Just Smile

By Elli Cole

Gaara x Sakura

The first time that he saw her, he didn't feel anything. Not an ounce of emotion had passed by his being as he saw her unusual pink locks and emerald eyes enter the area. Like a breeze, she came and gone. He didn't mind it.

The second time he saw her, she looked at him. He didn't feel anything. He passed her by and without another glance and had left her behind. Her friend with the blond hair talked to her happily and he didn't notice she wasn't paying attention to him anymore. He pitied the boy but as swiftly the emotion came, it was gone.

The third time that they passed by each other, she looked at him and smiled. He felt a surge of heat cross his cheeks and stay there as he looked at her apprehensively. Curiously, she walked towards him and he tried to avoid her as much as he could. He nonchalantly acted as if he was in a hurry and left without a sound.

The fourth time he saw her, he stared at her back, studying her. Once in a while, he would see her turn her head towards his direction but she would decidedly shrug it off. He was fascinated with her but hadn't talked to her yet. He wanted to change that.

The fifth time he laid his eyes on her; he boldly strolled to her and stood behind her. He knew she felt the sudden warmth of his body radiating towards her when she looked at him with a smile on her lips. She had asked him if he needed anything. He shook his head and told her that he just wanted to introduce himself.

Casually, she nodded her head and fully turned to him. She reached out her hand and grinned.

"Haruno Sakura." She said gleefully.

He nodded his head and took her hand firmly. "Gaara."

She raised a brow and felt a quirk on her lips. "Just Gaara?"

Had he made a mistake? Was she mocking him? He felt a frown reach his lips and he looked away. "Yes, just Gaara."

She giggled softly and he felt his frown deepen. It was a mistake for him to introduce himself to her. He quickly let go of her hand—oddly, he felt that he had missed her warmth—and was ready to walk away when she grabbed his arm hastily. She gave him an apologetic smile.

"Nice to meet you, Gaara," she said after a moment.

With a nod of his head, she had let go of his arm albeit a bit hesitantly. She gave him another smile and tugged him towards a cool spot near the forest. "Shall we stay there? It is quite hot."

He can only agree with the girl and followed her there. They flopped side by side under the large tree and he heard her sigh. She looked at him through half-lidded eyes and gave him a lazy smile. He noticed that she smiled a lot. She must be a very happy person unlike him. He had never tried to smile before.

"What is that on your forehead?" She asked after a few minutes of silence.

He looked at her and subsequently looked away afterwards. "It's a Chinese character."

"What does it mean?" She curiously inquired.

He wondered if he should tell her. Would she laugh? Would she turn away from him and tell him it didn't suit him? Would she stand up and just walk away? He decided he would tell her so he would finally know the answer.

Although a bit hesitantly, he told her, "Love."

A broad smile etched itself on her face and she sighed wistfully. "Love," she repeated. She stretched her arms over her head and rested against the large trunk of the tree. Night was close to befalling over them and he pondered that he would stay a little bit longer for the pink-haired girl.

The sixth day came by like a breeze just like she did at the first day that he saw her. But he didn't know that that certain day would be his last. She saw him, within the shadows and gave him the smile he was already familiar with. The current Kazekage had bid his goodbye to the people from Konoha—unfortunately, she was included—and gave them all a smile.

They bowed their head to him and turned, walking out of the room. She, however, had stayed for him. "Gaara-san," she said to him with a happy look upon her face. "I hope we see each other again."

He felt a sudden tug at his lips as he heard her words. "I do too, Haruno-san."

"Sakura," she corrected him. "Just call me Sakura."

And with that, he felt a pair of arms encircle around his waist in a tight hug. He froze and looked at her stiffly. He wasn't used to such affection. With the people constantly on alert around him, scared of what he might do, this one girl had broken the barrier. He returned the hug before she pulled away.

"Okay, Sakura," he called her experimentally. "Until we meet again."

She smiled at him and he found himself smiling back.

oOo

End Note: Woot, woot! More requests, anyone? So many hits… so little reviews. :sigh:

Addendum: If you want smuts or yaoi/yuri, tell me in your reviews and I'll try my best with them. I like experimenting—a lot.