A.N.- OMG! I have had so many things happen lately! Have any of you ever felt like the Drama Fairy was like living on your shoulder? Or you know following you? I swear I really started looking for it on my shoulders and checked behind me sometimes when I was walking. Lol no joke. But I think after tonight the drama will be over for a while. Yay! I don't much like drama in real life…to quote a certain genius…its troublesome. But…writing drama now that is a whole different ballpark! Heehee. I loved writing this chapter because I got to have a cute little Naru and Saka sibling like moment. It was sweet to me and I hope you guys agree. And poor Sakura…she's so tired…she just wants sleep. Lol I think by the end she'll finally get it…for a while. Lol anyways, I had this ready almost 4 days ago…and so I apologize for the delay in the story like that….I know I've said it before but now that the drama is over I should be able to write and post more. Yay! Okay anyway you guys probably are ready to move on to the actual story if you haven't already lol. So please enjoy!
FanggirlX
Disclaimer: Naruto is still not mine…sigh…do I really have to put this thing all the time? I have made it clear by now that the whole Naruto thing isn't mine right? At least for this story….o well its just one more sentence to write…still, its very…tedious to remember to put one every time…lol sry ramblings again…(I think it may be unwise to post chapters while hyped up….I seem to type more) ok quitting. Sry. Heehee
I just want to say a super huge thanks to all of my reviewers! You guys make writing this just that much more fun and worth it! You all mean the world to me and you are often the highlight of my day! So thank you all very very much!
To Courtz. babee - Aw you love it!? Thank you! I am so so happy my writing makes you smile! I really love to make people smile and so when I find out I succeeded in doing so I actually dance for joy. Seriously I did a little happy dance in my bed (where I was with my laptop when I read your review) and one of my brothers walked in to ask me something and found me like that and instead of asking me what he wanted to he just walked out shaking his head. Lol my brothers find me in situations like that a lot though so they are definitely used to it by now I am sure. But yeah anyway I just wanted to tell you happy you made me by telling me that and that to me it was so not corny. I'm really glad you thought it was a cute chapter too! He was so close wasn't he? Like that thing so close and yet so far. Heehee, he'll get it eventually I bet. I'm glad I leave you wanting more (I giggled when you wrote that btw) and I hope you continue enjoying my story! Thanks!
To Guggas- lol I love writing fluff! Its fun. Lol I'm super glad you liked it! Thank you for telling me! I did take a huge risk making them brother and sister and I am kind of liking where its going with it so I am glad you can bear with that. And I totally understand your resistance to the couple. TemaShika is so cute its hard to see her with anyone else right? But I had always pictured these two together for a long while and wanted to at least give it a try and to be honest I am liking it…so I am sorry you couldn't read their stuff I hope someday you may warm to the idea and you know at least read it but if you don't as long as you love the other stuff I'm cool with your decision. heehee Sasuke is a difficult fellow to like. Thank you for telling me your opinions! I love it when people are honest with me. I mean I'm way too far into the story to change the things that aren't working for you (and sorry but probably wouldn't anyway…) but it always helps to know what others think so thank you kindly for that. And might I just say now. Wow! You speak those languages so well! Er, well type them well anyway. Lol I couldn't tell from your writing that you weren't English but it is super cool to find out you aren't. what are you saying in all those different languages btw? I was looking at them and was like…wow that looks so neat I wish I knew what they meant! Lol so could you please tell me? And for my guess…I am going to say…Icelandic because you laughed at me for saying it was cool that was listed and you are from there so…yeah that is my guess. Did I get it right? Huh? Did I, did I? heehee. I am so happy you thought this chapter was cute! Thank you! Gaara was absolutely adorable to me in this chapter so I am glad you liked him too! Protective guys are hot to me. Lol so I like the idea very much that Gaara would be one. I am kind of delaying it…how did you know? Lol I am so awful at writing lemons…this was my first story to ever have any and I am actually terrified I will write a gaasaku or even naruhina when it comes time for theirs and it will just absolutely suck. And I really don't want to do that….thank you for your suggestion! I was kind of leaning more towards that version actually so it helps to know other people like it too. Any ideas on the naruhina lemon? If you don't mind I mean…I'm always open to suggestions. Anyways...thanks for the review and I hope you continue to enjoy my story! Oh! Btw since you aren't English does guggas mean something where you are from or is it just this cute name you came up with? (sry I am a curious person lol)
To JPLteen- Oh gosh! Hi! Its great to hear from you again! I definitely understand the busy. Lol. Thank you so so much for squeezing my story into your schedule! I am honored that you would. You liked my ending? Thank you! I hope you enjoy my next chapters to come and that they help allow escape from your busy life! I know reading helps me with that anyway… anywho thanks so much for reviewing!
To Bleach-it-all- Awe really? Wow! Thank you! I am so so happy you love it! And it makes me smile to know you thought it was a cute chapter! I hope you continue to enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing!
To xoLovelyEyesox- heehee you thought it was cute? Thanks lee-chan! Really? The loudest? Awesome! Im working on my book…I have a lot written I'm just scared to let people read it…Lan said he would though which shocked the living crap out of me! He hates to read. But since Z is so busy…he just up and said he would! isn't he the sweetest? ( btw I'm not gonna kill him anymore lol I know the story now and love my twin even more if that was even possible!) Lol so…um please don't take Mr. Prez hostage just yet…I have this strange fondness for him I cant explain…heehee. It was staring at you! Lol funny. Creepy. But funny. Awe the door hit him…poor plushie Gaara. Lol love you too lee-chan! Thank you so much! I hope you like the cuteness in this chapter too!
To BluePanda22311- lol Fluff is nice isn't it? You liked Inner Sakura telling that mischievous coon off? Thanks! Almost fairytale like?! Really! Wow! Thank you! That means a lot to hear that! You liked the I you too part? That is great! I giggled when writing it hoping others would like it too. That was sweet wasn't it? I was honestly shocked when I wrote it…I hadn't planned it but then when going over my chapter for editing I was like hmmm something is missing and then that just came to me! I was so happy because it was so cute and fit so well and almost wasn't there! Heehee your spazz moment was cute. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you continue enjoying SCA in this next chapter!
To Gothic Saku-chan- Heehee. Thank you! I'm really happy you thought that was adorable! I giggled a little at the thought when I was writing it so to know someone else enjoyed that little part makes me feel so incredibly amazing! So thank you and I hope you will still enjoy my story in the next chapter!
To Hug-A-Pug- OMG! Hi! I so remember you! You were very nice and incredibly funny how could I ever forget? I like your name change btw your name was funny before now its just cute! I had computer problems myself not too long ago with my laptop cord being ruined and needing anew one and it taking forever to come to me so I can definitely relate halfway at least. Lol I'm glad you remembered my story! And the fact that you still love it is even better! Thank you so so much and I hope you continue to read and enjoy! Its great to know you are back!
To alana124pyro- Hi! Thank you so much! Wow I never imagined you would read my fic. Heehee I am so glad you are enjoying it! I know you may not get to this chapter yet but you left such cute reviews I had to reply to them here! Lol o! and btw yeah your references from your fic have really really helped I mean Race (my bf) is stubborn so he wont give up on his views easily but eh, he's at least listening which is more than I could say for him on most things! So keep him in your prayers if you will! I rock at romance? Heehee thank you! I try very hard and really like writing it so its really cool to hear from readers that I am doing a good job. ( I know right! Those buttons switching like that confused me the first few times too lol) I'm glad you didn't wait to review and I'm glad you will review when you feel like it. Then I will know which chapters hit the best. Thank you for the compliment on my characters! I am still trying very hard to keep them IC but I fear they may slip into OOC sometimes…so thanks! I am glad you like my Sasuke (even if you thought my Naruto was Sasuke which I wanted to kind of trick people so its fine and actually neat that I did! So its fine. I hope after you read my Sasuke character you'll still think the same) lol I'm also glad parts are making you laugh! That is wonderful! Anyway…I just wanted to say thank you for reading my story and for reviewing! I hope by the time you make it to this chapter you are still enjoying it and will continue to!
Naruto rushed down the sidewalk at full speed pumping his legs as fast as they could go.
He had to get to Sakura. He had to see her. Now! He had to see she was alright. He had to see with his own eyes that she was going to make it through.
Saiyomi had just called his cell, telling him that she'd healed her and that she was going to be fine that he could stop worrying like she knew he was. But he couldn't. Naruto knew he couldn't stop, he couldn't slow down till he was there, seeing her for himself. Knowing for certain she was truly fine. And she had to be fine. She had to be okay he couldn't handle her being anything else. He'd just gotten her as an official sister. His twin! She couldn't die by some freak incident like this right after it!
He hadn't even had a chance to talk with her since hearing the story about their pasts.
She had to be okay because it was Sakura! She didn't let things like this stop her.
Saiyomi had to be right! In fact, it would be awesome if she was making the understatement of the year, and instead of Sakura being 'just fine' like Saiyomi had said Sakura would be perfectly normal again. He would give anything to have Sakura sitting there looking completely normal and not bloody and beaten when he came through that door. Hell, Naruto swore he would give up ramen just to have her be standing at the door waiting for him so she could call him an idiot smack him in the head for almost loosing his cool the way he had.
He'd definitely voluntarily take a beating from her if it showed she was fine and back to being herself and not resembling a war corpse.
The blond raced down the little house's walkway up the steps and crashed through the door with such force he sent it banging into the wall making a sound like a canon shot when it hit.
Hinata was sitting on the sofa waiting for him and she jumped with a squeak when the door crashed open. She watched the doorway from the hall to the living room where she waited.
In no time at all Naruto appeared, his frantic blue eyes met hers.
"Hinata! She's okay right? She's really okay?"
Hinata nodded and stood to go to his side.
As she moved to join Naruto, Saiyomi entered the room.
"Naruto."
He turned his gaze from the approaching Hinata to his newly discovered mother.
She had the smell of Sakura's blood all over her after just coming off of the rush of his going a little fox his senses were stronger than they ever were and he had to cover his nose it sickened him. His stomach churned and he felt he was about to loose his breakfast he'd eaten earlier. The scent was just…so much. All he could smell was her blood. Her death scent hung in the air and he felt his knees tremble. She'd come close to dying! He had to see her even more now!
Saiyomi saw his reaction to her and stopped coming towards him.
"I was just heading to shower. I didn't want this smell lingering any longer than it had to. But don't worry. She's really fine. I healed her wounds with almost no trouble, she'd done a fair good amount of inner work herself before Gaara got her to me."
Naruto held his breath a moment longer before letting out in a quick rush, "She's really okay? I mean jeez, the smell of-"
Saiyomi nodded cutting him off, "She is. She's upstairs sleeping, still recovering from using so much chakra I would imagine. Gaara's with her."
Naruto shook his head, he didn't care if Gaara was with her. He had to be there too!
"They may need time alone, Naruto."
He frowned, "They can have it later."
He rushed past her and Hinata and up the stairs.
Following her scent trail before his senses dulled completely Naruto burst into the room she was in.
He saw her.
Not bloody. Not in pain. Simply sleeping.
But her eyes. They were closed. Like she was dead. She still looked dead. He had to see them open, smiling, green, bright. Not dim and fading and almost empty like they had been.
He moved across the room and ignoring the glare from the red head who lay beside her with an arm wrapped protectively around her Naruto crouched down beside her and shook her shoulder.
"Leave her." Gaara growled.
"Back off. I have to see her too." Naruto snapped, his nerves on edge. His eyes flashed red a second. The boy worked to calm himself and then he glared hard at Gaara.
"You were with her when she left. You let this happen to her. I'll deal with you later, Gaara. Right now. I… I have to see she's okay for myself. Everybody and their friggin grandma can tell me that she's fine but I have to hug her, hear her, and see for myself that she really is. So just shut up, ok?"
"Naruto, you shut up. God… you're so loud sometimes."
His suddenly happy eyes met her annoyed green.
Still glaring as she spoke, Sakura's soft tired voice whispered, the annoyance in her voice matching that of her eyes, "I was sleeping right here, ya know. Your big mouth was right at my face and you were yelling. I couldn't -"
His fierce hug cut her off as he buried his face in her shoulder and held her tightly.
"Shut up, Saka. Just shut up. I don't care if I woke you. I'm just glad…I'm just glad you could wake up."
Her eyes softened and she wrapped her arms around him.
The blond tugged her out of Gaara's arms, from the bed, and straight into his lap where he sat in the floor and snuggled against her desperately needing to feel her heartbeat next to his.
"What were you thinking? How could you let those fools get near you?" he whispered, confused how those idiots he'd dealt with could hurt her so badly. She was better than that.
Sakura sighed and ran her fingers soothingly through his hair.
"I was thinking. That was just it. I was so deep in thought and totally spaced out. I am sorry I made you worry. But I'm fine now, Naru. I really am."
The blond was trembling as he shook his head, "You…you looked dead. You…were almost dead! They cut your throat for god sake! You…could have died…"
Sakura rubbed his shaking back softly, "Naru, I am fine. I could have died but I didn't. Gaara saved me in time and mom healed me before I could bleed out. Everything's okay now."
"But it almost wasn't!" he snapped. "You almost left me! You can't do that, stupid! You have to be careful! I need you to stay safe for once! I…can't handle it if…if…" his anger simmered down and his voice trailed off.
Sakura kissed his cheek and cuddled against him again, "Naruto. I know I get in trouble a lot…I am always needing someone to save me. I…I'm still not strong enough to protect myself. I'm sorry. I don't mean to worry you. But please, calm down now. Its over now. We all made it out okay this time."
He crushed her tighter against him, "You have to be more careful…I…I won't always be able to protect you now…b-because…"
"Naruto your main concern now is Hinata. You love her. Protect her." Sakura told him gently.
"I-I know. I love her. I want to protect her. With everything I have I will. But…I love you too. You're…you're my sister. God, Saka, my actual sister. You can't get hurt like this! You just can't! Stupid! You have to stay safe. We're family….you're my family. I can't loose that. So stop being so reckless and careless."
"I said I was sorry. I was in deep thought. And I love you too, Naru, but Gaara will protect me now. You can focus on keeping Hinata safe more."
"Where was he then!? Why didn't he keep you safe!?" Naruto growled. "He wasn't there! He didn't protect you!"
Sakura glared at him, "We had a fight and we needed to cool off. It's not his fault. He didn't know those guys were there!"
"He shouldn't have left you alone!"
"He didn't know I'd get hurt, Naru."
"But if he'd-"
"Naruto. This was just an unexpected accident. No one knew I was going to get attacked like that. Okay? It's no one's fault. It's not your's for being away from me. It's not Gaara's for wanting time to himself. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine for not being aware of my surroundings. So get mad at me, that's fine. I accept responsibility. But stop blaming Gaara and stopping kicking yourself."
He snorted, "You don't know I was."
"Yeah I do." she smirked and then she hugged him again. "And I love that you care so much. You should. I'm your sister after all. You have to love me. And you should be a little protective. But…you have to understand that when something uncontrollable like this happens it's not your fault. And you can't blame Gaara every time something goes wrong. He has no way of knowing it's coming anymore than you do. But I do promise to work on being more careful. Alright? So now everything is okay."
He nodded against her. "You…have to stay safe from now on. No more getting hurt. I…Saka, I couldn't take seeing you like that! I have seen you get hurt before. You're a damned ninja for crying out loud. Eventually we all get hurt! I know that. But…you weren't just hurt. Sakura, you looked dead! For a whole minute when I saw you like that I thought you were dead! Don't you get it! You were dead in my life for a whole minute! That's why I'm so fucking upset! You were dead! And I hadn't even…I hadn't even gotten a chance to be your real brother yet and you were gone. Just suddenly gone."
Sakura cried silently while she took his face in her hands and saw that he too had tears in his eyes, "Naruto. Am I dead now?"
"Well no, but-"
"I'm not. I lived. I am so, so sorry I scared you like that. I was scared too. But I made it and we still have a chance to enjoy being brother and sister. We still get to do that. I just got you in my official family, I'm not leaving before I even get to see what that's like. So don't worry, okay?"
Naruto nodded and sighed into her hair as he continued to hold her close, "You swear you're fine? You're not lying to make me feel better right?"
"Nope. I wouldn't lie to you about that."
" 'K. Good." he sighed with relief and then a much lighter thought came to his mind and Naruto chuckled softly, "Saka?"
"Hmm?"
"Just what exactly would you lie to me about?"
"Oh, I can't tell you that. If I did our being brother and sister would be no fun. Have to keep the surprises coming and the mystery flowing right?" she teased yawning at the end.
"You still need rest. I'm sorry I panicked like that and ripped you from the bed."
"Yeah…I can't see from here but I bet if I turn around I'd see a very angry set of aquamarine eyes glaring at you." Sakura said giggling.
She heard something akin to a frustrated growl come from Gaara behind her.
"Yeah, he don't look too happy right now…" Naruto agreed with a nod, studying the sand master.
Naruto stood and laid Sakura back in the bed. Gaara quickly took her and pulled her close to his chest, glaring heatedly at Naruto.
The blond laughed, "Okay, okay. I get it. Its privacy time now. But you two behave I don't want to be an uncle just yet you got me?" he winked at them and closed the door laughing loudly all the way down the hall.
Sakura sighed and snuggled into Gaara's warmth.
"You will never be hurt again." he whispered to her burying his face in her pink hair much like her brother just had.
"I know. I trust you. I-"
"I did leave you though." he cut in.
"Yes, but you came back. And in time too." she said beginning to grow frustrated. First Gaara. Then Naruto. Now Gaara again! People, she was fine. Very sleepy, but fine.
"Barely." he scoffed.
"But you still did. Look, Gaara, we already had this conversation and I'm tired. So listen and listen good okay? Yes, you left. But you came back to me. You were angry at me and you still came back for me. So that's all that matters. I love you. I trust you. And I know that you will protect me anyway you can. I know this because I feel the same about you. And when I wake up we are going to finish our discussion we were having on the rooftop alright? But until then…please just hold me close, don't leave me and let me sleep here in your arms where I feel safest. My head is killing me and I just want to sleep a little longer...alright…?"her voice trailed off into a soft yawn.
Gaara nodded against her and as he relished her words he told her, "Rest. I won't leave."
"Ever again. And if you do you'll have a pissed off me to deal with when I find you." she mumbled.
He smirked down at her, staring at her light grin and her peacefully closed eyes.
"When you find me?" he asked teasingly.
"Yeah…cuz I wouldn't quit till I had you again. I would always find you. I was gonna…come after you on the roof too…after I sorted my thoughts."
"Why?"
"Because we belong together. No matter what. So I'll follow you. Always. Even when you say not to."
He tightened his grip around her a moment hugging her and then relaxed against her, breathing in her sweet scent that was finally free from the reek of her blood.
"Good." he replied.
She breathed sleepily, "Yeah…good."
Smiling slightly Gaara wished her a good sleep and closed his own eyes.