Summary - In a village away from her own, the burden of unrequited love is a mere dream as the medic of Konoha learns who Haruno Sakura really is. A trip to Suna for a meeting after the war turns into a stay of the business kind. Unbeknownst to two old friends, a spark ignites. GaaraSakura post war.

This has been written, read through and posted. Proof readers are welcome.

A CHANGE OF PACE

CHAPTER THREE

The walk to the library is silent and there seems to be a strange tension in the air, but it is probably due to the fact that Sakura is incredibly stiff, trying to be normal beside a man that she didn't know that she is attracted to until a week prior.

Gaara may not notice, but the pink haired kunoichi is very aware of his presence. Which makes her wonder, what is it with her and stoic men? Sakura didn't think that she had a type, yet images of turning cheerful Kiba or Genma down again and again flit across her mind. Even perfectly nice men with everything going for them aren't good enough for her. Could it be that her 'type' are men that are bad? Or in Gaara's case, reformed from badness. Perhaps it is more of a stoic thing, he doesn't seem to talk much.

It is certainly something that she will avoid thinking about at all costs...

Thankfully she is saved as the Kazakage stops at a regular door. They have gone down two floors of the tower and are closer to the residential area now. It is strange because the entrance in front of her is not how she imagined it at all. Usually things like libraries had a reputation for large doors and impressive brass or golden handles. Instead, a normal door looks at her and Gaara pulls out a key from his jacket.

"Is this it?" Sakura questions curiously and the red head merely nods once in affirmation. The door clicks open and a vast darkness meets their collective gaze.

Gaara reaches inside and flicks on a switch to the left. It takes awhile for the light bulbs to fizzle and click as they turn on at their own pace.

"This is it." The Kazekage murmurs blankly, and the fluorescent glow covers the entire area now, revealing to Sakura one of the biggest archives she has ever seen. There are books rising up to the ceiling and the room has to span at least two storeys upward. A winding stair case sits in the middle of the room and the pinkette decides that she is in heaven.

Imagine all of the information, the amazingly written stories, the jutsu's. Sakura feels her fingers begin to tingle and she needs to go inside, to marvel at the contents of this magical place.

She could be in Suna for years and not get through this many books...but she will certainly try.

If Gaara will let her of course.

"Gaara-sama." She breathes out. "This is incredible." Her emerald orbs shine with interest and she follows up with, "Really amazing." Stepping forward into the room, her shinobi boots click against the tiled floors.

"It is." The red head replies, and Sakura misses his aqua gaze set upon her back. When Gaara offered to show the woman this place he didn't realise just how symbolic is was. Now that they are here though, in a place that only he comes to...the Kazekage is starting to question his own subconscious.

The girl swivels on the spot, her expressive eyes startling the nin, but only for a second. Sakura smiles vibrantly, and it is all teeth. Oddly enough, the action causes his body to respond with an intense palpitation against his rib cage.

"Why is this place locked up?" She asks, as her smile recedes, and thankfully so does the rapid pace of his heart.

Thinking on it, the nin counters somewhat informatively, "It always has been...Confidentiality mostly, there are many scrolls here." Stepping closer into the room, Gaara thoughtlessly runs a finger over a row of books. There is a small table with a lamp close by, and a pile of fiction sits upon the surface. "Now I keep it because I'm selfish." He admits openly, and the notion makes him feel guilty. Still, Gaara doesn't have much of his own. This is the only place that he can be without Kankuro or Temari reading him the riot act.

For a leader he is very confined.

So why did he let a kunoichi from another village in here? Sakura may be his friend, but surely his siblings come before her?

Yet just thinking it feels wrong and the Kazekage begins to wonder if there is more to Haruno Sakura than he first thought.

The pinkette nods, picking up one of the novels he just finished a week ago. "I understand that." She murmurs, plucking a second from the pile.

Sakura can't believe that she has just been openly invited into Sabaku no Gaara's secret place.

Back in Konoha, it is the archives room for her, or the memorial. Though sometimes she has to share with Kakashi-senpai.

Chancing a glance up at the sand nin, Sakura notes that there is something different about him compared to before. He seems to be slightly troubled. Perhaps she has intruded too far, taken advantage of his kindness.

"Honto arigato. I really appreciate you showing me." The pinkette says with a shallow bow. "I won't tell anyone about this place. I promise." Sakura assures. If the public find out about this library there will be people clambering to get inside, especially for the research material.

Strolling away from the desk and up to the sand leader, she smiles softly and is ready to go. If this is Gaara's special place, then she will not steal it. Maybe he will let her borrow a book or two in the future.

"You may come here." He states quite suddenly, and the same edge is still within his teal orbs despite his toneless voice. It isn't irritation, or anger that she can see...It isn't even hostile. If Sakura has to put a name on it, she will say confusion, but that doesn't make sense at all. If anything, she is the one that's confused.

"Nani?" She asks, completely taken aback. It must show in her expression, because Gaara nods once and says,

"I don't have much time to come here with my duties. To show my appreciation for helping my village, please use this room whenever you require." His tone is straight to the point and very business like, yet there that look is again.

Catching his gaze with her own the woman inclines her head demurely, murmuring a soft, "Domo arigato gozaimasu."

"Iie. You will work hard in Suna" The Kazekage reasons and Sakura smiles brightly this time, unhindered by curious thoughts.

"I apologise Sakura-san, I must return to work." Gaara informs with a polite (unneeded) bow. His hand reaches out and his palm turns upward to reveal the key. "Please take this."

"Oh. Gaara-sama -" The pinkette begins, shaking her head, it is too much. However, he cuts her off easily with a polite -

"I insist."

Nodding bashfully, Sakura takes the item from his grasp. Her fingers unintentionally touch his palm and a shiver runs down her spine.

"Well, okay. But how will you come here?" She asks, managing to keep her surge of attraction under wraps.

"I have another." He says, turning towards the door. "Feel free to borrow anything you like. I apologise that I can not stay longer."

"No, it's alright. Thank you Gaara-sama."

"Good afternoon Sakura-san." The man replies, opening the door that leads out into the hallway. He takes a step out and the woman calls without thinking -

"Matte."

Teal turn to gaze back at her curiously, looking slightly surprised and she says bravely,

"Just Sakura. The suffix isn't needed, we've known each other for much too long. You're my friend."

In response, Gaara gives her a rare smile that she has only seen given to Naruto, or his family. "Aa." He utters. Though his thoughts on the matter are behind unreadable blue.

Then the Kazekage is gone, leaving Sakura in a play ground full of books. She may just have to stay here until work starts, it would be a very easy task to say the least indeed.

For the next two weeks both shinobi avoid unnecessary thoughts about the other. Sakura trying not to think of her attraction and Gaara of his sudden interest. However, no matter how busy work is for either, fleeting questions still seem to flood in.

It is a known fact that a curious shinobi is a determined shinobi...