"Why do you think he called us into a meeting?" I was annoyed with this stupid mission. Gaara shouldn't have requested Sakura-chan, a much more experienced shinobi should've been requested. Sakura-chan didn't need to travel back and forth from Suna and the Leaf, it was dangerous. What if she was traveling alone and she was attack? Then what?
"I don't know Senpai. What was with Kankuro's outburst this morning? I was surprised you stayed quite."
"Well Naruto had already flipped out and Sakura was right, we are in their village we need to be respectful. Besides I did not leave her alone for three years she was with Tsunade, so the puppet can think what he wants."
We were outside of Gaara's office waiting for it to hit 11, once it did I knocked three times. I heard a stern "come in" and Yamato and I made our way into the office. Gaara was standing by the window looking out. I took a step closer to see what he was staring at. I could see a bunch of students training. A few moments passed and her pink hair caught my eye. She was leading the group in the training, even Naruto and Sai were there.
I looked over at Gaara and found him smiling. "She is something else, isn't she." He mumbled under his breath. He turned back to look at us, his smile gone. "Why don't you two have a seat?" He motion to the two chairs in front of his desk as he sat down.
"If you don't mind we will stand." Yamato stepped in front of the chair. I was still staring at her through the window. Her movement seemed effortless as she spared against Baki.
"Very well. I called you in here because I would like to discuss Miss Haruno with you."
My eyes shot from the window to Gaara hearing the sound of her name. What is your obsession with Sakura-chan?
"I have a favor to ask you two." Gaara leaded forward placing his elbows on the desk, his hands under his chin.
"What kind of favor?" I asked.
"When you go back to the Leaf Village I would like you two to keep an eye on her. I have already discussed this with your Hokage and she has agreed to it. With Sakura being our Ambassador between our two villages I would like to ensure her safety when she is not here with us."
"Why would you think she would not be safe inside of the Leaf Village?" Yamato took a seat in the chair. I did the same, this wasn't going to be a short meeting.
"How much has Sakura-chan told you about her training the last three years?"
"How much is there really to tell? She trained with Lady Tsunade. I am certain if there had been any issue Tsunade would've reported it to me." Wouldn't she? Now I'm not sure anymore.
"I am not talking about her training with Tsunade. Sakura-chan had two teachers."
"What!" Both Yamato and I were at a loss for words. We had no idea.
"I see, Sakura-chan has told you nothing then." Gaara closed his eyes. "This makes things more difficult. If she did not tell you then I cannot disclose that information without her approval."
"If you feel she is in danger we must know who is trying to get to her in order for us to protect her." Yamato tried to reason with Gaara but he would not release the teacher's name. My head was spinning too much to try and fight with Gaara. How could Sakura not tell me she was in trouble? How she not tell me she had found another teacher?
"I need you two to look out for her without her realizing what you are doing. You must act as if nothing is wrong and procedure with your daily routines as if nothing has changed. Do you understand?"
Yamato and I nodded our heads. Gaara went on for about twenty minutes about how important it was for us not to question Sakura-chan. I really hope Yamato was taking notes because my mind was in too much of a daze to pay attention. Once Gaara dismissed us we held for the training grounds to meet up with the rest of our team.
The sun was up high in the sky making it extremely hot. Just the short walk between the office and the training fields had both Yamato and I sweating. We came onto the field and I could see Sakura explaining the new move. Her body was glistening with sweat making it look as if she was sparkling. Her movements looked perfect as she went against Naruto. Within three movements she had Naruto on his back with her on top, a kunai pointed at his neck.
"Eh Sakura-chan when did you learn that?" Naruto's eye were widen. I guess he didn't expect to be taken down.
"Looks like the kids aren't the only ones who need practice." Sakura-chan stuck out her tongue and then quickly got off of Naruto. The kids began laughing as Naruto struggled to get up as fast as he could. A light shade of pink was noticeable on Naruto's checks, he was probably embarrassed.
"Huh looks like ugly took down dickless without even trying." This comment erupted a new round of laughter form the children causing Sakura to just shake her head.
"Oye Kakashi-sensei, Captain Yamato what are you guys doing here?" Sakura quickly turned to our direction having finally noticed we were watching.
"We were done with our meeting and decided to take a walk through the village when we stopped, seeing Sakura kicking your ass." Yamato really did like to push Naruto's buttons. I let out a sign and looked at Sakura. Why didn't you trust me enough to come to me?
We locked eyes and she looked down. "Temari I have a meeting with Lord Gaara, do you mind stepping in for me?"
"Of course." And before I could tell Sakura-chan to wait she disappeared in a cloud of smoke leaving only cherry blossom petals behind. I looked up to the Kazekage building to find Gaara studying the situation.
I reappeared in the Kazekage building only to find Gaara starring out the window deep in thought.
"Gaara."
"Why haven't you told your team about him?" Gaara was still looking out the window. I could see Temari using Naruto to show a new move I had taught her a few months back.
"How could I? They would shun me, if they knew what I had done." I looked down. They wouldn't understand. None of them would.
"Don't be so quick to dismiss them. Three of your team members are anbu. All three of them have dealt with the Foundation and Naruto, well he is Naruto he would never judge you."
"Gaara I would like you to send my team home." Gaara turned around a puzzled look on his face. "I do not need an escort. You should send them back to the Leaf with our rough outline of the treaty and see what Tsunade says. She can send a hawk back telling us what she thinks and if she likes it I can return to my village alone."
"If that what you see is best then I will not challenge it."
"Agrotiko" and with that I disappeared before Gaara could change his mind.
I placed a bouquet of flowers in front on her grave and said a soft prayer. I dusted off some of the sand that had been collected on the side, and sat in front of tombstone. I wonder if things would've been better for our two villages if we had not traded places. The world might have been better off if I had died, instead of you.
I shook my head at the thought, she wouldn't like me thinking like that. Granny Chiyo gave up her life so Gaara and I could live ours. Is what I am doing making you proud? I looked up to the heavens wondering if she was looking down at me, watching me, trying to guide me. Granny Chiyo once held a strong hatred for the Leaf because of what Kakashi's father had done to her son and frankly I couldn't blame her. If someone murdered my son I would be angry to. But on our trip to save Gaara, Naruto was somehow able to change her way of thinking. I think that is why she stopped me from performing the jutsu.
I sat in front of her tombstone for a couple of hours just thinking. How can I improve the treaty? How can I teach those kids to protect themselves and each other from the evil to come? Will I ever be able to escape from him? I don't know what I was hoping for, maybe a sign. I thought coming to Granny Chiyo and talking with her would help me figure out some answers. While I enjoyed my visit with Chiyo, I had only awakened more questions, which I had no idea how to answer. I looked up to the sky and by the looks of the sun it is probably around 6pm.
"I'm sorry I have been away for so long. I promise I will come and visit more often." I stood up and bowed, saying one last prayer before turning to walk away.
I had just passed the training grounds, on the ways to Gaara's when I noticed a crow flying above my head. Crows don't typically live in Suna. I took a closer look at the bird and noticed it was carrying a small piece of paper tied around its foot. I stopped walking and held out my arm for the bird to land on.
Once the bird landed on my arm I looked into its sharingan eyes and knew exactly who had sent it. I was wondering when you were going to pop up again. I took the scroll off its leg and he flew away.
Sakura,
The situation is not getting any better we need to meet up soon. I'll be waiting for you,
Yours Truly
Great, add one more thing on my list to worry about. I quickly burned the scroll and made my way towards Gaara's.
"Gaara lets go I can't wait any longer!" I was practically dragging Gaara out of his house and to the training grounds. He had kept me waiting all day and I could not wait any longer. I wanted to show him how much I had improved. I wanted to prove to him and myself that I was already strong enough to be a member of the Kage.
"I thought you wanted to wait for Sakura-chan to come and watch." Gaara tried digging his heels into the ground, but it wasn't working.
"I am sure we will run into her on the way there. Kakashi-sensei, Yamato, Sai are you guys coming or what?" I looked back to see they were right behind me. Temari and Kankuro looked at each other but it looked like they were going to come with.
We all made our way toward the training grounds but stopped when we saw Sakura-chan. She looked worried. What's wrong with her?
Before I could even call out her name I saw a large man come up behind her and hug her. Sakura-chan spun around taking the man's hands in hers and quick pushing him to the ground with his hand behind his back. Her knee dug into the small of his back, holding him in place.
Gaara was instantly at the screen. How did he move so fast?
"Ah ah ah sorry sorry!" The man underneath Sakura shrieked. The group ran to check up to Gaara and Sakura a few miles ahead. The man underneath Sakura looked like he was a jounin. He has tall and built and wore black glasses.
"What is going on?" Gaara's voice was laced with authority. "Sakura-chan are you alright?"
"Of course I am alright it is just Bauru." Sakura-chan got off of him and began to help him to his feet. "How many times do I have to tell you that you can't come up behind me like that? I thought the last time I knocked you out you understood."
"So sorry M'Lady, it's just I was excited to see you again." He quickly took her hand and she pulled him up. "I was just wondering…maybe later…if your not busy if you would like to grab a drink with a group of us..."
"She is here on official business, this is not a personal trip." Kakashi stepped forward, his arms crossed across his chest before Sakura could even answer. Sakura shot him a glare and Gaara scanned Sakura. Is there something going on with those two?
"Oh yes of course, what was I thinking." He went to turn on his heels and probably run away when Sakura grabbed his hand. He looked down at his hand and turned a deep shade of red.
"Maybe when my work is done I will stop by at the bar and visit with you guys." She smiled, making he blush an even dark shade. He returned the smile and then ran away to his group of friends that were watching a ways away.
She shot a glare at Kakashi, I knew that look. Sakura had given it to me many times growing up, she was beyond pissed. I was waiting for her to watch over to Kakashi and punch him in the face sending him flying. But no she just looked at the ground.
"Sakura-chan we were on our ways to the training fields. Will you come with us to watch me and Gaara spare?"
"Of course Naruto." She smilled and I looped my arm with hers, as we made our way to the training fields. I could hear Yamato and Kakashi talking behind us but I inrgoned it. Sakura-chan was touching my arm and she was going to watch me fight, those were the only things I could focus on as we reached the fields.
"What are the rules of this match?" Gaara set his gourd of sand down.
"Anything goes." I smirked, tightening my headband. I got into a fighting stance and waited for him to make the first move. I looked to my right to see Sakura-chan standing by Kankuro and Temaria watching us very intently. Sai, Kakaski and Yamato were all sitting on a bench Yamato had created.
Gaara sent a rush of sand toward me making me jump backwards. Gaara is better at short range attacks, I just have to distract him long enough to get one hit in. One hit is all I need. I created 40 clones that encircled around Gaara. He didn't seem phrased. I blinked and the next thing I know Gaara had sent out a wave of sand destroying half of my clones.
"Fucking hell!" I screamed as I created a dozen more. He has gotten much better from the last time we spared. I tired to get a rassegean on him but every time his ulimitae defense got in the way. We went back and forth for about thirty minutes before Sakura started commenting.
"You are leaving your left side wide open for attack." As soon as those words escaped her lips Gaara sent a wave of sand at me, throwing me back a couple of yards.
"That's it! It's time to get serious believe it!"
"You trying to tell me you haven't been serious this enterie time?" Kankuro boomed in the background. God that kick gets on my nerves.
It look another twenty minutes, but I was attack able to him Gaara switched seemed to slow him down. By now we had drawn a crown of people. Gaara and I were going at it full force now, trying to put on a good show, neither one of us what to lose in front of everyone.
"Ulimate Rassgenaed" the wind whipped around my hand making a shriking noise as I jumped up in the air and then toward Gaara.
"Ryuusa Bakuryuu!" Gaara sent the sand charging forward. Oh fuck isn't that what he used on Lee?!
"Stop!" I screamed.
Kishimoto was running onto the field right inbetween Gaara and Naruto. "I can't stop!" Naruto shouted and form the look on Gaara's face it didn't look like he could either.
My body moved before I could even process what was going on. I sprinted onto the field and pushed Kishimoto onto the ground. I feel onto all fours, trying to cover Kishimoto as much as possible. I released a seal I had on my arm and a pink bubble began to reform around Kishimoto and I. I could feel Naruto hit the seal and bounce backwards. Gaara's sand hit my side before the bubble could form completely and it felt as if my arm was on firer. I bit my lip to keep a scream from coming out, I didn't want Kishimoto freaked out anymore than she already ways.
"Sakura!" Gaara screamed in a panic.
"Kishimoto!" I looked up to find her mother running onto the field. I looked down at the small child to find her eyes closed shut and her body shaking.
I slolwing pushed of the dirt until I has kneeling. God fucking Damnit does this fucking hurt. The pain was intense, I hadn't felt anything like this in a long time, but I couldn't show it. I was trained better than that. I realsed the bubble around us and immedniatly felt Gaara behind me, trying to help support my weight.
"Kishimoto are you alright?" My voice was clam and clear, it showed no sign of pain or disconrt.
"I- I- I-" Kishimoto was shaking. Poor thing just me scared out of her mind. I placed my hands around the small child in front me and helped her to feet. My hands glowed green as I scanned her body to check for any physical injury. She was fine, thankgoodness. I let out a breath and looked up at Gaara.
"Why are earth did you run onto the field when these two where in a battle?"
"I just saw you standing over there and I wanted to show you my new move. I didn't realize they were fighting I-." The little girl began crying. By now her mother was by her side pulling her into her arms.
"There there, it's okay. What's important is that you were not hurt." Kishimoto smiled at me and I relaxed even more. She was okay, that was really the important thing that matter. Her mother quickly took the child in her arms and proceeded to walk away. I slowly started to stand up. Gaara stood besides me ready to caught me if I lost my balance. I could feel the blood trickling down my arm. I didn't want to look at the wound, I knew how bad it was just by how it felt.
"Medics!" Kankuro started screaming seeing the blood drip off my arm. Kakaski was at my side without a second thought applying pressuare to the wound with a white gauze. I flinced at the sudden increase in pain and quickly pulled around from Kakashki.
"Everyone calm down, I am fine." Naruto came running up to us, after being knocked into the wall from hitting the bubble.
"Not for you, you idiot for Sakura."
Naruto's eyes grew wide. "Sakura-chan! Oh my god are you alright? I am so sorry I didn't see her run out into the field until it was to late! I couldn't stop it! I am so sorry!" Naruto's eyes looked as if he was fighting back tears.
"Naurto it is alright. There is no way you could have stopped. She should not have ran onto the field. Besides it's just a stratch." I kneeled back down to the ground. Gaara wuickly kneeled on one side and Kakashi on the other. My hands grew green once again and I began to heal my wound. I was only able to stop the bleeding, I wasn't able to heal it. The wound was to deep and there was to much sand to be comeptely healed before having it cleaned out. Once my hands stopped growing green, I looked up.
"Sakura-I"
"Don't Gaara. There was nothing you could have done." That look in Gaara's eyes, I knew rhat look. He was in disbelief over what had just happened. His sand was what caused the damage and now he blamed himseld. I stood up. The crown that was once around us, look off once Kankuro started calling for the medics. "Let's go home so I can adreess this wound."
I went to take another step when I felt my legs being picked up and an arm around my back. He moved so fast, I couldn't stop him. Kakashi had picked me up bridial style. "Kakakshi-senesia!"
"We will get to the house faster if I carry you. No buts." And before I could even respaonse Kakashi was off running toward the house.
We quickly reached the house, and Kakashi wasted no time dragging me into the bathroom to help me address my wound. Kankuro and Temerai left to check on Kishimoto after I stated I would not relax until I knew for certain that she was alright. Gaara seemed annoyed, but announced he was going to pick something up for dinner and Naurto, Sai and Yamato deieiced to go with him to help carry the food back.
Leaving Kakashi and I alone in the house. Great.
I was sitting on the toitlent as Kakashi attempted to clear out my wound. "Does this hurt?" He would ask everytime he touched me. Kakashi was trying his best to be gently, but any new touch sent a thousand strings up my arm. Gaara's sand could do a lot of damage if it wanted to.
"Yeah but there is no avoiding it. Thank you." I closed my eyes and held a breath as he tired once again to clean it.
"How did you do it?" I opened my eyes to find kakaki only a few feet from my face. His headband had been pushed up, realving his Sarhigan eye. Did he see it? No, it was to quick of a movement he shouldn't be able to, not even with his eyes.
"How did I do what?" I smiled, hoping playing dumb wound work.
"How did you get to her in time? I watched the whole thing, one moment you were standing by Kanakuro, I blinked and you were ontop of her." Kakakshi set the rag on the floor and grabbed my hands squeezing them. I looked down.
"I do not know what happened. I saw her out on the field and I knew what the outcome would be. My body moved without thinking."
"Sakura-chan when did you learn how to do that transportation justu?"
"About two years ago." I stood up from the toeielt and walked in front of the mirror. I looked at my arm in the mirror and while it looked better, it was still pretty bad, but at least it was clean. I began to heal my arm and slowly but surely the wound began to close. After ten minutes I was finished. The wound was healed as much as it was going to.
"How does it feel?"
"It hurts. But its nothing I can't handle." I began to look through their medical cabeint looking for banages.
"Here Sakura-chan I have some. Please seat down and I will help you wrap your arm." I nooded and did what I was told. Kakashi pulled some cream out of his pouch. He dipped his fingers in the cream and pulled out a dime sized amount. He very carefully began to rub the cream into my arm and at first it stung like hell but after a few mintues it began to leave a cool numbing feel as Kakashi slowly moved his fingerpints in a circleur movement. "This should help fight any infection."
I nodded. If I was being honest with myself I felt like shit. The blast from the sand caused a lot of damage and it look a siffeienct amount of charak to heal my wound, not to metion what charak I used to form that bubble around us.
It wasn't helping that Kakashi and I were left alone together. He slowly wrapped a gaze around my arm. Everytime his fingerprints accidently brushed against my skin, a new wave of emtion would run through me. Why am I feeling this? I knew I missed him all these years, but never once did I think it was in a romantic way.
Once Kakashi was done reached up and placed his hands on my checks, making our eyes lock. "Sakura-chan do you trust me?"
I was taken back by his question. When I was younger I followed his instructions without ever doubting him. I would follow him to the moon and back if that is what he had asked off of me. By now things were different, I am no longer a yound navie genin. I am now an anbu, soon to be ammassdor of two villeges. Do I trust you? I ran the thought through my head and I knew the answer once I looked into his eyes.
"Of course I trust you. I would and have trusted you with my life." I placed my hands around his and squezzed.
"I'm sorry." Kakakshi's words came out broken and weak. My heart broke in two. This man kneeling in front of eye had always been strong, never had I seen this side of him before and to be honest I pray I never see it again.
"For what you have done nothing wrong."
"I failed you. You need me and I failed you. I put Sasuke and Naruto above you because I felt if I didn't those two would fall into darkness. There is no doubt I failed with Sasuke, and up until recently I thought he was the only student I had let down. I never once stopped and thought I had failed you. I am sorry Sakura-chan I should have been there. When Naruto left that was my chance to make it up to you but I squered that up to. I shouldn't have left you, I am sorry. If I could go back and do it over I would." His eyes held so much emoeotion. Kakashi had always been ememtional but never once did he ever show signs of reget. But regret was written all over my face and while a part of me was happy to see Kakashi suffer and understand how I felt, the other half scream at me to try and make him feel better.
I leaned forward and placed my head on his shoulder. He released his hands from around my checks and placed them around my waist, pulling me in closer. I rested my hands around his neck and closed the tiny space that was still inbetween us.
My heart quickened and my paulse was no longer undercontrol. I was at a lost for words. I wasn't sure what to do. Kakashi was always a rational thinker, but it seemed since we got to Suna he hadn't been himself and I was worried. "I'm sorry" his words were barly a whisper.
"You did nothing wrong. The Akatsuki were starting to come after Naruto, and who knows Sasuke would have probably fallen to the darkness much sooner than he did. If you had not done what you did those two boys might have died. You did not fail. I was more than happy to be in the shadows." He pulled away from the hug and his arms dropped from my side.
Our faces were inches apart and I was blushing a deep shade of red. Even Kakshi held a light blush. "Sakura-chan" he whispered.
"Kakashi-sensia" we began leaning in to other another. Wait what am I doing? What are we doing?
Wait! That was all I could think. My thoughts came crashing to a halt when Kakashi was a moment from brushing his masked mouth against mine. Before he had the chance and before I had a chance to change my mind I teleported.
My back slid against the bedroom door as I held my hands against my chest. What was I thinking? My breath was uneven and I couldn't think clearly. How did I allow myself to get in this situation? I could not care for Kakashi in any way beside a sensei, a teacher. Nothing more, nothing less. Why was he acting so strange? He didn't seem to care three years ago. He didn't seem to care when Naruto came back. He didn't seem to care when I stopped hanging around them. He never seemed to care so why now? What has changed?
No matter what happened, I can't allow myself to take a step backwards. I might be a member of Team 7 but I am no longer that weak little girl and I cannot let my emotions to get the best of me, no matter what. I heard footsteps going up and down the hallway. I reached up and turned the lock, locking myself in Gaara's bedroom. The footsteps got closer and closer to the door until they were standing in front of it. They tried to open the door but the lock kept it shut.
"Sakura-chan if you are in there we need to talk."
Sorry Kakashi no we don't. At least not right now when I can't think straight. I remained silent and after ten minutes of Kakashi standing outside of the door, he gave up and walked away. I stood up and walked to Gaara's bed, it looked so warm and inviting. I was tired, both emotionally and physically. I laid in bed and pulled the cover around me. I grabbed one of Gaara's pillows and pulled it into my chest. Gaara's sweet smell entered my nose and I couldn't help but smile. He always brought me peace. I slowly allowed myself to relax as I drifted off to sleep.
"What do you mean we are going home tomorrow? What about Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked in-between bits of food.
"Lady Tsunade has requested that you four bring our rough draft of the treaty back to your village. Sakura-chan will remain here and continue to work on the treaty if needed." I sighed, this was the third time I had to explain this to Naruto. It wasn't that hard to understand, they were leaving first thing in the morning and Sakura would stay here with me. I smiled internally, Sakura-chan was going to be here in Suna with me, with us. Here she would be safe until I could come up with a solution.
"When will Ugly come back?" Sai was starting to piss me off. Every time he called her ugly I wanted nothing more than to send a rush of sand his way to wipe that stupid fake smile off his face.
"She will come back whenever she wants. It is her choice if she chooses to work on the treaty here in Suna or in Konoha." I glanced over at Kakashi, he had been quite all dinner.
When I had returned home he was sitting on the couch looking at that book of his, but it seemed as if he was reading the same page over and over again. I went upstairs to change only to discover my bedroom locked. I unlocked it only to find my sleeping beauty curled up in my bed. The once white gauze was starting to turn red from the wound bleeding through. I walked over and felt her forehead, she was burning up. I went back and forth with whether to wake her up but in the end I decided to let her sleep. She was tired and eventually she would come to and I would be able to change her setting.
"Will she be escorted back home?" Yamato snapped me out of my flashback.
"If she wishes then I will accompany her." Kankuro was sitting across from Temari. When they had come home he wanted nothing more than to go upstairs and wake Sakura up. He wanted to tell her how Kishimoto was fine and already wanting to know when Sakura would train her. It took Temari threating to destroy all of his precious puppets to keep him from running up the stairs.
"What do you mean if she wishes? Of course she needs an escort!" Naruto exclaimed.
"No. Sakura-chan can handle herself. I will not go unless she is alright with it. Here is Suna we value her word and her skills." Oh great, here comes another argument.
But to my surprise Naruto remained silent, which is extremely out of character for him. Maybe seeing Sakura today opened his mind. I know Sakura-chan was not one to go around showing off her strength, in fact she went out of her way to down play it, but did her teammates really not understand how far she had come.
The rest of dinner was quite. Kakashi had excused himself and went up to his room. Kankuro and Naruto surprisingly went outside to go train and Sai went to tag along. Yamato soon left and went upstairs to Kakashi.
"How is she doing?" Temari had begun to clean up the food but I stopped her. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a plate. I put some steamed rice, teriyaki chicken and cooked vegetables on the plate and wrapped it. I wanted Sakura-chan to have food when she woke up, knowing her she skipped lunch and she had barely had anything at breakfast.
"She had a fever and the wound was still bleeding." I took a deep breath. I had lied to get her here so I could protect her and I need up hurting her. Temari placed her hands on my shoulders and gave me a stern sisterly glare.
"Gaara it was an accident. If Sakura had not been hurt, it would have been a lot worse" I looked down, if she had not come to the rescue Kishimoto would have been killed. "Stop blaming yourself and go check on her. Call me if you need me."
I rushed upstairs to check on her while Temari finished cleaning. I opened the door softly in case she was still asleep only to find her staring up at the ceiling deep in thought. Confusion was written all of her face. "How are you feeling?" I closed the door and walked to the bed. I sat down and raised my hand to her forehead. She didn't have a fever anymore, but she was covered in sweat.
"I'm fine, I just need to change the bandages but I want to take a shower first." I stood up and walked into my bathroom. I began to draw her a bath. Once it was ready I called her in and helped her undo the bandages. When she went to remove her shirt she discovered she couldn't bend her arm to allow her to do it on her own so she called me back in.
I helped her undress and step in the bath. Luckily I was able to do so with my eyes closed, which Sakura was grateful for. She was very private and did not like to show weakness around anyone not even me. Once she laid in the tub I excused myself and went back into my room. I changed the sheets and placed fresh ones on the bed. Then I went into Sakura's room and collected everything she would need for the night. I wanted her to stay with me in my room so I would be right there if she needed anything.
After her bath I helped her dress into clean clothes and wrapped her arm with fresh bandages and gauze. The injury was pretty bad. Never had I thought I would hurt Sakura-chan again, on purpose or accident and it broke my heart to see her injured. Once she was dressed she laid on my bed and quickly fell asleep. I look a quick shower and quickly joined her in the bed. I slide my arm under her head and placed my other arm around her waist. Her head rested just underneath my chin and I slowly drifted off to sleep holding my cherry blossom in my arms.
"So it is settled." Danzo looked around the room and the elders nodded their heads in agreement. From the moment Sakura stepped foot outside of the village they had began to form a plan of action.
"Hi no Kuni will like our idea, especially if we can make him think he came up with it." Homura Mitokado stood up and began to pace around the room. He was nervous of this plan, for it could backfire.
"We need to keep her in control. With everything that is about to go on we cannot afford to lose her to Suna. If Suna has control over her our village is surly doomed." Koharu Utatane looked down at her nails nervous.
"Agreed, she is better off dead than to fall to another village. We meet with Kuni tomorrow and by the end of the week he will be requesting for Sakura to be married." Danzo looked down at the piles of paperwork and closed his eye. His little puppet could not fall out of his hands. He had work too hard and risked too much for her to change his plans. If that little sand brat thought he was going to win with this idea of his then he has only himself to thank for setting this plan into motion.