Hey! Sry for the delay. I'm not dead. Incase you thought I was, I'm still breathing. Please enjoy this chapter. Nicknamed the Shmexy chapter. (Hahaha Narukun427)

FESTIVAL OF LOVE.

"Tie!", Genma announced with obvious distraction in his voice. Seeing two girls fight in front of him really got him excited. If you know what I mean.

The sand particles settled down around the battle field. The audience still going wild after seeing one of the most memorable battles in their lives. Sakura was breathing heavily, her lungs irritated from the sand that had been inhaled. Her green eyes still burned fiercely with animal like rage towards her opponent. Her lips painted thinly with red by her own blood, and her body bruised and scratched from sand contact, and blade contact. All in all, she was a mess. Her now semi short hair strewn about her shoulders wet rough and matted from the sand, and her fingers daring her to slice of Gingers neck. No doubt that Ginger was also tempted my the choice to just swing her silver sword and destroy her opponent. But That wasn't in the plan. Her shirt was torn in the back, she had equal scratches and cuts to match Sakura's. Two bloody war goddesses. Or should I say one a Goddess and the other a God.

An intense glare was exchanged between the two girls, the audience quieted at this sudden increase in attitude. The two simultaneously dropped their swords and took a step back from one another.

Gingers purple tinted lips began to whisper muted words, "I going to kick your..",

"As I was saying. We have a record set in the history of the Festival. This is the first time ever a battle has ended in a tie." He paused and looked at the exhausted woman , their silver blades sinking into the sand next to them. He could either continue on with the next match and ignore the demanding looks on their faces, or he could have a break. Where he could find a girl… to occupy his time….

"We will be taking an hour break in order to allow the fighters to rest a bit before they enter the surprise match."

Inner Sakura: I love surprises!

Sakura: You're a freak.

Inner Sakura: Takes one to know one.

Sakura: Why do I even bother with you.?

Inner Sakura: Because we're the same person.

Sakura: I hate you.

Inner Sakura: I know.

"So, please eat, drink, and chick out the games. I MEAN CHECK OUT THE GAMES. Cya later.", With the announcement finally over, Genma was gone, materialized away only to leave a pile of leaves behind.

Sakura let out a deep sigh and watched Ginger walk of the arena. She took note of her slight limp and much more labored breathing pattern. Sakura too began to walk away , faster, straight through the doors and out to all the stands and energized people. She got a few stares from amazed on lookers, but none dared to bother her, she seemed tired. The festival continued on with out her. She was disconnected. Battle fatigue really gets to you.

Now, where is the medical area?

Sakura took two steps onto the solid stone ground. She closed her eyes and admired the cool breeze that kissed her hot sweaty face. She took in a deep breath and forgot to breath out when she heard her name called. A familiar annoying voice called to her.

"Sakura.", the cold voice said with ease.

"Sasuke", she said , almost as if she sickened by the word that had just come out of her mouth. "What do you want?" ,She matched his cold glare tenfold.

He had changed his cloths. He wore black pants, much like the Kazekage, and a light blue long sleeved shirt with cryptic blue lettering on the it. Its spelled out his, name. And hers.

Sakura eyed him.

Why is my name on his shirt?

She hated his personality, but she couldn't help her self from relapsing into old habits. She thought of all times they had worked together as team mates, and the times she had spent rejecting Naruto to wait for him. In the process of reminiscing, she spaced out staring into Sasuke's eyes, but he could tell that they weren't really making eye contact.

So she still does have feeling for me. Hmm… my plan will work after all.

"Sakura, will you come with me for a moment?"

With out hesitation, Sakura followed. She passed stands and booths of all sorts, but none of them were as interesting as the man next to her. She was completely captivated by his presence. They pulled into an alley in between two booths. Sakura finally became aware of her surroundings. She couldn't see anybody, and she didn't know where she was. She was most defiantly hidden from sight. Invisible. Only a small candle on the wall light the area. But it was black, dark light. Small snakes appeared on the ground. Only Sasuke could see them.

"What do you want?", she asked nervously, all her bravery forgot, "I need to get ready for the next match." She backed away from him. The dark light illuminated Sakura's exposed 6- pack. Her curves looked delicious, soft. Her appearance was stunning.

I guess I have time in my plan, Orochimaru shouldn't mind.

"I want you." Sasuke responded. Her wrapped his arms around her waist , pulling her to him. He rocked his hips side to side against hers. Gaining pleasure with every movement. Sakura's eyes widened at the words, and the action. But she gave into temptation, and matched the pace, allowing her self to live the dream that she had always wanted. To have Sasuke want her. He was warm, and smelled like sand. Like some one else she wanted to do this with . Gaara.

He came to her mind. Stopping her selfish inappropriate actions.

He whispered into her ear. His hot breath dancing across her cheek.

"Sharingan."

S.H.A.R.I.N.G.A.N.

With in moments, Sakura was engulfed in darkness. They had returned to the same place they had been in before. Sasuke clearly visible in front of her.

"Sasuke, stop this, I don't want to have to hurt you.", she had recover from her thought less temptation state. . She was back to her self, shock and surprise forgotten. Her hands in fists, ready for a chance to attack.

"You wouldn't hurt me Sakura." , He paused and smirked, "You know you still love me." He walked closed to her and began to circle around her. A small jolt of shock traveled up and down her spin.

Sakura :Do I?

Inner Sakura: No you don't.

"I'm the only thing you can't get rid of Sakura."

Inner Sakura: like a bug up my ass.

Sakura: Is it really true?

Inner Sakura: what, the bug thing?

Sakura: No, the loving him thing.

Inner Sakura: No, its not!

"You know it's true Sakura"

Inner sakura: Stop listening to him! He's a freak. He asks you to follow him right after a match. Then he molests you in a dark alley. Then! He accuses you of loving him! Do you really want to listen to this guy. If I had to choose one guy in the entire universe to write FREAK across his forehead and tattoo the word onto his back, it would be Sasuke.

"I'm the only one you have Sakura. I'm the only constant in your life."

"Shut up", Sakura angrily whispered, barely audible, yet filled with rage.

He leaned in closer to her. " What?"

"I said , Shut up." , for the second time today she punched him in the face. Hard.

"I have some one here for me. And you want to know something…"

"I love him! Not you!"

B.A.C.K. T.O. R.E.A.L.I.T.Y.

Gaara was mad. NO. Gaara was pissed. He had immediately left to find Sakura after the match. He rushed through stands and hordes of fan girls to find her. Bursting through doors, and cutting through ice cream lines. She was no where. Then when he decided to stop of a spit second to concentrate He saw her.

With Sasuke.

Who was feeling her up.

On instinct Gaara summoned his sand. A small wall struck Sasuke sending him crashing to the ground , as far away from Sakura as possible. He instantly ran to her side in the dark alley , greeted with her exuberant eyes.

He looked into hers fiercely with out right rage. He was about to smack her. How could she do this to him, betray him when he had needed her the most. He had finally began to see the world in a new light, beginning to understand why things were the way they were. He was actually , happy. But, seeing Sakura with some one else robbed him of his life. His sanity.

Sasuke's going to die.

Shukaku: You got that right.

"What do you think you were doing with her?" Gaara pounded Sasuke's abdomen over and over.

"I'm going to kill you"

They were now out of the alley.

The scene you ask?

Gaara held a rather pale looking Sasuke a foot above the ground. His raven hair dangled off of his shoulders in the same way his feet did. Gaara's rough red hair , blew in the cold wind, and his anger emitted through out the area. The aura was deadly. Gaara was death glaring Sasuke, completely oblivious to his surrounding. They were in the section of the area where no one else dared to go. It was to old. And creepy. His tiger like mood seemed to do nothing to bother Sasuke however. It was like he had planned for this to happen. They just stood there. With in an instant Sasuke vanished. Materialized away.

That is the last time let him get away. He messes with Sakura again, I'm permanently putting his lights out.

Sakura came running out of the alley as well. She looked ok, she was a bit battered from the match, but besides that, every thing seemed well with her. But what they both couldn't see was the snakes forming chains around her. She was invisibly bounded. But to what?

She slowed down and slowly approached him. Never breaking eye contact. He growled at her. You would almost see the daggers in his eyes. He turned around so that he didn't have to face her. She brought to much pain right now. Real pain.

"Sakura, I thought you cared about me. You betrayed me just like every one else. I am alone. You have shown me that."

"Gaara." She spoke softly.

"What?",

"Shut up.", she was behind him now.

"What did you just sa.."

She didn't let him finish, she kissed him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he slowly wrapped his around her waist. Sharing a moment, living a dream. Gaara gently sucked on her bottom lip , running his on along Sakura's parted lips. Sakura gently played with Gaara's soft red hair. Copying his movements. They pulled back, still leaving their other parts connected.

"I love you Gaara.", Gaara hesitated.

Love? I think I know what it is now.

"I love you too Sakura. I never knew what love was. I thought it was weakness. But it's now my greatest strength."

They kissed again.

"i need to get back to the arena. My match starts in 10 minutes."

"Do you really have to?," Gaara slightly whined.

"Yes, I do."

"Fine.", he swept her off her feet bridal style once again.

Sakura giggled, "What are you doing?"

"Escorting you to the match."

With that , Gaara took off running in the direction of the stadium. The sun still shining, he made his way with his beautiful new love. His first love.

W.I.T.H. S.A.S.U.K.E.

Sasuke watched with surprised eyes as Sakura had confessed her love to Gaara.

That's a huge set back.

He pulled out a cell phone and quickly dialed the numbers 6666666.

"Orochimaru act quickly. We need to take her in the next match."

Orochimaru snake like words slithered through the phone and into Sasuke's ears.

"I will, after all . Darkness is my element.

F.E.S.T.I.V.A.L.O.F.L.O.V.E.

Oooooo!!! Big intense battle coming up. Can you handle it! Review. Please! It'll make me up date in two weeks. I COMPLETELY PROMISE. Thank you for the people that stuck with me and still stayed on the alert list. It made me feel so happy. Love ya!

Kibadelagenshin