Gaara and Sakura became friends quickly after that. They spent the whole day talking while on the swings. Sakura was the redhead's very first friend, and the same could be said about the pink-haired girl. But soon, the sun was setting and Sasori and Deidara had to pick Sakura up. Both were surprised to see that the girl had managed to befriend the Ichibi's jinchurikki, but were also satisfied finally see that Sakura was socializing more.

When the pinkette spotted the henged Akatsuki members, she got up from where she was seated on the sand. Gaara immediately looked up when he saw his friend waving at two strangers. As the "twins" moved closer, Sakura looked at him.
"They're my cousins!" she exclaimed "they're here to pick me up. Remember I told you about them?" Gaara nodded, wary of the newcomers. The pinkette frowned a little, noticing the redhead's discomfort.
"It's okay Gaara-kun. They aren't going to hurt you." She dazzled him with a bright smile, and he got up slowly.
"Do you really have to go Sakura-chan?" he said, but his voice told her that he was afraid of letting her go with two people he didn't know. The girl grabbed his hand and then pulled him into a quick hug. The sand didn't react.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning, same place. How does that sound?" Gaara's face lit up. He wasn't going to lose her. He nodded, and very slowly let her hand go.

Sakura walked towards Sasori and Deidara, and then waved to Gaara as they started to walk back to the hotel they were staying in. Some time after they were out of Gaara's sight, a man called the boy's name. He turned to see Yashamaru standing on the sand, waiting for him.
"Gaara! Come here, it's going to get cold soon." He nodded and made his way to his uncle, a smile decorating his face. Yashamaru noticed and motioned for Gaara to come closer.

"Did anything good happen Gaara?" he asked, while they started making their way to his home. The kid nodded
"Yes, I met a girl. Her name's Sakura, she's my first friend" Yashamaru's smile widened when he realized that the little boy wouldn't be alone any longer.
"That's very good Gaara. What's her name?"
"Sakura"

"Who was that Sakura-chan?" the pinkette looked at Deidara and smiled.
"He's my first friend. His name is Gaara."
Deidara was very surprised. Their pink-haired menace had managed to become friends with the Kazekage's youngest child, who also happened to be the jinchurikki of the Ichibi. The kid was really something.
"That's really good Sakura-chan, if you're meeting him tomorrow you've got our permission to wander around the village with your new friend." Sakura grinned at both of them from her spot on the couch, then jumped onto Sasori's arms laughing.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou! You're the best." Deidara ruffled her hair, making her giggle.
"You deserve it Sakura-chan. He makes you happy."

The next day, Sakura met Gaara on the swings. His left hand was clutching his teddy bear, while his right hand held firmly onto the swing. The rosette was out of breath by the time she reached the playground. She was late and thought that Gaara had left. But he was there. When he looked up and saw her, his eyes lit up and he smiled at her. Sakura frowned when she noticed hi wiping a tear from his eyes.

"I'm so so so sorry Gaara-kun, I woke up really late."
Gaara shook his head and smiled brightly at her "I thought you weren't going to come Sakura-chan, but I'm glad you did."
Sakura sat down on the swing besides Gaara's and held out her pinky finger "I promise to be on time if you promise that you won't leave."
Gaara smiled and locked his pinky finger with her's.

Watching from afar were Deidara and Sasori. Leader-sama had made them promise to take care of the little blossom, and that was exactly what they were doing. Their pink-haired charge and her red-headed friend had gone for a walk –and maybe ice cream if it crossed their paths- and the Akatsuki were spyin-looking after the kids.
Sasori had to restrain Deidara when the two ninja noticed that the children were holding hands –he would never tell anybody, but the pair was really cute- while the blond kept exclaiming that "their little blossom was too young to date" and that "Leader-sama will hear about this.

But they weren't the only ones watching the kids.

Danzo read through the report on his hands. The kid was proving to be even more interesting. Befriending a jinchurikki was no easy feat, but befriending the jinchurikki of the Ichibi was something he wasn't expecting. But he wasn't going to complain, that just meant that the girl was useful to him. Allies were a powerful resource, he had to admit but, the girl had information, and in his eyes, it was even more valuable. He could only imagine the girl's abilities and resources. At such a young age, she was proving to be the perfect tool, one that just needed sharpening.

He would sharpen her into a fine shinobi, that worked only for him.

He had to have her, with or without the Hokage's consent.

Sorry for the late chapter guys, I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will probably be Sakura leaving Suna and maybe even a time-skip.
I'll try to update soon.