Author's Notes: Sorry it took me so long to update. I had a chapter before this that was more of an optional read for people not interested in the GaaraXOC pairing and I didn't want to update just that and leave all of the other readers unsatisfied. Anyway I hope this makes up for it.
%$%
Sasuke walked into the tent where Gaara and Onchou lay unconscious and sighed as he saw Sakura hovering over both of them her hands glowing green resting on both of their foreheads.
"That's going to work about as effectively as waiting for water to boil." He said crossing his arms over his chest. "They'll wake up when they wake up. There's nothing we can do right now."
"I know that." She replied lowering her hands cutting the green glow off. "I'm just worried and confused about their conditions. They really should've woken up hours ago." She said noting how dark it had become.
The Uchiha sighed and walked over to her patting her head affectionately. "They're going to be alright." He assured her. "Worrying yourself sick over them isn't going to help." He said reaching down to grab her hands. "Come on, let one of the others take over for you."
The pink haired medic sighed and nodded letting him help stand and walked towards the door glancing back at her patients one last time before letting Sasuke pull her out the door.
"Will someone take over to Sakura?" Sasuke asked as he walked with her towards the fire where the others were gathered.
"Yeah. I'll go." Kankuro said standing up. "Has their conditions changed at all?" he asked.
Sakura shook her head. "No. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." He replied walking past her. "Thank you for looking after them."
Sakura nodded and then blinked in surprise when Sasuke tugged her away from the fire towards the edge of camp. He sat down in the soft sand and pulled her down to sit between his legs wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against him.
"What is it Sasuke?" she asked as he tucked her head under his chin.
"We haven't had a chance to be alone like this since we left Suna." He said softly.
The pinked haired medic blinked and then snuggled into his embrace. "That's true." She admitted listening to the steady rhythm of his heart beating in his chest. "I've missed it."
"Me too." He replied after a few moments of comfortable silence he spoke again. "Why me?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Why did you choose me?" he asked softly. "I don't understand. You could have any other man in the world."
She paused for a moment. "I'm not really sure." She admitted. "I remember watching you as a child and thinking that you were pretty and kind. I couldn't help but admire how good you were at everything even back then." She shifted in his embrace leaning her head against his chest and glanced up at the stars. "After the massacre, you changed. You became cold and distant. As a child I couldn't quite understand why but I just knew deep inside that you were hurting and I wanted to make it go away. I just wanted to make you smile again." She sighed and placed her hand over his. "As I got a little older I wanted you to pay attention to me not just because you were good looking but because I wanted you to depend on me. I wanted you to trust me and open up to me. When we were put on the same Team I was so excited. I thought 'Here's my chance to prove to him how reliable I am!'" she chuckled. "Looking back, I was probably annoying as Hell but I really was just trying to get you to trust and open up to me. My desire hasn't changed much since then." She admitted. "All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy, I don't know when that feeling changed into the love I feel for you now but it did and it never stopped. Even as I saw you plunge deeper into the darkness I just couldn't make the feeling go away. I never looked at other guys, I was too focused on doing everything in my power to find a way to make you happy and I knew the only place that would happen was back in the village."
Sasuke's took a deep breath. "Sakura." He said softly his voice rough with emotion. She turned her head to glance up at him and he leaned down pressing his lips to hers. After a few seconds he pulled away. "Thank you." He murmured. "I never really understood it before but I think I do now."
"Understand what?" she asked.
"Why I could never stop thinking about you even when I wanted to. I think part of me recognized that your love for me was genuine and clung to it so that I didn't become a totally heartless bastard." He said brushing his fingers through her hair. "Back before Naruto and I fought and I cast that terrible genjutsu on you, I was hoping that you'd hate me."
"Why?" she asked her brow furrowing slightly.
He sighed. "I didn't have any intention of losing that fight. I was determined to win and take over the ninja world. I knew that doing that would mean I'd have to kill you eventually." He bowed his head. "It's a million times easier to kill someone that you know can't stand you."
Sakura blinked and then shook her head. "I guess that makes sense but you should've known that it wouldn't work on me."
"I know." He replied cupping her face in his hands and leaning his forehead against hers. "I know I've said it so many times but I'm so sorry for everything." He murmured his body trembling. He gritted his teeth as he struggled with his emotions as pain like he'd never quite felt throbbed in his soul. He wasn't just sorry for what he'd done, he felt deep remorse for how it had affected her, for her personal suffering by his own selfishness. His hands slid down to her shoulders and he closed his eyes. "The words just don't cut it." He muttered. "There's nothing I could possibly say that will make what happened ok."
"It's ok Sasuke." She replied moving her hands to thread through his hair. "I know you're sorry." He looked at her and she smiled at him before she leaned forward and kissed him. He hesitated for a moment and then responded wrapping his arms around her waist as hers twined around his neck. Her lips moved to his ear. "Let me in Sasuke." She murmured. "I'll mend that broken, aching heart of yours if you'll let me."
"Sakura." He murmured as his lips found hers again and he shifted pushing her down into the sand as he deepened the kiss letting his tongue dance with hers. She shifted under him and he tensed in response as a bolt of desire went through him. He wanted her. All of her. He wanted to burry himself in her warmth and let it wash away everything let it wash away the shadows that haunted him wherever he went. He groaned as his hands slipped under her shirt the softness of her skin tempting him to strip her right there.
"Sakura!" a voice called out. "Sasuke! Where are you? Gaara and Onchou have come to!"
"Damn that whiskered idiot." Sasuke muttered as he quickly moved off of her and helped her up brushing his hands over her back to get the sand off of her.
"It's ok." She replied. "We couldn't have gone much further than that anyway." She assured him as they quickly walked to the tent where the two injured shinobi lay.
"Are you guys alright?" Sakura demanded kneeling next to them her hands glowing green as she checked them again.
"We're fine." Onchou replied with a smile. "Sorry we worried you so much."
"Why were you out for so long?" the pink haired medic demanded.
The violet haired girl sighed. "It's a side effect of the jutsu I used. Sorry about that."
"What kind of jutsu is that?" Kankuro asked.
"It's a secret jutsu." The violet haired girl replied simply raking her fingers through her hair. She turned to Gaara. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked.
He nodded. "I am." He replied. "Though I feel a bit tired." He admitted.
"Well that's not surprising considering how hard it is to force tainted chakra from one's body." She said stretching.
"So is it all out of his system now?" Temari asked.
Onchou nodded. "It should be. That vaccine of Sakura's worked like a charm." She smiled at the pink haired medic. "You really are amazing. Thank you." She said bowing deeply. "I couldn't have saved him without you."
The pink haired medic blushed and nodded. "It was my pleasure. I'm glad it worked so well."
The violet haired girl nodded. "When we return to the village, you should probably make more. I'm fairly certain he'll use the same tactics again when he decides to attack."
Sakura nodded. "Of course. I'm hoping the ones I started will be finished by the time we get back."
"So what do you think Takuma is going to do now?" Shikamaru asked.
"His next target is Suna. He knows that's where I'm headed." She replied.
"Should we sent a messenger?" Temari asked.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea." Onchou replied. "In fact, we should get out of here as soon as possible."
"Why do you say that?" Kankuro asked.
"Takuma is getting desperate. He's bound to get more reckless because of that. He'll go to almost any extreme to get what he wants." She replied. Gaara looked over at her his eyes narrowing slightly and she quickly looked away.
"True." Sasuke conceded. "We'll leave at first light then."
The violet haired girl shifted to stand but was pushed down by Sakura. "Rest. You can't fool me as well as the others. You're exhausted." The pink haired medic said.
"I actually feel pretty good." Onchou protested. "My muscles don't even ache."
"I wasn't talking about your physical condition." Sakura replied.
The violet haired girl blinked in surprise and then sighed in defeat. "Fine. You win." She muttered.
"Good." The pink haired medic said with a smile. "Now rest."
The violet haired girl nodded and then pulled the covers up over herself curling into a ball facing away from the Kazekage. Sakura noticed immediately and frowned. "We should clear out so they can rest."
The rest of the ninja nodded quickly moved outside.
"Call if you need anything." Temari assured them touching Gaara on the shoulder and offering Onchou a smile. "Thanks for saving my little brother again."
"Please don't thank me." Onchou replied. "I was happy to."
The blond sand shinobi smiled. "Regardless, I'm thankful." She said before leaving the tent.
Tamiki knelt beside the violet haired girl. "I'll stay in here with them if it's all the same to you." He said glancing at Temari.
"That's fine. I'm sure you're worried about her." The blonde replied.
"Thank you." He replied simply.
%$%
Sakura frowned as she picked at her food from where she sat near the fire.
"What's wrong?" Saskue asked settling down beside her.
"Yeah." Naruto agreed sitting next to him with Hinata at his side.
"I have a bad feeling." She admitted touching her chin.
"What do you mean by that?" Naruto asked. "Aren't both Onchou and Gaara doing well now?"
"I have the sinking feeling that Onchou is going to try to pull a Hinata." Sakura muttered.
The blue haired girl blushed and Naruto cocked an eyebrow. "What the heck is that?" the blonde demanded.
"You know, all those times Hinata threw herself in front of danger for you and most recently when she handed herself over on a silver platter to that moon guy to save your butt." Sakura replied flicking the blonde in the forehead.
"I get it." Naruto said rubbing the now sore spot.
"Is that a bad thing?" Sasuke replied. "She could buy us time to prepare for an attack."
Naruto glared at the dark haired Uchiha. "Are you kidding me right now?!" he growled.
Sasuke shrugged. "That guy values her too much. He won't kill her." He reasoned.
The blonde haired ninja gritted his teeth. "You don't sacrifice your friends!" he snarled. "So what if he wouldn't kill her? He'd still hurt her! What the Hell is wrong with you!?" he demanded balling his hand into a fist.
Sakura grabbed his fist and as Hinata tugged on his arm. "Naruto, stop." The blue haired girl said softly.
The blonde took a deep breath and lowered his fist and jumped to his feet and glared down at the Uchiha. "I know you haven't been around decent people most of your life, but you should know by now that sacrificing a friend no matter the circumstances never makes things better in the end!" he balled his hands into fists. "Neji, Pervy Sage, Azuma Sensei," he looked directing at the Uchiha. "Itachi. They all sacrificed themselves for the greater good but those they left behind experienced immeasurable suffering. If someone can be saved, we should save them!" he snapped before storming off with Hinata right behind him.
Sasuke blinked and then sighed running his fingers through his hair. "Don't worry about it too much." Sakura said touching him on the shoulder.
"He's right." Sasuke said softly. "I haven't been around decent people. It's no wonder I turned out so twisted."
The pink haired medic sighed and wrapped her arms around him from behind draping her arms around his neck. "Oh Sasuke." She breathed laying her head on his shoulder. Her lips lightly brushed his cheek. "Give it time. You know how Naruto is, his friends mean more to him than anything."
"I know." Sasuke replied. "I should be more like that I guess."
Sakura shook her head. "No one is asking you to be like Naruto. One blonde idiot is enough in the world. Just be yourself."
The Uchiha reached up and rested his hand on her cheek. "I don't even know who I truly am anymore." He admitted.
"You're Sasuke Uchiha. Nothing more, nothing less." Sakura replied. "And I love you."
He sighed. "You're right."
"I know you can hear me." Takuma's voice sounded in Onchou's ears as she pretended to sleep. "If you want me to spare these friends of yours, come to me. You know I have enough Black Water in my possession to kill all of them in one fell swoop."
She gripped the blankets as she sensed his chakra and the chakra of two others she assumed were probably high level agents near the oasis. Her friends would probably protect her and do well, but even Naruto and Sasuke weren't immune to Black Water. Sakura only had two more doses of her antidote with her as well. She listened carefully and after ascertaining that both Gaara and Tamiki were still asleep, she slipped out of her bed roll and tiptoed silently to the tent door. As she slipped out, she quickly figure out that it was Lee on watch and moved as quickly as she could out of his line of sight before he could catch a glimpse of her. As soon as she reached the edge of the Oasis, she took off across the desert sprinting towards the vile chakra signature she hated. A small sigh of frustration escaped her lips as a wind carrying grains of sand brushed past her and Gaara of The Desert materialized in front of her his arms crossed over his chest as he glared at her.
"Where are you going?' he asked his voice just a touch rougher than it normally was.
Onchou blinked and then shifted popping out her hip as she crossed her own arms over her chest. He knew exactly where she was going and why she was going. She'd sensed him brush across her consciousness earlier while she'd been concocting her plan to give herself up to Takuma. "You already know that answer to that question." She replied.
"What do you think giving yourself up will accomplish?" he demanded.
"It'll buy you the time needed to prepare for an attack and save your life and the lives of our friends." She replied in a matter of fact tone.
"What is Takuma going to do to you?" he asked.
She shrugged. "Probably the usual. Torture me until I'm within an inch of my life, put me back together, try out some new freaky experiment on me and then throw me in a dark room whining about how frustrating I am."
"Are you're ok with that?" he replied.
Her eye twitched as her hands balled into fists. "Are you kidding me?" she muttered. "Of course I'm not ok with it!" she yelled. "But what else am I supposed to do?! If I give myself up he'll leave the rest of you alone for now."
"Do you think that's what we want?" he demanded.
"Of course not." She replied raking her fingers through her hair. "I just can't see another option right now. Ryuu is in a safe place out of harm's way and I know that Takuma won't kill me. It's the only path where no one dies."
He sighed and stepped forward as the wind whipped around her tossing her violet hair. He caught a section as it flew and brought to his lips. "You told me once that I should value myself more. Shouldn't you do that same?" he murmured.
Her eyes widened as she blushed at the gesture. "It's not that I don't value myself." She argued. "I'm just trying to protect everyone, that's all."
"By offering yourself up like a lamb for slaughter?" he questioned.
The girl bowed her head. "I guess so." She admitted. "I've never thought of it quite like that before."
"Come back with me." Gaara said stepping closer to her. "We'll leave for Suna right now. We're strong enough to keep Takuma and his forces at bay and prepare a counter attack."
"Gaara." She murmured reaching for him. Her eyes widened as something grabbed her foot and dragged her into the sand.
"Onchou!" Gaara exclaimed barely missing her as he grabbed for her wrist. He whirled around and found Takuma standing there with a wicked grin on his face. Next to him bound by thick ropes was Onchou who glared at the mad scientist.
"Thanks for taking good care of my Princess for me Lord Kazekage." Takuma said with a sneer. "But I'm taking her back now." Gaara's sand swirled around him as he prepared to attack. "It appears I've made you angry." Takuma chuckled. "No matter, I have a lot of work to do so I'll take my leave now."
"Gaara!" Onchou cried out as she started to break through her bindings.
Gaara's sand whipped forward but he was just a touch to slow as the group of four vanished into the night. "Damn!" the sand wielder hissed as his sand swirled around him.
"Gaara! What happened?" Naruto demanded.
"He took her." The red head growled. "He took Onchou."
Sasuke and Sakura jogged up to meet them. "Did you say that Takuma got Onchou?" the pink haired medic asked.
He nodded. "That bastard. I'd just talked her into coming back too."
Sakura nudged Sasuke. "I told you she was going to try to pull a Hinata."
"In that case, we should head back to Suna and prepare for a counter attack." Shikamaru said walking forward with Temari. "He's a big enough threat that we'll want more back up from the Leaf."
"We need to go rescue her!" Naruto hissed.
A bright red light flashed in the distance and Tamiki ran forward and hissed in frustration. "That bastard got her didn't he?"
Gaara nodded. "We'll organize a rescue party right away."
"It's too late for that." Tamiki replied his eyes fixed on the direction of Heiwa.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.
He pointed towards the red light. "The defense barrier around Heiwa has been activated." He replied. "It'll stay up for a minimum of twenty four hours regardless of who activated it."
"What kind of ridiculous barrier is that?!" Naruto demanded.
Tamiki sighed. "The people of Heiwa were proud people who desired the best protection available. I think it eventually warped their way of thinking. They became reliant on their defense systems and The Guardian but didn't learn how to defend themselves individually because of it." He sighed. "That's why Aria never wanted the mantle of Guardian. It wasn't because she didn't want to protect them, she wanted to share the power with everyone and spread around the responsibility."
Naruto nodded. "That's how it should be. Anyway, we should get back to Suna so we can assemble that retrieval team." He stepped up to Gaara and laid his hand on his shoulder. "We'll get her back. Don't worry."
Gaara nodded "Let's go." He said a hint of blood thirstiness from years past glinting in his eyes. "We don't have any time to waste."
"What's with him?" Kiba asked. "I mean, I'm worried about her too but still."
Sakura shook her head and patted his head sympathetically. "You'll figure it out someday." She assured him.
Onchou cringed as she focused on her breathing her fingernails digging into the shackles keeping her in place.
"Haven't you had enough?" Takuma asked as he scribbled on a scroll. "It would be easier if you just gave in."
"I'm not that soft." She hissed.
"You're right." He acknowledged as released the lever next to him.
Onchou gritted her teeth against the pain, her body pressing into the slab she was chained to as acid dripped from a beaker hanging from the ceiling burning the already abused flesh of her abdomen. She knew for a fact that he wouldn't kill her so neither would the acid however it still seared her nerves made her eyes roll back with pain.
"You've improved your formula." She gasped when the flow finally stopped and he moved to her side his hands glowing green as he repaired the muscle that had been damaged. "It hurts more than it used to."
He nodded. "I was bored." He replied. "Why are you still fighting me? They're not coming for you. Even if they do they won't make it in time. The preparations are nearly complete."
"I won't become one of your Dolls!" she hissed.
"Come now, you know that's not what I really want." He said letting his fingers linger on her exposed skin making her skin crawl. "I just want you to cooperate with me."
"Sorry. Taking over the world has never really interested me. Go find some other supped up shinobi to help you out." She muttered.
"Ah, but no one else will do." He replied. "It has to be you daughter of Aria." He murmured. "You're the only one with the ability to summon and control Dragons. Not only that but you have the power to wield The Guardian stone."
She arched a dark brow at that as she focused on the white space in her mind. It was the place where she and Gaara's souls were linked and she knew he could hear what she was hearing. She'd done if frequently during her capture letting him know just how strong Takuma's forces were and information he let slip about his plans. Her soul could sense his agitation and frustration at the lack of help she could offer her but she let it go trusting that he would come for her soon like he promised.
"Only The Guardian can use that power." She argued. "I am not the Guardian."
Takuma laughed. "Oh really? You really don't know then?"
"Know what?" she demanded. "You're not making any sense."
"Your mother Aria was slated to be the next Guardian." He said as he released her bonds temporarily binding her sore wrists with rope and tugging her along with him.
"I knew that." She replied. "So what?"
"There is a ritual that must take place for the transfer of power." He replied. "The attack on Heiwa where your mother met that pathetic man who fathered you took place just over a month before it was supposed to happen."
"Ok… and your point is…" Onchou replied wincing as he tugged on the rope harder as he guided her though the labyrinth of tunnels beneath Heiwa.
"The ritual basically releases the seal binding The Guardian to the stone and the replaces it on the most willing vessel in the room." He explained. "Since there's only ever The Guardian and the new Guardian in the room there was never a problem until the day your grandmother released her seal with the intention of passing the power on to your mother."
"Grandmother was?" Onchou murmured.
Takuma nodded. "Yes. However it didn't go according to plan that day. Not only was your mother an 'unwilling vessel' since she didn't want the power, but she wasn't the only other person in the room."
"What are you talking about?" Onchou demanded.
He dragged her into a grand room and her eyes widened as she saw a glittering silver stone floating in the middle of the room. She could sense the immense chakra coming from in and an intense throbbing sensation knocked her to her knees as she clutched her chest. Her eyes widened as she saw the seal she'd borne since birth on her chest begin to glow.
"You were in that room." Takuma said watching her with eyes filled with lust for power. "A newly formed fetus. Your mother probably didn't know she was carrying you at the time. Instead of the power going to her as intended, it was passed to you as an unborn child."
Onchou's eyes widened. "Me?" she murmured.
He nodded. "Exactly. You feel it don't you?" he said motioning to the floating stone. "The power that wants to bind with you so badly."
"I won't let it." She muttered as sweat dripped from her brow. "I don't want it."
"That's fine." Takuma replied. "I'll gladly take it instead." He rolled out a scroll and his brow furrowed slightly as he read over it. "All I have to do is perform the soul link jutsu on you and force you to release the seal. It's an ancient technique but you were able to do it as a child to that annoying pest so I'm sure I can manage it. It was a pain to kill him off though. I really had hoped to use him as my next vessel."
The violet haired teen gaped at him and then began to laugh startling the mad scientist. "Why are you laughing?" he demanded. "I thought you loved that kid?"
"I did." She replied. "However, it's too late. You can't use that jutsu on me."
Takuma turned his eyes to her his blue eyes blazing. "Why is that?"
"I've already used it." She replied. "It can only link two souls together at a time. You can't break it without killing one of the parties."
"You're bluffing." He replied. "I know you'd never use it on that silver haired brat because you're afraid it would release the dragon inside of him. There's no one else you're close enough to either." He walked over to her and murmured the words grabbing her hand even as she tried to pull away. Chakra from his body tried to enter hers but was blocked as a burst of gold tinted chakra burst from her slamming the blond against the wall. He staggered to his feet his eyes blazing and ran at her slamming her up against the wall. "You wretched girl!" he roared. "Who was it!? Who did you use it on!?"
She gritted her teeth at the pain and the sensation of blood running down her neck and chuckled. "I'll never tell." She rasped.
"Damn you!" Takuma roared. "I'll make you tell me!" he growled grabbing a syringe from his coat and plunging it into her arm. She winced at the pain and slid to the ground as he released her and began forming hand signs. "I'll break your mind and then your spirit." He promised darkly as the drug went to work amplifying her senses. Fire flew from his hands and she screamed as the heat seared her nerves.
"Gaara!" she screamed in her head as she writhed on the floor. "Save me!"
"Damn it all!" Sakura snarled as she drove her fist into the nearest wall creating a crater and spreading spider web shaped cracks over the face if it. "The elders in this stinking village are just as irritating as the last time we were here!"
"Calm down Sakura." Sasuke said softly. "Getting angry isn't going to solve anything."
"Well what in the Hell am I supposed to do then!?" she yelled. "She's been stuck with that homicidal maniac for over a week now! Who knows what he's done to her?" she squeezed her hand. "And Ryuu… He's so upset. I can't stand seeing him in so much pain."
"We're just going to have to trust Gaara to get everything arranged." Sasuke replied.
Sakura snorted. "Yeah right. Those damn vultures on that council didn't jump out of their seats to save them when he was the one on the alter four years ago." She glanced at the door as the red haired Kazekage walked into the room his hand touching his temple.
"How did it go?" Sakura demanded.
"They refuse to assemble a team to retrieve Onchou." He muttered.
"What!?" Naruto demanded walking up to him. "Why?"
"They say that as long as she is there supplying us with information and buying us time we should just let it go." The red head replied.
"So we're just supposed to let Takuma keep torturing her and continue building up his army while they sit around and you prepare for war?" TenTen demanded putting her hands on her hips.
Gaara sighed wincing as he touched his forehead he'd heard her cry out to him after learning that she was The Guardian and all he'd been able to do was reassure her that he was doing everything in his power to try to save her.
Naruto gritted his teeth. "It's because she's The Guardian isn't it? They're afraid of her power now." He glared at the older men and women walking past the room. "Damn geezers! Don't they know what she's done to protect this village? She isn't even an official citizen!"
"That's the other problem." Kankuro said sitting down in an empty chair. "Because she's not an official citizen they say she's not their responsibility."
"Who cares about stuff like that?" Naruto shot back. "She's our friend! We can't just leave her like that!"
Gaara bowed his head. "My hands are tied. I cannot send a team after her, nor can I go after her myself."
The blonde haired ninja looked at his friend his eyes narrowing. "So are you just going to let Takuma have his way with her? Let him continue torturing her?"
"Naruto." Sakura said softly.
"There's nothing I can do." Gaara replied. "I don't like this either."
"You're abandoning her then?" Naruto asked advancing the Kazekage. "She trusted you and now because of what a bunch of geezers said you're just going to leave her all alone?" he grabbed him by the robes and slammed him up against the wall even as the other shinobi around the room jumped to their feet. "How dare you treat a friend like that!?"
"I am the Kazekage." Gaara replied. "I have to do what is best for my village."
The Uzamaki's eyes narrowed as he dropped the red head and stepped away. "I didn't realize being Kazekage meant you had to sacrifice your friends." He replied. "If I was Hokage, I wouldn't give a damn what the council said. I would go after her anyway. You don't abandon your friends no matter what fancy title you hold." He said before he left the room.
"Naruto!" Sakura called out as she went to follow him but Sasuke grabbed her by the arm and shook his head.
"Let him go for now." The Uchiha said softly. "He needs to cool his head."
Gaara dusted off his robes and sighed hanging his head. He felt so frustrated so confused. His heart was breaking as he heard Onchou's cries for help but he was also bound by his duty to listen to the council. "Onchou." He murmured lowering his head. "Please just wait a little longer."
"I can't." came her reply. His head snapped up his eyes widening at the sound.
"Gaara? What is it? Are you hurt?" Kankuro asked.
The Kazekage shook his head as he tried to listen for the rest of Onchou's message. It had been a challenge adjusting to the Soul Link jutsu. Onchou seemed to be pretty adept at it letting him see and hear through her as Takuma spoke of his plans. He'd been surprised to learn that she was The Guardian and felt a connection to her as he realized they'd both received such heavy burdens before their birth. He'd begged the council to let him send teams from his village or The Leaf to retrieve her after learning that hoping it would encourage them but it had only detoured them further.
"I heard everything." Onchou replied. "You're not coming for me."
His hands gripped his desk at the brokenness of her tone. "I want to." He assured her. "I'm trying to."
"I can't wait any longer." She said softly. "In three days Takuma's army will arrive at Suna. Please let the council know."
"Wait!" he hissed in his head. "Listen to me." But the link was gone and he didn't know how to reestablish it. "Damn!" he growled aloud.
"What is it?" Sakura asked. "Another message from Onchou?" Gaara had explained the situation to her soon after Onchou had been kidnapped about the Soul Link jutsu the violet haired girl had used. She couldn't deny that she was curious about it and wanted to know more about it.
"She says that she can't wait anymore." He replied. "Takuma and his forces will be here in less than four days."
"What!?" Temari gasped. "Why?"
"I don't know." Gaara replied. "I can't reestablish the link. It's like she cut it off."
Sakura's eyes widened. "That's not a good sign." She muttered.
"No it's not." The red head replied. "Regardless, it's time to prepare for battle."
%#%
Onchou stood in front of a full length mirror after slipping her weapon's pouch into place on her leg. She was wearing black shorts with a nearly floor length skirt that was slit up to her hips on both sides so that it was easy to move. Tall shinobi style sandals adorned her feet and red fingerless gloves covered her hands. Her shirt had long kimono style sleeves trimmed with red and covered her to just below her bust line. A mesh under shirt covered her abdomen. "This isn't me." She murmured as she took in her reflection.
"You look ravishing." Takuma said as he walked into the room grinning at her. "I could never get you to wear stuff like this before. You actually look like a Princess of Death now. Or perhaps Dragon Queen is a better title." He said as he came up behind her and ran his fingers through her hair.
"Don't touch me." She demanded. "You know exactly why I agreed to do this and what my terms are. Touching me is not part of the deal."
The mad scientist chuckled and raised his hands in a gesture of submission. "Of course. You'll help me take over the world in exchange for me not turning you into a Doll and letting you and Ryuu live together in peace afterwards."
"Exactly." She replied. "I'm not doing this for you so don't you start getting any more sick ideas in that twisted brain of yours."
He smirked and nodded. "Here." He said handing her The Guardian's stone wrapped in special paper that concealed its chakra signature. "You'll want this on your person."
She nodded and slipped it into one of the pouches attached to her hip. "Are we ready then?" she asked picking up the black cloak that laid on the bed that used to belong to her mother.
"Yes. The units are all assembled waiting for my orders." Takuma replied.
"Very well." She said slipping the cloak on and walking out of the bedroom, and through the house she'd once grown up in. With quick easy movements she took to the roof tops and dashed across them until she arrived at the end of the town and scrambled to the top of the main guard tower. She surveyed the mass of bodies below her as Takuma materialized beside her.
"Why did you just transport yourself here?" he asked.
"I wanted to warm up my muscles." She replied.
He chuckled and then looked over the village. "It's a glorious sight isn't it?" He murmured as he looked at the Dolls waiting patiently below him. "An army of one hundred thousand willing bodies just waiting for the command to take over this tainted world." She said nothing as she looked out across the mass of people. Takuma raised his hand and the generals of his army appeared before him and knelt.
"Lord Takuma, Princess, we are at your command." The leader a middle aged man with a thick build and long silver hair who went by the title Storm Bringer said as he bowed.
Takuma glanced at Onchou his eyes expectant and eager. She exhaled willing the tension in her body to leave and turned towards the direction Suna was located in. "Move out." She said as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I will travel with Takuma to Suna."
"Why there milady?" Storm Bringer asked. "The Leaf is stronger. Those units will need your power more."
She glanced down at the man. "I have a personal score to settle with the Kazekage." She replied her eyes narrowing. "I'll head for The Leaf as soon as I've taken care of him."
"As you wish My Lady." Storm Bringer replied with a bow before turning to the other Generals. "Move your troops out."
"Ready or not. Here we come." She murmured as the mass of Dolls quickly began to move across the desert. Her hands formed hand signs before she bit he thumb and slammed it to the ground. A large yellow dragon with a slim build and blue zig-zags scattered across their body appeared before her and bowed it's head.
"Lady Onchou." The dragon murmured. "How might I serve you?"
"Hello there Miss Electra." Onchou replied. "It's been a while. I have a very specific mission for you." She said touching the dragon on the nose. "Would you help me?"
"Of course." The dragon replied. "Anything for you."
The violet haired girl nodded and smiled. "Thank you."
%*%
Sasuke stood atop the walls of Suna between Sakura and Naruto gazing out across the desert. His eyes narrowed when he recognized a sea of people with lifeless eyes nearing the city.
"Here they come." He murmured. "Right on time too."
"Is Onchou with them?!" Naruto demanded touching him on the shoulder.
"I don't see or sense her chakra." Sasuke replied his eyes widened as he detected a massive amount of lightning chakra moving at an incredible rate towards the city. "What is that?!" he demanded trying to focus his eyes.
"Do you see something else?" Kankuro asked as he climbed up to stand near them. "Besides the army of Dolls anyway."
The Uchiha's eyes widened. "No way!" he exclaimed as the creature bearing the chakra let out an earth shaking roar.
"What is it!?" Naruto demanded.
"Remember what Takuma said Onchou's summons was." Sasuke muttered still willing his mind to believe what his eyes were seeing.
"Yeah, a dragon or something like that." The Uzamaki replied. "But he was bluffing right? Dragons don't actually exist."
"They do exist." The Uchiha said pointing to the creature in the distance. "Unless you have another name for what the giant flying lizard is."
Sakura covered up her mouth as her eyes widened. "No way!" she murmured.
The creature swopped down from the sky ahead of the army of Dolls and opened its mouth wide. Lightning shot forward and struck the ground just in front of the walls of the city and the creature roared again.
"What are we going to do?" Kankuro murmured. "We can't fight that."
"Go tell your Kazekage that he's got an army of Dolls accompanied by a lightning breathing dragon knocking on his front door." Naruto muttered. He turned to the Uchiha. "Can you take control of it?"
The Uchiha looked at the creature and focused his eye power and frowned. "No. It seems to be immune to my power."
"Well that sucks." Naruto muttered as the Dolls neared the front lines of Suna's forces. "Time to suit up." He said before he turned and leapt from the wall landing lithely next to the rest of the ninja from Konoha. Sasuke and Sakura shook their head and the recklessness of their friend and then jumped down themselves moving from level to level down the cliffs surrounding Suna to stand beside their friends.
"So what are we going to do about the dragon?" Shikamaru asked glancing up as the creature unleashed another flurry of lightning attacks.
Sakura frowned. "Onchou probably summoned it. That means that in order to stop the dragon, we need to find her."
"Do you think this means she's on Takuma's side?" TenTen asked.
"I don't know." Sakura admitted. "Even if she is, it's likely against her will."
"How can you be sure?" Sasuke asked. "She could have felt abandoned and betrayed and gone to his side willingly to get revenge."
"I doubt it." The pink haired medic replied.
"Why?" Naruto asked hanging his head. "It's true. We're her friends and we didn't save her like we should have."
"Call it a hunch." Sakura said watching as Gaara materialized nearby. Hinata glanced at the pink haired ninja and they both exchanged a knowing look before their eyes flickered to the men they loved and had nearly willingly sacrificed themselves for.
"We need to find Onchou." Sasuke said oblivious to the exchange. "Regardless of whose side she's on now, she's the only one that can stop that dragon."
"Where do we even look?" Kiba asked.
"Takuma." Naruto replied immediately. "He'll know for sure."
"I'm coming with you." Gaara said as he approached them.
"Why?" Naruto asked his eyes narrowing at the Kazekage. "Did the elders give you the ok?"
"No but it doesn't matter. If I'd rescued her like I wanted to right away, we wouldn't be in this predicament." The Kazekage replied. "It's just like you said Naruto. How can I protect the village if I can't protect those closest to me first?"
The Uzamaki glanced at his friend and then nodded a little smile coming to his face. "Ok then. Let's go find that bastard!"