Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


Candles.

"What's going on?" asked Gaara. He scanned the room and looked for some sort of explanation. "Why did you light so many candles? And what is that smell?"

"The generator is out," explained Sakura. She held up a scroll. "I needed the light to read about these medical jutsus but all I had were these tiny aromatherapy candles. I had to light every candle I have or else it would have been too dark to see the print."

"I see." Gaara unstrapped his sand gourd and carefully placed it on the floor next to his bed. He stared thoughtfully at Sakura inciting a blush from her.

"Is there a problem? Are the candles bothering you?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No. It's just … the orange glow suits you."

Sakura hoped that the orange glow also disguised her dark blush. She stared down at her scroll and wished that tiny compliments like those didn't throw her into a girlish frenzy. She couldn't help but notice the reflection of the candlelight flickering in his eyes and they way it made the hard lines of his frown look so much softer. "Ah, thank you," she said casually. "The fire will also warm this tent so it will be easier to fall asleep."

"I won't be sleeping tonight. I'm leaving in a couple of hours," said Gaara. "I have to meet with what's left of the council in Suna."

"Oh." Sakura put down her scroll. "Well maybe you should take a short nap now?" She stood up. "I'll blow all of the candles out and go read in the infirmary."

Gaara nodded. "Thank you. I'd appreciate it."

"No problem." Sakura forced a smile. She picked up the candle on her nightstand and blew out the flame. "Would you mind giving me a hand?" she nodded toward the candles on the shelf behind him.

"Of course not."

They made quick work of extinguishing the flames between them, candle after candle. Sakura didn't know whether she would have gone to the trouble of lighting them if she knew how easily they would die. Soon only one candle remained. "The smell is really strong now," said Sakura.

"What is it?" asked Gaara. The light was so faint now that Sakura could just barely make out his features.

"Jasmine. It's supposed to be relaxing. You won't have any trouble getting to sleep now."

"Doubtful."

"I'm sorry." Sakura laughed. "I can open the tent up a little if you want. It'll air out pretty quickly."

Gaara shook his head. "I don't think it matters."

Sakura jumped to her feet. "No, no I've got it." But before she could make it to the tent flap she lost her footing and tripped over her shoes. Sakura's body came crashing to the ground and she fell flat on her face. Pain and embarrassment echoed through her bones. "Ouch?"

Gaara rushed to her side. "Some kunoichi you are," he said sarcastically.

"Shut up," Sakura groaned. She rolled over onto her back and let her body go limp. "You're just jealous of my grace."

"Not a chance." He knelt to the ground and offered Sakura his hand. She took it and he pulled her upright. They sat in silence for a moment until Sakura realized that she had not let go of his hand yet.

"Oh, um, sorry," she said, quickly releasing it. For the first time she noticed how small their tent was and how dark it had become. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on anything but the quiet sounds of Gaara's breath. She was conscious of the heat radiating off of his body and could still smell his distinctly Gaara scent despite the juniper in the air. Her eyes shot open when she felt him take her hand in his once more.

"I don't like leaving you here alone," he said quietly. "It makes me worry."

Sakura scoffed. "Believe it or not, I am a more than capable kunoichi. I could probably kick the asses of all of the shinobi here at the camp."

He ignored her. "In my nightmares you're attacked while I'm away and I can't get back in time to save you. When I get to you it's always too late."

Sakura squeezed his hand. "I don't need you to save me. I can save myself. I'm not a little girl anymore." She laughed softly. "Besides, I need to stick around so that I can save you."

"Concentrate on saving the innocent first," he told her.

"No." She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm going to be selfish and save you first. Always."

"Because Naruto asked you to?" his voice had an edge to it.

"Because I want to," she replied resolutely.

He shifted his body so that they were face to face. Sakura knew right then and there that he was going to try to kiss her and that she could not let that happen. If he kissed her then that would be the end; there would never be another man in her life. Her love for him would be so immutable that every time he risked his life her heart would break a little more. If he died she would die too. She also knew that there was a chance that he might love her to the same degree. This could not be. His duty as Kazekage needed to come before all else.

So when he cupped her face and leaned in she turned her head. His lips barely brush her cheek. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I get it." Gaara's jaw clenched. "I understand."

Sakura wasn't sure that he did. "I wish it didn't have to be like this."

"Fine." He stood up. "I think I'm going to get a head start on my way to Suna."

She wanted to tell him that he didn't have to leave. She wanted to kiss his lips and touch his body. She wanted to tell the damn council to wait so she could spend all evening, all night and all morning making love with him. She wanted to spend all day asleep in his arms dreaming about a life together without war.

Instead, she watched him fasten in gourd to his back and walk briskly out of the tent without giving her so much as a second glance. Her heart ached terribly.

Sakura clutched her chest and blew softly on the last candle. "Have a safe trip, Kazekage-sama."


I wrote this between classes today. It's a little awkward and rushed, but I don't have the same standards for this story as I do with some of my others. Still, it's entertaining to write and hopefully entertaining to read. :)

The next chapter has genuine progress, but my regular readers will notice it is classically cattyjen.

THANKS for reviewing the last chapter. It really is my pick me up in the morning when I'm getting ready for school. Better than coffee, so don't leave me thirsty!

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