I Do Not Own Naruto

Old Ghosts

Sakura had decided to hide out in the lab, she didn't particularly like being a coward but after last night's little tirade she sure as hell did not want to run into Sasuke or deal with him.

It was why she had gotten up at four in the morning and she was hiding here as she worked. Identifying the poisons was actually tricky, but concocting the antidotes was even more challenging so it wasn't as if she were actually avoiding the Uchiha with nothing to do. She had a legitimate job to do and evading the Uchiha was a nice bonus as she peered into the microscope to look over this bacterial poison. It was a first for her but she was working on trying to thwart it.

"Here," she looked up to see Gaara handing her a warm cup of tea, she smiled in response.

"Thank you," she replied as she took it and sipped it and continued to look at the poison trying to figure it out.

"Are you and Sasuke not getting along?" he finally asked her and she stiffened as she stared at nothing now.

"And why are you asking?" she asked slowly as she sat up and looked up into those teal eyes which were confused and curious. She reminded herself that Gaara wasn't used to normal people, he wasn't really social either.

"Because, there are reports of several holes in the buildings of Suna," Gaara asked and she relaxed then.

"No, I had a run in with the prisoner who I believe is in the hospital at the moment," Sakura supplied then as she hid her guilty expression in sipping her hot… tea, huh, it tasted good but in a bitter way. Gaara nodded then. "Well, he attacked me and I… um… I'm sorry, I might have over reacted," she admitted.

"If you were attacked and defended yourself then you did not over react," he stated.

"Thanks, now could you go tell the Uchiha that?" she pleaded innocently.

"I received reports of a man attacked, he had several broken ribs, a shattered jaw, his arm broken in two places, and a shattered tibia, also his hip is fractured, liver is ruptured, intestines are damaged severely, a collapsed lung, a ripped heart and several ruptured arteries; and he has a concussion. I will have the guards begin interrogating him immediately now that I know he's the poisoner," Gaara said as he left her alone in the lab. She just blinked at the drink in her hands then.

She had done that much damage!? She hadn't even hit him that hard! Well, maybe in her anger she hadn't been as controlled with her chakra as she thought. Sakura sighed as she leaned on her elbow and rubbed her temples, she was just so tired, and wanted to leave here without Sasuke now. She didn't mention as much though as she set aside the warm drink and resumed her studying of the poison. An antidote was needed, and she had to work.

"She is still mad at you," Gaara informed him as he walked out of the lab. Sasuke had been sitting just outside her lab on guard since she had snuck out of the hotel this morning at some godawful hour. He had seen Gaara coming down the hall this morning and demanded he check in on the pinkette since she had sent every lab tech who got near her scurrying away; she had sent one nurse running away in tears. Gaara was not thrilled to be the sacrificial lamb but since Sasuke had literally shoved the redhead into the lab with a hot drink Sakura would like and would restore energy; removing the choice from the Kazekage's hands.

"I know, but I asked you how she is, not if she's still mad," Sasuke said again.

"Tired, working, and furious," Gaara replied. Sasuke nodded then as he looked back at the door separating him from the pinkette.

"Aa," he nodded.

"What did you do?" Gaara asked him then. Sasuke's dual colored eyes narrowed on him.

"Hn," he shrugged; he honestly had no idea and Gaara shook his head as he walked off then. Sakura snarled when a lab tech walked in there before he could intervene and the poor man was scrambling out of the lab with a look of sheer terror then.

Sasuke sighed and took his post again as he watched out for the frazzled lab techs and nurses. Usually he redirected them to be away from her unless their information was involved with hers. Gaara stopped by later that day with lunch for both himself and Sakura, though Sasuke was quick to shove the Kazekage in the lab again. Sakura was snapping and snarling when Gaara stumbled out of there with his sand wrapped around him.

"That was the poison, not you," Gaara informed him.

"I haven't spoken to her all day," Sasuke pointed out as he ate and Gaara sat beside him.

"Apparently the ninja is a missing nin from Otogakure, an apprentice of one Kabuto," Gaara said and Sasuke stiffened as he looked to the lab and heard her screaming in her frustration.

"Aa," Sasuke replied numbly and stared at the food he had in his hand.

"Does this have to do with Ororchimaru?" Gaara asked.

"No, but Kabuto despised Sakura," Sasuke admitted. "If he is Kabuto's apprentice then he'll be after thwarting a great medical-nin and Sakura would be considered the best of our generation," Sasuke explained.

"Yes, I believe that to be true as well," Gaara admitted softly as he looked to the door of the lab.

"I'll stay," Sasuke assured Gaara.

"Alright, I'll send you two dinner," he said as he stood and walked away from them. Sasuke just stared down at the food in his hand and listened to Sakura swear as she worked. This wasn't about him, for a change he was not the target. However, if this Otogakure-nin really was Kabuto's apprentice then Sakura was probably in true danger.

He just didn't know how yet.

I'm back, and this will be finished by the end of May.

In regards to chapter length; it's staying a thousand words per chapter, if you have a problem with that then too damn bad. I have other things I prefer writing and I don't expect you to get it.

In regards to reviews, I do not care if you flame, bad mouth, bitch or criticize; but please no more whining about chapter length. I no longer have the patience to deal with whining, and if you have a problem with that, then too damn bad.

That's all for now folks!

Enjoy Only Tears! =)