Kintsukuroi
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Chapter 14: In the Passage of Time
As days turned into weeks, their bond only became stronger.
Gaara helped and watched Sakura train at a distance, making sure she didn't over exert herself.
Which she was famous for doing, from time to time.
Gaara recalled an experience he had one day. Master Kabu forced Gaara to have a day off, not wanting the Hokage back down here, yelling his ear off about the red head's health.
Gaara decided to watch his beryl eyed beauty train. She was in a heated spar session with two of the Hokage's clones.
There was something about hearing her roar, fist cocked, ready to do some damage.
Gaara shuddered, pride and lust for the pinkette coursing through him when a hard fist connected with the clone's skull.
Sakura was exhaling a well controlled breathe, getting into stance when the second clone poofed out of existence.
"That's enough for today Sakura-Lady Tsunade! That's not fair, I wasn't done!"
"Enough Sakura!.. You are littered in injures, tomorrow, we are going to the Land of Stone, Res- I don't need rest! And I'm just a little scuffed, stop treating me like a child!"
"Sakura!"
Sakura huffed away rushing passed a couple for Konoha jonin.
Gaara frowned, vanishing with the wind and appearing before Sakura. Who stopped, surprised by his sudden appearance.
" Ojo.. Breathe.."
She was fuming, her frame was wracked with tremors. Her hands and fingers flexed into fists.
" Aka!.. S-she had no right to cut my training short! I still had one clone left to fight!.. "
The redhead crossed his arms, as his beauty rambled on about such an insignificant thing, especially since she was leaving with Lady Tsunade for a two week training retreat.
" Sakura.. I think you're overreacting.."
Gaara inwardly shivered at the look she gave him. Her fury burning brightly in her emerald eyes.
" .. Excuse me..? .. I am.. What?"
Gaara placed his hands on her shoulders, easing the tension out of them, some.
"You're going to be gone soon for two weeks. The least you can do is relax before you're put through hell.."
Her brilliant eyes were downcast as he leaned down to kiss her nose, causing said nose to cringle, and the beauty in his arms to giggle softly.
Gaara turned to the direction he knew her home to be, but stopped once his sand wall activated, her fist the culprit.
" Spar with me Aka."
Gaara sighed, shaking his head.
" No. I agree with the Godiame.."
Sakura growled and ran past him, she stopped momentarily when he made the move to follow.
"Don't follow me, Gaara"
Gaara's 'eyebrows' furrowed in confusion and follows her anyway doing well in masking his chakra.
Gaara watched for what seemed like hours as she releases her pent up frustration.
She was turning the area around her into her own personal sandbox.
It was when she was midway into punching a boulder, Sakura fainted only to be caught by him.
'Her determination is quite the performance, she is making great progress with the Godiame..'
Gaara stared at the unconscious beauty in his arms, shocked by Shukaku's words.
' Was that admiration…?'
Shukaku stayed silent with furthered Gaara's surprise, and inwardly chuckled at the ichibi.
'You are right… I have no doubt she will surpass her master..'
'A Bold Claim.'
' I have a bold woman..'
In the corner of his tattered mind, Gaara felt the ichibi grin.
One second they were in the training grounds, only to appear in her room to lay her down.
The Hokage trained her hard, but she would always train even harder. The rosette goddess was only gone for a week, but even a day was torturous enough..
'I see your lioness has gone missing for some time...'
Gaara ignored his ichibi and the apparent 'fan girls' he accumulated since volunteers were accepted.
'Why don't you lay wi-No one, and never.'
Gaara mentally glared at the ichibi.
Unbeknownst to Gaara, Shikamaru and Kankuro followed him, and have been following the couple for a couple of months, recording and taking photos of Gaara and Sakura, but as of late they have been just focusing on Gaara, without Sakura.
They captured him slowly becoming more and more irritable the longer Sakura is away.
But today, she was coming back.
She appears as if in a dream, she walks toward the red head, only to see several Konoha Kunoichi checking the shirtless Gaara out, giggling and commenting in hushed whispers behind their hands.
Sakura was innocently strolling through, just recently returned from a tough two week training session, her hair was longer, eyes shone bright, and her clothes were dusted with debris but she didn't care, she missed her sandy bad boy, and by kami, she was going to see him now.
Master Kabu winked and waved at the girl, who laughed softly and returned the gesture.
Gaara's ears twitched, swearing he heard her voice, he eyes scorn the fields, and sure enough, his eyes landed on her form, making way towards him, bashfully.
One look into those enchanting emerald eyes.
'My dragon..made of diamonds..'
Gaara dropped what he was doing, and in a trance, pushed past the Konoha Kunoichis who were offering him a cold bottle of water.
Sakura couldn't help but laugh internally at their faces.
Sakura headed into the treeline, giving Gaara one sultry look before vanishing in the foliage.
Gaara's nostrils flared up, and in response quickened his pace.
Once under the cover of the trees, Gaara sent out pulses of sand to look for her, he grinned, hearing a soft squeal of excitement, behind one of the many huge trees in this forest.
Gaara vanished only to reappear behind Sakura, trapping her in his arms.
"Found you.."
Sakura squealed in glee. "Miss me?"
The question made Gaara reflect on how her absence truly made him feel.
"Very dearly.."
Sakura turned in Gaara's arms, not expecting such a response, she smiled a bright heartstopping smile.
"I missed you so very much .."
Sakura tippy toed and pecked his soft lips, the action cause Gaara to stiffen then crush her against his chest as his tongue ravished her mouth only to have her respond with the same vigor.
Shikamaru and Kankuro stayed hidden, they took photos and recorded what they thought was evidence, the pair blushed at what they heard, making sure to not watch.
Even after she returned, they never stopped.
There were moments where they trained even on their days off.
But today was not one of those days. No work needed to be done, nothing hindered them from spending time with each other.
Which is why...
Gaara was lying adjacent to the pillows, his knees bent off Sakura's bed clad in nothing but his boxers, jade colored eyes analyzing everything in her room, from the soft shade of tan on the walls, the curtains that hid her balcony, the photos and various beauty utensils on her desk all the while her small personal radio hummed softly into the otherwise quiet room.
Gaara's ears twitch at the sound of the water being cut off in the bathroom. A few moments Sakura comes into the room, freshly bathed covered in a bathrobe, loosely.
Gaara's hungry eyes instantly lock onto her form after she sends him a soft smile, her pink locks dripping with retained water.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long.." she trailed off as she looked through her drawers for her outfit of the day.
"Not at all, take your time.."
Sakura smiled and pulled out a pair of matching seafoam colored undergarments, and suddenly dropping her robe, Gaara's nostrils flared at the exposed beauty before him as she bent over, giving him an ample view of her maturing body as she slid the fabric up her smooth legs.
'..She's doing this on purpose..'
Once her panties were in their rightful place, she went to reach for her bra, only to have it deteriorate in her hands into sand, Sakura stared at her now empty hands, sweat dropping as her eyes landed on Gaara's innocent grin.
"You know.. This might sound crazy, but I was actually going to wear that." She finished crossing her arms over her bare chest, she noticed a spark in his eyes as she did.
"It's only fair you remain topless, as I am."
"..Gaara~.. That isn't really fair.." Sakura blushed profusely.
"Would you rather me be in the nude?" she didn't answer, her blush only darkened which lead her to cover her face in embarrassment.
A devilish smirk appeared on Gaara's lips, he took her lack of answer as an answer and removed his boxers, covering his lower half with her white sheets, when she was finally composed, she locked eyes with his form, only for her to turn crimson at the discarded fabric on the floor i.e. his boxers.
Sakura locked her curious emerald eyes with his tantalizing jade, the hum of the music feeding their anticipation.
Unknown to Sakura, Gaara was watching several droplets trail down her covered chest, only some slipping through the cracks, making its was down to her nether regions.
Sakura yelped suddenly as the texture of her floor went to hardwood to sand, which her used to inch her closer to his now sitting up, form.
When she was close enough, two strong hands rested on her slim waist, his hands running up and down, slim fingers caressing every inch of her, from where her ribs ended to the widest point of her hips, he smiled as he notice her quiver from his touch, his eyes lock with hers as he leaned closer to her, he heard her gasp as his wide tongue licks up after the trail of droplets, his forehead came in contact with her crossed forearms only to uncurl them so that, her nimble fingers could tangle themselves in his crimson locks as his tongue ran over her now exposed developing breasts, only to latch onto one of her hardened peaks, Sakura couldn't help but moan at the sensation of his canines grazing her flesh.
"D-dyga sa~"
Gaara couldn't help the cheeky smile that tugged on his lips, he stopped what he was doing to show off his dimpled smile as he took her hand, placing it on his hard need for her, he caught the flash of lust in her eyes as she squeezed him eliciting a soft groan.
"If you really want it Ojo~.. then dyga ed"
Sakura crushed her lips against his in an attempt to ravish him before pushing him against her mattress, his eyes coated with his desire of her as she climbed on top of him seductively before settling on his lap.
His manhood pressed against his abdomen as she grinded against him, Gaara's eyes narrowed at the fleeing pleasure before Sakura leaned into his ear, whispering dirty words into his ear distracting him as she slowly took him into her tight glistening core.
"R-rumo.. vilgehk.. cred~"
Sakura's only response was, throwing her head back in approval as she went all the way down his base, she leaned forward, capturing his lips in a hungry kiss.
Just as Gaara's world was melting away behind black eye lids Sakura did the unthinkable, pulling on his bottom lip with her teeth momentarily before letting go.
Gaara stared at the woman above him, fascinated and captivated, which was short lived as she leans forward, propping herself up with the help of her strong arms and wrists as she lifted only to drop her hips, slowly up and down, gaining momentum and speed, Gaara watched, periodically moaning his Goddess' name as she dominated him.
"..S-sakura~"
She was gaining strength, her days of tedious practice and training was paying off.
At her request, Gaara created sand walls for Sakura to practice busting through. After such a session, Gaara always examined her hands and knuckles, more often than not, seeing them red, irritated and sometimes bloody.
She would always assure him that she was okay healing her wounds effortlessly after saying so.
Training was usually followed by meditation.
Everyday for three years, Sakura had to concentrate to pool some chakra in a separate compartment, in attempt to fill the requirement to the Hundred seal.
Meditating sometimes frustrated Sakura.
In the moments when she doubted herself, she would often replay encouraging words Gaara and he Sensei gave to her during idle conversation.
Time flew by, everyone's hair was much longer, features began to develop rapidly within the Konoha 11.
The pair hid the relationship well, they never showed public affection. In crossing, despite the company they had, they always found ways to lock eyes, Sakura would smile to herself, biting her bottom lip from Gaara's firm chest which was more often than not, shirtless or wearing a sweat drenched t-shirt.
Gaara and Sakura's relationship easily flourished the more time spent together.
They spared hand to hand, they practiced their Taijutsu, Shuriken Jutsu, the works.
It wasn't until Sakura landed her first chakra filled punch to the ground did she see the fruits of her labor.
The ground broke apart from the sheer force of the blow, making the terrain around her crumble and collapse in several different directions.
Her breathing was ragged but the large grin was plastered across on her face . It wasn't until she heard clapping did she hop out of the newly formed crater to see Lady Tsunade, applauding her.
Sakura felt on top of the world as Gaara watched in the distance, his chest filled with pride.
He couldn't help but reminisce about their journey together so far:
Gaara basically lived with Sakura, since her parents were out on missions constantly. On some days Sakura would come home exhausted from a long hospital shift, on those nights Gaara would have dinner ready for her.
The days they took completely off they enjoyed each other's company, there was a day when they spent the listening to music in silence, basking in each others presence.
When the Tanabata Matsuri, Star Festival, Umi no hi, which was based on a princess and a shepherd who fell in love, but were forbidden to meet, except for that day of the year (tanabata meaning the "evening of the seventh), when the two stars Kengyu (shepherd) and Orihime (Weaving Princess) meet in the Milky Way.
On that day, children write poems or wishes on streamers of paper and attach them on special tanabata trees. Sakura found Gaara near one of the many tanabata trees, covered in notes. He glanced around reading some of the poems, surprisingly finding some he quite enjoyed.
"..Find one you like Aka?" Gaara smiled and turned to the pink haired beauty behind him.
Growing very fond of the nickname she picked out for him.
".. I'm pleasantly surprised.. some of these are very well written.." Sakura's interest perked up as she stood beside him, her eyes examined the many pieces of poetry, smiling, impressed.
"You're right.. a lot of these are really good.." Gaara pointed to a particular one.
"That ..one is my favorite.." Sakura squinted trying to see the one he spoke of. Sakura blinked, the piece he pointed to had a small heart on it and a cherry blossom attached to it. Gaara kissed her cheek before vanishing into a whirlwind of sand. Sakura was too busy blushing to notice the letter 'G' on the piece of paper.
3rd Monday of July, Obon, Lantern Festival, Bon or obon is a Buddhist festival to pay tribute to the ancestral spirits.
During the obon days, the spirits of the ancestors return to earth, and lanterns are lit in front of houses to guide them to their families.
Lanterns are then floated on rivers to indicate the way back to the underworld.
When night fell, Gaara created a cloud of sand for him and Sakura to sit and watch the soft glow, that covered the now dark Konoha.
Sakura hugged Gaara's arm, resting her head on his shoulder as they held hands.
Sakura ended up falling asleep on him that night.
Keiro no hi, Respect-for-the-Aged Day, a day to pay tribute to the elderly and hope for longevity.
Gaara found Sakura working on Tsunade's paper work in the Hokage office.
Sakura smiled once he entered the room.
"Oh Thank Kami you're here.. This paper work was putting me to sleep.. I didn't think Tsunade- sensei would have suddenly taken the whole day off like that.." the pinkette admitted tiredly, not hearing a response, she looked at Gaara and blushed darkly, he had a certain look in his eye that begged for trouble.
"..Well.. we can't have that.. can we?"
Sakura gulped as Gaara rounded the desk, only to stand beside the now panicking pinkette.
"..G-Gaara.. I-i.." he silenced her with his lips on hers and he gently took her hand, standing her up from the Hokage's seat, sliding it away before bending Sakura over the well known desk.
"W-wait!..G-Gaar-Shhh.. Can't be too loud, Sakura.. someone will hear you.." Sakura was about to protest until Gaara gripped the hemp of her shorts, pulling them off along with her underwear.
She whimpered as Gaara slid his member clumsily against her, missing her entrance on purpose, teasing her.
" Aka..p-please..~" he slid into her with little to no resistance, her slick walls gripped him in place.
He leaned over her bent over form, pulling her clothes above her breasts, teasing her growing mounds as he filled her to the hilt, the action causing him to groan in her ear.
"..Ojo.. You wanted me this bad? Look how easily I slid in to you.." Sakura groaned in pleasure as Gaara thrusted his words home.
Sakura bit her lower lip in attempt to stay quiet as the sound of flesh slapping against slick flesh filled the office room.
Gaara pounded into her on her Sensei's desk.
Sakura didn't want to admit it, but she couldn't help but feel highly aroused at the aspect of getting caught.
Gaara gripped her widening hips, pulling her down on his length, this time, she could not help but moan his name.
The pair stopped once they heard a knock outside the door, along with the jostling of the door knob. Sakura's eyes widened, the thought of getting caught made her tense and tighten down on the unsuspecting redhead, who covered Sakura's mouth with his hand before pounding his length in and out of the unsuspecting pink beauty.
A couple of more knocks with an added 'Tsunade-sama?.. Are you there?' and Sakura came undone..
She felt faint as Gaara didn't let up, he was trailing kisses up and down her back, his thrusts slow before regaining a second wind, thus slamming himself in and out of her weeping entrance until he met his end.
Gaara nuzzled her tenderly before slipping out of her.
Sakura was in the middle of shakily standing up, when a hand at the small of her back stopped her.
".. Who said I was done?" she heard him say as he rubbed her peach shaped behind.
They eventually lost count on how many times they've had sex.
Taiiku no Hi, Health and Sports Day 2nd monday on October
A competition was made in light of the beautiful day.
Hosting it was Rock Lee and Gai-sensei.
Sakura and the other girls wore light sportswear. Lee wore his green jumpsuit.
Sakura wore a black sports bra, that stopped just above her navel, her outfit came complete with her signature black bicycle shorts. It wasn't till mid competition, after competing with each other in push up, squats and shuriken jutsu, the last event was a baton race did Gaara and Sakura stumble under the cover of the trees only to have vigorous sex, under the hot sun.
Gaara wore a sleeveless shirt, and regular/ standard pair of tapered pants.
Gaara noticed a light discoloration on the back of Sakura's neck, where it met her back.
Looking at it closely, a birthmark with along of what seemed like beauty marks looked as if when connected shaped the Kanji for heaven.
Gaara couldn't help but growl as he entangled his fingers in her hair, pulling on it lightly so that her back would be pressed more against his torso.
She arched her back as the redhead pounded in her from behind like a wild animal.
Now that, Gaara had a grip on Sakura's hair, he tilted her head to the right, exposing her neck to him, he bared his teeth against the tender flesh there, biting it lightly before using his lips to mare her neck in love marks.
The action made Sakura's knees buckle.
Gaara replaced his left hand which was gripping Sakura's hips to one of her bouncing breasts, gripping the supple flesh, kneading as he continued to plunge in and out of the pinkette, causing her to release a partial scream, the sound caused Gaara to release her hair to cover her mouth as she braced herself against the sand coated tree as she came harshly.
Sakura's eyes rolled back as Gaara's pace turned slow yet rigorous, but what made her sight flicker in and out of darkness was his slow grueling action of him pumping his entire length in and out of her.
Sakura climaxed two more times before Gaara turned Sakura towards him. She was barely able to stand by the time he lifted against the sand covered bark only to slide her down his entire length.
He pinned her frame to the tree, legs spread fully apart.
Sakura gripped the fabric of his shirt, cursing under her breath as Gaara continued to move within her. Gaara had her moaning loudly in disbelief, until he crashed his lips against hers, determined in fully dominating her as his movement gradually become frantic, the feel of her walls clinging to his member drove him over the edge.
He stayed in the same position, breathing heavily, the scent if passionate sex hung on the air while a pre-coital glow graced sweat slicked skin.
He nuzzled her tenderly and then loosened the grip on her legs, lowering them down slowly while still sheathed inside of her.
Unbeknownst to Sakura, Gaara sported a faint smirked at the condition her left her in.
Struggling to regain her breath, cheeks flushed, her eyes… those eyes of hers.
He felt himself twitch alive once as he locked eyes with her barely open ones. Her pink lashes obscuring a clear look at those captivating emerald eyes of hers, but what re-lit his libido was her the worrying of her bottom lip as she stared at him.
Sakura whimpered softly at the feel of him hardening inside her a mixture of pain and pleasure, evident in her voice, clearly sore from the previous session.
She asks him what has gotten into him, only to have him chuckle breathlessly in response as he slides himself deeper into the hilt of her, eliciting a shriek from the pinkette admitting :" ..Full moon.."
Before Sakura even has a chance to connect the dots, Gaara began to plunge into the unsuspecting pink haired beauty, who in turn dug her nails weakly into Gaara's shoulders, holding on to dear life as he, once again strove to quench his body of her.
Halloween October 31
With the temperature dropping, Gaara and Sakura spent a lot of time at home, tonight by watching a horror film.
Sakura shook her head at cheap scare on the screen.
" I bet I can scare you.."
Gaara turned his attention to his Gārufurendo.
"..Is that right?" he added only to see her nodding with a sure expression on her face.
" Yup!.. I won't tell you when.. but I bet I can scare you.." Gaara raised an 'eyebrow'.
".. I can't even scare myself Sakura.. and I'm considered a scary ..guy" Sakura shook her head grinning.
" You're not scary.. you're just a force to be reckoned with.. A lot of people tend to get easily intimidated at that.." she added.
"I'm speaking more into the fact.. that I am a well known killer.." Sakura shook her head.
" That isn't you anymore.. People are starting to see you for the great shinobi that you are.."
Gaara couldn't help the smile that made it on to his face from the comment.
" I bet I can scare you.." he added. Sakura chuckled.
" Is that a challenge?" Sakura added smugly while holding out her hand for him to shake, which he shook gladly.
"Oh! It's on!"
The rest of the night went on, with neither of them finding the best opportunity to scare the other, both agreed that the art of surprise was the best course of action.
November 11-12 Kaura's bday.
No one really saw Gaara the entire day, except for Sakura, whom spoke to him earlier that morning.
".. I bet she was beautiful.."
"..Was.."
".. Gaara.. true beauty doesn't fade.. Now, If you need space.. I'll understand.." She pecked his cheek and left the living room momentarily to use the bathroom, when she came back, he was gone. She smiled sadly and started on dinner, waiting for Gaara to return.
It wasn't until after midnight, did Gaara appear in her room, she got up from her bed to switch on a light, only to be pulled back in bed by his sand.
The bed creaked slightly from his added weight.
Sakura was about to ask him if he was alright, when Gaara buried his face in her chest, arms wrapped tightly around her.
The hug felt reminiscent to that of a child hugging a mother for comfort.
She held onto him tight, kissing the top of his head repeatedly, she swore she felt moisture soak into the fabric on her nightgown, but didn't question it further.
Gaara was hurting, and she wanted to do whatever it took to make him feel better.
November 15 Shichi-Go-San, 7-5-3 Festival
Shichigosan is the traditional rite of passage for boys aged 3 and 5 and girls aged 3 and 7 to be blessed at the local shinto shrine to extend thanks for their good health and pray for their future blessings.
Children are dressed up in colorful kimonos.
Sakura observed the day by helping the the boys age 3 to 5, girls age 3 to 7, get ready for their visit to the Naka Shrine.
Forgetting something inside , she quickly informed Iruka and entered the Academy, as she passed the many classrooms of the Academy. She paused momentarily in front of a classroom doorway, when she overheard some laughter.
Peeking in the classroom, watching the scene unfold before her, warmed her heart.
The children that once ran away from Gaara, were currently with him being entertained by his sand.
Sakura found his good nature towards the children to be very attractive.
Noticing her presence, Gaara apologized and suggests the kids to join the rest of of there classmates. Giggling they ran out the classroom.
Sakura strode in the classroom once the kids are gone and slid the door behind her, closed.
The action rose an invisible eyebrow.
"...Sakura..?" She grinned at him as she used some of her chakra infused strength to press Gaara against the wall. She quickly undid and pulled down his pants before coming face to face with what Gaara has been pleasing her with all this time.
'O-oh ..my'
Sakura looked into Gaara's face which was now lightly dusted with blush as she neared the head of his member.
First a shy hand came to tentatively grip his shaft, her cheeks turned pink as she felt it twitch. She then experimentally ran her fingers up and down his member.
Her eyes would occasionally switch between what her hands were doing and Gaara's facial expressions.
Then he moaned..
The sound made both of them look at each other in shock, Sakura was the first to break the shock when she begins to lap at the head of his dick. Gaara's hands tremble as does his knees as Sakura become more courageous in her ministrations.
"...K-kuso.. Sakura..!"
Sakura rested her lust coated eyes on Gaara's visually delicious expressions, it wasn't until she was gagging on his shaft did Gaara's hips involuntary thrust into her face, his once trembling fingers, entangled themselves in her pink locks.
He choked a gasp as her throat milked him for all he was worth. Gaara attempted to pull his hips away from her lips, but her firm grip on his now, trembling thighs made him stay put. Gaara's eyes were slitted in ecstasy, from his cheeks to the mark that adorned his forehead was a heavy red coated in a crimson blush.
He groaned as she continued to suck and swallow at his twitching manhood, Gaara hissed, gripping his hair as she slid his shaft in and out of her mouth, with a skill that left Gaara's mouth dry.
"..S-saku..kura.. N-no more.. " he said with a shudder, the response he received was an audible 'pop' and sultry chuckle from the pink haired goddess on her knees before him.
He opened his eyes slowly, eyes wincing, having to accustom to the light from being close for so long. His gaze landed on the woman before him, who eyes smiled at him, he raised a trembling hand to caress her cheek and she graced him with her gaping mouth.
His white coated the walls of her mouth and her tongue.
Then….
…Then… in one large gulp.
It was all gone.
He knew this because she showed him her clean mouth and cute pink tongue free of his personal..substance.
Gaara's face matched his hair color that day.
If only he knew what she had to read and study to be as skilled as she was.
November 23, Kinro kansha no hi, Labour Thanksgiving Day
Celebrates labour and production, and is meant to thank one another.
Sakura made a huge feast, expecting her parents to be home any minute.
She was planning on finally revealing to her parents that she was in a relationship with Gaara.
When 8 pm rolled around, a disappointed Sakura, began to dig in.
That was until she heard a knock at the door. She raced to the door, in opening it did she see:
Gaara, his siblings, Master Kabu, Master Matsun, Master Oppai-chai at her door. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"..Konbanwa, did something happen?.. What is everyone doing here?"
Master Kabu took a step forward, choosing to speak first.
".. Is Thanksgiving, not for family?..Carpe diem, is what I always say.." A bright smile spread across Sakura's face.
"H-hai! Come in! There's enough for everyone!" she added as she stepped to the side, allowing her guests in.
Gaara was going to be the last through the door, Sakura closed said door, afterward giving him a well deserved kiss on the lips as he caressed her face softly.
"Happy Thanksgiving..Ojo.." She couldn't help but kiss him again before they made their way inside the warm home, joining the others in digging into her well prepared feast.
December 24/25 Christmas
White snowflakes drifted from the sky only gather upon the ground.
Gaara and Sakura lay naked in front of the fireplace, basking in the warmth. Sheets were sprawled all over on the floor.
This was one of the rare occasions where Sakura visited Gaara.
For Christmas, Sakura gave Gaara a picture of them the day they finished plowing all the the soil and sowing the seeds.
Sakura had her arm hanging off of Gaara's shoulders, in an attempt to bring him closer in the shot. She was sporting a smile while he looked confused.
Gaara gave Sakura a set of black gloves, made specially to help protect her hands from further hand injury.
' Christmas..already..'
The redhead thought, as the rosette haired beauty was captivated by the flames while listening to his heart beat, unbeknownst of his internal struggle.
'...Did you think was going to really last beyond the year?'
'.. I swore to her.. I won't let distance destroy this..'
' You can't control everything.. '
Sakura felt a spike in his chakra, she rose her head from his chest in question.
" Something wrong?" Gaara shook his head as he caressed her bare smooth back.
" I'm fine.. you need your rest.." Sakura nodded, laying her head down again, right above his heart.
The scar Sasuke's chidori made against her cheek. With his heart beat in her ear, she closed her eyes, and in her mind, dreamed of telling Gaara, how much she loved him, afraid that if she said it a loud, he would associate her with the person who was responsible for his childhood trauma.
Before they knew it they were celebrating the New Year.
Everyone was on top of the Hokage rock, where all the previous Hokages faces were displayed as a honorable reminder. While everyone but a select few, them being: Shikamaru, Kankuro and Temari witness them kiss at the stroke of midnight.
A flash captured the moment perfectly.
Jan. 19 Gaara's Birthday
Sakura spent the night out with the sand siblings, Shikamaru and Rock Lee, who was trying to sweet talk Sakura into dating him, to no avail.
Once back in Sakura's room, she asked if Gaara felt threatened. Shaking his head he responded:
" What we have is beyond words.. I was not the least bit upset when Rock Lee was hitting on you.." He finished by capturing her lips in a tender kiss that slowly transformed into a hungry lip lock.
They didn't make love, but Gaara saw that Sakura was satisfied with just the use of his mouth and gentle touch.
The following day- Konoha Hospital 4pm
Sakura was making her final rounds when she came across Rock Lee seated in the lobby, curious, she made her way towards him.
" Konbanwa Lee, Are you here for an appointment?"
The Green Beast smiled his usual carefree smile, despite seeming to be in discomfort.
"Ah! Sakura, my heart throbs to see you here! And here to help me no less!" Sakura sweatdropped.
"How can I help you, Lee?"
Lee said nothing and showed his palms to Sakura, who raised a brow, no injury seen.
"Lee, um, I don't really see anything wrong.."
Lee gulped.
"Something is ingrained into my hands! I was in the middle of walking around Konoha on my hands, when the pain in my palms became too bothersome to ignore.."
Sakura rubbed her chin as she contemplated what it could be, she took a hold of his hand, pressing a index finger into his palm before he snatched it away, hissing in pain, Sakura shrieked, not expecting the reaction as well as the sight of blood dripping down his hand.
"I-i'm so sorry Lee.. I didn't mean to hurt you!" Lee winced and shook his head at the apologetic pinkette.
"Not to worry! I am tougher than what you might have seen!"
Sakura sweatdropped and bowed apologetically nonetheless.
"Come with me Lee, let's have a closer look in a exam room, follow me."
Lee followed her, cupping his hand to keep from bleeding all over the floor.
One in the exam room, Lee sat on an examining table, palms up while Sakura was searching through the cabinets for gauze and disinfectant. She returned beside Lee, tray in hand.
"Okay.. Let me get a closer look.. See what's happening"
Sakura turned on a headlamp, eyes narrowing as she examined his palms, when she went to touch the seemingly 'normal' bare palm, only to have Lee yelp and pull his hand away again, the bleeding becoming heavier, Sakura cursed under her breath and apologize.
'Why does he bleed more.. After I touch it?'
"Lee, can you touch your own palm?"
Lee compiled and poked the area near his thumb, no blood. Something clicked.
"Lee.. let me test this.. I am sorry if this causes you pain.."
Sakura touched his palm to have him wince in pain. Sakura's eyes widen as blood seeped from the very place she touched. She rushed to the sink, getting a small water basin, creating a saline solution to extract whatever is injuring his hands.
"Lee, put your hands in this.. And sorry again if this hurts.."
Rock Lee did as asked, once submerged, she placed two hands above the the surface of the water, concentrating and focusing on removing the foreign substance from Lee's palms, it took 1 hour, but Lee's hands were as good as new after Sakura healed him.
"Arigato! Sakura-chan! Allow me to take you out as a thank you!"
Sakura gulped, her eyes going to the content at the bottom of the water basin.
"Sorry Lee, but I have a lot of training to do with Tsunade-shishou.."
"NO! Problem! I know you will go the distance, and blossom into fierce ninja!" Sakura smiled and waved as a nurse let the tear faced Lee out the room, once the coast was clear, Sakura placed her hands in the water, hesitant to touch what was extracted from Lee's hands, but once she touched the grainy substance, her eyes widened.
'Sand!?..Gaara..'
Sakura's eyebrow furrow in concern, confused by the turn of events, and then it hit her, she rushed to clock out, and run home, where he was surely to be waiting for her to come home.
Haruno Residence
Gaara was in the kitchen, wearing a dark green apron as he cooked a small meal for him and Sakura, his ear twitched at the sound of the front door slamming close, harder than usual.
'Rough day.'
He thought and continued sauteeing the beef, that was until he heard Sakura barge in, eyes full of conflicting emotions. Gaara seeing this lowered the flame and gave her his full attention. She presented him with a vile which contained a red grainy substance, Gaara raised a 'brow'.
"Do you know what this is?"
Gaara shook his head, and sniffed at the air.
"Blood?..." Sakura nodded.
"And..?"
Gaara shrugged, Sakura frowned.
" Why was your sand engraved into the palms of Rock Lee..?"
Gaara's eyes widen a fraction of a second, before a frustrated look appears on his face. The expression on his face worried Sakura, something told her he didn't do this on purpose, he did say Lee's presence didn't bother him yesterday.
'But then..what was sand doing in his palms.. And why did they bleed every time i touched him.'
" Is.. Lee alright?" Sakura was pulled from her thoughts at the sudden inquiry.
" He is now.. I had difficulty healing him, everytime I would touch his palm, it would bleed where I touched.. Why?"
Gaara's hands fisted at his sides, eyes narrowed darkly at nothing in particular.
Sakura stared at Gaara, her eyes widening as everything clicked. Sakura placed a comforting hand on his fisted ones, successfully pulling him from his thoughts.
" Shukaku did this.. Didn't he.."
Her suspicion was confirmed when Gaara looked away, ashamed.
"Aka.. Look at me.."
Gaara's eyes locked onto hers in an instant.
" You too Shukaku.. Eyes up here" She motions with two fingers to keep eye contact. She noted how his eyes widen slightly at the command directed to the Ichibi.
" Shu.. I'm guessing you're to blame for this sand fiasco?"
'...'
Gaara nodded, answering for him despite his silence.
" Lee wasn't a danger to Gaara or I, I know he asks me out, but you two don't really think I would go out with him..did you?"
'What is the matter with the green one?'
" Why won't you?.. He asked.."
A smile made its way on Sakura's face.
" He isn't you, Gaara.. Shu, I really appreciate it, but I can protect myself."
Shukaku glowered with made Gaara smile faintly.
'...Gomen.. Sakura..'
Gaara's eyes nearly bulge from his head. Sakura saw this and instantly, two smaller yet soft hands went to his cheeks.
" Are you okay?.. Gaara?"
Gaara's shocked eyes landed on Sakura's.
" He apologized..to you.."
Sakura's smile only widened, she leaned into Gaara's ear, giving hIm a soft tender hug.
" Thank you..the both of you.."
Gaara's hands rested at the small of her back as he returned the embrace, he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent before smelling something burning. Gaara commanded his sand to saute and shake the meat in the pan around.
Not ready enough to let go of his mate, not just yet.
Feb 3 Setsubun (Bean-Throwing Ceremony) literally meaning the "seasonal divide" part of the Spring Festival.
A ritual called mamemaki (bean-throwing), conducted at people's homes or in temples and shrines in order to expel evil spirits and disease by throwing beans outside their house and exclaiming: "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!", which translates as "Demons out, luck in!"
The number of beans thrown (and subsequently eaten) usually corresponds to a person's age.
Everywhere you turned on Konoha, people were throwing beans, first in their homes and then at shrines, Sakura was laughing the whole time, Gaara took his amount of beans and instead of throwing them at an something in particular, he poured two hand fulls over his head, when Sakura wasn't looking.
February 14: Valentine's Day
Sakura was home preparing a nice dinner for the two of them, taking her time as she she hadn't been feeling well for a while.
She was sipping some camomile tea in attempt to soothe her flu-like symptoms. She was just turning off the stove only to hear soft music playing from where she believed to be her living room.
She walked out of the kitchen to see a bowl of Ume on the table (Japanese Apricot)Gaara was wearing a white shirt, and had a gray hoodie on, his pants were a black and tapered at the ankles.
He reached his hand out for her.
Sakura took his hand, and blushed as he softly tugged her in to his arms. Gaara rested his hands on the small of her back, as she rested her arms on his shoulders.
They slow danced till he surprised by pulling off a half spin that brought the front of their bodies closer together.
Sakura hooked her hands behind Gaara's neck, she worried her bottom lip which caused Gaara to smother her worrying with his own lips.
Sakura melted, and realized she felt better now that he was here.
Later that night they lay under the covers of her sheets, skyclad and basking in the warmth and intimacy of the moment.
Gaara laid flat on his back while Sakura laid flush against his chest, tracing invisible characters on his peck all the while listening to his heartbeat and soft tunes coming from the radio which also served to mask their conversation.
" ..Gaara…?"
" Hm?" He stirred slightly to caress the soft skin of her back.
".. I enjoy it better...when you're around me.."
Gaara raised a 'brow' at the statement. " It?.. What is it?"
Sakura sighed contently at the music's soft tempo.
"..Life."
She heard his heart skip a beat only to pump faster to catch up.
Gaara's fingers intertwined and fiddled with Sakura's as he thought of a response.
"... Sakura.. My life, isn't worth a sliver of yours.. "
Sakura raised her head, eyes glimmering with a fury that made his breath get caught in his throat.
" If I ever lost you Gaara… I would be losing myself ..too" Gaara's 'brows' furrowed at the confession.
She must not fully understand the miracle it is to him to have someone, her of all people, pressed flush against him, naked, glowing and looking at him with an expression.. That expression.
Gaara captured her lips in a soul wrenching kiss.
Her expression that said:
' You are my world.. Without you, I am part of a whole.. I am yours Gaara, and you.. Are mine and mine alone.'
If only she knew how much Gaara clung desperately to be with her for any given moment, any time of the day, because around her, he felt, fulfilled.
March 13 Festival of Colors
The Last days of the mission upon them, Sakura desperately used any free time to be with Gaara, She was depressing herself with thoughts of Gaara leaving when Temari 'booped' her nose, helping Sakura to come back to reality.
" Do you want to help me do this?.. We might get yelled at for these antics.. but screw it! We should be celebrating!" She added while stuffing colored dust in various pouches.
Sakura grinned and continued pulverizing the chalk in her hands into colored powder.
" Temari.. you sure everyone will be wearing white?" the pinkette asked.
"Sakura.. I made sure to tell the only reliable ninja for that jo-It's Lee isn't it"
Sakura chuckled as she heard Temari suck her teeth.
" I'm not the boyfriend for you to be finishing sentences for.." Sakura couldn't help to blush.
".. I'm going to.. m-miss you guys.." Temari stopped what she was doing to look at Sakura, seeing the girl on the verge of tears.
"Sakura.. I know you are Gaara are going to be fine.. Look at me and Shikamaru.."
Sakura smiled and hugged the four pig tailed blonde, she felt better knowing, Temari and Shikamaru dated, despite the distance.
Feeling full of hope, Sakura got back to the task at hand.
Training Grounds- 3 Pm
There gathered the shinobi who worked hard the entire year, including all of Konoha 11 as well as the Sand Siblings.
Everyone stood around, pouches in hand, waiting for the word.
"EVERYMAN FOR HIMSELF!"
A puff of blue covered a part of the grounds, which was then beautifully being carried away by a passing breeze.
A playful chaos in-sued.
Clouds of pink, yellow, green, white, purple, coated the air all around them.
The powder stuck to the clothing in various patterns. The dust stuck to hair, skin, it got on practically on anything.
Amidst the clouds of dust, their eyes locked.
Sakura had a giant smile plastered on her face from all the fun she was having.
She was too late in noticing Gaara having appeared behind her, before emptying his pouch of red dust on her head.
Her mouth was open ajar, feign shock as she emptied her bag of pink dust on his head, coating his hair in the pink substance.
As she was laughing, Gaara paused in that moment to look around, seeing so many people, sharing in this one moment.
Joy apparent in everyone's face.
Sand and Konoha, together.
Once the dust had settled, a calmness overtook them as they all examined the results.
Many of them pleased and laughing at each other. Sakura was leaning against a nearby tree, feeling breathless.
Careful as to not raise any suspicion, he pressed the back of his hand against her forehead, feeling her a little hotter than usual.
" .. Do you have a fever?.." Sakura raised her head to look at Gaara only to be overtaken with nausea.
"I-i'll be fine.. I've had this flu on and off for a while.. I'll be fine.."
Regardless of what she said, Gaara took her home, showered with her, making sure to get the colors off her fair skin, after getting her dressed, he tucked her in bed, and went to prepare her a bowl of soup.
Sakura was fast asleep by the time her head hit the pillow.
March 27th
Sakura wearing usual outfit which consisted of a red qipao dress with short sleeves — with slits along the sides accompanied by a zipper and white circular designs. She also wears tight dark green bike shorts with a shuriken holster around her right thigh, blue sandals, and the standard Konoha forehead protector worn as a hairband. top with the same design as the upper-half of her old outfit. Tucked on her hips were the black gloves Gaara got her for Christmas.
Sakura changed colored band of her forehead protector to red.
Lastly, she now carries a medical pouch.
She stood at the West Gate of Konoha, awaiting the rest of her teammates.
They were Kakashi and the other Shikamaru. After receiving Intel on small group of rebels snatching anything they can get their hands on. The last thing they snatched being a priceless necklace that belonged to a neighboring royal countryman.
Temari looked at the graying sky, frowning slightly as she felt a drop or two of rain touch her cheek. She watched as the trio departed.
18 minutes out
Kakashi thought he caught something in the corner of his eye, and thought he heard a voice.
He commanded the group to halt all movement, believing the rebels weren't far off.
The atmosphere was eerily calm, which made the hairs on Sakura's arm raise on end.
She was shifting her eyes around, trying to see beyond the trees, when her eyes widened.
'We're in a genjutsu!'
Sakura was about to dispel the genjutsu until a searing pain shot through her abdomen, looking down, the last thing she saw was the end hilt of a kunai, poking out of her.
Her head couldn't process it, she rose her eyes to call out for her teammates only to greet, darkness.
Gaara was on his way to Sakura's home, planning on making her something to eat while awaiting her arrival when in a poof, Shikamaru appeared.
" .. Gaara. You've been summoned...the Hokage would like to have a word.." Gaara raised a brow at the Jonin sudden appearance but Gaara compiled and followed Shikamaru to the Hokage's office.
Gaara looked at the Jonin, something didn't sit well with him. He smelled blood coming off his hands.
" Were you injured on the mission?" Shikamaru stiffened at Gaara's question.
"Not me.. Why?"
Gaara stopped walking. Shikamaru sighed and turned toward Gaara, who was examining the dirt road they walked on.
Shikamaru gulped when Gaara squatted down to touch a trail of blood, it wasn't until he touched it and brought to his nose to smell did his aura darken.
His eyes became wild he disappeared in a whirlwind only to appear outside the Hokage's office.
He turned the door knob only to be pulled inside by Temari.
Temari stood before him, a troubling expression on her face.
'...Temari has been crying..'
Tsunade sat behind the desk, solemn. Temari was the first to try and muster up the courage to speak, Gaara didn't want to admit it, but the tension in the room was making Gaara uncomfortable and slowly become unhinged.
"G-Gaara.. maybe.. you should h-have a seat.." Temari motioned him to a chair in which he refused.
"Who was injured in the mission?"
The room stayed silent, which only further fueled Gaara's anger. His hands were fisted and trembling by his sides.
" Temari.. what aren't you telling me..?" The blonde didn't know how to go about saying it.
So, Tsunade took it upon herself to.
"..Sakura was the one injured..was stabbed in the lower abdomen by what I was informed to be a Kunai.. "
Gaara's felt his heart stop and his sand begin to violently swirl around the room. Everything seemed..unreal.
"Gaara..the wound was too great.. But she is stable now."
Gaara's mind was plagued with visions of Sakura, bloodied, nearly lifeless.
"Gaara.. There is one more thing you have to know.." Tsunade added, observing the unhinged redhead.
"Sakura was pregnant.. And we couldn't save the ..baby"
His world came to a crashing halt, his eyes had staggering look of shock.
'Sakura...she was..'
He gripped his redlocks and crumbled to his knees.
'It's...she..'
He began hyperventilating, the air becoming thick.
'Dead..dead...dead!''
All he could hear was the sobbing coming from his older sister and a deafening ring in his ears.
In Gaara's mind
"Boy..Boy...Gaara.. can you hear me?.. '"
The husk of the former man walked up to Shukaku, splitting open the sand spirit.
Shukaku could do nothing but howl in pain, as Gaara forced his way into the source of energy, that is until two golden arms, attempted to pull the hollowed-eyed version of Gaara to his senses.
Speaking in a soft voice, Gaara heard the unknown feminine voice say:
'...Gaara.. You don't want to do this..'
Two gentle hands tried cupping Gaara's eyes only to have him howl in anguish.
Mentally Gaara continued under the demons skin, falling into Shukaku's chakra pool.
The Hokage's Office
Temari was about to hug her young brother when he broke apart, revealing a hollow shell.
The wind would have stung anyone else going this fast, but not him.
Gaara sprinted faster toward the western side of Konoha after catching the scent of her blood.
Sensing Kakashi's chakra attempting to catch up, Gaara vanished in a tendril of sand only to reappear, outside the western walls of Konoha.
Kakashi cursed underneath his breath, then he used his Shunshin no Jutsu, reappearing at the Hokage's office.
Tsunade, Shizune and Temari were startled at first until they recognize the silvered haired shinobi.
" Gaara made it beyond the walls!.. I know where he's headed, but I need a team to come with me to subdue him!.."
Tsunade tried to appear calm, but if you looked at her hard enough you could make out the clammy sweat running down her face, and her drained appearance.
"Kakashi.. in this circumstance.. we do nothing.. and wait.." Kakashi's two visible eyes looked at her incredulously. Tsunade took the look with offense.
" You have no idea what is going on... between you student and Gaara?" Kakashi's eyes widened.
".. I only assumed.. she was going to end up with Sasuke.." Tsunade scoffed.
" Why would you assume she would wait for that traitor?" Kakashi's eyes hardened.
" His blood line is a plus to have under our belt.. Who else would bare him an heir for his line to continue?"
Temari gasped at the revelation. Tsunade in standing up, slammed her open palm down on her desk, angered.
"Enough!..I will not let someone's else life be ruined by this fucking council's idiotic old views! I thought better of you Kakashi!"
"Wake up Tsunade! There is an impending war well in the works.. You know what will happen to Gaara if he is discovered doing this!..."
Temari unable to handle the pain in her heart braced herself on the wall, unable to stop the the tears from falling, she covered face with her hands, sobbing at her little brother's misfortune.
The other two shinobi in the room turned their solemn gaze to the girl crying.
'..Gaara... I'm so.. so.. Sorry'
Tsunade sat down. After a small discussion Kakashi was allowed to take Kankuro with him but, only Kankuro.
Temari pulled him to the side to inform him while Kakashi and Tsunade discussed the details further.
Their attention was pulled to the two now crying siblings, as the contemplated the unimaginable pain their youngest was going through.
" The less people that know.. the better.." Kakashi nodded in acknowledgment before looking over at Kankuro, his eyes were red from crying at the news.
Kakashi placed a firm hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in comfort. Kankura sniffled and nodded his head in a silent 'thank you' as they quickly made their way toward the West Gate.
As the two ninja reach the Western Gate, a loud bone chilling outcry disturbed the peace for all those within 3 miles of the gate were able to hear clearly.
Kankuro's hands balled up into fists.
The turmoil in his heart, his heart ached at the unfairness of the shinobi way.
Once beyond the gates, Kankuro looked over to Kakashi before sprinting toward the direction of Gaara's outcry.
' Gaara.. I'm on my way.. '
Sand flowed freely everywhere, changing the fauna to instant desert.
Chakra was seeping off Gaara in waves, every step he took sand was sure to be there.
He sniffed the air again, then vanished only to reappear near a waterfall, his eyes quickly caught sight of an entrance to a cave underneath said waterfall. Gaara faded only to reappear in front of the cave.
After passing the threshold Gaara broke out into a sprint, running deeper into the cavern, he stopped at the sound of loud boisterous voices, Gaara blended behind a jutting rock, sniffing the air, the scent of Sakura's blood was coming from the one Gaara presumed, to be the leader.
Gaara was rearing behind the rock until the soft voice came upon him again.
'… Let me be your eyes...'
Gaara couldn't place the voice, but, nonetheless allowed the gentle hands to cover his eyes, as he made his way to the gang of men.
No sand protected him, his eyes were clear indigo-colored, the unsheathing of Sakura's birthday present made them aware of his oncoming presence.
" Who let the brat in?" one large man laughed.
" Beat it boy!.. Or we'll gut you!" another man added, laughing too before choking on his chuckle.
As Gaara suddenly appeared behind him, burying the virgin blade in the man's abdomen.
"..Not if I gut you all first.." he added, his dripping with malice.
The other men in the cavern made a sound of shock as Gaara left another one of them spilling their insides on the floor.
Gaara sprinted toward three that tried to make a break a to the entrance of the cavern.
Jumping off a couple of stalagmites and stabbing one of the men through the skull, twisting the blade, hearing a distinctive crunch from the action. One of the now remaining three made a move to fight back, but only found it to be in vain when said man swung a kunai aimed for Gaara's throat, was thrown off balance when Gaara deflected the blow using his elbow. Gaara tackled the man on the floor, only to repeatedly stab him in the chest.
He turned his blood splattered face at the remaining man, who trembled against the wet walls of the cavern, without hesitation Gaara pulled the short blade from the corpse below him, stood from his previous position and with a quick flick of his arm, the blade flew through the air too quick for the man to see, before lodging itself in his throat.
The gurgling of the dying man echoed into the deeper parts of the cavern, where Gaara was sure to find more victims.
Gaara commanded his sand to retrieve the blade before continuing his way deeper into the cavern.
The scent of blood blended with the musky air of the caverns as chakra signatures began to fade around him.
"FUCKING COWARDS!"
Gaara's rage laced voice boomed, one chakra signature remained and it carried with it, Sakura's scent.
Gaara sprinted and slid against the slick grounds as he made his way to what seemed like root of the hideout.
Gaara kicked down the door, stepping inside to see a taller man, his eyes were of an unusual pattern. The man grinned as he made eye contact with Gaara, in attempt to capture him in a genjutsu.
The leader's smile faded when Gaara continued to make slow advance towards him.
The tension was so thick the only thing that could have been heard was the blood dripping from the blade and the now fearful man's breathing become ragged with fear.
It wasn't until Gaara was right in front of him did the man urinate on himself.
Gaara's indigo-colored eyes hardened while making eye contact.
The man swiped at his suddenly irritated eyes.
Trying to bring himself relief he continued to rub them to no avail. It only took a couple seconds for the man to begin screaming as Gaara's sand slowly wore down the man's eyes from his socket.
The screams were always sounds that stayed branded in the internal radio that was the brain.
Gaara lifted the man in the air, one sand tendril on each limb, his fist was closed tightly at his side, with the opening of his palm, the sand pulled the man into pieces.
Blood coated Gaara's entire being.
Gaara slowly made his way outside, the hollow feeling overcoming him as he passed the threshold of the cavern. Gaara's eyes faded back to the natural shade they once were, where he collapsed on to his knees, outside the entrance of the cave.
His body trembled as he looked at his blood stained clothes and hands, remembering nothing, but the news about Sakura.
' I-i.. have ruined us.. I h-have ruined Sakura..'
Gaara hugged himself, unable to stop the howl that erupted deeply from inside.
The entrance of the cavern helped in amplifying the sound.
Gaara's eyes were solemn, as he was pulled into a trance by Shukaku, who took over Gaara's mind momentarily to rid the evidence of the slaughter.
The sand was perfecting of grinding flesh and bone.
Afterward, Shukaku sealed the cavern, never to be opened again, before receding into Gaara's mind, he made sure to set him on course toward the direction he came, Gaara continued to walk mindlessly toward the scent of his approaching brother.
"Kankuro! Stop!"
Kankuro heard Kakashi call out. Kankuro looked at the sight before him, his eyes widening, slack-jawed at the condition of his brother.
'… H-he.. killed for her..'
Although everything in Kankuro's body was telling him to run away from Gaara, from the start of a very young age, he ran toward the traumatized teen, placing his hand on his shoulder.
Gaara's head slowly turned his head toward the source of touch. Kankuro saw his brother's empty eyes slowly focus on him.
Kankuro was taken back at the watering of them.
"..I-i'm.. still a monster Kankuro.. "
Ignoring the blood, Kankuro brought his brother into a tight embrace.
".. No Gaara...they were the monsters.. you got rid of them.."
Gaara's shoulders shook, his walls were close to crumbling. Kankuro thought of the only thing to bring Gaara back to better thoughts.
".. Gaara.. Let's get you home and washed up.. You can visit her after.."
To the lack of response, Kankuro smuggled Gaara in crow, making sure no one saw him as they walked through Konoha's Western Gates.
Many civilians gathered to hear news about the sound. Kakashi informed them that a group of travelers were being attacked by a bear.
While Kakashi distracted the crowd, Kankuro made his way through the afternoon crowds of Konoha, to Nikko inn.
Once inside his apartment, he allowed crow to reappear, opened its chest, pulling his blood drenched brother out the compartment. Kankuro led him to the bathroom and without wasting time, he helped Gaara into the bathtub, clothes on and all, turning on the shower head to a warm spray.
Gaara closed his eyes as the water hit him. Kankuro couldn't help the nausea that came with seeing so much blood going down the drain.
The longer Gaara stayed in the spray, the less his clothes carried with it, the trace of blood. Kankuro helped Gaara remove his clothes, once down to his underwear,
Kankuro helped bathe his brother, for the first time in his life.
Konoha Hospital 9 Pm
A soft rhythmic beep echoed in the room. Sakura was sedated, after learning of the loss of life from Shizune, Sakura became hysterical.
She had a oxygen mask, which fogged every now and then indicating whome ever looked, that she was breathing.
Gaara gripped the fabric above his heart, the vision of her unconscious like made him realize how much more of a failure he was for not protecting her.
On the night stand beside her was vase with one sunflower in it.
Gaara moved from the foot of her bed to her side. He gripped the edge of the sheet that was covering her hospital gown clad body, pulling it down to her knees.
His hand trembled as he took the hem of her hospital gown, preparing to look at her wound.
Gaara slowly lifted her hospital down, his eyes immediately landing on the blood spotted bandage. He lifted the bandage, his eyes widening from the sight, he felt himself get sick at the horrible gash that laid sealed beneath.
Gaara removed the bandage as one of his eyes turned to that of Shukaku's. The Gaara/ Shukaku hybrid began to lap at the jagged wound on Sakura's abdomen.
Sakura stirred slightly during the process, as the wound slowly healed down to be in the shape of a small star point.
Once satisfied, Gaara/ Shukaku lowered her gown, and covered her and walked toward the room window, swearing to be on watch while Sakura slept.
He closed his eyes to meditate only to break down at the sound of her breathing softly in her sleep.
Gaara slid down the wall, resting his head back against the cold wall of the hospital, lamenting quietly as the tears falling had no indication of stopping.
March 29th
Sakura woke up a day after her birthday. Gaara went to see her, but every time their eyes connected, hers would water.
He was trying to find any possible solution to stop the reaction. He didn't think his heart can take it if he made her cry again.
After Temari informed him that Sakura specifically requested Gaara to never be told about the miscarriage. Gaara was confused which lead to Temari expressing, Sakura's request was a form of protection for him. Sakura explained to Temari that she was afraid of him doing something rash, which she had every suspicion to believe he would.
Sakura knew how much she meant to Gaara and vice versa.
Gaara placed his hand on hers, hearing her sniffle and cry softly. She raised her watery eyes to meet his.
".. I-i'm a failu-"
Gaara kissed her, he didn't think, he just acted. He didn't think his mind would be able to stay sane if he made her cry one more time.
Her lips quivered and shook against his. Gaara wiped away her tears after cupping the back of her head.
He gently laid her down on the hospital bed, climbing on top of her, making sure to hold himself up above her still recovering body. She began to cry when he kissed down her body and kissed the pin point star-shaped scar. He made sure to kiss it tenderly and affectionately.
The private hospital room was slowly filled with the sounds of her heartache. Gaara
rose his head, to catch her gaze.
Sakura's emerald eyes were tinted with a light shade of red, her cheeks were puffy and her nose held a light tinge of red, from excessive rubbing.
Her beautiful pink tinged lips, quivered in warning of the upcoming tear fall.
".. I am proud of you Sakura.. You protected everyone in your team.. "
Emerald eyes widen a fraction from his words.
".. I've failed you Sakura.. I couldn't prevent you getting harmed.."
Sakura couldn't help but frown.
".. Gaara.. there was no way of knowing that this would have happened.. Please.. the last thing I want to remember before you leave... is this.."
A very faint smile appeared on Gaara's lips as he hugged her, he let his inner conflict reflect off his eyes momentarily before carefully getting off of Sakura.
He turned to the pink haired beauty that was now sitting up on her bed, and mulled his brain for anything to get him off the subject of Sakura's injury.
" Have you eaten anything?" Sakura pondered, before responding bashfully.
" ..H-haven't had the appetite.."
Gaara turned to her, concern flashing through his features.
".. Would you eat if I got you something?" Sakura smiled softly at the tender gesture.
"..Yes.. and.. Thank you.."
Gaara nodded in acknowledgment and walked out of the room, in the search of sustenance.
March 31st- Final Day
Kankuro and Gaara were packing their items.
Temari had long since left Nikko inn to say her final goodbyes.
Kankuro was reminiscing about the night he walked Ino home, remembering the reason he didn't want to pursue her.
"Gaara.. are you and Sakura surviving beyond today?"
The comment didn't sit well with Gaara.
" What do you mean?" Kankuro waved is arms pacifically.
"I just know..distance slowly destroys... the bonds people can make.."
Gaara began to tense up. His already anxious mood heading south, quickly.
" Distance can't break what we have.." Gaara answered, without skipping a beat as he finished packing.
" Gaara.. I've seen this bef- STOP!"
The purple face painted puppeteer jumped, not expecting the sudden outburst, Gaara looked at his brother, a look of utter disbelief on his face.
"Brother..why are you poisoning my mind with doubt.. "
Kankuro made several moves to speak, but not finding the right words to say as Gaara disappeared with all his things packed, in a whirlwind of sand.
Leaving Kankuro the time to contemplate the right words to say.
'I'm sorry Gaara.. I just wanted to protect you ..for once..'
Gaara reappeared on the farm lands, large blocks of ice were formed. Gaara raised his hands commanding the sand to break the large blocks of ice apart among the gathered fruit and vegetable and various other produce, herbs and grains. He cocooned them and buried them beneath the ground they would be walking on. The chakra control for such a feat still astounding Master Kabu.
There travel of the harvested items were now inconspicuous, and brought less of a risk to him and his siblings. All those involved in the project stood around the gates of konoha to bid the Sand trio farewell, they were met with more ninjas from Suna, who were going to help in the transporting of livestock.
Sakura stood alone outside the gates, where she was limited to walk.
Gaara walked toward her, and stopped when she was right in front of him.
He leaned down and pulled her into a warm tender embrace.
" .. Saku- Gaara.. Please don't end us.. I don't want this to end.. I don't care about distance.. I'll write you!.. Lady Tsunade said to me what we had was temporary.. But I don't believe that.. I don't want to believe that.. She said by the time you get to Suna, you'd be too busy for someone like m-"
Gaara cupped her face and kissed her hard on the lips, Sakura's lips trembled in the kiss, he embraced her rubbing her back. He kissed her temple several times before whispering in her ear:..Ojo.. Don't tell me you forgot what forever means.. "
Sakura's body trembled in his arms as she buried her face in his chest to cry. Sakura's knees buckled as a sense of relief washed over her.
' I-I'm..not alone anymore..'
".. I know it might get tough...but you will always be in the forefront of my mind.. I will return every one of your letters with one of mine.. It'll be in Albed.. I have no doubt you remember what I taught you.. "
Sakura nodded shakily as Gaara comforted the intelligent woman in his arms for the last time, until next time he is able to hold her.
".. I wish you and Naruto luck in rescuing Sasuke.. I know if anyone can reach out to him.. it would be the both of you .." Sakura sniffled and raised her head to kiss him hard on the lips slowly pulling away from his arms, but, before she could fully pull away, he clung to her hand, placing something in it before grabbing the attention of his team, announcing their departure.
Sakura made it to the front of the crowd, her eyes watering as she watched Gaara become smaller and smaller, until the caravan was out of sight.
Sakura opened her palm, to see what Gaara placed in it. Her eyes watered at the sight of the Rose quartz pendant, with golden adhesive sticking the pieces together.
A smile appeared on her face the more she examined it.
'… It's just like me..'
She put her necklace back on before heading to her now empty home.
'.. My heart belongs to you and only you.. Sabaku no Gaara..'
Sakura was too engrossed on the gift, to notice the disappearing sand eye over her shoulder.
Present Day
Gaara was pulled from his deep thoughts to look at the woman who was trembling in the nude next to him.
He held her closer to his naked form, throwing formality and respect for her husband out the window. He has since covered the both of them in some of Gaara's now dry, protective wraps.
Gaara's eyes focused on her face, which was sill at a loss of color. Gaara stroked her back that was facing toward the fire in attempt to warm her faster.
His eyes were too engrossed in the flames, to notice the woman beneath him become semi-conscious, it wasn't till he felt a icy cold hand on his cheek, did he look down to see the emerald eyes he once freely stared into, stare back at him.
They stared at each other for what seemed like and eternity, the warm glow of the fire intensifying her rare beautiful features, Gaara couldn't stop himself from tucking away some pink strands behind her ear.
Sakura graced Gaara with a faint smile before losing consciousness again.
Gaara placed his hand on her forehead to find it was hot to the touch and got up from his spot and dressed quickly, before opening the door, revealing a blue clear sky.
Gaara, re-entered the shack, covering Sakura's nude for in layers of his protective clothing.
Her lifted her smaller frame, holding her bridal style while his sand took care of the fire.
Gaara commanded his sand to transport the two into the Hokage's office.
Hokage Office
A whirlwind of Sand broke Naruto from his worried pacing. Shock overcame him at the sight of Sakura.
"G-Gaara?!.. Sakura! What happened to her?!"
Naruto half yelled half screamed, as Gaara handed Naruto his unconscious teammate.
" Naruto, take her to the hospital first... Then.. We'll talk .. "
Naruto was just about to ask where his red headed friend was going when he up and disappeared again, leaving a very flustered and frustrated Naruto.
'.. Ugh! I really hate it when he does that...' the whiskered blonde thought momentarily before 'poofing' out of the Hokage office only to appear in the hospital.
Ino was the first to notice them, and before he could tell her anything, Ino had Sakura on a stretcher, on her way to the medical bay.
" I'll take over from here Naruto!" The platinum blond added as she sprinted after her best friend.
'...Sasuke isn't going to be happy about this..' the concerned blonde thought as he made his way back to his office only to be met with Gaara, waiting patiently in the shadows.
Naruto couldn't help but shake the anxiousness he felt for what Gaara was about to reveal to him.
".. Sakura and I.. became a couple while you were training with Lord Jiraiya.."
Naruto blinked several times in response before screaming:
"...WHAT!?"