Sorry it took me so long to update this. I'm trying I really am. I feel better now. The surgery went fine and I'm doing…alright.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the sexy boys. What a shame.
Gaara woke up and realized what day it was. Now he just wanted to sleep again. After Sakura joined him last night, he was able to sleep peacefully, but the fact that he knew they were leaving today made him feel sick. You never wanted to meet your soon to be in-laws.
His grip on the sleeping kunoichi next to him tightened as he made his move to wake her up. It was still dark outside, but he wanted to travel early, that way they had a less chance to meet someone unfriendly on the way.
He heard Sakura groan. He shook her shoulders gently. Her face scrunched up. "It's too early." She mumbled. He sighed. Fine, they didn't have to go. He settled back down planning on resting once again. If she didn't want to go, they didn't have to go.
It wasn't more than ten minutes later he felt a soft object being slammed into his head. He sat up quickly. "What the hell woman?" he questioned glaring at the abuser. Sakura was glaring at him; pillow in hand ready to strike again if she needed to. "Why didn't you wake me?" She hollered back at him. Gaara sweat dropped. "I tried but you wouldn't wake up!" She just rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever, let's get ready. Can you wake Temari?" she asked getting out of bed, preparing to get clothes so she could shower.
"Hell no. I'm not getting hit with a pillow again." He grumbled.
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Gaara was now very skeptical about leaving. One thing that never registered in his head, (he was too worried about going to Konoha) was that he was basically leaving Kankuro in charge of the village. That was a bad mistake. They would have to get home as quickly as they could.
So after an hour of lecturing his older brother he and the two kunoichi set off for the leaf village. Their traveling had been quiet, and luckily they hadn't run into any other shinobi. Sakura and Temari were having a small conversation about wedding planning which made Gaara stray away a few paces. His mind was busy on what was about to happen in the next 24 hours.
'What if they don't like me?' he asked himself.
'Since when do you care if someone likes you?'
'Who the hell are you?'
'You're conscious. Don't worry you'll be fine.'
'Yea right. I don't even know if they know that I'm the kazekage. Wouldn't you be freaked in hearing that your new son-in-law is Sabaku no Gaara?'
'Oh get over it. Who cares what they think? You got one hell of a girl so be happy!'
'Yea, whatever.'
Gaara was too busy talking to himself, he never noticed Sakura come up next to him. She gently took hold of his arm and glanced up at him. "What are you thinking about?" she questioned. He shook off his thoughts. "Nothing important."
"Oh. Well, I wanted to talk to you." She said, now looking forward and not at him. He looked forward to, noticing that Temari had advanced in front of them. "You see, planning a wedding isn't the easiest thing ever." Of course, he should have expected to the wedding talk. "And it would be easier and more fun if I knew what you wanted as well." She stopped talking, giving him the opportunity to speak.
He didn't speak right away. "I really don't care. Whatever you want is fine with me." That was most defiantly not the answer she was looking for. She sighed. "So if I wanted everything to be pink, including your tux, you wouldn't care." She smirked as she felt him tense. The thought of Gaara in a pink tux was funny. "No pink. Does that help?" he suggested.
"Yes, it helps. But I'll need more help. At least try to act interested. It's your wedding too, not just mine." She said in defeat and walked ahead to Temari.
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The trio walked through the busy streets of Konoha, hoping to get to Sakura's apartment. After all that traveling, they needed time to rest. It was getting close to night time, and they just wanted to settle down and sleep.
"Almost there." Sakura said as they turned down her street. Gaara already knew how close they were, but Temari had never been to Sakura's and didn't know. Sakura led them both up the small flight of stair and to her front door. "Finally, come on in and make yourselves at home." She said as she inserted her key. She was so happy to walk in and sit on her couch. She immediately stood back up though. "I'll show you to your room Temari, although I only have one extra room. And I'm sure you'd like a room to yourself huh?"
Temari just smiled. "Oh I know you and Gaara won't mind sharing? You haven't had a problem in the past now?" she said knowingly. Sakura blushed slightly, while Gaara remained silent. "Yea, right." Sakura mumbled and walked down the hallway.
After a quiet dinner the group had watched two movies and was now watching some random reality show. Well, except for Sakura who was now sleeping. Temari yawned and read the clock. It was 11:30. "I'm going to bed. You want me to take her to her room?" she asked, motioning towards Sakura.
"No, I'll take her." He grunted out before shutting off the television. Temari then disappeared down the hall and Shut her door softly. Gaara sighed and moved towards Sakura, scooping her up in his arms. She moved slightly, trying to get comfortable and snuggled her head in his chest, sighing with content.
Gaara shut off the lamps, and proceeded down the hall towards her room. He set her down in her bed, tucking her in under the covers before joining her on the other side.
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Knock Knock Knock…
Sakura fidgeted with her skirt nervously. She was afraid of how her parents would react to seeing Gaara. She knew they knew hell the whole village knew who Gaara was, even if they didn't know he was the Kazekage. And more than half of them weren't one to act kindly to him. Hopefully her parents weren't those people.
Gaara, even if he didn't how it was nervous as well. Lady's and gentlemen, we have found Gaara's weakness. In-laws! His long black Kazekage robes blew slightly in the breeze.
Finally the door opened to reveal a cheerful looking lady, who resembled Sakura immensely. Her long pink hair was kept and tidy. She wore a smile that looked bit strain and her eyes were a reddish color instead of the vibrant emerald that were Sakura's.
"Sweetie! How are you?" she called out in a high voice as she took Sakura in her arms. Sakura couldn't answer for her mother was squishing her with a hug that could rival Gai's. "Mom…air…" she choked out. Ger mother released her and gave a small giggle. "I'm sorry honey. It's just been to long you know." She looked over at Gaara. Her cheeriness seemed to end right there with that one glance.
"And you must be the Kazekage." She said very slowly, not blinking or taking her eyes off of him. Gaara didn't know how to react. He was expecting this anyways. He looked at Sakura out of the corner of his eyes, asking for help.
"Yea, mom this is Gaara, the Kazekage of Suna, and my fiancé." This didn't seem to faze her mother at all. Sakura wanted to hit her, to do something to knock her out of her trance. She decided and gave her mother a small slap on the back. "Gaara, this is my mother Ami." She said looking back and forth between her mother and Gaara more nervous than before. "Mom, where's dad?" she asked. Ami shook her head slightly and pointed inside before walking in. Sakura stood back by Gaara for a moment. "See it's not that bad." Gaara gave her a look as if she was crazy.
Introducing Gaara to her father was just the same as her mother. "Dad." Sakura said gaining the attention of the dark haired man on the couch. He looked up at his daughter with large jade eyes. "This is the Kazekage, Gaara." She could see him tense up at the mention of the name. She could see him put on a smile that seemed a bit fake.
"Gaara, nice to meet you." Well at least he isn't staring like mom Sakura thought. "Yes, Gaara this is my father Hiroshi." Gaara nodded his head. Man did he want to leave. There was an awkward silence as the couple stood just looking around, trying to look anywhere but at each other.
"Well, dinner is ready so let's go eat I guess." Ami said and moved to the dinning area.
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"So Gaara, how long have you been Kazekage?" Ami asked as she picked up some rice. Gaara finished chewing and opened his mouth to speak. "Three years." He stated. He planned on giving short simple answers to any of their questions.
"Really now. It must be tough to run a whole village at such a young age." Hiroshi commented. Gaara shrugged. "It's not that bad." He sounded so unlike himself. Normally he wouldn't be so free about talking. Most of the time he would ignore the people completely.
"Anyways, Sakura, since your going to be in Suna most of your time now, what do you plan on doing with your apartment?" Ami asked. Sakura stopped eating and looked up. Gaara glanced up as well.
"I didn't think about it. I mean, I might be coming back around here from time to time and I might need to stay somewhere." She said quickly. She never really intended to sell it or anything. And that would mean so much work. But she also didn't know how often she would be in Konoha. The thought made her uneasy.
"Oh, and in Suna. Where do you live dear?" Her father butted in.
Sakura gulped nervously. "With Gaara, in his home. I mean where else, he is my fiancé." She said. Sakura didn't know what they were doing with all of these questions. Hiroshi was now looking down on Gaara. It wasn't the most intimidating look, but it was the best he could do. He didn't want to be killed by the thing that reeked havoc on the village all those years ago. He knew what Gaara was capable of.
"So you live with Gaara? No one else?" Hiroshi inquired. Sakura could feel the tension rising. "Well, Gaara's siblings live with us as well." You could cut the air with a knife right now.
Gaara had decided not to take part of this conversation. He watched awkwardly as the words were exchanged. He just knew this night would turn out badly.
"He has siblings? How many?" Ami asked. She was curious to know more about Gaara. It wasn't everyday you had a killer in your home. She wanted to keep the talking going to there was no room for any actions that might result in something fatal.
"He has an older brother and sister." Sakura answered for Gaara. "Oh."
"So Sakura how is the wedding planning coming?" Ami asked, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, alright I guess. It's not easy that's for sure." She said quietly. No one spoke after that. Glances were exchanged but no one said anything.
Finally everyone was finished and Ami stood up. "Sakura could you help me clear the table." Sakura nodded and stood up. Gaara looked up at her with a look that said 'don't leave me'. "I'll be right back." She whispered to him as she grabbed her dish and his.
"Sakura, do you need my help with anything. You sound as though you don't know what to do anymore." Ai said as they reached the kitchen. Sakura placed the dishes in the sink. "I'm fine mom."
"Are you sure?" Sakura nodded. The pair started washing the dishes, their conversation continued. "Well, Gaara seems…nice." Sakura shook her head.
"He's changed mom, really. He's not the same as before. He's kind and nice and a really good person now." There was moment of silence, then broken by Ami.
"Sakura, do you like him? I mean, as more than friends. I understand it must be hard having to marry someone you barley know, but not liking them can be harder. I'm sure Tsunade-sama could always find someone to fill your place."
"Mom, don't worry. I've gotten to know Gaara. The real Gaara." Sakura grabbed a dish her mother finished washing and proceeded to dry it. "And you know what, I do like him. A lot. This is more than a mission to me now. I am doing this partly for the village as I promised, but I'm doing it for me too." She grabbed another dish. "I mean, this is a bit rushed and all, but I'm actually happy with him. I never though I would be…but I am. Plus, this way I know for sure I will get married. You know I've always wanted to, but when I became a ninja, it seemed more and more impossible each day."
Ami next to her was smiling. "Well, if he's good enough for you, he's good enough for me. Let's just hope your father will be the same way. He's always been protective of you."
Sakura giggled. "Yea I know." a comfortable silence filled the room. The rushing water and squeaking of the dish towel was all that was heard. Outside it was starting to get dark as the sun began to set over the horizon.
Sakura, I just have one question." Ami perused. "Which is…?" "Did you sleep with him?" Sakura could have died right there. "MOM!" she shouted. Ami giggled.
"I'm kidding." She said as she finished the last dish. Sakura watched her out of the corner of her eye as she put the last dish away. "Come on, let's make sure those two men didn't try to kill each other." Sakura couldn't help but laugh as they exited the room.
Gaara stood up as the women re-entered the dinning room. Sakura walked to his side. "Well mom, I'm tired and need my rest. If you want the girls and I are meeting up tomorrow to do more planning. I'm sure you'd love to come."
"Oh how exciting! I'd love to!" Ami said eagerly. Sakura smiled. She gave both her parents a hug and walked out with Gaara.
"Aren't you glad that's over with?" Sakura asked Gaara. Her thumb gently caressed his hand that was entwined with hers. He nodded. "Let's never do that again."
Sakura chuckled cutely as she reached up and pecked him on the cheek.
So there's your update! I think I need to make a schedule….but I don't think it will work. So I will try to update my next story soon.
