Sakura's POV

Gaara-kun, are you there?

Sakura!

Thank God it's you!

Where are you? Are you alone?

I'm at the Leca Hotel in my own room. Sasuke booked a different room, far from me.

Is Yuki with you?

Who is Yuki? I am alone, as I said.

He's the one who delivered the bracelet to you. You'll meet him soon. If he's not there, it means it is not safe for him to show himself.

Gaara-kun, please hurry and get me out of here!

My Sakura, I am a council meeting as we speak, but don't worry. I won't leave you. I've instructed Yuki to get you out of there.

So you are not here...

Something happened and I couldn't leave the country. I've instructed Yuki to get you out of there. He's trustworthy.

But he's not you. What if Sasuke catches us? He'll kill us both. If it were you, you'd shield us and Sasuke's threats would mean nothing.

I'm trying my best to save you from that Uchiha's hands. If you didn't listen to me before, listen to me now and you'll live.

Ok. What do I have to do?

First, what is he doing now? Where is he?

He said he'll go take a nap after I told him I am tired and I want to sleep.

How long ago was that?

Maybe 10 minutes ago.

He's not asleep.

My heart rate increased. Fear got the best of me. The simple realisation that I'm being watched made me want to never get out of that room.

Yuki will come by your window when he is sure that Uchiha is out. You will run to where my spies are located in that country.

What do I do with my luggage? Do I leave it here?

Take it with you.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Ok.

Can you use transformation jutsu?

Yes.

Good. You'll need it. That country is at war. The number of foreigners who enter the country must be equal to the number of foreigners who leave the country.

Then how will I get out? Once Sasuke finds out I'm not here, he'll sound the alarm. He can tell the police that I've stolen something from him and they'll prevent me from leaving.

I know. I've already thought of that. That's why you'll have to transform into one of my men and he'll stay behind until I can get him out of there.

So you'll sacrifice a person for me.

It saddened me to hear that somebody else was going to pay for my mistakes.

He's not going to die. He'll lay low until it's safe to leave the country. I've sent the best men there. They know what they signed up for. You are a soldier, too. You know a soldier's duty.

Obey commands.

As I was talking to my sweetheart, a loud knock on my door startled me. I started shaking in fear, but no sounds came out of my mouth.

What's wrong?

I think Sasuke's knocking on my door. What do I do?

"Sakura, are you in there?"

Gaara, what do I do?

Answer him.

"Yes, I am coming right now." As I got up from the floor, Sasuke knocked again.

"What are you doing there? Open up."

"Yes, I am sorry."

I hurried to hide the bracelet and its chakra signature before opening the door. I need to remember to lock it. I was so disturbed when I walked inside the room for the first time, that I forgot to lock it.

"What are you doing?"

He had nothing of that monster aura anymore, but his tall stature made me feel small and powerless.

"I'm sorry. I was about to change clothes when you knocked. I couldn't answer the door like that."

"I see."

He smiled. My stomach twisted and turned.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"No."

He was taken aback by my question. I think he wasn't expecting me to ask first.

"I just wanted to check your windows."

"What about my windows?"

"The window in my room was broken. I couldn't close it properly. I asked the hotel manager to fix it."

"Oh."

"So I wanted to check about your windows, too."

He tried to take a step forward.

"No, don't worry about it. The first thing I did when I entered the room was close the windows and pull the curtains. I don't want these people looking at me. I was about to change into pyjamas and sleep."

"Are you sure? Because I can help. I will fix the windows for you."

I forced a smile.

"The windows are perfect, but thank you for thinking about me."

"Ok. I'll come pick you up later to go eat. Do you have any preferences?"

"I'd like to have something light. I think all this travelling upset my stomach."

"Of course. Anything you want. I'll come by later then."

"Thank you. I'll go to sleep now."

He wasn't moving away, so I slowly closed the door and locked it. I waited patiently until I heard his heavy footsteps walk away and then I went to where I had put my bracelet.

What took you so long? Did he do anything to you?

He's just left. He said he wants to fix my windows.

What? Fix your windows? What does he know about fixing windows? Is he some kind of expert?

He said he asked his manager to repair his window.

If he asked somebody else to fix his, how was he going to repair yours?

I don't know.

Did you let him in?

Of course not.

Good. He wanted to sleep with you.

What? Are you sure? He didn't say anything about that.

He was trying to find a reason to get inside your room. It wasn't even a good one, just lame.

I feel so bad. Sasuke only wants to use me and now I've upset Gaara.

Did you do anything with him?

You must be joking. We haven't even kissed.

That's good.

I felt him relax a little.

I can let you into my mind and you can see for yourself I am not lying.

There's no need. I believe you.

Why?

I simply do. I know you wouldn't lie to me.

I sat down in a corner of the bathroom with my knees to my chest. I bit the bracelet because of stress. My body and mind felt numb. I couldn't process anything.

What are you doing now?

Nothing.

What do you mean 'nothing'? Talk to me, please.

I can hear his voice from the hallway.

Is he talking to you?

No. I think he is talking to the receptionist. He is speaking loudly. He is never loud.

He talks like that to frighten you. He wants to show you that he has the power and you're at his mercy.

It's working. I am terrified.

He won't be there long. He's going to leave after he is convinced you aren't going anywhere.

Does this mean I have to stay here?

For now. You're like a bird in a cage. If he opens the door to your cage and you fly right out, he's expecting it, so you'll get caught. Wait for an hour or two, until he's certain you're not going anywhere and then fly away. Yuki will be there when the time is right.

I made some sounds not even I was familiar with, like trying to say 'hhhh' with my mouth closed multiple times. It felt like something in me was hurting.

What are you doing now?

Nothing. I am tired, so so tired.

Don't fall asleep. You can't miss Yuki's signal.

I made those sounds again. I knew he heard them and I could tell that he was scared because he has never heard me doing that before.

My dear, you can sleep all you want when you arrive in Suna. I'll prepare everything for you. Sakura?

Yes?

Stay alive for me.

I'm trying.

You have done a great job.

I doubt that.

Don't say that. You helped me find you. Your indications were accurate.

Sasuke's scary voice that I could still hear from the hallway prevented me from feeling anything but fear. My sweetheart changed tactics and started giving me details from the outside of that pit.

My sweet innocent girl, I became Kazekage.

Really?

Yes. I'll dress you in white and cover your hair with roses and you'll be my bride soon. Stay alive for me.

I smiled and imagined myself next to him in my village because I have never been to Suna, so I don't know what it looks like.

You promised to say 'yes' the next time we meet. Don't think I forgot that.

I miss your sweet voice the most. I miss your warmth, I miss your look upon my face, I miss your smile and the smell of your clothes.

I started crying in silence.

Light of my path, don't cry. I beg you.

I am sorry.

No, don't apologize. He sighed. He's ruined you.

It's my fault. Everything that's happening is my fault.

No. Don't say that. My beautiful girl, don't trouble your heart for just a few days. We have decades to be together. Flowers and good-smelling herbs are waiting for you in Suna. I'll take you everywhere you want to go. You'll sleep whenever you like. You'll dress how you like. Your heart will beat for me and this land.

Are you not upset that I left?

I forgot everything the moment I heard you again.

Thank you.

Stay with me until the time comes to leave.

Yes.

...

Notes: You are right, Gaara always has a plan and Sasuke has a dark future ahead. What do you think about this escape plan? Did you like the chapter? Thank you very much for reading and for always supporting me.:D