Here's the fourth chapter, sorry it took a while. It was very long to write. So thank you, everyone, for reading My Bride to be. I feel a small emotion of confidence to keep this story going. Please review. and Please no flames.

Sakura stood outside by the gate as she waited for her escort to accompany her to Suna. The sun was already up 6:50 in the morning, showing various colors of blue, red, and orange. She looked at her watch.

Just a few more minutes… Sakura pondered. She said her good-byes and farewells to everyone of her friends in Konoha. There were plenty hugs from Naruto and everyone else. Ino and Naruto practically choked the living day lights out of her while crying their hearts out. After seeing everyone's tears, she felt bad. No, cross that out. She felt horrible.

There were people who cared about her. Lee, Neji, Naruto, Choji, TenTen, Ino, Shikamara, Hinata…They all cared about her. Even though its been a few days since the news of the arrangement, she still felt uneasy about this. It was true, she had cold feet.

Her stuff was already transferred to Suna, so she didn't need to carry anything, but a backpack that contained her sleeping arrangements and ninja weapons and scrolls. She made promises to many people. While commemorating the conversation she had between Ino, she frowned.

Flashback:

"Bill-board brow! How could you do this to us! Not only that you're leaving me, but you're leaving tomorrow!?" Ino yelled at her pink haired friend while putting her arms in the air. Her blue eyes widening.

Just outside of the window, the baby blue skies ranged above the village. Sunlight appeared through the clear windows, into Ino's home. Flowers were scattered all over the place near the window sill, just like the Yamanaka Flower Shop. Sakura just looked down silently as she listened to what Ino had to say.

The blonde kunoichi with blue eyes walked backed and forth several times in front of Sakura, then stopped to appear closely at her face.

"Why didn't you just say no to Lady Tsuande so she would pick some other girl to do the job?! You realize once you leave, things won't be the same again! I just can't accept it!"

Sakura just stopped by Ino's house to corroborate her of the message. In return, what she got was bickering and yells from her best friend.

"Ugh! I can't believe you're going to leave tomorrow! What's going to happen to your life, now?! You're just going to marry the person who tried to kill you when we were little?! Do you know how irrational that sounds!?" Ino, mad as she was, practically criticized Sakura's yield of the whole situation. No matter how many times Sakura had to say it, Ino would never listen.

"Ino, you know I'm doing this for my country. I'm doing it for you and everyone else too. Regardless of the responsibilities I have to accomplish," she said. The medic now looked up, and she stared deeply into Ino's sapphire eyes. Inside Sakura's eyes was dedication and fortitude. But still, Ino was obdurate.

"Listen! You-"

"No, you listen!" Ino practically shut her mouth and put what she was about to say on hiatus. She stared wide-eyed at her friend. Sakura calmed down a little and explained to Ino her delegation.

"I already lost Sasuke and Miko. I can't afford to loose anyone else dear to me to Orochimaru or the war that's going on. I'm tired of standing here, doing nothing, but pondering over the loss of innocent people. I'm not that weak little girl I was 6 years ago. This is my country. My decision. My life. I'm sorry, but this is my only chance to help! Please, Ino, I want you to understand!" Sakura's voice was full of emotion. She was now equally yelling.

The blonde froze for a moment. Her body felt stiff, but her heart pounded like the sound of bass drums, vibrating the motional feeling. For a small moment, the space between the two women felt taciturn. It was a while until Ino said something.

"No, Sakura. I'm sorry. I guess I got so mad at you for leaving, that I didn't listen to what you had to say about this. It's just that I, too, can't afford to loose my best friend," Ino quietly said. Her eyes were now watery, getting ready for the tears that are going to pour down her azure eyes.

The pink haired medic softened her emerald eyes. True, Ino was stubborn as Sakura, but behind that was something that was allowed to be magnanimous. Sakura said nothing as Ino began to sniff as if tears were about to come out.

All the medic did was slowly come towards Ino. Her arms were open.

"Come here, Ino-pig," Sakura said softly as she gradually came walking to the blonde. Ino immediately hugged Sakura as she heard her nickname being called. It just reminded her of old times. That was when both Ino and Sakura began to break down. They embraced each other tightly, never letting go. All was heard was chokes and sobs.

Sakura could feel her heart thrashing to the rhythm of their cries and huffs. It felt like this was the last time they would see each other. They were, after all, best friends.

"P-prom-mise to v-visit K-Konoha? A-and don-n't fo-forget me or a-anyone else in t-this villa-age." Ino huffed in between sobs and cries as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Sakura only nodded in return and did a genuine smile.

"I promise." she said as a litre of tears fell from the corner of her eyes.

That was the promise she had to keep forever.

End of Flashback:

Footsteps were heard as Sakura mused. The medic turned around and came face to face with her Master, Lady Tsuande. The busty woman came walking towards her. Then just a few feet away, she stopped. Chocolate met Emerald. The odd taciturn silence was broken when Tsuande spoke.

"Good-morning, Sakura," said the woman with a smile. Sakura smiled in return.

"Good-morning, Shishou," she said in a calm voice, while bowing. She guessed her master wanted to say good-bye before her departure to Suna. A big blur of orange suddenly came strutting in front of Sakura.

"Sakura! I can't believe you're already leaving!" cried Naruto as he crushed Sakura in a bear hug. The pinkette could barely breathe, her face turning blue out of surprise.

"That's enough, Naruto," said Tsuande. With that, he let go. Naruto's bright cerulean eyes showed sadness, but his features demonstrated a small, sad smile. He, all of a sudden looked at the horizon and saw a figure coming. While squinting his eyes, he couldn't figure out who was approaching.

Sakura finally caught on the Kyuubi container's actions and she too, faced the way of the approaching stranger.

The figure slowly walked to the horizon and when the sun's rays didn't block the appearance of the new arrival, they still couldn't figure out who it was because of the distance. The figure appeared closer and the stranger became apparent.

Sakura's eyes broaden. The person stopped in front of them and smiled.

"Hey, how's it goin'?" said a familiar voice. Sakura quickly ran over to the person and they gave each other a small hug. It was no other than Sabaku no Temari.

The fan user was wearing her normal dark purple kimono attire with red binding around her waist. Her hair was put up in four pony tails. Behind her, was her massive black shield fan, and the Suna symbol head band around her forehead. Then Tsunade just stood there, with a greeting smile as Naruto did a small wave. Temari immediately bowed to the Hokage.

"Good morning, Lady Tsunade. It is an honor to have your apprentice to become my sister-in law." The fan user said as she bowed down, then looked at the Hokage with a serious face. Sakura only blushed at this comment.

"No problem! And it is quite acceptable to have you to escort her to Suna. I wouldn't want some strange shinobi bringing her there unsupervised," Tsuande said with a smile. Sakura smacked her forehead.

Oh, great. She's acting like an over-protective maternal figure.

Sakura let this action slide because it was after all, her last day here.

"Hey, Temari-Chan, how's Gaara doing?" asked a very curious Naruto. Temari turned her head, with a small smirk, to the side to look at the Kyuubi container.

"He's doing great. The villagers seem to have progress with him more and more each day. It seems as though it was yesterday when he first got the role of a leader," Naruto did a big grin and his eyes showed sanction.

"When I become the next Hokage, I'm going to be as great as Gaara. Believe it!"

Naruto boasted. Once again, he used his favorite phrase. He brought up his right fist up to his chest to pound it. Everyone laughed from exuberance.

"Well, I guess we should get going, Sakura. Wouldn't want my brother waiting," said Temari, with a wink. Sakura nodded, trying to prevent a blush being shown. She turned her attention to Tsunade and Naruto.

"Well, I guess this is good-bye." said Sakura in an irresolute voice. Tsunade nodded, with a frown crept upon her features. The busty woman opened her arms and walked towards her apprentice.

Together, they embraced in a magnanimous hug. The hug felt more than a good-bye hug. It felt like a mother-daughter hug. Tsunade didn't need to say anything to her apprentice because she already surged her feelings to Sakura the day before. It was as if Sakura already knew what Tsunade was thinking. When they disentangle, Tsunade had a sad smile. Her brunette eyes shielding the wretchedness by the glimmers of the sun's rays. Then came Naurto.

Instead of Sakura going to Naruto, Naruto bear hugged Sakura. Sakura, barely breathing, embraced him back.

"I'm going to miss you, Sakura-Chan!" Naruto said as he cried and sobbed.

"I'm. Going. To miss you. Too, Naruto," the pinkette said in between breaths. When the Kyuubi container let go, she finally regained her breath, her hand resting upon her chest. She looked at Naruto and smiled.

"Don't get into too much trouble, okay? And take care of Hinata. Tell everyone I said good-bye." said Sakura in a sad voice, yet she had a smile on. Naruto just put up his thumb and grinned.

"Alright. Anything for you, Sakura-Chan!"

Sakura looked at Temari, who was staring at the horizon colors of the sun, giving the trio some privacy. Then she turned back to look at Tsunade and Naruto.

"Good-bye, Shishou. Good-bye, Naruto-kun," said Sakura as she walked towards Temari. The fan user smiled as she waited for Sakura. Once Sakura got the Temari, she looked back at Naruto and Tsunade. Even from a small distance, the medic could still see the tears that weld upon the azure and chocolate eyes. She knew they were crying and it started to make her weep too. The delicate tears fell from her forest emerald eyes and down her tinted pink cheek. While wiping the tears away, the pair started walking out of the gates and boarders of Konoha.

Then Sakura and Temari began descending away from the village. There was a sudden shout made to Sakura.

"Bye, Sakura! We'll miss you!!" She knew that voice. It was no one but Ino. Sakura just kept on walking away, knowing that if she ever turned around, she would never make it to Suna. The pinkette shed some more tears.

Temari saw this and gave her a small smile. She reached into a pouch just hidden beneath her kimono and pulled out a tissue.

"Here, Sakura. I think you need this." Temari gave the white tissue to the pinkette. Sakura smiled and took it, dabbing her eyes.

"Thanks Temari." she said in which Temari smiled in return. Once they were out of the boarders, they began running at ninja speed. The mark of a new beginning for Sakura.

"This should be a good spot to set up camp." said Temari as she prepared to set up the fire. The pair were resting upon an open field of trees. They relaxed under a huge willow tree. It was late at dusk, when they were traveling for about 13 hours with running. The time was 8 pm.

Sakura was exhausted with running. She indolently sat down and closed her eyes, thinking of particularly nothing. When they were running, they were going at such a expeditious speed that, Sakura thought her legs were going to fall off any minute. She was fatigued.

So…tired…need..sleep…

As her eye lids became heavier, she ended up falling asleep in the pit of darkness that overcame the light. She blacked out.

The birds were chirping rather harmoniously as sunlight made a small warmth upon the medic's skin. Sakura slowly opened her eyes. The bright light that was peering through her eyelids was luminous. When emerald orbs opened widely, there was Temari in front of her, a grin kept upon the older girl's features.

"Looks like someone overslept." she said.

"Good morning," Sakura yawned.

"Good mornin' ," Temari responded back. Sakura only blinked several times and shook her head just to get the drowsy feeling of sleep off of her. She then grabbed her back pack and stood up. She walked over to the small cobalt unblemished lake and looked at her reflection that shown. Her hair was a mess. Tangles and frizz stood up on thick corners of her pink hair.

Temari couldn't help but chuckle behind her. Sakura too, chuckled, pulled out a brush, and combed through her hair. It didn't take long until her hair became soft and silky again. After that little moment of revitalizing, she and Temari both set out to continue their journey to Suna. There was a sudden long silence between the pair.

Sakura couldn't help but start a conversation, only because she couldn't stand the immediate silence. She started a discussion as they were running and jumping through trees.

"So, Temari. How is Gaara doing with the village?" As soon as she let those words out, Sakura mentally smacked herself.

I'm so stupid! Out of all the topics, why did I have to choose to talk about Gaara?!

Temari looked at her with a perplexed expression. But then she replaced it with a smile.

"Oh, he's doing great. He was able to cope with the village and devote himself to everyone in Suna," she said. Sakura felt traumatized.

He's willing to do anything for his village, just like me…

Sakura did a small smile. There was stillness for a moment, until Temari decided to speak.

"Sakura, mind if I ask you something?" said Temari, her smile soon turned into a thin line on her lips. She was looking straight ahead.

"Sure, go right ahead." Temari was laconic for a minute, thinking about what she was about to say.

"When Lady Tsuande informed you of your mission of marrying my brother, why did you accept it? You knew that Tsunade would've chosen another wife for him if you declined. So why did you do it? Did you ever regret it?" asked the fan user as she stared ahead, not looking at Sakura. Sakura didn't say anything for awhile. It wasn't until one minute later, she started to say a response.

"I accepted this mission because I, too, want to help my village. I've already lost the two people dear to me, and I can't suffer to lose anyone else. Yes, I could've said no, but I felt like this was my task to complete. I felt like this is my fate. I'm tired of seeing people undergo," Temari now looked at her as Sakura just stared straight ahead, "the war that is raging. I was always saying to myself that I wanted to help, but I didn't know how. So here is my chance to shine, my chance to facilitate. I don't regret anything, even if it meant agreeing upon an arranged marriage. I would do anything for my village."

Sakura now looked at Temari. Her emerald eyes showed all sorts of sentiment as they gleam in diminutive sparkles from the sunlight. Temari nodded so Sakura knew she understood. The fan user was beginning to like her new sister-in law more.

Maybe Gaara and Sakura could get along pretty well after all.

Temari smirked. Sakura, oblivious of what Temari was thinking, stared straight ahead.

"Since we're going to be sisters," Temari arbitrarily said while dodging trees, "I was thinking about getting to… know each other better."

Sakura stared at her in a vigilant way, just out of confusion. Her expression was confounded. She smiled and said a small "Sure".

"Just to tell you, me and my brothers' past is something that's kind of…unconventional." said an skeptical Temari. Sakura just looked at the older female, a smile never leaving upon her features.

"That's okay. I got some peculiar experiences too." She laughed. As Temari began to bond with Sakura, she was fond of her new sister-in law more and more.

They stopped to rest hours after. Both women exhausted from traveling. They have been traveling with no rest. It was quite dangerous, but both were robust enough to take that risk.

"If we rest here and wake up by 6 in the morning, we should get to Suna by noon, tomorrow." Temari calculated her abstract computations. Sakura just prepared camp and started to kindle a small fire. Temari and Sakura laid out their own sleeping bags by the warmth of the fire. As both women were cuddled in their own sleeping bags, the pinkette had her back turned to Temari and Temari did the same.

Sakura couldn't sleep. She had a question that was bothering her. A question that she was afraid of asking and what the answer was.

Then Sakura turned to face Temari, who was turned away from Sakura, and asked a question that has preoccupied her ever since the news of the arrangement.

"Temari? Are you awake?" Sakura quietly said in a hushed whisper. The fan user only groaned in response.

I'll take that as a yes.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm…" the fan user groaned as her eyes were closed..

"It's about Gaara. Do you think me and him would actually cope with this whole marriage thing? What if he doesn't approve of me or if he thinks I'm a weakling?"

What if he's another Sasuke?

Temari now turned her back so she faced Sakura, her eyes were dark, reflecting the kindled sparks from the fire. She just stared at the pink haired medic, hearing nothing that came from her mouth. After a moment of waiting for a response, the dirty blonde haired woman finally spoke.

"Sakura, don't doubt yourself. Just by knowing you, I'm sure Gaara wouldn't dislike you. He knows your not a weakling, Sakura. God, your as strong as the Godaime herself. He's not like another Sasuke, so you have nothing to worry about." said Temari, her voice was flat. The medic was shocked. It was as if Temari had been reading her mind or something.

Sakura smiled and nodded against the cushion resting under her head.

"Oh, and Sakura?" said Temari.

"Yes?" she quietly said.

"Go to sleep, we got to get up early tomorrow." said Temari, as she started to turn her back away from Sakura.

"Right…" she said and then her eye lids drooped immensely as if dumbbells were rested upon her eyes to make sure they were closed. She could hear the soft snores of the blonde that was resting near her. Once again darkness overcame the beam from the fire and the stars.

The revolt sun was up and going and so were both kunoichi. They packed their belongings and got ready to depart the campsite. Today was the day they were going to arrive in Suna, after traveling for two days. True, they were both drained from all the peripatetic courses and running, but they were relieved when they were going to arrive in there destination in a couple of hours.

Sprinting through the forest took about 3 hours to get through.

It was all silence throughout the trip. They both couldn't think of what to say to each other, only pondering over the fact of recreation and leisure in Suna. Well, actually for Temari, she was thinking that, but for Sakura, she couldn't help being edgy about meeting Gaara the first time in 3 years since they saw each other.

What am I nervous about? It's just meeting Gaara, right?

When the pair came to the desert, Temari came to an abrupt stop, making Sakura halt too.

"Be careful crossing the wasteland of the desert. It's that time of year where a sandstorm can pop up unexpectedly. If that does happen we have to find a cave and conceal ourselves."

"Okay," Sakura nodded. Then they both crossed through the desert. It was an immediate change in physical features. There was a desert one side, and grassland and forest on the other. It was as if they were crossing a different realm, an irrelevant realm. Except on this "realm" you could go back to where you came from.

Both kunoichi speedily ran through the desert. The granite sand compelled against their feet, between their toes. The wind was dancing with the breeze against their beautiful faces.

Sakura squinted her eyes, afraid of getting little grits of sand in her pupil. She was also unable to make out several objects in a far distance, because of the sun's fiery emissions. It felt like a heat wave under Sakura's skin, warming up unneeded fractions of intensity as if it was caught on fire.

The desert was very immense in size. They have, after all, been running for two hours straight in this wasteland.

Doesn't this desert end? Sakura nearly complained in her head as sweat glistened down her forehead. She wiped the fret away.

"We're almost..there," said a very exhausted Temari.

Just one more hour… Temari thought.

Just hearing the word "almost" coming from Temari's lips made Sakura felt relieved. She thought this wasteland would never terminate. They both went faster. Their legs were running swiftly across the desert in a draft of the breeze.

Sakura's legs ached. It throbbed on the inside as if it was going to pop out.

Can't stop now…

Through her eyes she could see the smallest image of Suna's borders, the size of an ant in a far distance. The sand coated concrete walls were held up against the village. She could tell by Temari's look on her face. A face of reassure.

Hm…I guess we got here early. Thought Temari.

As they approached closer, the view of Suna became apparent and bigger. They advanced nearer, their legs sore with pain as they increased their speed. In Temari's vision, she was getting nearer and nearer, an open grin was upon her features. Sakura just ran faster, trying to catch up with the dirty blonde haired woman.

Just a few moments later, they stopped, for the walls of the border were in front of the pair. The boundary was huge. The walls were probably 120 feet in the air.

There had been dozens of Suna guards safeguarding the village around the boarders, impeding every attack. They stood high and mighty, being prepared for any assault thrown at them. When most of the sentinels spotted Temari and Sakura, they immediately bowed. Sakura had a baffled expression upon her face.

"Good to have you back, Temari-san. Welcome to Sunagakure, Lady Haruno Sakura." said the main guards blocking the entrance. Temari smirked as Sakura had on an astonished face.

How did they recognize me?

Temari and Sakura both bowed back in politeness. Then the guards stepped to the side and opened the massive door that was the only way to get in. As the granite doors slowly opened, little by little, the image of the village came into view.

When the doors were fully open, before Sakura's emerald eyes, stood a withstand, fastidious village. It was quite a sight to see.

There were buildings and homes around, followed by stores and markets of course. Most of the construction were a granite cream color with shades of red, green, orange, and yellow. Sand and concrete filled the village grounds. The brilliant, vivid sun was shone above the village, watching over the goings of Suna. While she was gazing around the village, Temari's voice ahead of her snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Sakura, you coming or not?" said a smirking Temari. Sakura immediately ran to Temari's side as she looked around the beautiful village. People were staring out their windows and looking through their doors as the medic passed through.

The villagers that were wondered around the markets and stores were wide eyed and stopped what they were doing when they saw Sakura. They whispered murmurs to each other. Two middle aged women were softly muttering to each other when the pinkette walked past them. Sakura was beginning to worry if they were talking about her.

Temari quickly noticed the medic's change in her aura and decided to clarify things.

"Don't worry about them. They're just excited to meet you. In spite of everything, you're the new wife of their Kazekage. Everyone had to be informed of you." Temari cleared.

"How do they know that I'm Gaara's bride to be?" asked Sakura.

"Let's just say the Suna Council members are blabbermouths." Temari laughed.

Sakura tried to keep on a straight face. As she kept on walking with Temari, she ignored the wondering looks of the villagers, but she could hear the soft spoken gossip of the villagers.

"So that's the Kazekages wife-to-be," murmured one villager.

"She's so beautiful, so elegant."

"What a lucky bastard!"

"I heard she surpassed Lady Hokage Tsuande in medic skills." gushed another.

"I heard her name was Sakura Haruno of Konoha."

"What a lovely flower she is." said an elderly woman.

Temari kept on walking, unaware of the gossip between the villagers about the pinkette. Sakura just looked down as she walked. Then something snapped.

"Where are we going?" she abruptly asked. Temari turned to look at her.

"My brother suggested for you to wait at his house." Temari alleged.

They kept on walking, it took half an hour to get there.

"Okay. We're here." said Temari. Sakura looked up and gasped. Her emerald eyes widened. In front of her is not house, but a mansion!

Oh. My. God.

"He lives here?" asked Sakura, her mouth a gapped. Temari, by looking at Sakura's face, laughed.

"Yeah, he lives here. If you need anything, I'm a few blocks away, near the Kazekage tower." The older girl insisted. Sakura nodded, her eyes not torn away from the humungous mansion in front of her. The mansion was a light crème color of bricks and tiles. The roof was a dark black color. Just by counting the rows of windows, there must be at least 4 stories or stairs. The front yard was embroiled with bushes of desert roses.

"Let me give you a tour around the house. That way, you won't get lost going to your bedroom."

"Um, okay." said Sakura. Temari turned the doorknob and walked in, with Sakura following behind. Inside, the living room was simple, yet elegant. A maroon color loveseat and an individual couch was placed in the middle of the room, with an expensive coffee table positioned in front of the couches. The walls were painted crème-orange. A large rug was placed under the coffee table and couches.

"This is the living room, as you can see. And over there is the kitchen." Temari pointed to another doorway opening with white hard wood tiles. To Sakura, the outside of the house was big. But the inside was BIGGER. Temari then ascended up the stairs that was on the right side of the living room. Sakura followed the fan user.

After going up at least 15 stair steps, they finally reached the main upstairs hall. There were rows of doors on the wall. Sakura gulped. Temari walked past 4 indefinite doors and then stopped on the fifth door.

"This is your and Gaara's room." Temari said as she opened the door. Sakura looked inside.

"Wait, mines and Gaara?" she said as she turned back to look at the older girl.

"Yeah. You're his wife now, remember?" Temari said with a sneer. She knew Sakura was not expecting that. On the inside the medic was trembling.

What if he killed me when I go to sleep? What if he's going to rape me? Then a thought crashed into her.

Sakura decided to shake it off. Gaara would never do that, after all, he did change.

He's not a monster. He's not a monster. He's not a monster. She kept on repeating to herself.

Sakura looked inside the bedroom. It was quite unadorned. The walls were painted maroon red and in the middle was his sand colored bed filled with a bunch of dark yellow pillows that rested upon it.

It had a walk in closet and a bathroom inside the bedroom. Even though it was as big as the living room, it didn't have much things, making it a vast place. She walked in, the cold wooden floor made contact with her bare feet that made her send shivers. The village may be hot, but Gaara's house was freezing as if a snow storm hit the heat vanished.

Where are my things?

Her question was already answered when she walked around taking in the bits and pieces of the room. She looked in the closet. Her clothes were neatly folded and hung on hangers. She smiled.

"Uh, Sakura, I have some errands I have to do. I'll see you later, okay?" Temari's voice said from the doorway. Sakura could hear Temari's footsteps descend away and down the stairs. The door was loudly shut from the living room as the woman fled to the Kazekage tower.

Sakura strolled out of the closet. She took one more glance around the room. Then the pinkette looked at the sand colored mattress a few steps in front of her. The medic walked towards the bed. It had been a while, two days to be perhaps, that she slept in a comfortable bed.

A little nap won't hurt. She thought. The tired pinkette climbed in bed. The mattress made quiet sounds from the springs as Sakura heavily dropped downward, her back facing the air as her front made contact with the bed. It felt soft like a cloud and light as a feather. She could already feel the softness of the delicate veil, the cloud, drifting her away to a land with no worries.

The bed with square and cylinder yellow pillows made an appearance of a simple yet fancy arrangement. She instantly cured up into a ball, her knees were brought up to her chest, hands rested in front of her face, beside her head. It felt comfortable, sentimental and passive. Just laying in bed made her body limp and sluggish from traveling.

Sakura began relaxed for the first time since the news of the arrangement. Her eye-lids begin to become arduous and were unable to keep themselves open. The eye-lids were half way open now. Just then, when Sakura began to feel comfortable, she heard footsteps coming closer to her room. As her hypnotizing forest eyes were half way shown, the tired kunoichi began to ignore the echoing sounds.

When Sakura's eyes were nearly closed for slumber, a familiar presence made an emergence in the room. Once again, Sakura began to ignore it, but then noticed whose chakara she began to sense. It was someone she wondered about. It was Gaara.

He positioned high and mighty in his former outfit of his Kazekage robes, standing in front of her as he looked at her tired expression with a straight impassive face. She began to drift off to sleep, aware of the strong chakara in front of her.

Gaara just stared at her with his sea foam forest eyes. A straight line formed on his lips. Sakura vision blurred and soon shadows of the dark covered over her. One word escaped her lips.

"Gaara…"she quietly murmured before getting knocked out from tiredness. The former Shukaku container stood still, his eyes never leaving the kunoichi sleeping before him.

He stood there motionless, but his mind was wondering about the sleeping kunoichi. The travel and journey was long and hard, and it was fair enough to let her recuperate and respite. He was thinking about leaving her, since he didn't know what to do, but decided to go against it. He carefully picked her up, bridal style and laid her head on the soft deserted pillows that leaned against the bed lodge. Gaara tucked her in, gently, careful not to wake her up.

As a few strands of hair were covering her face, the sand user slowly brushed the pink hairs off. When that happened, his cold large hands accidently swept against her soft cheek. This acton caused him to send tingly shivers down his spine, which made him broaden his jade eyes. He immediately retreated his hand as if he had just been burned by a small kindled fire upon a inclandestine lamp. Gaara cautiously took a few steps away from Sakura, then walked away to the door.

He stopped for a brief moment and turned to look at Sakura, snuggling against the soft comforter. Gaara walked through the door way. He walked a couple of doors down to his home-office to finish filling out documents as his footsteps echoed throughout the empty, dark hallway. While sitting in his big black business chair, he scooted himself to his desk full of papers. As he was sorting out the papers, he came across a familiar scroll under his arm. The scroll was the exact same scroll that had the marriage/alliance agreement on it. It was the reason he was doing this marriage. Just signing a paper can make you legally married, just like that. It had his signature and his new wife's signature.

Sakura Haruno... Gaara strangely stared off into the window as small dark/black birds flew and landed on the window sill.

Inside the bedroom, Sakura had a small smile in her sleep. She moved slightly and groaned from the warmth of the layers of blankets. She quietly said something as the wind whistled beyond her murmurs.

"Gaara..."she said unknowingly quiet, once again. She was unaware that a pair of red sharigan eyes were watching her every move.

Once again, thank you for the reviews and keep reviewing for my story! I need enough to give me ideas I'll use in later chapters or comments that make me feel like I should keep going with this story. LOL. Gaara and Sakura will bond more and more as it continues. Trust me, I won't make Gaara OOC. I cannot stand stories with Gaara so...not like himself. but i love to read it cus its fun to read; I will update the next chapter probably the next week or a couple of days after that week. It depends on how long the chapter is. Thank you: