Chapter 11: Test of Trust

Little Falcon: Hey! Another update! The sleeplessness has been lifted but that's no reason not to update right? Read and review please!

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!!!

"Here," she handed a pill to her pale seat mate slash boyfriend that was leaning on his desk lifelessly. The puncture wound yesterday was still evident on his muscled arm as he reached of the medicine she offered. "It's a supplement to replenish your blood faster. You look like you're about to faint," she smiled apologetically at him and he groaned in reply.

"I still can't believe it! You had Gaara's blood drawn on a first date!" the whiskered blond teased his red headed friend as he watched Gaara gulped down the pill. Soon after, he impaled Naruto with a death glare so he shut up immediately.

Her emerald eyes reflected his face clearly. For a while, she stared at him openly. "Sakura? Something wrong?" he inched his face closer to hers. As their eyes met, Sakura jumped back to reality.

It's okay for me to be like this…right? For the rest of the day, her mind was never in the same place as her body. Even as they were going home, Sakura's mind kept wandering some place far away.

The warm touch on her forehead yanked her thoughts back from traveling any further. "You're out of it the whole day. Are you sick?" his worried jade eyes mirrored her pale face.

"Since when have you been an expert on medicine? That's my field, thank you very much," Sakura casually removed his hand from her forehead and held on to it as they walked down the park. "Will my ever so thoughtful boyfriend buy me ice cream?" she flashed her puppy dog eyes at him that only made him smile helplessly.

The playground was empty that time. The kids went home because the sun was already setting. Her swing's chains sounded noisily as she began to move.

"Here," Gaara handed her the ice cream as he sat on the empty swing. Watching her closely, he smirked as he saw her struggling to keep the ice cream drips from getting to her hand.

"That was a struggle," she laughed as they hand-in-hand made their way back to home.

Noticing that they were alone in the alley, Gaara pulled her into his arms and whispered against her hair "I love you," in the most tender tone she heard.

Her emerald eyes widened in shock. Her reply should be simple enough but they won't come out of her mouth. It was as if somewhere in the back of her mind something was stopping her from telling another lie.

Without uttering a word, she drew back and tiptoed to initiate a passionate exchange between their lips that lasted for as long as their breaths can hold.

Somehow her thoughts found sanctuary in med school; there she was left along with her wandering mind. No one dared to question her because if they did she would answer them in a more than correct way that would end up embarrassing the one who asked the question.

Sakura found herself releasing a long sigh as she was about to leave the school grounds. Literally slapping herself back to reality, she decided that she wouldn't think about it anymore. But as soon as she made a mental promise to herself, there he stood in front of her like a physical reminder that her promise could never be fulfilled.

His onyx eyes focused on the pink haired girl as she froze upon sight of him. "Long time no see, Sakura," he began to approach her, knowing that she can no longer take another step to be near him.

That night, Sakura came home and confined herself in her room- not daring to talk to anyone, most especially Gaara.

"Sakura… I made a mistake. Please… come back to me," his eyes held her captive for the longest time until she found the strength to run away from him.

Lies! He's lying! Right? She hugged her pillow as Sasuke's voice rang in her head then Gaara's earlier confession followed. I already have Gaara. I don't need him! But… why can't I tell him I love him too? Biting her lower lip, she sank deeper into confusion. What am I going to do?

"Hmmm… you know it would be unfair for Gaara because I know he's so sure of what he feels for you. I sure hope you feel the same way," her brother's voice echoed in her mind. Her eyes snapped open. It's the only way I'll know for sure. Glancing at the wall clock, it was past midnight but she didn't care.

Quietly, Sakura sneaked out of the house and to the place Sasuke said he'll wait for her. It was under a big Sakura tree in the park. Long ago, it was there did Sakura confessed her feelings for him.

The pink petals scattered in the air as she approached the person waiting under it. "Sasuke-kun," her voice was low and reluctant as she grew near him.

An arrogant smirk crossed his face as he heard her voice. "I knew you couldn't stay away," he pulled her to his arms and pressed his lips onto hers.

Her eyes remained open even as his lips were on hers. Tears formed in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks as he drew back to look on her face. I was right. "What's wrong?" he asked as he held her shoulders.

There was no tingling sensation in her body. No racing heart. No explosion of sensations… everything was just…

The rustling of leaves made the two of them look only to see Gaara standing behind the tree. His strong jade eyes completely focused on hers.

"Too bad, Gaara. She's still mine after all," Sasuke forced her into his arms as he mocked him with his irritating smirk.

Every tear that escaped her eyes did not go unnoticed by his penetrating gaze. Without a word, he stepped out of the tree's shadow and punched Sasuke's face squarely. He was about to beat the life out of the guy when someone grabbed his shirt from behind.

Wiping the blood away with the back of his hand, Sasuke rose to his feet with a victorious smile on his busted lips.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry Gaara-kun," she muttered her apology repeatedly as she leaned her weight against his back.

His smirk disappeared however when Gaara turned around and embraced her tightly as if Sasuke wasn't even in the picture. "I understand," he muttered as he heard her sobbing.

"I only went to see him to confirm if I still love him…" she pulled his shirt and cried openly. "…because it would be unfair if my only half my heart belongs to you," she raised her eyes to meet his even with the moisture making her vision blurry. "Because… I want you to hear my reply to what you said earlier…"

His handsome face lit up as he flashed his signature smirk. Gaara mentally held back from kissing her crazy until she finishes what she's saying.

"…I love you, too," she smiled brightly and honestly as the last tears from her eyes cleared her eyes and her head. With that Gaara crushed her lips with his, possessively.

Sasuke turned away, feeling disgusted with the scene before his eyes. Knowing his defeat, he walked away.

Little Falcon: I think the epilogue's up next or I could be wrong… read and review please.