Chapter 21: Desire

A/N: As promised here's the next addition to the intensifying story.

"Seen enough?" a female voice behind the observer said. "What are you doing here?" he said unsurprised by her sudden appearance as he kept his eyes on the pair. "The same thing you are," she replied. As the pair walked away, he tore his gaze from the scene in front to the woman with short light blue hair.

"Don't compare me to you. It's degrading." He said rudely as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "As expected, the renowned Uchiha Sasuke is afraid to admit defeat," she tested his patience. "I don't recognize this as defeat… it's but a mere challenge," he said proudly.

"I don't see why I can't compare myself with you. I'm also thinking that way right now." She informed him as she stepped into the light. "Because I don't kill for the challenge I'm sure to win," he replied arrogantly looking in the other direction. "Really? Then maybe what I saw when you were looking at them was also a lie… an strong intent to kill manifested in your raven eyes as it started to turn crimson," she teased. "Why don't you face it? You want him dead as much as I want her dead as well," Shizuka continued.

Sasuke faced her with a strong impression on his features. "Well since, we both want them alive… no one has to die." Shizuka said as Sasuke smirked.

After changing their clothing, Sakura immediately investigated the ruins. Gaara of course started to look around as well. The city itself was amazing. Upon seeing the town's battered walls, it was as it was never invaded. The walls had no scratch or even proof that the inhabitants had even tried to struggle. The houses were untouched only the plants and the animals seemed to have the opportunity to damage it. And the most unbelievable thing was the castle; it was as if someone was still living there. The halls were spotless and the chandeliers were sparkling.

Sakura and Gaara entered the place through the front door which took two people to open. The red carpet lay before them as of they were expected.

"I don't like this," Gaara informed her as they walked around. "I wonder who did the cleaning," Sakura said paying no attention to what he said. "Welcome," a hooded figure announced. "To the Templars' castle," she continued.

"Maiev," Sakura called. "Why are you in mortal realm?" she asked. "A bold question fledgling," Maiev replied as she drew back her hood. "I am here to deliver a message to the only one who survived," Sakura immediately knew who she was talking about as well as Gaara. "What do you want from her?" Gaara rudely interrupted standing in front of Sakura protectively. "I don't need to be asked of that by you… I am here to tell the last templar… that the test is not yet over." She replied sternly all the while looking at the sand master eye to eye.

"What do you mean?" Sakura blurted out as her mind began to race. "You know pretty well what I mean… you haven't passed "his" test just yet. "He" lent you his powers for you to be able to come back but that doesn't necessarily mean that "he" have already acknowledged you as his master," she replied shifting her glare from Gaara to the kunoichi.

What is she talking about? Who the hell is he? As Sakura started with her mental inquiries her heart began to pump hardly. It was as if it was bursting the pain was intolerable that she grasp the part of her chest where the heart sound be located and squeezed it tightly and as the pain intensified she let out a cry of pain. It was then followed by echoing voice inside her head "Who are you?" the voice asked repeatedly from moderate to loud as her heart beat harder and harder until she thought she couldn't take it anymore. She knelt from the pain as she heard Gaara's worried voice her vision became blurry until she fell unconscious.

Gaara felt his heart sink as he saw Sakura grasping her chest as if something was wrong. It even intensified as he heard her cry of pain. He immediately ran to her side and asked what was wrong. Seeing her breathing growing short and her sweat beading on her forehead, she was in immense pain he concluded. He felt so pathetic just holding her there and not even knowing how to help the person he valued the most. As she slowly closed her eyes, Gaara felt a spike impaling his whole being. He felt as if she was dying. No… not again. "Sakura," he whispered as his head dipped into her neck.

The slow rise and fall of her chest reassured him of her condition. He felt a light relief but his feeling of panic was still there. Holding her precious princess close, he glared at Maiev who was standing there reaction less as if nothing in front of her had happened.

"What happened?" he asked as if she was obliged to answer as his sand rose protectively around them. "I only came here to send that message to her. I have no knowledge of what occurred. Child of the Sand, send this to her. She must finish the test if she wills to survive," she said. "And what if she refuses?" he cut arrogantly looking at the treasure on his arms. "She has to… only the both of us came back from death but this time if the gods will it only she will pass the second test," "What do you mean? You failed the test?" "That's why I am but a messenger. I came back from the dead but the beast demanded something more and when I can't give him that… he devoured my physical body leaving my soul whole… Gaara, if you truly care. Let her decide for herself," with that she disappeared with a whirl of the wind.

I already know that… and that's what hurts the most. I can't decide for her. His mind screamed as he carried Sakura one of the bedrooms upstairs, his eyes never leaving hers.

Sakura slowly opened her eyes to see a blurry impression of a ceiling. Feeling her head pounding, she tried to touch it but she stopped as soon as she saw the sleeping figure holding her hand. He must be really tired. She taught as she scanned him head to toe. Seeing something strange, she leaned forward to see clearly the tiny wounds in his fingers. Where did he get this? She wondered as she laid her hand over his fingers to heal them. With that, Gaara stirred but still wasn't awake.

Sakura tore her gaze from her beloved to the table near the bed. She saw her food that was newly cooked. Wow, he can cook? She smiled then spotting her forehead protector, she took it thinking Oh yeah, maybe he forgot to return it to me when we met by the walls. She flushed as she reminisce the scene that took place by the walls of the Xenoliths.

Taking unconsciously the forehead protector, she saw something strange beneath. The words- I'll be your shield against the world was poorly embroidered. Tears started to form in her emerald eyes. She imagined Gaara trying to embroider properly the words, losing his patience and being pricked by the needle countless times. That thought made her smile and as she did, the tears involuntarily trickled down her cheeks. She tenderly stroked Gaara's hair, brushed the short strands that blocked his handsome face. What will I do without you?

Gaara wasn't truly asleep; he's just not prepared on how to give her back her forehead protector. In short, the great Gaara of the desert was embarrassed. Feeling her healing his fingers made him smile but he held it back. But when he felt a something dripped on his cheeks that's what made him open his eyes.

Seeing her crying, he sat on the bed and held her close. "What's wrong? Didn't you like it?" he asked nervously as he stroked her long pink tresses. She shook her head. "No, its wonderful… it's just that," she only made faces; the sort you make when you're trying to say something but find that if you speak you'll start crying again. She was not afraid of what will happen to her… she was afraid of the hurt she'll cause to him if she fails… I don't want to hurt you again.

He understood… so he only held her as close as possible as she regained her composure. His presence was enough to calm the raging storm in her heart; she looked at him with tears still in her eyes. He stroked her tears away with his thumb as he leaned forward to "comfort" her. This kiss was different from the ones before… there was no passion or any strong sensation… just plain gentleness. She felt as ease with his kiss. It was as serene as a lake would look while the sun was setting.

Then he stopped and looked at her eyes directly, he held her close as he whispered "I'm here." With that, she shed her last crystal tear.

Moments passed, Sakura decided to lift the heavy atmosphere she created so "By the way Panda, I didn't know you can cook." She said as Gaara looked with a slight tint of pink in his cheeks. "Have you eaten?" she asked but no reply came.

She smiled at the sight of his embarrassment. Taking the food on the table, she took a bite. Hey, he's a good cook. "You're great at cooking and sewing. You're a perfect husband," she said tactlessly. Gaara blushed madly as did Sakura. She didn't realize what she said but when she did she died of embarrassment. "Here," she held up a spoonful of the food for him. He merely turned his head in the other direction. "If you don't eat…I'll…" Sakura threatened. "You'll what," Gaara faced her. "I'll never kiss you again," she smiled. "Is that threat-," his counter attack was cut short when Sakura inserted the spoon into his mouth. "Gotcha," she teased while he grunted.

The meal ended happily. They were on the bed; Gaara on Sakura's lap as Sakura was playing with her short red hair. "Maiev wanted me to tell you that the test isn't over yet." He said as he looked into her emerald orbs intently. Unshaken, Sakura continued to play with his hair, "I know."

Moments of silence passed, "I don't like it," he broke the silence. "Neither do I but what choice do I have?" she said with her weakness in her eyes. "Maiev… died when she can't complete what the beast demanded of her," Gaara explained as he sat up. "I'm not saying you're weak… In truth you're the strongest woman I've ever met but… I think completing this test is… impossible… I don't want to lose you again." He said as he laid his palm on her soft cheeks.

"This is a test I must complete… I am not stronger than I was before… nothing much have changed… but let's face it… its not the fact that I was once weak… but will be stronger," she replied as she looked at him with determination in her eyes.

"That's what I'm afraid of…" he said sadly. Sakura reassured him in the only way she knew. She posed her face directly in front of his so close that their nose would touch. "I'll succeed… because you are with me." With that she closed her eyes as he leaned in, the sensation was strong. It was as if it were the last one they'll ever share. But if this is the last… then let me love you. They both thought of as their kiss intensified.

His kissed traveled down her neck once again. Her hands stroked his muscled back but she was irritated by the fabric so she tried to get it off. Gaara took a hint so he removed his shirt for her. This made her smile as he resumed his kissing. He was craving for more so his hands traveled into her shirt.

Moments passed their clothes lie on pile beside the bed as they shared incredible moments in each others embrace. Their kisses lingered, their skin caressed but most of all their heart connected.

By daybreak, Sakura was against Gaara bare chest hearing his heart beat. Gaara on the other hand was caressing her flawless back as no words were enough to express the joy he felt with their connection. "Sakura…" he said so she looked at him. He stroked her soft cheeks with his thumb. "I love you." Sakura was first surprised to his sudden declaration but then her expression softened as tears formed in her eyes.

"No… I need to hear those words from you… when I passed their test." She said in between her kisses. "I have felt the greatest regret when I should've said the things I had when I had the chance… now as I see it I don't want to feel any regret especially when it involves you," he said as he started to brush his lips with hers.

She wanted to reply… to tell him "I love you too" but her mind was telling her not to. If you don't want to cause too much pain for him… you will give your precious reply if you lived after the test. Without much thought, "I love you too," she said as he brushed his lips against hers.

Gaara drew back and surprised to hear her reply immediately. He gave her his sweetest smile as he drew her in to lock his arms around her tightly as if he can hold her there forever.

At noon, the pair split up to cover more grounds as possible. Gaara was first hesitant so he gave her a necklace with a small vial containing his sand. "Break the bottle if you need me," he said as he kissed her yet again as they parted.

Gaara was in the middle of investigating a symbol that had the picture of the Desert monster when Sakura appeared in front of her. "Gaara," she called for him so he approached her. She immediately wound her arms around s neck and slowly leaned in to kiss him.

Sakura was investigating something inside some sort of temple and as she was about to exit she saw someone against the door frame. "How have you been…? Sakura," he said as light unraveled his identity. "Sasuke," she said surprisingly "What are you doing here?" she asked. "You left without a word so I followed you," he replied coolly as he approached her. Something was telling her this isn't good so she retreated slowly as he approached. "I…is that so?" she made up a reply.

"Sakura," he said as he put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her against the nearest wall. "What is it?" she tried to say calmly as her mind was now panicking because of the proximity of his face against hers. "I love you," he said as he leaned in to kiss her.

She was confused… this was the person she first loved. Upon hearing the words she so longed to hear ever since, the feeling was… empty. Upon the sensing the passion in his kiss, the feeling was blank. The question before of whether he had feeling for Uchiha Sasuke was answered. She turned her head in the other direction… breaking his kiss. "Why him?" he roared.

Gaara felt this person is someone else when their lips met. He pushed her roughly to break their kiss. "Why are you here?" he asked as sand rose from the ground. The Sakura before her dissolved to being Shizuka. She glared at him asking "Why… why her?" she demanded.

"Because she saw me at my worst," Gaara replied.

"Because he saw me at my weakest," Sakura replied.

"And loved me still," they said almost simultaneously.

Sasuke's pride lay in shambles before him; he was defeated. "I knew that… but that won't stop me," he said as Sakura was about to walk away. "What do you mean?" Sakura started to feel numbness all over her body. She dropped on the ground paralyzed as Sasuke walked over her. "If I can't have you… no one else will," he said as he tied strings around her arms and legs. After that, he started tearing her clothing. "N…no! Don't! Don't do this!" she pleaded helplessly. "No one is going to take you away from me," he declared as he crushed the vial containing grains of sand with his bare hands.

"What did you do?" Gaara asked the smirking Shizuka as he felt Sakura's vial broke. She only looked at him teasingly. He didn't have time for that… he rushed forward to search for her.

Sakura tried her best to struggle but to no avail. The strings were slicing through her flesh as she tried to get loose. Sasuke was going mad. He was about to tear off the rest of her clothing when "Gaara!" she screamed for him. At that instant, a wave of sand knocked over Sasuke.

"Don't you lay a finger on her," he said as he ordered his sand to release Sakura from the strings. Sasuke formed various hand seals as he did lighting started to form in his hand. Gaara crossed his arms around his chest as the sand whirled quickly by his command.

The battle lasted for hours and as Sakura's paralysis lifted so she stepped forward to stop the heated battle. Sasuke's attack and Gaara's offense were halted by Sakura's intervention. Sasuke faced defeat so he retreated.

"Are you alright?" he asked a he removed his shirt to dress her seeing her almost naked. "I just couldn't believe he did that." She replied sinking into the cold ground. "Hate creates monsters that only love can redeem… I'm glad you came and saved me," he said as he held her close.

At that moment, her heart started to beat madly again. "The challenge will come when the sky cries ash…" the voice proclaimed as Sakura's breath became uneasy. Gaara asked her "What is it?" "The challenge will come when the sky cries ash," she reiterated as she looked into her bleeding wrists.

A/N: Okay, I already have chapter 22 in mind but I guess I'll post it maybe next week not this week okay. But the more the reviews the faster the updates.