I'm stronger, but nearly enough to take him.'

"Ah, my little cherry blossom. You have changed." I shuddered as a cold finger traced a path across my cheek and over my lips. At one time I might have liked this, welcomed his touch. But now, it felt so wrong. I began to struggle. "Just, not in the way I expected." A smirk found it's way to Sasuke's lips. "You are even weaker than before."

'Come on, MOVE!' I was now panicing. He wouldn't let go. "Release me." He chuckled, and I did the only thing I could do. I screamed. As soon as my voice was raised, black figure appeared behind Sasuke as sand rapped around him, pulling him away from me.

"Sasuke," The figure smirked. "I have always wanted to meet you."

'Wait, I know that voice.' I took a long look at my savior. He was dressed in all black, a large gourd sat on his back, he had blood red hair and a kanja for 'love' was on his forehead above his left eye. His eyes were jade green and rimmed in black. 'Gaara?' Sasuke frowned and glared at the interruption. I turned my attention to Sasuke and stared long and hard. He had changed since he got back. He was more closed off than ever before, never speaking at all. This was the most he had said to anyone since the Hokage had restricted him to D-rank missions.

When I looked back at the stranger to ask him a few tiny questions, only air was where he stood. When I turned glanced back to where Sasuke was, I was shocked once again. He was gone too! 'Did I imagine it all?' I stood stock still. And then...

Pain.

I yelped as a sharp pain shot through my neck and left shoulder. Luckily the pain shocked me out of my frozen stance. I attempted to turn my head only to whimper as I received another small wave of pain.

When I finally had full control of my thoughts, I molded chakra in my fist and spun around, firmly planting my hand into my attackers face, but all I hit was a wall of sand.

The redhead glared at me as the sand fell. He flipped his tongue out and licked drops of blood off his lips, giving me the opportunity to see small fangs which were still stained with blood. I touched my neck and felt two puncture holes along with a small amount of blood. 'He... bit me?'

"What the hell!" I molded chakra into my right hand and tried to heal my wounds. Nothing. 'What the fuck!' I tried again. And again. Still, nothing happened. I glared at my rescuer-turned-attacker. "What the hell was that for?"

Narrowing his eyes at me. "I don't need to explain myself to you."

Who did this think he is? "Who are you anyway?" He just smirked. "I'm surprised you didn't figure it out by now." Giving me a mocking bow he said, "Sabaku no Gaara, at your service."

I was shocked. All this time, trying to figure out what Gaara might really look like. I had to admit, it was quite unexpected. But this was still Gaara, my lifelong friend. Surprising him, and myself, I quickly embraced him.

"Gaara! You're here!" After I released him, I poked him hard. "Ouch?" He looked at me questionably. I gave him a wide grin. "Just wanted to make sure you were really here, and not a figment of my imagination."

He still looked at me funny. "Hn."

"Okay, now tell me. Why did you bite me?" I said as I folded my arms across my chest. He just smirked. "That mark tells everyone that you belong to me." His smirk grew wider. "You are my mate."

My whole world shattered.

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Author notes: Um... can we say plot twist? Damn you muses! Seriously, I had the whole chapter written out, but I didn't like it, so I rewrote it twice. But I think it's better.

If anyone is confused, just tell my what's bugging you and I'll try to sort it out.

My sister had her baby! It's a boy, born on April 28th, 3.9 pounds, 16 inches. He is the cutest thing I have ever seen! And he is breathing on his own which is very good. So, in light of this, I may not be able to update when the baby comes home, so I'll try to update as many times as I can until then. I'm sorry! I'll try!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed!

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Wow, I never thought so many people would like my sad excuse for a story! I'm so honored! Seriously, you guys rock, without your reviews I would have given up on the first chapter.

Please review! I don't care if you flame. Also, if you have ANY ideas that would be awesome! Thanks!

blackXheart