A/n: I am sorry it took so long to get this chapter out but it is difficult with school. I will try to update as soon as possible but school has the annoying problem of getting in the way of everything fun. Well any way I hope everyone likes it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters.

"SAKURA," an angry banshee like voice screamed next to a drowsy tousled-hair girl. Grumbling and pushing her hair out of her face, Sakura glared at her perky blonde-haired friend.

"Ino," whined the sleep deprived Sakura. "Just give me five more minutes and then I can deal with the world falling down at the sound of your voice."

"You are so mean Sakura. I can't believe you have the nerve to complain about me waking you up, when you forgot that we were going shopping today," cried Ino.

"Fine. I'm getting up." Sakura removed the covers and stepped on the cold tile floor, heading for a morning show to help remove the after effects of sleep. Not that the shower would wake her up any more than she already was, Ino had already accomplished that with her annoying screeching.

Twenty minutes later

Sakura stepped into the kitchen feeling refreshed and anxious for a carefree day of shopping with Ino. This is what she needed, a day away from reality where the most difficult life-altering decision would be the amount on the price tag. Sakura braced herself for the lecture about making plans and not sticking to them from Ino, but to her surprise it never came. Ino was standing by the counter, twirling the phone cord in her hand, giggling, and whispering sweet nothings into the phone. Shikamaru, Sakura thought absently, while grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator

It was quite a surprising day when Shikamaru asked Ino out. Sakura remembered that day very clearly, Ino had been in such a panic, it was a wonder she could even talk. It had taken Sakura fifteen minutes to calm her down enough to understand what was wrong and another ten minutes to get Ino to talk in complete sentences. After that, life had never been the same.

While Sakura was musing her friend's relationship, Ino finished her conversation and stared at Sakura with an increasing annoyed look on her face. Finally fed up with waiting patiently, Ino stamped her foot and called, "Sakura."

Startled Sakura stammered, "W-what?"

"What is with you today, Sakura? I have never seen you act like this." Ino said, giving her a weird look, before heading for the door. "Well come on Sakura, we have so much to do and so little time."

A half smile on her face; Sakura ran out the door, a devious twinkle in her amazing sea foam green eyes. She decided to figure out just what was making Ino blush red when she was talking on the phone to Shikamaru.

Gaara's deep meditation was interrupted by the dull throbbing of his muscles that were beginning to cramp because of his awkward position. He was still sitting up in the tree that had been his hiding spot from the ninja weakling. It's not that I'm afraid of her, he reasoned. She is just the annoying clingy type that would have asked a million questions. I just didn't feel like making someone cry today.

Opening his eyes, his sleep deprived mind registered the awful aching of his stiff body and the increasingly sharp pains shooting through his head. The headaches brought upon by his demon was nothing more than a constant dull throbbing that with time, became easy to ignore. The current pain in his head seemed to come from the incessant rumbling of stomach which had been empty for days.

Gaara let out a deep sigh before being transported to the ground with his sand. First thing first was getting food in his stomach before he passed out. Heading through the trees, he came across a stream with what looked like an abundance of fish. Kneeling down by the edge of the stream, Gaara stuck his hands in the crystal cold water for a quick drink. Partially refreshed, he started going over his mental checklist. I have to start training, I will not lose that pompous, arrogant Uchiha, Gaara thought viciously. I must be the winner. The violent thoughts circulating around Gaara's head seemed to awaken the monster within him. Spasms rocked his body that was now trembling with pain. Clutching his hands to his head, Gaara fought the demon inside trying to take control. The battle was fierce and Gaara almost feared the outcome of the world if his demon took control. After what seemed like hours, Gaara finally regained control over his mind and body. Panting heavily his weary mind completely shut down; his body crashed to the ground in blissful ignorance to the world going on around him.

"I'm so tired and my feet are killing me," complained Sakura after Ino began walking to what looked like a never-ending line of stores. They had been shopping for hours, while Sakura loved shopping, she liked to take a break every now and then. Ino, on the other hand, was like a robot. Once she had something in mind, she never gave up until she had it.

"Sakura, why can't you be more supportive?" Ino looked about ready to scream in frustration. "I have to find the perfect present for Shikamaru."

Heaving a sigh, Sakura offered a compromise, "I understand that the present has to be perfect Ino, but lets go get something to eat and drink . . . ; Ino opened her mouth to protest but Sakura quickly cut her off; . . . and while we do that, I will dedicate myself to coming up with the greatest present Shikamaru has ever seen. How does that sound?"

Ino reluctantly saw logic in Sakura's plan and headed for a quaint restaurant on the opposite side of the road. After being seated and ordering their late lunch, Sakura and Ino got busy figuring out what to get Shikamaru for his birthday.

"Well Ino, you and Shikamaru have only been dating, what a week and a half, I don't think Shikamaru really expects that much."

"I know, but I just really want to make his birthday really special." Ino's eyes began to tear up and she looked ready to break out into sobs. Sakura sensed the coming emotional outburst and hurried to make things better.

"Oh Ino, I didn't mean that, I promise that we will make this birthday one he will never forget. Now do you know what Shikamaru would like for his birthday?"

Ino sniffled before replying, "No, he doesn't tell me anything and I don't know him well enough to pick something out."

Laughing Sakura said, "Oh my goodness, you have known Shikamaru for years. This timid girl is so unbecoming. Where did this fear come from?"

"I may have known him for years but only as a friend. Things are different since we started dating." Ino directed a dark glower toward her friend.

"Oh yes, things change so quickly in a week and a half."

"I wouldn't expect you to understand, Sakura, love makes people behave differently."

Sakura's eyebrow arched defiantly. "What do you mean I wouldn't understand?"

"Well, this whole thing with Sasuke is not really love. Sakura, dear, Sasuke doesn't even care about you. I think you need to move on and try to find someone that will really like you." Ino said hesitantly.

Sakura's pleasant demeanor changed to barely controlled rage as she processed over Ino's accusations. How dare she say that about me? Sakura thought. She is supposed to be my best friend yet she knows nothing about me.

"For your information Ino, I do not love Sasuke. I haven't for a long time but you would have known that if you paid any attention to me. By the way, my love life is none of your concern. If I wanted your opinion on it, I would have asked." Concluding her speech, Sakura threw some money on the table and stood up. Giving one last intense glare, she walked away leaving Ino to stare at her in complete shock.

Mind numbing pain coursed through Gaara's body as he slowly came into consciousness. Pushing himself up, he tried to remember what had happened before he passed out. Trying to clear his foggy brain only seemed to make his throbbing head hurt more. He crawled awkwardly to the river to wash off the sweat that had accumulated on his face. Groggily, he stood on his feet, swaying slightly with unsteadiness and surveyed the surrounding area. He looked at the green trees and grass to the brown trunks and the scattering of yellow colored flowers. A flash of pink to his far right made him spin and eye the area warily. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, Gaara dismissed the thought and reasoned it was a trick of his unfocused mind.

The sweet smell of wild flowers drifted lazily in the air as Sakura walked through the silent forest. After the fight with Ino, Sakura escaped to the sanctuary of the wild. A place Ino would probably never think to look. No one knew of Sakura's fascination with the forest. It wasn't really a secret, more of an untold truth. Everyone at times needed some place to escape to and for Sakura, this was it.

Breathing deeply, she walked in silence content to be alone and think. Looking between the trees, a large object seemed to be moving. It was too far for Sakura to see clearly so she cautiously approached the area. The object suddenly spun and faced her direction. Sakura dived behind the safety of a large oak carefully peeking through some bushes to find out what the object was. Her eyes widen as she realized it was a person with crimson hair. The person was male from his stance but she couldn't quite figure out who it was. He seemed rather familiar. Deciding that a closer look was needed, Sakura edged forward. She creped closer trying to remain undetected but a resounding snap of a branch ruined all her efforts. Sakura stilled, hoping the sound did not alert the person she was attempting to observe.

Gaara heard the snap of a branch and was immediately prepared. Some might call it paranoid but Gaara had always thought of it as a necessary precaution. He quickly sent his sand out to discover the spy before they could escape. A gasp met his ears and a smirk made its way to his face. Walking to where his sand was located, the obvious signs of a struggle could be heard.

" I wonder what I have caught here." Gaara's smirk was now accompanied by a wicked look in his eyes. He was surprised to find the person intruding on his peace was the beautiful pink haired girl that had haunted his mind for hours on end. A dark gleam entered his eye as he thought, I will have to teach her lesson because this girl obviously does not know her place.

Sakura trapped in the sand, stared with wide eyes with fear at the man in front of her. The passive look on his face did nothing to diminish the dark promise his intense glare gave off. Panting lightly, Sakura struggled to get air to her lungs but the crushing sand limited her ability to breathe. Choking out on a gasp, Sakura whispered the deadly man's name, "Gaara . . . "

A/n: One last thing, please review and let me know how I am doing. Suggestions are welcome too.