"Where is Sakura-chan?" Naruto whined as we made our way deeper into the crowds. When we had meet up with the gang at the ramen shop we all walked around together for a couple of hours, before splitting off into teams to finish enjoying the festival before the big announcement came.
Everyone knew the Hokage had a big announcement to make, but no one knew what about. Some of the rumors that where going around was that she was stepping down or that the village was joining forces with another village. It seemed Sakura hadn't told her team what was going on. Did she not want them to know? Or was she trying to hide the fact she was being forced into this arrangement?
"When I saw her last Naruto she wanted to check the broader." I signed and tried to sense her charka once more, but found nothing. Temari and Kankuro had spilt off in search of food, so I was left with Sai and Naruto.
"But she is going to miss the whole festival." Naruto continued to whine.
"I am sure she will be here soon dickless." I half expected Naruto to throw a fit at Sai's remark but when he lets it pass I can't help but think that Naruto knows more than he is letting on. Can he sense something in the air tonight? Did he notice how different his teammate was acting these last few days?
"Oye Kakashi-sensei! Captain Yamato!" Naruto yells into the crowd noticing Kakashi and Yamato walking together. Damn she isn't with them either. I mentally cruse as we wait for them to catch up.
"What are you guys up to?" Yamato questions. I look at Kakashi but he refuses to make eye contact with anyone in the group. Kakashi's focus was somewhere in the distance.
"Walking around. Have you guys seen Sakura-chan?" Hearing Naruto say her name, brings Kakashi's attention back to the group.
"You guys don't know where she is?" There is a little sense of panic in his voice. Naruto and Sai shake their heads and he just glares at me. "Where is she Gaara?"
"She went to go check the boards a couple of hours ago."
"You're telling me you let her wander off with no one with her?" When I stayed silent he became pissed off. "What if something happens?"
"Kakashi she is more than capable to handle herself. She does not need a babysitter. Sakura wanted to check the board and have some air, she doesn't need me to be with her to do that." I challenge.
"You don't know what she needs." Kakashi seemed to be getting more and more emotional. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Naruto and Sai standing there with their mouths slightly open, not really knowing what to do or say.
"And you do?" I challenge back. Kakashi stepped forward and looked down at me. He wanted to fight and at the moment I wanted nothing more than to teach him a lesson or two. "You don't know what Sakura needs. You left her for years and are only now trying to reconnect with her. You wouldn't have even know what she had gotten into if it wasn't for me!"
"Enough!" Her powerful voice broke my train of thought and quickly silenced me. She walked up from behind Yamato and got right in-between me and Kakashi. "You two are acting like children." Her eyes darted between us. "We are at a festival, please try and enjoy yoursleves." She walked passed us and gave Naruto and Sai a hug. As they greeted one another Kakashi stood there giving me a death glare.
"Where were you Sakura-chan?" Naruto whined once more.
"I needed to check the board once more Naruto. The fire lord is coming tonight, I just wanted to be on the safe side." She smiled as she took Naruto and Sai's hands and drug them off to some game, leaving me, Yamato and Kakashi standing there.
I tried to lock eyes with Kakashi once more but he was forced on Sakura's disappearing form. "Kakashi, I am not trying to hurt her. I have no idea what you have been told but I am trying to protect her, I imagine just like you" and with that I walk off leaving Kakashi and Yamato to sulk as I join my soon to be future wife.
The last two hours flew by and before they knew it Sakura and Gaara where already excusing themselves so they could make their way to the Tower for the big announcement. On top of the tower stood several village officials. Chairs were set up so the fire lord, the elders and Danzo could take a seat, facing the village. Anbu stood in the background ready to protect the Hokage and the Lord. A microphone was set up toward the very front of the roof and to the right of that stood four chairs for Gaara, Temari, Kankuro and Sakura.
Naruto, Sai, Kakashi and Yamato were in the first row of people watching from down below. Her team knew part of what the announcement was. They were proud of their female teammate, especially Naruto. He acknowledge how far Sakura had come from their first days as genin. Kakashi hadn't taken his eyes off Sakura from the moment she arrived and broke up the cat fight between him and Gaara. Kakashi couldn't believe the women in front of him. She looked beautiful and sexy and flawless. Even after happened this morning Kakashi wanted nothing more than to pull Sakura into his arms and claim her as his.
But as the announcements were started Kakashi couldn't help but feel as if he was going to throw up. He knew exactly what was about to happen, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. All he could do was look up to Sakura and pray deep down she would say no to Gaara.
"I hope everyone has been enjoying themselves tonight." Tsunade's voice boomed throughout the village as she gave her opening speech, thanking everyone for their hard work this year and how the village's future has never seemed so bright and promising. As her speech continued Gaara couldn't focus for he too was too busy staring at Sakura sitting beside him.
"This village has been through it's up and downs these last couple of years but thanks to our will of fire and our allies we have powered through everything. We have been blessed with a wonderful opportunity to not only strength our power as a village but also our ties with Suna these last few months." Tsunade paused and allowed Gaara to stand and walk over to her side, showing a united bond between the two leaders, between the two villages.
"We have chosen an ambassador to be a voice for both villages. She has proven her dedication and love for both the Leaf and Suna." Tsunade paused once more as whispers erupted into the crowd as to who the new ambassador could be.
"The ninja we have chosen has a very special place in my heart. We have been friends since our childhood and I know her heart is pure and full. Our two villages are lucky to have found such a person to represent and protected both sides."
As Gaara paused, Sakura sucked in a deep breath. Every cell in her body screamed at her to run, to run far away from this place and take after Itachi. Every part of her body yelled for her to escape the danger that she faced ahead. But her heart also screamed with every ounce of power it had for her to stay and protect those precious to her. So there Sakura stayed glued to her chair, knowing damn well she couldn't change anything that was about to happen.
"Ladies and gentlemen I am proud to announce Sakura Haruno as our new ambassador!" As soon as her name was announced cheers could be heard throughout the crowds. Team 7 stood in front with proud smiles on their face as they watched Sakura stand and walk in-between the two village leaders.
She knells between them, as a solider for both villages.
Tsunade starts talking again. "Do you Sakura Haruno solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of Konohagakure and Sunagakure, against all enemies, foreign and domestic?"
"I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of both the village hidden in the leaf and sand. I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter." Gaara places his hand on Sakura's right shoulder and Tsunade touches her left.
"With this swear you become a full blown member of the village hidden in the sand." Gaara takes his hand off her shoulder and offers it to Sakura so she could stand. More cheers echoed through the crowd. Gaara looks at the Fire Lord and he nods his head telling him to continue. "Sakura Haruno it is an honor to have you joining my village. Over the last few years you have become a member of my family."
Gaara paused and took a breath. "When my village was attacked the Leaf did not hesitate to send aide and you came running to help. When my brother was attacked, you saved his life. When I was almost killed, you helped save me and bring me back to life, allowing me a second chance at happiness."
The girls of the Konoha 11 looked at one another. All they could think was how they didn't know how close these two had grown over the years. The senseis of the 11 stood quietly by their students waiting to see how things were going to play out, all of them knowing that something was off.
"Sakura-chan you were one of my very first friends. We have had the chance to be there for one another as we both grew and improved. You have become a very beautiful, very talent kunoichi. When I am near you I can feel my power surging and I feel as if I can take on the whole wide world. You make me want to become a better person Sakura-chan."
Sakura was visibly starting to get emotional. Her one hand remained in Gaara's, while her other clutched her chest. Naruto, Sai and Yamato stood with their mouths wide opened as they realized what was going on. While Kakashi stood with his arms crossed trying to conceal his broken heart.
"When I picture a future I cannot see myself living another day without you by my side. I promise you no one will work harder to make you happy or cherish you more than me. Please let all my happiness be yours, and all your sadness be mine. From this day forward, you shall never walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home." Gaara got down on one knee and let go of Sakura's hand and reached into his pocket to pull out a small black box. Sakura stood there with her hands over her mouth, her eyes locked with the man kneeling before her.
"I promise to love you forever, with very passing day to love, cherish and protect you to my very last breath." Gaara opens the box exposing his mother's ring and Sakura's eyes widen recognizing the ring right away. She knew how much he cared about that ring. To be offering it to her was really touching and heart felt. Sakura's eyes stung as she fought the tears she had to bring to the surface, not wanting them to fall just yet. "Sakura-chan will you marry me?"
As soon as the question leaves Gaara's lips Sakura eyes burst with tears as she nods her head yes, appearing to emotional to be able to say the simple word yes. Once Gaara slides the ring on Sakura's finger, he stands. Sakura practically tackles him trapping him a hug. Gaara wraps his hands around Sakura and kisses her forehead.
As soon as his lips leave her forehead, Tsunade signals for the fireworks to go off. The first firework goes ups and lights up the sky. Gaara and Sakura lock eyes with one another. "Sakura I have been waiting for this day for quite some time. I honestly couldn't picture living my life without you and I meant every single word I just said. I love you."
Gaara leans in to kiss Sakura, and she doesn't fight it. She is so taken off guard by the ring and his words that deep down she finally understands why he didn't fight this whole arrangement. She knew he honestly loved her, and truly wanted to marry her. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him in close. As they locked lips another firework exploded above them lighting the sky up with red and pink.
There it was, in that moment in front of everyone, they shared their first kiss. When they pulled apart Gaara stood behind Sakura, wrapping his arms around her waist, as they looked up and watched the show. "Sakura-chan, thank you." He whispered in her ear and tightened the hug.
The rest of the night went quickly. After the announcement there was only a couple of hours left before everything would be shutting down. Once the firework show ended I was pushed and pulled in several directions. The Lord of Fire pulled us aside and wished us nothing but happiness and informed us that he is already looking forward to the wedding.
Danzo and the elders stopped by and reminded us, especially me, of the importance that was to come. They wanted to make it clear that we understood that the treaty didn't go into effect until after the wedding.
"How do you feel Sakura-chan?" Gaara asked me as we descend the stairs, making our way down to the main street to meet up with my team.
"I'm okay. You?"
"Better than okay." He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. It seemed like Gaara knew exactly what he wanted, while my emotions where all over the place. If this had happened six months ago it would have been fine. I would have been jumping for joy knowing Gaara wanted to marry me but now, now things were complicated. I didn't understand my feeling toward Kakashi let alone Gaara. But after this morning, it should have been made clear. Right?
Kakashi was in bed with another women last night. Kakashi didn't stay at the hospital. Kakashi didn't want me, he wanted her. I should just let it go and focus on Gaara. But something, deep down in my chest, fought for me to hang on.
"Gaara can I ask you a favor?" He nodded. "Please don't tell anymore this is arranged. Let them think it is out of love not force." He gripped my hand tighter as we entered into the street, signaling that he wasn't going to say anything unless I did.
As soon as we make it out the door I am tackled and my hand slips out of Gaara's. Water hits my shoulder as the force that collided into me tightens around me. "Sakura-how..when…..-Gaara!" Naruto tried to talk into between sobs.
I tighten my arms around Naruto and pulled him into a hug. I wanted to tell Naruto what was going on the minute it happened, but I didn't want him getting involved. Naruto was my best friend I should have given him the heads up. "Are you alright Naruto?" I ask rubbing his back.
Naruto wiggled out of the hug and placed his arms on my shoulders, tears still running down his face. "Am I alright? Of course I am! My best friend is marrying my other best friend!" Naruto whipped his tears before pointing his finger at me and Gaara. "Why didn't you tell me you two were dating?"
"We wanted to keep it a secret until we knew what this was between us." Gaara grabbed for my hand again. I looked up and saw Sai and Yamato. "Where is Kakashi?"
"He had to go, he has early training in the morning." Yamato stated, staring at our jointed hands.
"Oh.."
"FOREHEAD!" I turn and see the rest of the Konoha 11 making their way over with their senseis.
"Congratulations you two" Hinata whispered, poking her fingers in front of her.
"Screw congratulations let's see the ring." Ino grabbed my hand and lifted it up for everyone to see. Ino's mouth dropped when she noticed how beautiful it was. To say the ring was gorgeous, was an understatement. It was a silver band that was covered in tiny white diamonds that were designed to resemble a rose. The center stone in the rose was pure perfection, no flaw could be found within the diamond.
"It's gorgeous Sakura-chan. Where did you find that ring Gaara?" TennTenn asked stepping closer to get a better view.
"It was my mother's." His response received a round of awwws from the ladies in the group. While the girls gossiped over the upcoming wedding I couldn't help but feel the men around us were sizing up Gaara. Kiba, Shikamaru, Neji and Rock Lee couldn't keep their eyes off him, while the senseis refused to make eye contact with me and instead focused on Yamato.
"Gaara your speech was so touching" Hinata whispered.
"I wish one day a man gives me as heartfelt as speech as you just got Sakura-chan" TennTenn commented.
"I knew something was going on between you from the moment Gaara bought you flowers." Ino pulled me into a hug, and the other girls soon followed.
Once the girls released I found myself trapped in a hug with Naruto and Sai.
"You're going to make a beautiful bride Sakura-chan." Sai said squeezing harder.
"I can't believe it!" Naruto practically picked both me and Sai and spun us around.
Once everyone congratulated us and had a look at the ring, we took off into the night to enjoy the last of the festival before it ended. The senseis took off shortly after, including Yamato, to do what I have no idea. But now that the adrenaline form the buildup had worn off I was left tired and emotionally exhausted, but I stayed and tried to enjoy the last time I would be with my friends for a very long time.
When we got back to Sakura's apartment Temari and Kankuro went straight to bed. They had been running around none stop the last couple of days trying to make sure everything would run smoothly tonight. They were both emotionally drained as well and now that the stress was over they welcomed the sweet release of sleep.
When Sakura made her way to her bedroom I followed her, and she didn't stop me. I had told her I loved her and I wanted to show her I meant it. I closed her door after I stepped in and locked it. If something was to happen tonight I didn't want anyone coming in. I didn't want a repeat of the other night when Kakashi came bragging in and looked as if he wanted to skin me alive.
"Gaara can you unzip the back of this dress please." I stepped forward and slowly unzipped the dress. Very slowly the dress was unzipped and her perfect skin exposed. She stayed facing away from me as she allowed the dress to fall to the ground. Her bare back was exposed, she wore no bra.
"Sakura-chan?" I asked keeping my eyes up, trying to be respectful.
"Yes Gaara?" She asked stepping seductively out of the dress. At this point I could no longer control myself and allowed my eyes to wander. There Sakura stood in nothing but high heels and a lacey pink thong.
"What are you doing?" I asked stepping slightly forward, trying to be as close as possible without stepping over a line.
"I am getting ready for bed. Is that a problem?"
"Sakura-chan you know what I mean. Why are you undressing in front of me?"
"You are my future husband Gaara, I think you are allowed to see me naked. Unless this makes you uncomfortable than I can change elsewhere?" Sakura stood still facing forward toward the bed. Could she fell it? Could she feel my eyes roaming all over her body, taking it in for the first time?
"Are you comfortable?" I asked closing the small gap between us and wrapping my arms around her waist, being careful not to touch anything.
"Yes" she slowly breathed. Was she trying to give me a signal? Was she trying to tell me I was allowed to touch her? Before I could try to figure out her secret message she is turning around in my arms and making eye contact with me. "Gaara, the words you spoke earlier….where they from your heart?"
I nod my head yes and she looks at me. I could see her eyes jumping around, scanning my face, trying to find any hint of lying. "Sakura-chan I meant every word I said. I have loved you for a very long time I've wanted to-"
"When did you fall in love with me?" Sakura asked cutting me off. My arms where still wrapped around her, her bare chest pressed against mine.
"I've always had some sort of feeling toward you Sakura-chan. But I don't think I realized those feeling were love until Temari told me what you planned to do before Granny Chiyo stepped forward. When Temari told me you were going to give your life for mine, that's when I knew." She stared into my eyes, not blinking, not turning away, as she soaked in the information. "In that moment I wanted to become stronger. In that moment I wanted to prevent you from ever feeling that your life was worth less than mine. In that moment I realized how badly I wanted to protect you."
"Gaara…"
"Sakura-chan what are your feelings for me?" Her glaze suddenly drops from mine and she remains quite. I release her from the hug and bring my hand to her chin, where I slightly raise so our eyes lock once more. "Be honest with me, no matter what your answer is."
"I don't know what my feeling for you are." She blurts out. "I've cared about for a very long time. You have always been a very special person to me since childhood." She pauses and wraps her arms around my neck. "But I am willing to give this a try."
She stares as me once more and I find myself leaning into her. Her grip tightens and our lips interlock. As the kiss deepens she presses herself against me even harder, and soon my body begins to grow hard. There it was, she had given me her permission, her consent to continue.
I reach down and pick her, being careful not to break the kiss, as she wraps her legs around my waist, her hands in my hair. A strange feeling erupts in my chest as her back hits her bedroom wall. I brush my tongue against her lips and she opens slightly allowing me to claim her mouth. Soon I find her pawing all over him, trying to rip the clothes off of me. I turn and walk over to the bed, where I slowly lay her down.
I take in her exposed breasts as she lays on her back waiting for me to take off my dress shirt. Her breasts look liked perfect teardrops and I found it hard to look anywhere else. I quickly take off my dress shirt and climb on top of her, pinning her arms to the bed.
"Sakura-chan are you sure?" She nods her head yes and I feel as if the beast I'm been suppressing for so long has finally been let out of its cage. I bend down, still pinning her down, and find the start of her neck. Slowly I stick out my tongue and trace her neck up and down. When she begins to wiggle beneath me I grow even harder and I reposition myself so she can feel my length against her thigh. I reach her hands up and pin them using one hand above her head. My free hand begins slowly tracing her body as my lips find hers again.
Her touch made me feel as if I was on fire. I had wanted her for so long, that now that I was actually having her I couldn't believe it, I couldn't control myself. It felt as if electricity was running through my fingertips as it gilded against her soft skin. Soon my fingertips made their way to her chest and when I cupped her a small moan escaped those beautiful lips of hers.
I jerked when her thigh slightly brushed my member. I looked at her only to find she had her eyes closed, a blush across her face. When her body reacted with mine I lost the last little control I had left over my body.
I wanted her so badly. I wanted to show her just how much I loved her, and if she allowed it I planned on showing her multiple times tonight. My free hand left her breast and began pulling my pants down. Once those were freed Sakura-chan pushed her hips against my boxers. I released Sakura from the pin and fell to my side, trapping her one hand behind my left shoulder. I grabbed her other hand with my right and repositioned my grip in my left hand, trapping her hands in place. Forcing Sakura to remain on her back unable to move, wide open.
My free hand slowly moves down until my fingertips are barely underneath her thong. "Ummm Gaara" Sakura moans in my ear and my fingers slip further in until I find her sweet spot. I make small circler motions over her clit and her body begins to lose control. Her back arches as I enter into her. The sensation she was giving me was uncontrollable and I found myself tearing her underwear off and discarding it across the room. My fingers slip out of her once I remove my own underwear. I pull her beneath me as I reposition myself on top on her, in-between her legs.
I lock eyes with her once more before I continue to do anything else. She nods her head and I push into her. She throws her head back into the pillow and arches her back as I move in and out. God she felt so good. I leaned forward, my head inches from hers. "I love you Sakura-chan." I whisper into her ear as I push deeper into her, gripping her thighs spreading they out as much as possible.
She bits her lip to keep a moan from escaping. "I love you to" she whispers back. In that moment I can't tell if she was telling the truth or not, but I chose to take her word for what it was. I loved Sakura with all my heart and it seemed as if everything was finally falling into place.
I pushed past the gate as the morning rays came out and melted the dew. I had awoken this morning next to Gaara naked andmy first thought was to get as far away as possible. So I very carefully got up and got dressed in my workout entrée and snuck out of the house before anyone could realize I was gone. My thoughts were still all over the place. Why had I told Gaara I loved him? Did I or was I just realizing there was no escaping this destiny and I might as well embarrass it?
Either way I looked at it, it could be worse. I could do much worse than Gaara. Gaara knew majority of my secrets and still accepted me for me. Hell I would even go as far as saying Gaara understood me. It was no secret that other eligible men were starting to have their eye on me, and I knew sooner or later an arrangement would have been planned. I just never expected it to be Gaara.
"503" I muttered as I pushed harder trying to reach my goal of 550. I wanted to stay out of the apartment as long as possible. I was trying to avoid my team for as long as possible. I wanted to avoid everything at the moment and just pretend it was just a normal day like someday last week. My quite morning last about another thirty minutes before I felt eyes watching me.
I stopped running when I felt his presence. I went to go run again when he appeared in front of me. I turn on my heels not waiting to talk with him but I couldn't bring myself to walk away.
"Sakura please can we talk?"
"I thought you had early training?" When he doesn't answer I continue. "What are you doing following me? I told you yesterday that you were dismissed from that mission."
"Sakura yesterday it wasn't what it seemed I-"
"You had just woken up from being in bed with another women." I cut Kakashi off not wanting to hear it. I was tired of this cycle. "You have nothing to explain, you both are consenting adults. Whatever you two did is none of my concern."
"It meant nothing." My back straightens at his words but I still refuse to turn around. "She's just an old friend."
"Kakashi I didn't peg you as the type to take sex so lightly." Though I was no one to talk, last night me and Gaara slept together before I could figure out what my feelings for him were, but Kakashi didn't need to know that.
"That's not what I want to talk about Sakura-chan. The mission Gaara assigned I would like to explain." I turn to face him, my arms crossed over my chest. "Yes I accepted the mission and no I did not tell you about it but if I had you would've pushed me away you would have-"
"SAKURA-CHAN!" We both turn and see Shizune running down the street, looking like a chicken with her head cut off. When she spots me she double times it. "Finally I found you!"
"What's wrong?" My attention is no longer on Kakashi, no Shizune looks disheveled and frightened.
"We need you in trauma room 3 right away. Another group of anbu have been attacked and Tsunade is requesting your assistance right away."
"Understood." Before Shizune or Kakashi could get in another word edge wise I transport into the trauma room. As soon as I enter the room the smell of burning flesh enters my nose. I look around and see a team of four anbu. Their clothes have either been burnt or ripped off, relieving their bruised and broken bodies.
"Sakura? Finally." I look up to see a tired Tsunade walking into the wing holding several clip broads with a group of doctors behind her.
"What happened?" I asked activating my eyes so I could see just how much damage had been done. I walked over to the anbu with the most injuries and immediately started pumping chakra into the patient. The anbu was around 30 and as my charka flowed throughout him, slowly repairing the broken tenants and closing wounds, I couldn't help but think of the family he probably left back at home, waiting for him to come home, alive. As I looked down on his face I made the unconscious man a promise, I promised he would be able to go home and see his wife and kids.
"They were returning from the Land of Waves where they were attacked just outside the boarder of the Land of Fire. We believe Orochimaru has another camp set up there."
"I see." I stopped healing the man long enough to from a couple of hand signs and summon four clones. I stepped back as I allowed my clone to take over. Tsunade walks over to me as I stand in the center of the room, observing the team around me. She hands me the charts and I notice they all have the same trace of poison I had in my system weeks ago when Sasuke attacked me. "Orochimaru is becoming problematic." I flip the page and read the details of their mission.
It was a simple anbu level mission. They were escorting a lord's daughter back home after a semester away to train. They had dropped off the daughter with no problems. There had been no problem until they returned into our territory.
"Why wasn't I called in sooner when they first arrived?" I could tell that a swarm of nurses had worked on the patients before I arrived. They all had IVs and bandages were wrapped around bigger wounds that they weren't able to close with their charka.
"We couldn't find you." I look up and see Tsunade staring at me as my clones around me worked at making the anbu stable. "I sent an anbu to your house but you were not home. What the hell were you doing?"
"I was out for a run."
"At five in the morning?" I nod my head and Tsunade shakes hers.
Soon our conversation died down, and Tsunade left the wing to return to her office. She knew I could handle this situation and she looked exhausted. I hoped she went back to the office and caught a few hours of sleep before her day went into full swing.
In order to extract all the poison that was within anbu I had to perform the same jutsu I did with Kankuro months ago. Lucky this time it was less pain for the patient, since they were still knocked out they didn't feel a thing. I set aside samples of the poison from each of the victims so I could run tests on it later. Once majority of the poison was extracted from the team, they started to become more and more stable. Two hours after I performed the surgery they were all out of the woods.
With the poison out of their systems, their bodies were responding much better to treatment. I called in a team of nurses to finish healing them and assigned their cases to a well trust doctor and informed him if things took a turn to summon me right away. With the samples in my hand I headed toward my office. By now it was already one clock and the hospital hallway littered with people. As I made my way closer to my office I heard whispers among the staff and patients. The whispers ranged from my work out clothes, even with me being covered by my doctor's coat, to how lucky I was, to how I was a traitor to the Leaf.
I sighed and unlocked my office door. It didn't shock me that some people were already looking at me as a traitor. But as far as I was concerned the people of the Leaf could hate me with all their heart, I would still give my last fighting breathe for them. The fact that people looked at me as a traitor just further supported the need for the new treaty.
I sat the samples on my desk and pulled out the lab results I had done when I first pulled out the poison and compared them to the blood work I had done on myself weeks ago. And just like I had thought the poison was an exact match. Orochimaru was added to my list of things to be concerned about. I still had no idea why he wanted me.
Once I was done examining the sample I summoned an anbu and had him bring back any and all mission reports from genin to anbu that reported to running into people in the fire territory. He was order to bring me anything reported within the last twelve months and when he returned there was a huge stack of files and scrolls. When he left I began reading through all the files, trying to find the connections. Damn this is going to take forever.
"What are you going to do about the girl my lord?" Kabuto stood in front of Orochimaru holding a tray of medication.
"Very soon she will be mine. We just have to wait a little longer." Orochimaru smirked but soon began coughing up blood. Kabuto set down the medication and waited for his master to stop coughing. He knew there wasn't much time left. Soon Orochimaru would need a new body and unfortunately for Sakura he wanted hers.
"It seems she wasn't with the last group of anbu that was attacked. Maybe she is hiding within the Leaf."
"She will be drawled out eventually." Orochimaru remained quite as Kabuto changed his IV bag. Both men where deep in thought when Sasuke entered the room. Sasuke's new seal hadn't gone unnoticed but Orochimaru chose to not point it out, at least not yet. He knew Sasuke had failed him, and he planned to figure out why.
When Sasuke had returned back to the hide out he simply stated she was guard by to many anbu to be able to capture her without issue, so he retreated until backup could be provided. Kabuto suspected that his story was all a lie. When Kabuto went through the Chuin Exams with team 7 he sensed the strong connection Sasuke and Sakura shared, whether Sasuke wanted to acknowledge it or not, it was there.
"What did you want?" Sasuke asked stepping out of the shadows. Since his conversation with Sakura he hadn't been the same. He had been replying the night Itachi killed his clan over and over again in his head trying to figure out what Sakura could be talking about. He knew what happened that night…right? His brother murder his mother and father in cold blood simply because he could. Itachi had no other motive for his actions. Itachi took everything away from him and Sasuke was going to make sure he paid.
"I wanted you to acquire a scroll for me." Orochimaru paused to cough again. "It's a medical scroll in the Hidden Rain village."
"Is that all?" Sasuke asked turning around and walking back toward the shadows.
"Yes don't fail me this time." Sasuke disappeared into the darkness.
Once Sasuke was long gone Kabuto spoke up, "what medical scroll?"
"What's in the scroll is not what is important." Orochimaru didn't care to explain any further than that. The whole point of sending Sasuke off on a mission was to get him away from the base, so he couldn't interfere. He needed the girl and he couldn't risk Sasuke getting in the way again. If Sasuke interfered he would have no choice but to take out his prized student and that was not an option he wanted to do just yet.
The pink hair kunoichi stood in the office with her hands crossed over her chest frustrated and tired. She had just spent the last six hours connecting the dots, reviewing hundreds of reports and compiling everything together to see if she could predict their next move. Sakura believe she knew where all the base camps where set up in their territory and was requesting a mission to be sent out to handle it.
Tsunade gripped the fill Sakura had given her tighten in her hands. She didn't like this. If Sakura was right they had at least fifteen camps that surround the Leaf village. There was no telling how many men where at each and it left Tsunade with an uneasy feeling. If they were attacked by that many people, could they handle it? Orochimaru was known for his experimentation on people. What if he found a way to unlock more power within his army? What if his soldiers where stronger than hers? This thought didn't sit well with Tsunade.
"What are you thinking M'lady?" Sakura already knew what she was going to do. She was leaving first thing in the morning regardless of Tsunade's answer. If Tsunade's answer was no Sakura knew that Danzo would order her to take out the camps either way. But Sakura was hoping Tsunade would agree with her plan, it made things much easier that way.
"I don't like it Sakura. The thought of you handling this all on your own…what if something happens?"
"Nothing with happen Tsunade-sama. This is nothing I can't handle."
"I want to send a team of anbu out with-"
Before Tsunade could answer Sakura is turning and walking toward the office door. "No. If I fail you will need as many ninja in this village as possible." Sakura opened the door but paused. "M'Lady at any sign of trouble activate my shield, if they are in the village they will be trapped inside with everyone else. The only way the shield will work properly is if it's activated before they can take one step inside the village."
The door shuts behind Sakura and Tsunade slams her fists on the desk, cracking it slightly. Tsunade was furious, her number one student thought she could handle this huge task on her own and wouldn't take no for an answer. Tsunade was worried. If there was to be an attack on the village she much rather have Sakura inside to help defend it, she would have much rather sent out a couple teams of anbu to handle the camps. Tsunade understood how far Sakura had come, at least she thought she did, and she was hoping if shit hit the fan that Sakura would be close by.
Tsunade stood from her office chair and walked toward the window. She watched as Sakura had her way deeper in the heart of the village. She felt a string of pain in her heart once Sakura was out of sight.
"Whatever it is you are planning on doing please be safe." Tsunade whispered into the night before turning her attention to the locked drawer in her desk and pulling out a bottle of sake to help numb her sorrows.
The smell of ramen filled the air and I couldn't help but smile. I had gone over to Sakura's apartment to see if she wanted to go get ramen with me and Sai only to discover she hadn't been home all day. When Gaara answered the door a new idea had popped into my head. So here Gaara, Sai and I sat, waiting for our ramen to be made. Temari didn't tag along because she had been invited to go out with the girls and Kankuro was out checking out the different ninja tool store with had to see if he could add anything to his collection.
"So when did you and Sakura-chan start dating?" I asked finally getting a chance to ask Gaara the millions of questions that ran through my head last night.
"We never really dated." Gaara spoke slowly and at first it confused me. This was a simple question, the answers should be a no brainer. "We have known each other since we were kids. There was always been an attraction between one another. The more time I spent with her the more I realized how much she meant to me. We didn't have to date to realize we were meant for one another."
"In my book it states that one should date at least a year before offering to be courted. It says after a year the couple has been allowed to see all the different sides of their partner. It claims the longer you date before marriage, the more lightly your marriage will be successful." As Sai spoke he pulled out a book from his back pocket and filled through the pages before stopping and paraphrasing off a certain page.
"Love is different for different people. While the book might be correct for most couples, I don't think Sakura-chan and I will have a problem."
"I see." Sai took out a pen and wrote something on the page. It was odd watching those two interact with one another. Most people would flip out when Sai tried to question their feelings and whenever he pulled that book it made the people around him uncomfortable, but not Gaara. Gaara didn't miss a beat responding to Sai, maybe it was because Gaara had suppressed his feeling for so long, and he too understood how difficult it was to understand feelings after living so long without them.
I drilled Gaara with a couple of more questions before our food was ready. I eventually found out that Gaara and Sakura grew close when he requested help from the Leaf to help train their nurses. I also found out how Gaara and Sakura knew each other before the chunin exams.
"I never knew Sakura's parents traveled so much to Suna. She never talks about it." I say as I sip a chopstick full of noodles into my mouth.
"They were big traders in Suna. They had been coming to Suna long before Sakura was born and my father and mother quickly befriended them. They started bringing Sakura to Suna when she turned three and since we were the same age we played with one another." There was sadness in Gaara's voice now. "It was the only time I could remember playing with anyone. Sakura was the only one that wasn't afraid of me when I was a child."
"Gaara…" I put my chopsticks down and placed my hand on his shoulder. "I understand how you feel. While Sakura picked on me and hit me, she didn't shun me like everyone else. She looked at me more than a teammate. She was one of the first people who I felt cared about me, besides Iruka Sensei. She was my first friend." I gave his shoulder another squeeze and dropped it from his shoulder. Gaara gave me a fait smile before returning his attention to his food.
The rest of the conversation was more uplifting and I thought we were all really enjoying ourselves. When we were done I paid for our meals and we left the ramen shop to walk back toward Sakura's house. We got a couple of shops down when I sensed Sakura's charka and I turned around to look for her. Sai and Gaara must have felt it too because they stopped walking and turned to look around too.
A couple of blocks back I could see Sakura walking towards us, but it didn't look like she had seen us, her focus was on a file she had in her hands. Something about her seemed off. She wore her workout shorts and a tight black long sleeve jounin shirt and her hair was pulled back into a pony tail. She looked tried. I go to call out to her but before I get the chance someone is behind her grabbing her arm..
My attention was in the file and when I first felt someone touch me I just brushed it off because I thought someone had just bumped into me. But when I go to take another step I am stopped dead in my tracks. I look up and I immediately become irritated.
"You didn't need to come here, I was just on my way to give him a file." I lock eyes with him but he doesn't let go, so I just stood there. I couldn't fight back, not after he threatened Kakashi. I didn't understand what he was doing, I was doing what they wanted.
"What I can't just stop by and say hi?" His grip tightened and a smirk spread across his checks.
"No. Now what do you want?"
"You have been requested. I was coming to retrieve you."
"Fine, let's go." He releases his grip.
We walk past a couple of shops before my arm is being grabbed again. I turned around ready to go off on whoever touched me when I see his masked faced stare back at me. Behind Kakashi stood Yamato and I could see Naruto, Sai and Gaara making their way toward us.
"Fuck" I muttered under my breath. Fū stood behind me and put a hand on my shoulder signaling it was time to go. "Kakashi let go." I tried to step back but Kakashi didn't loosen his grip.
"Where are you guys going?" Kakashi was angry and I could tell Yamato was too. Why were they here? Had they been following me? Watching me? And now felt like they had to intervene? If that was the case I wasn't okay with that. I wasn't a child, I didn't need to be watched and I didn't need their help right now.
"I've been requested for a mission. Now let go so I can be on time for my meeting." Kakashi's eyes widen and I saw shock wash over Yamato's face.
"Sakura-chan what are you doing?" Yamato questioned stepping closer to me and Fū. Yamato looked at Fū's hand on my shoulder and I could feel the two males in front of me increase their charka signature. When I didn't answer both men became even angrier.
"Sakura we need to talk." Before I could protest Kakashi is ripping me away from Fū, pulling me in the direction of the Hokage Tower. I felt Fū hand disappear and a sense of panic washed over me. If they do anything, anything at all to piss Fū off, I'll be punished. Whether that be that one of my secrets will be revealed, or physical abuse or worse….Kakashi gets hurt.
"Kakashi knock it off. I have a meeting. I have a mission I need to prepare for, I can't have a conversation with you right now!" I say sternly trying to dig my feet into the ground, but to no avail. I looked behind me to see Yamato following and Fū standing in the same spot, his hands over his chest, his smirk long gone. I force charka into my feet, locking me in place but Kakashi didn't notice until too late. He pulls me even harder, a little too hard and my shelve rips.
Hold on, I'm almost there. That was all I could think as Naruto, Sai and I made our way closer to Sakura. I knew who that guy was, I knew the things he did and what he was compactable of causing. That look Sakura had when Kakashi grabbed her, showed how direr this situation is.
"Sakura-chan!" I call out her name as I watch Kakashi rip her shirt. My anger boils even though Kakashi's face shows he didn't mean to. Kakashi let go of her arm and the ripped sleeve fell to the ground. I transport in-between Sakura and Kakashi, blocking Kakashi's reach to Sakura.
"Sakura I didn't mean to-I'm sorry." I think Kakashi says behind me, I don't know, I can't focus on anything but her. Her eyes where panicking, and her body was tense. I look up and see Yamato staring at Kakashi, refusing to look at me or Sakura.
I pull Sakura into my arms and give her a hug. "Are you okay?" I whisper into her ear and she nods her head yes, hugging me back. "You need to go with him, don't you?" She nods her head again and I know what I have to do. I release from the hug and hold her hand. Slowly I lead her back to where Fū was waiting. I kissed her on the lips and let go of her hand.
"I'll meet you back at the house Gaara." Sakura steps next to him and flashes me a smile. He places his hand on her shoulder and they disappear into the night. I take a deep breath before I turn around to face Kakashi.
I was pissed. How dare he put her in danger like that! How dare he be so stupid! By now Sai and Naruto have caught up and they looked pissed.
"Why did you let her go?" Shockingly it is Sai who is the first to question my actions.
"You don't get it do you. Holding her here, pissing that guy off is the worst thing you could have done." I walk closer to Kakashi. "The next time you grab my fiancé like that again, I will break every bone in your hand."
Before any of her idiots teammates could get a word in edge wise I transport into her apartment and start prepping her mission bag, hoping those idiots hadn't cause her any damage.
It's been four weeks since Gaara had received word from Sakura-chan and he was starting to get worried. When she had come back to her apartment that night she was already in mission mode. She was in and out of the apartment within an hour. Before she left she kissed him and told Gaara as soon as her mission was done that she would come home to Suna for a little while.
Sakura's absence had left Gaara in a sour mood, and while he moved through the motions of the day, he wasn't living. All Gaara could focus on was the fact Sakura was on some top secret mission and all he could do was sit back and wait.
The rest of the sand siblings stay in the Leaf village had been uneventful. Gaara was stuck in meeting most of the days while Kankuro and Temari trained with the Konoha 11. Kankuro and Temari were beginning to grow closer tp everyone in the Leaf village once again. Kankuro and Naruto even seemed to reach some understanding of one of another. Before Gaara left Tsunade had given him a basic outline on their anbu training and encourage him to send one of his village soon. Gaara and Tsunade had both agreed to start interoperating each other's training methods and both agreed it would only strength their bond and ninja in the long run. The new training regimen had been Gaara's latest project and he had just finished his second outline when Temari came through the door.
"Gaara" Temari huffed as she sucked in a deep breath. She had just gotten out of a meeting with the head anbu captain and it didn't go as planned.
"What is it?" Gaara asked getting straight to the point. He was tired of things going wrong and not following his carefully calculated plan.
"The captains are rejecting the new methods of training." Temari crossed her arms over her chest frustrated. "They state if we use methods from the Leaf, it will make our armed forces weaker, and will leave us wide out for attack from the Leaf. I tried reasoning with them but they wouldn't listen."
Gaara closed his eyes as he allow Temari's words to process. He knew it wasn't going to be easy but he didn't expect his captains to reject it so quickly, and without discussing with him first.
"Inform the captains to train their second string squads with the new methods, and allow their number one squads to continue with their current training."
"What? How is that going to fix anything Gaara?" Temari raised her brow confused on her brother's choice of action.
"When Sakura gets back I want there to be an arranged fight. I want to see in squad two can defeat squad one. Whoever wins the fight determines which methods we use." Gaara opened his eyes and let out a slow exhale. "Just tell the captains to train the two squads separately and if they have a problem, to see me directly."
Temari nodded her head and quickly left the office to give the captains a piece of her mind. Once Temari signature faded Gaara reached for his new picture of Sakura. Tsunade had hired a photographer to take pictures the night of the festival, and in the picture it showed Gaara on his knees presenting the ring to Sakura. While Gaara knew Sakura's tears were fake that night, he still treasured that moment. That moment signified the start of their new life's together.
Gaara had replayed that night in his head a thousand times. Every time he replayed it he discovered he had more and more questions he needed to ask Sakura-chan. The first question was why she had allowed him to take her. In the moment it was magical, it was perfect. It was everything he had hoped it to be. He felt connected to her, he felt love and he hoped she felt the same but the problem was he hadn't had a chance to talk to her about it. That night everything happened so fast and there was no time in-between to talk.
But what was really eating away at Gaara was the fact he hadn't used any form of protection. In the heat of the moment he never once thought to put on a condom or ask if she was on birth control. His animal had been let out of the cage and all his blood rushed to the wrong head, leaving him unable to think clearly. Sakura had to be on birth control…right? In Suna all female anbu were required to be on birth control in order to prevent any unwanted and unplanned pregnancies from interfering with missions. In the leaf village it had to be the same. What Hokage in their right mind would allow their female ninja to go out unprotected? He hoped it was more than wishful thinking, but until he talked to Sakura it was going to be in the back of his head.
But at the same time the thought of having children with Sakura sent warm waves of emotion throughout him. He knew it wouldn't be a bad thing if he had gotten Sakura pregnant from their first night together. Gaara wanted to build a family with Sakura. He wanted to create that wonderful bond he was deprived of in his childhood. But he would have to wait and see what would happen until Sakura got back….