Hi! Here's the third chapter for you guys! I appreciate the reviews I got. Thank you everyone!
Disclaimer:I thought we went over this already. I don't own Naruto.
Enjoy minna!
The two guards escorted Sakura to her room. Once they left, out of habit, she went to the balcony. She took in the climate, the surroundings and the people of the Suna kingdom. The weather was very hot and if it wasn't for the icy cold breeze she had created, she would surely die from heat exhaustion just from standing there. She looked at the sandy streets below, and saw kids playing and kicking a ball around. She smiled at the children's happiness, but her smile soon turned into a small frown of envy. She had never got the chance to play ball with other children was when she was a child. She was busy taking etiquette lessons, and learning how to control her ice abilities. Many people respected her because of her position; and had men lining to escort her to certain parties and balls.
She then started to wonder what it was like to be free and play around with her closest friend. Ino was her best friend, aside from the fact that Ino was one of her servant maids. She would sometimes sneak Sakura out of the castle go to the Frozen Sakura Garden; which was located a few minutes from the castle. The site was completely beautiful, with sakura petals flowing around with the cold breeze. Although the sakura trees and everything around them were almost or completely frozen, the real beauty was truly captivating, though her freedom in the garden wouldn't last long. Her father would catch and lightly reprimand her for sneaking off like that.
Distressing at the fact she wouldn't be able go back home, she wept a small tear as it crept its way down her face. She was about to wipe it from her face, when a male's oily finger beat her to it. She then felt his hands slide from her face, down to her arms. She shivered at the close proximity and the sudden touch. She relaxed a little when she thought it was Gaara.
"What is troubling you?" Sakura suddenly felt uncomfortable at the contact, because the voice didn't belong to Gaara. It was the king.
"Excuse me you highness, but could you please refrain from touching me?" Sakura did everything she could to keep a stern face.
"Oh? Why should I grant your request?"
"Because I've never allowed a man to touch me before; and I do not feel you get any special treatments just because you are a king."
"I like your answer my dear. Your answer is very wise. I like that." The king released his arms from her arms, and stepped out of her room. Unnoticed by Sakura, the king took a menacing yet slightly lustful glance at her before walking out.
As soon as he stepped out and she heard the door close, she fell to her knees and began to tremble in the slightest. The king's touch was frightening. When he had touched her in the throne room it was eerie. But when he touch her now it was worse than before. His hands were cold and slimy; almost like a snake's skin. She made a mental note to never let the king touch her again. She rose to her feet, changed clothes and lied in her bed and drifted off to sleep.
Gaara was walking down the hallway making his way to Sakura's room after his private reading session. His twenty-year-old brother, Kankuro, walked past him, noticed the small smile on Gaara's face and stopped in his tracks smirking.
"What's this? The untouchable Sabaku no Gaara is smiling? You must've had the ultimate killing spree; other than the Koori King and Queen."
Gaara also stopped walking and turned to face his older sibling.
"No I haven't killed anyone since the King and Queen."
"Then why are you smiling? Is she hot?"
"What?"
"Is. She. Hot…?"
"What makes you think I'm smiling about a girl?"
Kankuro shrugged. But then realization hit him like a ton of bricks and he grinned widely. "It's the Koori Princess isn't it?"
"What would make you think it's the Koori Princess?"
"Well, since we got back from the Koori Kingdom, you've been smiling a little more. And I noticed while we were on the ship, when you came out onto the deck from your cabin, your shirt was sliding off your shoulders a bit. Not to mention the fact that I saw you tense when Dad touched her in the throne room." Kankuro finished with a smirk whilst Gaara fought the urge to blush.
"So it is the Koori Princess then. I wouldn't get too close though."
Gaara's face went from slightly embarrassed to outright baffle. "Why?"
"Our dad," Kankuro said matter-of-factly. "you know he always has an eye for beautiful women. And the Princess happens to be one of those women. I would keep-" Before Kankuro could finish his word of warning, Gaara had dashed off to Sakura's room.
"He likes her that much eh? 'Bout time he got a girl." Kankuro smiled to himself and went off to tell his meddling sister, Temari, about their baby brother's love interest.
When Kankuro had told Gaara not to get too close to her, he was confused. Why shouldn't he get too close? He deeply cared for her and the king would surely approve.
He needed to know why Kankuro warned him. "Why?"
He and his siblings had been annoying him lately about how he needed a mate and soon. He was eighteen now and they said he was ready for a suitable girlfriend and hopefully wife. So he didn't why Kankuro would say this after all those months of persuasion and annoyance. But then a thought abruptly popped up in his head. His father. He remembered how his father had an eye for beauties. And Kankuro had worded his thoughts and worries.
"Our dad," Gaara's eyes had widened. "you know he always has an eye for beautiful women. And the Princess happens to be one of those women. I would keep-"
Gaara had heard enough. He dashed for Sakura's room somewhere in the castle. The only problem was that he hadn't known which room the guards had taken her too. Luckily he spotted one the guards who escorted her to her room. He sprinted to the guard and in the blink of an eye the guard was pinned against the wall with Gaara clutching his shoulders harshly.
"Which room is Princess Sakura in?" The guard was busy trying not to scream from the pain Gaara was giving his shoulders. But Gaara only pulled him from the wall and slammed him against it again.
"Where. Is. The Princess?" The way he had asked was draped with venom and it sounded like he getting impatient and he would snap anytime soon. The guard knew if he didn't answer soon, blood would fly everywhere.
"She's in the left corridor of the South Halls; fourth door on the right." Gaara hastily nodded and took off for the South Halls.
It didn't take long for him to reach the door to Sakura's room. He hurriedly yet silently opened her door and found his pink-haired angel sleeping in her bed. His heartbeat slowed down back to its regular pulse and he quietly sighed in relief. He didn't want his father to do to Sakura what he had done to a young servant maid a couple of months ago. The poor girl would never be the same again.
He turned around to leave her room, when a sleepy yet genuine voice stopped him.
"Mmhm Gaara?"
Gaara turned around and looked her face. Even when she was tired she was still beautiful.
"Yeah it's me. I was just checking on you. But you're okay so I'll go now."
Sakura's eyes widened and sat up instantly. "Wait! Please stay. In case he comes back."
Gaara tensed. "In case who comes back?"
"Your father." Gaara rapidly turned around and ran to her bed and sat down; placing both of his hands on her shoulders.
"What did he do? Did he hurt you?"
"No. He just touched me. But when I asked him to stop, he did so and then left."
"Don't let him touch you again. He has an eye for beautiful women and young girls."
Sakura blushed when he had implied that she was beautiful. Gaara also realized what he said and looked away faintly blushing. Sakura found his blush quite cute. But her face turned serious in a second.
"Is he always like that?"
"Strangely no; about a month or two ago, he went to a small village for a conference about our economy situation. The trip took longer than expected. He was supposed to be back in a week, but he came in a month later. We all asked what took him so long, but he just brushed off saying he had to take care of some problems. He's been acting stranger than his usual behavior ever since."
"I see."
There was an awkward silence between and Sakura and Gaara that lasted for a few minutes, but seemed like an eternity for the both of them. Sakura began nodding off again soon fell back asleep. Gaara watched her fall asleep and he couldn't help but smile as she looked like a serene child taking her nap after playing in the playground all afternoon. His eyes diverted from her face, down her creamy neck until they stopped at the Koori Pendant. His brows furrowed as his eyes made contact on the pendant. He reached his hand out toward the snowflake shaped accessory and gave it a slight stroke. He quickly drew his hand back and began his mental discussion with Shukaku.
'Take it. After all the Koori Pendant is what you're after.'
'What?'
'Take the pendant. You want it after all. Kill her if you have to.'
'I thought you still loved Safaia.'
'That was a temporary slip. But it won't happen again.'
'Sure it won't. But I won't kill her. And I'm not sure if I even want the pendant anymore.'
'What? Oh come on kid you not making sense. Your pops said he would give you the throne if you handed him the pendant. So you don't have to worry about it. Or are you planning something else…?'
'…'
'Heh. I thought so.' The sand spirit disappeared into Gaara's mind, leaving him with his mental dilemma.
'What should I do? She's messing up all my emotions. But I can't help but feel this way. Every time I'm around her, I smile; which is something I never do.'
Gaara shook his head and lied in the bed; wrapping his arms around her petite waist. He rested his head on top of hers and soon sleep took over him.
Gaara stood in a garden of frozen sakura trees. The site was gorgeous; the wind softly blew the sakura petals around the trees and him. It was cold, but he was busy staring at the beauty before him in amazement. He looked around the garden as beautiful emerald and sapphire butterflies flew around in tiny packs. He then spotted a vague figure standing in the open tiny field in the middle of the circle the trees formed. He stepped closer and narrowed his eyes trying to get a better look at the person with his or her back turned toward him. His eyes widened as soon as he saw pink hair and a white dress flowing in the breeze.
"Sakura!" He walked toward her and noticed she probably didn't hear him. He took one more step toward her as she finally turned around to face him. His eyes widened in horror as he looked at her form before his very eyes. Her pink hair was stained with crusty crimson blood as well as her face. Her forehead was slightly cracked as fresh blood started to flow down her pale face. The blood soon dripped and then tainted her knee length white dress with droplets and rivers of blood. As she closed her eyes, Sakura fell forward but before she hit the ground, Gaara quickly caught her and kneeled to the ground with her head on his lap.
"Sakura. What happened? Who did this to you?" Sakura opened her eyes and gave Gaara a look full of sadness and betrayal.
"Gaara. How could you do this?"
"W-What?"
"Why did you do this to me?"
"You mean…I did this to you? But that's impossible! I would never do this to you!"
The emotion in Sakura's eyes didn't change and Gaara could her heartbeat weakening. It took all his willpower to not cry for the one girl he loved.
"Sakura. Please don't go! I love you!" But it was too late. Sakura heartbeat soon stopped and her eyes were forever shut. Gaara couldn't hold it in anymore. He finally let out a cry of sorrow out, as it echoed through the garden, and possibly all of Rila. He brought Sakura up and buried his face in her chest letting his tears flow out of his misery filled eyes.
"Why are you crying?" Gaara quickly shot his head up as he looked around for the source of the voice. He slightly gasped in shock as he looked up and saw himself; smirking wickedly with hate and murder clouded in his eyes.
"Did you do this? You're the one who killed her?"
"Yes, which means you killed her also, since I'm you."
"What? I would never- I wouldn't this to her! What could possibly make me want to brutally murder her?!"
His other self gave a dark chuckle and replied, "Touch your neck."
Gaara did as told and touched his neck, he couldn't feel anything on it, so why would his other self tell him to-
Wait.
He could feel something on it after all. He quickly yanked the object off and as he saw the object in his hand, he widened his eyes in terror, sorrow and regret. It was the Koori Pendant. He had killed the woman he loved for the key to rule all kingdoms.
"How did- how did this happen?"
"Simple. You asked her for the Koori Pendant. She refused and you killed her for it. You were so obsessed with ruling Rila you killed her."
Gaara shook his head rapidly and tried to ignore his other self's snide words. But the voice kept mercilessly mocking and toying with his emotions and mind.
"You are a monster. Once a monster always a monster. You can't change who you are; you were born and destined to kill, no matter who who the person is. Whether it's you family, your friends, or the one you love. You. Are. A. MONSTER!"
"I am not a monster! I didn't kill her! This isn't happening!"
"Oh but it has already happened. You killed her. And now you have entered a point of no return."
Gaara gave out one more cry before everything went black for the Suna prince.
Gaara woke up with sweat covering his face, and his breathing pattern was heavily ragged. He noticed he fell asleep and soon began to panic. Shukaku was supposed to create chaos and wreak havoc all over the kingdom. He sat up and looked around the room. Everything was still in order; the pictures were hung neatly on the walls, the dressers were still standing, the canopies were still hanging and the bathroom and bedroom door were still on their hinges. Strange, Gaara thought. But then another thought came in mind. Sakura. He looked to his side and saw her sleeping like a baby. He sighed in relief and gave a smile as he stoked her bangs from her forehead. She giggled in her sleep as she cuddled next to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He placed his hand on top of her head and kissed her forehead.
"Gaara." He looked down to see Sakura looking at him with sleepy eyes. Her eyes soon fully awoke and touched his cheek with her hand while her other hand intertwined with his. Gaara closed his eyes in relaxation as she placed circles on his cheek. Her gentle and soft touch was so calming for him. So peaceful. So soothing.
"Gaara are you okay? You're shaking and your face is sweating a bit."
Gaara opened his eyes and stared deeply into her worried emerald eyes.
"Yeah I'm fine. I just had a bad dream."
"What was it about?"
"…I don't want to talk about it."
"That's fine then. What time is it?"
"It's evening now."
"Oh!" Sakura jumped up from the bed and went straight to the balcony. Confused written all over his face, Gaara stood up and followed her to the terrace. When he went to outside he could now see why she wanted to go there; the sunset.
"This sunset is much more beautiful than the one back in my home."
"The sunset is pretty much like this everyday. What is the sunset in Koori like?"
"Well, the Suna sunset has beautiful deserts colors as you can see. There are blended colors of red, yellow and orange; with colorful rays shining from the sun. The sunset back home, well, it's pretty much the same as it is in the morning and afternoon. The sun isn't really much of a sun, more like a ball of ice; since the cold weather is a part of our climate and cultures. The sun has faint color of light blue and solid crystal white. Sometimes you can see small snow flakes falling from the sun as well it falls from the sky. But once it hits sunset, the sun soon stops allowing snow to fall from it, and the colors starts to fade a little as nightfall soon arrives upon us. But the color is still beautiful though. It just becomes a little transparent. But this sunset is beautiful though. I've never seen so many colors in one sunset before. The more I look at it, the more I fall in love with it. I do wish I could go back home though."
Gaara was amazed with this girl. Not only was she beautiful, but she also wasn't afraid to speak her mind; no matter who the person was. She compared the beauty of their sunsets so easily like it was nothing and in such a genuine poetic way in his opinion. She was truly something worth fighting for. Unconsciously he wrapped both of his arms around her waist from behind and started planting tender butterfly kisses up and down her smooth neck. Sakura blushed heatedly and her knees suddenly became weak. They eventually gave out and she would've fallen if Gaara hadn't held her in place. She smiled and turned around so she could meet her lips with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck as Gaara's arms remained around her petite waist. Their lips fitted perfectly with each other; and this time it was Sakura who swept her tongue across Gaara's bottom requesting entrance. Gaara gladly accepted and soon their tongues fought with dominance, with Sakura surprisingly winning. Gaara's hand traveled up to Sakura's nec then down her back. His hand soon made its way down to her thigh as he lifted it up against his waist. He then pushed her back against the wall, never breaking the kiss. Sakura lifted her head up giving Gaara more room to her neck. He happily brought his mouth down to her neck, giving it sweet kisses, nibbles and bites. After a few moments, they broke the kiss desperate for air.
"Sakura, do you love me, despite of what I did?"
Sakura thought it over. He was very handsome and also charming, and he was sweet once you got to know him. He was easy to talk to and he was protective of her. Sakura looked into his hypnotizing jade eyes and replied.
"Yes. I love you, I don't care what you did, and I don't care if we've known each other for a few days. I love you Sabaku no Gaara. I love you so much."
For the first time in Gaara's life, he gave her a genuine smile and a look of pure happiness. It was first time anyone has ever given him so much affection; other than that pesky servant maid Matsuri, who always wasted her time flirting and trying to catch Gaara's attention, instead of doing her chores. She only liked him because of his looks and his mysterious bad boy demeanor. But Gaara was always aggravated with her because she thought he was a bad boy; he didn't want to be referred as that type of man. But Matsuri never got the hint and always flirted with him. But Sakura was different, she wasn't afraid to bad-mouth him. She always spoke what was inside her heart and every time she gave him that genuine and gracious smile of hers, his breath would become short and his heart would beats ten times as fast.
"Sakura, you have no idea how much I love you too."
Gaara pulled her in for another kiss and before the kiss could deepen, a man had walked in the room and caught them kissing from the door. His eyes widened in shock but regained his poise and cleared his throat. They both quickly pulled away from each other looking a little embarrassed.
"The king wishes you come to the dining hall for dinner. He says you do not have to be formal, so you can wear what you are wearing now."
"Um okay, thank you."
The man nodded in agreement and walked out of the room. Sakura and Gaara soon followed after him after Sakura changed in the bathroom into appropriate, but not formal, clothes for dinner.
The man was quite surprised to see the Koori Princess and the Suna Prince kissing on the balcony; it seems that the king wouldn't be too pleased about it. He made his way to the dining room and made his way to the king to tell him about the news. He leaned in to whisper in the king's ear.
"My lord, it seems that the Prince and Koori Princess have taken an interest with each other."
"Oh? How so?"
"Yes. I saw them kissing out on the Princess's balcony."
The king frowned but soon his calm nature returned. "Well, I never would have thought that Gaara would fall in love; this certainly shocking news. Well you sent them in for dinner right?"
"Yes."
"Very good Kabuto; you are dismissed."
The man known as Kabuto bowed respectfully and left the room. After a few minutes Gaara and Sakura had made their way into the dining room. Sakura fidgeted her fingers in nervousness but Gaara kissed her forehead assuring her everything would be fine. Unfortunately the king noticed and clenched his jaw; but soon relaxed. Gaara pulled Sakura's chair out and she sat down, thanking him.
"My dear, you mush be hungry. You haven't eaten since you were on the ship. Please enjoy and eat all you like."
Sakura gave the king a mere glance before helping herself in the scrumptious food on the table. She took one bite of a cooked pigeon and she was instantly in love with the food. It was absolutely delicious! She had never tasted anything like it before. It was crisp, yet tender and it was pure bliss! She savored the flavor as she slowly digested the food.
"Is it good?"
"Yes. I've never tasted anything like it before! I love it!" Sakura continued eating like a starving kid, while Gaara and the king chuckled in amusement.
Gaara was walking Sakura back to her room while they were discussing about the meal.
"So did you like dinner?"
"I loved it. I wish I could eat more though."
"That would be impossible since you pretty much ate all of the food. My father and I barely got to have some."
Sakura blushed in embarrassment. "I did? Oh I'm sorry!"
Garra chuckled and then smiled. "It's okay; we don't eat a lot anyway. The food was pretty much for you. My father and the cooks were just glad the food didn't go to waste."
Sakura giggled, and soon they were in front of Sakura's bedroom. After being given a good night kiss, Sakura went to go take a bath. She stripped of her clothes and stepped in the warm water full of lavender lily scented bubbles.
'This is nice. The weather is beautiful, and Gaara is very sweet.'
'Sweetie, did you forget the fact he killed your parents, your close friend and he kidnapped you?'
'No I didn't forget. In fact I've dreamt a couple of times about that night. But my mother always told me: No matter what happens whether she or my father dies, be strong for whatever is to come. And that is what I plan to do.'
'Very good dear; I can tell you are wise, smart and strong. But you must be on your guard at all times, no matter who you are with. Do you understand?"
'Yes I understand. But do you still love Shukaku?'
'With all my heart, I silently cry everyday whenever I feel his presence. But I can tell he doesn't return the same feelings. I sometimes wish I never had the Koori Pendant; that way I could live a normal life.'
'Don't worry, we'll both be able to live decent lives once we get through this. I promise.'
'I'm counting on you child.'
Sakura stood up from the tub, drained the water and wrapped a towel around her body. She dried her hair and body and walked into the room to change into her nightgown the maids prepared for her. She took the gown out from the dresser and took a look at it. It wasn't bad; the color was a nice tan color with a light red at the bottom. She put it on and tucked herself under the covers allowing sleep to take over her.
Sakura woke up with loud screaming and swords clashing together. She jumped up from the bed and rushed to her door. She opened it and poked her head out to see what was going on. She inwardly groaned when she saw dead guards lying on the floor. She really wished she didn't have to see this again. It was seriously getting old.
'Ugh, not this again.'
'You're going to have to get used to it as long as you have the Koori Pendant.'
'I know I know.'
She heard more swords clashing, but then she heard cries of pain and a screeching sound that made her ears hurt. She ran down the hallway in the direction of the sound. She then stopped when she saw that source of the sound led her straight to the throne room. She reluctantly opened the doors and what she saw was something she thought she would never see in her life. Gaara and Naruto were having a battle, using their elements. Wind versus sand. Their clashing noise was the sound obviously. But why was Naruto here? Did he find out she was kidnapped? And if he did, did that mean he was coming to rescue her? But then she thought it over; if Naruto was able to rescue her, did that mean she would never see Gaara again? Did she even want to be rescued? She actually enjoyed being in Suna. But she did want to go back home at the same time. She shook her head and called out Naruto's name.
Naruto heard a female's voice call his name and he turned his head to the side and saw Sakura standing at the doors. His eyes widened in shock. He saw his childhood friend standing there. He smiled when he saw that she was unharmed. But the minute he smiled while distracted, Gaara took the opportunity and struck Naruto on the shoulder blade with his sand. Naruto fell to the floor with a cry of pain as Gaara stood over him with a victory smirk on his face.
"Naruto! Gaara please don't hurt him!"
"Sakura, he was coming to kill you. He said so himself." Gaara told her without taking his eyes off Naruto.
"What?"
"Sakura no! I didn't say-" Before Naruto could finish his explanation, Gaara cut him off.
"Oh really…? If I recall correctly, you said you would retrieve what was most important to you, and you would kill whoever got in your way to rescue your precious jewel."
"Naruto, is that true?"
Naruto looked away and replied, "Yes."
Sakura shut her eyes refusing to let the tears fall from her face. But she failed and they came pouring out. She sunk to her knees and sank her face in her hands.
'Sakura, don't cry do you understand? You have the Koori Pendant. I told you to be on your guard at all times. Now is that time! Unleash whatever power you have withheld. Show them that you are the Koori Princess!'
Sakura took Safaia's advice and soon her eyes changed from emerald green to sapphire blue; but her hair color and length remained the same. She stood up and spoke in a voice that was combined of her voice and Safaia's.
"Naruto, I thought you were my friend, but you were just after the Koori Pendant the entire time weren't you?!"
"No Sakura! Please believe me. I never wanted-" Gaara once again cut him off.
"It's too late Uzumaki." Gaara raised his sand and it then formed into a sword.
Sakura eyes widened and she yelled at Gaara telling him to stop and to not kill Naruto. But he wouldn't listen. The sword lunged down and was ready to strike it target. Naruto's arm and shoulder was shattered so he could no longer defend himself.
But it wasn't over.
Sakura clutched her hair and clenched her eyes tight shut. All she needed was one word.
"STOP!!!"
A sudden burst of sapphire light erupted from her body and it spread all over. She didn't notice it had happened for she still had her eyes shut. After a little while she noticed it had suddenly become quiet. No more screaming of pain or death, no more sword clashing and no more sounds of talking or battle cries. She released her hands from her head and opened her eyes. What she saw had her gasping in shock and terror.
She had frozen time.
Wow I wasn't expecting this chapter to end like this. I was just making it all up as I go along. Oh yeah, my imagination skill PWNS! Please review people! Your comments get me going.