Tsuki-chan: Hello everyone, I'm here with a new chapter.
I know I already said this but I want to say it again: I HAVE AN ENDING THAT MIGHT SATISFY EVERYONE SO PLEASE BE PATIENT! That is all…. : p n . n
OH YEAH, FROM NOW ON I'M USING SASUKE'S PARENTS REAL NAMES: FUGAKU AND MIKOTO!
I don't own Naruto and enjoy the chapter! Thank you for your patience and reviews!
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"I finally found you Sakura-chan!" she instinctively punched the person who grabbed her wrist. Without stopping, she grabbed the person's shoulder and threw him to a tree. Sakura grunted when her foe tackled her, apparently he ricocheted off the tree. "Ow, that hurt Sakura-chan!"
"…Naruto?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yeeaaahhhh, Sakura-chan r-!" he was cut off when Sakura slammed her hand onto his mouth, throwing him behind the tree. The shadows covered the area but it didn't hurt to be cautious. She heard him trying to speak through her hand and gave him a half apologetic and half disgusted look, you would be disgusted too if you felt someone trying to speak under your hand and it felt like they were trying to eat it.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed wiping her hand on her pants.
"Um… I don't remember but I do remember being pulled through his hole and I ended up in this forest. This guy named Rei helped me out though." Appearing in a blur of shadows, red-blue eyes that looked familiar pierced through her. His red hair was set wildly behind him.
"Hello Sakura-san, Naruto-kun has told me so much about you." He said with a kind smile. She narrowed her eyes, she didn't trust him.
"Naruto, go back home." He tilted his head.
"B-But I don't know how!" he whined. Sakura cursed, she needed to get Kurai here but how?
"Naruto, do me a favor please."
"Anything for my Sakura-chan." He chirped making her smile, some things never changed. She hugged him, trying not to linger. Who knows when the shadows lifted and if –heaven forbid- Itachi of all people saw this, she was in a one way trip to hell… or maybe something worse. She shuddered at the thought.
"Please stay away from me… come when I'm alone. It's very crucial that you don't come near me when I'm around others." Naruto's hyper mood seemed to dim, she immediately caught the change in atmosphere and shook her head "No, don't you ever think I don't want you around Naruto! You're my best friend, it's just… complicated. I'll explain everything later." She promised.
"Alright Sakura-chan, I trust you." He said with his usual smile. Rei observed them silently. Sakura glared at him mentally, she shouldn't be rude to the person who helped Naruto until she knew his true intentions.
"Can you please lift the jutsu?" she asked calmly.
"Very well, I will be with Naruto-kun, Sakura-san." He said with a polite bow. She nodded at him, she still didn't trust him.
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'Damn it Sakura, where the hell are you?' Itachi thought, looking around through the darkness. His sharingan couldn't even pierce through it making him even more disgruntled. He closed his eyes; if his eyes couldn't work he had other senses. There was no need to panic.
He could smell Sakura's scent, the ever so addicting cherry blossoms and strawberries. Itachi usually disliked sweet things but in Sakura's case, it was an exception. He didn't seem to have control over it.
Sakura's voice soon fluttered into his mind. Her voice, she was somewhere near. It sounded strong, good, that meant she wasn't hurt or worse… he didn't even want to think about that. Itachi got ready to jump when the chakra within the darkness that shrouded them dissipated.
He immediately opened his eyes and ran towards where he saw pink. Ignoring the incredulous and curious gazes of his fellow shinobis, he grabbed her shoulders. Sakura looked startled as she stared into his sharingan activated eyes.
"Are you alright?" he demanded, inspecting if she had any wounds. Sakura blushed under his gaze and shook her head. It felt so strange since Sasuke looked so much like him and Sasuke never really bothered with her without hiding it.
"I'm fine." She said softly.
"Good, we can't have our medic-nin injured." She blinked and bit back a giggle. Maybe he and Sasuke weren't so different, trying to hide behind a mask that never fooled her. Simply nodding, she smiled serenely at him. He grunted, looking away.
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Sakura snuck off when Itachi went to meet the Kazekage. She needed some answers. First it was Sasuke who came to this world and now it was Naruto. Something was definitely up and there was only person who can give her any answers.
"Kurai-san." She whispered. Sakura squeaked when she heard the flap of a cloak bellowing behind her and whirled around.
"Yes Sakura?" was it just her or did Haruko's voice sound tired?
"Why is Naruto here?" Sakura asked quietly, making sure that no one would spying on them. Haruko was hesitant, her gaze on the floor. After contemplating something, Haruko shook her head and disappeared.
"I'm sorry Sakura, I need to check on something." With that she simply faded away. Sakura tried to stop her but she disappeared before she could even touch him. Sighing, she turned to head back towards the building where the Kazekage resided.
Things seemed more tensed around here than in her world which was strange since everyone was always prepared for attack with people like Akatsuki roaming around. The thought of Akatsuki depressed Sakura, what was it like in the future right now? Was Haruko going to make sure everything was turned back to normal or has Sakura's presence here in the past change the future?
"Kyaaahhhhh!" she whirled around at the sound of the scream. Kunoichi instincts told her to check it out. Running towards the source, she yanked out a kunai just in case and held it in a defensive position. Her eyes widened at what was occurring in front of her.
"No way…" she whispered. Sand was blowing within the playground, screams were heard all around her but all Sakura could hear were the tears and cries. She couldn't move, she was glued to where she was.
"Why…" she heard a soft voice whisper, flowing along with the waves of sand. That brought her out of her trance.
"Look out!" a nearby man shouted, a wall of sand flying her way. Sakura's speed had increased with training with Lee so she managed to dodge it. Without stopping, she kicked off the ground and jumped into the air doing acrobats to dodge the wild sands. With a final flip, she landed in front of the familiar red head and enveloped him into her arms.
"It's alright; you don't need to be afraid." She whispered comfortingly. The small petite body cocooned within her arms stiffened at the foreign feeling. "Cry, you don't need to hold back. I'll protect you from them."
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(Yashamaru isn't dead yet n . n)
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Gaara froze when warm arms held him, protectively. The comforting scent held no hostility, just affection. Her words entered his mind but half of him didn't want to listen, the other half yearning for her promises that may hold lies. One question however rose out of the sea of confusion but before he could ask, the dam broke.
His arms reached upwards, holding her arms so they wouldn't move. Sakura didn't move, closing her arms so that the tears wouldn't fall. This was the harshness he faced in the past. It made her feel disgusted with her attitude in the past, never understanding, thinking she knew everything.
No, she wouldn't dwell in the past. The past was the past… or was it the future? Either way, she was now a different person and she wouldn't let the past rule her. Holding him tightly, she lifted him up in her arms. Ignoring the staring eyes, she turned in the direction once more to the Kazekage's building.
"Who are you?" he asked quietly, not falling asleep unlike other children. It would be disastrous if he was to fall asleep and he wanted to know his savior. Sakura looked at him with a gentle smile and bright eyes.
"My name is Sakura, who are you?" he seemed hesitant to answer and she understood why. He was afraid once she knew who he was she would avoid him in fright. "It's alright; you can tell me your name."
"No… if I tell you, you'll hate me. Just like Otousan…" he murmured, rubbing his eyes. Her smile faded, right, she was going to meet Gaara's father. She never saw him since he was killed. Karma, she mused, for his bad deeds Gaara's father met a bad fate.
"I promise you, I won't hate you. You're too adorable to hate." She held him up into the sky and his eyes widened, not used to being held up so high. The sand instinctively began to crawl up her legs. Sakura could practically feel the panic of the people around her. If she were hurt or killed, there could be war with Konoha since one of their shinobis was attacked for no reason by their own people. They tensed up, ready for her scream.
She laughed.
"That tickles, please stop." She said laughing. She brought him down to the ground and giggled when the sand began to slowly slide down her legs. "That's a neat trick; I've never seen it before."
"Y-You're not scared?" he asked, the same stunned expression as the citizens covered his face.
"Should I be?" she tilted her head. "I don't understand and you still haven't told me your name little one." She kneeled in front of him, placing a comforting hand on his head. Ruffling his hair, she felt like laughing out loud at the faces surrounding her.
"Ga…Gaara." He said in a quiet voice.
"Ah, Gaara, what a nice name, as I said my name is Sakura. Just call me Sakura-neesan or whatever you want. I don't mind." At the site of his blush, Sakura wanted to cuddle him even more.
"Sakura." She looked up and just as Itachi landed beside her.
"Oh Itachi-kun, just in time, I made a new friend." She chirped. "His name is Gaara, be nice to him or else." Her eyes had a strange glint and Itachi didn't want to know her punishment.
"Hn." Was his answer, she rolled her eyes, so typical of him.
"Are we leaving now?" he shook his head.
"No, Kazekage-sama and their council are going to discuss something before giving us a message for Hokage-sama so until they're done we wait." She nodded.
"I see, that means I get to play with Gaara-kun!" she squealed. She picked him up and began to spin him in the air. The sand moved to attack their charges attacker, but all of them were cut down by Itachi. He turned to her with a questioning gaze.
"Ah… hehehe…" she laughed nervously. "I don't know what that is either but the sand reacts when it thinks Gaara's in danger."
"Isn't it dangerous for you to be around him than?" he eyed Gaara with his sharp eyes, making the younger boy nervous. Sakura held him protectively, glaring back at Itachi. She smacked him in the back of his head.
"I said don't be mean. Now I'm not going to kiss you for the rest of the day." She growled at him. He gave her a wounded look making her melt. Kissing him on the cheek, still holding Gaara she turned to leave. "I'm going to see if there's anything Gaara-kun and I can do, I'll se you later."
Itachi sighed, he would rather stay with her but alas duty calls. He inspected Gaara's form once more; there was something odd about that kid. Perhaps the Kazekage knew more about him. If it would cause Sakura any harm, not even hell could stop him.
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"Soooo Gaara-kun, what do you eep!" Naruto appeared in front of her with wide eyes. Before he could speak, sand tackled him to the ground. Sakura sweat dropped while Gaara glared at the fallen blonde. No one was going to hurt his new friend!
"Hey, what was that for?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Na-!" she smacked him into the floor.
"His name is Namu, uh yeah… he's a friend of mine! Namu, say hi and then say bye." She said with gritted teeth. Naruto gulped, what's more dangerous than an active angered Sakura, an inactive angered Sakura. You never know what she might do to you.
"Ehehehe, don't be like that Sakura-chan." He whined.
"Namuuuuuuu!" she hissed. Gaara stared at them confused.
"B-But Sakura-chaaaannn, I missed you!" he looked teary. Sakura sighed.
"Is it alright with you Gaara-kun?" he looked at Naruto and looked up at her.
"He looks stupid."
"WHAT? HOW DA-!"
"Shut up Namu." She poked him, sending him sprawling into the floor. She smiled happily, there were times she loved her super strength. Of course, if Naruto called her names because of her strength, he was going to get a one way trip to hell! "So Gaara-kun, what do you want to do?"
"Can we play… in the swings?" he asked shyly.
"Of course!" she ran towards the empty swings, ignoring the stares. What was so wrong with playing with Gaara? He was so cute and quiet. She glared at the stares, Naruto joining her.
"C'mon Gaara, I'll make you go so high your head will spin!" Naruto yelled. Gaara couldn't help but smile back at him, the blonde haired boy's smile was so contagious. Sakura smiled, good memories were the perfect medicine for people like Gaara and Naruto.
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"What the hell are you doing?" Kurai demanded. She warned him to stay away from Sakura but he was interfering even more. "If it's me that you want to kill, I'll let you kill me after Sakura's done here!"
"…" Rei was silent.
"Tell me damn it!" she snarled. "Leave Sakura out of this, this is just between me and you."
"You look tired." She glared at him.
"Shut up, just leave." She snarled. Turning around, she stormed away. He would leave Sakura alone if he knew what was good for her.
'Haruko-chan… the only way I can get close to you is if I try to be your enemy. You don't desire friends because you know you'll end up hurting them. I know what you're plan is and I don't want you to go through with it, even if it means I have to destroy the reason you are still breathing.' Rei tightened his fists. Haruko never let anyone near her except for Sakura. The only person Haruko adored, the only person she would ever love. 'Why won't you let me in Haruko-chan? Just like when we were kids?'
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"That was so much fun." Sakura and Gaara walked hand in hand, holding an ice cream cone. Naruto was hiding somewhere; she only prayed he wouldn't come out. He wouldn't, unless he wanted a taste of her fist again.
"Thank you…" Gaara whispered. She looked down at him in confusion. "No one except Yashamaru was ever kind to me. Even my… family…"
"I need to go back to Konoha soon… I won't lie to you Gaara-kun, I don't want to lie to you and end up hurting you." He looked up at her fearfully. She gazed down at him in sadness "I don't know if I will ever see you again but I can promise you this… if I can, I will find you. You are a precious person to me, know this. Even if it seems like a lie, I am not lying to you. I'm telling you this so even if we never see each other again, I'll always be in here."
Sakura grabbed his free hand and placed it in above his heart. She couldn't make promises she couldn't keep, she had to go back to her time someday. If she made promises to him when she had to go back, it would only hurt him more when he turned to what he is in the future. At least Naruto changed him back.
"I'll protect you." He said carefully and shook his head, "everyone is scared of me because I'm strong. If I really am that strong I'll protect you Sakura-neesan." He mumbled quietly.
"That's sweet Gaara-kun…" she kissed him gently on the head. "I have to go now. If I can, I'll visit you." With those words she blurred away.
"Gaara-sama, there you are! I was worried about you." Yashamaru exclaimed. "Are you alright?"
"Yashamaru… am I strong?" the older man seemed startled at the strange question.
"Of course Gaara-sama, if you train hard you can become the strongest within the hidden village of Suna." Gaara looked at the floor.
"Then I'll train hard, for Sakura-neesan!" Yashamaru blinked before smiling.
"I know you will be the strongest Gaara-sama."
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"Where were you?" Itachi asked quietly. She smiled at him, holding his hand. He looked a bit uncomfortable at the public display of affection. Tugging him forward, she placed a chaste kiss on his lips.
"You are my precious person Itachi-kun." She whispered against his lips. Itachi hid his confusion, he had no idea what brought this up but it didn't matter. Pulling her closer to him, he could feel her breathing softly against him.
"As you are my precious person, Sakura." He jerked her forward closer, bringing her closer for another kiss. She gasped in surprise at his forwardness and he took this chance to deepen the kiss. Sakura shivered when he began to stroke her spine, his lips slipping down to her throat.
Biting back a moan, she settled with a purr. It was embarrassing to do something like this in public but it was well in the afternoon and most of the citizens were within their cool homes. "Ita… Itachi-kun," she gasped out, "we need to get going!"
She squeaked when she felt him sliding up to her ear, sucking on her earlobe. His warm breath sending a tremor down her spine, she had to stop this before he went too far. Sakura begged for his forgiveness in her mind and pushed his shoulder hard, forcing him off of her. "Sorry Itachi-kun but that was the only thing I could think of!"
"…It's fine. I went out of control again." He shook his head. "Let's get going." Grabbing her hand, the two began to trudge towards the entrance of the village.
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Tsuki-chan: I tried to make it long so thinking of what to write took me a while… the ending is so close, I'm not sure how many chapters but let's just say it's going to end soon. I'll put more SakuraItachi in the next chapter! REVIEW PLEASE!