Sakura's POV

I look around and all I can see is ruins. Strange people walk with bats and knives in their hands on the street casually, as if this is normal. Most windows are broken. Remnants of glass lie everywhere. I have to watch my step. Where is Sasuke taking me? What are we doing in this place? I would ask, but I am afraid he will snap at me again. I scrunch my nose because of the smell. I look up and see garbage bags hanging from the windows of tall concrete buildings. Thick rope ties the bags to the window. Are people too lazy to get down and simply place the garbage in bins until the trash collecting machine arrives? Or is this place so dangerous that people are too scared to go out? Moments later I realised I made a mistake by assuming there was going to be a trash collecting machine because I saw a man riding a donkey. Tied to the donkey was a very dirty wheelbarrow made of wood. Some wooden panels were missing, so dirt seeped through the holes onto the ground. The man was untying the trash bags to throw them in the wheelbarrow and people were pulling the rope back up into their rooms. Some people even threw garbage out the window, aiming for the wheelbarrow, but many missed it and all the sour splashed the ground I was stepping on. There was dirt everywhere. The ground had big holes in it everywhere I looked. I have the feeling that a giant took huge spoons of dirt to eat. With every detail I noticed, I became more and more scared, especially after I realised I haven't seen any women at all. They were all men. What is this place? I heard the voice of my beloved, my sweetheart and I cried on the spot.

Gaara-kun!

Are you alright? Don't cry!

I swallowed my sobs and quickly wiped my eyes dry before Sasuke noticed. I tried everything, but my tears just wouldn't stop falling from my eyes. My heart feels so sorry for not listening to him! I should have gotten married to Gaara and then none of this would have happened. What if I die and I won't ever get to see him again?

Listen to me, please. Describe everything you see. Tell me if you're moving North or South. Help me find you.

I muffled the sound of my cry by stepping on a shard of glass. Sasuke looked back for a second, but I held my head low and he moved his eyes back on the road. I think it worked. I can hide my feelings well at the very least!

My Sakura, don't cry. If you cry...

I knew what he meant. Sasuke mustn't find out that I know he deceived me or else... Oh, my God! The things he could do to me...I bit my tongue and told Gaara every detail I could remember about which way we took and distinctive buildings or marks I have noticed on the road. My eyes were already dry when I ran out of words. Sasuke stopped walking. Why did he stop? Does he know? Oh, no! What should I do? God, please help me! All I can hear is the sound of my heart beating. It's beating so fast; I fear it might make me deaf. He looked straight into my eyes like a wolf, with forced calmness. I struggled to act normal.

"I think it's safer if you give me that bracelet now. This place is dangerous. These people may try to attack us sensing the chakra of this jewel. I will keep it safe for you. A ninja tool is very precious here. Come on, hand it over."

Gaara, Sasuke wants to take my bracelet. What do I do?

Don't give it to him!

If I don't, he is going to beat me and take it anyway. I am so stupid! I should have listened to you.

Sasuke saw me frozen and slowly came closer to me. Gaara, my sweet fruit of peace, taught me what to do. I blinked twice and removed my bracelet before Sasuke put his hands on it. I lifted it above my head and threw it away with a happy face. For a few seconds, Sasuke didn't understand what had just happened. His brows furrowed. I swallowed hard.

"You don't have to worry about it now. Come on, we don't have time to waste!" I cheerfully said and I started running ahead on the road. I knew he followed.

"Why did you do that? Never mind."

I ran ahead because I didn't want Sasuke to see I was spilling tears. When I threw away the bracelet, I felt like losing a piece of my heart. Was that the last conversation with my beloved? He said he loves me, but I didn't have time to let him know my heart doesn't beat without his. My eyes are dead if I can't see him. I wish I at least gave him a kiss. He's never going to find out how much I love him. I am going to die alone in this pit by Sasuke's hand. God, please help me!

Sasuke's POV

I can't believe she follows me without question wherever I go. Even if she asks, I don't have to try hard to come up with an answer. She swallows any explanation, no matter how illogical, like a pelican. She must be in love with me. Who wouldn't be? I am handsome and strong. After I meet Orochimaru, I am going to be the strongest ninja and then nobody will dare to stand before me. Everyone will bow to my strength. I will rip Itachi's tongue and nail it in my house, above my door, so I can look at it every time I leave the house. I am so handsome and charming that she can't resist me. I will definitely take her before I bring her to Orochimaru. It will be the sweetest revenge against that boy of the Sand. Wait! She's still wearing the bracelet that connects her to the boy of the Sand. I have to take it away. I will be the one to have Sakura, not him. I must sever their tie. I told her to give me her bracelet in the coolest way possible, but she threw it away. She threw it away! Why did she do that? It would have been better if I had it because I could have worked on a way to spy on that boy of the Sand by using its special sand, but I guess it's good like this too. Sakura must be eager to get rid of him if she did that. I laughed to myself. I guess it can't be helped. Sakura loves me so much, that she felt relieved when I asked her to give up on Gaara. Sakura is all mine now. She is pretty. She'll be a good match for my first time with a woman. The best part is, if I make mistakes, she won't be able to tell others because I won't give her the chance. She is going to die a sweet death by my hands. Pretty Sakura, you don't even know what I have planned for you.

Gaara's POV

"Yuuki, I am counting on you. Follow the plan and keep me posted."

"Yes, sir."

Yuuki disappeared out the window, but I couldn't even get one moment of peace because somebody else knocked on my door. I haven't even realised that it was already morning.

"Come in." and get it over with quickly.

My sister walked it, followed by the tailor. He was carrying something in his hands. I kept my cool and entertained them with whatever they needed.

"Gaara, the council agreed to crown you Kazekage. The ninja lost any trace of our father. The tailor is here to show you some fabrics you can choose from for your official coronation."

"Kazekage-sama, I picked the most exquisite fabrics for you. Let me show you some."

Temari smiled at me while the tailor fearfully got closer to me. He held out some light blue brocade with gold insertions. I didn't get any closer to him because his fear was so thick, that I could touch it. I hate being feared. Why can't people love me? I touched the fabric with the tips of my fingers enough to not make the man feel bad and said:

"This one is ok. You can leave now."

"Yes, sir. As you command."

I turned to leave, but as I was half-turned to the side, my sister started speaking and I stopped to watch her.

"Gaara, don't hurry. You still haven't looked at the rest. Here. Try this on. Come to the mirror."

She took me by the elbow gently and pulled me towards the mirror in my room. I looked at her hand stunned. She started talking about each fabric, bringing out all sorts of details that I haven't even noticed. She looked genuinely happy and at peace. It's the first time she doesn't feel scared around me. It moved me, so I decided to entertain her. I listened to what she had to say and did what she told me to do. Her smile grew and grew. She bossed the tailor around as if she was the Kazekage, not me.

"Temari, I trust your taste. Choose what you like for me this time."

She nodded. Her body moved slightly forward in a weird way and I took a step back, not knowing what he intended to do. I immediately regretted it because I feared she might think I rejected her. I must control myself better. Luckily, she gave me a bright grin and assured me she will do her best for her little brother. After she left the room along with the tailor, I gave it some thought and realised my sister acted just like Sakura when she was hugging me. Poor Sakura. Why didn't you listen to me? Look at what pain you've put us through.

...

Notes: Dear Duck mafia and Cupcake, you are right about the way Sakura is going to get free of Sasuke's grasp. You are very clever. I have planned a much more interesting ending for Sasuke, more brutal than a simple beheading. I bet it will surprise you. Both Sakura and Gaara have some ugly sides and I try not to only show their good sides, so it was necessary to show Sakura's stubbornness for the purpose of creating characters closer to reality. We'll see Gaara's great plan of rescue soon. I am so excited!

Dear Guest, you are so cheerful! I tried to update faster this time, for you. Thank you very much for your support! :)

Thank you all for reading and for leaving reviews. It's so much fun to write when I get replies. You are the best! Thank you! :)