It seems to me that this story has been delayed for too long and is just bursting forth. I can only acquiesce. And so, dear readers, a very speedy update.

Please enjoy.


Chapter 2

Though he would never admit it, those peanut butter cookies would be the saccharine death of Gaara. They had the right amount of crunch, the perfect balance of salt and sugar and butter, the peanut-y taste so delicious despite his loathing of peanuts... In fact, he had previously been able to remain unaddicted to any sweets since childhood. Why he could not refuse those cookies? Only Sakura could know. She was the one who made him eat that first cookie a few weeks prior. Of course she would have to know how they would have affected the red head. In any case, the violinist had just finished a cookie and needed another.

He looked around to make absolutely sure Sakura could not see him reaching into the jar and spotted her taking the order of the man who just seated himself three tables from the door. With the murmur of the afternoon patrons of Après Soleil, Gaara could not clearly hear what was said, however he could see Sakura beaming with delight. She literally bounced back to the counter and happily began preparing the steamer and muffin the man ordered. The violinist, mildly curious, leaned against the counter beside her and began snacking on his latest score.

"That guy over there is an instructor," Sakura confided. "He asked me if I danced, which I don't, because he said I have the grace of a dancer! And the best part is, he invited me to his classes on Wednesday and Friday nights at six thirty to and the first class is tonight!"

Gaara nodded.

"Unfortunately, I'll have to close an hour and a half earlier… and I'll miss dinners, but this is totally going toward that getting fit new year's resolution I've been meaning to resolve!"

As Sakura skipped away to deliver the man's order, the half-masticated cookie mash in Gaara's mouth stopped tasting so sweet. Every so often, this woman would remind him about eating properly and sleeping enough hours, this, that, and another thing about his not exactly stellar health card. But for her to now be hypocritical of that? Upon her coming back he planned to voice his concern, but seeing how much brighter she became convinced him otherwise. "You don't have to close early. I'll close for you."

Sakura gasped and immediately hugged him. "Oh thank you, Gaara-kun! I didn't ask for you to do that, though! You're so sweet! I promise I'll make it up to you."

"Mhm," he said, taking another bite. Sakura scowled and promptly took the last chunk of cookie into her mouth.

"You're still not allowed to eat the cookies in the display jars, though!" she admonished through her muffling mouthful.

Come five forty-five that afternoon, Sakura made sure to leave Gaara with the spare keys and the schedule and address of the dance class.

"Don't forget to turn on the alarm when you lock up, and make sure all the ovens and lights are off, and close the curtains, and I think that's all…" Sakura rambled. She turned to leave when Gaara caught her wrist and wordlessly placed a chaste kiss on the inside of it. He could almost see the butterflies in her stomach make her float out the door.

For the next hour and a half, Gaara managed the store. It was lucky he brought 1984 to keep him occupied for this was the time business slowed. He did sweep up the floor and wipe down tables, and eventually when the chores were finished and the book failed to keep his attention, he was thankful it was seven thirty.

The last few patrons trickled out the door with merry thanks and well wishes that Gaara haltingly returned and the red head was left with an empty shop and a cancelled dinner.

A frown on his face, he decided he might as well put together left over beef and bell peppers with the unused portion of steak and some carrots he found in her refrigerator and left that to cook in Sakura's rice cooker until she returned home.

After a turn of the lock and a final check of the place, Gaara hailed a cab and directed it to 1123 N. Monroe. He looked at the slip of paper with the details of Sakura's class. It ended in another half hour. It still may be summer, but having that naïve slip of a woman come home at nine o'clock in the evening, alone, would not sit well with him.

Forget kind and sweet, this pink-haired wonder was increasingly showing up at the forefront of his mind. It was infuriating and frustrating and god damn it he forgot to bring cookies with him. He absent-mindedly rubbed the tattoo on his forehead and raked back his messy hair. Did not matter now; he was in front of the studio and it was ten minutes until class let out. He paid the cab driver his fare and seated himself on the steps leading to the front door.

Gaara turned around expectantly as soon as he heard people leaving and Sakura came out with who he assumed were her classmates. His attention immediately focused on the man talking with her. Black hair, lean build, and he acted far too familiarly to be an acquaintance. Jade eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Gaara! I thought you were going home after you closed." Sakura shuffled around her bag and towel so she could hug the violinist as she walked up. She turned around and motioned to the black haired man. "Gaara, this is Sasuke. Sasuke, Gaara."

"Pleased to meet you," Sasuke said with a warmth that did not quite reach his eyes. The two men clasped hands in a terse handshake that effectively communicated what Gaara hypothesized. He was being carefully scrutinized as equally as he was scrutinizing.

"And you," Gaara replied. "Come, you haven't eaten yet," he added to Sakura softly. She nodded and gave Sasuke a half-hug while Gaara hailed another taxi.

"I'll see you Friday."

"Yeah," Sakura confirmed. "You should call Aniki soon. I know he'll be excited to see you. Oh, ah, I meant call Naruto, not… yeah, anyway, we should all go out and catch up some time," she stammered. "It's been a few years, is all… Yeah, um, I'll see you around."

Gaara held the door open so she could slide in and followed her into the cab. All the while, he watched the raven-haired man watch him. He was certain Sakura mentioned Sasuke at some point in time. "How do you know him?" he inquired.

Sakura fidgeted and flashed him a nervous smile. "He's my ex."

Gaara really did need that cookie.


For everyone who has added me and/or my work as a favorite or for alerts, thank you for your support.

And a very special thank you to awsome369, Fawn Child, LittleEcho12, and miikodesu for your reviews.

Fawn Child: Just because you mentioned it, I couldn't get that image out of my head while writing this chapter, so take responsibility of your handiwork and laugh at poor Gaara's newfoud addiction!

LittleEcho12: You guys have read along with me thus far in the Music universe. I couldn't start another arc and leave you all without a fair warning. 3

miikodesu: I didn't mean for this to be only for musicians; I wanted to share my inner music soul with readers who felt it could entertain them.I'm glad you can enjoy this story regardless of your music background. :) And in regards to Sasuke... You'll just have to keep reading to find out, now won't you?

-Lady Inu13