Yuki's POV

That selfish red-head brat used me for my talents only to discard me the first chance he got. I spied for him. I helped him connect with the bandits. I mediated fights between him and his enemies. I even threatened council members to leave him alone and let him do his work. I hoped the thorn he held against me was long gone, but it looks like whatever I do, I can't change the past. I was born to be a villain. I am excellent at working in the shadows. There's no way I am going back to Suna. That boy is going to kill me the second I step foot in his land. That is if he doesn't sell out my location to my enemies before I reach the gates. I could contact the band I used to make deals with back when I was a convict. This country is the headquarters of all important dealers, killers and bankers. Still, they won't get me back unless I give them something in return. But nothing I know can be used now because that Sunan boy has changed everything since he became Kazekage. He will revise all of my plans and arrangements because he knows I've betrayed him. He's smart. He expects I'll get revenge. I better find out who that Sasuke was going to sell the pink-haired girl to. It might be of use to me. That Sasuke seems too unstable to work with. He might kill me in my sleep. It's good the country is at war. I can use the chaos to my advantage. I no longer have papers, so I can't get out without risking getting caught. I'll find food and water for now.

Sasuke's POV

I don't remember the last time I slept so heavily. I looked at the time and it was already night. I told Sakura we will go eat after I wake up. She must be starving. It's too late to find anything open, but I could go and try to find a 24/7 store. No, that won't work because there's a war going on. No stores are opened past 7 pm. I'll check my bag for supplies. I took my bag from under the bed and looked for some snacks. I found a bottle of water, which I drank to the bottom. I didn't realise sleep can make someone thirsty. Shrimp crisps! My favourite! However, this is the only bag I have. What do I do? I am also hungry. I pondered my options before choosing to eat them. Sakura is going to be dead tomorrow anyway, so it doesn't matter if she eats or not. It's even better that she didn't. When Orochimaru dissects her, her intestines will be clean. That should make him thankful. I was happy with my decision. I am doing Sakura a favour. Her life is miserable and worthless. It's better to end it here. I ate every crisp with hunger and greed. At the end, I wiped my fingers on the clean sheets and threw the bag on the floor. I'll sleep with her tonight. I hopped off the bed to look into the mirror. My fingers combed my hair back. I am so handsome! I am more handsome than my father or brother! Why did I think of them? I can't be sad if I want to persuade my girl, my prisoner. I didn't bother to brush my teeth. Who will Sakura complain to about my bad breath? Confidence makes my steps heavy on the floor. Sakura must be terrified of me, that's why she will do everything to keep me happy.

"Sakura, open up please."

No answer. Is she still sleeping? She has to wake up.

"Wake up, dear. It's time to go. Sakura?"

Something doesn't feel right. There's too much silence coming from her room. I pick the lock and open the door wide. Empty. Where is she? I panicked. If I don't find her, what will Orochimaru think about me? That I am not a man of my word. I brought that stupid girl here. Where is she? I ran through the hallways, down the stairs to talk to the receptionist.

"The lady left 2 hours ago."

"Where to?"

"I don't know."

"How could you not ask where she was going?"

"It's not my place to ask our customers what they do, sir."

"You should have at least informed me."

"There was no need to inform you, sir."

"Ha? I specifically paid you to tell me everything my fiancé does, where she goes, who she sees."

"Yes, your fiancé. The lady who left wasn't your fiancé. Her real fiancé came here to get her. I really couldn't say anything, sir. I apologize."

"Her what? What did he look like?"

"Tall man, well-built, short brown hair and almond eyes."

"Brown hair and almond eyes. Are you sure he wasn't red-haired?"

"Yes, sir."

"So it wasn't him, but who though?"

"Can I help you with anything else?"

I didn't have time to waste there. Who took away my prize? Doesn't matter. I need to bring her back in less than 14 hours, or else Orochimaru is going to break our deal.

Gaara's POV

I was sitting on the porch, leaning back on my left hand. My right elbow rested on my knee. I opened my fist and closed it before opening it again. I had been doing that for hours. It was still night outside. I can't rest until I see Sakura inside the city. I have been on edge for 2 weeks, but the last 2 days were the worst. There's only one entrance to this village and that's through the main gates. I have assigned ninja to protect all of our borders in case that Uchiha tries to force his way in, though very unlikely. He will die for sure if he comes alone in enemy territory, where he'll be surrounded by hundreds of my best men. The terrain is on my side. The weather is on my side. If only Sakura got here faster.

How long before you get off the train?

Wait a second. I'll ask...20 minutes.

Any sign of someone following you?

No.

Good. Are your feet ok? Can you run?

Yes, don't worry. My legs are in perfect condition.

When was the last time you ate?

I don't remember.

Tell my ninja to give you water and food. You need strength to run 10 km. I can't risk you fainting. Did you get the food?

Please wait.

Sorry. I only want to know that you'll make it to me.

Gaara-kun is gentle and sweet. I couldn't be upset with him.

I smiled, though not for long.

Renji gave me a chicken sandwich and Murasaki gave me a bottle of orange juice.

That's good. Orange juice contains sugar that will give you energy. Please eat, my dear. I'll treat you like a princess when you arrive. It's the first time you visit me. I promise to make you happy.

Forgive me. I don't know what to say.

Don't worry about it now. Just focus on getting here faster.

I'm getting off the train now.

As soon as I heard that, I got up and let my sand lift me above the walls. I looked at the vastness of the land outside the village with my hands behind my back. There are no trees or constructions, so I can see far ahead. Sakura is only 10 km away from me. Please, God, let her get back to me safe and sound.

My men are all posted. My sister is on top of the walls, but on the Southern border, where the weakest point in our wall is. I am guarding the North by myself. Everything is so silent! Not even the wind blows. The sun has started rising in the distance. My girl should be here in less than an hour. Minutes pass by as I get more and more impatient. What if that bastard gets his hands on her? No! It won't happen! I have to believe it won't happen. I am here. I'll spread my wings and shield her. I'll protect her no matter the cost.

Gaara-kun, I can see the walls!

My heart skipped a beat. I desperately looked in the distance, but because of my eagerness, my eyes couldn't find her figure until after a few minutes. I smiled when I saw a group of ninja running towards me.

Undo the transformation jutsu. I have to know which one is you.

Yes.

I saw a puff of smoke in the distance before my light-haired girl appeared among beige suits. I focused my eyes solely on her. Her figure grew and grew before my eyes as she got closer. My gut told me something was wrong and I went back to being on high alert. I looked everywhere, but there was nothing.

Faster, Sakura!

My little blossom ran restlessly. My ninja looked back. I knew the enemy was behind them. Sakura was only 4 km away from me. My ninja started throwing back kunai and paper bombs. 2 of them protected the back of the group. My poor Sakura was so scared! I could hear her repeating: Don't stumble! Don't fall! Don't break your ankle! She was only 2 km away when I saw the Uchiha throwing a kunai straight at Sakura. My sand from round her wrist, created a small shield that stopped the kunai from cutting her throat when she involuntarily raised her hand to shield her face.

Gaara! Help!

Just run to me! I'll take care of you.

I raised my arms and waves of sand followed Sasuke's location. Whenever he sent a kunai flying to my team, my sand blocked it. I have to protect my men. Seeing that his long-distance attacks didn't reach their target as Sakura was only hundreds of meters from the gates, he grew desperate, so he retorted to physical attacks. He had the nerve to try to hit Sakura with his foot from the side. She screamed and closed her eyes tight.

Don't stop! I won't let him touch you!

My sand gripped the Uchiha's foot mid-air, but his lightning style deactivated my sand and his foot was free before I crushed it. All the while, my team also attacked him with their puppets and poisoned arrows. They couldn't hurt the Uchiha because he was too good and more determined to fight since he was about to lose everything, but at least they kept him busy. I continued to fire sand cannons at him, but he danced through them like water through stones. My girl was only 50 meters from the gates, so I climbed down the walls and waited for her on land. The Uchiha was screaming like a mad dog while his hand was glowing white thanks to the Chidori as he ran past my ninja too fast for them to react. Sakura cried and screamed in fear, still running towards me. Sasuke shouted as he jumped to attack my blossom from behind.

"Die!"

I opened my arms to welcome her. Sharp needles of sand pierced the Uchiha's body faster than lightning. His Chidori landed on stones, creating a dusty cloud all around, bits of rock flying everywhere. Sakura wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed me tightly. I held her tight with my left hand around the waist. She was shaking and crying. Her heart beat like a deer's.

"You're with me now. You're safe."

My right hand was stretched to where I had last seen the enemy. He threw me a murderous look before he disappeared. My team snuck behind the walls and thanked me for saving them. As soon as the Uchiha was gone, I finally relaxed and hugged Sakura to my chest properly.

"You're finally here! I am so happy!"

She chocked on her words because she was trembling, hiccupping and crying at the same time. I kissed her cheek and tried telling her everything, but no matter what I said, she wouldn't calm down. I was scared. All of a sudden, her eyes lost focus, her body became weak and she fainted in my arms. I lifted her up like my bride and carried her inside my village for the first time.

ℬ

Notes: Duckmafia is right. Konoha should put a bounty on Sasuke's head, so he'll be hunted down. Good idea! I'll let Sakura stay with Temari the following days and see how they get along. Gaara is going to prepare Suna for her. It's going to be sweet. Yuki's path is going to get interesting, but Gaara will definitely get back with him. It was all just a misunderstanding. Gaara didn't betray Yuki, but his soldiers were too proud or too scared to stay behind on that mission. I am thinking about a punishment for them too, because they didn't obey orders. What will Sasuke do now that he no longer can access Sakura and he has nowhere to go back to?

Thank you for reading and leaving feedback. You are my strength.