On the following days, Sakura tries to get closer to Gaara, she behaved nicer with him. She didn't reproach him anything. Gaara put the clothes in the hamper ever since the fight, so the same argument didn't happen twice. In exchange, Gaara kept Shinki away from Sakura. He didn't sleep with her in the same room; their conversations were almost nonexistent. It killed her on the inside. She couldn't see a way to get out of this situation because she didn't know how to regain Gaara's trust. This was precisely the reason she was afraid to admits she was hearing voices. She was certain anyone who found out would abandon her. The peak of the disaster was about to happen on that night.

Shinki didn't come home and it made Gaara panic. He searched everywhere, but couldn't find him. He sent an ANBU team to go look for his son throughout the village before he turned to face Sakura and told her in a calm but scary manner:

"If you touched him, we're done."

Sakura cried and begged him to believe her when she said she didn't do anything to the boy, but Gaara left without taking her words into account. Sakura knew she couldn't participate in the search because she was considered a suspect in the disappearance of the little boy, so she locked herself in her room and looked through the window as she cried. Shortly after, her stomach started to hurt due to stress. Her body shook with sobs and moans of pain.

Eventually, Gaara found his son at Kankurou's place. Shinki forgot to let him know about his whereabouts. He went there to eat barbecue and play with Kankurou's adopted son. Gaara sighed in relief after he scolded Shinki and took him home. As they were walking back home, Gaara started regretting his cold behavior towards Sakura. I overreacted. Maybe it's not what it seems. I heard voices in my head when Shukaku was sealed inside me. Maybe there's more to it than she told me. When they got home, Gaara sent Shinki straight to bed. As soon as the door to the boy's room closed, Gaara stopped in front of Sakura's room. He decided to knock after a few good minutes, but nobody answered. He tried to open the door, but a barrier activated inexplicably. It was then that he realized Sakura placed a seal on the door from the inside. He could have broken it, but he didn't want to upset Sakura even more. He already felt bad for treating her like this on the previous days. He sighed with regret and went back into his room to sleep. After today, he knew Sakura had no real intentions of harming any of them. The fact that he thought about it for too long has made him stray from Sakura.

She saved Shinki from poisoning, she protected him when they were attacked, she was in the hospital because she got electrocuted when she shielded his son from Elmer and Usagi's attacks. I am such an idiot. Gaara thought as he slapped himself from where he lied on the bed. I will apologize to her tomorrow. She can't be too upset. After all, what was I supposed to think after she admitted she has thoughts that push her into hoping for physical suffering or death of someone? She will understand.

This tensed situation had to come to an end. It already affected Shinki, who realized something was going on and that was why he went to his uncle's, because he hoped Sakura and Gaara would get back together until the boy returns.

Gaara turned his head to the left, where Sakura used to sleep next to him. A sob from the bottom of his soul shook him. He inhaled the perfume of her hair that was still imprinted in the pillow and tried to go to sleep.

On the next day, he tried knocking on her door again after he looked for her in the kitchen. He was sure she would be in the kitchen, making breakfast as usual. He knocked, but no answer came.

"Sakura, open the door, please. I want to say something to you."

Sakura heard the regret in his voice, but she didn't answer.

"Father, is Sakura alright?"

"Yes, don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Let's go eat. You have to go to school."

Gaara took him by the shoulders and directed him to the kitchen. Shinki looked over his shoulder at Sakura's door. It was the first morning he didn't see her. His father distracted him quickly. Gaara looked in the fridge and found the food Sakura prepared for them yesterday. He heated it up and set the table for the first time. Shinki looked worriedly at the empty seat next to his dad, who tried to open many topics for discussion, but to no avail.

"Father, did you and Sakura have a fight? Is it because of me?"

"Don't worry, son. I and Sakura will fix this. You know how much she cares about you."

This last phrase brought a smile to the boy's lips.

"Good. I am counting on you." And he continued to eat happily.

Gaara found their lunch boxes, too. He handed one to his son and they both left the house.

Gaara came home early that evening. He was determined to make things right with Sakura. He knew she won't open the door if he knocks again, so he retorted to a trick. He asked Shinki to knock on the door. She will definitely open then.

"Sakura?" The little boy asked.

Shinki heard noise coming from inside the room, then tearing sounds meaning she ripped the seal before she finally opened her door. Her face was yellow and she seemed very tired as if she hadn't slept or eaten.

"Are you feeling alright?" The little boy asked worriedly.

"Yes, don't worry. It's just asthenia from the weather. That's why I stayed inside."

She stretched her hand to caress his cheek, but stopped before her fingers touched his skin. She feared Gaara would be angry if he saw her touching his son. Shinki jumped to hug her around the waist and spoke loudly:

"Dad! Dad! You were right. Sakura is feeling fine."

Gaara suddenly appeared behind the boy and pat his head lightly. He smiled at Sakura first, but she avoided his eyes.

"Go to your room. I want to talk to Sakura about something."

"Yes, father. Good night!" Shinki screamed to both of them before he ran to his room.

Gaara looked back at Sakura and asked:

"I am sorry. I didn't know what else to do to convince you to open the door. Can we talk?"

Sakura moved to the side to let him in before she closed the door. She didn't say a word. Gaara wanted to be as close to her as possible, but she wanted exactly the opposite.

"Are you feeling ok? You look..."

"What do you want?" She interrupted him coldly.

It was like a cold shower for him. He decided it was best to apologize sooner rather than later before he said anything else. He bowed his head before her.

"I apologize. Please forgive me."

Sakura felt tears instantly knock on the doors to her eyes, only this time she held her stomach as if it hurt. Gaara noticed and got closer to her.

"Are you in pain?"

"Don't touch me!" Sakura screamed and her voice trembled, her hand raised to stop him from getting any closer.

"I am sorry." Gaara said as he took a few steps back.

"I trusted you. You're the only one I've ever told. I hoped my soul would be relieved of this burden, but I see I relive the situation with Sasuke."

Gaara's blood pressure rose dangerously, but he tried to remain calm.

"I am nothing like that Uchiha bastard."

Sakura kept talking while looking out the window.

"You both messed with my soul. After everything I've done for Shinki, how could you ever think I'd hurt him? I never gave you a reason to doubt me."

"You are right. I am sorry."

"Why are you sorry? It's understandable." She bit her lip. Gaara was confused. She kept going. "You feared I was mentally unstable and you can't trust that I won't lose my mind one day. A person like me doesn't represent hope for future."

"Sakura.."

"It's fine. I know now this is my destiny: to live alone."

"No, it's not..."

"Who would ever accept a person like me: who will give birth to ill babies, who is always in pain, who hears voices? I am too much of a headache for everyone."

"I assure you that..."

"I'll make your life easier. I am leaving you."

Up until this moment, her tears dried off, her eyes were puffy and red, her voice was tough and her will was unwavering. Gaara heard the echo of her words endlessly in his ears. No. No. No. No. NO!

"No, please. Anything but that. Better slap me, throw your fist at me, break my leg. I'll do anything you want, just don't leave me. Please, Sakura."

She continued to stare at the window. Gaara came closer to her with tears in his eyes. He never imagined breaking up could happen between them. He was so used to her in his house, in his bed, at his table. He didn't even want to find out what a huge gap she'd leave behind if she broke up with him.

When Sakura took off her ring, Gaara felt like he is going crazy.

"Here." She handed it to him.

Gaara stood in front of her immediately; he took her ring and fought with her to put it back on her finger. Sakura struggled, but he held her wrist and put the ring back where it belonged. Sakura didn't have much strength because she was tired from not sleeping and not eating. She pushed his chest backwards, but he wasn't moving. When the ring ended up on her finger again, Sakura's other hand slapped him across the cheek. Gaara was speechless. It was the first time someone has ever slapped him. Another slap followed and another one. She fisted her hand and hit his chest, but not enough to make any wounds, only to protest. Gaara caught her by the shoulders and pulled her to him. Her hands ended up captive between her chest and his. He held onto her as if his life depended on it. She fought to get away, but not serious enough.

"Let go!"

Nothing. He held her just as tight.

"I said...Let go!"

"No." His voice drowned in tears convinced her to stop fighting him.

"I really am sorry. I was a fool; I don't know what I was thinking. You can count on me. I will never leave you."

Sakura's tears fell in streams again and her breathing was ragged and a little heavy, which was odd. She suddenly hissed in pain and her back bent to try to reach a position where the pain would stop. Her forehead pressed onto his shoulder.

"What is it, dear?"

"It hurts." Sakura replied through tears and sobs.

Gaara repositioned himself behind her. He held both her arms against her chest with the help of his left hand. Her knees gave out and he supported them as they both kneeled on the floor. His right hand pressed on her stomach in the same spot he did at her last crisis back when Noriko worked for them. His body copied her moves. When she bent forward, he did too, like a coat well glued to the body.

"Am I pressing on the right spot, my dear?"

He was 100% focused on her.

"Press harder." She replied, but her voice was so low.

Her body lost its strength with each passing second. Her body felt hot, as if she had a slight fever. He took a deep breath and thought of what to do.

"Sakura?"

"Hm?"

Her voice was so weak, it scared him.

"Does it still hurt?"

"Mhm."

"Just as bad?"

"No."

"Can I move you?"

"Wait."

"Ok. Tell me when you feel better. I will bring you something to eat. You can't stay like this. You'll pass out. Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"Don't fall asleep."

"Stop telling me what to do."

Gaara smiled a little at her protest.

"You can joke right now? Does it still hurt?"

"Not so much." Her body was more relaxed.

"Good. I will take you in my arms and bring you to bed."

Gaara positioned himself next to her so he could see her right profile. A hand wrapped around her shoulders, while the other hand lifted from under her knees. He pushed his feet into the floor and lifted her up into his arms. Her sick and febrile body stuck to him. When he left the room with her, he stumbled upon Shinki.

"What are you doing? I thought you went to bed."

"Father, what happened to Sakura? Is she sick? Is she dying?"

"Nobody dies as long as I am here." Gaara replied cheerfully to dissipate the worries in his son. Go to the kitchen and bring something to eat. Your mother isn't used to our weather and that's why she is a little weak in the knees. She will feel better after a good meal and sleep."

"Yes."

Shinki ran to the kitchen. He climbed on a chair to reach the top shelves of the cupboards and the fridge. He put everything he found on a tray and went back to his dad's bedroom.

"Put it here." Gaara said as he pointed to his side of the bed.

"What did you bring?" Sakura asked.

"A bit of everything." He replied honestly.

Sakura let out a small laugh and lifted the boys' spirits. Gaara helped her lean on the pillows against the wall so she could eat.

Shinki opened his mouth to speak again:

"What do you want to eat, mother? I brought figs, bananas, yakitori chicken, salad, dates, tomatoes, cheese, a sandwich... I had one of these at school, it is very good."

The adults' faces lit up. The child was adorable.

"Give me a banana."

Shinki held it out for her, but before her fingers wrapped around it, Gaara snatched it from Shinki's hands to peel it. He insisted to feed her himself. Sakura didn't protest in front of the child. Shinki looked at his parents and swung his legs forward-backward happily, with his hands clutching the side of the bed.

"Mother, try some figs, too."

Shinki took one and shoved it in her mouth without waiting for approval. Sakura chewed happily. Gaara helped her drink a glass of water after she confessed she can't eat anymore. He then sent Shinki back to the kitchen with the tray. The boy was back shortly after to caress Sakura's pink hair and wish both of them 'Good night!' before he went to sleep.

Gaara touched Sakura's forehead to check her temperature. It wasn't high, but it wasn't normal either. She will recover after a good sleep.

Sakura laid down on the bed, on her side, with her back to him and knees to her chest. Gaara scooped her from behind. His left hand rested on her shoulder while his other hand touched her stomach lovingly.

"I am sorry my love suffered because of me. Don't worry! I will make it up to you. I will make everything right again."

Sakura didn't say more than 'Good night!' signaling she didn't want to talk to him.

"Good night, my flower and the most precious of treasures."

He kissed the back of her neck and snuggled closer into her. Please don't leave when you wake up, He thought.

Note: My intention wasn't to make Gaara the bad man. I think anyone would share his fear if their spouse confessed he/she has this kind of thoughts. Dark mafia and Cupcake are right about their guess. We will soon find out what is going on. I want to assure you the story will have a happy ending, so please don't worry.