Chapter Twenty-six
The three stared hard towards the redhead at the end of the alley. In turn, his wild eyes and grin lingered on them. The other waiting for the first to move. It was obvious what the plan was to Sakura, creating an opportunity for Kankuro to capture Gaara with his puppet. However, the more she thought of the plan, of Gaara's strength and aid of sand, the rosette's determination faltered.
"We're limited here." Sakura spoke to the two.
"To bring this fight into a lit street, or to the roofs, would mean someone would surely see him."
Instead of towards her, the siblings eyes met with each other. A silent agreement between the two as they nodded.
"We'll try our best." Kankuro said.
"We may not have a choice. We have to follow where he runs."
Sakura swallowed hard at this, the secrecy she had wanted, surely what they all wanted, was looking to fall before them.
"If he is too much for us we will have to involve others as well." Temari spoke.
To her words, Kankuro chuckled lightly, earning his sister's glaring look.
"What's so funny?" Her tone unpleasant.
Kankuro stifled his laugh before smiling lightly.
"Makes you kind of wish the old man was still around." Kankuro spoke of their father.
"Least he could catch him real quick."
Temari scowled lightly at Kankuro's light speech.
"You speak too highly of him. It's his fault Gaara is like this."
"Heh. Probably."
Sakura stayed silent to the siblings conversation, instead focusing on her chakra. These powerful punches took some time for her.
"Temari. Sakura." Kankuro spoke, stepping away from the two woman.
"Distract Gaara. I'll send Kuroari as much as I can."
Kankuro wore a proud smirk, however, Sakura could see his smile falter lightly. Doubt was probably plaguing him with the same questions as her. Could her and Temari alone really stand up to him? Would Kuroari truly be able to bind Gaara down within its cage? To her sudden uncertainties, Sakura spoke.
"Your other puppets? They won't be able to..."
Sakura trailed off when she noticed Kankuro's solemn eyes. Though his smile was still there, his emotions betrayed him in his gaze. Slowly he shook his head.
"Karasu's attacks will not pierce Gaara's sand. If I need to, I'll bring Sanshouo out to shield you two. For now though, it's best for me to just hide and look for an opportunity with Kuroari."
Just as Sakura felt troubled, Kankuro seemed the same. Dread was settled on him knowing he was sending his sister and friend to face his brother head on.
"However," he added, "if I really need to. I can have Karasu..."
It was Kankuro this time who trailed off, feeling as though it would simply worry the rosette if he continued his words. Luckily, Temari noticed this and spoke to reassure.
"We'll charge at him." The sand-blonde spoke.
"Once we do, you hide into the shadows. Don't worry, Sakura and I got this. Big sister is here!"
Kankuro scoffed lightly at Temari's words and giant grin, however a smile found him, as well as Sakura.
"Then, I leave it to you two." Kankuro spoke before stepping behind the two women.
Grabbing the handle of her fan Temari steadied herself, preparing to send a strong gust towards the redhead.
"Hit him hard, Sakura." Temari whispered to the rosette.
"I don't have your crazy strength, but just know I am next to you as we fight."
Sakura smirked lightly towards Temari. Glad for the support.
"Ready?" The sand-blonde asked, smirking when the rosette nodded.
"Then, let's save my baby brother!"
Sakura stepped back as Temari swept her fan towards the sky. As she promised, a gust of air rushed towards Gaara. The redhead simply stood idly by as the wind raced for him, unwavered by Temari's attack to even try to avoid it. Only a brush of his hair was swept up before his sand instinctively rose in front of him, blocking Temari's winds from cutting at his skin. It was when the sand rose in front of him, blocking his body and vision, did Sakura race fast towards him. Behind her, Temari raced for Gaara as well, a firm grip on her now closed fan.
As the shield of sand began to fall below him, the wind passing, Sakura launched herself slightly into the air, Temari doing the same. A cry from both women echoed as Sakura brought her fist aiming towards Gaara. Meanwhile, Temari swung her iron handle towards him like a bat to a ball. His manic smile was all that hit their eyes as their weapon of choice aimed for his face. Sakura felt a proud smirk of her own erupt when his defense cracked under her fist. With the two women's strong power, Gaara cried out as he was hurdled backwards. He passed through a building before landing a distance away in a small clearing.
'That's for hitting me out the window earlier.' Sakura thought as soon as she saw the dust cloud erupt in the distance ahead.
It was Temari's call that ushered Sakura to sprint.
"Come on!" She cried.
"Again!"
The two young women raced to where Gaara had fallen, Sakura pouring chakra into her fist as Temari raised her fan. To the side of them, Sakura could hear the faint clatter of Kankuro and his puppet. As soon as they reached the clearing, the rosette smirked again at the small crater the two had created. No doubt Gaara was badly injured because of them, and she thought this even more so when the puppeteer sent out Kuroari.
"Did we get him?!" Sakura ecstatically asked, stopping some distance a way to watch the puppet swim towards the crater.
Temari stopped alongside the rosette, huffing lightly and watching the scene unfold as well.
"It wouldn't be this easy with Gaara." Temari commented.
Just as she finished her words, Kuroari was pulled back towards the shadows in a fast fashion. Obviously Kankuro had pulled the puppet back lest Gaara break it, and just like that, said redhead began to pull himself out of the giant hole.
"Like I said." Temari spat before racing towards him again, Sakura following closely behind.
As the two drew nearer, and Gaara stood himself back up, his malicious grin met with their eyes. Despite his look, their speed went undeterred, and once they were in an ear-shot oo him he chuckled before speaking.
"Weak." He hissed towards them.
"So weak!"
The two girls leapt towards Gaara. Sakura's punch and Temari's fan landing on him once more. This time however, as the young man was tossed back, a hand of sand formed from the ground. The claw made of grains raced for Gaara, catching his tumble before he was tossed even farther back, and as he was set down some distance away from the two women, his sneer grew all the bigger. He was not fazed at all by the hits, instead, they peaked his interest. The predator side of him growing all the more hungry.
Sakura and Temari were not heedless to notice their efforts were at best short. Sakura began focusing her chakra back to her fist when she watched Gaara inch towards them. She felt her body feeling suddenly faint as she searched for whatever strength was in her. The familiar green aura flickered across her fingers before dimming and diminishing. To this, the rosette let out an irritated sigh.
"What's wrong?" Temari asked, her eyes never falling from Gaara.
Sakura sighed again, the thought of already being at her limit was no doubt embarrassing. She had to remember though the powerful punches she had thrown at Gaara before he knocked her out the window. The enfused strength had required her to use a lot of chakra to break through Gaara's barrier, leaving her somewhat breathless now. She was at her limit. The worse part of it all, as she stared at Gaara, his sand armor cracked and crumbling below him, a dark realization hit her hard.
'We're barely doing any damage to him.'
She took another look at Gaara, his figure approaching still before speaking.
"I need a minute." Sakura's voice was bitter.
"It takes up a lot of my chakra to break through his sand."
Temari immediately understood Sakura's plight, her brother had been an unbeatable opponent for her as well, but she still clicked her tongue in annoyance. Kankuro was waiting for them to create an opportunity, and it seemed the Konoha woman needed time to regain her strength. The blonde gritted her teeth before opening her fan wide. Sakura took a step back when Temari swung her fan fast and hard toward the ground near Gaara, a strong wind now racing towards him.
Like lightening, Temari ran towards the left of Gaara. Noticing her movements, the redhead stopped in his tracks and became curious as the blonde ran towards the side of him. Sakura too tried to study Temari's plan as she again unleashed a heavy gust aiming towards Gaara. As Temari did this, Sakura began to notice the grains picking up around Gaara's feet, and as the two currents collided, his hair and clothes began to sweep up. Yet, he took no notice of this, or simply ignored it, for he instead turned his back to watch Temari again race towards the back of him. Another gust erupted from her fan, a cry as well, before she reached the right of him and unleashed one more of her attacks.
Sakura backed up when the four gusts hit, it shook the earth below her lightly and a deep sound echoed around her. It looked like four separate, small tornadoes aimed for the young man, but as they drew near him, air currents colliding, Gaara was swept away behind the grains of sand as a storm bellowed within the clearing. As he disappeared behind the flying specks, Temari smirked lightly. She hoped this trap and distraction would give Sakura enough time. They needed her powerful hits to distract Gaara, otherwise he was just bound to toy with them.
As time passed, and the storm continued to dance, Temari tucked her fan behind her and jogged back towards Sakura. The rosette meanwhile stared up towards the shadows wondering if Kankuro would be able to bring his puppet out soon and attempt a capture, she wondered if Kuroari would even be able to withstand the small storm.
"Temari, look out!"
It was Kankuro's call that shook Sakura, and the young woman whipped her gaze back to the blonde. Her breath left her and eyes went round when she noticed a giant claw of sand wrap around Temari. The blonde was currently striking the sand with the metal end of her fan. She hissed as her desperation to have the claw release her grew.
"Damn...sand!" Temari cursed, crushing the grains under her still.
It was then Sakura shook off her shock, taking a step towards the blonde in a means to help her. However, like quick lightening, she watched her friend cry out as the giant claw pulled her body in towards the small storm. The rosette's eyes went round as she saw her friend disappear behind the flying grains.
"Temari!" Sakura screamed, racing herself now towards the sandstorm.
However, she did not get very far until Kankuro appeared next to her. He reached for her arm in a means to have her face him, to stop her from going any further.
"Don't!" He called out to Sakura.
"Don't go in there!"
Kankuro did not even need to hear her say it, her expression told him to silently explain himself.
"You won't even be able to see in there." Kankuro tried knocking sense back into her.
"Let it die down."
Sakura was still frantic.
"We have to!" She cried.
"Temari is...Gaara will…!"
Sakura couldn't even form sentences, worried for her friend on the other side. Kankuro spoke again.
"Breathe. Temari will be alright in there. She knows what Gaara is capable of, she can fend him off. Just try to replenish your chakra."
Kankuro gave Sakura a reassuring nod before turning towards the small storm again. Inwardly, he was riddled with worry for his sister. In truth, he just wanted to stop Sakura lest she fall into the hands of Gaara as well, and was upset for his sister's well-being just as much as the rosette. As long seconds turned into grueling minutes, both ninja shifted on their feet uncomfortably. There was no way of knowing what was happening inside the small storm.
"Kankuro." Sakura whispered after some time.
"We have to do something. I can't stand here just waiting."
To this, Kankuro bit his lip. He felt the same as Sakura, but held back for the sake of her peace of mind.
"I'll go in there." He finally spoke.
"You wait here."
Sakura retaliated fast.
"Absolutely not!" Her fists clenched as she spoke.
"We need you and Kuroari!"
Kankuro barked back, trying to shed his own light on the rosette.
"And I need you to distract him! I can't send Kuroari blindly in, he'll tear my puppet apart!"
As Sakura listened to his reason, she sighed. The puppeteer sighed as well. It was a losing situation no matter how each perceived it. They stared long at the other, waiting for the other to back down. However, the grueling minutes were forgotten when the whistling storm next to them began to quiet down, gaining their attention. They both watched in wonder as the strong winds died down and the grains began to fall back to the earth. In time, they could see a standing figure in the distance, Sakura recognized him immediately.
"Gaara." She mouthed.
He looked unscathed, and unaffected, by the storm that had buried him. His back was turned from them, his attention drawn to something else below him. Once the winds died down completely, Sakura's eyes traveled everywhere, searching for her blonde friend. She found her at Gaara's feet, laying and unmoving. It was then her heart dropped.
"Sakura!" Kankuro only had time to yell out as the rosette ran for her friend.
He cursed the woman's hastiness before rolling a scroll under him. Immediately a second puppet emerged, clattering just as loud as the other next to it. The brunette narrowed his eyes towards his brother in front of him, raising Karasu towards him. He wasn't sure if what he was planning was the best course to take, but as Temari lay unconscious under Gaara, and Sakura racing towards the redhead with a punch that may not be strong enough to break through his defense, Kankuro realized their options were dwindling.
"Sakura!" Kankuro called loudly again.
"Grab Temari and then get away from Gaara!"
Sakura mentally noted Kankuro's words, half wondering what his plan intended. It hadn't been long, but Sakura was able to pool chakra back into her fist, racing it towards the back of Gaara. As she drew near, she hissed when his claw of sand began to wrap around Temari again. It swung the blonde's limp body towards the ground, then back up, and towards the hard ground again. The force was so strong, that the ground began to crack under Temari.
"Stop it!" Sakura cried, desperation in her to stop this brother from breaking his sister.
It was her call, so near to him, that made Gaara turn his head slightly back. His wild eyes met with hers for a brief second before noticing her radiating fist. A wall of sand shot up in front of him, once again trying to the rosette's breakthrough punches. Like the ones before though, her chakra enhanced strength was not one to take lightly, and her desperation to save Temari drove her fist all the more harder towards him. The wall of sand crumbled from her punch, and she even felt the sand armor on his skin crack under her fingers before his head was tossed back. Another cry came from him before he was hurdled towards a building. His giant claw of sand raced to his aid, to stop him from flying far. Meanwhile, Sakura knelt down to take in her friend.
"Temari." Sakura spoke, shaking the unconscious girl lightly.
Though she was battered and bruised, possibly something even broken, her chest was still heaving. Gaara hadn't yet done the darkest of deeds by killing his own sister. Sakura nudged the young woman again lightly, trying to get her to open her eyes or at least stir. The only thing Sakura got out of her was a sharp gasp before Kankuro called out to her.
"Sakura! Behind you!"
Sakura took a glance behind her, heart dropping when the claw of Gaara's sand raced for her and Temari.
"Shit." The rosette cursed.
Broken bones or not, Sakura pulled the young blonde over her back before dashing back towards Kankuro. Behind her, she could hear the grains of earth charging for her.
"Sakura!" She heard Gaara call behind her, though, she did not look back, for his voice was dripping with malevolence.
Instead she looked towards his brother, Kankuro's eyes were wide to the claw behind her, but he gestured with his hand for her to keep moving. Even when she drew past him and he did not follow, he spoke to her to continue running.
"What are you doing?!" She couldn't help but ask, stopping herself to look back at Kankuro.
Her eyes went round to the giant wave of sand that grew tall in front of them, but to also the brunette as he stood in front of it with determination.
"Run!" Sakura screamed at him, trying to readjust the blonde on her back.
Kankuro however ignored her, instead sweeping Karasu out in front of him and at the giant wave. To this, Sakura grew confused. He had confessed that his puppet would do no damage to Gaara, and wondered what it was he planned. She couldn't help herself, like Temari before she wanted to sweep her friend and pull him away from the danger, so she ran back towards him.
"What are you doing?" She asked again as soon as she was near.
Sakura studied Kankuro's conflicting eyes. He stared towards his brother with a longing look, though the young woman was unsure what this meant. It was when his puppet, Karasu, opened its false limbs did she ask again.
"What are you doing?!"
"Sakura, just go and take Temari!"
Sakura's heart dropped then, the brunette was lingering behind for reasons unknown. Instead of running like he had asked, Sakura remained rooted in her spot. She continued to watch as Kankuro aimed his puppet high, it's arms still open. It was then she understood where Kankuro was aiming the doll.
"I thought you said you couldn't hurt him with Karasu. What are you planning on doing?"
Her voice was calm now, despite the wave of sand that rushed towards them still. Kankuro hissed lightly to Sakura's question. He felt as though the rosette would argue against his tactic if she knew what it was he was planning. What choice did he have? With Temari knocked out, Sakura's chakra depleting, and Gaara as bent as ever to see them all dead, he was forced to resort to something he did not want to do, but knew it had to be done.
"Hey! Are you listening to me?" Sakura asked, stepping back as the sands drew ever closer.
His fingers twitched lightly, and to his movement, two, giant, dark balls shot out from Karasu's limbs. Behind the sand, Sakura could see a dark cloud blossom high into the sky, and immediately the wave of sand behind them fell. In the distance, she tried to spot the redhead within the purple cloud.
"What did you do?" She asked Kankuro, noting the eerily silence that followed from his attack.
When the brunette ignored her again, bringing his puppets towards him, Sakura could feel her temper rising.
"Hey." She asked again, wary for Gaara as well.
"What did you do?"
Her eyes remained on the giant purple cloud, somehow she doubted it was merely smoke or a means to blind Gaara. Even more so when Kankuro continued not to answer her. As she studied the dark air a little more, she realized how thick it was and tried to think back on Kankuro's tactics. What was it he had shot at Gaara? Whatever it had been, the redhead seemed consumed or lost in it, for they did not see him emerge out from the cloud or cry out. Another minute would pass by until Sakura's heart plummeted, realizing what the substance was.
"You poisoned him, didn't you?" She asked Kankuro, bewildered he would take such drastic means.
"I had to do what I could to protect this village." Kankuro finally answered, bringing his puppets back to him.
Kankuro seemed so sure of himself and the poison, that before the purple cloud disappeared, and before they could even begin a search for Gaara, he placed Karasu back into its scroll. That self-assurance made Sakura's heart drop. He was so certain of himself that the rosette worried of the poison's potency.
"How strong is it?" She whispered, still looking ahead and trying to see Gaara.
Kankuro stared out in front of him as well before trudging towards the thinning cloud. Laying Temari down, Sakura began to follow him.
"Assuming his sand absorbed some of it before shielding himself, it had to be strong enough to knock him out at least with just one breath."
Sakura's eyes went round, and she turned to watch the Brunette's stern look.
"If the Ichibi was still in him," Kankuro began, "this may not have worked. I decided to take a shot now since we didn't have many options left."
"He'll be alright though, right?" Sakura asked, her medical side growing strong.
It was then Sakura noticed the puppeteer had picked up his pace more quickly, and she had followed. With the purple cloud thinning and clearing up into the night sky, they both peered trying to spot the redhead.
"We should probably get him to a hospital before bringing him to the council."
Sakura bit her lip, trying to hold down an angry voice and trying to view the situation through Kankuro's eyes. He said they were left with no choice, and with her noticing her sudden fatigue, she had to agree. Still, to poison ones brother, and to a point where he may need hospitalization, made Sakura's heart clench tight. She worried for Kankuro's feelings, no doubt he masked the hurt behind his stern face, but she worried more for Gaara.
"Let me check up on him first." Sakura murmured.
"If he's knocked out, I can assess him."
Kankuro nodded to this, and as the two stepped closer to the clearing, the purple cloud completely gone, they walked on in silence. Once they drew closer they both stopped, eyes peering and glancing all around.
"Is there a chance he may have ran?" Sakura asked after some time of not spotting the young man.
Kankuro shook his head, a little unsure.
"Maybe, but it's such a strong poison. He couldn't have gotten far."
They walked together again, taking the next nearest street. It was then they found who they were looking.
"Gaara!" Sakura had been the first to spot and call towards him.
His body was sprawled out in the middle of the street, face buried in the dirt. He lay unmoving, which made Sakura sprint faster towards him. Kankuro reached out towards her jogging form, about to warn her to be careful. However, when his eyes left from her figure and to his brother's instead, he remained silent. He simply stared at Gaara's unconscious body, his heart dropping from the sight.
'Forgive me, Gaara.' He bitterly thought.
'I still suck at being a good brother to you.'
He jogged his way towards Sakura, meeting her the moment she turned Gaara's body over. Kuroari was next to Kankuro as well, the puppet master waited until the rosette gave the okay to seal him up. The brunette stood by and waited while watching Sakura begin to asses his younger brother. She had laid her ear against his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart before pulling back and studying his rising and falling chest. The more her face contorted, the more Kankuro shuffled on his feet in anxiety.
'I had no choice.' He kept reminding himself, the guilt eating at his soul.
It wasn't until a small sputter erupted from Gaara's mouth, did Sakura's eyes go round in horror. Kankuro too jumped lightly on his spot, but not for the worry that Gaara was possibly stirring awake, but because blood now began to drip from his mouth and stain his chin. Immediately Sakura rolled the redhead to his side before peeling his upper lip up, she narrowed her eyes when she saw his usually white teeth stained with crimson now.
'Strong poison, just as Kankuro said.' Sakura thought, a heavy sigh escaping her as she turned her eyes to the brunette.
"We need to get him to a hospital." She calmly spoke.
Kankuro glanced around them, a little relief had washed over him when he realized no one had noticed them. Of course, it crossed his mind that all of this could still be kept a secret. That only them three ever need know that Gaara had mistakenly attacked those close to him. It could be hidden from the world still that a monster still stirred inside Gaara's mind. He could still be Kazekage as long as they held their tongues. Gaara could still remain happy.
"You-You can't help him here?" Kankuro stammered lightly, a small hope still inside him.
To bring Gaara to a hospital, to have others see him like this, to have to answer all their unnerving questions, had Kankuro knowing they would have to spill this young lord's secret. He had wanted to save his brother at all costs, but for poor Gaara, who had asked for none of this, he felt a heavy guilt for. Never would Kankuro have wanted this decision to fall on his shoulders. He would never jeopardize Gaara's new-found happiness as Kazekage, yet, to bring him to the hospital would prove otherwise.
Kankuro's heart pounded hard against his chest while Sakura studied Gaara once more. He was grateful towards the rosette for at least taking his words into consideration. Perhaps she too knew what downfall this would bring. However in time, as she continually wiped the blood coming from Gaara's mouth, her face fell more and more. In time, she brought her eyes to meet Kankuro's, and that look from her orbs burned into his own and slowly she shook her head at the brunette. Apology in her gaze.
"We need to get him to a hospital. I don't have what I need to help him here in the middle of the street."
Kankuro's heart sunk to her words.
That was it then.
Gaara had been saved, but at a heavy price. Kankuro could almost feel his brother's happiness shattering even as he lay unconscious. The next time he would awake, he would no doubt be told what horrific deeds he had done as well as his title being stripped from him. He would be looked at again with hateful eyes. Everything he had worked so hard for, strive for, changed for, had been in vain.
'I have failed you again, little brother.' Kankuro thought bitterly.
It wasn't until Sakura stood herself, brushing off the dust on her knees, that Kankuro slowly drew closer to her and Gaara. They both stared down at Gaara's laying form, their minds riddled with questions, doubts, and guilt while their frowns deepened.
"Kankuro." Sakura whispered after some time, her eyes wincing with heat.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise to you and Temari."
Kankuro did not reply. Inside of him, he knew this was not Sakura's fault in the slightest. She had tried her best, that was all they had asked of her. However, he could not find the voice to tell her that everything was going to be alright. His words of encouragement were lost as he stared down at his fallen brother. So instead, he asked,
"Could you go back and grab Temari? I'll take Gaara from here."
Unable to handle the sight under her any longer, Sakura turned from the brunette and redhead.
"Yeah." She mumbled before jogging lightly back down the road.
She hung her head low, trying to hold back warm tears. She hurt for Gaara. So much. This had not been his fault, he did not deserve what was undoubtedly going to come to him, and Sakura felt herself almost drowning from the guilt.
"I'm sorry, Gaara." Sakura whispered into the air.
"I couldn't keep my promise to you."
Sakura let out a heavy breath, and her steps trembled lightly as her words struck hard at her heart. Gaara had done so much for her, treated her so well. In the end, she had hurt him, both physically and psychologically, before failing to save him from his own destruction. His attempt at becoming a great leader crumbled under his feet because she could not keep her promise.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered, unable to stop one tear from falling.
"Sakura!"
Sakura's head whipped up and body spun to the call of her name. Her eyes widened and she froze in her spot at what she saw in the distance. It had been Kankuro's voice that had called out for her, she was sure of it. Kuroari was fallen at his feet as Gaara stood in front of him
'He's awake?!' Sakura thought, a small smile forming on her lips.
Perhaps his body was strong enough to fight off the poison. Perhaps this was something they could all still fix in secrecy. However, when she saw Gaara's hand strike at Kankuro's neck, quick like a viper, both her heart and smile fell.
'He still hasn't changed back!' Sakura thought with trembling shock.
It wasn't until she saw Gaara rising Kankuro's feet pff the ground, the brunette digging his hand to pry off Gaara's, did Sakura rush over back towards them. She cursed in her mind when she felt little of her strength in her, she had been at her limit when she threw her last punch. Another strong fist was not going to come by the time she reached the two brothers. Desperation clouded her mind when she drew closer to them. Kankuro was still trying to pry off Gaara while the redhead dug his claws deeper into his neck. Sakura felt her heart beat quicker at Kankuro's struggling face, his eyes were wide on his brother, pleading with his look to let him go while he began to turn pale and drool fell down the corners of his lips.
Tearing her eyes off of Kankuro and towards Gaara, she hoped he was taking in his brother's silent begging. However, her eyes widened more when she saw his angry snarl. His eyes were more wild and crazy than she had ever seen him before, and his fangs were stained red while blood continued to drip down from his mouth. It hit Sakura then, how Gaara's eyes slightly wavered and blood spilled out of his mouth, that the poison was still having a strong effect of him. Both young men were in danger.
'No! No! No!' Sakura thought, rushing towards Gaara.
Both these brothers were knocking on death's door, and Sakura was the only one there who could stop them.
"Stop it!" She cried hysterically, wrapping her arms around Gaara's arms.
She tried to pull his grip off of Kankuro, but it was like the redhead was suddenly made of his stone. He didn't budge an inch to Sakura's attempt, nor did he bat an eye to her presence. His eyes were still maddening and set on his brother dying in his hands.
"Please!" Sakura begged, tugging at him still.
With no strength in her, desperation grew more and more to set Kankuro free from Gaara. If her pulling and tugging could not break him, she tried with her words.
"Gaara!" She cried again.
"Don't do this!"
Her words fell on deaf ears, and Sakura slipped as she tried pulling him off of Kankuro one last time. Despite her fall she hurriedly pushed herself back up and rushed to the redhead's back before wrapping her arms around him. She was surprised to sense no sand reaching for her and tossing her back, but as she felt Gaara's struggling breath, she knew the poison was making him weak. Surely his chakra was too little for the sand to defend him entirely.
Sakura pulled him back with all of her might, trying to find some chakra buried inside of her she could use to toss him off of Kankuro. Alas, her attempts were futile, and her sweaty palms slipped off of his body. She fell again to her bottom while Gaara continued to strangle Kankuro in front of her. Hearing his struggling breaths, Sakura hung her head low. She could not bear to watch Gaara kill his closest sibling.
"Please." Sakura whispered towards the ground, breath shaky.
"Please, don't do this."
'Blood!' Her mind screamed at her suddenly.
'He reacts to the smell of it!'
It struck Sakura then how familiar the scenario in front of her was. Remembering the diversion she had done with Temari, Sakura whipped her head around, looking for something sharp. She scrambled to stand, peering everywhere her eyes could for something to slice against her skin.
'Come on!' She thought anxiously.
Time was of the essence, Kankuro's life depended on it, so Sakura was more than despairing to find any sharp object. When she could find no blade, or anything sharp the empty street could offer, she drew in a deep breath. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on whatever little chakra was still in her to spare.
'Just a little.' She thought.
'I just need a little.'
Bringing the little she had, Sakura focused her chakra into one of her fingertips. She tried to imagine it like a scalpel, small but sharp, before slowly dragging it up her left arm. She winced at the pain, but kept on going for the sake of Kankuro's life. She did not dig deep into her, and once she was finished, very little blood seeped out. She knew it wasn't enough.
'You can do this.' She thought before using her fingers to spread the cut open.
She grounded her teeth from the pain, but focused on Kankuro's wheezing to egg her on. She had to do this for him, and for Gaara. With an open gash, she stared as blood began to paint her arm and drip to stain the ground below her.
'There!' She thought triumphantly before bringing her eyes up to Gaara's back.
She was slightly surprised Gaara's attention was not on her, but instead still on Kankuro. Quickly, she rushed over towards Gaara.
"Look!" She cried, hoping to get his attention.
She practically shoved her arm under Gaara's nose and eyes, desperate for him to notice her.
"It's blood, my blood!" She cried again.
Though her words seemed odd, she knew she had to do any means necessary to stop Gaara. She mentally grinned when she watched his nose flare up, and his eyes begin to waver. Soon enough, his teal orbs began darting from Kankuro, to her arm, and than back to her. It was as if he was making a decision of the three in which to pursue. In time, his dangerous eyes began to fall, and instead that of a manic began to replace his features. It was that change, and slightly trembling body, that let Sakura know she had gotten his attention.
Pulling her arm away from him, she turned from the redhead and began sprinting down the dark road. She had barely taken three steps before she could hear Gaara following.
'Yes!' She cheered in her mind.
She took a moment to glance behind her, she could see Kankuro on the ground, no hands around his neck.
'I did it!' She thought, hoping Kankuro would be alright.
Her eyes went from him to the redhead just a few feet behind her. He pursued her with determination in his look, however, Sakura still noticed how blood painted his jaw.
"Sakura!" He cried as she picked up her feet a little more quickly.
She took every opportunity down a new street that she could, avoiding the rooftops and hoping their steps went unheard as she drove them deeper into the village. Like the night she had lead him out into the sandstorm, her mind berated her.
'Now what? You have no strength left, you're bleeding out and have no idea what to do but run.'
It was that thought that made Sakura wince lightly, she was beginning to grow dizzy. Fatigue had caught up to her, washing away her adrenaline rush.
'Kankuro is safe. Temari is safe.' Sakura thought.
'As long as he chases only after me, everyone is safe.'
Noble, but stupid. Sakura had no idea what to do next. She was weak and wounded, Gaara was poisoned but driven by the blood. She wasn't sure who would succumb first, her or Gaara. Taking another turn down a street, she gasped when she hit a dead end. She whipped her head around fast, hoping she had enough time to sneak by Gaara and continue her flee elsewhere. However, the second her eyes faced the other direction they were caught up by his towering form. He had literally just been inches following behind her, and her eyes were drawn up to his grin that grew the more he took in of her.
"You're so easy to catch. Brave, little ninja." His whisper was sadistic, blood still dripping from his lips.
Sakura opened her mouth, either to speak or scream no one would know. Before anything could come out, Gaara launched at her. His body crashing down on top of hers before one hand wrapped around her neck while the other brought her bloody arm towards his face.
Struggling under him, trying to wriggle her way out, she could see his eyes observing the cut on her arm. He studied it with little care before dragging his warm tongue up the cut. Almost immediately he spit whatever taste he had in his mouth before his eyes turned dangerous once again. He looked down at her with a new distaste, and immediately his other hand found her neck as well.
"You taste awful." He sneered, thumbs digging into her more.
"You bore me now."
His look was hard on her, as if it was somehow her fault he no longer enjoyed the taste of her blood or the chase. Sakura could only stare up at him with panic in her eyes, praying for Kankuro, Temari, or anyone to come to her rescue. She felt even more terror in her as Gaara began to lean his face towards her. There was wonder in her, but still fear, as he gently placed a kiss on her lips. She could feel his warm blood staining her buds while she still struggled to breath.
'Twisted.' She thought.
When he brought his face back up and his eyes met with hers, his gaze was passive. He was studying her, maybe trying to grasp what underlying feelings he still felt for her, if any; or perhaps for a reaction from her from his kiss, but she could give none as he strangled the life out of her still.
When she felt his cold hand suddenly on her stomach, tracing slowly upward under her shirt and resting on top of on of her breasts, a new wave of panic hit Sakura. What was his intentions, she wondered in fear. He was about to kill her, yet felt her up and placed a kiss on her. When her eyes met his again, his passive gaze was still set on her as if she was a person to study. It was then he began groping her lightly, brushing his cold fingers against her warm skin.
'He wouldn't possibly...' Sakura bitterly thought, anger building inside of her.
Her break finally came when a loud cough erupted from Gaara. Blood trickled down his mouth as he sputtered, and his grip on the rosette loosened. Immediately she drew in a heavy breath before bringing her foot hard against his chest. He fell roughly backwards, clutching at Sakura's shirt first as the fabric tore from her body while he was hurdled away from her. She did not care if she was bare or not, she simply covered her chest with her arm before scrambling away from him.
Despite his tumble back, he was quick and pounced towards her, gripping at her ankle before dragging her back down to the ground with him. When she met his gaze again, there was nothing she could see in his teals orbs but hate. He hissed at her, red fangs baring, while he brought her under him.
"Let me go!" Sakura screamed, she no longer cared whether she reached to him or not, she simply wanted to be far away from him and his death glare.
As he brought his hand high above him, aiming down towards her, her eyes widened suddenly when the claw of the sand now covered his arm. To her obvious fear, Gaara chuckled darkly, enjoying her look.
"Sakura." He whispered, his grin growing wider.
"Time for you to die."
Sakura was not even given a moment to speak or scream, there was no time to block his attack or even fight him off as the claw of sand lashed down at her. She could only see the hate for her in Gaara's eyes before darkness engulfed her vision. For a moment, she thought she could hear Gaara's voice speaking once more to her. Begging her.
Please, do not leave me.