Days went by, followed by weeks, then months. Her friendship with Gaara grew ever stronger. She had something to look forward to every morning she awoke. She kept out of Sasuke's way, letting him do as he pleased. It still didn't stop the abuse. If anything didn't go as he planned Sakura would get the full blow of his anger. It had gotten to a stage where she no longer cared for him. She no longer saw him as her husband. It had been a year and seven months of being married. Majority of this time spent together was Sakura being hit.
She left home at seven every morning and went to the cliff where she and Gaara met. They would sit together and talk about anything. He knew a little bit of her married life, and what he knew was that her husband was an alcoholic and abusive. She didn't tell him about the bruises or how he raped her. All she told him was that he was verbally abusive. They made their way to the hospital; Gaara had got permission to stay for more months to help with his research. The truth being that he wanted to be around Sakura.
Sakura felt happy around him, felt that she could be herself and after so many months she was finally laughing and being herself. Tsunade noticed this and was happy. She was finally putting on weight that she had lost. Her pale skin turning peachy. She was happy.
"Gaara you see that pot there on the top shelf, could you bring that over please?" they were in the medicine lab; Sakura was showing him what herbs they used. Taking some of the content out of the jar she mixed it in with the other content, releasing a strong yet pleasing aroma. "We use this for patients who suffer from paranoia or similar symptoms, nearly the same way you use the desert rose petals in your village. The powder, we use that to make tablets. They help with various problems. From stomach aches to morning sickness." She showed him other herbs and what they were used for.
"Sakura are you planning on sleeping here for the night?" Tsunade's voice boomed from behind them making both Sakura and Gaara jump. They looked at one another and laughed. "Seriously you two are like children. Come on now, it's almost eight, make a move and go home." She scolded the two of them. Grabbing their belongings they made their way home. As usual Gaara would walk her home and talk to her; he wanted to spend every minute of his day with her. They took the longer way to her house going through alleyways and uncrowded streets, just so they could spend more time together. Tonight however, things were different; Gaara could no longer hold back his feelings for the pink haired beauty. As they went through the narrow alleyway Gaara pinned Sakura to the wall and leaned towards her. The moon shinning bright above them showed all his features. His beautiful green eyes staring into her emerald eyes. Her face burned under his gaze, making her blush "Gaara what are you doing?" she whispered. "Something I know I shouldn't do, something I need to do." He stroked her face and made her look up at him, moving his face closer he kissed her lips. She closed her eyes and kissed him back.
Her hands tangled in his red hair, his hands roamed her body pulling her closer to him. Their kiss deepened, became passionate, intimate. She pulled at his hair prying him away from her lips, to allow her to breathe. "Gaara I can't do this" she whispered playing with his hair, "I'm married" "But you're not happy Sakura, let me make you happy, let me take the pain away." His mouth on her neck, kissing, licking, sucking, making her moan, bringing her body alive once again. Desire coursing through her wanton body. She wanted him any way she could have him. His hands unbuttoned her jacket and pushed it off her; he pulled her top off her body and looked at her, lust filling his eyes. He noticed the bruises on her, gently he stroked each one. She winced at his touch but said nothing, "did he do this to you Sakura, your husband?" Sakura nodded, she didn't want to speak. He bent to his knees and kissed each bruise, kissed it and wished for the pain to leave her body. His actions made her cry made her love him. Her tears fell on him making him look up at her, he rose and wiped her tears "Let me take the pain away Sakura, let me love you." She nodded to his request. She unbuttoned his shirt and removed it; her shaky hands stroked his toned body, run over his abs and muscles, here and there she felt scars, this time she bent down and copied his actions from earlier, kissed each scar. He moaned.
He made her stand and kissed her once more, and stripped her of her clothes. "Even with these bruises Sakura you look beautiful." He sucked her right breast gently, avoiding the bruises, with his hands he played with the left making her arch into him "Gaara" she moaned into the night. He removed the rest of his clothing, allowing Sakura to see the rest of him "Gaara, you're so beautiful" her eyes darted around his body, stopping at his erect member, making her blush. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, "Ready" she nodded and he pushed himself into her wet core. She moaned into his neck her nails digging into his back. After so many months she finally enjoyed having sex. Finally became one with her body again. The sensations that coursed her body pushed her higher and higher "Let it out Sakura, let it all out" as she climaxed she screamed into the night, tears streaming down her face. He kissed each tear, whispering how much he loved her. He carried on making love to her, finally releasing his seed into her. Still holding onto her he panted. "Sakura I love you" "I love you too Gaara."
They stood entwined with one another in the moonlight, time passing by. "Sakura run away with me, I can make you happy." He asked her. "I want to, believe me I do, but I can't. What about my family and friends? I can't just leave everything and run." She denied. Slowly they got dressed and he dropped her to her house. Hugging her tightly he whispered once again that he loved her and left. Leaving a whole in her chest that only he filled.