Whaaaaaaaah! I am so sorry! I didn't mean for it to take so long, I had writers block! I'm so sorry... please don't hate me...
"Thanks again Naruto, you too Sakura!" the three yelled before running down the street towards their homes, the two addressed waved back; one happily and the other begrudgingly, the third member of their party had their hands in there pockets and waited for his friends. Yes, you read that right; the almighty Sasuke Uchiha considered the dobe and the cherry blossom his friends.
"I better get home, see you boys tomorrow for some light training?" she asked and they both nodded. She made her way home, she noticed a presence following her and resisted the erg to run or turn around.
The presence stayed until she reached home and undid the seal on her door; she felt a slight breeze behind her from sudden movement, she turned around to see Gaara's form standing very close to her own, his cold eyes stared down at her but she was used to cold gazes by now so she felt unaffected.
"Is there something you want?" she asked politely and she saw surprise flicker in his ice-colored orbs but it vanished as quickly as it appeared, he reached out and held a strand of her hair between his fingers, he played with it slightly as he looked at it with, what she could best guess, fascination.
"Why is your hair this color?" he said, Sakura held back a groan of annoyance, why does everyone have to question her hair color? She allowed herself to sigh.
"Medically you would call it a genetic deformity or oddity, my dad has white hair while my mum has red; I guess their genes mixed the wrong way and gave me pink hair" she said allowing him to continue his play of curiosity, he looked from her hair to her eyes and she saw something she could not identify.
"You don't fear me," he stated, his statement confused Sakura.
"Of course, you have done nothing to cause me to be afraid" she said and he nodded slowly, taking in her words, before finally releasing her hair. He was about to walk away when he gripped his head in pain, falling to his knees he began to shake.
"Gaara-san! What's wrong?" she said frantically, she was at his side in a heartbeat. She held his shoulders gently and tried to comfort him as he suffered for unknown causes, he started clawing at his scalp; drawing blood, she grabbed one of his hands and held it tightly.
"Don't do that!" she said with a slightly raised tone, as though it would be the only way for him to hear her. He opened one eye to a slit and looked at her panting.
Another shot of pain struck him and he yelled in pain, not loudly but it was audible, he suddenly dove for her and wrapped his arms around her mid-section, holding her tightly to the point of pain as he shook.
She wrapped one arm around his shoulders and the other ran through his hair in a soothing motion, he buried his head in her shoulder as though to escape the pain.
He suddenly stopped after a while, his hold slacked and fell to her sides; silence consumed them both, the longer he remained silent the more a malevolent chakra cloaked his body, she finally found her voice and she delicately questioned the boy.
"Gaara-san? Are you okay?" she whispered, he shifted slightly before holding her mid-section again.
"Sorry, Gaaras' not available at the moment" she heard the boy say, but his voice was drastically different from the voice she knew Gaara possessed. The chakra that flowed around his body was not Gaara's; it held a demonic feel that she knew all too well.
"You're a tailed demon aren't you?" she stated more than asked; he chuckled as he lifted his head from her shoulder. She suppressed a gasp as she looked into his golden eyes, what was supposed to be the white of his eyes were in fact black and his pupil was in the shape of a diamond.
"Bingo, the name's Shukaku" he said and grinned in way that gave Sakura the impression of a mad man. He moved them both so she was sitting on his lap, arms still trapping her.
"I've only seen your colored hair once, you must a Haruno, they we're quiet nice to me long ago" he said off-handedly and Sakura turned her head to look at the demon.
"You know my family?" she asked and he nodded, leaning his back against her door.
"Before I was trapped in that accursed kettle I had met your family, I was quiet young at the time and had been injured in a fight, I had to downsize into human form and your family took me in, saving my life. They lived in a small remote village comprised mostly of Haruno's; they immediately knew who I was but treated me very well, some even playfully teased me" He chuckled lightly but it faded as memories of the past continued to flow.
"But someone who was married into your clan went and told the Kazekage. I was going to stay but the village was destroyed and I was stuck in that blasted kettle, from then on I swore that I would only live to kill. I would live to kill everyone except those of Haruno blood; I would protect them seeing as I have a debt to pay" he finished, Sakura had stayed quiet through the whole story and was quiet amazed.
"So my family saved your life centuries ago and now that you've found me, a descendant, your going to repay what you believe to be a debt" she clarified and he nodded, Sakura laughed which caused Shukaku to frown.
"What's so funny?" he growled and Sakura calmed her laughter.
"I don't think my family ever expected repayment," she said and he looked confused, so she explained.
"My family helped you out of the kindness of their hearts, they didn't care that you're a demon and, if I carry the same nature as they did, putting you in their debt was the last thing on their minds. They just wanted to help, nothing more," she said and Shukaku stared at her, and stared, and stared, and stared. Sakura was about to question him on it but a bellowing laughter filled the air, stopping her question, and Sakura was glade this was a remote part of town.
"I know your ancestors intentions were not tainted, I just want to keep people like you and your family alive. You are a light that demons like me cherish; Sakura I am blessing you with my protection, don't try to get out of it because it wont work, when a tailed demon makes up their mind it ain't gonna change so get used to it" he said with a grin that made her smile back.
"Fine, you win, but don't try and make Gaara follow me everywhere, my teammates will just end up fighting you" she giggled slightly and moved to stand up but Shukaku held her there.
"Um… can you let go?" she asked and he smirked, his tightened grip told her the answer, she sighed and begun to squirm as the realization of her position became evident. He chuckled behind her ear causing her to blush and flinch away.
"Shy little one, aren't you?" he joked and Sakura pouted, crossing her arms she looked away. She wanted to go to bed but the bloody tanuki wasn't letting her.
"I want to go to sleep," she stated and she felt his laughter through her back. He stood up taking her with him, she gasped in surprise and he chuckled again, keeping her lifted off the ground his sand opened the door and he walked in. Sakura sighed and directed him to her room; he strolled in and inspected her room before sighing and shaking his head.
"What? What's wrong with it?" she asked, a little irritated, and he looked at her before placing on her bed.
"This place is too small, the Haruno clan used to have large homes, this place is tiny compared to your ancestors houses" he commented and Sakura sighed, mostly in relief, before smiling at him.
"You know what they say, less is more," she said before taking off her small jacket and putting on her button pajama shirt, she then slid her PJ pants over her second skin like shorts and took of her belt that held her Haiti-ate.
"Aren't you going to change or shower?" he asked as Sakura stretched.
"I'll have one in the morning," she muttered as she lay down, putting the covers over herself she closed her eyes and surprisingly fell asleep quiet easily.
He knew when she fell asleep, he gazed up at the moon; it wasn't a full moon but it still illuminated the room, when he was with the Haruno clan he didn't feel blood lust. Don't get him wrong he loved to kill, but with a Haruno around he didn't feel the nagging need and it was refreshing as it allowed him to relax.
He looked back towards the Haruno descendant, she was a true Haruno, and her hair meant that she would've been held in high standing back when her clan flourished.
He felt the call of his fellow demons; he closed his eyes and allowed his host to regain control but told him to keep watch over her.
When he opened his eyes he was with his brethren and they all looked at him oddly. He switched his gaze to each and everyone one of them before he finally cracked.
"What?" he yelled and Son Gokū laughed, and Kokuō stepped forward. "You don't have that blood mad look in your eyes" she stated and Shukaku looked little surprised before nodding. "That's because I've met a Haruno" he said and everyone stayed quiet, they knew of his history with the Haruno clan and what he had told them of their soothing abilities. "I thought the Kazekage had the Haruno clan exterminated" Isobu put in and everyone nodded, most of the clan that was the Haruno's were hunted down after the capture of Shukaku and they had all wanted to meet the kind people. "Your talking about Haruno Sakura no doubt?" Kurama said with a wry grin, Shukaku glared at him.
"She's a member of your host's team. Why didn't you say there was a surviving Haruno?" he interrogated and everyone looked back and forth between the raccoon-dog and the fox.
"No one brought it up, and besides I wanted to find out if a Haruno really does have the demon soothing qualities they apparently possess. Evidently they do, I quiet enjoy her company and I find it entertaining when she punishes her teammates" he chuckled as he remembered how the pinkette lectured the Uchiha and his host on fighting each other.
"That does give you any right to withhold any information pertaining to the Haruno clan, we agreed that if one of us found someone of Haruno blood we would tell each other" the tanuki argued and everyone agreed, Kurama sighed before he twitched. It wasn't just a twitch it was the twitch, it was a universal rule that there human host was either in need of them or their seal simply commanded their consciousness to return.
"Well then, I'll be off, until our next reunion" he said before he turned around and walked away, his nine tails swishing languidly behind him as he faded into the mist that was their realm, some of the others grumbled about their fox brother but otherwise remained silent.
"Gaara's calling me back as well" Shukaku said and he turned around, Son Gokū remarked then.
"So you just obey your vessel now?" he mocked and Shukaku sent a glare his way.
"Sakura is with him, of course I'll go, you idiot" the sand demon retorted before making his way back to his host.
'Any change?' he asked when he was once more locked away in his vessels body and mind.
'No' Gaara growled in his mind, he really didn't see the point in watching over this weakling. He felt a strong pain enter his skull as Shukaku tormented him.
'Do not say that about a Haruno, do you understand?' his demon warned and the pain subsided, he gave a sigh of relief as the pressure faded.
He continued to watch the female who his demon held such a high regard for, and for Shukaku to hold anyone in any regard is seldom enough. He would admit that she wasn't ugly, very pretty in fact; in her own nature she was rare, her hair was a one thing but also how she didn't fear him, maybe she wouldn't be such a nuisance or weakness, she was keeping Shukaku from ranting about blood lust and wasn't plaguing his mind with pain or noise every second, he was enjoying the silence.
Dawn came and he was still there, she was about to greet Shukaku a good morning but saw that Gaara was back in control, she still gave him a pleasant 'good morning' before grabbing the needed garments and heading to the bathroom. She enjoyed the shower as the memory of last night came into being, she wondered if Gaara knew of Shukaku's and hers… partnership, as best as she could put it. Pushing the thought to the side she changed into her usual garments kunai pouch and bag attached to her thigh and belt along with her forehead protector.
She looked in the mirror; her crystal was showing, Sakura sighed, she was going to have to tell them sooner or later, and it might as well be sooner.
"You hungry?" she asked as she came out of the door, hair dried and brushed. He looked at her before nodding, she smiled and gestured her to follow him down stairs. She made breakfast for the two of them and offered his plate; once they had finished she began washing the dishes, when she was done she told him she had some training to do with her teammates and with that was out the door.
She discovered that if you sent chakra to your feet and tweaked it just right you could skate across the ground as though you were on ice, she maneuvered around the civilians who paid her no heed; already used to the girl and her speedy travel.
She arrived shortly before Sasuke and after a few minutes Naruto was there as well, they got right into training, recapping on what they know and making coordinated attacks and when they took breaks, strategies for all sorts of situations. Sakura had paused a few times, thinking about whether or not to tell them, but she finally got the nerve to tell them.
They were both surprised and a little hurt that she didn't trust them but they soon forgot it, they continued making plans and making code words and names and practiced their new attacks and defenses.
Guys' team came around by chance so when team seven asked for them to help with practice they all agreed.
By the end of the session everyone was exhausted, covered in bruises and scratches. Even Guy, who had randomly joined in and made it a free for all, was covered in minor injuries.
"So much for a light training session" Sakura laughed in between pants, everyone except for Sasuke and Neji laughed; they just smiled. She stood up a little bit wobbly but otherwise fit to walk, she bid them a 'good bye' and began her journey home.
About half way there she tripped, feeling the panicked sensation of falling she shut her eyes and jerked her hands forward to cushion her landing.
She never hit the ground; she slowly opened her eyes to see black, her eyebrows furrowed at the obstruction of her view. She shifted her head backwards to see a white sash, which gave her a very short list of candidates to whom her 'rescuer' could be.
"You should be more careful" she heard the boy say. Gaara, of course, he's the one with a protective demon and an apparent fascination with her hair color.
"I'm just tired" she sighed, she stood, and as though on cue she yawned. Stretching her arms above her head she sighed as she felt her shoulder crack, relieving the pressure that had built up. She was suddenly off solid earth and into a solid chest; it took her a few seconds to realize she was being carried bridal style back to her abode.
"Uh, Gaara? I'm tired, not crippled. I can walk" she said but he just ignored her, she felt a familiar twinge in her heart; that same painful twinge of being to weak to even be noticed unless its to be rescued or aided. She glared and began to struggle with knew strength she didn't realize she still had.
"I am not dead weight for you to just carry around! I can walk on my own and I can take care of myself!" she almost yelled and he finally put her down, she stood strait and begun to walk home at a brisk pace, not sparing him a glance.
Me: Sakura, please say it for me.
Sakura: Sure! Outcast001 does not own Naruto... dammit
Me: I know, BTW This is a non-massacre fic, so Itachi has not killed any family members... I think
Good? bad? Tell me so I can make it better!