Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!!!! I wish I did, but I don't. Sad day.

Premise: Years ago during the Chunnin exams, Gaara and Sakura make a secret bond that no one learns about. Over the years, Sakura forgets, and begins a new relationship with Sasuke, while Gaara cherishes the long distance relationship, until one day, when he returns to Konoha.

Pairings: SakuXSasu, SakuXGaara, NaruXHina, ShikaXTem


Killing Time


4 Years ago

He was late. He had to make it to the gates before his siblings became mad. This was madness. Running past the earthly colored buildings, his red hair soared through the wind. He passed the Ramen Shop, the Hokage's manor as the Chunnin Exam grounds dissipated into the background.

Gotta make it, he thought. I have to be punctual, this isn't like me. At this comment, he was surprised at the fact that his one tailed demon did not respond. Strange…

As he saw the gate in the distance, he descried a black figure with a white, bandaged package, and a purple figure with a silver pole. Crap.

As he was passing the second to last street, a hand shot out from the side and pulled him behind a building. Before his mind could grasp the concept of what was going on, two arms spread around him and squeezed him tightly.

"Oh Gaara, I don't want you to go," said the mysterious character. Gaara looked down to see pink hair and a blue headband tied neatly around it.

"Sakura," was all he could murmur, and he, too, hugged her in return. They held there for a moment, feeling each other's heat, until Sakura let go and held Gaara at arm's length. She eyed him with those glowing, trembling emerald eyes.

Man, she is beautiful. She pulled him back into another embrace, as she quivered and whispered, "I can't believe you have to go."

"It's unfortunate," he whispered. "I will miss you. But I will not forget you." As they held, Gaara could feel the cold, wet drops on his shoulder, making him shudder as well. "Do not cry," he said, "it makes me feel bad for leaving you."

"None of this is your fault," she said. "Besides, you need to go back to your home. It's not like I can keep you here hostage." They laughed, only for a moment, and then Sakura sighed.

Gaara leaned back, looked into her eyes and firmly said, "I will not forget you Haruno Sakura. I will be back one day so that we may share moments like these once again. That's a promise I'm willing to make and keep." At this, Sakura held him once more.

"Bye," she said. She let go, and ran off towards the gate. The sand-nin stood solid for a few minutes, pondering the previous events, and then spun on his feet to continue in the opposite direction.

At the gate, an orange, cocky ninja and a grumpy, self-kept ninja joined the three sand-nin and Sakura to trade farewells. "Well, great to have some fresh competition," said Naruto.

"Right back at ya'," exclaimed Kankuro. Naruto grinned, and Kankuro snickered, almost tripping backwards over his puppet. (AN: I mean come on, every slick dude has to have his clumsy moment, am I right?)

Gaara and Sakura locked their gaze, and Sakura blushed. Gaara moved two of his fingers in a waving motion by his thigh, and turned the other way. Sakura could have almost sworn that Gaara actually smiled.

Oh my goodness, I'm just getting back into this business, this is my first in a while…HOW'D I DO!?!?!?!