Restoration Book 3/3: Sakura's Fate

Chapter 8

"Temari, let go!" Gaara's voice is just as menacing as the first time I heard him speak. He's livid.

I finally caught up to Hidan, Temari, and Shikamaru, a few blocks from where everything had gone down, with Ino being shot and Gaara being captured. The redhead's struggle hasn't ceased in the slightest. The Subaku sister seemed to be putting her all into not losing her hold on her little brother's wrists. My controller noticed it too.

"Would you like me to subdue him? My host is powerful."

Dark green eyes flashed in my direction, as dull as can be, "My host is a close relative to this human. He will not harm her."

As the words left her mouth, I knew them to be true. Sure, Gaara's trying to free his wrists from her tight grip, but I know he can lash out much more strongly. He's not doing it because he doesn't want to hurt his sister. Months ago, he wouldn't have hesitated, but ever since the group of us escaped the asylum, the Subaku trio has lightened up and gotten closer.

Our hostage turned his neck swiftly to shoot a dangerous glare my way, but he didn't say a word as he was shoved forward.

"I'm so sorry, Gaara...I wish I could do something to help, but I'm barely staying awake right now," I mentally sent my apologies his way.

Stealing the controls just minutes ago to save Ino's life took everything out of me. This exhaustion is akin to what had me fainting and bedridden for days after healing Sasuke and Hinata in Otogakure.

The remainder of our journey back to the town hall was relatively uneventful. Since the goddamn leech inside me announced that I'll be punished, I've been hypothetically shaking in my boots. Add the terror to my lack of energy, and I can't even fathom asking questions or trying to steal the reins again.

When we arrived at our destination, we went straight upstairs. Temari and Shikamaru both had to hold Gaara's hands as they shoved him through the massive double doors leading to the primary office: The Meishu's headquarters.

When the redhead laid eyes on Matsuri, his fighting and resistance ceased. Even I was taken aback by his heartbroken voice when he said her name, so I know the others in the room must be, too, and just can't outwardly show it. Or so I thought.

Matsuri's in there, fighting like hell. For a split second, I saw her. The dull sheen on her pretty brown eyes melted to reveal gut-wrenching fear, disbelief, and rage. As quickly as the expression arose, it faded into the blank and dull one from before.

"If you don't cease your resistance, I'll kill him right now."

God, if I could cringe, I would. Her voice is even more hoarse than yesterday, but that's not the worst part. The bare skin of her stomach, arms, hands, and face is so deathly pale that she's beginning to look like a walking corpse. I bet she's in agonizing pain right now. If she doesn't have hypothermia yet, I'll be surprised.

Someone needs to do something soon, or she won't make it. She might already have irreversible damage to some of her nerves.

"You've been brought here today because this host's memories of you intrigue me."

To say I was stunned would be putting it lightly. Gaara was just hunted down in the streets like an animal because The Meishu's interested in his relationship with Matsuri.

Since when do these things care about human emotions? The way I was threatened with such horrible torture methods just solidified the notion that they don't give a damn about our feelings, so why's The Meishu different? Why does he want to know more about it?

"What the hell? This has nothing to do with finding your precious plants! Tell them to let Gaara go!" My weak outburst was ignored.

The Subaku boy argued with Matsuri, back and forth, for multiple minutes, and the tension in the room quickly rose. Eventually, The Meishu seemed to have had enough and threatened to kill Matsuri if he didn't obey. Then, Gaara ceased all resistance.