Rating: T
Words: 1,300
Pairing: Gaara/Sakura (implied)
Warnings: Some heartache over Sasuke, awkward flirting, or just awkwardness in general
Author's Note: This is another tumblr request. I know it's not really a GaaSaku story, it's just the setup. But I started writing the drabble and ended up falling in love with the idea of them. So there may be a whole story in the works, and this is more of a prologue. But, I have to finish some other things up first. Enjoy!
Tears spilled down Sakura's cheeks despite her best efforts to hold them in. She'd known that this day might come, but she hadn't expected it to hurt quite this much. She couldn't draw in enough air, and the shattered pieces of her heart tried to worm their way free of her aching chest. Sakura forced another breath into her lungs, felt them expand to welcome it, even as she sobbed through the exhalation.
You're such a baby, Sakura chided, watching the darkness settle around her. You're still breathing, still alive. Think of all the people who didn't come home from the war.
Though Sakura knew it was true, the cold logic didn't bring her any comfort. Worldwide destruction had just been averted, partially through her own skill, and that of her team. She should have been celebrating, thankful to see another day. There had been dozens of invitations to do so. Half of the shinobi in Konoha seemed to have gone that route.
Barring celebration, Sakura should have been weeping over the loss. Ino and Shikamaru could have used the support of her friendship after losing their fathers. Or Tenten and Lee, after Neji's death. Instead, Sakura was crying because Sasuke didn't want her, wouldn't take her with him on his journey of atonement. The foolishness of it took her breath away, but that didn't stop the tears.
The soft scuff of a retreating foot caught Sakura's attention. Her head jerked up, fully expecting the culprit to be Naruto. Somehow, her teammate always knew when she needed someone, even when she wished he didn't. She'd seen the pity in his eyes when Sasuke rejected her, again. He must think she was an idiot for continuing to chase him.
Sakura turned toward the eavesdropper; it wasn't Naruto. Dusk softened the man's bright red hair, while somehow making his aquamarine eyes stand out starkly. A blush colored Gaara's high, pale cheekbones. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you."
"Kazekage-sama," Sakura greeted primly. She wiped at her cheeks, knowing the tear tracks would catch the moonlight, making it obvious that she'd been crying. "May I help you with something?"
"Gaara, please." The man's lips tilted into a phantom smile, like they were unused to the expression, but attempted the gesture anyway. "I didn't mean to impose, I just needed to get out of my room for a while."
Sakura nodded understandingly. Now that the war was over, the rebuilding process had begun. Even so, there was only so much that could be accomplished in a single day. Exhaustive lists of shinobi killed in action needed to be combed through, the Kages need to discuss their allegiances, then there was the physical restructuring. The task felt overwhelming.
"Me too," Sakura shifted slightly, lifting her feet from the ground. She'd wandered away from the main village, to a playground that she'd known would be deserted this time of night. Something about the soft creak of the swings, and the way the moonlight sparkled off the river in the distance comforted her. "I suppose I look quite childish sitting here. Alone, when there are million things I could be doing."
Gaara raised his shoulders in a shrug as his teal eyes roved over the shadowed equipment. "There are dozens of things that need my attention as well." The man crossed the pebbled stone and lowered himself onto a swing next to her.
Sakura watched him from the corner of her eye. Gaara's lips were set in the serious expression that almost always graced his features. Thinking back, she remembered the frantic worry in his eyes as he watched her force Naruto's heart to pump until the Fourth Hokage could save him. There had been a moment of joy when Naruto drew another breath, a true smile of friendship, not just hope for winning the war. The Kazekage wasn't entirely emotionless.
"Naruto is worried about you." Gaara's voice was oddly formal to her ears, but there was an undertone of worry in it.
Sakura forced out a chuckle, then pushed off the ground, swinging backward, and closed her eyes. Gaara didn't say anything, just watched her with khol rimmed eyes. "Naruto worries about a lot of things he can't fix. It isn't his place," she began, meeting his gaze.
Gaara frowned for a moment, then spoke suddenly. "Why don't you come to Suna for a few months?"
Dropping her feet to the ground, Sakura raised an eyebrow at the Kazekage. "What? Why?"
Shoulders dipping forward as he looked at the ground, Gaara considered his words. "I can't claim to have much experience with relationships, but Naruto has taught me a great deal about them in theory. The one thing that I do know, however, is that they aren't supposed to hurt like this." He half-gestured to Sakura's cheek, then let his hand fall away. "I imagine love should hurt even less."
For a moment, shock stilled Sakura's tongue. The moonlight and shadows made it difficult to tell, but she thought she saw the dusting of pink on the Kazekage's cheeks. "It's none of my business-"
"What would I do in Suna?" Sakura interrupted, annoyed that Naruto would put Gaara in this position. "My life is here."
"You did amazing things with the poison Sasori used on Kankuro. Even Chiyo wasn't able to construct an antidote that quickly." Gaara must have seen the pain that crossed Sakura's face at the memory, because he hurried on. "And, you saved Naruto during the war, when all hope was lost. You're an unrivaled medic. Our shinobi could learn a great deal from you."
Gaara slid a finger beneath the crimson collar of his coat, loosening it. If Sakura hadn't known better, she would have thought he was nervous. "Tsunade-sama will stay in Konoha long enough to train Kakashi as her successor, so you'd have a few months to spare, if you want. Then, you could come back to the Leaf and oversee the hospital here."
Despite everything, Sakura burst out laughing. "Is there anything Naruto didn't help you plan?"
Gaara's flush deepened. "We're leaving tomorrow," he added curtly, ignoring her outburst. "If you want to come with us."
The man stood and started to turn away. Realizing the rudeness of her actions, Sakura followed and caught Gaara's sleeve. He startled at the touch, and she dropped her hand away with a blush of her own. "I wasn't laughing at you," she corrected hastily. "I can tell that Naruto put you up to this. You'd have no reason to think of me otherwise."
"That isn't true," Gaara shifted weight to his opposite foot, not quite looking at her. "I never properly thanked you for helping Kankuro, or me."
Sakura paused, realizing it was true. Gaara had publicly thanked Naruto, of course. Without his help, they never would have been able to rescue Gaara. And without Chiyo's sacrifice, their efforts would have been in vain. The memory was painful enough that Sakura shied away from it. "Anyone would have done the same," she brushed off his words.
"Few could have accomplished it," Gaara argued, then shook his head. "The offer stands if you're interested. I think our medical nin could learn a great deal from you."
"Thank you, Kazakage-sama," Sakura paused and drew a breath before correcting herself. "Gaara."
The man's lips quirked upward again. "We're leaving at dawn."
"I'll see you then." The answer surprised Sakura, but she knew it was the right one. Time away from Konoha, from the pitying looks of her friends, and the reminders of Sasuke, might be exactly what she needed. The decision made the pressure in her chest ease. Sakura had a plan now; she wasn't worthless, and she could prove that in Suna.
