Temari's POV

"Let her stay with you, please."

I could have said that I am not a babysitter and I certainly don't know what to do if she is sick. Keeping an eye on her meant I couldn't work. I need to be there when the council members try to step on my brother. He is too reserved to act first-hand, but I am blunt and harsh, the opposite of his rather kind nature. These people can only be put in their place by me.

I think my face said it all. I decided not to argue with my brother in front of his subordinates and damage his pride and honor.

"Understood."

I took up my fan and had it flying above my head, fully opened, carrying that weird girl back to where we'll live. Great! I'll choke her if she goes through my things.

My brother remained at the scene to have an interesting talk with his newly returned team. Such a shame that I can't witness my brother turning them into broth! They deserve it. Anyone who doesn't follow orders deserve it.

I opened the windows wide and entered the room with my unwanted guest. I kept her in the air with my Wind Style Jutsu while I set up a futon on the floor. I need to get this girl into clean clothes. I don't want her to get my sheets dirty. I slowly put her down, closed the windows, pulled the curtains so no-one would see and changed her clothes with mine. I helped her into a long black dress with long sleeves and square neckline, as she was still unconscious. I feel slightly bad for her, but I feel worse for myself as I will be stuck with her for who knows how long. I covered her with a clean blanket and checked her temperature. She had mild fever. It should go down soon. I stood up to walk to the window and peek behind the curtains.

…

Gaara's POV

"Gaara-sama, thank you for saving us."

"Yes, thank you very much."

They shamefully bowed before me.

"Don't relax too much. You're leaving on a mission at the break of dawn."

"But sir….we've just come back."

"Shut up! Romaji, I promised to take care of your family as long as they live under the condition of you staying behind in the Mist."

Romaji lowered his head, staring at the dust by his feet.

"Hand over the scroll."

Romaji took a white scroll out of his pouch and handed it to me slowly. I opened it and ripped it in front of him.

"You didn't keep your end of the deal, so I won't keep mine either."

"Forgive me, sir."

"Kazekage-sama, we didn't do anything wrong. Why should we be punished?"

"Yes, he should go, not us."

"I don't care. You are a team. The consequences of his actions reflect on all of you. You can't be independent and at the same time part of a team. Now that that's settled, you'll all go back to the Mist and collect my man, the one you had left behind."

I saw the hate and despair burn brightly in their eyes.

"None of you has to stay behind this time. We've caught a spy from the Mist while you were away. He is in prison as we speak. You'll release him in his country and take my man, Yuki, out of there, so the number of people who enter the country is equal to the number of people who leave."

"What should we do if he doesn't want to come with us?"

"I'll give you a scroll with my sigil. He'll recognize its authenticity. Yuki's been my right hand for years."

"Understood."

"One more thing. If you try to run away, I'll hunt you down and kill you."

I was dead serious. They know I am not someone they can mess with thanks to my past. I am a dangerous man. That's why I am positive they are going to come back with Yuki.

"We wouldn't dare do such a thing, sir."

"Don't worry, sir. You can count on us."

Romaji didn't say anything. It's better this way. If Suna were in times of war, all of them would have been killed by the Court-martial.

"Dismissed."

They evaporated. Now, how should I catch this Uchiha?

…..

Temari's POV

Someone is knocking on my door. Must be Gaara. I stood up from my desk after I had closed the book I was reading. I tried not to make noise because Sakura was sleeping. I opened the door.

"Yes?"

"How is she?"

I let him peek inside, so he could see Sakura lying on the futon. He smiled. Adorable!

"She woke up to go to the bathroom and eat, then she went back to sleep."

"I see. Does she seem sick to you?"

"No, but we can call a doctor if you want."

"Let's see how she is tomorrow morning and then we'll decide."

"We?" I raised my brow.

"I am sorry I handed Sakura to you. I can't keep her with me because I am a man and she is a girl. It will ruin her reputation when people find out."

I smiled. It's so cute how he thinks so deeply about Sakura's honor! His face is all red.

"I'll keep you posted on her state."

"Thank you, Temari. Do you need anything?"

"It'll get boring to babysit non-stop. Bring the paperwork to me. I'll do it for you."

"Thank you." He bowed his head in gratitude. I finally reap the fruits of being Gaara and Kankurou's older sister.

"Do you want to come inside?" I moved away a little to make room for him.

"I shouldn't…."

"We can leave the door opened when you're here. No-one will suspect anything. Plus, I want to hear what you talked to those traitors." I said looking towards the window, where I had last seen them.

"Don't say that. They feared for their lives. Nobody wants to die." He said as he entered my room. We both kneeled by Sakura's futon.

"I knew it. You forgave them. This kind nature of yours will be the end of you."

He smiled. His face reminded me of someone.

"You inherited our mother's kindness and selflessness."

Gaara turned his head to the right to look at me, but I chose to look at Sakura instead. I know he doesn't know anything about out mother. She died when she gave birth to him and father never spoke about her.

"Tell me more about her, please."

I did; as much as I could remember. She died when I was 6.

….

Sasuke's POV

She only had a 2-hour advantage. I should have been able to catch up with her. She is not that fast. Or is she? I stopped walking to stare at a stone. Where did I make a mistake? How did she leave without me noticing? What did I do wrong? A bug crawled on top of the rock. I crushed it under my shoe. She would have never fooled Itachi. I bet she wouldn't. I am an idiot! I was over-confident. And yet, a driver found me. He was asking for money in exchange for Sakura's location. I made him sing with my Chidori. I am not an idiot. Why should I pay for information if I can obtain it for free?

When I got to her hiding place she was long gone. How did she travel so fast? I ran after her on foot. I made sure to tire Sakura every day so she wouldn't have had time to think about escape. On the last day she was under my wing. She was exhausted. It was written all over her face. How did she have the stamina to run at such a high speed?

She had help, but who? The receptionist said she left with a brown-haired man, so it wasn't the sand boy. Wait! How did she communicate with that man without my knowledge? I was careful to watch her every moment. I paid people to spy on her. The only day nobody kept an eye on Sakura was our last day. I couldn't find someone trustworthy in time and I was certain nothing was going to happen while I was asleep. I only slept for 2 hours.

How did she find the courage to leave? I made sure to put her in her place every day. She was used to listening to me in everything. The sand boy must be mocking me. I hit the stone as hard as I could with my right foot. I sent it flying to the next puddle, approximately 100 meters farther. He is laughing at me right now! Why didn't I kill her when I had the chance?

I can't go to Orochimaru now. He is going to kill me. I'll make a fool of myself. I have to make up for my mistakes; prove that I am to be feared. I can't be the disgrace of the Uchiha clan.

Where should I go? Where should I hide? I know! I'll join the Akatsuki. Sound Village, prepare yourself for me.

…

Gaara's POV

Only one dusty brown wall separates me from my girl, my darling. I am aware she is suffering; she's scared and febrile. However, I can't help but feel happy- happy that she's finally here, in my home. I have dreamed about this moment lots before, but I never expected it to happen so soon. So many years of hopelessly hearing her cries and pain have elapsed. I have had my hands tied behind my back while she was in Konoha, but here I am free like the eagle in the sky, just as she is.

Nobody will dare lay a finger on her. Nobody is going to scream at her and I certainly won't allow anyone to frighten her again. Sakura will come to me, count on me and be happy around me at all times. Sakura, I will shower you in gifts and roses. You'll never wish to leave. I felt the most powerful man alive when the moment you took shelter in my arms when that darkness-driven Uchiha tried everything to sever your youth. He was eager to see your white marble face, the face of death, but your rosy cheek is destined to ever shine next to me.

Forever seek shelter in me, Sakura, for I will never let you down.

...

Notes: Sasuke running to the Sound was a good idea. Thank you. Cupcake is right, Yuki is going to be saved. Killing the traitors would have been extreme. I didn't want Gaara to be a monster like the unfortunate Sasuke. What would you like to see Gaara and Sakura do in Suna?

Please excuse the long pause. I have been through hard times. I am trying my best to give you the most memorable story. Thank you very much for reading and always leaving reviews.