I DO NOT OWN NARUTO.

We are at the end of this story. I must admit it is shorter than I had planned but I felt like if I would have tried to lengthen it the story would have suffered. I had never planned for there to be MAJOR action in this one, it's just sort of like a filler. The building of certain things will lead to the action and the meat of my next story: A Hokage's Path: The Namikaze's Revival.

SO, like I said before, A Father's Path is where it begins, this is in the middle of that and A Hokage's Path. I hope that you have read the previous one and will continue with the next one.

I hope that this is going out well and the readers are happy with it. And as always, to the readers and those who review, THANK YOU for reading! Enjoy! – laydee kai

Recap: Sakura was saved from her kidnapper by Azarni. Gaara and his siblings showed up at the last minute and helped capture the man. Sakura escapes from the hospital after the first night and comes home to find her best friend and Hokage in Suna.

A Medic's Path: A Cherry Tree in the Sand
Chapter Eleven: Saying Goodbye

Sakura felt much better after her shower and wardrobe change. A shower really was in order because by the time she pealed her recycled clothing from her body, the stench had transferred to her skin. She wouldn't let them know that though. As far as they were concerned, she smelled like a rose and that was how it was going to stay.

Very causally she made her way down the stairs to the kitchen. She ran her hands through her damp, semi-knotted hair. As she walked past Naruto, she laughed and grabbed his face with her wet hands.

"Good to see you Naru!" she said as she moved her hands all over his face.

"I see your time in Suna hasn't changed you Sakura." He chuckled as he used the back of his sleeve to wipe the shampoo scented water off of his face.

She stopped next to Gaara and kissed him on his cheek. "Some things have."

Gaara smiled at the pink haired woman next to him. Naruto watched in amazement at the changes that have occurred concerning Gaara. Sakura had brought the shy Kazekage out of his shell and allowed him to be the man that he always wanted to become. If it weren't for the pressing matters at hand, he would have felt bad about interrupting their little moment.

Naruto cleared his throat and looked at the couple apologetically.

"Sakura, I honestly hate to interrupt you happiness but there are things to discuss."

Sakura looked at her blonde friend nervously and then back at Gaara. The look of contentment was no longer on his face – it had been replaced by an uneasy look. She nodded to her superior and sat down. She knew all to well the difference between Naru her friend and Naruto her Hokage. Her green eyes were seeing the Hokage right now.

"Hai, Hokage." She said softly, but strongly.

He sighed deeply. He really did hate when she called him that. So many years of friendship, but he knew why she said it now. It was to let him know that she was now a Leaf shinobi, not his best friend.

"I am recalling you back to Konoha." He said waiting for the onslaught.

"But, Hokage-sama… I can't leave yet." She pleaded cutting a quick glance back to Gaara. She took a deep breath knowing that Gaara would not interfere with this official business and plead along side of her as her boyfriend – he seemed to be in Kage mode as well. "My… students. They still have a week worth of lessons left to complete."

"Hai, I understand. But there are other factors at play Sakura. I can't leave you here. It's not safe."

"But…" She tried.

She fell silent when Naruto held up his hand. "Sakura, I have read all of your reports. You have done a magnificent job teaching your Suna students. They will go on to make Suna proud and strong. You have done your job – mission complete. But the fact of the matter is that it just isn't safe"

"Safe?" she cried. "When is a mission ever safe? I am a ninja damn it! I can handle myself. And it's not complete! There are still things that I can teach them."

Naruto looked into her eyes and saw them full of determination. He knew that this wasn't going to be easy – she was as stubborn as they come. It was true, but he was her match.

"Sakura, don't play that card. You know that I have never and will never accuse you of not being able to take care of yourself. That fact has been verified time and time again."

"Then why are you pulling me from the field? Why are you taking this mission from me? Are you playing favorites again?" she demanded.

"Sakura, you are one of my oldest friends, it is hard to not worry about you more than my other ninja. I not only worry about you as Hokage but as your friend and brother. So, yes that has a lot to do with it. But this is more than just our friendship!"

"Then what is it? I think I have a right to know." She said trying to calm down.

Naruto looked wearily at Gaara. He stood next to Sakura with his arms crossed. He had not said a word during the exchange and Naruto didn't expect him too unless prompted. Gaara's worried eyes met Naruto's. It was clear that he didn't want Sakura to leave but he wanted her to be safe.

"You do." He sighed returning his eyes back to hers. "We have uncovered information concerning the Akatsuki."

"What?" she breathed as all the color drained from her face.

"They are on the move again. Your attempted kidnapping only confirms what we already knew. They are coming after us and those like us. They are targeting the jinchûriki."

"That's why I am being recalled?"

"Hai, it's a major reason for it. Not only do we need you back in the Leaf… but we feel that you will be safer there." Naruto answered.

"We?" she questioned. "Who is we?"

Naruto shot a quick glance at Gaara and cleared his throat – now was the time to prompt.

"I am a part of the we Sakura-chan." Gaara answered for Naruto.

"You want me to leave?" she said not believing what she was hearing.

"No. I don't want you too."

"Then why would you be a part of the we if you didn't want me gone?"

"Because I don't want anything to happen to you." He said as his heart melted at her tone. "Naruto isn't the only one who has extra emotion tied to you. If something befell you because of me, I would never forgive myself."

"What would happen to me?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Naruto cut in. "You are the proverbial 'two birds with one stone', Sakura. Can't you see that?"

"If they had you, then they would have both of us Sakura-chan. They would have power over your best friend and the Hokage plus your boyfriend and the Kazekage. Neither of us can suffer the loss of you."

"Nothing is going to happen to me… they don't really know that much of what I am capable of!"

Gaara looked at Naruto. Sakura's eyes followed the gaze back and forth between the two men. She knew there was something else.

"What are you not telling me Naruto?" she asked.

"The Uchiha's involvement in the organization has been confirmed."

"Sasuke?" she asked for clarification of which Uchiha.

"Hai." Naruto confirmed.

"But what about his brother? I thought he hated him?"

"He does, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Right now he wants to take us down and he thinks that he can do it with the aid of the Akatsuki. And I know that he doesn't know as much about you, but he still knows enough. Then add on what the others know and it's enough to sideline you for capture."

"And that's a risk that neither of us are willing to take, Sakura-chan." Gaara said with finality.

"I'm not going." She answered after a moment of silence. "I am just as safe here as I would be in Konoha."

"Sakura." Naruto warned.

He didn't want to force his hand but he would if she wouldn't listen. He never liked to flash his title or its power around. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Naru… please don't order me." She pleaded.

"Please don't make me, Saku-chan. Please." He asked - the pain evident in his voice. His face was etched with concern.

Sakura stopped at the name. Saku-chan – he hadn't called her that since they were children. Her heart was being torn in two pieces. She knew what these two men were doing for her. They wanted to keep her safe because they both loved her in their own ways – one as a lover and the other as a brother. She couldn't deny them that. She couldn't deny them their love.

"I won't make you. I'll return home." She said softly.

"Thank you." Naruto answered in the same tone. "For what it's worth, I am sorry."

"I know, Naru. When are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow. I have to rebuild my charka for the Hirashin so we can both travel together."

Sakura replied with a small nod. Naruto hated himself for taking her away from Gaara sooner than planned. He hated that two people who he cared about finally found happiness and he had to take it away. But this wasn't permanent he thought, I won't take her from him for long.

"I'll be in my room packing." She said as she sadly gazed up at her lover.

Gaara nodded to her and she turned on her heal and left the room. Gaara closed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning to Naruto.

"When this is all over, I am coming to bring her home – to Suna." He said in an even voice.

"When this is all over, as sad as I will be to see her leave, I will gladly sign her papers for her to transfer to her new home – to Suna." He told his friend.

"Thank you, my friend."

"All I ask is that you take care of her. She means a lot to me." Naruto replied.

"Nothing but the best for my Blossom." Gaara answered with the most sincere of smiles.

"It's good to see that you have found love, Gaara. The love of a good woman changes a man for the best. I see those changes in you already. Cherish it."

"I do."

"Good. Now go stop her from packing so you can spend some time together before we depart."

Gaara turned to follow after her when Naruto called back to him.

"I am sorry for taking her away from you, Gaara."

"I know, but it is for the best." He nodded. "I want to spend my life with her so we must keep her safe."

Naruto smiled as he watched the back of Gaara disappear around the corner of the kitchen. He really didn't want to take her back yet, but for all three of their sakes he would.

- - xXxXx - -

Gaara silently watched Sakura packing from the door. He admired her strength. She had kept her control when he knew that she was dying inside – after all, so was he. It didn't take her long to finish packing her few things into her travel bags. She sighed as she pulled out a scroll to seal the bags in. A single tear fell from her face and dampened her blankets.

She was staring at the tear stain when she felt two lean, toned arms wrap around her. Gaara gently kissed the top of her head. Sakura couldn't take it anymore. She turned into his chest and began to weep. Gaara constricted his grip and pulled her closer. He ran his fingers through her hair and let her cry. Only when he heard her quite down did he dare speak.

"Sakura-chan?" he asked.

She grunted softly in response to her name.

"You know that I love you right?"

"Hai. I love you too Gaara-kun."

"And you know that this is only temporary?"

"What is?"

"You leaving Suna – it's only temporary."

"I don't understand."

"Well, when this is all over, I am coming get you and bring you home – with me."

"Really?"

"Really. In the time that you have been here, you have shown me things that I have never really known. I never dreamed it would be possible for me to love someone and have them love me in return. You, Sakura-chan, are my future. And I'll be damned if I let anyone stand in the way of that."

Sakura buried her face deeper into his chest. Her heart was broken at the thought of leaving him, but even the pieces of her heart knew that one day they would be whole again and that she would be with Gaara.

"I just hate leaving you though." She said in a muffled voice.

"I know, I hate letting you. But it won't be long before you are back. I promise."

"I think that's the only reason why I can leave. I know I will be back and as long as I can come back to you, then I'll be okay for now."

The both inhaled deep breathes at the same time.

"So what do you want to do tonight my love?" Gaara asked.

"I don't care really, as long as I don't leave your side."

"Sounds good." He said smiling a small smile at her.

For the rest of her time in Suna Sakura didn't leave Gaara's side. They ate together. They walked together. They watched the sun set together. Even the necessity of slumber could not separate them – for the time being they were joined at the hips, hands and lips.

Sakura and Gaara both put of getting up for as long as they possibly could in the morning. Neither wanted to say the goodbye that had been hovering over them since they first became a couple. Gaara turned his head to gaze at Sakura as she tried to pretend that she was still sleeping. He grunted softly and nudged her. She wouldn't move – she was deeply committed to her role.

"Sakura-chan, I know you are awake." He said with a smile.

She cracked one eye and glared at him. "If I'm not up then I can't leave."

"Do you really think that will stop Naruto from coming in here and taking you while you are sleeping? You have known him longer than me; he's not easily swayed once his mind is set."

"Hai, I know. But a girl can wish can't she?"

Gaara nodded in agreement. She could be so cute when she wanted to be. He skillfully slid his hand underneath the small of her back and in one swift movement pulled her close to his chest. She nuzzled deep into his side and he drank it in. He placed a kiss on the crown of her pink head earning a squeal in return.

Knock. Knock.

Sakura's head popped up from Gaara's side. Her eyes found the door and waited to see if whoever was there would knock again. They both waited for what seemed like an eternity until the knock was heard again.

Knock. Knock.

Sakura moan and stuffed her head back down as if she were an ostrich trying to hide. Gaara chuckled lightly at her antics.

"Gaara?" Temari called through the door. "Are you awake?"

"Hai. You can open the door." He answered.

Temari slowly cracked the door and poked her head in. She saw Sakura's body but not her head. Temari couldn't help but laugh.

"As much as either of you don't want to hear this, but I think Naruto is getting antsy."

"Figured as much." Sakura mumbled from her spot.

She flipped over and sat up. Temari's smile widened at the sight of Sakura's hair. It seemed that the short cherry pink locks were pointing in which ever way that they please. Sakura immediately realized what she was smiling and tried unsuccessfully to groom her hair with her hands.

Sakura shot her a look, "I know you aren't laughing at my morning hair."

Temari arched an eyebrow and looked at her and then laughed louder, "Well, played Sakura." She said as she pulled herself from the cracked opening and shut the door.

Temari's laughter could be heard retreating from the room and then echoed by the laughter of Naruto and Kankuro. She must have been explaining the morning hair to the guys in the kitchen. Sakura groaned.

"I mean really! I just woke up!"

"And I think it's beautiful."

"You're biased."

"Your point?"

Sakura jumped on him and smothered him with kisses. She loved when he said things like that to her. The ache in her heart grew stronger. The kisses grew longer and more passionate until finally she had to pull away so they could breathe.

"I will miss you more than you know, Gaara-kun."

"I think I know, Sakura-chan, because I will miss you the same."

Gaara and Sakura appeared from the room a few minutes after Temari's intervention. Both were fully dressed in their ninja gear, although it was slightly rumpled.

"Hell you two! What did you do? Sleep in your clothes?" Kankuro questioned.

"At least her hair is fixed." Naruto added.

"Sometimes you are really lucky that you are also my Hokage." She threatened.

"Like that has stopped you before." He shot back.

"True." She said as she walked across the room and pinched the back of his arm.

"Owe!"

"Children!" Temari teased.

Naruto rubbed the back of his arm, "Geez Sakura, you are strong enough without the extra chakra. That was over kill."

"You big baby!" she fussed when her hand lit up green and she passed it over the spot quickly. "There."

"Thanks," He sighed as he dropped his hand. "Are you ready?" he asked gingerly.

"As I will ever be." She replied sadly.

"Then we should get going. It will be harder if we wait any longer."

She nodded as she rounded the table. She walked to Kankuro and hugged him.

"Thanks for everything, Kankuro."

"Take care Sakura." He told her as he hugged her back.

Next was Temari. She embraced her tightly and Temari returned it.

"Sakura, please be safe. None of us want to see anything happen to you. Okay?"

"Yeah yeah, I know. I want a rematch on that spar next time I see you."

"Why? From what I heard you had her beat?" Kankuro threw in earning himself a death glare from both kunoichis.

She laced her fingers in Gaara's as they walked to the door and made their way to the single entrance of Suna. Once they were outside the canyon like path, Sakura threw herself into Gaara's arms and latched on to his neck. He squeezed her tightly and lifted her from the ground.

"I love you, Gaara-kun."

"I love you more, Sakura-chan." And with that he let her down and kissed her lips, then her nose, and last her forehead. "Let me know when you get there."

She nodded and walked over to Naruto's side.

"Piggy back or bridal?" Naruto asked.

"Piggy." She answered.

He turned his back to her and offered her his hand over his shoulder. She grabbed on to the hand and was hoisted up on to his back. She tied her legs tightly around his waist and the securely around his neck. She bit her lip and choked back tears as she looked back at Gaara and his siblings.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Gaara asked motioning to Sakura on his back.

"Hai, we've done it countless times. She's a pro. I think it's just the situation this time."

"Take care of her Naruto or I will hunt you down." Gaara threatened.

"A rematch of our own?" the blonde questioned with a huge grin.

Sakura swatted him on the head. "Not now, Naru."

He squinted from swat and bowed slightly to Gaara. "I was just trying to lighten the mood. Forgive me, my friend."

Gaara returned the bow but didn't answer. It seemed that his silent ways were beginning to return to him without Sakura there. His siblings sighed heavily. They knew that this was going to be hard on all of them.

"See you soon."

Sakura didn't trust herself to speak. She knew that tears were only a moment a way. She was thankful for the speed of the Hirashin; she didn't want them to see her cry.

In a streak of yellow with an unusual splash of pink, Naruto and Sakura sped back to Konoha.

- - xXxXx - -

The only light in the room was coming form a few hastily hung, make shift lights spread out every few yards along the perimeter of the room. The light dully illuminated a long, large wooden table with the matching massive wooden chairs. Only one of the chairs was occupied by a lone man sitting and waiting. His long raven hair fell half-hazardly into his face obscuring his obsidian eyes. When his delicate ears picked up the feint sound of foot steps echoing off the heavy stone walls, his eyes blazed to life and burned crimson. The door creaked and the man remained still.

"Ah, little brother you are already here I see." Itachi said aloud to the back of the chair.

"I didn't want to miss this meeting. It seems that the last one I missed I was left out of a mission that would have other wise been completed." Sasuke sneered at his brother.

"There is no need for the attitude." The older Uchiha told his brother.

"No need?" Sasuke roared.

"I agree with Itachi, there is no need for your behavior." Another voice answered from behind them.

Sasuke turned around to see three other figures in the room. His glare lingered over each of them individually. Kisame ignored the look where as Deidra only smirked. Sasori's expression couldn't be read.

"Excuse me Sasori? What would you know about my behavior and why it's needed?"

"I know plenty of why you feel the way you do." He answered from under his large hat.

"You know nothing!" he yelled.

"You need to learn your place here Sasuke, yeah." Deidra cut in.

Sasuke rose from his chair and whipped around. His hand reached up to unfasten his cloak when a large blue hand roughly found his shoulder.

"I wouldn't." Kisame said gruffly. "We don't want our hideout blown up by blondie's art."

"Get your hand off of me!"

"Sasuke, why are you here?" Itachi asked in a bored tone.

"Because I am tired of being ignored." He spat.

"And why do you think that?" his brother asked him.

"You sent a random person to kidnap Sakura Haruno. You should have sent me. I could have captured that pink haired bitch without even getting winded."

"True. But there is too much of a personal relationship there. That made you unqualified."

"Itachi, this unnecessary conversation is wasting our time." Sasori interjected.

"You are correct. Since our meeting has been interrupted by my brother's presence then we will not discuss anything further concerning the jinchûrikis. As to Pain's command, head to Suna."

"You're sending them after her. Isn't that over kill?" Sasuke snorted.

"Haruno is no longer in Suna. The Hokage came to get her and bring her home. We have missed our window for now." Itachi explained before turning back to Sasori and Deidra. "Feel free to deal with the one-tailed bijuu as either of you see fit."

Sasori nodded and turned towards the exit, "Come, Deidra."

"Right behind you, yeah."

Sasori and Deidra left the room leaving the three men alone. Itachi watched his little brother seethe. He knew what was coming and he knew that his brother's short temper was about to flare. Dealing with his little brother had not changed much over the years, all though now it really was annoying. His cold dark heart ached a little for the brother from his youth, not this harsh jaded individual.

"Kisame, please give us a moment. I will be right behind you."

Kisame paused for a moment. He knew the tension that had been building between the two brothers since Sasuke had regained consciousness a few years ago. He looked at his partner who didn't seem the slightest bit phased by his brother. Kisame obliged the request and walked out of the room.

"When will I get to leave? Do missions?"

"When you prove to us that you can."

"This is bullshit!" Sasuke yelled. "I killed Orochimaru… I'm not some wet nosed little kid anymore."

"You killed a Sannin but couldn't take out Naruto Namikaze." He answered normally. Seeing that this was getting to Sasuke, he continued, "And as I recall, if we wouldn't had shown up when we had, then you would be dead. That would have officially put a stop to your plans of vengeance. Wouldn't it?"

"Why are you talking to me like this? Like you care, brother." He asked with venom.

"I don't. I was just reminding you that you are alive because of us. Show us the respect we deserve. We aren't wet nosed kids either and you'd do well to remember that. I won't always be around to save you, foolish little brother. I thought that at least by now you would have grown up some."

Itachi began to walk back toward the door. He stopped at looked at Sasuke as he quaked in anger. For an Uchiha, Sasuke never could control his emotions. He scoffed at his behavior.

"You will have plenty to do soon, little brother. Keep it together until then."

With that Itachi left the room, leaving his brother there to stew. Sasuke hated having to obey his brother. All he wanted to do was put his fist through his chest, but he knew that he couldn't. Not yet. Being part of this organization would help him for now.

He just had to be patient. He would take down Konoha. He would kill Namikaze, his whole family and Haruno. And when that was done, he would kill his brother.

-END of Story-

for those who want to know what will happen next be on the look out for the next story! A Hokage's Path: The Namikaze's Revival