Tsunade sat in her office looking out the window. She went into her office this morning with every intention on sending a squad of anbu out to find Sakura after she was told that she left the village of her own accord by Ino. But on her desk she found a message from Gaara. He told her that Sakura was there after having saved one of the Sand's children from some of Orochimaru's men and she was going to stay there for a while.

She knew that the memories of Sasuke from the past still haunted Sakura. She only just gave up trying to save him not too long ago. Tsunade knew that it would have been a matter of time before she left the village, just as she herself did so long ago. Though she was elated that she didn't try to go after Sasuke and Orochimaru.

She sent a message back with the desert hawk that brought Gaara's message to her that it was fine. That Sakura was not going to be branded a rouge ninja. And thanked him for letting her know where she was.

Then she thought about sending someone to find Naruto and his squad and let him know about the news. He has grown up so much in the last three years that it is hard for her to see him as the snot nosed brat that bragged about being Hokage six years ago.

A warm smile graced her face as she thought about the surprise that she had for him when he got back. Hinata had put his name in for consideration for being the 5th Hokage. Even the elders of the village agree that with his bloodline, and his expanse of jutsu that he was more than qualified for the job.

He would be home in the next few hours and then brought to her. That is when she will tell him that in a weeks time, he will become Hokage.

x

Sakura woke up just before dawn as she always has. Though this morning was different. She woke up with a smile. Whenever she would visit the Sand Village she felt at home. Like that was where she belonged all along. Sometimes she even wished that she had been born in the Sand Village. Then she would not have known Sasuke or been put through hell for six years.

She was up and dressed leaving the house before Temari. Today was her day off and she said she planned on sleeping in all day long. She wondered around the village with a small smile on her face. She remembered her very first Chunin exam. That was when she first met Temari, Kankuro and Gaara.

Though at the time they were considered the enemy. They even tried to help Orochimaru destroy the leaf village. Once they realized that Orochimaru was pulling the strings and posing as their Kazekage then they realized the error in their ways. And now the Sand Village was like an extension of the Leaf and the Leaf an extension of the Sand.

Before long she found herself sitting on the top of the tallest building in the village looking out over it all. The village was vibrant and everyone in it was happy. She felt a true peace fall over her as it always did when she was here visiting.

Then images of Orochimaru and Sasuke attacking this place flashed through her mind. Sasuke had changed so much. He was no longer then handsome strong guy in class and on her squad that she drooled after. He was cold and evil. The Sasuke that she knew was dead and was never coming back.

Gaara landed soundlessly on the rooftop behind her. He was surprised when she didn't try to plead with Sasuke to go back to being the way he was before. But instead went to help his Shinobi protect the villagers.

Now he found her sitting in her usual spot when she would come to the village. At dawn no less. But the horror that was in her eyes was what made him angry. Angry at Sasuke. Thanks to Naruto he was one of the most well liked people of the Sand Village. And not because he is Kazekage. Because he lets people in. He takes the chance to care again.

And Sakura was one that he left his heart with. Seeing her distraught over that bastard did not sit well with him. He had an idea though.

Sakura gasped when she saw a wisp of sand out of the corner of her eye. Then smiled when she saw the Desert Rose. "Arigato Gaara."

Gaara nods then sits down with her in silence for a while. Thinking of a way he could cheer her up. Or a place that he could take her to cheer her up. Then he remembered about the oasis. He would take her there. He stood up and held his hand out. "Sakura. Come with me, douzo."

Sakura smiled up at him as she stood and took his hand. "Hai." Then she latched onto his neck with her arms when he took off flying through the air on the sand.

Gaara smiled as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Though he did enjoy having her this close, it was making his heart pound.

Sakura looked up into his green eyes with raised eyebrows. "Gaara where are we going?"

"You will see. We are almost there."

When they landed Sakura let out a gasp as a huge smile graced her face. An oasis. She flew from Gaara's arms and to the edge of the lake that was right in the middle of it. She had heard that The Land Of Wind had a wonderful oasis but had never had the chance to see it. "Oh Gaara it is beautiful! It has to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!"

"Hai." Gaara watched her as she sat down next to the lake and starred. 'It is beautiful Sakura. But not near as beautiful as you are.' He sat down next to her and sighed. She was completely at ease with him and that is how he wanted it. Six years ago she would have been running for the hills out of fear of him and what he can do.

And he would not have blamed her. He was not the same person back then. And it took a village failure to make him see that. Naruto Uzumaki.

He leaned over and used his hand to turn her fact to face his. "Sakura. I still see the horror in your eyes from Sasuke."

"Gaara really it is okay. I understand that Sasuke is beyond help and he will never be the Sasuke I knew before."

"I can still see his memory strong in your beautiful eyes. I would like the chance to erase Sasuke from your heart, mind and soul completely."

Sakura smiled a warm smile as she stood up with him and turned so that she was facing him. Knowing that she can count on him as a shoulder she could cry on was all that mattered to her. In time that would help her to forget about Sasuke. "Being there for me as the great friend you are is enough Gaara."

Gaara sighs as he takes a step closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I didn't mean it like that Sakura." Then before she could say anything he kissed her lips gently.

Sakura's eyes go wide in shock. Gaara was kissing her! A sweet, gentle kiss. Slowly her eyes drifted shut as she is drawn into his embrace. She felt like electricity was shooting up and down her spine. Her head was reeling and her heart racing.

When Gaara started to wrap his other arm around her shoulders she was brought back to her senses. The realization of what was going on hit her full force and she pulled away from his lips and stepped out of his embrace. Breathing heavy she turns her back to him. Those feelings were what she always wanted her first kiss to have.

Though she never thought that she would feel them when being kissed by anyone other than Sasuke. After she realized just how good a person that Gaara could be she always did think that alone made him kinda cute. And it just grew as she got older. But the thought of being with someone other than Sasuke still scared the hell out of her.

"Gomen nasai Gaara." She stood there for a moment and gripped the rose that he gave her. She couldn't stay here right now. She had to get away and think for a while. She just took off running in the direction of the Leaf Village. 'Gomen Gaara. I just need to think. I didn't think that a kiss from you would have caused that kind of reaction to me.'

Gaara stood there and watched the only woman he would ever love run from him after he kissed her. His mind was reeling at what went wrong. She had started to kiss him back then jerked away from him. 'Did I do something wrong?'

All he really wanted was to let her know how he felt about her. To be the one to erase the scars that were left by that bastard Sasuke. And he really thought that he stood a chance when she didn't pull away right off the bat. And kissed him back.

Calling his sand he headed home. Starring off into the direction that she left. 'Gomen nasai Sakura. I didn't mean to frighten you.'

x

Sakura stood on top of a tree and starred across the desert that took her to the Sand Village. Something made her want to rush back, and yet something else was calling her home. She let a single tear drift down her face.

What was this strange longing to be with Gaara? Could she be falling in love with him? Or had it already happened? Either way all she knew was that she needed to get away.

She turned and bounded through the woods on her way home. Home. She wondered what Ino, Hinata and Tenten were going to say about this one.