Guess what. I'm not dead. I don't know if I ever told you, but when I said I didn't want to slow down, this is why. I get lazy. That and I was abducted by my Sims 2 game and held hostage until I fully developed a city. Addictions are bad. So don't have them. And not that this would mean anything to anyone but a band nerd, I MADE ALLSTATE!!! I'm so excited. I tried out two years ago and only got eighth alternate. But this year I'm actually going! Go Me!!! Okay, I'll shut up now and let you read. Enjoy the 8th installment of The Price of Freedom.

Disclaimer: Nick nack patty wack, I fell down and broke my back. Not that that has anything to do with me not owning Naruto…

The Price of Freedom

Chapter 8

Shadows covered the barren sand in a blanket of darkness as the setting sun gave way to the rise of the moon. Wearily the drowsy nomads rose from their beds of rough sand, shaking sleep from their eyes as well as the grains hidden in the folds of their robes. They trudged back to their carts, readied their mounts and tried to wake the still exhausted children.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Sakura found herself sitting upon the rock she and Gaara had shared earlier, only he was nowhere to be seen. Arching her back to pop all the kinks from sleeping, she stood and wandered over to the caravan that was assembling yet again. At first glance it seemed very disorganized; no semblance of order to the placement of walkers, riders and those manning the carts. But the time it took them put themselves in that random order told Sakura that they had formed this many a time.

She was startled out of her wonderings when a hand was placed on her shoulder. Glancing over it, she saw Gaara standing behind her. Smiling she turned to him, "How long before we leave?"

He glanced across the now long line of people, "Right about now."

Sakura averted her eyes sadly, "Oh," she said, turning to the caravan in search of the cart she had previously ridden on, "Well, I guess I'll see you later."

He made to stop her. "Wait. Do you want to ride with me?" He asked somewhat hesitantly.

A smile flitted across her face, "I'm not all that good at riding a horse."

"I'm sure you could get use to it." He stated simply.

Shrugging she walked over to him, "I suppose I could." Nodding, Gaara walked over to his horse and gestured for her to get on. Eyeing the large beast warily, Sakura approached tentatively. She reached out to the saddle horn and put her foot in the stirrup, then attempted to pull herself up into the saddle with little luck.

"Here." Gaara knelt down in front of her so she could use his knee as a step up.

Now effectively situated upon the steed, she glanced down in apology, "Sorry, I've never really ridden before."

Subduing the chuckle bubbling in his throat, he pulled himself up behind her and grabbed the reigns, "A rather apparent fact."

"Well!" She huffed and crossed her arms.

"I only state the truth." He spared her no mercy in his taunts.

Glancing over her shoulder, Sakura shot him a mock glare, "Another rather apparent fact." Gaara only rolled his eyes. About to respond further, she was cut off by Shikamaru who cantered over on his own black stallion.

Nodding in acknowledgement to Sakura's presence, he proceeded to Gaara. "What are your orders?"

The jesting smile left his face as he regarded the ex-General, "I would like to move out as soon as possible. Is everyone ready?"

Shikamaru nodded, "Yes, Kankuro has requested to be posted in the rear; to watch for anything on the horizon."

"I don't see why not. Though I doubt he could see anything in this darkness. Regarding the journey; I would like to keep a quick pace, I don't know how close or far behind Sasuke and his troops are and would rather not find out."

Glancing at the restless wanderers, Shikamaru agreed, "I'll see to it that no one gets left behind and assign men to scout for those straggling behind."

"You have my thanks." Gaara gazed to the north, in the direction of Sasuke and his troops, "We shouldn't dawdle any longer." Turning his horse in the opposite direction, the head of the Suna tribe made his to the front of his people.

Glancing over them, he sighed in sadness. He knew that this would come someday, but he'd always wished that he wouldn't have to be the one to see it. But they had all known the cost when they had betrayed the Empire. Justice comes at a high cost.

Sakura sensed his distress and turned to him, "What's the matter?"

Remembering her presence Gaara looked down to her, "Nothing you should worry about."

"And yet," She said resting a hand comfortingly on his arm, "I worry anyway."

Gazing again at his people, he let gloom fill his eyes, "I always knew Sasuke would do something like this. Maybe it's time we just get it over with."

"I'd say your right. And with Shikamaru, your odds are even better. But," She started, catching his eye, "I think you are the one destined to lead them to truth. Konoha needs the truth you can bring them."

A rare genuine smile graced Gaara's lips as he turned them from the crowd and set the trail for his people to follow.

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The soft rays of dawn filtered down onto the backs of the lonely desert drifters. All through the night Gaara had set a breakneck pace that kept a safe distance between themselves and the Imperial Army. Legs were weak, eyelids heavy as the rays of morning lit the seemingly never ending path before them. But in the distance a wall of green put a stop to the flat horizon of sand.

Seeing the cover of trees ahead, Gaara was hopeful and pushed his people even harder. The quicker he could get under the protective cover of the forest, the sooner the weak could be hidden and plans executed.

Sakura, still and restless upon the back of the horse, wriggled around in discomfort. "You need to stop moving around," Gaara scolded.

"I can't help it! This is so uncomfortable! If I had known it would be this agonizing, I would have ridden on a cart."

Gaara rolled his eyes at her childishness, "I wanted to take the burden off those you had ridden with before."

Sakura crossed her arms, "Oh, so I'm a burden now?"

"No. Having extra weight on an already heavy cart is a burden. As you can see, I have no cart with me; therefore you are not a problem." He logically defended his claim.

"So," She started lamely, "You didn't just want to ride with me?"

"I never said that. You shouldn't assume things." He said in a flat tone. She was being rather insufferable at that moment.

"I know, I just wanted to make sure." Silence fell over them once again. All through the night they hadn't spoken much to each other. The solemn mood felt by all those with the knowledge of what was to come found small talk rather difficult. But for some reason there was a persistence in Sakura that would not be denied. "Gaara, I don't want to go into hiding when I could be a valuable part of the fight."

Sighing for the umpteenth time, Gaara responded with his usual answer, "Sakura. How many times are we going to go over this?"

"As many times as it takes for you to say I can." She replied defiantly.

"I admire that you are headstrong, but I would much rather prefer that you just give up. I will not change my mind." He stated plainly.

Her eyes fell, "But I could be—"

"If you won't drop the subject for the good of my people, at least do it for me." He interjected. "I don't know what I would do if something happened," he added.

"But," she began to argue, but stopped. Sakura could tell this had gone past his breaking point, but he held fast regardless. As hard as it was to admit, he cared for her. "Alright, but you have to send for me right when it's over so that I can help heal the injured."

Gaara nodded, "I can do that."

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The sand beneath them had turned to hard dirt and small patches of grass. Trees overshadowed the animals as they feasted heartily on the small tufts, blissfully ignorant to their own plight. All around the happy beasts was the wailing and lamenting of those parting with their loved ones. The sad scene played out with young men embracing their mothers, maybe for the last time; wives leaving a lingering kiss on the lips of their husbands; and children pleading to know why their fathers had to leave.

He even saw the lingering cheerless wonder in Gaara's eyes as he bade farewell to the pink haired beauty in a heart rendering embrace. War was indeed an ugly thing; hopefully it wouldn't have to come to that. Shikamaru pleaded with whatever gods could hear that this all too familiar scene wouldn't be replayed in days to come. But to his own relief, he had not seen anyone whom might require him to join in the sad lament of parting.

But the powers that be did not see fit that he do without sorrow as well. Gazing across the sea of separation, he saw Tamari make her way towards him. When she had become someone worth missing he could only guess; but the sad fact still remained, he was unsettled about leaving her behind.

"Well," She started trying not to look him in the eye, worry clearly written on her face, "I guess this is where I say don't do anything I wouldn't do."

A gloomy smile crossed Shikamaru's features, "If only I knew what that would be."

Swatting his shoulder playfully, Tamari tried to lighten the scene, "I mean don't do anything stupid."

"Do I look stupid to you?" He retorted sarcastically.

Shaking her head at his show of disregard, she reached out to him and pulled him into her arms, "I know you wish you had nothing to worry about, and I'm probably just adding to that list but, be careful. Come back safe, alright."

Tentatively placing his arms around her small frame in an attempt at returning the embrace, he shuddered in anticipation for the coming battle. "I'll try."

"I wish that were good enough."

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Gaara looked out across the sea of men surrounding him. Each dirty face was tired yet held a look of ferocity only one of his own would ever bear. He knew without any doubt that each and every man standing before him would fight with everything they had and then some.

The throng parted as a figure approached Gaara. Black hair peaked out of the top of the group as Shikamaru made his way into the center of the circle. He looked Gaara in the eye as they grasped hands in a sign of partnership. Shikamaru turned away to address the crowd.

"I will be concise. I don't know when Sasuke's army will attack. I don't know what their plans are. But I have a good estimate. That is all we have to go off of, and when estimation is all we have, we have little room for error. I want a group of ten of your youngest and fastest to head west. Run until you hit the main pathway and make it look as though we passed though there. But above all, light a bonfire. This will hopefully lead them off our trail and protect the others."

Gaara stepped forward to continue with the plan, "The select ten will then wait until Sasuke's troops are seen on the horizon. Return and report. The rest of you, rest up and be at your best for when the scouts come back." He turned to the small group of young men, "You have your leave, be careful and don't leave a trail back here. Cover yourselves well."

As they quickly left with few goodbyes, Shikamaru addressed Gaara. "There is something that I had planned to tell you after this was all over. I see it fit to inform you now."

A worried look splayed across his face as he question his advisor, "What is it? Has something happened?"

Shikamaru shook his head, "Not so grave. Though I don't know if you will take it as good news, I won't beat around the bush." Taking Gaara off to the side where unwanted ears couldn't hear, he continued, "I planned all of this."

Only a look of puzzlement could be seen in Gaara's eyes, "I don't-"

"Let me explain. This battle, Sasuke attacking. I foretold it so to speak." Understanding was still vacant from Gaara's expression. "When I saw you with Sakura at the palace as she escorted you to Sasuke, I could read her like a book. I knew she would run to you if she ever found out. And if she did, I would help her out and insight the Emperor's anger. I knew how he would react."

Gaara looked at him shockingly, a feeling of bedrail coursing through him, "Why did you do this? Have you foretold our loss, my death perhaps? I should have never trusted you!"

Shikamaru gave him a stern look, "No! I will not betray my country! I know that you are the rightful Emperor. I also know that Sasuke will be taken out easily and his reign will end giving way for yours to begin. I do this because I know it is the only way to right his father's wrongs."

The Suna leader still eyed him warily. "How do I know that I can trust you? I was too quick to trust before; I will not make the same mistake twice."

"Trust me if you want, I don't care if you don't. But remember, the gears are already in motion, you can't stop it now. Your only hope now is me, and I know you can't refuse."

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The hot desert sun beat harshly on the backs of the Imperial Army of Konoha as they made their way across the scorching sands that gave no mercy. Sasuke rode proudly atop the finest stallion to be found in the harsh lands he ruled. Thousands upon thousands trailed endlessly before him.

Hours turned to days and days to nights. After three full cycles, he stood arrogantly before the trees of the forest. Mere yards before him, a thick column of gray smoke rose up above the trees. A chuckle arose from him, "I pity Gaara, but I pity myself more. I can't believe I actually feared him taking my throne. No matter, today he will die, and we will all rest happy."

Orders for the march to continue down the path were dispatched and the marchers commenced. Lighthearted chuckles passed over the crowd; a small band of rebels was no cause for worry. Their lives would not be forfeit this day.

Well, not exciting I know, but important to the story as a whole. And a little suspense there at the end. I promise to have the next chapter up sooner.