The sun begins to set on another day in the Hidden Leaf Village. As the breeze begins to pick up a little extra chill and the sky has a mixture of orange haze to the night sky, we have two visitors entering the village after passing the checkpoint.

I really don't know about this place sometimes," Gaara says, face showing no expression. "What do you mean, Gaara? You know a lot of people from this village," replies Temari. "Besides, you are the Kazekage and the people here respect you for that."

"I know, but it just seems some people still keep their distance from me, even more than usual. Did you see the look the guards at the checkpoint gave us?" Gaara eyes shift to left slightly as they walk. "They looked at me like I am a freak."

"Now, now Gaara. I think you are over-reacting a little bit. I am sure they were just tired of being at their post," a consoling Temari says. "I mean everyone is busy getting ready for the Chunin exams, so they are probably on a double shift."

"Of course, some people do hold grudges for a long time," Temari says to herself. "I mean it has been three years since we were tricked by Orochimaru to attack the village and Gaara was overcome by the Shukaku." They end up at the hotel.

"Don't you have to meet a certain someone, Temari?" Gaara face is showing the usual lack of emotion. "Well, yeah. I am meeting up with Shikamaru-kun," Temari replies with her face blushing, "but I wanted to make sure you got checked in first."

"It is ok. I want to take a walk around and clear my head before turning in," Gaara comments. "Go have fun spending time with Shikamaru. Tell him I say hello. Who knows, maybe I will run into Naruto while I am out."

Temari agrees and heads off to meet up with her beau. Gaara begins to walk down the street and lets out a deep sigh. "Man, this town seems awfully quiet. I am beginning to think I don't like visiting this village." Gaara stares at the ground while walking.

"Gaara!! Gaara!!" a voice yells out. Gaara raises his head to see Kiba and Ino walking towards him. "Hello Kiba. Ino. It sure has been a while since I last saw you two," Gaara replies, his face showing a very small glimmer of happiness. "What are you two up to?"

"Well, Kiba-kun is taking me to a movie. We finally have no missions thanks to the Chunin exams so we decided to spend some time together." "Kiba-kun?!" Gaara says aloud. "Heh, yeah we have been dating for about six months now," replies Kiba.

"Come-on Kiba-kun, we need to get going or we will be late for the movie," exclaims Ino. "Right, right Ino-chan. Well Gaara, I got to go but I will see you at the Chunin Exam meetings tomorrow." And with that the happy couple is off.

Gaara continues to walk down the road and runs into Neji and TenTen. Unfortunately, they are too busy to stay and chat as they are on a date as well. Further down the village street, Gaara sees Rock Lee at a nearby stand.

Just as Gaara is about to yell out hello, he suddenly hesitates as a young lady grabs a hold of Lee's arm and drags him off in another direction. Gaara's face releases a sorrowful smirk. "Heh, even Lee has found a girl. Will wonders never cease."

At that moment, he feels a hand on his shoulder and an arm around his neck. "Well hello there, Mr. Kazekage. What reason do I have to pleasure of seeing you in the village?" a voice asks. Gaara looks on his left to see Naruto smiling at him.

A small smile begins to form on his face. "Well, Naruto it is good to see you doing well. I hope the village is treating you right." Gaara gives Naruto a slight jab in the side. "So you want to catch up over a meal – my treat of course."

Naruto's lifts his left arm up and scratches the back of his head and replies, "Normally, I would love to Gaara, but my dinner plans are already booked with a special lady." Naruto then points across the way to where Hinata is waiting for him.

Gaara's smile dissipates from his face as Naruto release his grip from Gaara's shoulder. "Sorry about that Gaara, can I take rain check on that?" The small smiles leaves Gaara. He agrees as Naruto runs off to meet Hinata. Gaara makes a left at the next street.

Gaara continues to walk down the road, his feeling of loneliness growing ever stronger. "Man, I can't believe everyone has a girlfriend," he says to himself. "I have been so busy as the Kazekage I haven't had time to meet anyone special."

Just as he was about turn around and head back to the hotel, Gaara notices someone sitting on a bench all alone. As he walks closer he notices that it is Sakura sulking, her head down in sorrow staring at the ground with tears in her eyes.

Gaara considers just turning the other way and letting her be, but for some reason he feels compelled to talk to her. "H-hello Sakura, is this seat next to you taken?" Sakura stares up at Gaara and shakes her head while wiping tears away. Gaara takes a seat.

"I couldn't help but notice that something seems wrong. Is this something you can talk about?" Gaara looks over at the cherry blossom medical ninja. "I can't believe I am doing this," he thinks inside, "how can I help her? I can't help myself."

"Well, it was the result of our team's last mission," Sakura replies. "I lost someone very precious to me and it just seems harder and harder to get him back. I have never felt so alone and helpless before in my entire life. I don't know what to do."

"Sasuke, huh?" replies Gaara. He sits there deep in thought for a couple of seconds before he continues. "Well Sakura, I am sure that everything will turn out in the end. What ever is meant to be will be, I believe in your abilities."

Sakura lifts her head again and looks over to see the light blue eyes of Gaara stare right at her. "You have grown quite a bit since the last time I was here even more than when you came to my village to heal my brother. Your skills keep getting stronger."

Sakura begins to wipe the tears from her face. "Wow, I have never seen this side of Gaara before. I never thought he could be sensitive like this." Sakura's spirits begin to be lifted and she has this strange feeling inside of her heart.

"As for the loneliness, I understand that very well," Gaara continues. "You have people here in the village that care about you, like Naruto and even myself, so you should never feel alone." Gaara's in a little disbelief of what he just said, but continues.

"Especially in Naruto. I mean he is there not only by his words and his actions, but even in his clumsy and dumb moments as well." Gaara gives a little smile after that comment. Sakura then smiles and giggles aloud, "Thank you Kazekage. I needed that."

Gaara then stands up from the bench. "Please Sakura, call me Gaara." Gaara's stone cold face begins to blush a little again as he says, "You know, I never did thank you properly for saving my brother a while back. How about I treat you to dinner?"

Gaara turns and extends his hand out to the strawberry haired woman. Sakura has a shocked look on her face and then suddenly begins to blush as well. "Well I am a little hungry. Sure, Gaara, that would be nice." Sakura grabs his hand as she gets up.

The two head off and enjoy a very nice dinner at a local hibachi restaurant, sharing stories and memories over the past couple of years. As the two depart the restaurant, Sakura thanks Gaara and gives him a little kiss on the cheek.

Gaara just stands there with little expression, but his eyes convey a hint of surprise from the soft kiss. Sakura give a flirtatious little smile. "Thank you for tonight, Gaara. Maybe we can do this again," she says as she walks back home.

Gaara heads back to the hotel. On the way back he places his hand on the location of Sakuras kiss. A small smile begins to grow on his face as his cheeks become a little flush. He begins to think to himself, "Hmm, maybe this village isn't so bad after all."

Next Chapter - "What are These Feelings"

The video version of this fanfic chapter can be seen via youtube under the same title or under the channel of bkeller1976.