Chapter Eleven
On their way to the formal event, Sakura had learned from Temari that the affair would be taking place at Sunagakure's office building. Temari had explained to Sakura that one of the rooms there was a giant, brilliant ballroom.
"It's huge!" Temari explained while widening her arms out.
"Some people rent it out for weddings and such."
Sakura nodded and smiled.
"I can't wait to see it and how it's decorated!"
Sakura smiled while staring up towards the darkening, gray sky. The rain-filled clouds had been swimming around the whole day without letting a drop escape. Since the sun was soon to set, and a cold breeze danced along with the sand, Sakura figured they would be seeing rain pretty soon.
While the two grew closer to their destination, crowds of people became more visible all around them as they too made their way to event, and soon enough the two girls were standing at the entrance of the building. While most made their way inside the building, a few crowds lingered outside and chatted away with one another. There were benches for people to sit on and converse, so Sakura assumed these people sat outside to enjoy the rare weather they were now having. The rosette held her head high when she felt ogling looks shot in her direction. It had been a while since she felt as desirable as she did now.
'Too bad Sasuke-kun can't be here to see me...'
"Hey, Sakura."
As Temari called her name, Sakura turned and watched while the blonde began to dig through her clutch before pulling out a small camera.
"You want to take a picture together before we go inside?"
Sakura grinned before nodding.
"Absolutely." She said, marching next to Temari.
It was then Temari took a moment to gaze around the group of people hanging around outside, she was hoping to spot someone who wasn't too busy enough to snap a shot of the them.
"Ah!" Temari exclaimed as her eyes found a target.
"There's Kankuro and Gaara over there."
Sakura's gaze followed Temari's, trying to spot the two young men she spoke of. In a distance away she caught a glimpse of the young men. Gaara was still in his Kazekage attire, while Kankuro don a black tuxedo and face free of any paint. It seemed a crowd had lined up all hoping to greet the Kazekage before heading inside, and Gaara was currently taking the time to do so with his brother by his side.
"Kankuro!" Temari hollered while waving her hand frantically.
Sakura watched while Kankuro turned to the call of his name. His eyes scanned the crowds around them before landing on a waving Temari and he waved back before making his way towards them. Sakura watched still while Gaara too had turned to the call of his brother's name, he watched as his brother left his side before turning his eyes to Sakura. Sakura gulped lightly as his stare became intent on her, she could see his passive eyes soften and mouth drop slightly as he continued to take in her current appearance. Before Sakura could wave to greet him, his attention was nabbed away as another villager stepped in front of him, and again the line around him grew.
It wasn't until Sakura heard a whistle did her eyes leave Gaara and turn to the source. Kankuro grinned when her eyes fell to him.
"Don't you clean up well." Kankuro smirked and nodded towards Sakura.
Sakura scowled and narrowed her eyes at Kankuro.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Sakura asked while crossing her arms.
"You saying I look ugly all the others times?"
"Oi..." Kankuro nervously smiled.
"Just trying to say you look stunning."
Sakura simply smirked before sticking her tongue out playfully.
"Can't say the same about you. At least you took the purple makeup off."
Sakura's smirk grew when she listened to Temari burst out into a fit of laughter.
"You're a feisty one, Sakura. I like that." Kankuro admitted with a smirk.
"It's too bad you're not from here. If you were I'd be sure to-"
"Kankuro!" Temari shouted while slamming the small camera into his chest.
"Watch your mouth, and take a picture of Sakura and I, alright?"
Kankuro and Temari shared a death glare before the blonde backed up to stand next to Sakura.
"This is the only reason you called me over?' Kankuro asked while examining the camera.
"Sheesh, women..."
"What did I just tell you?!"
Despite Temari slight fuming, she composed herself as she situated perfectly next to Sakura. While waiting, Sakura could still catch a glimpse of Gaara through the corner of her eye. She was intrigued when she could sense him doing the same with her. He was throwing small glances at her before turning his attention back to whoever it was in front of him. It seemed he was having a hard time taking his eyes off of her, and Sakura pondered on what that reason could be.
"Ready? 1... 2... 3..."
Sakura let her body relax as soon as she heard the click of the camera.
"I'll be sure to give you a copy too, Sakura." Temari smiled as Kankuro handed the camera back.
"Be sure to show yourself off to everyone back home."
Temari winked at Sakura before Kankuro cut in.
"She just wants you to show it to that Nara guy so he can see how she looked tonight."
The silence that followed after Kankuro's words was chilling, and the tension in the air could be easily felt. Sakura reacted quick in hopes to not soon be witness to a sibling blood bath.
"H-How about I take a picture of you two?" Sakura asked while nabbing the camera out of Temari's hands.
Before the two could protest, Sakura hurriedly pushed the siblings together before burning their eyes with the flash of the camera. She hoped the sudden confusion she just put them in would calm their demeanor.
"These are going to look great once you get them developed, Temari." Sakura said with smile.
"It's so wonderful to see you two getting along. I was worried you two might ruin each others night. I'd hate to see that happen..."
Both Temari and Kankuro's gaze averted to the ground and away from Sakura, and the rosette knew then that her hidden hint to the two had just doused out the growing flame.
"Yeah..." Kankuro mumbled with a sour pout.
"It's very...wonderful." Temari wrinkled her nose while crossing her arms.
Sakura eyed the two momentarily before a shiver ran up her spine. Her senses were telling her that someone was watching her once again. Without a second thought, she turned to who might be the source and grew curious when her eyes fell on Gaara's. As her gaze met his again, he quickly turned from her to greet another person in front of him. No doubt bashful that he had been caught staring at her.
'Why does he keep looking at me?' Sakura wondered, gripping the camera in her hand a little more tightly.
'Maybe he's envious of us over here?'
Sakura continued to stare at the Kazekage's back in wonder, not noticing as Temari strolled next to her.
"You ready to go in, Sakura?" Temari asked.
Sakura merely continued to stare at Gaara and ignored Temari's question, a thought coming into her mind as she brushed the camera lightly with her thumb.
"Hey Temari, do you think Gaara would take a picture with me?"
Temari's eyes widened to Sakura's query, and the blonde turned to the rosette to be sure she had heard correctly. Temari watched as Sakura's gaze was set on her brother out in front of her, and before long, Temari too turned to watch her youngest sibling.
"I'm not sure..." Temari admitted, watching as Gaara continued greet some of his people.
"I've never seen him take one with anyone before, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask."
Sakura couldn't help but smile to Temari's answer. She didn't want to seem informal to the young lord, but deep down remembered what he had told her those nights ago. How he had yet to have a friend to do fun stuff with from time to time. Sakura assumed an opportunity like this wouldn't happen again anytime soon, and a part of her wanted to show him the entertaining benefits of friendship; and Temari's words had reassured her of asking him this. Turning to the older woman, Sakura handed off the camera to her.
"Will you take a picture of us?" Sakura asked with a smile.
Temari nodded with a smile matching Sakura's.
"Of course." Temari answered, watching as Sakura paced her way to her youngest brother.
Hearing everything, Kankuro took a step next to Temari.
"This should be interesting." Kankuro smirked.
Grinning wider to her brother's words, Temari took a moment to wind the camera back up.
"Definitely."
As Sakura marched towards the sand lord, she wondered how she could interrupt him and tear him away from his people.
'I hope I'm not doing something uncomfortable for him.' Sakura thought to herself.
As she drew closer to him, his back turned to her, she reassured herself that her act was harmless.
'He has been courteous to me these past days, I should not still be afraid of how he perceives me.'
Sakura halted her steps when she met his back. Though there was still a line of people waiting to greet their young lord, Sakura thought it best to interrupt him once he was done speaking to the older man he was with at the moment. She knew the others would find her rude for stealing him away while they had patiently waited, but a side of her wanted to be selfish for the moment. She knew it could be a forever missed opportunity.
Sakura's heart raced for a second when the older man bowed to Gaara, signaling that he was finished speaking to his leader. As the older man stepped away, Sakura was quick to take a step forward. She wasn't sure why, but instead of calling his name to get Gaara's attention, she decided to lace her arms around his arm instead. The moment her arms were wrapped around one of his free arms, she felt him greatly tense.
'Stupid.' Inner Sakura mocked herself.
'Taking it too far again. You know how he is with touching people. His sand is probably going to toss you back.'
Sakura gulped when that thought came to her and could even see the young man, who was next to speak to Gaara, widen his eyes in almost slight horror at Sakura's bold move. The young man could also detect Gaara's stiff body, and uneasiness, and gulped along with Sakura while backing up slowly lest his lord's sand lash out.
Turning her eyes up to Gaara's, Sakura watched as his body remained stilled. However, his jaw had fallen, no doubt to her sudden act, and slowly his pupils swept to the side to stare down at Sakura. As his eyes met hers, she could see his gaze relax slightly. Perhaps he was a little more at ease now knowing who it was who had done something so bold to him, however, his jaw was still dropped and eyes wavering. Sakura took this moment to speak, hoping she wasn't sending Gaara into a panic attack.
"Um..." She squeaked.
"I was wondering if you'd like to take a picture...with me?"
As she asked, Sakura's nerves had a grown slightly, and unbeknownst to her had wrapped her arms tighter around Gaara's arm. Feeling her body come closer to his, Gaara had to repeat her question a few times in his mind to understand what she was wanting of him. He opened his jaw more slightly to answer her, but found that his voice had disappeared somewhere. Why was he reacting this way to her, he wondered to himself for a second. Before he let the silence linger on for too long, he quickly shut his mouth and nodded slowly towards the rosette.
Sakura's smile grew the moment Gaara nodded to her, and as he took in that smile, he could feel his heart quicken and body stiffen more. There was that smile again, the one she always had ready to throw him off guard with, he thought to himself. Sakura seemed to notice his anxiousness, for she kept her arms laced around him and slowly turned and guided him back over to his brother and sister. She found it cute in a way to be walking with Gaara like this, for she knew he had never had this sort of social touch before. She wondered, if she were to let go of him now if he would just stand there frozen in spot.
Sakura didn't notice Temari and Kankuro's silent snickering to their brother's shock when Sakura brought him over. Slowly, the leaf woman began to retract her arms back from Gaara, and again a hitch in his throat presented itself. He was unsure why, but he wasn't yet ready to have Sakura's touch leave him.
"Keep your arms around him like that, Sakura." Temari called out.
"Eh?" Sakura's surprised look turned to Temari, her arms had stilled.
There was a devious smirk on Temari's face, and Kankuro looked just as guilty with his grin while he stood next to his sister.
"It's a cute picture that way." Temari simply answered.
"Try to relax Gaara, you're as stiff as a deer when it hears a twig snap. You don't want to ruin the picture."
Hearing his sister's voice, Gaara was able to shake away his nerves and settle his body. He narrowed his eyes at his sister, not enjoying being ordered by her in public, and opened his mouth to reprimand her. However, he quickly shut his lips when he felt Sakura's arms tighten once again around his. As his eyes turned to her, he took in her sheepish look and smile. Her gaze and small blush immediately turned his eyes gentle, and all thoughts of scolding his sister were dismissed.
"Thank you."
Gaara watched as Sakura's lips formed those words, and he took a moment to study how shiny, and striking, her rosy buds looked tonight. He also noticed how strong of a floral scent was wrapped around her, fitting for her name he decided. He gulped to compose himself and nodded at her when his gaze returned to her.
"This is what friends do?" Gaara asked as the two of them turned to face the camera Temari was holding up.
Hearing his words, Sakura smiled and gave his arm a tighter squeeze.
"Yes." She answered.
Gaara let her words play in his mind before admitting to himself.
'I like it.'
The flash went off, and Temari grinned while bringing down the camera.
"Got it." She said, walking over to the two.
Gaara watched Sakura curiously when he felt her begin to unweave her arms from him. Sensing his eyes on her, Sakura smiled once again towards him.
"Thanks again. I'm sorry I tore you away from talking with your people."
As Gaara was finally able to turn completely to face Sakura, he was finally able to take in her full appearance, and again he noted how extravagant and beautiful she looked in his eyes. His chest felt heavy the more he watched her, and the urge to compliment her beauty grew, but never having done so, Gaara struggled to find the choice words.
"It's good to see you well rested." Gaara finally settled on.
Sakura simply smiled to his words, and again the two were drawn into each others gaze. It wasn't until Temari had reached them and placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder did the two turn from one another to take in the blonde instead.
"I'll be sure to give you a copy soon." Temari said with a grin, speaking of the picture.
Kankuro too had made his way to the small group, and placed a hand on Gaara's shoulder.
"We should start heading inside little bro. Everyone's probably waiting on you."
"Hn."
Gaara nodded at Kankuro and the small group began to head inside the building.
"I'm starving!" Temari chimed in during the walk.
"Do us a favor, Gaara, and keep the introduction and speech short. I'm ready to eat now."
"Eating comes everyday. A moment like this for our new council member will only come once in a lifetime." Gaara answered, trying to hint to his sister the meaning of tonight.
"Hey Gaara, can you be sure to let them know to send us a few bottles saké to our table." Kankuro added.
"No."
"C'mon, don't be like that to your only brother."
Sakura couldn't help but snigger at the three siblings. They were comical in their own way, and Sakura felt for poor Gaara. She wondered if Temari, and Kankuro, were always like this to him because of his authority.
While passing through the office building, Sakura noticed the many rooms and half wondered what each one was meant for. Perhaps she could ask Gaara for a quick tour later, for there were also pictures, and statues, of people she was curious to learn about since she knew little of Sungakure's history.
As the group finally entered the two doors at the end of the hallway, Sakura was breath taken into the room they stepped in. The ball room was gigantic, and the area was littered in sparkling light reminding her of the beautiful sunsets she had seen here in Suna. A dance floor was settled in the middle of the room, and on one side of the floor were round tables and chairs. The other side had pillared seats with a long table set in front them. No doubt where Gaara, and the other higher-ups, would be enjoying their meal. The room was loud and bustling with chatter and laughter. It didn't take long for eyes to settle on their small group though, and soon enough, people were drawing near to speak with Gaara. Noticing this, Kankuro gave Gaara a small shove.
"You better get up to your seat before you get swarmed again." Kankuro said.
"Hn." Gaara answered, taking small steps from them as he made his way to his chair.
Realizing that they were seated away from Gaara, Sakura took this moment to say her goodbye. Seeing as how they were now going to be separated, and how earnest people were to see and speak with him, Sakura figured she may not get another chance to spend some time with the red-head tonight.
"This is amazing, Kazekage-sama." Sakura began, seeing him halt in his steps to her voice.
Gaara kept his back turned from her, but his action alone let Sakura know he had heard her.
"Thank you for allowing me to be here." Sakura finished.
Sakura was surprised this time to see Gaara turn his head to face her, he nodded to her before speaking.
"It's what friends do."
With that, he turned from them once again and made his way across the room. At his departure, Temari spoke.
"Aw." Temari giggled.
"This is second time I've ever heard Gaara call someone friend. I'm so happy for my little brother."
Sakura forced out a laugh, embarrassed by the blonde's words. She spoke while Kankuro lead them to their table.
"Naruto and I are friends. It just one day seemed to make sense to me that I could hopefully become Gaara's."
Settling in their seats, Temari sighed happily to Sakura's words.
"You two definitely have some sort of bond." Temari said with a smile.
"I've never seen him let someone, besides us, lead him by arm like you did earlier."
Sakura blushed lightly at Temari's words, and shuffled her hands playfully in her lap.
"You don't think he was offended by-"
Before Sakura could finish her sentence, Temari waved her hand to dismiss Sakura's words.
"Please." She said while eyeing Kankuro.
"Gaara will let you know when you've upset him."
Nodding in agreement, Sakura took a moment to follow Temari's eyes towards her younger brother. Sakura watched curiously, along with the blonde, as Kankuro's head and gaze were swimming across the room in an almost frantic motion.
"What are you looking for, Kankuro?" Temari asked after some time of studying him, her voice laced with suspicion.
To the call of his name, Kankuro jumped lightly. There was a guilty look in his eyes as he turned to Temari before it was swept away by his usual playful gaze.
"Just uh..." Kankuro began, scratching his chin in thought.
"Looking for my dates."
"Dates?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow.
"More than one?"
To her question, Kankuro's smile turned into a sly grin. He motioned his eyebrows towards Sakura.
"You can be lucky number three if you want, Sakura." Kankuro added, leaning a little closer to the rosette.
"Stay classy, Kankuro." Sakura said before sipping a glass of her water, her body language and eyes passive to his gesture.
Kankuro chuckled to her words again while Temari rolled her eyes at her brother's antics.
"You're funny Sakura. I think I would have been a little disappointed if you had said yes." Kankuro snickered before taking a sip of his water.
"Just a little though. If you change your mind-"
"She hears you loud and clear, Kankuro." Temari sighed with disgust.
"So clean out your ears a little so you can hear her too."
Kankuro wrinkled his nose towards Temari before returning to look around the room. Taking this moment, Temari leaned in towards Sakura.
"He's up to something..." Temari whispered towards Sakura.
"We have to keep our eyes on him too."
Sakura nodded in understanding, and straightened herself back in her seat when Temari had finished.
'I was invited to have fun tonight, but Temari's turning this into a double mission for me.' Sakura thought to herself.
'I have to keep my eyes out for both Kankuro, and Gaara.'
At the thought of Gaara, Sakura turned her head to the side to stare at the pillared chairs. Of course he was seated in the highest chair smack dab in the middle. Next to him were a few older gentlemen, no doubt the council Sakura presumed. She watched him momentarily talk to one of the men sitting next to him before he slowly rose himself. When Gaara stood, a hush fell in the room and the young lord momentarily waited in silence as people made their way to their seats.
"Good evening." Gaara began after some time.
Sakura watched in silence and awe as Gaara began his small speech. It wasn't as long as she had thought it would be, and Gaara she learned was quite an excellent speaker. He spoke of the village, a bit of its past, how grateful he was to his council before introducing the newest member on the council. He finished the speech in hopes everyone would enjoy the night, and as soon as he was finished and sat, the servers began to pour out of the kitchens with plates in their hands.
"Gaara is an excellent speaker." Sakura complimented as a plate was settled in front of her.
Temari wasted no time taking a bite of her food before answering Sakura.
"Ha! You should have seen him when he was younger. We could barely ever get a word out of him." Temari gulped, her eyes narrowing at her food in remembrance.
"He always seemed to stare a lot. You would ask him something and he just stare at you like you were a ghost or something..."
"He was probably contemplating whether to kill you then or later." Kankuro added with a shrug.
Sakura grew curious, she was always curious when to came to Gaara it seemed, but did not press the siblings on to learn more. She could tell Kankuro's words had changed the two's demeanor slightly.
"Well!" Temari added, hoping to bring back up her attitude.
"That was all in the past. Everything is going great now. Gaara is a changed, and greater man."
Kankuro chugged down his water before letting out a breath.
"I hear that sis." He added before returning to his plate.
Sakura smiled, picking at her food again. The dish was delightful, and she savored as many bites as she could. She wasn't eating slow, but was surprised she was only about halfway done with her meal when Kankuro announced that he was finished.
"Boy, food doesn't get any better than this." He added before his head and eyes once again swam around the room.
Sakura watched him curiously when his eyes paused for a moment, and slowly he stood himself from his seat.
"If you'll excuse me ladies."
Temari gaped and narrowed her eyes when her brother stood and straightened his black tux.
"And where are you going?" Temari snidely remarked.
Kankuro simply kept his eyes away from Temari's, eyeing the exiting doors instead that lead into different parts of the building.
"Restroom." He said, turning his eyes towards Temari and nodding at her and Sakura.
"Come find me later Sakura, I'll save you a dance."
Before Sakura could remark, Kankuro quickly paced his way from the table and away from the two young woman.
"Like I said," Temari shook her head and returned to her meal, "he's up to something."
Sakura merely chuckled, amused slightly that Kankuro would tell her he would save her a dance instead of the other way around. Wasn't she the one suppose to be asked to save him a dance?
"He sure is cocky." Sakura commented with a smirk, playing with her food.
Temari scoffed at Sakura's words and swallowed her food.
"It's like you said earlier, we were spoiled our whole lives. That's where his attitude comes from."
Sakura contemplated Temari's words before speaking out.
"You and Gaara aren't like him though."
Turning to look at the sand-blonde, Sakura watched Temari chew on her food before shaking her head.
"I wouldn't call myself cocky, but I do like to have things my way." Temari said while blinking a few times in front of her, she was in a slight deep thought.
"I'm confident too."
Sakura smiled to Temari's words. She understood what the blonde had meant, now growing more confident in herself too since her younger days.
"Gaara doesn't outwardly show it, but I've seen him act smug once in a while."
"No way!" Sakura said, her eyes widening in surprise to learn of a different side of Gaara.
"Oh sure." Temari commented on it passively, as if it were no big deal.
"Granted, I've never seen him act that way in front of anyone else besides Kankuro and I, but Gaara can be just as cocky as Kankuro."
Sakura continued to stare at Temari in bewilderment. She would have never thought the Kazekage in such a way, and was slightly intrigued, she would enjoy seeing all sides of Gaara.
'Maybe if we try hard enough, we can get Gaara to come on to us like Kankuro does.' Inner Sakura spoke.
Sakura's eyes widened more to her inner thought, and quickly scolded herself for having such wonders and wishes. She did her best to clear her mind, and it helped that Temari chimed in.
"He's also a bit of a control freak." Temari said between her bites.
"You can actually see him fidget a bit if things don't go his way. Him and I have had battles over having it our way."
Sakura nodded in understanding, she could see this trait easily in Gaara given his past. It just seemed to make his title as Kazekage more fitting to him as well. He was a leader in her eyes now, and though he didn't control his village in a maniacal or dangerous way, she felt some sort of comfort knowing he ran the village in his sense of perfection.
Sakura was only brought back from her thoughts when Temari wiped her mouth clean with her napkin and stood up. Her eyes were narrow and with determination. Before Sakura could ask, Temari spoke.
"Kankuro's been gone for far too long."
Sensing her anger rising, Sakura tried to speak to level with her.
"I'm sure he's alright. He'll be back soon, I bet he wants to dance with his dates." Sakura forced a smile.
Temari shook her head to Sakura's words, and her eyes narrowed more.
"I don't care if he is alright or not, but if he's up to something..." Temari paused, before turning to Sakura.
"He can do whatever he wants, but if it's something that would shame Gaara's name then I need to find him before the wrong person does."
"Ah!" Sakura piqued, finally understanding Temari's dilemma.
"Alright, let's go then."
Sakura scooted her chair back, but was stopped by Temari before she could stand.
"No, you stay here."
Sakura slowly returned to her seat, but raised an eyebrow at Temari curiously.
"I need you to keep an eye on Gaara, remember?"
Both Sakura and Temari turned to look at the young lord. Seeing as him and the council had just finished eating, people were lining up to greet and speak with Gaara. Amidst the line, Sakura could easily see the giggling and blushing women eyeing Gaara hungrily.
"Just come get me if you see anything funny." Temari nodded towards Sakura.
"Hopefully I can find him and be back here quickly."
"You better go then." Sakura said, knowing that the line was going by quickly.
Nodding once again at Sakura, Temari turned and quickly made her way out of the ballroom. Sakura softly patted her knees while she sat alone and stared at Gaara conversing with his people. She knew this was going to get boring quick with no one to speak with and keep herself entertained. Turning to look at the older gentleman sitting next to Gaara, she quickly recognized him as the new council member the sand lord had introduced earlier. She noticed he too had a line of people. Crowds were coming up to congratulate him and some were even giving him gifts for his new place in the village.
Remembering her gift, Sakura dug around in her clutch bag. Soon she found the item she was looking for and pulled out a small, rectangle box. The box was wrapped in a shiny, gold wrapping paper.
"I suppose I could give my gift now while I wait."
Standing herself, Sakura slowly made her way to the line, reserving her spot and waiting. When she could catch a glimpse, she eyed Gaara and listened to the flirty giggles of woman around him.
'Please hurry back, Temari.'