A/n: Wow really long chapter this one was!!! Well anyway I worked hard on it. Super hard! It's kind of boring and slow but it is important . . . I think the ending is interesting! And more into the pasts of the characters in this one! Well I really hope you all enjoy this chapter a lot of fluff that's for sure!!
Please Review!!!!
"Hinata, how are they? Have your treatments been working?" Jiraiya asked the 4th squad captain.
Hinata nodded and sighed, "I just sent Hanabi to check on them. Sakura healed quiet quickly but the mark on her back won't go away, I'm afraid she was scared by whatever carved that 'X' into her back. Deidara was a bit more complex she not only got hit by her own Bankai she fell from very high. Although all her injuries her arms seem reluctant to heal. The burns on the wont go away as of yet. But all the two need is rest and they should be perfectly fine"
Jiraiya nodded and sighed as well. "As soon as they wake up we need to find out what happened. It's odd that they were able to defeat two Captains. They must have been out numbered and the people must have been skilled. Please send for me when they have awakened" he told her turning around and walking to the near by balcony.
Hinata bowed and turned to make her way out of the meeting room. As she walked up she saw Naruto leaning against a near by support beam. "Naruto?" she said quite shocked. "What are you doing here?" Hinata asked as she approached him.
"Well I was just going to wait for you because I wanted to see Sakura and Deidara. You're going to go check on them right?" he asked standing up straight and smiling a bit.
She nodded and began walking towards the Sabaku house. Naruto walked close beside her and looked straight ahead. "Dang, you know it just shows how strong Deidara's Bankai is, I mean it almost killed her didn't it?" he asked.
Hinata nodded sadly, "Yes, it's a good thing Sabaku-teichou and Inuzuka-teichou were near that area when they were. I don't know if I could have saved her life if it had been any longer. But luckily I was able too" she smiled looking up at her to be husband.
They came up to the large estate and Naruto knocked on the door. It slid open to show Temari who immediately let them in. Hinata made her way down the hallway and opened the doors looking down at the sleeping Sakura. Gaara looked up to see Hinata and then back down at Sakura.
She walked in and sat across from Gaara and placed her hand on Sakura's head. "Has she woken up yet?" she asked as she inspected the rest of Sakura's body.
"No, she hasn't moved at all. Are you sure she will be alright?" the red head asked staring down at his wife.
"Sabaku-teichou, please do not worry there is nothing wrong with her. She did inhale a gas that I was no sure off but I have cleared it from her system. She must be tired from that process so please just be patient" Hinata smiled and pulled the covers back over Sakura.
"She seems fine as ever just asleep, I have to go and check on Deidara-teichou now. Please make sure if she wakes up that she drinks lots of water." Hinata informed as she stood from her spot on the floor.
Hinata walked out the door and looked at Naruto, "I'll stay here a bit I'll meet you over at Akasuna-teichou's house." Naruto said getting a nod from her as she left.
Gaara stood up and walked over to Naruto shutting the doors to the room Sakura was sleeping in. "Have you seen Akasuna-teichou?" Gaara asked his former lieutenant.
Naruto nodded and crossed his arms across his chest leaning on one leg. "I saw him when I went to visit yesterday and he hasn't moved from the spot beside her. No offense to him but he looks horrible, he hasn't slept since he heard and he hasn't eaten either" he sighed and scratched the top of his head.
"I didn't even know he cared that much about her and he won't even leave her side. It's been three days" Naruto huffed. "He's going to kill himself if she doesn't wake up soon, he needs to eat" he sighed and looked at his Captain.
Gaara rubbed the bottom of his face and looked off into the garden. "I'll go over later and see if I can talk some sense into him." He assured. Naruto nodded and looked off into the garden as well.
"I wonder who exactly we are dealing with; to attack Sakura and Deidara they must be after the Isei Stone"
"I thought so but if they were why weren't the two pieces they had stolen? They are supposed to carry it with them at all times, it doesn't make sense that they were left. Also it some what bothers me because they were still alive . . . although I am grateful it still is odd"
Naruto nodded to Gaara's statement and thought for a bit. "Something is going to happen, I can just feel it and you know how Jiraiya-sama said someone in Seireitei is behind all the weird things happening right now"
"Yeah, I think your right but who could it be," Gaara paused for a moment. "Do you think the reason Sasuke was demoted was because he had something to do with the Ryoku that had infiltrated earlier?"
"It has to be plus I haven't seen him since that day when I became a Captain and maybe he was just trying to get back at you, you know how much he despises how you got Sakura. If he attacked Deidara as well he'll be after Hinata soon" Naruto said going wide eyed.
"Naruto calm down now I know that Sasuke is an asshole and I really wish it was him so I could tear him limb from limb but we can't single him out. You met with Jiraiya-sama just watch her and make sure nothing happens to her or the Stone." Gaara said seriously.
Sakura turned her head to the side and opened her eyes slowly. She looked towards the paper thin paper at the two figures that were talking to each other. She looked backed up at the ceiling and tried to move. Her limbs ached it was hard to move them. Just how long had she been out?
She looked back at the darkened figures and listened to their voices. Hearing Gaara and Naruto she smiled a bit and tried to clear her throat. "Gaara" she said weakly but as loud as she could.
Gaara heard the slight sound and at first though he had imagined it. He slide the door open and looked at Sakura who smiled up at him. Gaara practically threw the door open and was immediately by her side.
"Naruto could you please go get Sakura some water?" he asked looking back at the blonde. He nodded and disappeared from view and Gaara turned his gaze back to Sakura.
Gaara grabbed her hand and held it tightly, "Are you alright?" he asked. Sakura clasped her hand around his and nodded.
"I'm fine, just a little sore and achy" she tried to laugh but she closed her eye sand tried to dampen her dry throat. Naruto came in with a glass of water and a pitcher filled with it as well.
Sakura tried to sit up but found it very difficult to attempt on her own, Gaara seeing her struggle placed a hand behind her back. He helped her sit up and handed her the glass of water that she drank quickly. After she finished she gave it back to Gaara who refilled it for her.
Sakura looked around a bit more awake now and looked confused. "Where is Deidara?" she asked.
"She's at her house, don't worry she's fine." Gaara said, Sakura winced slightly as Gaara's hand touched her sensitive back. She turned her head to try and look at it.
"Why does my back hurt?" she asked pulling down the kimono around her and looking in the mirror. She could only see some of it due to her bandages around her breasts.
She brushed her fingers over the recently healed scar on her back. "Those bastards" Sakura cursed still shocked by the gashes in her back. As if it wasn't enough to just leave us there" he turned back to look forward.
"Sakura don't worry you got the least of it, Deidara was hit by her own Bankai and her arms aren't responding well. Please don't be too angry with your injuries Hinata did the best she could" Naruto said looking down and away from her.
Sakura picked up the glass again and drank the water slowly. "Gaara can you please take me to Deidara I want to see how she's doing and I don't think I can walk yet" she asked placing it down and looking at him.
"Of course" he said looking at Naruto who caught the hint and got up closing the door beside him. Gaara got up and went over to a table and grabbed the black Shinigami outfit that lay on top of it.
Sakura pulled off the cream sleeping kimono and threw it to the side. Gaara handed her the black top and unfolded the hakama pants. He helped her up and let her use him as a support as she put them on and tied the top of the shirt. Gaara looked over to the wall and grabbed her Captain's coat off a hook.
Sakura smiled at him and placed it on. "Are you ready?" he asked still holding her up.
"Yes, I won't even bother with my shoes since I won't be walking anyway" she sighed and Gaara lifted her onto his back. "Onward slave!" she smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Gaara looked at her warningly but decided to let this slide her being injure and what not. Naruto opened the door when he heard Sakura and let the two out. "Hi, Naruto!" Sakura smiled and waved at him as they walked down the hall.
"Hello Sakura I see your feeling a bit better then earlier" he smiled back.
She nodded and hugged Gaara more firmly, "It's all thanks to Gaara here. He's just too good to me" she laughed and kissed him on the cheek.
Getting many 'hello's' and 'glad your feeling better' they finally arrived at the Akasuna house. Naruto banged loudly on the door as a brown haired girl answered it and stepped aside.
They followed her until she stopped and opened a door revealing Sasori, Hinata, and Deidara, who was asleep, in the room. "Hi everyone" Sakura smiled and waved.
"Sakura your awake" Hinata said with a smile.
"Still unable to walk by myself though" she pointed out.
Hinata nodded "It would seem so, don't worry about that though you have just been asleep for awhile. You should be on your feet by tomorrow" she informed them.
"Thank god because I think if Gaara had to carry me any longer he might just kill me" she joked pat his head. Gaara helped Sakura down and she sat by Deidara's head. Gaara sat beside her and Naruto made his way to Hinata's side.
"Well Akasuna-teichou has told me she has made no progress. Still sound asleep" Hinata sighed looking down at Deidara sadly.
"I know how to handle that" Sakura said happily. She held her hand in front of Gaara and looked at him to see his confused face. "Give me your sword" she demanded.
"Ok," Gaara said taking it out from its place beside him and giving the sheathed sword to her.
Sakura cleared her throat and looked down at her blonde friend. "Ooooooh Deidara," she said sweetly and then her aura turned dark and evil. "WAKE THE HELL UP!" she yelled smacking her on the head with the sheathed sword.
Hinata paled and hide her face from the scene. Sasori and Gaara twitched as Naruto just had an odd look on his face. "WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" she repeated her actions till.
'SMACK!' she was hit in the face by a pissed blonde.
"The HELL is your problem I was TRYING to sleep!" Deidara glared at the fallen back Sakura. She sat up and smiled wildly.
"Your awake Dei!!" she clapped her hands together.
"OW!" Deidara said looking down at her arms.
"I hadn't finished healing them I was about to be done until-"
"The crap did you do Sakura beating me in my sleep!! You stupid Skank" she huffed.
"A PSH" Sakura huffed right back at her.
"Wow," Gaara and Sasori sighed together. They both stood and looked at each other with looks that said, 'We married the idiots didn't we?'
"How about we go get something to eat?" Gaara asked getting a nod from Sasori.
"Please let's get out of here before we catch their stupid" they both nodded and crept out of the room leaving the bickering Captains, a crying Hinata, and a confused Naruto.
"Who gets blown up by their own Bankai?" Sakura rolled her eyes. "Such a big loser" she hit Deidara hard on the forehead making her blink.
"At least some "scary" mist didn't knock me out, retard" she stuck out her tongue.
"Could you two please stop so I can finish healing Deidara" Hinata spoke up a bit getting the two girls attention.
"Sorry Hinata" Sakura sweat dropped and looked around. "Hey where did Gaara and Sasori go?" she wondered.
"You guys are on drugs" Naruto sighed and looked over at the two who just smiled sheepishly. "Who would have thought whacking each other upside the head would have worked" he crossed his arms and waited as Hinata began healing Deidara's arms.
"Um Naruto could you excuse us for a second?" Sakura asked.
Naruto nodded and got up closing the door behind him. Sakura turned her attention to the two and took out her red orb. "Don't you find it weird these weren't stolen? I mean I'm almost positive that is why we were attacked" Sakura said worriedly.
"That bothered me as well" Hinata said as she finished up on Deidara's arms. "I checked if you both had yours and they weren't missing." Hinata sighed and looked off to the side.
"Please just be careful I will inform Tsunade about this threat. Sakura would you like me to heal your muscles so it's easier to move?" she asked scooting over beside her friend.
"Please Hinata that would be great" Sakura smiled. Hinata placed her hands on Sakura's legs and Sakura just felt them becoming more relaxed. Soon Hinata sat back up right and smiled at her.
"All done" she said standing up. "I think I am going to head home I've had to go to meetings all day and check up on you two, now be careful" she advised before she left.
Sakura stood and wobbled a bit before she got her balance, "Ah yes, feels good to be awake"
Deidara nodded and stood as well looking at her arms. "I'm sure glad Hinata is such a great healer. I don't know what we would do without her" she said walking over to the door and opening it. Both Sakura and Deidara walked out into the dark garden.
They walked over and sat on a bench that was beside the pond. "Deidara, I heard that Sasori hasn't left your side since he found out you were injured" Sakura said with a grin.
Deidara blushed and looked straight to the ground. "R-really?" she asked wondering if her friend was simply messing with her. Sakura shook her head and looked up at the moon.
"I heard Gaara and Naruto talking about it, they came over to talk some in sense into him because they said he hadn't even been eating or sleeping." Sakura smiled and looked back at her friend.
"Your so lucky Dei, he cares a lot for you. To go to extremes like that he must really love you"
"Yeah, I guess so if only he would act like that while I'm conscious" she smiled sadly. "I mean sure he's not mean to me, but he isn't very well, I don't know" Deidara sighed pulling her legs up and sitting criss cross.
"Sakura!" the two heard Gaara call from somewhere near the front of the house. Sakura looked back to Deidara and smiled.
"Be careful alright and don't worry" she said getting up and walking towards where the voice was coming. She turned the corner and saw Sasori and Gaara walking in her direction.
"Sakura, you can walk?" Gaara asked looking at her.
She nodded happily, "Hinata healed them so that I could move better, so are we going home?" Sakura wondered.
Gaara nodded and then turned and gave Sasori a nod, "Remember Sasori there's another meeting tomorrow I am sure you won't miss this one" he gave a small smirk.
"Now that Deidara is awake I won't have to miss anymore" he informed as he passed Sakura and turned the corner. Sakura grabbed Gaara's hand and dragged him to the front door.
He sighed and looked at the back of her head. "You may be injured but your just as energetic as ever" Gaara yawned and enjoyed feeling her alive again.
-
Deidara turned around when she heard a stick snap, seeing her red headed husband she gave him a warm smile. "Hi Sasori-danna" she said happily as he sat next to her.
She stared at him for a bit wanting to say something about what Sakura said, but knew better. Sasori would of course deny that he had cared that much about her and her injuries.
About to say something she heard him interrupt her. "You . . . had me," he stopped in mid-sentence. Sasori looked at the swimming fish in the pond, "You had me . . . worried" he said quietly.
She went slightly wide eyed but then relaxed and stared straight at him. "That's not like you Sasori-danna" she laughed and turned her head to face forward.
"To worry about something so silly, it's not like you" Deidara laughed and propped her elbows on her legs and leaned her head on them. "Don't worry Sasori-danna you don't have to concern yourself with me I can protect myself I wouldn't want you wasting your time on me. Besides I was off guard it won't happen again-"
"No it won't happen again because I will not allow it to happen again. I don't think I have ever been scared in my entire life until that day Inuzuka-teichou brought you here almost dead" he said sternly.
"No one will ever harm you again" he said firmly and then turned away from her. Deidara just blinked unable to believe what she had heard. A smile crept across her face and she tapped him on the shoulder.
"What is-"
He was cut off when she leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. "The fact that you care, Sasori-danna, makes me happier then ever" she giggled and got up and headed towards the house. "Don't stay out too late you need to sleep" she called behind her before she disappeared into the house.
Sasori sighed and returned his gaze to the pond. He picked up a small pebble that rest on the bench and threw it into the pond making it skip three times. As the ripples in the pond disturbed his reflection he thought about the time when they were in the Academy.
Flashback . . .
A younger looking Sasori stood beside an equally younger looking Itachi. "My favorite class" Sasori smirked to his friend.
"Well duh, its sword fighting I think it's all the guys' favorite class" Itachi laughed a bit.
Sasori shook his head and looked at their teacher as he began saying the rules they all knew so well. "Alright class we will begin the sparring with . . . Akasuna Sasori and hmmm, how about Miss Deidara who can't stop chatting it away with Miss Haruno" he smirked seeing the blush arise on both girls faces.
Sasori frowned, fighting a girl? How lame, he sighed and gripped his wooden sword and proceeded up to the front of the class. Deidara blushed and Sakura pushed her up almost making her loose her balance.
Deidara blushed more avoiding looking at the red head she was up against. "Now remember girls are just as skilled as you boys, so you don't have to hold back. Look at Tsunade-teichou, she is a woman and she is the 2nd Squad Captain" the teacher smiled.
"Not for long," Sakura smirked. "Once I pass the tests I am becoming a Captain and of the 2nd Squad and soon Jiraiya-sama will give me the title of Captain-Commander" she shot her fist in the air.
"Yeah right, just because Jiraiya-sama likes you doesn't mean you will become a Captain," another red head with dark circles around his eyes said glancing over at the pink haired girl.
Sakura stuck her tongue out at him, "I'm going to be stronger then everyone! Except for Dei of course, we're both the best!" she cheered and both Deidara and Sakura gave each other thumbs up.
"Leave Sakura alone Gaara, you'll be jealous when she makes Captain and you're her subordinate" a brunette with long hair and milky white eyes said from beside the red head.
Gaara looked at him and they glared at each other, "If anyone is going to become a Captain it's going to be me, Hyuuga" Gaara said turning away.
"Alright, alright settle down now let us get through sparring without another fight between you two. Do you hear the Hyuuga? Sabaku?" the teacher asked looking at the two.
Both nodded and he returned his gaze to Sasori and Deidara, "Alright on my mark. Now get into your stances," he informed and Deidara held on tightly to her wooden sword and got a firm stance.
Sasori did the same and the teacher swung his hand down signaling them to start. Sasori shot forward and came down on Deidara but she held her up and stopped it before it got to her. Pushing him back only slightly, she shifted to the side and tried to sweep under his feet with her foot. Everyone watched as the two fought restlessly. From the low window Tsunade and a brown haired woman in a white Captain's coat watched.
"Ah Tsunade-teichou you can just tell be how this class is going I can tell who will be the ones to outshine the rest" the brunette laughed.
Tsunade smiled and looked at her and back to the class, "Really now please, Kurenai tell me your input on which those to-be Captains will be?" the blonde wondered.
"Those two fighting, the red head is head strong and not to mention seems to be able to control himself pretty well. The blonde and that pink haired girl seem very lively not to mention their spirit power is enormous. As a matter of fact all six of them have an unusual amount of spirit energy. Especially for this level," she said leaning on her hands.
"So you noticed those two girls are Jiraiya-sama's personal favorites. He calls them his Cherry Blossom and his Sunflower and the two red heads are quite promising from the Akasuna clan and the Sabaku clan. And then the Hyuuga's to-be head" Tsunade said laughing a bit.
"This new generation is sure going to give us a run for our money, there has been a very strong one found in the Inuzuka clan as well. Kiba I think was his name, he can already talk to his sword. Shouldn't be too long before he learns its name"
Kurenai smiled and laughed as well, "And as usual the Uchiha clan has given us some promising younger ones, especially this Itachi boy"
Tsunade nodded and turned to see a black butterfly making its way over to them. They looked at each other and it rested on Tsunade's finger and transferred the message.
Deidara fell back holding her hand as her wooden sword fell from her hand. "Ow," she said under her breath and began rubbing her now sore hand.
"Very good Sasori and also you Deidara were excellent," he said to the two and lent his hand down helping the fallen blonde up. He looked over seeing a black butterfly come in; "All right dismissed for today" he informed them and walked over to the butterfly.
Sakura and Deidara hurried out and span around together. "You were fighting with Sasori!" Sakura giggled.
"I know, I know!" Deidara squealed.
Sasori and Gaara walked out seeing the two dancing around. Immediately they stopped and looked at the two, "Can I help you?" Sakura asked Gaara placing her hands on her hips and tapping her foot.
"Don't get so confident Haruno, like I said before being a favorite will only get you so far in life" he said crossing his arms and looking at her.
"Eat your own words Mr. I own the world. You rule over confidence and one day I'm going to go up there and knock you off your high horse" Sakura said slamming her fist in her hand.
"The day you knock me off my "high horse" will be the day you become a Captain. So that will in about . . . oh yea never" he said giving her a smirk of his own. Sakura growled at him and they began their glaring contest.
Sasori sighed, "I'm going to become a Captain before any of you so chill out" he said sounding as if he didn't really care. Sakura and Gaara looked at him and then back at each other.
"Well Sasori," Deidara said shyly walking up with him. "I see you got your sword as well do you know what kind of abilities it will have?" she asked wanting so badly to talk to him.
Sasori looked at her for a moment before turning his gaze forward again, "Not yet," he said giving a small sigh.
"Oh," she laughed a bit awkwardly. "Well um that was a really good fight you did really well," Deidara rubbed the back of her head twitching a bit from her acting like such an idiot.
"I won didn't I? So of course I did well" he said continuing his pace.
Sakura huffed as she jumped on Deidara's back, "Hey she was giving you a compliment, the LEAST you could do was being nice about it" she yelled after him.
"I see no reason to do such things to the likes of you," Sasori said still walking and not bothering to turn around.
Sakura glared at the back of his head and just huffed as Deidara sighed.
Sasori snapped out of his walk down memory lane. He looked over at the house seeing it dark. Getting up he made his way back into the silent place. Opening the door he looked down and saw Deidara asleep with one of her hands on his pillow.
Taking off his outer coat he threw it with Deidara's and pulled off his black shirt tossing it beside his white outer coat. Sasori rubbed his head and looked back down at her. "I love you Deidara," he whispered and went to his side and got in beside her.
He moved her hand to the spot in between them and it fell open slightly. Almost reluctantly he snaked his hand into her and held it lightly in his own.
-
"Sakura! Are you alright?" Kiba asked as he saw the pink haired Captain walking towards the meeting room with Gaara.
"Hi, Kiba! And yes, thanks to Hinata I feel great" she smiled and gave Kiba a hug. "Man it hurt waking up yesterday though, I was so stiff" Sakura laughed and rubbed the back of her head.
"Well we better get inside" Gaara said placing his hand on Sakura's back and pushing her forward slightly forward.
"Right" Kiba sweat dropped, "We don't want to be late" Sakura nodded with her friend and the three walked into the hall to see the rest of the Captains in line. As they took their designated places Jiraiya and Kakashi came out from a door at the end of the room.
"It is good to see our two Captains have fully recovered and are back with us" he smiled looking at Deidara and Sakura. As Jiraiya began talking Gaara stiffened, something felt wrong. There was an ominous aura somewhere in the room. Sasori and Itachi looked at each other and then around with their eyes. Gaara saw this and noticed Kiba and Tsunade also looked somewhat alert. How could the others not feel it?
Deidara cleared her throat and Jiraiya stopped, "Um Jiraiya-sama please forgive me for interrupting but I must ask you something" she said lacing her fingers together.
"Of course, please tell me" he said smiling. Deidara smiled and stepped out from the line and bowed to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya-sama" Deidara said quietly. Almost instantly she disappeared and appeared in front of Jiraiya her sword drawn and she swung up. Tsunade, Gaara, Kiba, Itachi, and Naruto had blocked the single blade. Sasori was behind Deidara with his own sword pressed against her throat.
Sakura was wide eyed, what just happened?! Why did Deidara just attack Jiraiya-sama? Deidara smirked and looked back to the red head behind her. "What will you do Sasori-danna?" she asked with a bit of malice in her voice.