A/N: I wanna say thanks to my loyal readers. You guys are great. I had to skip ahead some in the story. We are nearing the end though! Hope you like this chapter.

Two Months Later…

His deadline was approaching, and it was coming on him fast. The ending was still something he was struggling with, even though he was trying his best to come up with a way to end the war. Kiyoshi and his lover were inseparable, which helped him imagine what his own love life could look like. Of course, he was only exaggerating since he's never looked at a woman like that.

At least…

Until she came into play.

Gaara turned and looked towards the female who was on his couch; asleep. Their story almost reflected with Kiyoshi and Suzuki; which was rather obvious now that he thought about it. Kiyoshi Sasaki may have his mother's initials but the male was reflected on himself, and Suzuki… well, she was exactly like Sakura. Kindhearted, strong, and willing to help others without hope of reward.

Because that's how she was. She was a nurse and never once told others of her achievements. He wasn't sure how many lives she has saved, but he figured that didn't really matter in this case. Shaking his head, he turned away from the pinkette and focused on the cars moving on the street down below. Gaara released a soft sigh as his thoughts carried away with him.

"Are you okay?" He heard a light mumble, which caused him to look at her again. Sakura was awake, rubbing her eyes and trying to shake the sleepiness away from herself.

It almost made Gaara smile. "I am. Did you have a good nap?"

Sakura snorted, "I didn't mean to fall asleep. I was on night shift, what do you expect!?" She huffed in annoyance and crossed her arms; puffing her cheeks out in embarrassment. That caused Gaara to chuckle and simply shake his head as he looked back out of his window.

Their friendship had blossomed, and they spent a lot of time together since the wedding. Most days she was at the hospital, he would bring her some food, and she would return the favor by popping up at his apartment unannounced with his favorite cheesecake. It seemed like they were friends for years instead of only three months.

He still hadn't asked her if she remembered that he saved her from those bullies. Gaara figured that was one part of their life that mattered, but it didn't have to be spoken about. Their connection came without need of others pushing them together, and he was happy with how things were turning out. Even if she just remained his friend for the rest of his days.

Sakura stood up and made her way over to him, standing next to him by his windows. The cold December air seemed ruthless when compared to the heat of the apartment. She was glad they were indoors instead. "What are you thinking about?"

Gaara looked at her for a moment; their eyes locking on each other. "About… nothing really to be honest." He decided to say, knowing he couldn't quite tell her he was the author of her favorite books. What if she looked at him like the writer instead of himself? He didn't think that would happen, but he had to be cautious. He's been betrayed before.

"You're a sucky liar." She nudged him teasingly and looked down at the cars. "I wonder where everyone is going in such a hurry."

Gaara crossed his arms, "It is nearing Christmas time, so I suspect they are running around trying to buy gifts." He had bought Sakura something, but he wasn't sure how she would take it considering they were only friends at this point.

Sakura giggled, "Touché." She hadn't thought about Christmas, but mostly because she was more than likely going to be working that night. That almost annoyed her, though a part of her was glad for it. Her parents didn't live in the same area, so the only people she could spend time with was probably Ino. The blond was preparing herself for her baby, which meant they barely saw one another anymore.

"Where is your mind?"

The pinkette looked up at Gaara who had his eyes narrowed on her form, and it made her cheeks redden slightly in embarrassment. "Just about Ino and her life moving forward in ways I didn't see possible. I am happy for her, but… I guess I feel lonely."

Gaara understood what she meant, and it caused him to sigh softly. "My siblings have the same thing. There is always a moment where I wonder if I will ever have something like what they have." His voice seemed to quiver a bit, but he held his composure easily. His expression never changed from neutral, though he could tell Sakura was still looking at him.

With her eyes wavering, she searched his face, and felt her heartbeat speed up a little. In that moment, she knew she had something to say; but no words formed, and she found herself just getting lost with the way his eyes seemed. She always knew his expression was sad, but she could tell how lonely and broken he truly was. A part of her wondered why she didn't notice it before.

When he turned to look at her, she was already looking out the window again. But then their eyes met once more; and they held that gaze, until they both turned away. To outsiders, their glances would seem awkward, but Sakura knew exactly what she was doing. She wasn't sure what Gaara thought, but she didn't have the courage to ask him regardless.

Sakura decided to move away from the window and tripped over the coffee table, which caused Gaara to reach out; grabbing her wrist so she wouldn't fall over. His attempts failed, and they both tumbled to the floor; laying right next to one another. He sat up and rubbed the back of his head, "You have been in here how many times and you choose to fall now?"

The pinkette stuck her tongue out at him and changed her position so she was laying on her side. "I didn't mean to… I was just distracted." She muttered, giving him a slight glare. When her emerald hues caught his, she became painfully aware of how close they were. Her mouth parted slightly in surprise, and she swallowed; watching breathlessly as he leaned towards her.

Gaara reached up and brushed something out of her hair, and she swore her heart was in her throat. "I need to vacuum. You have stuff in your hair from falling on your face."

Sakura made an annoyed face and smacked his hand away, standing up and dusting herself off. Leave it to Gaara to ruin a perfectly good moment they were having. Why was she even interested in this idiot anyway? It isn't like he had any experience with women! Perhaps she needed to stop being so worried about her love life-

"Sakura." She turned her head when he called her name, and noticed he was standing close to her again; but this time his hand was hovering over her cheek. The warmth of his fingertips ghosted over her skin and she tensed, obviously unsure as to what she should do now. He was in the same boat because confusion crossed over his face. He seemed hesitant in his actions.

Sakura placed her hand over his and pushed it so he was caressing her cheek a little more fully, which caused him to give her a surprised look. He probably didn't expect her to do that, but she wanted him to be courageous in what he was doing. She wanted to be courageous. Her mind told her to back away and leave, but her heart urged her on. Wasn't this something they both wanted?

Gaara brushed his thumb over her cheek; hesitating; experimenting; and watching. He waited patiently to see if she would push him away, but she was the one who made him touch her. Well, she didn't make him, but she helped him move forward in the next step he obviously wanted to do.

"Gaara… I…"

He allowed his thumb to touch her lips, which caused her to part them again; though he hushed her at this point. Perhaps there wasn't anything that they needed to say. Their actions should do the talking right now.

They were captivated. He seemed to study the way she inhaled, and how she reacted to his touches; and all she could do was inhale sharply from the feelings of his hands. He was cradling her like she could break any moment. Maybe she could, hell she didn't even know.

Just as he began to lean forward, a loud noise from downstairs snapped them out of their thoughts; nearly scaring them half to death. He retracted his hand, and she almost whimpered from not feeling his hands anymore.

Sakura knew the spell was broken, and it almost caused her to sigh. Maybe that was the universe stating that they couldn't be together. The pinkette wouldn't know since she was stupid when it came to the acts of love and everything with it.

"What time do you need to get to work?" Gaara asked, which caused her attention to snap back to him.

She ran a hand through her pink hair, "In about an hour." Sakura said, after glancing at the clock to make sure she wouldn't end up running late. There were moments when she would go to his apartment and nap once she was done with her shift, which was surprising enough. He didn't trust many people with keys to where he lived. The only people that had access was his siblings.

"Then I will take you."

Sakura kept her eyes on the ceiling as she threw a ball in the air; barely paying much attention as she tossed it; though she caught it every time. Her thoughts were clouded, and a million things were running around, nearly causing her head to hurt. Ever since that moment with Gaara in his apartment, he seemed to be avoiding her.

That was starting to hurt her as well.

Maybe she was reading him all wrong, and he wasn't interested in her to begin with. Ever since they met, she found herself drawn to him, but he was always a closed book. He never shared anything too personal, and there were moments where he changed the subject when she asked him something about his childhood.

Catching the ball again, she sighed, and closed her eyes. When Akemi brushed against her cheek, the pinkette giggled, and looked at her kitten with a soft smile. "Akemi, are you worried for me again?" She ran her hands through her black fur; snuggling into her as she did so. Her career had always been her focus, but ever since meeting Gaara, all those dreams seemed jumbled.

"Akemi, your mommy is so confused." Akemi mewed in response, and that caused her to giggle again; opening her eyes so she could meet her kitten's yellow hues. Akemi was giving her a stare which almost made Sakura grimace with how judging her eyes seem to be. Sakura looked away and sat up; sighing softly.

"I know what you're thinking. That I should go confess my love to some dude that may not even know what the hell love is." Sakura pulled her knees into her chest and rested her chin on them; almost poking out her bottom lip as she debated her options. "I mean we haven't known each other very long. Why would he feel anything for me anyway?"

Akemi sat down next to her and nudged her with her head, causing the pinkette to look in her direction. "You think I'm stupid, don't you?" Sakura rubbed her head gently and moved away, placing her feet on the floor next to her bed. She decided to go home that night after her shift. Gaara didn't text her anyway, so she figured he was busy.

Shaking her head, she stood and moved towards her desk which sat next to her window. A calendar was posted to the wall so she could keep up with her schedule, and she noticed she wasn't working Christmas. She felt relieved for that.

Sakura was so distracted by reading her calendar, she barely noticed when she leaned over her desk, and caused her book to fall. It made her jump a little and bend so she could pick it up. What she didn't expect was Gaara's pendant to fall out of the pages as well. Surprise settled on her features, and she seemed confused for a second.

Didn't she give this back to him? She thought back to her hospital shifts, and remembered giving this back to him. So why did she have it again? She turned it over and ran her fingers over the design, before realization dawned on her.

Gaara had to have placed the pendant back into her book! There was no other explanation! Why else would she have his pendant again after she gave it back to him? This newfound information caused her heartbeat to speed up. He felt something for her then… right? This had to mean more than just him "accidently" losing it again or something!

Sakura quickly grabbed her keys and threw on her coat; making sure everything was locked up before she left. She was going to ask Gaara what this meant. She looked down at the pendant in her hand, and drove in the direction of Gaara's apartment. She didn't care how late it was, he was going to tell her what this meant.

Even if she had to pry the information out of him. She will know.