Before the Chunin exams begin, first meeting
Sakura pov
She was looking at the redheaded boy, who seemed to froze the moment around him, making everyone on edge. He was staring at them, upside down from a tree, she felt like she couldn't escape from his cold and deep stare.
Of course, he wasn't particularly looking at her, she was a no body. Of course Sasuke-kun or even Naruto were more interesting than her. She was weak, just how Sasuke-kun said recently, she was dead weight, a lovestruck little girl, overall, useless.
When the boy with the big gourd appeared on the ground, a few feet from them, she felt something else, not just the fear, or her fangirlyness towards Sasuke-kun, but something deeper. She suddenly remembered when Sasuke-kun called her annoying, when she acted ignorant towards Naruto, not understanding his loneliness. Now she felt the same, this boy in front of her wore a scary mask, just like Zabuza or Haku, but deep down, maybe he was lonely too.
She didn't know what to do with this idea or information, now she just stored it away.
Gaara pov
He watched the weaklings and their argument with Kankuro.
Everyone of them was weak, maybe the one who was sitting at the tree was the strongest, but he was still weak. Knowing how easy it would be to kill them, took out some of the fun.
When he went down, to stand in front of them, making them stop this stupid childish behavior, he looked back at the weaklings, when answering the question about his name, and being curious about the raven haired's name as well, to know what clan he will erase after killing him, then he got the sight of the pink haired girl standing at the back.
Her eyes...
Reminded him of something, of a distant feeling, long forgotten
He turned to leave.
Chunin exams first part
Sakura pov
She saw the shivering sand in the class, and almost turned to him.
Gaara pov
From the corner of his eye, he saw that she answered everything by herself, without cheating. She was smart
Chunin exams part two
Sakura pov
When the sound nin's approached, and Lee appeared in front of her, she didn't wanted to acknowledge, not even to herself, that she wished the redheaded boy would have come.
Gaara pov
He wanted to kill more and more and more
Temari and Kankuro barely talked him out, to head to the building, finishing their exam on record time.
He still heard the scream in his head.
He wasn't even sure if it was her scream or not, he just heard it, and it made him uncomfortable.
Preliminary matches
Sakura vs Ino
Sakura pov
She wanted to show her strength, she wanted to be stronger.
Throughout the whole match, she felt his eyes on her, and she almost forgot about her recent tears for Sasuke-kun, him taking over her mind a bit, him and his lonely eyes.
Gaara pov
He watched her fight.
He didn't even thought about that when she was amongst the passed nins, he felt something, seeing her alive.
When she said to her opponent, that she has something in her head, he almost thought that she is like him, carrying a monster in her.
Gaara vs Lee
Sakura pov
She watched their fight, and saw a raw power he had, just by using sand. She also saw how strong is Lee, being able to harm him.
She was conflicted, one side of her wanting to cheer for Lee, after all, he saved her, he was from Konoha and their sensei's are friends, yet another side of her wanted to see something human in him, to surface out.
She could swear he looked at her, before crushing Lee's legs.
Gaara pov
He saw her glances at his opponent, and her smiles.
Of course he couldn't expect for her to watch him and only him.
He was nobody until he killed, then he became the worst nightmare.
So before crushing his left arm and leg, he looked at her, to see what is he, a monster.
When the kid's sensei appeared to stop the fight, he almost growled, being reminded of Yashamaru.
He didn't look at her again, fearing that her gaze will forever avoid him from now.
Hospital
Sakura pov
She was at the hospital, filling up a paper at the front desk, and later planning to visit Lee-san, when she felt something and her skin had goosebumps.
Gaara pov
He wanted to kill.
Kill that stupid opponent he had for good.
He was on the way to his hospital room, when he saw her at the front.
Of course she would be there, visiting him.
He became angry. At her, at her attention, at her attentiveness at her care.
He almost attacked her, but he stopped at the last minute. He still wanted those eyes again, to see him, just once more.
Konoha crush
Sakura pov
Sakura and Naruto were running after Sasuke-kun and Gaara, following the talking dog.
During their fight in the arena, she almost let out a cry, seeing his lonely eyes gone to the darkness. Ino just interpreted her reaction of fearing for Sasuke-kun's life, and she wished she could be as simple again.
When they found them, Sasuke-kun was suffering, having the curse mark spread across his body again, and her initial instinct was to protect him, even from the long gone lonely eyes.
When he attacked, and she got in the front, her determination wasn't just to save Sasuke-kun, but also for him to see her this once, to see her as someone capable of fight, even if she dies one second later.
Gaara pov
The Shukaku took him over, wanting to kill everything and everyone around him, but when he saw those eyes again, when she jumped in front of him, determination written on her features, his mind got filled with Yashamaru again, this time stronger.
Why did he remembered him when seeing her eyes, why was he disappointed that these eyes were against him?
He shuffled her away, without killing her, even Shukaku couldn't make him kill her right away at that moment.
After Sasuke Retrieval mission
Sakura pov
Sakura was at the hospital. She just came out of Naruto's room, feeling disappointed and sad that they couldn't bring back Sasuke-kun, but she had to put up a strong face, and know that she will need to become stronger.
It was at that moment when she saw him. The redheaded boy with the gourd, looking calm, calmer than she ever imagined he can look.
Ha came one step closer, and with a clear and honest tone, he said
"I'm sorry"
Gaara pov
He saw her, in the hospital, after the failed mission, and she was looking at him, just him, no one else.
He felt the need, the urge to say something, to express himself somehow
"I'm sorry"
He said, not really expecting acceptance, knowing not many people can accept an apology for trying to kill them.
So he felt his hearing got bad, when her answer came
"I forgive you" she said, without a trace of lie or uncertainty, and probably after seeing his surprised expression, she smiled at him.
His heart was pounding in his chest, and he remembered Yashamaru again, but this time the memory was good, comforting, like his smile then, like her smile now.
During time skip
Sakura pov
She was managing Tsunade's official letters, and smiled, seeing the Kazekage's signature.
She still couldn't believe that he became Kazekage.
She smiled thinking of Naruto's reaction.
She wanted to have a mission to Suna, to show him how strong she got, and to see him, of the miracle he is, of changing so much.
Gaara pov
He had a lot of paperwork on his desk, yet he just still stared at the last report.
The report was about the recent Chunnin exam, and the nin's who were appointed the title. At his first and only Chunin exam, only one person got that rank, namely Nara Shikamaru. On this one, ten more nins achieved it, three from Konohagakure, Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee and Haruno Sakura.
There was a small smile on his lips.
Kazekage retrieval
Sakura pov
She couldn't believe what she heard. The Kazekage was captured and Suna was in danger. She was running, almost as fast as Naruto, while trying to evade the worry from her mind, she needed to be strong, needed to keep it together, for Naruto, for Temari, for Kankuro, until the end of the mission.
When she saw his body, lifelessly laying on the ground, she almost cried, only Chiyo's hand on his chest stopped her pouring tears.
She saw Naruto, the desperation in his blue eyes, and she knew again, this was not her time to slip up, this was not about her, so she held back, and focused all her feelings on Chiyo-ba-sama, of how grateful she was for her, for everything she had done for her and was still doing.
She let out her tears while holding her, as if she was just sleeping.
Gaara pov
He was in the darkness, then saw his first friend, Naruto, welcoming him back, as if he was away just for bit.
His eyes looked around, and saw her.
Her clutched body, how she was crying, and he couldn't help but watch her, watch her, while she was holding the old kunoichi, who gave him his life back.
He stood up, with Naruto's help, and went in front of her.
And when their eyes locked, and he saw the tears in her's, he ordered everyone to pray for Chiyo-ba-sama, to express his gratitude, not just for the lady, giving back his life, but for her, that she was there, trying to save him.
When he said bye to them, at the east gate, he turned to her
"Thank you for saving my brother's life" he said, and almost bowed, only Temari stopping him, as a reminder that Kages do not bow.
"Kazekage-sama, if my medical knowledge is ever needed in Suna, please count on me" she said, actually bowing to him, and he let out a small smile.
"For you, it's Gaara" he said, before turning back to Naruto, not seeing the slight blush on her features.
Kage submit
Sakura pov
She wanted to stop Naruto, to make his promise stop, that he made to her about Sasuke-kun. Her lie was well prepared, and she got ready to be in any form of relationship that Naruto would want with her, her feelings mattered too much until now, she needed to put them away. Even the one that fluttered a bit, after hearing him, Gaara, talk with Naruto.
Gaara pov
He knew she was close, he knew she was listening, and he knew she was planning something, but he couldn't focus on her, there was an impending war, and Naruto was in danger.
War
Sakura pov
She was trying to save Naruto, the Kyubi just got extracted from him. Gaara was next to her, putting them on his sand, going fast towards the Yondaime, Naruto's dad, as an ultimate try to save him. His sand hugged her waist, to keep her safe, while they shouted at each other their ideas and despairs, the sand made her calmer a bit, falsely thinking that how it kept her safe on the top, in the air, it will keep her safe later.
Gaara pov
He watched her again, how she tried everything to save Naruto. He shared her feelings, not even thinking that Naruto can die, because they will not let him. While she did every healing trick, she could think of, he put his sand around her waist, signaling that, while everything was going on, her safety was amongst the things he cared about.
She became so strong, he couldn't even fathom it well, and now she was working with him, in a team, to save their shared friend. How much has changed, since she jumped in front of him, to save one of her loved ones from him.
Tsukuyomi
Gaara pov
Gaara was tranced by the moon, and he felt something wrapping around him. Suddenly he forgot what he was thinking before, because he was running out with Naruto to play, saying by to his parents between laughs. While they were running on the field, he saw her too, giving him a stick of grilled gizzard, while saying that he needs to try her sweets as well, from the box in her tiny hands.
Sakura pov
While Sasuke said, that they were the only ones left, who didn't got under the infinite Tsukuyomi, she just wanted to scream at him. Of why didn't he save everyone? Why just them? Why didn't he save stronger people? She and Kakashi were dead weight again, why couldn't he save him?
Kaguya
Sakura pov
She was plumbing chakra into Obito, to save Sasuke. She was still mad a him, but this was not the time. She thought of him, while giving in everything she had, shouting 'Shannaro'.
When Sasuke-kun caught her, while she almost collapsed, she was grateful for him, but also didn't want him to touch her, if she would've had more energy, she would've pushed him away.
Naruto vs Sasuke
She tried to stop them from doing this meaningless fight.
The world as they knew, was almost over, they couldn't think about fighting each other now, they needed to save the people.
"You are still so annoying" said Sasuke-kun, and she saw the purple figure's hand going through her.
The next moment, she was in the field again, collecting flowers with Ino, while the blonde was blushing, watching Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru and Choji running around.
She laughed, and saw a small teddy in the grass, a few steps from her. She picked it up, and looked around, to whom it could belong.
She saw a little boy, with red hair, playing with a tanuki, and laughing. She approached, and petted the tanuki's head, while kneeling down, to give back his teddy. They smiled at each other, and he gave her a narcist, putting in her hair.
When she finally got out of the genjutsu, she was disoriented, and she and Kakashi-sensei went to see the aftermath of their fight. She almost cried, seeing the blood and their missing arms.
She jumped there, to heal them, feeling totally done with their bullshit. When Sasuke-kun apologized, she remembered another 'I'm sorry' and tears surfaced, pouring down on her cheeks.
"You better be, shannaro" she said, half crying half laughing at their stupidity.
She avoided the look Sasuke-kun was giving her though, and when they did the release jutsu, with their joined fingers, she run away franticly, to look for him, amongst the mases of people.
A few times, she saw red hair, and stopped for half a second, with hope, only to realize, it's someone else.
Gaara pov
When the light came, it felt similar to the feeling, after he was brought back to life.
He needed a couple of seconds to realize, that everything was a dream, that this is the reality, and the fact that he was out of the dream, meant that they won. His body was shaking, and looked around, seeing the confused expressions on everyone around him.
And he saw something pink, running in a distance, franticly.
He almost let out a laugh, but his body felt strangely sore, almost to the point of passing out.
She got closer, and he could only smile at her.
Her eyes were finally watching him fully, only him, the real him.
And he knew what her tears meant, that's why he couldn't help but smile. Just knowing she is worried for him made his heart beat faster.
She kneeled next to him, of course checking his body with her healing hands.
"Sakura" he said with a raspy voice, this was the first time he actually said her name out loud "Thank you" he said, and saw her hand shake while healing his chest.
He saw her shaking head, and with tears and a smile she replied
"No, thank you" she said, before hugging him tightly.
After the war
Sakura pov
Sakura was in the office of Kakashi, now that he was the sixth hokage, and he had a discussion with Gaara.
She almost laughed, seeing how both of them avoided to wear the kage hats at all cost.
When Kakashi wasn't looking, they locked eyes for a few seconds, and her heart pounded at that, and had trouble hiding her grin from her former sensei.
"Hokage, I have another request"
"Ohh, what is it?" said Kakashi, while he tried to look over the papers, trying to find the obviously missing one, since he thought they were done
"Miss Haruno wants to establish a wing in the hospital, for mental care, for the children" she almost trembled, her idea was not approved yet by the council "Suna would be honored, to establish a similar facility, and our council already approved. If you allow, can miss Haruno start her project in Suna? As a test, until the Konoha council approves?" he asked, looking at her at the end of his sentence.
She couldn't believe it.
He already prepared for it, while she only mentioned it the last time he was in Konoha, when they run into each other.
He really believed in her.
She almost let out a cry, of how honored she felt, of how much he lifted her up. He truly saw her, her power, her compassion and her goal.
Years later
Gaara pov
He woke up, surprised that Sakura's sleep care worked again. It only worked a couple of times.
He looked over at her sleeping face, and couldn't help, but lean down and kiss her, not caring about the morning breath.
Naruto was bugging them for months now, of when do they want to get married, but they both felt like, marriage can still wait. They were too busy with their own demons and goals.
With sleep trials, there came the nightmares, he woke up, and only Sakura's hug and her infinite care and love made the nighmares go away. They were never gone for long, but she was always there, supporting him, until he needed, and the same was for him.
Whenever a council member, foreign ambassador or old friend from Konoha mentioned how weak she was, how useless she was before, and he saw her shake and cry for help.
He was there too, always hugging her, reassuring her, of how strong she is, of how grateful he is, for her, for everything.
He even told her a few times, how her eyes, even when he met her for the first time, where so full with understanding, and care, than now love, that he can never truly call her weak. Not when she offered bravely something to him, even when they were young, even when she thought, no one would want her offering, after all, someone rejected that, he wanted, with all his heart.
He was happy, yesterday there were no nightmares.
He slowly woke her up, after all, today was the day, when they planed to adopt a little boy from the orphanage, named Shinki.