01. Introduction
"This is Haruno Sakura, Kazekage-sama"
He knew who she was, this introduction was but a bothersome, formal affair. The pink-haired medic-nin had come with the Hokage's personal assistant, Shizune, to help deal with the epidemic currently running rampant through Sunagakure. Gaara had met her twice in his life, once when he had tried to kill her under the influence of Shukaku and again when she had come with Naruto to save him from the Akatsuki. Such reflections made him pause. Yes, he did know her...but had they ever truly been introduced?
Sliding icy eyes to gaze upon the cherry blossom, he cocked his head to the side. She looked slightly uncomfortable, standing there and shaking hands with the numerous council elders. Suna not only differed in climate from Konoha but there were very few people here the kunoichi actually knew. Her discomfort was more than understandable but Gaara could not help but feel a bit...guilty. Surely she should know that he was her friend? Perhaps not in the way she and Naruto were friends but he certainly respected the medic-nin and cherished her, for she was one of Naruto's precious people.
Rising from his seat at the council table, he walked to the cherry blossom and extended his hand to her. Jade orbs looked down at the appandeage and then back up to his own pale stare, a fine pink brow cocked in silent questioning.
"Hello Haruno Sakura, I am Sabaku no Gaara. We have never been properly introduced, have we?"
A soft smile graced those rosy lips of hers as she took his hand and shook it with palpable enthusiasm, a touch of mirth glistening in her eyes.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you under positive circumstances, Kazekage-sama."
"Please, just Gaara."
She remained silent for a moment, considering his request before her smile grew wider, more authentic and the lingering discomfort disappeared from her features.
"Gaara then."
He returned her smile, one as genuinely happy as her own causing the elders huddled around them to stare in shock. He paid them no mind, for he had accomplished his task. Sakura knew now that among all of Suna's resident, and despite the trails to come, she had one friend to relay on, the Kazekage himself.
Author's Note:
As the summary says, I intend this to be a collection of stories that I'll be writing using a word prompt, centering around Gaara/Sakura. I'm currently working on a Kakashi/Sakura story but I've found myself having a hard time when it comes to actually writing the fic so I decided a prompt might help loosen some of my creative muscles. Chapters will have no set word count and will lengthen and shorten depending on the prompt, the stories may not relate to each other.
I would greatly appreciate reviews and critiques. Please enjoy!