Wow. I actually got a review! xDDD

Er, um, well- thanks!

8D
Anyway, I'm quick at updating because:

1) I have no life.
2) I'm quick at writing.
3) My chapters aren't that big.
And, plus, I'll probably end up writing this very, very slowly . . . soon.
I do that.

Chapter 3: Revealing.

" What do you mean . . . he's back? I thought he was taken from you!" I exclaimed, curling my hands back into fist. So, all of this, all of this torture he had been through was because Shukaku was back?

Gaara let out a sigh, clearly stating he was being irritated by my interrogation I just now started. Talk about limits." I meant exactly what I said," Gaara stated, rolling his eyes to the side to glance at me, before they flickered back to the window when I caught his gaze.

" I thought he was gone!"

" He was, but now, he has awakened. When the Akatsuki took me, they failed to complete the process of taking Shukaku out of me, and because of that, he managed to escape from their grasp. To become completely whole again, with me, he needed to do a very painful process in which, as you just noticed, was death." I stared blankly at him, trying to keep from gaping.

" But I thought . . . If you die, Shukaku wouldn't be able to live, either. You're his host."
" Yes. I am." He agreed, putting his hand out in front of his face to examine his pale fingers, before he cracked them all - which was a fairly disturbing sound by the way - and then placed his hand back on the edge of the bed, grasping the white sheets." He wouldn't live. But he wasn't being taken from me." He stated it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and he gave me such a blank look that clearly said,' Are you as stupid as you look?'.

" Oh," I paused for a minute, the blood beginning to boil in my veins." So, you just went along for the ride? You didn't even try to stop him-"

He cut me off.

" Actually, I did." That bothered me more than it should.

" But, if you tried to stop him, wouldn't you have died along with him?" I asked. I know, I was being . . . bi-polar, but he would be a bad guy either way.

" Yes. That is the point." He shook his head, as if he couldn't believe that I was that dense, which I agreed with then, by the way, but I wasn't actually stupid.

" You would have died so he wouldn't invade you? I mean, why would you do that, Gaara?" I asked, disbelief clouded my tone, and Gaara let out another sigh.
Tamari was right . . .

This Gaara was nothing like the old Gaara.

If the 12-year-old Gaara was the one I was questioning right now, I would have been dead. Correction: I would have been dead as soon as his fingers touched the skin of my neck.

" As Kazekage, Kunoichi, we take on responsibilities to protect our village. One most not be afraid of such responsibilities. One most have enough courage to stand up to it, even if it means losing your life in the process. But now, I have failed to protect my village." He didn't seem effected by this. At all. But that sadistic glint in his eye, that was once there when he was younger, appeared again.

" It seems, Kunoichi, that Shukaku is angry. And knowing my dear friend, he'll want revenge."

Now, does that sound like someone? Yeah, you're right. Sounds like Sasuke.
My hands curled up into fist at my side, and I shook my head." Revenge will get you no where, I hope you know that."

I swear I saw his lips twitch up into another smirk, but I'm sure I just imagined it.
" Why don't you tell that to him?" He muttered, tapping his temple with the tip of his pointer finger.
I frowned, before taking a step toward the door.

" Yes, well, I'm going to go tell Tamari-" I paused, thinking it was probably best to add 'san' at the end of his sister's name. Just in case."-san that you're awake."
I took another step toward the door, placing my hand upon the doorknob, and turned it easily.

" Leaving so soon?"

And with that being said, stand gripped my free hand that was at my side, and pulled me away from the white door that probably could have saved me. If only I just ran . . .
Soon, I was incased in sand, my head the only thing that wasn't.

" Let me go, Gaara!" I demanded.

" You see, Kunoichi, demanding things won't go with me." He gave me a sadistic smirk, leaning foward to tap my forehead with his finger.

And then, as I looked into those sea-foam green eyes of his, I realized . . .

It wasn't him.

" Shukaku!" I exclaimed.

" Brilliant, isn't it? I've finally managed to seize this body, completely, and make it my own." He took a deep breath, another grin growing on his lips.

" What did you do with Gaara?" I asked.

" Ah. Gaara. Do you know what he has done to me all these years? Surprisingly, the kid actually managed to hold me back. Especially then, you know, when that Kyuubi host, Naruto, defeated Gaara. He saved you."

Yeah. I know that Naruto saved me.

" I know that," I breathed.

" I'm not talking about Naruto, girl!" He growled, the sand giving me another squeeze, now making me gasp for air.

" When I first saw you at the Chuunin exams - when I first caught a whiff of you- I knew I just had to taste that crimson liquid that ran through your veins." He smirked, tilting his head to the side.
And then, he let out a feral growl, and the sand got even tighter; it hurt; I felt like I was being squeeze, like a orange. I know, odd way to put it, but it's the truth. It hurt. Badly. And because it hurt, I cried out in pain, my head falling limp, and looking for support on the back of the wall." And then he held me back from tasting your blood right then and there!" He let out another growl, his lips curling up into the beginning of an angry snarl." And just when I thought I was on the brink of breaking his control. I don't know why he didn't let me kill you! You out of a thousands that were killed in his grasp." He let out a irritated, and angry snort that made me glower at him, but what he said surprised me.

Gaara saved me.

And only me.

" Yeah, well, I'm flattered." I spat, the sarcasm dripping off of my words like poison.
And then, he let out a dark laugh, the sand beginning to crawl up my neck." And now, Girl, I think it's time we start the feast, eh?"

" Fuck you!" I spat once more, now trying to struggle my way out of the sand.
It was stupid to try.

This was like quick sand; the more you moved, the more it just brought you down into the depths of the unknown.

He let out another chuckle. Little did he know at the time, or; little did we both know, that Tamari was just outside that door. And with her, and her stubborn self, she kicked the door down instead of opening it.

" Gaara! Sakura!"

Tamari!

I let out a sigh of relief, but I knew, deep down, that this was probably worse than it was before. Not only will I, probably, end up dying, but so will Tamari.

" Get out of here!" I shouted. It was best it was just me who was to be 'Pushing up daisies'. It's slightly upsetting, though, you know? You'd expect things to be different- and here we are! I'm about to die in my patient's hands, or sand, more or less.

" What? Are you crazy?" She grabbed the fan that I had failed to noticed, which was strapped to her back, and then, she charged at Gaara. The thought that appeared in my head at the time, was ' Are you crazy?'. I didn't really expect her to listen . . . No one really takes my advice any way.
Taken by surprise, the sand fell from my skin, and dropped to the floor, only to incase my savior. Tamari.

I dropped to my knees, trying to gain back as much air, that I had lost, as possible.

" You interrupted me, sister." Shukaku hissed, raising his hand high in the air, and slowly curling his fingers into a fist.

He was going to kill Tamari. And it was my fault.

" You're not Gaara!" Tamari stated, giving Shukaku a glare that could match Gaara's. They were definitely siblings.

" Well, isn't that much obvious?"

Tamari choked, the sand beginning to slip through her lips. He was going to choke her to death. Slowly. And it would be my fault.

" Stop it!" I shouted, getting off the floor, and racing toward Gaara. I put all the strength I had into my right arm . . . The strength Tsunade-san had passed down to me, but not only was I putting that strength in there, I was putting my medicine skills to work, too, as well as chakra. As soon as I'd touch Gaara's body, he'd fall into an unconscious state, and then, we'd be able to tie him up. If that'll be any help at all.

I rushed forward, and my body slammed into Gaara's, and my hand connected with his chest, sending him flying backward into the wall, the sand that was invading Tamari reacted to the action, and raced to aid Shukaku, but it was no use. The walls cracked, and soon, a hole was placed there, and Gaara was now laying outside on the sandy floor.

It was a good thing his sand managed to actually reach him in time to keep him from falling. Since the place was covered in sand . . .

But it was a very good thing that there was barely any sand in the room he was just in, otherwise I'd be dead right now.

I rushed over to Tamari, seeing as she was rubbing her tongue with her fingers.

" Any get in your throat?" I asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She pushed my hand away, standing up, and walked over to sink, before putting her head under the water, and gulping down as much water as, probably, a whale.

" Feelin' any better?" I asked, trying to hold the amused smirked back.

" Yeah. What did you do to Gaara? Is he alright?"

" Of course, Tamari! He just fell into an unconscious state, so we'll have to tie him up, and everything."

" I know just the place!" She grinned, and, although there was possibly blood from the scratches the sand had given me - all over - I smiled back, despite looking like a psycho.

" While we're walking there . . . I want you to tell me what's up with Gaara, got it?"
I sighed, and nodded at her in response.

We jumped out of the hole in the wall, and I, as usual, thanked the Gods that we weren't like normal people. Gaara looked peaceful again, but I had to remind myself that this thing wasn't Gaara.

Tamari decided it would be best to place Gaara on some cart, and place blankets over him to keep from people noticing, and I agreed. Gaara couldn't afford to lose his position as Kazekage.
The entire way, I told Tamari of what happened to Gaara, both of us, also, putting in some suggestions on what to do with him. Tamari looked frightened, and I couldn't blame her . . .

So, the place Tamari had picked probably could hold Gaara.

It was like a dungeon, you know, like from the old times? And I was surprised Tamari even suggested this place.

I felt like a savage just thinking about putting Gaara in here.
But it was a good idea. There was no sand here.

We chained him to the ground, fairly sure that would hold him, before walking out quickly.
" I don't feel right about this," I muttered. I bit my bottom lip, and fidgeted with the collar of my shirt.

" Knock it off, Sakura. He'll be fine." I took a deep breath, deciding it would be best to trust Tamari. After all, she is his sister.

We sat outside of the dungeon, for Gods know how long. Tamari was just talking away about Gaara when he was little, and how sad she was when she found out about her mother. I had to admit, I pitied her, too. I mean, if my brother - if I had one - was the only one to survive when my mother couldn't, I'd feel bitter towards him, too. I guess, us humans, we just tend to do what we feel. And we can't stop that.

" Sakura, are you hungry?" I looked up at Tamari, clicking my tongue against the top of my mouth, before nodding." Yes, I guess I am."

She gave me a smile, before ruffling my hair, and walking off toward the door that lead to the exit." I'll bring back some food, all right?"

I waved her goodbye.

And that was the last I had saw her till tomorrow.
I guess Kankuro must have spotted her, and stole her away for the night.

I breathed slowly, before standing up, and looking into the 'dungeon', making Gaara was all right.
He was all right, of course.

But what bothered me, was that his eyes were open. And I went in.

When I shut the door, the fire that flickered on the wall made me snap my eyes shut. Sudden light tends to do that to you.

My eyelids flickered open, only to see Gaara staring down at the chains on his arms, and legs, before letting his gaze travel to me. In his eyes there was; confusion, betrayal, and hurt.
And it surprised me.

I was completely taken aback that I actually let out a gasp. So, this was Gaara right here.

" Gaara?"

" Hn."

Yep.
Definitely him.

I watched him as he raised his arm, then, let it fall limply back to the ground. His gaze traveled down to his bare chest, only to find an overly-large bruise near his heart. He let out a little snort, before tilting his head to the side, and giving me a look that said ' You did this to me'. And I couldn't help it, the look on his face made me giggle.

His eyes widened, just slightly, before they returned to their normal self.
Devoid of anything at all.

" Sorry," I muttered, trying to keep that amused grin in check.

No response from Gaara. He just raised a hand to his bruise, running his fingers tips along it with curiosity.

I sighed, letting my gaze travel back up to him." So, none of that, not even when you woke up . . . None of that was you?" I asked.

" At first," He muttered, pulling his hand away from his chest, and dropping it back on his lap.

" What do you mean . . . 'At first'?"

He sighed, closing his eyes as he replied," When you decided to leave is when he broke out."

" Oh."

Gaara seemed to stare at the wall the entire time I was there . . . Just staring at some invisible something. Something he found more interesting than me . . .

" Did it hurt, Gaara? When he took over."

No response. Just the blink of the eyes.

" Well, you don't talk much."

" Hn."

" Is that all you can say? Can't you say anything else?" I asked, giving him a look of anger.

" My vocabulary, Kunoichi, can do without your suggestions." He muttered in a bored voice, placing his hand on the wall beside him, running his fingers along the rough cement.

" And my name isn't Kunoichi, Gaara. It's Sakura! Got it? Say it with me now! S-A-K-U-R-A." I glowered at him.

He turned his head to the side to glare at me, that glare that usually made me shiver . . . But right now, his glare didn't do anything. Not after Shukaku." I know that, Kunoichi." Was he taunting me?

I took another deep breath, before looking down at my fingers that were fidgeting with each other nervously, deciding it was a lost cause to try and get him to say my name. Properly

" Gaara, can I ask one more question?

" No."

I decided to ask anyway.

" Why did you save me?"

He let out a sigh, before letting his gaze travel back over to me, giving me a questioning stare.

" You know, when we were younger?

He didn't respond. I expected that.

" Can I ask another question?"

Guess what? No response.

" How can Shukaku do that?"

Gaara let out a deep sigh, before staring down at his fingers that he was now flexing.

" He invaded me, himself."

" Well, then, why doesn't he just come out completely?"

" Because, Kunoichi, part of him is still sealed within me."

" Oh."

I took a deep breath, before shifting from my position, and pulling myself up." Does the bruise hurt?" I asked, slowly making my way toward him.

He looked at me, like he thought I was going to hurt him . . . And soon, I swear I saw him back up against the wall. He didn't respond to my question, either. I really don't think he heard it.

" I'm not going to hurt you, you idiot. I'm just going to help you. Do you know what help is?"

He narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously, and I let out a sigh of irritation.

Now, I was crouched down in front of him. His hands were clenched in fist, and you can see the veins grow more pronounced once more." Geese, Louise." I put my finger to my lip, before reaching out to place my hand gently on his chest. He went completely rigged, and his gaze locked onto my fingers." Calm down," I cooed. I understood something right now. He wouldn't let just anybody touch him, for he was afraid they would betray him, and kill him instead. Just like everyone did back then, besides Tamari and Kankuro. They were too frightened of him.

I put my hand on the bruise, thinking I felt him cringe. I closed my eyes, letting the energy within me to go back into my fingertips. Gaara's breath hitched, and soon, my wrist was captured with his slender, but lethal, fingers." Don't ever touch me!" He growled, his grip on my hand tightened, but he didn't release me, and I blushed.

" Er, Gaara?"

No response.

" I was just going to heal your bruise. You can trust me." I let out a nervous laugh, letting my gaze flicker toward our hands." I'm not like them." I grumbled.

He let out a feral growl, and threw my hand away from him. He probably didn't even realize he was holding my hand. Until now.

I felt heat rising back on my cheeks, and I scooted away to sit beside him, which I was surprised he even let me.

Heat was radiating off of him like the sun, and I actually was grateful. This place was a bit cold.

" Well, Tamari's happy you're alive." And so am I.

His head turned, just slightly, more like a tilt, and his eyes bored into my. I guess he was trying to figure out if I was lying or not.

" Yeah. She was here a few hours ago . . . She was going to get us something to eat, but I think Kankuro might have stolen her, or something." I paused, noticing he was looking at the door.

" You have a very nice family, Gaara. They're very, um, delightful." I smiled, a soft giggle flowed out of my lips. I know I said this a lot before, but this was strange . . . He made me angry, and, at the same time, happy.

I haven't giggled this much since Naruto, and the strange this was, was that Gaara wasn't even talking.

" Your brother is very, er, out there." I grinned.

" You like him." It wasn't a question.

" What? No, of course not!" I blushed. I really didn't. He was more like a brother to me.

I looked over at Gaara, seeing as he was staring at me with a confused expression on his face.

" What?"

He shook his head, before looking down at the chains once more.

I took a deep breath, and glanced back over at Gaara, and down at his bruise.

He will trust me.

I'll make sure of that.

--

I asked Tsunade-san to let me stay for a bit longer. I just wanted to stay with Gaara for a bit, and see how things were going. Shukaku didn't seem to come out like he did at first, but, sometimes, when he got angry, Shukaku would, and then he tended to do things that he shouldn't.

He never yells, either.

I guess you could say, coming from Gaara, when he spoke with that smooth voice of his, making it cold and dark, it was more frightening than actually shouting.

He was like a poisonous flower; beautiful, calm serene, and yet, lethal if touched, or messed with.

Tsunade-san replied about two days after, saying it was all right . . .

But, to my unfortunate luck, she said Naruto was going to come here, and make sure everything was okay.

Just great.

Like I need Naruto here to crowd around me, but I haven't seen him in so long, I guess I wouldn't really care.

" Hey, Gaara?"

I was sitting with him in his office, he was staring at some documents, and possibly wishing for it's death.

" Hm?"

" Naruto said he was coming." The redheaded man dropped his papers instantly, and his gaze flickered over to me." Why?"

" Because Naruto wants to see how I'm doing, and I'm pretty sure he wants to say 'hi' to you, too." I shrugged, giving him a small grin.

" Naruto . . . " Gaara murmured. His gaze faltered, and they landed on my hands.

" Don't worry, Gaara. I'm sure if Naruto found out about Shukaku, he'd be worried, not afraid."

He returned his gaze to me, and glared, not enjoying what I just said. Either he didn't want Naruto afraid, or he did. Maybe both.

" Sakura?" I glanced up at Tamari's voice, suddenly, afraid.

Her voice was laced with aggravation, confusion, and worried, and I noticed Gaara was rigged in his seat.

Before Tamari even had a chance to open the door, Gaara had disappeared, sand sliding out of the window.

" Sakura!" The door bursted open, and Tamari spotted me sitting next to Gaara's seat.

" You blonde friend, Naruto. Something's wrong with him!" I glanced down at her shirt, noticing blood was stained on her arms, and spots where there was white cloth.

" What happened!?"

" We think some ninjas attacked him. We don't know who, though."

Without asking any more questions, she grabbed my hand, and we raced off into the direction of Suna Gates.

Something was wrong . . .

And, whatever it was, it was happening with the demons inside Gaara and Naruto.