Chapter VIII: The Ending.

Quieted voices broke the silence around me, as I stared at nothing but darkness.

'We did it…' the voice echoed, too happily, like a child who finally got a cookie. The flashes of the scalpel digging into Orochimaru's body and the light fading from his eyes caused a sickening feeling to rise.

"I didn't want to kill him… You did." I quietly stated, my fist clenched at my sides, "I'm not a killer…" or so I thought.

"Oh, but you did want to…" the voice trailed through the dark, as if it was pacing around me, "and you are." I glared in the direction of the voice.

"You just let loose." And then the figure appeared once again, wearing my image as if I was talking to a reflection, she shrugged.

"You've spent so long hiding this resentment and pushing it back over and over, suppressing your anger and pain until…" she raised her hands to present herself, "Voila." I gave her a questioning look, she frowned.

"Come on, it was bound to happen, suppress a part of yourself so much and it will divide into another being, a split personality" she covered one half of her face with a hand.

"That's me." I knew she registered the fear in my eyes, and before I could say another word, she was laughing.

"Wow… I am not one to do those things, take over your body, ruin your life…" she drawled, dropping her hand from her face, "I am you, I always have been, you just need to accept us for who we are and understand that it's O.K. to be mad, and to resent and lash out."

I ran a hand through my hair, the ends short and jagged from where I had cut it in my fight with Sasuke. I was so scared of giving into anger, and wasn't sure if I could do anything to change that. The reflected Sakura regarded me with a soft emerald gaze and sighed quietly.

"We have had a difficult past, but that's what makes us who we are and it's not something we can change, but accept it and learn from it." I listened to her soft tone and nodded, I understood her well and let the words sink in.

This was something I already knew, I just never listened. So, long I feared reliving those nights, of being the person who just stood and watched so many lives pass without doing anything. I wanted redemption but never fought to achieve it, and a small apart of me couldn't help but feel happy about Orochimaru's death. Not only had I taken out the reason for those deaths, but I saved another's life in the process. I looked up at my mirror self-understanding where she was coming from. Everything she was saying, was all to help me accept myself, and start me on a brand-new path and for that, I felt eternally grateful.

"We can do whatever we choose to do, there is no need for fear, showing these emotions makes you human Sakura. Our gift is something special, just like everyone else's, we will use it to do good now, you're free."

For the first time, I let that thought wash over me, the fact that Orochimaru was out of the picture and that there was no one left to chase me, harm me or break me away from my new home. A new home who have accepted me for me from the beginning and have been doing nothing but reassuring me that everything was O.K. and that everyone had demons, and pasts that have pained them. They we're not scared to be themselves, and I shouldn't be either.

'This is where you belong.' Gaara's words floated through me like a bright light, and a wave of empowerment washed through me. I looked up at my other half, she smiled and with a nod she melted back into the shadows. 'I won't suppress you any longer…' I silently promised to her, 'I will accept my past and the person I am."

Another moment in the quiet, I mumbled a small prayer for Orochimaru and Sasuke, before my mind could wander elsewhere with the echoing of loud voices around me, and slowly a bright light began to break through the dark.

"Shh! You idiot! Your waking her up!" I heard a stern shout followed by what could only be described as a hit, followed by a small whimper.

"It's about time, she's been out for a week!" Naruto's voiced yelled, obviously unhappy that he was on the other end of the hit.

"Well, I mean she did get stabbed in the stomach…" Kankuro's voice drawled from somewhere else.

My eyes opened fully and I blinked away the black spots that drifted through my vision, my muscles ached and I made a soft groan. I heard a small gasp, and as I tried to sit up a flaring pain in my side had me fall right back down.

"Easy… You're still healing." Temari's strong voice came from my side, her cool hand finding my shoulder.

"Ar-"my voice choked, weak from no use for song, "Is everyone… O.K.?" I managed, looking up at her. My eyes felt weighed down, but I caught a glimpse of Temari, a very impatient Naruto standing on my side and a bored looking Kankuro sitting in the windowsill.

"Aw, we're fine Sakura! Those chumps couldn't touch us." Naruto stood proudly with his chest puffed out, "And we got Gaara back!" he exclaimed, giving a thumb's up. Mission a success. I breathed a sigh of relief and let a smile crawl to my face, I couldn't wait to see him.

"Sakura…" I stared up at Temari, her eyes were set, holding a mix of emotions, and for the first time I could see how the dark teal in her eyes seemed to swarm like the depths of the ocean.

"You saved my brother's life…" she breathed, before taking my hand and pressing her forehead to it, "Thank you, so much." She squeezed my hand as I felt another rush of emotion shock me. I placed my hand on top of hers and gave it a gentle squeeze, she looked in my eyes and nodded with a smile.

"Hero…" she said quietly with a small laugh.

"We really owe you one Sakura." Kankuro stood next to his sister and gave an appreciative grin, patting my shoulder. No, I owed them so much more…

"Well, if you'll excuse me!" Naruto pushed past them and wrapped his arms around me in an awkward hug, causing me to wince at the pain in my side.

"Naruto!" Temari yelled, pulling him back by the back of his collar, he whined as she dragged him out of the room and dropped him on the floor. I looked out into the hall to see a couple people standing a little away from the door.

"Where is Gaara…?" I asked Kankuro when there was no sign of red-hair. He then told me of how the rescue came to an end with him bringing officials from the council to the old lab after we had entered. The House of the East was under council control for now until the 'bad apples' were flushed out and a new Head could be appointed. He said Gaara had been requested to a council meeting and had taken Kiba and Ino with him while the rest waited for me to wake up.

The others got away with a few scratches and bruises, nothing Shikamaru's remedies couldn't fix and we're waiting around the House for me to wake up. After a few short visit's and happy embraces the night had fallen and I found myself staring out the window from my bed. The moon was bright, the skies free of clouds, and I watched as scattered leaves and branches swayed in the breeze. I watched as a familiar blond haired girl and a certain brown haired boy walked through the gardens hand in hand and smiled.

The door clicking caught my attention, I watched as it slowly opened to reveal the Head of the House, my heart fluttered, sending a wave of anticipation and nervousness through my body.

His quiet steps halted when he saw me looking at him, and I couldn't seem to break away my stare. Though tired, his eyes seemed to glow a beautiful jade, his red hair disheveled and moonlit skin seeming so perfect. His dark red shirt was unbuttoned at the top, no tie or vest needed, as he made his way over to the bed quietly.

"I'm sorry if I woke you…' he apologized quietly, is eyes seeming to scan over me, checking that everything was O.K. They momentarily stopped on my hair but settled into my own gaze.

"I was waiting for you…" I replied quietly, he alarmed me as he sat on the edge of the side, and I could feel the warmth of his body through the thin blanket.

"Gaara, I- "his hand reached up and grasped my short ends gently, he allowed them to run through his fingers and fall back down, my breath caught.

"It's pretty…" he stated, before letting the back of his finger's glide smoothly over my cheek, I surprised myself when I caught his hand in both of mine, squeezing it like I was checking if he was real or not. I pressed it back to my cheek once more and looked up at him, my face growing hot.

"Gaara, I'm sorry…" my voice trembled as I spoke, but he just stared at me with soft eyes, his face almost bearing a look of… pain? "I'm sorry all this happened to you guys- "

"Don't be foolish…" he whispered, pulling his hand, still clasped in mine, to his lips and gently brushing them over my knuckles. "I failed to protect you all, and you got injured saving my life. There is no need to feel sorry for such a thing." The small gesture had my heart beating rapidly as I bit my lip, fighting back tears. I couldn't help but feel so relieved to be here with him, gazing into his beautiful eyes and hearing his voice again. I sniffled slightly before giving him a small smile, as a lone tear seemed to fall down my cheek.

It was so sudden, that I couldn't help but ignore the pain in my side as he wrapped his arms around me, crushing me to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling his strong shoulders through the thin shirt, cradling my face into the crook of his neck.

"I'm so happy you O.K…" I whimpered into his neck, as another tear feel, he only nodded, his hold tightening.

I leaned back, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, "I'm sorry… I just-"my words were cut off as his hand cupped the side of my face, his thumb stroking my cheek. There was much emotion in his eyes that it took my breath away, and I knew he had been feeling the same way about me that I felt about him. Slowly he leaned in, resting his forehead on mine his breath tickling my lips causing goosebumps to rise on my arms.

"Gaara…" I whispered, adrenaline rushing through my body. Accept your feelings… "I love you…" I breathed out as a million butterflies created some sort of tornado in my stomach. His eyes stared into mine for a quiet moment as if he could see everything that was going on in me, and hear ever thought that was racing through my head. Then he moved, and time seemed to stop as the rustling of the blankets were muted by the notion of his lips brushing against my own. My body jolted as electricity seemed to flow through my veins, igniting every emotion I could possibly feel in an instant.

He leaned back, his forehead still touching my own as I cradled his face with my other hand.

"You don't know…" he breathed, like he was having trouble forming the words, his eyes staring into my own, "I. Need you…" he whispered before he kissed me again, willing me to understand everything he wanted to say. Happiness blew up inside me like a firework, and suddenly everything was brighter, and crystal clear. This is what it was like to be truly loved, and cared about. Everything in his kiss was a promise, and I hoped that he understood the silent promise I was making myself.

I would always protect him, this House, my friends and everything I had. I would love everything about him, his past, present and future, and I knew he was promising me the same thing as his fingers gently brushed over the brand-like scar on my neck. I didn't fight it or wince as his cool fingers traced the mark, I just allowed the softness of his fingers to linger.

He broke away, planting a small kiss on my forehead before leaning back, his hand grabbing mine. A quietness settled between us and we both just sat there, our hands conjoined, a faint blush covering my cheeks.

"I attended a council meeting today…" his voice broke the silence and I looked up at him, eager to hear how it went.

"They are going to appoint a new Head of the House, "his grip tightened, "They want you to take his place." I couldn't miss the annoyed look that flashed across his face and the way he held my hand firmly, like I was going to be taken away.

"No." I stated, he looked up at me quickly, his face confused. "I won't, I'm not strong enough." I stated, to his surprise. The thought of becoming the Head of a House was nice, but I wanted to help people, here; As a part of this family.

"Sakura… I don't think you can say no to the council…" I let a small laugh leave my lips, causing the corner of his mouth to twitch.

"You know how many rules I've broken…? Not to mention, I'm free right now. I don't belong under the House anymore…" I whispered, my fingers brushing over the scar, Gaara's eyes followed my hand.

"Your right…" he replied, bringing my hand to his lips once more, "You belong here, with me." I smiled and nodded, planting a small kiss of my own on the corner of his mouth, causing him to give me a small smile, "I do."

The End.

O.K.! So there it is, I feel like it was kind of rushed, but I'm always unsure when it comes to endings... Hopefully you liked it! O.K. So this is crucial, I want to write another one, but I need advice, do we want to see a vampire Gaara? or a Rock band Gaara? XD Let me know! Thank you so much for all the support! You guys are the best!